My Top 10 things last week

1. Slipping in the garage and doing the splits is funny to some, but not to me especially because I was the victim.
2. Visiting family reaffirms things I have been thinking about because they always give me some good insight.
3. My husband is banned from the beer - no more needs to be said here.
4. A clean car actually lifts my mood.
5. Flowers really do make your day.
6. Pub food is the best. I probably get to have lunch out about once a year so I am still dreaming about how good it was.
7. I am having a very big urge to rearrange something or paint something ....ahhhh look out!
8. My husband thinks it's strange I like to leave fairy lights on inside when no one is home, but I hate having something and not using it, so I turn them on every morning.
9. My mood is so good when I get 9 hours straight sleep.
10. I should not panic my child into him thinking his face will stay all scrunched up when he cries...he tried to cry on and off with a straight face which only made him more stressed and made me roll on the lounge laughing. Naughty Mummy.

Oh and I just had to share these photos above I found on Google. No they are not of my house, but made me laugh so much!

Random Act of Kindness

I came home to the most lovely surprise yesterday. Can you guess what it was?? Ha!

I fell in love with them. These brightened my day. 

Who sent them? 

Someone I have never actually met. Someone who has a heart of gold. We talk only on twitter and she reads my blog. The social media network is truly amazing.

I am truly grateful Lorraine Kreuzer. You are really a gem.

You are all awesome!

How about all that blog and twitter love yesterday?? Thank you so much. I really do love blogging. You are such awesome and positive people. I had tears in my eyes most of the day reading all your comments, emails and tweets coming through :)

Yes, I will keep you updated with how I am going. Just plodding along. I am grateful, more than anything else in the world, for my husband. Can you imagine what he has also been through? Some men would leave, I know that for a fact.

But today, because I am feeling the love, I want to put 3 photos on here of the most precious things in the world to me. You want one don't you? Can't have them, all mine....(smiling!).

Have a great day!

Katrina x

Crohn's Disease

It’s disgusting, debilitating and repulsive. That’s how I feel about this disease.

I have had it for 14 years. I don’t really ever talk about it and when I do I usually only give half the story. I could probably count on 1 hand the amount of people who actually know I have it.

So why am I putting it on my blog? Well, you know I am all about keeping it real and this disease is consuming me at the moment and I thought, why not? Why not see who knows about it and has something to say about it?

For the first time I decided to join a forum about it (I had lurked for years) and am so surprised at people’s stories. But because the disease is so revolting and debilitating most people keep it a secret. Plus no one totally gets it. I mean I am good some weeks and awful the next, so I tend not to share much with anyone.

And also because a blog is such a big platform I thought if I mentioned it, people who sort of know about it, or know someone with it might become more aware of it. I am happy for you to email me and of course I will discuss it!

I also worry that one of my children with end up with it, and I thought if I mentioned it on the blog, in years to come they will remember and relate to my struggles.

I am currently in the middle of a big flare-up. I was in remission for about 5 years, but realised last November it was back in a big way. I am struggling to maintain it and am trying to avoid major operations.

I don’t think I really want to go into detail about the symptoms... But maybe one day I might put my story on another blog as a record for my boys.

1 in 550 people roughly have it. You probably know someone with it?

Best Competition Ever!

Julie-Ann over at The Decorating Forum is giving away 2 x FREEDOM FURNITURE gift vouchers.

I have become friends with Julie-Ann over the last month and she runs the best decorating forum where we post ideas and pictures asking for opinions.

The competition is so easy. This is from her website:

We will give away not one but two $50 Freedom Gift Vouchers.

Every existing forum member who refers 6 people to the Decorating Forum during that time will be entered in to the draw.
Plus every new member from a referral during that time will be entered into the second draw.
So one existing member and one new member will win a prize.

So please pop over and introduce yourself and Julie-Ann will send you an email explaining how/where to enter.  Don't forget to tell Julie-Ann I sent you.

To ENTER click HERE.

Apparently I am different

 

  

I sorta kinda wished I wasn't so lazy with the above chair. But at the time, it was a great idea. Who was going to see the back when I put it up against a wall? It made sense at the time. Apparently no one else has ever done this? I asked around. What? You have never not painted the back of something?? Now I actually want to use it.....

 

I also think I want to put this chest of drawers somewhere in my office. It's sat like this in the middle of the room for 2 days. Not sure where it's going though. Do you think I can make it work?

  

 

Oooo, and I have something new for the kitchen. Don't they look great??? I have let the aesthetics of the kitchen slide this week. I am doing it for the love of my children. I hope these are temporary. So if you visit, be prepared to be offered a World Wrestling coaster for your drink. Kids are happy, so Mummy is happy (for now!).

Katrina x