Usually I do Zumba and a weights class but I recently took part in some different dance classes which have been really fun too. Even though I danced when I was younger, I do struggle to remember the steps so it's a good mental workout too. I'm really looking forward to keeping this up in 2018.
Thursday, 14 December 2017
Dance Class
Usually I do Zumba and a weights class but I recently took part in some different dance classes which have been really fun too. Even though I danced when I was younger, I do struggle to remember the steps so it's a good mental workout too. I'm really looking forward to keeping this up in 2018.
Wednesday, 13 December 2017
One Little Word - Create
For the last few years I have joined in with Ali Edwards' One Little Word project. I have intentionally chosen a specific word and built my goals and ideas around it for a whole year, using it to stay inspired.
For 2017, I chose the word 'Create' and it has certainly felt very appropriate. This year I completed my knitting course, started crochet, made most of the birthday gifts we sent to people, made all my own cards, started calligraphy, made my own soap and tried lots of new recipes.
I made sure that I created an average of one thing per day, be it a set of Christmas cards or a letter, a crochet patch or a new Project Life spread. It has certainly been a busy year.
I didn't complete everything I set out to do. By Christmas I felt completely overwhelmed and resorted to buying many gifts, but I certainly made more and learned more this year than I would have done without focusing on this word.
On the whole I feel like I have acheived a lot this year. Not the least of those things has been creating a safe and comfortable environment for the children. It feels like this has been my year with Joshua, as I was on maternity leave throughout 2017.
Looking forward, I am excited about this new phase of our lives, just as much as I am worried about it too. Joshua is starting nursery, and I am finding my feet in a very new work environment which will be better for us as a family in the long run. I'm thinking a lot right now about my goals for 2018 and what my One Little Word should be. I'm not decided yet but I know I will be following this project for another year and look forward to sharing it with you soon.
For 2017, I chose the word 'Create' and it has certainly felt very appropriate. This year I completed my knitting course, started crochet, made most of the birthday gifts we sent to people, made all my own cards, started calligraphy, made my own soap and tried lots of new recipes.
I made sure that I created an average of one thing per day, be it a set of Christmas cards or a letter, a crochet patch or a new Project Life spread. It has certainly been a busy year.
I didn't complete everything I set out to do. By Christmas I felt completely overwhelmed and resorted to buying many gifts, but I certainly made more and learned more this year than I would have done without focusing on this word.
On the whole I feel like I have acheived a lot this year. Not the least of those things has been creating a safe and comfortable environment for the children. It feels like this has been my year with Joshua, as I was on maternity leave throughout 2017.
Looking forward, I am excited about this new phase of our lives, just as much as I am worried about it too. Joshua is starting nursery, and I am finding my feet in a very new work environment which will be better for us as a family in the long run. I'm thinking a lot right now about my goals for 2018 and what my One Little Word should be. I'm not decided yet but I know I will be following this project for another year and look forward to sharing it with you soon.
Tuesday, 12 December 2017
Reading Review
The Brutal Art - Jesse Kellerman
I was rereading this one after about ten years and while I honestly could remember nothing about it, it was a good read. It wasn't your average page turner but it was interesting.
It follows the story of a New York art dealer who is tipped off to a huge undiscovered collection of brilliant artwork only to discover that it is linked to a series of brutal, unsolved murders. The story flicks back and forth through time to tell the story of the artist.
It's really well written and I enjoyed reading it again.
Rules of Deception - Christopher Reich
It's almost difficult to review this book without giving away any big plot twists. The novel tells the story of Jonathon Ransom who discovers that his wife has been leading a double life when she suffers a fatal mountaineering accident.
For me, there were one or two holes in the story but generally, I enjoyed the book and the various twists and turns. A good international spy story.
The Saint Plays with Fire - Leslie Charteris
Among the free books I picked up a few months ago are a whole range of The Saint books. I vaguely remember the television series but did not realise there were books too. I picked this one out at random.
It is a typical detective story set early to mid twentieth century. It was a quick and easy read but it also kept me guessing. It reminded me a little of Sherlock Holmes. I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the others from the series.
I was rereading this one after about ten years and while I honestly could remember nothing about it, it was a good read. It wasn't your average page turner but it was interesting.
It follows the story of a New York art dealer who is tipped off to a huge undiscovered collection of brilliant artwork only to discover that it is linked to a series of brutal, unsolved murders. The story flicks back and forth through time to tell the story of the artist.
It's really well written and I enjoyed reading it again.
Rules of Deception - Christopher Reich
It's almost difficult to review this book without giving away any big plot twists. The novel tells the story of Jonathon Ransom who discovers that his wife has been leading a double life when she suffers a fatal mountaineering accident.
For me, there were one or two holes in the story but generally, I enjoyed the book and the various twists and turns. A good international spy story.
The Saint Plays with Fire - Leslie Charteris
Among the free books I picked up a few months ago are a whole range of The Saint books. I vaguely remember the television series but did not realise there were books too. I picked this one out at random.
It is a typical detective story set early to mid twentieth century. It was a quick and easy read but it also kept me guessing. It reminded me a little of Sherlock Holmes. I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the others from the series.
Monday, 11 December 2017
Make it Monday - Christmas Decorations
As a result of this, and since the lower part of the tree is a bit emptier due to our curious one year old, I decided to repurpose some of the basic baubles. I bought a bit of greenery on sale at Netto, trimmed it down and filled four vases with that and the baubles. It was simple but effective. I love that it ties in to the tree and spreads the Christmas feeling around the room.
Sunday, 10 December 2017
Saturday, 9 December 2017
The Saturday Update
Another crazy week here. After a quiet weekend, it feels like we haven't stopped since and we're truly in need of another one.
Joshua started nursery and apart from catching a cold, he's had a brilliant start to this new phase. Like his sister, I seem to have more trouble getting him to leave!
Monday evening was the nursery / kindergarten AGM and it was quite an eventful evening. The meeting lasted almost three hours.
I spent the week making work plans for the new year including some online training. It felt good to get back into the world of teaching.
Wednesday was St Nicholas' Day. We were all spoiled and Isabella had a theater trip too.
Joshua had his check up on Thursday, which went well. He was much braver than his mummy when it came to his jabs.
Yesterday was non-stop! From nursery, to swimming, cleaning at home, cleaning at kindergarten...
We're hoping for a quiet weekend as we all recover from coughs and colds.
Joshua started nursery and apart from catching a cold, he's had a brilliant start to this new phase. Like his sister, I seem to have more trouble getting him to leave!
Monday evening was the nursery / kindergarten AGM and it was quite an eventful evening. The meeting lasted almost three hours.
I spent the week making work plans for the new year including some online training. It felt good to get back into the world of teaching.
Wednesday was St Nicholas' Day. We were all spoiled and Isabella had a theater trip too.
Joshua had his check up on Thursday, which went well. He was much braver than his mummy when it came to his jabs.
Yesterday was non-stop! From nursery, to swimming, cleaning at home, cleaning at kindergarten...
We're hoping for a quiet weekend as we all recover from coughs and colds.
Friday, 8 December 2017
Links!
More than one of these made me laugh while drinking coffee.
What an interesting survey!
An interesting article on marriage.
Good tips for entertaining.
Too easy to relate to.
Hilarious and true.
DIY fun.
Staying on track.
What an interesting survey!
An interesting article on marriage.
Good tips for entertaining.
Too easy to relate to.
Hilarious and true.
DIY fun.
Staying on track.
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