I have cleaned house.  So much so that the girls both went "Wow!" when they got home. So I am feeling accomplished even if I know it won't last. I fully expect to clean house again on Friday...

However, not only have I cleaned, but I sat down to rest & have started my tribal belt! I had found some excellent braid and tassels at Darn Cheap in Glen Huntly,  so pulling together all that I have semi completed over the years, I think that it will come together nicely. Have started by gluing the tassel to the belt I had made before I had even had kids! This was when I had my copy of "Costuming From the Hip" beside me. I cannot locate it anywhere, and fear I have loaned it out to a person who no longer remembers they have it! Even if I am chuffed about getting it done, I am still procrastinating over the B's garb. Maybe Mr Man can start the cutting tonight?

I have also borrowed many books regarding the history of chocolate, which will be for an A&S talk I will eventually give. I have done it before, whilst pregnant with the B (who is now six, seven in Feb!) and completely forgotten what I said, due to preggy brain. So I will refresh my memory reading a lot of books and think if I should use cocoa nibs or 99.9% pure choc instead for making up a period drink. I will also need to pick up some unprocessed sugar too...

It is getting to that time of year again, where weekends fill up two months in advance. Only earlier this week did the last free weekend in December fill up. So I have to get a gift for my sister (a set of digital kitchen scales) her partner (a golf voucher as he has decided that it will be his hobby again) catsidhe  (as our anniversary and his birthday are fast approaching and I have only worked out what to get him for his birthday) and the seasonal gifts for small but loud children. Don't think I can get away with just giving them Chanukah gelt (chocolate money) as A Budget has started to be discussed. Quite cringe-worthy.

There is the Southern Principality talk tonight, school visit tomorrow and ARGH! More shopping for gifts! This time my father-in-law, whose birthday falls on Halloween. We are driving out to Alexandra on Saturday. Then Mr Man & I was supposed to go out & celebrate our anniversary (8 years!) but I think we will be too tired so we booked the Ninna to watch the girls for the eve of William Marshall. They can have fun at the tourney, but the evening will probably be too much for them & they will go incandescent with exhaustion & over-stimulation.

The 2010 kindy is looking for committee members. I was thinking of volunteering, which is probably silly of me as I think I am being volunteered for guides too. Now all I need is for someone to say "Stormhold!" in a loud voice & I can be fully committed!

I also want an ibrik or briki as I want to learn how to make turkish coffee. The Ninna, who has spent some time in Israel in her youth (aliyah!) told me how to make it, which differs from the jar instructions quite a lot. So tomorrow after school, I shall head out to Oasis Bakery on North Rd and then Chaddy.

Oy.

I don't know why I bothered paying for a full term of bellydance classes on a Sat. Especially now that the rest of the year is filling up rapidly. I enjoy the classes, but they start at the crappy time of 1pm. So I have just enough time to hurriedly eat lunch, hop in the big red car (yes, my car is large & red so it has been named that by the girls) and get to Brighton in time.

I have already missed one class, as the whole family went to Greensborough to help maintain Mr Man's late grandfather's garden. This Saturday is interesting, as there is a book launch at 11, then class at 1. I am thinking it might just be do-able... However, my father-in-law's birthday is next Sat & we have been invited to my uncle-in-law's farm to celebrate there. No class that day. The only thing is that the 28/11 is Thanksgiving (chocolate guinness cake!) so a miss there too. I know that Underbelly are having a class in Caulfield on a Wed night, so I might try that next year. Although this means that Mr Man is going to have to come home sooner (yes, he does come home quite late) as Wed nights are quite busy. I think that Brownies (for the B) will be either Mon or Wed. The Shosh can start Gumnut Guides when she turns five.

that I haven't posted for some time, but I am finding it hard to put into words what has been happening. Maybe if I write in point form it will be easier. Here goes-

1) The girls drove us nuts over school holidays, only to have the first week of school flash past! So we had a weekend where the girlies did nothing but whine and yell at each other.

2) My sister's partner is back at it. And my sister is bewildered. She has never experienced a true bully before and now she is living with one. Her eldest is asking her why daddy is not nice to her or the kids... My sister is hoping that he will pick himself up but the Ninna has gotten paranoid that my sister and her three kids will land on her. Instead of depression treatment, avoidance. Instead of communicating, nothing but verbal abuse. It has reached the stage where she has started having the Doubts. This means that the bullying is working...

Other than all that, just been reading and not doing much. Considering doing a beading course, to make jewelery. Possibly to sell on the odd occasions at events, but that would be in competition with another, more experienced jewelry maker. Got my belly dancing dvds today. Here is the link to one of the dancers- www.youtube.com/watch

Got to go make dinner for monsters now.

of school holidays and I can't wait for it to be over. Really. The girls have had zero invites to playdates (no counting my sis & her kids) so I am feeling a little doomed... Been trying to organise one for this week but so far, no luck.

The car is in need to go to the mechanic and I am in need to go to the Bonds Factory outlet. Sigh...

Took the girlies to a thing organised by the RBG Ian Potter Foundation Childrens' Garden. They wandered around, collection soft stuff to make bird nest with. After much telling them that rocks & pebbles won't make a soft nest, they made it (with help) out of clay and leaves, moss etc. Then the heavens did open ten bloody minutes before the end of the program. We waited for twenty after the program then dashed to the car (conveniently parked near the Herbareum). I think they were looking forward to walking around & having lunch there as they haven't stopped whinging about going back. I know I was hopeful for the wonderful salad & coffee at the Terrace Tearoom. Now, as I write, the sky has become blue and my heart sinks...

At least we went on Tuesday to the Show, not today. After schlepping around the monstrous ones, we couldn't get into the Nursery Pavilion as the queue snaked around the entrance and the corner. No lovely mead was available from the honey table. Apparently the Liquor Licensing Board gives them too much grief (even if they are next to the Yarra Valley Table) so they no longer bother. Much better mead than Maxwells. Did pick up some sparkling honey drink though. The girls loved all the dogs. It seemed to be big dog day on Tuesday (even though we spotted Beagles in the distance). They liked the greyhounds (a corner was there for the retired racing greyhounds) but they adored the Deerhounds. We met a nine month old puppy who towered over the girls. Loved the attention from admirers! The girlies boggled at the extreme bigness of the Neapolitan Mastiffs. Most of the owners weren't there, so we didn't approach them. The dogs seemed to be happy lounging away & didn't need the admiration of girls the size of their dinner...

Tomorrow we are visiting catsidhe at work & he can buy his girls (all of them!) some lunch at the market. And get a happy cappaccino at Coffea. Yum.

Just wishing all and sundry out there a Chag Samayach (happy festival) and a Shana Tova (happy new year) as it is Rosh Hashana tonight.

Yum!

I was speaking to the Calisthenics teacher today about the concert in Dec. I confirmed that it was during the day, on the weekend so was good to take the Shosh! Yay! However, she then turned around and said that my husband, catsidhe was not allowed to attend. This bewildered me. Not go? He has been quite fervent in his support of the B and would at least cheer her on while being bored out of his skull. I asked the reason...

Simply, it is some of the parents of the other girls who attend the B's class. Why? I asked as I could think of no reason myself. The answer was that they didn't want any man to see their daughter dance. Doesn't matter that there is a man who does the curtain work. Oh no, they can accept that as that's his job! He can watch but not a father! Another mother had been so worried about her daughter dancing barefoot (!) that she went to her rabbi and got permission. Really! Just to put some perspective, the Adass school is an ultra orthodox Jewish school that shipped off their principal to Israel when it came out that she was molesting some of the girls...

The link- www.liveleak.com/view

They also refuse to educate the girls beyond high school, meaning that the women just become baby factories. No matter what abilities the woman shows. It means that they have to "import" their teachers which is extremely limiting. And stupid.

The pics from last night. An interesting night all round...

The B has ear drops and antibiotics and so is able to do Guides and the School Concert. I will take pics and put them up on Flickr. The Shosh will be taking care of the Ninna. We will pick her up after the concert, fast asleep as the Ninna has to be out at Beaconsfield by 8am tomorrow. The Ninna feels happy to help but I am feeling that my sis is taking advantage of her babysitting for the last couple of weeks. Every damn weekend! I feel bad for leaving my youngest with her (even if I lined up the sleepover when I found out the date of the concert) and so feel unable to ask her to watch my kids...

Now I'm just complaining...

Just letting everyone know that the B tried her first Girl Guides in Brighton on Tuesday night. They played games and bandaged "broken" limbs for an hour. It was the Return of Winter that day, bucketing with rain and buffeting with wind. The Shosh and I checked out the Brighton Library (which was conveniently over the road). The B was so excited when we picked her up. She loved it! So it looks like callisthenics will be dropped next year and have Guides instead. The Shosh can join in July after her fifth birthday, which would excite her greatly once she knows.

So the B will go Tuesday 4-5pm which makes it interesting next week. The school concert is on next Tuesday so 3:30 pick up the B. Get to Brighton by 4. Have a quick dinner so at 6:30 we can be at Caulfield Grammer for the concert. Hope she doesn't fall asleep on stage! Wednesday is callisthenics and aftercare on Thursday. School finishes early on Friday (the Shosh is having Kindy photos that day) only to tumble headlong into Rosh Hashana. There is cake baking on Thursday, as I am taking in honey mini muffins for Kindy and grade 1. So if there is no honey in your local, now you know why! Honey cake time...

So things are hotting up for school holidays. I am planning on taking the girlies to the Royal Melb Show and a game happening at the Ian Potter Childrens' Garden. Other than that just hoping to survive...

Heading into the weekend... Fighting off a cold/ sore throat that is leaving me feel very tired. Starting to get indigestion pains that hit at stress moments. Going to get tickets to the Show tomorrow, as there is an early bird special for RACV members. Then Tribal class in the arvo. Thinking about taking the B to it, as she is showing off the class mascot & a belly dance class would look good in the scrapbook. Then taking the girlies to the local cinema to see "Up". Hoping it won't be too scary as the B can be sensitive about that kind of thing. The Shosh isn't scared of much!

On Sunday we will wake up catsidhe in bed & give him his hallmark gifts. Then go to lunch with the in-laws (both sides of the family) at the Silky Emperor. Hoping the Elvis impersonator won't be there. Really hoping...

at home, raining outside with a semi-bored four year old. The Shosh is watching ABC Kids, so is amused most of the time. Even managed to do the shopping and washing before it hit!

Got catsidhe  his Fathers Day gifts, as well as The Mad Tank Driver and my father-in-law's. Massive shopping experience with the B in tow while Mr Man had a daddy/ Shosh day. So not a bad weekend all up. Now just to let the sleepy Sunday roll around...

Rosh Hashana is coming up on the 18th. It also happens to be Kindy photos and end of term. Meaning I pick up the B at 2:30 instead of 3:30. The Shosh will be regular time (but she has to be neat!). Not looking forward to picking out good clothes for the photos. She had some great clothes that she drew red texta all over. After much scrubbing, we realised (The Ninna and I) that only time will truly fade it (as there is not much sun now). Have to make the B a full circle skirt for callisthenics. I am supposed to take the fabric over to Ninna but it is raining and I am feeling like a home body.

Other than that, not much happening in my life...

Waiting to go on parade

leads into Friday... where the B dresses up as a Dr Seuss character for Book Week. She will be Daisy Head Maysie. Yes, I will take pics tomorrow & place them on Flickr & FB. For those interested, of course. She is very excited & I really hope that she has a good time. The play date last Saturday hasn't made an apreciable difference to the B's social life. In fact, we are waiting on confirmation of another on Saturday. I doubt it will happen, as I asked the mother a week & half ago and she said she would get back to me... Nothing yet! She says that she will stay off the monkey bars & play with friends but when I ask her who she plays with, the B replies that she is too busy or can't remember! Her memory is (I think) deliberately sketchy- the answer of incomprehension covers almost all questions...

Mr Man has mild flu with a secondary bacterial infection, which has him mumbling and being soggy. He now has anti-biotics, so he should feel better soon. Back at work Monday... Should be finding out results after kitling has her interview tomorrow (break their legs R!). We await with baited breath...

Tried a Jaspers coffee blend called "Caffeine Club". Even catsidhe with his sore throat said the coffee was good (he is the anti-foodie!). Yum! But it does need cake, or bikkies...

Well, the girl from the B's class has left by now. They decorated vanilla mini cupcakes (www.taste.com.au/recipes/7678/classic+cupcakes), some of which was donated to the girl to take home...

After a play in the park (where the B ignored everyone to play on the monkey bars) we all had lunch, went & got ice creams from the milk bar and came back to watch Bugs Bunny and eat popcorn. So long as the B had no other distractions, they played well together. This gives me hope for her to make some good friends (so long as she stays off the monkey bars at school) which will hopefully increase her focus...

If the B's house becomes known for yummy sweets and plays in the park then it can only increase the amount of friends she has. Really hoping that it turns out that way. Trying to organise a different girl next weekend...

Very busy day tomorrow. There is Mr A's sixth birthday party tomorrow in Werribee, which we will be attending after we go to Greensborough in the morning. We are going to see catsidhe 's grandmother, who is recovering from many trials. She would like to show him the family bible, which is from 1835? or so. She is a bit miffed that someone who is not entitled to it (passed from eldest to eldest meaning that nannajan is to inherit it, then Mr Man) since she is the youngest child of the youngest child. We will offer to take digital photos of whatever she wants as there is a reasonable fear that it may not be seen again otherwise.

So, a busy weekend to lead on to Book Week at school, where the B will dress up on Friday as Daisy Head Maysie (yes, a Dr Seuss theme for her class level). Makes me wonder how many other kids will do the same as she is not so well known as Sally or a who...

Planning on having a quiet day today, doing many domestic chores as cleaning the kitchen, sorting the washing & even washing feral toys that have practically crawled to the washing machine on their own. This is after a night of the Shosh getting us up five times as she kept on kicking off her doona. On the plus side, she was put to bed before 3pm for an hour's snoozle. On the down side, she is developing a nice fever so is not her usual self... Could it be a reaction to the vaccination eight days ago? She got over the rash on the arm within 2 days...

The interview with the B's teacher had it that she was unusually distracted last week and had a lot of trouble focussing and listening to what went on around her. So it is entirely possible that she was reacting to family stress, of which there was quite a lot. Not only was the funeral a week ago today, but catsidhe found out that he has to reapply for his job. Again. Though it does look like they would be increasing his HEW level!

The casual spot in the tribal bellydance class on Sat afternoon in Brighton was fun, even if it did highlight how rusty I am at the dance. I also do a lot of Oriental style, so I have to focus on doing my arms & hands the right way for tribal (described by the teacher as dead trout hands as they are very loose & floppy). I enjoyed myself, even with splitting the webbing in between my toes.

The girlies are eating their dinner now, so soon they will be thrown in the bath & into bed. Hope the Shosh is better tomorrow...

You will have to do with that title. Feeling emotionally wiped out. Yesterday was a roller-coaster of ups and downs. The service was wonderful, although I secretly felt that the celebrant did a lot of platitudes. They weren't incorrect ones, but they did irritate. Wonderful speeches from the family and friends. He was a mason, so there was also a Masonic service. Donald was a mason since 1948! So if Mr Man ever went monotheistic he could also join...

The wake was filled with food, booze and people meeting again. Hadn't seen some of the family for some time so a catch up was in order. Kept pulling out the mobile to show pics of the girlies, whom everyone asked about. Quite glad I left them at home/school as they really wouldn't have coped. They can catch up with family under better circumstances.

I had made the bittersweet choc mud cake using 70% dark choc. This made for a very adult cake as it not that sweet but very rich. I think I may have overcooked it too, but it being a mud cake would go from very dark brown to black in a heartbeat. Next time, maybe a cooler oven...

Not going to playgroup today as not in the mood for cleaning up after people. The last four weeks the Tuesday group has been cleaning up the mess left behind by previous groups. Today I will clean up mu own :-S

I am worried, concerned, anxious etc. I can't stop thinking about baking cakes! I have even bought some marsala when I was at Dan Murphy's earlier today. The Shosh is going in for her 4 year old immunisations tomorrow. A special session that should mean her face will be painted & possibly ballooons, as well as three different shots in her arms. The Mad Tank Driver wants to take me fridge shopping (which I want so to get rid of my grandmother's fridge) only for the funeral on Monday afternoon.

The girls won't be attending. There will be an awful amount of upset & sad people there and I have doubts that they could cope. Not sure if I could! The Ninna will pick up the B from school with her sister in tow, have dinner, bathe and maybe tucked into bed for me to fetch them the next day. Mr Man has bereavement leave, which is good considering the last time her rtequested time off he got a lot of grief. He did get the day off too, but not before he was given a good guilt trip by the new manager (who seems to be having control issues).

Going to put the girls to bed now & have some pasta bake. Nothing like carbs to make you feel comforted...

Having come out of a stressful week, I am having trouble just letting the week happen. I have given myself a tonne of ironing to do (instead of folding up the okay stuff) and now it is looking balefully at me. The Ninna has offered to help me iron as she has the time and I really have no inclination to tackle it right now. Hence the baleful looking!

If you had read catsidhe 's journal, you would realise some of the stress. I had made some honey cake, which he forgot twice! So was enjoyed by family and the heralds last night. I feel that I should make a cake for the workmates, even if I have to glue it to Mr Man's hand... I was thinking of this- www.taste.com.au/recipes/19420/mud+cake, which is a regular mud cake. I also found this one though- www.taste.com.au/recipes/13570/bittersweet+chocolate+mud+cake, which is tempting me badly but uses a serious amount of chocolate. Although I am also equaly tempted by the Mississippi Mud with coffee cream (www.taste.com.au/recipes/14172/mississippi+mud+cake+with+coffee+cream). Can you tell that I try & bake everything when I am stressed?

Now that I have overwhelmed everyone with chocolate cake recipes, I have to iron :(