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Friday Favourites

Hi friends, welcome to Friday Favourites. When I sat down to write this post, I could almost hear crickets chirping, because that just about sums up my week. I don’t want to be a downer, but I think my only favourite this week is that today is finally Friday. But in the spirit of keeping things positive and chipper, I’m going to dig deep and find some more favourites. I’m usually a glass-half-full kind of person… after I’ve had a little panic first. I guess that’s why I like this link-up—it makes me look for the favourite parts of what’s sometimes a week you’d rather forget. More Rain And speaking of weeks you’d rather forget—let’s start with the weather. It rained all week. All. Week. I tell you!! And yes, that’s annoying: the washing can’t dry on the line, the house feels damp, and it’s just generally gloomy. But when you work in childcare, wet weeks are a whole other level of misery. I don’t think we got to play outside at all this week. And this year, we have a bunch of lively children (read between the lines, my educator friends) who need about 50 hectares to burn off all that energy. On the upside, even though it was a tough week with wild weather and wilder children, I work with some genuinely lovely people, and I’m lucky enough to call some of them my friends. They’re the ones I can roll my eyes at and laugh with when we’re in the trenches. Soup So, what’s another favourite? …thinking…thinking… Oh yes! I finally pulled out the leftover leg bone from our Christmas ham that had been taking up space in the freezer and decided to make split pea and ham soup. I had to do it before we hit summer—otherwise, what’s the point, right? At first I was annoyed because the bone didn’t fit into the pot, so it was sticking out. And I’d started making the soup at 8 pm on Monday night. Who does that?? Me, I guess—once I get my mind set on something. Anyway, in the end, the soft bits from the end of the bone came away, and the whole bone slid snugly into the pot. It simmered away for a couple of hours. After I pulled out the bone, I blitzed it and ended up with the creamiest soup. I’ve been eating it for lunch all week, and although it’s not the prettiest soup, it sure tastes good! You could also call it my farewell-to-winter meal. In a few weeks, I can say, “Goodbye winter, see you later—don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” Aldi Favourites Another favourite this week? My husband went to Aldi to buy more of the porcini mushroom Trangioli that I talked about last Friday. It was that good—he went grocery shopping! I took the chance to add a few more things to his list, and even slipped night-time face cream on there. The wonderful thing about Aldi is that they don’t stock major choices. So I was pretty sure he’d get it right. He came home with the regular cream instead of the one labelled “mature” (so yes, technically me). I actually prefer the regular cream because it’s lighter, and when I told him I was proud he got it right, he admitted he was scared of buying the “older ladies” cream! Haha! And that’s a few things that made this week a bit brighter. It’s supposed to be sunny and warm tomorrow—hard to imagine when it’s pouring right now. Anyway, fingers crossed the weather bureau has got it right. Wishing you (and me) a bright and sunny weekend!

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Hello Monday

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Hi friends! It’s great to be back on this freezing, cold, windy, and rainy Monday. Now that I’ve given you the weather report, I can move on to the weekend recap, hehe. The weekend was all about Steve’s birthday celebrations. His actual birthday was on Sunday, but because he works on weekends, we decided to spread things out and celebrate on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday Our eldest son came over, and Steve didn’t start work until 7 pm, so it made sense to have a cozy, long lunch just the four of us on that day. I made his favourite pot roast and served it with rice, because everyone loves rice at my house. I’m more of a potato girl myself, so I made some potatoes too—double carbs, why not? When one of your kids has moved out, I can’t tell you how special these times are. Just sitting at the table, eating and sharing stories about everyday life — you never want these moments to end! I got a Black Forest cake from The Cheesecake Shop, and when I went to pick it up in the morning, I was surprised by the bright red topping—yikes! It didn’t really look like your typical Black Forest cake, and I nearly swapped it for a strawberries-and-cream one. But in the end, I figured I’d give it a go because it was just us, and we’re not fussy. It turned out to be a good decision, because it tasted great! I had two, maybe three… okay, yeah, three slices—and I’m not even much of a cake eater (unless we’re having Pavlova, and then I easily lose all self-control). After the cake, we gave Steve his present—a Samsung smartwatch. Oh my gosh, we all laughed so much when he pulled the watch in its white box out of the gift bag and his first reaction was, “Oh wow, thanks… nougat!” Haha! For a split second, he actually thought we had given him a bar of nougat. I was laughing so hard—he’s so easily pleased, we could have saved the money! Then Steve went to work, and Luke stayed until past midnight. The three of us watched a movie called I Saw the TV Glow. Hmmmm… definitely interesting and full of meaning. I didn’t exactly love it, nor did I dislike it. It’s the kind of film that lingers in your head. My boys enjoy these deep, thought-provoking movies, and I used to love the same kind of movies and books when I was young. Now I prefer entertaining ones where I don’t have to figure out the ending! Sunday Sunday was Steve’s actual birthday. He starts work at 2 pm on Sundays, so we went out to La Perouse for breakfast at a place called The Boatshed. Eggs Benedict for the two of us (Sam had to work). The sky was so blue, and it was lovely and sunny, such a welcome change from the dreary, rainy days we had last week. But it was still cold and very windy! After breakfast, we walked around La Perouse and saw Bare Island Fort, built back in 1885 as part of Sydney’s coastal defences. Do you recognise this bridge? It’s the Bare Island Bridge that they used for a motorcycle chase scene in Mission: Impossible II (2000). It was a very dramatic scene—Ethan Hunt was either being chased or maybe doing the chasing, I can’t quite remember. There were a lot of impressive motorcycle stunts and explosions. That I do remember! I really should rewatch it—it’s been ages since I last saw it. And that was Steve’s birthday weekend! How was your weekend? I hope it was a good one. Thanks so much for stopping by. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, stay warm—and remember, only a few more weeks before spring. If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, lucky you! I’m jealous! Linking up with Holly and Sarah

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Friday Favourites

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Hi friends! I hope you’ve had an amazing week. It’s been a very rainy one here, and somehow that makes the days feel even longer. So yes, I’m beyond happy that Friday’s finally here — hello weekend, phew! I know I shouldn’t wish time away, but I’m definitely ready to enjoy it. I’m joining Andrea and Erika to share some of my favourites. Thanks so much for stopping by! Counting Down To Spring It’s that time of year when winter feels like it’s been dragging on and on. I know spring is on the horizon, and I can’t wait for it to get here already. And that’s exactly what everyone I’ve spoken to this week is saying: “I can’t wait for spring!” I one hundred per cent agree — I almost feel like I should get a T-shirt printed in big neon 80s-style letters that says it! With it being so rainy and the sky grey most days, seeing this sunny sky on my way to work the other day was such a mood lifter. Of course, it rained a short while later… but we won’t talk about that. Family Catch-Up Ooops, I almost forgot to share that we had Cousin Connect last Sunday. I linked up on Monday to talk about how we take a break, so I didn’t recap the weekend. This month, we caught up on a Sunday night — the one evening that suited almost everyone. One of our cousins was heading overseas, so it was our last chance to see her before she left for the rest of the month. It was such a fun night, and catching up with everyone is always the highlight of my month! We enjoyed a delicious cheeseboard that my aunt brought. Then we had Mexican for dinner — nachos, fajitas, street corn salad, green leaf salad, and rice. After dinner, we watched the travel video, and I was happy that everyone enjoyed it. The outtakes were very funny, and I think the music landed really well. I threw in a few old-school hits from the ’80s, along with tracks from Coldplay, Empire of the Sun, Shaboozey, and The Weeknd. You can’t go wrong with classics! Then we started talking about our next possible Cousin adventure in January 2026. I’ll share more once it’s definite — that is, once we’ve bought our airline tickets and there’s no turning back. Yay! (Gulp — another plane ride!) Star Wars and Coke Have you seen the Star Wars collectible Coke cans — wow! I don’t buy Coke very often, so I hadn’t seen these before, but I picked some up for Cousin Connect. I thought about keeping one unopened, but then I remembered a lesson from my teen years. I once kept a limited-edition Coke can in my parents’ cabinet, and when I finally went to get it — who knows how long later — the bottom had almost completely dissolved. I lifted the can, and out came a sticky blobby mess. Bleh — so gross! Delicious Pasta Night This Aldi pasta is our favourite, and I hadn’t bought any in forever. I used to shop at Aldi a lot, but now I mostly use the Delivery Unlimited subscription from Woolworths to order my groceries online. I popped into Aldi the other day and bought a couple of boxes, and made it for dinner on Thursday. I kept it simple — a tomato-based sauce with canned Mutti tomatoes, garlic, and oregano — and it tasted so good. I seriously recommend this pasta; it tastes like it’s from a restaurant. Not even exaggerating! Snack Time Favourite Most of this week’s favourites are all about food! Haha — food is definitely my favourite topic. My kind friend dropped over a Baby Ruth the other day. These aren’t sold much around here, so it was such a treat. Would you believe I didn’t see any while we were in the U.S. this year? I looked in Target and Walmart, but couldn’t find any. So strange. I did manage to grab some bars of PayDay, though. I love them too, and I’m rationing them to myself. I’ll be so sad when they’re finished. That’s a wrap on this week’s favourites. On a special note, it’s my husband’s birthday this Sunday. He’s working this weekend, so we’re keeping it low-key and celebrating just the four of us tomorrow with a special lunch and cake. Hopefully, we’ll also squeeze in breakfast or brunch on Sunday, depending on how late he gets home from each shift and how he’s feeling. Other than tomorrow’s lunch, we’re just going with the flow and fitting in celebrations around work — that’s life when he’s in the hospitality industry! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

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How I Take a Break — Because Everyone Needs One!

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Hi friends, and welcome to this month’s Share Our Lives linkup. Today we’re chatting about how we take a break. Hmmm… how do I take a break? Well, I guess that really depends on a few things—like the season of life I’m in, what kind of day I’m having, and what I feel I need most in that moment. Breaks can be as simple as a small pause to reset (hello hormones and emotions), or they can be a mental holiday, where I let my mind wander. They can also be bigger, like fun getaways, trips, school term breaks, special occasions, or those glorious guilt-free days when I give myself permission to have a do-nothing (or almost nothing) day. So let’s get into it—come along with me as I share how I take a break. Micro-breaks I think micro-breaks are total sanity savers! They’re those tiny moments when you sneak away somewhere you can be alone—even if it’s just for a minute—to breathe before you lose your mind. Haha, I remember when the kids were little and the bathroom was the only place I could take a break. I’d lock the door and just sit there, taking a moment for myself. Have you ever done that? Mental holidays Sometimes I do a mental escape—in other words, I daydream. I’ll relive past trips or plan future ones (I’m starting to feel brave about getting on a plane now!). Other times, I let my mind wander to winning the lotto and how I’d decorate my mansion, especially thinking about what kind of lighting my walk-in wardrobe would have. A chandelier is way too much, so I’d probably go for sleek recessed lighting. Daydreaming like this might seem silly, but it’s a pretty good way to give your brain a break. It lets me step away from whatever is stressing me out at the moment and just have a bit of fun in my head, even if it’s only for a few minutes. Walking I walk to and from work. That walk before work is a mental break that helps me get ready for the day ahead. “Yes, today is going to be the best day ever” is my mantra. The walk home helps me shake off the stress and ringing in my ears from the constant noise at work. Walking is not only part of my routine, it’s also one of my favourite ways to take a break. Term Breaks and Special Occasions I’m so lucky to work in a preschool because we get term breaks! That means three glorious two-week breaks and then a big five-week break at the end of the year. I don’t think I would have lasted this long working in early childhood education if it weren’t for those precious term breaks. For me, special occasions like Christmas, public holidays, birthdays, and family gatherings are also a break. Unless you’re hosting, of course—then it’s all systems go! These special occasions are fun things to look forward to and a nice break from the usual routine. Do-Nothing Days Every now and then (though not as often as I’d like), I give myself a proper do-nothing day. That’s when I have no plans and decide, yep, today I’m doing nothing. But I can only do that now because my kids are grown and my husband works evenings, so I’m often home alone. When the kids were little and I was caring for my beautiful mum, a do-nothing day was impossible. Yikes — the house would have fallen apart! Do-nothing days are great. I’m still working on not feeling guilty about them, but that’s a whole other post. And that’s how I take a break! I also do things like enjoy a cup of tea, play Candy Crush, do a Duolingo lesson, and scroll through Pinterest for fashion and home decor inspiration. Thanks for stopping by. I’d love to hear what your go-to breaks are because we all sure do need them, don’t we? Have a wonderful day! Linking up with Adrienne, Dara, Jen, Joanne and Sarah.

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Hello Monday

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Hi, friends, I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. It’s great to be back today, linking up with Holly and Sarah and sharing a little about our very rainy weekend. Thanks so much for stopping by. Crazy Rain and Wind This wasn’t your average rainy weekend. No way this was next level! At times, the skies opened up and it absolutely bucketed down. It was also incredibly windy. So windy that at times the rain sprayed sideways and slammed hard against the windows. Yikes! So what do you do when the weather is that wild? If you can, and you don’t have to be anywhere (poor Sam and Steve had to work), you hunker down at home—and that’s exactly what I did. I was as happy as a clam that I had zero plans and I could be tucked up indoors, staying warm and dry all weekend long. Yay! This is the view from my kitchen window—so grey and bleak. Every now and then, the sun would peek out for about a minute, and then—whoosh!—the rain would come pouring down again a moment later. So crazy! Still Working on the Travel Video Most of Saturday, I just did a few chores around the house and spent time working on the travel video. I’ve been calling it a movie because I’m using the iMovie app. But it’s definitely not a grand production. So I’d better stick to calling it what it is: a travel video—haha! Yep, I’m still at it and really enjoying the process. It’s been so fun figuring out the right titles to use and tweaking the length of the transitions so everything lines up with the beat of the music I’ve chosen. I’ve also figured out how to split the music and lower the volume so you can actually hear some of the funny things that were said along the road trip. I’m so glad I filmed bits of what we got up to—even if I can’t use a lot of it because I was too excited to stay still and film calmly. I had to be right there in the action! Still, it means the video has a nice mix of real moments and photos. I’ll tell you what I am having trouble with—the length! I don’t want to make it too long, but we had so many adventures over those three weeks. I could easily make it as long as a feature film. But I won’t, because I want to share it with the rest of the family. Maybe I’ll make an epic version just for me. Movie Night Hmm… so what else did I get up to over the rainy weekend? Oh yes, that’s right—I watched Ghost for the thousandth time. You know when you’re in the mood to watch something that’s a guaranteed great movie you love? I was totally in that mood on Saturday night, so I picked a winner. When Steve got home from work, he joined me about halfway through. He was all, “Huh, you’re watching this again?”—and then, of course, he was glued to the screen just like me. Oh my gosh, I thought for sure that this time I wouldn’t cry, but I couldn’t help myself. I also did that weird thing where I find myself wishing Sam wouldn’t get shot at the beginning—even though I know there’d be no movie without it. Does anyone else do that? Probably not, because it makes absolutely no sense. Brunch and More of the Same Sunday brunch was a yummy highlight. And then my day pretty much looked the same as Saturday. The weather was just as crazy, too! That about sums up my rainy weekend. Thanks so much for stopping by today—hope the sun is shining wherever you are!

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Makeup Favourites

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It’s time to chat favourites! This week, I’m sharing a few new makeup finds that have become part of my easy, no-fuss routine. Whether it’s makeup, skincare, or little life hacks that actually work, these are the things that make my heart sing — and that’s definitely a favourite! Maybelline Lifter Gloss During the winter school holidays, I caught up with my fun makeup guru friend. She was wearing the most gorgeous Maybelline lip gloss and looked amazing. I knew then and there that I needed that lip gloss in my life. There’s lip gloss, and then there’s lip gloss, right? Well, this one is one of the best I’ve tried because it stays on longer than any others I’ve used before—and it’s not just glossy. It’s also shimmery! Shimmery and glossy—what a combo! I found the lip gloss at Priceline—that’s where my friend said she bought hers. While I was there, I met a friendly sales assistant who gave me fantastic advice. She really knew her beauty products from all the brands in the store, and I ended up buying more than just lip gloss. And I don’t think I’ve ever been happier—or had my skin tone matched so well. This lady was a real gem! Here’s what I also bought. L’Oréal Tinted Serum I was planning to buy my usual BB cream from Mecca, but while the sales assistant was sharing her sage advice with me, I asked for a recommendation. She suggested the L’Oréal True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Serum. This tinted serum feels super light but still gives great coverage. It doesn’t feel heavy at all, but it gives my face just the right tint so I don’t look washed out and dull. Liquid Bronzer I’d never heard of the brand Catrice before, but this bronzer is fantastic for contouring, which is exactly what I wanted. I’m always trying to contour my nose to make it look smaller—haha! Not sure I’m having much success, no matter how many YouTube videos I watch. This is a great bronzer, though—highly recommend it. All Over Glow Tint Another product from Catrice that I’m really happy with is their All Over Glow Tint. I use a few dots on my cheeks near the corners of my eyes, plus dots on my chin, nose, and forehead. Then I blend it out using a brush for a subtle dewy finish. I’ve just noticed that the tube says I can use it on eyes and lips too–I’ll have to try that. L’Oréal Infallible Setting Mist This is one of my best makeup discoveries! I hadn’t even heard of setting mist until I mentioned to the Priceline lady that my makeup was fading quickly during the day. She recommended the L’Oréal Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist, and since I started using it, I’ve noticed zero transfer. Plus, it gives my skin a subtle, natural glow — I’m all about that glowy look! Brushes So many brushes—and they all claim to be for something different. It’s a bit overwhelming! I ended up buying the contour and highlight brush, as well as the concealer brush. I actually needed both, and I’ve been using them ever since—so no regrets! Now I combine my new products with these trusty other makeup products I use every day Kevyn Aucoin Concealer I’ve got a few pigmentation spots on my face that I’m not exactly in love with, so I cover them up with this heavy-duty concealer. I think the spots are also called age spots—ugh! Pigmentation spots sound better. Maybelline Concealer This is a lightweight concealer I use for the dark circles under my eyes. Nars Liquid Blush I love that it gives a natural-looking colour to my cheeks that I can build up. It’s very light and feels really fresh on the skin. And just like that, I’ve now got a super quick 5–7 minute makeup routine that’s easy to manage. Thanks so much for stopping by today and spending a little time with me. I really appreciate you being here and hope you found something helpful or inspiring to add to your own routine. Until next time, take care and keep glowing! Linking up with Andrea and Erika

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What’s Up Wednesday

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It’s time for the July edition of What’s Up Wednesday. Oh my goodness, isn’t the year flying? Here’s a quick look at what we’ve been up to this month—what we’ve been doing, eating, watching, wearing, and everything in between. Let’s go! WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK My meal planning days are almost a distant memory (I need to get back on track), and these days, I’m mostly just winging it. I have a vague idea of what I’m going to make each day, and I know we usually have fish on Wednesdays—but that’s about it. For inspiration, I sometimes ask the kids at preschool, “Hey, what should Miss Ruth cook for dinner tonight?” They usually come back with ideas like chocolate soup or chicken nuggets. Hmm… I guess they’re only four and five, so they’re not exactly culinary experts just yet. On Monday night, I made chicken and mushrooms with a creamy sauce, and we ate it with rice and vegetables. On Tuesday, we finished the chicken from Monday night, and I also made some battered cauliflower to go with it. Tonight, we’ll be having barramundi with chips and salad. I’ve got a staff meeting on Thursday, so I’ll be making a quick chilli con carne with guacamole on the side. We’ve still got plenty of avocados from my aunt’s tree. I’m thinking Friday will be turkey burgers. As for Saturday… hmm, it’s a mystery. So, meal planning is now done thanks to this post! WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT When I was 5 and my saddest moment was when Lassie finished, and I had to wait until the next day to watch the next episode. WHAT I’M LOVING A few weeks ago, I popped into Priceline and, by pure luck, found a lovely sales assistant who gave me so many great makeup tips. These people are absolute gems! She knew exactly what I needed and pointed me in the right direction with products that actually suited me. I’ve been to high-end makeup counters before and sadly walked away with products that made me look like an Oompa Loompa. So when my lovely work colleague commented the other day, “Wow, your makeup looks really nice—what are you using?” I knew I’d finally cracked it. I’ll share a post soon about the changes I’ve made and my five-minute makeup routine—for people like me who have no time, no patience, and still want to look a little bit glam (or at the very least, not scary). WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO A spontaneous staycation at The Rocks during my winter school holiday break. A visit to the Christmas in July markets. I did a big overhaul of my office space—and now I actually love it! Christmas in July with my cousins. Date nights. I got a haircut during the holidays, and I’m pretty sure my hair grew two inches the very next day. WHAT I’M DREADING I’ve got to put my big girl pants on because I’m off for a breast screen on Monday. Just one of the many joys of being, ahem, over 50. While I’m at it, I’ll also finally get that yearly blood test done. The last time I did one, they told me my white cells were low, so naturally, I did the most “Ruth” thing ever and didn’t go back for three years. Who needs that kind of negativity? But really, I should get on top of these grown-up tests and stop walking in expecting to be told I’ve got three months to live. WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT Four weeks till spring! WHAT I’M WATCHING As many Swedish shows and movies as I can find! I love the sound of the language, and I’m also keeping up with Duolingo. Every time I catch a word in a scene, I feel so proud. Subtitles are still very much on—but I’m working on it. I’m also watching MasterChef Australia, and it’s nearly finals time. All of the contestants are very likable. So I don’t mind who wins. Bit of a funny—my family always say I cook better when MasterChef is on. I’m not about to temper chocolate or cook over a hibachi, but it does get me thinking about balancing flavours and getting that umami happening. Look at me using MasterChef words like I know what I’m doing haha! WHAT I’M LISTENING TO I’m typing this during my lunch break, and the noise from the playroom is wild. So, I’m listening to pink noise. Have you heard of it? I hadn’t until I searched for white noise on Spotify, and this popped up. I can’t hear any pink—it just sounds like white to me. Curiosity got me, so I Googled it. Turns out, pink noise is like white noise but with more low-end rumble. People say it helps block out noise and helps with sleep. Mystery solved (though I still think it sounds exactly like white noise). WHAT I’M WEARING During cold winter nights, I often wear my cat to keep me warm while I’m watching TV. WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND No plans WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH Cousin Connect and my husband’s birthday. And that’s a wrap for July, which turned out to be a pretty good month (despite the cold). Fingers crossed August is kind to us all! Linking up with Shay

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Hello Monday

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Hey friends! Another Monday, another chance to catch up. Here’s a little peek at the weekend—that flew by way too fast! It was the best feeling, sitting in front of the TV, eating dinner on Friday night after what felt like a never-ending week. I had the place to myself—Steve was at work and Sam was out with friends—so I made my favourite pasta bolognese. This time I used bow tie pasta, but I’ve decided that I still prefer spaghetti—nothing beats the slurp! I finished watching Midsummer Night on Netflix—a Norwegian limited series. It was entertaining enough to keep me watching, but by the end, I thought the plot was pretty lame. So I didn’t love it. Saturday On Saturday, I started putting together a movie about our January trip. I use iMovie and I’m familiar with it on my iPad, but I hadn’t ever used it on my Mac desktop before. A few things are different, but I got the hang of it pretty quickly. The thing with me and iMovie is that I get so immersed in what I’m doing that hours feel like minutes. I used to make movies for end-of-year preschool celebrations, and projects like this really pull me in. I love figuring out the music, transitions, intros, and titles—and, well, I become a little bit obsessed. I’m trying hard to make it interesting because the last thing I want is one of those endless slideshow-style videos. You know, the kind filled with a million pictures that are only interesting if you were actually there. I want this to be fun, fast, and enjoyable to watch. And I definitely don’t want to put anyone to sleep at our next Cousin Connect when I show it. No snoring, please! Sunday Sunday brunch – scrambled eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, and sourdough. I used the bacon pieces I usually save for quiche because we were out of rashers. I cooked everything (except the scrambled eggs) in the air fryer. And to think I didn’t think an air fryer was for me… ha! Now I can’t imagine life without it. Do you know what I got really excited about on Sunday afternoon? Daylight is sticking around a little longer! I snapped this pic during a quick walk to the shops to pick up some steak for our steak sandwiches that night. Even though our fridge and freezer were packed, we were all craving those sandwiches. It was 5:15 pm and not dark yet. Just a little while ago, it would’ve been pitch black at that time. Yes, sir — spring is coming! Speaking of steak sandwiches, here they are—Sunday night dinner, easy peasy. And that was my weekend. How was yours? I hope it was a good one. Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you have an amazing day! Linking up with Holly and Sarah

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Friday Favourites

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Hi friends, welcome to Friday favourites! It’s time to link up with Andrea and Erika and share some of this week’s favourite moments. First Day Back Monday was our first day back at work, starting with a staff development session followed by a staff meeting. It was so good to see my work buddies again—even if it was tough saying goodbye to those lazy school holiday days at home. Two hours into the day, I turned to one of my lovely coworkers and said, “I’m tired.” She laughed and said, “I want to read that in your blog.” So here it is—gotta keep it real. Was I complaining? Yep, I sure was! It’s funny how tired you can feel just sitting down all day. On most days when I’m on my feet a lot, I can hardly wait for a chance to sit. But there I was at the development day, wishing I could move around—my legs were so restless, and my back was stiff. Ooops, five days later and I’m still complaining—time to stop now. 😅 Morning tea and lunch were provided, and food always makes everything better, right? Dinner and a Movie Tuesday night, Steve and I went out for dinner and a movie. We can’t stop going back to Lilong – an amazing Chinese restaurant conveniently located near the movie theatre. The food is just too good! Pork buns, Singaporean noodles and beef with oyster sauce. We went to see Superman, and even though I was excited to go and see it after watching the trailer, I can’t say I loved it. I don’t think any of the remakes have topped the 1980s version with Christopher Reeve. A Sweet Surprise On our walk home, we stopped at McDonald’s for a soft serve with a Flake, and I got the nicest surprise—I was served by a former preschooler who’s now well and truly a teenager. I recognised her huge smile straight away—it’s exactly the same as when she was a little girl. She remembered me, too, and I was proud of myself for remembering her name, which is impressive considering I often forget what I walked into a room for. Evening Tea Routine We always end the evening with a cup of tea and watch something on TV. Instead of the usual teabags, I made tea in a teapot using English Breakfast leaves. I brewed it extra strong—just how I like it—and it felt quite fancy pouring it from my not-so-fancy IKEA teapot. Haha! We enjoyed our tea with some homemade biscuits—macadamia with lemon zest, and they were amazing. Thank you, Chef Steve! It’s so nice to have something to look forward to each day—even little things like our evening tea and TV show routine. Currently Watching We’ve started a new series called The Agency: Central Intelligence on Paramount. It started slow but is building up with just the right amount of intrigue, and now we’re hooked. I think it’s hard to find a good limited series these days. Any recommendations? Oh gosh, the first week back has me feeling all kinds of tired—and confused! Today, I told one of my coworkers, “I’m glad week two is over.” Then I remembered—it’s only week one! No weekend plans for me, so it looks like it’s going to be a quiet one. Hope you all have a relaxing weekend. Thanks so much for stopping by! 😊

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How To Stay Healthy While Working in Childcare

3 Comments / Health and Well Being, Home, Insights Into Early Childhood Education

It’s winter over here in Sydney, and I’ve just gotten home after a very busy day at preschool. If our day had a soundtrack, it would be a symphony of sneezes, sniffles, and coughing. Yep — it’s that time of year again when everyone’s either sick, just been sick, or about to be sick. So I thought I’d share some practical tips on how to stay healthy while working in childcare. Because if you work with kids, you know it’s not exactly easy to stay well when you’re surrounded by runny noses and small hands that touch everything. But looking after yourself isn’t just about dodging germs — it’s also about building in little habits that keep you going strong. So let’s get into it — here are my go-to tips for staying healthy (and mostly sane) all year round. How to Stay Healthy While Working in Childcare Wash Your Hands The number one tip for how to stay healthy while working in childcare is to wash your hands! I don’t know how many times a day I wash my hands, but it’s a lot. If you don’t work with kids, what I’m about to say might sound over the top. But if you know, you know. I wash my hands after I touch anything — toys, equipment, pencils, markers, puzzles, playdough, anything and everything. Because all day long, I see our preschoolers sneeze, suck on things, and pick their noses — then touch everything. Washing my hands so much leaves my skin dry, so I rely on the lovely scented moisturisers I get from preschool families at Christmas — absolute skin savers!Side tip: If you’re ever stuck on what to buy your child’s preschool teacher, a good hand cream is always a winner. A bottle of wine is always welcome, too. 😉 Crouch Smart We educators know it’s important to get down to a child’s eye level when we talk to them — it helps build connection and trust. Unfortunately, crouching often comes with a decent spray of spit to the face. It’s just part of the job. Sigh. And it happens a lot. Over time, you kind of learn which little talkers tend to spray more and prepare yourself accordingly. Easier said than done, though. My strategy now is this: if I know I’m talking to a spraying chatterbox, I still get down low, just not directly in the firing line. It’s a skill, and it usually works. If not… then I run straight to the sink to wash my face. Catch the Sneeze Signal Before It Hits Children have a knack for sneezing straight into your soul, so yes — that tip about dodging the spray definitely applies here too. But here’s something else I’ve learned: If you are having a nice chat with a child and then they pause, it usually means a sneeze is coming your way. They don’t teach this in any diploma or university course, but trust me — that split second of silence is your warning. You need to duck, fall backward, cover your head — or all three. Do whatever it takes to get out of the way.Be a ninja — that’s all I can recommend. Eat Healthy Eating healthy is the way to go to make sure your body is getting all the good things like essential fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre and energy to keep you going. In summer, I pack salads with tuna, egg, or chicken. During winter, I like to make a big batch of soup to last a few days. For morning tea, I’ll have a piece of fruit because we eat our morning snack with the kids, and we need to set a healthy eating example. I like fruit, but I have to admit that when I’m at home during term breaks, I don’t always reach for it as a snack. I’d probably end up with scurvy if I didn’t work in childcare! Stay Hydrated I have a gorgeous water bottle with a picture of Princess Leia that I take to work — it’s my motivation for hydration. But drinking enough water at preschool is always a struggle. One reason is that we’re so flat out most of the time that we just forget. And then there’s the other issue: when we do manage to drink more, we just create a new problem — needing to go to the toilet. I think this might be one of the only jobs where you have to announce to another adult, “Hey, I need to go to the toilet,” and then cross your fingers someone’s there to cover you. We have to maintain ratios at all times–meaning the right number of staff have to be with the children at all times. If no one’s free to cover you for five minutes, well… you hold on and hope for the best. Invest in Comfy, Supportive Shoes I love pretty shoes, but I save them for weekends and special occasions. Years ago, when I chose style over comfort at work, I didn’t win. My back ached, my knees hurt, and it was no fun — you can read all about it here. These days, I stick with enclosed shoes I can pop my orthotics into, and just like that — pain-free! Not exactly glamorous, but that’s okay. Pause, Breathe, and Reset No matter how patient and calm you may look and sound on the outside, the inside often tells a different story. The minute Tony Soprano’s voice starts running through my head, I know it’s time to start taking deep breaths. I often click on the mindfulness app on my Apple Watch and do a quick guided breathing session. I also recently came across the QTIP method — “Quit Taking It Personally.” When children’s hands aren’t so friendly or they’re pressing every conceivable button, it’s not personal. It’s usually their frustration or boundary testing. Me getting rattled won’t help anyone. Posture Check Reminders I make a point to check in

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