This is.....what I do with a spare 10 minutes.

10 Spare minutes? Yes I can find 10 spare minutes generally once the kids are in bed I find many more minutes to play with - I could use them to clean, unclutter, make lunches but instead I can be found doing one of many things - crafting, blogging or more so reading other more talented bloggers, flicking through a mag, or watch trash TV -yes I am a bit of a sucker for the box....

On Saturday The girls and I had a few spare hours at the most perfect little kiddies beach (Palm Beach Sanctuary Point - 3 hours from home)


Unfortunately over the next few weeks any spare minutes will be taken up with house hunting - Yes the rental market in Sydney is enough to send even the sanest insane - packing, cleaning and uncluttering and wishing I had done more in the wasted spare minutes of life - that is until we are resettled and all those spare minutes lure me away from work.

Thanks to Hoppo Bumpo for suggesting this weeks theme. If you have a spare 10 minutes and would like to read what other's do with their spare 10 minutes head on over to three buttons to see who's playing.

Life as a Refugee

Yesterday I took Bronte out of school for the afternoon to take her to Sydney Olympic Park to learn about life in a a refugee camp set up by Medecins Sans Frontieres Australia Whilst the kids didn't quite get it all, it was a good learning tool - I was both amazed and shocked by the experience.
Learning that refugees often arrive at camps set up by this privately funded organisation with volunteer doctors, nurses and other personal through extreme conditions. one at camp families are set up in a very small tent with each person being allocated 20 litres of water per day and a small plate of rice, maize and beans - mixed with a mixture of water and oil - there is no green vegies, fruits or meats. Once a camp is a little more settled more permanent structures are set up - the aim is to provide 3 square meters per person which is rarely met. An aim of 1 toilet per 20 people is allocated and is set up close to tents to encourage use. Illnesses and various outbreaks are common as is malnutrition in young children.

Tours were provided free of charge by returned field workers, their time and effort was worth while and very much an eye opener. There are 2 more camp set up's in Australia during September - click on the above link to see where.

The task of collecting water for each family member is often given to the girl in the family at about 7 - 8 years of age - often having to carry this water up to 500 metres - here Bronte can barely lift it.
During our visit Sydney Morning Herald Photographer Peter Rae took some shots of the girls playing inside the tent and one of his remarkable photo's (quite large) was featured on page 3 of the most read papers in Sydney headed Sydney shock: a refugee camp at Olympic Park - National - smh.com.au I also very much agree with his caption on this pic this tent was rather tiny, I have to duck down to squeeze through the opening and the bed behind was not long enough for Bronte to stretch out.

They are also featured in the related multimedia - Life in a refugee camp. http://www.smh.com.au/interactive/2008/national/refugee-camp-msf-2008/index.html

As it happens when I arrived home from this trip my husband had news of our owners selling our house so we are now in the process of having to find new accommodation - I could not even com template living in a tent and the thought of downsizing any accumulated furniture is daunting enough, let alone the number of weeks we have to search for suitable accommodation. Some food for thought.

Hold that thought.

50 scrappy fabric bag bookmarks made for Bronte's school fete

Roses

Photography through the eyes of a 3yr old

These roses are over 1 week old and still look great

Father's Fun Day

Happy Father's Day DaddyHe thinks he's in heaven with a Wonderful Family Day to Wisemans Ferry about 1 hour north west of home.

Rides on Tea Cups,

And a view to die for (Overlooking Wisemans Ferry) And what do you do when you get home from a great day out?
Sit in the car and have a pouting photography session -He wants a house in the bush? OH!

but to top off Father's Day a Yummy Daddy's favourite Roast Lamb with roast potatoes, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, carrots and beans, followed by fresh strawberries and ice cream puts a smile back on thier faces.

This is....My favourite band of all time.

One Hit Wonders.

I saw these guys perform in Martin Place Ampitheatre in the early 90's on my lunch break and fell in love. They are a Sydney Covers band who play various one hit wonders - some of my favourites are -
My Sharona -The Knack
Turning Japanese - The Vapours
Tainted Love - Soft Cell
Come on Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners
I Love Rock & Roll - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
What I like about you - The Romantics
500 Miles - The Proclaimers
I want your love - Transvision Vamp
The Impression that I get - The Mighty Bossstones
Video Killed the Radio Star - The Buggles
Black Betty - Ram Jam

To be honest though I have only seen this band play twice - one in the city and the second time a few years ago accidentally on a night out with the hubby but all the same they are great and play great music.

I have never been one to develop a strong commitment to a band/musician/genre and instead am happy to listen to a variety of music as long as I like the sound. My taste in music has changed and changes depending on my lifestyle and whats on around me at the time and I have to say that Top 40 hits have generally always been my general listening habits as they are familiar due to commercialism. Some music from the past I still enjoy like the above mentioned and more and some music which I loved growing up makes me cringe and recall crazy times in my life which I would rather forget about.

Thanks to CurlyPops for thinking of this weeks This Is theme, challenging me to think about my past.

Cupcakes on a rainy day

Miranda's 3rd Birthday Party
Theme: Strawberry Cupcakes

Inspiration: My beautiful girls and the cupcake idea came from gigglepotamus

Not Such a great day for a planned outdoor party but with some furniture rearanging, decorations and a few cancellations and an indoor party is a winner.
The weather did clear for some wet outdoor play and cake eating.

Some Ingredints for a fun filled party
This Fantastic Lolly tree was made by my clever mum and Bronte and was a recreation from my 8th birthday (I have never forgotten that party or the tree)
some decorations
Some Party BagsPlaying with friends and family

Some Presents

It's in the smile and the eyes

I just love these faces - of course I am bias.

Bronte has the biggest smile which always makes me happy.

Miranda's icy blue eyes can chill anyone - they are so intense and there sure is alot going on behind them.