October Highlights

October was a busy and emotionally draining month for me personally.  

But here are a few highlights of our October 2025

Jiedyn got his L's..

After our swim sesh one Thursday this month we went to visit Uncle Henry to give him two DVD's to add to his DVD Collection and in return, Unk gave Jie the complete series of The Fast and the Furious on Bluray. 

Towards the end of the month my son and I started the first of our Christmas Shopping! 

Jie picked up these sunnies for $10 and some summery shorts and shirts. 

Shopping with my adult son is something I could get used to..

My David and I enjoyed some one on one time with his daughter this month. We picked her up from her Nanna's house and took her shopping at the local Werribee Plaza. Together we did some lego before buying her a few items of her choice including a dress, some accsessories to go with her dress, a toy to take home and (my fave) a flying dancing ballerina doll in which you can see below..

Sonzie was extremely spoiled this month, first by Uncle Henry and then by another Aunt in community, Aunty Lorraine. Aunt knitted Jie a scarf in which he now proudly wears to and from school and work on cold days. When he's not wearing it he likes to annoy his sister with it and I also came home one day after work recently to find him snuggled up with it on the couch..

This monthly visit with David son Ryan we bought him some Sea Monkeys and spent time with him at home. Not wanting the visit to end we invited him and his Mum Cat out for dinner to a local Egypt inspired restaurant. David and Ryan ordered the same dinner which was super cute, we took Snapchat filtered Selfies, raided the candy machine and Ryan loved the playground area. I'll let the pictures tell the story of how much fun Ryan had with us all.. 

 October seemed to also be the month of some heavy duty Pokemon playing with me finally reaching level 66. Pictured first though is a pokemon I'm very proud of and like to put in the gyms around the local school areas..

As October was drawing to an end Ryan very sweetly invited his Dad and I to his "Grandparents and Special Persons Day" at School. David and I took the day off from work to be there for Ryan. We enjoyed some afternoon tea, played yard games and met some of Ryan's friends. The day concluded with an assembly and Ryan yelling out "Bye Mel!" in which melted my heart. Here are some pics of that day..

I then finished the month off with a Job interview for a new role in Western Health in which I'm applying for! I had a panel interview and met my would-be Team Leader, Supervisor and Manager. It'll be a big change, but a good change. I'm feeling positive about how it went and am looking forward to some really rewarding work in community.

Wish me luck!

 

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Karaoke Night at Stoney's

Photos from Stoney's first ever Karaoke Night last weekend!

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Asian Beef with Mash

 Utensils:

Sharp Knife

Chopping Board

Pot

Potato Masher

Pan

Wooden Spoon

Ingredients:

1 Red Capsicum Sliced

1 Small Onion Sliced

1 Packet of Beef Strips

2 tbs ABC Sauce

1 tbs Soy Sauce

1/2 cup Milk

1 tbs Butter

3 Potato Lite Potatoes

Salt & Pepper

  Method:

Step 1:

Boil Potatoes in a Pot of Boiling Water until soft.

Step 2: 

While potatoes are boiling chop capsicum and onion

Step 3: 

Heat oil into a pan and fry beef strips.

Step 4: 

Add soy sauce, ABC sauce, onion and capsicum to strips and cooke on medium heat.

Step 5: 

Drain the Potaotes, return potatoes to the pot, add milk and butter and mash well.

Step 6: 

In a bowl add mash and then top with Asian Beef stir fry.

Step 7: 

Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve.

Also amazing with Roasted Potatoes..

 

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Wrinkly Bear

 While on our way home from swimming last Thursday I noticed my son had smile wrinkles.

I told him, but instead of taking it as a complement, he is now self conscious of them.

While at the chemist that afternoon Jie bought eye serum .. hahaha..

And apparently he is never smiling again!!

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New Beginnings

It's a brand new beginning for my big Neicy Noo Jeanette whom moved into her new home around a month or so ago!

And, not so long after that she also got approved to have her (not so) little sister Justine in her care.

Jeanette is also raising her daughter, my great Neice Vienna and is pregnant with a baby boy due in November this year.

So two weekends ago my David and I took a trip to see Jeanette and Vienna!

Vienna was very shy at first but soon warmed up to her Aunty Lissa playing with my sunglasses and posing for selfies on my phone..

She was also fascinated by my keys hanging and not touching the ground.

This was super cute..

While Jeanette made them a snack Vienna finally came to me on her own and I was able to love on her and make her giggle and squirm..

And then it was back to my glasses where Jeanette got some pics of us together..

My middle Niece Janai also came to see us and I captured these precious moments of Vienna with her Aunty..

It needs to be said, Aunty’s are just so underrated in the world today. Old ways show that it took a village to raise our children and Aunties played a massive role in the development of a child. So today, as an Aunty, I want to acknowledge my niece Janai whom has grown to be such a wonderful presence in her niece Viennas little life. Providing Emotional support, guidance and wisdom not only to Vienna but to Jeanette and Justine is evident in every way. The way they all look to her as their source of light on the dark days shows me of how God is using her in their daily lives. Such a blessing, loyal and powerful presence in all the lives around her, my niece has grown to become a huge part of her family and our next gen..

It was really beautiful to see them all again and settled and together.

Very proud of both of my Neices in where they're at in life and Vienna will soon have a little brother to love on and adore.

I thank God for blessing their lives with a home and the stability they all so desperately needed.

God is so good!!

We are already planning our next trip..

 

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