Cinderella's Sundance

Life is one day at a time....

2010-10-07T21:05:00.003+11:00

Oh yes Sir-ee it is! For me, 5 weeks without a cigarette, yay go me! After a hellish past 12 months I am back on track BIG TIME in so many ways. Life right now is pretty cool, I haven't felt this positive in my personal life in a long long time.... actually I've only felt like this for a total of about 17 months in the past 18 years. Life right now... could only be made better by my one wish. And fingers crossed in the next couple of weeks I get to find out if that could be possible.

I think one of the things is honesty. Brutal honesty, even if it's not what you or the other person wants to hear. In the end I've come to realise it releases me from feeling so weighed down. If I say it, I don't carry it anymore. And sometimes it changes things in a most dramatic way :)

Other things are going well atm. The business had a great Cloth Nappy Hunt month. Baby BeeHinds made their debut in my store. I've waited so long to get them in, deciding that to expand I needed to rethink my plan.. which I did, and that's where including Aussie brands made overseas came in. I've always had Aus owned & made. But to be realistic financially for me and customers I needed to rework my plan.

The Breast Cancer Auctions are this month. We've already opened our store selling Pink Ribbon merchandise and some funky "Boobs" by Kristie @ IssySnookles. Auctions preview & go live late on Monday 18th October for one week only.

I'm slowly making my way through listing the auctions, my concentration span isn't stretching as far as I wish it would atm. I seem to have alot of nothing on my mind... I'm thinking my mind is trying to get used to not stressing all the time worrying about the one thing it used to worry about all the time.... which I won't be sharing, sorry ;) Let's just say it's THE thing that has made the past 3 months or so the most awesomeness in a VERY long time :)

So with that I bid you Farewell :) I have alot of work to do, and I'd best get into it :)

Sweet Dreams, Sticky Vibes, Much Love & heaps of Happiness
Miss Cinders xxx

*ETA* OH!!! I forgot!!! We're getting a new car... okay so not new as in *New*, but new for us. It's 13 years newer than the L300 4wd we own now LOL My brother found it through his work - YAY BRO! - and decided he was going to do ALL repairs it needed.... getting it so cheap means it has quite abit of work needing to be done to it. But we are on the home stretch now. Fingers crossed we get her before my Sydney app on the 18th!! Oh and the best bit, it fits ALL of us with room for two more ;) AWESOME!

2010-08-09T22:59:00.000+10:00

Happy Heavenly Birthday my Sweet little Angel Babe ♥

Today marks 9yrs since you left us.

Even though we never got to meet you,

to touch or hold you, to see you smile, to comfort you...

You live in our heart and with every breath.

We love you and miss you every day xxxx

Argh! Studying is for nerds!

2010-07-10T23:06:00.003+10:00

So I've started my distance ed course. And I am reluctant to say.... I severely suck!

Seriously!... I am atm doing my first assignment. Easy one too... BUT I am at a complete loss as how to answer the Q's. Well not a complete loss, I know the answers, but when I put them on paper they sound so stupid, and don't make sense.

And then you have touch typing *pfft!* Who the hell invented that! Oh my golly gosh that is something I COMPLETELY suck at! No joke lol For someone that uses they compueter every day you'd think I'd have something like that down pat. Nup. I completely suck at it.

And mix with that 5 children inhabiting the house every day atm for the last week, and a week still to go... and you have yourself lots of noise and no quiet corner to hide in.

And my tooth is aching :( I think that sucks the most.

Miss Cinders xxx

The great Chupa Chup lies!

2010-07-05T21:42:00.004+10:00

Did you see this story on A Current Affair recently? Well I did, and I remembered today when I opened my new jar of chupa chups....

Lo and behold it's true!! I bought this jar [and another] at The Reject Shop in Forster NSW recently...

...and look what is says on the sticker UNDER the plastic wrapping & extra stickers I had taken off!

How wrong is that?!!! SHAME on you import rule maker people!! I'm not in Indonesia! How is it okay for this to be here, in my room, in AUSTRALIA?!

Miss Cinders xx

I just realized something!

2010-07-04T20:00:00.006+10:00

I didn't share a 'first' with you!

So this is a catch up you should already know thing from February okay.

This is the first time Benji ever wrote his name :) At preschool they have a sheet where the kids sign in too, B had always tried to avoid it saying "I can't" so I'd always end up guiding him to write his name.

Well check it out! This was on 24th Feb this year. The first ever "Ben" by his own hand :) Aged 4yrs 11mths to the day!

I don't think we could ever have imagined what a character we would have when we started having kids. BJ is like a combination of all the others, with a dash of himself in there. He is such a gorgeous soul, gentle and very compassionate. He sees the humour in everything, and can't help himself but act like a complete nutter at least once a day. I took this pic about a month ago.. I have no idea where he seen someone meditating... but he was even humming lol

[make the most of the pic lol I don't post them too often of the kids!]

Miss Cinders xx

She's BACK!

2010-07-02T01:07:00.006+10:00

Haha! Why hello there beautiful people!

Long time no blog... AGAIN! LOL

So much news to tell... but it's 10 past 1 in the morning and I should be in bed lol But I suppose I can update you on afew things...

First thing! I am a Great Aunty again!!! My beautiful neice who rolled her car gave birth to a precious baby boy a month ago. He is absolutely divine, and has made me seriously clucky!

Hmm what else... Oh the cold! OMGosh it has been freezing here! We moved here AWAY from the freezing winters, but I think we only went down by a couple of degrees, seriously! Yesterday morning was -3'c when I took the kids to the bus stop! The frost was amazing! It looked like a blanket of snow... IT DOESN'T SNOW HERE! And the spider webs looked incredible! And derr I didn't have my camera on me doh! I would have had an awesome pic of the spider that lived on the street name post hanging from the bottom of his web frozen solid. He's huge and it looked awesome! But alas... I didn't have my camera.

I did this morning though! lol I won't leave the house without it again! Winter clouds look awesome. I love them.. so here's some for you :)

Hmm what else... Ohh! T7 turned into T8 YAY!! My little Mermaid girl is growing up! And T13 turned into T14! I was ditched from making T8's cake though.. apparently T14 makes them more chocolatey.. so Mum got the boot and T14 did her magic. T14 opted for chocolate cake and custard as her birthday cake, so I didn't get any pics of that... although I should have because I make the most awesome custard! lol This is the awesome cake T14 made for T8!

And this is some of what T14 got for her birthday.

The first one is a $50 voucher redeemable at any Mum location. The second is a Big Red Van Day Pass - to be used for a day off school to go shopping and out to lunch. Which mind you had to be validated upon boarding the Big Red Van for our trip! She had an awesome day, BUT she hates shopping lol Man I have to teach this girl some things!

Okay that's it. It's late and I'm off to bed. Night night!

Miss Cinders xx

Loooong Overdue!

2010-04-26T19:55:00.002+10:00

And so much to tell!!

Well I've been busy, busy lately. My last post left you all in the lurch, I am really sorry for that. It was a horrible week, that I am sooo massively happy to say has worked out awesomely :)

My neice came through her op fine :) They were delayed by quite afew hours, hence why I hadn't heard any news at that time. They repaired her neck, and she was in a neck brace for 6 weeks. Which I am happy to say is very much gone now, and she has even driven again! I nearly fell over when I found out she had been behind the wheel. But apparently she is doing fantastic. And the little womb dweller surprised us all by not being distressed at all through the whole ordeal, and is still happily inside his/her Mummies womb still :)

March was Nappy Hunt season. My goodness it's a busy time that one! We had a huge amount of traffic go through the site which was great, and very few hiccups along the way.

This month has been a busy one. My Mum turned 60 earlier in the month [YAY! Go Mum!] and she came down to visit my siblings and I for a week. Which was really nice. The kids had an awesome time seeing her, and getting to stay down in the city for afew days the weekend of her party.

B4 is now B5, and B14 is now B15! My gosh time has flown!! So my little boy certainly isn't a baby anymore, and my big boy is well into teenagerhood... with both having shocking attitudes atm lol. I guess it'll pass like it always does eventually. The other 3 are cruising along. T13 is going great at school, and is starting to be quite the little biscuits, slice & cake cook. I think my girl has talent! J11 seems to be enjoying school more now he is fully settled into the new one. I think being in Yr6 helps with that too, being one of the 'big kids' now :) And T7 is still my sweet little unique Miss. Still won't get her hair cut though lol. But has agreed for her birthday she'll get it 'trimmed', AND has asked for her ears to be peiced! Never seen that one coming! So time will tell if she goes through with it lol

Well I have work to do, so better get moving. Hope you are all well!

Miss Cinders xx

Never take your eyes off the road.

2010-02-17T13:02:00.002+11:00

My apologies for a screwed up post that probably doesn't make much sense...

Today is a hard day that started last Thursday.

Last Thursday my beautiful niece Z rolled her car. She was alone in it.... and 23 weeks pregnant. Lucky for her, she has survived, and baby is doing really well in tum.

But since the accident Z has been flat on her back in a neck brace. She broke her neck and has a fracture in her back. The last week has been hell for Z.... and the most stressful week I think for all of us other family members in a very long time. Z is a fave to all of us... she has such a colourful personailty, and has a heart so big for someone her age.

Today she is having surgery on her neck to take bone from her hip, and put that, a plate & pins in her neck... while being 23 weeks pregnant. She was booked to have surgery at 8am... still no ph call on an update of how it all went [it's 1.13pm]... I'm petrified for her. I can't even put into words how I feel.... I wish it was tomorrow. I've been sitting here watching the damn clock all day, cruising the forums trying to get my mind on something else, and all I can think about is her.

I hope all is okay, no news is good new aye?

Because it has been brought to my attention....

2010-02-11T10:15:00.004+11:00

... I guess I should do a Cinder's update LOL

Firstly check out my new nephew.. well not so new now he's 2.5 months old already!!

Isn't he the sweetest little man :)

And here he is in his shorties I made him using the Picky Pants pattern from Little Turtle Knits using yarn from the Inner Stitch yarn club last year.

LOL Well this is a short and sweet update! I have been summoned by B4! I shall be back later!

Footsteps in the night....

2010-01-11T13:52:00.002+11:00

Finally! JA heard them too!

Many many times since we've lived here I have heard footsteps running down our hallway... they sound exactly the same as when B4 runs down the hallway [his room is at one end, ours is at the other]. So I have always put them down to B4 being up and running back to bed.... even though after checking on him [because I have 'heard him up'] he is tucked under his blanket sound asleep when I get to his room.

I heard them again last night, but JA got up just as I was about to, so I nodded back off to sleep... JA checked on B4, covered him up, then went to the loo. While in there he heard it again.. so leant back to see out the toilet door to tell him to go back to bed... but B4 didn't go past the doorway.. and when he went back in to check B4, he was sound asleep tucked under his blanket like JA had tucked it over him just before going into the loo....

JA had heard it before, and checked on B4 who was sound asleep every time, but had never said anything to me before today.

The last 2 months it has been happening alot more, every time B4 is asleep in bed. Always middle of the night, or early hours when the birds are waking up... So it appears we have a little person here in the house with us maybe. So now to find out more about our house! The house isn't that old, which is why we are curious now... we know of one bloke who lives here in town [he's our neighbour across the gully] who has lived in the district all his life and remembers when this house was built... so we're going to ask him if anybody has passed away here.

The only child we know of who has passed away in the general area, was a little bloke who was hit by a train on his way home from school one day. But the crossing is 1km down the main road...

So hmm we have a little ghost living with us, I wonder who he/she is?

Santa!!!

2009-12-16T17:25:00.003+11:00

This is as close as we got to a Santa photo with B4 LOL B4 taking the photo of Santa!

And how cool is this Santa? He just kept waving every time B4 looked his way trying to get him to not be shy. maybe next year he'll at least look at him without hiding!

Oh well I have a pic of the most awesome Santa on his most awesome purple Santa chair!!

Bloghopping...

2009-12-07T08:50:00.001+11:00

Ignore my bloghopping lists for the moment.... I'm going through them, so there may be some double ups atm :)

Saturday Morning Ogre Mum.....

2009-12-06T12:55:00.002+11:00

... thinks there is such a thing as Sunday Morning Ogre Dad!

But the difference is Dad gets the shits because of wild crazy children, Mum just wants to weekly cleaning of the house done!!

Yesterday was spent trying to get the wild children to get their shit together and clean up their rooms... LOL what a joke! It took forever! And STILL J11 has crap all over the place. It appears J11 is just plain lazy when it comes to actualy doing something! I AM NOT A SLAVE! I refuse to clean up kid crap. They're all old enough now, THEY need to haul ass and clean up their own shit!

So here I am today STILL awaiting J11 to clean his stuff up in the boys room *sigh*

So anyways Sunday Morning Ogre DAD is.... well like the Grumpy Old Troll... LOL Maybe that's what I need to call him! The kids are being FERAL, seriously full on no joke feral today. Yes they are driving me nuts, but Ogre dad is grinding his teeth... I swear he'll have none left by the end of the day LOL I've decided to hide out in my room with my lappy... I mean I can just say "out!" if they come in here, this is mine & Ogre Dads space after all... well silly Ogre dad is trying to watch TV in the loungeroom... "DERRRR" Ogre Dad! Sheesh 5 kids and he thinks on a day that's wayyyy tooo hot to be outside they are going to leave him alone LOL FAT CHANCE! So the grinding of the teeth goes on.... LOL

Way to go Baby Beehinds!

2009-12-01T11:24:00.002+11:00

How cool! Modern Cloth Nappies are going on the little screen!!! Well done BBH for getting the clothy word out there even more!

It's a BOY!

2009-11-30T19:58:00.010+11:00

Welcome to the world to my beautiful newest nephew Morrison Eli.
Born 3.12am this morning.
Weight - 8lb 6oz
Length - 54cm
HC - 37cm
With lots of dark hair. A clone of all the other kids!

12 weeks

14 weeks

16 weeks

18 weeks

34 weeks

36 weeks

37 weeks

39 weeks - this was yesterday :)

I'll update with a pic of Morrison as soon as I have one.

Congrats to L & G xoxo

So who is up for more kids? "YES" this is a VENT!

2009-11-28T15:17:00.002+11:00

It's hot, we all feel like shit cause it's hot.... AND THE KIDS ARE DOING MY HEAD IN!

How does it make you feel better fighting and carrying on when it's hot? ARGH!

And to make matters worse the bleeding noses from overheated kids is beyond a joke! B4 is now in the league of inheriting mine & Himselfs bleeding nose thing. Oh yay... NOT! Yesterday 3 of the kids had them, so far today B4 has..... but I can put money on B14 & T13 will join in on todays nose bleed count *sigh*

Okay vent over.... off to figure out where the scary "poo" smell is coming from.... although it kinda smells like a dead smell too.....

What's in a week?

2009-11-25T13:26:00.006+11:00

We've had a pretty basic week here in the Cinders house the past week. Nothing *that* exciting going on....

Geez where to begin..... Hmmm.... Well last Friday night we had a very UNwelcome visitor into the loungeroom...

.. this peoples is a Juvenile Eastern Brown snake.

It came under the laundry door, then under the adjoining loungeroom sliding door, right to where my boys [J11 & B4] were laying on the loungeroom floor watching a movie on TV [B4 was actually asleep]. T13 was on the lounge, I was at the dining table on the laptop, Himself was on the desktop at the other end of the loungeroom near my stock cupboards.

The kids were about a foot from the laundry door... Mr snake came across to the mat the kids were on without being seen... then as it came out from under the side of the mat towards me T13 seen it and yelled "SNAKE!". My feet came straight up onto my chair cause I couldn't see the floor because if the dinign table being in the way.. J11 jumped up onto the 3 seater lounge where T13 was sitting.... and B4 [who was asleep] was scooped up by his big sister so frickin quick she actually may have saved his life... the snake which was heading in my direction, turned and went in the direction of my boys.... it was a ruler length from B4 when T13 scooped him up.... I can tell you a Mothers heart beats that fast it stops beating when you see something like that! T13 must have scared the poor thing when she moved, so it turned again... this time straight towards Himself, who was on the desktop computer.... he moved, it went straight past him into my paperwork pile.. poor thing must have been so scared.

And because right at that moment we didn't know what type of snake it was, there was no way to get it before it got lost between my work area... and the fact it was IN the loungeroom with the kids... DH done the insane thing and had to grab it's tail to get it out into the open, killing it with my egg flipper. TWICE coming a cm or two from being bitten.

I don't know how long it ook for my heatbeat to settle down, but I know it took ages. B4 who was asleep at the time... slept through the rough handling by his sister, and was happily snoozing on the lounge for the rest of the night. I am so proud of T13, she showed AGAIN she can keep a clear head when a situation arises where snakes are concerned. I guess them 6 years of living in the bush DID have some positives come from it.

Anyways... hmm what else... OH! I got the dye urge this week. Been forever since I did any, so I dyed some flannel cloth nappies, a shirt for me [which I am wearing atm] and 3 singlets for B4. This is the outcome of B4's singlets.. pretty cool huh :) As I said it's been ages since I dyed and I did stuff them up... but Sssshhhhh don't tell anyone ;)

Ummm what else.... nothing else so far I don't think LOL

Oh yes there is! Christmas is coming!!! I L.O.V.E Christmas, so just cause I love it so much, between this week and Christmas I am having weekly specials of 10% off... This week is Bubblebubs nappies. But only until Saturday, then something new will go on sale :)

And lastly.. I want to send out lots of love to my friend Cath & her family who are dealing with a huge fight right now. Cath was diagnosed with Breast Cancer back in September, and is fighting this thing head on with everything she's got. Cath is a fellow member of EB... if you'd like to show your support to this beautiful lady steal my sig and use it on EB. Cath wants to get the message out there to EVERY Woman to check their breasts EVERY month. The best time is right after your period. So go cop a feel of your (.Y.) and make sure they are okay... Do it NOW!

B4 & Thankyou!

2009-11-20T10:50:00.005+11:00

So we had B4's follow up at with the Gastro Paed on Monday. Man it's a trip and a half to go down to the city!

Anyways, it's all good :) No increase in meds, and we can start eliminting more foods that he reacts to YAY! So I think we might have a 'normal poo' child very soon! LOL

It was a really long day for poor B4. Dr was 6 patients behind, so we had a HUGE waiting time. Thankfully considering his workload Dr was in a great mood skipping, and singing with his little patients LOL Anyways, while we waited for Sista to pick us up B4 discovered little girls can have no hair, and they blow AWESOME bubbles... and the front doors to the hospital are magick!

Just under an hour wait, and this is what he did the whole time [which also included chasing bubbles said little girl was blowing].... Gotta love how the doors opene EVERY time you jump on that mat! LOL Some close calls with people walking in and out, but nobody was injured, so it's all good!

Well most of B4's nappies have a new home now with my Sister. I didn't want $ for them, and Sista wanted to give me something.. so this is what I got :)

Now I can't drink tea, or coffee anymore because of my blasted kidney... so this is the fix that replaces them. And yes it STILL has the bow on top LOL Bet nobody else has a tin of milo with a purple bow on top in their kitchen!

The mad dash to the finish line...

2009-11-13T14:53:00.003+11:00

Why oh why every year is it the same old thing? I always leave it to the last minute. WHY do I do it?

So we are nearing Christmas.... only 42 days to go. I have diddly squat in the present department. I have 2 small prezzies for T7, one small for T13, one medium for B4.... and that's it. I have T7 & B4 Santa ones on layby plus some smaller prezzies for J11 & the two youngins. But B14 has nothing at all yet! Argh! I hate living where I do, I'd have it done in no time if I lived in a decently sized town.

Maybe my new years resolution next year will be to buy one present every week..... LOL Yeah right, good intentions and all that *sigh*.

On a better note, my Mummy is coming to visit in December. Well technically she's coming down for my sisters new babys birth, but since it coincides with xmas, she's going to stay longer. family xmas the weekend before *oh yay* LOL Nar just kidding, it'll be fun, the kids will have a ball and so will I. Just have to figure out a REALLY cheap solution to some prezzies for the neices & nephews.

Birthdays & stuff....

2009-11-11T17:34:00.003+11:00

Well yesterday J10 turned into J11. I am now the Mummy to THREE children in full on double digits. OMG where does the time go? So he is totally happy and spoilt. Remote control truck, XBox games & Bart Simpson things LOL Major Simpsons fans here, so we just *had* to get something Simpsons LOL

And just to make me feel like bad on a good day... my suspicions B14 drank alcohol at a school dance earlier in the year has been confirmed. Thanks to the text message I read way back then, and T13's friendship book that her friends fill out [Thanks Mema, good prezzie, fills me in on important stuff]. Apparently DH got it out of him back then, but promised not to tell me as B14 didn't want me to be disappointed.... I told DH about the text message, and he asked B14 one day... and told him NOT to lie to him.... So I was right. DH agreed not to tell me IF B14 didn't do it again until he was at legal age, and then tell us he was going to do it..... If you know me, you know this [kids drinking] is something I am sooo strongly against.

Anyways, a little insight to me right now LOL My arm is tired LOL

Love, Peace & Happiness xoxo

And so life goes on...

2009-11-09T14:08:00.003+11:00

... So it's been a day now since we buried Friggin. It's not the same without hearing her bark at the cows at night.... or jump around my legs of a morning when I take out the kids uneaten breaky... or be naughty and follow us up to the bus.... she would have done that this morning. Followed us to the bus. And she would have jumped into the pram with B4 on the way home... just to be there with her tail wagging being happy to see me. It's been one day and I miss her so much.

This is her rock J10 found as a headstone for where she is buried.
He has also written her name on it.

*Edited* To add this photo from a week ago today. Friggin & B4 in the pram on the way home from the school bus morning drop off <3 This was the second last pic I ever took of her:(

RIP Pickle xoxoxo

2009-11-08T11:18:00.003+11:00

My beautiful little girl passed away.

RIP "Friggin Dog" 8.2.04 - 7.11.09

Please check your furry family members for ticks EVERY day.

LOL Just 'cause!

2009-11-07T11:34:00.001+11:00

Breast Cancer Fundraising

2009-11-01T07:51:00.003+11:00

I still have a couple of people to add once I post their parcels, and am still awaiting a couple of payments, but would you like to see our total so far?

Look HERE! With postage taken out we aren't going to quite make it to $1000, so if you would like to donate to help us get there.. donate away! If you don't have a credit card, just drop me a quick email and I'll give you the details for how you can donate via cash :)

Thankyou to all who participated in this effort, you are all so awesomely fabulous!!!

I will post again once I have a grand total :)

One Word Answers....

2009-10-31T22:12:00.003+11:00

1. Where is your cell / mobile phone? microwave
2. Your hair? up
3. Your mother? special
4. Your father? dunno
5. Your favourite food? chocolate
6. Your dream last night? weird
7. Your favourite drink? chocolate
8. Your dream/goal? happiness
9. What room are you in? lounge/dining
10. Your hobby? lots
11. Your fear? loss
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? happy
13. Where were you last night? relaxing
14. Something that you aren’t? wealthy
15. Muffins? chocolate
16. Wish list item? photoshop
17. Where did you grow up? Murwillumbah/Newcastle
18. Last thing you did? chocolate
19. What are you wearing? talisman
20. Your TV? on
21. Your pet? lots
22. Friends? awesome
23. Your life? complicated
24. Your mood? proud
25. Missing someone? yes
26. Vehicle? crappy
27. Something you’re not wearing? shoes
28. Your favorite store? markets
29. Your favorite color? purple
30. When was the last time you laughed? tonight
31. Last time you cried? thursday
32. Your best friend? peorge
33. One place that I go to over and over? insanity
34. One person who emails me regularly? kat
35. Favorite place to eat? park

Feel free to steal and add your own answers.. remember only one word :)

Copied from Sarah @ Sarah Bean Blogs... again

WAHP & Cloth Community Breast Cancer Fundraiser

2009-10-17T12:35:00.002+11:00

A fabulous group of WAHP have gotten together and donated items to be auctioned off to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness & Research.

We want to make ALL women aware that Breast Cancer can happen to anyone, Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Grandmothers, Friends.

So many of us have someone close to our heart who have been diagnosed with this disease.

We want the word to get out to every woman of every age to check their breasts EVERY month.

We want to show our support to all the women & families affected by Breast Cancer.
We care, we hope, and most of all, give them strength to fight when they need to the most.

*Work At Home Parents

Where: www.murasakimama.com

When:
Previewing - 4.30pm Monday 19th October 2009
Going LIVE - 7.30pm Monday 19th October 2009

Auctions End - 9pm Monday 26th October 2009 - Pink Ribbon Day

Payment: Payment by auction winners is via Direct Deposit ONLY. We apologise for not being able to offer PayPal. But for us to donate every possible cent, we are avoiding fees which can be rather costly through PayPal. Payment is due within 3 days of Auction end.

Postage: Postage is included in the auction total. All winning bidders will have their item/s sent to them via registered post.

How else can you donate: A page has been set up HERE for persons to make donations via credit card if they don't wish to bid on Auctions. If you would like to donate via cash, you can as well. Please contact me for information for this method.

murasakimama AT cinderellas-stash DOT au DOT com

Thankyou to all the WAHP who are involved xo

Breast Cancer Auctions...

2009-10-05T19:02:00.002+11:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Which means the WAHMs about the place are having the odd auction to raise funds for Breast Cancer Awareness. Donating all or part of the auction totals to various organizations.

I'll do my best to add the ones I know about to this post. There are more coming up... so keep your eyes peeled :)

Maz-a-licious Nappy & Singlet set
http://wahmnaps.com/auctions.php?VA=112

There are auctions planned for Murasaki Mama about half way through the month. There are some pretty special items going up for auction... I will update as a date is set for these to preview/go live.

Of washing, and cleaning, and Ogres and stuff

2009-10-03T15:38:00.005+10:00

Yes they do all have a connection, and that's me!

You see we 'used' to have "Saturday Morning Ogre Mum"... which in my kids eyes was the day I hounded the crap out of them to get their crap together, clean up their messes, and vacuum their rooms. One day a week Mum would go rank, and for all of afew hours we would have a lovely clean house... sparkling bathroom, no laundry covering the laundry floor... the whole house would be clean.

BUT! Ogre Dad [he's an Ogre just cause he's a grumpy shit] didn't like Saturday Morning Ogre Mum, being Ogre Mum cause I would use brute vocal force to get everyone to pull their weight. AKA yelling my head off to get anybody to move their arse and help! I am but one person, and there are 7 persons under this roof, why should I be the only one to clean up everyone elses mess? As it is I cook their meals, wash their clothes, make their beds.... and all the rest of it.

So awhile back I said "fine". I will go with Ogre Dad's wishes and NOT get up every Saturday morning on a mission, and I would not be Saturday Morning Ogre Mum... we'd see what got done then!

Bloody nothing!

Yep Ogre Mum has been quiet for weeks... and the house has gone to shite. You see I had my things I would do during the week, so Saturdays were easier, but nup I stopped them too. Doing only what needed to be done. Seems Ogre Dad isn't fussed on helping out with house work, and makes that all to clear when he is cursing while cleaning up the bomb site every couple of days.

What can I say? "I told you so"? Nope didn't work when I finally said it this morning. Seems Ogre Dad doesn't remember any conversation about Saturday mornings pissing him off with me turning into a grumpy Ogre.... seems he doesn't remember having that few hours of a clean house.

Men are seiously useless creatures when it comes to housework.. or having conversations about said housework... or about remembering them types of conversations in general!

So as of next Saturday morning, Saturday Morning Ogre Mum is back! My point is made, even if memory lapsed Orge Dad doesn't remember the conversation and me telling him this exact scenario would happen. I remember, and my point is made.

And the lesson learnt.... men have extremely useless memories to anything domestic related.

Minti - An update

2009-10-01T19:38:00.009+10:00

Well my favourite furry family member had a bath today. Last weeks dust storms made my white cat brown with a hint of orange... filthy dirty, grotty cat!

THIS is what she should look like.... Nice and white.....

This what she looked like before her bath.... this was afew days ago. You can't see too much icky dirt, but trust me, it's there!! Actually her right side was worse than her left LOL

This is straight after her bath... lovely dripping wet Minti who was NOT impressed by getting her photo taken LOL

And this is how you sleep after your bath cause you want to dry as well! Sorry the pic isn't the best, my camera hates taking pics at night.

Yes she is sitting up with her head rolled under tucked in front of her front paws!

Thankfully the other day when Mr Snake came to visit I grabbed her before she noticed him. She seems to have too much guts with them. Last summer she was facinated by one behind the BBQ.. and because it was just me and the little kids home, I was the one who had to try to pry her away from 'playing' with it *sigh*

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is coming

2009-09-28T22:46:00.002+10:00

What are you doing?

Me? I am thinking over, trying to plan in my brain that doesn't work the best these days to possibley organise a fundraising store of WAHM products. Aimed at Mummies, and with the Breast Cancer colour theme of PINK! WDYT?

I'm thinking of contacting WAHMs who make jewellery, dye yarn, make pads, breastpads... all things aimed at Women & Mums.

My gorgeous friend Cath was recently diagnosed and is currently going through her first lot of chemo. She is a young Mum just like me, her kids are alot younger than mine.... her oldest being the age of my youngest.

This has opened my eyes up wide that this isn't just something that happens to strangers, it happens to people we know.

Check your breasts EVERY month. It could save your life.

Stupid pain go away.

2009-09-28T22:44:00.001+10:00

So I am at a stop.... crocheting and knitting that is. I am soooo close to having V's shorties finished and my damn hands don't want to hold the hook without giving me hell pain. They should have been finished a week ago, and I am still at the same point.

And it's not only my hands.. It started in my hands, is now in my elbows, back and feet. WTF is it?

I hate pain.

Silence is bliss.

2009-09-28T22:35:00.002+10:00

You know I love my kids to bits right?

Well I love them to bits, but man I love it when they sleep too! It has been insane around here lately. All these nagging bugs they have gotten here and there. Out of the blue I'll have one under my feet saying they have a headache.. or asking can they go to bed "NOW"... or I hurt my foot, my throat is sore, I wet my pants, Muuuuummmm you have to wipe my bum, where is the Calendula?, I'm hungry, can I play the computer, I need more batteries for the xbox controller, I need money for art fees, I need money for the triathlon, I broke my shoe again, where is a clean towel?, oh are them biscuits for us? mum the cat was on the bench again, close the door! Marge escaped out of her cage again, where are my shoes?, it's not my turn to wash up it's his, do I have any clean socks?, I need a new school shirt this one has wet tar on it, can I go into town?, can I sleep at *insert one of many names here*'s place...

Get the picture?

Silence is bliss.

Gahh! Away with you!!

2009-09-27T16:09:00.002+10:00

Man if it isn't wind and dust, it's wind and smoke!!

WHY do people wait until the last minute to burn off? The past 3 weeks have been unbelievable! We have been surrounded by fires from all angles. ATM there is one up the hill NE of us which started on the other side, got out of control and is now on this side... slowly making it's way across the whole hill. I noticed we have another to the NW, I'm guessing it's yest another on the Bucketts Mountain.

It seems the stinking hot DRY days, and the hell windy dry days are the ones they pick to do it. "helllo?" Hmm maybe better coditions for lighting fires might be the way to go! Funny how some can get a permit to light them... they don't pick the best times, they get out of control... and then the firies need to deal with them. But it's okay... they have a permit! ARGH! It drives me NUTS!!

So today [yet again] we are surrounded by smoke. The kids are coughing yet again. And I can't hang too much washing out because it'll stink of smoke!

Give me strength!!!

So! Wanna see some pics of this one?

2009-09-25T19:41:00.010+10:00

What? You ask.... Why Mr Red Belly Black Snake! *sigh* I think it's going to be one of them years.

So T7 & J10 were playing outside this afternoon, running down the side of the house with the dogs.... Run past the back of the house with dogs in tow... when Friggin stops, pricks her ears and dives into the garden [the one against the house]... then promptly bounce back out again!

This was what she had discovered.....

This pic was taken awhile after he was discovered, and moved around to outside the kitchen window. Before now, he had made his way nearly around the entire house and got cornered in the pumphouse while JA was trying to move him out of the house yard down to the river. See how flat his head is... he's getting mighty pissed at JA.

Trying to make it back under the cot we keep the kids outside play castle pieces in.

See them white things, they are cot legs, so there is a rough idea of his length.

And then what do you do when you are a snake?

Why you wrap yourself up inside a tarp!!

That's JA with the spider brush broom trying to get him out to go down the hill to the river...

Finally off he went.

So Sarah... How are you liking Australia?
*giggles while imagining Sarah packing up the boys and booking tickets* LOL

"There's a snake in my boot"

2009-09-21T21:58:00.005+10:00

Well okay so there's not, but darn hecky there nearly was!!!

Yep we had a snake in the house this morning!! *insert horrified face of Donna*

And the series of events before Mr Snake entered the premises are just a plain miracle!

You see I have been sleeping in lately until around 7.10am. This morning however I had to get up bright sparkey early to throw some stuff in the drier. So I was up with the tweety birds at 5.15am. Anyway T13 wanted her hair dyed, so I woke her at 6am to dye her hair. T7 woke up not long after we finished puting the dye in, and so did B14. T7 had wet the bed, so needed a shower... so off she toddled.... so while B14 & T13 were getting their lunches for school & T7 was in the shower I checked my Sponsors thread on the DD forums & fix an issue with my website... T7 got out of the shower at approx 7.50am... within 2 maybe 3 minutes I heard the dreaeded "SNAKE IN THE HOUSE!!!!!!"

Now we have these "snakes".. well they are really lizards that have legs that just kinda hang there, which are easy to confuse with a baby brown snake unless you get a good look. THESE are usually called "snakes" when the kids see them so I have to check.

So anyways I yell out, "Is it a snake snake?" B14 yells "IT'S LIKE A REAL SNAKE!!!! It's in the bathroom!!"

Lo and behold a frickin "snake snake" is in the house. Holey shit! You know we have come across sooo many outside, but one has never gotten inside!

Certainly got JA out of bed in a hurry! I came equipped with my trusty kitchen broom, handed it to him with a "here" LOL And let him guide it out the outside toilet door [we have an outside door on the other side of the toilet]. But instead of going out into the yard, Mr Snake turned and went into the wall! There are holes on the outside of the house between bricks here and there, and one happens to be right outside the door between the bricks and door jam! Teeny hole and he fit! So we plugged it up with a stick! That door gets used HEAPS, and we didn't want the little bugger to come back out and straight back into the house again!

T13 informed me it was in the bathroom trying to get into the shower when she came across it, and then it quickly tried to get back out when it was cornered by her. And to get out it needed to go where she was!

So the luck of this morning...

I was up earlier than usual.

T13 & B14 were in the kitchen/bathroom area of the house.

T7 got out of the shower minutes before and NOT after.

My broom was in reach LOL

Mr Snake didn't bite anyone!!

Downside, I forgot to get a darn picture of him! Not sure what type of snake he was. He was about 2ft long, and a "dirty" brown colour. Not the look of the usual browns we'd ever seen... maybe a whip snake? Not sure. But definitely not a black snake or a tiger [thank the Goddess he wasn't a tiger].

So there you go. Our first ever snake IN the house! And the lesson of the day... block under the doors before bed!

The Water Man & W.I.P

2009-09-19T12:52:00.008+10:00

Well last night we ran out of water again! Gahh one thing I hate is running out of water!

And it apears we aren't the only ones! Mr Water man has been avergaing 8 a day the last week, and 4 loads this morning! An extra $10 in his pocket per load for it being Saturday. We just happened to need it on a Saturday didn't we!!

So B4 was rather excited about watching the truck near rip out the barbed wire fence LOL I think he needs a little more practice at not taking out customers fences while watching their horses! LOL

So we now have about 4-5 foot of water again YAY! I can wash the kids hair AND wash the darn whites! I refuse to wash the white in river water, cause yucko it's not clear river water here!

I'm rather excited about the week ahead. I have my first cloth nappy demo coming up. Well kind of a demo. I have a lovely friend I have met through the younger kids school who is a 'greeny' [if you need to have a label on someone I guess that is her]. A new Bubba is coming for her daughter and she is very interested in finding out about modern cloth! WOO! HOO!

And as I am the only MCN user/retailer abouts the place [that I know of] I am her first port of call :D

I'll let you know how it goes!!!

Oh and just cause I feel like showing you, reckon these are looking okay? Just have to bind off, and tuck in my ends, do some cutesy crochet around the legs & finish off the tie on my needles atm, and they are done! Yarn is Disco Ball from The Dye Pot. Yarn is Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury Aran/10ply. Sara has an amazing talent, and guess what she's not a knitter or crocheter! But man she knows how to dye yarn!

Do you live the life you wanted?

2009-09-17T18:32:00.002+10:00

I seem to be asking myself this question alot over the past few months. And to tell the truth NO. I'm not.

Not the kids bit, gosh I love them more than anything in this world. They are my smile every day when I wake up, and my smile every night when I check on them before I go to bed myself. They are my dream that came true. Ans every bit that is them, is the light of my day.

The other stuff though.... Is it possible to be fully truely happy? No questions asked 100% happy? From where I am standing, no.

Is it just a dream to think it is possible? Are people just in some kind of illusion thinking they are 100% happy?

I wish life was easy, I wish someone had a magik wand to flick my way and make me happy. Make life that little bit easier. Take away the money issues, make the kids lives easier. Instead of the universe testing me every damn chance there is.

It's just a brag from moi

2009-09-15T11:00:00.002+10:00

So if you don't know what I'm talking about tough cookies LOL Nar just kidding! Check out this website.... Diaper Decisions.

I am the very proud hunter whom has found 5 yes you read right 5 extreme icons!!!! YAY!!!! LOL

Now I am the most suckiest GDUNHunter ever, so this is one HUGE feat for me!!

OKay back to schedualed viewing, my boast is done! LOL

Beautiful Nappies

2009-09-12T20:56:00.003+10:00

Sometimes I get stock in and all I want to do is keep them!

This happened earlier in the week when the last of my Wild Child shipment arrived.

I already knew Michelle is exceptional in her work by the nappies I had already received, not to mention the fabulous reviews you can find just by reading the Mothers/Nappy forums on the web.

Well here are the 3 nappies which arrived earlier this week. Now take into account my photography skills suck, pictures do these beautiful nappies no justice. My personal fave is the Purple Faerie Magik. The colour of this nappy is a little brighter/funkier than I could picture. I so wish I still had a child in nappies! LOL

Life is like a box of chocolates....

2009-09-11T22:16:00.003+10:00

... In my case 4 simply deliciously awesome fantastic packets of Harry's Rocky Road!

OH.MY.GOSH!

If you haven't had the glorious chance to try some of the "Rocky Road God's" rocky road... I suggest you haul arse and get yourself some! Golly gee it is an experience you will never forget!!

I finally [after hearing about Harry 6 months ago]... gave in and man I so don't regret it!

My first order consisted of 2 x Sample Packs, 1 x Mint & 1 x Caramel. Even Mr "I don't like chocolate" went back for more! *insert seriously shocked face here* I can't say I have a fave, because they all are utterly delicious. The flavours are so well combined, so not overpowering... and definately not too mild. "Perfection" is the only word that could possibley describe them.

Harry has set postage so stock up to make the most of it, and all parcels are set express. You WON'T be disappointed!

Oh and btw... the kids have NO idea I have this delicious little stash in the house LMAO, it'd be all gone if they did!!!

Cinderella's Stash Competitions!!!!

2009-09-08T14:01:00.003+10:00

Is your Bub Cinderella's Stash's next model?

Cinderella's Stash is looking for shots of our nappies & covers in action for our homepage & gallery!

We want YOU to help us find them!

One lucky person will have their little one be the homepage model for Cinderella's Stash!

First prize is a gorgeous Mumma Pack from Twinkle Lily. This pack is by far the most beautiful set of Mumma Pads I have ever seen! All pads + wetbag are embroidered with the "Bleeding Hearts" design, using Madeira metallic embroidery thread, on luscious purple stretch cord. Twinkle Lily pads are regarded as one of the best, most effective Cloth Menstrual Pads on the market.

Runner up prize is a squishy Sz 2 Baby Blue Minky Workhorse Nappy from the Wild Child Nappies range. Wild Child Workhorse Nappies are by far one of the most durable, effective nappies on the market. The workwomanship is exceptional in their manufacture.

Wild Child is one of the most sort after nappy brands for very good reason.

*Click on either pictire to enlarge*

Entry is open from 1st September 2009 until 30th September 2009.

With the winners being announced Wednesday 8th October 2009.

Please read the following terms & conditions before entering.

Must be Australian or New Zealand resident - have Aust or NZ address.

Photo is to be of their own child, not someone else's

Photo can contain more than one child. If another child that is not your own is pictured with your child, we must receive permission in writing from their legal guardian/Parents via mail. Postage details are provided below.

Cinderella's Stash retains ownership of photo, and is able to use it for business purposes. i.e.: used on Cinderella's Stash store websites, and also for printed business advertising.

Nappy and/or cover must be a brand Cinderella's Stash carries/owns.

Contact details must be included with entry. Name, address, phone, email.

Please email photo as an attachment, in jpg format and original size. Include type of nappy in your email. eg - "minky Wriggleybumz OSFM"

By entering the competition, you agree to subscribe to Cinders News!

Only one photo per household can enter.

Email your entries to: admin AT cinderellas-stash DOT au DOT com

Remember to include your name, address, phone & email with your entry.

If another child is photographed with your child, please forward written permission by Parent/Guardian to:

Cinderella's Stash - Competition

P.O. Box 377

Gloucester

NSW 2422

Thankyou, and enjoy yourself while you capture that perfect picture!!

Not only are we having the photo comp! But we also have an instore competition for the month of September!!

Every order in September over the value of $10 [excluding postage] placed & paid for during the whole month of September will go into the draw to win a "Lollies" wetbag by Silly Gilly + a 3 pack of funky Bits for Bots wipes . Wetbag measures approx 30cm wide X 39cm long. Wipes measure approx 20cm square.

PLUS! Check out our Great Down Under Nappy Hunt spot specials... this week [until next Monday] all Soaps are 10% off!

~Miss Cinders~

September Promotion

2009-09-03T16:30:00.002+10:00

Long time no blog! I am sooo busy with the GDUNH at the moment, and some of that involves a couple of awesome Competitions I am having throughout September.

See the Cinderella's Stash homepage for information!

http://cinderellas-stash.au.com

Scroll down to just under the nappy hunters "START HERE" message.

Happy snapping!!

Belly Watching...

2009-07-26T15:49:00.001+10:00

.. yes I have pics, but not enough time in the one sitting to edit & upload!

But the updated ones are coming soon!!

September 2009 GDUNH!

2009-07-22T14:30:00.006+10:00

Cross posted from the Cinderella's Stash store blog ;)

Yep it's that time again... Time to hire a cleaner & live in Nanny!!
The time when you eat to hunt, you sleep to hunt, and you DREAM of the
hunt..... not to mention the dreams of that pesky icon that WILL haunt
you! Oh yes *I* have them too!

We ~~are again puting forward an application~~ have been accepted to be a sponsor for the
second time. I enjoyed teasing you all with the sites mini hunt last
time, so be prepared with a block of yummy organic chocolate & a nice strong
cuppa this time 'round!

Keep your eyes peeled on www.clothnappyhunt.com to find out when it's
time to register your name. Once the hunt starts keep checking the
Diaper Decisions Forum for hints from store owners who have sponsored the hunt.

Play Nice & May the Cloth be With You!!

~ Our donations to the prize pool ~

~ Library Bag by Michele ~

~ Ocean Breeze Flexi OSFM AI2 by WriggleyBumz ~

Miss T7 has new baby, her name is Flower.

2009-07-22T14:13:00.004+10:00

Please say a big Welcome to "Flower" :)

*Pic care of the creative hands who made her, Donna*

This is my Miss T7's beautiful birthday dolly made by the very talented Donna from Bits for Bots & B4B on Ozebaby Oh my gosh a dolly is available on Oze NOW!!

Flower is now a very active part of our household. She sleeps in her cot next to Miss T7, she goes on sleep-overs, complete with nappy bag full of everything ones baby needs. She has her own pram, her own capsual to be transported in the car. She IS the newest baby to our family. But apparently now we need nappies! So today is going to be spent sorting that out because the nagging is just too much for me to ignore it any longer! LOL

For Kirsty

2009-07-22T13:52:00.003+10:00

I have discovered that beading is very therapeutic. So whilst I have needed some time to myself for the past bit I have been beading. I won't show you my disasters, but I will show you what I have for my lovely friend Kirsty.

Tell you what this beading gig can be an exensive hobby! But I think the rewards of it being a soothing yet challenging thing to do makes it very worth it.

Kirsty they will be in the post tomorrow hun. Hope you like them xo

Sometimes it's hard.

2009-07-12T15:47:00.002+10:00

Life that is. Sometimes you have to wonder what else can be thrown at you when you think you've been dealt enough. Sometimes an ongoing enough.

You *think* things finally are going to change and you yourself are going to be able to help yourself... But then everybody else comes first again. When is it my turn? When is somebody going to let me do what *I* need to do for me. When am I going to be seen?

Am I invisible?

Taking away our right to birth how we want....

2009-07-02T20:14:00.004+10:00

.. In Australia we are in the midst of having the choice to Homebirth taken away from us.

This clip tells it the way it is.

Ohhh I think I have another addiction in the works!

2009-07-01T12:55:00.004+10:00

Yep I beaded!! My first ever beading... a stitch marker!
I figured I had to make something which I could use with another addiction LOL
Cool hey, very proud of myself! LOL

Don't ask me anything technical about beading though LOL It's like a whole new world atm, but I think I like it!!

Cinderella's Stash ~ What's new in July!

sob I'm not well sob

2009-06-22T13:32:00.005+10:00

Well I had all intentions of doing a huge catch up, but I've woken up this morning in pain all over... even my lungs hurt. No I have no idea why, this just happens sometimes... Drs fob me off so I just deal with. Today however... it hurts real bad so I'm having a nothing day.

As you may have noticed 'a song a day' didn't get past day 2. Seems YouTube doesn't like me much... dumb arse computer kept playing up on the site... so instead I went through my CD collection and found some awesome songs for myself to listen to instead of sharing LOL

Before I go, here are the creations from my kitchen yesterday... two of my boys and one of the dear daughters helped me out with the baking for school recess this week. I reckon they did well :)

Mstr 14 & Mstr 4's Cupcakes made using Lesley's Cupcake recipe

Miss 13's Chocolate Slice - she made it ALL herself :)

My first marble cake :) Made with green icing as per Mstr 4's request LOL

Not pictured is the coconut slice.. pics were crap LOL

OMG!! IT CAME! IT CAME! Pic Heavy

2009-06-15T13:32:00.011+10:00

My jar swap came!!

OMG!!!

THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU BELLA!
I love it! And you did this between having a baby!

At the same time I feel so much guilt over what I sent you!
I wish I could have spoilt you with as much beautifulness as you gave to me.
You are so talented... the tin will be treasured by this little sentimental gal for alot of years to come, so will my cup.
Thankyou xoxoxoxoxoxo

~ In the post box ~

~ Out of the post box ~

~ So beautiful ~

~ Handle ~

~ A Peak Inside ~

~ What's Inside ~

Oh I laughed when I opened it up!
I had sent B yarn, a hook & a pattern!
In mine I got lots of yarn & a book of patterns! LOL
AND I sent B a stick of Moon Haven Vanilla Lip Balm...
B sent me FeelGood Vanilla Lip Therapy!!

~ Every yarnlovingteadrinkingpurpleaddicts dream present! ~

It says "Knit One Sip One"

~ THANKYOU!! ~

7 Days of a Song a Day - Day 2

2009-06-14T10:23:00.000+10:00

7 Days of a Song a Day - Day 1

2009-06-13T13:45:00.002+10:00

Harry Potter - For the fans!

2009-06-11T20:18:00.002+10:00

THIS is why I love having kids! They find the best stuff on YouTube!!

Introducing....

2009-06-10T21:33:00.006+10:00

... My sister's beautiful pregnant belly!!

Yep you guessed it! You guys are going on a journey with me belly watching! As from this week we are going to watch my sister's belly grow until I meet my new neice or nephew!!

First off we have 13 weeks :)

And this one nice and new yesterday 14 weeks :)

This is baby #5 for my sis... so she is nearly even with my on kid numbers!! LOL
She has 2 girl's & 2 boy's..... and this one hmmmm, I think BOY!

Pssst!! Look what's coming really soon to the Stash!!

2009-06-10T19:36:00.006+10:00

You asked for them, and the first ones have arrived!

Daycare Wetbags exclusive to Cinderella's Stash!!

Cotton print outer, plain polyester knit PUL inner & cotton shoulder straps.
Bag measures W-34cm x L-36cm - Shoulder straps = 64cm.

PLUS large wetbags... I'm talking holding approx 6 large MCN! Funky prints & gorgeously constructed! Manufactured by the creative hands behind Silly Gilly!

Lunch!!

2009-06-10T19:28:00.002+10:00

For B's 4th Birthday his Mema got him this great plate. It's awesome, but we couldn't figure out what to use it for, cause it was just too big to use for his dinner.

Well derr Donna LOL Why not use it for lunch!

So here is todays lunch for Master B.... Cheese blocks, Cheese sandwiches on [home baked bread], dates, apricots & home made Lemon Iced Choc Chip slice [which has more dates than choc chips].

We have decided to go back to 100% home baked bread after B's behaviour has gotten irratic since he went back onto a normal diet... bread being the main change. Within 24hours we had our boy back! So we are going to change all the kids bread to home baked, which means we have to look into a new bread maker.... with 7 mouths in our house our breadmaker is wayyy too small!

Jar Swap!!!

2009-06-10T11:11:00.005+10:00

Well I've actually sent a box not a jar! LOL

This would have to be the least stressful swap I have EVER been in!

Bibs & Bobs all the way baby!!

I can't show you inside cause my swappee hasn't received it yet.
Hopefully she should get it today!!

**UPDATE**
HURRAY she received it!! So now I can show what I put in!!

The packed box :)

The contents!

Booties for the new beautiful babe!
Moon Haven Vanilla Lip Balm [I sell it, it's so scrummy!]
Organic cotton Dishcloth
Dishcloth Pattern, yarn & hook! - creative Mumma with something new to learn!
Pins for creative Mumma to use with her sewing
Binding for sewing
Cutter pendant - what a fab find for a busy sewing Mumma!
Ribbon, lace, stickers, bibs & bobs for a scrapbooking addict!!

I would have to say, I LOVED this swap. It would have to come as my favourite ever! Not something I stressed too much about, becasue the idea isn't to create a masterpiece.... the idea was to give someone the tools to create themselves!!

He won AGAIN!

2009-05-30T21:48:00.004+10:00

DS1 is a little champion in my house! Mr I'm Athletic!

Second year of High School, and the second year he is Cross Country Chamion for his age group!!! Go B!!! Poor bugger had been off for a week sick as a dog, and his first day back was surprised with his trophey :)

He made it to Zone, but decided to NOT bother [needs a good swift kick!]. Has also now made it to zone for 200m relay, hopefully he pulls his finger out and does his best this time around!!

Well done DS :)

P.S. Just a note comment moderation is now turned on due to the twits who spam.

Australian MCN Store Link List

2009-05-30T16:14:00.003+10:00

My list I have made over the past few years has a new home, so everyone needs to update their bookmarks!!

It will no longer be found @ http://cinders-stash.blogspot.com/

New addy is... http://www.australianmcnstores.com/

Please update your bookmarks, the old list will be deleted next weekend.

Yeah Baby!!!

2009-05-22T15:27:00.003+10:00

I can't rememeber if I've mentioned it... I haven't been a very good girl and kept my blog up to date the past few months *blush* But my Sis is having baby #5!!!!

I'm so happy for them! For a long time my Sis and I were estranged for reasons I won't say. But since we have gotten us back (Thankyou Dan, we miss you), our relationship is so different to what it was, and we see eachother like we always should have. We have a new understanding and respect for one another.

Anyway I have been busy!

I accepted a spot in The Inner Stitch yarn club afew months ago. I thought it would be a great idea to recieve colourways I may possibley not have purchased usually. And that's exactly what has happened! And I couldn't be happier!!! Oh the beautiful way Courtney dyes is delicious!

Anyway here is a sneak peak of a prezzie for my Sis I started afew days ago :)

Aren't the colours just beautiful :) I have another hank here of the first months colouway... but I bags that LOL Not sure what I will make as yet, but whatever it is is for me!! One month more to receive and I can't wait!!

Maybe I should hound Irene @ Jolly Jumbuck to have yarn club?! LOL No I think she would kill me!! LOL

I love just how many WAHMs dye yarn now, all so unique in their work.

The Throne

2009-05-06T11:05:00.003+10:00

Nappy days in our house are seriously numbered.

My beautiful 'baby' B at the grand old age of 4 is nearly fully TT. We've never used potty's with our kids, never had to. But with all B's issues over the past 18 months or so, the poor little might is needing some help to get this thing right.

So I ordered him a Baby Bjorn potty. Cost me a good $45 (included delivery), but hey if it means my boy is going to move onto the next stage and be TT, so be it. $45 well spent in my eyes.

So we have now graduated to no day nappies unless we go into town... although I have been thinking of taking the potty with us. We own a van and he can sit in there comfortabley if he needs to go ;) We're never out for too long, so I think I might put that idea in to practice from now on.

Nights - well nights are still nappy times. BUT we can get away with just using a day nappy, because he is so keen to use his potty before bed and when he gets up!

In all honesty it is a bitter sweet moment in my life as a Mum. I would so dearly love another child, but when B was born I had my tubes cut & cauterised. Not a high chance of a reversal working, and even though DH didn't agree with my having my tubes dona and would love another child... he has said no to a reversal or IVF :( So yeah, no more babes, no more nappies... but the start of another chapter in my life as a Mum.

Long overdue post!

2009-05-03T15:33:00.002+10:00

Hello world! Long time no write - long time no time!

Well life is putting alone slowly atm, so many things have been going on in the life of Miss Cinders it aint funny!

We've had an aweful week this week around here. But hopefully things are going to start sorting themselves out.
My washing machine packed it in on me! Darn thing! Thankfully my local Mr Retravision Man put me onto a local Mr Fixit, who fixed it for a very small amount compared to what it should have cost :)

My lovely sister is pregnant again! We all knew this day would come LOL She has to keep up with me, or go one better... which she has informed everyone she is doing! LOL Sis has troubles having uneven amounts of kids, so #6 will be coming sometime after #5 who has taken up residence in her womb atm. Congrats to her, and a very long and uneventful pregnancy is wished for her xo

My baby has now graduated to a fully fledged toddler :( Mstr B turned 4 at the end of March. And this week has finally clicked to not wearing a nappy of a day. My last baby is growing up. I'm so desperately sad we will no longer have gorgeous MCN hanging on the line - but moreso that I can't call him my baby boy anymore. He is a toddler now, who is becoming more independant every day. Who needs to know the answer for everything - who needs to know what everything is - who says "I can do it myself Mummy". I guess at least he still crawls into my bed and snuggles up with his Mummy every night, and says he loves me as he is drifting back off to sleep.

My beautiful big children still amaze me every day. Mstr 14 came first again in the school cross country. The kid has a gift - unending amounts of energy! Miss 12 came 7th in her cross country. She's seriously not impressed she missed out on zone by one spot LOL Mstr 11 has started to excel at school. A nasty bully leaving this year, has opened the door to my Mstr 11 making some much needed friends :) Miss 6... well Miss 6 is still as unique as the day she joined us Earthside. Just when you think she's down and out, she pokes her head up and takes a deep breath. Nobody sees the world quite the same way as Miss 6 - it's all a new adventure to her, with unlimited possibilities.

Health wise we are going well. Mstr B was given the all clear for Coeliacs in January! YAY!! He is suffering from Silent Reflux which has bought on problems which are very similar to Coeliacs. He has also been dealt with oesophogitis due to the reflux being untreated. Since starting his meds of Losec 20mg once a day, our boy has made a huge turnaround with food, and his bowels... in general in himself. It's wonderful to see him so happy again.

Cinderella's Stash is nearly 6 months old already! The Great Down Under Nappy Hunt was a fabulous experience to be a part of. I learnt alot being on the 'other side'. I totally enjoyed 'meeting' some of my customers on a more personal level through some very frustrated emails looking for my icon LOL In the end they all forgave me for being a terrible sponsor for making them think too hard LOL We have grown some in the past nearly 6 months. I've introduced more fabulous WAHP items to the store, with more yet to come in the coming months. I feel very privilidged to have the chance to show the world what these Aussie Mums & Dads can create!!

Another reason for my lack of posts and emails over the past few months is Harriette my old computer.... Harriette gave me a good 4 years of service, but unfortunately couldn't keep up to my demands on her, so has been replaced by my new laptop Harmony. I am in the process of moving things over manullay from Harriette - although the email program in Harriette died fully before I could retrieve my emails from her. I swear I need an email program made to stand being used by me! They all hate me!! So it's all good, Harmony is on the job now. Emails are back in action, and so far (touch wood) no issues!!

Anyway I'll leave it there, I have an order to pack before I make a start on dinner!!

Miss Cinders xo

Cinders Stash Stocking!!

2009-03-28T16:58:00.001+11:00

I have just finished uploading the last product pics, and put everything live ready for purchase!

We have restocked our fabulous Bits for Bots wipes, Handmade Library Bags and Breast Pads by maz-a-licious & Twinkle Lily.

And are proud to have TwinkleLily Mumma Pads & WriggleBumz AI2 nappies debut in store today!

WriggleyBumz are exclusively available through Cnderella's Stash. These nappies are a fabulous trim, quick drying AI2.

Dragonfly Magik nappies also debut in store this week.. there are only a couple left, so be quick if you are after some!

http://www.cinderellas-stash.com.au

Nothing to say really

2009-02-18T14:29:00.002+11:00

But figured I should write something, my blog has been neglected for so long.

Well should I say put something.

This pretty much sums up my life for the past bit.... haven't blogged cause I don't wanna whinge.

The day gets closer

2009-01-22T23:46:00.002+11:00

Oh my golly gosh I'm not looking forward to Tuesday, the day we leave for Sydney.

I booked our train tickets today, Ronald McDonald House is organised, all I have to do now is ring up on Saturday to say yes we are coming.

DH and I have talked massively over the past week. He has come around to the fact we have to do this. We've had some reactions in the past 2 weeks or so, and DH knows this is the only way.

I've started to talk to B, and he is okay with seeing the special Dr as long as we go on the train LOL Gotta love the mind of a 3yo.

So we are all set and ready to go.

The Stash - Library Bags

2009-01-15T12:39:00.004+11:00

More Library Bags are on there way for the Cinderella's Stash store! A sneak preview of what is in the mail on their way to me :)

"Look Mum, there is a snake in your garden..."

2009-01-15T12:27:00.003+11:00

Says Mastr 3 this morning while playing in kids space (there is a sliding door to outside you can see all along the back of the house).

I walked towards the door to have a look and he jump in front of the door and said "No Mum! You can't go out there".

Me: "I can't see one"
BJ: "The dog seen it too"
Me: "well she isn't barking and I can't see her either"

Not even a second after I said that dog starts giong crazy at the other side of the house and Mstr 13 yells out there is a brown in my side garden! He would have rode his bike over it if the dog hadn't started barking!

Bloody hell!

So it seems the workmen tearing our road apart atm have stirred the snakes up, which have made them decide the house is a 'safe ground". So snake was last seen going through the gaps in the bricks of the house in my side garden. Great *sigh*.

And now DH and boys have gone on their annual camping trip!

I'm scared to go into the laundry (which is where Mstr3 seen it outside of) because of the gap under that door. The laundry is full of washing because I have no water to wash, and the cat is still asleep in there from last night (lazy wench!)

So fingers crossed snake goes on a feeding frenzy of rats while in the bricks, and doesn't find it's way into my house.... must find out where DS put the snake bandage out of his school bag before they left...

Time out

2009-01-09T11:15:00.004+11:00

"Howdy doodly there neighbour!" LOL as good old Ned Flanders would say.

Long time no post! Well it's been afew weeks huh.

Have been having a little bit of time out from the net for the past near month or so, my family has needed some much needed attention. Not going into details, but I think we are on the brighter side of it now :)

So I need to get in some catching up!!

Christmas... Oh wow what a day! I spent the better part of the week before running around like a crazy woman preparing for my kids 3 hours of mayhem opening presents. A whole week of stress for a meezely 3 hours LOL I'm a sucker for punishment!

Anyway we had a pretty good day. The kids had a ball playing with all their new toys. DD6 & DS3 got their very first bikes. DDs had a must have item of a basket attached, and DSs is one of the little 30cm ones with the movie Cars pictures plastered all over it. DS is a major rev head so he is just stoked! DD loves the fact she has a place to shove her dollies while she rides LOL DS's fave toys by far though, were his trucks that cost me a smidgey $2 each. All he wanted was a Tonka cement truck, steam roller, escavator & bull dozer. Unfortunately there is NOWHERE hat sells proper Tonka anymore! I couldn't beleive it!! So thanks to one of the $2 shops I discovered the VERY budget plastic version. DS is stoked! He got the exact trucks he wished for!

Big kids were spoilt rotton too. DS10 got a golf bag & clubs so he can play with his dad, DD12 got an iPod Nano (I've learnt alot about those darn things from that shopping trip!), and DS13 got an awesome you beaut train set. And as a combined present they all got a AFX racing car set (to add to a set we already have), and an xBox 360 console and games.

Christmas cost quite abit, and that's puting it nicely. But we did what we were supposed to do, and all of Mr Ruds money has gone back into the economy... well most of it. We only bought quality (apart from DS3's cheapy trucks), so everything will be around for a long time, and be able to be passed down to a younger child. One of my main things was to buy things that were quality and WOULD last a very long time. So I completely failed at a Christmas consumption challenge, but also in a way passed it as I looked for items that would be around a long time AND be able to be passed down as one outgrew.

The Cinderella's Stash store. Well all's quiet there. I haven't been about in the cloth community since having time out, so no promoting the store at all. Hopefully once the nappies are added things will start moving along. That should be within the next month, just awaitng an email atm, and then the ball should get rolling. I am way behind in the nappies due to my family needing my attention. So hopefully now I'm back on track nappies will be in store really soon. Just a reminder though, we have awesome Library Bags in stock for back to school.... we own 3 of them ourselves in our house (that's how I found the lovely M who makes them), and they last! We've had ours for close to 12 months now, and there is years left in them!

DS3 is booked in for his scope test. As some of you know DS is suspected as having coeliacs disease, and the only conclusive way to test is via a scope being put down his throat to have a look see at his villi (they line the intestine), to see if they are flat, or raised (as they should be if he isn't coeliacs). Since starting back on a normal diet back in October things have been pretty good. His poo's are mostly near normal... although he doesn't drink like he should. But his behaviour is shocking, as is his sleep. And he complains of a sore tummy quite abit. His weight gain is still pretty good, and he is near the 50th percentile now, which is great! So the 28th of this month is the test *gulp* DH isn't keen on it AT ALL. He knows I am going ahead with it. He feels they will find nothing and it will be a waste of time. But even if they find him to be non coeliacs, at least we will have a clean bill of health and know where we stand. DHs main concern is DS being put under for this test. And I sooo understand his fear of that, shit it freaks me out too. But it has to be done, as this test will mean changes to DSs eating habits for the rest of his life if it is a positive result, and it will mean him feeling soooo much better with a diet change if he is coeliacs. The change in him was incredible when we had him on the Gluten Free diet. So either way, we will be looking at our families diet and changing alot of it. The kids are not going to be happy!

Okay that's all I can think of right now. I'm not going over to edit, as goodness me it'd take ages. I have some catching up to do, so off to do that.

Brightest Blessings xo

The NEW story about Melamine

2008-12-01T09:53:00.003+11:00

Follow the link and tell me what you think.

90 Percent of U.S. Infant Formula May Be Contaminated with Melamine; FDA Abruptly Declares Chemical Safe for Babies

Doesn't it make you want to feed it to them (the money hungry *insert nasty name*) as their only source of food... I know I'd love to.

Three Week Pre Christmas Challenge.

2008-11-30T11:06:00.002+11:00

OKay not long to go until the jolly fat man graced my children with presents again.

So in preperation I am having a 3 week pre-Christmas challenge. Minimise & recycle as much as possible.

I'd love to cut everything we own by 50% because honestly we don't 'need' it all. But I know that ain't gonna happen. So maybe I need to just give it a good go at cutting as much as I can.

So this week, clothes and shoes. I know I did this at the begining of the year, but with a family of 7 we need to do it again! We've had tonnes of hand me down clothes given to us in the past 8 months or so without having a good cleanout each time, so I guess that is first on my list! And everyone is growing out of their shoes! OMG these kids are growing quicker than I can blink, so shoes are on the out too!

So I have until today week to have challenge one done. Wish me luck!

New Stock!

2008-11-29T13:16:00.004+11:00

Just a note to say PUL backed bamboo fleece boosters for our Jade Lady pads are now in stock! Jade Lady pads are made without a waterproof layer of PUL making them one of the most breathable pads on the market. Alot of Ladies prefer their pads to have a layer of PUL for piece of mind and added protection. So Thankyou to the fantastic talents of the wonderful Obsi, we now have the option of PUL backed boosters for these wonderful pads.

Not only that! But we are now a stockist of the very discrete Labinni™ interlabial pads from Obsidian Star. We are stockists of three of the Labinni™ range.. the Leaf, Original & the RollUp. All with their own unique advantages. The Labinni™ pad is great for those with a heavy flow who need extra protection. You simply place the Labinni™ pad between your labia, teamed with a pad they offer great protection. For those of us with a heavy flow during the night, these are a must have for your stash!

*The Labinni™ name is used with permission here, and on the Cinderella's Stash store site*

A very public apology. Nicky.

2008-11-25T21:54:00.003+11:00

I was wrong to go off like I did. I was wrong not to get in touch and tell you how hurtful that post was. I shouldn't have blurted it out like I did, it was wrong and I'm sorry.

I haven't read any of the emails or PMs . Maybe I should have. Instead I deleted them when I found them. I'm sorry, I should have read them, you have a right to your say.

I know you would have had a reason for saying what you did. Who wouldn't be excited about that. Holey shit that's like national! I'm a selfish bitch, and I know it.

I miss our friendship so much. You're one of the people that makes me laugh my guts wobbley. Seriously your a twit sometimes and it cacks me.

I miss having a bitch about the stupidity of others, and being able to get stuff off my chest knowing I won't be judged. You know so much and you never once have ever told me I'm stupid for making the decisions I have. You have respected my decisions, and supported me when things have ended up being fucked from them.

I miss having you in my life. You're one of my best mates and I'm so sorry with all my heart.

I hope I haven't ruined any chance of things being like they should be.

xo

Yarn Porn

2008-11-25T20:00:00.003+11:00

What can I say... the girl needs to be beaten senseless LOL
She knows why, and I'll leave it at that....
Well no I won't... Guru it will be finalised asap, and you are a very naughty girl. You're lucky I don't fly over there on my broom and beat you LMAO
But Thankyou :) You made my day.... I needed a smile.
Tell Abby she's not innocent either! LOL

Look what turned up in my letterbox yesterday! *drool*
I just can't stop looking at it. I love JollyJumbuck yarn, anyone that knows me knows that. Guru makes the only line of colourways I can say I like every single one of.... and that's saying something cause I'm a real picky bitch LOL But this was just *sigh* awesome to open up yesterday... I've been going back to pat it all day.

"Cinderella" colourway on Venus. Sooo soft.

"Poseidon's Paradise" on Phoebe.
This is one of my fave yarns, so beautiful to use.

"Sandry" on Zeus. This is a Limited Edition.
And I have to say, a bloody awesome colourway. I love it.

And check this out..."Vivid" on Casbah Sock yarn.
This is a OOAK and just delicious.

I leave you all to drool in peace now.

It's official

2008-11-25T13:40:00.003+11:00

I took the quizz and it's official. I am TOTALLY addicts to cloth.
Why does that not surprise me LOL

My Category: Hopelessly Addicted to Cloth
-= click here to take =-

And just to add to this post... We needed more nappies for Benji, I'm not supposed to buy any nappies anymore. But I've found some of mine really have had their day. So a bargain on ebay from Baby Beehinds, and 3 bonus frebie booster too!!!. Thanks Davina, right in the nick of time :)
I don't own any MagicAlls yet, so I'm rather excited about finally getting to try them.

More Minti

2008-11-25T10:45:00.003+11:00

In yet another thing LOL

Head Wrap W.I.P.

2008-11-25T10:38:00.003+11:00

Love this pattern, very easy, but of course I have mistakes LOL First time, and I suck at knitting LOL

Yarn from the The Yarn Cafe Mulberry colourway.

Where's Minti?

2008-11-22T21:47:00.002+11:00

I have no idea who reads my blog these days LOL I know Irene does (she is the dye guru from the west), and Nicky (she makes our fave cloth nappies)... and I know my soul twin Patric does too when she is well enough..... but apart from them, no bloody idea who reads. So if you don't know Minti, you soon will :)

It's been ages since I posted any pics of Minti my feline family member (possibley the last time was on my old blog). She's just turned one and I *think* she's going to be a Mum. The little minx has been on heat on and off for the past 4 months, and we have kept her inside all that time (not fun for a cat who loves to play with the canine family members!). Well she escaped on Wednesday and she has settled down and is very quiet now. She's not been back on at all. Usually when she escapes for all of 2 seconds or nearly escapes it triggers her off. Well she escaped for an afternoon, and now she is very happy just to hang about the house.... I'm thinking I'm going to be a grandma.

I took these piccies today when she went missing... I found her playing with the kids. Well.. she had been playing with the kids and got tired LOL She loves sleeping in containers & boxes!

Doesn't she look so sweet :)

FO - Raff's Shorties

2008-11-22T21:23:00.003+11:00

Thought I'd show off the finished product of Rafferty's woolies. They were to be capri's, but time is of the essence... the kid is growing fast!

So here they are, the FO :)

Susanne's House of Wool... just gorgeous!

Cinder's Stash is finally LIVE!

2008-11-14T00:27:00.003+11:00

We are live baby!!

Click on the logo to go shopping!

Thanks to all the wonderful people who have helped me so much with this :)

*ETA* OMG I am soo nervous LOL It's 1.28am, it's been live for about 1 hour already.... I really need to go to bed as I have to see to my beautiful children in the very near morning. But OMGoodness I'm so excited and nervoous right now I don't think I could sleep! ROFL

Big trouble in Cindertown...

2008-11-07T17:06:00.002+11:00

Well that was the message when I got home from work.

It appears there is an issue with the store site. I'll know more tonight when I talk to the I.T guy who is installing some mods for me.

Looks like opening this weekend may not happen.

Why do I see this as a sign?

2009 ANN Calendar.

2008-11-05T18:21:00.003+11:00

Australian Nappy Network 2009 Calendar is finally ready to order!!

Congratulations to all the Mums and Dads who have bragging rights on the pics of their kids!
From what I've seen, some Parents are very creative with a camera!

Overdue post blush

2008-11-01T11:26:00.003+11:00

I've been a busy little Cinders the past few days, between the site, work & being a Mum. So here is a quick catch up....

BJ has been a sick little boy, he's come down with yet another bug. This time a nasty chesty cough. Not great when you are 3 and Mum has to go out to work :( He is still going 'okay' being on a normal diet.... I will do a update on that during the week.

The cat is on heat again *sigh* I wish $150 would fall out of the sky so I could get her desexed. She's now taken to peeing everywhere when she is on. Last night she peed on DD's picture she did at kindy. Thankfully she had put it in a plastic slip and it was saved from the bin. DH is NOT impressed and Minti is banished into the laundry until further notice.

Went and seen the deputy Principal at the high school yesterday about bullying in the classroom. Spoke to Mr K, who I have to agree with the kids, is a totalyy ass. They guy likes the sound of his own voice and told me he is sure DS is making a mountain out of a molehill because it is girls who are the main offenders! How frickin dare he! Yes I did stop him right there, and explained to him that girls are usually more vicious than boys. He seems to feel physical abuse is worse that verbal/mental abuse. So he told me to get DS to see him first thing Monday morning.... what the ass doesn't know is I will be going with DS. If this gets fobbed off I will be taking it higher than just the school administration.

Cinderella's Stash is opening next weekend! I have some I.T work being done sometime during the week to tweak what needs to be done, and then we are set. I decided to pay someone to do it for me, that way it's on them if it buggers up. And my wonderful friends who werre going to do it can concentrate on their busy scheduals :)

Okay have to go, hayfever has mellowed enough, and I have to get back to cleaning the bathroom.

Oh yeah, hayfever is back GRRRR!

Casualties of war.

2008-10-14T14:05:00.003+11:00

DH and I had a discussion this morning about the whole "war on terror" thing happening. And it makes me so sad to know that so many civilians, who have done nothing wrong, are dead because of it.

Last night on Enough Rope with Andrew Denton, there was a interview with Imran Khan (Read the transcript HERE).

To quote Imran: The estimates are that anything up to a million people have died and what he has done is has he made the world a safer place?

I could never ever imagine being an ordinary person, living an ordinary life, doing ordinary things, when bang.

All gone.... My kids, my husband, my home.

Imran is right, what has this 'war on terror' really achieved? Pissing off people who had nothing to do with the 911 incidents... taken Mums and Dads away from their kids to send them off to war.... not to mention it has killed up to 1 million innocent people....

Aren't I lucky to live where I do. I know my babies are going to come home from school, I know I am drinking clean water, I know I am more important than some rich prick wanting more oil.

I hear all the hoo har about these 'war criminals' being held accountable for their actions... well I think some people closer to home are equally as guilty and should be held responsible for their actions.

Coeliacs Disease - BJ's Update. Day 10

2008-10-10T15:18:00.003+11:00

Today marks day 10 for BJ being back on a normal diet. It's been abit of up and down really. Day 1 bought with it a poo in every nappy change, bad behaviour, and a very distressed little man. Poor bugger felt like crap and didn't know why.

The next few days left us with still a very misbehaved child, until I changed his bread to bread I made. Seems to have made a huge difference with his behaviour, he's still not 'himself' but much improved.

Poo's aren't too bad still, we've had a couple of megawoffers since yesterday, so I'm assuming it's starting to affect his digestive system even more now. His tummy is sore. He keeps telling me that, and keeps telling his tummy to stop being sore. Poor darlin.

I feel like a horrible Mother. The appointment isn't until December 6. So we've got a good 2 months of (my guess) his symptoms worsening. I know this is what needs to happen so the test does what it's supposed to do, but it's just so sad seeing my little man be distressed. He's not sleeping properly, he has had the most aweful nappy rash come on between changes.... hearing him cry in his sleep is the hardest.

I've talked to him about the 'yes' and 'no' foods. And he knows he just may have to go back to having alot of 'no' foods. He said that's okay cause I can cook him cake LOL Although he wants to keep having Weet Bix, and he also discovered the yumminess of Crunchy Nut Cornflakes this morning.... OMGoodness he devoured them in seconds! I'm going to include alot of GF in our diet still, thankfully we aren't a junk food family, and really only eat 3 meals a day.

Oh and sposies seriously aren't what they are cracked up to be by them companies! We had to use one last night because of this rash brought on by his poo's. And this morning BJ yells out that his wee wee was everywhere! Yep his bed was soaked! Mind you though, Mstr BJ didn't get up until 9.50AM!! Am still baffled at why he slept so late, he is usually up at about 6am.

Finally a pic of my new baby!!

2008-10-06T23:30:00.008+11:00

LOL Thought it was going to be yet another animal didn't ya! ROFL

I have to thank the fabulous Irene for being so in tune with my "I want" ESP without even knowing it!! She had no clue I was looking about trying to find one, when I happened apon some in her Jolly Jumbuck Yarn Collective Store. Woo Hoo! My saviour! So now I have my new baby to ball my yarn oh so much more quicker than doing it by hand.... not only that, I have willing helpers who WANT to ball for me!

The yarn pictured is nearly a pair of tester shorties for BJ. Fingers crossed it passes the toddler night wee test!

Along with my ball winder came a very unexpected gorgeous surprise.... YARN!!

Pheobe to be exact dyed in my very own colourway Cinderella. Oh gosh shucks LOL It was a pay back for getting Irene out of a pickle awhile back, and what a lovely surprise to find it hidden in the box with my winder. Wrapped in a OOAK artistic masterpiece by the Divine Miss M (which I have tucked away awaiting a frame).

And now a sneak peak..... ;)

Feeling Fabulous!

2008-10-04T11:45:00.002+10:00

How can I not say it! I have no idea why, but today I feel so damn good. I mean it can't be because I haven't been doing anything... all the housework is done minus 2 loads of washing. We are out of drinking water again, only a 2lt left in the fridge, the car is still unregistered, Cinderella's Stash still isn't open, and BJ is feral since going back onto a Gluten filled diet. But OMGoodness I just feel fabulous today!

I have a B&B pair of capris on the hook calling my name. A fair few cords that really need to be done. So I think once I *hopefully* get BJ down for a nap, I'll get onto them and hopefully have the body of the capris finished by bedtime tonight.

Six days left until the auction of the house. The R.E had their last farm tour this morning. Geez I hope he is telling the truth about the people that have viewed the house don't want to live in either of them. Cinderella's Stash & the damn car have sucked us dry, we're so bloody broke right now, I don't know how we would move if we had to.

On a bright not, my cousin Jenny had a beatiful baby girl. Weighing in a healthy 9lbs! Our family is known for the healthy weights of our babies, obviously she is no exception LOL

OKay I've been cruising Ravely, and now I have blooged, so I'd best make my way out to be a good Mummy and feed my ferals their lunch!

Happy Saturday Peoples!!

What do you get when you cross nappies, a clothes line, and an Eastern Brown?

2008-10-02T11:55:00.002+10:00

One 3 year old and one 32 year old shitting themselves!

Yep that was me and BJ while hanging nappies this morning. All I can say is thank the Goddess BJ was sitting on the outdoor chair not running around like he normally is. I have NEVER seen a snake as big as this one (and I've seen more than enough snakes in my lifetiime).

We were having a good old chat yesterday afternoon while watering the garden what do we do if we see a snake. I said "we play statues". BJ was gung ho that we "run to dad!". He just didn't get we act like statues.

So this morning when he screamed (snake was about 4ft away) I thought the bug he was tracking on his chair had flown at him, until my dogs both bounced into action (for the second time in two days). And there he was, one woppin big (about 6ft) Eastern Brown. I instantly thought "stay still" and then realised BJ was still screaming and bouncing on his chair totally freaking out. So I had to do the stupid thing and take my eyes off the snake to grab BJ who had gripped the chair so tight I lifted it with him!

So yesterday it was a Tiger out the back at the tanks, and this morning it was one frickin huge Eastern Brown at my clothes line. Kids are now banned from outside until further notice. And I have to seriously try to teach the young ones to play statues if they ever come across one when they are alone!

Cinderella's Stash!

2008-09-30T19:36:00.003+10:00

An update for those who give a toss LOL

The store is starting to look mighty fine! Thankyou to everyone who has helped me out so far on this venture, I appreciate all the advice, all the hands on help, and all the support. Especially my sister who gave me hours of her time when she could have been recovering from a day with her 4 little ones! My sister suffers with Lupus and was having a flare on this particular day.

I might give a sneak peek to some products we will be selling in the next couple of weeks... only if you are lucky though LOL

OKay I have sat long enough, kids to get ready for bed and more work to be done. No rest for the wicked!

Beautiful Children

2008-09-30T19:13:00.004+10:00

I go to bed every night thinking how lucky I am. I have 5 of the most wonderful kids anybody could want. I get told "I love you" so many times in one day (well by the younger ones!) I think sometimes enough times for 4 Mums! The make me smile in so many ways every day.

And today was no different. Look at the surprise my kids gave me today. Aren't they just beautiful :) And guess what...... they all came out of my garden! (for all that know me, know I am a black thumb, death to all plants LOL).

The flowers were actually fitting atm. Sunday marked one year since my very last breastfeed with BJ. One whole year. My little man was 30 months old when we stopped. I have to say it had alot to do with being pressured to do so. Some people have no idea about natures way.

But in a way it was a good thing. BJ moved into his own room once we moved to this new house 6 days later, and he has become alot more independant since then. Don't get me wrong, he still follows me around like a bad smell LOL But he does let go now, and plays quite happily in another room, or out the back with the older kids. My goodness he is growing up!

Tomorrow is yet another 'start' of something. October 1st is the first day of BJ going back onto a normal diet in preperation for his coeliac test in December. He has to eat 'normal' food for at least 6 weeks prior so his villi (they're in your intestines!) show if there is damage or not. If there is we have a positive on the coeliacs, and a lifetime of the gluten free diet. If not and we still have issues, we have to look at other things. I wonder how the 'normal' food is going to go. He has already planned vita brits for breakfast! Jumping in at the deep end this kid!

I'm honestly wishing I has some disposables arouond, because OMGoodness his bottom end gets abit busy. And rinsing pooy nappy after pooy nappy gets abit eww after the first horrific one!

No regrets?

2008-09-23T10:15:00.002+10:00

Can you honestly say if you died tomorrow (touch wood) that you can say you have no regrets, no unfinished business??

DH has been on my case. Specifically about my "Dad" (now I use that term loosely).

Bob has met my oldest 3 kids about 10 years ago to be exact. They were 8 months, 2yrs & 3yrs old. They are now 13, 12 & nearly 10. I haven't spoken to him since 2001 when I lost my Baby through miscarriage. This is mostly MY choice. The lack of compassion from him was the icing on the cake from years of bullshit us kids put up with from hm.

Now DH is on my case to ring him. He says I will never forgive myself if Bob died and I didn't try to have a relationship with him, or give the kids the opportunity to know him. Yeah fair enough. BUT I'm really not going to go through the whole kids being pawns shit again. All I heard that one visit with my kids when a photo was taken was "show your Mother that one". I mean come on, SHE seen the kids all the time. Why TF would it make her jealous? This is the type of man he is. Us kids aren't the pawns anymore, the grandkids are *shakes head*.

Should I?

I feel like I'd only be opening myself up for yet another blow. Because that's just simply how he works.

Sept 08 GDUNH

2008-09-23T09:48:00.003+10:00

So I've been hunting when I get the time, and I admit it (as I have done before) I SUCK at hunting for that damn icon! LMAO

I don't know if it's because I am just plain impatient and don't look long or hard enough. Or the simple fact I am not the 'finding' type... we all know I can't find anything with Google LOL

So then I wonder if the few people who have visited my blog searching for hints to icons (yes I know you have been) have the idea. Yeah I can't find jack with Google, but maybe the nappy hunt might be different.. maybe these people know something I don't...

Well I know something they are sure to find out when they read my blog...
you won't find any hints here LOL

flickr Friday - Nappies!

2008-09-21T08:47:00.002+10:00

Yep on a Sunday LOL

After a hilarious discussion with my youngest last night over his "look at my fancy bottom" comment (LOL I'll fill you in later) I decided nappies should be the subject.

1. 25.06.08 - Sliding, Phoebe style!, 2. pretty bumwear, 3. IMG_7859, 4. Heath, 5. IMG_5615, 6. 3 One-Size Fitted Cloth Diapers, 7. B/W Terry Towelling Nappies, 8. Not available, 9. IMG_9535

Rafferty's Capri's

2008-09-19T17:07:00.004+10:00

My sister is in need of some capri's for my nephew. So we're doing a swap... I'll make him a pair of capri's for her microwave cupboard she doesn't want and I need!

The yarn is from Susannes House of Wool, and is colourway #107 (not sure of name atm), and it's the most gorgeous soft Aran weight New Zealand yarn. I have quite afew projects done in this yarn from Susanne... I really need to take some pics and show them off. Susanne's yarn crochets up just as gorgeous as it knits up.

Would you have an affair?

2008-09-19T17:07:00.003+10:00

Through one of the forums I frequent I have discovered that some people just have no conscience at all. A recent thread reads about a woman who has been having an affair for 5 years.. 5 YEARS!! Apparently she works with her 'bit on the side' who is a very contriolling person, and her husband is a great bloke.... hmmm makes you wonder what goes through some peoples heads.

I have NEVER EVER thought of screwing around behind my DH back. I just couldn't! It's like the most hugest of sins to do something like that.

I've seen what can happen through someone having an affair, and it's not a nice situation.. it was actually quite dangerous.

Now do these selfish people who have affairs think about what could happen from their actions? Or do they just think with their dumb sticks & fluffy maps? I just can't fathom WTF goes through thier minds.... I mean seriously, the mind boggles doesn't it.

Take the above situation, this woman has kids to her "great" husband. She has a sexual relationship with him, she can't praise him enough! BUT she goes out with her fluffy map to play with another guys dumb stick (who apparently is also married!)..... is there a chemical imbalance with these people?? Have they no morals? Am I missing something????

Anyhoo just thinking out loud here.... I can't get my head around a person in a perfectly fine marriage, with a perfectly fine partner sleeping with someone else....

The morning after...

2008-09-14T07:29:00.001+10:00

Well Broosie survived the night with mental case Minti in the laundry.
He slept in a box, and she slept on the window sill.
He didn't cry much last night, only twice I think.
I ignored it and he nodded off with a couple of minutes (can tell I'm a Mother of five LOL).

The kids made him a bed in a big box from aldi, and he got the picture that was his
By the time I went to bed, he'd gone into the laundry and put himself to bed.
Has been drinking and eating fabulous.... and shittin & peeing too!

I think we will be a little sad to see him go, but I'm fine with the puppy business walking out the door.
Yeah they're cute, but far out they're a handful LOL

Sista is going to have lots of fun 'saving' it from her little kids LOL

Meet Bruce!

2008-09-13T17:28:00.002+10:00

I picked up my sisters new baby today. Meet Bruce (named after Bruce Springsteen).
Isn't he just gorgeous!

Lucky me is babysitting tonight *does happy dance*

Minti wants to smooch him, Fry wants to eat him, and Pickle thinks he's a toy!
DH said "NO!" to my request for a bruce of my own LMAO

flickr Friday - Music

2008-09-13T10:27:00.003+10:00

This week I'm going on with flickr Friday as Kate just doesn't have the time atm. Now I know it's Saturday LOL Friday ended up a little hectic time wise

SO this week I chose Music! I love music, I've always got it on in my house. My kids are following in my footstep in loving it as well... so what better subject!

1. female guitar, 2. Tango 2, 3. Not available, 4. hug, 5. Music = Love, 6. Musique, 7. Disco.JPG, 8. “Any problem you can't solve with a good guitar is either unsolvable or isn't a problem.”, 9. roisin murphy @ pinkpop 2008

I use Compfight to find my pics & fd's flickr Toys mosaic maker to make my mosaic.

To play along, just make your mosaic, come back and leave a link by leaving a comment!

Hormonal wench, frizzy hair, and the case of the missing tooth!

2008-09-12T17:38:00.002+10:00

Oh my lordy what a week! I tell ya I have such a non boring life, there is always something going on somewhere in it. It totally drives me insane!!

I started feeling abit 'off' last week. The whole 'I'm losing my mind' thing again. My hair has gone frickin scarey again like a frizzy afro which happens to be half way down my back. My pimples are trying to return, and I'm just a horrible person to be around. Now the day I noticed the frizzy hair again I though "ahhhh I bet my thyroid is playin silly buggers again", so I went and made good with the blood test referal I had been saving for the next time I felt like crap.

Well I got a phone call yesterday, Dr wants to see me again because things just aren't right (like I already didn't know). I already know what it is, I already know I have some kind of auto immune disease (but which one is still undecided by them apparently). Hashimoto's thyroiditis I think is what they call it. The scan said it, the tests have said it, but they just haven't treated it. Maybe now they will. Gawd I hope so, I hate being a fruit loop like this!

As for the missing tooth LOL OMG you know it's bad when you're eating dinner and you discover that blasted tooth that's been giving you hell has disappeared! LOL That's what happened to me the other night. Have no idea where it went, or how it got there. All I know is it's gone out of my mouth and I feel great now! ROFL Chocolate is sooo much easier to eat now!

Have yo go feral kids want food!!

Moving House

2008-09-10T19:39:00.002+10:00

I'm not sure if I've mentoned it here on my blog, but we are moving house again *sigh*

The house we moved 500kms to live in is being sold. Well actually the whole 99ha + 2 houses is being sold. We've been told we shouldn't worry, an investor is more than likely going to buy it. But with 5 kids to keep a roof over, and not to forget our beautiful furry family members, we can't sit around and wait for them to give us notice. So we're on the move in the future.

Honestly, not good timing. So much is going on, the kids don't want to move school again. But if we don't get somwhere close, the little ones will have to move to the bigger public school in town.

On the MUCH brighter side... my house is looking mighty fine, all tidy and clean ready for whenever the real estate wants to bring anyone through (which is supposed to be twice a week, but already has been turned into 3 days!!).

I had a thought to let the kids run feral through the Staurday when they bring people through, but then I though if these people are my new landlord, maybe I don't want to P in their pocket... they have my roof in their pocket too.

I don't know what is going to happen, or where we will end up, but the universe is playing some seriously not funny jokes on me throwing this my way!!