When running away from home seems like the right thing to do....

Last night around 8pm we decided to take our youngest son Zack for a drive. When we opened the door we came across a stuffed Lion, pair of grey pants, socks and black shoes. Puzzled hubby and myself looked at each wondering whose stuff it may be. 

Puzzled I had no explanation of the mysterious items that turned up on our door step.  

Apart from someone must of just dropped them off at the wrong place. So I thought I would do up a post on facebook to see if anyone recognized them, I was more worried that some little kid may be missing their snuggle lion. 

Not long after one of my friends messaged me, just as puzzled as I was letting me know that they were her sons items! 

After a brief phone call we put together what had actually happened. 

This arvo she had had a little argument with her son, and he was told to go to his room. In which he replied I am going to live with Beck & Jayden. Not thinking much of it, my friend thought he had just gone to his room. 20 minutes later he came back up stairs and was talking to his parents as if he was fine, 

In that 20 minutes that he was down stairs he had actually ran to my place, then back home again as no one had answered the door. (we do just live around the corner from each other). 

When no one answered the door he proceeded to just leave the items here before quickly running home again. 

Although we can have a brief laugh about it, it is a reminder on how quickly children can act. 

We are all just so thankful he got home safely. 

Now he had a time out chair!

xx

Sunday!!! Funday!! Sunsets on the Beach..... Bliss

Sunday evening..... While watching the sunset...

THIS HAPPENED!

Sad thing is, I am pretty sure that this was the first time in the 3 years that we have lived here that I actually had a wine on the beach! Thinking about it, I am disappointed. 2 months to go and we will leave Port Stephens! So its on the list TO DO AGAIN!!!!!

The Sunset was amazing, this was taken on the Anna Bay end of Stockton beach.

We were even treated with watching some horses on the beach. It was pure beauty. 

 Nothing relaxes the soul more then listening to the waves crash on the beach while feeling the sea breeze in your hair. I'm going to miss this place!

Zack posed for a beach shot! 

He also went for a swim! I caught this photo of him running away from Daddy back down to the water when it was time to go. He was not ready! Ha HA 

Make sure you make time to enjoy the small things in life.  

xx

I'm going to have a little vent!

Ok guys, I need to VENT!! 

So, on my lunch break, I went to Woolies to get some stuff for tonight's dinner. I noticed this lady was staring at me on the same aisle I was on. No biggie. I moved to the next aisle and here she comes again... STARING! So now I'm like, "WTF," but finish up my shopping and head to the check out line.Of course this same lady was ahead of me... starts staring again. Awkward. So I start playing with my phone so I don't have to look at her. Finally she ...says "I want to apologize for staring at you, but you look just like my daughter who just passed away." I felt really bad after that and gave her my condolences. She says "Thank you...but I have a favor to ask. I understand if you don't want to. Can you give me a hug and say 'bye mama' to me?" Inside I was like "wth", but me being the softie that I am, I went ahead and did it. She smiles, thanks me, and leaves. The cashier rings up my stuff and the total comes out to $100.87. I knew something wasn't right, because after my coupons it should have been like $40.00 or so. The girl tells me that my total was included with my mom's. I'm like, "What?!!!" she said, "Your mom said you were paying for her last few items along with your things. I told her that the woman was most definitely NOT my mom. She said, well I saw you hug her and heard you call her mama. I flew out of the store looking for this witch, ready to beat her ass. I see her loading up her car! She saw me and jumped in her car, I got to her as she was putting her leg in, and I started pulling her leg... JUST LIKE I'M PULLING YOURS!!!!

Sorry I couldn't help myself, received this in an email and had to share xx

New Blog Promotion Cards!

So in about 64 days, we will be taking off on an amazing 3 week adventure before reaching our new home near Katherine, in the NT.

We will be travelling to the Blue Mountains, Canberra, Melbourne, great ocean road, Adelaide, Cobber Peddy, Uluru, Grand Canyon, Alice Springs then lastly up to Katherine. I want to blog about the trip as much as I can.

I would absolutely love the places I blog about to know I will be doing so, so I have ordered these super cute promotion cards! 

I plan on leaving them EVERYWHERE! 

SUN and FUN @ the BEACH! Making the most of our last 70 days in the Port Stephens Area!

70 days left in Port Stephens before we make our move to the Northern Territory! Are we excited? YES YES YES!! Adventure, adventure and MORE adventure! 

Today we headed down near Corlette Point so the boys could have some fun.

Tide was a tad out, making the water shallow enough for Zack to paddle around in.

Sun was shining and the water crystal clear.

It sure is a hard job living in PARADISE!

Glad it was us that got to do it! Very blessed. 

Happy Sunday Everybody xx

Cute Kombies!

Had to share this super cute picture I took a few weekends ago.

Have a safe and happy weekend friends! 

It's My Lucky Day!

It's the little things in life that can bring the biggest smiles of all.

I have been feeling a bit down last few days (hence the lack of posts). No particular reason for feeling down, it just happens sometimes I think because of my thyroid disease.  But today after taking master J to school I was adoring the bushland across the road when I looked down and found a 4 leaf clover! To me this is a sign that everything will be more then ok.... Might even be my sign to by a lotto ticket! heheheh xxx Happy Thursday friends.

Things that make ME Happy =) *Smile *Laugh *Giggle

Quite often we get over whelmed by the bad things in our lives, the negative things. 

 So today I thought it would be a wonderful thing to share with you the things that make me happy! 

Firstly My Family makes me happiest! There is never a day that goes by where I don't think how lucky I am to be blessed with a beautiful loving partner and 2 adorable sons. 

Other things that make me happy:

-CRaFTS-

-PaiNTiNG-

-PuRPLE-

-GLiTTER-

-TiE DYE-

-BOHeMiAM-

-WiNDCHiMES-

-DREaMCaTCHERS-

-SUNCaTCHERS-

-BeADS-

-BooKS-

-CRYSTaLS-

-TRaVEL-

-EXPLoRING-

-MY FRiENDS-

-COCKTAiLS-

-ELEPHaNTS-

-LaUGHiNG-

-CooKiNG-

-CHOCOLaTE-

-STRaWBERRiES-

-MaNGO-

-SMaRTiES-

-BEaCH-

-SHeLLS-

-WaVES-

-ReLAXING-

-WaLKS-

What makes you happy??? ...

Paying It Forward! It feels great to do a good deed!

So i came across this post on Facebook this week....

Yep you guessed it, I have put a pack of beautiful books together and will be sending them this week! 

You can to of you have some laying around your kids no longer read =) 

Always Remember How Far YOU Have Come.....

I love this! 

Wonderful Business Review! LITTLE TIN SHED MEDOWIE!

Business Review: LITTLE TIN SHED MEDOWIE!

Once in a while, you may come across a business that you want the world to know about.... Although I am not to sure if this business would benefit from the world knowing, but more so from everyone in the Port Stephens area knowing, and tourists that are visiting the area! 

This business is the LITTLE TIN SHED MEDOWIE!

I have been here a coupe times now,... and quit frankly I am extremely disappointed with myself that I didn't make the effort to go there sooner! I can not praise these guys enough.

They sell the freshest veggies ever! Everything is picked fresh every morning! It looks good, it smells good and most of it it has taste! Great taste! Yep you read that right you can actually TASTE it! Best of all, it doesn't go off within a week of having it. I had broccoli and cauliflower for nearly a month in my fridge and when I ate it, it was still crispy fresh. 

I live out at the bay, so its a half hour drive there and back, but it is so worth it! Don't believe me? Go and see for yourself YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! 

Today I got all this for...... wait for it...... wait for it..... ONLY $30!!!!!

Follow them on facebook! 

https://www.facebook.com/sarah.harris.9047506?fref=nf

You can find these guys at 643 Medowie Road, Medowie.

SHARE SHARE SHARE, SO EVERONE IN THE AREAD KNOWS ABOUT THESE GUYS! 

Yeah! Nominated For Awards Already! THE LIEBSTER AWARD! Go Me!

Oh my! I am so excited! The lovely ladies Hannah & Sara from The Perfect Storm (http://www.theperfectstormbffs.com/)  have nominated me for the LIEBSTER AWARD! 

First let me tell you guys a little about the Liebster award! It's basically an award that is passed down to new bloggers, and highlight their new blogs. It all comes from the idea that we should support each other, and build a strong blogging community. I will also be nominating a few new bloggers for the award as well.

Hannah and Sara are beautiful Besties! (BFFS) There blog is a wonderful Lifestyle blog, where they both share their ideas, thoughts and awesomeness! You go girls! Don't forget to stop by their blog and see for yourself the awesomeness they have for offer! 

OK... So here are the questions Hannah & Sara have asked me....

Nominee Questions:

1. What is the story behind your blog name?                                                                   -Looking Forward Looking back is a song by Slim Dusty that my great grandfather absolutely loved. He passed away last year and the wonderful age of 98. This was the song we played at his funeral and every day it would ring in my head  so I just knew it would be perfect as my blog title. 

2. When and why did you start blogging?

 -Only a few weeks ago. Its been something I had wanted to do for a while and thought there is no better time then now! I have mostly made it for my sons to read through when they are older and to keep my mind busy while I am unable to work at the moment due to Under active Thyroid disease  I have.

3. Where you like to be in 5 years time?

 -Rich (as I would have won the lotto)  and sun baking on the beach with cocktails. 

4. If you could write a letter to yourself 10 years a go, what is one thing you would tell your younger self?

 -Don't do it, Just don't

5. What do you find to be the most challenging part of blogging?

 -Due to being fairly new to the game I have not yet come across any challenges! 

6. If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would it be?

 -Egypt to see the pyramids. I'm sure I lived there in a past life.

7. What is your favorite food?

-I love Spinach! and ice-cream andddddd cheesecake! 

8. What is one thing that you want to do before you die?

-Win the lotto (and I will heheheh). Just travel and see as much of the world as I can. 

9.What is your favorite post that you have written?

-This one! I have only written a couple so far, and being nominated for an award surely is the best!

10. What advice would you give to someone just starting a blog?

-HAVE FUN, and lots of it!

11. What is one goal related to blogging that you would like to complete in the next year?

-Would like to grow my follow base, and continue having fun while I do it.

Now I would LOVE to nominate some other bloggers! 

Kayleigh from 'Through the eyes of a mum'

https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Eyes-Of-A-Mum-912737665467015/timeline/

Michelle from 'The Special Mums World'
https://thespecialmomsworld.wordpress.com/

Ellie from 'Ellie Jane Blogs' 
http://elliejanelblogs.blogspot.co.uk/?m=0

Charlotte from 'The Mummy Toolbox'
http://www.themummytoolbox.com/

Oriella from 'Oriebella's Imagination'
https://oriebella.wordpress.com/

Lauren from 'The Life Emporium'
http://www.thelifeemporium.com/

Anam from 'B With Beauty Numz'
https://bwithbeautynumz.wordpress.com/

Alex from 'Random Geeky Dad'
http://randomgeekydad.blogspot.co.uk/

Merel from 'Miss Clumsy'
https://missclumsyblog.wordpress.com/

Loui from 'Type 1 Traveller'
http://www.type1traveller.org/

Instructions for Nominees:

– Create a blog post on your site, answering the questions I will provide below.

– In your post, be sure to link back tothe blog that nominated you (me!) with a thank you and a shoutout.

– After completing the questions, add a section for your nominees.

– Select, list, and link to 11 other bloggers with under 200 followers. Provide them with these instructions and give them an additional 11 questions to answer.

– Notify your nominees and provide a link to your post so they know what to do.

When you’re all finished, come back here and comment with the link to your post so I can read your answers!

Nominee Questions:

1. What is the story behind your blog name?
2. When and why did you start blogging?
3. Where you like to be in 5 years time?
4. If you could write a letter to yourself 10 years a go, what is one thing you would tell your younger self?
5. What do you find to be the most challenging part of blogging?
6. If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would it be?
7. What is your favorite food?
8. What is one thing that you want to do before you die?
9. What is your favorite post that you have written?
10. What advice would you give to someone just starting a blog?
11. What is one goal related to blogging that you would like to complete in the next year?

R Challenge! Easy Peasy!

                       

                       

Just got tagged in this challenge on Facebook! Give it a go for a bit of fun.

                               Every answer must start with the first letter of your first name:-

Name: Rebecca

Animal: Rabbit

Boy's name: Robert

Girl's name: Renae

Colour: Red

Something you wear: Robe

Drink: Rum 

Food: Raspberries

Something in your bathroom: Razor

Place: Renmark

Reason to be late: Rain

Thing to do: Relax

Conduct Your Own Pap Smear???? ..... WAIT WHAT????

So while scrolling through facebook today I come across this article. Can this be real? 

I honestly don't know how I feel about this... Reducing actual pap smear screening to 5 yearly? 

Women need to understand the importance of this 5 minutes of feeling uncomfortable. 

I'd like to share, my story.....

Life seem to have got in the way to 'bother' about getting my 2 yearly pap smear. I knew it had been a while since my last one but it didn't phase me.  

I was trying to fall pregnant, and it just didn't seem to be happening. So I went to the doctor to get a check over and he suggested a pap smear. I thought yep better get it done. 

2 weeks later, I got the phone call from my doctor telling me the test come back with abnormal cells. He kept telling me not to worry until I get a colposcopy done. How could I not worry? I cried and got angry when I finally calmed down to see what the results would be. 

It was a long 6 week wait for the appointment. In that time I also found out I was pregnant. 

When I got the colposcopy done they were able to confirm I had  the pre cancer Cin 3. Due to being pregnant they were unable to conduct a biopsy however I had to go back every 3 months during the pregnancy to monitor it. 

So what did I do when I go home???? Googled Cin 3. Worst idea ever! All I kept thinking was the worst. It had been at least 10 years since my last Pap smear. How long did I have left before it turned to cancer.... Because who knows how long I already had it for. 

I finally got through all the colposcopys during my pregnancy. Most degrading uncomfortable thing for a pregnant woman to ever go through! 6 weeks after giving birth via c section I was sent in for my biopsy. One does not know uncomfortable until you have had one of them done. 

The biopsy confirmed that I needed the LLETZ procedure. LLETZ is  A fine wire loop charged with electricity and is used to shave away the abnormal tissue from the cervix. Sounds bloody scary eh??? 

At the time we were living in Ipswich QLD and due to move to NSW within the month. Ipswich hospital confirmed they could get me in for the procedure before we leave and they would call me. They never called until the day after we left so I had to start back at square one with a new doctor in NSW. 

This was when it started turning into a headache. The waiting lists for the colposcopys was 6 months! Had it done and was told to come back in 3 months. Came back in 3 months and was told it had been downgraded to CIN 1 and to come back in 6 months. Went back again in 6 months time, and had 3 biopsy's done in the one appointment to be told it was CIN 3 again and had to go on the waiting list as a matter of urgency for the procedure. 

That was the worst appointment I had every had. After it I was faint and vomiting and totally hated on myself for being a female. I would never have wished my worst enemy to even go through it. 

I got in for the procedure within 3 months. Only to be told after the procedure I didnt really need it??? But the scraped the cells anyway. 

Like seriously what is going on with my body?

Doctors told me your body can fight it.

It has been nearly 12 months since my last check up. I will be in for a pap smear in the next few weeks. There is NO WAY I will delay it. The little bit of uncomfortable brings a huge peace of mind.

Trust me, I know.

So ladies don't delay, go get your Smears! 

Never be afraid to remind your lady friends of the importance! 

Leg Shaving Season! -The Struggle My Friend Is REAL!!

The things us women need to do! 

Exploring The Barrington Tops National Park! & some facts on the Park.

One reason, I have decided to start a blog is to show off all the beautiful places we visit. Australia has so much to offer, and there will never be more then enough people bragging about it! 

So over the weekend we took the 2 hour drive to the Barringtons.

*The Barrington Tops National Park is a protected national park located in the Hunter Valley.

*The park is believed to be an extinct volcano.

*Snow usually falls on the mountain peaks every year and occasionally snows enough to close roads.

 *Rainfall can exceed 1,500 mm per year.

*The traditional owners of the area are the indigenous people of Australia, known as Australian Aborigines.

*Some of the rivers flowing through the Barrington range have been classed as wild rivers meaning they are exceptionally pure and unpolluted.

*The highest peak is Brumlow Top which rises to a height of 1,586 metres.

*A number of aircraft have crashed in and around the Barrington Tops, Aeroplane Hill being named after one of the crashes.

*The altitude, frequent fog & cloud, storms and cold weather (causing icing) make this area potentially hazardous to aircraft.

 *Numerous walking trails and camping grounds are scattered throughout the park.

*The park also contains well marked and well-maintained gravel roads as well as specific 4WD tracks into less travelled areas.

*The 76,512-hectare park is situated between Scone, Singleton, Dungog, Gloucester and East Gresford.

*In the lower valleys, you will find World Heritage-listed subtropical rainforests.

*The park is home to more than 40 threatened species, including koalas, tiger quolls, owls and rufous scrub birds but you are more likely to meet old acquaintances such as kookaburras, possums, wallabies and kangaroos. 

We came across these adorable little guys on the drive in! 

Not sure what the story is with this pole but I am sure it is a good one! 

You could easy spend weeks exploring what the Barringtons have to offer.