Memories.

reverb 13 - Day 6.

“True wisdom lies in gathering the precious things out of each day as it goes by.”— E.S. Bouton

There are so many “precious things” that are presented to us each day; discoveries and treasures found in simple moments, memories we wish to store in our hearts and keep with us forever.
What precious things have you gathered in 2013?

Which memories from this year do you wish to keep with you always?

The smiles, laughter and hugs with my daughters, each moment with them is precious and each memory I will treasure.
Our mini family breaks.
Movie and lunch dates with my husband.
The new friends I have made.

Photos from our camping trip to Yamba in September.

Risk

reverb 13 -Day 5.

What was the greatest risk you took in 2013? What was the outcome?

I used to take big risks, but I have taken less and less of late. I think I should take more though......

My greatest risk of the year was going back to my old job. The shift work and stress involved in my job led me to take time out last year. I enjoyed the time out from shift work but missed looking after women and their families. So I decided to go back and just work less hours. I was faced with my biggest challenge as a result of taking the risk of going back when I was inadvertently involved in a case that has now forever changed my life. I am firmly committed to confidentiality and can't go into any details about the case. This is probably what makes the whole situation harder to deal with. I have seen a psychologist for the first time in my life and it has helped. The risk I would have liked to take when I was at the cross roads would have been to have moved somewhere else, probably Queensland where Jay could get more reliable work and I could work casually instead. Which would allow me to do the job I love in hours that suit me and let me take time out as I need it. My daughters are so settled in their schools and have good friends here though, so I didn't take the risk. My desire to provide my girls with a stable home prevents me from taking some of the risks I consider. 

                                                            Image from pinterest

Grieving.

reberb 13 - Day 4.

This past year, we have all experienced so much loss and experienced so much grief -- in relationships, through sickness and death, from mental illness or abuse, because of finances, even due to the need for healthy change.
It is good to honor those shifts, to fully feel them, so that we can let go of what needs surrendered, and remember what is worthy of our love and gratitude.

What have you lost, what are you grieving?

2013 was an unexpected challenge. I was positive at the beginning of the year that it was going to be less stressful than the last.
This year my mum has been unwell and having treatment.
I so looked forward to going back to my job as a Midwife after 6 months of clinical teaching last year. I still love my job but I have lost my passion. This has been my biggest personal grief.
Jay lost his Aunt and his cousin.
I lost my Uncle.

Great Uncle Ian, My Mum's brother was always at a party, this was one of my daughter's backyard birthday parties. He was very family proud! When my eldest daughter Josie was born he drove up to visit us in hospital and said " I knew I would be 'great' at something one day".

Listening to my heart.

reberb day 3 prompt:

Each day for 31 days, I sat quietly for a few moments with my eyes closed and my hand on my heart and asked, “Heart: what do you need?”

And then I listened. Sometimes the answer came in the form of a word. Sometimes an image. Sometimes a sensation.

Try this today. What does your heart have to tell you?

Another great and timely prompt. I am often in a battle between head and heart. My head is always busy thinking and is miles ahead of my heart.
My heart tells me it wants happiness, it just wants to let go of the weight and burdens and to just be happy. This is a big challenge for anyone who over thinks any situation. So I need my head to think happy and I believe I will feel happier. My heart will than surely be singing, right?

 Image from pinterest.

Nourish

reverb13 - Day 2

The way we nourish ourselves determines our ability to shine our light in the world. And nourishment doesn't just come in the form of food and drink and sunshine; it's equally important to nourish your spirit.
What made your soul feel most nourished this year?

So true, nourishment is more than food, drink and sunshine!
I find time out with my family on a picnic or a visit to the market nourishing.
I nourish myself with a soak in the bath with a good book to read, a little escape from reality is good for my soul.
I bliss out with a spot of knitting.
I have a pinterest love, and feel nourished after some happy browsing.
I head to the gym or out for a walk when I can and always feel uplifted after some exercise.
I cuddle my dogs, always soothes the soul.

 

Sunny our Jack Russell cross with Jay.

Polly our Mini Foxy cross Boston Terrier with the newly 9 year old Laura, my little entertainer, not many days go by without dress ups or performances.

#reverb 13 - Day 1.

I have been invited by the lovely Kat from I saw you dancing blog to join in on reverb 13. I joined in last year and thought it would be good to join in again this year. You can find out more about it by following the link and why not join in too?

 

 

It is the first day of December. It is the first day of Summer here in the Southern Hemisphere, but it may  be the first day of Winter where you are.
It is the first day of Reverb13.

How do you feel, on this first day, in your mind? In your body? In your heart? In your soul?

I do love this time of year, the start of Summer and Christmas just around the corner. The first day of December always makes me happy. The school year is nearing an end and my daughters are getting excited about the Summer break. We have put up Christmas decorations and spent a lazy Sunday together today, Bliss!

In my mind I am feeling calmer than  I have for months. I am looking forward to the Summer break too. I will be working, but I am now part time so I can manage having some quality time with my family.

In my body, I am also excited about the changes I am planning. I am signed up for the next 12WBT and am getting back into exercise. I have been struggling with my arthritis and low B12 levels but am making small changes to help with that. My skin is much better than it was a few months ago too, just in time for Summer.

In my heart, I am still carrying a little sorrow for the sadness the year has brought. I know I will forever but I can breathe now and I am working my way through my feelings. My heart is also full of love and pride for my family.

In my soul, I am still a little confused and searching. Happiness is there and I am always finding reasons to smile but it doesn't always come naturally. My biggest struggle is work. I missed midwifery so much when I had time out to do some clinical teaching, and I do love my job. But, finding the balance between home and work is a challenge. There are elements of my job that I wish didn't exist and I often ponder what else I could do. There is only one job I would rather do and that is full-time mum. Best job in the world in my opinion!

Tea time tablecloth

Josie starting high school this year was a big change for the family, but I am happy to report she has made the transition smoothly and is enjoying new subjects. I think she surprised herself with enjoying textiles and has even pulled out my sewing machine at home a few times now for some projects. I got a lovely new table cloth a couple of weeks ago.

I just love the spotty tea pots!

I whipped up half a dozen bright dish cloths this week because my concentration has been too off for any of my knitting patterns. I just needed something to do that required little thought and stress.

Life has been a little tricky lately. Sadly we lost My Uncle a couple of weeks ago and we have all been feeling a little heart broken. My work stress continues and I am contemplating career options. Thank goodness for Jay and my girls, they give me every reason to just keep smiling despite it all!