Happy New Year!

I know I've been slack as it's been almost a month since I last posted but I just had to hop on the computer and post for the start of the New Year.

I wish you all a very happy, creative, and blessed 2019! 

I have felt exhausted for most of the day after Brad and I followed through with our New Year's tradition of staying up all night to greet the dawn of the new year. We played Yahtzee and watched movies. I couldn't really dance this year due to my back and hip but we had a good time nonetheless. I tried to catch a nap earlier this morning but I've always had trouble sleeping through the day-time so it didn't work. An early night tonight is definitely on the cards.

What did you do for New Year's Eve?

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Thank you for the concern and well wishes for my 83 year old Mum after a fall in her back yard landed her in hospital in November. She is now back home with a Transitional Care Team visiting every second day to assist and help her with daily needs and physiotherapy etc. Mum is improving albeit very slowly. Osteoporosis and spinal fractures are no fun at all.

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I start 2019 with a certain amount of trepidation after learning that my elderly fur-kid, Cody, has a terminal illness (Cushing's Disease). I don't know how much longer he will be with us but I'm making every day count. Our other elderly boy is almost totally blind now and he has health issues of his own. Our vet said I would need to make some tough decisions in the near future. I trust that Cody and Jack will let me know when it's time to say goodbye. I am dreading it as they are my precious babies. I've already shed lots of tears.

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I'm looking forward to getting back into a more regular routine come February. I have big plans although a possible major surgery may be on the cards for me to repair the torn tendon in my right hip. If it goes ahead, my big plans may take a hit as my orthopaedic surgeon said it is a ten month recovery — the first three months being the hardest — but we'll see what happens. I am trying to stay positive and will discuss more on my plans in a later post.

I'm now off to have a Chamomile tea and then it's off to bed for me.

I will leave you with a pic I took this morning of the first sunrise for 2019.  I love that the crescent moon is featured too.

Nighty-night...

Beginning

My first post for 2014!!!

I trust you all enjoyed a lovely New Year's Eve?
We did! 
My parents came over to celebrate. 
Early in the evening, 
we watched 'The Call' starring Halle Berry. 
A movie to keep you on the edge of your seat, 
that's for sure.
Mum and Dad hadn't seen it before.

Then we played Yahtzee, 
then talked and danced, 
until it was time to welcome in 2014!

Mum, Brad, and I
stayed up ALL night to see the dawn 
of the new year. 
It was a lovely New Year's Day!

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We've been experiencing a heatwave over the past week 
and the heat and humidity have been unbearable! 
In some areas, temperature records were broken. 
Local people I know, via Facebook, 
posted pics of their temp (outside) guage readings, 
varying between 43°C/109.4F and 48ºC/118.4°F!!! 
I wish we had air-con.....sigh....
Today, we are having a bit of a reprieve 
with the temps being a little cooler. 

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I've been having fun taking daily photos 
for the Facebook group

Life on the Go

All pictures below were taken with my mobile phone -

Samsung Galaxy S3

Day 31 of December 2013 - End.
My Mum and Bradley (my son) dancing
the night away on New Year's Eve.

Sorry about the blurriness
It was poor lighting.


Day 1 of January 2014 - Word.
I took this prompt to mean
our chosen word/phrase for 2014.
My word is CREATIVITY.
I didn't find much time for my creative projects in 2013
and I'm hoping this year will be more productive.
I thought a pic of my work desk seemed fitting.
I'm so happy to have my workspace back!
I'm not sure if I mentioned it on my blog but
Beau sold his couches recently which freed up some room
to set up my workspace again.
I was RAPT!!!

Day 2 - Shine
I love the waxy, shiny leaves on some of my succulents.
This one is called an Aeonium Rose.

Day 3 - Run
I was stumped with this one
but my artist's mannequin
saved the day.

Day 4 - Cold
To try and cope with the heatwave,
we used frozen gel packs or dampened towels
which we had folded and placed in the freezer.
We'd then drape the 'frozen' towels over our shoulders.
I used the gel pack.
They did give some temporary relief
which was better than nothing.

Day 5 - Sacred 
I had a play with some of the effects in Snapseed (photography app)
with this one....yet another Buddha in my home.
I love the Tibetan/Indian style of Buddha best of all.
They always appear so tranquil, meditative, and peaceful.

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On New Year's Day,
our land-line died but was resurrected
within a day.

Yesterday, Aaron noticed a wet, bubbly patch
on the ceiling in our garage. YIKES!!
One of the roof tiles had slipped down
so now, we wait for it to be fixed.
Hopefully before our next storm.

I was a little worried that these problems could be signs
of the year to come.
Or perhaps all the negatives are getting
out of the way early?
A friend suggested that I focus the start of my year as
beginning on January 31st which is the Chinese New Year.
I just might do that.

I hope 2014 has been off to a better start for all of you!

Happy New Year to one and all!

 More daily pics for the Facebook group

Life on the Go

All pictures were taken with my mobile phone -

Samsung Galaxy S3

Day 22 - Sheep

As I didn't have any sheep in the backyard 

or a sheep ornament for that matter, 

I thought of wool.

I knit and crochet 

but I will only use synthetic wool.

This is some of my stash. 

Day 23 - Star 

You may remember this star 

from my sketchbook earlier this year. 

It's a tea-light holder

I missed days 24 & 25 because it was way too hectic.

Day 26 - Box 

This Buddha sits atop a white, wooden box in my bedroom. 

I painted the box in a roses design 

back when I was going through a Shabby Chic phase. 

I then painted it white with the intention of 

painting a different design on it one day. 

This box holds some sentimental treasures 

that I've saved over the years.

Day 27 - Bottle 

I love blue glass bottles 

because they remind me of the sea 

and I love anything to do with the sea. 

These bottles sit surrounded by shells on an aged silver tray.

Day 28 - Book 

This is the book I'm currently reading. 

So far, so good. 

 It's a non-fiction book written by the woman 

who actually hikes the trail 

having never been hiking in her life before. 

She was feeling lost after her mother died, 

and her marriage ended, 

among other things. 

On the spur of the moment, 

she sets herself the goal of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. 

There is a movie about it 

starring Reese Witherspoon 

in the leading role. 

I think it's due for release in 2014.

Day 29 - Missed out on this one too. 

Day 30 - Selfie 

That would be me....

and one of my many Buddhas. 

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year! 

May 2014 be filled with 
love, compassion, peace and kindness. 
Thank you for taking the time 
to come visit my blog this past year 
and I hope to see you in the new year. xo 

As with last year, 

I just had to share my favourite version of 

Auld Lang Syne. 

No matter the version, this song never fails

 to bring a tear to my eye.
and it's the song I prefer to have playing
as 2014 makes its grand entrance.

Here is the direct link to YouTube just in case it doesn't play in the post.

See you in 2014, my friends ! xo

The start of a new year!

New Year has always been a big deal in our family and we have never let a new year go by without a big, hearty welcome and a toast at midnight to sing out the old and welcome in the new.   I remember when we were little kids that my Dad would actually come in and wake us all up to welcome in the New Year with Mum and him.   Actually, I did miss one year when I went to bed early on pain medication due to bad wisdom tooth pain. I tend to get a little emotional as the stroke of midnight hits every New Year's Eve, knowing another year has been and gone, as I look to the new year with a sense of wonder at what it will bring.  Of course, we MUST bring in the New Year to Auld Lang Syne.  It never fails to bring a tear to my eye.  Here is quite a nice version I found on YouTube performed by Dougie MacLean. 

Here is the direct link to YouTube just in case it doesn't play in the post.

I hope that 2013 will bring about a more loving, kinder, and cleaner world for humankind and all the beautiful animals we share this planet with. Our future generations are counting on it.

 image is courtesy of this Facebook page


  Happy New Year to all!!