Welcome to my one hundredth post.  I would like to take a moment to thank everyone for joining me on this journey.  So, THANK YOU!

I’ve been working on my banner/logo/slogan and would like an opinion from you all.  I’m excited about my competition and here’s how it works.

There will be five prizes for five winners.

1. Valentine Monster Couple by Wild Ones

2. $20 from Pretty Things Distract Me

3. $20 from The Toy Bug

4. $20 from Bodelicious

5. $20 from Glitterful Felt Stories

Note:   I havn’t been asked to promote these businesses, I just LOVE their products and want to share the love. They are businesses I’ve hand picked because the products are fantastic.

How to enter 

It’s easy, just leave a comment as to which banner you like the best out of the five I feature.  You will then go into the prize draw.  Five fortunate people will win one of the 5 prizes.

To leave a comment, scroll down to the bottom of the post and enter your choice.

But wait, there’s more

(haha – couldn’t resist)

The first 15 people to subscribe to my blog (via email) will receive a free shirt (in your size) with this gorgeous logo on it.

To subscribe scroll down the right hand side of the blog until you see the word subscribe.  Just enter your email address.

Love the Moment

I just adore my slogan.  To me it’s what being a FunMum is all about.  Loving each moment.  So, my friends, Love the Moment.

Conditions

1. The competition is open to entrents from Australia and New Zealand.

2. The competition closes Friday 12th February 2010 at 4.00pm.

3. I’ll be using a program to randomly select the winners.

4. Um, that’s it!  Clear as mud?

Option One

Option Two

Option Three

Option Four

Option Five

OTHER MENTIONS:

Amy from Amy Lambert Designs did the absolutely gorgeous background drawing BY HAND!!! 

Meeya from Made by Meeya helped me with the logo.

You girls are so totally amazingly gorgeously talented

Kelly Burstow © 2010

This is a true story based on my growing up years.  It’s my first attempt at writing for an older age group (rather than picture books).  I think I’ll be editing it for a while yet (do you ever stop editing?).  As I’ve given myself deadlines of every week, I’m putting this up now.  I wrote it today between looking after my four children, my sister’s three children and my other sister’s two children.  Busy day.  Please feel free to leave a comment with advice.  I think I’ve used to many words that, perhaps, are too complex.  I want to expand what I write and also have these stories for my children.

The Long Dirt Road

by Kelly Burstow © 2010

Her father was dying. Kelly sat on her bed running a hand over the bamboo thatched wall.  She was hoping the feel of the textured surface would somehow soothe the pain – but it didn’t.

‘What are we going to do?” Sharron asked from the adjacent bed.

‘I don’t know; I just don’t know.’

Their father used to be a mountain of a man: strong, broad and invincible.  To see him pale and thin, as a consequence of malaria, shattered the girls.

Just then Bonnie and Emma came into the room.  Bonnie, being the eldest of the four girls, held Emma’s hand in a protective way.  The girls huddled together wondering if the walls would fall down around them; that’s what their father represented: strength from every side.

‘Mum said she will be in soon to talk to us,’ Bonnie announced.

Emma, not yet five, started to cry.

This unrestrained emotion was a catalyst. If one was to peer into the room at that moment, they would see four young girls crying.

********

The Long family had been in Brugam, a remote part of Papua New Guinea for the past two years.  Mr Long, the girl’s father, provided supplies to surrounding villages, enabling the natives to build iron roofs.  The project was designed to improve health and minimise disease due to the ability to harness fresh water.  Mr Long had been working hard to build a hardware store in Brugam so the work could continue when the family returned to Australia.

Brugam was remote; the closest town with shops and a hospital was a five hour drive on a long, dirt road.  The four girls, dubbed the Long Girls, didn’t know that this would be the longest trip of their life.

A beautiful dark haired woman came into the room where the girls sat.

She looked tired as she said, ‘Girls, Papa’s really sick and needs to be in hospital.’

‘Well, let’s take him then,’ Bonnie said.

‘Sweetie, he’s too sick to travel by car; he won’t make it, so I’ve arranged for a plane to come and get him.’

‘I want to go in a plane,’ Emma said, and, in a childlike way, she forgot for a moment, how serious the situation was.

‘Darling, we only have enough money for one person to fly; we’ll need to drive.’

‘But we’ve never done it with out Papa before,’ Sharron said.

‘Do you know how to get there Mum?’ Kelly asked.

‘We have to be brave and trust God,’ their Mother comforted. ‘I need you to get dressed. Be ready to go as soon as I say.’

********

Kelly watched the small plane land on the grass airstrip.

‘Please get my Papa to the hospital in time,’ Kelly whispered like a prayer.

Four brown-skinned men helped lift the sick man into the plane.

The pilot was talking to her Mum. Kelly couldn’t hear most of what they were saying except for one urgent command from the pilot, “Whatever you do, don’t stop. Do not stop.’

These words became an echo in Kelly’s head as she ran the trail towards the house.  Her feet kept the beat as she ran, ‘Do not stop. Do not stop. Do not stop.’

********

The sound of the overhead plane caused Kelly to pause.  She wondered if she would ever see her father again.

Kelly waited for her Mum to catch up.  Her mother held her hand and tried to smile but Kelly knew how worried she was.

‘Ok beautiful, let’s go back to the house and get the girls.  We need to head off as soon as we can; we need to drive while it’s still light,’ Mrs Long said.

Hand in hand they walked back to the house.  The car, an old ute, was sitting outside the house like a faithful friend.

Kelly was not to know that this ute would become a war zone in the hours to come.

********

‘Bonnie, get your sister into the car,’ Mrs Long said.

Bonnie hoisted Emma up into the ute tray.

‘Sit here Em, and hold onto this pole’ instructed Bonnie.

The ute was not a typical one.  The tray was specially fitted with seats and a roof supported by four poles.  Usually, riding in the ute was a source of great enjoyment for the girls.  They loved being in the open air, waving to each village when they gathered to see the ‘white girls’; but this time, there was a cloud of tension as Kelly climbed into the back to join Bonnie and Emma.

‘Mum, can I sit in the front with you this time?’ Sharron asked.  She was feeling a little unwell this day.  Sharron usually got what she wanted, not because she was conceited, but because she knew what she wanted and was prepared to ask for it.  None of her sisters argued.

‘Okay love.’ Mrs Long said.

Mrs Long started the car cautiously, slowly; then moved at a steadier pace.  She had her window wound down.

‘You alright in the back there girls?’

‘Yeah, we’re all good here Mum,’ Bonnie answered.

Sharron turned around from cabin and made a funny face through the glass.

Bonnie, Kelly and Emma couldn’t help but laugh.  Sharron always did that: made everyone laugh; even when times were hard.

If felt good to laugh.  The wind in Kelly’s hair, like a wave of freedom, lifted some of the heaviness she felt.

‘It’s going to be ok.’ Kelly surmised.  But was it?

********

‘Look, another village!’ Emma pointed to a sea of black faces gathered on each side of the road.

White girls, travelling in the back of a ute, was a source of great wonder to the natives.  News would travel down from village to village, usually by the way of drum sounds. This meant, at each village, there was a gathering of people waiting for a glimpse of the strange pale creatures.

The excitement was not only heard by the chorus of cheering voices, but was felt through the air, like the vibrating seats in a large stadium during a football game.  It was an exhilarating experience.

Sharron wound down her window.

‘WHOO!’

‘YAY!’

‘HI!’

‘OH YEAH!’

Each girl took a turn yelling out while waving franticly.

‘I wonder how many people will be at the next village.’  Bonnie said as a statement rather than a question.

‘Maybe millions and billions,’ said Emma.

Bonnie and Kelly smiled over Emma’s head.  Emma was a sweet little sister.  Almost as brown as the natives, she held a pixie expression on her face which often turned mischievous. She took risks and Kelly sometimes heard her mother exclaim, ‘How am I going to keep you alive!’

Interrupting Kelly’s musings, Sharron stuck her head out the window, ‘Girls, that was awesome!’

‘I KNOW!  I can’t remember there ever being so many people!’ Kelly said.

Kelly was often thinking, dreaming and wondering.  Sometimes this made her appear thoughtless.  This was not intentional, but in her dream world, she sometimes forgot reality.  However, she was always ready to give up a favourite toy and rushed to her mother’s side when she needed help.

‘We have to remember to pray for Papa,’ Bonnie said.  She took the responsibility of being the eldest child seriously.  Bonnie was strong, and was gifted with an if-you-don’t-like-it-lump-it confidence.  This trait, plus her motherly attitude served very well for her sisters.

Together they prayed silently, even Sharron in the front, for their Papa; that he would live.

********

‘When’s the next village coming?’ Emma said, ‘I’m bored’.

‘Let’s play eye-spy for a bit Em,’ Bonnie said; always the teacher. ‘I see something coming up.  It’s large and it makes the car go up and down.’

‘A bump?’ Emma guessed.

‘Close.’

‘Look, it’s a big hill!’ Kelly said.

‘Kelly, it was my turn,’ Emma whined.

‘Sorry.’

Indeed, it was a large hill. The car climbed at an angle causing the tray to tilt a little. 

Kelly grabbed one of the poles.  Bonnie, sitting on the other side close to Emma, held her sister with one hand while reaching for the bars on the back of the cabin with the other.

Kelly glanced through the cabin window to the back of her mother’s head.  She sat straight and, the one hand that Kelly could see, looked white as it held the steering wheel.

‘I don’t remember this hill Bon do you?’  Kelly asked.  It had been a while since they had been on this road.

‘Um – I don’t know Kell; it’s pretty steep hey!’ Bonnie said, ‘I hope we don’t get bogged.’

This comment sent a chill through Kelly as she remembered the pilot’s words ‘Do not stop.’

‘I hope not,’ Kelly responded.

As they climbed higher the landscape looked smaller.  It was a beautiful land. Palm trees, with prongs like hands, reached up to the sky in different heights.  The terrain was rugged and savage; lush and dense.

Almost involuntary, Kelly’s raised herself as the car reached the hill’s peak, to see what was on the other side.

********

No one spoke for a moment.

Then, Emma said, ‘WOW!’

Bonnie said, ‘FAR OUT!’

Kelly said, ‘MAN ALIVE!’

Sharron yelled, ‘LOOK!’

At the bottom of the hill was, like Emma had said hours before, millions and billions of brown face; or so it seemed to the Long Girls.

Kelly couldn’t wait to hear and feel the chorus of this mass.  There had NEVER been so many people gathered to cheer them on.

‘You better sit down now Em – hang on.’ Bonnie said.

Emma smiled; it was going to be fun.

As the car got closer to the crowd something seemed wrong.

Faces – their faces.  Something was wrong with their faces.  The faces weren’t happy; they were mean and angry.

Closer still. It was obvious there were only men in the crowd; there was not a woman among them. 

Closer. The men had spears in their hand and some held wooden shields painted with idol faces.

‘Do not stop. Do not stop. Do not stop.’ Kelly was saying it aloud this time.

********

A group of men stood in front of the car blocking the road.  The car stopped.

Sharron quickly wound up the cabin window.  Mrs Long kept her side down; she was not going to be separated from her girls.

Bonnie instinctively jumped over Emma and held her down in the tray up against the cabin window.  Kelly grabbed a handful of Bonnie’s cotton dress and leaned on her back.  They were so afraid.

Everything was silent for a moment; there was not a sound; there was no movement.  The car was stopped, the men were still – just watching.

CLUNK.  Something hard fell near Kelly’s feet.  Looking down she saw a broken coconut shell.  Kelly pressed herself closer to Bonnie.  Bonnie shielded Emma.

Mrs Long knew if she got out of the car, the men would get in and drive away with her daughters.  The window was still open.

Sharron caught some movement from out the window. Spears were moving up and down in a rhythm.  The silence was gone, replaced with noise – the noise of war.

Spears, crashing down on the tin roof, sent ringing through Kelly’s ears.  A coconut hit her arm and she cried out.  Emma was screaming.  Bonnie was silent.

Kelly screamed again as someone grabbed her hair and pulled hard.  The sound of the voices, chants and spears hitting the car sent hysteria through her body.  Betel Nut looked like blood as it smeared the inside of tray.  Was it a sign of things to come?

********

Sharron, safe for now in the front, was screaming, ‘THE GIRLS, THE GIRLS, THE GIRLS!’

Mrs Long was thinking fast – franticly.  Pain exploded on her cheek as she was struck through the open window.  She didn’t move; she didn’t make a sound.  All she could think about was the safety of her girls.

‘God, I don’t want to kill these men, but I’m going to run over them if they stand in my way.  I have to save my girls.’ She prayed fervently.

Her foot lowered to the accelerator.  She took a deep breath.

‘STOP!’

Mrs Long froze.  Sharron lifted her head from the seat.  Emma stopped screaming.  Bonnie and Kelly unraveled themselves.

 There was a woman, among the men; maybe it was Angel.  In a culture where women had no authority over men, it was an astonishing sight to see.

 She used words that Kelly didn’t understand and like magic the crowd parted.

Reason came to Mrs Long and she accelerated the car.  But the fight wasn’t over. 

 ********

‘We’re moving.’ Bonnie said.

Relief spread over Kelly like a cool breeze.

Suddenly, the car jerked and Kelly and her sisters fell off their seats. Above them, faces were glaring.  Five men had managed to jump on the side of the car before it drove away.  They started banging their spears on the roof.  The sound was deafening. 

Another jerk. This time, it was Mrs Long who did the jerking.  She slammed her foot on the brake and then accelerated fast; the men fell off.

 Emma pumped her fist in the air and said, ‘YEAH!’

 The mean and angry faces got smaller and smaller as the car sped away.

 ********

No one in the car moved until Mrs Long pulled up at the hospital where Mr Long was. 

A mother’s hug never felt so good to the four girls than this moment.

‘Praise God – we made it,’ Mrs Long said as she held her children close.

‘Did Papa make it to the hospital in time?’ Kelly said.  Tears were running town her cheeks.

‘Let’s go and see him,’ was all Mrs Long said.

 ********

‘Hi Papa,’ Kelly greeted her Dad.  It was good to see him smiling.  Still thin but full of colour, Mr Long did indeed make it.

‘He’s a fighter,’ the Doctor had said.

Now, a week later, the Long family rejoiced in being together.

The radio crackled in the background.

Beware: there’s a dangerous village on the road to Brugam.  A man’s been severely beaten.

The Long Girls looked at each other realising how fortunate they’d been.  They never went on the long dirt road again.

  ********

Stay tuned for another Long Girl adventure. 

Glossary

Betel Nut - The Areca nut is the seed of the Areca palm (Areca catechu), which grows in much of the tropical Pacific, Asia, and parts of east Africa. It is commonly but perhaps erroneously referred to as “Betel Nut.”  Areca nuts are chewed with betel leaf for their effects as a mild stimulant.

Ute - The coupé utility automobile body style, also known colloquially as the ute in Australia and New Zealand, combines a two-door “coupé” cabin with an integral cargo bed behind the cabin—using a light-duty passenger vehicle-derived platform.

My sister was showing me her Car Box.  I was impressed with the concept so I’m going to share it with you. 

Here is the list:

* Box: to store everything.

* Batteries: a few different sizes is a good idea.

* Trailer Tarp: a small tarp has many uses:  picnic rug or a slip and slide are just a few.

* Wipes: great for – shall I say it? Vomit.  And sticky fingers. 

* Bin Liners/Plastic Bags

* Rain coats: so you don’t get caught out in the rain.  Just buy the cheap plastic ponchos.

* Exercise book

* Pen

* Scissors

* Washers/Small Towel

* Tennis Balls: great for the park or beach.

* Tumbler cups:  How many times have you needed them?

* Duct tape: I’ve always wanted to be MacGyver.

* Torch: Buy a wind up one that does not need batteries.

* Bandaids

* Sunscreen

* Tissues

* Panadol

* Fold-able Shovel: Love this but I have to wonder sister, what exactly is it for?  Going bush?

* Collapseable Bucket: Awesome for fishing or washing sandy feet.

* Safety Pin

* First Aid Kit: Every car should have one.

* Frisbee: Cheap and easy to store.

I’m going to be making up my own Car Box.  Any suggestions?

I’ve put everyones great suggestions on a printable list. Click the link below.

The Car Box List

There was a transition time from when I felt it was time to take the change table from the nursery but still had nappies to deal with.   I decided to remove the change table and purchased a special bear mat.  It has become the change mat, otherwise known as ‘the bear’.  When it’s time to change my son’s nappy or get dressed after a bath he knows to lie down on ‘the bear’.  The only negative is it’s on the floor (rather than standing height) but, as a Mum, I spend a lot of time on the floor so it has not worried me.  Anyone else have this transition time?

Interested in the bear mat?  It also comes in pink and is fabulous for newborns as the mat is super soft and cuddly.  You can buy them online here or try a specialist baby store.

I love pretty things.  I love having three daughters. 

For many years, I’ve struggled to manage these two loves combined.  One: It can be an expensive business.  Two: I’ve struggled to find a system that works for me and leaves all the girls happy.

Ah, but no more; I’ve found a solution; I’ve found another love: Pretty Things Distract Me.

I love buying things from mothers who work from home (WAHM).  I prefer to part with money to a WAHM than a large company.  If you are like me, then join the Hire a Mummy facebook fan page. Hire a Mummy is directory listing (launching this year) of services provided by Work at Home Mums across Australia and New Zealand.

So back to being distracted by pretty things. I’ve found the solution to all my pretty needs.  This is how my system works.

First: I’ve purchased a range of woven headbands.  As you can see, I’ve covered about every colour combination possible.  One of my daughters wears headbands everyday.  In the past, we’ve had problems with headbands causing headaches but the Pretty Things Distract Me headbands can be worn all day.

Second: I have a stunning range of clips: flower clips, cupcake clips and bow clips.  These clips attach to the woven headbands so the girls can choose and change the look they want.  The clips also look stunning on their own and don’t fall out.

Third: The clips are so pretty you want to make sure they are on display.  You can buy clip holders, custom made with the first letter of your child’s name.  In addition, if you have as many clips as I do, you can invest in a board like I have.  I purchased this one from Spotlight for $10.  It’s actually a card holder/notice board but is brilliant in displaying all the clips.  Hung on the bedroom wall, it acts like a piece of 3D wall art.

Fourth: Joy.  Yep, joy.  Every day, my daughters joyously select clips and headbands to match what they are wearing.  It’s so much fun.

Other uses:  Need to add a little colour to that plain shirt or need to match an outfit with your shoes? I use the flower clips as brooches.   Great for the kids too.

Buying: There are two ways you can receive products from Pretty Things Distract Me.  Head over to their website by clicking here or host an e-party.  Hosting an e-party is a simple way to receive free products.  Just book in a date, invite friends to shop (and receive 10% discount) during a period of a week and that’s it.

Quality and Cost: So I walk into diva to buy a black flower clip to wear to a wedding.  $16 later I leave, feeling somewhat dissapointed with the flower I’ve purchased and in a couple of weeks it’s fallen apart.  At Pretty Things Distract Me I found a stunning flower clip for $4.50.  The workmanship is amazing.  You are paying less than half what you would expect the RRP to be.

Note: I have not been asked to do a post or received anything from promoting the products.  I am just sharing with you a great product I believe in; a product that really works.

Pretty: I use the clips as much as the children.  Here are some pretty snaps of the product.

Custom order are also welcome.  Just contact Bec via the contact form here.

Yep, first post in the new place is about… wait for it… moving.  I may even be an expert in this area.  (Have to be good at something right?)  This is my 9th move in the last 10 years so I’m going to tell you my tips for moving with children in tow.

Before you move

Order a skip:  It has been worth the money every time.  Moving is an opportunity to spring clean and ditch anything you don’t really need.  Some may have access to a trailer and a man who has time to go to the dump but since I have neither of these things, a skip is a MUST.  Another advantage of ordering a rubbish skip is the motivation it provides.  Typically, the rubbish skip is on your footpath for a week so you just have to get through things.  Just fork out the money; you won’t be sorry.

Buy plastic storage boxes:  I like to organise all the children’s toys before I move anywhere.  I label clear plastic storage boxes to organise the toys.

Buy a Porta-robe:  You can get these special boxes from removalists.  Instead of folding (or shoving) clothes in a box, a porta-robe allows you to hang clothes via a bar at the top; wondrous invention.  Saves a lot of time on the other end as rehanging clothes is not necessary; and all the time saved on ironing is priceless.

Be ruthless:  My rule is this:  if I haven’t used it in 2 months it’s not worth keeping.  This goes for clothes too.  Take a deep breathe and give it away to someone who may use it everyday.

Communication:  While it’s important to prepare your child/ren for a move, in my experience, it’s best not to raise the issue too soon as it can cause unnecessary fretting.  Two weeks before you move, when things get really busy, start talking about it the transition.  If your child is very young, you may find they are usually unsettled and clingy.  Don’t expect for this to change until at least a couple of weeks after you settle at the new location.  Just know that it will get better and be patient. For older children, moving can be quite traumatic.  Reassurance is a little more tricky and behavioural changes tend to last longer. I guess you just have to keep talking about it but I have some tips to minimise the impact on the other end of the move.

Drinks:  If you have friends or family coming to help, stock your fridge with different cans of drink.  Moving is thirsty work.

After you move

OUT OF THE HOUSE: If possible, have the children minded the first day of moving.  For me, it was necessary to have my husband mind the children at a different location and I threw myself into unpacking.  This was necessary for  few reasons.  Firstly, I can get triple the amount done when I have no children around.  Secondly, It softens the impact for the children if the house, and especially their rooms, are set up with familiar things.

First: Set up the beds and pack in the clothes.  Then, do the kitchen.  If that is all you can achieve on the first day, you have done well.

Softening the impact:  I invested a lot of time on the first day of packing, setting up the children’s rooms.  I wanted them to walk in and feel at home with familiar things around them.  To achieve this, I hung their paintings on the wall, saved a few craft pieces, laid out all their special ornaments and made their beds.  I also purchased a gift for each child and placed it on their bed.  If you have a pre-teen or teenager, I think they would like to set up their own room; however, setting up the basics of the room will give them a place to start.

Words: My eldest daughter was very upset about our move.  My heart breaks as I recall her sitting on the front veranda, knees tucked up, tears running down her cheeks as she chewed her fist; she was afraid to even enter the house.  While the other children burst inside, excited about exploring, she was frozen.  I sat with her on my knee for a while and then these words came to me. 

I said, “Do you know what the most important thing is? Love. In the bible (Proverbs 15:17) it says: A simple meal with love is better than a feast where there is hatered.  Things are not important, houses are not important; love is.

“Do you have a Mum who loves you?”

She nods.

“Do you have a Dad who loves you?”

Another nod.

“Do you have sisters and a brother who love you?”

“Yes,” she whispers.

Then she says, “But I still feel uncomfortable.”

“And you know what?  That’s fine.  It will take a while to feel comfortable again but it will happen.  We will just take one step at a time – but we do it together.  Things – toys and houses, don’t last – but love lasts forever.”

Hand in hand, we walked through the door to her room.  I watched a small smile creep up on her face.  She saw the gift on her bed and held it close.

“Thank you Mummy.”

Positives: Over the next week we talked about all the positives of our new house: lots of trees, a back yard and quiet street etc.  This is a great activity to do with children.   Ask this question:  What are three things you like best about the new place?

Down time: I go hard – really hard.  And after the first day, after I settled the children, I pretty much lost it.  I was not only physically exhausted, I felt emotionally fragile.  I would spontaneously burst into tears.  I felt panicky and nauseous.  I couldn’t breathe well.  I felt like something was really wrong with me.  I could function no longer.  Yet today, a week after packing in, I feel calm, happy and excited.  I think some downtime after a big event is expected and, when everything feels like too much and you feel like you can’t go on; just know there are happier times ahead.

Celebrate:  It’s a good thing to mark the move with a positive event.  Our family went out for dinner (to a venue with a playground) to say, “HOORAY, we made it!”

Talking about positives: I really enjoyed taking photos of the favourite parts of my new lodgings and made a list.  It was helpful and settling for me.

Inside joys: fretwork.high ceilings.windows.old books.tea cup shelf.copper pot.door knobs.peak on roof. peeling paint.tongue and groove

Outside charm: dunny.indian summer.pine trees.no back neighbours.grape vine.mountain views

Have you ever tied a lead of ribbon or string on your child’s favourite soft toy? This simple activity is a hit with toddlers, and even older children.  

This is a simple, cheap and fun idea  

Need to entertain a toddler (or older children) on a breezy afternoon? All you need is a roll of crepe streamer. Cut off three long strips and tie them together at one end at watch your child catch the breeze. A guaranteed hit – especially for toddlers.

NOTE: This is a fun activity even when there is no wind.  Children love running around with streamers.

This picture makes me happy: running with the wind.

I decided to do a finger food night instead of a sit-down dinner.  It was a wonderful family time experience.  The excitement was audible; my 4 year old said it just right, “WE’RE HAVING A TEA PARTY!” 

Ingredients

Anything you like. This was my list:

* Spring rolls

* Carrot sticks

* Sliced Cucumber

* Chips

* Chicken strips

* Spinach and Fetta Triangles 

Benefits

* NO WASHING UP! (Um… that would have to be my favourite )

* Sitting on the ground outside meant no sweeping.  (Am I sounding lazy?)

* It was an intimate experience as there was no barriers (eg. table) between us all.  Sitting in a circle meant everyone could see each other.

* It is FUN!  A little out of the ordinary.

* There’s something about sharing food that’s special.

* Eating in this way was a precursor to unorganised family fun after dinner.

I will definitely be doing family finger food night again. A positive experience all round.

Note: As I have young children, I did not make a fuss about double dipping.  Dinner was designed to be an informal experience; although, I did mention to the children that it was okay because we’re family but double dipping is not polite in public.

Welcome to my FIRST   interview. 

Each month I will introduce you to new amazing .

Sometimes you meet a blow-your-socks-off person; Wendy Francis is one of them.  As we sat on a table top with our leg swinging, I wondered how the trendy woman achieved so much.  Her achievements are many but being a wife, mother to three and grandmother to eight are her highest priority.

Wendy’s professional background is in marketing and management with the Griffith University.  On a community level, she’s on the board and directors of Samaritans Purse, part of the family council of Queensland and the executive producer of the highly popular televised event, Carols in the City.  Wendy’s community focus continues as she provides English classes and organises lunch time concerts at the City Tabernacle Baptist Church.  Wendy’s vibrancy and determination allows her to accomplish many wonderful things; however, it’s her passion for all things family that shines through as she talks.

Wendy’s zeal for family has led her to accept the nomination to run for a Queensland senate position with Family First.  This venture will see her supporting families on a national level.  The current economic and societal environment is causing struggles for many families; from financial strain to battling outward pressures on the family unit.  In unstable times, a person with a clear vision is a priceless gem.  Wendy Francis is a diamond.

Interview

What is your best FunMum tip?

Think like a child.

What is your favourite fashion accessory?

A woman can never have too many shoes or earrings.

Name a embarrassing mother-mother?

When my eldest daughter and I stepped into a lift with a man who had an unusual neck and my daughter proceeded to comment on this fact – in a very loud voice.

Name a proud mother-moment?

When my children admitted to doing something wrong without being prompted.

How do you find the work/family balance?

Getting a balance in our priorities in life is always a challenge, but I often think to myself, at the end of my life, will I wish I had spent more time behind a computer at work or with my children? Obviously we need to work to provide for our children so it’s important, but not THE most important thing. I work hard and play hard too.

In your opinion, what’s the greatest issue facing Australian mothers today?

The greatest issue facing Australian mothers is external pressures from society; societal influences that attack the family unit.

Fighting for family values, and a child’s right not to be bombarded with inappropriate advertising, is crucial.  I have a real problem with billboards, which unlike television, cannot be ‘switched off’ and expose children to all sorts of inappropriate material.  We need to become ‘wowsers’ to censorship.

What do you hope to achieve if you are elected to the senate?

I will examine the legislation in relation to how it will affect families. 

Are some Australians left out?

No. Every person is part of a family: pensions, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and children; everyone is part of a family. 

Follow Wendy

Website:        http://www.qld-familyfirst.org.au and http://www.carolsinthecity.com.au

Twitter:         wendy4senate

Facebook:      Family First Party Queensland