there is something very special about a night feed... its just you, your babe and the night noises and i find this to be so peaceful and tranquil that i almost don't mind the terrible hours that i have to get up for a night feed!
tonight is a bit eerie though as there is quite a strong wind blowing outside and due to some windows being open this is causing all our internal doors to rattle and shake. the rest of the house however is dead quiet and still, so i'm loving it!
so far Hendrik has been a good nighttime babe and we have sailed smoothly through our first several night feeds - i know this might be fuelling the strange sense of euphoria that i might be experiencing right now. it's still early days and i know this sweet little angel lying in my arms tonight can easily transform into, what seems to be, a fire breathing monster that eats away at precious bedtime hours at any point in time. for now i am grateful for every good night though.
so far (and i am aware that its only been 10 days) my whole adventure with Hendrik has really been pain- and hassle free. what a lucky mama i am, our little prince really is setting the bar high for himself for the coming weeks. like most new mamas out there i have that precious 12week milestone in mind- this is when things usually start to get a bit easier for babe and ultimately for the parents.
big brother Anton is also slowly getting used to the fact that baby brother is here to stay. i won't say that he's surrendered the battle of trying to get our undivided attention, all the time, just yet, but i suspect the change is starting to become his normal. this transition period has definitely brought with it it's own set of challenges! dealing with a newborn, a feisty and strong willed two year old and recovering from surgery is not an easy task, but it helps having some extra hands available to diffuse the "volatile" moments. thanks to the husband and my mom even this potentially difficult introduction has run relatively smoothly.
ok, the little guy seems to have fallen asleep again, let me also try to catch some precious sleep. more on how we are settling in soon!
have an awesome monday and great week dear readers, xoxo
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Monday, 9 March 2015
Monday, 21 July 2014
Kurumakatiti reserve _ a final goodbye
It is a beautiful day in Johannesburg and it is clear that my week will be a bit rough! Next week the husband and I will be taking a sneaky little mid-year break without little Antonlief (don't get me started on the emotions this is stirring up!) but I am still insanely EXCITED!
The last few months have been tough in saying farewell to a very special place as our much beloved Kurumakatiti game reserve has been sold. It has been especially tough for the husband as he holds on to so many sentimental and precious memories here. Having been in the family for 3 generations it is very sad to say goodbye!
We are happy that little Anton could at least spend a few happy weekends on this beautiful piece of African soil and I hope that one day we will be able to provide just a small resemblance of such a beautiful environment to him and future siblings. This special reserve will be greatly missed and we are so grateful for all the happy and rich memories we will forever have!
For those of you that did have the opportunity to visit this special wonder you know exactly what we have lost and you can probably relate to the sadness that overwhelms us now. For the readers that have only caught glimpses of the farm on Wordedreflections you know just how dear this place was to me.
The last few months have been tough in saying farewell to a very special place as our much beloved Kurumakatiti game reserve has been sold. It has been especially tough for the husband as he holds on to so many sentimental and precious memories here. Having been in the family for 3 generations it is very sad to say goodbye!
We are happy that little Anton could at least spend a few happy weekends on this beautiful piece of African soil and I hope that one day we will be able to provide just a small resemblance of such a beautiful environment to him and future siblings. This special reserve will be greatly missed and we are so grateful for all the happy and rich memories we will forever have!
For those of you that did have the opportunity to visit this special wonder you know exactly what we have lost and you can probably relate to the sadness that overwhelms us now. For the readers that have only caught glimpses of the farm on Wordedreflections you know just how dear this place was to me.
It is a sad time in the Derksen household and
we will forever treasure these memories!
Monday, 7 July 2014
Just another day at the home-office
It is a beautiful, crisp winter's day in Joburg and it is always great to be out and about on days like these! As I so often write, my days consist of trying to successfully balance being a professional architect that delivers a professional architectural service and trying to be the prefect mother and wife to my family.
With a busy schedule, that sometimes keeps me away from the house for longer than planned, there are days where I cannot wait to get home and give my little Antonlief a cuddle. The last few weeks have been particularly busy and I would give anything for a lazy afternoon where I can give my full attention to my boy! I think sometimes because I did not make the decision to fully return to work, with an off site office and fixed office hours, I can easily feel like I am failing as a stay-at-home mom. Mixing playtime with me typing an email / reading a client brief or the like is not ideal, but I suppose I should also realise that the mere fact that I can spend some time with him during the day is a very big blessing!
Everyday spent with this little creature is an adventure and sometimes I wish that I didn't have to juggle him among the other aspects of life. But it is this life that keeps me sane and probably makes me a better (and more interesting) mother to him in the end. Through his eyes I have learnt to appreciate all the small and almost forgotten elements of everyday life again. With him by my side I am learning to be more effective with my time spent in the office or on site and to properly indulge in my free time!
Antonlief the best business partner EVER!
With a busy schedule, that sometimes keeps me away from the house for longer than planned, there are days where I cannot wait to get home and give my little Antonlief a cuddle. The last few weeks have been particularly busy and I would give anything for a lazy afternoon where I can give my full attention to my boy! I think sometimes because I did not make the decision to fully return to work, with an off site office and fixed office hours, I can easily feel like I am failing as a stay-at-home mom. Mixing playtime with me typing an email / reading a client brief or the like is not ideal, but I suppose I should also realise that the mere fact that I can spend some time with him during the day is a very big blessing!
Everyday spent with this little creature is an adventure and sometimes I wish that I didn't have to juggle him among the other aspects of life. But it is this life that keeps me sane and probably makes me a better (and more interesting) mother to him in the end. Through his eyes I have learnt to appreciate all the small and almost forgotten elements of everyday life again. With him by my side I am learning to be more effective with my time spent in the office or on site and to properly indulge in my free time!
Antonlief the best business partner EVER!
Wednesday, 11 June 2014
Progress report _ motherhood
Little Anton Christiaan Derksen was born on 12/03/203 and is now just about 15 months old and it is hard to imagine that he was not always a part of our household! The past 15 months have been all consuming with immense love and devotion to this little prince of ours! He is my happy-go-lucky, smiling paw paw and even though he is a bit like a tornado meets hurricane I love the life he brings into my life!
I so often think back to the time that I just found out that I was pregnant, seeing the first scan of this new life, feeling the baby moving and kicking for the first time and giving birth to a beautiful, perfect little boy and all I can say is WOW! what an amazing experience, but when I thought that there could be nothing better than that experience I could not have been more wrong!
Anton is an ongoing work of art, a little miracle, a ray of sunshine, an entertainer, a bundle of joy - my crown prince and I absolutely LOVE being this little creature's mother!
Motherhood came very easily and naturally for me, but this does not mean that I didn't face a few challenges and obstacles along the way. Relationships changed, work changed, routines changed, ultimately I changed and suddenly my life had to revolve around keeping a little baby happy and healthy. A task I did (and still do) with 100% enthusiasm and love. A task that became my way of life and that made me reconnect with who I am, where I want to be and what I want to do, because suddenly I had to prioritise and plan well if I wanted to do something or go somewhere. .jpg)
Apart from the extra amount of love and warmth that Anton brought into
our lives, he also brought a change to our household dynamic.The husband and I have been together for almost 10 years now and ultimately we had to learn a new dance too. As parents I would say we are doing a good job and I am certain that our relationship has, since Anton's arrival, also blossomed into a more mature "grownup" companionship. As I mentioned in my previous post - he is still my one and only, my most favouritist man.
I so often think back to the time that I just found out that I was pregnant, seeing the first scan of this new life, feeling the baby moving and kicking for the first time and giving birth to a beautiful, perfect little boy and all I can say is WOW! what an amazing experience, but when I thought that there could be nothing better than that experience I could not have been more wrong!Anton is an ongoing work of art, a little miracle, a ray of sunshine, an entertainer, a bundle of joy - my crown prince and I absolutely LOVE being this little creature's mother!
Monday, 9 June 2014
Progress report _ My life
Since I started writing Worded Reflections in 2011 my life has significantly changed. My career took an unplanned turn and I am now self employed, I became a mother of the most dearest, sweetest little boy in the entire universe, I invested in friendships and relationships that I did not ever expect to blossom in the way they are and my life in Joburg has become so rooted that I cannot imagine being anywhere else in the world. One constant that I cannot neglect to mention is my husband, my one and only, my most favouritist man.
As I am approaching this return to blogging as an entirely new adventure, I will over the next few weeks be introducing myself, my life and my work to you in a series of progress reports. For those of you familiar with these aspects of me, have a bit of patience.
As I am approaching this return to blogging as an entirely new adventure, I will over the next few weeks be introducing myself, my life and my work to you in a series of progress reports. For those of you familiar with these aspects of me, have a bit of patience.
Architect, wife, mother, friend, homemaker, designer, self-proclaimed cook
and lover of everything beautiful, interesting, simple and nice. Worded
Reflections is a melting pot of bits and pieces of me and things that I
like, do, love, long for and dream of. Worded
Reflections is me on a page.
Saturday, 7 June 2014
Well, hello again!
After a very long silence I have decided to return to my beloved blog, how I've missed you!
In my previous post, written almost 8 months ago, I said that I was unsure about the purpose of Worded Reflections and that I needed to figure out exactly why I was blogging.
Well, I'm back and I think I've figured it out.. when I started Worded Reflections I wanted it to be a blog that reflects me on a page. I wanted to have a platform to write and creatively express my likes, wants, desires as well as journal a bit of my everyday life.
So this is exactly what I am going to do! My life as a wife, mother, architect, friend, cook, designer and creative is full and busy and wonderful, so why not just capture this!?
Some of you might not be interested, some of you might find this purpose silly, but some of you just might want to join me on this journey, see a bit of my everyday life and take a peek into how I balance (or juggle) this wonderful, glorious, exciting adventure I call life...
I invite you all on my new Worded Reflections adventure!
Here's to new beginnings.
In my previous post, written almost 8 months ago, I said that I was unsure about the purpose of Worded Reflections and that I needed to figure out exactly why I was blogging.
Well, I'm back and I think I've figured it out.. when I started Worded Reflections I wanted it to be a blog that reflects me on a page. I wanted to have a platform to write and creatively express my likes, wants, desires as well as journal a bit of my everyday life.
So this is exactly what I am going to do! My life as a wife, mother, architect, friend, cook, designer and creative is full and busy and wonderful, so why not just capture this!?
Some of you might not be interested, some of you might find this purpose silly, but some of you just might want to join me on this journey, see a bit of my everyday life and take a peek into how I balance (or juggle) this wonderful, glorious, exciting adventure I call life...
I invite you all on my new Worded Reflections adventure!
Here's to new beginnings.
Monday, 26 August 2013
Marvelous Monday
Hello dear readers, I hope you had a wonderful weekend and are feeling rested and ready for this new week ahead.
This week I would like to focus on a few things in and the around the kitchen. With Anton having started eating solid foods in the past few weeks, the husband providing too much meat for two people to consume from the farm - Kudu, Eland, Impala... you name it, I have it! - I am foreseeing a good few hours in the kitchen.
Can anyone say venison pie, steamed, liquidised veggies, kudu roast or biltong !? Let the cooking games begin!
Although I do like to page through recipe books, read cooking or recipes specific blogs and watch cooking programs, I am not one to strictly follow recipes. I find recipes too regulated and strict, but great for inspiration and sparking ideas; the kitchen is where I like to experiment and play.
A few of my favourite culinary inspirations include:
Punchfork
Foodgawker
I love cooking
Whats for dinner
Perhaps with spring winking at us some of you are less focused on food than on putting on your gym gear, but who said cooking and eating cant be yum and healthy!? More on this tomorrow.
This week I would like to focus on a few things in and the around the kitchen. With Anton having started eating solid foods in the past few weeks, the husband providing too much meat for two people to consume from the farm - Kudu, Eland, Impala... you name it, I have it! - I am foreseeing a good few hours in the kitchen.
Can anyone say venison pie, steamed, liquidised veggies, kudu roast or biltong !? Let the cooking games begin!
Although I do like to page through recipe books, read cooking or recipes specific blogs and watch cooking programs, I am not one to strictly follow recipes. I find recipes too regulated and strict, but great for inspiration and sparking ideas; the kitchen is where I like to experiment and play.
A few of my favourite culinary inspirations include:
Punchfork
Foodgawker
I love cooking
Whats for dinner
_edit.jpg) |
| My kitchen_this is where I play! |
Perhaps with spring winking at us some of you are less focused on food than on putting on your gym gear, but who said cooking and eating cant be yum and healthy!? More on this tomorrow.
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
Learning a new dance
After my extended absence from my, what used to be, normal life I am focusing on a new dance. Currently I am busy figuring out how to juggle work, life, family and love in a balanced manner and one of my main aims is to get a decent grasp on my work again.What started out as stolen moments when Anton was napping or entertaining himself is now becoming a bigger part of my everyday again. At least I am working from home so although I am spending more and more time in front of my computer I do not feel like I am neglecting time with my precious son.
My work load is slowly picking up, but my main focus is currently on a residential project that is already under construction - a very exciting adventure for me and some close friends. I will post a bit more about this project soon.
For now, some inspiration for myself while I am learning the steps of this new dance I call life...
My work load is slowly picking up, but my main focus is currently on a residential project that is already under construction - a very exciting adventure for me and some close friends. I will post a bit more about this project soon.
For now, some inspiration for myself while I am learning the steps of this new dance I call life...
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| From here |
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| From here |
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| Something I strive for! From here |
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Monday, 7 January 2013
Happy 2013!
So its been a while since my last post and during the past few weeks of holiday I had some time to rethink the way forward for Worded Reflections. My last few months of blogging was a bit sporadic and sometimes a bit unreliable. I know that the regular readers expect something new everyday, be it a quick thought, a clever inspiration or something worth reading or looking at and I did not always deliver...
In 2013 I will aim to be better! I will try to post more regularly and aim to please those of you who take the time to browse my blog. I will probably post a bit more on babies, nurseries and things for little people as I am, for those who do not yet know, 6 and a half months pregnant and am expecting a little prince to arrive mid March - yay! But this will not be my only focus!
I seek to find things that inspire, spark and ignite new ideas. I aim to expose some great interior and architectural projects. I crave to see, read and experience beauty and to share all of this with you!
May 2013 be a WONDERFUL, warm, loving and successful year for all and may you be inspired to do and be more than what you were in 2012!
In 2013 I will aim to be better! I will try to post more regularly and aim to please those of you who take the time to browse my blog. I will probably post a bit more on babies, nurseries and things for little people as I am, for those who do not yet know, 6 and a half months pregnant and am expecting a little prince to arrive mid March - yay! But this will not be my only focus!
I seek to find things that inspire, spark and ignite new ideas. I aim to expose some great interior and architectural projects. I crave to see, read and experience beauty and to share all of this with you!
May 2013 be a WONDERFUL, warm, loving and successful year for all and may you be inspired to do and be more than what you were in 2012!
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| From here |
Thursday, 13 December 2012
Believing in love
I stumbled onto some very sweet tiny love stories this morning and found it inspiring and fresh, perhaps it makes you believe in that forever-love-affair again...
Today, my 75-year-old grandpa who has been blind from cataracts for almost 15 years said to me, “Your grandma is just the most beautiful thing, isn’t she?” I paused for a second and said, “Yes she is. I bet you miss seeing that beauty on a daily basis.” “Sweety,” my grandpa said, “I still see her beauty every day. In fact, I see it more now than I used to when we were young.”
Today is our 10th anniversary, but since my husband and I are both recently unemployed we agreed not to get each other any gifts. When I woke up this morning, my husband was already up. I walked downstairs to find beautiful wild flowers brilliantly arranged all over the house. There must be 400 flowers total and he didn’t spend a dime.
Today, I was driving home with my grandfather when he suddenly made a u-turn and said, “I forgot to get your grandmother a bouquet of flowers. I’ll pick up one from the florist at the corner down here. It’ll only take a second.” “What’s so special about today that you have to buy her flowers?” I asked. “There’s nothing specifically special about today,” my grandfather said. “Every day is special. Your grandmother loves flowers. They put a smile on her face.”
Today, exactly 10 years ago almost to the minute, I stopped at an intersection and a car rear ended me. The driver was a student at UF, just like me. He was cordial and apologetic. As we waited for the cops and the tow truck we chatted and started laughing together about all sorts of stuff. We exchanged numbers and the rest is history. We just celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary.
Today, when I tapped the side of my wheelchair and told my husband, “You’re the only reason I want to be free from this contraption,” he kissed me on my forehead and said, “Honey, I don’t even see that thing.”
If you enjoyed reading these tiny love stories visit the Marc and Angel Hack Life blog and read some more, I spent a good 20 minutes reading some of these tales and it made me smile!!
Today, my 75-year-old grandpa who has been blind from cataracts for almost 15 years said to me, “Your grandma is just the most beautiful thing, isn’t she?” I paused for a second and said, “Yes she is. I bet you miss seeing that beauty on a daily basis.” “Sweety,” my grandpa said, “I still see her beauty every day. In fact, I see it more now than I used to when we were young.”
Today is our 10th anniversary, but since my husband and I are both recently unemployed we agreed not to get each other any gifts. When I woke up this morning, my husband was already up. I walked downstairs to find beautiful wild flowers brilliantly arranged all over the house. There must be 400 flowers total and he didn’t spend a dime.
Today, I was driving home with my grandfather when he suddenly made a u-turn and said, “I forgot to get your grandmother a bouquet of flowers. I’ll pick up one from the florist at the corner down here. It’ll only take a second.” “What’s so special about today that you have to buy her flowers?” I asked. “There’s nothing specifically special about today,” my grandfather said. “Every day is special. Your grandmother loves flowers. They put a smile on her face.”
Today, exactly 10 years ago almost to the minute, I stopped at an intersection and a car rear ended me. The driver was a student at UF, just like me. He was cordial and apologetic. As we waited for the cops and the tow truck we chatted and started laughing together about all sorts of stuff. We exchanged numbers and the rest is history. We just celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary.
Today, when I tapped the side of my wheelchair and told my husband, “You’re the only reason I want to be free from this contraption,” he kissed me on my forehead and said, “Honey, I don’t even see that thing.”
If you enjoyed reading these tiny love stories visit the Marc and Angel Hack Life blog and read some more, I spent a good 20 minutes reading some of these tales and it made me smile!!
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
Life
The December madness is in full swing and I am loving it!!!
Within this whirlwind of parties, dinners, functions and drinks, LIFE still carries on and some colourful, happy events are making it even more exciting this year!!
Good news of the engagement of some very close friends...
Planning and preparation for the arrival of the newest addition to our little family of two, soon to be 3...
Preparing for out DIY family Christmas this year, what fun!!
Witnessing new friendships develop that might blossom into love...
Seeing the farm after the first summer rain...
Feeling how the stress and the rush of this year is slowly coming to a halt - breath!
What a wonderful time of the year! What a wonderful life!
Noah and the Whale - 'L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.'
Within this whirlwind of parties, dinners, functions and drinks, LIFE still carries on and some colourful, happy events are making it even more exciting this year!!
Good news of the engagement of some very close friends...
Planning and preparation for the arrival of the newest addition to our little family of two, soon to be 3...
Preparing for out DIY family Christmas this year, what fun!!
Witnessing new friendships develop that might blossom into love...
Seeing the farm after the first summer rain...
Feeling how the stress and the rush of this year is slowly coming to a halt - breath!
What a wonderful time of the year! What a wonderful life!
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| From here |
Thursday, 29 November 2012
Jingle bells already ringing
Last night I had my first Christmas function for the year and it is amazing how quickly one can get into the festive spirit of this holiday!
Christmas,to me, is mainly about remembering the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and spending time with family, but it is also about giving. Giving back to those in need, giving something special to ones you love, giving someone a hug, giving people hope through the precious joy and good news of our King and giving yourself a moment to breath - to take in the important things in life again.
In little less than a month I will, as tradition will have it, be celebrating this special day with my family in our holiday home in Stilbaai and I cannot wait!
Last night was a good introduction to the festive season and a wonderful way to end off a great year with some very special girls!
Thanks Suzie, Tanya, Kim, Liza, Sarizie and Jana for your friendships and kind personalities that fill my life!
Even though it is early, I am wishing you a merry, festive and silly Christmas season xoxo
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| From here |
Christmas,to me, is mainly about remembering the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and spending time with family, but it is also about giving. Giving back to those in need, giving something special to ones you love, giving someone a hug, giving people hope through the precious joy and good news of our King and giving yourself a moment to breath - to take in the important things in life again.
In little less than a month I will, as tradition will have it, be celebrating this special day with my family in our holiday home in Stilbaai and I cannot wait!
Last night was a good introduction to the festive season and a wonderful way to end off a great year with some very special girls!
Thanks Suzie, Tanya, Kim, Liza, Sarizie and Jana for your friendships and kind personalities that fill my life!
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| Some pics to highlight our night, thanks Suzie! |
Even though it is early, I am wishing you a merry, festive and silly Christmas season xoxo
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Two years and counting
Today, two years ago, I celebrated my AMAZING wedding day with the one I love!
A big festive affair with family and friends that are special and dear to us, but it was the man standing by my side on that day that marked it as the special beginning of a happy and wonderful life together!
This is a short video clip that a friend made as a wedding gift... I don't think I will ever grow tired of viewing this!
Thank you husband for being the WONDERFUL man that you are!!!
A big festive affair with family and friends that are special and dear to us, but it was the man standing by my side on that day that marked it as the special beginning of a happy and wonderful life together!
This is a short video clip that a friend made as a wedding gift... I don't think I will ever grow tired of viewing this!
Thank you husband for being the WONDERFUL man that you are!!!
Thursday, 22 November 2012
Saying thank you
Today America is celebrating Thanksgiving, a traditional holiday and celebration that I feel can be celebrated more often than for just one day a year.
On this topic of being thankful I thought I would also say thanks...
On this topic of being thankful I thought I would also say thanks...
Thursday, 8 November 2012
Our beautiful country of contrast
Today the stark contrast of our beautiful country, our rainbow nation, is getting to me! Friends' parents fearing for their lives on their farms in de Doorns, Western Cape, enthusiastic entrepreneurs starting new business ventures filled with hope and dreams of success, our country still mourning the epic shock of the Marikana massacre still looming over us, soon to be parents dreaming of a bright future for their unborn children, conversations of hope, sadness, frustration, excitement... our country of contrast - where are we heading?
The amazing Hex River Valley, from here
The current unrest between farm owners and workers that smudges this beauty, from here
Violent protests at the Marikana mines recently lead to too many tragic deaths, from here
I cannot wait for this! The Whippet, a coffee shop soon opening in Linden Johannesburg, from here
New parents filled with hope for a bright future for their children
In God we trust and believe to end the madness and the suffering of the poor and to safeguard and protect the precious lives of our people - of all our people. Today I pray that there will be compassion, respect and humanity for all that live in our beautiful country that is us, that flows in our veins and that makes us who we are.
May all my fellow South Africans experience something good today, something to erase our negativity and something to colour in your day. Perhaps you can be that ray of sunshine that can brighten someones day?
Have a lovely day xoxo
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| From here |
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Start your day with a smile
Good day dear readers, the husband woke me up this morning with a lovely cup of tea and one of the chocolate biscuits that I made a few days ago. With a smile he said "it is never too early for chocolate". What a great way to start the day!!
My wish for today is that you can all put your smiles on and brighten someone's day! Have a good one!
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| From here |
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| From here |
Monday, 29 October 2012
Hello week!
Its Monday morning and I am feeling rested and revived after a lovely weekend on the farm... As some of you might have realised by now, the farm is to me what a full body massage is to most people. I can never get enough of the fresh air, beautiful nature and even the 3 hour drive out there is part of the experience. Smile.
So what do you have planned this week? I am still not 100% back in my regular routine after my long break and I think that this week requires some attention to healthy eating and living - just to spark the habit again.
Some wise words to get me going again, perhaps some of you also find this useful:
Have a lovely week all! xoxo
So what do you have planned this week? I am still not 100% back in my regular routine after my long break and I think that this week requires some attention to healthy eating and living - just to spark the habit again.
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| From here |
Some wise words to get me going again, perhaps some of you also find this useful:
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| From here |
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