Day 180

Driving at 50-60km/hr with mobile on your roof mmmmm (just to test distance it would go ......) How could you be happy about that .......well

I am grateful for (after Oh sh-- & $$) remembering how life before mobile was so good. You actually made arrangements to catch up with people (not last minute) and kept them (so easy not if you can text).  You have a conversation without beeps, songs going off in the middle of it. No pressure to check the beeps squeaks etc.

People stopped thinking they could contact you 24/7, people phoned and had conversations on the home phone with me. I felt relaxed(this weekend), broken mobile = instant response not necessaryoe EXpected. Yeh I know when mobiles came in I was very slack in taking them with me everywhere, recently fell into the trap of doing just that. So don’t be surprised friends specially weekends you may need to ring and pre plan first. Definitely going to have mobile free times : )

Day 179

Well we might of walked into Noosa Surf Club looking like drowned rats, but it was well worth it. Not the best day for a 20km walk one would of thought .........overcast and rainy and nothing  left dry by the end of it, but that sense of sense of personal accomplishment and community involvement made it all worthwhile.

I am grateful to not only all who joined up to walk as the team All Abreast, but also everyone we met on the way. Rain was forgotten about at times as we were having too much fun chatting, laughing and sharing this journey together. Running in to others we knew on the way (many kevin bacon 6 degree situations). We met our team goal fundraising had a marvellous lunch at the surf club before we went on our way home; bit stiffer and a little weary (don’t stay up to 12 nite prior Sharon).

Big thank you to everyone who sponsored myself, team and team mates we appreciated your support to the “Walk for Breast Cancer”  and walked with you all in mind        THANK YOU xx

Day 178

Enjoy my sleep over nights with the girls from Brissy, grateful for their friendship. It is always a laugh, many stories told and ultimately involve some activity climbing a mountain, brief walks which ultimately leaves me in some physical pain or muscle soreness. I so enjoy the privilege of getting to cook for them (they are always appreciative) and it gives me the chance to create some dishes I would not normally cook for myself.

Bests of all they leave Apple Pie and custard in the fridge for me Ummm

Day 177

Grateful that we still have wonderful places here on the coast that you can take dogs to run free. While I have none of my own I so enjoy the pleasure it gives to you ............walking with a dog.

Their bounce and utter enjoyment of being able to run free, run across the sand or splash in the water. Puts a smile on your face

Day 176

No idea how to turn this pic up the right way..............

What might been seen as a very small token or gift can sometimes have a huge impact on you. I have recently started walking again with a wonderful bunch of ladies ....no scrap that AMAZING WOMEN. I have been grateful that the start of my day is spent walking with these women.

Recently one had travelled back to her native country America and spent time with her family and traveling through New Orleans.  The feeling of acceptance was very much felt when someone who you still getting to know has that small thought to bring you back something with the others.

The thought that counts has no truer meaning

Dat 175

What can I say........Awesome moon tonite
Grateful as I was driving home from paddling tonight I pulled over, several times..once to just look at the moon.2nd /3rd time get a photo ..

Not the best photo but alright for a novice.

Day 174

Computer skills to get this picture upright I do not have to no avail. So forgo that......

Every day you are being asked, emailed or phoned about giving to a charity. Sometimes when I say I already am .....I think...they think I'm lying. I realise now

I have over the years given time, but when you walk full-time its hard to do that.

I apprecitae and grateful for all who are donating or walking the 'walk for breast cancer' sat 29th June. It means a lot

Day 173

Recently my high school had its 50th anniversary, as emails and FB messages went out I watch many pictures get posted....brought many a memory back.

So I went to the "BOX" The box contains the first 17/20yrs of my life in it, anything important or significant...childhood objects, card with first flowers I ever received, (was to nervous even to ring the guy to thank him) still have the photo of them in my room at the nurses quarters. Still remember him, never lost that guilty feeling for being so rude, he probably thought I did not like him so opposite (..........girls).

So what’s the point ...................I'm grateful that I have kept significant things from my life and more importantly stored them safely. Grateful that the reunion happened and people asked for photos as if they had not……….. The box might never have been opened. The florist card and my Flatsy Platsy dolls (only show one the other has no clothes lol) might have never been found. To think I only spoke about them on Wednesday

Day 172

Grateful for Steve and Peta Akkerman, (The Body Joint) who have looked after all my injuries and spinal needs since I have practically been living on the sunshine cost. Always felt so good leaving my appointments physically and emotionally. They became more than just my osteopath.......

They are an amazing loving couple who have been supportive to me and definitely encouraged me to go for gold. Their message on their last day for me was "we see big things coming from you and expect to read about it" While tears did flow at my last apt (I did not start it) I left knowing that while they will be sorely missed up here (especially by the paddling community). They are following their dream, Tasmania (shot of where they be living), half day work days and working their farm. So happy for them and look forward to catching up with them in Tassie (dam good reason to visit).

Day 171

I am grateful that I am surrounded in my work life with many amazing, caring people. Who care not only for our clients but for each other, whether it’s a walk to clear the head, buying you that cup of coffee (with extra shot), sharing time together over lunch or making that cup of tea when you feel you don’t have time to stop. It’s those things that keep us focused on the positives and strengths in our lives.

There is no doubt in my mind that we do get affected by some of the narratives we hear. Bit like the news (which I rarely watch now) if you hear same theme stories - traumatic/violent/negative/even the political bullying and slander day in day out ...........you could get a skewed view of the world.

We need that balance..................... Guess that’s where I am lucky because I have people around me to help me re focus on those hard days and I am very invested in doing the same for them. Humor, having some one to listen to your rant, a compliment, or reflection goes a long way.


Fits with this Dalai Lama speech

'While murder, bullying, exploitation and scandal regularly make news, when thousands of children receive their mother’s care and affection every day it isn’t reported because we take it for granted. We may be subject to negative emotions, but it’s possible to keep them under control, to cultivate a sense of emotional hygiene, on the basis of human values that are rooted in that affection - what I call secular ethics.'

Day 170

Was not the only one but definitely was grateful for the gorgeous sunset as I drove down the street to home. Nearly forgot about the cars in front of me...nearly though from the driving pace I think most of us where enjoying the colours of the afternoon

Amazing colours...................serenity is the word that comes to mind.

Day 169

Garmen watch loading...........

Grateful for Dr C, who introduced me to this watch...measures training rate/speed distance, splits/GPS map. Love it
Few concerns as I had ordered via internet and thankfully was a successful adventure. Yeh it arrived Hapy birthday sharon from mum and dad.

Coldest day tomorrow but going out to try it anyway ......yeh
lovin it

Day 168

Today took me back to a time in my life where the experience of travel meant meeting new people, trying new foods and being in different cultures and getting to know myself.

I am grateful that I have friends who share their memories and feelings with me about their adventures. Been a long time since mine and theirs reminds me how much there is I still need to explore. (though as I am now slightly ...ever so slightly older, could see I may need to do this with more reserve than I have in the past lol)

Day 167

Have a lot to be grateful for, I live in a great country, fantastic state (talking about the people and environment in both cases) and live in the best place in that state. Best of both worlds, beach, Aussie bush and hinterland.

So enjoyed my walk today through the Noosa National park, great company with a friend, much talk/walking and just feeling really good overall. Many km's, great views, this is so much what I like about getting out. Today was a beautiful day….

Day 166

Before......................................................After
Ok so it does not look like much, but it was a definitely an exercise. No chain saw, all by hand with a hedge clipper or saw. Yes can now see neighbours place, but the regrowth will be so much more easier to control and sculpt (into a square of course)




2nd view, dont see this house from my outlock anyway.....
\sorry Bushie if you see the neighbours more oops
Before..................................................................After

Day 165

Nambour show day public holiday (public holiday for some)

Grateful for the long weekend (even though I did not go) but I really did make the most of it. Grateful for the effort Em and I put into the 14 k walk, coffee with Miss K and working in the yard. Great day, great results....exhaustion as heading to bed

Day 164

Change can be good

Throw a couple of new faces into a group .........well yes of course things will change. They will add new dynamics to the group, new personal stories, new experience, and different levels of understanding of the processes. Can make us feel insecure or guarded but really...

Can be exciting a different view or perspective, new stories and new learning’s, new dynamics. Grateful for change always brings out all the sides of us lol

Day 163

Was very touched today (felt real special actually) as I got this wonderful gift from someone who appreciated time I gave them. Bit guilty also as I feel I got just as much learning about my own style in facilitation and working with a colleague as they did about group work. In one way it was a win/win for both of us.

I know for me I was given new sight, seeing group work through fresh eyes. I valued the conversations around this as it allowed me to reflect on my on skills and areas I need to look at. How I fit into the group process, how I behavioural manage v’s group dynamics, how does co facilitation work or not work for me.

Grateful; for that insight which I would not have gotten without those fresh eyes.

Day 162

Grateful for the rain and the freshness it adds to the smell of the air, along with the coolness as you walk through it.

Day161

So what am I grateful for today..............

Was going to say the friend to go walking long distances with as we both knew we had a big walk coming up.

Then it was a friend who loves committing to something and following through with action no matter rain, shine or..........

But what about the person who appreciates training process and evaluates your times, conditions, preparation.......it really fits with me.

So imagine rolling all those 3 plus good conversations, challenging questions, great company, and clarification around own goals. Dam had great morning walk, 12kms in 2 hours in pelting rain (we are walkers not runners). To top of it with post walk coffee stops.  Thank you for today  : )

Day 160

Cold, rainy, miserable.ish day......................No way do I feel like to go out to do the shopping. So dinner mmm feel like its pizza weather (dominos=calories + + +, eagle boys=calories + + +) I am trying so hard to be good.

Ahh grateful that years ago a friend made me home made pizza on pita bread, mm mmm used bits a pieces in fridge ...fresh tomatoes, chillies, feta, chicken marinated in homemade spices, spinach....ok and anchovies.  Small but tasty, oh and capers

Day 159

Sounds not in the theme of things but when I thought about today I know I was grateful to spend some time....... one on one.... with a friend who I value greatly but we seem to keep crossing each other’s pass.

It may have taken a car to break down to do so but in our problem solving modes we did get some time together. I also learnt to appreciate her patience as I am sure I would have lost my mind a lot earlier.....................Love you girlfriend ;-)

Day 158

My high schools 50 years celebration is this Sunday. Seems odd when you consider my primary school had its centenary when I was in grade 7. Guess its obvious how times have changed. So seeing the posts and knowing my own anxieties I started thinking........yeh not g………

Then the fb posts started (technology can be good). wow some photos and memories I had forgotten. So I started going through some of my own stuff (now I am thinking some photos still at mum and dads)but school musical programs, Seniors autograph book & photos all found. Did we really sign everything we did …

New dialogues with classmates from the past and some interesting memories have started to occur.
I am grateful to those that keep these memories alive through organising and doing the hard yards to make these days happens. (I would hibernate). Cause while we all have different views of our school days, I have found this reunion has made me remember lots of memories that I had forgotten. Based on that.....I will make the effort to go and revisit friends, school mates and memories of Wow 30 years ago.

Day 157

Call me the crazy cat lady if you must (though I do believe you have to have 2 cats to qualify).

Ever since he was a kitten Maximus would always be at the upstairs bedroom window waiting for me. 4 years on and I can drive in the driveway look up and see his face peering out the blinds, mouth open obviously meowing and talking to me. By the time I am in the garage he is at the door ready for a cuddle. How could any day stay bad when you come home to that : )

Day 156

Minor grass stains, so grateful I wore an old pair today to group, free time consisted of ..running, passing the ball, wet grass, slight incline = much slipping, tag rugby mmm think boys forgot what tag meant.

Nice save, but you go down on the slide and tag turns to yeh everyone on top lol sore but not sorry. Everyone had a good time : )

Day 155

Baking can be so therapeutic, while it make take up alot of my time the night before group. I do enjoy baking for the group programs 1) Baking relaxes me 2) dont like sweets so dont eat it 3) enjoyment the kids get from having fresh baked bikkies or cakes. Last day of the group has now become the challenge. Must admit it turned out pretty OK.............The dissappointment on the kids faces when it came out looking like a plain cake. So everyone dives for the Banana Bread then when they saw it cut ...PRICELESS. More gasps and screams of delite with all the surprises they found in it...sour worms, crunchy bars, carmello pockets. Made my day

Day 154

Poor Ugg boots to much wear, brisbane river water, and late nights scuffing around the house in them. Finally all the seams have fallen apart and they fall off my feet......not a good night or time of the year for it. To think I contemplated replacing the carpet in my bedroom with wooden floors .....Oh so not likely too

Gratefully I found a nice thick pair of socks so all is well and the toes are warm again : )

Day 153

Grateful for the serenity I get from working in the garden when I actually get of my arse to do so. Even as I was finishing things off in the rain it just felt so good, wish it was a long weekend as had more to do and was really getting into it. Maybe getting myself lost in Bunnings for 2.5hrs did not help. : )



 

Day 152

Was a wonderful night to celebrate a friend turning the awesome age of 50. Was grateful to be part of her journey and be there to celebrate with her family, some old friends, new friends and met new new people as well.
Made me think how grateful I am also for those friends who have remained in my life and are part of it now