I have none at all at the moment. The only joy I have is just being with my friends or loved ones. There's no energy left for anything else. I can't exercise, I can't read for long, I don't want to visit anyone, I can't create. I just do the bare minimum. I get up, shower, look after my family, clean, wash, and then am just happy to find my recliner and I sigh when I recline. I'm just exhausted, then I get up again later to cook and look for my bed earlier than what's usual for me. I take my daily vitamins, I had been taking echinacea and zinc tabs, but nothing really helps. If I don't feel any better on Monday, I will go to the doctor.
This morning, I promised to go and watch the kids at golf. I arrived an hour after them, giving myself a little more time in bed. I know on a Friday night, I should come home at a sensible hour, but it's a big highlight of my week, and I don't want it to end. I took my stuff last night, but needn't have bothered. It was 9.20pm before I sat down to scrap. Karen, Barbi and I, had caught up, and shared a bottle of wine. I crave for my time with Karen, and I'd enjoyed some quiet time with Barbi before everyone had arrived. We ate together, still wary of the Thai, so we had KFC instead. Later Karen and I did the frappe run. Scrumptious! I pottered on Barbi's computer, tidying up some things for her. The main object was to fix a problem with her antivirus program. In the end I couldn't fix it. I was sorry I couldn't fix it for her. I am so glad those kids of issues are no longer problems for me. When I buy a laptop later in the year, I won't have any qualms buying a mac, even though they're so much dearer that PCs.
I was home in bed by about 1.20am. Not early enough on a normal night, let alone a night I'm feeling like crap. I headed out to the golf course still and video camera in hand. I only grabbed the SLR at the last minute. Lucky I did because the video camera was as dead as a dodo bird. I got some okay shots. Next time I'll take my zoom I think. Much easier photographing golfers than footballers lol...... The kids enjoyed themselves although Sammy struggled. I'd asked Peter to have a quiet word with the instructor which he did today. I wanted him to know that Sammy needs constant reminders to refocus. The poor little mite, my heart aches for him watching him in these types of situations, and yet I know that it does him good to be exposed to different things. I watch Mickey, 8 years old and full of confidence, a far cry from the intrepid uncertainty and fear of failure and lack of confidence which his 9 year old brother displays. Next week, we'll leave Mickey and Billy-Joe to play the nine holes afterwards.
We discovered after we got home, that Sammy wasn't feeling well either.
I snoozed for three hours, I've just got up. Sammy has been lying down the entire time too. It's a very quiet household today. Peter is downstairs listening to the nags with his mate, Billy-Joe is upstairs too.
Saturday night is 'date night' with my husband. I am going to cook a green curry. It takes a little effort, but just tastes far better than any Thai I've eaten in an Australian restaurant, so it will make our night special. It will be a nice evening to just be together. The kids can go to bed early tonight.
I'll read some blogs, ichat Karen, then I'll upload some photos I took from today.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thank you
I received another award today. I write my blog for me. I write my blog to remind me of things. I write my blog to help me work through things. I write my blog to help me become a better person. I write my blog to anazlyze and appreciate. And sometimes I write my blog, and it touches someone else. Thank you.
Following is a description of what the PROXIMIDADE Blog Award represents:
Following is a description of what the PROXIMIDADE Blog Award represents:
"This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this clever-written text into the body of their award."
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Busy Me
I'm making the most of my days at home. I know there's always a positive in everything, and that me being home a lot at the moment, isn't a bad thing. I can honestly say I feel relaxed and happy and very content at the moment. I have no money, but the bills are being paid and that's the main thing. I am able to be more patient with my kids and that's a really nice gift for me to be able to give to them. They don't deserve a cranky and tired Mum all the time.
I have been very busy this morning. I am happy that it's 11am and I can sit down and relax for a few hours until it's time to get my kids from school. I went down to the treadmill today for the first time in a week. This cold has left me feeling a bit lethargic, so I didn't go on yesterday, but really felt I needed to make the effort. I'm very happy I did. I have been introduced to the new world of audio books, so I'm looking for ways that I can listen to my books. Thanks to Alaine I have been introduced to this new world. It's something I have never considered doing before. But it opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Why have I never thought of it before? Well, the truth is, I have thought about it before, but during my googling, I couldn't figure out how to do it that wouldn't be expensive. As far as I could tell, it was just as expensive as actually buying the book, and I didn't see the point of that. Alaine, gave me some books over the weekend and I have started Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. I have been wanting to read the books ever since Suzy returned from Mackay, but I just hadn't bought them, seeing them as a treat that I would allow myself, once I had returned to work. Last night I downloaded the second book in the series and am very excited that I was able to figure out how to download the book and that it actually works. It's even got the same narrator as my first book. Alaine also gave me other books and I'm very excited to read them too. Never will housework, driving to get kids, cooking, be the same again, as I can listen to books. I'd like to get Billy-Joe hooked on it too, although I don't know how the ipod shuffle will cope with it.
I am also determined to work out how to use my new DVD recorder to how I want to use it. I have never been able to record anything, whether it be on a DVD or VCR as it was always too complex, I never did it often enough, and in the case of the years that Peter and I have been together, the original VCR he had, he no longer had the book for it. By the time we'd updated our VCRs I'd lost interest. And because he always hooked up things, and the stations were never on the correct number, I just got totally confused, and gave up. Now, however, everything is set up how it should be and the new DVD recorder makes it so much easier. I tried last night. Alaine and Sheree
recommended the show Dexter, so I've set about recording that as it's on when I watch Underbelly 2. I couldn't work out how to set the DVD recorder to record every Monday, but I posted on a forum last night, and before I'd gone to bed, there were three very helpful replies. I have set it up now, so I'm very excited that I took the time to work it out. I'd like to have shows to watch when the ratings season is over.
I am a bit tired now, a busy but productive morning and this cold, has sapped what little energy I had, out of me. I still have photos to edit of the advert shots I took for Barbi last week, so I need to finish those, so she can submit them.
As an aside, I am impressed with Alaine and Sheree's book reviews. Book reviews were my forte in school, but now I totally suck at them. My reviews on Good Reads are limited to whether I liked the book or not. I read others reviews and am amazed at the amount of thought an analysis they have put into their reading. As my memory has suffered in recent years, due to hormonal changes and my anti depressants, I am going to work on this aspect of reading. I have started taking Gingko Biloba a few weeks ago, and think I can already notice a difference. I am hoping, this too, will help with my reading. Alaine, talks about books and then asked for my response, and I couldn't answer her, because I just can't remember that level of detail. I only remember whether or not a book has left a lasting impression upon me, but I can't remember character names or specific happenings in the book. I am lucky if I remeber a general premise of the novel. I was once quick, analytical and focussed. I'd like to be that way again. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, just like Ali Edwards always has a word of the year, mine this year is 'Focus' and this is also for this goal of mine. I will go back to logging my books on Good Reads and will endeavour to have book reviews that are actually worth reading.
I have been very busy this morning. I am happy that it's 11am and I can sit down and relax for a few hours until it's time to get my kids from school. I went down to the treadmill today for the first time in a week. This cold has left me feeling a bit lethargic, so I didn't go on yesterday, but really felt I needed to make the effort. I'm very happy I did. I have been introduced to the new world of audio books, so I'm looking for ways that I can listen to my books. Thanks to Alaine I have been introduced to this new world. It's something I have never considered doing before. But it opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Why have I never thought of it before? Well, the truth is, I have thought about it before, but during my googling, I couldn't figure out how to do it that wouldn't be expensive. As far as I could tell, it was just as expensive as actually buying the book, and I didn't see the point of that. Alaine, gave me some books over the weekend and I have started Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. I have been wanting to read the books ever since Suzy returned from Mackay, but I just hadn't bought them, seeing them as a treat that I would allow myself, once I had returned to work. Last night I downloaded the second book in the series and am very excited that I was able to figure out how to download the book and that it actually works. It's even got the same narrator as my first book. Alaine also gave me other books and I'm very excited to read them too. Never will housework, driving to get kids, cooking, be the same again, as I can listen to books. I'd like to get Billy-Joe hooked on it too, although I don't know how the ipod shuffle will cope with it.
I am also determined to work out how to use my new DVD recorder to how I want to use it. I have never been able to record anything, whether it be on a DVD or VCR as it was always too complex, I never did it often enough, and in the case of the years that Peter and I have been together, the original VCR he had, he no longer had the book for it. By the time we'd updated our VCRs I'd lost interest. And because he always hooked up things, and the stations were never on the correct number, I just got totally confused, and gave up. Now, however, everything is set up how it should be and the new DVD recorder makes it so much easier. I tried last night. Alaine and Sheree
recommended the show Dexter, so I've set about recording that as it's on when I watch Underbelly 2. I couldn't work out how to set the DVD recorder to record every Monday, but I posted on a forum last night, and before I'd gone to bed, there were three very helpful replies. I have set it up now, so I'm very excited that I took the time to work it out. I'd like to have shows to watch when the ratings season is over.
I am a bit tired now, a busy but productive morning and this cold, has sapped what little energy I had, out of me. I still have photos to edit of the advert shots I took for Barbi last week, so I need to finish those, so she can submit them.
As an aside, I am impressed with Alaine and Sheree's book reviews. Book reviews were my forte in school, but now I totally suck at them. My reviews on Good Reads are limited to whether I liked the book or not. I read others reviews and am amazed at the amount of thought an analysis they have put into their reading. As my memory has suffered in recent years, due to hormonal changes and my anti depressants, I am going to work on this aspect of reading. I have started taking Gingko Biloba a few weeks ago, and think I can already notice a difference. I am hoping, this too, will help with my reading. Alaine, talks about books and then asked for my response, and I couldn't answer her, because I just can't remember that level of detail. I only remember whether or not a book has left a lasting impression upon me, but I can't remember character names or specific happenings in the book. I am lucky if I remeber a general premise of the novel. I was once quick, analytical and focussed. I'd like to be that way again. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, just like Ali Edwards always has a word of the year, mine this year is 'Focus' and this is also for this goal of mine. I will go back to logging my books on Good Reads and will endeavour to have book reviews that are actually worth reading.
Monday, February 23, 2009
100 Things
I found this on my girlfriend's blog, and thought I'd give it a go. Not sure how well I'll go.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain (does it count when it was on a cog train?)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had Chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day
Wow, only 38 things.......an interesting exercise.
My Layouts done at the Retreat
Great weekend for everyone
Everyone was excited about this weekend. I love the feeling of anticipation that every Friday holds - and that happens whether or not there's any grand plans for the weekend. We all come home Friday afternoon, with that smug content feeling of knowing that the next few days are going to be relaxing and fun. With the exception of dear Bunny, who still works on weekends, but he still loves the weekends too. No wonder he sleeps so well, he's exhausted.
All three boys decided to play golf for their sport this year. They enjoy going out on many Sundays with their Daddy and he enjoys taking them out there, although like any excursion when you take all three it's not an easy endeavour. We really encourage Sammy to go and play now, and he's the 'fly in the ointment' so to speak, because when you live by the beat of your own drum, playing something in a group can be a difficult thing to do. They started their clinic on Saturday morning. We bought them some smaller golf clubs so that they can be more comfortable and also have more chance of experiencing success when the clubs actually 'fit'. The kids had a great time, and went out again on Sunday to practise what they'd learned so far. Peter followed Sammy around on Saturday as he needed constant reminders to focus and to listen. I feel for him so much sometimes, when he just flies off with the fairies, and then gets frustrated because he only has half the information. I am wondering whether or not it's worth saying a few words to the coach. I have no dramas with someone constantly pulling up Sammy and making sure he's listening. He never gets cranky about that, and it always pulls him back to the present moment.
It's a cool thing that the boys are doing something all together, it's the first time. Peter is pretty rapt that they are showing such an interest for something he's so passionate about. He has visions of being in his 70s and having his adult kids come and get him for a game of golf. He's already told them he wants a buggy lol.......
I had a lovely weekend at the Daisy's Retreat. Friday night was a quiet night, and not much scrapbooking actually got done. There was a lot of talking and listening, in between dinner and cups of tea. It was a night of catching up and filling in the gaps and the opportunity to speak at length rather than the quick grabbed conversations of normal daily life, which in this case is mostly done via email.
On Saturday I felt pretty dreadful. I'd woken up with a sore throat, sore eyes and extremely tired. I even considered going home at one point, but decided that if I went home I'd feel more miserable, at least there, I could just sit and do nothing. At home I would always find something to do, and nor would I get my scrapping stuff out. I stayed, and when my headache and eyes really played up, I just listened to my ipod and looked through idea books. I did the class in the morning, which I finished, and it was great, because I didn't have to think. Suzy was quiet in the afternoon too, that second day of the retreat slump, when you've not had enough sleep. But that was okay, it was a companionable silence which we both needed. Later in the afternoon Suzy took me into town and I got some throat lollies and some cold tablets laden with zinc and echinacea. I don't find any benefit from the 'drug' type cold tabs, and I had some nasal spray which helps me breathe from the blocked sinuses. I went home early that night, and slept a little better than the night before. I don't know if it was the cold tabs, but I woke up on Sunday feeling a little better. The sore throat was almost gone, so at least I didn't feel like I was eating razor blades.
Sunday was a good day, and the scrapbooking also came a little easier. I always feel more creative on the Sunday and I have no idea why.
The weekend was an opportunity to nuture existing friendships, but to also turn acquaintances toward the road of friendship. Barbi's always clever table arrangements, meant that many of us were geeks and avid readers. The table just buzzed with ideas and books. My palm pilot was full of new blog links, authors and websites to explore in the coming days. I can't wait to see Alaine and Sheree again. It's a shame they live in Brisbane, but they are keen to come to all the retreats, so I just need to pray that they get onto the list as they are on waiting lists.
It was another weekend where I revelled in the power of good friendships. I learned heaps, got excited about new possibilities and was creative as a great bonus.
I was determined that this week would bring in some work. I also figured that as I generally don't like to work on the Monday after a retreat, that today I would definitely get a call!! Obviously I didn't get a call, as I'm sitting here updating my blog.
Alaine, kindly copied audio books onto my flash drive and also onto a DVD. I tried listening to Twilight last night, but I couldn't concentrate, it put me to sleep lol...... Alaine listens to it while she's doing housework, so I tried listening while I was doing something menial on the computer, where I had to be there, but didn't have to think, but I just switch off from it lol..... I'm going to have to start again. I think it's going to take a little getting used to. I don't know whether it's from the counless lectures I sat in on, when if someone just keeps on talking, the brain goes on 'holiday' and visits something else........ It's a skill, and I need to practise it.
I hope the coming week brings some work.
All three boys decided to play golf for their sport this year. They enjoy going out on many Sundays with their Daddy and he enjoys taking them out there, although like any excursion when you take all three it's not an easy endeavour. We really encourage Sammy to go and play now, and he's the 'fly in the ointment' so to speak, because when you live by the beat of your own drum, playing something in a group can be a difficult thing to do. They started their clinic on Saturday morning. We bought them some smaller golf clubs so that they can be more comfortable and also have more chance of experiencing success when the clubs actually 'fit'. The kids had a great time, and went out again on Sunday to practise what they'd learned so far. Peter followed Sammy around on Saturday as he needed constant reminders to focus and to listen. I feel for him so much sometimes, when he just flies off with the fairies, and then gets frustrated because he only has half the information. I am wondering whether or not it's worth saying a few words to the coach. I have no dramas with someone constantly pulling up Sammy and making sure he's listening. He never gets cranky about that, and it always pulls him back to the present moment.
It's a cool thing that the boys are doing something all together, it's the first time. Peter is pretty rapt that they are showing such an interest for something he's so passionate about. He has visions of being in his 70s and having his adult kids come and get him for a game of golf. He's already told them he wants a buggy lol.......
I had a lovely weekend at the Daisy's Retreat. Friday night was a quiet night, and not much scrapbooking actually got done. There was a lot of talking and listening, in between dinner and cups of tea. It was a night of catching up and filling in the gaps and the opportunity to speak at length rather than the quick grabbed conversations of normal daily life, which in this case is mostly done via email.
On Saturday I felt pretty dreadful. I'd woken up with a sore throat, sore eyes and extremely tired. I even considered going home at one point, but decided that if I went home I'd feel more miserable, at least there, I could just sit and do nothing. At home I would always find something to do, and nor would I get my scrapping stuff out. I stayed, and when my headache and eyes really played up, I just listened to my ipod and looked through idea books. I did the class in the morning, which I finished, and it was great, because I didn't have to think. Suzy was quiet in the afternoon too, that second day of the retreat slump, when you've not had enough sleep. But that was okay, it was a companionable silence which we both needed. Later in the afternoon Suzy took me into town and I got some throat lollies and some cold tablets laden with zinc and echinacea. I don't find any benefit from the 'drug' type cold tabs, and I had some nasal spray which helps me breathe from the blocked sinuses. I went home early that night, and slept a little better than the night before. I don't know if it was the cold tabs, but I woke up on Sunday feeling a little better. The sore throat was almost gone, so at least I didn't feel like I was eating razor blades.
Sunday was a good day, and the scrapbooking also came a little easier. I always feel more creative on the Sunday and I have no idea why.
The weekend was an opportunity to nuture existing friendships, but to also turn acquaintances toward the road of friendship. Barbi's always clever table arrangements, meant that many of us were geeks and avid readers. The table just buzzed with ideas and books. My palm pilot was full of new blog links, authors and websites to explore in the coming days. I can't wait to see Alaine and Sheree again. It's a shame they live in Brisbane, but they are keen to come to all the retreats, so I just need to pray that they get onto the list as they are on waiting lists.
It was another weekend where I revelled in the power of good friendships. I learned heaps, got excited about new possibilities and was creative as a great bonus.
I was determined that this week would bring in some work. I also figured that as I generally don't like to work on the Monday after a retreat, that today I would definitely get a call!! Obviously I didn't get a call, as I'm sitting here updating my blog.
Alaine, kindly copied audio books onto my flash drive and also onto a DVD. I tried listening to Twilight last night, but I couldn't concentrate, it put me to sleep lol...... Alaine listens to it while she's doing housework, so I tried listening while I was doing something menial on the computer, where I had to be there, but didn't have to think, but I just switch off from it lol..... I'm going to have to start again. I think it's going to take a little getting used to. I don't know whether it's from the counless lectures I sat in on, when if someone just keeps on talking, the brain goes on 'holiday' and visits something else........ It's a skill, and I need to practise it.
I hope the coming week brings some work.
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