Cat's Blog

Santa Photo

2008-12-24T16:16:00.001-08:00

I waited in line with the boys for an hour to get a Santa photo last night. This will teach me not to get it done earlier in the month.

How Bizarre

2008-12-09T19:23:00.000-08:00

Apparently kissing can damage your hearing. Go figure.

Getting a good deal trumps human life

2008-11-28T10:08:00.000-08:00

I was reading an article on CNN's web site this morning and was horrified at what I read. I did more research and found this article about how he was trampled and suffered a heart attack. Fox news had this to say. If you google for this incident there are more stories all the time.

How do you think that it is acceptable to trample someone to get a great deal on a TV, Toy or whatever. I really hope that the stampeders are held accountable. They broke down the doors to the store and then killed someone there has to be some legal action that can be take against them. Blind consumerism at it's finest.

Also how would you look at your kids and say "yes mommy and daddy got your toys but they killed someone trying to do it, happy christmas sweetie".

I also saw an article that says the pregnant woman who was injured lost her baby. I am not sure how true this is, I guess we will find out in time.

It all just pisses me off that this mans family won't have him around because people couldn't wait their turn.

Cute Photo

2008-11-18T14:27:00.000-08:00

Modern Marvels

2008-09-20T20:36:00.000-07:00

The Myth box recorded an episode of Modern Marvels called.

"Mold & Fungus"

Since when were these a Modern Marvel??? Go figure.

CSI Cameo

2008-09-11T21:02:00.000-07:00

I was watching CSI and noticed in the background a man with a very distinct mustache. I rewound the show and saw Jamie and Adam from the Mythbusters. How odd.

Distracting Children

2008-09-06T21:07:00.000-07:00

Michael went away with work for 2 nights.

The boys have been a little sad as a result of this. Which is slightly unusual that they got so sad this quickly. I think starting school again has made them a lot more tired and little more sensitive than normal. Tiredness will do this to you.

I decided what better way to distract them than to go camping (in the lounge room). Mission accomplished, they were both really excited and couldn't wait for the tent to be set up. Both boys are now tucked into the tent for the night.

The lounge room is a little crowded, but I'm not using it tonight so what do I care.

Time will tell if I have distracted them from sleep as well. Hmmmmmmm.

Better Late Than Never

2008-09-04T16:39:00.000-07:00

The boys first day of school for the 2008 - 2009 school year was on the 26th of August but I haven't had a chance to stop to put photos online. So here they are....

Andrew has just started grade one which still really weirds me, he is so big.

Andrew's teacher is Ms Mc Cleary and he loves having her as a teacher.

Matthew started a little later in the day, so between 8:30 am when we got home from dropping Andrew until 10:00 am when we left to drop him at school he asked me every five minutes if it was time to go yet. (I only wish I were exaggerating).

In typical Matt style he skipped to the car I know why he is always hungry he uses all the energy skipping.
He was so happy to start school.
They all looked so tiny yet so grown up all lined up to go into class. It's funny last year we went into the class with all the other parents to say good bye and get the kids settled in. This year all the kids were lining up one minute and inside starting kinder the next.

I really wasn't sure how to feel.

Oh and Matthew has Ms Bonnie as his teacher this year. She taught Andrew last year. Matt was ecstatic.

It's a week and a bit since they started school and are both really happy which makes me happy.

Great Photo Of The Boys

2008-08-17T16:33:00.000-07:00

This was taken last month while we were in Australia

How Very Odd

2008-07-11T02:42:00.000-07:00

For some reason my blog spot profile claimed I was in the industry of accounting. This is odd because I haven't changed my profile in over 2 years and it never used to say accounting (or at least I don't think it did).

Oh well it is fixed now.

I Took This A Few Weeks Ago

2008-07-09T03:52:00.001-07:00

I thought it was pretty

Apparently Playing Cars Is Hard Work

2008-07-09T00:36:00.000-07:00

Just before I took this photo he told me he couldn't sleep.

Andrew Finished School & Matt Is Cheeky

2008-07-09T00:15:00.000-07:00

I am a bit later on this post than planned.

Andrew has finished kinder. I am torn between being really happy and really sad that my baby is growing up. This photo was taken on his last day of school 11th of June (isn't he a cute big grade one boy).

This was Andrew's first day of kinder.

While trying to take Matt's Photo, he pointed a toy gun at me and said "You're going down mum" (cheeky rat bag if he wasn't so cute one could be annoyed).

Four and a Half Weeks

2008-05-09T22:24:00.000-07:00

Andrew will be Graduating from kindergarten in 4 1/2 weeks how scary. Even Scarier Matt will be starting kindergarten in 15 1/2 weeks.

My babies are growing up. I should really stop calling them my babies or I will be in trouble.

My Boys

2008-04-23T11:29:00.000-07:00

Michael and Andrew

Matthew

I always seem to get much nicer photos of all three of them when they don't know I am taking photos or get distracted mid shot.

Matt's desire for money...

2008-03-22T17:10:00.000-07:00

Matt really wants his teeth to start falling out now. He wants a pay day not associated with keeping his room clean.

That is a big change from before.

Andrew lost his next tooth

2008-03-22T17:04:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how long it takes for baby teeth to fall out from when they are first wobbly.

Not sure why but I thought when teeth started wobbling it was only a few days until they fell out. Apparently not.

Andrew Has Another Loose Tooth

2008-02-24T20:19:00.000-08:00

The title really sums this up. That is all.

They are getting soooooo old

2008-02-22T09:33:00.000-08:00

Andrew and Matthew are now 6 and 5 respectively. Matt finally decided turning 5 wasn't all that bad because it means presents and that he can go to school later this year.

This photo of Andrew was taken late last year.

This photo of Matthew was also taken late last year.

Children's career goals

2008-01-27T09:56:00.001-08:00

Andrew has decided he is going to "save the world like daddy" when he grows up. We aren't sure where he got the idea daddy saves the world but it gave daddy a big ego boost anyway.

Matthew is going to be "The Real Spiderman" when he grows up.

What do you think?

Matt has confirmed he doesn't want to turn 5

2008-01-27T09:51:00.000-08:00

That is when you lose your teeth and your mouth bleeds and this is an unacceptable outcome for a Matt.

I explained that it will be fine but he is not convinced.

I suspect that the desire to have birthday presents will win over the desire not to lose a tooth.

Andrew finally lost his tooth

2008-01-21T21:50:00.001-08:00

Friday night while brushing his teeth it finally came out.

Andrew's Loose Tooth

2007-12-03T08:18:00.000-08:00

Andrew has his first loose tooth.

He is not happy "mummy my tooth hurts when I eat"

So now he is scared to eat. This leaves me with the issue how does one stop the pain so that he can eat.

Teething gel worked well when he was a baby and his teeth were cutting, but I am not sure that it would work now.

I am torn between just telling him it is a fact of life deal with it and being the overly protective mother.

I know that billions of children have survived loose teeth but this is my baby.

I really hate this. I might try Googling for other parent's advise on the topic.

8th Wedding Anniversary

2007-11-27T08:54:00.000-08:00

I find it hard to believe that Michael and I have been married for 8 years and a couple for just over 10 years. It doesn't feel like it has been that long.

I guess it is a good thing that it doesn't feel like an eternity of being married or we wouldn't want to be around each other anymore. Can't speak for Michael but I am happy.

Happy Anniversary Honey, love you.

Update on noisy neighbors

2007-11-16T07:53:00.000-08:00

Well last time I was really frustrated by the noise and hoping that my neighbor's stereo fell into a black hole. As it turns out they are moving next week so no black hole needed.

Excuse me while I do my happy dance because there will be no more stereo blasting at 2 in the morning.

Now all I have to do is pray that the new neighbors are better at community living (no loudness at ungodly hours).

Don't get me wrong I don't hate my neighbors I just can't stand living on no sleep.

Over Apartment Living

2007-11-12T20:35:00.000-08:00

Michael and I had always thought that we would move into an apartment when the kids moved out, when don't need all the space. Since living in an apartment here in the US we have no intention of moving into another apartment again once we are back in Australia.

Apartment living while cramped isn't too bad or at least it wasn't. The bit that really sucks now and made us say never again is the fact that every time a neighbor plays the stereo too loud, or is coming home late at night or hanging pictures on the wall it affects us and our sleep.

We have a really loud night shift working neighbor who doesn't seem to get that they aren't in their own little world, and that their loudness makes things hard for the rest of us. Also just when we think that they have the hint having been asked to keep the noise down the loudness returns. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

We aren't used to this we grew up in houses and always had space. I don't think we realised how good we had it until now. I guess this experience however annoying will make us appreciate our home in Australia all the more when we get back. Which can't be all bad as a thing to learn.

Also apart from the lack of sleep from noise the next biggest frustration is that the kids can't just go outside and play like they used to in Australia because we have no fenced yard. I think they miss not being hovered over by me, they like their space.

Oh well it isn't for ever, but I am definitely over this apartment thing. I guess it is also a good thing to learn before we sold our house in Australia and bought an apartment to move into later in life.

There you go positives to sucky neighbors.

Now all I have to do is hope and pray in the mean time that my neighbors stereo gets sucked into a black hole or something.

Never might have been a bit strong

2007-11-06T17:58:00.000-08:00

In my last post I said photos never go as planned that might have been a little strong. This photo taken the same day turned out well with a much more natural smile.

Photos never go as planned

2007-11-06T17:37:00.000-08:00

It seems that when I try to get photos of my kids something always happens to make them not quite right.

1- They pose and look cute but not natural
2- One of the kids gets hurt and look all blotchy
3- They have other things they would rather be doing and don't sit properly
4- There are other thing but these are the 3 big ones.

In this photo Andrew and Matthew are trying very hard to give their most beautiful smiles (but they look kinda forced) and it was taken after Matt was hurt (hence blotchy face boy). Still they are very cute. Yes I know I am biased but I am allowed to be, I am there mum.

Changing the clocks

2007-11-05T08:35:00.000-08:00

What is the point of having an hour extra in the morning if your 5 year old wakes you at 5:30 am?????

Cute

2007-11-04T16:02:00.000-08:00

We went to Florida the other week and I told the boys we are going on a plane to Miami

Andrew then says "we are going to yourami?"

Matthew then said "so we are going to miami?"

Andrew then said "no we are going to mummy's ami"

It took me about 10 minutes to explain that it was Miami not Myami. This was made much harder by the fact that he hasn't learnt to spell yet. I think we have sorted this now.

-------------------

Matthew has just finished telling me all about "Octopus Prime" (Optimus Prime) the transformer.

I think it is so funny when the kids think they have heard you correctly but not quite.

Halloween / Trick or Treat

2007-11-01T10:47:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about Halloween and trick or treating recently. It occured to me that through trick or treating society is giving chldren mixed messages about taking candy from strangers.

On the one hand you tell the kids don't take candy from strangers then on the other hand you take them out to get candy from strangers. I know that we did not know any of the kids that knock on our door last night.

I just wonder what this is doing in their little heads? I reckon it could really screw with a kids brain if you aren't careful, and could even be quite dangerous.

Just a thought.

Photos of Andrew's first day at school

2007-08-22T17:31:00.001-07:00

Andrew on the way to the car.

Andrew and Matthew in the car on the way to daycare for Matthew and school Andrew.

Andrew arrived early so he got to play in the play ground for a while.

Apparently mummy shouldn't help him pick his name badge he can do it all by himself.

As we left Andrew was happily getting involved in the program.

Andrew is starting school

2007-08-19T22:53:00.000-07:00

My big boy starts school on Tuesday. I will post pictures of him on his first day when I have them.

Animaniacs Songs Compilation

2007-07-19T18:39:00.001-07:00

at about 2:37 minutes there is a very funny bit about California.

Ethnic Cleansing Bear

2007-06-06T20:42:00.001-07:00

There are some people who have too much time on their hands...

Apocalypse Pony

2007-06-06T20:38:00.001-07:00

Hmmmmmmmmmm

Matt quotes from today

2007-06-02T16:21:00.000-07:00

While I was giving Matt his pocket money I said this money goes in your money box and this money is for Jesus (to go in the offering at church) Matt then chimes in with

"Yeah we give money to God so God can be rich".

---------

A bit later Matt wasn't allowing Andrew to play with the lego and I asked him to share. Matt then said without missing a beat.

"I don't have to share today because God doesn't want me too"

I asked him what makes him think God doesn't want him to share again without missing a beat.

"Because we aren't going to learn about sharing today we will learn something different at School so I don't have to share"

Got to love 4 year olds. The really funny bit is he was so serious about it all.

Food For Thought

2007-05-26T21:52:00.000-07:00

I found this a while back on someone's blog but I don't remember exactly where.

-------------------------

This is one of the best explanations of why God allows pain and suffering that I have seen: A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects.

When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: I don't believe that God exists." Why do you say that?" asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving God who would allow all of these things." The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not

exist." How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!" No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside." Ah, but barbers DO exist! That's what happens when people do not come to me." Exactly!" affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! That's what happens when people do not go to Him and don't look to Him for help. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

Diet Mountain Dew

2007-05-15T20:36:00.001-07:00

Update to my "Window puppet shows illegal in New York?" blog post.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh

2007-05-15T09:37:00.000-07:00

I got in trouble this morning because I cut Andrew's toast in the wrong shape, that is nothing particularly new, but this time he wanted an oval. How does one make an oval from a square piece of toast without losing most of the toast???

I gave him a butter knife and told him if you want an oval you make it that way, he seemed ok with this and off he went.

Matt wanted triangles that I can do.

How cool is this

2007-05-14T20:05:00.000-07:00

I have been going through my emails and I found this.

What every woman wants (or maybe needs)

2007-05-14T19:44:00.000-07:00

Where parents take bad children to play

2007-05-14T17:16:00.000-07:00

Graham sent this to me and I thought it was too funny not to share

Apparently that is not all that is illegal....

2007-05-04T20:42:00.000-07:00

http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0034,katz,17581,1.html

Window puppet shows illegal in New York?

2007-05-03T10:49:00.000-07:00

I googled this after seeing an ad for Mountain Dew and apparently this is really the case. How weird is that?

I tried finding a copy of the ad but no luck yet.

MTO Trip To Menlo Park Fire Station (April 26)

2007-04-27T17:12:00.000-07:00

Some of the mums or moms MTO (Mom's Time Out) had a trip to the Menlo Park Fire Station on Middlefield these are some of the photos of my kids I won't put the other kids up until I have checked with the other mothers.

Andrew on the firemans pole.

Matthew on the firemans pole (he was so upset when he was told that he couldn't go from the second story).

Andrew pretending to drive the engine.

Matthew pretending to drive the fire truck.

Andrew playing fireman with the hose.

Matthew playing fireman with the hose.

The boys had a great time they loved it. The firemen from shift B I think it was were wonderful with the kids.

More Boy Photos

2007-04-23T15:00:00.000-07:00

Not that I am biased or anything but aren't they cute.

Birthday Today

2007-04-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

So I am 28, I have Andrew 5 years old starting school in August and Matthew 4 years old starting school next August (2008) and this November I will have been married 8 years.

I don't feel 28 I am not sure when I started getting old it just appears to have crept up on me. It's really weird I don't mind being 28 it's just I am not sure how I got here.

This is a conversation that took place in my house this morning
Michael: "Andrew how old is mummy?"
Andrew: Mummy is 19"
Michael: "No Mummy is 28"
Andrew: "28 that's just the oldest number there is"

Got to love 5 year old's and their honesty. It's probably just as well I am not sensitive about my age.

Dentist trip for the boys today

2007-03-27T20:20:00.000-07:00

The boys were very good they sat still and did everything they were told to do. Andrew is cavity free with a slightly crowded mouth and Matthew had one small cavity which was easily filled with no need for anesthetic and his mouth is also slightly crowded. So it is possible that we may have braces in our future.

Because the boys were so good the dentist gave them a sheet of stickers each Andrew chose Pooh Bear and Matthew chose spiderman. They were also given a tooth brush each they thought this was the best. Then daddy decided that they were both so good that he took them to Toys R Us to get a toy each. I guess this was a good a reason as any to spoil them a little.

Both boys chose lego robots the funny thing was after I spent ages construction said robots they discovered that the robots have little projectile firing wepons. The weapons were then removed and the robots cast aside. Ahhhhhh.

Oh well that will teach me not to read the description of the toy.

All in all it was a good day if you leave out the bit about the sore back (see previous blog post).

Gosh my back hurts.

2007-03-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

So I went to the doctor the other day and he put me on 3 drugs to try and help.

- an anti-inflammatory prescription strength Ibuprofen was what he called it.
- painkiller called Vicodin (I can not understand how people get addicted to this I can't stand the way my head feels on this).
- A drug to stop the back spasms called Lorazepam.

Heat packs and tiger balm help a little for short periods but not much.

It doesn't seem to be working to stop the pain as well as I would have thought and I am not sleeping very well.

It looks like I am going back to the doctor because this is getting really old.

If anyone has any suggestions about how to help my back preferably without drugs that would be great because I can't drive when taking the drugs because the screw with my reaction times and it really sucks to be driving without them cause the pain is kinda distracting.

The Best Way to Quit Your Job EVER!!!!

2007-03-10T09:26:00.001-08:00

Guns I have fired

2007-03-08T23:23:00.000-08:00

Well that showed my grandfather (pity he isn't alive to tell oh well)

Ruger 22/45 Mark III Bull Barrel pistols (I think this is what it is):

Springfield 1911 45 calibre:

I don't like this one it hurt my wrists I prefer the 22 to quote Michael "you big girl" he prefers the big guns. I say it's not the size that matters it's what you do with it that counts and my aim is better with the 22 I hit the target 100% of the time. The 45 I hit 60% of the time which I believe to be better than Michael's first time so ner - insert tongue sticking out here.

Going Shooting Tonight

2007-03-08T17:05:00.000-08:00

It's funny my Grandfather told me once that because I was girl I couldn't fire a gun. Ever since then I have wanted to fire a gun even more. Tonight I get my chance I'll let you know how it goes.

Matthew's Spiderman cake

2007-02-22T11:21:00.000-08:00

Icing a spiderweb was much hard than I thought it would be.

Matt was very happy with his cake so I guess that is the main thing.

My boys 4 years ago and now

2007-02-22T11:14:00.000-08:00

This is the first time Andrew held Matthew.

Matthew was about 3 or 4 days old and Andrew had turned 1 about 24 or 25 days earlier (there is 12 months 20 days between the 2 boys).

This is my boys now on Matt's 4th birthday

My Almost 4 Year Old Boy

2007-02-12T19:26:00.000-08:00

Matthew Alexander Still

My 4 pound 10 ounce boy has grown...

He is now 39 pounds and turns 4 on the 21st of February 2007

It's weird being the mother of 2 kids in so many ways I don't feel like a mum even though I have been one for over 5 years now. At times it feels like an eternity since the boys were born in other ways it feels like very little time has passed.

I couldn't have asked for better kids.

Bo The Bunny

2007-02-08T17:32:00.000-08:00

Meet Bo the latest addtion to our family. We adopted her because her owner is moving back to Indonesia.

STATS

Name: Bolu (shortened to Bo)
Breed: Netherland Dwarf
Gender: Female
Birthday: March 16, 2006

The boys love having her, they have missed having a cuddly animal since we moved to the US 13 months ago (we have always owned at least 1 cat their entire lives).

My Big 5 Year Old

2007-02-08T16:52:00.000-08:00

Andrew James Still my big 5 year old boy (or 5 and one week now). Gosh that's so hard to believe it has been five years already he got big.

This is Andrew and his "Madagascar" cake Matt is on the right helping his big bro blow out the candles as you do when you are almost 4.

Close up of the cake gosh putting coconut on the outside edge of a cake is hard (curse you gravity!). I can't claim credit for the little figures (well I could but I'd be lying) just the icing (frosting in America speak) it turned out well even if I do say so myself.

Next I have to master a spiderman cake for Matt's birthday in a couple of weeks. Hmmmmmm

My mum's new dog Ashie

2007-01-27T18:03:00.000-08:00

My mum has just got this dog Ashie (Ash for short). He was headed for the RSPCA if the owners couldn't find a home for him.

He is 6 1/2 years old Australian Terrier.

Isn't he cute

Andrew's Health

2007-01-01T10:42:00.000-08:00

Andrew has been sick with a stomach bug (understatement of the year).

It turns out he was very sick (diarrhea and vomiting on and off for 3 weeks) after many test and them all coming back negative the Pediatrician decided he had Giardia (even though the test came back negative she decided the symptoms were too much like Giardia to be a coincidence). She prescribed a drug used to treat Giardia.

He responded to the drug within 24 hours and was showing signs of being fully on the road to recovery 48 hours later. He is doing much better now he is still fairly weak and tires quickly because he hasn't eaten well in weeks or kept down anything he did eat, but he is rapidly improving everyday. He stopped the medicine on Friday morning and we are hoping and praying that this is it and there will be no relapse (so far so good). He is now making up for lost time.

Matthew my beautiful baby boy (don't tell him I called him a baby or I am in big trouble) is well. Apart from feeling a little cooped up and ignored because we couldn't go anywhere and with the amount of attention Andrew needed.

Matthew is going up a class at Sunday school in just over a month he gets to join the 4 year olds how scary is that my baby is nearly 4 and my big boy is nearly 5 (both February babies). Andrew goes up a class when he starts school so they will be in the same class for 9 months or something like that.

Michael and I are tired but well. Finally things are getting back to normal now which is nice.

Modern Cat's Mouse

2006-12-12T22:19:00.000-08:00

Taffy (my cat in Australia)

Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies Update

2006-12-04T10:57:00.000-08:00

As it turns out the cookie dough is much nicer than the cookies.

Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

2006-11-20T13:36:00.000-08:00

adapted from http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/getrecipe.zsp?id=181335&format=print

Really not sure if my adaption will work but I gues I will findout when they have finished cooking but the cookie dough sure tastes nice.

This is a simple recipe for a not-too-sweet cookie.

24
servings
15 min 5 min prep

1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 Stick non-dairy butter (4 oz)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 teaspoons vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mix flour, oats, baking sodaa, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Set aside.
Beat the margarine and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
Add the flaxseed, water, coffee powder, and vanilla, mixing well.
Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until well blended.
Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet, about two inches apart.
Bake for 10 minutes.
Remove from oven and cool for one minute.
Remove from baking sheet and cool completely on wire racks.

Blocking third party billing

2006-11-07T11:01:00.000-08:00

Just recently we were billed for a voice mail service on our phone bill. The charge was from a "third party" not the phone company (we have an answering machine so we have no need for a voicemail service plus no-one calls us).

We contacted AT&T (the phone company) and told them that we didn't order this service from this other company. AT&T put a stop to the charge for this month but recommended that we contact the other company involved to stop future charges occuring. AT&T warned me that the other company may not be receptive and that it may take a few months to sort it.

I called the other company (I won't name them because they were really helpful). The company said they would remove the order for the voice mail service and refund the money to our phone account. The man I spoke to also suggested that I call AT&T and get them to put a "third party biller block" on our account which in essence means that no-one can bill our account except AT&T without us lifting the block but it also means that we won't end up with anyone trying to collect call our house.

All is good with the world now. I guess I won't really know if it is really sorted until next biller cycle.

I'll keep you posted.

The boys at the national museum in Canberra

2006-10-18T06:38:00.000-07:00

We went to the National Museum (the really ugly building that is on the site of the old Royal Canberra Hospital) if you Google for images of the "National Museum Canberra" there are lots and you'll see what I mean.

Matthew and Pa (my dad) at the national museum in Canberra Australia.

Andrew and Pa (my dad) at the national museum in Canberra Australia.

In Australia

2006-10-07T04:25:00.000-07:00

We have been in Australia for a week tomorrow I am over the whole jet lag thing (mostly) which is nice.

The boys were so desperate to get to Australia. Matt grabbed one of our bags (all 20kg of it) and tried dragging it out the door at 10am on Friday the 29th (we left at 10:30pm) he failed and hurt his toes in the process.

The flight wasn't too bad I didn't get as much sleep as I would have liked but hey. It was heaps more than the broken 30 minutes I got on the flight to the US last year (Matt had 42 oC fever on that flight so I paced the plane all night).

Andrew and Matt were brilliant no fevers in sight (thank goodness) they both wanted me not daddy which meant they were both cuddling me the whole flight hence I didn't get much sleep. I guess that is one of the joys of being a mum (but I have the best kids ever so it's all good they are so cute too not that I am biased).

It is really nice seeing our family and friends again and can I just say catching up with everyone is really tiring.

Even though we have lived in Mountain View for 9 months Australia is still my home. The people in the US are really nice but to quote that really bad song "I still call Australia home" that may change but at the moment it is nice to be "home".

Tuna and potato patties

2006-09-24T18:29:00.000-07:00

I am blogging this so I don't forget

Below is my variation of the recipe on this web site

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcrecipes.nsf/pages/Tunaandpotatopatties?OpenDocument

Suitable to freeze
Store covered in fridge (under 5°C)
Nut free
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Makes: 30 patties

Ingredients:
500 g potatoes, peeled, and cut in quarters
1/2 cup milk (I used soy milk)
325 g canned tuna in brine, drained
1/2 cup wholemeal breadcrumbs, fresh
1/4 cup olive oil, (or 60ml)
1 egg

Method:
1. Steam potatoes until tender. Cool.
2. Place potatoes in bowl, add milk and mash with a fork.
3. Mix in tuna, egg and breadcrumbs.
4. Shape into 30 patties.
5. Heat oil in a large frying pan and cook until golden and crisp on both sides.

Drain on absorbent paper.

Andrew's "Rad Move"

2006-09-18T23:21:00.000-07:00

Andrew called us into the kitchen and said "Check out my rad move"

My boys at the company picnic

2006-09-12T17:28:00.000-07:00

Andrew got quite concerned that he wasn't himself anymore with the paint on his face. We told him that he was still Andrew, he was "Andrew with a painted face" He insisted we wash it off as soon as we got home just incase so I was lucky to get any photos. (his imagination is a bit too good at times)

Matthew (Matt) wanted to be an orange butterfly he has had a thing about orange and butterflies recently.

Michael and the boys

Cornish Pasty (part II)

2006-09-11T13:35:00.000-07:00

Dinner was a success.

I did change a few things from what the web site said. Below is what I made. The recipe uses Australian Measures.

I now have a picture for the blog post.

Pastry:
2 cups plain flour
115 gms Non dairy Butter (because Michael and Matt are lactose intollerant and I didn't have animal fat)

Pasties:

230gms Sirloin Steak diced very small or mince meat (to make it suitable for vegans and vegetarians use mushrooms)
2 potatoes diced small (used a bit more potato than this)
frozen corn and peas

Method:

The Pastry:
Mix butter into flour with finger tips until looks like bread crumbs. Add enough
water to be workable.

Roll out to about 3mm thick. Cut into rounds with plate I used bread and butter plates and I got 5

Cooking instructions:
Place potato on pastry first. Then salt and pepper then some peas and corn. Meat last,

Dampen edges and join on top with frill.

Brush with soy milk.

Bake: 15mins in a hot oven (440 F / 225 C) then 20 mins lowering the heat (356 F / 180 C).

Then serve

I made a gravy to go on the top as well.

Cornish Pasty

2006-09-09T15:30:00.000-07:00

I am trying a new recipe for dinner tonight I found it at this web site:

http://www.abc.net.au/melbourne/stories/s308873.htm

I'll have to let you know how it works out.

Locked out of the cockpit

2006-09-01T22:55:00.000-07:00

I thought the cockpit doors were supposed to be secure now I hear they can remove them.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/canadian-pilot-locked-out-of-cockpit/2006/08/31/1156817005101.html

For those flying in the US or into the US

2006-09-01T22:45:00.000-07:00

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/27687

At the request of my husband

2006-09-01T22:41:00.000-07:00

My husband is upset that my "about me" says that my boys are beautiful and I don't call him beautiful.

Honey I think you are beautiful.

How do kids manage to sleep anywhere?

2006-09-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

I want to know how come children can sleep anywhere? It doesn't seem to matter how they are positioned or where they are or what they are lying or sitting on they can just sleep.

These photos are 2 such examples of my children sleeping in awkward positions.

In the bottom photo he actually fell asleep on the PSP but I moved it before I took the photo so he wouldn't break it.

There are other examples of them falling asleep in even weirder places but I didn't have a camera with me at the time.

It'd be nice to sleep anywhere it'd make my flight back to Australia later this month much easier.

Oh well.

Hopefully the kids will sleep even if I can't.

Chocolate Cake (Dairy & Egg Free)

2006-08-31T15:09:00.000-07:00

My youngest son is lactose intollerant and as a result he can't have a bunch of pre made cakes and other foods.

This makes it really hard when you have to explain to your 3 year old no you can't have chocolate cake because you will end up with a stomach ache. So I have had to find things for him to eat so he doesn't feel left out. This is one of my recipes.

Chocolate Cake

1 1/2 Cup of SR Flour
1 Cup of Sugar (white)
3 Tablespoons of Cocoa (make sure there is no dairy in the cocoa)
1 Cup Water
1/3 cup of oil (canola or corn)
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Tablespoon of white vinegar.

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Pour into greased and floured 8 inch cake pan and bake at 356 F (180 C) for 30 minutes or until a skewer comes out cleanly when stuck into the middle of the cake.

Alternatively you can use a muffin tin instead. Adjust cooking time to about 18 minutes again use the skewer test to see if it is cooked.