I love:

1. Having a clean house - a clean house equals a lighter heart. (please note the freshly made cake on the kitchen bench)

2. Getting into a bit of craft.. occasionally. I've been making a cot bumper for about a month now.

3. My boys. They are SO handsome, and so neat!






What do you love at the moment?

Nationals

Today is the first day of National Champs for Tim.

He's the one wearing the hat in fourth seat.
(Photo courtesy of Stephanie Palethorpe.)


I'm excited about this for two reasons: 
The first is that I think he's really good, and have high hopes that they'll make it to finals and win a medal (because how cool would that be?!).
The second, and more important - for me anyway - is that FINALLY, he will no longer have to get up at 5:30am every morning. Admittedly, the last couple of weeks he hasn't had many morning trainings, so we've been lucky enough to have him home. He and Elijah have loved hanging out for a while before Tim has to go to work. He will no longer have to go straight to training after work, meaning he will get home before 8:30pm, and he'll be able to give Elijah his dinner and a bath! For a while there, with morning and night trainings, Tim was only getting to see Eli during his lunch break, for about half an hour... (wears a bit thin after a while!).


I'm so proud of Tim for joining a rowing team - he's really enjoyed learning something new, getting fit, making new friends etc. But we'll be very glad to have him back.


Until next season...

Changes

Notice anything different?


I'm a bit restless in the sense that I don't like things to look the same for too long. I am constantly changing my house around, cutting my own hair (!!), and now this blog. I've changed the look, and I've also decided to change the theme.. as you'll see above in my description, our blog (mine, Tim and Elijah's) is going to be about general things that I happen to be thinking about, or things that are going on in our lives (particularly for those people who are living far too far away and so are unable to follow closely along).


Anywho, I've also decided to make another - rather large - change, and this one you'll have to help me with. I am no longer a lazy sod (and I would appreciate if those negative ninnies could refrain from saying 'yeah right' about now). I've been lazy for about as long as I can remember... I'm really sick of spending all of my time on the computer, or watching television. I'm a homemaker. That is my job, and the description of a homemaker is not 'one who sits on their arse doing nothing all day, but occasionally hangs out the washing'. In fact, the actual description of a homemaker is: 

Homemaker

A lazy woman who sits around the house all day, often under the illusion that their job is just as hard as a mans, and that they deserve to be paid for it. Of course, they fail to take into account the fact that most women waste half of the money their man makes on crap they don't need like about 20 pairs of shoes and other unnecessary garbage. Also, when asked what their job is, many women will say "I'm a homemaker!", when in reality they are unemployed. Brad's mom is unemployed and stays at home all day sitting on her ass. She is a homemaker.

Oh wait, that's the chauvinist Urban Dictionary version (and, scarily, quite accurately describes Lazy Holly).


Here's the aspirational version:


A homemaker handles household responsibilities as his or her main daily activity. Common tasks include cleaning, cooking, and looking after children.

One of our dreams (mine and Tim's) is to own a house in the country and be at least somewhat self sufficient. We will own pigs and chickens and a cow and sheep. We will grow vegetables, and fruit. We will make our own bread and dry our own herbs. For this kind of life, you cannot be lazy. 


I don't want Elijah (and future children) to grow up sitting in front of the T.V. Kids should be out climbing trees and finding curious things in nature. And since we, as parents, are the primary models for our children, it has to start here at home. In this house. With me. 


Today: Cosmetics - dishes, washing, floors etc etc.
Wish me luck!

Exercise

I know I said this one was going to be about "Hits of the 90s", but I felt like that was too boring, so I chose something else.

You might have seen my Facebook status a week or so ago, which said that I had just been for a run and a bike ride? Well the general idea of doing so - other than to get out while I could - was to begin training for a duathlon. A little before this, I had mentioned I was thinking of doing a triathlon. Then I remembered I can't swim to save my life, so a duathlon it is. It's not until February 2011, which gives me PLENTY of time, so don't go holding me all accountable and such. Although, I'll definitely do it again shortly.. I saw three baby rabbits hopping around in a field, which I wouldn't have seen if I had just stayed home!

Anyway, I am no gazelle. I didn't just get dressed and set out for a leisurely run, then return and go for a leisurely bike ride. It was HARD. I'm asthmatic, so running isn't freeing and I don't feel all wonderful when I'm doing it. My chest tightens and I'm pretty sure I'm going to die, more so every step I take. My legs begin to feel like cement, and it takes every ounce of willpower to keep going to the next powerpole, the next street sign etc etc.

For this very reason, the last time I actually ran in an actual race was probably in primary school.. which brings me to a memory.

It was cross country day, and my cousin Ebony and I decided we'd run together. (NB: When I do the duathlon, although I might enter with someone, I will not suggest sticking together). So we set off, and after about a hundred metres, I'm starting to die. Ebony on the other hand has a heap of energy, so being the loving cousin that I am, I allowed her to take up her true calling to try to WIN THIS RACE! Later on, Adam McDonald said she was like the Energizer Bunny. Truly. I don't recall whereabouts she ended up coming, but it was most definitely ahead of me. I like to blame the asthma. It made me come second to last. Second to last, much better than last last (I can hear you thinking). Well yes, you might think so. BUT, I came in front of another girl from my class, who wore moonboots because she had bad arches in her feet. So I don't run.

I'm also not a great bike rider. The last time I rode a bike prior to last week was probably about 5-10 years ago. But, so they say, an elephant never forgets, and on I hopped. I chose to ride a nice country back road where there would be few cars. And there were, but according to the white subaru legacy that went past me, the speed limit was about 150km an hour. Aside from this, it was relatively painless (except in the place that anyone who rides a bike will be well aware of).

So, anyone wanna join me?!


Next time: Bargains!