Time to smell the roses

Some days are tougher than others

You go in search for answers, but just can not find them

The little things feel like the BIG things

It's on these days that you realise that you need to stop and smell the roses

Think about all the good things in life, forget about the bad

It's days like this, that I'm grateful for the wonderful place that I live in

A walk along the beach, is a great place to clear the mind

Take in the serenity which Winter brings

Put one foot in front of the other and relax

Admire the sunny outlook

I constantly search for new things, when really I should be just enjoying the journey.

Are you guilty of not smelling the roses?

Mother's Day

It has been a long time since I have had the inspiration to write
In the past year there has been a lot of heart ache
This time last year, we were awaiting the results of mum's biopsy
Twelve months on, the treatment for her cancer has just finished
What a roller coaster of emotions we have shared
There were times when she was so sick, I wondered if I would have another
Mother's Day with her
I knew she was strong, had the determination to get through it
However, sometimes chemotherapy and infections give you doubt

I look forward to tomorrow.  I don't want no breakfast in bed
I just want to spend time with my mum and let her know that I love her
I'm grateful to have another Mother's Day with my mum

Best wishes to all for a wonderful Mother's Day - give your mum an extra special hug xx

Almost there

Today marked the beginning of your last course of treatment, by the time it finishes, it will be almost one year since you were diagnosed. It's been a long, trying year for you, one which has forced you to dig deep at times to get through it. I wish that I could take some of your pain and tiredness for you, to give your body a break from it all.

I hope that this treatment is kind to you, 33 rounds of radiation - daily hospital visits, Monday to Friday.  It's going to make your body more tired.

When I spoke with you tonight, I sensed your apprehension for what is waiting for you.  This journey has been an arduous one, and there are still more tests to follow on other areas of your body.

You will get through this, radiation is a walk in the park compared to the hell that chemo put you through!

I admire your strength to manage a smile through your tough times, your ability to keep going when your body didn't want to and to share a joke and laugh in those dark hospital visits.

Mum, this Mothers Day we will celebrate the end of your treatment. Not like last Mothers Day when we were waiting for your biopsy results.  We will remember the emotional year that you have warriored through. You will get through this and it will be time for you to just LIVE.

We love you mum, you are almost there
Xx

Holidays with friends

Over the long weekend we went on a road trip to Pambula with a fantastic group of friends.

An early morning start with a catch up for breakfast along the way - we all required a much needed hit of caffeine at that first stop!

This trip was more "glamping" then camping. We stayed at the Big 4 caravan park in Pambula in villa's.  We all wanted to be comfortable, especially with kids on board.  Keep the kids happy in a nice environment, and then everyone is smiling!

Fun, Fun, Fun - skateboarding, bike riding, surfing, swimming, jumping on the trampolines and the jumping pillow, mini golf, beach time - and of course, "happy hour" every day.  Or should I say "happy hours".....

It was a blissful holiday with energetic, excited children. 

 We had a one night stop over on the way home at one of our friends homes in Paynesville.  Another gorgeous water side town.  It's amazing to catch up with a friend who you haven't seen in two years, and you can still have a good old conversation.

This holiday was one which we will cherish and talk about all the time.  It's marked on our calendar for next year, hopefully we will all make the pilgrimage again together.

Do you have a holiday spot that you frequent regularly?

Marriage Proposals

One thing I always love to hear, is how people get proposed to.  Was it a spur of the moment, drunken night, fall down on one knee proposal?  Or was there a bit more care and creative planning involved?
I love hearing about the creative one's, nawwwww the thought of listening to those stories gives me goosebumps and makes my eyes well up with tears.  The sweetness of words, the genuine love which is conveyed in the whole planning process, and the grand deliverance of it all.  One moment in your life  which you will always remember, even if it didn't turn out to be a happy every after.

Meet Isaac, his marriage proposal has topped the wedding cake for me - it makes you feel like you are there, I want to be a part of those dancing, happy people on the street!

Tell me how you were proposed too, I would love to see if you can make me cry.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow the sun will come out (the sun will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow- in true Annie form)

Tomorrow will bring two little guys eagerly waking me up
Tomorrow will bring new adventures
Tomorrow will bring new challenges 
Tomorrow will bring excitement
Tomorrow will bring the drive to succeed
Tomorrow will bring a new path on my yellow brick road
Tomorrow, when I wake up, it won't be tomorrow - it will be "today", tomorrow is always a day away.

A new door will open, bringing with it fun, laughter, creativity and drive.

Sometimes you have to take a step backwards to learn to walk again in the direction that you yearn to go.

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I'll love ya tomorrow, you're always a day away.

An Australian Autumn

You are probably wondering why all of a sudden I am posting all of these style files?
It's in preparation for a new job role which I begin next week.  That's right, a golden opportunity has arisen, that suits my little family to a tee.  My plan was always to work one day a week somewhere, I still need to do something for me - plus, I have to pay for retirement somehow!
I visited one of our local boutiques to see if I could work one day a week, also propositioning to them about assisting with their online shop and social media aspect of the business.  
After a meeting this week with the owner about what I could do for them, I now have a flexible job to fit in around my family.  I can work in the store as needed on photographing items and collating marketing information, and then do the bulk of work from home when my gorgeous boys are in shut eye mode.
I am so excited with the prospect of spending quality time with my family, but also having the opportunity to work with a local business to enable them to grow and prosper in an online fashion.
This opportunity would not have happened if I didn't take a leap of faith and decide what was best for my family.

Have you ever changed directions in your life and then all of a sudden your true calling has come along?

True decadence
$56 - glamorous.com

J Brand skinny leg jeans
$150 - theoutnet.com

Platform boots
$155 - hobbs.co.uk

Tod s tod s tote
mytheresa.com

Norma kamali
shoplesnouvelles.com




One door closes, a new exciting door opens!

A paisley number

Yesterday I treated myself to this bright paisley dress by Mika and Gala.  It's time that my wardrobe had a lot more colour in it, so that it looks more like a rainbow.  There are many options to mix with this dress, addition of a belt and some accessories - and I'm thinking it will look cute with a pair of brown boots in winter.

Is your wardrobe full of the same colours, or can you sing a rainbow in it?

Fresh beginnings

How gorgeous is my mum looking?

Her new, soft hair which is growing back quite quickly, makes her look amazing.

She is glowing, smiling, and slowly healing.

Fingers crossed next month she can begin radiation and get this treatment over and done with.

She is a soldier that has fought one hell of a battle, a battle which is not over just yet.

Her body has the battle scars to prove what she has been through.

Hidden from the naked eye, but for her, a daily reminder of what it takes to live.

I told you cancer, that you had picked the wrong lady to mess with.

Look at her now, it's time for you to leave her alone and for her to have happiness!

Love you mum

xx

Heartwarming for Winter

Heartwarming for Winter by nicole-harvey-1 featuring blue jeans

Witchery slim tee
$41 - witchery.com.au

Blue jeans
$39 - bluebanana.com

J Crew leather satchel
jcrew.com

Silver bracelet
$37 - justalittlelucy.com

American Apparel enamel jewelry
americanapparel.net

Zyanya Lorenzo If you never try (White)
inprnt.com