Simple Pleasures

I can't find the badge for Listography so I will instead use the badge for its creator, Kate Takes 5's great blog:

She's brought back Listography and the prompt this week is "Simple Pleasures"...

So here are some of my current ones.

1. Decluttering - it is the order from chaos (like Rachel - Midlife Single Mum - said) element that I find so so rewarding. Transforming a sitting room, simply using toy boxes, so that it goes from this to this:

Since I did that Thursday night it has been very very quick and easy to tidy and keep like that because now everything has a place. 

I swear I am a tidy person in a messy person's body and that applies to weight too. I am definitely a slim person in a fat person's body as I get a shock every time I look in the mirror or catch my reflection in a shop window. It's like Shallow Hal, except I am Hal (in that HE sees her as the slim girl). I see myself slim like Gwyneth Paltrow when really I am far from it... I am the shadow below. In fact that shadow in the pic below bares a scary accurate resemblance to me!

Back to the task at hand! Listography!

(I have sneaked another simply pleasure in, via the collage and that is the wine o'clock that so many of us enjoy).

2. Time with friends - that connection you get when someone really understands you.  When you can be entirely 100% yourself. It is so incredibly important to be able to confide in someone, laugh with someone and say things you couldn't possibly tell anyone else. To be yourself and to feel at ease!

3. Love - it doesn't half smooth out the edges when you love and feel loved. It's like food for the soul. Like a comfy blanket.

4. Tranquility - when you can hear a pin drop. When you can hear your own thoughts. Aaron is still up right now as I write this, but he is watching TV. I can hear myself think. I can hear magic FM playing in the background (from the kitchen) and I am at peace. We had two days in one today and they both involved time in the sun, time outdoors and time with friends. I feel lucky after a day like today. Magic just started playing "Son of a Preacher Man" - I love that song! See tranquil! #bliss (See I have sneaked in another simple pleasure again there. Did you see that?!?!? #Music!!!). Actually I expected Magic's URL to include the letters FM, but they actually HAVE magic.co.uk. I am a little in awe of that actually as you would think that URL would have gone to magic of the card tricks or Wiccan kind......... hmmmm interesting!

5. Health/Wealth - this is something I used to enjoy. I used to have health physically due to teaching yoga and energy, due to super greens, water, diet, etc... and wealth as I was on a good salary when I was a HR Manager. It seems to be my lesson at the moment to see how I can recreate what were these simple pleasures which now seem to be endeavours. I do not have any energy at the moment and am feeling Fat Sick and nearly Dead. BUT I am blessed in that I met Joe Cross, so I will be juicing again, and I have just downloaded (today) this amazing book about water: The Water Diet. I took Aaron to the park today and he was so good on the bus on the way there, that I read a couple of chapters already on my Kindle. So far it is telling me stuff I already knew (that trust me, I needed reminding of) and it has reassured me that health is only a glass of water away. I know I am acidic as I now get heartburn, something I have NEVER been afflicted with. I know fat MELTS AWAY when one is alkaline, and one of the quickest ways of doing it is through drinking the right quality AND quantity of water. IF I can get with-it, I will blog about my transformation. I want my good looks and youthful appearance back :-) Hopefully it is only a glass of water away! I am a tad stupid though, as the book was FREE Thursday and Friday. I went on Twitter and Facebook to tell everyone about it, but then last night at 11 p.m. I tried to download it myself and my Kindle (neglected for months) was still not sufficiently charged by midnight to download it, so I had to do it this morning and pay 1 pounds 85 pence for the pleasure (can you tell my pound sign on my laptop does not work?). Anyway I think the book is worth every penny. I have been getting Ross's newsletters for years and he KNOWS what he is talking about! Actually I have just read the reviews on Amazon so perhaps I should reserve judgement till I read the book in its entirety.

Liska xx

Listograpgy - Top 5 Life Lessons

Writing this blog post reminds me of the famous Sunscreen "song" - you know it right?!?!?! I have heard it a lot over the years as my husband knows it OFF BY HEART!!!

Anyway, Kate Takes 5 is back with Listography - I used to participate a lot so I am glad!

Her post: Listography - Top 5 Life Lessons put tears in my eyes in a couple of places.  It's worth a read.

So here's my attempt (written on my phone in a cafe yesterday, while Aaron slept on my knee).

1. Notice when your spirit soars!
2. Breathe and know your triggers.
3. Being clever isn't everything but knowing where your strengths lie is!!!!
4. Rejuvenate before burnout not after.
5. Trust your (a) gut (b) higher-self or (c) instinct.  It won't let you down and as a mother it is EVERYTHING!

These are all very topical for me at the moment. Maybe if I wrote this next, or last month, they would be different. But now, in the moment, the above, feel right!

1. The first one is an issue for me, as I am a sack cloth and ashes type of Catholic girl, where I put my own needs below those of others.  I'll work hard for a boss or a friend, or a relative, and it'll take ages for me to realise where is "me" in all of this.  I can go ages without stopping and thinking "what makes me happy?" so sometimes when people ask me, I don't even know, which is odd as I am the sort of person who finds joy in most circumstances.  Probably my most frequent phrase is "that was amazing!"  I think the most successful adults are those who, no later than their teens or twenties NOTICE what makes their spirit soar, and ensure that that is their hobby or their life's work.  I have done Anthony Robins Unleash the Power Within course 2 or 3 times, and there is always a question on there like this.  He ever turns the lights down, and deep music on; even with going "within" I still can't quite work it out.  I know I was "happy" when I taught yoga.  I know I am "happy" when I am on days out with children.  I know my spirit does sometimes soar, but I can't quite place the triggers.  At the age of nearly 41, this seems to be something that escapes me.  I am sure life will improve once I "get it"! Whatever it is...
2. By number two I mean, if you are pushing yourself too hard, either mentally or physically you often forget to breathe.  So, if this is happening, breathe down into your toes, all of your extremities.  Let your tummy swell so that you use your abdomen and don't just breathe into your upper chest.  It will oxygenate your body and also helps with your acid/alkaline equilibrium!  Knowing your triggers, for me, is knowing when/where you need space.  It's taken me decades to discover people HAVE to get out of the kitchen if I am cooking and out of the bedroom if I am packing luggage to go away.
3. I have written this from many angles.  Firstly that my degree didn't get me any of my career successes - it was my strengths that did that.  Also, as an employer, and a HR Manager, it was always people's strengths that caused me to give them the opportunities that I did.  Focus on these and you will go far.  It also helps with confidence no end to KNOW what they ARE!
4. I am the sort of person to push myself too far.  Get frazzled and then try and recoup.  I think life is about revitalising yourself BEFORE burnout.  Finding the moments to pray, or sit, or be at peace.  Drinking the smoothie or juice.  Walking in that green area or on that beach.  Sitting under that tree.  Taking the multi-vitamins or Chinese herbs. Whatever it is, that means you are at one with yourself, and at your very best.  For yourself and those around you.
5. Number 5 is everything - it can even save your life!

Liska xxx

Listography

5 Truths According to Women

Before and After Bare Minerals (taken today) - took 6 minutes to look good for lunch with a girlfriend

The days we don't wear makeup we tell ourselves we look okay without it.  In fact isn't it better to be beautiful naturally? The truth, a bit of slap transforms us!

We've been on a diet for over 20 years.  None of them work! The truth, we know exactly where we're going wrong but we choose to pig out and over indulge!

We know what to do to grow.  The truth, we self-sabotage; we are scared of success!

Blogging is a hobby.  The truth, we could do it from sun up to sun down.

Mums give us good advice.  The truth, we only understand it all once we are a mum ourselves.

Listography

I really like the theme over at Listography this week.

Actually "this week" it is....

A budding musician?

This is what happens if I say "smile"

I am clearing ugly clutter

I am defrosting my life - shelf by shelf!

Aaron loves wearing Mummy's Hat

Can I sneak in a 6th cos it is SPRING - yyyyeeeaaah!

Listography

This week's theme at Kate Takes 5's Listography is  "bad combinations"

I, for some reason, am going to do this with my work head on.

1. HR and a bad memory.  My good memory really helps me in my job.  I can't imagine what sort of combination those two would be. Dread to think.
2. Note taker with poor attention to detail.  Luckily I have always been good at taking minutes.  I take it for granted but I know from experience that some people really struggle with it.
3. Managers who don't care about people.  Where this is the case, it is a breeding ground for HR issues.
4. Teams and poor communication - speaks for itself!
5. Managers and agendas! I hate people with hidden agendas.  It is the worst combination!

Anyway...... list complete.....

Liska xx

Listography - top 5 things I would change about my wedding

Hi

I can't participate in this meme as there is nothing I would change.  It was wonderful.

So I am going to say the top 5 things I loved about my wedding instead :-)

1. The Abbey was out of this world - same place where Pierce Brosnan got married.
2. I loved the medieval theme - although it was just me, my Mum and the Bridesmaids who followed it.
3. I LOVED my wedding car - Pierce Brosnan wanted it and couldn't get it! That's a true story :-)
4. I loved the reception venue - it was spectacular.
5. I love our photos and video and even more so, love looking at them, even all these years later.

I really loved the atmosphere - it was so filled with smiles, love and laughter and everyone had such a good day. So many people stayed over in the hotel who had planned on going home.... they had such a good night they just needed to fall into the nearest bed ;-)

Liska xx

Listography - Laminated List

Without words.  I've been pondering this for 2 days...

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Without words, here is my list of favourite childhood sweets: