The winter blues

So we've reached that awful time in winter where there isn't anything that great to look forward to.
We are into the Winter blues. Grey, rainy days. Threats of storms (At least what Aucklander's call storms) come and go on a weekly basis. The temperatures continue to plummet into the single digits during the nights and the car has a blanket of frost over it each morning. 

Tuks and I have 96 days until we fly to Fiji and can wear our jandals in the warm sun. In the meantime, I have to think of ways to make winter suck less. There are a few remedies that I've been trying to implement which are:

1. Make plans. I have decided to throw myself a Half Birthday party on July 6th when I will be exactly 26 and a half. I know it may sound conceded, but it gives me something to look forward and what's not fun about dressing up and eating good food with friends!

2. Pamper myself. I love to buy vouchers from groupy or dailydo, and winter is the perfect time to use them. Between the heated bed that you get to lie on for an hour, the amazing treatment you get during a facial or massage is literally an hour spent in heaven. I am also going to treat myself to a hair up this weekend for a fancy night out. Indulgent overall? Maybe. But I fell good. It adds some brightness into my dreary winter days.

3. More reading and trips to the movies. The reading is an obvious choice because it's free and there are thousands of books on my " to read" list. This means I am spending more time cozied up on my couch, book in hand, milo and not a care in the world. And then there's the movies. When Tuks and I were dating we were really into the movie scene and are getting back into it now that the days are colder. Thanks to the stack of movie vouchers I got from the gym, we haven't had to pay full price for months and have seen a film almost once a week.

For me, beating the winter blah's takes more than a positive attitude. What about you? What do you do to beat the winter blues?

My week with Sonny

As you can tell from my lack of blog posts things have been busy around here. On Monday my friend Sonny Bill came to stay, and I just haven't had the time to put my feet up and write.

Of course he was the perfect gentleman, but there is far too much to tell in one blog post. 

Forget My week with Marilyn, here is a snap shot of what we got up to.

Every morning began with a little exercise,

followed by Sonny using all the hot water- ( which I thought was rather rude)

 He did make up for it by taking me to New Market.

 And when I maxed out my credit card, he offered to pay!

We worked up quite an appetite so went to Sal's for a pizza dinner ( Sonny told me later he would have preferred a home cooked meal by yours truly)

A quick pit stop at the gas station 

before heading home to watch Glee

Sonny, you were the perfect house guest. Please visit again soon xx

Road Trips

I love road trips, and they are even better when shared with those you love. 

P.A.N.K (Proffessional Aunty No Kids)

This month I was invited by our ward magazine director to review a past General conference talk. The talk I chose was Elder Andersen's " Children" from October 2011. It brought with it some challenges as the topic can be touchy but it was valuable.
In summary I learned four things:
1. Children are important to our Heavenly Father and if you can, you should have them
2. Ultimately the decision is between only three people- you, your spouse and the Lord
3. People should not be judgmental or critical about others decision to have or not have children because... refer to #2.
4. Be wary of evaluating your readiness to start a family by the way it is " commonly" done.

Point #4 particularly spoke to me because we are going on three years of marriage and have no children- sometimes referred to as DANK (Dual income And No Kids)

Our decision to not have children (yet) has been met with reactions ranging from pity to contempt. Why are childless women always portrayed in movies as life's losers? Even though it is supposed to be your own choice, I have found that everyone has an opinion, especially members in the church.
" You shouldn't focus so much on your career", " It's selfish not to", " Do you hate kids?" and my personal favourite " Well if you aren't going to have kids, you should ask yourself why you got married?"

Another tactic used by some of my friends with children is to blab on about the bliss of motherhood, or say things like " You'll understand when you have kids". I suppose I am used to all of those by now, but the one comment that leaves me wondering is " If you don't start having them soon, you'll regret it", I have heard this so many times lately that I'm starting to believe it myself. Will not having children early be my bigggest, most irreversible regret?

For some women I know the desire to become a mother was innate. Speaking for myself, my ovaries very rarely let out a maternal urge. I hardly ever feel the need to cuddle or coo over a baby that is brought into Relief society. I also know some women who felt pressured into having children, and are now miserable. There are numerous books online about this very topic " All joy and No fun: Why parents hate parenting" " No Kids: 40 good reasons not to have kids" .

Why is it that women have fought for the right to become working mums, solo mums, mothers in same sex relatiosnhips and older mothers but we still question those who choose to opt OUT of motherhood? I think that people still cling to the stereotype of womanhood. We are expected to have children and want to have children, and if we don't it disrupts everything we know about gender.

I would like some of my friends and even family members to know what a struggle it is to maintain relationships with you when we are percieved as being "selfish". It is difficult to talk about all the exciting things in our life and the exciting things that we can do, to pepole who have kids and can't just drop things and go off to places.You made your choice, we made ours, so please don't judge us.

I know that families are central to God's eternal plan and that one day we will start our own. I am so glad I had the chance to re-read/watch Elder Andesen's talk. It reminded me to ask, have faith to act, trust and move forward.

Doing it

Have you heard the saying " There is no better time than now". Last month I wrote my 30 before 30 list and I guess there is no better time than now to get on it.

Today, I registered for the Whangamata half marathon on September 1st. That gives me four months to hit the road and start training. Wish me luck!

I'm sexy and I know it

Some people don't have the gift of gaining weight.. trust me, I have the gift. I gained four kilos while on our last vacation. Four big, fatty kilos in three weeks. But, I am happy to say that I am almost back at the weight I was before we left, and my body is tighter and firmer- YAY!

When I finally achieve my goal weight I think I am going to invest in one of these babies. 

Look at those killer results! 

Two times the trouble

My nephew Daluwyn is the cutest two year old in the whole world. Seriously. And I am not saying that because I am his aunty and have a bias. Some babies are just ugly. Gasp! Did I really stay that? Yes, and you know it is true you're just afraid to admit it. Anyway, two years have passed in a flash, and now my sweet little nephew is looking more like a little boy instead of a baby. Which makes me sad and happy all at the same time.

Yesterday we threw a party to celebrate his second birthday- because I love planning parties and because I love him.

I couldn't be bothered making a cake thought it would be creative if the guests decorated their own cup cake and used those as the cake.
It turned out really well:

Happy Birthday my darling man