Dreamer

Just sometimes is pays to stop and smell the roses.  So  I thought I would just share my art to inspire a little dreaming.

(credits for this can be found here)

Now go ahead smell the roses and dream a little and life just wont seem so bad after all.


I'm just saying..........

Just look inside

With February being the month of things from the heart I thought that it would be timely to consider what it is deep inside me that I love. 

There is no way around it that most if not all, people have things they love that have never emerged to reach the light of day.  I am no exception. I love the fact though that the most important things that I love are out there for that matter to see....my family.

But seriously it vital that I love myself first and foremost.  Without that nothing else really matters....well in my opinion.  I am at a point where, but I guess I have always known it, that I have to put myself first in the list of things I love.  As part of my life make over I more deeply realise that if I don't love myself then it is difficult to be a happy place.

So loving myself now looks like this:

• make sure I exercise as it, by default, gives me time for myself.
• eat a balanced diet and don't deny myself the treats.  They are part of the balance.
• laugh......everyday.   I am sure it shares all those happy endorphins and it is contagious.  Finally I am sure that I have read somewhere laughing helps keep the face well toned and in my steadily advancing years that is important.
• dream and be inspired to fill my life with things that I love.

 With that I leave you a quote to think about for today.

 (credits....all products by tangie baxter)

My Mojo

I am on a mission to look after my mojo.  Yes you know, that special little something that really keeps you well motivated and on top if everything in a fabulous way.  When everything working just as if magic was involved.

So here is magic mojo finder recipe.  It took a while to work but still did at the end of the day.

 A recipe to find your mojo

Take a portion of each component and generously apply it to 

• smile and make the others in my house smile as they walk by me.
• take a little time for myself (go for an hour long walk) just to get a little head space for myself.
• laugh....a lot.  It is amazing what a difference it makes

and if all that does very little to help then

• take a 20 minute nap.   You will be surprise how much better one feels after a nap.

 and finally never forget

Summer brings...

Summer brings all those delightful smells of freshly cut grass, the appearance of the beautiful colours of summers, the sounds of new life and..........


                                                the exhausted me returning from walking the roads.   

  I cant wait to get fit and enjoy these moments of relaxation and start to live life full of energy.

Now not to contemplate why I let myself go so much but to look forward and start looking after myself.

Carers Fatigue

Carers fatigue is something that really catches up with those of us who care full time for the disabled, at some time or another.  For me at the end of the school term when I am really tired and have been run off my feet. My husbands job makes this more challenging because it takes him away from home overseas, frequently. 

Now don't feel sorry for me.  That is not what I intend you to feel. 

How do I recognise what is happening to me when I have a complete melt down, carers fatigue.    As I sit here and think about these events I acknowledge that they are triggered by a number of things; exhaustion, no time to take time to do something for me, an immense feeling of isolation,  I over eat and grumpy.  I know this list anyone could feel one or more of them.  But when I get to the point of carers fatigue I feel all of these at once. 

While I don't seem to be able to prevent these moments I am trying to do a number of things to help manage them.

• I have a part time job.  Essential for me, giving me time out of the home environment that causes the melt down moments.
• I try and exercise.  This one is not always easy so I am trying to come up with a plan for exercise at home in the evening when I am alone with the children and have been working.
• A more extensive list of baby sitters so my husband and I can go out every now and again.
• I am working at getting more residential respite care.  Not sure how successful this will be but it is worth having a go.
• Finally I do art journalling.  This year I was looking at happiness as my focus for this hobby.  So take a look at Octobers pages I have done.  I am going to get them all printed into a book so I can refer to them when I need to.

The credits for these pages can be found here at my Scrapbook Graphics gallery

If you are a carer of someone full time what do you do to look after yourself?