what do you do with your old mags..




Since buying our house a few years ago, the one thing I missed about renting for a couple of the first years, was decluttering at each move. I then decided that the week between Christmas and new years would be called 'clean fest'. I go through each nook and cupboard in the house and shed unnecessary clutter and stuff.

When it comes to magazines, I'm a flicker. I rarely read, I just flick. I now only have a couple of subscriptions, but still manage to build a lovely mountain of them by the end of each year. It never seems right to throw them out as I just never feel like I've got my money's worth..

What I did decide a couple of years back, after spending a good few nights in hospital with the little guy, is to donate them to the women's and children's hospital. A couple of piles go to our kindy and the kids cut up a few too.. So all round, it makes parting with them a whole lot easier.

do you doodle?







I seriously cannot sit still. When I'm not doing anything I am still either on the iPhone playing with photos or if the kids are doing any sort of craft or art and I am sitting at the table with them, I have my black texta and I doodle. I come up with some cool stuff but seeing there is no purpose behind it, the doodles just get tossed out. I'm no good at freehand drawing as such, as most of my designs are done on the computer, but there is just something so cool about hand drawn art and illustrations.

I've decided to doodle with purpose this coming year and have punched out a heap of shapes out of scrap paper, using some of my mega punches, and I have a stash near our table.. Meaning I'll grab one of these and just doodle on them.

Still no idea what I'll do with them.. But it will be cool to look back on at the end of the year if nothing else. So above are a couple of doodles I did today in-between coloring in with Lell.

{christmas craft..} toilet paper angels..




Our toilet roll angel.. Another super simple and essentially free craft idea for Christmas.. You can make these more elaborate by using scrapbooking paper, glitter or by adding little balls for the head.. But we're working with 2 & 4 year olds at our place.. So simple is much more fun..

Xx
Kasia

christmas gifts from the kiddos..




We've spent the day with the kiddos making lil Chrissy gifts for all their friends at kinder.. We did the reindeer food last year and this year we wanted to use our lil rudolf stamp.. Seeing the munchkins are really into stamping..

Very simple idea, but it was great as all of us could be involved. The lil man who is nearly 3 popped the noses in the cello bags, miss almost 5 put a handful of choc biscuit balls in the bag and I sealed them..

Then I cut the strips for the top and the lil man stamped the rush on each strip lil miss stamped the text and I staple them onto the bags..

Simple, fun and cheap..
Xx
Kasia

{tee design competition} for kids aged 0-16..


We're calling all kids aged 0-16 to create a design that captures the energy and fun of being a kid.

the design brief
What does being a kid mean? design a tee that screams fun!! think childhood memories and simple pleasures of being a kid like hunting for bugs or blowing a dandelion and most importantly, HAVE FUN!!

the prize
the top design will receive a $50 kasiabear voucher to spend at www.kasiabear.com.au.
the top 3 designs will all receive their design printed on a tee of their choice.

the rules
Enter either by: a) emailing a scanned copy of your artwork to kasiabearkids@optusnet.com.au, b) dropping your entry off at the kasiabear stall at the mummy tree markets or the little apple markets, c) posting your entry to: PO Box 171, Holden Hill SA 5088, Australia.

Entries are open to all kids aged 0-16 both in Australia and internationally. 

Entries close: 31st December 2011 and will be drawn and announced on Friday, 6th of January 2012 and winners will be announced both on the kasiabear blog and facebook page. 

Winners will be drawn on the basis of the most creative and fun representation of what being a kid means. The judges' decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 

xx
Kasia








{market debut} lollipop markets..



I did it.. I survived and I loved it!! My first ever market at the Lollipop Markets at AAMI Stadium in Adelaide. Glad its not a close up pic of me, as the bags under my eyes would be quite a bit more noticeable, but the late nights and early morning were worth it. 

Above is my stall with my two gorgeous helpers, Bel from Belz Bakes and Suzanne from Luminous Life Kinesiology. They helped me set up together with my friend T and then stayed with me for the whole of the market. It was amazing to have them hold my hand through it and a lot of laughs too!!

Thank you to all that popped in to say hi, purchased and ordered tees and other goodies and all the lovely shout outs I had before the day. 

mr rudolf by belz bakes 
my little ladies showing off some pendants


Here's to more fun market days ahead..

My two upcoming markets are:
The Mummy Tree Markets 

The Stirling Angas Pavilion – Adelaide Showgrounds
Sunday 4th December (10am – 3pm) 


The Little Apple Twilight Market 
55 George St, Norwood SA
Wednesday 7th December (6pm - 9pm)

so if you want to see kasiabear goodies in real life and live in SA, pop past and say hi..

why kasiabear??




I was asked the question..

What is your Why? Why do you do what you do? What drives you? Do your customers know this?

Well, this is my answer:

I love design and I love making things with my hands.. Kasiabear combines all my loves in a nice package. I love experimenting and pushing the boundaries between mediums. I love that if one of my kiddos want something specific I can jump on the computer and then have a tee for them with their request later that day.

I get a warm fuzzy feeling each time my girl sees something in a shop and asks me if I can make it for her rather than just wanting it there and then.

I love when my friends kids ask their parents.. "can you please ask Kasia to make xxx" for me.

I love that everyone around sees an alternative to mass production because of what I do..

Ok.. I could seriously just keep typing but you get the idea...

I just wanted to share why I do what I do..
Xx
Kasia

{product review and giveaway..} budons


Oh my goodness.. was my first impression when I opened my little parcel from budons.. Oh my goodness because, how can I keep these lunch bags for myself and not give them to the kids, how can I give one of these to one kid and give another one away. What am I talking about.. well, do you you remember a craze that was around a while back with crocks and all the little decorations you could get to poke through the holes so you could personalise your shoes.. well, these guys have taken it to another level. 



Its all about school kids here, I'm thinking. The hardware contains a lunch bag, pencil cases in two sizes, an A4 book binder, an A5 note book cover and a back pack. Each piece has a little punched in spots for a range of adorable, fun, cheeky characters to make home in. The characters are a nice size, so the younger siblings have less chance of consuming them but rather trying to steal them of their older brother or sister. Nice and easy for little and big fingers to pull out and push into another spot.. I think these guys are on a winner here. 


Meet the crew.. I guess what really got me were the bright colours, but also these little guys.. They are cute but kind of naughty too. Not the regular fairies, princesses, blah blah blah.. but also not super naughty and violent either. I also loved reading the post from the designer of the characters over at mikoto. Too cool!!

Giveaway part.. 
For your chance to get one of these lunch bags and a handful of friends, 


2. Comment below telling me which little character you have fallen in love with.

Entries close Sunday 6th of November 2011 and will be drawn and announced here on Monday 7th of November 2011.

{oh so grateful..} for life's roller coaster..





The last few weeks have been pretty amazing... I made the decision to start applying for markets in hopes to get into one before Christmas and in the end, I was accepted to two and incited to one.. My head has been buzzing with excitement and I'm having a ball organizing everything for my stall set-up. If you are in Adelaide.. Here are the dates..


Business is going great and kasiabear designs is being featured in treasuries, on shopping guides and magazines.. its just lovely to see my little idea flourish and be embraced by everyone.. Thank You!! 
I've got my 'sew-jo' back and am sewing again which really makes me smile.


So this week I'd like to thank the universe for listening to my dream and allowing it to happen. I'm grateful for my wonderful customers. I'm grateful for super supportive friends and my kiddos which are loving all the fabric and vinyl scraps they get to play with. 


I've been a little neglectful of my gorgeous blog.. but I'll try and pop in more often.. 


Overall.. I'm just happy... busy busy.. but so super happy!!
{image from }here



Joining in with Maxabella Loves grateful linkup.. 

{a day in the life..} Christine McInerney Percy from c percy designs

Today I'd like to introduce you to the lovely Christine from c percy designs.. Christine is one heck of a crochet legend in my eyes.. taking such an old craft and creating such amazing timeless yet contemporary beanies for little ones. There's something special when looking at a baby all fresh and new in natural fibres and her beanies not only serve a purpose but also make fabulous photo props for newborn shoots. Anyhow... here is what Christine gets up to in a day.. 





Like most Mum’s no two days are the same.  Monday’s in our house are usually hectic plus that fact that I’m a Night Owl doesn’t make Monday mornings the best day of the week for me.
 
My day usually starts with Miss H (2 1/2 years) climbing into our bed in the early hours of the morning and then I usually wake around 6.30 to my Mr A (5 years) asking for breakfast, he’s always been an early riser and he came out hungry.  My darling husband gets up to the kids so I can have a short sleep in.  Hubby makes me a coffee and I pull Miss H and myself out of bed to start the day. 
 
Between 7.00 and 8.30 am our place is a bit of nut house.  Mr J (7 years) has Aspersers syndrome, which makes life challenging especially in the morning.  Mr J is easily distracted and does not understand the importance of time, which makes getting ready for school slightly nightmarish and a constant battle.
 
Hubby takes Mr J to school and I then get the kids and I ready for the day.  My morning then checking my emails, working out what I have on today, what orders I need to create this week and checking that I’ve contacted the necessary businesses so I can produce this week’s Handmade Cooperative Sensational Six Post and Shopping Guide. 
 
Then it’s off to playgroup. Our playgroup is a Supported Mobile Playgroup, which is run in our local park.  Since moving 3 years ago this play group has been a life line, I love the fact that it is held in a park as the kids get to enjoy the fresh air, they can run around like nutters, climb tress, paint, read books, make friends etc. Plus the added bonus of having a chat with the other Mums.
 
Today is a little unusual as I have a biyearly reference committee meeting at the local School’s as Community Centre, Sanctuary Point Connect. I’m one of the Parent Representatives.  The Centre offers an array of services to parents and children 0-8 years.  It also allows groups such as our local Autism Spectrum group and Australian Breastfeeding Association to meet at the venue that is child friendly.
 
But wait the day isn’t over yet, and then it’s off to pick up Mr J from school and take him to his one-on-one swimming lesson.  Finally its time to chill out at home, well it is for the kids. 
 
This afternoon I’ll respond to emails, start dinner and I’ll spend some time working on the next newsletter for the Handmade Cooperative.
 
Once dinner is done and I’ve tidied the kitchen I usually hand the kids over to Hubby.  I intent to spend 30-45 minutes doing bookwork, which includes working out what I’m going to do the next two days when the younger ones go to daycare, and I can devote my self to my business. 
 
Finally I get to turn on the TV, put my feet up and start crocheting; tonight I’m finishing off a vintage edge that I’m attaching to a woollen blanket.  I aim to be in bed by midnight ready for a busy Tuesday of creating and lesson planning – I’m teaching a “How to Crochet Christmas Stars” class next week at my local wool shop.

Thank you Christine.. wow.. all I can say is that we mummas are amazing!!
Here is a sneak peek at some of the goodies Christine makes.. but be sure to pop past her facebook page and online stores and have a nosey yourself.





{free printable..} loud shirt day

It's Loud Shirt Day today in Australia..






Loud Shirt Day is a fun one day event on Friday 21 October when you can wear your brightest clothes (love ‘em, hate ‘em, whatever) and raise money to help give the gift of sound and speech to deaf children. Whether you fancy stripes, florals, polka dots or paisley, as long as its got colour and pizzazz, it will be perfect for Loud Shirt Day.


I've put together all my fabric scraps and am taking them into the kids kinder today along with a couple of t-shirt templates for them to do a collage on. Just my way of getting involved and helping to spread the awareness of the day. 


Here are the pages I'm taking in.. feel free to print these off and share the love. If you are a sewer, pull out your fabric scraps and have some fun with the kids. 



These should print well.. but if you are having trouble shoot me and email and I'll be happy to email these to you. 


{a day in the life of..} Clair Chadwick from Scissors Paper Rock


Today I'd like to introduce you to the lovely Claire from Scissors Paper Rock. I recently had the pleasure of collaborating with Claire on a little project, using one of her prints that I fell in love with and has a special place on my wall and putting this image on a tee. It's the Live Laugh Love tee.. more about it soon.. but firstly, here's Claire's day.. 



No 2 days during each week are the same for me....which is good in some ways, as it keeps things interesting....but also a little chaotic at times :)

If you had asked me a few weeks ago, what my average day looked like; it would contain Daycare drop-offs & pick-ups and big hours working {Primary School Teacher} 3 days a week plus working on Scissors Paper Rock at nights...with EVERYTHING else then crammed into the other few days! But now...at almost 38weeks pregnant, I am on Maternity Leave from teaching, a little slower with my energy & routine :) yet also able to put a lot more time into {1} being a Mum! and {2} Scissors Paper Rock.......which I LOVE & feel most in control!

I've randomly chosen an 'average' Monday for this feature :)

Sometime between 6am & 6:30am I am woken by an energetic little 3yr old {Ella} and we begin our day. She enjoys a milk or juice whilst I savour my morning coffee {tea whilst I've been pregnant}. She watches some kid's shows on TV, while I sit next to her on the couch, checking my Facebook, emails & do some blog reading. This is when I email the Print Shop with any orders I need printed. I love this early quiet time....snuggled up with my girl :)

I then prepare breakfast for Ella & I. She sits up & eats it {while I eat mine on the go as I start to do some housework....is that naughty??}. Hubby usually wakes & arises at this time. He then heads off for a run/swim/bike-ride...then straight off to work.

While Ella eats & plays independently {finally got her at that stage/age}, I do the housework. On Mondays & Thursdays I do a 'bigger' clean {vacuuming, mopping, bathrooms, change sheets etc} but every morning the clean up consists of; put a load of washing on, unstack the dishwasher & clean up kitchen, make beds & tidy rooms, fold & put all clean washing from previous day away, hang wet washing out, do a quick dash around & attend to anything that needs doing {mop toilet floor, tidy up toys etc etc}. I then shower & get dressed. Get Ella cleaned up & also dressed. 

We always head out & about mid morning. Sometimes we meet up with friends at a park. Or we go to the beach, the library, the duck pond, the local strawberry farm, an indoor playground, the local swimming pool, find a new park we've never been to before or a have coffee & a browse through a shopping centre. We may just go for a walk or a bike ride around our suburb.....or Ella's favourite "a nature walk". 

On the way home, we stop at the 'Print Shop' to pick up my recent orders, then head to the post office to send them off. And this is when we run any other errands that are the 'to do' list for the day.

We head home for lunch. Ella no longer has a day nap, but this is when she'll have some 'quiet time'...watching a movie or reading books. I use this time to reply to emails, photograph any new prints, update Scissors Paper Rock's stores/Facebook page/twitter etc. I work on any custom print designs or invitations.

I then do some one-on-one play time with Ella. We do puzzles, art n craft, sometimes bake, play out in the back yard, read books, play on the iPad, do some basic learning activities such as drawing, fine motor skills or sounds {phonics}. We listen to music & dance, we play Barbies or Dolls or with playdough. Sometimes we walk up to the local park for a play {depending if we did that in the morning or not}. 

I get the dry washing in and start to prepare dinner {if I didn't prepare a slow-cooker meal that morning} at about 5pm. 

Hubby gets home usually around 5:30pm {he works for himself, so this time varies from day to day}. We eat dinner between 5:30 & 6pm. I then clean up the kitchen, stack the dishwasher, run the bath. Ella baths while I shower.

Ella 'hangs' out with Hubby & they play on the computer/iPad or do puzzles or watch TV together, whilst I put the dishwasher on & clean up the bathroom.

I then read books to Ella in bed & aim to have her asleep by 7:15pm!

This is when I do another quick tidy up the house, have a cup of tea {or a sneaky dessert of some sort} & catch up on any Scissors Paper Rock emails/orders/designs etc. I usually blog at night too & upload any photos from the day.
Hubby & I will then watch some TV & then take our sleepy bodies off to bed at about 10pm. 

Other days of the week consist of a similar routine but with a dash of ballet lessons, daycare, catching up with family & friends, appointments etc.....as I said; no 2 days seem to be the exact same here :) And I'm sure I will have to find a new 'groove' and routine when Bub arrives...but for now, this is what works best for me & my family!

Life is exhausting.....but beautiful :)

Thank you for sharing Claire!! Here are some of Claire's gorgeous prints and all her contact info..







And lastly... but most certainly not least.. Claire is giving away a free mini Live Laugh Love print with any Live Laugh Love tee or onesie sold till the end of October. So why not head on over to the website and have a look. These would make a gorgeous Christmas Gift, both the tees and the prints!! The print will automatically be included with your order, but you can jot down a reminder for me in the notes section when checking out. 






{product review & giveaway} Vita-Weat Lunch Slices

I recently had the pleasure of test-driving the new Vita-Weat Lunch Slices as a part of the Soup Blogger Project. I've always been a fan of Vita-Weats so when this opportunity came up, I jumped at the chance. I must add in here that I have a very particular taste when it comes to crackers and crisp-bread so it's pretty much a yes or a no for me, never a maybe. 

My favourite Vita-Weat product has always been the Vita-Weat 9 Grain. Just a superb little snack that is full of goodness. Love it! As my little girl got to the toddler stage and was eating all sorts of food, I was always on the hunt for nutritious and healthy food that was easy to take with me wherever I went. I then discovered the Vita-Weat Grain Snacks in a multipack, my girl loved them, so they became our pantry staple. Then we moved into the Vita-Weat Grain Sticks. Tomato & Basil in particular!
There are four flavours in the Lunch Slices range: 
  • Soy, linseed & sesame
  • Sunflower, oats & chia
  • Sunflower, pumpkin & canola
  • Poppy, sunflower & rye

When I received the packs of the new Vita-Weat Lunch Slices I automatically thought this would be our natural family progression as now my kids are that bit older. I got to try out the slices over a few days for lunch in my own serenity with a variety of toppings and I must say.. the taste and texture of each flavour was great. They're much softer in texture than the 9 Grain. The size lets you pack more toppings on and experiment with the combinations. They stay together much better than I thought they would so you don't end up with everything on your lap and two slices are really quite satisfying. 

I love the packaging and love the fact that they are in two separate sealed bags inside, meaning that you don't have to rush to finish the box. 

I served them up on a couple of occasions when friends came to visit and the reaction to the taste was great, but as a party or get together food I could tell it was a little cumbersome as a plate was most certainly needed, which made running around after kids a little tricky. So I guess, as the name suggests, it really is a Lunch Slice rather than a party cracker.. oops on my behalf. 

I served the Lunch Slices up for my kids on a number of occasions, but the outcome was a little disappointing. They were way too big for them and even with simple toppings like vegemite and cheese, just didn't get eaten. I did kind of hope for that progression to the Lunch Slices as I don't love having too many open packs of crisp type bread in the pantry at once. But the progression might just need to wait a little. The visible seeds, which put a big smile on my face when I saw them, kind of had the opposite reaction with the little ones. 

So my verdict so far is that I love them as a WAHM, as I can add fresh toppings to them just before eating them, but the fam's not with me on this one. I can't pack them filled with goodies for hubby for lunch and him juggling cans of tuna when out an about would just be too messy. I still think my #1 favourite Vita-Weat 9 Grain is a much better option for a mum's group get together. The size is just much easier to manage. It's something that will definitely have a home in our pantry however, and I guess I'll just need to rotate the flavours until someone else joins me. 

I'll keep testing these guys out though, and will be back to share some of my favourite toppings soon. Till then, I'd love to share the love with you, my lovely readers, and give you a chance to try these Lunch Slices yourself by winning this fab hamper full of goodies. 


For your chance to win, simply leave a comment with a topping that you'd love to try out on the Vita-Weat Lunch Slices. The winner will be drawn on Monday 24th of October 2011. Each new topping suggestion gets you an additional entry, so get commenting and don't forget to check back here next week to see if you're the winner. 

{a day in the life of..} Shan Sheard from missy melly & melly boys


Today I'd like to introduce you to an amazing woman and friend of mine Shan Sheard, owner and designer of Missy Melly and Melly Boys as well as owner of Absolute Balance Acupuncture. So lets pop over to Shan's house and see what she gets up to in a day...


  • Up at 5-5:30am, my girls like to get the worm..
  • Coffee/tea for me and milk for the girls while I make all the beds, empty the dishwasher and hang out the washing
  • Playing for a little while
  • Check emails/orders and add to my to do list while the girls eat breakfast
  • Housework – I try and get a quick job done now
  • Breakfast and a shower
  • Get the girls dressed
  • Decide what we’re doing for the morning and then out for an outing/errands/shopping – we always do something during the day like go for a walk, go to the park, or the beach, feed the ducks, playgroup
  • Lunch
  • The girls will have some quiet time/watch a DVD/listen to a CD/drawing/painting/playdough/reading while I do some sewing or cutting out
  • More playing
  • Housework, bring in the washing and put it away
  • Get dinner started -  the girls always “help” out in the kitchen
  • Out for a walk when hubby gets home
  • Dinner
  • Bath the girls and tidy up
  • Read them some stories
  • Settle them to bed
  • Put on the dishwasher and washing machine
  • A cuppa with my hubby
  • Sewing/cutting out fabrics
  • A little TV while I pack orders ready for posting
  • Bed – aaahhhhhh 
Here is a little taste of this years Spring/Summer range... stunning fabrics, beautiful timeless lines and oh my.. what gorgeous cherubs!! Love your work lovely lady!!






{a day in the life of..} Suzanne Leonard from Luminous Life Kinesiology




The concept for Luminous Life was created from the idea that everyone deserves to reach their full potential in life - whatever they choose that to be.

For every person this is different - some of us want to help others, some of us want to achieve great things in sport, or at work, some of us want to simply relax and enjoy the things around us. Whatever you would like to do in your life - we believe its possible! It may seem hard sometimes, and trust me; we've all been there. But ultimately, we believe that if you can clear away any obstacles in your path you will achieve all the things you dream of, and even more.

Luminous Life's philosophy is built on the understanding that we create the life we live. So if there are obstacles, we can learn to release them, even when they seem insurmountable.

Kinesiology is one tool that helps to clear these obstacles, and travel forward to the life we really want to lead - a luminous life.

Web: http://www.luminouslife.com.au
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Luminous-Life-Kinesiology/222322091127175

The luminous kinesiology room in Stirling, SA
So here is Suzanne's day..


6:15am alarm goes off: prise my eyes open enough to find the ovulation thermometer on the bedside table and then, if I'm really lucky, put it in my mouth without waking myself up with some kind of bizarre stabbing.

6:30am realise I'm still in bed, probably with thermometer hanging out of my mouth (attractively of course), and slowly navigate my way out from under my almost conscious, impossibly heavy and angular (knees and elbows simultaneously sticking into me) 4 yr old WITHOUT waking her.

6:40am try again to navigate my way out from under aforementioned almost conscious 4yr old, who now has fistful of my hair (in her sleep) unconsciously trying to keep me nearby until she is ready to wake up.  Wondering just when exactly she arrived in my bed anyway???

6:45am sit on floor collecting my thoughts as I realise I've managed to escape Houdini-like from octopus girl, whom I should also mention at this point, is impossibly cute and loveable.

6:47am decide whether to go for a walk, or attempt Zumba in the lounge room in vague attempt to get fit.

6:50am decide Zumba is safer as have spent soooo long getting out of bed that my walk would need to be a quick sprint to allow me to get home before hubby has to leave for work.  At least this way, if Impossible Cuteness sleeps in I can squeeze in some extra time sweating to a barely audible (try not to wake Cuteness) Zumba.

7:30am after happily sweating away for at least 30 mins, and breathily (but of course somehow very sexily) waving goodbye to hubby on his way out the door, frantically realise that Cuteness will be awake any minute and I haven't yet made breakfast, let alone lunch, and Oh Sh@t, forgot to put out the washing before bed last night, so now have to frantically blow dry some undies with the hair dryer.

7:35am Yells of "mummy" from the bedroom: More panicking sets in…how did I get so distracted exercising (this has NEVER happened before – normally I'm watching the clock willing it to be over so I can open the choc biscuits without feeling guilty).  Now I have to multi task – something I SWEAR I was GREAT at before Impossible Cuteness descended into my life – spend quality time with my Cuteness, whilst sneakily getting her dressed in those now dried undies and somehow allowing her to choose her own clothes without actually letting her out the house in the woolly leggings and layer upon layer of summer dresses that she wants to wear to school today.  Oh, wait, did I say school….No Mummy, I DON'T WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL.

7:50am Managed to avoid the whole going to school conversation, and decided upon a boiled egg and pencils/soldiers for breakfast (an all time fav as next to no preparation and can make lunches while egg is cooking).  Very glad to have loads of leftovers from a party the day before – making lunches easy and creative all at the same time.  Am starting to feel speedy and back on track again ☺

8:00am Wow, I've managed to actually have us sitting down to eat breakfast together with minimum effort – would be feeling like supermum, but only one of us has clothes on (I'll leave that to your imagination).

8:20am UhOh, time has gotten away again….stand at kitchen counter taking what feels like a truckload of vitamins (thanks to my lovely naturopath who is helping me get fit and healthy again).  Race off to have the world's fastest shower, using the time to plan what to wear today and wish I was one of those organised people who planned the night before).

8:25am Race out of shower so fast that I air dry (who has time for a towel?!), and discover Impossible Cuteness is digging in the backyard looking for the bug she caught last week at school and brought home to our house to breed (where does a 4 yr old learn about breeding??) 

8:30am recommence negotiations about going to preschool.  Trying to be positive and patient, don't want to create a "thing" about school whilst we're still at preschool stage….but inwardly starting to panic again as have a client to get to and a long drive fraught with semitrailers and scarily slow drivers designed to induce roadrage

8:40am Ok, so we're all dressed, but Impossible Cuteness has disappeared again – this time to the toilet.  Uh Oh, its going to be a long wait.

8:50am standing semi-patiently on one foot, holding ESR points (special kinesiology trick that is a must have for all mums), to enable remaining calm in the face of running late for not only school, but work as well, due to the world's longest bathroom break. Make mental note to enforce more water into Impossible Cuteness' diet.

8:55am finally in car with assortment of laptop bags, lunch bags, school bags, library bags, coats, umbrellas….plus a helium balloon for show and tell, food for the rabbits and some leftover party cupcakes to share at school (a "mummy's on a detox so don't allow sugar anywhere nearby strategy").

9:25am having battled semi trailers and assorted nana-drivers, played countless games of "I Spy – 4 yr old version",  seen how far we can count before mummy goes insane finds something else educational and meaningful to distract on the long car trip with, we arrive at school, only 10 minutes late.

9:45am Miraculously, Impossible Cuteness is happy to wave goodbye, busy feeding the rabbits with radish leaves mummy is now VERY pleased to have juggled out to the car this morning on top of the laptop bag (even though I realise later than one has somehow made it into my hair, and not one single person at school, the local café or the queue at the ATM was brave enough to mention – ok…so maybe I always look this scary in the morning).

9:50am pull up at local favourite café to buy quick celebratory coffee before starting work (after all – did manage to do Zumba, make a healthy lunch for all, including rabbits, get to school intact, altho a little late, with no tears from anyone), before realising have a completely empty purse, having left the last of the weekly budget cash in dressing gown pocket.  Quick sob, then after remembering that first client appointment of the day has been rescheduled, justification to drive to next suburb to go to ATM and buy coffee – totally justified, right, besides, surely one coffee won't kill the detox (especially considering the party food that must've done way more damage yesterday)?

10:20am OMG did I really waste 30 mins on a roadtrip to buy coffee that I'm not even meant to be drinking on this detox?  Try not to calculate the amount of money lost in not working (I get paid by the hour after all).  Rush up to my office. Start work.

10:45am Remote balance for client –yes, this is as weird as it sounds.  

11:45am Having a wonderful time working on a client, but getting a little confused trying to look up complicated neurochemical pathways on medical websites on the iPhone!!  Note to self – MUST get proper internet connection at work as soon as can afford.  Why oh why doesn't the standard Anatomy and Physiology text book (that I paid a fortune for) not have this info in it when I need it?  Wondering if other kinesiologists have such complex (altho fascinating and wonderful) clients.

12:45pm Finished session for client.  Feeling very proud as was very detailed and complex and hopefully will produce wonderful results.  Email balance notes to client.  Fill in timesheet and realise that even though Impossible Cuteness has been at school since 9:15 (well, could've been at school by then if we'd moved a little faster in the morning), and its now almost 1pm, I have actually only worked 1 billable hour.  Determined to power through corporate consulting work for rest of morning (no other kinesi clients today).

1:00pm Landlord/neighbour at work pops in for chat – lovely and useful (after all, I do need to let her know that the toilet's running again) but not billable.  

1:15pm OK…focus…get some billable work done

1:20pm phone call from complete stranger wanting me to help with her homework??!!  Hmm…was that for real?  I should mention here, this was a grown woman, not a teenager who wouldn't know where else to get the information from. Considering being nice/potential marketing opportunity/knowledge sharing versus possible hoax/more non-billable time spent if I do help.  Asked her to email so that I had time to consider.

1:30pm  OK….focus…get some billable work done

1:35pm Can't focus…oh yeah…need to eat lunch.

1:36pm focus and eat at same time – love working for myself, own office, no-one can see me spill pasta salad on my keyboard.  Ooops…that's right….keyboard doesn't work so well when sticky.

1:45pm  Clean keyboard, focussed and being productive.  Go girl.

2:00pm Unsolicited phone call from telemarketer with vaguely interesting proposition.  Not quite sure exactly what she means (something about Google marketing), but actually does sound reasonable so spend a little time trying to understand and deciding whether worth paying attention.

2:15pm Trying to get off the phone now….trying not to be rude…trying to packup office whilst on phone…trying to not lock self out of office while juggling phone, turning off heater etc.  Trying to get off phone… trying to get off phone.  OK…maybe now I need to reach back to my corporate no nonsense, no time wasting days, and just tell her to go away.

2:30pm grateful that office is so close to preschool.  Pickup Impossible Cuteness, who has had a wonderful happy day.  Am so grateful that kinesi has helped her to get past the separation anxiety and enjoy her time at this wonderful school.

3:00pm having collected assorted library bags, raincoats, school bags, reader bag, plastic container for rabbit food, school notices, someone else's umbrella (oops) we have finally made it back to the car.  Did it really just take 1/2 hour to do a simple school pickup??? How on earth will we ever get anything done when this is an every day occurrence EEEEkkkkkk!

3:45pm Made it back home past the semi trailers, nana-drivers, and other assorted road challenges.

4:00pm finally make it in the front door – just how long can it take to get out of the car and get inside???  Hmm…our record so far – 30 mins!!

Reconnect laptop to send/receive emails.  Unpack lunchbags – how does she get through a day on the minuscule amount she eats? Save leftovers for rabbits tomorrow - best fed rabbits ever – only the best certified organic, home made, whole foods for those rabbits.  Put away coats/bags/new buggy additions to family/say hi to cats (who don't like the bugs much).  Put on a load of washing.  Wash dishes from this morning's panic–run.

4:30pm Early dinner for Cuteness who is off to karate – in training to be Impossibly Cute AND Tough.

4:45pm Trying to be patient whilst explaining that really MUST wash hands before dinner, especially after playing with bugs/rabbits and who knows what else at preschool.  Got the Emotional Stress Release technique on standby…after all, mummy's on a detox, so no afternoon chocolate to keep the energy up.

5:00pm  Finally sitting down to a now-cold dinner.  Did it really take 1/2 hour to get ready for dinner????

5:01pm  Negotiations about watching TV whilst eating dinner.  Hmm….someone is tired, and its not me!  Well, ok, it is me, but I'm not the grumpy one.  Wondering how we're going to cope at karate tonight on a diet of chicken and no vegetables.  Manage to distract away from the idea of TV, but having trouble winning the debate on vegetables.  Wishing I was one of those parents who just said "Do as I say!!".  Balancing on that fine line of showing respect to my cuteness, whilst still being a strong firm mummy.  Yay for the fine line balancing act – got the veges in, and we're actually ready on time to leave for karate.

5:40pm  Hmm…haven't seen her go to the toilet since getting home from school.  Damn, knew I should've asked before we left the house.

5:50pm Rush inside Dojo to go to toilet for first time (apparently since LEAVING FOR SCHOOL THAT MORNING).  Wow, no wonder had trouble fitting those veges in!  Mental note: make sure to mention to teachers that she needs reminding to drink water whilst at school.  Are all 4 yr olds camels in disguise?  Hmmm…that might explain the temper!

6:00pm Oh.. love watching Impossible Cuteness in the karate class.  Smallest one there – but somehow holding her own, even though I'm positive she's feeling scared.  So proud that she's in there overcoming her fear after being hit at school numerous times a year ago (previous preschool – glad we're out of there).  So proud that this is her own choice, that even at such a young age she is learning to stand up for herself, and getting her sense of self back again after losing so much confidence.  And so grateful to my brother, who owns the Dojo, who has accepted her into the kids class even though she's still 6 months younger than their normal starting point.  Glad she has the focus to stay in the class and concentrate, even though I'm sure its a challenge for her being the youngest.

6:10pm  Uh Oh…what happened to that focus.  Impossible Cuteness is impossibly tired….such a fun, wonderful, exhausting day yesterday with a party at our house to welcome us back from interstate. Lots of emotions and excitement are taking their toll today.  She bows off the mat and we go home early from class.  So glad to be able to be gentle and kind when my little one is needing it.  So glad to be able to leave my own stuff behind and let her decide what is best for her.  (having seen dancing mums when I was younger, pushing their kids no matter what – am glad I don't need to go there now that I'm the mum).

6:40pm  Home again….a group hug with daddy who's arrived home whilst we were out.

6:45pm bathtime negotiations begin. Very glad hubby's home to be creative in dealing with tired little not so cuteness anymore.  Quick check of emails, work out what work needs to be done tonight, hangout that load of washing, sneak in a quick convo with hubby re who's making dinner and how to use up the rest of the party leftovers before they go off and/or green.

7:15pm  Snuggled up in bed reading bedtime stories.  LOVE LOVE this time of night (the bit after she's resigned herself to going to bed, and is feeling all snuggly and loveable).  Lights out, I cave into lying down beside her while she's going to sleep…afterall, I haven't had that chocolate to give me energy to keep going from that afternoon crash, and oops, there I go, asleep before she is.  Lucky for me being perched on the side of a single bed is not comfortable enough to let me sleep for long.  That and the thundering reverberations of her snores, wakes me in time to sneak in a quick shower and hair wash before dinner is ready (love not having to cook tonight).

8:00pm Clean, fresh and warm, and eating dinner in front of the tv with hubby.  Wow… how am I going to get back to work at this point???

9:00pm  Ok..come on…must do some work…after all, had almost no billable hours today.  Oh…what's this?  Some funny emails. Oh, and should check FB…oooh, Kasia wants a Day in the Life… ooooh, maybe I could do that instead of that boring old corporate work.

10:00pm Hmm… ok… so maybe I got a little distracted.  Lucky I'm a fast typist.

10:10pm oh… have reread my day, do I really want other people to read this?  Maybe I should edit – besides, she didn't ask me to write the next War and Peace!  And do I really want everyone else to know just how imperfect their resident kinesiologist is?  Probably not the best career move.  Maybe I'm a closet blogger!!?

10:15pm  Oh well… I'll let Kasia decide.

10:30pm Ok… focus… get some billable work done

Midnight Off to bed xx

Thank you Suzanne!! Lots of belly laughs there!! And for the record.. I didn't edit! I copied and pasted it, as it is your day and who am I to cut out stuff?