Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Rhubarb

Last weekend we went to the bay for a picnic. I baked a rhubarb tea cake in the morning which was a hit. Its a weight watchers recipe from the magazine a few issues ago. I love family days at the bay and I know these are days I will look back on and smile!


Saturday, September 14, 2013

Red

Jay has pretty much finished his latest project, a 1962 EK Holden Special Station Wagon. Once it sells he can get his 1960 FB Holden Station Wagon finished off. Here is a before and after pic of Red:


He has done all of the work himself, I think he has done a great job! Its hard to believe it is the same car. When the FB is finished I really want to get a vintage caravan.

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Fathers Day!



Today is the first day of Spring in Australia and it is also fathers day! I made jay a pair of socks to go with his gifts. The girls bought him a stash of goodies from their school stall. Josie made him a mini surf board in wood work and i also got him a new phone. We made him breakfast in bed and the girls will have a take away dinner with him tonight, sadly I have to head off to work in a while.

I also  made another free style crochet rug with some gifted wool, modelled below by my husband.


August Moon catch up

Ok so I have made a pretty lousy attempt at this, I have looked at each prompt but just wasn't sure of my thoughts. I feel like I am constantly repeating myself, well I guess I am repeating myself. Anyway here is the rest of my responses to the August Moon prompts:

Day 6: The zeniths and nadirs. Where have the highlights and low points been for you so far in 2013? Where are you now? How would you like your year to end?
I have mentioned some of my zeniths in previous posts:- My friend courageously beating cancer, my daughter moving into high school smoothly, catching up with old friends, enjoying special family days and outings, clearing some of our debt to name a few. Some other thoughts that come to mind:- Just recently I have recommitted to my body with regular exercise and nourishing healthy foods and I feel so much better already, I have reduced my working hours and enjoy time at home and time with my husband, i have taken time to do the things that make my heart sing - my crafts, reading and I must admit my small addiction to pinterest.
The nadirs:- My mum is having health issues and this brings up lots of emotions - the fears, the sadness and unfortunately some anger too (I am working on letting all of that go). The work troubles, my job as a Midwife is both the best and worst job in the world, confidentiality prevents me from explaining the reason why work has been so hard. I missed middy so much last year when i took time out to work for the Uni, Now I wish I didn't have to work at all. Which leads me to another nadir, my husband has had hardly any work this year. A significant nadir for the year was the death of a 15 year old boy from my daughters school in a tragic accident, reminds me to live each days to the full and be thankful for all that I have(hello gratitude!)

Day 7:  What once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity(ies) came your way so far?
Thanks to being part time now I can have a mini holiday with my kids in the school holidays so I have booked us 3 nights away in September. I also won the ballot for school holiday next July. Sucks we have to go in a ballot for school holidays but we do, feels like once in a blue moon when I win!

Day 8:  What are three things you would like to let go of before the year is out? See if you can list three physical things and three emotional ones.

physical:
1. The rest of our debt.
2. My excess weight.
3. Jay's project car, so we can finish his FB and do some holiday planning for net year.
emotional:
1. Holding on to anger, I find it so hard to forgive and forget. to just get over things. I compare what others do to how I treat people and just don't understand the actions and choices people make. I need to accept it is what it is and let it go.
2.Anxiety, I never really felt much of this before but work has me feeling anxious now and I know it can't be good for my health.
3.exhaustion, I think this is from my emotions, I just want to feel alive and vibrant when I am awake instead of burnt out.

Day 9:  How do you plan to proceed with the last four months of 2013?
I plan to proceed gently I know I need to be kind to myself. I plan to be open to possibilities and let go of burdens. Life is too short to carry them with me.

Day 10: If you had one wish – guaranteed to be fulfilled by the end of 2013 – what would it be?
Can I be cliche and just say peace to all of the world, surely this covers everything. I want violence to stop, illness to be cured and animals not to go extinct.


And lastly: Today, we'd like you to find a small way to celebrate all you have summoned and all you have leaned into and all that you manifested over the past ten days. It could be a quiet walk in nature, a tiny talisman purchased to represent your dreams going forward, a confidence in a trusted friend. Whatever it is, please take the time to honour your courage and creativity as you planted the seeds for a flourishing future.

I am working on this one, thank you for the inspiration..................................

Sunday, August 25, 2013

What would you wish for?

August Moon Day 5.

Have you developed new yearnings so far this year? Let go of old ones?

I am definitely yearning to travel, dreaming about far away places. New adventures and making magical memories. I will have to continue to yearn this year but I think we will be visiting somewhere new next year. I have the July school holidays off work and I think a warm get away sounds ideal!



As far as letting go of old ones I guess I gave up on my study, it was a good thing to let go of, I feel I am moving in different directions and I was really wasting my time.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

August moon Day 4.

 What word did you choose as your travelling companion in 2013? How is it working for you? Where have the surprises been? If you didn’t choose a guiding word, what word sums up your year so far? And why?
As you all already know 'Gratitude' has been my guidance word for 2013. Before Reverb 12 I hadn't really thought of having a word as a travelling companion for the year. It has been a true blessing to have come into 2013 with one. I have experienced some big and unexpected challenges this year and when I am feeling particularly down I remind myself of all that I have. It is definitely keeping me grounded and has helped me to just stop and smell the roses along the way. If Gratitude had not been my little mantra many other words would be clouding me now I am sure. Today I do not have to work, the sky is blue and we are all together. We went to the markets and had lunch at the jetty. The girls are playing in the yard with our dogs and Imogen has a friend over. We are thinking about what to have for dinner and about the fun tomorrow will bring at a fete we are going to. I am so thankful for days like these!

Friday, August 23, 2013

Wishes and Blessings.

Another day late with August Moon Day 2:-

We are about to enter into a gentler season i.e. Autumn/Fall if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, Spring if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere. For me, these seasons often feel like a relief after the intensity of Summer and Winter. How do you intend to transition into the new season?

Autumn and Spring are my favourite times of year, so much more pleasant and full of colour! As we head into Spring I am getting more active and eating healthier. It is time to get control again of my body. A little while ago I was diagnosed with moderate osteoarthritis in my left hip. I want to get the extra weight off to take some of the pressure off and I want to build up my muscle tone as well.
I also start planning some Spring knitting projects, I have some lovely cotton fleece I am planning on using to make my youngest 3 girl a singlet top each.
I am planning some gardening out the back and am really enjoying the Jasmine that has already blossomed over the back fence.

August Moon Day 3.

Sometimes we get too caught up with life's circumstances. Count the blessings you've had to be grateful for this year?

My number one blessing this year and every year since they have been alive is my daughters. All of life's ups and downs are worth it just knowing I have them around. As I mentioned yesterday "Gratitude" has been my driving force this year. I have a beautiful family and wonderful friends to be eternally grateful for. Some blessings from this year that come to mind:
My dear friend Emma who had a battle with cancer last year is now cancer free. Thank you.
My eldest daughter Josie started her journey in High School, she has made good Friends and is doing really well. Thank you.
We are clearing our credit card debt. Thank you.
I have made some new and wonderful friends. Thank you.
The flowers and other small gifts my husband leaves me randomly just because. Thank you.
The good books, lush yarns and tea. Thank you.