Monday 28 December 2015

Our Festive Season

Keep Calm!  Christmas is just about over!  I thought this was brilliant to see on someone's shirt on Christmas Day. The weather was warmer then predicted. It was more warmer on Boxing Day!!

I am glad Christmas is now over because it's never been the same for the past few years.  Any single parent with custody issues would understand how it feels not to see your kids on Christmas Day. It's the second year I didn't get to spend time with Rachel as she prefers to spend time with her father's side of the family instead. Monique wanted to spend some time with her father on Christmas Day but he was more interested in seeing his own mummy instead.  I only got to see Monique on Boxing Day for about four hours as she had previous plans over Christmas with her own bf.

But I did manage to have my family time with my girls and my parents on Tuesday.  After watching a news story about Christmas food shopping on TV I did managed to spend just under $50 for the food for us. I baked some Garlic Chicken Mignon and made fresh potato salad.  Since none of us aren't large meal consumers we didn't have any dessert. 

While waiting for the chicken to cook, the girls and I played monopoly on Rachel's iPad.  You can get a free app from the app store. This app only suits users with iPhone, iPod and iPad which I am sure most of you would have some device.

I spent five nights at my bf's house to spent time with his family on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.  I am pretty sure this family would of spent a lot more then $50 as my bf came from a family of 8 children. We had the same lunch and dinner for two days which I was getting sick of by the last night. We had roast chicken pieces, ham and some other meat roll made.  It was yummy through as I never had it before. Similar made like a meat loaf but wrapped in bread crumbs. We had various home made salads. My favourite salad would have to a pasta one with added walnuts. For desserts we had a choice of trifle, a fruity ice cream pie, ice cream with jelly and fruit salad or plum pudding with custard. Take a guess what I had!! The first year I had some alcohol (mostly wine) consumed since I wasn't driving!!

My bf only lives a short walking distance to his parent's house. Actually four of his siblings live in the same suburb.  Only one of his brothers didn't attend to any Christmas gatherings as he is currently working in Western Australia.

On Christmas Eve I went to the local shops to buy the last of presents for Pete's siblings. I made that simple I purchase a handful of scratch its as I didn't know what they really wanted.  They had their family opening presents at 9am on Christmas Day.  The main focus was more on the baby as a new addition was welcomed about three months ago. I wasn't expecting much from his family but I did get a nice gift from his parents and two of his sisters (they are twins!!). From my bf I did get a hello kitty oven matt and a lovely necklace. Monique did get me two colour in books. Afew scratch its and a fuel voucher from my parents.

In the evening we went to Midnight Mass with one of the twins. She came to pick us up.  We arrived half an hour early to listen to the Christmas Carols sang by a choir. A lot of religious songs I haven't heard for years.  Return back after 1am and consumed supper of Christmas nibbles with two drinks. I think I only had about 3-4 hours sleep as we had to be up early.

Would you believe me one of the cinemas was open on Christmas Day?  My bf and I watched the late session of Star Wars 7 (The Force Awakens) as it was released at the cinemas a week before Xmas. I am not really a big fan to science fiction movies but I did enjoy this action pack movie. BB-8 would be my favourite character!!

Avoid the shopping centres on Boxing Day but my bf and I did go yesterday afternoon as I knew it would of been abit quieter to attend.  It was more clothes shopping for me this time! Another Xmas present from him.  I only got a nice shirt, a cotton vest and a new watch.  There were other clothes I like but none in my size.

All the best for a safe and happy New Year! Best of luck with your ambitions in 2016!


Sunday 20 December 2015

Festive Season begins

School holidays started earlier this week but my girls finished school 2-3 weeks ago. My 15 yo plan on alternate weeks of spending time with me and her father in Logan.  This week she's in Logan until Christmas Eve then goes to Hervey Bay for two weeks to spend time with Grandma (on her father's side).

This past week my vacation care hours started.  I worked for over 15 hours this week.  Both days they had special guests in to educate children about indigenous culture and preparing for storms.  On Friday we had water play fun!  I think it may been abit too cold for some children as we didn't really have a hot sunny day. I will have another two shifts to do before the centre closes over the Christmas and New Year week.

On the other days of the week I spent time with my 17 yo as she had errands to do and business appointments to attend to. She tried to make a claim for youth allowance but sadly her eligibly was rejected as her father earns more then the quota states. On Thursday I had my full day with my 15 yo. We went to the cinema to see Hotel Transylvania 2. In the evening we went to the club with my bf (as I wasn't seeing him this weekend due to him working night shifts) for dinner and seen a free movie upstairs. The movie we seen was called Tomorrow Land.
 
Only 5 sleeps to go and I still need to get motivated to finished my Christmas shopping, present wrapping and post afew Christmas cards. I won't be spending much Christmas hours with my girls this year. Like always my 15 yo prefers to spend Christmas with her father's side in Hervey Bay. This is the third year she done it!  Since my 17 yo has a serious relationship with her bf she will spending time with his family over the weekend. Don't worry I already got plans of my own now!! I will be away for 5 nights to spend time with my bf and his family.

All the best to everyone for a safe and Merry festive season.  Safe travels and take care during the severe weather moments if it happens in your area.  As far as we know we should be expecting good weather over Christmas here in SE QLD.

Thursday 3 December 2015

November report

Only 22 days to go until Christmas!  Almost finished my present shopping but still got to my yearly newsletter and post off a handful of cards this year after I write them up.

I had a busy November with normal commitments.  And recovering from a nasty flu virus vs asthma.  It seems I'm getting asthma again after returning to the same environment from previous years. 

My 17 yo has now graduated high school two weeks ago.  The previous week she had her senior formal held at Dreamworld.  She was beautifully dressed which I attended to the photo session with my boyfriend.... Yes..... I do have a man in my life now!  I'm so happy to be with him on most weekends while my 15 yo stays at her father's.

My 15 yo just finished year 10 last week and she's already complaining she's bored.  Typical teenager! So this week we have been at the club to dine in with friends and seen a movie with her sister and my bf this afternoon. We watched The Hunger Games, part 2 of Mocking Jay at the cinema. On Sunday night my bf and I watched Spectre at the cinema after a social game of bowing at a different centre.

My bowling league is now finished for the year. We had our break up party on last Saturday night.  The night wasn't appraisable.  I was happy with the prize presentation and raffle draws but not so happy with the buffet meal served.  The food could of been a better quality for the priced we all paid. But all will changed in 2016 as I will join a new league at a new centre.  I already been introduced as I have bowled with them socially for the last two Sunday nights. They are a friendly bunch!  They even invited me to attend to their break up party next weekend. 

All the best for a safe and happy festive season with your loved ones.  Be safe on the roads if you have any travel destinations. Our road toll has been quite bad lately in our state.