nespresso - have we told you how much we love our nespresso?

Just because we love our Nespresso so much we just made a film with George Clooney and John Malkovich... watch below...

Diabetes and Wine

With a diabetic relative in the family, we have been interested in learning about what treats at this time of the year are more suitable than others... if you are interested as well, then you may like to read the following article by Stephen Reiss on diabetes on wine...

http://blog.wineeducation.com/2007/03/diabetes-and-wine.html

Your home is the place...

"Your home is the place to caress your senses with beauty and fill your mind with inspiration." Thomas Kincade

"Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves." Eric Sevareid

Looking for hand made inspiration this Christmas?

I just found a gorgeous blog run by Sara Lechner in Austria.  The image above is Sara's work.  If you love handmade wonderful items like this, you might like to visit too... http://thefabricofmeditation.blogspot.com/

Quick trip to Hawaii

Fancy a quick trip to Hawaii? But can't leave home at present?

http://mauli-ola.blogspot.com/

Visit Diane Repp's Mauli-Ola Blog
Diane is a wonderful photographer and you will see some gorgeous sites...

Aloha Diane, from Australia.

Christmas the holiday season?

In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!' Dave Barry, "Christmas Shopping: A Survivor's Guide"

Christmas Mandala to colour - peace begins with me

Peace begins with me -

Christmas Mandala to colour

Christmas Mandala from Milliande.com - click Here This is my favourite one...

It is quite wonderful to simply get out the coloured pencils, and colour in. Get a cuppa, put on some music and let yourself be creative.

god grant me

God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's me.

Author Unknown

love one another and you will be happy

Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that. Michael Leunig

trying to change the world

"Since the beginning of time, people have been trying to change the world so that they can be happy. This hasn’t ever worked, because it approaches the problem backward. What The Work gives us is a way to change the projector—mind—rather than the projected. It’s like when there’s a piece of lint on a projector’s lens. We think there’s a flaw on the screen, and we try to change this person and that person, whomever the flaw appears on next. But it’s futile to try to change the projected images. Once we realize where the lint is, we can clear the lens itself. This is the end of suffering, and the beginning of a little joy in paradise."
Byron Katie

be who you are

'Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind'. Dr. Seuss

a lift to outer space

When I was a kid my favourite fantasy was to travel into outerspace - still is really - minus some of the scary images we've been fed on TV.  But I love this story that has been released about a lift into outer space - have you heard about it?  It is called a space elevator...

click here to learn more atLift Port
COUNTDOWN TO LIFT: October 27, 2031

Hhmmm should I invest? I know I didn't when I had the chance with Microsoft, and Google.

let us be grateful

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy,

they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. Marcel Proust

getting even

The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you. John E. Southard

Grace

A couple of days ago I placed a link to Cheryl Richardson's site, after reading one of her newsletters in my email. Then yesterday, I was in The Salvos second hand store browsing through the book section, and there in front of me was one of her books on Grace - hmmm I thought, hang on I was just talking about Cheryl in my blog... so I bought the book and last night as I was reading it, she mentions exactly these types of happenings, one thing leading to another, and being directed by Grace. Have you ever had things like that happen to you? I am sure you have, perhaps you call it a different name - coincidence, focus?

Anyway - in the book Cheryl mentions a website called My Inner World I've just been visiting there - what a wonderful site. It is so uplifting and informative and just delightful - it made my day.

life preserver

I loved this newsletter from Cheryl Richardson today... if you would like to receive the newsletter click here
I've just finished teaching our Movers & Shakers workshop in Toronto and wanted to send a brief newsletter that shared a simple, yet powerful message.

Last week I had dinner with good friends, some of who are dealing with difficult life situations. During our conversation, one friend going through a tough divorce said, "I have this handwritten note in my wallet that says 'You're the best uncle in the world!' It came from my six-year-old niece who wrote it while visiting last year. There are times when it literally gets me through the day."

Upon hearing this, another friend shared, "Ever since finding out that my dad is seriously ill and may not be long for this world, every day is heartbreaking. Sometimes a smile from a stranger is the life preserver I need to prevent me from drowning in the pain."

Tiny gestures. Unexpected moments of connection. Simple messages that pierce the heart. These are the things that often touch us in profound ways - ways the gift-giver may never realize.

On this anniversary of 9/11, I still remember feeling deeply loved by a woman on a train who held my gaze as I cried during a minute of silence honoring those who lost their lives. Feeling embarrassed, yet unable to contain my feelings, her look said, "Don't worry. Let them flow. I'm right here with you." She never broke my gaze until the period of silence was complete. And I'll never forget her.

Something that seems so inconsequential may literally save someone's emotional life. How simple. How lovely. How easy to forget. Please take this week's challenge to remember...

installation floating bowls

I was just visiting Alicia Tormey's Blog and was fascinated with the you tube video of the bowls shown here...

Remembering Sept 11 - forgiving is love's toughest work

"Forgiving is love's toughest work, and love's biggest risk. If you twist it into something it was never meant to be, it can make you a doormat or an insufferable manipulator. Forgiving seems almost unnatural. Our sense of fairness tells us people should pay for the wrong they do. But forgiving is love's power to break nature's rule." Lewis B. Smedes

Suicide Prevention Day - Sept 10 - 2010

It is Suicide Prevention day today. Did you know that we are losing 6 people a day to suicide? The rate is higher than our death rate to car accidents. As many as 150 people each day try to take their lives. We need to talk about this, and we need to know more about it, to help one another.

After a successful launch in 2003, World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is now held every year on 10 September around the world. On this day, numerous events, conferences, campaigns and local activities call to public attention one of the world’s largest causes of premature and unnecessary death – suicide.

The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), calls upon governments, government agencies, NGOs, international and national associations, local communities, clinicians, researchers and volunteers to be involved in the organisation of WSPD activities.

It is often asked, how can we best connect with each other in a world that appears so disconnected? We strongly believe that if our communities work together, through sharing information, expertise and time, we can do a great deal to help those who are in need, and vulnerable to suicide.

We believe that through a combined effort at an international and local level, a difference to the lives of many will be made. The aim of these activities is to promote increased awareness about the problem of suicide and the many ways in which we can work to reduce suicide rates and the incidence of suicidal behaviours.

This years theme is: Many Faces, Many Places: Suicide Prevention Around the World.  From WSPD - click here

Signs of someone considering suicide:
Friends are often the first ones to know if a person is threatening suicide, more so than Dr's or health professionals. Just listening to a friend can be of so much support and help them get help.  Signs can include; change in behaviour - not mixing like they used to staying at home, not joining in, or the opposite - acting aggressively and fighting a lot, difficulty sleeping, or sleeping a lot, mentioning thoughts of suicide, talking about death, suggesting that things would be better off without them, feeling depressed, sad, changes in weight, feeling like no one cares, giving away possessions. 

A friend who called me was talking about her life and an affair she had been having with my ex, and as she was about to finish the conversation, said to me on the phone: "you wouldn't bother coming around here if you knew what I had done".  That was all that was said and then she hung up.  I quickly got into the car, and I went around to her place, she had taken a bottle of sleeping tablets, and was unconscious on the lounge.  Her baby in it's bedroom, drugged as well.  I am so thankful that I went there that day.  I called for an ambulance straight away and they were able to save her life. 

If you have been affected by suicide or know someone that you think is at risk, click on one of the links below. 

IASP information click here
Wesley Mission click here to write a message on the Remembrance Wall
Suicide Prevention Australia Links Page

World day of prayer 2010 - Sept 9

From: World Day of Prayer

World Day of Peace Prayer Flags

Together we can transform the world.  Living in the Flow - Thursday, September 9, 2010


Did you know that there is an everlasting Source within all of us? It is the only place from which lasting love, peace, harmony and joy can emerge, and when we unite in prayer, we become expressions of God flowing forth into the world. Seventeen years ago, Unity created World Day of Prayer—held the second Thursday in September—as a global effort to uplift ourselves … our loved ones … our world in a shared prayer consciousness. Since that time , more than 15 million people have received prayer support through this sacred initiative.
click here to find out more 

Truth wears no mask

"Truth wears no mask, Bows at no human shrine, Seeks neither place nor applause, She only asks a hearing." Dr Carl Wickland

Sept 18 you're invited - jewellery party

Mid Coast Care supports the women's refuge in Port Macquarie - here's an invite for the girls

If you love jewellery and accessories, mark Saturday 18th September in your diary.  At Mid Coast Care - 3 Milton Circuit - a time to catch up with the girls.  Have a cuppa from MCC cafe. It will be a lovely sunny afternoon of friends, cuppa's AND 'yum jewellery' - hmmmmm doesn't it sound excellent.  See you there RSVP would be handy and helpful by Thursday16th Sep Bring the daughters, the sisters, the girl friends and the ladies in your life.

You cannot be lonely

You cannot be lonely if you like the person you're alone with. 

Wayne W. Dyer

never be bullied into silence

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself. 

 Harvey Fierstein

cherish the friend who tells you a harsh truth

Cherish the friend who tells you a harsh truth, wanting ten times more to tell you a loving lie.  Robert Brault

Many a true word is spoken in jest.

"Anything you want to ask a teacher, ask yourself,
and wait for the answer in silence."

~Byron Katie 

IF A DOG WERE YOUR TEACHER .....

• You would learn stuff like this:
• When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
• Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
• Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
• When it's in your best interest - practice obedience.
• Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
• Take naps and stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily.
• Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
• Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do.
• On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
• On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.
• When you're happy, dance around and wiggle your entire body.
• No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout - run right back and make friends.
• Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
•  Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
•  Stop when you have had enough. Be loyal.
• Never pretend to be something you're not.
• If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
• When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Author Unknown

The Blind Side

Looking for a lovely video to uplift and inspire you?
Get out The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock

BLONDE COOKING DIARY

Monday: It's fun to cook for Kevin.  Today I made angel food cake. The recipe said beat 12 eggs separately.  The neighbours were nice enough to loan me extra bowls.

Tuesday: Kevin wanted fruit salad for supper.  The recipe said serve without dressing. So I didn't dress.  What a surprise when Kevin brought a friend home for supper.

Wednesday: A good day for rice. The recipe said wash thoroughly before steaming the rice. It seemed kind of silly but I took a bath anyway. I can't say it improved the rice any.

Thursday: Today Kevin asked for salad again. I tried a new recipe.  It said prepare ingredients, lay on a bed of lettuce one hour before serving. Kevin asked me why I was rolling around in the garden.

Friday: I found an easy recipe for cookies. It said put the ingredients in a bowl and beat it. There must have been something wrong with this recipe. When I got back, everything was the same as when I left it.

Saturday: Kevin did the shopping today and brought home a chicken.  He asked me to dress it for Sunday. For some reason Kevin keeps counting to ten.

Sunday: Kev's folks came to dinner. I wanted to serve roast, but all I had was hamburger. Suddenly I had a flash of genius. I put the hamburger in the oven and set the controls for roast. It still came out hamburger,
much to my disappointment.


GOOD NIGHT DEAR DIARY. This has been a very exciting week. I am eager for tomorrow to come so I can try out a new recipe on Kevin. If I can talk him into buying a bigger oven, I would like to surprise him with chocolate moose.

Sharing

Sharing



Two farmers were discussing politics and the first one says:

"I believe in a share and share alike policy. One where we are all equal."

"Well," replied the other farmer "I'm not sure about that.

What you mean is that if you have two horses you'd give me one?"

"Of course" says the first.

The second farmer continued: "and if you had two cars, you'd

give me one of them too?"  "Absolutely"
"So," says the second farmer, "if you had two pigs then you'd give me one of them?"

"Ah, now hang on a minute" says the first,  "you know I've got two pigs!"

Are you a Tango Addict?

How to tell if you are a Tango Addict... 

I am embarrassed to say, quite a few of these happen to be true. 

You keep a pair of dance shoes in your car.

You wish you paid more attention in high school Spanish class.

You've sold or moved most of your furniture to give yourself practice space.

You make sure you never run out of breath mints.

You no longer freak out at the prospect of leading a boleo.

You travel interstate to tango.

You've had the big tango-fight with your partner - then your friends - then your teacher.

You listen to tango music when you're not at a practica or milonga.

You bring your ankles and knees together all the time, even in the elevator.

You plan the rest of your social life so it doesn't conflict with tango nights.

You own a bootleg copy of Tango Bar.

Your wardrobe is predominantly black.

Ocho is more than just a number.

Your fantasy travel destination is Buenos Aires.

You are unable to schedule major surgery without compromising tango commitments.

You now view the world in terms of people who tango and those unfortunate souls who don't.

You've progressed from the practice hold to full contact tango.

One of the most exciting things in the world is to dance tango with a complete stranger.

You have been known to sing in the ear of your partner while dancing.

You recognize that special glow in the night as another hotbed of tango erupts in the distance.

Your favorite color is tango black.

Friends and family automatically assume that you want tango-related birthday gifts.

You go through withdrawal without at least one tango-high per week.

Your descriptions of tango have shifted from "unbounded enthusiasm" to "you wouldn't understand..."

Your friends are secrectly plotting to kidnap you for a week of serious deprogramming.

You know who Carlos Gardel is.

You've stopped saying sorry when you screw up - you just tango out of the trouble you got into.

You have to work hard to maintain non-tango friendships (if you have any left).

You've been dancing a year and still don't get bored talking tango.

You have developed the ability to turn any conversation to tango within 2 minutes.

You no longer have parties at your house; you host milongas.

When you look in the mirror, you are usually looking at your feet.

Your shopping cart often substitutes as your dance partner.

You've figured out how to find the hidden tango sections in any record store.

Tango never fails to energize, no matter how tired you are.

Before traveling, you check out the net for tango events in that area.

You are willing to spend twice as much time driving to a milonga as you actually dance.

You automatically do something Tango-ish whenever you navigate through a crowd.

Your computer passwords at work are always phrases related to tango.

Your ear has been trained to recognize the tango possibilities in all forms of music.

You remember the place and partner with whom you danced your first real tango.

You bring your own tango CDs to wedding receptions to ensure that your requests will be played.

Tango has diminished, if not ruined, the appeal of every other dance you ever did.

Little else in your life gets done compared to your pre-tango days.

Your passion-index is much higher compared to your pre-tango days.

What pre-tango days?

You regularly shop the local Salvation Army to suppliment your tango wardrobe.

You have been spotted dancing tango in parking lots.

Posters for upcoming tango events are always magnetized to your refrigerator.

You have developed a healthy fear of foot injuries.

Your interest in shoes can easily be mistaken for a fetish.

You dance tango in your mind.

You have to dance. You have to dance.

You seek out stories from those who have danced tango in other countries.

The thought enters your mind that Johnny Cash was aware of tango black long before you.

You have found yourself caught in unusual situations that are best described as a Tango Moment.

You become associated with a signature move.

You have hosted someone from Buenos Aires at your home.

You can't resist dancing a few tango steps whenever you cross a wooden floor

You find that you sandwich feet far more often than shake hands

Whenever you wait in line, you must fight the urge to randomly gancho those around you

You've ditched the teacher who taught you all he knew, moved on to another travelling teacher, so you can pinch his moves and do demonstrations.

You've put your house on the market to support your tango habit

You're reading this to see if you are

Author Unkown

Ready to learn

I am always ready to learn

although I do not always like being taught.

Winston Churchill

Door of Happiness

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens.

But often we look so long at the closed door that

we do not see the one which has been opened before us."
Helen Keller

Walcha Art Gallery

One of Andreas Buisman's Stone Sculptures...

Stone Image from Walcha Art Gallery Click Here

I love it when out of the blue, you just happen to find yourself in the right place at the right time.  I was visiting Walcha for the golden oldies Rugby Union weekend, and as my hubby and I went to dinner, we happened across the opening night for Barbara McKay's Sands of Time exhibition.  The Walcha Gallery is a beautiful space to display art, and the gallery owner Carley is very welcoming.

 While we were there, I discovered that I am totally in love with Andreas Buisman's carvings.  I think I may have to go back and buy one next time we are up that way.  Andreas is a world renowned rock sculptor.

If you happen to be travelling through Walcha, take time to visit Walcha Gallery.

Global Art Peace Project

Prayer Flag by Katherine Josten

Have you seen the Global Art Project? 

If not it is very inspiring... click here to view the site, or watch a video below to learn more.

All things are possible for you.

I received this email today from www.dailyword.com I thought I'd share it here with you today. If you enjoy it, you can receive daily messages from Daily Word Click Here

Photo by Kareen Fellows

Pray for Others
I know that all things are possible, and I give thanks.

Dear one, I am praying for you today. You may be someone I have known for a long time or someone I just met, but regardless, I know you are divine in nature, a beloved creation of a loving God.

As I think of you, I envision perfection in mind, body and spirit. The presence of God within enables you to make wise choices and to heal in every way. God's abundance is in the very essence of your being. I envision you having everything you need to fulfill your hopes and desires.

I pray for you, and I release any need for a particular outcome. I know that all good things are possible for you and the people you care about, and for this, I give thanks.

We always pray for you, asking that our God will ... fulfill by his power every good resolve and work of faith.--2 Thessalonians 1:11

Fear of flying... well really it's fear of crashing isn't it?

If you have a fear of flying, did you know that....

More people are killed by donkeys annually than are killed
in plane crashes.

Are you no longer a Christian if you don't go to church?

"Faith can move mountains, but don't be surprised if God hands you a shovel". Author Unknown

After a conversation with a friend last night, I was left chewing over a comment she had made about whether you are a Christian or not.  She said, that according to study on Holiness and Sanctity that she had just undertaken, you are not a Christian if you don't go to church. 

I felt a quite unsettled, and sad, after the comment, so this morning when it was still bothering me, I meditated on the comment for a while, and decided to go to the source and asked God, 'was that comment I had heard, the truth?'  This is the answer that came to me - after a while.

Any thought of God that does not uplift you - or inspire you, is a lie.

The Path to Fulfillment

People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost. H. Jackson Browne

The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo

It seems as though everywhere I go lately people are talking about The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo... Looks like I'll be going to Amazon again... I really like Amazon to deal with as the books usually arrive really quickly, even though the booksellers are often in some far away place. My last book was an antique one, from the far north of Scotland, and arrived with a lovely note from a bookstore there.

Your Kind Nature by Byron Katie

Hairspray Choreo - You Tube link

Received the link for the Hairspray Choreography today from The Australian Dance Festival...Click here to visit the site.

Well, other than being a whole lot of fun, it means that you can join in a World Record Attempt to raise funds for Father Chris Riley's Youth Off The Streets!!

Not only will you be learning and performing a dance number choreographed by Jason Coleman, but you will also be helping raise funds for Youth Off The Streets. Every dancer and school will register and donate $1 each in order to help those in our charity. Not to mention each school that registers will get one free day pass to the event worth $130 !!!


When: Saturday Morning the 4th of September, 7.30am – 8.30am
Where: Sydney Square (Open space between Sydney Town Hall & St Andrews Cathedral)

The Work - Byron Katie

"I discovered that when I believed my thoughts, I suffered, but that when I didn't believe them, I didn't suffer, and that this is true for every human being. Freedom is as simple as that. I found that suffering is optional. I found a joy within me that has never disappeared, not for a single moment. That joy is in everyone, always." — Byron Katie


You Tube video on Finding kindness and questioning stressful thoughts from 'The Work' by Byron Katie... Click on the arrow above to view video. View more at www.thework.com

Sustainable housing - Woodland House by Simon Dale

How gorgeous is this... have a look at Simon Dale.net

"You are looking at pictures of a house I built for our family in Wales. It was built by myself and my father in law with help from passers by and visiting friends. 4 months after starting we were moved in and cosy. I estimate 1000-1500 man hours and £3000 put in to this point. Not really so much in house buying terms (roughly £60/sq m excluding labour)." 

From Simon Dale.net - lots more wonderful inspiring pictures to see there.

It reminded me of one of the gorgeous

Hobbit houses on Lord of the Rings. 

Tiny House Get Away

Picture from: Tiny House Blog

I'd love to sit in this getaway tree-house, what I love about Tiny House Blog is that they show all sorts of homes that although they are TINY they give you a gorgeous home for not a lot of money, and it's all yours.

Oh for a Fabian Perez Art Work

Just sitting here, dreaming of owning an original Fabian Perez artwork.

I saw a print of the image above in a gallery in the Gold Coast... there are some wonderful Tango artworks as well as gorgeous scenes set in Buenos Aires at...  Fabian Perez.com

So talented and gorgeous as well.

Found... my discarded art... in an antique shop. QUE the?

Good grief, I just saw a piece of my own discarded art ceramic in an Antique Shop.  ECCCH.  An Antique Shop.  I know I'm growing older by the day but hey, an antique shop!  And they had a lot of money on it - so this is a memo to myself...

Stop discarding your artwork.

This particular Antique Shop seems to have a few funny little coincidences for me.  A friend gave me a candle holder years ago for a birthday present, and he could only afford to buy one.  I wanted to buy another to match it for a table setting.  I had never seen them anywhere, and then one night I had a dream that I was talking to my Aunty Harlein who passed away many years ago.  In the dream, she told me that I could find it in the Antique Shop. 

A few days later I was driving past the shop, and low and behold, it was in their window. 

This Antique Shop would make a great film set, I imagine that you could disappear into another dimension in there.  It's one of those places where you just wouldn't be surprised if a goblin jumped out in front of you.

The World's Largest Number of Dancers Doing a Hairspray Choreography

We just received this email this morning... here's a copy below... if you are a dancer in Sydney, or can get to Sydney, think about joining in.


The Australian Dance Festival has some exciting news! We are making a World Record Attempt in order to raise funds for Father Chris Riley's Youth Off The Streets!! As Jason Coleman is the Patron of the Australian Dance Festival, and also choreographer for the upcoming "Hairspray, The Musical", it's only fitting that the world record should be "The World's Largest Number of Dancers Doing a Hairspray Choreography", led by Jason Coleman himself!Not only will you be learning and performing a dance number choreographed by Jason Coleman, but you will also be helping us raise funds for Youth Off The Streets. Every dancer and school will register and donate $1 each in order to help those in our charity.


Not to mention each school that registers will get one free day pass to the event worth $130 !!!
When: Saturday Morning the 4th of September, 7.30am – 8.30am


Where: Sydney Square (Open space between Sydney Town Hall & St Andrews Cathedral)


If you're an individual, please register on-line: What's involved:






Click Here For Step One




Step 2: Learn the Hairspray Choreography by Jason Coleman via YouTube (we will be filming Jason on Thursday 29th July, and the video will be uploaded by Monday 2nd August)


Step 3: Show up at Sydney Square at 7.30am on Saturday 4th September. Registration will take place between 7.30am - 8.30am. The registration process involves us ticking off your name, and collecting your $1 donation for Youth Off The Streets. We are expecting large numbers, so please come early.


Step 4: Jason will lead some practice runs of the choreography from 8.30am.


Step 5: At 8.45am SHARP we will attempt our world record.

Having a five minute fantasy trip to Le Vieux Couvent in France

Picture from Le Vieux Couvent Blog

I have just been having a lovely artist fantasy trip around the Le Vieux Couvent in the south west of France... "Come to our setting in rural southwest France and create a memory. We offer a range of artistic holidays, or you can choose to just be independently indolent (with an occasional gourmet meal al fresco)." 

How good does that sound?  Ah yes... that's definitely one for my vision board. 

Love this artwork... Prosperity Painting by Angelina Marino

The Difference Between Men and Women...

Found on... Designing Your Dream Home Blog

The Difference between Men and Women

Let’s say a guy named William is attracted to a woman named Julie. He asks her out to a movie; she accepts; they have a pretty good time. A few nights later he asked her out to dinner, and again they enjoy themselves. They continue to see each other regularly and after awhile neither one is seeing anybody else. And then, one evening when they’re driving home, a thought occurs to Julie and without really thinking, she says out loud: “Do you realize that as of tonight, we’ve been seeing each other exactly for six months?”

And then there is silence in the car.

To Julie, it seems like a very loud silence. She thinks to herself: “Geez, I wonder if it bothers him that I said that. Maybe he’s been feeling confined by our relationship; maybe he thinks I’m trying to push into some kind of commitment that he doesn’t want, or isn’t sure of it.

And William is thinking: Gosh, six months.

And Julie is thinking: But hey, I’m not sure I want this kind of relationship either. Sometimes I wish I had a little more space so I’d have time to think about whether I really want to us to keep going the way we are, moving steadily toward…I mean, where are we going? Are we just going to keep seeing each other at this level of intimacy? Are we heading toward marriage? Toward children? Do I really know this person?

And William is thinking: …so that means it was… let’s see… February when we started going out, which was right after I had the car at the dealer’s which means…lemme check the odometer…whoa! I am overdue for an oil change here.

 And Julie is thinking: He’s upset. I can see it on his face. Maybe I ‘m reading this completely wrong. Maybe he wants more from our relationship, more intimacy, more commitment, maybe he has sensed-even before I sense it-that I was feeling some reservations. Yes, I bet that’s it. That’s why he’s so reluctant to say anything about his own feelings. He’s afraid of being rejected.


And William is thinking: And I’m gonna have them look at the transmission again. I don’t care what those morons say, it’s still not shifting right. And they better not try to blame it on the cold weather this time. What cold weather? It’s 87 degrees out, and this thing is shifting like a garbage truck, and I paid those incompetent thieves $600.


And Julie is thinking: He’s angry. And I don’t blame him. I’d be angry, too. I feel so guilty, putting him through this, but I can’t help the way I feel. I’m just not sure.


And William is thinking: They’ll probably say it’s only a 90-day warranty…scumballs.


And Julie is thinking: Maybe I’m just too idealistic, waiting for a knight to come riding up on his white horse, when I’m sitting next to a perfectly good person, a person I enjoy being with, a person I truly do care about, a person who seems truly to care about me. A person who is in pain because of my self-centered, schoolgirl romantic fantasy.


And William is thinking: Warranty? They want a warranty? I’ll give them a warranty. I’ll take their warranty and ….


“William,” Julie says out loud.


“What?” says William, startled.


“Please don’t torture yourself like this,” says Julie, her eyes beginning to brim with tears. “Maybe I should never have… Oh God, I feel so…” as she begins to sob.


“What?” says William.


“I am such a fool,” Julie sobs. “I mean, I know there’s no knight. I really know that. It’s silly. There’s no knight, and there’s no horse.”


“There’s no horse?” says William, wondering what she means.


“You think I’m a fool don’t you? Julie says.


“No!” says William, glad to finally know the correct answer.


“It’s just that… it’s that I… I need some time,” Julie says.


(There is a 15-second pause while William, thinking as fast as he can, tries to come up with a safe response. Finally, he comes up with one that he thinks might work.) “Yes,” he says.


(Julie, deeply moved, touches his hand.) “Oh William, do you really feel that way?” she says.


“What way?” says William.


“That way about time,” says Julie.


“Oh,” says William,. “Yes.”


(Julie turns to face him and gazes deeply into his eyes, causing him to become very nervous about what she might say next, especially if it involves a white horse. At last she speaks.) “Thank you, William,” she says.


Then, he takes her home and she lies on her bed, a conflicted, tortured soul and weeps until dawn whereas when William gets back to his place, he opens a bag of Doritos, turns on the TV and immediately becomes deeply involved in a rerun of a tennis match. A tiny voice in the far recesses of his mind tells him that something major was going on back there in the car but he is pretty sure there is no way he would ever understand what so he figures he is better off if he doesn’t even think about it.


The next day Julie will call her closest friend, or perhaps two of them, and they will talk about this situation for six straight hours in painstaking detail. They will analyze everything she said and everything he said, going over it time and time again, exploring every word, and possible ramification. They will continue to discuss this subject, off and on, for weeks and maybe even months never reaching any definite conclusions, but never getting bored with it either.


Meanwhile, William, while playing racquetball one day with a mutual friend of his and Julie’s, will pause just before serving, frown, and say: “Norm, did Julie ever own a horse?” 

Original writer Unknown

Polynesian Beauty

I love this artwork by Jennifer Cook...

The Last Lecture - Achieving your childhood dreams

I was searching images on Google and came across the following video on  Sheree Rensel's Art Blog...
Professor Randy Pausch gives 'The Last Lecture - achieving your childhood dreams'. 

Have you ever felt as though you have run into a dead end... a brick wall?  Then watch this...

Augustina and Rodrigo dance Tango

How fortunate we were to watch these two amazing young performers in person at The Carrington in The Blue Mountains... here's a snippet of them dancing at White Knights Tango 2010

The Fairmont Resort Leura - our room was complete with bird droppings

The Fairmont Resort in Leura - looky looky what we had outside our room. 

If I had gone online to see what the reviews were prior to travelling, I might have come across this article from The Blue Mountains Gazette on The Tourism Chief's fury at The Fairmont Resort... or even The Sydney Morning Herald's report More than a little bit Fawlty or even anyone of a lot of customer review sites on The Fairmont Resort... such as Trip Advisor  but ahhh... I didn't.  And herein lies the lesson readers. 

So we arrived at The Fairmont Resort gosh it looked nice driving up to it.  And I have to say it is in an absolutely gorgeous spot.  HOWEVER, that was the end of the fantasy weekend.  I thought I had booked my hubby and I into a gorgeous resort.  Silly me.  From booking.com I saw some gorgeous photos of a deluxe room, so like the unaware book buyer who buys a book by it's cover, I booked a room going on the pictures on the site.  I went into the http://www.fairmontresort.com.au/ site to see if the rooms were the same, and sure enough here is a lovely picture of a deluxe room. 

Sadly I have to report not the rooms we were given.  I was absolutely livid.  I think I was spitting chips to put it mildly over the dusty, dirty, stained, disgusting room we were given.  My room on my booking slip from http://www.booking.com/ showed me a deluxe room with King Bed and room for extra people to stay even.  Not that I was interested in others staying with me, but when we checked into the room, to find that 2 single beds had been shoved together, and dust all over the place, water stained lights and pubic hairs in the bath I knew I was in trouble.  We even had a flashing light over our bed when the lights were turned out... a smoke alarm that had been installed directly over the top of the bed.  Try to sleep with that little sucker working busily over you.

 

After much whining and complaining we were moved.  To a superior room... one that had a pigeon infestation outside our window.  The picture above shows some of the bird poop.  A nice addition to a room don't you think?  Picture this, sunrise, the sound of a bird cooing outside, lovely hey?  Now picture another bird or so joining in the cooing... But now picture a LOT of birds cooing outside your window, now picture rats scrambling on the roof as well, then add more pigeons, now loud and starting to squabble with one another, then add some more scratching and scurring sounds.... not so great now... and so now we are well and truly awake

saying to one another...'what the _ _ _ _?'

So the moral to this story is... prior to travel, do yourself a favour, Google reviews on the place you want to go to, and for your wellbeing and health's sake, Google the reports from the local Tourism before you go to stay somewhere.  If I had taken the time to review the reports on The Fairmont Leura, I would have been forwarned, and not gone. 

I give them a ten out of ten died off, brown, decaying, wrinkled frangipani rating.

Tango and Football

As if Tango isn't hard enough to learn as is...

Testing your observation

The Power of Observation
from www.MountainWings.com:

A lecturer teaching medicine was tutoring a class on observation. He took out a jar of yellow-colored liquid. "This", he explained, "is urine. To be a doctor, you have to be observant to color, smell, sight, and taste."


After saying this, he dipped his finger into the jar and put it into his mouth. His class watched on in amazement, most, in disgust. But being the good students that they were, the jar was passed, and one by one, they dipped one finger into the jar and then put it into their mouth.


After the last student was done, the lecturer shook his head: "If any of you had been observant, you would have noticed that I put my second finger into the jar and my third finger into my mouth."

from The Mountain:  Careful observation of the truth will keep you from many distasteful situations.  Forward this issue to a friend or click the Share Link below to Print, Share by Email, Facebook, Blog or many other services:
http://www.mountainwings.com/

 

Your thoughts become your words

"Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors. Keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny." Gandhi

Thinking of our dear little community in Lennox Head

Here's the view from our deck at Lennox Head where we lived and have been longing to return to - we're thinking of you all after the Tornado...

Who'd have thought it possible that this lovely view could have turned so scary.

Hope it won't be too long until we are all gazing over the view together, with sandcastles being built on the beach, wave boards flying along the edge of the water and music drifting from the pub.

Instinct to Heal

Every so often I come across a site that has some wonderful healing techniques for depression... Here is a link to Instinct To Heal.org

Here is a snippet from the book by Dr David Servan-Schreiber...

Celeste's story of how she has used Dr David's technique... "When I’m stressed, I just go into my heart and talk to the little fairy inside. She tells me that everything is going to be fine and sometimes she even tells me what I should say or what I ought to do." I smiled as I listened to her. Wouldn’t we all like to have a little fairy always at our side ?

I would!!

Enchanted Bedroom Art from Better Homes and Gardens

Enchanted Bedroom found at Better Homes and Gardens...

I opened Better Homes and Gardens email today and they have some lovely ideas, this is just one of them... For all you arty mum's and dads or hubby's... what a lovely fantasy room. Not only that but you can recycle your old dresser into something fabulous. 

Hey and if you are short on work and good at this ---> market yourself!!

Leonard Cohen... Dance me to the end of love...

How lucky are we Australia?  Leonard Cohen is here in November 2010...

Declare peace on cupcakes!!

"Make Cupcakes Not War"

Fairy Cupcakes by Kareen
Icing colouring - a spoonful of Beetroot Juice - flavouring - a dash or two of rosewater.

I received an email today from Weight Watchers asking me to Declare Peace on Cupcakes. I think that this could even become a world wide Peace movement.  So today along with Weight Watchers and my old cup cake loving self I say...

PEACE on you delightful little CUPCAKES

Does this mean that May 29 is now officially Cup Cake Peace Day? 

I'll eat to that! 

Join with me cupcake lovers and have thine kitchens runneth over with cupcakes (but remember to give one or two to your neighbour too). 

While we are on the subject of cupcakes... have a look at these gorgeous cupcake pillows... I know a little girl who would love one of these...

Cupcake Pillow Image found on Photobucket Click Here