Things that Lisa Curry said. Well, the things I wrote down.

Last week when I went to Lisa's talk, I took notes. I didn't see too many people do this, one friend I was with did it too. I just remember things so much better when I write them down. I take notes everywhere I go. Such as meetings, talks, and everywhere where I would like to remember what was said. I would never be good at Chinese Whispers. 

So instead of re-typing I took photos of my notes which I will share with you. Most of it is common sense really, but for me it took a long time to start eating better. And if you want to lose weight, it's attributed to 80% of what you eat. It's that simple. Exercise as much as you want but if you are putting crap into your mouth, the results will be less than exciting. Fact. But I'm no expert, I only know what is feeling very right for me right now. If anyone has any links to a family/health focused blog, let me know. My favourite one doesn't blog anymore. Cheers big ears!! 

If you pop in, leave me a note, let me know what you think. 

I'm planning on making a new blog header, I'm pretty sure I know what I would like, I just have to work out how the hell to do it. I'm enjoying being back on the blog!! 

 If you have any questions about the mumbo jumbo I wrote down, just let me know. 

And if she is coming near you and you need some inspiration, please make sure you go and see her, fantastic.

I am getting better with being more grateful than not. I was a bit poor bugger me for a long time with our lifestyle. It's not for everyone. We are slowly getting there with the realisation that this is how it is. Keeping busy and to have a full life while Brenton is at work is definitely a good way for me to cope. I just can't sit around and wait and mope for those 13 days to pass until he comes home. I did that. I nearly lost my mind. So I keep busy. And keep grateful for all that we have… 

xx

Just stuff around here… (and scrapbooking)

Well well well, here I am again. 

This post is photo heavy so if you don't like that sort of thing, please call again another time… 

The bloody cutest dog at our address has also been digging the crap out of my beloved veggie patches which has had me quite despondent really. But Brenton and I (mainly him) built a fence around the patches, and so far *fingers crossed please* he has not made it in. With a big tentative yet attached to the end of that sentence. Loving it! Don't think he has even attempted to.

Yummiest lamb roast I've had for a looooong time. Jamie Olivers rolled shoulder from Woolies, I followed the directions and it was so good. I used some the next day to make a lamb salad and it was so so nice. Try one. You know you want to. 

Well, as if May didn't go by in the blink of an eye. CRAZY SHIT!! It is now officially Winter. 

Big inspiration for the week. Going to Lisa Curry last Monday night. I just loved what she had to say, just reinforcing a lot of things for me. It was a pity that more of the people who could actually really and truly benefit from what she had to say weren't there. Or am I stereotyping people. Anyways, she was so fantastic. I was in this photo, but I cropped myself out, but now I can't find the original pic to put up. So I've put my spunky friend here instead...

From Lisa's Instagram page.. True. 

It was my birthday last Tuesday. Family selfie in bed was an absolute must seeing as hubby was home for it this year. YAY!! 

And Mr Rocco had to be part of the shenanigans too.. Love the tongue in this pic… 

I was spoilt with gifts this year, and I truly love them all, so so grateful, but I was also spoilt with words too. So many of my friends wrote such lovely things about me, on fb, insta, private messaging and texting, I was reduced to tears more than once, and was truly amazed that they had such nice things to say about me. ME! I try to be a good person but it really hasn't been that long that I've actually started being kind to myself. That inner voice is much nicer these days, so I am starting to believe I am not too bad after all. I have daughters to raise so it's about bloody time I was kind to me! And to teach them that too. Very humbled. 

 Kathryn and I went to Lock on Friday night to go scrapping at the Shabby Chic Shack. It was so much fun! I had a ball. Just the conversations were funny, it was quite bizarre how they kept somehow coming back to me and my farting, quite uncanny as I didn't utter one little puff of wind whilst there!! LOL!!! A big thanks to Brigette and Karen, fantastic hosts!! And lots of fun to hang with Tiff too, I hope her opinion of me hasn't dropped too much since Friday night!! Heehee!! I'll be back for sure… Might try out the other accommodation though next time. A hot shower would have been nice!! 

The shack!

Hard at it with a cowbow co**sucker shooter. Thanks Tiff…

Had to stop at Macs Road on the way back, Kathryn told me to turn around, so I did…I love this pic!!

  

 I've eaten way too much junky food this week, I'm feeling like shit really, (including a block of chocolate in the last 24hours, whoops, oh well) so back on my healthy eating bandwagon with lots of cleansing, nutritious soups this week I think. Last nights was Chicken, Lemon and Spinach soup. Out of the Australian Healthy Food Guide again, it was a winner in my eyes. And then I ate chocolate. A lot of it, but now I've had a crack, and had my fill, I'm over it again. 

A bit of doggy love and adoration. 

Sneaky (but gorgeous) selfies on my phone. 

A bit of creating today in our playroom/scraproom. 

Photo booth fun today at the Bluebird Markets.

And I've scrapped. 

And loved it. They all speak for themselves but the last one, Date Night was done using the Jot Mood Board 16. I didn't use all the elements, but forgot how great it was to do a challenge. Whenever I've looked at a Jot Mood Board, I have loved them but never sat down to do one…  Please with the result anyway..

Jot Mood Board 16 challenge.

That's enough dribble for now, off to bed to read my book about a guy living in Bali and the criminal elements to life that happen over there.. I'm in love with Bali so will read almost anything.. LOL! I am enjoying it though. I love to read about the seedier side of life. I can't wait to go back in September.. 

xxx

If you change nothing nothing will change.

FAR OUT!! 

I love that saying. 

If you change nothing nothing will change.

If you've read my blog for ages, you would know I'm a bit of a gonna not a do-er, but lately I've been just bloody doing it! Lots of things in my life feel so bloody good right now. 

I signed up for Michelle Bridges to start in Feb, dismal failure, I think I lasted one week, school went back, Brenton had his operation, he was home for a month, talk about being thrown way off track. And to be honest I found Michelle's recipes way too hard. Too many little amounts of little things, it was painful to try and cook meals for myself.

Oh well, I moved along. I have been really conscious this year of the food going in, and the alcohol going in. I have cut back so much, I'm loving the clear heads that are a result, and really noticing that my body doesn't really like it too much. I've found one type cider that doesn't upset my tummy and other than that I'll drink vodka with soda water and lime. My stomach is telling me enough is enough.

I've been eating ok for most of the year but will still have a snitty at the pub, mainly for the chips!! Felt guilty but still ate it, and truth be told, probably still will here and there. And put up with the indigestion and heartburn from all that grease… 

Lately I've been cooking out of a mag I've seen around for ages, Australian Healthy Eating Guide, but only bought once before. To say I'm inspired is a bit of an understatement. Good, yummy, quick, easy meals. I can still have pasta, rice, not that I really crave those things, but enjoy them in the way they are used in the mag. I have hopefully inspired others on Instagram too. 

Here are some of the things I've made this week.

Find them in the latest issue.
 (the May issue, I just saw the June one today which also had a free back issue, woohoo)

Another thing that is making me happy, is having the hugest purge of our house. Why the hell do we keep so much 'stuff' Or is it just me? Too many bathroom products, platters, bowls, toys… crap crap crap. I wanted to sell a sideboard that was in our dining area so there was more room to move in there, I was able to clean it all out and I won't miss the space at all. That is crazy. I've sold a heap of stuff on buy swap and sell, and am putting the money away for another holiday to Bali! 

(that is another post, I LOVE BALI)

I cleaned out my pantry and threw the biggest garbage bag of food out. Out of date stuff like you probably wouldn't believe. And I have cleaned out my pantry not that long ago. Maybe not properly. Lexi's shoes, my clothes, the fridge, that drawer in the kitchen that we all have, you know the one. OMG I could hardly shut it. Pure bananas. And it feels so good. And I have heaps more to go. The list is still there. I should have taken before and after pics. I think it has helped that the weather has been so spring like, so the windows have been thrown open, candles and incense lit, music on, and I'm off like a rocket. Peter Walsh would be loving the shit out of me!! 

I'm loving my little job, it's the most minimal of hours, but I was sort of thinking it was a bit hard with Brenton away, The Family needed me, blah blah blah. Letting myself be a little influenced by other influential people in my life, when all of a sudden I thought, SHIT!! I REALLY LIKE THIS JOB!! And so I just went, I'M DOING IT!! I told the person that was a little bit in my ear to stop it, that I liked it, and that I was going to keep doing it, I love going down the street, grabbing a coffee, going into the paper shop, perusing the mags, saying hi to half the street, and going to work. I just really like it. I love the girls I work for, they are passionate, and I am there to help sell their wares!! So get your asses into Lincoln Kidz Wear. Some people seem to have the perception that it is expensive but it's not, the quality is so there, it's a local business supporting local people, and it's really heartwarming to see people pop in from up the bush, or in for a baby gift, all sorts of things. I love it! 

Exercise. I'm amping it up. I had been doing 2 PT's a week with KD since August last year and I have loved it so much, even though the night before I tell myself I don't want to go, and in the morning, I say  to myself, 'oh shit, i have to go to the gym' but it really is great, and I've started doing some things at home too. The gym did slide for a while while I put others first, but I'm back in a good rhythm with it now and loving it. I had Mia doing glute bridges tonight, and leg lifts, and she tried a hover. I think she thought they looked easy but she was laughing so hard when she realised she couldn't do them very well at all… I told her it's a good time to start doing a few little things, don't leave it til you are old like me. I'm feeling lean(er) and on my way to being strong. I like it. And I'm feeling very motivated at the moment. Must be something to do with the moon's phase, but I'm running with it. 

Me last week.

 If you stand up straight, and with your legs apart a bit, and hide your tuckshop lady bits behind your upper arms, it's all good! I'm getting there, slowly. I'm still 3-4 kg off the mark, just want to be stronger really. I don't want to run distances, I don't want to have muscles popping out all over the place. Just be fit and strong. 

Arty/craft stuff.

Still love crocheting. I have a huge Granny Stripe blanket on the go for Mia. I think that's why I'm going so hard in cleaning out the house, so that when winter hits and Brenton is at work, I can sit on the lounge, crochet and power watch all the tele series I have in the cupboard waiting for me. I have dreams of making a big quilt out of Lexi's baby clothes. And finishing the 986 part (not really that long but almost) quilting series I have bought from the newsagent in weekly instalments, actually only having completed 10 squares, one which needs re-doing, as it's crooked as. (why can't I sew in a straight line?) I still drool over scrapping, not that I do much of it, but i miss it, and am feeling mighty inspired lately by actually watching tutorials which I have never done before. Ahh Wilna Furstenburg, I'm in love with her style, easy looking but oh so clever at the same time. I'm slowly working my way through her youtube lineup of videos… Yummy stuff. I do believe I have bought quite a few new scrapping tools/accessories since watching her use them. Inspiring.. I've got a project life album on the go for my Bali photos. Over 800 pics in 10 days, you got me? Crazy! (Down to 300 for the album, including my favourite photos of my friend's and her daughter) What a magical place. I'm so excited that the portrait that I bought myself for my upcoming almost 40th but not quite birthday could quite possibly allow me to find and cut the perfect lettering for the Bali PL album.. And anything else I might fancy for it too! Very excited.

My garden has gone to shit.

 Rocco thinks it's his personal playground.. Dig dig dig. There are still some things surviving… I was really upset about the asparagus plants but two seem to have survived but don't tell the dog, he might go and dig them up tomorrow. He's tipped over a lot of my plants.. Some that I have had for years. Chews wood, chews toys, Lexi lost two pairs of mini havvies in a week. you just can't leave anything laying around like that outside. Brenton lost a pair too, they both left them outside somewhere where they 'thought' they were safe, but no place is safe. Not the edge of the tramp, not the middle of the table. I keep telling myself he'll grow out of it. And he will. One year. He's getting desexed next week, I'm not confident it will help calm him down but at least he won't be responsible for any offspring. He's lucky he's cute and doesn't talk back. He's my naughty little ragbag. But we all love him so much. Let's hope the desexing helps.. Can you all cross your fingers. The whole two of you that might actually read this? Funny aren't I! 

It has seriously been a long time since I have blogged, and I wondered why I didn't feel like it. I guess I just didn't have the urge, but I got it back today, let's see what happens. I do love blogs, and reading about people. People who are honest and open about their lives and what they are doing. We are all so different, and I love that. So thanks for reading my massive ramble, I am feeling good, I hope it lasts, I'm definitely on 'an up' at the moment and I don't want it to go down… My kids could be more loving to each other and Lexi's squealing is really pissing me off a bit, but hey, you can't have everything, can you?

xx

Escape 2 Create 2014 The Layouts

It's taken me a while, but here are my LO's from E2C. I haven't finished what I started at Kim's class, but I'll get there one day. Maybe.

Hope you enjoy looking at these, the one with Lexi with Mr Potato head is one of my favourites and also the one of Mia and Rocco at Myers Cutting. Special memories attached… 

Thanks for popping in.

Escape 2 Create 2014

This time last week, I was sitting in the scrappy shed at North Shields, well, scrapping!! 

Here is a round up of my weekend.. 

For me I think it was one of the best yet, but I say that every year. 

 Loving my mug!! I've used it a few times since I have been home, but really should pop it with the others. I have accidentally put one through the dishwasher once, it's not quite the same now. Those who know me well, would know that I'm a bit silly like that! 

 The shed! All decked out in gorgeous colours!! It's MINT!!! 

 Lots of detail in the hanging thingies!! 

 Champagne, a happy me, although Champagne and I aren't the best of friends, it goes straight to my head. Say no more. 

 Our table names!! Love that we are all pre-seated so all we have to do is arrive and sit! No worrying about getting the spot you want with the people you want! Love this aspect! 

 Two of the loveliest ladies! Meredith and Amanda welcoming us. Meredith is ever so good with the mike… 

 Getting ready to settle in and scrap.

 The yummy food that we ate. This exceeded all my expectations.. YUMMO!! 

 A mango dacquiri (spelling is wrong) Oh well. These were so yummy, I'll be stock piling mango for a couple of months before next time. The best little cocktail in town!

 The shed open, it was lovely and warm one night, so good to let the fresh air in.

 THE RASKOG!! I won this in the prize draw.. I'm really so so happy with this, I just can't believe it's mine!! Yippee!!!! 

The beautiful Celeste. I've followed her on Instagram for quite a while now and how fantastic it was to get to know her a little bit over the weekend, to talk scrapping and her fitness journey too!! A most motivated woman. And modest too!! LOL!! 

One scrappy doctor! I loved Natalie too, what a fantastic person. Achieving great things in her professional career and also her scrappy life. Works very hard at both. And has a husband and two littlies as well… Loved meeting Natalie!! And loved her class!!! 

Gina!! So so nice to meet her finally after seeing her around on FB and Instagram too. Gina was very nervous, but taught us fantastically and also such a creative person. I hope that we helped to calm her nerves in some small way, I felt so bad that she felt so nervous, I just knew she would be fine.. And she was.. We all loved her class!! I most certainly learned lots! 

Celeste teaching. A natural on the mike too! 

Mardi, I love you!! LOL!! I've always loved Mardi and was so excited to know she was coming again. Yes!! Mardi was sitting at the table behind us and every time she walked past me, gave me a little touch on my back!! I loved it, there's something about Mardi, let me tell you!!

A table of creative goodness. So so glad that Kate was able to come too, I didn't spend heaps of time talking with her, but I loved being able to wander over and have a little peek at what she was up to, Kate is also special to me as we both have a Heartkid, and she helped me more at that time than she'll ever realise. She'll forever be special to me!!

 I didn't get a photo of Kim teaching, but we also had a fantastic class with her. A gorgeous mini album and a project life spread. Two for the price of one. Kim drove across the country with her husband and daughter to be with us, a mammoth effort really. All the teachers travelled a long way, but to drive is huge, I know I would much rather hop in a plane, although it sounds like they made a little family holiday of it. I was horrified to learn that her husband and daughter stayed at the Pier Hotel, nice food and a good atmosphere on a Friday night when there is live music but to stay there, no way!! Another lovely lady, I didn't get to speak to her much at all, but am very thankful that she came for us. FOR US! It's a crazy thought. 

Another dinner. Too good. Really.

The mess, also fantastic to just leave things where they lie for a few days, and just trot off to bed and know that you can pick up in the morning where you left off.. 

Table buddies. My sister in law Anele, Liz, Celeste, Gina, Natalie and Me! Pretty cool table if you ask me!! Heehee!! 

And a top view of our table… 

A wonderful weekend, with such a beautiful group of women, I laughed and I cried, fat ugly tears when it was almost over. I felt emotional, probably the most emotional I have felt at a retreat so far. Connecting, re-connecting, talking, scrapping, admiring others work, dancing, eating fantastic food, drinking perhaps a little too much alcohol, but just filling my cup. It really does fill you right back up and help to remember who YOU are. My hugest thanks to Meredith and Amanda for yet again exceeding expectations, and basically arranging this weekend, putting so much into the behind the scenes so that we can all refill our cups.. 

Hurry up mini retreat. I want to go again!! 

x