Calm amidst the tempest

Sometimes, the tempest isn't a raging storm that hits unaware. It can be the build up of things that threaten your peace and sanity, that have the power to take you out if you don't stand strong.

My tempest has been a build up. 

The scorching summer heat topped with heatwave after heatwave. Having an upstairs, west facing bedroom that absorbs it all until minutes before sunset, leaving an oven of heat that I'm supposed to sleep in.

Not having an air conditioner.

Not having any respite from the heat at home, not desiring to sizzle in it outside, adding to my already overly sun damaged skin.

Discovering the only food your husband is very allergic too is now being added to seemingly innocuous things, like mayo and many, many other foods he could previously enjoy safely.

Having to rework our entire diet for the umpteenth time since getting married in order for him to remain healthy and strong.

Living in paradise but hesitant to let your toddler enjoy it as women flaunt their assets at the creek. Don't want to have to explain why that lady is rudey to my toddler.  And despite the council giving a huge section of beach to accommodate people's pets, still not being able to take my child swimming without encountering people's furry 'humans.' May I suggest that if your dog clearly dislikes little people, perhaps don't take them to the calm waters of the creek where they are often in abundance. 

Everyone has rights now, it seems.

Watching someone, in the effort to save literally seconds, drive towards you head on and at speed after cutting across the intersection rather than wait for the two cars to pass.

Everyone's in a hurry. Even if that causes danger to others.

It's dealing with a change of life, and doing it quite alone, knowing your stuff is just too much for most people. The mere mention of it causes awkward weight shifting and glazed expressions. Struggling to find the right hormonal balance with medication. One stops hot flushes but causes drowsiness and fatigue all the time. One adds an abundance of energy but throws a huge dollop of cranky pants to the mix. 

Not feeling as though I matter.

Missing what normal feels like. 

Sharing the heartbreak and frustration of watching your daughter try for job after job without success. Wanting to see her find her place in this world, even in a limited coastal community. 

Trying not to react to her frustration.

Knowing that financially, this year will be a huge stretch and trying not to let fear dictate.

That's the tempest.

This is the calm...

My God.

Time spent with Him calms my soul. Looking at what he has blessed me with already fills me with gratitude and peace.

He has also given me a deep love of creation. Watching a sunrise/ sunset, visiting the country, seeing wildlife etc fills me with a deep sense of calm.

It makes me realise that I matter too.

My home, though hot, is a financial blessing. We pay significantly less rent than market value. It's been my home for 13 years, and we have a secure home for years to come.

Grateful.

My creativity is starting to flow again. How I've missed it! So many ideas: I'm genuinely excited to put them into being. When hubby starts uni again, I start creating!

Having a revelation of how to really love people. Listen and care. Not having to understand everything they are going through, but being present and offering my time, heart and ears. Powerful simplicity.

Thanks for sharing my journey.

I'll leave you with some snapshots of the things that have calmed my soul this week...

Peachy skies reflecting the sunset. View from my bathroom window.

Rediscovering an old family spot.

Hubby's creations for our little girl :) 

Valentines flowers from my amazing man.

Hope comes afresh with each new day.

Community Gardens update: Long, hot summer

It's still summer. A dry one at that too. I'm not sure how many rain storms we've had because they've barely hit Kingscliff, with the exception of a brief shower or two. We desperately need real rain. Days of it.

The poor gardens! Survival of the fittest it is then. I've had a few causalities- plants under trees mainly. Reality is, with things heating up on top of our already long, hot summers, the plants I choose have to be ones that thrive on a few drops of rain and occasional watering from me.

These beauties are one such plant that thrives on neglect: the good ol' frangipani. Their summer blooms on this seasons cuttings are a cheery reminder that the garden can and will flourish.

We have had more tyres delivered, including several truck tyres.

Hubby and I disagreed on this, but here it is. I wanted to plant out a couple of individual tyres so the plants would grow under the trees without root competition. Hubby got his way and covered the new fenced in area with so many!

Whilst I enjoyed the gym workout carrying them, I'm still not sure I like the look. They will eventually be covered with straw mulch however.

This should soften the look. And when the plants grow, they wont be that noticeable anymore.

More tyres, many still needing to be filled with dirt.

The good side of this: I can plant out individual tyres with flowers until the shrubs take over and thicken up.

They also retain water beautifully.

Some more mulch added today. It will take a bit more to cover it completely. 

I'm now thinking some trailing plants may soften the overall look.

Time to research plants- something I really love to do :)

This bland looking container is actually home to several new dwarf, white agapanthus plants. There is another one mirroring it on the other side of the path. By keeping the design simple, and planting appropriate plants for the conditions, the garden will definitely flourish and look welcoming.

These will be a gorgeous floral entrance way to the gardens hopefully by next summer.

This cleared section is the approach left hand side of the bridge. Mick and hubby did a great job clearing it today, ready for planting out. 

Keeping it super simple and low water needs here for sure.

The garden is forever growing and expanding!

And there you have it, your lot for the week. Looking forward to bringing you more soon :)

Community Gardens; machines and muscles!

Welcome to the machines and muscles post!

Other than sweltering through two of three summer heatwaves (number three due this weekend), where tempers were tried and endurance was at an all time low,  so much work has been smashed out these past several weeks.

Proud of absolutely everyone involved, myself included. We have lifted more, dug more and carried more that any of us thought was possible. Quite satisfying, really :)

I've also realised that I am willing to commit to one full day a week. That doesn't include watering, especially as it's been an unusually dry summer for us. The reasons for this decision are simple. I have something to look forward to each week and I don't burn myself out. And (women's libbers, don't read on!), someone's gotta clean the house and clothes.

Now, take a look below at the amazing work achieved in what can arguably be the hottest summer I can honestly remember...

Hubby with his new toy.

After realising that digging by hand the week before with Paul was just insanity, the church hired a digger to help prepare for a new slab.

Michael did an amazing job landscaping with rocks in our newest garden bed. I love how they add a new dimension to the garden.

Thanks to Dan and Pete for the donation...and Pete for helping hubby carry and load them.

After the work out front was done, hubby headed out back to landscape the bike track.

My bougainvilleas are growing out of sight, but this is the only flower I have seen for months.

Any bougainvillea growers out there with tips on how to encourage blooms?

My eldest daughter, Lizzy, even got into this digger thing. Here she is, helping clear the creek.

Gotta say, proud mum :)

Hopefully, should it ever rain properly again, the creek won't flood as quickly.

My geranium is loving its new slope position. I've also added agapanthus offshoots to not only help stabilise the slope, but pretty it up too.

Shout out to three amazing men: Pete Wal, Craig Chalmers, and my man, who all worked hard laying mesh ready for concreting. 

Hubby is thrilled to be learning new skills. 

Love his heart.

This man is a living legend!

Poppa Ian Wilkins, 

we love you, 

and are forever inspired by your heart, hard work and wisdom.

This octogenarian is not afraid to step up and volunteer to dig post holes for the fence he himself built!

 

Looking a little underwhelming now, but these hydrangeas will add so much charm to this area when they mature.

I love Gumtree! Hubby found an add for free tyres, and a day later, this wonderful man took time to deliver 2 loads, because we are a community garden.

Now, we have a bike track edging ready to go, and a few spare for planting in.

I am so excited to see this fence go in! Shady cottage garden, here I come :)

Thanks also to my Lizzy for sparing time across 2 days to help out with digging and tyre moving.

Here, hubby is adding rapid set cement to the post holes. 

In no time, this will be a stunning, welcoming entrance garden.

As requested, ten tyres stored up the top ready for me to paint and plant out. 

After much research and brain wracking, I decided tyres were the best option for planting out under trees where roots are an issue, and for some native regeneration planting out back where watering won't be easy.

I'm not sure I would plant edible produce in any, but for other plants, I think they are a perfect, recycled planting solution. 

And there you have it! An amazing amount of progress despite the hell on earth heat we've been experiencing. 

Looking forward to bringing you the next installment! 

Thanks for sharing the journey with us :)