August

Well what a month!

Started with going to a High Tea for Montrose Access with the two Jades, Colleen, and Jane. Lucky for me that I had let the kids watch TV when they were younger. It meant I could answer a question that no one else knew about Judith McGrath (who was guest speaker), that no one else knew. For that I won a sitting and portrait at Porfyri Photography Annerley. While I could of had the photos done with the family, I decided to be selfish and just have them done of myself. They turned out great and are the only pics of myself that I have seen that I truly like. I got a set of 3 black and white framed, which now proudly hang on the dining room wall.

Peter and I went and saw Jon English in concert at Ipswich Civic Centre. Have loved his music since I was about 12 and have seen him in numerous things over the years, including musicals, plays, concerts and on tv in shows. I think he is one of Australia's most diverse talents, who goes largely unrecognised.

The following week and day prior to my birthday, I went to a play called Ladies Night with Jan, Nicci, Jeanette, Wendy and her friend. We left with our jaws sore from laughing so much and commenting on what may have been accidental late 'light-dimming' moment at the end. We certainly got an eye full haha.

On the day I turned 50, we had Nicci, Brian and Gaanz staying. The kids were all home and we had a bbq dinner. While it was great to have them all there celebrating with me, I was hurt by the fact that my parents, who were travelling from Blackbutt to Port Macquarie for a holiday that day, couldn't take the time to drop in and say happy birthday as they went pass. Instead I got a phone call mid morning to say happy birthday and did I get their card. I told them no and got the reply 'oh well it will turn up in the mail some time'. I got the card with the $30 enclosed - which is better than the clothes I have gotten in the past that are 10 sizes too small and told 'for when you lose weight or you could give it to Jade'.

Saturday I met Chris at Brisbane airport for him to stay the weekend, always great to catch up with how his life is going. We all got to dress up in our best 60's gear and head off to North's for my party.
The only downfall with parties is that you don't get to spend as much time as you want to talk to everyone. Jade had done a great job decorating the place and while there was no cake by orders of me, I got to thank everyone who has helped us over the years.

We did a lot of dancing, which in turn reminded me later that night that I am not 18 and heat packs were used on back and hips and lots of water drunk to help with leg cramps haha. I had a great time and hope that everyone else did as well.

Unfortunately everyone had to leave Sunday and I didn't get to spend enough time with my dear friends. Maybe next time I can lock them all up, so they can't go home lol.

Its my friends that make me feel extremely special and the ones that I can count on. Thank you all so much for your friendships and love.

Now to pull my finger out and get some more items crossed off my list. After all, I only have 4 months to do it in lol.

1. Read 50 10 books in the year. Doesn't matter what type but as long as its 50 and I will be able to keep track with my new kindle.
2. Do another cooking class. At least 1 but hopefully 2. So far done 6, one of which was with Jamie Oliver and one on the ship
3. Go on a holiday, hopefully to Melbourne. I was last there in 1984, so just a few years ago lol
4. Go to a horse 'cup' day
5. Go down another 20kgs (gotten a bit stuck at the moment)
6. Get a lot more writing from my autobiography done - Been doing heaps of that
7. Have lunch or dinner at Bretts wharf or Aria Brisbane - Peter's boss said he is taking me for my birthday
8. Go through the glow worm caves at Springbrook hopefully when the glow fungi is out as well or the fireflies
9. Do a charity event - with not a lot of walking done today MDAQ walk
10. Have a tarot reading - have the name of someone really good in Fernvale
11. Go to a musical (booked for Jersey Boys in July)
12. Go to gold class movie
13. Go on a cruise - booked and leaving in April
14. Get a fish - either fighter or gold fish or two. Now have Elvis my blue suede fighting fish
15. Go to a zoo
16. Go to brisbane city markets - doing this with voucher from birthday
17. Brisbane's koala and river cruise
18. Toowoomba carnival of flowers
19. Attend a dawn service
20. Go to Q1 lookout - got a voucher for this for my birthday
21. Get my bonsai started
22. crystal castle at mullumbimby
23. finish a crocheted rug. I start them all the time, just never finish
24. have a facial Have had a couple now
25. have a massage
26. try a new food Tried dragon fruit and poppadoms and some vegetarian dishes so far and now macaroons
27. aqua aerobics classes.  Done and going to do more
28. be part of a flash mob - now where does someone find these people
29. Drive a convertible with the top down and music blaring.
30. Get family tree in order - got heaps of this done
31. Go on a retreat
32. Go to the comedy club 
33. Play blackjack at the casino - done and won
34. Swim in the ocean - haven't done this for many many years
35. Go to an opera or listen or an opera singer - realized I had already done this
36. Spend a night at maleny/montville
37. Hold a snake - to overcome a fear (Went on the Brisbane wheel to overcome fear of heights but had to get off, so only went around once. Never again lol )
38. Attend the good food festival
39. feed the homeless - was looking into this a couple of months ago but didn't do anything about it. (contacted agencies but none have gotten back to me yet)
40. do a belly dancing class - well I have enough belly to wobble haha
41. try a new drink  tried lots of new ones now lol
42. queen mary falls walk
43. drink a cocktail done and dusted
44. host a murder mystery dinner party - have the game here, now to organize
45. Put $5 a day into money box - use it for something special at the end of the year. - been doing this
46. Have a games night with friends
47. Put $50 on black at the casino for my first and only bet at the table. and won
48. Trike ride from Gold Coast to Mt Tambourine wineries
49. Ride on a carousel
50. Have a kick arse birthday party (venue, dj, food sorted. Decorations started)

End of a decade

Don't you just hate those early mornings, when for whatever reason you wake and your mind starts racing? This morning was one of those for me. No matter how much I tried to turn off my brain and go back to sleep, it was equally determined to keep going.

I don't even know why these thoughts were in my head, maybe it was triggered by a dream or a subconscious memory. Whatever the cause, it was not going to go until I got up to put it on paper.... well on computer screen.

So what is it that makes sleep evasive? I guess you would call it a reflection of the past 10 years. Yes, as I am about to enter my fifties, I was remembering the last decade.

While my 20's were mainly full of happiness and my 30's a blur, my 40's have been full of some of my highest highs and lowest lows and greatest achievements (apart from my kids).

Ten years ago I joined an online forum with the name of emailcash (emc). This forum was later going to give me some of my greatest support and dearest of friends to enter my life.

At the age of 42 and Ryan being nearly 16, he had to have rods inserted in his back. We were told that there was a 2% chance that he would lose any movement that he had. Pfffft what is 2%, nothing really but yet more than you can ever imagine.

Ryan was able to feed himself, move his arms - not with full movement, but enough to do the things he wanted to do. He had head control and could be transferred easily. He could be laying on his side and roll onto his back. This is what 2% looks like! But I am getting ahead of myself.

Ryan was booked in to have the op. My plan was to stay with him until he went into theatre, then come home, to return when the op was finished 7 hours later. But the doctors told me that I wasn't going to be allowed to leave and had to stay at the hospital, just in case.

So to the rescue the faceless people of EMC. A lovely woman with the online name of tauruschild, came and sat with me the whole time that Ryan was in theatre. Another by the name of pozzie, took updates to inform those online. They kept my nerves in check and me sane.

Two weeks after coming out, Ryan was back in. His back had opened up and it needed to be opened right up and cleaned out. This is when I first got to meet Floyd face to face. He took Peter and I to dinner near the hospital while Ryan was in theatre. Another stint in icu and on the ward and then Ryan was home again.

Once recovery was over, then we found he had none of the previous movement that he was capable of.

This, then led to a spiral of me punishing myself. While as a mother of a DMD boy, you can have genetic tests that say your not a carer, but that it was a mutant egg that cause it. You still have the guilt that you had the mutant egg. Yes I know that doesn't make sense, but no one said things had to be rational. So each set back for him, you feel guilt, then punish yourself.

So this led me at around 44, by my doctor telling me, that if I didn't do something soon, that I wouldn't see 50. So after 32 years of smoking, I gave up - cold turkey. I was quite proud of myself. Not long after, I had the worse asthma attack of my life. See what healthy living does for you lol.

I ended up in the Wesley for around 10 days. Afterwards the specialist told me, that when I was admitted, he had thought I would never leave alive. Again the people of emc were there to visit and ring with offers of help.

Now it was also around this time (or maybe a year or so before) that I took over secret santa on emc. In September each year, people would sign up to send a gift or card to another person. A co-ordinator would give you a name and address of someone to send to. I did this for 5 years and it gave me a great senses of achievement. By the time I stopped, there were over 300 people participating and thousands of cards being sent around the country.

Doing this, meant that I got to know people even better than I would of. I haven't been on the forum for years, but still have those that I got close to, in my life.

Anyway, back to my hospital stint. After getting out I had to go for a sleep study which showed I had sleep apnoea. I started to punish myself in a new way - eating. My weight went up to 167kg. Then one day I had chest pains and ended up going by ambulance to Ipswich hospital, who then sent me by ambulance to ccu at the Wesley.

Again a specialist there said to lose weight or die. So that led me to having lapband and losing 60kgs so far.

Doing that has meant that I have been able to get off the steroids for my asthma, my blood pressure medication and my diabetes is constantly in a normal range.

3 years ago I was able to go on a road trip with Jade and meet some of those from EMC that supported me through those times. I could do so much more than ever before.

Last year I did a charity walk and this year is full of doing all those things that you keep saying 'I should do that one day'.

While my 40's may have started and possibly ended early, through determination and life changes, I am getting to see it through to my 50's. From writing a lot of my thoughts and feelings down, I am finding new ways to deal with life.

I have so many people in my life that I am grateful for - Jan, Colleen, Veronica, Kerrie who are the family I choose and who have been there for me. The emc crowd, who are no longer faceless to me, but another source of strength. I am blessed to have you all in my life. These people have been through the good and the bad, they don't judge me, or expect me to behave in certain way. They accept me for who I am - warts and all.

So now I embark onto my journey of the nifty fifties. I am sure it will have its ups and downs, but I also know that I will come out fighting and enjoying it as much as possible.

List update

Just a quick update. Went and saw Jersey Boys and it was great. Need to pull my finger out and get some more done over the next couple of months.

1. Read 50 30 books in the year. Doesn't matter what type but as long as its 50 and I will be able to keep track with my new kindle.
2. Do another cooking class. At least 1 but hopefully 2. So far done 6, one of which was with Jamie Oliver and one on the ship
3. Go on a holiday, hopefully to Melbourne. I was last there in 1984, so just a few years ago lol
4. Go to a horse 'cup' day
5. Go down another 20kgs (gotten a bit stuck at the moment)
6. Get a lot more writing from my autobiography done - Been doing heaps of that
7. Have lunch or dinner at Bretts wharf or Aria Brisbane - Peter's boss said he is taking me for my birthday
8. Go through the glow worm caves at Springbrook hopefully when the glow fungi is out as well or the fireflies
9. Do a charity event - with not a lot of walking done today MDAQ walk
10. Have a tarot reading - have the name of someone really good in Fernvale
11. Go to a musical (booked for Jersey Boys in July)
12. Go to gold class movie
13. Go on a cruise - booked and leaving in April
14. Get a fish - either fighter or gold fish or two. Now have Elvis my blue suede fighting fish
15. Go to a zoo
16. Go to brisbane city markets
17. Brisbane's koala and river cruise
18. Toowoomba carnival of flowers
19. Attend a dawn service
20. Go to Q1 lookout
21. Get my bonsai started
22. crystal castle at mullumbimby
23. finish a crocheted rug. I start them all the time, just never finish
24. have a facial Have had a couple now
25. have a massage
26. try a new food Tried dragon fruit and poppadoms and some vegetarian dishes so far and now macaroons
27. aqua aerobics classes.  Done and going to do more
28. be part of a flash mob - now where does someone find these people
29. Drive a convertible with the top down and music blaring.
30. Get family tree in order - got heaps of this done
31. Go on a retreat
32. Go to the comedy club 
33. Play blackjack at the casino - done and won
34. Swim in the ocean - haven't done this for many many years
35. Go to an opera or listen or an opera singer - don't know if I could sit through a whole opera.
36. Spend a night at maleny/montville
37. Hold a snake - to overcome a fear (Went on the Brisbane wheel to overcome fear of heights but had to get off, so only went around once. Never again lol )
38. Attend the good food festival
39. feed the homeless - was looking into this a couple of months ago but didn't do anything about it. (contacted agencies but none have gotten back to me yet)
40. do a belly dancing class - well I have enough belly to wobble haha
41. try a new drink  tried lots of new ones now lol
42. queen mary falls walk
43. drink a cocktail done and dusted
44. host a murder mystery dinner party - have the game here, now to organize
45. Put $5 a day into money box - use it for something special at the end of the year. - been doing this
46. Have a games night with friends
47. Put $50 on black at the casino for my first and only bet at the table. and won
48. Trike ride from Gold Coast to Mt Tambourine wineries
49. Ride on a carousel
50. Have a kick arse birthday party (venue, dj, food sorted. Decorations started)

Books

Everything evokes a memory within you. Today it was talking about Puberty Blues the book. It had me returning to a journey of years past.


Mills and Boon. I (and any of my friends from school also will) remember a friend Belinda, who use to sit in class pretending to read a text book, all the while a Mills and Boon was hidden inside it. She was always getting into trouble for reading them in class. My thoughts were always that I would never read that dribble. Hmmm, well I think Belinda might of been ahead of her time, as here I am some 30 odd years later and yes, I read Mills and Boon. I must say though, that they are a lot more racy now than back then.


When Puberty Blues came out, it was THE book to read. A story that told of how things really were with a lot of young girls at the time. Also a book that had my mother asking 'why I was reading that rot'.


The books that I was reading that I didn't let my mother know about - she was a mills and boon reader - were Valley of the Dolls, and Jackie Collins books. These books were all about the things that you couldn't, or rather were not allowed to talk about: drugs and sex.


These days, when you compare the once tame Mills and Boons to them, they are getting pretty much on par of content.


Its funny when you start to think about the time when you read those books. You get a happy warmth through your body and a smile on your face. Whether it was the content or that it was a time of freedom and fun, it brings on a great feeling. One of being relaxed and carefree.


Another book from that era and one that I wish to get and read again - Sunshine by Norma Klein. Based on the true story of Jacquelyn Helton and her battle with a terminal condition while raising her young child. One that whether reading the book or watching the movie, you needed tissues. 


As a young girl, I always use to take The Diary of Anne Frank, out of the library. The library use to be on the corner of Nicholas and Limestone streets in Ipswich. The Diary of Anne Frank was in the adult section upstairs from the children's books. The librarian use to say 'you're taking it out again!!' Must be where my love of autobiographies started.


Way back in 1997 I think it was. I met a woman on the net called Constance Foland. I can't even remember how I met her to start with, but she asked me to help her with a book she was writing. It was about a young girl with a friend with muscular dystrophy. She wanted my imput as to what would and wouldn't be possible for this boy to do. 


When the book was published she sent me a copy of the book. It was really interesting to read the things I had said to put in and the changes I had said needed to happen. It made me feel a real part of it.


And although I have enjoyed all the books above, you can't beat a good biography. I tend to go more for those that aren't of famous people. Broken - the story of a survivor of child abuse, so bad that most others would not have come out of it as strong as Shy Keenan. 


Don't tell mum I work on the oil rigs:she thinks I am a piano player in a whore house - a story by and about Paul Carter. This one had me laughing so much at times that I was crying. It tells of his travels around the world working on oil rigs and what they get up to off work hours.

Reading can teach you, transfer your mind to fantasy worlds, make you happy, sad, angry and every emotion in between.  It can let you remember times now gone and keep your memories alive. 

Its also one of the biggest gifts that you can give to your child. 

Dreams

Do you ever have a dream that just seems to stay with you? I had one a couple of nights ago. I wonder what the dream readers would make of this one.

I was on a cruise and I think with Peter, but that is a bit hazy. It seemed to be an around this world type of cruise.

Anyway, we had docked in an African country. The reason for being here, was that we were going to see the world's greatest wonder... although none of us knew what it was. The crew had told us that the reason we were in this port, was that we had to wait for the tide to come in, so that the ship could be manoeuvred to the area we were going and that the ships that were there would get out.

For whatever reason, the tide was very detailed. Where the other ships were, would have high tide while we were still low. Then they would sail out and we would all pass at a point where the high/low tide met. Once in this area, we had to wait until the next tide change to do what we had to and get out.

The other thing we were told, was to not go too far. If the ship left dock before we got back on, there was no way to join back up until everything was over.

With nothing really to look at in this village. I decided to go for a walk. As I walked along, some African children joined me. The more that joined the quicker I walked, until finally I was doing a slow jog.... and loving it.

I was heading up a dusty, dirt road. It was quiet steep, but the further up I got the faster I ran. As I reached the top, I was suddenly on a cliff edge. I was waving my arms around in a circle trying to get my balance without falling. My heart was racing and my breathing stopped. But more than that, my body was feeling joyous. A huge, amazing wondrous sight was before me.

My body stabilized, but that didn't matter. I was too busy taking in what was before me. In the distance was a line of cruise ships. They were waiting for the tide to rise. When a wave came in, a ship would ride it and rise higher and higher into the air. No one was on the decks, as it was too dangerous to be out, due to the swaying of the ship from side to side. You could see everyone inside, glued to the windows, with what I imagine was the same look on my face.

Before them and me, was an amazing gold and stone lost Inca temple. I could only see the roof and part of the back as I looked down on it, but those on the ship, rose up to be level and see it in all its glory.

As that ship went out with the wave, another came in and so on until they all got to see it. I had a nervous excitement run through my body. I knew that I would be hurt from the throwing around on the ship, but did I want to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity.

I started to run as fast as I could down the hill and back towards the dock. I wanted to ring Peter or the ship and tell them I was coming and I wanted to do this. But I had forgotten my phone. I ran faster and faster and was amazed that my asthma didn't play up and happy that it didn't since I also had left the ship without my inhaler.

As I ran into the village I couldn't find the ship. In fact I couldn't even find any water. There was a compound with armed military guards around it. I tried to ask them where the ship was. They didn't speak English but just kept pushing me out of the area with their guns.

I had stopped and searched the skyline for any sign of a ship above the buildings but nothing........then my alarm woke me.

Cup Day

Thank you to my friend Veronica for making it possible for me to cross off number 4 on my list of attending a Cup Day.

Last month, Veronica a friend of mine or as I say with much fondness 'that we put up with each other', asked if I wanted to go to Ipswich Cup. After some thought I said yes and so the build up to the day began.

I can't remember if I told you that I had bought a dress for my party while on holidays at the Sunshine Coast. A lovely electric blue dress with black beads. It was originally $110 but I got it for $25 on sale. Bargain!! So I decided to wear this to the Ipswich Cup.

As I am not a big shoe person, I already had my standard sandals to wear and I had a bag to match. So that only left a hat. I dragged Peter around and we found that since it wasn't Melbourne Cup time, hats were not to be found. In the end I found a hat at Target on sale. The flower on it was the wrong colour, so I bought another, some feathers, blue diamantes and walla!, a hat was born. Earring to match - yes on sale and my whole outfit cost me under $40.

On the day Peter drove Veronica, her husband Doug, Joel her daughters boyfriend, her friends Maree and Michelle and myself to the cup. We met Veronica's brother Brendan, or as he is affectantly known 'cranky pants'.  I must say, we were a very smart looking bunch.

After a short trek down the street, over grass and across the track, we arrived at the Breezers Marquee. It was easy to find a table for us to sit at, scoop out the surroundings of all the important areas - betting area, check, bar area check.

We had tips from a friend of Veronica's (Warren if you are reading this, Doug and I thought your tips stunk lol). I thought instead of going back and forth I would put the whole days worth of bets on all at the beginning. Probably a wise idea as I knew then how much I had spent and didn't get carried away like some of the guys I saw there, when going back and forth to place bets.

One thing I had thought of doing was to have a big breakfast, since I knew I would be drinking. This I think saved me any embarrassment. You have heard me say I don't drink very much, with 2 or 3 drinks in a session my limit. Yesterday was my once in a blue moon exception to this. I started with a bottle of wine (was equal to 2 standard drinks in the bottles), 2 bottles of champagne by which time my throat was starting to burn from the acid in the drinks.

When I was younger I use to drink Barcardi a lot, but in the last probably 30 years, have only had it once or twice. Since I am not a barcardi and lolly water type of person, I opted for the cans of Barcardi and Cola. It was like saying hello to an old friend. I think I had about 5 of those by the end of the day.

Drinks were included in the price of the ticket for 6 hours and finger foods included for 4 hours. Finger food consisted of pies, sausage rolls, sushi, wraps cut into inch rounds with ham, roast beef, cheese and lettuce. There were spring rolls, money bags, prawn twists and probably other things I have forgotten.

The porta loos were an experience and goes to show I don't get out much. I figured out how to get the water to wash my hands after a while, but had to ask how to flush the toilet as I couldn't figure it out and didn't want to push anything that might have the toilet falling through the floor.

Veronica and I went for a wander around, found the beauty tent where they wanted to fix our hair and make-up. I asked them if we looked that bad and she didn't reply, just gave me vouchers for their salon haha. I got to put a bet on with a bookie, which didn't win.

Doug who had been MIA returned but really just to go to sleep at the table. A group of guys seated near us were entertaining when they got on their chairs to belt out Sweet Caroline.

All in all it was a fantastic day and one that I will repeat again.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Again I have updated my list. One of the things that isn't on here but I achieved recently is crocheting a knee rug. Every year I buy wool and start a rug and don't even get through one ball of wool before I stop. This year I got some lovely chenille wool and for a week set a task of 2 balls a day, and am very pleased to say I finished it.

So now for this winter I have a lovely warm blanket to keep my legs warm.

1. Read 50 34 books in the year. Doesn't matter what type but as long as its 50 and I will be able to keep track with my new kindle.
2. Do another cooking class. At least 1 but hopefully 2. So far done 5, one of which was with Jamie Oliver and one on the ship
3. Go on a holiday, hopefully to Melbourne. I was last there in 1984, so just a few years ago lol
4. Go to a horse 'cup' day
5. Go down another 20kgs (gotten a bit stuck at the moment)
6. Get a lot more writing from my autobiography done - Been doing heaps of that
7. Have lunch or dinner at Bretts wharf or Aria Brisbane - Peter's boss said he is taking me for my birthday
8. Go through the glow worm caves at Springbrook hopefully when the glow fungi is out as well or the fireflies
9. Do a charity event - with not a lot of walking done today MDAQ walk
10. Have a tarot reading - have the name of someone really good in Fernvale
11. Go to a musical (booked for Jersey Boys in July)
12. Go to gold class movie
13. Go on a cruise - booked and leaving in April
14. Get a fish - either fighter or gold fish or two. Now have Elvis my blue suede fighting fish
15. Go to a zoo
16. Go to brisbane city markets
17. Brisbane's koala and river cruise
18. Toowoomba carnival of flowers
19. Attend a dawn service
20. Go to Q1 lookout
21. Have a flying lesson - can't do stimulation due to weight restrictions so will have to think of something else for this one.
22. crystal castle at mullumbimby
23. do a cross stitch
24. have a facial Have had a couple now
25. have a massage
26. try a new food Tried dragon fruit and poppadoms and some vegetarian dishes so far and now macaroons
27. aqua aerobics classes.  Done and going to do more
28. be part of a flash mob - now where does someone find these people
29. Drive a convertible with the top down and music blaring.
30. Get family tree in order - got heaps of this done
31. Go on a retreat
32. Go to the comedy club 
33. Play blackjack at the casino - done and won
34. Swim in the ocean - haven't done this for many many years
35. Go to an opera or listen or an opera singer - don't know if I could sit through a whole opera.
36. Spend a night at maleny/montville
37. Hold a snake - to overcome a fear (Went on the Brisbane wheel to overcome fear of heights but had to get off, so only went around once. Never again lol )
38. Attend the good food festival
39. feed the homeless - was looking into this a couple of months ago but didn't do anything about it. (contacted agencies but none have gotten back to me yet)
40. do a belly dancing class - well I have enough belly to wobble haha
41. try a new drink  tried lots of new ones now lol
42. queen mary falls walk
43. drink a cocktail done and dusted
44. host a murder mystery dinner party - have the game here, now to organize
45. Put $5 a day into money box - use it for something special at the end of the year. - been doing this
46. Have a games night with friends
47. Put $50 on black at the casino for my first and only bet at the table. and won
48. Trike ride from Gold Coast to Mt Tambourine wineries
49. Ride on a carousel
50. Have a kick arse birthday party (venue, dj, food sorted. Decorations started)

It's the little things

Have you ever noticed how its the little things in life that give you the most pleasure? I had two instances today that made me thing of this.

The first was a question about what is your simple pleasure? My response was - to sit and watch the ocean. It's so peaceful and very calming. Even when the seas are rough and waves are crashing onto the beach with all of natures fury; it is still calming to watch. And it is free!!

The second - well I am sitting here enjoying a cappuccino that I have just made. Now if you're like me, you like to use a spoon to eat the froth. I started to think, how this bit of fluffy, melt once it hits your mouth bit of milk, can make your feel so good. As  you put the loaded spoon to your mouth, it's like a mouthful of air but with flavour. Delicious!

Of course this then got me thinking about all the other things that make you feel good and have you noticed that the things you enjoy most, are things that are free or if not free, just about cost nothing.

A smile from a stranger when your out in the community, a friend who rings to see how you are doing,  the smile of a baby/young child and their infectious laughter. A hug from your children or partner, or a 'I love you'.

What about when your out in your garden. Seeing the plants you put in growing or flowering. Watching butterflies or insects flutter from plant to plant, or the birds that might land to rest in your yard.

Doing something for other people without expectations can also give you that glowing feeling through your body. It might be you giving the smile or sharing plants or teaching someone a skill that you have learnt.

Sometimes I think we all need to step back.... take a break....and enjoy the here and now. Enjoy those simple pleasures and recognize them for what they are - Life at its best.