Ruth(playworkeatrepeat), Author at PLAYWORKEATREPEAT

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Feeling More Confident In The Workplace:6 Strategies For 2024

Leave a Comment / Health and Well Being, Life Hacks

Confidence in the workplace is a far more important quality to nurture than you’d think. When you are confident in the workplace and believe in yourself, you are more likely to dive into new experiences and broaden your horizons. Confident people have also been seen to enjoy better relationships, have higher productivity, and increased resilience. But how can you become more confident in the workplace? While you may not be able to transform this aspect of your personality overnight, there’s a lot that you can do to feel immediately more confident – and see the benefits from it! Let’s explore some effective strategies that are essential for you to know. How To Feel More Confident In The Workplace Invest In High-Quality Beauty Services Ever noticed how your confidence skyrockets when you’re feeling great about yourself? It’s true! Our self-image and confidence go hand in hand. Luckily, there are simple ways to boost that self-image without endless effort. Of course, nutrition, exercise, and sleep are key players, but there’s a quick fix too: top-notch beauty services! Picture this: a haircut that perfectly complements your features, courtesy of experts like the team at Head Office Hair Specialist. Or imagine the magic of a makeup artist who knows just how to highlight your best features or a beautician who can work wonders for your skin. These professionals aren’t just skilled – they’re confidence boosters! Dress To Impress: How Your Outfit Influences The Mind Next up, let’s dive into your daily wardrobe choices! While we all have our own unique style, have you ever considered how the fit of your clothes impacts your confidence? It’s pretty remarkable! Studies have seen that when we dress in attire associated with power, confidence, and intelligence, we actually start to embody those qualities. You don’t have to break the bank on a shopping spree to feel more confident, though. Just take a moment to tune into how your clothes make you feel. Pay attention to which outfits naturally boost your confidence and make you feel unstoppable Nip Stress In The Bud At Home Stress can make you feel irritable and less capable of concentrating in important situations. So, take a step back and introduce some stress-busting techniques that can help you better manage everyday situations and emotions. Some ideas include: Improve Sleep Quality: Establish a consistent bedtime routine, such as reading or taking a warm bath. Avoid screens and stimulating activities before bed. Aim for a regular sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. Practice Mindfulness Meditation: Set aside a few minutes daily for mindfulness meditation. Find a quiet space and focus on your breath or a specific sensation. Gently bring your focus back when your mind wanders. Utilize Deep Breathing Exercises: Take slow, deep breaths, filling your lungs and exhaling slowly. Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique: inhale for 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8. Repeat several times to calm your nervous system. Create A Tranquil Home Environment: Introduce home management strategies that will help you create and maintain a stress-free home environment. Declutter your living space to create a sense of calm and order. Use calming colours and natural materials in your decor. Incorporate soothing scents with candles or essential oil diffusers. Seek Support When Needed: Reach out to a therapist or counsellor for guidance and support. Lean on friends and family who are willing to listen and offer encouragement. Remember that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Build Your Own Power Routine Creating your personal power routine can be a way to evoke feelings of confidence, steadiness, and resilience. The beauty of creating your own ritual lies in its versatility—you have the freedom to explore various methods that resonate with you. Whether it’s dancing freely, striking a commanding pose, accessorizing with your favourite jewellery, belting out a tune, or simply adjusting your posture, the possibilities are endless. Moreover, there are additional strategies you can incorporate to instantly boost your confidence. For instance, rehearsing your speech or presentation beforehand can help you feel more prepared and self-assured when the big day arrives. And let’s not overlook the importance of caring for your body through proper nutrition and regular exercise—maintaining a healthy lifestyle can greatly contribute to your overall confidence and well-being. Invest In Learning And Education Investing in learning and education is like giving yourself a confidence boost on demand! Learning a new skill will give you an immediate rush of confidence! Delving into a new skill isn’t just about acquiring knowledge—it’s about igniting a sense of excitement and empowerment within yourself. Plus, lifelong learning isn’t just good for your brain; it’s a powerful tool for maintaining mental sharpness and well-being. Stop Comparing Yourself To Others! Last but not least stop comparing yourself to others! We’ve all been there, caught up in envy from time to time. But here’s the thing: constantly measuring yourself against others can drain your energy and hold you back from reaching your full potential. Instead, be your own biggest supporter and cheer on every little success. Whether it’s finishing a work task or just getting through a tough day, each win counts. Focus on your journey, embrace your strengths, and watch your confidence grow. Stop comparing yourself to others and start showing yourself some kindness. Celebrate those small victories—they’re the key to feeling more confident! In Conclusion Investing in being confident in the workplace is crucial. By embracing personal strengths, celebrating victories, and avoiding comparisons, individuals create an environment where being confident in the workplace is not just encouraged but celebrated!

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Currently In February

12 Comments / Family Life

Hey everyone it’s time for the February edition of Currently hosted by Jennifer from Overflowing With Thankfulness. Today we are taking a peek into what we are currently loving, looking forward to, doing to be romantic, changing and celebrating. Thank you so much for joining me! LOVING I have been loving walking into our preschool and seeing Antique white walls! I shared the other day that it used to be painted in a kaleidoscope of bold colours. However, during the summer holidays, it was transformed into a new space with fresh WHITE paint and new flooring. It feels so zen – peace out man! I keep forgetting to take photos of the classroom when it’s set up. But here it is after it was all packed up for the day. We also have plans to get all new furniture, so I’ll be sure to share some pics when it’s all done! LOOKING FORWARD TO I’m looking forward to the weekend and then beyond that I’m looking forward to the next term break. It’s been exhausting settling the new kids into preschool this week. Almost feels like I’ve spent the last few days rounding up confused sheep! DOING TO BE ROMANTIC I can’t say that I have really been doing anything to be romantic. Steve and I enjoyed a whole lot of fun outings at cafes and restaurants when I was off during the summer break. But now I think that we will be enjoying cozy nights at home with a glass of wine in front of the TV when he is off from work two evenings a week. That counts as romantic, right? CHANGING Hmmmm, I had to think about this one! All I could come up with is that I’ve been changing channels and streaming apps a lot on my TV. I can’t seem to find any good series to binge-watch lately. Any recommendations? CELEBRATING I have a very young and fun work colleague whose birthday just happens to fall on the day before mine in February. Well, she is probably one of the happiest and sunniest people I know. Her zest for life and celebrating any occasion is downright contagious! So these days I can’t help but be excited about my birthday too. I don’t know how I will be celebrating on the day. But I do know that since I’ve been working with her I’ve stopped being all silly about getting older. I’m going along with her enthusiasm and I like her idea that February should be birthday month. Haha! This means that every weekend in February, we are each going to do something big or little for ourselves to celebrate. So I decided that the coin and card wallet I got with my $30 rewards voucher from Country Road last Saturday, was a birthday present to myself! That wraps up a few things that I have been up to. Happy Wednesday!

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Lifting The Stress At Home By Maintaining It Easily

Leave a Comment / Cleaning and Organising

Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed with the daily tasks of running your household? Whether your work keeps you constantly busy or you’re dealing with the lively chaos of a bustling family, keeping up with home management can be quite the challenge. No worries, though! Using this guide, you can uncover the best advice to make your home more manageable and easier to maintain. We’re here to explore a range of practical home management tips that promise to ease your stress and completely transform how you handle the responsibilities of your home. Home Management Tips Get Down To Fixing Things Right Away Don’t let things stay broken—instead, tackle those issues head-on! If something’s not working at home, the smart move is to fix it as soon as possible. Take your kitchen appliances, for instance. If they start acting up, don’t attempt a DIY fix on the electrics; it’s risky business. Instead, bring in a Commercial electrician to ensure your home stays safe, efficient, and easy to maintain. Get those repairs underway and make your living space top-notch! Frequent Decluttering Sessions Are Wise Regular decluttering keeps your home tidy and manageable. By consistently clearing out clutter, you’ll minimize the need for frequent tidying and cleaning. This simple practice simplifies home maintenance, making your life easier and your living environment more enjoyable. Daily Tasks Make Your Life Easier For The Future Simplify daily maintenance by breaking tasks into smaller chores. Take a few minutes daily to tidy up high-traffic areas, rinse dishes, and give surfaces a quick wipe down. Encourage a routine where everyone contributes to order, taking responsibility for their belongings. Embrace small, consistent actions for an organized home and a shared sense of pride. You Need To Use Better Storage Solutions Arrange your storage effortlessly with practical solutions. Utilize drawers, cabinets, and closets wisely to ensure easy access and a neat space. Strategically employ bins, dividers, and shelves to make the most of every inch, establishing an efficient and stylish system for your belongings. Organizing thoughtfully not only makes things easy to find but also adds a nice and peaceful vibe to your home. Embrace The Minimal Look Start a minimalistic journey to turn your home into a welcoming place with endless possibilities. Embrace the power of owning fewer possessions, unlocking clarity reducing stress, and allowing more time for the things you truly love. Shift your focus from quantity to quality—nurture a connection with brands that resonate with you. Surround yourself only with items that bring deep meaning and joy to your life, creating a pleasant vibe in your surroundings. Share The Load With The Family Boost teamwork at home by having everyone contribute. Customize tasks to fit preferences, strengths, and schedules, making a chore plan that works for everyone. Keep communication open, create a collaborative space, and tackle daily tasks together. Turn chores into opportunities for connection and shared success. In conclusion, armed with these home management tips, you can be sure to know how to declutter your home and streamline the maintenance process, ensuring a home that’s both organized and effortlessly enjoyable. Tackling household chores doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Let these home management tips make it easy and enjoyable. Use them to create a space that suits your lifestyle, adding ease to your daily routine. Take these suggestions on board to make your home life smoother and more pleasant!

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Relaxing Weekend Recap

12 Comments / Family Life

Hi friends! It’s great to be back today linking up with Holly and Sarah to share my relaxing weekend recap. Thanks so much for stopping by to have a read! Friday Night Last week was my first week back at work and I had a lot of trouble sleeping. My brain was in complete overdrive and buzzing. To top it off, I was also obsessing over the impending alarm and I couldn’t fall asleep. I tossed and turned constantly thinking about how I needed to sleep fast or else I was going to feel tired the whole day and oh no why was I still awake and blah blah blah! The hot and humid nights didn’t help either. Thankfully our Silvercool sheets kept us much cooler than our regular cotton sheets. They are such a lifesaver! So it wasn’t just the heat that was stopping me from falling asleep. My brain would not shut down! On some days I would finally doze off around 3 am and then the alarm would go off at 6 am. Ugh! By the time Friday night rolled around, I felt completely exhausted and that night I crashed hard! Waking up on Saturday I felt much more refreshed and so much better. Fingers crossed that this week I won’t be so focused on the darn alarm! *Update: Last night I fell asleep at 1 am – I’ll take that as a sign that things are improving! Saturday Saturday morning was nice and slow just the way I needed it to be. I caught up with Steve because we are back to mainly communicating by text due to our conflicting work schedules. I enjoyed sipping my coffee slowly, instead of chugging it down. Then I did some blogging, organised my meal plan and placed an online grocery order. I felt like I was winning again instead of playing catch-up! In the afternoon after Steve went to work, I made a super quick trip to the city. I walked about 15 minutes to the next suburb to catch the train. When I got to the station I was surprised to find a lively Lunar New Year festival in full swing. The whole main street was blocked off and there were people everywhere. I did a quick lap around the food stalls, snapped a few photos, and soaked in a little festive atmosphere before jumping on the train. The reason for my quick dash to the city was that I had a $30 reward that I wanted to redeem at Country Road before it expired in the next few days. I knew that I wouldn’t have a chance to get to the shops during the week and there was no way that I wanted to miss out on my reward! But the thing with these reward vouchers is that you can’t buy very much with $30 so it’s easy to get sucked into spending way more. But I stayed strong and found a cute card and coin wallet that cost $39. So I just added the $9.00 difference and was pleased with myself for not spending much. Go me! Sunday After church, I went home and made a quick lunch. Finally, Steve, Sam and I sat down to our first meal together all week! Sam is once again very busy with uni and work so we don’t get to see him as much as we did when he was on summer break. He was chatting about his first overseas trip he booked the other day. The half-price deal that was on offer for one day only on Thursday of last week was too good to pass up. So he and two other friends seized the opportunity, booked their tickets and are making plans to head off in late April As he sat there telling us about all the things he wanted to do in Japan. I had flashbacks to when he was little and would sit in the very same spot at the dining table. Except back then he would talk about Lego and Pokemon. Where did the time go? I spent the rest of Sunday catching up on this and that. The dream of chore-free weekends is exactly that – a dream! Still, it’s not so bad because I do keep up with the bulk of things during the week. Steve had to go to work for a few hours so I jumped on the computer to do some blogging. When he came home a little after 8 pm, we opened a bottle of wine called “Sunday”. Very appropriate, no? We enjoyed dinner (again the three of us – two meals together in one day. Yay!!) Then we wrapped up the day with an episode of Vera. All in all, it was a lovely weekend that ended way too fast! How was yours? I hope it was a good one. Thanks so much for being here today – can you believe it’s February? Have a wonderful Monday.

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7 Driveway Makeover Ideas

Leave a Comment / Home Improvement Ideas

Is it time to elevate the curb appeal of your home and give it a fresh, inviting look? Say goodbye to the monotony of a dull driveway and embrace the excitement of transformation! In this blog post, we’re diving into a world of creativity and functionality with some fantastic driveway makeover ideas. Whether you’re aiming for a sleek and modern look or a charming and rustic feel, these suggestions are sure to breathe new life into your property. Get ready to explore a range of options that will not only enhance the aesthetics of your driveway but also add value to your home. It’s time to revitalize your outdoor space with these driveway makeover ideas that go beyond the ordinary. 7 Driveway Makeover Ideas 1. Stay Simple With Gravel Switching to a gravel driveway has many benefits. Such driveways are cheap to install and low maintenance. You can also explore all kinds of different styles of gravel to achieve all kinds of effects. On top of basic crushed grey stone, you can explore options like white marble chips, golden beach pebbles, red granite chippings or black basalt gravel. You could even opt for a multicoloured mixture of stones for an explosion of colour. 2. Try Coloured Concrete Concrete driveways are known for being long-lasting and durable. While grey concrete is the standard, many people don’t realise that concrete concrete is an option. Such concrete can be tinted to replicate all kinds of earthy tones from terracotta to slate green. It’s much cheaper than using authentic natural stone and is typically more damage-resistant. 3. Experiment With Block Paving Block paving is still seen as one of the more sophisticated options. Such a driveway is likely to be very durable and could even add value to your home. There are all kinds of block paving patterns that you can experiment with. For more complex patterns, it’s worth hiring a block paving specialist. 4. Light Up Your Driveway Adding some lighting to your driveway could make your home look more attractive at night, while also helping to make parking easier and warding off burglars. You could install recessed lights directly into your driveway or bollard lights. You can even light your driveway up from above with floodlights. 5. Install A Gate A gate could be a fancy feature to add to the front of your driveway that is certain to boost security and boost your home’s value. Gates come in all kinds of styles from traditional iron gates to wooden gates, and can be manually operated or automatic. Take your time to compare different styles to find a gate best suited to your property. Consider the fact that you will likely need planning permission, plus there will need to be suitable clearance space for the gate. 6. Transform It Into A Front Lawn Do you actually need a driveway? While off-road parking can be beneficial to many people, not everyone owns a car or feels the need to park on a driveway. Converting your driveway into a lawn could potentially be a better use of the space. While you can carry out lawn installation yourself, it may be easier to hire a professional when converting a driveway into a lawn. Take your time to look at different types of turf and consider whether you want to add other plants. 7. Add A Carport A carport is a purpose-built canopy that you can park your car underneath. It can provide shade from the sun and shelter from rain and bird poo. Carports can be built in various different styles. They could be a worthy addition if you want to protect your car but don’t have the space for a garage. Conclusion Ready to make a lasting impression and turn your driveway into a stunning focal point? These driveway makeover ideas offer a spectrum of possibilities, allowing you to inject personality and style into a space often overlooked. From the simplicity of gravel to the sophistication of block paving, each option carries its unique charm. Illuminate your path with strategic lighting or add an extra layer of security with a stylish gate. If off-road parking isn’t a priority, consider transforming your driveway into a lush front lawn or installing a practical carport. The choices are as diverse as your imagination, so go ahead and embark on this exciting journey to redefine your home’s entrance. It’s time to say goodbye to the mundane and welcome a driveway that not only serves its purpose but also makes a statement. Spruce up your driveway today and let your home shine with renewed brilliance!

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How To Keep Your Family Connected

1 Comment / Health and Well Being

Is the concern about your family drifting apart on your mind? Fear not! It’s time to weave some magic into your family dynamics and bring everyone closer together. Here are some exciting and meaningful ideas to get you started on the journey to a more united and vibrant family life. It’s all about keeping your family connected and thriving! How To Keep Your Family Connected 1. Embrace Technology for Togetherness Let’s turn the tables on technology. Invest in Amazon Echos to create a technological symphony in your home. Connect different areas, ensuring that everyone can easily stay in touch. This is especially handy for those with bustling households, providing a seamless means of communication. 2. Unplug for Quality Time Imagine cozy Friday nights where devices take a break, and your family dives into the fun of ‘No Tech Evenings.’ Let the kids rule the remote, choosing their favourite movies – They may want to dive into the epic Star Wars Skywalker saga. If you’re wondering where to watch Star Wars online, the good news is that there are plenty of online options to stream the Galaxy adventures. If you’re feeling old-school, swap screens for board games. Roll the dice, move those pieces, and watch as laughter fills the room. It’s a night of friendly competition and silly moments, creating memories that stick around long after the game ends. 3. Bond Over Family Meals Elevate your family bonding by turning mealtime into a cherished tradition. Imagine everyone gathered around the table or a cozy breakfast island, indulging in a delicious meal together. While this might sound like a throwback to simpler times, the benefits are anything but outdated. This shared dining experience provides a golden opportunity to connect. Picture lively discussions about each other’s days, sharing laughter, and staying updated on the latest in everyone’s lives. To make it even more special, consider transforming this into a no-tech zone. This way, you can fully engage in the conversations without distractions, truly hearing and connecting with one another. Finding time to make dinner and eat as a family can be a challenge. However, don’t worry because the kitchen is your ally. Equip yourself with the right tools; think slow cookers that effortlessly transform fresh ingredients into a delightful meal throughout the day. Say goodbye to the rush and savour these moments without the stress of meal preparation. So, let the aroma of a delicious home-cooked meal fill your space as you gather around, creating not just a treat for your taste buds but also nourishment for the soul. It’s more than just a meal—it’s a shared experience that strengthens the bonds uniting your family. 4. Plan Regular Days Out Inject some fun into your routine by planning regular outings. Perhaps a simple trip to the park or a weekend adventure can work wonders. You may consider booking a trip to a theme park, a zoo, or even just a few hours playing sports together. These experiences big or small become cherished memories, strengthening your family bonds. Sprinkle these strategies into your family routine, and watch the magic happen! You’re not just creating moments; you’re building a treasure chest of shared experiences and strong connections. Keep in mind, that the time and effort invested will turn your family life into a joyful journey, earning the love and appreciation of your loved ones. So stay connected as a family and let the adventure unfold!

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How To Keep Your Teeth And Gums Healthy

1 Comment / Health and Well Being

What do you think about your teeth? Maybe you don’t really pay them much attention at all, or perhaps you’re not entirely happy with how straight (or not!) they are. The thought of losing them may have crossed your mind – it’s a common concern and, let’s face it, we’ve all had nightmares like that! The good news is that whatever you think about your teeth, maintaining healthy teeth and gums doesn’t have to be a cause for concern. By adopting a few simple habits, you can keep your teeth strong and healthy for many years to come. Read on to find out more. How To Keep Your Teeth And Gums Healthy Visit Your Dentist Dentists can have something of a bad reputation for being a place of pain and discomfort, but the fact is, most of the time, your trip to the dentist isn’t going to hurt at all – it will be quick and painless and over before you know it. That’s usually the case if you visit your dentist on a regular basis because your teeth will remain in good condition. Regular check-ups help catch any issues early, allowing you to address them and get things fixed before they become painful problems. Plus, visiting your dentist means you’ll get all the right information about taking care of your teeth between visits, helping you stay healthy and happy. Brush Twice A Day Maintaining healthy teeth and gums is as simple as brushing twice a day a day. Make it a routine – brush before bed and first thing in the morning (or after you’ve had your coffee or orange juice if you prefer – toothpaste can make these drinks taste bad!) and you’re done. Of course, you do need to invest in a good toothbrush, and ideally, you should floss at the same time. But even if you only brush your teeth, that’s a fantastic way to keep them strong and healthy. If you do want to brush your teeth more than twice a day (after lunch or after eating or drinking something sugary, for example), that’s not a problem, but make sure you do it gently to prevent damage. Replace Your Toothbrush Speaking of brushing your teeth, here’s a question that you might find difficult to answer: how long have you had your toothbrush? If you can’t even remember when you bought it, you’ve probably had it for too long, and it’s time to replace it with a new one, (a soft-bristled one is best). Toothbrushes don’t last forever, and it’s best to replace yours every three to four months. Not only is that more hygienic, but it ensures that your teeth cleaning is more effective because the bristles will be in good condition. If you have an electric toothbrush, you should be able to replace the head alone rather than having to buy an entirely new toothbrush that will cost a decent amount, but it’s best to check that before you make the initial investment, otherwise you might find you have to spend more than you budgeted for. In conclusion, your teeth deserve a bit more love and attention than you might have realised. Whether you’ve been neglecting them or dreaming of a perfect smile, the good news is that maintaining healthy teeth and gums is simpler than you imagine. Regular visits to your friendly dentist, brushing twice a day, and replacing your toothbrush regularly can effortlessly become habits. These habits keep your teeth strong and vibrant. So, let’s make a pledge to give those pearly whites the care they deserve, ensuring many years of bright and happy smiles ahead!

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Favourites Recap

6 Comments / Family Life

Hello friends and Hello Friday!! It’s great to be back to share a favourites recap. Thank you so much for being here! Well, it was back to work for me on Tuesday! I was so sad to say goodbye to the holidays but I have to admit that one of the upsides was getting back to my walk-to-work routine. When the holidays first started I was trying to keep up with doing some regular walking. I started strong and then got lazy real quick! Another huge favourite was starting the year with a freshly painted preschool! It looks so beautiful now with the Antique white walls and new flooring. The whole preschool looks incredibly fresh and feels like a much calmer space than before. You see, all the preschool rooms used to be painted in different bright bold colours and I wasn’t a fan. For someone like me who loves neutral colours, stepping into such a vibrant and retina-challenging space every day was quite overwhelming. But having worked there for so long I (sort of ) got used to being surrounded by so much intense colour. One room was bright red, the reading area was royal blue, another classroom banana yellow, and the foyer was mandarine orange. You get the picture! Our amazing director has been organising some practical as well as aesthetic changes to our tired old building. After the big painting project, we have been receiving heaps of wonderful feedback from the preschool families and of course, the staff couldn’t be happier! Because the calmer the space, the calmer the children, right? Haha! We had two pupil-free days – Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday was one super long meeting broken up by a delicious lunch the preschool provided for us. Chicken and salad with chips as well as garlic sauce on the side. Yum, but luckily we didn’t have any parents or children to breathe on that day! On Monday, the last day of the summer school holidays. I dug deep and found some motivation to pull down the curtains and wash them. I also cleaned the blinds. Now the rooms in the house smell so fresh and clean and that’s a gigantic favourite! I love this plant! Last year I went to visit my friend who lives in Avoca Beach and I stayed with her for a couple of days. Well, she has the most beautiful house and a gorgeously landscaped garden. She had these brightly coloured plants growing in her front yard, which looked spectacular. I commented on how much I liked them and she gave me a cutting to take home. Now I’ve shared heaps of times before that I am no gardener! So I didn’t hold any high hopes that I would manage to keep the beautiful plant alive much less grow it. But miracles of all miracles, I put it in a vase with water and then a few weeks later when some roots started to grow I replanted it into a pot. And it grew!!! Now I am going to give my other friend a cutting and she is going to do the same. It will be like the pay-it-forward miracle plant! Speaking of plants, I got some new ones for around the house. A palm for the dining area One for the bathroom. Another one behind the sofa. Some greenery is always good for the eyes. That’s all for now friends, a quick favourites recap for this week. Funnily enough, even though we are back into routine. All of this week I was still asking ‘What day is it today?’. Starting work on Tuesday kind of threw me and I have been confused all week. Next week we are back from Monday so I won’t be confused but I sure will be counting down the days until the weekend! Thanks so much for being here and I hope you have a wonderful Friday! Linking up with Andrea and Erika

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What Health Resolutions Can You Make?

January Fun! – What’s Up Wednesday

6 Comments / Family Life

Hello friends and welcome to the first ‘What’s Up Wednesday’ for 2024! I have to keep reminding myself to write 2024 instead of 2023. The other day I nearly wrote 1993. I must be really losing it!! Anyway, I am so glad you are here and today I’m sharing some of my January fun! *This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support!* WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK Up until this week, we were in complete holiday mode so I hadn’t worried about doing any meal planning. It was back to work for me yesterday so now I’m back on the meal-planning train again. Monday – Chicken and snowpeas Tuesday – Steak sandwiches Wednesday – Fish in lemon and garlic butter with homemade wedges and salad. Thursday- Chicken casserole and rice Friday – Turkey burgers Saturday – Nachos WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT I guess I’m reminiscing about how fast time flies! It feels like a minute ago we were all so excited about the end of the preschool year. We wrapped up the year with the children’s Christmas concerts and parties. Then did a whole lot of cleaning and packing away the classrooms etc. and just about ran out of the preschool gates like the kid on Home Alone. We had an amazing Christmas and a nice low-key New Year’s Eve. As well as a fantastic time over the five-week school holiday break doing relaxing and fun things with friends and family. Now we are back at work and the holidays almost feel like a distant memory. My director even commented today how it didn’t feel like we had a break. My sentiments exactly! WHAT I’M LOVING I have been loving the whole month of January! No schedules, no timetables, no work and no rush rush rush to go anywhere!! It’s been the best! WHAT I’M DREADING The weekday morning alarm going off again. WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT February means another month of summer! Yay!! WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO A whole lot of January fun! We kicked off the first week of 2024 with a delicious Italian lunch in the city with my cousin and her family. Followed by a basketball game a few days later with some of our Cousin Connect crew. I also hosted our first Cousin Connect for 2024 and we had a big Italian feast in our little courtyard. I tackled some cleaning and decluttering as well as a closet cleanout. My husband’s swim club started back again for the remainder of the season. As a social and non-swimming member of the club, I went along to watch the races and enjoy the BBQ on the second Sunday in January. I visited The Powerhouse Museum with my lovely friend. We also spent a Saturday exploring Paddington in Sydney. Steve and I celebrated our anniversary at the Opera Bar. The last week of the school holidays, I caught up with some friends for a good chat over brunch. Last weekend I went to see Wicked The Musical with my lovely friend. I finished off the summer school holidays with a fantastic trip to my favourite vintage warehouse where I found my dream bedside table. It sure has been a great January! WHAT I’M WATCHING I’ve been on a roll watching foreign movies and series. I really love listening to the different languages and don’t mind reading the subtitles. A couple of weeks ago I shared that I watched a wonderful French comedy/drama called ‘Rumba Therapy’. This movie is so sweet that I think it’s a definite must-see! Then shortly after, we watched ‘Berlin’, the ‘Money Heist’ prequel. I also watched a Dutch movie called ‘Faithfully Yours’. It’s about two friends who use each other as alibis to go off on sneaky weekends away to have extramarital affairs. But there is a crime and a big twist at the end which I thought saved the movie. While I didn’t love this movie, I still found it intriguing enough to watch until the end. WHAT I’M LISTENING TO I have to admit that I often struggle with sticking to a quiet time routine and reading the Bible. There are times when I’ll be reading a passage and my mind will wander to silly things like ‘Hmm what should I cook?” or I’ll read a sentence only to realise that I need to reread it because I missed the meaning. I know, I know…not good! Well, I recently discovered this amazing app called Dwell, have you heard of it? In the app, you get to pick from over twenty voices to read you the Bible. I am currently doing ‘The Straight Thru Plan- Bible in A Year’. I chose a smooth, warm and playful voice from a lady called Kylie with a North American accent. She reads from the English Standard Version and I just love listening to her read the Bible to me! I find that I’m so captured by her soothing voice that my mind stays on the text and doesn’t wander away. Another great feature is that you can choose the type of music you prefer and it will play gently in the background, I chose ambient. Dwell also offers devotionals, stories and listening plans. If you would like to give it a free trial or sign up for the plan you can find all the details here. I honestly can’t recommend it enough. WHAT I’M WEARING It’s been so hot and humid this summer! I’ve heard that the temps in the Northern Hemisphere have been ridiculously cold. Over here we’re dealing with the opposite, hitting temperatures as high as 39ºC. So I have been wearing my usual basic colours for my summer outfits. But, I did get a new sleeveless top recently that’s a bit more colourful than what I usually go for. WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND I have no plans at this stage but after such a

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