tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28494277431032055862024-03-19T01:48:37.537-07:00Living In The Land Of Ozsuburban vegetable garden, raised garden beds, backyard DIY projects, family events, travel, jokes, Aspergers, home cooking, glamping, self sustainability, blogging, books, garden workshopsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.comBlogger269125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-45094997686494450292016-02-13T06:03:00.002-08:002016-02-14T16:54:49.955-08:00Hello, Its Me....<span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<b style="color: blue; font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">Hello, Its me</b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I was wondering if after all these months you'd like to read.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>To go over, everything......</b></span><br />
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I should of <span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>had you at Hello</b></span>, but in case i didn't and you've been living on Mars for the last few months with Matt Damon, I've just tweaked the first verse in Adele's single <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQHsXMglC9A">"Hello"</a> and snuck in a line from Jerry McGuire, the movie, and now i feel complete. Ha!<br />
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Its been a while. Miss me? Don't answer that, i might not like the answer. There have, however, been a few comments via various forms of media that maybe, just maybe, some of you might want to hear from me. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I can feel my head filling up with stuff and so its time i starting writing again to let it all out. I've had a few of you asking if I'm OK and the answer is yes, I am. Not sure why i stopped posting. I've walked past the PC in the office many times with its bright shiny screen and it has hauntingly said "come on, you know you want to". But just like my weight loss program (NOT), I've kept on walking, had another cup of coffee with a few biscuits and sat down somewhere out of its view. Mostly, in front of Foxtel. I seem to have disappeared into the ether that is filled with home decorating and cooking competitions, armchair travelled around the globe a few times (you bush people in Alaska are a bit strange), watched documentaries on the most obscure subjects (I'd be great at trivia night) and and........ in short, I've become a </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Couch Potato!</b></span></div>
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Why do they always draw sad faces on couch potatoes. I haven't been unhappy. Guilty? Well yes, i have felt guilty. There is always so much to do at work, in the garden and in the house and its this pending work that has finally dragged me off my couch and finally onto the PC to get some inspiration.<br />
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We are re-decorating our house and with Rob continuing to progress with the flooring, its finally time that I put my two cents in and started painting. This use to be a simple task but not any more. With my new found knowledge of design (courtesy of the Foxtel brigade) I now have so many options that I don't know where to start. I mean, its such a big expense and time commitment that I cant just slap on any ole colour, now can I?. It must be SHA (Selling Houses Australia) and worthy of all the hours I've already wasted watching Shayna turn the hideous and out of date into magazine worthy with the slap of a paint brush. <br />
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In the end I've decided on white! Pause........ <br />
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Yep, all of you out there peeing your pants with laughter that after all this time and effort, headaches and lack of sleep, tossing and turning thinking of colour charts, the end result is white. Not only is it white but I've chosen a shade that is the most popular white in Australia - Antique US White for the walls contrasted that with Vivid White on the wall units, table and other bits and pieces. How's that for imagination and being all out there. <br />
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After doing test patches all over the house, I've doubled the strength of the Antique to give a greater contrast but there it is, essentially it is all just white. <br />
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This is the look i am going for - THIS IS NOT MY HOME! It has surfaces that are uncluttered. <br />
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You can see the the darker floors (similar to our dark bamboo floors) and the contrasting white furniture. All our furniture is stained wood at the moment, so we are looking at doing the same thing and taking the top off the dining table, paint the base and chairs white, and then re-stain the top to match the floors. Like this example, our house is quite dark inside due to having pergolas on both sides. The windows are letting in filtered light rather than direct. So white was the obvious choice. I'm hoping to incorporate a few reflective surfaces (mirrors and shiny things) around the house to bounce the light around as well. A skylight would be nice but probably too expensive. I will however, put a solar tube down the corridor which is like the <a href="http://www.britannica.com/topic/Black-Hole-of-Calcutta">Black Hole of Calcutta</a> (which happens to be the subject of one of the docos i watched).<br />
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Our walls at the moment are a shade of yellow and very 1990's. It was all the rage back then. For the moment we are keeping the stained skirting boards because they match the architraves around the windows and doors. We can paint them Vivid White later if it doesn't work.<br />
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Anyway, that's what has been keeping my mind busy without actually doing anything until now.<br />
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Christmas came and went and the biggest thing that comes to mind is that Doris came to spend the day with us on Boxing Day. So, i hear you think! Doris (my MIL) hasn't been to our home (or any other) in over 10 years. It was great and a surprise for Rob so when he came into the family room and saw his Mum sitting at the table it was very emotional, for all. Thank you so much Doris and thank you also to Glenda for going to get her and kidnapping her for the day. We hope to make this a monthly event. <br />
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We go all out at Christmas, NOT, and our day was taken up with board games (New Melbourne Monopoly) and a competitive game of Chinese Checkers. Rather than have a big roast meal we shared lots of our favourite things to nibble throughout the day which included home-made baked Christmas fair from Veronica (shortbread rounds, fruit cake and mince pies). Glenda, Bell and the kidlets joined us for the day.<br />
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In January, I went to spend a weekend with Doris in Templestowe (while Trev and kids went away) and we busied ourselves getting out and about. We joined friends at <a href="http://beasleysteahouse.com.au/">Beasleys Nursery</a> on the Saturday and then the next day went with Glenda to <a href="http://www.riversofyarrambat.com/">Rivers of Yarrambat</a>. Doris knows that when I'm around, she's got to be on her toes. We have a bucket list to get through. While i was there we actually watched the film. <br />
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You might remember that i was planning a holiday get-a-way for Doris this year. Next weekend Doris, Glenda, my bestie, Kerrie and her friend Helen and I will be driving to Lakes Entrance to stay at a beautiful home overlooking the lakes. The weather is expected to be a mild 24 degrees and i see lots of chatter, reading, laughter, great food and daily outings in our near future. There is also a private pool for us to venture into. Doris has a critical wound on her heal courtesy of poor care in hospital when her hip was fixed and she cant go in. I plan on putting her into a blow up ring and pushing her around. You can just picture it cant you. Bum down and legs akimbo. Its going to be awesome. One 82 year old (with nothing to lose) and 4 X 50 somethings (let off the chain) in one 5 bedroom house. Come 2 am there will be a lot of traffic at the bathrooms. LOL<br />
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The garden has been doing its thing without too much assistance from the resident gardener (she's on the couch with air con remember) and it only goes to prove that it doesn't need too much attention. In fact, my garden is fairly thriving on neglect.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFtQg4cPPSgLtdplK__dBJ5Q1nWSqEVvfLeuUa9-zU1NogPPDnaBdLc01NtNk58-46Au-PNFtz_YLDaE1bBhLaGa3zwfDy1iYRrxZPjM3se1Vb9RDUTeQJracg4JN2-XtEi7beO9ktqo/s1600/Collage+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFtQg4cPPSgLtdplK__dBJ5Q1nWSqEVvfLeuUa9-zU1NogPPDnaBdLc01NtNk58-46Au-PNFtz_YLDaE1bBhLaGa3zwfDy1iYRrxZPjM3se1Vb9RDUTeQJracg4JN2-XtEi7beO9ktqo/s640/Collage+1.jpg" width="555" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See what happens when you do nothing?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I cannot keep up with eating all the toms and cucumbers so the neighbours are doing very well out of the garden this year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Great Wall of Tomatoes has returned and they've gone way past the eaves. I've started hanging wire coat hangers from the guttering so that they are supported. Seriously, they are getting up to 3m high. Remember, I'm neglecting them so pruning them down was out of the question. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The face of neglect - out of control grass (i could make a mint if this was a cash crop) , wild tomato bushes growing everywhere (i mean everywhere) and some awful fleshy weed that is starting to take over my paths. </td></tr>
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It has been a very hot summer this year and I'm very thankful for that bank of solar panels up on my roof that's allowing us to run the air cons during the day. Its been even hotter up home in NSW. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKqlHq_WvnfG48izxFEuyNAp_UcKesdstBHEToGxV-ZZ5NE-HpzsH5OzXFyPTPlh36fvrpsQzkMjxGu1_fqCj6V-6g1cfuEUI0K9Y-vew2oo14Tjj28KbJsd13IvYZKpVzyJ1sNZVgrQ/s1600/IMG_7367%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKqlHq_WvnfG48izxFEuyNAp_UcKesdstBHEToGxV-ZZ5NE-HpzsH5OzXFyPTPlh36fvrpsQzkMjxGu1_fqCj6V-6g1cfuEUI0K9Y-vew2oo14Tjj28KbJsd13IvYZKpVzyJ1sNZVgrQ/s320/IMG_7367%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's been quite a few of these hot ones this summer. </td></tr>
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Given that I'm fair skinned with red hair and zero tolerance for any UV, you can see why I've spent a lot of time inside. On the few days i did try to garden, i could feel the sun burning by 10am. <br />
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When we have managed to get out and about we have tried to get down the coast where it is always a bit cooler. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrqsnwU-96Lfkvjo61pXsO9r5xk-sqA3pZUsMR-i8oMSPLfNhT054PNcdxMn84DJQzr0Wyu0mDcd6g8L8NWnn6UyjlWWQfflhxtfdGJmS39jTdTtuUIIvb34asT20edQIBOwc_7aVNaA/s1600/Collage+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrqsnwU-96Lfkvjo61pXsO9r5xk-sqA3pZUsMR-i8oMSPLfNhT054PNcdxMn84DJQzr0Wyu0mDcd6g8L8NWnn6UyjlWWQfflhxtfdGJmS39jTdTtuUIIvb34asT20edQIBOwc_7aVNaA/s640/Collage+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It really is so beautiful down in Port Lonsdale. There are sandy beaches that go for miles further down the coast but i like the rock formations. On this day we got to see two ships pass through the rip at the opening of the bay. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFbbHr-tyUC6siMiW-S8Bz-tatK62mGZREnpZIbfkzrFHriuCnZwE6h3bhTy38Dym9Bw0EZMy0-6HEmLvr538jqAeh7zQDimfT809ATVf3ngWdmjN1L5z4ktwnI91Y7wkxEEy6KnVLfQ/s1600/Collage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFbbHr-tyUC6siMiW-S8Bz-tatK62mGZREnpZIbfkzrFHriuCnZwE6h3bhTy38Dym9Bw0EZMy0-6HEmLvr538jqAeh7zQDimfT809ATVf3ngWdmjN1L5z4ktwnI91Y7wkxEEy6KnVLfQ/s640/Collage+2.jpg" width="570" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the same day as above, Rob and I first went down to Port Arlington to visit our favourite bakery that does All Day Breakfast. To sit outside in a leafy courtyard, with a yummy meal (I didn't cook), coffee and papers to peruse at leisure was certainly worth taking a day off work. </td></tr>
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I do have much more to tell you, in particular about Tom so stay tuned. <br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land Of Oz. </b></span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-25181251570561999732015-12-30T02:26:00.001-08:002015-12-30T02:26:30.479-08:00Ahoy There! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCuJfP21X8I5zCpoOsRJLsy2lvIHjYya0PzMF1J6M-zkVv_Y6TdqSqCqbH8ObbK3xt-Y0BJBmDpzsPuVkbyoPqfz29Qub67CDA4DuiODke08pKsShEtPZ8BXKRwJPA-2VbI6KSo0oJBY/s1600/Ahoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCuJfP21X8I5zCpoOsRJLsy2lvIHjYya0PzMF1J6M-zkVv_Y6TdqSqCqbH8ObbK3xt-Y0BJBmDpzsPuVkbyoPqfz29Qub67CDA4DuiODke08pKsShEtPZ8BXKRwJPA-2VbI6KSo0oJBY/s320/Ahoy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Am I at sea? No, but I do feel afloat, drifting, with no set course at the moment. Any minute now i'll feel motivated to put my thoughts into writing and a post will emerge that's worthy of reading. Until then know that all is well. I just didn't want the month of December to pass without at least one post. Don't worry, i'm reading your posts and staying up to date. <br />
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Stay Tuned. <br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land of Oz</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-79077248719994667492015-11-16T02:59:00.001-08:002015-11-16T14:44:10.508-08:00I live in Maddie's Village<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7VpbjRnmujypMEYZ9xJnNZ61UGNHzWTHemKMX3BEdhUpB4Yft2sByBy5ifXLebr7BzYDH6JS2igTd6vB8Xx6OCW-1Y31Te55rpfnQIMd00PU7DSl56ot5voUnSDQbYh-zGZt4d8K1io/s1600/Hank+and+Maddie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7VpbjRnmujypMEYZ9xJnNZ61UGNHzWTHemKMX3BEdhUpB4Yft2sByBy5ifXLebr7BzYDH6JS2igTd6vB8Xx6OCW-1Y31Te55rpfnQIMd00PU7DSl56ot5voUnSDQbYh-zGZt4d8K1io/s320/Hank+and+Maddie.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well I'm sure glad that I live in the same village as the family and friends that surround Madison Heeps. Yesterday saw the second last fundraising push towards the target of $25,000 for Maddie's assistance dog Hank. In the city of Melbourne, we held a fete with BBQ lunch, a bar, stalls selling cakes and crafts, raffle & silent auction, lucky dips & face painting plus beautiful live music to entertain. So many people came and freely gave of their talents and time for a cause beyond worthy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOTVBWfUlPidJqAb_hmljRPtV6HDKE1-7FBiJrIoGFl9FaI0acggc7wADy66mPprLZJoDA6BH1F3dmfBrNEIrTC78JbcAqn13oULvtKZRlp8PzRKFQNmToYc2YP-QLf6_hVn16qj1_9A/s1600/IMG_7191%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOTVBWfUlPidJqAb_hmljRPtV6HDKE1-7FBiJrIoGFl9FaI0acggc7wADy66mPprLZJoDA6BH1F3dmfBrNEIrTC78JbcAqn13oULvtKZRlp8PzRKFQNmToYc2YP-QLf6_hVn16qj1_9A/s400/IMG_7191%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were given access to a Bar/Restaurant, <a href="http://www.ladidapeople.com/">La Di Da</a>, through one of Daniels friends, at no charge. </td></tr>
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If you are wondering why i am involved its because i work with Maddie's Dad, Daniel, and I'm so lucky to be included in their circle of friends. It was a privilege to be included in the organisation of the event.<br />
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I've spoken of Maddie before. She was born with a chromosomal abnormality resulting in a condition known as <a href="http://www.criduchat.asn.au/content/cri-du-chat-syndrome#So what is Cri Du Chat Syndrome?">Cri Du Chat</a>. Its not common and therefore the community of Cri Du Chat families in Australia is small but very supportive of one another. Late last year Maddie was given the opportunity to have an assistance dog. They are very highly trained and expensive dogs, very similar to guide dogs and therefore given public access wherever needed. Fortunately its not a case of pay upfront before you can have a dog. Maddie's need was great and after carefully planned introduced to Hank, their bond was immediate.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9N_nXSI_OJ8m9GfsDvjHH2QHWh0-icg42lpiPccFvzKnpL1qSgqZYLcalMdwpDW_XlxltJm2wAsACtRPhvpvyFwmbmgYxRPYb6ydIn_HKRNBjjf4HU4r5OdahEF0iyhBj8aA1HI1K0w/s1600/DKD-FINAL-LOGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9N_nXSI_OJ8m9GfsDvjHH2QHWh0-icg42lpiPccFvzKnpL1qSgqZYLcalMdwpDW_XlxltJm2wAsACtRPhvpvyFwmbmgYxRPYb6ydIn_HKRNBjjf4HU4r5OdahEF0iyhBj8aA1HI1K0w/s320/DKD-FINAL-LOGO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.dkd.org.au/">Dogs for Kids with Disabilities</a> (DKD) is a not for profit organisation in Victoria that provides assistance and companion dogs for children and young adults with a range of challenges. They have been so supportive of the Heeps family and the difference that Hank has made to Maddie's life has been , well, life changing for all of them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8aFdutj01StRO_xyXSpaoydMXNJOcPJOWfCJJfg_8RwzQfShthK7ST6rc-avZUIZXuL8SMVz1-3NbTLb3SIaE5X77_jXjM4L_ibEcjTOqutDPcnKVCxF8oP6KTF6EFKs35yEvBD3xTg/s1600/Hank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8aFdutj01StRO_xyXSpaoydMXNJOcPJOWfCJJfg_8RwzQfShthK7ST6rc-avZUIZXuL8SMVz1-3NbTLb3SIaE5X77_jXjM4L_ibEcjTOqutDPcnKVCxF8oP6KTF6EFKs35yEvBD3xTg/s400/Hank.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hank Our Hero - Don't you just want to give him a big hug. Well don't - he's working. </td></tr>
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If you want to know more about Hank, visit his Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Hank-our-Hero-629799993787045/timeline?ref=page_internal">Hank Our Hero</a>. If you have a few spare dollars then enter the DKD via Hanks page and make a tax deductible donation towards the provision of these beautiful four legged angels for children in need.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRw1M5x-MA9qcXaFt92A-WpCj22WIEuw15SctfHFf9kcokN9MnKJuGVkgUzWHecyKAn1MWy53sfEtOaUCkO4zSJMNhp4oCfVI7KEy5iIuSr0xZzsO93OV2WerSuKOSLW585AwTjs8nco/s1600/Face+Painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRw1M5x-MA9qcXaFt92A-WpCj22WIEuw15SctfHFf9kcokN9MnKJuGVkgUzWHecyKAn1MWy53sfEtOaUCkO4zSJMNhp4oCfVI7KEy5iIuSr0xZzsO93OV2WerSuKOSLW585AwTjs8nco/s640/Face+Painting.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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How skilled was Jonathon. He designed and painted about 10 faces on boards the night before for children to choose from. He started at 10.30am and was still going after i left at 3.30pm. Each face costs $5 and he had a queue all day. His contribution to the total must have been huge. The lady in the bottom right was fulfilling a $100 dare that she wouldn't have her face painted and wear it on the train, all the way to Bendigo in the country. I like her spunk! Top right is my little darling, Chelsea, with her missing front teeth she almost looked the part with her fangs. <br />
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Inside the ceiling was decorated with balloons with thank you cards attached. There was a table with donated prizes for the raffle and the silent auction. I really wanted the Blitz Pro but my boss beat me by $20. Drat!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9yMdmu7rGsRYTaIQ5j5srezHj3FMGRP1OCDC65Pwzq9PN6MqGD8dx2jlUIp6RzebeZoidvWhg_g0ze-ZXYxtMUor-y58KPfb-uvoJGrivZK-plgud-0C6NqJIyQY8HsebR3sPLfeLD0/s1600/Crafts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9yMdmu7rGsRYTaIQ5j5srezHj3FMGRP1OCDC65Pwzq9PN6MqGD8dx2jlUIp6RzebeZoidvWhg_g0ze-ZXYxtMUor-y58KPfb-uvoJGrivZK-plgud-0C6NqJIyQY8HsebR3sPLfeLD0/s640/Crafts.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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These were some of the gifts hand crafted by family and friends for sale or donated to the auction or raffle.</div>
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This table was my responsibility but i cannot lay claim to the mouth watering goodies. Bell's fella (Mark) and I paid for the groceries and then I delegated the baking to my very clever niece, who actually has some talent. Thank you so much Bell and my sister Glenda (for the clean up). Daniel's Mum, Carol, also made some lovely bags of beautiful biscuits to sell.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvMnM-i7lNrvWbng6VxrOVa1gKCncSE1nRTb768RjnHnEjfBq3AxSnZ28svlcL8GTHt1vmMkF-xSy5IOw2fLgxAHhx_Q5Gdqi7asMxwyJBvY8wUZ-_jfrpD1IG-fRli4n0fdNkyVHuzI/s1600/La+De+Da+Fete+037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvMnM-i7lNrvWbng6VxrOVa1gKCncSE1nRTb768RjnHnEjfBq3AxSnZ28svlcL8GTHt1vmMkF-xSy5IOw2fLgxAHhx_Q5Gdqi7asMxwyJBvY8wUZ-_jfrpD1IG-fRli4n0fdNkyVHuzI/s640/La+De+Da+Fete+037.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Harry Healy donated his music free of charge for the event. This guy is so talented and had us all singing along and tapping our feet. He sang and played for almost 4 hours non stop, covering tunes from several decades. Harry gained some celebrity status from being a contestant on The Voice. Check out the new CD on his website <a href="http://harryhealy.com/">here</a>. I'd love to see him live again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjUkP08BX1xJyUF7AHcgIpMssImNgckhP1jzDn54Yy1qLRdP74T957mg9dUlvQtVihrNLh5XMu6LmACOQxwC2Ea9iWHdSlAVn0T0homNAbrzuUdIve68U8GFLLJaCHKbYkHBRn3H8zmc/s1600/Fun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjUkP08BX1xJyUF7AHcgIpMssImNgckhP1jzDn54Yy1qLRdP74T957mg9dUlvQtVihrNLh5XMu6LmACOQxwC2Ea9iWHdSlAVn0T0homNAbrzuUdIve68U8GFLLJaCHKbYkHBRn3H8zmc/s640/Fun.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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DKD sent along one of the younger dogs in training. At 11 months you could still see the puppy playfulness but again, so well controlled by his trainer. Maddie was having fun with her constant companion. <br />
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It important to note that Daniel and Kym have another child, Austin. They are careful to always make special time for him so that he doesn't feel left out. Above, Granddad supervising Austin's lunch and Daniel and Kym having a 3 way dance with him. He is such a beautiful boy and smart. When he was at the office last time I upended the big box of matchbox cars I'd brought in and when he was packing up he counted up to 87, one by one, without missing a single one. He is 3 years old people!!!!!<br />
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OK, there are a few businesses that i need to personally thank. I'm kinda like that guy played by James Garner in The Great Escape, Hendley. If you want something, i can get it. My motto for life is that "If you don't ask, you don't get" and so my thanks go to the following for their generosity.<br />
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Sam from Pacific Meat Sales - for 360 sausages<br />
Margaret from Supagas - a bottle of helium - we had some fun with that!<br />
Werribee Party Hire - Balloon, Strings and Table Cloths<br />
Annette from BBQ's Galore, Hoppers Crossing - Roasters, Recipe book, Marinades etc for the raffle<br />
Fab & Staff from The Good Guys, Hoppers Crossing - The Kambrook Pro Blitz for Auction<br />
Lou from Anaconda, Hoppers Crossing - The Chimnea for Auction<br />
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I'm sure I could have made the list longer if i had started earlier than a week ago. Many companies referred me to their HQ and that's where it all gets lost in red tape.<br />
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These events take a lot of organising by a lot of people but in this case it was all done with such joy. I bet I'm not the only person whose glad that its over though. <br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land Of Oz</b></span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-43447151574365120422015-11-08T04:18:00.002-08:002015-11-08T17:29:03.008-08:00The Loveliness of Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Spring and Autumn are my favourite seasons. Not quite hot, not quite cold and certainly not boring. Our changeable weather here in Melbourne (famous for four seasons in one day) has been in overdrive. We've had the most beautiful spring days with gentle warmth and bright blue skies and then a day later we have endured the most torrid of storms with flooding and unfortunately for some, damaged property. I came into work this week to find that overnight the rain had flooded the gutters on our large factory roof and landed on the suspended office ceiling of plasterboard tiles. As you can imagine the plaster absorbed the water until it couldn't and then it just collapsed onto the carpet below. What a mess. Since it was still raining it was far too dangerous to send someone up there for repairs, so i watched the rain drops literally falling into the office.<br />
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But hey, its got to rain sometime right? It would appear (from my observation and all your blogs) that everyone's gardens are flourishing, with weeds, grass, flowers and veggies. The not so distant roar of lawnmowers has returned to disturb the quiet of weekend mornings and Tom's hay fever is constant.<br />
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While the current weather is changeable, we all know there is a long hot summer coming. I was in Bunnings when i spotted one of these large extended garden umbrellas for $80 (normally hundreds). I didn't quite believe it and neither did the sales person. We both thought that someone must have put the wrong price label on it. Turns out that the manufacturer decided to change the box it comes in from blue to green. I quickly said that if he had another one, id take it and sure enough on the very top shelf was one more blue box. I do think that my veggies are quite spoilt, don't you? I haven't had them up since but come those 40 degree days in a few months, ill be all set. I just need to set up a little table with some iced tea and put my feet in a bucket of cool water while i sympathise with the veggies about the hot weather we are having.<br />
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I don't like broad beans but I've grown them for the first time for Rob. I'm pleased with the OOO's and ARGHH's i've been getting from him. With memories of large grey thick skinned beans the size of boulders, I've been picking the pods just before cooking when they are only about 15cm long. This meal was a salad of fresh asparagus and broad beans lightly steamed then tossed in a little garlic and butter and placed on a bed of lettuce. I've served it with whiting oven baked in foil with lemon and pepper. Nope, still didn't eat it!<br />
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There is nothing sweeter than a coleslaw from a just picked cabbage.<br />
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As you can see from the top picture, my lettuce bed is gloriously full of a variety of leaves to pick at any time. I have no success with Ice-berg's or Cos but a sprinkle of mixed lettuce seeds in any available space means a constant supply for salads.<br />
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My garden futures include plenty of tomato plants. Since i had such an abundance last year i got a bit lazy and just let them lay where they fell. There are a gazillion baby tomato plants coming up in all the beds, even those that didn't have any. <br />
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This dark leaf spinach is fabulous on a pizza, on top of sauce and hidden beneath the other toppings. I'm really finding that I'm having alot more success planting things all over the place. Those who remember my first season would laugh. All those straight lines. Trouble is remembering where i put things. I had this terrific tomato the other day and kept one in my pocket until i could race outside and put it in the soil. Now i cant remember where that was. Oh Dear. Thank goodness i only have 8 small beds. <br />
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Have you noticed that the supermarkets are getting savvy to all of us complaining about veggies being uniform and their food wastage. There is a lot of money to be made from "greenies" who put their principles before their $$. A new range of packaged veggies have appeared. I really did have a laugh at this one.<br />
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On the front it says "A Bunch of Imperfect Potatoes, who don't have a chip on their shoulder, they just want to be mashed". I noticed similar packaging on a bag of wonky carrots. It appears that being slightly bent or a bit wobbly is the "In Thing". I knew i only had to wait a while to become cool. <br />
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While I'm at the supermarket, there have been some great specials lately that have provided plenty of opportunity for stocking up the freezer with veg. You have got to love asparagus season. I cannot eat enough of fresh asparagus. Its appearing in all our meals. <br />
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Sometimes i hear a little voice that says "why would you spend so much time and money trying to grow it yourself when you just have to wait for it to be in season and buy it cheap" - well it would be in season anyway if you were growing it DOH. I answer that little voice (sometimes its me, sometimes its my long suffering husband) that i know what the soil was like that it came out of, i know what was sprayed on it (nothing much), i know when it was picked and because ......... it feels really good to put a plate of food on the table that includes some of your own produce. That's why!<br />
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Speaking of meals on the table, this was tonight's. Yum Yum Oh and a few for the freezer. <br />
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After splitting some breasts and giving them a good bash, I dusted them in flour, salt and cracked pepper. A quick dunk in an egg wash and then i crumbed them in panko (Japanese bread crumb) with added dried onion flakes, Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley (mine of course). Shallow fried until golden in olive oil and butter and then place on paper towel to dry. Now that's a real chicken schnitzel. <br />
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Our quest to "find" Doris (my MIL - see previous post <a href="http://middleagedreflections.blogspot.com.au/2015/10/oh-doris.html">here</a>) continues and she has now been introduced to the game of UNO. No joke, she had never played. I had a Monday off so joined my sister for a day at Doris's home. We laughed ourselves silly as usual and after a light lunch sat down for an afternoon of cards. I think she felt quite cheeky making me pick up 4 with a wild card several times. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"What, who me?" That innocent face doesn't fool me. I was the one holding all the cards.</td></tr>
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There is no getting out of our Escape to the Lakes with Doris in Feb now. I've booked and paid the deposit on a 5 bedroom home in Lakes Entrance. Five! That's right, I've invited a couple of others and there will now be 5 women in our 50's and one 82 years old, so she had better get ready to keep up!<br />
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<a href="http://www.stayz.com.au/accommodation/vic/lakes-wilderness/lakes-entrance/71648">http://www.stayz.com.au/accommodation/vic/lakes-wilderness/lakes-entrance/71648</a><br />
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This pool and that table have my name written on it. Oh, and Glenda's, Kerrie's, Helen's and DORIS!!! Seriously this is going to be a relaxing holiday with dips in the pool (private thank goodness), books, great coffee and lots of laughter. I cant wait!<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land Of Oz</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-35185003127644152162015-10-29T03:41:00.001-07:002015-10-29T05:24:34.095-07:00Oh Doris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm waiting for something to happen! </td></tr>
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I've waited and waited for something to happen. Something that would be worth you, my reader, taking a few minutes out of your day to read but life seems perfectly normal at the moment and it feels pretty good. Mind you, what normal in our house might be totally off the wall to you.<br />
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Who knew that it would be my Mother-In-Law that would break the cycle. Doris, (82) fell off a tall bar stool in her son's kitchen and fracturing her hip in 3 places. <br />
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I mean REALLY?. For goodness sake Doris, sit on a proper chair will you! One with 4 legs, down low, with a back rest and one that does not require you to climb up on to it and then become off balance while getting off it. Jeepers! I thought you older people had a life time of experience to draw on.<br />
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">Well it would appear that one of the skills not mastered was the ability to sit on a bar stool Doris!</span></b></div>
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Oh, i hear you. "Show some respect, Lynda". Doris knows how i roll. I can just hear my own Mum when presented by me or one of my five siblings with evidence of an injury. "Well if you did that to yourself, what would you do to me"? So as you can imagine, this is exactly what i said to Doris when i confronted her after the operation to replace part of her hip. She didn't laugh. In fact she was so out of it and away with the fairies that i almost didn't recognise her. Literally. I had to peer hard to recognise her. Did i have the right room, the right ward? Doris was pale, drained, hair limp and looked like a little injured bird swamped by an oversized nest. I had to shelve some of my normal repartee and find some sympathy from somewhere. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76rwKDPuPyrG6vGqQ7-z7WY0IuQGTPHf66DShJyfXRTd1M0D0o5W6ymTyNJxG1m2asJjMyenzRs6CXg55zirWrntb2EMR4ZDlxru99ItmyytGsNUdcCXYVULzPOfKOLoV1YU3o94xlw0/s1600/tea__sympathy_shop_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76rwKDPuPyrG6vGqQ7-z7WY0IuQGTPHf66DShJyfXRTd1M0D0o5W6ymTyNJxG1m2asJjMyenzRs6CXg55zirWrntb2EMR4ZDlxru99ItmyytGsNUdcCXYVULzPOfKOLoV1YU3o94xlw0/s400/tea__sympathy_shop_front.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you think i could buy some from here? If so, i think my husband would buy me a huge gift card to last a lifetime.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since i cant fly over to Wales to visit this shop, i got busy. Right, where are your clothes, I'll take these home to launder and buy you some nice new ones (much needed) while I'm at it. Would you like a foot rub? Seriously, how do you get to be 82 without ever having had your feet massaged. How about some lovely cream for your hands and your nails clipped. Despite her ill health i could tell that buried deep inside was a woman just longing to be pampered.<br />
<br />
Flowers? Nah, they just die and take up space on the small cabinet provided. Much better to buy helium balloons that last weeks and make you smile.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3ygbGkpN7wUW1OIx5jnfag76zuf9bAW9BTSnlQvp3Q1WaGf94KpxHJ6PQ4yTffp1b0Xk_V1-FRzl341L8g1As1yDoldu4OoASssE8uwCkxPX6TLexipRp34l6dMEPynFht8IGqNpvdk/s1600/IMG_7019%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3ygbGkpN7wUW1OIx5jnfag76zuf9bAW9BTSnlQvp3Q1WaGf94KpxHJ6PQ4yTffp1b0Xk_V1-FRzl341L8g1As1yDoldu4OoASssE8uwCkxPX6TLexipRp34l6dMEPynFht8IGqNpvdk/s320/IMG_7019%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See much nicer than all those Get Well cards. Who wants to be reminded that they are NOT well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Doris suffered some minor complications after her op and hadn't been able to eat for several days. She was looking completely stuffed (excuse the pun). After talking to the nurses and finding that the treatment would soon be working (you all know what I'm talking about) i felt sure that she was going to need a pick-me-up in the next few days. I booked Doris a sorely needed in-house haircut, shampoo, head massage and blow dry. Well who knew that the next time i visited I'd be looking at a new woman with a stylish short doo and a new found love for head massages. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-N_Z7eMvbLgwrO7wsGQX3DR8Pr5D9MAcl3n7h_h3sPMnUoqqiSynCQ7yvxu2e5FJqH2stAQ4q68fc2LExeofivCXprtNq0t4gv1DlLx3sLyaQQlBOQ0vweT-U-gkx0wxB2Op-ki5omw/s1600/IMG_7026%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-N_Z7eMvbLgwrO7wsGQX3DR8Pr5D9MAcl3n7h_h3sPMnUoqqiSynCQ7yvxu2e5FJqH2stAQ4q68fc2LExeofivCXprtNq0t4gv1DlLx3sLyaQQlBOQ0vweT-U-gkx0wxB2Op-ki5omw/s400/IMG_7026%255B1%255D.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know its all messed up but i love this shorter style that does not allow for those dreaded rollers to be put in. Its a big improvement. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rob works shifts and so he was able to drop in to visit after or before work, which was close by. The rehab facility was over an hour from our house making my visits limited. A blessing in disguise perhaps?<br />
<br />
Anyway i took a day off work to visit her in the second week and she was much improved, moving gingerly around doing therapy. I had passed a room full of wheel chairs and so i kidnapped her from her shared room and we spent the afternoon outside in a small courtyard in the sun, chatting and laughing for several hours. I don't think we have that MIL/DIL relationship. It feels more like we are just "girls" hanging together. We went back to her room around 5 and after having just settled in, her dinner arrived. We laughed some more. I'd filled her up with tea and cake. After looking at the soup, i know which one I'd rather have. <br />
<br />
Doris has cared for her husband with dementia for many years and hasn't really had the opportunity or courage to get out and about. Jim passed away last year and so we talked about what she would like to do now. Not as a mother, not as a wife but as Doris. Remember her? Actually she doesn't and so I encouraged her to make a list that we could work our way through. Doris is so quietly spoken and unassuming that she rarely asks for anything. Things are going to change. Do you think she's ready for me?<br />
<br />
She's back at home now and getting stronger each day. I've booked her first holiday in 20 years in February and so now she has a goal. I'm taking her to Lakes Entrance for 3 days. Item number one on her bucket list and a desired location she has mentioned before. She remembers being there when her children were teens and has fond memories.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwHpeMCxBz-jOPlRILTXko-PaRD_MTnJiuYhwZjBgSUbu2TP-ybccTGYv0YwHUmCmHvIyD9C0JKx8Q0oxlpfSAPYULkV3AwaEFyBfaFCBKyuvIuWdaMFA7iyvv86x4wXQvrVNy6uroAg/s1600/MW_LE-flyover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwHpeMCxBz-jOPlRILTXko-PaRD_MTnJiuYhwZjBgSUbu2TP-ybccTGYv0YwHUmCmHvIyD9C0JKx8Q0oxlpfSAPYULkV3AwaEFyBfaFCBKyuvIuWdaMFA7iyvv86x4wXQvrVNy6uroAg/s640/MW_LE-flyover.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Its about a 4 hr trip so we will have to take lots of breaks. The house I've booked is lovely. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So perhaps this little slip up (or down i should say) has been a wake up call.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXggwIy2p06R5BSp8ItKvibCOmwEDGjkeV59WWcXuUcqKDUAtA0dxvcXc4zvD_ZO1egZ6lKi_b6KoVt-m-wdlc7oKMNKrsQZqlwQLXJ6bapAyL2C6Ru34jsbvAnYPdl9-Yu8PrgUMZiU/s1600/Lifes+short.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXggwIy2p06R5BSp8ItKvibCOmwEDGjkeV59WWcXuUcqKDUAtA0dxvcXc4zvD_ZO1egZ6lKi_b6KoVt-m-wdlc7oKMNKrsQZqlwQLXJ6bapAyL2C6Ru34jsbvAnYPdl9-Yu8PrgUMZiU/s320/Lifes+short.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
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Life's short Doris, lets go grab it!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land of Oz</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-72432078667903118862015-10-13T04:53:00.001-07:002015-10-13T04:53:17.187-07:00What's That I Spy - A Red P?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gpX6cqvDq1leDgC6Ol7AfssNm1rgi8FRviTS3BVl4ce4vgfJxBBcxTOz87ZvEPudX61SzB-_qU2g-X6AZvV-G0tMby-zqx6g5sFiUdlxGVfG21_7Z7Z9SsCHNFretrhyn3jZhIEYVGo/s1600/Pass.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gpX6cqvDq1leDgC6Ol7AfssNm1rgi8FRviTS3BVl4ce4vgfJxBBcxTOz87ZvEPudX61SzB-_qU2g-X6AZvV-G0tMby-zqx6g5sFiUdlxGVfG21_7Z7Z9SsCHNFretrhyn3jZhIEYVGo/s1600/Pass.png" /></a></div>
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<br />
Surely not, but yes i think it might be. A Red P in the corner of the front windscreen of Tom's little RAV4 and again on the rear window. This can only mean one thing.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 28.0pt;">Tom Got His Probationary</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 28.0pt;"> Drivers Licence! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
on his first attempt last Thursday and its to drive manual vehicles. No nancy pancy auto licence for Tom. We have waited for this day for so so long. Go Tom!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIYDf7SXqiwgwZaNUD-rQ14KcBS9XdzePGpfIURfvLnGs9-J5bv4heB7JEiWhZ0sFskRANS_-w_PdLBe9OQcR9KWqXaGELWdtCYbWXBbP-EWXXyNnzmjJ1lmQB5dMlDDytVxmORKg4Bk/s1600/P+Plates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIYDf7SXqiwgwZaNUD-rQ14KcBS9XdzePGpfIURfvLnGs9-J5bv4heB7JEiWhZ0sFskRANS_-w_PdLBe9OQcR9KWqXaGELWdtCYbWXBbP-EWXXyNnzmjJ1lmQB5dMlDDytVxmORKg4Bk/s400/P+Plates.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I think he's taking me literally because he's going and going and going.<br />
<br />
On Friday i was shocked to see his beaming face appear in front of my desk at work. His first trip out on his own was a 25 min drive across several suburbs. I was very surprised. It was so cute when he called me on arriving back home. I thanked him and said it was my job to worry. He told me it was his job to stop me from worrying. <br />
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On Saturday we had to visit Doris (his Grandmother) on the other side of the city. He followed us over the Westgate Bridge, through the tunnel (scary for most) and out onto the Monash Freeway till we reached Forest Hill in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne. No problem but Dad joined him on the way home for company. <br />
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Sunday he decided we needed cheese. My response to his request to go get some, was "grab your keys and go get it yourself". The list of items started getting longer and longer until Tom went out and did our entire weekly shop on his own with my credit card. Nothing was added to the list other than bananas which he thought was surely a mistake. I'm not sure how long this will last but i sure enjoyed sitting on the couch with my feet up while he shopped.<br />
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Today is Tuesday and he was given the task of getting our scripts filled at Chemist Warehouse. This is just too good!. I really could get use to this. <br />
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Later in the week I've asked him to go to the local shopping centre and check out some clothes for interviews. He's never done this before so fingers crossed. With independent travel firmly in his grasp he can now start applying for jobs outside our local area. Tom hates public transport (strangers and crowds) but he loves driving himself. <br />
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Can you tell I'm a proud Mum? Those 120 hrs of recorded practice was worth it. Thanks also go to Lynette, his Life Coach (new title, Tutor doesn't work any more), who has let him use her car for several weeks to get use to the make and model of the car he would use to do his driver test. Our plan worked brilliantly.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_hjCyPgqtwhyphenhyphenXEqSF2ioQzYWXHWa-Eyz3GNON078aUGRLgTR6uLsu7PhR71JBUH7E0SXP_O45JkOQSrglvGkpYnf_V9kYCdsV4H1FRe9rEASeVPZkAp5ZTFeg8B6FKIHNhNtDSH4u5g/s1600/aspergers-failure-to-launch-help.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_hjCyPgqtwhyphenhyphenXEqSF2ioQzYWXHWa-Eyz3GNON078aUGRLgTR6uLsu7PhR71JBUH7E0SXP_O45JkOQSrglvGkpYnf_V9kYCdsV4H1FRe9rEASeVPZkAp5ZTFeg8B6FKIHNhNtDSH4u5g/s400/aspergers-failure-to-launch-help.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fly Tom!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land Of Oz</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-48717391236095331172015-09-30T07:03:00.001-07:002015-09-30T07:03:15.232-07:00Bloomin' Marvellous<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAyk4pwqcWPtL5FEXRz3ntoEvlbvufVBdmGmr3fAGJgTVo4tFhEjLpaTPtPAuHfG87qW8Q6YTy3k8_8sVKE-uJnC87H4iNke8EIudZRy37g-jpNhHMKtKWhz26Y3cxujbwVuw1hfQUUs/s1600/Bloomin+Marvellous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAyk4pwqcWPtL5FEXRz3ntoEvlbvufVBdmGmr3fAGJgTVo4tFhEjLpaTPtPAuHfG87qW8Q6YTy3k8_8sVKE-uJnC87H4iNke8EIudZRy37g-jpNhHMKtKWhz26Y3cxujbwVuw1hfQUUs/s400/Bloomin+Marvellous.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
Nope this is not about a 1997 UK TV show set in Yorkshire (not another one please - is there anywhere else in England that can be used for a location) nor is it a gardening post, though i might include a few photos later. This post is about feeling Bloomin' Marvellous. I don't want to put a jinx on it but at the moment, everything is looking pretty good on the home front and i want to take the time to take a big breath in and savour a period when there are no major issues at play, Spring is in the air and life feels pretty damn good. So if it all comes crashing down around my head tomorrow i can look back on this post and say "See, it hasn't all been bad!"<br />
<br />
On the job front, we are both in full time employment in jobs that we love. Now that is saying something as it hasn't always been so for poor Rob. Its taken six years to find a place where his level of skill and experience is again recognised, where he is shown respect and where he can genuinely say he likes his fellow colleagues. Its been a long long journey with many downs (the last job in particular) and not many ups but he has pulled through. Lets just pray that his new employer (its a biggie) stays profitable and this job will see him through to retirement. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3QI9W3IyQXLWZmRCpO9Qd2y1o22M8tNDFlSuQwEcjDf8yvrMZY5asy5VT7caWqgi2ZAensEFEm3gMfC2aAcx_fQlXrNUCMFgebBzkol0GkUHYxTxYxlGimWUUJ3iwS-gugkNRH0OLIc/s1600/IMG_6878%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3QI9W3IyQXLWZmRCpO9Qd2y1o22M8tNDFlSuQwEcjDf8yvrMZY5asy5VT7caWqgi2ZAensEFEm3gMfC2aAcx_fQlXrNUCMFgebBzkol0GkUHYxTxYxlGimWUUJ3iwS-gugkNRH0OLIc/s400/IMG_6878%255B1%255D.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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He looks happy doesn't he and that makes me happy! You might notice he looks a little different as well. No moustache or beard. Trimmed for food grade packaging plant. It was either that or wear a beard net.<br />
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Rob was initially employed by the agency for 4 months probation (so they can make lots of money contracting him out) but the company has paid out the agency after only one month and he is now a salaried employee. Last week, the agent called him and personally thanked him for doing such a great job as now other sites of the same company are using them. Can there be no greater validation of his skills and in his belief in himself. We would both like to truly rub a few ex-employers names in it but we are taking the higher ground.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWj9osS7AKklPKSYxMKNxBakDROyWFy4ahQ0NsD6Wdf0owA4InEvAVA2UvSEggyOOZpefi-hSlQHKIkejM-SdjXRdUewumTpLDK35xyPIJig7eIsGQhPE1LzVYeSbFenAwUx93c1dHkI/s1600/Success.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWj9osS7AKklPKSYxMKNxBakDROyWFy4ahQ0NsD6Wdf0owA4InEvAVA2UvSEggyOOZpefi-hSlQHKIkejM-SdjXRdUewumTpLDK35xyPIJig7eIsGQhPE1LzVYeSbFenAwUx93c1dHkI/s1600/Success.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
This new job is quite a distance and so we seriously had to start thinking about our motor vehicles and running costs. Robs Falcon XR6 is 13 years old and my Fairmont 5.4L V8 is 12 years old. Both in need of ongoing repairs (expensive in my case) and not very fuel efficient (OK again in my case). Lucky us, Rob was gifted an amount specifically for this purpose and so he was able to buy a new Mitsubishi ASX which is a lovely blue 4 cylinder SUV. Just perfect for the job at hand. Yes, i know, that gift would have gone a long way on the mortgage but that's was not its purpose. It has made him very happy and able to put up with the long commute (he doesn't like driving). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSfv4pZ0piE5lBaWp3ha-lC0dqOwN058FyQ5JowW3lwWljYUu3zExXFPa2yKceiP1LYD-FVIryyve9e5325c7k53AxuUQApWvILJWOtDFUVDl1ium3Eck_E20Cg54KRasCN_K0kr-A28/s1600/ASX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSfv4pZ0piE5lBaWp3ha-lC0dqOwN058FyQ5JowW3lwWljYUu3zExXFPa2yKceiP1LYD-FVIryyve9e5325c7k53AxuUQApWvILJWOtDFUVDl1ium3Eck_E20Cg54KRasCN_K0kr-A28/s400/ASX.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
Which brings me to my dilemma. I know I'm not supposed to love a car but i do. I love the leather (sorry veggo's), I love the sliding roof, I love that if i want to get somewhere in OH say a few seconds, i can just gun it and "poof" I'm there, like magic. I know I'm supposed to think green thoughts. I know that a tiny little eanie weannie 4 cylinder would get me to work and back BUT A. it wouldn't make me happy (sorry Gav) and B. we wouldn't FIT IN IT, which i guess is a pretty BIG (excuse the pun) reason to buy a family sized car.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXBy14ZqkH-rB_DfvWcqAGGoGfUlETI6vCiLSETT7pSJtIyzR8XaJ6RrFQsdX0RFNknn4Vv8hPudXj2G4lRhZ3gW6mEhhg0kifV_vQyG3RaZb4B-Wygd1jpK9Jt0aIQObG-BhGhDJC9s/s1600/Ford+G6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXBy14ZqkH-rB_DfvWcqAGGoGfUlETI6vCiLSETT7pSJtIyzR8XaJ6RrFQsdX0RFNknn4Vv8hPudXj2G4lRhZ3gW6mEhhg0kifV_vQyG3RaZb4B-Wygd1jpK9Jt0aIQObG-BhGhDJC9s/s640/Ford+G6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why do i feel like im having an affair? Its one year old and has 6500 km on the clock so it practically new and was $10,000 under its new price. Bargain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My emotions from selling the V8 have been soothed by a very gleaming Falcon G6 Sports. Its a 6 cylinder and so far its proving to be very fuel efficient using normal unleaded rather than the premium I've been buying for the last 7 years. Both cars now have 5 years warranty and fixed priced servicing and so Rob's days of spending weekends under a car are over. Did, i say that? There is always the stereo mods you know he's going to do. So did i sell my soul. Nope, having paid cash for the ASX i financed this one and after much discussion and bargaining i got them down to 6% which is almost home loan rates. I can also pay extra and reduce my term which suits as i pay all my bills weekly. I think we have set ourselves up for the next decade with regards to having good reliable vehicles and me thinks i had better stop trying to justify it to you and just enjoy.<br />
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Since everyone's posts are full of spring flowers, i will add my very small collection of garden snaps from last weekend. I promised last spring that i would start planting more flowers.<br />
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The bees are certainly appreciating my efforts. <br />
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On the veggie front i continue to pick buckets of snow peas each week with no end in sight. The broad beans seem to be doing their thing as are the cabbages and brussel sprouts.<br />
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I've put in lettuce, a couple of early cropping tomatoes and quite a few seedlings which i will call "bird fodder". They were there one day and not the next. Last weekend my sister and I refurbished one of the raised beds, first filling it with leaf mulch before adding lots of nitrogen and soil. I'll let it rest a few weeks before popping something in, with a net over the top. <br />
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I had a blocked pipe on my worm farm and once unblocked i collected rather a lot of worm pee for use in my garden, my neighbours garden and my friend Ella's garden and still, i have more. I was told they would take my "shit" anytime.<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land Of Oz</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-59025390215768457462015-09-13T03:55:00.001-07:002015-09-13T03:58:03.705-07:00Birthday Celebrations at Eastern Beach - Geelong<br />
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Happy Birthday to my sister Glenda. This weekend's visit coincided with her 58th, read FIFTY-EIGHTH birthday. So i got to spoil her a little and embarrass her lots, which is always so much fun!<br />
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Country bumpkin that she is, there is still a bit of adventure to be had on public transport so by the time i got home from work on Friday she was sitting at my table. Her journey from Eastern Melbourne across to the West includes two buses and two trains. She does of course have a perfectly functional Ford Territory but with Friday traffic, fuel and tolls it works out much cheaper and a lot more interesting to come by train. Our usual Friday nights together include a catch-up of Foxtel programs she has missed. We both love Village Vets filmed in country Victoria and River Cottage Australia when its on. <br />
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On Saturday, her actual birthday, Kerrie and I took her to Eastern Beach in Geelong for coffee and cake by the water. Its always so lovely there in springtime. Not too hot and with the first warm weekend in the early 20's F there were plenty people walking dogs, children playing along the edge of the water, families picnicking and of course, the latte crowd i was happy to join. <br />
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Its a popular place and parking is really the only concern. We did strike it lucky and got one right near where we were headed near the yacht club. <br />
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Honest, the cake wasn't really this big, its the camera angle but it was a large slice of Hummingbird Cake. I had a word with the waiter on the sly and he presented the cake at the table with a burning candle and then sung Happy Birthday to her. She was very embarrassed but very pleased by the attentions of such a gorgeous young man. (I wasn't looking, honest). <br />
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We waddled out to stroll along the pier with everyone else. As always i look for opportunities to enhance our visit and had Kerrie and Glenda doing lots of embarrassing things while i took photos. I have readers i have to amuse.<br />
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There are 103 bollards decorated by Melbourne artist Jan Mitchell along the waterfront and it would be a 2 hour walk to complete the trail. All of them represent some historical feature of Geelong's past. You can see more detail about them <a href="http://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/bollards/article/item/8d250a1f01e3425.aspx">here</a> .<br />
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The ocean pool boardwalk was a lovely walk and believe it or not there were people swimming. There were also children playing in the water park but its way to cool for that. <br />
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After such a feast we postponed a planned roast lamb dinner until mid afternoon Sunday. Yummy as usual and followed by a Nanna nap, that truly only one of us is qualified to take. Glenda's grandchildren are Maison and Chelsea (here in Melbourne) and she has three more in NSW. <br />
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Chelsea has lost 3 front teeth recently and we are all amused by her speech and slightly wonky smile. <br />
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There, now I've embarrassed everyone for my own amusement and yours. I hope you appreciate my efforts. <br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land Of Oz</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-22774123954885628152015-09-02T05:00:00.001-07:002015-09-02T05:52:52.137-07:00Hello and Welcome Spring <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Its funny how a date on the calendar can make you feel so much better. God turned on the most beautiful spring day on the first day of September, and it was like drinking in a long tonic of sunshine. There were people out and about walking or just standing, looking up into the gentle sun, smiling.<br />
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Of course in Melbourne Springs means one of two things for the vast majority of Melbournites. Its either finals season for AFL (footy) or its Spring Racing Carnival time. So you are either going to be getting dressed up in your footy clubs clobber from head to toe with painted face and coloured hair downing meat pies and beer in the company of 80 to 100 thousand screaming fans or you are going to be visiting a milliner for your race day hats and designers for your racing wardrobe whilst sipping champagne. I of course, will be doing neither of these activities. I will be spending time in my garden communing with worms and playing with poo, having great chats with the veggies and giving them lots of encouragement. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A garden is a dance between Mother Nature and the Gardener. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See, this is me dancing in the garden! Honest. </td></tr>
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Our dance at the moment is more like a military tattoo though in a month or so I'm sure we'll be doing an elegant waltz together. <br />
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Of course today, 2nd of September, its raining and that's OK too because winter hasn't been exactly wet. Cold, freezing even but not wet. I am, however, talking about my side of Melbourne, the West. My sister lives in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne near the Dandenong Mountains and she complains that it never stops raining. We often have different weather. This is due to the effect of the warm waters of Port Phillip Bay meeting the cooler waters of the southern ocean and the prevailing easterly winds causing the rain to move to the East towards the mountains. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm near Werribee in the West and Glenda is up near the Dandenong ranges.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FYI for my overseas readers</td></tr>
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Now that you have all enjoyed a lesson in geography and meteorology, on to more interesting things. I, of course, am feeling much better since my last post and i thank my loyal readers for their kind comments. You do know that was the aim, don't you? To elicit as much global sympathy as possible. It worked. I feel restored. <br />
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OK, sound the trumpet, bang the kettle drums <span style="font-size: large;"><sup><b>Boom</b></sup><b> <sub>Boom</sub>
<sup>Boom</sup> <sub>Boom </sub></b><sup><b>Boom</b></sup></span> , Mum has moved into her new home in Narrandera and seems to be settled in and very relieved. At 85, it seems though her heart is willing to take on another house her body and emotions have taken a toll. Time for a rest. <br />
Its been a big, long-winded adventure for an her. First selling her home in the next town, packing, saying goodbye to many memories and then moving back to Narrandera, which we all think of as home.<br />
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Huge kudos for the many members of my family that worked tirelessly for a weeks and over the last weekend. When Mum told me she was concerned about how much effort it was taking i simply reminded her that this is why you had six children. This is payback for all the stretch-marks and hernias, the million meals she cooked, the clothes she made and all the great advice she has given. Laryn, I'm sure, would rather forget the frying pan to the back of the head many years ago when he was being cheeky but there he was cleaning out the kitchen cupboards with his grandma keeping a close eye on the pot drawer.<br />
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I am looking forward to making a trip home to see everyone. I'm not going to plan it. I'm just going to go so that the planets do not have time to align under the title of "holiday" and there is no chance of things going wrong.<br />
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Back on the home front (are you confused now, where is home) here in Melb we are going about our working lives. Rob in his new job on the other side of the city. He's not enjoying the extra driving but he is enjoying the work environment and his colleagues. Change is difficult but worth it sometimes. On weekends he's been working on fixing his car. I've told you before he can turn his hand to anything. This time he's been a panel beater and spray painter of his XR6's front bumper bar which was badly damaged by many run-ins with gutters and it was practically falling off making it undrivable.<br />
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All the supports had to be bent back to normal and the bumper itself heated with a heat gun and remoulded till it was back into shape. Many many hours of sanding, painting, sanding, painting, sanding, painting (get the picture - he's a perfectionist) and its now back on the car. This has been done over several weekends and i lent him my car for the duration as he has so far to travel. Lucky Tom has a car too, so i borrowed it for work. Rob's happy to have the life support for his sound system back on the road and i will be happy not to have a bumper bar on my dining table for weeks, drying inside because it was too cold in the garage for the paint to dry. <br />
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Since I'm putting tickets on Rob at the moment, he also fixed his Samsung Note. He left it on the top of his work ute several months ago and later received a call from someone who had picked it up off the road, taken it home, removed the Sim and located him. It was very very crushed. As you will know, a Samsung Note is an expensive phone and when you are locked into a phone plan you pay whether it is working or not and in this case, for almost another year. What to do? Fix it of course. He took all the parts he got back and through the magic of You Tube he taught himself what to do and what parts to order via EBay.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the battery was bent. Total cost of repair $250 for all parts. </td></tr>
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Rob's head will be getting too big with all my praise and so i tell you that i dragged out my 20 year old sewing machine to take Rob's new work pants up when he had asked me to take them to the tailor. It's been ages since I've sewn but took immense pleasure in doing a neat job. It only took an hour and by the time he was home that day two pairs of work pants were shortened, hemmed, washed, pressed and ready to wear the next day. Cost - $NIL<br />
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My friend tells me that blogging is one big brag. I guess she is right. I didn't put in a winter garden but i do have some amazing snow peas on the go. With being away and being ill i missed going outside for two weeks. When i went out this weekend the snow peas were everywhere.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Peas galore! We've had them in slightly cooked in multiple meals (2 min in microwave with dash of water) , as fresh snacks in lunch boxes and I've given a bag away. The more you pick the more they crop so I'll be back out there again this weekend. </td></tr>
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One last brag. Do i not have the cutest dog? You know those embarrassing photos you take of your kids and threaten to expose when they are 21. Well i think I'm safe so here they are. <br />
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You know that she sleeps with me but did you know that she sleeps upside down on her back between us. She is so so cute and the skin on her tummy is so warm and pink. She has both her undercoat and top coat so she is super fluffy. <br />
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I haven't forgotten Tom, my fingers are crossed for next weeks driving test. He's completed his PC based Hazard Perception Test and now its just the actual Drive Test to go. I think his life will change so much when he is independent and can drive himself. <br />
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Tootle Peep till next time. <br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land of Oz</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-88387533361506942052015-08-27T03:12:00.002-07:002015-08-27T03:12:55.388-07:00A Post Full of Self Pity I'm not a negative person. I don't get down in the dumps very often and i make it my mission to make as many people smile as possible each day. Truly, how many times have you laughed at my stupidity, my naivety, or my quirky observations of life. There is always method in my madness. So permit me to indulge in a little self pity because I've just had the worst holiday ever. Don't take offence Glenda (sister), you kept me safe, fed, medicated and rested when what i wanted to do was jump up and down and say ...<br />
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I waited all year for the opportunity to take leave and go somewhere. It was planned that last week our family would spend 4 nights in a luxury 5 star resort in Torquay on the coast. Hubby started a new job the week before (unplanned but very happy event) so he couldn't go (Strike 1). Tom wanted to stay home and look after Tilly and Dad (he did a good job) and so i changed plans and invited my sister Glenda. Much excitement ensued including a few new items of clothing, new underwear (truly i needed them) and packing of yummy girl munchies (read chocolate), games, books and DVD's (Vikings). My girlfriend, Kerrie, even dropped around a personalised care package with all the things i consider yummy. I had printed maps of the waterfalls we would visit in the Otway National Park with the expectation that I'd really clock up some steps on my fitbit and my friends would gasp in wonder.<br />
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Well things didn't go according to plan. I got sick with a bad dose of the flu and on arrival Sunday afternoon i was packed straight into bed (Strike 2). A very nice bed it was but it was not what i had in mind. <br />
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Yes, the location was lovely. No, i hadn't won Tatts, my friend's brother is a member of the time-share resort chain and when they have vacancies in the off-season they offer them for huge discounts to members and their guests. I only paid $40 per night for a huge two bedroom apartment. In reception i heard someone making a public booking for a one bedroom apartment at $395 a night. Really!!! Truly!! Gulp! So if there is any consolation it was that i hadn't paid a fortune. Still...<br />
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Of course there was a tennis court, a day spa, indoor pool (given that its winter and bitterly cold), bistro for evening meals, buffet breakfast and a beautiful beach across the road for all to enjoy, EXCEPT ME! See, I'm sulking!. I made my way through flu tabs and tissues for several days until on Wednesday, fever running hot, we came home early but that is not where my disappointment ends. I left my Fitbit on the sink in the bathroom and magically it cannot be found (Strike 3). Since i cant see myself funding a replacement then i guess i am out of the club. <br />
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You would think that 3 strikes and I'd be out, wouldn't you. Well no, the umpire decided to give me another shot and we had planned a trip home last weekend to gather with the family and move Mum and her belongings from her sold house in Leeton to newly purchased one in Narrandera. This was a much anticipated and planned event and everyone was joining in, as only families can and despite it being hard work the opportunity to be together (and to meet my niece's new baby) was very much looked forward too. <br />
So, as you would guess, i was too sick to go and Glenda went without me.<br />
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OK, i get the picture, <span style="color: red;"><b>I'M OUT</b></span>!!!!<br />
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Of course, at work it's all a bit of a laugh. Something always goes wrong when i have a holiday. So, its been decided that i'm much better off staying at work. Better luck next time. <br />
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Oh, for those who actually care, i went back to work Tuesday and i am feeling much better, thank you! I might even consider a Flu Shot next year. <br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks for Living In The Land of Oz</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-5336752445115225342015-08-11T05:02:00.000-07:002015-08-11T05:02:01.723-07:00Happy Birthday Rob/Dad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy 55th Birthday Rob. Truly this must be the ideal present for him. I cant see anything missing. Those of you who know him would have to agree. Tonight was a quiet night out with just the 3 of us and we tried a couple of new places at the newly opened Urban Dining section of Pacific Plaza less than 2 km away. It has only just re-opened in the last month after millions and gazillions spent on enlarging and upgrading plus a name change from Werribee Plaza. Apart from the revamped food court there are several new casual dining restaurants. Of course there are also many many new stores but I'm not interested in shopping. I hate shopping and i haven't even looked. <br />
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Did you hear what i said? We tried somewhere new. Really!!! We have eaten in the same Turkish Restaurant for years and years but last week when we were celebrating Rob's new job (Yeah !!!) and on arrival discovered that the owners had sold up and moved to Turkey for an extended holiday. The staff were new (though very nice) but there were changes and for the boys, the magic was gone. Aspie's do not like change!. <br />
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We started at Schnitz - which sells a range of chicken and beef schnitzels in buns, wraps or meals.<br />
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Rob opted for beef schnitzel and salad, Tom went for plain chicken schnitzel and beer battered chips and i had a Mediterranean salad with yummy grilled peppers and chicken fingers. <br />
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Why do they make these meals so big. I guess its more cost effective for me because you know I'm going to ask for a doggie bag. Lunch tomorrow is taken care of. Tom declared his battered chips the best ever and i would highly recommend the chicken strips with a light squeeze of lemon. Rob was equally as impressed with his beef schnitzel which i noted was slightly pink and tender. Kudos to the young man who served us. Nice manners. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tasmanian Tatters</td></tr>
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Instead of a cake we went to The Pancake Parlour for a short stack and ice-cream. What a yummy meal we've had tonight and best of all, i didn't have to cook it. That's it for us. No birthdays or planned celebrations till Feb next year. <br />
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Rob's new job starts early and so I'm up at 5 for at least the first month until he goes on permanent afternoon shift. This will bring many changes to our little family but we will adapt. The work is much more suited to him and best of all, he is not a service technician that travel all day. For someone who hates driving as much as he does, going to the same location each day, working with the same people on the same equipment is like a breath of fresh air after the last six years of upheaval. Im going to do a post soon on all the pre-employment tests you have to do. If you haven't done it recently, you are in for a shock. You would think you were applying to NASA. <br />
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So that's 3 posts in as many days. I'm on holidays next week so until then I've run out of things to tell you.<br />
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<b style="color: red; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">Thanks for Visiting Living In the Land of Oz</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-57555765838472216322015-08-10T23:19:00.000-07:002015-08-11T03:29:12.902-07:00Walking in Winter <br />
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Am i mad? Am i trying to get the winter sniffles? Nope, just trying to keep my steps up by going for a decent walk when its wet and freezing, and also trying to get some girl time in with my BFF. Multitasker, yep, that's me. This event happened a few weeks ago but i was browsing my phone photos today and realised that i hadn't yet shared this free activity with benefits to all my readers. All 3 of you. You see, I'm thinking of your health. No special equipment required so put away the wet weather gear, hiking boots and poles, and the new thing, pocket warmers.<br />
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So where can you go for a decent walk, stay dry, keep motivated, not get bored. Oh, and stop half way for coffee (only a little Almondine croissant, i promise). After all, you are only half way through and there is a whole lot of more to go, so you need to keep your strength up. <br />
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Its big, isnt it. All 82 aisles of undercover walking track with interesting things to look at along the way. Its so big you can't even see the trade entrance that we parked next too which should be about a centimeter from the left hand side of the above picture. I think you need a helicopter to get a photo of the whole thing in one frame.<br />
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Kerrie and i donned our FitBits and entered into the land of fence palings, sleepers, concrete and besser blocks. Interesting stuff (NOT) and the coldest part of the warehouse.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kerrie, the intrepid explorer. Its a good thing we've been friends forever as I'm sure she thinks I'm nuts sometimes. </td></tr>
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Never-mind, we were warming up. After dodging tradies and weekend warrior's 4WD, SUV's and Utes loading up in the trade area we ventured into less dangerous territory, the aisles.<br />
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I don't know why I'm showing you this shot, you cant see the other end anyway. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How many different ladders can there be?</td></tr>
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We bypassed the Tool Section. Those who know me know how much i hate this section. Hubby can go in there and not come out until after dark. Its such a trap that they have a bench outside it so all the patient wives can rest their feet while they wait.<br />
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Was it only a few weeks ago that i threatened him with a giant wrench over the head if he didn't hurry up?<br />
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If you started your marathon at breakfast time, then you could stop at the quarter way mark and grab a sausage in bread with barbecued onions, tomato sauce and a dash of mustard for $2.50. Its for a good cause people, give it up!<br />
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Actually it wasn't until we reached aisle 35 that things started getting interesting for us. We entered the garden tool and what nots section. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pssss - i have a green one. </td></tr>
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Our increasing interest was marked by the gradual slowing pace of our walk There was even sporadic moments when we came to a complete stop to discuss the merits of a particular item. It could also have been that we are middle aged unfit women who needed a rest and it seemed like a good way to get one. I truly wasn't that interested in half the stuff i picked up. <br />
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Did i mention that coffee break?<br />
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Not far from the cafe is the DIY Workshop where you can undertake short workshops on various DIY projects (the name kind of gave it away). Today's itinerary was<br />
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Can i let you in on a secret? The only difference between the bookcase and the shelving was a backing board so its yadda yadda yadda and Oh, here's one i prepared earlier. !!<br />
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OK, we are at the other end now and so its outside into the garden section and whiz around all the aisles out here including loading up a trolley with 4 bags of potting mix and a bag of poop. <br />
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Why? Well after that delicious croissant i was feeling guilty and so to punish myself i pushed this loaded trolley for the second half of the marathon, up and down the aisles, taking only God knows how many corners and running in to many many customers ankles who didn't get out of my way fast enough. Its the wheels people, not me!<br />
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Major pauses took place in the tile aisle while we both chose our preferred bathroom tiles. Its in our future but we both have to win Tattslotto first. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are both going for large white tiles with a feature stripe. Kerrie's choice is red and mine will be some shade of blue. </td></tr>
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We stopped for so long in the kitchen and bathroom section that i think you could officially call it an intermission.<br />
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In unison we chose this shower enclosure and fixtures. Both of us have homes approaching the 20 year mark and i know mine is decidedly out of date with its 3 fold sliding shower door that comes apart nearly every time you use it. I want a big door, to get my boobs and butt through at the same time! (You Jest? Its working for Kim Kadashian and JLo)<br />
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Have you ever noticed how i get Kerrie to do all the embarrassing things for photos. Well, i am taking the photos, its my blog and she doesn't say no. Love that smiley face! XX<br />
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After that it all went down hill as we went through storage, cleaning and pool products, plumbing pipes with only brief interest shown on roof vents. The walk got a bit quicker until we reached the final aisle which was internal and external doors. Once again, our 20 year old project homes came with cheap hollow doors with no features at all and gross white handles. We both envisage solid doors that actually keep sound in or out depending on where the teenagers are. <br />
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The finish line was in site. Just a trip to the trade desk to pay for the bags of soil and a quick discussion with the boom gate operator on the way out. Nope, I'm not so big that i cant fit through the normal entrance/exit but this is where we parked the car, remember? He did tell us that its a huge security risk as people walk out the central exit with their register slip and then come back in, pick up the same item and go out the trade exit showing the same slip. Its only stamped at this exit and they estimate they loose $1 million a year this way. Pretty brazen isn't it. Oh, don't get any ideas! I trust you all. <br />
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So, how did we go on the steps. You would be thinking close to 10,000, wouldn't you! I was (my feet told me it should be) and wasn't i disappointed to find out that it was only 3,500. Hang on, Kerrie did 4,000. Did she run on the spot in the shower when i wasn't looking? Apparently, Fitbits only record when your hands are free. Just like the treadmill, if you hang onto the handles and your feet move but your hands don't, it doesn't record. Hello! I was pushing the bloody trolley for extra effort !!!!! Go Figure... and yet, if you keep your feet still and move your hands it still doesn't record. I tried! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCarGfknlScrcnYV-n5OMBrdVJyYTI-ZUvUb-Wf3N7vo1eoEdk4T3AJVtOtB4i2eP9_C4yMgrPe2DIdPkz_YBZMPM2uSAM04OrNnmhU6nc-NLuRqUpYykKZRRQ2o67pXV3zUvuY8oSBlM/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCarGfknlScrcnYV-n5OMBrdVJyYTI-ZUvUb-Wf3N7vo1eoEdk4T3AJVtOtB4i2eP9_C4yMgrPe2DIdPkz_YBZMPM2uSAM04OrNnmhU6nc-NLuRqUpYykKZRRQ2o67pXV3zUvuY8oSBlM/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See, this wouldn't work, her hands are holding something. </td></tr>
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My Fitbit is on my wrist but Kerrie's is attached to her bra. Personally i think she might have gained a few extra steps with boob wobble. <br />
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So have you enjoyed your visit? Yes, i will write about anything. After 262 posts, you would too!<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>T</b></span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>hanks for Visiting Living In The Land of Oz</b></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-67359882437737503222015-08-10T03:43:00.000-07:002015-08-10T05:40:13.675-07:00Lion Ribbon Graffiti in Melbourne <br />
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Has anyone else noticed all the lion's heads done in pink fluro ribbon around Melbourne. There are several near my work in West Footscray and i consider them works of art rather than graffiti. Its takes some skill to do this in a public place, usually on a fence, with time constraints and under the cloak of darkness. Considering its a very cold winter this year, it also takes serious dedication to ones art. I was sure it had some meaning as a logo for some political statement but when when i tried to Google it, all i come up with is Lion Ribbon which is a brand of haberdashery. Further investigation was needed. This link from a radio stations has some more examples around town. <br />
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<a href="http://www.triplem.com.au/melbourne/stuff/pub-talk/2015/5/has-anyone-else-noticed-the-lion-heads-around-melbourne/">Triple M Melbourne - Lion's Heads</a><br />
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I continued on until i found some forums and the general chatter tells me that it appears to be the work of a Melbourne artist known as Sunfigo and its obviously been happening for quite a while. There are numerous sightings of the ribbon work all over Inner and East Melbourne. Its also possible that there are now copy-cat artists around. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDg1x307gZc5wXT25fNNUReKxCScv-k_eHs91GdSleKHFCVDstcyS3ZKHhalcQCei2236I_eHejlEtu-tkkcjKFNlnVynUe3Lxw9ioW1aXxQKfIvrRNgxSdPHMM9f5DwPzRPZ4vvSfX8M/s1600/Sunfigo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDg1x307gZc5wXT25fNNUReKxCScv-k_eHs91GdSleKHFCVDstcyS3ZKHhalcQCei2236I_eHejlEtu-tkkcjKFNlnVynUe3Lxw9ioW1aXxQKfIvrRNgxSdPHMM9f5DwPzRPZ4vvSfX8M/s400/Sunfigo.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Upon further investigations, there have been sightings in Melbourne of other animals. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiwSpcUwUw7I0JqNaV4nimf5oVzafDTtoqfitearhUgblbpy8DpPlmqM8q0dNX1EfOn8rvt78mYDWMZz1qUWHof8eGtaGs2F4qLyIFjEcphv9XgWqzDp4DeHQn56x_kQXylsCcXyhWOI/s1600/monkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiwSpcUwUw7I0JqNaV4nimf5oVzafDTtoqfitearhUgblbpy8DpPlmqM8q0dNX1EfOn8rvt78mYDWMZz1qUWHof8eGtaGs2F4qLyIFjEcphv9XgWqzDp4DeHQn56x_kQXylsCcXyhWOI/s1600/monkey.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://pinsta.me/secretshq</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://pinsta.me/lu7070</td></tr>
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Graffiti art is not new to Melbourne. Its everywhere in all its various forms from the most amazing murals in the lane-ways of Melbourne and sides of buildings to the disgusting illegal tags that cover everything including trains, buses and twice now, our front fence. So i guess, as with all things, there is good and bad graffiti.<br />
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With the old adage of "cant beat them, join them" Melbourne City Council now has approved locations that it promotes on its website and you can now do lane-way tours. See link here for <a href="http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Placestogo/PublicArt/Pages/StreetArt.aspx">Melbourne's Public Art</a>. These locations are not just public thoroughfares but also locations used for fashion shoots, movies and even trendy pop-up restaurants. <br />
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The good thing about all this "public art" is that it has now opened up the lane ways and darker area's of the city and brought foot traffic making it safer. In the past these alley ways were dangerous places to be, even during the day. Now, many are lit and under camera surveillance. There is a code among graffiti artists of not destroying the work of others. A sign of respect i guess. <br />
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What do you think? I like the ribbon art. Its temporary and doesn't damage property. <br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land of Oz</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-8172727956270551152015-08-03T04:31:00.001-07:002015-08-03T05:17:02.969-07:00Introduction to Indian Cooking - Workshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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She's gorgeous, isn't she? Surya looks like an Indian Princess who went slightly off track and found her way to the Eco Living Centre in Wyndham Vale for a workshop presented by Shoestring Gardening. How lucky were we and how lucky was I that at last a workshop was being held on a weekend and not mid-week. I grabbed 3 of my buddies (including my sister) and we made our way to a morning of heavenly spices, yummy food and a good ole natter. Shoestring are hoping to make this a monthly workshop with local people demonstrating their cultural foods to others. What better way to bring a community together - sharing food. I don't dine out at restaurants and my circle of friends is decidedly "Anglo" (why is that?) so I'm hoping that there are some brave souls willing to share some Thai, African, Turkish, Italian, Asian, ........... cooking skills . I'm open to it all. Bring it on.....<br />
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Our morning started with <b><span style="color: blue;">Spinach Onion Pakoda</span></b>. It is a spicy fritter batter dropped into hot oil until cooked. The mixture was made up already on arrival so i arrived just in time for the cooking and eating. <br />
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What started out as a flavoursome opening snack certainly had a bit of a kick in the tail. Not too much though. I didn't see anyone diving for drinks and there were plenty going for seconds and thirds.... Oh, was that me? I noted when we were finishing that the bowl had a rather large quantity of batter remaining so i nabbed it to bring home and make up for my hubby. Waste not, want not. I dry fried it in a non-stick pan making them flatter and they turned out equally as good as the deep fried. I think they would be lovely with a mango chutney. <br />
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I do have the recipe and ingredient lists for all these recipes but if i included them here, the post would be very long. Give me your email address in comment section and I'll send them to you. <br />
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The main course for the workshop was <b><span style="color: blue;">Sambar (Indian Lentil Vegetable Stew or Chowder) </span></b><br />
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This is one healthy meal with lots of vegetables and certainly different and more interesting than the usual steamed veggies i serve up my crew. I'm not sure, no I'm pretty sure, that Tom wouldn't eat it but Rob is open to anything. I tried Okra for the first time and found it a bit ho hum, squash kinda taste but it did pick up some of the spice flavours. This particular dish included <a href="http://cookingwithalison.com/2011/01/10/how-to-use-tamarind/">Tamarind Water</a> (made from paste), Coriander Powder, Sambal Powder, Curry Leaves, <a href="http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/15-health-benefits-of-methi/">Fenugreek Seeds </a>(the list of health benefits associated with these seeds is long - check it out), & garlic.<br />
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During the making of this meal there was an open general discussion between all the ladies about some of the products we were using. Simple ones like, what is Dal? What exactly is Ghee and when do you use it? Unless you are a vegetarian you, like I, may have an idea but you are not quite sure. Shoestring workshops are the perfect opportunity to ask seemingly stupid questions. They are always friendly and relaxed. Surya was happy to go through each of the questions and give us simple explanations that were informative and cost saving. If you don't cook Indian food everyday you run the risk of going out and buying an enormous collections of unusual spices that you may not ever use again (though you should). Surya gave us hints on buying dried powders rather than pastes. Checking for use by dates and storage and where to buy locally. We all loved her stackable spice cans with the smaller tins of spices displayed inside.<br />
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Our accompaniment for the main dish was <b><span style="color: blue;">Indian Spicy Potato Roast. </span></b><br />
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This dish should come with a warning for all vampires. Phewy, does it have a garlic hit. The recipe says 2 pods. We all naturally thought this meant cloves. Nope, that's 2-3 bulbs. Apart from the garlic there was fennel seeds, Sambar powder, coriander powder, Asafoetida and Turmeric. These were all folded into the diced potatoes before roasting. <br />
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You might have noticed that i keep mentioning some ingredients that are a bit different. What the hell is Asafoetida? Well if you are Indian you would use it in almost every dish. If you are an Australian then you probably should. There is a hole in our ozone guys! This is such an important topic that i did an entire post on it <a href="http://middleagedreflections.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/what-is-it-with-men-and-farting.html">What is it with men and Farting?</a><br />
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Asafoetida is made from the dried gum of a middle eastern herb. Its main use in cooking is to reduce "gas" in dishes with lentils and pulses. Since these are a staple in most Indian dishes you will find that it will also include a few shakes of Asafoetida. It can be used in any dish as although it stinks close up, it cooks out and enhances the flavours of a dish. I'm thinking of buying it by the tonne and handing it our to all my friends to use so that their husband might be relieved of their gas issues. There are also many health benefits and you can check them out <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/06/spice-hunting-asafoetida-hing.html">here</a>.<br />
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So what is Sambar Powder. I guess its a bit of a curry mix. Instead of buying a stack of little sachets of spice you can buy one powder with it all mixed. It includes Lentil, Coriander, Chili Pepper, Cumin, Turmeric, Mustard, Fenugreek, Compounded Asafoetida, Ginger, Curry Leaves & Salt.<br />
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What's the difference between Dried Peas and Lentils. Check this out <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-between-split-peas-and-lentils-word-of-mouth-214986">here</a> but I'm still a little confused. I know Dal is the Yellow Lentil (flatter) used in Indian Cooking. Lentils come in a variety of colours and peas are either green or yellow. Lentils are the seeds from the pod of a legume. Isn't a pea pod a legume too! So confusing. Either way they are all, along with beans, pulses and they are very healthy for you. Just use the Asafoetida people. <br />
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SO until next time....<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land of Oz</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-53092749677986735882015-07-30T03:06:00.001-07:002015-07-30T03:16:05.473-07:00Absolute Must Read Short Story by Jo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweIaVxMUIr21JCYEQ1XE5bEXZyeUVEWWztoKiuIFjrdBOLm7ezuVDamfw2-u0B0cz7FK-gVXAZ5vtYh1O_tVdoFa-rSexgfKixEQrdSTpCOJOSFyWuOpIY-ZUJs_DiKPp4q2H5Cytdio/s1600/short+story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweIaVxMUIr21JCYEQ1XE5bEXZyeUVEWWztoKiuIFjrdBOLm7ezuVDamfw2-u0B0cz7FK-gVXAZ5vtYh1O_tVdoFa-rSexgfKixEQrdSTpCOJOSFyWuOpIY-ZUJs_DiKPp4q2H5Cytdio/s1600/short+story.jpg" /></a></div>
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Those of you who don't know Jo from <a href="http://alltheblueday.blogspot.com.au/">All The Blue Day</a>, well shame on you. This lovely woman down south in Tassie has been inspiring and amusing me with her wacky observations of life as a thrifty and frugal single mum for quite some time. She has style, she is a lady, she is hard working, a great mum and Oh My Goodness is she a great writer. <br />
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Jo has entered a short story in a writing competition and after reading it all i can say is ITS TOO SHORT. I want a book. NO, i want several books. <br />
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As Molly would say, do yourself a favour........ <br />
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<a href="http://alltheblueday.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/the-milk-maid-and-boy-who-cried-for-moon.html">The Milk Maid and the Boy Who Cried for the Moon</a><br />
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PS. For all those friends and family that work the land......... the age of farming will return. <br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land of Oz</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-28767950150157875302015-07-20T04:20:00.000-07:002015-07-20T12:50:37.985-07:00Brrr..... Its a Cold but Beautiful Winter's Day <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1flU7vnSdDeLxXuZjf1jnpPE_Cfr8jsyK5UeFwH3-tTMvfgvy6dFmmq8_-qLNAy0Uo2KN8r6pZ7wu9u8vE9OAnsDSzdnsluuC4PtX6E_cCf9QqMt6iAwA5NAdWh_qXlyamvtuIZG9VY/s1600/Port+Lonsdale+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1flU7vnSdDeLxXuZjf1jnpPE_Cfr8jsyK5UeFwH3-tTMvfgvy6dFmmq8_-qLNAy0Uo2KN8r6pZ7wu9u8vE9OAnsDSzdnsluuC4PtX6E_cCf9QqMt6iAwA5NAdWh_qXlyamvtuIZG9VY/s640/Port+Lonsdale+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Are you sick of reading how cold it is in Oz yet. Well let me tell you again, its bloody cold. (Note to all OS readers, "Bloody" is not swearing in Oz) What else would you expect people, its the middle of winter! My friend Jessie in Ballan (40 minutes away) told me it was -6.4C so really, what am i complaining about. I'm thinking that we will all need to acclimatize to these extreme temps and be more prepared. I could, for example, actually buy a coat. Not a ski puffy one that would make someone want to grab me and shove me on a pole outside a tyre place <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja409P3qQ_WvmsvoIvkDVzV35OXC7eYshZlaw41Nd54K5Emsx8vbnJIWKWH6RTycohmJFqtpgKM9F9qsKfpeJ2Jm-0IRSzj6yJIFgIqMV9ih134SA4vdSy9PMKHprYo4tC2mBD1d05gP8/s1600/michelin_man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja409P3qQ_WvmsvoIvkDVzV35OXC7eYshZlaw41Nd54K5Emsx8vbnJIWKWH6RTycohmJFqtpgKM9F9qsKfpeJ2Jm-0IRSzj6yJIFgIqMV9ih134SA4vdSy9PMKHprYo4tC2mBD1d05gP8/s320/michelin_man.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeepers, the resemblance is uncanny!!! (Gulp)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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but a nice woollen one that is stylish and warm. Problem? I hate shopping! So i just layer up with whatever i can find on cold days with no regard to style or fashion. Its not like we have a lot of days like these and well those coats cost a pretty penny. I leave a warm house, get into a warm car (when its de-iced), enter a warm office and do the same in reverse for 5 out of 7 days so i don't want to spend a fortune on that sometimes only item.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Z66BjV62gSRc8ERN_7Sx9yBAIWZsi6z09UZ1qbLPQXYYgiBTUhuzND51UV0XHgpdoNRUaBg5k0QnqLBw81uy8WA4iepRKth9jZ9wwpk8IPbzt9YJi4XS45h9g-C5tCoFhTmyFcq2C6s/s1600/Garden+Cold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Z66BjV62gSRc8ERN_7Sx9yBAIWZsi6z09UZ1qbLPQXYYgiBTUhuzND51UV0XHgpdoNRUaBg5k0QnqLBw81uy8WA4iepRKth9jZ9wwpk8IPbzt9YJi4XS45h9g-C5tCoFhTmyFcq2C6s/s640/Garden+Cold.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My little seedlings are snug and warm inside the drink bottle homes in the garden. More importantly they are also safe from opportunistic birds that eat anything green that i plant. I have noted that nothing has touched the broad bean plants, and i cant say i blame them. The things i grow for my husband!<br />
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So you would think that my sister (sleeping over) and i would stay inside, all snug and warm and watch movies or play Soduko and Solitaire on Sunday. Well you are wrong. I grabbed my big sis and we went for a drive, yet again down to the Bellarine Peninsular. I'd found yet another person who has bypassed this little corner just under Geelong on their way to The Great Ocean Road. They really need to do some PR work. I seem to be doing it for them. Since i was only there a few weeks ago you can see a map on my last post <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2849427743103205586#editor/target=post;postID=5356409601298789793;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=1;src=postname">here</a> which featured Port Arlington. Yesterday, after visiting the same bakery for bacon and egg brunch, we went further along the bay to Port Lonsdale.<br />
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The pier directly faces The Rip, where the mouth of the bay meets Bass Straight and its great to sit on the bench and watch waves from every direction crashing like a big washing machine.<br />
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Though there have been navigational aids on this spot since 1852, this lighthouse first operated in 1902 and continues to be manned 24 hours a day (one of the last in Australia) even though it was automated in 1999. The Rip is the only entrance to Port Philip Bay and is one of the ten most treacherous navigable passages in the world.<br />
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OK, history lesson over. Isn't it beautiful. Though it was still chilly, there was a lovely warmth when you stood in the winter sun. There were people both board surfing and in the distance kite surfing as well as plenty of people fishing.<br />
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We dropped off at a Farmers Market on the way home and bought some very cheap Pink Lady apples and then visited my friend Ella in Lara before making our way home. On Saturday night (i always like to spoil Glenda) i cooked a Roast Lamb meal with lots of baked veggies. I must say my gravy was just it and a bit. You know how sometimes all the planets align and its just perfect. Finger and plate lickin good. So on arriving home Sunday i made lamb fritters with chopped lamb, finely chopped onion, sun dried tomatoes, crumbled feta and herbed batter made with SR Flour. Yum. This is dry fried in a non stick pan.<br />
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Tonight the left over roasted vegetables turned into a Egg, Bacon and Veggie Pie. <br />
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Line a greased pie dish with puff pastry followed by a layer of bacon, a layer baked potato, carrots, and sweet potato with green beans. Then crack about 6 eggs on top and let it run between all the veggies. I break the yolk. Add another layer of bacon and then using all the scraps from around the edges do something decorative on top. Bake at 180 for 40 minutes. Its going to be a yummy lunch tomorrow. Since i was away, Tom missed out on his weekly sausage rolls so i was booked to make them tonight. <br />
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Pinwheel Sausage Rolls - Frozen Sheet of Puff, spread with Beef Sausage Mince, Tomato Paste, Salami, Sprinkle of Cheese. When slightly defrosted roll up tight and slice. Bake on oven tray about 20 min. in hot oven. <br />
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These are the last of my summer tomatoes that have ripened in the kitchen. I have lots of little seedlings coming up and i keep telling them, NOT YET!!!<br />
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In case you didn't know, I've lost my mind. Actually make that my head, my hand and my foot. <br />
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Slight accident has left me feeling a little disjointed. Hopefully i can pull myself back together soon. <br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land of Oz</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-53564096012987897932015-07-01T04:31:00.000-07:002015-07-01T04:32:32.735-07:00Bellarine Peninsular - day trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1TPrs2hgzwqzMt0vQ6ofKvFEo8wbtTaNMwiK89lROkpujQlbYmN8Y78HUhAJjn3TvNffS3G8JhWrNXNcJb3f1aurNnXjw9ykg70LKeHxa8UfxpN0E3KD8zDwyDbpTgymsIulisn4n_o/s1600/Bellarine-Peninsula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1TPrs2hgzwqzMt0vQ6ofKvFEo8wbtTaNMwiK89lROkpujQlbYmN8Y78HUhAJjn3TvNffS3G8JhWrNXNcJb3f1aurNnXjw9ykg70LKeHxa8UfxpN0E3KD8zDwyDbpTgymsIulisn4n_o/s400/Bellarine-Peninsula.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Last weekend my BFF and I escaped for a drive around the Bellarine Peninsular, only a 40 minute drive from home (about 1 1/2 hrs South West from Melbourne). I have driven past the turnoff to Portarlington many times on my way to Queenscliff and commented that i had never been there. Sunday was the day we got off the well worn route to our regular lunch spot and went somewhere different. <br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Don't be afraid of change. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You may lose something good and find something better.</span></div>
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So for those overseas, this is where we went.<br />
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The Bellarine Peninsular is surrounded by Port Phillip Bay, Corio Bay and Bass Strait. It is filled with wineries, historic seaside villages, and foodie destinations. Extremely popular during the summer season, i find it just as beautiful during the cooler months and certainly much quieter. It is still possible to take a "Sunday Drive" (read slow drive wandering all over the road, not paying attention to where you are going, looking at houses and talking non-stop). <br />
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Our first stop was the boat jetty at Clifton Springs. Who knew such a lovely spot was at the end of the road. It appeared to be a mostly residential village of 8,000 dominated by a golf club and new housing estates (they are breeding like a virus). We hopped out for a short walk along the shore. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvslF8PkadUP3L29pBOOjzBm-O-D6fiiLe7bGxXF55lj43KLUsiJrZE5ASyEPul0zCd3W0c_k5j51Fa2zTVzghsfCD0PwFXlMNZLJk4PBT00iL-Jdf8W3iy89EXYslJLe6yySa6dvMO8o/s1600/Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvslF8PkadUP3L29pBOOjzBm-O-D6fiiLe7bGxXF55lj43KLUsiJrZE5ASyEPul0zCd3W0c_k5j51Fa2zTVzghsfCD0PwFXlMNZLJk4PBT00iL-Jdf8W3iy89EXYslJLe6yySa6dvMO8o/s640/Beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm trying to be artistic using PicMonkey. I'm a frustrated photographer with only an Iphone.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5AjCVmiGu1oEY7HrZOJ7DogSJcxo9RalUNeD9qSibFaTRowhEc8UUWYUh6Kus2Db9RonybNaVrz1JNDpWQoxiDqcsPYmsvA9YlDEWxadJfx-m-7eg27VUy7k41FEeCLkM0uSJLJDjyo/s1600/Beach+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5AjCVmiGu1oEY7HrZOJ7DogSJcxo9RalUNeD9qSibFaTRowhEc8UUWYUh6Kus2Db9RonybNaVrz1JNDpWQoxiDqcsPYmsvA9YlDEWxadJfx-m-7eg27VUy7k41FEeCLkM0uSJLJDjyo/s640/Beach+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My BFF rocking her favourite red scarf that i bought her years ago. That gull is taking its life into its own wings, sitting on my car. It was very lucky it didn't leave anything behind. There is always something amusing to watch at the boat jetty. <br />
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Since we didn't know (or care) where we were going and the aim was to follow the shore we moved onto Portarlington. This small seaside village has many historic buildings dating back to 1850's. The village centre has still retained its old world charm with a rotunda and the large Grand Hotel dominating. We had lunch at the Portarlington Bakery. What a charmer with log fire, authentic bread and delicious cakes. We both opted for the All Day Breaky which at $13 was a bargain. Warning - they take cash only.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtYwOp1AUa1OkPHCaXxhtDYs91rrhSQj3OBX26EfSaswzFp2yt63cTMKA7DbzoNDn2hsZKP0f7FueSFqs5Lyu2uQSAJ7AopiU3u8qAyqaDwldl3wJ_TndkNCmfwMOXC49Jz1tNPQDXNQ/s1600/Bakehouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtYwOp1AUa1OkPHCaXxhtDYs91rrhSQj3OBX26EfSaswzFp2yt63cTMKA7DbzoNDn2hsZKP0f7FueSFqs5Lyu2uQSAJ7AopiU3u8qAyqaDwldl3wJ_TndkNCmfwMOXC49Jz1tNPQDXNQ/s640/Bakehouse.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We finally found the esplanade that runs for 10km along the shore line from Portarlington to St Leonards. Half way around i noted that we were not looking at the bay. Our heads were firmly turned to the left assessing the real estate. A mix of original beach houses and new glass mansions. It soon became obvious that we were on opposite sides of the fence. I like old worldy homes and she likes them modern, minimalist with lots of glass. We then moved on to devising a plan to spend our imaginary millions on first a beach house for our holidays and then onto investment properties. I did a double take and quickly did a U Turn because there it was. Our future. The worst house on the best street. I'm not sure if it is occupied (God i hope not) but i was out there taking my photos anyway. Take a look at the view! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOZm_X26qDY4W2g8U9MP0tZeQPWJkiH1VWWbG1wDyNtK2MxGX_wjHnlBDvsLQwy_KM8z9S_-rI2NFXTaMRYu6ujUR8nSsKX_1eqfelOt5I3PmLu8D_ZuB7DrftvEs3zHyYSzoAU3HvNQ/s1600/Bluff+Road+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOZm_X26qDY4W2g8U9MP0tZeQPWJkiH1VWWbG1wDyNtK2MxGX_wjHnlBDvsLQwy_KM8z9S_-rI2NFXTaMRYu6ujUR8nSsKX_1eqfelOt5I3PmLu8D_ZuB7DrftvEs3zHyYSzoAU3HvNQ/s640/Bluff+Road+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Gorgeous isn't it (the view not the house). The block was long and straight. I'm guessing about 800m2. We both watch a lot of real estate shows on Foxtel. Its become an obsession of mine. I dream floor plans. Guaranteed to go to sleep with a smile on my face. <br />
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I've posted the above thinking of a recent post from Gill, <a href="http://thatbritishwoman.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/cant-wait-to-see-what-your-comments-are.html">That British Woman</a>. Every week she gives us a selection of her favourite home, cottage or condo from the real estate site Toronto Life. Well last weeks "cottage" costs $12 Million, 8500 square foot on 11 acres of private island. That is not a cottage! This is a cottage, or was. <br />
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We moved onto our regular haunt in Queenscliff for coffee and found the older gentleman running the little nursery practically giving away Yukkas from his own garden. At $3 each they were a bargain, so we shared them. On reaching home, i ended up with all 5 of them. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehq5JUvztRZELGYJWFR3jAHTcCCc8q14KbZMbtw9y8_El_I03AS3hM6H2ewMqqre-gusUpVLVgii3Tln3VuoegVKT0qcKaolxoPYZsBAO2eeJdr5pDtlv0GCTYSaqy4sG8iZC1p2B5TA/s1600/Yukka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehq5JUvztRZELGYJWFR3jAHTcCCc8q14KbZMbtw9y8_El_I03AS3hM6H2ewMqqre-gusUpVLVgii3Tln3VuoegVKT0qcKaolxoPYZsBAO2eeJdr5pDtlv0GCTYSaqy4sG8iZC1p2B5TA/s640/Yukka.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We stretched our day out till late afternoon still not having run out of chat. I'm looking forward to returning to the area and doing some more exploring. <br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land of Oz</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-21793330691374226072015-06-22T21:17:00.000-07:002015-06-22T21:17:08.283-07:00Calling all Husbands, Brothers, Sons, or Mates <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gyV-e4KFb5UH8an7YJoZcJePwCTzQyPjJHWy-kLXXnukLNhRGfv3fqQNQOclLHzlbqJzNDGETbYpSZPA16uFZDboZpZXcRzMAOii36EUkdPJWGNXzeP8s7kjx7Oi5__cTtoxvUTIy_s/s1600/isolated-young-male-630x315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gyV-e4KFb5UH8an7YJoZcJePwCTzQyPjJHWy-kLXXnukLNhRGfv3fqQNQOclLHzlbqJzNDGETbYpSZPA16uFZDboZpZXcRzMAOii36EUkdPJWGNXzeP8s7kjx7Oi5__cTtoxvUTIy_s/s400/isolated-young-male-630x315.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The following appeared on my Facebook page and as the mother of a son and the wife of a husband it reached out to me. I'm taking it home and popping it on the the back of the door in front of the "thinking chair", you know the one i mean. That place where men go and solve all the problems of the world for what seems like an inordinate amount of time. <br />
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No seriously, i want to give this to every man i know and say "Hey, how are you doing, really?"<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt;">If like me this speaks to you, pass it on to your male loved ones. They may just look blankly at you (like im expecting mine too) but print it out, put it somewhere where they'll come across it so that if they ever get to that point of needing help then they have somewhere to start. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Seems to me that much of the advice given is pointed towards being independent both in thought and daily living. Taking control of your own self worth and your ability to look after yourself both emotionally and physically. I gave this to someone at work who is going through a messy divorce and he said to me that he wishes someone had given it to him 12 months ago. I asked why? He said because despite some of the advice being so simple it would have given him a starting point to recovery. He is still on his journey but found worth in this article so i'm passing it on to you. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.davenixoncoach.com.au/an-open-letter-to-every-husband-brother-and-son/">http://www.davenixoncoach.com.au/an-open-letter-to-every-husband-brother-and-son/</a></span><br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">AN OPEN
LETTER TO EVERY HUSBAND, BROTHER AND SON
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">from David
Dixon. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Dear Fellow Brother,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I have a lot to get through today but
first I want to share with you a scary statistic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"> Did you know that Male suicide
is 3 times higher than that of Females?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Why is this? This should be alarming
to us all. Considering how easy it is supposed to be to be a guy – it is also
quite hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">To be honest – I believe the fact we
are told to man up and that emotions are feminine has a lot to do with this
statistic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"> We are told to toughen up and
to be a man. Have some cement and harden up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Men don’t cry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">So we keep it in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">We don’t talk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Which in turn means that we don’t
learn how to deal with our struggles and more importantly – our emotions. A lot
of the time we end up feeling alone and overwhelmed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">But you’re not in it alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">We are in this together. We are all
brothers. I know we are ‘Blokes’ but it is important to tell your mates
and brothers to that if shits going down, that we can talk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Life can be shit sometimes. But its
shitter without your best mates around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I personally have gone through my ups
and downs and I expect there are more to come. That’s kind of how life is
really. I would be lying if I said that I hadn’t considered driving my car off a
cliff. That I felt consumed by my problems and mental dialogue. I wouldn’t say
I have had depression. But I believe its real. What I do know though are these
two things;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 3.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I never ever wanted to feel like that
again<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 7.5pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-font-family: inherit; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I never want any of my mates to ever
feel like that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Asking for help is not a sign of
weakness. It takes a strong person to put their hand up when they are drowning
in their own thoughts and problems and I am here to tell you there is hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I want to share with 50 things
I have learnt along the way that helped me. Some you may align with and some
you may not. Some are directly related to the above statistic and some are
things I wish I knew as a teenager.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I wanted to make it a flowing letter
but naturally, it came out in dot points.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="color: red;">So, to
every Husband, Brother, Son and Friend I share with you some of the tips,
quotes and advice that has helped me:</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Respect every female regardless of
how they act.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Never hit a woman. Ever.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">The first one to get angry loses.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Get up early. Achieve something
before the world wakes. Read, run, lift or listen to a podcast. Just get up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Give to charity/community – but don’t
go around telling everyone. Don’t do it for recognition. Do it because it’s the
right thing to do.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Do something active – join a sporting
team or community gym.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Tell people how you feel. Not just
angry feelings – I mean emotions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Tell your parents that you love them.
Honestly – they fed you and wiped your arse when you couldn’t do it yourself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Write down your goals. Again. And
again. And again. It will get easier to be clearer each time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Hold the door open for people. Not just females but also for your fellow
bros.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">11.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Go for girls outside your “league”. Because this is the best way to
learn that no one is.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">12.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Learn to say sorry – and actually mean it. Also – learn how other people
communicate. Sometimes you need to show people you are sorry. Whereas others
need to hear it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">13.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">I want to say find a mentor but it doesn’t work that way. Rather, follow
your passion and give to the community. People of influence will want to help
you. Probably because both of those things are genuine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">14.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Never buy flowers to say sorry. Always buy them for no reason at all.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">15.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Learn how to cook. Something. Anything.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">16.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Buy a slow cooker.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">17.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Always stand up to shake hands.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">18.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Shake a woman's hand – not too tight but enough to match their grip.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">19.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Give compliments – to both genders.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">20.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Find someone you can talk to.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">21.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Don’t always give answers. We want to fix things. Sometimes people want
to talk but aren’t ready yet for things to be fixed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">22.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Ask for permission to give advice before giving it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">23.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Eat your damn vegetables.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">24.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Read books – not comic books.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">25.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Listen to podcasts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">26.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Trust your gut.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">27.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Work harder on yourself than you do on your job.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">28.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">The truth always comes out and character never lies.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">29.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">You can disagree but don’t attack someone or belittle someone for their
opinion.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">30.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Bringing someone down doesn’t make you any better – it is a direct
reflection of you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">31.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">If someone hurts you – don’t hurt them back. Try to understand why they
are lashing out first.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">32.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Someone only ever hurts you when they themselves are hurting. No one has
ever hurt someone from a place of happiness.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">33.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Never, ever bully someone. Especially over the internet. It is one of
the WEAKEST social aspects that the internet has brought to mankind.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">34.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">You are never too old to change a habit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">35.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">You are never too old to tell someone how you feel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">36.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Silence is deadly and it is not weak to speak.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">37.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Study the universe, stop and look at the stars. You will somehow learn
more about yourself if you do.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">38.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">No one owes you anything. Nothing. You are not entitled to anything. So
you want something. Go out and get it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">39.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">You can have anything you want. You just have to outlast and outsmart
the problems.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">40.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Find a form of art that you are proud of – make it your hobby or work.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">41.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Build or create something tangible throughout your life. This could be a
cubby house, a bridge or even a book.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">42.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">The harsh reality is that one day a bus is going to come and hit you.
Hopefully not literally, but at least metaphorically. You and I both don’t know
when that day will come. So don’t live in an illusion that you have time. You
don’t. Be patient but hustle and create chances. Understand that time is the
last thing you have and the first thing we take for granted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">43.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Eat food. Not healthy food or clean eating. Just food. The “It grew from
the ground or had a mum kinda food”. Everything else is slowly poisoning you
and the genes you are passing down.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">44.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Travel. You will grow as a person every time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">45.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Spend money on experiences and memories.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">46.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Don’t set goals based upon your current circumstances and resources.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">47.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Don’t let someone else’s opinion of you become your reality.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">48.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Buy some nice cologne. Seriously. People remember smells more than
anything.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">49.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">What happens is not as important as how you react to it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">50.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 19.2pt; text-indent: -18pt;">And sometimes, family isn’t always blood…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">… and sometimes these family members
who aren’t blood are the ones that save your life. They don’t know they did.
All they asked was “What’s up bud? Everything OK?”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Silence is deadly, gentleman</b></span></span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">. This is
my message to say that I am here to listen. If you feel the same then feel free
to pass on this message to someone who needs to hear it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: 13.2pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "inherit","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">To every person who helped me out of
my hole – thank you. This is me paying it forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Not everything that appears in social media is bad. This one, i think, has merit and value for both men and women and especially for all those boys growing up without fathers to guide them in the ways of manhood. </div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land Of Oz</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-38582497055733463352015-06-22T02:55:00.000-07:002015-06-22T02:55:30.096-07:00Escape to the Country <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This Sunday saw my sister, Glenda, and I escape to the country with Chelsea and Maison. It was freezing but we had work to do so donned jumpers and work gloves for a day of wood gathering and chopping. It didn't take long to warm up despite being only 4 degrees. There was plenty of beautiful winter sun but not much warmth in it. <br />
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The children enjoyed the tractor rides to the work sites the best and Henry gave them a good long run before we left mid afternoon. I couldn't believe how hard they worked. They were lifting and carrying really big branches and logs, and what they couldn't lift they rolled. Not once did they ask for treats or rewards. I especially appreciated that when we first arrived i took them for a walk around the 12 acre property and it was all "my feet are wet", there's poo everywhere" and by the time we left they were dirty and picking up logs covered in ants and had the biggest widest smiles on their faces. Sometimes it does one good to get a little dirt on you. Me included. I love these days of hard work and breathing fresh air and i was hauling logs alongside Henry and the kids. <br />
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The pyro in me enjoyed the bomb-fires we lit to burn off the fallen limbs which helps to reduce the fuel for fire season. We managed to increase their home woodpile and fill the back of Glenda's 4WD with enough small logs to keep my little chimnea burning for the winter. Win Win for all. <br />
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Not an awful lot happening at the moment. I seem to be hibernating when not at work. Rob and I managed our weekly "date" at Bunnings where we were looking at lighting and (Lord save me) some work tools for Rob. I have married the most indecisive man, Full Stop! I could have walked around the massive building twice in the time it took him to buy one screwdriver.<br />
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He looks pretty happy, as i walk by. </div>
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Little did he know how close he came to being clonked on the head with the biggest shifter i could find. <br />
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Cheers to all, hopefully something really exciting will happen soon and I'll be really interesting then!<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land Of Oz</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-22006188768900431552015-06-22T01:42:00.000-07:002015-06-22T01:43:25.603-07:00Its My Birthday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Two years old now and still melting our hearts. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land Of Oz</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-69413344009370655722015-06-06T04:36:00.000-07:002015-06-06T04:36:53.756-07:00Winter Arrives in Oz - Brrrrrrr <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFEUd-1FZtz-Pyv6yExj5FekdPcjQe1BPtsoR9vceq2r3Fvh1ydph-2b55U6nF0yTaGGw0lL7Q0afR0dD9QtTU1A9osoJnJEutxL95jYXeZFAShlk1gVuGsqz9AlcOkIoSiF9Qp2LOm8/s1600/Mt+Macedon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFEUd-1FZtz-Pyv6yExj5FekdPcjQe1BPtsoR9vceq2r3Fvh1ydph-2b55U6nF0yTaGGw0lL7Q0afR0dD9QtTU1A9osoJnJEutxL95jYXeZFAShlk1gVuGsqz9AlcOkIoSiF9Qp2LOm8/s400/Mt+Macedon.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
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This picture was taken by my boss, Paul, up at Mt Macedon on Thursday, picking Elly up from school. Got to love that hat/scarf. I think it looks so beautiful. So i fired one back at him from our office in West Footscray which he had left 40 min before.<br />
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Winter certainly arrived on time with the calendar date of 1st of June. It has been the coldest run of below average temperatures for decades. Brrrrrr I don't think any of us were expecting it to be quite so cold. Waking to near freezing temps and maxing out at 12C by mid afternoon. Leaving my office with a heater under the desk and going out into the factory has been like a walking into an icebox and the boys are all wearing beanies and fleecy jumpers while working. I think Jon doing the powdercoating has the best job in winter. He has ovens to warm himself up on though he wouldn't agree in summer when its 40+C out there.<br />
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Speaking of arrivals, there was a huge one this week. Well maybe he wasn't so huge but the combined expectation of so many people waiting for him to arrive has put some mighty big pressure on this little guy to be at his cutest. This week our beloved Kirsten and Jaxon produced a little baby boy by the name of Cooper McIntyre Durham.<br />
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Despite being a little late, all went well and Mum and bub doing well.<br />
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So my sister now has 3 grandchildren to cuddle and love. Busy family this one. Three weddings last year and now two more babies to join their cousin Banjo. Facebook has gone made this week with well wishes and photos. Its times like these i miss being at home. I might have to plan a sneaky trip soon. <br />
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Other family news this week sees Mum's house finally being pro-actively marketed by a new agent from Griffith. I think they scared the beejeebers out of her when they started talking about clearing out furniture, presenting the house, open days etc but she has been most impressed by the busy activity. At 85 the decluttering process to get a house presented for sale was just a bit too daunting but with the help of family bulky furniture was removed and boxes and boxes of a lifetime of accumulated things found there way into storage. You can view the You Tube presentation here. <br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O7qaoZE9j0&sns=em">Mums House - Leeton NSW </a><br />
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As someone who watches a lot of real estate programs on buying and selling, i think they have done a great job with what they had. The wallpaper definitely needs to go but i think you can see that the house has great bones and with the addition of a two bedroom unit for income, its a bargain at $250-280K. Typically, Mum has already viewed and decided on her next house which will be in Narrandera, 30 min away and closer to Church and family. After being disappointed in the couple of houses she was interested in she asked the agent if there were any others. She walked in the door of one and turned to the agent and said "this is my house". The owners have agreed to hold it until Mum's auction in July so we all have our fingers crossed. She called me up and exclaimed "I've bought a house before selling the other one". So excited. She sounded like she had lost 20 years. My sister Glenda has gone home this weekend to make sure she is out of the house for the first open day. She has been upset by previous viewers walking around making negative comments in front of her. It needs updating but that is reflected in the price. I sent flowers for the dining table to make it more homey.<br />
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With the temperatures being so low, i finally pulled down the last of the tomato vines. Really! <br />
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I think tomorrow will be the last breakfast of tomatoes on toast using my own. Lots and lots of green tomatoes to make into pickles. <br />
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The peas are looking very healthy but i doubt that the peppers will ripen, though you never know with that wall behind them. <br />
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I was watching River Cottage Australia Season 2 the other day and they made champagne out of Lilli Pilli fruit (known as Riberry). Hang On, i have two of those outside my front door. Given, they are not the 10 mtr high trees that were shown but......<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquLVRUnw3o3Rslw6LUY9WYtxDByinDklpJd1oKGnzZIZSgPXr2n01KQHsVCer20v2Von609homdTTp6W9USqAWby9lAResRBpztzekjCQohB3eHkSUOBhsUAaETD4pG-I_0BE2ZXNV5A/s1600/Lillpilly+Fruit+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquLVRUnw3o3Rslw6LUY9WYtxDByinDklpJd1oKGnzZIZSgPXr2n01KQHsVCer20v2Von609homdTTp6W9USqAWby9lAResRBpztzekjCQohB3eHkSUOBhsUAaETD4pG-I_0BE2ZXNV5A/s640/Lillpilly+Fruit+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
I must have pruned the one on the right at exactly the right time as the other one on left has no fruit at all. This one is loaded and my footpath is turning a shade of purple. I never thought of eating them but they said that they tasted like a strawberry apple and you know what, they do. Slight after taste but i image you could do something with them. The birds will like them anyway. Check out some recipes on this <a href="http://tasteaustralia.biz/bushfood/native-fruit/lilly-pilly/">Australian bushfoods</a> site.<br />
<br />
I've added a few more plants to the fernery side of the house. Its a jungle out there....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3um8pmd_NgHVekgPoMWpYJeImxAMMGksLe_8QRBMdhA7zwvmI9sztaTcTp1Ay9t4gfMWf-jm7d1U5TX707PxDbnzuRDaw5ZXdebgBfCAkTDzJckntOSyrcHDaYhniGRs4UGGlNgQmOw/s1600/Kitchen+Window.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3um8pmd_NgHVekgPoMWpYJeImxAMMGksLe_8QRBMdhA7zwvmI9sztaTcTp1Ay9t4gfMWf-jm7d1U5TX707PxDbnzuRDaw5ZXdebgBfCAkTDzJckntOSyrcHDaYhniGRs4UGGlNgQmOw/s640/Kitchen+Window.jpg" width="486" /></a></div>
<br />
Its been a Bla week this week for me physically. This blood phobia thing has got to go. I've passed out twice this week and the resulting illness lasts almost a day. Saturday night i saw something yucky on TV and Monday morning i cut my finger on a broken plate in dishwasher. I had actually taken the day off to go on a day trip with Rob on his RDO. Wasted day. My boss says its much safer at work and i shouldn't have time off. How stupid it feels but i cannot control this at all. It doesn't make sense that i can work with meat and have no trouble but with people, i only have to talk about it. Its happened several time this year already. Who can forget (I cant) passing out at a First Aid Course. How embarrassing. I think i am more afraid of being unconscious and then clammy illness afterwards. I feel so vulnerable. <br />
<br />
I'm investigating hypnotherapy. Has anyone had this done? It really is debilitating not knowing what your body is going to do. <br />
<br />
Add to this a finger that got squashed while moving a freezer resulting in a black nail and black finger (ouch) and then on Friday i had a "thing" chopped off the top of my head at a skin clinic to send away. I took Tom with me to drive and to care for me in case i, you guessed it, passed out. Its not funny!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks for visiting Living In The Land of Oz</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-42139737859754337012015-05-25T04:48:00.001-07:002015-05-25T05:33:46.726-07:00Strolling in Williamstown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UNrAgpkyTFeF80FFaFaj5MXtx7HryvQI6G0392Hrae3SPNebp3XbJLozNTVpjlnpORhwB9w-LkHqC4k3jobAJXalSYQlgNOK6PXP9e4Yrq-0HLDeX9FPyhCUdDkSZ3AOyCMO_Fywp0o/s1600/Williamstown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UNrAgpkyTFeF80FFaFaj5MXtx7HryvQI6G0392Hrae3SPNebp3XbJLozNTVpjlnpORhwB9w-LkHqC4k3jobAJXalSYQlgNOK6PXP9e4Yrq-0HLDeX9FPyhCUdDkSZ3AOyCMO_Fywp0o/s400/Williamstown.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Gorgeous, isn't it? With a view like this, the overcast sky didn't matter at all! The city you can see in the background is Melbourne and my BFF and i were strolling along the Williamstown foreshore on the other side of the bay Sunday afternoon. A leisurely walk (or for those in our FitBit group, a fast paced romp clocking up steps) admiring the boats, the gulls, the large cruise ship and some rather expensive real estate. Williamstown was the original sea port of Melbourne in the mid 1800's and after many years of being an industrial wasteland it has evolved into a genteel suburb of a original cottages and terraces, glass fronted mansions, a maritime precinct, public parks with walking and bike paths for all. Weekends see the main esplanade of restaurants and the foreshore packed with both locals, city dwellers arriving by water taxi and people like us who visit from the outer burbs. The cruise ship in the top picture is the Sea Princess on its first stop out of Sydney and bound for Perth via Margaret River. A leisurely 7 day cruise. <br />
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We took our time driving back along the bay through Altona (quick stop for an ice cream) looking at houses, both admiring and critiquing as only those who are addicted to watching home renovation and real estate programs can do.<br />
<br />
Speaking of renovating, the long drawn our Arch of Bob (as it has become known) is nearing the end. Of course the arch i refer to is the one between Tom's two bedrooms and it seems to have morphed into a long term project rather than a quick weekender. A coat of paint went on this weekend but not before much sanding of grout and plaster with the ensuing mess transported throughout the house. Can you guess by who?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprQEaTck_teLUcWxfh7iZsc6xmePqhsZwxXnTDWBNQ2DTfoiGyeCD4yOGGP9qWpIIcSv4y0JPDIYCqP6IDcvQQwR41DbjAUAawgfpr9itRil-9bvdIUU8L6_bUBN48V8ReHKjeE-I8fE/s1600/Bobs+Arch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprQEaTck_teLUcWxfh7iZsc6xmePqhsZwxXnTDWBNQ2DTfoiGyeCD4yOGGP9qWpIIcSv4y0JPDIYCqP6IDcvQQwR41DbjAUAawgfpr9itRil-9bvdIUU8L6_bUBN48V8ReHKjeE-I8fE/s400/Bobs+Arch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I seriously must have the patience of Job. Even Tilly is in on the act. I must have washed those floors three times in one day. Rob was like the Abominable Snowman covered in plaster dust from head to toe. "Stand Still" for goodness sake!<br />
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I seriously had to undertake some therapy so i went out to the garden to fetch a pumpkin. This is my first crop and i am justifiably proud, so allow me a little showing off, if you please......<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedb1K6NS_qtxOfFauEdL9SdQvwKzkMAz0C1RRSx4J5lQNJgb5TbHOt3wCYwIdZOIfV7bWEmSvopXZv14stCEe6g5poTv8nCEVJpx4Nl53K2mlS3KGbbJh8Nw_d8m4CEqDsclSexki-2U/s1600/Pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedb1K6NS_qtxOfFauEdL9SdQvwKzkMAz0C1RRSx4J5lQNJgb5TbHOt3wCYwIdZOIfV7bWEmSvopXZv14stCEe6g5poTv8nCEVJpx4Nl53K2mlS3KGbbJh8Nw_d8m4CEqDsclSexki-2U/s400/Pumpkin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
The one most in danger of falling off was huge and so i split it with my BFF. We both made soup last night. I oven roasted mine with onions and then pureed them with a little (homemade) chicken stock. Bring it to gentle simmer and add cream (either normal, sour cream or coconut cream), salt & pepper, nutmeg and stir to combine. Yum Yum Yum. <br />
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Work is still go go go at the moment and so nothing extraordinary has happened. I would love to do some more workshops but the home projects beckon. One day, one day........ they will be done but in the mean time we will enjoy the journey and learn some new skills, like plastering!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land of Oz</b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-73498256478461390102015-05-19T03:35:00.000-07:002015-05-19T03:35:27.262-07:00Noelle's Funnies - From Florida<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25_jbrBHnOFfBMs-HPxVSo4yvFH4RvvlwbFA6doZZsDKWXVY0uw8NBAaT7t4nkHJthA4Kbxg88pHArYMB-RW3qDJey6KfSJkZc6QkqYvF1ZciCXADY-JFWoID6SKW39NerFxv6RbxG_Y/s1600/beethoven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25_jbrBHnOFfBMs-HPxVSo4yvFH4RvvlwbFA6doZZsDKWXVY0uw8NBAaT7t4nkHJthA4Kbxg88pHArYMB-RW3qDJey6KfSJkZc6QkqYvF1ZciCXADY-JFWoID6SKW39NerFxv6RbxG_Y/s320/beethoven.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
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<br />
Oh Ludwig, with respect.......<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgucAID4TWgGy9eNhJ_KazqKL_JFK0V8X5XiV53hjADVWbLF1UaVsTsDk5BeaiQv7tG0Op3C9kqdalaceEnzQ16hb4KS8sDVuNTmW8Oj7_eRPieN3ibgYykGV7CH7q5TV7qQMQQS6O1yU/s1600/Vienna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgucAID4TWgGy9eNhJ_KazqKL_JFK0V8X5XiV53hjADVWbLF1UaVsTsDk5BeaiQv7tG0Op3C9kqdalaceEnzQ16hb4KS8sDVuNTmW8Oj7_eRPieN3ibgYykGV7CH7q5TV7qQMQQS6O1yU/s640/Vienna.jpg" width="544" /></a></div>
<br />
The above joke had our family rolling with belly laughter. So unexpected yet obvious. <br />
<br />
I'm enjoying the jokes Noelle is sending from afar. She is visiting her sister in Florida for a while but still keeping me laughing. <br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">W</span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;">el</span>come to the golden years......</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">I couldn't find my keys. I quickly gave myself a personal "TSA Pat Down."
</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><br clear="none" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">They weren't in my pockets. Suddenly I realized I must have left them
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<span style="color: blue;">in the car. Frantically, I headed for the parking lot. My husband has
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<span style="color: blue;">scolded me many times for leaving my keys in the car's ignition. He's
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<span style="color: blue;">afraid that the car could be stolen. As I looked around the parking </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">lot, I realized he was right. The parking lot was empty. I immediately
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<span style="color: blue;">called the police. I gave them my location, confessed that I had left
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<span style="color: blue;">my keys in the car, and that it had been stolen. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><br clear="none" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><br clear="none" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Then I made the most difficult call of all to my husband: "I left my </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">keys in the car and it's been stolen." </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">There was a moment of silence. I thought the call had been </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">disconnected, but then I heard his voice, "Are you kidding me?" He
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<span style="color: blue;">barked, "I dropped you off!" </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Now it was my turn to be silent. Embarrassed, I said, "Well, come </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">and get me." </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><br clear="none" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">He retorted, "I will, as soon as I convince this cop that I didn't </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">steal your damn car!" </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13.5pt;">An old geezer,
who had been a retired farmer for a long time, became very bored with
retirement, so he decided to open a medical clinic. He put a sign up outside
that said: "Dr. Geezer's clinic. Get your treatment for $500; if not cured get
back $1,000."</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div id="ecxyiv0832996764AOLMsgPart_2_4bc30feb-1a71-4ecc-8c7c-aa3851902c9c">
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dr.
"Young," who was positive that this old geezer didn't know beans about medicine,
thought this would be a great opportunity to get
$1,000. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13.5pt;">So he went
to Dr. Geezer's clinic.</span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13.5pt;">This is
what transpired:</span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dr. Young:
--- "Dr. Geezer, I have lost all taste in my mouth. Can you please help me
?"</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dr.
Geezer: --- "Nurse, please bring medicine from box 22 and put 3 drops in Dr.
Young's mouth."</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dr. Young:
--- Aaagh !! -- "This is Gasoline!"</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dr.
Geezer: "Congratulations! You've got your taste back. That will be
$500."</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dr. Young
gets annoyed and goes back after a couple of days figuring to recover his
money.</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dr Young:
"I have lost my memory. I cannot remember
anything."</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dr.
Geezer: "Nurse, please bring medicine from box 22 and put 3 drops in the
patient's mouth."</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Doctor
Young: "Oh no you don't, that is Gasoline!"</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dr.
Geezer: "Congratulations! You've got your memory back. That will be
$500."</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dr. Young
(after having lost $1000) leaves angrily and comes back after several more
days.</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dr. Young:
"My eyesight has become weak, I can hardly see
!!!!"</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dr.
Geezer: "Well, I don't have any medicine for that, so here's your $1000
back."</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dr. Young:
"But this is only $500..."</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Dr.
Geezer: "Congratulations! You got your vision back! That will be
$500."</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Moral of
story -- Just because you're "Young" doesn't mean that you can outsmart an old
"Geezer " !!!!</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">and ain't that the truth!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land of Oz</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-41563277677635764242015-05-18T04:50:00.000-07:002015-05-18T04:50:15.254-07:00Here I Am, Not Far Away, Just Hibernating<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Gosh, it has been awhile since i wrote a post. Is this what they call writers block? Have i committed the cardinal sin of blogging and been absent for so long that I've lost my readers? Truth is that nothing much has happened that was worthy of writing about. "Hasn't stopped you before", i hear you say from afar. Perhaps the autumn chill that has finally descended upon us here in Melbourne has sent me into hibernation. Now wouldn't that be nice?. I think i could crawl into a nice warm cave and sleep for the winter. Even better, when i finally came out I'd be much much slimmer. Well rested and looking good. Bonus!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANi4hqbZOSaDApF3ndYaB_qFYfjnbFQr-pBF4o5VCarks6M_EsXTtvHPfiFjtngA6HLS6ZT7u_VCD99G4S4S2HQgK17EJbJB2otohUbiXzfKKiaJtmepM1uw69OQnIgQslfVODeLZBqc/s1600/bears-hibernation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANi4hqbZOSaDApF3ndYaB_qFYfjnbFQr-pBF4o5VCarks6M_EsXTtvHPfiFjtngA6HLS6ZT7u_VCD99G4S4S2HQgK17EJbJB2otohUbiXzfKKiaJtmepM1uw69OQnIgQslfVODeLZBqc/s400/bears-hibernation.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer: Any similarity between the bear above and myself is purely co-incidental. </td></tr>
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You may have noticed me popping up in your comments here and there but in general I've been pretty offline. I've read some books and watched a shocking amount of recorded home renovating and cooking programs in the evenings. Today, however, the autumn sunshine appeared and woke me up. I've been playing outside in the garden. Gosh it feels good. I truly haven't been out there for weeks and look what i found.<br />
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Can you believe it? Tomatoes in May. I've broken my own record and have now been picking my own tomatoes from early December to mid May. 6 Months - Crazy!. As Gavin from Greening of Gavin pointed out, i have my own little micro-climate going on out there. I ate some sliced on toast with salt flakes and pepper and it was an explosion of flavour. The remaining plant on the back wall of the house is full of green ripening tomatoes and even flowers reaching to the eaves. The solar system tells me I'm generating 3kW of power so I'm washing my dishes and clothes for nothing. <br />
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These flowers are self seeded and certainly were not there a few weeks ago. I'm definitely a lazy gardener. It looks after itself. I am great at growing grass though and my low maintenance bunnies seem to enjoy it. <br />
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Two weekends ago i had the pleasure of two munchkins for the weekend. Maison and Chelsea live on the other side of the city now and our visits are too infrequent. I pinched them for a weekend of cuddles and kisses. Nope, i haven't started pinching their cheeks yet like some ole spinster but close enough. Maison and the boys (sorry, my men) went off to see the Avengers on Saturday while i took Chelsea to KMart for some winter clothes for her birthday. Can you believe that she is turning 6 and just going into size 4. Tiny little miss but one with attitude and the confidence of an 18 year old. The boys usually hang together while Chelsea and I get some girl time. <br />
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Chelsea, who doesn't eat eggs, decided she loves my "puffy cakes" otherwise known as quiche. On Sunday Tom drove us down to Werribee South foreshore and while the sausages were cooking i made French Toast (bread soaked in egg). She ate so many that she didn't want any sausages. Hmmmm i guess Chelsea does eat eggs, just don't tell her. <br />
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We had a lovely time watching the kids roll down the grassy slope with the other children. I think the little Muslim girls, covered from head to toe, were better protected from grass rash than the others but i was worried about grass stains on their white hijabs. Maison was scratching for hours. We tore up the remaining bread and fed the seagulls creating a huge flock of noisy and competitive birds. Such fun for all. <br />
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Last weekend my Bestie and I joined the throng and attended the AFL's annual Pink Lady Match in support Breast Cancer. It was a lovely outing on our own and I enjoyed our train adventure. She travels to the city every morning and night on crowded trains and so I'm not sure she was so enthused. I'm not a footy supporter (she is a Collingwood supporter - need i say more) but i do love attending a game at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground). So much atmosphere. <br />
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There was a minutes silence where i remembered my late sister-in-law Bellie and also a banner through which 300 Mums, chosen from 1000's nominated, ran through all dressed in pink poncho's. We were given small LED torches that had a pink filter and when they turned the lights off it was amazing. I think i equally enjoyed the company and just moving around the city late at night. It felt strangely youthful, like we should be checking into one of the nightclubs for a boogie and a few cocktails. Ummm the fact that i said the word "Boogie" should be a hint that i am anything but youthful!. <br />
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This weekend we've been busy de-cluttering for a hard garbage pickup. I don't know why we bother as it usually disappears before the appointed day (Wednesday). Tom's old mattress, an unused sun lounge and a broken office chair have gone one way and an old bookshelf with 50 coats of paint that i was planning on stripping went the other. I wonder if someone wants my green waste because that's about all that's left along with the old oven. <br />
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Rob and I went to see the movie Mad Max - Fury Road on Saturday night.<br />
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I know, you are surprised aren't you. Surely that couldn't be my taste in movies. Well normally I'd have to agree with you but Mad Max is kind of an Aussie thing. I saw the first movie back in 1979 and i can tell you that George Miller has lost none of his touch. Its my opinion that this one was the best. My eyes were like saucers and i don't think i blinked once throughout the movie. I was leaking tears without crying. Such an avalanche of non stop action. Thank you Bell for a the Village Card Christmas gift, the whole night cost us nothing.<br />
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I'm loving these flowers i was given at work last week. No reason, they just thought i needed them. I did. <br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land of Oz</b></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12605358521258969537noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2849427743103205586.post-79641472684164252482015-04-25T05:37:00.001-07:002015-04-28T17:20:47.175-07:00Four Day Weekend, Again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After the Easter four day long weekend i kind of got use to it and booked another one. Truth is, i had accumulated time in lieu for overtime worked in March and so i thought I'd use the mid month lull to have some time off. Who am i kidding, what lull? I ended up working till 10pm Friday to have everything ready for Monday morning and then had to work like a Trojan to catch up when i returned on Wednesday. Was it worth it? Absolutely.<br />
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I already posted about <a href="http://middleagedreflections.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/going-potty-in-tottenham-cdls-paramount.html">going potty in Tottenham</a> on the Saturday morning so you know i had a new pot and some leftover Clivea to transplant. <br />
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These front garden beds on the blind side of the house (usually this is just a strip but because of an easement we have 2-3mtrs width) were completely filled with clivea gone mad.<br />
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It was so beautiful when in flower but it had really overgrown the path and this is our only access to the back yard for a wheel barrow or bins. I put an ad on Gumtree for free plants and i was inundated with calls. They came, they dug and they left me with a big mess which we forgot about because we couldn't see it - out of sight, out of mind. Not any more.<br />
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I've removed the old fashioned shear curtains on all the windows and so we now have a view. I had better make it a good one as it really draws your eye when you walk in the front door. We will have to sort out a privacy screen from neighbours as well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new pot and balls. The balls add colour and interest and don't need weeding or watering. There is about 5 clivea plants in the pot, so it wont take long to fill out. </td></tr>
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I'm thinking that the this path needs a good wash down with a pressure washer and then painting. What colour do you think? A shade of grey or do i go crazy and make it a shade of red?<br />
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Once i had done the bed outside the window i needed to plant out across the path because it was in view from inside as well. <br />
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You can see all that free mulch (still half the pile left) is coming in handy. These wall pots were generously gifted from my sister Glenda when she moved house. I've planted Seaside Daisies, Lobelia and Alyssum so they will fall gracefully and fill the view from inside. The potted palm just got moved from elsewhere. Do you play musical pots with your garden? Doesn't cost a thing except a bad back. <br />
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So now both sides of the path are neat and tidy. Oh dear, now the next section is looking worse for wear. After a few house of hard labour moving plants from here to there and repotting you can see it all coming together. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG61uF08ReHSlv7HOP1tvCg-q3hHzuM8ebu4BHaaGXOnufblN__1xNqmXgpgLfI2NjBAbd6Vop5reYLYSNiqvEBjolZaE_c7_2iSSZXWW3WWQD7sNFVU9-XbU70JMildviXWCnetAazUc/s1600/IMG_6301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG61uF08ReHSlv7HOP1tvCg-q3hHzuM8ebu4BHaaGXOnufblN__1xNqmXgpgLfI2NjBAbd6Vop5reYLYSNiqvEBjolZaE_c7_2iSSZXWW3WWQD7sNFVU9-XbU70JMildviXWCnetAazUc/s1600/IMG_6301.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh no, the mould is really evident. Wish i knew how to chop a triangle out of a photo. Its looking much worse in the photo. </td></tr>
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As you can see, this garden is in full view of the dining area. This is where i use to have the bantam chooks running around under the palms. You can also see two things. Its gorgeous but its also in need of a pressure wash. Look at that mould. This is the North side of the house and so this pergola has a fairly heavy shade cloth in "wheat" to give us protection from the Summer sun. Its very effective, but as soon as it gets a bit wet, the mould arrives. <br />
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My beautiful pot is still waiting for its final resting place. It could end up a water feature. Perhaps i do have a pot fetish?<br />
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Today i found another bargain to add to this garden. It was $60 reduced to $20. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9nIGTQrt7zR2qI5bIoQMWBLdtbfRdUK6cgfjhKE4nw3CggQ-y5GbZurmLQVRbq2XcxbxYPT-qfDFNLrucz0whdj_FQy0MiziOHMhSpVvClhSB0hcC3QVqnsYJ3WCF-ymxL9o9v9z8us/s1600/IMG_6337%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9nIGTQrt7zR2qI5bIoQMWBLdtbfRdUK6cgfjhKE4nw3CggQ-y5GbZurmLQVRbq2XcxbxYPT-qfDFNLrucz0whdj_FQy0MiziOHMhSpVvClhSB0hcC3QVqnsYJ3WCF-ymxL9o9v9z8us/s1600/IMG_6337%5B1%5D.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sign said woman praying but Rob thinks its a mother strangling a child. Huh? </td></tr>
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So enough of gardens. I did take some time to go for a drive with Tom. Adding more hours to his 120hr target as a learner driver. This Tuesday he will start with a professional instructor to finish off. Its taken ages to find an instructor that will let him use his car. Its what he feels most comfortable in and he will use it for the test, so he should learn in it. <br />
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We started out for Echuca on the border of NSW (big trip for one day) but he felt unwell an hour out so stopped at the closest town, Castlemaine. Since having Idiopathic Inter-cranial Hypertension when he was about 10 he has suffered from occasional vertigo and feels unwell when going up and down hills and tight turns. Just getting out of the car and walking around makes him feel better. <br />
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Castlemaine is an old gold mining town and you can see that in its time there was significant wealth in this small regional town. Most of the dates on the buildings are around 1855-1865's. <br />
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<a href="http://www.visitvictoria.com/Regions/Goldfields/Destinations/Castlemaine">Castlemaine</a> - Link<br />
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You can see in the picture below the gutters are all extremely wide and made of bluestone. Tom tells me that's because they carried a lot more than storm water in the past. Ewww!<br />
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Sometimes it pays to look up. What beautiful windows. I would have loved to look inside. <br />
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For all my veggie garden friends, look here. Its a kerb side veggie plot open to the public. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LhZBiZRbiHrxOnbSv5qvSoCdeAffkdzt6gZweT_aB-_QTRwMQa5lA9itViW4bBJNnADCWrf-m5b-di-CYNMJLNgIZncSlOO0xLbtPR1K6VB3EOkVXD4676Wwz48g6Uawv4XyaSl34EI/s1600/Castlemain+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LhZBiZRbiHrxOnbSv5qvSoCdeAffkdzt6gZweT_aB-_QTRwMQa5lA9itViW4bBJNnADCWrf-m5b-di-CYNMJLNgIZncSlOO0xLbtPR1K6VB3EOkVXD4676Wwz48g6Uawv4XyaSl34EI/s1600/Castlemain+4.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It would be great if the cities would follow the example of some of our smaller country towns. It was full of veggies. </td></tr>
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Of course there had to be a lunch break. <br />
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The lentil soup was delish and i cant even find words to describe the almond meal and raspberry/cranberry cake. Tom wasn't so impressed with his gourmet meat pie (give him a plain $2 pie from the servo any day) but the custard almond danish revived him. He felt so good on the way home, he sung me to sleep (ummm am i suppose to be supervising? He has done 100 hrs)<br />
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So why was Tilly looking very guilty spread out on the back of the couch? <br />
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Because when i left, the bed was made, neat & tidy. She's usually jumping up and down and being hysterical when i walk in the door but this is how i found her and my bed. Hmmmm someone is a naughty girl.<br />
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Oh i forgot to show you my other pot purchases from last weekend. <br />
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This white mosaic pot costs $5 and the ball 3 for $15. The plant is Coleus Henna suitable for shade to semi-shade so I've got in the big pergola. <br />
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Those who know me know that i have a coffee addiction and so i couldn't go past this pot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-K0KmVI6USrSXPMRR_ramB8-cD2B5lIq0Xbl8au0umg27i_bqDKrYoaqPXY1l7JN768oq7vkje8Qa4xo0_9YC4Mzfi1kmJLfP_Ud0UZRHU97I-TrN53t9W5aHnaFkADSMX1zRjkFJY2I/s1600/coffee+cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-K0KmVI6USrSXPMRR_ramB8-cD2B5lIq0Xbl8au0umg27i_bqDKrYoaqPXY1l7JN768oq7vkje8Qa4xo0_9YC4Mzfi1kmJLfP_Ud0UZRHU97I-TrN53t9W5aHnaFkADSMX1zRjkFJY2I/s1600/coffee+cup.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This oversized cup yet to be filled was $20</td></tr>
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I am sure that if this didn't have a hole in the bottom of it, i would have been presented with this full to the brim with coffee for breakfast by either or both of my men as a joke. Do you remember me saying what great service i received from the owners of the pot place. I would have grabbed the outside plain one but she said "No, there's a really nice one inside and promptly emptied the shelf of these quite heavy pots to get this one out. Lovely colouring.<br />
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Before you start think I've become Rockafeller, my entire garden makeover including pots, plants and ornamental lady came to $150. I won $160 last week on Powerball with a ticket paid for from a winning ticket the previous week. Thank you Mr Tattersall. <br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Thanks for Visiting Living In The Land Of Oz</b></span></div>
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