Big4 Bellarine - the real deal

I haven't done much work with brands.
I have kind of tinkered around the edges.
And mainly I have told myself it is because I just don't have time.
Sure there is a part of me that likes a little bit of free product here and there. But when it gets down to it, I think the real reason is that a lot of the time I find all the marketing mumbo jumbo a bit uncomfortable and disconcerting, especially if I feel like me (or my readers) are having some sales pitch rammed somewhere it doesn't need to be.

But every now and then, something comes along and you know it's the real deal. No bull. No ramming anything anywhere. Just the real deal.

Last weekend I had the great fortune of being one of 40 mums invited to a sleepover event at Big4 Bellarine Holiday Park just a little way from Geelong. Lots of others have written posts about what happened on the weekend so if you want to read about that go here and here. Suffice to say we were well fed, watered and pampered. It was a lovely break.

I was particularly impressed by the way Sophie, one of the co-owners of the park, told us the story of how their wonderful park came into being. She told the story with thought, honesty, grace and the fabulous sense of humour of someone who has put it all on the line to get a business going and is giving it a real crack. Hearing the story was one of my favourite parts of the whole weekend. I really truly love it when people's authenticity shines through and with Sophie it shone brightly.

I have booked a little winter break for later in the year at Big4 Bellarine. I am really excited about showing the Captain, the Batsman and the Bowler around all the fun facilities they have. I have had a good chat with Sophie about autism and how that affects our family and how it can make holidays a bit tricky. She really listened.

I already knew Big4 Bellarine was the real deal after my weekend experience but you know when I really knew?

I knew when a little package arrived this week. It was personally addressed to the Batsman....a social story to help him understand where he is going on our winter break and what it will be like. It's this kind of stuff that makes the big difference. The Batsman loved it. You should have seen his face.

Yep. The real deal.

Final words: I had a great time at Big4 Bellarine. I was not paid or asked to write this post. I just wanted to share something real. Really. xx

A beach of our own

We are at the beach this week. It's a much needed break for all of us to be together, away from the routine, to collect our thoughts and have some fun. It's peaceful and we feel so lucky to be here.

Today the Batsman really needed some one on one time. Increasingly he needs time without the rough and tumble of play with our ever busy Bowler who is currently two and a half years old but thinks he is fourteen.

I love the beach. Over the years I have grown to love it more when the weather is cooler and the beach is more likely to be quiet. We certainly picked our day and our weather today. When we reached our destination the beach was ours. Deserted. Empty except for me and my boy.

Beaches are amazing aren't they? There is something about the beach that, in my mind at least, helps people be closer to their truer selves. I felt my mind and body exhale as the Batsman and I found a little spot to sit. A place to settle in and be together.

He ran. He dug holes. He threw big pieces of seaweed into the waves. He covered his feet in sand. We laughed. We had a cuddle while the cool wind blew around us. His little body, sometimes just a bit stiff and contorted with anxiety, was visibly more relaxed. Freer. More like himself.

It was a beach of our own and we loved it.

Do you love the beach? What do you love most about it?

While I wasn't here

I haven't really been here. Well, I have a little. I haven't much felt like writing and I wanted to take a step back and reflect on what this blogging caper is all about...for me at least. I have not come up with anything definitive on that yet but I will let you know when I do.

I have read lots of amazing blogs over the summer break. There really is some fabulous writing and thinking going on out there and I feel very fortunate to be able to read it.

While I wasn't here we have...

played

cooked

lazed

                                                                                                                                                                        

eaten

ridden like the wind

well....almost like the wind

and we harvested, oh my how we harvested.

Our summer living and loving has been just gorgeous.

I hope it's been just as lovely for you and yours too.

12WBT Week 5 - the one where I get my run on

I'm excited this week. I have started to run. I have been able to run further and for longer than I ever have before. It's hurt a little bit along the way but largely it feels amazing to be moving like this. I have entered a fun run in December - my first ever. It's a 5km run along the water in Melbourne and I am excited and nervous about doing it. This week's training, in particular the Friday session where I completed the 5km on the treadmill has shown me that I can do it. I am beginning to see that running is a lot about the mind toughness and knowing in your heart you CAN do it. Sure you have to look after your body and at 42 years of age I am going to be prone to those niggly little injuries that come with "maturity" but I am starting to see what is possible by reducing my weight and increasing my fitness.

This week has also brought a much needed family holiday here. We are staying on a lovely farm on the most gorgeous country road. It sounds cliched but peace and serenity abound. I found the gym in Bright and I have been once but with scenery like we have here, it was time to take the training regime outside. There is nothing like making it up a huge hill and being rewarded with a view that stretches for miles of lush green farm land, cows grazing and kookaburras laughing at you. I haven't weighed in this week. There was just no room in the car for a set of scales. So I don't know whether I have lost weight. What I know is that I have stayed within my calorie limits, I have exercised and been active around the farm with the boys and I feel more relaxed than I have in a long time. And that can only be a great thing.

The week's workouts:

Thursday 20th - Gym (strength session)
Friday 21st - Gym (cardio session - 5km run/walk completed in 41 minutes)
Saturday 22nd - Gym (strength, cardio and core) = 800 calories burned
Sunday 23rd - Rest day and travelling to our holiday destination
Monday 24th - Gym (fitness session) - more running and feeling good
Tuesday 25th - Outdoor run - 3km and hill sprints (ouch)
Wednesday 26th- Walk - 4km (including hills)

Weight loss from October 19th to October 26th - ?
Weight loss from April 14, 2011 - 12.4kg

We're going to the circus

The weekend has arrived.
Phew. The week has seemed long and busy and full. Too full.
I love the weekends. It's time to slow down.
And this weekend there is great fun ahead because we are going to the circus.
A little bit of solo time for me and the Batsman.

I'm grateful to go a wee bit slower for a couple of days and I'm grateful for the businessman who donated our circus tickets. Thank you.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have a couch to nap on.




Image via we heart it

Weekend grateful - on the road

This week I am grateful for being on the road.
I am on the road to getting fit and fab after 3 weeks of healthier eating and much more exercise.
The scales have it - 3.3 kilograms gone. On the road.

Playing along with Lucy too. I really like the idea of drab 2 fab. It opens up all kinds of possibilities.


  
And this weekend our little cricket team is on the road too.
We are soaking up a lovely winter weekend at the beach. Warm house, rugged up kids, rosy cheeks, flannelette pyjamas, playing trains on the floor. I love my boys, so very much.

And as always grateful to Maxabella for the opportunity to pull some gratitude out of what is sometimes a bit of a quagmire!