The Adventures of the Journey

Reverb11

2011-12-31T11:59:00.002Z

As we say goodbye to 2011 and hello to 2012 I just wanted to use reverb from Kat to ponder on this past year. Its a good practise to close the year and be fresh for the new one. I know that it is just another day and we don't need a new year in order to make changes but this is my review.... (it was a daily review to start from the beginning of December but there's no way I would have successfully posted everyday) LOL

#Reverb11 is a daily reflective prompt that runs every day through the month of December. It is an opportunity to reflect on the year that has been and manifest what the new year may hold. It was started by Gwen Bell in 2009 and has been passed on to individuals to host in 2011.

How are you starting this last month of 2011? December started rather horribly following the news of the hosue sale and impending eviction....

What was your most significant expenditure in 2011? (Not necessarily the biggest, but the one with the most impact.) Whilst I did not pay for these as they were given to me, they have cost money to look after, but I guess the most significant has beent he kittens. They have brought me much joy and excitement over the last 6 months.

What was your dream destination in 2011 and why? (It can be a town, city, country or region -- real or imaginary -- and doesn't matter if you actually got there or not!) I still live in the dream that I'll get to go back to Spain/Mallorca one day...

What's the one thing you want to take with you into 2012? Friendship.

How are you going to celebrate your self this festive season? To be honest, there wasn't alot of celebrating myself this season. I kinda gave up on christmas. I did enough for the boys so that they had some memory of christmas but this year I won the award of BAAAAAHUMBUG :)

What was the most delightful thing you witnessed in 2011? Probably the birth of the kittens.

What guidance did you receive from your higher self in 2011? Most recently that I need to take care of myself. I cannot successfully care for others when I haven't taken ANY time to care for myself.

What positive change have you made this year:

* in your health Accepting where I need help or a boost.

* in how you relate to your body Listening to it.

* in your self talk Removing the negative glasses.

* in how you relate to the world I am trying to see the good in everything and see the best in people and their actions.

What was the best book you read in 2011? I think early this year I read Slowing Down to the Speed of Life - Flippin amazing!

What was the most extraordinary dish you sampled in 2011? What made it so magical? (It needn't be the most extravagant dish, just the one that knocked your socks off with its flavour, texture, aroma, freshness, colour, significance… whatever.) To blow my own trumpet here... my Paella knocks the socks off everything! =D

What was the greatest risk you took in 2011? Becoming a student! EEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKK!

What surprised you most in 2011? My confidence especially in areas I am passionate about.

What was your greatest creative accomplishment in 2011? Seriously, for me, creating an essay on a new subject and it actually making sense and receiving good marks for it was huge to and academically challenged person like myself.

What was music to your ears in 2011, literally or metaphorically? Metaphorically: having my uni fees paid for. Literally: Reckles love (yes still!) and creating a guilty pleasure in the form of Olly Murs. *hangs head in shame* LOL.

What moment of 2011 do you wish you could bottle, to relive again and again? What moment made you feel the most alive? How did that moment change you? The summer holidays were amazing! We did so much stuff. The kittens were born during this time as well. New life flowing as it should without intervention, awesome. We filled our summer with some of the most happiest memories ever!

What was lost in 2011? What do you intend to find in 2012? A huge part of me sadly enough. I am seeking to find that person again.

What gave you the greatest cause for hope in 2011? A new friendship.

Please post your favourite picture of yourself from 2011, self-portrait or otherwise!

Not the best pic I know but that day I felt like me. Something very powerful about beig near the elements; earth, water, air etc etc...

What were the unexpected sources of joy and comfort in 2011? Cheesecake LOL after years of not liking it... and hooping and the summer. :)

What was your favourite story from 2011? The summer really was a blast for us. We made a scrapbook to remind us of the amazing times we had. I love lookign back over it with the boys. Also, Neville the elf. My friend, kirsty and I had a particularly fun time taking our elves for a night out! LOL (see fb for Neville and Arnold's big night out!)

What's the most important habit you intend to cultivate in 2012? AFFIRMATIONS BABY!

What items did you tick off your dream list in 2011? What other, unexpected, dreams came to fruition? Giving the boys memories. Unexpected dreams was finding friendship in unexpected places.

What was colour best represents the year you had in 2011... and why? Mainly Orange :) Happy colour from the summer and grey cos I'm a miserable cow over the winter and throughout the perois of house/family and health stress.

How did you nourish your beautiful body in 2011? Green smoothies and hooping. Both of which got sidetracked and will be stepped up in 2012.

What's the greatest gift you received in 2011? Acceptance.

Who inspired you in 2011? Sooo many people. Some friends, a few hoopers, a few bloggers. :)

Name three excuses -- stories you tell yourself that are holding you back -- that you are going to let go of in 2012. I'm not strong enough.

I've not got the time.

I don't matter.

How do you intend to carve out more time for the things that are the most important to you in 2012? Effectively using the time I have. There are enough hours in the day, I just need to plan, slow down and live.

Think of three things that daunted you in 2011: how are you going to work towards overcoming them in 2012? Being happy with who I am: Believing in myself.

Accepting help: Allowing myself the same grace I give to others and allowing other people the blessing of helping.

Being open and following my desires: I am strong enough to make decisions and follow through with them. There is an element of trusting others in order to be open... I'm sure I have a few walls somewhere that I could knock down.... *whistles....*

What word did you select to be your travelling companion in 2011? What gifts did this word bring? What word will you choose to guide you through 2012? What do you hope it will bring into your life? I had no specific word for 2011 but 'can't' followed me around alot. 2012 will be 'FLY' and this will bring life and strength into my life.

Thanks for looking back with me and I hope you can take time to review the year you created inn 2011.

Much love and blessings for you in 2012.

It's quiet here and quiet at home...

2011-10-09T20:26:00.001+01:00

Since I last posted lots of stuff has changed. Spud has started year 1 at school and tomorrow is his 6th birthday *insert over the top squeals from a small boy here* its very surreal to think that I had a baby 6years ago.... anywhooooo, must.not.be.flaky.... the little dude has started preschool... OMG! Which he is now loving after a shaky start. He always says he misses me and if I'm honest its killing me that he's gone so much, but its helpful since... dun dun duuuurn... I've become a student. I am currently studying with the open university. My current course is introduction to health and social care which is quite intense but interesting. That ends in June. In may I start counselling: fear and sadness. And just this morning I pre-registered for human biology. After these, I may take another OU course or will head straight to uni to do my bsc In Midwifery.

Scary times.

The music is slowly coming back in, let's face it, who wants to study in silence? I am more varied than normal. *shock*

What's new with you?

If you like what we are doing with the big family challenge...

2011-09-01T22:30:00.000+01:00

you can join in too... for free!!!

CLICK HERE NOW! LOL

The 21 day happiness challenge...

2011-09-01T22:21:00.002+01:00

Ollie sat tonight before bed and asked where todays challenge was...... LOL So I quickly looked it up and explained it. He enjoyed breathing in calmness and breathing out bad, worried and yucky things. I told him he could do it until he was relaxed. He did it for another 5 mins after I stopped talking....!!! *shock* Eddie then decided he wanted to 'blow out baddies'

Voting link

The 21 day happiness challenge...

2011-09-01T22:20:00.000+01:00

Mummy decided to join in this one. We did deep breaths and filled out living room with the magic fairy dust... (shame it didn't hide the unfinished housework LOL) Ollie said he wished we could see the fairy dust.. The photo is us blowing into the top corner. :)

You can once again vote here

The 21 day happiness challenge...

2011-09-01T22:18:00.001+01:00

Day 2 - Ollie enjoyed being a feather foating in the wind... he decided taht he would float down in the breeze onto a river. Afterwards, he said he felt cool and calm.

You can vote for Ollie here.

The 21 day happiness challenge...

2011-09-01T22:16:00.000+01:00

Challenge info

The boys tried day 1 today. Ollie thought it was hilarious pretending to be melting butter. He wanted to use a playsilk to be the toast. He giggled as he said, 'I'm all warm and fuzzy and melting into the toast... I'm all gone now!' Eddie wanted to join in and said he liked laying on the floor still. Ollie repeated to himself the 'I am as calm as a lake' mantra throughout the day and since we were out at a lake later in the morning we talked about the calmness of the lake....

Vote here and check out Relax Kids who are setting this challenge and some others on the big family challenge

The Random Acts of kindness challenge...

2011-09-01T22:10:00.000+01:00

We decided to give our friend a lift home because it was pouring with rain and the walk wouldve been 30mins.

Vote =D

The Random Act of Kindness Challenge

2011-08-27T20:18:00.002+01:00

Info here

Mummy was feeling very tired, so after dinner we took all the plates and cups into the kitchen and put them ready to wash up. Mummy said a big thank-you.

Votage

The DO Nothing Challenge

2011-08-27T20:06:00.000+01:00

Challenge info

Naughty Mummy, had her feet up and did nothing! It was after a particularly long week and for once mummy believed she deserved a rest. The boys didn't want to do the challenge - 'sit still? Why?' LOL

The Cinema Challenge

2011-08-27T20:02:00.000+01:00

Probably our favourite challenge so far... info here

We went out to Asda, chose our DVD, bought popcorn, special fizzy (Orangade) and sweets. Pulled out sofa beds, our favourite blankets from our Granda, with out special pillows and teddies and sat down for a DVD night of Toy Story 2. We went to bed really late. I sat through the whole film, Eddie got abit bored near the end but enjoyed pretending to be Buzz Lightyear. It was so much fun, I want to do it every week now. :)

Vote here, we love it!

The I love you Sign Challenge - The challenge is officially over and guess what?! WE WON!!!!

2011-08-27T19:58:00.000+01:00

A few weeks ago I updated about the I love you sign challenge, I didn't realise it was going to end so soon. Well the other day, I received an email to say that we had the most votes and had won the challenge!!!! Our prize (BSL pocket dictionary) is on its way to us. =D

I'm still going to finish the challenge, I believe I have two more entries to make into the journal.

Challenge link

Busy supermarket, overwhelmed 3yr old... 3 squeeze I love you throughout the trip - happier child. Am using the asl sign more n more these days too.

Vote if ya like :)

The Cloud Gazing Challenge

2011-08-27T19:54:00.000+01:00

Info for the challenge...

Went for a walk along Severn Beach, rolled down a grass hill, threw stones in the sea, rock climbed, then cloud gazed. Ollie said he saw one that looked like a fire engine with the water hose squirting far and Eddie said he saw one that looked like a cheeseburger. It was good fun to relax with them and we were fortunate to have such a beautiful sunny day. We ended the day with ice creams =D

Vote here

The Create a Calm Bedroom Challenge

2011-08-27T19:51:00.000+01:00

Information can be found here

Sorry for the poor quality of photo. With this challenge in mind, tonight we switched the big light off and turned on the barely used lamp, and since we have been chatting about our friends going camping we decided that we could make some special tents with favourite blankets and drift off to sleep thinking of camping under canvas. The boys asked before going to sleep if we could get some 'tent coloured' blankets to use. LOL. I've just been up to take this picture and both boys are fast asleep and went to sleep with minimal fuss (my 3yo normally hates going to bed) Hoping to make some more changes once we're back at school with rearranging the room and having a clear out. :)

As usual, you can vote here

The Mindful Eating Challenge

2011-08-27T19:48:00.000+01:00

Info here

After all our walking challenges and seeing lots of blackberry bushes, I decided that we should pick some and see how they were. We've been talking about it for so long. So on another walk Grandma picked some and Eddie nibbled odd little bits of blackberry as we walked back to the car. 'They're tiny little bits stuck together Mummy!' Ollie wouldn't try one after seeing Mummy go, 'OOOO that was sour' (FAIL) We sat down after tea, Grandma had washed the berries and we each had some blackberries and had some oranges from the fruit bowl too. Eddie really enjoyed eating them whole this time, Mummy didn't find another sour one, even Ollie tried one but stuck to his satsuma. The boys commented that it was yummy, that the juice burst into their mouth when they bit and that it tasted like blackcurrant squash. This was fun.

Votage ;)

The Clutter Clear Challenge

2011-08-27T19:45:00.000+01:00

Yep we're still doing the challanges :)

Challange info here

We saw this and decided that this is something we can do and that its not just 'Mummy's job' as 'Mummy doesn't play with all the toys'. So we now have an agreement. The timer on my phone is set for 5 minutes, they chose a loud cockerel sound for the alarm, and we do a '5 minute challenge!' to see how much we can do in the 5 mins. The boys love it and we end up doing moe than one 5 minute challenge. When the boys are sleeping or are happy playing without needing me, I set the timer for 15 minutes and do a 15 minute challenge of my own. LOL My 5 year old told me that tidying up isn't hard when its a race. LOL

Vote here

The Foot or Hand Massage Challenge

2011-08-18T20:56:00.000+01:00

Info here

Before bed this evening, we decided that it'd be a great time to relax with hair playing/head massages. Since I'm a big fan of that I offered up to be guinea pig to having my hair done :) Grandma who is visiting also volunteered for the hard task of having her hair played with. LOL After they both boys played with our hair, I remembered this challenge and announced that it was time for Mummy to give the boys a massage. Both boys were very excited and we took it in turns. Both boys giggled and wriggled at hand massaging... feet was a no-go! Complete and utter fits of giggles!!!!

Thank-you for showing me something so simple and so obvious for me to connect with my boys. We will be repeating this!!! =D

As usual, you can vote for us here. FANX!

The I LOVE YOU signing challenge - part 2

2011-08-16T22:00:00.000+01:00

Challenge info here
Sat across a noisy room today where things were unsettling for my 5yo, I was able to sign to him that i loved him and he seemed abit more at ease. I LOVE THIS CHALLENGE! TY!

Click here to vote.

The I LOVE YOU signing Challenge

2011-08-16T21:58:00.002+01:00

5 part challenge info here....

We have a little sign for I love you in our family. It has helped us when we've been scared to go places, or something is worrying us. When we hold hands, 3 'i love you' squeezes reminds us that we love each other. My 5 year old has recently started doing 4 squeezes as a reply to my 3 squeezes for 'I love you more'. <3 We are, thanks to this challenge using the ASL one handed sign for I love you too. Spreading the love :)

Vote here

The Walking Challenge - Final Part

2011-08-16T21:56:00.000+01:00

Walking challenge info...

We are loving walking and although we are used to doing a short 1 mile walk with our dog, this challenge has encouraged us to use our imagination and walk more. Today we have walked 3.4miles. Went on a geocache hunt, which took us to the local duck pond where we fed and played for abit, then walked to near where we used to live and played stone throwing on a bridge/river. Then ran some errands at Tesco on the way home. The boys were exhausted but happy.

Shameful vote plug... Ta chucks.

The Walking Challenge - Part 2

2011-08-16T21:53:00.001+01:00

Click here for the walking challenge info...

Went to Leigh Woods with the Harris family and some friends for walking, climbing and puddle jumping fun. :) In total we had 4 adults, 3 children, 2 preschoolers, 2 babies and 2 dogs. We had lots of fun and got very muddy. :)

(photo is our dog Jessie who loves to grab sticks... think this was taking the mick a little bit LOL)

Another plug for votes... here. Thanks!

The Walking Challenge. Part 1.

2011-08-16T21:49:00.001+01:00

We recently went on holiday to Hayling Island. We took a lovely walk hunting for geocaches near my boys Great Grandma's house. Not only did they walk to the beautiful place called the kench (in the photo) we walked back home through the Gun Site and took time to learn about what the site was used for during WW2. Hayling was used to distract on coming planes and therefore protect Portsmouth. We thought about where soilders would have eated their lunch and slept using the information signs. We spent time thinking about the men named on the plaque too. Lovely views.

See here for the walking challenge info.

Also, click here to vote for us, thanks v much :)

The Big Family Challenge.

2011-08-13T11:50:00.000+01:00

We are loving this. Well I am, the boys just think everythings normal. LOL

Big Family Challenge is seeking to get families moving and doing stuff together. I will blog here about our activities.

The idea is that you sign up, sign up to do the easy and fun challenges, there are some amazing ideas, then you journal about it on their website. Some challenges have prizes. To be honest though, for me its not about prizes its about us being together.

Hope you enjoy reading our adventures.

Plumb is just awesome!

2011-08-08T22:32:00.000+01:00

Taken from good old Wikipedia:

"Tiffany Lee (née Arbuckle) (born March 9, 1975,^[1] in Indianapolis, Indiana) is a Contemporary Christian music^[2]^[3] artist who uses the stage name Plumb. She performs several different genres of music, including alternative rock and Christian alternative rock and her remixes have appeared on dance charts."

Some of her music, well probably quite alot, is christian themed and don't be deterred by that, some of it is really good and thought provoking... but she does some secular music and I just love her voice, her music. Great for most moods...

One of my faves...

I'd like to think that if I could sing, I could sing this to my boys... *insert tears here*

Please take a chance to listen to some of here songs, there are some beauties out there.

I need to restart the simple woman's daybook

2011-06-07T22:30:00.000+01:00

Been AWOL with this for so long. When I was doing this, I had lots of things to think about and enjoyed focussing abit each day.

FOR TODAY (07.06.2011)

Outside my window... the night sky is creeping in and there are a few sparkly stars appearing in the clear sky.
I am thinking... that friends are too important and I don't want to lose them.
I am thankful for... See above. LOL

From the learning rooms... Hoop flow, BSL, spanish... nothing changes. Don't get chance to learn.
From the kitchen... An unroasted chicken waiting to be put in the slow cooker overnight.
I am wearing... My fave Fat Face shorts, a white top and purple n green froggy socks!!!!!
I am creating... or hope to be creating love, happiness and peace.
I am going... eat, put said chicken in the slow cooker and think about hooping things.
I am reading... I just finished another Oriah book called The dancer and now I hope to start her next book called The Calling.
I am hoping... for a break.

I am hearing... the laptop fan, the occaisional buzz from my mobile letting me know I've got a text, the bus travelling passed and Most Haunted.
Around the house... are sleeping children and a sleeing dog.
One of my favorite things... is art... (nerd alert!!!)
A few plans for the rest of the week: Gotta sort these ruddy bedrooms out before I go insane!!!

Music music music music... do you listen enough?

2011-02-28T21:37:00.000Z

No Comment...

These last few weeks have mostly been filled with...

2011-02-22T23:20:00.000Z

This makes me thing of yummy things... DUMB DE DUMB DE DUMB *blush*

Too right!!!!!

The next 2 vids, I had 3 boys (two 5 year olds and a nearly 3 year old) sat around my dinner table singing, playing air guitar and drums and generally rocking out!!!

My kids love this one. They punch the air in time! LOL

Such a shame I cant get the full song...

There are so many more, but I probably should save some for another day!

Make the music move you people!!!

On the road again..........

2011-02-02T13:21:00.000Z

Ahhh Willie Nelson.... LOL

Last Thursday I made it back out onto the road in my trusty running shoes for my first run since summer. (Shameful I know! It would seem I'm a fair weather runner lol) As terrified as I was about the cold and general death that may occur as my body wonders what the hell is going on, I stepped out of my back door, plugged in the headphones and set off kitted out in my new karirmore leggings. (there aint no way I was going to run with shorts on - blue legs = not fun!)

I ran towards Tesco and after a brief stop for a wee (oh dear LOL) I continued on. I seemed to bump into the world that morning! What amazed me was how good it felt to be back out there again and how easy my body settled into it. With just the noise of the MP3 player, I ran and at times I wonder if I sang out loud! LOL

As I was going towards the roundabout, I had two options... take the short cut route home or take the road way home, thus adding maybe an extra mile to my run. I pondered on this as I saw the roundabout getting closer. I was still undecided as I crossed the road and then for some unknown, crazy reason I committed to go the road way. OH MY DAYS! It was fine and I was going quite happily, until I reached the slow incline of the final road. I slowed my pace and just as I debated stopping for a breather, Usher was in my ears singing, "push it to the limit, give it more!" and that other woman sang, "go baby, go baby, go! Don't upset the rhythm!" and that spurred me on to get my butt moving!

When I got home, the Bossman had cheese on toast ready and waiting for me and I nibbled, showered and worked out how far I'd run. 3miles with about half a mile walking. I have to say, I am pleasantly suprised at how the run went and loved how good it felt to be back out there with nothing to worry about. That clip from What Women Want with the Nike advert really is true... (it won't let me embed the video but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go here to watch the clip)

The follow up from it has not been so great. The hips did not enjoy it so much. I have been in a fair amount of pain since then. 6 days on and I am now at ease again, but it is something I may need to monitor when I start running regularly again.

If its not something you have done before, I totally recommend it. (Don't be put off by my hips being sore - they have issues of their own unrelated to running) Even if all you start with is a 15 minute brisk walk at first and build up to a slow jog around the block or something. Do it! I never believed I could. But trust me, its worth it!!!

I've been singing in the shower... oh dear! LOL

2011-01-16T20:49:00.000Z

Still loving this song!

I WANNA GO DANCING IN THE RAIN!

2011-01-13T21:21:00.000Z

LOL this is shameful but its irritatingly catchy. Plus its so true.

I feel like this <3

Cos I got new sexy boots today!!!

HEHEHEHEHEHEHE clearly this was an amazing film lol and the song was on whichever music channel we had on.

Stuck for what else to put. There have been so many songs today :) Im hating the rain but if its gonna stay, imma gonna dance in it!

The weather is crappy, but I have housework to do....

2011-01-12T11:54:00.000Z

... and the music is pretty much the only thing that will make me do it.

"This is the noise that keeps me awake. My head explodes and my body aches!!!!"

How did I forget the greatness of garbage!

Love it!

I need more Aerosmith in my life.

now to get my butt moving...

What makes you do housework quicker?

Accepting the way things are...

2011-01-09T20:39:00.000Z

Sometimes you have to accept that this is the way its going to be. There's nothing you can do about it. Sometimes it hurts so much, but you have to get on with it. Something is not how I would like it to be but I have no control over it. The Boss says it'll all work out ok in the long run. I guess sometimes you just gotta accept things as they are and try to move on, no matter how you feel...

So, in light of that, the music is going to make me moooooove! :) Anyone wanna dance?? :D

The boys loved listening to this today!!!

Cos the last one was abit slow. Had to add another JEW song that gets me moving!

PURE AMAZING BLINK!!!

woo!

YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Reckless Love have a video!

Hehehehehehe and here is my guilty pleasure..... RACH!!!! TOMORROW NIGHT!!!!

2010 is over, adios. Here comes 2011!

2011-01-03T20:58:00.000Z

So, while 2010 was a fantastic year, in many ways it was also the worst. The music was AMAZING though! So, here's to 2011 and whatever music it will throw my way...

To get my butt moving....

Look out 2011, I'm on the move!!!!!

Oh oh oh ohhhhhhhhhhhh

2010-12-10T19:25:00.000Z

The Mac got me through the afternoon drag.....

FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How come, Motley fans, that Baby please don't go, is nowhere to be found on youtube?????? so i put this one up as my second choice for the day:

Sounds like a plan :)

TODAY IS A HAPPY DAY!

2010-12-08T13:40:00.000Z

Been gloomy and dull recently, but making a change to that :)

I found this song on the hooping website I frequent... frequent???? WTF???

Its just sooooooo good! AND AND AAAAANNNNNNNNDDD! Its amazing to hoop to. Corette, Rachel! Hoop NOW! =D

This is just coool!!!!!!!! I aaaaaam a womaaaaaaaan! W-O-M-A-N! Power! LOL

Hold on tighter if you're going my waaaaaaaaaay! Nice happy dancy smiley song!

Don't shoot me, k? Its just that its been on the playlist (yes I know I put it there) but its fun to hoop to...

Ok, so you can rib me for this! She didnt sound good live on x factor but I cant help but move to this song... it goes against everything LOL but the music moves me....

Now, who's gonna dance with me????

Just to redeem myself temporarily :) This is so goooooooooooooood! (too fast to hoop to yet. I need to get some speed!)

MAKE TODAY A HAPPY MUSIC DAY!!!!!!!

Whats with the hoops???

2010-12-07T13:09:00.002Z

I've been asked this alot recently so thought it's about time I wrote something about it. I'm coming up to my 6 month hoopiversary (I love the language! LOL) and what a 6 months its been! My hoop collection has increased and my waist has decreased!!! I'm happy and probably dizzy and also shy that this hoop is attracting so much attention! (Note to self: next time you start a hobby, chose one that doesn't stand out so much!) BUT, don't ever let that put you off picking up one of these amazing, shiny, custom made ADULT hoops:

These babies are made from MPDE (plumbing/irrigation piping), held together by an american connector and decorated with various tapes like insulation, duct or shiny-oh-so-pretty tape. They are much larger than the ones you can buy in your local supermarket/toys r us. Because the pipe is sturdier and the diametre is larger and the tapes stick to your skin (yes naked hooping is the way forward! LOL) or your clothes (note: not all unfortunately) it is much easier to hoop with them! The rotations are much slower allowing time to feel the hoop move across your body.

Hooping took over the world, with sparkly, plastic hoops, some filled with water and everyone will have at somepoint given a hoop a whirl, nowadays, hooping is growing, no longer is it just something you swirl around your waist, it is now a form of fitness and dance and in some people/places it is an aid to better mental health!!! Hooping has also been known to be used for healing.

The charity, World Hoop Day, who believe so much in the power of the hoop, that their aim is to supply hoops to children in extreme poverty. Many charities send stuff for their basic needs but what WHD do is provide children with something to play with, something that will make them feel good and keep them active. Voila! The hula hoop!!! =D

Rumour has it that you can burn 200 cals in 20 mins of waist hooping! And while you're stood in front of the TV hooping, you don't feel like you've just done a 200 calorie work out! and that is only the beginning! Not only does it burn calories but it tones your whole body especially when you hoop on other body parts! (OK the truth in this??? - I have gained weight recently, due to some tablets I was on, but noone notices or believes me saying that I look like I've lost it!) There are many fitness hoop classe available at most local leisure centres. I personally prefer the hoop classses offered by Hooping Mad in Bristol. If you want to look up if your area has a hoop dance class there is a brilliant hooper's website that wil tell you where local groups and classes run and gives you everything you need for hooping!

There are many hoop dancers out there and I would encourage you to look them up, Breacan, SaFire, Spiral to name but a few are all amazing hoop dancers. Hoop dance has become a part of them and watching them makes it look soooooooo easy, the hoop appears to float around them!!!

Jonathon Baxter, from The Hoop Path, is a well known male hooper (yes there are some!) known at first for his blindfolded hooping. What is amazing about this man is that he first picked up a hoop to spin it round as a means to help move his shoulder joint after a nasty accident where I'm told he could barely lift his arm away from his body, the hoop was suggested to help raise the arm when spinning so that the momentum would lift it for him. Now, this man is an amazing hooper and teaches people how to hoop and shares how he feels about the hoop and his journey. He focuses on the meditative effects of hooping and how it is powerful in that way.

This is one of my favourite hoopers:

Here is a vid of her where she says everything you need to know :)

Hoopfully, you can see from this why this little circle has become my favourite thing and I hope you will give it a go too. It isn't an easy thing to do when you start tricks but the idea is to not get bogged down and just have fun in the "flow."

To celebrate my 6 month hoopiversary, I ended up on a beach and what else better to do than just go with the flow there?! Doesn't show what I'm capable of but captures me doing what I love. This is my flight time and I love it!

I won't bore you with more pictures of me hooping but I hope you feel inspired to pick up a hoop and see how it changes you. It is changing me everytime I pick it up. <3

EDITTED TO ADD:

Funny vid of Philo Hagen doing what he does... hooping, not walking around LA naked... maybe he does this? I dont know. He did here LOL

Been a while but the music has still been playing!

2010-12-07T11:59:00.000Z

Had lots to do recently, so updating here has not been possible.

Starting off with Angels and Airwaves, you'll see one of the reasons why this is here when you see the next post coming soon!

Had some of these lyrics stuck in my head recently :(

Please can I have a hug???

PARAMORE COVERS KINGS OF LEON!!!!!! Happy Lulu, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Hayley's voice!!!

Hehehehehe

I struggle to know which Reckless Love to put up for today, so after a wee youtube search, I stumbled upon this...

Jalle <3 LOL now I can start the day!

Music for today

2010-12-01T22:10:00.000Z

Got some different ones on there today 'cos I managed to get some hoop practise in. =D

How I haven't heard of these guys before I do not know.

What is it with all the AMAZING hair/glam metal/rock coming from Finland????!!! Finland is the way!!!!

YAY for funness! This is such a feel good song!

Not a particular favourite, but very smooth to hoop to

Since it would be highly innappropriate to put Corey Taylor's christmas number one submission, I had to put something from one of the bands he fronts.

Last one of today, cos everyone feels like they are going insane!!!!! Lets play with our insanity! LOL

What music are you into?? Errmmmm.......

2010-11-30T11:28:00.000Z

Someone who I recently met asked me this.... and I was stumped for a words. LOL Not really sure how to describe my music taste.... Maybe I'll like them to here LOL

Reckless Love made a new video for Back to Paradise. Naturally I had to post it and now I can listen to RL all day!!!! =D

Loving this one at the moment:

Dance dance dance!!!

Hang in there with this one, gets good at the end

That should do for today... Good look cateogrising my taste in music LOL

WOW WOW WOW

2010-11-29T21:37:00.001Z

Put so beautifully! Best I've ever read on the subjects of happiness/slowing down to the speed of life/acceptance...

**Dance Like Nobody Is Watching**

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire.

The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when?

Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. Alfred D Souza said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."

This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time ... and remember that time waits for no one...

So stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you are off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die, until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy...

Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

Thought for the day :

Work like you don't need money,

Love like you've never been hurt,

And dance like no one's watching.

(Author: Crystal Boyd , 1998. From the book: "Midnight Muse.")

Dare you to dance like noone is watching and not worry about what they're thinking.....!

Playlisting....

2010-11-29T13:58:00.001Z

Another day of good music to listen to...

\m/

Errrmmm... its for the song.... i swear..... ahem.... (he did better on I love rock n roll...)

OK, the next one is a little bit random... someone told me to try listening to score music, quote: "It's like classical music but better." I had to give it a try....

Jump around song :)

LMAO

2010-11-29T10:26:00.000Z

The Invitation

by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain! I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it or fade it, or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own, if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic, to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul; If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty even when it's not pretty, every day, and if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, "Yes!"

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up, after a night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

Reading her book at the minute which talks about this poem. Very interesting read. <3

Today's Music...

2010-11-26T20:43:00.002Z

I am ashamed of myself today. I have let the side down. I call myself an Offspring fan but failed to recognise a friend's status as a lyric from one of The Offspring's songs and ranted on and on a reply to the status. What a let down! I did promise said friend that I considered myself reprimanded and would see to it that my phone would be updated with Offspring music (Why the hell I didn't have any on anyway I do not know) and try to make ammends for my failure. Which ultimately means that my afternoon has predominantely featured:

Do you know something? I simply cannot put up the amount of Offspring songs I love. (there are too many and Bossman is on his way home from work with KEBAB!!!!!!) Go check them out. Listen to LOTS.

And I shall challenge myself to hooping to Offspring. Thank you Maff for teaching me and guiding me back to where I was... =D LOL

Every little thing is gonna be alright...

2010-11-26T20:08:00.003Z

I just spent the last hour and a half snuggling with my boys. We talked, we giggled, we told stories, we shared what we did today. It was a whole hour and a half of uninterrupted bliss. How on earth did I get charge over such precious ones?

This has been a rather hard week for various reasons and to be able to sit down and just be, was so precious. We watched as the snow was falling outside as we snuggled up on the big cream chair. Two knees = two boys. Everytime my youngest looked up, he would remark that the snow was getting bigger and bigger until at one point he just stared and then said, "WOW big big big big bigger bigger!"

Fridays are normally a day I hate, the Boss leaves for work at 8am and does not return to 8:30pm, and today he's had my car too (don't ask) but today has been a lovely day. I went to the school parents forum where I became increasingly impressed with the school we chose for our children. Then we followed that with hot chocolate and yumminess with my friend Sam at Costa Coffee. We relaxed in the afternoon and then we picked up the the boy from school, walked home in the falling snow and then had such a scrummy dinner, pasta, tuna, mackerel, grated carrot, chopped cucumber, chopped lettuce and sweetcorn. Both boys nommed the lot! LOL

I digress. Either way, we spent the whole time just being together. Mummy and her boys. For that whole time I forgot about everything. The washing that needed to be done, the bills needing to be paid, the dishwasher waiting to be loaded and the other things that have made this week so difficult. To the eyes of my children, they had their Mummy and everything is alright.

Don't get me wrong, it is HARD WORK raising children. Noone can ever warn you what it will be like and what it will do to you when you become a mother but tonight was just tonight. I was very fortunate to have this time and I am so lucky to have these boys. Even admist the chaos, they are there.... turns out I need them as much as they need me.

Believe me when I tell you that everything is gonna be alright. It'll all be ok. Maybe not the way we think it will be, and there are stuff you have to let go of along the way, but it's going to be alright. I don't know when but it will.

I've had the chorus of the song below going through my head all evening adn the past month but I couldn't remember who sang it and google just gave me Bob Marley (which aint bad but not what I was looking for right now) LOL. We were at one of Delirious' concerts when he asked us to ring someone who needed to hear it and I remember ringing someone and letting them listen to this... very special. As I sit here crying, I think I need to hear it... perhaps you do too.

Playlist is early today

2010-11-25T10:39:00.000Z

Maybe I'll add some more to this tonight.

Listen to the lyrics:

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of '97, wear sunscreen. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis or reliable then my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice....now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, nevermind, you won't understand the power and
beauty of your youth until they've faded, but trust me in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of
yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.

You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future, or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum.

The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind: the kind that blindsides you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts; don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive; forget the insults. (if you succeed in doing this, tell me how).

Keep your old love letters; throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people

I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives; some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of Calcium.

Be kind to your knees -- you'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40; maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary.

Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself, either. Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body: use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or what other people think of it; it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance...even if you have no where to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions (even if you don't follow them).

Do not read beauty magazines; they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents; you never know when they'll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings: they're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but what a precious few should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps and geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard.

Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old; and when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse, but you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you are 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia; dispensing it is a way of wishing the past from the disposal--wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts, and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

Soooooo much to think about in that song.

Open Letters....

2010-11-24T22:41:00.000Z

Dear Mr Weatherman,

ONCE AGAIN, you have got it wrong. *I* ordered snow, Newcastle did not. Give me snow DAMMIT!!!!

Yours

Pissed of in the warm west country.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Right Hip,

Why do you hurt so bad??! You stopped hurting. I thought we were working together now and things were going to be like it always used to be. But then you had to change all that. :( Now it hurts to do anything again. Why torture me like that? The hooping was helping, why would you want that to stop??? You like to hoop. Please please please stop hurting... I'm begging you.

Signed

The rest of the body you are attached to.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Gillian Mckeith,

GET OUT OF THAT JUNGLE AND OFF MY TV!!!!!!!!

Anyone you would like to write to?????

Playlist: Been a while.. mostly because keep making my play Bon Jovi!!!!

2010-11-24T22:28:00.000Z

My good friend Neil JUST reminded me of the greatness of Alisha's Attic.

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH The goodness of the old songs. And listening to Alisha's Attic reminded me of these guys....

LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL

Onto some more good ones I was listening to tonight...

I LOVE this woman's voice

I think this one is more random than the other day!!!!!!

There must be something in the water....

2010-11-24T14:27:00.000Z

UPDATE ON THE WATER CHALLENGE:

13 days in and I'm feeling more energetic. Whether this is down to the vitamins I started taking or the increased water I do not know. I guess by adding vitamins I have invalidated the water challenge. OOOOPS LOL.

Either way, I'm feeling better. (and the constant peeing has slowed down now my body is getting used to the idea of plenty of drinks) :)

One day, I didnt manage the whole 2L, but most days I'm having more than 2Ls. I'm slowly beginning to reconise when I'm thirsty, not hungry!

Music a la Bon Jovi

2010-11-17T20:57:00.003Z

In light of FINALLY getting round to watching One night only with Bon Jovi, and that my boys favourite songs are Living on a Prayer and Keep the Faith, I felt that today's needs to be a day dedicated to Bon Jovi. (to be honest, its all that's been playing in the car - keep the faith and crush albums and in the kitchen - bounce) >_<

(by the way, I LOVE that there is pretty much a Bon Jovi song for EVERY thought/emotion LOL if we can't decide what to listen to, Bon Jovi is always there)

So without further ado....

<3

"Me I just don't give a ffffffffff.... =D

"IIIIIIIIIII don't waaannnnnnnaaaaaaa faaaaaallllll in love with yooouuu!" LOL

"and the beauty queen from Mars" >_<

I know there's loads more I like but thats like too many today already LOL

Today's music has been rather random...

2010-11-15T21:07:00.001Z

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA it wouldnt let me have Ghostbusters soooo here we have Jedwards ~~wrecking~~ rendition of Under Pressure... way to kill it boys LMAO

Heheheheheheeheheheheheee - a certain friend of mine would be so mad if he saw this LOL

YEAH!!!!!!

LOL

Shame its only a clip :(

Seems appropriate to end today! LOL

2010-11-15T13:21:00.000Z

I am hereby going into hibernation. It is cold.

Truth be told, I'm abit overwhelmed. The boys have been poorly, I'm run down, the Boss is tired too. I have too much to do. This is the official warning, I'm going into hibernation.

Contact me if you want to do something, as I'll still be around to do stuff but I am taking things slower for the time being.

Woo!!!! : )

Muuuuuuuuuuuuusic

2010-11-14T18:19:00.002Z

Having fun hooping to this right now...

Saw the vid for the first time today on Kerrang.

<3

Wanted to avoid putting the same band up twice in a blog post but this is good.

woo!

That's all for today...

Don't flame me :)

2010-11-13T19:32:00.000Z

BABY ITS COLD OUTSIDE!!!!

Rachel, I blame you for my sudden desire to play christmas songs. This is as far as it goes (for now LOL)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA prodigy aint normally my taste, but I was kinda singing this song today after watching this performance :) Check out their bods half way through!

My Water Challenge

2010-11-11T20:36:00.000Z

Today, I was discussing health with someone today and I was talking about how run down I've been and just generally "floopy" and the first thing she asked me was, "Are you drinking enough?" Which is kinda funny, because when I talk with pregnant mamas, that question is one of the first things I ask!!!! Anyway, she challenged me to drinking 2 litres + of water everyday. She said that in her studies (she's a nutritionist in training) they spent a whole week just learning about water!! She said that everything I was describing was classic signs of dehydration. I personally don't *feel* dehydrated. But, you know what? I'm willing to give this a shot.

She discussed that it will take 21 days for my body to rehydrate and after that time I will begin to see changes, my body will *finally* be functioning fully, hydrated and able to function everyday. She believes that I will see HUGE improvements if I can keep up to this over the 21 days and beyond...

Looking at the benefits of water I am annoyed that I haven't taken more steps to look after myself in this way...

Our body is amazing! It is made up of 70% ish of water (depending on sex and weight). Our brain is 80% water!!!! We lose so much water in our day, sweat, urinating and we lose it when we breathe. We NEED this stuff!!!!!

Some of the documented benefits of drinking water from a quick google search are:

1, Water naturally reduces weight loss. This is because it reduces your appetite and also if you are drinking enough you are not going to mistake thirst for hunger. Imagine how many times we nibble on something instead of having a drink. Imagine how many less calories I would consume in a day if I quenched thirst instead of picking at food!!!

2, Water can help with headaches and dizzziness. These two could easily be caused by dehydration, next time you reach for those pills, try a glass of water first. :)

3, Clears your skin and provides moisture to the skin that can prevent it from being dry!!!

4, Water helps to fight infection. It flushes out the junk in our systems. YAY! Can help to clear up colds, can ease allergies, and because your not as dehydrated, your body is stronger to fight off any bugs. (me thinks this is a good time to start!!!)

5, Keeps you regular. Niiiiiice!

6, Improves concentration. WOO! Who doesn't need that? I am so easily... ooooh look! Pink heels and dark jeans.... *ahem* ...... I hope to see my concentration levels increase as I drink more. When our brains lose water, it loses its energy to function... can I attribute dehydration to my dumbassness??? LOL

7, Just as your brain loses energy to function, so does your brain! muscles are around 75% water, and your bones are about 22%, if we don't have enough water we will feel sluggish, fatigued, and blah.....

8, Our blood is made from water!!! If we are dehydrated, our blood thickens, this makes the heart work harder to pump it around our body. It weakens our heart. It is said that people who drink enough water could cut their chances of heart attack by 41%!!!!

9, The lady I was talking with today said that in her studies she learned that drinking water can help you stay looking younger, which to be honest, in light of what I have looked at, it makes sense.

So, I'm aiming to do this! I am going to drink 2Ls everyday!!!! I'll let you know how it works out!

Here's to a better functioning Lulu!!!!

Playlist....

2010-11-11T20:00:00.000Z

Music to [s]live[/s] love to....

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Silly A7x wouldnt let me embed their vid :(

You me at 6 - these guys are fab!!!!

Good old faithful Kings of Leon!

Hugs all round!!!!

Today's Moooooooooooooosic to move to....

2010-11-09T13:20:00.000Z

Not heard much from these guys for a while. Love it!

Well that suprised you!!!! LOL Just a lush song :)

For Josh M who's lucky enough to be going to see them tonight!!!! Jealous much.

"Show me the world that's inside your head, show me the world as you see yourself, tell me your secrets of life and death, and your one regret cause sometimes it comes with a shove when you fall in love."

No commemt lol

WOOOO!

Because everyday has more than just one lyric...

2010-11-08T22:05:00.000Z

As much as I enjoy the daily lyric, I find that each day has more than just one lyric to sum it up, hence why that got kinda lost....

So, I was thinking, and what I was thinking was that I think since I have such a passion for music, I will force upon you the music I have for the day LOL =D

30 seconds to Mars - This is War

I am loving these guys at the moment. AND AND AND!!!! They just won Best Rock Band at the EMA's!!! =D

Lita Ford!!! Probably THE BEST female Rocker eveeerrrrrrrrr!

Reckless Love features HEAVILY on my daily playlist. The boys love them! They rock their air guitars and air drums in the back of the car! I am still pumped from seeing them live and I cannot wait for their next UK tour!!!

And lastly, Jettblack, thank-you O2 for my one free music download from o2 suprises, this song seemed the right way to go!!! Especially since I found out today that they are playing at the Fleece in Bristol!!!!! I need to go there. I NEEEED TO!

That is probably all for today. Save some for tomorrow :)

Could it be that Hawkins is replaced by Leto???

2010-11-06T14:58:00.001Z

(yes its a post that could easily have been written by a 15 year old teen....)

I am yet to find a photo of this man that I do not like, could he be replacing my life long love for Taylor Hawkins????? For most of my teenage years, this man was on my wall...

But then there's;

Jalle

Hessu

Jon

Olli

God took a little extra time on some people.

Good job the list aint laminated! LOL

Open Letters...

2010-11-06T13:54:00.001Z

Inspired by Rachel over at Go Placidly...

Dear Saturdays,
YOU SUCK! But then I also like you because my boy doesn't have to go to school. Can we work together to make it that you don't suck anymore? Thanks.
See you next week.
L

Dear waistline,
Do you think you could magically shrink overnight for me so that I can fit into those GORGEOUS jeans that I love oh so much?! Think of it this way, you will help to make hips, bum and legs look gorgeous and thats a win win situation. Also, if you could make sure that you do this everytime I eat too much that'd be great! The whole muffin top look just aint in at the mo.
FANX!
L

Dear sun,
Please don't hide away, you came out this morning and it was gert lush (did I just use a Bristolian phrase in the right context??? OH YES I DID!!!) You make just about everyone I know smile. Don't be shy, we miss you.
Yours
Pale and shivery in Britain

Dear Jared Leto,
Thank-you so much for your letter. You said so many sweet things about me, I never knew you felt this way. I'm shocked! Of course I want to meet up for coffee next week, we can talk about it all then.
L x

hehehe this amused me.

Who are you? Oo ooo oo oooo I really wanna!!!

2010-11-05T20:19:00.001Z

??????????????????????

YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS FIRST!!!!!!! REALLY YOU DO!

(cant get blogger to show videos but just click on it. DO IT! NOW!)

This has been a much thought about topic recently amongst people I know. People are desperate to find out who they are, or to change themselves, better themselves... but many people do not manage to find themselves in this crazy-ass, fast paced world. (*insert cheesy Kylie lyric "is the world still spinning round" here*)

I read something the other day;

"Be true to yourself.", but you never say which part of yourself to be true to!"

(taken from The Incredibles) =D

I think we all have "hats" that we wear, I'm pretty sure it was my friend Emma that talked about this aaaaaaaaaaaaages ago. She used to say that she had a "hat" for work, one for Church, one for at home and so on.... and I guess thats what I've been thinking about. I have many "hats" at the moment, and I wonder how many of these hats are true to *me* Am I being myself, true to myself, or am I weighing myself down with "hats" that I don't need to wear.

Is any of this making sense?????? I'm sure its coming accross as garbled gibberish :) (what else do you expect from me???!)

I guess my point is this, I want you to think about who *you* are. Not the you who works in the library, or the you who does the school run or the you who bla bla bla... you get my point. I wanna know about *YOU*

There are too many brave faces and "hats" and things that we do because we should. Stop living under other peoples standards or even your own standards. I have been a slave to my own perfectionist standards for YEARS!!!! It is no fun whatsoever and it turns you crazy!!!

So, me, who am I? I'm not entirely sure but I am seeking to find out who I am. My favourite place where I am discovering myself is in the hoop :) (you know I just got the hoop into a post about nothing related to it!!! LOL) When that hoop is flowing around me, the whole world seems to have disappeared. Hoopnotica quoted this today on her facebook and I have to say I COMPLETELY agree!!

The moment I saw Vivian AKA "Spiral" perform for the first time, I realized that hooping could become a practice. Staying centered in my hoop, unaware of passers-by... Or anything else for that matter. Achieving that state of "Hoopnotica"- where a bomb could explode next to me, and I wouldn't notice at all....THIS is my practice.

This is where I am at in the hoop. I can stick some music on, give it whirl and the cares/stresses/standards that I carry with me are all swirled away in an instant.** The freedom that can be had from what was once a child's toy!!!

(taken by Corette Cornelia Photography)

I am also finding more about me from my close friends - the ones who love me and accept me *just* as I am. (awwww smushy things!!!)

As I stop and think about what I've done and been through in my life, a move within a month from one city to another, a severe, nasty pregnancy illness x2, a trip to Romania, youth work, and various others I am not willing to disclose (cos I'm that mean :-P ) all of these experiences have all joined up to make me who I am today. I can look back on some of these things and think, wow I must be pretty strong/brave/cool/fun/etc to have done all those things.

Little Lu, sat here, is choosing just to be her. That crazy Yorkshire woman living in Bristol. She likes hooping, dancing, singing, music, her kids, her family, her friends, she loves all things simple and looks for ways to tread lighter on the earth, she has lots of random knowledge in pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and child raising and aims to use her knowledge when she can. She loves to spend time with people and looks for adventure and new stuff daily. She loves to encourage and help others and tries to always see the best in people, even if she has to look REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAALLY hard to find it... She can be abit dippy at times, (ok most times....) forgetful, silly and giddy, she will always tell you to shut your eyes when you come to her house as she never feels its up to scratch for visitors but she is always willing to open her home (and usually her heart) to you.

Its nice to take some time to stop and think, remember and hold dear, those times, those people and who I am. I want to continue being true to myself. Not just to a part of me but all of me. I want to drop those standards and labels that are around me (from myself and others) and just be me. I suggest that today and over the coming weeks that you do the same, you may find out you're not that bad after all!!! =D

So go on, who are you???

**This happens only when I am just enjoying the hoop. Don't even get me started on my perfectionism and standards when I'm trying to learn a new trick LOL

The Daily (or not so much LOL) lyric

2010-11-05T14:08:00.001Z

Stars when you shine you know how I feel

Scent of the pine you know how I feel

Oh freedom is mine

And I know how I feel

AND I'M FEELING GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD

Well well well...

2010-11-04T19:27:00.000Z

Forgive the mysterious post.... but I have to say it....

This has been an interesting month!!! I've learnt alot and heard alot of interesting things! I know some stuff about me now. :) This is making an interesting but HEALTHY change in me. It is LONG overdue.

That is all.

=D

Thank-you to those who have no idea what they have done! LOL

Simple woman's daybook. Boy do I need it!!!

2010-11-03T12:43:00.000Z

Havent had chance to do this recently and TBH I need it today.

Outside my window... autumn colours

I am thinking... waaaay too much, thinking is overrated, I think I'll give it up. LOL

I am thankful for... some pretty special people

From the learning rooms... there is much to learn

From the kitchen... after cooking two meals yesterday (at the same time for 7 people) the chicken bones were boiled in my slow cooker (as was the chicken - love the slow cooker for that!!!) and now the bowl is filled to the brim with chicken broth and LOADS of veggies. NOMNOMNOM winter homemade soup!!!
I am wearing... Baggy jeans, heart patterned socks and a pink and blue "LOVE LOUNGING" top. (not to forget my favourite bra) :) lol

I am creating... hoop routines

I am going... to be true to myself, once I know who myself is LMAO

I am reading... The invitation. COOOOOOLBEANS

I am hoping... to have a girlie evening with Corette Nel soon

I am hearing... "Now this is a story all about how my life got twist-turned upside down, now I'd like to take a minute just sit right there, to tell you how I became a Prince of a town called Bel air (sp?)

Around the house... is my children's artwork. <3

One of my favorite things.. is talking with my friends and hooping. And if I can combine the two, BONUS!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Drive my new car and catch up with some people

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Seriously??! Another pic of the shoes???
Yes another pic of the shoes, just look at them!!!!

Every woman should be loved like this...

2010-10-22T20:00:00.000+01:00

Click it, go on, click it NOW!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjhCEhWiKXk

The ninos just keep being so scrummy!!!!

2010-10-22T18:51:00.000+01:00

Aside from the above photo of my boys being so cute right now...

They are overloading me with cuteness right now.... everyday....

O read to me last night! His first book he read words! It was about a pond and animals that some children found there. (yes its important you know this - I'm a proud Mummy!) :-p He sounded out the letters to help him form the words and used the pictures to help him with the longer, trickier words... like dragonfly and pond-skater!!!!

E's speech is coming on amazingly! I think its been about 2 months now since he decided that he might give talking a try instead of screaming. He is coming along so well and more often than not, E and I have the cutest conversations throughout the day. I think spending time with Lauren and Jodie, without me, has really helped him!!! Tonight, he read to me, "That's not my pirate!" also known as, "Pirate *shakes head*" =D

O is loving school and comes home exhausted but happy. It amazes me everyday how big he is.

E is enjoying the extra time with me and today drew a blue balloon for me, proudly announcing, "BLLOON!" with the biggest smile ever.

Sometimes I can't believe I've been lucky enough to have two wonderful boys, yes they push my buttons and test the boundaries, yes its hard work, but they are fab and make me proud.

And to today we say....

2010-10-22T14:01:00.003+01:00

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Daily Lyric - Could this be my theme song???!

2010-10-10T14:55:00.000+01:00

No Doubt - Just a Girl

"'Cause I'm just a girl, little 'ol me

Don't let me out of your sight

I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite

So don't let me have any rights "

I'm just a girl, I'm just a girl in the world!!!!!!

List: Places of Work

2010-10-06T23:01:00.000+01:00

OK, you're bored, what do you do? You make random blog posts, thats what!!!

Here goes; the list of places I have worked

1, Fairmount Park Clubhouse: I worked here with my good friends, Gav, Max and Zoe. Was very funny! Waitressing and serving on the bar to lots of VERY entertaining people!! There was never a dull moment there! Except the replays of Westlife!!!!!! URGH!

2, Harry Ramsdens: Now a wicked takeaway I believe. In good old Girlington. I worked with my friend Kate! Busy busy busy waitressing, wishing I could eat instead of serve.... mmmm.... fish and chips.....

3, Piccolo Nursery: Where I did my NVQ3 training in Early Years and Childcare. :) Yes they qualified me to look after children!!!! :-o I think I worked there for 3 years. I worked at the Baildon one with some lovely girls who I am now unfortunately not in touch with anymore :-( We had ALOT of laughs there. ALOT! This was was sold on to Mooorfield Nursey and I continued there for a while.

4, Nursery Agency: One of the best things I did. Because it was agency work I was paid a bomb!!! =D And I covered alot of nurseries across West Yorkshire. The best one was a long term placement at Thomas Danby College, in Leeds and on the link you'll see the photos of the new development that that facility soooo badly needed. It was there I met some fab girlies and am still in touch with Diana now.

5, I moved onto an unnamed nursery (because it was horrible LOL) where I became Head of 2-5's. I loved the kids there but MY WORD! That was a hard place to work. I'll say no more.... except that it was right by the uni so I was next to the uni hair salon.... cheap hair appointments!!! and cheap student drinks!!! LOL

6, Halfords LTD: I worked at Halfords after getting married. Not sure if Hubbyman was trying to get me to learn more about cars and bikes (it didn't work LOL) but it was a laugh. I got pregnant with O and the pregnancy was so rough I had to quit because I was too sick to work. BLA BLA BLA....

Since then I have been a full time Mummy. :-) I had a go at Avon but, really??? Why would you do that?! LOL

One day I'll get a job! LOL Sadie wants me to work at O's old preschool. Just gotta wait til E is a big boy ad goes to preschool. Now there's a scary thought!!!!

On that note....

Baby E

Baby O

OH MY DAYS! My babes are growing up!

Daily Lyrics with a twist

2010-10-06T09:59:00.000+01:00

NO NO NO NO! I'll never forget. NO NO! I will never regret, I will live my life!

30 seconds to Mars - Closer to the Edge

Below are the comments in the official video. SO SO SO SO GOOD! (Plus Tim is a cutie! LOL)

There are so many moments you can share with anyone, someone and you just feel like that moment will last forever when its only a night or a moment.

Fate has its tricky ways of throwing something in front of you you never expected.

My philosophy in life is don't regret anything you do cos in the end it makes you who you are.

I just wish there was no such thing as fighting, that the world could be like perfect and everybody could get along but obviously that can't happen.

E veryones just going crazy these days, its like the end of the world.

If you make a promise to yourself you have to keep it no matter what.

Some people believe in God I believe in music. Some people pray, I turn up the radio.

Music makes the world go round and right now, if music wasn't around, I wouldn't be around. Music.is.ev.ry.thing.to.me, thats all I can say.

View the amazing video here

OOOOO we're simple womaning again! LOL

2010-10-05T14:03:00.000+01:00

Outside my window... is all the busy people!

I am thinking... that me and you need to have a talk....

I am thankful for... GLEE! and Just Dance.

From the learning rooms... there is much to learn

From the kitchen... is nothig to do! :)

I am wearing... Jeans and my Favourite green and white animal top *swoon*

I am creating... laughter

I am going... to lose weight this coming week!!!

I am reading... devil wears prada still lol

I am hoping... to have my car back, one of these days I will lol

I am hearing... GLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Around the house... is positivity and productivity and any other -ivities I can find!

One of my favorite things.. poke wars LOL

A few plans for the rest of the week: continuing the productiveness

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

It had to be a glee shot! There's so much cheesey goodness there to make anyones day better! :)

You're getting a pep talk! OH YES YOU ARE!

2010-10-05T13:57:00.000+01:00

Now listen up you lot, especially you, but not you so much...

Today is a new day, start believing in yourself! You are MORE than a nice person, you are amazing! Listen to what people have told you before, you can, you do and you are! Pay attention, accept compliments. As a good friend once said to me, "chill out abit, the world is not against you!" YOU ARE AMAZING! Know that today and rinse and repeat tomorrow! :)

Right, thats you lot told.

Quoted Adam C.

Daily Lyric

2010-10-05T11:39:00.000+01:00

When you see my face I hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell!

XD click the link! WOO!

Simple bird's day book

2010-10-04T09:31:00.000+01:00

Outside my window... sunshine makes the wet grass sparkle

I am thinking... OH MY DAYS! This is my boys first full day of school... This is the start of forever.....

I am thankful for... paracetamol with caffine

From the learning rooms... lyrics

From the kitchen... is lunch, dessert, dinner and dessert already made for today!!!

I am wearing... baggies and black vest

I am creating... Ooops Ooops and more Oooops!

I am going... to lose weight this coming week!!!

I am reading... devil wears prada still lol

I am hoping... to have my car back

I am hearing... Kiss

Around the house... Jobs that I hope to get done this week!

One of my favorite things.. music music music music

A few plans for the rest of the week: jobs and nice things

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Daily Lyric

2010-10-04T09:19:00.000+01:00

I know that life can be tough, and someimes can drag you down, but people we have been given a gift, and that gift is ROCK N ROLLLLLLLLL.

God Gave Rock n Roll to you - Kiss

Simple woman's daybook

2010-10-03T20:13:00.000+01:00

Outside my window... darkness

I am thinking... that you are too gorgeous!!!!

I am thankful for... music!!!!

From the learning rooms... not alot

From the kitchen... Ross made scrummy chicken pasta bake!

I am wearing... Shorts and yes you guessed it, a vest top! LOL It has a purple butterfly on!

I am creating... hoops!!!!!

I am going... to lose weight this coming week!!!

I am reading... devil wears prada still lol

I am hoping... to have my car back

I am hearing... Reckless Love

Around the house... Jobs that I hope to get done this week!

One of my favorite things.. music music music music

A few plans for the rest of the week: jobs and nice things

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...


Still pumped from their UK tour!!!!!

Daily Lyric

2010-10-03T18:07:00.002+01:00

SHUT UP, JUST SHUP UP, SHUT UP, JUST SHUT UP!

Shut up - Black Eyed Peas

LOL

Daily Lyric

2010-10-02T17:03:00.003+01:00

Take me down to the paradise city where the grass is green and the girls are pretty!

Paradise City - G n R

Daily Lyric

2010-10-01T12:35:00.000+01:00

I want to be rich and I want lots of money
I don’t care about clever I don’t care about funny
I want loads of clothes and fuck loads of diamonds
I heard people die while they are trying to find them

And i’ll take my clothes off and it will be shameless
Cause everyone knows that’s how you get famous
I’ll look at the sun and I’ll look in the mirror
I’m on the right track yeah I’m on to a winner

Lily Allen - The Fear =D (maybe not take my clothes off LOL)

Simple woman logbook

2010-10-01T12:31:00.000+01:00

Outside my window... rain making good puddles

I am thinking... too many things

I am thankful for... glam/hair rock metal LOL

From the learning rooms... not alot

From the kitchen... recipes and designs for my boys birthday cake! EXCITING!

I am wearing... My favourite baggy jeans and a "mum" top

I am creating... hoops!!!!!

I am going... to tescow ith Lauren lol

I am reading... devil wears prada still lol

I am hoping... to have my car back

I am hearing... adam bomb!

Around the house... muuuuuuuuuuusic!

One of my favorite things.. you! Not you, but you!

A few plans for the rest of the week: nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

GET ROCKIN!!!!

Daily Lyric

2010-09-30T21:00:00.000+01:00

Stolen from an old school friend.

Post a lyric daily to sum up your feelings.

That I don't ever wanna be like you
I don't wanna do the things you do
I'm never gonna hear the words you say
and I don't ever wanna, I don't ever wanna be

You...don't wanna be just like you
Oh what I'm sayin' is this is the anthem, throw all your hands up,
you... don't wanna be you.

Good Charlotte - The Anthem

Simple woman!

2010-09-30T20:39:00.000+01:00

Outside my window... night time cars and stars

I am thinking... Lily Allen says some amazing stuff LOL

I am thankful for... people who are real

From the learning rooms... not alot

From the kitchen... recipes and designs for my boys birthday cake! EXCITING!

I am wearing... My favourite baggy jeans and a "mum" top

I am creating... hoops!!!!!

I am going... to eat my lunch and curl my hair! YAY (such a girl today!)

I am reading... devil wears prada still lol

I am hoping... to hoop today

I am hearing... lily allen lol

Around the house... hoovered carpets because I had energy for 15 minutes today!!!

One of my favorite things.. you! Not you, but you!

A few plans for the rest of the week: nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

MY YOUNGEST TURNS 5 NEXT WEEK!!!!! AARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Motivation/Focus/Moving forward :)

2010-09-23T11:58:00.001+01:00

If there's one thing that I've learned recently it would be that if you want something, you have to be the one to make it happen! For some, this is easy and they step up to it with ease, for others it looks like that big mountain that you will never reach the top of.

Thinking about this for myself, I have found that there is something out there that I want but since it seems too hard to get, I have decided just to not bother trying. This is so unlike me! WHATS WITH ME???!!! And it is here that I plan to make that change!!!

For those wishing to make changes, or accomplish a goal or to reach for that out of reach thing, let me encourage you that it is possible. And you, YES YOU, can do it.

Countless books and websites will help/advise you in the practicle ways to do this; list making, planning, gathering support and new ideas. Google for whatever you need.

I think for me, I needed to get to a point where I realised (and stupid me took a long time to realise!!! *rollseyes*) that I actually knew what I wanted. Looking at the world around us, we are bombarded with things we are told we "need" or social standards tell us that we are not complete without "this thing." Is it any wonder we live in a time where people don't truly know their desires and wants and needs? Each person needs to decide what they want for themselves. I am working out what those things are for me. :)

So, my friends, I offer to you my list:

Decide in your heart of hearts what you truly want.
RE-A-LIST-I-CALLY (very important) plan how you are going to acheive this. Being realistic ensures that you don't burn out and helps you to actually acheive it! We are talking baby steps here. Do NOT overload yourself!
Accept your limitations. IT IS OK TO NOT BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING. You must learn to accept yourself and your abilities to be able to reach your goal. Being strong isn't about being able to do everything, its about being who you are and doing what you can just as you are. <3 (Can I get an amen???!) It is NOT a failure to ask for help and your true friends will help you without judgment or hesistaion.
Don't expect someone to do it all for you - this has to come from you - it is your own baby, your own goal, your own focus. Take that focus/goal/baby, nuture it, dream it, mold it and make it your own.
Praise the baby steps you take that get you closer to acheiving what you want!!!!
You will get there - ENJOY THE JOUNREY!!!! :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I continuously go further and further learning about my own limitations, my body limitation, psychological limitations. It's a way of life for me."

Ayrton Senna

"I don't know what my limitations are until I reach them. I look for the challenge."

Joseph Fiennes

I like that the two following quotes followed each other on the page I was looking at :)

"I resent limitations. I'm going to be this way for a while. "

Fiona Apple

"I respect my limitations, but I don't use them as an excuse. "

Stephen R. Donaldson

"If you accept your limitations you go beyond them. "

Brendan Francis

"If you don't understand your limitations you won't achieve much in your life. "

Kevin Costner

"It's good to take a longer view and think, What would I really like to do if I had no limitations whatsoever? "

Laurie Anderson

"The man with insight enough to admit his limitations comes nearest to perfection."

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE view this link *now* :)

What do you want to do???

Simple woman I am lol

2010-09-23T11:55:00.003+01:00

Outside my window... is my car - returned to me, costing nothing because they couldnt find a fault!!!! GRRRR

I am thinking... that when God made you he was showing off ;)

I am thankful for... Terry's choc orange, and Lauren, Jodie and James.

From the learning rooms... not alot

From the kitchen... is a monkey child helping himself to Jaffa Cakes thinking I dont know! LOL

I am wearing... Jeans (nothing new there) and a vest (nothing else new)

I am creating... beautiful things!

I am going... to eat my lunch and curl my hair! YAY (such a girl today!)

I am reading... devil wears prada still lol

I am hoping... to hoop today

I am hearing... reckless love, never fails to brighten my day

Around the house... is music!!!!!

One of my favorite things.. is my curly curly and curlier hair! =D

A few plans for the rest of the week: Busy day tomorrow seeing lots of different people, off to Jodie and Kev's on Saturday for a night of madness LOL

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Who said I had straight hair???!

:-)

What is in your daybook today?

The Simple Woman's Daybook

2010-09-18T19:43:00.000+01:00

Day 6:

Outside my window... Are some major ass aeroplanes are flying over our heads.

I am thinking... that I have some gorgeous friends who I need to spend more time with.

I am thankful for... chocolate

From the learning rooms... not alot

From the kitchen... food that i cant be bothered to cook event hougth Im hungry

I am wearing... a gorgeous black floaty top and jeans. and fluffy socks cos im cold

I am creating... excitement and inspiration

I am going... EAT EAT AND EAT

I am reading... devil wears prada still lol

I am hoping... to have curly/dreadlocked hair

I am hearing... x factor!!!! LOL

Around the house... is mess :(

One of my favorite things.. is music

A few plans for the rest of the week: not alot - GOT NO WORKING CAR!!!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Did I mention that I want scrummy, lucious curly hair????

The Simple Woman's Daybook

2010-09-17T09:50:00.000+01:00

Day 6: I'm a nearly a week into this and I have to admit, its working! I am actually feeling positive and seeing the positive things more often :)

Outside my window... Beautiful clear blue sky

I am thinking... BE WHO YOU WANNA BE!!!

I am thankful for... freecycle =D

From the learning rooms... I am thinking of all the clothes I want to make

From the kitchen... Budgie makes too much noise

I am wearing... a mountain biking UK tee and shorts
I am creating... a plan
I am going... to help the boys ride to school today

I am reading... devil wears prada still lol

I am hoping... to have curly/dreadlocked hair

I am hearing... the sound of 2 young boys read stories to each other. <3

Around the house... is love and good music

One of my favorite things... my friends!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Hooping, tidying, shopping..

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

The one with the little rocker Lu!

2010-09-17T02:48:00.006+01:00

THURSDAY 17th SEPTEMBER

Just got back from The Furnace, Swindon after seeing Reckless Love on their first UK tour!!! LEGEND!

Thanks to Lauren who babysat for us. :)

Support bands, The Treatment and Jettblack were amazing! We didn't see all of the Treatment's set but Jettblack really was great!

I love the furnace in Swindon. Makes me miss places at home. I think about Rio's (RIP) and Gaudi's (RIP) and the Peel (It better still be there!!!!) Boss thinks there's some good live music venues here in Bristol - we'll be checking those out soon hubby!!!

I nipped outside briefly and who do I see standing there??!!! Only Hessu Maxx, drummer of Reckless Love!!!

I got ID'd to get in!!!! That was funny! Someone had ticked off on the list that we had already arrived!!!! LOL but once we were there and in, we rocked the night good n proppa!

When that beat and bass starts going through you, you know its time to move.

After helping a drunk girl out (why do I always end up doing these things!!!) we managed to get right to the front for Reckless Love!!! So close that I could lick Pepe Salohalme's sweat and look up his nose! LOL They played brilliantly! We were so gutted that the boys didn't come with us. O would've shown Olli how to sing Wild Touch and One More Night and E would've moshed his heart out!!!!!

Hessu, looked amazing spotlighted on drums and not only give some great drum solos, he played around and had a good time (shame he's a Fosters drinker!!) LOL Jalle, looking a little distracted, (by me) :) brought amazing bass to the music and Pepe and him tried to have a mini joking fight on stage, mid song while playing guitars! LOL Pepe, looked focussed as always and enjoyed the time to play and do some rocking guitar solos! Olli, CLEARLY, enjoyed his time! Climbing on the railings, climbing around the upper stand hanging over the crowd on several occaisions! (Felt sorry for the poor girls stood right in front of him when he did that - spit/sweat nomnomnom LOL Shame he was wearing such tight pants!! He belted out the vocals with power! I think I counted 3 top changes but he rocked his Jimmy Choos! LOL

Got loads of pics to commemorate the evening. Most can be found on my facebook page. Such an amazing night. Even though the car wouldn't start and we were 50 minutes away from home, which our babysitter Lauren found hilarious, we still have that after-gig ringing in the ears and it is sooooo worth it! I even got photo's taken with all of the band members!!!

Fantastic start to the UK tour! Thanks Russell for introducing me to the amazing Reckless Love!

Just a few pics:

After Ross and I being abit freaked by how often Jalle looked intently at me, I was happy, VERY happy to chat to the bloke, in person, phwoooaaaaarrrr!

Olli

Pepe, my facebook friend! LOL

Me n Hessu, wicked chat. Was nice chatting outside with him!

Jon Dow from Jettblack and I enjoy a chat, a drink and a photo.

All in all an EPIC night! Check out photos and vids on facebook. You should so get some Reckless Love running through you!!!!!

I've been away from the mosh pit for too long - take me there and let me go!!!!! =D

The Simple Woman's Daybook

2010-09-16T09:27:00.001+01:00

Day 4:

Outside my window... the sun is shining! Hoooooray!!!

I am thinking... that I will go shopping today - just for ME!

I am thankful for... oportunities

From the learning rooms... is still hoop dance routines

From the kitchen... i sporridge for energy

I am wearing... ermmm...... PJs

I am creating... ULTIMATE distruction

I am going... Get my butt moving in a mo!

I am reading... devil wears prada still lol

I am hoping... that Reckless Love is fab tonight!

I am hearing... the boys laughter from upstairs.

Around the house... are chores that I will get done today :)

One of my favorite things... friends who you can be yourself with

A few plans for the rest of the week: RECKLESS LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

OH SHOES!!!! (this is the box of the 3 books im reading)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

2010-09-15T23:01:00.000+01:00

Day 3:
Outside my window... it's dark and starry! :)

I am thinking... that Al Murray makes I laught.

I am thankful for... SCRUMMY YUMMMY GORGEOUS FRIENDS!!!

From the learning rooms... is hoop dance routines.
From the kitchen... I know the fridge and cupboards are full :)

I am wearing... shorts and a big warm jumper and some sexy farm yard animal socks lol

I am creating... a dream

I am going... to meet someone new tomorrow

I am reading... devil wears prada still lol

I am hoping... this random pain goes away

I am hearing... Al Murray and my dog sneeze

Around the house... is Peace

One of my favorite things... friends who you can be yourself with

A few plans for the rest of the week: Jobs, coffee and chats :)

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Simple Woman's Daybook =D

2010-09-14T10:37:00.000+01:00

Day 2:

Outside my window... is wind and rain and clouds. BAH but its making all the trees dance :)

I am thinking... that I need to talk with/see you.

I am thankful for... green smoothies

From the learning rooms... I am excited to be learning new hoop stuff.

From the kitchen... i can hear the dishwasher doing work for me and smell bacon cooking :)

I am wearing... Hubby's dressing gown cos I haven't got dressed yet lol

I am creating... a home :)

I am going... to hoop tonight!!!!

I am reading... blogs of the day!

I am hoping... for unlimited energy resources

I am hearing... the inbetweeners catch up

Around the house... is laughter

One of my favorite things... the slimming world diet - shocking I know

A few plans for the rest of the week: hoop, see Lauren, meet new people, drink hot chocolate lol

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Last nights hot choc!!! This was amazing!!! Milky hot choc with crunched terrys choc orange and mallows with a side order of choc orange segments! NOM NOM NOM

Man, I need to remember that quote!!!

2010-09-13T18:54:00.000+01:00

"If I had my child to raise all over again,
I’d finger paint more, and point the finger less.
I’d do less correcting, and more connecting.
I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less, and know to care more.
I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.
I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I’d run through more fields, and gaze at more stars.
I’d do more hugging, and less tugging.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I’d build self esteem first, and the house later.
I’d teach less about the love of power, and more about the power of love."

Diane Loomans

The Simple Woman's Daybook

2010-09-13T12:25:00.006+01:00

OK so no very obvious jokes about me being a simple woman... or if you can't hold them in, let rip on todays post.... :)

This blog was shown to me by my good friend, Rachel, on her ridiculously amazing blog and I thought, I like that!!!!! So here goes, my simple woman's daybook!

This is the starter page for those wanting to take part.

Day 1:

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... the council grass cutter is making wonderful smells of summery freshly cut grass float through my window....

I am thinking... that I need to hoop today! NOW!

I am thankful for... Hoops LOL

From the learning rooms... I see my linguaphone box dusty and in need of some TLC

From the kitchen... crawl a pile of dishwashing! LOL

I am wearing... Jeans and black vest - yes another vest! Do I ever wear anything else???! My white surfer beads and favourite bracelet! <3

I am creating... chaos!!!

I am going... to walk my nearly 5 year old to school and then onto the post office! OH FUN!

I am reading... the devil wears prada!!

I am hoping... for a light

I am hearing... grass cutters and motley crue

Around the house... are jobs I am procrastinating from doing lol

One of my favorite things... is my mirrored and black hoop!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Start my hooping course with Lauren tomorrow night!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

SaFire, amazing pro hooper and more, hooping against a beautiful sunset. (video link)

Revamp and living it!

2010-06-10T13:11:00.005+01:00

Yahooooooooooo! Welcome to me, Lu, new and improving..... Its going to be a good ride!

Finally, I am experiencing freedom and life and moments.... this is me. Who I am and where I wanna be going....

Come and share a new adventure with me!

Slow down, live the moment, have no regrets and be who you want to be!

Just wanted to share two things I've seen recently....

Stop and think about each one... slowly...

Practise makes improvement
try...then try again... and again
try it slowly... even if it barely counts
watch for hesitation or you'll miss your chance
just keep going
document it even if you plan never to share
repeat it over and over and over
stretch your limits
try different, even if its ridiculous
sieze the moment
celebrate success
get tangled up
stop and breath
stay creative
challenge yourself
remove distractions
laugh
accpet the uncomfortable
we only learn if we drop drop drop
and most importantly..... try not to judge yourself
practise makes improvement
be strong
find balance
take risks
play
play hard
smile and love the process

:)

Below are the lyrics to a song by Taio Cruz that fits my thoughts today too: (not my normal choice in music but the lyrics fit) :)

Now I feel that this hold of mine has taken many forms
Still sometimes the rain can turn into a waterfall
The prettiest things can come out of the coldest mind, yeah
And even with broken wings, sometimes you find your way to fly

It’s time to be bigger bigger, stronger stronger, harder harder
It’s time to be bigger bigger, stronger stronger, harder harder
It’s time to be

Now I feel that this soul of mine has had its many tolls, yeah
Still sometimes the pain is what we need for us to grow, yeah
So when it’s time for me to look into my deepest side
I will, I will find a way to hold onto the love inside

It’s time to be bigger bigger, stronger stronger, harder harder
Yes, I can be bigger bigger, stronger stronger, harder harder
Yes, I can be bigger bigger, stronger stronger, harder harder
Yes, I can be bigger bigger, stronger stronger, harder harder
Yes, I can be

See I can be anything I want to be
All I have to do is put my mind to it and I can do it
So what I want you to do is put your fist to the sky and say it with me:

I can be bigger bigger, stronger stronger, harder harder
Yes, I can be bigger bigger, stronger stronger, harder harder
Yes, I can be bigger bigger, stronger stronger, harder harder
Yes, I can be bigger bigger, stronger stronger, harder harder
Yes, I can be
I can be

Watch it here

Enjoy! BE YOURSELF! LOVE YOURSELF! LIVE!

What Mother's Do - a free gift giveaway blog post!!!

2010-04-19T17:12:00.006+01:00

I have just finished reading an amazing book that I feel all mothers-to-be (and mothers) should read.

The book is called what mothers do especially when it looks like nothing by Naomi Stadlen.

Naomi puts into words what mother's do - it is refreshing to read, we are reminded that as mothers we are doing the most important thing ever. She covers staying at home mostly but does touch on mother's who have to work too. She is very gentle in her writing and although she briefly talks about her preferences on parenting styles, she does not force her view upon you in anyway and shares other ideas too.

Such a good book. Makes me proud to be a mother and the job I do. I feel validated that the path I have chosen is a hard one but one that is totally worth it and one that is important. I feel empowered and strong to continue inamongst troubles, to raise my boys the best way I can.

Its not a guide on how to have a baby but its honest and tells you about the realities of becomig a mother and what journey you go through, with real quotes from mothers who have been there done that and those that are right there too. It could put you off becoming a mother for life - but hopefully it will strengthen you and prepare you for whats ahead.

Please please read this book! Because I think this book is that good, I am willing to purchase ad give away 2 copies for anyone that posts on this blog post! I will wait util Monday night and once all the coommets are in, I'll ask my kids to pick 2 numbers. I will then contact the winner re shipping. :)

The chapters are titled:

Who understands?
nothig prepares you
All the responsibilty
Being instantly iterruptible
The power of comfort
I get nothig done all day
So tired I could die
What do babies seem to want
What is motherly love
I was suprised that I still had the same name
Snapping at my parter
Closer to my mother

Below are some exerts from the book that stuck out for me.

"Was I really worthy to take care of this baby? I looked down at her bright eyes, all silvery with newly born light, and the sight of her seemed to settle an inner argument with myself. she looked good, and surely this meat that life itself must be essetially good."

"motherhood is not a competition. its huge. no one could ever fulfil all its possibilities. one could never make entirely good choices. surely no mother could ever be a total failure."

"when a mother cant explain her day, she is very unlikely to say: "maybe the right words are missing" who has the energy to be insightful at the end of a demading day? no, a mother who has little to relate usually assumes that this is because there is really very little worth telling. If it felt important at the time, if she feels tired now, she supposes that this is because she must have blown up the little events out of proportion."

"We could walk ito a room where a mother had just spent an hour calming her distressed baby. We might apologise for disturbing her. She would probably reply: "Its alright I wasnn't doing anything special" BUT SHE WAS"

"I was a trained midwife, so i was used to holding babies, and 'topping ad tailing' them. But I remember looking at baby boy, after we'd got home from the hopspital, and seeing his dear little face and hands - and having a wee bit of a cry at the responsibility. You don't prepare for that as a midwife."

"The word 'responsible' is related to 'response' - ad responding is exactly what a mother finds herself doing. She learns to respond to her baby."

"mothers learn that their babies become distressed if they don't respond quickly. Seen like this, a mother's choice makes sense. She wants her baby to learn that he can trust her. She is in control of her own decision to respond, even when this interrupts her."

"The word comfort derives from the latin word fortitudo, which means stregth. Mothers use their compassion to find wyas of helping to restore their babies to a sense of strength"

"Having a baby is not like taking an extended holiday from daily life. It is daily life.

"she has to share that special place with her baby. sharing is not easy, especially at the beginning wyhen she finds she has to keep prioritising the interests of the newborn."

"a mother: the woman who will always feel home to us."

I hope that has wetted your appetite for more.....

Hyperemesis

2010-03-30T18:05:00.005+01:00

For those of you who never heard about Eddie's pregnancy woman uncensored writes it well here. This is like reading my story. There isn't much detail different apart from I was 200miles away from anyone I knew and Ross couldn't get time off.

The BBC writes about it and the Her Foundation has LOTS of great resources and stuff that look into it further.

Not many suffer with this. It is way worse than "morning sickness" a term which is twaddle anyway. (Don't get me started onthat one - morning??????!!!!!)

I hope others can learn more about what women have to go through with this horrible pregnancy symptom, I don't know if I'll ever get over that time of my life.

I had my story published online

2010-03-30T17:59:00.002+01:00

Woman uncensored published my relactation story on her blog. 3000+ hits a day apparantly! That's an amazing amount of people! I know some people shared the story with others too. I'm so happy I can share what we did with others.

Please click on her name and see my article :)

Friday five!

2010-03-26T23:29:00.005Z

Iits Friday Five time!

1, I have nasty heartburn and can't sleep. That sucks.
2, Glee tunes make me happy.
3, My boys are cute and do the cutest things.
4, I have secrets. =D
5, I know some pretty cool people.

G'night!

Beautiful blog award

2010-03-26T16:29:00.003Z

I was just given my very first blog award! Thanks Rachel. My little, not visited and unused blog got an award! LOL In light of this, I hope to use my blog more often. So I now will pass on my blog awards to peoples blogs I read nearly everyday!.

♥Thank the person who nominated you and link to their blog. (Rach - yor blog makes me smile and I lvoe that we can talk knitting and glee and Mraz and many other things. I do hope you get ur butt to Brizzle one day.)

♥Copy the award and paste it to your blog.

♥Pass this award on to 15 fantastic bloggers you have discovered.

♥Contact your nominations and let them know they've won.

And the winners are.....

1, Walk SLowly Live Wildly is a great thought provoking blog. Im not sure how I came accross this, I think it had something to do with her having dreads for 3 years. She's fab.

2, Our SImple Journey is by an online friend, Jenny. She makes some fab blog posts about parenting and its very encouraging to read.

3, Rachel is a friend I know through my brother. She rocks! :) I love her blog too!

4, Hello Bee is the blog of someone I grew up with! :) She's great and her blog makes me smile.

5, Lavenar sparkles I LOVE reading the things that you are grateful for.

6, Katie m. Berggren is an artist. She paints beautiful pictures, available on her etsy store. Alongside showing her paintings, she provides lots of wonderful thoughts about motherhood and life and stuff.

7, Simple Mom has LOADS of ideas. She covers all sorts of stuff from homeschooling to housekeeping etc etc.

8, Martin Flett is a muscian and writer and my brother! I love reading his thoughts, but he needs to stop neglecting his blog - its more important that writing songs! LOL

9, Alien from Zog is a blog by my friend in Bristol. I feel intelligent reading his blog!

10, BohoPhotography I love reading her thoughts and things each day. She is inspiring and her photography is amazing! If there was ever someone I would want to be like - its her!

These are in no way in any order. I love them all for very different reasons.

Happy blogging awards! :)

A new year, a new start (so the facebok group says)

2010-01-02T20:29:00.003Z

I don't buy that whole idea that 2010 will be magically different from any other year. BUT, in light of realising that 2008 and 2009 claimed most of my life and I don't have much recollection of it, I intend to make 2010 a year I remember.

Resolutions always seem pointless as people give up by 23rd Jan.... but here are things that I aim for and I think its a good idea to put them up here. I pinched a few from friends lists for the year as they were perfect <3

Make the most of everyday - No regrets

Choose time wisely - hobbies etc

Friendships

Diet and exercise

Routines

GOMB!!!!

Laugh daily

Research what I wanna know and get the anwers.

Attempt to FROG

Journal/blog

Be myself

Love Love Love

Happy new year everyone! :) Lets see how this one turns out!

Getting used to things and christmas '09 ponderings

2009-12-24T21:10:00.003Z

This has been a very odd time of year for me. I am kind of confused/bewildered. We have been fortunate to visit and celebrate christmas with my family in Yorkshire and to play and enjoy the 5"(???) of snow, which they loved. :)

We last visited in October for Spud's birthday and it was lovely. We had such a lovely time. This was the first time since we moved from there that I haven't cried when travelling home. The sadness and pain I felt was because I feel so much hurt for taking my boys away from a place where they feel secure and know that they are meant to be near the people they love so much. It hurts when I think about taking them away from them. For me though, it was a very odd thing to not cry - I dont know why I didnt. ::scratch head::

I sit here now, in Yorkshire, at my mother's dining room table and I think about how I will feel in 2 days time when we pack and start a long 200 mile journey home - I am not looking forward to it. It still hurts. I think it always will. However, this time it has felt very odd. I am missing home. Yes I said home. ::puzzled:: Yorkshire has always been home. But now Bristol is too. I guess its because my life is based in Brizzle now. God has given me 2 very close friends with children the same age as mine, who I can share with and get a friendship that I have been looking for since moving down. I am so fortunate. It feels odd that 2 and a half years of what I can't put into words, and only NOW does it seem that things are beginning to fall into place. ::sigh:: But none the less, it *is* happening. I don't know why it has had to be this way. I certainly have not liked it and still struggle that its not 100% (Question: Will it ever be?) but for now I don't even feel like we're at 80%.

I guess the thing I can take from all of this is that when we go home, we take home some amazing memories and return home to what is starting to feel like normal (whatever that is! LOL) One day I hope to write that everything is much better (perfect will never happen because that only comes through Jesus when we reach Heaven) but I do look forward to a time when it seems better than it is now. It feels nicer to have it better than it was before.

Being christmas eve, I sit here like a small child!! LOL I am so excited. My boys got to have snowball fights, go sledging and make a big snowman (called Oddy by Spud). It has been magical. Christmas really does feel different when their are little ones to enjoy the wonder and excitement. We do talk about what this holiday represents and will take time to think about Jesus and what God did for us in sending His son ::amen:: This is such a special time of year and I'm so thankful for my boys (including Boss lol) I cannot wait to see my boys faces tomorrow when they come downstairs and see their presents and stockings full. We are so blessed that we can do this. We don't go mad, its only little things but I know they will be happy.

If anyone has read this, thank-you for taking the time to read and I appreciate any prayers for healing from the move and this 2 and a half years it has taken and that I won't worry too much about whatever God has planned for the next 2 and a half years and beyond :)

I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and wish you many blessings for the new year. Take time to wonder and think upon what God did for you and talk with Him about it.

Blessings

Lu

How to estimate church attendance!

2009-12-20T14:03:00.002Z

Just abit of a fun blog post I found yesterday!

It's a complex thing to measure church attendance but here are a few pointers on arriving at an accurate number based on the attendance figures they give you.

- 50% if its a Pentecostal worship service because they count the legs and forget to divide by two.

- 30% if its a Baptist church because they count members on the roll and not all of them are still living.

- 25 % if its a Reformed church service because they count the people who SHOULD have been there.

+ 10 if its a Vineyard service because those rugs on the floor were actually people!

+ 20% if it's a fundamentalist church because they don't count the people they didn't want there.

- 30% if it's an Anglican/Presbyterian/Methodist church because the number they gave you is from their huge Easter service.

+ 15% if it's an ethnic/non-western service because all those people coming late missed the counting.

- 10% if its a megachurch because the worship team and welcome team got counted during all 5 services.

- 520% if its a Catholic church because they count the parish, not the church attendance.

+ 20% if it's an emergent service because those having a smoke outside were not counted.

- 15% if it's a house church because the neighborhood kids playing video games in the back room somehow