Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Kindy Preperations!
Christmas has just come and gone in a whirlwind and now I find myself researching myself stupid looking for sheet sets, uniforms, name labels, backpacks, shoes and worst of all, lunch boxes.
Making bento the last few years we have been spoiled with the ability to unpack and repack the bentos. At kindy, they expressed the need for a lunchbox the child can both open and pack away by themselves. After watching my daughter struggle with the usual tiered boxes with elastic bands I knew I was in to find an alternative. And then I got to thinking what would staples be for her lunches, what design flaws are in the mini tiered bento systems? I know they are mainly for rice dishes, so whenever I try and smush cut out sandwiches I never fit enough to cover the same amount of carbs as the rice. So a bento box/lunch box that is square enough to fit a sandwich but spacious enough to allow me to make a bento without it being a sandwich and piece of fruit lunch.
I have so far scoured the Internet 2 days in a row searching for the best and most useful one for us. I don't care how much I spend as long as I have something that will last the whole year.
If you've followed along you'll see I do have a large looking lunchbox made by Nude Food Movers. These were great, for the first few months. My children only used these one day a week and the hinges broke after a few months. We had 4 boxes total and they are all broken after a year. Disappointed, but at $10 a box maybe I shouldn't complain?
So here is the list i have compiled. If anyone has any suggestions, reviews, comments on any of these to make my life easier, please let me know!!!!
Options:
Laptop lunchbox
http://www.lunchboxeswithlove.com/lunchboxes/80-bento-system-20-flower.html $50
Ecolunchbox (2 sizes)
http://www.shopnaturally.com.au/eco-lunchbox-stainless-steel-lunch-box-2-piece-set-oval-round-bpa-free.html $20
http://www.shopnaturally.com.au/eco-lunchbox-stainless-steel-lunch-box-3-piece-set-rectangular-bpa-free.html $27
http://www.babygrowsafe.com.au/ecolunchboxrectangle/prod_233.html $24
Goodbyn
http://www.wheredidyougetthat.com.au/p/1127065/goodbyn-lunch-box-pink.html $35.20 after 20% off
Code SC-BOX
Nude Food Movers
http://www.nudefoodmovers.com.au/Range/ $10
Planet-box
http://www.planetbox.com/pictures.html $?
Friday, December 9, 2011
Cooking Lull
Don't know about anyone else but I seem to find myself in cooking lulls every now and again. Something will disrupt my normal routine and I get so out of sorts I cannot function properly. Lately I've been working a lot more than I would've liked to as my manager took holidays. So I was working rather irregular hours and more of them. I went from cooking 3 meals a day (yes, cooking for breakfast lunch and dinner) to barely being able to scrap together a decent meal for dinner even on my days off.
I get quite disappointed when this happens because I feel like I let my family down. Don't misunderstand me, they still eat. Cereal, toast, spaghetti tins, sandwiches, fish fingers, ol' 3 veg garden salads, store bought biscuits etc. I don't cook them proper meals or snacks. I also understand that this is the norm for most Australian families, but I have noticed when I actually cook and prepare nutritional meals 3 times a day everyone (especially my husband!) feels happier, healthier and more content. As to opposed right now I've got my dirty old grumpy pants on that I get when I've not eaten properly.
So enough complaining about it, what am I going to do about it? Right now, not much I can do. We have just done the shopping for the next fortnight without meal planning (another sign of me just not caring!) You know planning ahead is one of the best ways of keeping on track. The amount of mornings lately I've woken up and gone, it's too hard to think of what to make you for lunch hubby, just buy something (OH MY IM HORRIBLE!) But it's honest and it's true. I have to have preprepared at least the rice or defrosted the meat the night before unless I want to be up from 5am making lunch.
I assume also silly season is attributing to my lack of concentration and ability to cope. I have hopes of making gingerbread men, gingerbread house, sugar cookies, pavlovas, chocolate mousse tortes, roasts, bakes and more. Without preprep I doubt I'll get anywhere.
I guess it's time to stop complaining about my lack of preparation and get to preparing!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Cleaning Tip #2 - Timers
Timers can be an excellent tool to help you stay on track! I love my iPhone and the ability to time things. It can really be the difference, for me, of completing something or forgetting altogether!
Just now I've put the washing machine on, and I know it take 1 hour to do it's cycle. So if I set the timer for 1 hour, I can take the washing out as soon as it finishes! Before realizing I should time the wash I pretty much always forgot about it and would have that damp smell on the clothes which would mean another round in the washing machine.
If you washing machine is close by, you don't have to worry! But mine is downstairs and I can't hear it!
Another great timer idea is for spot cleaning. If your anything like me cleaning is a daunting task. I can cook for hours but cleaning, nah uh! So give yourself a time limit, 15 minutes works well, and clean for that time only. When the timer goes off congratulate yourself on a job well done! (even if you didn't finish the task!) A bit done is much better than nothing done at all!
So give the timer a go! Set yourself a few timer tasks a day. 15 minutes cleaning your bedroom, 15 minutes scrubbing the bathroom, 15 minutes ironing. I know you can do it! After all, 15 minutes is no time at all, I guarantee you'll be pleased with your efforts!
Nya! =(^_^)= いってらしゃい！
Just now I've put the washing machine on, and I know it take 1 hour to do it's cycle. So if I set the timer for 1 hour, I can take the washing out as soon as it finishes! Before realizing I should time the wash I pretty much always forgot about it and would have that damp smell on the clothes which would mean another round in the washing machine.
If you washing machine is close by, you don't have to worry! But mine is downstairs and I can't hear it!
Another great timer idea is for spot cleaning. If your anything like me cleaning is a daunting task. I can cook for hours but cleaning, nah uh! So give yourself a time limit, 15 minutes works well, and clean for that time only. When the timer goes off congratulate yourself on a job well done! (even if you didn't finish the task!) A bit done is much better than nothing done at all!
So give the timer a go! Set yourself a few timer tasks a day. 15 minutes cleaning your bedroom, 15 minutes scrubbing the bathroom, 15 minutes ironing. I know you can do it! After all, 15 minutes is no time at all, I guarantee you'll be pleased with your efforts!
Nya! =(^_^)= いってらしゃい！
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Christmas is looming....
Yesterday was the 25th of November, which can only mean one thing! A MONTH UNTIL CHRISTMAS!
Usually I am a bit more prepared but I completely forgot it was so close. Thankfully I did my Christmas shopping for the family in June, I've just got to get a few minor Secret Santa gifts, the Christmas decor and the food of course. Today there was a special parade in our local shopping center to mark the arrival of Santa. There was a 3 peice martching band, bugs bunny, daffy duck, Frosty, Mrs Claus, Elves and Mr Claus himself. Because I was working I asked my lovely husband to bring the children down to see. I was very pleased with him as he doesn't always get 'into' the Christmas thing, and he seemd to genuinly enjoy himself. (hooray!)
So now my thoughts turn to early christmas preperations. I have a good friend who has made 3 Advent Calendars!!!! I haven't even made one yet! I plan on correcting this before the 1st of December. EEK! Not many days left!!!!
http://sonicempress.blogspot.com/2011/11/advent-calendar-number-3.html?m=1 (If you want to peek at her latest one!)
And Ideas to go in these little boxes? I went on a mini shopping spree at the $2 shop across from work. I picked up some really cute goodies! Stamps, cards, pens, patty cake liners, cookie cutters. I'm going to also write little notes in some cluing them into something unable to fit into the boxes like. "Today we put up the Tree!", "Check under your pillows!" (Christmas Pyjamas), "Daddy will put up the lights today", "Lets make some cookies", "Tonight we'll go to a Christmas Play", "Tonight we'll drive around to see the Christmas lights". Etc, etc, etc....
That's why I need to get this calendar done ASAP. I can do it!
I hope your Christmas preparations are coming along! Most fun and enjoyable time of the year, but only if you work for it!
Nya! =(^_^)= いってらしゃい！
Usually I am a bit more prepared but I completely forgot it was so close. Thankfully I did my Christmas shopping for the family in June, I've just got to get a few minor Secret Santa gifts, the Christmas decor and the food of course. Today there was a special parade in our local shopping center to mark the arrival of Santa. There was a 3 peice martching band, bugs bunny, daffy duck, Frosty, Mrs Claus, Elves and Mr Claus himself. Because I was working I asked my lovely husband to bring the children down to see. I was very pleased with him as he doesn't always get 'into' the Christmas thing, and he seemd to genuinly enjoy himself. (hooray!)
So now my thoughts turn to early christmas preperations. I have a good friend who has made 3 Advent Calendars!!!! I haven't even made one yet! I plan on correcting this before the 1st of December. EEK! Not many days left!!!!
http://sonicempress.blogspot.com/2011/11/advent-calendar-number-3.html?m=1 (If you want to peek at her latest one!)
And Ideas to go in these little boxes? I went on a mini shopping spree at the $2 shop across from work. I picked up some really cute goodies! Stamps, cards, pens, patty cake liners, cookie cutters. I'm going to also write little notes in some cluing them into something unable to fit into the boxes like. "Today we put up the Tree!", "Check under your pillows!" (Christmas Pyjamas), "Daddy will put up the lights today", "Lets make some cookies", "Tonight we'll go to a Christmas Play", "Tonight we'll drive around to see the Christmas lights". Etc, etc, etc....
That's why I need to get this calendar done ASAP. I can do it!
I hope your Christmas preparations are coming along! Most fun and enjoyable time of the year, but only if you work for it!
Nya! =(^_^)= いってらしゃい！
Monday, November 7, 2011
Happy Birthday to Me
This little Neko Mama turned one year older! Hooray! I was quite lucky to have a 3 day celebration. Due to work commitments we couldn't go out the night of my birthday, so I rounded up my friends to celebrate on Wednesday instead (Mr Neko's weekend is Thursday and Friday). We went out to town and I did things I haven't done in years! Like visit bars, drink cocktails, dance, sing karaoke and stay up past midnight! (I was very shocked to realise I had made it past 9pm let alone midnight!) Made me feel a lot younger and it was nice to shake off the responsibility hat for a night. We even had the children staying at grandma and grandad's house on 'holiday' so the next morning we got to sleep in and go out for breakfast. Just the two of us, lying in bed at 10am and not having little ones jumping up and down on us. It was peaceful! (Albeit the slight hangover I may or may not have had....)
So I had a leisurely morning, before heading to work on Thursday evening. Friday was my actual birthday and I was showered with hugs and kisses. We went out to the local shopping center and had a brunch with the family. And we picked up my birthday gift! An iPad 2! ^__^ I'm so very excited and very happy about it!
Another amazing feat this week has been the sale of my wedding dress! I wasn't overly sure if I did want to sell it so I put an add in the local gumtree just to see what offers we're out there. I guess I just met the right lady and it felt right to sell it to her. I am sure she will be beautiful in the gown and it will hopefully give her lots of luck and blessings. And, to top it all off, all the money I made from my gown is to go towards me. New wardrobe, laser treatments, anything I need to help rebuild myself. (for new readers I've recently had reconstructive surgery and as a bonus had a tummy tuck and breast reduction)
So here is to another year full of happiness, fun, love, cooking and self awareness!
xxx
So I had a leisurely morning, before heading to work on Thursday evening. Friday was my actual birthday and I was showered with hugs and kisses. We went out to the local shopping center and had a brunch with the family. And we picked up my birthday gift! An iPad 2! ^__^ I'm so very excited and very happy about it!
Another amazing feat this week has been the sale of my wedding dress! I wasn't overly sure if I did want to sell it so I put an add in the local gumtree just to see what offers we're out there. I guess I just met the right lady and it felt right to sell it to her. I am sure she will be beautiful in the gown and it will hopefully give her lots of luck and blessings. And, to top it all off, all the money I made from my gown is to go towards me. New wardrobe, laser treatments, anything I need to help rebuild myself. (for new readers I've recently had reconstructive surgery and as a bonus had a tummy tuck and breast reduction)
So here is to another year full of happiness, fun, love, cooking and self awareness!
xxx
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