Day 302

Grateful the wind was up today so when I realised I had run out of important clothing. Once washed took only 20 mins to dry ooohh nearly had to go comando lol

Day 301

Late night working and ready to head home for an early bed. Grateful that Nok’s Thai takeaway opened up 1 block from work and on the way home. Good rep on quality of meals and it lived up to those standards. Would show picture but those coconut prawns and green (extra hot) chicken curry hit the spot to well mmm yum

Day 300

I am grateful that even on a hard day with negativity all around I can still smile and even laugh at myself. Not that anyone else in the shopping queue found me chasing a watermelon around the floor with my bum in the air even slightly amusing..............I did.

Day 299

Just love the feel of freshly washed hair wet and clean, not having to tie it back, letting the gentle breeze dry it. Grateful for the feeling it gives me.....renewed

Day 298

I live in an amazing place and while I know I have said that before, I don’t believe I live this daily. Sometimes I get so caught up in work and the busyness of it (more emotional than physical). My need to be in my house away from people and my perceived quietness takes over.

Then I push myself to go out my front door, dam I live on such an amazing river, the quietness and rest I seek from work is outside my door not necessarily inside all the time. Just walking along its banks listen to the sounds and discovery something new and unique each time is peaceful and relaxing in its self. The music I hear is of the wildlife around me, rustle of leaves leads to new discoveries, birds calling, my favourite pelican family and the elderly couple holding hand as they go for their walk. Life is good........the worries and hurts drop away

Day 297

Trying to find the right products to make these healthy versions of sweet/healthy treats can be really hard. Was running out of time today, still needed coconut sugar and coconut crunch. I drove past Flannery's and saw them pulling in their trolley’s so assumed they were closing up. Called out to the young man and girl "another ten minutes" they said (wow open to 6pm on Saturday). Perfect timing as I dashed in, found what I needed but mostly appreciated the young man’s help he was patient, informative, made none of my questions seem dumb to ask, funny. It was just really nice and charming to see someone go out of their way at the end of the day to be so helpful and not seemed bothered by it. Grateful for excellent customer service and young people with passion and positive attitude

Day 296

The months just go by quicker, the year seems shorter, yet it seems twice as long till Friday comes around.....Go figure.

Good start to the day, walking against gale force winds (sincere in that), and interesting meeting an all-day ah made better for strong coffee and good company, ending with some enlightenment for myself. But week seemed so long and basically Grateful for the end of (work day) friday.

Day 295

Ah!! What a picture can you see it, nor can I neighbours quite as. Seems in last week 3 neighbours over the back have vacated their building. Unfortunately lost a really good neighbour, though for 2 of them cannot say anyone along our street is sad so say goodbye ……….in fact one could be grateful.

Though I may feel a bit at odds with feeling grateful (seems nasty wanting people to leave), it has been abit of a hard journey with these two who seem to have offended all in their surrounds.

Day 294

Sometimes I forget how I live in one of the most beautiful and photographic places, was grateful that I grabbed my camera when I got home from a work and went for a walk.  Been watching these three families of pelicans along the river over the last 8 months but very rarely take time out to photograph them.

Ran into Pete; the pelican today who was as cheeky as ever and wearing the latest bling (green plastic fish hook thingy). Does not seem to cause him any concern as you can see below when he saw someone uncover their bait bucket. The young kids thought he was quite cheeky and told me not to be frighten "he flaps alot cause we feed him before" said Master 5.

Amazing movement and curiosity they have about them will check on Pete tomorrow and give a call about the fish lure. Really made my evening better just sitting with him for a while

Day 292

Showing my age now.....but..............if I remember correctly as a child on Saturday IF the shop was open it was only half a day. So no matter what you always had home time, family time, down time. Now, not that I work a 7 day a week job. I find my Saturdays and Sundays  over runned, my weekend in the last few years feels more like a one day off. Worse is finding it so difficult to go paddling on a Monday arvo. Post work (or about 1pm) just want to be at home.
Though...............so grateful when at 5pm Monday I get on the OC6 with 5 other people and paddle hard. While it might be difficult to get there it all drops away once there, with a fantastic crew, (I value every one of them), love the fact it is more permanent same individuals each week. There enthusiasm raises my level of commitment and enjoyment. It also has let me move on from the past J

Day 291

 

Lovely quiet day .........my major accomplishment would have been playing with Max and relaxing. I guess today a stand out for me was on my walk when the fragrant smell of Gardenias caught my senses first by smell and then through sight. Beautiful………. all way round it so imprinted on my senses, so much so that one accidently fell into my hand to take home. This has left my house with a wonderful perfume and brought into it a feeling of warmth and beauty. Expecting good dreams tonight.

Day 290

A day of accidents and wonderful moments…was quite funny really. It was one of those days where you might do something nice for someone...then trip over your on pants and face plant onto the gravel and that scenario continued throughout the day. Me: being clumsy and having some wonderful chance meetings and conversations.

Where does the pink magnum fit in, be forever a reminder of this wonderful lady I met at Erbachers coffee van. A year since she lost her husband after 68years of marriage, she decided today to take some time to spoil herself.....this being splurging on a pink magnum. Wonderful conversation we had with her words being what stood out for me for the day. 'If you think you can change a man once your married you should not be getting married' (her advice for young women) and 'he always supported me in being my own person' She misses him so much and my own heart aches thinking about it but the wonderful memories she shared filled my heart with much hope and love.

Day 289

http://www.upworthy.com/the-earth-shatteringly-amazing-speech-that-ll-change-the-way-you-think-about-adulthood-4?g=3

What can I say went to Woolies this arvo, started getting frustrated in line (I had 4 items). You know the silly questions, oh sure that was on special, oops card won’t work and the person on FB ...whaatt. But it was the funny elderly couple that made me laugh and being in the line did not seem like a big deal. So to come home and see the video link above was fate and I loved it. That couple was amazing and grateful they were in my cue ahead of me

Day 288

Today was grateful for the 2 hours of TOIL I could use at the end of the day when I just needed  some downtime.

Day 287

What can I say with all the planning and scaffolding things still can go wrong. But don’t you love it when it goes wrong for the right reasons. Grateful today for the 8 which turned into 11 which equalled 14 clicked, somehow it all worked out and everyone had a chance to share. No way could of I planned the day more perfect from, transport difficulties, more shows than no shows, acceptance and tolerance. Amazing group of young people, such strength and openness, hard to be anything than grateful I get to share this experience with them

Day 286

Grateful that I am on my last run of groups for the year, starts tomorrow so early night, clear the head and wake up energised.

Love doing the group work but by the time you get to the end of the year emotionally you are a little tired. You see so much gain in the young people who are given the space to share their stories and feel heard by peers. Holding the space so these stories can be told in a safe environment I find very heavy at times. It's always a learning curve, I find it very much a two way street.

Day 285

Today I was grateful for guidance in re-rigging the Outrigger Canoe (the Ama side). It was sitting abit low in the water and basically ropes getting more flexible with each journey out in the river. Our first rigging with no guidance has lasted 6.5 months so gotta be impressed with that. (well I am )

Our Monday crew turned up put in the effort and though out on the water late...out on a boat that was safe. Thanks so much Miss Lyn been incredible with your help, guidance and techniques as a steerer and paddler. Been a great support

Day 284

A little goal I tried to set back in June was to do something active every month either involving a community fundraising event or a 20 km walk with friends. Surprised myself today as I know it's only been 5 months but 100% success rate. Yes

So today the colour run.............that I did not have to run : ) "bonus",  gave me time to spend with friends from 3 areas different areas of my life. I was grateful for every minute of it, I got into the spirit and had goose bumps as we neared the start, I think that is where the grateful comes in. Tried to work out why goose bumps then remember thinking how beautiful the friends around me where, different walks of life, linked by friendships, community sense and fun, being active. Loved the spirit, appreciate the friendships

Day 283

What gives me alot of pleasure in life and also is a form of relaxation for me (though planning the right menu tends to make me bit crazy) is cooking for others. What I am grateful for is not only do I get the pleasure of these 2 wonderful ladies company….now I don’t mean that as offensive, Maria and Janet....calling you ladies ; )  But they are willing to be my guinea pigs as I try new combination of spices or recipes (not chilli though).

This combined with the laughter, jokes; just the ease of their personalities (if that makes sense) brings me great delight. To top it off we always combine it with something abit energetic, wether hiking a mountain, 20km walk, or the colour run. Grateful they came into my life and willing to share some of our Journeys together. (gumboots 2015)

Day 282

Another beautiful day
The trend for this week continues a wonderful day spent catching up with friends from 4 different areas of my life. What’s not to be grateful for, being able to start the day of in 60km/h winds with Ollie and of course his mum. Coffee and breaky with another meeting her family who you feel you know as you were able to share in their stories over the years.

Kids and Animals who wouldn’t want to be around them I delight in their honest + energy.
And obviously if wanting a quick coffee I’m not the person to do it with as spent a morning tea going on lunch with an amazing girlfriend (hope she ended up getting some work done) who has always been even as a child more mature and rational than adults and achieved so much in her life, her biggest being her wonderful angels she has in her life, a beautiful mother, amazing friend and inspirational person.

Mmm this catching up with people is good, grateful for the time I do get to share with them.

Day 281

Some days just shine brighter than others ................
Today was one of them, I caught up for a breaky coffee with a Ajax (the dog) oh and a GF I had not seen in a long while. Someone who I met early in my journey in moving to the sunshine coast, we shared many late nights on a few wines, danced were ever we could, shared philosphies, readings and our heart breaks.... though most importantly laughed alot.

So was appreciative that this Fb thing brought us back together as we lost contact at some stage as we continued on our individual journeys (I am the worst person in staying in contact, but stating the obvious here). True friendship always shines as you pick up where you left off or so it feels that way, the laughter, conversation and joy of the day still sits with me and really fulls my heart. Makes me reflect how lucky I am in my life for Donna is one of several friends who fit this and put up with my self imposed hermit status, though we would always be their if that phone call came.

It was a day that the coffee took 4 hours to drink we had so much fun and the Law of 6 degrees seemed to be occuring around us with everyone we met. I believe my friend has a beautiful energy around her and this showed in the people we met on our day and continued as I journeyed through the afternoon. Not even the parking ticket could make me frown, it was a day full of sunshine.

PS Ajax just made it more so xxo :)

Day 280

Was grateful for yesterday’s public holiday (Labour Day) not normally held at this end of the year. I have been one, to not approve the moving of a special day per say for just the sake of a long weekend. Though…. feeling a wee bit tired at present and knowing last groups for the year coming up leading into "The Camp".

I was appreciative of it as I could back it with some holidays to give me a week off. "to get my head together" Not for my benefit or the kids I work with lol more importantly for the camp leaders coming to camp.

Relaxed Sharon = happier everyone........... No I am not really that bad....just like to think so :)

So to see a post today that it was ‘Mental Health Week’ something I am always very active I found that quite amusing and appropriate. Think October is a good month for it

Day 279

Shame on me....... went for a walk along the beach today with a friend, beautiful day and the decision to go into the water was an excellent one refreshing and energizing. The shame bit was it's only the "__ " time this year I went in.

Well the pic I went back and took was not as nice as 'Let Me Sea" so borrowing hers, she also had line of EE Cummings and it fitted perfect for me and what I found in the ocean. So here is the ful version


maggie and milly and molly and may
went down to the beach(to play one day)

and maggie discovered a shell that sang
so sweetly she couldn’t remember her troubles,and

milly befriended a stranded star
whose rays five languid fingers were;

and molly was chased by a horrible thing
which raced sideways while blowing bubbles:and

may came home with a smooth round stone
as small as a world and as large as alone.

For whatever we lose(like a you or a me)
It’s always ourselves we find in the sea.
E.E Cummings

Day 278

Grateful for that beautiful breeze somewhat windy that just made my day nicer.

Day 277

need I explain  more, no plains but a week off is nice

Day 276

Grateful for my sister who through all lifes hurdles we know we will always be their for each other ...good and hard times. xxo

Day 275

er Tired before I got there today(work), but no time to stop and when I did (to gas bag) only had to make it up later. Maybe I needed the time to gas bag to refocus myself, my energy. Not easy working how we work all the time listening to narrative after narrative of young people’s journeys. It’s not like they access us when they are happy, then throw in your own world on top.

The discussion arose today on how we do re energise Extraversion and Introversion (myers and biggs) personalities caused great discussion and laughter at some of our strategies that we use.  My favourite; quiet time and isolation, So after saying some days I struggle to talk to anyone post work

Knock Knock Knock on the door neighbour is there, aghhh said that to quick cause that aghh turned into a oohhh thank you ....... had been promising me one of her special steaks and her words knowing I needed a break cooked and delivered dinner to me tonight. How grateful am I to have such wonderful neighbours could not of come at a better night

Day 274

Day 273

New it was going to be a difficult, mmm maybe emotional day as we had a PD session around the documentary BULLY. Quite triggering, well I thought it was lots emotion, reflection and of course lively discussion. So drained by this afternoon.
SO.................

Was Grateful to end the day with a beautiful massage from Corina, have no idea where I went, but I went somewhere during that hour. Felt like I was in the room then ...........my mind went elsewhere. Was really good.... a couple of Chakras needing a bit of work, was interesting experiencing in tuning in with my body. Though extremely famished when I got home and going to sleep well