Phew, I made through 2010 ... barely. As with the beginning of any new year, I find myself asking the same questions. What will this year bring? Am I ready for it? Will I come out the other side with as much hope and optimism as I entered it?
Well it's a new year and again I ask those questions. So here's my attempt to answer them:
What will this year bring?
Excellent question considering I have no ability to see into the future! What I can say with absolute certainty there will be challenges, joy, heartache, tears and laughter.
Am I ready for 2011?
Not on your nelly! But I sure am excited at what I see unfurling before me.
Will I come out the other side with as much hope and optimism as I entered it?
Hm, can't say for sure, however, I do believe that how I tackle the problems and challenges that rise before me will have a direct impact on how I end 2011.
So, to all my faithful family, friends and fellow bloggers I wish you a very Happy New Year. May you make the most of every opportunity, seek to uplift others and take time to count your blessings!
With love,
Suz xoxo
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Hidden Joy
About 2 weeks ago I realized that I needed to think of a present for a darling little girl turning 1. Like so many of us at the moment, money is a little tight, so I put on my thinking cap. What could I do that wasn't to cost an arm and leg but was still that little bit special?
Well, I searched high and low (thank you Google) and I thought, what if I was clever enough to make a soft toy for this adorable little girl? I carefully chose my pattern, printed it off, chose my fabrics and painstakingly cut out the pieces.
Well, I searched high and low (thank you Google) and I thought, what if I was clever enough to make a soft toy for this adorable little girl? I carefully chose my pattern, printed it off, chose my fabrics and painstakingly cut out the pieces.
Then I pinned, sewed, looked at the tutorial, sewed, unpicked, sewed, pinned, scratched my head, threw my hands up, looked again, aha, repinned, sewed, stuffed, sewed, (repeat all of the above, and repeat again) and finally, I tied a ribbon.
Behold, my creation:
Behold, my creation:
A suitably gorgeous softie for such an adorable little girl. Happy birthday Tiffany!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Fear made me ...
I have been reading a book called Fearless by Max Lucado. The basic premise is, if we were to get rid of all our fear what kind of life would we lead? This has been very thought provoking for me because over the last few years I have become quite a fearful person, here's just a few:
I am afraid of:
- the dark
- heights
- getting lost
- being seen as too talkative
- not friendly enough
- too opinionated
- not pretty enough
- not smart enough
- not nice enough
- of being a victim of crime
- of being in a car accident
- being in a plane crash
- losing a limb(s)
- becoming disfigured
- not being spiritual enough
- being too rigid in my beliefs and values
- being too loose in my beliefs and values
- not being a good enough wife
- not being a good enough mother
- people knowing that I don't cook every night of the week, or even every second night of the week
- losing control
- losing my temper
- not knowing what to do
- being seen as a child
- being seen as too serious
- not having enough fun
- being diagnosed with a terminal illness
- change
- things staying the same
- giving more than I may recieve
- letting go
- being too compliant
- tripping up or down stairs
- being left out
- being talked about behind my back
- saying the right thing
- being laughed at
- not being wanted
- being asked "so what do you do?" when my reply seems so insignificant "I'm a stay at home mum"
- getting the wrong haircut
- having hope that things can change
- being given up on by .... family, friends, etc
- getting hurt by putting myself out there to try and establish new or renew friendships
- emotionally /psychologically damaging my daughter
- Presley seriously hurting herself
- not being able to offer anything of value or worth to anyone
- BEING INVISIBLE
And trust me, these are only a few of the fears that ramble through my head. I know that some of you may read these and think 'how silly' but the reality is, we all have lists like these. Yours may not be as long, or even maybe as specific as mine but we all have fears. Sometimes our fear is simply a reminder that we are human and other times it can cripple us. Think of those who suffer from extreme fear, phobias such as spiders, snakes, heights, dying, flying, being outside, antique furniture, other people, needles, hospitals, etc, etc. The torment and the terror that their fear holds over them.
Our mind is our most powerful enemy and we must conquer it. When irrational fear strikes we must banish it, when real fear attacks we must balance it with what we know to be true: God will never forsake us. He is our rock and salvation, on Him we can depend. The Lord is our hope and our defender.
I have a long way to go before I can say that I am fearless but for now I will say this, I am slowly learning to put my fears aside and take hold of the life that God has given me, to become the woman He created me to be.
I am afraid of:
- the dark
- heights
- getting lost
- being seen as too talkative
- not friendly enough
- too opinionated
- not pretty enough
- not smart enough
- not nice enough
- of being a victim of crime
- of being in a car accident
- being in a plane crash
- losing a limb(s)
- becoming disfigured
- not being spiritual enough
- being too rigid in my beliefs and values
- being too loose in my beliefs and values
- not being a good enough wife
- not being a good enough mother
- people knowing that I don't cook every night of the week, or even every second night of the week
- losing control
- losing my temper
- not knowing what to do
- being seen as a child
- being seen as too serious
- not having enough fun
- being diagnosed with a terminal illness
- change
- things staying the same
- giving more than I may recieve
- letting go
- being too compliant
- tripping up or down stairs
- being left out
- being talked about behind my back
- saying the right thing
- being laughed at
- not being wanted
- being asked "so what do you do?" when my reply seems so insignificant "I'm a stay at home mum"
- getting the wrong haircut
- having hope that things can change
- being given up on by .... family, friends, etc
- getting hurt by putting myself out there to try and establish new or renew friendships
- emotionally /psychologically damaging my daughter
- Presley seriously hurting herself
- not being able to offer anything of value or worth to anyone
- BEING INVISIBLE
And trust me, these are only a few of the fears that ramble through my head. I know that some of you may read these and think 'how silly' but the reality is, we all have lists like these. Yours may not be as long, or even maybe as specific as mine but we all have fears. Sometimes our fear is simply a reminder that we are human and other times it can cripple us. Think of those who suffer from extreme fear, phobias such as spiders, snakes, heights, dying, flying, being outside, antique furniture, other people, needles, hospitals, etc, etc. The torment and the terror that their fear holds over them.
Our mind is our most powerful enemy and we must conquer it. When irrational fear strikes we must banish it, when real fear attacks we must balance it with what we know to be true: God will never forsake us. He is our rock and salvation, on Him we can depend. The Lord is our hope and our defender.
I have a long way to go before I can say that I am fearless but for now I will say this, I am slowly learning to put my fears aside and take hold of the life that God has given me, to become the woman He created me to be.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
I'm working on it
Today has been one of those days. A day where you start out getting out of bed and feeling quite good. Although it is overcast and drizzly, you are still feeling good after breakfast and a shower so you decide to take your nearly 2yr old out to the shops because you need to look for a baby shower present for a friend. Now, the drive to the shop and the initial foray through the shopping centre are still allowing you to feel good. You're looking at your child and thinking 'You are just the cutest thing in the world', and then all hell breaks loose. She wants to keep trying on shoes, you want to walk away; she wants to get out of the pram but you want her to stay in it; you need her to sit in her car seat so you can do up the buckle, she decides that RIGHT NOW she needs to play with the interior light just above her door; you want to get in the car and drive home so you can relax with a cup of tea but you discover that your mobile phone is missing. OMG!!!!!!! The proverbial hits the fan and the monster within is unleashed. After searching through and emptying the entire contents of your handbag, the shopping bags and a most thorough search of the car you nearly see red. Steam is pouring out your ears, visions of traipsing back through the shops and retracing your steps nearly cripple you and the steering wheel has received undue abuse for this catastrophe.
You suddenly realize that the last time you saw your phone it was on the top of the pram, so you open the boot and whip open the canopy of the pram. There, in all it's metallic glory, is your phone. You quietly ease back into the car, start the engine, turn the on some easy listening music and just weep. You are weeping because you saw something in yourself that made you pale with fear, a darkness that you thought you had overcome, the pit opening up and the monster emerging. Not dead and buried as you thought, but merely dormant, waiting for that moment of weakness, to unleash blackness, to spew hot bitter words, to make you doubt everything you thought you knew about yourself, to get you believing its lies.
BUT I have this to say to my monster: I will not succumb, I will not bow down, I will not be cowed. It is you who will succumb, it is you who will bow down, and it is you who will be cowed.
In all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us
You suddenly realize that the last time you saw your phone it was on the top of the pram, so you open the boot and whip open the canopy of the pram. There, in all it's metallic glory, is your phone. You quietly ease back into the car, start the engine, turn the on some easy listening music and just weep. You are weeping because you saw something in yourself that made you pale with fear, a darkness that you thought you had overcome, the pit opening up and the monster emerging. Not dead and buried as you thought, but merely dormant, waiting for that moment of weakness, to unleash blackness, to spew hot bitter words, to make you doubt everything you thought you knew about yourself, to get you believing its lies.
BUT I have this to say to my monster: I will not succumb, I will not bow down, I will not be cowed. It is you who will succumb, it is you who will bow down, and it is you who will be cowed.
In all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Today is Saturday
I have to keep reminding myself what day of the week it is. They all seem to blur into one. Last saturday night I went to a girls' night out at a friends place and decided to stop at Woolies to pick up some delicious treats. I drove into the car park but they were shut (it was about 7:15pm). I could not for the life of me work out why they were shut. Wasn't until I was retelling the story that a friend of mine pointed out the fact that it was actually saturday and Woolies shuts at 4pm. I thought it was friday. Oh dear.
And now to my Top 5: Most loved Books (Fiction). These are the books that I go back to time and again and never get bored with them.
1) The Mark of the Lion Series
A very moving and enriching series written by Francine Rivers. It is set in Ancient Rome and is the story of a slave girl, Hadassah. Beautifully written, I cry every time I read these books.
2) The Foggiest
by David Belbin
I was given this book by my grade 5 teacher Mrs Van der Weyden. I have read this book over, and over, and over, and over ... In fact, I last read it only a couple of months ago. This is the blurb:
"As the Gunn family move into their new Derbeyshire home, a strange fog descends over the country. At first, Rachel and Matt Gunn are as baffled by the fog as everyone else. But when their father disappears from his job at the weather station, the two youngsters decide to investigate - and soon discover the sinister truth behind the fog ..."
It's amazing how a book I was given at the age of 10 can still entertain me at the age of 29.
3) Clive Cussler
Ok, ok, I know he is not a book but frankly, I have found it too difficult to decide which one of his I like the most so I have narrowed it down to 3: The Chase, The Wrecker and The Spy. Plus any of the Dirk Pitt novels. Great action, fabulous locations, dreamy men and some classic one liners.
4) Heidi
by Johanna Spyri
Written in 1880 it is the story of a little girl, Heidi, who, at the age of 5 is sent to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. He is a recluse and a very grumpy old man who is at first very reluctant to look after Heidi but through Heidi's persistance, and being an inquisitive and loving 5yr old, he gradually softens and deals with some incidences from his past. A beautiful story about hope and love. If you haven't read it, you should definitely get your hands on a copy.
5) What Kay Did
by Susan Coolidge
This book was first published in 1872 (around the same time as Little Women). It is about Katy Carr, a tomboy who is constantly getting into mischief but really just wants to be beautiful and loved. When she has an accident and becomes an invalid, her illness and recovery teach her to be the person she always wanted to be.
There are two sequels, What Katy Did at School and What Katy Did Next.
Of course, I have many, many more books that I absolutely love and adore but then it would probably be my Top 500 Books. And frankly, I know that even for cyberspace, that list would be a little too much. But please, enjoy my list and hopefully you may be interested in reading one of the books from my list, for yourself.
And now to my Top 5: Most loved Books (Fiction). These are the books that I go back to time and again and never get bored with them.
1) The Mark of the Lion Series
A very moving and enriching series written by Francine Rivers. It is set in Ancient Rome and is the story of a slave girl, Hadassah. Beautifully written, I cry every time I read these books.
2) The Foggiest
by David Belbin
I was given this book by my grade 5 teacher Mrs Van der Weyden. I have read this book over, and over, and over, and over ... In fact, I last read it only a couple of months ago. This is the blurb:
"As the Gunn family move into their new Derbeyshire home, a strange fog descends over the country. At first, Rachel and Matt Gunn are as baffled by the fog as everyone else. But when their father disappears from his job at the weather station, the two youngsters decide to investigate - and soon discover the sinister truth behind the fog ..."
It's amazing how a book I was given at the age of 10 can still entertain me at the age of 29.
3) Clive Cussler
Ok, ok, I know he is not a book but frankly, I have found it too difficult to decide which one of his I like the most so I have narrowed it down to 3: The Chase, The Wrecker and The Spy. Plus any of the Dirk Pitt novels. Great action, fabulous locations, dreamy men and some classic one liners.
4) Heidi
by Johanna Spyri
Written in 1880 it is the story of a little girl, Heidi, who, at the age of 5 is sent to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. He is a recluse and a very grumpy old man who is at first very reluctant to look after Heidi but through Heidi's persistance, and being an inquisitive and loving 5yr old, he gradually softens and deals with some incidences from his past. A beautiful story about hope and love. If you haven't read it, you should definitely get your hands on a copy.
5) What Kay Did
by Susan Coolidge
This book was first published in 1872 (around the same time as Little Women). It is about Katy Carr, a tomboy who is constantly getting into mischief but really just wants to be beautiful and loved. When she has an accident and becomes an invalid, her illness and recovery teach her to be the person she always wanted to be.
There are two sequels, What Katy Did at School and What Katy Did Next.
Of course, I have many, many more books that I absolutely love and adore but then it would probably be my Top 500 Books. And frankly, I know that even for cyberspace, that list would be a little too much. But please, enjoy my list and hopefully you may be interested in reading one of the books from my list, for yourself.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Uh oh, life got in the way
I know, I know, I know. I have missed 3 days. Well, life got in the way. No excuse but it is the truth. No reason to beat myself up, let's just get to it.
Today's Top 5: Trashy TV shows that I secretly love to watch
1) The Hills
That one has really sucked me in. I actually quite enjoy watching their lives unfold, mainly because they don't really live in the 'normal' world. I can't stand Spencer, oh Heidi, whyever did you marry him? And Audrina, kick Justin to the curb. Ok, rant done.
2) Hellcats
Ok, I know it only premiered last week but I enjoyed it in that really trashy TV kind of way. Look forward to the next installment. Ashley Tisdale as a brunette? I think it really works for her.
3) Bold and the Beautiful
Alright, this is the least secretive one on my list but I am going to put it out there. Again, it just sucks you into the vortex and once in, it is very difficult to get out. i spend most of the time shaking my head at the ridiculousness (pretty sure that's not really a word) of the storylines but they do get you watching to see what will happen.
4) 60 Minute Makeover
I think the name says it all. Mostly I am aghast at dodgy workmanship and weird transformations but there are times when they do it well and get it right. Still, it is very much C grade TV
5) How Not to Decorate
If you haven't seen it, it is a makeover show in which 2 interior designers redecorate people's houses. They have 10 days and a budget of 15,000pounds to complete it. Let's just say most of the entertainment is the 2 decorators who just flounce around and spend far too much time arguing over patterns vs stripes or curtains vs blinds. But it is entertaining in a trashy kind of way.
Well, now I'm back on the wagon, I intend to stay there. Have fun thinking of your own list of Trashy TV that secretly you love to watch!
Today's Top 5: Trashy TV shows that I secretly love to watch
1) The Hills
That one has really sucked me in. I actually quite enjoy watching their lives unfold, mainly because they don't really live in the 'normal' world. I can't stand Spencer, oh Heidi, whyever did you marry him? And Audrina, kick Justin to the curb. Ok, rant done.
2) Hellcats
Ok, I know it only premiered last week but I enjoyed it in that really trashy TV kind of way. Look forward to the next installment. Ashley Tisdale as a brunette? I think it really works for her.
3) Bold and the Beautiful
Alright, this is the least secretive one on my list but I am going to put it out there. Again, it just sucks you into the vortex and once in, it is very difficult to get out. i spend most of the time shaking my head at the ridiculousness (pretty sure that's not really a word) of the storylines but they do get you watching to see what will happen.
4) 60 Minute Makeover
I think the name says it all. Mostly I am aghast at dodgy workmanship and weird transformations but there are times when they do it well and get it right. Still, it is very much C grade TV
5) How Not to Decorate
If you haven't seen it, it is a makeover show in which 2 interior designers redecorate people's houses. They have 10 days and a budget of 15,000pounds to complete it. Let's just say most of the entertainment is the 2 decorators who just flounce around and spend far too much time arguing over patterns vs stripes or curtains vs blinds. But it is entertaining in a trashy kind of way.
Well, now I'm back on the wagon, I intend to stay there. Have fun thinking of your own list of Trashy TV that secretly you love to watch!
Friday, September 10, 2010
In a nutshell...
Thank goodness for phyiotherapists! Remember I said about having a crick in the neck? Turns out I have a small muscle tear in my neck. That explains the dull ache and associated queasy feeling. So, I am on strict orders to limit how much I lift and to make sure I balance out what I do carry. Hm, not that easy with a nearly 2yr old and all the paraphernalia that comes with that. But I will do my best. I am pleased because the physio's recommendation is for me to have a 30min massage every week for about 4mths, and often thereafter. Oh yeah. Pity the bank balance won't allow for it. Still, it gave me great satisfaction to deliver that piece of news to my husband.
Alright, on with the show. Today's Top 5:
Things to be thankful for
1) My health
2) My husband and daughter
3) My family
4) My friends
5) The country I live in
And those are my blessings, in a nutshell.
Alright, on with the show. Today's Top 5:
Things to be thankful for
1) My health
2) My husband and daughter
3) My family
4) My friends
5) The country I live in
And those are my blessings, in a nutshell.
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