Sentimental Sundays - Our Sign

My f-i-l was know as Grumpy to all his grandchildren, my hubby is known as Grumpy to his as well. Many years ago my f-i-l bought a sign at a garage sale that he proudly hung by his front door. Even after he died my m-i-l left it there. When she moved into the nursing home it disappeared and thought it was gone. So imagine my surprise when it was among the thing she had kept and it was given to us.




Unfortunately I am not prepared to hang it by the front door, they lived in the country and there it was safe, we live in the city and I am not so sure that someone would not help themselves to the sign if they liked it.

I am hoping to get my hubby to put it up in our backyard as it will be safer there. It is a strange little heirloom, but it reminds my so much of my f-i-l's wit, and when I read it I can't help but remember his sparkling blue eyes surrounded by laugh lines. Miss you Eddie.

Photo A Day - February Challenge - Day 28

Well the last day of February sees my last series of photos.

Looking back I seem to have done way too many of the "My Stuff" photos - I apologise for that, but with getting up early for swimming, then working all day, I sort of run out of time to take any photos so that leaves me with inside photo taking options.

Given how hot the last week has been and so that I don't bore you too much I have done a few from the archives as well. I am sure the challenge is supposed to be a photo you have taken that very day - so in that sense I guess I failed. In the sense of actually posting each and every day, well I did that so I guess that means I achieved that goal.

This last series of photos were taken tonight, while driving to the beach to have pizza (hubby was driving at 100kph so they may be a little blurry - he was on the freeway so not speeding). I was hoping to get a sunset photo to share but we were too late and the sun was down before we got there.

Sunset clouds - and that is not a UFO - just a dirty spot on hubby's windscreen - LOL

My city - Perth - taken from the freeway bridge over the beautiful Swan River


The full moon rising over the city - you need to look carefully



The moon out the back side window of the car



I just love full moons, although this little point and shoot camera has not done it justice in any way, shape or form. It has made it just a little dot of light, when with my naked eye is was huge with it's smiling face shining down on me.

Water Walking Update - Week 6

Image : fotosearch.com

Just a quick update, managed to do 7 days this week and will be off to the pool again today. Most days I did nearly 60 mins in the pool and I am increasing the time I can jog on the spot in chin-deep water. Starting each day with a few laps of shallow water walking, then into the deep for the rest. Usually some chin-deep jogging on the spot first then onto the noodle to cycle and run in the deeper water. Today I also wrapped up the session with 15 mins jogging on the spot - the first time I have been able to do this long without stopping for either a drink or a rest. My knee has been a little sore today, so may cut this back to 10 mins tomorrow as I don't want to aggravate my arthritis too much.

See you in the pool.

Photo A Day - February Challenge - Day 27

Another hot day here today and so I have stayed pretty much inside and out of the heat, so I was stuck for a photo opportunity and decided to raid my archives again.

Any idea what has happened here?

I found the new leaves of a Eucalyptus in the forest down near Pemberton. It was not much bigger than a seedling, although through natural regeneration rather than planting, and all its leaves carefully serrated by possibly a Leaf Cutter Bee. Although my research shows that they normally eat soft leaves and that they cut in neat circles, I can't for the life of me think what else it could have been.

Photo A Day - February Challenge - Day 26

Any idea what could be in here? Did you say jewelry?
Well you would be right, but more specifically my collection of rings.

We have:

Neutral white/silver



Green tones (solid)



Green/Yellow/Brown tones (clear)



Blue tones



Pink tones



Purple tones



Dark tones



and one amber ring

I think there may be a few more in another jewelry box - until I photographed them all I didn't realise I had so many - no wonder I never have money in my bank account.

Do You Have Kids & Want Music In Their Lives?

For all of my readers with kids or grandkids, hop on over to my daughter's blog at Childhood 101 for your chance to win $100 worth of quality children's musical instruments, toys and more. Entries close on 4th March - so don't be late. Shame I can't enter as I am her Mum.

Mermaid or Whale

Sent to me today by one of my sisters. According to this I am a genius - you will understand when you get to the end - LOL. I agree with the sentiments, and I love that whoever wrote this can laugh at themselves too.

Recently a poster featuring a young, thin and tanned woman appeared in the window of a gym

It said, "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

A middle-age woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.

To Whom It May Concern

Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans)

They have an active sex life, get pregnant and have adorable baby whales.

They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves with shrimp.

They play and swim in the sea, seeking wonderful places like Patagonia, the Bering Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia ...

Whales are wonderful singers and have recorded CDs.

They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans.

They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.

Mermaids don't exist.

If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the officer of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity crisis. Fish or human?

They don't have a sex life because they kill men who get too close to them, not to mention how could they have sex?

Just look at them, where is IT?

Therefore they don't have kids either.

Not to mention, who wants to get close to a girl who smells like a fish store?

The choice is perfectly clear to me: I want to be a whale.

p.s. We are in an age where the media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my kids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver, and a piece of chocolate with my friends.

With time, we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies.

So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy.

Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think "Good grief, look how smart I am!"

PHoto A Day - February Challenge - Day 25

Well tonight I am just too tired and hot to have arranged a photo, so here are a couple that I love from the archives. Taken around 6 months ago at my eldest grand-daughter's 13th birthday party where she took all of us and some friends bowling.

But C I want to come with you, don't leave me here alone with my wedge and these strangers

Now this is the way you can bowl little I, seeing you're not big enough to pick up the ball

2009 was the year my 2 grand-daughters got to live in the same State, the past 12 months has been wonderful, seeing the big and the little love each other so much.

Any Ideas?

As part of my getting fit regime I have made a concerted effort to give up Coca Cola - I love to drink it, the full strength variety, especially on a hot summer's day. I drink around 2 litres of water every day - mainly at work and only drink Coke at home or when we are out. I hate the taste of Diet Coke and Coke Zero (in fact any artificially sweetened drink and I have tried them all).

So as an alternative I have been drinking sparkling mineral water and soda water - I add ice and lemon or lime slices - but really it is just like drinking water and I am over it.

Does anyone know any way of jazzing up mineral water or soda water that does not include sugar and/or alcohol? If so, can you please share with me - I will be eternally grateful.

All The Dumb Things

How many of these can you relate to:

Not remembering you have washed you hair even though you only rinsed it out moments before and then washing it again - all those bubbles let you know that you have already washed it.

Getting home from work, changing your clothes - redressing and then realising that you took you bra off without even realising you had done it.

Wearing 2 different coloured shoes to work, same style and brand - one black, one navy.

Wearing your slippers to work and realising you didn't have a spare pair of shoes in the car.

Getting to work and realising you didn't wash the conditioner out of your hair.

Putting on your knickers and pants without pulling either up, standing up and then only pulling your pants up - you try walking with your knickers still half way up your thighs.

Brushing you teeth and realising you forgot to toothpaste on the brush.

Not a bad list of dumb things, and I am sure there would be more if I put my mind to it. Love to read your list one day.

And the great Aussie Paul Kelly's song right here

Note To Self

Do not check blogs before going to work or you will be late!!

I'll Never Look At Mouthwash The Same Again

My mother forwarded me the following email which was complete with photos of the said mouthwash brand. She shared it with me because mosquitoes love to eat me. Please note my comments are in italics and/or brackets.

Mosquito Spray - Worth A Try

I was at a deck party awhile back and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone. A man at the party sprayed the lawn and deck floor with (well know mouthwash - hey I'm not getting sued) and the little demons disappeared. The next year I filled a 4-ounce spray bottle and used it around my seat whenever I saw mosquitoes (who ever sees them, they just bite me and leave). And voila! That worked as well. It worked at a picnic where we sprayed the area around the food table, the children's swing area and the standing water nearby. During the summer I don't leave home without it... Pass it on.

Apparently her friends also tried it and it worked for them too.

I don't think I will ever be able to use this mouthwash again - if it can repel bugs what the hell has it got in it that I would want to put in my mouth - oh I know plaque and mosquitoes are from the same family - yeah right.

Photo A Day - February Challenge - Day 24

Pretty Things Part 6

Time to share another of my beautiful glass perfume bottles. Got this one at Potaroo as well - that shop will make me broke, good thing I only get to Melbourne occasionally. But wait I think my s-i-l is going there next week - "Oh M, could you do me a little favour?"

p.s. this photo taken inside so full effect of glass work is lost a little, will try and take another one when I am actually home during the day so I can take the photo outside in real light.

What Do You Think?

Anyone who has been following for a while would have read that my Water Walking is basically to get fit, if I loose weight and inches that is a bonus but I have not wanted to complicate my goal or to change my focus in case I get disappointed - if I don't lose weight.

So I have not measured myself, nor weighed myself at this point. I have a rough idea of what I weigh but not an exact figure.

This last week I feel different, I still look the same in the mirror, but I feel thinner especially around my lower chest area - just below where my bra sits.

Now when you are obese like I am, it takes a long time to see changes in the mirror, but I feel thinner all over really, but especially as I said around my lower chest.

So, do I break my rule and weigh and measure myself, or do I just keep going with my goal being to get fit?

It is quite possible that I feel thinner because my core muscles have tightened up as I am really concentrating on holding my core straight when I am in the water and maybe that is why I am getting the feeling of this area being thinner.

One part of me says to leave my goal as only getting fit, but the other part of me is really curious. I am just scared of opening Pandora's box - because when I do, the focus will change, I just know it will.

I would really value your opinions as I know a lot of you are on the same path as I am at the moment, even if you have significantly less weight to lose than I have.

Photo A Day - February Challenge - Day 23

Look what arrived in the mail - my lovely new iPod Nano - a cherry red iPod that I won in the Love Summer Love Cherries Competition. My entry is now on the site - although somehow they left off the last couple of words about my daughter now loving cherries.

I will be charging it up and enjoying it very soon.

Who'd Of Thought This Could Happen?

Imagine my surprise this morning when 3 steps into the pool I trod on something sharp, thought it was a small rock took another step came back to the same foot and ouch, no there was something stuck in my foot. A very large stud earring must have found its way onto the floor of the pool and there is was now sticking out of my foot. Took a bit of effort to pull it out, but hey I am brave. Kept on walking with now slightly sore ball of my foot but I wasn't getting out of the pool for anyone.

On the way to work I suddenly started thinking about how long it was since I had renewed my tetanus shots - like 22 years long - so rang the doctors thinking they would say don't worry, but no luck there. On the way home I got a tetanus shot - just hoping I don't get the normal reaction of a large red swelling - nothing is keeping me out of the pool tomorrow though. Let's just hope I don't find the earrings partner - LOL.

Photo A Day - February Challenge - Day 22

I have always wanted a garden full of birds and so we have planted many Australian natives including lots of grevilleas - the most predominant being the Robyn Gordon pictured here. They have these beautiful big flower heads for most of the year and I think we have about 15 of this particular grevilleas plus 3 or 4 individual plants of other varieties. As a consequence our garden is always full of New Holland Honeyeaters, Little Honeyeaters, Wattle Birds, Little Brown Honeyeaters and other assorted birds. Not mention butterflies, dragonflies and native bees (and the feral ones as well). The really great thing about these plants are not only do they attract lots of wildlife they are fairly drought tolerant once they have established after their first winter in the garden. What sort of plants do you have in your garden?

Memories on Monday - Too Cool For School

I just love these photos - all taken between May 1971 and Jan 1973 - I left school at the end of Year 10, aged 15 and ready to conquer the world. I always loved being out there in what I wore, so here is a quick run down the various stages of being "Too Cool For School"

July 1971 - Hippy stage just turned 16 - long floral cheesecloth dress and plaits

I wore a lot of cheesecloth in this stage and those little plaited raffia pretend shoes that consisted of a loop of raffia around your toe with a cute raffia flower and then plaited raffia that tied behind your heel - no sole just bare feet!

Midi and boot stage aged 16 - black patent tie up boots worn with lots
of midi skirts and tops

My hair at various stages was a little 'mulletish' I suppose

My purple stage, about 16 although maybe a bit younger (no date on back of photos),
purple paisley midi dress with fringed leather worked suede tie belt (you can just see the fringing if you look closely) with purple cardi and lots of gypsy bangles


My "I want to be alone stage" - following a bad perm (lets not even go there I am still mentally scared) there was the head scarf and jeans stage somewhere around 16

Moving into the military stage - green hounds-tooth coat with
double-breasted buttons around 17

My mini and platform shoes stage - alternated with the midi stage for quite a while and in this photo the mini is quite conservative - some of my minis should have been called tops I think!! Aged between 16 and 17

Still in the mini stage, I loved this dress, it was black with lime green and pale blue flowers and lime green trimming, made out of a really sheers fabric. Age around 16-17.

And me still in a mini on 9th February 1973, the day I came home with my eldest daughter, aged 17 1/2, that is her carry basket you can just see in my hand.

Its a shame I don't have photos of some of my other stages, my Mum crocheted me this amazing yellow and orange shaggy vest, I had the most 'to die for' long purple crepe dress that zipped up the middle and was embroidered with a satin butterfly that framed a fairly low V neck, then there was my maroon hot pants that I wore with black stockings and black boots - those were the days my friends, those were the days.

Photo A Day - February Challenge - Day 21

When I first started on my quest to get fit I went to the pool in my leggings and a loose top wearing an old bra and knickers. During the first week I bought a noodle - a nice bright orange one - so I could deep water walk.

In the third week I bought some bathers - took me up to the 4th week before I would wear them without a loose top, but most of week 4 and all of week 5 I have been 'topless' so to speak. Just my bathers and me in the water with my trusty noodle.

But something was still missing! I was using an old bath sheet for a towel and it just wasn't right, so this weekend I bought myself a beach towel - not just any old beach towel this one is 180cm by 100cm (6ft x 4.5 ft), it is soft velour and so lovely to wrap myself in. Today I christened it at the pool and here is my photo of the day - my new towel drying on the line.

I think I am finally starting to feel like a real swimmer/water walker and not a fraud.

Water Walking Update - Week 5

image : fotosearch.com

Still going, now wearing my bathers and not bothering about what others think, bought a new huge and very soft beach towel yesterday. Went 6 days this week, exercised for 60 mins on Sun, 50 mins on Mon, 60 mins on Tues, 50 mins on Weds, 90 mins on Thurs and Fri.

Will be going this morning and really looking forward to it. Oh and even though my focus in not loosing weight rather it is on getting fit, I actually feel like I may have lost a little weight. Mind you it could just be things are firming up and that would be great too.

Won't you join me in the pool?

Photo A Day - February Challenge - Day 20

Okay, so I know I am cheating, this photo is not from today - no rain here in Perth, but I have been busy (out shopping people, got a new beach towel for my water walking, 2 new lamps for the bedroom, new cordless phones for the house and other bits and bobs) and now it is late so not much to photograph.

There is a story to this photo, one winter's morning I awoke (which is good otherwise I would have been dead - LOL) and as I was standing looking out of the bedroom window I spied what appeared to be something hanging on our clothesline. It had enough substance to make me think it was one of my hubby's hankies, but then I though it is too big for a hanky? So I stood there a while longer contemplating this object which was wafting in the gentle breeze.

I was perplexed, I had bought in all the washing a few days before, I certainly hadn't hung anything on the line. So I asked my hubby and he hadn't either. Further investigation was in order. Imagine my amazement when I got to the line and found this beautifully formed jewel encrusted spider web. I just had to race inside and get my camera. It was such a gloomy morning that the flash went off and so the jewels glimmered even more.

It was like having my own diamond necklace, spun for me by an admirer and left for me to find upon wakening.

Sharing Some Sugar with Madmother

Sharing some sugar today and sending it to Madmother 'cause we can all do with a little extra love.

Reading Madmother is often the highlight of my day. There are days when her posts make me laugh until tears run down my face. There are days when her posts make me cry because they touch my heart and soul. I always love it when a little star appears on my screen to show me Madmother has posted again (I use Safari on an Apple Mac in case you are wondering).

Madmother is one of the star's of the blog world (in my humble opinion). She is open and honest, she bares her soul, she waves the flag of awareness for ASD, she occasionally rants (but always in a good way and for a good cause) and she always makes me smile.

So Madmother - here is a little sugar to get you through your disappointment and cheer you up while you are still a little unwell.

Hugs from Perth xxx

Photo A Day - February Challenge - Day 19

Here we are 15 years on from the Photo A Day - Day 16 shot. Both of us a little older and just as I thought, it was like we had seen each other yesterday rather than 12 years or so ago.

Oh and please excuse the fact we are both squinting, it was awfully glarey out today.

It was so wonderful to see each other again and to catch up on each other's news. Now I am only working .8 I will make sure we stay in touch after all it is only 1hr 45 mins drive down to Bunbury.

Photo A Day - February Challenge - Day 18

While we were in Melbourne last November, I stopped at a little gift shop in South Bank to try and find some candles to give as a birthday present. While I was wandering around checking out some amazing bits and pieces, I saw a flash of orange tucked behind some other stuff.



It was so pretty and so orange with sparkly grey leaves. I move lots of stuff out of the way and look what I found.


This amazing bag, it really is this orange and I love it. Of course being so orange there are a few things I can't be wearing if I want to use this bag as they clash, but only a few. Don't you just love it? I asked the lady who worked there, was it tucked away for a reason, she didn't seem to think so. However I know it was tucked away for a very good reason - it was just waiting for me to find it.

Photo A Day - February Challenge - Day 17

Pretty Things Part 5

Today I am sharing with you 2 more of my glass paperweight collection.

They don't look like much in the first photos, but check out what they really look like if you take the time to look.

This one I bought in Broome - my first trip to the North West of WA in August 2008. This was the 2nd in my collection, so as you can see, I have to fall in love with them to buy them. I got this one at the Moonsoon Gallery and it was quite pricey - but I just had to have it.

This one I bought in Melbourne in November 2008 - I just love the way you can play peek-a-boo and get a different feel each time. I bought this not just because I loved it but to remember our 31st wedding anniversary.

If you are ever in Melbourne, check out Potaroo in the shopping centre at South Bank near the Quay West apartments or you can use the link and visit them on-line

Please Note: I don't get any endorsements when sharing the places I buy the stuff I love, I just love to share places I find which have beautiful stuff.

Photo A Day - February Challenge - Day 16

Have you ever met someone whose generosity of spirit warms your heart. Have you ever met someone who welcomes you in to their home and heart without hesitation. Have you ever met someone who has struggled with adversity and always seems to continue to smile. I have, and her name is Dorothy and I would like to share a little about her here.

Dorothy and I on 1.1.1995 at my eldest daughter's wedding
(oh and for those that don't know - I am the one with the poodle hair - LOL)

We met through the local kindergarten, I was new to the area and my eldest daughter started at Kindy. Dorothy was one of the first people I met and straight away she offered the hand of friendship, she didn't know me, but that didn't matter. That is just who Dorothy is.

For more than 10 years we lived in the same suburb. For 7 of those years we probably saw each other every day. Even when I went back to work we would see each other at least once a week.

Dorothy was always there for me, probably more than I ever was there for her - she baked and my family always got some, she sewed - and made clothes for my girls. In fact her generosity kept my kids in clothes - I only had to buy the fabric and she sewed them for me, but quite often when she had left over fabric from sewing for her kids she also sewed up something for them just because she could.

When I went back to work and was struggling to find clothes to wear, she sewed tops for me. She would never take any money for the work - she just did it because that is who she is.

There were so many great mornings when we would drop our kids off at school and then go back to Dorothys for coffee and I would find myself still there when it was time to pick up the kids, we just clicked and could talk for hours on end.

We worked together on the P&C both at the Kindy and the primary school - and here she gave of herself more than anyone I knew. She was always helping in the canteen, always helping in the library - she just gave so much of herself - never asking for anything back.

Then one day she and her family moved away to a little town down south, I was heart-broken, for even though I was working by this time and we didn't see each other every day, we were still best friends and caught up when we could and chatted on the phone all the time.

Not long after they moved Dorothy was diagnosed with 4 brain tumors and had to undergo 3 different brain surgeries with high risks involved and yet when I visited her in hospital up here in Perth, there was always a smile on her face and a positive way forward focus. She had to have her head shaved but she didn't hide away from the world - no she sewed turbans of different colours that she proudly wore. Then she sewed some more and donated them to the hospital for others - that is just who Dorothy is.

We gradually lost contact as it was hard because I worked and weekends were filled with catching up on housework and running my kids around - you know the normal working parents life. A couple of times I managed to get down to visit her and she and her hubby made the trip up for my eldest daughter's 21st and then for her wedding. We would occasionally chat on the phone, but money was tight for both families and phone bills needed to be kept down and so the phone calls slowly stopped.

The last time I saw Dorothy would have been about 12 years ago, it was just after my eldest grand-daughter was born. Every year Dorothy remembers my birthday and sends a card - she has never missed a year while I on the other hand always remember her on the day but am so unorganised I rarely send a card.

Today Dorothy turns 60 and on Friday I get to meet her again for lunch. I am driving down to share my day off with her and I can't wait because I know it will be just like we spoke yesterday. How do I know it will be - why because that is who she is. Dorothy just loves you because she can.

She is a lady who's spirit shines forth and bathes you in it is warmth. Happy Birthday my dear friend.

Photo A Day - February Challenge - Day 15

Pretty Things Part 4

The photos are of the same bottle but it is hard to get the true
beauty to show in photos so I took one outside and one inside.

The other thing I have started collecting since 2008 is glass perfume bottles. We were in Melbourne for our anniversary and then moving onto Heathcote to celebrate my hubby's uncle's 70th birthday.

We spent two lovely days in the city at the Quay West apartments which are situated at South Bank. Right outside the door is a little shopping centres filled with treasures - there is the best Japanese restaurant and lots of little shops selling gorgeous things.

We discovered the Japanese restaurant on our first night and spent a wonderful evening dining and overlooking the Yarra for our anniversary meal. Afterwards we did a little window-shopping and came across a shop called Potoroo and there in the window was this perfume bottle. I fell in love in an instant, it called to me from the window, it enticed me with its beautiful blue and purples iridescent tones - I tried to look away, but I was smitten. I couldn't see a price, I thought it would be horrendously expensive, it was that beautiful. My hubby eventually tore me away from the window and I tried to put it out of my mind.

The next day we did lots of things and I didn't once think of that beautiful bottle (of course I really did, but I tried to ignore it).

The last morning we had a few hours before check out and I ventured into the shopping centre yet again just to have a last look, but the shop was open and so I just had to go in and ask how much it was. This thing of my desire, and when she told me the price I knew I just had to have it. It was way less than I expected, although still pricey. It was lovingly wrapped in layers and layers of bubble-wrap and then placed in a box for it had to travel to Heathcote, then fly to Sydney and then back to Perth.

Thus began my addiction or maybe two - one for beautiful glass perfume bottles and the other for Potoroo - I can not go to Melbourne without checking out the store or buying more glass there - for there are now 3 more beautiful things I will share with you in other Photo A Day posts.

If you are ever in Melbourne, check out Potaroo in the shopping centre at South Bank near the Quay West apartments or you can use the link and visit them on-line.

Please Note: I don't get any endorsements when sharing the places I buy the stuff I love, I just love to share with others just in case you find something beautiful too.