Day 90

Done and Dusted..............

I am grateful that I committed and stayed true to the 30 day squat challenge. While it seemed to start out quite easy by the time I got to 165 squats the pain started and I so looked forward to those rest days. I appreciated all those that encouraged me and kept me true to the task : )

Strong sense of accomplishment on completion of Day 30 and 250 squats

Day 89

Grateful for the trouble free drive I had to Brissy and the Gold Coast and back up coast again over the 2 days. Plenty of radars, police cars, speed cameras and only one idiot tail gating, crossing 4 lanes in one go and brake slamming(yes the same one person).

Made the trip to catch up with my parents, sister and niece and Lucinda so easy......... and a stress free sharon on arrival. Had a good run both ways on an Easter weekend I was definitely being looked after.

Day 88

All in all a great day...

Early walk with close friend, beach coffee, running into my Cousins from Bribie and top it off with a game of Rugby. While it might be a bit weird to be grateful for the Footy season (ARL), it really is about what it brings with it. Besides being a great way to de stress from work, it definitely gets my blood pressure up, annoys the neighbours with my yelling lol, and importantly the social interactions that go with.

So glad my girlfriend gave me the call about the game tonight, live game, great crowds, few beers, lots exercise (mouth and jumping out of the seat), train ride to venue a must and most of all great friend to do it all with.

Day 87

Sooo don't want to get up.............

That’s how the day started, though that changed pretty quickly. Had not seen a girlfriend of mine for ohh way to long (I'm hoping it was not April 2010). So it started with a catch up walk, then coffee (mm La Balsa). The walk was just the best, as you chatted you knew time had passed but in the relationship it had not. Sometimes I wonder why I cut my self from people, when really I have the best of the best around me.

(pic is of 2nd walk lunchand condition of beach between Cotton Tree and Alex)

Day 86

Well must admit today it was pretty hard initially, umm could see things I could be grateful for but when you’re tired.......... IT's hard to really articulate. (especially if not being truthful to self....easy way out) I really want to be true to myself in this blog (unfortunately/or fortunately for readers). So tonight I changed my mind half way through as I was writing, (so new picture and storey)

Football/Soccer ............yes grateful for the game of soccer (or the soccer ball), a game that at times has been marred by its fans for violence. In the last 3 weeks soccer has been a principal part in forming and supporting the growth of friendships in the group I have been facilitating.

 When you have a group of 9 -12 yr old males and females many disputes can arise over rules, pts, logistics of playing a friendly game. NO such thing for this group, it was a bonding experience, a time when they actually started supporting and working together. No fights, no winging.

And dam if those 'Yellow' and 'Red" cards don't work outside of the game not that this group needed it but an 11 yr old boy sees you pulling out a 'red card'. Behaviour check…… self-initiated. For a league girl......I so love the football (soccer)

Day 85

What can I say the picture says it all, there are certain people that come into your life and you get to share personal and special moments with. Hard or happy times you can share, you want to hear their stories and so look forward to the picture updates of the kids.

I am grateful today as I had coffee with such a friend and I know when I walked away I felt motivated and energised.  My learning; ‘coffee with a friend should never be under rated or passed up. Make time. It could be the difference’

Day 84

Was tired as soon as my feet hit the floor this morning and though a beautiful sunny day still very humid. So grateful tonight that I am getting the full effect of the cross winds blowing threw my lounge and bedroom. Going to be so much easier to sleep tonight as I so love the fresh breezes

Day 83

Beautiful weather for State Titles this weekend, I am glad I got out there for half of Sunday. It made me realise how grateful I am for the opportunities, friendships, and just the wonderful feeling of paddling on the water and racing it has given me over the years. After a 2 yr absence from competing it was so nice to go and catch up. Why on earth was I worried about feeling like an outsider? Felt so welcomed by my dragon boat family and realised while I might not have missed the comp side of things, the people I really have ….so loved seeing there beautiful faces and getting all those hugs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 82

Signs they are everywhere around us......some real (no U turns) and/or perceived (black cat crossing your path??).

This last 2 weeks I have been bombarded with them. Have I not noticed them before? Or have I been ignoring them so they are becoming more prominent. Or is it the simple fact that I am at the age that you start reflecting more on your life past, effects of decisions and future.

Either way it does it matter I am just grateful that I have that time and insight to reflect and maybe in those reflections opportunities to do things differently or refocus my priorities....

Day 81

Bit of sadness this week when my good neighbours told me they were selling. 2 hours of conversation later as I walked away I could only reflect on how close we had become. Except for my childhood I do not remember having neighbours who I trusted and relied on at times. Their kids and grandchildren I knew on sight as they did my parents and sister.

While they have not sold yet (yes I thought of loud music still have a bit of the 'Dead Kennedys' to play on open house days). I am grateful for the friendship, support and help they have given me while I have lived here. I would not have my kitchen if it was not to Barry's design and would not of understood body corporate web without Elizabeth. Most of all where do you find a neighbour, who gets your dry washing in when it starts raining, brings in your bin, waters your plants and collects mail when away.

I wish them all the best in retirement and want this change to allow them to relax and be part of their children’s lives as they want to be

Day 80

Gardening became easier..........

I am very blessed to have parents who always have their kids in their hearts and mind all the time. I am particularly grateful for those out of the blue gifts they give you. The type of gift that actually really shows how well they do know you.

I’ve down more trimming in the last 4 days than in ahhhh 6 mths mm 11months (excluding the time Mum came up and did it) all due to this handy pop up green waste bag which makes it so easy to put all prickle barbed branches in it and then to the bin. I’m really enjoying it. Dad and Mum’s  are awesome................. specially mine

Day 79

Where did the years go..........

Had a wonderful conversation tonight it was just like when we use to talk for hours on the phone when she was younger. Today 18, license - 1st try, Uni - her chosen career, a new part of her journey she has started on.

The feeling of tiredness and wonderings about my own career direction was suddenly recharged with her stories, passion and enthusiasm for this start of her Uni life and her future directions. I am so excited for her and proud with all that she has achieved (and this is only the beginning...I am sure of that). I am going to bed tonight renewed, and feeling much love and energy. I am grateful for my niece - Shelby being part of my life and look forward to having more wonderful conversations like tonight x

Day 78

"Just do it, and then the 'pain'.............. is over"

We have all done it ...you know putting of that painful phone call or calls that you know you have to make. Your day is busy out of the blue phone calls (work related), you know it’s going to be mm potentially difficult specially when they don’t leave a message with what it is about. Finally you know you cannot leave it any longer, deep breath you phone...................yes answering machine : )

You know you cannot just leave it there, besides the fact you said you would call back, (eyes rolling, sweat building) you phone.. They answer. Your first few words you stumble over. Then they say..................

I nearly cried ...it was so positive, heartfelt thanks, talking about the sense of hope they now had.........

So new motto "Just do it and then the 'pain'.............. Is over", and not necessary unpleasant. This statement was made by a 10yr old in a group when confronting a very challenging, emotional activity I had set for them. So today I am grateful for her thoughts as I was thinking of her words today as I went to make call. It shall now be known as my "Band-Aid response" (rip it off quick, pain is short lasting)

Day 77

Somedays......... it's the drive between appointments that helps ground and allow you to get a clearer picture. I am grateful for that time to be alone with my own thoughts while driving. I really enjoy the quietness in the car, no radio just listening to my own thoughts. lol

Day 76

  Some days you really have to look at finding the positives.

This weekend was not one of them; so many situations, people, odd occurrences happened that made it amazing.

Though I need to focus on 1.............high school was not the best years of my life, but it did bring me together with one amazing chick : )   Debbie................Deb is one of those rare life time friends you get in your life (my parents have them but not sure how often it happens now).

We may not see each other often but we are there when were needed ........support, no judgements, humour or a voice to sooth us. You cannot put a price on that friendship.............25yrs of marriage, a great wedding, friendship; and she has 3 beautiful men in her life xxoo

Day 75

Shes my sister and I love her

I am grateful for having a sister in my life; my sister is an amazing individual who has enormous energy about her to love and care. We have experienced all the sisterly delights (laughter, fights, best friends, secrets) but always know will be there for each other.

Spent Saturday mid-morning (yeh she was right, 1 hour late exact lol) 3 hrs. later lunch, coffees. I could really kick myself in the arse that I don’t do it more often........... It was just so nice being with her.

Random thought …….. I think we should go to Italy together for some sisterly time. (Heard the coffee’s good)

Day 74

As I was thinking about this 2nite I started cooking mmm (deep breath) so love the smells I cook with. It stopped the over thinking........, allowed me to be in a place quite peaceful and alive.

It was one of the nites that the recipe I started with was nothing like what you created. 14 spices...14 different moods and thoughts created from each one I smelled (which of course affected how much to add).
Grateful for Mother Nature and Farmers for providing us with these fresh, fragrant spices which I believe can enhance, sometimes hinder but always awaken our senses to new journeys. It has always been a major pleasure in my life these fragrant smells.

(Particularly loving cloves at present)

Day 73

Today I am grateful for Greg who gives up his time to train us in the park once a week in our lunch break. He is definitely a hard task master, with great skill in motivating and coaching. Knee, roundhouse kicks, speed work, even the warm up was a killer...

Not so grateful for the pain I am feeling upper and lower body at present which I am sure will be worse by tomorrow lol.........left. right, hook, uppercut.....and again, again, again

Day 72

'Kids is like they have some disease'

This is the summary from a 10 yr. old girl in group today about her peers who were mucking about pretending they would get Cooties from the opposite sex. (By just walking by them lol)

The one liner’s kept coming all day from these amazing 9-11yr olds in the 1st group for the year. It really brings me back to why I go to work as I listen to their life stories. Many having had harder lives in their first 10yrs to our 30yrs +. So grateful that they trust me enough to share their journeys with me and grateful for the learning they give to me.

Day 71

Really starting to enjoy the squat challenge, weird I know but when I commit to a program and you have to be accountable (post on squat site) it probably keeps me in check. I also hate giving up on something..........sort like my grateful blog.

Ask me a week ago would not have thought I would be doing over 100 squats a day. It actually not so bad, though every 4 days a rest day is nice. So today I am grateful for Tamara posting the 30 Day squat challenge............so looking forward to Aprils one : )

Day 70

Today has been a difficult one; it’s been a day when you reflect on ...the impact people have on your life...............work life and personal life. It also makes you question. ‘How you live your life' 'what’s important to have in your life', obstacles and why you let some of these stand in your way.

The difficulty I have is what I am grateful for.....sometimes when a sadness happens it is hard to see...............so today I guess it is that I got to work with a dynamic women who championed the program I do and mental health. My best memory was watching her participate in our final night on camp one year. We managed to create an 'O ohh' moment, smiles, bit of 'oh noo' and laughter, and drumming with the kids. Sad for the loss but grateful for knowing

Day 69

Grateful for my sunday, the day of the week I feel is all mine to relax, coffee, markets, paddle, no phones or just read a book. Definitly my day of rest my chill day, dont like making commitments on my sundays, its the day that preps me for the week ahead.

Sometimes I wish for 2 sundays in the week, BUt maybe it would lose its importance to me if there was

Day 68

The tragedies that befall children are indeed the tragedies; the difference our carers make is indeed the difference." KM 2013
Spent today facilitating 2 workshops for foster and kinship carers. (Yes it is foster carers week).

I am not only grateful but privileged that they shared their journeys with us today. No pushing was need for them to come out of there comfort zone (nudge maybe). Willing to be challenged and share, actively participated in the psycho dramas, which for most no different from their reality. They did it all..............I wonder who got the more learning..................

Day 67

Today I am grateful for the smiles the Gerberas put on all the girls’ faces, even the boys when I gave then some to take home to their wives. They only got a couple each but was well worth the small effort it took me to go get them this morning. Happy ‘International Women’s Day’

Every want to brighten up your day go to the gerbera farm at 506 Petrie rd, Rosemount. Say hello to shadow and pepper the dogs for me : )

Day 66

The sun came out so bright today; none of us was expecting such strain on our eyes.  The brightness of this spherical ball of hot plasma and magnetic fields was burning into our retinas. It was something we had never seen before .........hold on, maybe ... mm I have a faint memory of a time before the rains when.............

Today I was grateful that specs savers suggested I get that second pair of sunnies (free), so I could leave in my the car. My good ones at home,  so initially I had no idea how I was going to get through the day.

 

Day 65

I am grateful today for grandparents, more and more in my work everyday it seems to be these under rated and forgotten about individuals. Who bring the kids to therapy, school; have them 75% in their care. I see more grandparents than actually parents when I am working with children. I love working with them, they are always apologetic for taking up my time.........but time is all I have for them.

Always makes me think of my own and how lucky I was to grow up with all my extended family.

Day 64

Grateful for all the hugs today

First day back at work after mmm 6-8 weeks leave…..  Very grateful for all the hugs today, realised how much I missed this unique bunch of talented individuals who work in a very emotionally draining field. Felt loved and appreciated and the warm fuzzy’s , . More importantly was very excited to hear of their individual journeys while I have been away. Good laughs, great day.

Day 63

Grateful for that one more day before going back, the sun came out for me, washing down, clothes ready, a good paddle and a early bed..............

Day 62

What can I say the rain has not let up, everything is water logged and musty and while it can get a bit dreary. I am grateful for having a good book, comfortable couch and a snuggle cat who is just so entertaining.

Day 61

Now it's one of those times I am not sure if I can say or not (forgot to ask). Celebration in order though as I am looking forward to one of my closest friends moving up here. It is very exciting having them both move to the sunshine (rainy) coast. Looking forward to sharing many wonderful meals, red wine and exercise together and I hear the one of them is interesting in dragon boating. So cool, looking forward to you two moving here

Day 60

Grateful for those couple of hours at the Hairdressers today, you always manage to come out feel relaxed and refreshed. Good coffee, Byron Bay cookies, good conversations and stories, latest magazines, cleanest of clean hair and of course that scalp massage. Ahhhhhh

Maybe I should make it a weekly visit just for the shampoo and scalp massage