This Saturday I'm grateful for.....

The weekend!

I'm ever so grateful for this weekend. Of course there's the usual reasons of not having to get up early and get B-Boy off to school, being able to sloth around in my leggings and not quite long enough cardigan (are you shocked?) and snuggling up on the couch to catch up with my favourite bloggers. However I'm especially grateful for this weekend because my week has been so busy and I'm grateful for the chance to take a break.

To catch up with some more grateful bloggers this weekend, visit one of my favourite gals at Maxabella Loves.

Grateful......

This Saturday I am grateful for my gorgeous new kitchen floor!

We're embarking on a little make over adventure. There's several areas of our humble abode that require a small amount of attention. It's mostly just decorating, but there are a few things that need a bit more. Our kitchen is one of the latter. When the house was renovated they put tiles in the kitchen, hallway, bathroom, toilet and laundry. It was a crappy tiling job and we've been going back and forth on alternatives since we bought the house. Last weekend though, we finally made a decision. 

With a replacement picked, it was time to start the demolition work. We spent about 5 hours on Saturday taking up the tiles, the cement sheeting and removing about 2000 nails the had held the cement sheeting down. By Saturday night our hands, backs and hips were aching. On Sunday we took a trip to Launie to go to Bunnings to buy our new floor. (On a side note, do you know how much it sucks not having a Bunnings close by? 3 hour round trip to visit the DIY mecca! Crap huh?)

Anyway, we did a little bit of prep work to the subfloor, with the intention of laying the new floor when Mr Mess has next weekend off. But while I was at canteen on Thursday, he went ahead and did it all by himself!! I came home to this!!!

Isn't it gorgeous?! We just love it. It was so easy to lay and feels so comfortable under foot. It's no where near as cold or as slippery as the tile was. It fits in perfectly with the colour of the carpet in the lounge and the vertical blinds. The only thing that it looks a bit odd with is our dining table. Though it's on the makeover list anyway so we'll see what we can come up with. Next on the list is to replace the tiles in the hallway. Hopefully that will be finished next weekend.

For more grateful bloggers, head over to Maxabella Loves.

The Details

Flooring : Gerflor Senso Rustic Self Adhesive Vinyl Planks

Colour : Noisette

Supplier : Bunnings Launceston

Price : $25/m2

PS Thank you for all the lovely comments last week. Gail's funeral was held this past Monday. The boys seem to be coping well, though I'm sure there will be some tough times ahead for them. Again thank you all for your kind words.

This Saturday I'm grateful for.....

The rising sun.

One of the mums at Brock's school suddenly passed away this week. 

She was 40 years old and leaves behind her husband and two beautiful little boys.

Unfair doesn't even begin to describe it.

So this week I'm grateful I got to see the sun rise again.

I'm grateful for another day with my loved ones.

I'm grateful to be reminded of what is really important.

I'm grateful to be alive.

Maxabella Loves is on pause this week, so head over to BabyMac for more grateful bloggers.

This Saturday I'm grateful for.....

Flowers from my littlest boy.

He picked all the flowers in the lawn garden for me.

Each one melted my heart a little bit more.

The promise of spring.

This is my cherry blossom.

I am excitedly anticipating this years display.

A surprise, out of season, local produce find.

They are sweet and juicy and a welcome taste of summer.

 Visit Maxabella Loves for more greatful bloggers.

This Saturday I'm grateful for.....

1. Finally feeling better again. Now I can get back to taking photos, cooking, blogging and all the other things I've missed over the last two weeks.
2. Electric Blankets. It got down to 2 here the other night! Suffice to say we are all very grateful for the electric blankets we invested in last year, was definitely a smart purchase.
3. Sleep. The Dude stayed in his own bed two nights in a row this week. For a 3 and a half year old kid who's only slept through the night twice in his life, this was a big deal for us.

For more grateful bloggers head over to Maxabella Loves.

This Saturday I'm grateful for.....

After the week I've had I definitely needed to take some time to reflect and remind myself to be grateful for what I do have.

1. A good GP and antibiotics. Without these my poor little B-boy would be so so sick still.
2. A small lotto win. A sure fire way to put a little smile on your face.
3. An empathetic mum. I don't know what I'd do without her in my world. I hope I can someday repay all that she's done for me.

What are you grateful for this weekend? Play along over at Maxabella Loves.

This Saturday I'm grateful for.....

My SIL, because she drives the 3 hour round trip to see us so that her son and my boys get a chance to spend more time together. They are the three youngest of the grand children and it's important they get to build a relationship through their childhood just like their older cousins have over the past 18-25 years.

My MIL & FIL, because they have kindly looked after The Dude for the last two Mondays while I ease into my new role as canteen co-ordinator at The Boy's school. He's had a wonderful time with them and it's clear they love having him over. I can already see their bond strengthening. It's lovely to watch.

School Mum friends, because they have been very encouraging over the last two weeks as I get the school canteen up and running. They've lent much support and even an ear to vent my frustrations. They get it :)

What's got you smiling this week? What are you grateful for? Join in over at Maxabella Loves.

This Saturday I'm grateful for.....

1. Not having an open house this weekend. Last weekend was a dismal failure with the rain keeping everyone away :( So I'm grateful that I don't have to rush around keeping the boys from messing up the place.

2. Mr Mess working this weekend. That probably is mean because I know he'd rather be at home with us but the weekends he works gives me some extra down time to catch up on all my favourite blogs, get up to date with my own blogs and just generally potter about. The boys seem to like not having to go anywhere too, work weekends are a vege weekend here in the Mess house :)

3. Home baked goodies. Kenny's been hard at work again. Together we whipped up a batch of my MIL's 123 biscuits as well as a batch of these delicious cinnamon scrolls.

They were so yummy!

Come and tell us what you're grateful for this Saturday. Join in at Maxabella Loves.

This Saturday I'm grateful for.....

Mr Mess

It's been a hectic week this week. The last thing I needed was an open home to prepare this weekend, but alas that's what was on the agenda. My dear thoughtful husband Mr Mess took yesterday afternoon off to help me contain the children and clean the house top to bottom. I love him so.

Join in at Maxabella Loves and tell us what you're grateful for this Saturday.

This Saturday I'm grateful for.....

It's Saturday already! Where on earth did the last week go? The days have started to flash by again, before I know it another year will have gone by. Why is it the older you get the faster the years go by?

Anyway it's time to link up with Maxabella Loves and a bunch of grateful bloggers.

So this week I'm grateful for many things.

1. Blog Comments

Everytime I receive a new comment, I smile. To be honest getting comments on my blogs (yes that's plural, have you seen my photo blog?*) absolutely makes my day....That someone cares enough to read and leave a comment is just....well...I'm grateful that they took the time :)

2. Bloggers who post freebies

Who doesn't love a freebie? Whether it's a free download or a tutorial, bloggers are smart people and have much to share. These are some of the fab freebies I've found this week.

• Plans for a cool bed head and a super easy daybed from Ana White.
• A quick and easy solution for our unsightly ensemble bed base from Heather Mulder Peterson. 
• Centsational Girl, what can I say, the plethora of DIY tutorials Kate has is ahhhmazzzzing
• A fabulous tutorial on adding textures to photos by Rita @ The CoffeeShop Blog. Check out my first go....

If you are into photography or want to learn more about how to edit your photos, Rita's blog is an amazing resource overflowing with tutorials and freebies.

3. Great content blogs.

You know the blogs who always have something great to read? All of the blogs that I read religiously are have great content (all 25 that I check on a DAILY basis, addicted much?), but these are my top five favourites this week.

• The Pioneer Woman
• I Heart Faces
• Maxabella 
• The Truth About Mummy
• Flower Photography

4. Bloggers who say NO.

Not just any blogger who says no, bloggers who say no to word verification! I'm not sure if it's a new trend or what but man those little word verification things are annoying. I love participating in photo challenges and blog hops and always do my best to visit all the participants, but those little boxes are the bain of my blogging existence. So I'm grateful for the bloggers who make it a little easier and quicker for me to leave a comment :D

(Edited to add, after receiving an email stating that laziness in the reason I don't like WV, I just wanted to clarify, I still visit and comment on blogs that have WV, I just find the ones without a little more user friendly. There is more than one way to moderate spam comments on a blogger blog, the non WV ones require a few more minutes of the owner but less of the readers. I'm not picking on, or blog bashing or ANYTHING like that. Just wanted to clarify.)

5. The end of school holidays.

Three more sleeps, enough said. lol

*Pardon the gratuitous self promotion ;)

This Saturday I'm grateful for.....

Modern Tecnology.

The telephone because it keeps us in contact with our whole family whether they live near or far.

My computer and the internet because they allow the boys and I to see my mum whenever we like, even though she lives over 2000 kms away.

My camera. I don't draw, paint or write, but my camera allows me to still be an artist.

What are you grateful for this week? Join in with Maxabella.

This Saturday I'm grateful for..

Old Friends

The Great Garage Clean Out of 2011 has proven a very fruitful exercise. Another great rediscovery, my much loved copy of my favourite book, Jessica by Bryce Courtenay. The first night I read two chapters. The next night, I was half way through. By the third night, I was so engrossed that I finished the book. When I rested it and my glasses back onto the night stand the clock read 2:57am. I love staying up late reminiscing with old friends. 

Kenny

This is Kenny, my therapist. I have a few different therapists but none as productive as Kenny. No matter what I throw at him, he takes it all in and comes up with the perfect solution to any problem....

Chocolate Brownies

Kenny out did himself don't you think? Double chocolate brownies. Deliciously fudgey on the inside with an ever so fine crust on top. Chocolate really is one of the worlds greatest discoveries, one I am surely greatful for.

What are you grateful for this Saturday? Join in over at Maxabella Loves.

This Saturday I'm grateful for.....

Home Videos

We've been sorting through our crap stuff that's still packed in boxes in the garage this week. I don't know why we've kept half the stuff but anyway. Yesterday yielded a wonderful find, the mini DV tapes for our video camera. Now I can't remember the last time we used it but it was a far while since the camera had even been out of it's case.

Last night after the kids were in bed, we rigged the camera up to find out just what was on those tapes. When I pressed play, The Dude's tiny newborn face appeared. My heart melted and the tears started to well up in my eyes straight away. Those soft little coos and even that newborn cry, oh my goodness it was so cute it made my uterus ache! There it all was on those three little tapes, his first year. His first Christmas, his commando crawl, pulling himself up, his first birthday party, everything. The memories had been locked away in my mind but as soon as I saw the footage it all came flooding back. How lucky am I to be able to relive those precious moments over and over again.

The little cutie himself.

..

This Saturday I'm grateful for..

The devastation that has hit our country this week has been heart breaking. What really brought it home for me, was reading this harrowing story this morning. What this family has been and will continue to go through is just incomprehensible. My heart broke a million times over for baby Jessica and her mum Stacey.

Through my tears I glanced up at my boys, playing together happily on the couch. I had to force the thoughts of what-if out of my mind, just the thought was unbearable. This Saturday I am grateful for.....

Today.

Today, my boys are happy, healthy and above all safe.

Today, we have electricity, running water and a roof over our heads.

Today, I am learning to focus on all that I have instead of what I have not.

Today brings lessons from yesterday and hope for tomorrow.

Today is a gift.

Linking up with Maxabella.

Awesome Teachers

When we first moved to Tassie in 2008, I was excited to find out that we could enrol Brock into Kinder at the local school. He'd not long turned 5 and started just after the start of the second term. Brock had been in daycare for two days a week in Qld but Kinder was different. It was school and he was so excited by that.

He was a little behind the eight ball, I guess. All the other kids had already settled into school life and the concept of structured learning. He had the most wonderful teacher Mrs L. She was a very nurturing type of woman, she helped his transition into school immensely. The two teacher aides in the class, were just as caring and important to his successful start.

When I learned his Prep teacher would be Miss M, I was a little worried. She seemed tougher, something I wasn't sure was "right" for Brock. Within a few weeks of starting Prep, I knew she was exactly the type of teacher he needed. She pushed him, the right way and just enough to encourage him to WANT to learn more. She was/is a fantastic teacher and I'm crossing my everything that she still be at the school in a few years time, because I think she'd be great for my feisty little Jack.

When we returned to Tassie from our 12 months stint in Qld, I was desperate to get back to Brock's old school and the quality teachers and education, that I'd taken for granted. We've been blessed that the school has delivered yet again with another great teacher in Miss G. She's more awesomesauce than words can explain. Not only has she been great for Brock, but she's also been great for Jack. She's happily welcomed him into the classroom when I've come to do parent help. She's even taken him into the classroom when I had a couple of important meetings at the school! Jack just loves Miss G and is always looking for something to take to school to show her, new toys, pictures, books, you name it she's seen it lol Brock adores her too, so much so that it's increasingly hard to get him to come home from school!

So yes, this week I am grateful for awesome teachers!

I'm also grateful for Etsy. I'll tell you why on Monday ;)

Today I'm joining in at Maxabella loves.

The simple things in life

Today I've decided to join in at Maxabella loves and play.....

So.....This week I'm grateful for the simple things in life.

I get so caught up in the comotion of everyday life that, that I often forget to stop and savour the simple things in life. Things like.....

Rain drops on roses,

smiling little faces

and my gorgeous mum.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!