Why I Keep Flogging My Blogging

It feels like forever since I just sat and wrote.  You know that soul searching, deep, meaningful writing that just stirs the heart and pulls at strings.  The free unstructured stuff that just flows and flows.  Which is ironic really, as it appears as if I may have just managed, to almost grasp this whole posting regular concept.  Naturally this is a wonderful thing.

Only the writing that has been coming out has not been the stuff that I want to write.  I mean on some levels it has been.  It's not like what I am writing has been untrue or not meant but it was stuff I made myself write just so I was writing.  Just so I had something to post in the hope it might attract a few more readers.  For as much as I dearly long to be a famous author, making the time to write is sometimes easier said than done.  Finding the time when the ideas and words are ready to flow is of course another thing altogether.

Mind you the fact that I don't actually know what it is I want to write doesn't particularly help matters either.  For some reason I need constant gratification from what I write.  Not necessarily people commenting all the time but just knowing that people are taking the time to at least click on a link and start to read me...

Right now though I really am just trying to concentrate on writing...(she says as she drifts off to Klout to check out her popularity status there)  No really.  I just need to keep on writing. 

Thankfully though I do feel I have a bit of a knack for entertaining so I am confident if I just keep plodding along all will fall into place.  Every now and then and sometimes even more, I manage to come up with something that shows me I am still heading in the right direction.  I just need to remember to keep on going.

Created here

There are just so many distractions though remaining focused sometimes takes more dedication than I can find.  Perhaps in the not to distant future I will make that matter?

It won't be easy though when there are things like this floating around

Found here

I couldn't help but get a giggle out of it.  That sums me up to a tee.  Or at least the old me.  The new and slightly improved me that is currently in the process of developing, will not be a procrastinator.  She will be a decisive go-getter that writes awesome books that people the world over want to read.  That way Hubs, the kids and I can go and travel this wide brown land and come up with even more amazing things to write about.

sigh...

Everyone's gotta dream right?  Well that's mine.

In the meantime I will just keep on flogging my blogging because just between me and you, I know the best is yet to come.  I can just feel it.  I am like a good wine, I just keep getting better with age.

Joining in with Glowless

Thankful Thursday - The Powers That Be

This is one of those posts that I have had in my head for well over a week now.   I have mentally written it more times than I care to count.  Do you think I could remember any of it when I actually sat down to write it?

Made worse only by the fact when I sat down to write it I thought, this shouldn't take too long given how much I have been thinking about it.  Talk about famous last words.

I am not sure whether it was noticed or not, but last week was the first in a very long time that failed to see me be thankful on a Thursday.  I have mentioned on numerous occasions how smitten I am with the notion of consciously taking the time to think about giving thanks.  As a society as a whole I think we are becoming too expectant of what we are given.  Kate's wonderful link up ensures that each and every week (nearly) I take the time to consciously think about just how god dam blessed I really am.

So far this year I have been more than pleased with the regularity of my blogging and while it is primarily posts that link up with others in an effort to increase in my coverage at least the posts are coming and for that I am truly thankful.  However regular blogging is what you might call time consuming, especially as part of the linky love is taking the time to read all (or at least some) of the other blogs joining in.  Which is one of the reasons why last week I was postless on Thursday.  That and the fact I just couldn't decide what I wanted to be thankful for.

You see more often that not when I go to write this posts I just want to give thanks for my life.  I really feel incredibly blessed.  How could I not?  Without an inkling of a doubt I am married to the man of my dreams.  I have three wonderful children, plenty of food on our table and roof over our heads that will hopefully one day belong to us as opposed to sharing ownership with the bank.  And that is only the tip of the iceberg.

Only I am pretty sure that each and every week you don't want to read about me going on about how awesome my life is.  That could possibly get a bit boring for both you and me.  As such I like to write about special things I am thankful for.  Which is sort of why there was no post last week.  I just couldn't think of anything special to give thanks for.  Well that was until Friday.  On Friday it dawned on me, I need to give thanks to the powers that be.  After all they are the ones behind the life that I have.

Only it was no longer Thursday.  I am not sure why my pretty little head thinks that I can only post a Thankful Thursday but it does.  In the bid to be super organised I decided that I would keep this brilliant idea for the following week.  I was pretty excited about having so much time to think about it.  As it turns out all that time was perhaps not so much of a blessing.

Anyway back to today and finally making the time to sit down and give thanks to the powers that be.

The ones that kept my house keys safe when they were sitting at the mailbox for days.
The ones that help me get my favourite car parks almost every time.
The ones that seem to send me unexpected money when I need it most.
The ones that change the plans I make because they know there is a better path for me to walk.
The ones that have helped in so many ways over the years that I happily trust them to guide and direct my life.

Of course it is not always roses.  There are times when they leave me scratching my head and wondering why they are doing things the way they do.  In the end though it all comes together and for that I am more than truly thankful.

What about you?  Do trust your fate to the powers that be or are you the controlling force?

Head over to Kate Says Stuff to see what others are thankful for this Thursday.

Wordless Wednesday - FebPhotoADay

Joining in with Trish over at

-fairy wishes and butterfly kisses

10 Things That Matter

Regular readers would know that at the moment I am all about Making IT Matter. Whatever it is I am doing I want to make sure it matters. I want to start being more accountable for my time and the way I spend it. I want to be a positive influence and example for my children. I want my life to matter as much as it possibly can.

Now I have realised that it is not necessary for me to change the world at large to make my life matter. All I need to do is make sure that I am being the best me I can be. I know that I have mentioned this before but it is something that I constantly need to remember. I sometimes forget to remember you see.

When Karlee handed over Me & YOU I was ecstatic.  As all the cool blogs host an awesome linky and now I would have my own as well.  Of course change can be a very scary thing though so I know that not everyone will want to take part.  Which is fine.  With time I hope to create an inspiring place where change is not so scary.  Where the final destination is worth the journey, regardless of what the road was like.

In the meantime though I will just continue to share my story and the positive changes I am creating, not just for me but my family as well.  I am so thankful to those who have taken the time to share their changes.

Now I know previously I have only worried about making one thing matter each week.  I don't like to put too much pressure on myself.  At this still early stage of the game it is important I have as many successes as possible.  However.  I have realised that there are so many things that need to matter that I can't just do one at a time.  Thankfully there are a few that can all sort of tie together though so it doesn't seem so overwhelming.

1. Write regularly.  And by that I mean every day.  Like anything it improves with practise.  If I am going to be serious about being a famous writer I really need to put pen to paper, of fingertips to keys or something other than the current levels of procrastination and self doubt.
2. Being present for the children.  Making sure I disconnect from the electric world and spend time living.
3. Ensuring that I am well rested and suitable fueled to tackle anything the treasures might spontaneously throw at me.
4. Providing interesting and nutritious food on a regular basis.  It is important to be aware of what works best for our bodies and provide it that, as much as possible.  Plus since eating is a part of life it only makes sense to get the most out of it.
5. Leading an active life.  Getting out and about in the great outdoors and making the most of the land that surrounds us.
6. Remaining true to what I believe in.
7. Letting others know they are cared for and loved.
8. Being on time.  Being late is rude.  Plain and simple.  Sounds harsh I know but as someone trying to curb a terrible (and I mean give her a half hour head start kind of terrible) habit of always being excessively late I need to be harsh.  I have little to no concept of time.  Never have.  But I want to.  I don't want my girls to grow up thinking it is alright to keep people waiting for you.  All. The. TIME.
9. The housework.  I can't believe I got this far without mentioning the housework.  Maintaining a clean and tidy house matters more than anything.  It is the cornerstone of happiness for the modern family.
10. The washing.  Similar but not quite the same as the housework.  It is such a mammoth part of life it gets a point all of it's own.  (That and it's late and I am really struggling to think of anything else right now)

So there you have it.  Ten things that I will make matter this week.  What about you?

Joining in with my own

 Me & YOU Monday, Making IT Matter 

and

At the Bottom of the Garden

Me & YOU Monday Making IT Matter

Hello and welcome to another Me & YOU Monday where we Make it Matter.   

My name's Rhianna and I am your hostest with the mostest (even if I do say so myself).   

Seriously though I want to thank you for taking the time to have a read 

I really hope that you take the opportunity to find something in your life 

that you want to make matter and join in.  

So here we are again.  Monday morning fresh and bright ready to face the day.  Only it is not Monday morning.  It is Sunday night as I write and I am far from fresh, bright and ready to start the day.  Even when it gets here in some eight hours or what ever it is I am not sure if I will be ready for it.  It is one of those weekends where I wouldn't mind another day.  Only I also wouldn't mind if it were a day without children.  At least for some of it.

Don't get me wrong I love the little rascals, but they are just so darn good at getting me to stop doing the things I really want to be doing, that every now and then I think of them disappearing for an hour or six.  Now I know that school nicely provides that opportunity.  At least for the older two but getting ready for school brings with it a whole kettle of fish that most days I could do without.

Last week The School Routine was what I was meant to make matter.  There was meant to be no lateness or rushing.  It was meant to be calm and orderly with nutritious lunches neatly packed and waiting to be carried out the door.  Oh and did I mention the made beds?

I do get a huge tick for the lunch factor.  Everybody was very well feed last week and it felt great.  Having the chicken already cooked and sliced ready and waiting to be made into a delicious wrap each day made life rather easy.  As was the stack of muffins I had made and frozen.  I am starting to understand why so many mothers are raving about this kind of organisation.

Sadly though we were not exactly free from rushing or being late.  Compared to last years efforts there is a massive improvement but there is still plenty of room to keep on going.  The homework factor never really took off either.  Miss Z happily read her reader each day which is all that was being asked of so I guess I can't complain much there but Miss L is another story.

Apparently there is still another week or two to go before her homework contract will be ready for me to sign.  There seems to be much discussion as to whether primary students really need homework.  I can see both sides but I think I am in support of at least some type of homework.

Dinner, bath and bed for all children by 8 hasn't really been working out too badly but it didn't exactly happen each and every night.  Though it has not been far off the mark and a definite improvement from times gone by.  The girls are slowly adjusting to the life of a routine.  I know that if I keep at it it won't be long till it is second nature.

However I was so busy trying to make this matter that other things got slightly overlooked.  As I write there is a small mountain of washing waiting to be folded.  It has quietly been growing for a few days now.  Thankfully though there is not much to wash.  A load at the most.

The dishes by the sink are washed and just waiting to be put away so the kitchen is fairly under control.  Mind you, there were a few days when coming downstairs to make the morning coffee was simply frightful because of the state that the kitchen had been left in the night before.

I haven't felt nearly together as I did the week before.  There were odd glimpses a couple of days where it felt like I had everything under control but there were only glimpses and mostly rather fleeting.  I didn't get nearly as much blogging done as what I would like to do.  In fact for the first time in probably months I didn't take time on Thursday to be thankful.  For the second week running I didn't know things on Friday either.

I must remember it is all about small steps and not getting defeated when the steps feel like they are going backwards.  I can do this.  I can make the change that I desire.

What about YOU?  

What is the change that you desire?  

What is it in your life that you want to MAKE MATTER?

Fresh Horses Brigade - Funeral Song

After such a great response to last week's FHB over at Edenland I spent most of this week wondering what this week's topic would be.  When I saw what it was I must admit I was just a little disappointed.


Now to be quite truthful with you I have never really stopped to think about my funeral in any shape or form.  In fact I have never even really given much time to the concept of me actually dying.  It is not that I don't think it will happen.  Of course it will.  Death is one of the few things that comes with some certainty.  There is also a fair bit of uncertainty about it all as well so I would prefer just put it in the don't want to know basket.
After all it will make little to no difference to me what goes on to celebrate my life, after I have left it.  Given the success (or lack there of) for some of my birthday parties, I wouldn't expect the turn out to my funeral to be anything spectacular.  Unless of course between now and then I do something amazing that touches thousands....
When it comes to funerals I am a little torn.  Apart from dad's funeral a few years ago I have never had to help plan one.  I hope that it is a long time before I ever have to go through that again and there weren't even high levels of family conflict.  We all just seemed to know and agree on the right way to say goodbye.
The songs we chose were Amazing Grace (with words and bagpipes which is not easy to find), CCR Down on the Corner and a marching band version of When the Saints Go Marching In.  My mother would probably have preferred to have something other than Down on the Corner but she was grossly outvoted and she knew it.  My brother, sister and I felt that dad would not have wanted us moping around so we tried to make it as cheery as possible.
However songs like the Sesame Street tune at a two week old babies funeral is far from cheery.  Standing in the back rows of a full room thinking of all the things a little life will never get to lead...Four weeks before our wedding, the best man's wife went into early labour.  To this day I am in awe of how they took it all in their stride.  I praise the Lord and thank the Powers That Be, that I know not of that pain.
But back to what songs I would have at my funeral.
I guess it could be rather fitting to play this one
I mean it is nearly like my name and all.  
Funnily enough though I had not even heard of it till I was nearly 21.  Shocking I know.  I can still remember the handsome young fellow (not hubs though he is a handsome fellow) who took me into his flash surround sound thearter setup.  Which for the time was rather impressive and not as widespread as it is these days.  It was a surreal feeling.  Sitting there.  My heart a flutter being in this young man's presence.  Anticipating what was to come next.  
I had been longing for his attention for a while you see.  So having him serenade me if you will with Stevie Nicks singing a song about my name (which essentially made the song about me)....well you can just imagine the rest.
Perhaps it is not so fitting to have this played after all.
Unfortunately though that is the best I can come up with at this stage.  I hope that my death is still a long way away, giving me plenty of time to contemplate the best way to encourage those that love me to celebrate the passing of my life.  I do have a few details already worked out.  Like the fact that I don't want any black.  I would much rather bright colours and rainbows than morbid and black.
Oh and that if time permits I will have a live wake as well.  When my dad turned 76 we had a massive party and invited all the people we expected to come to his funeral.  We called it a live wake.  It was one of the most wonderful parties I have ever been too.  At the time dad had been rather unwell so there was a very real chance that a real wake wasn't too far round the corner.  Dad couldn't bear the thought of us having a party without him so we had it while he could join in.  
What about you?   Have you thought about what your funeral would look like?   Head on over to Edenland and see what others have said

Sunday Session - A Tribute to Whitney

Originally when I began thinking of today's post for Thea's Sunday Session I was at a loss.  When I saw that Eden's Fresh Horse Brigade was this week centred around music I thought that perhaps I could combine the two.  However when today saw the passing of Whitney Houston and my post for neither were still not written I knew what I had to do.

Now I am sure that there will be many a blog post about the loss of what was once was a wonderful life.  And quite rightly so.  Even though her life was troubled in more recent years with a failing marriage and struggles with drug addiction she should still be remembered for what was truly a beautiful voice.  In fact I have already read one beautiful tribute over At the Bottom of the Garden.  No tears have been shed here but it is always sad to hear of the passing of a life.  Especially one that involved such a beautiful voice, glamourous style and limited acting experience.  Though the roles she did take on were ones that suited her to a tee.

To be quite honest with you I can't even recall many of her numerous hits. The fact that I am not really much of a music buff or pay any attention to such things probably has something to do with this.As such I thought perhaps a quick trip to Google might a aid me in finding a few of Houston's more well known tracks. Looking through the Top 10 Whitney Houston Songs, apparently are The Biggest Hits of Whitney Houston's Career I found I know little to nothing of her music.

In fact out of the ten mentioned there were only three I could confidently say I knew. As such they are the ones I have decided to share with you today

Of course there is


Rightly so this was number one on the list. Which for the most part I don't mind, in fact there are parts that I even like however there are times when I feel it is all a bit much. Having said that though Whitney deserves to recognition for ability to strongly sustain such notes.


The next one I recognised was number five



A little before my times as a music lover but I have certainly heard it enough of the years to know it as such. What I didn't really realise until today though is that it was a Houston song. Of course there is a chance I have previously known this fact but as I mentioned earlier a music buff I am not so such information is rarely recorded in my memory department.

The last song that I could comfortably say I have heard before was number nine.



Out of all three this is by far my favourite. That possibly has something to do with my age. When this was released I was starting to pay more attention to music. I had discovered the many joys of Rage on Saturday mornings as I got ready for my hockey games. Oh life was simple then.

So that is my tribute to what was a very talented but troubled lady.  May she rest in peace and may her family, friends, loved ones and fans find comfort in knowing she has moved on to a better place.

Wordless Wednesday - Smile

Joining in for Wordless Wednesday with

Sometimes I Forget to Remember

Sometimes I forget to remember to breathe.  To take the time to stop and gather my thoughts.  To look at what is where and what needs to be done.

Sometimes I forget to remember that my children are only little and they need deserve the patience of a saint.  There is so much for them to learn, so much for them to know.  Societies accepted norms, trends, beliefs and expectations

Sometimes I forget to remember that there are lots of people who love and care for me.  People who have stood by me for a very long time, despite my unintentional attempts at shutting them out.  As well as some newbies that have shown they are interested in the test of time.

Sometimes I forget to remember that there was once a time when I wasn't a mother.  In fact I wasn't lots of things then that I am now.  Shy. Reserved.  Totally about to hit it big in the world of blogging. (I have always been full of confidence a dreamer)

Sometimes I forget to remember that this is the life that I want to live.  It has all that I need and a whole lot more.  It has the potential to be what ever I want it to be.  I just need to put in the effort.

Sometimes I forget to remember to tell those close to me just how special they are and what they mean to me.  The whole emotion thing gets a bit tricky for me at times.  I don't know why.  I can't help but wonder if that is why I the whole friend thing doesn't seem to work so well for me.  Life is not one sided.

Sometimes I forget to remember to trust in the powers that be.  They have worked well for me in the past and I am sure they will continue to do so in the future, I just need to believe.

Sometimes I forget to remember to ask for help when I need it.  Or take it when it is freely offered.  Accepting, or needing help is not a sign of weakness.  Help is a wonderful thing.  It makes things better for those being helped as well as leaving those offering with a rather good feeling.

Sometimes I forget to remember just how much I know.  While I might not have a fancy degree I have actually spent quite a bit of time studying various subjects.  Stuff like sociology, marketing, accounting, psychology.  Stuff that is at times a little handy for this whole mothering gig.

Sometimes I forget to remember just how much I don't know.  There is so much that I need to go and discover.  So much to learn, share and discover.  And this I must remember to never forget.

Like all the cool bloggers I am linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT .

Also doing a double whammy and joining in
with the lovely Sif over at At the Bottom of the Garden Ten Things Tuesday

Me & YOU Monday, Making it Matter

Hello and welcome to another Me & YOU Monday where we Make it Matter.  

My name's Rhianna and I am your hostest with the mostest (even if I do say so myself).  

Seriously though I want to thank you for taking the time to have a read and I really hope that you take the opportunity to find something in your life that you want to make matter.

So whats this all about?

In a nutshell I am trying to turn my previously chaotic and disorganised life into something the resembles order and routine.  As much as I may fear them it appears as if they are in fact necessary to a stable upbringing when children are involved.  Thankfully I have learnt that they do not need be military like, just some secure guidelines and ways of getting things done that eventually lead to a smoother, happier outcome.

The old outdated me would often let things slide.  There was a great number of things that did not matter to me.  You know things like dishes and washing and just general domestic duties.  Why rush into getting them done when they would only need doing again in the not to distant future.  Save it for later and just do it once.

The new revised and updated me knows that awesome feeling of coming downstairs first thing in the morning and not having to fight dirty dishes while trying to make coffee/breakfast and packed lunches.  Having the dishes done straight after they are used does matter.  Hanging the clothes up straight away does matter as then there are less crinkles to be found.  Little simple things that I know just as many people struggle with as well as do without a second thought.  There are ways to just make it a way of life and then it stops being a chore.

Last week I spoke of how I was buckling down and starting to get serious.  With the return of work for hubs and school for the kidlets, it also meant the start of me maintaining our new way of life.  I was a little apprehensive to say the least.  I am so good at having such unreasonable expectations that I am forever setting myself up for failure.  Or at least I was.

I am rather pleased to say that come Sunday morning the house was still in pretty good shape.  And not as a result of Hubs having to do to much.  Sure there were a few days in the middle where things got out of hand.  But only just.  On the whole I really feel like I didn't let any balls drop, well at least not important ones, which is a bit of a cool feeling.

Only I am not going to get too carried away as there is still plenty of room for improvement.  If I look back at my list of ten things to aim for each day I struggle fail to get full marks on any occasion.  Which is ok.  Must remember baby steps and all that.  On the upside I finally got the car cleaned out and have maintained it rubbish free for a few days.  Fingers crossed this week I will get to give it a vac as well.

This week the thing I want to make matter the most is

The School Routine  

I mainly have Miss L in mind here but it won't hurt for Miss Z to start creating good study habits at an early age.  I think know how important it is to take the time to read with children.  To spend time playing word and number games.  Creatively practice the times tables and all that.

Now that we know what is going to matter to me this week how about YOU?

What are you going to make matter?

I hope that you will come and join in, it is super, super easy.

1. Have a look at your life 
2. Find something that you want to make matter a little more
3. Spend a week (or more) consciously making it matter a little more
4. Blog about it
5. Share the post here
6. Tell all your friends and get them to do the same, tweeting about it as you go

The School Routine

For my Me & YOU Monday, making IT matter this week, I have decided to concentrate on The School Routine.

This is Miss L's last year at primary school.  Next year she moves on to middle school and I want to make sure that she is adequately prepared in terms of study skills and habits.  There will be enough distractions as it is without having to find time to learn how to study and learn.

Miss Z is in year one this year and I am thinking that in order to avoid this last minute panic study thing I have with her sister I am going to start instilling the art of learning in her now.  Plus past experience has shown that if I want the big one to do things that she thinks are jobs or work or not fun then it is best to include the younger ones as much as possible.  She hates to think of the little ones missing out.

The School Routine is pretty straightforward really and based pretty much on common sense.  At the moment it is a case of some of these things happening some of the time.  I am making it matter so that all of these things occur all of the time (or at least close to it)

Be dressed and ready to leave the house by 8am.  This includes breakfast to have been eaten by all, including myself.  Lunches will also need to be sorted before this point and ideally beds should all me made and teeth brushed with the same to be said of hair.

After school homework, or at least reading, though preferably both, should take place.  Not wanting to be too pushy, this can occur after snacks and a bit of relaxation time.

Once hubs arrives home from work we are to set off for our evening exercise.  Followed by returning home for dinner, bath and bed all by 8pm.  (Sounds rather dreamy really)

There is no room here for morning television, and even afternoon viewings are to be strictly limited.

In some ways it all sounds rather easy, does it not?

In others though it is hard for this not to overwhelm me.

Especially when I think of all the other things that I secretly want to make matter as well.

Things that I am too scared to write or say aloud.  The ones between the lines.

Like all the mentions of food also come with an unspoken expectation of being super healthy this and best for you that.  

You know, all those extra pressures that mothers are so good at creating for themselves.  Some justified and based on past experience and some nothing more than a figment of their imagination.

The world will not end if these unrealistic and unachievable goals are not attained, but continual failure eventually gets hard to take.  However the joy of success is a wonderful thing.  It builds pride and strength and all number of things.  It is what drives one to try.

I need to make sure I keep my success rate high, so motivation is never lost.  So that I keep on keeping on.  Moving forward towards the brighter.  The place where this is all second nature and we are free to accomplish more.  Live more.

Getting a good school routine established early on in the term will set the precedent for the rest of the year.  Ensuring that the kidlets are rested and well fed will establish optimum learning potential during times of stimulation.

Have you got something that you want to make matter?  

Head here to join in

Brilliant, just brilliant

This year hubs and I are making a concerted effort to make life a little bit more fun. Rather than having memories that are only made on holidays we want to create that same fun feeling each and every week. Like most single income families we are on a relatively tight budget so what ever we do must be as free as possible.

Thankfully we all like the outdoors.  Things like going for a walk or a picnic or a spot of fishing are all big winners in our house.  Which is great as that fits easily into the afore mentioned tight budget.  This week's little adventure brought us here.


The plan being to have a picnic BBQ dinner and a spot of fishing. You can't see it from the photo (because I am too comfortable or lazy to get up) but there is a creek mouth just out of view. The chances of actually catching something are minimal but not impossible. Not that it really matters this is all about the experience more so than actually catching something.

My favourite part of the plan was the bit about hubs taking the girls while I cooked. I spent the afternoon making satays and a flan and a little salad. We have one of those little portable burners that I was going to cook with. Only stupid here left it at home. Yep you read right. We left it at home. How no one really is sure but that doesn't change that it happened.

Now home may only be ten minutes down the road but home is where it will be staying. You see it was later than we planned when we finally arrived which meant the 20 minute road trip to return with missing equipment would just make it too late. And quite frankly I just couldn't face the drive home. I have been on the go all afternoon creating said food that is now not getting eaten (at least not here). The thought of quietly sitting and watching the world pass me by was just to good to pass up.

I must say I do feel a little lazy though.  We could have ridden here but we didn't.  Partly because of time restrictions and partly because of exhaustion and not just mine.  As I sit here in my rather comfy camping chair, acting as if I don't have a care in the world and looking super cool blogging from my trendy new phone, I am  surrounded by lycra covered bodies exercising and taking the dog for a walk.

Can someone please get me another drink?

The amount of people here being active is just crazy, Like ridiculously crazy. Go them I guess.

ahhhhhhhh  (deeeeeep relaxing sigh)

Anyway this will be the perfect end to weekend that was.  It feels good to know we got lots of things done, had minimal upsets and on the whole a really nice time.

Joining in with Sonia's

Don't forget to check in Mondays for Me & YOU, Making it Matter

fairy wishes and butterfly kisses

Sunday Session - A little bit country perhaps?

This is only the second time I will be linking up with Thea over at Do I Really Wanna Blog? for her Sunday Session.  Last time was all the way back in October.  The response to it was great and I had every intention of returning but for whatever reason I never made it.  Actually I do know the main reason, I just couldn't think of songs to share.

So how did I manage to come up with something today?

Well as I was being little miss super prepared and preparing dinner at lunchtime I had the lovely new docking station pumping out a random selection from the playlist.  Which is generally how I roll, I can rarely decide what I want to listen to so I let the iTunes work it out for me.  Anyway that is when it hit me.  All I have to do is write down the next five songs that are played.  Brilliant right?

First cap of the rank was

I have loved this from the moment I first heard it as a child. One of my first cassette tapes was American Pie. The lyrics to Crossroads really struck me even back then and still do today

Next is

While I could happily listen to Kasey most days of the week I don't really all that often. So it is always nice when she pops up

Third spot this week goes to

Now I do believe I have previously shared my love of all things Kenny but this is by far one of my favourites and again can be traced back to childhood. I can't help but wonder why I wasn't more popular at school with all the cool tunes I listened to.

Which was followed by

This just goes to show how much Kenny is in my playlist to get two of his songs in a row even when shuffle is selected. I am a bit disappointed that there is no sight of him in this clip but oh well, can't win em all.

And finally, last but certainly not least


My love for Kenny is equal to that of Johnny so I am a bit pleased that iTunes kindly saved the last spot for him.

What about you? What are you listening to? Head on over to Thea and see what other great tunes people have picked this week.

Fresh Horses. Hand Writing

As you all know I like to keep abreast with what is cool.  And by all accounts Edenland is where the super cool crowds likes to be seen.  Only to happy to follow the crowd in this case I was particularly pleased to find that as of today she is host of a super new meme.  Which naturally has it's own button


This week the theme is handwriting.
I have a box full of all my old hand written journals.  I can't actually remember the last time I made the time to write by hand.  I am so busy trying to steal time away with Mac and now my lovely little phone that I don't even have time to think about the rapidly dying art form that is handwriting.
When I was in year four my hand writing was so terrible I was sent to see a specialist.  Apparently that had not always been the case though.  There was a time when my letters were neat and tidy.  All orderly and the like.  They are a little scrawly now.

Thankful Thursday - All Things i

In the dying days of holiday time hubs just insisted that we go and update my phone.  You see for a few months now it has driven him slightly insane that there is not an iPhone 4s in the house.  Hubs, bless him, doesn't like to keep up with the Jones, he likes to be them.  Or at least have way cooler gadgets than anyone else.  To be fair though he does not actually live out this desire nearly as much as he would like and I guess everyone is entitled to have dreams.

Back to my point though.

Around three days before the 4s was released, hubs actually went and upgraded to the relatively recently received iPhone 4.  For the past two years he had been the proud owner of of a 3G but like I said he likes to keep up with the times.  As a result of this upgrade I was handed his old phone.  Which kinda worked well because I was in dire need of a new one.

Originally I had been against all things Apple.  This was based on some crazy notion that I developed based on childhood arguments.  Slowly though as I began to see more and more of the wonders of Apple I am rather pleased to say I was quickly converted.  Even after only being an iPhone user for a few months I was in love.  I knew there was no going back.  I was so thankful to feel like I was part of a rather cool club.

Only my beloved new possession was beginning to show signs of failing.  It took slow to a whole new level.  I could do most things I wanted to, you know like tweet and check Facebook, just, as long as I keep tapping the screen to make sure it didn't time out and go to sleep.

Suddenly it hit me.

What would I do if my phone stopped working?  How could I ever return to an ordinary phone after having experienced the many joys of i?  I shared my fears with hubs, who concurred there was no way I should have to suffer with anything less than the awesomeness that comes with Apple or Androids.

It was about now that I saw a light pop on behind hub's eyes.  He had had an epiphany.

"Let's go to Telstra and get you a phone"

I was torn.

As much as I didn't want to lose the beauty of being an iPhoner I didn't want to cross over to the dark side that is Telstra.  Telstra has plenty of money, I don't see why they need any more of mine than I really need give.  In another lifetime I was a mobile phone retailer.  I started with Telstra but hated the fact to them I was merely just another numbered worker.  Before long the competition came and snaffled me up and I swore never to use Telstra.  Slowly over the years though, I have had to give in, as despite being thieving rascals at times they do offer some services here that no one else does.

Even now I still wonder how hubs managed to convince me.  He must have caught me in a moment of weakness or something.  He is good like that, always working out when I am least likely to say.  I sure am thankful that he did though.

You see the phone is much cooler than I ever expected.  And fast.  Oh so very fast.  Pages open instantly.  I can even actually surf the web, read blogs and what not.  I can even write and post to my own blog.  Though this is not as fail safe as using the computer since I have recently lost not one but two posts this way.  Live and learn though.

The real winner is the voice to typing feature.  I am not sure why but I just love it.  Like seriously love it.  Perhaps it is just the fact that I get to hear the sound of my voice saying something that almost sounds intelligent rather than the usual mum stuff I hear.  Unfortunately the translation isn't quite what I said but you can't win them all.  It is a great exercise in speaking slowly and clearly.

Oh and did I mention Siri?

She also is very cool.  As the Apple site states ask Siri to help you get things done.  Siri will send a text,  dial a number, put something in your calendar, search the web.  If you live in the States she can also give you directions to the nearest restaurant.  Actually that is about the only thing about her that annoys me, the way she tells me she can only search for locations in the US.

Now I know that on the surface this might seem like a sponsored post for Apple.  It's not.  I really do love my new toy.  It has been pivotal to the smooth running of the house so far this week.  It has helped to schedule housework, kids chores, fun times, and much more.  It has kept track of what I wanted to get done and what jobs the kidlets have completed.  It has also kept me off the computer as I have easily been able to check my mail here and there without getting distracted by the wonders of the Internet.  All of that is much to be thankful for.

I am thankful that we are in a position to walk into a shop and walk out with exactly what we wanted.  Without a single drama, hitch or problem.  I don't know why but I had expected it to be full of hassles.

I am thankful that the children have finally realised that I will not give into letting them play on it and finally stopped asking for me to do so.

I am thankful Kate hosts this wonderful meme each week.  It really is one of my favourite posts to write each week for many different reasons.  Head on over and see what others are giving thanks for this week.

What are you thankful for?