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!

Gratitude Project - 5th November

It's been a gloriously sunny (if windy!) day; which meant I powered through three loads of washing - a gratitude in itself!!

We've had a great mix of a lazy and productive day: t-ball with the kids, a delicious hour or so of reading in blissful peace and then an afternoon of playing in the backyard and cleaning the house.

All in all, it's been an awesome Saturday!

Things I'm grateful for today:

1. Having found such a lovely baseball club for my boys to be a part of. Their coach is a young guy with no kids, and he is so awesome with them all! And Mac and Warrie both adore him and talk about Coach Tim all the time. There's no pressure for them to perform, its all about learning the game and having fun - for all us newbie parents as well as the kids!

2. Being able to read my book with a cuppa and some toast in peace. After t-ball, the boys were vegged out in front of the telly with Mr M (who snoozed) and I retired to my bedroom with my book and read and read and read! The tea and toast was a delightful bonus!

3. Unexpected dinner with my in-laws. I have always loved Mr M's family like my own, and I feel very lucky to have a great relationship with his parents. Good company + yummy food + a couple of glasses of wine = a wonderful evening (especially as there was no cleaning up for me to do afterwards!)

I hope you've all had a great start to the weekend! Was there a stand out moment for you today?

Gratitude Project - 4th November

Today has been a super grumpy one for me - a bad night's sleep is to blame. I've tried to keep my temper in check, and would have been super successful... if my computer hadn't decided to be a knob!!

I'm still feeling pretty cranky and not really up for any small talk. So if you  don't mind, I think I'll power on through to the things I'm grateful for...

Today's gratitudes:

1. My work wife/gym buddy for making me go to the gym at lunch, and putting up with my grumpiness, especially when I didn't want to put up with me!! Ah, the power of endorphins!

2. Playing in the garden with Mac and Warrie, including some trampoline fun - not 100% sure my pelvic floor would agree with that one though!

3. Cheap bubbles - I love celebrating the end of the working day week with a bottle of sparkling wine, and happily  Jacobs Creek are helping out with $10 bottles of delicious bubbles. Yum!

How are you going? How was your week? Did anything stand out for you today?

Gratitude Project - 3rd November

Around this time of year, I start to flag... it's like I've been happy, cheerful, bubbly and funny (well, I think so at any rate hahaha!) for the last 10 months and I just don't have the energy to maintain the charade any more. It doesn't help that the end of the year is the also one of the busiest times at work.

Anyone else feel this way?

It seems exceptionally unfair that this happens just as I should be full of joy and energy in the lead up to Christmas!

That being said, it's not all doom and gloom! Despite my general world weariness and a desire to be on holiday (only 7 weeks to go!), I'm actually starting to feel a bit excited for the festive season... Mr M is pretty happy, as I am normally a bit "bah, humbug" about the whole Christmas thing. I put it down to the kids - I just want to make the day as magical as I remember it being in my childhood.

Anyhoo - on to my gratitudes for today:

1. A lunchtime run in the glorious sunshine! With summer just around the corner, I'm enjoying the ability to still run in a temperature that won't melt me :)

2. Watching my Boys play t-ball. I'm thrilled to have found a sport that they both enjoy, not to mention are good at! We have training on a Thursday evening, and afterwards Mac and Warrie love to watch the senior team in their training session - they've only been playing for six-weeks, but already they look up to those guys... it's so cute to watch.

3. Etsy; I love the virtual window shopping!! Currently I am indulging myself some cross stitch, and am readying to embark on the thrills of embroidery... that doesn't sound too "old" does it??? hehehe
I can literally spend hours scrolling through kits, patterns and finished products. My favourites are the modern ones - I've finished two Christmas designs, and I am on the search for something new to get my teeth into.
When I think about my lack of interest in anything crafty this time last year and I see how far I've come. Now THAT'S something to be grateful for!

So tell me - what's being going on with you? What has made you grateful today?

xx

Gratitude Project - 2nd November

Today has been hectic, but I survived the stress and interruptions to have a pretty productive day. So yay for me :)

Things I'm grateful for today:

1. Podcasts; I LOVE podcasts! I listen to a pretty eclectic spread, and love the disctraction they offer during my commute - not to mention learning something new everyday.

2. My hard work being recognised. It's been an interesting 8-months at work, and I've done some serious stepping up to the plate in that time. Today, during a random conversation, I was told that it hadn't gone unnoticed... a very nice feeling!

3. Home delivery. On an evening when neither Mr M nor I can be bothered to cook after work, the option of home delivered pizzas seem like a godsend!

What's been going on for you? What little thing made a difference and changed your day today?

Gratitude Project- 1st November

October was Mental Health month in Australia. My workplace offered a number of workshops/events during the month; I signed up for the four-week Mindfullness Meditation.

I got a lot out of it; I love meditating, but just never have the time.... scratch that: I don't make the time for it. Which is pretty silly, given how much I enjoy it!

At the end of the last session, we were taking about gratitude and the documented benefits it has in ones life when practised daily. I should know, it's worked for me too.

So in an effort to reclaim some long term happiness benefits, I've decided to start the Gratitude Project again:

1. I'm grateful for the ability to move my body, and to enjoy a gym class... even (especially??!) if I know I'll be sore tomorrow. 

2. I'm grateful for technology, so I can see pictures of my Mum enjoying her holiday with my brother and his family.

3. I'm grateful for giggling kisses with Mac and Warrie at bedtime - I hope they never grow out of it! (or at least take their time, before deciding that it/I'm uncool!)

I hope you'll join me in my quest for making my own happyness (obvs you'll be making your own, not necessarily adding to mine! Altho' I won't lie: I'd be stoked if you did join in!). Let me know in the comments something that you've been grateful for today

xx

Gratitude Project 18 - 20 April 2015

What a lovely weekend we had!

Mr M was working on Saturday, so I had Mac and Warrie all to myself. After a morning of chores around the house, I took them out for the afternoon.

After running around a playground for nearly two hours, I decided it was type for this mamma to go home and have a cuppa.

As I was strapping Warrie into his seat, Mac piped up with "Mummy, can we go to IKEA and play in the ball pit?". Unable to think of a valid excuse not to go, we headed over to IKEA and proceeded to wait for 45-minutes to get them into the one-hour free child care. Then I headed upstairs for a cup of tea and cake; I fully intended on working on a project I have, but ended up spending the time reading a book! It was such bliss.

Yesterday, we had a film crew at our house for a short film that Mr M is working on. I took the boys to a playcentre to meet with a girlfriend and her boys. Five hours of non-stop running around later, I headed home to find the crew still there. With two more scenes to film, I was delighted to be able to watch Mr M in cameraman mode for the first time ever.

{Mr M, doing his thang!}

It was utterly fascinating to be behind the scenes and see how the magic of the silver screen is made.

Today was a wet and miserable day, which of course meant that all the crazy people were out on the road to work.
After a shocking commute, I got out of the car only to realise that the umbrella was not in the car as I had assumed... and to top it all off, I discovered that my shoes have a hole in them, so I ended up with wet feet!
Oh well, if that is the worst thing I have to endure today, then I am a very lucky girl!

So the things I have been grateful for this weekend:

1. Spending some awesome time with my baby boys at the playground. They must have gone down that slide 50 time each - easily! Warrie crashed in the car before we made it home, so I put him straight to bed and then had a wonderful one-on-one cuddle with Mac. Which we both enjoyed. Those boys are the light of my heart.

2. My physio. I have some weird nerve/muscle/skeletal pain going on in my shoulder and neck. Whilst it hurts being manipulated, the kazillion cracks she got out of my back at the end of the session made it all worth it!

3. Mr M. I don't tell him often enough how grateful I am for him. I just always assume that he knows, but I want him to know know. Ya know? So not only will I put it out here, so the whole world can see how thankful I am for my amazeballs husband, I'm going to tell him to his face. And then I am going to give him the biggest cuddle ever!!

How was your weekend? Do you have a hole in your shoes? What was one of the biggest highlights of your weekend?

Gratitude Project - 17 April 2015 - including Friday Feels!

Things I am grateful for today:

1. Family, family, family! Both sets of grandparents have been freaking amazeballs about helping out with Mac (& sometimes Warrie) during our first ever school holidays. I have no words to express my thanks, but I think (hope!) they know

2. A glass (or three!) of wine tonight. I know the standing joke is "I'm a mother, I don't get weekends", but I still enjoy my Friday night wind downs... Sure it's not the clubbing and boozy nights of my 20's, but they work for me. And I can still wake up and cope with the kids - well, most Saturday's!

3. Tight finances. I know that sounds funny, but having some slight financial worries for the last few weeks has really made me better able to focus on what is vital to our family. I'm proud to say that I've managed to cut our weekly food shop by nearly $100!! 

Onto my Friday Feels

Seeing:
I have had a couple of opportunities this week to indulge in a guilty pleasure of watching some trashy TV... Don't judge, but I love "Once Upon a Time"!

Hearing:
When I was with my brother last month (was it really last month!?!) he reminded me of how much we used to listen to Paul Simon's Graceland album as kids. I've now got in on my trusty Spotify account, and have been listening to it pretty much on repeat for the whole week. I've subjected Mac and Warrie to it too, and I think they enjoy it

Here's one of my all time favourite music videos - I loved Chevy Chase as a little girl, and this video had one of my favourite songs with one of my favourite actors; pretty sure this was my idea of perfection way back when. I hope you enjoy!

{youtube clip}

Taste:
Last weekend, I came home from my parents place with a large bag of frozen meats, included some huge and delicious spicey sausages. I made my weekly favourite of toad in the hole, and devoured a very healthy portion. So much yum!

Smell:
I have a slight obsession with food, and my next door neighbour (the Pool Neighbour) has a wonderful habit of frying off onions and garlic first time in the morning - I think she might be a home catering company, I've just not had the guts to find out... Yet! 

Touch:
We are cat-sitting a gorgeous little Burmese-esque cat; the boys are utterly entranced by her, I just love having the extra estrogen in the house! It's been a long 6-weeks, but she is finally settled (apart from her intense dislike of our big cat!), and has started sleeping on the bed with me. And as the mornings are getting cooler, I am really enjoying the soft furry cuddles that she gives.

What's your guilty viewing pleasure? What about your favourite music video? I'd love to know, so I can look them up!

Gratitude Project - 2 April 2015

It was a slow day today; I was more productive in the office, which I a good thing.

Even as an adult, the build up to a long weekend feels like it did at school - everyone is relaxed and there is a buzz in the air as people talk about what they are going to do with those extra days off...

YAY for public holidays!! 

The things I'm grateful for today:

1. The upcoming long weekend: four whole days of not being at work... Plus I'll be spending some quality time with my Mum this weekend, always something to be grateful for :)

2. My body. I tried a new exercise class today, and it has certainly challenged some of my muscles! I love testing my fitness limits and the good pain that comes after a hard workout (I know, I'm a nut job!)

3. End of Mac's first term at Big School. He has had a blast starting school, and seems to have slid into the whole experience with ease - for which I am truly grateful. Here's hoping that the return to school in two weeks is uneventful!

What made you feel grateful today?

Gratitude Project - 1 April 2015

I'm excited to be doing this project again. I really think that spending just a few minutes every day reflecting on the good things that are in my world with make a huge improvement to my overall outlook on life... Well, here's hoping anyway!

I've been struggling to find enjoyment in my work for the last little while. I know it's because of my current head space, but it's really added to my funky mood. Which adds to my lacklustre approach to work... Which feeds the mood, and so the cycle continues.

But through my counselling sessions, I'm hoping to break the cycle and notice an improvement in how I view my job, and maybe get some of the enjoyment back; I spend too much time there to not enjoy what I do. And I did once, so I'm sure I can again.

Things I am grateful for today:

1. Mr M's career change. He's now home to help with school drop offs and pick ups (not to mention breakfasts and dinners!), which has been a huge help.

2. My workplace bestie (who is also a real life bestie). Without her, my working days would be downright miserable... We talk about everything and anything, crack hugely inappropriate jokes with each other and she is one of the best people I know to bounce ideas off of. She is totes amazeballs!

3. Exercise. I did a 5km lunchtime run heading towards the beach. The temperature at the moment is just perfect for running, and with the sun and a very slight breeze I came back to the office tired but refreshed.

Also, I was grateful for this sunrise:

Where did you find your moments of gratitude today?

A return to gratitude

{image credit}

Being back in the real world after my ah-MAZE-ing trip to see my menfolk has been a little difficult to re-adjust to, and I have once again found myself treading down that well-worn path to "The Blues"...

I had a counselling session today, and at the end my counsellor set me homework: to spend 10-minutes EVERYDAY for the next week doing something to look after myself. It could be a walk, a meditation, sitting in silence, anything. I just have to do whatever I need for ME in that 10-minutes.

She has no idea how much I need to do just that.... Well, she probably does, seeing as she's my counsellor, but you know what I mean :)

But it made me realise that self-care has been so low on my list of priorities; like most mothers, my days seem to revolve around making sure that the kids (and husband!) are dressed/fed/bathed/happy/entertained/etc... I have almost no regard (or time!) for my own needs.

But she has given me permission to look after myself, and to be ok with it.

One of the things I have let slide of the last few months has been my gratitude journal - I've not written in it since the beginning of the year, which is pretty sucky when I know that I have so much that I am grateful for, and the fact that counting my gratitudes at the end of the day is a major tool in my arsenal against depression.

As I refuse to continue down the path of bleakness, I need to restock my well of happy-ness and remind myself of all the wonderful things I have in my everyday life.

So tomorrow I am going to restart my Gratitude Project for the month of April. At the end of the day I will post a snapshot of my day, my thoughts and feelings, and the three things I am grateful for.

I will also post a visulal of some of the things that I am grateful for to my Instagram too.

Feel free to join in my Gratitude Project here, or on FB or Instagram, and use #MTWGratitudeProject so I can see what things or moments brighten your day!

Gratitude Project - 30th April - 2nd May

I've known for a while, but I am finally admitting it to the world.... Along with being a procrastinator, I am not a finisher.

For example, in January I embarked on a 30-day squat challenge; the end goal was to complete 175 squats in one go. Not particularly hard, I do squats almost every day in my fitness classes, and I had 30-days to build up to it.

But here we are at the beginning of May and I STILL have four days left to do.

{image credit}

Mr M calls me "Half-a-job-Harry":
Housework? Yeah, it'll get done, but the vacuum will probably sit in the bedroom for another two days...
Laundry? I'll wash and dry the clothes, but the folding? It's has been known for the clean laundry to sit on the sofa unfolded for two weeks...
Washing up? Well we have a dishwasher, and I am actually pretty good about loading and emptying it...

This rather major flaw stretches right back to primary school. We used to have project books with six or seven double page spreads that we would complete each term. At the start of every term, I would enthusiastically throw myself into the work and then by the time half-term came around, it was like pulling teeth to get me to do the work. My poor Mum!

I cannot recall ever finishing one of those books.

In fact, I can think of only three things I've finished; gestating my two children (does that even count!?), and the teeniest, tiniest cross-stitch piece for my Mum.

But that is hopefully all about to change - I have signed up to Mum's Juggling School in a bid to learn some new skills that will help me take control of my procrastination, which in turn will hopefully give me the impetus to see a job through to the end.

So I guess watch this space to see the journey! :)

Things I have been grateful for the last few days:

1. Signing up to the Mum's Juggling School, I have a good feeling about this

2. Mr M has been working away from home for a couple of nights. It's been hard to do all the parenting on my own (props to all single parents out there, you guys are freaking amazeballs!), but I've enjoyed the challenge, and the space. And I can't wait to see him tomorrow!

3. Having my exercise buddy back in the office - it's great to have someone help motivate me to actually get to the gym at lunch time!

Oh wow, I've finished my month of Gratitude... so I guess that's something else to add to my short list of completed things :)

Do you have a flaw that you're willing to share with the world? You're amongst friends here :)

Gratitude Project - 24th - 29th April

Long weekends - nothing can beat one. Except two long weekends in a row!
With the Easter weekend and then ANZAC Day following close behind, I have had a fab couple of short working weeks. And returning to work for a full five days is going to be a challenge.

Oh how quickly I adapt to being away from the office....

The best part about the double whammy long weekend, is that Mr M has been off work. It's been such a help having him at home; mornings have been easier, as have the evenings!, and we created a new bedtime routine - me reading two books to the boys, with Warrie snuggling on my lap whilst Mr M cuddles up to Mac in his bed.

The one thing that really stuck out for me this second long weekend, is how much the ANZAC day has come to mean something to me. Maybe its because I have two boys, and I can identify with the mothers that lost their sons in Gallipoli? Whatever the reason, I spent much of the Friday morning explaining (or trying to!) the importance of ANZAC day to Mac... without using the words "died" or "war", which I thought might be a little confronting for a 4.5 year old! I'm not sure how much he understood, or indeed if he was even listening to me!, but I felt like I solidified a little more in my own heart and mind as to why it is an important day for me.

When I first moved back to Australia, nearly 13 years ago, I had no real concept of ANZAC Day. I knew what it represented, and I understood the gravitas that surrounded it. But I just thought of it as a day off work and that whatever I got up to, I would be "doing it for the Diggers" - usually with a drink in my hand.

But as the years went by, and especially once I had Mac and Warrie, the value of the day shifted for me. All those men who perished in the Great War, in order that the world would be a better place, that we would have our freedom. The selflessness of those who were (are!) willing to go to war, those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, just blows my mind.

But I think the importance of the day really became apparent to me three years ago, when we were in Canberra kick-starting our honeymoon. We dragged Mac around the Australian War Memorial, (not sure what we were thinking, he was 18-months old!) and stayed for the Last Post ceremony. We had been reading the Roll of Honour, and I had just found my maiden name and was wondering if the names listed had been distant relatives of mine. Then the bugle started.

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I am not ashamed to admit that I sobbed.

Standing next to the names of possible relatives, my first born son in my arms, my new husband standing protectively behind us, on a cold, crisp and beautiful Canberra afternoon. The sun was setting, the crowd of visitors in the Memorial was silent, and the haunting sound of the bugle was echoing through the air... How can you not be touched by that?

I cried for the men whose names were on the Roll of Honour.
I cried for the men and women currently serving.
I cried with thanks that I live in such an amazing country, where everyday I take for granted my freedom to live my life the way I see fit.
I cried with fear for the world that my child would inherit, and hoped that the horrors of war will never be something that he has to experience - a hope that I am sure every single parent in the world shares for their children.

Things I have been grateful for this long weekend:

1. I think it's pretty obvious that I'm forever grateful to the men and women who put their lives on the line for their country.

2. Bedtime snuggles with my boys

3. Family time - we had a lot of it, and we all thrived!


This wasn't what I thought this post was going to be about, my intent had been "light and breezy". But I guess it was something that my soul felt needed to be told.

Do you have a particular public holiday that holds importance or special meaning for you? I'd love to hear about it!

Gratitude Project - 18th-23rd April

Well, first things first - happy belated Easter!
We don't celebrate Easter in my house, but my boys are biiiig fans of the chocolate side of things!  :)

Secondly, I had an ah-MAZE-ing night out! Here's me in the top I got from The Iconic:

It was so nice to put a face to all the names that Mr M mentions everyday... the fact that he introduced me all night as his "beautiful wife" didn't hurt either :)
But the loveliest thing I heard was, after being introduced, all his colleagues said the same thing: "whenever I ask Mr M about your kids, his face just lights up"  All together now, AWWWW!

We chatted with everyone in the pub for hours, and were then ushered onto a bus and into a nightclub - the first time I have been in a nightclub in five years! I danced and danced and danced, and was horrified when all the kids were excited to hear songs that I was dancing to when they were first released 20 years ago!
It was awesome.

Mr M and I were home at a very respectable 12.50am, not in too bad a shape. And most glorious of all was the sleep-in the next day! Once again, a big YAY for grandparents!!

On the Easter Sunday, Mr M decided that he wanted to "do something" that day, so we took a road trip up through the Northern Beaches and ended up in Palm Beach. The sun was shining and the ocean sparkling, it was stunning!

{Who doesn't love the panoramic mode on the iPhone camera!}

{Personally, I think this is one of the best photos I've ever taken!}

{The last dip in the ocean for this season}

On the Monday, Mr M and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary. But given that we'd had such a epic (for us) night out, we were in no hurry to have a special "date night" for the occasion; there'll be plenty more to come, I'm sure :)

Then it was back to reality and work. Mr M is currently on a production break at the moment, which is actually fab for me; an extra pair of hands to help with the morning rush, means I get an extra 30-minutes in bed in the morning! Woo hoo!

Things I have been grateful for this long weekend:

1. The fact that it was a long weekend - four days off; one awesome night out, and hanging with my boys. Heaven!

2. The weather. I hope you had as glorious a weekend as we did!

3. Fresh flannel sheets on the bed - so comfy, so dangerous; it's a real struggle to get out of bed!

4. Family. We got to see both sides of our family over the long weekend, which meant much laughter all round. I am so SO thankful for the family I have!

What did you get up to over the long weekend?

Gratitude Project - 17th April

I'm posting this early, because Mr M and I are having a night on the town tonight and I cannot be held responsible for the state that I will come home in (nor the nonsense I would write if I was to allow myself access to my blog!)  :)

A night out! On the long weekend, with the kids having a sleepover at the grandparents! I am so excited... in fact, this is how I am feeling right now - I'm gonna have me some fun!

{Image credit}

I've even bought a new top for the occasion! My first non-work item of clothing purchased in.... well, a long time!

I got it from The Iconic and had it delivered within 3 hours. It was dangerously easy, and fun.

And just to cap it all off, Mr M thinks I look good in it  ;)




So although I haven't had a full day in which to find things to be grateful for, these are the things I am grateful for today:

1. Running with my bestie - this is probably one of the best changes I have made this year. Combining exercise and seeing my bestie for a chat.

2. Spotify on my office PC. I love having access to all sorts of music to suit my mood. At the moment, if I have a lot of work to do, I've started listening to "old skool house" music really loud and just powering through my work. It's awesome

3. My Mum. For having my boys tonight and for making it work, no matter what. She's amazeballs :)

What are your plans for the Easter long weekend? 

Invitation to join my project

It's been hard going since my brother and his family returned back to the UK. We'd spent two fabulous weeks all together, and the return to work life and normality have taken a bit of a toll on my soul.... Surely life is too short to not be spending every precious moment with those you love!?

But if I continue down that path, then this post will become about priorities and the whole work/life balance, which would lead me to acknowledge and admit that mine is pretty out of whack. And I'm not ready to deal with the fall out from that just yet.

So to help me find my inner happy place again, I'm going to restart my Gratitude Project for the month of April (and beyond!) - and I would love for you to join along!

It's simple. Once a day, I'd like for you to sit quietly and think about three things that you are most grateful for in that day and write it down.

Personally this works best for me at bedtime, when I have a few quiet minutes to reflect without distraction. But if you find that it works for you first thing in the morning, or lunchtime, or whilst driving to the office, then go with what feels best!

{Photo credit}

I will be using my blog as my gratitude journal, and writing my gratitudes here - I usually add a little snippet of my day too... Not only does it give you all a peek into my life and who I am, but also for the days I struggle to find something to be grateful for; I like to look back for reminders or inspiration, and I find that leaving a small record of my day helps to jog my memory.

Maybe you have a journal or a diary, or even a post-it note that you stick on a door - just make sure you write it down. I find that the act of writing down the things I am thankful for solidify them in my mind. They might start off as something that feels a bit silly thinking of as a gratitude, but once it is written down it will become real and you will feel truly thankful for it.


And if you feel so inclined, please feel free to share your gratitude with me, I would love to see what makes you happy!... and to find inspiration from you - sometimes a gratitude can be hard to find.

I also will be taking pictures for my Mum's the Word Instagram page to visually share my world with you. I will be using the hashtag #MTWGratitudeProject. I hope to see you there :)

Here's to a month of being thankful!