Free things!

I was talking to my Other Half, about when I was younger and we did school projects.   We would write away to the company (which involved getting paper, planning the letter, addressing the envelope, getting a stamp, walking to the post office and sending that letter) and receive lots of lovely free things back in return for a simple letter, the companies that gave extra's were always discussed and agreed that we really liked them.  Absolutely loved it, it was always exciting to see what the companies would send. I was thinking how much things  have changed, that it's just not the same now clicking on google and doing a search or liking on Facebook as it was sending a letter and waiting for the parcel to arrive in the post.

I don't know about you but I love getting free things, our budget being so very tight, I have been finding ways of getting free things or samples every chance I get.  Lets face it who doesn't have a tight budget nowadays!

A few discoveries are T2 tea. I love those lovely expensive beautiful teas.  I also get very happy when you walk in that you can try whatever they have on offer normally about a sample size of 6, this is just the start!   Did you know that you can ask for tasters or 1 or 2 without having to purchase anything? I get these lovely little samples for when we go away or just a morning treat.  When we were away at the coast we have 5 or 6 to choose from and they are fantastic. They also have a free club to join and
I will let you know how that goes... how many samples etc that you receive.

Kleenex is letting you send out free samples to friends at the moment. I don't know the size however I have sent a couple of people so i am sure they will let me know. Who doesn't need any and every tissue they can get their hands on with this lovely cold weather we are having.

Moo is also getting you started on a free, just free, 10 sample business cards. I think this is great to see what you are looking for.

Stay tuned I am sure that I will find lots more free things whilst procrastinating on my study for my exam next week.

Washi Tape and My Remedial Massage Course

My course is moving along now. I have re-sat the trigger point exam and passed without any problems. I have 4 more assignments to do and another 1 pending.   I have done myofascial release 1 and 2 and found the technique fascinating and amazing, fabulous teacher; Michael Stanborough. I have also started reflexology studies who knew that we have 7200 nerve endings in our feet.  Seems very interesting and I am looking forward to the next class. We are doing cupping (vacuum) and I have lots of pretty circles on my arms, back, chest and abdomen.  We haven't done our legs yet!  I have really enjoyed glass flame cupping and anatomy does my head in so much to learn. I am still just chipping away at things. I have so many assignments that if I think too hard about them my head hurts!

Just when I think that I am doing so much better with my diet and lifestyle I get a reality check with all the lovely toxins coming out.  These do not hurt, they are not bruises just marks, if you press on them they don't have any ouch problems unless they are right on a trigger and that happens as well. This one is not done using the Eastern philosophies strictly trigger points and tight spots. No meridians or Qi.

So in other news. My Other Half's father is in hospital and slowly coming good. We didn't know if he would make it and it has been a really tough time.  I was at school on that weekend of course. He was raced to hospital the evening before Grandparents day.  So we kept the kiddies home and made things.

So we made a washi tape book. I have bought some more washi tape for both the kiddies as the boy was very interested.  I am very keen to see what lovely creations they are going to make

So even though my Petal didn't get to make lovely things at school with her grandparents at least she did have a lovely day at home making something with her parents.  The Washi covered notebook worked a treat.  (Thank you Sew Delicious)!

That evening we went out to a lovely restaurant with a friend. This was his birthday present to my Red Headed Hurricane and he thought that was wonderful.  Fondue was what he wanted, cheese for main and chocolate for dessert so this is what we had.

I think the smile says it all!

My friend is published, I believe it will be the first of many

Please read

Money and the Massage room.

Today we had a meeting with the bank manager of our local bank to see if we were eligible to borrow money and how much.  We are still planning the rooms and realised that it was a bit of a problem. How could we do the room/s if we didn't have the money and how much money do we need. So we decided that our best plan was to find out if we could actually borrow money given our lack of employment status.

Before we moved ahead with anything further and I have many ideas for the room and have started working out what is necessary for my massage room. An electric table, access to running water, a sink and mixer that didn't require hands to operate it.  An air condition/heating.  Sound proofing and curtains or blinds or something that would block out light, dimmer switch and suitable lighting. A sound system and other little but important details.

It would seem with our credit history and ability to pay back other loans that it would not be a problem. All we have to do now is start getting quotes for the room/s and make sure that it's this financial year.  This was a nice tick to get!

So on to the next step, getting plans drawn up and a builder and other trades.

I love vintage!

I love vintage things, retro and australian made too!  I love all the wonderful things that are around now that have surfaced from cupboards and homes and some are very affordable prices and some are not,  however I just love looking at all the wonderful things that you can find, it makes me happy.

When I was growing up, red was banned from our family home. My mother always disliked it, passionately and so nothing red entered the house and if it did it normally left very quickly or was shoved away in a cupboard.

I found one of these lovely items when I was helping her organise her hall cupboards a few years ago and asked if I could have it.  It was the start of my red passion at our house, this lovely red poole plate.  At first I was frightened to have red in the house, then after a bit there was no stopping us. Even a red splash back and curtains! (not vintage, I wish).

My Petal made the beautiful flower for the vase.

I am chasing the light, I always seem to be running out of light when I am trying to take photos.  I must get more time or more light. It has turned so very cold and dark lately, hard to believe it is not winter.

I don't have an era, I just like the look the things.

So for me the house feels like it has lots of red a warm and inviting colour and not the warning colour that it was in the past.

Lovely Surprise

Yesterday in the mail I received a lovely surprise.

It was a beautiful present from my dear sister-in-law.  Thank you lovely Louise.  (I am thrilled.)

It is a beautiful butterfly scarf and it matches so well with my recent purchase of my ring from Kimono Reincarnate and it has beautiful butterflies to remind me of my Angel.

I love presents especially ones that are so very special.

I also did another massage again last night. It was an emergency call one that came when I needed to practice my lovely new technique Myofascial release. A subject that I really enjoy, my teacher is brilliant and I hang off every word he says. His bedside manner is amazing and he knows exactly how to encourage you to relax and be effective with his wonderful and gentle treatments, a big contrast to the Trigger points, search and destroy techniques that we learnt a few weeks ago.

Whilst blogging about this lovely item I looked up and saw a rosella in our tree just outside the window. It is a good start to the rainy day.

Now off to do some study, the books are calling to me, insisting that I do this.

My Red Headed Hurricane's Birthday

Yesterday, well the day before, was my Hurricanes birthday. We were a little anxious about how it would go. Firstly we were very light on presents, no clothes this time, however the quality of things was good. My Petal and myself made the bracelet. My Hurricane thought it was "great!"  My Petal also made him a card from all of us.

We bought him a Shaun Tan book, The Arrival. I love it, Shaun Tan really transports you to a different world or place.  I am very happy and looking forward to sitting down with him for a quiet moment and bonding with a beautiful book.

A toy, a lego lamp, no lego from us even this time. The budget only stretches so far. However we have some lovely friends who are getting him lego.  His wish list wasn't very long, he is easily pleased so that is great.  

We had a lovely roast dinner with a friend (almost family) and family as well. Nanny and Pop always like to attend the birthday dinner, so it was lovely to have them here.  We had roast, then cake.  I think the cake turned out alright too.  We had more visitors arrive in time for cake.  My Hurricane thinks of these ocassions as a party, we don't do parties for the children. Before he cut the cake he lined up all the pretty girls that were visiting so that when he touched the bottom he could kiss them all. He didn't want anyone to miss out!

We offer them an alternative of going to coast for an overnight visit.  This seems to be a satisfactory alternative to parties.  Although with lots of lovely people visiting I think it feels like a party all the same. I am sure judging from the smiles that we get, he is very happy with the experience and certainly doesn't feel like he is missing out.

It was a good night, although my poor boy just wanted so desperately to sit and build his lego that he received for a present, either that night or just forget about school and stay home the next day. I had to explain to him that he had to go to school.  Tears followed and criticism of my parenting skills as well.

He then explained to me that I don't always do what I say.  Hmmm. After all that effort it is nice to be reminded by a 6 year old on his birthday that you are failing as a parent. It was a busy and trying day at times.  (that story is for another blog).

My Red Headed Hurricane is growing up so fast!