I Did It !!

I did it !  I ran the 15km race yesterday morning - in 2:10.  I think I would have finished closer to 2hrs if my right foot had played along - but it didn't - it mis-behaved - so I am going back to the podiatrist on Wednesday after work to see if he can sort it out.

I was up at 4am and ready to leave by 4.30.  A said he would come with me despite me telling him to rather wait at home instead of hanging around for too many hours waiting for me to finish.  But, being my biggest supporter, he was not about to stay at home.  So he came with.  And followed me along the route there and back - not in a creepy way - just driving ahead and waiting on the side of the road to check I was OK and encourage me along.  At one point he had a bottle of water for me which was great because although the water tables were supposed to be every 2.5km - they weren't actually that well spaced.  The next time I saw him I gave him the bottle back because it was awkward running while holding a bottle and it had got me through a dry patch so that was great. 

I caught up with Kate and Rachel from Operation Move.  Zoey had left by the time I got to the start - she ran the 50km in an amazing 5:50.  Kate ran the 15km in 1:29 and Rachel finished about 2mins ahead of me.  It was lovely to meet these amazing ladies in person.

I figure that if I can run 15km, I can run a half marathon so, I am now looking at entering some more races - an 11km race in January from Riverstage called the Resolution Run, the Convicts and Wenches half marathon at the end of January and then a half marathon at the Twilight Festival around UQ in March - but this all depends on what my coach says she thinks is reasonable for me to achieve.  I was telling a friend about the races I want to enter and she has said she would like to run with me so that is great - the parts of the race that I ran with Rachel on Sunday were really good.

Some other great news is I booked our tickets to go and visit K next year.  When we facetimed her to tell her, I thought her face was going to split in half her smile was so big !!! Then the tears came in her eyes and I asked if she was sad about us coming over - she laughed and said "No Mom, they are tears of joy." (I think she is pleased she is going to see us and not have to wait until she gets home again !!!)

I don't think I will be posting again before the new year. I am so looking forward to the break over Christmas - a break from the day to day grind of going to work - a chance to sleep in - run when I want - potter around the house - work in the garden - spend time with A and my folks.  Dad has been diagnosed with cancer for the third time - so far he has managed to fight it successfully twice.  Tomorrow he is going for another PET scan and then has an appointment with the surgeon so hopefully we will have some more answers by the end of the day.

For those with great plans for Christmas - I hope that they come off for you and that you have a wonderful time.  For anyone like us, with no children at home, and no plans for Christmas - enjoy your day whatever you may land up doing - I know that we are looking forward to a really quiet day at home.

And, because it is Tuesday, it's time to join in with Jess from Essentially Jess for #IBOT.

What are your plans for Christmas ?

Do you like having big plans ?

Would you rather have a quiet day at home ?

 

 TFTD : Accept this moment, without judgement or needless worry.  Remind yourself that all is well, and that you can handle whatever comes along.

 

I Can See The Improvement

This coming Sunday at 5.30am I am going to be down at Kurrawa waiting to run 15km - yes, you read that right, 15km !!!  I hadn't realised that when I signed up that I wasn't going to get in the amount of training that I would need to be able to run 15km but I'm going to give it a try anyway.  I certainly will be walking some of the way but I have learned that there is no shame in walking - in fact, there are times when, although I have included some walking, I have actually landed up doing a faster time than when I ran the whole way.

I can see the improvements in my 5km and 7km times which is certainly encouraging.  Like Zoey says - I can't compare one run to the next because there are so many factors that will change how I run and the pace that I run but, over a period of time, I can look back and see the improvements that I've made which is what really counts (so long as I don't look all the way back to 2009 when I was running heaps faster than I am now !!)  At some point I will get back there - I'm just not there right now.

I have changed a few things - I got new running orthotics, I got new running shoes, I started using bodyglide on my feet, I got toe socks and I started to strap my knee - OK, so I changed more than a few things but at my age, I need all the help I can get when it comes to exercise !!!!  The main thing is that whatever it was that needed to be changed, has been changed and is working.

I want to thank A for his support and encouragement - there is no time that is not a good time for me to run according to him !!!  Whenever I say "I need to go for a run" - the answer is always - "Have fun" - to him, running is about having fun.  I am not quite of the same belief, I run because I like how it makes me feel, I run because I know it's good for me to exercise, I run because I want to get healthy but, at the moment, I don't run because it's fun.

I also want to thank my village - the amazing ladies at Operation Move - who are there, every step with me - who help to hold me accountable on the days I think I will get home and try to get out of running.  When I'm home from running, I go on FaceBook and let everyone know that I didn't dip out of running in favour of sitting on the couch / deck crocheting - the support and encouragement from them is just great and it certainly helps to keep me going some nights when I am plodding along the road.

A is away this week.  He has changed the division he is working in and will, in all likelihood, be spending more time away from home BUT that is OK.  I am getting used to spending time by myself - it's a pity that the time difference with K isn't more favourable because I could probably spend a lot of time chatting to her !!!  She is doing so well and is having such a great time over there.  She is certainly getting out and about and seeing the country.  I think Christmas will be a little difficult not having her around but, as parents, we have to let our children go and if it means that they live in a different country - so be it.  I think the fact that she is doing well is a testament to how we brought her up - and I will be taking some of the credit for that !!!! LOL

It's Tuesday which means it's #IBOT time with Jess at EssentiallyJess - I know that I haven't been linking in every week but sometimes life becomes more important than blogging.

Have the best day !!!

TFTD :  Your problems, weaknesses, setbacks, regrets and mistakes will teach you if you're willing to learn.  Or, they will punish you if you're not.

And Just Like That

my heart is on the other side of the world.

BUT, I am looking at the positives :

- it will be a great big adventure for her
- she will be seeing a different way of life
- she will mature as she learns to do more for herself
- she will have memories to last her a life time
- I will get out and exercise more as I try to take my mind off missing her
- I will get fit and healthy by doing this
- I will no longer have the excuse that K would like these biscuits/cake/lollies/chips when I am buying groceries (and then eating the bulk of what I bought for her myself because, in all honesty, she didn't even want them in the first place)
- I will get fit and healthy because of the above
- we have a holiday to plan and organise and book
- setting up Skype so we can stay in contact along with FB, e-mail and whatsapp
- not listening to her and A 'banter' in a way that drives me nuts
- not having to nag her to do her chores - I'll just have to do them myself !!!!!

So, when you think about it, there are heaps of positives to her being away provided I don't think abut the tears I've shed (and probably still will shed), how much I miss having her ask me how to do things, whether an outfit works or not, an exercise partner, a The Good Wife and Grey's 'watcher with me' and just being a sounding board for her.  Although I am certain that some of those things will still happen long distance - it won't be quite the same as having her here with me.

Joining in with Jess from EssentiallyJess for #IBOT - have you joined in today ?

Have the best week !

TFTD : Sometimes you need those bad days to help you appreciate the good ones.

I Need My Sunnies

As I write, there are only 8 sleeps until my baby leaves.  7 mornings of waking up and going and looking at her sleeping because next Sunday I doubt she will be asleep when I get up - I doubt I'll get much sleep but hey, I'll have the whole day to sleep when we get home from dropping her at the airport.  She has to be there at 5.30am so we will probably have to leave home by about 4.10am.  There is a late GC Suns game on the night before so I imagine it will be close to midnight by the time we get to bed and then we will have to be up before 4am in order to get dressed, get the car packed and get going.

I know that I am thankful for my sunnies because they have already saved me some embarrassment when driving along while crying !  On my way to work the other morning, after I had heard when she was leaving, I was busy telling A and he said "Geez, it's getting close isn't it ?" and there was nothing I could say because I was already crying !!  And, I'm sure, that they will come in very handy over the next couple of weeks for the exact same reason.

I know that I am thankful for this fantastic opportunity that she has to live in another country and experience a way of life, and weather, completely different to anything she has ever experienced before.

I know that I am thankful that I will have the Learn To Run program to concentrate on which will help to take my mind off wondering what she is getting up to although I doubt there is anything that I can do that will stop me missing her.

A, later than I'd like, link up with Sarah from Creating Contentment for Thankful Thursday and Ann from Help! I'm Stuck for Thing I Know.

Have the best weekend and take care !

TFTD :  Sometimes people come into your life, not to love you, but to help you realise that you are worth loving.

My Dad Ran 160km in 18.5hrs

This weekend saw the Kokoda Challenge take place on our door step - well just about our door step.  A saw lots of participants when he went to Masters to get what he needed to finish the railing for the party on Saturday night.

While he was gone I was thinking about exercise and what I am currently doing (nothing now that I haven't been to PT for 2 weeks because of my back) and what I have signed up to do (Learn To Run with Operation Move) and what my Dad has done w.r.t. running in his life.

He has run 10 Comrades Marathons - this is not a 42.2km marathon - this is a 90km marathon that is run every year between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.  The run from Dbn -Pmb is an up run and the run from Pmb-Dbn is a down run based on the height above sea level that the two towns are.  Of the 10 races that he ran, I think it was 3 occasions he broke 7.5hrs and so won a silver medal.  The first 5 finishers get gold medals, anyone who finishes in under 7.5hrs get silver and anyone who finishes within the alloted 11hrs gets bronze.  Not only did he run this race which is not only an endurance race that puts considerable strain on your body but managed to stay mentally sane through all the races, but he also ran the 100 Miler.  Yes, 100 miles (160km) in about 18.5hrs.   This is a completely different race because it was run around an athletics track - so, for 18.5hrs, he basically ran in circles.  If nothing else, how he managed to stay on track mentally, I have no idea and I asked him about it after dinner last night but he didn't say too much.  He said that his brother was marking off the laps and would let him know when he had reached miles stones but clearly you have to be bloody strong mentally and extremely fit to be able to run for that length of time.

Now, I am not about to go out there and try to run the Comrades, nor am I going to attempt the 100 miler, but I am going to get out there and get working on my exercise so that eventually I can be running the 10km races that I ran a few years ago.  I am going to get myself healthy and fit for when I turn the Big 50 next year.   I don't want to be over-weight and unfit heading off to my 60's !!!!

Together with cutting out sugar and increasing my exercise, you would have to think that I will achieve my goal - time will tell !!!!

Linking in with Jess from Essentially Jess because it's been to long since #IBOT !!!!!

Have the best week !

TFTD : It's much easier to love yourself when you're being yourself.

Things I Know

This is a rant and a 'woe is me' post so feel free to click away now - I won't be offended.

Work has been crazy this week but that is mainly because I have been filling in at Inala for the accounts lady who had to go to a funeral in Wagga.

Driving over an hour to work and back in the afternoon is for the birds - I can't stand it !

Getting back to the office today and being ignored and then told the wrong information is very annoying.

Getting a phone call from A to say that the dogs have dug under the fence of the small veranda where they are and then got out of the fence that we thought we had dog proofed SUCKS BIG BALLS.

Having to tie them up on a long rope is all I can think of to do with them to keep them in our yard.  A is talking about having to get the collars for them that will zap them when they get close to the fence - hopefully the zap will be big enough to make them stay inside and not enough to hurt them.

I should have been going up to visit A this weekend but for return flights of $210 plus accommodation and meals, it probably isn't the best time to be spending $500-$600 on a 'nice to have' - I'll just have to suck it up and hang in for the next two weeks until he gets home.  There are too many things around the house we have to pay for.

I got the latest set of plans for the granny flat.  Not sure who told the draughtsman about changes to be made because I see that there are still two bathrooms in there.

Looking forward to going home today and tackling the long grass with the ride on tomorrow - here's hoping I manage to stay on it and don't tip over down the hills !!!

Joining in with Ann from Help ! I 'm Stuck for Things I Know Friday !!

Have the best day.

TFTD : Goals are big question marks that as you, "Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today ?"  (Between you and me, I feel like a wimp today !!!)

Things I Know

Once again, I'm late for the linky but I guess late is better than never turning up !!

Joining in with Ann from Help I'm Stuck - then week I know :

- I know that I'm not the scaredy cat I thought I would be staying at the house without A - K is still there but she is down the other side of the house and when she is asleep, she isn't likely to wake up for anything less than an atomic bomb

- I know that I am looking forward to this weekend

- I know that having a massage on a Saturday afternoon is a great way to spend some time

- I know that I am nervous about going to see Mitchell Coombes by myself but I am taking my eReader so I can have my head in my 'book' until he is due to start and won't have to talk to anyone

- I know that I am looking forward to the Suns playing the Bulldogs - how cool would it be if we could notch up another win and go 7 and 2 so far in the year ?

- I know that I am enjoying walking again, even though where we live is full of hills which my knee doesn't really like too much but, if I am careful and step correctly, I'm OK

- I know that I have been much better about taking my tablets this week - until last night - when I put them next to my bed while I looked for my book and then forgot to take them.  I only saw them when I woke up this morning - I left them there for tonight !

- I know that I am feeling pretty happy with my life right now

What do you know this week ?

Are you going to link up ?

Good - I'll catch up on the linky then !!

Have the BEST weekend !

TFTD :  Happy people do not grieve for the things they don't have, but rejoice for those that they do.

A New Beginning ?

There are always excuses aren't there ?  Why I can't eat healthy food.  Why I can't exercise.  Why I can't stop myself for stuffing my face.  Why I can't, why I can't, why I can't.

Tonight I've decided that I can.

I can make the right choices for me.

I can eat healthy food and I can stop eating junk.

I can love myself.

I can think of myself as a success and not a failure.

I can take it one minute at a time, one hour at a time, one meal at a time, one grocery shop at a time.

I can get back to looking like I did in these photos.

December 2005 when we went

to visit A in Taiwan

 

April 2009 when we were on

our way to Yamba - I was training

for the GC 10km race in June 09

 

(OK maybe not the top photo - A thinks I am too thin in that photo.  So much so when I got off the plane and he saw me, as soon as he could talk to me without K hearing he asked my why I hadn't told him I was sick !!!  I told him because I hadn't been sick, I'd been trying to lose weight !!!  Plus that was 8.5yrs ago and I should be realistic about what weight I can get to.)

 

I can do anything I want - I just need to have a plan and a plan of attack.

 

I can exercise and get fit and run another 10km race.  And then I can keep on running and run a half marathon and then a full marathon.

 

I can stop complaining about how my knee hurts and then I can find a doctor who will be able to help me - but first I can lose some weight because I am sure that my weight has a heap to do with my knee pain.

 

I can, I can, I can - it's up to me to do it because I know that, no matter how much support I get, it is only me who can do it.

 

So for today, I can love myself and be the best that I can be until tomorrow, and then I can love myself tomorrow and be the best I can be tomorrow, and the next day and the day after that - if I just take it one minute at a time.

 

Have the best day that you can !

 

 

Joining in with Jess from

Essentially Jess for

#IBOT

Have you joined in yet ?

 

TFTD :  No matter how badly you may be broken, you can always build yourself back up.  It takes time.  Don't let your struggle become your identity.



What Do I Know Today ?

It's Friday so it's time to join in with Ann from Help I'm Stuck for Things I Know - the easiest linky going !!!!

This week I know a fair amount - not anything particularly exciting but then, that's how I like it at the moment !!!!

- I know that I am happy to have signed the quote for the roof for the deck and paid the depost.

- I know that I am not that happy that since signing and paying the deposit, we haven't heard back from the sales guy who has to bring his boss around to check the measurements prior to them ordering the materials as apparently 148sqm of roofing is a rather large job !!  (No, they aren't a fly by night bunch, they did our veranda roof at our last house about 8 years ago)

- I know that I was very happy to get a quote for the shutters and blinds for the southern side of the house - it was nearly as much as I was expecting it to be so that was a bonus !!

- I know that if I can get A to get to their offices in Burleigh tomorrow to agree on a colour, they can probably start production sooner rather than later.

- I know that A leaves for Mackay on Monday.  At this point it will be a month before he comes home.  If he has to go back he will be home a week and then go back for another month.  All of a sudden they seem to have heaps of work up that way which is a little sad as I have gotten used to having him at home with me.

- I know that if he does have to go back, I will be rattling around in a house that is too big for 3 people never mind 1 person !!!!  I also know that at the same time as I am rattling around at home, K will be house sitting for a friend of mine in a big 4 bedroom home - at least I will have the dogs for company and they may even  be allowed to sleep inside the house !!!!

- I know that having everyone over for dinner on Mother's Day, while probably not the brightest idea I ever had, was so enjoyable and so much fun.  It's been ages since we had roasts with all the trimmings including cheese sauce for the broccoli and cauliflower but next year I think we will just take my folks out to dinner on the Saturday night !!!  We all laughed so much - it was great !

- I know that I'm starting to go grey.  The colour in my hair has grown out a bit and I can see a few grey hairs poking around in there - I was beginning to wonder if I would ever go grey - now I know I will !!!

- I know that I am pleased to be picking up A's wedding ring this afternoon.  Last weekend we took it in to have it made bigger and I can pick it up after work tomorrow.  He will be very pleased to be able to wear it again.

- I know that today is going to be a slow day at work because I don't really have a lot to do and I'm the only one in the office - roll on 4pm !

Have the best day and an even better weekend !

What do you know this week ?

Have you joined in with the

easiest linky going ?

TFTD :   Life is short, live it.  Love is rare, grab it.  Anger is bad, dump it.  Fear is awful, face it.  Memories are sweet, cherish them.

Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday - it's such a long time ago since I wrote a TT post that I'm going to have to have a look around tomorrow to check whether Rhianna is still hosting or whether someone else has taken over !!!!!! (Yes, Rhianna is still hosting - here)

This week I am thankful for :

- signing for the roof over our deck

- only having to wait 2-3 weeks for delivery (although technically this won't happen as A is going to Mackay for a month and we have to take the roof down off the small veranda so it will have to wait until the weekend after he gets home for them to install)

- cooler weather

- spending time with K before she leaves for Chicago given she is going to be house sitting for a friend for a month between now and when she leaves

Have you joined in for Thankful Thursday ?  You know you have lots to be thankful for.

Have the best day !

TFTD :  It's not a daily increase, but a daily decrease.  Eliminate the inessentials.

My Baby Turns 22

Yesterday my baby girl turned 22.

Yesterday she booked her flights to Sydney to go to the US Consulate for her visa interview.

Yesterday she took the day off work to help a friend lay flooring in her new home (why, I'm not sure, as she hasn't been hugely helpful around the house since we moved in - maybe it's because she really doesn't know how to lay timber flooring and so is there for the company more than anything ?)

Yesterday my baby wrote the nicest post on FB and tagged me in it - it's great to know that even though sometimes she is selfish and full of attitude, she does still love us !!!!!

Yesterday made me realise that next year she will be celebrating her birthday with her other family - I hope they make it a nice day for her.

Happy Birthday for yesterday K !

You have grown into a lovely young lady who I am proud to call my daughter.  While I am going to miss you dreadfully while you are away, I know that it will be such a great experience for you and I know that you will come home with wonderful memories - things that can never be taken away from you.  Know that Dad and I love you always and stay safe in your travels because you are priceless to us.

Joining in with Jess for #IBOT

TFTD :  You might feel worthless to one person, but you are priceless to another.  Don't ever forget your worth.  Spend time with those who value you.

Things I Know

Today is Friday which means it's time to link in with Ann from Help I'm Stuck for  Things I Know which is the easiest linky going because we all know something - even if it isn't very exciting - we at least know it !!!!

I know that I am going to miss this child of mine when she leaves mid-August.  She has decided to accept an au pair position with a family in Chicago for 12 months with the option to extend to 18 or 24 months depending on how things are going.

I know that we probably need to have the ride on looked at or at least try to find out exactly what they are supposed to and not supposed to do when they are on it.  After helping a little girl from up the street on Sunday get her dog home, I was walking back down the street while A was cutting the front verge.  I didn't understand what was going on and why I couldn't see him - there was just this thick billowing cloud of smoke.  By the time I got to our driveway I was laughing so much I had to stop and cross my legs to make sure I didn't pee my pants !!!  Clearly it wasn't just what A was doing when he was on because a similar thing happened to K when she was on it !

I know that after taking Alfie to the vet last night to get the latest injury to his ear (caused by Rosie) and $130 later, this picture of Rosie (I think) shows her trying to find where she can get out of the yard again.  She truly is a Houdini artist !!!  They have been very happy in the yard since the first weekend when they escaped after she had found the teeniest, tiniest hole in the fence.  Until last night.  We took Alfie to the vet at about 7pm and got home at about 8.45pm.  We put him outside with Rosie and drove to friends about 10 mins away to drop something off.  We had been there about 5 mins when we got a call from a neighbour a few doors up from us to say she had both Rosie and Alfie.

Well they certainly are a great way to meet the neighbours !!!!!  We drove home and walked up to get them and the neighbours were hoping they didn't have tags and could keep them - they just loved them both.  We stood around chatting to them for a while and they seemed really nice - so that was a good thing to come out of the whole 'dogs getting out' thing !!  It's just annoying because we know that they are happy where they are - Rosie just loves to escape and explore.  The neighbours were surprised to hear that (a) Rosie was younger than Alfie and (b) that she is the instigator of 'dogs go exploring' out of the two of them saying that Alfie looks like the cheeky one who would be trying to escape.  How deceiving looks can be !!!!!

I know we are on leave for 2 weeks from today - 10 days at home waiting for contractors to come around and give us advice and quotes, building cupboards, putting up shelves, unpacking boxes and generally trying to finish off moving plus working in the garden and trying to get it to the point where we are happy with what we have got.  I know that it won't all happen in the 10 days we are home but hopefully we will be able to make a huge dent in what needs to be done.  And then we have 4 days in Melbourne - can't wait to go to the MCG and, while I will enjoy the Suns game, I think the atmosphere at the Cats/Hawks game will be much better.

Have the best weekend EVER !!!!

What do you know ?

Have you joined in with Ann ?  

What are you waiting for ?

TFTD :  You are the only person responsible for your success.

#100happydays

This week I have so much to be thankful for - and happy about.  Since starting #100happydays on 1st April, I have found so many things that make me happy during the day - even on the cr*p days.  This challenge has shown me that there is definitely happiness to be found during the day every day of the week - no matter how bad things seem to be.

These are my #100happyday photos from the past week :

Day 3 - tickets to John Edward 

(I love this man and his ability)

Day 4  -sunrise in the loungeroom

Day 5 - a winning scoreline at 3/4 time

that grew by the end of the game

Day 6 - seeing someone use a quilt I made

as the evenings get a little chilly

Day 7 - after a few really bad nights of sleep,

my bed never looked this good !

Day 8 - not having to cook - YAY !!!

Day 9 - sitting on the swing chair on the deck

watching K on the ride on

Linking up with Rhianna for Thankful Thursday and so glad that my work is almost done as I go on leave for two works tomorrow.

Have the best Thursday EVER !!!

What are you thankful for this week 

or 

what has made you happy ?

TFTD :  When it comes to choices and change, always do a gut check.  What do YOU want to do ?  What would make YOU feel joy, passion, healthy or on the right path ?  Do that.  No other opinions are needed.

Things I Know #Whatever

TIK has moved !

Across to Ann at Help, I'm Stuck.

Why not pop in and join up ????

I know that today we have been in our new home for 3 weeks.

3 weeks of waking up to views like this.

Except on days when it was all misty and then we woke to this.

I know that the cost of the roof to cover this deck is going to be ridiculously more expensive than I had anticipated - thinking about it now I probably should have got a quote for the roof before hand - not that it would have stopped us buying the property but it just would have prepared me for when we got a proper quote to get it done !  It's a big deck so I knew it was going to be expensive, I just didn't realise exactly how expensive.

I know that I am hanging out for the end of today.

I know that there have only been 5 days in this work week but it feels like there have been a gazillion, or at least 8 days, since last weekend.

I know that I will just blink my eyes and Monday will be here again.

I know that I feel sorry for A having to work again this weekend.

I know that he is frustrated at not being able to get stuck into what needs to be done around the house and garden.

I know that I am hanging out for next Friday even more than I am hanging out for this Friday to finish - and that is because, from next Friday we are on leave for 2 weeks !   YAY

I know that I am looking forward to 4 days in Melbourne.

I know that I am looking forward to 2 games at MCG.

Have the BEST weekend !

What do you know this week ?

Have you joined in with Ann ?

What are you waiting for ?

TFTD :  I will accept everything I am, and everything I am not.

What Do I Know This Week ?

First up, I know that this is the 1st March and this year is flying by faster than you can say Jack Flash !!

I know that I am sick of packing and having my house look like a tornado has passed through it.

I know that I am sick of having a second lounge that is full of packed boxes and empty boxes with bubblewrap coming out of them.

I know I am sick of having packing tape lying on the diningroom table where I am doing the packing.

I know I am sick of having a back that aches.

I know that I can't wait to move on 14th March BUT I also know that we got a phone call at about 5.30pm yesterday asking us if we would extent settlement date by a week as the seller won't be able to finish everything that needs to be done by the 14th.  Really ????  He has known he is selling his house since whenever he put it on the  market.  He has known he has a buyer for his house since we signed a contract on 23rd December.  He has known we were going to be moving in on 14th March since we signed a contract on our house on 6th February.  He has known since 24th January the issues that were picked up in the building inspection that needed to be rectified.  Now, two weeks before we are due to move in he says he needs more time.  And, in order for him to stay there another week, we have to move our furniture into storage, stay in a motel for a week and then move our furniture out of storage - sorry mate, I don't think so.  We are still waiting to hear what it is that he hasn't done that he needs another week to finish, so I am figuring that it probably isn't that much and he is just looking for more time because it's easier to procrastinate over doing something than actually doing it.

I know that we have driven past the house on numerous occasions since we signed the contract looking to see whether he has made a start on what needs to be done outside and, up until earlier this week, no start had been made.

I know that I am happy that all the loan documents have been signed and are being processed by the bank.

I know that, while I said I was going to die in this house, that has changed and, given the size of the house and property we are moving to, I have to think that there will come a point in time when we will downsize to something smaller - I sure hope that will be our last move - I'm not cut out for all of this.

I know that Optus don't offer a service to our new address and I know that I have handed the whole telephone change-over to A to deal with - it's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay beyond my capability !!

I know that I managed to get our electricity changed over.

I know that I am more than a little annoyed that we lose our 44c government subsidy on the electricity buy back - and, not only do we lose the 44c that we currently get, but when we move and it changes to 8c, we lose that from 1 July meaning that there really is very little financial incentive for anyone to install solar.

I know that I am a day late linking this in with Miss Cinders at The Miss Cinders but, better late than never !!

Have the best weekend !

Do you have any packing tips I could use ?

What do you know this week ?

TFTD : When nothing goes right .............................. go left

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful that I have a husband who understands how telephone lines and internet connections work.  I tried to move our home phone and internet online this morning but, sad to say, Optus advised that, due to network constraints they are unable to provide a service to that address.  My mind immediately said we would have to change to Telstra and all that would entail as far as a new family e-mail address etc etc etc.  And, because I don't pay attention when A talks about these things, I called him and told him the bad news and he didn't seem too phased by it and said we could do xyz to get around it and then we could do abc to get that done and then efg to do something else - so I very nicely said that, while I had been happy to move the service over, I felt that it was way beyond my understanding of what we needed and could I please put him in charge of getting the phone and internet moved and he said yes - woohooo thanks A !!!

Now tomorrow I just need to see if I can get onto Origin again as I managed to get myself locked out of the account today by trying, incorrectly, three times to access our account online.  I may have to resort to a telephone call to get this done EXCEPT that the bill is in A's name and I bet they will want to talk to him about it even thought he would have told them a gazillion times that I deal with anything accounts or paperwork related.

So, today I am thankful that (a) I have a telephone line and electricity that I can transfer and (b) that my husband is happy to handle the stuff that he knows is beyond my comprehension !!

Have the best Thursday e-v-e-r !!!

What are you thankful for today ?  

Have you joined in with Rhianna from A Parenting Life ?

TFTD : When we stop resisting what we don't want to feel and embrace the state that we are in, we move through the difficulty and confusion must faster and find out way back to truth and clarity.

Auslan Is Fun

I think I mentioned before that K and I had signed up for an Auslan course.  Well last week was our first lesson and, to say I drove home feeling more than a little over whelmed would be a total understatement !  I wondered how I would manage to remember anything she had signed.

That night we had an interpreter which was great - he was fantastic (I know, it's his job, he should be good at it) but it was amazing to watch the interaction between the two of them as they were signing and he was telling us what Diana was signing.  It was quite a technical night in terms of explaining how signing came about, Diana's story (she was born deaf, her parent's are both deaf and her siblings are all deaf but none of her grandparents were deaf), sentence structure (or lack of) and where we can go online for help during the week if we need it / get stuck.  And then he told us that he was only there for one night and there was a massive "What ?" from everyone.  "How are we going to manage ?" - and he just laughed and said we would be fine.

Well, last night was the second lesson, and the first lesson with no interpreter, and it was amazing.  It was so much fun and there was so much laughing - not at people because they got things wrong - but because of what the sign actually meant when they made the wrong sign !!!  We had been shown 'light' and then a little later she asked us what we thought 'photocopier' was - we all had some funny action with a camera and a light - but no, it was paper with the light underneath it.  Later on during the class we were going over all the words written on the white board and she got to 'photocopier' except, we couldn't quite remember it, and if you have the light the wrong way i.e. facing up instead of down, that's the sign for 'fart'.  There were huge shrieks of laughter as she told us what some of us had been signing.

On our way home I said to K that we are definitely going to have to put aside time every day to practise because, like any language, you can't expect to be proficient in it if you don't practise.

I am joining in with Rhianna over at The Parenting Life for Thankful Thursday because I am very thankful that I have this opportunity to learn another language which may open doors for a future career move for me (apparently interpreters are highly sought after and there is a very limited supply to meet the need).

Have the best Thursday !

What are you thankful for today ?

TFTD : When people undermine your dreams, predict your doom or criticise you, remember, they're telling you their story, not yours.

Woohooo !!

WE HAVE A CONTRACT ON OUR HOME  !!!!

While our home hasn't been on the market for months and months, or heaven forbid, years, it has been a rather stressful time for me since we put it on the market on Christmas Eve.  But, today, we finally agreed on a price with a prospective buyer and have a contract on it.  Now it's just for the bank to find value in it and the building and pest inspection. Then we are good to go !!!

Well - sort of - there have been a few hiccups with the place we are buying BUT, I had another win this morning when A agreed that even if the purchase of the place we want falls through, we will rent and be a cash buyer and just look for something else - win, win all around !

If you had told me years ago that I would be the one who was positive about a tree change and happy to let my home become someone else's home, I would have laughed at you.  I would have said that you 'were smoking your socks' (as we say in our family).  I can see just how much I have grown and changed my attitude about how I deal with issues that come up.  I have, finally, realised that there is no point in worrying about the things that I have no control over.  I have realised that worrying about the things that I cannot change is a waste of my energy.

Today I am thankful for the contract that we have on our home but more importantly, I am thankful for how I have grown and how my attitude has changed to allow me to enjoy life more fully instead of spending so much time worrying about the things I have no control over.

Have the best day !

Have you joined in with Rhianna from The Parenting Life for Thankful Thursday ?  

What are you thankful for today ?

TFTD :  It's better to look back on life and say "I can't believe I did that," than to look back and say "I wish I did that."

TGIF !!

I know that I am definitely glad it's Friday - even though it's been a short week, it's been a long week.

I know that it seems like I am wishing my life away but I'm not, promise, I'm not - I just enjoy the weekend more than week days.

I know that I only have 6 address labels left which will all get used up today so the universe will definitely know that it's time for us to move on and send a buyer to our home for the open house tomorrow.

I know that Project Brighten Someone's Day has probably brightened my days more than it's brightened anyone else !!

I know that catching up with a friend I haven't seen in forever is a great thing happening tonight.

I know that if K's plans for the next 18 months come together, I'm going to miss her heaps BUT it may also be a good excuse for us to travel to see her.

I know that I am so pleased I don't have to do the whole school uniforms, book lists, shoe shopping thing anymore and want to wish all those children out there a happy year at school.

I know that I am very different from a lot of Moms whose blogs I read - I didn't cry when K started school but that may have had something to do with the fact that I was back working full time from when she was about a month old.  Now, our nanny, wasn't quite the same - she wouldn't come out of her room on K's first day of school - never mind that she had been going to kindy for 2 years !!  When we finally got her to come downstairs to have her photo taken with K, she had puffy eyes and tears running down her cheeks - poor thing !  I wish we had stayed in touch with her.

I know that I am not looking forward to Mt Washmore on Sunday.

I know that if I don't tackle Mt Washmore on Sunday, I'm going to be playing detective next week trying to find some clean clothes.

I know that I could put my head down right now and nap for a couple of hours.

I know that this isn't possible given where I am right now.

I know that it's Friday which means it's time to link in with Miss Cinders for TIK - the easiest linky on the planet.

Have the best day !

What do you have planned for the weekend ?

Is the weather cr*p where you live ?

TFTD : There are far, far better things up ahead than any we leave behind.

Things I Know

Today I know that I am grateful for the small amount of rain we had yesterday which helped to bring the temperatures down to a more livable level.

Today I know that I am grateful to K who found out everything there is to know about theme park passes for BIL and SIL for when they arrive on the coast on Saturday - it saved me having to do it !!

Today I know that one of the best decisions we made, as a family, was to immigrate to Australia.

Today I know that we will be celebrating Australia Day just as passionately as anyone born in Australia.

Today I know that it will be difficult to know what to watch on TV tonight - Federer plays Nadal (IMHO this should have been the finals) and Australia plays England in the 4th ODI (yes, it's a dead rubber but that won't stop me watching it).

Today I know that I am seriously contemplating going to the league 9's in Auckland next week seeing as we won't be moving that weekend.

As it's Friday, I'm joining in with Miss Cinders for the Things I Know linky which is always such an easy linky to join in with !!

Have a great Australia Day long weekend if you live in Australia - and have a great weekend if you don't !

What do you know today ?

Who do you think will win the

tennis tonight ?

TFTD :  Your life isn't perfect, but it does have perfect moments.