Fashion Revival...

 Miss T was desperate for these 'high-waisted' shorts.

"Mum, I l-o-v-e them. they're sooo stylish"

Hmmmm

I was a teenager in the '80s. Back then it was high-waisted jeans

And we all know how good they looked in retrospect don't we?

Just a thought. Should we keep all our clothes for 20 years and just bring them out for the next wave a fashion?

Well?



Ciao for now...



 

just Shopping...

Okay, okay I have started Christmas shopping. I'm not writing to boast. It's just that who can resist a gorgeous Marley and Lockyer parcel when it arrives? Especially when it looks like this!
Ordered straight from her Etsy shop. Bliss!!

I am going to turn these into Christmas decorations for my friends with a little ribbon and another small gift.... maybe a Crabtree and Evelyn something.....

The owl might not make it out of the house

I'm just saying....






 Ciao for now...


 

Weekend...

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Aaahhh, the weekend! I am half way through my 12 week challenge which meant a morning of re-assessment: beep test, sit ups, push ups, arm dips, brace and to follow, a lovely 2.4km run. All before 8am. I feel fitter and stronger than I have in a long time. Since I did the 10km run in Byron (here), I  have the mindset of "2.4 kms? No worries". So this morning shaved about 3 minutes off my first, rather tragic, attempt.  My overall goal is to beat Mother Nature at her game and be as fit and healthy as I can be before my metabolism succumbs to my hormones, or lack of then, or whatever happens to them....

Family visiting this weekend, loads of washing to do. Master T wants some 'skins' and I am in desperate need of a shower after all that workout. Lucky you can't smell me. Master T thinks I smell like kangaroo food. That can't be good!

Trust your weekend is full of happiness, relaxation and love. The Silver Fox caught up with an old friend last night who happened to be in his neighbourhood so I wonder if he is bright and chirpy this morning? I will be a good wife and not ring him.

I'm a bit excited that I have not much planned as life has been quite hectic of late...



 Ciao for now..



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Here Socky, Socky, Socky...

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We have trouble with socks in this house. We always have (see here). They sort of disappear... Now, my motto is "put it in the wash and it will be washed". I know. I'm crazy like that. But, I get blamed for socks going missing when in actual fact they absconded well before the Cold Power came out.

This week Master T had 3 socks. Can you see the dilemma? 2 socks were worn to Scouts where he was doing some sort of crazy water assessment where he had to swim 50meters and tread water for 15 minutes. Something to do with canoeing I think and his ability to survive should he be chucked out of the canoe. So, Master T insisted on wearing his school socks into the water and was most indignant that I hadn't washed and dried them that night. Hello? I'm a once-aweek-washer-woman!

So in the morning.... 1 sock. "Find a solution" I apparently said, thinking Master T would just wear sports socks with his day uniform.

No. Apparently that is not allowed.

He changed into his sports uniform and was going to say to the teacher the excuse that I said "find a solution" and this was his solution. The teacher didn't notice him in a sea of blue and gray dressed in blue and yellow. Go figure.

So today he went with the wrong socks and money to buy new socks. Yep. I thought that was a good solution too. Nope. School doesn't sell uniforms now as of last week. Who knew? So he came home with 'spare socks'. I didn't want to ask if that meant 'lost property' or not. So, now we need to go to our local shopping centre and buy socks, which will have to wait until the weekend.

Still one school day to go though

Does anyone else have weeks where things are just a bit out of alignment? I'm all for stapling socks to feet myself. Who is with me???


 Ciao for now...


 

Things I Know...

I do this occasionally. Write a little blurb on things I know, what I have learned of late, things that either inspire me or make my heart sing. I have a great life and I think I appreciate it more as I get older. I think I appreciate a lot of things more. Maybe it is because I have children. Or maybe it is because I am just getting wiser. I have recently fallen in love with owls so maybe the last bit is the truth... I have learned a lot about myself since the Silver Fox has been away:

I can survive. I'm not sure all women think that. I don't wish to be single though. I might survive but certainly do not thrive

I can organize my own mechanic

Christmas is coming whether we are ready or not

Moving furniture around still makes me excited. I'm a cheap date like that. When I was little and my Mum changed my bedroom around, I literally couldn't sleep that night

I haven't really had a drink if alcohol since the Silver Fox has left. A sense of responsibility I'm thinking, only parent around and all that

I'm really liking this Fitness Challenge this time. New instructor and quite, well, challenging really. I am proud of what I can do, without injury.

I dislike the smell of Lily flowers. Always have. Smells like cat's urine to me. Can smell them a mile awayI appreciate their beauty though

Anything hazelnut praline-ish tastes like soap to me. Ferraro Roche are very safe in my fridge. I've even tried to eat them holding my nose. Nope. Soap!











Ciao for now......


Just Martha

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A Zhush Apprentice...

Who doesn't like a zhush? 

We had a busy weekend. I am training Master T to be my stand-in furniture mover in the Silver Fox's absence. Although, I must say, his display of enthusiasm and eagerness puts the Silver Fox's down right reluctance to shame! What a pleasure it was carrying sofas up and down the stairs with my little apprentice. He even had some great design ideas. We were so inspired, we went out and updated the look with cushions, although we still need more. Now, I must say, the Silver Fox wouldn't have done that!!!


What is that? A brochure on cruises? Hmmm, might have a look...

Ciao for now...

 

Mindfulness...

Are you mindful?

What do I mean?

Do you stop to take a breath and.....notice things?

Do you live in the moment?

Do you appreciate the everyday, the now, the here?

Or do you rush... from A to B? Living life as the destination rather than the journey?

Take a little moment to think about it. Think about how you view the everyday. If you have small children it is very easy to rush, rush, rush...... Be 'doing' all the time.

Just consider if you will, to take time to notice things, little things. And take pleasure in the every day. Live the journey in life, not the destination. Even if it is only for 5 minutes per day....

I went on a course this week and had a 21/2 hour drive there and back. The Silver Fox was still at home. To say it was an inconvenience was an understatement. I was cross and the course was set out over 2 days for 9 hours each day. I was.... 'volunteered' to go. My attitude was not really the best. Oh, I wasn't outwardly critical, just sort of .... disengaged, passive, quietly rebellious.

Then I saw this, in all its glory....

How beautiful. How darn perfect, old, healthy, clever and symmetrical.

Thank you Mr Jacaranda. For reminding me to appreciate the beauty around  me, for helping me to live in the moment. For helping me to realize how good life is

Don't you agree? Come on.... give it a try. This 'being mindful' business.










 Ciao for now...




 

A Strength Within..

How strong are you? In character? Can you achieve what you want to achieve? Can you set your mind to do something.... And do it? Are you determined as a person?

Do you talk yourself into things to try... Or out of things?

What kind of self talk do you practice daily? Do you tell yourself you can do something... Or you can't?

Self talk is a very powerful thing. If you tell yourself you can't do something, do you think you will be able to do it? Do you notice when you talk to yourself? 'I can't afford that', 'I won't be able to do that'.

I recently had the opportunity, within my new '12 Week Challenge', to run a 10 m fun run raising money for cancer research. Now, you might know, that I have been on a journey to health. Part of my initial assessment is to run 2 km and to be honest I find that difficult. How on earth was I going to run 10-freaking-kms? I have never run that far. Ever.

It was my choice to do it or not. So. I did. I chose to tell myself I would give it a go because how would I know otherwise what I could do? So, armed with my iPod, off I went. 15 others from my group also did it. Some beginners and some advanced in fitness.

Now, it might have helped that the run was at Byron Bay. Did I forget to mention that? The day was gorgeous and the run commenced at 7am. My music was very motivating. I ran up to the lighthouse assisted by A Flock of Seagulls singing 'I Ran'. I also was helped by a bit of Michael Jackson and Scissor Sisters.

I did it.

In 1 hr and 21 minutes. Those fit in my group did it in around 1 hour so I feel quite elated by the fact that I wasn't too far behind. Considering.

I was quite teary at the end. I am proud of me for having a go.

I even had a lot of fun too.

Who would have thought?

So, now I know. What next I wonder?




Ciao for now......


Just Martha

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Family Fun...

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Our crazy weekend continues. I am off to a conference tonight for 2 nights, then the Silver Fox is leaving tomorrow. He has done the usual chores from the 'list' I make for him (including fixing a leaking toilet, putting up a TV on the wall, fixing the still-leaking bathroom and cleaning the pool) but we have had fun too. I sometimes look over at him when we are doing stuff and can't really believe he is there, beside me. He asks me why I am smiling. I just am. I like my 'normal' much better that the other way. Not long to go now until we are all as should be.

He has noticed a big change in the kiddies. He thinks Master T has grown like a weed. But. He notices the biggest change in him too, that he is a bit lost without his Dad and realizes this career-move has affected Master T the most. And wrestle!!!! Anywhere, anytime. Master T can't get enough. I don't get boys but I understand enough not to complain about cushions flying, couches pounded and the occasional 'bang, crash, crunch' noise coming from the TV room.

Okay, well, need to pack and get kids sorted for a sleepover tomorrow at my parent's home. Hopefully it will go okay and my Mother's dementia won't cause anxiety. It is her birthday tomorrow so the kids go armed with presents. Being away causes me anxiety let me tell you! I have packed my gym clothes as I am in Week 4 of my Challenge and am 'on f-i-r-e' as the Silver Fox would say. Who would have thought that I would get a taste for all this exercise. When I get back remind me to tell you about my 10km run. I know. I'm amazed too! A-n-d I survived!!

Stay well, smile and be kind to yourself...


Ciao for now...
 

Stranger Danger...

We live in a small community with one traffic light. In the past week we have had 3 attempted abductions by strangers. Not sure if this is statistically high or that because we live in such a small place the communication is quicker and better. I received 2 texts and had one conversation at the beach when I saw a school teacher friend. Hmmm, makes you feel unsafe doesn't it? There were 2 different makes of car and one was linked to a similar attempt in Coffs Harbour. Both my children couldn't sleep last night and Miss T ended up coming into my bed at 1.30am.

She felt that she was alone at bus stops alot and this freaked her out. By this morning she had arranged for a school chum's mum to either pick her up or drop of her friend so they could wait together. She's a 'do-er' isn't she?

We talked strategies. As you do.

I have done something with my kiddies since they were small, out of distraction when driving but is actually really handy. I have taught them to identify each brand symbol on a car so we used to play a game where they had to identify what sort of car it was first. (Hey, you need to be creative when you have little ones on long car trips don't you?) So, one car was identified as an Audi and even though we haven't really played the game for a while, they both knew that the brand symbol was 4 circles.

When they were older, we played a game where they needed to make up a sentence from number plates and took turns to play. "BMC541: Brigit Might Cough at 5.41am" or "CGT826: Clock Goes Tick 8-2=6". That sort of game.

We have also talked about strangers and for a very long time they thought a stranger was a sinister person dressed in black. We talk about strangers as anyone you don't know. (Daniel Morcombe has always featured in our discussions over the years) and do roles plays about kittens and lollies and missing dogs and writing down cars and number plated in the dirt if possible and running to a neighbour's house and what information to remember to tell the police........

I don't think it is possible to wrap children in cotton wool to keep them safe but by teaching them some lateral skills, maybe it will help. Kids are very good at identifying brands aren't they? Show me a 2 year old who doesn't recognize the 'Golden Arches" from TV. Miss T used to point out the Commonwealth Bank sign from when she was little and say "which bank".

What do you think? want to give any of these games a try? Can't hurt really can it?






 Ciao for now...




 

Yippee!...

Happy family together again soon...

Pssst! Guess what? We have been given the word that the Silver Fox will be back home by January. They want to keep him up there but realize he has been away too long. He is starting to falter a little now as it have been 6 weeks since his last visit. He is a family man and needs us around him. Don't get me wrong, we need him too but the weeks are shorter for us because there is lots to do. Him? The weekends d-r-a-g terribly. There is only so much fishing a man can do! So, he is home this weekend. This is the crazy weekend with lots on, role conflict plus plus.

I have to admit that it has been a bit tricky. I feel like only half a person without him. We do speak to him every night but it is not the same. We have done Skyping but as it is so very hot up there now, he has such a tan that we can't see him. We can only see his teeth and his eyes. I think he said that the temperature was above 35 degrees some days. Phew! And it is only October. I guess he will find out what it will be like in December and then he will be home.

To say we are excited is an understatement. I also get to go up for the Christmas party, sans children. Can't wait!! I will be wearing my lovely Phyllis Boho kaftan he bought me last birthday! See here for further details. I have also bought some divine wedges from Nine West to wear with it and will show you at a later date when the computer is cooperating. I paid my bill late again this month, by one day, so will see if there is any punishment ensuing. I know, I should have learned last time but alas no.

I think it is so much better that we have a plan now and it would appear the SF is only going to be working 10 minutes away from home. We won't know ourselves!!!



Ciao for now......


Just Martha

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How Grand...

Kevin McLeod - Grand Indeed...

How exciting!! The new season of Grand Designs starts on Thursday evening on pay TV. I usually only have one 'must see' show a week and now this is starting, I will be glued to the box. No interruptions for 1 hour. I do like a good Kevin fix a-n-d I love the design and building process. I have watched many series of Kevin and feel he has mellowed over the years from his scathing self to someone a bit more complimentary. Jeepers, he could be harsh in the olden days. I love his passion, his love of the old and of blending the new.You can usually tell how old the series is by watching Kevin's hair going from long to short and his hairline going from..... well, going really.

Sorry about the photo. Here are a few more equally bad:

Stylish too...

Contemplative Kevin

 So, you know where you will find me at 7.30 DST on a Thursday....

Do you have a passion for buildings?




Ciao for now...




 

Love Yourself...

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My Mum doesn't wear shorts. Never. And although we live in a hot climate and she gets very hot indeed, she won't even consider shorts. Oh, she complains about the heat. But. No shorts for her...

Why?

She hates her legs. Always has. And won't show them to anyone, the 'World' included

What is wrong with her legs? Are they hideously deformed? no. Are they non-functional? No. They work perfectly. They carry her to where she wants to be, they bend, they stretch, they have been known to dance... She thinks they are too skinny and she hates them. With a passion. If she knew I had revealed her secret, she would be quite humiliated. Her legs are just fine. Long, lean and v-e-r-y white, due to the non-exposure aspect. But quite lovely really. Although I didn't inherit them, I can move past this injustice and appreciate that LJ (sister) did and they look just fine on her too...

Why am I telling you this? Why am I revealing her secret? Because as irrational as she sounds, she is not alone.

Many of us are bound by our perceived limitations. Aren't we?

Many of us are very critical of ourselves and impose great restrictions.

But

What if we saw beauty in ourselves? I mean really, we are amazing beings are we not? No two of us are the same. We are unique...

So, let's follow the advice above and love ourselves. Self talk really needs to be positive doesn't it?

Go on, give it a try. Be kind to yourself...




 Ciao for now...



 

Exhausted...

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Miss T was exhausted the other night. Totally. She had spent 6 hours waiting in the front of the queue for a teen popstar to make an appearance at a shopping centre. I dropped her and two friends off, supplied them with lunch and drinks and left them to it. Some hours later after, screaming, crying, getting autographs and singing along, a tired Miss T and her friends were picked up and dropped home. She was exhausted, her back hurt from all that standing, she was pushed and shoved by equally enthusiastic fan.

She would have slept anywhere.

What fun she had

And, she said she wouldn't have changed a thing

I chatted to her in bed that night. She was crying. She wasn't sure why really and was a teensie bit irrational


I kissed her good night and she went to sleep.


Aaah, to be 13




 Ciao for now...


 

I've Been a Good Girl-Haven't I?...

The object of my desire

I've been a good girl lately. Finishing courses, applying for jobs, steering the family ship almost single-handedly, going to the gym, watching my diet, avoiding alcohol (4 months now)....

So

I deserve to buy myself something

Don't I?

Well I did. A-n-d it was something I totally didn't need but oh, so did want

So. I did

The gorgeous book above

Why then, do I feel guilty?

I haven't even opened it yet and it has been in my possession for nearly 24 hours

Okay, okay.. I haven't r-e-a-l-l-y had time and I do want to sit down, with a cuppa and drool over the pages, take my time, and not be interrupted

Why do I have to justify my purchase? Even to me

I do love Florence.So. Enough. Enough with the self-inflicted guilt trip

I will enjoy

Yes I will....

After I do the folding and ironing....




 Ciao for now...


 

Manners Please....

I have spend some time this school holidays with my gorgeous children's friends and you know what? I have noticed something. I have noticed that my children are very polite. And they talk to adults. This is the case whether it be on the phone or in person. They always say hello and have a little chat. And, they contribute to conversations. Miss T gives her friends's Mums hugs and they really like it. It comes naturally to her and conversations comes naturally to both of them. Not sure where they get it from to make them stand out from their peers, in my eyes. We do nothing special but I do insist on manners. You know, say 'hello' and 'goodbye' and 'thank you'... That sort of thing. I dislike bad manners. I am a stickler and have been known to insist upon occasion. Ask my children. If they won't eat properly at the dinner table, it is off to the garage for them. True. Ask them.

Master T is a hit with the Mummies too because he is always up for chat. I think he has the 'Nonna-Gene', an inherited tendency to talk. He is also quite observant and will compliment ladies on their new hair-do's or clothes. A bit too observant at times. 'Mum is that a new pair of shoes?' 'no son, my is that the time?'

So, I chatted to Miss T about this tonight, and she agreed! She thinks she has nice manners compared to some of her friends and thought they were rude to their parents at times.

Well, there you go....


Ciao for now......


Just Martha

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A Little Guest Surprise...

Hello Dear Bloggers.. A little surprise for you!!! Jen  from Arcadian Home Decor is doing a guest post!! How darn exciting...

So... tada!!! Enjoy

Hello! I'm Jenn and I'm a lucky writer with Arcadian Home Decor, an e-commerce website that specializes in top home decor ideas around the world. I worked for a number of years as an editor of a home decor magazine, and my love for interior design stuck even after I ventured into the world of freelancing. Today I get to write about home accessories, colour palettes and furniture trends on a day-to-day basis, and better yet, I get to contribute to awesome websites like Jelly Shane. Owner Martha and I are cut from the same cloth and I feel privileged to be guest blogging here today. Thank you Martha!

Most home decor trends are taken from the runways - fashion dictates colours and styles, and then designers apply them to interior spaces. From Hollywood havens to an endless array of textures, patterns, and unique looks, these are eight spaces with dreamy styles and fashions for decor.

Glam it up


Exotic colours like fuchsia and turquoise as well as retro-inspired furniture come together oh-so-poshly in this living room.

A nod to Tinseltown


Hollywood Boulevard meets Manhattan in this modern industrial-style loft. The clear staircase railing is especially chic.

Charming hues


Black and white never goes out of style, and a modern twist on this colour combo is the dash of lime green seen here in the modish glass chandeliers and table decorations.

Mah-vellous metallic


While shimmering metallic can be seen up and down the catwalk they're also an opulent choice for an interior, particularly a bathroom with this incredible clawfoot tub.

A rainbow of colour


This interesting vignette draws all of its inspiration from the wall art, with its vibrant colours and thick strokes, which are mimicked in the carpet, walls, and window treatments.

A look to the past


Black and ocean blue are a glamorous pair, with zebra prints adding some exotic playfulness to this dreamy living room.

Sophisticated pastels


Grapefruit pink and mint green are a yummy colour scheme in this living room/dining room. The light fixture is an especially fun centrepiece to the space.

A walk-in wonder


This dreamy fashionable walk-in closet is all decked out, from the spot-lit glass shelving display of shoes to the lavender-coloured built-in cabinetry.

Image credits: { 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 }

Do you like how these fashionable home decor accessories are incorporated? Check out more ideas for†home accessories at Arcadian Home Decor!

just Pouring Rain...

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Does it pour when it rains at your house? Do you know what I mean?

For example....

The Silver Fox is coming home on Friday 14th Oct. He is taking Master T to see the famous (or infamous) Bear Grylls that night so I need to drive 1/12 hours after work to meet up with the Silver Fox, deliver Master T and we all stay at his Mum's house.  I have a course to do all day Saturday with a colleague so I am going to bring her with me. To also stay at the SF's Mum's house. There is a scout camp on the same Friday night to Sunday. Master T wants to do the scout camp. Miss T doesn't want to do anything. We should be back home on Saturday night, late. I'm thinking a big 'no' to the scout camp but it is the last one for the year and it is a family camp too.

I have a run at Byron Bay on Sunday. Early. Be there at 6.30am.  Okay, so it is Byron Bay and the family could meet me there for after the run and we could have a leisurely breakfast together. Miss T still doesn't want to do anything with us. Hmmm, we will see what happens. The Silver Fox is with us until Wednesday... except.... I need to do another course and be away Tuesday night and Wednesday night AND the drive is 3 hours away..... AND I have children so need to find someone to look after them on Wednesday night and send them to school on Thursday AND pick them up............



Jeepers..........


Deep breath ......


I'm not complaining. It's just life gets so busy, sometimes it gets in the way. Role conflict +++ The gorgeous Silver Fox just wants to come home and relax and be with us after his busy/crazy life away...

Me? I just lose sleep worrying about how to squeeze it all in and make everyone happy, including me

Wish me luck...




 Ciao for now...
 

just Pondering...

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 Do you? Just ponder? On life, on loves.... on missed opportunities?

I do.

No, not lamenting / hate my life / wish something had changed sort of self-speak


Just. I don't know...  look back with different eyes.

And see things a little differently


For example, LJ and I  (sister) lived together when I was at Uni and she was working in a bank. We had a great time together. We didn't vacuum for a whole 6 months once. Because we could. No parents around. (Actually the police did a door knock once because someone had gone missing and had walked up our road apparently so they wanted to know 'what were you doing on the night of...' sort of stuff. To tell you the truth I had an overwhelming urge to confess!! Too much TV I think. Anyhoo, the police looked around our flat with such interest and disdain at the mess that we cleaned as soon as we weren't potential suspects anymore....)

I digress...

It is just that I look back and ask myself why we didn't go overseas for years, just the 2 of us. After all we had no mortgage, no dependents, no boyfriends..... Why didn't we just 'go for it?'

Also

When I look back at photos of my kids I never remember them being so young at that time. It is like I am too busy living the life to really focus on how little they are or were. For example when Miss T went to school she seemed so grown up and ready but now I look at photos of her, she looks so little. But I remember at the time thinking she was so grown up.

Don't get me wrong, I have no regrets. But. It seems that I was so busy living life, I didn't realize how fleeting those every day moments are.

I wouldn't live my life any differently, or change any decisions I made...( except perhaps not to steal $2.20 from the girl down the road and to be hauled down by my ear to explain myself and give it back AND be punished. I always wished I hadn't done that. I think I was 7...)

Do you ponder? Maybe you are too busy. I guess I was reminded when LJ and her kiddies came and they hadn't seen each other for nearly 10 months. Life just gets in the way some times doesn't it?

The SF is coming home next week for a few days. It has been 6 weeks this time!! Eek!! Hopefully not for very much longer


 Ciao for now...




 

just a Passion...

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Miss T is showing quite an interest in photography. I think she said her mobile phone had taken in excess of 3000 photos. Hmmm, that shows more than just a passing fancy. So. Off to do some homework regarding Christmas, presents and courses.................


Ciao for now...