His girlfriend stayed again last night. Interesting situation. Her parents don't know about the relationship yet. But I am not getting too involved. She stayed Friday night too. Don't know what she has told her parents. But they are not Sleeping together (s e x) yet. He has told me that under my roof, it is my rules and those rules state no naughties.

Had a lingerie party on Friday night which turned out well. I received 4 items for $67, and the bra I wanted cost $69 so I came out ahead.

Nothing much else is happening. Life is good. I am finally getting sick  I think. Bit phlegmmy this morning, but I will take some stuff and hopefully not end up with it. We'll see.

Enjoy your days.

A few of us have been sick, but all getting clear. Hubby is the only one left to get over it. Work has been great.

Kids are on holidays as of the end of the week, and it will be really noticeable now that both of us are working all week. So Brad has the 2nd week off, and mum will have Connor and Alex for Sun - Wed. Then Connor will be going to vacation care at the centre that I work. I think he is more excited about that than going to mums.

They will be going to the movies, and Mum has promised Connor a train ride cause he wants to go on a train. So mum asked me where to, and I said it didn't matter as long as it is by train. So don't know where she will take them.

Hope everyone is well.

Cheers Leisa

A group of children were playing near two railway tracks, one still in use while the other unused. Only one child played on the unused track, the rest on the operational track.

The train is coming, and you are just beside the track interchange. You can make the train change its course to the unused track and save most of the kids. However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the unused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go its way?

Let's take a pause to think what kind of decision we could make........ ........


Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice only one child. You might think the same way, I guess. Exactly, to save most of the children at the expense of only one child was rational decision most people would make, morally and emotionally. But, have you ever thought that the child choosing to play on the unused track had in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place?

Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends who chose to play where the danger was. This kind of dilemma happens around us everyday. In the office, community, in politics and especially in a democratic society, the minority is often sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or ignorant the majority are, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the minority are. The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track was sidelined. And in the case he was sacrificed, no one would shed a tear for him.

The great critic Leo Velski Julian who told the story said he would not try to change the course of the train because he believed that the kids playing on the operational track should have known very well that track was still in use, and that they should have run away if they heard the train's sirens.. If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because he never thought the train could come over to that track! Moreover, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe. If the train was diverted to the track, we could put the lives of all passengers on board at stake! And in your attempt to save a few kids by sacrificing one child, you might end up sacrificing hundreds of people to save these few kids.

While we are all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need to be made, we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always be the right one.

'Remember that what's right isn't always popular... and what's popular isn't always right.'

Everybody makes mistakes; that's why they put erasers on pencils.

I found this this morning and was very impressed by it. So I had to post it.

Go to www.playbabble.com to have some fun!!

Work is going well. Kids are accepting the food I am preparing for them, although one or two are still stubborn and refuse. So I also refuse to make them something else. If it was a genuine problem with allergies or intolerances, or if the parents have told me that something really makes them hurl, then I will do something else. But when it is stubbornness and downright rudeness on their part - no.

Kids are doing ok, connor has a bit of a cold. It doesn't stop him from doing anything tho.

Better go look after hubby, mum and dad are coming for a visit with my nephew, so I might actually do a little cleanup too.

An ostrich's eye is bigger than it's brain.
(I know some people like that.)

Starfish don't have brains.
(I know some people like that, too)

Today Connor's class 2A and 1A are going on an excursion to Australia Zoo. He is so looking forward to it. He was up early as per the teachers instructions of get up early  and get ready because if you are not at school when the bus leaves, you miss out. The bus is going at 8.00am. So we definately have to be early.

Dave has had the school musical on last weekend. So he was busy doing his sound, lighting and backstage work. Didn't see much of him between Thursday and Sunday, and when he was here he was sleeping. But the musical was successful I hear so that is the important thing.

Alex hasn't been doing much, just reading a lot.

Brad is busy with work and his buying and selling fishing lures on ebay. He has almost got a full collection of a certain types so he is happy with that.

This week, I will be trying out come cooked food on the kids at work. Thursday they will be having Chicken Risotto. Hopefully they will like it. The babies have been having some homecooked meals the last couple of days. Last week when I made the chicken and gravy rolls up for the kids, I thought I would mush some up for the bubs. They loved it apparently and couldn't get it in quick enough. So between that and the vegies I cooked for them yesterday they are starting to get some home cooked into them.

Hope you all are having a great week, and that they days just get better.

He rang me at work today to say that he was having trouble walking, and could he come home. I figured if it was that bad you can go to the doctor. So I made an appointment at the docs, rang the school to authorise him to leave, and rang him to tell him the appt time. Of course the big baby didn't want to go on his own...are you gonna meet me there Mum?

OK so I got all the morning teas and lunches done, decided they could have biscuits for afternoon tea, and left to meet him there. The doc looked at it, sent him for xrays, got back and had to wait for the doc to come back from lunch, to find out THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH HIS FOOT!!!!!!!!!!

So that topped off a really shitty day. I didn't get much sleep last night as I am coughing terribly at the moment and it means I can't lie down. So I slept in the arm chair in the lounge room. Then Connor decides he doesn't want to go to school - tough luck bub - Alex has problems with his bike, but will ride alongside Dave so if there is a problem he can fix it. Left for work and to drop Connor off on the way, to get a phone call to say that Alex's bike is not ridable so he will walk to school but Dave will let them know he will be late. Now it is approx 5 kilometres to school, and this generally takes him and hour to walk it. Not happy. So I go back to the house to find out he hasn't even left yet, pick him up and drop him at the bus stop after scrounging for bus fare.

So hopefully with the cough medicine I have bought, I can convince myself that it is working, and stop coughing for long enough to get to sleep for a couple of hours. I will try anyway.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Panadol, sun lotion or a Band-Aid to a student but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant or wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

Also some silly person turned the freezer off at work, and the ham and the chicken had started to defrost. So I brought them home and made Quiches for tomorrow to have for lunch. 5 big quiches should do all the kids I think.

I should get my new kitchen starting from next week hopefully. They were ordering all the stuff today so it should start happening. I will be glad when they get it all done, cause it means I won't have to bring stuff home to cook up. And I will be able to offer so much more variety. So not only now do I get a new stove, cooktop, rangehood, dishwasher, microwave, they have now included at least one if not 2 new fridges. The one in the kitchen at the moment is failing, so I can't really keep anything really perishable in there. It froze my boiled eggs last week, also fruit frozen, and yet some other things in the fridge are not lasting.

Nothing else much has been happening at all. I can't beleive Sunday is Mother's Day already. That is just so not fair. The year is flying past again.So to all the Mums and Mums to be:

                      Have a very Happy Mother's Day and enjoy yourselves.

We are going to a park in the local area that has BBQ's and a big playground and lots of room to run around for the kids. Think this is so much better than having to clean the house and have people come over, or go to someone elses place, where the dogs jump up on you etc. So we just get the stuff together and go. If we don't get a table, mum and I reckon we will take a couple of blankets and have a picnic.

Well I better go get ready for work and get the kids moving to get dressed for school. 2 of the kids (one of mine and the ring-in) are still asleep, cause they didn't go to bed til late. About to get a rude shock let me tell you. Have a great day.

They want 3 tablecloths per day per table. That is 60 tablecloths.

Each classroom has a different colour scheme: Purple, pink, red, orange, blue. Each of those has 3 different shades of colour. One for each meal time (MT Lunch AT).

My wish is that they were all the same shape. No. That would be too easy. There are 24 rectangular tables and 12  shaped. The rectangular ones will be easy, but the others have a lot more work to them.

Oh well, better go and do some cutting out.

Later.

Then we went up to the patrolled beach for a swim. Connor and Alex went in the water while the rest of us sat on the beach. Dave decided to dig a hole, as boys are apt to do at the beach. Then with all the sand he was pulling out he decided to do a sand model of a car. Didn't do too bad a job either.

The wind was blowing a little too much, so after an hour, we went to sit in the shade in the park and get fish and chips for lunch. This was very nice. Kids played on the playground, and we just relaxed. By the time 2.30 came around, we decided to go. I had to do some shopping on the way home, so we needed to get back to Brissy before the shops shut. Mum and dad had to check into their hotel, and dad forgot to pack his shoes so they had to go shopping to buy him a new pair. They were going to the club for dinner so he needed shoes.

Came back, went shopping, got home and parked it for the afternoon. Just laid about, read the paper, relaxed. So i am a little tired now from the travelling and the sun, but it is a good tired. Had toasted sandwiches for dinner, cause Ididn't feel at all like cooking.

Yesterday Brad took the three kids to the tinny and tackle show. They had a great time, lots of 4wd cars, rock climbers, boats, fishing gear. Boy heaven. At least after I got home from netball I had a few hours of peace and quiet to myself.

Ready to tackle another week ahead. Hope you all enjoyed your weekend.

Sunday we are going to the Gold Coast for the day. It is hubbys birthday on Monday, and Mum and Dad will be going to the coast for a week, so we will all go down and spend the day at the coast, and then leave mum and dad there. Haven't been to the coast for a while, so will be good to get down there. Nothing like fresh fish and chips on the beach.

Last night we had our second Trivia Night at the High School. Not as good as the first one, and our table came in last. However we only had half the people at our table as last time. It was still fun though.

It was good to catch up with the girls from the school. I haven't seen them for about a month, so it was good to have a chat. Looking forward to going out to dinner next, tho I am not sure when that is. Soon I expect.

Anyway better go to work. Ciao.

My problem is that the kids know about this too. Today I was talking to my husband while he was doing some gardening. I turned around and there one was on the stake holding up the basil bush. I squealed and ran to the laundry as my husband is looking to find it. My eldest was down there helping out, and found it so then they had to kill it. Then they realised there were 2!!

So my lovely oldest son, reached in and grabbed then came running toward me with his hand held out. Of course I ran screaming upstairs, my heart pumping at a thousand mile an hour, skin crawling, while my lovely son is doubled up on the ground laughing his head off. Of course he didn't have one in his hand! The little stinker.

Later on this evening, as I was cooking dinner, I turned around and up on the wall was another one. It had flown in the window at some stage. So it started again. This time I was in the lounge room with the door closed while I hear calls for bug spray, thumps and bumps and "there it is". Steps getting closer as I head toward the other end of the lounge.

My youngest then decided he wanted to have a look and see what was happening. The next thing I know he is screaming and crying, hubby and middle son are laughing, as COnnor comes into the lounge saying it jumped on me. My heart stopped as I yelled where is it, to be told, through the laughter that it was thrown outside. It only got his pyjamas, but that is enough for me. Hubby had to finish getting dinner as I would not go in the kitchen.

And I have been checking every room I walk into as I go in. I am such a sook when it comes to these horrible creatures.

Not all parents read their letters so a lot have still been bringing lunchboxes. We heard from one child's father, after the 2nd day of him having  a full lunch box to take home that his mum had gone ballistic at him for not eating anything. Apparently wouldn't listen to the child either when he tried to explain that he had in fact eaten. The dad was then informed that we are now providing all food, and they don't have to bring food from home.

Most parents have really embraced the idea once they realise. I have had a couple come and see me about the amount of food, also one parent whose child has severe food issues and is autistic, as to ways to handle him and his lunch. But mum is gonna provide one of his special bowls from home for us to serve his food in. She is happy with most of the food we are providing and will give me a list of what he can't have.

Surprisingly there are very few food issue problems. I would have thought there would be more. I have a sesame allergy, vegemite allergy, egg white allergy,a possible gluten free and a lactose intolerant. Out of a centre with 80 kids on the big days that is pretty good ratio.

I do go to Aldi and buy bread, cause it is nice and fresh, cheap and close by. I bought some the other afternoon, and thought I will leave it in the car, as I go early the next day and it will be fine. Forgetting of course that I leave the window of my car open cause I hate getting into a stuffy car. Should have known better. Bloody possum got in the car and proceeded to nibble on my bread. At least it is a healthy possum and took the wholemeal. Bastard thing. This was after it attaacked my foccacia slabs on Monday morning. So I have to buy a box to put it all in.

The 3 hours they wanted me to work to get food ready has not worked, so next week I get 5 hours a day. Which is brilliant. But I have to go to Centrelink next week and see them about payments etc. That will be so much fun. NOT.

I am loving the new Minti. Logging on to compliments has to be a great way to start an internet session. So well done to the team for getting it up and running and also for changing the top toolbar to include groups for us lovely ladies.

Have a great weekend everyone.

I have a few adjustments to make tomorrow but that is easily done. So in all it was a good day.

My eldest is doing a Bicycle Mechanics course at TAFE with a friend of his and part of this course is they have to have experience working in the bicycle industry preferrably in a shop. Last week they went around to various shops in the area and a local bike shop asked them to come in on Saturday. If they could put a bike together to a reasonable standard he would take them both on. Well they did, and the guy was very happy with them.

They then ended up working today and have to go again tomorrow. They are not getting paid at the moment which suits them as they are getting experience. But David came home with 2 second hand tyres for his bike today and a few other bits and pieces. They are stoked. Considering that these particular tyres cost $80-$90 each new. And they are only a little worn so still usable. They will get paid eventually but even if it is in kind they are happy. They will also get a discount on anything they want to buy.

So not only do we have the friend staying here Wednesday night (they go to TAFE from here on Thursdays), he is also staying here as well if they have to go to work. So tonight I have an extra in the house again. I will start charging him board soon, I told him tonight. But he reckons he is my other son so he doesn't have to pay.

The pest man came today and sprayed the termites in Dave's Room. Thankfully they are only in that corner and just in the window sills and the trimming, so it is repairable. Dave came home from work and heard the little buggers in the wall, they don't like the spray I think. They have gone crazy. Hopefully they have stopped now and he can sleep in there.

Tomorrow, hubby is taking me to work and dropping me off so that he can do an oil change on my car. Hopefully this will stop the excessive amount of smoke that blows out of the muffler every morning. Only the mornings too mind you. Ever since I put a different oil in the car, it has done this, so I am going back to the other brand. Fingers crossed it fixes the problem without me having to take it in for major works on the engine.

Connor and Alex are going to the movies tomorrow with Mum, and Dave is working so Brad has the day to himself. That is why I have asked him to do the car. He is also going to buy himself a new mobile, as his is dying, the battery won't keep charge in it and doesn't receive all texts. Besides the fact that is a CDMA phone, so he will have to change eventually anyway and he doesn't need that much coverage anymore.

Anyway, they decided they would matchmake. The four of us went on a picnic. I was working at a seafood restaurant at the time and got a couple of kilos of fresh king prawns. We had a cask of wine for the girls and the boys had beer. We had a great time at the picnic and then went back to their place for the night.

Needless to say I was rather tanked after drinking most of the wine. A body massage, and a great night of s e x, was had. We continued to see each other then for a little while (about a month and a half) and I found out I was pregnant.

I told him, we went out for dinner, and he proposed. It was cool. We were married 4 months later. I once asked him what it was that attracted me to him, and he said it was my "who gives a fuck" attitude. Apparently I was splashing up the creek at the time.

We have been married for 17 years now. That is a little scary.

We have 3 beautiful boys and are looking at another 17 years at least.