Being that this is the year of getting on top of a few things, I headed off to the doctors this week for a few blood tests. So, where do I start with the bad news? Firstly, I've shrunk 2cm. 2cm!! I think the doctor mismeasured, even though I asked her to measure twice. Next, onto the scales. It has been a goal this year to lose 5 kilos, but it now appears that that figure has to be adjusted to 7 kilos. 7 kilos!! I think there is something wrong with her scales, even though I asked her to check it twice. Sheesh, nothing like going to the doctors to improve your mental health. Whatever the results of the blood tests, it can't be as bad as this!

A Few Days Away

Last year we had bit of an incident with the hot water system. As a result, the floor boards in our entrance way needed repair. Well, they have been repaired, twice. But the results were not good. They needed to be done again so because we can't walk on them for a couple of days, the kids and I decided to head away for a few days. We only had about three days so we didn't want to go too far away, so we settled on Newcastle. It had been at least 10 years since I had been there and other than a quick school excursion for Ben, the kids hadn't either.

What really surprised me about this mini break, was just how much I enjoyed it. Leading up to it I kept thinking that maybe the effort for a few days away just wasn't worth it. But I'm so glad we did. Three teenagers with their mum. Could have been a disaster. But they genuinely enjoyed it. They got along well, they didn't complain about any of the things we did, they laughed, tolerated my need to take a million photos and so on and so on.

The weather was perfect, a beautifully mild, sunny day. So we decided to go on a 5km coastal walk which was absolutely spectacular.

What was really surprising was just how happy the kids were doing simple things.

I came home feeling very blessed by the children I have. And grateful that they don't mind hanging out with their mum. I know every mum feels the same way, but still......

The bad news, the floorboards don't look any better than before. Now to decide if I will complain and have them done for the FOURTH time!! Or just be grateful that I have floors at all....

Old and New

The last few weeks of school were hectic. Report time. The stress, the late nights. How honest can you really be? Apparently not too honest as I was to find out. The number of changes I had to make in order to please parents was crazy. And even then had some very upset parents. And they were for reports I thought were outstanding. Sometimes your best effort is just not good enough.

 So, I was really looking forward to school holidays. Love holidays. Love being at home, love having the kids around. But it's also the time I noticed that we are still relative newbies around here. I think it is possibly for me to go for a week at a time without speaking to another adult, especially while the Major is away. Still not at the catch up for no reason point. It will happen. Thank goodness for church because it at least gets me out on Sundays.

But this week was different. We lived in Toowoomba for nearly ten years. It was where two of my children were born. It's where I could have imagined staying forever. This week one of my dearest friends from Toowoomba came to visit. It was great just to be together catching up. We have a lot of history together.

We did do more than just sit around drinking coffee. We did the tourist thing- checked out the sites of the town. Which didn't take too long!

And we spent the day in a very tiny town about an hour away. In it's day to was a thriving gold mining town. Now, it has a few quaint stores that rely on the tourist trade. Only a tiny town, but with much to offer.

And then it was time to say goodbye. I do so miss not being able to spend more time with old friends, friendships that have stood the test of time. But, I am grateful to have had them at all and feel blessed to know as many people from as many different places as I do.