Saturday 29 August 2015

Taking Stock - August

better late than never !


Making: No sense ... why Hubby bought the minions new loom bands !!!


Cooking: Steak for dinner tonight  (Hubby will man the BBQ and I give orders)

Drinking: Hot tea , something I missed in hospital last week.

Reading: 'Saving Grace' - I just finished the Notebook (quite a contast in the loving between man and wife)

Wanting: To get back to exercising already (mandatory 3-4 break due to hysterectomy recovery)

Looking: Outside, wondering where the new (nine) calves are ?

Playing: Boys last game of soccer today

Sewing: Who me ?  Admiring my surgeon's amazing sewing skills.

Wishing: For a break on the medical rollercoaster

Enjoying:
Hot tea (wine and cider tasted awful last night and I'm hoping it doesn't last)

Waiting: 
Further surgery to get better margins where the melanoma insitu [on my face] was removed. Surgeon #2 couldn't squeeze it in last Monday while I was already under for Hysterectomy.

Liking: Sweet Potato Fries - is there anything tastier ?
Deciding: what invitation design I will use for our Dragon Boat Team's 10th Anniversary.

Considering: New roses for my garden - since we are selling our Sydney home and I'll have to say farewell to Charlotte's garden

Sorting: the clean washing, to be folded by me (least I can do) and put away by hubby.

Wondering: if the sun is going to come out today - a gentle walk is on my list to see the new calves.
Loving: My husband - who goes above and beyond for me (makes an especially fine cup of tea)

Hoping: Our Sydney house sells quickly.

Needing: To de-clutter and let it go on a major scale. I'll have time up my sleeve now.

Smelling: The anticipation of new fragrant roses

Wearing: Tracksuit pants - my belly looks like I'm 6 months pregnant

Noticing: I forget less things - using my new Any.do app

Knowing:
That I have a lot to do in the next few weeks !

Thinking: Our Crusing holiday can't come quickly enough  [Oct].

Feeling: Anxious and nervous about more surgery - especially on my face.

Bookmarking: Recipes to Pinterest that I probably won't make

Opening: A lovely card from a friend

Giggling: Hardly - It hurts to laugh , cough or anything right now but I've had a few quiet chuckles browsing facebook. 


Grateful: for the wonderful family holiday we had in Cairns and winning Gold & Silver medals in Dragon Boating 13km marathon [Masters Games]

Pondering : It's been 11yrs on Tuesday since Charlotte was born still , 10yrs this week since we said goodbye to my Dad . Time flies and memories remain bittersweet.


What's happening in your world ?...take stock. Choose four words and share below

Friday 28 August 2015

The Daffodil Principle - revisited


Daffodil Day is today - it is the largest fundraising event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and a day all Australians unite and lend their support to the fight against cancer.

Please show your support for Daffodil Day -
Your donation helps fund cancer research, prevention programs and support programs.
Help make a difference for those who have been affected by Cancer and let us dig deep for a cure.

I've personally been affected now 3 times in 3 years with 3 different cancers - breast cancer, sarcoma and most recently Melanoma -insitu on my face. I need more minor day surgery soon to have this fully treated.

This week I also had a hysterectomy  to reduce my risk of uterine cancer.  I'm very sore though recovering well. Sneeze , cough or laugh and I cringe !

Nothing is going to stop me doing by bit by volunteering today to sell merchandise and daffodils and promote the work of the Cancer Council.


The Daffodil Garden



1. Beginnings. . ., 2. Daffodils., 3. daffodils in window, 4. Shine on you crazy diamond, 5. a moment of joy, 6. 03Apr18 Daffs, 7. Daffodils in Skagit Valley, 8. Daffodils, 9. Early Narcissus

Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead "I will come next Tuesday", I promised a little reluctantly on her third call.

Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren.

"Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see badly enough to drive another inch!"

My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother." "Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her.

"But first we're going to see the daffodils. It's just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "I'll drive. I'm used to this."

"Carolyn," I said sternly, "please turn around." "It's all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."

After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read, "Daffodil Garden." We got out of the car, each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as we turned a corner, I looked up and gasped. Before me lay the most glorious sight.

It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain peak and its surrounding slopes. There were five acres of flowers.

"Who did this?" I asked Carolyn. "Just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home." Carolyn pointed to a well-kept A-frame house, small and modestly sitting in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house.

On the patio, we saw a poster. "Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking", was the headline. The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs," it read. The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain." The third answer was, "Began in 1958."

There it was, The Daffodil Principle.

For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop. Planting one bulb at a time, year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. One day at a time, she had created something of extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration. The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration.

(Now there are 100,000 bulbs so the Fact sheet reads )

It's so pointless to think of the lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson of celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask, "How can I put this to use today?"

That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time often just one baby step at a time-and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time.

When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world.

"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn.

"What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time'through all those years.

Just think what I might have been able to achieve!"

My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way. "Start tomorrow," she said.

by Jaroldeen Asplund Edwards --- author


NOTE: There is a real garden by Mrs. Gene Bauer
Anyone can visit during peak bloom time, early March to early April. The garden is located below Running Springs,California, in the San Bernardino Mountains.

The Legend of the daffodil




Author unknown ...we convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with.

We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage.We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, when we are able to go on a nice vacation, or when we retire.
The truth is there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.
Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special; special to spend your time with and remember that time waits for no one. So, stop waiting
until your car or home is paid off.
Until you get a new car or home.
Until your kids leave the house.
Until you go back to school.
Until you finish school.
Until you lose 5kg.

Until you get married.
Until you get a divorce. Until you have kids. Until you retire. Until
summer. Until spring. Until winter. 
Until you die...(too late Huh !)

There is no better time than right now to be happy.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination. So work like you
don't need money, Love like you've never been hurt. And
dance like no one's watching.




I received the daffodil principle and the above by an email several years ago. Today was a good day to re-post.

How can you put this to use today?
What are you waiting for ?

Have you entered to WIN = DAD a fabulous Bosch $149 Cordless Drill



Never miss a post

Tuesday 25 August 2015

Sunday 23 August 2015

Giveaway ~ Bosch PSR 1800li-2 Cordless Drill for the Handyman Dad : Perfect for Fathers Day

 DIY Giveaway thanks to Bosch & Bunnings Warehouse

When my boys were littler minions , any time anything broke - they would say 'Daddy can fix it' - even a broken glass or a window ...with his drill. Much like Bob the Builder who can forget ?

Can we fix it
Yes, we can
Bob the Builder
Can we fix it
Bob the Builder
Yes, we can

Daddy was a handyman and always doing something around our home , usually just before we put it on the market for sale ...that's another story.

You know how all the 'kids toys' these days have screwed up battery compartments - the frustration of waiting till daddy got home drove me them crazy. We probably had a normal screwdriver somewhere but they didn't need to know that.

A trip to Bunnings Warehouse , even without the play equipment or jumping castle/sausage sizzle is a highlight of the day.

I went recently to buy some storage containers and my boy dragged to me to the power tools aisle to check out what we could buy Dad [his] for Fathers Day.

'Dad' has lots of tools and he is the sharpest tool in our shed, there is always room for more POWER tools, as he tells me.

I was offered a Bosch PSR 1800li-2 Cordless Drill to review and one to giveaway ! I couldn't refuse an offer like that. I might get my little pink cordless drill back now.

Though I wanted to surprise him, I had to ask his opinion. The minions need not know , that Dad has seen his surprise new toy  tool!

Hubby was impressed with some of the many features .

  • Long life of the changeable lithium-ion battery pack
  • 20 pre-selectable torque settings plus a drill setting – optimum power for every application
  •  3-stage charge FUEL -battery level indicator
  • Bosch Electronic speed control: “accelerate” from 0 – max. using the trigger switch
  • Keyless chuck with Bosch Auto-Lock for the fastest and easiest bit changes
  • PowerLight – thanks to the built-in LED
  • Forward/reverse indicator lights 
  • Flat bottom battery so stands up by itself

If my boys had the chance they would buy Dad more tools and big boy toys like these

A BOSCH Father’s Day Guide for the Handyman Dad  available from Bunnings stores for Father’s Day



Every Dad’s Perfect Companion: Bosch PRA MultiPower Radio, RRP $149 For any Dad who does not want to be without quality sound when completing their DIY projects, outdoor entertaining or even camping. The Bosch PRA MultiPower Radio plays music through Bluetooth or aux-in connection cable. Now Dads can listen to the radio anywhere with Bosch 18Vli or 10.8 LI batteries. Complete with two integrated speakers with 3.5 watts each, 20 volume settings and an equalizer function for bass and treble adjustment ensure optimum acoustics.



For the Super Handy Dad: Bosch PBD 40 Bench Drill, RRP $399

The Bosch PBD 40 Bench Drill is perfect for Dads who value drilling precision. It is accurate and extremely easy to use thanks to the 710- watt universal motor that takes the place of traditional belt drives. The drill’s speed can therefore be adjusted continuously over its entire range using a convenient knob. Tiresome belt repositioning to change speeds is therefore a thing of the past. It can be used for a wide range of applications, from furniture and model building to DIY and restoration work. Its digital display of the selected speed and current drilling depth provides additional convenience, letting users monitor and control the drilling process.


Win This !



For Dads On-The-Go: Bosch PSR 1800li-2 Cordless Drill, RRP $149

Ideal for the super-busy Dad, the Bosch PSR 1800Li-2 Cordless Drill allows for continuous work due to its particularly compact and light-weight design without impacting power. The 18Volt drill is equipped with a twin-sleeve keyless chuck allowing for “clicks” to make for quick and easy tool changes. With a forward and reverse operation function, the Bosch PSR 1800li-2 Cordless Drill has optimum center of gravity and handling thanks to very narrow center with soft grip.


A Handyman’s Best-friend: Bosch PLR 15 Digital Laser, RRP $49.97  


The PLR 15 laser is sure to impress with its capacity to measure up to 15 meters, with an easy click of a button. This small and compact instrument can be used to measure distances of up to 15 meters to an accuracy of three millimeters, within seconds. Save Dad the stress of numbers and fumbling with measuring tape. The PLR 15 lase measuring device takes the stress out of measuring around the home.

For the Dad Who Has Everything: Bosch Twin Kit, RRP $189



Introducing the 18V kit just in time for Father’s day! Included in the kit is a PSB 18V-LI 2 Impact Drill Driver with setting ring which has 30 pre-selectable torque settings, the PDR 18V-LI driver with variable speed trigger with soft grip, charger & 2 batteries PLUS a bonus Bosch DIY handy tool bag.







For you chance to win - tell me what your 'Dad' or significant other could do with a new  PSR 1800li-2 Cordless Drill ?

Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com and www.bosch-press.com
 Visit www.bosch-do-it.com.au for more information or to find a host of innovative DIY projects.

Boring Bits (pun intended if you get this ) ~ Terms and conditions
1. Only Australian Residents are eligible to enter.

2. Entries not answering the question will be deemed invalid. The winner will be chosen by originality and creative merit, not by chance. Judge's decision  is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
3.There is one prize as detailed above Bosch PSR 1800li-2 Cordless Drill (total prize approx $149.00 )
4. Entries - Open 23/8/2015 - Close Closes 31/8/2015 11.59pm AEST. The winner will be notified by email, and posted to mylittledrummerboys.blogspot.com.au once they reply - the winner has 3 days to respond or a new winner will be drawn.
5. Prizes are not transferable, changeable or redeemable for cash. 
6. Prizes sent out by PR firm directly will not be replaced in the event that they are stolen, lost or damaged in transit.

7. Subscribe to my blog HERE to receive MLDB updates.

8. Follow via Facebook or Google Friend Connect on the sidebar >>>>


Disclaimer : I received a PSR 1800li-2 Cordless Drill . No financial payment was received and all opinions are my own and my husband.

Giveaway Closed : Winner : Brandroid - Branden Maynes