that was fun……

well November 2012 was here and tomorrow it’ll be gone. shelved away into the memory bank of our hearts and minds forever.

 

I tried to share with you everyday what I was thankful for but unfortunately I wasn’t very consistent.  But even though I didn’t put it on my blog I found myself making that conscious effort to find something to be grateful for.

And surprise, surprise there was always something. 

some days I found myself being thankful for the simple and trivial – like the crunch in a piece of toast, or how I looked good in a particular color.  And other days it would be those things that would make my heart sing and my eyes fill with tears.  Like when my kids thank me for their afternoon homemade snacks and tell me they taste good or when my husband gets a hold of my hand and just holds it, that gentle reassurance  that everything is good.

It’s been a month of fun, and tomorrow we’ll be moving right along in the holiday season because it will be December. 

I’m looking forward to that.

tonight I went along to champagne tasting at a friends house.  It was a lot of fun, with a lot of glasses and good company. 

a nice way to start the weekend.

corner view–thankful

Corner View is a weekly appointment - each Wednesday - created by Jane, and hosted by Francesca.  It’s where bloggers from all corners of the world share their view on a pre-arranged theme.

I think this must be the secret …………...

when I remain gratefuI, my heart will be thankful.

I know last week was thanksgiving, but who says we can’t make everyday the day to give thanks!! 

today I want to say thank you to the corner view bloggers – thank you for sharing your corner with me (us). 

every week prompted by a theme you share small,  but insightful glimpses into your homes, cities and countries. 

I love it.  

for more on this weeks theme start with our host, Francesca.

monochrome monday

today was a cold day.  a cold day.

but I went out for coffee with a friend who is relatively new here.  just wanted to check in on her and make sure everything was ok.  And they are. 

Also had to go out and grocery shop.  I don’t like doing that much, especially when it’s cold. But we do what we have to do.

I’m happy though, the fridge is stocked and we’re good for the week.

it’s been a productive day.  And now I’m ready for bed……..

I hope your day was a good one to start the week.

weekends are for……….

continuing to be thankful.

thankful for the sun that continues to shine.  a warm coat and gloves. and time to just  laze around.

Also for baking coconut walnut bread,  enjoying some local entertainment at our community autumn feast and putting up our Christmas tree and decorations. 

I hope your weekend was a lovely too.

photo hunters: fall

joining in on the fun again after a long time.  a couple of years actually.  I figure this is a good way to actually use my camera.

this weekend’s theme: fall.

 

So thankful that I’m able to experience different seasons.

(still waiting for the snow though – it’s cold but no snow yet!)

happy to give thanks

if there’s a holiday to adopt from my American friends,  it’s today’s holiday – Thanksgiving!

it’s wonderful that a day is put aside to be thankful for family, friends, health, life and on and on and on.  When we look hard there really is a lot to be thankful for. 

So much.

taking time to be thankful today………. 

wherever you are, and whatever you’re doing,

“Happy Thanksgiving”

corner view - energy

Corner View is a weekly appointment - each Wednesday - created by Jane, and hosted by Francesca.  It’s where bloggers from all corners of the world share their view on a pre-arranged theme.

I watched this video this afternoon and also came across the quote below.  And I thought they go good together.

it made me feel good and I  love positive energy.

 

Love the moment, and the energy of that moment will spread beyond all boundaries.
Corita Kent

for more posts on energy start with Francesca.

monochrome Monday & day’s 17, 18 & 19

thankful for that Monday morning cup of coffee. 

some days, like today I need an extra shot to get me going.

I had a wonderful weekend.  A busy one and maybe I partied a little too hard but it was for a friend who celebrated her 40th birthday!

This week is thanksgiving and so in continuing my month of thankfulness………….

day 17 – thankful for good company with wonderful people.

day 18 – inspired that my American friends are willing to learn the game of cricket – even if they feel a little awkward!

day 19 – grateful that I just booked our trip to Amsterdam and getting excited to catch a train into Germany for a white Christmas. 

So thankful.

clear skies……..

you know when you walk out your door in the cold morning and the sky is clear, it’s going to be a good day……

or at least if I allow it be.

It’s so easy to feel down and lacking motivation. It takes energy to be alive, positive and motivated!

Well I  choose (and try constantly) to be the latter because it’s better!!

It’s Friday and I’m extra grateful.

 Grateful that Joshua is feeling better and returned to school today after 3 days at home. 

yesterday and everyday she comes I’m so thankful for my house keeper – what would I do without her.

and on Wednesday  I realized how blessed we are and that I can put food on the table for my family.

very very thankful for that.

loving that Friday is here.  It’s going to be a busy weekend but a good one.

Hope your weekend is wonderful too.

corner view–spirituality

Corner View is a weekly appointment - each Wednesday - created by Jane, and hosted by Francesca.  It’s where bloggers from all corners of the world share their view on a pre-arranged theme.

I grew up in a religious family.  my parents made me go to church and to observe Sunday’s as a day of rest.

Then I went off to college, found God and Christianity.  I remain in my faith.

Now that I’ve traveled and have lived in other countries.  I’ve made friends who are of many different faiths/religions.  Their commitment, the rituals and their beliefs – some are the same as mine, others are very different.

But If there’s anything I’ve learnt from my friends, it’s tolerance and respect for each others spirituality.

For more on this theme start with Francesca. 

when they are sick……

you have to change your plans.  And I did.

I had two sick kids today and both stayed home.  I’m thinking the quick change in the weather temps must have brought it about.

It’s no fun when kids get sick.  But I think we might have it under control. 

well my kids kept me busy today…………………… in the kitchen.

At least they still feel like eating.

Today I’m thankful that we’re past trying to coax the kids into drinking their medicine.  They know that it’s good for them and that it will help them get better!

p.s. I thought I’d continue  the black and white photo’s for the week.

monochrome monday & day 12

something about the cold weather that makes me want to cook and bake. (or at least try!!)

my husband didn’t make it home for lunch, tied up with a lunch meeting.

oh well.

today I’m thankful that my husband has a job, and one that he enjoys.   A good job that allows me to be that stay at home mum.

thank you!

13

this was when she was younger

and yesterday she turned 13. 

It’s hard to believe that I now have a teenager.

Time’s gone by fast.

thankful that my daughter is healthy, all grown up but still needs me.

grateful!

I may have spoken to soon

oh it was cold today. 

windy, rainy and cold.

maybe winter is really here now and it’s here to stay.

today I’m grateful for a house that we can stay warm in and  the fire place.

corner view–longing

Corner View is a weekly appointment - each Wednesday - created by Jane, and hosted by Francesca.  It’s where bloggers from all corners of the world share their view on a pre-arranged theme.

It’s november and the weather is still gorgeous here in my corner.  you can still feel the warmth of the sun even though the temps are a cool 15 degrees celcius.  The important thing is that I don’t mind going outside. 

Last year around this time of the year ,  the fire was already on!   it was dull, gloomy and cold and it snowed 3 days later. 

I think we’re still enjoying fall weather, but I know it’s coming.  The cold, the snow, the days when I won’t want to be outside. 

It’s coming.

But even so, there are days that I long for flip flops and sandy beaches….

just not yet. 

what can I say…I’m an island girl at heart!!

for more corner views start with Francesca.

day 6 & 7

8 years ago I remember sitting with my Dad and watching the coverage of the US elections. I also remember him feeling very very proud for Barack Obama who won. 

Today as I sit watching the coverage of the elections, and see that Obama has been declared the winner again, I’m thinking of my Dad and how happy he would’ve been.  

I’m not an  American, and I don’t really understand all the issues that they face as a nation but I love that freedom that they so unashamedly display.  The democratic process they go through every 4 years.

It really is a beautiful thing.

yesterday I was thankful for my American friends who are so passionate of their democratic process.

today I’m grateful for democracy and thankful for freedom.

monochrome monday & day 5

he’s 4 and we call him JJ.

He keeps me busy!

so while surfing the web yesterday I came across a blog with some gorgeous photos and this archive project she hosts – monochrome monday’s. 

I thought I’d jump in and join in on the fun.

And in continuing my month of gratitude, today I’m thankful for my children. 

they keep me grounded and offer a different perspective to life.   They also teach me the meaning of giving. 

the constant giving of oneself to another.

Be blessed today.

day 4

November is the month we remember to be thankful.   I know we’re 3 days in but it’s never too late to start.

For today I’m thankful that I woke up and was able to live. 

yesterday I called home and spoke with my sister who told me that there was a death in the village.  she couldn’t tell me how this dear friend died, except that he collapsed at work and his friend’s rushed him to the hospital but it was too late.  And then this morning while surfing on facebook I saw condolence messages to his family, not only acknowledging his death but that of his uncles.

We really are not guaranteed tomorrow. 

It was a harsh reminder of how fragile life is.

RIP dear friend and uncle.

bamahuta.

hello….

it’s been a little quiet here on my blog lately…..actually a whole month quiet!   As usual we’ve been busy living our lives! 

We spent 2 glorious weeks in California, came back home and it took me a whole week to get back to normal!  My body took a hit with the jetlag, it was horrible. I thrust my kids straight back into school though because they had already missed a couple of days for us to be able to leave early!!  I know it sounds harsh but them managed it beautifully.  Except for Joshua who would go to bed around 5 in the evening and then be wide awake at 3 in the morning.  I think it’s safe to say that our body clocks are back to Kazakhstan time. 

well so much has happened.  Most importantly the process of a pretty big change in our family dynamic has begun.  I’ll share later.

for now it’s just good to be back. 

Happy Friday!