13 April 2007

Bought a Car or How to give your pregnant wife a heart attack

When I fell pregnant with our 3rd child we realised that our old 1989 Holden Barina was not going to fit a baby seat, a booster seat and a 10 year old comfortably in the back, not to mention carting a pram, port-a-cot, nappy bag, kitchen sink etc etc etc so we started the search for new wheels.

This search lasted months because we wanted a 4x4 type vehicle, low km, under $30K and not white. We had our hearts set on either a Toyota Prado or a Mitsubishi Pajero until we saw the Toyota Kluger which we fell in love with because it had everything we wanted and it was new BUT was way out of our price range.

We scoured our local papers, the weekend newspapers, our free paper the Quokka and just couldnt find the right vehicle for us, they were either too expensive, had too many km's or were white. We hate white cars.... boring.

My work was chaotic, worse than chaotic, it was insane and I was stressed to the max not to mention 25 or so weeks pregnant and not coping very well. Just thought I'd throw that one in, you'll get the relevance later.

Seeing as we couldnt buy local Dave extended the search online, right across Australia!

One morning while we are both at work he emails me a link to a 2003 Toyota Kluger which was priced at the upper end of our price limit but had done low km's, was gold and had everything we wanted. It was perfect except for the fact that it was in Sydney and we were in Perth!

We discuss this car over the course of a couple of days and basically make no real decision about a purchase until........

several days later my husband turns up at the door to my office and says "Come see the car I just bought" and takes off towards the front door! I blindly follow him to a white Kluger where I speechlessly ask him (yes I know I can do amazing things) who's car is this?, what are you doing with it? who's car is this? He strings me along for a while telling me it is ours when he suddenly realises that his rather pregnant for a third time and over it wife has had enough and really needs to be let in on the joke.

He purchased the gold Kluger in Sydney sight unseen, undriven, uninspected, un un un un everything. Wow he has never done anything that scary before..... or has he, he probably has but I have selective amnesia and choose not to remember.

We still have the car, it is as perfect as a car gets, we love it. I love it, it is MINE!

04 April 2007

Conversation with Tyler aged 4.8

“I like your shiny hair mum” he says to me as he is stroking the back of my head. And it is true I do have shiny hair as do lots of women with very straight, very dark hair. I get lots of comments from random people who tell me I have shiny hair. I get told I have white teeth too. Strange but true. He then continued with

“and you have nice boobies too” as he gives my right boob a rub. Thanks Ty, not sure about the appropriateness of you telling me so but thanks anyway.

The husband and I had a good laugh at his expense.

Curiouser and Curiouser

Here’s something that doesn’t happen everyday. I have recently returned to work after being on maternity leave for the past 16 months. I have returned to a job in one of the Divisional offices at the University I work. The Division has recently merged with another Division so a few things are still up in the air such as where I will call home on a permanent basis – or which desk is mine.

I have been given temporary residence in the back corner of a largish open plan office. All is good except that I keep knocking my feet on the numerous boxes stored under my desk. Being that this is not MY desk and that its previous owner is likely to return I have not disturbed or looked at these boxes presuming them to contain paperwork relating to other peoples jobs or even perhaps shockingly enough that they contain the envelopes their box claims to hold.

Today I kicked my toe for the last time; I took the bold move and ventured under my desk, in amongst the dust bunnies, tiny bits of uneaten sandwich, chocolate and chips, lost paperclips, used staples and the odd thumb tack. I located the source of my discomfort and dragged four small boxes, 3 of standard envelope size and one photocopy paper size. The photocopy box contained as I suspected paperwork so I shoved it back whence it came. (Whence is a great word isn’t it?) I opened the first of the envelope boxes; I was greeted by a family of shiny silvery silver fish who I promptly eliminated. RIP Silverfish family. To my shock and amazement the box contained…. Queue dramatic music dum dum dah…… a brick! I quickly opened the remaining two boxes anticipation filling my very soul. Two more bricks!

Now why on earth would someone want 3 boxes filled with bricks under their desk…… Never fear as I know you will be as troubled as I was at this bizarre turn of events, I promise dear reader to put my Sherlock Holmes skills to good use and unearth what has become known as “The Mystery of the Bricks in Envelope Boxes”

Stay tuned, all will be revealed.

28 March 2007

Remote Madness

The worst thing on earth that can happen to a TV junkie happened to me yesterday. The remote controls went walk-about and didn’t return. Here’s how this thrilling story unfolded.

Every night when I switch off my beloved TV I put the remote controls on either the arm of my chair, the top of a set of cane drawers or in their rightful place in the top drawer of said cane drawers. Night before last it was the arm of my chair. Now we have several remotes of importance. Most important is the DVD remote as that also operates the TV, second is the set-top box/PVR remote and lastly the TV remote. ALL 3 went missing at once.

The children always wake before me and have been trained to quietly turn on the TV and sit quietly and watch. To wake mum before time is to die a slow horrible death, they learnt very quickly. The children are starting to argue over nothing and from what I can gather some form of disagreement broke out over the remotes.

The children went off to school as per normal and I settled into the daily grind at home with Cooper. As per usual once Cooper was napping I went to turn on the TV so I could watch some rubbish recorded from the nights before.

HORRORS – I had no remotes.

I searched the house high and low, I searched toy boxes, I searched the kitchen, lounge, my bed, the kids beds, the laundry, everywhere all to no avail. I called David at work several times to quiz him on their whereabouts. He asked had I looked here?, there?, everywhere? By this stage I was getting withdrawals and was quite frantic. It was obvious that the children had lost them (as they often do). I decided that I would pull them out of school to come home and find my remotes. David forbade me. So instead as soon as I heard the siren for recess (the upside of living across the road from the school) I ran over and found someone in Broden's class, got them to find him. He informed me that “Tyler was the last to have them.” I then phoned the Kindy (on another matter of course) and asked the teacher to ask Ty what he had done with them. “Broden was the last to have them” was his reply. Grrrrrrrrrrr

I don’t think I have conveyed quite how desperate and frustrated and angry and frustrated I was to not be able to operate my TV. I had crap to watch, what else would I do, it not as if there were any housework or washing or ironing that needed doing.

The children came home from school and I put them straight to work but no amount of yelling could make them find the unfindable.

David came home from work and said “I got you some flowers”, in my wonderful mood I growled “why’d you get flowers for” as I turned around to see him standing with a 6 pack of bourbon & cola. Oh that man deserves a medal or perhaps something a little more interesting………

He then starts his search of the house and comes up empty handed. I am close to tears now, nearly 12 hours and my remotes are still lost. Then just as all seemed hopeless my hubby picks up a jacket belonging to the middle child to put it in the wash and bingo, out tumble all 3 remote controls safe and well and no worse for their horrible ordeal.

A wonderful evening of junky TV viewing was greatly enjoyed last night and the children have been banned from touching the remote controls for the rest of their lives.

25 March 2007

A Breastfeeding Story - You were warned!

We have been teaching Cooper, my baby about hot things and how you blow on hot food to cool it down. I am never too sure how much is being picked up as kids never seem to let on if they got the message or not.

Here’s the bit where if you don’t want to hear about breastfeeding then it is time to look away…….

I was giving Cooper his only breastfeed of the day – right before bed time. He was happily feeding away as he does – loves his boob this boy. All of a sudden he pulled away and the cheeky little devil starts blowing on my nipple. It is so cute the way babies blow with their mouth half open, lots of spittle everywhere. He then looks up to me with a grin that said I know it isn’t hot but I’m funny aren’t I mum? Of course he was so he tried it again and again and again coz the joke never gets old when you are only 15 months old.

16 March 2007

Gobsmacked

I want to recount a short conversation I just had with my 4 year old. We were in the car just Tyler, Cooper and myself, we were coming home from getting a few groceries. All very ordinary stuff.

Ty: "Mum?"
Me: "Yes, Ty?"

Riveting stuff hey?

Ty: "Have you ever made love in the back seat of a car?"

Now had I been eating I would have choked, as it was I nearly drove off the road and hit some old duck on a bike!

At first my mouth just fell open, I thought perhaps I had heard wrong so I asked for a repeat.

Ty: "Have you ever made love in the back seat of a car?"

Nope heard it right the first time, it didnt get better the second time either. By this time I was nearly wetting myself silently laughing, I had tears streaming down my face and I'm sure I was shaking so hard that the car could have moved by itself.

Me: "um, where did you heard that sweetheart?"

Ty: "Oh it is in my second favourite song. My favourite song is Max, max, max dont have sex with your ex"

Now I am delirious with mirth, this is too much too bear, I had to blog.

This will teach my husband for giving the children old 80's and 90's CDs to listen too!

26 January 2007

Hong Kong - the journey home Part 3

Have you ever been to Hong Kong airport? Let me tell you compared to our dinky little Perth airport it is massive. Not to mention the walk from the hotel to the train station, the changing trains and the subsequent walk from the train to the correct terminal. Ouch by this time my poor foot is agony.

Another really great thing about Hong Kong is that you can check in to you flight at Central Station. They have check in desks just like a normal airport. You put your luggage through, you show your passport, tickets etc and you get your boarding pass then you jump back on a train and take a ½ hour ride to the airport. Very clever I though, plus you can check in anytime on the day you depart so if your hotel kicks you out at 10am and your flight isn’t until midnight you can check your luggage and go off shopping for the day and rock up at 10pm to catch you flight. Just brilliant!

So we arrive at the airport. Information in the middle of the terminal just to our right, Qantas to the right of that and our departure gate to the far left. By now I am being overtaken by decrepit looking 90 year olds so we decide to see about getting me a wheel chair so that we have some mobility around the airport. Our life was just about to get even more fun. In Perth that would be it, here’s your wheel chair now bugger off. In Hong Kong it is “Please follow me to the Qantas desk” While we were at the Help desk I asked for a bandage to strap my ankle. The young lady comes back with a bandaid. Hehehehehe, holding back the giggles I explain that I need a bandage, a long stretchy cloth to wrap around my ankle to help with swelling and she kindly brings out some gauze. She was trying to be helpful. I figure we will stop at a chemist on the way to the departure lounge.

At the Qantas desk there is much inspecting of my very swollen ankle – the hunchback of Notre Dame would have been impressed with the swelling! I am not an animal. Even more talking on the walkie talkie and the telephone. I am given the only chair available and we are asked to wait a minute. Eventually a man comes with a wheelchair, I plonk myself into it and grab for Cooper. No, no, no I must not carry the baby on my lap, but I can cart 3 carry on suitcases and a hand bag that is OK but not the baby. Dave goes to push me and NO, NO, NO, the man is a specified wheel chair pusher and will not give it up. He takes off rather briskly and deposits us at immigration. WAIT we are told. Guess we aren’t going on the tour of the airport then!

Our party, a colleague of Dave’s was also with us were put through the back door of immigration, me still being pushed in my chair, effectively jumping a very long queue. We then get escorted to the departure gate and are given priority boarding onto the plane. No waiting in queues, this wheelchair thing is a great!!!!!!! Temporarily of course.

Our flight went off without a hitch; we all slept a little, ate a little and drunk a little – OK well more than a little.

Back in Perth, despite being told not to the Qantas staff had arranged a wheelchair to meet the plane for me. I was last off the plane but got express service through customs and immigration again so beat most of the passengers out of the terminal.

It was wonderful to be back home with my boys and hope one day to return to Hong Kong and take the kids with us.

10 January 2007

Hong Kong Part 2 - the downfall

The other event occurred on our last day. We took the double decker bus up to Stanley markets which was quite a drive from where we were staying at the JW Marriott (thanks to work!). What a lovely trip and great sight seeing from the front top seats of the bus.

Stanley Markets were a tad disappointing, most of what was there we could get from the Temple St Markets or other markets and at a cheaper price too.

All week had been beautiful sunny but not too hot weather and this day started out the same until out of nowhere we experience a torrential downpour which turned into just plain bad wet weather that continued until our departure home.

Here is where this story really starts.

We were window shopping in a carving place and as we were leaving I managed somehow to forget how to navigate steps and fell badly twisting/spraining/straining (whichever one it hurt) my ankle. Down I went crashing to the floor all ungraciously, thank goodness I was wearing pants is all I can say.

The shopkeepers were very kind and rubbed some Chinese medicine (I think it was clove oil, Dave recons it was cinnamon????) and let me recover in their shop. After tightening my laces on my sneakers we soldiered on (well there was nothing else I could do) and went across the street and grabbed a bite to eat. Surprisingly a very delicious pizza was scoffed.

To be honest my foot didnt really hurt that much and I managed to do a very good impression of walking back to the bus stop. We managed to get the top front seats again which was great except that we are both fairly tall people and the seats were designed for much shorter people so our legs were all cramped up in front of us and to make matters worse Cooper fell asleep on our lap and we were to frightened to move in case we woke him. This child never falls asleep except in his own bed so it was a new experience for us.

When we arrived at our stop I stood up and ouch my ankle was so painful, I could hardly stand on it let alone walk! We caught a taxi back to the hotel and started packing.

Wow this is turning into one of those mini saga type posts. Will leave it there for now and finish off another day. If I forget just nudge me, email me and remind me. I am quite forgetful.

Trash or Treasure Part 2

A few days after Christmas.

Cooper is enjoying his ride on car and has mastered riding it surprisingly well, amazingly well really considering he has just started walking. He manages to climb on and manouver it so he actually "rides" it. It has been blissfully quiet too.

Then it happens, noises start coming out of the ride on toy. Seems there is a switch underneath the rideon that turns the noises on and off. Thankfully they are not the screechy ear piercing type but gentle melodic sounding musical nursery rhymes. whew

Even better I got a toy in perfect working condition for a 70% discount.

Hong Kong Part 1

Yes, we had a trip to Hong Kong, good guess, bet you feel clever now? Sorry that was mean.

Dave, Cooper and I took a trip to Hong Kong in Nov 06, Dave went for work, I went for shopping, Cooper went as he is still a breast fed babe and couldnt live without me. awwwww.

The trip was great, love Hong Kong and will oneday return with all 3 kids in tow to do HK Disneyland and Ocean Park. Not too mention more shopping.

Hong Kong really dresses up for Christmas. Just beautiful, nothing like the piddly little decorations erected by our town. Shopping malls are full of brightly coloured decorations, massive tree's, garlands of bells and bows and baubles. Very festive and it was hard not to be caught up in the excitement of Christmas, even if it was still mid November.

Besides shopping and swimming we really didnt do a lot in HK that is worth noting. Two things however do stand out, the first being something we found in a McDonalds store.
We didnt eat there, I refuse to visit a new country and eat the same old rubbish dished out by global convenience. Although one day when we could find absolutely no where else to eat and were ratty at each other due to hunger we did get lunch there, BUT we ordered the local version which was a rice type patty with "flavour" inside. Very tasty I must admit. On the other occasion we visited but did not eat at we discovored that they had a free internet service for their customers - YES free! I think perhaps the idea was to buy something and actually become a customer? Free internet who isnt going to use it, I know I did :).

08 January 2007

Santa please bring me.....

I have a 4 year old with a bit of a wild imagination.

This year amongst everything he sees on TV he wants a Fruit Barbie!!!!!!

Our question is what is a Fruit Barbie?

Well a Fruit Barbie is a real barbie doll and you rip her head off and inside is squishy lollies. PMSROFLOL!!!!

What the??????? All I can say is that I am glad that my son has not yet developed any gender bias's as yet and is still happy to ask for a doll. The eldest boy would have been mortified to have been in the same room as a doll! But I am a tad concerned at the "ripping her head off" part.

Needless to say we havent found one yet!

03 January 2007

What do School teachers know?

Dave has just passed on some very nice comments by a close family member (you know who you are!) Who kindly told him to tell me that they liked my first post and where was the next one and that I wrote well. I want to thank you so much, I appreciate hearing that but what I want to ask is........

How come NONE of my school teachers ever said that?

24, 36,82..... or a bird of any other feather?

Funny story #1 (well at least we laughed)

Ty, my 4.5year old is exploring numbers, some days he is 19 years old, some days he is 30, 60 (not really sure what that is about). Questions about the time result in a random generation of numbers that sound like they could be time, 12.79 o'clock, 50.12 o'clock.

The other day at my mums we were on the back patio have a New Years Eve feast of fish & chips, there were tons of native birds in the trees calling to each other. A real cauchophony of happy bird noise. Dad was pointing out all the brightly coloured birds to the kids and Dave, The Husband, was guessing their species. "Oh that looks like a Rosella", "Oooo look a Lorikeet", "Oh and that one is a 28" God only knows if he was right or not but that would be a whole other blog issue. :)

Ty, ever the parrot, hehehe get the joke, chimes in with "yep that one is a 28 of the 3rd"
Man he cracks me up!