Cuddle time - not computer time.

My beautiful daughter Sarah has just walked into the computer room and wanted a cuddle. Now I get very little time on the computer, as Matthew is always wanting to play games or maybe Sarah, so these mornings as I sit and Blog are very important to me. Normally I get up extra early to enjoy the peace and quiet before anyone wakes, to allow my thoughts to roam and be creative, sometimes writing poetry, answering emails, or just writing Blog posts. I love this time of morning when I can be alone without the demands of being wife, housekeeper and mother.

She stood with her arms out and I immediately said "Sweetheart I have given you a cuddle already - this is my computer time" to which she replied "Well Mom, I am interrupting your computer time for some cuddle time."

Wow! It hit me! I was turning down my beautiful little girl's cuddle to commune with a keyboard and screen. I swung the chair around as quick as I could, held out my arms and wrapped them around the most precious thing in the world, my little girl.

I know that there will come a time when she is too busy or maybe to far away to reach out her arms for me to cuddle her. One day there may be someone else in her life that she will reach out to, for comfort or with who she will share her joys and tears.

So I realised in that brief split second that I am going to reach out and cuddle each and everyone of my children as often and as long as they need and then add a whole lot more cuddles just for me.

The lesson that I have learnt this morning as I sat here wondering what 'inspirational' message to pass onto the world is that there is always time for a cuddle. It will not be the amazing 'poem' that I have written that Sarah will remember, or the fantastic Blog post, it will be all the cuddles and the knowledge that I never turned her down.

Do you take time to cuddle your loved ones? I guess it will only take a second or two, or do you do the dishes, answer the phone, watch TV or work/play on your computer?

Take the time for a cuddle today - both parties will walk away renewed.

Beverly

Attitude of Gratitude for 2009

A very good friend of mine "Angel Julie" sent me an email a couple of days ago that has completely inspired me. She had read an article in which a lady described her "Blissings!" - no the spelling is not wrong! These are her moments of bliss and her blessings combined - see the quote below:

"As part of a personal project to improve my 'attitude of gratitude' I took a photo every day for a year of something I was thankful for. At the end of the year I compiled the collection into a photo book for my children. I'm now into my second year - it had become addictive"

WOW! For everyone who knows me, this is totally up my alleyway. I love my photography, love my memory albums and for years I have worked on an inner project of finding something to be grateful for each and everyday.

So for 2009, I am starting an "Attitude of Gratitude" album. I am ordering a very simple slip-in type album from Creative Memories, called a Picfolio expandable album that holds 5 photos per page, or 4 photos and a journalling box and each day I am going to write my gratitude journal on the pretty journalling box, take a photo of something that I am grateful for; something that makes me laugh or smile or something that brings me joy.

At the end of next year, I will own an "Attitude of Gratitude Album" a keepsake of 365 wonderful moments in my life, that will reflect the joy of being alive, all my blessings and allow me to let go the difficult/problem/worries of the world. Help me to share the 'blissings' that we all have.

I would like to challenge all the readers of my Blog to share in this wonderful idea! Imagine what a world we can create if everyone let go the negatives, let go hate and brought into the world, peace and harmony. Start with your own family, share the message with friends and strangers and as you take your daily photos, share your gratitude for the wonderful life you have and live.

Remember today is also "Pay it forward Tuesday" - share the joy today. Send a friend or stranger a card or an email message, telling them how much you appreciate them. Tell them to "Pay it forward", so we can share the Joy of living.

Beverly

What to write?

Red or Green?

I think Green for a while then maybe some red.

Green is for Christmas but this year it is also for the garden. We have had such a wet summer that our lawn and garden is green, green, green! The ground underfoot is marshy and wet and even more rain is predicted for the next day or so. Everyday Dad empties his rain gauge and records the totals and so far for December we have had almost the same as the whole of December last year. I have managed to fertilise the lawn twice and the grass is so thick underfoot that it is like a cushion. We now have a jungle of plants and trees and I cannot keep up with the height of my roses, which need a good prune back already. Nature has treated us so well this summer. We have been blessed in that although so many around us have had storm damage we have been left relatively unscathed.

Now for the Red!

Celebration time. We finally had Ivan's P.A. and her husband over for dinner on Saturday night and it was such a lovely evening. I always know when an evening goes well, they did not leave until 11pm and I had not done a single thing in the kitchen. That meant that I was sitting enjoying the company, not hiding in the kitchen getting things done. This lovely couple have just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary - I am always in awe of these achievements.

It is nice to entertain and relax, the benefits are lovely company, great food and a nice tidy house!

We have a lovely week ahead! The children are on holiday and we are going to make Christmas Mince pies, so the house will smell like Christmas. I have ordered our Christmas and New Year Turkeys and although Elizabeth has to work on Friday and Saturday, she will be home with us for the rest of the week. Ivan has just 10 days left at work, so we will support him through that, as he is more than ready for his 4 weeks leave.

Our pool water is warm and really lovely to swim in, so if we get a few dry days I think we will be enjoying some family fun.

However, you plan to spend this week, I hope it is enjoyable. Don't let the Christmas rush and chaos spoil the joy of this special time of the year. Remember, according to an Australian Astronomer, we are celebrating it at the wrong time of the year anyway! So celebrate with laughter and joy.

Beverly

Tinsels or Baubles?

Our local radio station was running a phone-in poll to decide whether tinsel or baubles made the best Christmas tree and it got me thinking about people's Christmas trees and decorations. Our tree has no theme or colour co-ordination, instead it is a mixture of memories. Every decoration has some sort of memory and many of them would not even be classed as true Christmas decorations. We also do both - the tinsel and the baubles.

I love the shopping centres who do elegant themes of colours and each year the decorations change. I guess like clothes if they change the themes and colour schemes we will be tempted to go out and buy new 'stuff'. Last year the theme was purple - I must admit that purple is my favourite colour, but it just did not do it for me. A white tree with purple decorations was just not Christmas.

I love the traditional green 'artificial' tree! Ours came from the USA and stands 7.5ft tall, with the Angel on top, she nearly touches the ceiling. I have never really wanted or liked 'real' trees and even when we lived in the USA was not really tempted to get one.

We have also decorated the rest of the house this year, with lots of tinsel, my Christmas village and all our other special decorations. What is your Christmas theme? Do you have a big or small tree? Is it co-ordinated or chaotic? Whatever it is, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas season and enjoy decorating your homes.

Life's lessons.

Today our beautiful Sarah learnt one of the hardest life lessons - That is the lesson of disappointment! Her bid for Junior School Captain was not successful, but she more than won the prize in my eyes. She handled her disappointment with dignity and maturity beyond her years. She congratulated and hugged her friend Charlotte who won the position. Some of the girls were in tears and Sarah even spent her time comforting them. These actions alone show me that she is ready to tackle anything that life can throw her way and will flourish and grow over the next few years, to be the amazing young woman that we see emerging.

I also saw Matthew perform at his very first official function today. He, along with Madeline, gave a lovely speech to the graduating Year 9 cohort and also spent a lot of time helping the Head of Middle School, set up and tidy up. I received so many lovely compliments about his manners and behaviour and everyone is looking forward to watching him grow in his leadership next year.

I am unbelievably proud of both Sarah and Matthew as they complete Year Five and Year Eight respectively. It is their final years in their respective sub-schools next year, so will be an exciting one for them both.

We can relax and enjoy the holidays now. Yippeeeeee! No more school lunches or school run for 6 weeks. No more school uniforms to iron and no more early mornings. Elizabeth is old enough now to get herself up and off to work and Ivan is always happy to make his own breakfast and lunch. So my plans for tomorrow - A long lie-in!

Washed out!

It rained again last night and we were totally washed out at Sarah's presentation night. We were all trapped under cover of the Chapel while a huge storm hit. It past in just 20 mins but by then the grounds, chairs, stage and entire place was awash with water. Also another front was moving in, so despite all the preparations and efforts of the staff the evening was cancelled.

They did manage the firework show, before we all dashed for the cars and hurried home.

So today I am attending the 2008 - Year 9 Farewell Service at St Pauls Anglican Church. Matthew and Madeline will be giving a farewell speech and then I am heading back to school for Sarah's presentation morning and party. A day at school. Then it is farewell to friends and teachers and the end of a great year.

Sarah will move into Grade Six, a senior in the Junior School and Matthew into Grade Nine, a senior in the Middle school next year. We are looking forward to a busy and successful year for them both.

Look out for some photos in the next Blog post.

Beverly

Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Turkey! This year we have followed some of the wonderful traditions that we learnt while living in the USA. First of all we had Halloween and this weekend we celebrated Thanksgiving. It was really just an excuse to have a Turkey with Stuffing and remember all the things we are thankful for.

Firstly I am thankful for the wonderful man in the photos above. His love and his care of me and his family is something for which I am grateful everyday. For nearly 20 years he has loved and cared for me and I am most 'thankful' for Ivan.

We spent most of the day decorating our tree and the house and now it is 'beginning to look a lot like Christmas!'. This is my 'most favourite' time of the year and for this I am truly thankful. I love the spirit of Christmas. The times we lie in the dark looking at the tree, listening to Christmas music and sharing time together as a family. Of course Christmas day is my 'bestest, most favourite' day of the whole year.

The next thing that I am truly 'thankful for' is that my Dad (who went into hospital yesterday with severe chest pains) appears to be doing okay. I am thankful for the nurses, doctors and all the staff who have looked after him so well. Hopefully they will now do some tests and find out what is causing the problems.

Although I am thankful for many things this year, the most important things are my wonderful family (especially my beautiful children); my special friends and for all the peace and joy that I have in my life.

Take some time today to find some of the things you are thankful for, it is amazing when you take the time to just acknowledge them out loud, how many you can find.