How sweet it is...

The past 3 weeks for me have been a little like a crazy sort of roller coaster. Things happening all the time, always on the move, rushing rushing rushing, seeing familiar faces as they move by me at a fast pace.
Life always seems to resemble this when I am on my nursing rotation. Thank goodness I have been just a 15 min drive from home.
How do I seem to fill up every waking hour with 'stuff' i have to do and lie in bed at the end of the day wishing the day would last longer.

Lately I have longed to do my favorite things such as spring clean the house, weed the garden, play guitar for hours, sit down with a coffee and watch episodes of a fave series and not feel guilty, drop in to a friends place unexpectedly and not be watching the clock or go for a walk because i have the time...but the roller coaster of the past 3 weeks has not really stopped long enough for me to do this.

It is my last day today and, as usual, I have baked a big batch of cup cakes for the ward to show my gratitude in letting me follow them around (and do all of their work so they can have prolonged coffee breaks) and as i sit here on this sunny morning I am just so grateful that this 3 weeks has passed and now I can get back to the simple life and enjoy my favorite things.

Brad and I have struggled to spend time together over this 3 weeks and it was lovely last night to go out to dinner together, laugh and chat over great food and then see a movie. It was a real date and it was the perfect way to spend my Thursday evening. ( I highly recommend seeing 'The blind side' a beautiful movie)

I was thinking last night how lucky I am, I have a beautiful family, husband and friends, I have a lovely house and job and its easy to get caught up in the roller coaster and not take all this in.

On my next rotation when the roller coaster beckons me in, I will say "wait...there is no need to rush, let each moment of each precious day be inspiring and don't waste these next few weeks running, walk slow and push the unimportant things aside and turn this roller coaster in to more of a scenic railway" well you get my gist!

A few quotes (literally two)that I have heard in the last few weeks that said "hello" to me

-"Rush to relax"
- "Don't be afraid, instead when you feel fear, be inspired"

I loved reading measured words (www.measuredwords2.wordpress.com) and appreciating Cat's love for the Blue Rose. It's the little and beautiful things in life that catch your attention!

Will you be my Valentine?

As you know it was Valentines day last Sunday the 14th of February. I don't think Aussie's really get into it like America does but it's a nice opportunity to let your loved one know that you appreciate and adore them. Brad and I don't really get into the valentine's spirit but this year was a lovely day spent with great friends, family and delicious food!
We spent lunch with good friends of ours, Trev and Nimmi. Nim whipped up a beautiful meal and it was lovely to hang out with their family as we havn't done so in a while. Feel free to visit Nim's inspirational blog and delve into her wonderful world of whimsy and spice http://www.whimsyandspice.blogspot.com/
Nim had little love cards on each setting, so we had to share what the question said in relation to our partner eg "what is your most memorable date?"
After a wonderful lunch we made the journey to Mum and Dad's house for what mum called a "Valentines feast" and that it was...

Chicken served with grilled heart shaped polenta
Kim and Kim enjoying the meal
Heart shaped short bread filled with cream and raspberry puree

All in all probably the best Valentines day yet. That's all i ask for really, a day filled with joy, good people and good food and a lovely man to journey home with by my side.

What's with the birds and apples?

Why is it that we become enthralled by things in life that we don't particularly like? I seem to have a weird fascination with birds. The funny thing is, I really don't like birds, and would go as far as saying I have a mild phobia of the feathered friend. But when it comes to designs and pictures, I am instantly drawn to all things involving BIRDS.

My husband, Brad doesn't really get it and finds it quite strange that I seem to flock to bird designs, yet if birds flocked toward me you'd hear me screaming and see me running for cover.

People have in the past taken advantage of this phobia and done such things as placing bread on my lap in the middle of Hyde Park whilst i was blissfully unaware, until all of a sudden a pigeon spots food and a flock of them are soon flapping at my face.

Yes, friends of mine who have pet budgies who are left free to roam around the house, have to be captured and caged when I am expected over. Yes, when I'm walking passed a bush and it rustles I jump a little but yes I love birds but only when they are safely nestled in a picture or sitting still on my shelf.

Lately I have also developed a weird fascination for apple designs. I don't even particularly like the taste of apples over any other fruit, but I find them nice to look at. I even found myself looking at an apple pendant in the jewelers window thinking maybe Brad will buy this for me on Valentines day. I don't know where this has come from but I'll run with it all the same.

Birds and Apples, not my fave but are they?...

P.S I hear from a reliable source that Owl's are so the new bird...Thanks Nim!

E x

www.paperrelish.etsy.com

www.corid.etsy.com

www.lovesugar.etsy.com
www.suowen.etsy.com

www.thepapertray.etsy.com

www.ladyjamie.etsy.com

I love them...

I feel very lucky right now, I have just had a great night with some people I love!!! It was lovely to reunite, as a couple of them have been overseas for a number of weeks.

It's not every day your surrounded by people who make you laugh, bring joy to your life and make a busy weekend all the more worth while because you have seen them.

If you're reading this, which you probably are by now, then you know who you are.

Friendship is such a beautiful thing and I am blessed to have this with a few special people. My husband and I are very grateful for this...what more can I say but I love them!

Have a great week, I'm starting my nursing rounds so I'm sure to be busy, tired and worn out by the end of the 3 weeks.