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?
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?
It seems that the Mindfulness Meditation course that I attended through work last month has had a bit of an impact on me.
I'm practising the art of being in the moment whenever I remember - which is surprisingly happening more often that I thought! It's not a walk in the park yet, but I am becoming better about being mindful of moments, thoughts and feelings; and to be accepting of them.
With that in mind, I'm throwing myself back into my feeeelz online too... So welcome back to Friday Feels; going through my week one sense at a time.
Hearing:
This is such a beautiful song - lyrically and musically - and it holds a special place in my heart.
It reminds me of someone whose passing profoundly changed me and my outlook, even though we were not much more than acquaintances.
Seeing:
Jacaranda trees!! Here's one I snapped on my run yesterday.
Along with frangipani's, these are my favourite tree - not only are they my harbinger of spring, but the colour of the flowers make my heart so happy.
One day, when I'm all growed up and have a house of my own, I will have my own jacaranda to bliss out under.... most likely with a gin and tonic in hand :)
Tasting:
I've been exploring my culinary skills for a while, and have discovered a delish dish called Shakshuka... OMG, it is sooo goooood!
The paprika, the chorizo, the eggs.... *wipes away the drool*
I guess I know what I'm making for dinner tonight!
Smelling:
A colleague a work has recently occupied the locker next to mine. She has a lemongrass scented soap that smells exactly like a body spray I used to have as a teenager in the UK.
The added bonus is that it makes my locker less offensive to the nose when I open it up! HAHAHA Touching:
I'm trying my hand at terrarium growing, which is pretty big for a self-confessed gardening hater and plant killer - I killed a drought resistant plant last year!!
So I've been getting my hands dirty with potting mix... and surprisingly, I've enjoyed the process!
Mr M has been charged with trawling ebay, looking for little figurines for me to put in it; whilst I am keeping my eyes peeled for new jars/bowls/anything to create my next little green oasis.
Let me know some of the things that have tickled your senses this week
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!
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!
