Kids Are a Great Source of Entertainment!
Posted by: kyliedoak on: October 5, 2009
During the colder months, my afternoon routine consists of many things, but one thing in particular is going out to the shed, loading up the wheelbarrow with wood for the fire, wheeling it back to the bottom of the steps of the verandah, then walking up and down the steps carrying the wood from the wheelbarrow to outside our back door (it’s a great workout, that’s for sure!).
My son (who turned five only a few days ago) loves to come with me while I do this, but on this particular day, it was raining when I was ready to go, so I didn’t tell him I was going outside because I didn’t want him getting too wet.
I, however, had no choice in the matter and get wet, I did!
He didn’t realise that I was gone at first, but when he did, he came outside looking for me.
He didn’t see me at the bottom of the steps (which are about 10 metres from the back door), but I saw him have a quick look around for me. When he didn’t see me, he crouched down low to our cat and said, “Tiger, where’s Mum?”.
It was so funny that I could resist crouching down at the bottom of the steps and saying in my best “cat” voice, “She’s getting wood!”.
Well, you should have seen his reaction! It was absolutely hilarious!! He jumped up, stunned and wide-eyed, looking at Tiger in utter disbelief, then he looked around in every direction! lol
When he heard me laughing then saw me, he said, “Aaw, Mum!”. Then we both laughed our heads off.
It’s times like this when I wish there was a video camera handy!
Kids can be hard work at times, but it’s the funny and heartwarming things like this that happen, that make it all worth it 
© Kylie Doak 2009
Where Did The Holidays Go?
Posted by: kyliedoak on: October 8, 2008
Here in Victoria, Australia, we have just had two weeks of school holidays. The school term started on Monday (2 days ago) and I am now adjusting to having the kids back at school. You see, I’m one of those “sooky” mums (as some may describe me) who loves the school holidays. I love having all my three children here at home with me (although there are the occasional times when I doubt my own sanity! lol).
Anyway, on Monday night, I was thinking about all of that, and about just how quickly my children are growing up, when the inspiration for a new poem hit me!
So I would like to share it with you. I’ve called it “Where Did The Holidays Go?”. Here goes …
The kids went back to school today,
The holidays went so fast!
Two weeks seems long right at the start,
But trust me, it doesn’t last!
I know not all parents feel that way,
And think school holidays are a drag,
I feel sorry for them, they’re missing out,
And so are their kids – how sad!
My kids and I did the usual things,
And housework still needs to be done,
But I made time for the kids and we did heaps of stuff,
We all had oodles of fun!
I love to see my children grow,
And learn new things each day,
But I’m also sad that it’s happening so fast!
I don’t care what others say!
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not holding them back,
Each stage of their lives is exciting,
But the thought of them all leaving home one day …
(sniff) … Well, I just don’t find it very enticing! … (sniff)
My Dad once said to me, “Kylie, don’t wish …
that today is already tomorrow.
You’re only wishing your life away.
Trust me”, he said with sorrow.
Now, not too many kids like to admit,
That their parents are usually right,
But I believe my Dad “hit the nail on the head”,
With his wonderfully, wise insight!
So my advice to all you parents out there,
Is make the most of the time with your kids,
Once the time has passed, you can’t get it back,
Cherish the good times, the photos and vids! (videos)
by Kylie Doak (Self confessed “sooky” sentimental mum!)
© Kylie Doak 2008
It’s Nice to be Nice!
Posted by: kyliedoak on: September 7, 2008
Every person that I know, likes and needs to be appreciated. I would go as far as stating that every single person in this world wants and needs to be shown appreciation by others (and love, respect etc of course).
When you feel appreciated, it makes things easier to do. You’re happy to do something when you feel and know that you are appreciated. On the flip side of that, it can be hard to find the motivation to do some tasks when you don’t feel that your efforts are appreciated. (I’m speaking from personal experience here too, so this is not just some idle comment I’m making).
Do you feel appreciated?
How good do you feel when someone bestows upon you a random act of kindness? It feels great, doesn’t it?
You feel pleasantly surprised, flattered perhaps, pleased, appreciative, grateful … all those things, more or less.
Everybody seems to be in such a hurry these days. We’ve all heard of road rage and all those other “rages” that emerge seemingly on a daily basis.
What is wrong with this world?!
How hard is it to stop and think about someone else and be considerate of their feelings?
Don’t get me wrong, everyone has their own problems and challenges in their lives. But so does the next person.
In my humble opinion, and that is all it is – MY opinion – I believe that if more people were more considerate of others and their feelings, then the world would be a much nicer place. I’m sure most people would have heard the phrase, “one good turn deserves another”.
I don’t doubt that some people reading this will be thinking something along the lines of, “Well yes, that sounds all ‘fine and dandy’ but you just don’t know what MY life is really like – try walking in my shoes!”.
I fully appreciate that everybody has their challenges (I’ve had more than my fair share, don’t worry) and that for some, it is difficult to be nice to others when they have too much going on in their own lives. All I am saying is, please stop and consider the next person. Your turn will come – you will be the “next person” for someone else.
Do not get me wrong in what I’m saying though. The world has a great number of wonderful, kind, caring people. I just believe that everyone has the potential to be one of those wonderful, kind, caring people.
One day (earlier this year) when I was queued up to pay for my petrol, I was searching through my purse trying to find a fuel discount voucher that hadn’t expired! (and that was some mean feat! – you should see my purse – it’s held together with a rubber band half the time because I never seem to get around to cleaning it out! hehe).
Anyway, I found that I had two vouchers expiring that very day. (I hate that they expire in such a short space of time. You purchased goods at their store, it shouldn’t have an expiry date, but that’s a whole other story!).
You’re only allowed to use one fuel discount voucher per transaction, so I turned to the man behind me and asked, “Do you have a fuel voucher?”. He said, “Actually, no I don’t”. “You do now”, I said, as I smiled and handed him my spare one. His response: “Wow, thanks!” and a big smile!
It was no good to me, so I figured that someone else might as well save a couple of dollars rather than it just go in the bin. It was spur of the moment thing I did, and I’m glad that the man didn’t have a voucher. If he had though, I would have offered it to the next person coming in to pay on my way out.
I didn’t know that man “from a bar of soap” so to speak, and I’ve never seen him again. I’d like to think that my random act of kindness made him feel good and that it inspired him to do something nice for someone else.
Who knows, he may have let another car leave in front of him, or stopped and let a pedestrian walk past before he left the premises. I don’t know. If he didn’t, then that’s okay. I did what I did simply because it’s nice to be nice.
Here are just a few little suggestions you might like to think about if you find yourself caught up in your own world and maybe feeling less than hospitable to others:
- You never know who has just lost a relative or friend and is coping to deal with that – everyone grieves differently and in different timeframes.
- You don’t know who is waiting anxiously to hear news of someone dear to them.
- Be patient with older people. Some do take a lot longer to get their money out of their purses or wallets in shops, and load their groceries etc, but you know, we’ll all be old one day, and I’d like to think that a younger, more physically able person will take the time to help me if I need it.
Any time I’ve helped an older person, I’ve thought that I hope someone helps my grandparents if they need help.
- If you see a parent struggling to cope with their kids in a shop or some place else, and it is obvious that the parent is getting flustered or frustrated trying to “keep it together”, then ask if there is something that you can do to help them. Chances are, they will politely say “no thanks, I’m right”, even when it’s evident that they’re not! But at least offer – and be sincere about it – they may just be so relieved for some help that they take you up on your offer!
Thankfully my kids are pretty well behaved in shops, although they do have their moments, just like any child! I used to feel very embarrassed if one of my children was crying or screaming in a shop (for whatever reason), but now it doesn’t worry me.
You will always get those who “look down their nose” at you because of your child’s behaviour, but don’t let that worry you. I can guarantee you that they either haven’t had kids yet, or they’ve forgotten what it was like shopping with kids!
How about the slow driver in front of you? It can be very frustrating when you’re late for an appointment or something and you’re being help up by a slow driver, but rather than get annoyed at THEM for “slowing you down”, take a step back and think about why they are driving slow (that and the fact it’s not their fault that you’re late!).
- Maybe they are low on fuel and are trying to ensure that they arrive at the next fuel station before running out.
- Maybe they lack confidence in their driving ability, and feel safer driving slower.
- Maybe they are really tired and have no choice but to drive, however, driving slower is safer for them (and you).
- Maybe there is something wrong with their car.
Who knows? Whatever the reason, they are either totally oblivious to how you’re feeling about their slow driving, or if they’re like me, then they’re completely aware of the fact that they are slowing others down and are just hoping that the people behind them are level-headed enough to appreciate that there might be a particular reason for the slow driving.
Food for thought …
So without sounding too idealistic, let’s band together and help make this world more wonderful.
If you have read my other hubs so far, you will see that I’ve written a poem at the end of each. I think I’ve started something now, because I felt compelled to write a poem about being nice, so here it is. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
It’s called, quite obviously (hehe), “It’s Nice to be … Nice!”
It’s nice to be nice,
For no particular reason,
Not the day or the month,
Or even the season.
You’ll make someone’s day,
Start a chain reaction,
And see what they say!
Give it a try,
‘Tho some may wonder,
And ask you “why?”.
Not just once or twice,
Practice it daily,
‘Til you’ve got it precise!
Bad behaviour- refrain!
You’ve got nothing to lose,
And all to gain.
Make the world a better place,
Smile and greet strangers,
See the look on their face!
So hold your head high,
Smile and greet people warmly,
And watch their souls fly!
Being helpful’s all it takes,
Add good manners to the mix,
See the difference that it makes!
Make it second nature,
Treat others with respect,
Habit will become behaviour.
Just watch it rub off,
Onto others around you,
‘Tho some people may scoff …
Make it your purpose,
Spread goodwill and happiness,
The “pay off” is worth it!
It won’t cost you a cent,
But the value you gain,
Is the best investment.
Karma’s a powerful notion,
What goes ’round comes ’round,
It’s like a magic potion!
What you give is what you get,
So if you’re not nice to others,
Then Karma won’t forget …
Life’s too short for fights,
Tell your loved ones you love them!
Then hug ‘em with all your might!
Thanks for reading my ditty,
I hope it makes you stop and think,
If it doesn’t … that’s a pity …
One person at a time,
You can do your part by being nice,
And passing along this rhyme!
The Law of Attraction in Daily Life
Posted by: kyliedoak on: September 7, 2008
The Power of Your Thoughts
Yesterday (Saturday 30th August 2008), I had the strangest day …
It started at around midnight (Friday night) when a thought just popped into my head. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to sleep unless I wrote down this thought, so I got out of bed, found a pen and paper, and jotted it down.
Little did I know at the time, it was the beginning of a chain of events in a remarkable day for me.
When I was out of bed later yesterday morning, I sat down at my computer with my notes and started typing. What I ended up with was an article that I’m particularly proud of. You can read it for yourself if you like. It is called “Wear Your Special Perfume”.
Within a short time of publishing that article, I received an email from a friend. When I saw the subject line, I didn’t think anything in particular (other than I’ll open this and read it!).
So I did just that, but as I started to read, I got goosebumps …
The more I read, the more goosebumps I got, and then I started shaking!
You see, this particular email was eerily close to what I’d written about in my article earlier! I rang my friend immediately and read my article “Wear Your Special Perfume” to her. She was stunned – just like me!
Now when I say the email was close to what I’d written, I don’t mean word for word (although there are a few sentences in it that particularly “freaked me out” – very close). The email was all about living your life now and not saving things for a special occasion … I’m getting goosebumps again just thinking about it!
Of all the emails that she could possibly have sent me YESTERDAY, what are the chances of being sent THAT email?!
Hmm … coincidence? Maybe, but what happened later in the day, made me wonder even more…
In between writing articles, checking emails, and attending to my three children (us mums are very good at multi-tasking, you know!), I was chatting with a friend. Just general chit chat at first, but then the conversation went a particular direction and I found myself bemoaning the fact that I feel very unappreciated (and sometimes unloved) by my husband.
I’m sure many stay-at-home mothers feel like this at times. Running a household and looking after children is something that I love doing (most of the time!), but there are certainly days when I feel like my brain is slowly turning to mush. Thank goodness for the telephone and internet!
Anyway, my husband had gone to a football match two hours from where we live. He had no idea that I was talking about him (unless he’s secretly bugged the room! – hehe).
My day continued much the same as before, until my husband arrived home …
When he came in, he did the usual (put down his bag, said hello to us, changed the television station from what the kids were watching onto the footy! – grrr). At this point he would usually sit down in his chair and settle in to watch the footy on the telly.
But instead of doing that, he came over to me in the kitchen. I didn’t think anything of it until I noticed he was still holding onto his coat that he’d taken with him … huh?
I asked him what he was hiding (as he grinned at me!), then lo’ and behold! – out comes a gorgeous bunch of flowers!
Now I know you’re probably thinking, “So what? Plenty of husbands bring their wives flowers”. That may be – lucky them! – but not this little black duck! MY husband has given me flowers so few times in nearly 22 years, that I take photos of them each time!
Given the rarity of my husband bringing me flowers, the only thing I can conclude from it is that I’d “put it out there” and he’d somehow got the message!
For the record, we hadn’t had a fight or anything either, so there was no reason whatsoever that he would be bringing me flowers.
As far as I’m concerned, what happened to me yesterday was the Law of Attraction at work.
Never underestimate the power of your thoughts. Regardless of what you believe, it is real, whether you realise it or not.
If you choose to focus on and attract the positive, good things will happen – and vice versa. What you think about you get – thoughts become things.
It is a cliché, but if you change your thinking you really can change your life! I truly believe that.
If you haven’t watched “The Secret” yet, then I highly recommend it.
To be honest, the first time I watched it I thought “what on earth is this?! – dramatic music, almost “spooky” feeling – I thought it was a load of nonsense! Then I thought that I might as well watch it all and make my mind up after that. Well, I’m just glad I watched it all, that’s for sure!
Call it what you like, but think about this: How often do you find yourself thinking about someone you haven’t seen or heard from/about for a long time, then “suddenly” you bump into them down the street, or they ring you?
It actually happens to me so often now that I’m usually not surprised anymore.
So to conclude my story here about my strange day, I’ve written a little poem that I’d like to share with you. I love writing poems and I hope you enjoy it!
My husband brought me flowers,
I’m really not sure why,
He doesn’t do those sorts of things,
He’s really rather shy.
My husband brought me flowers,
I’m feeling rather sus’,
What has he been up to?
Should I be worried about us?
My husband brought me flowers,
They’re really rather nice,
In fact, they’re really beautiful,
I pinched myself just twice!
My husband brought me flowers,
With no “sinister” intent,
He made my day and made me smile,
It was money well spent!
© Kylie Doak 2008
The Flowers From My Husband
Wear Your Special Perfume
Posted by: kyliedoak on: September 6, 2008
I love perfume! I have a few different ones and I enjoy them all.
Like many women, I used to “save” my perfumes for using only on a special occasion. I didn’t feel that a regular, everyday occasion (like going to the supermarket or other shopping, for example) warranted me wearing my special perfume.
In August 2000, my Dad’s sister passed away after a relatively short illness.
I was talking with my cousin (my aunt’s daughter) during this particularly sad time, and noticed that she was wearing perfume. I loved the smell of it and asked her what is was. She told me it was “Chanel No 5″. I had heard of it, of course – who hasn’t?! – but I’d never smelled it before. I loved it!
My cousin then explained to me that she used to keep it for special occasions, but had come to realise that life is too short, and that you never know what is around the corner. There’s no point having it if you’re not going to use it.
How true, don’t you think? – I do.
So ever since that conversation, I wear my special perfume when I feel like it.
We all tend to take our lives for granted at some time or another. That’s perfectly normal human behaviour. Sadly, it is often only when tragedy strikes you or someone you know and love that the realisation “life on earth isn’t forever” really hits home.
Who do we wear our perfume for? In my opinion, it is ultimately for ourselves, not for anyone else.
So wear your special perfume, because every day of your life is special.
When you feel good about yourself, it shows! If wearing perfume once in a while (or more!) helps you to feel good about yourself/be attractive to others, then just do it!
Of course there are thousands of other ways to feel good about yourself. Wearing perfume is just one of those things – but that’s a whole other story!
Your LIFE is a SPECIAL OCCASION – celebrate it!
I’ve written a short poem about wearing perfume that I’d like to share with you:
Wear your special perfume,
Don’t save it for “some day”,
“‘Some day” may never happen,
But then again, it may!
So just be on the safe side,
Don’t let it go to waste,
Wear your special perfume,
And show you have good taste!
© Kylie Doak 2008
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- Kylie Doak: Hi Darlene I totally agree with you about that! I wish more people would practice it too. You could just send a link to this article in an emai
- Darlene: Kylie, Why can't everyone practice safe emailing? Can you please send this article to 30+ people on my list? It is just common courtesy! Than
- kyliedoak: Thank you, Darlene! It's a great song, isn't it? :) I've loved it for a very long time. Do you play the piano too?
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