Category Archives: Uncategorized

This year I didn’t make a resolution to lose weight, I wanted to and honestly it was one of the first things that came to my head when I was thinking about what my resolutions would be.

I wanted to get healthier, which in part includes loosing weight, but to me means so much more. I want to look after my mental health better, eat better, drink less and exercise more. Make better changes.

I have put on over 23kgs of weight since my diagnosis of depression and anxiety. I would like to lose some of that, but I would rather focus on my fitness rather than an actual weight number.  So I joined a gym and so far this week I have been 5 days out of five. Next week I will be starting some PT sessions as well. Not many just 3 to start with to make sure everything is in the right direction. I am also going to make a deal with my trainer. I will let her weigh me, but she’s not to tell me my weight. I don’t want to know, and more importantly I don’t want my weight, my number to be the focus. I just want to get fit and healthy, learn to run again.

Which brings me to today, my gym is only new to town. its one of those 24hr gyms and it has no classes. its great and because of that it also means it was a little cheaper than a lot of the other gyms. But today, this after noon rather than mowing my lawn I will be making an unplanned trip to the gym, because I have a date with the treadmill, you see the gym is holding a 24hr treadmill challenge where entrants pay $30 to register and ALL the money goes to a local family in need and doing it tough.

I wasnt going to sign up for the challenge but I thought to myself what excuse do I really have? Honestly? If you want the truth, if it weren’t from the ongoing support and help from my family and friends it would very most likely be me needing that. So on my way home from the shops we stopped in and signed me up for my half hour at 4:30.

I’m actually thinking i might tack on a second half hour because I’m not just running for myself, but for others….

So it seems after yesterday’s post, I need to do a little eating of my words. Whilst my vent was very much-needed, perhaps it was a little premature.

Yesterday it seems I was very tired and very cranky and VERY over the whole job search thing. I didn’t mention in yesterday’s post that I had an interview this morning. I didn’t see the point.

I perhaps should have told you guys, because my 8:30 Interview that went till 9;45 saw me getting a phone call at 11:00am offering me the position starting tomorrow.

Contracts have already been sign and everything is official. The role is 38hrs/week permanent full-time with a 3 mont probation period. Its working for one of the largest Auto groups in Townsville as their Accounts Receivable Administrator. Not the kind of role I was after, but a fantastic opportunity with plenty of room to grow/develop and take over the corporate ladder.

I AM EXCITED!

So perhaps this mummy should throw tantrums a little often

Right now I feel like I am trapped, on the outside I am doing wonderfully at convincing all my friends and family I am OK, I feel fine. I am not.

I don’t know if it’s because the last 2 weeks I have dropped the ball on blogging,fitness and eating. All I know is I am stuck.

Its like I am trapped underwater trying to swim to the surface, no matter how hard I swim, I can never break through to the fresh air. I am running out of breath, fast.

Life right now isn’t easy. I’m going to put it out there bluntly I am an unemployed single parent trying to not only make ends meet (bye-bye nest egg) but I am trying to stay positive.

The worst thing is there are so many other people worse off than me, people I know. Since loosing my job, I have done nothing but grin and bare it. Be positive, well I am exhausted. It fucking sucks not being able to work, It’s not good for my mental health at all, being idle is not for me. Yes almost daily I will walk for 1.5hrs but then I come home to an empty house. I tidy and clean, but there is only so much I can do.

I want/need a job, right now the job market is very competitive. I am getting interviews all the time, but for some reason despite getting positive reviews there is always that other person who is slightly more experienced or has a better education than I. It’s like I am getting told constantly that im good, just not good enough.Its wearing thin.

This time next week I will be at dinner with my parents as its my 27th birthday. I should be happy, I have come so far yet I am not where I had hoped I would be five years ago. I want a successful career. I want to be a great example, not only for my daughter but others. I honestly feel a little disappointed in myself.

I have another interview tomorrow Morning, 9am The washing and folding is done, so I might go plonk myself on the couch with the last of my campaign and get lost in the TV.

Now before any one worries about my mental health I am off to the Dr tomorrow for a wee chat.  :)

Product Talk by Nuffnang

Today readers I’m doing something a little different. You see this time last week I got delivery of not one but TWO copies of this charming book

Now first up. I have not been paid to review this book, I was given a copy for myself and a second copy to give away. It is a part of Nuffnang’s Product talk

The reason why I put my hand up to review this book is because of two reasons. One because I am a big advocate on parents reading with their Children. Not only does reading with your child help nurture their reading skills but is also is a wonderful way to connect with your child. I have memories myself of reading with my mum and dad at a young age.

I didn’t tell Alexandra (age 7) the books were coming, did the whole oh look this parcel must be for you. We opened the books when we got home from school and she insisted on reading our copy straight away.

The Best Ever Birthday, written by Louise Fulton Keats and illustrated by Michelle Mackintosh isn’t only a charming children’s story. It also features recipes inspired by none other than Margaret Fulton (OMG hello, HUGE FAN!). The story follows young Lulu, Harry and their pet pooch Nutmeg as they use their imagination to plan Lulu’s impending birthday. Its filled with charming rhymes, imagination and beautiful illustrations. The recipes are simple, practical, FUN and Delicious.

Alexandra and I really loved reading this book together, after we were done we went through the recipes trying to work out what to make over the weekend. After a lot of deliberation we ended up with the following:

Rainbow Star Biscuits

Ham and Cheese Spirals

I had help with the Rainbow Star biscuits from Alexandra then for the Ham and Cheese Spirals we had her two buddies from across the road help out. It was a fun afternoon of baking.

Below is a slide show of our cooking adventures. The recipes were YUM! we are still enjoying the fruits of our labours. We will definitely be cooking them again and I personally (and genuinely) couldnt recommend this book any more. Great for those with kids who want to introduce the to cooking. Or if you are like me and cook all the time with kids a great addition to the book collection.

So if you want it for yourself or for a gift for some one else here’s the good bit. I have one to give away to one of my readers. Entries done through the magic little “raffle copter” below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Do you remember the days growing up where we would get the most pleasure from the simplest of things? I do, playing outside until it went dark. Or perhaps till you heard your mum yelling at you from down the street. Swing sets, trampolines, cricket in the street (until you broke a window or smashed some ones car). Nicking chalk from school and making a foursquare court in the middle of the street for handball. Climbing tees, digging holes, doing hand stands and cartwheels on the lawn not worrying about getting dirty.

I remember those things fondly, my childhood was filled with memories of that sort of stuff. Its part of the reason why I still rent the same house I do. You see we live in one of those streets (Courts if you want to get technical) where I call my neighbours friends. We pop over randomly for coffee (or wine) and chats for that matter. More importantly, our children of all ages play. On any given afternoon, after homework is done you can guarantee that if the kids aren’t at your house, they’re at some one else’s or riding their bikes in the street. You don’t have to worry about them, every one in this street looks out for every one else’s. Even better is we all have no problem sending them all home and saying no when we’ve had enough (It rarely happens) The kids don’t fight, the get along ages ranging from 2 years old to nearly 8. Cars know as soon as they turn the corner into our street to slow down. The elderly couple across the road from me who’s grandkids all live out of town, will every so often buy a bag of mixed lollies to “share” around. It’s almost an unspoken rule if your garage door is up on a friday or saturday, that’s an invite to bring over a beverage of choice and a folding chair.

I have lived in my house for over 3 years now, every year on Australia day (and Other special days) we do the same thing. We BBQ and this gets dragged out. Not some fancy multi lane thingbob. No we “kick it” Old School. I’m talking a tarp large enough for the whole of my front yard, soaker hose in the middle and home brand detergent.

The kids, young and old enjoy it every time. just watching them run around, having fun. Just playing, its all kinds of goodness. I’m glad I get to call this place home.

WHATS YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD LIKE? FRIENDLY OR NOT SO MUCH?