Quick Update

Fingers crossed - all seems to have gone well today with DIL. Blood patch was done and the poor girl had her first headache free day since my gorgeous grandson was born. I spoke to her tonight and she sounded the brightest I've heard her all week and she was sitting up. Provided all remains good she'll be home with her boys tomorrow afternoon.

This is the power of the positive energy that everyone was sending her - thank you for your kind words, positive energy and support.

I am off to finalise everything for the quiz night tomorrow night - crazy, crazy! I am remembering to breathe through all of it. In and out, breathe, relax.

Have a great day all

Cheers, Fi

Need more hours in my day

Okay I'm sure this is a common problem for many of us - not enough hours in the day. I'm really struggling at the moment to get everything that I want to do and that I need to do. Work, new babies, extracurricular - there's just not enough time to do it all.

I had another crazy day at work today - just can't get it all done, between my boss and I we're doing the work of four people. The day just flies past. I'd intended to go to the hospital on the way home but left work late, was absolutely knackered and still had a heap of work to do tonight to finalise all the quiz stuff for the quiz night I'm organising on Friday night. So I figured I just didn't have enough energy to do it all.

Then my son called on the way home to see what time I was going to the hospital. The long and short of it, DIL has been having quite a few problems, hence she didn't go home today and is worse than she was yesterday. So despite being exhausted and telling son I wasn't going in. I re-routed my drive home and called by the hospital. You do what's most important and her and grandson are top of my list.

In essence they buggered up her epidural (after 5 attempts and the first one falling out) and have pierced the dura (fluid sack) surrounding her spine. I have done some heavy duty internet surfing in the last 24 hours to find out all about this. Basically it means she has what amounts to the worst hangover and migraine combined, no tolerance to light or noise whatsoever and is on three different sorts of painkillers (heavy duty ones) to help her. She can also only lie flat, all very easy things to do with a newborn baby - NOT!.

Tomorrow they want to do what's called a blood patch which means another epidural basically but where they inject her own blood into her back which clots and hopefully will fill the hole(s). Not a comfortable prospect for someone who a phobia of needles and is in unimaginable pain at the moment.

She is at least blessed with the most mellowed out, laid back baby in the world. I have never seen such an alert but relaxed baby in my life. This little fella knows his mummy is in a bad way and is acting accordingly. Barely a whimper since his birth despite the other screaming babies in rooms nearby. Nani Fi got to feed her boy tonight, which was a joy, but would be enjoyed more if it wasn't because DIL is in pain.

She is lucky that she has an amazing network of support to help her out, my son stayed in last night with her and her sister is staying tonight. Getting out of bed to go to the toilet totally wipes her out and causes huge amounts of pain. If I could take this away so she can enjoy the exhilaration of a new baby, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

So to all of you, thank you for all your kind words of congratulations and if I can ask one favour - send my girl all the positive energy and prayers you can tonight so that she can enjoy this beautiful little baby boy as soon as possible.

Cheers, Fi

Chickie, this is for you - hope you're feeling better soon

Image source

A Star is Born

He has arrived. Jayden Lukas-Kruz (sorry mum I told you the wrong spelling) entered the world at 2.16am on Monday 27th June weighing 6.28 pounds. Cast and crew of the production are understandably exhausted after 22 hours of labour. The star is blonde and gorgeous (and there is no bias from the writer of this post whatsoever)

Today was the second longest day of my life - yesterday was the longest. Work was the normal crazy busy today that it has been for the last few weeks and my brain was absolute mush, but I got through it and made it to the hospital to goo and gaa and take numerous photos as is expected of a brand new Nani.

The Star

The Producers

All my boys



and me - Nani Fi (the new name I wear with pride)

Thanks for all your well wishes and congratulations to my son and his darling fiancee.
I am a very proud Nani indeed


Cheers, Fi



Waiting is excruciating!!!

Image credit

The day has finally arrived and I'm excited beyond belief (I think I say the words beyond belief a lot in my posts - but hey that means 'huge amounts' in Fi speak). My little grandson is on his way, action stations are happening. He's not expected to arrive until later tonight, but if he's anything like his father he won't wait that long.

If he arrives before midnight it will coincide with his great grandparents wedding anniversary today and what would have been his great, great grandmothers 97th birthday were she still alive.

Can this kid pick a day to arrive or what, that's assuming he does arrive today? Do you know how many endless minutes and hours there are in a day - I hate waiting for anything! Should he arrive in time for me to post again today - then you will get two posts in one day because I'll be back to boast and show pics.

I had five hours sleep last night - not because I knew he was coming today but because I was taxiing hubby and his 'happy' mates to and from a work function last night. So when the phone call came at 8am this morning from my son (and interrupted my sleep-in) to say things were happening I was not at my bright and bubbly best. Truth being, I never am in the mornings anyway.

It's all together amazing how the need for sleep suddenly rushes from your thoughts and you feel suddenly energised and full of hope and magical possibilities at the impending arrival of a wonderful little being. I think I'm more excited about becoming a Nana then I was about becoming a mum. No that's not true, but becoming a mum meant first experiencing unbelievable pain. Becoming a Nana - none of that, just joyful anticipation.

No resemblance whatsoever!

My boys have come up with the novel name of 'Nanny Mcphee' for me from the fantasy kids movie of the same name. This is their humorous play on the Nana and Fi names. Boys have such dumb senses of humour sometimes.

Nanny McPhee is supposed to be ugly and hideous and has magical powers - I'm certain there is no resemblance because I don't look anything like this.

Having since read the write up from the movie, apparently she works her magic on the children and as she transforms the children's behaviour she transforms from ugly to beautiful - so maybe that's not a bad name after all.

Well I'm off to try and make my day go quicker - I'll be back with pics as soon as I can. May magic and endless possibilities fill your day. To my darling DIL and my son, I'm thinking of you both - good luck with it all.

Cheers, Fi

Sunshine energises me, makes me happy

We're roughly four weeks into winter and the truth is that cold, grey, rainy days depress me. We've been experiencing winter weather for a lot longer and it saps my energy and provides little incentive to get out and do anything.

Today the sun is shining and there's not a cloud in the sky. It's windy and is still jeans and jumpers sort of temperatures but I feel like I can climb mountains and leap buildings today. It also helps that it's a Saturday of course. Hope you have a great day wherever you are in the world today and below are three things I found this week to share. I'm thinking that Six Word Saturday has become my sharing day!

Share #1 (thank you to my mum for sending me this, it's definitely my line of thinking)
May today there be peace within.
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.
May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content with yourself just the way you are.

Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.

Share # 2 (via Facebook - thanks Brett)
An old man once said, "There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living.

Share # 3
Found this 'happy card' below on an awesome website last night called Good Morning Nubia. The comment on the website says start your day with a smile. You simply must go and check it out, there is a new card posted every day and there's heaps of different ones, with all different subjects and pictures.

I'm off to make homemade chicken noodle soup and homemade apple pie because I feel exceptionally inspired today. Have a great weekend.
Cheers, Fi

Want to play along with Six Word Saturday, it's easy? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing.

The 8 letter swear word

In my little male oriented household, the word ‘shopping’ is considered a swear word. Getting any of my MM’s to accompany me to the shops is harder than pulling teeth. It’s worse if I want them to come food shopping, then it’s akin to water torture.

Yet last night, the younger two MM’s accompanied me on a shopping expedition which for the record was one of the quickest shopping trips I’ve ever made. We took an hour and a half from start to finish.

Of course the enticement was considerable – new clothes (and not boring functional clothes either). Hubby was fed up with middle MM constantly putting his clothes that he wanted for the day in the clothes dryer. This is not because MM has any shortage of clothes, but because he has his favourites. His favourites are the types which have a sports logo on them which then increases the price by at least three times.

He also destroys clothes at a rapid rate because he is like a magnet to dirt, grease and paint. Not to mention the ability he has to snag, rip and shred every item of clothing he wears. Expensive clothes or not, they don’t have a long life span, so I’m hesitant to buy him expensive clothing for this reason.

Now that he’s working (and earning good money) we agreed that he could buy what ever he needed and we would go halves in the price – which will still almost require me to take out a bank loan for our half of the cost. Hubby is at odds as to why MM can’t wear windcheaters like he does – the $9 department store variety.

Hubby is strictly a shorts and work boots sort of guy, aside from the pants and collared shirts he wears for work, his entire wardrobe is shorts and shirts. Getting him into jeans or dress pants occurs only for business functions or weddings and is always under extreme duress. He too is the grease and dirt magnet variety so does not allow me to spend more than the bare minimum on shirts, shorts and windcheaters for him.

Last night I spent a record $400 in just over an hour, which probably amounts to my entire wardrobe allocation for the year. Youngest MM also got his share of new clothing because I believe in being fair – he’s desperate to earn his own money but is still a little young to venture into the working market. Youngest MM is not as much of a dirt and grease magnet which is also a good thing.

One thing about clothes shopping with my boys is it’s quick, there’s only 2 or 3 shops that we need to visit and the choices are reasonably limited. We move quickly through the shopping centre because heaven help us if their friends see them shopping with their mother, there’s no dawdling or stopping to window shop, it’s in and out.

I guess there’s something to be said for limited choices and quick decision making ability. Me, I take hours considering all of my different options when it comes to clothes shopping and I have a real issue with spending exorbitant amounts of money on clothing just because it has a logo on it. This means I’m more inclined to hunt down the bargains and this obviously takes more time.

My one thought through all of this is, I'm sure it's harder with girls!

Cheers, Fi

When women are depressed, they eat or go shopping. Men invade another country. It's a whole different way of thinking. ~Elayne Boosler

Charismatic Presence

Being a word loving type of person, I have always loved the word charisma. Books often describe the hero as having a ‘charismatic presence’. If you could purchase one, I would certainly put myself on the mailing list for one of those kinds of heroes. Why, because they sound so undeniably good and ‘special’.

In all seriousness though, you know how it is when you meet somebody new and you just think wow. This is the person who is positive, or enthusiastic, or funny, or outgoing or who seems to have it all together. They can be kind, understanding, even considerate – it doesn’t matter what it is about them, male or female, you just instinctively like them and want to be around them.

This is a person with charisma, a person who doesn’t have to make any additional effort to be liked and be popular with everyone.

Definition of charisma: a spiritual power or personal quality that gives an individual influence or authority over large numbers of people.

You don’t have to be fabulously wealthy or breathtakingly gorgeous to be charismatic – although heck it would definitely make things easier, but charisma is more about what’s on the inside. I’m one of those people who were standing behind the door when fantastic good looks were handed out and sadly my material wealth exists only in my dreams. I am however attempting to be beautiful on the inside

If you’re like me and need assistance because you missed out on extraordinary wealth and cover girl looks, then these traits might assist you in becoming a more charismatic being (or at the very least becoming a more likeable individual)

Sensitivity – Listening and caring about what others have to say. Making people feel important because you take the time to listen, you value what others have to say and you show them respect. Being considerate of how your own actions affect others.

Honesty – Being upfront and honest, you say it as you see it and you have an ability to do so in a way which doesn’t hurt others feelings unnecessarily.

Tolerance – Showing tolerance of others and their differences. Making others feel special no matter who they are or what they do. People feel comfortable being themselves in your presence and knowing that they’re accepted for who they are.

Magnanimous – Giving freely of your time, your patience and yourself. Being generous and giving, without being subservient and being able to make others feel worthwhile and special

Integrity – My favourite. Conduct yourself and your interactions with others, in an honest and open manner without compromising your principles and moral beliefs.

All of these traits then need to be wrapped up in a person who doesn’t think that they’re better than anyone else and who makes others feel better for having known them. In essence, a charismatic person is generally someone who makes others feel understood and appreciated no matter who they are or what they do.

If all else fails I’m sure there’s someone out there marketing bottles of charisma as an alternative. If only it was as easy as swallowing a concoction or spraying it on like perfume, then we’d all have ‘charismatic presence’.

So do you have a charismatic presence or are you still working on it?

Cheers, Fi

Charisma - Being more concerned about making others feel good about themselves than you are making them feel good about you ~ Anonymous

Lessons in life

There's a bloghop that I've seen around the traps called Wordless Wednesday. I haven't participated in this one, I do one or two hops, but find I just don't have the time to give all the contributors the courtesy of visiting them and making comments, hence I only participate in one or two.

The reason I mentioned this hop is because tonight I had a complete mental block on what I wanted to write, I was wordless and it was Wednesday and a wordless Fi is a very rare event in my household and something that my family will attest to. I have opinions and I'm usually not afraid to share them. My lack of words (despite the lines of writing here) is the result of total exhaustion and a mind that needs a rest.

So I thought about what I wanted to share with you and figured that some of life's lessons might be a nice share when my brain is too tired to think. My life is all about learning, about growing and becoming a better me, so here are some thoughts for you to ponder.

I have learned:

• That it’s hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people’s feelings, and standing up for what you believe.
• That it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you also have to learn to forgive yourself.
• That you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be a person who can be loved. The rest is up to them
• That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.
• That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
• That it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
• That it’s not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts
• That people will forget what you said, and people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

I found this share on this website. There's some great inspirational and moral stories, if you want to check them out.

Now I'm off to rest my tired and weary brain.

Cheers, Fi

Life is never going to be perfect and you need to realize that. People you thought you knew are going to turn into strangers. The one you thought you loved may be the person you hate the most someday. You’re going to be happy and you’re going to fall. You need to know life isn’t perfect and that’s what makes it best of all. Live your life for today and don’t forget to believe in yourself.

Biting my tongue and forgetting to breathe

So I momentarily considered not writing a post tonight because I've found a whole new group of fun and interesting blogs which I want to read and visit. Sadly for you I just couldn't resist having my daily dribble and subjecting all of you to my thoughts.

My focus today is on tact and diplomacy and how I need to better learn these fine arts, I'm getting better but it's taking a concerted effort on my part. Two different happenings occurred at work today in which I was forced to bite my tongue and not hit the reply button on my email with a biting comment or worse pick up the phone and really go to town on the perpetrators. See, this is me utilising my tact and diplomacy skills. I find this really hard especially when my favourite comebacks would have to be 'bugger off' and 'you have no idea what a moron you sound like'.

First occurence - I sent out meeting invites for the numerous meetings we will begin holding on a monthly basis on the project. One enterprising individual emailed me back asking that I at least have the courtesy to check with him when scheduling meetings as he made allowances to attend the last meeting. He is one of about forty individuals that I have to schedule for these meetings and he knows this.

I bit my tongue, said lots of curse words under my breath and then in true communication mode, I drafted back a nice tacful and diplomatic response to all meeting attendees that I would schedule 12 months of meetings which would occur at the same time every month. Cut me some slack this was what we had planned to do going forward, we've only just got approval and have not put them in place yet.

So while I understood his point, his lack of appropriate communication skills made my blood boil. I can give him a break (only because I have to), he's male, he's young and he's full of self importance - the reality is that he's not that important and someone else could stand in for him. Arggghhh.

Second occurence - another delightful person telling me by email that what I had written in the minutes of a meeting was incorrect and that I should change it. Mmm wrong again, it was said, it was agreed to and just because you weren't listening is not my concern. My boss told me to write the words, this guys' boss agreed with what had been said in the first place so who has the problem?

My bosses indignation at both of these emails (he was cc'd in on them as well) was almost as great as mine, so I felt reassured that it wasn't just me being sensitive. I am rapidly learning not to take them personally, if I didn't - then I would probably have a complex the size of the Grand Canyon.

Project work with all of its urgency and prioritising is all a new learning curve for me and I find it hard when people are ignorant or rude. Ask me nicely and I can work miracles, attack me and my horns will come out and they will stay out for a long time to come. It's been said by my loyal following on this blog that I need to learn to breathe - I am, really I am. Occasionally though I turn a nasty shade of blue because I forget to breathe and I'm biting down hard on my tongue

So my question today, do you struggle with tact and diplomacy, or do you know someone who seriously needs a lesson in these skills?

Cheers, Fi

A real diplomat is one who can cut his neighbor's throat without having his neighbor notice it. ~ Trygve Lie

I used to be a better mum

Once upon a time not so long ago, I was one of those mums who baked every Sunday afternoon, spent half my life in the car travelling between sports matches and my house and garden were in good shape. Now I hardly ever bake on Sunday's, my garden looks like a jungle and I don't go to any sports matches at all.

Sometimes I feel guilty about the departure of my 'better mothering' qualities and then I have to remind myself that it's not all my doing. Back in 'those' days I was working part time so I had more hours to do all the travelling between sports activities. At the same time though I still used to do all of my uni study sitting in the car at training while the boys played one of a million different sports.

Neither of the two that are still at home are playing any sport this year (not my doing and boy did it take some control to contain my dance of joy when they decided this) I've always had strict rules that they can play any sport they want but once they commit to something then they're in it for the season, no excuses, no trying to get out of training. These days teenage social lives and part time jobs seem to infringe too much on their time so they've taken a break from sports.

The jungle in my front yard - ah well it's all about priorities and it failed to make the list this year. Full time hours and additional travel to the job just chews up the daylight hours so the garden will grow and as long as I can find my car then it's okay. Truly, it's not really that bad and the boys are now old enough to assist with the lawns at least, besides some of the weeds are quite attractive looking.

Baking on a Sunday, well I'm saddened that I don't do that as often as I used to, but it all comes back to time. I've also discovered that it's now not considered 'cool' for teenagers to take lunch to school that mum baked. What the.....? I did bake last night though just to maintain my little 'good mother sometimes' tag.

I whipped up some bacon and corn pikelets and banana muffins - and they did take them for lunch today. I suppose they probably ate them on the way to school to avoid being 'seen' eating home baked goodies at lunchtime, but regardless I felt good that I'd made the effort.

So in a nutshell I guess it's not that I was once a better mother but that my boys are becoming men and my priorities have changed slightly (alot). I just need more hours in my day and probably less blogging and writing. Such is life though.

What about you, have your priorities changed or do you try to do it all?

Cheers, Fi

This post is linked to Lovelinks # 11

Gratefully inspired.

It was on my mind to post about the things that I'm thankful for today and I'll tell you why in a minute, but I also found that after zapping around the blogosphere today and doing my normal visiting that it seems to be a common theme, so it would appear I'm not alone in my gratitude today.

The reason I was thinking along these lines was following a Facebook post (from her godmother) that appeared yesterday informing us that beautiful little Lilah Bishop has passed away. I originally posted about this sweet little angel here and I've been following her journey via the page her family set up to honour her short life.

In just 12 short days, almost 9000 followers have joined this Facebook page and assisted her parents in spreading the message that we should live in the moment and treasure the special times we have with our children. I believe the overwhelming love and joy that the Bishop family surrounded their daughter with is what kept her alive for so much longer than medical experts expected.

My love and thoughts are with this family as they mourn the passing of their little treasure who shone from the inside and inspired many of us to 'Relish in the simple things with our children and never take anything for granted when we are with them' Hugs to all of you.

So today I am grateful for the following

1) My beautiful boys who amuse and entertain me and make me feel honoured to be their mother
2) My darling friends and former work colleagues. I may not have been in party mode yesterday but I still donned my dancing shoes and my party hat and had the most enjoyable evening. You guys light up my world and I miss the joy and laughter you used to bring to my work days. I'm not a drinker so I'm even more grateful that I woke up hangover free and feeling great this morning (despite a number of alcoholic bevies last night).
3) My hubby, even in his grumpiest moments, for better or worse I love him.
4) That I have a place to call home after reading about the statistics on homelessness in the news this week.
5) Hot milky cups of coffee on cold, rainy days
6) My family, no matter how far away you are, you're always in my thoughts
7) Chatting with my boys and hearing them talk about their experiences and opinions on happenings in the world
8) Warmth - nothing better than snuggling up on the lounge in front of the fire and feeling cosy and safe.
9) Social media for allowing me to remain in contact with loved ones who are not physically near by
10) That I'm alive and healthy and able to feel grateful for the good things in my world.

Hope you have plenty to feel grateful for in your lives.

Cheers, Fi

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. ~G.K. Chesterton

Too much swirling inside my head

 

This week my mind feels overloaded. So much is going on in my life and there's lots of things that I'm thinking about, so this post is my brain dump to get it all out. There are also three things at the bottom of this post that I want to share which I came across this week. Feel free to steal them and share the love (I have)

1) Three short weeks until my grandson makes his arrival (or sooner). So very excited and trying to restrain myself from buying every 'cute and adorable' thing I see.

2) Work is flat out, from nothing to do, to doing the work of three people at the moment while we're trying to recruit for these positions. I won't move into my new role until we can find someone to replace me in the current role. I have a meeting with a potential candidate next week so fingers crossed. Work is so crazy at the moment that I'm filling A4 pages of tasks every day to ensure that I don't forget to do everything. If it's not written down I worry that it will get lost in the swirling mess in my head.

4) I'm currently putting together a quiz night for the Social Club at work. At my old job I restructured and ran the social club with the help of some fantastic people. Our social club activities and the members were legendary. Now they want me to work my magic at the new workplace and create the same sort of social club. It's just not the same though and I'm not sure how to politely back out of it. I gallantly offered to do the quiz night several months ago when I was bored out of my brain with no work to do. How fitting that it's coming up now when I don't have time to scratch myself.

5) Everyone seems to be having birthdays at the moment - fancy dress birthday party last week, another 40th tonight and then another one in a couple of weeks. Plus youngest MM's and nephew's birthdays in July. Argh, so not in the party mode at the moment.

So you can see why my mind is a mess of swirling work tasks, quiz questions, blog posts and baby thoughts along with all the normal rubbish that fills my head. The thing is I love having heaps going on because it makes life interesting.

Share # 1 A Friend That's Always There
Sourced from The Friendship Page

If I could catch a rainbow I would do it just for you
And share with you it's beauty on the days you're feeling blue
If I could build a mountain you could call your very own
A place to find serenity. A place to be alone...........
If I could take your troubles I would toss them in the sea
But all these things I'm finding are impossible for me
I cannot build a mountain or catch a rainbow fair
But let me be what I know best. A friend that's always there.

Share # 2 There comes a point in your life when you realise:

Who matters,
Who never did,
Who won't anymore...
And who always will.
So, don't worry about people from your past,
because there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.

Share # 3 Hugs keep us alive
Thank you Ticklebear for allowing me to steal this one. I love this pic, it reminds me of the warm feeling you get on the inside when someone gives you a hug. Hugs fix a multitude of things and cost us nothing.

Hug and be happy everyone - hope you all have a great week.

Cheers, Fi

'Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their heart to us.' ~ Adam Hart

Want to play along with Six Word Saturday, it's easy? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing.

Homelessness is not fun

I've never given much thought to homelessness, I guess for now I'm one of the lucky ones who has a home and god willing will never have to experience it. I've given homelessness more thought since I started reading Louise's blog. Louise works in a homeless shelter in Canada and often shares stories of the people she meets and their stories. Stories about ordinary people like you and I who fall on tough times.

The reason I'm posting about this tonight was because this morning they were interviewing an Adelaide CEO on the radio who participated in the CEO's sleep out last night in Adelaide. The event started in Sydney in 2006 and in 2010 the event was launched nationally and exceeded expectations, attracting almost 700 CEO’s in 7 cities nationally and raising $2.9 million to directly assist people experiencing homelessness.

On the 16th June, CEO's sleep rough for a night to gain an understanding of what it's like to be homeless and to raise money and bring awareness to a problem that affects way too many people. Armed with a pillow, sleeping bag and several bits of cardboard they attempt to spend the night in the elements with a simple meal of soup and bread. They have more than most who live on the streets would have. Last night Mother Nature did it's bit to contribute to their understanding of the problem by providing plenty of wind, rain and cold temperatures.

On the radio this morning, Brian, an Adelaide CEO who participated in the event said that a young former homeless girl spoke to them last night and pointed out the reality that 'Homelessness is not fun, it's not just a one night sleepover where you experience a bit of discomfort like you are tonight. It's ongoing and it's fraught with danger' He said her words (and there was lots more she had to say) awakened many of them to the realities of being homeless.

While those CEO's that slept out last night could go home for a nice hot shower this morning and be tucked up warm in their beds tonight, homeless people do not have that option. Statistics show that in Adelaide:

There are over 1000 people identified as homeless across our state. It is believed this is just the tip of the iceberg. How many others are “couch surfers” or just one short step away from being homeless?

Nearly half of Australia’s 105,000 homeless people are women and sadly, around thirty percent are children.

Most common reasons for homelessness in South Australia are family breakdown, unemployment, drugs, alcohol and domestic violence.

The website for the CEO Sleepout is here and there are details of how you can contribute to the effort by donating and also provides information on how you can nominate or sponsor your boss for next year.

Tonight I am extremely thankful that my family and I have a home and that we are warm and fed. Sometimes it takes amazing people like Louise and the CEO's around Australia who participated in the sleepout who awaken us to the harsh realities of life and show us that we can make a difference no matter how small.

Cheers, Fi

If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get. ~ Frank A. Clark

Change is sometimes good

Are you one of those people who is exhilarated by change or do you run and hide and do your best to avoid upsetting the comfortable pattern of your life. I used to be a big 'change lover' but find that the older I get, the less I make changes.

For the first twenty three years of my life I lived in more than 10 different houses in 3 different states of Australia. Dad got transferred with his job quite a bit when I was a child and then I did a fair bit of moving around when I first ventured out into the big wide world. I loved moving - new house, new things to see and do, new people, it was an adventure that I thrived on.

The first few years with my hubby and when my children were young, part of my desire for change meant that I used to rearrange the furniture in the house. Fantastic way to do a thorough cleaning and it also kept me amused. Hubby less so - he hated me moving things around. I also used to move my bedroom furniture around regularly as a teenager. Strangely enough, middle MM has inherited this tendency (much to his father's annoyance)

I haven't moved the house furniture for years now, I've lived in the same house for 18 years and I've even worked for the same company for ten years next month (admittedly I've changed jobs within the company) How staid and boring have I become?

Despite my lack of changes in recent years, I like change (in most cases). I think it shakes us up and forces us out of the ruts that we get stuck in. You'll notice I've changed my blog design somewhat, it's the third change in the 11 months that I've been posting and is my minor step towards change.

My new job is all about change which is what's so exciting about it. Project work is fluid and different every day, which keeps life interesting. Days are now crazy busy which is great because it motivates me and I'm finding everything is a big new learning curve. The house change will take further work on my hubby - he thrives on stability. How I envy my brother and parents who up and moved 4 hours a way. I could only wish!

So what about you, does change terrify you or exhilarate you?

Cheers, Fi

The key to change... is to let go of fear ~ Rosanne Cash

Building trusting relationships

You could be forgiven for thinking that I've renamed my blog 'Blonde on a Soapbox', given that I've been on something of a rant this week. Bad parents, martians and people who turn a blind eye tend to get me going as you've probably noticed. So anyway I've packed the soapbox into the back of my cupboard and I've climbed back onto my inspiration box again.

I like to consider myself as a person with integrity and for that reason trust is important to me. I've mentioned before that I've often been warned about the rose coloured glasses that I wear which sometimes colour my view and makes me believe in the good in people. That's me, that's who I am and I refuse to apologise for it. I do take it personally though when people break my trust.

So here's some of the things I do to build trust and maintain positive relationships - or at least the things that I attempt to do:
1)  I tell the truth and I endeavour to be open in communication (I say what I mean and I mean what I say)
2)  I favour reliability in others and so in return I work hard and I honour promises I make. If I say I'm going to do something or be somewhere at a certain time then that's what I do.
3)  I act as fairly as is humanly possible, everyone deserves to be treated equally and with respect.
4)  I help others, where I can and within my capabilities because it gives me a sense of satisfaction.

That's not to say I'm perfect, I'm far from it. Only recently I posted about my dilemma in not being completely open with my hubby about the money I had lent my son. The truth is even I slip up occasionally (lots). When this happens though I like to think that I can admit that I'm wrong, despite being stubborn and pigheaded at times. (My mother is probably laughing out loud at this comment and hubby definitely would be if he read my blog)

Trust, honesty and integrity are all traits that I try to encourage in my children. Middle MM is classic for admitting when he is wrong and has messed up, he has been this way since he was a small child. I can remember a meeting with the principal when MM was in about grade 2. The principal retold the story when I arrived of how he had called MM into his office and asked him why he thought he was there. MM had then reeled off a list of all of the things that he had done wrong. Principal told us he had to laugh because none of those minor reasons were why he had called MM into his office in the first place.

Our trust of course has been challenged lately because of MM's escapades but to this day MM has remained honest in admitting when he has done something wrong, he doesn't lie, he doesn't blame anyone else. He steps up and faces it like a man, even with the recent trouble with police he has been totally honest. I value this highly in my child and it gives me hope that this trait will always remain and will help him become the man that I know he can become.

None of us is perfect, but admitting when you've messed up and taking steps to learn from your mistakes has got to be almost as highly valued as integrity. Lets face it, that's what integrity is, isn't it?

So, what are your views on honesty and integrity? How do you feel when someone is less than honest with you?

To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved. ~ George MacDonald.

Men are from Mars (outer Mars)

I'm married to a mechanic who is also a Mr Fix-It, in other words he's very useful to have around the house. That's until it comes to asking for my assistance to fetch parts for him. He sends me off to the hardware store or the car parts place with a shopping list of what I need to get for him. Because he's a shift worker and works stupid hours, I always play the dutiful little wife and off I go.

Here is a replay of a common scenario in our home when I return from my shopping expedition.

Him - You bought the wrong 'thing-a-ma-jiggy' or the incorrect 'doosi-what-sit'
Me - That's what you told me to get.
Him - No I didn't, this is the wrong colour, size, shape, function (it doesn't matter which one)
Me - Then you should go and get it yourself because you know what you need.
Him - I don't have time, you'll just have to take this one back and get the right one

Argghh! It usually then takes me at least two more attempts to get the correct 'thing-a-ma-jiggy' or the right 'doosi-what-sit'. It drives me crazy and I usually look like a totally incompetent twat in front of the sales people when I return on three occasions in one day.

Today is a public holiday in Adelaide so I was enjoying a nice relaxing day until he handed me the 'list'. He wanted several things for MM's car and wanted them here before 2pm when he finished work so that he could work on the car. I'm just about to head off on my third trip to the car parts place and I'm frustrated beyond belief. Idiot sales staff who have no clue are also irritating beyond belief.

Simple solution - go and get your stupid stuff yourself!

For the record I hate hardware stores and car part places. I think the next time I need new underwear or gifts for family members then I might send him with my shopping list. Bright frilly pink knickers and girl stuff will be on that list and no matter what he buys - it's going to be wrong (even if it's right).

How wrong do you get it, or do you simply refuse to run errands?

Cheers, Fi


While Martians (men) tend to pull away and silently think about what's bothering them, Venusians (women) feel an instinctive need to talk about what's bothering them. ~ John Gray

The Ripple Effect

I have this picture (below) on my desk at work and it sums up something that a commenter on my blog said this week. He said 'I can't change the whole world by myself, but I can affect the world surrounding me and that starts a ripple effect'.

It says 'It is the effort of many that creates ripples that can move mountains.'

I wish I had the ability to move mountains on my own (as I'm sure many of us do) Alas I was standing behind the door when they were giving out super powers. It's true though that we can all do our bit and start the ripple effect of change.

I read about a very brave woman today in the Adelaide Sunday Mail who was indecently assaulted on a train during peak hour and not one person came to her assistance. The perpetrator then moved on to do the same thing to a younger woman on the same train and everybody continued to turn a blind eye.

NOT ONE PERSON ATTEMPTED TO HELP. Shame on the men travelling home on this train who refused to intervene; imagine if this was your daughter or wife? It was this strong woman who stood up and told this man to back off and leave the frightened young woman alone.

He got abusive and confrontational with her but when she stood her ground and stared him down, he backed off. She was smart enough to ring a friend to ensure she had someone to meet her at the end of her train ride. This to ensure her safety when she exited at her stop because this man was still on the train, but had moved to another carriage. The article is here if you want to read it.

I wanted to cheer in the streets for this woman who was strong enough to protect another younger, more vulnerable woman who nobody else would help, who was experiencing what she had also just experienced. This is just one person standing up and hopefully creating a ripple effect, so that people do feel they can help another. How anyone can stand by and not assist another person in this situation is beyond me(even if it is as simple as calling police or train security and not getting personally involved)

Lousie pointed out this week "I think there is a collective learned helplessness at play that immobilizes our ability to intervene". I understand this as well because we also hear of bad things happening to people who get involved in situations that have nothing to do with them. Alerting someone to the problem and not personally getting involved is still better than turning away and pretending nothing is happening.

I would hope that someone would come to my rescue in this situation, because I know I would have to do something. While I believe our own safety must be considered first and foremost, doing nothing is unacceptable. If people won't try to change their own world or their own responses than we are all just floating along with the tide and not trying to make the world a better one.

I'm all for creating ripples to move mountains and at least having some small impact on the circumstances in my little part of the world. Yeah Kate Kyriacou, you rock girl and I applaud your actions. Double yeah that they eventually arrested this twit and got him off the streets.

Cheers, Fi

Letter M fancy dress party tonight

Hubby and I are off to a letter M fancy dress party tonight for a friends 50th birthday party. Hubby is going as a monk (which for anyone who knows him, is a laughable costume).

A monk is defined as a person who practices religious asceticism (the practice of self denial) whilst living either alone or with any number of monks and always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose.

I will be going as Medusa - probably rather fitting for me, as I 've been known to be a bit
of a monster and would sometimes like to have the ability to turn people to stone when

they look at me.

These pics are an indication of how ludicrous we might look. Should be a good night and I'm looking forward to it. I may even come back
with photos of us in our costumes
(or maybe just all of the other characters who turn up).
Hope you all have an enjoyable night, whatever you're doing.

Cheers, Fi


The more you dress up the more fun you'll have. ~ Brian Molko

Some parents need a slap!

I’m not a perfect parent and I make mistakes. I’ve been known to say and do the wrong things sometimes and I also have times when I get annoyed and frustrated. Children can be just as frustrating as they can be adorable.

We all have times when we struggle, because parenting is one massive learning curve and we're all learning about life right alongside our children.

Yesterday there was a story in the news about a mother in Adelaide. Her five year old little boy woke up with a cough and a runny nose and she gave him a dose of methadone in his cordial bottle to help him feel better. He will never feel better because he died.

Methadone (also known as Symoron, Dolophine, Amidone, Methadose, Physeptone, Heptadon, Phy and many other names) is a synthetic opioid used medically as an analgesic and maintenance anti-addictive for use in patients with opioid dependency.

This breaks my heart when I read things like this. Children are so innocent and trusting and they rely on us to protect them and keep them safe. What parent in their right mind would think that this is acceptable? Okay I answered my own question there, because no parent in their right mind would do this sort of thing.

I understand that all of us face challenges in our lives and we all have our own demons and addictions and vices. It’s a sad fact of life. What dismays me most is that Family Support Services knew of this family and had been contacted regarding the conditions in the home, yet nothing was done and an innocent life was lost.

Are we as a community letting our children down? We hear so often in the news of children who are killed and then an avalanche of neighbours or family members come forward to say they had concerns, or they’d made reports etc etc.

The thing is its too damn late once an innocent life is extinguished to say that you thought something wasn’t right or that you had concerns.

I posted this week about people with a fighting spirit and said ‘The true fighters are the ones who fight for something worth fighting for’. To me, a child’s life is worth fighting for. Bugger the ‘not getting involved if it doesn’t concern you’ premise. If a child’s life is in jeopardy then ‘get involved’ because unfortunately there are some parents who do need a good swift slap around the head.

Cheers, Fi

That's what it takes to be a hero, a little gem of innocence inside you that makes you want to believe that there still exists a right and wrong, that decency will somehow triumph in the end ~ Lise Hand

Who's in the drivers seat?

Okay I'll admit to my weakness, I like to check out my stats to see what people are reading on my blog. Its human nature isn't it? It always surprises me because it's usually the things that I write on the spur of the moment that I've given no prior thought to that people gravitate towards. On any given day I get between 40 and 60 page views, yesterday it skyrocketed to 120 page views - and I'm not sure what the massive peak is from?

Am I the only person who wonders about this? I get annoyed with myself sometimes because essentially my blog is for me so what does it matter what people are reading? Well I guess it's because I'm human (that's my excuse for all my failings) and I like that people want to read what I write.

Now that I've gotten that out of my system I can tell you about how I'm being brave beyond belief. Middle MM has started at TAFE (which for any non-Australian reader stands for Technical College of Further Education) which is all a part of his apprenticeship. He wasn't meant to start there until February with the new school year, which would have been fine because he can get his probationary license the day after his birthday in January and drive him self.

But as is always the case they started him this week, which means I take him - or should I say he takes me, because as a learner driver he has to drive for 12 months with an observer in the passenger seat. So every morning I bravely climb into the passenger seat for the forty minute drive in peak hour traffic, there in the morning and back in the evening. In all honesty he's a good driver, albeit a little over confident and arrogant in his ability. I think that's the male teenage standard though.

The problem is me - I'm not a good passenger. I've been in the passenger seat in three different car accidents, it was before I met my husband - so I'm talking a long time ago, but it stays with you. The thing is it's really hard to maintain my cool and not show him I'm nervous. Who am I kidding, he knows and gives me the 'mum will you cut it out' look.

This afternoon my chiro wanted to know why I was so tense. Gees, life is more relaxed in the last few days than it has been for months so I explained that it could be because I sit rigid in the same position for forty minute stretches - she laughed when I told her why.

I want my hubby to do this, because I'm simply not good at it. Unfortunately hubby's shift work in a company vehicle is not conducive to him doing most of it. Besides MM says I have more patience and explain things to him better, so I will continue to get my money's worth from the chiro and will work on the nervous passenger syndrome that I currently suffer from.

I'm simply better behind the wheel and in control of the car than in the passenger seat - it's that control thing again isn't it? What about you, are you a nervous passenger?

Cheers, Fi

Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac? ~ George Carlin

Sometimes I trip over my fighting spirit

To get anywhere in this world I believe you have to be a fighter, not the bullying, violent type of fighter but someone with a fighting spirit. The true fighters are the ones who fight for something worth fighting for.

Fighters stand up for other people, for things they believe in, and when necessary – for themselves. I have always believed in the fighting spirit, sometimes to my detriment because it's gotten me into a number of sticky situations.

I'm not a confrontational sort of person but I've also never been the sort of person who can sit back when someone is being taken advantage of, being bullied or is simply unable to stand up for themselves. Case in point, many years ago a fellow co-worker was being bullied by a recently terminated employee who had come back on to work premises to verbally abuse and intimidate my co-worker. My co-worker was two foot nothing and was up against the bully who was tall for a girl. Co-worker was also of Indonesian background and sometimes struggled with the English language.

When I saw her being bullied I saw red. Firstly because my co-worker was so sweet natured that she was unable to stand up to the bully and secondly because the bully was not telling the truth and was trying to do a snow job on my poor innocent co-worker. Did I step in, most definitely. Was it any of my business, probably not. Did that stop me, not at all.

I pointed out to the bully that she was lying to my co-worker and then stepped between her and co-worker to stop the intimidation. I then made sure she was removed from the business premises as she had no business being there in the first place. What ensued for me was almost a month of abusive phone calls at all hours of the night from the bully who was upset that I had intervened. My thought - it was probably better that it was me receiving the calls than my quiet and unassuming co-worker.

I was eventually forced to make a report to police after advice from my boss. This had little effect despite warnings from the police (who strangely enough knew of her) the bully didn't care and continued her torment. It was such a minor thing that I had stepped into which had blown completely out of control.

Hubby and boss eventually took it into their own hands and took turns parking across her driveway at all hours of the day and night. No words spoken, no threats made - plain intimidation is sometimes all it takes to out-bully a bully.

So while everyone advises that you should never get involved in something that's not your business, sometimes you have to do what you think is right. In my world it's never okay to standby and watch someone being bullied, downtrodden or abused.

What are your thoughts, do you turn a blind eye or do you get involved?

Wisdom is knowing what to do next; virtue is doing it.  ~David Star Jordan

If we didn't care it would be easy....

How do you protect your children from themselves? We have tried valiantly to follow the guidelines listed below (well the positive ones at least). As parents we're not always perfect, sometimes we mess up and sometimes we make mistakes but we're doing the best we can, because essentially we're only human.

Mothering a teenager has to be the most rewarding and heartbreaking thing in the world all rolled up into one big bulky package.

All I can hope is that deep down the love we have shown and the upbringing we have provided will win through and banish the negative influences. Hope and faith are the only things that keep me placing one foot in front of the other.

Parenting Guidelines to live by:

• If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
• If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
• If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive.
• If a child lives with jealousy, he learns to feel guilt.
• If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
• If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident.
• If a child lives with praise, he learns to be appreciative.
• If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love.
• If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
• If a child lives with recognition, he learns that it is good to have a goal.
• If a child lives with honesty, he learns what truth is.
• If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
• If a child lives with security, he learns to trust in himself and others.
• If a child lives with friendliness, he learns the world is a nice place in which to live.

I wrote the first part of this post last night and you've all probably got used to me talking about my boys and the stress they cause me, rolled up with the moments of joy and pride that they also bring me. Today I opened the newspaper to read about a family who won't know the joy of their little girl growing up and going through the trials of the teenage years.

For all the frustration and stress I experience, reading about little Lilah Bishop reinforced just how lucky I am that my children are happy and healthy. You can read the story here

Lilah's mum made the comment "Relish in the simple things with your children. Never take anything for granted when you are with them. We celebrate every month, every day, every second and every breath we have with her. We understand some people will see Lilah and shed a tear, but we want positive things to come from her journey."

How true her words are. What an inspiring woman and what a tragic journey they've had. I am humbled by this story and thankful for every moment of stress and joy that I experience with my children as we guide them through the pre-adult years. Some parents aren't that lucky and it makes my words of despair and stress seem selfish.

Hug your kids and tell them that you love them each and every day, because you can.

Cheers, Fi

It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself. ~ Joyce Maynard

When I Wish Upon A Star

I learnt something this weekend - quite simply I stink at scheduling posts, because I scheduled this to post on Saturday but messed up the dates. Ah well! So here it is now, short, sweet and simple.

As a mother, it's true to say that my world revolves around my children. When they're hurting, I'm hurting and when they're celebrating, I'm celebrating. They inspire me to be a better person, to stretch, to grow, to learn. They also teach me that while I can guide and advise them, that invariably I must also set them free to stretch and grow and learn. I must take a step back to enable them to become the most amazing individuals they can be.

I searched the internet for a poem to sum up what I was feeling and I couldn't find anything remotely like what I wanted. So here is what I wrote - a poem for my boys.

I wish upon a star

for a world free of pain and suffering

A world where rainbows

colour my world

I wish upon a star

for a world full of love and sharing

A world where moonbeams

touch the ground

I wish upon a star

for a world where everyone is equal

A world where raindrops

shine like crystals

I wish upon a star

for a world that shows compassion

A world where shooting stars

fill the night time sky

I wish upon a star

for a world that knows integrity

A world where blossoms

line the path ahead

I wish upon a star

for a world that’s full of freedom

A world where our dreams

become reality

I wish upon a star, for a better world for you and I

Cheers, Fi

It seems to me we can never give up longing and wishing while we are thoroughly alive. There are certain things we feel to be beautiful and good, and we must hunger after them ~ George Eliot

My Relaxing Weekend

We played tourists in our own city last night and had a ball. We went out to lunch at the Kings Hotel and had a fantastic meal and then got on one of the new Adelaide trams and went to Glenelg. My hubby and his mate kept the tram conductors and most of the passengers in fits of laughter for the entire journey - they're like a comedy act after a few beers.



Walked down along the Glenelg jetty and then sampled the alcoholic beverages at the Grand Hotel on the foreshore. Back on the tram into the city - more comedy from the boys and then onto the Old Adelaide Gaol for our ghost tour.  

I was extremely disappointed that we didn't meet any ghosts, because I was ready for them. With the history of the place you can totally understand why there have been so many sightings. I think the boys would have scared any ghostly beings away anyway.

 

We headed back to our luxurious room where the four of us shared a picnic dinner with cheeses, meats and crackers with more alcoholic beverages. We were totally stuffed from lunch and didn't feel like another full meal. It was just a nice relaxing and fun evening. Once our friends headed back to their room, I spent an hour soaking in a nice big bubble bath.

Breakfast this morning was the biggest and best buffet breakfast I have ever seen in my life and even though I'm not a breakfast eating person - I ate lots. We got home about 11 this morning and by lunchtime I was having a 'nanna nap' on the lounge. A three hour nanna nap (simply unheard of in my life these days)

Then the absolute perfect end to a beautiful weekend - I got up from my 'nap' and youngest MM had done all of my cleaning, the floors, bathroom, toilet, stacked the dishwasher and also all of the washing and had hung it out. Isn't he just the best child in the world? All done with no prompting or asking.

It is now early evening and pouring with rain and I'm sitting snuggled up on the lounge in front of the heater. Hubby is cooking a nice big pot of spaghetti sauce for tea and I feel totally relaxed. Awesome weekend which was much needed.

Hope you all had a great weekend too.

Cheers, Fi



This art of resting the mind and the power of dismissing from it all care and worry is probably one of the secrets of energy in our great men. ~ Captain J. A. Hadfield

I am not scared, I am not scared

Despite having plenty to do at work today the day just seemed to go forever. In fact some parts of the day felt like the clock was going in reverse. You get days like that I guess.

It could be because I'm looking forward to the weekend and some chill out adult time. Friends of ours purchased a special double hotel package in the city which includes a meal and then rooms for the night.

So we will venture into the city in the morning and meander our way around the markets (which I haven’t done for absolutely years) and then dine out for lunch. We will then check into our room mid afternoon and I can probably be convinced with some heavy arm twisting to loll around in the heated pool and spa with a nice alcoholic beverage.

Then we’re out for dinner and from there we’re headed to a ghost tour at the old Adelaide Gaol – this is the spiel on their website.

The Adelaide Gaol was built in 1841 and housed approximately 300,000 prisoners during its 147 years of operation. A total of 45 people including one woman were hanged in various locations around the Gaol.

The Gaol was closed in 1988 and is known as the longest continuously operating prison in Australia. The Gaol is reputed to be one of the most haunted sites in South Australia.

Not to sure about this, not really into scary things and ghosts, especially with hubby and his best mate who will probably get a real kick out of scaring the living daylights out of us. Oh well I'm up for it - it should be an interesting night .

The youngest two MM's are staying with eldest MM and daughter-in-law which will allow for some good ol' brotherly bonding. My apologies to her for leaving her with a houseful of boys.

Hope you all have a great weekend

Cheers, Fi
The only thing to fear is fear itself. Franklin D. Roosevelt

Colour me happy

I love colour (I'm probably stating the obvious on the off chance that you haven't already noticed my love of colour from my blog design). In fact I've always liked to surround myself with colour because it makes me feel happy.

This is a good thing when you're creating inspirational blogs, newsletters and fun informative presentations but I sometimes I have to reserve my love of colour in the corporate world. Unfortunately Board members and Executive Managers want facts in black and white and not colour - what boring old farts?

I wouldn't say that I like any particular colour but I like combinations of colour. Brightness and open well lit areas appeal. I find dark drab colours are depressing and de-motivating. Maybe that's why I also like spring and summer over winter (besides the fact that I abhor being cold)

So here's what the colours symbolise - which is your favourite?

Red is often considered a stimulant, and invariably draws attention.
Orange is fun and flamboyant and radiates warmth and energy.
Yellow is optimistic, enlightening, and happy.
Green symbolises new growth and freshness. Some shades of green are considered ‘institutional’ and are associated with illness and government-issued green cards which conjures up negative emotions, as do the "slimy" or "bilious" greens.
Blue is seen as trustworthy, dependable, and committed.
Purple has mystical and royal qualities and is often well liked by very creative or eccentric types.
Pinks can be youthful, fun, and exciting, and some have the same high energy as red; they are sensual and passionate without being too aggressive.
Brown says stability, reliability, and approachability and sometimes is considered drab and boring.
Gray is the color of intellect, knowledge, and wisdom.
Black is authoritative and powerful; because black can evoke strong emotions, too much can be overwhelming.
White projects purity, cleanliness, and neutrality.

Well the days are flying by at the moment, too much to do and not enough hours in the day to do them. My roller coaster ride (life) still has its ups and downs but the extremes aren't quite as bad. Ironically if I didn't have children then life would be smooth sailing with lots of yellows, greens and blues.

Having said that I wouldn't trade them for the world, partly because they contribute the reds, pinks and oranges to my life.

Middle MM appeared in court today and was let off with no record against his name. He will have to go to a conciliation conference with a police family support officer and may be financially liable for his portion of the damage to the car. I'm hoping that he learns his lesson from this incident because this truly blackens my days and my outlook.

That's my news for now, hope you're all filling your lives with colour and happiness or at the very least you're achieving a balance of them.

Cheers, Fi

Man needs colour to live; it's just as necessary an element as fire and water. ~ Fernand Leger