Simplifying Life (64/365)

I've been amazed at how little I've needed or missed of our "stuff" while it's been shipped from the UK. My Mum has leant us some kitchen essentials and linen, and while I do miss my memory foam mattress and 4-season duvet, and constantly reach for kitchen items we don't currently have (making pizza without a cheese grater was interesting)... Having far less choice of clothing has been liberating. I miss having some more of Pickle's favourite books to read (it's a good thing I like The Gruffalo) but he's got more than enough options for toys - I've been dreading where to put everything when it arrives!  I could do with a couple of extra tops and shoes, but everything seems such excess in hindsight.

And then, via Twitter, I discovered Free Our Kids - this Mum has set herself the challenge of not spending anything for a year on stuff for her son (food and medicine essentials aside of course). I've often dressed Pickle in hand-me-downs and bought second hand for him to wear and play with, it's certainly made me think hard about other excesses. We have been living frugally, and will continue to do so - moving from the UK to Oz has been expensive. Though the cost of buying our mattresses alone in Australia has almost matched the cost.

64/365 - Drowning in a sea of boxes

Having unpacked about two-thirds so far, there is only just over a box marked "garage sale". Mind you, I haven't started on our (mainly my) clothes yet *gulp*.

I have been investing in swimming classes for Pickle, but other playgroups here are expensive compared to so many free or inexpensive playgroups, soft-plays etc.  in London - not to mention the FREE museums and galleries that are already sorely missed. The Hervey Bay Cultural Centre doesn't quite match up *stifles snigger* - though the DO get some good exhibitions, on occasion.

We are going car-free as soon as my Cargo Bike arrives (blogpost on that drama soon, promise). I'll still have access to my car when it's needed - trips desperately seeking culture and old friends in Brisbane and Sydney for example - but as well as the Grandparentals needing to use it, I really don't want the responsibility or the expense.

So while not spending anything on Pickle for a year would be a bit too much of an additional challenge at the moment, it's flagged my attention to some excesses in our lives that can be moderated. 

Most importantly, I don't want Pickle growing up believing he needs material possessions to be happy.

There will be a garage sale in my near future!

Loving having a simplified life, so would be thrilled with any additional tips you could offer?

Cheers, KangaRue :)

Tickles (27/365)

Wow, it's been wet!  The rain was horizontal, the road outside was river-like (see video below) with a lake a couple of doors down.  A towel stuffed under the back door only slowed the flooding into the utility room.  So with flood, wind and tornado warnings, Pickle and I were stuck inside today.

After drawing, an animated movie, snacks, lunch and a nap, I became a climbing frame (this is not an unusual situation with my cheeky monkey).  But then the tickle monster came out, and Pickle's giggle was infectious.

27 January 2013

So glad I managed to snap a photo of him in full laugh!

Cheers, KangaRue :)

Australia Day (26/365)

While the weather wasn't what I ordered for my first Australia Day in a dozen years, we still managed to barbeque with friends.  It was a nice chilled day, and Pickle obviously enjoyed himself - here he is all tuckered out after the 5 minute drive home!

26 January 2013

Cheers, KangaRue :)

Frogwatch (25/365)

After my previous Toadgate rant, I awoke to find this cute little fellow* on the front porch light.  Isn't he adorable, he looks so happy!  He's obviously a tree-frog and in his element, up high.  Unfiltered, this is his actual colour - gorgeous.

25 January 2013

He stayed all day, and only left again after dark.  Pickle said good night to him after his bath, but by the time we'd had a story, a little song and our night-night routine, the froggy had taken off.

Any idea what I can do to encourage him* back?

Cheers, KangaRue :)

*yes, I'm aware it could just as easily be a girl frog, but I'm taking literary license!  Besides, I'm not going to check, it might incite more girlie squealing.


Update: Definitely my favourite photo of the week, so I'm linking it up...  

Toadgate (18, 23 & 24/365)

I can be pretty pathetic when it comes to creepy crawlies - I'll admit there have been bouts of girlie squealing on more than one occasion.  My Twitter peeps will know when a tree frog jumped in the house, I wasn't best pleased.  They're cute, but outside please!  I despise cockroaches, but if I've a rolled up newspaper handy, I can take care of those, along with some frustrations.

18 January 2013

But in Queensland, Cane Toads are the pest beyond exception.  These nasty critters not only eat native frogs, but kill household pets and wild birds as they're poisonous.  They're also damn ugly.  Most nights, and always if there's a drop of rain, I'm greeted by an army of them surrounding the house.

23 January 2013

It took me a while to learn how to distinguish them, besides not being a bright lime green like the tree frogs, they have a ridge that runs from each eye socket to the end of their nose.  The little guy in 18/365 was a baby between the sliding doors to the back garden... inside the house.  Not happy!  He got fried in the heat between the glass panes though (more's the pity).

24 January 2013

And they're getting bigger!

The traditional way of dispatching them is with a golf club, though that's frowned upon by the PC brigade.  Another option is spraying them with disinfectant - apparently they froth, swell up and dance a right old jig on their way out.  I'd love to know a hands-off, humane approach (I will not be picking one up in a plastic bag - I'd have to TOUCH it - and then put it in the freezer WITH MY FOOD... are people nuts?!).

Would love to know any of your suggestions, thoughts etc!

Cheers, Kanga_Rue

PS.  While I'll apologise for the lack of photographic clarity in these shots, they've been snapped with my phone, at night, and I'm not getting any closer! *girlie squeal*

Little Lie Down (22/365)

Pickle is not a fan of having sunscreen applied to him every morning.  But it's not an option in the harsh Australian sun.  I think he exhausted himself on this particular day, and crawled up on my bed for a LLD.

22 January 2013

Do you think he looks happy enough now that his ordeal is over?

Cheers, Kanga_Rue

Blue Peeper (21/365)

A friend told me about the Colour Splash app, where you can turn a photo into black and white and then add back the original colour into the photo.  This was just me mucking about with it.  It wasn't a close shot, so the resolution isn't great - will have to see if I can sort something with my camera, and I love how blue Pickle's eyes are.

21 January 2013

Cheers, Kanga_Rue

A boy and his fish (20/365)

Pickle and I often meet our friend Deb for a walk along the ridiculously long Urangan Pier - it's a good bit of exercise to the end and back, and lovely just to enjoy the views.  At the start of the pier is this statue that Pickle is just fascinated with.

20 January 2013

There are some intriguing statues dotted around the Bay - some more bizarre than others.  Once the Cargo Bike arrives, I'm sure I'll be doing some posts on the art works as we go past them.  Be prepared for a lot of whales!

Cheers, Kanga_Rue

Retro Toys (19/365)

A friend of a friend was moving home and I managed to buy up a few items that her boys had outgrown.  One of Pickle's favourites items has been this Etch-a-Sketch.  I loved these as a kid, but never had one myself, so I'm living vicariously!  (He told me he drew a cat by the way.)

19 January 2013

I love a Slinky too - can't wait to introduce him to one of those down the track!

What are some of your favourite retro toys?  

Cheers, Kanga_Rue

PS. No I haven't forgotten 18/365, but I've been slack posting photos on the blog, so am doing a #toadgate compilation!

Hunting for Hermits (17/365)

Pickle and I went on an exploration of parks, and discovered this beach at the top of Point Vernon, near where we're currently living in Hervey Bay.  There are a few rocks amongst the sand, and as it was the end of the day, we decided on just a little splash.  Pickle pointed out a pretty shell, and when I picked it up I realised there was a creature inside.  Not only that, but the beach was absolutely littered with them... all of a sudden, the scatter of shells seemed to come to life before our eyes.  There were dozens and dozens of tiny hermit crabs making their way out with the tide.  Pickle was absolutely intrigued, and spent ages watching them.  He occasionally picked one up for a closer look, but put them back again.

17 January 2013

Apparently there can be baby turtles on occasion too, so this is a beach we'll definitely be going back to explore the rock pools!

I originally edited this photo on Instagram, but preferred the length of the original shot, and wanted to straighten the horizon - I think it makes a better look in the original, unfiltered form.  Hope you agree?

Cheers, KangaRue :)

Painting (16/365)

Yesterday while running errands with Bubbah, in one of the local malls, we discovered an art & craft stall set-up during the school holidays.  Pickle was intrigued, so we settled down with some paint and he started creating.  He had a blast!

16 January 2013

I think it only fitting he painted his own boomerang ahead of his very first Australia Day, don't you?

Cheers, Kanga_Rue :)

Scooting About (15/365)

My new friend, Deb, is not going to thank me for this photo.  She's not looking her most glamorous here.  But I think that is the sign of a good friend - when you don't feel the need to get all "dolled up".

Anyhow... she dropped over for a glass of bubbly and got suckered kindly offered to push Pickle around the garden on his Mini-Micro Scooter.  Now, Pickle is perfectly capable of pushing himself around on it... but it's obviously far more fun to be chauffeur driven, by the grin on his face!

15 January 2013

Thanks for the company Deb - promise I'll make the photo up to you!

Cheers, Kanga_Rue

PS.  Deb is another friend I've met through Twitter.  She's not the first Tweeter I've become friends with IRL, and I don't expect she'll be the last.  Have you met friends this way, or through any other "unusual" channels?

Swinging III (14/365)

I will never get sick of the joy on Pickle's face when he's swinging!

14 January 2013

Previous posts here and here show his ongoing love of the swings.  Hasn't he grown up!

Cheers, Kanga_Rue :)

Speed thrills (13/365)

Pickle loves to be pushed on a skateboard.  His (girl)friend, Mia and her brother Felix are both lovely and patient playing with him, and I think you can see from the looks on both Mia and Pickle's faces, that they're having a blast!

13 January 2013

Not the best resolution photo - I'll have to get some more on my camera rather than my phone next time.

Cheers, KangaRue :)

Cooling Off (12/365)

Today was a scorcher - it was 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 Fahrenheit for my North American friends) in the shade!  So after Pickle awoke from a brief afternoon nap - I think he woke up because he was just too hot - I ran him a cool bath.

12 January 2013

There are rules to the accommodation I'm currently staying in: no taking drugs, no growing or producing drugs, nobody to stay and... no paddling pools.  Since wine is my drug of choice (we all have to have some vices, and if that's my worst, I'm doing OK!), I'm happy with all rules, with the exception of the bizarre ban on paddling pools, a little incongruous alongside the others, I think.  So, for now, we'll make do with splish-splash-sploshing in the bath (I may have joined him towards the end).

Cheers, @Kanga_Rue

Taking the dog for a walk (11/365)

Santa took a liberal approach to Pickle's "something to wear" this year, and brought him Patch, the doggy backpack with a lead.  He absolutely loves taking Patch for a walk.

11 January 2013

I always said I'd never put my child on a lead... and then I had an extremely active baby.  He's far happier walking around on his own - he doesn't always want to hold my hand, and he's getting to be too much of a lump to carry everywhere.  This way Pickle gets some independence, while I can make sure he's not wrecking havoc.  

And he loves Patch - he even wants to wear him inside (the strap is removable). Definitely one of Santa's better ideas.

Cheers, @Kanga_Rue

Holding Hands (10/365)

Pickle was sitting on my lap while I was reading to him, quite casually holding my hand, when I managed to capture this shot.

10 January 2013

It just makes my heart melt.

Cheers, @Kanga_Rue


Update: I've linked this photo as my favourite of the week - come see some others entries by clicking here... 

Pier walk (9/365)

I went for a walk with my friend Deb (whom I met via Twitter!) today; along the Urangan Pier. It is long & the day was surprising windy. Pickle insisted on getting out at the end to watch the waves.

He even got to touch his first fish on the walk back... I don't think it was what he was expecting!

9 January 2013

Cheers, @Kanga_Rue

Two Cheeky Monkeys (8/365)

Here is Pickle with Charlie in the back garden where we're currently living.  Most evenings Pickle & I venture outside to spot the birds as they fly home to their nests. If we're lucky, we spot lorikeets or a friendly kookaburra.

8 January 2013

Cheers, @Kanga_Rue

Horsing Around (7/365)

Pickle was ecstatic when two police horses came into view today. Not Hervey Bay locals, they're visiting from Brisbane for the Scout Jamboree.

He showed no fear, despite them being 16 & 17 hands high - which looked enormous in comparison to Pickle!

7 January 2013

Cheers, @Kanga_Rue