Slow and Steady

I am going to try a new stunt. I am going to try and trick myself into doing all the things I know are good for me. I am going to take a gradual,measured approach in the hope that this will make my new life improvements stick. i read somewhere that you have to do something every day for a month for it to become habit. So I am going to try something new for October. I am going to remember to take my anti-depressant meds as soon as I wake up every day. Because I forget a lot. And that is not good for me or my kids or anyone around me. I am going to make a big, bright sign for next to my bed and leave my pills and a water botlle there. And hopefully after a month it will just be habit and I won't even have to try anymore. Future challenges will include:


I will "Findy Thirty" minutes of physical activity every day- playing with the kids, walking, dancing etc.
I will drink 8 glasses of water every day- I read somewhere that being even 5% dehydrated causes your cognition to fall by over 20%!
I will do 4 pleasures every day.

any other suggestions would be appreciated. If this works I'll be perfect by this time next year!

Landsdale Farm School

This is more of a reminder to myself than anything, and an invite!

Landsdale Farm School is having an open day on October 10th (last day of the school hols think) from 9am - 3pm. Gold Coin Donation entry. Sausage sizzle, craft demos, stalls etc.

Looks like fun! (Who says there's nothing to do in Perth?)

Quality family time :)

We've just had a lovely (half) day at the miniature tain rides in vasto place, Balcatta.http://www.ndmes.net/about.html

Run by the Northern Suburbs Model Engineering Society on the last Sunday of each month, there is only one rule- everyone must wear fully closed in shoes- even if you don't intend on taking a ride.

It costs $6 entry for everyone over the age of two, and includes unlimited rides for the kids AND adults. You can get a family of 2 adults and up to 4 children in for $24. There are a couple gas bbq's (free to use) in a fenced off kiddie safe area, a big gazebo that can be reserved for parties and plenty of picnic tables on the lawn area. There is a small kiosk selling cans of soft drink, teas and coffees and icypoles for the kids and a clean toilet block.

The model engines are true replicas running on coal powered steam, and take kids, parents, grandparents and others for unlimited rides between the opening hours of 10am til 2pm. Pack the esky with a picnic lunch and a blanket and spend a relaxed, low-cost day with the kids. I took a newspaper and the kids just went round and round and round making the most of the unlimited rides.

This is not a fancy, plastic theme park with perfect gardens and inflated prices and lots of rules. That's what I like about it. Just some model engine enthusiasts opening their gates to the public once a month to share their passion :)

See you there next month!

Affirmations

I had/have these written on little coloured pieces of paper in a pouch and I take one out and read it when I feel the need. Sometimes I carry it with me all day, or until I don't need it anymore. A girlfriend of mine put them in a jar on her kitchen bench (I made her a set) along with nice things her husband wrote about her.

1. I meet all challenges with enthusiasm and power
2. The matter at hand is in my hands
3. Dare to Dream!
4. Trust my intuition
5. I see problems as opportunities and difficulties as challenges
6. I forgive and relese all those who have hurt me
7. I draw only the best people to me
8. I bless and release all of my old pain
9. Where there is great love there are always miracles
10. I take charge of my thoughts and feelings at all times
11. Healing myself is the first step to healing the world
12. Chickens scratch, ducks flock and eagles soar
13. I believe in myself totally!
14. Others success inspies me toward my own
15. I make a difference in the world
16. I move forward when I know what I really want
17. Focusing on the present heals my fear of the unknown
18. It's my inspiration that motivates me
19. I give thanks for the lessons I have learnt
20. Abundance is mine!
21. I go within to understand what's without
22. I trust myself to make the right decisions
23. I only attract the highest experiences for my growth
24. I judge only the weather and the time
25. I know the solutions to all my problems
26. My life is a series of positive choices
27. How I see myself today is how I will behave
28. All anxiety and Insecurity dissolves from my life now!
29. Better the pain than remain the same
30. My mind is like a book-I learn nothing until I open it
31. One day as a tiger is worth more than a thousand as a sheep
32. I am creative, creating is the true essence of life
33. With one bite at time, my goal is mine!
34. Crisis is an opportunity for a new direction
35. If I have no purpose, I have no power!

14, 22, 25, 27 are my favourites from this list- I wish I could find the rest, I had 10 times the amount!

What's your favourite?

Monkey Business

So we were playing around today, dancing and imitating animals and stuff and we were doing the Monkey- you know where you put your hands in your armpits and screech and make monkey noises- and Miss 6 (Miss 5 had a birthday) says to me "Maybe that's why monkeys are always giggling! Because they are always tickling themselves!"

Now that's a revelation.

xxx

The Happiness Institute

Hey I just stumbled on this accidentally-looks great!

www.thehappinessinstitute.com

Have a look!

Free Spontaneous Fun is the name of the game.

So today it's raining a lot and we were looking for something to do. Pikelets! Easy to make, always have the ingredients, make 'em fun by making funny shapes or colouring a batch and try out wacky topping combinations. And we had brunch at the same time. I love the simple things (now I feel realy old).

Oh, and this morning, after seeing the weather outside, it was officially declared a Pyjama Day (Hi Maur!)

xxx

Being Sick Makes me Happy...

Today I am happy because I am sick with tonsilitis (again) and have been ignoring my kids.

Maybe I should explain.

I'm in the lounge room, fairly central to their comings and goings, wrapped in 3 blankets in front of the heater with TimTams and hot tea. I am stuffed up and have a headache and an earache and am tired. I have directed them to food and water when necessary and comforted a grazed knee (after I made her hobble to me) and vaguely been aware of them carrying things around and generally harrassing the cat.

It's past noon now and they are getting restless, so at their request, I drag myself out from my warm cocoon to 'come see something' in the front yard.

They have made a cubby/fort. Out of outdoor furniture, blankets, toys, things from the shed. It has a kitchen (with food!), beds and a dolly taking a bath.

Awwww.