Grateful for....

As I was hanging up yet another load of washing on this fine and glorious day (which incidentally I am very grateful for; the sunshine and being able to get a tonne of washing done) a strange and totally foreign thought entered my mind.

I wasn't feeling the usual dread at the imminent arrival of my Mother-in-Law but rather a sense of relief. And believe me, 'relief' and 'Mother-in-Law' are certainly not concepts which usually go together when contemplating the arrival.

But you see she is arriving with a task already laid out for which she may apply herself contentedly. Brad slashed his foot in a surfing accident yesterday afternoon. Foot and leg injuries are his forte.

Instead of spending my Friday night curled up with a glass of red and a good movie I was in fact at the local A&E awaiting the patient to emerge. And emerge he did with a giant bandage and multiple stitches and strict instruction not to move about very much for 3 days.

School holidays. Crippled husband. Things weren't looking promising. But alas our very own nurse maid is soon to arrive. For this I am grateful. Although maybe I am speaking too soon.

On a metaphysical or spiritual level the feet are all to do with one's connection to Mother Earth. Or the Mother! Injuries can represent our fear of moving forward, literally slowing us down and perhaps making us take a deeper look.  Also they are said to be the storage location for old grief and resentments, stored in the feet far away from the heart.

"Louise Hay suggests that feet represent our understanding of ourselves, of Life, and others, and toes represent minor details of the future." Compassionate Dragon

And I am always grateful for delving beneath the surface and conquering fear, releasing blockage and understanding ourselves on a deeper level.

As usual this is all part of Maxabella's Grateful blog hop, check it out.

Have a GREAT weekend.

Grateful For Boys

This week I posted this photo and comment on my Facebook page.

My daughter Suki. She astounds me daily with her wisdom, beauty, creativity, humour, generosity, intelligence, ingenuity, originality, care, thoughtfulness and OH so many things.

But today I am grateful for boys.  For boys and their untrappable, endless energy. 

At a skating event today the air of anticipation was palpable as the town's boys and young men mulled about waiting to take the stage.  Soaring through the air on thin planks of wood.  Impressing us all with their skill and bravery.  Encouraging and supporting each other through the highs and lows.   

I wanted to bottle the collective spirit and energy in that space.  You could seriously run a small town on the force that runs through boys veins.

Living with boys in your life is often like living with your heart permanently in your throat.  Boys do stupid stuff all the time.  They leap and dive and somersault.  They keep on going and going, often surviving on what seems like little more than air.  But don't get me wrong, at some point the pain in their stomachs will override and they will eat you out of house and home.

I love their vibrancy.  Their vest for life and adventure.  Their curiosity and bravery.  I love their uncomplicated mateship and sense of competitiveness.

There is nothing better than sharing a space with boys doing what they were meant to do. 

And I also love that they all, young and old, still need a hug and a smooch from their Mum from time to time.

This is part of Maxabella's Grateful blog hop, check it out.

Grateful For

Today I am grateful for finally getting myself together and completing a little project that's been hanging around for a good 6 months now.  It feels good to finally accomplish a plan.

I bought this sideboard at Vinnie's at least 6 months ago.  I bought it home whereupon it sat in the driveway under the porch for about 3 months making the house look like a junk yard.  I then managed to move it into the garage where it has been for the last 3 months.  In fact it had become the start of a pile of things earmarked for a garage sale. I had practically given up on my creative pursuit to turn this ugly duckling into a swan.

But I don't know what happened.  I had a sudden burst of energy and commitment to the project.  I ceased the day and just got on with it, and I virtually didn't stop till today.

And because everyone loves a before and after photo. Here they are.

BEFORE

 

AFTER

A few little tweaks to go.  I bought some beautiful bone handles for the door and drawer on eBay. The drawer is a bit tricky getting in and out so might need some sanding.  If anyone has any tips let me know.  My inspiration came from here.

So get up and just do those projects you've been putting off, you will be grateful.

This is part of Maxabella's blog hop. Check it out.

Grateful for........

Broadway Market Love

Grateful for this wonderful Saturday morning ritual at Broadway Market in East London.  Looking forward to resuming the tradition when we return to London later this year.

This is part of Maxabella Loves blog hop, check it out and enjoy.

Grateful For

This week I am grateful for the almost lost art of letter writing.

For boxes full of old letters and notes and photos and  the places those memories can transport us.

For the interconnectedness of our past and present and future as told through the trinkets collected along our path.

Read here for more.

Have a lovely Weekend.

This is a part of something altogether much grander, please check it out at Maxbella Loves.

Grateful for.....

Today I am grateful for making phone calls.  The one's you've been avoiding.  Too afraid to confront.  I am grateful for the opportunities to heal wounds.  For forgiveness.  For leaving the past behind and moving forward.  Light and breezy.

I recently came across this fabulous blog called Brave Girls Club.  If you sign up they'll send you one of their daily truths.  Lovely little emails that for me have been quite eerily spot on.

Yesterday the message I received was this one.  There was a call I needed to make.  I took a deep breath.  Planned my words.  Picked up the phone.

It was easier than I thought.  I felt so relieved.  A huge weight lifted from my shoulders.  The burden I had been carrying for while was so simply taken away.

Be brave.  Make peace with the past.  Go forth with love and light.

*This blog post is a part of something much grander.  Check it out here at Maxbella Loves.

Grateful Four.

Living Here

Having them.

Loving him.

Sandy Bums!

Inspired by Maxbella Loves