Time for a good Read ...

It's with excited and great pleasure I introduce you to an old and dear friend - Jacq aka 'Book worm' aka 'Hit the Road Jacq'.  As I have had some requests about 'talking' books and book clubs I asked Jacq to get our 'book worm' juices flowing with some book suggestions. Thinking most of you like me are juggling many different hats some don't want to waste precious time on crappy books. 

This Mama is trying to read something other than books about toilet training, toddler tantrums and enrolment packs for school, thank you Jacq for your time your blog was a 'great read' and the beginning of reading 'wonderful' and 'fabulous' and not shades of Grey...

It’s every compulsive reader’s dream, to nab a job in a bookshop… And after selling my soul to media for fifteen years it was pure papered bliss!

BUT - When it comes to recommending great reads, I just don’t know where to start! So how about I ramble, I’m sure if you take a wander with me, you’ll find something on the shelves that will intrigue and enable an escape into something wonderful!

Romance: This section in the bookshop is strictly for what is termed as the ‘Bodice rippers’ although on the bottom shelf (now moved to the top) you’ll find your erotica…. The Fifty Shades phenomenon, and let’s face it… The now highest selling paperback ever released on to the market is paving the way for similar reads like Destined to Play, Haven of Obedience, Bared to You and Eighty Yellow Days. Romance is in almost every book from SciFi to Literature, so for myself, I prefer just a really good read.

Top on the list of really good reads are Cutting for Stone, The Dovekeepers, The Housemaid’s Daughter and A Lady Cyclist’s Guide to Kashgar. All are beautifully written, tick all the boxes and I’ve yet to hear a negative remark about them.

Mystery and Crime is another brilliant genre that has so many different facets… Good mystery could be Goddard’s Into The Blue, or if you like something a little more immersed in history CJ Samson’s Dissolution. If you want something of a faster pace try At Risk from MI5’s very own Stella Rimmington… and don’t get me started on the amazing Scandinavian Crime that’s available, that’s only scraping the surface!

For girlie light reading, I’m a bit over the whole ‘girl leaves everything behind and yet all falls into place including a gorgeous new guy’ blarney – as if! Janet Evanovich, however, has Stephanie Plum: An accident prone Bounty Hunter by default, just trying to make a buck – and that to me is a sweeter story than some of the saccharine on the shelves, though if you do like girly reads Monica McInerney, Jane Green, Lucy Diamond, Marion Keyes and Cathy Kelly are all still turning them out!

Non-fiction: Well I ought to go on about the amazing Boy Who Wouldn’t Die, or the incredible tale in Marching Powder… But for me the flavour of the month is Japanese Papercraft! Seriously, trying to settle down with the Grott Monsters and do origami was more like committing hara kiri (seppuku)! This book, not only has the right paper in the back, at the right size, but at last instructions that even I can follow – It gets this month’s two very enthusiastic thumbs up.

And as for a favourite...? Well do you know your Austen, Dickens and Shakespeare? Would you like to have your mind twisted and taken for a ride? It’s not to everyone’s taste, so if you’re brave try your luck with Jasper Fforde’s The Eyre Affair and you’ll never look at books, or dodos, the same way again.

      

You can follow Jacq on her website www.hittheroadjacq.com.au or her facebook page  http://www.facebook.com/HitTheRoadJacq

We love sharing so please comment with your favourite book of all time.

FH

Living out of the clean laundry basket...

Night time - Kids in bed - Dinner done - Dishes done - Curled up on the couch sipping my tea and watching Offspring.  
It's chilli so I have my warm daggy red socks on and my nanna robe feeling lusciously cosy. 
Ad break comes on and my brain kicks back in, should I be doing something? 
Oh what is it? 
Hurry up ads life is catching up, so I flick. I secretly know what it is I should be doing but need this denial to last a little longer.  
It was such a long day, the rain poured and my boys got more and more restless which therefore resulted in wrestling - tears - nagging!  

Tonight I am sick of my voice, sick of my brain and sick of looking at my clean washing basketS! 
Is that what I SHOULD be doing, folding washing? 
So what do I do?
I put them in the other room and close the door!
What's wrong with living out of the clean washing basket anyway.
Back into denial land I go with Offspring and my cup of tea.  
Ain't life grand when you make decisions to just please yourself!


FH

Learning the language of love is still on track!

From our fabulous friend - Mama Bec:

Ciao A tutti

Well it has been 2 weeks since I first got it out there that I want to study Italian and I have made a little progress.  Admittedly I am still in revision stage – but to be honest I am amazed I’ve even got this far!  (I seriously don’t know where I found the time to organize a wonderful wedding in just 10 weeks – where did all that ‘spare’ time come from – I certainly can’t find it now) But I have managed to squeeze in a bit of study here and there.  In fact I have just completed Unit 1 – that’s 6 lessons people!

So how IS she doing it? I hear you ask!  Don’t leave us in suspense a minute longer!!! Have you ever heard of an online learning tool called Livemocha – probably not!!  I stumbled across it via some group deal, which I thought would be a cheap and non – committal way of getting the ball rolling with this language learning idea.   And it is actually quite a fun way of doing it.  It’s a little like the ABC Reading egg for kids only there are no animated creatures singing to me after each level.  But I do get very encouraging words like Well Done and Share you progress with your friends!!  And I have lots of messages from people wanting to be my friend!  Not sure yet but it seems suspiciously like some kind of international dating and chat line so I haven’t yet braved responding to any requests to chat.  Think I need to work on my Italian conversational skills before I attempt to converse and possibly ward off potential suitors!  Each lesson has 4 sections.  

The learning bit with 40 sentences about the topic in question, the reviewing bit where you answer questions about what you have learned, and then a written exercise and an oral exercise that you record and send off into livemocha land to be judged and reviewed.  Haven’t figured out my mic yet so my recordings are all blank, but at least I do practice the spoken word, even if no-one can actually hear me!! And then I can review other peoples submissions which I think earns me more time, or mocha money or something.  I am too time poor at the moment to find out but once I become more confident with this system Ill try to help other people with their English study.

It’s very exciting! And now that I am at the next level I feel very encouraged.  I do need to be more persistent however.  Perhaps set a goal of a lesson a day, or perhaps 5 a week, or a level a week.  Something obtainable, but consistent.  This is what I will work on before the next installment of this blog.  And I’ve got some other ideas up my sleeve too, including an inspiring  Italian dinner at Il Solito Posto with some close friends… So stay tuned!

   

Oh and thanks to Andrea for the CIS tip - sounds perfect for Stage 2 of my Great Italian Project.  Might see you there in the (hopefully) not too distant future...

 

Bec

A cup of tea should be relaxing...

The rain pours outside, the kids snuggle in with a movie 
and this Mama has a second to herself.

As the kettle boils I start to think about all the things I need to do, 

from a peaceful moment of making a cup of tea it quickly turns into heart racing stress.

As I was recently faced with an 'inconvenience' that has left us in transition with our living circumstances it feels as though (in the last 2 months) I have lost some of the simple things that kept my household running smoothly.
I never realised how I was dependant of those things, until now. I'm talking small things like doing the washing on particular days so I don't have a tonne to do over the weekend, or having a meal planner on the fridge as a guide for when I am stuck, having a stock of frozen meals for the daycare days and I'm rushing home from work or getting a gym session in.
In life I believe we all have our routines of some sort and mine were small but very BIG in keeping my world at a level that when I make a cuppa I don't go into heart palpation and anxiety about all the things falling a part.  
There are some things I need to get back, simple things like organising my only bookcase at the moment, getting a meal planner up, allocating gym time.
All these things were in steady flow until everything was 'washed' away.
'Mama is gonna try' one by one and get these things back.
1. Organise bookcase to be work and home friendly - Shouldn't take long and I'm sure half the stuff in there is junk mail, bills to be filed and scrap bits of paper. There will be after shots so I am accountable.
2. Meal planner - 10 meals to rotate that EVERYONE will eat (mm is that another challenge?)
3. Home roster for cooking, cleaning, gym etc  - excel document
4. Gym Time - needs to be added to roster / calendar so there are no excuses.


Sipping my tea now with a lot more ease and calmness - 'really a cup of tea should be relaxing'...
I would love to see your meal planners, images of your organised bookcases/office or your rosters/calendars.. it always helps to have a guide, plus it's also nice to know that other people are doing similar things to keep their heads above water.




For those that have been asking - Yes I am still on the skate board 'my first challenge'.
I jump on when I can and love it, I will definitely be adding that to my roster/calendar.


thank you for your support.
FH

                          

Getting that list together...

I have been reading and chatting to people about the effects when trying new things..
Excitement, energised, motivated, inspired - you really have to love these words nothing NEG in there so no harm in trying something new!


Normally we choose something out of the ordinary for a new year resolution and sometimes are forgotten by January 3rd. This 'trying new things' regularly could quite possibly be a new way for us to take that leap.


I have started my LIST and will share it, it's in no particular order just random ideas that I definitely want to try.
My rule to myself is I can only try something new once I have achieved my previous challenge/goal. Not to say the I will be skating at skate parks on the half pipe but that I am confidentially boarding with no fear of falling.

• Surfing
• Perfecting my Italian conversation
• Baking and decorating a cake
• Running 12k without collapsing, ok let's start with 6k
• Moving house again without stressing out
• Performing in a local theatre group play 
• Singing lessons
• Trapeze 
• Re discovering my inner peace through meditation & Yoga
• Print and bind my Children's book I wrote a million years ago for my kids

As I write I get excited and more ideas appear, I will add to my list and would love you to send me yours... I will create another page 'The LISTS!'  your list could inspire someone else.


FH

Another Mama who is gonna try.. Italiano!!

I would like to introduce you to a Mama who is gonna try!

Bec - has graciously shared her next challenge with us. Bec is a mother of 3 girls, yes she is busy and very happy BUT wanted to do something for herself as well, something that she always thinks about.  

We will be following Bec's story and I have to say I AM EXCITED!

This Mamas Gonna Try... TO LEARN (and eat) ITALIAN(O)!

Right, so now that my wedding is out of the way, (the best wedding ever!) I have sooooo much spare time on my hands.  Ha ha. So I have decided, that in between school runs, kinder pick ups, toddler wrangling, play dates, arts n crafts, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, netball, paid part time work and domestic duties, I am going to master a language!!!  I need mental stimulation, a goal, a ME thing, and once I am fluent (or as close as I can get) I NEED a 2 week trip to Italy, with the kids at home safe and sound with their Dad – a challenge for us all!

Why Italian?  Well, OK I will be honest… I learnt a little at school, practiced a little when in Europe, so I already have the basics.  And now that my 6 year old is studying at School, I can hopefully help her – or more likely she will help me. And I lurve Italian food, I want to eat more, and I love Italys sights and sounds and life and soul, I can’t wait to go back, and I want to have a grown up adventure, so Italy, here I come… eventually…

Incentive – Check

Time – um check

Will power – check

HOW – hmmm, good question! Just how am I going to do this??

To be continued…

I am grateful for love, friendships, memories and cliché phrases!

As it is my birthday today I have come to realise that I am surrounded by love. . via social media, mobile phones, coffee shop announcements and cuddles I AM GRATEFUL.

Friendships all around me from the barista who makes my regular soy latte to my dear friend that can make me feel good where ever she is I AM GRATEFUL.

Memories that I can think of like a movie in my mind and give me a joyous smile FREE of charge I AM GRATEFUL.

Positive Cliché phrases for those days I need an extra nudge I AM GRATEFUL.

After recent weeks I am a changed woman.. for the better of course.

I see things with different eyes and want to be a better person for my own sanity and for everyone around me.

It is time to move forward and to start designing my families future with all the things I am grateful for in it!

I feel as though today is the beginning of my new future and feel quite excited and emotional about it. 

It takes too much energy to be in a slum and would rather use it for the treadmill.

Accountable to all my friends, family and fellow Mama’s – Mama is Gonna Try and WILL Succeed!

Today or tomorrow spread some love in any form you like, then contact a friend, remember a memory that makes you smile and top it off with a phrase below... ahhh just what the doctor ordered!

Have a brilliant day/week/month/year ... xx

Quitters never win and winners never quit

Behind the clouds, the sun is shining

Life goes on

Tomorrow’s another day

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade

It could be worse

There’s nothing to fear but fear itself

Every cloud has a silver lining

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

Time heals all wounds

Rome wasn’t built in a day

You have to love yourself before anyone else will

A watched pot never boils

Anything worth having is worth fighting for

When it rains, it pours

In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these

If at first you don’t succeed, redefine success

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain

There is truth in every Cliché

FH

Mama's Gonna try...

Hi friends

Apologies for my absence I am hoping it makes the heart grow fonder.
Recently my home was flooded right through and therefore: I along with my husband and 2 rug rats are homeless.
As it happened right before Easter we went on our already planned holiday and went into complete denial for 2weeks and it WAS FABULOUS! Photo to your right was my view everyday - fantastic therapy.
We are back now and need to pack everything so the house can be repaired

• Pack
• Move 
• then pack again in a few months
• and then move back... ahhhh 

To top off this undesirable circumstance I have no internet connection (to get into the blog) which is ironic as this is the time I would really need it most.  The motivation from TRYING new things and all your support through listening to all your stories and comments is just what I need. 
This week Mama is gonna get some sort of wireless connection at the temporary accommodation so I can get back in touch with all the inspiration and motivation I need right now.
Then I will jump on the skateboard this week and resume as if my life has not changed...
I may not be here for a couple of weeks until all the loose ends are tied but please stay in touch via here or our facebook page.
thanks  
FH

ahhh WHERE IS MY FACEBOOK?

Cut off - Naked - Despair - Confused

Some of the feelings I felt when I read the words:

Account temporarily unavailable

Your account is currently unavailable due to a site issue. We expect this to be resolved shortly. Please try again in a few hours.

This is what popped up when I tried to log onto my facebook account this evening.

>insert absolute freak outttttttttttttttt<

We joke about it but IS IT true?

Can we live without it?

FACEBOOK

In my world I have several business pages, plus I admin a few for people. It is also a networking place for certain things and of course my group page for Mama’s Gonna Try.

I was just doing some research tonight on some potential stalls holders for a charity event I’m working on when it happen – Temporarily unavailable WHAT THE?

Are you serious?

Why?

Why me?

Am I in trouble?

Has someone hacked into my account?

What does that mean NO facebook? Am I shut out from the world? And why was MY account temporarily unavailable? Who is that person making it temporarily unavailable?

Life with no facebook I’m just not sure... and is Mama gonna Try to shut off facebook for 1week? 

I’m just not sure if I can do it..just the thought makes me a little sick and yes I did admit that out loud!

It’s my work, my social, my contact with so many..

I need to think about this and would love your feedback...

Need to sit and have a cuppa to calm down... actually where is my Instant Calm?

FH

Another Mama who is going to try...

I have been on my Facebook group page 'Mama's Gonna Try' and seen the latest post from a

Mama in Melbourne and I am feeling so inspired and joyous right now I wanted to share:

I'm trying Yoga! Have only ever done pregnancy Yoga, 7 years ago! Don't have a lot of time to go out to classes, but with lots of stress at work I thought Yoga might be a good outlet. Borrowed some DVDs from the library and have been trying it at home - really enjoying it! The girls have even joined in a couple of times. Would like to try Pilates next! 
Oh - and I now have 5 hours on Thursdays to myself with kids at school/kinder, so I have been going to a Pump class every Thurs morning. My aim is to be toned by 40 (not liking that number btw) - 9 months to go! AND I'm going to enrol for a 6 month Cert IV in Workplace Training and Assessment course - kickstart my career change. Now I've written it I must do it! You're one hot Mama Motivator Fi xx



Now this is what I am talking about - the words motivate, inspire, challenge.. to be happy come to mind 
when I think about trying new things and following 
through.
Where action creates further action...
Thank you Rebecca you truly are the motivator and Inspiration 
Tonight!


FH

Baby Steps

Very happy with myself ... 
I told myself I was going to bake as my indoor 'trying new things' and I did TODAY!

So last time it rained procrastination came to visit and stayed the whole afternoon, I know how rude, but I baked today with the boys.

It was POURING and today was the day.. starting with cookies, baby steps leading to the Grand finale!  
Cookies you say.. I know would you believe I have never baked a cookie.
Oh sigh so many women I know are just simply horrified that I don't/can't/won't (not sure) but I have started the journey... I will certainly be no Martha Stewart but I'm giving it a go.




Lesson #1       The cookie dough expands so I have really big cookies 
                     (the boys are happy)
Lesson #2        Don't try to roll the mixture into balls just spoon onto tray with a teaspoon 
                     (way to sticky and wet and got all over my hands)
Lesson #3       Don't poke your finger into the cookie to see if it's ready ... they are soft

                     until they come out of the oven and cool 
                     (So those ones are mine x 4)

I am pretty happy with these but I will test them tomorrow at morning meeting.

                                         


I would love to hear your tips or stories about baking, maybe I can learn 
from some of your mistakes? I have done the cookies so I am thinking I
 have moved up to - Muffins but not just any THE BIG ones!


Check us out on our group facebook page where we all share 
our daily efforts in trying new things!


FH

Look what happens when you try ...

Don’t fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.

Louis E. Boone

When I originally decided that 2012 was the beginning of Trying new things my vision wasn’t just about skateboarding, surfing, trapeze or learning another language it was about creating a momentum in my life.

I could see a pattern where I was picking and choosing things to what the little birdie on the shoulder was saying or what societies expectations were of perhaps a mother of 2 in her mid 30’s should be. Why was I doing this?

I believe the light globe is always on but it only flashes every now and then – sometimes we catch it other times we ignore it.

I really and truly want to help people catch it! Catch that moment where you are not fearful of failure.

Learning and trying new things is not necessarily about boring hohum drag. We are adults who have choices about how we learn, communicate and DO things.

Learning and trying is an enjoyable process that people should begin to embrace and be applauded for.

Unfortunately in our lives we will have the ‘neggers’ who question some of these crazy things you may want to try and they are there for a reason too.

They question it and you DEFEND it and use that as another form of motivation & inspiration rather than a reason to STOP.

Does this make sense?

In other words TRY IT, it’s not about being the best at everything - it’s about giving it a TRY.

I’m not sure how well I will skateboard but I have tried which is leading to a momentum of TRY NEW THINGS within my personal life and work life and that’s GOT TO BE GOOD! Right?

The video below is a great example of TRYING new things.. like Susan Boyle or not she tried and WOW the rest speaks for itself!

Enjoy.

FH

Video blog #1 Getting there....

After a week of ridiculous weather we found a moment with no rain so

we headed out - my 4yr old with camera in hand to see how much I have improved...

My confidence and balance have improved heaps and I am just loving this feeling!

It has inspired me to do other things - get more fit, take more walks/skates with the boys and just generally feeling positive from my little wins!

As I get better I am inspired more to TRYING NEW THINGS!

Check it out and please post/share or email

FH

Aiming too high?

I would really like to bake one of these for my sons 3rd Birthday, help me decide... You too can try click the links for recipes and please message me or facebook your experience/photo. 

       

                                    Snickerdoodle Cake with                  Chocolate Vanilla Swirl 
                                     Brown Sugar Cinnamon                         Layer Cake with
                                        Buttercream recipe                           Ganache  recipe


                                                                 

 


Email me your experience...photos FH

                            

Rain rain

I just can't believe the RAIN! Definitely not skating weather here.

I won't be posting any skateboarding footage till it clears. 

I have had to think of another thing 'to try' that is indoors to 

keep me motivated.

Thinking short term to achieve/master 

by May 25 (my 2yr olds birthday)

'Mama's gonna try'

BAKING

Some of you may think that is no challenge but in my case it is. 

I can cook, but bake well my husband suggested I buy a cake from 

Woolies for his birthday >insert sad face :(< is that enough said?

So in ordinary non skating weather I will attempt to bake, 

starting with cookies..I have never baked cookies before. 

(is that what you say 'bake cookies'?) 

Till then

FH

Mama's Gonna try - Skateboard #1

It is here - It is here!
Let me tell you unwrapping my first ever skateboard was SO exciting.
The weather however was not on my side, we've had storms, winds, hail but then the clouds parted for just enough time for me to try out my new skateboard. (I love saying that.)

Once I unwrapped it the nerves settled in.  Excuses in my head started to roll: 
Do I have the right clothing? Well of course I don't.. I wear skirts, open toe shoes or boots...Maybe I should get a professional to show me?  This is really dangerous do I really want to do this?
Why is that voice there? Seriously... So I turned the volume down put my gym gear on .. but I am going to have to get some cool gear to wear haha 

The video will show you how I have truly never been on a board before.  So this will be a slow process but already after a few goes I feel so much more confident.
It has also injected a sense of achievement already... What a great feeling to follow through on something I have always thought about.  My boys are so excited about mummy's skateboard - you will hear my 4yr old encouraging me on the footage.  


Not only is this great for my journey to 'trying new things' but it has changed our family dynamics too.. My husband is now wanting to try something new and the kids will learn that trying and giving it your best is the better option than to NOT try anything at all.
FH

It has ARRIVED!

OMG finally - my skate board has arrived!!!


Well it's not here it's at my husband's work.
Plus we have a kindergarten function on tonight so it looks like I am going to have to wait till tomorrow afternoon to have a go.


I'm nervous and excited - like a little kid!  
Already this 'trying new things' is paying off.
I'm bursting with excitement..


Hopefully my next blog will be a clip of ME AND MY SKATE BOARD!


FH

Mama's gonna try

Hello and welcome to my journey.

I recently decided that 2012 marked the 'Beginning of trying new things'!

So I decided the first new thing I am going to try is Skate boarding.  Keep in mind I am 30something with 2 children almost 3yrs and another 4yrs SO learning to skate is probably not on the list of 'necessities' to do right now.  

However I have always thought about it, convincing myself that I just wouldn't be able to do it.

I have never done anything like this before, to say I'm sporty would be 'funny' really and definitely skating is stepping OUT of my comfort zone.

It was Christmas when it dawned on me after my sister in law came home with a skate board (yeh she is one of the gals that can do 'anything' sporty - surfing, skating, kick boxing etc) and I heard this little voice within say 'oh I wish I could skate, I'd love one of those!'.  Well that is absolute rubbish.. No more of that I say.. Mama's gonna TRY!

My new skate board arrives this week and I will be documenting my journey - good and bad.. I feel as though I am accountable to keep trying if I'm blogging about it. I don't even know if anyone will be reading this but it will be a great reflection for later when I'm having those 'moments'.

Well signing for now.

FH

A pic of what my new board will look like -