Quick Update

Fingers crossed - all seems to have gone well today with DIL. Blood patch was done and the poor girl had her first headache free day since my gorgeous grandson was born. I spoke to her tonight and she sounded the brightest I've heard her all week and she was sitting up. Provided all remains good she'll be home with her boys tomorrow afternoon.

This is the power of the positive energy that everyone was sending her - thank you for your kind words, positive energy and support.

I am off to finalise everything for the quiz night tomorrow night - crazy, crazy! I am remembering to breathe through all of it. In and out, breathe, relax.

Have a great day all

Cheers, Fi

Need more hours in my day

Okay I'm sure this is a common problem for many of us - not enough hours in the day. I'm really struggling at the moment to get everything that I want to do and that I need to do. Work, new babies, extracurricular - there's just not enough time to do it all.

I had another crazy day at work today - just can't get it all done, between my boss and I we're doing the work of four people. The day just flies past. I'd intended to go to the hospital on the way home but left work late, was absolutely knackered and still had a heap of work to do tonight to finalise all the quiz stuff for the quiz night I'm organising on Friday night. So I figured I just didn't have enough energy to do it all.

Then my son called on the way home to see what time I was going to the hospital. The long and short of it, DIL has been having quite a few problems, hence she didn't go home today and is worse than she was yesterday. So despite being exhausted and telling son I wasn't going in. I re-routed my drive home and called by the hospital. You do what's most important and her and grandson are top of my list.

In essence they buggered up her epidural (after 5 attempts and the first one falling out) and have pierced the dura (fluid sack) surrounding her spine. I have done some heavy duty internet surfing in the last 24 hours to find out all about this. Basically it means she has what amounts to the worst hangover and migraine combined, no tolerance to light or noise whatsoever and is on three different sorts of painkillers (heavy duty ones) to help her. She can also only lie flat, all very easy things to do with a newborn baby - NOT!.

Tomorrow they want to do what's called a blood patch which means another epidural basically but where they inject her own blood into her back which clots and hopefully will fill the hole(s). Not a comfortable prospect for someone who a phobia of needles and is in unimaginable pain at the moment.

She is at least blessed with the most mellowed out, laid back baby in the world. I have never seen such an alert but relaxed baby in my life. This little fella knows his mummy is in a bad way and is acting accordingly. Barely a whimper since his birth despite the other screaming babies in rooms nearby. Nani Fi got to feed her boy tonight, which was a joy, but would be enjoyed more if it wasn't because DIL is in pain.

She is lucky that she has an amazing network of support to help her out, my son stayed in last night with her and her sister is staying tonight. Getting out of bed to go to the toilet totally wipes her out and causes huge amounts of pain. If I could take this away so she can enjoy the exhilaration of a new baby, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

So to all of you, thank you for all your kind words of congratulations and if I can ask one favour - send my girl all the positive energy and prayers you can tonight so that she can enjoy this beautiful little baby boy as soon as possible.

Cheers, Fi

Chickie, this is for you - hope you're feeling better soon

Image source

A Star is Born

He has arrived. Jayden Lukas-Kruz (sorry mum I told you the wrong spelling) entered the world at 2.16am on Monday 27th June weighing 6.28 pounds. Cast and crew of the production are understandably exhausted after 22 hours of labour. The star is blonde and gorgeous (and there is no bias from the writer of this post whatsoever)

Today was the second longest day of my life - yesterday was the longest. Work was the normal crazy busy today that it has been for the last few weeks and my brain was absolute mush, but I got through it and made it to the hospital to goo and gaa and take numerous photos as is expected of a brand new Nani.

The Star

The Producers

All my boys



and me - Nani Fi (the new name I wear with pride)

Thanks for all your well wishes and congratulations to my son and his darling fiancee.
I am a very proud Nani indeed


Cheers, Fi



Waiting is excruciating!!!

Image credit

The day has finally arrived and I'm excited beyond belief (I think I say the words beyond belief a lot in my posts - but hey that means 'huge amounts' in Fi speak). My little grandson is on his way, action stations are happening. He's not expected to arrive until later tonight, but if he's anything like his father he won't wait that long.

If he arrives before midnight it will coincide with his great grandparents wedding anniversary today and what would have been his great, great grandmothers 97th birthday were she still alive.

Can this kid pick a day to arrive or what, that's assuming he does arrive today? Do you know how many endless minutes and hours there are in a day - I hate waiting for anything! Should he arrive in time for me to post again today - then you will get two posts in one day because I'll be back to boast and show pics.

I had five hours sleep last night - not because I knew he was coming today but because I was taxiing hubby and his 'happy' mates to and from a work function last night. So when the phone call came at 8am this morning from my son (and interrupted my sleep-in) to say things were happening I was not at my bright and bubbly best. Truth being, I never am in the mornings anyway.

It's all together amazing how the need for sleep suddenly rushes from your thoughts and you feel suddenly energised and full of hope and magical possibilities at the impending arrival of a wonderful little being. I think I'm more excited about becoming a Nana then I was about becoming a mum. No that's not true, but becoming a mum meant first experiencing unbelievable pain. Becoming a Nana - none of that, just joyful anticipation.

No resemblance whatsoever!

My boys have come up with the novel name of 'Nanny Mcphee' for me from the fantasy kids movie of the same name. This is their humorous play on the Nana and Fi names. Boys have such dumb senses of humour sometimes.

Nanny McPhee is supposed to be ugly and hideous and has magical powers - I'm certain there is no resemblance because I don't look anything like this.

Having since read the write up from the movie, apparently she works her magic on the children and as she transforms the children's behaviour she transforms from ugly to beautiful - so maybe that's not a bad name after all.

Well I'm off to try and make my day go quicker - I'll be back with pics as soon as I can. May magic and endless possibilities fill your day. To my darling DIL and my son, I'm thinking of you both - good luck with it all.

Cheers, Fi

Sunshine energises me, makes me happy

We're roughly four weeks into winter and the truth is that cold, grey, rainy days depress me. We've been experiencing winter weather for a lot longer and it saps my energy and provides little incentive to get out and do anything.

Today the sun is shining and there's not a cloud in the sky. It's windy and is still jeans and jumpers sort of temperatures but I feel like I can climb mountains and leap buildings today. It also helps that it's a Saturday of course. Hope you have a great day wherever you are in the world today and below are three things I found this week to share. I'm thinking that Six Word Saturday has become my sharing day!

Share #1 (thank you to my mum for sending me this, it's definitely my line of thinking)
May today there be peace within.
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.
May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content with yourself just the way you are.

Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.

Share # 2 (via Facebook - thanks Brett)
An old man once said, "There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living.

Share # 3
Found this 'happy card' below on an awesome website last night called Good Morning Nubia. The comment on the website says start your day with a smile. You simply must go and check it out, there is a new card posted every day and there's heaps of different ones, with all different subjects and pictures.

I'm off to make homemade chicken noodle soup and homemade apple pie because I feel exceptionally inspired today. Have a great weekend.
Cheers, Fi

Want to play along with Six Word Saturday, it's easy? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing.

The 8 letter swear word

In my little male oriented household, the word ‘shopping’ is considered a swear word. Getting any of my MM’s to accompany me to the shops is harder than pulling teeth. It’s worse if I want them to come food shopping, then it’s akin to water torture.

Yet last night, the younger two MM’s accompanied me on a shopping expedition which for the record was one of the quickest shopping trips I’ve ever made. We took an hour and a half from start to finish.

Of course the enticement was considerable – new clothes (and not boring functional clothes either). Hubby was fed up with middle MM constantly putting his clothes that he wanted for the day in the clothes dryer. This is not because MM has any shortage of clothes, but because he has his favourites. His favourites are the types which have a sports logo on them which then increases the price by at least three times.

He also destroys clothes at a rapid rate because he is like a magnet to dirt, grease and paint. Not to mention the ability he has to snag, rip and shred every item of clothing he wears. Expensive clothes or not, they don’t have a long life span, so I’m hesitant to buy him expensive clothing for this reason.

Now that he’s working (and earning good money) we agreed that he could buy what ever he needed and we would go halves in the price – which will still almost require me to take out a bank loan for our half of the cost. Hubby is at odds as to why MM can’t wear windcheaters like he does – the $9 department store variety.

Hubby is strictly a shorts and work boots sort of guy, aside from the pants and collared shirts he wears for work, his entire wardrobe is shorts and shirts. Getting him into jeans or dress pants occurs only for business functions or weddings and is always under extreme duress. He too is the grease and dirt magnet variety so does not allow me to spend more than the bare minimum on shirts, shorts and windcheaters for him.

Last night I spent a record $400 in just over an hour, which probably amounts to my entire wardrobe allocation for the year. Youngest MM also got his share of new clothing because I believe in being fair – he’s desperate to earn his own money but is still a little young to venture into the working market. Youngest MM is not as much of a dirt and grease magnet which is also a good thing.

One thing about clothes shopping with my boys is it’s quick, there’s only 2 or 3 shops that we need to visit and the choices are reasonably limited. We move quickly through the shopping centre because heaven help us if their friends see them shopping with their mother, there’s no dawdling or stopping to window shop, it’s in and out.

I guess there’s something to be said for limited choices and quick decision making ability. Me, I take hours considering all of my different options when it comes to clothes shopping and I have a real issue with spending exorbitant amounts of money on clothing just because it has a logo on it. This means I’m more inclined to hunt down the bargains and this obviously takes more time.

My one thought through all of this is, I'm sure it's harder with girls!

Cheers, Fi

When women are depressed, they eat or go shopping. Men invade another country. It's a whole different way of thinking. ~Elayne Boosler

Charismatic Presence

Being a word loving type of person, I have always loved the word charisma. Books often describe the hero as having a ‘charismatic presence’. If you could purchase one, I would certainly put myself on the mailing list for one of those kinds of heroes. Why, because they sound so undeniably good and ‘special’.

In all seriousness though, you know how it is when you meet somebody new and you just think wow. This is the person who is positive, or enthusiastic, or funny, or outgoing or who seems to have it all together. They can be kind, understanding, even considerate – it doesn’t matter what it is about them, male or female, you just instinctively like them and want to be around them.

This is a person with charisma, a person who doesn’t have to make any additional effort to be liked and be popular with everyone.

Definition of charisma: a spiritual power or personal quality that gives an individual influence or authority over large numbers of people.

You don’t have to be fabulously wealthy or breathtakingly gorgeous to be charismatic – although heck it would definitely make things easier, but charisma is more about what’s on the inside. I’m one of those people who were standing behind the door when fantastic good looks were handed out and sadly my material wealth exists only in my dreams. I am however attempting to be beautiful on the inside

If you’re like me and need assistance because you missed out on extraordinary wealth and cover girl looks, then these traits might assist you in becoming a more charismatic being (or at the very least becoming a more likeable individual)

Sensitivity – Listening and caring about what others have to say. Making people feel important because you take the time to listen, you value what others have to say and you show them respect. Being considerate of how your own actions affect others.

Honesty – Being upfront and honest, you say it as you see it and you have an ability to do so in a way which doesn’t hurt others feelings unnecessarily.

Tolerance – Showing tolerance of others and their differences. Making others feel special no matter who they are or what they do. People feel comfortable being themselves in your presence and knowing that they’re accepted for who they are.

Magnanimous – Giving freely of your time, your patience and yourself. Being generous and giving, without being subservient and being able to make others feel worthwhile and special

Integrity – My favourite. Conduct yourself and your interactions with others, in an honest and open manner without compromising your principles and moral beliefs.

All of these traits then need to be wrapped up in a person who doesn’t think that they’re better than anyone else and who makes others feel better for having known them. In essence, a charismatic person is generally someone who makes others feel understood and appreciated no matter who they are or what they do.

If all else fails I’m sure there’s someone out there marketing bottles of charisma as an alternative. If only it was as easy as swallowing a concoction or spraying it on like perfume, then we’d all have ‘charismatic presence’.

So do you have a charismatic presence or are you still working on it?

Cheers, Fi

Charisma - Being more concerned about making others feel good about themselves than you are making them feel good about you ~ Anonymous

Lessons in life

There's a bloghop that I've seen around the traps called Wordless Wednesday. I haven't participated in this one, I do one or two hops, but find I just don't have the time to give all the contributors the courtesy of visiting them and making comments, hence I only participate in one or two.

The reason I mentioned this hop is because tonight I had a complete mental block on what I wanted to write, I was wordless and it was Wednesday and a wordless Fi is a very rare event in my household and something that my family will attest to. I have opinions and I'm usually not afraid to share them. My lack of words (despite the lines of writing here) is the result of total exhaustion and a mind that needs a rest.

So I thought about what I wanted to share with you and figured that some of life's lessons might be a nice share when my brain is too tired to think. My life is all about learning, about growing and becoming a better me, so here are some thoughts for you to ponder.

I have learned:

• That it’s hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people’s feelings, and standing up for what you believe.
• That it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you also have to learn to forgive yourself.
• That you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be a person who can be loved. The rest is up to them
• That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.
• That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
• That it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
• That it’s not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts
• That people will forget what you said, and people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

I found this share on this website. There's some great inspirational and moral stories, if you want to check them out.

Now I'm off to rest my tired and weary brain.

Cheers, Fi

Life is never going to be perfect and you need to realize that. People you thought you knew are going to turn into strangers. The one you thought you loved may be the person you hate the most someday. You’re going to be happy and you’re going to fall. You need to know life isn’t perfect and that’s what makes it best of all. Live your life for today and don’t forget to believe in yourself.