tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39686368995658936382012-02-17T04:21:08.941+10:30Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.comBlogger3011100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-44358507660673797452012-02-10T10:27:00.000+10:302012-02-10T10:27:03.434+10:30

I spent a bit of time yesterday with an eight week old sweet baby. Made me realise that I still call my two boys my babies. And that reminded me of this rhyme by one of my bestie fav children's poets Clyde Watson. Oh once I had a baby And Georgina was her name Now she's all grown up But she's my baby just the same. We sing it with my boy's name there instead of Georgina. Aaah, babies eh. .

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-52992757811049201082012-01-03T22:01:00.000+10:302012-01-03T22:01:33.829+10:30

I went to a 'mall' today to return something. Urk. First time I have been into one for, good gumboots, must be years. Urk. Still can't think of a single good reason why they exist. Urk. Must go lie down and think about tall trees and dirt. .

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-66561803773191043122012-01-02T13:34:00.001+10:302012-01-02T13:38:15.324+10:30

Lately, we have had a few different items of clothing turn to rags. Useful rags actually. From useful clothes. A few of my clothes, about three pairs of shorts from my boy W who is five and a few bits from my boy K who is two. All of these clothes were second hand. And some third hand. All were well loved and worn through in the parts that show you enjoy life - you know - knees, arse, elbows,

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-35183031378297053992011-12-31T22:08:00.000+10:302011-12-31T22:08:09.089+10:30

I love bed... from here and I know I am amongst bed loving friends here. I have been going to bed on new year for over, um, at least 14 years now. So completely pre kid decision. Makes new year with kids easy. An aside though. I love bed is the main thing. We are currently sleeping in a futon that my partner bought before he met me. It now has a pimple mattress on top. It is lush sleeping. Oh

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-66210122971391305752011-11-16T16:39:00.000+10:302011-11-16T16:39:24.158+10:30

As you may possibly know, I am a wee bit fond of idle parenting and of the idea of the waldkindergarten. (image from here - sadly my foreign languages amount to very bad french so I have no idea what this website is really about but I do know that these kids had a great time!) And whilst I am pottering and plotting away at various schemes, the waldkindergarten is never far from my thoughts.

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-29507545297733268652011-11-15T17:59:00.000+10:302011-11-15T17:59:42.622+10:30

We left Pipalyatjara (about 10km inside the NW border of South Australia) at 8am on Saturday. We sat down on the foreshore at Geraldton to eat fish and chips at 6.30pm on Sunday evening. K - two was perhaps the best behaved of the four of us - except for the last 40 minutes into Geraldton which required high powered nursery rhymes. W was quite amazing and I must say that the two adults were

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-9127529089391500092011-11-09T12:01:00.001+10:302011-11-09T12:02:45.220+10:30

Climbing Communicating Working Loving   Drawing   Resting Sharing    Go well all you people out there..

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-25710723229836794672011-11-08T16:41:00.000+10:302011-11-08T16:41:23.146+10:30

The rains have stopped - for now at least... and the wind has come up.And the sun has come out. Hoo boy it is hot! Great for dying out those muddy roads but not so good for wandering around the community or the hills and valleys. So, we are staying home a lot. Funnily enough - to bake! We have loved cooking whilst here and you can see some of the recipes I have become fond of during our six weeks

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-56331657809866878982011-11-07T17:27:00.000+10:302011-11-07T17:27:08.211+10:30

Kidspeak of my 5 year old: Maaaaaama! Can you help? My feet are so fizzy I can't get off the toilet! Aaaah. Got to love it. Hope your local speak is all warm heart inspiring as well. xx .

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-7839657059042245392011-10-31T16:02:00.000+10:302011-10-31T16:02:06.181+10:30

We went out to Kuntjanu for the afternoon and evening last week.Kuntjanu is a homeland about 70km south of Pipalyatjara. It has a house, bore, tank and windmill. The tank and windmill have been broken by camels that are in huge numbers out here and create incredible damage in their search for water. The homeland has not been permanently inhabited for a long time. Since the government stopped

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-43392009130637150932011-10-27T11:10:00.000+10:302011-10-27T11:06:01.707+10:30

There is a post that I just can't write. So, instead of silence I will go with a time honoured tradition of looking elsewhere. So here it is. The other bit of life.The small bit, that makes the rest somehow bearable. Please, when your heart is stretching and your throat tight:look to the weatherlook to your children. Go well.      . xx

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-84370455319113867832011-10-17T15:40:00.001+10:302011-10-17T15:55:58.996+10:30

Some days, well let's be honest, some weeks; life just moves too fast.You start ok, then your foot slips somehow, or your first breath of the day has dust in it and not fairy dust. Or somehow, you aren't quite on track. And before you know it you are moving from one spilt drink to a cracked knee to a lost thing to a please take a turn and no DON'T do that, to tears to a hurried cuddle that you

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-41641868416847105842011-10-16T20:40:00.001+10:302011-10-16T20:40:53.687+10:30

a noun apparently. .

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-24538706136398902202011-10-13T18:37:00.000+10:302011-10-13T18:37:31.884+10:30

Two of many mind exploding things I have heard IN PERSON whilst here... 1. white store managers will let people into the store after after closing time - not for food - ONLY FOR CIGARETTES 2. mechanic give a $20 discount to white staff and local organisations for tyre repair but charges local Anangu the full $65 per tyre repair And we haven't even been here two weeks yet. No wonder I feel a

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-42718277704324651792011-10-12T12:25:00.001+10:302011-10-12T12:41:03.499+10:30

Yep, it is National Ride to Work Day in Australia. My luvly squeeze - a good bike loving bloke, who is the worker, not only rode to work, but also he had a riding escort. We are really loving riding around here. Due to my skinny tyres we can't go on the dirt too much but we can definitely manage skooting around town on the bitumen (or benjamin as my boy W calls it). We go to the shop, to visit

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-84472152017651778072011-10-11T14:32:00.001+10:302011-10-11T14:34:16.598+10:30

Down the road.Off the bitumen.Towards the airstrip. Finding detritus stuck in the hard dirt of the road.One person's clip.One car's bolt.String.Wire. Turn the corner towards the car dump.Explore up a hillside.The base newly exposed by fire. Further on.Find some paddy melons.Invent paddy melon football.(by the 431943'th child to invent paddy melon football)   Play paddy melon football all the way

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-80297863082592200282011-10-05T22:02:00.003+10:302011-10-05T23:30:37.097+10:30

Sometimes, the problem with really working hard to parent in a good way, all day, and being successful, most of the time, is that at the end, all you are left with, is exhaustion. Then, after a cup of tea, you have to remember to look in on them sleeping, and remember you are helping to build amazing people for a world we can't conceive of. No wonder I feel tired. Cups of tea all

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-27052836514714628212011-10-04T13:04:00.000+10:302011-10-04T13:04:17.924+10:30

We are in the central desert.Back where T and I met.Where our kids names come from. First time back in seven years. So good to be back, held within such an amazing expanse of land. The desert apparently, but as always there are so many varied landscapes, creatures and plants. Country rich for the eyes for those lucky enough to come here. Tall desert oaks, with those needles that sing in the

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-57986554766992969812011-10-03T14:14:00.005+10:302011-10-03T14:35:41.810+10:30

that was a break in transmission! Well, I am considering, thanks to an inspiring friend, getting back on the bandwagon, by embracing Blogtoberfest. Every day in May was what got me into blogging in a big way so maybe I can respark here in October. But considering that I am starting on day three, I will embrace it in a perfectly imperfect way by linking also to Kate at picklebums and signing

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-80459225220711712962011-08-09T21:03:00.000+09:302011-08-09T21:03:53.489+09:30

Is it just me that the census has this effect on? Am I weird? Does anyone else out there get REALLY CRANKY on census night??? My whole existence boiled down to: 52 In the last two weeks did this person spend time looking after a child, without pay? * only include children who are less than 15 years of age * mark all applicable responses () No () Yes, looked after my own child () Yes, looked

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-40560423286183499522011-08-01T14:35:00.003+09:302011-08-01T14:35:00.658+09:30

Twelve times this year I will be posting a decision our family has made to lower our environmental mumbling and our make environmental footprint smaller. The overall idea is here. Step one is here.Step two is here. For our family we will spend about a month (as a guide) thinking and talking about our next decision. Then post about it. Then, in about a months time we will post the next one and

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-26660523256059995542011-07-31T16:15:00.000+09:302011-07-31T16:15:23.669+09:30

Kinda wanting this that and the other bit and not quite sure how to fit it all in? Are you a wee bit frustrated sometimes? read this then... Such a great post. .

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-31463318830999579562011-07-28T13:44:00.001+09:302011-07-28T18:14:36.294+09:30

I have just spend the last half an hour feeding my sons beans from a can whilst I stood in the kitchen drinking a cup of tea and reading a book. The book was a collection of short stories and poems from the territory. Moments of recollection, moments of laughter. And tears. As I spooned another mouthful into one son and he pottered off to play, I realised.... (Wait, second mouth, and gone.

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-33617590786728503942011-07-24T20:21:00.003+09:302011-07-24T21:01:01.321+09:30

I went to the Parap market today - it is officially my favourite Darwin market so far.Mountains of fragrant herbs, fruits I don't know the name of, greens, mountains of limes...Amongst it all I found a second hand book stall.And there a Leunig book I hadn't come across before. The book was inscribed...Dear friends Evidah, Richard & DanielThis is just a small token of thanks for you all (+ your

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-46438374590154637092011-07-23T22:34:00.000+09:302011-07-23T22:34:01.248+09:30

Sorry folks, bin a while eh? Is anyone still tuned in? Hello? Hello? Well, silence usually means... a hard time, a great time, or a loss of inspiration... Well, the sun is out, we ride out to go fishing of the beach tomorrow morning, we have offically now tasted pumpkin laksa from Parap Markets and life is good. Well, except for the bits that aren't: W is still 5 and the power struggle raises

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-3871652888332711732011-07-08T23:12:00.001+09:302011-07-08T23:28:54.134+09:30

Now that I have figured out how to use our new and exciting wee eepc in combination with our camera,  I can show you a few pics of the journey so far... (be warned I am yet to master the art of the two working well together and a few choice words have been said at volume in putting this post together. I am going for communication over quality!) It started at home in the Adelaide hills where we

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-74395019229690071542011-07-05T19:53:00.000+09:302011-07-05T19:53:01.989+09:30

Well, amidst all the packing and travelling and all that jazz, my pal toasted and her venerable squeeze tied the knot in England. They went from Western Australia and made what seems to have been an amazing celebration of their love and their journey. I, have been peeking in.... unable to comment. Unable to even e-mail them pre or post wishes. I can't seem to translate to words the abject misery

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-21601446067942336482011-07-04T21:27:00.000+09:302011-07-04T21:27:44.662+09:30

We were lucky enough to have some beautiful friends and their two kids who were happy enough to chook and rabbit sit for us. So we packed up, made some plans for the drainage problems that were outstanding and headed out. Well, that might be a slight exaggeration, in that we actually shared our house with our beautiful chook and rabbit sitters for two weeks or so before we left. That was an

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-4624816004413910772011-06-27T14:25:00.000+09:302011-06-27T14:25:09.928+09:30

between posts.. that could be on account of packing up the house, and heading off on the road for six months of work and travelling to avoid the hills winter... anyone miss us over here?

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-12934606847546486932011-05-22T22:14:00.002+09:302011-05-24T20:21:22.181+09:30

I am floating a theory... that children who drink water out of a water bottle would drink less waterthan children who drink water out of a glass. Just watching for now... But I reckon, on the days my sons drink out of water bottles they ask for water at bed time. And the days they drink water out of glasses they don't. Maybe this is a time/effort thing... I am thirsty... suck suck...vsI am

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-18215206311683331742011-05-18T10:45:00.000+09:302011-05-18T10:45:58.760+09:30

In a household of many such crimes,I often wonder about the nature of crimes against polite society.As polite society develops and changes (or dribbles away depending on your perspective),are our flippant crimes causing the changes, contributing to the changes or a sign of the changes? Yes, I sometimes drink from the juice carton but I never get caught by the children. As I get older, I do notice

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-11412415398474614892011-05-16T15:11:00.000+09:302011-05-16T15:11:28.970+09:30

Well, inspired by this and our family's current love of marbles, we decided some tape and some loo paper rolls were all that was required to turn those dreadful looking white cupboards (that are really handy but awful store cupboardish looking) into something far more worthwhile... We designed it so the cupboards still open...and we are lucky enough to have a marble collector for when the marble

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-46067869199772781002011-05-14T11:37:00.000+09:302011-05-14T11:37:05.302+09:30

right. off to do the tax. you know, for the last, (ahem) few years or so. No procrastination. I mean really who doesn't want to be locked in a room with reciepts and lists? Especially when that said room, is, to be exact... NINE DEGREES! So, right, I am off. Snowman tax woman to the rescue... Hope you weekend is warmer and more interesting. .

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-78938800296093454232011-05-11T13:47:00.000+09:302011-05-11T13:47:33.996+09:30

I have two ways of dealing with that. 1. Reverse list making. This is really such a joy and satisfaction to the terminally small minded like me! Just make it as you go. Depending on your day or head set- make it as specific as you like or as general as you like... eg. made mayonnaise collected eggs made dinner etc or changed nappy wiped up spilt water made breakfast changed nappy ate

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-40611845979682492232011-05-02T08:29:00.000+09:302011-05-02T08:29:40.659+09:30

sun is up.half decent bad average kind of sleep.no one has vomited so far. aaahhh....brand new day. task one: make listtask two: complete list how hard can it be?!It is all about perspective. Hope your day is filled with joy and the space that could possibly be filled by vomit is a pleasing void! Here is us on this day last year... and 2009 with Uncle B learning to cast off the back beaches in

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-12684305287207554512011-05-01T19:45:00.000+09:302011-05-01T19:45:46.210+09:30

I am looking to join a religious order, cult or similar. Must meet following requirements. 1. vomiting not allowed 2. snot not allowed 3. children not allowed 4. prescribed diet to alternate regularly from fresh green, crunchy, tasty wholefood organic kind of thing to fat and sugar based chocolate biscuit tea kind of thing 5. to alternate between a silent order/cult and a chitty chatty order/

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-84125777586383843002011-04-21T10:45:00.000+09:302011-04-21T10:45:00.106+09:30

I don't have a really good sense of smell I suspect. I have come to this conclusion in a few ways but mainly on account of not being able to tell when the milk is off and serving it to people in tea. Look out if you come to ours. No picture with this post on account of the horror I encountered when I typed 'sniffing milk' in Google and pressed images. Still having flashes in my mind. Doesn't

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-39122712341209360442011-04-20T14:23:00.000+09:302011-04-20T14:23:55.665+09:30

Ok, so these are NOT health food. In fact in a pretty much sugar free house, they are SUGARY. And in a pretty much wheat free house they have plain spelt flour in them. AND in a wholefood house they are sooo not whole food. But every now and then - you just got to leap into the delicious biscuit land! No time like the school holidays either... The only note is that of course, like all recipes

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-54493188836899125012011-04-19T09:02:00.000+09:302011-04-19T09:02:17.176+09:30

if you think about the education of your children or grandchildren,think about why it is the way it is... does it need to be? this is really worth a watch and don't worry - it's not a heavy handed one... go here Sir Ken Robinson is really worth a listen..

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-78196480452120201632011-04-18T15:12:00.001+09:302011-04-18T15:33:17.094+09:30

Every now and then a parent from our Steiner playgroup will ring me and say:We aren't going to come today as my child is / children are vomiting/snotty/leaking from random orifice/etc. And every now and then a parent from our Steiner playgroup will ring me and say:We aren't going to come today as our family / I / my child / my children just need to have a day at home being quiet. Have a think.

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-87225621341927150652011-04-13T09:57:00.000+09:302011-04-13T09:57:21.379+09:30

hmm...crafting madly till 1 in the morning in preparation for the 5th birthday of our first born boy... waking up with birthday crowns and presents in the big bed...resting between morning celebrations and afternoon celebrations... T-rex cake, cousins, family, candles that relight when puffed out, leek and potato soup on birthday request, fishing tackle, oh how much joy can one boy have...

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-26996397520925275742011-04-03T13:42:00.001+09:302011-04-03T13:47:00.162+09:30

Hello. I am a house gnome. You know - gainfully employed finding lost things at night.General tidying up, little bit of mischief every now and then to keep the spice in life, but generally a good soul. But my job tenure is nearly up and I have an opportunity on the horizon - an opportunity to change a few things in my life.I am excited. So I have been looking around for new digs.It's a good time

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-39502808436752522872011-03-30T21:20:00.001+10:302011-03-30T21:46:03.631+10:30

image from here I forgot to add in my step two post how our step one supermarket commitment is going! It is going really well. Well, with one hairy exception... My partner and I had one over the phone bad communication that led to him going to a supermarket and buying chocolate - you can imagine how it went... me: when are you going to be home??? need chocolate - please get chocolate - by the

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-58819202741966485282011-03-29T21:45:00.005+10:302011-03-30T21:07:54.064+10:30

Twelve times this year I will be posting a decision our family has made to lower our environmental mumbling and our make environmental footprint smaller. The overall idea is here. Step one is here.For our family we will spend about a month (as a guide) thinking and talking about our next decision. Then post about it. Then, in about a months time we will post the next one and review the previous

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-37154895398795372302011-03-29T12:41:00.000+10:302011-03-29T12:41:07.649+10:30

Choose one thing that grates on you that you must do every day.A thing that for some reason has become, or always has been a burden, an irritant, a battle or a grumble. When you do it today,just count your outbreaths as you do it.Count to 10 on the outbreath.Then begin again. Slow your breathing.Straighten your shoulders and pull them back.Tilt you head up straight again.Stretch your muscles.Open

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-38852973826900194102011-03-18T14:26:00.001+10:302011-03-18T14:27:40.203+10:30

at least once a day,every day,don't multi task. Just wash the dishes and focus on the bubbles.Just hold your child and focus on the child.Just hang the washing and feel your muscles and the wet clothes.Just go to the toilet and be only on the toilet.Just stand there for a moment - just standing there breathing. Don't let your mind go forward to the next moment or backwards to the last. Only this

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-74475624707989698602011-03-08T01:22:00.001+10:302011-03-08T13:19:40.525+10:30

Over at one of my favourite blogs - the Witches Kitchen, Linda has a challenge up (she does lots of food challenges which are worth a look at) to look at and find better breakfasts. I first came across Linda Woodrow when I was given the book she wrote The Permaculture Home Garden just before I moved out to the central desert. At the time I was disappointed as I had asked for Permaculture A

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-64055787315976735872011-03-03T12:39:00.002+10:302011-03-03T13:04:25.444+10:30

Twelve times this year I will be posting a decision our family has made to lower our environmental mumbling and our make environmental footprint smaller. The overall idea is here. For our family we will spend about a month (as a guide) thinking and talking about our next decision. Then post about it. Then, in about a months time we will post the next one and review the previous one.Come join us -

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-80949550285411582092011-02-28T09:20:00.001+10:302011-02-28T10:41:22.811+10:30

It's Monday. So dance to this. On account of, well, you can and why wouldn't you! And just see if you and yours don't have a good time... Note. after a weekend of vomit and snot we needed this silly moment this morning to kick off this week as a different week! Happy Monday wishes to you and your squeezes big and small. .

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-41173458971195240472011-02-25T08:16:00.001+10:302011-02-25T08:17:21.828+10:30

I first found this recipe in a favourite, totally hammered recipe book of mine by a local writer and Mum of an old lost friend; Samela Harris. The book is called On a shoestring and it is a fantastic, cheap to make, easy to make, everyday, family, seasonal glut kind of book - right up my alley. This is actually the whole book online! My mum bought it for me as a bit of a joke not long after I

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-28506436051730856612011-02-24T14:10:00.000+10:302011-02-24T14:10:06.903+10:30

is slim at times. My thoughts scattered and ratty like a self sown garden long forgotten. Gems and weeds intertwined. I don't know how all you parents out there cope with school? Two days of kindy and I am my son are WIPED! You can clean the floor with the floppy thing that is us. I am sure we will come to terms with it, but when I consider that if we went with 'mainstream' ideas, W would be in

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-43527750153567034152011-02-13T20:26:00.001+10:302011-02-13T20:28:36.954+10:30

We are busy. All day. Busy is good. Children need busy and they need busy adults. Not buzzy busy - purposeful busy.So that is what we do. Slugs and snails located and collected. To be relocated for the gastronomic pleasure of our six chooks - Spot (the striped Plymoth Rock bantam), Chicken Licken (the tiny black Wyandotte bantam who thinks she is boss) and Siri, Allah, Jaffy and Ryder who are

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-20222218212365012002011-02-11T13:20:00.000+10:302011-02-11T13:20:23.299+10:30

My partner and I do many things to lower the impact we have on the world. We also talk about lots of things. Some of the things we talk about stay on the mumble list for such a long time. This year we have decided to make a decision by the end of each month to commit permanently to one agreement. To take something off the mumble list. Last year I was part of the 'one small change' project. It

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-19025502489683326872011-02-08T14:04:00.000+10:302011-02-08T14:04:05.887+10:30

I was up till 1am putting the finishing touches on the script for a friends 'blessingway' and then when I finally got to lay down, the youngest young gentleman in my house kept me up till 2am. Then after a 20 minute nap he was up again. I called for help from my partner who was sleeping down the other end of the house - you know - the bit where you actually get to sleep (ie not the bedroom) - and

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-78235678425998436752011-02-06T12:42:00.000+10:302011-02-06T12:42:22.314+10:30

just in case you were wondering - poor mama and brudda left at home; flying across the country at night, waking up in a different house, Dad gone out riding through the hills, yep I'm doing just fine thanks..

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-2342136462357051682011-01-27T14:23:00.000+10:302011-01-27T14:23:20.652+10:30

I heard my partner talking to my Dad last night. They were sat on the deck together and I was under the deck with my Mum. My partner said " Do you think you look at the sky enough?" I didn't hear the answer. But it made me think. Do I? Do you?.

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-75212913735847459502011-01-24T11:11:00.002+10:302011-01-24T11:11:40.231+10:30

Have been doing a bit of it lately - a bit around Christmas and for Christmas.A bit after Christmas and for friends and family. New babies and all that. I just learnt on the go - but I kinda like it. Easy and quick and fun. Here are a few pics... Mary and Joseph on their journey. Joseph is a bit clunky and beary but can be fixed for next year I reckon. The Grandmother on the right is the

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-83016097537592788372011-01-22T12:03:00.007+10:302011-01-22T15:17:18.949+10:30

The last jar of apricot jam has been lidded and there was a momentary out breath. However. Since the blackberries have rushed into ripening and the bunches of beetroot to pickle linger, I have been subscribing to the 'crap everywhere' philosophy of parenting and housekeeping. I am surprised at how relaxing I am finding it. The entire family dresses directly off the couch where the clean washing

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-71177647546324591932011-01-21T08:27:00.000+10:302011-01-21T08:27:49.634+10:30

A friend asked me to do a blessingway for her. As a complete lover of ritual, community, words and the aesthetic - it was a wonderful thing to be able to do for someone. It was exhausting to prepare and do, but to honour a pregnant woman, to bring her women friends and family together to honour, sing, hold safely and in some way prepare her for the coming birth was wonderful. We did many things

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-29162480828186749392011-01-20T09:06:00.000+10:302011-01-20T09:06:03.001+10:30

So, I have made apricot jam, apricot citrus jam, dried apricots, pickled beetroot, Worcestershire sauce, yogurt, mayonnaise and bread in the last week. I have apricots ripening to spots in front of my eyes and blackberries black and juicy on the vine. More kiwi than you can count - oh thousands - but thank goodness they take months to ripen. And the knowledge that tomato chutney, tomato sauce and

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-12368107988191280602011-01-12T13:03:00.001+10:302011-01-12T13:19:39.872+10:30

1. how many times can you refold a dish cloth and still find a clean bit? 2. does every woman turn into their mother? 3. does Soulemama throw things, make unreasonable accusations and swear? 4. does pretty far west have a scum ring around her bath and a selection of undies on her kitchen floor? 5. if I burn the jam whilst writing this incredibly deep, heartfelt and moving post will someone

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-5335107532121028602010-12-15T12:19:00.002+10:302010-12-15T12:21:59.164+10:30

but for now I am thankful... ~ K's eczma is the best it has been in ages ~ there is a broad bean glut that makes us all smile ~ there was so much cheeky 'love in a mist' growing in the red current patch that the red currants got ripe and we found them before the birds ~ we find and munch strawberries here there and everywhere thanks to W and I randomly planting last season - we get half the

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-56132321672770849442010-12-14T09:13:00.002+10:302010-12-14T09:13:00.312+10:30

Two of my very first posts were about crock pot cooking and I am still a fan. I love it for many reasons - we inherited the crock pot from my motherinlaw and it is so well loved it no longer comes apart as it is supposed to, it is slow cooking which I love, it is lazy and slack which I love, in the hot weather you put it outside and keep cool, you put it on in the morning - go have fun with your

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-40480035820484822852010-12-13T10:30:00.004+10:302010-12-13T10:30:03.501+10:30

Yep, I forgot again. My giveaway that was supposed to assuage guilt... yeah right! I thought if I sewed them first I would just be all over it like a rash. (a phrase I love) But there you go - I just forgot to draw the winner and post the prize. (gratuitous photo of children for no reason at all) So, the glorious hand stitched, hand felted sunny sun crown is finished ready to be posted - last

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-50675010264779329812010-12-12T19:23:00.000+10:302010-12-12T19:23:03.680+10:30

they are having a bad timeorthey are having a great timeortheir camera brokeorall three harvesting admiringthen,eating. Food miles: 0Must plant more. Be back soon with more news and strong opinions about things that matter and things that don't.Hope you are all well, and enjoying the season, whatever season you are having..

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-37659551217994230172010-11-29T19:53:00.002+10:302010-11-29T22:14:41.078+10:30

Well, we have been battling on the home front with various malaise of the spot and cough and sneeze and itch and scratch and oh lalalala kind. I haven't been writing lately but I have been meaning to write about this for a while. So excuse my frazzled brain and read on... because while my brain frazzles, another wonderful woman, mother, doctor and great friend of mine... has leapt into the

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-18840069662743378632010-11-18T12:54:00.000+10:302010-11-18T12:54:12.738+10:30

I find, when the entire contents of my container cupboard is stored on the kitchen floor, I can find the tin I need immediately. How convenient. .

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-86991391269072596242010-11-16T09:51:00.002+10:302010-11-16T17:17:22.165+10:30

I spoke to a friend yesterday who was real good tired. I reminded her of her own excellent post on how to cope when parenting tired. . But this morning after sleeping wearing a thermal and a skivvy under sheet, blanket, doona and then having to go get my fellah from the other end of the house (that's the only way to get sleep in the house with our precious little K boy) to be my hot water bottle

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-58482246793198656412010-11-13T13:40:00.001+10:302010-11-13T14:04:50.912+10:30

from here I went to town yesterday. Town is an Adelaide phenomenon. It is the city square. But we locals like to call it town. So, there I was. Parking nice and close - because it is Adelaide - hoo hoo you eastern staters - parking close!Sorry, I am digressing into a bit of Adelaide polishing as since having my time in the west and having spent quite a bit of time in Melbourne and elsewhere, I

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-88600341688464387202010-11-12T07:19:00.003+10:302010-11-12T07:19:00.336+10:30

Yes, just like before I had children, I thought the way a child turned out was more nurture than nature, before my boy arrived at that moment, I thought that dinosaur fever was a parentally manufactured phenomenon. But oh no it isn't. Sadly. Mind you, dinosaurs are kind of interesting. And, as a special gift for a favourite small someone in the house of toast. We found this fella...

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-49546940981015251722010-11-11T09:24:00.000+10:302010-11-11T09:24:26.376+10:30

I haven't been playing creative space for donkey's. (see saw, jump in the straw, if I were a donkey I'd say hee haw) But here I am and I have been meaning to post about making bread for even longer than that.I kept reading on people's blogs about their wonderful bread. I have made my own bread for ages using different recipes and always enjoyed it. But having time to do it all is hard since

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-60614527455407544342010-11-09T15:07:00.002+10:302010-11-16T14:20:46.696+10:30

Once upon a time, there was a girl and she had a blog and she thought it was such a lovely idea to give away something hand crafted - out to the universe - that she set up a giveaway. And that girl, she had good intentions BUT as her mother always told her the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Mind you her mother never meant it literally nor was it taken as such as it sounds a nasty

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-7893033107669956212010-11-06T13:54:00.005+10:302010-11-06T15:21:29.945+10:30

from here I love my love with a W, because is is whimsical and witty. He likes washing and worms. He is as strong as a warrior. He wears wellington gumboots. He might live in a windmill one day. I love my love with a K, because is kind. He likes kissing. I carry him like a koala baby. He likes eating kiwi fruit. He has never been to Kazakhstan, yet. I love my love with a T, because he is truly

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-43138474305268592282010-10-31T12:22:00.001+10:302010-10-31T12:24:51.646+10:30

I have been meaning to post about this blog for so long but have never had the right moment or reason or thought to start it off. But Carrie is asking what people's favourite posts are so began to ponder... Today at least, it is this one about encouraging peacefulness and recognising the child and their real experience within the adult perspective of a situation. Defiance or not listening is

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-75855888003025001692010-10-30T19:59:00.002+10:302010-10-30T20:00:47.890+10:30

(Photo of St. John's Wood Adventure Playground, London in 1963) This is such a great article, that I found via here. As you may have picked up I do think climbing is a necessary experience and skill and I don't think safety = safety. All children seek risk it is part of their natural growth and development. A healthy appetite for risk when young with also completely natural self limiting

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-80442723423281326322010-10-25T22:49:00.000+10:302010-10-25T22:49:59.606+10:30

I don't like you but you stop weeds growing on my fence line. .

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-85267819504732272182010-10-21T09:27:00.003+10:302010-10-21T09:33:05.644+10:30

Warning, this post is a similar vein to this one on honesty - look out if you don't like soap boxing with massive questions attached... So. It's all very well to have delicious pots of activated tamari almonds, tasty jam, home made trousers for your smalls, deeply thought out and deeply felt parenting techniques (as well as deeply mistaken parenting techniques) and knitted cosies for your

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-34631759703216714372010-10-16T11:12:00.001+10:302010-10-16T11:20:27.675+10:30

Aaaah.... I got an over locker for Christmas last year from my lovely fella. It included some lessons as I have never used an over locker before. I finally got time to have a lesson yesterday. When I got to "Sue's Sewing World", I joined Beryl for our lesson with Sue. Beryl had used an over locker before and had a huge start on me. I must admit to having that same sensation I had when I was

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-25856273557693812452010-10-11T14:17:00.001+10:302010-10-11T14:20:43.918+10:30

I started to blog for many reasons and lovely feedback wasn't one of them, but since a beautiful friend sent me this - I just thought I would share it - it made me go all fuzzy! It is great to know that I am not talking to a wall. Not that I would mind that too much really - I find the writing and thinking so enjoyable anyway. But, all the comments that people leave are really appreciated. I

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-52913278504512834402010-10-08T10:59:00.001+10:302010-10-08T10:56:27.784+10:30

I just read an article over at The Magic Onions. It was great. The kind of article where if you are into Steiner you say "yep, yep, oh yep, yep yep, ohhh yep" and love the evidence behind it. It was written by Dr Melrose who is "an international speaker on the effects of stress and trauma on the brain, learning, and behavior and maintains a private practice healing the effects of stress and

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-31403719558488506272010-10-07T14:10:00.001+10:302010-10-07T14:11:16.427+10:30

Blowflies are back. Buzzing bothering. Bringing bashing and banging. And bad bad poetry. The worst thing is every time one of us cooks something tasty they get in somehow. I suspect they are coming down through the kitchen fan. Making me feel distracted and decidedly un-buddhist. What is it about the sound of a blowfly that raises my pulse every so slightly, tenses me up ever so slightly

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-19456141635634623702010-10-05T14:05:00.001+10:302010-10-05T14:17:41.945+10:30

THE MANIFESTO OF THE IDLE PARENT We reject the idea that parenting requires hard work We pledge to leave our children alone We reject the rampant consumerism that invades children from the moment they are born We read them poetry and fantastic stories without morals We drink alcohol without guilt We reject the inner Puritan We don’t waste money on family days out and holidays An idle parent is

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-37837976703832756862010-09-23T13:04:00.004+09:302010-09-23T13:46:05.595+09:30

* W in the spring wreath he made at his Kinder's Spring Festival.I got asked last night if I wanted W to go to cirkidz - a wonderful circus for kids group that do classes for kids. It is very popular and great..My quick and flippant answer was 'no, there is quite enough circus work going on already I reckon - you have seen the boy haven't you?'.But the question stuck in my mind..I stewed on it

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-24654019456695116242010-09-16T11:52:00.006+09:302010-09-22T13:43:55.081+09:30

Remember these moments...Whilst remembering these things....* ignored behaviours go away* don't say no all the time* provide space for exploration* they don't know where their bodies end - they don't mean to hurt* attend to the hurt one not the 'hurter'* move them away from a 'problem' rather than using words* guide with action* remember you are being watched: consider your tone, gesture, emotion

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-19225802195253626002010-09-13T14:42:00.005+09:302010-09-13T15:12:34.669+09:30

So I am always trying to add to my 'don't use it anymore' list and my 'don't buy it anymore list'.One thing that has been on my 'don't buy it anymore list' for a good while now is mayonnaise. The thing is, it is all very well to make something rather than buy it once, or every now and again, but I find that my biggest NOT GREEN action is inconsistency. So, I have not bought mayo for ages now and

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-19098285973397744392010-09-05T07:21:00.001+09:302010-09-05T07:19:43.899+09:30

i'm a better person with you than withouti love how you give out to the world around youyou ask questions like no one else in the world - you know secrets from so many people because you, and no other, take the time to ask.you make me so cross sometimes. you make me really really wildi get pulled and stretched and made to grow around yousometimes i don't want tobut i'm always, in some crazy way,

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-34559497470370773112010-09-04T18:40:00.007+09:302011-02-25T08:23:27.057+10:30

I am a vegetarian and have been for ages, and despite not having any vegan tendancies, the diet I have been on for K's excema has sent me to quite a few vegan recipe webpages. I adapted this recipe from one I found online. It is vegan except for the chocolate (well, the one I used wasn't anyway) Ingredients: •1 3/4 cups spelt flour (half wholemeal half plain spelt) •1 tsp baking powder •1/3 tsp

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-22263115198070961312010-09-02T09:40:00.007+09:302010-09-02T10:59:06.141+09:30

Spring is here: hundreds of flowers are throwing off sleep and unfolding into bloom, the pink blossoms are on the trees, the shoots and buds are sneaking out on every rested twig. I know spring is here because of the beauty that sneaks into my house at every opportunity: my son has filled our house with dozens of vases of flowers from our garden. Each vase carefully chosen, then filled with the '

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-77660301943480362632010-08-31T08:19:00.010+09:302010-08-31T09:11:30.438+09:30

.

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-4629339833922740302010-08-14T13:46:00.009+09:302010-08-14T14:41:42.452+09:30

We are on a holiday of sorts....Visiting Fremantle and staying for a bit with my pal toasted before having a family time of it..Of course getting up at 5am and getting to the airport was tiring, but not as tiring as realising that the plane we were due to go on was actually leaving the next day...W was really quite sad but took it well considering. I suspect that it was a race between my partner

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-41104667815446001682010-08-05T12:45:00.004+09:302010-08-05T13:00:10.869+09:30

I was inspired by Leonie over here who made this....Of course she inspired others - some knit and some crochet. I had a look at them all - loved so many, especially this one at 'the bird bath'..But, I am not a knitter and not a pattern follower, so needed a bit of time to get going on one. .Which made me all itchy as I just wanted to JUST MAKE ONE!So, I improvised.....One op-shopped pure wool

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-71556541830391911092010-08-03T12:06:00.007+09:302010-08-03T12:44:01.469+09:30

I have been literally and figuratively wrestling with the accessibility of the art materials on W's desk. .K 'tastes' everything and eats some things completely. .He loves drawers and shelves and of course emptying both and generally doing what we call 'pickeling' which directly translates as 'making pickle'..W used to have a low table with a bench seat which was perfect for him. There was a set

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-67879698548942071282010-07-30T12:28:00.005+09:302010-07-30T13:05:55.603+09:30

You know when you get a crayon and it just doesn't move well and feels all scratchy on the paper? You know when they just won't make beautiful clear colour? You know when for some reason, the 'artistes' in your house seem really not that interested in crayons much anymore? You know when crayons look all horrid and disgusting like they crawled out of a manky rat hole?.Well - then you need to do

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-81114744674289910062010-07-25T14:17:00.006+09:302010-07-25T14:28:20.530+09:30

...it seems I am losing not only my way and my mind but my head and my feet as well...Well, with a little help from W on this one, but it does seem that so many people are having a hard time at the moment.Do you feel like you are losing you way a bit, or losing your mind a bit? Are you tired of having a hard time?Seems the time for it perhaps. Don't worry - as so many of us remind ourselves -

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-58497394277893944612010-07-16T08:08:00.006+09:302010-07-16T08:37:30.878+09:30

Last Sunday, we set out through the mist for a loop walk from our house. It was about 4 km..It was drippy and cold and misty. It was also a few days after a storm with 140 km winds. So everything was looking recently swept or recently pickled!Of course we saw the last of the season's 'shrooms. You had to keep your eyes open to find the tiny brown fellows who nestled into a nice warm poo.There was

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-55767446322171807462010-07-15T08:39:00.008+09:302010-07-15T10:43:26.720+09:30

On the 12th of this month, our two boys came into their inheritance. One of them was definitely old enough to appreciate it. Hopefully the other one soon will be as well..W was old enough to not only be super excited the night before, knowing that he would come into his inheritance the next morning, but he also got to be site manager.....oh, yes, the solar hot water was one thing, but this is

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-67074162820760335232010-07-12T10:04:00.001+09:302010-07-12T10:04:00.131+09:30

I eat far too many half chewed, damp and squidgy crackers, dried fruit lumps and pieces of toast from the floor of our house. The five second rule has been abandoned. As has mopping regularly. Hmmm..What habit would you like to kick?.

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-40375032696834595752010-07-10T09:24:00.005+09:302010-07-10T09:30:46.002+09:30

Anyone want to try starting an online book club-thingo of sorts?.I am reading Peter Goldsworthy's short story collection 'Gravel'..Anyone read it or reading it?.C'mon - I bet I could muster up one intellectual comment and a few sweeping statements worthy of someone who has had the amount of sleep I have had....

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-57435710550348744822010-07-07T06:22:00.004+09:302010-07-07T06:49:07.047+09:30

Now I know with the world the way it is, especially with 'Julia' type changes around, polling is going on aplenty. But don't turn away - this one is going to be different..Let's just say there was a toothpaste company that was called Smolgate. That pretty much had an Australian monopoly on toothpaste. And toothbrushes..And let's just say the dental industry wasn't regulated in quite the same

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3968636899565893638.post-91578879145631449912010-06-30T09:08:00.005+09:302010-06-30T09:47:21.694+09:30

Build soft house. Explore.Go shopping. Cook breakfast. Feed babies breakfast.Tuck them into bed. Find a cosy spot, hidden inside the soft house to read Ant and Bee.Soft house.*****

Umatjihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15413838821059854456noreply@blogger.com3