Inspirational

Spending time on the internet and receiving alot of forwarded emails, you read alot of different things. Quite often I check them out and find out that the story about the man giving you a perfumed card to smell wasn't really true.............and people believe that there are people out there giving people cards to smell which have chloroform on them......... So many of these things are simply urban myths. Also many of these things are repeated and repeatedly so!! They just come with different pictures. Many things are touching, but again, one gets a little blase at times, because there is just so much of it about.

Then I came across this...........
If you have broadband, take the time to read the story and watch the video.......

I read it, watched the video.........listened to the song......and cried!

[From Sports Illustrated, By Rick Reilly]

I try to be a good father. Give my kids mulligans. Work nights to pay For their text messaging. Take them to swimsuit shoots.

But compared with Dick Hoyt, I suck.

Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in Marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a Wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and Pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same day.

Dick's also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back Mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. On a bike. Makes Taking your son bowling look a little lame, right?

And what has Rick done for his father? Not much--except save his life.
This love story began in Winchester , Mass. , 43 years ago, when Rick Was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him Brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs.

"He'll be a vegetable the rest of his life;'' Dick says doctors told him And his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. ``Put him in an Institution.''

But the Hoyts weren't buying it. They noticed the way Rick's eyes Followed them around the room. When Rick was 11 they took him to the Engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was Anything to help the boy communicate. ``No way,'' Dick says he was told. ``There's nothing going on in his brain.''

"Tell him a joke,'' Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a Lot was going on in his brain. Rigged up with a computer that allowed Him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his Head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words? ``Go Bruins!'' And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the School organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, ``Dad, I want To do that.''

Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described ``porker'' who never ran More than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he Tried. ``Then it was me who was handicapped,'' Dick says. ``I was sore For two weeks.''

That day changed Rick's life. ``Dad,'' he typed, ``when we were running, It felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!''

And that sentence changed Dick's life. He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such hard-belly Shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon.

``No way,'' Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyts weren't quite a Single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor. For a few Years Dick and Rick just joined the massive field and ran anyway, then They found a way to get into the race Officially: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the Qualifying time for Boston the following year.

Then somebody said, ``Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?''

How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he Was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon? Still, Dick Tried.

Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironmans in Hawaii . It must be a buzzkill to be a 25-year-old stud Getting passed by an old guy towing a grown man in a dinghy, don't you Think?

Hey, Dick, why not see how you'd do on your own? ``No way,'' he says. Dick does it purely for ``the awesome feeling'' he gets seeing Rick with A cantaloupe smile as they run, swim and ride together.

This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters. Their best Time? Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992--only 35 minutes off the world Record, which, in case you don't keep track of these things, happens to Be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the Time.

``No question about it,'' Rick types. ``My dad is the Father of the Century.''

And Dick got something else out of all this too. Two years ago he had a Mild heart attack during a race. Doctors found that one of his arteries Was 95% clogged. ``If you hadn't been in such great shape,'' One doctor told him, ``you probably would've died 15 years ago.'' So, in a way, Dick and Rick saved each other's life.

Rick, who has his own apartment (he gets home care) and works in Boston, and Dick, retired from the military and living in Holland, Mass. , always find ways to be together. They give speeches around the country and compete in some backbreaking race every weekend, including this Father's Day.

That night, Rick will buy his dad dinner, but the thing he really wants to give him is a gift he can never buy.

``The thing I'd most like,'' Rick types, ``is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once.''

Christmas Photo 2006

Christmas Photo 2006, originally uploaded by Jazzmin.

I have to make the most of this! When my boys were little, they wouldn't go and sit with Santa. They were absolutely petrified! This photo is the second one I have had done, and I know they are expensive, but it's great and the kids just love it. This one is actually the one I took, as I wanted to be able to convert my own to B&W. Their clothes are so bright, it makes choosing scrapbooking papers really tricky!!

Like I said this is the second year in a row that we have had photos done. The boys love it, and are so good too. We then go and have morning tea at Donut King, which they love. When we got home we had lunch, and then we made our bon bons (kids call them bom boms) for Christmas Eve dinner. That was alot of fun too.,

It's beginning to feel alot like Christmas!

CSIRO: Total Wellbeing Diet 2

As I sit here drinking my glass of champagne.......Henkell Trocken no less, I am in the throes of preparing for the weeks ahead. No, I am not talking about Christmas shopping, partying or even baking, I am talking about how tomorrow I start on the CSIRO : Total Wellbeing diet. I bought the book yesterday, and am starting this tomorrow. It's higher protein, lower carbohydrate, and supposed to be really good. My plan is to go until Christmas, and then to review progress after the Christmas/New Year week. I may return to NO Count Weight watchers, or just revert back to Wellbeing Diet. The higher levels of protein are good for curbing hunger, which is necessary as there is no snacking. You can have 300g of fruit per day which isn't huge amounts, but still okay. I can also stick with low fat milk, as I am never going back to skim milk again. The thought of it makes my tummy feel icky. B is keen, he is always there to support and encourage me, hopefully he will lose some weight too. I will keep a log of my weight on the blog, to keep me honest. If you are interested in reading about the diet, go here

Mothering.......

Mothering, the most rewarding, and most wonderful thing I have ever been privileged to do......however it's the hardest and the most frustrating. I have been trying very hard, with the help of alot of prayer and contemplation, to try another tack with my parenting style. Unfortunately I raise my voice too much........and I hate it. I hate the sound of my own voice, I hate the anger that wells up inside of me. That's no good for the kids and no good for me either. I feel ashamed afterwards, and often apologize to the kids if I have really gone ballistic. So, all this week, I have tried really hard, not to raise my voice at all. It's amazing how well it has worked. I don't feel sick in the stomach, and the kids are responding better than when I yell at them. I don't want my kids to think I hate them, or disrespect them, nothing could be further from the truth, but sometimes these little people are easy targets and it's too easy to fall into that trap of frustration...........and anger. Motherhood is such a blessing, and it's something I never take for granted. Nor, for one moment do I consider that I am the best mother in the world. I am trying every single day to be the best person I can possibly be. I am aware of my shortcomings, and I am trying to make myself someone my family (and God) would be proud of. I had to write that down, I had to write down the freedom and happiness I am feeling with this new direction my parenting technique is taking. Prayers are definitely answered, and my prayers asking for guidance and strength have been answered loud and clear. I feel much stronger, and calmer for this change.

It's Quiet

I am coping well with the fact that I don't have set work days. Mind you I am actually missing it. If I work one day a week I will be happy, more than that would be a bonus. It's week three and I have only worked two days so far. Sammy wasn't well today, so it was good I didn't have to go to work.

I have been spending the time, making my blog more interesting, editing photos, collecting layout ideas for the upcoming retreat and talking to my friends in messenger.

I went to the Home Show on the weekend with Mum. The show was woeful. We ended up going shopping and spent a great afternoon together, bad home show notwithstanding. We always have great fun together, it doesn't happen enough of late though. Life is rather hectic at times. I guess that's one advantage of not having to work so much, gives me time to really enjoy the things I love to do. I have been appreciating my leisure time so much more. I find I am not so lazy, which is always a good thing. I am motivated to do things which I want to do, instead of procrastinating and then getting nothing done.

Will be interesting to see what the weeks ahead bring.

Term 4

It's term 4 and I have no set days to work this term. I am a little excited but very scared about that state of affairs. I am down to do supply work at my school, and decided that I wouldn't do anything else. TRACER rang me this morning to confirm my details, and I have said I am available every day!!!!! My heart was racing,I felt ill...........for about five minutes after the call, I felt dreadful. How am I going to feel when they actually ring me??? I have a strategy - ring Bunny!!!! I am so lucky that he is so supportive of me working and so helpful at home. I couldn't do this without his help and his being able to come home at the drop of a hat.

Mum and Dad are closeby and always ready to take Mickey, so that's a huge help and a big weight off my mind too.

I wish I didn't react so physiologically to big changes in my life!!!

My Knife Block

I know, you are going to think I have totally lost it.......... Why oh why do I want to write about a knife block??? I love my knife block. It's awesome. My sister in law manages a knife shop and I was lucky enough to get this set at a good discount. It has everything, bread knife, chef's knife, smaller utility knives, and I use the scissors alot too. It even comes with a really good heavy duty steel. I have wanted one of these blocks for years........ They hold their sharpness too, I haven't used the steel on them yet, and I have had them since the Father's Day weekend......

Good friends, good times, good fun.

Every single day I remind myself to count my blessings. I am amazed and humbled by the number of blessings that I have.

I have a group of amazing women, who I am so proud to know. And what's even better, is that they are my dearest friends.

One of them I visited during the week. I spent all Wednesday with her. We chatted, and fiddled around with her poor, dying computer. We just sat and talked, while the kids played.........the hours went by in great company. A lovely way to spend a day. On the day before I had the opportunity to do a class run by Sue. She is a wonderful girl who works at Daisy's and does the most amazing work. It's pretty special being considered a friend, and sitting in on one of her classes. She is truly talented and such a sweet girl as well............I have so much to learn from her.

Last night, I looked after the store for Barbi. She spent the afternoon and evening with her family as it was Holly's 13th birthday. She had a great afternoon, and I was waiting at the shop at 11.30 pm with a cuppa to hear all about her day. We chatted until 1.30am..............the time just flew. I turned my nightlight out at 2.30a.m!!!!! I have attached a photo above to show where I spend every Friday night. This is taken at Daisy Chain Scrapbooks, the best scrapbooking shop in the country!

Today Kerrie came around to drink a pot of coffee and pick my brains about all the things I love doing on the computer. Kerrie left with a sheet of notes, and a newly created blog. She left me with a real comfortable sense of feeling totally relaxed, you know that really warm fuzzy feeling you get from spending time with someone wonderful. She is my mentor. She is what I will be in about 8 years time. Her kids are older than mine and she runs her family like I run mine...........I love her to bits! She is proud, confident, organized, clever, articulate and has a heart of absolute pure gold! When we met, we hit it off straight away, and we only saw one another every month, or so, sometimes a couple of months went by. We never had contact details or anything, as we knew we would catch up at scrapbooking. Then when I was banned from attending CM workshops, Kerrie continued to attend, until she found out I had been banned!! Fortunately I knew a mutual acquaintance who was able to put us in touch with one another! Thank goodness, as now she no longer patronizes anything to do with CM and she regularly comes with me on a Friday night!!!!

Thank you to my precious girlfriends................

Pelican Waters Tavern

We had lunch here one day. Didn't look this impressive as it was day time, but I thought I would add the photo anyway.

Highlights

I was not impressed, last night I wrote a long post all about my holidays, and they have disappeared................... I even went searching for a new blog hosting website, because I thought this just wasn't good enough. But I couldn't find another one that I liked the set up of. So I am here again. In the future I will save my post onto a Word document, so if it disappears, I can reload it without retyping it.

We went away last week, and it was fabulous. We stayed in a holiday unit in Caloundra, right on the water. The highlights of the week were many, so I will write in dot point format.
* Money wasn't tight, so we ate out lots..............including Fish and chips, KFC, Chinese restaurant, Pizza from a restaurant, lunch at Pelican Waters Tavern, and a yummy dinner at an Italian Restaurant. It was great being able to take the kids out to a restaurant, and I was so proud of how they behaved..........
* Boat cruise from our jetty to Pelican Waters Tavern for lunch
* Unit had a huge bath
* Unit had a private jetty, so the kids and Bunny fished every afternoon
* We had our surf ski and paddled around Golden Beach, had a ball.
* I read lots of books, three I think
* Took my scrapbooking stuff, and did none.........

I am going out to lunch now............will come back later and continue this post.

OOoppps, apologies to blogger...........

Here's my post that I thought had been lost..........my mistake, I hit 'save as draft' instead of 'publish'...............sorry blogger!



I know I don't post enough. If I took all my emails and connected them all, I would have an awesome post every day.

It's week two of the school holidays and I can't get over how quickly they are going............We went away last week, which was just fabulous... Highlights of the holidays to date are
* arrive in unit in Caloundra
* unit has private jetty, so kids and Bunny can fish everyday
* money isn't tight, so we have done things like, eat out..........
* Chinese meal with Oma and Opa
* Boat cruise with lunch at Pelican Waters Hotel
* Fish and chips twice
* Pizza from an Italian restaurant
* KFC
* Italian meal at a restuarant...........absolutely delicious.

Other highlights
* We could walk everywhere
* Bunny picked up 'boat' and we could use it at Golden Beach
* Unit's pool was heated
* Spa bathtub was ginormous.......

Highlights since we have been home
* lovely to relax and not rush anywhere
* took kidlets to cinema to see 'Monster House' It was Mickey's first time......he loved it.
* Went scrapbooking for the whole day, I did two of Sue's classes.
* Spent a day with a dear girlfriend
* Lunch out with my husband.

And the best thing is, that there's still time left..........

Where I am at.

My weight is at a stage where I need to do something about it again. We are on holidays at the moment, so it will give me time to get my head in the right place again, and still enjoy the holiday and the treats that it will include. I have been doing some thinking of late. Trying to figure out what my next weight loss strategy was going to be.

I have undone all the good work from the start of the year. Working full time and then continuiog with work, even with a less busy schedule I have eaten a little differently to how I would normally. More money in the house has made less stress, and I have felt much happier within myself. I am one of those people who eats when they are happy, I know that's different to alot of people, who eat when they are miserable..... I feel sick when I am down, so can't eat at all. Probably explains why I am the size I am..........I am VERY HAPPY.

I have been analyzing where my eating has been un-weight watcher friendly. I thought if I wrote them down, acknowledged them and thought of plans to stop that from happening, I would be on the way to losing weight again.

* buying take away where I ever bought it before, because there is more money in my purse.
* eating when I am not hungry
* eating in the evening with my cup of tea
* indulging in morning teas whenever they have been held at work
* baking for my family
* not drinking enough water
* not eating as much fruit

I really liked the No Count way of eating. I found this easy, as I didn't have to count every single morsel that enters my mouth. I think it suits the type of foods that I like to eat too. I have never been comfortable with the fact that rice, pasta, legumes and fruits were counted, and therefore restricted. Being able to eat until comfortably full is also good, not being restricted to the amount that I can eat.

Strategies for the above.....
* If I buy take away, buy healthy options, for example Subway, or a sandwich.
* NEVER eating just because it's time to eat. If I am not hungry...........I won't eat!
* Only eating yoghurt of fruit with my cup of tea at night.
* Not eating anything at morning teas, which will be easier next term as I am not working as much as I have been and if I am included, I will bring a healthy option so I can have something healthy.
* Not baking
* I will drink more water, which is easier now as it's warming up.
* Continue to eat fruit, but eat more for snacks. I have been eating about three pieces a day, and will increase it especially as the summer approaches.


Having written this all down, helps put everything into perspective. I am lucky, because I love healthy food, so it's not like I am eating stuff I don't like.

Between now and the end of the school holidays, I will not be strict, but I will make healthier choices where applicable. I won't eat just for the sake fo eating. Drinking more water won't be a problem either and there won't be morning teas laden with home made goodies.....

By Christmas I will be in better shape again, it will take about three months to undo the damage that I did.......

Does it get any better?
I wonder what it's like to have a million, squillion dollars! I wonder what it's like never having to worry about money, kids, health, parents, friends..................................and so on.............

I know I am blessed with a wonderful life.... Every night I say my prayers and am humbly grateful for the life I have been dished out. NO, I don't have a million, squillion dollars, and yes I worry about things, but when you stop worrying about the small things, you realize what big things I have indeed got.

I have a humble home, the size of a tissue box..........and I love every square cm of it. My kids are healthy, smart, gorgeous and have the world at their feet. My parents and in laws are alive, and very much a part of my life. My extended family, (read brother) is finally an integral part of my life again. My career has begun another slow ascent, of which I am very proud about. My health is great, I carry a little too much weight. ( I can't have everything hey???) I have fabulous friends, I have a great hobby, I have the best husband in the whole wide world..........

Good thing about you blog...........you are always there to remind me just how good I have things!

Life's cool.

Well things are pretty happy here at our home. This is what I am particularly happy about at the moment.
* my house is humble, but it's mine
* said humble household's carpet isn't going to cost the earth, even though we can only afford to do the lounge room at this stage.
* my work is great................I just pray it continues in a similar capacity
* my kids are all well and have so far done really well this winter, for the first time ever......
* my husband loves me and tolerates all my foibles and ideas
* said husband is my rock
* I have paid all my bills, and owe almost nothing to anyone!!
* my dear brother is coming home on the weekend
* I bought a light fitting today, the first ever, and everytime I look at it I get a real buzz, from knowing it's MY light fitting...........

Yeah............life's cool.

Some serious thinking

I need to review my food intake, and get back to basics.  Having extra money in the household has enabled extra treat foods......something we just haven't been able to afford in years, not since we have kids anyway.  I haven't put all my weight back on, but I am uncomfortable again, and I know that in September, when the winter layers are decreased I will be really cranky with myself...................
 
My problem times are the weekends, and anything that is out of the ordinary.  On work days I am good, as I pack my lunch, and just eat a normal NO Count day.  My meals that I cook are still good too, it's the extras I have been allowing in my diet. Exercise is non existent apart from running around at school, which is an increase in incidental exercise only...........I don't want to be fat again!  I know only I can change it. 
 
I am in two minds.  Do I go back to No Count, lose the weight and then try to 'do it on my own'?  Or do I just make healthy choices most of the time, and just reconcile myself to the fact that I have to stay at the top of my healthy weight?  If my want to maintain at the middle of my healthy weight, it's slim pickings every single day.......and quite honestly I know I can't maintain that?  Why oh why does this have to be so hard?  I know it's something I always have to watch. The weird thing is though, even when I made a conscious decision to eat something, I still feel guilty while I am eating it.  I don't truly enjoy it.  The only time when I enjoy indulgences is if I just have a taste.  I know that so much of this is mind stuff.............
 
Thanks for giving me the forum to think aloud and to try and get myself on track......... 
 
Will report in to let everyone know how I am going. 

Kite Flying

Kite flying
Originally uploaded by Jazzmin2912.

As long as I can remember I wanted to own something that I could fly. Not something like an aeroplane - not something I had to sit in, but something I could make fly, with me firmly planted on terra firma! When I was little my Dad built my brother and I this glider. It was beautiful. It was red, and painstainkingly built and painted, it looked glorious.............and couldn't fly for shit!!!! I remember we tried to fly it, in between picking poisonous mushrooms for Mum to cook us later!! Oh but that's another story lol.........

The glider would soar - for a few seconds and then hit the ground with a terrible sounding crunch! Each time we picked that glider up, there was another piece missing.......... My brother and I were devastated............

So the saga continues. I now have children of my own. We have had a couple of kites, just freebies given to us as a promotional item, but we were excited nevertheless. So we would endeavour to fly the sucker...........we would run, and run and run.......and still the wretched thing wouldn't fly. We would bring it home, and send it soaring off the verandah on our second storey, only to have the poor thing sink immediately to the ground.............what is it??? What's the go with me and things that are supposed to just fly?

So, one night with wine in hand...........( I always love to internet shop when I have had a wine or two!!!). I decided to buy a kite. The first website I found I placed an order. I bought a simple diamond shaped kite, it cost $30 with postage...........

Last weekend we took it out to fly! The awesome kite flew on two feet of string................the kids could simply hold it, and then it just hovered. It just didn't know how to come down to the ground without being pulled down......

I must let my brother know - that some kites do fly!! Actually
I think I will need to fly it with my brother and my Dad...........that would be so cool!

Billy-Joe Rugby

Billy-Joe Rugby
Originally uploaded by Jazzmin2912.

Love this layout.........shit scan though. The Mother's day one I actually cloned out the funny bit on it. I tried in PSE2 and in PSE3. It's never done that before. It's in the stitching actually not the scanning......

I loved doing this, loved the gorgeous buttons on my corner and loved the small photo inside the 'r' chipboard letter......... What fun I had....

Mothers Day 2006

Mothers Day 2006
Originally uploaded by Jazzmin2912.

I went scrapbooking on Saturday. It was from midday till midnight. I wasn't planning on going as Billy-Joe was having some friends around and one was staying the night. I felt like I should have been home. Bunny assured me he would cope fine and that I should go and have fun. I did! I completed two layouts. I had a ball. I love working with my photos and with my memories and creating something special to hand onto my children. This layout shows us on Mother's Day, probably my favourite day of the year next to Christmas. The next layout is one of Billy-Joe playing rugby. Barbi's daughter, Holly thought it was pretty cool that I could even manage to add flowers onto a boy layout............. I plan on taking some more photos of Billy-Joe playing footy. I haven't been to many games of late, so will go next weekend...........just hope it's not too early.....need to go scrapping again on Friday night!!

Carousel

Carousel
Originally uploaded by Jazzmin2912.

How's this, I go scrapbooking most Friday nights. I spend around 6-7 hours there, and most times don't scrapbook!!!! Okay, okay, I hear you say, what do I do? Well a girl has to relax, unwind, drink tea and coffee, talk, talk, talk some more, eat dinner and eat chocolate and catch up with her dearest friends. Last night I got to have dinner with Barbi, which was just fantastic. It's like we have our own little restaurant - the food is delicious and the company delightful. Anyway I finished this layout today, after I couldn't even pick out the papers last night. It looks much better IRL.

Where's my baby gone?

As I hugged and kissed my birthday boy today, I realized he was no longer a baby. For the last many months, whenever he has done something 'big' I always show him how proud I am of him and always say 'where's my baby gone?' still - even now, he replies 'here he is' pointing to himself. He knows he will always be my baby even when he is twenty!! I watch him at the dinner table now and marvel at how far he has come. It was two years ago that we started the gruelling process of not letting him eat what he wanted to eat. He was made to eat our food, and it took nearly twelve months before he ate anything more than two minute noodles. Many,many nights he went to bed with no dinner. But I was comfortable with that, and with the advice of my paediatrician, that I knew I was doing him a favour..............oh boy I never thought it would take as long as it did. The small victories along the way let us know that we were indeed doing the right thing.

Now two years later, he sits down to delicious dinners which he actually enjoys. This week he has polished off a good serve of corned meat, white sauce, mashed potatoe, peas, corn, brocolli and carrots. Last night he ate a bowl of fried rice. He has also tried my homemade sausage rolls, and, yesterday while eating my much loved patty cakes, with his mouth still full, he asked 'was the caramel slice ready yet'?

Another large victory and stepping stone well into boyhood is the fact that he has always performed when left at daycare. He has been going to day care since he was 15 months old (when Daisy's was started) and he has always carried on, which has only caused us both distress. Now, during the last term of school, he has stopped crying when left. I have left him at Holiday care now for two days, and I just get a big hug and he just walks away, content to join the other kids...............

Where has my baby gone?

Birthday time

It's birthday time again in the household. We started with Dad's birthday last week, it's Mickey's today and Billy-Joe's in a few weeks time. I have been on holidays for the last week and a half, and I have spent most of the time cooking and baking, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. For tomorrow we are going to enjoy homemade sausage rolls, homemade caramel slice, apricot and walnut cake, delicious sandwiches, dips, cheese, chocolate biscuits and a mud cake as the birthday cake. I have included some healthy options for me, as I don't want to just eat fattening things. I have been overdoing it a bit of late, so I want to be careful and not go completely overboard.

Next week, when school goes back, it's back to eating properly. I'd like to fit in some exercise into my regime too, I will have to think about that one. As I am only working six days a fortnight, I should be able to fit it in, although I only have the Tuesday without Mickey at home...

It's state of origin night tonight, so I am home alone........... It's actually Mickey's birthday today, but he doesn't know it!!!! Dear husband decided that the footy game was more important, so we have deferred Mickey's birthday supper to tomorrow night. We had to tell middle ds that it's the 5th July tomorrow, the eldest son, I actually explained what we we were doing. Gosh I feel awful, but this way everyone is happy. Mickey will no doubt understand when he is older, as he will probably be football mad too.

Old Class Photos

Billy-Joe's Class 2005
Originally uploaded by Jazzmin2912.

I find scrapbooking these photos really difficult. This is the second one I have done in a few weeks. In actual fact, they aren't that difficult at all............. I am really happy that I have started to scrapbook a little more now, seems I have the head space again. I even spent yesterday browsing the net for layout ideas..............it was like the old days of when I first started scrapbooking.........

Beach in June

Beach in June
Originally uploaded by Jazzmin2912.

I love living in this wonderful place. I think it's fantastic that we can go to the beach, even in the winter time. The kids just love the beach, the sand, the water, the chips afterwards..........

News

Last night my good friend told me that she was pregnant. I was quite shocked at my own reaction to her news. I felt physically ill in the stomach!!! It was like someone had just told me that I was pregnant. I was just totally gobsmacked……….not only at the news but at my reaction to it. It didn’t last long, then all the other emotions rushed to me. I was happy for her, uncertain for her, concerned for her and excited for her. I just wanted to look after her………. She is a great mother, and I know her and her lovely husband have more than enough love to share around, the child will be lucky and blessed indeed to have such wonderful parents. I am actually looking forward to sharing this time with her. I guess it’s my way of vicariously enjoying another pregnancy without all the drama. Although, she will have health dramas of her own, so I am going to make sure I can be there to help her………..

The next few months are going to be interesting indeed.

I made it.

Well, I made it. I survived the whole term and came out the other side smiling. My kids survived too. It was a challenging time, funny that often the weekends were the hardest, trying so hard to keep on top of everything, and often thinking that I was losing that battle.

I am working some more next term. Six days per fortnight for the first month and then probably four per fortnight after that. I am really looking forward to it, and am glad that I am looked upon as someone worthwhile to have in the school. I am learning so much all the time, I love being there.

When my return was announced at parade in the last week, I was dismayed and left with a wonderful feeling inside, seeing how happy the kids were that I was coming back. A very heartening feeling, after the rocky start that we had.
I have lots to look forward to.

At the moment I am trying to cope with the fact that there's no income for another three weeks...............aaaccccckkkkk. I have no money left, and yet I still have direct deposits to cover......... Rock on tax time, that will be very handy indeed......

I need to blog more, gosh I am slack aren't I?

King of the castle

King of the castle
Originally uploaded by Jazzmin.

Love the colours of the set I took today. Here' s Mickey feeling like he's on top of the world. It's always lovely going to the beach in the winter time.

Red sky at night

Red sky at night
Originally uploaded by Jazzmin.

I have taken this a little on the dark side, but I still really like it. The moment was so quick, that before I realized I should have increased my exposure, the moment was gone. It's not often you see the red sky with the dark clouds......

Is the glass half full?

It's Sunday evening, just after half past five! Over the weekend I
* worked a seven hour shift on Friday night after a full day at work
* hung out washing, made beds, washed morning dishes
* went shopping for new books for work
* spent five hours doing paperwork
* watched "Bridget Jones's Diary"
* Hung up washing, and took down washing
* ironed week's clothes
* tidied house
* made beds
* did six hours paperwork

I spent yesterday morning, feeling quite shitty..................I want to do everything, and I want it done right! Why cant' a man see when things need doing? Why does a man let a child go outside and play in an ironed pair of shorts??? Why does a man not notice when children are wearing their good shoes while playing outside? Why does a man let said children walk in with said dirty shoes???

Ahhhhh shheeeeetttt!!!!! Maybe I expect too much. I hate being critical all the time, but I really think that living in damage control mode, saves alot of time in the long run. I think the problem, though, is that the only person who it actually saves time and money is me........so that's why I am the only one pedantic about all the little things..........

Now getting back to whether the glass is half full or half empty. I could look over my weekend's accomplishments and feel a smug sense of achievement couldn't I? I could think I have done a shitload of work, and I am tired, but not exhausted. Nervous about the week ahead but not fretting. Apprehensive about the challenge ahead, but no longer overwhelmed!

I want to work this term and I want to do it well, I know I am capable of good things if I only set my mind to it. I want to do my utmost to give these kids a great term. I want them to see me in the future and come up to me and tell me about their lives, because they miss having me everyday. I want my colleagues to look upon me as someone who is a wortwhile team player, someone who is grateful for their help and also supportive in return. I want the school to think of me as a valuable member of their staff for in the future too.

Why does writing this down always give one a sense of peace.......

I am sitting down, with a glass of wine, enjoying the rest of the evening and looking forward to the week ahead.

The glass is half full..........

A bit down

I am a bit pissed today............not happy at all actually. Well that's probably a bit of an exaggeration, but it makes me feel better to say that, nothing like a little self pity to set oneself back on the right track towards happiness and harmony now is there???

I went to WW today for the first time in three weeks, feeling oh so confident that I had lost a kg or even more. My WW pants which I have worn since the first weigh in, can now be taken off without even being unbuttoned, and, no, they aren't hipsters either..........so I was feeling very smug indeed. Mmmmmm, I had actually gained 100g. I was peeved.......... I need to look at my portion sizes, and I know in the last week I did go over in my points, but I didn't think it would effect the whole three weeks losses. Okay, I am over that little dummy spit, now onto the next one.

I was rung up on Saturday to see if I had any teaching commitments next term. Looks like the teacher I replaced on Friday isn't coming back for a little bit. The principal was ringing me on Monday to confirm details and arrange to get some stuff to me............well.......it's now Wednesday and I haven't heard from her. I can't ring the school, there is no-one there and I of course don't have the principal's home number. I started to loosely plan a mini unit for three days next week, but I really can't do any more at this stage. I wanted to relax this week, and plan the work for the time I was going to work for.............oh I hate being at the mercy of someone else.........

Well it's happened.........

Well it's absolutely amazing how one's life can go sometimes. Out of the last two weeks I have spent four days working as a relief teacher. I am amazed on many different levels.

* I am enjoying it heaps
* I can actually still do it
* It doesn't feel like ten years since I was last in front of the classroom
* The kids like me
* I can still cope at home
* I am not exhausted

Then this morning, the principal rang and asked me if I would be available for about three or four weeks next term, with the possibility of a contract for the whole term. I am really excited!!! Can you believe it? I am a teacher lol............. Somewhere in my dim, dark, previous life, I actually went to university!!! I have to pinch myself that I am actually a teacher, someone who is trained to plan, teach and evaluate, someone who is capable of earning good money, someone my dh and kids are really proud of. I bless the day that my dh, then very new boyfriend, encouraged me to do my degree. I was a mature aged student at the time, and university was a far cry from my life prior to then. We always said that it would be a good profession to get into, especially if we were to have children.

I am sitting here writing this with a very light and happy heart. I am so proud of myself. This has given my confidence an awesome boost...........

I find out on Monday, the exact details of my time at the school......

Still Going.

I am now in my seventh week of No count. I am still doing really well. I am enjoying how I am feeling. I love the food, so there's no drama there. Not having to count every single morsel that enters my mouth is so liberating. I can have a couple (not many) treats over the weekend, so I choose them very wisely.

I have a couple of challenges coming up in the next couple of weeks. Db is getting remarried on the weekend, and then dh's parents are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary in another two weeks time. I will eat and choose wisely, and not drink too much either.

I know I can do this.........I am in for the long haul. I was wearing some shorts yesterday that I bought before Christmas. They were on special and were too tight. I knew that I would lose weight and they would fit..........well............they are too big now, I am always hitching them up................gosh that's a fabulous feeling. At another time, I bought singlet top which was bit tight, I wouldn't wear it when I first bougth it home, I felt like the michelin man in the top, too many lumps happening on my back...........!!! Now the top looks great.......

I love spending time on the WW forums, some great people there, and it's very comforting knowing there are others doing the same journey as I am.........

Look forward to weigh in on Wednesday as I haven't weighed in for two weeks, because of Sammy being sick last week..........

My first day

Well what a day! As luck would have it, the day that I had an organized volunteer day was also the day that Tracer called, and I would have had a paid teaching day. Nevertheless, I was really taken with everything at the Special School. I learnt so much on my first day. The setup there is fantastic, they are well resourced, it's clean, well organized and has the loveliest people working there. The teachers that I dealt with today, was just the most pleasant and amazing people. The work they do is great, their dedication to the kids is inspiring. I'd love to be like them one day. I think I did really well today, nothing that happened today repulsed or shocked me. I was well prepared mentally, and for that I thank the power of prayer, and my own ability to adapt to new situations.

I worked in three different areas. I also had the privilege of working with young kids and then with teenagers. All were different, but also very similar too, as their needs are all the same basic and fundamental needs of us humans. Caring for these individuals is a huge part of the job, and I that appeals to the part of me that always wanted to be a nurse.

I can't wait to do more volunteer days there, and I definitely am looking forward to doing a supply day there.......

Melbourne

Melbourne
Originally uploaded by Jazzmin2912.

A new stage in my life begins.......

Tomorrow I spend a day at the Special School as a volunteer. I have taken this on with the view of being considered as a relief teacher in the school. I am very nervous and also very excited. Last week I bought some 'Rescue Remedy' because Mickey still carries on like a banshee everytime I drop him off at preschool, so I thought a couple of drops of this would make him feel a little less anxious......hasn't worked yet!!!! Maybe I might take a hip flask with some in for me tomorrow lol.............too funny...............

I know I can do this, and I know I can be good at this............I know I can do this, and I know I can be good at this...................... wonder how many times I need to say that to actually believe it lol...............

Victoria Market 2

Victoria Market 2
Originally uploaded by Jazzmin2912.

I could have spent hours and hours here, and spent alot of money. The food was a highlight for me.......oh how I miss the variety of food here.........

Victoria Market

Victoria Market
Originally uploaded by Jazzmin2912.

My Three boys

My Three boys, originally uploaded by Jazzmin2912.

I was so sick this last Christmas. I am really happy that I have any decent photos at all. I guess when you take a gazillion, you got to get the odd good photo, even if it's only snapshot quality like this one. cute photo though, as it really depcicts their personalities.

Melbourne

Melbourne, originally uploaded by Jazzmin2912.

This was our first full day of our holiday. I so badly wanted to visit the markets again. My only regret is not buying more things. I could have bought myself a new pair of ugh boots, as my current pair were purchased from here twenty years ago. I of course at a souvlakia...............delicious!!!

Long time no see...........
I am slack aren't I? I really should spend more time writing in my blog. I enjoy reading those of others, but sometimes struggle with exactly how much info I want to publish in mine.

I am currently on my sixth week of Weight Watching. I am following the No Count programme, which I am really enjoying. I am never hungry, something I always felt on the points system. It suits the way I like to eat much better. To date I have lost 2.5kg, not huge amounts, but I am losing every week, something which I don't normally do so I am happy about that. Last weekend we had a scrapbooking retreat, it's usually a food disaster, but I continued with my No Count, and resisted all the temptations.

I am feeling really tired this week, I feel like all I want to do is sleep. I have alot on my mind too which doesn't help.

I have recently re-activated my teaching status, so I can do supply teaching. I am finding this really stressful, because I haven't been called in yet. In the mornings I feel so tired, worry about being called in, and, then later in the day, am sorry I didn't get called in. In all honesty I didn't think I would get called in until second term, as that's when everyone gets sick. But on the other hand, I am hoping they don't forget me.......... Later this week I intend to visit some more schools, probably add Mapleton to my list. I have also contacted Cath Ed, with the view of getting into the Catholic school system.

Stay tuned, for more frequent entries.......hope to upload some of my layouts too.

Jenny