February 2024

health symptoms you should never ignore

Health Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

Feeling like it’s time to level up your health game? You’re not alone. Recognizing health symptoms you should never ignore is the first step toward a journey of self-improvement. Let’s dive into some key indicators and proactive steps you can take to enhance your well-being, all while maintaining a positive outlook: Elevating Your Health: Recognizing Symptoms You Should Never Ignore and Embracing Change 1. Catching Your Breath Shortness of breath can be concerning and if you find yourself gasping for air, then you need to call your doctor, or your Illawarra GP right away as it could signal underlying issues like asthma, cardiovascular concerns or pneumonia. These are health symptoms you should never ignore. Early intervention can make a significant difference in managing these conditions. With their expert guidance, you’ll gain valuable insights and feel empowered to manage your health effectively. 2. Headaches: A Nudge to Check In While headaches can be very common, experiencing sudden and severe ones could be your body’s cue to pause and evaluate your well-being. If you have a sudden onset of headaches or feel like you’re experiencing the worst headache of your life, it’s a clear sign that you need to take action. This is especially crucial if accompanied by other neurological symptoms, as they may indicate more serious conditions such as migraines, stroke, or aneurysm. By consulting with your healthcare team, you not only address the pain but also gain valuable insights into your overall health. Together, you’ll navigate the path forward with clarity and confidence, ensuring a positive approach to managing your well-being. 3. Allergies: Listen to Your Body’s Symphony When allergies strike, it’s as if your body is prompting you to listen and respond to its needs—a reminder to pay attention to your health signals. Sudden allergic reactions may catch you off guard, but they’re a sign that your body is communicating with you. Whether it’s a reaction to food, pollen, or other triggers, consulting your GP or healthcare provider ensures you’re in sync with your body’s needs. With their professional support, you’ll refine your approach to wellness, maintaining a harmonious balance. Severe allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis, highlight the importance of staying vigilant. Symptoms like swelling and a drop in blood pressure are your body’s way of signalling potential health concerns. If you suspect an allergic reaction, reaching out to your GP or healthcare provider promptly ensures you receive the help and support needed to address the issue effectively, ensuring your continued well-being. 4. Weight Loss: Unraveling the Mystery Unexplained weight loss might feel like a puzzle, yet it’s one of those vital health symptoms you should never ignore. If you notice the numbers on the scale dropping without explanation, it’s time to decipher the message your body is sending. Consulting your doctor enables you to explore potential underlying causes, ensuring you uncover clues to restore balance and vitality. Remember, every step toward understanding your body is a step toward greater well-being. Doctors emphasize the significance of addressing unexplained weight loss, as it could indicate underlying health issues. Losing weight unintentionally, especially up to 5% of your body weight, without trying warrants prompt attention. By seeking medical guidance early on, you can prevent the issue from getting worse and avoid any long-lasting consequences. Seize the Day: Your Wellness Journey Begins Now Feeling inspired to embark on your wellness journey? Your healthcare team can guide you every step of the way. Whether it’s addressing specific health symptoms you should never ignore or adopting healthier habits, the expertise and support of your GP can pave the way for a brighter, healthier future. Embrace the signs, take proactive steps, and trust in your ability to elevate your health. With determination and optimism, you’re well-equipped to make positive changes and thrive. Here’s to embracing wellness and living your best life!      

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February Fun – What’s Up Wednesday

Hi friends and welcome to the February edition of What’s Up Wednesday. It’s time to share a little of what we have been up to during our fun February. It’s the last month of summer and we’ve soaked it up big time! So let’s jump right in shall we? WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK On the menu this week Monday – Chicken casserole and rice Tuesday – Spinach pie with leftovers from Monday night Wednesday – Teriyaki salmon with Asian salad Thursday – Chilli con carne Friday – Spiced mango chicken with veggies Saturday – Pesto pasta Sunday –  Chicken schnitzel with roast potatoes, veggies and lots of gravy WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT I think that I’m reminiscing about how quickly time flies! It’s March next week and it only feels as if we had Christmas about five minutes ago! I can’t help but reflect on all the fun we had during the summer school holidays, and now here we are, already five weeks into the new school year. WHAT I’M LOVING I’m still loving the hot weather and I know it won’t be long before the seasons change and it will be our turn for some cold weather. WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO February has been all about getting back into routine. I went back to work after the long summer break, Sam started back at uni and he is now in his second year studying for a Bachelor of Nursing. Steve just kept ploughing through the busiest time in the hospitality industry. I guess you could say that we are well and truly back into the swing of things. I’ve adjusted my meal planning routine and it’s working great. I meal plan and online grocery shop on a Saturday morning and I’m hoping that because I am enjoying this. I will keep it up and not fall off the meal-planning train halfway through the year as I usually tend to do. Goals!! Along with the usual work-related stuff we have also enjoyed some fun times and I’m back to looking forward to the weekends. This is something I try not to do because I really want to be grateful and enjoy the little sprinkles of joy every day. But I still count down to Fridays! Can you see a big contradiction here? haha! Some of the fun February moments we have been up to include- Our monthly Cousin Connect dinner. Valentine’s Day treats Celebrating my birthday with a nice family lunch in the city at the old Fortune of War pub. Dinner and games night with friends WHAT I’M DREADING Our preschool received the news that all the staff have been waiting for since last year. We are going to be assessed and rated next month. In NSW preschools, assessment and rating are all about ensuring top-notch quality! Preschools are evaluated on their educational programs, safety measures, staff qualifications, and management practices. After the assessment, preschools receive ratings, ranging from ‘Exceeding National Quality Standard’ to ‘Significant Improvement Required’. We have always received an Exceeding Rating which is fantastic but it’s no fun being observed by the department for two whole days. So I’m already dreading it and feeling nervous knots in my stomach. All the team are, and we can’t wait until it’s over! WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT Do you remember the British boy band from the 90s called FIVE? They had fun hits like “When The Lights Go Out” and “Everybody Get Up”. Well, they are coming to Sydney to perform the second weekend in March and Steve and I are going to see them. Over the years the five band members have disbanded and then reunited. Now the band is made up of three members but it’s still called five. Which I think is kind of funny but maybe that’s just me. Anyway, I’m excited to go and see them perform and it should be a great night reliving my 30s. WHAT I’M WATCHING I’ve been really getting into European shows lately. One of my recent finds on SBS Australia is ‘The Shift,’ a Danish series set in a maternity ward. It’s a great show full of interesting characters and engaging plots without too much drama. I used to love shows full of action, and adventure with a good dose of drama. But my preferences have shifted and lately, I prefer less drama and more good storytelling. I’m excited to hear they’re making another season and this time it will be set in a pediatric ward with new characters as well as some old favourites.  I think European shows offer a fresh perspective and they are different from what I’m used to so it’s been a nice change. WHAT I’M LISTENING TO My older cat snoring! She is twelve years old and has had a hard time adjusting to our new kitten, Mochi who is just like a toddler who can’t keep her hands to herself. She is constantly invading Sushi’s space and loves to jump all over her and annoy her! I think Sushi gets exhausted from so much hyperactivity around her. So now she’s enjoying some quiet time here in the office/garage as I type away. She is peacefully sleeping and snoring so loudly! WHAT I’M WEARING I’m still wearing lots of summer clothes but I can feel that it’s beginning to cool down a little in the mornings and evenings. But having said that, tomorrow we have temperatures forecast to reach as high as 38ºC. We are definitely on the brink of transitioning into Autumn and the weather is going to be all over the place again until the cold weather sets in. Hmmm, I’m not a fan of the cold! On the upside, I guess cooler weather means I get to wear my favourite pair of comfortable Levi’s jeans that I’ve had for 18 years! WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH We have been discussing the possibility of going on a big overseas trip with some from our cousin group. However,

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Hello Monday!

Hi friends, welcome to this week’s edition of Hello Monday where we link up with Holly and Sarah to share some of our weekend highlights. My weekend was a nice mix of a fun and busy Saturday followed by a very relaxed and lazy Sunday. Then as usual it all went too fast and here we are again ready to begin a new week. Saturday Saturday morning I wrapped up a few household chores left over from a busy week. I’m relieved that I don’t have to do mountains of chores on the weekend. I try so hard to make sure I get on top of everything during the week. But of course, there’s always something to do. Ugh! I’m excited that I’ve kept up a nice routine of meal planning and ordering groceries online every Saturday morning. Then I schedule them to be delivered in the afternoon. Same-day delivery is the best! After all the household stuff I went out and caught up with some friends for morning tea at 11. We had so much to chat about so it felt as if the morning flew by in a flash! I ended up leaving my friend’s house just after 2 because I had to get the car back for Steve to go to work at 2.30. In the afternoon, my grocery order came and after I packed everything away. It was time to head to another friend’s house for dinner and games night. We had gazpacho as an entree. I had heard of it before and knew that it was a cold soup made with blended tomatoes, cucumbers onions and garlic. But it was the first time I had ever tried it. Then it was Greek-style roast chicken, vegetables and salad as mains. So good! To finish off my friend made a spectacular-looking mango cheesecake. When she brought it out we were all oohing aahing. It tasted amazing too! Then it was time for some games. We played Taboo first and then moved on to Cranium. Games nights are so much fun and there was the usual funny yelling and laughing till our sides hurt. It was a fun night with our group of friends. Sunday I needed a Sunday like the one I just had where I did next to nothing. Apart from going to church in the morning I just camped out on the sofa and watched TV with Steve for most of the day. We watched a few episodes of Grand Designs then we moved on to two movies. One was American Underdog and the other was Ford Vs Ferrari. I stayed awake for the whole of the first movie. But after a glass of wine with dinner it was lights out for me and I slept through most of the second. And that was my weekend, some fun times and a good dose of downtime. How was yours, I hope it was a good one! My friend is looking into the issue with my website. As I shared with you on Friday, some comments are not going through and coming up with either a blank page or a weird message that says ‘Error 403’ or something frightening like that. Fingers crossed that everything will be working as it should very soon. Tech woes always do my head in! I hope you have a great week and I look forward to being back here on Wednesday.

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Friday favourites graphic

Friday Favourites

Hello, friends! I hope you’ve all had a fantastic week, and I’m sure you’re just as thrilled as I am that the weekend is finally here! Now it’s time to share some birthday favourites as well as some other favourites that brightened my week, let’s go! On Monday, I shared some of the birthday fun I had over the weekend. Today I’m excited to share some sweet and thoughtful gifts I received. I have been wanting a Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag for ages and my cousin surprised me with one on Saturday night at our cousin connect. I adore this belt bag because it has enough space and compartments to keep all of my essentials and a fantastic adjustable strap. Meaning I can keep my hands free while I go about my day. So functional and stylish! I also love love love the colour that my cousin chose for me as it’s neutral (my favourite) and goes with everything. These bags come in so many different colours and I know how indecisive I can be so I’m glad my cousin chose it for me. My bestie gave me a gift bag with some of my favourites. Dark chocolate, more gingerbread men for my Christmas tree, stickers for my diary and wooden spoons. ( I have a thing about wooden spoons, they make me happy!) I love how she knows me so well and knows what I love. Probably because I’m always telling her whenever we are out shopping together. Haha!! She also very generously gave me a Lululemon gift voucher and I have my eyes set on a cute lightweight jacket, but now I have to decide which one! Decisions, decisions. My work buddy whose birthday is the day after mine gave me a pretty sun catcher. I love what she wrote on the box because she’s only 29 years old. But hey, age is just a number right, so we can totally be birthday twins. This cute birthday card from another friend made me laugh. So many kind and unexpected birthday presents! Moving onto some other non-birthday related favourites. I bought this coconut and lime multi-purpose cleaner that I use for the kitchen from Aldi. And guess what? It smells just like the delicious frozen coconut margarita that I had last Sunday when we went out for lunch! Now if that’s not an incentive to clean the kitchen, then I don’t know what is!! Another favourite for the week was this bag of avocados that I got from Woolworths. See how they are all different shapes and sizes. Well, Woolworths sells a line of produce called ‘The Odd Bunch’ that doesn’t look perfect or pretty but is still totally tasty and healthy. A big bonus is that it’s also cheaper! I unboxed my beautiful candle and glass cloche that one of my cousins gave me for Christmas. It looks so good on my coffee table and every time I lift the cloche, I can smell the gorgeous scent. I will light the candle eventually, but not just yet. I thought I’d give these Pantene miracle shots a try. I’ve got dry ends that are making me crazy! I used one shot and it did make my hair feel less crispy. So I’m going to keep using them and hopefully, they will work miracles. Fingers crossed! My husband brought me home this beautiful rose earlier in the week, isn’t it pretty? I put it on my kitchen window sill and it’s still going strong. That wraps up some favourites for the week. Boy oh boy, I sure am feeling exhausted! I thought last week was tiring, but this one feels just as draining. I’m looking forward to some downtime this weekend. Relaxing isn’t my strong suit, so I’ll likely have to remind myself to take it easy. Anyway, thanks so much for stopping by today, I really appreciate you guys reading and your comments always make my heart sing. Unfortunately, something is going on with some comments not going through. Lovely Joanne from Slices of Life very kindly sent me an email to let me know. It’s another technical issue that I’ve tried to work out but can’t so I’ll need to ask my friend the web genius to fix it for me. In the meantime, can you do me a favour? If you’re experiencing any issues with comments not going through and you get a weird message popping up, could you please shoot me an email to let me know? Any feedback you have would be super helpful while I tackle this. Thanks so much for your support! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and Hooray for Friday!! Linking up with Andrea and Erika    

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4 DIY Home Improvement Tips for Cost-Effective Enhancements

Source: Pixabay (CC0) Home improvement tips: Hey there, are you ready to transform your home but feeling a bit overwhelmed about where to begin? Don’t worry, you’re not alone in this quest to enhance your living space. We all yearn for that perfect home ambience, but the thought of undertaking major renovations might seem daunting. But with a bit of strategic planning and some creative thinking, you can achieve remarkable results without breaking the bank or spending endless hours on DIY projects. So, let’s kickstart your home improvement journey with a quick checklist tailored to guide you in the right direction. Whether aiming to spruce up the living room, revamp the kitchen, or add a touch of elegance to the bedroom, these home improvement tips have you covered. Ready to dive in and unlock the potential of your home? Home Improvement Tips To Enhance Your Home In A Convenient and Cost-Effective Way Recognise That Less Is More While it’s natural to desire more space, how we utilize the space we have is what truly counts. Many households fall into the trap of accumulating clutter and overdecorating their rooms, leading to a cramped and chaotic atmosphere. Embracing minimalist approaches not only creates the illusion of more space but also simplifies maintenance, so start by decluttering your space thoroughly to set yourself on the path to success. Remodel Without Removal When embarking on a home makeover, it’s common for homeowners to rush into replacing items prematurely. However, sometimes all it takes to breathe new life into your living space is a bit of restoration and aesthetic transformation. Equipping yourself with premium-quality microcement, you gain the power to elevate various floor and wall substrates in no time at all. Say goodbye to unsightly grout lines and unwanted joins as you witness your room undergo a stunning transformation. Consider this simple yet effective tactic: instead of replacing entire kitchen units, start by swapping out the handles. This quick fix instantly revamps the look and feel of your kitchen without the hassle of a full renovation. Updating cabinet handles offers an easy way to inject personality and style into your space. With a wide range of affordable options available, you can achieve a high-end look. Before you start a big renovation, think about how much just updating your cabinet handles can change the look Equip Yourself Properly In addition to selecting the right materials like microcement, having the appropriate tools is crucial for your home upgrade. Home toolkit essentials include tape measures, spirit levels, hammers, drills, wrenches, and screwdrivers. Additionally, having a variety of nails, nuts, bolts, wall plugs, and dowels on hand will further aid your efforts. Nothing is more frustrating than halting a project due to a lack of basic tools, which can quickly diminish your motivation. When selecting tools, prioritize quality items suited to your projects. Borrowing from friends or family, especially for larger items like drills that you may only need for a single job, is convenient and ensures you have what you need without investing in your own set. Look for versatile tools and don’t forget safety equipment! Proper equipment ensures confidence and efficiency in tackling home projects. Utilise Tutorials It’s commendable that you’re opting for the DIY route to save time and money. There’s immense satisfaction in knowing you’ve improved your home with your own hands. However, this doesn’t mean you have to tackle the job alone. Online tutorials and video guides are invaluable resources, offering step-by-step instructions for tasks ranging from mounting a TV bracket or shelves to laying a floor. Keep these tutorials accessible on an iPad while you work to help you stay on track. This approach is far simpler than following traditional manuals and provides valuable guidance, even when you’re aiming to infuse your project with a unique touch. Conclusion Ready to transform your home? With these home improvement tips, enhancing your living space is easier than ever. From embracing minimalism to simple remodelling tactics, you can create a personalised home without overspending. Equip yourself with the right tools, utilize online tutorials, and unleash your creativity. Whether revamping the kitchen or adding elegance to your bedroom, every small change counts. So, roll up your sleeves and let your home improvement journey begin!  

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fun birthday weekend

Fun Birthday Weekend

Hi, friends! Wow, that weekend sure flew by in the blink of an eye, and now it’s Monday again. I’m here to link up with Holly and Sarah and share some of the fun I had celebrating my birthday over the weekend! Cousin Connect We had a late cousin get-together this month because some cousins were away and we decided to reschedule to mid-February when most could come. My aunt hosted and cooked up a storm. Even though we ate so much we could barely move, we still had a tonne of food left over and we all agreed that it looked as if we had barely made a dent! We finished by playing Jackbox TV games and we had chocolate birthday cake for dessert. Can we all agree that four candles on a cake are plenty when you are over a certain age? Haha! The Rocks in Sydney On Sunday (my actual birthday ) the four of us went to The Rocks for lunch. It was an incredibly hot and humid day, starting off sunny before turning cloudy. When we got off the train at Circular Quay we saw a massive Royal Princess Cruise ship. I’m always amazed by the size of those huge vessels, to me they look like moving apartment buildings. We’ve never been on a cruise, but if we ever did I’d be happy with just a short getaway. Maybe one day. I spotted a Sydney tourist bus along the way. If the prices didn’t start from $65.00 a ticket I’d definitely hop on for a ride! Birthday Lunch We ended up at The Fortune of War pub. A guy was playing guitar and singing some well-known tunes and I really wanted to sit outside but it was just too hot. Poor Steve looked like a human fountain, so we decided that it was better to go inside and eat in the air-conditioned restaurant instead of the steamy courtyard. We all ordered fish and chips! Dessert At The Opera Bar Afterwards, we walked over to The Opera Bar for dessert. Everyone ordered a ricotta cheesecake and I also had a frozen coconut margarita which tasted like a deliciously refreshing slushie with a kick. We sat indoors, which turned out to be a good choice as it was cooler than outside. Then not long after it began to pour down rain, such strange weather! We found a cozy booth and I loved the way they had decorated the length of the bar wall with potted plants and vases. We came home at around 7 pm, just in time to watch Married at First Sight. It’s one of those shows with so much drama and topics that always leaves me wide-eyed and almost horrified. Yet I can’t stop watching! We had ham, cheese and tomato melts for a light dinner after a big lunch. Then Luke went home, Steve went to bed and Sam and I stayed up way too late watching a movie. I didn’t want my fun birthday weekend to end! It was such a perfect weekend and I struggled so badly to get up to go to work this morning! But I made it through the day and I have promised myself that I’m going to go to bed at a decent time tonight. Thanks so much for being here today! I hope you have a wonderful day.

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A Few Favourite Things

Hi friends it’s time for Friday favourites and I’m excited to be here today to share a few things that made the week brighter. I know that it’s only week three but I’ve been enjoying my days at work. Of course, going back to work after the long summer break is always a bit of a shock to the system. But on the whole, everything is going well (I don’t want to jinx anything by saying this!). There have been so many improvements on so many different levels and that’s a big favourite! Last year was a challenge and I was worried about a repeat. Fingers crossed, so far so good. I was craving a strawberry milkshake. So after work on Monday, I walked up to the food court in my local Westfields to buy one. Usually, I’m happy to make them myself at home but in honour of it being birthday month. I decided to treat myself. A big bonus was getting in about 3000 extra steps than usual for the day by adding on the extra walk to the shops. I finally tackled the not-so-fun task of giving my oven a good clean. It was meant to be a school holiday job but I never got around to it. While scrubbing an oven is not my favourite activity, cooking in a clean one sure is! Despite having a self-cleaning feature, there is still the tedious task of removing all the racks and scrubbing them, as well as the glass door. One of the good things though is that unlike the old oven we had for years and years. I don’t have to contort myself and stick half my body inside to reach every corner. After this major effort, I’ve made a promise to myself to clean it more regularly. It’s incredibly satisfying to see it clean now, and I can finally check this task off my to-do list. Yay! I made an apple and berry gluten-free loaf. It’s been ages since I had baked anything and I think the couple of cooler mornings we had earlier in the week must have given me some major autumn vibes.   My fun work friend gave all of us a Lunar New Year Lottery scratchie and I won a $2.00 ticket! No further winnings though, better luck next time.   Finding this cute surprise in the fridge on Tuesday afternoon was a favourite. Haha! The anticipation of waiting a whole day to open my card and favourite chocolate bar on Valentine’s Day was a treat. This year we celebrated a lovely low-key Valentine’s Day at home. Some prawns and oysters plus a bottle of Prosecco. So good! I’m so determined to keep up with my meal planning this year and I’ve finally found a good routine that works for me. In the past, I used to meal plan on Sunday evenings. But I really disliked doing it on a Sunday because for me it was a big annoying chore planning for the week ahead. I think that Sunday evenings should be for relaxing and not even thinking about the new week! This year I’ve switched things up. Instead of meal planning on Sunday evenings, I now do it on Saturday mornings. For extra motivation, I have my coffee in my favourite cup. I pull out my beloved diary/planner and I use some colourful glittery pens and a cute notepad. I also light a scented candle and I find it’s actually quite pleasant to plan for the week ahead on a Saturday. Then I do an online grocery order which gets delivered on the same evening and I’m done! That wraps up a few favourite things for this week. Thank you so much for stopping by and I look forward to being back here on Monday. Have a wonderful weekend! Linking up with Andrea and Erika  

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The Little Things

Hi everyone welcome to the February edition of Let’s Look with Erika and Shay. This month we’re diving into the topic of ‘Little Things We Do Every Single Day.” When I read this it reminded me of the jingle from a superannuation commercial that has the catchphrase “From little things, big things grow” on repeat. I guess that is very true and there are little things we do every single day that can really matter. So I’m very happy that you are here today as I share about some of the little things that I do every day and how they impact my day, week and even my mood. Little Things I Do Every Day Hydrate I drink a glass of water first thing in the morning. I used to struggle to remember. But since I had my thyroid removed I have to take a thyroxine tablet every single morning and I can’t afford to forget now! Say Thanks Speaking of thyroids, I thank God every single day that ever since I had my thyroid removed I don’t have to worry about monitoring the cyst and nodules that worried me for years! Amen!! Walking I don’t like going to the gym so walking to and from work has been one of the best ‘little’ things that I do for my overall well-being. It’s great to exercise without exercising if you know what I mean. In the mornings I power walk to work because I’m usually cutting it fine to get there on time. Then in the afternoon, I walk briskly to de-stress after a noisy full-on day at preschool. Stretch The muscles on the right side of my neck get so crazy tight! So I try and stretch throughout the day. I also try and stretch out at home on my yoga mat. It feels so good when I feel my back and neck click, crack and creak into place. Cook A Healthy Meal I cook a healthy dinner every day using fresh ingredients. Cleaning Schedule I stick to a cleaning schedule and do a little every day. I have a big goal to keep the weekends chore-free. As chore-free as possible anyway. Kiss Goodnight I say goodnight to everyone at home with a kiss and an I love you. Laugh Everyday I laugh every day – it’s something I love! At work, some of my amazing colleagues keep things fun with their humour. At home, my family and I share laughs and playful banter, whether we’re together or texting because of busy work schedules. Laughter just makes every day so much brighter! A Cup Of Tea I end every day sipping a nice cup of tea with a splash of milk and one sugar. Smile I make a conscious effort to smile every day. I like to remember to smile at a passing stranger as I walk to work. It’s nice to greet people with a smile and a good morning. Sometimes I’ll smile at myself in the mirror even though I’m not totally happy about where my cheeks are these days. I am happy that I’m alive! That just about covers a few of the little things that I do every day. Thanks so much for being here today and I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday and Happy Valentine’s Day!  

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how I met my husband

How I Met My Husband

Hi, friends welcome to the February edition of ‘Share Our Lives’, hosted by Adrienne, Dara, Jen, Joanne and Sarah. The topic for this month is ‘How You Met Your Significant Other or Best Friend”. So I’m sharing how I met my husband, Steve. I have to admit that I had a giggle when I saw the topic. Firstly it feels like it happened a hundred years ago. Secondly, because it’s kind of a funny story. A long time ago, at a church camp far, far away in a small town called Bundanoon, I first met Steve. Now, here’s the thing: he is six years older than me. This doesn’t seem like a massive age gap now, but it sure did when I was a teen. So, when we first met I was 14, and he was 20. There was absolutely ZERO connection or romantic interest or even a single thought about anything to do with any of that AT ALL. I’m emphasising this because when my kids found out how we first met they teased us incessantly. “‘Dad!! She was a kid!!!’ Hahaha!!” Anyway, there I was at church camp way back in 1984. I was having dinner with about 60 other kids from the youth group. I can’t recall how it happened, but suddenly, Steve appeared and sat next to me and my friend when it was time for dessert. He was one of the youth leaders, always friendly and hilariously funny! Whatever he was saying to me had me in stitches and I couldn’t focus on my canned fruit and ice cream (when it comes to food, I don’t forget the details!) Then, out of the blue, he said to me “You don’t want that, do you?”  and he picked up my dessert and ate it. Looking back, I must have thought he was incredibly charming because no, I didn’t mind that he just devoured my dessert right in front of me. Now of course I’d probably pummel him to the ground if he ever dared. So for the next few years, I vaguely remember seeing him at church and youth group. He would usually bring along one of his girlfriends who were all very nice. Except for one who was scary. My friends and I would giggle and wonder who ‘Pootie’ was dating now. That was his nickname back then but that’s another story. Then when I was 18, by pure chance, we were paired up to go door-to-door handing out free Bibles. It was 1988, and Australia was celebrating its bicentenary. Churches distributed special bicentenary bibles to share with the local community. So we spent hours walking from door to door chatting the whole time. I felt so comfortable around him and I loved that he made me laugh a lot! I guess it was after that, we started hanging out more whenever we were at youth group. Then a few months later he asked me to go for a drive and a picnic. I was so impressed that he packed lunch. He brought along cheese and ham on the softest bread rolls I had ever tasted and even some sparkly apple juice. See, I told you that I don’t forget details about food. We dated for about just over a year and then we got married in January 1990. It feels like I’ve known him forever (because I have) and we’ve gone through fun times, happy times, sad times and incredibly tough times. While I know for a fact that we haven’t always made each other laugh. Now we are in that sweet spot in our marriage where the kids are all grown up and it doesn’t feel as if we’re in the trenches. We enjoy each other’s company and we like to hang out together. He still makes me laugh a lot, but I know that I’m funnier! I don’t have any photos of us dating! We dated in the dark ages when there were no mobile phones and cameras and film was expensive. So we only really took photos on special occasions. But here is one of our engagement party and the other is at our wedding. Thanks so much for being here today! I hope you enjoyed learning a bit about how I met my husband.  

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How To Build Family Resilience During Tough Times

Image Credit Facing difficult times as a family is a natural part of life’s journey, yet it’s how you navigate these moments together that truly defines your bond and builds resilience during tough times. While some families emerge from adversity with unwavering strength and unity others may falter. Naturally, you aspire for your family to belong to the former category. Whether grappling with financial strain, coping with the loss of a loved one, or experiencing conflict in the family, understanding how to rally together, endure, and heal collectively is crucial for learning how to build resilience. The following tips can help your family remain resilient when going through tough times.   How To Build Family Resilience During Tough Times Unite Around A Shared Belief Or Value Having family beliefs does not necessarily have to be about religion or spirituality. Sometimes, it’s about having a set of values or a vision you share as a family. These can guide how you approach hard times and determine the meaning of each difficult experience. These values provide a bigger picture to consider instead of just focusing on the problems. They can help you put your tough times into a proper perspective and motivate you to deal with or overcome the challenges of any traumatic event. Additionally, a family belief system cultivates unity, ensuring that everyone feels included and supported. Discover Effective Ways To Alleviate Stress In tough times, stress can weigh heavily on families no matter how united they are. It’s essential to alleviate this stress to protect everyone’s mental well-being. Two key strategies are vital: Firstly, address responsibilities together rather than individually, regardless of their size. This nurtures unity and prevents anyone from feeling isolated. Share tasks such as caregiving, financial planning, and household chores to reinforce your bond. Secondly, prioritize quality family time for relaxation and bonding. Yes, times are hard, but spending quality family time together will make the situation a lot more bearable.  Support Each Other To Recover Having the support of family makes navigating hard moments less challenging. On the contrary, allowing each member to recover independently can prolong the healing process and even lead to the family drifting apart. Therefore, it’s crucial to support each other during difficult periods. For instance, when dealing with the loss of a family member, face the stages of grief together as a unified front. Comfort each other through the tears and ensure that no one is left to grieve alone. Additionally, collaborate as a family to manage every aspect of dealing with the loss, from arranging meetings with a funeral director to bidding the final farewell. Don’t Hesitate To Seek Professional Counselling When Necessary In times of stress, pain, and hardship, professional assistance in the form of counselling can be very beneficial, especially when it comes to building resilience as a family. Family counsellors, therapists, and various support groups can offer invaluable insight into how best to handle any trying situation. Their presence, advice, care, and support can also offer something solid to lean on, helping you feel like you’re not alone in the struggle. Contrary to what some think, reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness. Instead, it’s a testament to your commitment to your family’s well-being, showing that you prioritize their needs during challenging times. In Conclusion In the journey of family life, tough times are inevitable, yet they offer opportunities for growth and resilience. While adversity may shake us, it’s our collective response that defines us. Strive for your family to emerge stronger, united and more resilient. This guide on how to build resilience offers valuable strategies for navigating challenges together, from embracing shared values to seeking professional support when needed. Remember, you’re not facing these struggles alone. Together, you can overcome any obstacle and emerge even stronger on the other side.

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