Climate Clever

The Australian Government has put out a publication and set up a website called Climate Clever. Has some good ideas and links to other web pages. Worth checking out. Also has info on Australian Government Rebates to install greenhouse friendly solar and heat pump hot water systems in existing homes.

Camping at Coffs

We came back Friday from our first ever camping holiday as a family. Spent a week at Coffs Habour - not exactly roughing it (didn't want to scare the girls too much). We stayed at The Park Beach Holiday Park which was really well set out, not that we've had that much experience with other places.

Didn't do very much apart from swim at the pool and the beach. On one of the days we went for a walk to the end of the beach and climbed the heads and were rewarded with the sight of whales passing by which was a first for us.

I got burnt and I was the only one religiously putting on the sunscreen??? How does that happen. Its not bad and I've tanned now but I really don't like doing it.

We worked out what to take that was needed and what wasn't. Still need a few more bits to make it a little better but on the whole we were pretty comfortable.

All safe and sound back home now - relaxed .....

The girls have another week of school holidays, I go back tomorrow to work and DH has to go back to Sydney some time this week.

The best news this week was that the cooling off period on the sale of our house passed by and the buyers are still in. It will happen very fast and be finished by the end of October which is great except for the last couple of bits of furniture still down there. Madly put them on ebay for sale.

Car Accident

I'm currently waiting for DH to arrive home. He was down in Sydney this week and on his way home today when a P Plater slammed into him pushing him into the car in front. It was our old 2nd car (a little Laser) that was given to us by my mother in law when my youngest was born 9 years ago to give me something to get around in.
He is OK - he says. Although I suspect he just doesn't want to worry me. The car is a write off and had to be towed away.
We were only just talking last weekend about what to do about our old car - whether to sell, trade in or keep.
It will be a long wait for him .... I'm looking up how much it will cost to replace it. Thankfully it was fully insured but that will probably take a while to go through.

Relaxing Weekend??

What ever made me think that I would have a relaxing weekend? Why was I looking forward to it so much?? LOL! DH arrived back Friday night only to complain as there was no dinner for him. I did try to explain that after leaving work at 5.15pm, dropped a work colleague off at her house, pick up youngest DD from grandparents, drop home to pick up eldest daughter - go back into town to drop her off at the movies, wait with her for her friends to arrive, grabbed Macca's, drove to local grocers to pick up a few things and finally got home. He got eggs on toast - and should be grateful for that!















Saturday is always cleaning and washing day -the line was full. After all the rain we've had I'd put on hold washing a few curtains and things but it's now spring and it needs to be done. I love seeing beautiful white curtains flapping around on the line.


Spent a little time on the computer catching up with things. I've joined Face book but am trying not to get addicted and spend all my time on it. But it's good for quick catch ups with friends.


Started my latest book for the book club "Like Water for Chocolate" by Laura Esquirel, so far I love it but have only read the first couple of chapters.


Last night we caught up with our favourite TV Show - Dr Who. The Master is back!!! Had a bottle of bubbly and the cheese and biscuits to celebrate. Both DH and I have been fans since the 80's, I love the new series.


Today we went up to inlaws with our tent to put it up for the first time (our backyard is still too wet). It took us an hour and half to put up and put down - and we broke a pole which we now have to get replaced. Stopped for a drink and some lovely jam drop biscuits freshly out of the oven that MIL had made and then off into town.


I wanted to get a few things more for our trip but couldn't find what I needed but still came home with stuff. I also had to return some clothes that I purchased during the week for myself - when I got home they didn't fit - the sizes are so crazy these days. In the end DH and I were getting cranky with each other so decided it was time to come home. I ended up falling asleep on the couch.


I guess what I do look forward to is spending some time with my family, getting ready to go away and spend more time with them and not being a clock watcher.


Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

The Small Footprint Initiative

Received an email from a friend regarding The Small Footprint Initiative and thought I'd blog it - looks interesting. Would love to hear from anyone who goes.

September 7 - 9th

Pacific Palms on the NSW Mid North Coast, is an area of diverse natural beauty and ecology which has become a sought after home and holiday destination. From the lakes to the beaches and national parks, we have a valuable resource around us that needs to be responsibly managed and maintained to allow for long term community use, passive recreation and peak tourism.
Please come and join us for a weekend of information, education and practical demonstrations of responsible building design, construction, land use management, permaculture, alternative therapies and passive recreation opportunities in our unique area. The weekend will include house tours, lectures and discussions on a variety of topics, yoga, belly dancing and art workshops, active events including guided kayak tours and bushwalks with national park rangers.

Sad Day

I came home yesterday from work to find our lovely bunny Harry had got out of his cage. I searched everywhere with my DD - she eventually found him lying in dark in the bushes - dead. She was distraught - I wasn't much better. We got Harry about 2 years ago, a Dwarf Lop, he was very cute and the girls loved him. Our youngest wanted one for ages and after an horrific experience with her trying to get stitches out of her finger my DH promised her one. He had grown into such a lovely bunny.

We are all very sad today.

RIP Harry

Take the Electricity Challenge with me!

I am currently doing an Electricity Challenge at Down To Earth with Rhonda Jean. I have got myself a little book and am checking the meter every day. I'm turning off all the appliances we don't need. For instance we have 2 hand held phones that are constantly charging but we really only need the one - so 1 has been switched off. Lights! My goodness we have a lot - all have the energy saving globes but still, the front porch does not need to be on when we are all inside. I have gas for cooking but I used the frypan the other night and realised it would have been better to use the cooker and just as easy.

Check out the Rhonda Jeans explanation on How to Read Your Meter - very insightful! I never had a clue!