Taking Stock - July 2016


Welcome to another 'Taking Stock' for 2016. In case you missed any, you can read all of my Taking Stock posts HERE. Pip from Meet Me At Mike is the mastermind behind this, so be sure to check out her blog and share the blog love. This is something I have done since I started blogging and will continue to do, this year. You can read my previous Taking Stock posts HERE. In a nutshell, it's simply taking a step back and 'taking stock' of what's currently happening in your life. I am dedicating the last Sunday of every month to a Taking Stock post. 

Here's what's been happening in the month of JULY...

Making: sure I get #inthepicture with my kids.



Cooking: Butter Chicken with Garlic butter wraps - delicious

Drinking: lots of water! Today is the last day of Dry July - I am pleased to say I have NOT had any Coke in the month of July, and my partner has not had any beer/alcohol! So proud of us.

Reading: all about the 'Sentimental' category of KonMari method. The final category - eek!

Wanting: a better system for storing my Teacher Resources - click the image to see my after photos.



Looking: at this gorgeous park in Hamilton. Definitely take my kids back here in the Summer.



Playing: with the kids during the school holidays


Deciding: what cards and letters to keep...See my post here



Wishing: they added more apple flavouring to the Cadbury Dairy Milk - Apple Crumble chocolate. I do like the Lamington one...although it is very coconut-y



Enjoying: my special 'Card Shop in a Box' - can't wait to send some Happy Mail to my nearest and dearest.

Feeling: a little stressed...I have had quite a lot on...organising the Big Latch On, sorting out plumbing issues, buying a new car, having no Coke (ha!), going back to work, KonMari'ing my Sentimental items, plus trying to keep up with my blog and social media accounts. Fingers crossed next month (August) is less stressful for me.

Helping: organise this years Big Latch On - this will be my third year organising the event, and participating too...I will be starting to wean Master M after the event (insert sad face).



Waiting: for AUGUST! Lots of celebrations to be had...including my partner's birthday, and celebrating one year in our home.

Liking: our Science area at Playcentre - I spent three days rearranging and organising all our play areas! It looks and feels amazing. 



Loving: our new car - it's so spacious. We bought a Honda Odyssey Absolute.

Buying: a new purse - now I have enough room for my iPhone 6s - yaye!

Wearing: my puffer jacket most days...it's been super windy lately.

Admiring: all those who took part in Dry July - Congratulations on your achievement! It's a great cause.

Sorting: my keepsakes...I have started to KonMari my Sentimental items! Here's the first part - Cards & Letters. 

Celebrating: ONE YEAR IN OUR HOUSE! 1st August 2015 was the date we stayed in our new family home for the first time. What a year it has been! I love it, and really happy we got this place when we did. It's perfect (for us).

Giggling: at Miss B's reaction when she jumped in our new car. I think she likes loves it!



Watching: 1 hour Shortland Street on Mondays! Bliss. I love my hospital dramas! Tuesday I watch Grey's Anatomy and Wednesday it's Chicago Med.


Hoping: to get at least 100 breastfeeding mothers together at this years' Big Latch On event. I am co-ordinating it again this year.  Last year we had 72 mums and bubs, including twins.


Needing: our drains fixed. A couple of weeks ago, we had major problems with our drains and plumbing, especially the toilet. We thought we fixed the problem, but it happened again last week. We had to move quickly, so I got on the phone and found an awesome drainage company who fixed it and replaced the pipe on the same day. I will be recommending this business to all of my friends and family.


Getting: to know me better with 20 Random Facts About Charlene - which reminds me, I really need to update my About page...watch this space. 




Bookmarking: easy dinner ideas...if you have any to add, please let me know in the comments below.

Hearing: the rubbish truck come down the street and my little boy squealing with excitement!

Forgetting: times of appointments...I have recently started to use my iPhone iCalendar a lot more this month.

Winning: at life - well thinking positive about it anyway.

Giggling: at Master M dressed up as a Fireman - he looked so cute!


Pretending: to enjoy Master M's 'play dough' food creations

I am...
Embracing: life, love & positivity!

*********
Now it's YOUR turn...

Tell me, what's been happening in YOUR world? How was JULY for you?
Choose three (or more) words from the list and 'take stock' in the comments below.

Read previous Sunday Share: Currently & Taking Stock posts


Until next time, I hope the next month treats you well!
Charlene


Linking up at these parties.


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My KonMari Journey: Sentimental - Cards and Letters

Welcome to 'My KonMari Journey' series. Over the next few months I will be sharing my progress, as I make my way through the KonMari Method, based on the best-seller book 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up' by Japanese organising enthusiast, Marie Kondo.

Today I am sharing: Sentimental - Cards & Letters

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20 Random Facts About Me - 2016



Lately, I have had an influx of new followers on Instagram and Facebook, plus new subscribers to my blog (THANK YOU ALL and Welcome!). It's been a while since I shared one of these, and I thought it's a great way for you to get to know me, Charlene - the blogger behind Teacher by trade, Mother by nature...so here are 20 Random (and not so random) Facts About Me. Enjoy!

1. I got a perm for my 10th birthday, brushed it out and had to get another one a few days later (mum was not impressed)! 

2. I love the colour Teal, but my favourite colour is purple (not grape, Purple) 

3. I got $1000 from my parents when I turned 21 (because i had no babies)...6 months later..BOOM pregnant

4. My daughter is "my past, my present & my future"

5. My son is the "definition of perfection" (well to us he is) 

6. I met my partner on online :) Best thing I ever did! He was the first and only guy I met :) 4 years going strong 

7. I am a sentimental hoarder (i get it from my Grandad) 

8. My daughter was named after my Papa 

9. I am addicted to Coke! (but a lot of people already know that lol) - currently doing Dry July (no Coke for a month)

10. I actually HATE clutter but i'm really good at hiding it! 

11. I can eat a whole box of Chicken Crimpy crackers in one sitting (don't judge me LOL) 

12. I hate being confronted

13. I collected soft toys as a teenager - especially squeaky dogs

14. Is my favourite number (my shirt number in soccer for 12+ years) 

15. I had Osteomylitis when I was 8 - stayed in hospital for 6 weeks (couldn't walk) 

16. I bite my nails, especially when I'm anxious 

17. I breastfed B for 25 months and still b/feeding M at 29 months. 

18. I love reading Horoscopes

19. My dream holiday would be going to England, London 

20. My bedroom walls (as a teen) were covered with Hanson & Spice Girls posters! ‪#‎MmmBOP‬ ‪#‎SpiceupyourLife‬


Now it's your turn, can you relate to any of these? Tell me some random things about YOU in the comments below.


Have a wonderful week, 
Charlene
10

My KonMari Journey: KOMONO - Teacher Resources


Welcome to 'My KonMari Journey' series. Over the next few months I will be sharing my progress, as I make my way through the KonMari Method, based on the best-seller book 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up' by Japanese organising enthusiast, Marie Kondo.

Today I am sharing - KOMONO: Teacher Resources
BEFORE - Teacher Resources

6

Friday Favourites: Sharing the Blog Love 20


Happy Friday
Welcome to 'Friday Favourites' - a weekly link up party. Link parties are a great opportunity for bloggers to get together and have a 'party', sharing their favourite, best or most recent posts from their blogs. Whether you are a blogger or a reader, it's the perfect place where you can make new friends, read some new blogs, and share the blog love. I am excited to be collaborating with some of my favourite bloggers - Lisa (Lisasaurus), and Maria (Happy Mum, Happy Child) - each blogger bringing something new and fun to the party!

A massive THANK YOU to everyone who has linked up with us - YOU are all amazing.  If you are new to our link up party - WELCOME - If you like what you see and read, please share the blog love by simply commenting, subscribing, following bloggers on Social Media, and sharing your favourites on Facebook, Twitter, and/or pinning to Pinterest. Be sure to come back each week and link up with us every Friday night 7pm (NZ time)...we would love to 'party' with you.

*** MESSAGE FROM CHARLENE ***

Sadly, this will be my last week co-hosting the Friday Favourites link party with Lisa & Maria. The Friday Favourites link party will continue each week, however after a lot of thought, I have made the decision to leave. I have absolutely loved being a part of this link party and have met some amazing bloggers along the way. 

A special Thank You to my two amazing co-hosts, Lisa and Maria, for your ongoing support and sharing your love for blogging with me and the rest of the world. I wish you all the best in your blogging journey and I know the link party will continue to thrive...because you two are both awesome bloggers. 

On that note...It's Friday so... "Let's get the party started!"



To kick things off, here are some of my favourites from the week...Enjoy!

Favourite Blogger: 

I have been following Lydia from Always Made With Love since I started blogging. She has awesome recipes, play ideas, tidbits about motherhood, and fun & easy DIY/Craft ideas, plus much more. This week, Lydia shared 5 Delicious and Nutritious Toddler Lunch Ideas over on her blog! I'm definitely trying the Cheese Puffs this weekend. 

Follow Lydia on Facebook and Instagram

Favourite Play Idea: 



Favourite Quote: 
image credit: Found via The Plumbette

Recently on Teacher by trade, Mother by nature:
I am taking a moment to 'check in' with 'My KonMari Journey' and answering 10 questions in this awesome KonMari Method Tag Q&A (by vlogger/blogger Janine at A Young Mum). Simply click the image below.


    Now it's your turn...
    If you're a blogger, feel free to link up your Favourite, Best or Most Recent post from the past week or of all time, it's totally up to you, and if you get a chance, pop around and share the blog love with the other awesome linkers. The 'Friday Favourites' party kicks off every Friday night at 7pm (NZ time) and will close on Sunday night at 7pm. 

    You can link up here or over on Lisa's blog (Lisasaurus), or Maria's blog (Happy Mum, Happy Child). Where ever you link up, it will show in all 3 places, how cool is that? A link back to us on your post is appreciated. You can grab our button below.

    Please note: 
    • Any Giveaways will be removed
    • Link up a blog post, not your blog URL.
    • Share the blog love: Comment on at least 1-2 other blogs.  

    Have a fabulous weekend, and I hope you enjoy reading some amazing blogs, I know I will!
    Charlene










    Teacher by trade, Mother by nature



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