Taking Stock

I hate taking things for granted, and so I'm jumping at the chance to Take Stock as Pip at Meet Me At Mike's has done (and done so well!). This is such a good way to look critically at your life and where you stand at the moment. So, here goes!

Making : a mess usually! It seems to be my way!
Cooking : hearty stews with lots of veggies
Drinking : Jarrah Choc O'Lait
Reading: Lone Wolf by Jodi Piccoult
Wanting: the answers to how, why, when and who.
Looking: at the big picture as much as possible, and ignoring the little things.
Playing: Candy Crush. Such a mindless game, but addictive.
Deciding: on our next camping location
Wishing: there were more hours in the day to sleep and get stuff done.
Enjoying: the coolish weather. I am such a Autumn/Winter girl.
Waiting: for the next Netball game
Liking: House of Cards with Kevin Spacey
Wondering: what my next favourite TV series will be.
Loving: my family (of course)
Pondering: over the fate of our world
Considering: my options incase I win Lotto
Watching: my children growing up right before my eyes
Hoping: that we have many more years together
Marvelling: at the beauty in our world
Needing: others to see their is beauty everywhere
Smelling: fresh bush air
Wearing: jeans and long sleeved top
Following: so many other bloggers, that I have lost count.
Noticing: more grey hairs, but isn't that what hair dye is for?
Knowing: ageing isn't the worst possibility
Thinking: of others who are worse off
Feeling: grateful ... always
Admiring: the things we have worked hard for
Sorting: children's clothes as they grow out of them
Buying: bigger sizes for the children
Getting: frustrated with clothing sizes
Bookmarking: Outlander, trying to get ahead before the next series.
Disliking: when you get hooked on a tv series and are left waiting a whole year
Opening: envelopes containing bills
Giggling: constantly at the antics of my children
Feeling: grateful ... always
Snacking: on cashews. Aren't they fabulous, but trying to restrict myself.
Coveting: Cadbury chocolate
Wishing:that I didn't like chocolate
Helping: as many as I can by donating blood
Hearing: little feet running

Defending the Biggest Loser Approach

There has been a lot of flack across the social media with the latest season of The Biggest Loser-Australia.

Tweets and posts on Facebook about torturing kids for ratings. People saying that the contestants must sign a clause to be dehumanised on TV. Comments about The Biggest Loser becoming a freak show when they bring out the bigger contestants, and that watching fat people on TV is not entertaining. I'm sure with every season comes a new barrage of haters.

The Biggest Loser is currently being show by Channel Ten in Australia, and you should check this preview out here if you are not sure what I am talking about.

I am standing up for their approach,

While watching this season, as well as previous ones, I have seen the trainers push the contestants to reach their potential. They are not degrading the contestants and name-calling. They are truthful in what it takes to get results. They are truthful and honest about how the contestants came to be in their current situation. They know all of the excuses and whinges to slow down or give up, and hear it all of the time. They are not there to pretend, or give these people a break; that is not their job. They are not there to make friends. 

They are there to share their expertise, get results and be professional in their role as a trainer.

These contestants put their hand up for the show because they knew they needed help.

The selectors chose these particular contestants because they were prime candidates to improve their lives.

Just as putting on weight does not happen overnight, the process of losing yourself, your self-worth and confidence is a gradual process.

The facade that a person will put up to say they are happy with life or that they accept that this is the way life is for them, is never their ideal situation or their lifetime dream.

The family and friends of these people may tell them from time to time that they need to get off their bum, that they need to eat better or look after themselves, but mostly, they bite their tongue, or the arguments turn into disapproving looks over time. 

When people approach a personal trainer or go to the extreme of applying for a national TV weight loss show, they are asking for help. 

They need help with their eating schedule and choices. 

They need help with food portions and selection.

They need help keeping motivated. 

They need help with their mindset, confidence and self-worth. 

They need help with exercise routines, techniques and equipment use.

They need help to see that their decisions and the way they choose to live affects a wide range of people.

They need help seeing the truth behind the consequences of poor eating habits, loss self esteem and inactivity. 

They need to know there are options.

They need to know they are capable, to do more than they think, to achieve their dreams.

They need to be told what to do, a push to keep going, and the encouraging words.

They need goals to aim for and rewards.

Many are asking for help in one of these areas; but many need help in all of these areas.

2013 The Biggest Loser, Australia Trainers Shannon, Michelle and The Commando

If the task was easy, there would be no contestants, no trainers, and certainly no show.

This year, there is the added challenge of dealing with family issues between the contestants being the child and their parent.

The fact is, obesity is an epidemic. Obesity causes multitudes of health problems. Obesity has detrimental effects on the person and those around them.

There is no doubt that the creators of The Biggest Loser are making money and getting ratings over this show. Whether that is the driving factor behind the show, or why it has survived many seasons; I really, truly don't care.

I do care that this program gives opportunity to people who need it, whether it be the contestants who appear on the screen, or whether it is the people at home who are being inspired by the efforts, motivated by the words, and grossed out by the hard truths.

What is that light over yonder?

With the start of Daylight Savings today in Tasmania, I am literally doing a little happy dance.

There is no better feeling that walking out of work at 5pm, seeing the sun still high in the sky, and knowing that you still have daylight to enjoy.

We try to make the most of the extra daylight hours and better weather where we can, and I will be sure to share some of this with you while it lasts.

We love to use this time as a family, to enjoy the outdoors. We also get together regularly with friends through the week for a BBQ, either at our homes or our fantastic local park. Those extra hours give us a great reason to get outside and do those jobs around the garden and exercise. Television shows usually take a backseat for our family during this period of extra daylight, but considering our regular favourites usually take a break over this time, it is certainly no loss.

I certainly know where I would rather be .... and it's not sitting in front of the box.

Do you have daylight savings where you live? Do you love it or hate it? 

Silence is golden, and not offensive

I was going about my business this morning, folding laundry, tidying, cleaning up the kitchen. All the while the TV was chatting away in the background. Every now and then, the TV caught my attention, and it made me wonder how some people get through day after day at home.

No reason to stay up

My daughter was asking about herself as a baby recently, and it brought back memories...

With my first born, she would wake religiously at 3am for a feed. I would hope that she might go at least half an hour either side. Why would it make a difference, you are thinking. Let's just say that the best thing on television at that time of morning was not my favourite viewing.

I would audibly groan as my daughter's whimpers and snuffles would wake me. It was not the thought of getting up to feed her, it was the sight of clock always showing that horrid time.

I'm sure it could have been worse. At least it was an Australian classic. The Sullivans never really excited me though, and did not do so at 3am in the morning either.

How I would loved having Austar, so I could flick through the many channels, and probably would have ended up watching a documentary on child-birth, or getting tips in advance on parenting. Surely Man vs Wild would have kept me awake or even a good story on the mating habits of animals, as I tended to get very drowsy sitting there on the lounge, listening to my baby gulp her milk.

Try as I might though, it was 2004, and the choice was much more limited than today. The Sullivans was the best thing my television had to offer.

Maybe it was a blessing in disguise, as I never got so wrapped up in the episode that I had trouble turning the TV off when feeding had finished, and the appropriate burps had been produced.

What did you do to pass the time whilst breast-feeding?

Don't disturb ... I am absorbing reality.

Have I told you about my love of certain Reality TV Shows? The ones that mix reality TV with renovation?

I am soooo excited that The Block will be airing it's new 2012 season on Monday night. There will be no guessing where I'll be @ 7pm. Actually, just in case of unscheduled catastrophe, I will be setting to record so I don't miss it, and can even watch it again to get me through to the next episode.

When 2011 season of The Block ended last year, it was like saying goodbye to old friends. My friendships have continued online though, having discovered the Facebook page of Polly and Waz , Rod and Tania, Josh and Jenna, Katrina and Amie. Even more exciting was discovering part-way through 2011 that Katrina is an avid blogger, and I have been following her ever since. She is one cool chick that has many talents.

So, this season will introduce 8 more couples, whom, no doubt, I will welcome into my lounge room each week and grow to love.I will get inspired by their passion and drive, their skills and sometimes lack there of. I will get sucked into the game of reality TV, and take sides in disputes. I will have an opinion on the style and design of each couple and eagerly agree, or dispute the judges weekly pick. I will marvel in the transformation of each home before my eyes, and the growth of each personality.

Scott Cam and Shelley will greet me as each episode opens, and I will settle back in the cushions, and exhale deeply. Nobody dare speak, walk in front of the TV, knock on my door or call my phone. Committing such sins during me viewing an episode of The Block 2012 will incur harsh consequences.

I hope you enjoy it too.

To whet you appetite I will leave you with The Block 2012 promo.

Happiness is .... A Stay-At-Home-Dad

Sunrise on Channel 7 did a great story this week about the increase in Dad's staying at home. The story actually focused on which parent is better as the stay at home parent. Personally, I think it would depend on the couple. I don't think you could say that all women are better at it, or all men, it's a task suited best to the individual who has the most patience, can relate to the children, can manage the household chores, and remain sane by the end of the day.

I am proud and happy that my hubby put his hand up about 18 months ago to stay home full-time with our youngest, and part-time while our oldest attended school. He is the go to person around the house while I work 30 hours a week. This suits me fine. I am one of those people who go slightly insane at home full-time.

I have noted a lot of advantages to this arrangement. My husband now has first hand experience at answering the questions he used to have. Such as, have you cleaned the house today, or why is our son running around naked? Hubby also has a different way with the kids than me. He is slightly firmer, but his patience can often outlast mine. Hubby also likes to do different activities and the children appreciate that they get a bit of both of us. Hubby has also become a dab hand at keeping the house tidy and has his own routines. Whichever parent is home on the day usually cooks dinner, which is great to come home to.

At the end of the day, I would say that this is working well for us at the moment.

As usual Iam linking up with Rub Some Dirt on It and with Where's My Glow? .

I know The Slap is not for me

This week, I know that just because something is getting hype and it has created a lot of talk, it doesn't mean it is for me.

Last week I watched the first episode of The Slap on ABC TV. It was said to be "moving"and "must see". I'm sure many people watched it and enjoyed the new Australian series based on the book.

Alas, I was not one of them. I tried .... really. I watched the whole episode, but just couldn't get excited about it in the least.

So ... this week I know that I will not be wasting another precious 30 minutes on this show when I could be blogging.

I am linking up all over the place today with Where's My Glow?

and alsoYay For Home

Grateful for ... being a Winner

Have you ever taken a chance? Are you the gambling type? Well, I'm not. Not usually. Mostly because I suck at it. If you are a fan of the TV show Winners and Losers, you will be familiar with the four girls who went to school together, who always referred to themselves as Losers (along with their fellow schoolmates). That is until they win the Lotto the night of their school reunion. I relate to these girls.


 I usually buy a ticket to help fundraising, or play the pokies because we are child free and can do so, or bet on the Melbourne Cup to make up the numbers. I don't actually expect to get a prize. So when our friends invited us to join their AFL tipping group, I said "why not". I have done AFL tipping before, even though I am not a huge fan of AFL. Unless I am in the tipping, I have no idea which are the top teams or who will beat who. I go for Hawthorn, if anybody asks, 'cause someone always asks, so I followed in my brothers footsteps.

The odds for this tipping group ended up being really good, as only 6 people joined our group. I must say, that even though I don't expect to win, if there is a bit of skill required and not just chance, I will give it my best shot. So I studied the ladder and made a couple of risky choices that paid off, and WON. Woo Hoo!

Hubby did his best to bump me out of 1st place. Cheeky bugger! As a result, he ended up in third.
And it was such a small cosy group, with a little competitiveness between us and some ribbing ... and one happy Winner!

This week's  is being hosted by Brenda @ Mira Narnie