Sunday, May 27, 2007

Long Time Between Updates (Again!!!!)


Went out for lunch with a blogger friend Tania yesterday and when I got home this is what the kids had done for me. How cute!! Nikki did the mermaid painting which I thought was pretty good.
Tania and I had a great chat over lunch about lots of things but mostly we talked about emotional eating and how we wished we knew the answer. I have put on a few kgs since easter and just can't find my motivation to get back on track again. I know I have been emotional eating and most of what I eat when I am stressed is chocolate!!!!
Why am I stressed????
Apart from the problems with my marriage, I have taken on way too much with the girls netball. I am dreading Mondays now because everything starts again for the week. Netball practice for Nikki's comp netball on Monday after school, then Ashleigh's school netball Tuesday afternoon, Nikki's comp netball Tuesday night, then Nikki's school netball Wednesday afternoon. It's just too much. Why have I taken it on I hear you asking??? Well I always said I would coach Nikki's competition netball for the winter season. Then when no-one out of 19 girls parents volunteered to help with the school netball, I said I would do it. For the sake of my girls or there would have been no school netball for the 3rd year running. Why is it that it is too hard for these kids parents to help out??? I know it happens everywhere and it really is disgraceful.
Ok off my soapbox now!!!
Onto the marriage topic. Steve and I had our first counselling session a couple of weeks ago and we both found it very helpful. We talked alot about how we both deal with the children and the stress they put on our relationship and how to make it better. We both got a lot out of it and are going back again at the end of June to focus more on us and our relationship. I have definitely seen an improvement in the way Steve interacts with the kids so that's gotta be a good thing.
Last week we had Steve's 15 year old niece Jessica and her friend Kurt stay with us. They live in the country 2 hours from Adelaide and they were over here for careers week. It sure was a full house but it was a great week and my kids loved having their cousin staying with us.
One thing Steve and I did get out of the counselling was to spend more time as a family so we have decided that once a month (unfortunately not more due to money limits) we will go out on a family outing. Today we went ten pin bowling. Not a cheap exercise - we spent $50 and I had a voucher out of the entertainment book. The kids had a ball and they all thanked us for such a great time. There was a catch though. They had to spend the morning with me in the front garden which we are making over. And they were fantastic about it. They all got out there and helped me cut back plants and do lots of weeding. We managed to fill two green waste bins. I will post before and after photos when it is all finished. We were going to get a bobcat in and pay someone to do this, but I have decided to take it on as a project over winter and hopefully by the time we go to Qld in October, we will have a gorgeous front yard. We have a lot of work ahead of us as it is very overgrown and has been very neglected. I guess because we spend so much time in the backyard with the pool in summer, it just hasn't been a priority to get the front yard looking good. Actually what I will do is post progress photos. I will take a photo tomorrow and then each week when we do some work, I will post more photos.
I must admit I haven't really felt like blogging the last couple of weeks. Not sure why because when I do post, I quite enjoy it. I think because I am so busy, when I do get on the computer, I prefer to read and comment on other people's blogs rather than posting on mine. I will make an effort to post at least once a week.
Thanks to everyone who does comment here. I love hearing from other bloggers.
Have a fantastic week everyone.

7 comments:

Tania said...

Yay - you updated! I've yet to meet a blogger who doesn't stray from posting when they're having a rough time of staying focussed! Just remember that it's your blog and you should only post when you want to.

What gorgeous pictures the kids drew for you, it would have been such a lovely surprise to go home to.

Glad to hear you had a great day out bowling today - just let me know if you want any of my vouchers for activities like that (somehow I don't think Lachie is quite old enough ... lol) and even better when it means you get the kids out in the garden.

It was great to catch up with you yesterday, I promise if I ever find the secret to emotional eating you'll be the first to know!

Jill said...

Hi tina great to hear from you , i have been the most neglectful blogger, We are still at my mums so idon't get on the computer very much as it is dial up and a bit slow for my liking. Wow you sound so busy, ireally miss our chats on beckies gabbly. Only 12 days till we move into our new house it has been extended so i really can't wait. Once I am in the new house iwll be sure to get back into the blogging miss you all Jill xx

Jenny Schimak said...

Nice to see you update again. That's what I like about blogging, you can do it everyday or you can do nothing for ages........and dear old blog is still there, like a dear, old friend waiting in the wings!

Good news about the counselling, those people really know their stuff, especially if you get one that you really gel with.

I couldn't do the 'netball thing' like you are doing. I like my quiet home life too much and I need order there in order to be happy. I know there are sometimes a shortage of parents to do stuff, but I can't be the one to fix that to my own detriment, (and ultimately to my family's). You have to work out what is more important. It is after all just a game!

Family outings are very expensive. We only do about one or two paid outings a year. We do alot of stuff like picnics, beach, walk along the river etc. They are free and its' nice to get outside.......

Hope to see you blogging again more Tina.
TAke care

Chris H said...

I'm really glad your counseling session had some positive outcomes. I am looking forward to seeing the photos of your garden, and it's transformation.

Lisa C said...

Hey.... and you go looking for ME when I don't update my blog!! lol.
The counselling sounds promising...keep us posted on how it goes. I'm struggling with weight since easter too...it gets me at the same time every year with my weight.

AM said...

THose pictures are so sweet. I cant wait until Emma draws me a picture! What love!

Good step-going to counseling. So many couples just skip counseling and separate.

Name: Lynise said...

Hi Tina,
I'm the worlds worst 'commenter' but just thought I would say hi and great to read you post. The childrens pictures are awesome.
I hope the councellor you are going to is someone you feel comfortable with and gives good solid practical idea that you can implement into your marriage. Unfortunately not all councellors are created equal and before my relationship ended I spent far to much money seeing someone who I discovered really didn't have a clue. (long story, but how she manages to stay in business is a mystery to me).
Anyway, enough waffle.
Take care.