Sunday, May 24, 2009

I know... it's about time!!!

I've had a few emails lately about Creating My Life... mostly along the lines of "when are we getting some more?" I have no excuses, reasons or anything else... but I do have 4 more weeks of prompts ready for you!

Week 19: Spoil Yourself

If you're anything like me you don't spoil yourself that often... and when you do you tend to feel guilty about it because there are bills to be paid or kids that need something etc

Back in February I visited my cousin in Taupo. He's a really busy single dad, has his own business, looks after his parents and generally takes care of everyone around him. He wanted to show me his new 'toy' which turned out to be a really cool motorbike... looks like a Harley, sounds like a Harley... and costs a fraction of a Harley! He was super happy with it... except that he felt guilty for buying it! As I said to him: "You work far too hard, have far little time off so why shouldn't you have something that makes you happy?" After that he felt better... and he's enjoying his bike!

The journaling reads: How often do you spoil yourself? Mother's Day reminded me that I don't spoil myself very much as all! And when I do I often feel guilty!

Krystal and Mikayla went 'all out' this year! A gorgeous breakfast of crab & pasta in a creamy sauce, a huge bowl of shrimp cocktail, smoked salmon, marscapone and croissants... all washed down with sparkling grape juice! It was wonderful!

Once we sat down to breakfast there was another surprise... a box of presents!

  • Sleepless in Seattle DVD
  • Haircare products
  • Fancy chocolates
  • 3 fantastic canvses that Krystal made!

I started to think about how lucky I am to have great kids... and then realised that they spoilt me because I was worth spoiling!

I often treat them to little things... hot chocolates, stationery, paying for something unexpectedly... and then I realised that I don't actually spoil myself!

So I've made a list of simple treats: a lovely bubble bath, special soap, perfume, candles etc and I'm going to spoil ME!

So here's a wee challenge from me to you... do one little thing to spoil yourself this week... even if it's shouting yourself a nice coffee... because YOU are worth it!

Week 20: Teamwork

It's amazing how much can be achieved through teamwork. Sometimes you are required to work as part of a team for sports, employment etc My sister and her husband work as a team with their family and raising their children. So this weeks prompt is all about team work!

The journaling reads: Working as a team is becoming a real theme for me this year!

At school, I'm team teaching with the teacher next door and loving it! It's so great to have someone to bounce ideas off, share the workload and help with on the 'bad' days. I'm still not completely used to it yet... but it's a lot better than I expected it to be!

At home, we've always been a team. We work together really well most of the time. And last weekend was a perfect example!

Our truckload of firewood arrived and they dumped it on the driveway. There was a lot of wood and I thought it would take ages to put away... but within half an hour we were done!

We've got a good system now! Mikayla brings up the firewood... I chop it and light the fire... and then Krystal cooks tea. By the time tea is ready the fire is going well and we can all eat dinner in a nice warm house!

I'm even letting the girls be a bigger part of the 'scrapbooking team'... with awesome results!

Each team is unique and serves a different purpose... so what sort of teams are you on??

Week 21: Things kids say!

I've had several little things said to me lately by nieces and nephews so this weeks prompt is dedicated to those little funny things kids say!

When Krystal was little she had a fox soft toy which she called 'Sockie' instead of 'Foxie' :) She also used to sing: God of Nations at MY feet!

Mikayla used to call her sister "Tistal" and she once said to her Grandma... "You're not a TROLL are you Grandma?" While I wanted to die, Mum calmly said "of course not". Mikayla replied: "Dave says you're a troll but I said you're not a troll you're nice". Mikayla was only 3 at the time and had no idea what a can of worms she was opening!!! It's all funny now 10 years later though :)

The journaling reads: Kids really do say some funny things sometimes!

Yesterday, while I was at my sisters place, my feet were really cold so I put on my new hot pink socks and my niece came rushing over and said, "Auntie, you've got pluppy socks".

I couldn't work out how she got 'pluppy' from hot pink... until my sister said "She can't say her F's properly". She's saying you've got fluffy socks!

The next thing I know she's looking at me with big puppy eyes and saying "I haven't got ANY pluppy socks Auntie Shelley"... doesn't it just make you want to buy her some??? I couldn't resist... so I now have a pair of 'pluppy' socks for her!

I also had on a top with rhinestones that she tried to pick off. I said "Don't pick of Auntie's bling honey"... the next thing I know she's giggling away about Auntie's "Blingee Boobies"... what next???

The following day at kindy she told everyone about Auntie "Charlie's" blingee boobies and pluppy socks!

I'm just starting to make a book for each of my girls that I'll give them on their 21st birthdays and now I'm trying to remember all their cute little sayings... so if you've got little ones make sure you write them down because later on it's really HARD to remember them all!!! :)

Week 22: Tools of the Trade

I've been thinking lately about the different 'tools' we have in our everyday life. Mostly it's come into my mind because at school we're doing a big study on Third World countries. The kids are amazed that people can live without TV! So we started to think about the things we take for granted... having a tooth brush to brush your teeth, being able to use a toilet, pens and paper at school, being able to eat several times a day etc

The children are certainly learning more about empathy and appreciation! We've had some amazing discussions and lots of learning!

The journaling reads: No matter what sort of job you do... or how you live your life... everyone has 'tools' to help them.

I remember when the girls were little and I carried the 'nappy bag' with me wherever I went full of nappy wipes, nappies, pins etc

When I started teaching my tools changed to my teaching planner, pens, stickers and 'post-it' notes. My 'tools' for teaching have changed over the years too! Now I have my headset, laptop and digital camera along with the 'Smart' board.

Just recently I found the perfect container for my scrapping tools!

It's a lot like an old fashioned milk crate - but a little bit fancy!

It's got 6 great mini areas that fit my Pringles containers so now I have all my everyday tools in one handy... and very portable... container!

I admit that just looking at my tool box makes me happy!

So what are your daily 'Tools of the Trade'? What things do you carry with you wherever you go? What are the tools that make it possible for doing your job or interests?

Thanks to everyone for their emails... I really do appreciate it! I hope you have a happy week :)