Author: inspiringmax

Sleep Equals Beauty

inspiringmax

Sleep is one-third of our lives: write a post about it. Do you love naps? Have trouble falling alseep? Wish you could remember your dreams? Remember something especially vivid? Snuggle under a blanket, or throw the windows wide open? Meditate on sleep.

Sleep rejuvenates you. I knew that but I don’t think I fully understood its meaning until I this video by researchers out of London. It shows very clearly the impact on skin of having 6 hours sleep each night instead of 8 hours. Personally I rarely get 8 hours as I have such a long commute in the morning however aiming for 7 – 7.5 is probably a realistic goal and cheaper than all the correction make-up required if I don’t.

https://youtu.be/Vy4CoCDh9nA

Other benefits of more sleep include:

  • Better mood
  • Increased metabolism
  • Increased concentration
  • Improved memory
  • Helps creativity
  • Improves athletic performance
  • Improves attention
  • Increases well-being
  • Improves ability to study
  • Reduces stress

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/sleep/

Share Your World – 2015 Week 19

inspiringmax

Would you prefer a one floor house or multiple levels?

I prefer a house on one level. It makes it easier to live in and opens out the house. As I am beginning to age, I will make sure my next house is on a single level—just-in-case it is the last house I buy. Afterall, stairs and old age don’t mix.

When we lived in Wagga Wagga, country New South Wales, we had a great house built on one level. The previous owners liked the design so much that they rebuilt the exact design in their new suburb. If we ever built I definitely would consider it myself.

If you have a TV, would you prefer the TV in the living room or another room?

I prefer TV’s to be in either the lounge room or the family room. These rooms are places people congregate in, although in a perfect world maybe my home would have a designated home theatre room. The one place I don’t like a TV is in the bedroom as it disturbs my sleep.

When you leave a room, do you turn the lights off behind you or keep the lights on throughout your house most of the time? Explain your answer.

When I leave a room I prefer to leave the light on unless I know I won’t be returning to that room for over an hour. I think it is cheaper than turning lights on and off regularly. My husband however has other ideas and he is always trying to get me to turn lights off.

What’s your favorite room in your home?

I don’t really have a favourite room.  However, I spend most of my time on my computer in the family room at the back of the house. I have also managed to make it my own by decorating it in purple and adding my Mickey Mouse collection.

Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

Last week my father came for a visit and brought me some editing of my book he had finished. It is always exciting to get feedback from others on the progress ogf my book. This week is my daughters 21st birthday and I am looking forward to helping her celebrate with parties at home.

http://ceenphotography.com/2015/05/11/share-your-world-2015-week-19/

Party Time

inspiringmax

You’re throwing a party — for you! Tell us all about the food, drink, events, and party favours you’ll have for your event of a lifetime. Use any theme you like — it’s *your* party!

I love to celebrate my birthday. I take the day off work and do something fun—its my way of reminding myself that I am special. For my significant birthdays however I throw a party to share with my friends and family. My parties are simple affairs held at home.

Food is either a good old Aussie BBQ or pre-made finger food requiring heating only on the day. Everyone always loves my choices:

  • Cheese Dip
  • Chipolata Sausages
  • Chicken Sticks
  • Chicken Nuggets
  • Frankfurts
  • Meatballs
  • Party Pies
  • Prawns
  • Quiche Lorraine
  • Salmon Quiches
  • Sausage Rolls

Save some room for the sweet options:

  • Caramel Tarts
  • Chocolate Slice
  • Fairy Bread
  • Home-made Ice-cream With Lollies and Sherbet
  • Jelly Slice
  • Vanilla Slice

All of this is washed down with a few glasses of champagne or cocktails. Clever conversation is what follows—with maybe the odd party game or two. Basically whatever we feel like doing. My last party was my 50th birthday a few years ago. Remembering the food for this prompt has helped me as I am plan my daughters 21st celebrations over the coming weeks. Here’s a glass of bubbles to celebrate.

Photo Credit: Google Images

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/its-my-party/

Everyone Is Welcome

inspiringmax

If you could have a guarantee that one, specific person was reading your blog, who would you want that person to be? Why? What do you want to say to them?

Inspiring Max is not written for any one person. It’s “goal is to inspire you—developing a spark of hope into a fire that warms you and lights your path.” This is an open invitation to all who through their life journey have stumbled upon my blog. Whatever your reason for visiting — you are welcome. I hope you find inspiration to look on the positive side of life through the contents of Inspiring Max.

I find inspiration to do many things through my adventures on the blogosphere and I hope Inspiring Max does the same for others. I chose the double rainbow to represent my blog as it also reminds us of that life is not always dark and gloomy and there is hope ahead.

2011-07-30 17.13.54

Inspiring Max

Looks at life through positive

Ways and means

 

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/singular-sensation-2/

Weekly Photo Challenge:Enveloped

inspiringmax

What does enveloped mean to you?

To me enveloped means surrounded by, wrapped in or enclosed.On my journeys I have found several examples of differing ways things this can happen. I think envelopment helps to balance a picture what are your thoughts?

Enveloped in the Australian bush

Enveloped in the Australian bush

 

 

 

Old Silk Road traveling route China enveloped in glass for protection.

Old Silk Road traveling route China enveloped in glass for protection.

Many people would like to envelope themselves in this cosy Tiger onsie.

Many people would like to envelope themselves in this cosy Tiger onsie.

Beaver enveloped in their hutch enjoying a tree branch.

Beaver enveloped in their hutch enjoying a tree branch.

Street name enveloped in the footpath Moncton Canada.

Street name enveloped in the footpath Moncton Canada.

Snow and Ice enveloping the St Lawrence River Montreal Canada.

Snow and Ice enveloping the St Lawrence River Montreal Canada.

Otter enveloping himself. He looked so cute and comfortable.

Otter enveloping himself. He looked so cute and comfortable.

A volcanic eruption enveloped the whole area Buried Village New Zealand.

A volcanic eruption enveloped the whole area Buried Village New Zealand.

1000's of statues are enveloped in their own caves Longman Grottos China.

1000’s of statues are enveloped in their own caves Longman Grottos China.

Clouds envelope a beautiful sunset Zhenzhou China.

Clouds envelope a beautiful sunset Zhenzhou China.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/enveloped/

School Lessons

inspiringmax

Which subject in school did you find impossible to master? Did math give you hives? Did English make you scream? Do tell!

The subject at school I found the most difficult taught me many skills. The subject was physics which in the end I passed. But the real value was in the life lessons, which were more useful than any science equation.

  • How to ask for help
  • Boys love to solve problems
  • Smiling will get you everywhere in life
  • Break things down to their simplest form
  • Many heads work better than one
  • You are either a maths/science  or an english brain
  • Humour gets you through stress
  • Nobody can be good at everything
  • Listening to others is the best skill and will take you far
  • Get the foundations right and build from there
  • Flattery will get you everywhere
  • Relationships grow from a common bond
  • Gratitude
  • Your feelings are your own

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/land-of-confusion-2/

Thank you Cleaners

inspiringmax

What’s the household task you most dislike doing? Why do you think that is — is it the task itself, or something more?

Housework has never been mine or anyone else in the family’s thing. We all did it because we had to until one day we had had enough. After probably 12 months in discussion we hired a cleaner. Best decision we ever made.

Now a small family business cleans our home once a fortnight and they love it. When they first came to quote they stated there was 11 hours of housework in our house—no wonder we could never get on top of it—working and commuting full-time.

To honour ours and cleaners everywhere I have written the following acrostic poem.

Care about our chores

Love the work they do and working as a team

Enjoy the challenges of cleaning

Aroma in the air is amazing to come home to

No noise, no fuss

Environmentally friendly cleaning products

Remember the requirements of the household

Smile and sing as they work

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/those-dishes-wont-do-themselves-unfortunately/

Share Your World – 2015 Week 18

inspiringmax

What type of pets do you have or want?  Or do you not want pets?

My daughter has a six month old kitten who is always climbing on things. At times he is cute but I am not really a cat person. I would rather a rabbit. They are cute, cuddly and don’t climb.

What was or is your favorite cartoon?

My favourite cartoon character is Mickey Mouse. I even have  two display shelves filled with my Mickey collection. He has class, style and he never ages.

When you’re alone at home, do you wear shoes, socks, slippers, or go barefoot?

Most of the time I am at home I wear my UGG slippers although in winter it gets too cold with my heels out so I wear my UGG boots. Both are purple so I am happy.

Are you a traveler or a homebody?

I love to travel and explore new countries, cultures and civilizations. Traveling is  fun. However, after a hard days work there is nothing like coming home to a silent house. It re-energizes me

Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

Last week I was grateful for Mothers Day for two reasons. Firstly to celebrate mothers but secondly—it was my first blog anniversary. It was fun remembering how far Inspiring Max has come since my first days of no viewers.

In the upcoming week I am looking forward to my father visiting.

http://ceenphotography.com/2015/05/04/share-your-world-2015-week-18/

First Blogiversary

inspiringmax

On Mothers Day 2014 I bit the bullet and started a blog. I had no idea where this journey would lead me but I stepped out anyway and the following have been my rewards.

  1. I have met many new friends
  2. I am no longer scared of the internet
  3. Writing daily has helped my word order and editing skills
  4. I have a greater knowledge of countries around the world
  5. I have learnt to reach out to others by leaving a comment on their blog
  6. Understanding WordPress has helped me download my draft copy of my book as an e-book in Pressbooks
  7. I am learning to write poetry
  8. I am learning about search engine optimization
  9. I have been viewed by people in 114 countries some I didn’t know existed
  10. I am learning to fix things on my blog
  11. I am becoming more comfortable using my experiences as a basis for my writing in a public forum
  12. I have learnt to never assume anything and to make my writing clear
  13. Over the 12 months I have had 12, 567 views and have 415 followers
  14. I have learnt that visiting other blogs is as important as writing a post
  15. I have enjoyed several Blogging University courses and learnt a lot from them
  16. The A -Z April Blogging Challenge really tested me but I was excited to join it and complete all posts
  17. I now notice fun blog ideas and can gather the information ahead of time
  18. My audience continues to grow as I learn about traffic flow
  19. Blogging events help us to interact
  20. I have developed and understand my online voice and how it connects with others
  21. I have learned about many new cultures, people, places and things
  22. Finding peace in the blogging community
  23. I have developed confidence with my writing through feedback from others
  24. Learnt to use photos to enhance my posts
  25. I enjoy writing and designing quotes using Picmonkey
  26. I have learnt perseverance—it takes time to find your community blogging
  27. Never give up, keep chipping away at it
  28. Some things you can’t control and who how many people visit your blog is one of them

Thank you for joining me on my journey and I hope we continue to interact over the years to come in the blogosphere. My first ever post on Mother’s Day is here

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/journey/

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Forces of Nature

inspiringmax

Many opportunities can be found to study the forces of nature in the Blue Mountains, Australia.  More information on this beautiful area can be found here.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/forces-of-nature/