Dish Cloth - its finished

Yep I finally finished my first dishcloth :D

After pulling it out and restarting about 6 times, I finally persevered and finished it.

Even though it is now made up of different colours and textures, its done!

Even though I somehow doubled my stitches, I got it sorted and its done!

So, this is probably the ugliest little dishcloth you've ever seen but it is special, cause its my first. But, I'm glad its done!

Coke - where are you?

Okay! I finally took the last step and this week's groceries had no coke in it. GULP!!!!!

Hopefully I won't give in. Hopefully I will make it through the next 21 days without having a coke. Once 21 days are past then the habit should be broken.

Oh why oh why did I ever decide to do this?

hahahahahahaha

Did I mention I was really grouchy last week? I hope I'm not this week.

Lucky I have plenty of panadol in stock :D






I so badly want to run next door and grab a cold coke!

Just for Fun - Part 2

IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE, WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE?

So, here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend your cool...

Opening Credits: Into the Night - Santa & Chad Kroeger

Waking Up: Ignition - Anthony Callea

First Day At School: Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne

Falling In Love: Chained To The Wheel - Black Sorrows

Fight Song: Hurts So Good - John Mellencamp

Breaking Up: The Trouble With Love Is - Kelly Clarkson

Prom: Small Town - John Mellencamp

Life: Sex On Fire - Kings Of Leon

Mental Breakdown: Let Me Down Easy - Chris Isaak

Driving: Thanks For The Memories - Fall Out Boy

Flashback: Pretty Girls Don't Cry - Chris Isaak

Wedding: Saving Grace - Pete Murray

Birth of Child: Beautiful World - Coldplay

Final Battle: Sitting, Waiting, Wishing - Jack Johnson

Death Song: Into The Dark - Ben Lee

Funeral Song: The Rose - Bette Midler

End Credit: Lips Of An Angel - Hinder

Stress

Do you have much stress in your life?

If anyone asks me I usually say "no more than anyone else" but this last couple of weeks I have actually felt stressed.

Its made me irritable, grouchy, argumentative, sad, nauseous and filled with a bit of loathing. The thing is, I let myself get stressed when in reality the control of it was all mine. I let myself start to dread things. This made me start disliking things and soon everytime I thought of it, I felt sick to my stomach. Once I had that feeling, lookout people around me. Thankfully my loved ones, love me even when I'm cranky. I don't know what I would've done without Justin last week. When things starting getting too much for me, he would just pop up beside me, hug me and tell me "I love you mummy".

One day his usual had an extra tagged on the end. "I love you mummy" hugs "because you're beautiful and loveable" awwwwwww how the heart breaks.

But it was this, that I grabbed ahold of and it was this that helped me keep from crumbling under the pressure I allowed to build. Everytime Justin told me he loved me, I was the best mummy, I was so pretty, I wasn't fat - just a bit big (hahahahahahahaha) I was able to breathe easier.

I'm not yet ready to talk about the stressor. Maybe I never will be. But I do know that with the love of the people I love, it is easier to bear.

Just for Fun - Part 1

Ever do anything just because you can?

Sure you have! I have! I do frequently! Why?

Just because I can hahahahahaha

So why not a Just for Fun series?

Who Knew - Pink

1) Put your iPod (iTunes, MP3 or WMP) on shuffle.
2) For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3) YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4) Tag 10 friends who might enjoy doing this as well as the person you got this from.

What would best describe your personality?
Walk Away - Kelly Clarkson

What do you like in a guy/girl
I Wanna Fall In Love With You - Chris Isaak

What is your motto?
Now More Than Ever - John Mellencamp

What do your friends think of you?
Drive - Shannon Noll

What do you think about very often?
You - Wes Carr

What is 2+2?
Songbird - Bernard Fanning

What do you think of your best friend?
Shine - Shannon Noll

What do you think of the person you like?
Beautiful Day - U2

What is your life story?
Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing - Chris Isaak

What do you want to do when you grow up?
Wish You Well - Bernard Fanning

What do you think when you see the person you like?
Better Together - Jack Johnson

What do your parents think of you?
Learn To Fly - Shannon Noll

What will you dance to at your wedding?
Bubbly - Colbie Caillat

What will they play at your funeral?
Harley and Rose - Black Sorrows

What is your Hobby/Interest?
Little Wonders - Rob Thomas

What is your biggest secret?
Put Your Lights On - Santana & Everlast

What do you think of your friends?
Better Days - Pete Murray

What's the worst thing that could happen?
Somebody's Crying - Chris Isaak

How will you die?
Use Somebody - Kings of Leon

What makes you cry?
Sweetest Thing - U2

Will you ever get married?
Two Hearts - Chris Isaak

What scares you the most?
Love Song - Sara Bareilles

Does anyone like you?
Cherry Bomb - John Mellencamp

If you could go back in time, what would you change?
This Time - John Mellencamp

What hurts right now?
I need a Lover - Hon Mellencamp

What will you post this as?
Who Knew - Pink

It seems to be .........

a long time between blogs these days.

Its not that I don't have anything to say ...... I do!

I have heaps to say.

Its just not all good to be said.

I'm afraid that what might begin simply might turn into an awful vitriol and I don't want to let that happen so at the moment ..... there is silence.

Hopefully next week I'll be back on track.

Until then ..... stay safe and sane :D

Valentine's Day Questionnaire

♥ How long have you been together?
22 years ... married for 18 yrs April 09
~
♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating?
We were friends for about 12mths before we started dating.
~
♥ Who asked who out?
Not really any asking out. It used to be 3 of us knocking about and then it became 2 lol
~
♥ How old are each of you?
I'm 40
He's 41 (in May)
~
♥ Whose siblings do/ did you see the most?
Mine on a whole but see his sister alot in passing.
~
♥ Do you have any children together?
3 gorgeous and highly energetic kids
~
♥ What about pets?
1 guinea pig, 1 cockatiel and 1 budgie
~
♥ Did you go to the same school?
No
~
♥ Are you from the same home town?
We're both from Brisbane but very different suburbs
~
♥ Who is the smartest?
Me of course ;)
~
♥ Who is the most sensitive?
Again, me
~
♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple?
I couldn't say as I can't remember when we last ate out together
~
♥ Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
To Western Australia
~
♥ Who has the worst temper?
I think he does. Mine is quicker to flare but doesn't rage like his does.
~
♥ Who does the cooking?
Sigh - again, ME!
~
♥ Who is more social?
I think I keep repeating myself - Me
~
♥Who is the neat freak?
Oh definitely NOT me hahahahaha
~
♥ Who is the more stubborn?
Him
~
♥ Who hogs the bed?
He does
~
♥ Who wakes up earlier?
Again, he does
~
♥ Where was your first date?
I think it was a Petra concert
~
♥ Who has the bigger family?
Me - I have four siblings and 12 nephews/nieces
Him - 3 siblings and 7 nephew/nieces
~
♥ Do you get flowers often?
What are flowers?
~
♥ How do you spend the holidays?
Relaxing. But I do love going to Perth.
~
♥ How long did it take to get serious?
After the 12mth friendship it was totally serious
~
♥ Who eats more?
Depends on what we're eating
~
♥ Who does/ did the laundry?
Thankfully, he does
~
♥ Who’s better with the computer?
Me
~
♥ Who drives when you are together?
Usually him. Depends on his tiredness and how far we're going.
~

The frailty of Life

Remember my guinea pigs? I have two brothers, Spike and Flame.

I went and moved the piggies this morning and they were happily running around although a bit wet.

This afternoon I took their vegies & water down and Spike was laying on his side and couldn't get up. He was kicking his legs but when I put him upright he would just fall to his side.

Over the next 4 hours he gradually stopped being able to move his head or his legs. I used a hairdryer to dry him off and warm him up (on advice) and then put a hot towel in a box under another towel to keep him warm but he just couldn't last.

I am really surprised at how upset I am for a person who originally didn't want these rats without tails. Little did I know at the time that they are more related to a rabbit than a rat hehehehehe.

I'm so excited!!!

Awhile ago now I applied to be a book reviewer with Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger. Today when I opened my emails, there was my approval.

How cool is this?

I think its fantastic.

I get to do one of my favourite hobbies for free and get to have my say as well. Couldn't ask for more.

I had a choice of four books but really, it wasn't a choice. :D

So my first book to review is Rachel's Tears. They send me the book, I read, I review. Too easy. And this book is one I've wanted to read for years. Remember the Columbine tragedy? This year marks the 10th anniversary since the shootings. I know this book will have me shedding tears but I am also sure it will make me laugh and ponder things deeply, as well.

Can't wait to let you all know what I think.


Rachel's Tears

Addictions!

Do you have any?

I do!

Is that a gasp of shock I hear?

I have a Coke/Caffeine addiction. I don't drink coffee or tea. I drink coke to get my caffeine. I go through times where I reduce my intake or stop altogether and, of course, suffer the bad headaches with it. I keep telling myself this is the last carton I'm buying but I know I don't really mean it.

You know why?

Cause I like it! I enjoy having a can of coke!

Is that another gasp I just heard?

Yep, you heard me right. I enjoy drinking coke. I know its not good for me but then, isn't it always the case? Most things that we like aren't good for us. But herein lies my problem ............

I don't let my children drink coke (much). They are only allowed a softdrink every now and then. I would say they probably only have it maybe once every other month or three (if that often). When they can have one, I always try to have them drink an orange or lemonade.

Now they are getting older (and wiser) they question me over drinking coke:

• "Why are you allowed to drink it when I'm not?".
• "Why isn't it bad for you if its bad for me"
• "Why isn't it rotting your teeth"

And on the questions go until I am forced to snap and say "Because I said so". I really hated being told that as a child so I can imagine how my kids feel when I say it to them. I try not to do it too often.

So my long term goal (say 4-6 mths) will be to cut coke from my daily life. GASP!!!!

This time its me gasping :D

My reasons for this are simple:

• I'll save money
• I'll be healthier
• My children won't feel like I am letting them down

I hate the feeling of my kids being disappointed with me. I know I can do and have what I want because I'm an adult but I want my kids to understand that I'm not being selfish or deliberately teasing them. So adult or not, I think its now best that I do what I tell them. Don't drink coke because it is unhealthy.

Not only is it unhealthy for my body but it is so unhealthy for my wallet. I am trying to budget better and two weeks ago I was out of food money and had a couple of days til payday. Do you know what happened?

No, you say!

I'll tell you!

I had put money aside at the start for a carton of coke because I knew the one we had wouldn't last. I justified my buying the carton because I had "saved the money".

Now tell, isn't that just so sad?

That in itself shows me what a hard hold on my life I have let this addiction have. So, my aim is to stop drinking it altogether with maybe the occasional treat. I think this will be a bit hard as I've drunk it for so many years now but its never too late to stop.

Wish me luck!

Love and Respect

Isn't this what we want most from people?

Well, I do! I want love and respect from my children, my family, my friends but mostly from my husband.

And you know what?

He wants it from me.

Yep!

He does!

I was only talking the other day to a person very close to me about how sometimes love is just not enough. Love is great, especially in the beginning of a relationship when passion is so fierce, but when the passion starts to cool and the love slowly changes, is there enough to sustain you?

For me, this is where respect comes in. I need to know that my husband doesn't just love me, but that he cherishes me. That he listens when I speak and understands that sometimes there are pearls in what he has heard. That he chooses to not just make a decision but will rather ask me how I feel about something. That's not taking any authority away from him, rather its making us a unit, a partnership.

But in saying this, I have discovered a great pearl of wisdom too. He needs this as much as me. Even more than my love, he needs my respect. Once given, he is happy.

Boy, how hard was this lesson. I can give my love easily by give my respect?

Huh!

Sure if you earn it.

But I don't think its supposed to be like that between us. Why was it written for wives to respect their husbands if it was supposed to be easy? It hasn't been easy for me. Just as I know it has been hard for him to "express" his love. He does, it just took me a long time to see how he shows it instead of how I want him to show it.

I've always been a very independent woman and I suppose I saw "respect your husband" as another word for "submission". Of course I respect my elders, friends, family etc but it was a battle to give that respect to hubby. But little by little I learned that in doing so not only helped him, it also helped me. I realised that all he needed was the confidence in knowing that I supported him. When he found that confidence I realised I felt cherished.

How?

He would start talking to me about things instead of saying nothing all the time. He tells me his plans for our home, our family, our money, other things that bore me but are important to him and he has started to say "no, you can tell me". This makes me feel important to him and I just bet it makes him feel important to me.

You don't have to agree with me, that's fine! Just wanted to share how I see it.

It would be a very boring world if everyone had the same opinion, don't you think?

My Birthday Cake

My sister put it together for me. The candles are actually letters and spell Happy Birthday.

Sorry no pics yet

I know I said I'd have my 40th photos up yesterday but I'm not quite there yet. Today I have felt very off. Can't put my finger on it but have slept most of the day. I will try to make a decent post tomorrow :D

So much fun, so little sleep :D

Well yesterday, 31 January, I had my 40th birthday party (I actually turn 40 tomorrow).

It was such a great time and so wonderful to catch up with friends, current and old. I enjoyed myself so much and without a drop of alcohol too :D

But I'm so tired, I can hardly think straight so sometime tomorrow I will make a decent post and put some pics up too.

Until then ..................