Watching AFL: Make Sure To Block Your Ears

I remember watching AFL on TV when I was quite young . Actually, I probably wanted to watch cartoons, but my brother would have been in charge of the remote control, so good old Footy it was.

My brother was the reason I started watching AFL, and he was also the decider on which team to go for. It was, and always has been, Hawthorn. As far as picks go, his decision has served me well over the years.

As we come to the pointy end of the AFL season, with tipping all finished (not that it got me anywhere financially, but someone has to fund the winners), I am excited to see The Mighty Hawks vying for a spot in the finals.

I have been a somewhat complacent fan over the years, but the last few years have seen more involvement in tipping competitions and social gatherings on Grand Final Day. Both money and some friendly competition is always healthy in keeping the interest in sport fresh.

I will be in front of the TV supporting The Hawks, hopefully through to the Final, but no matter who is playing, you can guarantee I will be screaming like a banshee (much to the amusement of some and the embarrassment of the kids).

Bring on the footy jumpers and scarves, the chip and dip, and the kick of the football at half time. I look forward to this time of year - awfully Australian, I know.

source

How did you become interested in your favourite sport? Is it AFL?

Christmas Spirit ... Where are you?

Christmas is my favourite time of year. The festive colours, the building excitement and the thousands of sale catalogues filling my mail box is just my thing.

This year, my Christmas Spirit has gone missing.
I'm not sure how this happened, as it has never happened before to this extent.

Some years,  it takes me a little to get wound up, but usually, once the tree is up, there is no stopping me flinging lights here and there and hanging baubles. The countdown with the children leading up to that big day excites me as much as them, as I remind them each day to open the door on the Advent Calendar.

I love getting the tree out and decorating on the 1st of December.
Hubby does not understand my passion in buying a few new decorations each year, or why our little family has now four boxes full of stuff for one month in the year.
I happily dangle from the ladder to hang Icicle Lights on the house, and positively get dizzy winding the lights around the little Pine Tree in the front yard.
Its a simple, but effective display each year, which gives me joy in knowing that it has made at least one child in the neighbourhood say "Ooooooh".

This year, I have nothing.
I feel nothing.
The passion for Christmas is just not there.

I have put the tree up with the kids, because it is my duty as a parent of young children.

That's all I had to give.

I missed the Advent Calendar sale.
There are no lights adorning our house or tree in the front yard.
There have even been many nights I haven't even bothered to turn our Christmas Tree Lights on, if the kids had already snuggled down in bed.

Christmas has come around too fast this year. I am not ready.

Are you in the spirit of this festive season, or are you a little lost too? 

Those who inspire me

I have read some really good blogs lately and felt the need to share.

The following have a way with words.
yes dear!  Angela is also a Tasmanian girl. She has written a beautiful post about the role of a father.

we heart life Carly has created a beautiful blog that is uplifting and deliberately positive.

seven cherubs  Naomi writes about parenting and her busy family. She has started a GREAT link up which encourages you to learn about your "cherubs" and record important information.

maxabella loves Every week I join Maxabella for the wonderful "Grateful for" link up.  It is lovely to spend a moment each week thinking about what you are grateful for, and realising there are many on the list.

picklebums  I just loved this post from Kate, about how even after 3 children, credentials in Early Childhood, experience working with children and many hours of reading parenting material doesn't give you all the answers.

the things I'd tell you  Melissa (what a great name!) started her blog to record all the things she would tell her Mum, if she was still able. Melissa is a passionate blogger who covers a broad range of subjects, and shares her own struggles as well.

winter love 
Natalie is a single Mum who writes about the beauty in her life which includes her beautiful daughter.  Natalie was one of the reasons I was inspired to start my own blog.

I hope you get time to check these bloggers out and enjoy them as much as I do.

This week I'm grateful for .... creativity.

Today I am joining maxabellaloves for a blog hop.

I must admit I have become a little addicted to blog hops.

I have probably taken the least amount of photos in the last six months than any time I can remember since my first born entered our lives 7 years ago.

Ode to O

Oprah has been a part of my life since first becoming pregnant, eight years ago now. I didn't really have the time for her before then, being a full time employee. But then she entered my life, and she brought out the best in me.

I know she has a lot of critics and I guess she is "just doing her job", but it is the passion and emotion she puts into her work, and the way she shares her views that I admire. She was one of the first to make me sit up and look beyond myself, at myself, and question the way we live life.  Before this point, I had been going along in life in "automatic", plodding along, doing whatever was fun and thinking life would take care of itself. BIG WAKEUP CALL! Preparing for parenthood gave me a kick in the pants and Oprah has grounded me and helped since.

I have spent many episodes either in tears or grinning from ear to ear, depending on the content of Oprah's show. She has made me feel proud by things she has said, even though they weren't about me. She has also "wowed" me with her generosity and love of sharing. I remember her saying on many occassions "if it is worth doing or having, then it's worth sharing".

She has dared to prove many wrong over the years that she could do the job, and infact, was the presenter to try things on television nobody had done before. It has been to her credit that she now has her own magazine, her own production company, she has discovered talents like Dr Phil and Dr Oz, she was the first on day time tv to present her audience with gifts, and she has shared details of her life openly to the world.

I will miss Oprah, but I'm sure we will be seeing re-runs of her show for some time to come. I really can't see Oprah sailing off into the sunset to live "the quiet life". I'm sure she has much more to say, more things to share and much more inspiration to give.

Here are some of my favourite quotes.

As you become more clear about who you really are, you'll be better able to decide what is best for you - the first time around.
Oprah Winfrey
Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.
Oprah Winfrey

Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.
Oprah Winfrey

Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.
Oprah Winfrey

I don't think you ever stop giving. I really don't. I think it's an on-going process. And it's not just about being able to write a check. It's being able to touch somebody's life.
Oprah Winfrey

I still have my feet on the ground, I just wear better shoes.
Oprah Winfrey