life experiences - my authentic self - chatter from my head

first of all, this is just chatter from my mind - how I am feeling right now - read it if you want to and please comment but don't feel you have to. This is not about getting recognition for me or about slighting anyone with certificates......just getting those voices out, once more.

I constantly worry about the lack of study I have done - I have no certificates on my wall - oh, sorry, I have one that I received a few weeks ago - reiki 1. And sometimes because of this lack of certificates hanging on my wall, I feel somewhat umm - not good enough or not experienced enough.
But yesterday - I was at a meditation class and started to chat with a girl- just everyday stuff and I asked her what she did. She said she was a counsellor - being very interested I innocently asked what kind of counsellor and she replied quite abruptly - 'one with alot of experience.' This girl was maybe 15 years younger than me and out of the blue I realized I am very experienced in life. very, very experienced. I have life training.
I could say I have degree in collecting vintage as I have been collecting since I was about 10, maybe younger. This could be about being experienced in vintage housekeeping ways as I have been doing that for 31 years! - but this is not what this post is about.
I have a 'degree' in life experiences and learning from very knowledgeable people - namely my paternal grandpa who taught me alot about organic gardening. I like to help people with what I know or have experienced. I can't prescribe herbal medicine but I can help them with what herbs do what - all from life experience and my grandpa's knowledge. I can't counsell anyone professionally about anything but I can be compassionate and supportive whenever they go through the death of a spouse, a divorce, losing a baby mid term, cancer and many others that I won't even go into here. I can't do it professionally because I don't have a piece of paper in a frame hanging on my wall.
My spiritual journey has been quite a journey too - being born into a Church of England family - doing a full year course of seventh day adventist when I was 13 (another story) and searching til I converted to Catholicism 15 years ago and still searching right now - finding out lots and lots. Being very interested in the 'olde religion' as some call it.

So today, I am going to design myself two certificates. one from the Cecil Strummey Noble school of organic and herbal gardening and the second from the school of life experiences. I am going to hang them on my wall to remind myself that I don't have to study to be able to be 'good enough'

my authentic self

The Fairy Call

A Spell for Summoning the Fairies

Sit where the cat sits. Cross your toes.
Close your eyes. And smell a rose.
Then say under your breath:
"I believe in fairies, sure as death."
Gadflykins! Gladtrypins!
Gutterpuss and Cass!
Come to me fairily
Each lad and lass!

From "Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book"


wasn't quite sure what to call this post - a toss up between 'believe', 'believe in yourself' or 'my authentic self' - but as I am on a journey of discovering my 'authentic selves' - my authentic self won!

this past week has been a big soul search for me. Not sure if some of you will like it. sad but true
I know I have told you before - what I 'blog' about is who I really am and I want to stay true to that. I feel I am taking a different turn with my journalling and although it will still be the same, you will notice differences. I am sure. Cause although I am absolutely obsessed with vintage stuff - I am starting to de-clutter in a big way - only keeping the stuff that I either love or use. I have also realized that the reason that I love housekeeping the vintage way is because I need to get back to basics - basic green stuff - as few chemicals as I can and whole, good foods that nurture my body and my soul - including herbs and alternate methods of dealing with illness, *boy, now I really sound like a complete nutter but this is ms*robyn and her authentic self.
I have a strong belief in God - BUT I also BELIEVE absolutely in faeries and I believe in Mother Nature. And Buddha. And most definately angels. And I know that I have to be true to what I believe in, without the fear of whether or not I am liked and accepted, for what I believe in.
Like I said - my blogging is taking a slightly different turn - I am the same ms*robyn from last week. And there will be swaps always !!!! I hope you continue to visit as I treasure each friendship I have made so far but if you don't or can't then I am truly sorry and I wish you well.
But I truly believe that we are all sent to each other - whether it be for a reason, a season or a lifetime. big hugs to each of you xoxo

sweet peas

yes, every single one of you are a sweet-pea. Thankyou so much for the emails and comments. I think I had burnout. Not sure but that is what I am telling everyone. I lost interest in sewing and housekeeping and heaven forbid - even blogging. My neck hurt and my eyes hurt and all I wanted to do was sleep and rest. so I did. I spent time in my garden, time soul searching and time just being. You see, I am one of these people who listen to my friends problems, they come for a cup of tea and go home feeling wonderful. I listen, console and hug. When they go home, I worry. I take their problems on like my own and then feel drained. And that is why I had a sore neck. It is better and I will be back tomorrow - with bells on! love to you all - my how I have missed you too!

oh the pain of it all

neck pain is dreadful, kind of debilitating

and I feel so sorry for people who suffer constantly,

day in day out.

thanks to a friend doing some acupressure yesterday

and also to the tiger balm company

and of course those wonderful saints of pains in the neck

- it seems that mine is getting better.

So I am back and will visit over the weekend.

hmm maybe time away from the computer helped too?

no, surely not !!!!!

thanks for all the care xoxo

constitutional exercises

ms*peggy

dear ms*peggy - wishing you a truly wonderful birthday. I hope it is as special as you are xoxo
birthday wishes at peggy's place

(ps - I am a naughty friend and your card has not been sent. I promise with all my heart it will go next week.)

in my mail box

I am a lucky girl! today, as you know I am feeling sorry for myself. But my day was brightened by two parcels! my care package from retro Amy - lavender soaps & bath salts - can't wait to use them! and some hand made goats milk soap from hidden haven Peggy - ooh yummy! she is a clever gal. Big thankyou to both of you. Also an envelope full of vintage Christmas cards from Gina E *thanks sweet Gina* - addressed to ms*Robyn in very large letters...the postie is used to this by now - AND a very, very late thankyou to Flossy for a wonderful package of fabric and bit. My how you girls spoil me!

pain in the neck

dear readers - thankyou so much for wondering if I am ok - in the wake of the cyclone which is named Larry. I live in another state, a way away from that area. But the care and concern is much appreciated. Sometimes I think the world is out of control & mother nature is menopausal.Let us keep those affected - in our thoughts, hearts and prayers.

I have been absent because I have a sore, stiff neck and have been to an osteopath who has helped a little. I am wearing a scarf around my neck *thankfully it is not 40degC and am using tiger balm like there is no tomorrow.

I have just found a patron saint against stiff necks St.Ursicinus and of course if that doesn't work - as a last resort, I am off to Cornwall in the UK to visit the well of Saint Madron - the patron saint of pain *Madron*

ALL things vintage ?

did I say that I love all things vintage? that I am a vintage gal through & through? well, sorry then, it seems I am a fake. I have been deluding everyone, including myself for quite awhile - you see, I find this:

vintage decorating

absolutely & down-right scary!

today I am a survivor

not only is it my mum's birthday and our anniversary but today is the anniversary of the day that I was told that I had cancer. 5 years ago!

what a horrible thing cancer is. I remember clearly the phone call. "Robyn, we have found cancer" - just like that. I was alone. I collapsed on the ground in a heap. I just felt so alone, lost, hysterical. Who would look after my kids? I wanted to grow old with my husband. Why me ? I couldn't believe that this was happening. I was stunned , I wanted someone to take the pain in my heart away, to make it all better. to tell me that it was a bad dream

Why me ?

I had to have radiation treatment - which was the absolute pits but it eventually ended and I went on to heal. The psychological effects last a long time and lots of counselling.

I looked online and found wonderful support at Hystersisters*cancer concerns -

I could post there and within minutes I had a reply from someone who knew just what I was going through. Some of these women, I still keep in contact with today. They are my good friends.

I think the penny dropped for me the day I was chatting to my cancer counsellor and she asked me what I was afraid of - my answer was that I was so scared of my cancer coming back - her reply - there is no guarantee that it won't come back but nor is there a guarantee that you won't walk out this door and be hit by a bus. I carry that with my everyday.

Life goes on and one day - you realize you are pretty well normal (I said nearly) - I have my days of waking in a cold sweat and reliving all the treatments but then I remember how lucky I am. Then, one day, I wake up and it is 5 years since diagnosis. What a wonderful day, today is!

today - I am grateful for being a cancer survivor.

to love with all my heart for the rest of my life

18 years ago today, I married the man of my dreams - my soul mate, my rock.

I dressed in a gorgeous mauve tutu, even down to little mauve ballet slippers.(I realised it was my only chance that I would ever be a ballerina) and my son, ms*louisa and joe's daughter were our attendants.

we were married in a vineyard and my dad was the photographer.

18 years later - after many of lifes twists and turns, we are both still in love as much as we were the day we married.

I am so lucky and blessed. He supports me in everything I do and I send him demented in most things I do. but he still loves me !!

happy anniversary to us !!!!!!

*happy birthday*

IRENE RUTH

BORN 19TH MARCH 1936

a milestone reached today

Happy birthday mum !!!

love you so very much xoxo

the ultimate vintage housewife

auntie Pam was my mum's cousin and my godmother. She was a real doll. Before she got married, she would come and stay at our home sometimes and every night before she went to bed, she would set the table in readiness for breakfast the next morning. Cups upside down on the saucer. Her clothes would be all set out ready for her to wear the next day and her hair would be in rollers with a nylon scarf tied around her head. She always called me 'love'. I remember, when she came to stay -if she was there on a Saturday, we would walk to the local church and watch the wedding ceremonies. Her dream was to get married and have a home of her own. It eventually happened and she moved away - and time went on and we lost touch. But I never forgot her. I received news last night that she had passed away - she had breast cancer.I think she was about the same age as my mum - around 70. I am sad and reflective but realize I was lucky to have known her. Vale auntie pam xoxo

something I read today

when sorting through old cards

*remember that you can keep the LOVE from the people who sent you those cards

*but you can throw the cards away

a happy St. Patricks day to you

May the Irish hills caress you.

May her lakes and rivers bless you.

May the luck of the Irish enfold you.

May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

did you know, that in years gone by - if St. Patricks day fell during lent, it was one of the only days you could be married on? the other being the feast of St Joseph - now, I don't know if this is fact but a little old lady told me that yesterday.

hoping you all have a Happy St. Pat's day - whether you celebrate it or not! xox

ya ya sisterhood

oh what a fun night! it reminded me of the movie divine secrets of ya ya sisterhood. It was very ritualistic - we had a little meditation then we all had to write down our wishes for ourselves, others and the world. Then we walked down a track to the circle. along the path were candles hanging in the trees to light our way and as each of us stepped into the circle one of the women cleansed us with sage. We had little ceremonies for air, fire, earth and water. Then we all read out our wishes and put them into the fire. Then we had african drums and dancing. Some sung, others danced. while this was all happening the neighbour came down and shone his torch at us - I am sure he thought we were a bunch of witches stirring the cauldron. But you know what ? I met alot of lovely women, who were proud to be women - all of us with stories to tell. all strong, beautiful people. signing off tonight as :

Duchess Standing Turtle

(that is my ya-ya name) . want one?
ya ya name - just click on ya-ya

lunacy?

after this post - you will all definately think I have lost it. But, you see, it is a full moon here tonight and I am going to a women's get together. Women only, because our cycles follow the moon. Not women who hate men - most of us are married with children. Where we will have little rituals of burning candles and incense and singing and dancing -then a cup of herbal tea & chocolate. Giving thanks for all the abundance in our life. out in the bush in the night. My task is the water element. For this, I am taking one of my vintage pressed glass bowls, a gardenia and a floating candle. I have to give thanks for the water of the earth. I guess you could think it is paganistic but its not. Just a group of women getting together to honour their femininity & to give thanks for all we have. We have to go dressed up and I am wearing a gorgeous vintage nightie with my hair tied up in pink ribbon. Lots of beads and baubles. It will be tons of fun - like little girls playing dress ups - getting in touch with our authentic selves.

my authentic self

my pa's sister auntie bertha

the other day, I was at a local fruit market & across the shelves I spotted an older lady *probably well into her '80's*. She had no makeup on * but she was beautiful - well earned wrinkles, sparkling eyes and white hair pulled back into a bun with wisps framing her face. She kind of glowed *a soul comfortable in her own skin* as my grandma would say.

I don't use fancy skin care - I did, but stopped it a few years ago - now I use home-made or natural products and I hardly ever wear makeup * its not that I don't want to 'look my best' - I want to look like me. Natural is definately part of my authentic self. I wear natural rose & geranium lip gloss from Nimbin, no less and sometimes I wear henna lipgloss. I do wear MOR marshmallow body souffle though - so girlie - definately for my inner goddess.
And you know - that is what I want to be when I grow up *comfortable in my own skin* knowing my authentic self. I want to end up a little old lady with my hair pulled back in a bun, whose eyes sparkle and have well earned wrinkles.

and a crooked apple tree

I want to have a little house

with sunlight on the floor

A chimney with a rosy hearth,

and lilacs by the door

with windows looking

east and west

AND A CROOKED APPLE TREE

and room beside the

garden fence

For hollyhocks to be!

- Nancy Byrd Turner-

I have loved this poem for years, since reading it in Country Living, Gardener in 1998, years before I moved into our home, here in Woodford. And guess what? I have just about all of it now.Except for hollyhocks, I struggle with those, year after year. This year I am determined to get some growing.I was a little worried what you were all thinking about me yesterday, dancing around with my tail feathers 'round my apple tree * seems most of you think it is perfectly normal. Just like something out of the divine secrets of the ya-ya sisterhood. But just wanted to share a few pictures of my gorgeous old apple tree - then you will know why I will be sad if it died. However, I have all the nature spirits, saints and angels & devic forces from every religion and belief imaginable, healing this tree - it will surely be ok.

words to ponder

some people see an old coffee pot, ewer or pail, but a collector sees much more: an artifact of domestic archaeology, a key to rooms locked in the past, a piece of a life story - a treasure

taken from country living April 2001

vintage gardening

“We plant, upon the sunny lea,
A shadow for the noontide hour,
A shelter from the summer shower,
When we plant the apple-tree.”

william cullen bryant

it was hot today - too hot for gardening,really, but I spent a little time in my garden anyway.Down the side of our home, near ms*sophies room we have a gorgeous little path lined with perfumed plants - daphne, roses, gardenia and luculia. When we first moved in, this was a wild area full of honeysuckle, privet and raspberries. After months and months of work, we eventually got rid of all the privet and honeysuckle but the romantic gardener in me wanted to keep the raspberries - but what a mistake that was - for all the trouble of growing them, I get two berries. so I decided to cut them out - what an awful job, they are so spiky and difficult to dig out the root ball, but eventually that was done. I tied up my Zephirine Drouhin rose - along the window of ms*sophies study. It will look gorgeous when it is out in flower - the perfume of that rose is divine. then I decided to 'heal' my apple tree - my poor old apple tree has borer - it is over 80 years old - being the only survivor of the apple orchard that stood here originally. I have tried sticking wire up into the holes and squirting metho into it but the tree is quite big and these methods are just too time consuming. I have also tried companion planting with queen anne's lace,nasturtium and alyssum but obviously the borers don't know that this is supposed to repel them. So they continue worming their way through and depositing little piles of sawdust all around. So I am taking a leaf out of Prince Charles book and talking to the tree. I know I sound completely demented but I just have to do something - if this tree dies, I will be so sad. It is gorgeous. I have an old park bench under this tree, where I sit, often & have my cup of tea So, I mulched and fertilized and then I lit a sage smudge stick and walked all around the tree - praying to the nature spirits and St. Dorothy * the patron saint of fruit tree growers and orchards, that they come and help heal my tree. I am sure if the neighbours were looking out the window they would have thought I was a complete nutter. But I truly believe in things like this. Ancient civilisation, the american indians and aborginals can't be wrong, can they? So I smudged and prayed. Then I got some frankincense incense and lit a few sticks and put them round the tree. That was for cleansing. Then I told the tree I loved it so much and wanted it to heal itself - so that it could bring happiness to our family for many more years. I am sure you are thinking that ms*robyn has forgotten to take her HRT again, but no, I promise, I have been taking it like a good gal- this is just another part of my authentic self

memories are made of this

I remember those indian hippy shops in the 70's. Loved them - loved the cheesecloth dresses and wrap around skirts * the thin plastic bangles [and one of those was never enough - I think I had around 100] * the many strands of black & coloured beads * the toe thongs * I loved wandering around those shops for hours, seeking out all the hidden corners and finding treasures, sometimes losing track and thinking I was in a bazaar in Morocco or Turkey or some other exotic place that I only dreamed about. I loved the delightful sandalwood soap and all those gorgeous hindu statues and the pipes that were displayed. I loved the incense, if I remember rightly my favourite back then was sandalwood or jasmine But the thing that I remember vividly was the 'spiritual sky' patchouli oil. I would dab that stuff behind my ears like it was going out of fashion - I loved the whole smell of those shops and the atmosphere, like I said - a moroccan bazaar. so how do you think I felt, when I found a shop just like that, near where I live? just last week! hippy clothes, incense and patchouli oil. along with buddha statues and silk cushions - I felt like I was in Heaven * it even smelt the same * I was transported back to my carefree teens - when hippy was in. so far, I have bought myself a gorgeous long skirt and some sandalwood incense - tomorrow - well maybe the patchouli oil - you know, I just may have found my authentic self - or one of them at least !

vintage housekeeping swap

the vintage housekeeper - some of us met through the vintagehousekeepers and some just found each other through our blogs, wanting the same things in life. So - just what is a vintage housekeepr? I don't have your answer but mine is that I want to be able to be myself - a mum & wife - staying at home and not be judged by that. baking cakes and growing lavender. Others need to work outside the home and they should be able to do that without being judged.... BUT whatever we do, we all seem to love our homes and want to make them special havens - for our families as well as ourselves... somewhere to escape the maddening world and it seems most of us like to clean the vintage way - using green products or just ordinary stuff we have in the cupboard. We all seem to love pretty things too...so this swap is just that!

the vintage housekeeping bits n pieces swap

memories are made of this

I first ever heard of Desiderata in the 1970's when I was a teen. oh those awful years!(for my mother, I mean) It was put to music by Les Crane and I can still hear:

'you are a child of the universe, * you have a right to be here and whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding - as it should.'

I am sure each of you have heard of it - but it is so beautiful and because ms*sophie is having one of those 'oh dear' days that all of us women have, I thought I would put it on my blog - just to remind each of us to " go placidly amid the noise and haste" and "to be gentle with yourself"

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.


Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.


Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.


Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.


You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.


Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.


With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.


Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

life

I grew up not far from where I live now - on the other side of the mountains. In the Hawkesbury area. a few years ago we went to a garage sale in an old house that I loved as a teenager. It was a deceased estate sale *the old lady who had lived there had died quite a few months prior, aged around 89* and her children opened the whole house and sold everything off. What treasures were to be found ! I rummaged & scrounged and found all manner of things - but the one thing that I found, pushed up into the back of the pantry, was this bottle of preserved pears. after the owners got over the initial shock that someone would actually want to buy this, they charged me 50c - lid all rusty and I am sure, full of botulism *if I dared open it* but I won't because to me, it represents those days spent with my grandma bottling fruit.*preserving fruit with grandma* It sits on my bench for me to see everyday & I often stop and wonder who the lady was, what her dreams were and if she had found her 'authentic self' * did she sing while she cooked and cleaned or was it a drudge like it is for many of us sometimes. I wonder. That is why it is SO important to do little things to make you smile - to light that tea-candle or burn that incense, to have one special little chocolate on a little vintage saucer with a cup of coffee full of wicked cream or to take the time to treat yourself to a foot bath - things that are so important in todays * way - too - fast world

life

our house has a name -. I wish I could have called it Sparrow Cottage or Anglers rest like out of a favourite book ENGLISH COUNTRY COTTAGE but I just had to call it INGLEWOOD - after my dear nans family property in Wallabadah - where my ancestors settled - a small wattle and daub hut, I am told , not standing there today....and not in the family now, due to it being left to charity when the last of the brothers died.... as far as I am concerned that is sacreligious. I would have loved to have seen it. I only have one photo of the front verandah taken at my great nans wedding breakfast. She married 'down', marrying a fettler on the railways - the family didn't like him - her parents were saddened so she moved, newly married to the big smoke and duly gave birth to 3 children Ken, Jean *my nana* and Elsie. Her husband was an abusive alcoholic but she stayed with him as you did in those days. He was hit by a bus and died - and I remember being told 'always be nice to people cause look what happened to great grandfather - God struck him down in the prime of his life by hitting him by a bus -- he wasn't missed. sad but true. so my great nan spent time between her two daughters homes *dying from pneumonia when still quite young.
the Ingalls still welcomed my mum - their great grand daughter back to Inlgewood for holidays and she has many a good memory of going to the farm. I have been back to Wallabadah & Quirindi, to trace my roots and I had a feeling of belonging . I even walked into a local shop and the lady behind the counter immediately said - 'you must be Viola's relative, you are so much like her' - I tell you, that made my day! To actually look like someone I didn't know but who I was related to directly. I have lots of photos of Viola. And I know that I do fold my arms just like she did. Odd, that. We wandered through the cemetery and found graves of my ancestors - these people were actually related to me. Don't you wish you could go back in time, just to see - how they really lived and more importantly how they decorated & cooked? what fun that would be !!

housekeeping

I hate Mondays. Monday is the day that I do quite abit of housework & washing and just lately I have been playing around on the computer for a little too long in the mornings and then have to rush about dementedly getting the housework done. yes ladies - you heard it * I am admitting to being on the computer for way too long during the day. Today, I turned it off once I had checked my emails and then I decided to ask my angels to motivate me & help me get the housekeeping done - Not expecting Samanta Stephens or Jeannie to do my housework - but just a kind little shove to get it done... and it really worked. I actually breezed through my housekeeping today ! I stripped the bed and sprayed it with lavender water and then let it air for an hour or two while I cleaned the bathrooms and dusted the bedroom. I love making a room special by adding little treasures to make me smile - today it was a lovely bunch of gardenias in Nan's bowl along with a newly made bed - crisp*white bed sheets that had been hanging in the sunshine to dry

words to ponder

the more one believes in miracles

the more frequently they occur

words to ponder

let your home reflect your approach to life

Inspiration is everywhere.

Style comes straight from you * and makes your house a home

taken from *country living* August 1999

housekeeping

I love Fridays. They are usually the day that I get to putter. I am going to make a date loaf from the recipe that was my first mother in laws favourite - handed down to her from Nana Hawkins
*nan silks date loaf* - then I am going to do a little puttering around outside - I have a plan for my verandah. I have an old lounge out there and I want to cover it over with a vintage chenille and a few cushions. Add -some orchid plants, an old birdcage, a few vintage rose prints and a mirror.

vintage craft swap - little easter duck

have a little peek at this swap vintage craft swap and if you are interested * please let me know soon * sign up will end on March 12th * little easter duck

*life*

why is it that so many of us feel guilty about 'stuff' and worry constantly about things ? well - my theory is this: on the day we are born and the Dr grabs us by the legs and lifts us up and pronounces 'it's a girl' - the nurses run for the stamp that says GUILT and they stamp that word so hard into our forehead, that it is there forever and it rears its ugly head each and every day of our lives. Take time out each of you and just BE xoxo
Nicole's gift to you

Anger, frustration, confusion, denial, and desperation are all actually part of
the process of parenting. Parents who tell you that they never have these
feelings are not coming clean. Parenting will test everything you’ve got, and in
solving problems and helping your child through new experiences (wonderful and
painful), you will know a kind of joy that simply can’t be found any other way.
Parenting will be the ultimate life-experience gift you give to yourself. It is
better than graduating high school or finishing a two-year quilting project,
better than bungee jumping, and better than being promoted at work. But, to get
there, you’ve got to turn your energies toward enjoying the experience of being
a parent. You’ve got to empower yourself by recognizing that you’re going to
experience those negative feelings, and ditching the guilt associated with them.
Once this happens, you can give yourself permission to feel good about what you
are doing as a parent. And your kids will feel good about having you as their
parent!

read more

my vintage bookshelf

this book has been on my book shelf for years - the English Country cottage - love it ! I guess this is another book I would have to take with me if for some remote chance I had to go to the moon or travel to outer mongolia stranded on a barge in the middle of a river. The illustrations are just what I think my great-nan's house would have been like in East Stonehouse - Devon in the UK. some of the cottages I would die for ! cottages with names like Sparrow Cottage and Anglers cottage and Monks Retreat ............. just make my soul sing!

Ash Wednesday

yes, the beginning of the lenten journey - a journey of reflection. Got the ashes on my forehead - Am I living my life to the best of my ability? Do I give thanks as often as I need? Love thy neighbour - is there just one person in my life who drives me absolute nuts - that I can smile or say a few words to? Do I sit and pray or meditate as often as I need? Am I treating myself in the way I deserve to be treated? Is there something that I can give up that I would miss dreadfully? hmmmmmmm

the patient

thanks everyone for the well wishes for the soul mate - he is in hospital overnight & the operation was a success - although it took longer than expected. Happily he is on the mend now. But me - I have to spend the night without him - I know I should be excited (and I am to a certain extent) but I feel odd, strange - to be without my mate. I know I will go to bed, read and snuggle down - but all night I will feel like something is missing.

pampering oneself

SUMMER BODY SCRUB

now summer is officially over * our skin is dry and flaky * time to pamper yourself and give yourself a body scrub. First of all - use a loofah and give yourself a lymphatic dry brush exfoliation.

dry brush exfoliation

*then make yourself a body scrub using natural ingredients.

2/3 cup ground almonds or flax seeds

1/3 cup oatmeal or brown rice flour

1/2 teaspoon of lavender

combine dry ingredients in a blender until they are reduced to coarse meal. Store in a glass jar with a screw lid and store in the fridge.

whenever you want a body scrub, take 1/4 cup of meal and mix with enough milk or yoghurt to make a paste - rub over the body with hands or washer and rinse off. Don't forget to moisturize !