Keren's Minti Blog

It's a GIRL!

Keren — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:28:02 -0700

Hi all

Just wanted to share with you our wonderful news that on 9 July 2009 our beautiful little girl Taylah Louise entered the world. She was 7 pound 1 ounce and 49.5 cms long. I was 6 days over and they induced me. All is well, she is a gorgeous little thing - yes I am biased of course! Such a surprise for me because I swore I was having another boy!

My son is a doting big brother and loves her to bits, we are just finding the middle ground at the moment with mummy having to share her time with both of them. Overall he has been really good but some days are a bit of a power-play struggle!

Waiting waiting waiting - One week til my due date

Keren — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:08:08 -0700

Ugghh I have to admit I have had enough. I want this baby out, I want the constant nausea and the vomiting to stop and most importantly I want to meet this special gift that has made me spend the last 35 weeks of my life with my head stuck in the toilet!

Unfortunately two weeks ago the maternity ward in Bourke closed indefinitely so I am about 400kms away in Dubbo playing the waiting game with my very active 3 year old while my husband has stayed home to work. The mental preparation for this hasn't been great. I know it is about safely having our baby delivered but I really just wish I was home with my hubby. I am very luck that my mum lives close to Dubbo so I at least I have some support and some where to stay as many others don't have that luxury and have to stick out the final days in a cramped motel room.

So the countdown is well and truly on, See the Dr again on Wednesday and I hope that they will agree to induce me on Friday or Monday if the baby hasn't arrived. I am physically and emotionally exhausted right now and at least by being induced I can make sure my hubby will be here to witness our second child come into the world. :-) Hope you will all hear from me soon!

Absolute Tragedy in Melbourne - Rest In Peace Darcey Iris Freeman - Why did this happen? How could someone do this?

Keren — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:53:57 -0800

Firstly let me say I do not know this family or this little girl, nor do I know anyone who knows them. I am simply an Australian Parent who since yesterday morning has been sitting in utter disbelief truly not wanting to believe the news reports that were being beamed around the nation. I honestly just went numb.

Well it is a day later since that horrific tragedy that occurred in Melbourne yesterday morning. I still sit and listen to the news reports in utter disbelief. The heartbreak I feel for this childs mother and brothers is incredible. As a parent I was in tears not knowing why or understanding what could make someone do this to their own daughter let alone any innocent child.

When I got home from work yesterday I just wanted to hold my son so close to me and I felt so grateful for such a wonderful treasure in my life. This poor mother won't have this chance again with her little girl. I can only hope those little boys did not actually see their sister be thrown, for them to deal with such an occurence in their lives is heartbreaking. This poor family has such a long road ahead of them, it will be long, dark, haunting and extremely difficult. They are in so many peoples prayers and thoughts. The torture of asking the question why did this happen, how could someone do this will no doubt be circling around and around as it is in my own head. Sadly I do not believe that a true answer will ever be provided.

I'm sorry to bring up such a sad sad sad thing but I am sure there are those of you on here who are feeling the same as I am. It is so hard to describe the way I am feeling. The innocence of a child, the beauty of a child, the treasure that a child is, I really question why some people become parents....

Lack of health care in the West! Grrr GWAHS you are making me cranky!

Keren — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:44:43 -0800

The following article was in the Daily Telegraph today:

Doctor flies in the face of health bosses Article from:

EXCLUSIVE by Kate Sikora

January 16, 2009 12:00am

A SURGEON flew his own plane to treat patients in a remote outback town yesterday after health officials turned down his offer to work free.

The 3000-strong town of Bourke was treated to a general surgeon for the first time in four years when Neil Meulman spent $1000 of his own money to make the trip.

Despite a newly-built hospital, locals are usually forced to travel 400km to Dubbo - an eight-hour return journey - for minor surgery.

But for the past 18 months, Dr Meulman has been wanting to provide an outreach service in Bourke.

Despite initially accepting his offer, the problem-plagued Greater Western Area Health Service this week refused his offer to fly in once a month for six months, free of charge.

"It's a lose-lose situation," he said. "I am offering my services free of charge and they are obstructing me."

About 30 patients queued outside Bourke's medical practice to see Dr Meulman. He has been denied access to the hospital and instead is filling out admission forms, preparing a waiting list of people who need surgical procedures such as vasectomies, lumpectomies and tumours and varicose veins removed.

Grandmother Christine Campbell, 62, will spend $400 every month for the year travelling to Sydney for follow-up procedures to an operation she had in December.

"If there was a surgeon here or Neil could stay then I wouldn't have to spend that much money and leave my family," she said. "The AHS is cutting its nose off to spite its face."

Before becoming a surgeon 14 years ago, Dr Meulman, who lives in Bathurst with his wife and three children, wanted to do humanitarian work. But he realised there was a greater need in his own backyard.

In a letter to Dr Meulman, area chief executive Claire Blizard said: "As previously advised a separate surgical service is not currently planned for Bourke.

"Until a decision is taken at Bourke, the AHS is unable to consider your offer of a free service."

Source: The Daily Telegraph

My response was:

Thank you Dr Meulman! Our services in Bourke are declining rapidly. In Bourke we no longer are able to get our ultrasounds done here, our maternity ward is currently closed resulting in mums from Brewarrina, Cobar and Bourke travelling to Dubbo to have babies and pay $160 for an ultrasound that we could get on medicare.

BourkeHospital have previously turned down an offer from a local fundraising committee for a dialysis machine DONATED to them, this would not have occurred if we still had a Hospital Board.

We have a new hospital which has a theatre that is virtually unused due to lack of staff and now GWAHS' obvious lack of forsight or caring for the locals of the area. Here is an offer from a wonderful man to assist our Community which would surely benefit the hospital in turn but due to bureaucracy from "those who supposedly know best about Communities" like ours or is it just sheer stupidity.

Surely it is time for the CEO to actually wake up to herself and take a look beyond the hill leading out of Dubbo. Also the NSW Government - there are places further than the confines of Sydney that require assistance. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

So is it a boy or is it a girl?

Keren — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:26:07 -0800

Or the inevitable question of - are you going to find out what it is this time?

Is it just me or does this question seemed to get asked of you more with the second pregnancy or third or fourth? I seem to be getting it all the time. People seem to be more excited when you don't find out what you are having for your first child until the day it is born. Then with the second it appears to be a different story for most. I don't know if people just like to know what is going on or if they think I will be disappointed with the outcome.

If people wish to find out what they are having then that is fabulous but for me the final element of surprise is what I prefer. Yes a "pigeon pair" would be nice but I won't love my baby any less or more if it is another boy or if it is a girl. Nor will I be disappointed, out of all of this all I wish for is a healthy happy bub that my family and I can love unconditionally.

So for me I will continue to play the guessing game of what gender my bub will be, as I did with my first! One day it was a boy the next a girl. At least I can put my money on the fact it will be one or the other!!! :-)

I just wonder what other people's experiences have been? Are they like mine or totally different?

Woo hoo - We're pregnant!!

Keren — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:16:34 -0800

Hi fellow mintiers!

Guess what, I can finally get excited! My hubby and I are expecting bub number 2 on 3 July 2009!! Got the all clear from the Dr on Tuesday so feel I can allow myself to get excited. Am about 13 1/2 weeks, have been as sick as can be and have lost about 8kgs because of the throwing up. Despite all of this I am so happy especially after miscarrying in June.

Bring on 2009 and I hope you all have a wonderful year! :-)

Sadly I have miscarried

Keren — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:38:56 -0700

Hello to all of you who had me in your thoughts today. I would like to say thank you however unfortunately I have miscarried. Obviously this baby was not meant to be for us yet however right now I have to say it really sucks. I have settled down a lot from this afternoon. Sitting with the specialist was like a blur. I knew something was wrong as soon as I saw the screen. Heartbreaking but also I am so glad to have got an answer.

So once again thank you for your support, it helped to get me through the day. I am glad I live by the saying that "everything happens for a reason" it makes the unexplainable a little easier to handle.

Hugs and Kisses

Keren

The long and horrible wait - have I or have I not miscarried....

Keren — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:24:17 -0700

Am feeling rather down right now. Last night I started having some spotting (which did not happen at all during my first pregnancy) and ironically I already had a Dr's appointment booked for this morning. The Dr has said that there is a 50/50 chance that I have miscarried. He has changed my ultra sound appointment from tomorrow morning to this afternoon. SO now I have to wait. My partner is out of town working but at least my mum is travelling here now (she lives 4 hours away) to come in with me.

I guess one of the hardest things is not being able to do anything and knowing that I have no control whatsover over the outcome or the situation.

First day back at Childcare

Keren — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:51:42 -0800

Well today is Blake's first day back at Childcare for the year. I was unsure how he would react as he has been crying every day for the past two weeks when I have dropped him off at his normal babysitters. The crying only lasts until I am out the driveway then he is as happy and spoilt as can be.

I had been telling him for the past two weeks that he will be going back to "school" (as he calls it) soon and of course we had the dicussion yesterday that he would go to Nanny's today and then school tomorrow, so this morning he got up and was quite happy to go to school. When I dropped him off, he sat at the table with the kids to have a snack and was happy as anything which was wonderful to me. Then he wanted a "kiss mummy" so we did that a few times before I could get out the door and come to work.

It makes it so much easier when kids are happy to go somewhere, he knows that I wll be back. I know that even when he is upset that I am going to work that he will be fine when I am gone it still breaks my heart to leave him and see him crying :-( aaah I guess that is just one of the things that being a mum is about.

Kisses for everyone!

Yes I Am Still In Existence!!

Keren — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:58:14 -0800

Hello all you Mintiers out there!!

It has been a long time since I have really had a chance to just drop in and have a good look around and chat to any of you. I hope all is well with you and your families. My little family is going along great guns. Blake is now just over 19 months old and is growing up so fast. He is picking up new words everyday and is loving the Wiggles. So I now of course now know most of the songs from It's Wiggle Time and Yummy Yummy! He is wonderful to watch and dance with.

The wedding plans are going quite well. Just need to sort out the Celebrant this week and then get away to buy the stuff for the invites. It is all coming together. That is not to say that some days I do consider just running away and eloping!! Mind you I think we would be run out of town if we did that.

Dale has been off work for quite some time now as he injured himself. So that has caused a bit of undue stress due to workers comp and all that garb. However my main concern is for him to get well again and return to a job he loves doing. I did try to convince him to try something else but at this stage he isn't interested unless he definiately cannot shear again. Which I totally understand and he has my support either way.

A Woman Should Have

Keren — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 16:28:17 -0700

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .. a youth she's content to leave behind.... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age.... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..... a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE . one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .. a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honoured... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... a feeling of control over her destiny... EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to fall in love without losing herself.. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without; ruining the friendship... EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY... EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents.. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... that her childhood may not have been perfect..but it's over... EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... what she would and wouldn't do for love or more... EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it... EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally... EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table... or a charming inn in the woods... when her soul needs soothing... EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... what she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month...and a year...

Sad.... and stressed....

Keren — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 21:08:13 -0700

Well I am very sad as Dale has just left for yet another week away for work. I am beginning to dislike Sunday a lot as they tend to be my downer days especially if Dale has had to go away. It was heartbreaking as Blake didn't want to let Dale go. He is now coming to the age where he realises that Daddy is going away for a little while. So Blake was in tears and I was in tears.

Am stressed because it looks like I am in for another long week as Blake still isn't better and has been cranky and sick all weekend.

What can I say I hope things improve because I don't know how much more I can take. It can be so hard. I try to be strong but somedays it is very hard to do.

What a Week!

Keren — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 19:52:00 -0700

Well what a busy week or so it has been.

What makes it worse is that at this time of year we are always so busy as there is always something on i.e. President's Day tomorrow, District 4's in Dubbo last weekend, peoples birthday's (god damn a lot of people have sex in December for all of these September babies!! I am one of those babies!!), bowls in Wee Waa in a couple of weeks (best thing about this is I get to see Keel's and the kids, Jase & Kirst's wedding, The Pink Ball in Maclean (still undecided bout this one), plus everything else in between including meetings for work!

Last weekend was good. Blake and I met Dale in Dubbo for the weekend. Blake had a wonderful time with his Daddy, Nan, Poppy Ross, Curt and Erin. The pic above is Blake playing in the park. Dale bought him a mini St George football and I tell you he has been carrying it around EVERYWHERE! Maybe a future player is in our midst! Mind you his Nan has decided that he will not be playing football!! Ha ha I thought it was the Mum's that were meant to freak out about those kinds of things!

We also got to catch up with Kristy, Dave and Amelia (this little girl is becoming more and more gorgeous which I would have thought was impossible!!) which was terrific.

It ended up being a long trip home as by Byrock, Blake had decided that he had had enough so proceeded to scream the rest of the way to Bourke as he just wanted to get out of the car. Normally he is a brilliant traveller who will just a have a whinge for 10 minutes or so if that is his desire then go to sleep. But this was non-stop until we pulled up and Ally's and got him out of the car.

Ally and the crew were have Sunday Sippers to recover from Louth. The pic above is of Ally and Amanda.

Well Blake had his second haircut last week. Must say it was a much less stressful experience for him than his first one was. Mind you there wasn't twice as much hair to get through. We had a whole fleece last time!! He now looks like a little boy! Noticed yesterday that the curls have already starting to come back! His hair grows so quick and is so thick.

Blake was really good and just sat up in the chair chatting away, dancing (of course) and eating. His good behaviour was rewarded by Katrina with a lolly pop. I am sure now that everytime he goes there he will be looking for a lolly pop. Just like everytime we go to Spar now he looks for a cocktail frankfurt!

It has been a rough week at home. Blake has been sick all week with teething, vomiting and an ear infection. Had to take him up to the hospital on Wednesday night as his temperature was 38 and wasn't dropping. I was sooo glad that Ally was with me. Took a lot of the stress away. Ally you are so wonderful!! Mwah xxx So because Blake has been sick it has been a long week lacking in sleep and sanity. I am buggered and wish I was on a tropical island somewhere with a healthy Blake, Dale, my closest friends and family just relaxing.

However back to reality! Work has been ok, busy but ok. I have a bit going on at the moment. But all is good. I have a great job and work with a great team. Will catch you later.

Luv

Keren

Dale has been away for the last fortnight for work. I really don't like this time of year as this is when he is away for about 2 months straight with only visits on the weekends.

The 2007 Variety Bash

Keren — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 19:46:19 -0700

Well for what has been a rather uneventful boring morning I have just been visited at work by a few of the RFS and others travelling in the Variety Bash.

They are heading up to Thargomindah (correct spelling who knows cause I couldn't be bothered to look it up) today but instead of going through Yantabulla are going through Enngonia and Cunnamulla.

So firstly I am presented by the usual RFS uniformed peoples who were quite nice. Then who should grace my presence but the great Super Hubert!! Ha ha you should have seen this guy. He waltzed in the Fire Control Centre dressed in a Superman themed outfit with of course, the Super Hubert symbol. He is the skinniest superhero you could have ever seen! Absolutely hilarious.

So while I am being introduced to this fine character Princess Fiona and Shrek also come in for a visit. What fine looking specimens they were, well for green travelling Ogres anyway!!

I have been left with a couple of caps and a cute stuffed puppy dog wearing a bright yellow vest with the sponsor and the saying "A True Friend Is Always There". Thankfully they told me that he was house-trained!

What a laugh they were. What a brightening up to my so far boring day!

I'm Baaaaaack

Keren — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 18:10:42 -0700

Hello hello I am back from Sydney. What a totally non-exciting conference that was. Not that I am surprised! However it was good to meet the other Admin girls and some of the other staff from the Region and Head Office. So the networking aspect of it was great.

However the rest of it felt like I was on a school excursion as everything had been organised for us. Sounds good to some degree however I have plenty of things I would prefer to be doing in Sydney rather than spending my time with chauvenistic, racist and drunken people. Of course not all of them were like that but it is a fairly male dominated region I work in. Some are great others are blah.

It was terrific however to catch up with my Dad, Step-Mum and little brothers. My friend and I were treating to wonderful display of break-dancing and a rousing rendition of the YMCA by my youngest brother. He also showed us how to make a fire (pretend mind you) on the loungeroom floor. Quite entertaining to say the least!!

The worst part of the week was how much I missed Blake and Dale. Blake stayed with his Nan and Poppy Ross. He had a great time. I was much worse than he was. I do not know how Dale is able to do this type of thing constantly. It is hard being away. Blake found a picture of Dale and I at Mum's. He then started carrying it around kissing it and saying Dad Dad Dad and Mum Mum Mum. When Mum told me this I have to admit I got very teary as I just wanted to be with my boy!

Lifes Inspiration - A Must Read!!

Keren — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 20:45:43 -0700

LIFE'S INSPIRATION ! I was emailed this the other day and really wanted to share it with you all.

HOW TO STAY YOUNG ... ...

1. Throw out non-essential numbers.
This includes age, weight, and height.
Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them.

2. Keep only cheerful friends.
The whingers and tactless ones pull you down.
(Keep this in mind if you are one of them!)

3. Keep learning:
Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever.
Never let the brain get idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop."
And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with her/him !

6. The tears happen:
Endure, grieve, and move on.
The only person who is with us our entire life, is our self.
LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love:
Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.
Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health:
If it is good, preserve it.
If it is unstable, improve it.
If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips.
Take a trip to the mall, even to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love, that you love them - at every opportunity.

Childhood Memories and Beyond

Keren — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:36:54 -0700

Hello All

Today I have the inclination to write about my Nan. Although short in stature to me she is a formidable woman. A woman who has suffered many hardships in life. But also enjoyed many pleasures. My aim when I was younger was to be taller than Nan and I am happy to say that I achieved it!

I have been thinking about Nan a lot lately and am missing her terribly. She is currently in Sydney/Wollongong with my Uncle who has recently had a triple by-pass. As a parent it just goes to show that you will always try to be there for your children. Even when you are not well yourself.

It is little things that will strike up a memory of her. Like while trying figure out what we are doing with our wedding, her singing to me at my Uncle's wedding "here comes the bride, big fat and wide, slipped on a banana peel and went for a ride!" For which I suitably chastised her with a huge smile on my face. It was very hard to stifle a giggle!!

I remember when I was a kid my grandfather always used to accuse us of trying to poison him when we made him a cup of tea. Even though he had requested it!! Even though it was heaped with about four sugars he always insisted on adding more as we definitely had put in as much as he had asked for. It wasn't until a few years ago that I was talking about it with Nan and she said that she used to put tablets in his tea to try to stop him from drinking alcohol! No wonder he thought we were poisoning him!

Grandfather was quite a character, a World War II veteran but could also have a not very nice side to him. Nan definitely did not have the best life she could have had with him, however she doted on him and her 7 kids.

Another memory is when Grandfather died, Nan insisted he wasn't religious therefore did not want the cross on his headstone. My argument was that the man proclaimed to be Jesus just about every day of his life so he had to have been somewhat religious!!

Nan isn't one to show her emotion often, but that doesn't stop me from telling her that I love her. She absolutely loves Blake to bits. He is a very lucky boy to have a Great-Grandmother. It is a wonderful thing and I hope he has an many fond memories of Nan that I had of her mum. Blake has been learning from Nan, she says hooray and throws her arms above her head. A little thing that he has started to do as well.

Now Nan never swears, well hardly ever! But when she does she will tell you "and that's swearing." She is a keen card player and will virtually whip anyone's butt at Euchre or 500. I still remember the time she swore at Mum when they were playing cards. We all just about lost it laughing our heads off!

My all time favourite memories of my childhood would be when I would stay over at Nan's and she would tell me stories about Mum, my Aunt's and Uncle's and of course Grandfather. Like Aunty Janice setting the curtains on fire - a claim she profusely denies and blames mum for! Or when Aunty Janice, Uncle David and Mum had a pretend house in a field but lit a not-so-pretend fire. Well Nan was wondering why they kept coming into the house asking for cups of water!

Grandfather, although I would not consider him an incredibly sane person he was generous and I do have fond memories. He rarely spoke of the War. Every now and then I would catch a fleeting moment of when he would speak about Comrades. Being a Rat of Tobruk he endured some incredible sights and sounds. Surely those things will have a detrimental effect on your sanity.

Now this not-quite-sane-ness surely made for some funny stories. Such as the time a Liason came to the property to try and make him let the kids go to school he chased him off with a pitch-fork!

Even now when I walk into Nan's place, although Grandfather has passed away many years ago I still hear him yelling out to "shut the bloody gate". He always sat out on the front verandah in his hat. Yelling at us kids who were playing on the footpath. Although we couldn't play out the back because of all the junk he had collected!

Although Nan is in her 70's now and Father Time is definitely starting to catch up. She remains a fiesty woman and the source of many giggles.

My Nan I am proud to say that she is just that, My Nan.

Friday Fun

Keren — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:46:00 -0700

Thank god it is Friday. This week has gone so very very very slowly. Even though I have been busy at work and at home it definitely hasn't flown by as it should have in my opinion!!

Overall it has been a pretty good week. The antibiotics are kicking in for Blake so he is much happier. So the happier he is the happier I am!

This weekend I am going to attempt to dedicate to cleaning the house. It looks like a bomb has been dropped in it!! With me being sick last week, to Blake being sick to us going away for the weekend I haven't been able to get much done apart from the essentials i.e. washing up and washing. However there is a clearing sale on not far out of town so we may check it out as we need a grate for the fireplace that we are restoring. Woo hoo a warm house - what a dream. Mind you this was meant to happen before Blake was born so we are only 13 months behind schedule at least!!

Dale has a couple of games of bowls again this weekend. Have to say am looking forward to the end of the bowls season so we can spend some time together. At the moment it is just go go go so by the time Monday rolls around again I feel like I haven't even had a rest.

Decided I really need to behave and do something about my fat butt (and the rest) as I need to become fitter. So no more hot chips at lunch time is a start and of course ridding myself of the addiction that is Coca-Cola which according to new cans is 8% per serve of our Dietary Intake required per day. Well there you go, about 12 cans of coke (no food or anything else) and I am getting my required amount of kilojoules for the day... could be a 50/50 deal as although the sugar you would consume would be huge you would be bouncing off the walls like a crazy person pepped up on the sugar!

Had dinner with the Lowes on Wednesday which was fabulous. We really are lucky to have such wonderful friends. As usual we all spent most of our time laughing.

Mum is finally moving to Dubbo for her six month secondment which is great because we are likely to see each other more as she comes up here for work and we make trips down there. The Enngonia Races are on next weekend so we may head out to them as Dale won't be able to make the Louth ones. I am undecided as to go to Louth or Dubbo (for bowls) as I was planning a girls day out! However the prospect of looking after Blake whilst nursing a hang-over really isn't a positive one... oh well still have a few weeks to decide.

Am I Wrong??

Keren — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 18:37:35 -0700

Ok please tell me your honest opinions as I will take them on board.

Currently we are not in the greatest financial state. When we do start to get ahead the slightest bit, something out of the ordinary pops up. My pay at the moment just goes straight on bills which I do not mind.

My problem is this - my partner has several other children that are not my biological children. His 10 year old will be 11 this month. He is a wonderful wonderful boy who I would do anything for. Now his mother has decided that she is going to get him a motorbike for his birthday and now expects us to cough up for half. Now if we had the money I would hand it over in an instant but right now what she wants will cover half of the car loan for the month or my phone bills or part of the electricity bill.

I would also be happy to do so if I was damn sure that the motorbike would actually be his and not to be abused by the other kids. The reason for this for example is last year she insisted that we buy him a mobile phone for his birthday. The kid was 10! I wanted to buy him a football jersey or something to that effect. But no Dale didn't listen to me and went and bought the phone (if he was in highschool I would have had no dramas with getting him the phone). In all seriousness the phone would have disappeared within 3 weeks and we know his brothers were using it as they accidentally called me.

I also believe that what is good for one of the kids is good for the rest. So does this mean that each birthday present this year should be just as extravagent as this one? How is it fair that his present is worth 3 and half times as much as his other siblings?????

Am I wrong for thinking this????

Grrr sorry I just had to vent. I have tossed and turned all night about it!

F F F F F FREEEEEEZING

Keren — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 17:03:00 -0700

F F F F F FREEEEEEZING MY CHEEKS OFF TODAY

I will be so glad when Winter is over. Bring on Spring! I am so cold today. Yesterday was beautiful yet today I just cannot get warm. Even my heater seems cold. I think I need to light a fire, anyone got a fire bucket I can use indoors! Ha ha! Maybe it was hot at work yesterday due to the tension and irateness in the air that you could cut with a knife! Very interesting power plays going on that thankfully I am able to sit back and watch, makes for some great viewing! I do know who I am backing to be the winner though! TAB NSW is currently taking bets! ;-b

Dale is still working out of town and out of mobile range so am really missing this week. We just don't seem to be able to spend much time together at the moment because there is just so much going on. This weekend a mate is coming up from Forbes to go pigging and he has two games of bowls to play on Saturday. It is also the last week of the school hols so I may have to take Curt back to Dubbo.

Am stressing about $$$ at the moment. Not enough seems to be coming in to cover the bills. It is driving me nuts. Why is it that when you do get a chance to save some money something else pops up that you weren't expecting. It is a pain in the butt.

Blake has an ear infection and a cold but the antibiotics are now starting to kick in so he is much much better. Such a dag. I swear dag will be his next word because that is what I affectionately call him. I asked him for a kiss last night so what did he do... bent down and kissed the floor. :-) Don't know why he chose the floor over me!! Ha ha but I eventually got one in the end.

One of my friends and her partner are expecting a bub which is so exciting. Things have been rough for her over the last few years so it is wonderful that things are starting to look up for her. She is a lovely lovely person who married a wonderful man earlier this year. It is so exciting!! Congratulations Amanda and Scott!! Bet the kids are excited too!

Well I suppose I had better get back to work. I had a fantastic sleep last night (first one in sooooo long) so am feeling great!

Hope you are all well and happy.

Kes