Saturday, January 28, 2012

Hello 2012!

Sure, the cadbury creme eggs and chocolate bunnies are hitting the shelves already, but for me... I'm barely grasping the fact that it is 2012 already.
I spent my New Years Eve, just the way I like it. Camping at Brooms Head, and in bed before 1030pm.
I took that photo with my iPhone sitting at the front of our camp. Yes! We really are that close to the beach. Yes! it is that awesome!
Don't believe me?
Here's my feet.
And to make it even better, Lady Mausey camps right next door.
So whilst relaxing at Brooms Head, I had the time (and some since...WHAT? January is almost over?! Ack.) to think about what I want out of this year. My resolutions/goals/aspirations for 2012. I always come back from Brooms feeling so motivated. I think it is due to a good mix of relaxing, time off work, family time, waking and sleeping when I feel like it, and vitamin D. Though looking at my skin you wouldn't think I had seen the sun, it's a pasty healthy, sun-protected bright white. Oh which leads me into my first resolution (in no particular order)... 


1. Regular skin checks for Adam and I. It's been on my to-do-list for years now, but this year it will happen. As a theatre nurse by trade, I not only am hidden away from the sun for most of my working days, which makes me more likely to burn when I do see the sun...but I also get to see first-hand the negative effects our Aussie 'living in the sun' lifestyle can have. So to help inspire you to make the same resolution, I ask you to watch the following video. It's a fantastic ad which has been making the rounds on Facebook lately.


2. Be More Organised. I have been known to be organised to the point of obsession. In fact, in one point in time I did have an online inventory of my fridge and kitchen cupboard with expiry dates included. I know it sounds crazy, but it came about after I did a clean out of my cupboard had me throwing out bucket loads of expired food. It was useful, as I could easily see what needed to be used ASAP, and because it was online I could easily find out what I did or didn't have in the cupboard and stop doubling up, and hence throwing out unused expired food. Ok. It was crazy. So why then, is my resolution to be more organised? Perhaps it should be to be more appropriately organised. Truth is, I can be the other extreme - haphazardly disorganised. This year I hope to find the middle ground of the two. I will begin with food, house and budget. Stop shopping for meals every second day... it wastes time and I'm too likely to eat badly as a result. House - we have sooooo much we want to do with our home, need to make a plan about how we're going to tackle it! Intermingled with that is the budget,with all the home reno's we would like to make and with IVF taking a huge portion of our funds, being organised with money is a necessity.


3. Stay Sane and Fall Pregnant. I am quickly learning that the falling pregnant part is completely out of our control. Infertilty, miscarriage and IVF combined is a freaking tumultuous experience, and really we are only at the start. Some days I cope well, others not-so-much. As so many people seem to be falling pregnant all around me, I am so happy for them but it's hard at times not to feel complete despair at our current situation. I would never wish this on anyone, and I don't think it can truly be understood unless you go through it yourself. Throw into the mix that all I have ever really, truly wanted in my life (even as a teen) was to be barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. With my own little tribe running around my feet whilst I cook dinner for my Prince Charming. Screw the career, I want babies and lots of them. Well I have my Prince Charming... now can't I have the rest??
I'm looking down the barrel of potentially being biologically and financially incapable of having that big family I've always wanted and it terrifies me. I take solace in the fact that we are doing everything we can. I have to remind myself that it's a process and it takes time. I am lucky to have such a wonderful husband, and rather than ruin us - this whole experience is making us so much stronger. I also have amazing support from my family and friends. I have the most wonderful life. So rather than beat the buggery out of someone, I hope to stay sane, soldier on and remember that...
And who knows?
Maybe we'll be pregnant before I turn 29.


4. Learn to use my DSLR! Adam and I have an amazing Canon camera that we bought on our trip to Thailand, and I really do not know how to use it. I am still stuck on the auto function, which is a waste, I may as well be using my iPhone. I even forgot to take the camera to Brooms Head this year. Time to pick up my game and get-to-know my camera. Adam gave me a zoom lens for my birthday, so there is no good reason for me not to be using it.


5. Teach myself to use Photoshop. I used to be great with computers. Hell, I started an IT degree (I lasted a week before I changed to nursing). I thought I knew how to use Photoshop, but when I opened the program I quickly realised that I knew absolutely didley-squat. I think that my recollections of high-school were wrong. It appears I only know how to use the program Paint.


6. Make Bento! For Christmas 2010 (yes, the year before the one just gone), one of my many super presents was this:
It scream's my name, and I pawned over it, and loved it, showed it to any friend who came to visit... but never actually made anything in it during the year of 2011.
Thankfully, Chloe and my mum have come to my rescue, and I am now the proud owner of a fantastic selection of bento boxes and utensils that will certainly be utilised in making some super cute, not-so-manly lunches for Adam to take to work (and me too of course!). Stay tuned into the whitebrickwall because when I do, I promise to share :)
*insert superhero voice here* Now to the next resolution!


7. Blog more. I have a habit for not making time for the things I enjoy. My Year 12 HSC year (now 10 whole years ago...ouch!) saw me pay attention to every subject before Drama. But Drama, was what I loved most and yet I let it fall by the way-side. It's a regret I still carry... but I choose to learn from my mistakes. I am thoroughly enjoying blogging when I actually make the time to do it. Last year I only posted 18 times, and 10 of them were in July!


8. Get some new skills. I have a mother who is the owner and creator of an AMAZING shop (That Shop), and as a result I have a cupboard full of spectacular dresses. I am letting myself the dresses down by my very basic make-up and hairstyling skills. I now have plans to rectify that. I am already booked in next month for a small Pinup Hair and Make-up course run by Bree from Dead Gorgeous Make-Up and Hair Styling. 1950's inspired hair and make-up here I come!


And finally...


9. Live in the now. This last resolution is somewhat related to Resolution #3. I get so fixated on what I want next, that I often find it difficult to 'live in the now'. It's time to 
Ease up and enjoy what I've got. Do more of what makes me happy.


Wishing you all a wonderful and fulfilling 2012!


Kristy xx