Not too bad for a 46 year old!

Elizabeth and I ready for the gym in our new clothes.

We figured out that if we looked the part, we might begin to feel like we knew what we were doing and it would motivate us.

Tomorrow is another gym day after school drop off.

A lot of hard work.

As part of my Birthday present, Ivan gave me a year's membership at our local gym. I am now 46 years of age and have been gaining a kg every year or so and really need to think about my health.

So today after 60 squats and 40 sit-ups, 20 mins on the treadmill and 4 mins on the rowing machine, I am on my way to losing 5kg and getting back a fanastic figure. My goal is to fit into my leather pants again.

Look out for some photos, if I can get out of bed tomorrow.

Grieving

This is dedicated to my beautiful friend Michelle.

Michelle's Dad died yesterday, rather unexpectedly after a long health battle and then in the early hours of this morning her nephew was killed in a car crash at age 20.

Michelle, all of our family sends you love and comfort at this time and we will pray for you and your family as you deal with this time of loss.

First Day of School for 2010

Boo Hoo! First day of school, we don't want to go back to school.

Matthew started Senior school today and Sarah had her very first day of Middle School. It was a big day for them both. We took our annual height photo and it will definetly be the last photo where I am taller than Sarah. Next year I will be in the front of the group.

Sarah and Matthew had beautiful new-style school hats as well and they both looked really smart.
The best part of the day was picking them both up and Sarah's first words were: 'I love Grade 7' and Matthew's 'It was great, I wasn't bored.'

They both liked their teachers and came home enthusiastic about school. Matthew helped Sarah organise her folders and timetable and they both completed their first day of homework without a complaint. A good start to the school year.

Ivan is back at work tomorrow and Elizabeth and I are heading to the gym after school drop-off.

A great day - well done children.

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY

Happy Australia Day to all.


With 38 degree heat today, Ivan got up at 4.40am to prepare the area for his (and Sarah's vegetable garden beds). I woke her around 8am and she quickly dressed and joined her Daddy to fill it with soil, blood & bone and fertilizer. When it cools down a little (or maybe on Saturday) they will plant the vegetable seedlings we bought yesterday.

Soon we will hopefully have onions, lettuce, radishes, tomatoes, carrots, capsicum and beetroot from our own vege patch. Now we just have to keep Abby (our dog) from digging up the bed and the birds and snails from eating the seedlings.

A birthday gift from a friend

My lovely friend Michelle sent me this beautiful wind-chime of a little frog "to remind me to nurture myself and connect with the Faery Magick"
I thought the perfect spot would be outside my bedroom window so as I sit writing and working on my laptop, I could look out and see it and hear the tinkle of the chimes.


Ivan willingly put it up for me, so that I could enjoy it.

Thank you Michelle for making my birthday special once more.

Turning 46

Today is my 46th birthday and I have been spoilt, Ivan bought me some beautiful clothes, emerald earrings and from the children and Mom and Dad some lovely gifts. A special pen-set from Ivan for my writing and a bottle of my favourite red wine (a Bordeaux) with $46 One dollar coins taped to the bottle from Mom and Dad.

Mom was going to cook me a lovely roast dinner, but we decided to celebrate with a visit to our favourite restaurant for ribs; the Lone Star. I was also serenaded by the staff with a birthday song, after Mom told them it was my birthday and presented with this amazing chocolate brownie and ice-cream dessert. We shared it around the whole table so I hope it didn't add too many calories.

It feels good to be 46. I am at a wonderful place in my life. My children are thriving and living life to the full. I have the excitement and fun of being a university student and I have achieved a miracle of writing my first mini-novel. My marriage of 21 years is beautiful, I am more in love than I was 21 years ago and look forward to at least another 21 wonderful years.

So I am grateful and joyful for turning 46.