Thursday 31 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 31.



Gosh, I love this little man to bits.

His first day at school today was a bit emotional, but he was only there for an hour to meet his teacher, so it's going to be even more so tomorrow when it's his first proper day.

I'm so not ready for this.

He is, but I'm not!

My boys are growing up way too fast.

So today I'm grateful to be able to spend some quality one on one time together with my baby, before both of our lives are changed forever.






Tracey ♥







Wednesday 30 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 30.




Tonight I had to go out, and I was a bit concerned as I hadn't done my grateful today.

As usual, the universe has provided with the most amazing moon on show tonight.

So today I'm grateful for this beautiful, (almost) full moon.








Tuesday 29 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 29




Today was the day we picked up the new books in preparation for starting school on Thursday.

Both boys were very excited and couldn't wait to get home and open them!

I'm just thrilled that my youngest is excited about going to school, as he is so shy and withdrawn a lot of the time.

And my eldest has autism and a lot of anxiety, so lots of things bother him.

But these are happy faces, if you can't tell!

So today I'm grateful for excitement about starting school.













Monday 28 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 28.



I was astonished this morning to discover I had some alone time today.

My hubby was taking my eldest out for the day, so it was supposed to be just my youngest and me.

Then he decided he wanted to go too!

I'm not going to complain!

So today I am incredibly grateful to be able to spend some time doing my cross stitch, which was completely unexpected.













Sunday 27 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 27.



Guess what?

It's raining!

It's actually raining!

The earth, that has been so dry and seemingly gasping for relief, is finally wet.

It looks beautiful.

It smells beautiful.

And fingers crossed it was also help our wonderful fire fighters who have been working non stop for a fortnight to contain bushfires in certain parts of the state.

So today, I am incredibly grateful for this gorgeous, thirst quenching rain. 









Saturday 26 January 2013

365 Days of Grateful - Day 26.



Look at this big empty space!

The lady who bought our lounge suite came and picked it up today, so my clearing out has begun in earnest!

Woo Hoo!

Goodbye to all of those things that no longer serve us, are no longer useful or no longer beautiful.

Clutter, be gone!!

So today, I'm incredibly grateful for this awesome empty space.











Friday 25 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 25.




I just had to take a photo of these magnificent swirls in the clouds this morning.

They really were quite remarkable, and I'm afraid the photo just doesn't do them justice.

So today I'm grateful for these!

:)








Thursday 24 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 24.



Meet Rainbow.

He's is my oldest son's new little pet.

He had a fish a couple of years ago, who unfortunately died as fish so often do, and he has been asking me ever since to get a new one. 

And I had every intentions of getting him one, but it just never seemed to happen.

So anyway, yesterday he begged me to clean out his little fish tank in preparation for getting a new fish, and today we went and chose Rainbow.

I can't tell you how thrilled my son is.

The tank has been put on his bedside table, right next to his bed, and he has spent the whole afternoon in his room, talking to and looking at his new friend.

It's the quietest afternoon I've had in a week!

So today I'm grateful for this lovely little fish, and the joy he has brought my son.

















Wednesday 23 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 23.




I love the leaves on my Frangipani plant.

I've only had it for a few weeks, and I don't even know if it will grow successfully here in Melbourne, but I'm going to give it my best shot.

Anyway, the leaves are so beautifully detailed, and the lines are so striking.

So today I'm grateful for the stunning leaves on my Frangipani.









Tuesday 22 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 22.





Today, my kids and I went to my bestie's place for a bit of a get together.

We hardly ever get to see each other any more, at least not like we used to before families and kids.

The children always have a ball together, and while they're happily playing, we get to just sit and catch up!

Aaah, endless cups of tea/coffee and a bit of a good natter.

Now who doesn't love that?

So today I'm grateful for having fun with friends, and the chance for a great chat session.









A Giveaway From Personal Planner.




To say that I luuuuuuuurve personal planners or diaries, would be an understatement.

 So when David from Personal Planner contacted me about running a giveaway on my blog, how could I possibly refuse? Even though I have seen a few of these giveaways going around at the moment, there was no way in hell I was going to say no!

I mean, have a look at these little babies!

They are bright, colourful and you can basically design it yourself!

I think that is such a plus, because I always struggle to find what I'm looking for when it comes to a daily planner.

They are always really plain and boring, with no nice colours to choose from, except for the odd lucky find.

And imagine being able to put one of your own photos on the front!

I've died and gone to planner heaven!






Those who know me well, know that I am very particular about my diary/planner.

I like pretty colours, and plenty of space to write.

My whole life goes in mine, and NO-ONE is allowed to touch it! 

I don't even like people resting things on it, like a cup or a plate (husband!!).

And no-one other than me writes in it.

EVER!


So I can't wait to start planning mine.


To see just how easy it is, go to the Personal Planner website.

In seven simple steps, you're basically done, and you have a planner that suits all your needs!


As quoted by David:

"You can change colour, text and design on front/back cover as well as inlay. There are also clever boxes for a to-do list, gym session, preschool, idea of the week and weather. Friend’s and family member’s birthdays can also be added to the inlay directly from Facebook. We print and deliver the finished product directly to  your doorstep."



Another thing that I love about these planners is that you can choose the start date. So if you prefer a financial year planner, you can start it in July.

Or if, like me, you have already gone out and bought a diary/planner for this year (DOH!), then put the start date as January 2014.

The options are practically endless!






And, one of my fabulous lucky readers gets to win one!


How awesome is that?


But hurry, as this competition is running for one week only!



To be eligible you need to:




~ Like my Facebook Page (if you haven't already).

~ Answer the following question with a comment below:

'If I was to win a Personal Planner I would......' 



Make sure you leave a valid email address with your entry as the winner will be emailed a gift card directly from Personal Planner.



That's it!


Good luck!




Fine Print


* Competition is open to everyone, including international readers.

* Competition starts on Tuesday January 21st and finishes at midnight on Tuesday January 29th.

* Winner will be contacted via email on Wednesday January 30th, and also announced on my Facebook page. They then have 48 hours to contact me before a new winner will be chosen.

* Winner will be chosen by my husband, and will be based on the originality and uniqueness of their answer.

* The judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

* Winner will be emailed a gift card, which can be used for any size planner (up to $45 value).

* Prize can not be exchanged for money.




Disclosure

I was not paid for this post. I was offered a free planner for one of my readers, as well as one for myself. All opinions are my own.





It's Tuesday, so of course I am linking in with the gorgeous Jess at Essentially Jess for IBOT.












Monday 21 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 21.




I am so lucky to have two such well behaved children.

Today I had to get some shopping done as we had very little in the house, but the thought of taking the boys grocery shopping always fills me with dread.

It's not that they're naughty, but they just get bored very quickly, as all kids do, and it isn't long before I start hearing "Mum, can we go now?"

"Are you finished yet?"

Over and over again, infinity.

You know the drill.

Anyway, today both my boys were very helpful!

They helped me to find the things on my list, and my eldest was crossing things off the list as they went in the trolley. They stayed right with me, no wandering off, and didn't ask for a single thing.

It made it so much quicker and easier.

So today I am grateful for my two well behaved, helpful little boys.





*Disclosure*

(The afore mentioned helpful little boys may or may not have been offered a strawberry milk in exchange for good behaviour.

I, as mother of afore mentioned helpful little boys, reserve the right to use whatever means necessary to get the required result.)














Sunday 20 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 20.






We are very lucky to have so many great walking tracks around our area.

Everyday, when I go for my walk, I can choose any number of directions to go, and they all provide some nice scenery of some sort.

Our doggy loves going out and wandering on the tracks, but that's a dogs prerogative isn't it!

So today I'm grateful for our local walking tracks, and the fact that I don't have to go far to view some lovely scenery.











Saturday 19 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 19.



No, I'm not grateful for this mess!

But I have finally managed to talk my hubby into helping me clean up and revamp our study!

So that's what we spent the afternoon doing, and will continue tomorrow. In fact we probably have at least a few days work ahead of us.

This photo isn't of the study (obviously), but this is the piles of stuff we have been bringing out of the study, which is on the left.

I'll no doubt post about it when it's done.

So today I am grateful to my husband for finally helping me to change something about our house which has pissed me off for years!

(Thank you darling)

 :)



Friday 18 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 18.



Ok, ok, another sky picture.

But I can hardly help it if that's what I'm grateful for today, can I?

Yesterday we had a massive 42 degrees centigrade here in Melbourne.

I've already mentioned that I don't cope with the heat very well, and it seems that it's not just the hot day itself, but also the day after the hot one that I struggle.

So today I'm very lacking in energy and feeling even less like doing stuff than usual. And by 'stuff' I mean housework.

Anyway, I digress.

This morning when I forced myself out onto the pavement for my morning walk, I was enveloped by the beautiful cool morning air. 

Aaaah.

The clouds were so wonderfully overcast that I couldn't help but snap a shot.

So today I am incredibly grateful for a beautifully overcast, cool day.

Thank you Mother Nature, for giving me a chance to recuperate!









Thursday 17 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 17.



It is so hot today, and I don't cope well in the heat.

I never used to have a problem with it, but now, when the temperature heads up towards the forties, I need to stay indoors and keep as quiet as possible.

And I actually managed that today by sitting down and reading for a while!

It was a real treat, as I don't get to read during the day very often. 

Not because there isn't the opportunity, but because I can't really concentrate when there's lots of other noise going on.

But my boys went out for a while this afternoon, so it was just the chance I needed!

So today I'm grateful for the chance to have a quiet read, and stay cool on this unbearably hot day.








Wednesday 16 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 16.



I am not a morning person.

It doesn't matter how early I go to bed, I never want to get up in the morning.

So getting up to go for a walk before hubby leaves for work is a struggle for me!

But I do it regardless, because it gets my walk out of the way so I can spend the rest of the day doing other things, and it also means I can go without my kids.

Today, the sunrise made it worth my while.

The clouds were just beautiful, and I'm so glad I didn't stay in bed and miss it.

It almost looks like a heart there in the middle!

So today I'm grateful for the gorgeous clouds around the beautiful sunrise.










Tuesday 15 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 15.





On days when I'm finding it hard to stick to anything, or just get things done, it always helps to go outside.

And what helps even more is to take my shoes off (if I'm wearing any) and to walk barefooted on the grass.

The feeling of the grass under my feet is really grounding, and it helps me to focus.

And that's what I needed today.

Maybe it was due to my migraine yesterday, but I was having a lot of trouble getting things I had planned to do, done, and I was getting really frustrated with myself.

So today I'm grateful for green (or almost green) grass, and the feeling of it on my bare feet.












Bliss Amongst Chaos is One!



I can't quite believe it but today this little blog turns one!

Wow!

One year ago today I wrote my first post, and actually nearly vomited as I hit the 'publish' button, I was so scared!

But here I am a year later, with 205 posts under my belt.

Who'd have thought!


(You can read my first ever post here).


I've learnt a lot since then.

And I've met a lot of wonderful people, who I never would have met, had it not been for blogging.

So, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to those of you who have regularly read my rambling drivel. There is no point writing if no one reads, so it's thanks to you that I keep going.

Oh, and the fact that it is great therapy putting thoughts down on paper (or computer keyboard as it tends to be).


Here's to another year of writing, reading and virtual friendships!


Cheers!









Linking in with Jess and the others for IBOT!




Monday 14 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 14.




In all honesty, today hasn't been the best day for me.

I was hit with a migraine type headache, and it was bad

I had to spend most of the afternoon in bed, and the painkillers that normally work for me (as long as I'm able to rest), I couldn't keep down.

Luckily hubby was able to come home a bit early and take care of the boys and dinner for me.

Anyway, once I managed to get out of bed, I went and sat outside to get some fresh air, and couldn't help noticing the bees everywhere. It has been such a beautiful sunny day today, and the bees were out in force.

It is certainly understandable why they are nicknamed 'busy bees', as they are constantly on the move.

It felt really peaceful, sitting out in the breeze, watching them.

So today I'm grateful for nature once again, and the wonderful work that bees do pollinating the plants in my garden.












Sunday 13 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 13.






Today's grateful is not as much about the beauty in life, as it is about recovering from it!

We went to a friends birthday celebration last night, and shall we just say that I drank a wee bit too much of the hoochy juice than normal.

Mind you, for most people, what I drank would only be a drop in the ocean, but for me it was enough to have me feeling incredibly seedy this morning.

Oh my aching head!

So, as I do whenever I'm not feeling 100%, I headed straight to my collection of essential oils and made myself up a blend to aid my hangover.

I mixed 2 drops each of Lavender, Lemon, Grapefruit and Rosemary with 1 tablespoon of Apricot Kernel Oil and regularly rubbed it on the back of my neck, and on my feet.

And now, a few hours later, I'm feeling much better!

So today I am extremely grateful for essential oils and their ability to heal.










Saturday 12 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 12.



I am one of those lucky people that has the best friend in the whole world!

We met when we were eight, and have been best friends ever since.

She knows me better than I know myself!

Jodes has stuck by me through thick and thin, and I feel really lucky that she chose me to be her closest friend.

So today, I am grateful for a wonderful friendship, and for one of the most amazing people on the planet. 









Friday 11 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 11.




This morning my five year old asked me to come up to his bedroom, where he very proudly showed me that he'd made his bed!

"I did it for you Mum," he said. "To help you".

Now of course it's not made properly, as you can very clearly see.

But I love that he thought of me, and wanted to do something to help.

So today I'm grateful for improperly made beds, my special little boy, and the fact that he thought of doing something to make me happy!







Featured Flogger!








I'm very honoured to be the Featured Flogger over at With Some Grace today!

So why don't you pop on over there and have a look?

Just follow the link above.

And a huge thank you to Grace for asking me! 







            Tracey ♥









Thursday 10 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 10.




Today's grateful is a really emotional one.

It is two years to the day since my brother passed away.

Technically, he was my step-brother, but as he had been a part of my family for over twenty years, we didn't bother with the 'step' bit.

To me, he was just my brother.

His passing was very sudden, and we're all still coming to terms with it. Especially his beautiful wife, who finds it an incredible struggle to get through every day. Still.

For me, some days are worse than others.

Most days I can think of him and smile, although it's hard.

Today isn't one of those days.



So I have to be honest, it's really hard to find beauty in today.

But what I can tell you is this.



I'm grateful for knowing him.

I'm grateful for having him in my life for as long as I did.

I'm grateful that he found Dani, someone who was the love of his life, and made him so happy. She completed him in a way, that I could only hope to do with my husband.

I'm grateful that the last thing I ever said to him was "I love you Andrew," and he nodded to let me know he'd heard.

I'm grateful for the memories.



R.I.P

















Wednesday 9 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 9.



Walking around up the back of our property today, I discovered, amongst a group of weeds (which I started pulling out), four little tomato plants!

Isn't that wonderful?

We had tomatoes a couple of years ago and I was intending on planting them again but just didn't get around to it. 

Now I don't have too, as nature has done it for me!

So today I am grateful for my four little tomato plants, and the for the birds that obviously dropped the seeds into the garden.

Aaah, nature at its best! :)








Tuesday 8 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 8.



Our area has such lovely parks and playgrounds, and so many of them!

It means that they're very rarely crowded, which is wonderful for us.

With my son's autism, he has a lot of difficulty climbing, as well as very little confidence, so if there are a lot of kids running around, he will just stand back and watch.

He won't even attempt it.

So today, I'm grateful for the wonderful parks in our area, and the fun my children have in them, as well as the therapy achieved in them.








Henry. A Short Story.







Henry loved watching the world go by.

He felt so happy, snuggled tight in Amy's arms.

Amy was his favourite person in the whole world.

Cuddled up together in the stroller, they would watch the people, the cars, the clouds and the trees.

Amy would whisper little stories in Henry's ear about where she thought the people were going, or what they were doing, and Henry would listen in wonder.

It was such a big, wide world outside that stroller, and Henry was grateful for the firm grip that Amy had on him.


You see, Henry had been alone before.

At the shop, sitting on the empty shelf, just waiting for a family of his own.

His little glass eyes didn't show any emotion, but inside Henry had been miserable.

One by one the other bears on the shelf had been taken, until there was only Henry left.

Just as he started to give up hope, Amy's mother had come along and taken him home as a present for her little girl.



That was three years ago, and Henry and Amy had been best friends ever since.

They went everywhere together.

In the stroller, in the car, to the shops and to the park.

But Henry's favourite time was at night when Amy would hug him tightly as they both fell asleep.




The sun was warm and Amy was starting to feel drowsy.

They had been for a big play at the park, and Amy had taken Henry on the swings, the slide and the 
round-a-bout. 

Amy started to fall asleep, and as she did, she dropped Henry's paw.

Henry was watching a little dog scurrying past, and as Amy shifted in the stroller, Henry toppled over the side and onto the pavement!



Henry was waiting for Amy's mother to stop the stroller and pick him up, but she didn't see him.

She kept walking, getting further and further away.

Henry started to panic.

He could do nothing but watch them fade away into the distance, and his little teddy bear heart broke in two.



Amy's mother lifted Amy into the car, and Amy woke up.

It took her a moment to realise that Henry wasn't there.

"Henry?" she asked her mother.

He mother looked, but couldn't find him.

"I want Henry!"

Amy started to cry.

"Don't worry honey, we'll find him".



Amy and her mother walked up and down the path but Henry was nowhere to be seen.

They walked all the way to the park and back to the car, but there was no lost little teddy bear anywhere.



Forced to concede that Henry might be gone forever, Amy's mother told a screaming Amy that they had better go home, but Amy refused to go anywhere without Henry.

"We have to find him Mummy! We just have too!"


Amy's mother gave one last scan of the area. 

She looked at other children in case one of them might have been holding Henry, but no one was.

She looked at the grass alongside the path, just hoping that they may have missed a little brown bundle, but there was nothing.

Just as she was about to accept that her daughter's beloved bear was gone, she noticed a brown coloured item sitting on top of the wall separating the reserve from the car park. 

It was a fair distance away, but even from there it looked familiar.

"Oh my stars" she muttered more to herself than to Amy. 

"Please let that be our Henry!"


She hurried over, willing the stroller to go faster, and as they approached the wall, Amy saw him too.

"HENRY," Amy screamed at the top of her lungs.

And there he was, sitting facing them on top of the wall.


A passer by had found Henry on the pavement, and after asking a few people but not finding an owner, he had placed Henry up on the wall with the hope that the owner would notice him.

And it worked.

Henry was overjoyed when he had spotted Amy and her mother coming towards him.



That night, tucked up in bed, Amy held Henry that little bit tighter.

And Henry was that little bit more certain, that he was exactly where he was meant to be.








Linking in with Jess for IBOT












Monday 7 January 2013

365 Days Of Grateful - Day 7.



Dragonflies are my favourite insect, so I felt very lucky today spotting this guy cooling off under our window.

I got up so close to take this, and he just sat there!

Lucky me!

So today, I feel incredibly blessed to be able to see such a beautiful creature.








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