Oprah's coming to Australia!

I had to rewind The Today Show this morning. Did I really hear that correctly? Oprah is coming to Australia? One toilet stop, breakfast for the kids and a cup of tea and I could listen to it properly. Oh.....my......God!!! Hooray for small miracles - my good friend is heading Down Under!

Now, how to go about getting tickets to her one and only show, being recorded at the Sydney Opera House, some time later this year? Me thinks it will be a one in a million chance, but I shall give it a crack! Apparently I am going to have to watch her show daily through October to get details on how to gain these "rare as hens's teeth" tickets....what a shame, I so don't think I can do that! Heheheh......

I shall keep you updated on the cause, and will be googling like mad until I get the answers required.

Forgive me Father.....it has been 20 days since my last confession.....

Oh dear! I have once again let life in general get in the one of a good post. I am sincerely sorry!

So, what's been happening since my last post? Well, as per usual, my time on this earth never fails in its excitement value. It seems I move on from one "drama" - for want of a better description - to yet another. I won't go in to full detail, but let's just say it has something to do with a certain someone I have referred to in past posts as "the ex-husband"....

What I will say, is that despite this new episode of non-stop action, I have an amazing sense of calm. Which isn't what I had expected. What I find even more amazing, is that I have discovered my wonderful husband is, from this point on, going to be named "my voice of reason". For without his un-wavering support and devotion to the cause - our family - I think I would most definately be a raving lunatic by now!

There have been many other beautiful things going on the last few weeks - my eldest son has found his voice also, but from within. I am so very proud of him. My youngest son is turning six tomorrow, and although at times I really would like to switch his voice off, he really is such a gorgeous and sensitive little soul. Chelsea has shocked us all by displaying her new-found "white line fever". For those of you who have no idea what this is, imagine a delightful little girly-girl, who is a singing, giggling and caring creature. Now imagine that little girl on a basketball court, glaring and growling at the opposition, who dared to knock her over! That, my friends, is white line fever! It is certainly a sight to be seen....

And our youngest in the tribe? Well she has also shocked me, to some extent. In a matter of weeks, I will be working an extra day per week, and Chloe shall be venturing in to the unknown - day care. It is something I thought she would really struggle with. And yes, admittedly, I would struggle even more with! But to my surprise, and much delight, she has taken to it like a duck to water. The day we were looking at the different centres, she was very excited and enjoyed playing. Then last week when we went for a play, or orientation as they call it, I pulled in to the drive way and she said "bye mum!"......ummmmmm, not quite what I had expected!

So yes, it has been a fun filled few weeks, but on reflection, I must say I am still a very grateful Mummy. Life throws us so many twists and turns, but I am finding as I am getting older, I am far more accepting of the ride.

To be Grateful - Day THIRTY....

Who would of thought? Thirty days. I've made it. When I started this "experiment", I thought it would actually be quite easy. Surely, finding three things each and every day to be TRULY grateful for would be simple? Surely I could fill pages each day with what I am grateful for? Hmmm.....to be honest - it was a little harder than I had anticipated. Although I really am grateful for everything I have in life, actually taking note on a daily basis was quite intimidating. Sound strange? Well, for me, I didn't want to be grateful for the same things each and every day (not on here anyway!), I wanted to delve a little deeper, sort of analyse my days with a magnifying glass! I hope that I have done so, and have even slightly enlightened your day at some stage....

For my final entry of gratitude:

1. I am grateful I live in a democratic country. I know I have probably bored you at times with my Oprah-isms, but today's episode on North Korea made me appreciate the freedom and rights I have living in Australia. It is abhorent to me that in this day and age, there are millions of people literally being held hostage in their own country. Unable to access any form of communication to the outside world, and denied the basic human rights to choice and freedom. Yet another eye opener...

2. I am grateful for a day spent on the lounge. Chloe had a huge daytime sleep, and given that I wasn't feeling so flash, I took the opportunity to do a whole lot of nothing and thoroughly enjoyed it.

3. I am grateful for the feedback that some of my "invisible followers" have given me on my little blog. Officially, I only have three followers, but some of my anonymous friends have contacted me to let me know they enjoy reading my posts and have encouraged me to continue sharing my thoughts. I have said it before, but this blog is like an open journal for me. A place I can come and give my opinion, share my feelings and really just vent. So I will continue, and although I will not be entering my daily gratitude, I will definately make a point of being grateful each and every day.

This afternoon I finished the little book of verses I quoted last night. So I would like to share another beautiful little gem: "Record your experiences, feelings, frustrations, and desires in a special book. Your journal will become your memory, your truth, and your friend." This is my hope....

To be Grateful - Day twenty-nine!

Hooray! I have nearly made it through a month of being grateful! Well, I am grateful every day, I have just never made an effort to be so conscious of it and put it in to words. I realise I have missed a few days here and there, but I can promise you I have been thinking about my gratitude entries each and every day. For instance, today, I was watching yet another episode of "Dr Phil" and thought to myself - "That makes me feel really grateful". So now I shall share why....

1. The episode was about overseas adoption, and the troubles some parents are going through with the trauma these children have been through, and how it is showing in their lives. Watching what these parents, and children, were going through made me feel incredibly grateful for my very happy and healthy children. Sure, we go through some rough patches, but in comparison, my life is perfect.

2. I am grateful that the librarian at my children's school mistook me for another parent this morning! In doing so, I was able to put my hand up to help with the upcoming book fair. I really love helping out at the school, but find it difficult due to having a two year old busy little girl! So it was a lovely little chance conversation, and now I get to contribute to a great fundraiser for the kids.

3. I am grateful I found a little book my Mum gave to me as a gift many years ago. Its title is "Caregiver Therapy", written by Julie Kuebelbeck and Victoria O'Connor. Mum gave it to me because of my occupation, and I don't think I actually ever read it until it dropped on my bedroom floor this evening! Lots of lovely little verses centred around being a caregiver, and how to make life for yourself and those you care for just that little bit more meaningful. I shall share one I ready tonight and found so very true:

"Sometimes helping others means allowing them to give. A homemade card, a smile, a heartfelt "thank you" are gifts to be treasured. Graciously accept what others have to offer." We should not measure a person's worthiness by what we are receiving from them.

To be Grateful - Day Twenty-seven...

I have had a most productive day today, given that I had the day off work! Off to basketball for Chelsea this morning, where I discovered she had found her inner biatch......something I'm not sure whether to be proud of or not? You see, since she began playing her first season a matter of months ago, I have been telling one of the other Mums that perhaps Chelsea needed to get in there a bit more, and be a little more aggressive. Well.......I think Chelsea overheard me. She took flight in what I shall now call "kamikaze mode", and made a very amusing sound whilst doing a couple of Jackie Chan moves. To say it amused the crowd at the stadium would be an understatement. It's a very good thing she is a natural performer, because there was no embarassment, and quite frankly, she lapped up the attention! Unfortunately, it did not end with her winning the ball, or the game!

1. I am grateful that we had some wind here in Melbourne today. Added to that, a couple of hours of sunshine, and I was able to get some towels half dried on the clothes line, which then means I only had to use the clothes dryer half the time!

2. I am grateful that Cadyn pointed out to me the buds sprouting on our plum tree in the back yard. This is a wonderful sign that Spring is (hopefully) just around the corner. In Melbourne it is very easy to forget that we have four seasons when Winter seems to go on forever. But days like today put a smile on your face and a little bounce in your step.

3. I am grateful I got to spend a couple of hours on the couch watching a movie with Andrew tonight. This is a rarity these days, so it didn't matter what we were watching. But I must say, "Notorious BIG" was not a bad flick. Albeit all the rappin' and cursin'! It's always strange watching films based on real life events. I found myself saying things like "oh, that must be Lil' Kim?", and "Is that Puff Daddy/Diddy/Sean Coombes?" Ahhhh, memories.....

And with that, it is off to bed for this tired little mumma......

To be Grateful - day Twenty-six...

Good evening.....well, good for some. One word - migraine. Definition - a throbbing headache usually affecting only one side of the head and commonly accompanied by nausea and visual disturbances. Throbbing - check. Visual disturbances - check. It still amazes me that after suffering migraine headaches for about seven years, I still don't make the connection? I was in a shop this afternoon when I started to get strange lights and swirling on one of my eyes. Didn't think much of it until - BANG - an hour later at work, the throbbing began! So I stuck it out a few more hours before finally surrendering and heading home early. So I am certainly not grateful for migraines....

1. What I am grateful for are the over the counter drugs that seem to take the edge off the pain I feel in my head. Once again, modern medicine has come to the rescue. Thank you dear scientists....

2. I am grateful I was able to take my mother-in-law out for lunch today. It was her birthday, and given that she does so very much for us and our children, being able to pay for a nice lunch and have a chat was quite lovely indeed. I also reiterated to her how much we all apreciate her help!

3. I am grateful my eldest son has been accepted in to the secondary school of our choice. Here in Melbourne, you are given a form to fill out with your top two preferences for schools. You have automatic entry in to your closest school. If your preferences are out of your zoned area, you have to then submit a special letter to the school outlining why you wish your child to attend. Our forms were lodged in May, and we found out last week that he was successful! This is going to make life so much easier as this school is smack, bang in the middle of both ours and his father's home. And most importantly, it was the school Lachlan most liked (and so did I) and was excited about. So hopefully this is the beginning of a great secondary school experience!

That's it for tonight, my head is literally pounding and I need to get away from the computer screen......good night!

To be Grateful - Day twenty-four

Hmmmm.....where to begin this evening? Life, as we know it, has gone straight back to normal in precisely 24 hours. Whilst I was away, I can honestly say I felt a wonderful sense of calm and relaxation. Now that I am back home, the calmness is making an exit and relaxation has once again made itself scarce! But I shant complain, I shall merely vent my feelings to any or all of you reading on....

1. I am grateful that Chloe is such a good little girl, and sits in a trolley or a pram for any extended length of time so I can walk around the shopping centre leisurely. I went in search of something I thought was quite simple - large cushions for our lounge. But alas, not one store in the centre stocked them! So instead, Chloe and I headed for Gloria Jean's and enjoyed a hot chockie and babycino...

2. I am grateful, every single day, that I have my husband. My beautiful neighbour lost hers to cancer earlier this year, and she is struggling. The past couple of days I have noticed her car in the driveway, which means she is not at work, and leads me to believe she's not doing so well. I have thought about going over there and asking if she wants to share a cuppa, but I fear I will be intruding. I honestly don't know what to do.

3. I'm grateful I have Foxtel IQ. Another strange thing to be grateful for, but it really is the one luxury I don't mind paying for each month. This afternoon whilst Chloe slept, I went through all my recorded shows and watched an episode of Oprah from last week. It was about four boys who were adopted and cruelly abused and neglected. It made me oh so grateful for the childhood I was afforded. There are so many sad, sad stories out there about people who have led such unfortunate lives, but luckily for these boys, their lives have been turned around by the amazing open hearts of a couple who have adopted them and given them the love and family they so deserved. Makes me proud to be a human being when I see such kindness.

And just quickly, I'm going to share with you a 'status update' going through Facebook at present. I loved it and shared, so will share with you - "They say true friends can go for long periods of time without speaking & never question your friendship. This type of friend picks up like they spoke to you yesterday, regardless of how long its been, how far away they live & they dont hold grudges. They understand that lifes busy, but that youll always love them".