my easter promise...

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have made a promise to myself...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-llHTDcjxigqVgb9qYzvyhnk9m9fVnc8r0luvn4r7qp8H8GLSfqcCgA-KsdUjYjqs6auRfEX66MSljYHCLpBuYFJDlaK_XZgCEB-Ei8YCbEDQRBKgpiAR0DbHWaTRlRe2lekYeZDx6E6P/s1600/promise+weheartit.com-entry-7602434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-llHTDcjxigqVgb9qYzvyhnk9m9fVnc8r0luvn4r7qp8H8GLSfqcCgA-KsdUjYjqs6auRfEX66MSljYHCLpBuYFJDlaK_XZgCEB-Ei8YCbEDQRBKgpiAR0DbHWaTRlRe2lekYeZDx6E6P/s640/promise+weheartit.com-entry-7602434.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">[i know this picture has no relevance except that it has the word 'promise' in it...but I loved it...so I used it]</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that over the easter/anzac day break...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbhHU2eiFk6Sc78pJ77P_ivnRNPInbOPKk7u_HavMcTdaLvJPupyHClaqDmo5qleGO6NwzxzxMA0ST2cLL_p5t9JXXvCY3AB5SXrIXaGAf7ZLgRzPY1o7-lZ9EMtsPLm03dBu-Y83BMgL/s1600/easter+egg+we+heart+it+8833534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbhHU2eiFk6Sc78pJ77P_ivnRNPInbOPKk7u_HavMcTdaLvJPupyHClaqDmo5qleGO6NwzxzxMA0ST2cLL_p5t9JXXvCY3AB5SXrIXaGAf7ZLgRzPY1o7-lZ9EMtsPLm03dBu-Y83BMgL/s640/easter+egg+we+heart+it+8833534.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will do a couple of things.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhui1lDwCTM6-dOi0hYwI-k3QX1UhlooSoswTg36Ssfq9O-UXkQRpoRRyagWshjY5VnjkvbEgYCX8LZHL9HGN0odcedsRq7aSR4YVfVM5be8Wnaf9sm4sq2rEY8ZJt3WODOBHcEPOXi_rEJ/s1600/to+do+list+we+heart+it+6148216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhui1lDwCTM6-dOi0hYwI-k3QX1UhlooSoswTg36Ssfq9O-UXkQRpoRRyagWshjY5VnjkvbEgYCX8LZHL9HGN0odcedsRq7aSR4YVfVM5be8Wnaf9sm4sq2rEY8ZJt3WODOBHcEPOXi_rEJ/s640/to+do+list+we+heart+it+6148216.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No. 1 - some serious navel gazing. I overwhelm myself with stuff, things I 'have' to do, obligations to others, wanting to try a whole heap of things, saying yes when I should say no, thinking I can fit in more than is reasonable or realistic...you know how it goes don't you? I need a better plan. Scrap that...better plan implies I already have one. I just need a plan full stop!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuL4lt5SN0GHies43sE3kdjFjVfjwDUU6Mz6vz_715YQVR7K_igBDnLOC94sHGOEebAZd4slks9L_QAjcgvLbRfdE1CTrmkugfcDGKYY23WTnGh5wHFaQB1S9Bg8Mdhj57JtHdt3muMCf/s1600/thinking+we+heart+it+8905477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuL4lt5SN0GHies43sE3kdjFjVfjwDUU6Mz6vz_715YQVR7K_igBDnLOC94sHGOEebAZd4slks9L_QAjcgvLbRfdE1CTrmkugfcDGKYY23WTnGh5wHFaQB1S9Bg8Mdhj57JtHdt3muMCf/s640/thinking+we+heart+it+8905477.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No. 2 - some serious reading time. I've been neglecting my reading. Which feels like cutting off my right arm. I have a pile of unread magazines I can't jump over. Many still in their plastic wrappers. Seriously. That's just ludicrous. And a stack of books that taunt me every time I look at them. READ ME they yell!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlLT3WaHfHbHdNPtg3-iitcmJmh178xY5WqCg9myXe05bCTUPC1X5k4NYuEA3IdrVwrRYoOhpXlIZBxEB3jGdsWyVQ-q9Y6bCyvv9LPjYNktVj_NsKyOD_14Rvv205MboUss6NadPRKSo/s1600/books+we+heart+it+8931211.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlLT3WaHfHbHdNPtg3-iitcmJmh178xY5WqCg9myXe05bCTUPC1X5k4NYuEA3IdrVwrRYoOhpXlIZBxEB3jGdsWyVQ-q9Y6bCyvv9LPjYNktVj_NsKyOD_14Rvv205MboUss6NadPRKSo/s640/books+we+heart+it+8931211.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">[my pile is much bigger than this but not as pretty]</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, when the break is over I will come back to you with my plan...how I'm going to make my life easier, more productive, less challenging, more fulfilling, less manic, more organised, less ...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And if you believe that you might quite possibly be the easter bunny :)</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9rynml3paXBwQgvFBD3rGXeVxOdfFUszb65FdL1KOZgL-gF5OXKsZg1W6JNj78A5-7GjMak8ec3Qll8Ky9PV0ozUc__ZBOCXCkLeBFjusFIsdOI71QtNrWCLiPjNN9_1Hrd8dVgW9I-l/s1600/easter+wishes+we+heart+it+4618631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9rynml3paXBwQgvFBD3rGXeVxOdfFUszb65FdL1KOZgL-gF5OXKsZg1W6JNj78A5-7GjMak8ec3Qll8Ky9PV0ozUc__ZBOCXCkLeBFjusFIsdOI71QtNrWCLiPjNN9_1Hrd8dVgW9I-l/s640/easter+wishes+we+heart+it+4618631.jpg" width="396" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm going to try though. It'll be good to give it a go.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A very happy easter break to everyone...and bless xx</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hope someone gives me some chocolate :)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">all images from <a href="http://weheartit.com/">weheartit</a>: entry nos 7602434, 8833534, 6148216, 8905477, 831211, 4618631</span></span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

my easter promise...

I have made a promise to myself... [i know this picture has no relevance except that it has the word 'promise' in it...but I loved i...

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1000 awesome things by Neil Pasricha

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I went to bed last night with images of the devastating floods in Queensland searing my brain I wondered whether I should 'unschedule' this post.  But sometimes we need a distraction don't we? This is mine...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I may have been living under a rock, but I only became aware of<a href="http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9780399156519/The-Book-of-Awesome"> this book</a></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkb7ASg9ISlV436MHiwc8asXKyrGucyQJk1IeMj-6gRdsnRebfAeWIgOXkX8sxa_vmv60u2sZy11JkfwbnvxaYBJGJ9zTQ20nnDfaFH0II5Wwyk2drqqtbPGTToOTFQtNmCgFF5f15EUd/s1600/The_Book_of_Awesome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkb7ASg9ISlV436MHiwc8asXKyrGucyQJk1IeMj-6gRdsnRebfAeWIgOXkX8sxa_vmv60u2sZy11JkfwbnvxaYBJGJ9zTQ20nnDfaFH0II5Wwyk2drqqtbPGTToOTFQtNmCgFF5f15EUd/s400/The_Book_of_Awesome.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(which is apparently a worldwide best seller) and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1000awesomethings.com/">this associated blog</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (which apparently has won blog of the year) yesterday through reading an article on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/">The Happiness Project</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> blog...oh my, the ways that blog surfing can eat into your time...when you're not watching the flood coverage...but hey, I'm on holiday :)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Happiness Project led me to this TED talk (below) and I was completely and utterly mesmerised for the 17 or so minutes it took to watch the author Neil Pasricha talk about his take on 'awesome'. I like his philosophy. It's simple. We're not talking rocket science here (that would be boring anyway). But it's simple because it's about simple pleasures, and appreciating them...which is sometimes not so simple. Not when we're in pain, or sad or weighed down by grief. Or dealing with a force of nature. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But as Pasricha says, how awesome is it to crawl into clean sheets, hit a string of green lights on the way home, have a supermarket checkout line open and you get to be the first one through...people in parts of Queensland would certainly think those pleasures were awesome right about now I suspect.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do take the time to view this if you can. I bet it'll put a smile on your dial :)</span><br /><object height="326" width="446"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"></param><param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/NeilPasricha_2010X-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/NeilPasricha-2010X.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=1048&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=neil_pasricha_the_3_a_s_of_awesome;year=2010;theme=what_makes_us_happy;theme=a_taste_of_tedx;theme=master_storytellers;event=TEDxToronto+2010;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;" /><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgColor="#ffffff" width="446" height="326" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/NeilPasricha_2010X-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/NeilPasricha-2010X.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=1048&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=neil_pasricha_the_3_a_s_of_awesome;year=2010;theme=what_makes_us_happy;theme=a_taste_of_tedx;theme=master_storytellers;event=TEDxToronto+2010;"></embed></object><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For me one of those simple awesome things is waking up thinking it's a work day and then realising it's actually not! Or walking outside into my little courtyard and finding that the first gardenia of the season has blossomed. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What simple things (apart from donating to the <a href="http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html">flood relief fund</a> and watching Premier Anna Bligh's graceful handling of this tragedy) do you find awesome?</span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

1000 awesome things by Neil Pasricha

As I went to bed last night with images of the devastating floods in Queensland searing my brain I wondered whether I should 'unschedule...

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soul food friday ~ the art of doing nothing...

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This came to me via an email...and it made me laugh...out loud...at work</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-wJzGAbx7cA1VmMDAM9admTaySDdecD4RWok27INP3CwIUSSdRVLP60oKg2wjYa2IOJv7hJqELDozFvmp34AKbDquaU_YiaCSSMV2FCkHNW2-d-Qr3_L_XdafB5hP9bmzz9PRwpVbEMF/s1600/nothing+to+do+via+reddit.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-wJzGAbx7cA1VmMDAM9admTaySDdecD4RWok27INP3CwIUSSdRVLP60oKg2wjYa2IOJv7hJqELDozFvmp34AKbDquaU_YiaCSSMV2FCkHNW2-d-Qr3_L_XdafB5hP9bmzz9PRwpVbEMF/s640/nothing+to+do+via+reddit.com.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...which is OK of course...we're allowed to laugh where I work...in fact it's positively encouraged.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But then it got me thinking...why are we so afraid of having nothing to do? Why do we feel compelled to fill up our empty spaces? And when we do actually do nothing (is it even possible to <b>really</b> do nothing...), why do we feel guilty about it? Not all the time I know...at least I hope...but even sometimes, feeling guilty about doing nothing is bad...isn't it?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is thinking doing nothing? No, we're thinking.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is gazing at our navel doing nothing? No, we're...well, we're navel gazing.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is this a generational thing? The offspring don't seem to have a problem doing nothing!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think having nothing to do is a luxury we should allow ourselves every now and again, don't you? And I know it's much easier for some than others. I don't have small people requiring my attention every hour of the day for instance. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ann from <a href="http://myvillalife.blogspot.com/">My Villa Life</a> once described me as a doer, which kind of surprised me as I consider procrastination one of my finer skills! My friend Mary told me when she commented on last week's soul food friday post to do nothing last weekend (and I tried Mary, I really did).</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So is 'nothing to do' not actually a luxury, but really a necessity? Every now and then. When we can manage it. To recharge and refresh. It's an interesting question isn't it?</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What's your favourite <b>'case of nothing to do'</b>? I'd like to borrow a few for the weekend if that's OK.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">image via stumbleupon</span></span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

soul food friday ~ the art of doing nothing...

This came to me via an email...and it made me laugh...out loud...at work ...which is OK of course...we're allowed to laugh where I work....

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soul food friday ~ writing it down

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4K2-tnDylF1qRnR_QEJB-_PD0kesvvV31G3V-sAj2u5JjNdWl-4FldfVZ_UckzchPwNlkHkTzzlAPc5uSlZSeGxoh2pAacESShfxxTM9KLyDFYLUNRtDxsPXQ1OYYh3dssWDo6Dp_aN0/s1600/tumblr_kyknndAsRv1qzpe8uo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4K2-tnDylF1qRnR_QEJB-_PD0kesvvV31G3V-sAj2u5JjNdWl-4FldfVZ_UckzchPwNlkHkTzzlAPc5uSlZSeGxoh2pAacESShfxxTM9KLyDFYLUNRtDxsPXQ1OYYh3dssWDo6Dp_aN0/s640/tumblr_kyknndAsRv1qzpe8uo1_500.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not much writing for me today on this here blog...but this image from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cleversimon/4391862386">here</a> got me thinking...could this be a blogger's mantra... a tool for those with early onset alzheimers...or just something for really busy peeps?? For sure my brain has been so full lately that if I didn't write things down I would have absolutely no clue what I'd been thinking about! </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a wonderful weekend everyone. I'm going to try and get some rest...it's been a huge work week. Two massive projects delivered...two very happy clients. Fabulous team work. Gratifying, but exhausting. But nowhere near as big as Julia Gillard's week. Australia's new Prime Minister...I won't push my political leanings here, but I think she is one mightily impressive woman.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hugs to all of you; thanks so much for your continuing support and wonderfully uplifting and often highly amusing comments. You have no idea how you've helped to get me through this particularly difficult week!!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

soul food friday ~ writing it down

Not much writing for me today on this here blog...but this image from here got me thinking...could this be a blogger's mantra... a tool...

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soul food friday ~ live to smile

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUhD6mraIDK4ZnNRjJo3rOlFeyhR-Iq9kWOJP2ronNSwZjpwiu59czM_rBauIe7GbsAOusuu7bMYgClqrdnUf0Tk66EY-YnQTFN19B3gVBFH5tm3dxWAhE2DvfIqSo1Ytq2R-O90JwdA/s1600/live+to+smile+from+tumblr+quotes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUhD6mraIDK4ZnNRjJo3rOlFeyhR-Iq9kWOJP2ronNSwZjpwiu59czM_rBauIe7GbsAOusuu7bMYgClqrdnUf0Tk66EY-YnQTFN19B3gVBFH5tm3dxWAhE2DvfIqSo1Ytq2R-O90JwdA/s640/live+to+smile+from+tumblr+quotes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really liked this quote...so much nicer than living to </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">fight</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> another day don't you think?  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It got me thinking about conflict and contest and how much of it there is in our language (if not our lives). We </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">battle</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> the traffic, we hope the best man </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">wins</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, we'll '</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">die</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> in a ditch' over something, or we won't, we </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">fight</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> an uphill battle, we run into </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">barriers</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, we </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">surrender</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to the inevitable, we revel in a </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">contest</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> of wits, we can have a </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">clash</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> of cultures (or colours!). We </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">lose</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> control, or </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">joust</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for it. We use our </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">arsenal </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">of skills. We </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">struggle</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> with the housework...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's exhausting...let's just smile today instead :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm smiling, because I now have my 200th follower, thanks to Michelle at </span><a href="http://thepapertreedesign.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paper Tree Design</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. Go and check out the beautiful things she creates if you haven't already. Thank you Michelle. I'm gobsmacked. Is it crazy to get ridiculously excited by that? Awesome you lot are, absolutely awesome!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Plus!!  Get this! My friend Mary in Canada sent me a real, live letter...mail that isn't a bill! With fridge magnets...I loooooove fridge magnets. Double awesome...thank you Mary!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvxbr-vUpUqHhg3KzmYTLiQBSOkYrcaGZSwShGyvaKfWP12v5iSbnqJaDgLpO3azKt24bDrWxzUQdbWrE84hRQOp0pMnjR6CY1ffwVT8I0x3DsVC2YRcfsw-v7L-r0C9bP0oouu9gF4Q/s1600/marys+letter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvxbr-vUpUqHhg3KzmYTLiQBSOkYrcaGZSwShGyvaKfWP12v5iSbnqJaDgLpO3azKt24bDrWxzUQdbWrE84hRQOp0pMnjR6CY1ffwVT8I0x3DsVC2YRcfsw-v7L-r0C9bP0oouu9gF4Q/s640/marys+letter.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

soul food friday ~ live to smile

I really liked this quote...so much nicer than living to fight another day don't you think?   It got me thinking about conflict and con...

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soul food friday ~ if I were...

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did have another soul food post planned for today. It was about getting older, but I figured it could wait...as I'm not quite old enough just yet to have to worry about making it to next Friday. Because when I saw this post at <a href="http://doireallywannablog.blogspot.com/2010/06/if-i-were.html">Leah's blog</a>, I thought doing this might be <s>less depressing</s> nicer. I couldn't track down where it originally started. There are, dear bloggy peeps, simply not enough hours in the day for that. You ready? OK, here we go...the pictures will give you some clues!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIP-uRf9aMms3HRfMCJuQ_U_9ugHE47dFZ1H7eX8MYRdgu0-Rw0rLi5RrXn_I_w2s39MA7S8Ecl0Z5vUMPDuhKZMGGIySn3jtFCuCzVtL4FOAXZOLaPS0gvT6DdRz_jM6ufa3NfQ-J3-g/s1600/if+I+were+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIP-uRf9aMms3HRfMCJuQ_U_9ugHE47dFZ1H7eX8MYRdgu0-Rw0rLi5RrXn_I_w2s39MA7S8Ecl0Z5vUMPDuhKZMGGIySn3jtFCuCzVtL4FOAXZOLaPS0gvT6DdRz_jM6ufa3NfQ-J3-g/s640/if+I+were+collage.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">f I were <b>a month</b>, I would be October, revelling in the glory of spring, without the pesky winds of September</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">If I were <b>a day of the week</b>, I would be Saturday, with the work week over and half a weekend still ahead</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I were <b>a time of day</b>, I would be midnight, grateful for the day just gone and looking forward to the next</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I were <b>a planet</b>, I would be Earth, because of the whole Mother Earth thing (boho remember!)<br />If I were <b>an animal</b>, I would be a giraffe, elegant but a bit goofy<br />If I were <b>a direction</b>, I would be constantly changing, ready for the next adventure<br />If I were <b>a piece of furniture</b>, I would be a day bed, big and comfy and with room for two<br />If I were <b>a liquid</b>, I would be hot chocolate, a bit wicked but oh so comforting<br />If I were <b>a gemstone</b>, I would be a pearl, lustrous and tactile and slightly imperfect<br />If I were <b>a tree</b>, I would be a japanese maple, living in a courtyard sheltered from the winds</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I were <b>a tool</b>, I'd be a paint brush (not sure if that qualifies as a tool really but cut me some slack)...I'd be a paint brush, making everything beautiful with a simple stroke<br />If I were <b>a flower</b>, I would be a gardenia, beautiful to look at, wonderful to smell...and slightly temperamental :)<br />If I were <b>a kind of weather</b>, I would be a gentle breeze, soothing<br />If I were <b>a musical instrument</b>, I’d be a violin, but only in the hands of a classical maestro who could move others to tears with the beauty of his (or her) music...can you have a female maestro? Just wondering.<br />If I were <b>a colour</b>, I would be hot pink, but come back next week...I'll have changed my mind!</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I were <b>an emotion</b>, I would be joy</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I were <b>a fruit</b>, I would be a pomegranate, most beautiful on the inside</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I were <b>a sound</b>, I would be a bellbird's call, a childhood memory<br />If I were <b>an element</b>, I would be fire, warming not destroying</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I were <b>a car</b>, I’d be reliable!<br />If I were <b>a food</b>, I'd be a banquet, with something for everyone (technically speaking not one food, but hey, it's my list)<br />If I were <b>a place</b>, I'd be Venice, in all her magnificence<br />If I were <b>a material</b>, I would be a hand woven textile</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I were <b>a taste</b>, I would be a delicious one<br />If I were <b>a scent</b>, I would be coriander<br />If I were <b>an object</b>, I would be a book, well read, much loved, shared<br />If I were <b>a body part</b>, I’d be eyes, wanting to see it all<br />If I were <b>a facial expression</b>, I would be the Mona Lisa's smile, ever so enigmatic<br />If I were <b>a pair of shoes</b>, I would make sure you were comfortable wearing me and looked as good as you hoped you would</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You might like to do this as well if you're stuck one day for a blog post...and I'd love to hear what you'd be! It was quite fun. And as much as I love it, if someone could tell me how to get "if I were a carpenter and you were a lady.." out of my head now, I'd be grateful.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">pomegranate image from </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/curdsnwhey/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">...aka Nanette from </span><a href="http://rummage.typepad.com/rummage/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Rummage</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">...love her blog and...check out her Flickr stream</span></span></span></span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

soul food friday ~ if I were...

I did have another soul food post planned for today. It was about getting older, but I figured it could wait...as I'm not quite old enou...

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when it all gets a bit too much

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoysoZ1bzwhh0dmHqB7vhmG4squZpH1hUdTuAxPmoHW6hZdQSWRGukh4UL6MYva_jc0GYlczJb52HDynJwniXrxfnqVaxI8vtXOvPVx3mShUOpBqzCxVpWnhwCfVjP_76NVAX4vIMg0w/s1600/tired+seal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoysoZ1bzwhh0dmHqB7vhmG4squZpH1hUdTuAxPmoHW6hZdQSWRGukh4UL6MYva_jc0GYlczJb52HDynJwniXrxfnqVaxI8vtXOvPVx3mShUOpBqzCxVpWnhwCfVjP_76NVAX4vIMg0w/s400/tired+seal.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wish I had some time to lie on a warm rock (wish my skin was that smooth as well!)...but there's just too much going on at work...and it's important...and it can't wait...and it's spilling into leisure time...just for the moment. Starting early and finishing late. So...as much as I hate to...I'm taking a few days away from the bloggy-world...to tough it out...do what needs to be done...and try and kick a few things into touch (to mix a metaphor or three). So that I can come back and play...a little more light heartedly (I was going to say a little less burdened but that seemed far too melodramatic even for me!). Hopefully I will see you all on Friday...it's the first-born's 25th birthday and I'm sure some soul food will be in order! Take care...I'll be missing you while I'm stoically avoiding you...you beings of mass distraction you! </span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

when it all gets a bit too much

I wish I had some time to lie on a warm rock (wish my skin was that smooth as well!)...but there's just too much going on at work...and ...

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bemused by garden stools

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have two garden stools...just like this one...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AYZNYJMxgLzoUlDfM_SARf25KLVeDtA-_HpELZqUoLviM81N9MHMiJYQbO9057CNM9E7LkCF6pX7Tj3P-7f8cWUaDqyNEbbO38iTVk-a2FUJ9LYrUYGTkNqAz7DJbgFRZpxocNIvRcY/s1600/gardenstool-flickr-its+great+to+be+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AYZNYJMxgLzoUlDfM_SARf25KLVeDtA-_HpELZqUoLviM81N9MHMiJYQbO9057CNM9E7LkCF6pX7Tj3P-7f8cWUaDqyNEbbO38iTVk-a2FUJ9LYrUYGTkNqAz7DJbgFRZpxocNIvRcY/s400/gardenstool-flickr-its+great+to+be+home.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...but I'm thinking: why are they called garden stools?</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Garden:</b> <i>a piece of ground or other space commonly with ornamental trees, plants etc, used as a place of recreation</i></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Stool:</b> <i>a seat, either low or high, without arms or a back, usually for a single person..</i></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMoSjFIQ4rPm5k77-WVyrgOYTxGinlDwrp8uUGaPTRlwfQbKUWoP6BHwLyDfRTw843C6SITrxgKi94XEEsPQgr_ii7IaMxnQHx9jS3FIHhCeI8DoHQCPgv6BgQ8i10YAqFcjoQch63jg/s1600/gardenstool-palmerweiss.com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMoSjFIQ4rPm5k77-WVyrgOYTxGinlDwrp8uUGaPTRlwfQbKUWoP6BHwLyDfRTw843C6SITrxgKi94XEEsPQgr_ii7IaMxnQHx9jS3FIHhCeI8DoHQCPgv6BgQ8i10YAqFcjoQch63jg/s400/gardenstool-palmerweiss.com.jpg" width="332" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...when you hardly ever find them in the garden and I've never seen anyone actually sit on one...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-Ku7FCZ8gwq1hrKL033Z-ouPxfxMoljvx-K3FuGgbQi-dCUbifDI4_42yNtuTokWTVVz88SKx51C9qAEqCoVFBEiU7TgXrpGXGoWdREO5hbjCSjS4KFAebSHpQ54MOxD91yjvBwVqTs/s1600/gardenstool4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-Ku7FCZ8gwq1hrKL033Z-ouPxfxMoljvx-K3FuGgbQi-dCUbifDI4_42yNtuTokWTVVz88SKx51C9qAEqCoVFBEiU7TgXrpGXGoWdREO5hbjCSjS4KFAebSHpQ54MOxD91yjvBwVqTs/s400/gardenstool4.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just wondering...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5E8ZxNNoP_-2pB6DHbfXi4YuH0mDAbTYcTmUjA-CZ1jjhlIxtIDCw1ZIOczUQP5M4s4gfK1G6B5dYtXzHMBoqlERxZBNM3q1fts_rMvSy6yCnDYwzxc5PYJmL1s0LVBJ8FyTxamJrIQ/s1600/gardenstool6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5E8ZxNNoP_-2pB6DHbfXi4YuH0mDAbTYcTmUjA-CZ1jjhlIxtIDCw1ZIOczUQP5M4s4gfK1G6B5dYtXzHMBoqlERxZBNM3q1fts_rMvSy6yCnDYwzxc5PYJmL1s0LVBJ8FyTxamJrIQ/s400/gardenstool6.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgIYIdT9jT71u3PJNPLkpOyw3CFLHfiOKyJwos0Oyj9O75kVUMkXE2rA7yVEL-mPYpshKnKL072Exd1xA9TvlmQj7ITPVxTKLHNrPJ6U8zoHIhJZ46DP_0ajHJAPQAPZVorYulj8lmV8/s1600/gardenstool7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgIYIdT9jT71u3PJNPLkpOyw3CFLHfiOKyJwos0Oyj9O75kVUMkXE2rA7yVEL-mPYpshKnKL072Exd1xA9TvlmQj7ITPVxTKLHNrPJ6U8zoHIhJZ46DP_0ajHJAPQAPZVorYulj8lmV8/s400/gardenstool7.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJR03o2_qykNorIb5jTqVG6-Y9BvJaJhzNXWUW2lIfuGvi8BW1UFvIfR9POa0hm6UrdCH5LKB58sEit1NUtfb1w71te8E2KKigBdKZBppPyb-Lnem483SatfOQOnVDelkKe2vrlAaAEI/s1600/gardenstool8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJR03o2_qykNorIb5jTqVG6-Y9BvJaJhzNXWUW2lIfuGvi8BW1UFvIfR9POa0hm6UrdCH5LKB58sEit1NUtfb1w71te8E2KKigBdKZBppPyb-Lnem483SatfOQOnVDelkKe2vrlAaAEI/s400/gardenstool8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHXw90v3R6ooNnw_-Sz4LDS0AVPb4C5bIkTC96K3E-AA4yJcnfSG9njv2xNNndpb0OKlD_-vvvCEXmmN804CAn6DiN3iYO7-_EJJUD99XanbVPWsfmQnnQ5uImYOWbS-KDk3IT66ldKA/s1600/gardenstool9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHXw90v3R6ooNnw_-Sz4LDS0AVPb4C5bIkTC96K3E-AA4yJcnfSG9njv2xNNndpb0OKlD_-vvvCEXmmN804CAn6DiN3iYO7-_EJJUD99XanbVPWsfmQnnQ5uImYOWbS-KDk3IT66ldKA/s400/gardenstool9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaVTCmhy11iwD5Wzap1XxQ4ZS2bmYqz6PPOz63HO9YJ1AnPFKUx2w9FhjG5jVFgTV0lUiH9FHpENwt3S8_o4DWHq6MX8O8e8-OIniMNjaSfTMaHwC5GNJdGHiS1os6VYBAKeIUt86X9U/s1600/gardenstool11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaVTCmhy11iwD5Wzap1XxQ4ZS2bmYqz6PPOz63HO9YJ1AnPFKUx2w9FhjG5jVFgTV0lUiH9FHpENwt3S8_o4DWHq6MX8O8e8-OIniMNjaSfTMaHwC5GNJdGHiS1os6VYBAKeIUt86X9U/s400/gardenstool11.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_KP4p42Ldy-q9hayxO_lU8DxkJ-h7JuB6zDFR1qbpOrJB912quKBhbqpCJJdzRW3bXdADlAdr_YsPIXo60l1RQskibVwXcB-S7AW7K6PH90Oa4V7ULbLpFSrbjW2U5-5gIxAh9vlHAI/s1600/gardenstool12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_KP4p42Ldy-q9hayxO_lU8DxkJ-h7JuB6zDFR1qbpOrJB912quKBhbqpCJJdzRW3bXdADlAdr_YsPIXo60l1RQskibVwXcB-S7AW7K6PH90Oa4V7ULbLpFSrbjW2U5-5gIxAh9vlHAI/s400/gardenstool12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOK5Td_F1QnNUQ5q0CYl5_8ZLt7eeVkJ6IW_9tMktO-TwFJLsPYmmv4ZSdYfRtIbd_I3v90YA5TAkl__Bb269bWtxXaXO1x8X_L2K_HGmIab6xOsWuisCqmlyKgiEFxiEpdgYN_QWF9k/s1600/gardenstool13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOK5Td_F1QnNUQ5q0CYl5_8ZLt7eeVkJ6IW_9tMktO-TwFJLsPYmmv4ZSdYfRtIbd_I3v90YA5TAkl__Bb269bWtxXaXO1x8X_L2K_HGmIab6xOsWuisCqmlyKgiEFxiEpdgYN_QWF9k/s400/gardenstool13.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXRH9qIXZpSd_1ttFhHM2nIXsn2xgOeDA_CVI5zqpZj8kayfRddYxR-gpv8ogvJU2xXvHbTKhQCxoRT_h9mc3pjnfbUNzX8yLME1Hw_0LD7UNuA3VxRf3iNJ1ofLCc1zz5i5ayWMLUBA/s1600/gardenstool20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXRH9qIXZpSd_1ttFhHM2nIXsn2xgOeDA_CVI5zqpZj8kayfRddYxR-gpv8ogvJU2xXvHbTKhQCxoRT_h9mc3pjnfbUNzX8yLME1Hw_0LD7UNuA3VxRf3iNJ1ofLCc1zz5i5ayWMLUBA/s400/gardenstool20.jpg" width="355" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB79CqfEh6IeTDUT_Bh9u4zEgHGKFrUgH21rO377I2yb9Q0cT9h9q850Y74yiJPuk7Q8Zga_IJZooFW5rMwuIwo_schhA4Bf86-vKbNVDi2lxJ_VGK0cE_NozsMh1vslIHLZb9xEiRCLM/s1600/gardenstool21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB79CqfEh6IeTDUT_Bh9u4zEgHGKFrUgH21rO377I2yb9Q0cT9h9q850Y74yiJPuk7Q8Zga_IJZooFW5rMwuIwo_schhA4Bf86-vKbNVDi2lxJ_VGK0cE_NozsMh1vslIHLZb9xEiRCLM/s400/gardenstool21.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGghSJVkYkOxpPlJspknApb6ez9rupvHZHsV6bMTSCZCSDJJmApFEFc1mvCDTJh-5TX2GsdYD5bYmOnie9Z8JHPNUCfa7WJfVjgbMDSwBe0cMLfKy_YvMY4i3w4H_oJj6c2wq2I9F_rI/s1600/gardenstool22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGghSJVkYkOxpPlJspknApb6ez9rupvHZHsV6bMTSCZCSDJJmApFEFc1mvCDTJh-5TX2GsdYD5bYmOnie9Z8JHPNUCfa7WJfVjgbMDSwBe0cMLfKy_YvMY4i3w4H_oJj6c2wq2I9F_rI/s400/gardenstool22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Confession:</b> ok...maybe, just maybe I did find a few images of garden stools outdoors, but no way was I going to let the facts get in the way of a blog post now was I?? Oh all right then..but just the one!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HvP3VidoB8p75Ky7HacpAQ0khFin0-5SINsAsCI7IXbxRvP5mOQUh4bm0u9EW28JVWJLexZdyrbHwUCQxq_oGbx6uJ8chhnFOvGaZ0smkOsKhnB0FCbJJ-4JKgsHwdJSDZkifbbThFE/s1600/gardenstool23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HvP3VidoB8p75Ky7HacpAQ0khFin0-5SINsAsCI7IXbxRvP5mOQUh4bm0u9EW28JVWJLexZdyrbHwUCQxq_oGbx6uJ8chhnFOvGaZ0smkOsKhnB0FCbJJ-4JKgsHwdJSDZkifbbThFE/s400/gardenstool23.jpg" width="347" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> images 1-10 and 14 from </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/16863012@N06/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">; others from </span><a href="http://chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">here</span></a></span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

bemused by garden stools

I have two garden stools...just like this one... ...but I'm thinking: why are they called garden stools? Garden: a piece of ground or o...

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ANZAC memories

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My family has a military tradition as do many Australian families. My childhood memories are strong with attendances at ANZAC Day parades and dawn services. As an adult living in Canberra my best memory of a dawn service was around this reflection pool at the Australian War Memorial..</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImW_mUhpWsPs47-j5g5BV6K9MUhCQxAC0j_0Tw4CxIVLzGp-DmGOVaHcOQjRKNpdqrG0OromEEB8n5i9f4v3qXyQqSCtQ1f6TOagxmH6kls1i5WN08xIOPZoCvdy3y47yPL5p3EjwKxc/s1600/war_memorial_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImW_mUhpWsPs47-j5g5BV6K9MUhCQxAC0j_0Tw4CxIVLzGp-DmGOVaHcOQjRKNpdqrG0OromEEB8n5i9f4v3qXyQqSCtQ1f6TOagxmH6kls1i5WN08xIOPZoCvdy3y47yPL5p3EjwKxc/s400/war_memorial_01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That was in the days when only a few hundred people turned up. Now there are thousands and it has to be held outside.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I grew up knowing the excerpt from the poem <i>For the Fallen</i> by Laurence Binyon (1869 - 1943), that is always recited on this day that commemorates Australian and New Zealand soldiers who landed on the beach at Gallipolli in Turkey on 25 April 1915...</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-left: 5em; margin-right: 5em; margin-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;<br />Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.<br />At the going down of the sun and in the morning<br />We will remember them.</span></div></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...which always ends with everyone saying 'lest we forget'. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have my mother's photo album that she lovingly compiled when her father returned from the Middle East at the end of World War 2. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRu53wOloRhcwiJhDJJDiQ5lT4ue86s7EAoHeazU-wlYzuZJ4N6hi5WMp6cLUM5wngJbqH_U0F61dtLhrEtK5c3ASSJcB-Zy9da0sUmeAZXxMzdtnDmSm32hZT9ORqKjU4drrhU85G3K4/s1600/ww2+album.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRu53wOloRhcwiJhDJJDiQ5lT4ue86s7EAoHeazU-wlYzuZJ4N6hi5WMp6cLUM5wngJbqH_U0F61dtLhrEtK5c3ASSJcB-Zy9da0sUmeAZXxMzdtnDmSm32hZT9ORqKjU4drrhU85G3K4/s400/ww2+album.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8KCniLXm8aEwKi570SCcSR0x1keY4iZ6sevSFQH8-jH_4Wg7Euyn-x8G7XKiOvLP1uaprMC5Fvx7QELzjc22-AAWg7fJxYnpTrdCJM1_nmEM2RMF_h8g7p8Sv3vjFxZy0f46zkRq7-I/s1600/ww2+album2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8KCniLXm8aEwKi570SCcSR0x1keY4iZ6sevSFQH8-jH_4Wg7Euyn-x8G7XKiOvLP1uaprMC5Fvx7QELzjc22-AAWg7fJxYnpTrdCJM1_nmEM2RMF_h8g7p8Sv3vjFxZy0f46zkRq7-I/s400/ww2+album2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's old and battered just like it should be. My father served in the Army enlisting as a very young man and fought in Papua New Guinea...he still suffers from recurring bouts of malaria.  My sister was in the Army, her husband served in Vietnam...twice, I was in the Army but thankfully long before the time women were allowed to serve in combat zones. I wouldn't want either of my children placed in harm's way like that but I honour and respect those who do, today, yesterday and unfortunately tomorrow. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But...I need to put that outside and go and clean up from last night's dinner party...oh you should see the mess... and make some ANZAC biscuits for the first born...she insists and who am I to argue!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

ANZAC memories

My family has a military tradition as do many Australian families. My childhood memories are strong with attendances at ANZAC Day parades an...

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soul food friday ~ on a saturday!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvM-1aAzshnNr8aDZPKtmqrpihjg_kcLVmXA6rf45qEIJJgyNrehM39-XX2KfkgW0EPoSHJq6O48N-pdJLWTWoTgKo1Kg9QYDZnswMYPfJdiJzhpaFtpDOBof7NULq0WUewfx5amnCEQ/s1600/worry+quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvM-1aAzshnNr8aDZPKtmqrpihjg_kcLVmXA6rf45qEIJJgyNrehM39-XX2KfkgW0EPoSHJq6O48N-pdJLWTWoTgKo1Kg9QYDZnswMYPfJdiJzhpaFtpDOBof7NULq0WUewfx5amnCEQ/s400/worry+quote.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm trying hard to curb my natural worry-wart tendencies...I really am. I worry (in varying degrees) about the people in my life, the quality of my work, my weight, ageing, the mortgage, what colour to paint my study walls!!  I really shouldn't...it shows (again in varying degrees) a complete lack of trust in my loved ones and their ability to live their lives, an unreasonably critical perspective on what I do (which I mostly do well), a focus on my weight gain rather than doing something about it, trying to fight the inevitability of getting older (because heaven knows the alternative is much worse!), the reality that 'owning' a house brings...and the knowledge that if I don't like the colour on my walls I can just paint right on over it!  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So along with reducing my weight (starting the Women's Weekly 21 day diet on Monday!!) I'm going to try to stop worrying so much and get a bit more zen...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEier-Z3p5n_Ltdz7Mw_WxY0DWRsgCkOlbgSYvdh6nDIzTp2Zxl9mMwYq7xAGfOokciexq5nr7MSWhD2GsMK7q7uY16JDN3-2jCrchyHo7vZQ8P16DaJ8iKuw7H4-I2hNG-y8YrCKYyc7zs/s1600/buddha+from+colourlovers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEier-Z3p5n_Ltdz7Mw_WxY0DWRsgCkOlbgSYvdh6nDIzTp2Zxl9mMwYq7xAGfOokciexq5nr7MSWhD2GsMK7q7uY16JDN3-2jCrchyHo7vZQ8P16DaJ8iKuw7H4-I2hNG-y8YrCKYyc7zs/s400/buddha+from+colourlovers.jpg" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heaven knows I have enough buddhas around my house...I'll show them to you one day...they should be inspiration enough!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For now the only thing I have to worry about is the fact that my ex-husband, his new wife and his other daughter who live in Townsville (a very long way away) are coming to dinner tonight with our two children. Actually, you know...I'm really looking forward to that. Maybe they'll let me take photos and post them...or maybe not :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally...a huge thank you to A-M for the extraordinarily beautiful coasters I won on her new <a href="http://capecoddesigns.blogspot.com/">Cape Cod Designs</a> blog. She tells me they're now collectors items so I'll be very careful who I let use them...but I'll try not to worry too much about that!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a lovely weekend...it's a long one here.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlfnRhT9iRjuPKzMBkcrJX0GzQYYEiEZQ5bULevKn5iSJrwtipqJOuryE3vrj47qOsQE6fULKOoaYZtgM8ru9uXfh9sCT_ROCcGNcyXLjdMhqOh4XgI2C4R8ymzXmmPQLpg4aCv4otAA/s1600/coasters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlfnRhT9iRjuPKzMBkcrJX0GzQYYEiEZQ5bULevKn5iSJrwtipqJOuryE3vrj47qOsQE6fULKOoaYZtgM8ru9uXfh9sCT_ROCcGNcyXLjdMhqOh4XgI2C4R8ymzXmmPQLpg4aCv4otAA/s400/coasters.jpg" width="400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">image 1: </span><a href="http://quote-book.tumblr./"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">tumblr</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> image 2: </span><a href="http://www.colourlovers.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">colourlovers</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> image 3: moi</span></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

soul food friday ~ on a saturday!

I'm trying hard to curb my natural worry-wart tendencies...I really am. I worry (in varying degrees) about the people in my life, the qu...

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time for a bit of reflection...

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been thinking...I do it quite a lot. Well...a bit...ok, ok... sometimes. It's mostly mindless nonsense, but there are times I ask myself some very deep questions...like...is there anywhere that you CAN'T put a Venetian mirror...?</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMtkdgnuGUYnq3KG3ROf77-Fs4C7iUEMYGCBNGPb6wPzUJ_gbySBkQVHyRUB5fblye9xH99ePlWKbNB5Xv0JmA1b57Ze7Gcy90WMFXNseT5_DQx_GJIHlSZ10V1Pyi5xpHea4IrP7ViM/s1600/6a00e554d7b8278833010536a7c7c0970c-320wi-google.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMtkdgnuGUYnq3KG3ROf77-Fs4C7iUEMYGCBNGPb6wPzUJ_gbySBkQVHyRUB5fblye9xH99ePlWKbNB5Xv0JmA1b57Ze7Gcy90WMFXNseT5_DQx_GJIHlSZ10V1Pyi5xpHea4IrP7ViM/s400/6a00e554d7b8278833010536a7c7c0970c-320wi-google.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MmMKWrx_XjOrJkTth2TkWo2UdVS9H78ruXEDz821ZBB6lzhDpQIMiTwoQi4hIOrC9Q2EaqnJBt_1xtD5wY5FA3yQ7ihcu_TlHbebtY4HYwe6VhognPtCon93AWa2u8Ctu3QEvgG5R4A/s1600/9c3a7125df14-google.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MmMKWrx_XjOrJkTth2TkWo2UdVS9H78ruXEDz821ZBB6lzhDpQIMiTwoQi4hIOrC9Q2EaqnJBt_1xtD5wY5FA3yQ7ihcu_TlHbebtY4HYwe6VhognPtCon93AWa2u8Ctu3QEvgG5R4A/s400/9c3a7125df14-google.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrRFXxkt5W6UdFOgqwTliYoHUwenak9cIanz-oZUG7pkN8AURsZtUdk4CchrfstuO-i1fgmd7KR5O7jOCAXOPDkW2_G0C0K7F2OUno8FQzBoUuPQNqaoVAzgUcfSW40BULUvtdZ2GrkY/s1600/8582-Lola-Mirror-google.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrRFXxkt5W6UdFOgqwTliYoHUwenak9cIanz-oZUG7pkN8AURsZtUdk4CchrfstuO-i1fgmd7KR5O7jOCAXOPDkW2_G0C0K7F2OUno8FQzBoUuPQNqaoVAzgUcfSW40BULUvtdZ2GrkY/s400/8582-Lola-Mirror-google.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhvxMdYkbHAlqe74VJg-TaYMK6yKl8_PSrnVQbCHRKIRkRosu0zG3eDpasmwRpHbnVKZhLiEAwCn_0aQ1RR5w3Rgi6l6G8M9PX3Ck1bTKpyFFNXGvow0oRFsqyyRkKt3V-fVyKH0s8R8/s1600/Bell-jar-cookies-silver-HTOURS1205-de-google.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhvxMdYkbHAlqe74VJg-TaYMK6yKl8_PSrnVQbCHRKIRkRosu0zG3eDpasmwRpHbnVKZhLiEAwCn_0aQ1RR5w3Rgi6l6G8M9PX3Ck1bTKpyFFNXGvow0oRFsqyyRkKt3V-fVyKH0s8R8/s400/Bell-jar-cookies-silver-HTOURS1205-de-google.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94pjOhpKzHlmTLobzACMWyw51ByDap-kDOhQIvI-jZUGOtD7y9FULsepho1JYKvtCB4c3cyzDwxwlD9r3UQYKB6Sx-kJTDSLRFqR-WlHFdnhPvdWn0M2l3XIlkADrIkWTagbnIn7YvvU/s1600/allthebest2_thumb3-google.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh94pjOhpKzHlmTLobzACMWyw51ByDap-kDOhQIvI-jZUGOtD7y9FULsepho1JYKvtCB4c3cyzDwxwlD9r3UQYKB6Sx-kJTDSLRFqR-WlHFdnhPvdWn0M2l3XIlkADrIkWTagbnIn7YvvU/s400/allthebest2_thumb3-google.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8incP0TOjkpXUNE8_HT6oXPgVnEAN6hKyW9orZcWGcFaEjm62hc_oaZia9cW_-7loamgxcSGrFIv86S9lRVk6Ty76LeI0hpGt8DLYfxPsVo0u9uqomy7a5dSkwv0L1Sor2xlPOUcod0/s1600/mirror1-persian+tea-google.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8incP0TOjkpXUNE8_HT6oXPgVnEAN6hKyW9orZcWGcFaEjm62hc_oaZia9cW_-7loamgxcSGrFIv86S9lRVk6Ty76LeI0hpGt8DLYfxPsVo0u9uqomy7a5dSkwv0L1Sor2xlPOUcod0/s320/mirror1-persian+tea-google.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMP7ap7hUvp-fzYP93MPREGQtUR5IJfmtC6q-9uRIjmsXnpB0H6RnigP7y6GtFFZFq6hP8Yh-JMauYRnuqGP3fcYF3Irq2-Tr4jjUkOBJJepeGECC5lXDxgZPApwQ712uCMMwe_wbs0U/s1600/venetian-mirror-material+girl-google.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMP7ap7hUvp-fzYP93MPREGQtUR5IJfmtC6q-9uRIjmsXnpB0H6RnigP7y6GtFFZFq6hP8Yh-JMauYRnuqGP3fcYF3Irq2-Tr4jjUkOBJJepeGECC5lXDxgZPApwQ712uCMMwe_wbs0U/s400/venetian-mirror-material+girl-google.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpk4EddOW4Ca4WtfnVhOV_tgpQjJcDEXXPVCjbJ2FCVGnSxOD2PXqT4PihT0OMdCvFDrSebLP60VwpfWTeaa-CpJogBSSVoE3kxLrXcyVG6cRL5CKRlbu8agx0Tgo17XKsLMhhHOepmHQ/s1600/nola5091508-google.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpk4EddOW4Ca4WtfnVhOV_tgpQjJcDEXXPVCjbJ2FCVGnSxOD2PXqT4PihT0OMdCvFDrSebLP60VwpfWTeaa-CpJogBSSVoE3kxLrXcyVG6cRL5CKRlbu8agx0Tgo17XKsLMhhHOepmHQ/s400/nola5091508-google.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vufwvNkrJHKs1djIH_V04QqyMOhu8Ci0QlkuvypJg1Sie1Y2aeRVkMiKxP9G-ntD6eLfiM-A-cWnbRXK4-dmNlN6SNeH0FaBNgpX5tuxwDp_lOIGJO1GShNlyBExwDYIRBrmgP3voYg/s1600/DSCF2546-google.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vufwvNkrJHKs1djIH_V04QqyMOhu8Ci0QlkuvypJg1Sie1Y2aeRVkMiKxP9G-ntD6eLfiM-A-cWnbRXK4-dmNlN6SNeH0FaBNgpX5tuxwDp_lOIGJO1GShNlyBExwDYIRBrmgP3voYg/s400/DSCF2546-google.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbinKTuNE8ZDW3QUsYtSOblCMnqJixMlx9C7hrDnDr8wUB2e5BYTuvxmBa1mSMvNjrcxO0cl2Fp68PMFENY9WYgWxbGduiA9zmrin84kTL0jW4RqvtTaMHCySkWd5JVpLPo7LXgPEgQM/s1600/scalo_2-google.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbinKTuNE8ZDW3QUsYtSOblCMnqJixMlx9C7hrDnDr8wUB2e5BYTuvxmBa1mSMvNjrcxO0cl2Fp68PMFENY9WYgWxbGduiA9zmrin84kTL0jW4RqvtTaMHCySkWd5JVpLPo7LXgPEgQM/s400/scalo_2-google.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJpvslOTxPUdE8JS-oYqxGql9CjPgRaKzBs-BaEsq2HU9cLV361tDZKHp87SNFkGHEFee2BV3ViDcJUQLuq1pANGbPqPQKzZXvcoaygnj0JQF6FUuCVRYj05WVsqZEcotnGV9HVYfdq0/s1600/VenetianMirrorECR005-google.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJpvslOTxPUdE8JS-oYqxGql9CjPgRaKzBs-BaEsq2HU9cLV361tDZKHp87SNFkGHEFee2BV3ViDcJUQLuq1pANGbPqPQKzZXvcoaygnj0JQF6FUuCVRYj05WVsqZEcotnGV9HVYfdq0/s400/VenetianMirrorECR005-google.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiR-h4TmeJhuAMgyx66umUvW62w16SkKZg4snLpZJxBjbUy2ygQbWDKPQ6LOCbwctkhrd5trK_EDRz0KDgl2QGkJjT_3bxPXdmCnf_0YgW0TJBoVGAK2d1druYxqvBov-tyyPWpy34oh4/s1600/222a4f50e9ba-google.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiR-h4TmeJhuAMgyx66umUvW62w16SkKZg4snLpZJxBjbUy2ygQbWDKPQ6LOCbwctkhrd5trK_EDRz0KDgl2QGkJjT_3bxPXdmCnf_0YgW0TJBoVGAK2d1druYxqvBov-tyyPWpy34oh4/s400/222a4f50e9ba-google.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxNKorrHBtfmmVUWcfmhFAoaj-ienN6Fya4CqL19ycxbrW97VyC3quPyZAVNPnG0oWlKA-7mZcEYy-cPK6Yl8ye08jWM2D7hhiMJDR0HNQt3d0VbCG57jVucW7u3BtNmmojjxi07KlZI/s1600/coco_venetian_mirrors-google.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxNKorrHBtfmmVUWcfmhFAoaj-ienN6Fya4CqL19ycxbrW97VyC3quPyZAVNPnG0oWlKA-7mZcEYy-cPK6Yl8ye08jWM2D7hhiMJDR0HNQt3d0VbCG57jVucW7u3BtNmmojjxi07KlZI/s400/coco_venetian_mirrors-google.jpeg" width="382" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nope...didn't think so!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did you think I'd gone all philosophical on you...I am capable of that you know...I've been to big school!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, back to business...do you have a favourite mirror?</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">all images found by typing in venetian mirrors </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.images.google.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">. Not one little bit of rocket science involved!</span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>

time for a bit of reflection...

I've been thinking...I do it quite a lot. Well...a bit...ok, ok... sometimes. It's mostly mindless nonsense, but there are times I a...

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