If money were no object...

In the comments section of my last post about my job being made redundant, one of my lovely friends/readers/supporters "Secret Agent Awesome" asked me this question;

If money were no object, what would you do?

So I thought I'd have a bit of a brainstorm here about the things I love and maybe I'll feel inspired to pursue a path that will lead to a more fulfilled life. Here's hoping anyway!

 I love to be creative and make things. Food, craft, art, blogging, knitting, crochet, music, gardening, growing veggies and cooking with them, browsing pretty things online, reading books, taking photos. I am becoming more and more interested in exploring my impact on the planet and living in a responsible way. I love being around people doing things in a team.

I am a qualified Social Worker and I worked hard for my degree. I feel I should use it but I don't really get a lot of joy from much of the work I have tried in the area. I have done case management and support work and while I enjoyed the roles, they didn't bring me to life. I want to do something that makes me really excited. 

I am really inspired by people who do things that make them happy and seem to make a living out of it. Here's a few examples of folks doing this:  

http://www.frecklewonder.com/

http://meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com.au/

http://www.clarebowditch.com/

http://www.helloowl.com.au/

These women all work really hard at what they do. But never appear to be weighed down with the hard stuff. Call it poise if you like, but I think it's a product of being totally invested in something they love. I want to be like that. But I also need to make enough to support my family. I really wish money were no object but I need to make enough to pay our rent and bills. 

After all is said and done I think... 

If money were no object I would be a maker of nice things...

On being "let go"... I could really use your support.

Before I start this post I would like to show you my new cute jacket. I need to think about this nice thing... because I just lost my job.

This morning I rocked up to my office, turned on the computer, checked my emails and followed my usual morning work routine. My colleague rolled up soon after me and right after that there was a knock at the door. Our program manager and the general manager of mental health were there... to give us both 4 weeks notice. 

Apparently the structure of our program has been changed and weekend workers are no longer required.

So here I am... at home.. on the weekend.

It's kind of nice actually. 

If I wasn't the sole bread winner for my family I might be able to enjoy it. But I am. I am supporting this family of 5 right now and I no longer have this job. John finishes his course mid next year (a full time primary education course) so I really need to find more work ASAP. I have been offered a redundancy package so I have a few weeks to find something.

Is it time for a change? Do I use my social work degree in another position? Will I find something that fits our family situation? Do I want to pursue a more creative way of making money? Do I want to work full time hours? Maybe just for a year... I really need to take some time to think. 

I'm sure things will be fine. I really am... but times of un-expected change are very disconcerting.

I could really use some support. Please let me know if you have ever been let go. How was it for you? How did you get past it? Do you have any pearls of wisdom for me? 

I am choosing to believe this is a good thing. A welcome change in direction. An opportunity. But your ideas and prayers would be welcome!

Tall Jan is malicious!

Not sure why I just thought of this ad... but I'm glad I did!

Super easy coconut cake

This cake is perfect for when you have no butter or eggs but want to whip up something delish for afternoon tea. It has a chewy crust & a chewy centre. An accompanying cup of tea is a must!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups self raising flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut

Method

Pre-heat oven to 180c. Throw all the ingredients into a mixing bowl, mix and pour into a prepared small-med cake tin. Bake for 45-60 mins until a skewer comes out clean.

Dust with icing sugar & enjoy!

Have you ever had a bad dental experience??

The last few days have been agony! The tooth that I recently had the first stage of root canal on started hurting on Wednesday. It was just a little sharp pain when I bit down to begin with but over the last few days it has just been getting worse and worse. Last night I tried to eat some rice and yummy beef stew that John had lovingly made as a prelude to mother's day and I happened to bite the tooth down on a tiny piece of rice which just about made me cry. I nearly screamed it hurt so much!

I tried to get into the dental hospital last night after work but I forgot the concession card and the receptionist informed me that I would need to come in the morning as they were only taking accidents and injuries.

So I went back today and waited over an hour to be told that it was an infection and my dentist should have completed the next stage of the procedure when I saw him two weeks ago. If he had have done the work then, it wouldn't have become infected. So I'm pretty annoyed. I pay good money... a lot of it.. to have a professional do the right thing by me and when that doesn't happen it makes me really cross.

Have you ever had an experience like this? If so, what did you do about it? Should I complain? Find a new dentist? Ugh.. It's just so frustrating!

Product talk: Yumbums All Natural Bottom Balm For Bubs

Product talk by Nuffnang


The wee man and I both have persistent skin issues. I have suffered with eczema since I started breastfeeding Molly (which makes me think it's probably a hormonal issue) and have tried many many different topical solutions. Richie has had bad nappy rash and has also suffered with sore and itchy eczema on different parts of his body. It is for this reason that I jumped on the opportunity to review Yumbums All Natural Bottom Balm For Bubs as I had heard it was a naturopathic alternative to conventional chemical-laden bum salves.

The eczema on my right hand has been giving me grief recently so as soon as I picked this balm up from the post office I slathered it all over. The first thing I noticed was the earthy unprocessed colour and texture. The olive & coconut oil base helped the balm to melt into the skin and it absorbed just enough to leave a protective barrier over my hand which I assume is due to the beeswax. The smell, once again is quite earthy- it smells "naturopathic" if that means anything to you. I'm pretty sure it's the golden seal that gives it a somewhat sharp scent. The balm was very soothing on my hand and the redness/soreness has subsided significantly. I will continue to use this and report any further improvement.

Richie's nappy area seems to like the balm too! It seems to be keeping his nappy rash at bay and I feel great knowing that I am putting something natural and lovingly crafted by a Naturopath on his little bot-bot.

If you would like to get your hands on this lovely product head over to http://www.yumbums.com.au/ and purchase a pot for $18.50.

A few more things about Yumbums:

• Contains only the highest quality natural and organic ingredients
• Formulated by a qualified naturopath, Gali Lenko.
• Contains no petrochemicals, parabens, sulphates or synthetic fragrances
• Australian made and owned

New blogs and roo stew

We've had a lovely day today. A slow morning in PJs. Poached eggs, espresso made by John, quiet lolling about and a visit from my Aunty who dropped off a desk for Miss 10 (who was totally stoked and immediately started planning which books would go where). We then all jumped in the car and drove across town to leafy Blackburn where we spent the afternoon eating quiche and drinking tea with John's parents. After a lovely email from my mother in law during the week detailing the delicious treats she had been baking, John and I suggested she start a blog. So I sat down for a few minutes and set one up for her!

If you would like to go and sample some of Joy's treats, head over to The nosey cook's cosy nook!

After our lovely visit in Blackburn the gang once again bundled ourselves into the Camry and made our way back up the Eastern Freeway towards Footscray. We made it just in time to do a quick whip around clean-up before our friends came for dinner. Our lovely friends turned up at the door at 6pm holding a slow cooker filled with kangaroo stew and an accompanying pot of cooked rice so our evening could not have been easier and we spent several hours sitting around, sharing delicious food and drinks and chatting. Together we browsed some of our favourite YouTube clips and web sites and shared our current giggles such as Portlandia, Cake Wrecks and Ron Burgundy's recent appearance on Conan announcing the Anchorman Sequal (!!). What a pleasant way to spend a Saturday evening.

PS. John-Boy (aka The Holy Boot) and I are starting a "together blog" called A Footscray Garden documenting our progress in creating a little urban farm in our back yard and I assume other bits and pieces that we think you'll enjoy reading about so why not head over and say hi!

My new red locks!

Excuse the doofus face... but check the red locks!!

Pretty daisies

I think I like the second picture down the most. What do you think? 

I would love to make a bunch of these and make a scarf or headband.

 Wouldn't that just be so cute?!