WILLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're back! I have missed you!!! How was Christmas/New Years? Have you now moved into the new place? What's it like? How are the kids? Lol, sorry I'll stop with the questions now. Do you notice I have missed you?
Oh my Jayney Jayne Jayne - I have missed you too and I'm so sorry, I totally forgot you wouldn't have seen my triumphant 'return' on fb!!! If there's one thing I HATE about China, it's no fb
Christmas/New Year was CHAOTIC. We had a great time, I survived the camping holiday with Mako and family (just! haha) and the move all went well.
New place is great, we are starting to settle in now, we had visitors pretty much every night for the first two weeks!! Mostly family but we've had a few nights on our own now which has been great for the kids. Bit overwhelming for them, the whole xmas/holidays/moving/house full of visitors thing. Trying to get them all back in routine now (they have at times been completely feral) so trying to stick close to home and not be out and about too much for the next little bit. Lots of exploring the home town and lots of swimming in the bay though
I am SO happy. This has been a long time in the making and sometimes when I'm down on the water with the kids I am fit to burst I'm that.freakin'.happy.
Can you send and receive txts over there on the same mobile number I have?? If so, can you txt me your email address and I'll send you some pics since you can't see them on fb...yes, I just uploaded a whole album of photos on fb for the first time EVER tonight! LOL
I also want to pick your brains about this running biznez....we've enrolled L to start preschool but it's costing us a fortune so I don't think the budget will stretch as far as a new gym membership AND the closest gym is a 35 min drive each way. So thinking of alternative plans of attack before I get too fat and unfit again! And by the way Missy...if I see that ticker drop any further I am going to haul my comparatively large a*se onto a plane just to come and forehead slap you (although if the snow is still around, that's an added bonus. NEVER.seen.it) You absolutely and seriously do NOT need to lose any more weight.
Last edited by Willow; January 16th, 2011 at 07:24 PM.
hahahaha Willow - you crack me up. I have just received the same bollocking from Michelle. You girls haven't cottoned on that I only upload pics that show my face - there is no looking at my fat backside, hips, thighs, stomach & boobs!!! Believe me, I still have a good 7kg to go. Honestly! I'm not about to fade away. With the running, I have to admit that I just can't get back into doing it. The freezing temp just doesn't motivate me right now. I have only ran 2 mornings since being back home. But I am still walking everywhere & taking the stairs - so I'm still covering the same ground - just at a different speed. lol. But anyway, with the running, I would just pick visual markers along the way & be like 'ok, lets run to this marker' & then when I reached it, I would go back to walking until I could catch my breath again & then as soon as I recovered, I would set another marker. It really worked. Especially towards the end, I got to running the majority of the way home & probably only walking 200m at my recovery walk, at the very most. You must load your ipod with motivating songs as well. Shameful I know, but I love Flo Rida's 'Low'. Don't laugh. It gets me going. Also, 'Solo' by Jason Derulo & Usher's 'OMG'. Alan calls me Mini 50 Cent. Hilarious!
Listen to you about your seachange! I'm so excited for you & so happy that you found the little slice of paradise that you have been looking for. It's rejuvinating!!
I'll PM you my e-mail address. I have a Chinese cell phone now as telstra LOVES to send me whopper iphone bills, & unfortunately I can't get MMS on my Chinese Cell. So I'll PM you!
I completely understand about losing the routine over the holidays. Sounds like a very quiet days is exactly what is needed. & yes, it's overwhelming for the kids & also you. I find I get all frazzled too!
So, so, so, so, so glad to hear from you. Missed you just a teeny bit! bahahaha
China SUCKS!!!!!!! I miss you on FB Jayney! I don't blame you for not wanting to run in the cold, blergh. When are back in Oz again? Do you have any family or friends coming to visit?
Yes, the lovely Michelle is quite correct. I will be in Sydney (Schidney it's pronounced in China) on the 15th of July. I come back to Aus in April for a wedding & then I'm bringing my parents back to Qingdao with us for 3 weeks & then I'm home again from June 20 for almost a month. In that time I am leaving my little munchkins for the first ever time that is longer than 1 night & I'm heading to Sydney............. eeeekk!!! I'm excited but very scared of leaving my babies. My parents on the other hand are OVER THE MOON! I have to admit, I was quite ready to come back to Qingdao after 2 weeks in Aus, so I'm a little worried I have over-extended my visit being home for an ENTIRE month. All the school people are heading back to their respective countries, so I just copied them. bahahah It's the big Summer holidays at that time........... On a very exciting note though, we are due a holiday around that time & Alan has suggested Tahiti I had originally suggested Singapore, but Tahiti is JUST FINE with me!!!
So Janie in answer to your question, my parents are coming back with us early May, then I have Alan's aunt, uncle & cousin coming in August & hopefully Alan's parents in Oct. I'm pretty sure my parents will come back towards the end of the year as well. So it's rather exciting - BUT I must find a new apartment before then!!! Arrgh, the landlord wants the apartment back even though we still have 8 months left on the lease, so we are apartment hunting. Actually, being that Alan is at work, I am apartment hunting. I think this is going to be hilarious. My Chinese is appalling & their English is just as bad, so I will either end up in a tent or a penthouse. bahahahah But anyway, I have an appointment at lunch today to visit 3 apartments. Wish me luck.
Good luck with the apartment hunting Jayne..Hopefully you'll find something suitable very soon
Can't wait to catch up with you again in July too
Willow You most certainly do not have anything to be sorry for. I totally understand how busy you are settling into a a new home with 3 kids and loads of visitors at the same time. It was great that you guys managed a quick visit here on Saturday though..Sorry we couldn't catch up for longer but we will sometime soon
Your pics on FB look awesome and I can see how truly happy you guys are just by looking at them (and well done for uploading your 1st ever photo album lol).
When does L start pre school?
As for us..DH is back at the GP later this arv..He seems a bit better so that is a good thing. Sage is doing really well apart from being FULL of attitude..seriously I'm not too sure how much more I can take atm..Every time I ask him to do something his reply is " no too bad" or another favourite is "oh damn it"(thanks mil). If anyone has any tips on how to deal with this PLEASE let me know..I'm trying to ignore it most of the time and I have said a few times that we don't talk like that cos its not very nice
Lee I've started looking at planning our trip to Tassie in October. We look like we'll be there from about the 16th or 17th until the 23rd I've put a sad face there as we will be away for Sage's birthday and I'm feeling very very guilty about that and he won't be coming with us. We will be in Launceston from the afternoon of the 20th I think and will be at the event at Midlands? for the 21st 22nd and 23rd. We will fly into Hobart and out of Launceston and will do a bit of traveling for a few days I think..Let me know where you are and we'll do our best to catch up somewhere
Oh Mako - I could be writing exactly the same thing about Claudia just lately!!! I think that Sage & Curly have some type of telepathic 'lets be brats' thing happening! I must admit that now she is settled back into school she has cut a lot of the attitude out but it was the hissy-fit & waterfall of tears that really grated on my nerves! At least Sage answers you when you ask him, even if it's only to say no, lol, Claudia just doesn't even answer me majority of the time. I know a lot of the time when I'm talking to Claudia I have to ask her to look into my eyes while I'm talking/asking her something because she would almost always rather be doing something else & she just zones me out. Grrrr. I find getting her to make eye-contact works a lot, & when she says horrible things I simply say 'we don't talk like that, it's not nice'. I just keep on saying it & now if Claudia hears somebody say 'shut up' or something she says to me 'we don't talk like that do we Mum?'. So I KNOW she is listening! lol
Well I looked at 2 apartments. They are so poles apart I can't even really compare the 2. One was very Chinese & the kitchen was really crapola (no oven & only wok burners to cook) but it was really big & heaps of room & the rooms were big. The other was really Western & completely renovated & all brand new appliances - but heaps smaller. But the smaller one was in the complex I have my heart set on. It has a gym, massive playground & heaps of areas to walk around (it's huge) & the kids could ride their bikes all around & because it's all secure they can't get out anywhere. Hmmm, what to do. Also the smaller one was more expensive than Alan's work is willing to pay, & while we are happy to pay the difference, I'm not sure I like it that much to put our own money towards it - KWIM? But this one had FANTASTIC kitchen! One where you do the 'wax on wax off' movement on the hot plate & it fires up! Way too cool!! I'm meant to be looking at more tomorrow, so I'll keep you updated. I'm thinking I should start a China blog? What do you guys reckon?
The winter shoes are all on sale atm.......... Oh boy, I have had to impose a self-inflicated ban on entering ANY shops atm. The shoes scream my name & beg me to try them on. They have such cool shoes here........ I have only bought one pair of ankle boots which makes me very proud of myself!
DH is ok..he still has to keep taking the Somac as it looks like its starting to help a lot. So that is good news but he will go straight back if he gets worse any time soon. He also has to go back in about a week or so once the tablets run out to be checked again. Atleast he is feeling and looking better in himself so now we'll start on the "lets look after ourselves a bit better routine"
Mako - I'm in Hobart, 4km from the city, so very close and central (not that that is difficult in Hobart lol)... having just spent 3 weeks back on the mainland over christmas, I must admit it's beautiful being back here, Hobart is such a nice little city - big enough for me. I'm glad you DH is on the mend, and I know where you are coming from when you say the look after me routine.... hope it holds!
Willow - so happy for you - you sound ecstatic in your new home - all that hard work has paid off!
Jayne - I'd be a sucker for the shoes too - in fact I've recently purchased my most comfortable pair of shoes EVER, and my god the are so gorgeous too - allegria - dot - com - dot - au ... they are divine, have a rocking heel.... I would post a link of FB but you cannot see it - whhhaaahhhh! Hopefully tomorrow you will find the perfect apartment, you don't want to be too cramed up with the little girls, space is good! But a girl needs a decent kitchen! Tomorrow you will see something inbetween and it will be perfect!
Michelle - how are you doing hon, I know things are fragile right now.... hugs, and call u soon xo
Deb - any update on house sales etc??? How are YOU ???
Hi to everyone else..... me, well, not too much to report - treading water atm... not bad, but not brilliantly good, even keel is ok.... change is in the wind though, just not sure what as yet. Hugs to all.
Hello girls! I know it has been ages since I have posted but I promise I have still been reading!! Just have had a nightmare of a time over the last few weeks, culminating in having nowhere to stay, nowhere to rent, and then the car being broken into. Sigh... I hate relocating!! Hopefully things will start to improve soon.
Willow - I LOVE hearing you sound so happy! You seem so content and I love the pics you have posted on FB - you look very happy and relaxed. I am glad to hear that the move went well and you have settled in well. And of course you have the gorgeous Mako there to help you settle in - I am jealous!!!
Mako - I hope the Drs have some answers for your DH soon. It sounds like something pretty nasty with all the weight that he has lost, the poor thing. How are you doing?
Jayne - you are looking HOT woman!! I agree with the others - how could you possibly lose anymore weight?? Good luck with the apartment hunting. I am so over looking for rentals right now, and am having the same trouble - nothing suits so what do you settle for? I hope you find something soon.
Lee - I see that Flynn has started walking - woohoo!! Josh is still pulling himself up on things and crusing around but is so so close to taking steps on his own. What is happening with you? I hope all is ok.
Spring - how are you going hun? Haven't heard anything from you in a while.
Kel - hope you are having a good trip and hope to catch up with you soon!
Lisa - looks like you had a great time at your DH's birthday party!
Janie - how are you going?
Bek - how are you? How is intimo going?
Michelle - thinking of you always. I LOVE the pic of your boys fast asleep in bed together. So precious xx
Gotta go my loves, thinking of you all. Hopefully next time I post I will no longer be homeless (and since we have now been homeless for over 5 weeks that cannot come soon enough!!),
Jayney - July 15th huh?? Will have to keep it free and make a trip down to see you. I say go nuts on the shoes. I've seen Chinese shoes on ebay stores...I'd go nuts too (although they never have my size, yanno, being a Sasquach and all with my size 10 feet! Bet there's not many 10s in China). Good luck with the apartment hunt! Hope you find something you love. And most definitely YES to the China blog...although then I will have to actually work out how to properly read and comment on a blog. Escapes me at the present time.
Bun - Gah! Hope you get the homelessness sorted soon. Do you guys own a place in WA that is being rented or did you sell when you moved to Vic? Renting isn't much fun, especially the applicaiton process, but have to admit I love the house we're in and won't want to move when the time comes! DH is convinced we will buy it. LOL It's an investment property and owned by a couple in WA coincidently.
Mako - Glad to hear DH is feeling better. How did his appt go? Are these meds to treat the problem or just to stop the nausea? We'll have to organise to catch up in the next week or so. Will be a lot easier when I've got at least one back at school
Lisa - Hope you and the girls are well. Loved all the pics of DHs 40th!!
When is everyone else coming to Sydney? Remember something about March and wanted to say please, please not the 25-28th march. I'm away with my girls in Port Douglas that weekend and if I miss out again I literally will cry!
AFU we are plodding along settling in. D has been HORRID though the last week or so. Constant whinging and tantrums GALORE. Neither V or L were big fans of the tanty but oh lordy D is making up for it! I am so surprised because he was such a content, placid little baby. Trying really hard to stick close to home and get him familiar with his new surrondings and back into routine etc but it's hard with the constant visitors staying. MIL and SIL and the kids are on their way up now so another few days of chaos no doubt Don't get me wrong, I love that everyone is so excited for us and wants to come and check out our new place etc but we really, really just need some space for the kids' sake. I can't take one more visit from my Dad, he is driving me nuts atm, every time he is is here we have an argument, usually over one of the kids. Should settle down once school goes back I imagine. I hope!
BUN _ So wonderful to hear from you, even though things are crud right now. I really hope something perfect turns up & fast! I'll bet it's just when you drop your bundle & have a tanty - it will turn up. I'm really hoping it will be before then though! LOL. So, how do you feel coming back to Perth? Do you feel as though nothing has changed? Tell me that's how it is!!! I'm already nervous for when we move back! So tell me it's just like you never left. Well, I hope that some things have changed in my purple circle, but not too much.
LEE _ So glad you see my point of the shoe sales, I might get you in contact with Alan........... just to back me up! hahaha. I hope that the wind is changing for good changes, you don't need any more bad changes going on! It's a new year & new you & new state of mind!! All the crud can bugger of I reckon!
MAKO _ So glad to hear that there is an improvement for DH. Is the drugs he is taking for a stomach ulcer? How long does he have to take them for? Is the new changes beginning in the um, well, bedroom? bahahaha Get dirty darlin', you have a baby to make!!!
KELLY _ Just so you know, we are no longer friends. You are too busy swanning off in your smoking hot swimmers in the glorious heat of Perth. Was nice knowing you though. (I'm cracking myself up here!)
WILLOW _ Yes, I will fall down in a flood of tears if I DON'T see you on July 15 & then that will make it that I'm no longer your friend either. Now that I have met you all & am over a lot of my nerves, I should be able to construct a basic sentence this time!
MICHELLE _ Busted Lily again yet? Maybe a trampoline is on order for Christmas 2011..........
AFM _ I know this is REALLY bizarre. But my appetite is lost. Honestly. I just have no desire to eat anything. Nothing. I just MADE myself eat a yoghurt & now I feel blergh. Last night I cooked a nice steak (all the way from Perth hehehe) & some grilled veg. Ate nothing - just pushed it around my plate. This morning, I was expecting to be ravenous - nope. I'm drinking heaps of fluids but just no food appeals. I have gone & bought salmon & pasta & avocadoes & cherry tomatoes & capsicum to make a kick-butt salmon pasta with a tomato based cream sauce for dinner (as honestly, that sounds rocking right?) so I'm hoping it comes back soon. Wherever it's gone. Not that I'm really complaining, but it can't be a good thing. Hopefully I'm not coming down with something. Claudia has just been 'flat' the last couple of days. Just quiet & not her usual bouncy self. So maybe she feels like me too? Dunno!
Anyhoo, I'm off for lunch with my American friend (she's actually my Zumba teacher) today as she's going to the states for a holiday (well she says vacation), on Saturday & she has just found out she has very special cargo onboard. I'm so freaking excited for her! She is going to be the coolest mum on the block (apart from me - naturally!).
xxx
PS - do you know how weird it is to wear thermals underneath my jeans? Honestly, it's just plain bizarre.
bahahahah Lee, you know, after I posted that I began to really stress myself out. I'm taking the Pill though, so I'm sure I'm pretty safe in that department!
I can't keep up there is so much to read, which is great.
Jayne - Good luck with the apartment shopping and shoe shopping.
Willow - Glad to hear and see you are settling into your new area. You must be so relieved to having the moving business over with.
Bun - I hope everything falls into place for you. Enjoy your relocation. Thanks for asking about my new venture. I am in training atm and my launch will be at the end of Feb. I am very nervous and excited.
Mako - I hope your DH starts to improve.
Is the 15th of July on the cards? I have just bought some accommodation vouchers that I can use in Sydney CBD. Can anyone give me an idea of where the best place to stay would be?
AFM - As mentioned above I am venturing out into the big wide world of party plan type business. I never in a million years thought that I would be interested or that I had the personality for it but the right product has come along and I desperately need to get out of the house. For months I have been struggling with depression and just the sheer feeling of being overwhelmed and lost. I had a very low point on NYE. I hadn't been out to a club in years and I actually had a massive panic attack for fear of going out and having people look at this old and drained SAHM. Needless to say DH and I got a little bit frightened of my episode and I've made some changes. As well having my business I have been on a protein diet and I am exercising at home. I've lost 2.2kgs and I feeling heaps better. Bel - Have you looked at the Fatchick Slim challenges on FB? I am doing one atm, keeps me motivated and I don't have to leave home.
The kids are all good. Sara is off to school next Thursday. She is so excited, I swear this kid can make friends anywhere and I already know that her report cards are going to comment on her constant chatting lol. Loren is just so animated and articulate atm, although her moods swings are a little unnerving and Eva is just a little pocket rocket, she has just hit 10kgs at 18 months.
I may not come in much but I think of everyone very often.
I had originally suggested Singapore, but Tahiti is JUST FINE with me!!!
I've put a sad face there as we will be away for Sage's birthday and I'm feeling very very guilty about that and he won't be coming with us. We will be in Launceston from the afternoon of the 20th I think and will be at the event at Midlands? for the 21st 22nd and 23rd. We will fly into Hobart and out of Launceston and will do a bit of traveling for a few days I think..Let me know where you are and we'll do our best to catch up somewhere 
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