Time waits for no one

And just like that it's 2017.

One thing I have realized is that time does not stop. Ever. With all the busyness that happens in day to day life, it is all to easy too get caught up and suddenly life has raced on by. Never was this more evident than in my own life.

Between my darling husband finishing his studies and starting up a new business, and me returning to full time work, there has been little time to stop and breathe, never mind reflect. Which brings me to my next endeavour..to find space to breathe within our busy lives.

Our dear wee boy, is now not so wee. He is a big seven year old, and rapidly approaching eight. Imminent adolescence is terrifying!! So every moment has become precious. Enjoying each other, building memories and making time for laughter is my priority.

Work is just a job, and while I adore the children that I work with, they too are but ships in my night. My priority is my family, and I will be working towards having my life reflect that. 

Bisous xxx

Endings, beginnings, and finding the status quo...

2014 began with all the enthusiasm I could muster, and full of promise. But within the first two weeks, it became increasingly apparent that this was going to be a challenging year, but that is not to say not without personal growth.

I began my Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education this year. I am a fully registered qualified primary school teacher in my little corner of the world, and I have had many people ask me why I feel the need to retrain - well, many reasons really, but probably the most important for this post is that it is something I am passionate about and will give my family and I quality of life. Anywho, whilst putting my student hat firmly back upon my head, the proverbial hit the fan...my best friend, who has fought a long and hard battle with brain cancer lost her fight. This in the same weekend that my new, beautiful nephew was born. Yup, rollercoaster ride right there! 

So in amongst all the drama unfolding right around me - I learned a few things:
1. I have the most amazing, supportive husband who I love beyond words.
2. Our family is beyond amazing in the support they offer us.
3. I made the right decision to return to study and put my family   first.
4. Life is far to short to take anything for granted.
5. I have some amazing friends who I'm so grateful to have in my life.
6. I need to start looking after myself, making myself a priority.

So in light of number 6, this lovely little blog is about to take a rather drastic shift. To reflect my mindset, my aim is to create a positive, pro-active environment in which to change my current health profile, and mental outlook. I need to lose weight, about 30kg is left, give or take. I need to get my body back in tip top condition before we attempt baby number 2 in 2016. This to me, means physically, emotionally, spiritually..pretty much from every perspective. 

So if you want to join in along with me..I can be found on myfitnesspal with the log in of calesmama. Add me if you wish, and we can take this journey together. There will be tears, tantrums and laughter I can assure you..but the end result is so worth it, I am determined to make it happen. For everything I am, have, have lost, and will gain..let's do it!!!

Liebster Nomination!!

Recently I received a nomination for a Liebster Award from Ms Kate @followingmoonshadows. I haven't written a post in a while, so thought this would be a great one to kick off with!

The Liebster Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. What does Liebster mean? Liebster is a German word meaning dearest.

Here are the rules for receiving:

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.

2. Answer the questions that the tagged set for you plus create 11 questions for people you've tagged to answer.

3. Choose 5 people and link them in your post.

4. Go to their page and tell them.

5. No tag backs!

My eleven things:

1. I was born in Hastings, New Zealand, a gorgeous wee town on the East Coast, most famous for their amazing fruit and sunny climate!

2. I am chocolate mad! If only we could just survive on this food group ;p.

3. I am the Mama of one beautiful preemie boy - he's three now and you'd never guess the rough start we had.

4. I love les mills aerobics programmes, they are very addictive!

5. I am a food channel junkie, thank goodness we don't have SkyTV or I'd never get anything done!

6. I taught myself to crochet, and love it!

7. I cooked my first roast at age 11, with the help of my wonderful mum, who was out the window gardening whilst giving me instructions and answering my multitude of questions!

8. I am one of 3 daughters, and I love my sisters very much!

9. I put on makeup when I feel poorly to make myself feel better.

10. I still co-sleep with my boy from time to time, and I adore waking up to sleepy cuddles.

11. I am awaiting stomach surgery at the moment, can't wait until its done!!

My questions I was tagged for:

1. Do you online shop? And if you do, what is your favorite site to buy from? All the time! Mostly trademe but other than that it would be www.beautybliss.co.nz

2. Who is your favorite author? Jodi Picoult

3. School us with a great quote. There are no strangers here, only friends you have never met.

4. Tell us about your blogging style. Relaxed, friendly. I write a lifestyle blog for lack of a better description.

5. What are the last 5 books you have read and enjoyed? Belle, the storyteller, secrets, sorted!, rushing woman syndrome.

6. Are you a dog or a cat person? Cat

7. Describe your high school uniform in depth? A pleated red and navy tartan skirt, white long sleeved shirt, red tie, navy v-necked jersey, navy blazer, worn with navy tights and black shoes.

8. How many hours a week would you spend on Facebook? Far too many! Probably about 15?

9. Where is the best place you've ever visited? Grand canyon!

10. Summer or Winter? Summer!

11. How do you feel about my nomination of you for this? Very honored, you've put a smile on my face Ms Kate, thank you!

My 5 nominees:

1. Hello Petal

2. Creating childhood memories

3. Emerson-j handmade

4. Life of Sheta

5. Pie and Bear

And now my questions for you!

1. Tea or coffee?

2. How do you spend your quiet time?

3. If you could go anywhere in this world, where would it be?

4. What is your vice?

5. What did you write about the first time you blogged?

6. What is your preference, dressed up or casual?

7. If you could have 5 people come to a dinner party at your house, who would they be?

8. What was the last movie you saw at the cinema?

9. Who was your childhood crush!

10. Describe your best breakfast.

11. How do you feel about my nomination of you for this?

I hope to be seeing you all again very soon.

Arohanui xxx

My organised self..

I'm an organising junkie, I'll confess it. In fact, I'm really not happy (or functional) without my organisational system. I'll explain why..

Part of my PND profile was being completely overwelmed by any decision I had to make for myself. I literally wouldn't get dressed if I had to make a choice about what to wear, wouldn't cook if I had to decide what to cook etc...well you get the idea. I was completely non-functioning. I tried many different ideas to get me moving and at least having a little success throughout the day, lists (which stressed me out beyond belief!), lucky dip jars, text prompts, alarms - you name it, I did it!

Then I stumbled upon the idea of a homemaker's folder. Now, the idea of a homemaker is wonderful but the terminology just didn't sit well with the feminist in me. So mine became my Family folder. I found this blog post by one of my favourite bloggers  Clean Mama - it details how to set up such a binder. Being in my "I can't make a single decision mindset", I copied her binder as closely as I could. I purchased her printables and printed away to my hearts content. 

What I discovered was this.. I could arrange the folder so that I could only see one day's activities at a time. This helped me not to become completely overwelmed with what I had to accomplish that day/week/month/year/decade...yes, I struggled with breaking things down into smaller, achievable amounts.

I started with the cleaning system,and once that was working for me I started meal planning..what a revelation!! Not only was I saving money by only buying what I needed to cook with (reducing waste), but for 30 minutes anxiety I no longer needed to make any decisions regarding food for the rest of the week. And as time went on, I could recycle previous meal planners so that I didn't have to think about it at all!!! Wooohooo!!

Now these day's I'm in a much better headspace. Lists no longer freak me out, and I can make decisions, set time frames and feel successful. But my family folder lives on, and as I discover more things I want in it, it grows and grows. I LOVE Clean Mama for forever changing my life for the better!

Biscous

xx

The difference a year makes..

I am absolutely blown away by the difference a year makes. I am referring to me here, but it goes without saying, that it makes a huge difference in my Monkey too!

This time last year, I was not at all well, despite thinking that I was incredibly well - if that makes any sense. I was in the process of weaning off my anti-depressants and very unhappy with how I looked, and where I lived. Venlafaxine is an awesome drug for PND, but it has some very unpleasant side effects. Namely blowing me up like a life size balloon, gunking up my liver with all sorts of substances and clouding my brain.

Fast forward a year, I love where I live! I have the most gorgeous view to wake up to everyday,and a sensational path to run/walk to my hearts content! I have lost 24kg and although I'm only about halfway on my journey, I am stoked with my growing confidence and fitness levels.

I really do live in the most gorgeous corner of the world!!

Stormy day comfort

I don't know about you, but I personally love a good storm! It makes me want to snuggle down and create a comforting safe place from what is happening outside..and thus my inspiration for tonight's dinner was born.

I have linked to this recipe before, but seriously, if you haven't tried it, then you need to!

http://www.healthyfood.co.nz/recipes/2006/november/tagliatelle-with-baby-spinach-and-bacon 

I ventured out for a jaunt around the estuary this morning, luckily I got out and back before the storm hit!

xxx

Back on the healthy eating bandwagon..

Yesterday, I sat down and looked through my meal planner, and was horrified!! Out of the 11 days of November, we had (and I'm a little ashamed to admit it) eaten 5 takeaway meals out of 11!!! My stomach churned at the thought. And so began much healthy meal planning, and a subsequent grocery shop!

Tonights meal consisted of:


Apple Slaw:

1 quarter of a cabbage, finely shredded
2 carrots, grated with the skin on
1 red apple
1 half a cup of sultanas
1 half a cup of chopped walnuts
Combined with 3 tablespoons of quality mayo.


Tuna Patties:

1 large tin of tuna in springwater
1 small tin of tuna (sundried tomato and basil flavour)
2 carrots grated with skin on
3 courgettes grated with skin on
1 clove of garlic, crushed
1 half teaspoon of garlic and herb seasoning
1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
2 tablespoons of japanese style soy sauce
1 egg
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1 cup of flour

Mix until well combined. Add spoonfuls to a nonstick frypan  and cook for 4 mins on either side. 
We had ours with a side of wedges, baked in the oven. Yummo!


Whew! Actually it was a really quick dinner to make, and my family certainly scoffed it down. Day one of healthy eating accomplished. Now bring on tomorrow! Who wants to join me??

xx
Biscous

Determination..

My bad, I know, it's been a terribly long time since I last posted in the bloggy world. Much has changed. I found a job, Monkey started daycare - and LOVES it. I lost my job, and now have the choice of two schools for next year.

My weight loss journey continues, and I am down 24kg! 

So, thus begins my bloggy rebirth.

I hope you find something here for you.. I hope I'm up for the challenge!

xxx

Breathe....just breathe...

And this is my mantra of the day. Today has been a roller coaster of a ride, and if it is okay with you, I just need to offload a little...

My registration has arrived, so the inevitable has had to happen..today I enrolled my Monkey into childcare. I feel so sad, which I suppose is to be expected a little bit. He is my first born, my little preemie boy, and I haven't gone a day without him by my side. I don't know how I'm going to cope leaving him there when the time comes. (Thankfully, the centre is understanding of a very anxious PND Mama like myself and lets us have a weaning period for however long we need). B.R.E.A.T.H.E

I have been applying for jobs and getting my name out there for relieving in the meantime. But it has been the holidays here in little ol' NZ, so responses have been slow forthcoming. Hubby is also anxious as his job is coming to a close, so my anxiety continues to climb..B.R.E.A.T.H.E

I have no idea how the weight loss is going as everything has been buried in the overwelming need to get me into employment. 

If you are a praying person reading this, spare my petite family a thought next time you are in your quiet place...I think we need all the help we can get!!

Happy extra hour of sleep everyone!

Day light savings has been and gone and we are now officially on the countdown to the shortest day of the year...after Easter of course! My monkey has transitioned really well (thanks to being ill with a virus) - Saturday night he dropped 14 hours worth of sleep (wooohoooo!), and a good 12 hours last night. It really bites that he isn't well, but I am very grateful for smooth transitions!

I'm making progress on the weight loss front - almost 10kg down. I've dropped a good dress size, and my pants are actually doing up. The most pleasing (for me anyway) side effect is my post c-section apron is lifting!! I can actually see the scar now (apologies if that is TMI). My legs are slimming down, and I can even see a little bit in my face. Long may it continue. By spring I hope to be under 100kg. Lets see what I can accomplish!

The is a lot happening in our little corner of the world at the moment. We sold our house in Hamilton (which was causing a lot of financial worries), hubby has enrolled in study, and I have re-applied for my teaching registration. To be brutally honest, that scares the living snot out of me. I have always vowed that I wouldn't have someone else looking after and raising my son - I know others do it, but I just don't feel comfortable with it. So filling out the necessary paperwork was enough to make me leak at the seams. But it is done, and I'm only committing to a day a week at this stage, possibly two. Help me talk myself into this :s.

Easter preparation is coming along..buns made yesterday, and looking forward to going Easter egg shopping for my monkey once the magic money appears in my account! I hope my willpower will withstand the indulgence of Easter.

Biscous xxxx

2lb down!

Happy Hump day everyone! I am excited to share that I am 2lb down and almost fitting my largest sized clothing correctly again! Progress! I have re-introduced myself to my gym and loving being active again. I have ditched myfitnesspal in favour of my new favourite app - Loseit. Can't speak highly enough of it - those 2lb have been excommunicated from my body never to return again!


Dinner for tonight was this gem...


http://www.healthyfood.co.nz/recipes/2006/november/tagliatelle-with-baby-spinach-and-bacon


Can't recommend you giving it a go high enough. Anyone say scrum-didly-umptious?!!

2012 - the Year of the Dragon...my year!!

Here we go again...I am now committing myself to sharing my weight loss and fitness journey with you all! Along with the usual tidbits and wonderful moments that occur along the way.


Today was the first day of the rest of my life! Oh lordy I can't believe I'm going to share this, but in the name of accountability etc I kinda must.... we had the first round of initial testing before beginning the mission of 45kg of weight loss. Today the scales read 119kg exactly. I really hope that this is the last time I will see that number!!!


I'm almost off my PND medications and hopefully that will only aid my efforts. First session with my fitness consultant tomorrow, I'm actually really looking forward to it!


Now to go and find my ticker so you can keep me accountable!

Thinking frugally...

Eeeeek! You know it's going to be a long week when you only have $35 to your name until this time next week...


This is going to require some out of the box thinking. Our meal plan for the week is currently being "padded" out by my very generous in-laws. So to repay some of the huge debt of gratitude I now owe them, I'm baking them a Christmas cake. My Christmas cake is no ordinary fruit cake. Nope, the only fruit it contains are dried dates! Mmmmmm love those dates! It also has copious macadamia nuts, almonds and lashings of dark chocolate. And brandy...lots and lots of brandy! (Or, as in the case of the other night, when  you don't have brandy, IMPROVISE! Lol. Ours had Jack Daniels in it instead!)


But I digress.


Food plan for this week:


Wednesday = One pan chicken
Thursday = Babotie
Friday = Slow cooker beef
Saturday = Vegetable frittata
Sunday = Soup and scones
Monday = Fish cakes
Tuesday = partial payment = STEAK!!
Wednesday = Payday! = GROCERIES!


Now the only problem with all of this, is I can't go very far due to only having 1/2 a tank of petrol to last me to Wednesday....Hmmmm, I wonder if I can persuade people to come to me???


Wishing you all a peaceful and harmonious week! xoxox

Bonsoir, remember me?

Well hello again! It has been a very long time since I last posted. I have no idea how to catch you up on all that has happened in that time, so please forgive me..


I'm soooo very excited!! Christmas is coming!! I ADORE Christmas. I love everything about it, all the traditions, the giving, the shared joy. So I'm uber excited that I have been allowed to start Christmas early in our house. LOML and I are heading to the US for a business conference in Las Vegas, followed by a hasty tour of LA and San Diego. This is great, but means that I miss out on almost two weeks of valuable Christmas time, and there is so much I want to do with Monkey this year, now that he kind of realises what is going on. So decorations are up, and mucho sewing and creating is occurring by Mama.


I'm making Monkey an advent calender that he can do while we are away - kind of a way of us still being here with him too. I can't believe I'm going to leave my baby for nearly 2 weeks!!!


Anyway, tomorrow's job...Christmas cake creating. I'll be sure to pop back and show you my creations!


Biscous xx

Oh my......!

Today, MIL and I have been on a mission. There is far too much 'stuff' cluttering up both of our homes from our gorgeous wee monkey, so the packing has begun! A trip to the storage unit is planned for this afternoon so that we can get LOML's car back into the garage, and set up a play area in there for Monkey and Miss S.


We started off at MIL's, as her cupboards were on the verge of exploding into their own life form.. and low and behold the first things I come across are Monkey's premmie outfits. Cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck, cluckity, cluck!! He was so very small, and it just astounds me how much he has grown and developed!


Compulsory rest time at the moment, as Monkey has crashed on the couch - but back into it once he wakes. I suspect more cluckiness is imminent!

Bonsoir, hello and nice to see you again!

Ok, so I'd got a bit over the appearance of my blog (hence the very late night!). And being the highly visual creature that I am, I have now reworked my blog to look much more appealing to be written on.


Much has happened since I last checked in. Monkey is now walking AND running everywhere. He is such a delight to so many people. We had the time of our lives at Kmart this morning when Ouma suggested toy shopping for Monkey and Miss S who is soon to join us from South Africa.


I'm looking forward to seeing Monkey interacting with his cousin, and getting my brain ticking over again as I home school her for the remainder of the year.


Speaking of which, I have signed Monkey up for Playcentre starting next term. We are both so excited!

Just one of those days...

I knew fairly early on that I shouldn't have gotten out of bed. But the mission was on to get Monkey's and my passports sorted, so alas I didn't really have a choice!


Firstly, photographing a monkey for his first passport is quite a palava, they put him on a stool and got me to hold his legs while bending down out of the view of the camera - HA! Said Monkey thought we were playing a game of peek-a-boo! He would not stop grinning - not quite the look for a passport photo. So I had to try and wriggle my way under the stool so he couldn't see me, and keep my head down so he DEFINITELY couldn't see me. After about 20 shots they finally managed to get a reasonable picture.


Secondly, the passport forms. I had previously filled these out for our Hamilton address, of which we no longer reside at. So I phoned hubby and asked him to collect the appropriate forms on his way home for lunch. Unfortunately, the guys at the travel agents need to finely tune their listening devices as, yup, you guessed it he came home with the wrong adult forms. Back he got sent, and finally I had the correct forms to fill out.


Next came the witnessing. The person who was suggested for this task decided that he hadn't known me long enough to sign these. Mad panic ensued. Luckily I managed to track down a dear friend who lives about half an hours drive away. The calm of the storm. We even managed a lovely catch up in a coffee shop while her beautiful babe slept away (mine was left at home with hubby). Documents signed, and the return trip home.


Auckland traffic is not to be sniffed at. 45mins to get out of said suburb, and then another half an hour on the motorway. Sigh. Petrol light starts flashing dangerously. Thank goodness for a well placed BP station!


Home, but passport job still not complete, none of the other jobs I had set for myself, and to top it all off the housecleaner hadn't been. Sigh. Bed, I think you sound very promising!!

Well hello again :)

It seems I have had another blogging holiday, but I didn't mean to be gone this long. It has bee a grueling couple of months, and while things are still difficult at times, we seem to be coming out of the fog.


I have found my love for sewing again, and after a weekend in front of it - I confess I feel much more contented. Soooo, roll on more sewing!


Pinterest! If you haven't discovered the miracle of this wonderful site, I suggest you go exploring pronto! Oh my goodness, it is all to beautiful and addictive - I must confess I spend a great deal of my time delving into all manner of inspiration.


My wee baby turned into a toddler overnight, and now walks EVERYWHERE. His Daddy even took him for a big walk around the block two nights ago - and he walked the whole way! Proud Mama moment!

I hope all is well in your world as well xxx

I've been distracted...

For those of you on pinterest I need not say anymore, for those of you who aren't..you need to be!!! Holy moly, it is a sea of fabulousness and I'm so inspired to create, create, create everytime I hop on there!


In other news, I have had the best day today. My family (girl) and I escaped from our boys for the day and went shopping. Ahhhh Kikki K, you are my new and dearest love!!

Q & A

I read the following on Little Sabine's blog:


I read the following on Latte Junkie's blog:


"There's nothing quite like reading a blog and thinking "Wow, great idea" and then discovering that you have been tagged to do it too"


Then i had the same done to me...he he. I love these so there is no stopping me now!!! Luckily, this lovely lady is a good friend of mine and understands I love these as much as she does! xoxox

Q & A

Which living person do you most admire, and why? My Mum is the person I admire most in the world. She was a SAHM until I was 10, and in all honesty, she is the original 'supermum'. She had 3 of us in 4 and a half years and she still managed to sew, knit, bake, cook, and make us feel like the most loved children on this Earth - I only hope I can do the same for my children (of which there is one so far).

When were you happiest? When I heard monkey's heartbeat for the very first time - my husband and I had tears in our eyes.

What was your most embarrassing moment? The night I served up still frozen vegetables - I swear I thought those things were cooked!

Aside from property, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought? 
My collection of English bone china - worth every penny.
What is your most treasured possession? A photograph of monkey the night he was born (weighing in at 1.94kg), he was so tiny, and he recognised me immediately - was so amazing. Other than that, my mother and child charm that my husband bought me for my pandora bracelet after having our boy.

Where would you like to live? So many choices, I have loved every place I have lived. It would need to be somewhere warm with close access to the beach.

What’s your favorite smell? Freshly mown lawn 

Who would play you in the film of your life? I don't know how many people would want to watch that film but I think Kate Winslet would be a good choice.

What is your favorite book? Lately I have to say it was 'House Rules' by Jodi Picoult

What is your most unappealing habit?  Biting my nails

What would be your fancy dress costume of choice? A princess. 

What is your earliest memory?  Going in for surgery at age 3 with my teddy bear.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?  Chocolate!!

What do you owe your parents? A lot, they are the most wonderfully supportive parents - they gave us half our deposit on our first home too!

To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why? To a family friend - I wrote the names of the keys on their piano with nail polish when I was younger!

What or who is the greatest love of your life? My Uncle Maurice. He was one tough cookie who never gave up trying to live his best life til his last breath.

What does love feel like? Amazing, it's like a drug, once you've had it, you never want to let it go.

What was the best kiss of your life? With my husband on our wedding day.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

What is the worst job you’ve done? Checkout chick

If you could edit your past, what would you change? Nothing, experience has sculpted the person I am today.

What is the closest you’ve come to death? Acute pancreatitis, I have never been so sick in my life, I narrowly avoided a trip to the ICU.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? My beautiful boy

When did you last cry, and why? A couple of days ago, I tend to cry a lot.

How do you relax? Exercise, cuddle my sleepy boy, in a nice deep hot bath with a good book.

What single thing would improve the quality of your life? More sleep!

What is the most important lesson life has taught you? To aim for the stars, dream big, and make the most of every moment - and to maintain a sense of humour!!


Hmm i tag a couple of mama's:
raising rural ratbags
emerson-j handmade