Pushing through with gratitude

It's the crazy hormone lady again.

My Dr assured me I should feel better within a week of commencing the pill. I was so excited to once again experience hormonal balance and a bit more normality. That is not the case. If possible, I actually feel worse, like my teenage years in reverse, with waaaaay less energy. 

I've been an utter teary mess today. Over the weekend, I was impossibly fatigued with an even shorter fuse. This is craziness. There has to be a solution, and I won't stop 'til I find it. I am going back to my Dr tomorrow, and then getting my eyes checked. I need to accept that perhaps my blurry eyesight isn't fluctuating hormone related. Hopefully one problem can be solved quickly.  I like the thought of rockin' some new specks :) Then I will have to shop to match them with a fabulous wardrobe of course.

In the meantime, its important I push through with gratitude.

The community garden project is definitely a challenge, but also a source of gratitude. I'm loving researching the type of garden that I not only want, but is realistic on our current budget and available time. Look below at some images Pinterest browsing has inspired me with...

I fell in love with these giant, purple/blue agapanthus flowers at Mt Tamborine. 

I already have several tube stock in my back yard, just waiting to be planted. They are easy care, easy to divide and make a stunning border plant or clumped together in a mass planting. 

I love bougainvillea. I have been searching for a while for plants that weren't dwarf forms-we have a large space to fill, and weren't over my budget. I found a pink one like this a few days ago, priced reasonably. Can't wait to see transform a large area of slope with a stunning show.

I adore the masses of flowers and heavenly perfume of jasmine. It's another winner for a ground cover on a slope.

It does tend to grow like a rampant weed, which suits the site perfectly. Several metres of space will be covered in no time.

I look forward to showing you these plants soon, growing on site :)

Today was my usual Make-it-Monday; food prep for the week ahead. It included: high protein banana bread; hubby's protein balls; my toddler's vegemite sanga's- cut, frozen and ready for her lunch box; wraps for hubby to take to uni and also his lunch for today. I am learning that especially when your emotions and hormones are going crazy, by making the effort to plan ahead, lots of drama and stress can be avoided. Dinner tonight will also serve as great left-over lunches for the next few days. 

The day was not spent alone. My sweet little girl kept me very busy. Today, she...

• showered me with affection,
• helped me shop, though I wasn't allowed to push the trolley. considering she was sitting in it at the time, fun!!
• unpacked my dirty laundry all over the floor, and wore some as a hat, 
• dug up the garden mulch and dirt, carrying it all over the back yard, 
• splashed away in the birdbath before overturning a pot with dirt into it,
• trashed the lounge room, 
• dragged the shoe rack away from the wall, threw the shoes and then chose some to wear around the lounge while staring at her feet, 
• allowed me to help her carry the wheelie bin back in from the curb, 
• picked the chicken out of her dinner and left the pasta and veg.

She is my delight! I am so incredibly grateful for her. And also worn out. 

Wouldn't have it any other way :)

In the morning, I am thrilled to say, I pick up my eldest baby from the airport after her 2.5 month stay in Japan. I've missed her lots, but so glad she has had this experience and found a lot more direction. 

I am so blessed to have all 3 of my girls home with me. Proud mumma.

 Now, take a look at some pics of today's triumphs...

High protein banana bread, with 3 frozen bananas, 3/4's cup of crunchy peanut butter, 2 eggs, chia seeds, almond meal and a hint of wholewheat SR flour to bind, roughly mixed, bunged into a greased loaf tin and into a 180 C oven for 30-40 mins. Too easy. 

And too yummy. 

My sweet little toddler, moments before the dirt filled the bird bath.

Tonight's simple, budget dinner: pasta with chicken and veg.

I purchased a kilo of drumsticks for less than $6. The 14 drumsticks were simply placed into 2 lightly greased baking dishes, covered with spices, covered with foil, and baked in a 180 C oven for 45-50 minutes.

I used the meat off 4 drumsticks to make tonight's dinner, which was cooked pasta, some mixed veg and some juices from the cooked chicken, mixed it together with a little added mayo and a hint of cheese. 

I also now have chicken to use in rice paper/ salad wraps, sandwiches and the like. 

My week is sorted!

And here, I sigh. It feels so good to share. Burdens are lifted, focus is restored. 

And with that, I shall go for now. Have a brilliant week, dear readers. Until next time :)