Leap into 2011...

weheartit

So, what does 2011 hold I wonder? Are you going to 'leap' into it? Step off the edge into the unknown?... Follow your dreams and be brave enough to 'go for it'? I am a firm believer that you need a plan. How will we know what to achieve if we don't aim for a destination? I don't think we need to know how to get there, just where we are going. What do you think? 

For me 2011 will continue the path the 'me'. I have a little 'anxiety beast' to tame as it frequently blocks my way. That will be first on my list. So here is a little snippet of my list:

• Start my own hobby business to satisfy my creative side. Stay tuned
• Work smarter rather than harder
• Buy a car for me - something diesel
• Finish a course to be able to teach
• Do a soft furnishings sewing course
• Support my parents as my Mum slips away into the Twilight more and more each day
• Camp!! There Silver Fox, it is on the list so must be achieved
• The Silver Fox and I to go to Melbourne
• LJ (sister) and I to go to Byron for a long weekend
• Maintain quality rather than quantity in my life. (Bit airy-fairy but you know what I mean)
• Continue quality family moments
• Continue my road to health
• Give my children 'experiences'

What is on your list dear Bloggers?...

Ciao for now


just Martha

Finishing Bug...

The Silver Fox

I haven't chatted about the Silver Fox for a while. He has had a big year working and he has holidays  for 1 month. Not since 1994 has he had a whole month off! Then we went to Canada and America for 4 weeks. Now he is working for someone else he is very excited at the idea of being p-a-i-d for this time off. Very excited. Me too! No child care fees this holiday for us!!! Anyhoo, the Silver Fox built our house and did a grand job. However, there are still a few bits and bobs to do. But, here is the exciting thing.... he now has some time and the motivation to do them! Go ahead i say! So, he will be finishing our outdoor area and half completed the rest of the roof last weekend. His goal was to have it done for Christmas but some difficulty getting the 'flashing' in time so not 100% leak proof. Pity, as we could have done with leak proof. Very exciting though. Will post some shots of before and after soon... Also we are thinking of changing some lights over the kitchen island to give, well, more light. So will keep you posted...




Ciao for now

just Martha

Outdoor Room...

Very serene

Simple but comfy

Nice lanterns...

Pop of pink...

Pop of blue... How would you keep those curtains clean?

Very relaxing isn't it?

 Images

Just getting some ideas regarding our outdoor area... How does one keep the couches clean and dry? or does one need to move everything inside all the time? Hmmm, some good ideas though...

Ciao for now


just Martha

Rain, Rain Go Away

Okay, okay, okay.... We are officially waterlogged... mouldy,  damp, soggy, frizzy-haired... have cabin fever........ 5 children to entertain....

Please, please, please STOP RAINING....

Please

Ciao for now 

just Martha

What Christmas Means...

My Christmas angel...

To me Christmas means giving, being thoughtful and kind and relaxing. We are very lucky. We have had a year filled with love, health and happiness. We know we are lucky. We don't take this for granted. We will be thinking of those who need positive energy sent their way including those who are reminded especially at this time of year, of loss in their lives or unwanted changes.


Christmas also means family and we will be surrounded by in laws, cousins, aunts etc.... 14 all up with 2 potential inclusions. Days will be filled with eating, swimming, the beach, movies and some indoor games if the weather remains dodgy.


I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas. To my followers and my visitors, you reinforce daily that I have something worthy to say and for that I thank you. I was introduced to the wonderful world of blogging by the heavenly A-M, like many of you probably. I used to write on Facebook but was frequently gagged by their minimal word limit. Blogging has let me waffle on to my hearts content. And it is nice to know that others take interest. I especially want to thank those that I follow and read. You have filled me with inspiration to read more, write more, design, create and remodel. I have a new spark of purpose in my life and a new spring in my step.


So Merry Christmas to you all and may 2011 be filled with health, happiness, joy and love.


Remember, we are still spreading the Girl Power message to assist those in need. Simply have a look here. If you are interested, follow the linky below to leave a message for Jane...


Ciao for now


just Martha

Christmas 'Break'?...

Not what we quite had in mind!...  Master T has started the holidays off with a bang - and a broken wrist!!  Same wrist was broken 6 months ago after a skateboard fall whilst riding said skateboard at a "crazy-hair disco" at school. So off to Emergency we went. With blue hair. Now broken in a different place. He had been riding a skateboard but thought that 'the cartwheel with backflips' might have done it. He did have 2 cans of softdrink prior so maybe that was a contributing factor too. Poor fellow. He awoke in the morning saying "Uggg. I thought it was a dream". Sorry Sunshine. 6 weeks apparently of lateral entertainment. Just in time to go back to school. He feels ripped off. V-e-r-y ripped off!! So do we as this was the holiday of beach, pool, bmxing, in no apparent order or with no frequency restrictions. He has been heard to exclaim to his sister "I am a cripple you know" when wanting extra time on the computer which he has to use 1-handed. It is only day 1! We m-i-g-h-t have to give him a loan so he can get that X box otherwise no one is going to make it through the holidays with a very active, one winged Master T to entertain.... We are going to approach Fracture Clinic with a 'keep calm and carry on' mindset as I think we are 60th on the list.... Yay for us! Wish us luck

Ciao for now

just Martha

Talking To You...

weheartit

I am feeling very, um, complete. Like a little hole in my heart that I hardly knew was there has suddenly been filled. By kindred spirits. I feel excited too in a way. For us. For all of us. I think we can make a difference a-n-d I think we are. The response to sending positive thoughts out has been nothing short of incredible. How could Jane not ride this wave of positive energy to good health? I am proud to be female. Proud to be part of this nurturing clan. Girls like to talk and to listen. It is that easy. I have seen messages in blog-land from all over the world. How exciting is that? How powerful?  But. Here is the thing. I have had the most amazing emails from people who are also going through troubled times.  Girl Power is talking to you all. Lots of us are going through troubles. This is for each and every one of you. Just look to the moon and embrace all that positive energy. Look at that quote to the right. Ralph Waldo Emerson says you need to give part of yourself. Sure thing. Easy really isn't it? 15 seconds per day to wish love, health and support to all. We are all worthy of receiving it.  Just ask.  Job done as the Silver Fox would say.....

Job done...


Ciao for now 

just Martha

PS: Natasha from 5 Minutes Just For Me  has pointed out that there is a Lunar Eclipse tonight!! See how aligned the universe is to the power of positive thought!!! Go us!!

Fingers Crossed...

Well, today is the day that Jane is having surgery so fingers, toes... everything crossed!! With all the wonderful positive thoughts whizzing through the universe she must certainly feel the support without feeling pressured to reply or explain. This support can just help to light her way as she wanders on this windy path back to total health.... 

I am glad I am a girl because we have this fantastic ability to be connected. Maybe it has something to do with multi-tasking, who knows. So remember, send out those positive thoughts to be received by Jane and anyone else who is in need of a little tender loving care...

Ciao for now


just Martha

PS: Anyone out these able to help me control my Linky!!! Just email...

Urgently Needed: Girl Power...

Image

Okay, urgent post folks!! Some of our blogging friends are going through some pretty tough times. The gorgeous Jane from My Pear Tree House has a very steep hill to climb. And needs our support. I have a proposal. It involves girl power and the moon.... Interested? I thought you might be..

• What if each night you look at the moon for, say, 15 seconds and send positive thoughts to Jane and to others who you know are going through harsh times?... 
• What if you post this concept on your blog or speak to your friends?...
• What if your followers blog this concept and speak to their friends?... 
• What if hundreds of women look at the moon each night and send off their thoughts?
• What if women needing support received these hundreds of thoughts?...
• You see, we all have the same moon, don't we?..
• Girl power. 
• Can we do it? 15 seconds a day? Pay it forward?
• I say we can. It can only help. It can connect us all. It can be global..
• So what do you say?...
• Start blogging the concept girls or make a pact with your friends

Do it now. And get a shifty on......

So Jane can find a central support spot, Jane from Life on Planet Baby thought we could start a linky here, listing all your posts supporting Jane... Fantastic idea!! Go Girl Power...



Ciao for now 

just Martha

White Christmas...

Images

Decision made.  Into the 5 year plan goes  'A White Christmas' ... How can I resist?....


Ciao for now

just Martha

Good Advice...

Do your best...

Ciao for now 

just Martha

Dishwasher Update...

Alas, no receipt. And no glasses either but thanks to those who  put it out to the universe... Good news though!! Rang the company we bought the dishwasher off and they have printed me out a new receipt a-n-d a copy of the 5 year guarantee!!! A-n-d now just awaiting a call in 24hrs to book the job in!! Sigh! 

Such relief..

Ciao for now 
just Martha

Goldilocks Lights...

I needed new Christmas lights because the ones I have were rather short and this has always urked me! Also, there were a few dead ones and even thought there were spares, I could never seem to change the right one. Now, lights and I have a history. I don't think I have ever been satisfied with any I have had. The first ones were shaped like sort of sharp flowers which screwed on easily over the light. They also screwed off easily too and when putting up the lights these shaped would inevitably fall off only to be stood on by innocent bare feet!! Jeepers!! Very painful indeed usually sprinkled with swearing, hobbling around and a bit of blood. Christmas can be so dangerous!!! 

So, the current lights are too short but much more friendly. This year I boot-scooted out for more and came home with a set. Something told me not to disturb the packaging as they might have to go back. Why? Maybe a tad too long? "Oh Silver Fox".. (he is the measurement man), "will these fit the tree?"...  "Why Martha" he said, "let me see. These will go around the house approximately twice". "Oh", I said. So off to the shops again. To return with Goldilocks lights. Goldilocks lights?....... 

Goldilocks lights = just right...

Tree with the Goldilocks Lights. They are there, believe me

I have a small tree that sparkles all colours-heavenly

CLose up of the star at the top

This is on my dining table...

This is my moose Dasher. Isn't he gorgeous? Little people want to sit on him

Ciao for now

just Martha

"Where are you?"...

I am still up. I am tidying. Now I have a crazy history of tidying late into the night which I will share one day but, for now I am looking, looking, looking... For what? I hear you politely ask. A receipt!!! A much needed receipt. A-n-d my 'oh so clever' filing system has let me down. Not from filing I think, but from putting the much needed item in the dratted 'safe place' Aaaarrrgggh!! I have a history of filing and safe places (try here). I am also trying to be discrete because I will cop l-o-t-s of flack from the Silver Fox if he notices me frantically looking for the receipt. For the dishwasher. Do you remember my post on the dishwasher? (here, if you have time...) On house-secrets? On how we had a new dishwasher awaiting installation and moonlighting as a storage shelf? Well, having trouble with dishwasher number 2 and n-o-w it is on the fritz a-n-d is hasn't been in use for long a-n-d Christmas is coming up which means lots of visitors and .......... dishes a-n-d it is Christmas which means tradies on holidays..... actually, the kitchen is rather tidy now we wash up all the time! Go figure....

Wish me luck.... I definitely need beauty sleep this time of year and who knows, maybe my glasses will turn up and help me to look. Wouldn't that be nice?....

Ciao for now 

just Martha

Giving...

What do you teach your family about giving? It is hard isn't it as the world can be a tad too materialistic these days. Well, some of the world anyway. There always seem to be something bigger and better to have. Some Jones' to set the standard. I have to restrain myself from launching into  the 'back in my day' violin piece.....

What did you do about gifts when you were smaller? We saved our pocket money and bought our family presents we thought they would like. Although, apparently my brother did not like the 2 cents metal sharpener I bought him when he was 10!

I like to give from the heart. I like to make pressies that are of use but a little bit different. This year shoebags are a big feature but I have also done them in children's print to place little people's gifts inside.  I still have a big drawstring bag with all the train pieces in and after 10 years we can still find all the pieces when little people come to play.
 
The actual giving of the gift is just as important. I wonder how many people out there receive their gifts in the shop bag, thrust at them with haste? There is an old chinese proverb that states "a little bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses". Hmmm, doesn't sound very Chinese really but the message is spot on about the process of giving being just as important as the gift.

So folks, take pleasure in the small things. Take pleasure in giving and receiving. It is the simple things that count....

Ciao for now


just Martha

Lost!...

Dear Glasses

I know I didn't appreciate you as much as I should have. I will even admit that I down right ignored you most of the time. I probably haven't given you the credit in my life that is due either. I know that I left you anywhere I liked frequently. You must have felt inadequate, undervalued even. But now that you are gone, now that you are hiding in your 'safe' place, I miss you. I notice your absence. I need you. My life is not the same without you in it. Everyday I think of you and go searching for you. To no avail. You are lost to me. I think of you day and night, mostly at night when the light is poor.  I miss you when I am sewing and squinting to thread a needle that continually mocks me. I have had to ask others for assistance and endure their scathing looks at performing such simple tasks for me. I have even had to wish that my arms were longer... no shorter...... no no longer. Simple tasks take so much longer. I never knew I needed you so. I know you are at my house. Somewhere. Waiting for me. I know this because I never take you out, never show you the world. Never acknowledged that you are now a partner in life with me. I am sorry. I have looked in all the logical places. Please come out. Please make yourself known. Please let me find you. My life is meaningless without you. Come back to me. Soon....

Ciao for now 

just Martha

Challenge Done!...

Well today marks the completion of my 12 week challenge at the gym with a 2 hour session at the beach- swimming, running, bike riding, kayaking, board paddling and bucket carrying.... Phew!!!! I had a g-r-e-a-t time, met some wonderful people and can now actually .... run!!!! I would like to thank my self for being uninjured, motivated and for completing the whole thing!! Go me. The Silver Fox and I still have a laugh when I tell him what I did because it is so not like me to be really active. "Guess what? I did a forty minute run today", "You" says the Silver Fox. "Yep, me (laugh, laugh, laugh...)" .... 

Now, enough about me! Have you seen www.portablenorthpole.tv yet? Go visit. It is a personalized message to your child from Santa and is very magical. Go on, have a look.... Me? I'm off for a good.... sleep!!! Well deserved I think. Just kidding. Still have the usual Mummy-jobs to do...

Have a great weekend



Ciao for now 

just Martha

Favourite Blogs...

Brabourne Farm

One blog I always nip in to for a visit is Brabourne Farm. Have you had the pleasure of seeing this inspiring site? It has beautiful pictures with a common theme and there are often a few posts per day to read. I'm not sure who has this beautiful blog but it is it is usually the first place I visit each day.  A-n-d her blog list of other sites is also just as wonderful... Go on: pop in for a visit....

Ciao for now




just Martha


PS: More school stuff today and more tissues needed apparently...

The Last School Days...

Miss T is wrapping up her last days at primary school. Speech night, mass, presentations....  Apparently I need to bring tissues....


Ciao for now 

just Martha

Things I Know....

 These things I know:

• 'Into each life a little rain must fall' Sorry, being dramatic as it is pouring here..
• Finding a carpark at the shopping centre is fraught with drama this time of year
• The anticipation of Christmas, of family and of feast is still the same for me
• (I can hear something wriggling behind my bookcase, I hope it isn't a crab-hazards of beach life)
• I want to give thanks to my physical body for rising to the challenge of an intense fitness regime and achieving great results. Go me!
• The anticipation of seeing a child's face light up at Christmas time is so worth it
• Latest question 'so, who eats the carrot? Is it the reindeer or Santa trying to get fit?' Hmmm
• Not giving a gift to adults in our family for Christmas is sooooo liberating!
• A kikki-k calendar is a m-u-s-t for organizing the family especially this time of year
• (Yep, it was a crab!! Weird huh? Chuffed him out with a dustpan and brush)
• I am a very lucky person to be surrounded by love, health and happiness
• Life is good
• Give to others without expectations
• "Nothing is more important than this day" quote by Goethe
• Each person is fighting their own battles. Be kind
• Be satisfied with what you have, not with what you don't have
• Who are those 'Jones' anyway?
• Perform random acts of kindness, because you can
• Let the people in your life know they are cherished
• Give from the heart
• I thank the blogging world for filling a place in my heart...

Ciao for now


just Martha

Are We There Yet?...

Which direction?

Are we there yet? Not a post about holidays and mammoth car trips. No. Instead, it is a post about you. Me. Women. The aim for me for this blog is to discover who I really am. Sound dramatic? Not really. I also ask my readers to think about who they are. To take a journey of self discovery. To know who y-o-u are, what y-o-u like, what y-o-u feel. To take joy in the simple things in life. To be content with no 'what ifs'. So, are you where you want to be? Where are you going? How will you know you are there if you don't know where you want to go?

The divine Trish (from a dream house for Trish) did a post the other day about losing her mojo, of achieving such great things in life but now being without direction. It got me thinking. (Go visit her if you haven't already, her blog is heavenly). Not just about Trish, but about all of us. Bloggers, we are all so busy with life, with roles, with the everyday that at times coming up for air is an achievement. I know this year I have struggled with working and doing lots of things badly rather than fewer things well. But. Here is the thing. It is very easy to just tread water. We sometimes forget to swim towards something. I remember trying to get my head around September and whooska, here we are in December. My list of chores is ever growing and time is fleeting....

I was looking for paperwork the other day (in my filing cabinet and yes, I found it) and I came across a '5 Year Plan' that I did about, well, ten years ago. On my cardboard was a picture of a beach house, a picture of a car and a picture of a healthy woman (okay, okay in a striped swimsuit with a nice body..) Now, it was within 5 years that I did have the house at the beach a-n-d I had the exact same car that was in the picture, even down to the same colour!! Freaky! The body? Well, working on that....

So, homework!! New Years eve is approaching and you know what that means? Shallow resolutions? Broken wishes? o-r.... what if you do a 5 Year Plan? Make it official on a noticeboard or on cardboard and put on it what you want within 5 years, or 2 years even. Can't hurt can it? And, hey it worked for me. I wasn't even planning on moving! I will plan where I want to be, what I want to achieve... So, go and start your plan so you will know where you are going. Here is the thing, you don't need to know how to get there, you just need to work out where you want to be. The rest seems to work itself out somehow.... Good luck....

Ciao for now




just Martha

Weekend End...

December has it all doesn't it? Well, certainly for me anyway. We have a few family birthdays in December and of course there are a-l-l the celebrations. I had a w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l birthday and feel truly humbled by the attention I received:

There was some of this...

Some of this too...

Lots of these...

Only a bit of this...

Cheers to friends...

Made this for dinner for my family. Salmon encrusted with sesame seeds and asparagus couscous

This was followed by a neighbourhood street party, held at someone's home due to rain. I have the best neighbours. Sunday saw a work children's party cancelled so my little family went to lunch and then shopping. Heavenly... So there it is, the birthday weekend. Next....



Ciao for now

just Martha

Revenge of the Scrunchie...

I want to get into camping again. We have fond memories of camping. Well, some fonder than others... When the Tweenies were little we used to camp a lot. Chuck everything into the back including porta-cot, highchair... you know how it is.  We went one time and Miss T was toilet trained by then. Well, we t-h-o-u-g-h-t Miss T was toilet trained. On this particular night we woke to find a still sleeping Miss T wet through and the whole tent awash in, well, you know... pee. It was a bit tricky to clean up in the dead of night with minimal water, however we did the best we could. Except..... the tent was on a slope.... and most of the pee.... had vanished.... under o-u-r blow up bed. Unbeknown to us!! So, add a bit of sunshine and some nice concentrated urine and, by the end of the day, well let's just say the 'odour' was not Channel No. 5!!

However, this was not the worst of it. Somehow my scrunchie (you remember scrunchies) also received a hefty dose of soaking and as everything when you camp is slightly damp, it went unnoticed by the Mummy-nose as being suspect and into the hair it went. All day.  I kept saying to the Silver Fox "I can smell wee", "Can you smell wee?', 'there it is again'..... This 'odour' would waft by all day. At the beach, in the shops, walking the paths... until finally, at the end of the day I took it out and screamed in horror as I realized where the smell was really coming from.....

Got to love camping........

Ciao for now 

just Martha

Giveaway and Girlfriends!!...

Congratulations!!The winner of my gorgeous shoe bags is.......... the heavenly Christine from Sunshine & Lollypops!! Congratulations!! So, email me at jellyshane@hotmail.com Christine and I'll chat to you regarding posting off this prize well in time for Christmas. If you haven't popped over to Christine's blog, go and have a look. It is wonderful!!!

Today is my birthday and I am celebrating in style. Coffee in bed thanks to the Silver fox and lunch with my favourite girlfriends. Aaahhhh,  I am truly blessed... Tonight is family and then, well, getting ready for Christmas. The joys of being a December baby. We are v-e-r-y good and waiting as it all comes at once... Have a great day everyone!!

Ciao for now




just Martha

Oh Mr Hart!...

Ooppsie...

Carpet looks like this, a cross between a sheep and a yeti

 Little accident, red wine on white wool shaggy carpet............ Any tips folks? Done the soda water and the vinegar and water. Now left with a nice 'pink' area. I have to admit, I did the 'Oh Mr Hart' thing with my head in my hands before I started cleaning (but without the Italian accent!). Sigh! I only have 2 squares of carpet. Only 2!!! I have ignored the Silver Fox's handy advise to spill more wine and turn it into a pink-spotted carpet... He also offered to take it out and 'power wash' it. Can you imagine! It would look like a really bad perm I'm sure in the end. Ever so helpful isn't he?

Any advise dear bloggers?

Also, time is running out for my GIVEAWAY. Enter here!! Drawn Friday. Good luck...

Ciao for now 

just Martha

Favourite Decoration...

This is my most precious decoration...

Partridge in a Pear tree

Both sides...

My gorgeous neighbour, three houses ago made this for me. We did ceramics together and her work was so fine and delicate. My work was big and bold and slap-happy. She spent ages sanding and painting. The detail, the outlining. Anyone who has done ceramics knows that if you don't use enough paint it will be streaky. Not this decoration. Perfect! Made with love. For me. It is my absolute favourite and only I can touch it. It is always placed at the top of the tree, away from inquisitive hands but within easy viewing. My dear neighbour and friend took a-g-e-s painting and glazing and it is my all time special treasure.  I a-d-o-r-e it. Even though I hardly see my friend, she is always in my heart. As true friends are...

Do you have a favourite decoration and why?...

***Check out Monday's post and join in in my giveaway....***

Ciao for now


just Martha