If not now, when? No really...when?

Mantra? Check.  

Motivation? Check. 

Enthusiasm? Check.  

Ready? Check baby, check baby, 1, 2, 3!

So what happens when you're pumped, then life throws you a curveball? Things you were excited to do, you cannot.  Things you were pumped to start, you cannot. Maybe the wisdom here might be to just adapt.  Recognise the setback for all it is - a setback - and wait it out, ready to begin again.  Oh so frustrating though!

This is all about ridiculously way too much lots of pudding, pills and tight jeans.  You see, after Christmas I was just getting back into running properly again. I really love running when I do it regularly...when it is hard and fun, not just hard and horrible.  Then I did myself a little lower back injury(*).  So no running for two weeks.  Normally not such a big deal, but my jeans were not doing up, remember? And not helping this situation at all - I was in the middle of weaning myself off antidepressants, therefore, shall we say, somewhat wonky.

So I lay about in my tight jeans with an icepack strapped to my back and felt a bit crappy for a couple of weeks.  But I survived.  Things could have been worse.  Now I am running again!  And feeling good, without meds.  And my jeans aren't as tight.  Good times!

Who's feeling good about something they previously weren't feeling good about?  I'd love to hear about it.

(*) Oh and guess how I hurt my back?  Nothing fun (wink)...just bending down picking up a dirty nappy off the floor.  So simple, so painful.

Madam says thanks

Waiting in line at the bakery in the local shopping centre, Bean decides to open her container of puffs and tip them all over the floor (those little puffed corn thingys that roll and blow about in the breeze and basically just spread right out).  A few people look and then look away. Bean proceeds to have a minor meltdown as I hop on the floor and begin picking up puffs.  It is not fun.  Everyone is ready for a nap at this point and I'm concentrating on breathing deeply to get through it and buy the bread we need for lunch.  At this precise moment, a cleaner wanders up with a dustpan and proceeds to finish up.  Thank you so much Mr Cleaner with your smiley helpful face!  He calls me Madam - totally not necessary but hey, I'll take it given the situation!  So I'm grateful for his kindness - it gives me a reason NOT to join in with the Bean and start howling.  I'm linking up with Kidspot for themed Gratefuls...yay Maxabella!

Loving gumnut flowers...

Cornflake Sultana Cookies

I think I got this recipe years ago from a colleague's Woman's Weekly cookbook.  They are so simple, not ridiculously naughty and very delicious!

5C cornflakes

1C desiccated coconut

1/2C brown sugar

1C sultanas

1C self-raising flour, sifted

180g butter

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1. Preheat oven 180degC.  Melt butter & set aside.

2. Combine cornflakes, coconut, sugar, sultanas and sifted flour in a large bowl.

3. Stir in the butter and eggs gently.

4. Shape rounded tablespoons of mixture into balls and place on baking paper-lined trays.

5. Bake for 13 minutes.  Stand for a few minutes before lifting onto wire racks to cool.  Will keep for a week in an airtight container and who knows, might get you out of the odd chore.

Happy Birthday

The deal is...(suggested by him a few months ago)...if I ensure there is a constant supply of these home-baked cookies...he will clean up the kitchen every single night after dinner.  What a great deal!  They are soooooo easy to make (recipe next time if anyone is keen) and he absolutely has the dodgy end of this deal.  He is a gem, my husband, and I am wishing him a very happy birthday today and a wonderful year to come. xxx

Done with the chaos

All great changes are preceded by chaos.

- Deepak Chopra

Random beauties

Love this

What a delight it is

When, of a morning,

I get up and go out

To find in full bloom a flower

That yesterday was not there.

- Tachibaba Akemi

Out for a stroll

Not so warm & fuzzy today

I always go through our Christmas cards in the new year and keep any that inspire me in a crafty way.  All the others get recycled.  This year I only wanted to keep one - from my Mum.  And not because it inspired me for crafty purposes.  Because it crossed my mind that it might be the last one I ever get from her.  Why, she isn't sick...?

I'm wondering if everyone has these thoughts, or is it only when you lose someone suddenly that you worry and imagine losing everyone else?  My Dad died in an accident when I was 9.  Is that why I think this way sometimes, why it crossed my mind when I read her card?  What if?  I'm keen to hear your thoughts.

No wonder my jeans are tight after feasting this Christmas!

Aum...

Sleep is the best meditation.

- Dalai Lama

It had to be done

We love brightening up a day

Bean and I met her best friend and her lovely mum for coffee last week.  We had just finished up and had started the fun task of picking up the stray crackers and sultanas.  A sweet nana wandered over and said "Well, just so you know, watching your beautiful girls together this morning has certainly brightened up my day, thank you."  Gem.  

A sweet new bedspread for a sweet new year...

My theme for 2012

If not now, when?

 Wishing all a wonderful 2012.

Hope it is riddled with love, laughs and desires fulfilled!

xxx