Weekends are a great way of moving projects on in leaps and bounds. But if you stop and think about it - these two days should form the basis of what your ideal life would be like if you could live your life like this - all the time.

I know they are also the time to catch up with everything. You know - the laundry, the housework and gardening as well as family and friends. But lets just assume for a minute that's all been taken care of - you are absolutely on top of everything and you have two days ahead of you that you can use in any way you want. What would you be doing?

It's an interesting question isn't it? Well I think it is. For me - being able to get up when my body says its time rather than being woken by the alarm clock is a good start. But I am also fortunate to have a built in clock that says, hey - it's morning - there's things to do.

And I love the fact that I don't HAVE to eat at a certain time. You know - it's lunch time, so therefore I must eat something whether I want it or not, because there isn't going to be another opportunity today.

Yesterday I finally finished cleaning the spare room. I've been slowly going through the many piles of "stuff" I had sitting in the wardrobe and the drawers and have been able to throw away quite a lot of things we really don't need to keep any longer. Boxes, old papers, instruction manuals for things we don't have any more - you know - those sorts of things we keep just in case. But there was a major reason why I needed to do it...a friend and her partner were dropping off a sofa bed for me. Rather than have a spare bed, I wanted a room I could use for somehing other than sleeping in. Given that the room is rarely used for sleeping in, I thought it sensible to be able to utilise the space more often. The only thing missing now is curtains, and we're done.

But to go back to the beginning of this piece. How would you be living your life if the weekend days are a good indication of what you enjoy doing? As you can probably tell, I spend a lot of my time writing. Interspersed with cleaning and exercise. But I'm fortunate in that I can make money from my passion, which of course enables me to do everything else.

So have a good look at your days and see if you can't translate one of your hobbies into monetary gain.

It's a long weekend here in Perth, Western Australia, and we have been blessed with beautiful weather. "Great drying weather" as my mum would say. But it's also a great time to open windows and doors and to let the stale air out and the fresh, clean air into your homes. It's also a great opportunity to spend time with your kids.

Today I offered my son and his mates a lift to the skatepark - we took my daughter along for the ride and we stopped off at the golden arches for a pit stop and breakfast. Well they indulged, I just had the coffee ... well I don't eat red meat these days (in fact not since I read the book "fast food nation" actually...I got half way through the book and stopped eating red meat....but I digress.

So, onwards to the skatepark. The boys had found the park last year and now whenever school holidays or long weekends roll around, they will catch the bus and spend the day "pushing wood" around. And they always rave about how good this park is....so I decided to see for myself.

Why would they spend an hour on the bus getting to a concrete dip with bumps and grinds, so they can wear themselves out? Because it is their passion. It' is what they enjoy doing. They love the variety of the park, and would quite happily spend every day there if they could. Given they take most of their drinks and snacks it's a cheap day of entertainment for them.

So I took my camera with me. I've got some pics which I will share with you at some point and a bit of video - but the camera battery didn't last very long - but I did get my boy as he did one of his tricks. The hours of endless practising were obviously paying off because it looked effortless as he landed the trick...

And isn't that the same for all of us. If we are willing to put in the hours of practice, it will look effortless to anyone watching.

My daughter and I headed home soon after, time to get back into the gardening project for me and a chance to soak up some spring sunshine for my daughter.

I have a lot to do. Things to make, clean, tidy and sort. But not today. Today I need to sit and reflect on a life that was cut rather short. Today is the anniversary my brother died. Granted it was a few years ago now, and I have tried to give time - time. But every year I take a moment to reflect that my brother would have loved Australia, and I wish he were able to share this with me.

Normally I must confess I shed a tear or two over what might have been had he lived. But not today. Today all I can see is his smile. He had a wonderfully wicked smile that managed to light a dull room. That was my brother. And that's how I want to remember him from now on. Happy and smiling. I can actually see him "up there" chucking a massive party tonight - and this year dad, aunt pauline and uncle ray are invited - damn its going to be a big one this year !! and not just because of the extra guests. No, today is going to be big because he's decided we should celebrate life. No matter how long we have to "live" we need to live big and enjoy every single moment. And that's what I shall be doing this week as I head towards my birthday and of course my own personal new year.

Do I set New Year's Resolutions? Of course, what new year would be complete without a scrawled bit of paper with some impossible things written on it. Of course I could always pull out last years list, dust it off and change the date....I mean isn't that what everyone else does?

Saying that though - I have achieved many great things this year. And more will be coming - no i am not saying that to try and persuade you that I haven't been procrastinating. Actually I haven't been procrastinating - just busy and productive as you will find out in the not too distant future.

Anyway, enough rambling from me this evening. I have washing to put on the line and more to fetch in. And a book to read as I drink a glass or two of wine in honour of my folks. Have a great party guys, but don't get too loud I have to go to work in the morning.

Love you always

Elle xoxo