*Home from Hospital*

Happy Dance! I'm home from hospital! Yay! For those of you that didn't know, I have spent the last four days in hospital with diabetes complications relating to a bout of gastro! It's become an annual thing for me to spend anywhere up to a week - once a year (usually in September when its the gastro season) in hospital. I was hoping that this year would be different - alas! Both Ryan and Luke had the bug the week before and i did think I had by-passed it but Wednesday night I started throwing up and also had the runs and well, by Thursday I had ketones (diabetes complication) and so ... up to Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital. Luckily they weren't overloaded so I was put straight into emergency and then into a ward by that evening. They pumped 13 litres of fluids into me over a 24 hour period - and boy oh boy - I am still feeling those effects - like a little Michelin blimp! Just to give you an idea - I normally weigh 57/58 kilos - and right now I am 66 kilos - so there's still alot of excess fluids I have to get rid of. Little porker! A few more days and I will be right! Just need rest.

Fab did a great job with the boys - and the boys were fairly well behaved. They all had a busy weekend with Luke's trophy presentation and footy wind-up. Chad and Ryan both had parties to go to and then there was the usual day-to-day things at home to be done ... plus visits to see me! But the lads coped well. Ryan - bless his cotton sox - wont let me out of his sight today - keeps coming to the study to check that I am here.

Not much else to report really - lovely sunny day! Would be nice to sit out in the garden but it is far too bright for my eyes which are still very sore and puffy (from all the fluids) so I am stuck inside. Just trying to get through a bunch of stuff that accumulates when I am away. The list is long but I am taking it easy and will tackle bits as the week goes on. Have to cancel a few plans for this week so that I can regain all my strength. Not long till we go away so I want to be 100% fit for that.

Enjoyed IDOL last night - check out the update that I downloaded from the IDOL site on last nights performances. I think that Brianna might be the one to leave tonight - or Holly - everyone else did a marvelous job - even Carl singing WALTZING MATILDA! Now that was something different.

Well, best get off and get to that list - take care and have a good day. Love Mik xxx

Perfect Spring Day!

Good afternoon friends! Hope everyone had a good weekend and enjoyed their FATHERS DAY! What wonderful weather we had (here in Perth anyway) and today is a picture-perfect Spring Day - forecasted 27º - not sure if it's got there - but wouldn't be far off. The skies are so BLUE and the gardens everywhere are starting to bloom with colour. So glad that Spring is here at last - so NOT a winter person - hate when it's cold and wet! Love the sunshine - makes me feel happy and like running through the park (not like that's going to happen, too unfit at the moment).

We had a nice weekend - Luke played his last game of footy and their team won. Luke managed to kick a very fancy goal in the dying minutes even though he was playing in defense. Luke and Fab went off to the Eagles game afterwards (another win for us - yay) and I took Chad to a birthday party at Wild Kidz (indoor playground for those that dont know - mad crazy place that it is). Ryan spent the afternoon at a friends place. Unfortunately later that evening, he wasn't feeling very well and did the 'upchuck' a few times ... whatever bug he had has been passed onto Luke who is also not well and home from school today. My tummy doesn't feel the best either - not happy - I don't want NO GASTRO coz a bout of that usually sends me into hospital and that I can do without!

Is anyone watching the new IDOL series? If you've read my blog you will have noticed that Jacob Butler is my FAVE man this series and TARISAI (finally got her name right) is my FAVE girl. For someone so little (they call her the Pocket Rocket) she surely has a decent set of lungs!

I am looking forward to seeing them perform again. I am not sure who I would like to go through from the WILDCARD contestants - I don't think any of them really put on 100% performance worthy of going through to the Final 12 - but I'm guessing that Sarah (who sang CANDY MAN) will be voted in by the audience and probably also Daniel (who sang LAY YOUR LOVE ON ME). They are the most appealing to the younger generation that makes up most of the voting. I think I'd like to see Mark (who sang EVIE) and Natalie (who sang FEELING GOOD) voted in by the judges. It's a very different group this year around - most of them seem rather young compared to previous years - do you agree with the starting age of 16? Are they old enough to really be able to commit and more importantly COPE with the whole IDOL experience? Is it fair to let them in ... only to have them voted out straight away because they can't cope (due to the pressures and being so young)? And what about schooling? Sure, singing may be their chosen vocation but everyone needs an education and I believe that 16 is just too young to start something like this! I'm sure there are "OLDER" (than 30 years) people that could become the next IDOL - but I guess it all comes down to money and record selling - are the over 30's as appealing as a sexy, fresh young 16-18 year old. Would love some opinions on this one!

Also this week - we see the WEDDING OF THE YEAR on Home & Away - am a big fan of this so looking forward to that.

I have been browsing on eBay alot over the past week - looking for summer bargains! Last year I redid my whole summer wardrobe courtesy of eBay and probably spent 1/10th what I would have done in the shops and got about 10 times as much. My belief is that if the funds are low and the wardrobe bare then there is nothing wrong with 2nd hand clothes OR "hand-me-downs" as I like to call them. I got some lovely items so far and are looking forward to receiving them. Here are some of my bargains - all for less than $3.50 (plus postage)!

Not really sure about this white dress but it was only $1.00 - sure it would look good with a bright coloured sash, some beads and some nice sandals.

Scored a bargain with these items as well - think the peachy swing top would look good with the black capri's and the other capris will look nice with the swing top below.

The other bargain for this week were these gorgeous knickers - scored the 4 pairs for just $2.50. Sure that something went wrong with that bid - because it was a SECOND CHANCE bid and I thought I had initally put in $7.50 the first time around. Oh well! My gain! Makes up for another top I bought 3 weeks ago and have never received!

Ok - its some time now since I started this post - and have since ducked out to get Chad - so I better start with the homework, dinner, chores etc. Nice chatting! Enjoy your evening and please leave a message if you get a chance. Leave you with this little quote -

I BELIEVE:- that you can keep going long after you think you can't!

Finally Friday!

Good Afternoon!- and what a lovely sunny afternoon it is! (hence the various colours of text - reminds me of the lovely day we are having). Beautiful! Lets hope that the sunny weather continues over the weekend because we really need to get into the garden and get rid of a bunch of winter weeds that are growing in our lawn and garden beds. I've let the gardens beds go over the past 4-6 weeks, mainly because I planted oodles and oodles of bulbs back in May and as I planted some new varities I wasn't sure whether it was weeds pushing through or the bulbs. Now I am able to tell which is what and so ... time to muck out, clean up and rake through the garden beds - and of course, tackle the 'crap' in the lawn.

And of course its ~*Fathers Day*~ on Sunday - so hope the weather stays sunny for all the dads! Wishing everyone a happy day with their dad! We have my mum/dad over for a late breakfast on Sunday- Fab is cooking up something special on the BBQ so that will be nice.

Luke plays his last game of football on the weekend - and Chad has a birthday party -plus Fab and Luke will go see the last home & away game for the Eagles! Can't believe the season is almost over! Wishing my beloved Eagles all the best for their final game and with any luck, they will chalk up another win! Go Chicky! (No 17 for the Eagles - Daniel Chick - my fave player).

Nothing particularly interesting to report, had a good week. Went out for breakfast with friends on Wednesday at a lovely cafe in Landsdale. Very casual and relaxed. There were 5 mums and 6 kids (3-4 year olds) and we were there for 3 hours. The kids were fantastic, they had a big plasma, lounge chairs, kids table & chairs and a bunch of games for them to play so they were well entertained. I ate a massive BIG BREAKFAST for just $12.50. Anyone looking for a great cafe - this is the one - Cafe '7 - in Landsdale. The food is well priced, big portions and the service is terrific. I know that this place will become our new 'hunting' ground for mum lunches, dinners, breakfasts, coffees etc.

Put in a good effort at work also this week - and managed to catch up with a bunch of other stuff at home. Have a pile of washing, folding for tonight - but hey, once its done means a housework free weekend - so for that I am thrilled! Will have enough to do with everthing else.

Kids are great - very busy practising for the Schools Sports Carnival which is in two weeks. Only hope that Luke can survive the allergies as the grass has been playing havoc on his eyes for about a month now. He has missed a few days of school and suffered other days in the classroom. Its the worst month for him. Chad has been lucky all year and we've not had any of the 'eye bulging' incidents we have had in past years. Poor kids - I hate seeing them with watery itchy red eyes that are so irritating/irritable for them. Luke sneezes alot also. Luckily so far Ryan is not showing any signs of allergies - but then again - it wasn't until Chad & Luke were in Pre Primary that they started to suffer.

Footy is now over for the kids (Luke's last game tomorrow as I said) so we now have Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays after school free! Plus we can sleep in on Saturday & Sunday mornings. Joy oh Joy! They haven't decided what summer sport they would like to play yet but I think they are tending towards Indoor Soccer on a Friday afternoon - which would suit me just fine - coz its just ONE afternoon. I'd like to get them into swimming a bit more so that will be good for the HOT summer days - for all of us!

Hope all those IDOL fans out there are enjoying the new season like I am. So far I am pretty impressed with 7 out of the 8 IDOL'ers that have been picked. Looking forward to the WILDCARD on Sunday night - but not too sure who I'd like to go through. Will have to wait until they've sung and then make a decision I think. My fave male is Jacob and female is the Jamaician pocket rocket (as the judges refer to her) - I can't remember her name (yet!).

Ok, think that's all the new that I have to share with you for today. Have a great weekend and enjoy Father's Day. Love Mik xox xox

"Keepers"

I received an email today - that has touched my heart - so I'd like to share it with you!

**Keepers!**

I grew up in the 40's/50's/60's with practical parents. A mother, God love her, who washed aluminium foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen, before they had a Name for it...

A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones. Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, and dish-towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep.

It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.

But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.

Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return. So... While we have it... it's best we love it... And care for it.... And fix it when it's broken..... And heal it when it's sick.

This is true... For marriage.... And old cars.... And children with bad report cards..... Dogs and cats with bad hips.... And aging parents.... And grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with.

There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special.... And so, we keep them close!

I received this from someone who thinks I am a 'keeper', so I've shared it with the people I think of in the same way...

Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

Keep them close

(unknown author)

More babies for the PITTS!

Hello! I've just read that Angelina and Brad are expecting their second child together - bringing that to a total of five children. Wow, with their hectic lifestyles and movie commitments - it's nice to see they still have time to not only make babies - but have an active part in raising them. Angelina has always been a big favourite of mine. I love the Tomb Raider movies - watched one just recently at midnight - the same night that Nicky (our cat) decided to jump onto our new bar and knock over some 40 glasses that I had put on it that day - with the intention of packing in the cupboards. Alas, I never got around to doing it that day - and as a result then had only 1/2 of those glasses to put away. I was vacuuming glass at 1am. Poor hubby was not impressed especially as his pride & joy of 4 HARD ROCK CAFE shooter glasses were amongst the casualities. He had bought them on his trip to America earlier this year.

Anyway, today I have managed to knock off a pile of paperwork that was taller than me - or so it seemed. I am now digging into some Mango Chilli Philly before I head off to get the kids from school. Earlier I was looking at a beautiful flower that has shown in my fish pond area - I am not sure what it is called but have managed to download a picture (shock horror, I am getting good at this). I have 3 of these plants in that area but only the one open flower. There are about 15 buds so hopefully by the end of the week they are all flowering. Its almost like three flowers in one. The area is full of plants and bulbs are shooting up daily so in a few weeks when Spring is upon us it will look pretty special with lots of colour. Next step will be to clean up the pond and get some fish in there. Now that we have a BEN barrier around it I will be able to finish it the way I would like. Including new spotlights & other lighting that we once had before BEN decided they looked good enough to eat! He must have been a 'sparkie' in his previous life!

Well, belly is full - and its time to go! Have a good afternoon! ;o)

BY GOLLY - I THINK I DID IT

Ok, after spending the better part of the afternoon and evening trying to work out this whole 'blogging' thing - I think I've got it sussed! Lo and behold, I even got a photo loaded! That's ME with my littlest man and my puppy Ben (although at the time of photo he was only 5 months old - now 1 year).

After plenty of !#$%^&* the afternoon turned into evening and hungry children kept complaining about 'whens dinner', I finally managed to get some text written and my profile set up. True to my Scorpio nature - I never start a job I can't finish - so the poor little mites had to wait some more as I fumbled my way through it all. I think the bickie barrel might actually be empty now. Gasp! I'll pretend that the dog ate them otherwise hubby (who is not home tonight) might not be too happy. Anyway ....

I'm not 100% sure about what everyone writes on their blogs, but from reading my pal in Melbourne I figure its just general every day chat - about life - interests - news - opinions - and a way in which to express our passions, our joys, our goals - and most importantly to touch base with friends. Something I find that I dont have all that much time for lately - and for that I am sorry. So I hope to be able to update regularly and keep you posted on news from our end of the world and I'd love for you to write back - time permitting of course. I know when I first starting reading R's wonderful blogs that I had no idea how to reply, but its pretty easy if you read the prompts and hopefully you'll work it out. I hope that I will be able to add news things as I learn and go along that will keep you all interested.

For now, I have dinner dishes to wash, ironing uniforms for the morning ... and I'm sure there is a list of another 20 things that need attention before I rest this weary head (which is showing the signs of a headache after spending so much time looking at the computer screen). So time to bid farewell ... good night ... adious ... ciao! Stay tuned for a better update in the near future!

OK, I have no idea what I am doing ... but at least I think this is a start! I'm new to 'blogging' (just can't get used to that term) but hopefully with the help of my dear friend in Melbourne this site will be up and running soon! So for now - its HI to anyone reading this and hopefully soon there will be some interesting news and bits & pieces and maybe even photos! Cheerio!