Grateful For... Tasty Humble Pie

I say 'sorry' a lot.
In the annoying way.
I'll apologise to a motionless mannequin, a fellow path user, every player on the opposition and all of my own teammates, the grumpy teller or idiotic driver - whether I'm in the wrong or not.
It's irritating to be around.
Sorry.

But the real apologies in life, an actual admission of real guilt/resposibility/error - that hasn't come easy.
I'm from a long line of obstinate non-apologisers.
It's in my blood to stubbornly persist or deny involvement.
(See how I deflected the blame there?!)

It's taken many years of de-programming this wiring to seperate humility from connotations of weakness or failure.
I'm a work in progress but I'm proud to say (without apology!) that I now generally acknowledge when I've mucked up.
I fess up and I 'do' the confrontation/take it on the chin thing I've avoided for so long.
From the little ones like "whoops that was me who left the back door open" to the biggies like "I wrongly completely disregarded your wishes" I'm a-retraining all the time.

This week I was a tad hasty.
I took the bait.
My hackles went up and I gnashed my teeth a little when someone took a tiny little swipe at my cub.
I pressed 'send' when I know I should have walked away.

Nothing serious at all, but enough to compromise my own standards.

So, I heated up that humble pie and cut me a big ol' chunk.
Ate two whole pieces - one after the other.

And it tasted great.

Neither person (yes, I did it twice!!!) was particularly offended, but man, did I walk taller and step lighter after looking them in the eye and admitting that I wasn't proud of my tone. After conceding that I'd directed my frustration in the wrong direction and that I was genuinely sorry. (Not to mention embarassed.)

I'm grateful for the grown-up somewhere deep inside that is developing.
I know she's in there.

Linknig with Maxabella's 52 Weeks of Grateful.


Shar :-)

Grateful For...Smiles and Support

This week I've smiled over and over at the great nature of other people.
You know those times when your faith in humanity is restored by the little things?

I have felt truly supported this week.

Not by a good bra or spanx - as supportive as they can be.

This week I'm really aware of the support I am so blessed to have in my day to day life.

Learning Support in the form of the fabulous learning assistants at school.

I have the pleasure of working alongside some talented, committed women who are worth their weight in gold - and great value for a laugh too.

IT Support in the form of one particular young man who allowed me to break protocol in order to fast-track some of our technical issues. He has repeatedly saved my bacon (and sanity) in the last couple of days  - all with a smile [or :-)] when I know he is under the pump already.

Support in the form of colleagues who detour by your room just to ask how your day was and happily bounce ideas/strategies and frustrations around. Colleagues who are far more than that.

Support at home when I've been jolted out of holiday mode and stretched myself in every direction to get it all done this week. My beautiful boys... they be flexible!

Support from friends who call in, drop a text, a call, a check in, a thank you, a smile, an offer through the week - not out of necessity, but just because.

Support in caring for and nurturing Magoo. His carers, his grandparents, his new teacher, my friends - they fuss and cluck about my Magoo too. I feel so comfortable, confident - and lucky - that these capable and caring people are the ones I count on when I can't be there with him.

Linking with Maxabella's 52 Weeks of Grateful - Smiles.

Happy weekending.
Shar :-)

Grateful For... Reclaimed Head Space

Reports are a-go!
My school reports are done and dusted (bar the final preview and print) for another semester.
As Magoo would say "iz dun, Mum".

Despite the fact that they consume me, I love writing reports.
I'm a teacher nerd. And proud of it.


When I'm in report mode I think in reporting language.
I phrase responses in that 'teacher tone' and then have to filter them to sound half normal.

I spend a lot of time invested in 'getting it right' and pore over results, tables and data.
I tip tap away every night and curse the programmers who make the system so user-hostile.
I think very carefully about how my comments will appear to parents and try (oh-so-hard-sometimes) to put a positive spin on some harsh realities.

I love how there is so much genuine progress to report at this time of year and how close I've become to so many of the fabulous kids I'm writing about.

For all my other countless inadequacies, I write a mean report.
If I may say so myself.
(As in relatively well written, not nasty mean.)

That said, the afternoon that I finished my reports (or thought I had. Damn you edits.) I paid a stack of bills, tidied the study, made a decent meal - from scratch you hear, ordered our Christmas cards, made a bunch of lists and started my Christmas shopping.
I reclaimed some much needed head space - 'cause there ain't that much to go around here!

I've pretty much been able to focus on  Master Magoo and reports  - and not much else - in recent weeks.

As much fun as being in front a computer programme with a razzle dazzle name (intended to trick us into thinking that spending many nights and weekends in it's company is an exciting prospect) is, I feel freeeeee today.

Free to get into the festive spirit and get geared up for the bulging calender that sits before me.
Free to start cracking the whip on this renovation business.
Free to get into the great outdoors and do some damage gardening.
Free to actually watch something on Hubby's new girlfriend television.
Free to find that party frock to carry me through the next month or so.

Happy weekend!

Linking with Maxabella Loves Grateful For...


Shar :-)

Grateful For... Frame Of Mind

This week I'm particularly grateful for my current head space

(regrowth and all).

Mental health is not something to be taken for granted.

Some experiences this week have hammered home how powerful but fragile (and damn cruel) the human mind can be at times.

They have also made me aware of how flippantly and irresponsibly I tend to misuse mental health related terms in an (attempt at) humour or in a self effacing manner.

Seeing a beautiful woman reduced to undignified, dangerous behaviour, a family torn apart and children suffering at the hands of mental illness is no laughing matter.
Being 'mental', 'insane' or 'committed' really is no joke - even for a slightly neurotic clown like me.

My feeling is simply -
'there but for the grace of God' - goes myself - or someone I love.

There is no room for judgement, scorn or criticism.
Just such sadness and sympathy.

It's a precious thing this positive state of mind I enjoy - at this point.
A privilege that often isn't appreciated until it's compromised.

My good friend anxiety doesn't hang out here much anymore and Miss Self Hater has thankfully long left the building.
Disappointments and attitudes that would have cost me valuable sleep in the past are much easier to put into perspective these days.

This weekend I'll treasure those I love and this beautiful mind all the more.

Linking up with Maxabella's Grateful For..

Shar :-)

Grateful for... A PH 4 HRH & CHOGM.

Over here in little ol' Perth we are currently entertaining The Queen,

if-you-don't-mind-thank-you-very-much.

This means that the Monday public holiday was moved from the recent school holidays to today.

A Friday. A day when both Hubby and I would ordinarily be at work.

Thank you very muchly, your Majesty.

Whilst our state has come to a standstill for the

Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting,

we have come to a standstill here at our place too.

For a different meeting.

Our very own Commoner Heads of Grottygroutville Meeting.

Today's meeting of all the influential parties in this household has been monumental and groundbreaking - literally.

Told you so.

We hereby declare the en suite of horrors no more and raise our jackhammers in salute to you, Queenie.

Happy CHOGM Demolition Day!

Linking with Grateful For... @  Maxabella Loves

Shar :-)

Grateful For...Becoming

This week I'm grateful for... becoming.


Becoming an Aussie
(marrying an Aussie and creating an Aussie).
We've come a long way baby.
From the early days when some kind folk lent my new-to-Australia-and-fridgeless Irish family a big old esky...
And we took turns sitting on the special 'box seat' for days  - until someone explained it's actual purpose to us.


Becoming a teacher
(not marrying a teacher, hopefully not creating a teacher).
I just love my (part time) work.
The satisfaction, the energy, the hilarity, the generosity, the honesty, the organised chaos of being with a bunch of children all day.
I also love the luxury (that unfortunately some don't have) of carer's leave for days like this week when, in my home and heart, one vomity little man's needs had to come before thirty two not-so-vomity kids' needs.
I love that almost every one of the thirty two asked after my little Magoo on my return today. A very special group of not-so-vomity kids.

Hmmm. Were it not for the vomit on my shoes
 and the emergency bucket in the background -
one would be forgiven for doubting him.
They bounce, these kids.

Becoming a blogger
(marrying a tolerator of blog and creating a likely "blogging is so old school, Mum").
I'm always inspired by the beauty that's to be found out here in the blogosphere.
And astounded by the kindness, openness and support of 'virtual' friends since I first hesitantly tip tapped away here earlier in the year.
Thank you blog buddies!

Linking up with other Gratefuls,
this week being hosted @ the lovely Mira Narnie


Happy weekend.
Shar :-)

Grateful For... Her Next Door

As the Swedish say
'Love Where You Live'.

Well just the folk at Ikea, probably.

But I do.

Love where I live.

We won the neighbour lottery and have ended up smack bang in the middle of,
roll up, roll up, ladieeees and gentlemen... 
the greatest street on Earth.
Or close to anyway.


Where people just click - but not clique.
Where everyone waves, smiles or flags one another down.
Where we can chat, yell, laugh, cry, offload or drink an afternoon away.
Where our kids play - horribly one day, beautiful the next. And it's all good.
Where the older kids look out for the younger ones and make them the sweetest home made birthday cards.


Where random Thursday evenings somehow morph into little street parties on our lawn.
Where it's a-ok to be having a bad day.
Where someone's got your back at all times.
Where the Christmas street party is looked forward to and even 'rehearsed' for!
Where the comfort level is as high as the kids tearing around the place.


Where we deliberately leave our garage door up, the front door open and blinds raised.
Where kids can watch from the window and squeal "he's/she's hooooome now Mum!"
Where we can run over anytime pyjama-clad or bra-less for that cup of sugar, egg, thermometer, bottle opener or second opinion.


A great little cul de sac around a bend where the only traffic is local.
Where said traffic knows to be considerate of dogs, prams, small people, balls, bikes, scooters and anything else that moves.
Where even stray animals are cared for by the whole street - and toasted with a bottle of bubbly.


I'm so grateful for her next door, him up the street, those across the road and them in the corner...

I'm not alone in my gratitude here.

Grateful For - this week hosted  @ A Day In The Life Of Us

Shar :-)

Grateful For.. Being 'Over The Top'

We're in party prep mode here.

7 days and counting until Magoo's 3rd birthday party.

The boy is obsessed with all things fire engine, so we are too.

For a couple of weeks anyway.

I like to party.
Always have.
The venues, beverages and themes have changed over the years, but the recipe is still the same.
Lots of great friends + copious food/drink + corny touches = a good ol time.
I like to plan parties.
I love me a theme - and boy, do I run with it.

At times, I've been ashamed and almost apologetic of my tendency to go a little overboard, but there are worse ways to offend people. (Surely?!)

I love my little man more than words (or a big ol' party) will ever be able to convey to him.
Hubby and I, we wished, prayed, cried (and paid!) him into being.
If we choose to celebrate the anniversary of the greatest day in our lives with a big bash - so be it. There's plenty of time to be serious, sensible and boring.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to go a little nuts, make a thousand lists and nearly as many invitations, immerse myself in red and yellow, clean myself into a frenzy, play fire Chief for a spell, celebrate my beautiful boy...

Yes, party poopers - if we had more children we may hate throwing parties (doubt it, but!).
Yes, it's an expense/effort that isn't easily justified to some people.
Yes, I may feel more 'over it' rather than 'over the top' in a few years time.

But's let's roll with the punches fire engines for now.

Party on @ Maxabella's place this weekend with Grateful For...


Shar :-)