Simone's Butterfly

Ramble & Roast

2012-01-09T18:38:00.000Z

Ramble & Roast

Walk on the Wild Side - Aghagallon Towpath

2012-01-09T18:37:00.000Z

Walk on the Wild Side - Aghagallon Towpath

Big Garden Bird Watch

2012-01-09T18:36:00.000Z

Big Garden Bird Watch

Walk on the Wild Side - Lurgan Park

2012-01-09T18:35:00.000Z

Walk on the Wild Side - Lurgan Park

Murlough Nature Reserve Walk

2012-01-08T19:30:00.003Z

Beginning of the walk Saturday morning at 11:10am.

Murlough Beach

Not a nice surprise along the way.

What a wonderful to end I walk, seeing a Robin close.

Happy New Year 2012

2012-01-01T00:40:00.001Z

T. S. Eliot
For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.

De-Cluttered Desk

2011-12-27T18:48:00.003Z

FLYing Lesson: Declutter 15 Minutes a Day

Your home is filled with clutter of all shapes and sizes. This is why you are unable to keep it clean — you have too much stuff! All we ask is that you set a timer and spend 15 minutes a day decluttering. That’s it. Anyone can do anything for only 15 minutes, even if you have to break it down into five-minute segments. These are the five tools we give you to help you declutter and also make it fun for you! When you get the e-mail reminders/checklists from FlyLady, try them yourself. What do you have to lose (besides clutter, of course!)?......continue to read here

Time to clean Swap

Step One

Clear desk, dust and clean.

Step Two

Maintain.........:)
Tidy up at the end of the day:A quick tidy at the end of your work day will give you peace of mind and will get you off to a good start for tomorrow.

Before and After

Calm, clean and ready for the New Year. Now I can see my screen clearly and think better :)

Swapbot Challenge

2011-12-17T22:22:00.003Z

I am challenging myself for the next 30 days (18/12/2011 to the 18/01/2012) to collect, design and prepare a meal planner for vegetarian freezer and slow cooker meals that I can use when I start working in the New Year Again.

De-clutter and organise the section of the home office that belongs to me and maintain it.....

Free Association

2011-12-12T14:39:00.001Z

I say ... and you think ... ?
Dedication :: important, hard work, rewarding
Dream destination :: been there done that :) - Paris
Games :: can be fun and distracting
Hard as :: nails
Convict :: Criminal Minds
Submit :: not me !
Alcohol :: free
Clippers :: hair cut
Hormonal :: maniac
Diet :: WHAT?????

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Five Guidelines for Learning Spelling and Six Ways for Practicing Spelling | LD Topics | LD OnLine

2011-12-02T00:09:00.000Z

Five Guidelines for Learning Spelling and Six Ways for Practicing Spelling | LD Topics | LD OnLine

Unconscious Mutterings

2011-12-01T14:23:00.002Z

I say ... and you think ... ?
Program :: show,learning, organised
Business :: plan
Nerve :: how can he/she?
Pipes :: oil, water, pipe fitter
Man :: Adam, human
System :: linguistic
Roses :: are red ......, yellow
Gong :: bell, chinese
Heartfelt :: apology
Strolling :: along the river bank

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Top 10 Breakfast Ideas - FamilyEducation.com

2011-08-26T17:17:00.000+01:00

Top 10 Breakfast Ideas - FamilyEducation.com

A Heart That Forgives

2011-08-15T13:32:00.000+01:00

I say ... and you think ... ?

2011-08-14T11:08:00.001+01:00

I say ... and you think ... ?

Eating :: disorder, out
Cowboys :: and Indians, USA
Nightmare :: on Elma Street,
Impress :: Me
Year :: long
Kiss :: me (the song)
Corn :: on the cod, Nandos
Humping :: Whale
Mirror :: on the wall, Snow White
Brains :: Power, intellect, Fuel

Away, Melancholy

2011-08-14T10:46:00.004+01:00

Away, Melancholy
Away, melancholy,
Away with it, let it go.

Are not the trees green,
The earth as green?
Does not the wind blow,
Fire leap and the rivers flow?
Away melancholy.

The ant is busy
He carrieth his meat,
All things hurry
To be eaten or eat.
Away, melancholy.

Man, too, hurries,
Eats, couples, buries,
He is an animal also
With a hey ho melancholy,
Away with it, let it go.

Man of all creatures
Is superlative
(Away melancholy)
He of all creatures alone
Raiseth a stone
(Away melancholy)
Into the stone, the god
Pours what he knows of good
Calling, good, God.
Away melancholy, let it go.

Speak not to me of tears,
Tyranny, pox, wars,
Saying, Can God
Stone of man's thoughts, be good?
Say rather it is enough
That the stuffed
Stone of man's good, growing,
By man's called God.
Away, melancholy, let it go.

Man aspires
To good,
To love
Sighs;

Beaten, corrupted, dying
In his own blood lying
Yet heaves up an eye above
Cries, Love, love.
It is his virtue needs explaining,
Not his failing.

Away, melancholy,
Away with it, let it go

Stevie Smith
Poem Hunter

ATC - (Jane Austen) An Object of Admiration, Traded

2011-07-07T12:27:00.001+01:00

ATC - (Jane Austen) An Object of Admiration, Traded, a photo by Nostalgic Collage on Flickr.

Stories about woods and trees! (free nature detectives download from the Woodland Trust)

2011-06-24T09:26:00.000+01:00

Stories about woods and trees! (free nature detectives download from the Woodland Trust)

Sense and Sensibility Book Club

2011-06-22T13:05:00.003+01:00

Celebrating the 200th year since Jane Austin published Sense and Sensibility.

I have just completed reading the Real Reads Adaption for 9-12 year olds and I must say that I enjoyed it immensily. My daughter and I have read the first 28 pages together. She is ten years old. She loves the illustrations in the book. We planned to stop at page 20 but when she looked at a picture a few pages on she wanted to read more.

It is providing a great opportunity for her to learn new words and for us to discuss relationships.

The Banbridge District Council is hosting the an Open Theatre Play of Sense and Sensibility on the 22 July 2011.

Mentoring Moments is hosting Book Club Meetings at Costa Coffee shop.

The first meeting is on Thursday 7 July 2011 Introduction to the book, Reading Plan and How to make ATC- Artist trading cards.

Second meeting on Thursday 14 July 2011 Discussion on the Book and Craft

15 July Watch the Movie
22 July Watch the Play

Click here for info and join the Book Club
Click here for info and join the Play

Which Character are You? Sense and Sensibility

2011-06-16T23:06:00.000+01:00

My Result: Marianne Dashwood

on quiz: Sense and Sensibility personality/character quiz

YOU ARE...MARIANNE DASHWOOD!
You are a "free spirit." You have your opinions and want them to be known, but do not deem it necessary to be rude to do so. Sometimes your ideas coicide with those of the people closest to you, and you are rebuked for it. You are not always open to these suggestions, but when you are truly aware that your actions are wrong, you are eager to reconcile and change your ways.

Quiz Maker

Take this quiz & get your result

Sense and Sensibility personality/character quiz » Quiz maker software

3 Stupidly Simple Reasons Why Most People’s Photography Does Not Improve

2011-06-03T09:38:00.000+01:00

3 Stupidly Simple Reasons Why Most People’s Photography Does Not Improve

Intarsia Box - Knitting Daily

2011-05-05T22:24:00.000+01:00

Intarsia Box - Knitting Daily

"Get Up & Grow"

2011-04-14T16:23:00.000+01:00

I have been asked to speak at this conference.

The key note speaker is Edward Enda Haughey, Lord Ballyedmond, OBE (born 5 January 1944) is an entrepreneur and politician. With an estimated personal wealth of £350m, he is the 2nd richest person in Northern Ireland, 7th richest in Ireland and the 174th richest person in the United Kingdom.

"Get Up & Grow" Conference & Business Awards 8th June 2011

The conference is being delivered as part of the 'Promoting Sustainable Enterprise Programme' by the SEED partner Councils which cover Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon and Newry and Mourne Council areas.

The purpose of the conference is to inspire and help emerging entrepreneurs and established business people to realise their potential and ultimately create jobs and stimulate economic activity. The conference is FREE to attend.

http://www.seedpse.com/conferences/

Leap of Faith

2011-04-04T21:24:00.000+01:00

As part of the Pre-enterprise Training Workshops, we were taken to an Adventure Centre to challenge us to think outside the box and rise up to challenges.

Leap of Faith
Jump out of your comfort zone and take a ‘leap of faith’ to reach the trapeze bar in
front of you. Not as easy as it sounds whilst balancing on a wobbly pole which is
14m high! at Lurgaboy Adventure Centre

Win £100 worth Usborne Books

2011-04-03T09:25:00.000+01:00

Only for Northern Ireland. FREE ENTRY. Only one entry per month.

All you have to do is fill in this form and click the submit button.

Get your own free form like this one.

Family Reading Night

2011-03-30T14:38:00.000+01:00

Family Reading Night

Reserve thirty minutes each evening for family reading time. Each family member can read different material and then share out information about it. Alternately, everyone can take turns reading aloud from the same book. Make it a friendly competition by charting each person's reading minutes. At the end of the week, the person with the most minutes wins a special recognition, their favorite meal, or choice of family activity.

Mentoring Moments

2011-03-28T12:26:00.000+01:00

I am passionate about learning. I believe that everyone has the ability to learn. Learning is fun, creative, motivating, empowering. We learn through various methods and situations. Little moments and big moments. They are all important. As I teach I learn and as learn I am empowered to teach.

Jeandre's Cooking

2011-03-16T21:47:00.000Z

Jeandre got a cooking book for Christmas from the Hamblin's. This is the second recipe she made on her own. Last week she made pizza.

Story for World Read Aloud Day

2011-03-09T14:49:00.000Z

Free Downloadable Audio Books: http://www.onlineaudiostories.com/

The Duck and the Kangaroo

Said the Duck to the Kangaroo,
“Good gracious! how you hop!
Over the fields and the water too,
As if you never would stop!
My life is a bore in this nasty pond,
And I long to go out in the world beyond!
I wish I could hop like you!”
Said the duck to the Kangaroo

“Please give me a ride on your back
Said the Duck to the Kangaroo.
“I would sit quite still, and say nothing but “Quack,”
The whole of the long day through!
And we’d go to the Dee, and the Jelly Bo Lee,
Over the land and over the sea;–
Please take me a ride! O do!”
Said the Duck to the Kangaroo.

Said the Kangaroo to the Duck,
“This requires some little reflection;
Perhaps on the whole it might bring me luck,
And there seems but one objection,
Which is, if you’ll let me speak so bold,
Your feet are unpleasantly wet and cold,
And would probably give me the roo-
Matiz!” said the Kangaroo.

Said the Duck ,”As I sate on the rocks,
I have thought over that completely,
And I bought four pairs of worsted socks
Which fit my web-feet neatly.
And to keep out the cold I’ve bought a cloak,
And every day a cigar I’ll smoke,
All to follow my own dear true
Love of a Kangaroo!”

Said the Kangaroo,”I’m ready!
All in the moonlight pale;
But to balance me well, dear Duck, sit steady!
And quite at the end of my tail!”
So away they went with a hop and a bound,
And they hopped the whole world three times round;
And who so happy, — O who,
As the duck and the Kangaroo?

Re-grouping

2011-03-08T21:52:00.000Z

Over the last two and half year's I have been very wary about what i share on my blog. Moving country just put a different perspective on what people may think of me by what I share. In the process I actually began blogging less and sharing superficially.
My interaction in the blogging community has ground to an utter halt. I have commented on probably 3 blogs this year that i found randomly.
In the past few weeks I have thought about a few meme's I used to participate in and I realised that I missed some of them.

I have had a tumulus month. The prospect of moving caused a major hiccup in the plans and interaction with new people I met. Now I need regroup and refocus. The excitement of it all worn off and I now I need to make sure I find the momentum to continue moving forward.

Been in the process of dreaming and planning a possible business venture. Now i have taken one step forward by investing in Usborne books and the task ahead of me looks daunting and i am thinking - "What was I thinking!!"

Is My Poem Lean?

By brantcooper, February 9, 2010 1:36 pm

Lean is not about the funding you take,

The size of your sales force, the money you make.

Lean is not how much money you spend,

That you like your product and so does your friend.

To test your guess and iterate,

To kill your favorite feature your customers hate,

To exercise ideas, removing the sheen,

That is what makes a startup lean

Mental Health & Debt

2011-02-24T16:03:00.000Z

LIFE-SAVING GUIDE WILL HELP UK’s MOST VULNERABLE, SAYS CAP

A NEW guide released today for those blighted with the double misery of poor
mental health and problem debt has been welcomed as a “life saver” by
growing charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP).
The booklet, written in plain English for individuals and their carers, has been produced by TV’s money expert Martin Lewis and provides clear advice for some of the UK’s most vulnerable people. It covers issues of how to reduce debt, where to get help and legal advice.
Among others, Martin Lewis lists CAP as an organisation people can contact
for caring advice to help them become debt free.

John Kirkby, founder and international director of debt counselling charity
CAP said: “We expect this guide to literally save lives. The isolation and fear of living with out-of-control debts is (Click Here to get the Free Book)
a unique kind of misery which can drive
people to the edge.
“Debts can also be caused by people whose mental health means their
dealings with their finances and bills can be erratic. There is advice in this
guide for them too.”
He recommended people with vulnerable family members also read the guide
which includes advice from consultant psychiatrist Rob Waller who trains
CAP’s staff out in the field to identify and understand the issues. Research undertaken in 2008 by leading medics and published in Psychological Medicine found: “The more debts people had, the more likely they were to have some from of mental disorder…people with six or more
separate debts had a six-fold increase in mental disorder.”

CAP offers free debt counselling for people regardless of age, gender or
beliefs through 150 church-based centres throughout the UK. Every day staff
celebrate people becoming debt free.
Not only is the advice free and face-to-face, it happens in the clients’ home
making it ideal for anyone feeling unwell, fearful or unable to cope with life.
For debt help ring 0800 328 0006 or visit www.capuk.org to find out more.

LitWorld's Reading Decree

2011-02-22T21:34:00.000Z

I recently discovered the importance of reading aloud to my daughter's delight. i have been insisting that she become more independent and read quietly to herself.
We have reached a comprise where we do both.
Discovering the LitWorld site has made a positive difference in our relationship and her relationship with reading.

The following statement was designed to be presented (read) on March 9, 2011,

WORLD READ ALOUD DAY. (http://www.litworld.org/)

LitWorld's Reading Decree

Today is World Read Aloud Day.

We are uniting our voices in cities and communities across the globe.

We celebrate the power of stories and words to change worlds.

We join our voices for quality literacy education for every child worldwide.

Today 774 million people cannot read or write. They are denied the joy and light of reading every day.

Education is a human right and a means to attaining other human rights that we declare to be universal.

Literacy education improves the health of children and families, spurs economic growth and advances equality.

For many children worldwide, quality education is the difference between life and death, between hope and despair and being able to make the most of one’s potential. This is our opportunity to give voice to the future.

By coming together and raising our voices on this day, we show the world’s children that we support their lives: that they have the right to read, to write and to share their stories to change the world.

Today I pledge my passion for quality education and my support for the cause of literacy. I encourage everyone to take part in this day and this cause.

As a representative of my community, I will continue to advocate for the causes most important to us and I encourage all of you to join me in the fight for our children and all children’s futures.

In observance of World Read Aloud Day, I invite you to take a moment to think about what you would miss most if you could not read or write.

It’s time for all of us to join the global literacy movement. Through our voices we can be free and be part of words changing worlds

Please feel free this information on your blog, website, Face Book page etc.......

DaySpring E-Cards

2011-02-20T22:09:00.000Z

Click here to read this pose with music DaySpring E-Cards

EACH DAY
by Max Lucado

It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.

In a few moments, the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met. For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose….

I CHOOSE LOVE…
No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY…
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical…the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE…
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE…
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDNESS…
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. I will be kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS…
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS…
Today I will keep my promises.
My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My spouse will not question my love.

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS…
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it only be of myself.

I CHOOSE SELF CONTROL…
I am a spiritual being… After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

Finding a Niche

2011-02-17T09:04:00.000Z

I am struggling to find my niche. I know that I love teaching and I am sure that I am a good teacher. Finding a teaching job in Northern Ireland and now England is proving to be tougher than I thought. When I move to England I could probably get an agency, that seems to be the standard practice for Foreign teachers. What do I do in the meantime?
I have been attending a pre-business course and I have yet to settle on a business idea that will work for me.
I want something that is online so that when i move again it will be easy to continue with it, but at the same time I am people person. I am passionate about helping people and I cannot see that I can do that only online.
So what do I do? How do I brand myself?

Thank You

2011-02-15T09:47:00.000Z

Jeandre' raised £54.30 for the British heart foundation.
They jumped rope in the school hall because it was raining.

Jumping Rope for Heart

2011-02-07T09:59:00.000Z

Jeandre's Sponsorship requests:

I am taking part in a sponsored Jumping Rope event in aid of the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Edenderry Primary School. Please sponsor me!

I'd be really grateful for whatever you can spare, because I know how much the nation's heart charity needs our help to continue their life saving work. Everything they do is about saving and improving the lives of people with heart dissease, so it's a really good cause. In addition, my school will benefit too, as it gets to keep 20% of the money I raise.

Only accepting donations up to Thursday,10 February 2011.
If you would like to donate money directly to the BHF please visit their website the link is above.

British Heart Foundation

Jump Rope For Heart is our educational fundraising programme, designed to help children skip their way to health.

This popular programme is recognised as a healthy, fun and challenging aerobic activity that gets children active, while raising money for schools or youth groups and helping fund the fight against heart disease.

Life is a Picture

2011-02-01T20:17:00.000Z

Life is a Picture

Submitted by: Leanne's Scrap Place

Author: Unknown

I took a little time today,
to reminisce of yesterday.
To review our lives in the past
recorded here in photographs.

As I page through the years,
Sometimes I may shed some tears.
So many faces I have known,
some passed away and others grown.

Sometimes it's hard to realize,
when all spread out before my eyes,
With all the pictures that I took,
our whole lives are in this book.

Pre-Business Training Course

2011-01-14T19:00:00.000Z

I started a pre-business training course. Content wise I did not learn anything new. What I did gain or regain was my confidence and self-belief. I have been out of the working world for over 2 years now and the activities today show me that I have not lost a lot, I still to have something I can offer.
The presenters experience and insight the local business world is invaluable. Meeting new people and getting a better sense of community in Northern Ireland was another highlight of todays workshop.

I am looking for to the next few weeks of learning and application and i hope to be sharing my new vision and plan for my life in the near future.

Working on our marketing challenge.

Presenting our idea

Resources for the New Year

2011-01-09T10:58:00.000Z

The main tools that I am using help shape my New Year is:

FlyladyTV - I read her book last year now i am using the tools on her website to help keep me motivated to make a changes in my life.

Saving Dinners - I using the Vegetarian Cook book and today I learned what I can do with greens like Kale and Chard. Click here to watch the video.

New Year's Day

2011-01-07T13:45:00.000Z

Weston-Super-Mare SDA Church. The cousins.

Family Orienteering Event

2011-01-04T22:27:00.000Z

Family Orienteering Event

We have done this once in South Africa - will be interesting to see how it compares
to the events in Nortthern Ireland.

Ramblings

2010-12-27T11:48:00.000Z

I am on a very rough ferry ride. Listening to an audio book Teacher Man by Frank McCourt (he wrote Angela's Ashes).
Can't wait for this journey to end and hoping the roads in Wales are going to be safe.

Christmas Decor

2010-12-19T22:26:00.000Z

Lurgan Christmas Market & Lantern Parade

2010-12-15T12:41:00.000Z

Lurgan Christmas Market & Lantern Parade

Christmas Eve in Banbridge

2010-12-14T20:36:00.000Z

DaySpring E-Cards

2010-12-14T13:47:00.000Z

DaySpring E-Cards

Banbridge in snow

2010-12-02T09:13:00.000Z

Update

2010-11-23T10:21:00.000Z

I am still alive. I was given some slimming herbal supplements last and I tried them out. Disaster. The first two nights I didn't sleep well and then I the next two days I just felt really ill. So I have stopped taking them and now I feel like I am returning to normality.

Working on several projects and ideas.

Including CAP - Christians Against Poverty, KIDS Kids in Discipleship, Job applications, research on a business idea, housework!!, Christmas planning and getting back to writing.

Writing Up and ......

2010-11-14T14:57:00.000Z

Its been a good week. Doing word sprints on the WriMo Ireland Chatroom has helped me focus and get my word count up. I have now written 10 190 words.

YAY.

Unconscious Mutterings hosted by Luna Nina

I say ... and you think ... ?

Freezing :: cold, winter, ice, Popiscle
Bikers :: parade, Harley, Isle of Man
Infrequently :: blank
Mickey ::Mouse, Joking, Funny
School :: Dinners, Fete, Work, teacher
Textile :: beautiful materials, India, China
Obstinate :: Donkey, some people
Guard :: of Honour, Guard your heart
Release :: freedom, Nelson Mandela
Authentic :: what I strive to be.

Writers Inspiration

2010-11-08T22:28:00.000Z

I have written a few words today - now officially at 4253 out of 50 000. Lost four days. 3 due to sheer busyness and the 4th because of exhaustion and a headache.
Now I feel like I am swimming up stream. But I keep reminding myself that slow and steady wins the race - but tooo slow may never complete it on time.

Looking forward to writing more tomorrow, going to join the word sprints on the On chat forum.. Attending the regional meeting in Belfast on Thursday and maybe meeting other writers in my area on Sunday.

"Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way."
E.L. Doctorow

Catch Up

2010-11-07T15:05:00.000Z

Had hectic and positive three days. Unfortunately I have been able to write a thing.

So today is catch up day.

To get me kick-start I thought I would do a little Unconcious Muttering:
http://subliminal.lunanina.com/ hosted by Luna Nina

I say ... and you think ... ?

Everything :: is going to be all right
China :: Friend
Essence :: the core of my being
Immediate :: Action
Obstruct :: justice, progress
Force :: retaliation, combat
Constellation :: heavens, star signs
Intuitive :: a sense of knowing, a way of thinking
Complain :: what's the point when nobody hears, rather be an agent of change
Train :: spotter, Athol Fugard (south African playwright),Ballade Vir 'n Enkeling ( (Ballad for an Individual)

Blogblast for Peace

2010-11-04T16:41:00.000Z

NaNoWriMo Day 2 and 3

2010-11-03T21:59:00.000Z

I managed to add another 700 words or so.
I am a bit stuck at the moment - had a bad day health wise and busy day cleaning up because I am having people come sleepover.
I am not happy with where my main character is at I feel too tired to think about what I should be writing next.
Thinking I will go early to bed and get an early start tomorrow. The first thing I will do is make coffee and write and hope that it will sort itself out.

“A man grows most tired while standing still.”

Chinese Proverbs quotes

NaNoWriMo Day 1

2010-11-01T22:09:00.000Z

Kicked off day One by changing the genre of my novel and changes a lot. My main character is still the same.

completed writing 1405 - just a few words shy of the goal of 1666. Well maybe I will get some inspiration before i sleep and write a few more.

This is going to be tough. I got all these idea in my head but I feel like it looks soo amateurish when I put it down on paper. I also think that I don't really want people to know that I wrote that - that i am thinking that. then I remind myself that I am an amateur and that I don't have to let me read it under my own name.
And as our NaNoWriMo reminds us this challenge is more about quantity not quality.

Taking Up the Challenge

2010-10-31T00:08:00.000+01:00

I am wondering what have committed myself too. I feel so scared and unprepared for this challenge.
Its on list of things to do before I die write a book.
No procrastination. No more talk. Now is the time !

Knit Away As You Pray ^_^

2010-10-26T11:04:00.000+01:00

To join click here otherwise just leave a comment and link to your blog if I want to visit and see your progress.

Music and Storytelling

2010-10-25T16:56:00.000+01:00

Great cultural event organised by the Banbridge Town Council (click here to few other event http://www.banbridge.com/events.asp?pid=11&area=1).
This was part of the Banbridge Arts festival.
The FE Williams Gallery turned out to be a good venue.
Jeandre and I went early to look at the the gallery. I forgot I took her a few weeks earlier to see the exhibition. But arriving early turned out to be a blessing. I got to get some get photos of the sunsetting behind the gallery.
We also got to chat to the storytellers, musicians and organizer.

In Preparation

2010-10-25T16:33:00.000+01:00

As you may have noticed - I have not being blogging for a while. All that is going to change in the next month - I have decided take on a writing challenge and I will be writing all about it LOL

In preparation i am reading and attending cultural events. Last week I had the privileged of attending a Poetry reading and a writing workshop.
The John Hewitt Society in association with Banbridge District Council and The Outlet presents a lunchtime poetry reading with Ciaran Carson and Kate Newman, as part of the Banbridge Arts Festival.

Right now I need to clear lounge and make supper for the family. Having a friend over - going to be sharing with her some of knowledge and experience of South African History.

Kate Newman (read her poetry and ran the writing workshop)

Ciaran Carson

Brown Sugar Shortbreads Recipe

2010-10-18T18:55:00.000+01:00

Brown Sugar Shortbreads Recipe

Looking at Christmas recipes again..........
This looks cute and easy

Brown Sugar Shortbreads Recipe

2010-10-18T18:54:00.000+01:00

Brown Sugar Shortbreads Recipe

Looking at Christmas recipes again..........
This looks cute and easy

Happiness remains a choice

2010-08-31T22:32:00.000+01:00

Happiness remains a choice
All through one's wandering.
Perhaps it is one's inner voice;
Perhaps the heart can sing.
Yearning can be ravenous;
Need can swallow joy.
In being, one is fabulous,
Not merely, but miraculous,
The happening of happiness
Hard times cannot destroy.

by Nicholas Gordon

Health and happiness proceed from love,
As love proceeds from uncorrupted passion.
Praise be the gift that does such interest move,
Poured forth from paradise for us to fashion.
Yet passion, like a wave, can come and go,
Even as love waits upon the shore,
Looking to put down some roots and grow,
Embracing of life's joys the quiet core.
Vested in one heart, one finds a place
Eternal in the beauty of its longing,
Nor does one ever tire of a face
That years have given unexpected grace,
Hallowed by the wonder of belonging.

by Nicholas Gordon

Puzzle Maker

2010-07-31T20:40:00.000+01:00

I sumbitted my photo of the Eiffel Tower to an online puzzle site.

http://www.epuzzle.info/u/30b47

Jigsaw Puzzles, (c) Luksoft

Inspirational Thoughts

2010-07-29T22:35:00.000+01:00

A Day in My Life

2010-07-25T22:44:00.000+01:00

Its holiday time so my days are not fairly typical but my Friday's and Saturday's are pretty much the same.

I will start these 24hrs on Thursday to Friday (with some photos take on Saturday to show what I did on Friday)

Thinking about my busy schedule ahead I decided that I should start off with a good soak and a good book. So that I get can feel rested and refreshed for my day ahead.
First stop for the morning after breakfast was the Library. Need to get stocked up for the road trip next week. My daughter is doing the Library challenge - the theme this year is Space Hop.

Next stop was posting letters and parcels for husband. Also had to do some banking for him.

Now was the excited part of shopping for the morning looking for bargains for our camping and holiday needs - top of the list was a small cooler bag but of course we saw some things that were not on the list as well .........

Jeandre was tired and asked if I would take her home before I went on to the normal grocery shopping.

Finally Home and its time to prepare for Sabbath. Teaching the children's Sabbath School - children from the ages of 3-9 are in the class at church.
then telling the children's story during the main service.
Going out tonight so its going to be quick pizza's in the oven while I make the pasta bake for th next day.

The first item is a basket weave in the shape of a heart - this was tricky but I finally figured it out. If I didn't figure it out I had a game to play as a back up plan.

Photocopied these pages and re-read the instructions to make sure I knew what i need to do the next day.
Breads from different countries Poland, Egypt, Israel, Italy etc.

Always cook my Sabbath (Saturday meal) on a Friday - this week is just for our family of three - no potluck or visitors.
Going to serve garlic bread and veggies (that just need to be microwaved) with it.
Bought a Banoffee (click to go to recipe) for dessert. Saturday lunch is not Saturday (Sabbath) lunch without dessert - its a family tradition

Pasta and Spinach Bake (click here to go to recipe)

Today I have a great treat and Outdoor performance of Pride and Prejudice in our newly re-vamp Solitude park.

Packed some snacks, juice and coffee, met up with friends, had a great laugh and a wonderful night.

Solitude Park - we got there nice and early manged to get good seats close to the front.

Playing cards - Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Charles Bingley

Hilarious Butler - moved the furniture changing the setting slight for the next scene

20min Break - Started getting a bit chilly.

As you can its getting darker and the play is drawing to a close this the scene with Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet

The following morning - A new hairstyle for my daughter

You may be wondering is this my typical Friday - Yeh pretty much - if it was not a play I would be visiting friends or leading a Bible Study or watching one of Favourite Sabbath movies - Fiddler on the roof or Joseph or..........

If I am lucky I would get my shopping done on a Thursday night - so that my Friday would a little more relaxed but if its Pot luck I would be cooking a quite a few other dishes and making dessert.

As it stands I do the children's Sabbath School and a children's Story almost every week because my husband is Pastor of two small churches, its the best way I can be of services and I love doing stuff for the kids. the next month I will not teaching at all - what I am going to do with all that time!!

Photo Scavenger Hunt - Colors

2010-07-21T20:02:00.000+01:00

Something Red

Something Orange

Something Yellow

Something Green

Something Blue

Something Purple

Something Pink

Something Brown

Something Black

Something White

I say ... and you think ... ?

2010-07-18T09:51:00.000+01:00

I say ... and you think ... ?

Deals ::Meals, Holiday, Shady
Alive :: Arrive
Smooth :: sailing, stones, babies bottom
Materials :: raw
Arrest ::crime fighting
Locker :: room
Evidence :: key, CSI
Operation :: MD, expensive, dangerous
Opal :: precious, simple beauty, elegant
Investigation :: search for "truth", Criminal Minds

Hosted at http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Celebrating Summer

2010-07-17T21:04:00.000+01:00

Click on the pictures to enlarge

Pride and Prejudice · Solitude Park · Banbridge · What's On NI

2010-07-15T01:10:00.000+01:00

Pride and Prejudice · Solitude Park · Banbridge · What's On NI

Banbridge District Council is putting on a one-off open-air theatrical production of Jane Austen’s celebrated literary classic ‘Pride and Prejudice’ in Solitude Park, Banbridge on Friday 23 July 2010 at 7.30pm.

Photo Scavenger Hunt - E-Swap

2010-07-07T21:44:00.000+01:00

Sweet Dreams

Work

Something Scenic

Something Purple

A Pair

Something Homemade

Practice Belly Dance Belt

A Reflection

Buildings

Water

Floral

Something Hot

Trio

Smell

Touch

Colorful

Black and White

Sight

Shadow

Patriotic

Point of View

Guess what I-thing is on picture Swap

2010-07-06T15:29:00.000+01:00

Guess what H-thing is on picture Swap

2010-06-29T12:05:00.000+01:00

Waterfall in the Clare Glens

2010-06-23T11:11:00.001+01:00

Waterfall in the Clare Glens
Originally uploaded by linda_mcnulty

Going walking here on Saturday at 5:30 pm

Vuvuzela’s popularity music to Van Schalkwyk’s ears - The National Newspaper

2010-06-22T01:21:00.000+01:00

Joy

2010-06-21T22:35:00.000+01:00

n
Pictures I found on the internet.

Theme a day e-Journal - Last entry??

2010-06-16T08:48:00.000+01:00

I am in a spot of trouble.
I starting out following the prompts in order and then decided to mix them up. Now I can't figure out if I accidentally numbered an entry twice - I found one such mistake so far- or did i miss a prompt. Ooops
There were times when I did a journal entry in my head or wrote out a response on the paper I had at the time but I am not sure if got to my computer and actually did it.
Like the list of 100 - I was convinced that I had organised a separate swap on just that topic and had saved it as a pdf file but when I wanted to transfer it to my blog I could not find it.

ahhh well I sending the link to my partner.

mmm Here are the Links to my post - maybe I will find the missing one.

Theme A day e-Journal Links:

1) Write an introduction.

2) Make a list of 10 things you need to do this week.

3) Who did you talk to today? List everyone even if it was just a hello to someone.

4) Write about your hobbies. Feel free to include a sample or a photo.

5) Create either a really ugly page (images, draw bad, ugly stickers, etc) or a really pretty page (images you like, cute/pretty drawings, pretty stuff)

6) List 10 things you can see from where you're sitting.

7) Electricity is a recent discovery. Think of 12 things you can do when there is no electricity available.

8) How much money did you spend today and what did you buy? From where?

9) Write a timeline of your day today. For example: 8:00 AM--Woke up and ate Frosted Flakes for breakfast. 8:30 AM--Took a shower and realized I was out of mousse when I started doing my hair.

10) Write down lyrics or a poem you really like.

11) Write about what scares you.

12) Write in a circle. Start at the top, side, bottom, middle and write making a huge never-ending line making a circle! Fill up mostly the whole page writing about a favorite ritual or tradition.

13) Cut out pictures, text, from magazines, newspapers, etc and glue them to the page to make art. Scan them in or make an online collage using picasa or .....

Now this something I definitely remember doing - or did I get mixed up.Please find it in this post.

14) List 100 things you love (could be places, objects, people, etc)

15) Write about something you volunteered for or to do.

16) E-mail your partner a gift eg. scrapbook embellishments, e-book or .......

17) Write down a recipe you have tried and ENJOY! Did you make any adjustment to the recipe and why did you enjoy it?

18) Write about 5 of your short/long term goals?

19) List 10 things that you love (to do someday).

20) Write with multiple colors on the same page. The theme "If I could change one thing about my life it would be..... and why.."

22) Write in all capital letters today about your pet peeves.

23) Look around the room. Choose one thing you see and write about it.

24) Tear or cut up a photo, magazine pic, map, etc., and glue the pieces back together randomly. Once again you can either scan this in or use your own computer software to crop and change your photos.

25) List three things you can't live without. (not the basic air, water, food)

26) If you had to evacuate your home because of a natural disaster, what three things would you take with you?

27) List 5 things you have collected at any time in your life.

28) Glue in or Insert picture of an artifact from your day. This could be a business card from a place you visited, a ticket from a movie you saw, a stamp from an envelope, etc.

29) Make a list of things you sense right now for each of your five senses: Touch, taste, sight, smell, sound.

30) Talk about the weather today and what you like or dislike about it. Tell us your favorite season. SEASON (3 posts)

Theme A Day eJournal Entry 29

2010-06-15T21:58:00.000+01:00

23) Look around the room. Choose one thing you see and write about it.

The colour blue. We rent our home. We move a lot and basically have to take the homes as they come. I was really pleased to discover that my home office would be th eblue room. It has blue walls and blue curtians.

From a young age I decided that blue was my favourite colour. It helped my family out because my cousin Hayley and I celebrated our birthdays together (up until I was 12 and she was 11). We always got the same presents and depending on what it was hers was always pink and mine blue.

For a while navy blue was my favourite shade but now I like all shades of blue.

When I think back as to why blue was my favourite color a number of things popped into my head - I just didn't like pink and blue was considered to its opposite. Right from an early age I sensed the males had power, so by taking on the colour blue I would have power. That might sound a bit weird but I was "Tom boy".
Now I find the colour blue calming, serene, comforting and yes powerful.

Theme A day e-journal Entry 27

2010-06-15T21:43:00.000+01:00

http://www.carnation.co.uk/recipes/pies-and-tarts/key-lime-pie

I used lemons and left out the decorating bit. Also used a ready made sweet pastry case - just because I didn't have a lot of time. Fills two pastry cases.

Reminds me of cheesecake - love the texture and slight lemon that offsets the sweetness.

KEY LIME (LEMON) PIE

over 1 hour
Serves 8

Ingredients

Base:

250g (9oz) digestive biscuits
100g (3½oz) butter, melted

Filling:

405g can Carnation Condensed Milk Light
finely grated zest and juice of 5 large limes
300ml carton double cream

To decorate:

30g (1oz) bitter chocolate (70% cocoa solids), melted
6-8 thin lime wedges and slivers of zest

You will also need:

20cm (8”) loose-bottomed cake tin, greased

Method

To make the base, blitz the biscuits in a food processor until they are like fine crumbs and then combine with the melted butter. Press the mixture into the base and 4cm (1½") up the sides of the tin. Chill the base while you make the filling.
Whisk together the filling ingredients until thick and creamy. Spoon over the biscuit base and chill for at least 1 hour.
Remove the pie from the tin and place on a serving plate. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the top and leave to set. Before serving, decorate with the lime wedges and the zest.

Tips

This recipe can also be made with lemons – replace the limes with four lemons.

Theme A day e-journal Entry 26

2010-06-15T21:20:00.000+01:00

29) Make a list of things you sense right now for each of your five senses: Touch, taste, sight, smell, sound.

Smell: Sicilian citrus candle

Touch: smooth keyboard keys

Sound: the tapping of my husbands and my keyboard keys
Sight: Candle flame, Yellow School letter and Read School Dates behind the computer screen, my daughters pencil cases and camera case in my periphiral vision

Taste: The after taste of the Apple, mango and Lime fruit juice I had before coming up and doing this journal entry.

Theme A Day e-Journal Entry 25

2010-06-15T21:12:00.000+01:00

My daughter filling in her passport.
at the
The 'Earth from the Air' exhibition

The FREE passport contains 12 images from the across the exhibition situated on The Mall, Market Square and Navan Centre and Fort in Armagh.

Glue in or Insert picture of an artifact from your day. This could be a business card from a place you visited, a ticket from a movie you saw, a stamp from an envelope, etc.

Theme A Day e-Journal Entry 24

2010-06-15T06:37:00.000+01:00

Prompt 15: Write about something you volunteered for or to do.

Volunteering is an important part of my life and who I am.

I often have to make sure I don't volunteer too much.

I remember as a child I would volunteer to do projects (e.g.go door to door collecting money for Harvest Ingathering - now called ADRA) for church partly to get out of doing house work - but that didn't fool my mom who made me do my chores.

When I au paired in the USA I joined a volunteer program where I called an old lady once a week just to chat. If I picked up that she was not well or did not answer her phone I could alert the organisation who then get some help in.

Worked as a volunteer Nature guide near Port Sheptstone, South Africa. It was something I could do with my daughter in a pouch.

When I arrived in Northern Ireland I volunteered at the CAB (Citizens Advice bureau) for 6 months or so.

Now most of volunteering is around children - baby sitting, tutoring, teaching in church etc.....

Theme A Day e-Journal Entry 23

2010-06-14T21:54:00.000+01:00

List 100 things you love (could be places, objects, people, etc)

I did a quick run through my past blog post because I thought I had done a list like this - its probaly on my external hard drive connected to my husbands computer.
But as I looked at some of the post and photos I knew that that my blog reflects the list that I have below.

I love
1. God
2. my husband
3. My daughter
3. My family (extended included)
4. My friends (even the ones I have not met in person)
5. Nature
6. Walking
7. Reading
8. Knitting
9. Photography
10. Art
11. Learning
12. Teaching
13. Waterfalls, rivers, sea, beachfronts
14. dancing
15. Listening to music
16. relaxing on my couch
17. Getting massages
18. Foot spa
19. Reflexology
20. Exploring towns.
21. Being a tourist.
22. Organising outings
23. Helping others
24. Soaking in the bath
25. My hair
26. Doing jigsaw puzzles with a partner or partners
27. History
28. Listening to people's stories
29. Meeting new people
30. Going to coffee shops
31. Free events like the Children's festival and Street theatre
32. Going to the Theatre
33. Dressing up fancy
34. Pampering with the girls
35. Coffee
36. Poetry
37. The Library
38. Mazes
39. Free Walking Tours
40. Museums
41. Central heating
42. Reasons to celebrate
43. Getting presents
44. Giving presents
45. Doing creative things
46. Adventure
47. Internet
48. Postal service
49. swap-bot
50. Food
51. desserts
52. Game drives - especially at night
53. sunsets
54. Sunrises
55. The fact that all my five senses still function
56. Paris
57. South Africa
58. Ireland
59. Washington DC
60. Sleeping in late on Sunday
61. getting breakfast in bed
62. Dinner parties
63. Grease
64. Fiddler on the roof (walked down the aisle to music from it)
65. Musicals
66. Liturgical dancing
67. Dramatic Prose
68. Road trips
69. Hugs
70. Kissing
71. Autumn
72. Positivity
73. Personality quizzes
74. Planning
75. Researching for ideas and information
76. Getting meaning e-mails and letters
77. special dates with my daughter
78. Hearing my husband's praises
79. Hearing him praise me
80. feeling like I am doing something meaningful
81. Freecycle
82. Laughing
83. Good company
84. Talking
85. Being on holiday
86. Festivals
87. Birthdays
88. Success in the kitchen (does not come naturally)
89. Inspiring quotes
90. Cheap prices for oversea telephone calls and Skype
91. nature Reserves
92. Environmentally friendly behaviour
93. Peace
94. Life
95. Love
96. Hope
97. Ticking things off my to do list
98. variety (Idiom- variety is the spice of life)

This picture was drawn by Erika Aoyama

99. Having fun
100. me

Theme A day eJournal Entry 28

2010-06-14T17:03:00.000+01:00

Prompt: Write about 5 of your short/long term goals?

Short Term:

1. Lose 10% of weight in the next two months/8 weeks.
2. Choose a course to study to stimulate myself - either part-time study or correspondence. Either creative writing, health or education.
3.Improve my writing skills (do writing exercises everyday)
4. Organise the running of home (so that when I go to work it is easier to maintain)
5. Improve my photography skills

Long Term:

1.Find a way to bring an extra income into our home either by find a job or starting my own business.
2. Reaching my ideal weight of 65kg/143 pounds/10 stone. [current weight is 18st]

Theme A Day eJournal Entry 22

2010-06-14T14:03:00.000+01:00

I actually did this earlier but just forgot to post it because it was such a hectic weekend. FRIDAY 21 May 2010.

I had a guest (Rachel Hyman) from the USA - she is a well known singer in Seventh -Day Adventist circles and a friend from Larne Church who was also doing the the Kid's in Discipleship course.

On the Friday I got up early to make sure we were all ready to leave by 7:50am for breakfast at the church Hall. We needed to buy extra bread on our way over.
I bought a packed lunch from Tesco for Jeandre to make life easier. Rachel sorted herself out with food because she has lots allergies etc.

Get home after 7pm - do homework for the course and then just hang out - chat.
We ended up only finishing off at about 8:15pm and because my husband had to lock up we were the last ones to leave.
My daughter went to Larne for the night.
We promised ourselves we would not stay up late but when you get three talkative women together that is mission impossible!!
Got to bed at about 11:30pm.

What was great about this day is that I didn't have to cook.

After breakfast my husband took my daughter to school and then somehow he ended being the one who fetched.

Theme A day e-journal 21

2010-06-14T13:52:00.000+01:00

E-mail your partner a gift eg. scrapbook embellishments, e-book or .......

I e-mailed my partner an e-book.

Nine Dragons (2009)

From the streets of L.A. to the shimmering skyline of Hong Kong, Harry Bosch must find his missing daughter.

Harry Bosch is assigned a homicide call in South L.A. that takes him to Fortune Liquors, where the Chinese owner has been shot to death behind the counter in a robbery. Joined by members of the department's Asian Crime Unit, Bosch relentlessly investigates the killing and soon identifies a suspect, a Los Angeles member of a Hong Kong triad.

But before Harry can close in, he gets the word that his young daughter Maddie, who lives in Hong Kong with her mother, is missing.

Bosch drops everything to journey across the Pacific to find his daughter. Could her disappearance and the case be connected? With the stakes of the investigation so high and so personal, Bosch is up against the clock in a new city, where nothing is at it seems.

Nine Dragons, the most personal and thrilling Harry Bosch story yet...

Official Site:http://www.michaelconnelly.com/Book_Collection/NineDragons/ninedragons.html

Theme a Day Journal Entry 20

2010-06-14T13:32:00.000+01:00

If you had to evacuate your home because of a natural disaster, what three things would you take with you?

My "hand" bag - its a a small backpack and it has a few essentials in it including my wallet, passport, hand cream, headache tablets, callus protectors, lipstick, water bottle, cellphone and a pen. I HOPE that counts as one thing LOL.

Okay seriously, if I had to escape quickly my handbag does have essentials in them.
1. Cellphone has contacts for my doctor, family and friends - Alternatively I would have to make sure I had an address book with all that information in it.
2. Important documents eg. passport, driver license, insurance, birthcertifcates etc....
3. Prescription Medicines and a water bottle.

I have never thought much about this before. Growing up in South Africa the main natural disaster I experienced was a drought. I remember using bath water to water our garden and to clean the toilet.
Its always been something that happens elsewhere but i don't live in SA anymore and even SA with climate change anything can happen.
This was soemthing important to think about.

i am in the process of renewing my visa to stay in the UK and its amazing how vulnerable you are when you don;t have anything on you that can identify who you are. they have my passport, drivers license, birth certificate etc.

How to prepare for a natural disaster?

http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/emergencies.jsp

Theme a Day Entry 19

2010-06-14T13:08:00.000+01:00

21) Describe your favorite place to write in your journal and why it's your favorite. If you don't normally keep a journal, like myself, Describe your favorite place to just get away from it all. Someplace you like to be by yourself!

There a few spots I enjoy.

The first is the couch by the window in our lounge. I enjoy relaxing on it, looking out the window, sipping coffee and writing or reading or think or just be.
Why? Its comfortable, close by and makes me feel like i am in a dream......

I also enjoy walking in Huntly Wood - being the forest area and near the river. I love being near water to think, write , feed my soul. It can be a beach, dam, river etc.
I find the sound of the water and nature very soothing and comforting. Looking at water is also very meditative for me - it makes me feel energized and hopeful.

Theme A Day e-Journal Entry 18

2010-06-14T12:55:00.000+01:00

11) Write about what scares you.

I am and have always been scared of being misunderstood, being judged harshly.

There are a few things that scare me but I try not to let them inhibit me. I scared of looking down from high up - I just get this overwhelming feeling that i must throw myself over - it scares me that one day I would do it- just because....

I scared of big spiders but I will get a broom and sweep it out.
Snakes scare me. i had a friend that had pet snakes and I had it on my arm, it really feels weird, like it could just wrap itself round your arm and stop the blood from flowing.

I really get scared and freeze up when a child - especially my own child gets hurt or really sick. i have done First Aid training but it just all flies out of my head.

ooh I could go on and on but I really don't want to.

Theme a dy e-Journal Entry 17

2010-06-11T10:19:00.000+01:00

Prompt: List three things you can't live without. (not the basic air, water, food)

1. Love
2. Hope
3. Faith

Wants the point of living without these things. Life then becomes meaningless. A drudgery.

How we define each of these and what they mean to us may be different. I see them essential to my life.

Love Quotes | Forward this Graphic

Theme a Day e-Journal entry 16

2010-06-11T10:12:00.000+01:00

Click image to enlarge

Theme A Day Journal Entry 15

2010-06-07T08:51:00.000+01:00

The theme "If I could change one thing about my life it would be..... and why..

At first I was blank then the first thing that popped in head was living healthy all time - not just in fits and starts like I do now. then I wondered if that counted because that is something I do have the power to change - well at least I should have but I have been failing at it for the last 9 years. Some of it has been out of my control like getting injured and sick at crucial points.

The next thing that popped into my head was money. I wish I had enough to do all things I want like bring my mom over to visit me, travel, help other etc....

If I had to choose between the two I would would definitely choose my health. Why? I could then think more clearly and work more effectively. I wold be able to enjoy life more. I would have more energy. I wold be able to help others better. I would be a good role model to my daughter.

By health I include mental, physical, spiritual and social systems in my life.

Theme a day e-Journal Entry 14

2010-06-01T14:40:00.000+01:00

19) List 10 things that you would love to do someday.

mmmm This is a difficult one for me because I have done almost everything I wanted to do like visit Paris, do an Open Swim, a 3 day hike etc....

1. Write a book. (working on it but keep getting distracted by life - hehehehehe)

2. Visit Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

3. Bring my mother over to Europe for a 6 month visit.

4. Go on a Spa Holiday.

5. Doing something that will leave a positive legacy.

6. Go on a Pony Trek

7. Do a volunteer trip somewhere in the world example - help build a house or teach etc......

8. Sleep in a Tree house resort or camp.

9. Get a hot stone massage

10. Do a walking tour of Belfast.

I thought this list was interesting:

10 Things Everyone Should Have Done Before 31

Theme a day e-Journal Entry 13

2010-05-27T20:40:00.000+01:00

BREAKFAST IN BED

Write in a circle. Start at the top, side, bottom, middle and write making a huge never-ending line making a circle! Fill up mostly the whole page writing about a favorite ritual or tradition.

ESFJ

2010-05-27T19:34:00.000+01:00

ESFJ

Extraverted Sensing Feeling Judging

ESFJs are warmly interested in others. They use their Sensing and Judging characteristics to gather specific, detailed information about others, and turn this information into supportive judgments. They want to like people, and tend to be skilled at bringing out the best in others. They strive to understand other points of view. The ESFJs' strong desire to be liked, and for everything to be pleasant, makes them highly supportive of others. People like to be around ESFJs, because ESFJs have a gift for making people feel good about themselves. All else being equal, ESFJs enjoy being in charge. They see problems clearly and delegate easily, work hard and play with zest.

View Full MyPersonality.org Profile

0 50 100	%
Openness	63%
Conscientiousness	81%
Extraversion	75%
Agreeableness	69%
Neuroticism	50%

Season?

2010-05-26T00:22:00.000+01:00

You Belong in Fall

Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times...

You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings

Whether you're carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you

What Season Are You?

Blogthings: We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

Your Soul Is Connected to ...

2010-05-26T00:21:00.000+01:00

Your Soul Is Connected to the Fall

You are a somewhat sensitive soul with a tough exterior. You are street smart and wise about the world.

You have the heart of a poet, but you're not too eager to let anyone else see it.

You are very creative and deeply talented. You are still looking for the perfect outlet for your expression.

You embrace change and think the cycles of life are beautiful. You don't shrink away from the darker elements of life.

What Season is Your Soul Connected To?

The First Rule of Blogthings Is: You Don't Talk About Blogthings

Theme a day e-Journal Entry 12 Part 1

2010-05-25T22:28:00.000+01:00

BANBRIDGE NORTHERN IRELAND

Current conditions (as of 22:00)

Today's forecast

°F | °C

Not Available	7°C Feels like: 5°C
Barometer:	1015.5 mb
Dewpoint:	4°
Humidity:	77%
Visibility:	7 miles
Rainfall in last hr:	NA
Rainfall last 24 hrs:	0 cm
Wind:	7 mph NNW
Sunrise:	05:06
Sunset:	21:38
UV Index:	0 Low

Observed at Belfast / Aldergrove Airport.
All times shown are local to Banbridge.

Today

High:	14°
Low:	7°

Partly Cloudy

16:00

14°

Clear

19:00

12°

Clear

22:00

9°

Theme a Day e-Journal Entry 11

2010-05-24T20:02:00.000+01:00

Write in all capital letters today about your pet peeves.

TOILET MUST BE THE RIGHT WAY.
THE CARS NOT PUT IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

NOT SQUEEZING THE TOOTHPASTE FROM THE BOTTOM UP

Theme a Day e-Journal Entry 10

2010-05-23T22:55:00.000+01:00

List 5 things you have collected at any time in your life.

I am not really a collector.

1. I collect spoons of all the towns I visit and it to my mom. its been disappointing when I cannot find any souvenior spoons, seems their popularity is dying out in some places.

I have gotten her spoon from different towns in South Africa, USA, UK, France and Ireland.

2. I have collected coins with my daughter. We have done a few swaps but that did not last very long.

3. The year I Au-paired in the USA I collected pins for my Backpack.

4. I collected a few snoopy soft toys (represented different professions and went beyond the normaly 4 week promotion) from Mac Donald's when I was pregnant. I liked the idea that I was eating less by eating the Kiddies meal and got a soft toy for my child.

5. ........................................

High School

2010-05-23T20:58:00.000+01:00

Denise is wearing the glasses and i have long curly hair with the black and white hair band.

THEN:

What years were you in high school? 1987-1993
What kinda crowd did you hang out with?A small one that managed to manuver between the popular and not so popular kids. Pro-active about doing positive things like sports, environmental issues, Christian club and community service.
Who were your closest 5 friends?Adelaide, Claire, Denise, Miranda and Shannon. I never lost contact with Claire and Denise and I have just reconnected with Miranda through Facebook.
What subject did you love?History and Mathematics
What subject did you hate?Accountancy and Needlework - Thank goodness I could drop those as after two years at High School. Then I just did 6 subjects and Biology became my least liked subject. I managed to overcome my dislike for it in the last year of school and challenge myself to work on it - I ended up scoring my highest mark in Biology (A symbol).
What were your biggest worries? My parent's relationship
Did you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?Yes but I avoided dating anyone in my own school because there would just be too talk and interference. I did however have crushes on 3 guys in my school. By the time my High career was over i had kissed 2 of the 3 guys. I lost interest in the other one when I heard his voice- it just did not match his good looks. I dated one boy from class for one month - 3 weeks of that month was in the Winter Holidays. I broke up with him but continued to be friends. We are still friends on FB to this day.
What was your style?I tried to look nerdy at school, conservative at church and then transform when I went to parties/beach or swimming pool. Never wore name brand clothes for two reasons we could afford it and I was not interested.
What was your favorite food/drink?Beans Bunny, Macroni and Cheese - The bunny chow, a hollowed out half loaf of bread filled with curry, a typical Indian-South African dish
Did you have a job? Where?I worked for two summer holidays in Factory (Maloney and Co) that manufactured locally made beauty products. Mainly to get money to go to Camp. Could not work weekends because I kept the Sabbath. My mother got me the job. I didn't fill in any application forms or get an interview. I never contemplated leaving school early but working there even though it was interesting re-inforced that I wanted to get an education and do more.
Did you have good grades or barely pass?I got good grades. I loved school and loved achieving. I was always in the top of 3 out of 150 other learners.

NOW:

Do you have a significant other?Yes. He is very different from the type of guys I dated in High School. Our school experiences were completely different except for the fact that he too was a High Achiever and always in the Top 2.
Do you have kids? Yes, we have one daughter. She loves school and I get the same feedback from teachers that my mom got of me.
What are your favorite foods/drink now?

Still macaroni and cheese - I love Beans Bunny but hardly ever get it because I no longer live in Durban. Coffee has become my favourite drink, something I hardly touched growing up but developed romantic ideas about.
Do you have a job? Where?Not at the moment, I am stay at home mom - surprise, surprise something I said I would never unless i was married to a rich and had a maid. Not married to a rich man and i don't have a maid. I am a qualified High school teacher and may go back to that profession as soon as i am registered to do so here in Northern Ireland.
What is your style now?mmmmm comfortable clothes, jeans, black trousers and tracksuits. Loose fitting tops.
What fads do look at and cringe?Bright neon colours of the 1980's and three quarter pants (trousers).
What are your biggest worries now? Balancing the family budget, using my time wisely.
Who are your top 5 friends now? Denise, my husband, Claudelle, Ruth and Claire.
What crowd do you hang out with now?People from our church circle - My husband is a minister.
What "subject" do you like now? (things you are REALLY interested in) Computer Application Technology (was not a subject I was at school but I have taught it). Mathematical Literacy. Local History of wherever I am living.
What is a "subject" you just do not get? Can't think of anything maybe meta-physics.

TO COME:

How do you think you will change in the next 10 years?Hopefully I will be fitter, look young, be very active in my community (I was in the past, now I am a visitor in the community I live only active in the church). Own my own home.
Do you think you will have a different job?Probably, i have been considering switching to Primary school teaching or only tutoring, or becoming a writer. Though I still view the possibility of writing as something I would as an extra not full-time.
Will you still be friends with the people you are with now? Definitely the friends I have mentioned live in other countries except my husband. We using letters, e-mail, Skype and FB to continue our friendship. I am not sure if I will ever physically see any of them again but all things going well we might get to spends a holiday or two together.
What are your goals for the next 10 years?Buy a house, Be fit, slim and healthy, travel more, look after my mom in her retirement. Guide my daughter through High School into whatever she chooses.
What do you think your biggest worries will be in 10 years?Probably still be money, my daughter dating, her education etc.
Do you think you will still be with your significant other in 10 years? YES - It will be 21 years then.
Will you have the same hobbies? Interests?I might pick up a few new ones along the way.

Theme A Day e-Journal Entry 9

2010-05-21T07:46:00.000+01:00

There are many songs I like, that have great meaning to me. This song I have decided to share has been on my mind this week because my friend Robert Petersen died this past weekend and he sang this song for my 21st birthday. He performed it a few months ago and said it reminded him of me.

Somewhere Out There
James Ingram and Linda Ronstadt

Somewhere out there,
Beneath the pale blue night,
Someone's thinking of me,
And loving me tonight.
Somewhere out there,
Someone's saying a prayer,
Then we'll find one another,
In that big somewhere out there.
CHORUS
And even though I know how very far apart we are,
It helps to think we might be wishing
On the same bright star,
And when the night will start to sing
A lonesome lullaby,
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the
Same big sky.
CHORUS
Somewhere out there,
If love can see us through,
Then, we'll be together,
Somewhere out there, out where dreams, come true.

Theme A Day e-Journal Entry 8

2010-05-19T23:51:00.000+01:00

8) How much money did you spend today and what did you buy? From where?

I spent absolutely nothing today.

I drove to Armagh to attend a the Armagh Heritage Day it was from 10am till 4pm. he Mayor of Armagh sponsored coffee, scones and a finger lunch.
The tour at the Navan Centre was also free. Only had time to see one of the three things that they have to offer - will definetly be taking Jeandre there. So I guess I will spending money next time.

Thought of stopping by a shop to buy a few things but decided to cook with what i have in the kitchen.

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