She looked at the limp, black bundle in my arms appraisingly.
"To be honest I put down ones that looked a lot healthier than that yesterday. I really think I should..," she trailed off.
The words hung unspoken in the air between us.
I knew what she wanted to say.
But clearly yesterday had been a crappy day for her and she could see from the look in my eye and the pleading tone in my voice I wasn't giving up.
"I know she's just a foster kitten, but can't we give her a go? I'll pay for any treatment she needs...." and then I too trailed off.
The vet looked at me squarely.
"Ok, but she's going to need feeding by syringe, medication and a lot of care."
"No problem!" I said hastily.
So she sits here in a basket beside me as I type.
A little black stray.
Who needs a second chance. (She may still need to be put down but I'm hoping she makes a recovery from this horrible flu)

I've spent much of this week just being. Instead of anxiously wondering "what's next?" I decided not to care. I've made shadow puppets on the wall with the kids and laughed hysterically at our little creations. We've read Alice in Wonderland, we've talked till late and cuddled close. All precious and perfect.

I too needed a second chance, and so I am grateful this week for:

1. Bootcamp. I went twice. Loved it. Didn't go back. But instead of giving up I'm rallying local friends round to come with me. Clearly I need more than the incentive of rock hard abs (who am I kidding?) to get me out of bed at 5.45am three mornings a week. So I'm going back again this coming week. Take 2.

2. Leis and Luaus are written in the stars this weekend. Well on the email invite anyway. So grateful to the kind person who lined me up with a lei which fortuitously matches my outfit perfectly.


3. Well it may sound sappy but I am grateful that I helped make an e-book. It's my first one and I am so proud to have played a role in making it. Lovely Easter stuff. Helped by the fact that the offspring loved being the guinea pigs as it were, for much of the craft and cooking. A rollicking good time was had by all.

I'm grateful to be back in my space. Back at my blog. And I hope to catch up and visit you all too.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone x

What a week it has been. I've seen the absolute best in people here in Perth as fires blazed out of control both North, South and East of us. We were thankfully well away from any danger, but many others were not so fortunate. The weekend forecast is pretty awful in terms of fire danger and I am sincerely hoping that Perth remains blaze free.

This week I'm joining in with Maxabella again. I'm grateful for:

1. Playdates, coffee mornings and telephone chats with friends. Now that we're back in the school routine and I am bit more organised, I'm really enjoying this time with people. I feel very blessed.

2.  Supportive bosses. I feel particularly lucky to work for people who are unfailingly encouraging and generous with their time and suggestions. While I only meet one of my bosses when I am over East, my chats with her always leave me smiling. As well as offering me many fantastic opportunities, it makes a huge difference to be part of collaborative work environments. And my other job FORCES me to try things like this:

3. This weekend Husband and I are going out. To Rockpool. I am looking forward to this more than I can say.

While the week ahead poses its share of worries including Husband's grandmother undergoing potentially life threatening surgery, it's also my brother's birthday and he shares it with St Valentine. Sweet no? And a highly useful way never to forget his birthday ;) And in other news, I've signed up for bootcamp. (See pic above as a key reason for it)
So if I don't post next week you'll know that ended very badly indeed.
I hope it is a good week for you.

PS Have you rewound at The Fibro? So easy to do and a great way to read other posts and meet new bloggers as well.

It's one of those weeks where I am heartily grateful that I can think about the positive things in my life and give them a much needed airing. Thank you Maxabella.

1. My husband's ear. It has been bent almost in half by me this week, but is holding on. Just. By the way, that is metaphorically speaking of course. Just wanted to be clear in case anyone thought I was engaging in some kind of aberrant behaviour.

2. I've never made a secret that I love escapist TV series. So "Rome" and "V" are proving to be a delightful way to spent some happy evenings curled up on the couch. Preferably sipping a cup of hot tea and nibbling on some Lindt dark chilli chocolate.

3. New profile pics. Some of you commented on them and said some lovely things. My gorgeously talented brother took them. My old one was taken at a pretty tough time for me and I think these new ones are more reflective of the new place I am in you know, most of the time

And to leave you on a cheerful note. Here's a wee joke.
Q: What bee can never be understood?
A: A mumble-bee!



I'm also hooking up with some lovely ladies in the UK!

Love this time of the week where I link up with Maxabella and remember what I'm grateful for.

1. Catching up with friends old and new, former and future. Sharing our hopes about what the year will bring for our offspring as the new school year begins. Please let that include no nits

2. Persian Fairy Floss. You complete me. Actually you complete any dessert or treat I serve up.

3. Cocktail rings. Some things don't need explaining do they?
Have a wonderful weekend everyone. We're busy with the last minute back to school preparations and cleaning and chasing after 4 small kitties. And there's a cyclone due here on Sunday.
Never a dull moment!

I'm finally back at my beloved desk in my study looking across my front garden. The renovations are almost over and at last I am back in my writing place. Outside it's windy and a little willy wagtail is hopping gleefully across the grass.
It's been a tumultuous week for many reasons, but this beautiful beach has been a source of so much fun (and sand) for my family the past few days.
Our house-sitter is arriving shortly and then Husband and I are departing with three insanely excited offspring on our holiday.
I'm grateful to him and them, for reminding me that this little family unit is all that really matters.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone.
xoxo

It's that time of week again where I tell you what I'm grateful for.

2 words.

School Holidays.

There may be a little celebrating taking place at Casa de Chaos.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone.
See you on the other side of it.
  

It's the weekend and it's filled with swimming lessons, parties and BBQ's. It's also awash with a mountain of laundry, floor mopping and neverending dusting.
But right now I'm sitting in my freshly painted re-windowed (not a word I know, I know) living room while the world whirls around me. I'll get off the couch. Eventually.
This weekend I'm grateful for family.
The centrifugal force that are really all that matters.

From the sob-fest I had yesterday watching my daughter sing with joy and enthusiasm at her end of year concert yesterday through to snuggling a feverish Mr Small between husband and myself last night.
Thanks Maxabella for the reminder to be grateful.
I really am

Have a great weekend everyone
xxx