Marriage: Reflection on a year.

Having recently celebrated our First Year Wedding Anniversary (I know, where has the time gone!?) I have been reflecting a lot on our previous first year as a married couple. For the most part, I would say that Warr and I are quite unusual - in that over this year, there has only been one major argument that I can remember.

Yes, like any two normal people who spend a lot of time in each other's company - we have differences of opinions - but for the most part we have learnt, and are learning, to communicate well with each other - and I think it is what makes our relationship so successful. In any case, after moving into our very first "husband and wife house" we had the one major difference-of-opinion-session that I can remember from our first year. As a special treat for you, I have decided to document the argument exactly as it happened - and you can pick your own side.

After first moving in, we were in such a wonderful-loved up state of "OH LOOK AT US IN OUR MARRIED HOUSE TOGETHER!" that we failed to adhere to the normal day-to-day functions of living in a house. Meaning: we failed to enquire as to the proper refuse disposal rules of the very orderly block of flats that me moved into, in the fancy part of Wimbledon. As such, in a very short while, we accumulated approximately several small mountains worth of garbage in our kitchen - with no idea where to put it. And by "several small mountains" - I mean - two weeks worth of steaming, stenching garbage. It was time to ask a neighbour and find out how to dispose of our trash. Warren came back to break the news one Saturday evening and it wasn't pretty:
  
{Side note: diagram shows only two garbage bags. Two garbage bags is significantly different compared to the two-weeks-worth-of-garbage-bags we were actually dealing with.}

{it's the kind of garbage that you have to breathe through your mouth}

But you know what, I decided that since it was getting late in the evening - and we still needed to organise dinner, and I was obviously still in that idiotic wonderful-loved-up-state which made me want to sacrifice myself, I made a deal with the husband:

Given that we all know my history of disaster in the kitchen - this seemed like a very logical approach. Husband was not convinced:

#seemslegit

Warr: I really think we should just do it together - and then when it's done, we can both help out with dinner.
Me: No - it's really fine - I promise you! You go and get your cook on, I will do this quickly! I really don't mind.
Warr: I think we should do the rubbish stuff together.
Me: No, I promise you - I will do it! - I really don't mind! I want to do it!

* * * * *

Now, it may have been the fact that I was up to my elbows in a pile of steaming garbage juice (think sticky-half-empty cans, leftover slimy potatoes and take away curries, tubs growing new species and half-empty-yogurt-with-spores); It may have been the horrific stench and it's involuntary-gag-reflex-trigger. Or, it may have been my fingers touching warm-un-identified-piles-of-stuff, it may even have been hearing Warren and his SMUG CHOPPING in the kitchen - but something inside my brain snapped and I suddenly realised -

And, I let it be known with a large amount of tears and wild-screaming directed at husband who had dutifully taken up his place in the kitchen  - 

Self: I KNOW what I said!! Don't tell me what I said!!! Don't you think I know what I said?! Why should YOU have all the fun?! Look at you and your SMUG CHOPPING! HOW VERY DARE YOU!!
Warr: ... but.. i thought...
Self: Why should YOU be the one who gets to do the CHOPPING!!! I ALSO WANT TO CHOP SHIT!!
Warr: ... that's why I wanted to do it tog...
Self: DON'T INTERRUPT ME WHEN I'M YELLING!!
Warr: ....I thought you said....
Self: Why can YOU be the one cooking in the kitchen - doing all the FUN CHOPPING and I HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO CLEAN THE SHITTY GARBAGE!! WHY DID YOU MAKE ME DO THE SHITTY JOB?!?!! WHY?!?!

Self: WHO AM I?!?!?! WHAT AM I TO YOU EVEN?!?! AM I JUST THE HOUSEHOLD SLAVE?! THIS RELATIONSHIP ISN'T WORKING!! WE SHOULD END THIS RIGHT NOW!!! WE NEED TO BREAK UP!!!! YOU TAKE ME FOR GRANTED AND FORCE ME TO DO ALL THE SHITTY GARBAGE JOBS!!! THIS IS THE WORST. I HATE MY LIFE!!!!
Warr: ... um... but....

* * * * *

In the rageful sequence that followed - we confirmed that sorting two weeks worth of garbage juice is indeed the SHITTEST JOB IN THE WORLD. We also confirmed that far worse than week-old-curry and yogurt steaming at you - is a partner steaming at you. After a short while, we cooled off (by "we" I mean "me" - the one who had very-willingly volunteered myself for garbage duty). I can't even tell you how this episode was resolved, because quite honestly - I had genuinely and gladly volunteered myself for garbage duty and then decided to get PISSED OFF that I was on garbage duty - which, when written in a sentence like that, makes one realise what a nincompoop one is. By the end of the evening, we had not only apologised to each other - but went 360 degrees and ended up legitimately fighting over who should sort out the garbage so as to save the other.

Actually, sometimes - we are more sickly sweet than steaming garbage piles.

Whatever, I'll take it.

The moral of the story is: marry a man who has a calm understanding of "the crazies" and the patience of Ghandi. (Warren Dyer is such a man - but too bad for you, he's taken.)
And secondly, always, ALWAYS, find out about your garbage disposal rules before you move in.

One Year ago, Today.

Dear Warren,

One year ago today - you made me your wife. There are so many amazing memories that I have of that day. Without a doubt - the absolute best day of my life. I want to keep these memories safe forever - to share with our children and our children's children.

Do you remember waking up on the morning of the wedding filled with nervousness and expectation?
Do you remember getting ready with your groomsmen? I was getting ready with my bridesmaids - having my hair styled and my make up done, while you were standing all cool and calm in another guest house on the property – standing in the sunshine with your sunnies having pictures with your groomsmen? I bet you definitely had a cold beer or two to quell the nerves.

Do you remember me telling you about the gorgeous gift Keri had made for me – a box of messages from all my favourite people – wishing us the most beautiful journey ahead? Yours was the last letter in the pile. I was sobbing well before then. I was eating Futurelife cereal and coffee with my mom's rusks. Jaclyn, one of my bridesmaids - had made me a survival kit - there was a Jungle Oats bar in it - along with other treasures (like straws - so that that our lipstick wouldn't rub off when we drank our champagne). I ate that Jungle Oat bar and half a banana when I was having my make up done. I'm not sure why I'm telling you that. It felt like everything I ate digested in 20 seconds, my tummy was filled with so many butterflies.
Do you remember me telling you how stressed I was when I saw your mom sobbing – like I had done something wrong, or that something I had done, had upset her? I asked my bridesmaids to please find out what I had possibly done to make her so sad. I was so anxious and thought that I would never be able to go through with this marriage if this is how your mother felt. I couldn't understand it - it started making me so stressed. My bridesmaids spoke to your mom and reassured me that everything was all fine and that I shouldn't worry. I remember only later – your dad coming to me and telling me that one of her closest friends had passed away the night before.
Do you remember the photographer snapping pics of you and your groomsmen lined in with your sunnies on? He came to snap some pics of me and my bridesmaids and some with my mom and I getting ready. I wish I had those photos.

Do you remember sending a gift to me with one of my bridesmaids? - the most gorgeous Swarovski bracelet - The tears were very threatening when I opened your note and that beautiful gift. Everything was just so overwhelming. My brother came into my room - to ask me to help him put on his bow tie that I had bought for him. I'm so happy that he came to me to ask me to help him put it on for him. Of course, he could do it himself. But he came to me, to ask me to help. It was such a special moment.
Do you remember arriving at the chapel? I am sure you would have been well on time. I'm sure you would have made sure that every window in the chapel was open - so that you wouldn't be too warm in your suit. I arrived at the church with my dad and my mom and my uncle John - who was driving our bridal cars - some Landrovers with big white ribbons. My parents were getting edgy in the car - emotions run high - it's the very nature of the day. The bridesmaid arrived just before me and they were sorting out the flower girls. It was so good to be able to fully rely on my girls to make sure that things just ran smoothly.
Do you remember me walking down the aisle? I was so overwhelmed with emotion – Florence was filling the chapel with her beautiful voice and our love filled all the spaces between. The chapel was full. The chapel was filled. The music brought back all those memories over so many years - us dancing in the rain at Redding Festival - the trip that helped us decided that this was it.
Do you remember me walking down the aisle with tears streaming down my face – do you remember me telling you that my dad was bouncing down the aisle with me – determined to keep me from crying and telling me funny jokes all the way down the aisle  - I heard them all – but I never listened to a single one -  I only heard the incredible music in my soul and the drumming of my heart. Even as I write this, I can feel tears in my eyes and my heart burning with love.

Do you remember me getting nearer to you – I saw your eyes brimming with tears and it made my heart explode. Do you remember my dad giving you a hug? It was my breaking point.

Do you remember your mom, whispering loudly from the side at you – to “Look up, Warren! Look UP! Look up!” It was useless - the tears fell. I loved you in that moment more than any before.
Do you  remember looking over at me in my white dress and telling me how incredible I look? I knew you weren’t lying because you spoke it in your eyes.
Do you remember the Minister starting the service and do you remember me having that momentary panic – a panic that was very real and very claustrophobic that felt like all the walls were bearing down on me – then you turned and looked at me and whispered, “are you ok?” and you squeezed my hand – and that made everything all ok. I breathed. And I breathed you in.
Do you remember the Minister talking about the three different types and gods of love, Eros, Agape, Philos  - and I remember thinking in that moment, that I wanted to make a beautiful canvas out of those words. – I remember telling you that.
Do you remember when the Minister asked if there were any objections from the crowd – or any reason these two could not possible be joined in marriage – do you remember me turning round to death stare the crowd? Everyone laughed. The mood of the congregation lifted after that. That was one of our moments.

Do you remember thinking, "wow this is all going so fast" – we are so soon about to be married, that it's going too quickly, that it will soon be over? That we should slow down, breathe. Take in every moment. And we did.
Do you remember the lyrics we sang and the vows we spoke? The promises we made to each other in front of all the people who mean the world to us.
Do you remember promising to love me for ever, to hold me forever? Do you remember me promising to love you in good times and in bad times, in sickness and in health.
Do you remember when he asked you to kiss the bride  - You had discussed with me on several occasions how you were unsure exactly HOW to kiss the bride on her wedding day – a short sweet kiss, a full blown passion-session, a tilted back bend neck back? Our kiss was perfect - full of love.
Do you remember the Snow Patrol song playing and the congregation leaving the charge (not without some prompting – from us). Just say Yes - the lyrics were so beautiful in that moment - and all I did was want to breathe you in. We were last to leave the church which gave us those few beautiful first moments together as husband and wife. I loved that time.
Do you remember those few beautiful moments together? You asked me if I was ok and I honestly replied with, “for a second there -  I really wasn’t sure” - you said you knew. You squeezed my hand and whispered to me so that I could hear your voice, because you knew that that was all I needed.
Do you remember walking out to the screaming shouts of people throwing rose petals on us in excitement?! The rose petals that your mom had collected for us - from her amazing garden.
Do you remember the sheer number of people that we had to meet and greet and kiss and chat to and smile for. It was so overwhelming that so many people had come to celebrate us. I felt so grateful for everyone. It was humbling.
Do you remember how we started getting our family shots together - my family, your family, our families all together.  Those funny fisherman-serious shots! I will keep those "photos" in my mind forever.
Do you remember all the little flower girls getting ready for their shot together? – with the littlest of littles NOT wanting to be in the picture because (her dress was the wrong colour/ her hair was wrong/ her shoe was not on properly) I have no idea what it was, but it was making our photographer antsy. We couldn't wait around forever for her. She'll have her day.
Do you remember telling everyone to make their meander to some of the pubs that we’d put on the meander route card for them to stop over in! Some people were confused - but I think they had great fun stopping off at the different pubs!
Do you remember our couple shoot starting? We wanted some champers to celebrate – of course you had organised it. Of course you had.
Do you remember popping champagne and sipping and "cheersing" as a new Mr and Mrs?

Do you remember us taking some bridal party pics. Near the fountains. We were all put into our places, we were told exactly what to do. We just wanted to have fun, be crazy, celebrate.
Do you remember our photographer running away with our rings…for like…. a long time. We were beginning to wonder if he had run off with them or made some kind of replica. (we should probably check that)
Do you remember the bridal party leaving and you and I were left to enjoy our time together and have our couple shoot?
Do you remember our photographer trying to get his perfect shots – Do you remember that he made me hold a hydrangea and me saying to you, "Warr, why does he want me to hold this? It had nothing to do with our wedding at all?! I made the most gorgeous flower golden coppers made from paper – let me rather hold those!? You replied with , “Right when he’s about to take the pictures – shove those hydreangeas in my face!” I did. I loved you so much right then. We laughed.We laughed our heads off at your hydrangea face. Our photographer did not like this. Do you remember he asked us to stop doing that.” We did it again because we wanted fun happy moments to celebrate our wedding! Such young rebellious lovers! ha! Those pictures would have been hilarious.
Do you remember walking down the lane of trees in Michaelhouse with me as your bride?
Do you remember swinging me round, carrying me, twirling me in the air- with my dress trailing behind us, me jumping on your back and kissing your neck and just being so, so in love. So filled with excitement and love and emotion. It was all so beautiful. I remember thinking how gorgeous these pictures would be.
Do you remember an Afrikaans man popping his head over the hedge telling us he had a wooden yellow bakkie that we could use – we were SO keen! I don't think the photographer was so keen  – he was worried about the time - but we persuaded him. We climbed into the back of this yellow wooden bakkie - you in your wedding suit and me in my wedding dress in the back of a bright yellow bakkie. We laughed. right through the window of this yellow wooden bakkie. It was awesome.
Do you remember that school directions sign we stood next to, for a photo – me next to the kitchen sign - lol. We laughed - me in the kitchen - like that is ever going to happen.

Do you remember suddenly realising that we did not have a car to take us back to Netherwood? We had no other choice but to get a lift with the photographers – we jumped into their car with about 300 bottles of water - which we couldn't really figure out. We chatted as we bumbled our way to Netherwood. Using the shortcut. I remember one of my friends Sarah - told me that she was sure she had seen us arriving in the little skadonk car - but no - the bride and groom couldn't possibly be arriving in that car!
Do you remember arriving at the venue with everyone out on the lawn in the most glorious sunset, bathed in golden red lights.
Do you remember having so many people to talk to and people to see. Being so busy! Fun busy!
Do you remember me helping you sort out all the sudden different changed table seatings for your mom's friend who had passed away – it was a quick panic while everyone else was outside having canapés. There were so many people who wanted to see us and talk to us, but I was there right next to you inside, to help you. So were your groomsmen. Do you remember how you weren't sure as to whether or not to mention it in your speech? Your dad told you no - to just let it be.
Do you remember eating "KFC" out the bucket, just like we did on the first night we met? Those canapés were so good!
Do you remember the photographer stealing us away to get some gorgeous sunset shots - we ran up the hill and stood next to a rickety barbed-wire fence with the sky washed pink behind us. You kissed my neck, it was beautiful. We don't have those pictures - but they will be in my mind forever.
Do you remember everyone gathering around the side of the building where your dad began his speech about Mondi paper farm and how the dad's had contrived to plant us a tree that would flourish as long as the years of our love.
Do you remember planting the tree – me in my beautiful white dress, digging up dirt - renewing the resources we had depleted in the creation of all our wedding stationery - lol!
Do you remember the guests being ushered in and us being told to go to the front entrance?
Do you remember waiting out there for so long that we actually thought that everyone had forgotten about us? We just wanted to get inside and celebrate with everyone. But we did enjoy those few moments alone.
Do you remember when we were finally called – we pushed the door so hard but it got stuck in the carpet – we were literally trapped outside our own wedding – I resorted to a "banging" on the door like a real cartoon character! The door was glass- everyone could see us being trapped - they were all laughing - laughing with love. Your face went bright pink.

Do you remember when we eventually made it in and our beautiful entry song Hey Ho came on and we did a mini impromptu dance right there on the dance floor!

Do you remember when we got to our chairs we didn't know what to do and everyone was clapping so we clapped with them. It took us about two minutes (and a small whisper from my maid of honour, Kerry) before we realised that everyone was actually waiting for us to sit down so that the proceedings could begin. haha.
Do you remember the MC Mike talking about my dad and how fashionable his lime green pants looked this evening? He made reference to my dad's epic colour blindness. It was so funny.
Do you remember how each song played to announce each speaker - Blake's song was Scatman's world. Mine was Strawberry Lips, Yours was Muzik. That song really does remind me of you.
Do you remember my brother's toast – he speaks so well and you know what? - his entire speech was delivered off a spider diagram. We had a whole betting game at the ceremony - do you remember? Where our guests had to mark off which things they thought would happen, "The groom will cry - Yes or No, The bridesmaids will touch their hair - Yes or No" - the list went on. Blake announced it so well - "Did the groom cry? Yes - like a little girl." He has a sharp wit that brother of mine. The only person who got all bets right was Mel Mackay - she came up to collect her bottle of Amaruala.
Do you remember my dad's speech – they are so very happy that I have found you. They love you with all their big hearts and welcome you so warmly into my family.

Do you remember your best man's speech? Bloggs was so amazing. He spoke about your epic sandwich making skillz. haha.

Do you remember our first dance? That feeling of NAILED IT. We had only had 90 minutes of lessons and no way to practice together - since we were mostly on other sides of the world. I loved being lifted in your arms. I loved how you guided me through it - even though mostly we were whispering the steps to each other - we totally nailed it.
Do you remember dancing with me – and me randomly coming up to you and saying – I have only had one glass of wine – I am so sober – but I feel like Im on the most incredible HIGH! I can’t even explain it. I didn’t need to explain it – because you knew exactly what I meant. You hugged me.
Do you remember when Mumford and sons came on - I will wait - It was the second most emotional part of my day after walking down the aisle. Those lyrics are everything that is you and I - We danced, we sang those words, I cried.
Do you remember my speech? – how blessed and how privileged I am that you waited for me – even when I told you not to. Even when the signs weren’t sure – you stuck by what you knew you wanted. Thank you for having that blind faith in us. Thank you.
Do you remember your speech that made me cry. And made me laugh when you got ALL your genders mixed up and the next thing my dad is a girl and so is my brother and so are you. I laughed. You had no idea. I loved you even more. The loving words you said with be in my heart always.
Do you remember how handsome you looked? Your suit was so smart with those waistcoats, the groomsmen looked so awesome - and they loved their initials embroidered onto the cuffs. Well done, you did so well.

Do you remember Rafe pulling out his sexxay dance moves – the moment when Sally accidentally poured wine poured onto my head and into my eye. Do you remember me rushing to the bathroom with wine in my eye and a towel in my hand. You and my mother sorted it out, clipped back my wine-hair, dried my eyes and the party went on.

Do you remember the photographer catching me on the toilet.  (he totes didn’t catch me on the toilet – my mother called him)

Do you remember the next thing on the dance floor were a group of guys with their pants down, whatever song it was that triggers the pants-down-fiasco-of-grown-men. Do you remember that I thought it would be a grand idea to infiltrate and be the single (not-so-single) lady in the middle of the hustle. I weaseled my way into the MAN circle and when you finally joined all the men you were more surprised than anyone to see your pretty wife, in the middle of an IMPI stomp surrounded by a circle of semi clad men. You joined in. You whistled, you stomped with all the men.
Do you remember when we snuck into the kitchen to thank the kitchen staff – that was super special – they loved it.
Do you remember my push up competition with Stu Prior – do you remember me taking him down - and in a 5 kilogram wedding dress, I will add. You saw, you came over, you got down, you cheered for your wife.
Do you remember when Karl - all the way from Australia, began an impromptu fire show on the grass outside - juggling flaming bottles all of a sudden came out of nowhere, he showed off his cocktail bar flair. Our wedding had everything.

Do you remember our breakdancing flower girls? Actual. Real Frekken Breakdancing. The worm, the headstands, the everything.
 
Do you remember dancing like a wild child on the dance floor with me?! Swinging me, dipping me kissing me? Do you remember at one stage, you with your pants down – it was probably the Impi song from before, and I dragged you off to the photographer for a good shot (straight passed your mother – which looked incredibly dubious, since I was leading you outside into the dark with your pants around your ankles). We don't have a single normal-looking professional shot of the two of us together on our wedding day - but we do have plenty with me with my tongue out and several which look like I took your pants off right on the dance floor. Perfect.

Do you remember Matt - shot guy? Everyone remembers shot guy!
Do you remember our photographer coming to us and saying that he had got all his shots, but that our wedding was so much fun - would we mind if he stayed on and had a drink with everyone? Of course we didn't mind.Do you remember my bridesmaid having a fight with her boyfriend?
Do you remember the end of the night, where everyone was so sad to leave and the DJ kept playing and the bar kept going. But the lights had to come up some time  – but the magic never left – the magic went in us – in our spirit, in the love, in the fun, in the friendships, in the family, in the love of that day, with us, in our hearts - stored forever.

Do you remember walking back up to the main house with me hand in hand?
Do you remember trying to get my very intricate knot-and-lacing system undone. You were so close to giving up. IN fact I thought you were going to get over it completely. I even offered you a knife. Do you remember? 

Do you remember sinking into the completely contented arms of your new wife? I can't believe a whole year has passed since that most special day ever, it feels like yesterday.

Warren, do you remember all those things, one year ago today - for now and for always? 

I do.

Inside boys cupboards.

We've just got back from a short stay at Warr's folks house - it was so lovely to have some time with his folks. As you can imagine, we spent a good few hours snooping looking in all the drawers and cupboards in Warr's old high-school room to check out all the hidden treasures. I particularly enjoyed his "high-school-boy cupboard collages". You know the kind of thing: stuck up Prefects Pledges right below disciplinary hearings (naughty boy). Tons of old school pics, rugby team pics, high school cricket team pics, party invitations, international school exchange badges, school ball invitations and letters from old girlfriends. (lols)


Since it's "Throwback Thursday" I thought I would whack these up - just to show you what an absolute Kool Kat I have married - (I believe these pics are circa 2001.)


We also measured the man against his height chart and we are delighted to announce that he has grown approximately 1.5cm in the last 13 years. Well done Warren.

(please note: Junior Bob Card, bottom left)

We also found a massive bag filled with a stash of letters, notes and cards that I wrote to Warr when we first parted ways (at the end of his last year at University) and he went to Austria on a ski season. We haven't actually opened this bag yet (it's crammed full!) and I'm so excited to read all these old love letters - because I am sure there will be some gems in there! Will definitely fill you in when we've been through them!



Over dinner one night, his mom told me that right after Warren had met me, she got a call from him saying, "Mom, I don't know what to do. I have met someone who is awesome and I really like - but I know I'm leaving University at the end of the year and she's only in second year. I don't know if I should even get involved."

His mom replied, "I can't help you make this decision... but all I can say is, Follow your heart."

Thank goodness for moms.
x

The Gratitude Run

 I had an amazing experience last night.

Before I begin this post, I'd like to state that this is not a "boast post". This is not a "EVERYBODY COME SEE HOW GOOD I LOOK!". This is not a "I'm better than you, suckers!" post.

But last night, I went for a run.

Let me add - I enjoy running. I run and I enjoy it. But for the most part I usually find the actual running pretty tough. I try to run as often as I can - but it's never too far. When I (rarely) hit the 5km mark - I'm pretty chuffed.

So last night when Warr (who knows how good exercise is for my soul) was working late and messaged me to say I should go for a short run (his message read 3.9km exactly) I was all like "meh" but eventually laced up my shoes and dragged myself out the door.

Around the 3km mark - (and realising I only had 0.9km to go to reach "the goal") something inside me shifted. It was as if something in my mind said to me, "If Warren asks for a 3.9km run. Then that's what you should give him. In fact, you should always give him what he asks of you, and everything else you've got." 4kms came and went. 5kms came.

It could have been the new music playlist (or Warren's earphones that I'd swiped off the bedside table), but something felt different. And - strangely, not in my feet, not in my muscles, not in my legs, and not in my shoes. The difference was in my mind.

5.5kms came and 5.5kms went.

Something in my mind clicked over to the beat of the music and I began to think of all the things I am grateful for: I am grateful for my husband, I am grateful for this air on my face, I am grateful for this run, right now. And the list of gratefulness became a mantra:

I am grateful for the lighter evenings
I am grateful that it's getting warmer
I am grateful for my family
I am grateful for my father who is so loving and magnanimous
I am grateful for my mother for her strong mind and for being so caring
I am grateful for my brother  - for his witty chirps and his generous spirit
I am grateful that I am young
I am grateful that I am healthy
I am grateful that I get to wake up to my dream man every day
I am grateful for the talents that I have
I am grateful for my wit and my humour
I am grateful for the power in my legs that are carrying me through this run
I am grateful for a roof over my head
I am grateful for food to eat
I am grateful for a husband who believes in me through everything
I am grateful for having the most beautiful wedding
6kms
I am grateful for being able to pursue my dreams
I am grateful for yoga
I am grateful for meditation and the world it's opened for me
I am grateful for friends like Lulu who introduced me to yoga
I am grateful for friends like Bobbi who taught me to crochet
I am grateful for the success of The Photo Hunt
I am grateful for all my friends named Kerry, Kerry, Keri
I am grateful for being able to hear
I am grateful for the music in my ears
I am grateful for our trip to Tomorrowland
I am grateful for our trip home in two weeks
I am grateful for my parents coming to visit in June
I am grateful for our trip with them to Portugal
I am grateful to have such amazing parents-in-law who love me so much
I am grateful to have such amazing sisters-in-law
I am grateful to have such wonderful aunts and uncles
I am grateful to have such awesome nieces and nephews and cousins
7kms
I am grateful to have a man who treats me with nothing but love and respect
I am grateful to have dated someone who did not treat me very well - because it taught me a lot about myself
I am grateful for the growth I have seen in myself this year
I am grateful for puppies (I don't even own a puppy - what?)
I am grateful for my friend Angie who loves puppies
I am grateful for my friends Ings and Kristi who have recently lost their puppies :(
I am grateful for good books
I am grateful that I've stopped thinking about puppies
I am grateful for good literature, good poetry, good music
I am grateful for my blog and all the opportunities it has brought me
I am grateful for all the readers and people I have met through blogging
I am grateful to be able to make people laugh
I am grateful to be able to share my thoughts, words, pictures, cartoons with the world
I am grateful for all the things I have achieved in my life
8kms

At the 8km mark - I ran right passed our house.
Let me say that again  -
After 8 kilometres of running, I intentionally ran RIGHT PASSED our house.
Yes, my knees were screaming and my legs were tired, but my mind had so many more things to be grateful for - and - when your mind is happy - your body is too. So I kept running.

I am grateful that I am not in a wheelchair
I am grateful that I have legs that are strong and a heart that pumps blood
I am grateful for nature, for the things around us that we overlook every day
I am grateful for my husband and how hard he works for us
I am grateful for our future - and whatever lies ahead
I am grateful for weekends
I am grateful for any special time or ordinary time that we spend together
I am grateful for the love I have for him
I am grateful that we live right next to a beautiful park
I am grateful for my friends Shelly and Noo and how much I admire them
I am grateful that we live on the doorstep of one of the most vibrant cities in the world
I am grateful for all the cool places to go and the things to see and the stuff to do
I am grateful for the Summer time coming soon
I am grateful for our Sunday traditions
I am grateful for red wine and couch days
I am grateful for the way I was brought up
I am grateful for the school I went to
I am grateful that I went on an international exchange
I am grateful for all the traveling that I have done
I am grateful for all the experiences I have had
I am grateful that I am living my dream and for the husband who encourages me to pursue it
I am grateful for friendships
I am grateful for my family
I am grateful for love
I am grateful for Warren

I am grateful for life.

I will be honest with you - somewhere around the 7km mark - 

I noticed tears streaming down my face.
Not from my aching knees or my tired muscles - but from the complete overwhelming gratitude I have for being alive.

And it felt amazing.

(by "fastest 10km - it really means "pretty much the only 10km")

(and just so you know - this run was completely out the blue. I have not been "training" or on any special program or anything like that.)


What my newfound LOVE for yoga/meditation/gratitude is teaching me - is that the most powerful thing in your life - is your mind. And you have no idea how far it will take you, until you allow it to. And not in the way of, "YOU WILL RUN SEVENTY-THOUSAND-KILOMETRES-BECAUSE-I-SAID-SO" but rather, in being open, being accepting. Taking a step back, being calmer, being more peaceful - and simply letting your mind into that new gentle space and just letting it do it's thing.

So my challenge for you, if you would like it, 

is to let gratefulness be your running mantra and then
 Run until you run out of things to be grateful for.

and just see what happens

* * * * * 

And then I poured my soup directly on the counter

Because you can't win everything.

lol.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!
any exciting plans?

x

The Progression of a beard

It all began soon after Movember... Once we had waved a FOND farewell to the horrific mouth-eyebrow, I  casually exclaimed, "Wow you look SO much better without a mustache but.... I wonder what you would look like with a beard?" Well. Let me tell you...
Husband took this as a DIRECT CHALLENGE to grow as much face-hair as humanly possible.

Now let me first state that I do in fact really like the rough-man-beard effect. Five o-clock shadow?  Bring it! Unshaven rugged man look - HIGH FIVE. But over the last few weeks, I have come to realise that there are very definitive stages to the progression of a beard - and I felt like with husband's epic beard growth - we accelerated straight to Stage 6.
 

BEHOLD: Taliban Beard Man - 

On a few occasions this month there has only been one word used to describe this massive face-growth beard:

IMPRESSIVE.

There was a stage just before TALIBAN that looked very Ben Affleck. I wish I had snapped a few shots of the sexy-inbetween phase.

I am happy to report that TALIBAN-beard has disappeared since two days ago - (even after I was beginning to worry that The Warr was getting WAY too attached to it). I do have a sneaky feeling that this isn't the last time The Beard makes an appearance. I actually couldn't believe how YOUNG he looked after having his beard for so long and then shaving it all off! In fact I remarked on it so many times that I think The Man now thinks that it would be a fabulous idea to grow an epic beard every single month.

I'll keep you posted.