My Life in 250 Words ...{oh well more or less}

Born and raised in Sydney, nothing really big or important ever happened in my childhood...though does waving to Queen Elizabeth , as she was chauffeured by in her car, count ?
Living in the same home for 15yrs, a happy suburban neighbourhood (sadly a very different one today), we built cubby houses, climbed trees, played backyard cricket and football with the neighbourhood 'tribe'.

The eldest of 3 - a brother & sister, my parents were happily married till my father passed away 8 yrs ago. I consider myself very fortunate to have been so loved and encouraged to chase my dreams. I went to 'college', graduating with a Diploma (degree) in Nursing - achieving a High Distinction.

I've never traveled overseas - the most extraordinary thing I’ve  done is at 22yrs I rode a bicycle from Melbourne to Sydney celebrating the bicentenary (1988). I met my husband on a bizarre blind date in 1988 ...a month or so before that 1100km bike ride.

I’m mother to 4 children, blessed with three sons- 1 adopted and IVF twins - rambunctious and loving boys and a daughter , stillborn in 2004. My children give me an excuse for bizarre & eccentric behaviour.

In 2012 we made a lifestyle / tree-change to 1000acres property in Central West NSW.  Diagnosed with breast cancer 11 months ago - after a mastectomy and 16 cycles of chemotherapy , I’m finally half way through the 17 cycles of IV Herceptin.

Each morning I wake determined to enjoy the day – wasting a lot of time on the Internet. I still worry immensely about my future but I focus on enjoying the journey right now as path unfolds before me - step by step and moment by moment.

A Fresh New Challenge…



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Crossing the line

Today, I completed the 14km - Sydney City to Surf (with 85,000 others) in very chilly and windy conditions . We also got a light sprinkle of rain and a little sunshine .

I took it easy and found a pace partner in another Team World Vision runner....walker.

We crossed the line in about 2hrs.


Last night before I went to bed I checked my target hero meter and I'd already crossed the line @ $1000. I was so excited.

It was the best feeling ever to go to sleep knowing, thanks to the generous donations of family and friends from everywhere, I had reached my $1000 target for World Vision Australia . Thank you all so much xoxox 1000 times over. So many families will be helped to have a better life and lives saved.

They emailed me already

Together, you have raised almost $40,000 which is truly tremendous!  Through the Multiplying Gift Appeal this is multiplied by up to 10.  That's almost $400,000 worth of food aid and relief essentials that can distributed to children and families in urgent need in countries like Kenya. 

We caught the train in and another friend M met up with us after the race. On the way back to her car I saw some people from National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF - fund research for prevention and cure) ...actually the race Sports Fundraising Manager who manages the team runners.I told her I'd like to run for them next year, in hot pink. She gave me her card : )

My friend had misplaced her car but we found it . How serendipitous was meeting that lady out of the 100,000 plus people at Bondi , as we wandered about looking for M's car !

I also met up with the gorgeous Grace, from With Some Grace (she ran the whole way) and Tat @Mum in Search came down to say hello too.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Thankful for Choices and warm hugs

I've noticed a lot of people are struggling right now physically and emotionally with their purpose in life, self esteem ~ regarding weight and health issues, relationships and even their blogs.

Some days the sheer weight of the number of choices before us exhausts us .With to do lists as long as {insert your own} -the Harbour Bridge- is it any wonder we give ourselves a hard time.

My mind is buzzing with all the things I have (yes really need) to organise , people to see or annoy or email , or wrangling the kids and school stuff -  that I can't engage the present except for intently checking Facebook updates and emails.

We are burdened with such high expectations that we feel unfulfilled and frustrated.

I find it personally hard to silence my inner critic, to quiet the noise in my head and just go with the flow. If I can't keep up I feel a failure.

I worry about the future and our plans for it , I worry about things that may never happen and I forget to live in the moment.

I ask myself how do I find a balance ?

I know having less choices would be easier but putting things in perspective I have a rich life. Sure I have past regrets about bad choices and bad experiences and I can't change these.

“There are 86,400 seconds in a day. It's up to you to decide what to do with them.”
― Jim Valvano

I'm  still letting go of ~ the preconceived ideas about how things are meant to be; the things I can't change and  bridges I don't have to cross. 


I can make better choices ...

I'll focus on practical steps to stay as organised as I can be (plenty of blogs to help me there) ...

I'll focus on my running , getting fitter and stronger...step by step.

I'll find a sense of purpose by engaging in activities or creative pursuits that interest or inspire me...crochet a granny square or make a quilt ...some day.

I'll connect with like minded people and I'll breath deeply .If things don't go my way I try again .. tomorrow or the next or reassess plan B.

I'm making a start today !

Right now I am thankful for the warm hugs of my cherubs, though I have to ask them to not touch my face - because they have 'boy germs' a hacking cough and the green curtains are down in Tissue town.

We have all been unwell this week and they are home from school again today. My husband has also been away for work. It's tough solo parenting and my admiration for single parents is beyond measure.

Many mothers are better at caring for their children (and even friends in need) than ourselves. When our cherubs are hurting or unwell we wrap our arms around them, soothe their worries or injuries , say kind words and nurture them.

It is time we choose to nurture the child inside you ourselves - how about metaphorically giving yourself a warm hug ...say something good about yourself and challenge the inner critic !

Most things will pass , "this too will pass" is my favourite mantra !.

Go gently and make good choices - for you !

? credit unknown - I feel like doing this today except it is raining ...yay for filling water tanks.

So what is good about you (make a new list) ?
If you draw a blank phone a friend...


♥

Handwritten ?

Everyone loves to receive personal mail ...except penalty notices bills

my dream letter box is actually a Cow shape - this is just a pretty picture!

 

Invitation, birthday card , holiday post card or a just a kind note from a friend or family .

What a feeling it is to pull an envelope out of the letter box with your handwritten name on it.

Claire says

Mail, actually written by you has a secret power that you never even realise. Only the receiver gets the magic. That extra smile you have when you get a surprise letter, the joy of hearing from someone real, of learning some news, of knowing someone far away was thinking about them.

I am joining in her challenge

Six letters to six people in six weeks.

When was the last time you received a handwritten letter via snail mail? 

 Who will you write to this week?

PS I noticed Lime Tree has some whimsical accessories to aid letter writing.  

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Australian Women’s Weekly

I am often moved to tears by real life inspiring stories of people overcoming challenges... and ...where would we be without the latest heartthrobs {Colin Firth}.

Normally, I quickly skim through the regular features ~ fashion& beauty, family ideas, health updates, quick and easy recipes I can make at home, till I settle down with a cuppa and a special feature.

The Internet will never replace magazines for me. I don’t pick up every issue like I used too. While I have subscribed to various offers over the years I am not currently a subscriber. I’ve often purchased things I’ve seen reviewed or featured in their ads which sometimes are like a featured article.

"this is just a few"

It wasn’t a regular feature but it caught my eye, on the front cover – Life Lessons- Happiness is learning to be grateful. I checked the contents and I flicked over to page 79 ~

Titled: A year of living GRATEFULLY.

It focuses on the grateful movement sweeping the country, transforming lives as the grateful project participants take a photo a day of something they are thankful for.

A daily reminder to stop and smell the roses (literally something that is very close to my heart).

Day by day people have been searching for things that bring happiness and thankfulness.

The article mentioned champion rower, Rachael Taylor who started her 365 gratitude project as a disillusioned mother. She soon became a blogger- posting her daily grateful photos - so that captured my immediate attention too.

I was interested to know it started by another mother Hailey Bartholomew who in 2008, who inspired another mother, Felicity. She used her Facebook page to post her daily snapshots of grateful.

My favourite quote is by Felicity

“I think we have a tendency to think about the things we are missing in our lives and the things we haven’t achieved instead of seeing how blessed we really are”

This nails it for me – that by taking a simple photo people can find joy. It also reminds me to not to get stuck on where I am not...to look around and celebrate.

By seeking out and capturing those wonderful mundane things  ; like the washing on the line, fresh baked bread, a flower or children playing , we shift the focus and create something positive.

The images in this article appealed to me and gave me some great ideas of my own.

As much as I want to I doubt I could commit to a full 365 Gratitude project. The article has inspired me to start the New Year seeking out some happy moments of grateful, be it the mundane or that little bit of magic in my own life through 2012.

Reading this article in Women’s Weekly Magazine won’t transform my life but it certainly fires up a bit of passion in me and makes me think about living more gratefully.


♥

Wordless Wednesday ~ Trooper Trek 'Perth to Sydney'

Whoa - remember I told you about the Storm Trooper and his Trek

So who did meet the very next day - My boys were fascinated by him. His website is www.troopertrek.com

'Does your head come off '    "How do you see?"

Here we snapped 5 huge trucks pass him in under 3 mins ...hmm

what is this ?

PS Sorry for those who tried to link up last week -A Blogger Hiccup  where I had a major meltdown disabled my blog /email / profile for most of the day. I couldn't even comment via my profile.Thanks for linking up and visiting other blogs !

NEWSFLASH - I saw on twitter the Stormtrooper Trooptrek is in KIMBA - the Halfway point across Australia Please go say hi on Facebook and encourage him !


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Pinterest Make Me ~ Christmas Craft

I admit I don't possess crafty bones. My projects are usually a little wonky or go unfinished.

I like to be creative though. The boys love getting into mischief creative with craft , sticky tape, staples and glue. It's messy and fun play.

I just want to make Christmas fun for my little boys without an overload of commercialised decorations. Ok, I love some of them but I have a budget to stick to (next to nothing) .I want it to be fun for my boys, as long as I remember ...

We'll be right.

I am excited about Christmas but I do find it stressful. So, I am printing this out and framing it. I want to make my own subway art copy but that project is for another day.

Today I am joining in Pinterest make me Challenge. Ta da ...Disney Christmas Printable Train Craft.
We used an existing train track from Mr 18 and our farm animals to decorate it a little more.

Thanks Kate for the idea - on her 10 Free Printable ideas post.

* The cheeky Elve's on the shelf are also in the building - wait till you see what they get up to next week. Double Trouble !!

One more day of NaBloPomo ...how did you go.

PPS - I am getting ready for my 12 days Of Christmas giveaways. I hope you like them.
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100 things declutter challenge

As we get closer to moving, even though we have not sold our house, I realise how much stuff we have accumulated over 20 or so years.

I feel sometimes I should join Hoarders anonymous.

Admittedly, the last 5 years it has 'tripled' with two of everything - like the fact we have 6 car safety seats at the moment - transitioning out of two car 0-4 seats to booster seats with harness. We don't have much chance of passing things down to siblings (except for some of the 18 yr olds toys we hadn't given away) 

My #30 day challenge - goal for July is to de-clutter as much as I can or start with a minimum of 100 things. It must be measurable and accountable.

To

throwaway

 giveaway
 freecycle

recycle

sell

I'm not that good at selling, though I do plan to use free sites and free ads on trading post online. The money should be an incentive you would think.

So far ...

In 3 days I have given away. 

1. 40 of /44 packet of new unused disposable nappies.I've had them for about 18 months sitting in a drawer.Waiting to give them away.
2. 2 new dummies ( when J spat the dummy literally because he didn't want new ones). I gave both dummies & nappies to my cousin for her 18 month old boy/nappies for 2yr girl).
3. 1 Parenting magazine (duplicate of one I was recently given)
4. 1 used baby bottle (to my cousin as well)
5. New Minnie Mouse soft toy.
6. New Mickey Mouse soft toy.
7. 4 kids bags/basic backpacks
8. 15 new preschool books
9. 3 Disney kid's magazines
10. Kid's used tracksuit pants (to a party guest who didn't have a change of clothes)
11. New Lamaze 0-6 toy I won in a competition (gift)
12. New baby's 'IKEA' rattle (gift)

Threw away

1. Used baby bottle (before my cousin came)
2. Half dozen pieces/ broken toys
3. Dozen used birthday candles ( from a few birthdays worth).

I can easily reach 100 if I counted individual clothes but I am trying to be true to my goal and not count every piece by piece 'just because'.

We were just given 3 bags of clothes of hand me downs too - my new rule is one bag in - one bag out so I have to give away 3 bags of too smalls.

We have also so many baby and toddler toys in very good condition for resale. I am just lazy and too often distracted by twitter or the Internet.

I have to actually just do it !

The twins had a birthday party Saturday, so we have a dozen new toys including Duplo/Lego sets, Transformers and various other toys & clothes  - so again it's one in / one out.

How do you organise your de-cluttering ?
Do you have a major toss out or piece by piece so the kids don't notice ?
Do you struggle with hoarding things - just in case you need it again ?
♥ Never miss a post

Operation Christmas Child ...

Operation Christmas Child is a unique project of Samaritan's Purse that brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through simple gift-filled shoe boxes. They are practical and a lot of fun.

Gift Ideas

Fill your shoe box with one or more items from each ‘something’:

	SOMETHING TO LOVE Teddy bear, doll, soft toy, etc.
	SOMETHING FOR SCHOOL Exercise book, pencil case, pens, pencils, colouring pencils, sharpener, eraser, chalk, etc.
	SOMETHING TO WEAR T-shirt, shorts, underwear, cap, beanie, sandals, thongs, etc.
	SOMETHING TO PLAY WITH Tennis ball, cars, skipping rope, marbles, musical instrument, yo-yo, slinky, finger puppets, wind up torch, etc. (No battery operated items)*
	SOMETHING FOR PERSONAL HYGIENE Soap and face washer, toothbrush, hairbrush, comb, hair-clips, scrunchies, etc. (No toothpaste or anything liquid)*
	SOMETHING SPECIAL* Carry bag, sunglasses, bangles, necklaces, craft kits, stickers, note or photo of yourself.

Visit The Operation Christmas Child website to find out more and to find out where to drop your shoeboxes call 1800 684 300. There are drop off points all over Australia.

Hurry the last day is 25th October.
It also operates in the UK. I only just found the church newletter tonight about last years collection ...which I missed. You know what I am doing tomorrow.

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Never miss a post

Day 1 - Revive our heart

New DIRECTIONS ...in my marriage : a journey to appreciate and encourage my husband.

Day One:
"The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does
him good and not evil all the days of her life." Prov. 31:11-12
To refresh your memory...here's the 30-Day Encouragement Challenge...for the next 30days:
* You can't say anything negative about your husband ...to your husband...or to anyone else, about your husband.
* Say something that you admire or appreciate about your husband...to your
husband...and to someone else, about your husband!
To help you get started, have you ever thanked your husband

Last night I left my blogging and rss feeds *gasp* to watch a movie with the family .. "The Bee Movie" -funny and different.Then I helped my husband tidy up instead of sitting at computer again.I thanked him before I went to bed and told him I loved him (I do this often but I guess not enough).

This morning I officially started Day 1 ... I woke up and remembered , I jumped out of bed with a spring in my step to go make him a cup of tea in bed ... he was in the shower when I returned but it was the thought that counts.(ps I didn't have time to hop in LOL).He always make me a cup of tea. I thanked him because he is an exceptional fellow and does so much around the house.

It was fitting the Head or Tails this week is Directions - I really took to heart what Skittle has written this week . I could have written this too. For me, too, my blog has become a bit of sore point with my husband - he doesn't like the time I spend online. So it is a struggle because being I feel so alone and isolated at times -it is my lifeline and my sanity. I guess like Skittle I need to chose 'real life' a little more often. So if you see less of me that's why. It isn't a flip of the coin - heads or tails ...

Darling - I love and cherish you in my life thanks for choosing me.

OMG - what a coincidence ... was Googling a song about 'Direction' and thought of Every which way but loose ... (by Eddie Rabbitt who I have never heard of - to be honest but I have heard of his music) -then I started listening to You & I - I loved it ... but not the cheesy Dallas Montage with Patrick Duffy & Victoria Principle . I saw another version with the album cover - Radio Romance - which it what ours was - freaky. Read about it HERE

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