Thursday 20 December 2012

I DON'T WATCH TV (?????)

I have just been told that I am the weirdest person in the world ... admittedly by a teenager. 

What is weird about me?   I don't watch television or read papers or magazines (unless you count 5 year old 'Home Beautiful's).

Yes, I do have a TV (two in fact ... not my choice).  I do watch DVD's.  I also go to the movies.  I read books, listen to music and do ..... things.

I just don't want to watch what is presented as entertainment or as 'need to know information'. And ads!  Don't get me started! 

If there is anything important that happens in the world; I hear about it from the people I talk to, and then Google to find out more; if I want to.   And that is that.

There is a reason.  It is all about choice. 

I used to watch TV. Some regular programs were on my 'must see' list. But I lost interest.  It became irrelevant to me. 

Too many programs revolved around bitchy-ness, violence, 'reality voyeurism' or sad events. (Ratings might have something to do with it!) 

The News was often bad, sensational or, in some cases, fabricated (rarely on the News do you hear of good things that happen - unless it is a fireman saving a kitten or similar but hardly world shattering).

And yes, I know there are wonderful documentaries ... but I can't sit still to watch them, I want to go there instead.  

It is the same with newspapers.  There can be the unexpected positive story, but again, most articles are  bitchy, violent, sad etc .....   I really don't have the desire to know of this any more. 

It is my choice to limit the input of 'entertainment' and 'information' I receive; I wanted to choose what I wanted to know.  

Maybe I am weird, but it is my choice and I don't regret it.


Monday 17 December 2012

Christmas is coming, and so are the holidays


The time between Christmas and New Year is my sleep time, my read time, my walk on the beach, surf and yoga time: my do nothing for anyone else/see no one time.  
I want to be selfish and spend time with myself and get to know myself again. 

Recalibrate who I am.

Life is too frenetic for me at the best of times, and to do nothing but recharge the batteries and my return to a semblance of sanity is my idea of bliss at its most blissful. 

I will also eat lots of fruit, bake bread, eat simple and nourishing food and heal myself back to well and whole.

What will I be reading?
I will probably reread:
How to be a woman by Kaitlyn Moran - (funny!)
Love is a mix tape by Rob Sheffield - (poignant)
I’m with the band by Pamela Des Barres - (amazing!)

I also want to read:
The two Dalai Lama books that have been sitting there waiting to be read
Lots of Kate Elliot fantasy books (if I can find them in the library)

January will be the time to do stuff:
More painting and renovating at the Seachange
Gardening (de-jungling) at the Seachange
My community volunteer work
Catch up with family and friends
Plan what my goals and aspirations will be for 2013.

Then, back to real paid work and ease into the year.

Just a side note: Writing this blog has been a positive step towards self affirmation.  I write it; therefore it becomes solid and tangible.  I have told the world 'this is what I think and do', so it become real.  

There is always room to change my mind or modify what I think (nothing is rigid or static), but it has been a great way to get my thoughts in order. And also parts of my life.  I have a long way to go (is this a symptom of getting older?) to being me, but I am aware that I am well on my way. 
Happy holidays everyone.

Wednesday 12 December 2012

HAPPY AND GRATEFUL



I heard people ask all winter ‘when is summer going to be here?’ Now that we are having a hot spell (+30C over a few days) people are complaining that it is too hot. 

In the supermarket last night I was talking to a young guy on the register.  He was telling me how he hated this weather – it was too hot to do anything, too hot even for the beach!


I was gob smacked, because I LOVE (notice the capitals) LOVE, LOVE the heat.  Two of my happiest hot day memories was when I was a nut-case triathlete (they don’t call it try for nothing!) and I raced at Noosa two years in a row (and came second in my category both times, may I add!).

I was always behind in the swim, kept up the pace on the bike, but blitzed the run.  Why?  I love running in the heat.  Going for a 10 km run (after a 40km bike and 1.5km swim) was my idea of heaven.  I actually overtook all the fish-finned swimmers and Cadel-like bikers on the run. (Being hosed off by the locals as you run past is pretty good too!)
Being hot makes me feel alive. I move more freely, I feel more motivated, I have creative ideas that I want to do .... NOW.

It reminds me of a James Michener book I read ‘the Drifters’.  (If you haven’t read it, it is a great holiday read.) Britta is one of the characters.  She hails from Norway and craves the sun.  She travels to the great places of sun ... Marrakesh, Mozambique, Spain and Portugal, and refuses to go back to the cold and the Scandinavian half year of darkness. She feels alive in the sun too.  She was the character I identified with most.

What is the point of all this chatter?

Are we ever totally happy with our circumstances?  Don't we always want more or better? Newer, shinier?  (Cooler; as my young supermarket friend wishes.)

My post today is going to highlight what I am grateful for:
The love of my friends and family; I am grateful to be part of their lives. 
I appreciate the experiences that my life's adventure has given me, and I am grateful for that.
I cherish the memories of people I have loved but will never see again, I am grateful to have those wonderful memories.  

I also love the sun and I am grateful that it is summer once again. 

Vive le Soleil (long live the sun!)

Thursday 6 December 2012

CURE YOURSELF HAPPY


Go Figure! I was reading the paparazzi section of the ENews on my computer and I was warmed by an article about JLo (yes, Jennifer Lopez) and how she recovered from her ‘devastating divorce’ to Mark Anthony.
JLo, (to my surprise) said that "I didn't want to be the woman who stayed in bed for months ...I knew I had to get through it. I had to figure out [why] I was accepting situations that weren't good for me," she explains. "I had to turn [the situation] into something better.”
So, she focused most of her energy on taking care of her 4-year-old twins and everything else into her career. She danced every day, worked out as often as she could, and even read inspirational affirmations about how to 'heal her life.' Little by little, she says she started to feel stronger, happier.


I know everyone goes through awful periods in their lives.   Sometimes it is really hard to drag yourself out of the mire of sadness, self recrimination and self pity and back into the land of the normal (whatever normal is for you).  I have been through this several times in my life and I know other people have been through this too.  

It is not wrong to mourn or grieve but it is worrying to stay in that frame of mind over a long period of time; because you are not doing yourself or the people around you any favours.

What can you do .... take the tough approach...
- Exercise (outside if possible), Walk, jog, yoga on the beach – anything to get moving and get the endorphins through you
- Read, but only about good stuff ... books about self affirmation or happy strong people.
- Turn off the TV.  There is only junk or bad news on it.  Re-watch movies that you know will leave you with a happy vibe.
- Bake yummy stuff, and give the results to others. 
- Clean out your cupboards/shed/wardrobe ... anything to be busy and useful.  Donate what you don’t want.
- Create ... anything ... paint; write a song, plant a garden bed, whatever. Put your heart and soul into it to make it wonderful.
- Don’t exclude those around you; they want to make you feel better because they love you.

It can be a long process back to normal-ness.  There will be many backward steps. You will often feel like it never will happen.  But it will.  Trust me, it will. 

Sunday 2 December 2012


OMG CHRISTMAS

22 days until the big day ... again. 

I love Christmas, and I love the idea of a few days off work,after the big day, to rest and recover.  But the lead up is exhausting. 

I try not to be a ‘humbug’, I truly think that Christmas is a special time to catch up with people you love and see so rarely ... it is the reminder we all need to ‘MAKE AN EFFORT’ and put aside other things in our lives.  But ...... I feel so un-Christmas-sy.

I don’t do cards ... I just find that I have no time to do them justice ... I would rather make my own and write something special for everyone ... but it takes time. So, no cards.

Presents ... no adults get presents from me.  Only children get presents.  I make donations to charities and these substitute for the adults’ presents.  (Buy a goat for someone who really needs it! See Oxfam!)

Cooking ... I make cookies etc and hand them out ... if I have time.  Work finishes early this year so; YAY!; I may yet have time to bake.

Tree ... I love a real tree, but because I am selling the house, this year I may have to do without a tree.  Too messy! 

So, why am I always too busy to do anything Christmas-sy?  Because I can’t seem to stop and do Christmas-sy things; because I am doing everything else.

I need to learn to STOP! 

Tuesday 27 November 2012

A MATTER OF TRUST


I have been interviewing real estate agents for the ‘big house sell’. 

Is it strange that I don’t trust any of them?  I usually trust most people (and unfortunately sometimes get ‘bitten on the bum!’); but such is life.

Selling is pretty stressful for lots of reasons, no less the fact that you feel everyone is out to get you; especially the real estate agent.

This week, a house up the road was advertised for $90,000 more than it sold for.  Was this a typical agent putting the price too high, only to blame the market, lack of buyers, Christmas, etc, etc, etc.  My guess is ... yes!

Like used car salesman and lawyers, you always feel a real estate agent is pulling the wool over your eyes.  So, who do I choose?

-          The one who values my house the highest? No, I am realistic about the value of my home.

-          The one who talks about the way she 'plays the buyers off against each other' to get the best deal for you (and herself), and advocates ‘set sale’. No, I don’t want to know the slimy ins and outs, just do it.

-          The one who subscribes to the ‘Jenman’ real estate philosophy – with only open for inspection, but won’t answer the commission question from a direct answer. Hmm, this guy’s tempting, as he really pushed the honesty factor and when I researched I found a whole realm of information on the Jenman style (not to be confused with Gun Num style – although Gun Num would be more fun!) However, he was a real ‘salesman’ with the smooth questions and answers but forgetting the answers I had already given. 

-          The one who has a mix of all styles, offers free styling advice and a handyman at fixed cost, honestly advises that his commission is high compared to some other agents but doesn't charge commission unless he sells - only charge marketing.  This one didn't want to chat or find out personal circumstances, and agreed with selling price of the ‘Jenman’ man. This may be the one I go with ...

Do I trust any of them?  No. 

Do I have to? 

Maybe with the real estate agents; like dress shop girls (who tells you that you look fabulous) and builders (who you have to go with because no one else would do a small job) you just have to make the best of it.  They have you where they want you, because you need them.

I will prepare myself for disappointment; but wouldn't it be nice to be pleasantly surprised. 

Thursday 22 November 2012

SELLING HOUSE ... THE MADNESS

Too few posts in the past few weeks.  Trying to sell my 'normal' suburban house.

Beside the stuff needed to make it 'sell-able' (gardening/painting/decluttering etc etc etc....) I am also busy  finding a real estate agent; while trying to hold down a job; plus my normal life 'other things' (many of which are none existent ....jogging?  what is that?).  Yes; excuses; excuses!

Will be back on line once I have finished 'scrubbing'!

Tuesday 13 November 2012

DECOR IDEAS #4 2012

There is a small surf shop tucked away on the main drag in Torquay, Victoria.  It has this gorgeous garden out the front as part of its shop front.

Love the rusted tins, succulents and the chili plants.  Great place to wait for customers in the sun!



Thursday 8 November 2012

COURAGE

I attended a seminar yesterday that focused on courage..doing things you may not feel comfortable with, in order to get where you want to go.  The presenter was Margie Worrell.

Margie encourages us to 1. identify where were wanted to go or what we wanted to achieve   2. take the first step out of our comfort zone and 3. see where the ride takes us.

This covers all aspects of your life ...love.. career... education etc.

Below are Margies  10 Commandments of Courage.


FIRSTLY - DREAM BIG. Trust Yourself    
No matter what happens, you can handle it.  You are capable of more than you
think you are. Really!

II. Question Assumptions   
Don’t hang on to beliefs that no longer serve you. The only limits you have are
those you’ve convinced yourself of.  Assumptions are the death of possibilities.

III. Do What’s Right 
Be true to yourself above everything else…however inconvenient or difficult.
Integrity is the only path upon which you’ll never get lost.  

IV. Stop Complaining   
You can’t solve your problems by whining about them. Focus your energy on what
you want, not on what you don’t; on what you can do, no on what you can’t. 

V. Think Bigger 
Refuse to settle for mediocrity.  Set your sights high and know that if you can
dream it, you can do it. All great accomplishments first begin in the imagination.

VI. Resist Conformity   
Don’t let others’ opinions run your life and surrender to conformity. Express your
individuality. Be your own person. Forge your own path. 

VII. Speak Up 
You get what you tolerate. If there’s something you really want to say, chances are
someone really needs to hear it. Be courageous in your conversations.  

VIII. Don’t Quit  
Success demands perseverance.  Adversity builds resilience. Setbacks are 
opportunities to show the universe what you’re made of.  Press on.

IX. Say No   
Say no to the good to make room for the great.  Refuse to succumb to people
pleasing at the expense of your own sanity and fulfillment.

X. Take Action  
Life rewards those who take action in the presence of their fear and refuse to give in
to self doubt . Nothing great has ever been achieved without an element of risk. So
feel your fear and do it anyway! Fortune favors the bold. 

I have a dream ........... what's your dream?

Tuesday 6 November 2012

PHOTO A DAY


I recently started following a blog http://fatmumslim.com.au/... a lovely gentle blog about everyday things, ‘living life inspired’.  Chantelle – the blogger – has this great ‘competition’ ‘Photo a day’. 




I have submitted two photos so far and hopefully my creativity will begin to rise and I can snap more.

My something starting with C was 'Cactus in the CBD'




My colour – 'Surf craft at Ocean Grove Beach'.

Wednesday 31 October 2012

High School Muck Up Style




It's Victorian high school final examination time.  All the final year students are sitting their first exam this morning; English.

Last week, when I was in the Melbourne CBD, I saw groups of students dressed up for their traditional ‘muck up’ day.

They loved having their pictures taken!  I loved their costumes!




Tuesday 30 October 2012

STREET STYLE #1 MELBOURNE CBD


Melbourne Australia is renowned for its fashion and penchant for black.  

Yes, we Melbournains are fond of black, but it is what we do with it that counts.  

On a beautiful day in the CBD there were people wearing...

black boots...

 black jackets and pants...


and all black....

and they all reflected what a beautiful day it was.

Tuesday 23 October 2012

LAST DAY OF HIGH SCHOOL BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

I went to a High School Graduation Ceremony this week.  The several of the girls at the school rewrote the words to the much loved Bohemian Rhapsody.

I thought for a laugh I would share the new lyrics with you.
 
Many thanks to Nat and her poet crew from Mentone Girls Grammar School for the new lyrics.


To be sung to the tune of Bohemian Rhapsody (of course!)

Monday 22 October 2012

DECOR IDEAS #3:2012


Sometimes the simpler something is, the more appealing it can be.

Rag rugs take me way back to my school days where we learned to ‘weave’ in art classes.  Everyone had to make a small sampler rag rug.  

I was not impressed with the placemat-sized rag rug I made out of old brown pantyhose. 

So ... I never liked rag rugs until I saw this one. 



I have previously posted about the creativity of the designers at the Ghanda store in Torquay, Victoria.  

They took 4 rag rugs, sewed them together and tied extra ribbons and bows on it to personalise it as a 'shag rag'.  It looked just beautiful.  It has inspired me to revisit the whole weaving thing.

I also love the decor in this florist on Bay St in Sandringham, Victoria.  Wall art combined with box shelving/frames. 


It would make great outdoor room art ..... with a rag rug on the floor!

Wednesday 17 October 2012

Point Lonsdale and Point Addis, Victoria


How beautifully does the roof of this life saving club at Point Lonsdale on the Victorian Bellarine Peninsula mimic the surf?

Walking around this area is just gorgeous, The surf (and surfers- cute),  views of cliffs,nearby Port Philip Bay, lighthouses, rock platforms.  It takes you far away.


Another beautiful view, this time from the Point Addis Aboriginal trail, near Anglesea Victoria.  

I love going to my 'sea change' as often as I can.  There is something about the local wild beauty that is good for my psyche.  I breathe it in and feel released and inspired to be all I can be.

(Not to mention all the walking being good for me in other ways!)



Monday 15 October 2012

MY FASHION MAKE OVER


Last week I read several  books on self makeovers! 

Why?  Rut Rut Rut!

Not in the spiritual sense; (more on that another time). It is more about finding what you want to ‘look’ like (which, in hindsight, is a pretty self absorbed thing to do, ahhh well!).

‘Gala Darling’ (on her blog) suggested a book called ‘Style Statement by Carrie McCarthy’ which provides step by step instructions to find what your personal style could be, and how to achieve it.  I read the bare-bones of the book on Amazon (Amazon gives a preview).

Carrie asks you to choose words that ‘fit you’.  The first word you choose is your 80% word (the one you are closest to already) and the second word is your 20% word (the one you want to be more like).

There were lists of words to choose from, such as: princess, stylish, earthy, glam, diva, sparkle, etc.

If you couldn't find a word to suit, you go out and find one that does fit ... using dictionary meanings to discover if you identify with that word. 

Gala Darlings words were ‘eccentric pop’.

My words literally hit me when I read them:
I am a ‘CHERISHED BOHEMIAN’ (with a side order of feminine). 
Cherished is the love of the preloved, the sentimental and the delicately beautiful: objects that are good for the soul. So many of my belongings are in this category!  Cherished is my 80% word.   
Bohemian is to be a bit out of the ordinary, disregarding conventional standards of behaviour, a bit eccentric. This is my 20% word. 
I qualified these with feminine.  

I then found Brenda Kinsels ‘Fashion Make over, 30 days to Diva Style’ in the local library.  
Brenda does a similar ‘word association’ to Style Statement and then goes through her rules for changing. Below are the rules I chose to follow.

1.     Look at what you have in your wardrobe and decide if it fits your style words. 
I found that 70% of clothes I owned were in dark colours – lots of black – safe and easy to wear. Thus the ‘rut rut rut’. 
2.    Throw out anything that doesn't fit you properly, is tatty, hasn't been worn for years or doesn't suit the style words.
Done: major HALVING of the wardrobe and shoes! Tough.
3.    Throw out anything that is not in a flattering colour.
This was really tough.  I held every remaining item against myself in the mirror to see if it suited my colouring. I had to be truthful to myself.
The remaining black items stayed because I can dress them up with coloured jackets or scarves or similar, but some lovely thing were relegated to the ‘to go’ pile.
I also chose a colour palette/s in Brenda’s book. These are my ideal colours to wear.

My cherished colours

My bohemian colours

4.    Don’t save clothes for special occasions, everyday is a special occasion.
I am soooooooo guilty of this: my thoughts revolve around.... I can’t wear the gorgeous rose coloured cardigan, save it for special times, the cream fur jacket, black cotton dress, taupe lace top, white jeans, jade satin espadrilles etc.  Well, I am working my way through all of them as everyday wear. And I feel fabulous (and overdressed but hey......)

Adding this rule too: If you have natural colouring that is high contrast (for example black hair and pale skin, or pale, pale blonde  hair and brown skin) you can get away with wearing bright, high contrast clothes such as black with white,tomato red or lime green etc. If you have natural colouring that is low contrast you need to have lower contrast clothes (I have olive skin, mid brown hair and eyes - very monochromatic.  My big fashion mistake would be wearing citrus or 'pop' (sky blue , hot pink) colours.  These clothes went out in the clean up.)

I am working my way through my style rut!

Thursday 11 October 2012

CANE SUGAR FREE BANANA BREAD AND APRICOT PRESERVE

A couple of days  ago I posted my recipe for sugar free fruit bread.  

A few posts behind that, I wrote about my sugar free and salt free breakfasts, including my bread and cream cheese recipes.

Now, today, yet another secret recipe is leaving my den ... my super easy, sugar free banana bread recipe.

Shhhh .... don't let everyone know it.  Just enjoy it yourself with cream cheese, tahini, peanut butter, whatever! 

Or, you can spread it with my sugar free dried apricot preserve........ m
y mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Enjoy.

Cane-Sugar Free Banana Bread 


  • 3 big bananas, ripe (you can freeze peeled bananas if you have a bunch of over ripe ones.  When you defrost them they they are super mushy!)
  • 1 3/4 cup of wholemeal self raising flour
  • 2/3 cup of raisins (you can puree the raisins to distribute the sweetness using a blending stick or food processor, or leave them whole) 
  • 90 ml of grape seed oil (I use grape seed because it has a higher heat point tolerance than olive oil!)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp heaped cinnamon 
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1/2 cup of almond meal (this is basically just ground almonds)


Heat oven to 190 - 210 degrees C.  
Line a loaf tin with baking paper.  
Put all ingredients into a bowl, use a potato masher or blending stick or anything else you want to use to mix it all together.

Bung it in the loaf tin
Cook for 30 to 40 minutes.  (After 30 minutes test it with a skewer! Leave it a bit longer if it is not quite ready).

Apricot Preserve

1 packet (about 300g) of dried apricots (I use the brown coloured, un-sulfured type) 
2 apples, roughly chopped
zest and juice of one lemon

Put apricots and apples in a saucepan and cover with water.  
Simmer on low for about 15-20 minutes until the apricots are mushy.  Add the lemon zest and juice, stir,  and simmer for another 5 minutes or so until it is thick.
Remove from heat and allow to cool. 

I kept some in the fridge for a week in a jar, froze some in another container and froze some in ice cube trays for individual portions.  

It is also yummy for dessert on yoghurt,  sprinkled with toasted nuts!



Wednesday 10 October 2012

DECOR IDEAS #2: 2012. BRANCHES



Branches are a great way to hide things you don’t want people to see.

You can hide a rusty wire barrier on a first floor balcony with branches, and make it look stylish and earthy (also a cheap way of doing it too!), like on this beach house in Phillip Island, Victoria.



Or, instead of a curtain, you can dress a window with a branch ‘blind’,  like in this florist window in Parkes, New South Wales.  




Tuesday 9 October 2012

CANE SUGAR FREE, FAT FREE FRUIT BREAD: GUARANTEED YUMMY!


Shhhhhhhh ...... As promised in an earlier post, this is the first of my secret recipes. 
This is for the easiest fruit bread recipe in the world, and also as promised, guaranteed yummy.

There is a vegan and a vegetarian version that I have written below.  I adapted it from a recipe I found online and it has worked every time, no matter how I experiment with it.
It is quite a heavy and dense loaf; the vegetarian version is a bit lighter in texture, but both are awesome.

You can use any dried fruit you like; use only one type or mix and match.

My favourites are raisins, dates, figs and apricots.  I have also tried prunes, apples and currents.  The fruit is up to you.

After the loaf is cool, I slice it up, wrap the slices in kitchen paper, pop them in a big snap lock bag and freeze them.  Then when I want a slice I just toast it, spread it with either peanut butter or tahini, and gobble it up with a nice cuppa tea.

Decide whether you are going to chop the fruit into smaller bits or leave whole.  I am lazy, I leave them whole. 

VEGETARIAN SUGAR FREE FRUIT LOAF: (the 'less dense' version)

The day before:
Soak ½ kg (1 lb) of dried fruit in 1 cup fresh orange juice overnight

Next day:
lightly grease a loaf tin
set the oven for 180 degrees C.

Ingredients:
Stir into the ½ kg fruit/OJ mix
1 cup whey (I use whey from making cream cheese, but you can use butter milk or extra orange juice)
1 heaped tsp cinnamon
1 heaped tsp mixed spice powder  
2 cups wholemeal (or white) self raising flour

Mix together, place in the loaf tin, and cook for 1 hour on 180 degrees C.  Then lower oven to 160 degrees C for an extra half hour, or until cooked.  Stick a skewer in after the first extra 15 minutes, as cooking time will depend on your oven.  If it starts to get a bit too brown, place a brown paper bag over the top of the cake to protect it.

VEGAN SUPER DENSE SUGAR FREE FRUIT LOAF:(the 'more dense' version)

The day before:
Soak 1kg (2 lbs) of fruit in 2 cups of fresh orange juice overnight

Next day:
lightly grease a loaf tin
set the oven for 180 degrees C.

Ingredients:
Stir into the 1 kg fruit/OJ mix
1 heaped tsp cinnamon
1 heaped tsp mixed spice powder  
2 cups wholemeal (or white) self raising flour

Mix together, place in the loaf tin, and cook for 1 hour on 180 degrees C.  Then lower oven to 160 degrees C for an extra half hour, or until cooked.  Stick a skewer in after the first extra 15 minutes, as cooking time will depend on your oven.  If it starts to get a bit too brown, place a brown paper bag over the top of the cake to protect it (ha, a bit of deja vu!)

CANE SUGAR FREE CHRISTMAS CAKE:
If you want to make a Christmas-type cake, substitute ½ cup of brandy for ½ cup of the liquid and add ½ cup of nuts instead of ½ a cup of the fruit.

That is all there is to it.  Hope you like it.