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Tips For Falling Asleep

9 Comments / Beauty and Self Care, Home, Life Hacks

Hey there, friends! I’m excited to join the Share Our Lives linkup today, where we’re sharing tips for falling asleep. To be honest, I was a bit stumped when I saw the prompt because I wasn’t sure I had much to offer. My sleep usually reflects my mood—if I’m worried, anxious, or it’s the first day back to work after the holidays, I’m pretty sure I won’t sleep well the night before. Then I thought, my number one tip for falling asleep is simple—just put on an amazing movie you’ve been saving up to watch for movie night. Bam, instant slumber! But that’s not very helpful. I know there are so many wonderful and sensible tips for falling asleep. Such as creating a calm bedtime routine, avoiding screens, and sticking to a sleep schedule. But, to be honest, I don’t really follow many of these myself. So, instead, I’ll just share a few personal tips for falling asleep that actually work for me. Some of them might even be the opposite of what the sleep experts recommend—oops! Tips For Falling Asleep Watch a Favourite Show and Enjoy a Favourite Drink I guess this could fall under the category of a calm bedtime routine. After all the chores are done, I have a shower, put on my PJs, and relax with a favourite show and a cup of tea. I know they say you shouldn’t have caffeine right before bed. But does tea have much caffeine? Not sure, but I know that I love mine with one teaspoon of sugar and a little milk. Oh yes, and I also have a small piece of chocolate or a biscuit (cookie). Don’t Avoid Screens Again, I’m stressing that this is definitely not what the experts recommend, but it works for me. Once I’m all cozy in bed, I’ll watch a quick 15-minute YouTube video. I love watching minimalist lifestyle videos, especially ones with Scandinavian-inspired home decor and simple living tips. They are just so calming, and they play the best soothing music in the background. Other times, I’ll scroll through Pinterest for fashion and hairstyling tips, then drift off to sleep imagining myself in the latest Zara fashions with perfectly styled glossy hair. Don’t Go To Bed Hungry I can’t sleep when I’m hungry, which is why an early dinner just doesn’t work for me. If I eat too early, I’ll lie in bed thinking about food! On the rare occasion I’ve eaten too early and gone to bed, I’ll end up lying there obsessing about my next meal. I’ve even had to get out of bed and go to the kitchen in the dark to have a quick snack just so I can fall asleep. Box Breathing If all my falling asleep tips are failing and I’m lying there, staring at the clock and stressing about how I’m not falling asleep, and the alarm is going to go off any minute! Aaaaaargh!!! Then, I will try a breathing technique called box breathing. I’m not sure where I first came across it, but apparently, it’s used by soldiers, first responders, and athletes to stay calm and focused in stressful situations. It’s super simple: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4, exhale for 4, and hold again for 4. It slows everything down and helps calm your mind, which makes it way easier to drift off to sleep. Working with kids at preschool definitely counts as high stress, and some days, it feels like I’ve been on a battlefield, so this technique has come in handy more than once. Pray Other than asking God to please help me fall asleep, praying for others can work wonders. When I start thinking about the people I care about and say a little prayer for them, it helps shift my focus away from my own racing thoughts. It’s also a great remedy for those of us who can’t help catastrophising! Not Too Hot or Too Cold If I’m too cold in winter, I can’t sleep, and the same goes for when it’s too hot in summer. At the moment, it’s been hot and muggy, so we’ve got the fan on all night. In winter, though, I’m in thick bed socks and my ‘sexy’ flannels. Hehe. Those are my tips for falling asleep. Maybe a little unconventional, but they work for me. Of course, some nights none of these will work, and that’s the pits when you just can’t sleep! With all the worries, hormones, and responsibilities weighing heavy on us, it’s no wonder sleep can be so elusive some nights. And then there’s the way the world is heading, but let’s not go there—or none of us will get any sleep!! I hope these tips gave you a little idea to try next time you’re counting sheep (because that sure never worked!). Sleep tight, friends! Linking up with Adrienne, Dara, Jen, Joanne and Sarah

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Friday Favourites-First Trip Recap

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Hey friends, It’s time for Friday Favourites! I’m starting with a trip recap (the first of many) because our family trip definitely tops my list of all-time favourite moments! You know that feeling when a big day finally arrives, and you can’t believe it’s happening? That’s how I felt on the 7th of January, the day we were flying out. I’d been thinking about it, counting down the days, and looking forward to it for what felt like forever! Time to Go! Our flight didn’t leave until 4:30 pm, but we got to the airport around midday. We checked in early and headed to the lounge. My cousins fly a lot for work and holidays, so they have lounge access. We got to join them as guests. What a way to kick things off! We raided the incredible buffet, which had everything from pasta, soup, nachos, sandwiches, sweets, coffee, and so many other delicious things I can’t even remember. They also had a bar stocked with everything! But I only had a couple of glasses of sparkling wine because, you know….I needed a little liquid courage to get on the plane, hehe. Before we knew it, it was time to board, and we took our first of many family pics. Here I’m smiling like this frightened emoji 😬 The Flight The dreaded flight was thankfully okay. I mean, I didn’t love it, but it was bearable—I survived and even felt a bit braver for it! But it was a long 13-hour journey, and the plane was packed. My cousin’s family were all seated together behind me, but somehow, Steve, Sam, and I got separated. We managed to get two seats together on one side of the plane, while the third seat was one in from the aisle on the opposite side. Both Sam and Steve offered to take the separate seat, but I insisted they stay together since they’re both over 6 feet tall and needed the extra room. They were a bit surprised I volunteered, knowing how nervous I was. But honestly, I’m glad I stuck to my decision. I was squashed the whole way, and I’m kind of small—Steve or Sam would have found it unbearable! The girl sitting on the aisle next to me wasn’t the friendliest, but I won’t judge—she might’ve been terrified too. Her way of coping seemed to be covering herself, including her head, with a blanket for the entire flight. After a few hours, my bladder couldn’t take it anymore, so I finally had to ask if I could squeeze past. I needed to get my numb legs to the toilet—fast! She grudgingly obliged… ho-hum. We landed in San Francisco and then raced to catch our connecting flight to L.A. Los Angeles After such a long flight to San Francisco, the flight to L.A. felt like a breeze. We were up, and then we landed, and I felt so relieved. But once we hit the tarmac, all the fire alarms inside the plane went off for about five seconds, and I thought, Whoa, that’s weird. Then I looked out the window (the only time I looked out during the entire two flights) and said to my husband, “Hey, look over there at all that smoke! In the distance, it looks like a fire.” I joked, “Nah, it’s probably just the pollution in the city.” Little did we know! We grabbed our bags and headed to pick up the van my cousin S would drive us around in for the next two weeks. I remember Sam saying, “I want to hear people talking American; I can’t wait!” He was so excited too! On the way to the car rental place, I called my aunt to let her know we had arrived, and she was excited. She also reminded us to be careful while driving because the winds were so strong. I thought it was sweet, just like my mum used to be—always looking out for our safety. We got in the van, and as we drove around, I was in total awe. Here I was, in L.A. pinch me!! I started snapping photos of random things I had only seen on TV, like a school bus. (We don’t have those in Australia!) I’m not sure why I took a pic of this street sign with a number on it. Maybe because we don’t number our streets like that back home. It’s more likely that I just was so excited that I wanted to capture every second. So I snapped away at the most random things! And then I spotted a Lowes! A Lowes, people!! My family must have thought I was nuts. We stopped for a snack at Wendy’s, and I had to video it because… WENDY’S! I was finally going to eat at Wendy’s!!! Cousin Connect in Los Angeles! After checking into the hotel, we quickly freshened up and drove straight to my cousin’s house. On the way, we definitely felt those winds my aunt had warned us about! The van was swaying along the road, but we were on such a high, completely clueless about what was really going on. As we drove, we noticed power lines coming down and entire suburbs losing power. Still, we weren’t worried—just casually pointing out, Hey, look, another blackout! Duh!! We finally made it to my cousin’s house, where my aunt and a whole bunch of other cousins were waiting. I had met most of them on previous trips when I was much younger, and my aunt and her son had even visited us in Australia when I was pregnant with my second son. But my cousin J and her family—who we traveled with—had never met them before. So, having this family reunion after all these years was definitely a highlight! When my cousin T opened the door, we screamed, hugged, laughed, and I almost cried—it was just pure joy! If I could freeze a moment in time, this would be it. We ate pizza

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February Edition of Currently

7 Comments / Family Life, Home

Hi friends, I’m linking up with Jenn for the February edition of Currently. Towards the end of last year, I was crazy over the top busy with work, study and trip planning, so I missed quite a few link-ups. This year, my studies are over, and my trip has come and gone (waaahhhhh!!). I’m also on long service leave and won’t be back to work until the 19th of February. So it’s great to be here today, taking a breath and excited to share what I’m currently loving, anticipating, remembering, sharing and wish-listing. Let’s go! Loving Hmmm, there are so many things that I have been loving lately. I loved loved loved my trip away with my family, but then I also loved coming home last Tuesday. I love having free time without feeling that I have a deadline to meet. After the whirlwind of last year, I’m really appreciating having an extra long summer break! Also on the list of things I am loving is cooking meals with heaps of vegetables. I missed eating my veggies during our trip (it turns out I’m not the fast food queen I thought I would be!) Anticipating I am anticipating that this year will not be nearly as busy as last year was. So, I am looking forward to going back to regular date nights with my husband, and I’m also excited to have the spare time on the weekends to spend time with friends! I have an exciting catch-up this Saturday with my lovely friend, who I haven’t seen in what feels like forever, and I can’t wait! Remembering I am remembering all the fun times I had over the three weeks we were away. Gosh, it was such a special time with my family, and I’m so grateful for it all. Even though I was happy to arrive home safely last Tuesday and jump back into regular old stuff, now I’ve got the post-holiday blues really bad! Haha, my husband (he knows me so well) kept looking at me funny all of last week and checking in on me. He kept asking, “Are you ok?” because he fully expected me to be on a real downer after the trip. And no, I was still on such a high! Until this Monday when I came off the high with a great big thud–sigh. Sharing Speaking of sharing, I will be sharing all about our trip soon and doing many recaps. Once I wipe away all of my tears–haha, no, I’m not that bad, but it might take me a little time to gather my thoughts! Wish Listing I think one of the only things on my wish list right now is a new fly screen for our laundry. Last year, we had our door frame replaced because it was weather-damaged. The new door frame looks fantastic, but since it’s a different size, the old cream-coloured fly screen no longer fits. So it sat outside in the courtyard propped up against the wall, gathering dust and cobwebs until I finally sold it on Facebook Marketplace in December. I love Facebook Marketplace—it’s amazing what you can sell! This year, I’d love a simple fly-screen door with a white frame, something like this one. So now that I’ve got some time and I’m home during the day, I really should get on top of ringing around for quotes. The big fat flies that sneak in the second I leave the laundry door open are definitely motivating me to get moving on this. Summer flies are so gross!!! And that wraps up the February edition of Currently. Thanks so much for being here today, and I hope you have an amazing Wednesday!

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Hello Monday

8 Comments / Hello Monday, Home

Hi friends! It feels so good to be back, linking up with Holly and Sarah for Hello Monday after such a long break. I missed you guys and am excited to catch up with everyone again! We just returned from our amazing Cousin Connect Adventure last Tuesday. Since then, I’ve been busy doing laundry, restocking the fridge, packing things away, and cooking meals (I can’t believe how much I craved a simple home-cooked meal!!). I’ve also been doing a whole lot of reminiscing about our incredible trip. A few memes about how long January feels have popped up on Facebook, but for me, it flew by. And I have to keep reminding myself that we are, in fact, already in February! Gosh, where do I start? First, I just wanted to pop in and say a quick hello. Then, over the next few posts, I’ll be recapping our amazing adventures. This was our first big trip in over 10 years, and it was THE best! I caught up with family from L.A., visited so many incredible places, and conquered a ton of fears–like flying! I did cry, not hysterically—just big, fat, sad tears during every takeoff and gripped Steve and Sam’s hands as we landed. But hey, I did it, along with so many other things I never thought I could! The best part was getting to experience it all with not just my husband and youngest son Sam but also some of my cousins from our cousin crew. They were so much fun to travel with—super organised, flexible, and always able to think outside the box in a heartbeat. These are the qualities you need when two families are on an adventure! Oh, and they can also drive on both sides of the road—the right side like in the USA and the left side like we do here in Australia. Geez, I don’t know how they do it. During our trip, I had trouble crossing the road on foot because I couldn’t figure out which way to look! So Steve and I totally agree that they should go on The Amazing Race because they’d win for sure! See this mess? It’s my travel journal! Haha, I started my trip planning here, and I took it with me. I had every intention of writing down what we did each day. I even bought a glue stick in Walmart (holy cow, I went to Walmart, and it blew me away!!) to paste in every receipt, map, and booklet—everything. And nope, I only wrote in it once the whole time. But I’ve taken a million photos. Don’t worry, I won’t be posting all of them here—only a few (hundred). Over the next few days and weeks, I’ll also be putting together a movie about our trip. I’d like to have it ready to share for our March Cousin Connect. I’m going to add some fun music, and we can enjoy it while we eat popcorn. I have big plans, and I can’t wait! Thank you so much for stopping by today. Now that I’m settling back into the real world again, I’ll be posting on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Keep having a blessed day! A lovely lady in Hawaii said that to me, and I loved hearing it so much that I want to make it part of what I say more often. Both here on the blog and in my day-to-day life.

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Simple Creative Activities for Well-being and Relaxation

1 Comment / Beauty and Self Care, Health and Well Being, Home

Ever had one of those days where your mind feels like a browser with 100 tabs open? Yeah, me too. In our fast-paced world, finding moments of peace can feel like searching for a quiet coffee shop in Times Square. But here’s the thing: the answer might be simpler than you think. Creative activities for well-being – and I’m not talking about becoming the next Picasso – can be your ticket to better mental well-being. The Science Behind Creativity and Well-being When you engage in creative activities, your brain does this amazing dance of neural connections. Research shows that creative expression releases dopamine, our feel-good neurotransmitter, while reducing cortisol, the stress hormone that loves to crash our peace party. Think of creativity as a gym workout for your mental health – except you won’t need to buy expensive gear or pretend to enjoy protein shakes. Studies have shown that just 45 minutes of creative activity for well-being can significantly reduce stress levels, regardless of artistic experience or talent. Many people find it helpful to combine creative practices with professional support – fortunately, online therapy with insurance has made mental health support more accessible than ever. A fascinating research project at Drexel University found that making art, even at a basic level, reduces stress hormones by up to 75% in most participants. Another study from New Zealand revealed that engaging in creative activities contributes to an “upward spiral” of positive emotions, leading to increased overall well-being and better emotional regulation. The benefits stack up over time, like compound interest for your well-being. Regular creative practice has been linked to improved problem-solving skills, better emotional awareness, and even enhanced immune system function. It’s like your brain is getting a full-spectrum workout while you’re just having fun. Simple Creative Activities for Well-being Your creativity doesn’t need a PhD in Art! Here are some activities that anyone can try: Journaling and Written Expression Write about your day, create fictional stories, or just dump your thoughts onto paper. The magic happens when you stop trying to write perfectly and just let your thoughts flow freely. Try the “morning pages” technique – three pages of unfiltered writing first thing in the morning. It’s like a coffee date with your inner self. Drawing and Doodling Remember those margin doodles from school? Turns out they were actually good for you! Start with simple shapes, patterns, or even stick figures. Your art teacher from third grade isn’t here to judge. Try zentangle patterns or simple nature sketches. Even five minutes of mindless doodling can help clear your mental cache. DIY Crafts and Upcycling Transform that old jar into a candle holder, or give new life to that forgotten t-shirt. It’s like giving your creativity and the planet a high-five at the same time. Start collecting inspiration from everyday objects – that pile of autumn leaves might become an art project, or those empty wine bottles could transform into beautiful vases. Music and Rhythm Activities Drum on your desk, hum a tune, or finally learn those three guitar chords. Musical expression counts as creativity, even if your cat leaves the room when you start. Try simple rhythm games, body percussion, or even just singing in the shower. The vibrations from humming or singing can actually help regulate your nervous system. Making Time for Creativity in Your Daily Routine Finding time for creative ideas for well-being doesn’t mean clearing your calendar or building an art studio. Start small – really small. Set aside 15 minutes during your lunch break, or turn your morning coffee ritual into a mini creative session. The key is consistency, not intensity. Try “creativity stacking” – attach a creative activity to something you already do daily. Sketch while having your morning coffee, write a haiku during your commute, or do some crafting while watching your favorite show. It’s about making creativity fit your life, not the other way around. When creative blocks hit (and they will), remember that they’re just temporary visitors. Sometimes, switching to a different creative activity or taking a short walk can help reset your creative flow. The pressure to create something amazing is often what blocks us in the first place. And here’s something many don’t realize: if you’re feeling overwhelmed, reaching out to a mental health professional can provide additional tools and strategies to enhance your creative journey. Sometimes Mindful Approach to Creative Activities Perfect is the enemy of peace. When engaging in creative activities, focus on the journey rather than the destination. Notice how the pencil feels against the paper, how colors blend together, or how clay molds between your fingers. This mindful approach turns simple creative activities into powerful stress-relief tools. Try the “five senses check-in” while creating: what do you see, hear, feel, smell, and maybe even taste? This simple practice helps anchor you in the present moment and deepens the therapeutic benefits of your creative practice. Let your senses guide your creativity – maybe the sound of rain becomes a rhythm to draw to, or the smell of fresh coffee inspires a poem. Consider unplugging while creating. Your smartphone’s constant pings are like uninvited guests at your peace party. Give yourself permission to disconnect and just create. Set up a dedicated creative space, even if it’s just a corner of your desk, and make it a phone-free zone. Time to Start Your Creative Journey Remember, the goal isn’t to create masterpieces – it’s to create moments of peace in your day. Start with whatever catches your interest, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Your well-being journey might start with a simple doodle, a hummed tune, or a few words in a journal. And if you find yourself needing additional support along the way, remember that professional help is just a click away. Many online therapy platforms accept insurance, making it easier than ever to get the support you deserve. They can provide strategies to overcome creative blocks and help you develop a more nurturing relationship with your

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Goodbye 2024!

2 Comments / Family Life, Home

With just hours left in 2024, I wanted to take a moment to say hi and wish everyone all the best for 2025! I’m also taking a minute to look back on everything it brought, and I can happily say that 2024 was a pretty good year. And for that, I am extremely grateful. Highlights of the Year January Steve and I had such a wonderful night celebrating our anniversary at The Opera Bar. Enjoying a delicious seafood platter while enjoying the view of Sydney Harbour was definitely a January highlight! February Cheers to my birthday month! My positive vibes-only work buddy encouraged me to treat myself all month long, and I did just that. I highly recommend it! March I love playing tourist in my own city with my fun friend. In March, we walked over the Harbour Bridge and explored The Rocks. Then, I started working towards my diploma but had to redo my Certificate III first—ugh! Many of our fun outings got put on hold, but we’re planning to make up for it in 2025! Another March highlight was Easter and getting together with some of my cousin crew. Hunting for eggs before they melted in the heat was a fun challenge! April We visited Canberra! May Sam had a wonderful time with his friends when they went to Japan. They all came home sick with colds and spent the next week recovering. It was a huge deal for us to have our youngest go overseas. He’s an adventurous lad, so I’m sure this will be the first of many trips. (yikes) May was a huge month- Steve had a knee replacement at the end of May, and his recovery has been such an achievement. Watching him regain mobility and confidence after years of limping is the highlight of 2024! June We bought our flights for our Cousin Connect adventure, and the planning began! July Christmas in July! August What can I say about August? It was cold, we got sick and couldn’t wait for spring! But we did have an August highlight, and that was a surprise birthday dinner at Mr Wong’s to celebrate Steve’s birthday. September Hooray for spring and visits to the Ramsgate Farmers Markets! October My big boys turned 31 and 20-they have a huge age gap but share the same birthday month. Good planning, Mum and Dad 😉 November November was not my favourite! I pretty much chained myself to the computer and knocked off assignment after assignment. There were tears and lots of frustrating moments. (Sorry, Miss D, and thank you for putting up with me. I couldn’t have done it without you, and I will be forever grateful xx). Having a fantastic cheer squad at work and home got me through November! December It was a scramble to get ready for Christmas, but we got there in the end. Lessons Learned in 2024 I can be brave: We’re heading overseas, and I’m getting on that plane! I can be determined: I finally hit submit on all my diploma assignments. I can’t watch the news: It gives me too much anxiety. Sadly, bad news always seems to find its way to me (and everyone else). I accidentally saw some footage, and now I can’t unsee it (sigh). I’ve learned it’s better for me to turn away and protect my peace. I can give myself permission: To rest and do nothing. To let go of worrying about things I can’t control. And to embrace being a big kid and having fun—because age really is just a number! Looking Ahead I’m excited to welcome 2025 with our upcoming trip and a nice long break from work. I’m also looking forward to continuing to share a peek into my world here. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you all stopping by to read—thank you so much!! So, that’s a wrap for 2024! I’ll be back in the first week of February. If you’d like to follow along on our Cousin Connect Adventure, feel free to join me on Instagram: @playworkeatrepeat. I’ll follow back! Have a wonderful New Year and I’ll see you in 2025! Big hugs

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Hello Monday

7 Comments / Hello Monday, Home

Hi friends! I just wanted to jump on real quick to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Can you believe how fast December has flown by? It feels like I blinked and missed most of it. This weekend has been a mad scramble trying to get everything organised, but miraculously, it’s all come together—a Christmas miracle for sure! I’ve got all my groceries sorted, and they’re being delivered tomorrow, which is such a relief. For gifts, the Cousin Connect crew decided to do Secret Santa. We kept it simple with a low budget of $25. I also picked up a few extras for my boys, but it’s mostly practical stuff they’ll need for our trip. Exciting things like jackets to keep warm and compression socks for our long flights–hehe. Amazon saved the season! Today was such a treat! I met up with my wonderful friend, and we spent the day shopping in the city. Everything looked so festive, and while the shops were busy, they weren’t crazy busy, thankfully. We started at Martin Place to see the big Christmas tree. We then wandered towards Town Hall and stopped for lunch. After months of being cooped up working madly on my Diploma, it was so nice to finally get out and have a proper catch-up. I was starving, and this delicious club sandwich was just what I needed. As well as the chips, I always need a nice side of chips! I hope you’re all feeling ready for Christmas—or at least close to it! Sending you best wishes for a holiday filled with love, laughter, and plenty of good food. And if you’re like me and missing your special people, I’m sending you an extra big hug. Happy Monday and Merry Christmas! Linking up with Holly and Sarah

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Friday Favourites

8 Comments / Friday Favourites, Home

Happy Friday friends! I’m excited to be back today to share a recap of the first week of the summer holidays. Today officially wrapped up the preschool year. But I took this week off thanks to some accumulated long service leave. The best part is that I’m also on leave for the first few weeks of term 1 and I won’t be back until the 19th of February. So that’s a total of nine weeks and two days off–no complaints here! So, how did I spend my first week off? Cleaning and organising, of course! Haha! Honestly, it felt amazing to finally have the time and energy to tackle so many things around the house. I sorted out the cabinet under the sink in the ensuite, organised the medicine cabinet, dusted the blinds, rearranged the office/garage, and even cleaned the oven. Look—one sparkly oven! (No before picture, though, because, it was really bad!) And finally, the Christmas tree is up—hallelujah! I even put on a cozy Christmas scene on the TV, complete with a crackling fireplace. It looked beautiful, but looking at that fireplace in this heat made me feel even hotter. Summer has hit with a vengeance, and we’ve been sweltering through some super high temps and crazy humidity. But I’m not complaining—I love summer!!! Steve and I bumped into my aunt at the supermarket on Wednesday, and just like that, we were invited over for dinner that evening. She quickly threw together a Christmas meal since her daughter won’t be celebrating with us this year—she’s off on a fun overseas trip. My aunt has a knack for putting together an amazing spread. This would have taken me days of planning! And when it comes to decorating, my Christmas-loving aunt is a champ. She definitely makes up for my lack of Christmas spirit this year! When all the little houses are lit up and the music is playing it looks so beautiful! Every day now our big trip is getting closer and closer! We really are on the countdown now with only days to go. I’m so excited, nervous, and a little bit terrified at times too. This is not just a total dream come true but also a trip where I will be conquering many fears (gulp). As I have mentioned so many times there’s the flying part (so many flights-yikes!!). We also have a few adventurous hikes planned when we get to Zion National Park including walking through the narrows. In Hawaii, we are also going to be doing some water-related activities. Then there are the rides in Disneyland. Sam, my youngest does not like rollercoasters, and neither do I! But if I can get on a plane I can get on a rollercoaster, right? He and I were chatting the other day about the trip and I was explaining to him how Disneyland is the happiest place on earth and how excited I am. When we got to the topic of the rides he said “Mum I don’t think it sounds like the happiest place on earth, it sounds more like the most terrifying place on earth”. Haha, no, it’s for sure the happiest place and I can’t wait for him and my husband who also has never visited to feel that magic! So for someone like me, a real homebody who loves to stay dry with both feet firmly on the ground, this trip is definitely pushing me out of my comfort zone. But still, I’m so excited that I can hardly wait!! Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Can you believe it’s only four sleeps until Christmas Eve? Linking up with Andrea and Erika

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Hello Monday

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Hi friends, and happy Monday! Thanks for stopping by—it’s time for a quick weekend recap. On Saturday afternoon, I made a quick trip into the city to return a few things I’d bought during the Black Friday sales. Online shopping can be hit or miss, and this time, it was mostly misses. So back to the shops they went. Getting into the city was a bit different this time. The trains weren’t running to Town Hall station—my usual stop for city shopping. The train only went as far as Sydenham, and from there, I hopped on the metro. Even though the metro’s been running since August (it was all over the news when it launched). I hadn’t been on it yet. A few kids at preschool were so excited when they rode it on opening weekend and couldn’t stop talking about it. Now I can finally say I’ve experienced it too! I felt like a lost tourist trying to find my way around and even had to ask a friendly station assistant for directions. The Sydney metro station is incredible–so sleek, modern and very futuristic looking. Honestly, I must have been living under a rock because I had no idea Sydney had added this new mode of transport. The metro is fully automated, and the carriages are spacious and air-conditioned. Which was a good thing because it was an incredibly hot and humid Saturday. I’m not complaining about the heat because summer is my favourite season, and I do enough complaining over winter, my least favourite season! It was a very fast ride to Gadigal Station. I have discovered that there are a whole lot of new stations with new names that I need to get to know. I returned the things I needed to return, and then I wandered around for a bit. It was so nice to be in the city and soak up the buzz. Before I went home, I went to Lululemon and bought myself a hoodie to take with me on the plane. Yikes! I’m getting on a plane soon–maybe having a nice hoodie will make me braver! I got home just in time to receive my online grocery order. Then my cousins came over—the ones we’re going on the trip with—and we all sat down to apply for our ESTAs together. Ticking off travel admin as a team!! Once we were all done, we went to Chebbos for burgers and fries. I always love hanging out with my cousins and can’t wait to spend three weeks travelling with them. Sunday I meant to put the Christmas tree up, but I wanted to do some reorganising first. My office/garage needed it desperately, or at least I think it was me who needed it done desperately! It was bothering me, and I wanted to cross it off my to-do list ASAP. As with all reorganising and decluttering projects, it took way longer than I expected. Especially when you do what I did and pulled everything out first. I’m not one to keep things, and I’m consistently decluttering, yet still, there was stuff that needed to go! I listed quite a few things on marketplace and loaded up the car with items to donate to the Salvos. So, there is no Christmas tree up yet, and this year, I’m calling myself a total Christmas flop! To top it off, I mailed my overseas Christmas cards this afternoon, and the postie said I missed the Christmas cut-off date. Hmph!! It’s Monday evening, and I’m determined to get the Christmas tree up tonight before I blink and it’s Easter! Have a wonderful day and wish me luck! Linking up with Holly and Sarah

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Friday Favourites

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Hi there, friends! I’m so excited to be back for Friday Favourites on this sunny, hot summer day! After being away for a few weeks, I thought I’d share a recap of my favourites from the last few weeks. Let’s go! During all of November and until last weekend, I spent almost all of my ‘spare’ time in front of the computer working on assignments. I didn’t love this time, so I was incredibly grateful for the things that kept me going and gave me something to look forward to. Whether big or small, having something to look forward to is so important. We all need those little motivators, right? I know I sure do! A small moment of happiness– coffee with oat milk never tasted so good! And while I can function fine without coffee, I just love the taste! Food! This is a pic of a healthy Saturday morning brunch. And here’s a photo of my treat jar that kept me going. I also ate more than my usual amount of salty snacks. Yikes! I’m not usually an emotional eater. In fact, I completely lose my appetite when I’m stressed. So, I’m not sure why I couldn’t stop snacking—boredom, maybe? FOMO?? I didn’t go out much, but there were a few outings that were non-negotiable, and there was no way I was going to miss them. Cousin Connect was one of them, and we had a fun as well as delicious time. Mexican food and cupcakes for dessert. The Danish Christmas markets! It was such a boiling hot day, but we had a lot of fun, and this year, our group was bigger. So many lovely Christmas crafts. I went to see my youngest cousin perform at this year’s School Spectacular. The whole evening was amazing, and I had the best time. The stars aligned, and all but one of our girl cousins had a free morning to go to the Klook Travel Fest. I’ve got the travel bug, and I haven’t even gotten on a plane yet. But my trip is coming up soon, though! Yay! We each got free personalised Disney bags at the travel fest, and we were all giddy with excitement. I swear, we all turned into 12-year-olds, haha. Leaving my computer to pick up my new glasses was a total sanity saver. When I picked them up, I realised I’d chosen the exact same style of reading glasses as last year. The only difference? The rim is black, whereas my previous ones were gold. I do like them, though, and hey, different is different—even if it’s just a tiny difference. One of my cousins turned 30, and we celebrated with pizzas and a delicious berry cheesecake. Even though it might not have felt like it. Looking back, I did have quite a few fun moments sprinkled in amongst the dreary study days. And for that, I am so thankful!! Today was my last day of work for 2024. Preschool doesn’t finish until Friday of next week, but I have taken extra leave. I knew that being tied down to study would leave me with not much time for Christmas prep as well as for getting ready for our big Cousin Connect adventure in January. While I am very excited for our trip and also to finally have time to get ready. I couldn’t help feeling sad when I said bye to my work buddies today. Those guys are like my second family, and I love them. I don’t think I could ever retire as I would miss them too much! This weekend, I need to put up our Christmas tree! Can you believe I haven’t had a chance to do that yet? This will be the latest I’ve ever decorated in my whole life! Thank you so much for stopping by today— I always appreciate you taking the time to read my blog. Have a wonderful weekend, and I look forward to being back here on Monday (hopefully with photos of my Christmas tree!) Linking up with Andrea and Erika

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