Tag Archives: Blogging

Five Minute Friday: Control

Posted in Five Minute Friday, Life by

So this week once again I am trying some thing new… today I discovered on a friend of mine’s blog ‘The Carpenter’s Daughter’ something called Five minute Fridays which is facilitated by Kate Motaung which you can read all about here like I did… anyway today’s prompt is control… and I have 5 minutes to write about it… no guidelines, no pressure (other than the clock…) but just a reason to post something.

Control

amandajoaquim

Control is something that I have often felt a really strong need to have, but something I have realised is almost impossible to truly hold on to.

Control is a theory, an idea, a magical concept where if gained everything will be okay.  But to obtain it, and hold on to it costs a lot more than the freedom it pretends to offer.  It also makes me a lot more selfish.  It makes my world a lot smaller because I need to decide who, what, when and why… but the reality is, that’s not up to me.  I can shape my life, make decisions and have some ‘control’ over the who, what and when… but never totally.

As I have learnt to let go of my need for control… (I am sure there will be times I try and take it back) I have felt much freer than ever before… letting go and not trying to hold everything together creates space for others in my life, it removes the stress and anxiety of living up to a false standard set by me and no one else… and it gives me freedom as I hand the control back to the one who deserves it.

Control doesn’t equal freedom they way I hope, but letting go and trusting does… this is something I need to remember.

Pathways in the Wilderness… New Things for 2017…

Posted in Faith, God, Life by

So this is something new for this year, Thankful Thursday.  It may not be every week, but according to the list it will be at least once a month, and it is something I am looking forward to doing.

Learning to be satisfied and content with who I am, what I have and where I am at, is something that I have struggled with.  Sometimes this dissatisfaction has been helpful, as it has pushed me to change things, try things or even improve myself… but sometimes it’s just a misunderstanding of my life compared to the highlight reels that I look at daily on social media.

I have often thought about having a break from Facebook, Instagram and twitter, however, there are lots of things I really like about all of these platforms, but I have to constantly remind myself, that I am only looking at what people want me to see, the sections of their lives that they have chosen to include.  That I am not seeing everything, and often not the bad bits, but rather, if it isn’t a ‘highlight’ it’s still just the bits they haven chosen to share, often things they wish they could change or do differently in an attempt to get some motivation to change, or some accountability.

So, to combat this in my own life (but probably make things worse for someone else as I add more to the highlight reel, sorry, but see above)  I have decided this year to get better at practicing gratitude.  That means being thankful for the things I have, the people in my life, and that stage of life that I am in.  Sometime it will even mean looking for the good when life isn’t as rosy or easy as well as I would like, or think it should be.  Stopping to see the good things God is doing in my life even when I have to work a little harder to bring them into focus.

So this is the first one… a Thankful Thursday…  and to be honest right now I am just thankful to be feeling pretty good.  I am definitely not where I thought I would be when I was planning January 2017 last year, but where I am is ok.  For the last couple of weeks my Facebook memories and Timehop app have been flooding my phone with memories of our adventures to Europe and New Zealand and for the first time in a long time I am feeling ok about not having a holiday planned.  It’s been really nice to be able to reminisce without getting jealous of my summers past, and to actually just take a minute to appreciate how lucky we were to have had those experiences.  It’s also the first summer for a long time that I haven’t been bitterly jealous of my friends on school holidays.  Although it has probably helped that I have only just returned to work after 3months, I think that for the first time in a long time I am ok with my current lot in life.

This summer I have been able to look back on all of the things we have done and smile.  I am so thankful for the things we did, the places we saw, the people we met and the fun we had.  I am also really thankful to be having a ‘proper’ Australian summer for the first time in 3 years… where it is hot and the beach is wonderful and inviting.  I am thankful for the time I have had to get some little projects done, to clean out the house and to just rest and be restored.  I am thankful for the fresh start that 2017 has been, even if it has just been a mental one.  I am thankful that God promises new things… Over the past couple of months some Old Testament verses have really stuck out and popped up regularly, so I am thankful that I can claim them for my year ahead… here is what I am holding on to…

 “I am about to do something new.   See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?  I will make a pathway through the wilderness.  I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19

“The kindness of the Lord has not ended, his mercies are not spent” Lamentations 3:22

”This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

I am really excited and thankful in advance for new things, pathways in the wilderness and rivers in wasteland… new mercies and kindness and the encouragement to be strong, bold and courageous, because I am not alone.

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It’s 2017 List Time!

Posted in Life, The List by

Hey 2017, I have been waiting for you… waiting for a good reason to start lots of things again… all the usual suspects, like getting my eating and exercise on track, but also a brand new list.  I am really excited about this year and it’s list.  I am not really sure why, but it has a good feeling about it, which is enough for me to go with.

This year will be my 9th list… 9, can you believe it? That will take me to 900 things that I have ‘listed’ and attempted.  You can check out all the old lists by clicking the year they were attempted here: 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 or 2016.  This year’s list is once again full of little goals, 100 of them all up… Some big, some small, some fun, some serious, some new, some re-dos, some very deliberate and some very very random but all things that at some stage last year I decided I wanted/needed/should do this year.

I really love doing these lists each year and the last couple of years I have been lucky enough to have been on some overseas adventures, in fact last year we started the year in Venice and the year before we were in New Zealand, so I jam packed those lists with the things we would do while we were away.  But this year we are regrouping and staying home, which means the list looks a little more like the lists of old… all home grownish, localish fun which means if you live near me… or want to visit me, you too can join the listing fun.  Seriously let me know if you want to help me… crossing things off the list is always more fun with someone else.

I am also hoping (like every other year) that 2017 will be the year that I get more consistent with blogging it when it happens… so that I can remember them all, not just all the big ones… anyway, that’s enough rambling about the list… here it is:

  1. Play some table tennis
  2. Learn to make a paper crane
  3. Do something special to celebrate my 30th
  4. Go on a book blind date
  5. Make Mrs Kaye’s cookies
  6. Have High Tea
  7. No more games in the morning… even if I am sick
  8. Try again
  9. Keep getting closer
  10. Go back to park run
  11. Go back to work
  12. Go back to school
  13. Paint something
  14. Build something
  15. Drink a bottle of water most days
  16. Have a ‘no screen time’ day or hopefully a couple of them
  17. Make some smores
  18. Go on a picnic
  19. Find out how floating lanterns work… how they are made etc.
  20. Go to the drive in
  21. Go Camping
  22. Go on a  road trip
  23. Swim in the ocean
  24. See a musical
  25. Do a fun run
  26. Have a spa of some sort
  27. Write a letter to myself to open in 10 years
  28. Help change something at home
  29. Start learning guitar again
  30. Get a haircut
  31. Take a photo everyday
  32. Exercise at least 3 times a week and make the most of my gym membership
  33. Send 20 hand written cards
  34. Eat/make paella
  35. Bake a lemon meringue pie
  36. Get a massage
  37. Participate in a scavenger hunt
  38. Do some trivia
  39. Try those multi fill water bombs and have a water fight
  40. Remember the important things: God, Dave, Health, Family and Communication
  41. Get better at shopping for my body
  42. Watch Hocus Pocus
  43. Go on a bush walk
  44. Use my new outdoor reading chair
  45. Blow some bubbles
  46. Play a board game
  47. Play a video game… not on my phone
  48. Go berry picking
  49. Have 5 different milkshake dates
  50. Try yoga again
  51. Visit a museum/gallery
  52. Blog regularly
  53. Seriously… be on time
  54. Get to work earlier and leave on time
  55. Keep my photo storage up to date
  56. Keep my computer up to date
  57. Meet Baby Lewis
  58. Try to make Turkish Delight… or just eat some real Turkish Delight
  59. Read 16 books
  60. Read at least 3 christian/devotional books
  61. Bake/cook something from 6 different countries
  62. Visit 3 different national parks
  63. Create an outdoor cinema in the backyard
  64. Go to a country town I have never been to before
  65. Watch a sunrise
  66. Get my car washed properly and then wash it least 5 times
  67. Read the book of Joshua
  68. Find some new blogs I like and read them regularly
  69. Cross at least one thing off my list each month
  70. Go to the fancy McDonald’s in Clifton Hill
  71. Finish cleaning out the spare room
  72. Three words… ‘home cooked meals’
  73. Have a spend nothing day at least once a month
  74. Get up at 7am on work days
  75. Make a quiche
  76. Have a non liquid breakfast at least twice a week
  77. Finish Gilmore Girls
  78. Check out Hungarofest
  79. Stop using Eastlink… just leave earlier
  80. Find out if our house has a legit hidden fireplace… or just get some proof of hope
  81. Find out where our local swimming hole is and use it
  82. Remember Joshua
  83. Try the crochet thongs/uggs
  84. Stay at the Langham
  85. Try Danny’s Donuts
  86. Finish sorting and storing the VHS tapes
  87. Blog about being thankful at least once a month
  88. Get my steps up again… ideally to >10,000 per day
  89. Learn how to play a new game
  90. Go interstate
  91. Get both the Europe and New Zealand Photo books ready for print
  92. Finish watching Star Trek Next Gen
  93. Go on a romantic get away
  94. Try 4 more local cafe’s in the search of our new local
  95. Finish my sentence a day book
  96. Improve my 5km time
  97. Do some colouring
  98. Go to bed earlier
  99. Clean out the Kikki.K folders
  100. Be deliberate about filling the house with good things like flowers and music

And there you have it… 2017 I am so glad you are here!

28 things before 29

Posted in Life by

So tomorrow I turn 29… and just like every other birthday for at least the last 10years I don’t feel ready for it… but I thought it might be nice to take a moment before it happens to reflect on the year that was 28 before it is gone altogether.  A couple of years ago I saw on Instagram… or maybe Facebook, I can’t remember… but it doesn’t really matter, I saw someone post x number of things they learned/loved/lived from the year of x… that might not make sense, right now, but hopefully it will in a minute.  The point is, I really liked it, and even though I can’t find it again now to say thank you to whoever it was, I have decided this is a good way to reflect… So here are 28 things that I have learned, loved and lived in the past year that have helped me prepare for 29… oh and if this idea was yours, please accept my thanks and let me know so I can say thanks properly.

  1. Hot Chocolate is better with sprinkles… and yes that is a thing… you can add sprinkles to a Hot Chocolate.
  2. I am still enjoying writing my list each year.  I hope this is something that I can keep doing, only as long as I still love it though.
  3. 28 has been a year of travel, little trips, big trips, some close and some far away, but all wonderful. I have seen more, been further and done some pretty incredible things.
  4. I am stronger and more capable then I think… I should remember this more often.
  5. The internet is wonderful for keeping those who move far away, just a little bit closer.
  6. I have been able to expand my skills at work and try some new things and found myself in the IT department for a little while.
  7. It turns out I really like using some power tools… not the ones with saws or blades, but the drill with lots of attachments, that works.
  8. Making small changes at home has made it feel even more like home than ever before.
  9. Choosing Dave as my best friend and partner in crime is still the best decision I have ever made, he makes me a better person and in the next 12months I should appreciate him more.  He is strong, clever, loyal, funny, incredibly hard working and ridiculously good-looking at all times.
  10. Camping isn’t a phase… I really do love it, I love being outside, I love sleeping under the stars and I love toasting marshmallows.
  11. I am getting better at looking after myself, but I still have a long way to go… but I am more determined than ever to get there.
  12. I have learned that life is full of unjust things, some of which affect me and lots which I contribute to, often without me knowing.  I need to pay more attention to my impact on the world around me. I can make it better, even if it’s only a little bit.
  13. Being deliberate about my actions also applies to lost of other things… work, books, learning, devotions and faith… this year I have learnt that it is time to be deliberate about focusing on what I want/need/would like and making it happen.
  14. Parkrun is always worth it, I will always feel better if I get up and exercise, even if it takes 4.5kms of the 5kms to feel that way.
  15. Michael Bolton is totally underrated.
  16. I love having the right gear to do things… especially my ‘adventure gear’ great jackets, pants, shorts, beanies, gloves, torches, shoes, bags… everything you need for adventures… I just need more adventures to use it.
  17. It turns out I know less about a lot more than I thought… this is good news… I have lots to learn and I love learning.  Most recently I have loved learning about WWII, soviet occupation and Australian History.
  18. My spatial awareness is still as terrible as ever… I don’t think this will ever change.
  19. I am a sucker for a competition… this has been good for my exercise in the last 12months… I will do more kms even if it kills me.
  20. I am learning to be satisfied with who I am and where I fit into the world, although this year, while I have found my place in some parts of my life, I have become completely unstuck in others.
  21. For a while now I have thought I didn’t have the time/mental capacity to expand my friend network, but over the past 12months I have met a lot of new people and made some really amazing new friends… it turns out I do have the capacity and the time… I hope that 29 keeps bringing people into my life.
  22. Skiing and bush walking are actually things I enjoy… that is a sentence I ever thought I would type.
  23. There is nothing like the red dirt of the outback.
  24. Sunrise and Sunset are always magical.
  25. I can get up early if I really want to… and I should practice it more often.
  26. Even though my family is complicated at times, it is wonderful, caring, loving and supportive.
  27. I like being in a book club, it makes me read books I wouldn’t usually choose, but usually enjoy.
  28. I can’t make happiness, or just choose to be happy, but I can choose to fill my life with people, things and places that make me happy, I can choose to see the good and I can choose to seek better… I think that is what I have done this year… or at least tried to do.

Thanks 28, you have been a winner… here is to 29.  May 29 be even better… I hope that I learn more, love more and live more.

The 2014 List Wrap Up

Posted in Life, The List by

The List 2014 good sizeWow… another year done, another list being signed off… and to be honest I feel like this year the list has been put on the back burner… not because I have stopped loving it, or because it was no good, but because real life got in the way. Which I actually think is really nice… It’s nice to know that I didn’t need the list to make my year what it was, and that my year was awesome even though I only just scrapped through with just a pass… well maybe a credit.  There was so much jammed into this year and while the list didn’t play as bigger part as previous years it still brought a lot of joy to my life… so here is the final re-cap… which is big because it’s been a while since I did a list up date.

Just like all the other years those that have a blog of their own have a hyperlink so you can just click it and read all about it… and the ones that don’t are all listed below with either an explanation of what did or didn’t happen…

  1. Do the 1000 steps – completed: 26/02/14
  2. Make a loaf of bread – completed: 10/11/14
    It was actually four mini garlic breads 
  3. Use my day off productively – completed: 18/12/14
    It may not have been quite the way I had imagined but I think I did use my days off more productively, with errands, moving house and with work…
  4. Cook dinner at least once a week
    I am ashamed to say that this didn’t happen… there are lots of excuses I could make, but they wouldn’t be worth reading.
  5. Do mine and Dave’s family trees – completed: 29/12/14
    I have done the easy bit – back to our grandparents, including their siblings, but now I need to expand a little and get some more detail. 
  6. Try a green juice – completed: 11/01/14
  7. Go to two weddings – completed: 28/03/14 (Wedding 1; Wedding 2)
  8. Eat something from my veggie garden – completed: 8/02/14
  9. Run 5km without walking
    This one is on the list for next year… running you will not win.
  10. Be a more informed consumer – completed: 31/12/14
    I know I still have a long way to go, but I feel like its better to have started the journey than to know nothing at all
  11. Go 1 week without a sometimes food – completed: 1/02/14
  12. Embrace home cooking
    Again not completed…. And only excuses.
  13. Read the New Testament
    I feel like I should just copy and paste from the one above… I did start this one well, but got distracted and it stopped.
  14. Stop back dating blogs…. Post it when it happens or not at all
    Not always consistent, but better… but probably not quite ‘better’ enough.
  15. Go Low FODMAP for a week – completed: 10/03/14
  16. Do another boot camp – completed:1/03/14
    The George women know how to exercise together! 
  17. Get a sun reflector for my car – completed: 14/01/14
  18. Help someone set up a blog – completed: 09/01/14
  19. Review the books I read on amazon – completed: 31/12/14
  20. Send one handwritten note of gratitude to someone each month
    To be honest… I just forgot.
  21. Complement a stranger everyday for a week (different strangers otherwise it would be creepy)
    We even had this as a goal for our small group and I still struggled with it. I know most days I encourage my clients which are kind of strangers… but not quite what I had in mind.
  22. Break a rule – completed: 27/12/14
  23. Swim 50km, not all at once, but over the year
    This was a disaster… I only swam a km… terrible form…
  24. Update my resume (Not because I want a new job but to reflect on my accomplishments) – completed: 27/10/14
  25. Walk/Run 300km – completed 02/11/14
  26. Buy a house – completed: 3/02/14
  27. Do another fun run – completed: 16/11/14
  28. Cuddle a baby less than 6months old – completed: 17/01/14
  29. Get a massage – completed: 29/08/14
    Thankyou Donvale Beauty! 
  30. Be Vegan for 24 hours
    Nup… just didn’t happen… I don’t think I was committed in my heart
  31. Go in a sea vessel… Kayak, Canoe, Paddle boat… whatever – completed: 31/12/14
  32. Go out in country Victoria for the day – completed: 30/08/14
  33. Build a sand castle – completed: 30/12/14
  34. Write at least 3 letters to my prayer pal
    I think I wrote two… Sorry Tess.
  35. Play a board game with friends
  36. Enter a colouring competition
  37. Make a cushion – completed: 20/08/14
  38. Cook fish – completed: 7/01/14
  39. Learn a song on clarinet without Dave’s help
  40. Plant something in the garden – completed: 04/11/14
  41. Play Mini golf
  42. Follow through with Dave’s Christmas present again – completed 15/12/14
  43. Take Dex for a play date with Abe or Diesel
  44. Learn a song on the guitar – completed 16/11/14
  45. Go to Costco – completed: 13/11/14
  46. Try 1 recipe from each recipe book I own
  47. Take Dex for a walk every week
  48. Work as a teacher – completed: 03/05/14
  49. Get some fresh flowers to brighten a room – completed: 22/10/14
  50. Hire a bike and ride around the city
  51. Get a fake tan – completed: 10/01/14
  52. Go to a pump class – completed: 15/04/14
  53. Go to a spin class – completed: 13/02/14
  54. Do something truly Melbournian – completed: 26/07/14
  55. Make my own advent calendar – completed: 26/11/14
  56. Find a train free route to work – completed: 22/01/14
    It is train free, but it’s not all that convenient… I am not sure which is the lesser of the two evils. 
  57. Get a timer for our Christmas lights – completed: 09/11/14
    Although we are a little scared to use it given our old old wiring at home
  58. Go to Bright – completed: 01/11/14
  59. Put Pa’s videos on DVD
    This is still on my wish list though… I am keen to keep things documented. 
  60. Try Pilates – completed: 4/02/14
  61. Use my new paper diary more effectively
    This just didn’t happen… my iPhone reigned supreme.
  62. Be better at visiting my grandparents – completed: 8/12/14
  63. Go to the cricket
  64. Cook all meals at home for a fortnight (no lazy takeaway or eating out just because)
    Again… a fail… maybe next year.
  65. Go fruit picking – completed: 03/11/14
  66. Get awesome Christmas jumpers for Dave and I – completed: 07/08/14
  67. Start my Australia camping pictures map
  68. Go camping
  69. Walk across the bridge in Kilcunda – completed: 10/01/14
  70. Go to a cemetery – completed: 12/01/14
  71. Join a book club – completed: 2/01/14
  72. Read 12 books – completed: 18/10/14
    1. Flash and Bones – Kathy Reichs
    2. Let me off at the top! – Ron Burgundy
    3. Divergent – Veronica Roth
    4. Insurgent – Veronica Roth
    5. Allegiant – Veronica Roth
    6. A Game of Thrones – George R.R. Martin
    7. A long way home – Saroo Brierley
    8. The Fault in our Stars – John Green
    9. The Giver – Lois Lowry
    10. Reconstructing Amelia – Kimberley McCreight
    11. The Rosie Project – Graeme Simsion
    12. The Lunar Chronicles: Cress – Marissa Meyer
  73. Try some regular yoga – completed: 10/04/14
  74. Do 5 different exercise classes – completed: 11/09/14
  75. Do a trail walk/hike – completed: 13/09/14
  76. Go a month without playing games on my phone – completed: 1/02/14
  77. Put some nets on my veggie patch – completed: 15/12/14
  78. Take a photo everyday – completed: 31/12/14
  79. Get there and stay there
  80. Have a picnic in the backyard – completed: 19/12/14
  81. Swim in the ocean at least 5 times – completed: 30/12/14
  82. Actually finish our wedding guest book
  83. Update our displayed photos – completed: 24/05/14
  84. Keep my corner clean – completed: 31/12/14
  85. Pretend to be a morning person – completed: 21/10/14
  86. See the movie Frozen – completed: 12/01/14
  87. Exercise 4 times a week – completed: 31/12/14
    Almost anyway, certainly better again this year, and now that I have joined a gym I have to keep it up.
  88. See ‘Saving Mr Banks’ at the movies – completed: 4/01/14
  89. Have dinner and go bowling with Dustin and Rachel
  90. Do my chores and pull my weight around the house
  91. Just stop picking
  92. Play Super Mario Bros
  93. Save some of my pocket money each fortnight
  94. Cook something from each of my Donna Hay magazines
  95. Try at least one thing from each of my Women’s Fitness magazines
  96. Do my 2012 and 2013 scrapbooks
  97. Wash my car by myself
  98. Go on a push bike adventure with Dave
  99. Finish going through my cooking magazines and either save them or through them out – completed: 22/05/14
  100. Drive a bus – completed: 11/05/14
    There is even video footage of it! 

The grand total… 62 out of 100, certainly not by best year, but actually better than I expected…

2013 – Through the eyes of my iPhone

Posted in Christmas, Family, Food, Friendship, God, Life, Photo A Day, Project 365, The List by

Another year done and dusted… and once again it’s time to reminisce on what the year has brought.  It’s kind of overwhelming to look at the year in one go like this.  In many ways it feels like 2013 just started, but when I look at all the things i’ve done this year, it feels like a long time.

2013 has been another busy busy years, with lots of excitement, fun and laughter, some tears and sadness but it has all played an important part in the year that was… and without it.. it would have been pretty boring.  There are still things I wish I had have achieved this year, but there is lots of things that I have done which have been bigger and better than I could have imagined.  And just like the last couple of years I have taken a photo everyday, some good ones, some boring ones, and some in-between, but it gives me a good recap of all that happened in 2013… so here is 2013 through the eyes of my iPhone…

JANUARY…

Jan

Highlight: January was fun month full of all good things about summer… sun, friends, family and the beach.  There was a lowlight of my computer dying, but that was outweighed by weddings, new puppies, dinner with family and some time at the beach with rellies from overseas… well played january.

FEBRUARY…

Feb

Highlight: All things outdoors – my new herb garden, a new sleeping bag, moonlight cinema, young adults camp, oh and an indoor night with Keith Urban…

MARCH…

Mar

Highlight: New apple products – a new laptop and my iPad mini… Fun weekends in Inverloch where Dex met Abe oh and Kate got married… March was a winner month.

APRIL…

Apr

Highlight: My Birthday and everything that went with it… crossing things off my list… although I am not sure if bikram yoga is a highlight or lowlight… but the most exciting moment of all is getting the call that said my best friend was engaged!  So much love and joy in one call.

MAY…

IMG_4838

Highlight: Dave’s school production of Les Mis… hands down… it was simply the best, such a wonderful bunch of talented kids and teachers… well done WCC…. Also Jake got enrolled as an adherent and that was pretty awesome.

JUNE…

Jun

Highlight: Camping… I have decided I love it… I love the tent, I love the adventure and I love our new tradition of timer photos.

JULY…

Jul

Highlight: Jake turned 21… and it was fun!  Oh and there was more camping which was also fun.

AUGUST…

Aug

Highlight: Well actually it’s a lowlight, in August we said goodbye to Dave’s Nanny, which was sad, but it did mean I was able to learn a whole heap about Dave and his family, look through lots of pictures and reminisce which I love.

SEPTEMBER…

Sep

Highlight: September was a big month, we went on another road trip, I got an awesome Tupperware haul, the Hawks won the flag and I finished my teaching rounds.  Overall a pretty impressive month.

OCTOBER…

Oct

Highlight: The highlight for October definitely has to be upping the anti on 2012 and completing my 21.1km half marathon at the Melbourne Marathon Series with my Dad and Davo.

NOVEMBER…

Nov

Highlight: Kempy got married, I got a veggie garden and we crammed in a whole lotta date days…

DECEMBER…

IMG_4826

Highlight: Another December, another year of Christmas being the highlight… In particular this year a special mention goes to Carols by Candlelight, the fireworks and Bruce, my penguin snow globe.  Man I love Christmas.

So that’s it… another year condensed into pictures and a highlight or two… so much madness compacted…

Here’s to 2014… I’m hoping its even better…

The 2013 List Wrap Up

Posted in Life, The List by

The List 4I am finding it really hard to believe that another year is over… This year seems to have gone quicker than the rest, especially the last couple of months… seriously it felt a little like warp speed.  But despite the fact that I am not quite ready for 2014… it starts tomorrow and so this years list must come to an end.  This year I have done pretty well, well I think so anyway, there are still a few left, but lots that are done and dusted… but it’s been a while since there was a list update so once again I am including it all in the wrap up.

Those that have a blog of their own have a hyperlink so you can just click it and read all about it… and the ones that don’t are all listed below with either an explanation of what happened… or why it didn’t.

Here we go… the 2013 wrap up…

  1. Have a Star Trek Movie Marathon – completed: 11/5/13
  2. Cook all meals at home for a fortnight (no buying take-away, or going out)
    I am almost embarrassed to admit that this didn’t happen… I am not even sure we had two weeks when we were both around… it’s been a busy busy year.
  3. Finish my Dip Ed – completed: 1/11/13
    All done and dusted… and it feels pretty good… now just to get my registration completed.
  4. Go in two fun runs/walks – completed: 13/10/13
    First the Sunset series run, then the half… fun run challenge complete.
  5. Complete a month’s photo a day challenge without missing a day – completed: 31/1/13
  6. Attend a Step Class – completed: 4/12/13
    Thanks to a free pass from a friend to the gym next to work this made it off the list fairly late in the year, but it is done.
  7. Read 12 books – completed: 13/12/13
    1. The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkin
    2. Cinder – Marissa Meyer
    3. Scarlet – Marissa Meyer
    4. Does This Church Make Me Look Fat – Rhoda Janzen
    5. Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire – Jim Cymbala
    6. Inferno – Dan Brown
    7. The Happiness Project – Gretchen Rubin
    8. The Land Between – Jeff Manion
    9. The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
    10. Catching Fire – Suzanne Collins
    11. The Color War – Jodi Picoult
    12. The Christmas Grandma Ran Away From Home – Nancy Warren
    and just for good measure 13. Mocking Jay – Suzanne Collins
  8. Stop buying breakfast regularly – completed: 31/12/13
  9. Complete a half marathon – completed: 13/10/13
  10. Use my diary more effectively – completed: 31/12/13
    It may not have been my paper diary like I would have hoped, but my little iCal on all my apple products has certainly had a work out… and I think its been quite effective in keeping Dave and I at the right places at the right times.
  11. Start a list of restaurants Dave and I like to go to – completed: 31/12/13
    Its not a long list… but it has been started… and now we can just continue to add to it.
  12. Watch all of my Disney Movies – completed 29/12/13
    It turns out I have a lot of Disney DVDs and it took forever to get through them… all year in fact…. but it is done… all watched.
  13. Clean out my wardrobe – completed: 20/1/13
  14. Go to the beach at least 5 times – completed: 19/1/13
  15. Get a herb garden – completed: 3/2/13
    Ok so I got a herb garden… but it died… but then I started a veggie patch which is still going… so I guess it still counts.
  16. Be deliberate with my TV time – completed: 31/12/13
  17. Go Camping – completed: 8/6/13
  18. Do something I have never done before – completed: 9/4/13
  19. Be on time to things – completed: 31/12/13
    Well maybe not everything, but I am definitely getting better.
  20. Build something from Ikea – completed: 22/12/13
    It was just a box… but it was from Ikea.
  21. Throw something old out/give something away every week
  22. Go to the library – completed: 20/3/13
  23. Visit Mum in Mornington – completed: 13/3/13
  24. Start a list of all the common dishes Dave and I like to eat – completed: 31/12/13
    Again its not a long list… but it is a list and now we add to it as we go.
  25. Blow Bubbles – completed: 7/1/13
  26. Smash a Piñata – completed: 21/10/13
  27. Play Badminton – completed: 27/12/13
    I was lucky enough to do this twice… the first with an up coming champion of the sport… my cousin Jack and second in the streets of Inverloch.
  28. Try Yoga or Pilates – completed: 25/4/13
  29. Get down to my goal weight… and stay there
    Yet again this goal has been left unachieved… but I will get there… even if it kills me.
  30. Establish a morning routine
    I tried… but it didn’t stick…
  31. Establish an evening routine
    Same as the morning routine… I tried… but it’s still on the list.
  32. Exercise 3 times a week – completed: 31/12/13
    So again this year it wasn’t every week, but on average I am pretty sure I achieved this, so I am crossing it off  as done.
  33. See the Myer windows – completed: 30/11/13
    Lovely as always… and a Christmas must.
  34. Wash my car regularly
    Well I washed it… but it wasn’t very regularly
  35. Eat 5 new foods/dishes I haven’t tried before – completed: 25/12/13
    1. Roasted Beetroot
    2. Bubble Cup
    3. Dahl
    4. Salted Caramel
    5. Egg Nog
  36. Finish a puzzle – completed: 20/12/13
    Ok so it was a tiny puzzle I got in a Christmas Bon Bon, but it was still a puzzle.
  37. Make Home Made Jam – completed: 14/7/13
    It exploded all over the microwave, but it tasted pretty good.
  38. Make a gratitude jar and use it – completed: 14/3/13
  39. Do a clean out of my Kikki.K folders
    They are still sitting there, some have been cleaned out, but not all
  40. Make something out of origami – completed: 25/4/13
  41. Exercise everyday before work for a week – completed: 24/10/13
  42. See Dave’s school production – completed: 16/5/13
  43. Hear a big band live – completed: 30/11/13
    Davo playing in the Salvo Big Band with Idea of North
  44. Finish our Wedding guest book
    Um… it’s still not done… next year… next year.
  45. Sort through my Cooking magazines and take the recipes I like for my folder
    I started… but I haven’t finished so I can’t cross it off… but it is started and that is a good step.
  46. Make something I have seen on Pinterest – completed: 14/3/13
  47. Lie on the ground and look at the stars – completed: 7/6/13
  48. Have high tea somewhere – completed: 13/4/13
    A winner birthday surprise from my besties.
  49. Crack 5 eggs in a row without having any shell accidents – completed: 28/4/13
    I have finally nailed it… no more digging out shell.
  50. Try at least one exercise from each of my Women’s Fitness Magazines
    It started and got pretty close, but I didn’t do them all.
  51. Have a spa – completed: 6/7/13
  52. Actually stop pushing the snooze button
    Another year… still a lot of snoozing.
  53. Go to a Trivia night – completed: 15/6/13
    Well it wasn’t quite what I had imagined, but we did play trivial pursuit so I think it counts.
  54. Paint my nails and toenails regularly
    Not this year…
  55. Take a photo everyday – completed: 31/12/13
  56. Clean out my computer properly – completed: 31/3/13
  57. Hear live music – completed: 6/9/12
  58. Have 5 different groups of people over for a meal – completed: 24/11/13
  59. See some fireworks – completed: 8/12/13
    And they were Christmas fireworks which makes it even better
  60. Pack up after myself more often than I don’t
    Sorry Dave… I didn’t do this.
  61. See a Musical – completed: 7/3/13
    I saw a few this year… Jersey Boys and Les Mis were highlights though.
  62. Try at least 1 recipe from each of my Donna Hay subscription magazines – completed: 30/12/13
    There was a lot of cooking in December just to make this happen
  63. Actually go into the Zoo – completed: 20/2/13
  64. Cook a three course meal – completed: 30/12/13
    It helped me cross no. 62 of the list.
  65. Go through my house/lifestyle magazines and cut out or throw out – completed 26/12/13
    All in my dream house kikki.k folder now… or in the bin.
  66. Follow through with Dave’s Christmas present – completed 12/12/13
  67. Visit a country town I haven’t been to before – completed: 12/1/13
  68. Give Dave back his bedside table – completed: 4/2/13
  69. Actually stop picking
    This one is going back on the list for next year because it has to stop.
  70. Stick to a devotional/reading plan the whole way through without missing a day – completed 21/1/13
  71. Be more deliberate with my fruit and veg intake – completed: 31/12/13
    So this wasn’t a very measurable goal… but I am pretty sure I was.
  72. Participate in another table tennis tournament – completed 21/12/13
  73. Tidy up my iTunes library – completed: 31/3/13
  74. Ride my push bike more than once – completed: 14/4/13
  75. Go away for a full weekend – completed: 1/4/13
  76. Get a library card – completed: 20/3/13
  77. Have fish and chips on the beach – completed: 11/3/13
  78. Hear Keith Urban live… again – completed: 2/2/13
  79. Do my chores before Dave does more often than not
    Sorry again Dave…
  80. Go to two different Christmas carols – completed: 8/12/13
    I actually went to probably 5 Christmas carols.
  81. Take Dex to the park – completed: 2/9/13
  82. Have a picnic – completed: 15/12/13
    At a Christmas carols… it was delicious
  83. Eat breakfast outside at least 5 times – completed: 26/9/13
    Mostly while we were camping, so there was no other choice, but it was still lovely… and I should do it more often.
  84. Get the new Star Trek movie on bluray – completed: 3/5/13
  85. Have a milkshake – completed: 5/1/13
  86. Floss once a week
    Sorry Dentists of the world… I am a really bad flosser.
  87. Cook something on the BBQ, by myself – completed: 16/12/13
  88. Eat red meat at least twice a week
    I am really bad at this… I need to lift my game
  89. Use a sewing machine – completed: 22/11/13
    Thanks to Mum on trip down to Mornington
  90. Fly a kite – completed: 6/1/13
  91. Walk along the Inverloch beach to Eagle’s Nest and back – completed: 1/1/13
  92. Pop a cork – completed: 9/11/13
  93. Play a gum leaf – completed: 31/12/13
    I can’t really do it… but I did have a go
  94. Go to 7 open house inspections – completed: 5/10/13
  95. Mow some lawn – completed: 7/4/13
  96. Do some colouring – completed: 3/5/13
  97. Write to our sponsor children – completed: 31/12/13
  98. Try something other than a McChicken or nuggets from McDonalds – completed: 15/4/13
  99. Go to a live sports event – completed: 29/6/13
  100. Drive a bus
    Not this year… maybe next time.

So there you go another year and another list over… 82 out of 100… that’s a high distinction I believe.

Blogging in my brain

Posted in Life by

So I have been terrible at blogging regularly so far this year and here is why I think that is… things happen to me and I think to myself maybe I should write a blog about that.  I map it out in my brain, test it and then forget about it… Or once I have finished thinking about it and go to start typing I decide that it was a silly blog and no one will really care.   So most of my blogs have been in my head… and the ones that do make it to semi typed never get published, because they never get completely finished… mostly because I don’t like back dating and now the moment has passed and I am worried it will come across like a grade 5 school diary.

I’m a little sad that this is the case, and I really wish it wasn’t because there were some fun stories, interesting observations and even some very important public announcements… and while I am not going to back date them, perhaps some of them will come out in the future… who knows… all I know is that while my internet blog seems to be temporarily asleep, the blogs are writing themselves in my brain, just not getting any further.

Maybe I need one of those dictation apps…

2012 – Through the eyes of my iPhone

Posted in Christmas, Family, Food, Friendship, God, Life, Photo A Day, Project 365, The List by

Once again I find myself reminiscing on the year gone by, still finding it hard to believe that another year is over… This year, just like all those gone by has been busy, filled with all things that tell me I am alive, highs, lows, fun, laughter, tears and sadness.  I find this time of year really both happy and sad, I love looking back on what I have achieved, as well as planning some adventures for next year.  Yet I also feel sad about the things I couldn’t or didn’t do, or perhaps the time that I wasted on things that I shouldn’t have, but I know that really this is what makes up a year, it’s all just part of it.

Anyway, I really enjoyed using my project365 photos to help me capture all that happened in 2012… both the good and bad… so here is 2012 through the eyes of my iPhone, with a highlight for each month some big, some small but all highlights… oh and maybe some special mentions…

JANUARY…

Jan

Highlight: January was a list frenzy, everything from cleaning, baking, getting fit and eating… and all of it was heaps of fun, especially because it most of them were crossed off with friends and family.  Time well spent.

FEBRUARY…

Feb

Highlight: Weekend’s away at the beach.

MARCH…

Mar

Highlight: Taylor Swift with some very excited young girls… oh and great food…. Steak Sandwiches… yum yum.

APRIL…

Apr

Highlight: My Birthday and everything that went with it… including my kindle… man I love that thing.  Special Mention goes to the Inverloch house which we said goodbye to in April, I have lots of fond memories and while it may not have been a highlight of this month, that house certainly has played a big part in summer and holiday highlights of years gone by.

MAY…

May

Highlight: Our trip to New Zealand, and being able to celebrate Brian and Jean’s 60th Wedding anniversary… oh and our first one.  Oh and a special mention to my first classroom teaching placement.

JUNE…

June

Highlight: A few bonus trips to Bendigo and all the fun that that brings… it’s a fun place to be especially when you have friends like mine.

JULY…

July

Highlight: Getting my Donna Hay on, not once, but thrice.  July also has a few important birthday’s in it which always deserve a special mention.

AUGUST…

Aug

Highlight: Dave’s Secondary Performance Dinner (SPD) with Jake.

SEPTEMBER…

Sep

Highlight: Getting stuck into my exercise and loving it… no sarcasm, actually loving it.  Oh and finishing placement is worth a special mention.

OCTOBER…

Oct

Highlight: Completing my 10km run at the Melbourne Marathon Series.

NOVEMBER…

Nov

Highlight: Dust and Jess got married… doesn’t get much more exciting than that… although the colour run does get a special mention.

DECEMBER…

Dec

Highlight: Christmas… the food, the gifts, the carols and the fun… always a winner especially the town hall lights… that was very cool.

So there you go… my year… it seems simple when you put it all together like that, but it wasn’t, it was good though and I am hoping that 2013 is just as good… maybe even better.