1. It has been a glorious day here. 1st day of the 1st month 2010. The sun was shining and warm, the children were happy and someone is interested in looking at our house that is for sale.
Not the best photos of my front yard but the trees are green and lush, the sky a stunning blue and the sun is still shining and 7pm.
2. I finished all weekly pages for my Project 365. I started 01/01/09 and finished 31/12/09. I can't believe that it is finished. Thanks to my DH and children who checked with me each day what the photo was and even suggested what shots to take.
3. My favourte music this Summer holidays is from the CD (yes I am that old that downing is not natural), The Greatest New Zealand Songbook, The Music. Check it our here.
4. The best scrapbooking kit I have just go is Sweet Tooth by Cinnamon Designs.
I cant wait to use it.
5. This weeks blog post that has got me going back is by the fabulous Laura, at I'm an Organizing Junkie. I think that I need her help at the moment.
As I mentioned yesterday on my blog the year 2010 was going guided by the word EMBRACE. This wonderful concept comes from the fantastic blogger Ali Edwards. I have thought that now was the time to embrace more of what life has to offer and hopefully make my life more fulfilling. I look forward to seeing what this means to me.
And so with that here is a quote and image to start me off
“I embrace emerging experience.
I participate in discovery.
I am a butterfly.
I am not a butterfly collector.
I want the experience of the butterfly.”
by William Stafford
(the image comes from this free butterfly image sharing site )
Have you chosen a word and what is it. I would love to know.
I have been sitting here and reflecting on the year 2009. It has had it's ups and downs, what with having greater financial freedom and me discovering a way that I can work and still stay sane. Well that is only because I stepped over the line of sanity and took on too much but now I know my limit. Catching up with our great friends from Brunei who have immigrated here from the UK was also fabulous and now we are off camping with them.
Hayden's health has been great too. His white cell cystine count is under 1 ???whatever the measurement is, which is the desired level for Cystinotic patients, no seizures in 2 years, only one unplanned hospital stay and two fabulous people who helps us out at home, Phyllis who does my after school care so I can work and Paul who helps out at dinner and bedtime. I cant thank them enough as their help keep our sane more ways than one. Hayden is now more tolerant of the monthly blood taken out of his portacath and that means no screaming, kicking etc each month which I am grateful for. Kath and the wonderful nurses at Daystay who take Hayden's bloods, so efficient and knowing when it comes to Hayden.
Andre started school and loved it. Such a bonus when they love school. He settled in well and that meant I was home alone for the first time since McKenzie was born in 2000. I did not know myself.
McKenzie, my wonderful little girl. My how she is growing up and how proud she makes us. Diligent and hardworking both at school and in the sporting arena. The efforts acknowledged with trophies and awards.
Of course it can go without saying that my DH is wonderful. Without his support I would not have been able to work or be the person I am today. He is my best friend, my compliment, my sounding board. He takes the crap from me and pulls me back onto level with I am dreaming way too much. He is the love of my life which I cant do without.
The low point really came when my great friend Lee was tragically struck by a car while riding her bike and left of dead on the side of the road. She left behind a husband and young primary school age son. My thoughts go out to them ever time I think of Brunei where they were living when this happened.
Life always has its ups and downs. Each year I try and achieve something new or focus on something I think needs attention. Last year it was all about time management for me. This year well it is about embracing life and making sure that we live life to its fullest,( in a sane kind of way).
So now I am off to fine tune what that means to me,what I might be able to do about it and how by me doing this my family will benefit too.
Finally as I always say....there is always someone worse off than you.....and if you think that then life can be so much more positive and forward moving.
This is the last menu plan for 2009. I have been total hooked by menu planning. It is saving me money and helping to make my life more organised. Thank you to the wonderful Laura who has inspired me.
It is summer here and also the school holidays. I am taking the laid back approach to food. Easy to prepare and does not require me to be stuck inside my kitchen.
The stir fry from last week was a huge success for everyone in my house, even the fussiest of eaters. So I am sticking with a similar plan and keeping it simple.
I loved the idea that Mel has been doing on her blog so I thought that I would take a leaf from her blog and try this idea. Thanks Mel.
1. School is over for the year. I know that it has been a busy year for us all and of course we are all tired but I cant wait for the holidays and to spend quality time with my children.
Okay it is not that easy to get a great photo of them all but here are the little cherubs.
2. I am so proud of my daughter. She won a trophy at prize giving this week. This was for Dilligence and effort. Such a wonderful group of attributes for anyone to possess. Now the photo is not great because she had been crying because we are having to move her out of this school and she got very emotional about it.
3. I have scrapped. For the first time in weeks. I actually cant wait to get back into it now I have time and energy...well almost do.
4. It is Christmas time. I am always conscious that our children need to not only get excited about all the trimming and trappings but also to appreciate that Christmas is not such a great time for many. So this year we are going out to purchase a gift for a needy little boy this Christmas. We don't know who he is but my children cant wait. I hope that we will be able to make this some sort of tradition.
