Happy birthday, Hubby!

Image from Pinterest

I love him for all the big and little things he does to make our life so great.  He finds immense joy in all he does for our family.  It never fails to make me smile.

He dotes on all of us and is always saving for our future.  He never thinks of himself unless it is pointed out that he needs a new shirt.  It is forbidden to throw his old ones away!  

He loves saying "buy" if his grand-daughter wants something.  That girl is the new love of his life but I don't say this grudgingly, he has enough love to go around. And it warms my heart to see him excited about being a grandfather.

As I write this, I think of the times that he would stand in queue for me.  It doesn't matter if it's when we're out eating or shopping, he'd do what makes it convenient for me.  I also remember how he will suddenly bring home something for tea that I hadn't had in a while.  He praises all the food I make, even if there isn't any recipe and it's all last-minute put together kind of meal.  Heck, he is also happy when I reheat food because he's just that kind of guy.  He helps with all the chores when he isn't at work.  There are so many things that makes him lovable.  

In short, I just want to leave this here for when memories have faded so I can look back and recall how very precious he is to me and to the family.  He's a champion in our hearts and minds.

But what would my greeting be, without some humour.  So ...

You are highly favoured, deeply loved and greatly blessed, Baby Grosse!

FitFlops, Fitbit and Fitter

Image from Pinterest

On 6 July, I finally convinced myself that I needed to take better care of my health.  I've always had the notion that I am not as fit as I should be but that's only because I keep comparing myself to Stephen. He's super fit and has tons of stamina.  According to what I know, he has the heart rate of an athlete and I've always felt intimidated by the thought that I'd never reach his standard.

Then I decided that I would just improve my own standard. *ting* Light bulb moment there. I've been pleasantly surprised to find that my resting heart rate is actually very good and according to the cardio fitness for women my age, I'm in the VERY GOOD - EXCELLENT range after about a week.  

I know I won't see immediate physical results but now that I'm tracking my calorie intake and what I burn, I can be more mindful of what junk I eat and if it is worth the effort indulging in sinful snacks, after the exercise.  

So far I find that my diet is okay but previously I hadn't burnt enough calories daily and so over the last few years, I have put on weight.  A kind friend has said that I have no stress now so that accounts for my weight gain.  It's true.  Work was enjoyable but sometimes it was very stressful and I wouldn't want to go back to that again.  Another said that my metabolic rate is slower and again that's true.

Losing weight is not for the indisciplined.  All my life, I've said that I don't have the discipline to diet and I'm right.  I don't eat much but I enjoy what I eat.  So giving up what little food that I like, makes no sense to me.

But now I realise that I do have the discipline to exercise so that can be the balancing factor between being in the healthy or unhealthy weight range. So far I've been doing well and I can see that if I put in a bit more effort then the calories burnt can far outweight the calories I eat.  This puts a different perspective on how I used to see my weight gain.  It also pushes me to do just that little bit more each day.

Will I look different by Christmas?  Let's see if Stephen's investment in the FitFlops, Fitbit and Fitterme works!  

Image from Pinterest

The best 2015 moment!

Image from my whatsapp

A couple of days ago, I asked Stephen what was his most memorable moment of 2015.  He didn't hesitate at all.  He said it was when Jared and Gwen got registered.  His joy and excitement was obvious to everyone.

I believe him and we also have a video to prove it.    But that's in keeping with his personality which is always bubbly and effervescent!

For me, the registration was also a great moment, after all a marriage is such a momentous step for anyone.  

Yet, in keeping with who I am, my most memorable moment was a quiet and private one.

It was on 19 September 2015 at 3.27 pm, I was in the bus, heading to the Nursing Home to see my MIL and a whatsapp message (shown above) came in. 

Stephen added, "you are love and love is you" plus a little bit more. It was so random and unexpected that I was taken aback. 

It was just an ordinary and simple thing for him to do but for me, it was a sweet gesture of love, so blind, that sees beyond all my faults.  Is there any kind of love better than this?  I am so very blessed.

It is my best 2015 moment.

He will bring me through it.

I have said this to myself countless times and I have also said it to many others who needed to hear this. Whether it helped them or not, I don't really know.

However, when I say this to myself, I get a sense of comfort from the knowledge that I am not alone.  

But even if I lose sight of God's Grace for me, I'm blessed with a husband, my partner-in-Christ, who doesn't fail to remind me. 

It's always a win-win kind of situation.

Love is....

A friend sent this image to me via WhatsApp last year.  She said, "This is you and Uncle Stephen". It made me smile and and even now I find it so good for my soul.  It's heart-warming and gives me such a nice feeling that I almost can't wait for him to say, "Where's my cap, glasses or handphone?"  

What makes it wonderful is the fact that there are others in the same situation.  I am, of course, not alone.  

There's something to be said about sharing a life with someone who depends on you.  However much Stephen thinks he needs me, the same can be said for me because I need him too!  I like that I can tell him where his things are or when I can hand something to him as he's looking around for it.  

It's what LOVE is all about.  Nothing magical at all. 

Happy Birthday AGAIN, Baby Grosse!

Image from WWW

Stephen is 55 today.  A milestone in his life and career too.  The age of retirement in Singapore is 67 so he can go on for another 12 years if he so wishes. Let's see what he decides because part of his daily joy is doing a good job at work and being recognised for it. 

And now back to his special day as I want to give thanks to God for a wonderful spouse.  He's a good man. I saw this online and nodded my head for each point.  

Image from Pinterest

However, in line with his colourful and happy nature, I thought this was also quite fitting and would make him smile!

Babe, you know how happy I am to have you in my life but even if you forget, let today be a reminder that your birthday isn't the only day that I am thankful for you.  I am thankful for you every day of my life. 

May you be blessed, in double doses, for all the good that you have put out in the world.  I love you very much. 

Groan if you want...

Taken from Pinterest

I know some will find my loving posts irritating. Well, groan all you want. 

The thing is that loving posts are so few and far between.  Most people find that sharing feuds, fights and foibles are an integral part of their life.  Maybe it's an indirect way to show the world how tough they are and that they can take on any challenge the world throws at them.  

I think that I have just as  much of a right to share the happy things and the positive vibes because, well, we need it. 

People curse and swear in real life and online.  So I figure that I can bless and spread goodness in the same way.  

If I am going to be exposed to people saying mean and ugly things then I'm not going to hold back  when I feel love or loved.  

Since I recovered, I feel so much  better.  I'm healthier and my strength is increasing.

Nobody really cares because all they want to know is about suffering and problems.  They want to be informed if someone is worse off or who has bigger issues to deal with.

Let's change that.   Let's talk about the love and bless those who are better off and be happy for those who have a better life.  

It's not as easy as you think.  But it's not impossible, either. 

The image above really touched my heart.  It's who my Stephen is!  While I may be the love of his life and the children come a close second, I know that I'll be having a tough fight for first place when the grandkids come.  We'll see!!!  

Half a year and half a smile :-)

Pic from Facebook

Half a year has gone by already.  I just don't know where time has gone.

Stephen often tells me that once American Idol is over, time just picks up speed. Hahahahahahaha.  We didn't even watch it this year.  How many have there been? Thirteen!  So he's said it that many times!  Funny guy!

Then when 9 August comes  and goes, he'll say, "Time to play Christmas carols now".  The truth is that he plays them as and when he feels like it.  This always makes me smile because thoughts of Christmas bring happy memories.

June ended with a nice Eurasian meal with cousins and some catching up.  Sometimes I am so happy I could just burst.  Actually, I was so full that I felt I could burst.  I ate too much! :-(

So July has started!  The kids are coming again for a short stay and we are already thinking of how to cram everything into those days.

I hope I shan't neglect my blog as much as I did in June.  After all, what else would there be to do later in life except to flip through these postings and reminisce. 

Spoiled or Spoilt

Pic from WWW

I guess this must be an image from America because of the word 'spoiled'.  Apparently, the US uses it while the majority of the English-speaking world prefer the term "spoilt". Well, no matter what the spelling, it sums up exactly where I am today.

Long ago before we got married, Stephen told me that all I needed to do was love him and he'd do the rest.  It was not something I took lightly and it was quite a romantic declaration.  Often, I think of that moment, smile and feel fuzzy all over.  I must be a romantic at heart! LOL

That thought did play a huge part in my decision to get married and he has not asked for anything more than that.  Bless his soul.

I would never have believed that it would be so simple. 

Love begets love.