Oosouji Time

To prepare for a happy and prosperous new year, the Japanese preform oosouji, by cleaning and organising their homes, to tie up the old year's loose ends and make room for the blessings of a new year. Good idea. So..... today I've been re-doing my walk-in wardrobe AGAIN (millionth time I'm sure) and I've made it the best it's been yet. No photos yet, maybe tomorrow.

And I've been putting together a Household Notebook to use in 2010. I used one this year but not very well. I've been making it more comprehensive. Download your own version of a household notebook at http://www.organizedhome.com/, and a decluttering calendar at http://www.mysimplerlife.com/, which has daily ideas for clearing out junk! I've got them both in the same file. Also I've downloaded Christmas card lists and gift list plans from http://www.organizedchristmas.com/ to use for Christmas 2010. I'm trying to be organised, I really am.

I wanted to share a pic of the great Christmas wrapping container I bought from Avon this year.

I'm not sold on the colour of it (woh!) but the different compartments were very handy for holding all the Christmas cards, labels, ribbons, paper, stamps, scissors and sticky tape that I used when wrapping pressies.

I've packed it away now, and it fits perfectly against the wall behind a suitcase in our wardrobe. I've noticed they are only in the Avon catalogues just before Christmas at $24.95. Worth every cent.

Well, Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you find your way to my blog in 2010 and get enough of a kick out of it to become a follower, and/or to add me to your blogroll.

For the month of January pop over to my other blogs Wise Owl Books and A Choc-Top and Me to check out my book and film reviews. I plan to post one every day this month, as I've been reading heaps of books and watching a lot of movies that you might want to know about!

May your new year ROCK!

Wendy xxx

Christmas Reflections

Oh, it's been a busy time in the Sice house this Christmas season, and there has been no time to blog! So, while I haven't kept you up to date on a daily basis, here is a look back on the Christmas that was...

Jack's class performed a fantastic version of "I've got a feeling" by the Blackeyed Peas, at the school's annual Night with the Stars. I wish I'd managed to video it, because it really was spectacular!

I was so proud of my Kindy class when they danced to ABC by the Jackson Five. That song can go through my head for hours if I think of it! I didn't get a video myself, but one of the parents is going to give me a copy next year.

Gorgeous things - I will miss them!

The Pre-Primary kids went to the Annual North Pole Cafe Breakfast, which is organised by the Education Assistants at our school. It is a huge affair and a pleasure to attend. I take absolutely no credit for it! The rooms looked gorgeous, and the children made their own placemats.

.

The Parsons Family sent us some lovely handmade pressies for Christmas! A pretty wall calendar for 2010, some soap, and an adorable advent calendar (which we weren't very good at following, but loved reading through!)

Jack got us up at 5am, Christmas morning. Completely expected that! There was an excited unwrapping of presents and we were all very happy with what we got. There was many a Nerf gun through the house that day, and much vibrating of neck massagers, blenders and electric toothbrushes! I got a great stack of books, and some stunning jewellery and clothes. Can't wait to wear them!
Jonathon prepared a BEAUTIFUL Christmas lunch, that we had with his mum and sister. Thanks for the yummy pavlova Lorraine!

Then we went to Kristie and Dave's house for dinner, and got to cuddle the lovely Lily. Yummy salads and trifle provided by our Mum! Thanks!

Loved this pretty arrangement at Kristie's!

We had our annual Boxing Day barbecue lunch with our friend Richard and his Mum. Thanks for the trifle Betty! (Gotta love trifle!)

And Dad and Jane are coming to visit us today, now that we've all had a chance to recover from the Christmas rush!

Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful pressies and Christmas cards! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

The moment you've all been waiting for...

Jack had a haircut!

Looking good!

Someone new to love

How sweet is it with a new baby in the family? It's just such a great thing, to feel that family connection with a new little being, even before they have an understanding of who you are!

So here is Lily Isobel, my sister's baby girl, born today at 11.05am.

8 lbs, 7oz. Completely cute!

And here is Jack with Lily - so excited to have a new cousin!

Congratulations Kristie and Dave! She is beautiful!

Chocolate Scented Perfume for Christmas

I bought some magazines today, and while flicking through them I noticed that there is a big push to buy perfumes for Christmas. Now, I love the smell of perfume like anyone else, but I suffer with hay fever, and I can sneeze, wheeze, cough and carry on like a pork chop when I'm wearing perfume, or am around people wearing perfume. So, since I went organic three years ago, I haven't really worn perfume.

But I'm here to let you know that you can now buy ORGANIC PERFUMES! They look like this:

Gorgeous packaging! And, being concentrated the bottles are so delicate and cute, and you don't need much of the perfume to smell divine! My favourite is Delicious, which is completely that, as it has chocolate, honey, vanilla, and a floral hint of jasmine. Mm..mm!

The other perfumes in the range are called Love, Wild, Free, Brave, and Calm.

Go here to try this quiz to see which perfume could be your signature scent. They are all yummy!

Then, pop over to our miessence shop for your Christmas shopping!