February seemed to be the longest month. It just kept going and going. Sounds ridiculous but time just dragged. It did mean I got a tonne done though, which is good. I was in the Philippines for the start of the month, we stayed on a houseboat in Coron with special privileges to access places earlier and later than others, which was pretty sweet. It was a good trip, Philippones is nice but wouldn’t rate it as one of my top ten. Like normal, I really didn’t want to go home. I flew in at 6:30 am, caught the train home, had a shower and was ready to start work by 9 am. Straight back into it and all the emails to respond to.

The first Friday back to work I saw a job advertisement for a Transition Support Officer role, similar to my role just state wide, bit of a promotion, more money but the deadline for applications was that Sunday. I figured I was happy in my job and didn’t need the stress but my mentor and my sister convinced me just to give it a shot. I spent a couple of hours on Saturday night then made a few edits on Sunday before sending it off. With no expectations or actual want for the job, I was surprised to get a call for an interview. Again, I wasn’t fussed so didn’t do much prep. But I felt the interview went well, lovely people, and easy enough questions yet I only spoke for 20 minutes, not 30 minutes allocated. I was confident but after a week of waiting to hear back, I received an email last Friday saying I didn’t get the job. I rang for feedback and the lady told me they were very impressed by my expertise but I didn’t give enough depth to my answers. Which makes sense. I have never been one to enjoy talking about myself and I am not the biggest conversationalist. I know that about myself, but that doesn’t affect my work, so I gather if they couldn’t read through that then its their loss. Like my bf and sister said, some people can just talk shit. I figure you have to get to know me to see my work ethic and results, rather than judge me on a conversation. But anyway, I had no expectation for the job so was quick to move on and get back to my day job. Which has actually been quite intense with the transition of Kindys in the new year, but hey, gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning.

Listened to - 

* Unrestorable - awesome podcast. Gave me anxiety so had to listen to back to back episodes just to find out how it all ends up.

* Mel B on How To Fail Podcast With Elizabeth Day - makes me want to read her memoir now. I have to get it.

* The Lively Podcast - keeping up to date on all happenings in Bella’s life

Read - 

* Hit or Miss by Everly Ashton - fun one

* The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn - female sniper at war. Loved it!

* Dancing With The Enemy by Diana Armstrong - brilliant

* The Concierge by Abby Corson - received this from Better Reading as a preview. Took me awhile to get through it. Funny how when you have to read something by a deadline its difficult compared to reading something I choose.

* What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan - mum got this one as a free preview book from Better Reading and passed it on to me. Wow! Its intense and very well written. Absolutely loved it.

Splurged on - 

* I Love Linen sheet and quilt cover set. They were on sale but still $$. All white of course. Have always spent good money on good sheets. Back in the day it was 1000 thread Egyptian cotton, now its all about Linen.

Watching - 

* Three Bird Renovations - Erins house

Went to - 

* Hawkesbury Clothing sale - bought a hat, two shirts, gym pants, and a dress

* Fiddler for dinner to celebrate getting to job interview. Obsessed with their Mexican bowl at the moment and their focaccia bread is so good

* best Thai place - Red Galangai at Rouse Hill Village Centre for Valentine’s Day. We love their food. Soo good!

* Watch live music at Macquarie Arms and Clarendon Hotel

* dinner at the Ettamogh - not many gluten-free meals to choose from so won’’t be rushing back there

Booked - 

* flights to Samoa for April - booked accommodation and staying in Fales. Pumped!

Cooked - 

* nothing much this month - it’s difficult with the kitchen outside. I went through the freezer and started to use all the meals I had already prepared and frozen

What's new - 

* Home improvements - water leak on back verandah meant pulling up all tiles, and sealing it. Thank goodness no more water leaks. Actually looked forward to the next time it rained just to test it out. Re-tiling will happen next month. Balcony roof to be built one day also. It’s on the list. Skirting goes on this weekend so not officially this month but the plan was last week but the guy had to change dates. Since we removed the fireplace from the kitchen, the flue has still been sticking out of the wall. My bf finally took it out from the roof and patched the hole in the wall. We were going to reinstall it in the lounge room but decided it would be less hassle and more practical to install an air conditioner. Finally committed and bought ceiling fans. I have been looking for new ones for years. I went with low-profile ones from Beacon Lighting which I love. Now just waiting for them to be delivered. We (my bf) chose the wall paint colour and the painting starts next week. I got scammed on my vanity I bought back in November. The company has closed so hoping for a refund, few dollars I lost, just waiting for that before I order another.

* Updates on my blog - updated a few posts and prepping a few more to go up

* Between mum and I we received four books from Better Reading to review. Always love a good book especially when it is free

* Listed my camera lens for sale. Time to move them on. They have been good to me but sadly replaced by the iPhone

Looking for - 

* wig - going to a 50th birthday party in a couple of weeks, which is a wig or hat theme. So many to choose from, not sure how to narrow it down.

Sold -

* Paw Patrol toy trucks

Started - 

* back at Live Life Get Active. Went two times this week from XTraining and man it felt good. I love the feeling of being fit and strong. Thinking I will cancel my swimming membership though and just pay for a casual visit when I go. Currently pay $28 a fortnight and I have only been once,

Attempting to -

* not be too hard on myself. I started using my Streaks app again and recorded my good habits. Even been using my Shakti mat again.

How was your February? What did you do with your extra day of the year? Have been motivated or more of a sloth this month? Are you one to celebrate Valentines Day - hope you felt the love. Feel free to join the conversation and leave a comment below.

For other months in hindsight click here