Tuesday 31 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 31

Toothbrush!


Last photo for this month!
What else could I do. Seriously :)

See you tomorrow for the beginning of the August List!




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.


Monday 30 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 30

Calm!


Nice and warm, sitting with a coffee in front of the fire.
Desperately needed after getting drenched collecting possum branches!




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.



Sunday 29 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 29

Last Thing You Bought!


My son's birthday presents. He turned seven last week!




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.



Saturday 28 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 28

Cup!


My big seven year old's hands cupping.
Trying out the settings on my camera. This one I set to 'Low Key'.





Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.



Friday 27 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 27

On The Road!


My youngest and I standing on some parking lines near the school.
Safely of course! :)




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.

Thursday 26 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 26

Sunshine!


A beautiful sunny morning is ok with me!!
It certainly helps me to enjoy collecting fresh leaves for the possums.





Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.



Wednesday 25 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 25

Heart!


A cheap but gorgeous bracelet my son bought me at the Mother's Day stall.
I don't normally wear silver, but I wear this! :)




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.



Wordless Wednesday : A Much Needed Scrub!

All it takes to go from ragamuffin to rock star, is a bath!





Linking in with Trish from My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday.





Tuesday 24 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 24

A Stranger!

The crossing lady!
She looks lonely standing there all by herself....  :(




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.



A Sensitive Subject, and Giveaway!

Chances are girls, (if you are anything like me), after having children, a single cough or sneeze could send you running to the bathroom! And 'pissing myself laughing' is not just a figure of speech! It can become quite a literal event! At least, on the odd occasion.


Guess what! You are not alone!! WE are not alone!

Did you know that approximately one in three women suffer from a pelvic floor disorder at some point in time during their lives?

Ugh! Slight. Bladder. Leakage. Sounds awful doesn't it!

Yep, it definitely sounds to me like something that isn't supposed to happen. And the good news is, it doesn't have to!

There are things you can do to help improve the muscles of your pelvic floor, and recently there has been the introduction of a new product into Australia, that is designed to help!

Laselle Kegel Exercisers, by Intimina!


According to the brochure, Laselle Kegel Exercisers help you to:

  • Prevent & overcome incontinence
  • Prepare & strengthen for a healthy pregnancy
  • Recover & restore pelvic strength and tone after childbirth
  • Enhance sensation for both partners during intimacy.

"Our exercisers are made of the highest quality materials, including a 100% body-safe silicone shell for ultimate hygiene. Laselle Kegel Exercisers are available in 3 progressive weights to provide personalized resistance training for any woman at any age."

I was sent the 28g/1oz Light Resistance Exerciser to try, and I have to say, I'm impressed! 

You could be forgiven for thinking it would be uncomfortable to use, but it's actually not! It's feels basically the same as wearing a tampon! The only difference is the Exerciser has a little inner ball that rolls around inside, which feels a little unusual at first, as I'm not used to rattling around 'down there!' (Insert Kath and Kim here...."Oh it's noice isn't it, yes it's unuuusual!"). But it's not at all irritating, and after a while you don't even really notice it!

Once you've popped it in (for want of a better word), you then do the Keegel exercises..... contracting, holding and relaxing your pelvic floor. But to be honest, even when I wasn't doing the exercises, I could still feel it working. Just the simple act of holding the Exerciser in place worked my pelvic muscles to the point, that after a short while, I could feel 'that region' getting tired. At that time I either went and took it out, or it almost popped out of its own accord! (I know, too much information, right? Yes. For me, it just brings to mind certain girlie bars......but hey, we won't go there)!

Anyway, the wonderful people at Intimina have offered to give a FREE Lasselle Kegel Exerciser to FIVE of my lucky readers! 

If you have been suffering with weak pelvic muscles, then this is the perfect giveaway for you!

Due to the 'sensitive' nature of this issue, I fully understand that a lot of you may not want to announce publicly that you need this product! So this is how it's going to work. If you would like to enter this competition, just go to my 'Contact' page and send me an email including your name and email address, so that I can contact you back if you are one of the lucky five. That's it! Nice and private!

So get to it! 

If you have any friends or family, or know of anyone that could use this great product, send them the link and get them to pop on over! A few seconds to send an email is all that's required to be in the running.



Terms and Conditions
  1. Competition is open to Australian residents only.
  2. One entry per person.
  3. Competition closes Tuesday 7th August, at 11.59pm.
  4. The five winners will be chosen at random and contacted privately via email. Each winner then has 48 hours to contact me before a new winner will be chosen.

Good luck!!


I have not been compensated for this post. I was sent the product to sample and review, and all opinions expressed are my own.







Monday 23 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 23

Mirror!


The mirror in my eyeshadow compact.
Can't get much smaller than that! :)




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.



Sunday 22 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 22

Upside Down!


A baby flying fox!
This gorgeous little girl came into care after her mother died, due to heat stress.
Such a pretty little thing!




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.



Saturday 21 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 21

9 o'clock!


Walking out my front door to go and collect fresh possum leaves.
A beautiful sunny, misty morning!







Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.

Friday 20 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 20

Eyes!


Our gorgeous Ragdoll, Lucy.
Little bugger wouldn't sit still!
(No flash of course!)




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.



Thursday 19 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 19

Animal/Insect/Pet!


A stunning dragonfly that was on the side of our house.
Loving the colours, and those wings are amazing!





Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.





Wednesday 18 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 18

Plate!


A plate from my grandmother's dinner set.
There's not much left of it now, but it's one of my favourites.





Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.



Wordless Wednesday : Silver Wonder

"The difference between utility and utility plus beauty is the difference between telephone wires and the spider web"

Edwin Way Teale






Linking in with Trish from My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday.




Tuesday 17 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 17

Your Addiction!



Cross Stitch! 
My favourites are the Dimensions Gold Collection kits. They have such amazing detail!
Of course, they take ages to stitch because of the detail! :)




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.





Shelby's Pet {Part 2}





If you haven't read Part 1, start here!


Shelby loved having her new little friend to spend the days with her, and they spent absolutely every minute together. Playing with Blackie helped to pass the time so the days weren't anywhere near as long, or as lonely. Shelby showed Blackie how she dressed her only doll, and how she hopped over the cracks in the pavement. She took Blackie to her special hiding place in the woods behind her yard, the only place she felt safe on the occasions her father came home drunk, or angry. She fed her from her own meals and gave her other little titbits that she could find around the house. Daryl wasn't that regular with doing the shopping, but there was usually bread and milk, if nothing else.

When her father wasn't home they played inside and out, and when he was, they stayed quietly in her room, or out in her special spot in the woods, if the circumstances called for it. 
Blackie slept on Shelby's bed and stuck by her side, as if she knew that to venture far would be dangerous.

******

Blackie woke and lifted her head. It was still dark, and the only thing breaking the silence was the tiny rasp of Shelby's breathing.
She stretched and hopped off the bed, sniffing the floor around her bowl but not finding anything interesting. As it was quiet, she padded out to the kitchen to see if there were any crumbs left over from dinner. Sometimes, if she was lucky, there would even be a crust that hadn't quite made the bin.

Turning to go back to Shelby's room, she was suddenly thrown across the floor. She shook her head and looked up, and saw the man. He was standing in the doorway, leaning on the door frame to keep himself steady.

"I said I didn' wanna see ya, mutt," Daryl slurred, his voice sounding like gravel.

The terrified dog whimpered and looked for somewhere to hide. As she tried to get under the nearest cupboard, Daryl's boot caught her, this time, on her hind leg. The sound of the bone breaking echoed throughout the kitchen. Urinating in terror and yelping loudly from the pain, Blackie struggled to move, and he took aim again. The final kick caught her square in the middle, lifting her completely off the ground and sending her flying through the air. The sound of the impact was masked by an almighty scream, that bounced off every surface in the derelict house.

Shelby, woken by the noise and discovering her puppy gone, had run into the kitchen just in time to see her precious pet colliding with the wall. She didn't even realise she had started screaming; it was like a well of hurt, fear and trauma that shot to the surface like a newly discovered spring. Once it started flowing, it poured out of her, uncontrollably.

"No, no, no, no," Shelby screamed, as she ran to her broken puppy. She cradled the dog in her arms while the tears poured down her face, and into her limp dog's fur like little streams. Still wailing, she turned to look at her father. The gleam in his eye terrified her, and she knew it was very likely that she was next, but she couldn't stop. The emotion from years of abuse came hurtling from her very core, and even when her voice disappeared, her screams still came out in a whisper.

Daryl staggered towards her, his fury palpable in the tiny kitchen. A glimmer of silver on the kitchen table caught his eye and he turned and headed in that direction. For a brief moment Shelby thought, hoped, he was going to leave. She watched him lean on one of the chairs, and reach into the middle of the table, and when he turned back towards her, she saw, to her horror, that he was holding a metal wrench in his hand. 
He saw Shelby's eyes widen in fear, and he smiled maniacally.

Wielding his weapon of choice, he started back towards Shelby. He swayed, as the effects of the alcohol momentarily took over, and his foot slid in the urine on the floor. Too drunk to keep his balance, he fell, with the side of his head smashing on the edge of the kitchen bench on the way down.

It all seemed in slow motion for Shelby. One minute she was preparing herself for the assault, and the next minute he was on the floor, his eyes wide and staring, and a pool of blood spreading around his head. At first she was too scared to breathe, just waiting for him to move, but after a few minutes she realised he was never going to move again.

She looked down at the puppy in her arms and fresh tears fell at the loss of her only friend. She hung her face into the soft fur and sobbed, her little heart shattering into a million pieces. 


Then she gasped!

Did she just feel movement? 

Looking closely at the puppy's swollen face, she searched for any sign of life, but was sure she must have imagined it. 

Slowly, a dry tongue flipped out and gave Shelby a tiny lick on her nose! 

Her heart soared! 

She screamed again, although this time with joy. She hugged Blackie a little too tightly and the dog yelped.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Shelby cried, thrilled that her pet was still alive, but knowing she had to get help, fast.

"Hello! Can you hear me?" a female voice rang out.

Shelby froze. Not sure of what to do, she stayed still and quiet.

"Heelllooo," the voice said again, this time followed by footsteps. They got closer and closer, until appearing in the kitchen doorway, was a nicely dressed lady and a police officer.

They looked at the frightened little girl, and the body of the man on the floor, in shocked silence, until finally the lady spoke.

 "You poor dear. What on earth have you been through?"

While the policeman radioed for assistance, the lady walked over to Shelby and bent down in front of her. She had a very kind face, and smiling eyes, and Shelby felt comforted by that.

"Sweetie, my name is Patricia, and I work with the police. We had reports from neighbours of trouble here. Are you hurt?"

Shelby shook her head, but then opened her arms and showed Patricia the injured puppy.

"Oh I see. Is this your pet?"

Shelby nodded.

"How about you and I take your little friend to be seen to? I doubt very much that you want to stay here."

Once again Shelby nodded, and allowed Patricia to help her up.

As they walked out of the house towards Patricia's car, she said "I don't think you'll be coming back here, dear."

Shelby briefly looked over her shoulder at the only home she had ever known. 

Then she looked down at her dog, and the shadow of a smile passed her lips.

No, she wouldn't be coming back here. 

Ever.






Linking in with Penny from A Mum in the Wild for Short Tale Tuesday.

Also linking in with Jess from Diary of a SAHM for IBOT.










Monday 16 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 16

Sign!


A sign at a local park. 
I wonder if the houses near by have had golf balls through windows, prompting the placement of this sign, as I haven't seen this anywhere else around!
I don't blame them! :)




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.



Sunday 15 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 15

Finger!


The hand on one of the boy's toys! A perfect specimen! :)




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.



Saturday 14 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 14

Building!


My boys playing with their 'Angry Birds' Game!
Not really my thing, but both the boys and my husband love it. The computer version more so than this one, but love it none the less!




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.



Friday 13 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 13

Open!


My son's beautiful blue eye!
Love the reflection of his eyelashes! :)




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.




Things I know ~ My Heart Is Full



I feel like my heart is overflowing today.

It's quite weird! I seem to have been through a whole myriad of emotions this week, but I prefer this one by far.

I feel blessed! I feel so incredibly lucky! And I feel surrounded by love.

My boys are back from a visit with my parents, and I'm so glad to have them home. I don't even mind that it's the end of my 'me' time!

I have to say though, I made really good use of the time to myself.  I have been slowly  decluttering our home, and it feels wonderful! I always feel like all the 'stuff' everywhere is weighing down on me, and making me miserable. I once heard an expert say "A cluttered home, a cluttered mind," and for me that is really true! Yesterday, I dropped bags and bags of unwanted clothes, books, kitchen utensils and ornaments off in the charity bins and I felt like a huge load had been lifted off my shoulders! I just want to do it again!

So today, while the boys are happy playing without me, I'm going to start on my wardrobe. I am so grateful for the wonderful clothes I have, but a lot of them are just not right for me any more. Either they're too small (ahem!), or they're no longer a style I feel comfortable in, or I just don't like them on me now. It's time for them to make someone else feel amazing.

I'm not going to rush through it. I am going to take my time, and do it mindfully. I want to remember the times that I wore each piece and relive wonderful memories. And then I'm going to say goodbye to every top, skirt, and pair of pants, and wish it well in its new home.

Goodbye clutter, HELLO space and tidiness!

It certainly makes me feel good!




What makes you feel good? Is your heart full today?



Linking in with Dorothy at Singular Insanity for Things I Know.

Also linking in with Grace at With Some Grace for FYBF

















Thursday 12 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 12

Texture!


A gorgeous ceramic tea light candle holder.
I love it when the candlelight shines through it at night. It looks really lovely.




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.



Wednesday 11 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 11

Letter!


A colourful 'N', my letter of choice today! :)




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.



Wordless Wednesday : A Sorry Sky

Rainbows apologise for angry skies.
Sylvia A Voirol







Linking in with Trish from My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday.







Tuesday 10 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 10

Your Favourite Colour!


Pink of course!
A gorgeous pink camellia in my front yard.




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.



Surrendering To Grief







She parked and looked around for a moment, before taking a deep breath and opening the door. 

The cold wind buffeted her hair and scarf as she climbed out of the car, but she barely noticed. She was intent on finding the man she'd come here to see.

She had an idea of where to start, so she headed to the middle of the row where she thought he should be.

So many names, so many loved ones, but not hers.

She wandered along the next row, and the next, looking for those familiar letters, but nothing.

She glanced around again and tried to get her bearings. Everything looked so different. So many huge gum trees that she didn't remember being there the last time she visited.

Row after row, she looked, and bit by bit, started to fall apart. She didn't understand why it wasn't where she thought it should be. Admittedly, it had been a while since the last time, but not long enough that she didn't have a vague notion of where it was. 

The huge, towering gum trees had displaced a few, and she started to worry that he was in one of those. But surely, she would have noticed a gum tree eight years ago! Yes, they could grow fast when given the right conditions, but as big as this? She didn't think so.

Wiping her tears, she walked back to the road and headed towards a map of the grounds. She could hop back in her car and leave, guilty, upset and discouraged, but she was determined to see this through. Her visit, was way overdue.

She discovered the row she was looking for was not as far up as she thought, and started again, this time using the map as a guide. When her eyes finally locked on to that familiar name, she started to sob, relief and grief taking over.

Her tears fell onto her father's grave once again.


What you have been reading isn't fiction. 

This was me. Yesterday morning. Visiting my father's grave for the first time in roughly eight years.

It wasn't my intention to leave it so long. In fact, the last time I was there, I got so upset about the unkempt look about it, that I promised myself I would never leave it that long again.

But I did. 

Probably longer, if the truth be known.

I know that the plaque is only a symbol, and what is really important is holding them in your heart and your memories. But I can't help but feel disrespectful. After all, I was daddy's girl.

You would think that after twenty eight years, it would become easier. Yet, I'm missing him more now than I ever have. I am heartbroken that he will never meet my family, and my children will never know their true grandfather. He would have adored them.

I honestly believe that you never get over losing someone you love. You just learn to live with it.

Some days are more of a struggle than others. 

Today is again one of those.






Linking in with Jess from Diary Of A SAHM for IBOT.












Monday 9 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 9

Big!


A gorgeous gum tree I sat under for a while today. Just huge!




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.



Sunday 8 July 2012

Photo A day July ~ Day 8

Lunch!


A very necessary boring, but quick lunch today!
I don't mind, because hubby and I are going out for dinner, CHILD FREE!!
Woo Hoo! :)




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.




Saturday 7 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 7

Garden!


The moss on my garden stairs!
Lovely and lush!




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.




Friday 6 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 6

Chair!


This is my favourite chair, along with the rest of the set.
It was my Grandmother's Grandmother's.....over 200 years old!
Just gorgeous! :)





Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.





Thursday 5 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 5

On The Floor!


Mmmm, nice and warm in my comfy slippers!
Oh yes, I'm the height of sophistication, aren't I? :)




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.




Wednesday 4 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 4

Fun!


Building tall towers and knocking them down!
School holiday fun!




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.



Wordless Wednesday : Heritage

I love old photos.
They tell a story of time gone by.
This is my great grandparents, in 1915.
Their blood runs through my veins, yet all I know about them is what I can find through Births, Deaths and Marriages, old letters and newspapers.
Slowly unravelling the mystery, 
piece by piece.





Linking up with Trish from My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday.




Tuesday 3 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 3

Best Part Of Your Day!


Having dinner with my other bestie! 
We try to have dinner once a month, but sometimes life just gets in the way.
This was the first time since October! :)



Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A day Challenge.



Shelby's Pet {Part 1}




Shelby's curls bounced, as she turned her head, to look up at the man standing next to her.

"Can we get one Dad? Pleeeeease?"

"No," the man replied, not even looking at her. His gruff voice left no misinterpretation.

His friend looked up from under the hood of the car, and cleared his throat.

"Actually Daryl, you would be doin' me a real favour if ya would take one. I got heaps of the mongrels, and if I don't get rid of 'em soon, I'm gonna have to kill 'em. I need the bitch ready to breed again soon, and these pups are gettin' too old t' sell. You can choose one for nothin'...."

Daryl looked at the little girl, and she was looking at him, her eyes pleading him to say yes.

He didn't want a dog. It would be one more thing to give him the shits. But on the other hand, he supposed, it might be one way of keeping the girl occupied, so maybe she would leave him the hell alone.

"Ok," he said, not sounding at all happy about it. "But you gotta do everything for it. I don't wanna even know it's there, ya understand?"

She understood completely. The dog had to be just as invisible as she did.

Shelby nodded and quickly turned away, before he could change his mind. She already knew which one she wanted. The little one, near the back of the cage. The quiet, timid one, with the sad eyes. The one that reminded her of herself.

The friend opened the cage, grabbed the terrified puppy by the scruff of the neck, and dropped it into Shelby's waiting arms. She hugged it close, feeling its trembling through her clothes. She didn't know if it was a girl or boy, and she didn't care. She wasn't game to ask, in case her father had a preference. She would just call it 'Blackie', and that way it wouldn't matter.


The friend closed the hood of their car, and after sorting out payment, Daryl opened the door and climbed in. Still worried he might change his mind, Shelby was almost too scared to breathe, as she climbed in the back with her little bundle. Little Blackie, obviously grateful for her warmth, tucked its head in further and snuggled in to her. The trembling was still there, but not as pronounced as it had been, and Shelby smiled, something she rarely did.


As they drove away, she turned her head towards Daryl's open window and let the breeze blow across her face.


She was beginning to feel something, that in all of her six years, she'd never felt before. 


Joy.






Part 2 coming next week!






Linking in with Penny from A Mum in the Wild, for Short Tale Tuesday.
Also linking in with Diary of A SAHM for IBOT




Monday 2 July 2012

Photo A Day July ~ Day 2

Busy!


Keeping the boys occupied on a rainy, first day of the school holidays.
I love playing Trouble, but I never win!




Linking in with Fat Mum Slim for the Photo A Day Challenge.


Sunday 1 July 2012

Things I Know ~ Mum's Are Naughty too!

Recently my Mum stayed with us for a week, while my hubby went to Germany for work.

It was great having her here! The boys loved it, and it was a big help to me.

However, there was one thing that I discovered whilst she was here.....

MY MUM IS A BAD INFLUENCE!

I love my mum to bits, but in the time she was here, I ate so many of these! Well four, but that's bad enough!



I am obviously my mother's daughter, as she has a bit of a fetish for them too. Especially when they're beautiful and fresh. 

Mmmm, my mouth is watering now, just thinking about them!

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you will know that I stopped eating sugar two months ago. In fact, two months to the day! And I have been doing really well! I have had it occasionally, like when shopping and having a coffee with my sister in law, and at a birthday party, but I have only been having a little bit, and certainly not everyday!

Hmmm. Then enter my mother, bringing her flipping doughnuts, and all of my willpower goes out the window. Or is that to the doughnut shop? Because even my willpower doesn't have willpower, when it comes to doughnuts.

*Groan*

So, I'm back on the no sugar track, except now I have these strawberry and chocolate iced circles doing loops in my head! 

But if I'm out, and happen to smell them, I warn you.....GET OUTA MY WAY PEOPLE!!

I'm feeling slightly deranged!




Is your Mum a bad influence too? Tell me how!




Linking in with Dorothy over at Singular Insanity for Things I Know.





















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