Nicholas turned 11! We celebrated with a family day, doing whatever he wanted to do. Shortly before his birthday, he was given an amazing Canon digital SLR camera by a new friend who had recently bought herself a new camera and was no longer using this one. Wow oh wow! This woman, who we hardly knew, was so generous with this gift, expecting nothing in return. Nicholas is thrilled and has been learning more about photography. His Grandad would be so proud!
I continued to love to take photos of sunsets,
and sunrises....
I absolutely love starting my day with a walk along the beach. It really sets the tone for the rest of my day. It helps me to feel so deeply peaceful in a way that nothing else does.
I don't go there every day, but I deeply appreciate it whenever I do.
Back in early May, Nicholas and I started volunteering at an organic food co-op. It was mostly fruit and veg and some grocery lines. It was going to be something that we just did now and again, because some other homeschooled friends of ours were also going there. Somehow it turned into us going there every single week, even when our friends stopped going. I enjoyed being a part of what was being created. I enjoyed helping other families to be able to buy affordable organic food. I liked the people that we worked with. I enjoyed dusting off some of my office skills and helping the co-op to get more organised.
There were a lot of changes, and it started taking up more and more of my time. My family was supportive, but I felt like I was starting to neglect them, and some of my own personal goals. Some things happened that made me question what I was doing. I thought of a friend of mine who had passed away recently, aged 44...a single mama of four children. I thought about how we just never know how much time we have left, and just want to be so sure that I am doing the things that are the most important to me. Going to the co-op started to feel like 'work', and some family matters came to a head that made me realise that I just needed to stop.
It was such a good decision! Although it's only been a few days since I told them that we wouldn't be back, I already feel so much lighter, and more productive in other areas. My family seems happier to 'have me back' too.
I love living near the beach! In one of the touristy areas a little north of us, we found this vending machine that has thongs / flip-flops instead of candy bars and sodas!
AJ was letting his hair grow. Since this photo, he has cut a little off. He's still going to TAFE to do the Year 10 equivalent and seems pretty happy.
The amazing SWELL outdoor sculpture exhibition was on again along Currumbin Beach. This was one of my favourites this year...
This one was pretty good too..
These huge deck chairs had us feeling like little kids.
And of course I thought of my Dad with 'The Clubhouse'...
We recently bought another old windsurfer board from the tip shop ($10!) and found an awesome kayak paddle that will unscrew so you can have the option to have a short single paddle and a longer paddle (also $10 at an op shop / thrift store!). We've been spending a lot of time out on the lake in front of our house. I used to be pretty fussy and would only go out when it was sunny. But, I pulled out my wetsuit and now go out anytime that it's not too windy. Sami or Nicholas usually come with me. Sometimes I stand up on the board, or kneel, or sit and kayak....
...or I just take it super easy and go with the flow...!
This year is flying by. Sami is looking for full time work, and is doing some volunteer work in the meantime. Cary is busy working on different projects. Just coordinating everyone, homeschooling, and taking care of the home takes up a bit of time. I've also been working on myself. After some minor health issues, I have seen a wonderful naturopath and have made a few changes that have helped me to feel more energetic. I am remembering to say 'no thanks' to invitations when things are getting too much. And I'm so glad that I remembered to do that when it came to the co-op situation. I feel as though a space has opened up for something new to come to me, something that is more in alignment with my purpose.
I Trust that it will come when the time is right.
Right now, I am just enjoying every day as it unfolds.
And, just because .... here's another beach pic!
