tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65107735406727517702024-03-14T18:12:35.733+11:00A Tranquil TownhouseHi there. I'm Kerry...a house magazine junky, Cancerian (hence my addiction to all things home), mum of two very lovely grown-ups, partner to a most gorgeous man, part owner of a business and the caretaker of a truly horrible cat called Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
My townhouse is my tranquil space...well, it's getting there.Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.comBlogger413125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-84194371128375073382013-04-07T15:40:00.003+10:002013-04-07T15:40:55.951+10:00it’s bye from me and miaow from the vampire slayer…<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s a glimpse of the bleeding
obvious to say that I haven’t done a blog post for a looooong,
long time. There are a lot of reasons for this, but the most
honest is that I lost interest. Let’s face it, I have the
attention span of a gnat, so I’m surprised I lasted this long.
But before I hang up the tranquil townhouse blogging boots there are
some things I need to say. Naturally! Buckle up for a longish read.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2012 was a very eventful year for me
in both my personal and professional life. I made a bad decision in
the former (which I was blessedly able to make right) and some good
ones in the work context. One of those good work decisions means I’m
now working four days a week and devoting my day off to an interest that I hope to build into some form of professional undertaking. It
also means that I can devote a bit more time to doing some things for mum and dad, albeit remotely. Dad’s
Alzheimer’s is progressing, but slowly, and mum’s doctor
describes her as 'off with the pixies' so I have my work cut out!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you’ve been with me for a while
you’ll know that I can be a bit of a flibbertigibbet, or so it
seems. I’ve tried my hand at writing, I’ve flirted with design,
I’ve done any number of crafty things (and I don’t care what
anyone says I still love my knitted dishcloths!!) but nothing has
really stuck, and I’ve not had the drive to work at any of it hard
enough to consider myself ‘successful’. Whatever that means.
Until now.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photography has grabbed me by the
….ahmm, whatevers; shown me a new way of looking at the world,
inspired me to get back into learning and study, and given me a
glimpse of another way to perhaps one day earn some money. A way
that is very different to the way I’ve been doing it all my life.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I need to challenge myself, and
while I’ve had a wonderful career in the HR field and continue to
work happily in it (there are after all still bills to pay), I want
and need a change. I want to see where I can take this interest in
photography. I know it won’t be easy, but I’m going to give it a
red hot go. The Diploma of Photography is underway, I’m practising
new techniques, trying to get a handle on my style (if indeed there
is a need to have just one), taking instruction and getting
‘assignments’, or as some may put it ‘suggestions’ from the
man in my life who is a visual artist and photography teacher…and
quite honestly, I’m just having a lot of fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started this blog for the simple
reason of practising my writing…a suggestion from the first born
and a very good one at that….at the time. But it has surprised me
that writing is not what I want to do. I’ll leave that to Jess…who
has just been very brave, left CLEO and is starting to freelance (so
if you’re looking for a great writer....call me)! My son Ben has
grown with this blog as well, got a degree, moved house a gazillion
times, has started a new job in a place that will
feed his soul, and been a wonderful creative support to me. I have
truly awesome kids.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So possums, it’s time for me to
concentrate on other things. But my we’ve had a good time together
haven’t we? We’ve shared our ups and downs, been supportive of
each other (your concern when I was diagnosed with depression brought
me to tears on more than one occasion…in a good way), laughed…a
lot, looked at pretty pictures, done a bit of soul searching…all of
that stuff that friends do. You have brought a great deal of joy to
my life with your humour and care, the occasional well intentioned
and witty jibe and the sincerity of your good wishes. You might like
to know that I woke up one morning a few weeks ago and thought to
myself, wow, I’m really happy :)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.35cm;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have built a <a href="http://www.kjmartinphotography.com/">website</a> for my photography and I've also started a photography <a href="http://kjmartinphotography.blogspot.com.au/">blog</a>. I’m
on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kerry.martin.923">facebook</a> (as me) and on instagram (as kerry_j_martin). I’d
love to see you any of those places. There is a trip to Paris, Arles, Venice and
Florence coming up in July to tempt you to follow along!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The vampire slayer is not well, in fact she has cancer and the vet says she probably only has a few months left. Ever annoying to the last, here she is lying on my black velvet photo backdrop shedding fur and dribbling as I type! But I will miss her hugely.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IWQ_c86bjP8/UWDRQC6r8FI/AAAAAAAAFDQ/ZsYaRiwd0b4/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IWQ_c86bjP8/UWDRQC6r8FI/AAAAAAAAFDQ/ZsYaRiwd0b4/s400/photo.JPG" width="378" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If she
could talk I’m sure she’d say thank you as well. You’ve been a
great Buffy fan club so I guess it’s fitting she have the last
word.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Miaow.</span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></span></a>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com97tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-43226355593186476392012-10-30T17:30:00.001+11:002012-10-30T17:30:19.849+11:00a little bit of garden DIY...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I spent hours in the courtyard last weekend. Hours. This appears to be a necessary evil when you have neglected it for the entire winter! There's still quite a bit to go but I managed to do some rearranging, put in some new sprinkler thingies, pull out a mass of weeds (don't talk to me about honeysuckle!), toss some very large concrete pavers over the wall (don't ask, you don't want to know!) and plant some flowers and veggies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also did a very simple little DIY involving a mirror, a pot and a new little space in the courtyard where the rickety old bench used to be...voila!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-42h5HqNCWmQ/UI9mQpjjvXI/AAAAAAAAE_o/EFv7tTI7-RA/s1600/photo+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-42h5HqNCWmQ/UI9mQpjjvXI/AAAAAAAAE_o/EFv7tTI7-RA/s640/photo+(4).JPG" width="388" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This little spot under the growing maple tree lets me see the sky (reflected in the mirror) while reading a book, having a drink and without straining my neck!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zr6AgnWgwJo/UI9kaL-ZdNI/AAAAAAAAE_g/sSLQgEs9h9w/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zr6AgnWgwJo/UI9kaL-ZdNI/AAAAAAAAE_g/sSLQgEs9h9w/s640/photo+(3).JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and as a bonus...the pot is a place to put a bit of gardening </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">paraphernalia...just whip off the mirror and put it back on when done. Clever huh!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iq_FY0o4K-s/UI9jKr8rdGI/AAAAAAAAE_Y/IiqIeGWvgw8/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iq_FY0o4K-s/UI9jKr8rdGI/AAAAAAAAE_Y/IiqIeGWvgw8/s640/photo+(1).JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As as for that bench where Buffy used to sit...</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNsixbg75xI/UI9qgUXHWuI/AAAAAAAAFAQ/q4djvpUcRhs/s1600/IMG_1309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNsixbg75xI/UI9qgUXHWuI/AAAAAAAAFAQ/q4djvpUcRhs/s640/IMG_1309.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...I'm using it to grow a herb garden! </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pimAU68LU58/UI9zJjn4rfI/AAAAAAAAFA4/0nIfnQyFYDE/s1600/photo+(15).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pimAU68LU58/UI9zJjn4rfI/AAAAAAAAFA4/0nIfnQyFYDE/s640/photo+(15).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Poor vampire slayer...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">all photos by me taken on the iPhone 4S</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<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>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-86572540483493288262012-10-21T16:01:00.000+11:002012-10-21T16:01:27.582+11:00to the sea...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love Canberra. I have a very happy life here. But then I go to the sea and wonder why I'm not living somewhere else...like by the water.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AkyyUI0Ab6Y/UIN8snlSisI/AAAAAAAAE-A/8i5iZkJMybo/s1600/sunset+at+the+point.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AkyyUI0Ab6Y/UIN8snlSisI/AAAAAAAAE-A/8i5iZkJMybo/s640/sunset+at+the+point.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With a job like mine there are times when (with the wonders of the interweb) I can work from pretty well anywhere. Last week I was lucky enough to be able to work by the sea. Firstly with a colleague who has relocated to Nelson Bay (sea change or what!) and then for a few more days with my parents in Newcastle.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GiMjXQdPGdg/UIN9c3oeKnI/AAAAAAAAE-I/ngxVxHkbKc8/s1600/seagull+in+flight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GiMjXQdPGdg/UIN9c3oeKnI/AAAAAAAAE-I/ngxVxHkbKc8/s640/seagull+in+flight.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No-one believes me when I say I got a whole heap of work done...but it's true. Yes, really. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having said that, there were coastal compensations.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns0vooBXu4A/UIN9zkwo3yI/AAAAAAAAE-Q/AtFfXG5jaKY/s1600/ocean+baths+swimming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns0vooBXu4A/UIN9zkwo3yI/AAAAAAAAE-Q/AtFfXG5jaKY/s640/ocean+baths+swimming.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a lovely picture of mum and dad at the Newcastle Ocean Baths. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-01CI3EwM0ks/UIN-u3Hg9YI/AAAAAAAAE-Y/luFfe3sVRlI/s1600/mum+and+dad+ocean+baths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-01CI3EwM0ks/UIN-u3Hg9YI/AAAAAAAAE-Y/luFfe3sVRlI/s640/mum+and+dad+ocean+baths.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They're doing ok but frailer each time I see them; and let's not talk about the memory loss!! But no matter what, school prawns with my dad is a long, long tradition...I'm a much speedier peeler than him these days though :)</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0MGLIp_erYM/UIN-3Sq4P6I/AAAAAAAAE-g/WIVr7MjtFrk/s1600/prawns+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0MGLIp_erYM/UIN-3Sq4P6I/AAAAAAAAE-g/WIVr7MjtFrk/s640/prawns+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How about you? Do you prefer coast or country? Or if you're really lucky, do you have both?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">all images: kerry martin <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kerrymartin2/">flickr</a></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>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-71636311242262207772012-10-13T17:45:00.001+11:002012-10-13T17:46:42.647+11:00way out west...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the middle of last month the fella and I went on a four day road trip to Walgett. Where you ask?? Walgett. No, I didn't know where it was either. But it's the place where Richard was born. And as far as I could tell that's its only attraction! I shouldn't be rude, but I have to confess it's not a place I could ever live. Still, we had a great time at his Year 10 school reunion and it was lovely to see people who hadn't seen each other for 35 years having a fine old time :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took the opportunity to put the trip to another purpose, taking photos for the latest assignment on the photography course I'm doing. We had to choose a theme: so mine was rural NSW | people, places and things! Here's a selection of my favourites...</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cpnIe9rgzbE/UHkFS9TihZI/AAAAAAAAE7o/nejaIppPQkM/s1600/canola+and+dead+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cpnIe9rgzbE/UHkFS9TihZI/AAAAAAAAE7o/nejaIppPQkM/s640/canola+and+dead+tree.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's been a squillion canola field pics on instagram in the last month or so, but gee...I never tire of them. And I can't tell you how chuffed I was to work out how to do the slow moving water thing too...although I won't tell you how many attempts I had before it worked!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6nuImajNIA/UHkFX_W9w3I/AAAAAAAAE7w/dqowhJsHc_c/s1600/rock+in+water+slow+shutter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6nuImajNIA/UHkFX_W9w3I/AAAAAAAAE7w/dqowhJsHc_c/s640/rock+in+water+slow+shutter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we were in Walgett there was an aboriginal rugby competition on with teams from all over the place. I am pleased to report (as a born and bred Novacastrian) that the Newcastle team won! There were kids galore having a fabulous time...</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Gf8FD6yPcw/UHkLKf8YrrI/AAAAAAAAE8w/tNyhYrMqJkA/s1600/walgett+rugby+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Gf8FD6yPcw/UHkLKf8YrrI/AAAAAAAAE8w/tNyhYrMqJkA/s640/walgett+rugby+girl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And on our way back to Canberra we just had to stop in and stay with <a href="http://onepinkchair.blogspot.com.au/">Julienne</a>...I was allowed to take photos of her stuff...and what a rich source of stuff there was!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bvmS5O-rcRc/UHkLm2UMEkI/AAAAAAAAE84/x3oBxJUCVrs/s1600/coat+rack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bvmS5O-rcRc/UHkLm2UMEkI/AAAAAAAAE84/x3oBxJUCVrs/s640/coat+rack.jpg" width="364" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coat stand in the longest hallway in the world! And here's the woman herself giving Richard a tour of the homestead :)</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UZVi0D5xpho/UHkMSjIw3fI/AAAAAAAAE9A/g-kBKbeVDRs/s1600/julienne+and+richard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UZVi0D5xpho/UHkMSjIw3fI/AAAAAAAAE9A/g-kBKbeVDRs/s640/julienne+and+richard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Had the best time, loved experimenting with the camera and even better, got to meet new people as well as see dear friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had been scheduled to go to Shanghai with work but my participation got cancelled at the last minute...so I got to go to Walgett instead...</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4jdMhyS3ZvM/UHkNG3OPglI/AAAAAAAAE9I/wSbKX9NFRG8/s1600/reflection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4jdMhyS3ZvM/UHkNG3OPglI/AAAAAAAAE9I/wSbKX9NFRG8/s640/reflection.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the Shanghai of the west!! Oh well, there's always next year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you would like to see a few more images head on over to my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kerrymartin2/sets/72157631756815503/">Flickr account</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">all images by Kerry Martin</span></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><br />
<br />Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-3556572424429313232012-09-22T15:12:00.000+10:002012-09-22T15:12:40.622+10:00fun in the studio...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did I tell you I'm doing a photography course at the Canberra Institute of Technology? I probably did! Sixteen weeks every wednesday night for three hours. I am loving it.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OgJxeQHcum8/UF1E-DGK5UI/AAAAAAAAE7A/ux-KLUXPXvI/s1600/IMG_1175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OgJxeQHcum8/UF1E-DGK5UI/AAAAAAAAE7A/ux-KLUXPXvI/s640/IMG_1175.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Much excitement for me this week when for the first time in my life I got to shoot in a real, live studio. It was such a wonderful learning experience, and now I have a bit more of an idea how the professionals do it! </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nXwTgnDm_44/UF1EyZc4fyI/AAAAAAAAE64/R_b8ESpcm00/s1600/furella.sitting+on+floor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nXwTgnDm_44/UF1EyZc4fyI/AAAAAAAAE64/R_b8ESpcm00/s400/furella.sitting+on+floor.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week it was portraits and a very kind colleague agreed to come and be my model...I'm so pleased with how they turned out...this is just a small </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">sample.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZRSU9qVkPM/UF1IK6iBW2I/AAAAAAAAE7U/Y-sx2O_fhNc/s1600/furella+jumping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZRSU9qVkPM/UF1IK6iBW2I/AAAAAAAAE7U/Y-sx2O_fhNc/s400/furella+jumping.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And yes, having a beautiful face to photograph makes it SO much easier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next week....back in the studio for still life photography. Can't wait!</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><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">images: kerry martin</span>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-60731861387715583382012-09-05T16:27:00.001+10:002012-09-05T22:33:31.985+10:00I did a very foolish thing...an update<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well it's certainly been a while since I've posted hasn't it! But that's not the foolish thing I did. In fact, taking a break was probably a very wise idea.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alas, the same can't be said for my failure to save 99% of the photos I took on the weekend when the kids and I drove to Newcastle to surprise my dad for fathers' day.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bATw2GlPb54/UEbvStpMtxI/AAAAAAAAE58/fnW0VkZ7hBk/s1600/020912-newcastle-j&b-IMG_0599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bATw2GlPb54/UEbvStpMtxI/AAAAAAAAE58/fnW0VkZ7hBk/s640/020912-newcastle-j&b-IMG_0599.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">f you haven't caught up with the news (and let's face it why would you when I've been so slack, idle and absent) I've taken up photography. I'm doing a course at the Canberra Institute of Technology and I'm loving it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I probably should have paid more attention last week when part of the lesson was about file management. Hmmm...some lessons we have to learn the hard way I guess.</span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p591-d6oEJc/UEbvZBVX8BI/AAAAAAAAE6E/DiDVDfXWkAE/s1600/020912-newcastle-me&mum&jess&dadIMG_0704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p591-d6oEJc/UEbvZBVX8BI/AAAAAAAAE6E/DiDVDfXWkAE/s640/020912-newcastle-me&mum&jess&dadIMG_0704.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Still, I managed to play around with a few pics before I formatted the memory card (which if you don't know wipes all the images ready for the new batch). I actually did that deliberately, and didn't I think I was clever! Unfortunately I thought that the special file I'd created for my Newcastle portfolio was saved on the hard drive. Instead, it was on the memory card!! Which of course is now blank. I'm blaming the new Mac. I couldn't possibly be that silly : )</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wXHyDDU5oak/UEbvczzv0XI/AAAAAAAAE6M/kpqASnE4OII/s1600/020912-newcastle.rainbow-IMG_0666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wXHyDDU5oak/UEbvczzv0XI/AAAAAAAAE6M/kpqASnE4OII/s640/020912-newcastle.rainbow-IMG_0666.jpg" width="411" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What's that you say? You need rain to make rainbows. Hmmph.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Update: </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I went to my photography class tonight and thankfully there are people there who know so much more than me. I downloaded some software and I've got my pictures back. Thank goodness...there were quite a lot of mum, dad and the kids. We don't get together very often so it was wonderful to be able to recover them. I love the Mac again :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">image 1 and 3: kerry martin; image 2: ben martin</span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px !important;" /></a>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-1973232297640691162012-06-22T12:23:00.001+10:002012-06-22T12:23:46.526+10:00A change of direction...<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s been a while since I've done a blog post (crumbs I just
checked, it's over a month) and almost as long since I've read anyone else’s. I'm sorry about that... I'm sure I've been missing out on wonderful things while I’ve
been missing in action. And no, the change of direction does not involve me becoming a vegetarian!</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v5dkPy9jdVU/T97bhF1cvwI/AAAAAAAAE3c/3fJyrrHHIoA/s1600/photo+(1).PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v5dkPy9jdVU/T97bhF1cvwI/AAAAAAAAE3c/3fJyrrHHIoA/s640/photo+(1).PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been struggling with what to do about the blog. To be honest, I've lost a bit of interest. Perhaps it’s because I've lost interest in some
of the related things...if you’d told me six months ago that I would have so many not just unread magazines, but actually unopened ones I would have thought
you were the one who was bonkers, not me!</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rUHM3xcAIPU/T-PVaI_EZGI/AAAAAAAAE48/Bkc-89huzz8/s1600/Photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rUHM3xcAIPU/T-PVaI_EZGI/AAAAAAAAE48/Bkc-89huzz8/s400/Photo1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and that's only a few of them!)</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don’t want to give blogging up, but nor do I want it to be a
pressure, or heaven forbid a burden. So I've decided to give it another
direction. I want to focus (no pun
intended, or maybe just a little one) on photography. I've been taking lots of
photos. I have a new DSLR, I’m also a bit addicted to using the iPhone and posting pictures on
Instagram and Streamzoo, and I'm studying.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0BL5XOQ82AY/T97cpl8vwsI/AAAAAAAAE3s/_NDn0AksFAE/s1600/photo+(12).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0BL5XOQ82AY/T97cpl8vwsI/AAAAAAAAE3s/_NDn0AksFAE/s640/photo+(12).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ve tried a lot of things in my life. I'm a "let’s give it a
whirl" kind of girl, but the truth is I don’t often stick to anything. Let me
see...there have been courses in painting, sewing, writing, styling...although to
be fair I did pick up fairly quickly that schlepping around the place with a
bunch of props wasn't for me! </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZijiiYTNzjk/T-PVV0FuLAI/AAAAAAAAE40/OS564tc_gII/s1600/IMG_0417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZijiiYTNzjk/T-PVV0FuLAI/AAAAAAAAE40/OS564tc_gII/s640/IMG_0417.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ve knitted, crocheted, sewed, glued, drilled. I
lose interest quickly I'm afraid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ve been working with a life coach on this...why it is I
don’t pursue anything to its proper conclusion, why I don’t persevere. But with
photography I’ve finally found something that I want to become really good at,
earn some money from sometime down the track, and continue to be thrilled by. And as I heard someone say on the radio the other day "if you don't know where you're going, where you end up is exactly the right place". I like that. It sits well with me.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xf1OslzbB54/T-PVbKXVPvI/AAAAAAAAE5A/1IzJhK6S34E/s1600/kerrym+necklace+10x15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xf1OslzbB54/T-PVbKXVPvI/AAAAAAAAE5A/1IzJhK6S34E/s640/kerrym+necklace+10x15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(my fabulous <a href="http://tabletonic.blogspot.com.au/">table tonic</a> necklace...love it to bits)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So my dear friends, the blog is likely to turn into a place
where I can post my own images, not shots that other people take. This seems to be to
be a sensible combination of keeping the blog going, keeping my interest
going, as well as forcing me to do my assignments in the photography course I'm currently studying. And I promise I will do some
interiors down the track! I have just the house in mind.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KbW-rH0xYrg/T-PVdE3HltI/AAAAAAAAE5M/7ulHlvUTRDI/s1600/look+but+don%2527t+touch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KbW-rH0xYrg/T-PVdE3HltI/AAAAAAAAE5M/7ulHlvUTRDI/s640/look+but+don%2527t+touch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope you stay along for the ride and see where it takes
me. Game on!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ycwcuOvMrEk/T-PVeGKL5LI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/kzU6J7KCP-k/s1600/photo+%252813%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ycwcuOvMrEk/T-PVeGKL5LI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/kzU6J7KCP-k/s400/photo+%252813%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">all images: a tranquil townhouse/Kerry Martin (some using the Canon, some the iPhone)</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>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-69776807629836733252012-05-11T07:00:00.000+10:002012-05-11T07:00:05.558+10:00soul food friday | universal truths<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been a bit of a sad sack these last few weeks. I've done a lot of crying, been tangled up in thoughts and indulged in much soul searching. In fact, it's all been a bit...</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EA4qgorBEU4/T6vF2sZ3pOI/AAAAAAAAE3I/CK9W2CG_2-w/s1600/photo+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EA4qgorBEU4/T6vF2sZ3pOI/AAAAAAAAE3I/CK9W2CG_2-w/s320/photo+(7).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">[yesterday's fat mum slim photoaday pic - a favourite word]</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And while I said that I wouldn’t make the blog
a diary of my personal trials and tribulations, it occurred to me that there
have been a few light bulb moments lately that may be worth sharing. Some
universal truths if you like. Things that have hit me over the head and not, I dare say, for
the first time in my life either! In no particular order:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Uncertainty is anxiety inducing, so make sure you get the answers, even if you don’t like them.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Not knowing is much, much worse than knowing.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">You can’t look forward while you’re constantly looking back.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Everyone owns a piece of the truth about a situation – you should find out what those truths are.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Exercise really does help, much as I hate to admit it</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">:)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Find something to immerse yourself in. Develop a new interest or rekindle an old. For me it’s been a digital photography course (I've got a long way to go but here are some early attempts...and remember possums, Rome wasn't built in a day!)</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MHd7P7h1KyQ/T6pmNG3Mp8I/AAAAAAAAE2w/-wFLOf65S1Q/s1600/digital+photography+course_0214-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MHd7P7h1KyQ/T6pmNG3Mp8I/AAAAAAAAE2w/-wFLOf65S1Q/s640/digital+photography+course_0214-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jpg1CauE9YU/T6ptezOtLlI/AAAAAAAAE28/STD79SNNEOw/s1600/KerryM+plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jpg1CauE9YU/T6ptezOtLlI/AAAAAAAAE28/STD79SNNEOw/s640/KerryM+plate.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-47VCxCNjC6c/T6pllr9k7BI/AAAAAAAAE2g/Ogo-P_aML_Q/s1600/digital+photography+course_0074-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-47VCxCNjC6c/T6pllr9k7BI/AAAAAAAAE2g/Ogo-P_aML_Q/s640/digital+photography+course_0074-001.jpg" width="504" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iEDdm3z9578/T6pldl0psfI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/mPVqqpp9OY4/s1600/digital+photography+course_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iEDdm3z9578/T6pldl0psfI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/mPVqqpp9OY4/s640/digital+photography+course_0063.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">...this was a
serendipitous (<a href="http://www.giftsofserendipity.com/">hi Felicity</a>) event, having booked the course a while ago, but it’s
been a life saver...</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you're very sad you should be kind to yourself, kinder than you've ever
been. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">You always need something to look forward to...for me it's travel. Morocco in December, and a work trip to Shanghai in September.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Let yourself feel all the emotions you need to feel, whether they're 'worthy' or not, but probably think for a bit before acting on them.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Not one of my strengths I'm afraid :)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">There will always be a reason for what’s
happening, even if it’s not clear and even if you don’t like it, or even if it’s
just to confirm that sometimes there really is no good reason!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Remind yourself of timeless wisdom - I'm re-reading The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, especially the part describing how we feel sorrow because we've previously experienced joy, and vice versa - it's comforting. It's ageless. This too shall pass right?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">Take any help that’s offered, but only if you’re
ready to receive it – sometimes it’s not quite the right time.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">There’s no such thing as perfect. No, really, there isn’t, but imperfection can be ok too. We just need to see beyond the imperfections.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I read somewhere a long time ago that the universe keeps on
giving you the same old lesson until you get it through your thick skull (I’m
paraphrasing of course). This seems to be very true for me, and to be honest I'm a bit tired of it. I get it. Enough already! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And if all else fails, take the day off work and go on a
road trip </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">with some buddies</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to that place that sells the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Swedish</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> meatballs (yeah, that one)…that’s what I’m doing today. Have a fab weekend. I've got a photography course field trip to Captain's Flat tomorrow. Fun. Yes, it surely will be...if only I can find my memory card. Sigh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">all images: kerry martin / a tranquil townhouse</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></span></a></div>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-30597456544967505172012-05-01T07:00:00.000+10:002012-05-01T07:00:01.418+10:00in my dreams...<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It won’t be any surprise to people who’ve been following along for a
while that I can get quite immersed in new things :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Photography is the latest (I won’t say fad), but instead, let's just say it's a bit of a
consuming interest at the moment.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vpzZ1IBdcSs/T543ZkfEliI/AAAAAAAAE1E/WhElkpw5OEQ/s1600/IMG_0326%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vpzZ1IBdcSs/T543ZkfEliI/AAAAAAAAE1E/WhElkpw5OEQ/s400/IMG_0326%5B1%5D.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I dream of being able to take photos like these I saw at the <a href="http://www.portrait.gov.au/site/exhibition_subsite_NPPP2012_photos.php#start">NationalPortrait Gallery </a>on Sunday. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What amazing captures of extraordinary faces. The winner...</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLNvUBtSFG0/T543m9zmksI/AAAAAAAAE1M/ulNhFyKqZLk/s1600/portrait+prize+12+roderick+mcnicol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLNvUBtSFG0/T543m9zmksI/AAAAAAAAE1M/ulNhFyKqZLk/s640/portrait+prize+12+roderick+mcnicol.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>by Roderick McNicol</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and some other favourites. It was mainly, but not always, the older faces that grabbed me. And the stories behind them of course.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PmIJB4d3J14/T545xyOwlaI/AAAAAAAAE10/QAq6OG4ZQsA/s1600/portrait+prize+12+peter+west.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PmIJB4d3J14/T545xyOwlaI/AAAAAAAAE10/QAq6OG4ZQsA/s640/portrait+prize+12+peter+west.jpg" width="467" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Peter West</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7HsitMsHtBI/T545rUKiH4I/AAAAAAAAE1k/hbqJXAi4HPs/s1600/portrait+prize+12+matthew+abbot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7HsitMsHtBI/T545rUKiH4I/AAAAAAAAE1k/hbqJXAi4HPs/s640/portrait+prize+12+matthew+abbot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>by Matthew Abbott</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4frjE5Ssjwg/T548OlTMSeI/AAAAAAAAE2E/6D5Hg31dLJk/s1600/portrait+prize+12+andrew+campbell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4frjE5Ssjwg/T548OlTMSeI/AAAAAAAAE2E/6D5Hg31dLJk/s640/portrait+prize+12+andrew+campbell.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>by Andrew Campbell</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iEiiMKmHiVY/T547SC0WzVI/AAAAAAAAE18/NRF3OBswmM0/s1600/portrait+prize+12+eryca+green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iEiiMKmHiVY/T547SC0WzVI/AAAAAAAAE18/NRF3OBswmM0/s640/portrait+prize+12+eryca+green.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">by Eryca Green</span></i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9GfWDHGXNo/T545uQIOW6I/AAAAAAAAE1s/7LIitHLgAgE/s1600/portrait+prize+12+miles+standish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9GfWDHGXNo/T545uQIOW6I/AAAAAAAAE1s/7LIitHLgAgE/s640/portrait+prize+12+miles+standish.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>by Miles Standish</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm so lucky to live in Canberra. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ve started a photography course...I’m only one week in and completely bamboozled
by F-stops, apertures and ISOs. But I’ll get there!</span></div>
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<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></div>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-90684865027324090322012-04-25T12:12:00.000+10:002012-04-25T12:58:56.321+10:00laughter, linen and princesses...<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can’t begin to imagine a life without friends, and I count
myself lucky to have some very good ones around me. And I still...even after over two years,
continue to be amazed by the friendship that blogging brings. I just spent a
fabulous weekend in the truly wonderful company of one of those people...Jules
from <a href="http://onepinkchair.blogspot.com.au/">One Pink Chair</a>. She wrote about it <a href="http://onepinkchair.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/who-would-have-thought.html">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I dared to forget it, I was reminded in no uncertain way that laughter really is the best medicine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jules made me laugh. I made her laugh too. We did a great deal of it...mostly at my expense though...now I think about it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jules set me up in the 'princess bedroom'. Princess? Me? No way! </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-azZZCY8cb7I/T5dVImKkMjI/AAAAAAAAE0k/tFdSNwVl4c8/s1600/monogrammed+linen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-azZZCY8cb7I/T5dVImKkMjI/AAAAAAAAE0k/tFdSNwVl4c8/s400/monogrammed+linen2.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I slept on monogrammed linen...isn't it beautiful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jules fed me. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPyFsDyGbk4/T5dU6VRUzWI/AAAAAAAAE0c/bcShzIqilCc/s1600/apple+and+tomatoes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPyFsDyGbk4/T5dU6VRUzWI/AAAAAAAAE0c/bcShzIqilCc/s400/apple+and+tomatoes2.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got her drunk. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yF5irgOOwTY/T5dS4lxOOrI/AAAAAAAAE0U/Dik66p5mGY4/s1600/roasted+tomatoes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yF5irgOOwTY/T5dS4lxOOrI/AAAAAAAAE0U/Dik66p5mGY4/s400/roasted+tomatoes2.jpg" width="355" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fair exchange.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jules taught me how to play words with friends...not very well as you can see by this...</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MYJsV27ixdw/T5ZMwTXC2XI/AAAAAAAAEzg/nUWVZ1XV7Pg/s1600/WWF+phone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MYJsV27ixdw/T5ZMwTXC2XI/AAAAAAAAEzg/nUWVZ1XV7Pg/s320/WWF+phone.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn't beat her but I WILL one day. She may look sweet, but she shows no mercy when it comes to games...not a bit :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jules took me out for coffee with her fabulous friends and I could have sat there all morning. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M3oBZm1vWVA/T5dc4py3FGI/AAAAAAAAE00/4sEf7GyuiVE/s1600/coffee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M3oBZm1vWVA/T5dc4py3FGI/AAAAAAAAE00/4sEf7GyuiVE/s400/coffee.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hmm, perhaps I did.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(I haven't quite worked out how to get the photos off my new camera, so this generic coffee shot I took will have to do for the moment!)</span></i>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Breaking news</span>...I worked it out...sort of. I still have no clue where they go on my laptop...but one step at a time hey?</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-om1b3C8Wghk/T5doMqDV_GI/AAAAAAAAE08/GB0snkAnq2Q/s1600/cafe+cactus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-om1b3C8Wghk/T5doMqDV_GI/AAAAAAAAE08/GB0snkAnq2Q/s400/cafe+cactus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jules introduced me to four legged friends - not the feline variety. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aZUdGQmV1ek/T5ZSM_ypGgI/AAAAAAAAE0I/5lhSwqjzR60/s1600/winnie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aZUdGQmV1ek/T5ZSM_ypGgI/AAAAAAAAE0I/5lhSwqjzR60/s400/winnie2.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I sneaked Winnie food under the table when the mistress wasn't looking. </span>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pooches are ok it seems, but don't tell the vampire slayer I said that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's such a wonderful thing to get away for a bit, out of your own space, away from the familiar. The time went very quickly, although the road trip home seemed to take forever. Not that it mattered. I was feeling good. Thank you lovely lady for such a soul enriching 48 hours. And thank you Souki for tolerating me. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sMFL9Tz14XU/T5dV5foQ2II/AAAAAAAAE0s/V_EiFBDPCBc/s1600/jules+and+souki2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sMFL9Tz14XU/T5dV5foQ2II/AAAAAAAAE0s/V_EiFBDPCBc/s400/jules+and+souki2.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now that one really is a princess!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">all images: a tranquil townhouse using the iPhone</span></div>
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-23486375710772451312012-04-17T07:00:00.002+10:002012-04-17T07:00:09.569+10:00how instagram is helping me cope with depression...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well there's a blog post heading I never thought I'd write!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is just a short post...dipping my feet in to see how it feels. But first I want to say thank you so very, very much to the people who've been in touch with me...by email, on FB, by phone, sms....you are so generous and I appreciate your kindness. I'm sorry that I haven't been back in contact...I'm not quite ready yet to respond in the way your kindness deserves, but one day for sure...I will be :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So....instagram? I've been doing <a href="http://www.fatmumslim.com.au/">Fat Mum Slim's</a> April photo-a-day. It's given me something simple to concentrate on each and every day, and something to look forward to...although some days have been harder than others. Case in point; Day 14: how you feel today...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o9R_DgVWTpo/T4vQOPrnDTI/AAAAAAAAEyw/Flf0PkbxLQ8/s1600/adrift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o9R_DgVWTpo/T4vQOPrnDTI/AAAAAAAAEyw/Flf0PkbxLQ8/s400/adrift.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were many other words I could have used but this felt the most appropriate, and one that was at least publishable!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've always loved images and I'm enjoying taking more of my own...here's a smattering. I was in Sydney last week for a meeting and when it had finished I took myself off for a wander in The Domain...this sculpture is a tribute to Speakers Corner...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tdW4c60MRCA/T4vQREN12MI/AAAAAAAAEzA/JEVe-gb61Tg/s1600/domain+sculpture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tdW4c60MRCA/T4vQREN12MI/AAAAAAAAEzA/JEVe-gb61Tg/s400/domain+sculpture.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Day 16: flowers...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e_0kDdtuzF4/T4vQSeZPBWI/AAAAAAAAEzI/3myV6Ss8G6I/s1600/flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e_0kDdtuzF4/T4vQSeZPBWI/AAAAAAAAEzI/3myV6Ss8G6I/s400/flowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Day 13: something you found...memories of happy days on beaches or walks...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YaVxaJdA130/T4vQTaq43xI/AAAAAAAAEzQ/JW-a5txnbu4/s1600/found+objects.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YaVxaJdA130/T4vQTaq43xI/AAAAAAAAEzQ/JW-a5txnbu4/s400/found+objects.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Day 5:tiny...a silver buddha on a bracelet...gifts from friends...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x3D0EI4R6kg/T4vQPZy0GqI/AAAAAAAAEy4/RlQ_9_iXfIg/s1600/bracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x3D0EI4R6kg/T4vQPZy0GqI/AAAAAAAAEy4/RlQ_9_iXfIg/s400/bracelet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Day 9: younger you...much younger!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_p-H-vOlu48/T4yIOQmBOYI/AAAAAAAAEzY/d4uyRvWF26o/s1600/younger+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_p-H-vOlu48/T4yIOQmBOYI/AAAAAAAAEzY/d4uyRvWF26o/s400/younger+you.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So there you go. I've also signed up for a 6 week photography course starting this month...that should be a bit of fun!</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">all images: tranquiltownhouse on instagram</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>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-73075211524109709912012-03-30T15:11:00.001+11:002012-03-30T15:11:52.439+11:00why I'm not here at the moment...<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HCzLCBVpfb8/T3TfaNuFo2I/AAAAAAAAEyo/TSejIcKeoKE/s1600/smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HCzLCBVpfb8/T3TfaNuFo2I/AAAAAAAAEyo/TSejIcKeoKE/s400/smile.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">This is not overly easy to write. I've been struggling with what to do about the blog for a few weeks now. </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">It appears, that for me at least,</span><a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/lost-mojoand-my-site-is-safe.html" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"> “lost my mojo”</a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"> actually equals “I have depression”. It’s diagnosed, I’m getting help and I know that others are a hell of a lot worse off than I am, but nonetheless I’m doing it a bit tough at the moment. I have people in my life who love me, are gentle with me and who wrap me literally and metaphorically in their compassionate arms, so I consider myself lucky. And in a funny way, hitting rock bottom is not so bad; it's allowing me to reflect and really consider what I want from the rest of my life. So that is a good thing, and who knows...I may reinvent myself!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IwdUqKBDV74/T3TeSeFCN3I/AAAAAAAAEyg/UqivSRYzOlk/s1600/buddha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IwdUqKBDV74/T3TeSeFCN3I/AAAAAAAAEyg/UqivSRYzOlk/s400/buddha.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">But I can’t devote any energy to blogging right now. I did contemplate giving it up altogether, but it’s given me so much pleasure over the last few years that I thought doing that would be a bit of a knee-jerk reaction to what I'm going through at the moment, and very short-sighted. But nor do I want to make this place a diary of my </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">depression. So until I can be a bit more upbeat (heavens I can’t even look for pretty pictures at the moment and I have stacks of unread magazines!) I’m going to bow out for a while. I hope you hang around, but I'll understand if you don't. I’ve had nothing but kindness, care and laughter on this little blog of mine from day one and I’m extremely grateful for that. Thank you, take care and bless </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">photos: tranquiltownhouse on instagram</span></span></div><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-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-1162075715741501082012-03-07T16:21:00.001+11:002012-03-07T16:22:05.253+11:00lost mojo...and my site is safe<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">To be honest, I’m not 100% sure what mojo is exactly…but whatever it is, it’s deserted me. I need to take a bit of a break to recharge, and part of that will be stepping away from the computer in my non-work time. I know you’ll understand if I don’t visit for a while. I have another trip to Newcastle next week…this time for mum’s eye surgery. Sigh.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">In the meantime, do you like my new necklace? <a href="http://www.redphoenixemporium.com/">Red Phoenix Emporium</a>…pretty in instagram </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PuwFQcyutws/T1buf4SCY2I/AAAAAAAAEyM/PEN2biGpBlA/s1600/necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PuwFQcyutws/T1buf4SCY2I/AAAAAAAAEyM/PEN2biGpBlA/s640/necklace.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I know my site is coming up with a malware warning. I have checked it out and it's not me! We're all protected here so please continue to visit while I try to get it sorted.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Take care and I'll see you in a week or two...</span> </div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">image; tranquiltownhouse on instagram</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>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-43923427942483487832012-03-05T07:06:00.001+11:002012-03-05T07:07:12.786+11:00instagram has got me...<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">After a couple of years being wedded to the Crackberry, a few days ago I hooked up with Mr iPhone again...<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nBghpFM8pCk/T1PHeJ9bYFI/AAAAAAAAExU/08HPJJoKs3s/s1600/b0b0025a65d111e1abb01231381b65e3_7+-+meatsafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nBghpFM8pCk/T1PHeJ9bYFI/AAAAAAAAExU/08HPJJoKs3s/s400/b0b0025a65d111e1abb01231381b65e3_7+-+meatsafe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">And there’s a new baby as a result (who would have thought at my age!)...welcome instagram </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I’m a bit besotted.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ttVp4z4gZ8/T1PH4yKGKUI/AAAAAAAAExc/dejzoQaqvbc/s1600/mouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ttVp4z4gZ8/T1PH4yKGKUI/AAAAAAAAExc/dejzoQaqvbc/s400/mouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">If you’d like to follow...and goodness knows what you might find from time to time...I’m tranquiltownhouse...no surprises there! And how about you? Can I find you there too?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7cZn4mKbGs/T1PJJ4VCBdI/AAAAAAAAEx0/PDTJxqfpLfE/s1600/lisianthus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7cZn4mKbGs/T1PJJ4VCBdI/AAAAAAAAEx0/PDTJxqfpLfE/s400/lisianthus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I'm still avoiding pinterest, though I'm not sure how long I'll be able to hold out!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vi13wX-UySI/T1PJRVJrdfI/AAAAAAAAEx8/OhMOT_1rl-k/s1600/buffy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vi13wX-UySI/T1PJRVJrdfI/AAAAAAAAEx8/OhMOT_1rl-k/s320/buffy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Have a great week...I'm still recovering from Richard's 50th birthday party! Don't worry, just tired...couldn't possibly be any other reason could there Mr Tequila </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">J</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UJ6lMQ01bKY/T1PJ13CMGHI/AAAAAAAAEyE/vktTcOYxDpc/s1600/birthday+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UJ6lMQ01bKY/T1PJ13CMGHI/AAAAAAAAEyE/vktTcOYxDpc/s320/birthday+cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">At least it's stopped raining...for the moment!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><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-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-8758780724967924602012-02-29T07:00:00.005+11:002012-02-29T07:00:05.117+11:00this week's top ten...29.2.12<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Happy leap year day...if there is such a thing </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--a24c0dmtuc/T0ykQIK4NsI/AAAAAAAAEwc/deOnHDceMc4/s1600/from+the+right+bank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--a24c0dmtuc/T0ykQIK4NsI/AAAAAAAAEwc/deOnHDceMc4/s640/from+the+right+bank.jpg" width="481" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">No time for too many words today possums</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E6wkFYUhO1M/T0ykNNiQdpI/AAAAAAAAEwE/2gkMjdtARl8/s1600/a+perfect+gray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E6wkFYUhO1M/T0ykNNiQdpI/AAAAAAAAEwE/2gkMjdtARl8/s400/a+perfect+gray.jpg" width="368" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Just pretty rooms</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tqn6FLqsZ_E/T0ykNw0t_oI/AAAAAAAAEwI/mzGFUlLW4rU/s1600/design+manifest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tqn6FLqsZ_E/T0ykNw0t_oI/AAAAAAAAEwI/mzGFUlLW4rU/s640/design+manifest.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Or unusual ones...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RzDTQ8Zgyw8/T0ykPO6njhI/AAAAAAAAEwU/pXYzS8c_ixo/s1600/design+sponge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RzDTQ8Zgyw8/T0ykPO6njhI/AAAAAAAAEwU/pXYzS8c_ixo/s640/design+sponge.jpg" width="476" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">You decide</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KrdBa0fyt7k/T0ykRFC8isI/AAAAAAAAEwk/5SdXLNRkndA/s1600/parlourhomeblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KrdBa0fyt7k/T0ykRFC8isI/AAAAAAAAEwk/5SdXLNRkndA/s640/parlourhomeblog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R02GeL1Bzcs/T0ykSD5SeRI/AAAAAAAAEws/lb_hire983s/s1600/saarinen-miller-entertaining-area-665x472+via+designing+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R02GeL1Bzcs/T0ykSD5SeRI/AAAAAAAAEws/lb_hire983s/s640/saarinen-miller-entertaining-area-665x472+via+designing+home.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xba9jLkr_28/T0ykTHszacI/AAAAAAAAEww/2eAvPI320tQ/s1600/summer+houselc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xba9jLkr_28/T0ykTHszacI/AAAAAAAAEww/2eAvPI320tQ/s400/summer+houselc.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5o_us0M3URM/T0ykUMdK-wI/AAAAAAAAEw8/n75SUSIggog/s1600/the+brick+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5o_us0M3URM/T0ykUMdK-wI/AAAAAAAAEw8/n75SUSIggog/s640/the+brick+house.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">that one above is the waiting room of a hair salon...cool huh!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O129FKLN5ik/T0ykVkKG4yI/AAAAAAAAExE/IZUO0fyLxuU/s1600/the+style+files.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O129FKLN5ik/T0ykVkKG4yI/AAAAAAAAExE/IZUO0fyLxuU/s640/the+style+files.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">aren't these flowers spectacular?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Wgsf88Hy-E/T0ykWnMpzTI/AAAAAAAAExI/63WW89_axpU/s1600/tiny+white+daisies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Wgsf88Hy-E/T0ykWnMpzTI/AAAAAAAAExI/63WW89_axpU/s640/tiny+white+daisies.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Let me know which one you like best </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">images seen on: from the right bank, a perfect gray, design manifest, design sponge, parlour, designing home, summer house, the brick house, the style files, tiny white daisies</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">p.s. thanks for agreeing with me on my <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/promise-me-youll-never-do-this.html">last post</a>...and for letting me in on the whole white spined french book thing...who knew! Not me....although the reason they do it still eludes me </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; text-align: -webkit-center;">J</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>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-38202899613568234372012-02-27T07:40:00.000+11:002012-02-27T07:40:09.462+11:00promise me you'll never do this...<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">This, dear bloggy people is a travesty...<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xIm62td-as4/T0NmF-sQPbI/AAAAAAAAEvs/TI_ic6lpFWI/s1600/do+a+post+on+never+covering+your+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xIm62td-as4/T0NmF-sQPbI/AAAAAAAAEvs/TI_ic6lpFWI/s640/do+a+post+on+never+covering+your+books.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">An all white bookshelf. It's just plain wrong. When I first saw this picture I thought all of the books had been covered with white paper, and I wrote quite an impressive rant about that! Which I had to delete when I realised that they weren't covered...that they were in fact books with only white spines. Which, I concede is not as bad, but it's still wrong. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">In my book </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">You know I'm a book lover...and this just makes me wonder if these books are really loved for what's inside their covers, or if they're only in those shelves for their decorative appeal. Call me odd, but that makes me a bit sad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Would you do this? Would you, in the worst case collect, or if not collect because you already owned them (in which case I'm prepared to cut you some slack)...would you only display certain coloured books to fulfil a room vision? </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Could you? Should you? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I really, really hope there's another room in this home with a bookcase full to the brim with books in every colour of the rainbow. But not colour coded...no, not that.... even though I will confess to having done it myself once upon a long time ago. Before it became a trend! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Thank you for the kind comments on my last post and welcome to a few new readers...it's lovely to have you here in the townhouse, where the books are colourful and placed by height and sometimes category...so I know where to find them! </span></div><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-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-30287543383586028312012-02-24T07:00:00.068+11:002012-02-24T07:17:31.167+11:00soul food friday: when even good change is a bit hard...<div class="MsoNormal"><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Many of you will know I’m a HR consultant. Sometimes I advise clients about managing change. Hell, I even invented a change model based on whole brain thinking. I know.... clever huh </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"> *snort/guffaw*. So...bottom line is, I know the theory.</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B6liV05N6HY/Tz2GBQvQ1cI/AAAAAAAAEuM/oSI3hFRMewY/s1600/pass-the-baton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B6liV05N6HY/Tz2GBQvQ1cI/AAAAAAAAEuM/oSI3hFRMewY/s320/pass-the-baton.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Last week, a major work change that’s been in the making for over six months finally came to fruition. We sold 80% of the business to (I’m very pleased to say) </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">an</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"> A</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">ustralian publicly listed company. This means that 20% remains privately owned, but I’m no longer one of those owners. I'll have to resort to buying shares!</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">For the last ten years I’ve been a company director. I’ve been part owner of a business; involved in a whole pile of stuff that comes along with that. To be honest, some of it’s been a huge load and a heavy responsibility, but mostly it’s been an enormous privilege to be part of something that’s grown and succeeded and made a difference to a lot of people...and I really believe we have done that.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">And while I was very happy to sell my shares (and no, I won't be rich!), last week I found myself experiencing a sense of loss. And also being a bit bemused about how to go back to being an employee because I'm staying on with the company (actually, as a 'key person' I don't have a lot of choice about that for the next few years!). And while the changeover hasn't happened just yet, I'm slowly getting used to my place in the work world being different now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">During an email exchange with the first born on the day we announced the sale to staff, I wrote that I was a bit sad and feeling emotional. She said “that’s understandable – it’s your baby". True. [Well, it's one of them anyway...the others have caused a great deal more trouble!]</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">But she’s right. I do feel a bit like a mother who’s waved off her child as they leave home (been there, done that, found it hard...although when they've done it more than once it gets easier!). And like that person, I need to let go of the apron strings. Or to mix a metaphor or three...pass on the baton while untying the strings and looking to the future! It’s the right thing for me, and it’s the right thing for the company. It doesn’t mean I stop caring. It doesn’t mean I don’t want the best for it. It just means I have a different role now, and I think it’s ok (probably even necessary) to do a bit of grieving for the old one. In fact, I don’t think I’d be me if I didn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">But it’s the silly, simple things that are doing my head in. I didn’t have to worry about moving out of my office. I did that ages ago, voluntarily (you can read my thoughts on that here, it's <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com.au/2010/12/soul-food-friday-being-connected.html">about being connected</a> and it's still one of the best, simple things I've ever done). But what on earth do I put on my business card now? Who’s going to sign all the things that I used to sign? Who do I report to? And when do I surrender my corporate credit card </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt;">L</span><br />
<div class="Default" style="margin-top: 6.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">The reality is that things will probably go on pretty much as they always have, at least for the foreseeable future. Day-to-day my core job doesn’t change, except I may very well get busier for a bit as we adjust to a new set of business requirements. I’ll still put in every bit of effort that’s needed. I’ll still celebrate all of our achievements, individual and collective. I’ll just have a different role, add value in a different way, learn to accept that I won’t be introduced to people as a company director any more. Even though I've never really cared too much about status, even when I was in the Army, I think that might be one of the hardest things to get used to. Hey I'm human.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">So...some adjustments to make, but none of them very agonising. And in time, a whole raft of new possibilities will emerge. I may not be sure about much, but I'm sure about that...whatever the 'that' may be! And if I'm a bit more flaky than usual for a while, I'm sure you'll understand; come to think of it that probably explains why I can't decide if I'm going through major, minor change, or minor, major change. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I should probably see someone about that </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; text-align: left;">J</span><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-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">p.s. I do realise this is a completely self indulgent post. Normal nonsense will resume shortly </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; text-align: left;">J</span></span><br />
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</div>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-88669074572285918762012-02-23T09:46:00.000+11:002012-02-23T09:46:54.282+11:00look...the townhouse is on canada's style at home!<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Just a quick one to tell you that I was more than a little excited this morning when I got an email on the way to work to say that <a href="http://www.styleathome.com/decorating-and-design/budget/bloggers-budget-decorating-ideas-artwork/a/40921/7">my submission</a> to a blogger’s budget decorating tips article had made it on to the style at home website. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tv1QiG_NzKE/T0VwD6TojtI/AAAAAAAAEv8/xtk6e9LypXY/s1600/SAH_badge_3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tv1QiG_NzKE/T0VwD6TojtI/AAAAAAAAEv8/xtk6e9LypXY/s400/SAH_badge_3.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">It's a little piece about framing your jewellery </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aRp4IgXxjkI/T0VlOXWJIAI/AAAAAAAAEv0/oqPumXxYKDg/s1600/blogger-artwork-tranquil-townhou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aRp4IgXxjkI/T0VlOXWJIAI/AAAAAAAAEv0/oqPumXxYKDg/s400/blogger-artwork-tranquil-townhou.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I've always been very fond of Canadians...I see them as the northern hemisphere Aussie equivalent. I'm clearly going to have to visit now! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Here's <a href="http://www.styleathome.com/decorating-and-design/budget/bloggers-budget-decorating-ideas-artwork/a/40921">the link</a> to all the other clever bloggers who contributed. Pop on over and have a look if you get a moment.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">And thanks to the 23 year old for doing the photoshopping </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</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>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-84298842265641814542012-02-22T07:00:00.001+11:002012-02-22T07:00:00.048+11:00this week's top ten...22 feb 2012<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Some weeks it’s easy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0sPAPuczDHg/T0NhriZHhVI/AAAAAAAAEu4/EkWiZgr6MJ0/s1600/justb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0sPAPuczDHg/T0NhriZHhVI/AAAAAAAAEu4/EkWiZgr6MJ0/s400/justb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">This, possums...was one of those weeks </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4IU2Z9cSmuE/T0NhomaLVyI/AAAAAAAAEuc/e9NBU7VlKLU/s1600/a+lifes+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4IU2Z9cSmuE/T0NhomaLVyI/AAAAAAAAEuc/e9NBU7VlKLU/s640/a+lifes+design.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">In fact it was so easy it was almost hard</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L3_4Y4nbjkU/T0NhpT4oO6I/AAAAAAAAEug/zL0yspW4nrg/s1600/abigail+ahern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L3_4Y4nbjkU/T0NhpT4oO6I/AAAAAAAAEug/zL0yspW4nrg/s640/abigail+ahern.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">...too many choices</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqtZKTuWyk0/T0NhqN34sXI/AAAAAAAAEus/m7C7kDg70ww/s1600/iced+vovos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqtZKTuWyk0/T0NhqN34sXI/AAAAAAAAEus/m7C7kDg70ww/s640/iced+vovos.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Apropos <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/30-days30-bags.html">my last post</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KICfxwrZe6Q/T0Nhq9tjV0I/AAAAAAAAEuw/rEL6g79uE28/s1600/isuwanee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KICfxwrZe6Q/T0Nhq9tjV0I/AAAAAAAAEuw/rEL6g79uE28/s640/isuwanee.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I'd just like to clarify a few things</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gapS0Sn5yJk/T0NhsfzqALI/AAAAAAAAEvE/lsxBamGn1zA/s1600/not+my+beautiful+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gapS0Sn5yJk/T0NhsfzqALI/AAAAAAAAEvE/lsxBamGn1zA/s640/not+my+beautiful+home.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">it's 30 bags in 30 days</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rddyGuo_v4Q/T0NhtlfC10I/AAAAAAAAEvM/ioqjfmT2-WI/s1600/not+my+beautiful+home2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rddyGuo_v4Q/T0NhtlfC10I/AAAAAAAAEvM/ioqjfmT2-WI/s640/not+my+beautiful+home2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">but that doesn't necessarily mean consecutive days</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZLT1yJKKYw/T0NhunVbVCI/AAAAAAAAEvU/F6dDZSjY1-s/s1600/real+living.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZLT1yJKKYw/T0NhunVbVCI/AAAAAAAAEvU/F6dDZSjY1-s/s640/real+living.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">nor, you will notice</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bLA_0BK7yjY/T0NhvnXY8OI/AAAAAAAAEvY/t0-PH7FtbNQ/s1600/the+decorista+%2528house+beautiful%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bLA_0BK7yjY/T0NhvnXY8OI/AAAAAAAAEvY/t0-PH7FtbNQ/s640/the+decorista+%2528house+beautiful%2529.jpg" width="522" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">did I stipulate the size of the bags!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2C1x53HGScI/T0NhwRTx2aI/AAAAAAAAEvk/s-K4Da_J0Fw/s1600/the+handmade+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2C1x53HGScI/T0NhwRTx2aI/AAAAAAAAEvk/s-K4Da_J0Fw/s640/the+handmade+home.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I'm not silly...and yes, I have kitchens on my mind </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">images seen on: <a href="http://justbaustralia.com.au/be-creative/the-armchair-neat-freak-in-the-bathroom-7977/">justb</a>; <a href="http://alifesdesign.blogspot.com.au/">a life's design</a>; <a href="http://abigailahern.wordpress.com/">abigail ahern</a>;<a href="http://iced-vovos.blogspot.com.au/"> iced vovos</a>;<a href="http://www.isuwannee.com/"> i suwanee</a>; <a href="http://notmybeautifulhome.tumblr.com/">not my beautiful home</a> (2); <a href="http://homes.ninemsn.com.au/real-living">real living</a>; <a href="http://www.thedecorista.com/">the decorista</a>;<a href="http://www.thehandmadehome.net/"> the handmade home</a></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>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-15008506430804269192012-02-20T07:00:00.003+11:002012-02-20T07:00:01.127+11:0030 days...30 bags<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I stumbled upon <a href="http://www.littlelucylu.com/2011/03/40-bags-continued.html">a list</a> while I was doing a bit of blog hopping... it was about decluttering. 40 places in the house...a bag of junk evicted every day for 40 days. Then I started to read The Happiness Project. First chapter...decluttering. Everywhere I look people are chucking stuff out. So I thought I'd better jump on the bandwagon. However, it's 30 days and 30 bags for me...40 being a bit too biblical for my liking! </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Here are the first three from a very productive few hours in my wardrobe and chest of drawers over the weekend. With apologies for the very uninspiring photo...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t9jc12aLrKg/T0Cva3L9mqI/AAAAAAAAEuU/rRWGCvnIIic/s1600/declutter+bags+no1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t9jc12aLrKg/T0Cva3L9mqI/AAAAAAAAEuU/rRWGCvnIIic/s400/declutter+bags+no1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">That makes 27 over the next 29 days...easy! Here's where I'm going to focus my attention:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">kitchen drawers, pantry, under the kitchen sink</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">study drawers, cupboard, bookshelves, files (I tackled the wardrobe over the holidays)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">bedside tables</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">wardrobe top shelf</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">linen cupboard</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">bathroom</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">cupboard under the stairs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">studio drawers/shelves/wooden chest</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">living room storage</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">shed</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">garage</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">courtyard</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">car</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">magazines</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">And in a major change to my normal MO...those bags have already been dropped off to the clothing bin! Have you done a major declutter lately? How'd you go? What was the toughest thing about it? Any tips? I'll feel better once it's all done won't I...as long as I don't get chucker-outer remorse </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><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-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-77057513011587255502012-02-16T07:00:00.001+11:002012-02-16T07:00:02.682+11:00this week's top ten...16 feb 2012<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Hiya!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vjX0jSaZndI/Tzt9YEA_xpI/AAAAAAAAEtw/KpbFY_zJI3w/s1600/spongeg+tumblr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vjX0jSaZndI/Tzt9YEA_xpI/AAAAAAAAEtw/KpbFY_zJI3w/s400/spongeg+tumblr.jpg" width="287" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">A day late I know...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zFhXagIP_5M/Tzt9P2QWuRI/AAAAAAAAEs4/nmuQcnz98qI/s1600/brydie+brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zFhXagIP_5M/Tzt9P2QWuRI/AAAAAAAAEs4/nmuQcnz98qI/s640/brydie+brown.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Sorry about that.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-okSm_73Ev5E/Tzt9Qh1YZuI/AAAAAAAAEtA/q8xenCM62G4/s1600/decorology.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-okSm_73Ev5E/Tzt9Qh1YZuI/AAAAAAAAEtA/q8xenCM62G4/s640/decorology.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Actually, make that a week and a day late</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wd2QT_WoGZM/Tzt9SQRbrSI/AAAAAAAAEtI/AwIqpNOMQ4k/s1600/design+files.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wd2QT_WoGZM/Tzt9SQRbrSI/AAAAAAAAEtI/AwIqpNOMQ4k/s640/design+files.jpg" width="524" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">There are many things happening in the world of Kerry right now</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HXhqHmBaIV4/Tzt9TQC9H7I/AAAAAAAAEtQ/0Xsk3hMtKl0/s1600/desire+to+inspire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HXhqHmBaIV4/Tzt9TQC9H7I/AAAAAAAAEtQ/0Xsk3hMtKl0/s400/desire+to+inspire.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">So the poor old top ten...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ydiQjUCPmIY/Tzt9Uyb3gxI/AAAAAAAAEtY/06EZaBgv1cU/s1600/from+the+right+bank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ydiQjUCPmIY/Tzt9Uyb3gxI/AAAAAAAAEtY/06EZaBgv1cU/s640/from+the+right+bank.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">which gives me so much pleasure...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-veNg3YInHwg/Tzt9V982msI/AAAAAAAAEtc/eDr_nS20XhQ/s1600/gild+and+grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-veNg3YInHwg/Tzt9V982msI/AAAAAAAAEtc/eDr_nS20XhQ/s400/gild+and+grace.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">has had to slip off the metaphoric radar for a bit</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3a_nzT-jGFc/Tzt9WhFrjaI/AAAAAAAAEto/VlGhjtQtlEs/s1600/interior-inspiration+tumblr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3a_nzT-jGFc/Tzt9WhFrjaI/AAAAAAAAEto/VlGhjtQtlEs/s640/interior-inspiration+tumblr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">so I hope you enjoy this lot</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6XKQiq8Gg8/Tzt9Z5AsjhI/AAAAAAAAEt4/oYu4yHdpzCI/s1600/style-files.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6XKQiq8Gg8/Tzt9Z5AsjhI/AAAAAAAAEt4/oYu4yHdpzCI/s640/style-files.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">a bit of a mixed bag, but that's the way we like it right?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tw4r2iUyhnI/Tzt9acalp-I/AAAAAAAAEt8/kLni1OesoTg/s1600/the+diversion+project.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tw4r2iUyhnI/Tzt9acalp-I/AAAAAAAAEt8/kLni1OesoTg/s400/the+diversion+project.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">...of course it is!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">images seen on: spongeg tumblr; brydie brown tumblr; decorology; design files; desire to inspire; from the right bank; gild and grace; interior inspiration tumblr; style files; the diversion project</span></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><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></div>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-37708140986711741732012-02-14T07:00:00.003+11:002012-02-14T07:00:04.268+11:00free tickets, a blog birthday and that day<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Hello thrill seekers! The blog had a birthday yesterday. We celebrated (the blog and I) with a cheeky little sauvignon blanc,</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"> being ignored by the vampire slayer (naturally) but nonetheless quietly basking in the knowledge that the past two years have been so much fun; it’s Valentine’s Day today....(not that it means a lot around here) and I have free tickets. There was another significant thing that happened yesterday too but I’ll tell you about that next week </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsPwYvQhfno/Tzjvt7_sNmI/AAAAAAAAEsc/qYQcZAzttI4/s1600/MREC+banner.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsPwYvQhfno/Tzjvt7_sNmI/AAAAAAAAEsc/qYQcZAzttI4/s320/MREC+banner.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Now, on to the real point of this post. Do you like Better Homes and Gardens? Me too!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Did you know that the BH&G Live Show is on in Melbourne between 24-26 February? No? You do now.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><b style="font-style: italic;">Would you like to go? </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Or if you don’t live in Melbourne do you know someone who does and would like to go instead of you? On your behalf? A very cheap but terrific birthday present for someone? Get in early for Christmas? A Valentine gift to yourself? Yes? Excellent. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Xgv2XVYadE/TzjwG-tos9I/AAAAAAAAEsk/DIWkkVe2b-A/s1600/BHG_298x170px2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Xgv2XVYadE/TzjwG-tos9I/AAAAAAAAEsk/DIWkkVe2b-A/s320/BHG_298x170px2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I've been given twenty tickets. Yes, twenty...that's generous isn't it. Just let me know in the comments if you'd like a couple and make sure I can contact you by email and I’ll send you the secret ‘getting in’ code and full instructions to get those tickets in your/their hot little hands.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lhI1aNzlles/TzjwVFC3SFI/AAAAAAAAEss/laVnPCShboo/s1600/DEC-0584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lhI1aNzlles/TzjwVFC3SFI/AAAAAAAAEss/laVnPCShboo/s400/DEC-0584.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I’m a bit partial to Fast Ed...his work I mean. How about you...do you have a Better Homes and Gardens </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">favourite?</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">all images better homes and gardens</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <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-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-70715436167839107982012-02-13T07:00:00.011+11:002012-02-13T07:00:01.226+11:00a whole lot of lazy...<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I’m sorry I haven’t been around much. Lack of posts, very few blog visits, unanswered emails, no top ten last week!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">To be honest, I’m a bit fatigued. Lots on my plate and too much on my mind. So I downed tools this weekend and did very little except read in bed, do the most basic chores like washing and tidying up the kitchen, watched tv and crocheted. And fed the vampire slayer of course...unfortunately she's hard to ignore. But I did manage to ignore my computer screen for a very large chunk of time!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K8bKegVc7Po/TzcuEzb71MI/AAAAAAAAEsM/YXm-uWmmyv4/s1600/books+in+parat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K8bKegVc7Po/TzcuEzb71MI/AAAAAAAAEsM/YXm-uWmmyv4/s640/books+in+parat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">first in my 'classic of the month' reads</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">It’s done me the world of good, but I’m going to toddle off to the doctor this week and get a check-up. And the only reason I’m telling you that is because if I write it here I might actually do it </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBduII4kF3M/TzcuBKeIoGI/AAAAAAAAEsE/Uq8Ybs5nf5I/s1600/blue+ripple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBduII4kF3M/TzcuBKeIoGI/AAAAAAAAEsE/Uq8Ybs5nf5I/s640/blue+ripple.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">a new ripple for a baby boy</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">There WILL be a top ten this week, if nothing else! So you have a good one (week that is) and I’ll try to do the same </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hTV-ur7XHGo/TzgWWAtrg4I/AAAAAAAAEsU/emPRmNplmgw/s1600/birthday+cakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hTV-ur7XHGo/TzgWWAtrg4I/AAAAAAAAEsU/emPRmNplmgw/s400/birthday+cakes.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/delynbnutt/">here</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">....oh, and yeah! The blog is two today...thank you for being such wonderful company xox</span></div></div><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-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-87283957156903231712012-02-08T07:00:00.002+11:002012-02-08T07:00:02.052+11:00not the top ten...not yet anyway<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Morning all. I’m in Brisbane. Working. Hard. Yes, really </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rajw_VFphQ8/TzDWriivl4I/AAAAAAAAEr0/npWuWLhhExk/s1600/brisbane-queensland-australia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rajw_VFphQ8/TzDWriivl4I/AAAAAAAAEr0/npWuWLhhExk/s400/brisbane-queensland-australia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.plaincook.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/brisbane-queensland-australia.jpg" style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">image source</a> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">So the top ten will have to wait until Friday I’m afraid. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I know...it will confuse me too!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Oh ok, just one...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V0y9D1GmgiM/TzDX9BEe_TI/AAAAAAAAEr8/_qoan8rXMxI/s1600/from+the+right+bank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V0y9D1GmgiM/TzDX9BEe_TI/AAAAAAAAEr8/_qoan8rXMxI/s640/from+the+right+bank.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.fromtherightbank.com/">from the right bank</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><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-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a></div>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6510773540672751770.post-26327572281114190832012-02-06T07:00:00.008+11:002012-02-06T07:00:01.811+11:00what I read in january 2012<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Time to recap what I read in January. Not, I have to tell you, as many as I read this time last year! My aim to read 100 books in 2012 is already looking shaky...but I managed six. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1wwOcBSyCp8/Ty43oW2J0II/AAAAAAAAErs/0jGHOXNjsGE/s1600/book+collage+jan+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1wwOcBSyCp8/Ty43oW2J0II/AAAAAAAAErs/0jGHOXNjsGE/s640/book+collage+jan+12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">As always...in order of reading...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Please Look after Mother by Kyung-Sook Shin - fiction, translated from Korean</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Choral Society by Prue Leith - fiction</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">The Stepmother's Diary by Fay Weldon - fiction</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">In Tasmania by Nicholas Shakespeare - history/memoir</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Eve Green by Susan Fletcher - fiction (first novel)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Believing the Lie by Elizabeth George - crime fiction</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">So, how were they? I have to confess to being an Inspector Lynley groupie so<i> Believing the Lie </i>by Elizabeth George is my pick for the month. It's a big book but I read it in a little over a day. I love Tommy and Barbara. This was a little grittier than normal I thought. If you like crime and you haven't read Elizabeth George, please do. I think this is about the 17th in the series, and yes, I've read them all.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><i>Please Look after my Mother</i> was very sad especially given my parents' situation, <i>Choral Society </i>fun but forgettable,<i> The Stepmother's Diary </i>dark and interesting. I bought and started to read <i>In Tasmania </i>at Hobart airport on the way home. It's a very clever weaving of history and the author's own modern story of an expat's life in his new country, where amazingly he finds he is related to the man they call 'the father of Tasmania'.<i> Eve Green</i> was fabulous, and an absolute marvel of a first novel. I've ordered her second book I was so impressed.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">I’ve also decided that from now on, in among all the other reading I do, I’m going to read a 'classic' a month. Do you have any recommendations for me? I've read a few of course but I'm open to suggestions and would love to know what you think. I've pretty well done the Austens though </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><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-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important;" /></a>Kerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01762326830724357881noreply@blogger.com12