It was never mentioned that we’d fall for the runt of the litter, with doey eyes and the sweetest nature.

We had no idea that as a Boxer, Juke Box would be extremely lovable and intelligent in so many ways, yet absolutely ridiculously stupid in so many others. Read here if you don’t believe me!

There was no warning that as a puppy he’d keep us up half the night with toilet runs and whimpering, eat my brand new rather expensive leather high heels, among many other things, and escape so many times from our yard that the entire neighbourhood would know who he was before he hit his first birthday.

Juke even managed to escape the day I went into labour with Master Sporty. So there I was walking the streets, hanging onto random fences for dear life while I waited for my contractions to pass, looking for him. There was no way I was giving birth to anything until I knew he was safely back at our house.

We missed the part on Google that warned Boxers have many medical problems, our vet now drives a Porsche thanks to us and day trips to the Bahamas. We, on the other hand eat porridge three times a day to pay off our enormous vet bill.

Not a single person mentioned to us that the dog we swore would never come inside, would somehow make his way into our bed, onto our couch and stand guard at the end of our first babies cot when he was sleeping (that was kind of cute, the in our bed not so much given that he was a 27 kg hair shedding dog – ewwww).

We knew when we bought him that  Boxers had some unique qualities, like a particular hatred for fire (they get quite distressed when camping and stamp out the sparks, kind of handy really), they think they are puppies ALWAYS and while they look like good guard dogs they will lick you to death first.

What we didn’t fully understand was that Juke Box was going to howl whenever our baby cried, would protect him from falling off anything he deemed unsafe and would generally treat our children like one of his well protected “pack”.

No-one ever told us that he would completely steal our heart and those of everyone who ever met him and then one day he would suddenly die and nothing would ever be the same again.

No-one ever dares to remind you that Boxers only average 10 years and don’t like to let on when they’re sick or in pain.

No-one ever warned us that losing your pet, your ‘firstborn’ child together, is like losing a human from your family. The grief is the same, the loss is the same, the big hole they leave behind is the same.

But in typical Juke Box fashion, he went out in style. Not any regular disease would do for our boy Juke, nope he had to go and get a rare salivary gland condition and go out as the “one in a million dog” he always was. Literally, a one in a million chance he’d get the disease that would kill him.

And to add to my grief, losing our much-loved Juke Box has meant we’ve turned into one of those families. You know, the families that can’t let go of their pets so they do this:

Now to explain to the three-year-old that her doggy is in an urn, and she’s not to knock it over. I seriously don’t want to have to suck him up in a vacuum cleaner.

Now that would be an awkward moment.

RIP Juke Box

16-11-2002 to 24-03-2013

Oopsiemumma xo

First Mr Fix-It went and turned the big 4-0. I wasn’t ready, I’m still not ready, I’ll never be ready to be married to a forty-year old. I’m still having my own personal midlife crisis about it. Which is scary because I’ve already written about how I was having a  midlife crisis last year.

THEN we went and had our 15th wedding anniversary. Seriously it seems like only last year we hit number 10 and now we’ve catapulted to 15.

Every anniversary we alternate who takes control of the celebration, we don’t do presents, we do escapes from reality outings.

When we hit number 10 it was Mr Fix-It’s turn.

Now, Mr Fix-It has come up with some gorgeous little places to eat over the years but quite frankly I’m a control freak and I wasn’t letting him take the reins with our 10 year wedding anniversary. You can read all about how that little adventure went right here.

Soooooooooo when our 15th came around it landed directly on Mr Fix-It. A little reluctantly, actually a LOT reluctantly, I gave up the reins, closed my eyes and hoped for the best.

Well this is what I got:

First we went to Cha Cha Char for lunch, in Brisbane City, on the one and only day EVER that a gunman was wandering around the main shopping mall. We weren’t so worried about the crazed gunman, the police seemed to have it under control, but the traffic snarl that made us late for our lunch date was rather annoying.

Then Mr Fix-It convinced me we were going on a half hour drive to our next destination, when in fact we drove a couple of hundred metres down the road and spent the night at the beautiful Stamford Plaza. (Note – this is not a sponsored post, but if you work at the Stamford feel free to send me a few nights free, it was fabulous!).

Oooh la la, very romantic, no?

There’s nothing quite like a good view.

Then on day two, Mr Fix-It had another little surprise up his sleeve. We hit the road and headed South-West. Driving through lots of farming country. I started to become a little concerned that his idea of a romantic getaway was staying in a rustic cabin, with an outside loo and mooing cows outside the window.

I had nothing to fear.

There was not an outside toilet or mooing cow in sight. But this is what I did see.

The only sign after endless dirt roads. They are tricky at The Bunyip, they know how to keep their guests out of sight and well relaxed.

This was our accommodation. We stayed in the right-hand side apartment. Mr Fix-It and I LOVE this type of architecture. So simple yet so effective.

Let me show you inside.

It was a little overcast and I forgot my camera, but you get the idea. Gorgeous leather couches, delicious wooden floorboards and accents of calming green.

I have always dreamed of having a bedroom on a mezzanine floor with a beautiful view, and here it is. Even the shower and toilet had a view.

I loved just sitting in bed and looking at that view, how could you be anything but calm waking up to this every day, bliss.

But our little apartment was only a little taste of The Bunyip (check out their website for some gorgeous photo’s). There was also The Great Room.

The Great Room is a massive living space with a huge kitchen (you can self-cater if you prefer or have Rob and Marina cook for you – they produce AMAZING food…which I don’t have any photo’s of *sigh*). This room has all sorts of areas set up for relaxing and eating, a truly amazing space that you share with the other guests (although we got seriously lucky and there were no other guests, a rare occurrence), and a truly amazing view.

Between The Great Room and the apartment building is a gorgeous little pool for a summer splash. It was a bit cool and drizzly while we were at The Bunyip, but it made our time there all the more relaxing. Speaking of relaxing, Marina gives the most fabulous massage. A talented pair.

Mr Fix-It had thought of everything. Not only did we have beautiful accommodation, fabulous hosts and to die for views, we also got to go on our own little  romantic picnic. Rob and Marina sent us on our way with a picnic basket and two esky bags FULL of food (so full of food that we literally couldn’t eat dinner that night).

With directions in hand, we headed to the Governor’s Chair, if you can overlook the signs that warn of your impending doom should you accidentally step over the unfenced edge, then the view is simply breathtaking.

It was a bit misty with all the rain we’d been having, but you get the idea…and did you notice I’m practicing my “no tuckshop arms” pose?

Then we headed to Lake Moogerah, had a walk along the dam wall and set up our picnic of heavenly goodies.

I think this anniversary getaway was a winner. I might just trust Mr Fix-It to organise our 20th wedding anniversary…although it does technically fall on my year.

Any romantic getaways to share?

Oopsiemumma xo

Fifteen years ago today, when we were just babies, we got all dressed up in pretty outfits and committed to a lifetime of love, tears, adventure, arguments, mystery, stress and fun together.

And that’s exactly what we got. It’s not all fun and games, and some days I have to remind myself that Mr Fix-It’s life insurance will not buy me a dad for my kids…though it would pay for a nanny and a cleaner…mmmmm.

I organised our 10-year extravaganza, so today landed directly in Mr Fix-It’s lap. He’s kept it all about mystery, relaxation and fun.

I have no idea where we’re going or what we’re doing and quite frankly the suspense is killing me. All I know is we’re going away for three nights, kid free, and it’s not too far from home.

Or at least I hope it’s not on a plane because in typical Oopsiemumma style,  I am sick (I spent our honeymoon drugged to the eyeballs on over-the-counter medication in Hawaii) and a flight might make my head explode.

I’m placing bets on a night in Brisbane city followed by two nights at the Gold Coast.

Place your bets below!

Oopsiemumma xo

He coped…I didn’t.

I have vivid recollections of watching my step-dad have a 40th surprise birthday party and thinking “Gee he’s getting soooooo old”.

So when Mr Fix-It’s 40th suddenly landed on my lap, he seemed quite okay with it, while I rocked in a corner in denial that I could be married to someone so ancient (apologies to all my over 40 readers who have just taken me off their Christmas card list).

In order to deal with this pending doomsday birthday I threw myself into birthday preparation mode wholeheartedly.

In fact, so riddled with insanity was I that I decided to cater for it myself, because I’m such an awesome chef, never leave things in the oven until they’re black, have never set off the smoke alarm and am always in complete control while in the kitchen. My name is also Pinocchio.

But with the help of some inspiring friends who came up with a “Big Kids” party theme, and after roping in my mum and mother-in-law to do a bit of cooking, I managed to pull it off without too many hiccups and can even say I really enjoyed it and felt totally calm (might have helped that my gorgeous sister-in-law, parents and good deal of friends were only too happy to help me in the kitchen).

I’ve had a few requests for a rundown of what I did so here it is:

• First you order a jumping castle and add a magician to entertain the adults kids. Note: I’m not sure who had more fun on the jumping castle and there were a lot of adults peeping around the corner into the kids magic show. 
• Then you PANIC for a few weeks, write lists of things to do that you then lose or screw up and throw out and write another list of things to do…so it feels like you’re actually doing something and NOT panicking.
• Then you reassure the birthday boy 20 million times that it WILL BE FUN…or so help me.
• Then you PANIC that it WON’T BE FUN and everyone will be talking about your horrendously boring party for the rest of their lives.
• Finally you pull yourself together, realise you chose a big kids party theme because it’s easy and you start to get your cook on.

Here’s what I did for the birthday menu (I was catering for 33 adults, and 17 children – not all made it in the end so I had a few leftovers which was kind of nice for the week after). Apologies to my non-Aussie readers if you have no idea what these food items are. I promise they’re all edible:

Nibblies:

• A bowl of  ”old style” lollies.
• A few bowls of chips that we used to eat as kids eg. Burger Rings, Cheese and Bacon Balls, Cheezels (that I saw more than a few adults walking around with on their fingers!)
• I made a pesto dip, sundried tomato dip and hummus dip and served with rice crackers, jatz and vegie sticks (that no-one touched…because there were Cheezels on offer).
• Fairy bread – YUM!

Main Meal – finger food:

• Cheerios (small frankfurts) with mini rolls.
• Homemade sausage rolls
• Homemade mini quiches served cold (in one case still frozen..oops).
• Party pies
• Meatballs and yoghurt mint dip- 2kg’s that I forgot to get out and serve.
• Four pizzas that I didn’t serve because everyone was getting quite full.
• 5 Baguette’s cut up into smaller serves and served with either ham or salami and lettuce, cheese and tomato.
• Zucchini slice made by my mother-in-law.
• Pasta with tomato, bacon and a delicious dressing served in cups with forks.

Dessert

• Fairy cupcakes made by my mum
• Frog in a Pond – jelly in a cup with a chocolate frog
• And of course the cake, every child’s dream, a jelly pool (that could have done with a bit of chlorine).

I’m happy to post up or email out recipes if there are any that you’d like.

In case you’re wondering, I’m not having a 40th birthday party, because I’m never ever, like ever, turning 40. I’ll be 36 forever, it has a nice ring don’t you think?

Oopsiemumma xo

It seems that her usual temper tantrums and cranky moods have, well, cranked up a notch or seven. I thought that as she closed in on turning four things might settle down a little. I was oh so VERY wrong.

For the record we’ve no idea where this hot temper comes from, she can’t blame it on a horrid babyhood.

This child hung out in a sling until she was 14 months old, co-slept from birth until she slept through at two and a half and was breastfed to the age of three. Nothing to complain about there.

We’re blaming a genetic throwback…though I do suspect it’s more a genetic combination issue.

It’s cranky pants central at Oopsiemumma headquarters on Monday’s when big brother gets to go to school but she doesn’t. And all hell breaks loose after her Monday mid-morning gymnastics lesson because she doesn’t want to leave.

And Friday’s…well let me just say that every second Friday when kindy isn’t on, I start reaching for the wine bottle before 2pm. Totally acceptable to do that on a Friday I believe.

The meltdowns and tantrums reached fever pitch today, by the time I got home from school pick-up I was ready to run away from home.

So Mr Fix-It stepped in. I’m not sure whether it was to save my sanity or to save Miss Princess from me, but either way it worked.

He taught her to breathe.

Five deep breaths every time she got angry.

And it worked.

By the time bedtime rolled around she was deep breathing so much that I thought I’d need to get her a brown paper bag. I actually thought she was going to hyperventilate.

Let’s hope for some more deep breathing in the morning when she realises it’s the weekend and kindy still isn’t on!

Do you have a temper tantrum calming technique?

Oopsiemumma xo

It was a bit of an emotionally mixed up day in our household today. Mr Fix-It’s Nanna passed away in England and suddenly everyone felt a very VERY long way away from one another.

His Nanna had been unwell for many years, and in all honesty her mind had left this earth quite some time ago, but the finality of her life being over was still a tough pill to swallow for everyone.

This photo is one I took at Point Cartwright, one of Nanna’s favourite places to visit whenever she was out here on one of her long and very enjoyable visits. This photo shows the Point at one of its wildest, following a storm. It’s pretty much how we’re all feeling at the moment.

If the weather plays nicely this is where we’ll be spending Sunday, as a family, remembering Nanna as she was – vibrant, loving and with a wicked sense of humour.

RIP Nanna Green.

Oopsiemumma xo

I think I may have come down with a touch of holiday delusion.

I was relishing the fact that I wouldn’t have to do four 25 minute drives a day, that the mum taxi would be “out of order”, that I didn’t have to panic each morning when I had no bread for school lunches and there would be no homework arguments for eight whole weeks.

What I completely forgot to remember is that I’d have two children under the age of eight, home with me 24/7 for EIGHT WHOLE WEEKS.

I LOVE my kids. I do. I do. I do. But that amount of time spent together is pushing the boundaries my friends.

Our holidays came with a dose of reality that went a little more like this:

• Exploring the city was a quick trip to the museum, followed by a quicker trip to see Santa at the Myer centre and then getting the hell outta there;
• We stumbled across a new park while on a short break at the Sunshine Coast.
• We “frolicked” in the sand as we were blown by gale force winds, battling to hold our sunshelter down, burning to a crisp and dodging blue bottles;
• The Christmas cooking was days of frantically throwing together food and yelling at the kids to get out of the kitchen because mummy is in a hurry;
• and I’m pretty sure I broke out the paints for Miss Princess to play with only once. You all know I don’t do craft, I clearly got caught up in the pre-Christmas crafty spirit.

Don’t get me wrong, we have had some really fun times these holidays catching up with friends, seeing a few movies, lots of playing in the pool, plenty of cuddle time and some family beach escapes, but please someone direct me back to this post when I start getting all starry eyed in the lead up to the next school holidays.

The thing I’m looking forward to most about school going back next week? For five whole days a fortnight there will be no-one at home to barge in on me when I’m in the toilet (Miss Princess is off to kindy).

Did you survive the holidays? What’s your favourite thing about school going back?

Oopsiemumma xo

Do you remember this moment from 2012? I’m not sure I’ll ever forget it.

I can’t believe it’s New Year’s Eve 2012 already. Talk about a blink and you’ll miss it year.

Stretching my memory, which usually has issues with why I walked into a room, I’m going to magically recall the top 10 things that happened to our family this year:

1. Miss Princess got two unexpected haircuts. 

2. Mr Fix-It and I escaped the daily rut for two….did I mention TWO…blissful nights to celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary. There’s nothing quite as nice (oh okay, other than having two gorgeous kids), than sleeping through the night, waking up when your body tells you to not the get up with the birds three-year-old, eating when your hungry and eating at grown-up places.

3. Our family trip to Coffs Harbour. That place knows how to make families feel right at home.

4. Watching Master Sporty play soccer…I do actually love it.

5. A snowy trip with Bush Babe of Oz and her family. Such fun sliding slightly out of control down insanely steep snowy hills.

6. Two trips to Bush Babe’s cattle farm. Always lots of wine, chit-chat and fun to be had out there.

7. We spent more time camping, exploring new parts of our city and catching up with friends. Note to self: do more of this in 2013 it was fun.

8. Our gorgeous doggy Jukebox turned 10 and then gave us a health scare two days before Christmas. Luckily he’s all good, just expensive on the vet bill side of things this year.

9. One niece turned 1, another turned 18 (the one who was our flower girl and now makes me feel extremely old) and a newbie niece was born.

10. Coldplay came to our city…we had tickets. Say no more!

What  are you favourite memories from 2012?

Oopsiemumma xo

Today I’m feeling every single bit of my 36 years on this planet.

I had no alcohol last night but look and feel like I have a MEGA hangover.

I got only slightly less sleep than usual but my eyes look like they’re hanging out of my head.

And I can feel everrrrry single muscle in my body.

Today I feel like I did this last night:

• 5,000 lunges
• 10,000 crunches
• lifted 50kg weights over my head
• drank three bottles of vodka
• and didn’t sleep for a week.

What I did do last night is this:

• Arrive at a concert 5 hours before the main band started.
• Line up for two hours and screamed intermittently for no apparent reason.
• Rush into a stadium, run down a dodgy set of stairs and find a great spot in the mosh pit….then stand there for three hours watching the crew set up, support acts and finally the main band came on.
• Hold on to an urgent need to wee for 7 hours because moving out of our spot was out of the question.
• Eat one iceblock so I didn’t pass out like the unfortunate girl in front of us (20 mins before Coldplay started…doh)
• Danced almost non-stop for two hours, jumping up and down, wildly waving my arms in the air and screaming my lungs out.

I think I might be getting to old for this?!

But if I wasn’t in the mosh pit could I have gotten a photo this close?

Do you join the mosh pit crew or prefer to sit in comfort at a concert?

Oopsiemumma xo

A calm photo to keep me calm when I’m feeling a little out of control.

My name is Oopsiemumma and it has been 13 days since I last blogged….WHAT??!!

I think I just lost two weeks of my life and didn’t even realise it. Clearly the chaos that is Term 4 here in Australia has well and truly hit our household.

Master Sporty has less than three weeks left of school. Part of me is thrilled beyond belief that my twice daily commute across the city is coming to a close but the other part is having a breakdown of mammoth proportions that I’M NOT READY FOR SCHOOL HOLIDAYS YET!!

I have an advent calendar to make….I don’t know what I was thinking either.

I have Christmas Day and Boxing Day lunch to sort out…because naturally I’m such an awesome cook that I’m hosting both…LOL *insert shiver of horror*.

I have a massive box of school books and stationary about to land at my house any day now, and I have Miss Princess’s kindy stuff for next year to get on top of.

Of course, I recently gave away all of her cot sheets and what’s on the kindy list for next year? Yes, cot sheets. Grrr.

I have boxes and boxes of water bottles about to land at my front door too, that I then need to sort and pack for a school fundraiser.

I’m back at soccer trials with Master Sporty after he missed out on a place in his own Academy team. So just when I thought my soccer field days were slowing down, back we go to more nights spent swatting mozzies and hoping for the best.

I have an AGM report to write by tomorrow for the school’s Auxiliary team.

I have a list full of friends to catch up with before Christmas, why oh why do we always leave our friend catch-ups until the last-minute!!

I have a spare room full of  ”stuff” that I’ve decided to start selling on Gumtree and Ebay, because I’m not busy enough.

And now I’m dealing with ridiculous people who want to buy my stuff but don’t want to pay the price…”and can you please deliver it to my house…on the other side of the city.” NO I CAN’T!!

And the icing on the cake?

Tomorrow I get to spend the entire day with 23 Year 3 students wandering around the city looking at Heritage buildings, catching trains, buses and ferries and trying my hardest not to lose any of them.

The teacher wants us to meet first thing in the morning to go over a risk assessment for the day.

So here’s my risk assessment:

• The likelihood of me losing a child – HIGH
• The likelihood of me losing my patience – HIGH
• The likelihood of me getting lost myself – HIGH.

If you don’t hear from me again for another 13 days please send a rescue party to dig me out of this Term 4 chaos.

Oopsiemumma xo