Shambolic Living

Self Development in the Middle of Chaos

Janine — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 11:55:40 +0000

Here at Shambles Manor the eldest is in the middle of exams, the youngest is having sex education talks at school. I’m alternating between the history of astronomy and why do ovaries look like strawberries? Please God don’t let me get this mixed up and give the wrong information to the wrong kid. How could...

The Catch Up

Janine — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 21:06:44 +0000

It’s not that I have a tendency to “fail” I just sometimes take on a few too many challenges and then have to play catch-up at various points along the way to actually complete the task! So here is my latest photo-a-day pictures. 1. Something I Do Every Day – I made a list, God...

Are We Having Fun Yet?

Janine — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 04:30:54 +0000

When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried? Has it been a while? I’ve been thinking about the concept of fun this week. Firstly, going through the photo albums of the kids when they were younger, I was struck by their huge smiles. They simply looked joyous in every shot. A little...

What will they say about me when I’m dead?

Janine — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 21:18:23 +0000

It’s the one event of your life over which you have no control. While you may be the main attraction you are no longer in a position to direct activities, control the audience or influence the speeches. Your funeral is left in the hands of those you leave behind. Don’t panic, I’m not leaving this...

Another Sad Goodbye

Janine — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 06:36:06 +0000

The house is a little quieter today. There’s no padding of paws up the hallway, no frenzy of barking when you arrive home, no little yap to let you know you are taking a bit too long to dish out his dinner. For the first time in 10 years we are without a pet in...

Challenges and Goals – Is Creating A List Worth It?

Janine — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 21:35:24 +0000

Spring has arrived and we unwrap ourselves from the cocoons created during the cold weather. As the sun warms our thoughts turn to new beginnings, spring cleaning, getting ourselves back into action. In my world yet another birthday is rapidly approaching. Not as significant as a birthday with a “0” but a midpoint “5” is...

Team Sports – Why Do We Do It?

Janine — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 01:52:18 +0000

I am exhausted this morning. Last night I played the longest, hardest game of soccer EVER. Oh all right, I was on the sideline but I swear I ran every inch of that field in my mind. It was finals night. Five minutes from the end we were leading 1 – 0. The Grand Final...

This is What Happens When I Try To Be A Responsible Parent

Janine — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:35:31 +0000

It is clear that for 90 per cent of the time I’m flying blind with this parenting gig. Look we’ve survived 15 years, everyone is still here, there are only a few physical scars (Princess Child had a habit of throwing herself into activities with a little more vigour than her coordination development allowed; hence...

Eight Things I’m Dreading About My Daughter Starting High School

Janine — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:43:51 +0000

We are heading into the tail end of the year (how fast are the months flying by?). It’s one of those years with a “chapter closing”. You know the type, a life stage when you do things for “the last time”, when you know you won’t be going back. Next year my youngest child heads...

Things I’m Not Going To Do Again

Janine — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 21:45:46 +0000

There comes a point in your life where you have to accept there are things you are just not going to do again. There are a variety of reasons for why you won’t be repeating certain activities, no longer capable, no longer want to, it would just look ridiculous … the list is lengthy. Here’s...