Saturday 25th January, 2104

Good Afternoon All,

So as I said yesterday, I am in search of personal happiness. My first goal is DE cluttering my heart, soul and mind. After completing stage one, my mind, next is stage two, heart. This stage is hard and I still haven't reached the end. After losing two grandparents in the last two years, I have cluttered my heart with their personal items. When we lose a family member/someone close, we receive personal items of theirs and funeral booklets etc. I am finding it very hard to part with them from my view. I know it clutters my house and I am trying to DE clutter the house of knick knack but I am finding it hard to box them away in a cupboard. I have placed photos away in boxes and kept a couple of photos in view. I have kept a brooch of nana's in my room. I have a photo of my granddad next to my DH's record player, my granddad loved country music. I have framed an album of his that will hang on the wall in my living room. I wear a necklace of my nana's and my DD wears one too. My home office is cluttered with boxes of items and photos. I know I need to go through them but find it still to painful. I know it has to be done. Have you got any tips for DE cluttering loved ones items. My brother in-law plays a game of chuck it, but I can't chuck these items.

                                                               My nana & me in 1979

As I said yesterday, our happiness is our own happiness. No one else can tell us how to be happy or make us happy. We have to look down deep inside to find our own happiness. Most of us, me included, live our life, day by day, doing the same things, just getting it done. Reading Gretchen's books, has helped me to realise that we all need to get out of this rut. I am in a large rut of checklists and routine. Time to shake it up and not do what society thinks we should do. We don't need anyone's approval to be happy.

I know I need to go through those boxes and I know I need to clean them so I can move onto stage three, DE cluttering my soul. I don't even know at the moment what that means. How does one clear the soul of clutter? I know that I need to find my belief again. My belief in me, family and God. I feel like my life is so cluttered with negativity that I have shut out all belief in life. With society changing, I have lost my belief in life being good.

Keep Smiling. Cheers, Mama Kerry

Friday 24th January, 2014.

Good evening all,

It has been a while since my last post. I have been busy finishing my past life and welcoming my new life. 2014 is all about finding the happier and stronger KERRY! This will help me achieve the big goal of been a better mother and wife.

This of course all came about with the New Year Resolution. Most of us are unable to achieve these resolutions. This year for Christmas from a family member, I was given a book called, Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin. Just reading the back of the book made me find my e-reader and download the first book, The Happiness Project. I dived straight in. I think with the support of these books, magic, can and will happen.

                                                  http://gretchenrubin.com/

Then comes the questions of what will make ME HAPPY. This is a very big question and also very personal. Everyone has different things that make them happy. My first stop, to DE clutter my heart, mind and soul. First DE clutter, quit my dental job so I can free my mind.

I finished working at the dentist on Tuesday. My mind is free, my shoulders are free of tension. I feel so much better. FREE!!! Of course, everyone's goals are different. Of course, I now work for my DH or more to the point, I am now his boss! I am not suggesting, quit your job without having another job lined up. This is what I needed to make me feel free.
So please leave your comments on what your happiness goals would be. This is a very important part of every mum's life, to find their own happiness. We spend so much time ensuring our partners and children are happy that our own happiness disappears. Just try it. You will be surprised how much better you feel. At least try to smile more. A lady who smiles, looks younger and more beautiful.

Cheers, Mama Kerry :-)

Tuesday 29th October, 2013

Tuesday begins the same as Mondays. Training in the morning, chase around the kids getting them ready for school. Only difference is, I don't work at the dental practice. The lady dentist is off on maternity leave. So my normal 4 x 6 hour days are now 2 x 6 hour days. I don't mind at all. My Tuesdays have turned into running around for 6 hours, catching up on some ME time. Well earned ME time. 
So after dropping off the kids today, I went to the gym for a 30 minute swimming session. There is something magical about been at one with the water. I love the quiet and the peace. It is just me, my breathing and the calm water. I love to swim. As a young girl, I was a mad keen butter-flier. I would swim at least 1km a day. Now I can only manage to swim breast stroke. I can swim only 500 meters in my 30 minute session but I have to say, my shoulders and chest are sore.
I get home all relaxed and have to call the bank. OMG! These people drive me insane. I know they are only doing their job and its not their fault that their computer system doesn't work correctly. Seriously, how long does it take to close an account? We closed an account with them 3 months ago but it is still on our internet banking. I accidentally transferred money into this account, guess what? Its going to take 2 days for them to fix this issue. This account was meant to be closed 3 months ago but cause its still on my online banking, I accidentally clicked on it. Cause that account is closed, the "silly" girl couldn't clear it to go back into my account. I couldn't move it myself, cause the account is closed. Best thing of all, because I am the woman, not the man, I do not have the authority over the account. SERIOUSLY!!! I am the one who pays all the bills and does all the banking but as the second name on the account, I do not have the "authority" to the information.

"Behind every great man there's a great woman."

I understand that when we get married, we take a back step to husbands. In saying this, I know this is not how my DH sees me. He sees me as his equal and a lot of time, he holds me higher than himself. I deal with the general public in my line of work and I find it very interesting how the different generations and cultures treat one another. I have the older generation who comment that, "You shouldn't be working. Your place is at home looking after the children and been at the beck and call of your husband." I even have a work colleague who feels the same way. I am sure I am not the only one who has this happen. "In my day, women never worked after marriage." In this day, most of us are more than happy to go back to work. I know I sure was.
Well on that note, I will sign off. Let me know your thoughts and comments on the "women staying at home after marriage to look after her husband" topic. I know we personally couldn't afford to have children, schooling or the little luxuries we enjoy, like movie nights, if Mama didn't work.

Cheers, Mama Kerry.

Monday 28th October, 2013.

My Monday's start off the same every week. Up at 6 am, do a 30 minutes workout while the children are asleep, then the day begins. It's nice to have some quiet time while they are asleep. The kids start their day with whinging and fighting. I am sure any mother who has a 6 yr old and 5 yr old, who are head strong, will say the same. Breakfast is finished, get dressed, brush teeth, make beds and make sure bags are packed for the day. They are then allowed to watch two Peppa Pigs and whatever the show is after that on ABC 2. This gives Mama time to get ready for her day, make-up, hair and make lunches etc. Mornings are busy and stressful. 
All climb in the car ready for the 15 minute drive to schools. DD goes off to pre-school first, sometimes with tears other times without saying goodbye to Mama. This morning she decided that she didn't want to stay till she finally saw her "best friend" arrive with her mummy. Then Mama was left very quick, so she could wait at the fence for her BF. 
Then walk over to DS's school. Been in year 1 means he is a big boy and doesn't like Mama hanging around, which is great, cause Mama works at the dentist on Monday and needs to drive for 15 minutes, back the way she started. 
First stop for me is to get a coffee and have a chat to Julie, from our local coffee cart at my work.   http://www.cafeinfusion.com.au/
 Then off to work for 6 hours. This can either be enjoyable or extremely stressful. I have always enjoyed my job and many do not understand how. There is something magical about helping someone in pain or make someone feel more confident about themselves with cosmetic dentistry. Since coming back after having DD & DS, something has changed in my job. Is it I miss the children? Is it I have no patience for people? Or is it that people are not as grateful or respectful anymore? I think its the last.
After this, I am off to get my DS from school. Most times DD stays at Pre-school till we head off to the gym. Gives me time to deal with the "homework nightmare". I am sure all parents know what I mean. Only 12 years of homework to deal with :-(
Monday's are personal trainer day for DH, so we spent at least 1 hour at the gym. So it is always the treadmill and bike for me. Love the burn. 
My DS has just started Joey Scouts. He is so excited on Monday nights after scouts. Wish he could be so excited about school. It is so lovely to see them really enjoy learning. 
Till next time. Cheers, Mama Kerry. 

End each day with thoughts of peace.  Begin each day with thoughts of peace. Continue thinking thoughts of peace throughout your precious day and happiness will be yours. – unknown

Welcome to my new blog.

Matron of Honour lately
at my sister's wedding.

Good Evening and welcome to my new blog. I am new at the world of blogging, so I will learn as we go along. A little about me first.... My name is Kerry & by my blog name, I am a mother (mama, as my DD calls me). I have had a few nicknames in my short life. Care Bear, Miss Sunshine, Mrs P, Spesh & most recently Mama Kerry.
I am a mother of two children. My DS is 6.5yrs and my DD is 5. They are my life, as all parents will tell you. From the moment I awake to the moment I go to sleep, they are always in my thoughts. Hardest job in the world.
I am a wifey and business partner with my husband. We run a small family business and I am the Accounts/Marketing Manager. I am also a part-time Dental Assistant/Receptionist at a local practice.
Life is extremely busy, as most mothers will tell you. For relaxation, I train at the gym at least five days a week. My hubby and I have been losing weight and training for the last two years, so I guess it is no longer a fad. We both are very passionate about our health and the future of our children.
So that is me. I look forward to hearing from other mothers and business ladies. I look forward to sharing my days and thoughts with you. Being a parent can be very lonely and scary. Sometimes, it is best to have an outlet.
Bye from now, Mama Kerry.