Bargain Hunting and Proof

The above two pics represent the official finalisation of my masters of Health Science - Health services management. It feels like it has been such a long time since I began and I have just been slowly plodding away at it.

I am most definitely relived to be finished and to go out with a bang of two 7's was just a bonus.

Not sure really if I am going to use it now or not. To go in the career direction I would like to go in - I need to wait until I have finished with the having children thing and until Mark has a more secure job. But I will stay open to any opportunities that may present themselve to me.

So What now?

Well nothing for a while. I am quite enjoying being able to spend time painting and sewing and doing crafty relaxation things on my weekends - AND having no guilt about whether I should be doing something else.

This weekend I have finished the third painting for the baby's room. I think they all turned out quite nicely. So now onto the sewing.

This morning I went to the trash and treasure markets to see if I could nab any thrifty bargains.

I used to go to these things and wander around looking at things and thinking who buys this stuff. I only ever used to buy the odd book and plants.

This morning I nabbed an Avent steam sterliser for $5. No bottles of course but as I am planning on only using it for top up feed bottles and that type of thing I thought - Bargain!

I also bought a giant framed picture of Princess diana for $20. Why you might ask? Well last weekend I bought this georgous vintage alphabet wall hanging and I wanted to put it in a frame. I was looking online and picture framing is quite expensive. All I wanted was a simple wooden frame that I could paint to give a bit of a worn-in look. Thus where the princess diana print comes in. Frame is the perfect size - now all I need to do is get a matt cut to go around the print and I have a bargain wall hanging!

Yesterday we also went to a second hand book shop that is have a big 50% off sale at the moment. I bought heaps of the classic childrens book like Alice in Wonderland, Treasure island, snugglepot and cuddlepie, Blinky Bill, the Secret garden and A little Princess. When he is old enough I will read them to him.

I also found some old books on soft toy making and that has givenme a few ideas as well.

So I definitely have plenty to keep me busy!

The list

Here is the list I posted a few weeks ago of what I needed to get:

• Linen - I have been give a few things but I need 3 more sets of cot sheets, a few more wraps and blankets and some towels for bathtime.
• A safe- n-sound car seat
• A Nappy Bag (I am going to spoil myself and buy the Oroton one in the after christmas sales)
• Pram Rain and Shade covers
• Car Window shade
• Baby Bathing toiletries - wash, shampoo, massage oil, powder, nappy rash cream
  
• Infra-red Digital thermometer
• First aid and medicines for bubs
• Ikea Shelves and baskets for shelves
• Foot Stool
• Cushions and decorations for Nursery
• Nappies!

Afterwards

• Breast pump - I am going to get the Avent Isis manual pump (and I am sure you all wanted to know that!) --> Have decided to buy this after bub is born
  
• Stereliser and cleaning equipment ?? Not sure on this need to do more research - but again I will buy it after bub is born
  
• BPA (Bisphenol-A) Free Bottles for giving expressed milk top ups. as above

So there is really only a few things I can strike off there. All the other things seem so small and insignificant though! I really need to sort out christmas presents before the shops get too hectic in the before christmas madness!

Under 80

Here I was a few weeks ago counting down until I was under 100 days and before I know it I am under 80 days to go! I think that I am actually more interested in getting to christmas at the moment. For some reason christmas feels like a bit of a milestone and after that the real countdown will begin.

Feeling: Average. The sleeping business is starting to get difficult - I literally have four pillows semi propping me/ helping to make me comfortable at the moment. Every morning I wake up feeling like I could sleep for at least another hour! Most days I feel quite good - just start to get tired by the afternoons. But by Friday I have totally had enough of work and just want the weekend. I have a long weekend this weekend so that is good.

this has been a particularly tough week though as we have been out most nights - usually straight from work.

Mark's mum (Grandma to baby) was admitted to hospital this week as she has not been able to keep much food down for the past two weeks and has been throwing up and battling constant nausea even when she doesn't eat. On Monday we decided enough was enough and called one of the doctors. She was having planning done for radiation therapy on Tuesday so he brought her in early for that. He did the CT scans which showed that her oesophagus is completely blocked and that it has progressed alot faster that anyone really thought.
So he brought her radiation treatment forward until Wednesday just gone. (Wasn't meant to start until 11th December)
Working in the field of radiation therapy and having someone close to you have to go through it is a bit challenging - especially when you know that the treatment isn't really going to make her any better. Radiation works better in some cases than others - unfortunately this isn't one of them.
I am dealing with it better than I thought I would though!

They probably wont let her out of hospital until they have the nutrition thing under control - but I feel better knowing that she is somewhere that she can be looked after 24/7.

So on the basis of all of that - we have now inherited a dog. Quite the family we are becoming! New house, baby on the way, Cat and now Black Labrador. Zoe.

Hopefully next week will be a little less hectic!

Suitably Devastated

I have just diascovered that there is to be a new running festival held here in Canberra next year. I started to get really excited because stromlo is really close to my house (it would be a warm up jog to get there) and I was thinking "Yay! - I can use this as a goal event. Until I read the dates: 27th Februray - March 1st 2009.

Somehow I dont think that I will be running anywhere in the 4 weeks after I give birth!
However - if you are a keen runner and want to visit Canberra before it gets too cold - Stromlo forest park is just georgous to run and the event sounds like it will be fab (and I am sure the parties that go with it will be even more fab!) I will definitely be going for a look see and possibly try to get along to one of the seminars if I can.

The inaugural STROMLO Running Festival combines on-site camping and catering into a weekend 'Festival' that is not to be missed. The range of running events will provide something for everyone, from the complete beginner to Australia's elite athletes. So come and join Robert de Castella and be part of something amazing.

The STROMLO Running Festival will provide a friendly, social, exciting, and interactive weekend focussed on running, participation and healthy lifestyles. The combination of multiple running events focussed on participation, on-site catering, camping and caravan accommodation, as well as entertainment, lectures and training sessions, will make the STROMLO Running Festival a unique and nationally recognised event; where experienced and elite athletes will socialise
and motivate those individuals who are new to running.

The event slogan – "Get Off The Road" – is highly appropriate given the running events comprising the STROMLO Running Festival will be held on the purpose built Stromlo Cross Country Course, as well as the beautiful fire trials and single tracks within Canberra's nature parks surrounding the Stromlo area.

The STROMLO Running Festival will offer a variety of community and competitive events including

:• Robert de Castella Cross Country Invitational

• Lightning Strike Trail Runs (10km and 30km)

• Cross Country Races (4km and 8km)

• Orienteering Events • Criterium Track Road Race (1.2km)

• Mountain Race (3.2km)

• Social runs led by Celebrities and Elite athletes

• Government/Business challenge

• Primary School and High School Challenge

The event will also incorporate other activities including

:• Official Opening and Dinner • Festival Expo

• Running Clinic hosted by elite athletes and coaches

• Bands and Children's Entertainment

• Guest Lectures on Maximising 6-Foot Track Marathon Performance, Injury Prevention, Training, Footwear and Nutrition

• Practical Training Sessions on Core Stability, Running Drills/PlyometricsPlease Note:

• The field will be limited to 2,500 participants and spots are sure to fill quickly – so don't delay, enter now via our secure online site at www.stromlorunningfestival.com.au

• Amazing 2XU bundle for the first 500 entries. The first 500 entrants will receive a special bundle offer of 2XU STROMLO t-shirt (value $60) and 2XU Compression Socks (value $50) for just $35 - Save over 65%! Important:Entries close 20th of February 2009 (unless sold out). No entries will be taken over the weekend of the event.

Running in Canberra:Since the establishment of the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, the nation's capital has developed a strong history of distance running and is now considered one of Australia's most ideal running locations. Stromlo Forest was where 'Deek' and many other Australian and International running greats did much of their training through the 1980's and
1990's. In 2003, the entire forest was destroyed in the bushfires that also claimed the lives of four Canberrans. Deek was one of the 500 families who lost everything in those fires and was a key member on the ACT Government's Bushfire Recovery Taskforce. Stromlo Forest Park was one of his ideas; to not just replace what had been lost, but to make it better and to leave a legacy for future generations. Stromlo Forest Park has already become Australia's best, and most sought after, dedicated off-road running and cycling venues.

Freezing!

You just wouldn't know that we are just a week out from summer because it has been freezing here in Canberra this weekend.

It has been a busy week just gone and even though I had a day off on Wednesday - it too was spent running around doing administrative things (like getting an ACT license) so it doesn't feel as though I have really been able to relax.

In a way it is a good thing that it has been cold this weekend because it has forced me to stay indoors! Had a few errands to do yesterday morning. I had to do a Glucose Challenge test at the pathology place to make sure that I don't have gestational diabetes. I drank the drink and thought to myself - I'm not sure why people say this is so awful - it didn't taste all that bad. However, about 20 minutes later my heart was racing and I felt awful. Light headed and nausea - just plain gross. You have to drink the stuff, wait one hour and then have the blood test done. The awful feelings went away within two hours but that first hour was awful!

After that I had to go and do some errand type things at Federation square and Mark's mum wanted to get a birthday present. Federation square has lots of lovely little shops that sell beautiful and often unique things. I got my secret santa present - So that is one thing I don't have to think about anymore. I also got a really cute elephant keyring and a poster for the baby's room. I'm not sure if I will use it but it is an alphabet done in vintage style with old style pictures alongside each of the letters. I just have to find a frame big nough now.

After that we went and test drove the car we are going to buy - not the most glamourous car - we are looking at getting an Izuzu Dmax - which is basically the same care as a holden rodeo. It has 4 doors and all the safety features as well as having a ute tray - which we have realised we really miss having.

That was enough for one day and when we got home I fell asleep for two hours!

Last night I decided to get creative for the baby's room and I have finished what I did off - to a point - this morning. There is a third painting to come but it is still in the painting process - I ran out of white paint so was kind of stalled. Here is a sneak peek:




This pile of material is my next project.....not 100% sure how it will all turn out just jet, I have a bit of planning to do but I was pretty pleased with my haul from Spotlight this morning. I am fighting with myself as to whether or not to buy a new sewing machine (mum - if you are reading hint hint!)I'm not really sure how much I will use it but on the other hand I think that I will probably use it more than the old ancient one I currently have and I will be able to do more. My current one is unable to do button holes or zips because it is so old that the pieces are missing.
I also find creating things quite satisfying - although I'm not 100% sure what I will sew. Boys clothes are much more difficult to sew than girls clothes - but I would like to be able to make dress ups and that kind of thing.
For now I will stick to home furnishings I think!

Moving along slowly

I have noticed that lately I am slowing down a lot. I just can't do things at the same pace I used to I guess. That is OK though.

After a trip to Ikea last weekend my sister and brother in law have brought me back some goodies so this weekend I am hoping to get started on setting up the baby's room.

I am considering heading to Spotlight tonight as it is in Queanbeyan which is in NSW and therefore has late night shopping.

It isn't so much the furniture that I need to get on top of but the decoration side of things.

I guess I want to see what the things I have so far look like before I get too carried away with the decorating. I have a few bits and pieces, but I will probably need a few more to bring it all together.

I have most things off my list now - I just need some linen - cot sheets and a quilt - all those little finishing touches.

Must go back to work now as I am on my tea break!

Introducing

Soul Photographics

- The georgous lady and very dear friend of mine who also happens to be photographer extraordinaire! If you are in Brisbane or the surrounds and need a fabulous wedding photographer OR stunning children and family portraits - she is your girl!-