TO DO Lists

Yesterday I went into the shed to see J and he was writing on his little notepad. Being the sticky beak I am, I asked him what he was doing and he replied that he was writing a 'TO DO' list. I was pleasantly surprised. I have been writing 'TO DO' lists since school, however J, who never likes to plan ahead, has never bothered and even pays me out about mine. So either I've finally rubbed off on him and he realises that it's the only way to accomplish things OR he's finally grown up. Maybe a little bit of both. What a miracle!

One man's trash is another man's treasure

This week was curbside clean up. So after a weekend of taking down the patio, we neatly stacked all the wood, metal and concrete out the front to be taken away. So you would think that we would now have more room in the back yard. BUT NO! J decided to help out with the curbside clean up and went around the streets collecting bits and pieces from other people's front yard trash. The thing that made me smile the most was that he really enjoyed doing it!!

Bits of treasure that J found:
* fan blades (that we needed)
* an old wooden long table to use outside
* surf ski
* 10 old bikes - which he is going to take apart and use things like the brakes and gears etc
* storage cupboard
* racks
* esky
* BBQ lid

So now in place of the patio, is a range of J treasures waiting to be used!

Knock down commences

Last night and today we knocked down the back patio of our house, ready to get the escavator in to level the ground for our extension. It was actually lots of fun and I'm enjoying spending quality time with Jason and learning so much about being a 'handyman' He even let me do the final knockout, and captured it on camera.

Things happen for a reason...

I received an email this week notifying me that I was unsuccessful in my application for a PE head of department position at Pacific Pines High on the Gold Coast. At first I was gutted. I had spent several days on my application, with my principal, and I was really happy with the finished piece. In the past 9 years there hasn't been too many roles I haven't done within the school and I thought I had the qualifications to match. However, it wasn't to be my time and I felt quite rejected because I just can't seem to cop a break. I have had several prac students apply for HOD positions and receive them (and I'm happy for them), however I just don't seem to be in the right place at the right time!!

So last night, a casual staff dinner was organised at The Glen Hotel. I went to down my sorrows as I have felt down ever since the rejection. I ended up having a fantastic night socialising with many teachers from 5 different staffrooms and realised that what keeps SP together is the teachers. We are the glue! Particularly as sports coordinator this year, I have broadened my horizons and gotton to know all staff members and realised that 'the grass isn't greenier on the other side'. Yeah, maybe a promotion would have been good for the ego and bank balance, but you can't beat having awesome people around you when you go to work. They have made this year one of my best teaching years as I have so much support and so many good friends. So, this weekend I have come to the conclusion that 'things happen for a reason' and at this moment I am content with staying at SP.

House approval

Well after nearly 11 months of planning and paper work, we received from our certifiers the approval for the extension of our home. It was a very special moment for me (particularly since I had done all the paper work) and because I finally felt like these extensions would actually happen and I had a time line to go by (1 year).

J and I spent the afternoon in the backyard spray painting on the grass where all our new rooms would be. We were very excited as we realised how big the extension would be and how nice all the features we had included would be. So as 2 of my girlfriends begin to move into their new homes, I begin the stressful experience of building mine.

Mother's Day

Today Loz & I took mum and dad to breakfast at the Coffee Club. It was a special occassion because I realised that we had never actually taken mum out for breakfast on a mother's day (unless you count Maccas as taking her out!). Although dad complained at having being brought along, he wasn't complaining when I ordered extra hash browns (which he eat!)

After breakie, Loz & I took them to the movies to see 'Made of Honour' starring McDreamy (otherwise known as Patrick Dempsey). Although predictable, it was a good film and even though he would never admit it, dad enjoyed it. And mum - well she 'loved it'.

All in all, it was a beautiful morning and I always relish the time spent with my family.

In the afternoon, I went to Marnie's baby shower, which was lots of fun and it was great to catch up with her sisters and my phantom BF. The highlight of the party for me was the 'guess the jelly beans in the bottle' competition which I accurately guessed as 109 (the amount of guests at my wedding - some extra trivia).

J's mum was in Melbourne so the only wishes she had for mother's day were that J was working full time (tick) and he was paying off his personal loan to them (tick). I also threw in some movie tickets for her as well.

Next year I'm thinking of walking the Mother's Day Breast Cancer fun run.