It has been a while since i have written a blog post on here, i have been busy living a busy life and adding two more beautiful girls to our now family of five. So i guess i now have more material to want to put up and share.

I actually am more wanting to ask you all for your input this time round rather than me sharing my view. As we all know everyone's circumstances, goals, financials, location and outlook on life are very different and may vary.

What i am very interested in is how mothers are feeling:

So check out the below and please please leave your comments

1. What i am doing really well/not so well at in day to day life?

2. What is the last thing you think of before going to bed, and first when you wake in the morning?

3. Are you a Stay at Home Mum, do you work, or are you doing work from home?

4. Are you happy with whatever situation you are in from the above question? if not what would you change.

5. Looking back 5 years is your life now how you thought it would look? is it better or worse?

6. Do you have me time? What do you do?

7. Any other thoughts on Being a Mum (new mum, mum to toddlers, teenagers, kids have moved out of home)

The reason for the interest is, it has been in my face lately from all platforms about how we should do things a certain way. Now i am a true believer of the old saying " Apples cannot be oranges" so why should we be forced to feel like we are failing at life,work,parenting if we aren't doing things the way tv/social media are telling us.

And it seems communication which is the most powerful tool is becoming less and less because people are scared to share or ask for help or ever tell others of achievements they have had.

Anyway enough from me i want to hear from you all the Mums of the world. However if your not a mum and you feel you have something to add feel free.

Leisha Clarkson

Christmas has a different meaning to so many people, some who celebrate it and some that don't. Some who believe in Santa and some that don't. People who spend it alone and people who join a large number of family members on the day. Some that are happy and some that are sad.So many variations on the meaning Christmas. There is no right or wrong, but i read the words " Its not whats under your Christmas Tree, but who is around it".

This made me remember a story told by my Nana at her 60th Wedding Anniversary. Nana and Pop were farmers who did it tough to support their family, and one year when money was tight the two daughters received a new dress for their dolls made out of some left over material.

My Mum and Aunty remember that story and Christmas but they said they never felt like they went without and they loved their new dolls dress and enjoyed their day all the same.

Even though my Grandparents may not of had a lot of money, but what they did have was a loving Family and people around them to show them Love.

So whatever your take is on Christmas, we hope that you have some Joy and Happiness around the tree.

Whilst hosting our Market Stall on the weekend, there were lots of positives to take away from the day.I was happy with the rain staying away, there was no wind, we had a good location and there were lots of great people out and about. So what am I writing about then you ask?

To be honest, I like doing markets regardless of the conditions, there is just something invigorating about being outside with people that create that community vibe and there is never a shortage of interesting people to talk to.

On Saturday however,I had two very special customers which I don't think I will ever forget.

The first one was a father with his two daughters, aged around 2 and 3. They were very shy girls. The father came up and asked if they could all smell the candles. So the three of them smelt our range and after a few whispers, they asked if they could purchase a large SOMEONE SPECIAL. The girls faces grew huge smiles, the father handed over the money and said "I will be back."

Sure enough within 10 minutes they had returned and once again whispered about which candle to get. This time it was a small FRIENDSHIP candle. I didn't ask any questions about who they were for, but all I could see was one proud Dad and two very happy daughters.

I didn't think my day could get any better, I already had a massive smile on my face, but somehow it did.

An elderly man on his gofer drove up and hopped off in front of the stall. Already serving a few other ladies, I acknowledged him and he continued to smell the samples. When I asked him ifI could help, he kept his head down and muffled “ will have one of these." I replied what scent would you like? Any he said, so he pointed to the one closest one to him. I then asked what colour and size he would like? He replied 'Any doesn't matter….’ I knew what the last answer would be. What sticker would you like Sir? None I'm Fine.

As he lifted his head for the first time, I made eye contact, smiled at him and asked 'who is it for?’ ‘Just for me’ he replied. Well how about I put a SOMEONE SPECIAL on it as I think your pretty special.

His cheeks went a little pink and he said "oh i don't think so". He handed me his wallet and told me that his money was in the back. He added that he had had a stroke and couldn’t do it himself.

I got the money out, gave the man his candle and helped him back on the gofer. He drove off smiling, and as for me - Well I'm still smiling.

It is stories like these that make me wake up everyday, wanting to do what I love.

I was listening to Tony Robins who was a guest on Tim Ferriss' Podcast yesterday. This man is so addictive to listen to. So stripped back and raw, he talks about the simple processes on how we find the keys to life fulfilment.

The best part about what he was speaking about applies to all of us, Tony is a very wealthy famous man who has worked with many household names as a Life Coach. Everything he spoke however, was totally applicable to anyone, no matter what their situation.

He suggests that you need to ask yourselves the right questions - what it is that is stopping you from being happy? The power of happiness could be life changing for the world as we know it.

With all the war, terror and violence in this world, it’s very hard to see a solution. Something uniform could help each case in every country across the globe.

I know that these issues won't be fixed over night, but they definitely can over time if we all believe that we can do something to help.

Waking up every day happy or helping others to find happiness can save lives.

Humans who are violent, that shoot innocent people and commit acts of terror - They are not HAPPY people. A happy person would never want to harm another.

Everyone has the choice to try and find happiness, it can be found in the darkest of times in the darkest of places.

If we can help each other every day to find our happiness. I believe that we can make a difference.

There is very little written about the elite athletes that strive for a goal and don’t make it. In many cases, these athletes trained alongside and can beat the Olympians you will see on TV. Athletes that experienced the tears and joys of chasing a dream of the Olympic Games. Reaching the top 00.1% of the worlds athletes and yet they will be watching from home.

This was me in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. I never physically made it, however I do believe that I did contribute to another athletes amazing journey to the Games.

In 2007, my best friend Erin had a car accident whilst playing for Victoria at a National Carnival. I’m not sure if playing badminton again for Australia was what she wanted. Erin was a singles player and playing singles is a very mentally tough, individual game. She struggled for motivation to get back on the court.

(Feb 08)

The opportunity arose for the two of us to play in a teams event tournament, like the Fed Cup in Tennis. We were called to play both singles and doubles. Erin and I teamed up as partners for the first time, and our opposites were our strengths. Erin was short and I was tall, she had the brains and I had the muscle. As a new combination we had great chemistry. We had nothing to lose and everything to gain as there were no expectations.

We played well and had discussed that we still could have a chance for Olympic Qualification for Beijing 2008 in the Ladies Doubles. Fellow Aussies already had their sights on Beijing but we also had the current form and ambition. When we returned home from the tournament, we made a big decision to put all the money and effort we had into trying to qualify for the Games. Within days, our flights were booked. We were travelling to 7 countries to compete in 7 tournaments over a period of 7 weeks. CRAZY

Erin and I were both singles players at heart so we still entered every tournament in singles as well as doubles. This was for a bit of fun and extra match practice whilst we were away. It was different for us playing doubles but because we were best friends it wasn't so bad either! We trained together, and then checked out the sights of each country. We played our matches and win or lose we remained besties, packed up and moved onto the next country together. Our Olympic chances came to a stop around week 4 when we realised we were not going to be able to accumulate enough Olympic ranking points to qualify. This really, really sucked but again we had each other. So as all best friends would do, we went and got drunk, very drunk. As athletes drinking for us didn't happen very often so it was fair to say we had a tad of memory loss! We spent the next few weeks having fun with our remaining games, making memories we will never forget and just enjoying each others company.

We returned home after learning so much about ourselves and about our sport. When we got home, we found out that Erin had qualified for singles. Not just through playing whilst we were away, but from all her hard work before the car accident.

10 months after thoughts giving up, Erin was suiting up in the green and gold and opened the Aussies to be the first event of the Beijing Olympics 2008.

So I may have had a dream to be an Olympian and I may be one of those athletes that never made it, but my destiny is to help people and make people happy. I know I helped Erin achieve her dreams. I strive to do this everyday. I look back on my dream and this time in my life and have no regrets. What I was a part of will forever make me happy.

I have been trying to write a blog now for weeks and i have counted 20 deleted drafts, i'm not sure if its because i'm not happy with the content or my lack of english/writing skills and they just don't have the delivery i am after. So with that in mind i have decided that i might put out there for my readers to decide what i might write my next blog on. Topics, questions, opinions, anything you please.

Hopefully this will either relieve my bloggers block, give me so ideas or confidence in myself and i can get back to writing.

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A simple video on how the economy works and the cycles we go thru.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHe0bXAIuk0

It is 30mins but i found it very refreshing and made me remember the importance of shopping local. And all about how the bank and interest rates work.. Its very fitting for our current situation in Australia right now. So please take the time to have a look and hopefully we can all help to make a difference.

I often hear people who say we shouldn't let our young children watch to much TV and use the computer/ipad. I let my daughter watch tv and use the ipad for maybe maximum 45mins total a day. I also agree that extensive use isn't good for their social skills, but like everything else in moderation i find it very educational. So for the past 3 months since i have been watching these children's programs, it has re jogged my memory from when i was a girl and why i loved certain shows. These are the old faithfuls that have stood the test of time. For all the adults that don't have to have these shows on, i will let you know that its playschools 50th birthday this years and are having celebrity appearances at the moment.

Which brings me to the "Family Tree or Forest"

Today a book was read about a little girls family.

She was introducing her family, there was an illustration and description on the left page of the common stereotype. Then her correction on the right. So for the step mum, there was a picture of a witch, then she said"No, this is Babs my Dads partner". And it had one for all her extended family, half brother and step Dad.

At the end it said "Some kids have a family tree, but i have a family Forest, and it works for us.

This is so true there are so many different family situations, some who have their birth parents and grand parents. Others just one or none.

Broken families that don't talk, and broken families that can still all be together at Christmas.

To me whatever tree your in i think what matters most is that you have family that love you, and you love them back.

I find it sad when people feel they have to dress a certain way, eat specific food, in some bad cases an individual can feel they need to drink alcohol or take drugs just to fit in. Being all these things which isn't really a true personal trait for them. Why do people judge us on all those things just mentioned????

I had times where i felt i needed to do things to "fit in" but over time i found that the people i was trying to fit in with weren't really the people i wanted to hang around anymore. I wanted someone that liked me for me, even if i do wear joggers with jeans sometimes. It shouldn't matter.

Next time before you make a judgement on someone, either their appearance, health, wealth or anything else you can think of. Stop because you never know what demons people maybe fighting.

Everyone has their own problems,stories and challenges, some of the nicest genuine people you will ever meet could have been someone you have judged on something other than their personality.

But i guess those that do, always will no matter what. You could be naked or GOD and still this wouldn't stop them.

So every time you step out of the house just be yourself and let you heart shine out.

I read this on facebook during the week and it is stuck in my head. Because its so right yet soooo wrong. Here is what i read.

"My mother taught me, if you have a party, and you invite our class mates, they are all invited. In light of recent events on the exclusion of an autistic child from participating in a school trip i feel the need to write this. There are boys and girls that nobody invites to birthdays, for example. There are special needs kids who want to belong to a team, but are never selected, because it's more important to win. Children with special needs are not rare or strangers. They only want what everyone else wants: to be accepted!! Are you willing to share this post as i have done for a friend???? "

Because NICE matters......

This made me think back to when i was a kid, and how i treated or perceived others with disabilities. Everyone is different and i knew some kids had it tougher than others, but i grew up knowing that you treat others the way you would want them to treat you. So this piece is very true we are taught from a young age.

Lets bring the NICE back into society and make everyone feel accepted

Filter all your conversations,data,and information you receive on a day to day basis. Ending up with only what you need to be the best version of yourself. Being grateful for the small things and positive about your life journey to date. You can't change the uncontrollables so there is no point in worrying about them.

If you saw an add in the paper today for someone seeking a "Pen Pal" would you think oh yes I would love to write to them or OMG this looks Dodgy???

Well Back in the 1960's this wasn't the case, schools from other countries would put ads in the paper looking for Australian students to write to them so they could further their English.

Today I have a lovely story a FRIENDSHIP which all started with one of these ads in the paper.

Two young primary school girls, one from Sweden and one from a small farming town in Western Australia. Like most things when they are new we tend to play or use them a lot at first, but then the novelty wore off. Well this did happen to most of the other pen pals that started at the same time. But there was something special about this new friendship that had been made.

Aero-grams went back and forth between the two countries, the girls telling each other what their house looked like, and many other exciting pieces of information about their everyday lives.

Birthday cards,photos, picture and even some autumn leaves were sent, the time in-between letters did start to stretch, sometimes as long as 18 months. But the longer the time the stronger the friendship was growing.

These two girls had gone from school girls to young adults. Both getting married and having children. All of these things which they had to then share with each other thru their letters.

But i guess there are so many letter, questions, photos and autumn leaves you can send someone well almost a stranger before you start thinking.... You have written to them for years but yet never met. I'm sure these two would have kept writing no matter what.

It was December 2003 and the time had come for Sweden to make the big trip to Western Australia. From minus temperatures to the extreme Australian summer it didn't matter because they were finally together at last. It was like they had met before having that instant bond as if they had been friends forever. Well they had but only not in person. This physical connection just took their friendship to another level, it was officially real.

Lots of great conversations,stories,laughing,food,drinks and good times were had while here is Australia, future travel plans for the return visit also a hot topic. Even new friendships were made, younger family members from both sides met and became friends and so the the generation of writing began.

FRIENDSHIPS can start in many ways, can last for different lengths of time, but what doesn't change is the bond between two people. Distance can separate and time can pass, but when words are spoken or smiles are exchanged its as if you have lived in each others pockets forever.

If you have one of these friends that you haven't spoken too for a while maybe it's time to do things the old fashion way, and keep our postmen employed. Sit down find a quiet spot and put pen to paper. After all everyone loves getting mail that isn't a BILL.

This phrase once used for what it reads, now asks the question for many different reasons. Today i want to use this "Don't judge a book by its cover" for peoples physical and emotional appearance.

Lots of people are quick to judge peoples appearance either for being over weight, or too skinny, good looking or what some people call it ugly. It always seems to be the extremes. The same for peoples emotions, being to positive or negative, happy or sad straight away the fingers are pointed.

From the outside someone can look healthy right... Let me paint a mental picture for you.

Male - 29 - 6 foot 4 - 94kg - works out either at the gym or running 6 days a week. Has very low skin folds (yes has a six pack). Diet: Maybe take away once a month - no starchy carbs - eats mountains of greens - maybe a little sugar on the weekend. All these stats are heading for a healthy fit adult right?????

WRONG: When he couldn't work out why he was feeling sluggish and tired all the time, the first point of call was to rest the body and get more sleep. After trying this the outcome was the same.

So off to the doctor for a blood test to check what is going on. His personal thoughts was low Iron which has been a previous problem.

When the results came back the doctor actually thought they had mixed up the tests.

The blood test looked like the following

Male - 60 - over weight - high cholesterol - high sugar.

Surprised by the results it was a wakeup call. Even thought this individual did take his diet and health seriously we always first look at our outside. What does my body look like, then we think about what we put into it. Luckily this was a case of to many egg yolks and natural sugars. With 4 months to adjust the diet the second set of blood tests showed the results to match the metal picture i painted you all.

This is just one story of a fit looking external appearance with the unhealthy internal being, slowly tricked into thinking everything is great.

This same phrase goes for our emotional health also. We all know that people that are dealing with emotions (for many different reasons) can put up a number of walls around themselves to make everything look rosy from the outside. This is sometimes hard to know if that person is actually happy or hiding something they don't know how to deal with.

Lots of people wanting or needing support often go unhelped as if they don't ask for it many people around them can't see the problem from the outside.

So today the message which i want to give everyone is JUST BECAUSE someone looks ok from the outside isn't always true. So for all the people who are close to you, the people that you love make sure you talk to them and make sure they look after themselves physically and Mentally INSIDE AND OUT.

For some people finding their soul mate can take a whole life time, and others it can be within years of being born. Everyones love story is different and unique much like this one.

You may think you have found "The ONE" blinded by young romance and sometimes the emotion that person shows towards you. Then one day the walls start falling down around you and this once fun romance, has ended for you to be feeling alone, empty and a disbeliever of LOVE.

I would like to think that i am one of the lucky ones, finding my soul mate at a very young age. Being a strong believer of LOVE, i never knew what to say to friends that were still searching for that "Special Someone". Some close to me had the mind set of not rushing as everything will happen in its own time. Others forcing the issue that time is getting precious and finding more of the WRONG ONES.

But sadly i had one who had given up and closed the door on love all together. I felt helpless really, who was i to help the situation, madly in love preparing to marry my soul mate.

But without even saying anything and not even knowing i was helping, i was.

The day after our wedding i opened one of many beautiful wedding cards. But this one held something very special inside.

A letter, from my dear friend who once had turned her back on love. For obvious reasons im not going to share what it said, but the main point of the letter was to outline that the love that she saw between my husband and i during our wedding showed her that LOVE was real and that it did exist. That we had restored her faith that one day she too could find that "Special Someone".

This letter holds a very special place in my heart as not only does it make me feel good about my relationship, i almost feel a tiny tiny bit responsible for the recent engagement of two little love birds. Without a doubt soul mates for sure. Maybe this was inevitable but it sure does make me smile a whole lot much the same.

So to everyone that has found their "Someone Special" enjoy it as there are still many waiting for their chance.

Be patience and always yourself as you never know where that person will find you....

Where are all the Good Vibes?

We wonder why there is so much violence and destruction in this world. You only have to turn on the tv, radio or open a newspaper to see or hear about yet another murder, terriorist attack and fires. Lie the phrase you are wjhat you eat, it seems the same for the news stories that are being pushed in our faces. Between all the negative and nasty crimes we then have to put up with all the political conflict aswell.

The true real news stories go unseen and heard. Heros and heroines around our country and the world are doing great things everyday. What happened to recognition of good deeds done in this world????

I say bring back the good news stories and spread the love and maybe we might see a change in society for the better. Where are all the everyday heros??

On the morning of 'Mothers Day' it only seems fitting to share a story of a wonderful lady who is no longer with us but forever remembered.

A second mum, always making others feel like her own children. From the first day i met her to the last every day was full of love. The usually morning ritual which consisted of the 20km loop bike ride, which to most people who ride bikes this is nothing to brag about. But when your 70+ on a bike that could do with a good service this is nothing short of amazing. Followed by a walk around the block with the dog to pick up the daily groceries. A few loads of washing keeping mother earth in mind all water is recycled into the veggie garden. She didn't stop there her community involvements during the week started with meals on wheels, volunteering at the retirement home or as she liked to call them "OLD PEOPLE" and then finding odds and ends to make clothes for the less fortunate thru the church. The house was never empty from casual cups of tea to the neighbour coming over for Wednesday night tea and movie. This amazing lady also opened her house up to interstate sports men and women while over on national duties. So as you can see the common factor here is that her mother role reached out beyond her 3 children of her own.

I believe everyone was put on this earth for a reason, and even tho her time came up shorter than she would have liked, her job was done. What i loved about her most is how happy her day made her feel.

As im sure im not the only person with a special lady like the one i have just shared with you today. We want to take this time to thank all those mothers who are no longer with us.

You will Always be Remembered.

Have you ever had that feeling where there wasn't much you could do for someone? Feel hopeless in a time of need when all you want to do is help in any way possible.

Well I have and let me share my story.

When a family member receives some sad news that ultimately can change their life direction, what do you say? What emotion do you show? Is there anything you can do to help……

Initially being able to offer accommodation and transport was about the most we could do. With a one year old with me like a shadow, I wasn't really what you would call peaceful or productive company.

So it got me thinking - what can I do?

Send flowers weekly?A card?Home made lasagne?Chocolates?

These gifts just didn't fit what I wanted to share.

After thinking long and hard, pondering on one of the many late nights with a young family; what could I produce with deeper meaning and provide long lasting effect?

All these nights it had been staring me in the face.

A good vibe candle.

A candle doesn’t take up much space, will last as long as it is needed, will warm the soul and give that feel of presence every time it is alight.

I was always captivated by the flame and personalized scent taking me to a place, on a journey, reminding me of good times, good spirits, good memories, good vibes. This is the feeling, the experience that I want to bottle and needed to create so it can be shared.

I was not able to visit every day, nor did we need to talk. But when a good spirit was needed, the candles flame and good vibe scent was present for me to provide the support I could only wish.

During the times of uncertainty, times of joy, times of despair, memories are forged and the good vibe candle provided the triggers of sight and smell so the experience is joyful and forever lasting.