What's been happening?

I turned on the computer on this morning to be notified I need to restart to turn on new features. Well although I myself need some time for recuperation, there have been some new features installed into my life regardless, and they're all good. Good for me.

I begun my new job as merchandiser for John Sands this week. It requires me to tidy up, restock and reorder stock for John Sands displays in several supermarkets in Millicent and Naracoorte. It will only take up a day or so a fortnight, which I am happy with. It's enough for me! So keep me in a job and buy greeting cards, packaging and wrapping!

I also finished the Cognitive Behaviour Therapy course I was undertaking. I am now a certified CBT practitioner. Not practicing, but I like to broaden my knowledge and it's kept me engaged and has actually helped me recognise and understand my own behaviours and where I can improve my mindset.

Thirdly, I start a volunteering role at Resthaven today, an aged care service. I will be helping out with exercise classes on a Friday and also going on social outings now and then. 

A lot of things have been getting on top of me lately. Life sure doesn't slow down for anyone. A recent visit to the doctors and blood checks showed that I had low iron, which would explain my tiredness and fatigue. I am not one to trot of to the doctor unless I have to, but I realise I need to look after myself better. To listen to my body and respond. I am no longer going to put myself last.

I do feel in the last week or so, that life is renewing for me. A page has turned and a new chapter of my life has begun.

Talking about new life, we've had our resident plover population take over the cul de sac in the past week or two with their fluffy, cute little babies. They wouldn't let me get too close for better photos as they pitter pattered down my driveway. They've been wandering and exploring up and down our short street, so it makes for a slow exit at five kilometres an hour while they dart and waddle around.

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Gratefulness works in mysterious ways

Gratefulness is something I do not do enough of.

There is much that has happened since the start of the year that has been challenging. Amidst all these challenges I have not taken the time to make time for me or my self care. I have soldiered on and the cracks have started to show, big time!

I have thought once I get over this I will take time. But as soon as one challenge is done with another is there to take it's place and I have not had time to breathe.

I did however at the start of the year begin to write a couple of days worth of gratefulness down. I was inspired after reading Osher Gunsbergs' book, Back after the break.

It is actually quite good to go back and read, and quite interesting! Interesting in that I would have never have ever guessed that I would be looking back at my first grateful thing on the 23rd January, and today not having that job.

The gymnastics club I was so excited to become a coach at two years ago is not the same club as it is today. It isn't even the same club that I left for summer holidays at the end of term 4 last year.

The dynamic has changed and over the last term it had become a source of stress and not a great place to work in. I won't go into it, other to say I resigned on the last day of term. It was last Friday. I also got the bloody flu on that day, so the last week I have been suffering. I have been sick and emotional.

In better news, we are currently in Adelaide, set to fly to Sydney for a couple of days and then cruise out of Circular Quay to islands in New Caledonia. What is even better, I can totally relax, knowing I don't have to come back to work. I have new adventures on my horizon to conquer!

Like writing down my gratefulness everyday.

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I must be having too much fun....

How the hell is it Friday again?! How is it April?!

My poor old garden and house is being sorely neglected right now, and to add to the crazy, Izzy fractured her arm during the week. We spent all day in a&e after she had her xray, to go home with a referral at dinner time. I don't know why the doctor that looked at her xray and sent us to accident and emergency, couldn't have written the referral then and there. It would have saved us waiting six hours in emergency. It sucked watching a days worth of patients go before us in triage.

We are back up the Mount this afternoon for her appointment with the orthopaedic surgeon. That after, not forgetting to mention, I make sure my son gets to his appointment for his monthly jab of medication.

I heard someone say "If you want something done, give it to a busy person".

After the gym club AGM last week I am now club secretary It's been a week and I've hardly been able to look at any of it.

Summer begins her netball experience on Saturday morning. She's been training in Tantanoola in the junior twos. She was SO excited to get her uniform last night.

Come Sunday I will be perched in the local IGA selling Easter raffle tickets for the gym club.

Bring on the end of term next week! I will be up to my neck in planning for Term two in the first week of holidays, then off to New Caledonia on a cruise for the second. Yes please!

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CONNECTED in 2018

So have you heard the word? The word is to have a word. A word to live by and guide you through 2018.

At the beginning of every year I don't give much thought to this. But by the second or third week, I read many 'word' posts floating around the blogosphere. 

They inspire me to think about my own goals for the year, and the things I want to better at, and fears I want to overcome.

In past years I have had 'brave', which lead me to entering more photography comps, and doing things out of my comfort zone. Another 'no guilt' which I know is two words, but pushed me not be guilty about me time, and all those other silly things that mums and wives seem to let seep into thier feeling guilty filter.

This year I am focusing on being CONNECTED.


HOME

• Connected to knowing when I need a break, some me time. Instead of powering through and falling into an emotional, cranky heap.
• Paying more attention to my health and fitness.
• Connected to what my kids need to succeed, at school(which means more communication with thier teachers, which I am slack at). Listening to them, and asking meaningful questions about their day and how they are feeling. 
• Spending more time together, around the table at dinner time.

WORK 

• Forcing myself to be better at communication with parents of my gymnasts students. 
• Communicating well with other coaches, and committee members at the gym club.

COMMUNITY

• Actually get out of the car and talk to other parents at school pick up.
• Now that the community garden is under other management, get involved. I am actually excited about this, after the circus monkeys that used to run it.
• When someone says "hi, how are you", acutally ask the same to them instead of saying "good thanks" and moving on.

I am not good at talking to people. I seem to avoid it, rather than seeking it out.

I am one of those people who sit back and watch, think too hard about conversation before I speak, and end up not saying much at all. 

It is hard work for me sometimes to actually get the words out of my head, and out of my mouth. I hide behind a smile and for a long time, I have gotten away with that. 

I am sure I have some sort of social anxiety when it comes to talking to new people. I am not so bad at saying hello, but anything further than that is like being a deer in the headlights. Bloody confronting.

So this is something I want to be better at this year. To not be afraid to speak. To say the words in my head, without being afraid that they might sound silly, or they may come out muddled up, which they mostly always do. I am not confident in conversation, especially with people I don't know well.


So my goal this year is so just speak. Communicate, connect.Talk to people!

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