Finding my Fit

I have never been a sporty person, ever.  I am one of the most unfit, nonathletic people I know.  I also know that my life improves dramatically when I do exercise.  I eat better, I sleep better and my depression and anxiety are also much better.  I have tried yoga, swimming and running (oh yes I did) but being a very social being I couldn't stick at these solo efforts for very long.  And my memories of school sport have made me way too embarrassed and insecure to take part in any team sport...until Now.   

Now I am exercising at least a little everyday, Now I can't wait until the next training session, Now I even own a mouthguard. Now I have started Roller Derby.   

And I am having so much fun.  

Even though I used to be an 80's child living in roller skates I'm pretty useless so far.  I'm not exactly in peak physical condition and after three children my core strength is nonexistent!  I managed to fall quite decently and injure myself at my first training session so now I'm a bit of a wuss about falling over (not helpful when training for Derby!) but I think I'll get there.  

One of the things I like most is the team environment...an awesome team of supportive women of all shapes and backgrounds.  It's okay to ask questions, it's okay to start at the bottom, it's okay to get it wrong, it's okay to not have the perfect athlete's body.   

To be honest I think it's making me a better mum as well - it's the first time since Zoe was born more than 6 years ago that I have put a significant amount of my energy into anything that wasn't centered around being a mum.  I used to think that the advice to 'look after yourself first' as a mum was a bit selfish but I am so much more patient with them now that I have somewhere to let loose a little.  Anyone else had this experience??

Domestic boredom

 I have a confession to make....

Today I hated being a stay at home mum.

There are often days when I hate it but today was quite something else.  

I will spare you all the gory details but lets just say there was vomit, poo and a lot of cleaning involved.  

And a lot of time out, and a lot of yelling, and not a lot of patience.

I am now trying to put it behind me, with a little help from a glass of Riesling, in the hope that tomorrow will be better.

Cheers.

Courage can be a form of tenaciousness, a refusal to quit because you’re tired, hurt, humiliated or emotionally broken. Courage is the ability to face what life throws in your path on a daily basis.
Nina Lesowitz

Feeling the love....

This week our family has been feeling the love from others.  
Every child at Zoe's school got given a beanie to help keep them warm if we lose power over the winter.  They looked so cute all walking home with their special beanies on.  People from all over the world knitted them and each one came with a special note as well.

Then at kohanga on Friday every family was given a lovely care package 

and every Mum was given a special Mother's day box

The most awesome thing was the beautiful cards and notes that came with them.

People from all over New Zealand had put together the packages to show that they care and are thinking of the people of Christchurch.  And just so you know "Ruby Room 5 Raumati South School" the boxes did make us happy.
Thanks everyone.

Last one out - turn out the lights.

Yet another part of our life is moving away from the earthquake zone.  Kasey's* Nanna told me on Friday that they have a house to move to and will be leaving in a few weeks.  She has become such a regular part of our life and I was taken by surprise by how sad this made me.   

I really am tired of the loss. 

Sometimes it's little things like our fav. thai takeaway and yummy Christchurch water, but mostly it's the people. I am in no way critical of those who have chosen to move out of Christchurch.  It's just hard for those of us who stay to see yet another moving van driving down the street, another pile of discarded furniture on the footpath.  

And hard for our kids.  One of Zoe's closest friends left just after the earthquake and we have no idea where she moved to - and now Kasey too - I think it's going to be hard for Zoe.  Lots of families from kohanga left as well - and after seeing them nearly every day for years we didn't even get to say goodbye.  Some of them I will probably never see again. 

We are very grateful that no one we care about was killed in the earthquake and realise that the loss I am talking about is nothing compared to many, but it is still a loss.  

 

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart,

and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that

which has been your delight.

~Kahlil Gibran