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	<title>josierm's Minti Blog</title>
	<link>http://www.minti.com/members/josierm/blog/</link>
	<description>josierm's Minti Blog</description>
	<copyright>Copyright 2009 Minti</copyright>
	<language>en-uk</language>
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			<title>The final feed!</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>A few days ago Imogen had what I think would be her last breastfeed 
We made it to 17 1/2 months but I was hoping to go for longer than that.&amp;nbsp; I think it was my fault.&amp;nbsp; After losing so much weight, my maternity bras didnt fit any more do i decided to go out and buy some new bras.&amp;nbsp; ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A few days ago Imogen had what I think would be her last breastfeed <img alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/sad_smile.gif"/></p>
<p>We made it to 17 1/2 months but I was hoping to go for longer than that.&nbsp; I think it was my fault.&nbsp; After losing so much weight, my maternity bras didnt fit any more do i decided to go out and buy some new bras.&nbsp; Thought it would be a waste of money buying all new maternity bras and ended up buying push up bras (to make up for my new found breastlessness).&nbsp; i think the pressure of the bra and my smaller breast size contributed to a decreased milk supply, issues with attchment and Imogen becoming disinterested.</p>
<p>She still pulls at my top now and&nbsp;then&nbsp;but I know there will be nothing there for her now.</p>
<p>Its a little sad to think that I will probably never breastfeed again.&nbsp; And scary to see&nbsp;my baby growing so&nbsp;quickly.&nbsp; she loves climbing, has&nbsp;around 23 words, is talking back already and telling me &quot;no&quot; and I bought undies for her today for toilet training which she has already shown an interest in.&nbsp; She's my last baby and I wanted her to stay babyish for a bit longer than that!</p>
<p>Oh well, I guess they dont stay little for long.........................&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<link>http://www.minti.com/members/josierm/blog/1076264/</link>
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			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:11:35 -0800</pubDate>
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			<title>more progress</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>WOOHOOO, my ceiling is fixed............FINALLY!
Now all I have to do is paint a few rooms, seal the slate and get the carpets cleaned and I am ready to sell.&amp;nbsp; I have a miniskip in my driveway filled with rubbish and I have done so much in the last couple of months to make the house look nice.
I HAVE A NEW ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>WOOHOOO, my ceiling is fixed............FINALLY!</p>
<p>Now all I have to do is paint a few rooms, seal the slate and get the carpets cleaned and I am ready to sell.&nbsp; I have a miniskip in my driveway filled with rubbish and I have done so much in the last couple of months to make the house look nice.</p>
<p>I HAVE A NEW JOB.</p>
<p>The stress of being at work and not knowing what injury I was coming home to next was just too much for me.&nbsp; My ex has continued to make really bad decisions when he is responsible for the kids and I refuse to put them in danger.&nbsp; As a result I now have a job that he no longer has to care for them at all, but the sacrifice is that I will not be paid as much because I now cant do the penalty weekend shifts.&nbsp; I was so stressed that as of next week I am on urgent annual leave.....I couldn't let them have one more day in his care until he gets his act together.&nbsp; It was either that or report him to the child abuse line.&nbsp; I have sent a rather confronting email that hopefully will make him realise a few truths of the situation.</p>
<p>SELLING IN JANUARY</p>
<p>I have arranged with the real estate agent to sell in jan.&nbsp; the market goes a bit quiet over xmas, so I have a bit longer to finish the house jobs.&nbsp; I have until March to know where the kids are going to school, so hopefully it will be sold by them and I can enrol them without having to change schools midway through the year.</p>
<p>after a lot of hard work, its all falling into place.</p>
<p>Imogen seems to be growing really fast lately.&nbsp; she has shown an interest in toilet training and after 17 months is starting to show some disinterest in breasfeeding, which i am a little sad about. her speech is really coming along.</p>
<p>Charlotte and Lachlan are coping with everything really well.&nbsp; They have some close friends at kindy and I am trying to prepare them for school.</p>
<p>thats the summary for the last few weeks.</p>
<p>bye for now.</p>
<p>xoxox josie</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<link>http://www.minti.com/members/josierm/blog/1073360/</link>
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			<pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:41:54 -0800</pubDate>
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			<title>making progress.</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>Hello minti world.
My life is hectic but i can see the light at the end of the tunnel.&amp;nbsp; things are really coming together now.&amp;nbsp; Most of the assessments of the house cracking are now complete.&amp;nbsp; i think the general consensus is that its due to soil movment, which is good because I am not liable to fix any structural damage ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hello minti world.</p><p>My life is hectic but i can see the light at the end of the tunnel.&nbsp; things are really coming together now.&nbsp; Most of the assessments of the house cracking are now complete.&nbsp; i think the general consensus is that its due to soil movment, which is good because I am not liable to fix any structural damage and i dont have to chase the original builder to fix it.&nbsp; I&nbsp;have had insurance check for water leaks and i am witing on the written report, but verbaly i was advised off the record to not go through insurance, because there is very little they would pay for and it could take up to 2 years to finalise the claim.</p><p>so I have already had a quote from a builder to fix it........much much better than my original quote and he seems to be a really helpful guy.&nbsp; he even offered to get my paving paint for me at tradesman cost!&nbsp; I am hoping within the next 2 weeks it will be fixed and I can start painting.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the meantime, I have been busy working on outside jobs, such as painting the cubby house, paving and cleaning up.......next week i am going to paint all the pattern pave concrete.</p>
<p><img width="700" height="525" alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/70567/taylor%2520st%2520home%2520improvements%25202009%2520011.jpg/"/></p>
<p><img width="700" height="525" alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/70568/taylor%2520st%2520home%2520improvements%25202009%2520015.jpg/"/></p>
<p>Before paving (and after rain)</p>
<p><img width="700" height="525" alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/70569/taylor%2520st%2520home%2520improvements%25202009%2520024.jpg/"/></p>
<p>after paving.......much better</p>
<p><img width="700" height="525" alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/70570/taylor%2520st%2520home%2520improvements%25202009%2520027.jpg/"/></p>
<p>my goal is that within the next 3-4 weeks my house will be ready to go on the market.&nbsp; I am hoping to have a new place before the kids get enrolled into school (term 1 next year) so i know which school to put them in and they are not disturbed part way through a term.</p>
<p>I am also looking for a new job.&nbsp; I am a little tired today, as i was up late last night typing a 5 page essay answering questions for one of my job applications.&nbsp; I want a job where i dont have to start at 7am, so i can get the kids to school next year, a job where i dont have to work weekends, so I can see the kids when they are not in school ( and also so their dad doesn't have to look after them because his supervision and attitude towards their care sux.....go more into that in a minute).&nbsp; I wanted to stay in the hospital where i work now, but nothing is available now that suits my criteria,......and for the safety of the kids i want a new position sooner rather than later.&nbsp; I checked with my home loan company, and they said that as long as there is no probation period for the new job, i should be able to get approved for a home loan.</p>
<p>On the negative, it seems like everytime the kids dad has them (when I am at work) one of them gets hurt.&nbsp; the last weekend i worked, charlotte got bitten and scratched&nbsp;by his pet rat because he left her holding it unsupervised.&nbsp; then treated it by washing it under water and sticking on a bandaid......needless to say, when i got home from work on a saturday afternoon with no available drs appointments, i had to wait 2 hours with her in the waiting GP clinic, she got put on antibiotics and had a betadine wash.&nbsp; Thats not the only thing, but i think so far its the worst.&nbsp; my dad almost reported him when he found out.</p>
<p>I am really looking forward to moving into my own place with the kids, and starting a new life in my own space.&nbsp; even though i am sooooo busy at the moment, i can see the progress and i am achieving my goals so its easy to keep going.&nbsp; i know what i am working towards and this craziness is only temporary.&nbsp; I feel really good about everything at the moment (except for not being able to protect my kids all the time, and it frustrates me that its out of my control until i get a new job).</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<link>http://www.minti.com/members/josierm/blog/1066505/</link>
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			<pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:52:25 -0700</pubDate>
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			<title>ChChChChanges......</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>Had a stressful month, and I don't think its about to let up any time soon.&amp;nbsp; in fact, I think it will be at least another year before everything has settled down.&amp;nbsp; At the moment I am dealing with a lot of change in my life....nothing is stable&amp;nbsp;or constant.
-The separation- I am over.&amp;nbsp; I still believe this was the best ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Had a stressful month, and I don't think its about to let up any time soon.&nbsp; in fact, I think it will be at least another year before everything has settled down.&nbsp; At the moment I am dealing with a lot of change in my life....nothing is stable&nbsp;or constant.</p>
<p>-The separation- I am over.&nbsp; I still believe this was the best decsion of my life and he continues to prove what a jerk he is.&nbsp; As every day goes by i think less and less of him and wonder what the hell i ever saw in him.</p>
<p>-the house- i am still waiting to find out why my house is falling apart. so far i have had a valuer, building inspector, insurance company and engineer come.&nbsp; all have different opinions and I am now waiting for the plumbers survey.&nbsp; if its soil movement then i have to pay for repairs, if its structural, then i have to chase the builder to fix it (thats going to be a nightmare since they have already claimed its not their problem), if its a burst water pipe under the foundations then insurance should cover it.&nbsp; either way....its going to be messy.</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - I am keeping an eye on the house market.&nbsp; I have accepted that I need to move house, even though it would be nice to have familiar surroundings through all this.</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - when I move the kids might have to change schools.&nbsp; i really dont want to uproot them but if i have to i would prefer to do it before the school year starts (i think i have no chance of getting the house ready for sale and moving in the next 5 months).</p>
<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - i am not sure what belongings/furniture i can keep.&nbsp; the next house will be smaller and i will have to sell some stuff.</p>
<p>-work- when the kids go to school I have to find away to do some shifts and get them to school.&nbsp; i cant change workplaces or go casual because i will need to apply for a home loan soon.&nbsp; stressing over my options there.&nbsp; i have already spoken to my boss and she cant give me any shifts on a permanant basis other than the usual 0700-1530, 1300-2130 or 2100-0730.&nbsp; my best bet is to get day shifts in outpatients, clinic or day surgery.&nbsp; I want to do shifts that eliminate the need to rely on the kids dad for care (so weekends are out).&nbsp; i am so far not impressed with the lifestyle he is encouraging and the mess he lives in.</p>
<p>my body- even &quot;I&quot; am changing.&nbsp; i have to do some shopping for summer because my clothes dont fit.&nbsp; my usual size 12 (was up to 14 for a few months after imogen) is now a faded 8-10.&nbsp; I have no breasts and&nbsp;when I finish breastfeeding i will have to get all new bras.&nbsp;</p><p>I can understand how it is said that change is the most stressful thing in a persons life.&nbsp; The only constant in my life is my 3 gorgeous kids and my family.</p>
<p>I am still going to counselling to keep myself rational.&nbsp; I am having my first girls night out in several years for my birthday.&nbsp; I am very much looking forward to that one.&nbsp; I bought new shoes!</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<link>http://www.minti.com/members/josierm/blog/1057207/</link>
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			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:13:21 -0700</pubDate>
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			<title>I'M BACK! (only briefly)  what did I miss?</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>I&amp;rsquo;m back, only briefly.&amp;nbsp; Thankyou to all the minti members out there for your compassion and understanding.&amp;nbsp; You have all been so supportive.
I have been away for a little while to sort through a few things.&amp;nbsp; I decided to stop my minti time for a little while, because I had to focus on other things and I know that minti ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&rsquo;m back, only briefly.&nbsp; Thankyou to all the minti members out there for your compassion and understanding.&nbsp; You have all been so supportive.</p>
<p>I have been away for a little while to sort through a few things.&nbsp; I decided to stop my minti time for a little while, because I had to focus on other things and I know that minti can be very addictive- the more I read and write, the more I have to read and write!!!</p>
<p>So what did I miss? Any births? Weddings? (??DA, LOL), catastrophes? Triumphs?</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><u>Well this is what I have been up to</u>:</p>
<p>-<strong>working</strong>, as usual.</p>
<p>-<strong>saw the lawyer</strong> and found out that I would no longer be able to afford my house after settlement. </p>
<p>-went through a short <strong>grieving</strong> process about losing my dream home and the kids stability.</p>
<p>- had a valuer come to value my home and found out that the <strong>structural damage</strong> in my home was more severe than we first thought.&nbsp; I then got a building inspector in to do a proper assessment.&nbsp; He said this is only the second house in 15 years that he has seen deteriorate so rapidly (he inspected the house when we moved in 4 years ago).&nbsp; It just wasn&rsquo;t built properly and the footings are inadequate.&nbsp; The house is only 15 years old! </p>
<p>- trying to get the <strong>builder</strong> to come and fix it, may have to go through court if they are not cooperative since it should still be covered under their structural warranty.</p>
<p>-started <strong>house hunting</strong> to check out the market- don&rsquo;t get much for your money these days.</p>
<p>-had nothing but trouble trying to get the <strong>bank</strong> to give me a general idea of how much I could borrow on my own, they eventually gave me a tentative figure to work on.</p>
<p>-the <strong>kids have been sick</strong>.&nbsp; I think Lachlan had swine flu.</p>
<p>-I was contacted by occ health and safety saying that I had a <strong>swine flu exposure</strong> at work and ended up on tamiflu.</p>
<p>-<strong>Imogen broke her finger</strong>.&nbsp; Charlotte accidently dropped her terracotta pot plant on Imogen&rsquo;s hand.&nbsp; I took her straight to the GP, who said that she was still moving her finger and using it so it probably wasn&rsquo;t broken.&nbsp; Told me on this Wednesday to wait until Friday and if it was still swollen get an x ray.&nbsp; She cried all afternoon, even with regular panadol and I knew something was not right- she has a very high tolerance to pain and never complains.&nbsp; After a night on painstop we were at the hospital first thing in the morning, x ray and confirmed middle left finger fractured in 4 places (2 on the proximal phalange and 2 on the middle phalange).&nbsp; It was one of those incidents where you just can&rsquo;t get the words &ldquo;put that down&rdquo; out fast enough!</p>
<p>-I have bee trying to keep the <strong>house as spotless as possible</strong> with all the various inspections.</p>
<p>-still playing <strong>netball </strong>twice a week.</p>
<p>-<strong>I am now an aunty</strong>.&nbsp; My sister in law gave birth to a baby girl, 8 &frac12; weeks early but all are doing well. </p>
<p>-I have been spending a lot of time with a calculator, working out <strong>budgets and financial</strong> stuff.&nbsp; I think we will be OK!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><u>What I am thankful for</u></p>
<p>-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; that Charlotte&rsquo;s asthma was well controlled on her preventers when she got sick (I thought she was going to end up in hospital once she caught what Lachlan had).</p>
<p>-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Through all this I haven&rsquo;t been sick once- And I have been exposed to just about every bug imaginable through home and work.</p>
<p>-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Listening to mother&rsquo;s instinct and not waiting 3 days to get an x ray on Imogen.&nbsp; I know my baby and I know that she wasn&rsquo;t alright.&nbsp; Just goes to show that just because a child is still moving and using a hand doesn&rsquo;t mean that its not broken.</p>
<p>-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I am thankful that Imogen has a high pain threshold and has been coping very well with her broken finger.&nbsp; She&rsquo;s no sook.</p>
<p>-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I&rsquo;m too busy to crash into a heap.</p>
<p>-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; My tax time bonus came just at the right time.</p>
<p>-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Meeting and having our photo taken with cricketer Darren Lehmann at the hospital.&nbsp; He was in promoting the new PED treatment rooms.&nbsp; Imogen and I may be in the newspaper.&nbsp; She&rsquo;s famous at the age of 14 months!</p>
<p>-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The ex has been cooperative with all my requests with the house issues.</p>
<p>-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I have great supports and friends.</p>
<p>-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Now that I am over the initial grief over my house, I can focus on building a new home for the 4 of us, that is ours.</p>
<p>-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I am really thankful that I am strong enough to deal with all of this, and I know that I will only be given what I can handle.&nbsp; I am thankful that I am organized and rational.</p>
<p>-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I haven&rsquo;t broken down once- maybe I am suppressing, maybe I am in denial&hellip;..who knows!&nbsp; Maybe I am just waiting for the right time.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><u>The future</u></p>
<p>Get house fixed</p>
<p>Do some work on the house ready for sale</p>
<p>Buy a new home, hopefully nearby, so the kids don&rsquo;t have to move school and childcare</p>
<p>Slow down and live again.</p>
<p>I was thinking I might buy a cheap Tarago after everything settles and take the kids, mum, dad and my sister on a family holiday.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>I am still busy, and wont have much time to respond.&nbsp; But I just thought I would throw in an update to let everyone know that, even with all the shit&hellip;.I am still alive! (and I can still find the positives in my world).&nbsp; I do read all comments, and appreciate them, and eventually I will get around to responding.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Love to everyone.</p>
<p>Xx josie</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<link>http://www.minti.com/members/josierm/blog/1048462/</link>
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			<pubDate>Fri, 28 Aug 2009 04:27:57 -0700</pubDate>
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			<title>wont be around much: stressful things to take care of.</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>I have to disappear for a while.&amp;nbsp; sorry guys but I have some things to take care of.
1- I am probably going to lose my home when the settlement goes through.&amp;nbsp; With the rates and mortgage as it is at present i can afford to stay here, but when he gets his payout of his percentage he is entitled to ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I have to disappear for a while.&nbsp; sorry guys but I have some things to take care of.</p>
<p>1- I am probably going to lose my home when the settlement goes through.&nbsp; With the rates and mortgage as it is at present i can afford to stay here, but when he gets his payout of his percentage he is entitled to i wont be able to afford to stay.&nbsp; I have to leave my dream home for something cheaper and uproot the kids. (found this out yesterday)</p>
<p>2- I have some major structural issues with the home that i have to get fixed before i try to sell it (i am hoping that it is still covered under the structural warranty of the house so that I don't have to fork out many thousands to get it fixed). (found this out today)</p>
<p>3- i have to get the house ready for sale and find a new place to live.</p>
<p>4- going through the process of agreeing on settlement.</p>
<p>5- amongst the usual work and kids stuff, charlotte needs extra time spent on her for speech pathology homework and all 3 are still sick with the yucky cough.</p>
<p>trying not to have a nervous breakdown at this point.&nbsp; baby steps.&nbsp; dealing with one thing at a time. all while Mr no-responsibility gets to sit back and relax, occassional visits with the kids, can do whatever the hell he likes after work and not have to worry about any of this stuff (while i am paying for lawyers and building inspectors and valuers etc), and in the end get a nice sum of cash given to him.&nbsp; whatever doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, right?</p>
<p>i'll be back when things settle down a bit.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<link>http://www.minti.com/members/josierm/blog/1042809/</link>
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			<pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:28:12 -0700</pubDate>
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			<title>my house is full of bugs</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>I have 3 sick kids.&amp;nbsp; today i wish there was more than one of me.
Lachlan has missed the last 2 days of kindy- his temp didn't get below 39 all day yesterday, even with panadol, with a chunky cough.&amp;nbsp; He spewed in his bed last night and ended up in bed with me.
Charlotte now has a bad cough as well, ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I have 3 sick kids.&nbsp; today i wish there was more than one of me.</p>
<p>Lachlan has missed the last 2 days of kindy- his temp didn't get below 39 all day yesterday, even with panadol, with a chunky cough.&nbsp; He spewed in his bed last night and ended up in bed with me.</p>
<p>Charlotte now has a bad cough as well, without the temp, but with her asthma these things always hit her hard.&nbsp; she has also vomited a couple of times (once in my bed during a cough, and then all over nme when she was sitting in my lap....ick).</p>
<p>Now Imogen is hot and sounds like she has a sore throat- miserable and sitting on my lap as I type....waiting for the panadol to kick in.</p>
<p>Certainly back to reality after my night off at the pink concert.&nbsp; I never really had a chance to recover.</p>
<p>Lucky the weather is nice so I can wash all the bed sheets.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<link>http://www.minti.com/members/josierm/blog/1040805/</link>
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			<pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:57:52 -0700</pubDate>
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			<title>P!NK with pics</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>Last night I went to my first ever concert.&amp;nbsp; P!NK.&amp;nbsp; It was brilliant.&amp;nbsp;We were up the front, about 6 people from the stage and had a great view of everything.


I could sing at the top of my voice and no-one could hear me.&amp;nbsp; Great therapy- highly recommend it.
(Am having probs uploading photos.&amp;nbsp; I will save blog then go in to ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img width="700" height="525" alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/69118/Pink%252BConcert%252BAugust%252B2009%252B039.jpg/"/></p>
<p>Last night I went to my first ever concert.&nbsp; P!NK.&nbsp; It was brilliant.&nbsp;We were up the front, about 6 people from the stage and had a great view of everything.</p>
<p><img alt="" width="700" height="525" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/69112/Pink%2520Concert%2520August%25202009%2520020.jpg/"/></p>
<p><img alt="" width="700" height="525" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/69114/Pink%2520Concert%2520August%25202009%2520022.jpg/"/></p>
<p>I could sing at the top of my voice and no-one could hear me.&nbsp; Great therapy- highly recommend it.</p>
<p>(Am having probs uploading photos.&nbsp; I will save blog then go in to edit to add more photos in a minute- that usually works)</p>
<p><img width="700" height="525" alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/69115/Pink%252BConcert%252BAugust%252B2009%252B068.jpg/"/></p>
<p><img width="700" height="525" alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/69116/Pink%252BConcert%252BAugust%252B2009%252B056.jpg/"/></p>
<p>&nbsp;<img width="700" height="525" alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/69117/Pink%252BConcert%252BAugust%252B2009%252B069.jpg/"/></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<link>http://www.minti.com/members/josierm/blog/1040163/</link>
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			<pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2009 03:10:29 -0700</pubDate>
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			<title>PANIC: where the hell are my kids?</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>Yesterday the kids had an afternoon at daddy's house.&amp;nbsp; I am on holidays from work and I was guessing that since there was no 'need' for the kids to see their dad, that they probably wouldn't see him much the next 2 weeks.&amp;nbsp; so since it was daddy's weekend (my usual working weekend) they went to his house for the ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Yesterday the kids had an afternoon at daddy's house.&nbsp; I am on holidays from work and I was guessing that since there was no 'need' for the kids to see their dad, that they probably wouldn't see him much the next 2 weeks.&nbsp; so since it was daddy's weekend (my usual working weekend) they went to his house for the afternoon.&nbsp; I said multiple times- &quot;I will pick them up affter dinner&quot; and left their pyjamas just in case he wanted to do the evening bath thing.</p>
<p>So after dinner I arrived at his place.&nbsp; Knocked on the door.&nbsp; No answer. knocked again, no answer.&nbsp; maybe I'm not knocking load enough- knocked harder.&nbsp; maybe he was busy changing a nappy- waited, knocked again.</p>
<p>Where the hell is he?&nbsp; the lights are on.&nbsp; Rang his mobile (my battery was about to go flat), no answer.&nbsp; starting to panic now.&nbsp; BANGED on the door.</p>
<p>then my phone rang.&nbsp; it was him. &quot;where the hell are you?&quot; i said.&nbsp; &quot;i'm at your place&quot; he says.&nbsp; &quot;what part of I'll pick them up after dinner didn't you understand&quot;.&nbsp; GGGRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!</p>
<p>ANYWAY, thats over and done with now.&nbsp; I'm on holidays and I am kid-free tomorrow.&nbsp; I'm going to do my tax in the morning (YAY) and then have a massage after lunch (not suprisingly I have a knot of muscle tensing in the back of my neck thats giving me a headache), do some childfree shopping.&nbsp; <strong>THEN I'M GOING TO THE PINK CONCERT to belt out my anthem (so what) LIVE!</strong></p>
<p>I've never been to a concert before (sad, I know).</p>
<p>Gotta go and check on the kids- I can hear them raiding the fridge.</p>
<p>love to all</p>
<p>xx josie</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<link>http://www.minti.com/members/josierm/blog/1039256/</link>
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			<pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2009 02:04:45 -0700</pubDate>
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			<title>I got dishes to do, but need to vent first.</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>I was late for work this morning! Even with 3 kids, I am rarely late for anything.
Why? because my ex is becoming more and more unreliable and not coping with the little responsibility he has.
I have to leave for work at 6:15am.&amp;nbsp; Every Tuesday this is the routine: i get ready for work, ex comes to get the kids ready ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I was late for work this morning! Even with 3 kids, I am rarely late for anything.</p>
<p>Why? because my ex is becoming more and more unreliable and not coping with the little responsibility he has.</p>
<p>I have to leave for work at 6:15am.&nbsp; Every Tuesday this is the routine: i get ready for work, ex comes to get the kids ready and take them to childcare so that i can get to work by 7am.&nbsp; I was still waiting for him at 6:30.&nbsp; guessing that he was going to lack in his reponsibilities (yes, that is where my expectations are of him&nbsp; at the moment) I had started getting the kids ready.</p>
<p>He turns up at 6:30, says &quot;i forgot my car seats, I'll use yours&quot;.&nbsp; um, no you wont, how will i pick up the kids with no car seats this afternoon if they are in your car???????</p>
<p>so then I have to get the kids ready (one of whom was still asleep) rush out the door and take the kids to childcare myself.&nbsp; Meanwhile the selfish git is oblivious to the fact that the rush has a negative impact on how the kids feel about going to childcare (Lachlan did not want to be left, charlotte was crying while getting dressed because she was still half asleep) and I am inconveniencing my work collegues by being late, and my day gets behind from the start, and I risk the reputation of being an unreliable staff member (which I pride myself on being on time and reliable).&nbsp; He doesn't understand the ripple effect of his actions (or lack thereof)</p>
<p>I don't ask much from him, I never have, but I expect him to be able to cope with his responsibilities.&nbsp; Is that too much to ask?&nbsp; he will never get custody.&nbsp; I am going to make sure of that.&nbsp; For the sake of the kids.&nbsp; This is only todays incident.&nbsp; Every time he has care of them, something goes wrong.</p>
<p>AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH (thats me screaming into pillow).</p>
<p>Thanks for nothing (again) A***hole!</p>
<p>(sorry, I am not usually that mean, but as you may have noticed, he has a tendancy to bring out the worst in me).</p>
<p>Oh well, off to do the dishes, clean the house, wash the dirty marks off the carpet, pick up the food thrown on the floor etc etc etc.....all that is life of a single mum with RESPONSIBILITIES that are actually FULFILLED.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<link>http://www.minti.com/members/josierm/blog/1036874/</link>
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			<pubDate>Tue, 28 Jul 2009 03:52:35 -0700</pubDate>
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			<title>What children learn</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>Children learn what they live.
If a child lives with criticism
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; The child learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; the child learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; The child learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; The child learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance
&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; The child learns to be patient.
If a child ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Children learn what they live</strong>.</p>
<p>If a child lives with criticism<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <em>The child learns to condemn</em>.</p>
<p>If a child lives with hostility<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <em>the child learns to fight.</em></p>
<p>If a child lives with ridicule<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <em>The child learns to be shy.</em></p>
<p>If a child lives with shame<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <em>The child learns to feel guilty</em>.</p>
<p>If a child lives with tolerance<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <em>The child learns to be patient</em>.</p>
<p>If a child lives with encouragement<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <em>The child learns confidence</em>.</p>
<p>If a child lives with praise<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <em>The child learns to appreciate</em>.</p>
<p>If a child lives with fairness<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<em> The child learns justice</em>.</p>
<p>If a child lives with security<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <em>The child learns to have faith</em>.</p>
<p>If a child lives with approval<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <em>The child learns to like themselves</em>.</p>
<p>If a child lives with acceptance and friendship<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <em>The child learns to find love in the world.</em></p>
<p>(adapted by Dorothy Law Nolte)</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<link>http://www.minti.com/members/josierm/blog/1035151/</link>
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			<pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:59:08 -0700</pubDate>
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			<title>AAHHHH POO! rejected again</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>WHY IS MY ADVICE ARTICLE REJECTED AGAIN??????????
I know why!.&amp;nbsp; Stupid automatic word rejecter thingy!
like i'm going to publish something offensive! LOL.&amp;nbsp; I'm trying to save the world, people.&amp;nbsp; not offend.....hehehehe</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>WHY IS MY ADVICE ARTICLE REJECTED AGAIN??????????</p>
<p>I know why!.&nbsp; Stupid automatic word rejecter thingy!</p>
<p>like i'm going to publish something offensive! LOL.&nbsp; I'm trying to save the world, people.&nbsp; not offend.....hehehehe</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<link>http://www.minti.com/members/josierm/blog/1032882/</link>
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			<pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2009 05:43:50 -0700</pubDate>
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			<title>LUCKY, VERY LUCKY!!!</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>Today I took the kids to see Ice Age 3 at the cinema.&amp;nbsp; Imogen stayed at Grans.
When the movie was finished, we went to Grans to pick up Imogen, I went to get my purse out of the backpack so that we could do the drivethrough takeaway thing........but it was not there.&amp;nbsp; Oh great, lost my purse, thats all I ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Today I took the kids to see Ice Age 3 at the cinema.&nbsp; Imogen stayed at Grans.</p>
<p>When the movie was finished, we went to Grans to pick up Imogen, I went to get my purse out of the backpack so that we could do the drivethrough takeaway thing........but it was not there.&nbsp; Oh great, lost my purse, thats all I need.&nbsp; I had my purse stolen once, and it was a pain in the butt replacing everything.&nbsp; not to mention I had NO money and NO access to money.</p>
<p>I got home and started making phonecalls- the cinema to keep an eye out for it, the police to report in case anyone used my ID, the banks to cancel my cards.&nbsp; I kept feeling like I wanted to go back to the cinema and check.</p>
<p>In the end, the urge was too strong, I wasn't confident that I would get it back, but i thought the only chance I had would be to look for it myself.</p>
<p>I returned to the cinema (left the kids at home with my sister) and asked if I could check where we were sitting.&nbsp; The session had 10 minutes to go so I waited and went in when all the people had come out.&nbsp; I went up to where we were sitting, stuck my hand under the seat, AND THERE IT WAS.&nbsp; ohhhh relief!</p>
<p>Glad I followed my instincts on that one.&nbsp; If any of the cleaners had found it, it may have been pocketed.</p>
<p>The whole debacle still cost me $20- the price of replacing my credit card, and since I had already cancelled it, they refused to un-cancel it!</p>
<p>But got lucky in the end.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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			<pubDate>Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:47:52 -0700</pubDate>
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			<title>Sunshine, Fresh Country air and Pony rides</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>Today we had a great day at 'Four Oaks Farm' - http://www.fouroaksfarm.com.au.
I took the kids and met another kindy mum friend and her friend.&amp;nbsp; The weather was beautiful, a little cool but the sun was shining.&amp;nbsp; The kids had a fantastic time- riding the ponies, horse and cart rides, merry-go-round rides, feeding and patting the animals and the fire engine ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Today we had a great day at <a href="http://www.fouroaksfarm.com.au">'Four Oaks Farm'</a>.</p><p>I took the kids and met another kindy mum friend and her friend.&nbsp; The weather was beautiful, a little cool but the sun was shining.&nbsp; The kids had a fantastic time- riding the ponies, horse and cart rides, merry-go-round rides, feeding and patting the animals and the fire engine rides.&nbsp; All unlimited, free-range play.&nbsp; I am definately taking them there again.</p>
<p><img height="525" width="700" alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/68381/july%252009%2520030.jpg/"/></p>
<p><img alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/68380/july%252009%2520042.jpg/"/></p><p><img height="525" width="700" alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/68379/july%252009%2520039.jpg/"/></p>
<p><img height="525" width="700" alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/68378/july%252009%2520019.jpg/"/></p>
<p><img height="525" width="700" alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/68377/july%252009%2520017.jpg/"/></p>]]></content:encoded>
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			<pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:27:02 -0700</pubDate>
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			<title>More trouble than its worth</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>Good evening everyone!
The start of school holidays is upon us, so I am contemplating what to do with my kidlets for the next 2 weeks.&amp;nbsp; I have a few ideas.&amp;nbsp; Will probably get together with another kindy mum and do some day trips and visits.
I spent ALL NIGHT last night trying to upload my crazy advice.&amp;nbsp; (The long article that ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Good evening everyone!</p>
<p>The start of school holidays is upon us, so I am contemplating what to do with my kidlets for the next 2 weeks.&nbsp; I have a few ideas.&nbsp; Will probably get together with another kindy mum and do some day trips and visits.</p>
<p>I spent ALL NIGHT last night trying to upload my crazy advice.&nbsp; (The long article that turned into 3 articles).&nbsp; After all those weeks writing them (I have no life!) it took me nearly 4 hours to upload them.&nbsp; Minti has been VERY SLOW for me lately, my links didn't want to link and then at the end of it all THE DAMN THINGS WERE DISABLED DUE TO OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE!!!!! :-)&nbsp; I believe the problem word was killing/kill so hopefully soon they will be up and running.&nbsp; More trouble than its worth?</p>
<p>I have a headache now- so i think I will have an early night.&nbsp; imogen hasn't been sleeping well lately.&nbsp; I think she is breaking through several teeth at once.&nbsp; I have discovered 2 new molars a few days ago.&nbsp; I had her in the emergency dept on Tues.&nbsp; I thought she had broken her finger.&nbsp; one of those incidents that makes you want to cry as a mother.&nbsp; Imogen was sitting next to a&nbsp;cupboard in the lounge.&nbsp; The other kids were playing nearby.&nbsp; I was serving dinner but could still see them.&nbsp; I heard a cry and realised that Imogen had her hand on the hinge side of the cupboard door and Charlotte had closed the door jamming her finger inside.&nbsp; her finger was flat, purple, bent.......ooohhh it looked awful.&nbsp; After a bit of first aid I realised it probably wasn't as bad as I first thought- the swelling had de-flattened her finger......but got it checked out to be on the safe side.&nbsp; Funnily enough, this all is relevant to my latest advice, yet to go live.........hmmm, should I be admitting my faults as a mother at this time?????</p>
<p>AND my roof leak started leaking again when it bucketed down yesterday.&nbsp; The man came to fix it again, hopefully for good this time.&nbsp; Just when I had started using my light switch again.....now I have to wait for it to dry out once more! (Don't really want to be electrocuted!).</p>
<p>Thats all for now.&nbsp; just waiting anxiously for my articles to appear (I take it all a little too seriously,LOL).</p>
<p><img alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/heart.gif"/>Josie</p>]]></content:encoded>
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			<pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:10:04 -0700</pubDate>
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			<title>BIG DAY OUT</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>BIG DAY OUT
We went to see Disney Princesses on&amp;nbsp;Ice today.&amp;nbsp; It was brilliant!&amp;nbsp; Makes me wish I could skate like that.
I now officially have the&amp;nbsp;hots for Prince&amp;nbsp;Eric!!!!&amp;nbsp; Fit firm buttocks in tight tights: mmmmmm.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; So yes, there was something for everyone.&amp;nbsp; I will never watch the Little Mermaid the same way again.
Lachlan loved tinkerbell- everytime she went away he asked ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>BIG DAY OUT</p>
<p>We went to see Disney Princesses on&nbsp;Ice today.&nbsp; It was brilliant!&nbsp; Makes me wish I could skate like that.</p>
<p>I now officially have the&nbsp;hots for Prince&nbsp;Eric!!!!&nbsp; Fit firm buttocks in tight tights: mmmmmm.&nbsp;&nbsp; So yes, there was something for everyone.&nbsp; I will never watch the Little Mermaid the same way again.</p>
<p>Lachlan loved tinkerbell- everytime she went away he asked when she was coming back.&nbsp; Charlotte was waiting for Ariel and Aurora (although she had the easiest gig- most of her role was to lay very still: asleep, being sleeping beauty!).&nbsp; Imogen stayed home with Gran.</p>
<p>The kids have crashed in bed.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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			<pubDate>Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:27:31 -0700</pubDate>
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			<title>Iguanadons, grazed knees and cancer</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>3 stories tonight
1- The funny: Charlotte and Lachlan were working together to get into trouble tonight when I was trying to serve up dinner.&amp;nbsp; I knew they were playing with an egg and I had told them to put it away before they broke it.&amp;nbsp; I was on the other side of the kitchen bench strapping Imogen into her high ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>3 stories tonight</p>
<p>1- <strong>The funny</strong>: Charlotte and Lachlan were working together to get into trouble tonight when I was trying to serve up dinner.&nbsp; I knew they were playing with an egg and I had told them to put it away before they broke it.&nbsp; I was on the other side of the kitchen bench strapping Imogen into her high chair when I heard <strong>&quot;IT IS an iguanadon</strong>!&quot;.&nbsp; well, I knew straight away what had happened.&nbsp; they had revealed the contents of the egg onto the kitchen floor and proclaimed the species found within! (with Lachlan being the dinosaur nut- it would have to be some palaeontological specimen)........Meanwhile I was trying not to laugh....you know, discipline and all that!</p>
<p>2- <strong>The painful:</strong> Its lucky I am relatively fit.&nbsp; I went to pick up the kids from kindy today, lachlan ran outside with his friends and promptly stacked it in his excitement.&nbsp; Well, being emotionally fragile at the moment, he wasn't the bravest, and usually I would say its not so bad, you'll be alright...(ie get over it) but he didn't want to walk- so then I had to push him in Imogens pusher, carry her with a pram full of backpacks and shopping, as well as Charlotte hanging onto the side of the pram.&nbsp; that was hard bloody work.&nbsp; An Imogen doesn't hip carry well (she doesn't hang on, she just hangs) and Lachlan weighs a ton.&nbsp; I was stuffed when I got home. I wish I had the baby carrier in the pram.</p>
<p>3- <strong>The not funny at all</strong>:&nbsp; Do you ever get the feeling that you were some place, at a certain time, for a very specific reason? i worked on the oncology ward on the weekend and saw my 2nd cousin there.&nbsp; I realised that it was HER son in room 1 with the possible kidney tumor yet to be diagnosed.&nbsp; By the end of the weekend I had seen several family members that I hadn't seen for about 3 years.&nbsp; If only it was under better circumstances.&nbsp; he was having a CT scan today to see the extent and plan treatment.&nbsp; but they are thinking its a wilms cancer, and my 2nd aunt told me that they had been told it was about 1kg, wrapped around his entire kidney&nbsp;and they think he has had it for a long time, but no Drs would listen to their concerns!!!!!.....he is only 11 months old.&nbsp; I am going to check in on them tomorrow in my lunch break if i am working on another ward.&nbsp; hopefully the scans weren't all bad news. <img alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/sad_smile.gif"/></p>
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			<link>http://www.minti.com/members/josierm/blog/1022652/</link>
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			<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2009 04:00:31 -0700</pubDate>
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			<title>Yoga kids</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>This is so cute, and good for a laugh.
The kids were having one of their psycho moments tonight after their bath.&amp;nbsp; Charlotte strecthed up and I said to her- it looks like you are doing yoga.&amp;nbsp; she said what?, you know, yoga.&amp;nbsp; would you like to do some yoga?&amp;nbsp; YEP!
So Charlotte and Lachlan did about 30 minutes of a yoga. ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This is so cute, and good for a laugh.</p>
<p>The kids were having one of their psycho moments tonight after their bath.&nbsp; Charlotte strecthed up and I said to her- it looks like you are doing yoga.&nbsp; she said what?, you know, yoga.&nbsp; would you like to do some yoga?&nbsp; YEP!</p>
<p>So Charlotte and Lachlan did about 30 minutes of a yoga. video.&nbsp; I haven't seen them concentrate for so long or follow instructions so well.</p>
<p>I tried to do yoga with them before Imogen was born and it lasted all of 5 minutes before they got bored.&nbsp; charlotte wants to do it again tomorrow.</p>
<p>I tried to upload some pics, but the camera doesn't seem to be commecting to the computer tonight.&nbsp; shame, they were funny.&nbsp; will try again tomorrow.</p>
<p><img width="700" height="525" alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/68045/june%252009%2520011.jpg/"/></p>
<p><img width="700" height="525" alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/68046/june%252009%2520013.jpg/"/></p>
<p><img width="700" height="525" alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/68047/june%252009%2520004.jpg/"/></p>
<p>try again, aha- worked. took forever though.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<link>http://www.minti.com/members/josierm/blog/1021881/</link>
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			<pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2009 03:32:32 -0700</pubDate>
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			<title>Goodnight (need a rest from my out of control advice article)</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>I am working on an advice article at the moment- yes I know, another one!!!!, And its getting HUGE.&amp;nbsp; I keep finding more and more info that I want to add and its out of control!&amp;nbsp; I have so many ideas ATM, since that emotional cloud has lifted and I can think again.&amp;nbsp; I just like writing them- I probably ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I am working on an advice article at the moment- yes I know, another one!!!!, And its getting HUGE.&nbsp; I keep finding more and more info that I want to add and its out of control!&nbsp; I have so many ideas ATM, since that emotional cloud has lifted and I can think again.&nbsp; I just like writing them- I probably bore people to pieces though!.</p>
<p>Tomorrow Imogen is going to have her 12 months immunisations- they are a little late.&nbsp; poor baby, but she is brave.&nbsp; She has to be with her older brother and sister around. LOL.</p>
<p>Well, thats it for the night.&nbsp; I am turning off the computer, going to watch spicks and specks whilst folding the washing (or maybe i'll do that tomorrow), have a candle-lit bath (again- thats twice in one week), breastfeed imogen then go to bed.</p><p>Oh, and my roof got fixed today- well at least i think it did- i wont know until it rains.</p>
<p>good night everyone.</p>
<p>xoxox josie<img src="http://www.minti.com/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/regular_smile.gif" alt=""/></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<link>http://www.minti.com/members/josierm/blog/1020413/</link>
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			<pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:02:08 -0700</pubDate>
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			<title>swine flu, hair cuts and life.</title>
			<author>josierm</author>
			<description>I finished my course of antibiotics for whooping cough prevention.&amp;nbsp; Still as healthy as ever.&amp;nbsp; Now the swine flu clinic is back open in the emergency dept so i may get stationed there this week.&amp;nbsp; Can't avoid the bugs.
NOTICE: if you have to go to the WCH Adelaide- the hospital is in lock down for swine flu containment.&amp;nbsp; There are ...</description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img width="700" height="525" alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/67867/may%2520june%252009%2520105.jpg/"/></p>
<p>I finished my course of antibiotics for whooping cough prevention.&nbsp; Still as healthy as ever.&nbsp; Now the swine flu clinic is back open in the emergency dept so i may get stationed there this week.&nbsp; Can't avoid the bugs.</p>
<p>NOTICE: if you have to go to the WCH Adelaide- the hospital is in lock down for swine flu containment.&nbsp; There are only 2 entrances open- Kermode St and Queen Vic building&nbsp; (womens side) entrance.&nbsp; All people going through the hospital need to report at the foyer desk and get a visitors sticker.</p>
<p>Today I got Charlotte and Lachlans hair cut after they tried to do it themselves last week (chain saw masacre comes to mind, LOL).&nbsp; Charlotte has a neat little bob now.&nbsp; She has never had short hair and was very attached to her long locks so I thought she might get upset when she realised it was gone- but she really like her hair like this- &quot;I look like Dora the Explorer now mummy&quot;.&nbsp; Glad that one went well.</p>
<p><img width="700" height="525" alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/67864/may%2520june%252009%2520129.jpg/"/></p>
<p>Still going through some emotional stuff with the separation- I'm fine until I have to talk to him and it all gets dragged up again, but I'm getting there.&nbsp; Learning to let it go. But my house is cleaner, I am more focused on quality time with the kids (I don't want to be then one doing all the chores and running around and him the one getting all the chore free time with them).&nbsp; the kids are generally&nbsp;easier to deal with (apart from the extra issues the separation has caused, which hopefully will be short term).&nbsp; I have alloacted myself me time every night, when all the kids are in bed,&nbsp;where I am catching up on all the things I lost track of doing- I had a candle lit bath on Sat night, read a book in bed last night, tonight is minti time- Ive been working on a couple more advice articles to bore people&nbsp;with, &nbsp;and I might do some yoga, I plan to catch up on scrapbooking, play the piano more, listen to music more, dance around the lounge room (these are the things you can only do when no-one is watching, PMSL). I think I might book in a massage- still holding a lot of neck and shoulder tension.&nbsp; And also a hair cut and colour for myself, Yes.... that will make me feel better.&nbsp; My friends have been great and I have made a new mum friend at kindy who has been through the same thing and is being really supportive.</p>
<p>The roof still hasn't been looked at yet.&nbsp; The guy didn't show up today.&nbsp; My light switch is still taped over which is lucky because I forget every night and go to turn it on in the dark.&nbsp; If only the leak was somewhere other than through my light fitting.</p>
<p>Imogen's first birthday was a week ago.&nbsp; Its hard to believe she is 1 already.&nbsp; I still remeber her birth so clearly, LOL.</p>
<p><img width="700" height="933" alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-933/67865/may%2520june%252009%2520085.jpg/"/></p>
<p><img width="700" height="525" alt="" src="http://www.minti.com/image/r-700-525/67866/may%2520june%252009%2520102.jpg/"/></p><p>Well, thats me and my lot for now.</p>]]></content:encoded>
			<link>http://www.minti.com/members/josierm/blog/1019570/</link>
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			<pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2009 03:50:00 -0700</pubDate>
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