Us being stupid... singing Something Stupid...

Lets go to the movies!!

I was lucky enough to stumble upon this random tweet on Monday;

As you can see, I did indeed "RT" the said tweet and scored myself tickets!!

So I hastily called Mum and she was kind enough to come and babysit for us so John and I could go out on a date! The second date we have been on since we started fostering miss 11 in November last year! Long overdue!

Once we escaped the wee ones we headed north of the city to The Regal Ballroom in High Street Northcote. This glorious building was once The Northcote Theatre and to celebrate the 100 year anniversary they are reviving the old theatre for one month and showing some wonderful films and hosting awesome bands. Click the link above for the full program.

I absolutely loved The Artist. It helped that we were in an elegant Ballroom theatre and I was on a romantic date with the huzbo but it was a wonderful film. 

If you get a chance to get over to Northcote, they are playing The Shining tonight (Wed) and Moulin Rouge on Thursday! I would love to see Moulin Rouge there- the surroundings are just so perfect.

I am stoked that I scored the tickets- we totally needed the break away from our frantic life!

Thank you Mr. Aron Tzimas (@arontzimas) whoever you are! And thanks a bunch to The Northcote Theatre for a fab night out!

2800 Page views yesterday!!

I just checked my analytics and realised that I had a MASSIVE spike in readers yesterday!

Almost 2800 page views of Richie's birth story! Just yesterday!

Most of the traffic came from Facebook but the links aren't leading me anywhere so I am asking you... If you are reading this and you found my blog via a facebook shared link, please let me know! I am SO curious!!

I can guess that it is a U.S. page and most likely a BIG one as the traffic was INSANE!

Out of those 2800 page views I got 3 comments! Only 3!! 

*shrug*

Growing growing growing...

It never stops. I'm glad it doesn't but it does freak me out regularly!

Molly is half way through her 5th year and she can pretty much write. If I receive a letter from her I can always make out what she's trying to say. It's blowing my mind right now.

What milestones were/are the most striking to you with your kids? What freaks you out? What shocks you?

Hit me up in the comments!

What rituals give you life??

I love a good ritual!

Now that I work on weekdays (like normal people), I get to enjoy the "pre-work cafe stop" ritual! 

I have been leaving home stupidly early just so I can squeeze the most time out of my morning "me" time. This morning it was still dark when I left. I don't know what it is about the morning cafe stop... It's just so revitalising before the day starts. I sit here (yes.. I'm here now) with my MacBook and a long macchiato and it's like I could be on holiday or something! 

What rituals give you life?? What rejuvenates you??

The new Job...

Hey all,

It's been a while! Just thought I'd pop in and tell you how much I LOVE my new job! It's only two days a week, so not really enough to pay the bills... but it's totally great- right up my alley!

I am working for an organisation which started as a response to homelessness in Melbourne. It's a place where wealthy people, homeless people, drug addicts, students, other workers in the area, can all sit down together at the same table and have a meal. Just eat and talk and get to know each other.. like a family. It's not a soup kitchen.. It's more like a family dinner.

It's a place where each person has an understanding that we are all inherently the same and it is only our context that makes us different.

My job is to talk to groups of school students about issues of home, homelessness, belonging and our sameness. I basically walk around the city and talk to kids about the different spaces and who belongs there. How awesome is that? I get to help kids gain an understanding of empathy and about how we can endeavour to create a sense of "home" for people wherever we are. What a privilege to be a part of the mind expansion of kids.

It's such a great job.

:)

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!