Just had to share this

I read a verse of this poem on Michelle's site and thought it was fantastic so did a bit of checking on the authoress and found the whole poem. Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou Pretty women wonder where my secret lies I'm not cute or built to suit a model's fashion size But when I start to tell them They think I'm telling lies. I say It's in the reach of my arms The span of my hips The stride of my steps The curl of my lips. I'm a woman Phenomenally Phenomenal woman That's me. I walk into a room Just as cool as you please And to a man The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees Then they swarm around me A hive of honey bees. I say It's the fire in my eyes And the flash of my teeth The swing of my waist And the joy in my feet. I'm a woman Phenomenally Phenomenal woman That's me. Men themselves have wondered What they see in me They try so much But they can't touch My inner mystery. When I try to show them They say they still can't see. I say It's in the arch of my back The sun of my smile The ride of my breasts The grace of my style. I'm a woman Phenomenally Phenomenal woman That's me. Now you understand Just why my head's not bowed I don't shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud When you see me passing It ought to make you proud. I say It's in the click of my heels The bend of my hair The palm of my hand The need for my care. 'Cause I'm a woman Phenomenally Phenomenal woman That's me.

I'm slack!!!!

Sorry people – have been really slack these past couple of weeks. I have been really busy but not that busy that I couldn’t have taken a few minutes to just update. I have been popping into your blogs and have managed to leave the odd comment but just haven’t had the motivation to actually do an entry on my own. And even today I’m really doing this because I feel bad about just disappearing off the face of the earth with not a word to anyone! Life is good though – only four more days of work then off to Penang on Saturday for 7 nights. I’m pretty organised now I think – but still lots of jobs to do during the week. Racing into town tonight after work to get a couple of last minute things, then tomorrow night Bloss and I are going to a retirement investment seminar, then Wednesday night I think the kids will be down for tea, Thursday night is the beautician for a ‘spray and wax’ – the usual wax plus a fake tan, then Friday night take the dog to the kennels and drop keys off at my sons place. We’re out of here on the first flight Saturday morning so that means 5am out of bed! Looks like the wandering son will arrive back in Oz while we’re out of Oz! Typical!! But he’ll be here for a couple of weeks and will stay at our place so will still get a chance to spoil him a bit. When we get back from Penang I’m only home four days then taking off to Mt Gambier for an old friends 50th. I’m leaving Friday morning and get into Melbourne in the afternoon and spending that night with another old friend from WA days. I fly on to Mt Gambier on Saturday morning, go to the 50th that night then leave Mt G again on Sunday morning at 10.30 and head back via Sydney getting into Rockhampton again about 5.30pm that night. A real whistle stop but will be great fun and so looking forward to catching up with many friends from WA days most of whom I haven’t seen in 12 – 15 years. On the weight front – I’m just marking time – haven’t managed to pull any rabbits out of the hat before I go on holiday but at least just holding steady. Ok that’s where I’m at – hope everyone out there is happy and healthy. Will tell you all about Penang when I get back.

A Week Off or an Off Week?

Well either way I’ve been pretty slack. I just couldn’t seem to get focussed so have had a few wines every night, a couple of chocolates on the weekend etc. I’ve hardly walked this last week and didn’t open my online tracker for a week. There…… that’s got that off my chest! So no weight comment this week – it’s jumping about madly - but will update next week. Actually all week I’d just been slip sliding but by the weekend I’d actually decided that I wasn’t going to get all hung up on my careless attitude and I’d continue to be relaxed but that come Monday I’d be back on track. I feel that was quite a step forward in my thinking – previously I’d have been beating myself round the head and would have been really angry with myself. But I guess one of the differences this time was that although I relaxed I still didn’t go silly – had a couple of indulgences but nonetheless still felt I was in control. So it’s now just under four weeks till we leave for Penang so I’m going to make a determined effort to shift a couple more kilos before then. Otherwise it’s been a fairly quiet week. It was great to get all your comments on my ‘100 facts’ and now I’d like to challenge all of you to do one too – it does really give a fascinating insight into someone’s persona – I really enjoyed finding out more about Little Grover. Have got Josh my elder grandson coming to stay on Friday night – just him this time so we can get up to a few different things like making and icing cakes, painting our picture, visiting the various playparks round the neighbourhood. Last week when we had Curtis too I wasn’t able to devote the necessary time to do all these things with Josh so we’re having a special visit just for him. They were here for tea last night and as they were leaving we were making the plans for me to pick up Josh on Friday. I said that once Curtis was older he might be able to come and stay on his own. Josh immediately replied – “ Oh I’ll be coming too – because I’m his brother you know!! Hope you’re all having a great week. PS This sums up my week that was : "The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places."