Rose Coloured Glasses

Saturday, July 11, 2009
Today I came across a post by Whimsical Whispers, which inspired me and got me thinking. She encourages putting on some rose coloured glasses and see the world in a nice light. Generally I would think wearing rose coloured glasses as bad because they are known to mask the perils of our lives and lead us to believe things we shouldn’t. I’m a bit of a realist and I call a spade a spade, so rose coloured glasses are not usually my friend. However that being said I am human and have fallen victim to their tempting vistas on more than one occasion.

pink tree

Today was a rosy day. My mobile rings late afternoon and it was the phone company. We all hate these calls, are they really customer services or are they trying to sell me some extra feature I don’t need. There’s a nice friendly young man with a cute voice was on the other end of the phone so I decide to humour him. First I tell him that his company only rang me 2 weeks ago to renew my contract and that I had to go in the shop to pick up my new phone. He advised that I shouldn’t do that, as it would only make me angry when the franchise shop wants to charge me for a new phone because I am already under contract. No I would not be happy especially because the girl whom renew my contract ensured me, I could rock up to any shop and get a new phone nothing to pay, go in get phone, walk out. The nice boy with cute voice is now sending me a new phone. I think I chatted to him for about a hour, we discussed my phone, my previous employment with that particular phone company, IT, computing, Bill Gates, and I even gave him the heads up on a few simple but effective office pranks he can play on his work mate that he much appreciated. Before he hung up I asked him one last thing (no not what your thinking, I had already discovered he lived in Adelaide, had a girlfriend is 6 foot tall blar, blar, blar….) I asked if could I get faster Internet for cheaper cost. This dude totally rocked, he told me how I could do that. I’m serious I can do that with a little work around I’ll have a 6 times faster internet service than I have now and I’ll have saved $7 a month on my current bill.

This is not the end of my rosy day. I had an optometrist appointment that evening. A new optometrist, I'd never been there before. My glasses are a few years old, they are badly scratched and the transition coating is pealing. So I’m getting new glasses and going back to proper sunglasses, as I think transitions are crap. The bad news was my site has deteriorated quit a bit in the last few years to my surprise. The optometrist was so nice, I got chatting to him too (answering your question, no he was married with a 4 year old daughter) it was a pleasure dealing with him and his staff. They are now officially my new optometrists.

Maybe if you wear rose coloured glasses you will get good customer service too. It worked for me.

It's the simple things in life that makes my soul sing

Wednesday, July 8, 2009
I am joining in on Christina from Soul Aperture’s idea “The Simple Things”. There are no rules just blog about the simple things that makes you happy.

To tell you the truth I’m a little bit over lists and the moment and I am struggling with writing another so this is not a list post. (expect another list coming soon though).

Simply what makes my soul sings is something we all need in this world and that is

***FRIENDS*** we heart daiquiris 70's style

Old friends, new friends, good friends and blog friends. Friends, friends, friends.

Why I chose Friends as my answers is a little deep. I won’t bore you with the in depth details but it stems from my experience and what I have learnt over the last 6 years through my divorce and journey to where I am today. When the going gets tough it becomes very easy to see whom you real friends are. What you witness can surprise and delight you as much as it can disappoint you.

I am lucky because I have good friends who make me feel like I belong. Some are long lasting friendships standing the test of time and others are newer and blossoming.

My friends are all different, they range in age, some are married, some are single, some have kids and some have none and some have dogs instead. They have different occupations and different educations levels. They come from different cultural backgrounds and have diverse interests. When you think about it these things are all trivial as it’s personalities we connect with.

camera junkies (crazy camera people. Canon EOS 1D, Canon EOS 40D, Canon EOS 5D and a Sony)

Friendships are created not by want or desire to have them. They are born and they grow over time when you have no expatiations and by just being yourself. They develop when you give people a change and not brush them off because you think they don’t meet the idea in your mind of a friend.

Friendship is a simple gift you can give to anyone you choose. Everyone needs a good friend or 2 because quantity in numbers will not be there for you when you most need.

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I'm adding one more simple pleasure :

Woolly Socks ... yes my feet were cold but not any more.

Monthly Photo Challenge – Moments

Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Well the month of June has wizzed by, leaving me wondering where the heck time has gone. So appropriately it seems that Graham has chosen Moments (morning, lunchtime, afternoon, evening and night) as the theme for this months challenge. After re-reading the rules of the challenge to write this post, I realized that I was meant to take one photo for each moment listed not select one moment as I did. So I only have one photo and I am hoping it is good enough to stand on it’s own. Truly sorry for stuffing this one up Graham, I’ll make it up to you …. Promise.
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As I sit here and look at this photo and post I gently hum the tune to a Finn Brothers song. I will leave you with the verse that speaks to me when looking at this shot.

traffic lights

The city draws it's breath in

I can almost hear it thinking

there are people within my walls

see their wild disorder

driving their machines

swarming like a million bees

I hope there might be one of us

who calls the tune

last day of june

who speaks the truth

last day of june

who breaks the news

last day of june

(song title: Last Day of June by: Finn Brothers)

7 Things About Me Meme

Saturday, June 27, 2009
I have been given the Premio Meme Award by Sandra and Alicia conveniently at the same time. The rules are list 7 facts about myself and pass it on to 7 people. Thanks Alicia and Sandra it is much appreciated to be considered for this award.

purple daisy

1. I’m a Bimbo. Yes, sad but true. I leave car keys in ignitions over night and flattened batteries. I’ve been known to send my son to bed with his shoes on (On more that one occasion). Nothing I do surprises my friends anymore.
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2. I never completed high school. I started my first job as a Customer Service and Data Entry Clerk at the age of 16. By the age of 18 I was a supervisor of a team of 6. I then moved into an IT project management and training roll at the age of 21. Now I have a family I am no longer a career woman but I still work, testing computer software and providing user support.
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3. More Bimbo proof. I once took paragliding lessons but couldn’t controller the parachute and kept crashing (always into prickle bushes). A note to anyone interesting in learning to paraglide it helps if you know your left from your right.
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4. I have a strange liking for Kiwi (New Zealand) music. And have done since early 80’s. Currently I love music by Evermore and Ladyhawke. Oh the shame as an Australian, I’m hanging my head as I confess this to you all.
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5. If I had to choose a Spice Girl to most describe my personality it would be Ginger, if she was all ready taken I’d have to be Scary. Umm I wonder if the people who know me personally would agree.
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6. I am left handed and I do not believe the internet statistic that left hander’s only account for 10 percents of the world’s population. Surly this is a conspiracy theory.
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7. I need to learn how to sit and relax . I’m always busy and if I’m not busy I’ll create something to do to make myself busy.

Relax

I'm awarding this to Berta as I think everyone would like to know a little about Berta.

and the following people

Georgia B

Gina Maria

Amy

Robin

Teresa

Vicky

We just got a letter…. Wonder who it’s from?

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Update:

So here’s what I am thinking. To kick this off I will need 4 or 5 volunteers. I am calling these volunteer’s my Snail Mail Angels. Each Snail Mail Angle will receive a special poem and a fridge magnet that says “I’m a snail mail angel” from me.

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My Angels will then be asked to spread the joy of the written letter. The letter can take form on any medium, such as paper, card, postcard etc… The content of the letter is up to you. Blogland oozes creative and talented people therefore I know each snail mail angel letter will be written beautifully and have a personal touch.

 http://amemoryforever.blogspot.com/

To spread the joy I would like to make this a pay it forward game. So come on, who's up to play along.

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RULES

1. Once you have volunteered to become a snail mail angel, create a blog post about spreading the joy of snail mail and add the “Snail Mail Angel” badge (above) to your post so others can read the rules.

2. Ask one or two of your readers to volunteer to become snail mail angels.

3. Write a handwritten letter to each of your snail mail angel volunteers.

4. To ensure the joy keeps spreading each volunteer should then follow rules 1 to 3 creating a post on their blog and asking for more volunteers.

Empty letterbox = Bill Respite

The only thing I seem to get in my letterbox these days are bills and junk mail. The information super highway has killed off the art of letter writing and while there are a lot pro’s to email. I’m left wondering if it can beat the excitement of opening up the letterbox and seeing something that has been personally address to you.
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There’s not a lot of movement in my letterbox. I open it every night upon returning home from work and feel inside, often there’s no mail. I think I have greater odds of opening my letterbox and finding a little spider taking shelter at times. Oh and then there are the day that I get mail addressed “To the Householder” and well all I can say is " if you can’t take the time to know my name, I aint takin’ the time to read your letter"
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The joy and surprise of opening the box to find something exciting was spoilt by the postman last week when he knocked at my door to delivered my PINK concert tickets personally.
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When beautiful people do send me gifts it often appears that either the Canadian or Australian customers offices decide upon themselves that the gift is too good for me and keep it. Leaving me waiting and waiting for chocolate and goodies froam a friend who has gone out of their way to purchase and send to me but instead ends up supplying snacks to fat customs offices.
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On a high note, I receive more personal mail since blogging. So thank you to anyone that has sent something to me via the post. Know that you have made Miss Liss smile.
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Does anyone pen letters on beautiful stationary any more? Leave a comment and tell me a story about something nice you sent or received in the post.
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I was thinking of running a letter exchange program but haven’t quiet thought of all the logistic yet. (Forgive me, as my brain doesn’t function too well at a quarter to midnight.) Would anyone be interested in swapping letters? ....... with a little twist, of course

Oh boy …. You’ve come a long way.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Going Somewhere?

Most changes happen subtlety, often we don’t notice the change happening until the differences are large enough to been seen. I liken it to needing a haircut, you look in the mirror every morning and you are happy with the way your hair sits and then one morning you wake up and hate it, desperately needing a visit to the hairdressers. Then you start to think how did this happen how did my hair grow so quick. In reality your hair has been growing since your last hair cut. It was happening slowly, millimetre by millimetre each day.

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This is what it is like with both my children’s language progression. It happens ever so slowly. You don’t see any change and then one day it dawns on you just how much has changed in 6 months and just how far they have come.

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Callum has made really good progress in his first 6 months of school. He is one of eight children in his class and his curriculum is based solely on his needs. I am very happy knowing that the school I chose for him was the right choice. Even if progression is slow it is happening.

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Doctor’s and specialist can’t tell me where or when his development will end but I know that he won’t be going to University or becoming a lawyer or doctor. This is not important to me anyway, even if I had a gifted child. I am not the kind of mother to push my wants and desires onto my children. They have their own dreams and they should follow them and be what ever it is they want to be when they grow up.

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As long as Callum continues to develop, learn life and social skills, develops his oral language to be understood then I am happy and proud. It requires a lot of hard work for a child that has learning difficulties or disability to achieve where as it requires little work for a gifted child to achieve, they are lucky as it come naturally and easy to them. My kids put in so much effort for school and still finish below average. Yet I have all the confidence in the world that they will do all right as Adults because their disabilities have taught DETERMINATION. The single most important ingredient one needs to achieve personal goals and happiness in life.

Never underestimate the power of Determination.

(Cal 12 months old - fed by his Aunty Corky. Look at the mess she made!!)

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Callum first semester school report was over 10 pages long. I’ve pick out a few things that I was proud of and thought cute. To show you where my six and half year old boy is at.

  • Callum can identify his own name, however struggles identifying the names of his peers.
  • He can recognise most letters in the alphabet.

  • He can convey messages using pictures and despite some difficulty being understood he persists.
  • He is using social language at school he will say Hi, bye, please and thank you to familiar people

  • He can count to 10 but needs prompting at number 6.

  • He is becoming more consistent when naming shapes and colours correctly.

  • He needs reminding to use the word “STOP” if someone is bothering him. (he tends to growl at people instead).

  • He enjoys social interaction with his peers.

  • He has taken on school values and responsibilities. He seldom forgets his water bottle and packs his own bag.

  • He always gives 100% to any task.

  • In home craft, Callum is slicing fruit, pouring and spreading with assistance. He can put his plate on the sink with prompting.

  • In Traffic Ed, Callum can point to the brake lever on bike but is not able to use it.

  • He needs reminding to ride in the left lane.
  • He can recognise the stop and go traffic signals but needs reminding to obey them.

  • He is persisting with learning to use scissors.
  • He is getting better at playing percussion instruments.

  • He particularly likes completing jigsaws on the computer and playing Shrek.

The Votes have been counted - Giveaway Winners

Thank you to every one that entered or voted in my giveaway.
The votes were tallied and placed in the finest bowl I could find. The official judges were standing on the sidelines ensuring everything was above board and official.
So with out further ado the winner of my giveaway Recipe Book is ………..
You guessed it Berta thanks to the vote by Jay and Gwen.
Since the winner is of no surprise to anyone I decided to create a second and third place mini price of a 4 x 6 inch fridge magnet recipe card.
So under the judges watchful eyes I draw another name out of the bowl and you guessed it ….Berta’s name came out again but as she already has a copy of all the recipes. We stuck our hand back in the blow and the following 2 people will receive a fridge magnet recipe card..

Jo & Gina Maria.

All winners please email me your address details and I will forward you gifts.

Once again thanks to everyone that participated.

Why my Soul Sings

Sunday, June 14, 2009

It felt like every one I knew was writing a list of things that makes their soul sing inspired by Christina from Soul Aperture’s. I couldn’t be left out as I thought it was such a lovely idea, so here’s my list.

*****

Blogging friends that send you gifts way beyond your expectations. (Thanks Graham – I was overwhelmed when the parcel rocked up on my doorstep – considering it was only meant to be a fridge magnet inside)

IMG_5913 resize

Real world friends that give you gifts for just doing things friends do for each other. (Thanks Naomi, I love my gift and all I did was cook and take photos for your party)

IMG_5912resize

The flowers in my garden that grow with very little water.

IMG_5352-1resize

The peace that is bestowed upon my house once my children are tucked up in bed.

mikaela sleep resize

For the things I have that other want and want so dearly. (Jo - this pic is for you. I wish I could send it to you)

IMG_1289 resize

The beauty of the landscape and the wide open spaces that exist where I live.

(This is the Petrified Forrest located at Cape Bridgewater Victoria)

Petrified Forest

Warm soup on a cold day

Winter Warmer

My not available sign. It really does work. I stick this on anything I don’t want Callum to have at a particular time. He knows he either has to find something else or wait until that object becomes available again. It really has reduced tantrums as the visual queue helps him understand. This sign doesn’t mean No it just means not now. IMG_5012 RESIZE

Chocolate, lots of chocolate

Never to sweet

One Early Confession and a Goodbye.

Thursday, June 11, 2009
I’m confessing on Thursday this week due to a day off work.
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I love free time. I don’t get enough of it. I often waste it by doing nothing.
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I couldn’t afford not to work, as I would spend all my time shopping and spending money.
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I think my friend and I look hot in this shot. She has been a friend since primary school and married my cousin. That makes us family now. That makes me happy

friends since the 70's

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My ironing basket is full and has been sitting on the washing machine for the past week.
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I glad my smashed up car is at the repair shop and not sitting in my garage anymore.
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I am now driving a zippy little hire car and find myself wanting a new car more than ever. I’ve been spending time googling car sale web sites. A girl can dream, can’t she?
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I really want to join in and play Christina of Soul Aperture’s game. Maybe over the weekend. It seems like everyone else is playing. I think I should too.
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I need a haircut and colour. My last cut was December 18th 2008. This means I am desperate. Maybe over the weekend.
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My previous blog post was not ploy for gaining sympathy or getting fellow bloggers to post about my giveaway. If I had wanted that I would have created a button/badge for you all to post on your sites. I am not a person that asks others to do things for me. I don’t even ask my family to help me. This is because I believe if someone wants to do something they will and people doing things out of guilt is not what I want. I was just stating my observations.
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I am sad to say farewell to Loch Ard at Loch Ard Gorge. This structure fell down today and all that is left is 2 pillars. This structure is apart of the 12 Apostles and is a major tourist attraction in my state. Erosion has sealed it fate.
I took this shot May 2008, while on a farm stay holiday with the kids.

Loch Ard Gorge

Can anyone hear me?

This photo reads: How far can you whisper? Ask someone to listen at the other dish while you speak into the ring facing the dish.

Can any one hear me?

*****

How cool is Berta. I’m starting to think she is clearly the deserving winner of my giveaway?. Should I just hand over the recipe book to her now? There is another part of me however that would like to see the competition evened out a little. I don’t like going to Footy and seeing a one sided match (who am I kidding – I don’t even got to the footy) but you know what I mean.

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I worked hard to make that book. I cooked everything in it so it could be photographed. It’s extremely possible I gained 3 kilos from doing so.

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I thought some of my regular readers that aren’t following me and didn’t want start following me or were not interested in winning a recipe book might have used their powers to vote for others playing.
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Remember this giveaway is open to all who are following me. I don’t have that many of you and yet only half have decided to enter so far.
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There are only 3 simple RULES and the third rule is optional. 1. Follow me. 2. Leave a comment here at the Giveaway Announced Post. 3. Gain an extra entry of every person that votes for you.
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I thought I created a fantastic giveaway. It was personal, different, and a quality product. I don’t understand why this giveaway seems to have been met with the halfhearted interest that it has??
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I like to thank the 12 people who have taken part in my giveaway so far.
There is still time if you want to play.

Confessions of my alter ego.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Today I am meant to be in confession. My blogging buddy Polly confesses every Friday and I thought it was high time I did so too. I was on the way there and you wouldn’t believe what happened. Oh and trust me, this could only happen to me. I am now left wishing I could be like Cher and “Turn Back Time”.

I'm Livin in the 70's

I’m on way to confession but I need to buy strawberries. The previous supermarkets I had stopped at that day had none. This store was my last hope. Strawberries are not the most important ingredients in a Punch but they sure do taste nice when soaked in all that alcohol and therefore important enough to stop and try one last place. I thought I was in luck as the store had strawberries in stock even though they were $6 a small punnet!!! Not so good when payday is still 2 weeks away and you only have $100 in your bank account but ah what the heck, I bought them anyway (remember they taste good in alcohol, and I have a visa card I can live off for a week if I need).

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Now quick I must get myself to confession. I hop in my car and I am about to reverse out of my parking spot but I see a blue car coming down the aisle towards me and I stop and wait for him to pass, but for some reason he stops. Then I hear and feel a big bang!! Oh yeah some dude on the opposite side of the aisle decided to reverse out. He almost hits the blue car and then crashes into me. Oh, Then to my amazement and to everyone else watching the Dude just drives off. A few witnesses and I get his number plate. I hear you all say, well that’s good you have witness and you have his number plate what more do you need. I know the insurance companies aren’t satisfied with this information so I go to the Police, because it is a crime to leave the scene of an accident. The extremely nice constable follows up on my issue but when he does a search on the number plate that I and 2 other witness wrote down it does not belong to a white Honda hatch or sedan that hit me, nor has the number plate been reported as stolen? How can 3 people get the same number plate and it be wrong.

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That just leave my fate in what magic that MR Nice Constable can weave tomorrow. If we can’t find the Dude then I am left to pay for the damages on my car and hire a car of the week or most probably 2 weeks that my car is in the repair shop for.

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Did I ever tell you my car is jinxed . This year alone I have had 2 people rear end me and spend $2000 on a faulty thermostat, blown head gasket and a cracked head. This is the 5th time someone has hit my car in 4 years. It’s beyond a joke now seriously.

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And so I finally confess, tomorrow night I am going to be a Disco Diva at my friends 60’s & 70’s Themed 40th Bbirthday Party. I am going to drink lots of my punch to drown my sorrows and Shake my grove thing on the Dance floor. So Please forgive me if on Sunday I leave comment on your blog that makes no sense at all, as the effect alcohol may not have worn off yet.

Giveaway Announced!

Thursday, June 4, 2009
It’s time to raise the curtain on the mystery of my giveaway. I am please to announce that I have combined my to favourite hobbies of photography and cooking to make a Recipe Book.

my cook book

This book contains 10 of my favourite treats to cook family and friends for special occasions. I apologise here and now for those of you that are on a health kick as this is not the book you want to be reading. To make this book I had to cook most of the recipes in it. Trust me when I say I don’t think my jeans are thanking me now.

My first blurb book

The book is a small soft covered book printed by Blurb.com. I think their prices, online software and printing make them a good option to consider if you are planning to make a photo book yourself. Check them out here.
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RULES OF THE GIVEWAY
These are pretty simple.
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1. Just leave a comment on this post so I know you’re interested.
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2. Be currently following my blog or sign up to follow me by the 19th June and you will be in the draw for this cute and yummy recipe book.
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3. Wild Card Chance: People who are not following my blog can vote for you!! All you have to do is get them to leave a comment at this post saying “I Vote for …..” Then I will tally up the number of votes each person has. Every vote you get gives you an extra entry into the draw.
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4. I will be drawing a name out of a hat on the 20th June. So stay tunned until I announce the winner. You never know it could be you.

Who Pulled the Plug - Monthly Photo Challenge.

Sunday, May 31, 2009
Graham’s monthly photo challenge .... is it that time already. Subject was “Outdoors”. This gave me the idea to show you the lack of water we have in my home state of Victoria.
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This photo shows the water level is currently sitting at 10cm’s, just enough to wet your ankles

where the water use to be

While Queensland and northern New South Wales have been hit by floods again, rain eludes my home state of Victoria. If the weather report says it’s raining it not, the odds of rain are so low it is pointless owning an umbrella anymore. If it does rain, then it is usually at night and just a drizzle. I wake up in the morning and the deck is wet. I struggle to remember the last thunder storm. The sounds of the rain beating down on the roof of the house while safely tucked in bed. We desperately need good and constant rain yet the Gods somehow keep missing the mark by a few thousand km’s, dumping our share in Queensland. I am sure my banana bending (Queenslander’s) friends are just as unimpressed as we are with the God’s lack of aim. Who pulled the plug

Last weekend we went for a short drive to the lovely little town of Malmsbury. There is a nice park and a lake where we can feed the ducks. The lake is totally dry now and this visit allowed us to walk accross the lake. I'm assuming the lakes water is fed or at least topped up by the Reservoir catchment located just behind the park and bridge. Upon some googling I discovered that Malmsbury Reservoir is only 5% full. In past years travelling through the area in Autumn we have seen magnificent foliage colours. Out here and back in the city the glow of autumn seems to be disappearing. The colours have become less and less vivid as each autumn passes. (I wonder if that is a true statement, have other people noticed this or do I just have unrealistic shade of autumn colours stored in my brain.) dired up

Now lets get that desalination plant built. I am happy to drink recycled water to improve sustainability. lake bed

(I think someone forgot to inform the weeds we are in the middle of a drought)

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Melbourne has been on 3A water restrictions since September 2007. This means :

We can not water lawns at any time.

We can only water gardens on designated days of the week between 6am – 8am only with garden hose or buckets.

Can not wash cars at home

We also have a target 155 scheme. The scheme encourages the use of 155 litres of water or less a day per person. (This is about the amount of 15 buckets of water). After checking my water rates. I am happy to announce we are using on average 90 litres a day.

An Award and a Giveaway!!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Polly, I have no zucchini slice left. Will these biscuits and a pot of tea do?

Melting Moments

I got another award. I feel a little bad as I received this award last month. It totally slipped my mind until the other day. Even though the cute little icon picture is saved with all my photos. I am going to treasure this award as my friend POLLY gave it to me. I love going to her blog and she has a new confessional concept where every most Fridays she confesses for the week. Polly is a beautiful writer and I can only dream to be able to write as eloquently as her. More importantly my blog friendship with her has grown and I really enjoy what she brings to the blogging world.

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I must tell you why I enjoy blogging. For me it started out as a tool to improve and challenge my photography. I am not sure why I decided to start because I had not yet grasped the concept of making on line friends. I am also very conscious of my writing, my spelling and typing errors. Trying to write very little, while trying to say a lot is not that easy. As I started to make friends I started to lose a little of myself conscious regarding my writing and style.

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Discovering online friends has been a real bonus for me and my blog has slowly changed from a place to display my photos to a place of home. A place that I can tell my friends how I feel or what we have been doing. It’s no longer about my photography. All my photos really do now is provides you guys some visual prompts to help my average writing skills.

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Here are the rules for this award: Neno's award is given to those who love blogging & love to encourage friendships through blogging. It also seeks to know the reasons why the person being awarded loves blogging. Neno's award is rules are as follows:1. Collect the award by saving the badge & posting it on your blog 2. Write a blog post about the Neno's award - tell everyone what it's about, who awarded it to you, and also tell everyone why you love blogging 3. Pass the award on to as many bloggers as you like by naming them in your post & linking back to their blogs 4. Let those bloggers know that they have been awarded.

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I am passing this award onto one of my oldest blogging friends. Not oldest in her age, she not quite 100 yet :). Maybe I should have used the word longest blogging friends. The Mind Of A Mom this one is for you, for making me laugh and all your support.

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GIVEAWAY NEWS

I would like to thank all my regular readers. None of you are obligated to stop by, yet you do and you come back. Thank you, for taking the time to visit me. You could be spending the time visiting absolutely anyone any where in the world and you have chosen me. That in it’s self means so much.

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So I am having a GIVE AWAY!!!!!, and no ordinary give away it’s a great prize because it is nearing my 150th post and after receiving this award I see it fitting to announce it.

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I would like to reward the people who enjoy visiting me. I have spent a lot of time, effort and a bit of money too, on preparing this give away. Therefore it is only open to the people who follow my blog. If you like my blog but are not currently following then get signed up to be in the draw.

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I will announce more details later. I’m keeping you all in suspense…..I know, but we are still in the organising process.

The Angry Ninja

Sunday, May 17, 2009
A tip for anyone shooting portraits. Always treat your models nicely, apparently they are more likely to co-operate with you if your nice and friendly. Today, I did the total opposite as the boy was not co-operating, the bribes we not working so it was time to get tough. The voice grew louder the tone grew deeper, directions more blunt. “Smile, I said SMILE!”
Do you think it worked?

Angry Ninja Turtle

Oh, totally jinxed the boy too. He coped a black eye at school last Monday by bumping heads with another boy in the playground. It wasn’t that bad until we went to soccer practice on Wednesday and he got knocked to the ground in a training drill. I never expect him to be bruise free for too long. But as Fate would have it, School Photos are this week. A teethless smile and a black eye could make for a funny shot.

Ninja Turtle

I’ve been mucking around with window light today. I have to produce a printed collection of window light photos to present at my Clubs annual photography course. So I’ve been going back though my archive and shooting these shots today to show the different effect you can get with window light.

Mikaela vintage style

I am also mucking around with some vintage looks for some up and coming stuff that I will be doing.