Finding joy in the everyday

Have you ever started cleaning your house and ending up doing something completely different that you never plan to do. The other day I decided to clean out Ruby's kitty litter tray.  To do this I turned on the kettle to boil water and got out the vacuum cleaner.  Whilst waiting for the kettle to boil I thought I would vacuum the lounge room.  As I stood in the middle of the room and looked around I decided to move some chairs.  One thing to led to another and before I knew it I had rearranged the whole room! I had also cleaned the walls, dusted, rearranged books, ornaments, cushions and even moved paintings on the walls + had a pile of things to throw away and another pile to take to the Lifeline  book fair this coming week. Two hours later I re-boiled the kettle and cleaned the kitty litter tray plus vacuumed the rest of the house.  I quite these surprises, starting on one task and ending up doing a whole bunch of other things!!  It means I never ...

There shall be no more death, nor sorrow,  nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelations 21:4 The confidence we have as Christians is that God has something good planned for us.  Suffering was not part of His original act of creation, but it serves as a temporary reminder of what happens in a world where God's order has been broken.  It also motivates us to spread the word about God's plan to redeem the world from the suffering caused by sin. Although we cannot avoid pain and disappointment " These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer ; I have overcome the world. " (John 16:33), we know that it's only temporary.  Some sorrow will be relieved in this life, but all of it will be relieved when God finally and firmly establishes His new heaven and new earth. " And I saw new heaven and a new e...

Whether sixty or sixteen, there is in every human being's heart the lure of wonder, the unfailing childlike appetite of whats next, and the joy of the game of living. ~Samuel Ullman~ Go out and discover something new this weekend!! I'm off to read a book and put my feet up after spending the morning gardening: planting pansies for summer planting bulbs weeding fertilizing spreading cow manure around the garden (a bit smelly) and chatting to the plants offering words of encouragement! * * *

Did you know: Australia can lay claim to having the largest homes in the world. The average floor area of new homes hit a record high of 214.6 square metres (2009/10). The average floor area of new free-standing houses was also at a record high of 245.3m².  The United States has traditionally possessed the largest homes in the world. But for the first time in a decade, new homes in the US are shrinking. In 2010, the average size of new homes started in the US stood at 201.5m², with the average new house estimated at 217.8m². ( this one is near me and I think it would be lovely ) Why would you want a huge house – it has to be cleaned, heated, furnished. - it wouldn't be very cosy. Plus the Australian family is shrinking in size (average of 2.56) - you could go for days without seeing your family as  you all rattle about in the McMansion.   Look at these stats, the most common household is a couple with no kids - so why would they need such a large home.  In 2006-07...

I wanted PLATFORM shoes, mum said no  At 12 I was considered too young My cousins wore platform shoes, I thought they were COOL I finally got a pair of "hand-me-downs" I LOVED them to bits Platforms went out of fashion I moved to BALLET SLIPPERS and wore them non stop They were SO COMFORTABLE Princess Diana came onto the scene. She wore COURT SHOES I had to have a pair of those In fact I end up with many pairs, including a bronze pair. I looked ELEGANT The STILETTO Had to give them a go They KILLED my feet I couldn't walk any great distances But I LOOKED GOOD In need of LOW HEEL No longer want sore feet Want to be able to walk No longer care if I look ELEGANT SOPHISTICATED COOL I just want to be COMFORTABLE PRACTICAL and can use them for WALKING And I am past caring that I am not in fashion!!! * * * This is just scary - check out the shoes this baby is wearing. High heel shoes for babies as young as 6 months

George Dunlop Leslie (1835 —1921) English painter, author and illustrator Leslie’s first exhibition at the Academy was in 1859 and showed his work every year thereafter.  His early work was influences by the Pre-Raphaelites, but he settle on a more “academic, aesthetic, style of painting” aiming to show the sunny side of British domestic life (I think he achieved this). Children are often subjects in his paintings.   Leslie’s work was highly regarded during his life. He also published several books: "Our River" (1888), "Letters to Marco" (1893) and "Riverside letters" (1896) which he illustrated in black and white.  They are based on his observations of life and nature. I just love Leslie's work. "Sun and moon flowers" " Tea" " This is the way we wash our clothes " (this painting was used in a soup advertisement) "Her first place" "Alice in Wonderland" "The gold-fish seller" * * *

I have never read a self-help book.  But millions do . . .  in the USA alone, the self-help industry is worth approximately $8 billion a year and women purchase most of those books in the relationship and family category. There are more self-help books printed in the USA than cookbooks. Self-help books fall into the following board categories: Personal growth: these were mainly focused on improving the self Relationships : giving advice on communication skills and how to improve personal relations Coping : how to deal with difficult events and situations eg stress at work Identity : about gaining personal insight, although some overlap with the personal growth category  I love some of the titles for self-help books: Finding happiness in a frustrating world Effortless success How to stop worrying and start living Change your life in 7 days Women Who Love Too Much Smart Women, Foolish Choices Don't sweat the little stuff These books are meant to make us calm...