its been 4 years

Its been 4 years.

I was looking back on my first blog posts way back in June 2011. And my first post about the earthquakes was here in June 2011. I found it much easier at the time to not blog/talk about what was going on. For me September was the easy shake- maybe I thought it wasn't blog worthy. 

For me this one was an experience I never want to repeat and it took me a year to write about it.

Now in September 4 years has passed and life for us has continued. I have learnt a thing or two about myself.

I have learned that I am tougher and smarter than I think. I have fight in me when I need it and know when its a good time to walk away. I am still learning to let the small things go. Everything doesn't have to be perfect all the time.

Learning to say no and know my limits. Learning to appreciate the small wonders and moments that make me smile.

I have learnt to reach out for help. Talking about life, the good and the bad- its good for me and for others to know its not all sunshine and roses. Everyday is a new day- thankfully!

I was surprised at how much I needed last year to unload and how much I kept piling on before I saw the cracks. I need to take those selfish me time moments and time alone just for me.

Its very easy to get caught up in the frustrations. We are still waiting 3 years on for our sewerage/storm water to be fixed. We had to wait over a year to be paid out for defects to our house repairs. *sigh*. But in the bigger scheme of things we are happy and healthy, have a safe and warm home.

My post about contentment sums up where I am at the moment. Content. 

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many many half triangles

I have been busy cutting, sewing and ironing many 1/2 triangles. 

It feels good to have a vision and its so quick once you get sewing and see it all come together. 

Hoping to get it quilted and finished in the next few weeks.

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winter is done!

Whoo! Its the last day of winter. This is how I've survived winter

I brought new sheets. Mr B asked if I thought they were "loud"- haha!

having our awesome fire

and the firewood looks pretty awesome stacked up thanks to Mr B

cleaning the floors with baby wipes

Lots of gardening

buying a bright pink scarf

Investing in a kindling cracker

and yes it's well worth the money spent- the boys can use it  and there's no chance of fingers being axed off!

making quilts and crafting

knitting socks for the boys

finding snow boots at the op shop for $7 in my size and colour

creating awesome memories 

spending quality time with Mr B

and finding every ounce of sunshine I can!

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I may have planted an orchard

I am currently moving all the plants that keep getting flooded every time it rains for more than a day to higher ground. I am finding the time in the garden very relaxing and rather productive.

The raised garden beds out the front seem to be doing the trick keeping everything inside them up out of the water and of course they work well as soccer goals.

I brought a few (maybe closer to 10) fruit trees and have planted them around our garden. Our grand total of fruit trees to date is 17 (this does exclude fruiting plants like strawberries/blackcurrants/passion fruit)  and a big whoo for successful planting as they are already starting to blossom. I'm looking forward to everything growing and flowering 

now to be patient for fruit.

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contentment

I saw this blog post -I laughed and thought how true is this. I am very thankful for all that we have. Its not big, flash or fancy but I'm happy and content to sit on the couch and knit socks while my boys play lego in front of me.

I'm content (and it seriously has taken 7 1/2 years to get to this point) where I'm able to walk my boys to school, be an active part of their lives. Right now I have made a choice not to work full time and for that I get to be around to capture moments that I might otherwise miss.

To be home during the day doesn't just mean sitting down knitting for 8 hours (I can only but dream to be creating and crafting all day) . I honestly find it very hard to do one task for a long period of time without thinking about all the other tasks - cooking,cleaning. errands, dog walking etc. I could/maybe should be doing.

There have been times in the past few months where my availability has worked (and in some ways validated this decision)- this means I have the time to visit friends and be a help out where I can.

These choices we have made work for us as and our family and I am so thankful to have all that we do.

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Project Life 2014 Week Thirty-three

I've been busy playing catch up for the past month's Project Life pages (argh!!!!!). It feels good to get back on track and very glad to be keeping track of the week in a note book- for occasions such as this!

I am really enjoying all the sunshine. We got to venture to Godley Head and Sumner Beach. Not warm enough to be in the water but great weather to picnic and play in the sand.

I got Master B's knitted socks finished.

 Week 33

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