Inspired by Aussie Dares

Journalling Reads...

The nerve of those Whos. Inviting me down there - and on such short notice. Even if I wanted to go my schedule wouldn't allow it. Four o'clock, wallow in self pity; 4:30, stare into the abyss; 5:30, jazzercize. 6:30, dinner with me. I can't cancel that again. 7:00, wrestle with my self-loathing; I'm booked. Of course, if I bump the loathing to 9 I could still be done in time to lay in bed, stare at the ceiling and slip slowly into madness. But what would I wear?

Practical Magic

I LOVED this challenge (dare #14) set out by aussie dares. So much so that I am going to create a mini book on the challenge. So many great quotes from so many great movies.

Awesomeness

Today was a completely awesome day. Just wanted to share that.

Also want to say a huge thank you to those people who have taken the time to comment on the Em cards. It is has given me a 'kick' reading the comments.

Do you 52?

Love this challenge set by the divine Emily A deck of cards, a few thought provoking comments, a whole 12 months and you got yourself a ready made year in review.

Week 1's challenge was Something you are proud of. I selected 'I am proud of the direction my life is taking'. Things are good. I have a new job which is just so very exciting, I adore my husband, and my kids add an element of humaness to our lives.

Week 2's challenge was What is Powerful to you. Answered this one fairly easily... My job. Not a day goes by when I am working that I am aware of the importance of my role as a teacher. I have the ability to determine what these children's educational lives will be like and what perceptions they may hold about the world and themselves. This is, indeed a very powerful role to me.

Week 3's challenge related to I am. Found this one a little tougher as I wanted it to be pertinant to the recent events of my life. I also did not want it to be a card of affirmation. You know the standard (yet not to be diminished) me, happy, loved.... So I chose the statement, 'I am learning to say no'. This holds particular significance to me. I am learning to say "no" to things I do not really want to do. I am learning to say "no" so I do not stretch myself again. I am learning to say "no" so I can say "yes" to my family and myself more. More importantly, I am learning to say "no" and not feel guilty.

Thanks Emily for sharing this great idea.

Been a While

Yes, it has been a while and the blog has been neglected, actually, I have been intending to post but the whole 'couldn't be bothered' mentality has been rather prominent in my mind of late.

There is too much to do in just being lazy around the house. Who would of thought that being lazy actually requires more effort than being busy?

Photos are of a bit of what has been happening around here. Josh is with his dad camping for two weeks, the cats are hot and grumpy, jilly has been doing chalk drawings and 'camping' out the front. She even was rubbing sticks together to 'make fire' hhhmmmmmmm..... Went for a crop at Scrapbook Princess and had a fab time. Did the compulsory Christmas LO, a family one using the paper that Rach Richter gave me for my birthday (so delicious) and the one of Josh above.

Officially back to school next week and it certainly will be one that is full of new beginnings for all of us. New year level for Tony, new job and new school for me and new school for kids. How wonderfully exciting.

Changes

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.

Edith Lovejoy Pierce

2006, was by far the most challenging year I have had so far. I am glad to say, that although I have learnt depths about myself and my family, I am not sorry to see it gone.

Change was the common theme of 2006, and alot of it. Always big, significant, challenging changes too. We ended renting and bought a house, I found new firm friends and lost a couple along the way. My relationship with Joshua's father became more accepting and less conflict loaded, I turned 30 and was happy with what I had accomplished with my life so far, I set some goals that are selfish and I don't care. I ended at one school and am beginning at another, I am not classroom teaching but beginning a new defining and exciting stage of my career. I went from long hair to short. Found the source of my 8 year struggle with calf injuries. My computer crashed, twice, and neither time I had backed up. I sorted true friends from true associates, understood and learnt to love my children in a different way, reached a different level of companionship and friendship with my husband, took alot of personal criticism and comfortably worked towards minimising these 'flaws', found new facets of me, and above all, through these challenges and blocks I came out on top with a satisfied mind.

Bright side of the road

I love this photos of the kids. The page, I know it is very loud, I wanted to do something different. Scraplifted it from Kristina Contes. Man I love her work. It is a real cross between Ali and Elsie. I'm thinking that maybe she has become a new favourite! (Did you grab your chair Kath?).

What's your happy-bright-side-of-the-road page?

Goodnight 2006

Tried to get a cheesy family shot, the last for 2006. Got some absolute crackers. Hope you all had a wonderful night, whatever it is you may be doing. Here's to a great year filled with lots of love, luck and happiness.

Love Briohny xxx