Turning a new Corner

There is so much I want to talk about on here. But I cant. I have not written in 2 weeks, TWO WEEKS! What a huge 2 weeks it has been. So many feelings, emotions and ups and downs have occurred. I have had to blog them all in my head, hit publish post, and push them to the back of my mind for a later day. It's funny how this blog is a reflection and record of my journey, yet I am not ready or brave enough to write it all out. I talk it out with a few special people in my life, but not here, not yet. Ive said it before...I'm on a journey. A journey of self love and appreciation. A journey of happiness and gratitude. Unless I can speak positively about a topic I want to keep it on the down low. When I can work through it in my heart, soul and mind, find the positive and beautiful silver lining, then I can share it with you :-) Promise :-)

Sooooooo remember how I said that I wasn't a gym girl and I loved my running outside and I could never go to a gym because it would be boring and I couldn't be locked up inside????

I am totally a gym girl

Miss "i love running outdoors and will never sign up to gym again' in fact signed up to a gym 2 weeks ago. Call me crazy but I love it just as much as I love running! When I signed up they asked me what my goals were. I simply said I needed a safe place to run! I was running by myself at 7.30 at night and as the seasons changed it was getting darker and darker and was just not safe for me. So I made the decision to sign up to a gym. I would finish work, go straight to the gym, do my 45 minute 5K training then go home and get started on my nightly routine. Well well well hasn't THAT all changed. I now wake up at 5am every morning. Feed all the animals, have my breakfast, watch the sun rise and then head to the gym at 6 for a 6.10 class. Family and friends pick that jaw up off the ground - Yes this is me, Sarah, talking here! I am NOT a morning person! I hate the mornings. In all of the 5 years of mine and Robs relationship Ive got up about twice to see him in the morning. Now look at me! I love it! It is completely awesome and has totally changed my outlook on life. This has been a HUGE corner I have turned on my journey and I am loving it! I never thought I would be doing this and loving it so much! Yes I'm tired. I go straight from the gym to work and don't get home til 7.30pm but ladies and gentlemen SARAH IS SLEEPING!!!! Yes for the first time in 4 years I am sleeping through the night! I have tears as I am writing this as those close to me know how much I have struggled with my insomnia. Night after night only sleeping for 3 hours. I am now in bed and ASLEEP by 10.30pm! I feel like I'm living in a dream! Everything is turning out perfectly! I am so much happier and calmer. Last week I was sick a couple of days and could not go to my early morning class! Gosh I missed it! Even after a week, I noticed how much my body relied on that early morning class to start my day. My days were miserable and I was irritable! Now, today, after being at the gym since 6am this morning, I feel more alive than I ever have!

I am happy. I am confident. I feel beautiful. I feel at peace. 
Who would have thought smashing it out at the gym at 6 in the morning could do this! 
Thank You GYM ~ You are my lifesaver

x S.K.K x

I'd rather schedule a lobotomy than 'me time'


Why is everyone talking about 'me time' all the time? Everywhere I look there's a new article, blog post, billboard shouting at me to go and get me some 'me time'. There's a faintly patronising sniff to them all too. Like, poor dear, you're so completely busy and so unselfish and disciplined that you put every thing about yourself on hold just to look after your newly-formed kids. Dear god, you've lost the ability to soak in a hot bath while sipping herbal tea and reading a magazine.

Luckily these articles are here to remind us what a bubble bath looks like.

What the hell is 'me time' anyway? Though it sounds faintly mastabatory (is that even a word... it's a good word), I'm sure that's not the intention behind it... Do you have to be by yourself? Could you go out for coffee with friends and consider that 'me time'? Could you go with your husband? What if you wanted to bring the kids along on your 'me time'? Is that allowed?

Does spending an hour collapsed on the couch at the end of the day qualify?

Well, if you read the stories right, it would appear you can't have random 'me time'. It needs to be scheduled into your busy, busy day in order to qualify. Most reports would indicate that you're spending way too much time looking after the needs of others, whatever that means, and not enough time doing 'me time' things, whatever they are. You need to love yourself first before you can love your family and that involves some pretty comprehensive time management. Schedule in time for yourself to... be yourself... and all manner of lovely things are going to happen to you, no doubt about it.

Time spent in or quaffing bubbles is definitely 'me time', but only the former is allowed when solo. Reading a book is great if it's not from the 'parenting' section of the bookstore. Enjoying time on your favourite hobby is ideal, but not if you open an Etsy store. Getting that much needed aromatherapy massage or hydrating facial qualifies, but a leg or moustache wax might not be acceptable and remedial massage from your physio for lower back pain caused by your pelvis shifting during pregnancy is definitely out. Meeting 'the girls' for a chit-chat is in for sure, but not if it involves a park and pushing kids on swings.

Basically, anywhere you're getting pampered, not paid, and the children and husband are off limits is absolute top-quality 'me time'.

But then, what would I know? I don't even know what this 'me time' business is... all I know is that life is sometimes overwhelming and there's lots of stuff you've gotta do and some stuff you just don't. And when it all comes down to it, I'm just ever so grateful that I'm not American because over there they call it 'mommy time', which makes me dry-retch even more.

Do you schedule 'me time'?
I won't bite, I promise.

[Image via weheartit]

Vacation iphone photo dump!

It's going to take me awhile to through the photos on my camera! So here are some iphone pics from our vacation to Cancun, Mexico!

More about our trip later, must clean the house and do laundry. Ah, back to reality... :/

Vacation iphone photo dump!

It's going to take me awhile to through the photos on my camera! So here are some iphone pics from our vacation to Cancun, Mexico!
More about our trip later, must clean the house and do laundry. Ah, back to reality... :/

9 Years Today

As has been for the past 9 years, the 11th of March is such an important day for my family.  Every year the day approaches with anticipation.  Thankfully no longer the anxiety that the first years held but still a day where our thoughts and plans for the day revolve around remembering someone we have lost but someone who had such a profound affect on our life.  Not too many people share their birthday with the day they die, so the day comes with such mixed emotions as we remember the short but precious life of our sweet baby girl Laura

In that first year all I longed to hear was her name - while most other people went out of their way to avoid saying her name for fear of upsetting me all I wanted was just the opposite.  I am so grateful to be able to say that 9 years on her name is mentioned constantly in our house thanks to her her sisters.  The sisters that never really knew her, but who talk about her like she is by their side.  Sienna in particular amazes me the way she includes Laura in everything - she is in the pictures she draws and effortlessly in conversation.  She regularly reminds me that if Laura was still here she wouldn't be the one getting in trouble - it would be Laura as she is the eldest!  She talks about where her bed would be and whose class would she be in at school - it makes me smile.  

I guess now that my life very much revolves around parties, I have been acutely aware this week that if things had have been different 9 years ago we would today most likely have been having a party at our house - again the girls have mentioned it this week "What type of party do you think we would be having for Laura?".

So today we have been to "Laura's place" - we shared cupcakes and sent balloons for her to play with in the clouds - and we are grateful for the lessons she has taught our family about adversity, acceptance and love.

We still miss her but we know she fits comfortably in a special place within our family, where she will never be forgotten and a constant reminder of the wonderful blessings that we have since received.

If you would like to read more about Laura's story click here or to find out about my involvement with the Stillbirth Foundation Australia click on the Stillbirth Foundation category on the side bar.

Special thanks to Jacki from Blissfully Sweet Cakes and Nicole from Pretty and Print who provided me with delicious cupcakes and printables for a mothers day photo shoot this weekend - they also made the perfect addition to our little celebration.

Leanne

Ms Nosybella: Do you meal plan?


Dear Organised Lovelies

As you might imagine, our budget has been cut substantially, no SLASHED, and we need to do a complete about face in our attitude towards money. It's not something I've had to think much about for a long time, but boy am I'm thinking now. Lots of thinks.

My first big thing is about how to spend less at the grocery store. So, here I am, Sunday afternoon, getting ready to do a meal plan for the week.

A meal plan.

I've never done one because I've never had the time and besides I always worry that I'll get to the day and not 'feel like' eating what I planned on the menu. 'Feel like' isn't going to get a look in any more - I'm planning and we're eating it and that's going to be that.

Help me out a little. This business of feeding the family is a complicated and draining one, isn't it!? I need good, easy cheap-to-make, nutritious family recipes. Maybe stuff I can make in bulk and freeze some for later. We're in a food co-op so we get lots of in-season vegetables. Vegie plus some kind of meat or legume recipes could be good... or a combination there of... just yummy stuff that is high protein and the kids are going to love and we'll enjoy too.

So my Nosybella questions today are:

Do you have a recipe or can you recommend a good blog or website for such things?
Pinterest is overwhelming on such matters. Please help me narrow it down!

Do you meal plan? How do you manage it?
My buddy Pink Patent Mary Janes is a master at it, but she also appears to be a gourmet chef with a very sophisticated child. I have Meal Plan Monday envy every week!

What resources do you use and when do you do it? Weekly? Monthly?

Lots of questions...

'til next time


♥



Thanks everyone for entering the Career Mums giveaway and sharing some very eye-opening 'parent /work fail' moments. The winner is Red Dalish. I chose her simply because in two months time she's going back to work after three years out. This book  is going to really, really help out, I just know it.

[Image via Pinterest]

Easter Cupcakes

Easter Cupcakes

This week on Flickr Faves Sunday, I bring you some cute Easter cupcakes from colourful floral ones to cute bunnies!

Some beautiful shots from my Flickr favourites



Have a sweet day!
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