Tuesday 28 July 2015

Wordless Wednesday ~ Dragonboating with Nipples on Ripples

Flowers on the Water Ceremony






Humour is everything !

Their name is changing because it's a problem Googling ...




Extraordinary weekend celebrating the benefits of camaraderie , humour and an active lifestyle in the sport of Dragonboating with Dragons Abreast.


   

   

Wednesday 22 July 2015

Wordless Wednesday : Heart of a Stone



 I found this walking on our farm last weekend. It's only a bit bigger than my hand.

The past is a stepping stone, not a millstone. Robert Plant

Leave no stone unturned. Euripides

Do you have a favourite stone / rock quote ?    


   


 

Tuesday 21 July 2015

Ten on Tuesday

Last week , I started using a nifty little app that has turned my life around.
This app has reduced the element of surprise in my day and shock of forgetting appointments.

New habits are one of the hardest things to adopt, and to change behaviour.
Epiphany.


Seriously, I missed a few for my Port Flush , A personal training session and even Onoclogy review. Some were actually in my phone calendar.

I struggle with remembering mundane things thnaks to chemo that saved my life , my short memory is shocking ; my long-term memory isn't as affected. Surprisingly, I can remember children's names from grainy black and white , primary school photos (online).



Any.DO (for iPhone) 

To get started you set the app with a time to review your day,  one by one , then it shows you all the tasks scheduled for that day.
I have / had 10 things on Tuesday ...

At anytime you have an opportunity if necessary to change, add more to dos, or leave it as is.Sweep right and it fades, crosses out and drops down. So you can see you have completed the task and delete if you chose too -sweep left. It takes seconds.

The trick is to make a habit of reviewing my daily to-do list, and this app actually manages to get it done. I've set alarms as well and if I pick up my phone - other to-dos pop up on screen to prompt me.

It has TODAY, TOMORROW , UPCOMING to-dos as well as SOMEDAY.

Tasks can be repeated without having to add them repeatly. In the free app , limited to daily. weekly, monthly , yearly.

Shopping lists can be added too...not forgotten on the fridge or left in the car,

Forget to-do something today ~ it stays on your list , as it drops to tomorrow. It can sync with computer and other devices too,

I'd like it to be like Siri and call me by name but it's still encouraging as it prompts you.

After, a week it's fast becoming a new habit, first thing in the morning and before bed - I review my lists. A few minutes is all it takes me to cultivate organisation or to fake it till I make it.

It still won't help me arrive on time .


What supports your memory ?
Are you a master of the to-do list ?

 

Monday 20 July 2015

I'm going to Boot Camp ~ with Operation Move it Giveaway

 GIVEAWAY with Op-MOVE

Last week after another grateful trip around the sun ...I'm counting down to a big one. It's scary moving into the next drop down box. The silver lining is new opportunities for older chicks and the being the youngest in my age category.

As I mentioned a few times - in 3 wks On August 9th - I will run the 14km City to Surf for National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Then four weeks later I'll back up for hopefully - 21km Half marathon at Dubbo Stampede...well I will be signing up by 3rd August.

In between,  I'm also paddling with my Dragon boat team in 13km race at Master's Games in Cairns - as I'm one of the youngest in my team I only get one race, most of the 50-60'-70's yr olds get two x 13km races.

I was wondering what training plans I should be following to get myself fitter and stronger , to take back my life after 3yrs of cancer treatment traveling a few bumpy roads.

I'm very unmotivated in winter ; add the cold, dark and rain ... so tempting to pull the covers back over my head.

Digressing here ...did you get snow ? Who runs in the snow ?

I'm determined to reduce my risk of reoccurance so I stay active, it helps with my mood and anxiety too. Running keeps my bone density stonger and I've started on basic weights too at the gym and body weight at home.

Living 20mins out of town makes it challenging to slot in exercise every day at the GYM . Now I have a plan to work out at home too.

I was lucky to be offered a chance for a 6 week e-course - Bootcamp beginning August 1st with Operation Move .

MOVE IT Bootcamp:

– If you’ve always wanted to try a Bootcamp or Crossfit but just not been able to make it happen, this 6 week e-course may be the perfect fit!
 – You’ll make new friends and have easy access to your coaches in our private Facebook group while undertaking a variety of fun, challenging workouts.
 The best news  is  - I also have one membership to giveaway ; one lucky reader who can commit to August 'e-course program' valued at $99

– If you want increased strength and energy along with a fun, challenging program the Body Blitz Bootcamp is for you.
For your chance to win - tell me why you need Bootcamp?

Closes Sunday 26th July - 5pm.
The winner will be notified asap have 24hrs to respond or another entry will be chosen.

PS : Always consult your DR before undertaking an exercise program if you have any concerns or health issues.

“Add life to days when we cannot add days to life.”

What are you waiting for ?

Wednesday 15 July 2015

Wordless Wednesday : All the Kings' men and two Queens.


Chess Club - bringing back the good old days when I went with my Dad who ran a local chess club for kids.

I just beat him with help !

   


   

Tuesday 14 July 2015

A Time to Run


No, nope , it's not about my finding a time to run. Though I really need to find my running mojo because the City to Surf is in 4weeks.

The title 'A Time to Run' caught my attention and I jumped at the chance to read and review this.

Featuring a cop-turned-victim and a chilling serial killer , A Time to Run, is a stunning, nail biting  chase through the Queensland bush.

Sammi is drugged, kidnapped, then released into the bush - chased by a madman who has made his intent clear -  he will enjoy chasing her down to kill her like he did the others. Think Milat.
He does not know she is a cop.

The investigation ,by Detective Janine Postlewaite, into her disappearance heats up in parallel. I was impressed with the apparent real life policing being played out.

Pushed to her physical and emotional limits in a race for her life and justice for the others , Sammi digs deep , determined to outwit her would-be killer. Surrendering is not an option.

The inclusion of surreal imagery is what gives Sammi hope and keeps her driven.


At times I was chilled to the bone, yet the pages kept turning and I couldn't put it down. I had to know how it would end. Surprisingly, for me I didn't cheat as I usually do and head to the last chapter half way through the book.

The book has a fast rhythm and tight pace - Friday afternoon to Monday morning - action moves swiftly,  Sammi can't catch her breath ...like when I run.

Warning ...reading it late at night may cause a lack of sleep and sleepless nights following.

I can't wait to read J.M Pearce's next book with Sammi.

I've long been a fan of the grisly Patricia Cornwell "Kay Scarpetta" novels, the master forensic sleuth. Though I never read them in the right chronological order , so it always took me a while to get my head around where she was in the time line of the series , which spans years.

Do you enjoy crime thriller ficton ?


Published by Pan Macmillan Australia
Released 30th June 2015.
JMPeace blog

You might liek to read @debbish's  interview with JM Peace too.

Linking with Jess
 

Sunday 12 July 2015

HOME sweet HOME birthday party

I don't know about you but even after doing birthday parties for 22 yrs , the words "birthday party" still fill me with fear. Fear of failure .

Over the years I've certainly picked up quite a few tips and tricks in the organisation of my sons' birthday parties and by delivering them at countless other raucous birthday events. Some mums just wing it or get help.


So if you are planning an epic  birthday party for your children that includes "HOME" - Dream Works at www.DreamWorks.com has free printables and fun elements that you can download to create into whatever you need to make your party work !




My experience ; I now know that 'throwing' a party at home , with just a few closest friends ensures a far more enjoyable experience for me all involved. So when I was invited to create a #homedvdparty at home I jumped at the chance. We stuck to inviting 8 kids in our soccer team and my nephew. Ten with my boovs.
 

 DreamWorks Animation’s HOME introduces ~ 'OH', a lovable misfit boov , from another planet . OH, becomes a fugitive, escaping with a girl named Tip and her cat called Pig. The two unlikely friends embark on the greatest journey of all time...the journey HOME to find Tip's mum , Lucy . 

Heart-warming and hilarious. There are just so many fun jokes, moments to love and one liners you'll never forget. The music soundtrack is full of groove and feeling.

OH and Tip are chased across the new Boov world in the amazing "Slushious" car : by other boov - Kyle and Captain Smek who want to erase him for OH's biggest mistake #62 ... a send all party invitation.  Galazy's collide as a forgotten password threatens mayham and ensures comedy.

Jim Parson's voice talent (aka Sheldon “The Big Bang Theory”) nails OH's character .


I started by downloading the printable invitations and colourful bubbles to write their names on ; all the food, decorations, invitations and games to make your party one of the best!


http://www.fhetoolkits.com/home/downloads/activity-sheets/printables/home_og_party_kit.pdf




I had plans to purchase Helium balloons but they didn't fit in the car once we picked up the party loot. 

 The cupcakes toppers were easy to print , cut out and attach a toothpick to.









The Party tool kit name wrappers for h2OH alien juice  - not from the large bowl of lemonade aka toilet water. Slushies would have been preferred but I had the not the Slushious.




The boys choose lots of OH movie or round food like Cheezels, JellOH , Maltesers, air popped popcorn, lolly pops and delicious fruit "Orange rings" which surprisingly were eaten.



We cranked up the bubble machine  - an explosion of bubbles greeted the guests and set the scene.

Our HOME party edition movie Theatre was set up in the OUT - our new garage with the outdoor lounge IN. All the noise and mess was contained,plus we could make it really dark. Quietest way to shush 10 boys ever at a  birthday party.



What noise ...I've never seen 10 boys so quiet. At least till lunch was served.



Sticking the themed food of HOME movie - the boys and I planned a fairly healthy menu - nachos, salsa , Ham & cheese + chicken & lettuce burrito torpedo (wraps). It went down well - even if one child ate only 5 slices of ham . The guest who rarely eats at birthday parties. Win !



The HOME PARTY EDITION is Packed with over an Hour of Hit Music and Fun Dancing Content had my whole family shaking their Boov thing! 

HOME features the amazing voice talents of Jim Parsons (aka Sheldon “The Big Bang Theory”) Rihanna , Steve Martin and Jennifer Lopez. The same Movie creators who gave us "How To Train Your Dragon" and "Shrek".

My birthday party monsters start planning their next birthday party minutes after the last guests leave.


Dreamworks HOME

Dreamworks on Pinterest has so many party and movie night activities to download. 
The Party boys preferred to kick the football around instead .

Home Party edition is OH so perfect for a


Captain Smek's - Shusher wand toy created a funny moment in the car -  I was taking home 4 boys after our epic HOME party , I connected my iPhone to charge it - one of the boys pressed the Captain Smek shusher wand - that says "Erase him" and Siri asks if I want to erase everything - NO !

I found out why - With iOS 8, when your iPhone is plugged in, you can still use Siri by simply saying, “Hey Siri.”

To turn the feature on, go to Settings→General→Siri→Allow “Hey Siri.”

HOME is available now on Blu-ray, DVD & DIgital HD, released July 8 - we've already watched it 4 times. 

The boys declared most epic party ever and so did I. 

Thank you to 20th Century Fox & Dreamworks for the Blu-ray disc , AWESOME Party Loot bags and the Burrito wraps/salsa and corn chips. All opinions are otherwise my own, no other financial considertation was received.


 

Friday 10 July 2015

10 on 10 – July 2015

Nine days into July I've snapped over 200 photos. My 10 on 10 is a snap shot of our school holidays and two (three) birthday celebrations and cake ...more cake.

We've had family visits, playdates, seen the Minions movie with friends, started as new chess club recruits , a Circus visit, an EPIC 9th birthday party and my Birthday dinner (x2); Sunday to Tuesday I went to Sydney for a PET scan and home again. Today we are visiting friends in Milthorpe.
Last hours of Eight -
It doesn't seem like 9 yrs ago I was waiting for these precious boys to join our family.

Sam choose going to the Circus as his Birthday present for the - Globe of Death - imagine 3 motorbikes riding around inside. No photos were allowed in show. Yes, one rider was female !
 Warm Chocolate Brownie Birthday Cake
I think he is counting which letter has the most m & m's

Nutella & Malteser Cheesecake

Chess Club - I won - just with help !

HOME Party CupCakes

Birthday Flowers from my friend


After being diagnosed and treated for Breast cancer and Sarcoma not a day goes by where I am not grateful to awaken to another birthday , look into the faces of my husband and sons , grateful that I can. To enjoy life as much as we can with those we love is one of life's greatest gifts.

I am in awe of the lovely birthday messages I received.

My Happy Birthday CupCake