Sustainable September 2017 - Day Thirty

SEPTEMBER 30 (SATURDAY)

FASHION & BEAUTY - OPSHOPPING/UPCYCLING

Welcome back Sustainable September-ers. It is the last day of the month of Eco Kindnesses. What a crazy wild ride it has been.

One thing I have to say is that it is my Mums birthday today. It is always such a lovely way to end Sustainable September by honouring the woman who gave birth to me. 

You, Mum, are the best, most couragous, genuine, compassionate, determined woman I know. You make other people see the best in themselves even when they didn't realise there was more to them. You have championed so many causes, helped so many people, affected so many lives and you have done so much of it quietly, in the back ground. You are a marvel. I am so blessed that I was put on this earth with you. Thanks for being my mum!

Back to the blog post now...

I love that every September I learn new and interesting ways to reduce my waste and make my life, and everyone else's lives a little better. I forget how much I have done and continue to do for this great planet of ours. It is like a journey I forget I am on. Iimpliment small changes that I forget about as they become normal. It is only as a result of doing Sustainable September that I realise just how far I have come in my journey to reduce my waste. I am a long way off being Zero waste but each year I get a little closer to living with no waste. It is by no means a fast swap. I feel like my small changes are sustainable though. I like it like that. After all this is Sustainable September for a reason. Small changes that can be sustained for a long time to come. 

Kindness is always my priority when it comes to this blog. Kindness to our planet equates to millions of people in poverty having support. People living in poverty are the first casualties as a result of climate change. Being kind to our planet is simply thinking more about our actions so that we can help those who need it most. So everytime you choose glass packaging over unrecyclable plastic... just remember you are doing a kindness for those less fortunate than yourselves. 

What is Sustainable September all about on the last day of the month? It is about FUN!!!

Two of my favourite ideas when it comes to being environmentally friendly...

Sustainable September Day 30 - Op- Shopping and Upcycling. 

The idea and the ACTIVITY are one in the same today. Go Op-shopping (go to the thrift store, buy second hand, even look up pre-loved or used items on ebay). or Upcycle something that needs new life.

Oh... how I love Op-shopping. Usually when I am looking for something specific now though. By now you will have figured out your Capsule Wardrobe and decided if there are a couple holes in your wardobe. I know that as the summer months come into it I have a few more holes in my wardrobe because I have changed shape and a lot of my clothes.

I went to a local op-shop today. My family and I have been blessed with the most amazing gift of a holiday away. My niece, nephew and I went into the local town and went to the local op-shop... like you do! We didn't buy anything but had a look around. My nephew was looking for something very specific, so when that something wasn't to be found, he was out of there. It was probably all of about 4 minutes in the shop, but thankfully it was just a look around. I thankfully didn't need anything and the only thing my neice wanted they didn't have either so we all left. 

Normally I probably would have spent more time riffling through the back rooms to find little treasures... but not today. My nephew is pretty determined when his tummy rumbles... I guess that serves me right for not feeding him BEFORE we went into the opshop. oh well. I wasn't really looking for anything and I don't need to add to my piles of stuff at home... a lot of which is already destined for the opshop.

This is what i look at when I need something new.... Use what i have first... borrow second, swap third, then thrift, make is the next option leaving buy new a final resort. It takes into account all of the Zero Waste principals too.

If you have nothing that you need when it comes to opshopping/thrift shopping, then look at your waste and think of creative ways to Upcycle some of that waste. Have an old flannel shirt with paint stains? then turn it into a couple of gift bags, some hand warmers and a Apron.

Or you can thing about other types of waste too. What do you often throw out that can be upcycled and given new life, without going to the tip? Can't figure out what to do with an old tyre? Turn it into an ottoman. or a swing for your kids in the back yard, or a planter box. There are so many ideas for giving old things a new life... and therefore keeping them out of landfill. It just calls for creativity.

If you are interested in Upcycling then there are a huge range of boards and ideas on Pinterest.

I know, for those of you who have followed this blog ALL month, that Upcycling is not a new idea. But tomorrow is a saturday when people are most likely to be able to do fun things like op-shopping and upcycling... so i thought... why not bring it back again! :)

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed Sustainable September for 2017. I always intend to do so much more stuff, be more creative and more informative... and then life gets in the way and you end up with a interesting shorter version of what i had planned in my mind. I guess living life and living this sustainable ecofriendly lifestyle is what the whole month is about so I guess that is part of the fun... not knowing what life will bring in a month.

I hope you will all continue to work to make this world better for everyone who lives here... make it kinder for everyone.
Sending love to you all.
Love Daena xx

ps. if you need a challenge for October starting on the 1st... it is "Buy Nothing New Month". Which puts another spin on reducing what you buy in Fast Fashion and also looking at alternative ways to help the environment.  Give it a go. I really enjoyed doing this last year. It was a little bit of a challenge but ultimately it was worth it. 

Lent gifting day 40

It's technically the last day of the 40 days of lent (even though technically Lent isn't over yet). And I have decided to give away 2 toys today. These are more pieces of memorabilia than toys though. 

 

These two toys were gifts to celebrate two of my three graduations. The left Owl was a hand knitted gift from my mum who gave this little cutie to me for graduating high school and the little professionally made koala (wearing Bachelor of Arts colours) was a gift for my undergraduate graduation. When I got my masters I didn't get one of the toysbecuade I didn't fly to the eastern states for my graduation. I did spend my actual graduation day wandering around in the mortarboard (from my first degree) just because I loved it. 

I am sure these toys will do more for someone else than they are doing for me at the moment. Right now they are dust collectors. They look pretty but they don't do anything for me at all. I love seeing my mums skill in the owl but the blanket that I photographed the toys on is one my mum made for me. I also have hundreds of other little bits and pieces that my mum has made, mended or imagined for me. Saying goodbye to these two toys isn't anything that I am sad about. I am pretty happy actually because I know they will make someone else smile. 

I wanted to share something gorgeous with you all too. Today my mum went to church and one of the church ladies (who have known both mum and I for years) gave mum a package to give to me. It's gorgeous. She knew I had been sick lately. The last time she saw me I was sobbing all the way through the church service. It was a bad day for me physically and emotionally. All kinds of bad crap has hit me all at once. So today she sent me a "care package". 

 

I love this kindness idea. It's basically 7 gifts, something to open every day,  for a week, to make you feel like you are love and appreciated. I wanted to share because it is such a gorgeous idea for any friend, family member or coworker who is sick or going through a hard time. We could all make little bags like this and give our kindness freely. 

   

The message you attach could be anything you want. Encouraging the receiver. The first parcel I opened, for Day One, today was the red package. 

 It turned out to be a gorgeous Vanilla Bean candle. I love vanilla so it turned out very well indeed. 

I felt really honoured that the little group of people at the church had thought about me enough that they decided to gift me one of these little care packages. It was beautiful. I feel very special. I felt like I had been seen and heard. I feel like I have friends at the church mum goes to because they knew I needed a reason to be happy and then they did something that makes me happy. They shared their kindness and generosity. 

This quote struck me today and I think it sums up this act of kindness perfectly. 

 

When you act with Kindness you are a HERO to me. ❤️

I hope this finds you all well. 

Love Daena 

Lent gifting day 17

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!! 

Today marks the 40th Anniversary of my Grandfathers (my mums dad) death. So we just celebrated this Scottish mans life by drinking his favourite Scotch Whiskey and playing cards on this traditionally Irish celebration of Saint Patrick's life. My grandfather had a healthy sense of humour too. Playing cards and raising our glasses to his memory...We had a lot of fun. 

I really wanted to start this Game of Lent Gifting to have fun as well as make my life easier in the future. So today's thing to gift was something that was fun to use when I needed it but it's also fun to give to someone else to enjoy. I love general knowledge. I know my friends and family have laughed sharing the stupid and random information that stays with all of us. So I'm glad I can share this with someone else.  

I often take life too seriously. I know it. But I also make sure I laugh a lot. In the weirdest and more complicated situations I often find something to laugh about or to share a giggle with a friend. 

My niece and nephew have also both found their niches with jokes and jokes books. So I can giggle with my niece and nephew over bad knock knock jokes. I really appreciate their humour. 

Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine. 

Make sure that, not matter what is going on in your life, you take time to laugh and make yourself feel good. Comedy shows and comedians are just a couple suggestions. Because honestly sometimes we just need to laugh our heads off and feel good. 

Sending love and kindness to you all. 

Love Daena 

Lent gifting day 16

Today I spent some time with my mum helping her get rid off few things. Making space for her to be able to do some of the creative work she thoroughly enjoys. 

Her graph piece (for those following at home) is not as long as mine but she's started getting rid of things to charity which is awesome. My niece is also well ahead of where she is supposed to be this time of Lent, which is awesome!!!! The best part is moving stuff that has been basically useless but has been in our lives for such a long time!

For example, I bought this under garment for a wedding I was involved in ages ago. Like decades ago (okay I'm not that old but it was (I think) for my sisters wedding which was 17 years ago now. So almost decades but definitely a decade a go. Scary. I don't feel that old. 

 

I think I wore it twice for the same dress. Sadly it's been sitting in my closet ever since. It's amazingly still in wonderful condition and it will be perfect for someone else. This cost me about $100 when I bought it all that time ago and if it gets sold at a charity shop they wouldn't ask for even half of that. Sadly it also doesn't fit any longer so I don't know why I've kept it all this time. 

How are your donations going? Are you playing along at home? Have you chosen a charity to donate to yet? If not then find ones close to you that do the most good in your eyes. Do some research to see if their values align with yours. 

Enjoy, 

Love Daena 

Sustainable September 2015 - Day Thirty

Its the final countdown... "dah dah dah duh di di di di de dah dah dah duh di di di di du da dooo" *Sings the final countdown song like a pro - including the instrumental!*

Well my lovelies, we have almost come to the end of Sustainable September for 2015.

 I hope you have found it really worth your while checking in regularly and seeing what small things you can adopt to change the way you think about our beautiful planet.

So today is My mums birthday.

This gorgeous lady has been supporting me to get my Sustainable September blogs written, inspiring me, letting me hash out ideas, giving me ideas when I had writers block, encouraging me to keep going, telling me to go gentler on myself when I was sick, being my champion and my companion. She is a wonderfully tough cookie who keeps me motivated when I really struggle, and lets me do the same for her when she needs it most.

So this idea is both a tribute and a thank you to the woman who has heard incessantly about the Zero Waste Home, who has been with me through sickness and health (it appears I passed my flu on to her too! Sorry mum) and to the woman who loves to be creative.

Sustainable September idea number 30! Also known as...

September 30: Upcycle something. 

Even though this one is not in English, it is pretty easy to see what the steps are to make this awesome Pencil Case/Bag. Check out link here. The image is about half way down the page.

I love this idea, because the glass often breaks in my house in picture frames. Check out the link here

I love this one so much. I know its a book that has effectively been destroyed, but sometimes the pages are ruined but the cover is fine! :) I love the idea of turning something i love (books) into something useful (a purse/handbag). Check out link here

For those who follow me on pinterest you will know that I have so many different folders for different types of up-cycling - a few of the folders just have a couple of up-cycling ideas in them... but there are a few folders none the less. . I have one just called Up-cycling, then there are Eco & Environmentally Friendly, Pallet Crafts, Glass Crafts, Bottle Cap crafts, Centrepieces, Cutlery craft, Gardening Ideas, Mosaics, Pets, Sewing, Tie crafts, Tyre ideas and even Wedding Ideas. That is not forgetting the HUGE Up-Cycling projects like Shipping Container Houses and Tiny Home Ideas.

You can tell I have saved the best Sustainable September Idea for last. I also add to these folders regularly. I love Pinterest a little TOO much! hehehe. But I love the creativity and ideas that end up on that site! :) So my passion for turning unusable stuff into usable is such a blessing. SO here are some more form the archives!

CD Mosaics are awesome and sort of holographic! So cool. Check out the link here

This is a simple and awesome way of using a couple old belts and a way to store all those magazines you may need in the future. Check out the link here

This one you can even buy pre-Up-Cycled for you. However if you have a whole heap of drawer units that the legs fell off... keep them, stack them and you have an awesome unit like this! Check out where to buy this here

So many fantastic ideas. The last note i might make about Bea Johnson and the Zero Waste Home is that she does mention that if you upcycle something it often looses its ability to be recycled. So check some of the recycling regulations are in your suburb or city.

KINDNESS IDEA: make something beautiful and give it to your friends/family/co-workers/acquaintances. 

Whether it be a bottle bag made from an old (clean) sock. Or a Pallet Chair (like my best friend did for me last Christmas), there are so many wonderful Up-cycling things you can create. However this idea also allows you to make anything beautiful, not just up-cycling things. It could be a quilt or a pot mitt, or even a spunked up pot to put a clump of bulbs from your own garden, or even a delicious and beautiful smelling pie, cookies or some delicious bready-thing (that I sometimes wish I could but I cant eat any more). It is your choice, creativity is key. And the aim is to bring a smile to that persons face.

It has been such a delight sharing Sustainable September with you all. And thank you for sticking in there with me.
Much Love,
Daena xx

Sustainable September 2015 - Day Twenty Three

Hello my lovelies,

So I had some help with my mending from my amazing mother. Not that I couldn't have done it myself but she was using the sewing machine for some of her patchwork quilts, so I sneaked my fraying tea towel in to mix ready to show you how simple mending can be! 

The frayed tea towel, that needs some fixing!

My awesome Mum doing the mending for me.

My mum is a champion, and does mending for people she knows.

Such a clever cookie!

And DONE!!!! YAY!!! All fixed! :) Hooray!!!

DONE!!! Bravo mum! Thank you again for helping me with this Sustainable September idea! :) 

Today's is another simple idea to adopt or in this case refuse. I know we have been working out way down the pyramid of the 5 Rs in Zero Waste Home, but I realised this one is going to be a good habit to adopt if you can. 

September 23: say no to paper Receipts! 

I don't know about you but my wallet is filled with useless receipts! Then when my purse/wallet gets so full I can't close it, I basically remove every scrap of paper and start again with my receipt collection! Then empty it again about a month later. 

I understand that some people have to keep certain receipts for tax purposes or to get some things refunded to them. My office has certain things that they will refund you money for when you pay up front, like your Working with Children's Check forms & card. 

The rest of the receipts are virtually useless & contribute to landfill one tiny piece at a time. 

If we reduce our own waste we reduce the amount of stuff ending up in landfill, which contributes to green house gasses building in our atmosphere, which cause human induced climate change. 

Recent article that I was reading today was about how Scientists in the US think that the governing body of garbage disposal has hugely underestimated the impact of garbage dumps and their creation of certain green house gases. So the less that ends up in garbage dumps the better! :)

KINDNESS IDEA: mend something for a friend/family member. I did this one earlier this quarter for my best friend before she went on her overdue honey moon. A pair of shorts she bought had the button fall off whilst she was trying them on at home before packing. So I fixed them for her so she didn't have to worry about finding the time to do so before her European honeymoon adventure! Sewing a button on is pretty simple! And it made a huge difference to Tanya! :) love that girl!

I hope you are fit, happy and healthy. And if not all of those things than at least one! :) 

Much love to you all,
Daena x

Those things I promised... FINALLY HERE!!!

Hello my beautiful people,

Wow... the last few months have been a whirlwind and are showing no signs of slowing down. The Kindness a day i have been doing for years now has become almost second nature. I have stopped recording the kindnesses everyday (mainly because I have not been journaling for a while now). I have NOT given up on my kind acts. Sometimes it can be as simple as inviting a neighbour in for a cuppa, leaving your boss a block of chocolate (for while you are away and he will need it - i did that today!), and or Sending a message on Facebook to someone having a hard time.

I apologise again for not sharing the following images with you sooner. It was a pain in my buttocks that the App on my phone didn't work for those blog posts (two that I had posted - one in April, one in May (whilst I was gallivanting around Europe). So here is my attempt to resend them. Or basically start from scratch... again! :S Oh well...

As many of you know in April I cut all my hair off and donated it to charity (Pantene Beautiful Lengths Campain) and then dyed it for another charity (Worlds Greatest Shave).  I have been PROMISING photos from it for a couple months ... okay... more than a couple now. So let the showing begin!

This was my hair to start with!

 I had a video to share... And of course I cant find it now on my computer. Eeepp! Sorry guys! I think it is on the Facebook Page if you want to have a look?! If not I will try edit this post later with the video in it (assuming I can find it this time).

My kneck was naked! NAKED I SAY!!!

My new 'do' from the side. SO SHORT!!!

JUST A LITTLE EXCITED!!!

 I went immediately and posted my hair off to the people at Pantene's Beautiful Lengths Campaign. [insert photo of me with my hair in a bag ready to post - yes this photo is MIA too].  I had a hilarious conversation with the guy at the post office. When I explained what I was posting, to whom and why he showed all his fellow staff and some of the customers too. He was such a sweet guy. I was pretty happy that I had brought awareness to these project, some people had never heard of the donating hair idea before.

THe little money box you get in the pack given to you from World Greatest Shave! :)

The Hair colour for Worlds Greatest Shave.

Even Better I reached WELL over my goal! :) Awesome huh? 

I was so pleased that I could support two FANTASTIC organisations who make such a difference to people with Cancer.

A few weeks after I sent my hair in to Pantene I got a beautiful letter in the mail thanking me for the donation of my luscious locks. I felt very appreciated and was also super glad I didn't send it to the wrong place. talk about an awkward misdirect if that happened. i can just imagine it now... "honey, there was a package in the mail... i think its human hair! OMG!!! WHYYYYY?" (maybe I just have an over active imagination! hehehe).

I have to admit that my hair is growing back pretty fast. I measured it before it was cut off and discovered it grew at about 1.5cm a month. Seeing as its been a few months since I posted I am back to having medium length hair. And i can finally tie it back wihtout having to pin it a hundred places.

So what else have I forgotten to share? Lets not beat around the bush, it was quite probably a lot!

I went to Wales, UK for a friends wedding and while I was in Europe I managed to also visit friends in Germany. Plus I went to France and England. So lovely, these places are.

Then I had my 30th Birthday party. Sheesh I'm starting to feel old! hehehe.

On the work front I did a crazy work week (on top of my usual work week) when the people I work for had a National Triennial Conference that was last held in Perth ... 20 years ago. I have never worked so hard in my whole life. And it took me about 3 weeks to recover.

I also went to the CWA (Country Women's Association) State Conference. I was a delegate. I had no idea what I was doing. I WAS, however, under the watchful eye of some of the long standing members of the branch, so I couldn't get up to too much mischief. Sadly. At the conference Mum was installed as the new CWA of WA State Community Co-ordinator, of which I am very proud of her. I have spent a bit of time helping mum with this role. Taking mum and her stuff to and from CWA House in the city and bringing things home again. Helping her pack shelves. Being her chauffeur. I have made a whole lot of "Thank you" cards for her to give to all those who have donated time, money and 'things' to CWA since she started the role in June. And if you think I make only a couple, I made a dozen to start with and she has already used almost all of them. So time to get back to making thank you cards for her to pass on, I think.

I have been rather unwell. Suffering from extremely painful Endometriosis and pelvic adhesions. I have recently spent a LOT of time in bed or in front of the heater with a heat pack on and under large doses of pain relieving medication.

The next exciting thing is that I am going to Sydney, NSW, for a conference ... TONIGHT!!! Squeeee! Excited! :) I will be gone for 10 whole days. So my life is a little rushed at the moment.

I have been putting together some things for Sustainable September too. So forgive me if they are very short. I am working on them before the conference starts.

I hope this finds you all well.
Much love,
Daena 

New Years resolutions... blogging

Hello my beautiful followers, friends and family!

Every year for the last 5 years, I have been striving to do a kindness a day. So far so good. 5 x 365 (+1 day for a leap year) and all in all... Well... that's a pretty kind start (I'm just starting the 6th year of kindnesses). 

I start each year with such enthusiasm for kindness and for blogging. Each year I drop one, and every time it's been the blogging. I endeavour to blog regularly. But like almost every other New Years resolution, I start strong and then it doesn't always continue like I mean it to. This year I didn't even start strong. So far this year I've only posted once but trust me when I say... The kindness continues! 

My aim with this blog has always been to encourage you. To inspire you to be passionate, like I am, about kindness. To show just how easy kindness can be! So that we, together, can change the world by becoming the best versions of ourselves. 

I want to share my adventures with you through this life. How I've read books about kindness ideas, or how I've been challenged by others perspectives. I want to be the best person I can be.

This last year has shown me how strong, how loving, how kind and how generous, I can be in the face of tragedy. It was a tough year, loosing my father to his illness, having mum have both her breasts removed because of cancer, and the persistent and lingering complications. And then to have my own health issues and personal struggles on top, that I bravely continue through even today. Often I've kept this so tightly in my grip that I've closed off the hurt and sadness to be numb to almost everything. It is amazing how someone else's kindness is enough to reach me, and remind me why I do what I do.

One blessing, through the darkest times, has been this project. With everything I've been through I was forced to think of kind things to do for myself and others. It was a small joy in a dark time. And I am grateful I was stubborn enough to stick it out. 

I want to be the best person that I can be. And whilst that makes me kind, I admit it doesn't make me a reliable blogger. So for that I apologise. But please know, I will endeavour to do the best I can, to keep you posted on my exploits in kindnesses, and the things in life I think you might appreciate or understand the most. If through blogging I can help one person in some way to be kinder to another or even themselves, I'll take it! :) 

But thank you for reading this. You took time out of your day to read my words and that is invaluable to me. I cherish your comments, secret kindnesses and enthusiasm for kindness, no matter when, how or why you do it! I appreciate you and your own possibility of becoming the best version of yourself! 

So I will keep doing my kindnesses through everything. Because I'm learning kindness is not a weakness, it requires the greatest strength. I'm learning how to be kind to myself, because that is often harder than being kind to others. And I'm learning how much is still left to be done! 

I wish you all the best of luck in your own kindness endeavours. For those that are doing one of the kindness challenges... Bravo!  I'm so proud of you! Keep up the awesome work. If anyone is interested in starting any of the following, #365DaysOfKindness #52WeeksOfKindness or #12MonthsOf Kindness I'd love to hear from you. You can start at any time! If you need help just comment below on the blog, or follow me on Facebook or Twitter (@DaenaGuest). I'm not always on social media, but I'm still attempting to keep you posted, and I will always try to help as much as possible. :) 

If you want simple ideas check out my Pinterest page under "kindness ideas". I scour the pins for some awesome ideas, stories and motivation and have collated them all there! Hope you find them useful.

Much love to you.

Luv Daena x

Sustainable September Day Thirty - the final Kindness Idea!

Hey beautiful people,
I cant believe Sustainable September is coming to an end! Where has this month gone?

Firstly... An actually happy birthday to my mum... On her birthday!!!

Love you mum! You are one of the many reasons I keep doing this project. I love seeing the kindness you bestow on everyone you meet. You are strong and compassionate and brilliant! :) After all you had me! ;) heheheheh. Just Kidding about that last bit! I love you so much and am blessed to have you in my life!

So tomorrow's Sustainable September kindness idea is the LAST Eco-kindness for this years Sustainable September!!

And awesomely... It is my favourite!!!!!! :D

Tuesday – 30 September – Upcycle! This is possibly my most favourite Sustainable Kindness Ideas ever. The term 'Upcycle' basically means to “Reuse (discarded objects or material) in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original”Read More.

I love creating treasure out of trash so much! So much so that I have a whole folder full of ideas of how to do this on Pinterest. Click here for the link to my Pinterest Page. Not to mention that there are folders full of ideas on "Eco & Environment", "Kindness ideas", "Tyre Ideas" (uses for old car tyres), "Pallet Crafts", "Glass craft", "Cutlery Craft" and so much more.

All I did was strip off the tuna labels, removed the glue marks and wrapped some red Christmas cord around it and popped a tea-light candle on the inside (You could use a battery operated one if you have kids - in fact I recommend it!). An instant and cheap Christmas decoration that has more value and beauty than it did before! :)

These are some awesome ideas, from the simple to the extreme. I love the amazing ideas when it comes to upcycling! :)

What is the coolest thing you have ever upcycled? 

I have a whole lot of old plastic water bottles that I think I will turn into bird feeders for around my house.

 

I want to create the project in the top right! Looks pretty simple. Plastic bottle, some string (or wire) to hang it up with and a couple of wooden spoons! Not to mention the Bird seed! :) and maybe a stanley knife to cut out the spots for the wooden spoons. Pretty awesome, and quite simple, really! :)

A lot of trees have been cut down in my area and they used to be a source of food for a range of birds. I love hearing and seeing birds in my area that it might entice them to come back and enjoy my garden a little more! :)

I cant believe this is the last idea for Sustainable September!!!!

But don't worry I will check back in tomorrow to see how you are all going!

Much love to you all!
Luv Daena x

Sustainable September Day Twenty Eight kindness

Hello my wonderful friends!

Did you know yesterday was the 150th post for this blog? Well you do now! 

Did you know that yesterday also saw the Facebook page reach it's 200th follower? Well you know that now too! ;)

To mark the two milestones yesterday... 200 Facebook followers and 150 blog posts I wanted to do a little give away!

Recently My sister, Vandra, and I have been giving little cards (3"x3") to strangers! For example: to amazingly friendly waiters, to the lady who sold me her old Thermomix, the lady at the cemetery who helped us finalise dads plaque and placement, someone looking sad on the bus, etc.

And so I decided that to mark the milestones I would like to give away 4 sets (of 8) of the little hand made cards. They are for you to use, as a way to do a kind deed for strangers or friends! I made them for you myself! :) They all, also, come with envelopes that my awesome mum helped me make!!!:) thanks Mum!!!!

So I'm going to post the 4 sets (pictures of them) in the next few hours on Facebook. And if you like them and want them, Like the page, comment and like the picture and I will chose someone at random from the list of people who want that set! And I will send them to you after that! :)

Sound fair? I hope so! It's the first time I've ever done a give away like this! but it's my way to say thank you for all your support over the years!!!!

SET ONE is here on the link to Facebook. Let me know what you think! 

 

Anyway, back to Sustainable September. Today's kindness was one asked for by mum. About turning old wool into blankets for people who need them. I have talked about blankets for Wheelchairs for Kids many times before in posts. But we have just started making blankets for people who live on the streets. Of course kids need smaller blankets... and so the bigger ones are taking longer, but we know that they (either one) will be appreciated greatly! :)

These are the Blankets mum did for Wheel Chairs for Kids in January. (most of the other photos are on her camera... these ones just happened to be on mine!).

And on to tomorrows Sustainable September Kindness idea.

Sunday – 28 September – Borrow books from your local library instead of buying them. You not only save yourself a lot of money but you also help the environment by reducing shipping and transport impacts (and you are saving trees from paper production) because several people read the same copy of the book .

Photo taken from Local Government Website

 

 

You can also donate books to the library and local schools if you no longer need or want them. This is a photo of my local Library. I have only recently discovered the benefits of this particular library! :) Its like Daena Heaven!!!! SO MANY BOOKS!!!!! hehehhe!

Anyways, I hope this finds you all well! 

So much love & Kindness, 

Daena Xx

Sustainable September Day Twenty Seven kindness

Hello again...

How are you? Did you learn much about how you are investing your money? How about your superannuation?

Its all about the Money, Money, Money! ;) lol

This is the actual Australian Currency - I often have my international friends tell me it looks like play money. But I assure you it IS real!!!!!

Anyway's tomorrows Sustainable September kindness is...

Saturday – 27 September – AS PER MUMS REQUEST – Reuse your old hand knitted or crocheted jumpers, scarves, beanies, leg warmers or other things that you no longer have a use for... either donate them, if they are in good condition, just as they are or unravel them and turn them into blankets for the homeless, for charities, for elderly people in nursing homes, or for Winter Blanket Appeals. 

If you can't knit or crochet then find someone who can. Or check out a YouTube clip or buy a book and learn how to Knit or Crochet to make your own blankets or other things for charities. 

Or you can check out these YouTube clips to learn how to knit:

 

and to Crochet:

Or you can join a social craft group to learn how. There are so many ways to learn how to Crochet or Knit. :)

This is me making a "Scrap blanket" with crochet from all the left over pieces from mums knitting. some of the scraps are only as big as a 30cm (1ft) ruler.

Let me know how you go! I would love to hear (or see) how you go mastering some of these techniques.

And gentlemen, don't think this is only a women's thing! I know a lot of men who knit and crochet! :) Its an awesome skill to have to make your own clothes and your own blankets or scarves.

Much love to you all,
Luv Daena x

Update of my life... 6 months on...

Hey everyone,

You probably haven’t heard from me for a while, and if you are wondering how I am going, well here we go. I am going as well as can be expected...

Last week was the 6^th month anniversary of my fathers death, which also co-coincided with what would have been my mum and dads 37^th Wedding Anniversary. In the weeks to come we are looking at all the things we need to do to create a place to have my dads ashes put.

6 months ago, we got a phone call from my dads nursing home telling us he had passed away in his sleep! We stood vigil around his body, my sister making the trek down the hill to be with us in the wee hours of the morning! I can't believe it has been 6 months! It feels like both days and years since we waited with dad for the funeral home to take him away from the place he had called home for 7 years!

I miss dad so very much! I miss going to tell him about all the good stuff I've done, and talking with him about all the struggles and heartbreak too! He was a fighter & had such an amazing sense of humour! He was stubborn, generous, outrageous and kind!

To my mum, who would have last week celebrated her 37th wedding anniversary with my father too, I love you! So very much! You are so strong even when you have been so broken yourself! You are so loved!!!

My sister & brother in law, thank you for standing beside us through it all when you had so many of your own burdens to bare!

For my niece and nephew... Thank you for the smiles, & tears and the reminders that we need to take things a little less seriously! I love you both!

To my friends both near and far... To my Samwise Gamgee, for helping me, your Frodo, carry that ring to Mordor! Thank you to all of you who helped me get through these last few months! From food drops, dinner outings, care packages, flowers, cards, hugs, kisses, love and amazing kindness! Thank you for holding me together when I felt like I was just pieces of glitter on the wind... To now being a few bigger fragments of my former self! I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

And sadly but finally to those who have spoken to us about "getting over it" or "moving on", I need to say... grieving doesn't work like that!!! We have been broken, shattered by both the illness dad underwent and also his death, then to deal with mums cancer and other things, some small, whilst some were tectonic. These things breaking us into smaller fragments of ourselves, to the point we thought we would end up dust in the wind! The fact we are still in small fragments at all is a celebration! We haven't been ground down, blown away, given up, or lost who we are! But to become a single person again is going to take days, months and years! Every day we miss dad & that won't stop! Not now, not in 10 years, not in 50 years! So please, please don't expect any of us to "get over it" or "move on"! Life is not that simple or that black and white! Please be patient!

What I most want to say is that I love my dad! I am who I am because of him. He lives on in the hearts of those who knew him! I just can't believe it's been over 6 months! Rest peacefully dad I miss you!

Mum, my strong, strong mum,  is recovering from the cancer. 5 months ago she was operated on. And for someone who has no cancer any more, it is amazing how many non-deadly complications there can be. I think I have to say we have almost had them all. I remember before mum had her surgery that the physios said to us that they will continue to care for her for 2 years after the surgery. I remember thinking … 2 years is a bloody long time... why would we need to be here for that long? But it turns out that they treat cancer patients for that long, because people need help for that long. Like mum needs the help. People have made comments that make me cringe, like “because she doesn’t have the cancer any more, means she should be okay now”. I'd like to think it was that simple... but its not. The doctor recently explained it to me, and my mum, that it was like having two amputations. The body reacts so violently when you loose and arm or a leg... and as it turns out... two breasts. Mum has been so courageous through it all. I am so proud of her for her strength. It is true what they say about women ... "You don't know how strong a woman is until you put her in hot water". The best thing that has come out of mum having had cancer is that almost every female friend over the age of 45 has booked in and gone for a mammogram since mums surgery. Which is amazing! If you are a woman over 45 or if you find a lump in your breast (this can be guys too) head to the doctor and get a mammogram or ultrasound.

Mentally I have fought to find the good things, that I know are there. I see my friends and family struggling with so many issues of their own. I just wish I could wrap them all in cotton wool, give them the resources they need and give them the biggest cuddle in the world. Or take away the problems they have like some sort of Kindness Fairy. Sadly the world doesn’t work like that... and if I did start wrapping my friends in cotton wool and taking them away from the things that hurt them... apart from being considered a lunatic... its not very good for those people, my friends. We all need to push past our own issues, and deal with them in their own way, and in doing so grow stronger as a result. Still my heart bleeds for those who are doing it tough at the moment. I send you my love and my hope that things will get better in the future.

I keep my gratitude journals going. 10 things every day that I am grateful for. Sometimes that is harder than others... but there is ALWAYS something to be grateful.

Keeping my gratitude journal going means I also have a continual physical record of all my Kindnesses too. I haven't stopped even through all the craziness in my life. Even though I have mainly stopped blogging in that time, and it has been only with my sisters help that I have kept up the Facebook page. Thanks Vandra! :) 

I have to focus on the positive things at the moment (so I don't get too down)...Which kind of leads me to my next thing. Some awesome news this month was that I got a job. Its only a little job for a short amount of time but its very important to me because it gets me out of the house, (leaving mum in the safe hands of others) and doing something for the greater community.

I have recently started work at the Social Justice Unit for the Uniting Church. Our little unit has, since I have been there, been a part of organising and running a conference on Eco-issues, sustainability and how those who believe in God are called to look after his creation; they have offered homes to children of Asylum Seekers who are living in detention (along with other church groups) (Read more here); and also made statements and stands on Sustainable resources not Uranium (Read more here).

I like to think that all of this work is another form of kindness. Kindness for those that cannot protect themselves (i.e.. Mother earth/Gaia/Gods creation & the human beings who most need our care). I, personally, like to start with sorting things out in our own countries before trying to tackle those in the wider world. It brings me back to one of my dads favourite musicals, Godspell, “How can you pick a speck of saw dust from your brothers eye, when all the time there is a great plank in your own.”

I, personally, have really struggled with the way that the current Australian government is treating the humans & the land in its care. Focusing on money, not kindness. No government is perfect, don't get me wrong, but this particular government seems to be doing more harm than good. So I want to do more kindness to compensate. Of course I don’t have the same money or resource’s the government in Australia has, but I have been looking at ways that the average human can make a difference. I think I might have found a few ways.

Do you think there is any way that us, mere mortals, can make a difference in our own communities for the better? If so, how? If not, why not?

Okay... I bet this wasn’t quite what you were expecting when you started reading... politics. I know politics is always controversial. I don’t like politics much myself, but we can't escape it.

I stand for Kindness. I stand for it every day. And I only want kindness for everyone. I know... it seems like the impossible dream. But someone has to dream it right? So it may as well be me! If you share a similar dream, I would love to hear about it.

Love and Kindness,

Daena Xx

And you thought things couldnt get any crazier...

Hello my beautiful people!

So its just over 3 months since my father passed away. Tomorrow would have been my dads 76th birthday, had he been alive to celebrate it with us. He was a man I will marvel at and cherish in my heart for the rest of my existence.

In the last 3 months its been some kind of crazy. And you thought having a funeral for your dad 3 days before your best friends wedding was full on? Well it got even more wild and dangerous here. 3 days after the wedding my mum went in for a mammogram, 5 days later she was asked to come in to discuss their findings only to discover she had breast cancer. So they gave us a date for the surgery about two weeks later. Mum was hoping she had time to get her head together, but they called a few days later to move the surgery closer. They had gotten the pathology back and the cancer was aggressive... small but aggressive.

So she went into surgery and had a double mastectomy... one breast with cancer one without! They took both because we have a stupidly high number of cases of breast cancer in the family.  We don't know if we have the genes yet... so only then can we (my sister and i) make choices about our own health and long term physical well being.

What I found most amazing was that after having such a radical surgery she was home within 24 hours!!!! Seems crazy right? but its actually because people are more likely to heal in their home environment away from "Sick people" at hospital. She is immuno compromised so she could catch anything at the moment. So it makes sense... just seems weird! lol

So for the first 6 days we had nurses visit daily to check the drains, and eventually (and disturbingly to me) remove them. I don't do blood & bodily fluids well... and that was too much for this little princess to cope with. I was not born to be a doctor or a nurse! Kudos to those of you out there who are!!! You are an amazing group of people.

A HUGE thank you to all those amazing Doctors, surgeons, staff, nurses (both at the hospital and visiting), physios and councilors at the hospital who were just absolutely amazing with my mum and with a pair of very concerned "kids".

My sister and I learned so much about ourselves and about our friends and family. Thank you to all those people who sent us notes, emails, texts, cards, flowers, food, support, love, thinking of you's... they made so much of a difference to us. We are so grateful for all of you! Thank you!

Mums health and recovery has not been simple, by any means. Ive learned some things I never knew before existed with breast cancer "Cording" & "seromas" just to name a few.  But we have got the amazing news that she is cancer free and does not need Chemo or Radio therapy. We are so blessed that they found the cancer so early and were able to remove it before it did some serious systemic damage. Really we are totally grateful... after all I couldn't have lost my mum and my dad in the same year. I think that might literally have killed me.

And through it all my mum has been grieving for my dad. But you wouldn't believe how strong she is. Sure she cried a lot(and continues to on occasion) , but you would too if you had lost your husband and survived breast cancer all in the same month. She is stronger than she thinks she is and I am so proud of everything she has achieved and done for us through all of it. I love you mum! So does Vandra! We are proud of you for just keeping on going... because sometimes that is the hardest part!

One of my favorite quotes, and forgive me for not knowing who said it, but it seems adequate here...
"Women are like tea bags. You don't know how strong they are until you put them in hot water."

 I have had some added complications too with my own health because about now you were expecting this story to be over... after all how much can one family bare?
 *Be warned gentlemen & Squeamish ladies this is a bit gynecological... so i totally understand if you want to skip this next paragraph entirely...*

So the surgery I had last year, to burn some of the Endometriosis off my uterus, was then a success but now my own uterus has decided to fight back. in other words they are pretty sure the Endometriosis is back (WAY SOONER than expected) less than 10 months after the surgery. So the doctor has told me that I need to think about having kids sooner rather than later, because in 5 years or after, with the deterioration of my uterus and the damage the Endometriosis is doing, I might not be able to have kids. So that sucks a bit because I don't even have a boyfriend, let alone a fiance or husband. And I always hoped I would not have kids on my own. My family have been beautiful and have said that if i want to have babies on my own they would support me! Thank you my beautiful people! I'm still not sure a lifetime of commitment (to a baby/child/teen/etc) would be the best way to cure a gynecological issue.

But i am clinging to the hope that my best friend has been beating me with... she has told me of a work colleague who had the same condition and was told the same thing at around the same age as i am now (28)  and who is now 38 and just having a baby! Thanks Tanya... it means so much that you keep giving me hope! Hope... its amazing how it can make such a difference!!!

But wait there is more... we have had 5 funerals in the 3 months. Some anticipated, some not. I have decided I am now getting pretty good at the whole funeral thing. I just hate that I have to loose acquaintances, friends and loved ones to prove I can survive these sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes tragic events. I send great love to everyone who has lost someone dear to them... no matter when. It is not an easy thing.... my deepest condolences.

Would you believe that one of the things that has been getting me through this is the love and support  I have received from this community, and the positive actions people have taken and the small kindnesses we have witnessed through these last few months.

My sister who took on a role as an administrator on the Facebook page whilst I was on my Round the World adventure, has been so supportive in everything I have done. From the first day I decided to try make this project work (in its original form) to now and, I am sure, well into the future, she has encouraged and supported me. Even whilst we have both been grieving and struggling and doing our best to just keep moving forward. Thank you beautiful!

My brother-in-law who has been a quietly strong rock that we have all leaned on at one stage or another this last few months. He looks after his wife (my sister) with love and compassion. And yet he grieves too. After all he was mates with my dad for the 17 years that Vandra and her hubby have been together. And probably a few years before that too. Thanks for all the support Glen. Your energy and enthusiasm with your extracurricular commitments, your kindness to mum, and your quiet words of encouragement really make a difference to me.

Oh the kids. The bringers of light, love and endless joy (ok... and the occasional tantrum)! From my niece being able to walk around with a spoon on her nose (which is Soooooo Epic!!!!) to my nephew calling me to tell me he had his Plate out this afternoon. I love being there for you, and I am so proud of the awesome little people you have become. I love you so much! and thanks for telling me you love me too, even when it might not be "Cool"! Thanks you beautiful ones!!!!


Our family seems to have gone through hell this year. We have been broken into a million pieces and scattered to the wind, only to find that our friends and some family have been catching our fragile pieces and slowly putting us back together. It might not be exactly the same as it was before. But somehow with all the glue and scotch tape used to put us back together we are coming out stronger than before. And that is a blessing.

Thank you to everyone... whether you read this tonight or tomorrow or in 50 years time. YOU are totally and utterly appreciated!!!!!!!

Oh and as for kindnesses... they might not be as exciting as some, after all i am earning my keep as a carer at the moment, but i am still doing them. Every single day! As promised! I hope you are acting with kindness too! :)

with great love to you all...
Luv Daena xxxx

January 25, 2014

Hey beautiful people, 

Saturday the 25th was the first day mum was allowed out and about! After spending the afternoon Friday out of bed, she was just gently swaying in the breeze rather than hanging on to everything with dear life! Friday she was able to sit & help me by sticking down stickers and envelopes for the hens night & kitchen tea invites! Which saved me some time! :) 

So after a good day on Friday, Saturday she was excited to get out of the house! She had pre booked an all day scrap booking event, and was desperate to go! (I'm not the only craft family member)! So I drove her and stayed with her all day, and was able to participate too! :) 

For kindnesses I bought lunch for mum, my sister & myself (my sister is just as crafty)! And I helped others by picking up their stuff, as a lot of stuff seemed to end up on the floor! Me with young legs and all! :) i helped several ladies use a new paper cutting tool called a Cricut (these have been around for ages but are new to us!)

I acted as mums legs (she still wobbled like a sailor just off his ship after a 3 month adventure). 

I tried to help mum out as best I could and help those around me too! And it meant we all had a good fun time! :)

I didn't take photos of what I did... Silly me! So I'll have to post them another time! :)

Have a wonderful day & have fun! 

Luv Daena x

January 23, 2014

Hey everyone,

Today (& yesterday for that matter) mum has been suffering from vertigo. As usually this sorts it self out, yesterday I wasn't too concerned. However as it continued & seemed to get worse today I rang & talked to our regular doctor & he organised for me to pick up a prescription because mum couldn't move without feeling queezie and hanging onto the bed... Poor thing! So I drove the 6 suburbs away to go get mums script, before talking to the doctor & then got it filled at our regular chemist. The whole thing took me an hour and a half! 

Please note: as a Carer for my mum I often have to do things on her behalf that include medications, food, hygiene etc. The doctor (& his staff) knows me and trusts my judgement! Sometimes he must think I over react about some things, but it's better to be safe than sorry! As part of mums health support team we work well together! 

Apart from that... I also started on the kitchen tea invites. I managed to get 32 done this evening whilst mum slept (the medication makes her drowsy).

This is my creative mess... Whilst making the invites! there is a pile of dark purple invitations there & some white one too! :)

All in all it's coming up well! 

I also made a prize for the kitchen tea event! :) 

Hope you are well & your world is not spinning! And if it is, that it is at it's usual pace! :) 

Luv Daena x

Ps. I suddenly have the desire to sing "you spin me right round baby, right round! Like a record baby right round, round, round!"! Oh... Poor mum! 

January 14, 2014

Hey everyone, 

Well it's official! I am completely exhausted! 

Today mum &  I went and helped my sister with the 5 kids (2 of her own &  3 extras who were under 6!) she has been looking after since yesterday. The fires in Perth are still burning, however it looks like they might finally be under control! Hooray! Sadly 52 houses were lost with many more damaged. The fire fighters did an amazing job keeping the number so low when it could have easily been in the hundred! Thank you to our fire fighters & emergency services! You have done an out stranding job this week!!! The 3 extra children my sister was looking after, & we helped with a little today, were kids of two volunteer firefighters & emergency service officers! Beautiful children! 

Whilst my sister was dealing with the two littlest ones and mum was occupying the attention of the two middle ones (the eldest looked after himself), I was able to do some housework for my sister, in cleaning up the lounge, toy room & family rooms, and putting in a load of dishes in the dishwasher! It's amazing how crazy a house looks after 5 kids under 10 (4 of which are under 6), have been in it for 24 hours! I totally respect single & stay at home mothers (particularly ones with more than one kid) because of the whirlwind that surrounds those 5 when they were playing! Wow! 

For the three middle children (all girls) I acted as hairdresser & did each of them a funky hairstyle for the day ... Sometimes more than once! Girls love to have pretty hairstyles! 

Today I also taught my nephew how to play poker (my sister learnt poker too) & a card game called "spit"! My nephew is a regular card shark! He learns quickly! :)

I also read 3 chapters of a fairy book to my niece before she went to bed because after the other 3 kids went home (the fire is almost under control so their parents could go home & rest & take the kids with them), my niece needed some quiet TLC! 

Needless to say... I'm exhausted & I was only there for 12 hours! I think my sisters whole house will be sleeping very soundly tonight! You guys did an excellent job sharing toys, food, attention, rooms & time with people who needed it! Thank you for your kindnesses!!! 

I'm crawling into bed... 

Much love to you all, stay safe! 

Luv Daena