Clouds

"We're not the type

To go out and find others

Who are just like

The ones in our cupboard

We only see

What we read on the covers

We only bleed

If we're not seen by another"

What a crazy year it has been. I think it is safe to say my life was truly turned on it's head at the passing of a friend back in July.

"Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world" - Maria Montessori

Today I'm going to take a break from philosophical ramblings, and tell my story with photos. I am hoping they speak for themselves, as they epitomise (to me) what life (and love, for that matter) are all about. I should mention that as I am based in Taupo, the following pictures are not a regular occurrence which made today all the more magical. I should also mention that the photos were snapped via iPhone, so excuse the quality! So much for letting the photos speak... Enjoy...

Humpday High 5

I thought that it was about time I started actually making an effort on this "blog-thing", after much hassling from my friend Renee over at "Memoirs of a Mother". Her blog is simply amazing, and I can't believe how much time and effort she spends on it. Now that I am facebook-free, and have moved the computer back downstairs into the warmth, I really have no excuse. From now on, each Wednesday I will be sharing my "High 5's" of the week. They will be in the form of:

1.  "Thumbs Up For..." (obviously for my favourite things) 
2. "Face-palms for..." (for the "what were you thinking??' award) 
3. "Top Tips" (exciting new things/blogs I have discovered).

Since I've lost my blo-jo (Renee's delightful name for "Blog Mojo") of late, this week's "Top 5's" will more than likely span that of the past month... but I will endeavour to keep it concise! Here goes....

A bit of a blog...

My dear blog, I have done it again. I am guilty of serious neglect, and for that I am sorry. It has been a bit of a muddly sort of month for me. Just when you think you're getting back on track, life tends to throw another spanner in the works. It's all part of the parcel, and certainly keeps you on your toes! As a result of certain gossip-mongers and pot-stirrers, I have made the decision to remove myself from the drama.

Change is in the air...

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” 

- Maria Robinson

Due to my recent change in circumstance, I figure it's time to give this blog a shake-up. This will still follow me on my quest for happiness (hey, I'm getting there!) but it will also become somewhat of a 'how-to guide' for Solo Mums. I'm not promising everything in here will be upbeat and joyous, as we all have bad days, but I will strive to turn everything into a positive (as I am currently attempting in my life also).

“Friends are angels who lift our feet when our own wings have trouble remembering how to fly.”

As I'm relatively 'new' to this blogging world, I'm not too familiar with things such as "linking", but I am going to give it a shot! I am linking up to Maxabella loves with (hopefully) a slightly more positive blog than my life-update yesterday!

"Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit." - Peter Ustinov

“The key to change... is to let go of fear.” -  Roseanne Cash

So it has been a while since my last post, and a great deal has changed. Change is not always for the worst, in fact (in most cases) change is necessary. It has taken me many boxes of tissues over the past few days, but now I am philosophical. The story behind my tears is not overly long, it is not overly interesting either. I think shock has played a large part in my sadness. Shock that a relationship that I thought would last forever, is no longer feasible.

"You call it madness, but I call it love." - Don Byas

THINGS I'M LOVING (right now):

This seems to be the "in thing" to do at the moment, so I will pop on my fleecy jacket & bleat along in-line with the rest of you. Below is a list (of sorts) of just a few of the many things I am loving right now. I will have left some off the list, some will be higher-ranked than they probably need to be... but I'm in the middle of watching a rather riveting game of basketball (well pretending not to be watching, as I "prove" to my beloved that sport is dull... don't tell him I used the words 'riveting' and 'basketball' in the same sentence, or my point is null)... Come on Breakers!

Weddings, Wiggles & Weekends...

When I was a small girl, I always dreamed of a big, white, fairytale wedding. I wanted to live in a castle, complete with secret passageways, a moat and a dungeon. It's funny how things change. Don't get me wrong, one day I still want to get married and have my own home, but I'm happy to compromise: Now I would love a small ceremony on the beach in a tropical island somewhere, with bare feet and a few close friends and family (we're planning on Winter 2013). I still have my heart set on a castle, but it's going to be a castle of a different sort. It may not have towering battlements; it may not have a crocodile-infested moat; it may not even have a dungeon... But I am convinced that it will have secret passageways. 

Jumping in puddles & dancing in the rain...

Okay, so after yesterday's D&M I feel I need to inject some more laughter into my blogging. Don't worry, I won't be bombarding you with more dancing llamas (mainly because I still can't get that bloody song out of my head). I think it is time to revisit my past, thus giving you some insight into why I am, well, the way I am! I will try to keep it brief, as I know that I tend to waffle, but - as always - no promises. Here goes.

"When you realize how perfect everything is, you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky" - Buddha

Yesterday I had an epiphany. It's not something that came to me in a flash of brilliance. It's not something that jumped out at me while trawling through facebook. It's certainly not something that was incredibly easy to swallow either. It is something that was unknowingly gifted to me by my fiancé, mid-argument.

I was a really good mum, before I had kids...

I must admit I have stolen this blog topic off another 'Kiwi Mum' blogger, but it was too good not to share. If you haven't already, you should have a look at this website. It pretty much sums up everything I feel right now. Prior to having my son I had all these grand ideas about "what sort of mum I will be". I have included below a checklist, of sorts, to give you a better idea:

An introduction, of sorts...

Okay, here goes.

I suppose it's customary to start with a brief introduction, of sorts. I'm not exactly sure where to begin. I guess this might fluctuate from the past to present quite a bit, but I will try and keep my explanations minimal. I have a tendency to ramble so for this, I apologise in advance.