Sick Day Plans

I'm a mum. A SAHM. Who's going to give me a sick day?!

Ha! Not likely you say?

I rarely ever get sick but was thinking about this after a Face Book friend commented on her hubby being sick and that him being unwell was as unpleasant as being ill herself! I'd say this goes for most men. Some won't ever take a day off when 'sick' but it's a rare man who won't let you know about it!

Well, no one covers my work load if I get sick right? I don't have a mum or MIL that just pop in to help out as many of my friends do, So I've figured I need to get prepared myself! In fact the one time I've had kids and asked a family member to come and feed my toddler her dinner I was asked 'is it really needed?'. Can I tell you how much that HURT! (When a woman asks for help - she NEEDS it!!!! Most can't ask by the time they're desperate!! When someone asks you for help, please trust they need it unless you see a pattern that says otherwise) So yeah, not much by way of help around here.

Anyway, things I am going to get ready...
-Casserole in the freezer for this purpose only so dinner will be done with about 2 minutes effort.
-DVD kept back from the kids, ready for them to watch when I need to rest (a long one!)
-Print out some puzzle pages, cut & paste and colouring sheets for the kids
-Make a note of Audio CD's we have on standby so I'm not doing a read-a-loud
-Keep some healthy instant snacks on hand so I'm not caught out needing to bake
-Get a loaf or two of home made bread in the freezer also for the above reason

I know some mums are organised like this for the first couple of days of their period each month; I'm blessed not to need that but every now and then I'll be unwell or am just plain exhausted and the above will help keep the family running.
I already keep up on the washing so we're never more than a load behind and I'm working on that with the ironing!

What do you do when you're not well enough to carry on as usual?

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Girl's Brigade 70th Anniversary Family Day

We popped down to Berwick on Saturday for the Girl's Brigade 70th Anniversary - I was in Girl's Brigade for about 7 years as a girl and LOVED it. It's lovely to see Melinda enjoying it too. They had a great day organised for the family - sausage sizzle and a bunch of free activities; face painting, jumping castle, a craft table to make bird and fish mobiles, figurine painting and some 'old fashioned' games like sack racing - I haven't seen that in YEARS

Melinda won first prize for the Grade 2's in the Art Show and also first prize in across all Cadets

Nathaniel just LOVES having his face painted

The jumping castle proved irresistible

Timothy is yet to find the joy in such outings - all a little overwhelming for him

Get him home though and the mischief kicks in... his latest game at bed time is to go and get in a bed belonging to someone else! He used to just go get in his bed when he was tired and call out to us. Something (or someone???) gave him the idea that in bed with Melinda or into our bed and then calling out would be a much better response. I think this one here was encouraged by Melinda as he usually has 'Kevin Bear' and his dummy firmly attached :o)

And that's not Kevin Bear... this is Rachel Bear - given to Melinda when she was born by my Uncle John and Auntie Bronwyn... I named her after my favourite cousin :o)

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Sabbath Happenings

A lovely lovely day today! Church this morning was wonderful (except for Finding Nemo being the substitute for Kids church!) A guest speaker was quite interesting and inspiring, the children enjoyed knowing the song being sung as we arrived and best of all, we participated in the church's Fellowship lunch.

8 Adults, 2 children & 1 baby that we hardly knew (or didn't know at all!!) came for lunch. They each brought something to contribute... drinks, dessert & nibbles... while Pete and I provided mains. It was enjoyable to prepare it on Saturday, as a family, all ready for today; All pitching in to serve our guests.

The bible instructs us ALL to show hospitality (no exclusions!) and I do love the experience and am blessed I was taught by example as a child. It may be harder for those not taught early on, there's still no exclusion though!!!

It's sad if the only way one is going to be hospitable is to participate in events such as today when the church leadership orchestrates it.
I also think it's sad when we only extend hospitality to those we know and are comfortable with. I wonder, is that really hospitality? or is that when it crosses into 'entertaining'?
What I love about today's fellowship lunch is that it introduced us to 11 new people in the church!
If that's it's purpose, then I think it has a place, a good place.

Sitting around the table, sharing food and conversation together - it doesn't get better than this.

(PS the children did not go and watch the movie!!)

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Sovereign Hill - A Living Museum

Photo's at last from our trip last week! We're looking forward to returning later in the year for another visit







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