A satisfyingly full weekend.....

Hhhhmmmm once again another weekend has come and gone - this one was quite different as it was the Queen's birthday long weekend and it was very enjoyable.

As per usual I worked on Saturday morning. I don't mind working then especially if Noel is home as this gives him some one on one time with the kids. They love spending time with their dad. We decided to have an indian feast for dinner, a few curries, some rice and some bread. Noel and the kids went to Dandenong and bought some of the most delish naan bread from a takeaway shop. We cooked Butter Chicken, Chicken Korma and Noel cooked a special Pork Vindaloo for me and him. The whole dinner was yummy but as usual cooked way too much curry.

Sunday was quite an exciting day - one we had all looked forward to for a few weeks. Mam and Dad were treating the whole family for lunch at the Cuckoo Restaurant in Olinda. I had not been before while the Murray clan had.

It was a good smorgasboard and the kids really loved the entertainment especially Oliver who took part in the bell ringing song! Alex was enthralled with the yodelling. Sean drove which meant both Dad and Noel could relax.

We stayed the night at Mam and Dad's then, another thing we don't do that often. It was good just to relax, chat and spend quality time with them as they go away this Saturday. And yes we had left over curry for supper.

Monday the kids has an Auskick Super Clinic up at St Kilda's home ground, Moorabbin. The kids were really excited all morning as they have met the St Kilda boys before. Alex was looking forward to seeing Brett Voss again. She definately goes weak at the knees when he talks to her. Oliver was just in his element running and kicking the balls amongst his idols. He showed so much confidence and ability - geez I wish he could do that Sunday mornings when he is playing Under 9's!!

Oliver the footy star!!

It looks like Tom and Alex are sizing up their oppositions - other grade 1 children!!!!

Last night was just a quiet one at home - back to reality. Did some shopping, some washing, some homework and then it was off to bed. And bed felt good!!!

No school today

Today is a pupil free day for the kids so it was off to Nana’s and Grandad’s home very early. As the two of them were excited about going for the day there wasn’t much resistance this morning and the fact that it was dad that was taking them I knew there was going to be no arguments or going slow. They got up and got ready. Noel will bring them home tonight when he finishes work.

Oliver and Alex both love their new beanies!!

Life is too short!

Last night I received a phone call from one of my fellow workers. It was a phone call that I was waiting for and the content was of an expected sadness. Stuart, a lovely bloke, had been crushed with devastating news Monday that his sister in law was in hospital after collapsing at work. She had been on life support since then and passed away Wednesday afternoon. I have spent many hours thinking about Stuart and his family. It is bad enough to lose a family member or friend due to old age but Stuart’s loved one was only 33. My heart goes out to Stuart, his brother, his nephew who is only 5 and of course to their immediate families.

It also got me to thinking geez I am only 36.

I spend far too long dwelling over things that have happened and way to much time stressing about things I have no control over. I have honestly realised that I need to lower my expectations and standards that I put on everything. If I don’t I will end up dying being miserable and disappointed in the life that I did lead.

I am going to contact my sister, Claire. I don’t see her at all, only a chance meeting here and there at the moment unless something is planned and it really hurts me. I don’t understand why we are not close. I use to love going bowling together. We laughed and chatted away. I miss her. I need to tell her that I love her and that I am really proud of all she has achieved. I will endeavour to make peace and try to organise getting together.

My mam knows I love her – I tell her all the time. In fact I can’t wait for her to arrive in Melbourne in June. I am long overdue on a hug. And she deserves one too.

A “BIG” shout out to my sister in law, Clare, in Sydney. She knows I think the world of her and we chat regular. Unfortunately don’t see enough of each other either but certainly make up for it when we do get together.

Mam and Dad (Noel’s parents) have been great to me and I really appreciate their love and support. They are off on holidays in the weekend after next and they will be missed. I hope that they really enjoy their holiday up north. Not sure at this stage what date they are expected back – probably when the cold weather has gone away. Can’t say I blame them really.

My only wish is that the rift in the Murray family could be sorted and unfortunately I cannot do anything to help that – it is all up to Vicky now. We can’t make her do anything she doesn’t want to and at the moment she doesn’t see what here actions are doing. Very soon she will be giving birth to her first child and her whole world is going to change. It will be very sad for Sean that day as I don’t think he will have the support of his family at such a wonderful moment in his life - that’s really horrible to say but the reality is that it is because of the situation we are all in at the present…….

Don’t know where this whole situation is going to go but I do know…..

LIFE IS DEFINATELY TOO SHORT TO DO NOTHING!

Home safely - but totally shattered!

Finally got home at around 4.30pm after a long boring drive from Diggers Rest via Parkdale to pick up the kids from Mam and Dad. Good to see familiar faces mind you the fact that mam was home led the good behaviour to last only as far as the end of the court!! I thought while I was out I would grab some groceries and be able to get home and relax!!

AS IF!!!!!!!!!

The kids were ratty all through the shops - whinging about this, moaning about that!!

Got through the front door, frustrated and just about to kill 2 children. Unpacked the groceries, the kids bags, my bags and found the wine in the fridge!! Just about to start to relax and then it was "Mam what's for dinner?" aaaaarrrrrrgggggghhhhhhh - the joys!!

Sunday busy busy once again with football and auskick but managed to do some cleaning and just about all the clothes washing.

Big star for Alex as she actually cleaned her room when I asked her to plus she did a great job!! Oliver's room managed to stay exactly the same!!

I am nearly home....

I have spent the last 3 days in Bendigo doing some training with the staff up at our Axedale Quarry. I am now sitting here working the weighbridge at Diggers Rest as a favour to a very nice manager and foreman. They put me up in Sunbury for the night and I have a lovely meal at an Italian restaurant. It was good to have company last night as travelling alone can be boring.

BUT I am so looking forward to getting home and seeing Noel, Oliver, Alex and my bed!!! Living it up in hotels is okay but there is no place like home - hey Toto???

Why do my kids go slow when I need them to go fast?

Once again this morning I found myself yelling “Hurry up, mam is going to be late for work AGAIN!!” to my two little darlin’s. It seems the minute I say “hurry” they take it as “That’s right darlin’ you go as slow as you want – it doesn’t matter!” I am really lucky that I have a good boss that doesn’t pull me up on the 5 minutes here or 20 minute there. God – most bosses would have had me sacked and long gone.

It really doesn’t matter to children what time things happen especially if it doesn’t really involve them. The fact that I have a routine that needs to be stuck to isn’t an issue compared to lying on the floor infront of the heater or playing with Barbies in the bedroom.

But geez you should see the faces if I don’t give them uniform that has been warmed in the dryer. Or if I haven’t put their favourite snack in the lunchboxes. Or if they realise at 5 to 7am that they haven’t got anything organised for Show and Tell and I don’t let them get something!!

I am so over yelling at them especially first thing in the morning.

Aaaaarrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

Needless to say I think their dad will be having a little chat to them tonight!

GO WALES! Cymru am byth!

Geez my head isn't screwed on this morning......

What an effort Wales made on Saturday night. Thankfully Sydney had a live telecast and sis could keep me up to speed with the scores otherwise I would have struggled to stay up until 11.30pm to watch it here on Channel 7 Melbourne (boohoo to them).

It is a shame that they lost but it was a great game. I being one very tired supporter from working Saturday morning watch the replays and snippets on the Sunday news and sports shows.

Well done Lads - Llongyfarchiadau!

Cymru am byth!

Already Monday?

Another weekend has flown past and as usual we tried to fit so much into those couple of precious days.

Stressed out over my car - the battery has been dying every couple of days in the last week so we were up for a new battery and my magna is now working okay!! Touch wood and I am not going to speak to loud incase it hears me and wants to stress me out a little more by getting something else not to work!!

Football was great the Karingal Bulls Whites (Oliver's team) won again. They played away at Seaford so that was good - that's 2 wins from 4 games. Let's hope they keep the momentum up. Alex had a brilliant go at Auskick. Once again they had another grid match and my star princess kick 2 goals before getting a football to the side of her head. Then she showed us she really was a princess and cried for the rest of the session!!! Poor little thing!! All was fixed with a bucket of hot chips and a can of coke from the club canteen!! Of course. Tom also had a great Auskick session and was awarded the canteen award for his efforts.

Oh almost forgot - even managed to unpack a couple of boxes (made more of a mess mind you) but we are getting there.

Our blog is no longer a secret!!

Good morning all,

Yesterday I made the decision to share my blog with some of my family. I haven't told them all but I did tell my sister in law, Clare, and my mam. Sounds strange that I can share the happenings in the House of Murray with the world but have been worried about sharing this blogspot with my family. Maybe I felt they would think of me as a little wierd posting information for anyone to see - but it would just be like anyone finding a personal diary and having a good old read of it whilst drinking a cuppa!! Right?

Last night went so quickly - bur we managed to achieve a lot.

The kids and I managed to fit so many things into a few hours before getting home by 7pm! I left work to take Oliver and myself off to the doctors. Oliver has a sore throat and just looks under the weather. He has been given a course of anti-biotics so we will see how they go. Myself, not as easily fixed, blood pressure is still up high and have been told it is back to monthly BP checks and to lose weight (which I am trying to do). But other than that I am okay. Also I am trying a new cream for my psorisis which has become really bad on my elbows and knees!! Alex said she has a sore nostril but I am convinced that is just from always having her finger up her nose!! LOL!!

Then it was off to the Mitsubishi dealer to get a new zapper for my car security and also for them to reset my car radio.... I definately need music whilst driving!! My battery shorted the other day and cut out the radio which needed a code to reset. Of course this code wasn't written in any of my service books - that would be too logical.

After this, we all headed up to the local shopping centre so I could have my nails refilled. Alex is amazed at the whole process of false nails. She sat there watching in awe asking a never ending supply of questions. The lady painted Alex's nails after mine were finished and she walked around like a princess for the rest of the shopping trip. We grabbed a few groceries and it was off home.

Must admit totally shattered by the time dinner was cooked and the kids settled. Off to bed I went and as I do every Saturday morning was at work for 6am!

Still crossing fingers on having a quiet weekend....... might have a nana-nap this afternoon!!

A Mid Week Treat!!

Cannot believe it's Friday already. Wow what a week so far - it's been all go in the House of Murray!

There has been so much going on - on sooooo many different levels. Work is busy for us both, Oliver has been in strife at school, currently Alex has an attitude of an 18 year old, my sleep has been crap and the weather, well what can I say - it doesn't even know what it is doing!

So to chill ourselves out it was dinner at the local Chinese last night.... yum!!!

These are the two most important men in my life!!!

And here are the Murray girls.....

Thankfully a quiet weekend has been planned whether it remains quiet will be interesting!!! Hopefully I will get to unpack a few of the remaining boxes that are living in our dining room as the house is stressing me out a little at the moment.

Chat soon!

I think the cold wind has settled in...

Cannot believe how cold yesterday was - the wind definately had the winter chill feel about it. I think we may have a cold winter but like many still not so sure about the amount of rain that winter will bring. Today seems to be a little nicer. Although the wind was very icy this morning, the sun is out and starting to put a glow over the land.

Quite a quiet evening in our household last night. The usual homework, dinner, bath and bed for the kids while both Noel and I were completely shattered from the weekend.

I have decided to refocus on my diet/lifestyle and changes are being made as of today! So watch out family... no more junk or crap we are all going to become healthier.

You mean the weekend is over??

Once again the weekend has disappeared with a blink of the eye!!

It is amazing that although we do tend to do a lot each weekend we never really get anything done...

• we are still unpacking boxes but they just don't seem to disappear
• the quicker I clean the house the quicker it gets messed up
• the faster I go to sleep the faster I wake up...

Anyway enough rambling...

Saturday was a great afternoon. Alexandria had her halftime grid match at the Bulls home ground and she played really well. All of us (Noel, Oliver and myself) we really proud of her effort.

Here is Alex with her best friend Tom. They have been inseperable since creche. They are in the same class at school and play Auskick together ever Sunday morning.

Oliver played football really well this weekend and it was topped off with the fact that his team, U9's Karingal whites won their first match. Noel and I were also stoked when Oliver got given an award last night for a great effort during the game. I am a proud Mam!!

So much has happened - where do we begin??

Well where do I start..... it has been so long since I posted and that is only because we as a family have been flat chat.

Since we last spoke it has just been one episode after another - seriously putting the "Days of Our Lives" plot to shame.

We have moved house. Only about 5 streets from the last place but none the less everything needed to be packed and of course, unpacked!! We needless to say we moved the first weekend in March and still have a few boxes floating around requiring attention.

Work has been busy for the both of us. My travelling to country/interstates sites is spasmotic with another 3 day trip coming up in two weeks. Noel has been doing all the overtime he can get but that too is irregular with noting set in concrete.

Still having the "family" argument with Noel's brother's wife.... she doesn't want anything to do with her husbands side of the family even though they have announced that they are expecting a child at the end of August. No matter what we try as a family she believes that she has done nothing wrong and is apparantly happy with having no contact. It is really tearing the family apart and I really feel for Noel's Mam and Dad.

As for my side of the family it is really not that much better. I don't see my sister from one week to the next - even Mother's day was a flop with a quick 10 minute catch up at the local football club and even that wasn't loving or sisterly. Our aunty flew into Melbourne for a family visit but didn't visit either my sister or me...... hmmmm obviously we are not classed as "family" anymore. She managed to see the other neices and nephews! But I am not going to complain as there is no point. I am just really glad that my Mam and I have a wonderful relationship now but then there is the fact that she is too far away to hug all the time.

Anyways facing another busy weekend - Alex is in an Auskick Grid Match at halftime in the seniors match today so that should be a laugh. Oliver is playing Under 9's football for the Karingal Bulls again this year and is playing at his home ground tomorrow morning.

Chat soon,

Jo

A relaxing Sunday outing.

Yesterday we had a really interesting and different day.

We had planned to go to Ocean Beach down Flinders but it didn’t seem warm enough. So we took Mam up to Springvale for a look around and then had some lunch in a Vietnamese restaurant we had been to before.

It was quite a different atmosphere to what she is used to. As we all know most chinese restaurants cater for the Eastern world and have ventured from their traditions but when you get into a small café style restaurant where the majority of patrons are asian it’s all different. She ate with eye’s wide open staring from table to table looking at what other’s were ordering. It was fun just to watch Mam.

Then we went off to the Carribbean Gardens Market. Hadn’t been there for I don’t know how many years! It seemed to be a lot bigger and the kids seemed handle walking around the stalls okay. However their moods changed when we finally went and had a look around the gardens. We went on the jungle cruise, quite comical for us adults, but the kids had a ball.

Mam is off to Claire’s today for another week. Still not sure when she is planning to go back to Brisbane. The kids are off to Nana and Grandad’s for the week so the house will definitely be quiet for Noel and I…….

Looking forward to getting some sleep and yes I mean sleep!

It was just AWESOME!

My mam is officially a bikie chick!!!

On Saturday night good friend’s of ours, Mat and Ann-Marie, came over for dinner. I arranged it with Mat to bring over his Harley Davidson so Mam could have a ride as she had never been on one before…..

Apparantly it was AWESOME!! At least that is all we could get out of her for about an hour after returning. She loved it….. it was good to see her really happy.

Easter eggs already?

Geez this week has flown by – hopefully the world will slow down enough for us to enjoy this year and not whiz by as 2006 did!

Noel’s mam and dad took Mam and the kids out for lunch on Wednesday to the Frankston RSL. It sounds like the place to go as everyone had good reviews about it. The kids enjoyed their meals and the computer room. The adults all said their meals were good and that they didn’t see the kids most of the time (due to the computer room of course)!

Went to the shops and saw Coles has already got Easter Eggs in the aisles… come on – we just got over Christmas… Funny though one aisle has left over Christmas stock and the other has the Easter range. I honestly think that it will get to a time where all supermarkets have an aisle dedicated to Christmas, Easter and any other festivities permanently. They might as well have one, right?

Mam took the kids on a bus ride to the beach yesterday. Needless to say she is one popular grandma!! They had a ball and I am sure Mam enjoyed herself although her stories focussed more about being worried that the kids would float away etc. I hope she is enjoying her quality time with the kids and I know that overall the kids are enjoying spending time with her. She will be going back to Queensland soon, which will be sad but we are all used to having to say goodbye – even though it is very hard every single time. I love her to bits (although at time we don’t have the same opinions) and really wished we lived closer together.

The bush fires are still burning - not just far away but some getting closer with a new outburst in Mount Martha.. my thoughts go out to the firefighters and also to the people that the fires are affecting......

A Day at the Races....

Geez what a fun Sunday we had.

Every year we go to the Balnarring Picnic Races but this year we are members. It made all the difference setting up our spot next to the race track and not in the back blocks of the carpark. Due to the weather is wasn't that busy but we are planning on going back on Australia Day 26th January.

I think eveyone enjoyed themselves. There was enough food and grog for two days not just the one afternoon and the kids were in awe when the horses came close to us. Especially my nephew Wesley, who is 2. It was good to spend time with my sister and even Noel's brother Sean came, staying for quite a long time.

Mam is now back with us for the week. She has taken the challenge of babysitting for us all week as Noel is back at work today. Cross fingers the kids don't stooge her too much about what Mam and Dad really let them do!! LOL!!

Chat soon,

PS Happy Birthday to me!

Finally able to log in???

After a couple of days banging my head against the wall unable to log in I finally broke through. Don't know what was stopping me but something was amiss somewhere.

Anyways I am back at work (boring and quiet as it is) whilst Noel is enjoying his last few days with the kids!! Lucky him.

They all went to the beach yesterday. The kids thought it was wonderful. We definately don't go the beach enough and the kids think it is such a novelty when we do!! Isn't it strange that we live close to the beach but never visit. I think that is partially my fault due to my weight issue but as a little girl I was always at the beach with my Mam. She used to pick us up from school and it would be straight down there, into our bathers and off into the water!

The weather has finally started to warm up and considering we had hail stones on Christmas Day it is about time! Now of course everyone is complaining that it is too hot and muggy. Last night I was cranky when I got home but I think that was due to more than just the heat. It was a combination of my first day at work, getting up too early and my attitude towards myself at the moment. Saying that I owed Noel an apology, which I gave, but I still managed to put a damper on the evening. Cross fingers tonight will definately be better.

I have decided to go back to Weight Watchers and get the added moral support needed to complete my weight loss journey. I really think I can do it this time and more importantly I want to do it. Enough on that subject as I have a seperate "fat" blog.

We are off to Balnarring Races on Sunday (weather permitting as they have forecast rain!!) for my birthday celebration. Picnic lunch and no doubt a few glasses of champagne!! We went last year and really enjoyed the day but this year we have members passes. Noel's mam and dad are also going as we got them members passes for Christmas. My mam and sister with all her boys will be joining us also.

Bye for now.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year 2007 everyone.... may this year be the best. Well we are going to try and make it the best anyway.

It was a quiet day for the Murray household today. We didn't have anything planned except for taking Mam across to my sisters house. Mam will stay with them until Sunday 7th then she is back with us for one week. It was sad to have Mam pack her belongings and drop her off but the right thing has to be done. She needs to spend time with her other grandkids especially baby Angus who will be one month old on the 3rd.

Noel and I have both decided it is time to shift some of our weight - don't know where to yet but as long as it leaves our bodies I don't really care where it goes!! We went shopping today and stocked up on fresh vegies and fruit and will definately be starting our new lifestyle as of tomorrow morning.

The kids have just about gotten over Christmas and all the festivities. Alex even asked "When is it Christmas Mam?" I explained that it was 12 months away so she had better start being good! They are both enjoying all their Christmas presents especially the Nintendo DS Lites they both received. I have been enjoying them also and honest believe I should have got one off Santa also. I got a bike so I need to start using that - better buy a helmet first (must set a good example for the kids) and we also need to buy Noel a bike now so we can do the family bike riding thing!!

Chat soon,

Jo

The final day of 2006

Well I must admit I have spent the last few weeks enveloped in a very hectic lifestyle. A lifestyle that honestly has required 30 hours in each day and not the allocated 24.

Work has been busy with breaking in the new boss and I also found myself travelling to other sites in the country and interstate. So not only am I still working full time but now jet setting and staying in motels... oh what a life!! Thankfully Noel is ever so supportive and capable of coping at home by himself.

We all enjoyed a wonderful but quiet Christmas - as usual the kids were spoilt not only by Santa but by their parents and their grandparents. The day all went well and I do believe all of our visitors had a good time.

As for New Year it is going to be a quiet one. My mam is staying with us and everyone else has plans. The city looks as though it is going to be the happening centre but I think we have all decided to keep well clear of it. Frankston doesn't look at though there is anything on at all.

Both Noel and I have decided that 2007 will bring change. Change in many ways especially with our weight. Both of us really need to lose some kgs and have agreed to help each other out. We need to also cut down on our take aways (a godsent for working families) and also to cut down on our alcohol intake, which has gotten way out of hand.

Bottom line - 2007 is going to be a better year for the House Of Murray.

See you then.......

Jo