FFS Friday. Can't. Stop. Coughing.

Well it's been a while since my last FFS Friday post. Some may think that's because I've had nothing to whinge about. If only. I have no excuse except laziness kids being busy.

So what's been making me drink wine lately?

Can't. Stop. Coughing. FFS

I've been sick for about 2 weeks. FFS
Didn't even want to drink wine. FFS
Last Saturday I lost my voice. FFS
Mr Hausfrau was happy that I couldn't nag him. FFS
Boy did I show him! I nagged him via facebook and text messages. No FFS
We had to go to Ikea while I had no voice which meant I couldn't give my full opinion of what I wanted. FFS
My phone went flat in Ikea. FFS

We are renovating soon! No FFS
Last Friday night the flooring salesman came over. No FFS
They wanted a 30% $3300 deposit on the night. There and then. FFS
Mr Hausfrau set them straight. No FFS

Last week my laptop died. Again. FFS
Luckily Mr Hausfrau is clever and fixed it. No FFS

PrincessBF is pulling an all nighter to finish an English assignment. It's due tomorrow. FFS
She's had 3 weeks to do it. FFS
Somehow it'll be my fault. FFS

Team manager duties for PrincessBF's AFL team are doing my head in. FFS
Lack of parent helpers pisses me off big time! FFS
Don't just sit in your car and beep your horn at the end of training. Get out of your freaking car and come and listen to what we have got to say. FFS

Our favourite TV show to watch as a family is back on! Once Upon A Time! No FFS
It's not on until 2215!!! FFS

I'm over being sick. FFS
My voice has gone from being totally gone, to a chipmunk on helium, to a husky sounding phone sex worker. FFS
I'm also masquerading as a snot factory. FFS
The last 3 nights I have moved to the lounge room in the middle of the night to sleep so my coughing doesn't wake Mr Hausfrau. FFS
Crappiest sleeps. FFS
Can't stop coughing during the day too. FFS

Starting to freak out a little about the Ride to Conquer Cancer. It's 4 months away and I still need to raise another $1600 to go. FFS

I'm off to take another cold and flu tablet. Don't look 'cause imma gonna swallow it with a little glass of wine. (no I'm not drinking wine during the day. I wrote this last night. Honest!)

Anything been giving you the shits this week? Tell me. It's cheaper than therapy apparently.

Hooking up with the gorgeous Sarah from Dear Baby G who is currently on a much deserved holiday. 

You can also follow me on

facebook | www.facebook.com/TheAussieHausfrau

Twitter | @AussieHausfrau

Instagram | @aussie_hausfrau

If you've been following me on facebook you may or may not know that I have registered for a 220km bike ride  for the Perth Ride to Conquer Cancer in 2013. This is a cause close to my heart as I have lost some very special people to this horrible disease. As part of my entry I need to fund raise a minimum of $2500 to take part in the actual ride. I really hate asking for donations but I've been told that it's the only way! Do you have a spare $2? Every little bit helps. All money raised will go directly to support cancer patients and their families and all donations $2 and over are tax deductible. Thank you!!

{Wordless Wednesday} Today I'm a Mountain Climber

If you've been following along on my facebook page you'd know that my voice is currently switching between that of a husky voiced phone sex worker and a chipmunk who has been sucking on a helium balloon.

Being out of action has seen my Hausfrau work take a bit of a back seat.

Today I am conquering this.

I have to or there'll be no clothes to wear this weekend.

This is happening in between snoozes on the lounge.

Linking up with Bree from Twinkle in the Eye for a Wordless Wednesday!

You can also follow me on

facebook | www.facebook.com/TheAussieHausfrau

Twitter | @AussieHausfrau

Instagram | @aussie_hausfrau

If you've been following me on facebook you may or may not know that I have registered for a 220km bike ride  for the Perth Ride to Conquer Cancer in 2013. This is a cause close to my heart as I have lost some very special people to this horrible disease. As part of my entry I need to fund raise a minimum of $2500 to take part in the actual ride. I really hate asking for donations but I've been told that it's the only way! Do you have a spare $2? Every little bit helps. All money raised will go directly to support cancer patients and their families and all donations $2 and over are tax deductible. Thank you!!



The Story of the Carpet Salesman and the Cranky German

On Friday night at 1830 the carpet salesman knocked on our door.

A lovely young man we shall call Johnathon ('cause that's actually his real name) took the time to visit us after hours so that Mr Hausfrau could be home.

He measured the whole house and then we got down to business selecting carpets and laminate flooring.

We settled on some top quality German (of course) laminate that should be feral kid dog resistant then set to work picking matching carpets.

It was after 9pm when we were done and Johnathon set to work calculating the cost.

I've got nothing to hide so I'll even share that with you as it's a major part of the story.

$11,099

We were budgeting $10k but considering we decided on better carpet in the kids bedrooms and top quality laminate flooring that we decided to put in the kids playroom too instead of carpet I didn't have too much of a heart attack.

We said "round it down to $11k and it's a deal!"

Johnathon needed to call his manager who we shall call Aaron ('cause that's actually his real name. His real chosen English name 'cause no one can pronounce his real Asian name apparently)

Aaron agreed on the price.

Then came the talk of the deposit and the beginning of the cranky German part of the story.

None of this "this quote is valid for 14 days" type of crap with these people. They wanted 30% deposit right there and then to secure the flooring which may or may not be available next week if we waited.

Did you do the math? 30% of $11k? It's $3300!

We kindly explained to Jonathon that we only had $500 available to secure the order until the bank deposited the money into our account sometime this week.

Johnathon being the lovely man he is totally understood but he had to ring Aaron to confirm.

Aaron said no.

Mr Hausfrau requested to speak to Aaron. Mr Hausfrau explained to him that we are not planning to shop around - we want their flooring and we are willing to pay the total amount within a week.

Aaron said he would need to speak to his state manager.

Aaron calls back. The state manager said 10% deposit (apparently this was just a ploy - the state manager wasn't actually called)

Johnathon again explained to Aaron that we only have $500 available until next week.

It was around this stage that I suggested to Johnathon that since we need to wait 2 months for the laminate that maybe we could just order the carpet now with the $500 deposit and we'll order the laminate next week once the money is in.

Johnathon suggests this to Aaron.

Aaron says..... "Ok but with a $800 deposit"

OMFG!

Mr Hausfrau puts his hand out to Johnathon to give him the phone. He now means business. I can tell as his German accent always gets thicker when he's angry.

The conversation goes something like this. (You need to imagine it in a scary German voice)

"Aaron. What part of "we have $500 to give you today and we will pay the entire $10500 next week don't you understand?"

I work in the car industry and if someone wants a $60,000 car that is months away from delivery they only need to pay $100 deposit and you're asking $3300 right here and now at 9pm at night??

We are not going to shop around. We are not screwing with you. We are willing to pay the entire amount in full next week even though the laminate will not available to us until August.

You either want our business or you don't. Do you want it? Yes or no? Do you want our business - YES OR NO???????"

At this stage I was cowering in the kitchen mouthing to Johnathon "I. Am. So. Sorry"

Mr Hausfrau hands the phone back to Johnathon. He's done it. Aaron accepted our $500 deposit and the contracts are signed.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm all for rules and procedures. I just think that not everything in this world is black or white. There needs to be room for change and tweaking of the rules. Even Johnathon realised this.

In the end it all worked out - even if I had to email them today to remind them to take the money from the account. Couldn't have been too eager to take our money after all!

This isn't a positive or negative against the company. We thought Johnathon was GREAT - put in a lot of effort, got here at 1830, didn't leave until 2230 and still had another client to go and see on the way home!

I won't name the company - let's just say that if you need carpet you can call them - just make sure you have 30% on you there and then.

What do you think? 30% deposit too much or just the fact that they expect it at the time of the quote with no "thinking about it" period?

The security screen people need 30% too but gave us 14 days to get back to them.

Linking up with Essentially Jess for #IBOT

click to go there!

You can also follow me on

facebook | www.facebook.com/TheAussieHausfrau

Twitter | @AussieHausfrau

Instagram | @aussie_hausfrau

If you've been following me on facebook you may or may not know that I have registered for a 220km bike ride  for the Perth Ride to Conquer Cancer in 2013. This is a cause close to my heart as I have lost some very special people to this horrible disease. As part of my entry I need to fund raise a minimum of $2500 to take part in the actual ride. I really hate asking for donations but I've been told that it's the only way! Do you have a spare $2? Every little bit helps. All money raised will go directly to support cancer patients and their families and all donations $2 and over are tax deductible. Thank you!!



{Wordless Wednesday} My daughter's AWESOMENESS

Some words are needed for this Wordless Wednesday. It's because the photo is of words. My daughters words. This chick cracks me up with her humour. Just to set the scene for you - she isn't feeling very well. She had yesterday off school and this morning I found this stuck to her door. It's a bit blurry so scroll down to read and have a laugh.

IF ANYONE EVEN TRIES TO GET ME OUT OF BED IN THE MORNING I WILL PUNCH THEM. I'VE ALREADY WRITTEN MY WILL, I'M DYING. I AM TO BE BURIED WITH A GUNS 'N' ROSES CD AND SNOWFLAKE* & CHOCOLATE CAKE. MY COFFIN WILL BE GREEN AND DECORATED WITH HARRY POTTER AND DOCTOR WHO (10TH) AWESOMENESS. IF ANYONE AT MY FUNERAL WEARS ANY BLACK I WILL HAUNT THEM FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. THERE WILL BE FIREWORKS, FOOD, LOTS OF NERDY BOOKS, FANDOMMANIA (POTTERHEADS, WHOVIANS, DIVERGENTS, SHADOWHUNTERS, HOBBITS, MISFITS, TRIBUTES, CASTORS & ANY OTHER GENUINE NERDS) & A CRAPLOAD OF ROCK 'N' ROLL. 

CYAA WHEN YOU DIE TOO!

*Snowflake is a teddy bear that she was given when she was born

Linking up with Bree from Twinkle in the Eye for a Wordless Wednesday!

and My Little Drummer Boys too!!

You can also follow me on

facebook | www.facebook.com/TheAussieHausfrau

Twitter | @AussieHausfrau

Instagram | @aussie_hausfrau

If you've been following me on facebook you may or may not know that I have registered for a 220km bike ride  for the Perth Ride to Conquer Cancer in 2013. This is a cause close to my heart as I have lost some very special people to this horrible disease. As part of my entry I need to fund raise a minimum of $2500 to take part in the actual ride. I really hate asking for donations but I've been told that it's the only way! Do you have a spare $2? Every little bit helps. All money raised will go directly to support cancer patients and their families and all donations $2 and over are tax deductible. Thank you!!



Mr Hausfrau told me to spend the day on Pinterest!

Mr Hausfrau told me to spend the day on Pinterest!!!

Actually what he really said was "spend the day making lists of ideas for the house makeover" but it's kinda the same thing right??

You see we are about to come into some money.

I'd love to tell you that we won the lotto but it is more a situation of the nice man at the bank throwing some cash our way in exchange to the promise of them taking our house if we don't pay. Sucker.

Exciting times ahead. If all goes to plan the next few months should see us with.......

New floors. Goodbye crappy hurts to walk on with no cushioning carpet and ripped holey lino and hello to hard wood floors and plush carpets.

New walls. Goodybye cracked and flaky paint and hello fresh paint in great new colours.

New windows. Goodybe ripped fly screen and hello to crimsafe security screens and nice new curtains.

New airconditioning and heating. Goodbye cold winters and hot summers and hello to ducted reverse cycle aircon!

New car. Goodbye faitfull old Land Cruiser, you've done us well. Hello zippy new Volkswagen!

and the most exciting part........ *drum roll please*

A NEW FREAKING KITCHEN!!!!

Goodbye wasted space cupboards and broken oven. Hello brand spanking new kitchen with clever storage solutions and a real working oven!

I'm so freaking excited.

I'd love to hang around and chat. Can't. Pinning to do.

Do you pin?

You can find me here

Linking up with Essentially Jess for #IBOT

click to go there!

You can also follow me on

facebook | www.facebook.com/TheAussieHausfrau

Twitter | @AussieHausfrau

Instagram | @aussie_hausfrau

If you've been following me on facebook you may or may not know that I have registered for a 220km bike ride  for the Perth Ride to Conquer Cancer in 2013. This is a cause close to my heart as I have lost some very special people to this horrible disease. As part of my entry I need to fund raise a minimum of $2500 to take part in the actual ride. I really hate asking for donations but I've been told that it's the only way! Do you have a spare $2? Every little bit helps. All money raised will go directly to support cancer patients and their families and all donations $2 and over are tax deductible. Thank you!!



Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore. Tricky to spell. Easy to make!

I'm totally crushing on my slow cooker at the moment. It's just too handy to use when I'm out all afternoon for basketball or footy, or like today feeling like crap and able to put stuff in the slowcooker, set and forget!

After a cold and windy training on Thursday it was great to come home to dinner already cooked!

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

8 chicken thighs, chopped into bite sized bits
1 medium onion, sliced
3 garlic cloves, sliced
1 400g tin crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
1/4 sliced of halved black or kalamata olives
1/2 cup red wine
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 tbsp mixed herbs
salt & pepper to taste
fresh parsley to garnish


The "easy ain't nobody got time for that" method
1. Throw it all in the slow cooker, stir, set, forget. 4 hours on high. 6-8 hours on low. It may need thickening before serving.


The "I have a little bit more time to waste on cooking" method

Add this to the ingredient list
2 tbsp flour
2 tbsp oil

1. Coat chicken in flour seasoned with extra salt, pepper & mixed herbs
2. Heat half the oil in saucepan and cook onion and garlic until soft. Add to slowcooker
3. Heat remaining oil and cook chicken in batches until brown. Add to slowcooker.
4. Use the red wine to deglaze the saucepan and add to slowcooker
5. Add stock, paste, tin tomatoes, olives and mixed herb to slow cooker.
6. Cook for 4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low.

You could serve this on its own or with whatever you wanted to really. Mash potato. Pasta. Rice. Polenta. Cous Cous. Quinoa. Whatever.

Ready to be cooked. Didn't get a photo before we gobbled it all up!

Do you crush on your slow cooker during the cooler months too???

You can also follow me on

facebook | www.facebook.com/TheAussieHausfrau

Twitter | @AussieHausfrau

Instagram | @aussie_hausfrau

If you've been following me on facebook you may or may not know that I have registered for a 220km bike ride  for the Perth Ride to Conquer Cancer in 2013. This is a cause close to my heart as I have lost some very special people to this horrible disease. As part of my entry I need to fund raise a minimum of $2500 to take part in the actual ride. I really hate asking for donations but I've been told that it's the only way! Do you have a spare $2? Every little bit helps. All money raised will go directly to support cancer patients and their families and all donations $2 and over are tax deductible. Thank you!!



Easy Peasy Green Thai Chicken Curry

There comes a magical time when your normally fussy "meat and potato only" eater daughter gets a taste for something different and totally blows you away with what she asks you to cook for dinner.

Swap the cat for PrincessBF and you get the idea. Credit image here

That time came for me a few months back when PrincessBF tried some Green Thai Chicken Curry at school , loved it, and asked me to cook it for her.

I've been cooking this recipe for years but only for Mr Hausfrau and I for date night but now it's a regular for the kids too - even Random Boy loves it and goes back for seconds.

Stuff that's in it
600g chicken breast cut into small pieces
1-2 cups of your choice of chopped veg (green beans, broccoli or zucchini works well)
1 tbsp peanut oil
1 medium onion, diced
2-3 tbsp green thai curry paste
1 tin coconut milk
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp fish sauce
2 tsp brown sugar or coconut sugar (NOT palm sugar!)
1cup coriander
Jasmine rice to serve
Lime wedge to garnish


The Easy Peasy Method

1. Heat oil in wok. Fry onions and paste for a minute or two.
2. Add coconut milk and then fill tin with water and add that too
3. Add chicken and veg and bring the boil. Reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Add the lime juice, fish sauce and sugar.
5. Serve with rice and top with coriander and a wedge of lime

Notes
*You could substitute the chicken with prawns.
*I omit the onions and veg when cooking this for the kids as my daughter won't eat it otherwise
*Add less paste if doing it for kids (I just use 1 tbsp)
*You can mix half the coriander into the curry before serving and use the other half as garnish.
*I also add kaffir lime leaves when making it just for Mr Hausfrau and myself

Is there something that you didn't expect your kids to eat but they totally amazed you by eating???

You can also follow me on

facebook | www.facebook.com/TheAussieHausfrau

Twitter | @AussieHausfrau

Instagram | @aussie_hausfrau

If you've been following me on facebook you may or may not know that I have registered for a 220km bike ride  for the Perth Ride to Conquer Cancer in 2013. This is a cause close to my heart as I have lost some very special people to this horrible disease. As part of my entry I need to fund raise a minimum of $2500 to take part in the actual ride. I really hate asking for donations but I've been told that it's the only way! Do you have a spare $2? Every little bit helps. All money raised will go directly to support cancer patients and their families and all donations $2 and over are tax deductible. Thank you!!