More Things I Know About Running

Or lack there of.

I know that taking a break from running over the festive season and then suddenly expecting to still be able to cover the same distances in the same times as before the break is just ridiculously crazy.

I know that tomorrow I am probably going to be a little stiff and sore. Today was so much harder than what I expected.

I know that there were many benefits to my run tonight. One of them being able to breath in the beautiful salty air as the waves of the high tide crashed onto the rocks as the golden sun began to descend into the glorious ocean.


I know that I can't actually remember when the last time I went for a proper run was so it must have been at least two weeks ago I would guess. I could probably find out from my phone, but it isn't next to me right now and if I get out of this chair it is to go to bed.

These next few are actually on my original Things I Know About Running post. As much as I know them sometimes I forget to remember which is one of the reasons I am repeating them now.

I know that they really are the greatest reasons to make sure I don't let myself into the slump of not running again. It is awful and I don't like it.

I know that if I go too long between runs I get grouchy and grumpy. Little things that shouldn't bother me do start to do so. Which then of course leads to big things that tend to get blown up even bigger and before you know it there has been an explosion of epic proportions leaving us all worse for wear.

I know that I kinda like saying I am addicted to running, since you know it is so healthy and all, but I feel a little pretentious doing so. After all I am still such a newbie that sometimes I wonder if I really should even call what I do running. (If anyone knows of the speed that signifies the start of running rather than jogging or even walking, please let me know) The speed question is still open for suggestions by the way. The best I have yet is incredibly slow running ;)

I know that being able to notice a difference in my appearance has made me want to run more.  It has also made me just a little more conscious about how I fuel my body and what I put into it. All of which can only lead to more good.

I know that the only difference that I can notice in my appearance at the moment is one of increase. 

I know that the recent month has seen an over fueled and under used body.

I know that is all about to change...hopefully, possibly, maybe of course it will.

I know that I find it rather funny, that not 20 minutes after whinging over on my Facebook page about not being able to get a post out today...lo and behold a post! It is amazing what one can do when one sets out to do something.

If you know stuff you should totally go over to Miss Cinders and share all the stuff that you know, it seriously is the best way to get Friday underway. Not only that it is a great way to interact with some great blogs that you may not have already known about.

Since this post is kind of about fitness it will also link in with Fitness Friday over at Mountains and Musings

Tank Thursday

In a bid to get some feed back about this little old blog, I asked Mr Awesome if he had anything to share. In my wisdom, I thought that if anyone had some advice on how I could shake things up a bit it was him. After all who knows me better than him?

Let's just say that after the conversation that ensued I kinda wish I hadn't brought it up with him.

The essence of his critique was that I should loosen up a bit and just let go every now and then. Apparently, according to Mr Awesome's wisdom, I am too structured and formal. This applies to both my writing style and the type of posts that I published. I am also too opinionated and my posts feel more like a debate than fodder for a mummy blog.

His first recommendation was to get rid of being thankful on a Thursday. After all who wants to constantly read what you are thankful for? (His words not mine) I was going to point out that I hadn't actually done a thankful Thursday post since November but instead I decided to take all further comments he made with a grain of salt because clearly the regularity of his reading needs to be questioned.

Just as I was about to ask him what I should write about instead of being thankful, he pipped me at the post and said "Tank Thursday" would be a much better option.

"Tank Thursday???" I queried with a bemused look on my face as I sat on the edge of my seat waiting for his ingenious suggestion to be explained further.

"Yeah you know how in the footy last year there were teams accused of 'tanking' their game so they could get a better route to the finals? Do something like that on a Thursday instead of that thankful rubbish" he replied with a look on his face that looked like he had just made the greatest discovery ever.

"Hmmmm, I will take in on board" was about all that I could manage in response.

Mr Awesome then went on to explain that most other mummy bloggers covered topics very differently to me. They seemed to put their own spin on child rearing and it really wouldn't hurt for me to share a bit more about the raising the girls. He even went so far as to say that I should write more about any problems or uncertainties that I have and that way I could ask my readers for advice.

This was right before he started to lecture me on how I don't ask enough open ended questions and give my readers more of an opportunity to interact with me. Ending it with "you know like all the other mummy bloggers do"

At this point I couldn't take any more. I just had to know which mummy bloggers he was a regular reader of, because he was well and truly making himself like somewhat of an expert on the whole topic of mummy blogging.

"Gosh I don't know their names. I just read some the ones that you are friends with and comment on. though that Jess is pretty good" he eagerly responded.

"Yes she is..." I started to say before he cut me off.

"Yeah you should try and write more like her, her writing style is really easy to read, I like it a lot..." He began to babble on. Though I had stopped listening, my pride wounded, I found it hard to take much more in.

He is right of course, Jess is a great writer and always makes for a great read, I just kind of thought I was too. Only every time he spoke he made me feel less and less like it. It's not that he didn't say I wasn't a good writer, in fact quiet the opposite.

According to Mr Awesome my writing is of a too high quality for mummy blogger readers and that I should dumb my writing down if you will.

"Uh huh" was my meek reply. Unsure of how much more I could take. Thankfully though my saviour came in the form of a child inquiring when dinner would be ready. I don't think I have ever jumped up to feed them so quickly.

So dear reader what do you think, should I find a way to create a proper Tank Thursday? Where I get halfway through a post and then throw the rest away yet still publish in the hope of a better final outcome? Or should I just keep plodding along and pretend we never had this conversation?

This rather awesome post is linking in withsomegrace

Anything but a wordless Wednesday

Last year when I did a Wordless Wednesday post I would link it in with the Aussie Wordless Wednesday, hosted by Trish over at My Little Drummer Boys. Today however I am not really all that wordless so I would feel like a bit of a fraud, so there is no linking up for me.

Though if the truth be told there is also another reason.

As much as I love joining in a good linky party I have decided that this year I need to be a bit more selective. You see if I link up I generally don't just read one or two of the posts. If it is only a small, say up to thirty linkers, I will read all the other posts. Or pretty much all of them. As you can imagine that is a lot of blog reading when you think I link up almost every single post I write.

Sadly I just can't continue in such a way. I want to be a blogger because I want to write. As lovely as reading all the other great blogs out there is, it cuts into my writing time. I am sure you understand my dilemma.

One that is only increased by the fact I have some photos that I should have shared before Christmas and never got around to it. In fact until I was taking the Christmas decorations down I hadn't even taken the photos.

My mother is a knitter. Which is lovely, except we live in the tropics and wearing knitted clothes does not bode well in the tropics. So she knits other things.

Like totally cool toys

 

For Halloween she whipped up some little ghostly creatures, complete with ball and chain. There was also a witch with her cat and a little pumpkin. The three colourful mice are amongst Miss Two's favourite toys ever and the elephants keep her company when she visits Nan.

 

The painter and the green grocer actually been hanging around home for quite a few years now. There was also a clown once I think, but mum kindly donated him as a prize for a raffle.

But wait for it there is more. In fact it is because of what is below that I am even posting any of this. My incredibly clever mother knitted us the most loveliest advent calendar ever.

Each day we hang an ornament on a special little Christmas tree. If I weren't so particular about my big tree we could hang them there but the more trees the merrier I say!

Normal mistakes and sorting oneself out

With the first week of the year officially over now life is supposed to return to normal. Whatever normal is of course. For me true normal is still weeks away. Which in some ways I kind of like, though others not so much.

The most obvious way I am not a fan of this current faux normal is the absence of Miss Eleven. For whatever peace it brings, it leaves a twice as big gaping hole that I am done with. In fact we all are. 

Even the bird and dog are moping around.

please excuse the blurriness of this photo
the photographer is only two years old
so really not a bad effort.

What I do like about the delay in the return to normal though is the way it is kept at bay by the fact we are on school holidays until the end of the month. I do so love having all the children around. They really do make such wonderful company, well at least most of the time they do. They are far from perfect and are not always model material but that is all part of the fun of growing up. 

At the end of the day whatever they haven't learnt is because they haven't been taught. As a primary care giver that responsibility to teach falls largely, though not solely, on me. One that I at times wonder if I give due consideration to. Without of course beating myself up too much.

While I may not like acknowledging it, deep down I do realise that perfection is somewhat of myth. It is not possible for me to get everything right all of the time. In fact I may not even get some of this stuff right some of the time, but as long as I keep on trying and don't get discouraged none of it really matters. Well most of it doesn't.

Creating that image completely reinforced that for me as well. Man did I make some mistakes before I learnt how to do it. Though even now it is not quite what I wanted. In my head the curve in learning curve is a lot curvier. Actually it is a straight out arc. I made one perfectly in the fontwork gallery of Open Office but I couldn't for the life of me work out how to transfer it across to pixlr where have developed a little crush on graphic design. (As you may or may not have noticed due to the odd little change here and there of late)

Even though my previous attempts at having a year of something have not exactly been roaring successes, they have not been complete and utter dismal failures either. For example when I dubbed whatever year it was as year of the writer, I might not have become instantly signed up for a book deal but I am still here. Ever so slowly fine tuning my craft and getting the words to run just a little bit smoother.

I am told that all good things come to those who wait. So wait a wee longer I will.

This time last year lots of people were throwing around words that they hoped were going to steer them through the year. I didn't have a list as such, in fact I didn't even had one. For me I was all about making life matter. I wanted to be the best me I could and ra ra ra.

It all sounded so very promising. Even I was convinced. So convinced I went as set up a new blog that would document my journey. Naturally none of it panned out the way I thought it would when I first thought about it. It never does, and really I wonder if we are ever meant to really get things right the first time round. If mistakes really are all part of the learning curve then by rights we learn more if we get it wrong the first time don't we?

I don't know. It all seems to make my heard hurt.

I want to find something to help me have a focus the whole year through. Or at least the first few months. But I just don't know what. 

Any suggestions? 

What strategies have you in place 

to make the most of the year before you?

It is Tuesday and I have blogged. So have lots of others. They like me know that means only one thing

#IBOT Baby!

There is something I need to tell you

Hard to believe that the second week of the year is already upon us. For those wanting to wish your life away there are only fifty weeks left of 2013. Personally though I would rather not think like that. I want to regress to my childhood days where a year seemed like forever.

Isn't it strange how over time, time seems to pass much quicker. I am sure though before long, and right when I don't want it to, things will slow down and the days will drag on. Towards the end of Dad's day's you could see he felt they were dragging.

Today I am joining in with the ever so lovely Kirsty over at My Home Truths and the little linky that she hosts.

Which normally is all taken a bit tongue in check, but today has a rather serious undertone.

You see today I want to confess to something that bothers me quite a lot. It is an innate flaw of my being that I am not sure how to change. I am hoping that by coming clean and owning what I am, that I may actually be able to overcome this terrible affliction.

Deep breath.

For you see dear loyal and much loved readers, I am a quitter.

There I said it.

I am a quit-quitty-quitter.

And not in the I kicked a terrible habit in the bin kind of way either. No nothing as admirable as that at all. No I am talking about the I would rather toss it in the too hard basket and walk away not knowing than actually give it a go and see what happens kind of quitting.

Phew.

That actually feels a little better.

Though I am guessing it is going to take more than just publicly admitting to continually giving up to overcome this terrible affliction. I am open to suggestions by the way if you happen to have any.

For as long as I can remember I am all about starting, and starting all sorts of things, but I just never seem to get any of them finished. And I have had enough. More than enough.

Some six years ago one of my dearest friends had a baby girl. She asked me to be one of the fairy godmothers. I was over joyed. So much so that I went and started a beautiful Tinkerbell cross stitch. One that is still patiently waiting to be finished as I quit doing it moments before reaching the finishing line.

Three years ago I started making cane baskets and Christmas gifts and two years ago I got a heap of beads and balls in preparation of necklace making. Only none of it happened because I gave up, almost before I even began.

Did you know that I have two half degrees? Not one whole one mind you just two half ones because I am a quitter. Twice over in this instance.

Needless to say new years resolutions and I just don't get along either. I have had the year of the writer, the year of trying, the year to make it matter all without a whole lot success. They all start out with the grandest of plans that manage to fade away to a big fat nothing. Perhaps this year should be the year of quitting?

Are you a quitter?

Have you got a confession to make?

Feeling a little pleased with myself

Today has been a fantastic day. One that saw next to no upsets and lots of fun and laughter.

We started the day off bright and early down at a local man made lake known as Lake Alexander. Mr Awesome's mum gave us an inflatable kayak for Christmas and we were ready to take it on it's maiden voyage.

Being the active campers that we are we are fortunate to have a high flow pump that plugs into a car cigarette lighter. 

This meant that our four meter kayak was inflated in only a matter of minutes. It is a seriously cool pump. Our queen size air mattress is up in well under five minutes. It was an absolute blessing on our road trip to Cairns. After long day of driving we were able to have tents up and beds made in under thirty minutes.

Back to the kayaking for now though.

It was so much fun!

And easy too! Though my arms may be feeling a little extra tired as I sit here typing tonight.

Nothing like a selfie.

Raking the whole front natures strip yesterday may also have something to do with that as well though, but that is a whole different story.

After we got home I then jumped on my deadly treadly and pedalled my way over to my mother's house to help her with an overlocker drama that she was currently faced with. I believe the Daughter of the Year officials are on the way as we speak.

Dinner was another slow cooker wonder and all incredibly easy. Followed by two little girls falling off to sleep almost exactly as they are supposed to. Hard to believe that it could get any better really, but it does.

On top of that I designed myself a new header for the blog

With #DPCON13 only 72 days away I really need to decided on an appearance and what not so as to be able to organise a business card or two. As clueless as I may be I know enough to know if I want to even be considered as a serious contender for anything, then a business card and streamlined identity are not a bad idea.

Sigh.

All in good time I guess.

Joining in with

Instagram Weekly

Hello and welcome once more to the new year. The first week of which is nearly up which means we will no longer feel obliged to reference the new year. Thanks to the lack of connection in the final weeks of 2012 and being very busy with the whole Christmas and family thing it has been quite some time since I last played along with Tina.
So without any further ado here are my recent additions to Instagram


Not long after finally getting my phone back and working I found myself with five minutes to spare so I headed to one of my favourite places. As luck would have it there was a bit of weather passing through as well. Pure bliss I tell you.


This is a double frangipani flower. It makes me smile no end. It is one of the first things that I was ever able to successfully steal and grow. Not that I stole it so much as took a cutting without asking from a public place.


This is what they look like on the tree. They are too high for me to get any better.


We celebrated the new year at our besties house. We made ginormous vegetable pizza and cooked it in the weber. Oh so yummy!!!


This is one of those photos where I was sure it was to receive a whole heap of likes. As it turned out it was a photo that reminded me not everyone see things the way I do.


If you want to know more about this one then you need to go here to read about it.


Seriously, how do I manage to squeeze the 2kg bar of sugar into the 1.75kg container? Obviously I am just awesome, well, at least that is preferable to the I am getting ripped off option!


Miss Two asked me to take a photo of her three little mice. Her super clever Nan made them and they are greatly loved and played with. Not to mention super cute.


These little beauties were made by Miss Two and I. It was all a spur of the moment thing really. She was watching me put the flour away when she said
"Me crack eggs, you mix milk, lets bake"
Sadly we didn't have any icing. But thankfully they were yummy enough without it.


This was the view from my back yard Friday night. I really do love a good sunset.

Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses

Things I Know - A rather random collection

Normally I like to have a bit of a theme to the Things I Know. Or at least a common thread that ties everything all together.

This week there is none of that.

In fact this week the first thing I know is that the only thing that any of the things I know I have in common today is the fact that I know them.

I know that the "rules" of blogging generally say you should only post once a day and that I have already posted today.

I know I say rules schmules. Writing another blog post is a much more appealing option than the housework. Plus sometimes (not often) I feel a little rude linking the one post up to two different hosts. This week both my favourite Friday memes can have their own post. After all it is the new year.

I know that not having to fight with Miss Eleven regarding her bedtime for the next two weeks is the silver lining to her going away.

I know that I love all the people who have decided to start year long projects. Denise, Thea and Tracey I am thinking of you three in particular.

I know that I am pleased to have started The Happiness Jar

I know that the fact Mr Awesome's happy for yesterday was coming home to a cleaner than normal house, signifies that I should perhaps try just a little harder in that department on a more regular basis.

I know that is probably not going to happen.

I know that baking these little beauties was a great idea. I just wished I had of checked I had something to ice them with first. Can't win them all I guess.

I know that I am quite looking forward to seeing how the internal M&M's work out in the muffins.

I know I wish Mr Awesome didn't have to work tomorrow (again). As lovely as the extra money may be, it would be pretty nice to have a whole weekend without work.

I know that I need to increase my understanding and patiences when dealing with my mother.

I know that is easier said than done.

I know talking to one of my dad's old friends yesterday was incredibly emotional. Not just cause it reminded me dad was no longer here (not that I actually forget) but because she is about to embark on the journey that is fighting cancer. Thankfully at this stage it appears as if she will only need radiation treatment and not chemotherapy.

I know my sister having to postpone her visit for two weeks is beyond incredibly sucky. We were all so excited about it. Especially since it meant her bubba, my nephew, would have been here for his first birthday celebrations.

I know that there is much I want to change about the blog. Graphics I want to create, things I want to do, ideas that need to come to fruition. What I don't know is how to find the time to make it all happen. Suggestions please?

I know that is is probably enough for one post and you should head on over to the lovely Miss Cinders and check out all the things everyone else knows

2013 The Year of ?

Everywhere I turn at the moment I seem to see people who are busily sharing how awesome they intend to be for the new year. There are all kinds of whiz bang promises and hopes flying all around. From eating no chocolate, to exercise more, to be kinder to oneself and others around, and everything in between.

It seems there is no denying that with the New Year comes resolution time.

Naturally this is a bandwagon that I tend to jump on as well. Especially in recent years. As a blogger I almost have an obligation to publicly share what I will successfully not do this year.

Back in 2011 I dubbed it the year of trying. This saw me try new things that caused me to try and step outside my comfort zone. I tried making new friends and being more social. I tried writing more and I when I thought about it, I tried to be the best person I could be. All very admirable I know but if I am honest I am not sure I tried as hard as I could. I rarely seem to, which was kinda why I thought I should dedicate a whole year to it.

Turns out last year was the year to make it matter. I say turns out because on Wednesday when I wrote about this time last year I was unable to find anything that remotely resembled my resolutions for the coming year. Which I found more than a bit strange.

As much as I may fail with the whole resolution commitment thing, I do generally give it at least some thought each year. I was sure that I had written somewhere in the new year of 2012 what wonderful things I envisioned for the year ahead. Only I couldn't seem to find it. The best I could come up with was a reflection on the discoveries of 2011.

Scratching my head I decided there was no point going over it any further as I still had this year to figure out.

Which naturally I still haven't done.

This post was supposed to help me nut out some fine resolutions, ones that I had little to no chance to fail at. I just don't see the sense in setting myself up for failure. I am quite good at not getting things done as it is, without adding any extras in.

In the process of trying to spit this post though all I have done is furrow my brow as my fingers struggle to type anything that seems to actually make sense.

I want something that I can take with me the whole year through.
Something that I won't lose interest in.
Something that doesn't need to much of a commitment.


In case you hadn't already picked up on it I am not the commitment type. To anything. Except for Mr Awesome, the kids and a couple of nasty habits I would not rather admit to publicly just yet. Actually speaking of Mr Awesome and commitment. The Australia day weekend will mark ten years since we first went on that magical date which saw us cement our undying love for each other.

Just thinking about it makes my heart swell and beat a little faster. Even after an entire decade of being in each others arms I can believe it is all real. Every day I am thankful for being blessed with his love and the ability to love him back. Even in the deepest darkness I can still see his light and know that all will be alright.

But I digress. Back to the year 2013.


Back to trying to find a theme to make matter for 2013?

At this stage all I have got is this

 The Happiness Jar.

Each night we all write out what was the happiest part of our day and pop it in the jar. I am sure you have seen plenty of others pledging to do the same. Such a brilliant yet simple idea.

Rather than keep it all to myself it is something I have shared with the whole family. I had wanted us to have our own jars but everyone else thought it best if we just share. Which is good really because the five jars did take up a bit of room which our little shoebox of a home just doesn't have.

So it has been a truly beautiful experience. I love the way that Miss Six has embraced it so warmly and delights in writing it out herself. Though she has put her own twist on it and wants it to be about what she wants to remember most from each day. Which is kind of nice as well.

What are you goals, hopes and plans for 2013?

Do you actually have any or are you like me 

and just winging it for now?

Flogging my blogging with Grace and the crew over at  withsomegrace.com

This time last year

I didn't write a blog post, well at least not on the 2nd of January I didn't. I don't know why. I can't recall what I may or may not have been doing. All I do know is whatever happened it obviously wasn't blog worthy. I did however share some of the discoveries that I made in 2011. Which in 2013 seems like so long ago.

It kind of got me thinking to what discoveries I made in 2012.

Sadly I didn't exactly get a plethora of ideas run through my head. Mind you that might be based on a few outside influences. My eyes are dry and sore, my head is trying oh so hard not to pound and while it is *only* 10.30pm I feel utterly exhausted.

It was a big day at the office today. One that I pretty much have to switch to auto pilot to in order to get through it all. Miss Eleven went to spend some time with her biological father. 

Ouch.

Even just typing those words causes my head to feel like it wants to implode. I carry much guilt about choices I made in my early twenties. I try not to because ultimately they brought me to where I am today and with that I am truly happy with. It is just some of the pit stops along the way I could have done without.

So why am I here when bed would obviously be a much wiser choice? (Though I can hear Mr Awesome saying when is bed not a wise choice)

The main reason is because it is the new year. A point in time when hopes are held high. Where dreams are big and anything is possible. If even for only a fleeting moment.

People the world over make elaborate promises, plans and elect to rise to any challenge. Many of which turn out to be nothing more than completely unattainable goals.

Resolutions and I have never been friends. My expectations always soar to ridiculous heights.

Though it has been around three years since I last had a cigarette. Same for Mr Awesome as well. I am so incredibly proud of his efforts. It wasn't so much of a new year thing though as it was just the right time, because that is the best time controllable changes like that can be made. When the time is right.

Of course the other option is to just sneak them in but you need to have your wits about you with that one. Every time I think I have snuck exercise into our regular routine something comes along and blows it out the water.

One thing that I am always trying to do is write more. Which is the correct answer to the why am I here question earlier.

Not that I have set myself up any goals or hopes or resolutions or anything like that but I would hate to think that in a week or so when I finally get around to it I have have taken away my opportunity to blog every day for a month.

So now that is out of the way

 it is off to bed I go.    

Stay tuned though, I do have some grand plans in coming posts.

Hello New Year

I came to the computer hours ago to finish my last post for the year and start the first for 2013. Eventually I got the former out the way and after much stuffing around and what not, it appears as if I have finally started the later. Though I already know it will not be the post that I really want it to be.

When I first thought about this post, well over a week ago, I had planned for it to be one full of inspirational goodness. Something that would get both you and I off our computer chairs and living life to the fullest in 2013.

Sounds great doesn't it?

Sadly that post is not quite here yet. Mainly because I am off living life and trying to make the most out of the last day of 2012. Actually making the most is perhaps a bit of a stretch. A more accurate description is trying to cram in all the things that have spent weeks (or even months) waiting to be done.

In between all of that I am trying very hard to ignore the fact that the day after tomorrow (which is now actually tomorrow as you are reading on Tuesday and I am referring to Wednesday) will see me put Miss Eleven on a plane to go and visit her biological father. Who I would dearly love to refer to as the sperm donor but don't because that is insensitive to his feelings and I don't want to do that. Because regardless of what may or may not have happened in the past between us, he has always tried to remain involved in her life.

Not that, that actually makes sending her off to him any easier. For all the bedtime turmoil and arguing about putting the dishes away and whatever else she may do that drives me to distraction, I am going to miss her like crazy. I always do. So crazy that it actually makes me feel a little sick to even think about it.

As I type my stomach has started to churn and there is this pounding lump growing in my chest. From there it will make it's way to my throat where it will inevitably get stuck and I will feel like I am choking for the next little while. I can't believe that it has come around so quickly again. I really do hate this time of year.

Where was I?

Oh that's right, getting ready for Tuesday and IBOT while saying goodbye to 2012 and Miss Eleven. Though Miss Eleven's goodbye is only for two weeks so I should just suck it up and get on with it.

Sigh.

Of course much easier said than done.

Anyway it is Tuesday and I have blogged.

You should too, then you can join in all the fun that is #IBOT. 

Head on over to Essentially Jess for all the details and to meet the newest members of the awesome TeamIBOT

Life without connection

It has been a busy couple of weeks here. As I suspect it has been at most places. It is after all one of the busiest times of the year the world over. Of course you have no idea just what I have been up to because the universe decided that I was to have some time out from the technological world.

Source

It all started the Saturday before Christmas. Some lovely friends from interstate had dropped in for a visit. They have a daughter five weeks younger than Miss Six. The two were tummy buddies, sadly though they never got to spend too much time together on the outside before the move was made.

Anyway they are visiting their old stomping grounds for Christmas and had popped in for a swim to cool down, only with them came a rather large electrical storm. Needless to say the swim was postponed. While we waited for the storm to pass I went to put the kettle on for a cuppa. It just so happened that as I touched the tap, lightning struck somewhere rather close by. I got the shock of my life as I felt the electricity travel up my arm and out my shoulder.

At the same time as this the lights went out and the power surged. It was all very exciting (for want of a better word) till we discovered that the modem no longer turned on and my shoulder throb for the next two hours.

Our Internet provider supplied us with the modem and are sending out a new one which normally takes three days. Apparently over the festive season though this may extend to three weeks. Or at least it feels that way.

To begin with I was not too fussed about the lack of Internet. I still had some access via my phone and not having wireless was just one less thing to argue with Miss Eleven about. However on Sunday when I dropped my phone, smashing the screen and rendering it useless I started to feel a little closed in as social media and all the Internet contains was quickly and almost literally slipping through my fingers.

Despite it being Christmas Eve I traipsed all the way into the city to the phone repair man. You can only imagine my excitement when I discovered he was closed until the 27th. Three whole days away. My mind began to boggle trying to come to terms with no phone for three whole days. It already felt like an eternity.

Being a silver lining lover I decided to run with the notion that disconnecting was a good thing. Because let's face it, it was. As much as I missed not sending mass texts messages of joy, goodwill and love, I did enjoy just chilling with my girls and living in the moment.

Towards the end of the three days I realised I could put my sim card in the iPad. This did give me access to most things but, just between you and me, I liked not feeling the need to constantly be checking in. Plus Miss Eleven's constant complaints about not being able to check in with her Facebook friends made me realise just how involved this house had become with social media, the Internet and the like.

Once I had dropped the phone off at the repairers though I was more than keen to retrieve it. Waiting all day for it to be ready felt like forever. I was so pleased to be able to race in and pick it up, five minutes before closing time. I did think it was strange the way it kept saying 'searching' but my sim card still wasn't installed so I didn't think much of it.

I wish I had of because putting my sim card in didn't fix the problem. In fact there was nothing I could do to fix it myself. Mr Awesome kept saying to check in with what Google had to say but I was just too distraught to think straight. I was fine with a short imposed break but I was just about at the end of my tether by now.

When I took it back to the repairers the next day it took them all of two seconds to fix and show me how I could of *easily* done the same. Or I could just not smash it to smithereens in the future. Though my elation was short lived because it was my mother's birthday and there was no way I could do anything other than spend the day fussing over her.

Imagine my excitement when late on Friday night, nearly one whole week without my phone, I finally get some time to sit down and flitter about social media. Imagine that excitement fading faster than a setting sun when I get a text telling me I have reached my data limit for the month.

Suddenly human implosion seemed very possible.

Then to top it all off, just as I began to get into a slight flurry over how I would be able to be ready for the first IBOT post of the new year, Mr Awesome informs me that we still have an old dial up modem that would give a slow connection to the Mac.

SERIOUSLY.

Deep breath and lots of them.


-fairy wishes and butterfly kisses

Things I Know About My Blogging in 2012

It is hard to believe that the dawning of 2013 is nearly upon us, bringing to a close the year that was 2012. Weeks ago Grace mentioned that her Flog Yo Blog Friday for today would be a reflection on the year. A month by month blow of what went down. She hoped that others would join in, hence all the notice and stuff.

When I read it I got excited. I love having a bit of an idea to get me started. Plus with all the notice it was something I thought I could have already and waiting to go come Friday morning. Naturally though this is not how things panned out and Friday morning came without sight nor sound of a post being anywhere nearly ready.

In fact last night when I was wrapping presents, (which I naturally had to take a photo of and share on Instagram because I am a wrapping ninja and all), I was totally considered just putting up a post saying

Sorry I am busy wrapping presents and waiting for the world to end, no FYBY or TIK for me this year. Merry Christmas and thanks for reading

Or words to that effect.

Only where is the fun in that? Plus given that I am a self confessed linky junkie as if I could really not join in on the last ones for year?

I know that January saw me join in the Photo A Day Challenge for the first time. I didn't quite get every day. I did try again in February and managed even less. I gave up after that. I think that my favourite post for the month was this one on body image

I know that February was an awesome writing month for me. Or at least I thought I did some awesome writing in that month. After much thought, and re-reading I have decided that my favourite post is one called Sometimes I Forget to Remember

I know that March is one of my all time favourite months. Each and every year. Celebrating my birthday probably has something to do with that. This year was one of my best birthday's ever! Despite my initial doubts. As for my pick of the posts for this month? Well it would have to be I Think I Thought I Knew. Sums me all up right there I reckon.

I know that April saw me still flying by the skirt tails of my birthday. The height of my excitement was sky high when I when sky diving. Mr Awesome got me a tandem skydive for my birthday. It was truly awesome (as is he).

I know that May was a really hard month. I wrote little and seemed to spend a lot of time in Struggle Town. I don't like there. Not many people do actually. Too many people seem to spend too much time there. Mind you it is all just part and parcel of being a mum some days I guess.

I know that June was another quite month on the writing front. I also know however that June was the month that I really felt more like a writer than ever before. I was given the opportunity to interview Karen Seebohm. Mother of Olympic champion swimmer Emily Seebohm. She shared with me what it was like to raise a champion.

I know that July saw me write my two post read post ever. The first is about friends and coffee. Turns out there are lots of us that would like more of both. The second was an interview with Eamon Sullivan's mum. I know that interview made me feel all kinds of special.

I know that August was a fantastic month. Or rather there were a couple of days in August that were rather awesome. Like the day someone offered to take me the Kenny Rogers concert after reading this post. Oh man what a night that was.

I know that September was when we went on our road trip to Cairns. Best time ever. My baby sister married the man of her dreams and it was all just too beautiful for words. I am so thankful to have such a wonderful woman in my life.

I know that October is my least favourite month ever. If it were possible to rewrite the calendar and exclude October I would. Of course then Mr Awesome wouldn't have his birthday, but I am sure he would adjust. I know that I thought I was all kind of awesome when I tried to take on the big issues and discussed bullies and freedom of speech.

I know that November was supposed to be all about fiction writing. I also know that I didn't write nearly as much as I thought I would. In fact all in all it was a dismal effort on my part. I still live in hope that I will get round to using all those lovely ideas that I was provided with. November was also the month that the diary closed and mo's were grown

I know that I am glad it is December. December is all about good times with family and friends. It was also the month that I had this post featured in the Digital Parents weekly newsletter. Made me feel all kinds of special.

And there you have it ladies and gentlemen. A summary of all that has gone down here at A Parenting Life in 2012. While I still have your attention, thanks so much dropping in. Especially those who keep on coming back. Fingers crossed that many first timers will quickly become greatly loved returns.

Wishing all my fellow floggers and knowers the very merriest of Christmas wishes and the happiest of happy new years. May your dreams come true and you never feel blue. May your days be filled with love, laughter and loads of fairy wishes and butterfly kisses.

The Indoor Play Centre Thing

As I sit here I am trying not to cringe. As one generally does when one finds oneself in circumstances that are less than favorable. Perhaps if the noise levels were not quite so high I would not be so on edge. Sometimes I wonder if I have super sensitive hearing because I often feel things are too loud when others don't.

Why does children having fun have to be so darn noisy anyway?

In all my eleven, nearly twelve years of mothering I have never really got the whole indoor play centre thing. Needless to say it is not something we partake in all that often. Which is good because when we do go it makes it all the more special.

Today is one of those special days. We were supposed to be catching up with some friends who will be leaving town in a few weeks. Only stupid here got the day wrong so if I want to see my friends I get to come back and do it all again tomorrow.

Oh yay.

What I don't get is how parents, mainly mothers going by those currently in the room, can justify regularly paying to sit and watch their children run around and scream under the pretense of having fun. The park pretty much has the same effect only it is free and outside. Which means the whole noise level factor is much easier to deal with as the excess sound can escape into the big open spaces.

Of course on days like today

Where big black clouds fill the sky park play may not be everyone's cup of tea.

Back to the indoor centre.

Everyone here seems to sit with their faces in pain, sipping coffee that based on facial expressions one could only assume was bitter and awful, while the fruits of their loins run havoc and try to break sound barriers.

Have I mentioned the noise?

There are eleven tables currently occupied. All but two of them are by women sitting alone. One or two are idly flipping through the newspaper. A few are engrossed in their phone. I wonder how parents survived this prior to smart phones. All look like they want to be anywhere but here. Which I totally get. I want to be anywhere but here as well.

So why do they come?

Why would you purposely choose to come and sit in a room full of people and be on your pat malone? To me it is nothing short of torture. I am well aware of my loneliness and I don't really need to be surrounded by people who are clearly in the same boat.

Sure if all these lonely people began interacting with each then that would be a different situation. But they don't. Everyone just seems to sit there looking around, staring mindlessly into space, all the while ensuring eye contact with each other is never made.

Or maybe it is just me? Maybe I have it all wrong. Maybe for all these other women this is their alone time. Or their fun time. Or their something that I just don't get. I certainly don't get how a mother could bring her days old baby into such a place. Each to their own I guess.

-fairy wishes and butterfly kisses

All I Want For Christmas

Is to be famous.

No not really, but I could certainly handle being a little more well known so please feel free to share and tweet with all your friends.

Source

A little while ago Essentially Jess shared with her #IBOT faithfuls her Christmas wish list. She then tagged the lucky five blogger of the mo's to share their own Christmas desires. From there, there has been a tagging frenzy that has seen some of the most heart touching Christmas wish lists ever.

Santa sure has his work cut out for him. In case you are interested a few of my favourites can be found at

iSophie

Take Charge Now

With Some Grace 

The Crafty Expat 

Handmade Tears and Triumphs  

Always Josefa. 

Anyway the very very lovely Kirsty over at My Home Truths, thought it would be nice if I share with one and all my heart's desires this festive season. As I started pondering over this I began to wonder if I had taken the time to do a similar list last year. Turns out I had. It is interesting to see how things have changed, yet also stayed oh so the same.

I am rather glad though that this year I don't feel so much of a need to get Santa to change things about me. Like a new haircut and clothes. I am still totally in love with my new do that I got at the start of November. Though part of me wants to go back to the hairdresser, just cause she is such an awesome kind of lady.

So what do I want this year?

I would really love for someone to

My airplane ticket has been purchased, accommodation is sorted. The last teeny tiny detail left to sort is the ticket to the conference itself.

If by chance you are interested in helping me out in that department, I promise you would get your monies worth. Your brand would be mentioned left, right, and centre from now until well after the said event. Ok that may be a slight exaggeration but I do assure you a fair deal and value for money. Feel free to check out my advertising page

While I am making crazy bloggy wishes, I would also like to be able to just drop everything and write the moment the urge hits. Regardless of dishes that may need doing, washing waiting to be hung or hungry mouths waiting to be fed. They could all just be put on the back burner the instant I am inspired and have something to say. They could also just wait there patiently for me till I was done and ready to return from the realm of writing.

Sigh

One of the things that hasn't changed over the last twelve months is my ability to keep house. Or perhaps lack there of. Since I didn't get my desired visit from Mary Poppins last year I am going to try for something a bit different this year.

This year I wish for a

Cleaning Fairy

How awesome would that be? Even if she was just a dishes fairy I would be over the moon. 

Of course I can hear Mr Awesome reading this and saying that rather than a fairy, or her magic wand, which would be my next request if a fairy were unavailable I should just give in to his desire for one of these

Source

But I just don't want one. And besides you still need some fool to constantly pack and unpack it. Don't need one of them if you have a cleaning fairy now do you?

Next on my Christmas wish list for 2012 is for breast cancer, actually all cancer, be a thing of the past. In the past week I have heard of two beautiful women diagnosed with this dreadful disease. Breaks my heart. I know that they are both two super tough cookies and will take this battle head on, but I also know I would rather they didn't have too. I wish that no one would have to.

But sadly that is just not the way the world works. At least not at the moment.

One thing I do really really really want is for my girls to have happy and full lives. Ones where they know not of serious worry. Are free from serious harms, including the likes of school yard and cyber bullies. Ones where they feel nothing but love and give out nothing but kindness and compassion above all else.

And my last wish for this year is that my book was more than just a concept in my head. More than just jumbled words floating around in the vacuum space of my mind. More than just a heartbroken memory that I once had on a dodgy usb stick. 

So there you have it, all I want for Christmas 2012. Gleefully joining with a brilliant little post that quickly gathered momentum over at Essentially Jess. 

Who just happens to be the hostest with the mostest for Aussie blogging's favourite Tuesday link up #IBOT! 

Which of course this post is joining in with, because it is Tuesday and I have blogged! Not only that but I just love a bit of comment love, makes sure you are out sharing as well.

Oh and since this is the last IBOT for the year I would like to wish all IBOTters a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May they both be filled with fairy wishes, butterfly kisses and plenty of cheer.