Sunday.... sleep in's, lunch with family, relaxing....

WOW I had a sleep in this morning - cannot remember the last time I did that.  My body just normally doesnt' allow it.  We woke, made a nice pot of brewed coffee and enjoyed the serenity of no football for the 3rd Sunday in a row (and I am still not used to it!!)

Lunch today was with the whole Murray family at the Lynbrook Hotel.  It was nice but to be honest I am so over all you can eat buffets - if you cannot control yourself it can be major problem for your belly and your well being for the rest of the day. 

It was good to see baby Charlie again especially how much she has grown and can see she has the Murray sweet tooth enjoying some chocolate icecream!

One nice thing is that all of Ann and Ged's 5 grandchildren were together and we managed to get a nice photo of them (after many attempts).

We will relax and potter for the rest of this Sunday afternoon getting ready for the kids being back at school tomorrow and of course we have to go to work!

Take care,

The Murray Family xx

52 Weeks of Organizing - Task # 1

Okay so I am behind but pleased to say I have completed task # 1 of Org Junkies Organizing Challenge for 2011. I do have a list of 52 things to achieve this year and will tackle these in no particular order but the first thing I really wanted to do was to sort out my kitchen cupboards. With Noel recently losing his job and us instantly going down to one income I needed to be more organised when it came to shopping, overspending and buying multiple items purely because I didn't realise I already had a jar/packet in the cupboard.

So this is what they looked like before:




And two full garbage bags of out of date foods, empty packets (yes there was empty packets in there also!) and some foods that would never be used this is what they look like now:





Besides having cleaner, healthier and organized kitchen cupboards I also now have a list of what is in there, what has used by dates etc. With this in mind my menu planning should not only be easier but cross fingers it will be cheaper!

Watch this space while I clean and declutter my house!

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

A whirlwind weekend... again!!

The weekend started with my usual Friday afternoon activity.... front end loader lessons - here is the proof that it is actually me behind the wheel of such a HUGE machine. Now that the nerves have slightly disappeared I am enjoying it.




Saturday morning saw the household on a cleanup mission especially with Pam and Dennis arriving sometime next weekend. Finally got my wish and re-arranged my bedroom and I am really happy with it... This was all done while Noel was at work so I was pretty pleased with my efforts.

The Grand Final replay kicked off at 2.30pm.... happy photo's before the game but sadly no happy photograph afterwards as the Saint lost (and lost badly)!!

Sunday we went to the Carribbean Market, a large market selling produce, clothes, computer accessories etc. It has been a long time since we have been there but honestly it never changes. Lots of duplicate stalls all probably run by the same people!! But saying that we managed to buy a few things so that was good. Fresh laid farm eggs jumbo size, Alex brought some nail polishes and an anklet and the kids both got some DS games.

After the market we headed to the Stamford hotel where we had a late lunch. I tried to get a nice photo of Noel and I and this is what happened...


We spent the afternoon at the Le Mans Go-Kart track in Dandenong. Clearly I stayed on safe ground and took photos but everyone enjoyed the afternoon.

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Daily Job Lists

As dramatic as it sounds these have become evident that they are needed to ensure things run a little smoother around the house. I mentioned job lists yesterday in my rant and implemented them last night.

(daily jobs list 1)

(daily jobs list 2)

The two children have the same 2 job lists, both differ with little tasks and they will alternate each week. For example Oliver is following week 1 and Alex is following week 2 this week. The idea of this is so one doesn't feel hard done by compared to the other, which I am sure you can all understand the reasoning behind that idea!! LOL God forbid we over work one of them!!

This is not the first time - both of them have had chore lists or rosters in the past especially as we have always been a family where both parents work full time and the kids used to be in before/after school care. As they are getting older now and have been given more responsibility when it comes to ensuring they get to and from school each day it has given us the opportunity to get them to do a few more things around the house to help out. We do not expect perfection and ticks in all the boxes, but saying that we do expect ticks in some of the boxes ~ LOL!!!

Reality of this is that we all, as a family, need to be time efficient and all hands on board otherwise things just will not get done or Noel and I will end up doing everything while two children sit on their bottoms watching TV!! Needless to say while they are enjoying themselves we are not having much quality time with each other as a family.

The goal here is to increase quality family time... not continual cleaning time for mam and dad. I am sure you can see what we are trying to achieve, I hope?

Will it work???? I hope so....

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

A lifestyle change for us all...

A bad result at Weight Watchers last night and a few other issues that I have been dwelling on saw me issuing orders in our house last night to the tune of "We are ALL going to change our lifestyles!! No choice - it's just happening!!"

As you know we (I) menu plan weekly in order to know what we are having for dinner but it got me to thinking that planning the other meals is important as well. The kids normally have a set lunch each day - a sandwich, 2 pieces of fruit, cheese sticks or cheese and crackers, a fruit juice and a treat. But as for Noel and myself it's hit and miss, sometimes a frozen meal, sometimes I make the effort to make us lunch otherwise it's the local takeaway gets our business and that can mean anything for lunch. Breakfasts are pretty much in the same category unfortunately. The kids are organised but we are not.

So #1 change as of this morning was everyone had/took prepared foods to get us through until we get home tonight and have dinner. This is now going to happen EVERYDAY!

Treats will also be carefully examined probably must to the children's disgust but if I want to help all of us then so be it. I wil not outlaw the "nice" foods but I do honestly think they need to be better controlled.

The house is ALWAYS a mess!! I swear to God when we go to work the messy fairies come in and do what they will as there is no way with 2 at work and 2 at school that the house should be as it is. Don't get me wrong - we don't live in a tip or anything that drastic!! It's just not neat and I seem to spend most of my time especially on the weekend cleaning up and picking up things that obviously no-one else sees.

Thankfully Noel is brilliant when it comes to doing the clothes washing, cooking and helping with the kids, which is such a help and I am truly thankful that he is a hands-on dad/husband. Infact I am quite spoiled to have him in my life.

The kids are okay when prompted and I mean PROMPTED. Constant reminders, sometimes resorting to yelling and things do get done. BUT once again it's the little things even the daily repedative things that are neglected. Saying this though they still expect their pocket money each week and everything else that they ask for or decided they want. Go figure??

So # 2 change is that there will now be rosters implemented and to "earn" their pocket money and to save my sanity the listed chores/tasks we need to be done. I don't think that is that unfair? In fact they should be grateful that they will get rewarded for helping out around the house - I know some kids don't get paid, it's just expected by their family circumstance that things get done. I have even given myself a roster but of course won't officially pay myself!! LOL!!

The final thing that has been bothering me lately is that we are "too busy" or "too tired" to bond as a family. I understand that with work, school and other activities there really isn't a great deal of time. But I have at time fobbed the kids off and even Noel because I am too busy or too tired only to look back and realise that I have been selfish and we could have done something together. Time isn't going to stand still and we will never get the opportunity to do certain things again once the time has passed. Thinking about what I have already missed out on, makes me sad and I don't want to miss anything else.

So # 3 change is to implement quality family time together even if it is to read a book or play cards. As of today we will sit at the table as a family to eat dinner, a fond memory I have from growing up was always sitting at the table and talking about each others days and we do actually do it just not all the time. Instead of everyone doing different things we are going to make the effort to at least do something together each week just the four of us - even if it's for 30 minutes.

Watch this space... the Murray family are making some positive changes.

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

28 Day Organizing Challenge - I've started!!

I have decided to undergo a 28 day Organizing Challenge set over at I'm An Organizing Junkie.

But instead of just sorting/organising one part of the house the challenge I have set myself is the WHOLE HOUSE!!

HUGE I know but to be perfectly honest it NEEDS to be done!!

Today I decided to tackle the bar.... well it's wasn't really being used as a bar - more like a storage area. The bar itself has been built inbetween the kitchen, dining room and loungeroom of our house (prior to us moving there) and to be honest is out of place and not very practical.

This is what it looked like before I started:



So once I had removed everything and trust me I couldn't believe how much was in such a small are, I brought a bookshelf which I had to assemble that fits nicely at the end. I have decided to remove all of our tupperware/plastics from the big container I had and put them on the shelves. We don't have enough cupboard space in the kitchen for all the dreaded plastics so they have always lived in bar unfortunately!

And of course, this is what it looks like now:


And to answer the obvious question - Yes I did find a home for all the other items!

Now the next big question... what's next????

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

A weekend not to be repeated

Well if I couldn't think that anything could get worse after Friday night's rock through the window incident - it did!!

After cleaning up the loungeroom removing glass shards and vacuuming and vacuuming and vacuuming we finally went shopping. I was tired from the sleepless night and working in Saturday morning but was feeling sickly in the stomach. Walking around the supermarket I started dry reaching and to be honest had to get out of the shop as I couldn't face any more shopping. Needless to say only half the shopping got done, the kids went into stunned silence and Noel was left to get things organised including me who was getting worse by the second.

Before going any further I need to say I am the World's WORST patient as I just don't like being sick for one minute. I refuse to let myself relax unless I have no choice! I try and turn into superwoman so that I continue with what's needed to be done so nobody else has to do it. BUT this time my superhero costume just didn't want to fit (I think it's being hanging out with the skinny clothes in my cupboard) and what ever was making me sick hit me like a tonne of bricks very quickly! Within the hour I was in bed, armed with a bucket, towel and curious onlookers (Oliver and Alex) who I don't think have ever seen my head spin around and me turn into the devil! I spent all night like this finally drifted off to sleep in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Sunday was another wasted day, with me walking around like a zombie all weak and weary from an eventful night! My stomach at least was better but was not in the mood for bacon and eggs that's for sure!! In fact a couple of mouthfuls of water was the most it could handle for a few hours. As the day went on I did start to feel much better but was not about to start partying hard.

Noel and I decided to take the kids to the cinema as we all needed to get out of the house (but do something relaxing of course). We went and seen A Christmas Carol. We went to VMax, which is the larger screen at Village Cinema's and it was also in 3D. It was a brilliant movie, although Alex got scared as did several other kids in the cinema. One boy little boy was crying "I don't want to watch this anymore" at the top of his lungs.. thankfully his mother decided to remove the both of them from the cinema. At one point, Alex looked at me and said "this is going to give me nightmares" but then she fell asleep about 2/3rds of the way through the movie but she was still very tired from her school camp, which she enjoyed thoroughly!

Today back to routine, work and school and hopefully next weekend will be a little more upbeat and enjoyable as we are off to Bright for a little holiday before the silly season begins.

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Melbourne Cup Long Weekend

Yes us lucky people who live in Melbourne get a public holiday on Tuesday for the "Race that stops the nation" ~ The Melbourne Cup. It is always on the first Tuesday of November. While the public holiday is the Tuesday most companies are shut on the Monday also... generating an extra long weekend. Noel has an RDO and while I can work I the Monday I have elected to have an annual leave day and spend time with the crew. Sadly though this year, the kids will go to school on Monday (which has never happened in the histoy of the Murray's attending Kananook as the school has normally elected to have a ciriculum day). Unless of course we decided they too can have the long weekend. I will work Saturday morning as usual but that's only until 12.30pm.

It's hard rubbish time in our area (where you get to put old unwanted items on your nature strip and the council comes, collects it and takes it to the tip for you at no cost). So most of this weekend will be focussed on cleaning/sorting through the garage and house turfing things that we no longer use or need that's not good enough for the upcoming garage sale we are planning to have. We threw out a lot of stuff last year so there shouldn't be too much but I am sure we will find enough to pile high outside.

Saturday afternoon we are off to a BBQ. It's Erica's 30th birthday so it should be a nice get together and local for us! We haven't seen anyone for awhile so it will be great to catch up and have a drink together. I have had my usual Crunchy Asian Salad requested and I might just take some spooky treats for the kids as well...

Other than that no major plans for the long weekend except, as mentioned, the sorting and turfing of our humble abode plus a flutter or two on the nags on Tuesday!

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Another family day...... and yet another fast weekend!!!

Noel and I decided we needed another family day and yesterday was perfect weather wise so we go up and without even telling the kids where we were going we all got dressed and were out the door by 10am.

The car had a buzz of excitement about it, especially as the kids had no idea where we were going and we did!! All the way from the back seat we heard "Are we going to...?", "Are we going to...?", "What does it start with?" and "What's the second letter?" etc etc. It was quite a fun trip although we were only in the car for 40 minutes.

We took the kids to Narre Warren to the circus. I had got the times mixed up and thought the show started at 11am only to find that it didn't start until 1pm. So instead of having lunch at a quickie takeaway such as McDonalds etc., we went in search of a nice cafe or restaurant to have some food. Narre Warren really didn't have something that suited so we went into Berwick and to Beno's Cafe and Bar.... and boy, was it good. We all enjoyed our food and we all ordered differently, I had Beno's Big Breakfast, Oliver had Beno's Gourmet Beef Burger, Alex had to have the kids' nuggets and chips and Noel decided on the Tapas Plate.... I won't go into each meal but I can tell you that we were all so full that dinner lasts night consisted of toasted sandwiches at 8.30pm!!!

The circus was fantastic also. Circus Olympia, consisting of several Russian performers and it was mentioned that it was the show's first time in Australia but I would have to investigate to confirm that. The kids had a ball, so did Noel and I. I get great enjoyment watching their faces and seeing the enjoyment and how they light up at even the simplest things. There was some animals in the show and quite enjoyable and varied performances which lasted two hours. Well worth going..... we purchased ring side seats so we were quite close to all the action.

Our house will be quiet now until Friday night. It's school holiday's here in Melbourne and both of us are working. This means the kids get to spend the weekdays with their grandparents, who thankfully help us out when they can and will no doubt spoil the kids rotten. Noel will pick them up on his way home from work on Friday, we will spend the weekend together and then do the same again next week. We have chosen not to have time of this holidays so we can have time together over the Christmas school holidays. Hopefully I will get chance to give the house especially their bedrooms a good clean during the evenings while they are not home...... garbage bags here I come!!

School holidays - bring 'em on.....

Today is the official first day of the Victorian School Holidays and I am actually looking forward to the next two weeks. Not only do I get to spend some quality time with my kids for a change, they get to spend some quality time with me CLEANING and SORTING and THROWING RUBBISH OUT!! Sounds like my kind of fun!!

No seriously my mission, which I have chosen to accept, for the first week is a good clean up and out!! The kids have been worded up and have agreed to help.

If we get it all done the second week is all about fun. I am even lining up a get together with the boys and Jamie as the kids really love spending time with their cousins. Maybe a park somewhere for a play and a picnic - now that sounds like a great idea!!

So bring it on.......

The weekend is over.....

What a wonderful feeling it was to have two whole days at home considering a normal weekend is only one and a half days with me usually working on Saturday morning.

As I mentioned Sunday was a relaxing family day but Monday was a day of cleaning. The kids eventually doing a great job cleaning out their rooms, sorting through clothes and toys that were no longer wanted and removing rubbish in general.

We have such a few busy weeks coming up with the two birthdays. Next weekend we have to get our "disco" ready for the disco parties and also find some outfits. Both Oliver and Alex are having a disco themed party and they have to dress as their favourite rock or pop star. Oliver is dressing as one of the Killers so he is going to wear his suit... not sure about Alex as yet!! That in itself could be an interesting one!!

Noel is still off work with his back but he is taking Alex to the dentist today. All I can say is good luck...........

Time to get myself more organised!

Now that we have all settled into the New Year well and truly it's time to get me and my household more organised especially on the home maintenance front. Currently with working full time I tend to spend my time off Saturday afternoons and Sundays CLEANING! Honestly there is no-one in the house for a minimum of 8 hours each weekday and yet it looks like a cyclone has gone through the place!!

Considering the fact that a cyclone cannot be present only inside one person house in the street there must be another explanation... I know! The house is infested with "messy fairies". Geez that's about as believable as the cyclone. LOL!!

Seriously, please don't misjudge completely. We don't live in a pigsty or what could resemble a landfill site infact we do keep the place quite respectable. On the surface everything looks normal BUT with my eyes and knowing what goes on behind closed doors I honestly believe that we as a family just need to get into more of a routine and be more responsible to the mess surrounding us and yes that means ALL of us, me, hubby and you two kids as well!!

As I said we aren't slobs or lazy just time deficient considering we are out the door by 7 in the morning and often not home before 5pm. Then its cooking and eating dinner, ensuring homework is done, readers are read, children are bathed, put to bed, then theres the dishes, a load of washing here and there before collapsing into bed ourselves. There has to be an easier way!! And that's without considering hiring a cleaner! Get that idea right out of your head Joanne.

I must say I didn't just come up with this brain wave all by myself. Infact I will be totally honest and say that I have been reading another blog which is dedicated to just this topic. The hyper homemaker is just as the name suggests and very detailed. It intrigued me when I started reading it and must say has actually started to make me think differently about the way I do things (which while we are being honest it is normally the easiest and the quickest way that's for sure).

I want my weekends to be about family, not disinfectant, mops and vacuuming. I want to know that my kids had a great weekend instead of watching tv or planning their DS' because I am busy doing chores.

That's it - it's time for a change! AND NOW!!

Busy Busy Busy

The house of Murray was busy today - not busier than usual but none the less an enjoyable day was had by all.

The last 24 hours disappeared fast as usual - funny how Saturdays and Sundays just past you buy whereas Monday thru Friday drag like there is no tomorrow!!

I worked half the day today starting at 6am (yuk) but with end of month I was determined to get out of the office by lunchtime. Noel stayed with the kids as there was no work due to an RDO yesterday.

After shopping, cleaning and preparing for the evening ahead the house become a buzz of excitment. We were ready for to have a bbq with a new family. I have been walking with Vicki, as you know from previous posts, and we decided it was time to get the two families together as the kids were anxious to meet each other. Without fail after every walk I got asked "when can we meet the boys?" LOL!! It was nearly time. Oliver and Alex kept peering out the loungeroom window, jumping on the trampoline (which is out the front) with anticipation. Noel and I knew when they had arrived by the squeals and yelling only my two could make.

The evening went well, we had a yummy bbq which I am sure was well within our points for the day. I had saved some by having a small breakie and lunch. I maybe had one or two many wines but it was Saturday night. We ended the night with a fire box - that was great. We haven't had one for a while especially during winter. The smell of the wood burning just brought back memories of sitting around the campfire and just relaxing underneath the stars... lol... won't be long until we will be off camping again.

As a family we enjoyed ourselves last night and hope The Knox family did too!!

Not sure what the day holds for today... let you know tonight!!

Grand Final Day and no interest...

Well today was Grand Final Day and as a family of St. Kilda supporters I must say that we weren't at all interested... funny really as in 1993 we weren't interested in who was playing either as we got married on the day of sporting celebration!! Can't even tell you who was playing that year. This year the Swans (Sydney) won... roll on the 2006 season. Carn the saints!!

Things that were on my mind today were my sister, Claire, planning tommorrow's family get together, wondering if the house would ever be clean enough and I had a few fleeting, thoughts okay they weren't fleeting at all, I admit, about Noel's brother and his wife.

Okay grab a drink this may turn into a long one!!

Claire is my little sister, she is 6 years younger, and it is only as we have grown up that I have learned how much a truely beautiful woman she has become. She is so accommodating for everyone especially me. If I work and need help with the kids she is there. Unconditionally she has both of our children when we ask and it never seems to be the wrong time or a hassle even when she is dealing with 3 boys of her own. I think the way that she is much loved and liked by all that meet her is very deserving and selfishly, I believe that I am truly jealous of her as a person.

The house never seems to stay clean no matter how many hours go into cleaning the damn place. The strangest thing is that we are only home about 25% of the week. We are both at work full time, Oliver is a school and Alex is at creche for the same hours as us and yet it is like a hurricane has gone through the house each week without fail!! Why?? No rest for the wicked - isn't that what they say? There is obviously a conspiracy happening somewhere!!

Tommorrow is officially our wedding anniversary - 12 years!! We thought it would be wonderful if we could get both families together, have a meal and chat - you know nothing formal at all. We almost succeeded as we had confirmations from both my sister and Noel's parents but a phone call last night confirmed that Sean and Vicky were NOT attending a family do AGAIN!! To be honest I am at the point of not even bothering to invite them. There always has to be a reason, and I mean a good reason, for them being invited and then it is still iffy as to whether you get an acceptance. The majority of the time and sadly for Sean, he turns up by himself. Maybe it is because we didn't give a good enough reason (we didn't come out and say it's our wedding anniversary!) however we mentioned discussing Christmas BUT we all know that Vicky has an issue with spending too long at a family function on our side of their marraige. This is starting to sound bitchy but I will be the first one to put my hand up and say that I am really get sick of her antics - and I also know that I am not the only Murray who is. I had better stop here.... To be honest I don't think Noel will like this post!!

This evening I went for a walk with Vicki, my friend, amd we actually did four laps of the park instead of the three we have done previously.. and it was wonderful - I feel great this evening.

On a brighter note - it is our day for celebration tomorrow and I am sure that it will be a great day overall. A bbq is on the menu (yum) plus if the weather stays nice maybe the kids can all go to the park behind our house for a while - but the major plan is just to relax with our family.

Told you it was going to be long - hopefully you didn't fall asleep reading...... I have brain drain now so I am off to bed!!