I slept very soundly in this comfortable bed.
We've had an amazing day at the retreat and boy did I clear some crap! This crap clearing is fantastic! So many issues. Some obvious. Some surprising and unexpected. Some long standing.
As fantastic as crap clearing is, it is also freaking exhausting and draining. So many tears! Not just mine. There was a lot of heavy stuff happening in that room today and at the end of the day, you could feel the shift, feel the change in the air and see the lightness in people's steps and the light in their eyes.
Tonight before we left, we had a bonfire where we all stood around in a circle and threw the papers with our limiting beliefs written on them into the fire and watched them burn. We sang songs, we made jokes, we swayed, we danced and we hugged.
You know that I'm not usually a 'hugging, touchy feely' kind of person. I'm not one to easily shed tears or show any extreme emotion. I like to suppress my emotions, put a lid on them and pretend that I'm strong and tough.
I think I've done enough work on myself this month to let all the tough stuff go, feel ok about shedding some tears and to now feel the love and enjoy some warm hugs.
Not only that, I now know that I'm capable of, and that I'm good enough to create an abundant and fulfilling future for myself. There'll be no holding me back now.
Look out world! Here I come!
But not tonight because I'm buggered!
I'm going to have a lemon myrtle tea and then climb into bed so that I'm ready for another abundantly fulfilling day tomorrow.
I'm going to take some photos of the resort tomorrow. It is a beautiful place and one day I'm going to come back for a week, to just spend some time and 'be'.
Temple Byron
Have a lovely Sunday.
Nite all.
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Friday, February 24, 2017
Beyond Tired
We are exhausted.
The Motivator is sound asleep in bed and I can hear a few snores through the bedroom door lol.
It has been a huge day, including a Google Maps detour that almost ended our lives!
Maps sent us up this narrow, winding, white gravel road with a 200 foot drop down the left (yes that's the passenger side!) and cars were driving on it at astronomical speeds. Twice we genuinely feared for our lives and in one instance, a ute appeared around a bend in the opposite direction at about 100kmh and came horrendously close to wiping us out.
We thankfully arrived at our destination safe n sound, but once the adrenalin stopped pumping, I think we both experienced a little bit of shock.
We had 40 minutes to unpack the car, freshen ourselves up and head out to the resort for our workshop.
It started at 6pm and finished at about 10.30pm. We had to drive home and make some dinner because we hadn't eaten since lunch time and now I can hardly keep my eyelids open!
I must sleep.
It's now midnight and we need to leave here to start a 12 hour day at 8.30am.
Have a great Saturday!
Nite all.
The Motivator is sound asleep in bed and I can hear a few snores through the bedroom door lol.
It has been a huge day, including a Google Maps detour that almost ended our lives!
Maps sent us up this narrow, winding, white gravel road with a 200 foot drop down the left (yes that's the passenger side!) and cars were driving on it at astronomical speeds. Twice we genuinely feared for our lives and in one instance, a ute appeared around a bend in the opposite direction at about 100kmh and came horrendously close to wiping us out.
We thankfully arrived at our destination safe n sound, but once the adrenalin stopped pumping, I think we both experienced a little bit of shock.
We had 40 minutes to unpack the car, freshen ourselves up and head out to the resort for our workshop.
It started at 6pm and finished at about 10.30pm. We had to drive home and make some dinner because we hadn't eaten since lunch time and now I can hardly keep my eyelids open!
I must sleep.
It's now midnight and we need to leave here to start a 12 hour day at 8.30am.
Have a great Saturday!
Nite all.
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Another One of Those!
Yes, another 'hell of a day'!!
After falling into bed well after 1.30am, the alarm woke me at 6am.
I had a shower and cleaned the bathroom then methodically went through the remaining items on the checklist.
We left the house just after 7am to have our host's car cleaned, to get those last basic groceries that they would need upon their return and to buy some 'thank you' flowers.
We returned to the house, put flowers in vases, collected the rest of our belongings and finished packing the car.
It was a hectic 2 hours!
We decided to do breakfast on the beach at Manly, where there is a lovely little eatery right on the water. We were served by the most attentive and kind waiter on the planet, who tended to our GF dietary requirements with precision and care.
It was a delicious breakfast which we took our time over while admiring the view and enjoying the cool sea breezes.
We tipped our waiter and thanked him for his kind service, before heading to The Motivator's old stomping ground at Fairlight Beach. We sat on the grass in the shade of some big old trees and wondered out loud why anybody would want to leave such a beautiful spot.
It's so pristine, with deep blue water and the people were so relaxed and 'at home' there. I didn't want to leave!
Eventually, common sense prevailed and we decided to make a move.
We had to return to the house to catch up briefly with our host and about 90 mins later, when we were ready to leave Sydney, the car told us that the battery in the key needed replacing! Ugh!
This meant a trip back to Manly where the serviceman took an hour to fix both keys.
By now it was 3.30pm.
School time = 90 minutes to drive 42 kms.
So frustrating!
We finally made it out onto the highway and the traffic dissipated to give us a clear run.
Then we required a pitstop for peeing and eating (in that order) and found a fabulous organic take away food joint at a big service centre! What a find!! We stocked up on salads and GF chocolate brownies, all of which were bloody bewdiful!
From there, we drove and we talked and we sang and we drove some more, followed by lecturing other drivers, more talking and more driving.
It was 8.30pm by the time we drove into the motel carpark in Port Macquarie and not a moment too soon. It was the last 2 bedroom apartment available at a bargain price of $125 for the night.
It's a bit dated and one bedroom doesn't have a fan or air conditioning, but it's clean and tidy with good beds and a kitchen so that we could cook up our chicken and pork, which will be our protein over the weekend when they are feeding us vegan meals.
So it has been yet another long and tiring day. We are looking forward to getting a solid night of sleep and will head off between 8-9am tomorrow.
It will take about 5 hours to reach Byron Bay and hopefully we'll have a couple of hours rest before we need to register and begin our workshop.
Right now ... I need sleep.
Nite all
After falling into bed well after 1.30am, the alarm woke me at 6am.
I had a shower and cleaned the bathroom then methodically went through the remaining items on the checklist.
We left the house just after 7am to have our host's car cleaned, to get those last basic groceries that they would need upon their return and to buy some 'thank you' flowers.
We returned to the house, put flowers in vases, collected the rest of our belongings and finished packing the car.
It was a hectic 2 hours!
We decided to do breakfast on the beach at Manly, where there is a lovely little eatery right on the water. We were served by the most attentive and kind waiter on the planet, who tended to our GF dietary requirements with precision and care.
It was a delicious breakfast which we took our time over while admiring the view and enjoying the cool sea breezes.
We tipped our waiter and thanked him for his kind service, before heading to The Motivator's old stomping ground at Fairlight Beach. We sat on the grass in the shade of some big old trees and wondered out loud why anybody would want to leave such a beautiful spot.
It's so pristine, with deep blue water and the people were so relaxed and 'at home' there. I didn't want to leave!
Eventually, common sense prevailed and we decided to make a move.
We had to return to the house to catch up briefly with our host and about 90 mins later, when we were ready to leave Sydney, the car told us that the battery in the key needed replacing! Ugh!
This meant a trip back to Manly where the serviceman took an hour to fix both keys.
By now it was 3.30pm.
School time = 90 minutes to drive 42 kms.
So frustrating!
We finally made it out onto the highway and the traffic dissipated to give us a clear run.
Then we required a pitstop for peeing and eating (in that order) and found a fabulous organic take away food joint at a big service centre! What a find!! We stocked up on salads and GF chocolate brownies, all of which were bloody bewdiful!
From there, we drove and we talked and we sang and we drove some more, followed by lecturing other drivers, more talking and more driving.
It was 8.30pm by the time we drove into the motel carpark in Port Macquarie and not a moment too soon. It was the last 2 bedroom apartment available at a bargain price of $125 for the night.
It's a bit dated and one bedroom doesn't have a fan or air conditioning, but it's clean and tidy with good beds and a kitchen so that we could cook up our chicken and pork, which will be our protein over the weekend when they are feeding us vegan meals.
So it has been yet another long and tiring day. We are looking forward to getting a solid night of sleep and will head off between 8-9am tomorrow.
It will take about 5 hours to reach Byron Bay and hopefully we'll have a couple of hours rest before we need to register and begin our workshop.
Right now ... I need sleep.
Nite all
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Moving On
This is our last night in the big smoke.
Time to move on up the coast.
The Motivator picked up her new car today and we begin the drive to Byron Bay tomorrow morning.
It was another hectic morning at the Gift Fair.
Because the participating businesses sell off all the goods on their stalls on the last day, people come from all directions to get the final bargains. It's a mad house. Security stand at the door checking that everybody has a receipt for the items they are carrying.
We had a checklist of stalls that we wanted to order from, and a list of stalls where we had made purchases but weren't allowed to take them out of the centre until after 1pm on the final day.
Even though we were very organised, it still took The Motivator 2 hours to complete her 'to do' list and it took me 4 hours to complete mine.
The Motivator then had to navigate her way across Sydney, on public transport, to pick up her car, while I finished up at the Gift Fair.
When I left there, I found a nice quiet spot in a restaurant to enjoy a coffee and watch the world go by for about 45 minutes.
I dragged my goods up four ramps in the carpark to our motel, where our luggage was being stored until we could take it.
I settled onto a couch in the bar area of the hotel, where it was air conditioned and comfortable. It was a very pleasant hour and I sipped on a Vodka and Tonic with a twist of lime while I waited. When The Motivator arrived, she parked the car and we debriefed over a beverage before heading back to Mosman.
We ran some errands and bought some basics for the generous people who allowed us to use their home while we were here. Scoffed down a delicious dinner at the Mosman Pub and then came home to reorganise and repack our luggage so that it all fits into the car easily tomorrow.
There was mail to pick up from the post office, the car had to be fuelled up, there was washing to do, food to cook for our meals tomorrow, cleaning, blogging and so much more.
I'm exhausted. My back hurts from today's heavy lifting and my head hurts from thinking too hard.
We are not finished yet and it's almost midnight. So I'd best go and help The Motivator get the rest of this crap done.
Oh for a pillow to lay down my weary head.
Nite al.
Time to move on up the coast.
The Motivator picked up her new car today and we begin the drive to Byron Bay tomorrow morning.
It was another hectic morning at the Gift Fair.
Because the participating businesses sell off all the goods on their stalls on the last day, people come from all directions to get the final bargains. It's a mad house. Security stand at the door checking that everybody has a receipt for the items they are carrying.
We had a checklist of stalls that we wanted to order from, and a list of stalls where we had made purchases but weren't allowed to take them out of the centre until after 1pm on the final day.
Even though we were very organised, it still took The Motivator 2 hours to complete her 'to do' list and it took me 4 hours to complete mine.
The Motivator then had to navigate her way across Sydney, on public transport, to pick up her car, while I finished up at the Gift Fair.
When I left there, I found a nice quiet spot in a restaurant to enjoy a coffee and watch the world go by for about 45 minutes.
I dragged my goods up four ramps in the carpark to our motel, where our luggage was being stored until we could take it.
I settled onto a couch in the bar area of the hotel, where it was air conditioned and comfortable. It was a very pleasant hour and I sipped on a Vodka and Tonic with a twist of lime while I waited. When The Motivator arrived, she parked the car and we debriefed over a beverage before heading back to Mosman.
We ran some errands and bought some basics for the generous people who allowed us to use their home while we were here. Scoffed down a delicious dinner at the Mosman Pub and then came home to reorganise and repack our luggage so that it all fits into the car easily tomorrow.
There was mail to pick up from the post office, the car had to be fuelled up, there was washing to do, food to cook for our meals tomorrow, cleaning, blogging and so much more.
I'm exhausted. My back hurts from today's heavy lifting and my head hurts from thinking too hard.
We are not finished yet and it's almost midnight. So I'd best go and help The Motivator get the rest of this crap done.
Oh for a pillow to lay down my weary head.
Nite al.
Moan Groan Grunt
Nine hours on my feet, in heels!
What a day!
The gift fair was amazing. Two full floors of the Exhibition Centre. Nine hours and we still did not see all of the stalls. So much beautiful 'stuff'.
Clothing, home decor, shoes, jewellery of every description, artwork, stationery, linen and Manchester, toys, games, packaging, glassware, candles, watches, hats, party ware, silverware, cutlery, electronics, souvenirs, lighting, mirrors, fashion accessories, apparel, baby products, educational, cookware, kitchen utensils, tableware, storage, Christmas and the list goes on and on and on.
It was like being at a bigger, less expensive version of Eumundi markets!!
My idea of heaven.
I ordered beautiful journals and stationery and books. I bought gorgeous jewellery. I found fabulous packaging to colour co-ordinate with my brand. I plan on ordering some amazing educational resources for kids. I've taken information for colourful leather purses, wallets and handbags.
I'm so excited!
We are returning tomorrow morning in an attempt to see what we missed today.
By the time we were kicked out at 6pm closing time, our feet were so sore, we limped our way into a nearby arcade, found a nail shop, plonked ourselves down in their massage chairs and thoroughly enjoyed a pedicure and foot massage.
I can't even tell you how wonderful that was. I asked the girl who massaged my feet, to come home with me. She said that she would if I paid her a LOT of money.
We couldn't even bear the thought of walking back to our motel to get ready for dinner, so we hobbled our way to the closest restaurant on Darling Harbour, sat down and ordered a couple of cocktails and a delicious meal.
Two alcoholic beverages, a main meal each and two hours later we were climbing the carpark ramps to reach our motel room.
We didn't even collapse when we reached the room! Instead, we began sifting through all of our catalogues, price lists and business cards as if it was Christmas, and opening all the bags of jewellery that we'd bought on site, to drool over again.
We planned our outfits for tomorrow.
Repacked and reorganised our suitcases.
Changed into our pyjamas.
Climbed into bed with all of our catalogues and worked out which stalls we will order from tomorrow
Checked our emails to discover the invoices from today's orders.
Complained loudly about the aching feet and the seizing up muscles in every part of our body.
Made fun of ourselves for still being awake at 1.30am after such a ridiculously full day.
Found our essential oils to help ease our stress and sleep well.
And now ... it's time to give up and go to sleep.
Nite all.
What a day!
The gift fair was amazing. Two full floors of the Exhibition Centre. Nine hours and we still did not see all of the stalls. So much beautiful 'stuff'.
Clothing, home decor, shoes, jewellery of every description, artwork, stationery, linen and Manchester, toys, games, packaging, glassware, candles, watches, hats, party ware, silverware, cutlery, electronics, souvenirs, lighting, mirrors, fashion accessories, apparel, baby products, educational, cookware, kitchen utensils, tableware, storage, Christmas and the list goes on and on and on.
It was like being at a bigger, less expensive version of Eumundi markets!!
My idea of heaven.
I ordered beautiful journals and stationery and books. I bought gorgeous jewellery. I found fabulous packaging to colour co-ordinate with my brand. I plan on ordering some amazing educational resources for kids. I've taken information for colourful leather purses, wallets and handbags.
I'm so excited!
We are returning tomorrow morning in an attempt to see what we missed today.
By the time we were kicked out at 6pm closing time, our feet were so sore, we limped our way into a nearby arcade, found a nail shop, plonked ourselves down in their massage chairs and thoroughly enjoyed a pedicure and foot massage.
I can't even tell you how wonderful that was. I asked the girl who massaged my feet, to come home with me. She said that she would if I paid her a LOT of money.
We couldn't even bear the thought of walking back to our motel to get ready for dinner, so we hobbled our way to the closest restaurant on Darling Harbour, sat down and ordered a couple of cocktails and a delicious meal.
Two alcoholic beverages, a main meal each and two hours later we were climbing the carpark ramps to reach our motel room.
We didn't even collapse when we reached the room! Instead, we began sifting through all of our catalogues, price lists and business cards as if it was Christmas, and opening all the bags of jewellery that we'd bought on site, to drool over again.
We planned our outfits for tomorrow.
Repacked and reorganised our suitcases.
Changed into our pyjamas.
Climbed into bed with all of our catalogues and worked out which stalls we will order from tomorrow
Checked our emails to discover the invoices from today's orders.
Complained loudly about the aching feet and the seizing up muscles in every part of our body.
Made fun of ourselves for still being awake at 1.30am after such a ridiculously full day.
Found our essential oils to help ease our stress and sleep well.
And now ... it's time to give up and go to sleep.
Nite all.
Monday, February 20, 2017
Sydney I'm Baaa-aaack!
It was a very cold start to the day in Canberra! 6C with a strong breeze.
I checked out of the Hotel and caught a taxi to the airport. We drove past Duntroon but I didn't even recognise it until I saw the sign "Royal Military College" and I asked the driver "Is that Duntroon???"
He confirmed that it was and I said "I lived there 37 years ago! We were living there when my first daughter was born. I don't even recognise it as the same place!"
We agreed that 'plenty' had changed in 37 years.
The airport was a surprise too! What a beautiful piece of architecture that is!
My flight to Sydney was delayed by an hour, which was a little annoying, but I finally reached the motel on Darling Harbour at about 2.30pm. What a lovely view we have ...
The room is quite small, but it's clean and tidy and has everything that we need.
When The Motivator arrived, she unpacked her suitcase and we decided to go for a walk and find somewhere to have some dinner and a drink or two.
We found a great little place that sold Mediterranean food ...
... and we shared a bottle of wine over a couple of hours before walking it off around the harbour.
We didn't get back to our room until about 10.30pm and I was surprised by how many people were out and about on a Monday night!
So far, it has been a fabulous first few hours in Sydney and we are looking forward to attending the Gift Fair tomorrow. We've both got our outfits all laid out and we will be looking professional and amazing!
It's just ticked past midnight, and The Motivator is in the bed beside mine trying to sleep, so I'd best stop clicking away on this keyboard and give her some peace.
Nite all.
I checked out of the Hotel and caught a taxi to the airport. We drove past Duntroon but I didn't even recognise it until I saw the sign "Royal Military College" and I asked the driver "Is that Duntroon???"
He confirmed that it was and I said "I lived there 37 years ago! We were living there when my first daughter was born. I don't even recognise it as the same place!"
We agreed that 'plenty' had changed in 37 years.
The airport was a surprise too! What a beautiful piece of architecture that is!
My flight to Sydney was delayed by an hour, which was a little annoying, but I finally reached the motel on Darling Harbour at about 2.30pm. What a lovely view we have ...
The room is quite small, but it's clean and tidy and has everything that we need.
When The Motivator arrived, she unpacked her suitcase and we decided to go for a walk and find somewhere to have some dinner and a drink or two.
We found a great little place that sold Mediterranean food ...
... and we shared a bottle of wine over a couple of hours before walking it off around the harbour.
We didn't get back to our room until about 10.30pm and I was surprised by how many people were out and about on a Monday night!
So far, it has been a fabulous first few hours in Sydney and we are looking forward to attending the Gift Fair tomorrow. We've both got our outfits all laid out and we will be looking professional and amazing!
It's just ticked past midnight, and The Motivator is in the bed beside mine trying to sleep, so I'd best stop clicking away on this keyboard and give her some peace.
Nite all.
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Photography Free
I find it odd that I've had no desire to take photos while on this self made personal retreat in Canberra.
The photo opportunities have been many and varied, with beauty and colour and energy and movement and dance and costumes and so much more!
In a bid to keep this retreat as my own private and personal journey that remains captured in my head and my heart, I've kept my phone/camera securely zipped in my bag.
It's been a fabulous two days and I've thoroughly enjoyed this 'me' time. I can't even remember the last time I did something on my own, so far from home ... eating when I feel like eating, going wherever my little heart desires, whenever my little heart desires and not having to take anybody else into consideration.
No sacrifices, no compromises, no second guessing and being completely and totally selfish.
I'm certain that it wouldn't be so enjoyable if my life was like that all the time, but once a year would make me very happy!
Today, I commissioned a lady to create a turquoise and silver pendant. She is a silversmith by trade and was selling gemstones at the health and wellness festival.
Today, I was asked for my website details by two stall holders and I issued my business card to them! Woot Woot!
Today, I was given my numerology details. He took one look at me and announced "You have something big and new and amazing happening at the moment!" and asked me for my date of birth.
I am a SEVEN. I'm philosophical and imaginative. I don't take things at face value and I need to study, test and analyse everything. I must learn through personal involvement and that makes it easier to share my experiences and apparently that makes me a good teacher. I find strength within myself and I am reluctant to ask for the help that I need.
I repel conformity. I strive for mental growth and development. My later years will be filled with writing and research.
I don't suffer fools. I struggle to finish tasks (ain't that the truth!). I need to be free to be me, so don't put me under the thumb. I have a magnetism that draws people to me (yeah whatever).
That's a brief summary of my 'life purpose' and my 'inner qualities'.
Anyway, after that, I could hear the sounds of the Multicultural Festival calling me, so I walked in the direction of the music and found myself being forcibly moved through the crowds. It reminded me of 'Finding Nemo' when the turtles were swept along the ocean currents! I had to pick my moment to jump free!
There was food from every nation on the planet - none of which was advertised as gluten free and the queues were so long, I wasn't going to join them if it meant finding that I couldn't eat it. So I moved to the entertainment area and found a seat to enjoy the dancing and the costumes and the music.
My favourite, by far, was the Greek music and when everybody joined in the Zorba the Greek dance. Everybody from every age group joined in and were having such fun! My cheeks ached from smiling so hard.
After I'd spent time sitting at four of the many live music stages, I decided to call it a day. It was 4pm and I was starving, so I found a restaurant that had takeaway roast pork and veg and then I went in search of a familiar landmark so that I could figure out how to get back to my accommodation.
I ate dinner, watched the women's cricket, read for a while and here it is after 9pm already!
Best pack my goods and make sure everything fits in the suitcase!
Nite all.
The photo opportunities have been many and varied, with beauty and colour and energy and movement and dance and costumes and so much more!
In a bid to keep this retreat as my own private and personal journey that remains captured in my head and my heart, I've kept my phone/camera securely zipped in my bag.
It's been a fabulous two days and I've thoroughly enjoyed this 'me' time. I can't even remember the last time I did something on my own, so far from home ... eating when I feel like eating, going wherever my little heart desires, whenever my little heart desires and not having to take anybody else into consideration.
No sacrifices, no compromises, no second guessing and being completely and totally selfish.
I'm certain that it wouldn't be so enjoyable if my life was like that all the time, but once a year would make me very happy!
Today, I commissioned a lady to create a turquoise and silver pendant. She is a silversmith by trade and was selling gemstones at the health and wellness festival.
Today, I was asked for my website details by two stall holders and I issued my business card to them! Woot Woot!
Today, I was given my numerology details. He took one look at me and announced "You have something big and new and amazing happening at the moment!" and asked me for my date of birth.
I am a SEVEN. I'm philosophical and imaginative. I don't take things at face value and I need to study, test and analyse everything. I must learn through personal involvement and that makes it easier to share my experiences and apparently that makes me a good teacher. I find strength within myself and I am reluctant to ask for the help that I need.
I repel conformity. I strive for mental growth and development. My later years will be filled with writing and research.
I don't suffer fools. I struggle to finish tasks (ain't that the truth!). I need to be free to be me, so don't put me under the thumb. I have a magnetism that draws people to me (yeah whatever).
That's a brief summary of my 'life purpose' and my 'inner qualities'.
Anyway, after that, I could hear the sounds of the Multicultural Festival calling me, so I walked in the direction of the music and found myself being forcibly moved through the crowds. It reminded me of 'Finding Nemo' when the turtles were swept along the ocean currents! I had to pick my moment to jump free!
There was food from every nation on the planet - none of which was advertised as gluten free and the queues were so long, I wasn't going to join them if it meant finding that I couldn't eat it. So I moved to the entertainment area and found a seat to enjoy the dancing and the costumes and the music.
My favourite, by far, was the Greek music and when everybody joined in the Zorba the Greek dance. Everybody from every age group joined in and were having such fun! My cheeks ached from smiling so hard.
After I'd spent time sitting at four of the many live music stages, I decided to call it a day. It was 4pm and I was starving, so I found a restaurant that had takeaway roast pork and veg and then I went in search of a familiar landmark so that I could figure out how to get back to my accommodation.
I ate dinner, watched the women's cricket, read for a while and here it is after 9pm already!
Best pack my goods and make sure everything fits in the suitcase!
Nite all.
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