Just a wee updatey...

Please please bare/bear/beer? with me in frequency of posts my lovelies, I've been as busy as a one legged man in a kicking contest these past few weeks. Here's why... (here you go list lovers like me... one in numerical order...)
 1. We're moving... I've been packing 5 years of marriage into the weakest boxes ever.
They're the most deceptive boxes I have ever come across in my life. All looks, no brains.

2. We're becoming Sharemilkers... so blah blah blah Accountants, blah blah blah Banks, blah blah blah GST... and all that Jazz.

3. I've been doing my best Proverbs 31 wife impressions by getting Cow poo up my arms, in my new haircut, cow pee splashed in my face, chipping my cherry red nail polish and smelling like yesterday all for that bit of milk in your Cappuccino..... you're welcome.

4. I thought I was pregnant.
As my Mum says, "That's what happens when you play tiddly winks".
I think she might have been talking about SEX... can't be sure though.

5. Mr Gadget and I are in the process of becoming Guardians to a couple of primary school aged girls that are from our local Childrens home... fingers crossed, prayers in the sky, we're hoping it goes through! They're the ebony to Miss Lauries ivory, aww.

6. Miss Laurie. She's 15 months old now and has turned into my own weeny high maintenaced Suri Cruise. She is the most independant little lady ever. She needs a little briefcase, high heels and a cell phone. She keeps me on my feet... at least until 7pm.... or "num nums" time... aka. BED TIME.

If only there were more hours in the day.

For now... I'll leave you with a piece of link lovin featuring my Movie boyfriend.
See you soon!!

♦ cause things are still beautiful 2nd time around ♦

sweet something escapades

there's something sweet about little weekend escapades.

to escape the hustle and bustle of life with your most loved.

our destination was the heart of vineyard country... at an amazing beach house in Campbells Bay...Warkworth.

red wine. zero cellphone coverage. our own individual sky tv decoders. plush, cozy and romantic couches... (big enough for ALL THREE OF US to lie and snuggle up on). olive trees. waking to the sweet sounds of birdsong.

a pure dream.

♥ playgrounds

♥ spa baths

♥ beautiful things

♥ books

♥ black &white movies

♥ fairy lights

♥ exploring

♥ orchard raiding

♥

♥ my loves

♥ art galleries

♥ returning to old stomping grounds

♥ soft boiled eggs and marmite soldiers

♥ vintage tapestry piano seats

♥ finding unused notebooks!! WINNING!!

♥ precious baby and daddy moments

my happily ever after...

♦ cause things are still beautiful 2nd time around ♦

and the galavanting is over....

Hello.

First blog entry in six months.

Where have I been?

October 2nd, 2010, my body shut down in many different ways.

I haven’t been able to commit myself to anything or turn up to much that requires me to exert myself.

I’m on medication and will need to be for the next year.

That’s it.

That’s where I’ve been.

I keep my cards and secrets pretty close to my chest, so of course only my immediate have been aware of my situation.

One day I’ll tell you about it.

But for now, the important thing is… I’m Baaaack!!!

♦ cause things are still beautiful 2nd time around ♦

One of the many reasons it's easy to love Mr Gadget

One of the many reasons it's easy to love Mr Gadget.


Mr Gadget wrote me a letter before we met and read it aloud to me for the first time infront of 130 people at our Wedding reception (all together now, awwwww).

It reads,

"9/12/04

Dear girl of my dreams.

If/When we finally meet, and in Gods grace, walk down the aisle together, please note that you have made me the happiest man alive!

I write this letter to no particular girl in mind and although I may have fleeting crushes before we meet, know this letter is souly for you.

It has been written on the desk I have prepared many sermons on, in a room where I have communed with God, in a place where I have so far felt the closest to God... India.

I write this letter not to impress your family, but I write it as a promise and dedication to you and you alone.

Though I may have crushes, I promise not to act on them unless the crush I have is for you, and that God gives me the green light.

I am not the most patient man in the world, but with Gods help I will wait for his guidance.

Though my testimony tells I have not lived a completely pure life, I pray forgiveness from you and dedicate myself completely to you. Hands down. No questions asked.

Though I may not know who you are yet, I formally promise and dedicate my life, body and love to you and you alone.

I promise to never expect you to do anything above your abilities and giftings, but I do promise to push you to achieve goals you have set for yourself and your dreams as I believe all dreams are achievable.

I promise to never bring you down or criticise you in public and before friends, rather I will do my best to lift you up and support you always in public and home.

I promise to try to never run off on some wild idea that pops into my head which isnt feizable without consulting you (note: "try").

I promise to always protect you, no matter how unlikely my success might be. If you are taken from me (save the Lord Jesus) I will track you down and find you and be your knight in shining armour.

I promise from now to regularly pray for you and believe in faith that God is answering me.

I promise to try to put much thought into everything we put our hands to (note: "try").

I promise the only thing that will take me away from you is death.

I promise to lead our family in Godly and honourable ways and when I blow it, I promise I will be humble and start again.

Finally and above all, I promise to you that God is the head of our household and Him alone we will follow.

When times are tough we will turn to our Father in Heaven for our daily bread, and seek His ways in all things.

Though I'm far from perfect, I will love you always and be committed always because you are the girl of my dreams.

Whatever need you have, ask and I'll do my very best to provide.

Since this letter is rather deep and meaningful, I must add a little humour to make your most beautiful asset shine, your smile.

I promise not to wait until Christmas and birthdays before I change my wardrobe of underwear and socks, when they wear out, I will humble myself and go shopping for replacements.

I am yours always, from now - until eternity.

With love, admiration, adoration and genuine awe,

Mr Gadget."

Other than the place that my identity and hope can be found, Mr Gadget is the best thing about me.

When you faithfully pray for Gods best and His will in your life,

all things are attainable and the answers profoundly exceed your understanding of love...

xo

♦ cause things are still beautiful 2nd time around ♦

The ten simple loves throwdown:

10. Strawberries echoing the sweet sounds and smells of Summer nom nom nom!

9. My Nooma collection. Safe to say I'm a fan.

8. Orchard raiding

7. The one whose first word was "Daddy".... traitor

6. My red velvet with white chocolate centre cupcakes

5. My new Tangerine and Lime candles. Black and white family photos in jars. Rosemary in teacups (thanks Leah! xo).

4. This.

3. My Parents telling me I was born in the wrong era and I would've made a great hippie! (I've always thought that!)

2. Sketchy bunnies.

1. Coming to the realisation that even though I am a fully capable and self sufficient adult, I still need to let my Mum be my Mum.

I hope you've had a great week, and take time today to strip yourself back from the busy-ness of life to enjoy your simple loves.

Make your today beautiful :)

xo

♦ cause things are still beautiful 2nd time around ♦

Betty's wagon of thrifty loot: 2

Happy Monday Dashing Doll.

I apologise for lack of entries lately - trying to juggle a home, a baby, business propositions (I'll get to that sometime soon), friends, other fellowship commitments and a blog can be frickin chicken HARD!

I managed to steal some down time to scrounge the local oppys and a few vintage boutiques with my Mum recently.

I love her.

We have an understanding.

We are women on missions when we shop. In other words, we don't go opshopping to talk and catch up, we don't go opshopping to see the other try on clothes, we go opshopping to be completely self absorbed with mute-like tendencies. She goes her way, I go mine. It may appear that nothing much is going on expression wise with us both, but let me tell you, whats happening up in the head space are the goings on that can be compared to ducks feet paddling against a current. A storm is being propelled with purpose.

I totally get my retro love from her. She and my Dad were up until recently Salvation Army Officers. In 2000, they managed the Gosford Salvo store in NSW and it was from there my passion was fueled. So many treasured things so little money in my 14 year old awkard teenager pockets. I worked after school and on Saturdays so I could spend my pingas in the shop.

So here oh here is my recent oppy booty:

Silk "Flappers" dress: $3 (I bought its twin a couple years ago but for $4)

Gold plated brush and mirror set: $7

Gold clock: $6

Sequinned bag: $3

Cluster brooch: $3

Cameo and diamante brooch: $4

Wedgewood box (photo does not do it justice whatsoever): $5

MARBLES!!! Hello 1992! : $6 for the bowl

Retro 60's candle burner - the colour is so nostalgic of the earlier era: $10

This thing has my opshoppy heart, blue leather briefcase.

It's as heavy as an old clunker, has that leather interior of an old car smell.

B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.

The cherry on top is it is in mint condition and I found it for $30.

Mini clothesline for Miss Laurie: $3

Beautiful green glassware to be used for the family Christmas celebrations that I'll be hosting: $20

And my new babies... Flour, Sugar, Tea, Rice containers - they are genuinely born in the 1960's(III KNOOOOOW!)

$25.

Mmm hmm.

I'm officially on opshopping cloud fist pumpin 9!

♦ cause things are still beautiful 2nd time around ♦

Media Machine

Recently I had someone tell me I looked good which was then closely followed by "you almost look anorexic". The gesture wasn't to offend me and was purely made to be taken as a compliment, but it was four weeks ago now, I obviously still haven't forgotten about it.

Since having Miss Laurie, I've become more aware of the shallow things that distract this place. The surface things that dont at all help with depositing your treasures in the bank of heaven.
The things that have loose foundations which in turn rob, kill and destroy us of true potential and amazing opportunities.... if only we could get beyond our insecurities.

I was at church on Sunday, during the worship time, I could have danced.
Key word: "could".
I was held back by my perception of what others might have thought of me and maybe looking like an over-spiritual holy roly.
In the end I realised, why does it matter what they think of me?
It actually doesnt.
I now realise I lost an opportunity.

How big of a role do your insecurities hold in your life? do they affect your faith?
Think of all the things you could have done if only you werent held back by what others views or opinions may be of you.

Someone decided skin and bones is attractive. Someone with status then got behind it, and along followed all the sheep - next thing you know.. BOOM! a mainstream explosion. Looking borderline ano is now totally hot. Travelling the world in an envelope is all of a sudden something to attain to.

We are told through the media machine what is beautiful.

We then believe and eat up every honey dripping word.
Why dont we believe every word of the Bible?
Isn't that what were saying?...

We're letting our insecurities get ahead of what is written about us?
Are we telling God that we believe more in what others say, than what He says? Are we telling the Creator that we believe more in the created? Nevermind He made us.

Botox is intended to help slow the aging process, to fill the wrinkles.

Personally, I love weathered hands.
I love old womens hands, thinking of all the meals they prepared for their families on a wintry evening, all the tears they have wiped back, all the stories that are written on them.
I love old mens hands, the cracks and lines that tell of working the land for provision, the kind acts of service they speak of, the assemblies of ache and the romantic secrets they keep with their significant others in an earlier and more innocent time....
I think the same about a face....
I think its sad we feel we have to hide the stories and the lessons learned.

All in all - I am not aiming to speak against anything here or make anyone think I am targeting a specific audience, cause it really isnt my intention ... I just wish we wouldnt judge ourselves so much and in turn become judges of the world. It wastes our time. It hurts other peoples feelings. It gives the less important stuff more status than it deserves.

At times we think if ONLY God made me *insert applicable word or words here*, things would be so much better. Life would be so much better.

You know better than that, so because you know better, do better.
You are given one body. You are given one life.
Treat them well.
Don't stuff up what God gave you.
Exercise.
Live a clean life.
Laugh and have fun.
Dont associate with toxic people.
Give to others.
Dont be afraid to love something incase it is taken from you.
Seek the truth.
Dont let the media machine decide on your beliefs. Make them yourself.
*You are the only *you in this world. Make sure *you isnt determined by the **me's of this world.
*You are an enchanting, captivating, mesmeric and alluring *you.
Dont become a second grade version of **me.
Oh and next time, dance during worship.

*You - you
**Me - me and anyone other than you

♦ cause things are still beautiful 2nd time around ♦