Christmas has meaning again!

Now that Master Two .......and 3/4s ....... is finally starting to understand Christmas and get all excited, Christmas has finally turned itself around for me and I am starting to really enjoy it again. The excitement and interest is fantastic! It is also exciting as it is Miss Almost 9 Months very first Christmas.

Here's to many more fun Christmases in the Keen household!

Good riddance to Kennards!

Finally after 11 months of seeing a Kennards Hire Fence every day ....... a complete eye-sore ............ it has now officially been taken away and never to be seen again at our house! We put it up as a temporary measure when we moved in for instant fencing to keep the dogs in and it stayed for 11 long months.

In place is the gate that we have been wanting all that time but waiting to get around to it - well I am happy to report it is now complete and we are happy with the outcome. OK there is still painting to go, but I love my new gate!

Lamest excuse ever ....... but it worked

People get jailed for drug possession every day - often with a few recreational drugs on them. Possession is possession!

Yet French tennis player Richard Gasquet, who tested positive for cocaine earlier this year, was cleared of any offence by the Court of Arbitration for Sport - his defence ........... he kissed someone the night before the test in a nightclub in Miami. Oh c'mon ............ seriously!

So people get jailed for possession, but someone who actually has drugs in his system gets off with the lamest excuse ever!

Our miniature beings

You soon realise how you speak when your two year old starts talking to people. We had a landscaper here yesterday to work on putting up our gate and Master 2 kept going up to the guy saying, "What are you doing mate?"

You think you're having a bad day

Just when you think you are having a bad day, someone else is having a worse one! I woke up feeling sorry for myself today but anything that I was worrying about all paled into insignificance when I found out friends of ours' three week old baby is sick in hospital with bacterial meningitus! Here's hoping he has a speedy recovery and that there is no long term damage to his brain.

This will mess with your head

Three men go into a motel. The man behind the desk said the room was $30, so each man paid $10 and went to the room.

A while later the man behind the desk realised the room was only $25, so he sent the bellboy to the three guys' room with $5.

On the way, the bellboy couldn't figure out how to split $5 evenly between the three men so he gave each man $1 and kept the other $2 for himself.

This meant that the three men each paid $9 for the room, which is a total of $27, add the $2 that the bellboy kept = $29

Where is the other dollar?

Chomping Chimp!

I always thought it would be so cool to have a pet chimp - something to have a laugh with, cuddle, take to the park ............... that is until I read an article today about a woman in the US (yes everything always happens in the US!) who was attacked by a 90kg chimp. The chimp went to town ripping off the woman's hands, nose, lips and eyelids. That's some serious damage!

Hmmm think my thoughts have now changed ...... but hey I have kids now to do all that with!

Scary toys of today

There is something awfully scary about a story I read on ninemsn today about a Bulgarian who gave birth on her wedding day. The scary part ................. she is 11 years old!

Apparently she is excited to "have a new toy". If you want a toy, go and play with a Barbie or something!

Skincare Direct

Since moving to the Southern Highlands, I have had trouble getting my shampoo and conditioner. Huge dilemma I know!

Problem solved - I now buy online. I came across this Australian website based in North Sydney, but they ship from Hong Kong. Not only are they a few $$ cheaper than buying in the shops here, but they also don't charge shipping. Bargain I say!

It also arrives within a couple of days!

They sell many other hair, skin and makeup needs with many top brands - worth checking out Skincare Direct.

Another caring and sharing moment proudly brought to you by me!

iPhone killed the blogging star

Well it's official ...... my new iPhone has taken me away from my computer time ....... and hence has slackened my ability to write blog posts. Let's face it, with e-mail and Facebook now on my iPhone, my computer is slowly becoming redundant!

This is the reason for my slackness in October. I am going to be even worse for the next week as I soak up the sunshine in Noosa.

The countdown is on..............

The big countdown is now on until we head off on a plane to finally have a holiday ...... and hopefully some rest. Tuesday week we are heading off to the beautiful Noosa for some sun, beach and relaxation!

Now we just need to convince Madeline to sleep longer than three hours at a time to make it even more relaxing!

Marketing stuff up worked its magic on me!

OK so I caved to marketing hype. Walking down the aisles of Woolies yesterday and my eyes were drawn to iSnack 2.0 (now (Cheesybite). So my curiosity got the better of me and it slipped into my trolley. I just wanted to be able to say to Jackson: "Would you like some iSnack 2.0 on your toast!"

Anyway, thought I might get in before the labels are changed to the new name!

Verdict - not bad ...... although no replacement for the real Vegemite! But for those who find Vegemite too powerful, they might actually enjoy this.

Slow off the mark in October

OK so I'm a little slow off the mark posting anything in October. My brain has had a slow start to the month - sleep deprivation is slowly but surely frying my whole being!

But I am excited to report that I have been busy surrounding myself with new technology, with the introduction of the iPhone and Austar into my little, but important world!

I now have an iPhone addiction ....... which also further feeds my Facebook addiction!

It is also great to have pay-TV back after 10 months of surviving on free to air. Boy was that doing my head in! But Austar is not close to being as good as Foxtel in terms of speed and its program guide, but it is all that is offered here so like it or lump it! Like it I say!

Vegemite's iSnack 2.0 brand killed after three days!

Yay - iSnack 2.0 dead after just three days! National outrage has forced Kraft to kill the name. I don't know what they were thinking in the first place ........ and neither did the rest of Australia obviously. What a marketing disaster!

Don't mess with a national icon and if you do, do a bit more market research first!

Daylights savings = more sleep (hopefully!)

Daylight savings starts this Sunday and I can't wait. As we headed out of winter and the daylight hours getting longer, Master 2 has decided 5.15 is a good time to wake up. So I am hoping that daylights savings will be our saviour!

This was always my favourite time of the year when I was a little kid with more time to spend running around outside, and many trips to the beach in summer for fish and chips for dinner.

It also heralds the fact that summer is on the way!

8.7kg baby born - ouch!

Carrying a 3.5kg baby is hard enough but news in today that a woman in Indonesia gave birth to a 8.7kg baby. That is just insane!

I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. All I can say is ouch!

Sydney turns orange!

I can't go past commenting on today's dust storm in NSW! Waking up this morning was very eerie in the Southern Highlands ............ but nothing like what Sydney faced. The worst dust storm in 70 years made its way from central and northern Australia and spread its load along the coast.

It did make for some spectacular photography though!

Whilst not as thick as Sydney, the Southern Highlands certainly didn't escape though. Dust covered cars (including ours) drove along the streets looking like we were somewhere in the desert. The hose came out this afternoon and washed down my car, as well as the house and driveway. There is still lots more to go!

Here is a pic taken from my friends front yard.

Happy boys in Thomas heaven!

On Sunday, Thomas ruled our world! Thomas the Tank Engine that is!!

With a son who absolutely loves anything Thomas, we headed to the Rail Heritage Centre at Thirlmere for A Day Out With Thomas on Sunday. A must for any Thomas fan!

We took an hour ride on Henry the steam train, with other activities to amuse the kids - jumping castles, mini Thomas rides, meeting Thomas, face painting, story telling, movies and an opportunity to look through all the old trains at the museum.

It was a really great day out. This is a must to put any Thomas fan in train heaven! 

The Rail Heritage Centre did two of these days this year, so keep an eye out for next years scheduling if you missed out this year.

Good night sleep is just around the corner ...... well so we thought!

After having to get up every three hours during the night for the past six months to feed and cuddle Madeline, it was time to take action! Sleep deprivation is slowly but surely sending me insane!!

Following advice from the wonderful Robin Barker (Baby Love), we started a "teaching to sleep" plan over the past week. The plan is supposed to take 3-5 days to work.

We were having some very promising results with Madeline at her best sleeping from 7pm to 5am and then after a feed back to sleep until 7am. It as great - we were able to enjoy an evening without baby and even able to enjoy of couple of glasses of wine.

Unfortunately, Madeline is now showing early signs of getting a cold, so the plan is now on hold until the sniffles stop. Just as we were getting a taste for a good thing. Anyway, watch this space - we will get sleep!!

New and improved Master 2

Picture this .............. you turn up to a hairdresser with Master 2 and he starts screaming as soon as they put the cape on him. You can only imagine what he is like once they squirt water on his head, start cutting and the clincher - the clippers on the back of the head and around the ears. 

The only way to get the job done is to physically restrain Master 2 and hold him with all your might on your lap with his face in your chest, while he kicks and screams.  

Well I am glad to say, that is a thing of the past (I hope!). May I introduce you to the new and improved version, who sat like an angel with no tears to be seen, content with a lollypop in his mouth (gathering hair mind you!) and an occasional smile. 

It must be a different child I hear you say. Well to my complete surprise - no!! Master 2 has been reformed. 

OK maybe I shouldn't talk too soon - it may have been a one off wonder, but I feel relieved for the hairdresser, myself and Master 2 himself. Time to move on!!

RIP Patrick

It's a sad day today for the many ladies of this world who have drooled after Patrick Swayze since he melted many hearts in Dirty Dancing. He died at the age of 57 after suffering for 20 months with pancreatic cancer.

RIP Patrick!

Kanye go west!

The talk of the day was Kanye West's outburst at the VMA Awards spoiling Taylor Swift's big moment of glory when she won an award for a song of hers. For those that haven't heard, quick recap - Kanye grabbed the mic out of Taylor's hands during her acceptance speech to tell the crowd that Beyonce should have won for her video Single Ladies.

19 year old Swift was gob smacked as you would be and left the stage without finishing her speech. An embarrassed Beyonce called Swift up on to the stage when she won an award later on to let Swift finish her moment of glory.

I'm thinking Kanye should put his puppy back in his pants and learn a few manners. Who cares what you think Kanye ......... obviously the voters thought different, so deal with it.

Thought of the day

If the cops arrest a mute, do they tell him he has the right to remain silent?

SA runner a hemophrodite

I really feel for South African runner Caster Semenya today after tests revealed that she is a hemaphrodite. If it wasn't enough to have her sexuality scrutinised around the world, the teenager had to undergo rigorous tests and public humiliation. 

Being a hemaphrodite must be hard enough to deal with, let alone having the whole world know. I can only imagine what she must be going through and hope for her sake this saga ends soon.

Sadly it looks like her athletics career is over ...... and it had only just begun. Unless she can gets her testosterone levels under control, she will be banned. 

Very unfortunate indeed!

The ageing process

Thought I would share an interesting piece on ageing I found today.

"Do you realise that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.

'How old are you?' I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key.

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.

'How old are you?' I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life . . you become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony . . YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed.

You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50.

And your dreams are gone.

But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would.

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.

You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday.

You get into your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.'

Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again.' I'm 100 and a half!'

May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!"

Holiday bells are ringing

The holiday bells are ringing and I couldn't be more excited! It has been a year since my last holiday and while this doesn't seem that long, it has been a big year ............. buying a house, moving out of Sydney, new baby, two children, five months of sleep deprivation (up every three hours still!!), constant daycare bugs, working two days and dad having two heart attacks! Bring on the holiday I say!

The hardest decision has been deciding where to go! Originally Fiji was the front runner with cheap flights, child friendly resorts and stay 2 nights pay for 1 deals. But we have decided to stay within Australia ......... Noosa here we come! Woohoo!

Toothy pegs!

I am very excited for my little girl today who let her first tooth pop on through at 5 months. At the same time my maternal functions are shuddering at the thought!

Upon checking Jackson's details, he beat her by one day! Now that is just freaky - teeth in sync!

Moving insurance

After chatting to a friend who is about to move house, it got me thinking about sharing some wisdom that I discovered when moving recently myself. Removalists will convince you that you need insurance through them to cover the transporting of your goods - and it isn't cheap either! 

Yes - insurance is certainly important to protect all your goods, but check your content insurance if you have as you may already be covered. Before spending up with our removalists, something made me check with our contents insurance company NRMA. Our contents policy covered our goods if packed onto or unloaded off the truck in a driveway. If loaded on the road, that is no longer on your property so your contents are not covered ......... but of course, who is to say that your vase didn't get broken on the front lawn! ;0)

The policy also covered the goods in transit as well.

So many people just pay what they have to to the removalist company, so it pays to check with your contents insurance company first!

Man flu - the tragic, debilitating disease PART 2

Further to my discussion about man flu recently, I came across a great man flu clip that is a classic - so very true!

Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EElqrgk4N0

Goodbye winter .......... hello spring!

Yay - winter is finally over! I survived my very first Southern Highlands winter ......... and I'm still here to tell the story! OK so it may have been a milder than normal winter, but still it doesn't change the fact that I don't like winter!

Even though spring officially starts today, it started weeks ago with higher than expected temperatures for the last few weeks. I'm certainly not complaining. The blossums flowered far in advance of spring. We even had baby birds in a tree on our driveway a few weeks ago. Last week I was even wearing short sleeve t-shirts!

I am hoping that doesn't mean it will be a long hot summer, especially considering we decided not to put air con in when we put in our central heating. Either way, bring on the sunny days!!

Neighbours rock!

We officially have the best neighbours! We have had piles and piles of vegetation that I have cleared from the garden sitting around for a very long time. Unfortunately our council is not like our old council (North Sydney) and they don't collect vegetation. Instead you have to take it to the tip and pay per trailer load, as well as all the petrol used getting to and from the tip.

Unless you have neighbours like ours! They know this farmer a few blocks from our house who likes the vegetation for his cows, lambs and goats to eat ....... and they have a trailer. So yesterday morning they just rocked up to our place and took a trailer load of our vegetation off to this guy ....... in the rain! Naturally half an hour later the sun came out. That is dedication for you!

Now that we have been introduced to this farmer, we can now go and "dump" at his house as well. Sweet! Now if you saw this guys house, "dump" is a pretty good description of it!

Amazing story!

What an amazing story today about the 29 year old who was kidnapped 18 years ago outside her house in the US and has just been found. Not good that she was caged and raped, with two children to her kidnapper. But so great that she can now hopefully lead a much better life.

My gorgeous girl!

I took a photo of my gorgeous little girl yesterday and I am absolutely in love with it. So of course I had to share! She is 5 months old tomorrow.

The second child syndrome

It is so true what everyone says about having more than one child. You capture every moment of your first child's waking moment on camera, spend money on professional pics as a wee bairn and of course they need everything you come across while out shopping.

Come the next child, the poor thing misses out on everything!

I am determined not to be like that with Madeline, but can already see it happening. I don't want her in years to come to say to me "why are there so many photos of Jackson around but not me?", "why did you never do this with me?", etc. Unfortunately it just happens without you even thinking about it!!

Losing streak

First the pain of losing the Bledisloe Cup match on Saturday night by one point in the last dying minutes, now the Ashes to the Poms ........ not a good weekend in sport for the Aussies!

To add insult to injury, I am married to a Pom who has nothing better to do than rub it in!!

The mind of Master 2

Every day Jackson's imagination just gets more creative and I love watching it!

He's moved on from using whatever he can as a mobile phone (door chocks, magnets, paint brushes, etc) and is now onto food.

Today he was pretending to eat his wooden shapes and offered me some "watermelon". It was the tastiest watermelon I have ever eaten!! ;0)

Yesterday his yellow play dough was turned into bananas!

Oh the innocence of it all .......... and I love it!

Tax time!!

I'm off to the tax man shortly - SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!!!!!!

Bargains galore!

Since I have lived in the Southern Highlands, I have now been converted into an online shopper. While we have a lot of things down here, there are just some things you cant get ......... like my brand of shampoo.

But I have turned into a bargain online shopper and have been impressed with some of my recent purchases. I just bought Madeline's summer wardrobe on the Pumpkin Patch esale, with some gorgeous dresses and tops at a fraction of the retail price, with dresses reduced from $32 to $12 ............. bargain!

Next stop was the Britt sale on the Ozsale website. Britt stuff is gorgeous, but I certainly wouldn't pay retail for it! So I stocked up on gorgeous Britt bears for new babies on the way and jackets for Madeline for next winter. I paid $15 for the jacket, which I saw in a shop the other day for $80! Now I call that a bargain!

Yes I may be a bit slow of the mark as I have always liked going to the shops and seeing what I buy, but where there is a bargain to be had, I am there!

Man flu - the tragic, debilitating disease

When it comes to being sick, there is nothing more debilitating than man flu ........ or so I've been told many times!! Apparently it is even worse than child birth - i'll let you make your own decision on that one!!

But what we can't ignore when it comes to this terrible disease is its global plight. So many sufferers around the world it's scary!

Whether a man flu sufferer, someone who has to put up with an infected one, or just simply who likes a good chuckle, you must read the Manflu UK website. You won't be disappointed!

Winter has forgotten its winter!

My dream winter is happening at the moment - warm and sunny! If winter was like this all the time I might actually start liking winter!

Not a wooly jumper, glove or beenie in sight! Of course that hasn't been the case all winter, but I am not complaining at all. A trip to the park has never been so enjoyable!

Bring it on I say!

Back on board!

Yes that's right! Here I am again after fighting the swines ....... well so we had convinced ourselves! The Keenos were all struck down this past week with a really horrible case of the flu, and the battle ain't over just yet unfortunately.

But I am pleased to report my brain is functioning again and ready to release more crap from the depths of the core!

Since I shut down for duties so much has happened. A dog rocking up at home with a human leg, lots of plane crashes, more Kyle Sandilands trashing, Woodstock 40th anniversary and summer weather taking over winter!!

One of the biggest disappointments of the week is news that Judith Lucy has replaced Hughesy on Rove. If there is one comedian (if you can call her that!) who I can't stand, it is Judith Lucy. The loathing goes back to The Late Show days ........ 16 years of hatred. What was Rove thinking?! The woman doesn't have a funny bone in her body. Sigh!

Anyway, that's a wrap from me. Catch you next time.

No inspiration!

I have broken my promise of a daily post, but I have a terrible bug that has taken over my head and body and it has left very little room in my brain for inspiration. Will be back soon I promise!

Getting bugged by the bugs

When your kid starts day care all you hear about is the amount of bugs they pick up ......... followed by how great it is for building their immune systems.

The first part couldn't be more true with any and every bug finding their way home! Can you tell that I got struck down with another bug this morning ........ so needed an opportunity to whinge!!

17 months on I'm still waiting for the last part to happen. Just as one bug goes another lands and spreads around the family! It wasn't so bad until we added another little Keen to the family, who picks up these bugs. Her first was at four weeks, which turned into bronchitus. It isn't nice having one so young sick!

Whinging aside, what is interesting though is that there were reports that came out just a few weeks after Jackson started daycare, which suggested that kids attending day care or playgroups are at a lower risk of developing leukaemia.

Good or bad I just wish these damn bugs would go away!!

New freedom - yippee!!

You probably won't share my excitement with me unless you are a mum with two children and a single pram, but I found a new freedom this week - the buggy board!!

When we had Jackson, we faced the dilemma on what pram to get but opted for the Mountain Buggy (no toddler seat) over the Phil & Ted's (toddler seat option) as we liked the Mountain Buggy so much more. We thought when the time came for number 2, we would assess the situation and sell the MB if needs be.

So when Madeline arrived, we decided to see how we went without getting a double pram and we have survived over four months now without needing as Jackson likes to walk everywhere! But there are just times when I would like to get places a little faster! So out I went this week and bought a Buggy Board - a toddler skateboard that connects to the back of the pram! It also doubles as a little seat if Jackson wants to sit for a minute.

Jackson loves it.......and mummy loves it even more!! I can now go for walks with the two kids, get around shopping centres much quicker and I didn't have to spent lots of money on getting another pram! Very happy indeed - well worth every cent I paid for it!

Strange happenings

There is a bizarre mystery that is really bugging me at the moment. Madeline's activity mat (which was of course Jackson's activity mat) has always played three tunes - each by Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin. The mat is now over two years old and has always played the same three songs, over and over and over and over again! There is a separate button to push for each composer. Lights have also moved around the mat in time with the music.

That is until recently. The battery is running very low on the mat and for some reason no longer plays those same three songs that it has so tirelessly played. Instead it now plays three new entirely different classical songs.......songs that have never, ever, ever blasted out of the mat before. The old songs have just disappeared!

Added to the music, the lights now decide to come on when the music is turned off and don't work when the music is turned on.

Now I hear you saying, "are you sure it isn't the same songs just playing really, really slow." Oh no, no, no - completely new songs!!

It is actually refreshing to have new songs after hearing the other ones so many times.

Either someone thought they would play a lovely practical joke on me when they manufactured the mat, or maybe the mat is supposed to play different songs and just hasn't until now, or the devil is out to get me! Who knows?? I could just change the batteries as well and see what happens!

Either way, this is a mystery that is perplexing me at the moment!

Master 2 the monster

Not long after Madeline was born the Early Childhood nurse asked me how Master 2 had reacted to his new sister. We had been so blessed with the best reaction possible - complete adoration! She warned me to look out around the three month mark as toddlers realise that number two is there go stay and they can muck up.

So three months passes by with adoration growing everyday, putting that theory to bed. Until four months heralds itself. Master 2 suddenly turns into a roaring monster!

He goes around making tiger sounds, which scares Madeline. He waits for her reaction and then makes the noises even louder! Cheeky tiger!

Poor Madeline's head has also been subjected to thumps by various objects, including a wooden helicopter and a hard cover book. A few whacks by hand come her way every now, disguised by a tickle! Hmmmmm.

Despite all of this, she still looks at Master 2 with starry eyes! She loves her big brother.

Don't get me wrong, the kisses and cuddles from Master 2 far outweigh the taunts and thumps, but the monster within needs to toddle off until she can stand up for herself!

Pearl Jam and Ben Harper to rock it together!

I am so excited to find out today that Pearl Jam and Ben Harper are touring together in November. I was ...... and still am a 90s grunge chick at heart, just minus the Doc boots, band t-shirts and waist length hair! It has been 14 years since I last saw Pearl Jam at the Entertainment Centre - now I feel really old just saying that! Eddie Vedder.....sigh!

Ben Harper ........ sigh! Oh and another ....... sigh! Anyone that knows me knows my love for Ben Harper. I have seen him many times in concert and he never disappoints. If only Jack Johnson was touring as well and then I'd be a very happy woman!

It is an interesting combination of acts, with the rocking sound of Pearl Jam and the soulful voice of Ben Harper. Such a shame it is at the Sydney Football Stadium though - not sure it will work for Ben Harper as he's not a big venue kinda guy. Either way I am sure it will still be fab and would love to be there.

Entertainment Value of Master 2

As Master 2's ability to converse and understand increases significantly everyday, the entertainment value also increases!

I have caught him breastfeeding his teddy twice - but added to that he actually lifted his shirt and also burped him afterwards. Far too funny!

He also tried changing the nappy on Madeline's doll (not that one exists!), as she had apparently done a poopy! (see the video below)

I also caught him out of bed one night, but found it very hard to get angry at him as he was talking into his door chalk, which he was using as a phone.

Oh the imagination of a two year old! I am sure this won't be the last of these funny moments either.

Daily posts delivered!

I did promise blog posts every day, whether interesting or not, and I have delivered with a post every day for the past month! So there Michelle - twice as long as you put your bet on ......... now time to pay up!! I am determined to keep it going, unless of course I run out of things to say (never!!)

Pumpkin's next chapter begins!!

Breaking news just in from the land of the All Blacks, sheep and fush n' chups, little Pumpkin's dad has been jailed for life! Yippeee!! Another one to throw away the key on!

Sleep - the precious resource!

According to Wikipedia, "Sleep deprivation, having too little sleep, can be either chronic or acute. Long-term sleep deprivation causes death in lab animals. A chronic sleep-restricted state can cause fatigue, daytime sleepiness, clumsiness and weight gain."

Let me take a step back - long-term causes death in lab animals! Thankfully I'm not a lab animal otherwise I would have been dead a long time ago!!

I better hurry Madeline along then in case it also works on humans!!

Throw away the key!

Last week I wrote about a couple in the US who tried to sell a five year old girl to child pornographers, which horrified me. Sadly, I have since read plenty more terrible crime stories against children, with a toddler and child found dumped yesterday in a garbage bin in the US; a mother who mutilated and cannibalised her three week old son in the US and a mother in Australia who encouraged her 13 year old disabled daughter to engage in indecent acts, photographing her naked and sexually penetrating her with a sex toy.

As a mother, it makes me sick to think that people can actually carry out these crimes on such innocent and unknowing children. Actually, whether a mother or not I would still be just as horrified. These gorgeous beings have done nothing wrong other than simply been born. Let these parents rot in jail and throw away the key!

Bikini bandit

Yesterday I brought you the Undie Bandit, today I bring you the Bikini Bandit!

A woman in the US was involved in carjacking, with no weapons in sight and all while wearing a bikini. Amazingly the victim gave up the car without a fight - hmmmmm. I wonder what the threat was to give up her car so easily - "Give up your car or I'll flash my boobies!"

What is this world coming to - guns and knives must be hard to come by these days!!

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/842501/us-police-nab-bikini-bandit

Undie bandit!

Classic - two thieves broke into a chemist in QLD last night, one of them wearing undies on their head, rather than a balaclava!! Nothing like a resourceful thief!!

Hope they were clean!

Dancing down the aisle

In case you haven't already seen this video splashed all over the news this morning, I have to share it with you as it is a classic!

Imagine being the celebrant having to talk seriously after this.............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEh3Z56v8UQ

Thanks Jill and Kev for the laugh!

Happy birthday Pauly!

This is just a quick dip in today to wish my favourite man a huge happy birthday. We couldn't have picked an nicer day for it - bring on the sunshine!!

As Jackson would say, "Beep beep yay! (Translation: Hip Hip Hooray!)

The losing battle

I'm losing the battle ................ losing the lovely hour or two of peace every day when the kids sleep. Bed is no longer something that Master 2 is looking forward to during the day anymore. Boohoo says mummy!

But I have discovered an alternative. Since Master 2 wouldn't sleep the other day I thought we may as well make the most of the day. As soon as we started driving, sure enough he was sound asleep. So now around 1-2ish every day we go for a daily drive around the area and as soon as he nods off, I return home and resume whatever it is that I do.

How long will this last for I wonder!

Logical conversation with Master 2

I love having conversations with two year olds - pure logic!!

Me: Are you tired?
Master 2: Yes

Me: Are you really tired?
Master 2: Yes

Me: Do you want to go to bed?
Master 2: NO mummy!

Oh the joys! Mummy could do with some sleep though! ;0)

Lock them away for good I say!

I would love to know what makes people do the insane things that they do. I just read an article on ninemsn about a guy in the US who tried to sell his girlfriend's 5 year old daughter to child pornographers in exchange for an apartment and a used car. Who does that???????

Thankfully the judge saw sense and has locked him up for 30 years with an additional 10 years of supervised release after his prison term. If I had my way, he would never be let out ....... or thrown into a mental institution for the rest of his life.

The girl's mother is also serving a 20 year prison sentence after pleading guilty to one count of selling a child.

If frustrates me so much when there are so many people out there that desperately want children and can't have them. Then there are people like this couple in the world who should never have been given this fantastic gift of life.

What gives me some light relief when thinking about this is that hopefully the little girl will now be in much better care with lots of love poured on her. Added to this is the hope that this couple will have a pretty rough time in jail as people like that are targeted by other inmates for the terrible crime they committed against such innocent little beings.

Blogging addiction!

I am very slow on the uptake, but I am now officially addicted to blogging. Maybe it is because I have finally found somewhere to dump my brain and ramble about whatever I like. But it is great!

This blog is a personal blog to ramble about my life and thoughts, but I created a new blog last week with an actual purpose - to show off the wonderful Southern Highlands to Sydneysiders. Makes me think there might be a calling for me in tourism..........who knows!! Visit: Sydneysiders Guide to the Southern Highlands.

No more attention to give!

I have come to the decision that I cannot possibly care for one more living thing in this household at the moment with far too many furry and non-furry things wanting my attention. Between a husband, two kids, two dogs and a cat....and then there's myself, it's a pretty full house! But I wouldn't have it any other way either!

Here's the furry variety................

The ever loving and never obedient Marley & Mia

The tubby tabby - Hugo

Tree change

Since we moved out of Sydney to the Southern Highlands in January this year, tempting first home buying offers have driven many more of our friends out of Sydney to where house prices are far more affordable and you can get so much more, allowing them to live the old fashioned Australian dream!

Central Coast, Southern Highlands, Wollongong and QLD seem to be calling people at the moment.

Many more have said to me that they would love to live out of Sydney - I say do it! Apart from the long commute Paul has to make working in the heart of Sydney, we love it. The air, the people and lifestyle are massive draw cards! You only live once - you may as well enjoy it!

Obligation vs favour!

I must stipulate that before all of you fathers cry poor, the following comment is not relevant to all cases ....... but upon chatting with a few friends tends to be a common occurrence!

One thing that perplexes me is the role that fathers think they play vs the role that is part and parcel of fatherhood.

Why is it when fathers look after their kids for an hour or two to let the mother go off and have some downtime, it is a favour to the mother rather than part of their obligation as a father. Like they signed up for babysitting duties instead .......... OK where credit is due, without the $10 per hour!

Brotherly love

There is nothing that warms my heart more than watching the fascination that Jackson has for Madeline, who is 3.5 months old. As much as I would love for this to last forever, I realise that this won't always be the case......but I am certainly enjoying watching it for now!

Here are some special moments of my two munchkins captured!

From the very beginning in hospital......

To the first moments at home.....

The loves continues........

The new play thing!

And the one that melts me the most.....

New blog launched!

Welcome to the launch of my new blog - Sydneysiders Guide to the Southern Highlands.

I moved to the beautiful Southern Highlands from Sydney in January 2009. Since we moved we have a lot of guests from Sydney coming to visit us, as well as people who come down to see the region. I am asked frequently where people should visit, where they should stay, good places to eat and so on.

So this is a guide to help them enjoy some of the fine features the Southern Highlands has to offer! Of course everything published is based on my personal opinion and others may not agree, but this is an opportunity for me to share and boast about what there is on offer here!

Sugar High

I've been trying to be a reasonably good parent and not lace Jackson's diet with too much sugar....until now - I am starting to see the amusement value of a sugared up two year old! Sound needed for this one..........

G&T Sunsets

Since visiting Botswana in 2005, I have constantly marveled at its spectacular sunsets! But I have to admit, since moving to the Southern Highlands I have seen some pretty amazing sunsets and all from the comfort of my back deck. Goes well with a good G&T really!

No wonder life is confusing for a kid!

We spend the first 12 months of our children's lives teaching them to walk and talk, and the next 24 years telling them to sit down and shut up!

Time to teach Madeline rollerblading now!

I've just seen the best ad for Evian and had to share! Best get started on Madeline's roller blading skills now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQcVllWpwGs&feature=yva-title

Riding the rollercoaster

Today I am reflecting on a what was a very mixed emotional rollercoaster day yesterday.

From what started out as a normal Friday of play dates, tantrums and caffeine, turned into a day of elation and shock.

I became an auntie for the third time to little Oliver Andrew Keen - a gorgeous little baby boy for Paul's brother Martin and his wife Donna. The little man must have been in a rush and decided to come a few days early. Another little Keen boy! Congrats guys!

A little after I found out about the baby, I also found out my dad had been rushed to hospital after having a heart attack. He is doing much better thankfully, but he is still in a critical phase in intensive care. He has to go and have an angiogram, which will determine the next course of action. It has certainly given us a great scare. No doubt it has shaken dad up a lot – time for him to slow down and take better care of himself!

Any positive thoughts are appreciated for a speedy recovery!

Death by chocolate

I know commenting on someone's misfortunate passing isn't really the politically correct thing to do, but this one certainly caught my eye yesterday.......or should I say taste buds. Death by chocolate - what a way to go! If only it was Lindt!

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/5713208/us-worker-dies-after-falling-into-chocolate-vat/

Daily Grind finally has posts!!

Wow I hear you saying - after endless promises I am actually writing blog posts...........and lots of them! Since the blog has the word daily in the name, I am going to attempt to do a daily ramble.

The question is - how long will it last. Taking bets!!

You know you no longer live in Sydney when.......

1) You can actually see stars in the sky.......thousands and thousands of them!
2) The Woolworths checkout guy offers to help you to your car with the shopping (OK I was 8 months pregnant, but still!!)....and there were at least three people waiting in queue behind me!
3) You go to buy a ticket in the biggest lottery in Australian history ($106 million) and there is no queue at all!
4) The only way to get seafood is to buy it off the back of a truck......literally!! Fresh from the coast!
5) You get stressed if you can't get a parking spot right outside your destination.
6) You have to have a five minute conversation with anyone and everyone.
7) You meet someone at the park, who just happens to know the person you met a month ago at the play centre, who knows another person you met at the park about three months ago.....and so on!
8) Dogs have two heads...OK maybe not, but you never know around here!!
9) You can park your car at the station all night without being stolen, keyed or broken into.
10) You can take your car to get something fixed and it only takes an hour, rather than a whole freakin day!
11) They will also drop you off at the shopping centre while you wait and then pick you up!! Now that's service!!
12) NRMA comes in five minutes!
13) The most amazing array of birds hangout in your backyard and no magpies or mynor birds in sight!!
14) You can still buy golliwogs!!

I could go on......but my brain has gone to sleep and I think you've probably read enough by now!

There are some things that never change though........

1) Old people still give you the death stare when your toddler chucks a tantrum in the shopping centre!
2) Maccas is always packed
3) Blokes that drive SS Holden Utes are still idiots!
4) Coffee is just as great!

From drunken debauchery to pooey nappies!

Amidst a recent Facebook jaunt of posting ever so cute pics of the wee bairn for the world to coo over, a friend pinged me on FB chat giggling over the complete difference in our lives at this current point in time. While I was busy posting cutesy photos of my precious beings, she was similtaneously posting pics of drunken, debaucherous nights out! It got me thinking that three years ago that would have been me. Oh how life changes once you have kiddly winks!

Drunken, debaucherous nights = bad hangover, which doesn't match screaming children, pooey nappies and 6am wake up calls............................sigh! I must be growing up if that is possible!

From this...............

and this.......................

(ok this was only last year......but go with my flow anyway!)

.........to this!!

What an action packed start to 2009

I'm struggling to come to terms with the fact that it is already July ...... yikes!

Normally upon reflection I'd be saying "gee that's gone quick and I have no idea what I've done or achieved!" But no not this time!!

What an action packed year it has been so far with buying our first house, the big move out of Sydney to the Southern Highlands, making new friends, Jackson starting to walk, welcoming my beautiful baby girl Madeline into the world, chasing around my two year old toddler, Paul's brother's wedding in North Carolina (unfortunately I couldn't make it in the end), cranking up business again and generally trooping through the days.

What can the next half throw at me I wonder?

First home for the Keens............

The beautiful Southern Highlands

Madeline Lucy Keen - born 28 March

Telco Hell

I know I am certainly not unique when I say that dealing with telcos is up there as one of the most frustrating things we have to do throughout our lives, but if I never have to deal with one ever again I will be a happy woman!

We recently relocated out of Sydney. Thinking I would be very organised a week before the move and arrange for our phone and internet to be connected by the time we moved in to our new house was very wishful and so far from reality. Whoever thought that relocating phone/internet could be so difficult.

Well it was and took weeks to sort out, countless hours on the phone, several very heated phone calls, tears, telco sackings, more tears, wasted time without internet, more heated phone calls and utter disbelief at the lack of cohesion within an organisation and the incompetent people within them.

I won't bore you with the details at it would take too long to write, but suffice to say don't ever deal with Primus or Telstra!!