Happy Easter 2013

We have been camping since Wednesday now and the kids, especially Alex, were a buzz with questions about whether or not the Easter Bunny would find us in the bush.  Once again I had to remind her that the Easter Bunny finds children everywhere.

We also lost a tooth in the aftenoon - Alex for the second camping trip in a row had managed to summons the Tooth Fairy as well!!

So last night with the tooth sitting in prime position of the camp table in the kitchen tent.  This was easier than expecting the Tooth Fairy to manoevre the jumble of the kids' tent.

Bedtime came and with kisses and further reassurances that both the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy (ironically two opposites - teeth falling out and free extra sugar) would locate the Murray's both Oliver and Alexandria went off to bed....

Sunday morning.....

 

As you can see the Easter Bunny did find us on Easter Sunday.....

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE.....

Camping - Briagalong State Forest

Easter is nearly upon us so we have decided that we would go camping with The Burns'.  We have been looking forward to it for a couple of weeks now but hadn't seen the campsite - we were trusting Pete and Tanya for that one!!

The spot for this adventure is Briagalong State Forest, north of Maffra is the State's east.  It's a 3 and a bit hour drive from Frankston so not that far.

We decided to go up the weekend before Easter and set up camp and sleep the Saturday night, leave everything there, come home for a couple of days due to work and then head back up there on Thursday morning for the long weekend.

We got there mid afternoon on Saturday and set up camp.

We had a wonderful night on Saturday sitting around the camp fire, having a few sips and dinner.

Sunday was nice and relaxing.... The kids were offered to stay there while we came home which of course they accepted no issues.  Noel and I headed home mid afternoon!  Cannot wait to get back up there Thursday morning now.....

Off on a small adventure.... looking for a campsite

Today the kids and I are off on a mini adventure - in search of a campsite for next weekend's camping trip.

Should be really fun considering the choice will be up to us - Noel is at work so we will just have to hope for the best considering no-one will be camping this weekend and there is the chance that all sites will be full next weekend especially if the weather is good.

These photos were taken near O'Briens Crossing in Lerderderg State Park, Victoria.

Melbourne Cup Day 2009

Well that time of year has come and gone again ~ the Race that stops the Nation ~ the Melbourne Cup, part of Melbourne's Spring Racing Carnival.

For those living in Melbourne we are blessed with a public holiday to celebrate the day and also many people manage to get the Monday off from work ensuring that they had a long weekend. Noel and I both had the Monday off work and decided on Sunday that the kids could stay home from school also. Naughty of us but honestly we don't spend that much time with them at the best of time!

We had a great day yesterday, even though my emotions were all over the place due to what time of year it is. Although my dad passed away 16 years ago, I miss him so much and with all the family turmoil this year it was just harder than it has ever been. With the way I was feeling or should I say not coping very well we decided that we would just have a family day although we had been invited to several wonderful people's places to celebrate Melbourne Cup Day. I am glad that we made that decision as I wasn't really in a social mood and afterwards considering an intake of 3 bottles of champagne I still wasn't in a social mood!

Before the big race we popped into Anaconda for a look. Anaconda is a huge outdoor shop (camping, hiking, canoeing, etc). We didn't go in there to look at anything particular but we knew that we had some gift vouchers that needed using ($140 worth of vouchers). Browsing around we came accross a gazebo (3 x 3 metre shelter) that was reduced from $359 to $179 and we needed a new one for when we do go camping or to the Balnarring Picnic Races so we bought it. It was such a bargain - a saving of $180 plus using $140 in voucher we only paid $39 for our new gazebo!!! Tell me we weren't happy shoppers yesterday.

As for making a fortune on the nags..... it wasn't to be for me, Noel or Oliver. As usual Alex managed to pick the winner - just like she did last year. And yes we all heard about it! She went to the TAB to pick up her winnings with Noel. A $3 each way bet rewarded her with $40.50 and the beaming smile she had when they returned home was priceless but I could see the cogs turning in her head about what she was going to do with all "her" money until she was disappointed by being told she had to share it with her brother and us! I told Noel that Alex should put on all future horse racing bets for all of us!!!

This is 'Shocking' crossing the finishing line riden by Corey Brown
(photo courtesy of The Herald Sun)

Overall a good weekend was had by the Murray family but unfortunately it's all back to normality today - work, school and routine.

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

7 Thursdays until Christmas

Right the party is over - there is only 7 Thursdays until Christmas so that is 7 more weigh in's and I have decided to make the most of them!!

My camping trip brought on a gain of 1kgs which I actually thought was fantastic considering what I have eaten not to mention what was drank!! LOL!!

So what does 7 weeks actually mean? I can feel a challenge coming on..... okay here it is. I am going to challenge myself to lose 5kgs in 7 weeks.

Doesn't sound too hard but here we go with the excuses... christmas parties and functions!! Yes unfortunately before the fat man in the red suit comes to visit we all tend to celebrate quite a bit not to mention all the celebrating we do afterwards.

But I am sure if I focus on this I will do just fine.

Now on the home front spent the day washing and still putting things away from camping. Yuk but someone has to do it I suppose. The kids stayed home also today as they both had an awful nights sleep. So it is back to normality tomorrow (what ever normality is?)

Bye for now.

PS Great work again this week Vicki - another 0.5kgs down.... Well Done!!

Home Sweet Home

We are home!! Yippee - although our camping trip was fun and enjoyed by all four of us it was great to drive into the court and see our house. Electricity, running water, fridge, etc, etc.

I will give you a little insight into our adventures over the last 5 days..... grab a cuppa this could be long!!

Friday:
On the road pretty much as planned 5.30am and off for our 2.5hour drive to Snobs Creek. Got there everyone excited and the campsite was empty which was a bonus! Set up camp, got the fire going and started bush life. Weather overcast in the evening with a little drizzle but at least it was nice while we set up camp.

Saturday:
Had our first shower. Noel has made a shower unit up that runs with his engine. It has a pump and a heater exchange and is bloody fantastic! Alex must have got something in her eye at some stage during the morning as all of a sudden she was bleeding from her eye and nose. Off we went to Alexandra hosipital to see the doctor - who I might add was very vague - but reassured us that is was just a blood vessel that had popped probably due to getting something in her eye. We were told to just keep an eye on it. (No pun intended there) Had a look around Snobs Creek and visited the Snobs Creek Discovery Centre, which was very interesting. The kids got to feed some trout and chinook salmons, we learnt a bit about the breeding process and then in the aquarium section of the centre we were all able to touch baby brown trout that were no bigger than an inch long. After that it was back to the campsite. The weather was crap - drizzle on and off making it really miserable in the camp and all of us went to bed by 8.30pm.

Sunday:
The weather has cleared - yey! Another day of adventure - a little bit of exploring some tracks in the 4wd. Some were a bit hairy especially as we had the trailer in tow as we were meant to be looking for firewood. Went to Thornton as the primary school was having a fete. Not much there - the kids got to have a pony ride and a bit of time in the petting farm. They were also having a fireworks display in the evening so we headed back to camp for dinner only to return back to the school yard for dusk. The fireworks were great and a well organised show. Noel and I were surprised and it obviously cost the school a bit of money. Just as we were leaving Oliver and Alex were mucking about and chasing each other. I was caught off guard as I was getting up of the blanket we were sitting on as the next minute I looked up and Alex was running towards me like an out of control freight train. Crash!! The top of her head and my nose colided BIG TIME. It hurt and the next minute blood everywhere.

Monday:
Woke up a little puffy but no black eyes thankfully. Spent the day driving around Eildon Lake and exploring other camping areas. None as good as the spot we have found although the area is very popular. On the way back to the camp site we stopped and had a look at Snobs Creek Falls. The walk down was okay considering the warning about the steps being uneven. The falls were magnificent. Both Noel and I agreed that the were about the nicest falls we had been too and I must admit we have been to quite a few waterfalls. A 12 year old girl, Elisha Ross, lost her life there by slipping on the rocks in 1990. A little memorial placque was there and it was quite moving.

Tuesday:
We decided to go for another snoop around the forest in the 4wd today. We headed to the start of the Big River camping area and took it from there. Another well mentioned camping area that we didn't think too much off. Very crowded and the bush was fairly thick. Most of the campsites looked dark due to the mass of bushes surrounding them. I like the bush camp idea but need plenty of room and light. Noel was feeling fairly tired today so asked me to drive. OMG - he was letting me drive his baby!! Normally I don't get near the steering wheel whilst we are trekking. So Melbourne Cup Day 2005 I did my first 4wd track. At some stages it was quite howdy doody but I enjoyed myself and Noel said I did well.

Wednesday:
Time to come home - packing up is always harder. I suppose it is because everyone is tired, aching and sore. We left the campsite at 3.30pm and headed back to the normality in which we live. Got home at 6.30pm and unpacked the trailer.

Now I face the day with a huge amount of smoky washing, two kids that are full of colds and not going to school/creche. I was meant to go back to work today but I am doing the right thing and staying home with the kids (hard decision that one).

It is strange that the kids and I were soooo looking forward to sleeping in our beds but had the worst night sleep. Oliver kept sneezing and crying, Alex kept stirring and coming into our room only to be sent back to hers and I couldn't keep asleep with the heat. Wow what great weather it has been for the last few days but I must admit that at 4am this morning it was good to hear the rumble of thunder and see the flashes of lightning.

Tonight I face the scales - my points guides went out the window on the way to the camp site and I will be totally honest and say that I haven't given them a second thought all weekend. I hopped on the scales when I got home last night and they didn't seem to bad although it is the WW ones that count.

Better fly and get started on my jobs for today. Mind you I could just curl back up in bed. Maybe the kids and I will sneek in an afternoon siesta!~!~!~!

It's nearly holiday time....wooooohooooooo!!

Well the trailer is almost packed only a few small things to go in like clothes for us adults plus the food and drinks!! Cross fingers that we will be on our way by 5am like we have planned. May need to get up at about 3 am but it will all be worth it when we get to the camp site, set up and then sit and relax that is after we collect the firewood, get the fire going and work out what is for tea!! But in all seriousness Noel and I are so looking forward to this break. We haven't had a good break since April and that seems like it was so long ago. And I know that the kids are anxious to get there also.

Lots to do in the State Forest besides staring into the fire!! Hopefully I will get to do some walking but there is also four wheel drive tracks to explore, animals to spot, I know that down the road from the campsite there is the Snob's Creek Waterfalls so that will be worth a look. With a bit of luck we will find somewhere to throw in the yabbie nets to get a good feed! Not taking the fishing rods this time but I might just have to use my powers of pleading and venture to the trout farm to catch my favourite fish!! Yummo!! But before we know it it will be time to pack up and come home.

So the next time you will hear from me will be at least next Wednesday evening when we return to civilian life and pry ourselves away from the bush. I will return from my relaxing bush retreat knackered with two feral children that are black from bushlife and who have a large case of television withdrawal symptoms and everything smelling of smoke!! Sounds great and I can't wait!!

Oh before I go - big CONGRATULATIONS to Ms Vicki - great loss this week girl. Keep up the great work. I will definately miss our walks and our chats this week. (I am going to try and be as good as I can while I am away - LOL!!)

Bye for now and I hope everyone backs a winner on the Melbourne Cup!!

Sooooo much is happening......

I know that between now and January 1st 2006 is going to fly past and if I procrastinate tooooooo much I am going to miss heaps!! To be honest I cannot believe it is nearly the end of October which means only 61 more sleeps until the fat man in the red suit blesses us all with his presence (including the wrapped variety)!! OMG that is not many sleeps at all!!

The camping trip is coming along nicely and I will be the first to put my hand up and say I was in a much better frame of mind this morning... at least we know where we are going so it is full steam ahead on that topic now. So roll on Friday I am ready to pitch tent and relax!! Like as if!!

Had a wonderful phonecall from my friend Kerry, who is in Sydney, today and it really brightened my day. Stace and her are planning a trip down in December for a girly weekend and they are staying with us (I wouldn't have it any other way). Can't wait to hear what they both plan when they get together this weekend.

The goods news was coming from all angles today. A message on my answering machine to tell me that my girlfriend Trinity's little girl Willow was home from hospital finally. Willow was born at 27 weeks (yep 13 weeks prem) and weighed 785 grams at birth. She has done really well and battled all the odds associated with being soooo early and wooohooooo she is home. I can just imagine how happy both Donovan and Trinity are. It is just a shame that they now live in Queensland and I can't be there to help out.

Logging on to the Weight Watchers forums I see that the Muskerettes are starting to be a force together once more with the exception of Rhiain who has disappeared without a trace. I will try and call her tomorrow to make sure all is okay. Julz is doing well with her pregnancy although she may be out in her dates by four weeks unless she is having a huge baby!! LOL!! Gina is not far off embarking on her journey to the east coast and I am really looking forward to catching up with her once more.

I think it has been decided within the family that Christmas will be spent at our house. I really don't mind as most of you know that I enjoy entertaining. So it looks like roast turkey with all the trimmings and christmas pudding for lunch and possibly a seafood dinner. I am glad it is at house acutally as I know what is happening and our kids don't have to go from house to house to ensure that all the family is seen. Both Noel's family and my family will get together for lunch.

Oh well better fly I still have lots to organise this week before Friday......

Finally - the right camp site

Geez after 3 weeks of driving around various state forests, national parks and basically anywhere that resembled bush and had a river/creek close by we have finally found a camp site. We have been planning to go camping for the Melbourne Cup Weekend for the last 6 months or so but until today unsure about where we were going to pitch the tent.... but today we found the right spot.

Sounds silly I know but there were severeal requisites for the "Right" spot.
1. Near water
2. Fairly isolated - didn't want to be surrounded by people especially yahoo's
3. Grassy not sandy/dirty

Call us fussy if you wish but we like to be comfortable and once we pitch tent we are there for 5 days so why shouldn't we get the right spot? All the truck drivers at my work are picking on us for being "too fussy" and saying "you should just go and camp - campings all about taking the rough with the good" but everyone has there standards. I have been laughed at by blokes that just throw out a swag once they have found their destination to a bloke that although he agreed with the others actually goes to his onsite van that is fitted with a tv and dvd player... right like that is roughing it.

But we are off to Snob's Creek next Friday and will camp there until the following Wednesday. There is the creek running right past the campsite which will provide the water for showers and dishes etc. Not sure if it is drinkable but will take water in with us. The site is not accessable by normal car only 4wd and is set quite a way from the main road. Cross fingers that we will be the only ones heading for the site this weekend. It is big enough to fit maybe two camps on there but it would be nice to be by ourselves.

Well it is now past 10 o'clock and I have been up since 5am as I had to work this morning - so the bed is definately the next thing on the agenda!!

Missing in action

Well unfortunately busy lives mean something gets missed and as I try to sit down to blog last thing at night I am finding it very hard to stay awake when I sit still without falling asleep in our lovely office chair... too comfy that's for sure. Just ask Noel how many times he has got and up and found me asleep at the computer!!

So what has actually happened since my last blog:

I went to my first Thursday night WW meeting as a member - it was definately different to sit amongst the members and just listen. Previously being a recorder I missed a lot of the meeting as I was balancing all the money and products etc. The scales weren't toooooo horrible to me although I did have a gain of 0.5kgs! That could be just the difference in the scales as I felt that I didn't have a bad week - oh well onward and downwards from here right. As Cheryl used to say "I hope to see less of you next week" - LOL pretty corny really!!

Friday found Vicki and I walking again - amazing we kept up the pass for all 4 kms and shaved a minute of our previous walk... doesn't sound like much but to us it was a HUGE achievement!! Mind you legs were killing me all night and well into Saturday.

Sunday was spent tourning the country side once more in search of a camp site that is remote but accessible and safe for the kids. We found one but it is bang smack in the middle of nowhere and obviously gets used quite a lot judging by the last fire area. Not sure as to whether we will risk driving all that way on the Friday only to find it occupied and we aren't close to any other sites. Food wise for Sunday - let me put it this way - YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW!! LOL!!I suppose it wasn't too bad - I did have a salad and cheese roll for lunch with watermelon and yoghurt afterwards. But that is all I am admitting too!!!

Monday morning - I am rushing to type this madly as we have to leave for work and school soon. Back on track though and will follow my menu planner to the letter. Will need to walk two nights and exercise in the mornings to have a good result on the scales this week but I am sure I can give it a good go!!

Better fly one child has appeared from the realms of dreamtime.......

Nearly 600kms!!!!

Instead of spending the day yelling at the kids for arguing over silly things "he's got my toy" or "give that back" not to mention "I'm telling on you!" Noel and I decided to pack the family into the 4wd and head off in search of our campsite for the upcoming Cup Weekend. We have put in our annual leave and are looking forward to the 5 day break BUT at the moment have no idea where we are going to set up camp.

To cut a really long story very short - nearly 600kms and we still don't know where we are camping!! LOL!!

However we did find some great off road tracks up near Walhalla and Licola. We had a picnic lunch at Aberfeldy Bridge which was so peaceful right next to the river. Wildlife was abundent on this trip, to the kids enjoyment, as we came across a Lace Monitor, Echidna, Kangaroos, Fox, Rabbits not to mention a few road kill victims!!

One track, Boguane Gap Track, on the map seemed to lead to ideallic riverside camping and caught our interest. Meeting up with other bush bashers upon starting the track it was described to us as a "narly" track. Noel and I looked at each other and thought we are here now might as well have a look! Geeez narly, in my opinion, wasn't the correct word. I think I would have bought "outright scary" in my description. The kids were scared while we were climbing up at one stage and I must admit I burst into a fit of uncontrolable laughter once we reached the top - I think it was out of relief!!

As it was sooooo late dinner wasn't the lasagne we had planned on but instead we stopped and had a chinese meal in Traralgon which was yummy. The kids both ate really well and as we were leaving a nice lady from a table near us commented on how well behaved our kids were. Blushing I thanked her and explained they had been sat in the car all day and I had quite expected them to misbehave but was very proud of them!! And we still had to drive back to Frankston. We left the restaurant at 9pm!

Anyway we have literally walked in the door, the kids are now tucked up in bed after sleeping the last 2 hours in the car, the car has been unpacked and everything put away. Sorry about not walking Vicki but I will chat with you tomorrow....

Needless to say I am off to bed now. I am absolutely shattered!!!!!!

My first day is nearly over.

Just to put an end to my first day as an offical "blog".

The afternoon went quite fast with Oliver going to one of his friend's houses for a few hours to play whilst Noel, Alex and myself did the shopping run. As usual just as we got out of the car in the carpark the heavens opened up and you guessed we were parked so far away from the door.... incidental exercise!! Running to the shops Alex was yelling "it's like being in a big shower!!"

After food shopping we went to a few camping stores as we are looking to buy a new tent for camping on the Cup Weekend (early Nov). There are so many to chose from, so it is a really hard decision. I think we have narrowed it down to 2 designs although there is actually nothing wrong with the tent we have we just want a bigger one. You can actually go mad in those camping stores and buy everything including the kitchen sink if you really wanted too!! Not sure where we are going this trip but it will be somewhere in the bush!!

I have to confess I would never have set up this blog (although I have thought about doing it for some time) if it wasn't for inspiration received from others especially a new friend named Vicki. It is like we have know each other for years but to date we haven't met or even spoken. However we do plan to catch up Monday for a walk in the evening - if this rain ever goes away. So thankyou Vicki! You have already become an inspiration to me and I wish you all the success in your weight loss journey. We can take all those little steps together.

So I will goodnight to you all as I need to get dinner ready so the kids and I can sit down and watch "Wizard of Oz" tonight - yes another musical!!