buddha knows best

“to keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” 

–buddha

birthday month has arrived

I like to celebrate birthdays.

From small occasions that include nothing more than a nice dinner; to huge affairs involving balloons and cocktails. Not to mention cake.

There shall always be cake.

For my birthday, I have always loved commandeering more than my fair share of celebrations. I like to make The Annual Festival of Andie a merry occasion for all involved.

Drinks with work colleagues; dinner with family; lunch with friends. Food is always a significant component of my plans.

But on this first day of November 2013 – for once time in my life, I don’t have plans.

I think it’s going to be a quiet occasion. Nothing like previous years.

But there shall be cake. 

xx

the ULTIMATE cake pan

I haven't baked a full-of-sugar-smothered-with-icing kinda cake in a long time.

Partly because I've had other things goin on;

And also because despite my daily chocolate consumption, I am trying to curb my sugar addiction.

One cake at a time.

BUT...

cakewich

THIS cake pan is the ULTIMATE cake pan in the history of cake pans!!!

Because LOOK at what you can bake with this ULTIMATE cake pan - - 

Fairy bread cake

A fairy bread cake!!

oh my goodness

I don't even have words to describe how amazing I think this is!

This is THE CAKE I want for my birthday this year.

So. Much. Excitement.

xx

stress is my middle name

This week, I am moving house for the seventh time in two years.

I've been a little out of sorts and everyone around me is telling me to be easy on myself because moving house is exhausting.

But there's a little voice in my head questioning if that is really a legitimate reason for my less-than-chirpy mood.

Insert My Friend Wiki  

...

Apparently, 'Moving House' gets 25 points on the Stress Scale. It doesn't say if you get to multiply that number by the number of moves though...

Test yourself.. How stressed is your life right now?

Life event	Life change units
Death of a spouse	100
Divorce	73
Marital separation	65
Imprisonment	63
Death of a close family member	63
Personal injury or illness	53
Marriage	50
Dismissal from work	47
Marital reconciliation	45
Retirement	45
Change in health of family member	44
Pregnancy	40
Sexual difficulties	39
Gain a new family member	39
Business readjustment	39
Change in financial state	38
Death of a close friend	37
Change to different line of work	36
Change in frequency of arguments	35
Major mortgage	32
Foreclosure of mortgage or loan	30
Change in responsibilities at work	29
Child leaving home	29
Trouble with in-laws	29
Outstanding personal achievement	28
Spouse starts or stops work	26
Begin or end school	26
Change in living conditions	25
Revision of personal habits	24
Trouble with boss	23
Change in working hours or conditions	20
Change in residence	20
Change in schools	20
Change in recreation	19
Change in church activities	19
Change in social activities	18
Minor mortgage or loan	17
Change in sleeping habits	16
Change in number of family reunions	15
Change in eating habits	15
Vacation	13
Christmas	12
Minor violation of law	11

Score of 300+: At risk of illness.

Score of 150-299: Risk of illness is moderate (reduced by 30% from the above risk).

Score <150: Only have a slight risk of illness.

From my marital breakdown, to the death of my beautiful Nan, to moving interstate and changing my line of work - and all within two years...... Shall we throw in 'Selling a House' for good measure?!

........ My score smashed 300.

I don't know if I should feel proud for still standing; or drop to floor in fetal position and cry...!

This test has definitely put some things into perspective for me though.

By this weekend, the move will be over and I will focus on looking after myself a little better.

That's a promise.

xx

you are beautiful

If only we could all occasionally see ourselves through someone else's eyes...

xx

guilty as charged

I am the worst for saying "Is it Friday yet" atleast 7 times a week. 

And when I say 7, it's probably closer to 7 million.

I am guilty of putting conditions on situations - 

"Oh.. this would be amazing, if..."

or

"I love this, but..."

Or the ultimate -

"I will be happy when..."

I am thinner

I have a new car

My hair is longer

I have new clothes

I have enough money 

I get a new job

I spend more time with friends

I spend more time on 'me'

I go for walks before sunrise

I sleep in until midday

When, when, when

If, if, if

It's conditional; it's impossible.

And it's exhausting.

xx

here comes the sun

... and it's alright.

Can't stop humming this song today.

Happy Friday.

xx

sometimes i get serious

I'm a serious person.

It may not show 100% of the time.. 

But you know that analogy about a duck - 

Looks calm on the surface, but paddling like mad under the water ?? 

That's me, my friends.

I am a duck.

And today is World Mental Health Day.

An email came into my inbox this morning advising that -

 If you’re not on top of your game, it’s hard to lift others up around you.

Truer words have never been said.

 

In Australia one in five women will experience depression and one in three will experience anxiety. 

That’s someone in your immediate family, your office, and in your group of friends.

So today.. more than any other day - Help out a duck.

xx

they see me riding...

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you will already know about my new wheels.

That's right - a cute little bike I've fondly named 'Pollyanna'.

I haven't owned or ridden a bike for about 15 years... So purchasing her was a big commitment.

But like they say - "It's just like riding a bike".

Literally.

With three days of sunshine this past weekend, I took the opportunity to take Pollyanna for our first major excursion together.

We only almost died three times.

I think that's a good start!

With my phone playing tunes from the front basket, it felt very Now and Then. 

I loved every second of it.

OK - that's a lie. There was a strong head wind on the way home and I wanted to give up 100 times.

But I didn't.

YAYYY

**Round of applause**

Ahh.. Sunshine and happiness.

Life is bliss.

xx