not another resolution post

Okay, so it is a 'to do' list for 2014, but really, they're not resolutions.
I'm a tad flaky, and I'll be the first to admit it. I am often running late, a little carefree and lazy, start things I can't finish, and a top procrastinator.
I have the best intentions, I promise. I just get...distracted/overwhelmed/discouraged/sidetracked. I'm not going to make a promise to change any of this in the near future, but I am looking forward to ticking a few things off my 'fourteen for 2014' list.

Here's a couple:

1. tell Sam she is beautiful everyday!

2. simplify our home, life and relationships - if it hasn't been used/moved/implemented/contacted in the last 12 months, it's got to go. Harsh, perhaps, but this year is about living in the present and making good for the future, not dwelling in the past.

3. purge the house of excess furniture and items - our home has become a sort of dumping ground for family members unwanted furniture, since we really only frequent 1/2 of the house and there's two extra bedrooms for 'storage'. No more. It has to stop this year, and it has to go.
We will make a list of everything that will move with us, we will be brutal and thorough. Our closet will get a clear out, the pantry and kitchen appliances culled and only our favourite and most precious décor will make it into the moving van. Our home will get back to basics, minimal is key.

4. finish building the console table - seriously, we're letting the lesbian stereotype down! (bad joke, I know) Planks of timber atop two side-tables, a console does not make. We'll get out the hammer and nails before the year ends.

5. drink more water - a glass when I wake up and one before bed (note to self: don't forget to go to the loo before falling asleep!) and always carry a bottle of water with me.

6. travel to Melbourne in June/July - this is already loosely planned but this needs to happen mid-year, no sooner, no later. We will meet with a real estate to assist us in our house hunting, but most of all we will make the most of a few days with our dear friend Ruby, before she jets off for her studies in the US. A working holiday with the added bonus of our birthdays in the mix - win, win, win!

7. continue to be the biggest supporter of Sam's music. Encourage her. Inspire her. Uplift her.

8. sing, dance, laugh, pray and meditate, everyday! If you're joy-filled on the inside, it shows on the outside!

Most of all I want to make the most of this year. Make the most of the final months in our first home, make the most of living in this beautiful city in this beautiful, sunshine-y state, make the most of living close to our family. 2014 is here, whether I'm ready for it or not, and there's plenty to do and see. I'm ready to make each day matter and to do it all with love and passion.

At least that's my intention. Y'know I've said it before, old habits die hard around here!



Do you have any resolutions, non-resolutions or a 'to do' list for 2014?

Inspired: to change

I love when I am inspired. Inspired to create/explore/tell/imagine/learn & much more! 
Today I was inspired, by this lovely lady, and her post on the 'morning routine'. 

Now that I'm back at uni (and can't sleep in until midday) I'm craving some sort of routine in my everyday life. My mornings are usually a mixture of lazily watching the news and checking emails, and then rushing to get dressed and packed before running out the door to get on with the day. No breakfast, no stretching, no meditation...and I hate it being this way. 

Time for a change!

I'd much rather enjoy the morning, and prepare myself for the day ahead. My hope is that by creating a routine I'll become more productive in my daily activities, and begin to create a healthier way of living for myself, and Sam...and our animals. 

At the moment my current day is*:

7.30     wake up, turn on tv, watch some morning news

8.30     feed the animals, followed by turning on laptop, checking emails/blogs/social networks

9.00     get dressed, let Tig out in the yard, run out the door to uni/work/errands

12.00   lunch (usually at a cafe or take out), followed by more uni/work/errands

16.00   come home, relax in front of tv whilst checking emails/blogs/social networks

18.00   feed the animals, followed by Sam and I tossing up whether to cook or get take out (unfortunately, it's usually take out...healthy take out...if that counts)**

19.00   study intermingled with checking social networks

21.00   shower, put on comfy clothes, snuggle up in bed with Sam and watch our favourite show/s (the IQ and record function on the Foxtel has been worth every penny!)

I usually fall asleep anywhere between 9pm and midnight.

*with the exception of days that I work early, which means I'm up at 6am and home at 4pm...so everything else gets crammed in later!
**house work is usually left until about now, depending on whether or not there's clean dishes for dinner, or how much of a mess the animals have made inside...sometime I refer to them as our children, considering I feel like I'm constantly picking up all their toys and cleaning up after them!

Can you see why this needs to change? I really have no stability in my current routine.
I'm hoping that if I begin my morning with a stable routine, then the rest of my day would be more productive. I'm thinking that the best way to make this change is to have a plan of when I want to wake and what I want to get done in the morning before I start my regular day. 
Writing it here and having people keep me accountable (and hopefully support me) is what will keep me on track. I'm not going to change my whole day, but if I can make these small changes, rather than just going through the motions, I'm sure my mind and body will thank me for it in the long run.

This is what I'm aiming for in the morning:

6.00     wake up, watch news (only the news update part and not the rest of the drivel that comes after it)

6.30     make fresh tea with our herbs 
7.00     head outside for some meditation/gardening/enjoying sunshine
8.30     feed the animals  
8.35     tidy up the house, let Tig out in the yard
9.00     get dressed, run out the door (let's be honest!) to uni/work/errands

Sam and I have also decided that we're going to walk Tig at dusk each day. It'll give us a chance to step away from the tv/laptop/phone for a half hour and spend time together, out in the fresh air, and Tig will get her exercise/be so exhausted afterwards that she'll sleep soundly during the night ;)

So, that's my goal for the next 21 days! (you know the saying; 'takes 21 days to create a habit'!)

I know I'll still check my phone for emails when I get up, and might struggle to stick to having a cup of tea for breakfast, but if I can begin to make a change to my lifestyle then I'll be happy. 

As my father once told me; 
Dad: "how do you eat an elephant?"
Me: "I don't know...how?"
Dad: "one bite at a time! *insert typical father-like belly-laugh here*
(sorry, I couldn't help it. I love dad jokes!)

~This is where I'm hoping to spend some of my mornings, soaking up the sunshine...as soon as it's warm again.

Two Years

While laying in bed last night I realized that Sam and I have been together for 2 years. It isn't a long time but a lot has happened in those couple of years. I have grown, discovered, learned, explored and lived more than I could have ever imagined, and I have shared most of these times with Sam. In all those days we've spent 2 nights apart and spend most of our days together; dreaming and creating our life. 

 I'm trying to find the words to tell the story of how we met and found our love, and it's coming together slowly. Very slowly. There's a lot of unpacking of memories and reliving of past times to write our 'story'. It was a difficult path for us to be together, and tested us beyond imagination. Some things make me cringe, others make me giggle like a silly school girl in love. There will be things that are too cruel and confronting for me to write here, but for the most part it's going to be a wonderful journey writing these memories. 

For now, I wanted to share how much I adore this lady, and I think these photos do us justice. 

1.2 Alyce Nelligan

3.4.7.9.13 Samantha Raaen

5.11 Cassie Kowitz

8 Jess Webb

12 Luke Phillipo

 6.10 yours truly

Highlights, Lowlights and Down lights

So, I haven't posted in about a week! I hate that, as I promised myself if I started a new blog I would be fully committed, and I feel as if I've failed already. Time has just gotten away from me this week.

Excuses aside, I figured I'd do a little check in and update you on what I have been up to this week. It's been a doozy!

Fri - Sam and I found out that our friend and university lecturer Dr Marilyn Meier Kapavale had passed away. A magnificent pianist, doting mother and dear friend; she was a truly inspiring woman, who put her family first and never ceased to bring a smile to my face every time I saw her. I'll cherish every memory. 

Sat - After a wonderful night celebrating the end of semester with friends, I spent most of the day pottering around the house and enjoying a relaxed and chilled day with Sam and the animals. This was probably the easiest day I've had in the last week...I miss its simplicity. We also capped our internet today...it's gonna be a low, slow week ahead!

Sun - It's rare for me to have a weekend off, especially a Sunday, so Sam and I woke up early for some brekky and a trip to the markets! It was a beautifully crisp winter morning (unusual for me to enjoy as I dread chilly winter weather) with great food and company. 
* I have a post in the works with some pictures from our morning, so check back soon!

Mon - Sam and I had planned to get away for a couple of days to Byron Bay, but after a few unfortunate family issues that put a damper on our trip. I have to admit that I was (and still am, to be honest) upset that we didn't get to spend some time away, but I'm sure we'll get another chance soon. We're madly saving at the moment to make our first overseas trip together in early 2013, to visit some of Sam's closest friends who live in the States. I'm incredibly excited for Sam, as she's had some of these friends for 5 or more years and they've never met in person, but often talk everyday via blogs and boards. We're so excited!

Tue - I had the most amazing bubble bath in the evening! I hadn't had a hot, bubbly bath in a couple of months and I have to say, it was divine! I set up the laptop, popped in a movie, filled up the tub and soaked my worries away for a good hour or so. It was made all the lovelier when Tig (our dog) decided that she would keep me company and slept on the bath mat. Precious. 

Wed - I changed my very first down light! It has taken me a long time to get around to doing it but I can now proudly say I have done it! I've had an incredible fear of changing the down lights in our house for a while now...the thought of creepy-crawlies coming our of the fixture-yuck! A few weeks ago the light on our front stoop blew and the only time I'd remember to change it was when I went to turn it on at duck. It finally got to the point that not having a front door light was getting beyond annoying, and slightly dangerous. 
Now that I've overcome that hurdle, there's handful of blown bulbs with my name written all over them!

Thu - Today I was back at work, which I really enjoyed as I like the routine of getting up early for work and then spending the evenings at home, cooking dinner and relaxing. Tonight, while Sam sleeps, I have been chasing the two kittens around the house and doting on them as if they were my very own babes. It's been beautiful watching them grow from newborns to plump-bellied, wobbly-legged 5 week old kittens. The next 5 weeks will be bitter-sweet as we prepare them to go off to new families who will get to enjoy more of their soft purrs and quirky personalities.  

 I hope you've had a wonderful week so far! and I promise to be back again soon! :)