Thursday 31 January 2008

Picks for the week February 1, 2008.

A young Frank Sinatra is waiting to come home with you ...


Fabulous black tree jewelry stand, luscious sweet smelling eau de toilettes ...
A cosy corner where beautiful old books, shoe stays and so much more waits for you at ...

Monday 28 January 2008

BIRD WATCHING ...

Helloooooooo dinner ... NOT!
Doesn't this image depict the ultimate frustration???

Sunday 27 January 2008

Writers Island - DESIRE

How often have you made that phone call early in the morning without thinking about the time of day or whether you'd be disturbing the person you were calling?

Since retiring early morning calls happen more frequently and unfortunately my response is less than gracious. Do people get up earlier as they become older or have they been that way all their lives? Why do people say that the morning is the best time of the day?

Well ... not for all of us!

During my working life I was often getting home as dairy farmers were rising. Three plus decades in the hospitality industry made me a night owl.

We were the people who organised your social life. We were the people who watched you party till wee small hours. When the customers were swept out, the tills counted and the ash trays washed it was time to sit back, unwind. The time flew, next thing the sun was peeking over the horizon. We were the ones who'd go home to get the family organised then sleep during the day, sometimes we'd go out for breakfast as our previous night customers had done for dinner.

There was a whole lifestye out there of people who'd kept the city running. The the cops, the firemen, the journo's, medico's, nurses, ambulance drivers, cleaners, people from all walks of life it was our 5pm. As the five o'clockers had no immediate desire to head straight home for a good night sleep, neither did we!!

The night owl lifestyle reversed many body clocks. Even in retirement the hours of that era continue. The 'spark' or 'second wind' hits as the clock nears midnight - its difficult to alter.

I found the following online ... author unknown ...

A Morning Person ...

I woke early one morning

The earth lay cool and still
When suddenly a tiny bird
Perched on my window sill

He sang a song so lovely
So carefree and so gay

That slowly all my troubles
Began to slip away.

He sang of far off places
of laughter and fun,

It seemed his very trilling,
brought up the morning sun.

I stirred beneath the covers
crept slowly out of bed,

Then I gently lowered the window
and crushed his *(#$^ - ing head!!!

… please, no irate responses from the bird lovers.

This little ditty typifies it for many night owls and insomniacs.

So next time you meet someone new and swap phone numbers why not ask “When's the best time to call”?

Better go check the answering machine's on in case anyone dares phone before 10am ...

1930 Bondi Beach - 2008 National Heritage List


A 1930s Sunday at Bondi Beach.

To the uninitiated it's regarded as a less-than-beautiful stretch of urban sand, a regular haunt of wannabe's, surfers, sunbakers, drunks, morning walkers and tourists compared to the days of this pic when it was simply a regular day out!

The beautiful Bondi Beach, has a special place in my heart as it must have in the eyes of those in power as, on this Australia Day weekend, Bondi Beach has made it to the National Heritage List.

OK ... I previously ranted at a certain politician's mention of doing the same ... but I guess it can't be a bad idea after all.

The developers won't get a chance to deface the beachfront, the 65 hectares of land and ocean, the beach, or the surf lifesaving clubs and pavilion ... are now saved from "modernisation" ... has to be a grand idea for posterity?

Bondi Beach is 76 on the list that you can see here - pretty impressive for my childhood home!

Sunday Scribblings #95 - Much miscellany kept them close ...

Alf, Bill and Paddy met every Saturday afternoon in the front bar of their local boozer. Alf ran his 5'2" body and his size 6 shoes into the ground, to and fro between the SP bookie, the phone and punters in the back bar in search of a winner. The inimitable threesome, born of Irish parents had much in common, much miscellany kept them close.

Paddy had spent more time on holiday at the governments expense than he'd spent on the outside where his tastes developed. Bill the younger had followed in the footsteps of his namesake uncle, while Alf a priestly favourite, eventually escaped from a life of religion and unspoken pleasures.

Now Saturday afternoons through the evening invariably satisfied them. Frosty schooners of heady amber liquid washed down with rum chasers, punting on horses that inevitably only ever ran a place and tall tales that more often than not ended in an argument was the norm. By the last race they were usually not talking to each other, or anyone else, except themselves. One of them always ended up crying about their dear ole Da!

This Saturday they spluttered as they spied Selena at the bar door. The well-heeled Selena glided through the bar, relishing the turning heads and the hush that accompanied her approach. Like three naughty boys they hunched low over the table endeavouring to avoid the ensuing confrontation. Alas it was not to be. Her gaze latched onto the sleazy trifecta.

"Well, well, well, the lecherous losers" she exclaimed. Unanimously they stammered an unconvincing greeting. "Hey Sel what's doing" asked Paddy "long time no see." "Hullo love" stammered Alf, while Bill nodded a grunt as he rose to offer her his seat.

"I shan’t take but a moment of your time you three pathetic arseholes, I have Arthur waiting outside with the motor running." "Hah" scoffed Paddy "if you're lucky Sel, Arthur’s nicked more cars from dumb broads than you've had dinners.” They sniggered, Arthur had been a crony prior to latching onto Selina.

She placed a velvet wrapped bundle onto the table “I'm here to present you with something that will cut out the time wasting that a certain procedure would entail." "Our dear father has departed this earth, the will has been read and to save you sleaze bags the bickering here's your inheritance". Their jaw’s dropped.

With a swift flick, Selena swished the velvet cloth into the air revealing a yellow metal pirate’s hook. The threesome’s faces paled, they made no comment. “I'll bid you all adieu and leave you to contemplate your miserly father." The three nodded farewell.


When she was well out of earshot, they began to hoot and holler. Hugging and slapping each other's back's Bill yelled to Alf "Hey Mate whizz over to that travel agent and grab us some brochures on Thailand." Alf was out the door like a shot, people later commented they’d never seem him move faster!

Bill and Paddy beamed "Our dear old Da, good ole Da, all those years and our little sister never knew his hook, plus the entire wrist fitting was solid gold.” They chortled to each other calling “… three more beers and double rums all round thanks Luv."

Saturday 26 January 2008

Friday 25 January 2008

North to South via the Sydney Harbour Bridge ...

Some glimpses with rain looming, crossing the marvellous Sydney Harbour Bridge ...

An ad banner on a walkway over the Pacific Highway ... paint the town ... you'd have to paint it Red, wouldn't you ??

It's excellent to be an Aussie with clean, crisp, safe and free views like these!

Thursday 24 January 2008

Australia Day Celebrations 1920s style

The party's started ....

1920s style celebrations - that gangly kid at the front is my Dad ... what a bunch of characters the family were !!!

Jan 24 worst day of the year ??? ...

Hey guys, quick back to bed, pull that doona over your head! Some Pommie (the name Auusie's have "endearingly" called the British for years) psychologist reckons today January 24 is the worst day of the year!

What a load of codswallop!

Down here we're counting the days / hours to our annual long weekend Australia Day Celebrations ... take a look to see how "sad" we've been down here ...

Bet the expat Aussie's won't be too unhappy as they down pints of VB over the coming weekend in the old dart ... they should seek out that psychologist and shout him a couple of coldies ...

to be continued ...

Wednesday 23 January 2008

Vintage shopping ...

In the pink ... delicate cups & saucers, mugs for chocolatte, a torso for your jewels ... everything so scrumptious ...
Fan shaped china - fan shaped food - how luscious ... A hint of France ... handsome waiters, waiting on a tray ... fine china ... the time is right ... all gorgeous!


Monday 21 January 2008

WORLD HUG Day TODAY Jan 21


C'mon guys wrap your arms round someone you love - or someone you don't - and give them a jolly big hug ... you'll feel better and so will they!

Started on this day in 1986 World Hug Day is today!

Us Aussie's adore our own Hug guy, Juan Mann, for the joy he spread by simply standing in the busy Pitt Street Mall in Sydney and hugging people! What a guy ... it even got him a gig on Oprah .

Off you go ... go and HUG someone ... I'm sending virtual hugs {{{{}}}}} to you ALL!

Sunday 20 January 2008

Caitlyn's Story - Microphthalmia / Small Eye Syndrome.

The precious little Caitlyn's Mum & Dad are seeking contact with people who know anyone with Microphthalmia / Small Eye Syndrome. They're doing lots of research and have a site dedicated to Caitlyn and everything they can learn.

If you know anyone or have any information that might help please make contact through http://www.caitlyns-story.com or leave a comment here and I'll pass it on ~ also there's a great group at Yahoo.

Saturday 19 January 2008

Sunday Scribblings - # 94 Fellow Travellers ...

Gradually they all left me, alone, to carry on the party. My fellow travellers, Lil, Flo, Rose, Doris, Ash, Jole … all gone. We'd wined and dined, opened and closed clubs and restaurants, socialised in style, did theatre, shows, Chain de Rotiseur dinners, rubbed shoulders with local and International ‘stars’.

They taught and encouraged me to mix Gordons Gin with Coke & a slice of Lemon and woe be tide anyone who tried to pass off cheap gin to me! The taught me about Vitamin B, before Berooca was invented, so I could drink them under the table again and again, to be outrageous, how to laugh and live like no other woman I knew. They taught me the benfits of a strong work ethic, to strive, succeed and survive, to be ambitious, if there was no drama to make some and how BS baffled brains.

They were all highly successful in their chosen careers, playing the straight game with me as the little woman when needed. They were all gorgeous and often looked more so in a pretty frock or a bejewelled gown. They all believed they were invincible. My girls thought it was normal to have fellas as Aunties.

They were better than any girlfriends I’d ever known. I had the best of both. Handsome male friends, who could see a woman’s point of view, plus good looking men to be spoilt by and be seen out with, how we chortled at that misinformed opinion of “what a waste!”

These Fellow Travellers supported me through the times, I didn’t know then, were full of despair, these Darlings saved my sanity, my life and planted the seeds of strength and knowledge to be who I am now!

I expect they’re gathered, keeping a seat warm for me, up in the big disco in the sky where every day is Fat Tuesday. Shame they don’t know they’ll be waiting a long time till I’m ready to travel that trip … I’ve retired. Sorry Darlings, I’m saving myself to clearly see decades more of this precious life, not through the bottom of a cool refreshing glass of happiness!!

Friday 18 January 2008

I've been Tagged ...

My Mate, Myrtle Beach Whale, tagged me - the rules are ...

1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
DONE

2. A. Share 5 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog;

I make people laugh & try to see the funny side of everything.
I don't tolerate fools.
I'm caffeine, wheat, gluten, dairy, night shade, nicotine, free.
I was radio "star" in the 70s.
I grew up when I reached 50.

B. Share the 5 top places on your “want to see or want to see again” list;

New York - anywhere in the US - oh OK, all of it.
Ireland.
To get lost in the brocante's of France.
China.
New Zealand.

C. Share 5 things you never pictured being in your future when you were 25 years old.

A Widow.
Computerised.
Inner peace & contentment.
To blow out the candles on my 100 year birthday cake!
Graduating with a Sociology degree.

3. Tag a minimum of 5, maximum of 10 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.

Gill
UL
Imelda
Liza
Paris Parfait
Paisley
Barbara

4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.The tagees have a choice of which they want to do.

You know how over the top I am, I did the lot ... briefly, OK?

Thursday 17 January 2008

The Nipple Project ... go on I dare you ...

With the release of the IPEX bra by Victoria Secret where the ads rave that the bra gives “maximum nipple coverage" the Nipple Project girls see it as the eradication and androgenization of the nipple.

These guys found it ironic in an era where breast augmentation is done to gain a "more feminine look" so to reclaim natural femininity and to counter this strange invention they're asking for submissions of a hand-made, artistic interpretations, of your nipple, or of someone’s nipple you love.

Send a nipple(s) made of any material that can be woven, sewn or attached to another surface.

The goal is to create a large, community based 3-dimensional media installation incorporating knitting, crocheting, beading, sewing, gourd, metal, leather, ceramic, felting and any other 3D media you can imagine. Get your free nipple knitting pattern here.

The final piece will include all of the submissions sewn and/or stitched together to create a large hanging wall.

Details, the reasons & more discussion is here ... nip over & take a peek at the Nipple Gallery here ... isn't this fabulous?

Wednesday 16 January 2008

Vi9ntage shopping ... picks of the week, Jan 16.

Go on ... spoil yourself, do something lovely for YOU today ...

Saunter down  ... choose a pretty vintage dress ...
Select some exquisitely soft cushions, a quilt for two ~ there's many sizes to choose ...
There's a lavish Tea Set for Two waiting to be yours ~ call someone you adore, invite them for a genteel tete-a-tete ... BLISS!

Tuesday 15 January 2008

Writers Island "TREASURE"

Did you hear the one about the two old fellas … ???

One asked “Why do you call your wife Treasure?”

The other replied “Because people keep asking me where I dug her up!”

…….Waaaaaaaaaaa … isn’t that such a bad joke but it was the first thing that flashed into my mind when I saw the prompt.

On a serious note … and again according to the trusty Macquarie lexicon …

treasure 1. wealth or riches stored accumulated, esp. in the form of precious metals or money. 2. anything or person greatly valued or highly prized. 3. to regard as precious; prized; cherish.

The last one got me!

To me the precious, prized and cherished things begin with life.

After decades of not getting it then - to wake up before it was too late is fundamental. To realise how precious life is with the jolt that it’s not dress rehearsal but the real thing, that we only get one chance (that we know of in the here and now) is the ultimate treasure.

Welllll … that is, with the exception of my girls. Words will never describe the love I have for these two! Loving them differently is … I’m sure they get it!

My beautiful tortie Blossom, the very few people I allow in to this cherished life, the collections ranging from gorgeous books, kitschy snow scenes, to cupboards of lavish fabrics and sewing notions, glass buttons, boxes of powder compacts, beautiful tortoiseshell trinkets and curios, more books, my family history, invaluable ephemera, plus more secluded sentimentality ... these are all part of me … they are all part of this life I treasure!

How fortunate I am!

read the thoughts of others on the Island - here

Sunday 13 January 2008

Blogaholics Anonymous ... there's more of us out there!

The very lovely Gill has honoured me with an invite to Blogaholics Anonymous ... Yayyyyyy I'm not the only one!

This award originated with Melanie over at Livin'with Me! and it is more of a club than an award.

I'm spreadin' the joy and inviting ~

Robin
Herb Urban
sister AE
UL
Myrtle Beach Ramblings
Angie
Barbara
Lucy

I wanted to invite everyone I know so why not pop over to Blogaholics Anonymous yourself and join the club?

Saturday 12 January 2008

Saturday brunch ... another reason to be Gluten Free ...

One glimpse of Pet's plate added 5kgs to my girth ... Eggs Benedict on Toast with Spinach, Crispy Bacon & Rocket Garnish ...

Mine was a pot of Green Tea & a Fig Friande ...

Pet was stopped ... it was enough to feed a small family!

Friday 11 January 2008

Sunday Scribblings #93 - THE DATE ...

After the regular monthly outing to the club he said he needed money, telling me, she took my last $30.00 to play poker machines … my antenna went up!

Then he told me she suggested they would go out on Saturday. I enquired to where, he told me to the shops.

I asked her didn’t she have something better to do. Ohhh no she replied, I don’t do anything on the weekend, he is bored, I could take him to the shops and maybe to the local club to play poker machines … alarm bells rang ...


He’s 92.5 years old. Diagnosed with early stage dementia, he walks with the aid of a walking frame, he’s incontintent, dribbles a lot, eats with a bib clipped round his neck, is mobilised in a wheel chair, doesn’t remember what he did yesterday … yet would have you believe he is in ultimate control …


He is besotted with her. His chest puffs out, his eyes light up when she appears.
She is 40 years old, employed as a diversional therapist in the high care nursing home where he resides. She took a shine to him some months ago and became jokingly referred to, by all and sundry, as “the wife.”

The joke has backfired – is she another Anna Nicole?

I expressed concerns re ethics, code of conduct and professional distance to her superiors, but … they ‘d put a stop to the date after seeing her entry in the daily activities register. I'm told she’s previously been warned about similar behaviour …

The date was cancelled …

He asked for a writing pad, I asked wasn’t the note pad he had OK, he sternly replied it wasn’t, he wanted to write letters … currently his signature is illegible.


For the first time for a year he asked to see a copy of his bank statement ... my antenna shot up again!

I suggested it would be best not to write letters. The situation is inappropriate, she could lose her job, wouldn’t it be better to leave things as they are …


He looked at the bank statement and wanted to tear off the account details telling me he needed the number so he could get money ... when I explained he needed his card or chequebook he was confused ...

Last year he was infatuated with a massage therapist who visits the home in a private capacity. He’d engaged her to do hand and leg massage at $65.00 a time … he'd thought her service was all part of the regular service … be was beguiled, he had her home phone number, wanted her to meet me ... that date was cancelled too ...


Don't be misled, this isn't a sad story, look at the funny side ... at the continuing saga of a man who's been a cad his entire life and at 92.5 still thinks he's ready for a date ...

Thursday 10 January 2008

Living the Creative Life ...

Yayyyyy ... it's arrived.

My 2008 Purging resolution also includes a shift in my creative style, technique, or whatever you want to call it!

I'm creatively on the move ... the first key to the move has arrived!

See ya later alligators I'm off to devour ...

Love that Amazon - delivery in 7 days!

Tuesday 8 January 2008

Baby Roses, Vintage Pearls from $29.00 all in a pretty row...
Glass & Brass Knobs to dazzle starting at $10.00 ...
Succulent senses, lavish soaps & candle ... too many to delight you here ...
Sneak into the dressing room, vintage & new, all waiting for YOU ...



 

Writer Island ... Over the Horizon

At 8.20pm Saturday, January 5, when I saw the Writers Island prompt my reaction what ...'WOT THA' ... gadzooks that's all been done! Humphffing, I reached for my trusty, battered, Macquarie Dictionary, 1996 edition and found 28 definitions of ‘over’ ...

1. above in place or position; higher up than
2 above and to the other side of
3. on or upon
4. here and there on or in
5. in excess of, or more than
6. in preference to
7. throughout the duration of
8. in reference to, concerning of, or about
9. by the agency of
10. over and above, in addition to; beside.


...ten is enough when no definitions pertained to the horizon!

Being the perpetual realist I agreed, we really don’t know what lies ahead, yet I still regarded the request to write what we are envisioning in our future ambiguous!

(Hey nothing personal this is purely my take!)

With no cards or crystal ball, no ability to reconstruct my destiny and not being a dreamer, I became disappointed and declared I’m Over It.

However ... I'd neglected to realise that over the horizon can be anything you want it to be - not neccessarily imaginary, nor a wish or something out of reach!

You know how I know? Monday morning I bought an airline ticket. When I perched in front of this screen I had not one iota of travelling. An email announcing super airline deals was in my inbox - Yeahhhh I thought, I've tried for these but nahhh never, ever do I get through ...

I did, on a whim, I'm booked, no passport required, I'm like the cat that swallowed the canary ...

Saturday 5 January 2008

Rough seas close Sydney Beaches ... King Tides along Australia's East Coast.

Bronte Baths on a normal day ...

Bronte Baths, a swirling dangerous wash - yet people still risk their lives for a thrill - such ignorance endangers those inevitably called to 'save' them ...

Friday 4 January 2008

Sydney Festival - Swing Patrol 40s Swing lessons ...


Sydney Festival kicks off today when Sydney will be the centre of the entertainment universe with music, dance, art, drama, food, theatre, spectacles, sporting events and lots more.



The guys from Swing Patrol with be teaching swing dancing to the masses from a stage especially constructed round the Archibald Fountain in the centre of the beautiful Hyde Park at 7pm tonight. Be there!

Thursday 3 January 2008

I'm not a plastic bag - it's in the bag ...

Yayyyyy .... it's in the bag - mine arrived today!

These bags by, Anya Hindmarch, were selling for up to two hundred smackeroonies in April 2007.

The beautiful people have all been seen with these slung over their shoulder. If only a replacement trendy bod had arrived with the trendy bag ... so chic!

Wednesday 2 January 2008

2008 New Years Resolutions ~ Sunday Scribblings #92

Sunday Scribblings #92 prompt is "New" or "New Year" seeing as how I'm in PURGING mode I'm going to submit this from a couple of days ago on the exact topic! So much to do, so little time ...

The Sydney Daily Telegraph reports The UK's Mirror have released their take on the top 30 resolutions.

Here is a sample.

Eat broccoli, cauliflower or cabbage to cut bladder cancer. You only need to eat it three times a month to make a difference. But it has to be raw.

Chewing gum at 3pm cuts cravings and reduces appetite - meaning chewers eat about 36 less calories from their afternoon snack.

Hand exercises - strengthening your hands makes veins in your arms more elastic, which then makes blood pressure fall.

Cut down on mobile chat. We all know phones aren't great for you - and researchers recently discovered a 240 per cent increase in brain tumour risk for heavy mobile users.

Pepper - Not only is it packed with antioxidants, pepper stimulates digestion, increasing the amount of nutrients you absorb from everything else you eat. Now here is a strange one.

Move your printer and your lungs will thank you. Particles from ink can lodge deep in the lungs, leading to coughs and wheezing.

Munch some pistachios. Not only are nuts heart-healthy, America's Penn State University found people eating pistachios suffer less negative health effects from stress.

Add tomato sauce to everything! Three daily dabs of ketchup cuts levels of harmful cholesterol by 13 per cent in three weeks.

My New Years resolution for 2008 is ... PURGE ... what's yours?

Read more from the Sunday Scribblers here ...

Tuesday 1 January 2008

Happy New Year from Sydney, Australia.




The fabulous Sydney firework display at midnight ...

Brought to you from the live telecast via my AKAI TV and my Canon A520 digi camera ~ direct from my living room ...

Haaaaaaaa ... betcha thought I was right there?

Happy 2008 Everyone!
Related Posts with Thumbnails