Hump Day Links

Hi lovelies,

I know it's been a while. Again.

Truth is I'm reviewing some things - this space being one of them. This morning I was musing upon the idea of taking this whole blogging thing in a new direction. I already have another blog space set up on here with absolutely nothing written in it so I'm musing about closing down Life at My Level and concentrating on that space.

It's a thought in progress anyway. I guess the thing would be just to start and see how it all goes. I'm not much of a planner. More of a spur of the moment girl....as some of my recent behaviours will testify. Who knows, maybe I might ditch the idea and stay with what's familiar? That sounds totally like me too!

Anyway, a number of my much loved blog hangouts do a weekly links page where they link to places on the interwebs that they've found interesting, inspiring, funny. There may even be a recipe or two, some crafty bits and home hints.

I might do the same.

So, without further ado, here's some links to get you thorough what may be a hump of a Hump Day.

• Ever feel as though everyone's lives are way more wonderful/happy/carefree/interesting than yours based upon what pops up in your Facebook newsfeed? The lovely Maddi from Fielekefrontporch talks about how all things may not be as they appear in I'm not a liar but Facebook sure is. 
• My daughter made this totally delicious cake for her sisters birthday recently. If you like Chocolate and Hazelnuts and decadence without the flour, this cake is definitely for YOU!
• Women celebrating who they are and grasping their own sexual empowerment is really important to me. This video sums it up in a nutshell. 
• Here's something to do with what it is actually like to live life at my level. Leah Smith talks about the issue of having your photo taken and used without consent. 

See you all again soon, ok? 

Birthday Get In The Picture

It was my birthday yesterday. Happy Birthday to me! I've always liked the sound of the date of my birthday. March 9. I don't know why it sounds so appealing to me. You know when you have those words and phrases that sound so delicious when you say them? Like......delicious.......and juicy.......and love.......Well, that's what March 9 feels like for me....

Anyway, I had a deliciously lovely day. Here in Victoria it was a Public Holiday so we all had a day off to enjoy it! Hooray! The only thing that marred it was that our daughter Georgia had classes scheduled at Uni and wasn't able to join us for a picnic in the local Botanic Gardens, but she and I were able to get Mama and daughter time when we went out for afternoon tea on Saturday.

It was a beautiful day, not too hot, not too cold. We found a lovely place to sit under a tree in the gardens to have our picnic and even got to see a few wallabies who seemed quite fascinated by a game of cricket that several other park visitors had started. Curious creatures those wallabies!

You know, I really should get a selfie stick. Selfie sticks are vital for a person with dwarfism. We tried to get a good picture of all of us (sans Georgia) but this is what we managed. Pretty good when you consider my arms are only 40cm long!

March 9, 2015

The lovely Bron from Maxabella Loves is encouraging we Mammas to get #inthepicture. I have to confess that I too, am often the one behind the camera (aren't all Mamma's the photographers?) rather than in photos with the family. I know there are hardly any photos at all of my mother with me and my siblings and I do wish there were more - especially from when we were really little. She was a bit of a stunner, my mother.

So, on the occasion of my I'm-not-50-yet Birthday (won't be next year either, ha!) I made sure we got at least something to remember it - even though we missed Georgia terribly - and for the kids to have one more photo to have in their collection where they will be able to say, "And that's Mum."

Balm for the soul

When thoughts are colliding in my head and there seems to be no reprieve, I head for the place my heart and soul feels peace and rest. I head for the water, the salty air and the whipping wind. On Saturday, I drove down to Warneet with my faithful dog and neglected camera.

I wished the jetty went all the way to the other side. I wanted to explore over there. 

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 My best girl Maya. I don't know what I would do without my faithful companion who loves me in the best way a dog possibly can. She loves getting out and about almost as much as I do.

I found myself drawn to the different angles and lines of this scene and wanted to capture it as best I could.

The wind and the sea air worked their magic. I found myself slowly coming back into my skin again after threatening to shatter and splinter and spin off in all directions. It's been a good thing to learn, this listening to my body and soul and discovering how to self-soothe. Once upon a time I would have desperately sought to find someone to anchor me down and reassure me that everything is okay. No longer. I know what I need. I know I am ok, just as I am...and even when things feel like they're spinning out of control they're actually not. I just need to go to a place where I can breathe and come back to myself again.