pandora

I've recently become aware of Pandora, Pandora Jewellery. I've discovered and learnt of the latest craze, the making and wearing of Pandora charm bracelets! Pandora is fast becoming an amazing fashion statement. Pandora design and sell gorgeous charms, bracelets, necklaces, ear rings and rings, the difficulty is in selecting which design to purchase.

It's so easy to get started on designing your own unique Pandora charm bracelet! Just pick a bracelet and then choose from a wide array of beads, charms. With a simple twisting motion, you can "string" beads, charms on your bracelet! A Pandora bracelet will be unique to you depending on the beads, charms you select.

I'm contemplating the purchase of a Pandora charm bracelet but I can't decide on a leather or silver bracelet. Any suggestions?

For more information and inspiration on the Pandora range click here . Truly beautiful.

this week's charity

Monday again! Monday has taken on a new meaning for me this year, Monday is the day I check in on Thea's My Year of Giving blog to learn which charity we are donating to for the week.

Week 6 already and this week's charity is "Cate's Cause" An Appeal Against Homelessness .

"Cate's Cause" an Appeal against Homelessness is a management account of Community Enterprise Foundation™ (Bendigo and Adelaide Bank's philanthropic arm. The Community Enterprise Foundation™ has launched “Cate’s Cause” an Appeal against Homelessness in partnership with 4 Walls Ltd. 4 Walls Ltd is a Not For Profit community housing organisation that delivers a diverse range of social, community, resettlement, affordable housing and housing related services to individuals and families in Queensland.

This Appeal is inspired by a Queensland family, Cate and Rick Bolt and their nine children who encountered severe financial difficulty which resulted in them losing their home. They fell into arrears in their rent payments and were hit with large unexpected medical bills.

The Bolt family have now received assistance. Cate is now dedicated to addressing the issue of homelessness in Australia. Every night more than 100,000 Australians sleep in sheds, tents, parks, garages, caravans, shelters and on the street. Funds from this Appeal will support programs that will help individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with housing & housing related assistance.

Here's to helping make a difference.

tooth fairy

While preparing dinner this evening, my big boy (7 years old) casually states "another tooth has fallen out Mum!" I immediately think blood. Fortunately there isn't any insight. He brings his tiny baby tooth over to show me, so small, almost grain like, how did he eat so well with teeth so small, I ponder. He collects the 'tooth fairy' container from the kitchen and hurry's it to his room for the tooth fairy to collect after dark. He contemplates how much the tooth fairy will leave him in exchange for his precious tooth. I suggest possibly a gold coin - $1 or maybe even $2. She might even leave some silver coins tonight, it all depends on what she has in her wallet.

How much does the tooth fairy leave at your house in exchange for a tiny, precious baby tooth?

my favourite time of the day

Not sure how or why this thought popped into my head tonight, I started thinking about my favourite time of the day.

What spurred this on? The reality of being back at school for only two days! It's the marathon race which starts at 3.30pm sharp each weekday, often a fast, hurried, exhausting event that makes me think the evenings, at around 8pm top the list for my favourite time of the day.

The after school crazies, tiredness, munchies, homework, dinner preparation, shower, reader, lights out, culminate to the relieve which is felt when I close the bedroom doors on two little boys and walk down the hall to put the kettle on.

The house is now quite, only faint snores can be heard behind closed doors, oh it's time for me to relax and enjoy a quite evening. Reflecting, we did it again, we will do it again tomorrow night and the next night and the next night, but for now I'll enjoy this time, my favourite time of the day, is this time of night.

There was a time when I was early to bed, I'm slowly becoming a night owl of sorts. Simply spending time doing the things I enjoy, while two little boys dream. I accomplish alot this time of night. I love my days but the evenings are so peaceful, the stillness of the night I can feel from inside.

If you're a mum with children at school, you may relate to how I am feeling. What is your favourite time of the day?

off to school we go, everyday!

Today was the day I have at times longed for, thought would never come, the day on the calendar I thought in 2010 that seemed liked years away! 2010!

Today was the day the youngest member of the family left the nest to start his school journey. He was excited, without a tear in his eye. I was left feeling slightly overwhelmed at the realisation that this is it!! Off to school we go, everyday! No more occasional care, no more kindergarten, no more child care. No more one on one time or being by my side.

I'm no longer a Mum with a child at school and a pre schooler. He is definitely ready for this new and exciting adventure, as for me, give me a week or so, possibly a little longer to become accustomed to this new phrase of life. Fortunately I have a few distractions while they are off enjoying their school day.

I look back now on the first 5 years, realising just how far this little being has come. From baby, to toddler to pre school to school. Each age and stage of development has been different, a learning experience for us all. No manual to refer to. Wow! we have come along way, in only 5 years. What lies ahead we don't know, but we're always going to be here guiding, supporting, caring and loving unconditionally.

this week's charity

For those of you who are new to my blog welcome!

I joined the incredibly inspirational Thea at My Year of Giving earlier this year in supporting her brilliant idea to donate $5 each week, for this entire year, to a different charity.

All I do, you are more than welcome to do the same, is visit My Year of Giving on a Monday for details of Thea's charity of the week. Yes it is that easy! $5 may not seem like much but I am certain that it helps to make a difference to someone in need.

We are now into Week 5 of 'My Year of Giving' with Thea selecting Beyond Blue as this week's charity. Many of us have known a family member or someone very close to us to be affected by depression.

We usually make a $5 donation but the Beyond Blue website
only accepts minimum donations of $10, so $10 it is this week. All for a very good cause!

'My Year of Giving' is a great start to my week, knowing I have helped someone or a community in a small way, makes me feel wonderful!

beautiful blogger award

How shocked was I to receive the 'Beautiful Blogger Award' from Kelly over at Kellansapansa thanks Kelly! Wow this blogging thing is getting serious now!!

The challenge, a tough one at that, to list 7 INTERESTING things about moi. Definition of 'interesting' - 'to excite the attention of'!! Righto then, here I go at giving this list my best!

1. As a Year 12 Media Studies student (in 1989) I interviewed Bert Newton over the telephone for an assignment on the history of radio. Recorded onto a cassette tape! Do you remember those?? Don't own a cassette player these days, so can't replay the interview!

2. My teeth required orthodontic treatment for 6 years! I loved the bus trip into Collins Street and lunch with my Mum following the appointment. I can still remember the agony of having my braces tighten. The end result after all the pain, pretty good looking teeth!

3. I was a flower girl in a family friends wedding when I was close to 5 years old.

4. My parents always took the family on a driving holiday during the May school holidays. Back in my day, the school year was divided into 3 terms. My parents loved driving 3 kids around country Victoria and New South Wales in the Autumn...??

5. 'Aussie Farmers Direct' deliver milk, bread, cheese, fruit and veg to our front door a number of times a week. So glad the milkman is back!!

FYI "AUSSIE FARMERS DIRECT IS A FREE HOME DELIVERY SERVICE PROVIDING 100% AUSTRALIAN MADE AND OWNED FRESH PRODUCTS"

6. I've been working part time in retail for 4 years, administration role. It's been a great outlet for me while my boys were of pre school age, but now they are both at school the focus is moving onto ME!

7. I learnt French at school for years and would not be able to speak a sentence if my life depended on it! Sad :(

My job is done! I shall now pass the 'Beautiful Blogger Award' to these 2 very INTERESTING bloggers.

Sarah Elizabeth at Sarah Elizabth
Victoria at 13mimosa

Have fun and I look forward to reading your lists :)