2015 Goals and January

As we approach a new yaer I am thinking that it is time to think about new starts.

2014 has been a year that has been filled with love and trucks, wheels, mess, some sadness, changes and hopes. 

In 2015, I will no longer be working for anyone else.  I will be returning to some music tutoring and will be focusing on being a full-time mum. I don't think that it has really hit me yet.  In Australia, school breaks from mid December through to the end of January so it feels like I'm just on holidays.  However I have been feeling like it is time to start bringing a bit of structure back after Christmas and all the catch-ups we have been having with everyone.  When I have a plan I feel like I can fit more in, and accompllish more with less hassle so...

here are some goals for January in no particular order:

• Have a proper stretch/yoga session every couple of days (toting around 14 kilos has not been kind to my back)
• Take my boy outside everyday and do something physical (sandcastles/park/swimming/walking) to tire us both out.
• Begin blogging again (check!)
• Read a chapter of the Bible every day (I began this last year and I am following the suggested plan at Women Living Well - I also am part of an email accountability group for this)
• Have more of a schedule for everyday as well as a weekly plan (e.g - Monday's we visit Mor Mor) so Jack feels more comfortable with the world in general (he is a little shy of everyone and worries about me going out).
• Only have one alcoholic drink a night - and enjoy it sitting outside - not watching the television!
• Read with my boy every day - not just at bed time.
• Continue to declutter everything!
• SMS three friends every week to organise some kind of catch-up or ask how they are.
• Attempt for one week to get up earlier than the boy (which will be about 5.15am) and be showered and dressed before he is up and see how this impacts our schedule etc.

Hope you had a blessed Christmas!

New Years

I know that this post is a bit late but I have just arrived back from my honeymoon to discover some nice surpirses in my inbox - not just bills. It was a selection of photos from New Years Eve. These photos have been taken by the photographer extraordinaire who did all our wedding photos.

For New Years Eve it's traditional in my family to head to my Grandma and Grandpa's to watch the 9 pm family fireworks from their balcony overlooking Manly. There is always a great buzz in the air with people camping out almost the whole day to get a good view from the beach - however as my family is obsessive about real estate and having views - I am lucky enough to get to watch the fireworks with the best view, without camping out, with air conditioning and a lovely bathroom.

I think that the city out did themselves as usual - with our family fireworks going on for almost 20 minutes. I do feel a bit sorry for all the bats and Lorikeets though that hate the noise.

For dinner it's usually salad, BBQ (rotisserie) chicken and buttered bread. My Mum made a pavlova for sweets - it's Nigella's and always turns out delicious. I made the same one for my husband to take to work on Christmas Day as he worked and it was a big hit.

The Pavlova

Before I started to get ready Mum and I were watching the 2005 Pride and Prejudice and I have fallen in love with another red head - Kelly Reilly. In the film she play Caroline Bingley and I just love the hair and skin and how they work it beautifully with the clothes. I also think the soft hair and flowing lengths of the gown really show that underneath her ice-cool exterior and acid tongue she has a softer side. I also wish my lips were as full as hers.



I tried to model my hair on the style that she wears during the day and the parting that she has at the ball.

Finally here is my Mum and I before dinner looking very glamorous.

Dissection of New Years Resolutions and lots of photos

Now I have time to think about what I'm doing here we go:...

1.  Do not eat meat this year and attempt to give up all dairy (cheese is my weakness!)

I am actually doing well with this.  So far I have tried tofu and tempeh and a few other vege alternatives (but not ones made from wheat).  I went to sushi train today with the boy and went - "they have nothing I can eat!" and then ate two pieces of salmon (not even a sustainable fish).  But then i found their menu and order a tamago nigri sushi (cold, sweetened egg omelette) and agadashi tofu and vegetable tempura.  It was all delicious and filing and healthy.

Plus I have started to lose a little weight - I guess from my cutting out most saturated fats - bonus!

2.  Go to Church more often - I really feel at peace with the world after service.  Also offer to take Sunday school once at month (there is not one now)

I have the world's worst temper and I know that by going and spending time reflecting on my life and my choices and feeling positive about myself i can deal with my anger and be a better person.  Plus I love all of the oldies at church - they are very sweet.

3.  Make time to go to the gym every second day - ideally every day

I have not done so well on this one yet.  Again going to the gym is a little me time that I need to unwind and think through things.  It also is good for my health.  I am hoping to go Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  I am going to stop using the excuse of there not being a class on.  The other day I went to the gym at 6 am and it was bliss - there was no one there - I could even have a clean shower.  

Yesterday I read SKM interview on TWW and she said the she was attacked for trying to look her best at the gym - well I am going into bat for her team and am going to try and look my best going to, at and coming home from the gym.  I have even gotten my gym bag all ready with everything I need to be glam.

4.  Do not take on work on my days off - I deserve a rest!

This will allow me to get stuff done and also to take time out for my university work (hopefully this will be my last year). 

5.  Save $50 a week for my wedding

This will start when I go back to work as I have no income until then.  I will stick it in an account and not touch it.

6.  Do my university  work at least a few days before it's due

Last  year I remember feeling sick at the thought of not getting my university work in on time.  It is only through the extreme generosity of my lecturers that I passed this year.

7.  Try and let the little things go that annoy me.

This applies mainly to picking things up and cleaning and there being no parking etc.  I am just going to accept it and move on.

Also while reading SKM (I am obsessed) I noted that she spoke with her Grandma about the amount of stuff that she goes around picking u and her Nanna says she didn't have to pick up so much stuff because  she didn't have so much stuff.  So therefore I'm going to get rid off stuff -  I have already started but forgot to drop it off at Vinnie's, so now it's crap in my car!

I have since this time thought of a few more that I want to implement:

8.  Try and have some sort of intimate moment with the boy every day - a nice hug and a kiss will do.  I have read that intimacy goes downhill when you are married.  I don't want to begin with birthdays and anniversaries!

9.  Not buy any magazines from this moment on.  Earlier today I bought 3 and read them in about 5 minutes and thought what a waste of money.  I can just look online for all my wedding things.