I am closing this blog down...

Go here to find out the latest with me and mine *smile*
A little surprise awaits!

Oh and to be technically "correct" I am not really closing this blog down, I will keep it "open" for archival purposes... but from now on I am over here.

A new era begins...

Bx

My BIG second grader...

I do NOT know how she is already in Second Grade, but she IS... a BIG 2nd grader.
The morning went well, she was a bit aprehensive last night, but today she was A-okay! A friend of hers was having a teary, so Mikaela was able to come to her rescue.

As I left her she had a huge grin on her face, ready and excited to start a new year.
I **LOVE** the first day of school.
Josh and I then went into Kingston, put in my memory stick to get a few photos developed. I bought some lingerie (oh-la-la), induldged in a coffee and couple of choccies. Josh slept on the couch after I fed him and I had a quiet moment or two to myself (MUCH needed)...

Now in my studio to get some work done.

I hope your day is a beautiful one.
Joy and love out...
Bx

Heartbreaking...

It breaks my heart when she is hurting, especially the heart and soul kinda hurt!

Mikaela has been in some trouble at school of late, with her "best" friend. Theirs is not a healthy realtionship, it is very LOVE-HATE (even co-dependant :()... and it is awful to watch.

We are in the process of setting up a more supportive environment for Mikaela at school. Your prayers for her easy transition to this change in her life would be much appreciated.

This mother/teaching job sure is a tough one, forget office politics, this is the REAL DEAL...

Bx

Tired but happy...

Life is so busy! Now that I have finished another major design project (not yet made public, will share when I can *smile*)... I am taking time to SLOW down before my next series of deadlines comes along, before Christmas mania (LOL!!) ... taking time to B.R.E.A.T.H.E and relax...

Slow living isnt about doing everything at a snails pace;
its about giving weight, time and urgency to those things that require it and relinquishing those things that just cause anxiety.

I love this quote! It is on my dreamboard I created 17 September 2006... and is hung above my desk for me to take in regularly.

What I love about life... is that we CHOOSE, it is a CHOICE how busy we are, or how much time we take for ourselves... for our family, our life. To walk in the grass, to pick flowers... to enjoy this life we create. THAT is such a powerful amazing thing.

I *LOVE* being busy... LOVE it! I love challenges that inspire me. What I don't love is when I get CRAZY busy and it impacts on my mood, my family, my relationships... when I become that "WHOA is ME.. I am SO BUSY!!! " person - I hate being that person! A martar, a person incapable of saying no, of taking charge of their life. I can feel myself roll my eyes into the back of my head when I begin on this treadmill. LMAO! Thankfully I snap out of it pronto.

Whereas some people just live there constantly... we live in a society where expectations of how much we "achieve" depends on how long our "to-do" list is... as opposed to how HAPPY we are WITHIN. Isnt that the REAL achievement of life? I think so and that's what I'm about, what is most important to me.

Perhaps that is because I have always been a "glass is half full" person, always... I have found that with a positive attitude and time to mediate and reflect... we can slow down quite easily. Your to do list may be just as long as anyone elses... but you take JOY in your list... in your life. If your "to-do" list is WAY TOO long - simplify - cull it, or accept it and take joy in doing the things you choose as important. SIMPLE. There it is again, SIMPLICITY and CHOICE... in attitude and action. Life rushes by so very quickly... we owe it to ourselves to live it well... in happiness of our choices. We owe it to ourselves to simplify and to live a slow life.

I think during the silly season, during the busy busy time of Christmas it is important to remind ourselves of all of this. To relax, chill out and enjoy our lives and loved ones because that is really what Chrissy is all about.

Today I choose to simplify and live slowly.
Enjoy your HUMP DAY gorgeous peeps...
Peace
Bx

Daily Something...

And so I "begin", and by begin - I mean - so far all I have managed to achieve towards my "Daily Something" is to buy this SUPER cute journal by this lovely artist {ALL her things are SO SO yummy}. I got it at Diafora, a fabulous home and giftwares store I have loved forever, it is such a beautiful shop. Being there gave me my DS for today, but I am too tired to do it right now. So I will do it tomorrow!

I just had to share how very adorable this journal is...
Other things for today...
** It was my *very first day* of being a SAHM again! WhooHooo. I finished work yesterday. Such a relief. NOW I can get onto my list of a trillion things to do before baby arrives LOL!

*** Nath caught a plane to Sydney to collect my new car. When I picked Kaela up from school this afternoon- she was REALLY excited, jumping up and down and squealing. She made me laugh SO MUCH. For Mikaela... a car is ALL about the alloys, or mags... or whatever they are called. She approves. I feel very spoilt, she's a beauty! Nath has an IS300 - they're the same colour and they look very CUTE side-by-side in the garage. We are seriously DORKY! I have been told that a Lexus is a "pimp" car in the USA... mmm that is funny, they aren't here, unless you are in your early 20s... I have seen a couple. Quite hilarious really - I assure you Nath has no intention of "pimping his ride" anytime soon LOL!!

***** I CLEANED my scrap room, like sparkly clean. Will post pics tomorrow.

There are other exciting things a happening too, like people booking flights and plans to visit when baby arrives... all very good stuff indeedy.

Happy Hump Day loves...

Bx

What have I done?????...

WARNING: the following post is heartbreaking for those attached to Mikaela's hair!!!!!!! i.e. ME!!!!!

Before...


After...

Okay, so my dear little sister offered to take Mikaela to the African hairdresser on Friday. Plan was to get corn rows or plaits with extenstions (acrylic hair weaved into her own) Usually she is a horror. When I do her hair, or take her, there are tears, A LOT of tears and begging and pleading. I get it. It DOES hurt (I had mine done some years ago, its very painful... kinda like having your legs or bikini waxed for 16hours.. yeah!)

So anyways... we thought that with Katie taking Kaela... she may be better behaved. NOPE! We thought wrong. Juliet (hairdresser) managed to get 8 braids done before Mikaela started swinging. Katie decided to call it quits then !!

Later that night after an episode of Gilmore girls... I tried to straighten it and get some more done. Mikaela would have none of that. And some of her hair had dreadlocks. I like dreadlocks, but I dont want her to have them at age 6. She can decide herself when she is older. Asides if she hated them in a couple of years... we'd be at this stage we are at now... then! If you know what I mean.

So I CUT IT ALL OFF !! Yep I did!!!

Initially Mikaela was crying, a LOT... "No Mama Nooo" I had threatened to cut her hair before (oh about a thousand times) I guess neither of us ever thought I would follow through.

Thankfully Mikaela loves her new "do" and I think that has a great deal to do with her ability to comb and brush it right the way through. Once the shock wore off a bit, I think she DOES look rather funky... and a bit older, that makes me a bit sad too.

Now Mikaela now has a MUCH better appreciation and understanding that her hair IS *her* responsibility!!! Hence she is brushing it constantly!

You should see the HUGE bag of hair left over.... HUGE!!

Funny - I am not at all attached to my own hair... I have shaved my head three times, change my hairstyle often and have no problems with cutting it down to 2cm at any whim.... but Mikaela's hair is entirely different and I *do have* a bit of an attachment to her locks... so much more than my own.

I am still a bit sad when I look at the before photos, but it had to be done!
Simple.

Love
Bx

Adelaide...

We're in Adelaide for Nath's Grandfather's funeral, which is tomorrow.
Bob died aged 83years... and although I only met him a few times in the past two years, he was someone who came to hold a special place in my heart. As Nath's Grandfather, whom he loved dearly... I too came to love him, he became like a Grandfather to me {and Mikaela} also.

I know Nath is really sad he wont meet our babe, but we were able to share the news of the pregnancy in person a couple of months ago. He was, for the first time I had seen, speechless... we all had a great laugh about that!!

Here is a photo of Bob and Nath... when Nath was just a babe, 1973! Seriously cute.


He will be missed.
And tomorrow we celebrate his life and his achievements.
Peace out...
Bx

Stormy Canberra...

There was a massive storm here last night... thunder, lightening and hail... it was HUGE! Here a couple of snaps that have been forwarded to me... I am not sure who took them so I cant give credit (sorry)
We have REALLY needed the rain due to the drought we have been in for years... but this is really freaky weather for our little city. I wish for more rain, not so much storms!
I have SO MUCH to share… I just need to get some photos taken and uploaded, and I will be able to post my recent creative endeavours:
* Ali Challenge about my personal creative manifesto;
* Emily Challenges.... 3 cards to share
* Wish Jar and Tags... and a few wishes even
* Pottery... mixed medium plate....
Various other projects...

It’s strange, but in my new job, and only working 3 days... my blogging rhythm has been altered. And I am not sure I like it... I know I like to check people’s blogs daily and see them updated....BORING when they don’t. Frustrating even. Maybe that’s just me *smile* But the blogs I love the MOST… like Ali’s is because she posts everyday… even when she travels… I love that!

So am going to make a concerted effort to rectify this sporicidal blogging of mine.

Love and hugs...
Bx

Embrace Change...

You know when you are finishing up a job... it is not easy to be enthusiastic about it!

That is where I am at. Unenthusiastic about where I spend the majority of my days... biding my time.

And thats okay... in fact, its good.

I have been here a few times... this cusp of major change.

Usually it is only onto the next contract... this time it is MUCH more.

I have the opportunity to place myself where I would really like to be in 2007 and 2008. For Me, He and She. For our babes yet born.

I know LOGICALLY the best thing at this stage is another year contracting... so I have the money to back us, to be totally prepared for the next venture I intend to take in my life. My heart tells me... just take the leap, do it now... you can be no better prepared than you are today!Its exciting.

Instead of being down about my contract ending... and unsure of my future... I am really excited about it.

I love the endless possiblilites that I have available to me.

To our family.

To our future.

Change also gives you a shake.... it forces you to evaluate:

where you are at...

what you have been doing...

and what you REALLY WANT to be doing in your future.

With your life.

Maybe its the Gemini in me... I am happiest amist change... and challenge.
Or I guess that is just that everyone likes to be challenged.

Needs to be challenged.

And sometimes the very thing you wish for... manifest in ways you do not necessarily expect or desire (like no earnings).... but it is all exactly what you require... to get you to where you want to be!

Just is.

Thankfully not everything changes... a certain amount remains the same, constant. Like Nath, Mikaela... my family, my rock and my gorgeous sisters and friends.

Life is beautiful.

Bx