New Year's Resolutions for 2011

Every year I tell myself I'm not bothering with stoopid resolutions that won't happen anyway.
And every year I get to the last day of the year (yep, that's today) and I feel I have to!
So here I sit, feeling compelled to write some resolutions that I'm hoping I can will into reality.

Before I begin, let's see how I went with last year's resolutions. Here's my post, and here is the list...

1. Get to the top of the mountain that beat me this year.
2. Help in my son's classroom at least once a week.
3. Get back into crafty things, especially sewing.
4. Look into doing some relief teaching, and maybe actually do some.
5. Lose 5kgs (fingers very tightly crossed for this one).
6. Read more.
7. Get glasses so I can see, to be able to read more!
8. Go on a family holiday.
9. Go on at least two dates with my husband (child free of course).
10. Have at least one child free, overnight date.

Oh wow, I didn't do too badly!

1. I didn't get to the top of the mountain, I'm so unfit now I think I would die trying!
2. I did help once a week in the classroom, sometimes twice.
3. I did get back into crafty things, I even started an online shop.
4. I did look into relief teaching and worked two days.
5. I didn't lose any weight, I gained some :(
6. I did read more. And I loved being able to tweet the authors as I was reading their books.
7. I did get glasses, and now I see!
8. We did go on a family holiday for 7 days at Cooloongatta.
9. I did go on 2 dates with my husband (child free of course!)
10. We didn't get any child free overnight dates.

That's 7/10, not bad!

This year I don't have as many resolutions.
Just a few important ones.

1. Fitness. I will walk for at least an hour at least once a week.

2. Weight. I will be under 60kgs by this time next year.

3. Work. I will put my name on the relief teaching list for 2 days a week and ask for short term contract work.

4. Family. I will be calmer and more patient with everyone.

Right-O, that's it, just four.
Wish me luck!
 
Oh and I'm going to add one pie-in-the-sky dream resolution...
 

5. Home. We will buy a block of land out of town, sell this house that is hell-bent on breaking my husband and begin building a brand new home.

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas Wish List

Today I started wrapping (well bagging...I'm sewing bags in Christmas fabric instead of using paper wrapping) some Christmas presents. We even have a surprise one for my husband under the tree which he spotted tonight.
This prompted him to ask, "Do I have your order yet?"
He means my wish list.
They have been working so well for me (and him) that I have to do another one!

Here it is...

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

Earrings (that I can wear all the time)

This is just an example, they do not have to look like this



Comfy pyjamas

With a t-shirt, 'cause, you know, I don't like to go topless



A movie date, a dinner date or an overnight date (or all three would be FABULOUS)

I have no idea where this is but it looks nice!

A day off to go shopping by myself

I would never come home with this many bags...really, never!


One thing from this list would be lovely.

Do you have a wish list?

I'd Rather

As I was sweeping the floor this morning (because my stoopid broken vacuum cleaner doesn't suck)
I was listing in my head all the things I'd rather be doing.
Much like an imaginative child or daydreaming teenager would.

Here's what I came up with...

• go to the gym
• go for a walk
• watch TV
• watch a movie
• tweet
• blog
• read blogs
• read anything
• knit
• sew
• have coffee with my sister
• go shopping
• drink wine
• lie on a cushy chair under the shade of an umbrella by the side of the pool in a five star resort with a frothy pink cocktail

hmmmmmmmmmmm......that would be much better!

Look, there are three!
One for me...
who else would like one?

TAGGED - 10 Things that Make Me Happy

Wee Rhona of Acting the Maggot, has tagged me and I must say I'm more than a little excited!  I feel like a chosen one and I'm up for the challenge...so here goes...

10 things that make me happy:

1. Singing and dancing with my kids...only in the privacy and security of our own home (or car) so we can really go nuts...that makes me crazy happy.

2. Alone time...something I very, very rarely get these days which makes it even more precious...having a whole day to do whatever I please makes me peacefully happy.

3.  Creating something...anything...whether it be a wedding dress, Santa Sack, a knitting/crochet project, cross stitch, beading, jewellery...if I made it with my own hands I am proudly happy.

4.  Weddings...if I could be anything I wanted to be when I grow up, I'd be a wedding planner/designer...anything weddingy makes me emotionally happy.

5. Winter...yep, really...I love Winter and Winter makes me happy.  No sweaty days, no stinking heat, no baring body bits I'd rather keep covered, no swimming.  Cold weather, hot drinks, red wine, flanny pj's and slippers makes me cosily happy.

6. Amazing views...anywhere with a gorgeous vista that just makes me want to say "Oh my God" over and over again makes me joyously happy.

7. Eating out...I love everything about eating out...dressing up, not cooking, choosing from the menu, being waited upon, not having to clean up...that makes me thankfully happy.

8. Rain...the sound, the smell, the cooling breeze...I love watching the weather radar, particularly if it's a storm...it makes me excitedly happy.

9.  A good walk...I'm usually not one for exercise, but on the off chance that I do actually get my butt into gear and get my walking shoes on and myself out the door, I love a long, invigorating walk...especially along the waterfront or through parklands...afterward I feel physically happy.

10. My computer...without my computer I would not have Twitter, blogging, Facebook, e-mail and Photoshop...on all of which I spend way too much time...but all of which make me exceedingly happy.

11.  I know I'm only meant to do 10 but this one is the most important so deserves an extra spot...my husband and my two children make me happier than I thought possible...they make my heart and soul happy.




And now I have to tag 10 people to blog their 10 'happy' things...
(ooo so much power)
I choose.....

Michelle D Evans
A Kick to the Neck
Lifeslightlyused's Blog
life and other crises
MUMMY MAYHEM
Mummy Pig's Life
So Now What?
The Sharpest Pencil
Under The Yardarm
Waffling Along


GO!!

New Year's Resolutions

I never, ever make New Year's Resolutions for one reason...I never, ever keep them!  So what's the point, really?

But being such a lover of lists, and a new blogger, and the Queen of the Blist (blog list), I feel compelled to do it this year.  So here goes...

In 2010 I resolve to:-

1.  Eat less

2.  Drink less (alcohol that is)

3.  Tweet less

4.  Exercise more

5.  Yell at my children less

6.  Be more patient

7.  Watch less TV

8.  Get more sleep

9.  Be more sociable

10.  Do more housework



So that's the standard, traditional type list...


Now, here's the one with resolutions I can really keep!

1.  Eat more

2.  Drink more (alcohol that is)

3.  Tweet more

4.  Exercise less (if that's possible)

5.  Yell at the children more (they'll probably deserve it)

6.  Be crankier

7.  Watch more TV

8.  Sleep less

9.  Become a hermit

10.  Do the housework whenever I feel like it or whenever it's so dirty I can't stand it anymore, whichever comes first.



OK, that's the silly one...


Now, here's the real deal!!

1.  Get to the top of the mountain that beat me this year.

2.  Help in my son's classroom at least once a week.

3.  Get back into crafty things, especially sewing.

4.  Look into doing some relief teaching, and maybe actually do some.

5.  Lose 5kgs (fingers very tightly crossed for this one).

6.  Read more.

7.  Get glasses so I can see, to be able to read more!

8.  Go on a family holiday.

9.  Go on at least two dates with my husband (child free of course).

10.  Have at least one child free, overnight date.


I should be able to manage most of those I think!
Wish me luck and come back this time next year to see how I went.

Now I challenge you to do the same...who's up for it?

Christmas Wish List

I made a birthday wish list so I thought I'd make a Christmas one, too.
It's probably a bit late, but I only just thought of it!

1.  A self cleaning toilet.

2.  An automated answering machine that will answer all the questions from the five year old boy.

3.  A Jetsons style menu planner and dinner generator.

4.  A sleeping pod that doubles your sleep time.

5.  Scales that don't weigh you, they take weight from you.

6.  A Star Trek style transporter to eliminate car travel.  Beam me where-ever-we-want-to-go, Scotty!

7.  A money tree.

8.  A genie.

9.  Outdoor air-conditioning.

10.  An age eraser.

11.  Oh, and world peace.


That's not too much to ask, is it?

Merry Christmas to me!

Things I Love To Do

I'm a dreamer so these are my favourite kinds of lists.  This is the list of things I love to do.  Come dream with me...

1.  Blog - I spend way too much time on my new found addiction.  My name is Thea and I am a blog addict!

2. Tweet - this was my addiction until I found blogging, still love it though.  I've got the best tweeps!!

3.  Read - big, juicy, historical romance sagas are my favourite.

4.  Laugh - who doesn't love to laugh?  Laughing 'til you cry or you can barely breathe is soooo good.

5.  Drink - of the alcoholic variety, I try not to every night though.

6.  Create - sew, design, knit, crochet, stitching, beading, jewellery...if it's crafty, I love it!!

7.  Relax - preferably with a cool breeze, a nice view and a book or magazine...pure bliss.

8.  Play - whether at a theme park or in the kids' bedrooms, bringing out the inner kid brings out the joy.

9.  Sing - but only when no one is listening (excluding the kids).

10.  Dance- although I might feel a bit nerdy doing it these days, it's been a long time.

11.  Eat - especially out.

12.  Holiday - anywhere away from home (I just hate the packing bit).  Nothing is as good as a holiday!

13.  Travel overseas - there's nothing more exciting than taking off in a big jet plane...of course the flight is as boring as hell...but the things you see when you get there make it worthwhile.

14.  Photos - I love to take them, edit them, photoshop them, file them, collect them, collate them, print them, frame them, put them into albums and watch them as a screensaver.  I have over 21 000 photos on my computer and I can more than likely locate any one of them in less than 30 seconds, oh yes I can!

15.  Weed - I know, this is a bit of a weird one.  But I do love to get out in the garden and pull those little suckers out!

16.  Swim - Yes, I hate togs & sunscreens & sun.  But I love water and once I'm in, I don't want to get out.

17.  Party - friends + drinks + music = party...woohoo!!

18.  Celebrate - weddings, Christmas, birthdays...parties with purpose!!!

19.  Cuddle - I'm a snuggler, I love cuddling...but only my husband and my kids.

20.  Sleep-in - I'm a night owl, I love staying up late so sleeping-in is essential but non-existent these days because my kids are up at the crack of dawn...oh well, *yawn*.

Things I Hate To Do

This time I'm listing the things I have to do but really hate doing and try to avoid at all cost or procrastinate until it just can't be put off any longer.


1.  Putting petrol in the car - this one seems easy enough, don't know why I hate it so much.

2.  Ironing - it builds up and up and up until it seems insurmountable.

3.  Wearing sunscreen and/or a hat - I hate the feel of sunscreen and I hate hat hair, I'd rather stay out of the sun.

4.  Studying or writing assignments - fortunately I haven't had to do either in years, but boy could I come up with amazing procrastination techniques for these ones.

5.  Any kind of health check up - include here dentist, eyes, pap smears!!

6.  Cleaning - why won't the house clean itself or why can't I have a cleaning fairy??

7.  Paperwork - of any kind, filing, bills, tax returns, lessons plans, reporting, writing programs, etc, etc!

8.  Starting a new job - I get so nervous I feel sick.

9.  Wearing togs - well of course, even when I had a much better body (and didn't appreciate it) I've never liked exposing that much skin.  These days it's boardies and a rashie!

10.  Exercise - meh, do I have to?

The crazy thing is that when I actually do do any of these things I feel so good about it.  You would think that good feeling would be motivation enough...but, no.

Next time I'm listing things I love to do.  That will be much more fun!

Sexiest Man Alive

Well I have been pleasantly surprised this morning.

Today is the big release day of the second Twilight movie (apparently) and it was all over the TV news this morning.  As I was looking at a scrawny, ashen, completely unattractive (to me) young boy, I felt old age slap me in the face again.  I remembered when women of my mother's era (not my mother because she just wasn't 'like that') drooling over Paul Newman and Robert Redford and I just used to think they were old men.  This morning I thought I'd turned into an oldie because I just don't get this Robert Pattinson thing at all!!  Give me Brad Pitt, Hugh Jackman, even Tom Cruise any day.

And then it happened.  Another item on the TV news...the announcement of the new 'Sexiest Man Alive'.  I was a little sad to see Hugh Jackman's reign come to an end and had fully expected to see Robert Pattinson take the title because he was apparently a shoe in or shoo in (where did that come from by the way??).  But no, the new 'Sexiest Man Alive' is Johnny Depp.  Oh thank God.  The world has not gone mad and I have not turned into an old fogie overnight.  PHEW!!

So I thought I'd have a little fun this morning and name my top 10 list of the Sexiest Men Alive....here goes....

10.  Simon Baker - he's been a hottie since the days of E Street when he was Simon Denny, then Simon Baker-Denny and now Simon Baker.

9.  Pierce Brosnan - I was a massive Remington Steele fan...he was why!

8.  David Beckham - OK, we all know about his voice, but you can't deny he's a good looking man (when you can't see his tatts).

7.  Owen Wilson - He cute and funny, gotta love that!

6.  Hugh Grant - Yes, I know he's foppish, but I happen to find foppish very attractive.

5.  Hugh Jackman - another Hugh.  Can't go past last year's winner.

4.  Matthew McConaughey - Oh yeah, and he comes with a Texan drawl.

3.  Tom Cruise - I know, I know, he's a little nutty.  But he's gorgeous, always has been, always will be!!

2.  Brad Pitt - There's only one word for Mr Pitt....Phwaw!!!!!!

(Drum roll please)

My Number 1 is......my husband.  And as much as I would love to put a pic of him on he would kill me if I did.  Let's just say he's the best bits of all the men above rolled into one.  Yep, he's that good!  I married him for his looks, of course.

So ladies, have some fun with me, who are your top 10 sexiest men alive?

Oh, OK fellas, you can join the fun, who are your top 10 sexiest women alive??


PS Or men's top 10 men, or ladies' top 10 women (you're quite right Emily!)

What Hurts...

This is a total whinge, and usually I feel pretty good because I'm on medication that keeps most of the pain at bay.  However there are times (like today) when when I have 'attacks' and frankly it just makes me want to whinge and whine...so I am going to.

Things that hurt because I have rheumatoid arthritis -

• lifting the kettle
• opening the coffee jar
• carrying the 3L bottle of milk
• picking up a cereal bowl
• carrying plastic shopping bags
• opening the garage door
• cleaning the bath
• squeezing water out of the kids' bath toys
• squeezing a face washer
  
• picking up my 2 year old
• changing a nappy
• getting out of bed
• standing up after sitting for more than 2 minutes
• pushing my kids on the swing
• pushing the stroller
• pushing a shopping trolley
  
• opening my roman blinds
• opening and closing windows
  
• making beds
• carrying the laundry basket
• the kids stepping on my feet
• bumping something accidentally with my hands
• high fives
• clicking my fingers
• clapping
• putting the kids' socks and shoes on
• doing up press studs
• opening child proof medicine/tablet bottles
• carrying anything remotely heavy
• climbing a ladder
• opening our old fashioned heavy drawers
• taking the lid off the ice-cream container
• opening the Play-Doh containers
• rolling Play-Doh
• and sometimes just doing nothing at all

That's all I can think of for now.  I'm sure I've forgotten some, but you get the idea.

Sorry to whinge and whine but I just needed to get that off my chest
If you're having a pain free day, appreciate it...for me.

Wish List

My birthday is less than a week away so I'm going to make like a kid and write a birthday wish list.  Well, lists are a speciality of mine and I love to dream so it's the perfect opportunity to go wild.....

1.  At least 3 hours of solitary bliss to have a raging shopping spree and buy some new clothes!

2.  Dinner out with my little family (we haven't done that yet).

3.  A really good (and one that works) hair straightner...yes, of course I mean a ghd!!

4.  A Dyson vacuum cleaner.  "What?" I hear you say...."A vacuum cleaner for your birthday present???"  Yes, yes, yes...I would LOVE a vacuum cleaner that I don't detest with a passion.

5.  A home cooked (or Thai take-away) dinner with my husband, with a couple of bottles of something sparkley of course.

6.  A beautiful bunch of pink roses.

7.  Perfume, possibly Burberry Brit this time.

8.  A sewing and embroidery machine.

9.  A black baby grand piano.

10.  A brand new home, something along the lines of this: Endeavour prize home, or this: Boystown prize home, or even this: RSL Prize home

11.  Oh, and world peace!!!


Happy birthday to me!

Aging Gracefully? Yeah, right!

Some people say you are as old as you feel.  In that case, I'd be about 33.  But one look in the mirror shatters any notion that I may still be 30-something.  I resemble my aunty.  Not the thin and gorgeous one.  The one that has always been a bit overweight and has a double chin.

What don't I like about aging?  Let me spell it out for you -

1.  Grey hairs.  Plucking solved that problem for awhile, but now I'm seriously fearing I may get bald spots if I keep that up.  So some lighter foils are attempting to 'combat silver' (as my hairdresser said).  They work pretty well, until I get the dreaded regrowth!

2.  Wrinkles.  Ones that no amount of miracle creams (and I've tried a truck load) will erase.

3.  A hooded eyelid.  I guess one is better than two.  But apart from being very unattractive, it feels permanently sleepy, like it is just too tired to open properly.

4.  Deeply lined neck.  These are not wrinkles, they are way worse!

5.  Crepey arms.  Seriously, they just look like nanna arms.  Which wouldn't be so bad if I was one, but I'm not...yet!!

6.  Poor eyesight.  I used to laugh at my Mum for holding things at arm's length to read.  Guess what I'm doing now?  It also makes my two favourite hobbies, reading and sewing, much more difficult.  Glasses would probably solve this problem, but I just haven't got around to that yet.

7.  Numbers.  Numbers do matter!  '4' anything just feels wrong.

8.  Arthritis.  Of the rheumatoid variety.  This one doesn't hit everyone, just a chosen few like me.


There is cosmetic surgery....but I would not do that few a few reasons -

a)  I could never spend that much money on myself.
b)  I'm OK with pain just to look good when it comes to things like wearing very high, very uncomfortable heels...but surgery??  NOPE!
c)  And finally, this is purely my opinion, but I think old looks better than plastic.

There is another perfect solution.  Only thing is, it hasn't been invented yet.  I just need three packs of pills:
Pack One is for age reversal - "Take one tablet daily until you look and feel just right.  WARNING - don't go too far!!"
Pack Two is for maintenance - "Take one tablet daily to make time stand still.  Stop taking if you feel you need to age a little more.  For example, when you start to look younger than your children."
Pack Three is for normal aging (let's call this a vitamin) - "Take one tablet daily for good health.  When you feel you are looking a bit old and craggy again, start back at the first pack and repeat the process."



I look to the media and find so many beautiful 'older' faces that I can aspire to.  But then I look at the real world and don't see so many.  

I'm aging, I have to live with it!  But I don't have to like it!!

I Need (Yes, I Do!)

Everybody knows mums' needs are never met,
and when your needs aren't being met,
that's all you can think about.
So....
I'm making a new list. I'm listing my needs.
Just to remind myself that I matter...

I need alone time.
I need Rob.
I need my black eyeliner.
I need more than eight hours of unbroken sleep a night.
I need to check on my kids while they're sleeping before I go to bed.
I need approval, attention, & admiration.
I need red wine.
I need to catch up with friends.
I need a good dose of reality TV.
I need to keep my brain active.
I need to see my extended family regularly.
I need to be creative.
I need to dance when no one is watching.
I need to sing to my kids.
I need kisses and cuddles.
I need to laugh.
I need sunshine and fresh air.
I need to stop and smell the roses.
I need to be thankful for all the things I have, my lot in life is good.



This blog is turning out to be a bit self-indulgent. Oh well, it's my blog and I can say what I want, right?

I'm Still Me

Along with all this new found desire for change...I am still me and some things will never change. As previously mentioned I've always been more inclined to write a 'Things I NEVER Want to do Before I Die' list, and I saw something yesterday that prompted me to actually write it. I have also started my 'To Do' list, but this list is, for some reason, more fun for me. I think it brings out my facetious side which is a part of me that I particularly like. Anyway I'm rambling, this is my list and I'm starting with what I saw yesterday...

Things I NEVER Want To Do Before I Die

1. Cycle anywhere with a backpack and saddle bags hanging from every available space on the bike. (Cycling in general is pretty much frowned upon.)
2. Climb Mt Everest, especially just because it's there! I'd be happy to see it and stand in awe of it's height, that'll do!!
3. SCUBA Diving. I don't trust that little air tank!
4. Bungy Jumping...no way, no how, no where, ever!
5. Touch a snake. This one is very serious...phobia of snakes is apparently called Ophidiophobia and I have it, big time!
6. Sky diving...no wait...there is a possibility I could be talked into that one...scrap it!
7. Sing or dance or speak (or anything) in front of a large gathering...my heart is pounding just thinking about that one.
8. Run a marathon. I'm convinced my body just wasn't made for running, however I do hope to prove myself wrong about that one day.
9. Sail or fly solo around the world...that's just silly!
10. Move to a warmer climate...South East Queensland is the upper limit of my heat tolerance.

There are 10 for starters. I will no doubt think of more later.

What do you NEVER want to do before you die??