Learning to love Lance

Today I was introduced to my new constant companion and BFF "Lance". Having been diagnosed with gestational diabetes last week, I had my first appointment with the Diabetes Educator today. I regularly donate blood, so needles don't bother me. Having said that, the initial finger prick to test haemoglobin levels before donating is the bit I HATE. Unfortunately for me, that's the bit I now have to do 4 times a day to monitor my glucose levels. I am trying to see this as a very positive "wake-up-call", and know I can do it for the next 11 weeks (hopefully no longer). My goal is to manage this with diet and exercise, and end the pregnancy feeling brilliant and without giving birth to a giant baby! Wish me luck as I embark on this new journey with Lance - who I hope is not a life partner! I'll keep you posted.

A time to remember - not forget!

As the end of daylight savings approaches - Sunday April 3rd here in Tassie - it's time for my annual rant about the importance of smoke alarms. I'm pretty sure the Tas Fire Service (and probably elsewhere) will still come to your house and show you how many, and the best position for alarms in your home, and install them for you. As a house fire survivor, I can tell you that it is one life changing experience you do NOT want to go through. I can't believe how many people still do not have working smoke detectors in their houses, and with the colder weather coming up, you could be risking your life and the life of your family if you don't. We have 5 working smoke alarms in our house - one in each bedroom, one in the dining room, and one at the bottom of the stairs to our attic room, and April 3rd is the day we change all the batteries - whether they need it or not. If you do it the same time each year, it's easy to remember and you'll never be in the position of not having a life-saving working smoke detector - something I will regret for the rest of my life.

Well worth a look

This week the moon is the closest to Earth it has been in nearly 20 years,

and well worth a look. Click here for more info.

Priceline Prize Time!

People often tell me I'm "lucky" because I often win prizes. The truth is, I enter so many competitions, the odds are pretty good of winning something regularly. After many years of trying, I'm still working on the elusive car though- maybe this year. Yesterday I was stuck home all day with Patrick (exhausted after a 3 night Scout Regatta), and Lauren not feeling 100%. I was lucky enough to be online when a page I like for Priceline Pharmacy offered a prize for the first person to get 20 of their friends to "LIKE" the Priceline page, and write my name on the Priceline Facebook wall. Thanks to my lovely friends and family, not only did I win the prize, but two of my friends (Lisa W and Tracey) won prizes too. They have lots of giveaways on their page- Priceline Pharmacy Launceston & Priceline Pharmacy Plaza - so it's a good one to "LIKE" if you are a local and are on Facebook. This morning for our walk, Mum and I parked in the Kmart car park so we could pick up my prize and then go for a walk over to Inveresk and on to Heritage Forest. Lauren will be VERY happy with a few items in my prize bag including the bag itself! The prize included shampoo (Lol's favourite), moisturiser, a men's toiletry bag (exactly what Patrick needs after having to take Shayne's for camp), a black clutch purse (look out family if you have a birthday coming up soon!), some make-up and make-up remover, some excellent QV cream (great for the baby), some Celebrity Slim low-carb/low-sugar shakes and snacks, a $25 Priceline gift voucher (just in time for Easter - they have the best Easter eggs and best prices in there - for the kids though - not me), and best of all - two great towels - check out the colour below!

What better coloured towels can a Hawks supporter want?

So thanks to everyone who "LIKED" the page and put my name on the wall.

I'm very happy with all my gifts (valued at around $120).

Now, where did I see that car raffle book?

Sunny swimming carnival

Patrick and Lauren had their Grade 5 & 6 school swimming carnival today - one benefit of them only being a year apart is that all their carnivals, and a lot of other school activities are on the same day. It was a perfect, warm, sunny Autumn day about 24 degrees and much better than yesterday (rain) and last year's carnival (a lot cooler). Lauren swam in the 33metre freestyle and the freestyle relay, and competed in a novelty event. Patrick swam the 33m freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke and a novelty event. They both did really well, and their house Sea came second - only missing out on equal 1st by one point overall.

Mum and I spent a lovely 3 hours sitting on the grass in the shade watching a great carnival, and at the end all the kids got to have a slide before heading home (hopefully to sleep VERY well!)

Dancing in the park

Lauren is now in her second term of dancing with the fantastic Dance Fit, and LOVES it! She regularly says dancing is "her life", and knows not only all her groups dances, but the dances from EVERY group from last year's concert DVD. Today she got to dance in City Park at the end of the Women's 5k for Cancer fun run. Lots of people we know have kids who go to Dance Fit as it is about fun and fitness (and not sparkles and sequins). With a fantastic team of enthusiastic teachers, we love it, and Lauren already has aspirations of becoming a Dance Fit instructor so she can always dance. I hope the enthusiasm she has now continues.

Not a dance move - a "NO photos MUM" move!

Cousins

It was a perfect, warm, Autumn day, and nice to get out to the park while the weather is still so lovely. It was great to catch up with the Kings, and also Alana and Lila who had been in the Womens' 5K as a mother daughter team, Carmel and Clea (Clea dances in a different group with Dance Fit) and Julieann and Sian (who also dances at Dance Fit).