daily photo #5

For the last eighteen months my husband, Glenn has been restoring a 1965 Ford Mustang Convertible. Every moment of his spare time is dedicated to this project! Yesterday he took the day off work to do a few errands, including getting a wheel alignment done on the Mustang. It was a beautiful clear sunny (but very cold day). Here's a picture of the car, almost ready for its 'big reveal'.

daily photo #4

The temperatures have plummeted again! The day started off grey, showery and cold but by the afternoon the skies had cleared and the sun was shining. Sarah and I had a delicious lunch at The Falls in Henderson, before doing a little bit of shopping at Kathmandu - they have a huge winter sale on now. Afterwards it was time to fetch the girls from school. I took this photograph of the water tanks at Talya's school - brightly painted with the school emblem and motto - 'Together we learn, care and grow'. It's a great little school!

daily photo #3

Anika had her ballet exam today - Rosette Pre Grade Two. There were seven little girls in her group and they all looked so pretty in their pink leotards and tights, hair up in little buns. I've snuck in two photos today - this one is of Anika having her hair done - I love the way the sunlight shines through her blonde hair:

Here is her group of girls after bring presented with their bright pink Rosette's - number 5 desperately trying to squeeze back into her spot... 

daily photo #2

This afternoon Sarah and I went walking in the hills behind the town of Helensville (about 40km north west of Auckland city). It was a sunny but cold afternoon, a brisk breeze was blowing but it felt good to be out in the fresh air. Stupidly I left my camera in the car so couldn't take any photographs on our walk but I took this shot at the end, looking back towards the sheep-dotted green hills. As you can see, some dark grey clouds were gathering - about an hour and a half later there was a huge downpour! Luckily we were safe and dry.

daily photo #1

Last night, my sister Sarah arrived from Cape Town for four weeks (I started this blog after her last trip which was just over two years ago).   We've got a long list of things we plan to do and hopefully the Auckland winter will present us with some clear sunny days (although even if it's raining we'll find something fun to do!).  I've decided to post a daily photo (taken with my point and shoot Sony Cybershot) for the next 4 weeks as a record of her stay.  Here is the first, taken yesterday afternoon - after a showery grey start to Sunday, the sun appeared in the afternoon and a beautiful rainbow appeared.  Rainbows have always been a good omen for me so no doubt lots of good times lie ahead in the next month!

Trust30 - Prompt #10: Your Personal Message

To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, that is genius. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Writing prompt: What is burning deep inside of you? If you could spread your personal message RIGHT NOW to 1 million people, what would you say?

(Author: Eric Handler)

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My response:

Turn off the television.
Go outside.
Look. Smell. Listen. Touch. Taste.
Move your body.
Breathe.
Live.

Trust30 - Prompt #8: Five Years

There will be an agreement in whatever variety of actions, so they be each honest and natural in their hour. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Writing prompt: What would you say to the person you were five years ago? What will you say to the person you’ll be in five years?
(Author: Corbett Barr)
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To my 39-year old self:
Don't wait until you're 43 to cut back on gluten and alcohol. Do it now. You'll sleep better. You'll feel better. You won't be so darn moody. I mean it!
And floss daily. Please.
Otherwise you're doing fine.

To my 49-year old self:
How's the new house?  Is it finished yet? 
Are you remembering to floss?
Remember you said you wanted to look 40 when you turned 50?  How's that going?  I really am doing everything I can - sunscreen, regular facials, yoga.  Hope it helped.
Laugh anyway. 
You are loved.