Thanks to my wonderful blog readers, many of whom sent helpful, caring comments in response to my last post. Many of you suggested getting out for a walk and taking the attitude of “just do it”. So I did. I got myself dressed and out the door before the sun was even over the horizon. I’ve had to stop my walks with the dogs while they were undergoing some training so today was my first normal walk with them – and they were perfectly behaved. Which means I’ll be able to get back to walking them in the morning. I’ve missed our early morning walks. And I’m sure doing them again will help set me up for a happy day.

I was so loving my everyday life before the trip and I did not expect it to be so hard settling back into routine. Hopefully the worst is behind me now. I’m going to work on sticking to my daily routines as well. When I did that the week before last I had a good week. A few of you also suggested I really focus on the positives in my life – and there are so many that it shouldn’t be hard to do . Working on more blog posts should help with that too.

Thanks again. I’m feeling much more optimistic and positive today and am sure I’m going to have a fantastic week.

I’ve been feeling down/ flat ALL this week and I’ve had enough. Not sure what’s going on, though I suspect it’s still travel related . I’ve been working on scrapbooking my photos and I just want to go back in the UK on holiday with my family. This is definitely the hardest I’ve had adjusting after a trip – but I guess it’s also the longest trip we’ve ever had. Last week I thought I was back on track but it wasn’t too be.

The worst part about feeling this way is that I’ve

- not been eating well

- not been exercising

- not wanted to do anything or go anywhere

- not been motivated to blog

- been feeling like a big failure

All of which, does NOT help me get over this funk I’m in. Today I’m supposed to go to my book group and I don’t want to – but I’m planning to make myself go. I know I’ll have a good time once I’m there.

I’m hoping the weather will warm up soon (it’s been cold) as I’m sure that would help my mood. In the meantime I need to get myself excited about things that are coming up – like our Halloween party, being able to plant our vegetable garden, getting back in the swimming pool, etc.

If anyone has any great tips for getting past this sort of feeling please share.

Todays “baby” cow photos were taken at John O’Groats in Scotland. And I’m pretty sure cows never have a down day….. except maybe in Winter when it’s cold and they’re shut inside

I’m feeling a bit out of sorts this afternoon. Not really sure why. I think it’s partly to do with having so much I want to do and not enough time to do it. Plus it’s just 3.5 weeks until our trip so I have limited time to get done what I want to. It’s probably also partly to do with the fact that weight is not coming off as quick as I’d hoped (though it’s been a good rate) and my jeans still don’t fit!! Hoping I’ll be over it in the morning. So this post isn’t all doom and gloom here’s  some of my recent favourite flickr photos.

Okay, I’m sure there are lots of problems with me but today I wanted to talk about the fact that even though I’m at home a lot I still don’t have time to do all the things I want to do. I have all these ideas but when I have the time I forget what I wanted to do. I blame this on one thing – TOO MANY HOBBIES AND INTERESTS!!!!

Today I planned to do some scrapbooking (for which I been suffering big time scrappers block) after cleaning the house this morning. I stopped at 1pm and had lunch which watching Cleanaholics – which of course led to a few random cleaning jobs after lunch, ‘ washing, some time on the computer, making brownies (Amy invited a friend for a sleepover at the last minute). It’s now 4.45pm and I don’t feel I have gotten anything done this afternoon. Certainly no scrapbooking – in part because the girls took over the scrapbook room. But I could have done something else. This isn’t just an isolated incident – it’s been happening a lot over the last few weeks. I tend to jump from one thing to another. Things I think about….

* catching up on my fav. blogs

* organising my flickr photos

* getting up to date, or finishing, the 4 online scrapbook classes I’m taking

* actually doing some layouts

* working on plans for our upcoming trip

* tidying or sorting out somewhere in the house

* sewing projects (haven’t sewed in months)

* crochet and knitting projects

* new, healthy recipes to try

* time to read books and magazines

* how to deal with two children who don’t like each other very much at the moment

* how to be a better wife, Mum and friend (definitely failing at the friend thing of late)

* and the list goes on.

On top of this I’m about to learn how to use a Digital SLR and possibly do a course at TAFE on backyard gardening!!!!

I know spending less time online would free up more time. I’ve been doing this but it hasn’t really helped. I could never go cold turkey as I get so much inspiration and encouragement from the blog world.

So I ask you, my blog readers, how do you manage making time for all the things you want to do? Do you make lists, draft a timetable, drop some hobbies? Any ideas and suggestions are most welcome as I’m getting rather frustrated with myself.

Today I went to see a natruopath. I’ve never done anything like it before but am desperate to find some relief for the swollen hands & feet I’ve been dealing for over 5 years. Each Summer they get worse and worse and I’ve just had enough. Specialists have ruled out carpel tunnel and arthritis and my doc told me I’d just have to live with it!!

The naturopath was a little bit woo woo for my liking but everything he touched on was along the lines I was thinking from my own reading. Basically he said I need to eliminate wheat and dairy from my diet. Plus take the supplements he has given me. I will definitely give this a good go – but I told him I’m not starting the diet until AFTER Easter .

I don’t think wheat will be too much of a problem as I can still have spelt and rye, and dairy as far as milk goes will be okay…but cheese….I LOVE cheese…..hope soy cheese tastes okay and works in our recipes . Ethically and health wise I think giving up dairy will be a good thing and it’s something I have been considering for a time. Let’s just hope this gets some results.

1. South Esk river, Braedownie, 2. Fields of Gold, 3. Worth the wait, 4. Let’s see who gets it first, 5. La Jolla Sunset, 6. Untitled, 7. reflection, 8. Poolside, 9. bend, 10. Untitled, 11. T.4.1, 12. My kitchen corner

Created with fd’s Flickr Toys

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Where do you all find inspiration? Inspiration to live a full life, inspiration for craft, inspiration for your home, etc?

These days I find much of my inspiration in my computer .

My main source being the blogs that I follow. All my very favourite ones are listed on the side bar but there’s a few I find especially inspiring that I’d like to share with you.

Beauty that moves

Sunlight and Simplicity

Happy Jansens

Molly Irwin

Attic 24

Then of course I get loads of inspiration from Flickr.

Away from the computer I find inspiration in nature…

and in my favourite magazines…

and catalogues from shops like Target and Pottery Barn…

There is inspiration all around if we look for it. I’d love you know what inspires you – especially any blogs for me to check out .

1. I am so looking forward to seeing my Mum on Saturday.
2. Why is it whenever you ask kids to do something the answer is always later.?
3. When you get the urge to exercise try to do it right away before the urge goes away..
4. The internet is a big part of my life.
5. If you need anything from the shops please let me know before I go, not after.
6. Kevin is away this weekend on a trip.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to staying up late and watching the Hawks play in the last championship game, tomorrow my plans include visiting my Mum in hospital and maybe shopping or a movie and Sunday, I want to scrapbook and work on our UK trip plans!

Thanks Janet at Friday Fill Ins for getting this up early this week – means I can actually do it on Friday .

1. Why are you making yet another mess for me clean up?
2. I want you to take any great opportunity that comes your way.
3. If I’m going to do something I really don’t want to do then it will be on my terms.
4. Plant the seeds and see what happens.
5. I could use a little time out in the sunshine – with my feet up and good book in my hands.
6. Make chocolate crackles and then choc chip cookies (for tomorrow).
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to watching on TV the Hawks play (and hopefully win) their first grand final game , tomorrow my plans include taking Amy and some friends to Jamberoo Action Park to celebrate her birthday and Sunday, I want to do nothing much, maybe a bit of scrapbooking!

Okay, so these prompts don’t get posted until after I go to bed on Friday night so it’s always going to Saturday here in Australia .

1. A cup of tea is one of lifes little pleasures. We won’t talk about how many I have every day .
2. Dogs (and other pets) makes a place feel like home.
3. Everything has its beauty you just need to look for it.
4. As for homegrown food, can anything beat the taste of strawberries?
5. Art makes me mostly happy, but sometimes rather confused.
6. LOL I just noticed I forgot wipe the nailpolish off my arm (from giving my Mum a pedicure yesterday afternoon).
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to the Hawks (basketball team) winning their semi final match, tomorrow my plans include watching the Olypmics and some scrapbooking and Sunday, I want to have a great day out with my family – we’re going to see Dance of Desire – an Irish Dance show!

Wow, aren’t I a lucky girl? I received not one, but two, blog awards this week.

The first was from Mama Syder.

The Rules of this award are:
1. link back to the giver of the award
2. List ten things that make me Happy

3. Pass on the award

In no particular order… 10 things that make me happy…right NOW….

* The Winter Olympics (and having a big TV and 4 channels to chose from)!!!!

* Being at home

* Air conditioning (it’s been stinking hot)

* My puppies

* Cups of tea

* A clean and tidy home (it is Monday after all)

* Knowing what I’m having for dinner tonight

* That our basketball team, the Hawks, are in the semi-finals (and doing great)

* Making plans for our UK trip in June

* Connecting with real life and internet friends

My second award, the Sunshine award, comes from Vanessa.

I’m supposed to pass on these awards but that’s just too hard to do. You can find my very favourite blogs in the blog roll (hope it’s current as I’m always finding new blogs and in fact the two that passed me these awards may not even be there yet). Please feel free to accept either of these awards!