Life is hectic. Packing is teaching me how to work my new systems, and what the limitations are. Hopefully more will come on that. In the meantime, here is today's gratitude. What is yours?
Today I have an incredible amount of gratitude. For the wisdom of my big girl, suggesting that Daddy buy a happy meal for himself next time he's 'starving' at Maccas! (saving us $5 lol), for my sensitive young man who suggested that we calm down (after the performances he put on today it was almost hilarious hearing him tell 2 stressed adults to be calmer!). Grateful that all 3 children got to play the great table marker game with Grandad tonight. Grateful for being able to help my Dad. And especially grateful for my husband tonight who helped me get our packing from a messed up tower in the laundry into neat piles ready to put into bags. Finally grateful for the panadol that has taken away the pain from the cyclone's drop in air pressure (or the stress filled day, whichever). Oh and grateful for the lovely house sitters.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Saturday, January 25, 2014
My thoughts on American Skin (41 shots) by Bruce Springsteen. Guest post by Aussie Fairy.
41
shots tells the truth about a African man who was pulled down by police and who
was shot 41 times. In Africa if you were pulled down by police you had to show
them your ID but as this happened in New York the local police thought he was pulling
out a gun but it was his ID.
Shot 41 times.
Why? No one knows.
This
just goes to show that if you’re different you can be in danger. So we should appreciate
others’ talents even if it is one in a million bad habits since no one is
perfect and no one deserves to be hurt since we’re all people.
Aussie Fairy
Age 9
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Gathering Energy
Sometimes it takes energy just to function
Wow! Working 3 days a week 100 kms away is taking up a lot of energy.
Right now, with the holiday getting closer, I’m all about conserving energy. Not that it is working, but that is the
theory.
The reality is somewhat different, it
is about coping with all the people around me not coping. My hubby is now the
full time household carer and he quite frankly, sucks at the job. If today is
anything to go by, my children must be bored out of their little minds with him
at the helm.
But enough ranting, I have about 5
minutes before I fall asleep, I want to share that I have started 21 days
to Bruce exercise plan and I’m on day 2 of that. I’m actually 2 kgs lighter
than I was at Christmas, so that is a bonus. If you are interested in joining me on my 20 day plan, go find 'Get Fit for Bruce' on Facebook. I don't have any suggestions for others, everyone needs their own goals, I am happy to share mine as I go.
Really I’m pretty much at the edge of reason
right now, just coping. There are more bills than income, the holiday we can’t
afford, and desperately need. Other stuff just keeps happening.
Anyone familiar with this?
My coping strategies are:
1. Single task - just one thing at a time.
2. Use a diary. Like when you can remember to. Don't sweat it, important stuff will sneak up on you, or it will be in the diary. One of those things will happen.
3. Exercise - Especially as Bruce is getting closer - I'm exercising daily now, even if only a little.
4. Be grateful. I find myself getting worked up about the insanity of life. Gratitude and writing down the things that I am grateful for is an amazing antidote to the crazy.
5. Count the days - this strategy also seems to cause a bit of stress, as there is so much yet to do. But it is fun to look forward to things. While I'm counting I listen to Bruce. Enjoy the Bruce is probably what I really do in this strategy.
Amazing to think I learnt all those strategies just in the last 12 months!!!!
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Hot!
52 Weeks project. I'm sure the intention is to do this as you go, however I was inspired by a friend's efforts, so I am attempting 52 weeks of photos of each of my children from 2013. I am up to June and only started on New Year's Eve. I'm hoping to perhaps finish this weekend. What a wonderful start to the year that would be.
Today I am perplexed by the never-ending trashiness of my house. I understand how it happens, and what delicately balanced forces tip, however I am slightly confused as to whether I am actually managing to make marginal progress. I have discovered quite a few 'before' photos in my delving into the past year and I might be wrong, but it seems like I am winning the war on behaviour and stuff just a teeny tiny bit.
Having said that, it occurs to me that it is entirely up to me to start some cleaning projects tomorrow - to get stuck into the 'surfaces' and hopefully through tidying those places that shouldn't be messed up to begin with, it will bring me some calm and clarity. And it won't hurt in making a good impression on the house sitters if they come for a meet and greet either!
I can see that before I go to bed it will be a good idea to simply do 3 things to tidy up, nothing big, just throw out the milk cartons, wash up and maybe sweep the floor to give me a little bit of head start tomorrow.
Today I am perplexed by the never-ending trashiness of my house. I understand how it happens, and what delicately balanced forces tip, however I am slightly confused as to whether I am actually managing to make marginal progress. I have discovered quite a few 'before' photos in my delving into the past year and I might be wrong, but it seems like I am winning the war on behaviour and stuff just a teeny tiny bit.
Having said that, it occurs to me that it is entirely up to me to start some cleaning projects tomorrow - to get stuck into the 'surfaces' and hopefully through tidying those places that shouldn't be messed up to begin with, it will bring me some calm and clarity. And it won't hurt in making a good impression on the house sitters if they come for a meet and greet either!
I can see that before I go to bed it will be a good idea to simply do 3 things to tidy up, nothing big, just throw out the milk cartons, wash up and maybe sweep the floor to give me a little bit of head start tomorrow.
Friday, January 3, 2014
GTFTS - a summer dilemma!
Tonight's theme has been:
I love that one of our most well-known children's show hosts is reading it. Although it does seem to have confused some conservative dills, as you can observe here.
And there is also the enjoyable Samuel L Jackson narration.
And me? I'm going to make an effort to wear out said children tomorrow OR get them to get a daytime nap so that they indeed do Go the Fuck to Sleep!
Today also included a hot tip about budget organising using google docs....must update later!
I love that one of our most well-known children's show hosts is reading it. Although it does seem to have confused some conservative dills, as you can observe here.
And there is also the enjoyable Samuel L Jackson narration.
And me? I'm going to make an effort to wear out said children tomorrow OR get them to get a daytime nap so that they indeed do Go the Fuck to Sleep!
Today also included a hot tip about budget organising using google docs....must update later!
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Happy New Year
The past weeks have been a time of celebration, but also for me, a time of great changes. Adjusting to life without my adult-life-long companion has been emotional. We've also had 2 groups of helpx backpackers now, both absolutely wonderful experiences. And then there is a Christmas with Dad that we never expected to get, twice over during the past 12 months. And he's seen in another year, 2014 is here, and so is my Dad, against all the odds. Bless him for hanging in there for me and the children.
Today was an excellent opportunity to reflect on the changes I've made in 2013. They are not noteworthy perhaps, to anyone but myself, and my noting them here, I may not convey the importance or relevance that I feel these changes have, but I'll give it a shot.
Today started off on the wrong foot. My husband and I were not seeing eye to eye and together were on a collision course to ruin each other's New Years Day. So instead, as soon as we both realised the futility of trying to stay in the same place and be civilised, hubby went off to check on Dad and look after him this morning. We've done this before, it is the perfect solution in our household to those moments of stupid bickering that lead nowhere pleasant, and fast. Rather than bicker, we separate and go in different directions, each doing valid constructive work, so that when we are reunited, we are both grateful to the other for their contribution and any bickering is forgotten. It works a charm.
So while hubby was gone, without interference from a second opinion I launched into a quick cleanup, with a timer from UFYH giving me some structure - cleaning each room for approximately 1/2 hour, allowing me a little time to manage children around that. In two hours I had swept downstairs, finished the Christmas present devastation cleanup and made a tiny dent in the laundry. The important thing was that it felt good, the house felt cleaner, more loved and I felt calmer than I had in days.
I feel we have also perfected the 'visit to Grandad' with all children now responsibly behaved in a very boring nursing home, and a habit of watching kids TV with Dad in his room.
Beneath these changes runs the vein of having first changed my whole attitude to a single-task focus, doing one thing at a time, enjoying and living in the moment. I'm still working on it, but it does make a more hassle-free existence.
In 30 days I will mark 12 months of blogging, something I never thought would happen, I am grateful for all I have learnt from the blog this past year.
What will 2014 bring? Firstly I'd like a magical ability to make a budget from my very unrealistic finances!
Today was an excellent opportunity to reflect on the changes I've made in 2013. They are not noteworthy perhaps, to anyone but myself, and my noting them here, I may not convey the importance or relevance that I feel these changes have, but I'll give it a shot.
Today started off on the wrong foot. My husband and I were not seeing eye to eye and together were on a collision course to ruin each other's New Years Day. So instead, as soon as we both realised the futility of trying to stay in the same place and be civilised, hubby went off to check on Dad and look after him this morning. We've done this before, it is the perfect solution in our household to those moments of stupid bickering that lead nowhere pleasant, and fast. Rather than bicker, we separate and go in different directions, each doing valid constructive work, so that when we are reunited, we are both grateful to the other for their contribution and any bickering is forgotten. It works a charm.
So while hubby was gone, without interference from a second opinion I launched into a quick cleanup, with a timer from UFYH giving me some structure - cleaning each room for approximately 1/2 hour, allowing me a little time to manage children around that. In two hours I had swept downstairs, finished the Christmas present devastation cleanup and made a tiny dent in the laundry. The important thing was that it felt good, the house felt cleaner, more loved and I felt calmer than I had in days.
I feel we have also perfected the 'visit to Grandad' with all children now responsibly behaved in a very boring nursing home, and a habit of watching kids TV with Dad in his room.
Beneath these changes runs the vein of having first changed my whole attitude to a single-task focus, doing one thing at a time, enjoying and living in the moment. I'm still working on it, but it does make a more hassle-free existence.
In 30 days I will mark 12 months of blogging, something I never thought would happen, I am grateful for all I have learnt from the blog this past year.
What will 2014 bring? Firstly I'd like a magical ability to make a budget from my very unrealistic finances!
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Resources for when everything is falling apart, handy links only.
Thats right, just the links I've found useful tonight. I'm a human being blogging, my life has stuff going on that I process away from blogging. And tonight it involved getting myself informed about pulling myself out of an emotional black spot.
I only like step 1 of this one, very important. The other steps resonate better elsewhere. (wikihow)
This one really resonated with me. I immediately went and joined some groups on facebook that related to issues in my life - one of them was an elder care page that I liked, with plenty of links and useful information. This will be so important to ease the feeling of doing it alone. Thank you to the freedom experiment. This cluey write also suggests tackling the problem that will take 20% of energy to fix, but are causing 80% of the worry. I don't know which one that is right now, too many options!
"Don’t run away from your fear, Pema says. Lean into it." it isn't the simple answer but there is a truth in feeling the fear, and then moving along (with it if necessary).
These others are the ones that I just can't digest right now.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/terri-cole/dealing-with-crisis_b_2777284.html
http://www.feelgooder.com/how-to-be-positive-when-everything-seems-like-it%E2%80%99s-falling-apart/
http://www.marieforleo.com/2013/05/feeling-lost/
http://goinswriter.com/falling-apart/
The common theme seems to be gratitude. I'm going to find my 3 things to be grateful for today.
1. I'm grateful for my house. It may be slowly becoming more run down, but it is mine.
2. I'm grateful for my friends and family who I've chatted to today
3. I'm grateful for my mother in law who knows all things cooking and is just a phone call away with the answers :)
Bless!
I only like step 1 of this one, very important. The other steps resonate better elsewhere. (wikihow)
This one really resonated with me. I immediately went and joined some groups on facebook that related to issues in my life - one of them was an elder care page that I liked, with plenty of links and useful information. This will be so important to ease the feeling of doing it alone. Thank you to the freedom experiment. This cluey write also suggests tackling the problem that will take 20% of energy to fix, but are causing 80% of the worry. I don't know which one that is right now, too many options!
"Don’t run away from your fear, Pema says. Lean into it." it isn't the simple answer but there is a truth in feeling the fear, and then moving along (with it if necessary).
These others are the ones that I just can't digest right now.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/terri-cole/dealing-with-crisis_b_2777284.html
http://www.feelgooder.com/how-to-be-positive-when-everything-seems-like-it%E2%80%99s-falling-apart/
http://www.marieforleo.com/2013/05/feeling-lost/
http://goinswriter.com/falling-apart/
The common theme seems to be gratitude. I'm going to find my 3 things to be grateful for today.
1. I'm grateful for my house. It may be slowly becoming more run down, but it is mine.
2. I'm grateful for my friends and family who I've chatted to today
3. I'm grateful for my mother in law who knows all things cooking and is just a phone call away with the answers :)
Bless!
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