No sugar for a month? Who's crazy idea was that?

Call me crazy, but I decided to have no sugar for a month. No sweets, lollies, cakes, desserts, biscuits, cookies, no fizzy drinks. None. The intention was to stop the cravings and break the habit.

Of course I knew I couldn't avoid all sugars, but I have, for the entire month of June, avoided most and have declined any offers on the afore mentioned goodies. And it's nearly killing me!

It sounded like a great idea at the time. Of course, these things always do sound better in ones own head. So I have no-one but myself to blame.

It has not been easy. I am a person who includes chocolate in the major food groups. And here at day 25, it seems even harder than days 1, 2 and 3. Right now, all I want is chocolate. Forget the cakes etc, I'm not really bothered. But chocolate is infiltrating my every thought.

Last night I even dreamed I ate chocolate. As I was half way through I realised what I had done. I even felt guilty! And this morning I woke up wanting it even more.

Roll on next Wednesday... July 1st is chocolate day!

No sugar for a month? Who's bright diea was THAT?

Call me crazy, but I decided to have no sugar for a
month. No sweets, no lollies, no cakes, desserts, biscuits, cookies, no
fizzy drinks. Of course I knew I couldn't avoid all sugars, but I have
declined any offers on theafore mentioned goodies.

It sounded
like a great idea at the time. Of course, these things always do sound
better in ones own heads. I have no-one but myself to blame.

And
it has not been easy. I am a person who includes chocolate in the major
food groups. And here at day 25, it seems harder than days 1, 2 and 3.
Right now, all I want is chocolate. Forget the cakes etc, I'm not
really bothered. But chocolate is infiltrating all my thoughts.

Last
night I even dreamed I ate chocolate. And as I was half way through I
realised what I had done. I even felt guilty! And this morning I woke
up wanting it even more.

Roll on next Wednesday... July 1st is chocolate day!

Etsy goodness...

Today I received a package in the post which came all the way from South Carolina, USA. It was a little bag of wooden acorns from "Wee Wood Natural Toys."

I love them and I love Etsy!

Reason for Celebration...

Today is the shortest day of the year. And this, for me, is reason for celebration.

With sunrise at 7.36am and sunset at 5.08pm, there will be just 9 hours and 32 minutes of daylight in Melbourne today. This in comparison to the summer solstice on December 21, when there will be 14 hours and 47 minutes of daylight.

Winter is my least favourite season. The days are short. It's cold (and I hate being cold). And it's not Summer. Don't get me wrong, I love snuggling up next to a roaring open fire. I actually quite like walks in the quiet of foggy mornings. I love getting into my cosy bed (pre warmed thanks to my trusty electric blanket). And I certainly like steaming bowls of soup and mugs of hot chocolate as an antidote to the cold. But give me the bright sunshine of summer any day.

And so, as the shortest day is here and we begin again the journey toward Spring and Summer, I celebrate the passing of the shortest day in the Southern hemisphere. Because it means we are heading in the right direction. It may be some time off yet, but there is light (and sunshine) at the end of the tunnel.

I blame the TV...

I don't watch a lot of TV. Even the amount I do watch is too much. It takes up too much time, does not stimulate my mind and if I allow, it manages to fill my night. Before I know it, it's time for bed and I have wasted another night. It is a trap.

Quite a few years ago, my partner and I got rid of the TV for 6 months. And I loved it. I read more. I listened to the radio more. We talked more. When the football season began, I was convinced that the TV come back into our home. And it infiltrated into our lives and much of our spare time again.

The TV I own now is only tiny. Small enough to be hidden in a cabinet and not take over the room or the conversation. It can be closed away completely when I please and I like it that way. In fact, I would quite happily not have a television at all. And so, when people realise what viewing I am 'reduced' to, and they ask me why I don't upgrade, I tell them it's not a priority.

Of course, it does make watching subtitled movies pretty much impossible. And whilst I could blame that on the fact I could really do with getting my eyes checked, I blame the TV.

Small things...

I have been struggling with my blog recently. For months in fact. I want to write but my heart has not been in it and now I just don't know where to start. I've lost the path.

So last night, when I caught up with Jason from seven a.m, he gave me some advice. It is not the first time I have heard this and I know I have given it to others... but sometimes the simplest of advice is the hardest to take - especially for oneself.

So, you want to know. What was his advice?

To start.
That's it.
Simple, yes?

Start small.
Write.
A story.
Nothing major.
Nothing ground breaking.
Entertain myself.
Have some fun.

Start doing. Start writing. Begin. With anything.

I am also doing The Artist's Way. It's hard. Inevitably, it's bringing up a lot of stuff. Stuff that in the most part I manage to ignore or hide away. But now I am getting on with that too. Again. Not trying (because let's face it, that implies an acceptance of failure)... not trying - DOING.

Small things.

I'm ready for the weekend...

And the Awe-summm award goes to...

Me! Yes me!
I've been given and Awe-summm award from the lovely Lilli at Lilli Boo And what a lovely surprise, on a day that has (I'm sorry to say) been less than fabulous.

I have been asked to join in and list 7 things that make me Awe-Summm and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers I love. Saying what makes me awe-summm, is not something I feel especially comfortable with... but I have searched and thought and here is my list.

My list of Awe-Summm'ness:

1. I am a hard worker and live an honest life.
2. I defend people if I think they are being treated unfairly, and I try to treat everyone equally.
3. I love my family and I am happy to count them amongst my best friends.
4. I love to live creatively and try new things.
5. I was so terrified of spiders that I was letting my fear control my life, so I did an arachnophobia course. I held several huntsmen and a taranntula in my bare hands and now I find spiders fascinating as opposed to fearful.
6. I like to push myself out of the comfort zone and encourage others to challenge themselves too.
7. I remind myself every day how lucky I am to be surrounded by such incredible people and beauty in my life.

It was a tough decision to select just seven awesome blogs, but I know you will all spread the love even further. So, I now award the following for their awe-summmness.... I think they deserve it:

1. Hurrah!
2. Flossy-p
3. Pepperberry
4. Luhlahh
5. Circling my head
6. Adventures of Netgirl (I am missing her blogging and hope this gets her posting again!)
7. Everyday Calm


Below are the rules and guidelines to the Awe-summm award:

* List 7 things that make you Awe-Summm and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers you love.

* Make sure to tag your recipients and let them know they have won!

* And finally link back to the blogger that tagged you.

Picture to Page

I am having a busy weekend at the Picture to Page show in Melbourne, helping out my friend Liz with her paper and craft stall. She imports gorgeous handmade papers from Bangladesh.

We will be there again tomorrow (Sunday) 10.30 to 4.30 pm if you want to drop by and say hi! It's at the Whitehorse Club in East Burwood (between Blackburn & Springvale Rds on Burwood Hwy). It's a bit of a stamping and scrap-booking thing, which isn't really my thing, having said that I have still managed to find a couple of bargains. And certainly Liz's paper is well worth a look.

If you can't make it, but you are interested in buying some beautiful paper, Liz can be contacted via her website here. She has just said she has plans to upgrade her website soon, but you can still see a range of her papers there and contact her on the phone or via email.

Cheers!

Away with the birds...

I have been away with the birds... not literally, just in a blog sense. I have actually been busy and among other things I have been asked to document a friend's journey in setting up his cafe. His blog (and cafe) is called seven a.m. It's in it's early stages - the cafe and the blog - and there is a lot of work ahead. I will be posting there regularly to keep everyone up to date with the latest developments. Go say hi if you get the chance.

In the meantime... I have noticed I have a bit of a collection of birds happening around here and I thought I might share a few images with you. Somehow it has grown without me realising. I added to it today when I received the little piu piu bird in the bottom right hand corner. It was hand delivered all the way from the USA. Not only is it magnetic and holds paperclips in it's tail and wing region, it also chirps when it's moved.

There's nothing more comfortable than an old pair of jeans...

Here is my latest bag - another of my recent creations... It was made with the same pattern as this bag with a few variations and is reversible. I used a preloved pair of jeans I bought at Savers and some furniture fabric I bought at Spotlight.

It was a bit fiddly, because I wanted to use the pockets as a feature, but it was well worth the effort.

I really love it.

Oh - and my friend loved froggy.

May you and your friends be healthy and happy...

“If you live to be 100,
I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day,
so I never have to live without you.”

Winnie the Pooh

Mad dash to 5pm Friday...

Well it's nearly the weekend.Take it easy, there's no need to push!
We'll all get there eventually.

And have a good (and safe) weekend!

the getting of wisdom...

If I was wise, I would...

smile often
exercise daily
grow an edible garden
sleep well
say 'I love you' more often to those I love
be awake to the world around me
ignore negativity
embrace
slow down
remember to say thank you and you're welcome
defend what is right
eat good fresh food
smile often

The rainbow connection...

“We think too small, like the frog at the bottom of the well.
He thinks the sky is only as big as the top of the well.
If he surfaced, he would have an entirely different view.”

Mao Tse-Tung

Hope you are having a lovely week and your view is broad and full of sunshine.

This is my latest creation.
It's a gift for a very special friend.
I hope she likes him.

Getting friendly with a 47 year old Singer...

Thanks to the help of a very good (and patient) friend of mine, and my Mum's 1961 singer sewing machine... I managed to make this bag on a Sunday a few weeks ago. As we worked away for the afternoon, we were accompanied by the sweet hum of the sewing machine which is 6 years my senior.

Not only was it quite easy, I love the result! Mum's sewing machine and I got along quite well - we are still on speaking terms. At this rate, I think we might become quite well acquainted! Good friends even.

Dreaming of escape to a simpler life...

There are days, as the summer fades into autumn and I sit at my desk after a long week-end, that I dream of escape.

I don't want much really... a peaceful view of the water, sunshine on my shoulders, sand between my toes, a pile of books, a few pens, brushes and an empty notebook... and a caravan in which to make up a mug of hot chocolate in the cooler evenings and curl up each night.

This little beauty is an Airstream Bambi, and you can buy one here. At $51,000 it's a bit out of my price range (and I think that might even be US dollars), so I'll just have to keep dreaming.

Easter greetings... and a hot cross bunny or two...

The long weekend has just begun and I am at home tonight preparing to head down to the beach for the long weekend. The sun is shining and I hope it stays that way for the next four days. Long walks along the beach, sand between my toes, fresh air... and somewhere along the way, hopefully a hot cross bun or two and maybe a chockie egg or four...

Wishing you all a peaceful and relaxing Easter.
Stay safe and enjoy!

An apple a day...

Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.

NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE

6/6... come tag along if you like...

I was recently tagged by the lovely Lilli Boo. It's a 6/6 game...Where you chose the 6th photo in your 6th folder and write about it!

The 6th image in my 6th folder is this curious cow in BellingenI took this picture is Belingen in January 2007. I had been attending Camp Creative doing a one week writing course, and was on my way out of town homeward bound.

I stopped at a local gallery on the outskirts of town and was watched as I got out of my car by this curious cow. I managed to capture the moment on my camera, and not a moment too soon as the cow soon decided there were more interesting things to observe other than me.

For the curious... Camp Creative is a yearly event that fills Bellingen to bursting point. Over 1000 participants descend on the small NSW town and it buzzes for the entire week. I stayed at the local YHA which was pretty basic, but welcoming and relaxed.

Courses run for one week and range from creative writing, painting, cooking and mosaic through to circus skills and learning to play a clarinet in a week! It caters for all ages - there are lots of kids and heaps of oldies... and many in between. I had a great time and if you are interested, it's definitely worth a look.

Bryce Courtenay, David Helfgott (Subject of the movie SHINE) & David's wife Gillian are Patrons. David performed on 2 occasions the year I was there. There is also entertainment throughout the town most nights and a pretty funky market on Saturday mornings. No wonder the subject of my pic looked so peaceful!

Beautiful Birthdays...

There are lots of birthdays happening around me right now and I would like to send my love and best wishes to all of my favourite Aries babes. They are all amazing people and are special to me and I just wanted to let them (and you) know why...

On the 28th of March, it was the 53rd birthday of a blogging friend of mine called Renee of Circling in my Head. I met Renee last year (online) during the time when my brother had cancer, and we have shared emails and visited each others blogs since. She is an incredible woman and her blog is a treat where she shares openly of her thoughts, her trials and her love for the life and lives around her. She is an inspiration and a lovely person to boot. I hope she doesn't mind I used this image from her site (I'll be checking to make sure)

Yesterday my cousin Jenni turned 40. I think it's come as a bit of a shock to her (I felt the same 18 months ago). Who would believe that we could be this old? Of course, being 'this old', she has a lot to show for her 40 years so far... a gorgeous family, lots of friends and a job that relies on her insight and an open mind and is both challenging and rewarding. She is adored by her children, her family and her friends. And me too.

Today is Angela's birthday. She is the creator of Miss Buttons and she is also the person who encouraged me to start blogging when I worked with her a few years ago. She continues to inspire me with her creativity, and her imaginative ideas are always a treat. Go wish her a happy birthday at Three Buttons!

And finally (for this week at least) it's my Mum's birthday too. Yes, this coming Monday my Mum turns 69. Incredible! When I was a child, people of 69 would have been considered 'oldies', but this generation is yet to step into their slippers and take a rest. My Mum is a regular golfer, has a wide group of friends, cooks a mean roast, still loves to body surf at the local beach, has travelled widely and is the best Mum in the world. What can I say? I love you Mum! Happy Birthday for Monday!

And so. To all my favourite Arian's... Love and good wishes to you all. May your birthdays be celebrated in health and happiness and may you be surrounded by the people you love.

I'm over worked...

For a couple years I've been blaming it on lack of sleep, not enough sunshine, too much pressure from my job, earwax build-up, poor blood or anything else I could think of. But now I found out the real reason.

I'm tired because I'm overworked.

Here's why:

The population of this country [Australia!] is 20 million.
9 million are retired.
That leaves 11 million to do the work.
There are 7 million in school, which leaves 4 million to do the work.

Of this there are 2 million employed by the federal government, leaving 2 million to do the work.
0.5 Million are in the armed forces preoccupied with finding Osama bin Laden, which leaves 1.5 million to do the work.

Take from the total the 1 million people who work for state and local Governments and that leaves 500,000 people to do the work.

At any given time there are 280,000 people in hospitals, leaving 220,000 people to do the work.

Now, there are 219,998 people in prisons.
That leaves just two people to do the work.

You and me.

And there you are sitting on your arse, at your computer, checking out blogs.
Nice, real nice.

Taking a peek at artist's studios and working spaces...

For the people out there who like to look at other people's spaces, there is a beautiful photographic exhibition currently at The State Library of Victoria and I really recommend you go and have a look. STUDIO: Australian Painters on the Nature of Creativity. The exhibition showcases 61 of Australia’s most respected and important painters working in their studio environment.

Unfortunately, your time is running out as this it's in it's final week in Melbourne and finishes on Sunday 29th March (this Sunday). But it is free, so even if you just manage a quick look, it is worth it I think.

From here it travels to Perth and Hobart...
According to the website, the exhibition will be shown in Perth WA at the CENTRAL TAFE ART GALLERY August 6 to 29, 2009 and the CARNEGIE GALLERY Hobart, Tasmania May 27, to July 4, 2010.

There is also a companion book and DVD. The book is an absolute treat (thanks Dad) and I am sure I will go back to it again and again.

Do you recognise the personalities...

There are more than 100 world known personalities in this painting. If you can name a minimum of 25, you may consider yourself a cultivated person (or so I've been told).

Click on the image to get a bigger version. Go on you know you want to...

Good luck. Let me know how you go.

Finding the path to happiness...

Can someone please tell me where I can find the path to happiness.

How twins are conceived...

I know I haven't been posting much recently. Though I am managing to share just a few funny pics that I thought you might enjoy.

I'm still here. I hope you are too.

What can I say, I'm a procrastinator...

My first album...

You too can create your first album. Let me know if you do - I'd love to see what you come up with. If you would like to join the fun this is all you have to do...

1. Go to "wikipedia" Hit “random”
or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2. Go to "Random quotations"
or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3. Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”
or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4. Use photoshop or similar to put it all together.

5. TAG the friends you want to join in (or do what I did and leave it up to whoever wants to join in).

There is hope... isn't there?

I saw this first over here at Everyday Calm... go say hi!

National day of mourning...

Today we will pause to reflect on the tragedy and loss of Black Saturday, February 7th 2009, the worst bushfires in Australian history.

Today at 11am EST, Australians will pay their respects. Thousands are expected to join each other in Melbourne, and many more across Australia, to mourn the lives of those lost in the tragedy.

This photo was taken in Marysville in 2007. This small town, with a population of around 500, has been almost totally destroyed by the fires, with enormous loss of life and property.

The flower is a warratah and is native to Australia.