Happy New Year

Hapy New Year friends. Hope you enjoy the celebrations. Whitesnake and I have some time off so we'll be taking a wee blog break. See you in the New Year.



Lots of Love
KB
xxx

Say It Isn't So

On average, women say 7000 words per day. Men manage just over 2000.

I can believe it too. I wonder if they counted up the amount of times men grunt in response to questions rather than speaking, it would be a little more even?

See you tomorrow for Skywatch
Love KB
xxx

Christmas Day Pics

Whitesnake

Josh and Sis

KB and Whitesnake

Food time

Dad

KB

Josh, Mum and Sis

Pressie time

Drink time

After drinks time


Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas
Love KB
xxx

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas friends. Have a fantastic time with your family and friends, stay safe and don't forget to report back about all the fun you had. I sure will.



Lots of Love KB, Whitesnake and Coco.
xxx

Keeping Up With KB

All is good here. The weather is getting warmer, a lovely 21 degrees today. Christmas shopping is done and pressies wrapped and under the tree. Whitesnake is into his second week at his new job and he's loving it. He seems much happier and back to his calm, easy going self.

I've clipped back Coco's hair so she is a little cooler but I'm thinking I'll have to cut back more as she is still finding the weather a little much. Poor baby, must be hard wearing a fur coat in Summer.

Looking forward to Christmas Day at Mum and Dads. Going to make a cuppa now and read a book in the shade. Life is good! What are you all doing for Christmas?

See you tomorrow.

Love KB
xxx

Santa Claus

Here's my contribution to One Shot. Merry Christmas to all my One Shot friends.

Early to bed

Anticipate the dawn

No thoughts of our Saviour

Or the day he was born

Tossing and turning

No sleep to be had

Excitement is growing

Driving me mad

Peer through the curtains

Searching the sky

Hoping perchance

I'll see him fly by

Squeals of delight

He surely has been

Little sis impatient

To share what she's seen

Skip through the kitchen

Crumbs left on his plate

Gifts galore surprise me

Santa was definitely worth the wait

Love KB
xxx

Whitesnake's One Shot is here

KB's Bookshelf

30 days to a happier, healthier me - day 9




I love to read but I haven't been reading as much as I used to. I really miss it. I read a total of 15 books last year which is way down on the amount of previous years. Some of the books I read last year were quite big actually so maybe that explains the drop. My reading goal for next year is to set aside half an hour a day (minimum) for reading and to read 20 books (minimum).

I'm starting to accumulate books again and we really don't have the room for so many. I'm part of a club - Bookcrossing, which encourages readers to swap books and leave others in public places for strangers to pick up. Each book has a code which we enter online and each person who receives the book will hopefully make a record of it at Bookcrossing too and this way we can track where are books are. It's a wonderful feeling when you discover you made the day of a complete stranger or friend just by passing on a book.

I'll continue to leave books and pass them on to friends but I also though of another way of sharing my books. I'm thinking of making a competition for my readers. I'll put all the names of people who comment on my blog into a hat and draw a winner each month. I realise not all my readers would be interested in receiving a free book as a prize so I'm gonna come up with some other ideas too.  Perhaps you have some ideas for me?

The rest of my 30 days is going well, I went on an extra walk last week, tried a new recipe and went walkabout. Didn't have any alcohol free nights last week and drank over my limit but already had one alcohol free night last night. Been eating heaps of fruit and veggies too and I'm feeling really good.

Anyway, that's all from me today.

See you tomorrow for One Shot.

Love KB
xxx

You can see the previous 30 days to a happier, healthier me here and the books I've read so far here.

Christmas Gifts

Here's my contribution to Microfiction Monday. Each week, the lovely Susan posts a pic and the gang each write a story about it in 140 characters or less. It's lots of fun, follow the link above to join in.

What happened to bringing Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh for the baby?

That’s so old fashioned, pudding, pig and mistletoe will have to do.



Merry Christmas to all my wonderful MM friends.
Love KB
xxx

Meadowlands, NZ

Welcome to Weekend Walkabout, a place to share and explore the different corners of our world.


I found a lovely walk this week in Meadowlands. It took me about half an hour there and back but there were many more pathways heading off the main path. I think I'll go back at some stage and explore a little more. I didn't take Coco with me this time because it was already really hot by the time I headed out at 10am. I enjoyed my walk, it was so quiet and peaceful, I didn't see anyone else on the path but the heat was getting to me by the end.

Walkabout is a phrase we use in NZ, which means to walk around and explore with no specific destination in mind. Have you been walkabout anywhere interesting this week? If so, post your story or pictures to your blog, leave a comment here and a link to your blog on our Linky and Whitesnake or KB will come take a look.





Have a great weekend.
Love KB
xxx

Christmas Surprise

Look who I found under my Christmas Tree. Thank goodness she didn't wrap herself up. What a wonderful pressie, hehe! 

My contribution to Camera Critters. Merry Christmas.

Love KB
xxx

See you tomorrow for Weekend Walkabout

Simply Delish - Beef Stir Fry

My post for today is over on our joint blog.

Just follow the link to read more... Simply Delish Beef Stir Fry Recipe. Feel free to drop by and share your recipes with us too.

See you tomorrow for Weekend Walkabout.

Love KB
xxx

Merry Christmas

Here's my contribution to Friday Flash 55, brought to us by the wonderful G-Man. Each week, we write a short story in exactly 55 words. Follow the link above and give it a try.

Merry Christmas one and all

Wide, skinny, short or tall

I thank you all for being my friends

The comments you make the love you send

I raise a glass to wish you well

Singing songs of Jingle bells

Here’s to finding your Christmas cheer

My next fifty five will be in the New Year

Have a wonderful Christmas my friends. This will probably be my last 55 for the year but I still have a few posts up my sleeves before Christmas.

See you tomorrow for Simply Delish Recipes  . Drop by and share your recipes with us.

Lots of Love
KB
xxx

Summer Sky

Here's my contribution to Skywatch Friday...follow the link to join in the fun. Thought I'd share a Summer Sky to cheer up my friends who are in the snow on the other side of the world.

See you tomorrow for Simply Delish Recipes. Drop by and share your recipes with us.
Have a great weekend,
Love KB
xxx

Going Green

30 days to a happier, healthier me - day 8



Since I've been working so hard on my health and doing really well, it must be time for a treat. I'm going to treat myself to a beauty treatment each week. Wow, so many treats in that sentence. We all need a little pampering from time to time but beauty treatments can be very expensive so I do most of mine myself. Often, my Mum buys me beauty masks, hair masks, foot masks...you name it, Mum can find a mask for it. I've been through my cupboards and found myself an Avacado & Oatmeal purifying facial clay masque. Yes, another pressie from Mum. Must be a posh one 'cause it's a masque not a mask, hehe. I'm going to put it on now, put my feet up and read a magazine for a wee while.

The things we do for beauty, I could probably use this pic for next Halloween and scare a few children with it. I'm feeling relaxed and my skin feels all tingly and fresh. Next week I'm thinking of giving my hair a treatment, Mum's bound to have bought me a mask for it.

The rest of my challenge is going well, I've already been on one walk and taken pics for walkabout to post on the weekend, organised a new recipe to cook later on in the week for Simply Delish, been eating my fruit and veggies and sticking to my alcohol limits. Haven't had an alcohol free night this week and probably won't till next week but I'm OK with that, 'tis the silly season after all.

See you tomorrow,
Don't forget to treat yourself when you can.
Love KB
xxx

Previous 30 days to a healthier, happier me are here.

Sweet Surrender

Here's my contribution to One Shot Wednesday. If you have a poem you'd like to share, post it to your blog and leave your link over at One Shot.

The first time they talked,

her heart skipped a beat.

Something about him,

made her complete.

He belonged to another

but still wanted her.

Conflicting emotions,

her mind a blur.

She turned to another,

to dull the pain.

Her heart objected,

again and again.

She acknowledged her heart,

lost her fear.

Sweet surrender,

choices clear.

I wrote this poem after Whitesnake and I met, we were both in marriages with other people and it was a very confusing time. Every time I look at this photo (which was taken the first week we met face-to-face), I  see how we look like we belong together already.
Whitesnake's One Shot is here.

See you tomorrow
Love KB
xxx

Keep Walkin'

30 days to a happier, healthier me - day 7

My goal for day 7 is to take two 30 min walks this week.  Don't think I'll be heading out today because it's pouring with rain. The rest of my goals are going well, especially eating 5+ fruit and veggies per day. The alcohol reduction has gone by the way side the past couple of days. Whitesnake and I have been chilling out before he starts his new job. I'm not too worried though, after this week, we'll be back into a more regular work schedule routine.

That's all from me folks
See you tomorrow for One Shot Wednesday.
Love KB
xxx

My previous days to a happier,healthier me are here.

Pretty In Pink

Here's my contribution to Microfiction Monday. Each week the lovely Susan posts a pic and the MM gang write a story about it in 140 characters or less. Follow the link above to read the other entries and join in the fun and games if you wish. 

That's the last time I throw pink stockings in with the wash. It took ages to whiten the sheets. I’ll be wearing pink outfits for days.

Happy Microfiction Monday all.
Love KB
xxx

Weekend Walkabout

30 days to a happier, healthier me - day 6.

One of my first goals was to walk more each week. I was struggling a little previously as I had been experiencing the occasional panic attack when I was walking. I took some of my friends advice and decided to go somewhere different for my walk and take my camera with me. I found this worked really well as I was focusing on my environment instead of letting my thoughts race (which can lead to panic). You can read more about my thoughts on panic attacks here.

With this in mind, Whitesnake and I have decided to take a walk somewhere different each week and share our pics with you. We've called this blog segment Weekend Walkabout - a place to share and explore the different corners of our world.

Here's some pics I took last week while in the park.

Coco before her hair cut

Walkabout is a phrase we use in NZ, which means to walk around and explore with no specific destination in mind. Have you been walkabout anywhere interesting this week? If so, post your story or pictures to your blog, leave a comment here and a link to your blog on our Linky and Whitesnake or KB will come take a look.









Hope you enjoyed the pics.
Love KB
xxx

Previous 30 days to a happier, healthier me here

Keeping Up With KB

30 days to a happier, healthier me - day 5



I'm interested in finding new recipes and trying them out. My goal is to cook a new recipe each week to broaden my cooking horizons. Whitesnake and I have already started this and our recipe this week was supplied by our good friend Missy. Thanks for the recipe hun, we orginally intended to have a little bowl each before dinner but it was so good, we ate the whole lot. Follow the link below to see more pics and the recipe details.  Recipe details and pics here

    
All is going well. I hear most of my blog friends are freezing in the cold while we are in short sleeves and shorts. Had to be up at 4am this morning to pick Whitesnake up from his last night shift. Glad I won't have to do that anymore. Coco has written a wee post...Coco's Inner Peace      .  The Christmas tree is up and most of the Christmas Shopping is done. Our Tomato plants are growing well and we have five small fruits so far. Time to relax and put our feet up.

See you tomorrow with some pics from my walk at the park.
Lots of Love
KB
xxx

Previous days to a happier, healthier me here

Happy Birthday G-Man

Here's my contribution to Friday Flash 55, brought to us by the Birthday Boy. Each Friday we post a short story of exactly 55 words. It's heaps of fun and the 55 gang are fab. Please feel free to join in the fun and games or you could just swing by G-Man's place and wish him Happy Birthday.  I'm pretty sure his birthday isn't celebrated until tomorrow in the US but it's Friday already in NZ so I can start the celebrations early.

                                      

We hear it’s your birthday

Is this really true?

I’d shout it from the roof tops

If it was my birthday instead of you

Let’s share cake and beer

And have a wine or two

The cake and wine for me

Beer for Whitesnake and you

Happy Birthday G

From me and him to you

Happy Birthday my friend. We'll sink a few in your honour.
Love KB
xxx

5+ A Day

30 days to a happier, healthier me - day 4



I'm going really well with my 30 days to a happier, healthier me challenge. It's taking me a while but I'd rather be successful with the first few days before moving onto the next stage.

My next goal is to eat 5+ servings of fruit and veggies per day. By the way, a serving is approximately the amount you can fit in your hand...more info at 5+ a day website.  I already love my veggies but fruit I can take or leave. I also find that some days I'll eat heaps of veggies and the next I'll barely touch them. My focus is going to be on eating 2 serves of fruit and 3 serves of veggies daily, not just when I feel like it.

The benefits of eating fruit and veggies are enormous. Many studies have proven that eating a variety of fruits and vegetables reduces your risk of developing certain cancers and can have a beneficial effect to your heart and blood circulation. Also, eating fruit and veggies can give you more energy and help you lose weight as you're less likely to snack on junk food.

Growing our own fruit and veggies is a huge advantage

Yeah, yeah, I've heard all this a million times but I still don't eat enough fruit and veggies. Time to get serious and just do it. I love chocolate and ice cream and if it's around...I eat it. So, I've stopped buying the tasty ice creams I used to stock in the freezer. If I want chocolate or ice cream now, I have to physically get off my bum, go to the shop and buy it. This seems to be working quite well so far as I usually can't be bothered going to the shop just for one item. Whitesnake buys me a sweet treat every now and then and I think that's perfect. Sweets should only be eaten as a treat after all. So now when I feel like something sweet, I have some raisins or a banana instead. We won't mention the custard square I ate earlier *blushes*.

I think that with most of the changes I'm making, I have all the information I need already, it's just a matter of committing to the changes, keeping an open mind, making more conscious choices and remembering that everything in moderation is the way to go.

I'll keep you informed as to how I'm progressing with the fruit and veggie plan and the other changes I'm making.

See you tomorrow,
Be kind to each other.
Love KB
xxx
         

  

Keeping Up With KB

Hi all,

Everything is going well with me. I'm doing great with my 30 days to a healthier happier me challenge. I had one alcohol free night this week rather than the two I was aiming for but still managed to keep within the alcohol units, so I'm happy with that. I've noticed a few changes already, I feel I have more energy during the day, my mood is more stable and I've reduced the tablets I've been taking for acid reflux by half. That's pretty impressive stuff just after a couple of weeks. It's giving me motivation to keep going even though it's the silly season and there are so many excuses to drink more rather than less.

I went on a 30 minute walk yesterday and I'm happy to report I didn't feel any anxiety while I was out. I listened to  Kat's  advice and took my camera with me. I love taking pics and between trying my new Dog Whisperer techniques with Coco and juggling the camera, I didn't have time to think about anxiety. I'll be sharing more pics from my walk on Weekend Walkabout on Sunday. (I've decided to post on the weekend rather than Wednesdays as it's easier for me and I'm the boss of WW, so I can do what I like, hehe).

My next goal is to eat 5+ servings of fruit and veggies per day. I'm already pretty good at eating my veggies but I would like to be more consistent with this. I've found a few tips to share about that but my post isn't quite ready yet, I'll probably post it tomorrow.

Whitesnake is on his last week at his current job. I must say, I'm looking forward to him starting his new job. He won't have to work the long shifts he's doing at the moment and there won't be any more night shifts or early starts. Yay, it'll be much better for both us. Funny thing is, a few weeks ago I was telling Whitesnake how I was finally getting into the routine of early starts and then next thing I know, I won't have to get up early any more. Funny how often you achieve one goal and then the next step presents itself.

Before I go, I have excellent news. I often enter competitions or sign up for give aways but never win. This week I WON TWO give aways - a six month subscription to Good magazine but best of all, a poetry book from my friend, Jannie I've finally found a blonde who is crazier than me (that's high praise), she announced the winners of her competition FROM A TREE. Thanks so much sweetie, you made my day.




That's all folks,
Love KB
xxx

The Course Of True Love

Here's my contribution to Carry On Tuesday....visit Me Keith to join in the fun and games.  I've also entered this into Potery Potluck (which I'm way too late for) and One Shot (which I'm way too early for). I don't usually do the triple entry post kinda thing but I wanted to get organised and save a bit of time so I can spend the next couple of days with my darlin' Whitesnake.

The course of true love

never did run smooth

In the early days,

Mum never approved

Married young,

did what was expected

Left me worn out

and feeling neglected

Older and wiser,

second time around

My course is complete,

true love I have found.

I'll be back later with an update on my progress on 30 days to a happier, healthier me. Until then...hope you're all as lucky in love as we are.

Whitesnake's C.O.T is here and his One Shot is here

Love KB

xxx

The Ghost Of Christmas Past

Here's my contribution to Microfiction Monday. Each week, the lovely Susan posts a picture for us and we write a short story about it in 140 characters or less. It's lots of fun and a wonderful group of people take part. Feel free to visit Microfiction Monday here and join in the fun and games.

The Ghost of Christmas Past stirred in his grave. Time to show the humans the error of their ways. His list grew longer. They never learn.

Have a great week.
Love KB
xxx

These Feet Are Made For Walkin'

30 days to a happier, healthier me - day 3




Whenever I feel like exercising, I lie down until the feeling passes.
- Robert Hutchins

I couldn't have said it better myself, Robert, hehe.

One of our favourite, local walking tracks 

I started off well with my exercise plan about six months ago. I wore my pedometer for a few weeks to monitor how many steps I was taking. I was only shy of the 10,000 a day by around 3,000 steps, which works out to about a half an hour walk. Funnily enough, the instructions with the pedometer suggested that an average day plus a few extra steps here and there and a 30 minute walk, should do the trick. But of course, I wanted to try finding a way around it, LOL! You can read KB's tips on easy ways to reach your 10,000 steps a day here. Shame I can't take my own advice, hehe.


I was reading an interesting book about womens' health and it suggested looking at walking not as exercise, but as a chance to get out in the fresh air on your own to think and meditate on your life. Sounds much better than exercising. Changing my frame of mind about these things has helped me heaps. The funny thing is, once I get out there, I love it. Coco usually has me giggling about something within no time, I listen to embarrassing pop music (without fear of mockery from Mr Whitesnake), come up with writing ideas and inspiration for life in general
 
The reason my walking is so sporadic is because vigorous exercise brings on similar symptoms to a panic attack. In the past, when I was out on a long hike, I would experience shortness of breath, rapid heart beat etc and I thought I was going to have a heart attack, when in fact, I was fine and experiencing a panic attack. Sounds so silly when I write it down but it can be a terrifying experience. Whenever I reach for my walking shoes, there's the fear in the back of my mind of having a panic. My walking went by the way side AGAIN after I had a big panic about a month ago. Time to get back into it. Actually, walking is one of the best things I can do for myself when I feel anxious but the thought of going walking can sometimes bring on anxiety. Bit of a vicious cycle with me but I shall keep plodding on.  My plan is to go for at least one 30 min walk this week and increase by one walk per week, until I'm walking 4 times a week. I plan to walk a steep track twice a week to really get my heart pumping.
 
Wish me luck!
 
Love KB
xxx

P.S. Still on track with day 2 of my plan...I've already had one alcohol free day for the week (my week starts Thursday - don't ask) and just one tipple last night. Go me!

Read more about 30 days to a happier, healthier me here.

Simply Delish

My post for today is over on our joint blog...click the link below to take you there for the recipe and more pictures. We also have a list of free recipes we've made so far and ads provided by goggle for more delish  cooking ideas (you can click on the goggle ads for more info).

 Simply Delish - Pork Burgers

As you can see here, not my favourite part of the process.  

See you tomorrow
Love KB
xxx

The Pike River 29

Here's my contribution to FF55, brought to us by the wonderful G-Man.

29 men lost their lives recently in my country in a mining disaster. I didn't realise how much the deaths of strangers could affect me until I watched the remembrance service yesterday. My thoughts are with the families and the residents of Greymouth.



Photo NZPA




Taken from their families too soon
A nation grieves for their loss
Remembrance released tears
A table dedicated to each man
Pictures of loves lost
Notes and drawings from fatherless children
The two minutes silence brought chills
A town standing still but they must move on
Leaving their men to rest in their tomb below


See you tomorrow for Simply Delish
Love KB
xxx

Keeping Up With KB

Holiday time is over for Whitesnake and I, time flies when you're having fun.  I missed half of it because I was sick with a cold but I'm feeling much better now. We had a few nice meals out, caught up with my parents, watched a few movies and had lots of sleep. It was really relaxing and fun.
Whitesnake celebrated his birthday with a few friends, ( I was in bed).

Whitesnake and the boys

He went for a couple of interviews during his time off and I'm pleased to report, he starts a new job soon. I'm so proud of him.

Our veggies are growing really well. I'm so excited about this because I haven't been able to grow much in the past. I remember one time when I was younger, doing the weeding while my ex was at work, I thought I was doing great but apparently pulled out most of the flowers and left the weeds behind. Ex was not very happy and it put me off doing any more gardening. Seems like I do have a green thumb after all and I'm really enjoying looking after my babies and watching them grow.   You can read more and see more pics or our veggie garden here.

KB eating first strawberry from the garden

So, I'm going to spend today catching up on my internet stuff (never ending job). Tomorrow, it's back to working on 30 days to a happier, healthier me. Actually, I've been quite good while I've been on hols, haven't drowned in wine or pigged out too much.

Speaking of pigs, there is to be a new animal welfare code in NZ to stop pregnant sows being kept in crates. Yay! There's still much to be done regarding animal welfare and farming but this is a huge step in the right direction. I remember a while ago, signing a card (along with many Kiwis) and sending it to my MP and thinking, this is probably a waste of time, nobody listens to the people but something was actually done this time. Fantastic news!  

P.S. Kiwis - don't forget to observe 2 mins silence at 2pm in remembrance of the Pike River miners.

Hope you are all well.
Love KB
xxx