Day 59

Grateful today for the laughter of children having fun, some one egged the neighbours children on to do backyard wheel barrow races today, made all the much better by the rain. Few tears but mostly laughter and the rain only made it better (muddier) for them. Was fun

Day 58

Grateful today for having a GP that takes the time to know you as a person, cares and is holistic in approach. Not just 'write a script' and 'out the door'.

Took me a few years to find one, but now have stuck with Chris for coming up to 15yrs. I can be completely honest with him, no exaggerations or under exaggerations. He follows up everything, is up front with me and takes time to listen

Day 57

  I am grateful today for not having to drive in these weather conditions. To have everything you need in walking distance is fantastic on days like this. And getting drenched, well fresh rain water is good for your hair and does'nt coffee taste so much nicer: )

Day 56

So grateful for my perfect coffee this morning made for me by Cody from the Aroma Bliss Cafe. Having fasted for blood tests it was most welcomed at 9.34am, prior to the dentist apt. Always a great place to stop for a while and enjoy Kylie and Gav's amazing hospitality

 https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/aromablisscafe

Day 55

Today I am grateful for having such a wonderful friend in my life, whether we just catch up for movies, coffee, brekkie  or house hunting....... with her it is always a wonderful experience full of humour, stories and smiles.

She has an amazing personality vibrant, adventurous-willing to give anything ago, never one to back down from a challenge, positive attitude and always having a good time doing it. She teaches me alot and I love her for that and always being there.

Day 54

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  What a marvellous day to be on the water, I was grateful for the quietness of the morning. A very non directive session (bit selfish) but was relishing in the peacefulness of the paddle, all were so quiet and everyone just seemed to be in sync as we paddle towards Bli Bli bridge.

It was perfect conditions; perfect weather, barely a power boat around, and everyone seemed to be in rhythm with our surroundings. Blissful

Day 53

I am grateful that my Mum can walk into a 2nd hand shop and find perfect skirts you would swear were brand new and they fit me. Otherwise I would never have anything to wear, specially going out to dinner tonight.

Mind you they were obscenely priced ...............a bottle of wine is dearer

Day 52

 As you go through your day you come across many different sights and hear many things said. And more often than I realized you see those little things that give you an 'A Ha' moment or that warm fuzzy feeling.

It can make you feel that everything is going to be alright, brighten up your day, make you smile on the inside as well as the outside. I am grateful for those moments and will pay more attention to them as it’s really shows the wonderful side of us all as a human race.

Today that warm fuzzy, smiling on the inside and out came about during my walk as I passed this elderly couple several times. I have seen them walking before but today I just noticed the love and care they had for each other as they walked along the river very slowly and carefully (she is recovering from a hip op.) always arm in arm and a ready smile to all who walked past.  Made me think how nice it must be to have that one you can grow old with and be content. This is how it appeared to me as I saw them resting on a seat overlooking the river he sat there with his arm around her gently stroking her shoulder. Made ones heart well up with love

Day 51

Yes that is blue sky....................

This morning I was very grateful to wake up to a beautiful blue sky. While it may have still been blowing a gale, it was so good to open up the house to get some air in, clean and dry things out. With four loads of washing flapping in the wind, beautiful green grass definitely to wet to mow, chillie bushes soaking up the rays. Now this is the Sunshine Coast I know and love

Day 50

"Rain rain seems here to stay; you will be gone by Thursday"

Huge down pours of rain on the sunshine coast with intermittent flooding affecting the many road closures. Not sure if the ground here can soak up anymore water, small ponds formed on normally grass oval and lawns. It certainly has not improved peoples driving ability on the road and there has been an increase in ambulance sirens I hear each day.

Must admit people’s spirits seem more up at present in regards to the rain than they have been in the past. Guess there is many reasons for that…

I am grateful though that I've been spared from anymore damaging effects of the rain and have been unhindered by road closures. The house might be feeling bit damp, but that’s nothing, I wish all where fairing as well

Day 49

Well the picture might be a slight exaggeration of reality, but in my mind this is what the dentist feels like. And those needles …….that feel like they pierce through your skull and or are going right through your lower jaw. Ouuchhhh so don’t want to go. But alas another trip was necessary today (teach me for not going for 9 yrs)

I am grateful for the patience and laughter the dentist and dental assistant have brought into these apts. While I still get worked up and bring migraines on, I don’t get into such a frenzy state as I would in the past. I must have given them much amusement each time they came to giving me a needle.

I would jump up in the chair 'You got a needle in that hand' 'Yes sharon remember we just told you we were going to numb the area'. Embarrassment plus tears would well and like a kid I’d say 'its ok I can do this'. Well I am pleased to say I did survive today with minimal nail indentation into the dental assistance hands..............mmm I do believe she was using a different hold technique lol

Day 48

Grateful for those few that turned up this morning at 6.45am not only to bail out the boats, but go for a paddle. Yes it was wet but not raining at the time we left or returned all out and the boat cleaned down. Of course it poured as we were leaving.

But this is the weather on the sunshine coast can be raining at Mooloolaba and sunshine at Maroochy. Pouring at Kawana but Eudlo is dry. So for those that did not get put off by the weather, thanks it was a great time on the Maroochy River and really quite perfect conditions.

To our fellow paddlers at the regatta at the Gold Coast, by the pic to the right looks like some fun was had there to : )

Day 47

..Spade spade wherefore art thou spade..

Sad truth is, the spade is missing in action, does not quite look like the ones in picture (note to self-take pics of everything) squarish, old rustic silvery (when clean) thick short wooden shaft...no handle. And no splinters as its old enough to be worn smooth.

mmm ..........so none of you have seen it : (

Had not missed it till the rain, (as it does on the SUNSHINE coast) came down pretty heavy. New paving (looks good) all of a sudden became abit compromised. Once again 11mm rain ...but here only, not in the next suburb. So smarts said do drain away ie. Some of lawn area higher than patio, need to do gully/drain away thingy. Where's the spade..........’ Nooo spade is missing’ dam the little potting spade it’s no help.

But thankfully I am friendly with my neighbours so I drop next door ...borrow a spade everything sorted. So was going to be grateful for that when I started writing this blog.

A snow ball affect occurred ............'the pick' yeh can't find that either but...............the pliers, ratchet, screwdriver, Philips screwdriver, original hammer, monkey wrench, adjustable wrench, nails, drill (battery needs charging prior), spark plugs (lawn mower), wire brush (bbq), oops and the other smaller screwdriver. I'm sure I missed a few things  but it boils down to over the years my dad  Left things behind on purpose or bought new ones for ajob we where to do, or had an extra as got a new one himself : ) He also taught me how to use these tools along with things like taking the starter motor out of the car (redbank), tyre changes, new brake bads (actually really good to know when you live away from home). Skills I have needed a few times.  ‘A girl needs her dad….end of conversation’

Day 46

Tranquil....mmm or just quiet

Came home this afternoon about 2pm, rain was belting down, even had the windscreen wipers on the fastest. There was poor visibilty and you know the rest .......so was so glad when I got home.

Inside, while the rain was quiet loud on the roof, it had the effective of blocking out all other sounds. Like people talking (on phone, neighbours can be quite loud). No sounds of cars, pesky yap yap dogs (sorry, if you have one....really I am sorry).  All  phones, tv, etc not one did I have on. It was just such a nice space to be in.

So why the photo, well that was just the meal I made while being in that space, clean...fresh..aromatic and tasted GOOOD

Day 45

The Waiting Room

I am grateful today for the ease, quickness of those routine yearly tests (mm bit behind in lol, just don’t tell my parents (all good dad). Everything seemed to fall in place, parking, no long waits, $$ kind to me.

Didn’t even get through the magazines in the waiting room; Jan 2013 editions. Now that was a bit disappointing and all follow up appointments sorted for next week ….no waiting. Someone’s looking after me J

Day 44

I am grateful for the faith and trust people put in me in looking after their kids. It sometimes can be difficult working in mental health, you hear many narratives, emotions sometimes explosive and no one therapy technique is suitable for all. (I believe, not matter what a purest may say)

I believe in the work I do and to me the reward comes back when 6mths....2...5...10...15...ouch 20 yrs on you get a surprise visit from a family, couple, mother with new born babe, Young women or man of 22 yr asking advice as you’re the 1st person he trusted.

Today for some reason people found me and asked about helping their child or family privately as they did not fit into any of the 'systems' and they were going through difficult times. Word of mouth they heard of me or saw me through my private work. (Training workshops, supervision). I am very careful in what I take on outside of my work as I do will not compromise myself..........I'm in aware at the trust people place in me......I will always honour that and it really is amazing feeling,  knowing it’s not only your family that feels that way about you

Day 43



 

What a wonderful invention Tea is ......there are just those days you are grateful to sit down  by yourself or with someone and just enjoy that pot of tea

Day 42

The Budget

How hard is it when you are trying to keep a  strict budget and its coming to the end of the fortnight? You open the purse to get some money out and 'bugger' there is none there. You are sure you still had money left you remembered the last time you took cash out...added up everything you spent it on and still you’re short. Dam those purse moths...

 

So you have checked the car, draws, under the kitchen bench, backpacks, pockets, can’t even put a dollar together in 5c pieces and you start considering transfer money (breaking the budget).

How Grateful are you when you camera battery beeps and as you go to recharge it ....there in the cameras bag is the missing money. Ahh now it comes back to me don’t you just love those days I am sure we have all had them : )

 

Day 41

Always grateful for some where cool to hang out on a hot day

Day 40

Company and Friendship  The day started out very wet and I was hoping it would get better (weather wise), was looking forward to my weekend with my girlfriend. I guess I don't have to re-iterate how um social reclusive I can be at times lol (sounds so much better than anti-social; )

But I have friends who understand the person who I am, and I am grateful for that. So to Chenrezig we went, the scenic way, and once we made it up the stairs (huff huff puff, yeh sure this is good for my legs lol). Bit of a walk around, lunch ohh they have they best. Rain poured down so meditation (outdoor) why we went there for mmm was not quite going to work.

So as we came home to settle in to our board night.................oops which we didn’t get to do as chatting, eating ……………………..singing (Doe, Ra, me, so, faa, la tea)

Inculeded in this was a superb surprise visit from my gorgeous sister Alicia and Anthony, then Matt (friend not caught up with for a while) excellent evening. Well Carmel did not get to bet me a monopoly this time (think first time was lucky). As you can see by post bed very early (lol)

Day 39

“The world is like a mirror; frown at it, and it frowns at you. Smile and it smiles, too”      Herbert Samuels

Anyone who knows me knows shopping is not my favourite pastime. So knowing the fridge is totally out of food, missing some of the essential items (and I mean essential not shoes or something). I knew I was going to have to brave the stores.

I don’t know what other people find when they go shopping, but if its afternoon time I have been finding the salespeople quite mm moody and abrupt.. Now we all have bad days but it seems to be more common than not lately.

Like the girl talking to her friend behind the Deli, I probably waited 3-4 mins (felt like 8) and the face when she had to cut more meat for me. I nearly said 'I'm sorry, don’t worry about it'. Then I thought about the phone guy (Tim) in the store arrogant, rude, abrupt (I know I am IT simple but please........). He did drop a hint though.....1pm no lunch, young guy, bit of empathy and wow he was a changed person and apologised to me.

So I thought I would take this tack, acknowledged her day...smiled empathetically at her responses, replied (as need to show I listened) well did I get treated like a princess (lovely girls), Butchers... smile, acknowledged their day, even the cat got free pressies from them. Petrol station smiled asked how they were ...'dam it looks busy' think the guy nearly burst into tears (not being dramatic) said first person all day who was nice to him (just finishing an 7 hr shift).Local IGA, smiled oh this time acknowledged feeling for her at the obnoxious attitude of the lady b4 me ...free bottle of milk.

Now I am not saying smiling gets you freebies, but smiling and acknowledging others really makes a difference to them and you.

 

Day 38

Poached Eggs..........honestly love having a good poach egg for breaky or sometimes that easy meal for dinner not really my choice for lunch .... but on a Caesar salad with anchovies mmm. Now when I say poach egg ...yes I am one who loves to slightly cut it with a knife and watch the yolk pour out makes it also much better.

10yrs ago (or a decade if you want me to feel old) I hated eating them. My worst nightmare when I travelled through Peru was not mmm being kidnapped (lol funny storey about that) but being liked by the locals who I was staying with, cause if they did (like me)...they gave you eggs for breaky, lunch and dinner. It’s not like you could say No as it was an honour. Some of the places I stayed would sell the eggs to the cities not eat them themselves because of the value of them. Even got worse when I was in Cuba, Lousy at speaking Spanish, but with a good tan at the time got treated really well by the locals. Which meant more eggs for breaky ahhh, this frustrated some of my trekking buddies who spoke better Spanish than myself as I was asked first how I would prefer my eggs .....so everyone got them that way lol. My Spanish started to improve quickly : ) As scramble eggs did not go down so well after a night of Cuban rum or Peruvian whiskey oohhhh so bad.

I don't know when it actually changed but I do know one thing, love my morning eggs but have to be from back yard chooks running free, natural feed, loving carers………you cannot deny they are so different from those store bought ones. The yolks more orange, albumin clearer, cook easier, the taste. For a small cost I've been able to get excess from my friends who have chooks and my mum gets me some every visit. Though I must be getting greedy, never seem to have enough lol.

Thought about getting couple chooks in the back yard like Julie and Michael, but really flat out looking after myself and Maximus "the Cat" so back yard chooks might not be the right thing for me. But I so love their eggs : )

Day 37

Sarongs....what can I say nothing better for a lazy day around the house. Just a simple peice of material, colourful, lose and comfortable. Of course can be worn in many different ways. Actually it's my preferred outfit of choice at home or on the beach, would even wear them to work if it was deemed appropriate Have loved them since my first one as a teenager and always grateful for my sarong days. Up till now always had at least 6 - 10 in the cupboard, but obviously wearing then 24/7 I am now running low.

Maybe thats a hint for another trip to malaysia ...... a journey to re stock my sarong shelf.

day 36

Yep after another day indoors.....painting, while mum was left to the ironing and cutting down trees outside and providing a perfect lunch. Would of been starving otherwise nothing but jam in the fridge.

Very grateful at the end of the day to be able to put my feet up, have a coldie and enjoy a take away from the noodle bar. So love the boxes they come in for some reason they always remind me of Sienfield. With the bantering going on today sounded abit like that as well...much work but heaps of fun had. Downstairs so nearly completed ..except the doors of course. Early bed tonight

Day 35

Quick visit brings along with it alot of productive work, here we a have my father critiquing my paining ability with roller and brush. While initial off to a rocky start ........longer strokes, did you drop abit, more paint on the roller, bit less paint on the brush and at times dad not willing to relinquish control of the brush. We have successfully completed first coat in dining and hall.

Looking forward to that 5.30am start (or so I have been told) totally wrecked prior to bed barely made My Kitchen rules.

Thanks Dad always been my hero mmwah

Day 34

Bike Riding...............

Well I found this thing in my garage....a friend informed me it's called a bike. I do have vague memories of a thing called 'bike' as a child. Some of those memories where good, Grandpa teaching me to ride ........mmm (you don’t need trainer wheels  ...so just, bike + mud + rain = "Sharon can Ride" yeh I got muddy) then there was the bike rides on weekends with friends...cooking chocolate pancakes (oh they were so yuk) and some not so good times coming down Nottingham Rd (J.W. running me off the road...on purpose, that hurt). Ahhh

Well I must say I have never been one for Triathlons,....cause swimming, running not really my thing but bike riding....................oops yeh ....bike riding also not. So that Tri thing won't be happening.

So after discovering this thing called 'Bike' I decided to give it ago, so for 4 days now I have been riding it. And honestly I thought I had been doing quite good........Now if you read this far you definitely going to get a laugh

I thought I got this bike thing down pat, so organised to meet Karen this am for breakfast, both of us riding there. Well I made it and got home,

Before headin home I asked Karen could she show me how to use these gears because ...they were not working for me. Besides the seat not being comfortable......hhhhh I found out (according to Karen). The thing called a shifter...well there’s a right and left one.

Well.... I thought the shifter on 'R' controlled front wheel and shifter on 'L' the back wheel just like the brakes did. How wrong could I be..............Karen barely stayed straight on her bike for smiling (but laughing hard inside at me : ). Yes I do realise now it does not work that way. It has made it so much easier for me

The ride home so much more pleasant……………and not as hard (bikes a pretty good when you use that advice that I was given

Bike ride much easier post that.............and yes do realise those shifters affect the same thing not indviduak bike rules

Day 33

I don't believe I was the only one grateful this morning when I ended the paddling set early. We were paddling towards Eudlo estuary from the Maroochy river. We could see in the distance an amazing amount of birds ducking, diving and flying around 200 meters from the entrance. (amazing amount, had not seen that many before)

Paddles up and I gently tapped us into the middle of this flock, I think it was worth missing 3 sets of 4 mins. It was mesmerising watching these birds (terns as we found out from Di ...who is our bird expert thanks Di) swarming all around us in the outrigger, it seemed occasionally we could see something in there beak, but nothing in the water.

I don’t have the words to describe what we saw but it seemed very fluid and poetic, these terns seemed to fly in patterns so many and elegant as they did figure 8's around our boat. Jacquie did discover it was this guppy like fish they were picking up.

What I do remember is that the stench, brown, orange, stagnant, stinking, mudding water was forgotten......those amazing terns not. And dam if it was not an easier paddle home, definitely more energy in the boat. Our own Eco privilege

Day 32

Green Thumb I Am Not

Well instead of killing my plants it seems with the help of Mother Nature for once I am propagating new life for my garden. I researched watch the U tube 'how to clips' and followed to the T the planting guide, keeping them moist, morning sun etc....Well now over 2 weeks and no sign of life so the days leading up to the rain I thought for sure nothing would propagate from the seeds I planted.

Then with the onslaught of the downpour, I in advertently left them in the elements. I was now sure of a failure as the one thing they did say was not to ......over water them oops.

2 half days of sunshine and to my oohs and ahhs over 30 seedlings so far have appeared with more each day. The pleasure you get from tending, caring and seeing something grow is wonderful. I am grateful, for Mother Nature’s help in putting me in the right direction. Now I am so looking forward to all these wonderful baby chilli plants 7 varieties in all to grow and produce more fruit so I can make some wickedly Hot Hot sauce.......exciting