I Smell Change

Change is a funny old thing isn't it? The anticipation & excitement, starkly contrasted by fear of the unknown, creates quite the concoction of nerves. Fortunately, and unfortunately, change is the only constant in life. I say fortunately because change means taking risks, exploring the unknown, and reaping loads of benefits. And simultaneously, I say unfortunately, because change doesn't come without sacrifice, hard work, and patience. 

Which is why Oli has taken a mining job. 

We always knew this time would come. The abundance of extra family time, and constant companionship, has been a luxury since we have been here in Perth. But ultimately, this is why we are here. To "strike while the iron is hot", so to speak. 

Luckily, Olis new roster will only be two weeks on, one week off. Which is a hell of a lot more appealing than four weeks on, one week off. Regardless, I am still shitting my pants. The workload will be overflowing for both of us. Oli will be doing twelve hour days & nights underground, for two weeks straight. And I will effectively be a single mother for two thirds of the year. Yikes. 

How this will go, we really don't know. But we figure you can only try. I'm going to look at the glass as half full, and say, shit yeah a one week holiday with Oli every couple of weeks- amazing! And more savings, can't complain about that can we? I also firmly believe in the old saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder", and I think missing each other will allow us to appreciate one another more, and create a stronger bond between us. And knowing that we have the wedding to look forward to, is another huge positive. Good things on the horizon. 

One-womaning this madhouse on the other hand, will be..... Interesting. Anyone  keen on moving in? I'll pay you with gratitude, love, and wine. We'll need lots of wine.

In other news this week, Oli and I managed to escape for a sneaky date night to dinner & a movie (cheers to Uncle Jazza for manning the fort);

(Debuting this marvellous LBD, $30 from my local surf shop, such a bargain!)

It's safe to say we were definitely the best dressed at the cinema. I'll take any opportunity to look nice these days, poor Oli probably forgets there's an actual woman underneath the baggy tee's and sweaty gym gear. 

And you know how I said I need to start eating a bit better, well, I've been on a roll this week:

Up top we have a Thai beef salad ft; sirloin, carrot, cucumber, red cabbage, spinach, pickled ginger, garlic, lime, crispy noodles, crushed peanuts, sweet chilli, soy sauce, and rice noodles. 

The middle child is a poached chicken salad ft; poached chook, spinach, carrot, cucumber, red cabbage, chilli, hummus, and honey mustard dressing. 

And lastly we have falafel wraps. This one was posted by a friend on Facebook last week and I thought they looked delicious, so I gave them a go, and wow. Just wow. Absolutely delish! I've never made falafel before so I just bought a mix from the super, and they were divine. We are frequently making Turkish kebabs around here but always with chicken, so this was a refreshing change. 

I'm rather enjoying the freshness of a crisp salad this week, it must be the warm days and nights egging me on. 

On top of these goodies, I've thrown myself back into the gym at full speed. Reeeaaally digging running at the mo, so have often been doing 10km's flat on the treadmill. I'm finding it incredibly therapeutic and rewarding making it to the double digits. And also doing loads of circuits using just my body weight. Squats, push ups, planks etc... My bod feels painfully pleasant! 

So things are on track here, and here's hoping the motivation will extend further than this week!

That's about all I have to report, and it's Friday again, so enjoy your weekend wherever you are!

Gem

Thought of the day "

3 months until Abbey and I will be parked up right here!"