Today the kids had their first swim it’s only October and we are swimming already!! The forecast this year is for a long hot summer, and I for one cannot wait!!
There is something about summer time that makes you want to smile. Makes you want to be outside sipping Spritz (delicious Italian cocktail) talking and laughing with family and friends.
Not sure what is going on with the weather at the moment but this pretty much sums it up!!
There is a distinct buzz of excitement in the air today, and that is because work is finished and school is over for another term, so that can only mean one thing, holidays!!! Yay
This time we are not wasting another opportunity, we are off on an adventure, a road trip to Bateman’s Bay in NSW!! Ten hours in the car with three children is not everyone’s cup of tea I know, and if I am to be totally honest I can’t say it is what I am most looking forward to. I am looking forward to having fun, exploring, relaxing, soaking up the sun. One glorious week of not having to cook or clean or do the laundry, sounds like bliss doesn’t it?
Because as my sister will often tell me I am a sharer I will be sure to post lots of photos and updates. There is still the weekend to get through though, lots of packing and preparing. Even Dexter is going on a holiday he is going to spend the week at my mums where he will be pampered and made such a fuss of that I fear he may not want to come home. Have a safe weekend everyone. 😊😊😊😊
There was a freak hail storm in Melbourne today, made everything look like it was covered in snow. It’s suppose to be spring not winter what the???
Today I spent the day with two of my most favourite people in this whole wide world my mummy and my big sister. We hit the shops for some retail therapy. It’s what I call girl bonding at its best.
I couldn’t think of a nicer way to spend a quiet Sunday, the last day of what has felt like a very long winter. Tomorrow Spring, my most favourite season will be here, bringing with it l hope, lots of sunshine, beautiful flowers, fun and happiness.
I hope that everyone in the blogosphere has had a lovely weekend.
Has anyone else completed the NaNoWriMo November challenge?
For those of you that haven’t heard of NaNoWriMo, it’s a intense writing challenge all through the month of November, the aim of which is to write a novel in a month of 50,000 words in length.
I took the NaNoWriMo challenge last year and spent the month of November writing my novel, the first novel I had written in 25 years in fact, and although I did not quite make the 50,000 word challenge I came very close.
It was such a good feeling getting back into writing. The NaNoWriMo challenge seemed to ignite a flame that I thought had long since been extinguished.
Since completing the NaNoWriMo challenge last year, I have written a second novel and started up two blogs. I now write every day. No matter how busy my day will be I will always make time to write both for my blogs or my columns.
As we approach the month of November I am again preparing to take the NaNoWriMo challenge, I have been mulling around ideas in my mind for some time now trying to develop the story plot in my head before I commence putting the story together on my iPad. This time I hope to make the 50,000 word challenge but ultimately that is not my goal, my goal is to write a story. It’s as simple as that.
If you would like to take part in the NaNoWriMo Challenge too check out their website http://www.nanowrimo.org
With Spring in the air I can’t help but feel sorry for people who don’t have dogs to walk, in this glorious weather. Whenever I see someone walking on their own or running on their own I always feel so lucky to have my loyal trusty friend beside me.
Sure our walks are more like mad dashes from one tree to the next, with the constant stop in between to check Dexters pee mail along the way, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Sometimes the children come along as well, which is always extra fun. However as Dexter hates them being in front, if they are walking or riding bikes or scooters this usually means, yep you guessed it, erratic running down the street to keep up or overtake.
Being a Dalmatian cross King Charles Cavalier means Dexter has the speed and craziness of the Dalmatian with the temperament and loving nature of the Cavalier. Essentially he looks like a mini Dalmatian with a fat body and skinny legs.
I would love to be able to walk him off lead, but unfortunately Dexter has absolutely no road sense. If he were a human I’m sure he would be diagnosed with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). He could not get past the first level of puppy school, it was not for want of trying because he is always so keen to please but he is over zealous and there were just far too many distraction (other dogs, people, dogs) for him to stay focused.
Still we never wanted a robot dog. Funny that’s what my sister and I always say about the kids too. Guess the moral of the story is be careful what you wish for.
So my bird hates me again. Every year around this time just before spring is here Stan’s hormones kick into angry bird mode and my beautiful loving little Quaker turns into a mad little biting machine.
If you have birds you will know exactly what I am talking about, his whole demeanour changes, there is a look in his eyes a certain way that he moves, he is reluctant to come out of his cage, very vocal, there may be beak clicking or tail wagging, but if you miss all those signs you won’t be able to miss the excruciating bite that is no doubt heading your way.
Much like the self absorbed teenager, a parrot too becomes self absorbed and defensive around this time of year. Try not to be too hard on yourself or take it too personally.
So what can you do to snap you bird out of this phase? well nothing really, you just have to ride it out. Thankfully this uncharacteristic mood change does not last long and just when you think there is no light at the end of the tunnel that you have lost the love of your beloved friend for ever then suddenly he is back often sweeter than ever, calling out to you to come and play, giving you kisses, singing and talking happily again.
Unfortunately for me Stan’s transformation from loving bird to angry bird is only just commencing but I know that before long angry bird will be no more than a distant memory, and my beautiful boy will love me again.
Natural remedies for Dogs with Allergies
A lady at work recently shared with me her story of her poor dog that was suffering from an allergic reaction to some chemicals that they had sprayed around the outside of their home as a barrier to creepy crawlies. As a result her dog had broken out in a severe rash all over its body and was in terrible discomfort.
It got me thinking about all the people who have pets /dogs that do suffer with allergies especially around spring and summer time.
In fact I barely know of anyone whose pet has not suffered some form of allergy whether that be licking/ chewing its feet, red spots on its tummy, itchy ears, or some other reason for scratching.
Allergies can cause extreme discomfort in our pets and in some cases even pain. With Vet bills being so high, I have decided to do some research into cheaper more environmentally and pocket friendly solutions to help our beloved pets overcome these allergies.
Apple Cider Vinegar – Put some apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle and then spray it directly onto dogs skin. This will relieve any itchiness and redness. – Dilute Vinegar with equal parts of water if the skin is already broken. If your dog is suffering from itchy ears or ear infection then a few drops of apple cider into your dog’s ear will help to relieve this.
Baking Soda – mix baking soda and water and spray onto your dog to relieve itchy skin (this is especially effective for insect bites) – Baking soda can also be added to bath water.
Asprin Solution – Dissolve two aspirin tablets in one tablespoon of rubbing alcohol. In a second cup dunk a tea bag in warm water. Mix the two solutions and allow to cool. Use cotton ball to apply the mixture to the skin.
Oat meal – either mixed in the bath water, or made into a paste by mixing half part of water with half part of oatmeal and apply to skin, leave for about 10 mins and rinse off.
All these methods are safe, easy to prepare and easy to administer, and hopefully they will give your beloved pet some relief this season.
5 minutes more please 