The weather has been fine and clear, perfect for spending some time outside in the garden frolicking amongst the flowers and enjoying the fruits of my labours in the vegetable patch. I even took a trip in to the local nursery to buy some pretty flowering pots to pep up our garden beds, and also planted my next veggie harvest of tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and lettuces. Craig mowed the lawns and I weeded the garden beds, and now the yard looks immaculate again; which is always uplifting I think.
Craig and I have stopped being at each other throats and have made our peace with our drained financial resources. I do think that Craig's wisdom teeth extraction may have also helped with keeping the peace, because he was too sore and too drugged to be bothered with arguing anymore, and that certianly worked in my favour.
On the financial side of things, we really only set up our extra savings account for a rainy day anyway. Our rainy day just happened to come before Christmas and totally wipe us out, but at least we had the savings to cover it, which is certainly something to be happy about when you really think about it. Sure it's a shame that we didn't get to spend it on a few days away or something cool for the house, but at the end of the day, we really don't have anything to complain about. Our money problems have been annoying, but certainly not catastrophic.
It is way too easy to get bogged down in your own troubles and not look at the big picture, which is precisly what I have been doing for the past few weeks. I promised myself that I was going to zen my way through to Christmas, and I am still totally determined to do that in every way, perhaps now more so than ever.
Sure I may not have any cash in the bank, but my bills are paid and I have a Summer holiday break heading my way in only 16 days time, and that is what I am focusing on for the rest of December. Only I have the power to turn my head and my attitude around, and that's just what I have done this weekend, and not a minute too soon.

Release Date: 2015
Rating: MA 15+
Running Time: 156 mins
Inspired by Michael Punke's The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge, this American Frontier drama had me transfixed from the opening scenes. Skillfully directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, The Revenant showcases the magnificence of the American wilderness, the struggles of the Native tribes-people and the flawless performances of Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy, making this an atmospheric, pulse-racing and grimly affecting story.
It is 1832, and a team of hunters and trappers are ambushed by a tribe of Arikara Native Americans that wish to steal their pelts. The trappers are forced to flee, taking as many pelts as they can salvage, and beginning an arduous and dangerous journey back to their base - Fort Kiowa. Along the way, one of their best trackers, Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is savagely attacked by a grizzly bear which forces the group to rethink their tactics.
If I called this film bleak, that would be a massive understatement, this movie is uncompromisingly harsh. However, embedded within all of it's atrocity is an incredible story about the endurance of the human spirit and the relentless determination of a vengeful man. DiCaprio superbly captures the soul of Glass, a man that not only endures immense physical abuse, but also suffers unimaginable grief. If Leo doesn't get an Oscar for his efforts here, then something is very wrong in the world!
FINAL SAY: As long as you can grab a breath, you fight. You Breathe....keep breathing.
4.5 Chili Peppers