45/52

 

 

 

 

 

We have had the great pleasure of working with a very talented young professional photographer, Ash Altmann Photography.  Here is a few special shots taken of our family shoot last weekend.  So technically these are from 44/52!!!

 

We coaxed my beautiful Stella to take the pony tail out of her hair to reveal her true beauty.  Cooper, my shy boy, looking handsome.  and, Dusty stealing the limelight in this last pic.  Cheeky little miss that she is.

 

We are crossing our fingers that everyone will get the much needed rain this week.  Our watertank that we use for gardens and car washing has been empty for a few weeks now.

 

I do hope you have a super week ahead, and I will try and become a regular face again!

 

Jane x

Should I stay or should I go now?

Hello my dear friends
Hmmmm.  Do I continue with my ramblings (however occasional) on my blog or do I hang up my boots?

Of course I will continue.  I have to remember why I started this in the first place.  To record my thoughts, feelings, kind of like an online journal.  I have noticed a few followers have dropped off, which is OK. We all need to clean up our reading list from time to time, hey.

So, did you see Sarah Ban Breathnach (author of Simple Abundance - one of my all time favourite books, on Oprah last night (if you have foxtel)?  What a journey Sarah has taken.  When I first 'met' Sarah on Oprah many many years ago, I just had to get her book.  It's part of my life, I take it away with me, I don't always read it, but it's a precious companion to have in my life.  Do you have it?  Sarah will be OK.  She had the strength and courage to write a best seller, so when she calls on it, her inner strength still come leaping out.

I had lots of good ideas for little blog posts, just haven't gotten around to doing them.  I suppose my priorities have taken a shift.  Busily ramping up my own business and spending as much time as possible with my wonderful Dad while I still have him. 

I do hope you are well and happy.  Funny thing is, as soon as I start typing a new blog post, I want to do it more often.  I will try harder!

Hugs and a happy week to you.  And... good luck to my handsome young son Cooper, for tomorrow, as he follows in his mums' footsteps and tries to high jump a new personal best at his school zone athletics champs at Qld Uni.
Jane x

Holiday!

It's a public holiday here today, so nice.  The weather is bleak.  Cool, rainy, dull.  I relish days like this.  These are days that I make the inside of my house shine.  Added to the holiday is that I have the house to myself until after lunch, which gives me many hours of uninterrupted time with myself! 
What to do first?
1. have another cup of tea and watch my favourite show on foxtel, 'Million Dollar Decorators'
2. make delicious scrambled eggs for breakfast, clean up kitchen and get dressed
3. pay some bills and tidy the desk to make room for revisiting and sorting all the goodies I bought at the Papercraft expo yesterday.
4. have a cup of tea!
5. give the dog a bone,  too wet to go walking today Dusty! 
6. plan our meals for the week and whiz down to the supermarket.  Do you plan your meals?  Sometimes I do, most often I don't, but I want to do it this week.  Is there a few staples you include in your weekly meals that everyone loves?  is it quick and easy?  could you share please?
7. hhmmm.  I think I will be running out of time in the day by the time I reach number 7 on my list.  Anyway, I have begun the day with a plan and good intentions.   What are you up to today?

Make sure you do something for yourself today, however small, because you deserve it!
Jane x

23/52

Confession.....  it has been 11 weeks since my last post.  It has been a hectic time, but this morning, I have to post. 

Here's the update. 

Work.  Long story short.  Have taken leave without pay from my wonderful government job (my position was made redundant at the end of last year), to allow me to take the leap of faith and trust that running my own private cleaning business, 'creatingJane', will be successful.  So far, brilliant!  I have the loveliest of lovely new clients.  Some I have started, more this week and more the week after.  As much as I loved by work in aged care, the change over into working for busy professionals is equally rewarding, especially when you get a grateful text message at the end of the day after they arrive home and sigh...  'ahhh, Jane's been.'  So, it's onwards and upwards in my working life.

Health.  Well, girlfriends, I'm at that age (44) when things start to change.  Iron stores in my body were discovered to be virtually nil, which explains a lot about my overall health.  Vitamin D levels, low, and will now be on a booster for the foreseeable future.  I have always thought that it would never happen to me, to have low D levels, but the blood test doesn't lie.  I need to 'uncover' a bit more flesh when I'm out in the garden or on the other end of the leash.

Family.  Well, we were cruising nicely, with the usual ups and downs of a tween and a teen and the associated attitudes, successes and disciplines!  Then we were delivered the news that Dads tumor has returned and he may only have 2-3 months to live.  Thud.  We knew the tumor would return one day, but certainly didn't expect it so soon and as aggressive.  These last few weeks have been the biggest emotional time so far in this little life of mine.  Trying to keep my chin up as we prepare, as a family, to give Dad the best time left he can possibly enjoy.  For us too.  I'll leave it at that, as my eyes are beginning to water, which makes it hard to type!

Here's a few pics, all taken yesterday.

 

 

Sending you happy wishes.  Enjoy the day!
Jane x

12/52

Hello!
Here's the precious ones this week...

Cooper....  my birthday boy (14) tomorrow.

Stella.... by birthday girl (12) last week.

Have a great week.  Hope the Easter Bunny makes it to your place!
Jane x

catching up... 8/52

I'm loving seeing fellow bloggers weekly pics of their precious ones.  Here's mine...

Cooper - 'mum, do I have to come to the park for some fresh air?' 
Yes Cooper you do.  'well can I take my ipod then?' Yes Cooper.

 

Stella... dreaming of happy things.


 

around here...

Well hello!
Sharing a few happy snaps from around here today.  A quiet weekend planned, I have a miserable head cold.  Hoping to finish a mixed media canvas I've had on the go for ages, and possibly start a new one featuring the most lovable wombat!



gorgeous blue sky

my pet (pretend) rabbit!

favourite new find... vintage inspired clock
 

love my heart garland
 

the most important thing
 

Dusty, my newest best friend. 8 months old already.

 

So there's a snippet.  What are you up to this weekend?  Whatever it is, I hope you have a good one.

 

Jane x

just popping my head out...

to say...

 



hope you are having a great week so far!

Jx

these days...

Day three of the new year, and so far so good!  A few more days to 'chill' before heading back to work next Monday.  I am still yet to have some 'Jane' time at the sales, but I tend to wait till they been going for a few weeks, then I go in for the 'take an extra 50% off the already reduced price' stands in Myers and David Jones.  Am I the only one?  Do you head to sales, what do you look for?

One of my intentions when beginning my little blog was to use it as a bit of a journal of life.  As you know, sometimes 'life' gets in the way of our best intentions.  We really are amazing beings, the way we can rebound from what 'life' can throw our way at times.  With that said, yes, there have been some biggies for me lately.  Last year, Dad (my father, my hero) had a malignant brain tumor removed.  He has endured (like so many) the intensive post operative Radium and chemo treatment, and apart from some side effects from the related medication, he has been so brave and positive.  We now await the next MRI and numerous doctors appointments, to see where he's at.  I'll be there with he and Mum that day (I wouldn't be anywhere else) as the best support I can be.

I've also been given notice on my wonderful Qld Government job, which will end in the coming months.  There are many changes taking place and unfortunately my area has been affected.  So, obviously it's time for a change for me.  That's ok.  I'm remaining positive and am 'open' to the next chapter.  Bring it on!

Here's a few photos of recent days of my life....



And that was a special afternoon with my loved ones.  Walking, talking, running with the dog, fresh air, laughter.  They are my world.

Have a happy day, whatever you are doing.  Even if you're having a tough day, always look for something positive.  It's there, waiting for you to see it.

Jane x