Manic Mondays are back :o(

It's official, the holidays are now over for me.. I have to go back to work and leave my two girls. I'm reassured that Daddy is at home looking after them, so that makes it a little easier for me.

From this point on my blog will feature Music Therapy ...hopefully I'll be able to post them on a Monday, or as close as I can ;)

I love to listen to music and it will, more often than not, lift my mood significantly. Trust me, on Mondays, I will really need a boost!

Without further ado, here's a blast from the past for you...

Wow, 80's perms and shoulder pads... fashion? Haven't see those two make a come back yet...

That's it from me.. Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to work  I go...

TGBTG


Anje xx

I want to be Wonder Woman - Part 1

This is gonna be a two part post...

I am fairly confident when I say that every woman wishes to be the perfect/fantastic wife, mother and homemaker... crossing all the T's and dotting all the I's.

I SOOO want to be, that's for sure, but, I end up falling short. A lot. Sigh. I have grand plans for all the things I want to do, but procrastination tends to get the better of me. It ends up in a very nasty cycle, really!

I do snap myself out of it eventually and carry on..

TGBTG

Anje xx

I want to be Wonder Woman - Part 2

Some you may not know that there is a chapter in the Bible that describes the ideal wife - Proverbs 31. It presents a big challenge for all wives, I believe.

Despite a healthy curiousity about this chpater, I haven't studied it in great deal, probably avoidance behaviour, I suppose. But, if God wants you to do something, you are going to end up doing it in the long run, let me tell you.

I'll share my little example with you.

I try to do a devotion and read the Bible every day -  I also find myself regularly perusing Facebook and also other blogs on the internet. I have found many little gems in my blog patrols, some of you will see in my blog list, (I think that needs to be updated, too!)  Some might say it's coincidence, but I truly believe that while procrastinating (!!) on Facebook the other week, I was led to stumble upon Frugal Franny - God uses Facebook too!

What a little gem it is! I have really enjoyed reading her blog, particularly the posts that focus on a study of Proverbs 31 using a book titled "My so called life as a Proverbs 31 wife" -check out Franny's blog here.

So, I'm kinda getting the idea here that God wants me to look into Proverbs 31. But I get a little depressed that I couldn't fit those shoes.... and then I found this while I was checking out my latest online procrastination tool, Pinterest (Oh, my... I like it...ALOT ! )

If you look closely, the verse reference is Proverbs 31:25.  God is so mighty and awesome, somedays we might think He wouldn't have time for just me...  but wait, He really does. Why? Two reasons:

1. This verse is ALL me.  I TOTALLY do that!
2. 25 is the date of my birthday and one of my favourite numbers (5 being the other)

Oh Lord, I love you more and more.

Never would I have thought I'd say that in public, ever. But, there is a first for everything.

TGBTG (To God Be The Glory)

Anje xx

Are you a Crusher or the Full Monty?

I was preparing a bowl of Weetbix for my two daughters this morning and it struck me that when it comes to this particular breakfast cereal, I have come to the conclusion that there are two types of people-

Type A - Crushers, OR
Type B - The Full Monty

Personally, I once was "Type B"... put them in the bottom of the bowl, sprinkle over some sugar and pour on the milk. Leave it to soak a minute and then use the spoon to break it up.  It was pretty simple, really!

I carried on in this manner, knowing no different, for the duration, until I met my dearly beloved hubby. Well! One might say that he "opened my eyes" to a whole new world when he in fact demonstrated the true and correct way to consume Weetbix is to crush them with your hand hovering over the bowl.

Hmm. Dilemma.  I could see the logic in this action - but I didn't like it. Most of the time I am fairly easygoing and usually prepared to defer to the preferences of others...  The two main reasons I didn't immediately assimilate were:

1. I was left standing with Weetbix crumbs all over my hand (grrr); and
2. Crumbs were ALWAYS left behind on the bench (double grrrr)

No big deal, you might say. Somethings, although very minor, tend to get up my nose in a BIG way. Over time I have crossed to the "other side" - probably because I (or later on - young children) needed to eat breakfast in a hurry and scientifically, crushed substances work better in these situations due to an increased surface area (Ok, I've got my science teacher hat on now!)

How did I deal with the crumbly mess? I either wiped it up, or, crushed it OVER the Weetbix container.

This little story is an example of the types of things that you deal with when you first start out as a couple... you can let them turn into mountains or deal with them as molehills. In all issues, remember that you can attract more flies with honey than vinegar, and it says this in the Bible too, if you didn't already know..

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Another curious question:

When it comes to using toilet paper, are you:

Type A - Folder; or
Type B - Scruncher??

So, what types are you? Leave me a comment! Full Monty Folder or Crushing Scruncher?

LOL

TGBTG

Anje xx

I'm a sucker for cool stationery....

What a way to start the back to school shopping escapades! Never mind that:

(a) I wasn't school shopping; and
(b) I am still yet to start said school shopping...

Yes, I have to confess, I am a sucker for this type of thing. (It's a carryover from my childhood) I've been rather impressed with the some of the Lego brand gear that has been released lately.

A friend from work actually had a set of Lego salt and pepper shakers that caught my eye. Those, and a silicone mold of Lego men.. serving two possible purposes - ice OR chocolate. Cool in both cases, I say!

This uber cool art carousel comes with all the contents included. The individual containers are removable and can be taken to a different spot to work with.

But, my dear kidlets, this little set is MINE! MINE, YOU HEAR! TOUCH AT YOUR OWN PERIL...

The centre headpiece actually has two faces on it, one smiling, as pictured, and the other, well, it reflects my last little outburst.

Oooh, I just thought of another use for my new purchase... It can be a "weather station" for the rest of the family to gauge my mood at any given time. I like it even more now!!

But, more importantly -

TGBTG

Anje xxoo

Remembering to be thankful...





How cool is this graphic?  It's from Kidspot.com.au- a nifty little find that I frequent every now and then.  If you click on it, you'll be taken to the original website - heaps to explore if you so desire.

So, that leads me to share what I'm thankful for this week.. Drumroll...

My dear son, Master T.

He is such a blessing to our family.. He helps us out sooo much. Things could have been so much different, we could have ended up with a moody, willful and rebellious teenager, instead, God showered us with blessings the day he was born.

I look at him at 14 and then I look at Miss Baby C, a tear often stings the eye to think that not long ago I could hold him in my arms and nuzzle him the same way I do with her, like I have with all of my precious babies.

Only four more years and he will be considered an adult- and he will shortly go his own way in the world. I dread the day he leaves the nest- as all Mums naturally do...

So, with all of that said, I am truly thankful that God gave us such a wonderful boy when he did. He has blessed us with four beautiful children, and I would be lost without any of them.

Philippians 1:3 (WE) - Every time I think of you I thank God for you

TGBTG

Anje xxoo

A day trip in Narnia...

I have a good feeling about my new system- here's hoping I can keep the momentum of reorganizing on the go.. I have plans for the linen and laundry cupboards tomorrow!! Perhapsy two cupboards might be too ambitious.. I'll aim to get one sorted and the rest over the next week...

Well, not quite! I was down the lion and the witch...

I did spend most of my day emptying out my half of the wardrobe- what Master D referred to as a "black hole"- and then skillfully reorganizing the contents, refer to pictures :-)

Can I tell you how much I really like the hanging shelves?? A whole lot!! My slight OCD tendencies are *almost* threatening to burst my bubble because the two shelves aren't matching in colour, but, I'll get over it...

  

My shoes won't know what hit them!! Finally, a system that helps to prevent a messy pile on the wardrobe floor - with a time saving bonus to boot! (pardon the pun) 

Winter type clothes have also been stashed in a set of hanging shelves.. easier to find at a single glance rather than rifling through a shelf and ripping jumpers etc out in a fit of rage..

Ah, the satisfaction of a neat, organised wardrobe!

Must go, been a looong day, getting very sleepy... *yawn*

TGBTG

Anje xxoo

Reduce, Re-use, Recycle PART 2

Here's one of the finished products that I mentioned earlier..

I ended up using some scrapbooking paper to cover the sides, I picked up a small pack at Kmart for a very nice little price- and- I'm pleased to say that I have uses for all of the designs- but I digress... (funny, that!)

It's not as fancy as I would like, but, I needed a container to corral clutter on the bench in a hurry, so I very quickly took to repurposing one of the ex-bulk sized baby wipes boxes. Got the task done and looks better than stuff scattered all over the bench!

Yeh, baby! One step closer to a kitchen bench that is easier on the eye!!

TGBTG

Anje xxoo

Happy New Year :D

Salutations!

It has been a little while, and I have certainly missed my blogging therapy...

I have resolved to undertake a few resolutions for 2012... I shall make a list below-

1. Spend more time with God
2. Blog more!!
3. Continue my newfound activities that resemble exercise!!
4. Look after my health better, and that of my family also (ESP. Drink more water, less coke and cut down on sugar!!)
5. Continue to (slowly but surely) whip the household and my life in general, into shape by doing one small organising activity each day..


Yeh! I love groups of five, it's my favourite number. Sounds funny, possibly even a little OCD that it would not sit right with me if I had limited it to less than that number?! LOL

They sound fairly similar to most new year resolutions I suppose, but, I am excited about them! Now, to maintain that enthusiasm and drag my butt outta bed.... (had a late night, in good company, so it is worth the heavy eyelids today)

Oh, and yay me! I actually got around to covering one of those boxes I posted about earlier- More bout that later.

I'm going to steal a few minutes more of that lovely thing called slumber while Miss Baby C will allow it :)

Here's to a blessed and prosperous 2012 my dears

TGBTG

Anje xxoo