Day 242

Wishlist "Row for Cancer" Amazing weather last day of winter mm yep this is why I live here. Dragon Boat ‘Come n Try’ x 2 went well. Dragon Boat paddling was definitely well promoted on day; we are such an interactive social mob. : ) and the best is I got to do it with an amazing bunch of ladies and men. Whether the paddler or other half (better half in this case as they had to put up with there spouse consumed by paddling lol).

But you know the best part ……..the part I am so grateful for (thanks Maria) was this bunch of 6 kids who wanted to paddle but no life jacket would fit them (we had small junior ones) but they swam on them so we ……………

Pushed the boat half way out

Loaded them up ….remember the safety instructions (yehhh was echoed)…so they walked down middle....waited for partner… moved to outside of boat. Paddles in hand they did so well, few naturals, the smiles, nerves, and shyness disappeared. No idea boat was half on land, now I am definitely wet….highlight of my day

Those amazing smiles

Day 241

Very rarely have mashed potatoes at night, but felt like something easy and hearty. Then the craving instant mashed spuds. I know probably not the healthiest thing and no I did not look at all the numbers on the back of the packet. But ...... Dam it tasted good. Grateful for the wonderful memories it brought back of my Dancy Deb in Australia where we first bought some, the only person I know who can get lost on a straight beach : ) and not to forget the wonderful times in England I had with her the underground always a fascinating experience when we travelled on it.



Day 240

Some days you just need to take your lunch break to the beach and dig those bare toes in the sand, soak up a bit of Vit D and feel that cool refreshing water wash over your toes and splash on you. Gives you the pep up you need to finish of the day. Grateful that a 5 min journey allows me to do this ............something I need to do more often ahhh fresh air

Day 239

It’s a gratitude blog.......so every day I review/think about my day and notice the great things in my life. But then you get the days you struggle...hard to find it. Today was one of those days....2 people in my life are hurting bad for different reasons. I know I cannot change things, except be there for them and I am hoping that is enough.

Driving home today I saw this amazing purple sunset, by the time I darted in doors and ran out (leaving house open oops) with camera. The sunset had dipped and a couple on the water’s edge said ohm you missed it by 4 minutes..................

Still took pic, then Pete the pelican flew straight at me and I knew ....the sunset was not the pic, it was pete .Gliding straight at me, not afraid but determined, confident and gracious. As I walked back along the river I saw the same couple I showed the pic of pete. (yes I have emailed them a copy)

Day 238

After a night full of half-awake dreams which were like a bad montage movie they went for hours (no popcorn either). I went to work on very little sleep not really knowing or picking why this had occurred.  I am Grateful for the time 2 friends gave me in a day that was busy for themselves for abit of self-reflection and support. It just reinforced the importance of honesty, respect, Truth and love has in my life and how painful it is when you feel someone you have known for years and saw all these qualities in shattered that image by not even seemingly at this stage to hold on to one of these qualities. But there is always hope.............

Day 237

We all know how painful Mondays can be, it’s so funny that no matter how we try to turn it around it’s the ...oh hmm day (hafta go to workday). We have Sundays to prep for it, but no matter how we do that it’s always ...Oh Hmmm day.

This Monday was not a 'oh hmm day' I was grateful today …it was a good Monday (won’t go too far by saying great), been sick the week before, out in the sun all Sunday for the marathon. Started right food prep done for first half week, but best of all ….was just so nice to reconnect (great admiration for my colleagues), boxing for lunch was on (been awhile.... I enjoyed). Supervision very on the money, yes light bulb moments happened, little bit of healthy inner conflict.

Day 236

Grateful for such a beautiful day where I was able to offer support to some amazing friends at the Sunshine Coast Marathon. Even if it was through taking photos and a few shouts of encouragement.

Weather was perfect, everyone was out along the street. Strangers talking to each other as they waited for love ones to come past. Great way to spend a Sunday

Day 235

Today I was grateful for the opportunity to paddle with some old paddling friends and meet some new ones on the water and over coffee. Like-minded people who just want to be on the water training hard, having fun and spreading the word through involvement in our community and no bullshit

Day 234

My little bit of paradise in my backyard.......
Grateful today that I had this..this morning to sit in while I had breaky, local paper, coffee and read my book and basically got some Vit D. Feelin healthy and more relaxed for it.

Day 233

So I didn’t miss it.....relaxing day I actually really love techno free days and am grateful for them. No expectations for immediate response (except today maybe a few unanswered phone call/message senders may be a bit upset) but I love not having this perceived pressure of having to check in case.

What would you do if all mobile/internet went down tomorrow, how do you plan your week end (I think I had better weekend pre "electronic obsession"). Love the fact mum still sends me letters

Day 232

Talk about hitting me in the face tonight (read to end)

The rate of homelessness in Queensland was estimated to be 45.8 per 10,000 people in 2011. This is 5% decline between 2006 and 2011. Other stats from same source says up 5%

The total number of homeless persons in Queensland was estimated to be 19,838 in 2011. This is a 2.5% increase between 2006 and 2011.

The number of homeless children (aged under 12 years old) in Queensland was 3429 in 2011. This is an increase of 5% between 2006 and 2011. Confirmed in all reports

The number of homeless teenagers (aged 12 to 18 years old) was 2023 in Queensland in 2011. This is an increase of 7% between 2006 and 2011. Confirmed in all reports

The incidence of homelessness amongst the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is disproportionately high. 24% of all homeless persons in Queensland identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in 2011.

Stats meam "shit all" when you met someone seeking help on a night that ...yeh they are right.. temp is dropping, you ring every phone number you can think off but still 5.15pm ring ring ..sorry can't help...5.30pm ring ring...sorry but try......5.40pm...even the 1800 numbers say nothing in your area..nothing in your district. End of night this guy thanks us for helping..........yet I felt totally useless

Day 231

Grateful; that I have a boss that can be flexible, in the way that you can balance work/health. I appreciate the fact he takes this in to consideration and supports us though annual leave or RDO's/toil.  I feel confident that as long my work is complete, I do the yards, he will appreciate you in this way.

Day 230

Grateful for the natural and pharmaceutical remedies last night and today took them all last night to try to get over this blasted flu ..thingy. In bed by 4pm woke up 7.30am................and was asked this morning about the noisy neighbours drumming and yahooing at 3am, seems I was the only one they did not wake up for a change ...yes now for nother early nite : )

Day 229

Marvellous day had by all, day seemed to come together quite well. Grateful I managed to control my nerves which probably got over ridden on the day in just trying not to be any sicker than I was. In the end pulled it together. Thanks to the help of the girls in the morning, borrowed music which kept the crowd bopping, some very corny commentary to keep the crowd amused and engaged while waiting for the boats to come in and ending the day with some Kahuna by the wonderful Corina.

Day 228

Great day celebrating my Uncles 70th birthday which there is no way you would pick him for it. Two highlights of the day celebrating with him and celebrating with the extended family was so grateful for the time I got to spend with them all. Am very blessed when it comes to family, I know we have our yearly catch up but as Leah said we need to make more of that. Specially us cousins, many of us baically grew up together up here at the beach. Thanks Tony for a wondefull day and bringing us all together as we would of not missed celebrating your day for anything xx

Day 227

 

Feeling sick, under the weather or just worn out nothing better than going to the hairdressers. Juan makes it all about you.....takes the stress out of the day, lovely conversation, cappuccino, one of those giant Byron Bay Cookies, head massage, cappuccino. You walk out feeling beautiful with that extra bounce in your step and your hair stays perfect fot the next 3 days at least. (Understand now why Grandma Thomasson hard her hair done every 2nd week). Grateful for the time they take with me always smiling walking in and out.

Day 226

Hard to believe it’s been 34years......did not believe mum when she told me. So does not feel like that in my heart. Now there is a picture with 94% of here grandchildren in her backyard with her which I could not find for tonight’s post.

Many strong memories are of her back yard, such fun a Mulberry tree and mango tree a kids climbing delight....1 rule change into your mulberry clothes first. Amazing lady was still gem fossicking in her 60's, camping living. So loved her house, with that little door that came of the kitchen near the stove many a game we built around it. Today just grateful for my family xx

Day 225

They make shows on this sort of stuff, but it still amazes me that even in the most serious and challenging times .....kids blow me away with the things they say.

Whether they realise it or not they make the most honest observations that even as an adult we would not say or misinterpret a word that cracks you up so much it so hard not to smile.

Oh and should they realise the funny things they say they then continuously repeat them making it all the more why you keep a straight face though it’s so hard to. Then there is those sad/traumatic stories you here and the pearls of wisdom that come out of kids mouths..............and you can see why they are strong even through the pain. Can so hate and love my work at the same time. But dam grateful as they teach me everyday

Day 224

Maybe at day 224 I am actually running out of things to be grateful for there was nothing outstanding in my morning, no polite motorists, work so busy, rushed arvo...no paddle as ran out of time to do all group prep.......feeling still bit oohh (always buy seafood in your trusted places). But ....... I cannot believe that is it

Shit........can I say shit on a blog ???  Take a step back I really had to reflect and …………… (3hrs later)

I am grateful for those people that even though I say ‘No ...busy’, ‘I'm fine don’t need a coffee/walk’ they don’t accept my no. They either take you out for a coffee or go for a walk with you, and if all else fails they bring a tea to your desk.

Grateful …for "that time", as they give it for no other reason than they see you need it...need a space...or opportunity to reflect, when it comes down to it you need a space  ...so sometimes ..............you need that “cup of tea” 

 

Day 223

Grateful today for having music back in the house thanks to a friend who restored it all for me. It so nice to be able to set it up through your computer or tv and have it belting out in the house. Quality so much better than my old stereo. Amazing what you can today ...Will be much more careful with my hard drives in future

Day 222

Another picture perfect day and everyone was out enjoying it, Alex Beach Cafe packed and how could it not be ......coffee and amazing views. Grateful I got to share this day with some amazing people who are wonderful company any time of the day or night. I am so happy that they have made the move to the coast as I value their friendship grately.

Day 220

Grateful that I ended a busy friday by a late afternoon walk. Nothing more refreshing for your soul than walking barefooted along the beach as the sun fades creating magnificant colours in the sky. Nice way to start the week end

Day 219

Thursday not Tuesday so that is good……………. feeling run of my feet. When I look back tonite seems like I am meeting everyone else’s demands not mine. How grateful am I to go home and read a post it note from the kids in our group.

So feeling better

Day 218

So grateful for lasts nights sleep, might of woken up few times during the night. But when I got up this morning.....no alarm needed, woke up earlier, felt refreshed, day went so better (energy wise). Talk to kids about sleep practices so enforcing my own advice. Night two looking forward to bed : )     nite

Day 217

Great Day ........and a new adventure for many of my colleagues, I guess I got to share with them something that has been a real positive aspect of my life, something I believe builds team spirit and as an individual made you feel part of something bigger, while also achieving your own PB (personal best). Being healthy, having fun, fatigue, friends, and challenges, overcoming and working together all part of it.

I was really grateful that those who were hesitant and gave it a try as there was no unhappy faces as we got off the boat bounce in step, smiles on faces. That’s Dragon boating, grateful to my DB friends who keep it real and know what its about.....family/community/friendships and achieving your best. Very grateful they share this in our community and give a chance for other to experience this.

Day 216

Great way to protect our boats and keep them off the ground, enables us to turn them upside down so they dont fill with water. In particularly the 4 wheel drive tyre for the Dragon Boat larger wider keeps even pressure on the underside prevents the sweep oar hook digging into the ground. Grateful that I have a friend like Allan who gives me access to old tyres and tubes when needed, makes my life so much easier.....

Day 215

Was grateful this sunday for the way the sunrays came through my window on to my bed in the afternoon. Lying their my room it seemed huge and spacious, nice fresh breeze through the verandah door and blue skies and plam trees through the windows. Cat curled up, good book, good video. I felt truley relaxed, so enjoyed my arvo believe I only went downstairs once again .........to feed the cat

Day 214

I know it's another food one........................but

What better way to make you feel warm and loved on a chilly Saturday arvo than cook your mums shepherd pie. I never realised how much my mum influenced me in my cooking, obvious teaching she might not of, but baking / cooking meals while engaging us in conversations she always did from since I could walk. One day you’re watching her make marshmellow cones for the fete, then helping make gravy and mash the potatoes then your baking muffins and cakes for the kids you work with.

Even as a Grandma she passed on her gift and love through baking muffins and jam drops with her grandchildren. She did it unobtrusively  ..................it’s something I have taken from her, still ring her alot. "MUm Jam drops went flat on the tray, what did I do" "Mumm how do you .........." Lol one thing I do remember is how much I loved the cornflakes and grated cheese on top of the Shepherd’s pie, that definitely has not changed

Day 213

Picture says it all......................gotta love your pets and their devotion to you. Even on your hardest day how can you not be grateful when as you drive in the drive way a quick glance to the upstairs window, there he is looking down at you, mouth moving but sound blocked by the glass. Once you start to park the car in the garage he disappears only to be found peering under the door watching for your footsteps ............then you get the best cuddle around.

And the day falls away........................    : - )

Day 212

Perfect way to start a Thursday specially when you are coming back from a rest day, a walk along the coast line, the smile being put on your face as you watch the dogs running up la balsa hill like its the best thing in the world. Coffee and chat prior to work. Grateful for these opportunities its a wonder some days how I make it to work...