School Holiday Planning for teenagers

When your kids are little, school holiday planning is all about keeping little minds and busy fingers occupied for a fortnight without losing your mind.

Then they grow.

For me school holiday planning is pretty much all about transport and food.
And so I plan ......

The calendar is Taxi-Central.

When I first got married we had cute little calendars, with groovy pictures and a small box to write anything noteworthy for the day.

Now with 4 kids ( including three roaming teenagers) we forgo the cute picture and aim for maximum writing space.

If you are going somewhere, coming home from somewhere, need to get a friend from somewhere or have cancelled plans, if it isn't on the calendar then it isn't happening. ( That doesn't mean that if it IS on the calendar it will definitely happen, but you have a better shot at getting a ride home this way).

The other essential point of reference is the menu plan.
It gets posted on the fridge and cuts out about 1/2 the questioning that comes my way.

"What's for dinner?"
"What's for dinner?"
"What's for dinner?"
"What's for dinner?"
"What's for dinner?"

Darling teenage children, here is 'what's for dinner'.

If you do not like the meal on any given night, please feel free to make your own arrangements.

School holidays start tomorrow.

Wish me luck.

40 Things You'd Love to Say Out Loud at Work

My darling friend's Dad passed away so I have gone away to spend some time with her and her family.

My brain is full of 'stuff' and yet at odd times I find something to giggle at.
Today this was shared with me on Facebook Via the

Can U Still Hear Me Facebook page

I giggled, chuckled and snorted.  My favourite is Number 22.

Enjoy ( Please forgive the swearing.. not my post...)

40 Things You'd Love to Say Out Loud at Work


1. I can see your point, but I still think you're full of shit.
2. I don't know what your problem is, but I'll bet it's hard to pronounce.
3. How about never? Is never good for you?
4. I see you've set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public.
5. I'm really easy to get along with once you people learn to see it my way.
6. Who lit the fuse on your tampon?
7. I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message.
8. I don't work here. I'm a consultant.
9. It sounds like English, but I can't understand a damn word you're saying.
10. Ahhhh. I see the Fuck-up fairy has visited us again.
11. I like you. You remind me of myself when I was young and stupid.
12.You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.
13. I have plenty of talent and vision; I just don't give a damn.
14. I'm already visualizing the duct tape over your mouth.
15. I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you.
16. Thank you. We're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.
17. The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist.
18. Any connections between your reality and mine is purely coincidental.
19. What am I? Flypaper for freaks?!
20. I'm not being rude. You're just insignificant.
21. It's a thankless job, but I've got a lot of Karma to burn off.
22. Yes, I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial.
23. And your crybaby whiny-assed opinion would be?
24. Do I look like a fucking people person to you?
25. This isn't an office. It's Hell with fluorescent lighting.
26. I started out with nothing & I still have most of it left.
27. Sarcasm is just one more service we offer.
28. If I throw a stick, will you leave?
29. Errors have been made. Others will be blamed.
30. Whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed.
31. Oh I get it . like humor . but different.
32. A cubicle is just a padded cell without a door.
33. Can I trade this job for what's behind door #1?
34. Too many freaks, not enough circuses.
35. Nice perfume. Must you really marinate in it?
36. Chaos, panic, and disorder. my work here is finally done.
37. How do I set a laser printer to stun?
38. I thought I wanted a career; turns out I just wanted a salary.
39. I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter.
40. Wait a minute --- I'm trying to imagine you with a personality:)

I shall return home in a couple of days,
Stay safe, be kind and go tell your Dad you love him if you still can.
xxx

Fancy Dress - Flashback Friday

Ohh how cool, I chose the same flashback theme as Cathy from The Camera Chronicles ! Blog hopping alongside in my fairy outfit, as you do!

I couldn't wait to turn 18. It seemed as though everything I was desperate to do hinged on that magic number.
My 16th birthday had been spent away from home on 3 month exchange in New Zealand, so for my 18th I was determined to have a party to remember.
I'm an Aussie June baby so it is pretty much the coldest time of the year. This meant skimpy bar-maid costumes were out and all in one bear costumes were a big hit.

I was of course the Birthday Fairy in yellow. I chuckle every time I look at this picture!

( I think it needs to be acknowledged that 1990 was ALL about big hair. The bigger the better. And if you could still breath after you'd finished spraying hairspray then you obviously had not used enough. Guys, this was the days before products were called "product" ! It was called spray, or gel, or mousse. )

Around 60 of my friends converged on our home. The Tequila Sunrises flowed freely. My parents (bless them) did an awesome job of not freaking out completely and kept a quiet eye on the proceedings.

As it turns out, being 18 was all that different to being 17, except for the whole 'old enough to drink at the pub' thing. I still went to school, worked a part time job, baby sat and stressed about my future.

But now I had an awesome fairy dress in my cupboard.

Do you have a secret stash of fancy dress photos? come on, drag them out and share the love. IT's FLASH BACK FRIDAY !

Heaven Bound

If I wasn't at home, you could bet I was sitting on his couch giggling, plotting and scheming with his adored little girl.

If I was cheeky he could and would pull me into line just like my own Dad.

He would take us for drives in his little green Morris , me and Sue squealing with delight and slip sliding across the beige vinyl seats without seat-belts  or a care in the world. ( the car pre-dated back seat seat belts) 

He would pick us up from the pub at 3 am in his taxi , (somehow we always managed to jump the taxi queue), and deliver us safely home, shaking his head and telling us to behave ourselves.

At my high school graduation he took me for a spin around the dance floor, and at my my wedding he waltzed with me and told me he loved me like his own.

He introduced me as his second daughter, called me "my darling", " little one", "scallywag"  and "trouble" depending on the situation.

I brought my babies home to meet him, he bounced them on his knee and told me they had my eyes, my smile.

He was a true gentleman, a battler from his first breath to his last. 

His love for his wife and his kids was complete.

His acceptance, love and protection of me was unbreakable.

Two men shaped my expectations of how a loving man can be a partner to their wife and a gentle guiding hand for their children. 

One of them was my own Dad ( xxxxxxxxxxxx )

The other was my best friends Dad.

He went to heaven yesterday. He has earned his angel wings.

I will miss him forever.

Still his little girl

As he hugged me goodbye earlier this week, I crumbled.

Like a baby, held in his strong arms, I laid my head on my Dads shoulder and I cried.

My best friend is preparing to say goodbye to her Dad in the next few weeks. Cancer has a stronghold and he won't win this battle. I can't imagine knowing that there are only a few precious moments left to have those cuddles and absorb that strength.

On my Ipod this week, this song is on repeat. It is beautiful and heartfelt.

Listen.

To my lovely Daddy , because everything that I am comes from you.

xx

New Directions

After 3 years writing at my blog under the banner of Simple Loving Thoughts it is time for a spring clean. The reality is life is rarely simple, and at times it is less than loving. Wife-ing and parenting, living and learning is messy work. 

I needed a new name. 

A new direction.

BUTTON BRAIN

Why buttons?

Well, because I made them. Thousands of them. Little hand painted timber creations for crafting.

But also because a button is what holds everything together. A pair of pants, or jeans,  a jumper or jacket. A business shirt or a sports skirt. A wallet. Holding it all together.

Which is kinda cool when you think of what it can do but is also an enormous responsibility on one little button.

So here I sit. A button amongst her buttons. Holding it together. One of millions, decorative, but also with a huge responsibility.

I am raising my kids. I don’t always get it it right. But I do my best. I am a wife, also trying my best at that but often missing the bullseye. 

I have no wise answers, just honesty.

And now, a safe place to speak my mind