When travelling - especially with children...

People often ask for hints and tips on travelling with children and there's usually lots of good ideas given. One thing though that I think is hugely helpful and not often mentioned, is prepping for when you get home... 'huh?' I hear you ask?

Well, AKA FLYlady's CJ for travelling/holiday, you do all your prep for going away - clothes list to pack, food to pack, medicines, tickets/maps etc etc but the 'coming home' bit is left to chance. Prepping for coming home, before you go, is almost a relief when you walk in the door - usually tired, hungry, needing a shower, and with LOTS to unpack/wash/clean from being away.

Imagine then, walking in the door to a tidy (not spotless, I never said spotless LOL) house... a meal waiting in the freezer, or perhaps fresh fruit and bread in a box at the front door... clean towels in the bathroom... clean sheets on the bed (and clean pillowcases for the pillows you took camping), a full set of pyjamas and clothes ready for the kids and clothes for you... a stack of clean nappies including a night nappy... I tell ya, it's BLISS LOL a little forethought yes, and when you're packing and getting ready probably the last thing you want to do but you'll thank yourself later!

I did a page each for one month/one day before we go, packing day, packing list/things to remember, 'walking out the door' (ie turn off computer, batteries off charge etc) and 'when we get back' - ie collect Jemma, reset emails, check bills etc AND the 'for when we get back' - that's where I listed the things to do that would get us a nice 'coming home'. Also, keep the lists for next time, done in pencil (headings in pen if you like) and they're already done and only need minor changes. If you forgot something this time, add it to the list to remember next time.


I know we did this time and last time. Doing a long 4 weeks on the road, coming home at 3am after driving all night and the previous day (taking turns, 2 adults), freezing cold and definately grotty. I had left some money, a house key, and a small list with my cousin (thanks E!) and she picked up f&v and bread for us and it was waiting on the bench/in the fridge when we got home. The most recent was last weekend when we went just for a few nights camping, and Quinn and I came home crook as... it was a relief to walk in the door to almost all those things... especially clean clothes for everyone and fresh towels as we packed up in the rain when we left camp! So that's my 2c... hope it makes your next time away, a joy to come home to...
Happy Camping!

Posted in: , , , , on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at at 10:23 AM 1 comments  

Circumcision and Religion

Often a very contentious topic and with good reason. The only real hurdle that seems to halt and conclude this discussion in it's tracks is that religion 'validates' circumcision, despite all arguments against circumcision (medical exception excluded). I couldn't understand this. I know there many things inflicted in the name of a 'God', but surely not this?
What kind of God requires this of a parent in order to 'prove' their faith?
If I was to form a new church tomorrow, and one of the requirements was that each parent cut off any other part of their child's body... would that be 'different'?... is it 'different' because it's a new/old religion? How can that be? Surely it is what it is. I was exremely pleased then, to come across these links:

Bris B'lee Milah
Brit Shalom
http://www.jewsagainstcircumcision.org/

just for a start. Anyway, I thought I'd share the link because many people come to the same crossroad in discussions, and religion seems to be used to 'silence' it - and for some it's one of many very important decisions to make as we bring new life into the world...

Posted in: , on at at 10:17 AM 0 comments  

First Aid for Fruit Trees...

I will hopefully add pictures in the next few days... If stone fruit trees lose their leaves in winter, are ours just losing their leaves or has some bug got in there and they're going to kark it? I'm off to see what Google has to say. Might sound like an odd question, esp since you can buy them with no leaves on... but ours the ends of the leaves are dying off then the leaf is dropping off... some more so than others - so wasn't sure if this was a disease or if that's how the leaves go when they get ready to fall off... So I'm off to Google but if you have any experiences to share in that dept, would be keen to hear :) Also need to find out what this time of year means in terms of care for the trees, what they need and what we shouldn't do for them.

ETA:
Some answers and good information here & here.

oh and growth in another area - I have hair regrowth on my head LOL - little short bits everywhere - very funny in one way but very welcome :)

And if anyone has tried Fuzzi Bunz one-size nappies... please let me know what you think/thought. That's the US site, they're available in AUs here. They're not the one-size with snap down front like others, these have 'maternity' elastic in the legs and waist instead... which I think it's a neat idea...
I've also been browsing around Phil and Moni's site... I see the clothes on Moni at our school and have decided that one day, I might just have to own a pair of pants/apron pants/skirt... :)

Posted in: , on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at at 2:06 PM 2 comments  

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)