Parliament....

This is the only sort of parliament I love. My collection is growing isn't it?

I love owls.

I do.

Ciao for now



just Martha




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Winner...

Drum roll please..........

The winner of my 2 year bloggy-versary gift, kindly donated by the gorgeous Rachael from A Room For Everyone is:

Belle Inspirations!!!


 Please send me your address so the gift can be posted to you.

Congratulations!!!!



Ciao for now...



 

Conflict...

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How do you deal with conflict?

During the first years of marriage the Silver Fox would throw his hands up in frustration and demand I "fought like a man" His point? Say it and be done with it and move on. I can see the logic in his argument although if the news is anything to go by, some men take this motto too literally. With dire consequences. But the Silver Fox didn't grow up in my house where we were sent "to Coventry". A place of silence.

 Of silence stretching on for days.

And days...

This was how my Mum dealt with conflict. Not very effective in my opinion both then and now. It always seemed to me that she suffered more than me. And I think now what a waste of precious time it was.

Miss T had an issue with her friend. Conflict had arisen and despite best efforts silence was ensuing and others were getting involved. Not on. Look, I have no problem with conflict. It will arise. It is normal. But. It is between the two parties involved. Not Facebook or Tumblr or the grapevine. I demand respect and am happy to guide my teenager and her friend to resolution in a supportive environment. Is that not the least we can do to teach our children? Well, this is my philosophy anyway. I text the other Mummy that we needed to get this sorted. She agreed. One thing I can say about Miss T's friends is that they have wonderful parents. I am lucky. It is not always this way I know. The Mummy and I arranged a meeting time and place with the girls. Miss T was scared but I asked her to trust me and that I was proud of her for trying to resolve this but that it was getting messy and they both needed assistance. I set the rules and asked the other Mum and daughter if they agreed. "I" statements were to be used focusing on the behaviour, not the person or "you said this" type of conversation. Some guidance was needed with reminders to focus on feeling but the conversation flowed over afternoon tea. I am proud of both the girls for being brave and respectful. Is it sorted? Not sure but now there is a greater understanding of feelings and the impact on friendships.

The computer had a big part to play in the continuation of this conflict. It is a different world today with different rules. I am also ever mindful of this and that cyber bullying is on the increase. There are things that can reduce this. Miss T does not have her computer or phone in her bedroom. At all. Or a TV for that matter. I am settled with the knowledge that at 2 am all she is doing is sleeping. For now at least.

I was lucky the other Mummy was so supportive, although I was ever mindful to address the behaviours and facilitate the conversation, not choose sides.  When Miss T was 5 she came home from a very good friend's home saying she had a secret. Hmmm. I managed to get out of her that she and my friend's 8 year old were going to run away. That no one understood them and that this would "show them all". Double Hmmmm!! I rang my friend (bridesmaid at my wedding type of friend) to let her know and that she might want to have a chat with her daughter as I had with mine. She ate me alive! Lost her mind, told me it had come from my child as her child would never talk like that. Ouch! Guess whose daughter ran away?

Think about how you deal with conflict. Not an easy topic, especially if you yourself have had bad experiences. Think about it. Do share

 Ciao for now...


 

Hello?

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 I'm still here.

But have been crazy/busy: dinners, conferences, catch ups.. the usual chores

I thought Wednesday was Thursday. All day.

I hate that

It has also been a little chilly here so when I saw this lovely vase, I wondered when Spring would arrive. I love that colour of green/blue don't you?


Don't forget to enter my giveaway. It is a lovely and generous gift. Just to celebrate



Ciao for now...



 

2 Year Anniversary...

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Well, this week marks the second anniversary of this blog Jelly Shane.

Gosh that time has gone so quickly? I guess it is a time to reflect, a time to ponder and a time to plan. What has life been like with blogging in it?

Let me see:

• I began blogging because my posts were being stifled on Facebook. I kept having to reduce the words down, down, down to fit the word limit. It frustrated me no end because I had things to say. So Jelly Shane was born
• The name Jelly Shane has been a nickname of mine all my life and was given to me by my Dad. 
• I like to do this blogging a bit incognito and judging by the trouble some bloggers have had, it is not a bad idea to stick to. 
• Blogging gives me an outlet to speak and to share words of wisdom. I am passionate about women being positive about themselves, taking time for themselves and seeing themselves for the wondrous beings they are. There is an epidemic of low self esteem in the world and it undermines all that can be attained by focusing on the unachievable. Why can society dictate how tall, thin, young, wrinkle free we should be?
• I blog to sort my thoughts, to de-stress and to share.
• The blogging world is full of amazing, motivating, clever, inspiring people 
• Distance bears no impact as connections are made all over the word 
• I have my favourite blogs I like to visit but is is also lovely to visit favourite blogger's favourite blogs. If you know what I mean
• I love reading comments and seeing that list of followers steadily grow
• I know short posts are easier for everyone to read but sometimes I have a lot to say
• Sometimes I think my posts just ramble and not give this blog a specific direction to focus on but I guess that is the joy of being the author hey?

I think this occasion calls for a giveaway and Rachael from A Room For Everyone has kindly offered some gifts for you to win to mark this special time. If you haven't popped in to see Rachael, have a peek and here is a direct link to her gorgeous shop "gidgi'shop". Rachael's blog is one to follow and she is one of my favourites. So, here are two gorgeous products. A Green Gate Stonewear Utensil Jar in Fay White and a Green Gate Tea Towel in Garden White:

Green Gate tea Towel in Garden White

Green Gate Stonewear Utensil Jar in Fay White

Okay so here are the rules for the giveaway. Become a follower of Jelly Shane and leave a comment about why you blog or why you like to read blogs. If you are already a follower, just leave me your lovely comment. The giveaway will be drawn near the end of July.


Ciao for now...

just Martha

Beautify...

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To say I spend much on beauty products is gross exaggeration. I have awful sensitive skin and have a cupboard f-u-l-l to the brim of potions and lotions unsuitable for my face. I have forked out a fortune on promises only to find a gorgeous red, blotchiness within 5 minutes.

Sigh, that is the way it is. Nivea is about the only product I can slap on to my heart's content. Nothing really nourishing in there though so as the years march on I see the effect in the mirror.

So, I decided to seek out yet another beautician but this one came highly recommended. I was up for the challenge and willing to take a chance.

Again.

So I settled onto the bed which was draped in white and red towels with nice little paper mats for head and feet. So far so good. Hygiene high on the priority. So with a promise NOT to make me look like a tomato, the beautician began. First I had a cleanse and an acid peel with cranberry something. Big thing for me but her explanation was kinder than a previous beautician who told me my skin was like burnt toast with the dead skin on top and the nutrients unable to get to my good skin. Funny how relaxing it is to be pampered isn't it? 

Okay, so far so good. Then came a wonderful warm wash with relaxing movements. My final product was something called Recovery Balm which was pressed on to my skin to rehydrate with some equally lovely eye cream.

So far so good. No tightness, not stinging. Maybe I was on to a winner. So I bought a pot of Recovery Balm and boot scooted home. I'm not sure what is in it but it feels very nourishing and smells divine, sort of yummy.

However, when I did get home the dog was very interested in me. Smelling me and trying to lick my face. For ages. Hmm, maybe not a winner after all if it attracts dogs.


Ciao for now....

just Martha

Girl time...

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My boys are spending every Saturday at an indoor skate park for hours and hours and hours. So my gorgeous daughter teenager and I took the opportunity to have a girl's day and go shopping taking full advantage of the sales.

Miss T is growing like a weed and was in need of some clothes so we traipsed for shop to shop to shop so she could spend her money and take full advantage of spending wisely. She is a good little shopper my Miss T. She managed to find tops for $7.50, $5.00 and $15.00. She got a pair of jeans for $20 and they look fantastic on her.

It was lovely to walk around with her so tall and gorgeous. And mine. I saw much that would have looked lovely on her but she declined my suggestions as "too mainstream". Okay then. Do I take it that she doesn't wish to look like everyone else? When she was little she used to put on a t-shirt, pull a skirt up to her chest, cinch with a belt and off she would go. Style. Even as a 4 year old.

I appreciate these times as when I look back on photos she always looks so young yet I don't remember her at the time being little. Do you ever do that? She is 14 now and keen for a part time job to earn some money. Teenage-hood has been a little crazy but even when she is snitchy and scathing, I a-d-o-r-e her!!





Ciao for now

just Martha