colds here we go

Greg's runny nose turned out into a mild cold with a tiresome cough. Happily I was given a natural cough mixture (which he liked as not sweet!). Otherwise though he is in a very good mood...playing and running around and smiling, laughing, being mischievous. The only difference is that he ain't interested in eating a lot of food apart for breastmilk and he comes more for cuddles. That's ok....at ten months, he started doing a few steps now and then, says incessently 3 words and more when he feels like, started clapping and saying bye bye when he feels like and ya know he doesn't look like or feel like much of a baby anymore :( so having him coming for cuddles and milk well its comforting!

Character wise, Greg is showing independence and a strong will and is quite relaxed with other people. Social wise with other children, he's still not sure LOL, he kinda gets excited and looks at them, sometimes he tries to 'play' but most of the time he just prefers to play alone. I am actually happy he loves to play alone as it gives me more time to do the cooking, cleaning, blogging and anything else in between.

Anyhow, he is right now soundly asleep and hopefully he stays so all night...last night between coughing and a blocked nose he kept waking up and I felt quite a zombie today.

Have a good night all ya folks!

practice generosity

Here is an exerpt from a beautiful article on generosity by yoga journal. Go read the full article and feel inspired!

In one sense, generosity is natural: We can no more help giving than we can live without the support of everything we receive. Verses in the Vedas describe the generosity of the natural elements, the way the earth supports us without ever demanding thanks, the way the sun shines and the rain falls. The universe is, in fact, a web of giving and receiving; to grasp the truth of this, we need only to remember the eighth-grade science trip to the pond, or to think about the life of a city, with its symbiotic, mutually dependent networks of relationship.
But if our essence is naturally generous, the ego fears not having enough, worries about getting hurt or losing out, feels anxious at the thought of looking silly or getting ripped off, and above all, looks for a payoff. So for most of us, there's a continual push-pull between our natural generosity and genuine desire to share and the ego's feeling of lack and its desire to drive a bargain.

worry?

We worry and loose sleep on things we can not change. We worry cos we feel it will bring us and our families down. However, no amount of worry is going to change things and so we should let life take its course and see where it will take us. At the end of the day, if we are alive, loved, have clothes on, to eat and a shelter we are quite comfy no?

And yet we let it fill our mind, tense our body, rob us the joy of life! I worry and at the same time think what's the point of worrying? I still don't know for sure and I still try ignore any inklings....I don't always manage but I try! Cos what is life worth if we spend more than half that time worrying, thinking about the next bill, loan payment etc? It is mainly I figure in the mind, because we don't want people to think that we are good for nothing, we don't want to let go of our pride and yet, if that is what is keeping us from enjoying every day I wonder about that wisdom.....

Volunteering

Today, I started volunteering at The Island Sanctuary- a dog home for stray and abandoned dogs. The place is in a pretty good shape and the animals are all well fed and well loved. I met probably half a dozen volunteers there which was great. The place is set in a nice area and the sanctuary itself has a lot of space. What can I say I loved it! I was met with warmth by the other volunteers, the dogs were so happy to see us :)-some were afraid of me since I was new but most just jumped on me and licked and wanted to play. It was wonderful, I felt happy! To round it off, the day was spectacularly beautiful and the only snag was the cold wind and yet that place over the hill surrounded by trees, made me forget the wind, forget myself and my family and simply be.

I have always wanted to volunteer but never really found the time to do so. Now that I am home I saw it as the perfect opportunity I was waiting for. Greg, goes to his nanna For those 3 hours I spend there which they both love of course and me go give some much needed love to these dogs. My job at the moment there is to give out biscuits & pat/play the many dogs there ( something 80+). Its a dirty job really, but I love the interaction with the dogs and even though it was my first time and wasn't yet quite at ease I immensely loved my time with them.

If any of you wish to adopt or maybe sponsor a dog (for only Eur 28 per year) please visit there website for more info.

Deep Within

A fellow blogger & friend, was feeling fearful of posting a poem of hers....so I told her I will post one of mine as well in the hope it gives her courage :) I hope you do my dear I am sure its a wonderful one!

This poem was written in 2002 for my present husband :)

I'd like to reach for you

Feel you close to me

Your hands caressing

Soothing away all pain

I'd like to hold you

Hug you close to me

Tender kisses on my lips

Soft looks searching me deep

Wish to let you in my heart

Control my thoughts day 'n' night

Still something within resists

Fear keeps me rooted still

I search the sky deep 'n' dark

Seeking answers I can not find

Hoping something will arise

That will clear my troubled mind

Progress

Since I stopped working, I have seen a sudden progress in Gregory, for which I am mighty pleased.

1. he started babbling more and now says mama (to the correct person) and now starting to say dada & Glegoly :)
2. he's gained more confidence and goes to play from one room to another alone
3. because of the above, he also started letting go of furniture for a second or two and stands without support.
4. he is eating more solid food and eating especially much more of what we eat alone with his hands even though no teeth yet!
5. he's learnt how to get down stairs,bed & sofa without falling
6. started to enjoy listening to me reading books
7. understands what I am saying for e.g i tell him that am gonna catch him he runs away or ask where is monster he locates his toy.

I feel so happy and feel so much that I did the right decision. Generally, what I am doing is giving him a free hand...so rather than scolding him for going up the stairs I encourage him, tell him to be careful and showed him how to get down without falling. I tell him all I am doing, whether washing plates, cooking dinner or dressing or counting each step we make. I also identify everything with its proper name for him and when babbling I reply back as if in a conversation. I also take him out once or twice a day and let him run even if he will get dirty. It makes him so much happier and relaxed!

I can't wait to have him toddling around really lol and saying more words and knowing I will be there for all of this makes my head go high up in the clouds with dreams & happiness.

Share a diary entry from when you were 13-writers workshop

So one of this weeks' entry from mamakat's is to put down a diary entry from when I was 13- I have to do 14 as its when I started using a diary! Gosh I haven't looked at them diaries in ages so thanks mamakat for giving me the excuse to browse and get memories back :) and without further ado here is my entry :

Sept 1995

Days pass quickly and sometimes we don't realise it. Summer will soon end and also our hols. We'll begin a new leaf - school & autumn. I am growing as everybody and hope for beautiful moments. Soon I'll begin working and hope to be satisfied with what I'll be doing. Maybe one day my dreams will come true and have a happy lifetime. But my wish can never come true. For I'll never see the whole world in peace as one big family. Someday people will cry for the old days when things were hard but everybody happy. I already wish to go back to those days and I'm sure many others too but you will never see these pretty days NEVER.

Probably tbe best times in a person's lifetime is childhood. Because during these days or better years fun is the main thing you have. I as a child was and am still happy but wish for a better life. Things will and must change but I think for better or a worst world? Will there be place for the animals and forests and peace? is there a way in which we can have a better future? I really hope so, maybe one day I'll go to Africa where I will learn the habits and habitats of several animals and help to save them as well as take care of children who are poor or sick and help them in every need. Maybe one day the world will be better. One Day!

The diary starts from August and wondered when reading it how childish I still was at that age LOL with my fantasies of meeting and talking to a footballer (soccer player) and of the days spent with my cousin Daniela :) and than I came across this and it was quite a shock reading it! I had forgotten it completely....forgotten that at that age I was already crazy about saving the natural world of hoping yet knowing that a better world is very difficult to achieve.

Wednesday update?

Today I tried to change my hair do.....I can't say I feel inspired, what I need is those people from discovery of What not to wear to help me out...can some one ask them to come to Malta for me?

Other than that we had a fab day :) Greg played with his cousin (bigger by 4 months) and enjoyed it and after we went to Buskett ( our kinda park/forest) and he loved crawling under the pine needles and eating in the sun.... it was nice, quiet and relaxing. I didn't take the camera with me :( and Greg didn't nap at all...but since he wasn't cranky we loved the day.

Also believe that this time for real he might soon have a tooth... he's drooling, gums are white and biting everything he can get his hands on and if nothing is available his fingers will do!

Other random news:

• possibly starting to volunteer at a dog sanctuary next week or the one after
• bought Greg some shoes for home (no central heating in Malta) and is suddenly out of them
• doing yoga home practice
• tonight am cooking a chicken pie and ravioli (do you get these in the US?)

tired...

No it's not my puppy...he is so quiet and easy to care that he doesn't tire me at all. The site me and my friend have been working on is up and running, we got 46 fans to speak of on facebook and its great. But you get no feedback from Maltese.....and I suddenly feel tired and discouraged.... had so so many ideas and yet..... no one talks to you, sends a comment, continue the discussions I tried to start and frankly I just feel like closing it all down right now!

Greg suffered most coz of this as had no patience with him and than I felt guilty and now he is soundly asleep.....and I am here wallowing in my misery.

-sigh-

any suggestions are welcome!

Fawwara

Yesterday we had our second walk of the season :) it was a long walk...so much that we had forgotten how long! but it was worth it of course. Fawwara off Dingli Cliffs is a nice scenic walk, with two beautiful chapels mid way through, valleys and hidden farmhouses.

Dingli Cliffs to Simblija

Last Sunday, we went for a walk from Dingli Cliffs to the mediavel village of Simblija which ot discovered about 10 years ago. Its a nice walk through farmland and cliffs that lasted about 2 hours.

The village itself can more be called a hamlet as it has what was 2 houses built within the cliffs and a chapel with a central courtyard.

There aren't a lot of pics guys so sorry but I was babywearing ahah not picture taking!

farmland with typical field walling

us with our friends

the village

Greg's beauty smile

Cloudy sky

A creation of my own-writers workshop

As per mamakat's weekly prompt, today I chose a creation of my own!

I always enjoyed drawing, but never really tried to use colour n my
creations. Than I met hubby, who is also an artist, who encouraged
me. I haven't done much I have to say but this was my best colour painting
I did. I am hoping that being at home will give me time to practice
more!

......

I just did my yoga practice and felt inspired to write. As from last Monday, I started a daily practice again for which my body is feeling ever so grateful. I feel more energised and yet I do not have were to spend that energy. I am happy to be home with my little one but feel empty inside.

So I will start some volunteering at the animal sanctuary. Like that I feel like I am doing more in my day and doing something worthwhile at that. I also need to think (any suggestions are welcome!) on how to stimulate Gregory as I feel that there isn't much stimulation at the moment at home. Unfortunately, the weather is crappy so that doesn't help; originally I had thought of going out in the country or by the sea for him to run around and explore.

And going back to yoga I don't need to simply do a practice I need to feel the practice, so I have to work more on that as well.

Gregory is still in a strange mood though not as much as yesterday. He ate quite a lot today and played much more alone but also slept more than usual and is still quite clingy.

Today however, I passed a great day although it was quite cold. I went for a nice walk with Greg wrapped up in my sling. The sky full of clouds had patches of blue and a nice warm sun. The moist air and cold wind brought that nice countryside smell and Greg slept half way through. We got back and soon after the rain started falling again...I didn't mind, we had a wonderful walk and it was fun afterwards playing peekaboo inside :)

recipes

As promised here are my last 2 recipes I did this week. These were taken from a publication on aromatherapy (those that you collect every week!)

Tomato Barley soup

75 gr pearl barley
2 tbs oil
1 onion finely chopped
2 cloves garlic crushed
1 large courgette diced
400 gr canned chopped tomatoes
2 tbs tomato puree
1 tbs mixedherbs
450ml veg stock
salt & pepper to taste

Cook barley in boiling water for 20 mins and drain. Heat oil in pan add onion & garlic cook stirring for 5 mins or till beginning to soften. Add barley and courgette stirring for 5 mins. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook for 30 mins or till barley is tender.

Spiced Cod with puy lentils

3 cloves garlic finely chopped
1/2 tsp each of ground cumin, turmeric
1/4 tsp each of paprika, chilli powder
zest & juice of a lemon
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp chopped parsley & coriander
cod fillets
175 gr puy lentils
1 tsp fresh thyme
2 carrots
small red chilli deseeded
1 ltr veg stock

mix together garlic, spices, lemon, oil, parsley & coriander and marinate cod for an hour in the fridge. Pre heat oven and bake fish for 15 mins or till cookedthrough. Menawhile put lentils in a saucepan with rest of the ingredients, bring to the boil & simmer for 30 mins till lentils are cooked through, drain & serve together with cod.

enjoy cooking!

wordless wednesday

biggest jelly fish i saw on our islands
swaying in the wind

teething again?

Gregory had a bad day today... he wouldn't eat apart for milk (and half a cracker), he's been cranky most of the day, was all the time wanting to stay attached to me, cried completely over nothing and also thankfully slept a lot. Since I could see him biting a lot, I believe its all the fault of his teeth which don't feel like making an appearance yet! At least he ain't crying in pain...I think I prefer him cranky rather than crying.

On a seperate note, I am still managing to do things and if it weren't such bad weather, I would have! so fir now my activites at homke involve continuing adding articles to the site mamascircle and cooking!

Yesterday I did a veggie pie which came good and will post the recipe next and barley soup and today did maltese bread pudding and spiced cod with lentils (which I will also post).

Its raining, its pouring.....and they said it will be like this all week long.... a bit of a shame as was hoping to go out to our small 'forest' to play with Gregory but it won't dampen my spirits!

In the meantime...look at that smile ain't it a beauty?

He's learned saying mama :) and when he goes up the stairs he's learned how to go down without falling (of course under my supervision). Although no teeth showing yet, he's eating everything...cereals, baked pasta and even some very tender meat. Unlike his ma, he doesn't like sweets yet!

Anywho, me off to sleep....

Online surveys, workng at home

I am appealing to anyone who sees my blog and knows if these online surveys that pay you for each survey are real or scams....it would be nice while I am at home to supplement our income with some sort work from home so if you know of anything I would appreciate.

Thanks

Letter to my loved one - writers workshop

Dear David,





It's been 7 years plus together and nearly 4 years married now. We have gone through quite a few ups and downs but our love didn't waiver and after the birth of our son I see it stronger than ever before.



But I do have to thank you for all the patience you have with me and for giving in to every whim I have whether big or small. For being so caring and work so hard for us!



Hugs



Your Wife



This letter though prompted by mamakat is a good excuse to continue on my thankful week :)

Blessed

Normally I do wordless wednesday post, but was reading inspirational blogs today and thought I would deviate.

This Friday, as I have mentioned ad nauseum, is my last working day, but this post isn't quite about that! I am searching, like all of us. Searching on how best to live my life. Enjoy life. Fullfill my life. On 5 minutes for parenting there is this post with a wonderful prayer. On I choose bliss Tabitha writes about how blessed she feels and happy. On Pagan Culture, Magaly writes to on how blessed she is. These posts made me think....that I am still afraid to let go and leave everyhing in the hands of God, or to open up my heart and life for every person that decides to smile at me or be nice to me. I worry way to much on how things will sort out for my family who are in financial difficulties and might pull us slightly down with them.

However, I am blessed.... with a caring, loving husband and cheerful child, a house that though far from perfect or what I want to call home gives us shelter and security, a car that takes me where ever I want, enough food - more than we actually need to survive, clothing to keep us warm and so much more. So, I have to thank these 3 blogs for reminding me of the blessings I receive daily and show me that unless we surrender to fate, God or whatever it is you believe in, we will be acting against our own interests.

How about you?