6am

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I've learnt a few things about my "early start experiment" last week.

Its mighty dark and pretty chilly at 6am.
On the first early morning rise I had to go back to sleep until 7am because I couldn't hack how early it was. (Shameful, yes.)

It feels like no one else in the world is awake at this hour, except for the trucks on the highway.

I finished an entire assignment by 830am on day 2. Pretty productive I would say.
I manage to catch all of my morning show TV time (I've recently become addicted to The Circle, anyone with me?) and still get ready to leave the house before class.

I've had to nap twice this week around 2pm. (Im not sure if its because I'm early-rising or because I have been diseased with another winter cold. cough.)

Having a nice warm cup of green tea in hand helps a lot.

The verdict; I think Im converted. After day one I was feeling a little sooky but once I embraced the idea and started getting more work done and feeling more motivated to get things done I really kind of enjoyed the early rising. The only thing I may change is letting myself sleep in on a sunday.... I mean, seriously, it's Sunday! 

To be a morning person

I was chatting with some friends over dinner the other night about being more productive in the mornings. "Oh the things I would get done if I was a morning person!" Sometimes I'm whinging (generally around the time I have uni assignments due) that there aren't enough hours in the day and it got me thinking.

When I was a boarding school kid in high school, any time I went home on the holidays or for a boarders weekend I cherished every minute I could spend in my own home and with my family. I was up at the crack of dawn because I had this urge to make sure i wasn't "wasting" any time at home or any parts of the day. This was mostly due to the fact that I was one of those big homesick kids but it kind of made sense all the same.

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These days I am lucky enough, and have the luxury to sleep in until 830 - 9am mostly every day of the week because my uni class schedule is quite relaxed. I have to admit, I have completely enjoyed the sleep ins but I think it might be time for a change, or at least an experiment.

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I want to test myself everyday this week (not including today, I'm sadly still in bed writing this!! ha!) by rising bright and early at 6am. I want to see what I can get done before the usual time I get up and also see if I am more productive with uni work having it all done before bed rather than crawling into be around midnight!

My Dad (the Farmer) would be so proud! Who knows, I might like it (after the first few cold mornings right???)

Are you an early riser? What time do you get up in the morning? Do you feel you get more done by getting up earlier?

The k1 p1 bulky scarf WIP

Ah I love some good knitting sanity. This little beauty is a treasure to knit (oh, and so easy I can even watch TV while I go - gotta love that!)

I'm whipping this up for my Graphic Design assignment, it is to go with a theme of "Country Road" clothing's' winter line. Bulky, warm knits are in this winter so I think it is quite fitting. I love it. I decided to go with a very simple design of knitting one row and then purling the next, so simple but I love the simplicity of it.

I was cruising along with this knit this morning but realised quickly that I should have checked the yardage of the skein because I needed to order more! (Doh!) Anyway, my last little parcel only took a few days to arrive from WA so I'll hopefully be back on track and finished by the end of the week!

I'm loving the feel of this Spud and Chloe Outer yarn! Ooh its gorgeous and works up really nicely! I've ravelled my progress here.

More knitting news soon friends!

Yarnin'

Brrr Winter is really starting to set in down here in the South of NSW. I've dragged out my winter woollies and my hot water bottle has made many a nights appearance! The chilly months always motivate me to get back into the crafts that I love and are still learning about; crochet and knitting.

I have been crocheting for a few years now and knitting for a little less time but haven't really found my full stride with knitting just yet but I am determined to get into it again and at least see some improvement by summer time!

I have been working on some simple patterns lately to ease myself back into it all. At the moment on the crochet front I am working on a hex-y blanket for my couch. I wanted to use some bright and happy colours so I am using 4 different colour-ways of the Cascades Heathers. They are lovely and soft and really easy to work with!

Its coming along nicely. In amongst my busy schedule I have been attempting to keep up with Kate over at Fox's Lane with her "motif-a-day-in-may" pursuits. She is attempting to crochet a small motif a day all throughout May which inspired me to get on board and attempt a hex-y a day. Of course I am slightly behind but determined to catch back up and have 31 nicely made hex-y's by the end of the month! Check out Kate's motifs on her blog, they are GORGEOUS!

(lots of ends to sew in!!!)

On the knitting front I was very excited to hear the postie pull up at my house this morning with a special yarn delivery! I ordered some Spud and Chloe Outer yarn last week in the colour-way "Peat" and it showed up today and is divine! I'm in love! This is my first time using Spud and Chloe yarn so I am even more excited to get cracking!

This lovely yarn will be transformed into a chunky knit scarf (possibly cowl - still deciding) for a Graphic Design assignment I have at the moment. Its hard to explain but will work in fabulously with what I have planned! :)

More crafty news to come soon hopefully with progress piccies!
What are you hooking or knitting at the moment?

It's Race Day!!!!!

Hey bloggy friends, how has your weekend been? Mine has been fabulous!!

For starters, I managed to finish my Friday uni classes early so I could hit the road and start the 500km trek to my home town for my favourite day on the "social calendar" .... the Races!!!

I love the races and a great country race day, I've been going to our local races since we were young kids and my Dad has been one of the major sponsors of the day for as long as I can remember so we all make a big effort to get "dolled up" and hit the track.

This year was extra special however, I was coaxed by my sister and cousin to enter the "Fashions on the Field" ladies competition even though I was planning to stay kind of low key this year. We entered along with about 70 other dressy local ladies with our paddle-pop numbers in hand. It was a little intimidating staring into the sun waiting for the judges to scrutinize our outfits but it turns out that I must scrub up pretty nicely because I won!!!!

(My cousin Callie and Sister Kate as they dragged me into the comp!! lol)

I was so shocked and very surprised and feel SO lucky! I won 4 return tickets to fly to Sydney from my home town (which is quite a long drive and can be very pricey to fly!) I am stoked!!!!

The whole day turned out to be a great one, the weather was perfect (a little breezy but nice and sunny) and we had lots of friends and family around to celebrate such an awesome day out!

Today I am spending some quality time with my mum for Mothers Day before I hit the road once again to head back down South for uni.

(My Aunty, My Mum, Me and My Sister Kate - family love!!)

How has your weekend been? Have you spoilt your Mum yet?

Happy weekend friends, and happy Mothers day to all of the beautiful mothers out there! We couldn't be who we are without you!!!!

Motivation, where art thou?

I'm in a rut. I admit it. They say that the way to fix a problem is to first acknowledge that there is a problem. Okay, I've admitted it.... go away now?

I've been in a horrible, sluggish, no-motivation mode for over a week now. I don't know what the heck is wrong but it won't bug off!

I had a great weekend with my first set of visitors coming to stay with me here in the Riverina but the moment they all left, I slumped into a sad, sooky mood once again. I curled up on my couch, wrapped myself in a warm blanket and sulked the afternoon away. Usually I can shake this slump but not this week!

I'm in desperate need of some motivation. Some pick-me-up moods and some get-off-your-arse action!

I've been scrolling through Pinterest in search of some catchy motivationals in the hope to reef myself out of my slump (I'm starting to blame the cold weather the more I think about it. The word "denial" comes to mind :/ lol)

Here is what I found.

What is happening in your neck of the woods?

I'm hoping to post about my current crochet project tomorrow. Here's hoping I find my motivation to do so ;)