Never take anything or anyone for granted.

After procrastinating for an hour this morning, I finally got my arse in gear, got in the car and went to the most pleasant place I know in Pukekohe. Bledisloe Park, its very pretty, flat and a provides a very nice location for a 30 minute trot (walk).

I was heading along John Street, singing badly in a low voice to the Travelling Wilburys that were playing in my headphones, yeah sad I know, but I love them, when a white station wagon comes reversing out of a drive at speed.

I scooted around the car successfully, he missed me by about 20cms. I shook my head and carried on, trying to look like nothing had happened. The guy stopped and apologised, checked I was ok, it was nice to see that he was aware he had nearly killed me.

As he drove away and I continued walking, I started to think and be thankful that I had told my Angus that I loved him that morning. He might never have seen me alive again. The reality that my "number could have been up" so suddenly and without warning shocked me a lot. Yeah, I was ok, the car never touched me physically, but I felt touched on the inside.

Angus and I tell each other we love each other every morning before we go to work. It's not just empty words, it's important to us, as there may never be another opportunity. One of us could be wiped out, as I came close to being today.

Coffee.......why all the fuss? Leave us innocent addicts alone.

There is plenty of hype about coffee drinking. It leaves toxins in the body, increases cholesterol, keeps you up half the night, blah blah blah! Plenty of experts all telling us the terrible repercussions of drinking too much coffee.

There seems to be more positive advocates on the Internet for the drinking of 3-4 cups a day. I support a 3 cup a day habit, sometimes 4 on a low energy day. Hey! I gave up smoking nearly 6 years ago and as I age I can't seem to handle more than two glasses of wine before I turn squiffy! She can't handle her booze like she used to. Coffee, it's my last remaining vice!

I have been influenced in the past by the boggy men or women of the dieting world, GIVE UP COFFEE, ITS BAD FOR YOU! So, I have given it a go. The headaches. Saying they are not pleasant is an understatement. Not to mention, there's a slight shaking of the hands. I remember mentioning these symptoms to a work colleague. I received a look from this person that equalled me confessing to having just given up heroin. "Sounds like an addiction to me" she said. Needless to say my attempts to give up coffee last less than a day and I willingly return to my favourite beverage.

DECAFF. Dear lord, what is the point? Ok, some people argue and say "Its the just the same if you like the taste of coffee". I have been inflicted with the odd coffee of decaf when I was offered it, and there wasn't the real option available. To me it seems that they have not only removed the caffeine, but the favour and taste as well. It just isn't the same.

My first coffee of the day. Ok, there may be the habitual, 'must have' feeling when I first get up in the morning, but that first coffee it seems to settle my body and mind, gets me going in the morning.

When Angus asks me "Coffee dear?", its like asking me if I would like some extra oxygen today? To me coffee is an elixir of life!

The Senses Of Happiness

Happiness looks golden, sparkling and full of sunshine.

Happiness sounds like bells ringing, birds singing and
children laughing.

Happiness feels like a smile from someone you love, clean
sheets when you climb into your bed at night and a pat on
the back from your teacher when you've done well at school.

Happiness tastes like a hot milo to drink on a cold night,
your favourite ice cream and chocolate.

Happiness smells like freshly baked cake from the oven,
flowers and Mum's perfume when she gives you a cuddle.

Was the dishonesty worth it?

Jeremy watched him walk away and wondered if the lie had been worth it? He was his best friend. Maybe he should have said yes when Sam asked him to the cricket game. Jeremy hated cricket, personally he would rather watch paint dry. Boring!

He felt so bad as he watched Sam walk away. To make it worse, he knew that Sam knew he had lied. Saying that he had to help his dad mow the lawn, what a lame excuse! Surely he could have come up with something better than that. Sam knew Jeremy never helped his dad mow the lawn. Why couldn't he just tell Sam he didn't like cricket? How hard was it tell your best friend that you didn't enjoy the game? He should have been honest. Surely Sam would have understood. Jeremy turned away and started walking towards home.

Sam was made about cricket. He played it in his backyard, he watched it on TV and he went to watch it at the weekends. Jeremy could not understand Sam's attraction to
the game. It was so slow, it took too long, and it just wasn't exciting.

Rugby. Now there was an exciting game. Jeremy and Sam had been to many rugby games together. The mud, the rucks, the scrums and the roar of the crowd when someone scored a try. Now that was an exciting game!

Jeremy stopped walking. Sam always said yes when he asked him to go to a rugby game. Had he ever been to a cricket match with Sam? No. Jeremy suddenly realised that he had been a bad friend. He turned and looked at his best friend's retreating back in the distance. Maybe it wasn't too late. He was allowed to change his mind.

"Hey Sam!" he yelled and started to run. "Wait up!" As Jeremy ran, he felt so relieved to see that Sam had stopped and he was still smiling.