The story behind the smile...

The smile from yesterday's post has a story.

A couple of weeks ago I went to my beach house... well actually, I went to my parents home which happens to be in a beachside town, and I happen to be lucky enough to visit them there often. It is my home away from home, and I count myself blessed to have 'the best of both worlds' - my life in an inner city suburb of Melbourne and my beach side retreat at my family home.

I am also totally blessed to have a family who love me and who always greet me with wide open arms and smiles. When I arrived on the Friday afternoon, after a warm drive following a long day of work, my Mum and I took a quick trip down to the beach to dip our toes in the water and cool down a little. Normally we would walk, but Mum had a dodgy ankle so we jumped in the car.

On the way home, she asked if I wanted to see something special and (of course) I said yes. Up the hill, away from the beach and a few corners later and she got me to pull over and we got out of the car and walked back to the spot on the road where this smile was waiting to greet me. Here I was expecting a nest full of freshly hatched chicks, or a painting on some wall, or a beautiful flower or tree... and instead I was being shown a small scar in the asphalt of the road that looked like a smiley face!

And THAT is why I love my Mum so much (that and so many other reasons besides). She has a sparkle and a sense of fun, and also, she knows me so well, she knew that it would bring a smile to my face and she couldn't wait to share it with me.

Love.

Mahna Mahna...

Yes. I went to the see the Muppet Movie last night. And yes, it's corny and it's silly, but it's the Muppets through and through...

And I loved it. (In a Muppet kind of way you understand)

If you are a fan, get out there and see for yourself. Take along a little kid and introduce them to your childhood friends... but if you don't have any kids to take along, go along anyway. The number of adults far outweighed the number of children in the cinema last night.

And I challenge you to leave without having a few all too familiar tunes stuck in your head!

Let me start you off...
Mahna Mahna...

It's time to play the music...

It's time to light the lights...

It's time to meet the Muppets...

Their Movie Premiere's tonight!

Yippee! I love The Muppets.

I for one will be going to see it pretty darn soon.

Ma-na-ma-na.

This is what it sounds like...

A friend from work is part of an all male choir and they'll be performing this weekend in Caulfield in Melbourne. Unfortunately I won't be able to make it, but maybe you can...

“THIS IS WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE”
Saturday 25 June 2011
3pm & 7.30pm
Glen Eira Town Hall, Caulfield

They do songs like Chasing Cars and It's My Life.

Tickets
Concessions $20
Adults $25

Expect that the child ticket would be less than concession.

Check comments as Sam is dropping by my blog this evening and will hopefully add the details there.

Sometimes it's the little things...

I had to post this little pic today, because it was so much fun to create... I just love the the tilt-shift effect.

Thanks to Bricolagelife for her post, filled with her fun photos that inspired me to go take a look myself.

What do you think? Want to give it a go too? Well, here is the link to the Tilt Shift Maker to try for yourself. You can do it to. Go on, give it a go, it's super easy and it's quite addictive.

Once you've created some pics you like, post them and leave me a comment - I'd love to see how you go! I am going to post a couple more over the next few days.

Computer crash...

The world seems just that little bit brighter with a splash of colour...

Nine words women use...

(1) Fine:
This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2) Five Minutes:
If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3) Nothing:
This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

(4) Go Ahead:
This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It

(5) Loud Sigh:
This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6) That's Okay:
This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7) Thanks:
A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . that will bring on a 'whatever').

(8) Whatever:
Is a woman's way of saying...Go to Hell

(9) Don't worry about it, I got it:
Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.

Great traveling companions...

Did I tell you I am traveling to the States with my Mum?

For ages I had been talking of escape and adventure and taking a break from the world. Thing is, I wanted to escape everything and everyone, and this was the reason (in part at least) that I took so long to decide what to do and where to go... Because (and here comes the confusing bit) although I wanted to escape, I didn't really want to spend the entire 6 weeks on my own - I also wanted to have company at times too. I really didn't know what I wanted. Apart from everything of course!!!

And so, when I told my Mum I was going to the States, I asked if she wanted to come along too. And of course the answer was yes! There are many great things about this. Amongst them... I get along well with my Mum and we travel well together. We are interested in many of the same things... art, beauty, nature, people watching, relaxing, good food and fun. On top of that, she is like traveling with my own history book as she was bought up in the days when history was a strong part of a child's education and she remembers so much of it!

Also, she understands that I like my own space and we are not so precious that either of us will take it personally if one of us wants to do something different for a day or two.

Originally we agreed that out of 6 weeks away, we would spend 4 weeks together and 2 weeks apart (this I admit, was at my suggestion). I saw it as a good balance without either of us feeling too crowded and not being isolated either. I had plans to head to the Virgin Islands for a beach break and Mum was heading to Nova Scotia to soak up some Canadian goodness.

I was both excited (for me) and a little jealous (of her) at the same time. But the more I thought about it, the more I thought that Mum had the right idea... I reaslised that traveling to the Northern parts of the States, just to escape it for two weeks by traveling South for 7+ hours, was just a little bit crazy. I had come all that way, why not make the most of the area while there?

And so, I changed my plans. We have now decided that we will probably hang out together for most of the time... mostly because we want to do most of the same things anyway and it will be more fun with company. And if we decide to go our own way for a day or two at any stage, that's cool too.

Seems finding a rich Texan millionaire (and potential husband) is probably not likely to happen while hanging out with my Mum, and I won't be skinny dipping in the Carribean any time soon, and I'm pretty sure I can say we will not be bungy jumping, paragliding or climbing any glaciers, but that's ok. Because even if I miss out on these few things, we are going to have a great time together regardless.

Just ten sleeps to go!

28 days

Air Mail...

This little surprise landed in my post today.

So much nicer than another bill.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Luna Park Fun... how can it be called the scenic railway, when your eyes are tightly shut?

My Christmas gift to my cousin Jen and her 4 kids was to take them to Luna Park. It took a while, but we finally made it today.

I was determined to be brave and go on everything they did. No backing out. If I was scared, there was no way they were going to know a thing about it.

All good in theory, until we went on our first ride. Violet (the second youngest) was with me and I could feel her heart beating as she sat snugly against me. She asked me to hold on to her tightly. No problems, I thought, just who's holding on to me?

When we got off just two short minutes later, she was fine. Said she had a great time. Me on the other hand... my face was pale and sweaty and I am told I looked rather sickly. And I sure as hell felt it!

I don't remember the ride's name...
I call it the nauseator.
Two words...
NEVER AGAIN


Stunning day of sunshine and craziness.
And just in case you are wondering?
No. I didn't.
Not after the nauseator.


I did however, manage the Scenic Railway. The rollercoaster that has been scaring people witless for generations. What I don't understand is the name... yes I know it's high, I know it runs the border of the park, I know the view stretches to the beach and across the entire park... but how can it be called scenic, when your eyes are tightly shut?


Dodgem Speedster Monty.
You're never too young, or too old for the dodgems. So much fun, even for me at 42!


G-Force. And in the background, just part of the tracks for the Scenic Railway.


There were smiles all round.


This is the crew.


It was always going to be fun, with such a crazy bunch!
Thanks guys, I had a great day.


Glad to see I wasn't the only one exhausted at the end of it all!

The shell house...

A friend emailed me these images today and I just had to share. This home is in Bandra, Mumbai and is the new home of Indian cricketer Sachin Tandulkar. Take a look - it's pretty awesome.

I want them and I want them NOW!

Ohhh, I love these. Of course, I could just get one, but lets face it, a set of 10 would look so good in my studio (when I eventually get a studio that is).

Pantone Mugs - Pack of 10
$220
You can buy them online here

I'm ready for the weekend...

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

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.

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!

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.

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.