Just the ESSENTIALS

MY THRIFTY FINDS

Look what I found the other day... Isn't she pretty !!!

About the size of a large bowl, and the colour is so sweet.  I wonder if this was part of a set ??

 

A couple of weeks ago, I found this too in an op shop I hadn't been too before.  ....... I believe it's hand made, with "To Nora, From Elaine" etched onto the bottom.

We've already used it several times. 

QLD HOLIDAY

Sorry, but these posts are all over the place.  I just wanted to get these memories / photos down before it was time for out NEXT holiday.

We set off Sunday 11/12 for the Gold Coast, QLD.  We'd been 2 years ago, and decided that the kids were still at a good age to head up there again.  8 nights in a beautiful house at Broadbeach Waters, overlooking the river from our back deck.  The musts when booking this were:  Pool, ice making fridge and ducted air throughout (including bedrooms). 

This was our view from the back deck, looking out to the mega mansion across from us.

Kids looking cool in their new sunnies.

Lots of shopping at Harbortown (factory outlet stores)

Dreamworld, White Water World, Ikea, Southbank, lazy dinners, swims in the pool.

the boys doing some 'housework'

So there you have it.  A quick snapshop of our holiday.  That's been 2 holidays for us this year, so I think 2012 will be holiday free :(  Oh, maybe a couple days away somewhere...

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

I don't usually make resolutions, or if I do, they don't last long.

This year though, I plan on COMPROMISING a little more.  I'm very stubborn,  and can also be a little controlling (in the fact that I like things done "MY" way) so this will be very hard to change, but I'm sure I can do it.

Another irritating bad habit is my "HUH" response to things.  If the kids say it I pull them up, but I don't even realise that I do it too.  I've asked Glen to start pulling me up on this too.  It sounds awful when the kids say it, and I'm not setting a very good example am I ??  LOL

 

XMAS EVE / XMAS DAY

We told the kids on Xmas eve when they went to bed that they weren't to wake us until 9am.... Yep, evil parents that we are.  (we were joking)

First there was reindeer food.

Emma had decided this year that she wanted to have her stocking left in her room, for Santa to come in.  She has never let Santa come into her room before, always choosing to leave her stocking in the loungeroom.

Xmas Morning.... Glen and I woke at 8am, and checked to see if the kids were awake.  Squeals of delight from Emma when she realised we were up.  "Let's see what Santa has left !!!" 

Presents were opened, lots of smiles all around.

Emma - Bike, scooter, boogie board, ukelele, clothes, books, lip balm kit, bling maker,  lots more.

Josh - Scooter handlebars, skyrim xbox 360, books.

I was super surprised when I opened the present from Glen.  He'd bought me an electric sanding kit.  Love it.  Will make sanding so much easier, and I can get right up into the corners on pieces I'm working on.

Kids went through their stockings  and then we had breakfast.  Traditional croissants heated up by Glen.

Then it was back to open up the rest of the presents.

After that, we all went our separate ways a little, and did our own thing.

Kel, Rach and Rilee came over .......... more presents. 

Lunch, bubbles, ham, turkey, prawns, potato salad.

Dessert was pavlova yum.

Kel fell asleep on the lounge after copious amounts of beer mixed with a hayfever tablet LOL

Once they left, we just relaxed for the rest of the afternoon/night.

This was a great Xmas.

 

ALMOST CHRISTMAS

Dec 23. Where has the year gone. So much to catch up on. Been busy getting ready for Xmas, and we're there. Presents are all bought, and wrapped under the tree. Decorations have been up since the end of November (we were organised this year) and the ham and turkey are taking up a full shelf in the fridge. Beer and wine are chilled and ready to be drunk. Croissants are ready for Glen to whip up our annual Christmas breakfast.

Kids are very excited, Emma especially.

We've been away on holidays. Gold Coast for 9 days. Headed up just after kids finished school, and stayed there from 11-19th December. Weather was great (in my opinion) sun hardly came out all week, very overcast, but we got to do all we wanted to do without the awful humidity. We stayed in a house with our own pool this time, and my all time favourite......... an ice making fridge. I tell ya, I was a very happy girl.

Dreamworld, White Water World, lots of shopping at Harbortown, swimming in the pool, bbq's out on the deck. Happy days.

We've had another busy week this week too. Time gets away. I've been on holidays since the 9th December, and back to work on the 9th January. A nice long break. Glen has had time off too, which has been lovely.

Hopefully the weather stays dry and we can head out with Cindy & Co tomorrow night to celebrate Xmas Eve at the park. Santa visits, and we can kick back with a cold drink and some nibblies. She's been inviting us for years, and usually one of us is working, so this year we're going.