A Walk A Day Challenge.... Day 4, Soldiers Point Pier

My walk a day challenge has kinda gooooooone out the window I think.

We had a few days rain and now we are so busy getting things ready for our move, the days just are not long enough. 

I did get one day in though. It was a brief walk out to the Soldiers Point Pier one afternoon. 

At some stages it feels incredibly weird walking along the pier as the gaps between the planks of wood are bigger. So when your walking one way and the current is going the other way it feels incredibly weird. A weird feeling I didn't like at all.

Before we left, Zackie had to chase the seagulls.

xx

Prayers For Paris xxxx

Craft Time: Handmade Kids Sticker Book!

Kids just love stickers! They also love sticking them on the walls, on the furniture, on the windows, on the carpet.... everywhere.

SO with the move coming up soon I really don't have the time to be carefully pulling stickers off the walls so I decided to make Zackie a cool little sticker book, out of a folder and scrapbook papers.

I use a ring binder folder, the smaller size I think its A3? 

And an assortment of designs and sizes of scrapbook paper. 

Firstly I laminated the pieces. Mostly so the pages are thicker as my son likes to stick them on, pull them off again. 

Then cut all the pieces out. 

Hole punch them.

Pop them in the binder folder.

Volia! we are done! Easy huh?

For hours of StickY FuN!

Best thing is you can add more pages as you please, and you don't only have to use scrapbook paper! You could use old magazine pages, paper bags, Kids painting, ohhhh the ideas are endless!

Walk A Day Challenge: Day Three! Bagnall Beach Reserve Park to Amarna Resort.

So yesterdays walk was an easy one. Bagnall Beach Reserve Park to just past the Amarna Resort. 

I wanted to go further but I seen a snake, and that was a deal breaker for me. 

I have the worst snake phobia ever. Probably not the best phobia to have when the place we are moving to will probably have more sightings of them. I did stand there for a bit and try to look at it, warming myself up to the idea of snakes. But then the sneaky cridder popped its ugly head up and looked at me, I was like 'noooooope I'm out'.

The thing about my snake phobia is, it was only about 2 years ago I seen my first one in the wild. Boy oh boy was that an embarrassing episode! We went for a walk at Blackbutt reserve in Newcastle. They had signs up everywhere warning of snakes, I thought to myself surely we wont see any, its the middle of winter. But sure enough we came across the smallest little red belly black just minding his own business having a sunbake. Oh my, apparently it was a big deal for me!I could walk past it, I was crying and hyperventilating. Hubby thought he was going to have to piggy back me past it! I have no idea why I have this phobia. Maybe I was killed by one in my past life. Who knows! 

The sky was blue and the water crystal clear yesterday! Why would you want to be anywhere else?

Thing Zackie has been enjoying these walks more then me for a change. Or maybe its the big play afterwards at the parks. 

Stay tuned for tomorrows walk xx

Walk A Day Challenge: Day Two! Nelson Bay Marina Spit.

Day Two! Just a short Stroll today down the Nelson Bay Marina Spit. 

I love walking up here, always Pelicans Hanging around having a good time. 

Beauty can be found in so many simple things around Port Stephens. 

Come back tomorrow to see where I go next xx

Lest We Forget

We will always Remember

Lest we Forget xxx

Walk A Day Challenge : Day One, Fly Point To The Marina

So, with under 40 days left until we leave I have decided to challenge myself with a walk every day until then. Really to make the most of this paradise, and to have some great memories. 

Today was Fly Point to the Marina, in Nelson Bay. I did my first ever reverse angle park at Fly Point! I hate reversing. 

It was a stunning beautiful day for a walk to! Completely picture perfect. 

Once we reached the Marina, Zack had a play for ages at the park. 

Here he is offering me his shop special cake! 

Here is the Marina on the walk back. Complete Bliss!

Cant wait for my walk tomorrow xxxx

The Secret Pathway, To Heaven On Earth!

I have all the answers in one picture for you.

Enjoy xxx

Photo taken near Fly Point, Nelson Bay 

The Day My Heart Broke Forever.....

I can't believe it has already been 12 months. Like seriously where on earth does the time go? 

Its just a reminder, that time does not stop or slow down for anyone. 

12 months ago, my heart broke forever when you passed away. I know you were 98, and you wouldn't live forever. But you just not being around is just so unimaginable. You were my Great Grand Pop. The love I hold for you is just so unconditional. I was your little Becki. 

You were so determined to reach 100! I really thought you were going to make it. 2 months before you passed away, you health really took a turn for the worst. You had developed a brain tumor, which had killed a lot of movement to your left side. We had actually thought you had had a stroke. 

When I was told the news we drove to QLD that night, approx 13 hours. I wanted to be there for you that morning, seeing you had requested I come home the day before. It was hard seeing you struggle and so weak. You couldn't get up or walk to the toilet on your own, You had to be assisted. 

We wanted to keep you in your home until your 98th birthday. It was only a day away. It was such an achievement and blessing for you to have lived independently for so long, you had my mum to help you with jobs, and she cooked for you every night. 

I slept on the floor in your lounge room, and on your birthday we had Black Forest cake for breakfast. All your Great Great Grandkiddies were there. You loved them all so much. 

The following day we made the hard decision for you to go to hospital to get you ready for a nursing home. It was hard knowing that this is what it was coming to. You spent about 4  weeks in hospital. I came up and visited you every day. I sat with you and either just held your hand, or stroked your hair. 

We didn't talk much as most of the time I couldn't understand you. You changed every time you fell asleep. When I got you at a good time when you could talk properly and we would have a laugh, I deliberately kept you awake for that little longer as I never knew when the last time would be we could have a conversation. 

During this time in hospital your memory also started to slip, sometimes you didn't know who I was. You also took your frustration out on me, and that was perfectly fine. 

One of the last conversations we had together you told me that you wanted to ride a wild brumby bare back.  You sure did love your horses! Then this reminded me of when I was little and you used to give me horsie rides around the house on your back. This was when I told you, that you were free to go when ever you felt you needed. That was hard. But he deserved peace. 

I also took this picture one day when you were napping. I treasure it with all my heart. 

Finally the time come where you were shifted to the nursing home. Once there and knowing you were settled I would head home. Jayden needed to go back to school, and Zack was missing his Daddy terribly. We took photos and decorated your room. I organised to get you a fresh bunch of flowers sent every week. 

I went to see you one last time before I had to leave. You were in a bad state. The nurses informed us you had passed away but bought yourself back. That made it even harder to leave. 

It was a month before I was able to fly back to see you. I was really nervous, the whole flight. Then I started getting sharp pains in my head, and I couldn't see. My eyes were watering. I thought my head was exploding. What was happening to me?? This was a pain I had Never felt before in my life.  A flight attendant had to sit with me to make sure I was ok, then I was escorted off the plane. They wanted to call me an ambulance but I convinced them I was fine. All I was worried about was coming to see you and spend as much time as I could with you while I was there. 

As soon as I got to Kingaroy, I went to the nursing home with Aunt Vanessa. You were sleeping, so we just sat around you and talked while holding your hand and stroking your face. We did attempt to wake you a few times, but you didn't budge. 

The nurses came in to turn you, and they managed to wake you. After the nurses left, I stood there looking into your eyes. I lent in and told you that I loved you. You said something back, but I have no idea what it was. After that you took your last breath. 

And that was the day, my heart broke forever.. .

I was relieved you would no longer suffer. But I knew I was going to miss you so much.

There is not a single day that goes by that I don't think of you. 

You were so remarkable, a true gentleman. Caring, loving and real. My aim in life, is to guide my sons, to be such remarkable men like you were. 

I was so lucky and blessed to have you in my life, and still at your age of 98. 

I know you are still with me. But I still miss you so darn much. 

When Life Is dull....

When life is looking a little dull,

Throw around some sequins & glitter.....

AND MAKE IT SPARKLE xx

When Tinder goes horribly wrong.....

For those of you who my not know, Tinder is a free dating/ hook up app. 

My partner came home from work the other night to tell me a story about something that happened to some guys at work. 

One of them decided to throw a Halloween party and invited some chicks off tinder to come along.  

They were having a great night, drinking a homemade punch, and one of the guys had slept with one of the chicks already. 

The guys had started feeling the strong 'effect' the punch had on them. Then next minute the chicks ran out of the house, the guys were a bit confused as to what was going on then they realized their phones and wallets were missing. 

One of the guys was able to get up and chase after the chicks and managed to grab one, while he done that she started screaming and yelling out rape, so he instantly let her go. 

So needless to say the chicks had spiked the guys drinks and took off with their phones and wallets. 

There is always a hype on chicks being careful with this kind of thing but in all seriousness guys could be in just as much danger. One of these guys was still affected by the drugging on the Monday morning. 

Its a reminder to everyone really to be careful!

Indulgence -Melbourne Cup Day Luncheon- @ Anchorage, Port Stephens

This year for Melbourne Cup, we decided to be a little bit fancy! 

Why not??? It's only a month and half till we leave and I'm all about the memory making before we go. 

So we headed to Anchorage Port Stephens. I had never been there before and upon walking through the door felt very inviting. 

I think we were seated in the best seat of the house. We could see everyone and the TVs inside but also had the best outside view of the water. 

We seated and had a Champers for a start. 

I then decided to spoil myself and got a bottle of Moscato. The table service was so amazing, that it would of only been minutes after finishing my drink and the waiters were there filling my glass again. Never had that kind of service before. 

Time ticked by fast,  I guess it always done when you are having fun and with fantastic company. 

Lunch was amazing, Pork, salmon, roast potatoes and a selection of seafood. Divine. Desert we indulged in lemon tartlets and fruit.

Made our bets, and got our sweeps before the big race that stops the nation!

It was amazing to watch the first woman in history win. Unfortunately I didn't back the winner but i got 2 seconds in the sweeps, so that was pretty exciting. 

After the race, we had a bit of fun in the Both Pro photo booth!

These guys had an amazing set up with some fantastic props!

And that my friends, was my best Melbourne Cup ever!