100 things to do in 2013

One of my greatest Inspirations is Leonie Dawson at http://leoniedawson.com/
I love her 'Create your Incredible Year workbook. If you'd like to purchase you can here :
http://leoniedawson.com/affiliate-redirect/?p=Ellamia&w=incredyear
It's a bargain price and worth so much more. If you want to create an incredible 2013 and an incredible life BUY IT NOW!!!!!!!
One of the tasks in this book is to write down 100 things you would like to do in 2013. I have struggled with finding more than about 25 each year but this year I managed all 100 and I am amazed. Some I have already achieved :) So here they are

100 THINGS TO DO IN 2013

1. Live minimally
Yes.... I want to purchase less and only have necessities and things that are beautiful in my life :)

2. Declutter everything
My house is relatively clutter free but I would like it to be even moreso. I'll be doing this slowly, one cupboard at a time and donating to charity with the items I no longer need.

3. Build a vege garden
Yes... I have wanted to do this for a loooooooong time. This year I am going to MAKE it happen :)

4. Build a bigger chicken coop
We need a bigger one, I want MORE chickens I love their little personalities so so much :)


5. Play barefoot bowls
My parents and brother play bowls and are all pretty good. I've always wanted to give it a go so I am gonna do it this year.

6. Learn to sew
As a teenager my Mum wanted to teach me to sew. I thought I was too cool for that but now I wish I had of learnt. This year I want to learn the basics.

7. Learn to knit
I tried two winters ago but didn't have the time to keep going with it and now I've forgotten. I want to learn it again so am going to do this.

9. Cut my hair shorter
I bit the bullet last friday and did this already.  I love it so much I am going to go even shorter. Here's a pic of my cut so far.



10. Get a dreamcatcher tattoo

Yes I love this one :)


11. Go to the waterslides
12. See at least 5 movies
Already did this. Took my girls last tuesday.


13. Read at least 10 books
Reading books takes me time away from the computer so I'm up for that!!!!

14. Buy a kindle
I'm waiting for the Kindle Paperwhite to be available in Australia. Can't wait!!!! I like reading in bed and with Hubby going to bed early I need a back lit kindle. At the moment I use my iphone and the kindle app.


15. Have Mum and Dad over for dinner
Haven't done this in years. so we are going to do it this year and hubby and I will cook something amazing.

16. Have inlaws over for dinner
As above

17. Go to bed earlier
I'm such a night owl. After a restless 5 years with Mia being a terrible sleeper I seem to cope ok with not much sleep but I need to practice going to bed earlier at least by 10.30

18. Treadmill at least 3 x a week
My knee has been playing up badly but once it's sorted this will be a must!!

19. Plan 'fun days' with my girls on my calendar
Need to book these in NOW!!!!!

20. Visit my BFF at her house
She's been there 2 years now so must get out there. Was supposed to last friday bt my knee has been too painful :(

21. Visit Nan C
Will visit my Nan when I visit Best friend as it's not much further.

22. Take Grandfather for lunch
He lives in an amazing place so no excuse not to take hm out for lunch by the sea.

23. Can't say this one [Obviously something I don't want on the WWW]

24. Walk on the beach
Yes did this on sunday and it was amazing. Also swam in the ocean and the salt on my lips was just what my body was craving. I felt cleansed again.

25. Donate to charity
I already do, but I want to donate more.

26. Perform a random act of kindness [or more than one]
Have some ideas for this I will post another day.

27. Visit Minyon Falls
Gorgeous and not too far from where I live.

28. Buy a rainbow dreamcatcher
So pretty to hang in my room.

29. One lunch date with Ty
He suprised me last year and it was sooooo nice to have lunch cooked by someone else and without the children, just me and my love.

30. Teach Mia to ride a bike without training wheels
Yes!!! She needs to practice this. Will will get there.

31. Find or create a womans circle
I need more women like minded friends near me I miss this and am incredibly lonely at times.

32. Have coffee with Mum
It's just nice to do this.

33. Meditate twice a week
I'd actually like to meditate more but I think twice a week is doable when I am back working.

34. Go to Bangalow Markets
A lovely place to visit with gorgeous items.

35. Blog more often
Yes I think this is needed muchly.

36. Sort out my e book and how to enable instant purchase
Yes I have an ebook. It's called Invoking Happiness and it's like a little workbook. It involves the tools I used to invoke more happiness into my life. However I don't know how to set up instant purchase??????

37. Visit Macadamia castle
The girls would enjoy going again I think.

38. Play Putt Putt golf
Yes we played this on my birthday last year. The girls loved it and so did i so we must do it again.

39. Watch less TV
I don't watch a lot anyway but this means more of stepping away if it's on or just simply turning it off more. Bit hard when Ty ALWAYS has to have it on though.

40. Weed front garden
Yes it's a tad neglected at the moment but I'll get there.

41. Choose Happiness
I always try to but will even more if possible.

42. Go fishing with Ty
He loves his fishing and last time I tried it was fun so I'll give it another go.

43. Take Family to dreamworld
We said we would in 2012 but didn't so we had better this year.

44. Keep a 'Good things that Happen in 2013] jar
I have the jar but keep forgetting to add to it. Must start today!!!

45. Eat more Greens
Need I say more??

46. Put solar lights in yard
Just to make it pretty

47. Be a 'YES' Mama
Try this. Sometimes tiredness will make me fail but I'll keep trying. Thats all I can do.

48. Spend less time online
Oh I so need to get off the net and live my life more. Don't we all?????

49. Have more 'Movie nights' at home
Never really watch movies but need to start.

50. Paint ceilings in bedroom and bathroom
Yes a bout of rain caused some slight mould probs. Need to sort it before health problems arise.

51. Bake more bread
We were then stopped so we best start again.

52. Ring Nan more often
Need to do this too.

53. Take more instagram pics
MMMM not sure if I should or not lol

54. Go overboard with Birthday celebrations
Yes, lots of balloon hanging and celebrating I want to do more.

55. Journal more often
I recommend this in my e book and I was journalling a lot but have since stopped. I need to start again.

56. Get girls into extra curricular activity
Yes Mia wants to do Karate and Ella dance. Hard thing is juggling it all with work but will try my best.

57. Have a picnic
Yes!!! Can't wait!!!!

58. Use my Crystals more
Was using them a lot a year or so ago but have gotten slack they hold so much power I will start again.

59. Wear more Tie Dye
Love it!!! So must wear it more often.

60. Send 5 cars to friends/family just because
Just to share some love around.

61. Grow calendula and make salve
To help with all ailments.

62. Create a 2013 dreamboard
Just because almost everything on my old one has happened :) [Except the weightloss].

63. Make my own soap
Always been too scared to deal with lye. But need to try it and do it.

64. Complete the 'Digging Deep' ebook workbook
I love this workbook you can purchase it here: http://theorganicsister.com/

65. Swim in the ocean
Already did this on sunday.

66. Have a cave weekend
A weekend where my home is my cave, where I go nowhere, speak to no one but hubby and the girls and just simply hang out!!

67. Make a shell and driftwood mobile
Need to get my creativity on....

68. Plant lavendar
My last one lived a fair while but recently died. I need more. I love it.

69. Plant Aloe Vera
Got an aloe plant off my Mama, laready planted.

70. Eat more vegetarian meals
To save money and for my health.

71. Pay off cc
There's not much on it but I want it to be debt free already.

72. Buy new coushins for front room
Purchased some off ebay, indian handmade fair trade coushin covers, they are divine, waiting for them to arrive as I type this.

73. Weekly home facials
Cleanse, scrub, tone, mask, moisturise need I say more?

74. Download skype and use
To keep in contact with friends and family.

75. Print more photos and put in albums
Yes!! Modern technology has made me slack in the photo album department.

76. Try a jigsaw puzzle
Can't sit still long enough usually but going to try.

77. Got to Crystal Castle again
Love this place.

78. Accupuncture x 4 sessions
Need to get back into regular accupuncture.

79. 1 X Hot rock massage
Have wanted one of these like forever

80. Use my herbs in my foods more often
Always forget they are there lol

81. Make pictures out of clouds whilst lying outside
Will do this in winter when it's not too hot to lay outside. Might even get the girls to do it with me, we can make funny pictures with the clouds

82. Have a pyjarma day
Maybe in winter.

83. Read 'Hand wash cold' By Karen Maizen Miller
Can't wait to purchase and read this book.

84. Dance in the rain with my girls
Just because it would be fun.

85. Spend at least 10 mins in my garden daily
Yes, walk on the bare earth with bare feet is grounding for me.

86. Chiro x 1 session per month
Will continue with chiro it always makes me feel good and my neck has never been better since going.

87. Have fancy stationary at work
Just to brighten things up a bit.

88. Visit Ripley's Believe it or not
It's Ella's fav book so she'd love to go and visit.

89. Meditate under a full moon
How divine would this be?

90. Make cheesecake
Just cos we all love it

91. Menu plan EVERY fortnight
To save $$$ and food wastage.

92. Hula Hoop more
Might help me tone up my waistline that is certainly showing signs of over indulgence from Christmas food.

93. Buy Saritah CD
Her voice is amazing and I want my house filled with her tunes.

94. Wear flowers in my hair
Just cos they're pretty.

95. Watch Whales in July
Love doing this.

96. Take a one day road trip with my family
Just to get away and spend time together.

97. Complete one crossword
Cos they bore me but I want the challenge.

98. Buy a boho bag
Cos I like them and I want one that describes 'me'

99. Watch one Titans home game
Haven't seen them since spet 2009. Need to go again. I love the atmosphere of alive NRL game.

100. Hug my family at least twice a day.
Sometimes when I'm working te busyness of life takes over but a huge twice a day can make all the difference.

Well that's my 100 things to do in 2013. I wonder how many I'll achieve. I've love to achieve them all and I can't wait to review next New Year!!! Feel free to share yours and leave a link to your blog.

Much Love!!

Goodbye 2012

What a year you have been 2012. I don't think much more could have happened. Honestly I LOVE LIFE!!!! I wholeheartedly do. However that doesn't mean that it's always easy for me. This year has provided several challenges that have made me stronger but most of all have made me realise where I want to be and what I want out of life.
This year started with me having to make a choice with my career. For years I wanted to work from home as a Family Day Care Educator. My hubby and I built an extension onto our home to enable me to do this. It was a dream come true and although it didn't last more than 11 months. I proved to me I can set a goal and make my dreams come true.
Due to some family issues I was unable to continue with Family Day Care. So at the beginning on 2012 I made the decision to finish my business and due to finances had to find another job, So I applied and got the job within an hour of my interview. I had already gotten another job that I then had to tell the boss I wasn't taking. I felt horrible leaving her in the lurch but I had to make that decision to benefit me and my family. My new job provided challenges. Settling in, learning the job, forging friendships. It provided me though with a very supportive workplace with highly experienced team members and the opportunity to attend 2 conferences and also to study a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment which I managed to complete in 16 weeks whilst working. It was certainly a challenge. But I did it!!!!!!!

My two daughters started at a new school. They went from a school with 50 children to a school with over 500. It was a HUGE change for them. One that, despite having obstacles throughout the year, we are happy we made. They had amazing, supportive teachers and both made lovely friends.

Our oldest daughter faced several challenges. Since 2 we knew she was quirky and a little different and after seeing paediatricians etc no one could help us. I knew the problem since she was 2 years old and finally a psychologist with over 25 years experience in the field of working with children diagnosed what we already knew. She has Aspergers Disorder. It was still a kick in the guts. I remember , we found out 'officially' on the first day of winter, the 1st of june. And as my hubby and I walked out of her office into the crisp cool air we hugged. We hugged that finally someone saw what we saw, finally someone could really help us help our daughter. So with that 12 sessions followed for both her and Us. She is an amazing help. We are faced with challenges daily but we are dealing with it as best we can.

In June I also planned my Best Friends Hen's party and I have to say it was a fun night and I'm pretty sure she enjoyed it..

I then attended her wedding which was incredible and gave me the opportunity to be in a bridal party FINALLY!!! I had only been a bride so I was very excited to be her Matron of Honor.

Around October my family and I were judged pretty harshly. Someone didn't agree with our values and beliefs and I felt devastated at the time. I reflected on this though and realised that I am a good person. I have excellent values, I try and teach my daughters right from wrong, to be respectful and loving and kind people. So in some ways this was a blessing as I realised I am going to keep living the way I do. By staying true to myself.

My hubby lost his job in November and was unemployed for a month. It was hard financially and whilst he has a new job it's not very financially beneficial but it's work and for now, it will be ok. He is finding it tough learning a new job so close to Christmas when it's so busy though so he has been a little stressed.

I have to say that as much as it doesn't seem like a lot has happened now I've reflected it has been a huge year. One that I am happy I lived through but one I am more than ready to say goodbye too. I cannot wait to start 2013.
I'll be posting more about that tomorrow.
So how was your year? What things happened and what have you learnt from it?
Looking forward to some replies :)

About to get a lot simpler

With the uncertainty of my husbands job, the way the economy has been, the rising price of electricity and insurances we have to cut our costs even more. To be honest I already cook from scratch as much as possible, buy my in season fruit and veges, op shop and reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible, we meal plan right down to the exact ingredients. We make our own laundry powder [which I am so thankful for. Although last week we ran out after the sickness in our house we had a lot more washing and ran out. By hubby brought a store brought one to get us through and it smelt potent] both of us still have it sitting there as after one load the perfume and chemicals had us feeling ill from the smell.
Back to the story........ so there are still some things I can so though. I stopped baking my own bread as my girls didn't like the thickness of it. [But they will just have to get used to it]. I am finally going to organise 3 or so chickens to lay us some eggs. I am also going to start my much anticipated vegetable garden.
I have looked at our electricity bill and recently we have started turning off all the powerpoints all the time instead of leaving them on. I am going to buy a car phone charger and charge mine and hubby's phone in the car instead of at home. We can't afford solar panels or anything but we have not got and decided not to get a heater for winter, instead we are going to use hot water bottles, blankets and dressing gowns and slippers to keep warm.
I would love any more tips anyone has to give me on how else we can cut costs. We need to cut them now and prepare for the worst which would be living solely on my income which at the moment is impossible despite our simple life.

Weekending

After days of sickness with upset tummies everyone was feeling healthy again on Sunday. So we cooked up a big batch of pancakes and made hot chocolates and cappacino's and enjoyed a delightful breakfast. It was so nice [although tiring] that the girls had so much energy again.
After a busy and stressful few days with sickness, washing, cleaning, disinfecting etc it was nice to send the girls back off to school this morning.
After having some health problems last night I decided my exercise routine would not happen so I strolled to the post office to pick up a parcel from my best friend and I was delighted with it too.

Anyone that knows me well knows I have a slight [I say that sarcastically] obsession with OWLS. In fact the owl is my toten animal and I even have an owl tattoo. So when I opened this package from my best friend I was immediately in love with her hand made felt owl. There is something so special about hand made items. You know that someone has poured their heart and soul and precious time into what they have created, and that itself is so so so special. I was also excited by the gorgeous greeen owl bangle and the 5 cute owl necklaces. How very lucky am i?

How was your weekend? I hope you enjoyed it and had gorgeous weather to match.

Sickness

My poor Husband and little Mia have been sick the past two days which has left me having two days off work. Usually I would jump up and down but all the cleaning and washing and everything has left this poor Mama exhausted.
I am hoping for health and happiness as we come into the weekend........................

I'm Back

After a long time blogging I am back with a renewed enthusiasm for sharing "The Simple Life of Us" with others. I anticiapate to blog at least weekly if not more as a way of documenting my family, how we choose to live and the joy that we create each and every day. I have been meaning to blog for a while now but with starting a new job and having limited time it has been impossible. Unfortunately my Husband has been very ill with a stomach bug so I had to take today off work to look after him. I have not seen him this sick ever. I am praying that no one else ends up with this horrendous tummy bug. So what's been happening? Well after a very unsettled 18 months things are getting back on track. Sometimes these so called 'things' in life mess us up, mess up our routine, our joy and our freedom. That being said, it teaches us lessons along the way. Lessons that I am glad that I have had. Things are settling more around here now. We are slowly finding our groove again, slowly setting into life in a blessed, joyful way and I look forward to sharing our new journey with you all.

Beyond Avoidance - #Reverb10

What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?)

I'm not one that usually procrastinates. I jump right in when things need doing and just 'do it'. This usually relates to things at work or at home. I have to say though that I am a huge procrastinator when it comes to doing things I love. Things that fill my soul with contentment and joy. I always procrastinate when it comes to me.
This year I missed a few opportunities due to fear. I am shy and definitly an introvert. I worry too much about the 'what if's' and not jump in and do what I would like to do.
I am such a kind soul. I try to give more than receive and I try to help others as much as I can. One thing that I feel I should have done this year but didn't was some sort of voluntary work. I work now, as a child care worker and it takes a lot out of me. Anyone that thinks we just play with kids all day has never worked a day in the life of a child care worker. There is so much more to it. So usually I am exhausted after working. However I know if I managed my time more I would have found time to do some sort of volunteer work. I want to work with children and families in a volunteer role. I would love to provide an extra pair of hands to parents that aren't coping. To go into their homes and entertain their toddlers and preschoolers or to rock their babies to sleep. To do some simple household chores that they can't get done, to help with the grocery shopping. Anything like this would fill my soul. I know for a fact in my town there is an organisation that needs volunteers to do all of this.
So in anser to the question: will I?
If I can continue to only have to work part time when my youngest daughter starts school next year, I will ring this local organisation and find out what I need to do to committ to this volunteer work either weekly or fortnightly next year.
Wish me luck!