Liebster award from Steph :)

I was given two liebster awards in August. One from Leanda and the other from Steph. Thanks to Steph who blogs here, you get to learn a bit more about me. Again. :)

You have 30 minutes all to yourself, what do you do? I know I shouldn't, but I usually do a quick whip around and clean up or hang washing. I need to learn to relax. 

Sometimes I go out in the garden to look at something and pull a weed, which ends up turning into lots of weeds and time gets away. It's a good way to waste time.

What do you prefer – chocolate tart or cheesecake? This is like choosing a favourite from my children. Is it even possible? I do love a good cheesecake, and I do love dark chocolate. Is anyone offering dark chocolate cheesecake?!

What’s the best advice that you've been given? Oh god. I was thinking about this the other day and I thought of it, that little bit of golden advice, but it has slipped my mind. Mum did tell me once though, not to stress about the house looking like a bomb hit it. She said that when you have kids, no one expects your house to be spotless. Good thing that, because my house rarely is.  

How many siblings do you have? I am the oldest of five children. I have two sisters and twin brothers. 

Your favourite thing to do on a date with a loved one? Me and Boggy (that's what I call my husband. It's an old nickname his dad gave him. Short for Bognut. You know. Bog=shit, nut=head). Any way Boggy and I, had a night in a motel a few months ago. Had a swim/spa, we went to an egyptian restaurant. Went for a lovely walk afterwards. Had a drink at an establishment and then went back to the hotel. That was a nice night. 

Do you have a brown thumb or a green thumb? Most definitely a green thumb. I like to garden, I have an interest in plants. All sorts, herbs, veggies and flowers. 

I've made a garden in every house I've lived in since I was 20. I can't imagine not having a patch of dirt to grow something in.

What’s something nice that someone else has done for you? Looked after my kids while I had a nice peaceful break. I probably did house work!

Describe your staple outfit. Jeans or trackies. A shirt. Thongs or sneakers. Of late I've been donning my rubber boots(they're fancy) to feed the chooks, or in the garden. Even wore them down to the hardware store last week. 

Your dinner last night was…. Ha. Homemade hamburgers. The 'black and gold' frozen variety, with 'homebrand' white bread, sliced cheese, fried egg and salad. Fancy. We'd been to the annual show in the morning and had visitors in the afternoon, while I decorated birthday cakes. I had a care factor of zero, when dinner time came around. 

What’s your quirky habit? I had to think about this one overnight.  I give myself direction, out loud. So everyone can hear. My head is such a jumbles sometimes, I have to tell myself what to do. I'm one of those mad bitches who talks to herself. Haha.

What reminds you of your childhood? Lollies. Music. Fresh cut grass. Crochet blankets. Hearing the local footy games from the house. 

An InLinkz Link-up

A liebster from Leanda

Thanks to the beautiful Leanda Michelle for nominating me for a Liebster award. 

I am not very good at passing them on, but I've taken the time to answer the questions set by Leanda.

1. Do you dream and decipher its meaning?

When I have dreams, really vivid dreams, it is mostly of someone chasing me. A pursuit, usually for my life. Some ogre or baddy chasing me down alley ways, around buildings, where I hide within, or behind things. I have never really looked into why I dream these things. 

2. How many towns/suburbs/cities have you lived in your lifetime to date? And which was your fave?

I haven't lived a lot of different places. I know that when I was little, really little, I lived not far, from where I do now. I then lived in a small town called Kalangadoo, where I spent just about all of my childhood, great memories. Epic memories. It would have to be my fave.

I then moved to the town I am still living in. So much growing up, in the one place. One area, I love to bits. The Limestone Coast.

3. Do you prefer a good movie or a good book and why?

These days I would probably go for more than the other, and that is a good movie. It takes me less time to watch a good movie these days to read a good book. I hardly even get to see a good movie!

4. Are you a savoury or sweet person?

Oh gee, this is hard. I love to cook. I love to cook savouries, like curries and soups. But I love, love a good dark chocolate! I've been loving sweet things a little too much lately. Tonight is the second time this week I feel sick from having stuffed myself silly!

5. Where’s your fave holiday spot?

I would have to say anywhere by the sea. We recently stayed in Robe for the weekend and it was awesome. Sun, sea and shopping!

6. Name one thing on your bucket list you’ll aim to achieve in the next 12 months.

I want to finish the 'My place in time' challenge. I also have been thinking about having a market stall, a LOT. 

7. Who’s your fave author and why?

Oh I don't know. One book that always stands out for me is 'playing the jack' by Mary Brown. It's the only book I think I have ever read twice! Enid Blyton was a favourite of mine when I was a kid. I loved reading about Dick and Fanny and Moonface!

8. What does success mean to you?

Making people happy. I think if someone has been made happier by crossing your path, you have succeeded. That being you are content with yourself as well, and have only made making people happy, without thinking about any gain for yourself first.

9. Name one thing most people wouldn't know about you.

I don't think people know that I don't mean to be rude by seeming to ignore them. I just feel uncomfortable sometimes making eye contact, I feel uncomfortable making the first acknowledgement of saying 'hi' sometimes. Silly I know. I always kick myself for it afterwards. 

10. What do you regard as your greatest achievement?

Some of my best achievements have come from my own work. In year 7 at 'Our lady of the pines' school, I won the first scholarship award. I'm proud of that. It seems strange that I am just about to have one of my photos from 'nothing but trees'   a post about pine trees, published in a book. I think that is kinda cool.

I got a few first prize and placement awards for photos at the show last year. I just haven't had the arse to enter this year. I also need to get myself another camera, a better one.

I can't go on with life thinking, 'what if I had that. If only I had this'. I have to just get on with what I have got and make the most of it. I think I take pretty good photos of my flowers anyway, with my shitty arse camera. I am just practicing for when I do have a kick arse camera. One of these frickin days.

At the moment my greatest achievement is getting through a day without crying over petty shit and not cracking a boonta at the kids. 

An InLinkz Link-up

Liebster Quinella

This post started as a Liebster times two, in the process I have procured two more. Enough already people!

Thank you very very very very much to Rita from The Crafty Expat, Robyn from Mrs D and Candy bows, Victoria from Declutterbug and Captain Stingypants and Tegan from Musings of the Misguided for nominating me and my blog, for Liebster awards. I will kill two four birds with one stone(coz I am that good!), and answer all of them in one post.

Ritas Questions....

1. Have you ever travelled to another country?
No. The furthest I have been is Long Island off Queensland! Considering I live in one of the southern most places in South Australia, it's a fair way. In a plane. :)
2- Which country did you visit or/and which country would you like to visit? 
I would love to go to Spain, the birth place of my Dad :)
3- What is your best travelling memory?
Learning to ski at Falls Creek or eating my way around Tasmania!
4- Which place did you visit in your own country?
There have been so many.....loved every one of them. I haven't been to NT or WA.
5- What is your favourite place in the world (other than home)?
My mums house.
6- What is your favourite craft activity or/and what type of crafts would you like to learn?
Crosstitch or quilting, I like to paint and draw, all of which I haven't done much of at all lately. I would love to learn how to crochet.
7- Do you have a craft fail? Tell me about it.
I am hopeless at taking up and hemming pants. Which is a pain because I am short. There are so many different types of materials I have no experience in hemming successfully :/
8- What is the most positive thing you get out of bloggingRelationships with fantastic people, who urge me on to create fantastic memories for the future generations, so they can look back on and experience their ancestory in a way I never got to.
9- What part of blogging you dislike
how time consuming it is!
10- What do you like best when you look at a blog?
When it loads fast, and is easy to read.
11-Name three things you want to do before the end of the year?
Wax my chin! lol.seriously!!
Blog my christmas day :)
Unpack from trip away for christmas day, and washed all the dirty clothes, and folded, and put them away in their respective drawers. that is all :)

Robyns questions....

Is your blog your job or your hobby? It is my hobby. One day maybe, it will become my job, who knows, maybe not?
Do you work from home and if so how do you manage to work around the kids? I do not work from home, thank f...ruit cake, because I do not know how the hell I could do it!!!!
If you could have a whole day to yourself what would you do? Go get a pedi, massage and facial all in one!
What's your favourite quick, never fail dinner recipe? Spaghetti bog!
Are you good at saying No when you need to? (I'm terrible) I am terrible, but, just tonight i didn't answer my door. I was trying to get my youngest to sleep, I wasn't answering the door to anybody!!! It turned out to be my next door neighbour, I would have loved to seen her.
What's the most embarrassing situation your little ones have put you in when out and about? Recently when we where at the op shop and izzy kept saying "We have to get out of here, this place stinks. It is making me feel sick". She was being so honest, I couldn't stop laughing!!
Are you currently following your passion? I am really not sure what my passion is. It would have to be gardening of some sort, maybe design. I am sure I would have to win lotto to follow it truly :/
Are you super organised or do you survive in organised chaos? I like to think I live organised, but I am sure from an oustide view it would be organised chaos!!!
Have you ever moved country before? No, not even statewide. I did consider once moving to NSW to be with Jakes Dad.
Do you have a thermomix? Do you love it? I don't have one! I went to a demonstration, but wasn't convinced it was the bees knees, although impressive :/ My sister in law has one and she loves it.
Camping! Love it or hate it?? Love it when it doesn't rain, or isn't too hot. And the kids are happy and not whining!! Would much rather a hotel room! We do have a caravan that is better than a tent I suppose.

Victorias questions....

1. How has blogging affected you?
It has introduced me to lots of new people and things like twitter. Given me an outlet to be expressive and creative.
2. What do you do when you get some 'me time'?
Relax, compute, drink wine, shower
3. Do you share your blog with family and close friends?
No, some know I have one but I don't think they frequent it
4. How often do you check your blog stats?
A few times a week, I try not to be too worried about it, sometimes curiosity gets the better of me.
5. What inspires you to write?
A desire to connect
6. How do you relax in the evening?
In front of the computer, sometimes with wine
7. Do you sleep with your smartphone?
No! I don't have a smartphone. I don't sleep with my dumbphone. I'm not really a mobile phone person...yet.

8. Name a person you admire?
My sons nanna, Jan Nicoll, she is the most amazing person I know
9. Coffee or tea?
I will drink both, but am going mad for coffee right now
10. Your dream holiday is...?
Sitting on a beach, sipping cocktails with no distractions
11. In five years time you hope to be....?
Sitting on a beach, sipping cocktails with no distractions! Happy, healthy, and still sane :)

Tegans questions....

How long have you been blogging? Since May, so 7 months.
What was the first Blog you read? I think Fat Mum Slim was the first, I am sure there were ones before that but thats the first one I remember.
How did you come up with the name for your Blog? My nick name is chook, and I am a mum, so One Mother Hen it was.
Summer or Winter? I hate being cold, so I would have to say Summer.
How do you start your day? Coffee!! Before or after sorting out two girls, depends who gets up first!
One thing you couldn't live without? The internet.
If you were stuck on a deserted island, who is one person you would like to be stuck with? Bear grylls!!!
Your favourite indulgence food? Chocolate
Do you blog to a schedule? No not particularly, I do schedule posts for Wordless Wednesdays though without fail.
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? Where I am right now, at home.
Are you ready for Christmas? Yes, I think so! I do have a couple of things to do, but I am doing them later in the week. 

I am going against the rules and not passing it on, finding 44 blogs to nominate and then notify them is just ridiculous. Plus I have two other blog awards, a Sunshine and Beautiful blog awards to pass on as well which I will choose blogs for.........eventually!! :)

Thank you again to Rita, Robyn, Victoria and Tegan :)
A late inclusion(just to make it extra ridonculous) is thanks to Ann at Help!! I'm stuck!! for handing back the one I gave her.

Liebster Award!

I have previously recieved one of these. Mel from Just winging it. Parenting by the seat of my pants has kindly passed another one my way. Thankyou Mel :)

So what is a Liebster Award? The award is given to support and recognise up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers (on their blog) or likers (on their Facebook page). The word “Liebster” apparently has German origins and is reported to mean sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. By following some basic rules (answer 11 questions set by your nominee, write 11 questions of your own and pass the award onto 11 other bloggers to answer) it enables readers to get to know new bloggers and connect with a wider audience.

Questions set by Mel

1.      How long have you been blogging/had a Facebook page for?  I started blogging in May of this year, my first post was about laying in a pissy bed,  thanks to my daughter Izzy. The facebook page came later.

                            

2.      Why did you start blogging? Just to write things down somewhere, I had no idea how big it was and how many  friendly people were out there in blog world.

                         

3.      What should you be doing right now, instead of blogging? Sleeping! 

        

4.      Name 3 items you could grab from where you are sitting? Drink bottle, phone, tissues.

         

5.      Are you a morning or evening person?  I would say evening, I don't like getting out of bed in the morning. Maybe I should go to  bed earlier. But evening is me time, and morning is "Mum, muuuum, muuuuuum"....all  day!! 

                   

6.      What book are you currently reading? Nothing. I hardly get to read the local rag in peace. 

         

7.      Where were you born? Mt Gambier, South Australia. 

          

8.     How many times in your life have you moved and where to? About 7 times. The last 5 have been in the town I am in now, we moved here when I  was 12. I've been in this house for 10 years.               

               

9.      Are you a coffee or tea drinker?  Both. Mostly coffee.

           

10.   What is the next country on your travel wish list? I haven't been OS, ever, unless you count Tassie. For some reason I would like to go to  Noumea.

                            

11.   Are you spontaneous or a planner?  I would say planner, I like to know what is going to happen and when. I have to think about being spontaneous, which I think defeats the purpose.

The eleven blogs I have chosen
1.  Tao of poop
2.  Broome time Mummy
3.  Four little piglets
4.  The Semi-rural life
5.  Mumabulous
6.  Kate Writes
7.  Danya Banya
8.  Uber Simplicity
9.  A cajun down under
10.Mums take five
11.I,m thinking of starting a blog

       

Questions for my eleven nominees

1.  What is your favourite book character ever?
2.  What's in your fridge veggie draw, right now?
3.  What was the last thing you took a photo of?
4.  Where was the last place you travelled to?
5.  Do you wear thongs(flip flops, thought I should clarify!), what colour are they?
6.  What was the last shop (besides the supermarket) you bought anything from? And what?
7.  What is your least favourite chore?
8.  What is the last tv show you watched?
9.  Do you have a family nickname, or one your friends call you?
10.Name three things on your kitchen bench.
11.Name three things on your bathroom vanity.

Liebster in da house!!

I was very flattered when Kelly from Handmade tears and triumphs sent me a message to say that she had given me a Liebster award. I'd seen them floating around and thought straight away that I'd probably never come into the radar for one of them. But here I am, telling you about it. Thank you Kelly!!!

The Low down on Liebster

Each person must post 11 facts about themselves 

Answer 11 questions the tagger has given you 
Choose 11 people and link them to your post (they must have 200 followers or less) 

Provide 11 questions for the people you tag 

Tell the people you have nominated

11 Facts about me

Fact 1.    I'm drink my tea black with no sugar. I drink coffee white with 2, I have only been drinking it within the last couple of months. I get now why my husband never let me choose and buy the coffee!

Fact 2.   I was chased up a plum tree by a ram when I was about 14. I was crying and terrified. My sister stood at the back door pissing herself laughing at me. Bitch. When my Mum came to see what all the screaming was about, she told me to stop being silly and get down.  Yeah but....theres a deranged ram trying to kill me!

Fact 3.   I'm a nail biter, I can't seem to get them to grow. Except at the end of my pregnancies. I buy polish for my toes, I feel naked when they aren't painted. They're coral pink at the moment.

Fact 4.   My first car was a purple Datsun 120Y, I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Grass grew on the passenger seat floor.

Fact 5.   My son went to special school from the age of 9, he has aspergers.

Fact 6.   I like to sing in the car, I could get through a whole song(usually with the wrong words), if it wasn't for cars coming the other way or people on the footpaths. I don't want to look like a dickhead.

Fact 7.  When I was still a silly teenager I got bogged on concrete, with a car full of friends. Not in the Datsun. It was raining, the ground was dirty and muddy, the handbrake was on. I was doing a mean burnout, thinking I was bogged. I may or may not have been a little bit stoned.

Fact 8.   I attended 10 years of Catholic school. I thought the nuns were lovely in primary school. There were Brothers in high school, Brother David sconed me on the head with his knuckles for saying 'shit' in homegroup. Prick ;p That sort of physical discipline wouldn't happen today, and worse things are probably said in homegroup these days.

Fact 9.   I wear ugg boots out in public. Crime of fashion? I don't care.

Fact 10. My grandpa was a Latvian Russian. He would sit at the head of the table and crack a bunta if we talked at the dinner table.

Fact 11. I lost my original engagement ring on my honeymoon. It's at the bottom of the Great Barrier Reef, unless a fish ate it, then I don't know where it is. Thank God for travel insurance.

Kellys 11 

If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?

So many, but you know what, the first person to pop into my head, Johnny Depp. Aaaand the mind starts to wander...Patrick Swayze, circa 1987. And after some serious thought Mary Mackillop.
If you could drive any car of your choosing, what would it be?
Well I'm not too fussy, as long as it has petrol in it, air con and heating. But I'll take a brand spanking new Holden Commodore if you're buying. A dodge viper would be far too impractical, and uncool with two kids in the boot.
What picks you up when you’re down?

Chocolate, and a walk anywhere out in the fresh air and sunshine. Definitely a hug from my mum, in fact I'll take a hug from anyone.
What’s your favourite Karaoke song?
Haven't sung Karoake in the longest time. It's a long way to the top by ACDC.
PC or Mac?
PC. What's the difference, I have no idea?!!!
What food do you despise?
Anything offalish, and mostly, whatever my husband cooks ;P
What one Super Power would you choose?
Invisibility, how much fun could I have with that one. And I may get some peace without the kids tugging at me or using me for a horse when I'm down on the floor cleaning up.
If you had to relocate to a new country, but you could choose which one, where would you move?
Maybe Italy or Spain. Imagine the lifestyle!!
What is the best book you’ve ever read?
I don't read many novels, not these days anyway. Have read lots of auto/biographies, on different poeple, which I enjoyed. A book I've read several times, is Playing the Jack by Mary Brown, a soppy love story set in 18th century England.
Do you think Australia should become a republican nation or are you all about the monarchy?
Have really no opinion about this, except if it's not broken why fix it. Does that mean I'm a monarchist? I think I'm sitting on the fence at the moment of 'I don't give a shit'.
What do you think of my blog? ;-)
I love your blog, it's a very entertaining read. You're funny, witty and write kick arse stories.

....and the award goes to....

I've chosen these 11 blogs to pass the award to. I have enjoyed reading them at some time or rather to want to follow. I also think they don't have the following they deserve. If I have nominated you, don't feel obligated to participate if it's not your cup of tea. (drum roll)...

Help!! I'm stuck!!

Inside the Snuggery

Learning to play, playing to learn

Housewife in heels

Teapots and Tractors

Mum of adult kids

Boyz Germs

The simple mummy

The Multitasking Mummy

Slightly more depth than a teaspoon

Little nan

Phew!! and nearly there.......

My questions for the nominees

1. What nationalities are in your ancestry?
2. Favourite Australian actor/actress?
3. Which magazine to you read the most?
4. What was your first job and how old were you?
5. Electric blanket or hot water bottle?
6. Favourite joke or party trick?
7. Right now, what's on the top shelf of your fridge?
8. What colour is predominant in your wardrobe?
9. First car you owned and what are you driving now?
10. Where was the best holiday you've had?
11. Who has been the biggest influence in your life?

Girls Night Out - Open Slather

I haven't been out on a girls night out in so long, it's ridiculous. Before this night I hadn't had a drink for 18 months, ever! Over the weekend I joined my sister Carmen, and her friends to celebrate her birthday. Our little sister Sophie had flown from Victoria (her birthday is the day before, her hubby bought her a plane ticket to come over for the weekend). So for in more than a while we were all parting together. It was a bit spesh.

Me, Carmen, Sophie

Carmen and I are the same age for the next three weeks, before I turn 40 (I'm in denial!) have a birthday next month. 

I was intending and did drink a bottle of low alcohol wine, then there was the shooter, and the few light beers at the pub later on. I was surprised how I handled it, I thought I'd be on my ear after the first glass. I did keep nibbling and drinking water here and there. I had the best time!! A night out was long overdue.

Later at home, while I pumped and dumped my booby milk, I checked in on Facebook(as you do), and was quite chuffed to see that Kelly from Handmade tears and triumphs has given me a Liebster award! How nice is that?! So now I get to pass it on to some other bloggers too :) When I first started my blog (nearly four months ago), I really had no idea how big blogging was. How daunting it was to be a little fish(still a little fish) in a big ocean, Who was going to read my crappy, insignificant blog? I soon came to realise that there was a great support network for newbies and I will be excitedly happy to pass it on and make someone elses day to receive it.