Flora on Friday

 

 ♥ 

365 Week 52+1

 

♥

365 Week 51

 

♥ 

This week on the web..... 6-1-15

 

Image Via The Storyline Blog

I loved this: The Power of Our Stories

I thought this could be a fun exercise: Letters to my future self especially for Merenia or Kieran though I think he'd be less likely to do it. Of course you could just do it without spending the $20. :-)

I enjoyed this article about the Sydney Siege: The Lone Dickhead

Kids who eat the same food as their parents are healthier.... no surprises there.

From Summer Tomato: It's not shallow to care about how you look.

I liked this quote from John Richmond on the Storyline blog:

"I think it matters what we choose to treasure up and ponder in our hearts: treasuring problems leads to anxiety, treasuring hope yields joy."

Looking for a One Little Word for 2015... here are some ideas to help find it.

What about for the kiddos?

Or would you prefer resolutions? These ones for families are pretty good.
And here's Gretchen's 13 ways to help you keep them.

Exercise: 10 minutes... only one or two hard out?

Teacher Tom: Six Things I loved what he said about the Magic of Christmas.

I liked this concept of giving teenagers words to use from Glennon.

7 Things Happy, Healthy People Do Every Morning - I am wondering if anyone has some suggestions of something positive and easy to read each morning?

I am looking at getting: 

Daily Joy  for me

365 Days of Wonder as a discussion point for the kids.

27 Simple Things to Start Doing for Your Happiness- 27 is a long list I narrowed it down to 15 for me... some are just reminders though really.... it's always good to come across things on a list like this that you have under control. :-)

How about changing your life with mini habits? 

You can tell from my reading list that I have been doing a lot of prep for the new year... you can have a fresh start any day you want, but I think there's something special about January.  Wishing you a Happy New Year... with lots of good reading.

Start here with Star-stretched Hearts

By Natalie Wise

♥

Round-up~ December

Enjoying....
L- The things they carried, Unforgiven, Almighty Johnsons, Good Wife, First Contact
G- Next Magazine, Hyperbole and a Half, Kids are Weird, Survivor, Good Wife, Serial, First Contact
K- Survivor, American Football, Pokemon
M- Lemony Snickett, Triple Fault, movies.
W- Lego Heroes, Lego Heroes and um Lego Heroes
T- Play School, Ben and Holly, Timmy Time


Well that was fun...
Kieran went to Lazer Tag with Corey driving him. Glenys came for a week. Kieran hung out with Nadya a few times. We took Glenys to Ikea. We took Glenys up the Swan Valley and to Whiteman Park. Will had a sleepover at Roberts and they went to the Paddington Movie. Les took Glenys to Fremantle. Les, Glenys and the little boys went to the Camel Farm, Volcano Park and Belmont Pools. We played cards against humanity with Glenys x2.  Merenia had a concert for music. Les tok the boys to the Ray Owen for bike riding practice. Nadya came to watch Kieran's last game of summer Hockey- we all got Frozen sprites. Will had a year one and two class party. Merenia performed for the teachers with the Guitar ensemble. We went to Adventure World for the work family Christmas. Kieran, Nadya, and Cory went and watched Perth play Adelaide at the basketball. Tama had his last Storytime at the Library. We went and watched the LPS school concert. Will turned 7- Robert came for the day and Clare joined us for cake. We went to Carousel and the kids did their shopping and to Belmont for Santa Photos. Kieran went to Adventure World. The kids decorated Gingerbread Christmas Trees with Nadya. Looking at the Christmas lights with Nadya along for the ride. Christmas Eve water fight. Christmas. Playing Cards against humanity and skipbo with the big kids. Will had a swimming play date with Robert. Bel and Noah came for a visit. Merenia went to a New Years Eve Party at her friend Rhys' place.

Yum, yum, yum...
We had a yummy mixed up dinner- with Ikea Meat balls, cream puffs, and eclairs.  Ice creams from the Swan Valley Ice Cream factory. I made the Zumbo Chocolate Mousse cake. Fro-yo after the kids did their shopping. Roast Pork for Christmas Eve, the usual Christmas fare.

For you...For me? I got presents for Will and Tama in Brisbane- a Starbucks cup for Will and a little aeroplane toy for Tama. We scored some stuff from Ikea and The Scrapbook Store. We brought a new Christmas Tree because ants had moved into the Tree box. Santa Glenys gave the kids a bunch of presents. We gave gifts to the librarians, Mrs Miller, Pam and the Radices. Will got a load of presents for his Birthday. We all got a load of presents for Christmas. Nadya, Clare, Wendy B, Pam, Paula, Ella, and Wendy P all gave us presents as well. King size duvet and duvet cover!

Bugger!
Will came home early from school one day with a headache. There was a siege in Sydney and a gunman killed a couple of civilians.

Hooray!
Just about everything! We won six (small) lotto prizes in the month from Nov 29 - Dec 29! We got our Christmas Groceries delivered. Getting mail from NZ

Etc...
Tama had his first speech appointment. Summer Hockey finished up. I did a speech at the Leap Expo. I made Abba costumes for Will and Lucas for the School concert. Fire season has started with force including one at Falls Rd while we were at the concert. School broke for the holidays. I saw a rat in the backyard. Les had Holidays from the 24th on. Les and the kids helped put together the Nortons trampoline. The temperature hit 39 degrees. I discovered there's a girl called Gypsy in what will be Tama's year at school- weird.

Seen and Heard...
Will opened this and then carefully read Tama's 'writing':
"Dear Will, Happy Birthday. Love Tama xoxo"
Tama put his arm around him and said
"Good Work Buddy"

Tama to Glenys: "Now you be the stone guy and I'll be the Christmas lady."

Tama to Glenys: "Great Grandma... Aunty Glenys."

Robert to Will: "You do know that friendship is the most important thing right?"
Will: "Yeah of course!"

In the car looking at the Christmas Lights:
Tama: Nadya?
Nadya: Yes
Tama: Are you still there?
Nadya: Yes

♥

'You've had a good day son....'

This was a good week....

Because we started toilet training and it's going well- good compared to the other three even.

Because I packed up the Christmas decorations and that always leaves me with a happy sense of space.

Because Will found the Lego Heroes he was looking for- in Australia.
Because Robert had his first sleep over with us.

Because we had yummy food and drink in the house.

Because we coped with the heat ok.
Because I finished my Daily December album in a super timely manner.
Because Les got out for a round of golf.

Because I finally figured out what my word would be.

Because we enjoyed some really silly TV together.

"You've had a good day son!"  is the punchline of a joke my dad used to tell about a father, his son, a bear won in a side show at a carnival and a Mini Car... it's a great joke and the one liner punchline has stayed with us for a very long time. This weekly post is about being grateful for the little and big things in our lives and celebrating success the grand and everyday kind.

  ♥

Single Photo Saturday

♥ 

Flora on Friday

 

 ♥

A reminder to me: Six People // Twelve Times

This year will quite possibly be the last whole year that we live together as a family. And so I decided to embark on a project I saw on Tara Whitney's Blog. She describes it best:

Okay so here’s the deal. I love seeing photos of all six of us together, but for obvious reasons that rarely happens.
Was talking to a friend about this problem, and I thought of a great idea. IF I DO SAY SO MYSELF.
Once a month, I am going to organize a family self portrait. Hand held, self timer, or grab someone else to take it.
Whatever. JUST DO IT. Just to have it.
Because I can, and I should!
I don’t think once a month is too overwhelming. Not even for this procrastinator. I am pretty sure I can do this. I am going to let the kids get in on it too, and maybe have them plan a shot or two if they want.
When I share the photo(s) of the month, I am also going to jot down some things that are going on with our family at that time. And then at the end of the year, put it together in a book.

And that's what I'm going to do too- for our last year together, I'm going to document our last year together. 

 ♥

Mid week Wonderful ~ 31-12-2014

 I'm grateful for...

Les

Kieran

Merenia

Will

Tama

Jim

Cathy 

Dave

Michelle

Clare

Caron

Bel

Mark

Ben 

Andy

Keri

Lorenda
Paula

Wendy

Carolann

My Grandma
Nana
Brace

and a whole host of others.

I'm thankful to be inspired by...

My library

A wealth of product

My family

Amazing women

The internet, sometimes.

Photos.

I'm savouring.... 

The last day of 2014.

The beautiful weather.

The last weeks of Tama full time at home.

The place that I live in- both my home and the state.

Not having school runs.

I'm loving...

All of the above

I'm looking forward to....

Being together in 2015

Thank-you

♥ 

Tama Month 42

♥

Mindfully Monday

Source: Fresh Words Market

Source: Society 6 by Kavan and Co.

Source: Shambhala Sun
♥

Presently- 28-12-14

Presently....

~ looking at the photos I printed today.

~ listening to Radio Paradise.

~ relieved to be getting my Daily December up to date.

~ hoping I'm making the right choice with my word.

~ seeing signs that send me in opposite directions.

~ wondering what I have forgotten to put in my Daily December.

~ dreaming of a great year in 2015.
~ loving quiet days, no where to be.
~ thankful for holidays.
~ inspired by sorting my digital supplies... now just need scrapping time.
~ savouring sweet foods and coffee.
~ reading Hyperbole and a half.
~ swooning over the little house kits Paula gave me for Christmas.

~ going shopping tomorrow.
~enjoying the flowers WendyP gave me.
~ feeling a bit surrounded.
~ counting down the last days of the year.
~ tasting Ham.
~ ever grateful for a lovely home to live in.
~ in awe of people who have their shit together.

~ trusting I'm going to make the right decision.
~ wishing I could see the future.

~ anticipating 2015.

 ♥ 

Single Photo Saturday

Waiting for Santa to call their name.

 ♥

Flora on Friday

  

♥

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas 

from us all! 

 ♥

Mid week Wonderful ~ 24-12-2014

I'm grateful that... we have the resources for a fantastic Christmas.

I'm thankful to be inspired by... December events.

I'm savouring....time spent with my family.

I'm loving... being ready.

I'm looking forward to.... tomorrow.

♥ 

365 Week 50

♥

365 Week 49

 ♥

Mindfully Monday

Source: Jose Ramos

Source: Sugar Paper

♥

Presently- 21~12~14

Presently....

~ looking out for the supermarket truck to arrive.

~ listening to something in my ceiling.

~ relieved it wasn't chewing the kids advent calendars as I first thought.

~ hoping for some sort of gift epiphany for Les.

~ seeing the house creep towards a good pre-holiday state.

~ wondering what I may have forgotten.

~ dreaming of a lack of tension.
~ inspired by being so behind in my Daily December.
~ savouring nothing. 
~ reading - I'm not sure, I have a pile of 'just starteds'

~ going to pick up photos later today.
~ feeling a little pissed.
~ counting my pennies.
~ tasting iced coffee.... I really should eat some breakfast.

~ trusting we'll get there in the end.
~ wishing for a holiday... the real kind where you go somewhere and stay in a hotel.

~ anticipating Christmas.

 ♥