Funny Signs #2

Now 'Woolies' wants to get in on the act.

After I spotted the Coles Supermarket example of poor mathematical skills (see my first funny signs post), Woolworths had to do one better.

Mathematically accurate (point score there), but how much yogurt do you need?  Is there a discount for buying in bulk?

Love it!

It will all be alright .......

I watched 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' last night, on DVD.

A very gentle movie ... where nothing happened, but life went on.

It would not be to everyone's taste, but I don't think it is exclusively an 'old persons' movie either.  Some of the story line was a little forced, the characters generally too much a 'type' rather than complex and some of it was very predictable; but the vibe of India (Jaipur I think it was in); the colours, textures and light were wonderful.

The one thing that I remember from the DVD is a line the young Indian 'entrepreneur' Sonny used; which became a bit of a mantra for the film ...

'It will all be alright in the end; and if it is not all right, it is not the end.'

  

I am going through major upheavals in my life at the moment (sigh, I am almost beginning to crave routine).  The unknown is always in my face, with decisions to make and the thrill of the unknown, not bad, just different.

I should make this my mantra too! That way, when everything is ok, I will know!

Funny Signs #1

Had to share this one.  Coles Supermarkets need a better accountant!.

Hmmm, 40% off $20 is $10.    Wha?????????

INVEST IN YOURSELF

I saw the heading INVEST IN YOURSELF on a website advertising a woman’s magazine in Australia – the Women’s Weekly (which is printed monthly – go figure!).

I was interested to read more, but was a bit let down when the main thrust was about formal education (that is - school based). 

It is not that I don’t agree that education (for women especially) is vital; for work opportunities, empowerment, self knowledge etc.   It is just there is so much more to INVESTING IN YOURSELF than formal education.

I see investing time in your mental, physical and spiritual health as equally important. 

For example:

Investing in experiences and capabilities. 

Investing money to help ease financial difficulties. 

Investing time in others to help invest in yourself.

Investing some time not doing anything.

Education, in some ways, can lead you to these other investments, but it is not necessarily along a clearly defined path from A to Z. 

I try to invest in myself in many ways.

1.     Yes, in education – I have done as much University education as I can handle at this time (...never say never), I have recently done a coffee making course, and I am always reading DIY books to help me make over the ‘sea-change’.  I also question things I read about, I don’t always take things at face value. I try to get behind the information to see where the truth lies.

2.    Invest in experiences – I am always willing to try new things, dare myself to do ‘stuff’, take a chance, make personal goals and wish lists. A big overseas trip planned for this year comes into that. 

I plan to travel to Morocco, Turkey, Corsica, Denmark and Iceland.  I didn't get to those places on my last ‘great trip’ (years ago) and I want to go to each of them for a different reason. 

This of course doesn't mean that I don’t keep trying ‘experiences’ while I am at home.  Just some experiences are geographically near and others are far.

3.    Invest in my capabilities – ha, at the moment I am (still) learning to use a racing mal and a surf ski (you should see the bruises – they are big enough to scare children), I am becoming a power tool junkie, a yoga convert etc ...

Yeee Haaaa!

I see all of these things as investing in my mental and emotional health as they are positive for me, and I am happier with myself and better for the people around me. 

A very dear friend of mine once quoted Mick Thomas from the now defunct group ‘Weddings, Parties, Anything’ ... “you are no good to others unless you are good to yourself”. Yup, I am with him on that one. 

4.    Investing money-wise.  I make sure that I save something, pay off my mortgage, have a nest egg so that if anything happens there is money to fall back on.  The knowledge that there is enough to ‘get by’ is very stress-reducing. 

5.    Investing in others.  Spending time with family and friends, taking time to help neighbours, volunteering, assisting strangers, donating time and making an effort.  It makes you feel good.  It does you good.

6.    Invest in doing nothing.  Let the body and the mind regenerate.  This doesn’t always mean slugging on the couch watching daytime soaps – but can include walking, reading, meditating, napping, playing with the dog etc.  All very regenerative activities (or non-activities – whatever you choose to do.)

Investing should be a holistic experience.  Don’t just concentrate on one area, try a little bit of investment in every area of your life.  I probably don't do some of the things I should be investing in, but there is lots of time for me to discover them; if I am meant to discover them (I can sense a whole post on kismet in the future!).

I suppose my personal mantra for today could be:

Live life; love life; experience life

It helps you stay positive when the negatives are dragging you down.    

HAVE I REALLY BEEN ON HOLIDAYS?

Day two of 'back to work' after an extended holiday break and ...... I woke up this morning bleary eyed and back to the way I felt before I went away.  One day back at work and it is same old ... same old.  I also look tired, something that had disappeared after a week of sleep and slopping.  How does this happen?  

It takes days for the holiday feeling to lull you into really relaxing, days before you can honestly say you are in a 'holiday frame of mind'.  But one day to get back into work mode?  Not fair really.

I spent my past two and a bit weeks reading, walking, surfing, yoga-ing, eating well (and not eating well depending on what I felt like eating ... burp!) sleeping without an alarm clock to wake me and having no plans.  I was so relaxed and happy and never bored, each day had new things to do ... if I wanted to do them (or not!).

Now, I am staring at my computer screen, a list of 'TO DO's' on my note pad and sigh, feeling like the ocean was a long time ago.  

Just back from holidays ....

Ahhhh, just got back last night from a long relaxing break; surfing, walking and reading ... perfect.

Now, have to sort my real life out.  Will try and post tomorrow!

New Years Resolutions - Gala Darling

From a blog written by Gala Darling (if you have never read it; I highly recommend it).  

I love some of her New Year resolutions, and I thought I would share my favourites with you: Warning – some of them are a bit girly....

©      Keep champagne in the house at all times.

©      Add a big sparkly necklace to even the simplest ensemble.

©      Wear your favourite things until they are totally worn out (& don’t worry about saving them for a “special occasion”).

©      Celebrate everything & nothing

©      Eat smart, nutritious food.

©      Make an effort to sweat on a regular basis.

©      Think before you purchase.

©      Sell or donate anything you don’t wear.

©      Get your feet dirty, & leave the beaten track.

©      Do things that are out of character or terrifying… Take a risk! Leave safety behind you. Don’t conform just because you’re afraid.

©      Spend time volunteering. Donate money to your favourite causes. Make an effort to recycle.

©      Be more compassionate, less judgmental

Shaking it up - laundry make over

I repainted the laundry at the sea change this week.  Because I'm hoping to get a washing machine soon, I needed to give this neglected room a shake up.

I used several unused sample pots of paint (there are actually three different coloured walls in the laundry) and some gorgeous wrapping paper cut outs.  There was a floral pattern on the tiles around the sink which I didn't like, so I painted over them too.   A bit of dodgy art and there you have it! Doesn't matter if it doesn't last - it is just temporary fun.

Instead of bats in my belfry, I now have 'owls' in my laundry (the wrapping paper I cut up was so cute, I couldn't resist).

:)

THE YEAR IS A CLOCK - LET'S SHAKE TIME UP

The year is a bit like a clock.

11.30 pm: The 'build up' to Christmas is frantic; with everyone trying to get things done.
11.40 pm: Then, on Christmas day, the eating (oh boy; the EATING!!!) and getting together with family and friends.
11.50 pm: Boxing Day; the cleaning and left overs (and sales; if you are into that sort of thing).
Then two of three days of recovery and
12.00 midnight: New Year.
12.05 am: Then two of three more days of recovery and back to work .... or holidays.     etc etc etc

Then back into the old house routine or work or parenting or whatever your life involves.  And the year goes on...... until next Christmas and it all starts again.
Sounds familiar?

I gave up on New Year resolutions long ago.  I thought it was a bit of a waste of time waiting for a certain day to start to 'make things better' etc.  Why not start now?

This year though, I have made a resolution.  And that is that this year will not be routine.  I will try to mix it up as much as possible.

Of course, I have a bit of a head start, I am selling my house and planning an overseas trip.  But, for the rest of it, I am going to try and do something a bit out of the norm every week (I thought everyday may be pushing it a bit).

Will let you know how I go.  Spontaneous, that's my new middle name!