Last weeks Lekker Mums was hosted by Chloe at @ourpeagreenpod, the challenges set this week are:
1. Body - Your Sunshine Rituals
I stay out of it as much as possible...yeah I know boring, but the sun shines here everyday, in the summer reaching temps in the mid 30s and winter low 20s. I wear factor 50 on my face and neck to stop it going all scrawny
2. Mind - That Niggling Feeling
Quite often in life there is always something that we need to do but that we keep putting off. If you are anything like me there will be about 23 of these things at any given time. This week I quite simply want to encourage you to tick one of these silly little things off your list & feel the satisfaction that comes with the knowledge that there is one less thing to do! For now...!
Get back into swimming, I keep finding excuses as to why I can't go.
3. Spirit - Memories & Legacy
How would you like your spirit to live on? What stories would you like to share with your children that you haven't all ready? How do you want your children to remember you? Why not share a favourite memory with us? What else would you like to be your legacy?
As we are moving tomorrow, I've been writing names on the back of photos. I've also gone to the trouble to print my blog off and put it into a booklet for the kids to read we are adding the photos to it.
4. Special Days - Diamonds & Rings
They say in times of 'economic downturn' it is important for the people to keep morale up & to have events which lift people's spirits. We are certainly doing that this summer with the Diamond Jubilee & indeed the Olympics. Whether you are positively enthusiatic or just plain nonplussed about these giant events, why not have a think about what kinds of events lift your spirits. Could you get involved in some activities nearer to home? Are you taking part in any of the national celebrations this summer? Could you throw a tea party? Could you have a rave? What event, big or small, could you get involved with that would boost morale in your area?
I'm spending time raising awareness, funds and donating my time to various schools in townships near us...I won't be spending money on celebrating the jubilee, when there are people dying of starvation within a 10km radius.
5. A Big Question - Do You Do Enough?
It is natural as a parent to want to do as best by our children as we can, but, honestly do we really think we are doing enough? Or are we doing too much? How can we tell that what we are doing is right? I'm not sure I have the answers but I'd love to hear you discuss...
You can never do enough for your kids, they will always be left wanting, what you think is best isn't always what they want to do and vice versa.
Showing posts with label groovymums. Show all posts
Showing posts with label groovymums. Show all posts
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
this weeks #groovymums challenges
Thought I'd link up todays post about weight loss to @kateonthinice #groovymum blog hop challenge this week
I know I don't need to lose weight, maybe tone a little, but then who doesn't after having 3 kids?
Anyway as I've said before my groove has returned, I am no longer looking for my groove, it's taken 16 months to adapt to being a SAHM, I've made friends, hubbies company has finally sorted out the mess they left us in financially and emotionally? well I've just got over it and moved on. That doesn't mean to say I don't get down from time to time, but it's now moments in time rather than days of it.
but I've told Kate I'll carry on with the challenges each week, it gives me something to focus on, helps me to help others and I get to meet some lovely people.
On to Kates challenges this week.
1. Body - How about getting into gardening as a good form of exercise? It is not too late to plant some fruit and vegetables.
I've sacked the gardener, he did sod all except chase leaves with a hose pipe and as we are moving end of May, I didn't see the point in paying him till then and having to pay a gardening company to tidy up after him...so this week I shall be sweeping the autumn leaves away.
If you do plant something, you can also link up here http://www.kitchencounterchronicle.com/2012/04/come-sow-with-me-planting-with-purpose.html and find out about ONE's "Let's Thrive" campaign.
2. Mind - why not look at the Open University website http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/ and investigate learning opportunities to fit in with your current commitments.
Mute subject with me at the moment, I was on my final unit for my degree in psychology but had to give it up due to lack of internet when we first moved here (it was a research project and no the local library didn't have internet, infact it didn't have power sockets) i promise to look into it again after my son's visit.
3. Spirit - do you have a favourite prayer that helps you? Or it could be a poem or inspirational saying? Tell us about it. It might help somebody else too.
Nope, afraid not. I'm more likely to crack a joke than come out with something thought provoking.
4. Blogging - Are you taking part in the #SnapHappyBritMums photography challenge? It is not too late and it is lots of fun. Basically, @BritMums on Twitter give a prompt each day and if you feel inspired, you post a pic that meets that theme.
Oh Yes and I'm having immense fun with it.
5. Charity Connections - Do you shop online? If you do or intend to at some point you can raise money for any charity of your choice including schools by clicking on the big square #mums4good badge over in my sidebar. All you need to do is to give your email and your name. You don't have to commit to shop today or to spend a certain amount. You don't make a donation to charity but the retailer you spend with will. Simples. So why are you not clicking? It is FREE money for charity.
Sorry, we've had this discussion before, there is no way I'm doing anything online in South Africa.
6. Special Days - Don't forget to get involved in the #groovywork Twitter party taking place on Wednesday 16th May 2012 from 7-8pm. We are talking about family-friendly jobs and self-employment opportunities.
I'll come along and see if there is anyone that can help me earn some pocket money by me working online from here. the next special day for me here is Mother's Day on Sunday.
I know I don't need to lose weight, maybe tone a little, but then who doesn't after having 3 kids?
Anyway as I've said before my groove has returned, I am no longer looking for my groove, it's taken 16 months to adapt to being a SAHM, I've made friends, hubbies company has finally sorted out the mess they left us in financially and emotionally? well I've just got over it and moved on. That doesn't mean to say I don't get down from time to time, but it's now moments in time rather than days of it.
but I've told Kate I'll carry on with the challenges each week, it gives me something to focus on, helps me to help others and I get to meet some lovely people.
On to Kates challenges this week.
1. Body - How about getting into gardening as a good form of exercise? It is not too late to plant some fruit and vegetables.
I've sacked the gardener, he did sod all except chase leaves with a hose pipe and as we are moving end of May, I didn't see the point in paying him till then and having to pay a gardening company to tidy up after him...so this week I shall be sweeping the autumn leaves away.
If you do plant something, you can also link up here http://www.kitchencounterchronicle.com/2012/04/come-sow-with-me-planting-with-purpose.html and find out about ONE's "Let's Thrive" campaign.
2. Mind - why not look at the Open University website http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/ and investigate learning opportunities to fit in with your current commitments.
Mute subject with me at the moment, I was on my final unit for my degree in psychology but had to give it up due to lack of internet when we first moved here (it was a research project and no the local library didn't have internet, infact it didn't have power sockets) i promise to look into it again after my son's visit.
3. Spirit - do you have a favourite prayer that helps you? Or it could be a poem or inspirational saying? Tell us about it. It might help somebody else too.
Nope, afraid not. I'm more likely to crack a joke than come out with something thought provoking.
4. Blogging - Are you taking part in the #SnapHappyBritMums photography challenge? It is not too late and it is lots of fun. Basically, @BritMums on Twitter give a prompt each day and if you feel inspired, you post a pic that meets that theme.
Oh Yes and I'm having immense fun with it.
5. Charity Connections - Do you shop online? If you do or intend to at some point you can raise money for any charity of your choice including schools by clicking on the big square #mums4good badge over in my sidebar. All you need to do is to give your email and your name. You don't have to commit to shop today or to spend a certain amount. You don't make a donation to charity but the retailer you spend with will. Simples. So why are you not clicking? It is FREE money for charity.
Sorry, we've had this discussion before, there is no way I'm doing anything online in South Africa.
6. Special Days - Don't forget to get involved in the #groovywork Twitter party taking place on Wednesday 16th May 2012 from 7-8pm. We are talking about family-friendly jobs and self-employment opportunities.
I'll come along and see if there is anyone that can help me earn some pocket money by me working online from here. the next special day for me here is Mother's Day on Sunday.
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
In search of my Groove
This blog hop was set up by @kateonthinice in September 2011. I joined at the beginning because to be honest I was feeling rather deflated. My whole life as I knew it disappeared over night and other than other expats and my Husband and two teenage boys, no one understood what it was like to move 5000+ miles away from every thing I'd ever know and knew and to start afresh in a country that is famed for it's violence and poverty.
All anyone saw was this Grand house we live in on a golf course, with a river at the bottom of the garden and wall to wall sunshine.
Yes the above did help, but it cannot and will never replace the first year we experienced here, too scared to venture out in case we were hijacked at gun point. Not knowing where to go and have no one to turn to, to ask for help.
But those days are over now, I've made friends, locals and other expats, in fact I met a couple on the weekend, who are not only from the same UK town as us and know some of the same people, but our children were actually at school at the same time, granted theirs are older, but still...coffee at her house this pm. Another friend, Cheryl (she reads my blog) has been a life saver, not only do we have kids who get on well and are the same ages, but we have a similar outlook on life and I don't know what I would have done when I needed a friend and she wasn't there.
There have been fab outings and adventures and I've seen more wild animals than I can shake a stick at.
We've had family and friends to visit and my son is out again next week. But it leaves me with a hollow feeling when they go, I'm back to being on my own, while they go back to their lives of work, family and friends...But no more moping. I have my wonderful Husband and two kids here, we all have our health, I have friends and although I still cannot work, I can volunteer, which I've been doing for nearly a year now.
So no more me needing to Recover my groove, it's not back, it's just different, my grieving period for my old life has gone and it has morphed, painfully, into a new one. But I will still take part in #Groovymums, it will remind me how far I've come over the past year...and on that note...
"I encourage you to read the questions here http://kateonthinice.wordpress.com/how-to-be-a-groovy-mum/ and if even one rings true for you, join in. You can do this by linking up relevant blog posts about how you are taking steps to change your life for the better even if in tiny ways. You are also invited to join the Groovy Mums Ning network http://groovymums.ning.com to meet some like-minded ladies keen to get their lives back on track."
Here are some challenges you may want to consider this week.
1. Body – What new ways can you find to take exercise?
Not alot of opportunities here, without getting in the car first, I've thought about learning to play golf, it's a cure apparently 'all the expat ladies play' but it doesn't appeal, it's not me. I use the gym every day, swimming, and now the weather is cooler I will start to walk around the course after play finishes for the day.
2. Mind – It is Depression Awareness Week. Have you experienced depression? Do you know how to spot the signs of depression in your loved ones and others? Check out http://blackdogtribe.com for information and support with mental health issues. They are also asking for your stories.
Yes I've been depressed, did you read the intro to this above?
3. Blogging – Did you know http://britmums.com publish round-ups of good posts on certain issues such a food, politics, special needs, green issues, health and more? Why not promote your posts to the editors of these round-ups and raise your profile?
I do visit @britmums more often than I used to and where I can't add, I RT.
4. Special Days – This week saw us marking St George’s Day. Is there a dragon that you need to tackle in your life?
Mmmmmmm, hi family,let me know you read this, could do with your help and no I won't be asking, because I know you are reading this.
5. Charity Connections- Get shopping online and hundreds of retailers will give a percentage of what you spend to a charity of your choice. Click here http://www.give.as/kateonthinice and register for free for Give As You Live with your name and email address. Do it today! You don’t have to spend any money now but it means when you do shop online you can ensure some of the money goes to a good cause. Why wouldn’t you? When you click, you will see poppies because I am personally raising money for the Royal British Legion but you can register here and then when you shop, you can select a charity of your choice.
Sorry, there is no way I'm doing any transactions online over here.
6, The Big Question – What has the last year brought you? Are you happy with it?
Well again, please see the introduction, Yes I am happy, I've laid alot of ghosts to rest, I've learnt to ignore the rest. I've also spoken up and made it clear with certain people, that I am not happy with the way they have treated me and my family (ie hubbies company) and I've told them what they need to do, to help us. They will never make amends and in fact they've given up apologising, but that hasn't solved anything. I'm satisfied now that I have inconvienced them where it hurts, financially, but not to our gain, just to sort out the bloody mess they made. And on June 1st we move into our new house and I can/will finally move on.
All anyone saw was this Grand house we live in on a golf course, with a river at the bottom of the garden and wall to wall sunshine.
Yes the above did help, but it cannot and will never replace the first year we experienced here, too scared to venture out in case we were hijacked at gun point. Not knowing where to go and have no one to turn to, to ask for help.
But those days are over now, I've made friends, locals and other expats, in fact I met a couple on the weekend, who are not only from the same UK town as us and know some of the same people, but our children were actually at school at the same time, granted theirs are older, but still...coffee at her house this pm. Another friend, Cheryl (she reads my blog) has been a life saver, not only do we have kids who get on well and are the same ages, but we have a similar outlook on life and I don't know what I would have done when I needed a friend and she wasn't there.
There have been fab outings and adventures and I've seen more wild animals than I can shake a stick at.
We've had family and friends to visit and my son is out again next week. But it leaves me with a hollow feeling when they go, I'm back to being on my own, while they go back to their lives of work, family and friends...But no more moping. I have my wonderful Husband and two kids here, we all have our health, I have friends and although I still cannot work, I can volunteer, which I've been doing for nearly a year now.
So no more me needing to Recover my groove, it's not back, it's just different, my grieving period for my old life has gone and it has morphed, painfully, into a new one. But I will still take part in #Groovymums, it will remind me how far I've come over the past year...and on that note...
"I encourage you to read the questions here http://kateonthinice.wordpress.com/how-to-be-a-groovy-mum/ and if even one rings true for you, join in. You can do this by linking up relevant blog posts about how you are taking steps to change your life for the better even if in tiny ways. You are also invited to join the Groovy Mums Ning network http://groovymums.ning.com to meet some like-minded ladies keen to get their lives back on track."
Here are some challenges you may want to consider this week.
1. Body – What new ways can you find to take exercise?
Not alot of opportunities here, without getting in the car first, I've thought about learning to play golf, it's a cure apparently 'all the expat ladies play' but it doesn't appeal, it's not me. I use the gym every day, swimming, and now the weather is cooler I will start to walk around the course after play finishes for the day.
2. Mind – It is Depression Awareness Week. Have you experienced depression? Do you know how to spot the signs of depression in your loved ones and others? Check out http://blackdogtribe.com for information and support with mental health issues. They are also asking for your stories.
Yes I've been depressed, did you read the intro to this above?
3. Blogging – Did you know http://britmums.com publish round-ups of good posts on certain issues such a food, politics, special needs, green issues, health and more? Why not promote your posts to the editors of these round-ups and raise your profile?
I do visit @britmums more often than I used to and where I can't add, I RT.
4. Special Days – This week saw us marking St George’s Day. Is there a dragon that you need to tackle in your life?
Mmmmmmm, hi family,let me know you read this, could do with your help and no I won't be asking, because I know you are reading this.
5. Charity Connections- Get shopping online and hundreds of retailers will give a percentage of what you spend to a charity of your choice. Click here http://www.give.as/kateonthinice and register for free for Give As You Live with your name and email address. Do it today! You don’t have to spend any money now but it means when you do shop online you can ensure some of the money goes to a good cause. Why wouldn’t you? When you click, you will see poppies because I am personally raising money for the Royal British Legion but you can register here and then when you shop, you can select a charity of your choice.
Sorry, there is no way I'm doing any transactions online over here.
6, The Big Question – What has the last year brought you? Are you happy with it?
Well again, please see the introduction, Yes I am happy, I've laid alot of ghosts to rest, I've learnt to ignore the rest. I've also spoken up and made it clear with certain people, that I am not happy with the way they have treated me and my family (ie hubbies company) and I've told them what they need to do, to help us. They will never make amends and in fact they've given up apologising, but that hasn't solved anything. I'm satisfied now that I have inconvienced them where it hurts, financially, but not to our gain, just to sort out the bloody mess they made. And on June 1st we move into our new house and I can/will finally move on.
Sunday, 1 April 2012
Linking up again with Groovymums
Back in September I linked up with @kateonthinice and her Groovymums blog hop.....Why? Why not, I'll give most things a try. 'Have you lost your groove as a mum?' and what can you do to recover it. Well I've said before it wasn't becoming a mum that caused me to lose my groove, but 'only' being a mum that did it.
I'm not knocking anyone's choices for being a SAHM mum I'm just merely saying having the situation forced on me has been hard and everytime I start to think I'm adapting I take a huge leap backwards. Baciscally being a full time Mum for me is boring, but remember my kids are now 13 and 17 and the older 3 are in the UK. So actually being a SAHM is probably not the right word to describe my situation, I'm a Home Executive according to the schools records, although I did write Unemployed on the forms. I'm not needed for much psychically, although mentaly and emotionally as a mum I'm always needed.
Each week there are challenges on the groovy mums blog hop, aimed at getting you to reflect, to make time for yourself, they are all optional and I try to answer them all so here goes.
1. Body – Are you looking after yourself enough?
NO NOT AT ALL, I SWIM EVERY DAY BUT I JUST DONT GET OUT ENOUGH, AS WE ARE COMING INTO WINTER AND IT IS GETTING COOLER IN THE DAY, I SHALL BE GOING FOR A WALK EVERY DAY AROUND THIS WONDERFUL GOLF COURSE WE LIVE ON.
2. Mind – What are your current thoughts and feelings about the Groovy Mums blog hop and/or the Twitter party. Blog about it or leave a comment.
I'D LIKE TO SEE A FEW MORE PEOPLE ON HERE WITH OLDER CHILDREN, AFTER ALL YOUR KIDS WILL BE TEENS ONE DAY AND YOU'LL NEED SUPPORT THEN ALSO.
3. Spirit – Do people find the spirit challenges helpful?
I LOVE THE SAYING 'YOU ARE NEVER ALONE WITH GIN, YOU ARE ONLY ON YOUR OWN WHEN THE BOTTLE IS EMPTY'
4. Blogging – Please do take a look at the Brilliance in Blogging Awards shortlist over on Britmums. I found it lovely to discover blogs that I did not know about. We can all learn from and with each other.
I'M ON IT, I DIDN'T PIMP MYSELF OUT FOR VOTES AND I WAS QUITE SARCASTIC ON TWITTER ABOUT THE WHOLE 'VOTE FOR ME' BEGGING THAT GOES ON. I'M PLEASED MY BLOG WAS NOMINATED ON MERIT AND NOT BECAUSE I ASKED FOR YOUR VOTE, HOWEVER NOW IT IS ON THE SHORT LIST...I DEMAND YOUR VOTE (YOU CAN VOTE FOR KATE AS WELL WHILE YOU'RE THERE)
5. Charity Connections – Do think about supporting National Daffodil Month and raising funds for the Marie Curie nurses. http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/en-gb/fundraising-volunteering/great-daffodil-appeal/
DIFFICULT FROM HERE TO SUPPORT UK CHARITIES, BUT I'M GIVING MY TIME TO THOSE IN NEED IN SOUTH AFRICA.
6. Special Days – How are you sleeping? It is National Bed Month and you can find out more on good sleep by clicking here http://www.sleepcouncil.org.uk/about/
WELL I FIND I ALWAYS SLEEP BETTER WHEN HUBBY IS AT HOME
7. The Big Question – Why do you set limits for yourself? Are you setting them too low?
MY LIMITS ARE SET BY THE RESTRICTIONS OF LIVING IN SOUTH AFRICA, HOWEVER THAT WILL NOT STOP ME FROM ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THINGS BIT BY BIT FOR MYSELF
I'm not knocking anyone's choices for being a SAHM mum I'm just merely saying having the situation forced on me has been hard and everytime I start to think I'm adapting I take a huge leap backwards. Baciscally being a full time Mum for me is boring, but remember my kids are now 13 and 17 and the older 3 are in the UK. So actually being a SAHM is probably not the right word to describe my situation, I'm a Home Executive according to the schools records, although I did write Unemployed on the forms. I'm not needed for much psychically, although mentaly and emotionally as a mum I'm always needed.
Each week there are challenges on the groovy mums blog hop, aimed at getting you to reflect, to make time for yourself, they are all optional and I try to answer them all so here goes.
1. Body – Are you looking after yourself enough?
NO NOT AT ALL, I SWIM EVERY DAY BUT I JUST DONT GET OUT ENOUGH, AS WE ARE COMING INTO WINTER AND IT IS GETTING COOLER IN THE DAY, I SHALL BE GOING FOR A WALK EVERY DAY AROUND THIS WONDERFUL GOLF COURSE WE LIVE ON.
2. Mind – What are your current thoughts and feelings about the Groovy Mums blog hop and/or the Twitter party. Blog about it or leave a comment.
I'D LIKE TO SEE A FEW MORE PEOPLE ON HERE WITH OLDER CHILDREN, AFTER ALL YOUR KIDS WILL BE TEENS ONE DAY AND YOU'LL NEED SUPPORT THEN ALSO.
3. Spirit – Do people find the spirit challenges helpful?
I LOVE THE SAYING 'YOU ARE NEVER ALONE WITH GIN, YOU ARE ONLY ON YOUR OWN WHEN THE BOTTLE IS EMPTY'
4. Blogging – Please do take a look at the Brilliance in Blogging Awards shortlist over on Britmums. I found it lovely to discover blogs that I did not know about. We can all learn from and with each other.
I'M ON IT, I DIDN'T PIMP MYSELF OUT FOR VOTES AND I WAS QUITE SARCASTIC ON TWITTER ABOUT THE WHOLE 'VOTE FOR ME' BEGGING THAT GOES ON. I'M PLEASED MY BLOG WAS NOMINATED ON MERIT AND NOT BECAUSE I ASKED FOR YOUR VOTE, HOWEVER NOW IT IS ON THE SHORT LIST...I DEMAND YOUR VOTE (YOU CAN VOTE FOR KATE AS WELL WHILE YOU'RE THERE)
5. Charity Connections – Do think about supporting National Daffodil Month and raising funds for the Marie Curie nurses. http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/en-gb/fundraising-volunteering/great-daffodil-appeal/
DIFFICULT FROM HERE TO SUPPORT UK CHARITIES, BUT I'M GIVING MY TIME TO THOSE IN NEED IN SOUTH AFRICA.
6. Special Days – How are you sleeping? It is National Bed Month and you can find out more on good sleep by clicking here http://www.sleepcouncil.org.uk/about/
WELL I FIND I ALWAYS SLEEP BETTER WHEN HUBBY IS AT HOME
7. The Big Question – Why do you set limits for yourself? Are you setting them too low?
MY LIMITS ARE SET BY THE RESTRICTIONS OF LIVING IN SOUTH AFRICA, HOWEVER THAT WILL NOT STOP ME FROM ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THINGS BIT BY BIT FOR MYSELF
Thursday, 22 March 2012
Want To Improve Your Life? This Mum Proves It Can Be Done.
The following extract is taken from @kateonthinice Groovymum blog http://kateonthinice.wordpress.com/
As mums we can get bogged down in all the business of it all. It can get us down and we can lose sight of who we used to be or who we aim to be. What can we do to change that? In this guest post from Polly, she tells us how six months ago she decided to take charge of her own life and to talk about how it has gone since. Read what she has to say and then join us at the Twitter Party next Tuesday from 1pm-2pm which you can read all about by clicking here http://kateonthinice.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/will-you-come-to-a-very-special-twitter-party/'
@pollyburns2 blogs about her life as a mum and how she is getting her groove back. She shows us how she can do it, with young children rather than waiting for them to grow up to get her life back.
http://kateonthinice.wordpress.com/2012/03/21/want-to-improve-your-life-this-mum-proves-it-can-be-done/
For me it's not children that have contributed to me losing my groove. When I had my first son when I was aged 20 and he turns 20 in May, my life hadn't actually started. I left home aged 17 and moved away from my home town for work. I spent 2 years as a single mum, married, 2 more children, endless part time jobs including a stint in a chip shop and night classes, divorce, met my husband (married for 10 years this October) inherited 2 step children (the eldest being profoundly disabled) went back to school, got my teaching degree, worked as a lecturer for 3 years training teaching assistants and teaching autistic students, worked as a child welfare officer for The FA and studied for a degree in Psychology and Criminology.
I guess like Polly I wasn't prepared to put my life on hold to raise a family, it ran side by side, often not very smoothly and in September 2010 the 3rd child left home aged 18 to follow a career, like his step brother before him. Step daughter is in residential care and settled into her life time adult home.
So where? how? when? did I lose my groove?
September 2010 to January 2011 was a very busy period for me, exams, tidying up lose ends at work, making sure all my students had passed their NVQs, inducting a new welfare officer, packing, sorting, decorating, renting the house, amending policies, change of address, endless farewells to family and friends and numerous trips to London to sort out the visas.
January 2011 - July 2011 was full of our new and exciting life in South Africa, house hunting, cars, bank accounts, utilities and all without any assistance from hubbies company, including a lost container at customs. Endless family visiting, my eldest, step son, parents, hubbies Mother and sister, no time to breathe,
August 2011 every thing stopped, there were no more visitors lined up, no more hassles to sort, kids settled in school, hubby settled in work and travelling in Africa and back to Europe...and me?
That was the problem there was nothing for me, no job, no studies and only 2 kids instead of the usual 5 on weekends or popping down to Reading to visit son, food shopping to Gloucester to take step daughter out for the day, no football club to fundraise for and no friends to have coffee with.
I stumbled across Kate, I don't recall how or when. I don't so blog hops, I don't join network sites, I don't describe myself as a yummy mummy or a mummy blogger. But something about Kates blog hop drew my attention. I hadn't lost my groove because my kids had got in the way, I wasn't suffering with PND, I'd done all the new baby stuff, the difficult divorce. I'd just lost my groove and happen to be a mum because I'd moved 5764 miles from home.
Like Polly I find that tuesday mornings I'm looking for Kates new challenges, it helps me reflect on the week that has gone, helps me to focus to realise that I have done things that are worthwhile, that I do have value as a mum, a wife, a person and it helps me set myself little challenges to get me out more, to volunteer, to meet people and it gives me like minded people to talk to, has introduced more traffic to my blog, encouraged me to not be put off by joining other neetworks and has helped me meet more expats that understand where I'm coming from to realise .... I AM NEVER ALONE
As mums we can get bogged down in all the business of it all. It can get us down and we can lose sight of who we used to be or who we aim to be. What can we do to change that? In this guest post from Polly, she tells us how six months ago she decided to take charge of her own life and to talk about how it has gone since. Read what she has to say and then join us at the Twitter Party next Tuesday from 1pm-2pm which you can read all about by clicking here http://kateonthinice.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/will-you-come-to-a-very-special-twitter-party/'
@pollyburns2 blogs about her life as a mum and how she is getting her groove back. She shows us how she can do it, with young children rather than waiting for them to grow up to get her life back.
http://kateonthinice.wordpress.com/2012/03/21/want-to-improve-your-life-this-mum-proves-it-can-be-done/
For me it's not children that have contributed to me losing my groove. When I had my first son when I was aged 20 and he turns 20 in May, my life hadn't actually started. I left home aged 17 and moved away from my home town for work. I spent 2 years as a single mum, married, 2 more children, endless part time jobs including a stint in a chip shop and night classes, divorce, met my husband (married for 10 years this October) inherited 2 step children (the eldest being profoundly disabled) went back to school, got my teaching degree, worked as a lecturer for 3 years training teaching assistants and teaching autistic students, worked as a child welfare officer for The FA and studied for a degree in Psychology and Criminology.
I guess like Polly I wasn't prepared to put my life on hold to raise a family, it ran side by side, often not very smoothly and in September 2010 the 3rd child left home aged 18 to follow a career, like his step brother before him. Step daughter is in residential care and settled into her life time adult home.
So where? how? when? did I lose my groove?
September 2010 to January 2011 was a very busy period for me, exams, tidying up lose ends at work, making sure all my students had passed their NVQs, inducting a new welfare officer, packing, sorting, decorating, renting the house, amending policies, change of address, endless farewells to family and friends and numerous trips to London to sort out the visas.
January 2011 - July 2011 was full of our new and exciting life in South Africa, house hunting, cars, bank accounts, utilities and all without any assistance from hubbies company, including a lost container at customs. Endless family visiting, my eldest, step son, parents, hubbies Mother and sister, no time to breathe,
August 2011 every thing stopped, there were no more visitors lined up, no more hassles to sort, kids settled in school, hubby settled in work and travelling in Africa and back to Europe...and me?
That was the problem there was nothing for me, no job, no studies and only 2 kids instead of the usual 5 on weekends or popping down to Reading to visit son, food shopping to Gloucester to take step daughter out for the day, no football club to fundraise for and no friends to have coffee with.
I stumbled across Kate, I don't recall how or when. I don't so blog hops, I don't join network sites, I don't describe myself as a yummy mummy or a mummy blogger. But something about Kates blog hop drew my attention. I hadn't lost my groove because my kids had got in the way, I wasn't suffering with PND, I'd done all the new baby stuff, the difficult divorce. I'd just lost my groove and happen to be a mum because I'd moved 5764 miles from home.
Like Polly I find that tuesday mornings I'm looking for Kates new challenges, it helps me reflect on the week that has gone, helps me to focus to realise that I have done things that are worthwhile, that I do have value as a mum, a wife, a person and it helps me set myself little challenges to get me out more, to volunteer, to meet people and it gives me like minded people to talk to, has introduced more traffic to my blog, encouraged me to not be put off by joining other neetworks and has helped me meet more expats that understand where I'm coming from to realise .... I AM NEVER ALONE
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
What's new this week as I work on being a groovymum
How to be a Groovy Mum
Kateonthinice describes what a Groovymum is missing over on http://kateonthinice.wordpress.com/how-to-be-a-groovy-mum/
Take a look if you fancy joining in.
I did back in Septembher when I felt something was missing from my life, and that something was work, how do I compensate for not working for the 1st time in 20+ years. It's not easy, I felt part of my identity had gone. I'm trying to reinvent myself, it's a long process (been a year already) and it's getting there day by day.
I'm finding things a bit negative at the moment, so I'm going to ignore those thoughts and only focus on the positives from this week.
This weeks challenges from Kate are as follows:
1. Body – What are you looking at? What can you see differently? On a practical level, how is your eyesight and eye health?
BEEN GETTING MIGRAINES THIS WEEK, SO HAVE BOOKED AN APPOINTMENT FOR BOTH ME AND HUBBY FOR A CHECK UP. STILL SWIMMING A MILE A DAY (MON-FRI) GOING TO UP THE EXERCISE WITH A FEW BRISK WALKS.
2. Mind – How is your mental health? Are you stuck or if you think really hard, can you find ways to improve things for yourself? What can others do to help you?
BEEN AND GOT MY FINGER PRINTS TAKEN FOR THE POLICE CLEARANCE CHECK SO I CAN START TO DO SOME VOLUNTEER TEACHING.
3. Spirit – What memories are you making? What would you like your legacy to be?
I TOOK A GIANT STEP THIS WEEK AND WENT TO PRETORIA, I STEPPED AWAY FROM THE SECURITY THAT SURROUNDS ME WHEREVER I GO AND WALKED OUT ON THE STREETS, I HAD COFFEE IN WIMPY, TO GATHER MY THOUGHTS, DID A BIT OF SHOPPING AND TOOK A WALK AROUND THE CITY. I FELT SAFE, APPREHENSIVE AND A LITTLE BIT RELIEVED WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR.
4. Blogging – Do you think people miss you when you don’t blog? What can you learn from that?
NOT REALLY BOTHERED IF PEOPLE READ MY BLOG OR NOT, I GET FEW COMMENTS ON IT, BUT MOST PEOPLE RESPOND VIA TWITTER, I WRITE FOR ME AND AS A DIARY OF OUR TIME HERE IN SOUTH AFRICA.
I'M ALSO GOING TO BE BLOGGING MORE, NOT JUST ABOUT WHAT I GET UP TO BUT I'M GOING TO ASK QUESTIONS ON THE BLOG AND OFFER SUGGESTIONS OF THINGS THAT I'VE FOUND HAVE WORKED AND I'VE ENJOYED THAT I'D LIKE TO SHARE.
5. Special Days – Valentine’s Day is a week away. Do you acknowledge it? How do you show love on that day or all year round? Who loves you?
USUAL STANDARD CARDS, GIFTS AND CHOCOLATES BOUGHT BY HUBBY AND ME AND A MEAL OUT TONIGHT. WE AREN'T REALLY ONES FOR ACKNOWLEDGING ANY EVENT, BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES AMONGST US ARE TOKEN ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. WE DO THINGS SPONTANIOUSLY THROUGHTOUT THE YEAR FOR ONE ANOTHER AND THE KIDS.
6. The Big Question – This is the challenge that is supposed to help you to reflect deeply. This week’s is …
What good are you doing?
I'M GOOD AT GETTING THINGS DONE, I'M ALSO GOOD AT PUTTING THINGS OFF. I WROTE A LIST LAST WEEK ON GROOVYMUMS ABOUT STUFF I WANTED TO COMPLETE. I'VE STARTED, BUT AM BEING HELD BACK BY RESPONSES. SO WILL BE FOLLOWING UP EVERYTHING THIS WEEK.
So that's my Groovymums for this week, nothing new to challenge myself with, but much more positive than the past few weeks
Kateonthinice describes what a Groovymum is missing over on http://kateonthinice.wordpress.com/how-to-be-a-groovy-mum/
Take a look if you fancy joining in.
I did back in Septembher when I felt something was missing from my life, and that something was work, how do I compensate for not working for the 1st time in 20+ years. It's not easy, I felt part of my identity had gone. I'm trying to reinvent myself, it's a long process (been a year already) and it's getting there day by day.
I'm finding things a bit negative at the moment, so I'm going to ignore those thoughts and only focus on the positives from this week.
This weeks challenges from Kate are as follows:
1. Body – What are you looking at? What can you see differently? On a practical level, how is your eyesight and eye health?
BEEN GETTING MIGRAINES THIS WEEK, SO HAVE BOOKED AN APPOINTMENT FOR BOTH ME AND HUBBY FOR A CHECK UP. STILL SWIMMING A MILE A DAY (MON-FRI) GOING TO UP THE EXERCISE WITH A FEW BRISK WALKS.
2. Mind – How is your mental health? Are you stuck or if you think really hard, can you find ways to improve things for yourself? What can others do to help you?
BEEN AND GOT MY FINGER PRINTS TAKEN FOR THE POLICE CLEARANCE CHECK SO I CAN START TO DO SOME VOLUNTEER TEACHING.
3. Spirit – What memories are you making? What would you like your legacy to be?
I TOOK A GIANT STEP THIS WEEK AND WENT TO PRETORIA, I STEPPED AWAY FROM THE SECURITY THAT SURROUNDS ME WHEREVER I GO AND WALKED OUT ON THE STREETS, I HAD COFFEE IN WIMPY, TO GATHER MY THOUGHTS, DID A BIT OF SHOPPING AND TOOK A WALK AROUND THE CITY. I FELT SAFE, APPREHENSIVE AND A LITTLE BIT RELIEVED WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR.
4. Blogging – Do you think people miss you when you don’t blog? What can you learn from that?
NOT REALLY BOTHERED IF PEOPLE READ MY BLOG OR NOT, I GET FEW COMMENTS ON IT, BUT MOST PEOPLE RESPOND VIA TWITTER, I WRITE FOR ME AND AS A DIARY OF OUR TIME HERE IN SOUTH AFRICA.
I'M ALSO GOING TO BE BLOGGING MORE, NOT JUST ABOUT WHAT I GET UP TO BUT I'M GOING TO ASK QUESTIONS ON THE BLOG AND OFFER SUGGESTIONS OF THINGS THAT I'VE FOUND HAVE WORKED AND I'VE ENJOYED THAT I'D LIKE TO SHARE.
5. Special Days – Valentine’s Day is a week away. Do you acknowledge it? How do you show love on that day or all year round? Who loves you?
USUAL STANDARD CARDS, GIFTS AND CHOCOLATES BOUGHT BY HUBBY AND ME AND A MEAL OUT TONIGHT. WE AREN'T REALLY ONES FOR ACKNOWLEDGING ANY EVENT, BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES AMONGST US ARE TOKEN ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. WE DO THINGS SPONTANIOUSLY THROUGHTOUT THE YEAR FOR ONE ANOTHER AND THE KIDS.
6. The Big Question – This is the challenge that is supposed to help you to reflect deeply. This week’s is …
What good are you doing?
I'M GOOD AT GETTING THINGS DONE, I'M ALSO GOOD AT PUTTING THINGS OFF. I WROTE A LIST LAST WEEK ON GROOVYMUMS ABOUT STUFF I WANTED TO COMPLETE. I'VE STARTED, BUT AM BEING HELD BACK BY RESPONSES. SO WILL BE FOLLOWING UP EVERYTHING THIS WEEK.
So that's my Groovymums for this week, nothing new to challenge myself with, but much more positive than the past few weeks
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