People Sitting in Cars
Sometimes people sitting in cars
aren't doing the things you might think they are doing.
Sometimes people sitting in cars
are there because they just can't get out.
Amazing Blessings
I am on stress leave this week. The eventful year we have had finally got on top of me and I am worn out. Exhausted. Done In. I know one week can't fix things but it can give me space to get perspective. I need perspective. Being on one income means our money is pretty much all accounted for so I was going in to this week planning things that don't cost a lot to do but are still relaxing and pampering. So imagine my surprise when sitting in a random hair cutting place waiting for a $20 trim, and this lady walks up to me and asks if I would be a model for their trainee beauticians! 3 hours of pampering and I am now sporting eye lash extensions worth $110!!!
They are a little out-there but I do feel glamorous! I wonder if Kev will notice? I won't be offended if he doesn't (I'm not like that) but it will be fun to see how long it takes him. Hehe.
The other blessing for us at the end of last week was the gift of a holiday - anywhere we wanted to go, to the value of $1000! Thanks Salvation Army! we have chosen Hanmer Springs - luxury accomodation, petrol, food, pool entries and massages all paid for - bliss!!! Just got to find the time to go but we can possibly go this weekend with me sporting my luscious lashes and all.
So even in times of hardship, blessing is abundant.
Have a blessed Monday.
TPxx
They are a little out-there but I do feel glamorous! I wonder if Kev will notice? I won't be offended if he doesn't (I'm not like that) but it will be fun to see how long it takes him. Hehe.
The other blessing for us at the end of last week was the gift of a holiday - anywhere we wanted to go, to the value of $1000! Thanks Salvation Army! we have chosen Hanmer Springs - luxury accomodation, petrol, food, pool entries and massages all paid for - bliss!!! Just got to find the time to go but we can possibly go this weekend with me sporting my luscious lashes and all.
So even in times of hardship, blessing is abundant.
Have a blessed Monday.
TPxx
Unconditional Love
I was hugely blessed today. I am blessed every day but today, I spent time with my wee friend Lucy. Lucy is one of 5 children in a family of whom I am very close to. I boarded with these guys for 2 years, and remember the last 4 being born. I have been an integral part of their lives, and they mine. I am so blessed by this family in many ways. The thing I am loving at the moment is that these kids truly love me. When they come in to church and see me there, or when I visit them at home, they can't stop smiling at me. I get unconditional hugs from the youngest 4 (the oldest is an 11 year old boy and now way too cool to hug an 'aunty'). It is so fulfilling for me to have this contact with children when I don't have any of my own. I know when I do have children these guys will be the most wonderful, caring 'cuzzies'.
Anyway, back to Lucy. She adores me, and I her. I love how she is so free with her affections, and yet is not a people pleaser. Her parents have done a great job with her. Today I stole her and we hung out. Over the last 6 months, Lucy has been losing her hair. (As have 285 other Christchurch girls and women - as opposed to something like 65 reported cases last year. I think you can make the connection). The hair loss has gotten to the 'sensitive' stage, so we decided to make some funky headbands together. For Christmas last year I had given her a voucher to have some time with me and make a top, so we did that too. I loved every minute of it. Lucy is so laid back (even if her body is exhibiting the stress of the last year). The sewing machine ended up not working properly so we had to put the tops on hold, but we made the headbands and then had banana splits. I am so grateful to have Lucy in my life.
Anyway, back to Lucy. She adores me, and I her. I love how she is so free with her affections, and yet is not a people pleaser. Her parents have done a great job with her. Today I stole her and we hung out. Over the last 6 months, Lucy has been losing her hair. (As have 285 other Christchurch girls and women - as opposed to something like 65 reported cases last year. I think you can make the connection). The hair loss has gotten to the 'sensitive' stage, so we decided to make some funky headbands together. For Christmas last year I had given her a voucher to have some time with me and make a top, so we did that too. I loved every minute of it. Lucy is so laid back (even if her body is exhibiting the stress of the last year). The sewing machine ended up not working properly so we had to put the tops on hold, but we made the headbands and then had banana splits. I am so grateful to have Lucy in my life.
Catch Up...and some of it is deep
I am enjoying a well deserved break while my supervisors mark my first draft. Secretly I hope they send it back to me and tell me it's perfect and nothing needs changing. Somehow, I don't think that has ever happened in the history of dissertations. In the meantime I am making every effort to fully enjoy the break - imagine, two weekends with NO STUDY!!! Unheard of.
I am also enjoying a week away from teaching in the classroom. I am on a course about Restorative Practice which is how my school deals with relationship building and behaviour management. I love it because it is a philosophy which equips me to deal with any behaviours and I feel safe. I used to be worried about how I would handle real adverse behaviours in my classroom but with RP, I know everything will be ok and I will handle it. In my teaching career, I have had scissors thrown out of anger, a child up a tree and then running away, and another child head-butting their teacher aide and I have handled it all. RP rocks!
Today we learned about shame and the ways in which we all experience shame and mis-manage it. The mis-management of shame results in adverse behaviours which we all exhibit from time to time. We can either be in fight or flight mode. I am definitely a fighter! How about you? I used to think that no-one should ever experience shame. Now I think everyone innately experiences shame but it's the way you deal with it that makes the difference. Just like the bible verse that I can't remember right now about shedding light on the darkness, the quicker we shed light on shame, the faster it can be repaired. I've got a bit to work on. But I'm doing okay.
Some of my kids drawings from the screen printing workshop got their pictures published on a blog - so proud. You can see them here. They are so smart! I am beginning to remember how much I enjoy Term 3 because it seems to be the term where you see all the hard work pay off.
Kev and I decided this morning that if we have a baby and it's a boy, we will call it Zephram Cochrane Luke. Kev is now pretty excited about having kids cos he gets to name them after Star Trek characters! Not sure this name will stick which is why I'm telling you now - it's pretty funny. I asked him if we could call a girl Seven of Nine because that is the only girl name I know from Star Trek. She is a bit of a sex bomb on Star Trek but Kevin said no because he could never name his baby after a Borg??? I'm not sure but the way he said it made me think it must be bad! I had to laugh.
We have a new flatmate and he can cook! So good to come home to lovely meals that are not made by me! Kev cooks but it's not his favourite thing to do.
Enjoy your week.
TPxx
I am also enjoying a week away from teaching in the classroom. I am on a course about Restorative Practice which is how my school deals with relationship building and behaviour management. I love it because it is a philosophy which equips me to deal with any behaviours and I feel safe. I used to be worried about how I would handle real adverse behaviours in my classroom but with RP, I know everything will be ok and I will handle it. In my teaching career, I have had scissors thrown out of anger, a child up a tree and then running away, and another child head-butting their teacher aide and I have handled it all. RP rocks!
Today we learned about shame and the ways in which we all experience shame and mis-manage it. The mis-management of shame results in adverse behaviours which we all exhibit from time to time. We can either be in fight or flight mode. I am definitely a fighter! How about you? I used to think that no-one should ever experience shame. Now I think everyone innately experiences shame but it's the way you deal with it that makes the difference. Just like the bible verse that I can't remember right now about shedding light on the darkness, the quicker we shed light on shame, the faster it can be repaired. I've got a bit to work on. But I'm doing okay.
Some of my kids drawings from the screen printing workshop got their pictures published on a blog - so proud. You can see them here. They are so smart! I am beginning to remember how much I enjoy Term 3 because it seems to be the term where you see all the hard work pay off.
Kev and I decided this morning that if we have a baby and it's a boy, we will call it Zephram Cochrane Luke. Kev is now pretty excited about having kids cos he gets to name them after Star Trek characters! Not sure this name will stick which is why I'm telling you now - it's pretty funny. I asked him if we could call a girl Seven of Nine because that is the only girl name I know from Star Trek. She is a bit of a sex bomb on Star Trek but Kevin said no because he could never name his baby after a Borg??? I'm not sure but the way he said it made me think it must be bad! I had to laugh.
We have a new flatmate and he can cook! So good to come home to lovely meals that are not made by me! Kev cooks but it's not his favourite thing to do.
Enjoy your week.
TPxx
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