Gratitude Project - 10th November

I don't know what's going on. The first few days of doing this project, I was so happy and able to see the joy in everything.

But for the last five or six days I've been moody and grumpy, and really REALLY struggling to find things that I am grateful for.

It's not my hormones, I've a while yet before the PMS hit and I rage for two days!, and I know that I've been blaming it on end of year fatigue, but I'm not convinced of that either.

I've spoken to a number of other people in various aspects of my life who are all feeling the same as me... and I can't help but wonder if it's a general malaise we are all suffering from about the state of the world??

Things I am grateful for today:

1. A lunch away from my office and the gym, with me on my own. Heaven!

2. Sitting in the sun chatting on the phone with a friend who has just come back from an overseas adventure - and arranging lunch next week!

3. Mr M going out to get some cheap bubbly, and coming home with a bottle AND some dinner!

How are you feeling at the moment? Are you able to find gratitude every day, or is it a struggle for you too?

Gratitude Project - 9th November

Wow... what a day!

We all knew that history was going to be made in some way today - but I was gunning for it being because USA had voted in the first female president. I honestly never thought I'd go to bed with Trump as the president-elect....

What did all those people who voted for him see that I didn't?

I saw a man who preaches intolerance and hatred, who is disrespectful of anyone that isn't a white Christian man, and who offered no information on what his actual policies are. Or was this just what the media in Australia portrayed?

What did he do that made all those millions of people see past his odious words and behaviour and think: "yup, this bigoted lying mysogynst is exactly who I want to run my country"?? 

I know that his success is most likely to do with the fact that the American people are rejecting the traditional political "establishment", and that Trump is the perfect figurehead for that movement - there is similar feeling in Australia, and I totally understand it; I am so over wealthy fat old men deciding what is best for me, my family, and my fellow countrymen... oh hang on, that's exactly what Trump is!
(I know, I know. I am happy to complain about the system, but what am I doing to change it. I have no solution, I guess I'm waiting for the Millenials to jump in :) )

What concerns me most is what has been unleashed; the people who now think they can say whatever they want without ramification; the potential for xenophobia, and religious persecution in a country that was built by migrants.

Hopefully he was just being an outrageous showman to get the votes, hopefully he will be a good president... but I have a feeling that what you see is what you get...

Oh well, I guess we just wait until January 2018 and see what happens.

Right, enough of my views on a country and political system that has nothing to do with me, and that I'm only aware of from the media I have access to; I openly admit that I haven't done an ounce of research, all my views are formed on news articles I've read and tv shows I've watched. 

Things I am grateful for today:

1. Living in Australia. I've always known that I am blessed to live in such a gorgeous country, but today I feel it even more. 

2. The internet. I was able to watch the progress of the election and obsess over it all day... hmmmm, I'm not so sure that is a thing to be grateful for?? 

3. Trashy tv. Once the outcome was realised, I needed a distraction and found it in trashy reality tv show - Ramsey's Hotel Hell and Millionaire Matchmaker were my go-to shows last night!

What did you do for distraction after the election results? Do you have any trashy tv recommendations?

Gratitude Project - 8th November

Today was a day for feeling unheard and under appreciated; either that or I have a serious case of the "End of Year Grumps"... it's 50/50.

Things I am grateful for today:

1. The return of my workplace bestie! She's was on holiday last week, and I hadn't realised how much I missed her. Work is far more manageable now she's back - I've got someone to vent to, and to have morning/afternoon tea with!

2. The gym at work. I whinge and moan about going to the gym - but by crikey I'm happy it's only a short walk to get there for a lunchtime class. Occasionally I go out for a run, but I'm not always great about forcing myself to go. Having the gym "just there" and a workout buddy who won't let me get out of it means that I'm more likely to exercise than not - and I can feel less guilty about the afternoon tea snacks!

3. A cooler night for sleeping. Snuggling down and being cosy is my favourite way to sleep - the warm nights are ramping up and I struggle to get comfy when I'm too hot... the broken sleep is probably a big factor in my recent grumpiness. There's been some rain today and the evening has been cooler, and I am excited about the potential for a great nights sleep :)

How are you today? I hope you've been getting enough sleep and keeping the grumps at bay! How do you keep cool during hot summer nights? I'd love some tips :)

Gratitude Project - 7th November

I've been finding Monday's such a draaaag these last few weeks - probably because of the time of year, and the general exhaustion I think nearly everyone feels around now.

But every three months, I have to attend a two-hour meeting that seems to make the day infinitely longer. And then I have to experience it again when I write up the minutes; like it's not bad enough that I had to live through it the first time....

Today's meeting was in a room over looking a communal area, with a gorgeous jacaranda in the corner. Have I ever told you how much I love jacarandas?

I'm also excited that Mr M is home today. I love the solo time when he goes (trashy tv is my favourite!), but I love snuggling with him more, and I can't sleep without him... oh, that is almost vomit-inducing HAHAHA

Things I am grateful for today:

1. A summer breeze. There's a smell about summer, and an excitement that comes with it. Even though I'm a lifetime out of school, the smell of summer makes me think of looong school holiday and the joy of youth/young adulthood....

2. Chocolate. About an hour before my meeting this afternoon, I realised that I was going to need an energy boost. Now I could have been sensible and had a banana or some other healthy option.... but I ended up with a twix and a cuppa. It was perfect.

3. Leftovers! Even though Mr M was away last night, I (reluctantly!) made dinner as if he were home. And tonight, I reaped the benefits! A delicious dinner with next to no effort - my favoutire kind of meal!

What's your naughty go to snack - please don't let me be the only person who hits the chocolate!

Gratitude Project - 6th November

It's been another glorious day today.

Mr M headed out of town for work that will see him away overnight - there is always an element of excitement when he goes; I get to veg in front of whatever I want on the telly and I don't have to cook if I don't want to! :)

My gratitudes for today:

1. Watching the boys play with their cousins and some new kids today, at a birthday party. Apart from my brother- and sister-in-law, I knew no one else at the party and I decided to enjoy watching the kids. It was wonderful to see them interacting with the other children and to see Mac being an awesome big brother, watching out for Warrie. I don't think the smile left my face the whole time we were there.

2. Hay fever tablets. I don't usually have hay fever, but this year (this weekend in particular!) it has been almost unbearable. I finally admitted defeat and had a tablet... oh my goodness, the relief has been blissful!!

3. An evening on my own. After a pretty busy weekend, I got the boys to bed a bit earlier than usual tonight and made the most of a husband free night - a delicious dinner (which did include some cooking), a glass of wine and some trashy tv!

I hope you all have had a great day - feel free to share a highlight, I'd love to know what makes your weekends special!