Weightloss Journey Update

Its been really busy start to the school and working year. Weddings and Girls night out in between.
My challenge  came the night before weigh-in ..... Dominoes Craving.... part of it was tiredness and emotions....I didn't manage the two bite and throw away principle but I did have 2 slices instead of 4 and only 2 pieces of garlic bread instead of 4.

This past week I lost 0.5 pounds (0.23kg).......its weight in's like this when I am really happy it is in pounds and not kilograms. Increased my exercise and water in take.......
Looking forward to weiging even less next week :)

On Days 15-20 of 100 Days of Weightloss

Days 11-15 of 100 Days of Weightloss Journey

The one thing I have noticed this week is that i really need to slow down and take more notice of what I am eating. I have slow down as soon I became concious of what I was doing and when I had already eaten my meal I waited for a while before deciding to eat or drink anything else.

Days 11-14

So this week I in a sense checking my relationship with food. On Monday night I had a really strong urgh to buy Dominos ....I cold taste the garlic bread..........I delayed ordering and read through my Slimming World book. In the end I decided on making a tuna and mayonaise snackwich instead and really enjoyed it as well.

I think Day 15 is going to really be interesting for me to attempt.

Day 15 First two bites

With any food that you love, eat the first two bites very slowly, noticing details such as

the cinnamon in the apple pie or the soft caramel swirl in the cheesecake. Allow yourself

to completely absorb the texture and flavor of the food. After you finish those two bites,

decide if you truly need more. In most cases, you don’t.

Doors

Some doors may close the evidence of the door still may still be visible like memory.

The memory is just that ........good or bad.....happy or sad........ what will I do with it.

Will I mourn it, will I gladly move on, will stand by it trying to break it down or will I search for a new door........ will I create one?

How can you help?

I think this is a very useful quiz it helped me think about how I would like to be supported and how I could support others.

Tomorrow is my Slimming World meeting. Its great to get support from the consultant and other members but its really at home and at the church potlucks for where i need support.

Day 9 of 100days of Weigtloss

In the quiz below, pick out the answers that fit best for you. If the answers don’t exactly
work for you, come up with some different ones that match your needs.

I have put my answers in bold and italics.........

1. If you see me eating something that’s not on my diet plan
___ Ask me, “Should you be eating that?”
___ Ignore it entirely
___ Ask me if I’ve had a bad day
___ Give me a hug

DISTRACT ME......MOVE THE FOOD AWAY FROM ME - I WONT BE OFFENDED :)
In fact my friend Lorraine did this few weeks ago I was half way through eating a second piece of Baileys Cheesecake after trying really hard to ignore it and she took it out of hand. Thank you Love I needed that.

2. When I’m making progress, such as losing weight
___ Compliment me on how I look
___ Praise me in front of others
___ Never comment on my progress in front of others
___ Give me non-food gifts or rewards

3. When I’m struggling or gaining weight
___ Tell me you notice and really care about my struggle
___ Ignore it entirely
___ Hug me and show me extra affection
___ Ask me how you can help

4. When I’m making progress you can’t see (such as improving my self-esteem)
___ Ask me how my efforts are going
___ Compliment me on how I look
___ Ignore my efforts and my changes
___ Give me non-food gifts or rewards

5. When I’ve maintained my weight (even though I may still want to lose more)
___ Tell me you are proud of my current efforts
___ Ignore the subject entirely
___ Ask me if I’m struggling or feeling discouraged
___ Compliment me on my looks and my efforts

Today
• Complete this quiz, and then read your answers out loud to one of your support people such as your spouse or a good friend.
• Post your answers on your refrigerator or in some other location where your support people can be reminded of what you want.
• Write the most important answers below. Add any other answers or requeststhat fit your needs. Be sure to read these to your support people as well.

Day 8 of 100 Days of Weightloss

Do you find sometimes that peoples good intentions actually throw you off track or when you are going in one direction your partner is going in the other?

Its funny how difficult it is for me to know and verbalise what my own needs are sometimes. I didn't know where to start with Day 8's challenge so I decided to google and I fowung the following Blog entry very helpful in triggering my own thoughts

To read  the rest of the blog.........

Day 8: "Help Me Please" View ELASTI-GIRL's Sparkpage View All Blog Entries from ELASTI-GIRL

Thursday, June 25, 2009

"Do you ever wish you could get more support from people around you? If only the "helpers" in your life knew exactly what you wanted them to say! With good intentions, people grab cookies out of your hand as they scold you, "should you be eating that?" Or they ignore you and don't say anything, even when you wear much smaller clothes or weight 30 pounds less than you did a few months ago.

"Decide what you want - To get support instead of criticism from the people you love, you may have to train them. Instead of begging, "Please help me lose weight" or "Be nicer to me", clarify exactly what you mean by those words, and then be more specific in your requests.

"Please don't say ---. Be sure you also let people know the things you don't want them to do or say." 

http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2180126

Days 5,6 and 7 of 100 days of Weightloss Challenge

Update on my weightloss....Monday's are my weigh-in at Slimming World I lost 2.5lbs/1.1kg.

Some interesting concepts shared in the book that I definitely will be using. I think with Slimming world I have already being exploring the idea of following a Narrower or Wider road. I am still on the road to weightloss even though I have intially chose the wider road and now I ready to make my boundaries narrower by switching from the Easy Plan to Green Plan. ALong the way I amanged to get my family motivated to join me and they becoming great encouragers.

Keen to see if the magic note idea will help me with my food temptations/cravings:
When a food thought crosses your mind, remind yourself that you don’t have to act on it. Instead,
write down the name or even a description of the food, and then anticipate the pleasure
of eating it sometime in the future.
......

Anytime you feel pressured to eat something, sidestep the food pusher by saying, “Not just yet; I’m going to wait a little while.”

I think the most important lesson I have learned over the last few days is not just to be interested in my weightloss but to be committed as Lisa Nichols says NO MATTER WHAT .......

Day 7

i can do it

I can do it

I Can Do It

I CAN Do It

I CAN DO IT

Day 4 of 100 Days of Weighloss

At the begining of the is challenge/book...it stated that i should list 10 reasons why I want ot lose weight and then put them up where I can see it....to help motivate me when I feel like giving in or giving up.........

This reminded of the time I did lists of 100........I don't like to think that what I right done is necessarily the most important....but here I go:

1. To be healthy
2. Not get diabetes 2
3. Buy clothes in any store I like (not forced to buy online...)
4. Be able to wear the style of clothes i enjoy not florals !
5. Be able to go on walks with my family
6. Lesson the pain in my ankles and feet
7. Not have to ask for an extra belt on the airplane
8. Do walking tours without too much hassel/heavy breathing/pain
9. Sleep better
10. Look great
11. Get into scuba type suit for snorkling and the like
12. Be a good example to my daughter
13. live longer
14. Finally be able to say that years ago I had a list of ten things I wanted to do and now I have done all 10! (instead of 9 out of 10)
15. Have more energy

Day 3 of 100 days of weightloss

Identify the task you don't feel like doing and do it anyway.....

Today that was eating a healthy home cooked meal instead of eating out......I looked at what vouchers that could make eating out cheap, considered the bad decision s I already made in the past week with eating on the road .......
I don't know what the scale is going to tell me tomorrow but today I ate healthy and exercised......today I decided not to just be interested in health but to be committed :)

GraceLink : Primary

GraceLink : Primary

Day 1 of 100 Weightloss Challenge

I started my weightloss journey in February this year with Slimming World and I have lost 2stones/28lb/12.7kg so far.

This is hugh because I have not let the usual things that throw me off keep of this path. For the last 15 years I have started the journey weighloss and by Christimas I find myself a slight bit heavier but this year is going to be different.

Its the start of the school school and the countdown to Christmas. It is  also almost a year beafore I visit home-South Africa and turn 40! For all these reasons and more I have decided to add another tool my arsenal for change. A book fromt the Overdrive NI Libraries: 100 Days of Weighloss

Actions I will complete:

10 Reasons why I want to reach and Maintain my goal weight

Day 1: I used to be that way ..............
"I used to be that way, but now i'm different"

Slimming World......Sedway Reward

I started Slimming world in February this year. It has been slow and steady progress. I have been adapting my diet. Starting weight 125.6 kg / 19.12 stone...........followng the Extra Easy plan I have finally met my mini-goal goal of being under 18stone so that I can ride on a Sedway and I am only about 2 pounds away from my 2stone sticker :)
Thinking of switching over to the Green plan........

The amazing thing for me is that I have through illness and an ankle injury and managed to stay on track........three weeks i gained weight and 2 weeks I maintained as a result a steady loss......that is WIN for me on a mental level.........

The joke is that I have had to admit to myself that my trousers were larger than size 24 and the oes that were 24 and fit were stretchy and made differently so the next goal is to get to Size 22 and then buy a new outfit but in the mean time I am planning my Sedgeway reward and celebrating the loss I have achieved.

Photos to follow soon.......

Interesting article for leaders

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.churchplants.com%2Farticles%2F7030-ron-edmondson-5-goals-every-leader-needs-for-vacation.html&media=the_post_thumbnail()&description=Ron%20Edmondson:%205%20Goals%20Every%20Leader%20Needs%20for%20Vacation%20-%20ChurchPlants&layout=

all in

Stellar Kart - All In (Apologize) [Lyric]: http://youtu.be/Emldxwuco6g

And the Best Country in the World Is...Ireland! (U.S. Ranks 21st)

And the Best Country in the World Is...Ireland! (U.S. Ranks 21st)

Together in Pieces

Changing landscapes, changing mindsets.

Just attended a screening of this 20min. documentary. Quite a lot was covered in a very short space of time.

I thought it was well excuted. Great imagery, music and content. I only heard half the dicussion afterwards because i forgot my hearing aids at home. Managed to put together some of the questions from how the panel answered. Thank goodness they used mics.

If you are interested in hosting a free screening of this documentary you can send an e-mail to e-mail: togetherinpieces@hotmail.com

http://www.togetherinpieces.co.uk/watchfilm.html

Claudy Country Park

Great little walk ....took us 30min to walk about 2.2km.............lovely river............kids playing in in it.........walled playarea for the little ones...

Slimming World Bean pie

Syns 4.5

for the lighter ready made puff pastry

Tasty meal.....

Pie filling:

Potaoes

Bake Beans

red peppers

onions

baby marrow

salt

corainder leaf

squirt of ketup 

Calvary the movie with subtitles

Arghhhhh have you ever chosen to go to movie and darn I didn't read the description properly or felt you wanted to walk out but because you were with others you didn't.........

If you into black comedy then I am sure you could enjoy the movie......
I did love the nature scenery....... The dialogue and characters felt a bit predictable.........

If I want to be philosophical about it there were one or two interesting thoughts that came to mind.........comparing a fallible priest to Jesus , forgiveness and acceptance.,.,......

I take solace in the fact that I supported the Action for Hearing  loss campaign to movies more movies subtitled

knitting project

Completed knitting two hats this week........

while listening to audio books from NI Library on Overdrive app :)

Now the challenge is to try to follow a pattern......oh the structure LOL

Reflective Poetry # 1

Taking in the view

Taking a moment
enjoying the gentle breeze
absorbing the sun's het
basking in the light
birds chirping
trees rustling
calm river Foyle
reflecting
liquid gold crops
rays
Blessed

Simone Coetser
21 May 2014
Creative Commons

Mutterings # 1

1. Warning ::  danger, red, caution


2. Resume :: here we go again


3. Meeting ::  of two minds


4. Squares ::  caramel


5. Alternate ::  rock


6. Prison ::  Break


7. Swamp ::  Florida


8. Games ::  galore


9. Months :: of the year


10. Share ::  alike

http://subliminal.lunanina.com

Walking the Gransha Woodland

This is small patch of space between a hospital area and my daughter's school (Oakgrove Integrated College).
Its a dog walkers haven. There were also lots of runners using it as part of the training route.......
Its amazing how full of life it was ans yet so peacful at the same time. The trees and bushes were teaming with bird and insect life.

Connection

Its been a great few days because I have been able to reconnect with some friends and family.
I also have the promise and the potential to make some new connections in the community in which I now live.
The one thing that keeps me going is to have a plan then to work it, adapt it and move it forward. But I am also learning that just being still in the moment with no plan is possible. I thought that I was getting stuck in that moment....maybe getting lost.......but the connection I had on Skype, on the telephone, int he community walk, at work, at eh slimming club have alll been little stings pulling up and helping me forward.

Music Inspiration #1

Casting Crowns - Thrive (Official Lyric Video): http://youtu.be/qQ71RWJhS_M

Sunday Matters

What are you doing
today?

I have reconnected in a meaningful way with friends in South Africa and Dublin via Skype and Facebook.

Plan to have a long chat with my mom, a good brunch with my family and then go on a Community walk with the Prehen Historical society.......

Some where in the midst of this i must get washing, ironing, online grocery shopping and a bit cleaning done...........

Camera ready, blog post done...... let the day continue :)

Wordless Wednesday

Inner Excavation

I have startd reading a book, making some lifestyle changes and this is motivating me to start blogging again....

I look a the cover photo of this blog and realise that I have not changed it for about 6 and half years!!!! Does that mean I have been in a cacoon state  for that long??  I don't really want to analyse that for too deeply...,.that might just make me stumble in my journey..,

The e-book is Inner Excavation by Liz Lamreax..,..taken out of NI library using Overdrive Media.
Also listening to a book Called The Depression Diet Book by  Theresa Cheung
Attending Slimming World Club
Considering doing a podcast project (been in pregnant state for a few months now)
Got my camera and new walking shoes

Now all I need is community...................

Derry/Londonderry

Post by Derry/Londonderry Seventh-day Adventist Church.

10 songs to help you learn French

10 songs to help you learn French

Don't Have Love Video | Holly Starr Videos | Christian Artist Music Videos | Christian Music | NewReleaseTuesday.com

Don't Have Love Video | Holly Starr Videos | Christian Artist Music Videos | Christian Music | NewReleaseTuesday.com

GlobalYouthDay

Anti-Bullying Northern Ireland Campaign

The Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum (NIABF) 

The Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum (NIABF) has a membership of over twenty regional statutory and voluntary organisations all acting together to end bullying of children and young people.  It is hosted by the National Children's Bureau NI. NIABF defines bullying as the repeated use of power by one or more persons intentionally to hurt, harm or adversely affect the rights and needs of another or others. You can act together to end bullying by giving it to someone you think needs to know about this website.  http://niabf.org.uk

Like

Like

Psycoanalystical Mutterings

1. Throne ::series filmed in Nothern Ireland - Game of Thrones
2. Adorable ::kittens
3. Corner ::Shop
4. Others ::different, acceptance
5. Chilling ::cold, scary, hanging out
6. Spied ::saw
7. Limitless :: joy
8. Passion ::of Christ
9. Hugely ::...........................
10. Devious ::plan

http://subliminal.lunanina.com

chiakinekomimi's media

chiakinekomimi's media

Cool FM media bus comes to Banbridge

Cool FM media bus comes to Banbridge

Rainbow Integration Project

Rainbow Integration Project

Back Pain

I winder what causes back spasm. People are telling me its my body adjusting to exercise - I did the exercise on Tuesday and got he spasm and pain Saturday - that explanation does  not make sense to me.
Use the electric blanket to help withe pain at night and just taken paracetemol. Done some stretches and yoga type exercise now I think I will give this self reflexology a go........

How to Relieve Back Pain Through Reflexology: 5 steps

Whats On | HERE'S ME! | ISLAND Arts Centre, Lisburn

Whats On | HERE'S ME! | ISLAND Arts Centre, Lisburn

The Top 25 Positive Songs of Popular Music - Page 2 - Music - Blogcritics

The Top 25 Positive Songs of Popular Music - Page 2 - Music - Blogcritics

Parents of kids with educational needs encouraged to Connect - Local - Banbridge Leader

Parents of kids with educational needs encouraged to Connect - Local - Banbridge Leader

Muttering Unconciously

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

1. Vision :: the big picture, 20/20
2. Throne :: room, Game of Thrones
3. Streaming :: live, Shine FM radio
4. Framed :: for a crime, hanging picture
5. Unrealistic :: most dreams
6. Insecure :: Pride
7. Traffic :: lights, camera, robots
8. Punch :: and Judy, bowl
9. Pile :: poop
10. Movie :: ......

http://subliminal.lunanina.com 

Contemplation

I have wondered for a while why keep this blog online despite have written anything really meaning for a long time.
Its a part of me that I don't want to let go. Like the box of letters or keepsakes  you move with. Each time you move you go through the box, you laugh, you cry and you just can't let go. You think maybe there will be something in hear you might need if ever write your own memoirs or you might want to pass on to your child or even to historians. Its a time capsule. Even though you have not added much more you just might need to sometime in the future........

Unconscious Mutterings

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

1. Owner :: Boss
2. Impressive :: admire
3. Compute ::  calculate
4. Choked :: smoke
5. Sarcastic :: uncalled for
6. Wink :: mischievous
7. Sheer :: silk, material
8. Technical :: complicated
9. Laundry :: endless
10. Word game :: fun

meme from : http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

I refuse to let myself DEFEAT myself: Good Morning FB friends

I refuse to let myself DEFEAT myself: Good Morning FB friends

Revived by His Word - Genesis 4

Revived by His Word - Genesis 4

Welcome To The Queen's Meme

Welcome To The Queen's Meme

7 Royal Questions on Tuesday

Procrastination: The art of putting things off. I call it an "art" because it rears its ugly head in my life on a daily basis. Did you notice that I am writing this meme at 7:50 PM??? I rest my case.

1. Have you ever procrastinated about something that had life or death consequences?

Does losing weight and not exercising count? Then the answer is says.

2. What is the biggest area of procrastination in your life?

Cleaning the house.

3. If you are not a procrastinator, can you give advice to the rest of us who are?

......N/A........

4. Can you think of a time when you wish you had procrastinated and NEVER done what you were waiting so long to do?

Yes - inviting friends overs.

5. What are you procrastinating about right now?

Doing the ironing and clearing the kitchen table.

6. Is it really ever too late to turn back now?

No

7. What is the cure for your wicked lazy ways?

If I knew I would not be filling this in LOL

Read others: http://mimiqueenofmemes.blogspot.co.uk/

Spending Your Hours | Articles | SmallGroups.com

Spending Your Hours | Articles | SmallGroups.com

Brian Duggan at Rua Red, Dublin

mmm this might be something interesting to on on Monday - make up for missing the parades this year ?
Brian Duggan at Rua Red, Dublin

Mum's Biography

Written by Jeandre' Coetser

Simone Allison Coetser (nee' Le- Fleur) was born in Durban, South Africa. She was classified as a Coloured meaning she was of mixed race. Simone was brought up as a Seventh Day Adventist and this had a great influence on her culture and principals. As a child she was friendly , happy and outgoing. She loved going to school and her favourite subjects were mathematics and history.

In primary school Simone pretended that she was not scare of frogs and crabs. The boys in her school like to scare girls with them. Simone was scare of being pinched by the crabs but did not think that the frogs were too scary. She realised that if she acted brave by carrying the crab the boys would leave her alone. Now she is not scared of frogs and crabs. Simone faces fears and challenges instead of running away from them.

Simone has lived in number of places. In South Africa she lived in the following towns: Durban, Johannesburg, Nelspruit, Pietermaritzburg, Port Sheptone, Heildeberg and Helderberg. In the USA she lived in Connecticut for a month and in New Jersey for eleven months. She is currently living in Banbridge, Northern Ireland.

As a teenager Simone worked part-time in a factory and as a babysitter. She has also done a few different types of work including being a secretary, Au Pair, education officer, administrator, tutor, mentor and a teacher.

Many people say that Simone is interesting, open-minded, friendly, creative, great organiser, inspiring, caring, faithful, passionate, extrovert, helpful, good public speaker, team player, self-motivated, confident and displays exceptional leadership.

One of the special things that Simone has done was carrying a special torch (in Durban) that travelled throughout South Africa and was taken to the Women's World Conference in Beijing (China)1995. She and another teenager handed the torch to Dr. Frene Ginwala who was the first non-white and female Speaker parliament in South Africa.

She is proud of organising a 24 hour indoor cricket fund-raiser for Reach For a Dream and doing missionary work (helping /with a building project) in Malawi for three weeks.

Simone's favourite quotes are “Live Life to the Fullest”, “ Life is a painting and you are the artist so go ahead and paint yourself a paradise”.

One of my Mentors

Formed Durban Youth Interaction Committee - DYIC
GCIS | About us | Structure - Biography of Michael Currin

Ramble & Roast

Ramble & Roast

Walk on the Wild Side - Aghagallon Towpath

Walk on the Wild Side - Aghagallon Towpath

Big Garden Bird Watch

Big Garden Bird Watch

Walk on the Wild Side - Lurgan Park

Walk on the Wild Side - Lurgan Park

Murlough Nature Reserve Walk

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

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

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

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

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

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

Unconscious Mutterings

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

Top 10 Breakfast Ideas - FamilyEducation.com

A Heart That Forgives

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

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

1. Eating :: disorder, out
   
2. Cowboys :: and Indians, USA
   
3. Nightmare :: on Elma Street,
   
4. Impress :: Me
   
5. Year :: long
   
6. Kiss :: me (the song)
   
7. Corn :: on the cod, Nandos
   
8. Humping :: Whale
   
9. Mirror :: on the wall, Snow White
   
10. Brains :: Power, intellect, Fuel

Away, Melancholy

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

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)

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

Sense and Sensibility Book Club

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

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

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

Intarsia Box - Knitting Daily

Intarsia Box - Knitting Daily

"Get Up & Grow"

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

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

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.

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Your details will only be used within Usborne and will never be supplied to third parties.

Get your own free form like this one.

Family Reading Night

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jumping Rope for Heart

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

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.