Wednesday 29 February 2012

Happy Leap Year Day!!

Happy Leap Year Day!!
I'm not really sure why this is something that needs to be celebrated but the powers at be at work decided to ask everyone to wear rainbow colours today. As long as I could wear black pants, I was happy with that. Some went all out, coloured wigs, very bright clothes and even Hawaiian lays. But for some it proved to be obviously harder. Black or beige was their colour of choice. At least their mood was colourful and bright.
Last week we had friendship day, where we all needed to wear red. This I forgot completely as I had been ill a few days before. As I am the first and last port of call for most people that come to my work, it seemed to draw a reasonable amount of comments. However by the end of the day people had stopped commenting. I think I got out of the wrong side of bed that day.
As much as I was in a horribly bad mood that day, in the end I ended up in a very good mood as I stopped to enjoy those little things we take for granted, like the smell of a rose or the gentle whisper from our children telling us they loves us.
When was the last time we truly stopped for a moment and thought about something or someone that is special to you, something that we may easily take for granted. It can make your day so much better.
I just have to remember to do this a little earlier in the day so not as many people get the raw end of my grumpiness. :)


Bernie

Tuesday 21 February 2012

The cricket is on

I have been having the most amazing time lately. I haven't been to any exotic places or purchased anything extravagant. I am just in a really good place at the moment.
The cricket has been on TV (boring!!). However this has created a rare chance for both my man and I to sit down and chill. He loves watching the cricket and I have taken the chance to crochet and chat to him at the same time. This is so special and I love discussing the silliest things to more serious questions. I know I sound like a silly newly wed but we are far from that. In just over a month we will be celebrating our 12th anniversary and to be truly honest, he is my best friend and my soul mate.

I still find cricket boring but this is a little something I got finished the other day, thanks to cricket! :)



Bernie

Wednesday 15 February 2012

Out at the park

Loving the sunshine at the park with the boys. Yep made sure we all have sunscreen on.
The boys have met a bunch of kids from school who are fishing but a think they may have caught some tadpoles and frogs. It makes me think that maybe I should have bought with me some stitching to do.
I can't remember the last time I caught a frog or tadpole. Such funny childhood memories. I was more likely to be the one trying to catch grasshoppers.
As kids my mum & dad used to take us camping multiple times during the year. Mum would always make sure there was a container that I could use as their temporary house. They were my pets until the holiday was over.




Bernie

Tuesday 7 February 2012

Where to from here?

What do I do now?
When something burns in your heart yet you find yourself up against a brick wall.
I refuse to bang my head upon that brick wall.
I chose to lay this at the feet of the one I trust for what I need.
I chose to give with the joy, excitement and expectation that can only come from giving.
As my heart burns, I will do this with what I have until you pour out your grace and love to overwhelm so much that any wall could not bear to stand.
This is me and this is all I have to give.

Bernie

Saturday 4 February 2012

I don't want to go through that again

This past week I have found myself in situations that were rather stressful to say the least. I didn't need someone to tell me that I was experiencing stress or a professional to diagnose it. I knew it by the way I felt and the way it altered my ability to think clearly and make the right decisions.
It took a lot of self talk and a couple of supportive people, which included my man and some ladies from Craftaholics, to get me back on track. However I don't think the Craftaholics ladies would even realise how fantastic they were on Wednesday night and how they helped. Love you ladies.

It got me thinking though. What are these times of extreme stress doing to me?  It is amazing how bad it is for our minds and bodies whether it is long term or just short periods of it.
Apart from the common signs of stress; headaches, sleeplessness, irritability, loss of appetite; did you know that it can also cause the following: nightmares, excessive burping and flatulence (Oh that wouldn't be fun), muscle spasms, hives and unexplained allergy attacks, forgetfulness, disorganisation and even confusion. http://www.stress.org/topic-effects.htm 


Breaking it down, it makes me want to be more in control of how I handle the situations that cause my stress. How on earth do we do that when ultimately none of us are in control. I suppose we need to limit the amount of effect the stress has on us.
For me its the self talk. The words and phrases that I use to bring things back into perspective are so very important at the time when the stress is most prevalent. Then its the support of the people around me, not to let me cry on their shoulder. They are there to say "Hey come on, you're better than this situation. You have dealt with bigger problems than this." And they are there to stop me replaying the situations in my mind. Hindsight can be great but not if we are looking back at what we would have done differently and bashing ourselves up for it. Use the hindsight to work out what you can learn from the experience and what you would do different Next Time. Once I have run these things through my head, I must move on and be ready for what life throws at me next. Journal your feelings, thoughts and actions for next time. I find it so benefical to get things out on paper and stop them circling around in my mind. Just take a slow deep breath and move on.

Yep it is always easier said than done!! If you can do it, Well Done. Pat yourself on the back and reward yourself with some me time! For me, it will be crochet this time, on my comfy recliner with a little yummy too. Right now my only stress is which yummy will I eat first. :)

Bernie