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So I’m continuing my annual #12daysxmas blogging challenge this year, and my theme for 2017/2018 is ‘gratitude’. Each day for 12 days, I’m explaining one thing that occurred in each month, that I’m grateful for. Today’s month? August 🙂

In August both Miss12 and Miss9 competed in the Sunshine Coast Women’s and Girls Chess tournament. It was a hotly contested field of 35 competitors, and Miss10’s first ever tournament. Plus, she was sick; and for someone who doesn’t get sick all that often, she was feeling quite unwell.

Nevertheless, she took out her age division, and is currently the Under10 Girls Champion. She was ecstatic, as was I. And as for Miss12? Not only did she win her division as well (Under12 Girls Champion) but she also took out the Schoolgirls Champion – as in, she’s the top schoolgirl chess player on the Coast!

So looking back on August, that’s the one day I’m grateful for. That my daughters got to experience success. Huge success. And that’s not something that happens every day.

How about you, dear Reader? Do you have any success stories from August?

And have a lovely day!

KRidwyn

So I’m continuing my annual #12daysxmas blogging challenge this year, and my theme for 2017 is ‘gratitude’. Each day for 12 days, I’m explaining one thing that occurred in each month, that I’m grateful for. Today’s month? July 🙂

Thinking about July makes me smile.

You see, I have a friend who I’ve known since January 2002, when I first started working at my current place of employment. She and I started as colleagues, but over the course of time became friends. And she has always been a large girl. But in July this year, I finally worked up the courage to invite her to join my gym.

Once she recovered from the shock, she accepted.

So over the July school holidays,she commenced a five day trial. We tried a number of classes together. It was the first time I had attempted Pilates; the first time she had tried BootyBarre. Some classes were good, others not so much, but that was to be expected.

However, at the end of the five days, she bit the bullet and joined the gym with me!

Now that was fantastic, but the best bit is? That six months later, she is still coming to the gym with me!

So she is my reason for being grateful in July. Was there someone who made your July special this year, I wonder?

And have a great day, dear Reader!

KRidwyn

So I’m continuing my annual #12daysxmas blogging challenge this year, and my theme for 2017 is ‘gratitude’. Each day for 12 days, I’m explaining one thing that occurred in each month, that I’m grateful for. Today’s month? March 🙂

In March, again it was a child’s birthday that I remember being most grateful for.

This time, it was Mr7’s turn. Also in his new school, I wasn’t sure he would know enough people to invite to his birthday party. Being autistic, a new environment is not particularly conducive for the making of friendships.

It turned out, though, that he had more friends in year four than in his own class of year three! And so we had the party, some new friends turned up, and an old one did as well. What’s more, he enjoyed it, and that was more than enough for me. 🙂

How about you, dear Reader? Did something which you were extremely worried about, this year, work out for you in the end?

And have a great day!

KRidwyn

It’s November 27. I normally resist festooning my surroundings with Christmas decorations, but seeing as there’s only one week left until school holidays, I figured it was probably timely to get into the Christmas spirit and decorate my house and office.

As well, it’s timely to reflect on the school year that was, and prepare for the year to come. What with Award Ceremonies and Presentation Nights, formals and graduations, the past month has flown past. But my ‘parents of teenagers’ group, last Friday night, asked me how my year had gone, and I actually paused to think before answering.

My response? I’ve loved this year. It’s been a steeper learning curve than I had anticipated, however I’ve loved the journey, and no, I’m not just saying that through gritted teeth, trying to convince myself. I am loving my job; I am loving my life.

I have hope for the future – I have plans which I’d like to bring to fruition, and I can look back on the year that’s been and see God’s incredible provision and grace in every area of my life.

That’s not to say that everything’s gone swimmingly. (Gotta love that adverb!)

There have been days – quite a few of them, I admit – where I’ve thrown up my hands in frustration and questioned my sanity in doing what I’m doing.

But I’m relaxing into my role, my identity, and my life, once more. I think that’s what being ‘at home’ allows you to do.

And I feel ‘at home’ in my life. In my work; in my role as wife and Mum.

And that makes me smile.

How about you, dear Reader? How has 2017 been for you?

– KRidwyn

Let me just preface this post by mentioning that this Wednesday (ie two days from now) I’ll be up on stage in front of my entire school community. Hundreds of people will see me, and hear what I have to say. This kind of occasion happens only twice per year, at our Presentation (Awards) Night and in early February – the beginning of the school year – at our Commemcement Service. And, just in case you were wondering, yes: twice a year is indeed two times more than I’m comfortable with!

That being said, I went to the gym early last Wednesday morning. Alone in the ladies workout room, the thought crossed my mind that I could use the roller (which I only use when I’m alone) and aim for some core muscles. Do I did.

Then a second thought happened. ‘I wonder how far back I can go?’

Unfortunately my Science teacher friend, who regularly comes to the gym with me, wasn’t there to remind me about laws of momentum, nor angles nor weight distribution. [Admittedly, if she was, I wouldn’t have tried it.] So I pulled the roller towards me, the momentum carried my hands too far, I overbalanced, and then face-planted over the top of the roller, into the rough gym carpet. The amount of immediate pain was incredible. I thought I’d smashed my cheekbones and nose in! I hadn’t, but it sure felt bad.

Then – and only then – the final thought flitted through my head. 

“I’m going to up on stage next week, and everyone’s going to see.”

Sigh.

There have been, of course, multiple conversations since then, with family, colleagues, students and parents, about what I’d done to myself to get that massive mark on my face (luckily the mark on my nose was not so obvious due to contours etc) so withvthe numerous explanations, I’ve also had the chance to see the funny side and to laugh at myself.

Good practice for Wednesday night, methinks, if my face hasn’t healed in time!

Oh well. Live and learn.

Have yourselves a great week, dear Reader!

– KRidwyn

A friend from work asked me what book I’d read on my recent Fraser Island holiday. It took me a while to remember the title [My Grammar and I; or should that be me?] because quite a lot has happened in my life since then. He laughed, then when I mentioned that the preceding week I’d read A Dance With Dragons (Games of Thrones book 6) and since then have read Thirteen Reasons Why and am currently in Act IV of Ibsen’s Peer Gynt, he looked rather startled. His comment? Well, you certainly read widely!

That I do. I love it. The way I see it, I’ve got just one life to live. And if I want to drink deeply, and suck all the marrow out of this life that I’ve been given, the best way is to live vicariously through the words of others; through the stories they tell and through the lives they’ve lived.

What was it that George R.R.Martin said?

I agree wholeheartedly.

So that’s my take for this morning. I’m looking to finish Peer Gynt shortly, which is great because I may actually be making some headway on my #TBR pile! Woohoo!

How about you, dear Reader? Besides this *scintillating* (ha!) blog o’ mine, what tales are you devouring at the moment ?

And have a wonderful week!

– KRidwyn

So the three cherubs and I enjoyed our school’s Fete the other day. Starting after school on Friday, it finished that evening with fireworks.

It was definitely a memorable occasion! They are, I’ve noticed, when there is a few ‘firsts’ involved…

It was the first time I’ve been at my school’s Fete without Hubby also there – normally working, but at least, there. This time, it was just me with Miss12, Miss9 and Mr8 – who all wanted to go off in different directions, of course. Making life – and supervision of these three precious lives God has entrusted to me – rather difficult.

It was the first time we’ve been to an evening Fete – in the past, it’s either been during the day, or we’ve left before the end of it. Again, that made supervision problematic!

It was the first time that Mr8 – and Miss9 too, for that matter – has been on a ‘big kids’ ride. He told me he wanted to go, and my heart skipped a beat. I honestly thought he wouldn’t be able to handle it – that with his autism, that he’d be so overwhelmed by all the lights, the music, the jolting of his body in strange directions, that he’d be screaming like a banshee and demanding to get off. But I watched him, heart in my throat, and he was smiling and laughing – and complaining when it was over! Fear disappeared; replaced by pride. He’s such an an awesome kid!

It was also the very first time that Miss9 and Mr8 had seen fireworks live. Miss12 had seen them as a toddler, but couldn’t remember. So this was a beautiful experience for all three – and for me, sharing it with them.

So, all in all, memorable evening – one which they’re keen to repeat. And that the best indicator of success, wouldn’t you agree?

My takeaway from the evening? That it all worked. That no matter it was just me trying to look out for three kids doing different things all at the same time, amongst crowds of people, in the dark; no matter that they hadn’t been on ‘big kids’ rides before, or seen and heard fireworks up close, God was in control and it was a good night, and I didn’t need to worry at all.

I think I may actually have come across that last bit before somewhere, you know. Maybe a Bible verse, about ‘not worrying’? There’s no point to it. Because worrying steals joy, and it doesn’t change the situation much at all!

Anyway, just my random thoughts this morning.

Have a great week, dear Reader!

– KRidwyn

This post was suggested by Miss12, and it’s about her favourite subject- animals.

You see, she’s had a bit of an awful track record when it comes to chickens. She’s had more than a dozen – and yet, for many and numerous reasons, she now only has three.

Chicken- keeping, for Miss12, has been fraught with pain and loss. However, she has persisted, and in spite of it all, she enjoys spending time with them, and hand-taming them where possible.

This persistence paid off this past weekend. We spent the two days in Brisbane, where she competed in the QLD Women’s and Girl’s Chess tournament. During a break, we walked out to a nearby oval, and she ate some popcorn. Then we both noticed some birds who’d flown near us, hoping for scraps.

Within 5 minutes, Miss12 had a magpie eat a piece of popcorn from her hand.

That’s my kid. The bird- whisperer.

It only happened due to Miss12’s persistence with bird training.

Oh, and she went great in the tournament too 🙂

Have a great week, dear Reader!

Today’s Monday, October 2nd. Here in Australia, it’d be the first day back of the final school term for the year – except that it’s a public holiday due to our celebration of the Queen’s birthday.

So in actual fact, it’s the last day of holidays.  Work resumes tomorrow. And my little control-freak mind is starting to do its thing.

I’m not usually *this* unprepared for the first day. I’m not usually *this* unmotivated about returning. But I find myself in the unusual state of feeling unprepared- indicative, perhaps, of the quality of break I’ve had.

It’s been wonderful. And it was oh, so needed!

My last break from school – where I got the mental break I needed, not just the physical one – was this time last year. Yup. Before I started the new job. Every term break since then, I’ve been either at work for parts of it, or working from home.

Not so much, this time. Heading to Fraser Island, with it’s almost complete lack of mobile and internet reception, assisted with this. So too, the vacation responder on my emails. I felt as though I could legitimately not check them, because everyone was informed of my absence.

Cue sighs of relief – and headspace away from work!

Not that I did nothing over the past two weeks. On the contrary – lots happened! But I’m reminded of God’s command regarding the Sabbath day, “do no regular work”, and that’s exactly what I did.

It felt great!

Now though, for today only, I’m going to let myself panic just a little. And then, in that panic, get motivated.

Fast! I have an eight-lesson day tomorrow!

Have a great week yourself, dear Reader 🙂

– KRidwyn