Reflex Reactions

Wednesday, 2 April 2014

26 Greatest loves of my life - Let's call him Cazaly #atozchallenge

Cazaly was full of energy, always misbehaving and the best Aussie Rules Footy player in school. In second grade all the kids had to hold hands as we walked into class. I started falling in love with him when I noticed that he lined up next to me, all the time. It was only natural I learned to how to play football.

After weeks of perfecting my kicking and marking skills, I asked him if he wanted to be boyfriend. He agreed, on one condition. Did I barrack for the Magpies?

image courtesy of
wpclipart.com

Well, of course I said YES. I knew nothing about the professional football league and had no idea who or what the Magpies were. My Mum told me their real name was Collingwood and they wore black and white. I watched my first game of football that weekend. I didn't understand the rules and couldn't tell the difference between the teams colours on our black and white TV.

Our romance blossomed over shared lunches and games of kick to kick every playtime. The dilemma of whether to play on the same team so we could win together, or opposite teams so we could stand next to each other, was a difficult decision.

As my passion for gymnastics, swap cards and skipping rope grew, I lost interest in being tackled and chasing an egg shaped ball. I rarely keep up to date with football results anymore either - but if you ask me who I barrack for I'll probably always sing out loud - "Good old Collingwood forever, they know how to play the game, side by side we stick together, to uphold the magpies name..."

Did someone you love influence the loyalty, to your favourite sports team? Why does our loyalty for the players change but never the team?

Have you ever seen Aussie Rules football? Here's an advertisement, with a song dedicated to the real Cazaly, from the 70's. It still gives me goosebumps, 'there's a lot more to footy than really meets the eye.'

***

I use #atozchallenge when sharing my favourite posts.

Like Reflex Reactions on Facebook

Follow @ReflexReactions on Twitter

Add me to your circles on Google+

***

Read more about:
The A to Z challenge My theme and links to all 26 Greatest loves of my life.

Tuesday, 1 April 2014

26 Greatest loves of my life. Let's call him Barnaby. #atozchallenge

#atozchallenge

The whole class was standing in a circle. Baranaby stood in the East and I was in the North. His blond hair framed his head like a halo. His smile was timid but genuine. I was watching him bounce from one foot to the other, when before I knew it, I zipped across the room and gave him a kiss.

Mrs Mean was facing the other way.

I don't know what I was thinking.

I scurried back. No time to look. Can't get caught.

I wondered who saw me and what he was thinking.

Act normal. Nothing happened.

A stolen kiss. We both blushed. I'm in love.

I don't know who got the biggest shock. We never spoke about it, and it never happened again.

Mrs Mean would have smacked me if she saw me.

Whether your 7 or 70 has love ever made you take an enormous risk? What was the outcome?

Was it planned or a did it take you by surprise?

***

I use #atozchallenge when sharing my favourite posts.

Like Reflex Reactions on Facebook

Follow @ReflexReactions on Twitter

Add me to your circles on Google+

***

Read more about:
The A to Z challenge My theme and links to all 26 Greatest loves of my life.

Monday, 31 March 2014

26 Greatest loves of my life - Let's call him Adam. #atozchallenge

In Grade Prep my favourite game was kiss chasey, especially if Adam was playing. It took days before someone was brave enough to suggest another game. Some kids protested, but most of us had our secret missions planned.

It was the only game of tag, where I didn't mind being 'it' first. Maybe it was his lanky legs but Adam was always easy to catch. When it was his turn to do the chasing, I would slow down and deliberately skip across his path. The hardest part was making it look like we didn't want to be caught.

Adam's mum let him buy me a hair clip with a butterfly on it, and I was the first girl to get an invitation to his birthday party. It was a weekend party and the first I was allowed to go to on my own.

On Saturday morning his present was wrapped. Mum was making alterations to my party dress and I was playing on my favourite tree. A big walnut that doubled as my acrobatic bars. I tried to do a back flip off the sturdiest branch and I crash landed and broke my wrist. No party for me. Doctors orders.

We didn't have a telephone. I had no way of telling Adam that I couldn't make it to the party. I tried everything to convince my parents I was well enough to go. I even begged them to take me, so I could give him his gift and tell him I couldn't stay.

I was sure he would be upset, maybe even drop me. I thought about running away. I pretended my arm didn't hurt. I cried and yelled and got my knickers in a huge knot, until exhaustion finally wore me down.

By Monday morning, the martyrdom on my left wrist had set. Armed with Adams present my Mum dragged me to school. We met Adam and his Mum at the gates. He'd saved a party bag of lollies for me. My cast became the centre of attention.

I told Adam I wasn't allowed to play games like chasey. He suggested I walk instead of run. It made perfect sense to me. So we waited, until someone was brave enough to say "who wants to play kiss chasey?'

26 Greatest Loves of my life #atozchallenge
Image courtesy of Clker.com

I wonder if the next two times I broke my arm was for a similar type of attention?

Have you ever played games, or bent the rules just a little, to get closer to a person you love?

***

I use #atozchallenge when sharing my favourite posts.

Like Reflex Reactions on Facebook

Follow @ReflexReactions on Twitter

Add me to your circles on Google+

***

Find out more about the A to Z challenge, my theme and links to all 26 Greatest loves of my life.

Thursday, 20 March 2014

A to Z theme reveal - Not quite what I expected... #atozreveal #atozchallenge

1) Aussie slang - (to tempting to copy and paste)

2) 26 Boyfriends - (to revealing)

3) A to Z of Alzheimers - (to heavy for a light hearted challenge)

Check out everyone else's themes on the link list here

26 boyfriends was a standout winner... Perfect. Until I stating writing the posts and realised that
not everyone in my life needs to know about how many or how deep some of those boyfriends reached.

What I really want to share is why and how I fell in love. The fun, mistakes and lessons. This was supposed to be about different types of boys, but as I started writing the posts it became glaringly obvious that it was all about me. I couldn't write about love and leave out some of my greatest loves of all, not just old boyfriends. So a new theme idea was born.

Welcome to The 26 Greatest loves of my life.

There will still be a little smut, including my first kiss and that unforgettable first quiver, but I also want to keep it PG. Some will read like a synopsis rather than the whole story. Some of my greatest loves aren't even human.

I want to exercise my writing muscles, challenge myself. My longest post is under 400 words, some of them are just a few sentences long. Some are first person, some are third person. There's even a poem or two and I might even chuck in some Aussie slang. Fair dinkum I've loved some larrikins.

This challenge isn't just about writing, it's about connecting with other bloggers. This year I've managed to get a good head start by scheduling half of my posts. This will give me a lot more time to visit other blogs. The more blogs I visited last year the more visited me back. It's a win-win. Positive comments are like rewards for effort, they become addictive.

Like many girls I started searching for love at a very young age. I don't remember a time in my life where my relationships haven't been the single most important thing to me. In order to have great relationships I had to learn to love myself. If you are anything like I am, that was easy at first, became very difficult for a while, then greater than anything I imagined.

I hope you enjoy my 2014 #atozchallenge theme. The 26 Greatest loves of my life.

Subscribe by email if you don't want to miss a post. I promise never to spam you, I don't even know how to find out who has subscribed :)

Make it easy for other people to find you and leave a link to your post in the comments below.

It's not to late to join the the them reveal link list. I've added it below (if the linky link works - if not click here.)

Powered by Linky Tools
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...

The challenge starts with the letter A on April 1st. You can join that on the official A to Z challenge page.

All the best to every participant. Let the countdown begin.

Sunday, 2 March 2014

How to add your twitter handle to blogger's share button - tutorial.

Most of us are familiar with the share buttons on blogger.

Blogger share buttons.

If you tweet a post, a share window appears that looks like this

How to add a twitter handle to blogger share buttons

Did you notice that there is no twitter handle on the above picture. Here is what it should look like.

How to add a twitter handle to blogger share buttons

Your twitter handle makes it easier for people to follow you on twitter as well as help you keep track of who is tweeting your posts. You can return the favour or show your gratitude if you know about it.

Honestly, I really didn't think this was a big deal, but I've linked into a group that seems to use twitter a lot (not big in my part of the world) and I figured a few more twitter followers might be a good thing.

I started with a google search and discovered that there isn't much information about adding a twitter handle to tweets from blogger. This could mean that it's common knowledge but I'm guessing it's something that has been overlooked.

Everything I did find and try either involved signing up for things I didn't want - adding things I didn't want, was too complicated or didn't work.

Finally after learning a few new things about bloggers Edit HTML template feature, and stumbling onto the right codes in this forum, I found a super simple solution that I'm sharing with you.

Under your design tab, click on template then edit html.

Then click on format template

Once you click on format template you need to search for some code to change. When you press ctrl f or command f, a little box shows in the top right corner of the html screen.

The code you need to search for is:

expr:href='data:post.sharePostUrl + "&target=twitter"'

just copy and paste this into the search box, and the code will show up highlighted in yellow.

You need to replace that code with:

expr:href='"https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=@YourTwitterHandle%20"+ data:post.title + "&url=" + data:post.url'

Make sure you change the @YourTwitterHandle, to your own twitter handle.

Click on Save template and all your twitter handle problems will be solved. Well at least I hope so.

Here's my new code with the right twitter handle, highlighted in yellow, after searching for it in the search box.

I am no authority on the subject, I'm just sharing what worked for me. I suggest before changing any code, that you back up the code you already have.

I did that by copy and pasting my template into a text document. Don't skip this step, it came in handy when all the other methods I tried didn't work. I was to scared to use the back up button because quite frankly I haven't got my head around what

This simple solution took me the better part of two days of searching, trial and error. Have you ever attempted to do something simple that took a lot longer than you expected.

All the best and happy sharing.

Thursday, 20 February 2014

Alzheimer's, old boyfriends and Aussie slang.

Follower or followed, the 2013 A to Z April Challenge, probably bought us together. I joined at the last minute and embarked on a sleepless month of writing, editing, re-writing and most importantly reading hundreds of blogs. The challenge gave me a new love of the written word and took me places I never imagined - did I mention hundreds of blogs i.e thousands of blog posts. I even scored a monthly gig posting anonymously for another blog, bring on more of that kind of work - please.

If you want to join up click the link under the image. Arlee Bird created the challenge, you'll find links to his page and all the other hosts there too.

Last year my theme was Healing with Words - based around a deck of magic spirit cards that guided me through many of lives lessons, during my twenties. Single words that were a seeming, random catalyst for change. A change that was desperately needed. The aim was to find my writing voice. I'm not sure that happened, I dabble between poetic and prose, mostly prose, I have to edit out the rhyming a lot.

This year I have signed up early, with any luck I will get a lot of my posts written and scheduled well before the start date... or procrastinate, as is my way, and leave it to the last minute once again.

The one major thing getting in the way of being organised is I'm stuck between 3 themes. A theme is not necessary, this in itself could be my fourth theme, but let's not confuse things anymore than necessary.

Here are my themes so far.

1. , Aussie slang, as mentioned in my Reflections post. For the traveller to Australia or a new immigrant these are invaluable, for the curious wordsmith a good laugh. Some make perfect sense some make none at all... I'm pretty sure I could 'ave a go' without making a 'Wally' of myself, but 'fair dinkum' there are teatowels in every tourist shop with slang on them, and it might be a bit 'daggy.'

2. 26 boyfriends. From my first crush at 5 years old to my current love story, and all the unrequited loves, mistakes, heart breaking and heart mending romances in between. A snapshot of the many boys and men in my life seems like a fun idea. A is for Adam - the first love. B is for Brett - my favourite mistake. C is for Con - his mother hated me. D is for Dean - Summer of love love love. E is for Eddie - that cute Scandinavian kid. etc etc

and finally

3. Remember the time... A journey into Alzheimers. My recent trip to Australia inspired this one. My mother was diagnosed in 2012 she forgets things and doesn't even remember she has Alzheimers. I'm not sure where this theme will take me, the story is fresh. While watching anyone succumb to a disease is horrible, forgetting can be fun and despite the tragedy of it all we managed to have a lot of laughs. They say comedy is tragedy with good timing and I feel comfortable sharing.

So bloggers, help me decide should it be 1 2 or 3?

I'll be doing the big A to Z theme reveal on March 21st - find the linky list here

In the meantime, I'll be brushing up on how to do links and visiting some of my favourite blogs from 2013 to see who else will be signing up.

Sunday, 5 January 2014

Gone fishing

I'll be back by mid February.

Best wishes for the new year

Tuesday, 31 December 2013

Stop the chatter, silence and bad drivers.

Thanks search for silence in google images... sorry didn't get the link and am in a hurry :D

After the year 2000 fizzled into just another day, I remember saying and believing, that if you weren't depressed you were in denial.

Some people handle depression, anxiety and stress better than others. I have basically lived with depression since I was born. I cried a lot as a baby, big tears. So I'm told. Yet everywhere I go people comment on my smile. "You're always so happy," they say.
"Happy to see you," I say in return.

I'm not faking it, I am generally happy, smiley and friendly too. Some have even said I'm the most positive person they have ever met, and it's probably true, there are a lot of miserable people out there. I live with these feelings of heaviness, and a constant chattering mind, just like I live with bad drivers on the roads. I used to get so angry at them, chase cars that cut me off, tailgate slow drivers, yell at red lights, speed - all the time - I hated idiots on the road and I was one of them.

Now as we come to the end of Twenty Thirteen I realise a lot has changed. The chatter is less constant. I only ever seem to get anxious if I have misplaced something. I could probably control it but it's like a twitch that feels good to let out once in a while. I am also a much better driver. I still see dumb moves on the road every day and traffic lights keep turning red. I decided a long time ago, that letting them annoy me was like signing a contract that every single time I get behind the wheel of a car my temper would be ignited. As if there isn't enough stress in the world.

Moving to a one traffic light town has helped, but the biggest change of all is a shift from being personally affected by everything and believing it is happening to me, to a more simple habit of observing the world around me.

Silence could very well be the key. Try practising a day or two of silence. Joshua Becker in his article "A simple experiment to change your view of words" gives simple instructions on how to get the most out of silence. One step at a time. It's like a grown up version of the "who's going to talk first" game with a purpose, other than keeping the kids quiet. There are no strict rules just try to remain silent and pay attention to what you hear.

To round things up here is my favourite track about silence.

Signing off for 2013 with a big thank you to all who supported my blogging adventure, and best wishes and peace to all for 2014.

Ida

Thursday, 28 November 2013

It's time to move on.

Thanks happiness coach

Hi Gary,

I have been totally stuck on my dream board post. I was sure it would be of great benefit to many people. I have been keeping busy. I have started working part time in the local pub, and writing a blog for a business in Melbourne, it's a little naughty as well as a whole lot of nice, and we have agreed that I need to remain anon. on that one. I have also been crocheting a lot, people seem to really like all those little knots raveled together.

Christmas is around the corner, I can hear the souls of restless people making shifts in one direction, or another. I myself, am preparing to travel Downunder for the warm solstice season, and some bonding with the nuclear family and rest of my tribe.

I completely avoided Nanowrimo this year, I couldn't bear the disappointment of another unfinished manuscript. I've decided I might try my hand at songwriting - I used to do that a lot as a kid, on the back step in the rain, when I was too upset to talk. Perhaps I'll start with a song a day for the A to Z challenge in April.

Your blog, and your It's all about this post, inspired me to put fingers to keyboard, mostly because I knew you would stop in for a visit, and I figured this would at least make you smile...It's no Sinead v's Miley, but it's my public letter to you (one of many I imagine).... the gratitude circle keeps spinning.

Sincerely

Ida C

Friday, 13 September 2013

Dream boards.

Have you ever made a dream board?

Start by imagining or drawing 9 squares or circles. Behind each square you put an image or a thought. My earliest dream boards consisted mainly of kittens doing lots of different things. Favourite story characters, horses, puppies, a day at the beach and cartoons also featured prominently. Once you have all your squares filled, choose or point to a number on your imaginary dream board, close your eyes and wait to dream.

I forgot about my dream board until I shared the idea with B2 (Bonus child 2, Boy 2, youngest Brother,) he was worried about having nightmares. B2 loved the idea and let me put kittens behind his number 1, he choose puppies for number 2 and then I left him alone to work out the rest. Only nice things. Sweet dreams.

Thanks openspacesfengshui.com, you can try using the significance of each number to guide your dreams.

In honour of my childhood dreams, I think my number 9 will always be reserved for kittens. I will reserve a couple spots to sort out current issues. How to dreams, problems to be solved, people I want to see or stories I want to write all make the list and if there is any room left over I just ask for something nice.

What would you rather dream about?
Have you come up with your own inventive ways to stop children being afraid of nightmares?

Thursday, 12 September 2013

Injury shame and bragging rights.

When I was a kid I used to exaggerate and fake injuries. If I had one or two mosquito bites I would cover my legs with pink dots of calamine lotion. I used so much lotion that I would refill the bottle with shampoo, so Mum wouldn't know how much I wasted. Then there was the time a faked a sprained left wrist, so I could bandage it before a 'know your left from your right' test.

Sports injuries were something to be proud of. The more swollen, black and blue the better. A slight tap to the eye would have me staring at the mirror to see if I was going to end up with a 'shiner.' People don't really care about other people's invisible pain, evidence of injuries bought me a type of nurturing I craved.

Growing up, I had my fair share of real broken bones, sprains, strains and enough stitches to make my Mothers skin turn a lighter shade of pale. In many ways sport was a form of self harm that gave me enormous satisfaction on many levels. Sliding into home plate was always celebrated but taking it to the extreme, risking injury, and going down for the team felt glorious, blood was a bonus. Better to be safe than sorry is advice I now give, but never once took heed of.

Fast forward, and I truly hate when I casually throw a ball and re-ignite a bicep injury, to the point that I can barely stir a salad for a few days. There is a glimpse of former glory but no-one will ever again see how powerfully and accurately I could throw a ball. If I dare to run even a few steps without warming up, I risk tumbling over and my ankle harshly reminds me of the time I played a round robin softball championship on a sprained ankle, all day, and 'thought' I was a 'hero.' My hips, shoulders, neck, knees and fingers will never fully recover... then there's my hamstring, but that can only be called a sporting injury if dancing in an underground night club on a Sunday morning is considered a sport (perhaps that falls more under the self harm label.)

Badminton stretching attempt. Thanks Birdie events

At the doctors last night, after a playing our first badminton game of the season, I adjusted the ice pack on my calf because it felt good. I could feel it working to prevent swelling and I was hoping for the best possible outcome. I gave my leg lots of Reiki and kept imaging the two loud pops I heard earlier were just the tiniest insignificant muscle fibres that would only be sore for a few days and heal fast. I remembered how I used to fake putting ice on an injury because I wanted (everybody) to see the swelling. I also felt the irony of injuring myself, even though I had stretched more thoroughly than before any other game last season. I even used to fake stretching once upon a time. Instead of bragging I am humbled. I play with three men, I have to work hard to put us on an even par, was I showing off? Would it really matter if I lost a point here and there, what part of my ego allowed me to get injured instead of just letting that bird drop? Then there's my new racquet, was that a waste of money? Is it worth missing out on a few games or perhaps even the season, for the sake of getting that one shot over the net? And ouch, calf muscle injuries that go pop, pop really hurt.

The doctors verdict was positive. He says I can play again in a few weeks, but he's also one of those old types that doesn't believe in physiotherapy. I'll get a second opinion, it's hard to trust doctors when you're and ex-nurse and a natural therapist living in a foreign country. There are language, culture and treatment differences, and the horrific experience I had with a dentist here, is enough to make me very cautious of all medical specialists. I am not going to complain about the forced rest for a few days, the Captain set up a dart board in the basement yesterday, so I should be able to get some practice in before Sunday's tournament. I wonder if I can play darts while sitting on a ~~chair~~ bar stool?

In my efforts to find the perfect picture for this post I learned something new. Static stretching can actually cause more injuries...based on my limited research I have to say it makes sense to me. Here's the link to the article 'Stretching before exercise is counter productive.'

This post proudly bought to you by a 'I feel stupid and smarter at the same time' moment.

Thursday, 29 August 2013

The eight natural doctors.

Go for a walk,
in the sun.
Take a deep breath.
Drink a glass of water.
Prepare a fresh meal.
Hug someone you love
laugh a lot or at least a little.
Rest and Repeat.

Thanks Free Range Stock

Movement

Sunshine

Fresh air

Water

Nutrition

Touch

Laughter

Sleep

Thursday, 22 August 2013

Just add salt.

The first year I started cooking for my bonus kids was tough. They seemed so afraid of some of the new foods I made that they would cry and even gagged a few times...they were used to their Dad cooking simple meals or buying them 'treats'. I did my best to try and please them but there was no way in my lifetime that I was going to let these kids eat hot dogs, pizza and chicken nuggets as a staple on my watch. Junk food was no longer to be considered a treat, and a whole lot more salad, vegetables and home made food was going to be on the menu.

Four things I did to introduce new foods.

1) Make a dish they have learned to love. The day before I make them something they never used to like but now do. I reminded them how they used to hate it, and praise their maturing taste buds. "When you were babies you only liked milk, now you are growing up and enjoy lots of new foods"... I encourage a conversation about the first time they tried something and the first time they liked it. I remind them that the food is the same as always but their taste buds are different. I promised them that we only make them eat healthy, fresh food because we love them. If we didn't care about them we would let them eat all the rubbish they wanted and they would end up being unhealthy and most likely unhappy adults. I shared a few 'little known facts' based on my own experiences, like you only have to try a food 17 times before your taste buds learn to love it. The kids love reporting that they like a food before the 17th taste, though we never really keep count. It goes something like this. Child says "Ida I love celery now and I have only tasted it 9 times." I say "wow you are growing up fast, soon you'll be asking me to cook mushrooms!"

Thanks Keli Nina Perkins

Add lots of salt and/or sugar. If your kids love fast food and highly processed rubbish, all the real flavours come from salt and sugar. I add extra salt to new dishes and let them add more salt, until I'm sure all they can really taste is the salt. Of course each time I cook the dish again I add more of what we like and a lot less salt. One chilli seed at a time (not the whole chilli) to build a tolerance. I introduce new flavours slowly, for example, I chop or wipe onion or garlic over the board then chop the other vegetables, so the subtle flavour of onion is on everything but you can't see it, then occasionally a few finely chopped pieces make it in to the dish... oops! It took a little time but now I don't have to keep onion in a separate dish for the adults, we all eat onion in our salad.

Keep them a little bit hungry and they are more likely to eat a new dish. This,I learned from a Grandmother who raised her 9 children, on a farm by herself after her husband died in his early forties. Serve a small breakfast and lunch and no snacks throughout the day. When the mid afternoon munchies arrive I offer them some water, if they don't want water then they are not really thirsty or hungry. If they are 'starving' I remind them that poor kids are lucky if they eat once a day, and they will survive the two hours until dinner time just fine. No sweet drinks on the table, but plenty of water (for all that extra salt!). Prepare the new food alongside a small portion of one their favourites. Give them too many choices and they are not going to try something new. They are more likely to taste and appreciate a new food if they are hungry. I also encourage them to help me in the kitchen and do little taste tests along the way.

Give them information. What makes people unhealthy and fat, what vitamins make people's bodies grow strong, brains smarter and skin glow? What is really in a hot dog and what is candy really made of. I make them aware of how they are always hungry an hour or two after a pasta meal but rarely after a well balanced meal. I planted seeds and we watched them grow and tasted our produce with and without salt, accompanying other foods and decide what tastes better with what.

There were some meals where nothing seemed to work, so they ate a hefty serve of rice or potatoes, but with a bit of persistence they have learned to introduce almost everything into their diet, they even ate a mushroom and a brussell sprout each the other night, without complaining. They ask me to make salads and flavoursome soups now, of course they still always ask for pancakes or burgers and I've heard them coaching their cousins about trying new foods, because they have learned that life is so much more interesting when your taste buds aren't boring or afraid of new flavours.

Monday, 19 August 2013

Dog or no dog?

Reasons for and against and what type of dog.

I need to exercise. I feel obliged to take a dog out for a walk, but I don't honour myself the same way. Coming to terms with that might make a difference, one day.

It's hard enough work looking after house plants.
We go on at least two long holidays every year. One is usually local that could include the dog. The other is international, travelling with a dog is out of the question.

The children's Mum and Grandparents have agreed that they can keep the dog at their houses when we are away.

Regardless of how much the children want a dog I will end up being it's primary carer. I was aware of this before I planted the seed-

Vet bills, grooming and the necessary accessories are expensive.

We can't securely fence our property. It snows in Winter here. Whether it's for toileting or walking, like it or not, the dog will have to be accompanied when it's let out. (Refer to point 1, this could also be an advantage).

It has to be an older dog. There are plenty that need new homes. It's fun to play with and train a puppy but dogs live a long time. Small dogs can live for 18 years, ask a child to imagine still taking care of the dog when they are 30 years old. Also older dogs are likely to be toilet trained. Do you think it's cruel or wise to consider that an older dogs lifespan fits in better with our future plans of possibly moving overseas?

It needs to be a small dog (not to small because the snow can get deep here) but big dogs means big poo, and I will enjoy daily or twice daily short walks, but I couldn't exercise a large dog properly.

We live by a fjord and a forest with great walking paths, but there are no designated leash free play areas in this town (or Denmark in general), this doesn't seem to be a problem to other dog owners I have spoken to, but I think it's mean.

After my last dog died I said I wouldn't get another one- I also said I wanted to be an eccentric old writer that lived in my tiny apartment in a big city, be single forever and never have children. I have since become engaged to a man with two boys, and moved to a provincial town (on the other side of the world). I'm guessing that I was probably wrong about the dog too.

We met a man the other night who says his friend has a poodle that needs a new home. We should know by the end of the week if we are the right people for that dog. There is also a 6 year old long haired daschund, named Buster, that has been living in a kennel for over a month because his owner is sick. We will visit him a visit too.

This is not going to be an easy decision. I will weigh up the pros and cons and eventually do what feels right.

Friday, 16 August 2013

A comedy duo. #Australia's got Talent, #Dash and D'Bree

Dash and D'Bree, are like a cross between Patsy and Edína from Absolutely Fabulous and and Kath and Kim the iconic female comedy duo from Australia. Their dedication to their dream is starting to pay off, and I want to support them. You can find out more about their origins on Dash and D'Bree's website. They are friends of mine, talented, intelligent, and provide an interesting insight into the attitudes and minds of the post X-generation. I can't remember what that generation is called... Is it the, I want to be famous and I'm not afraid to make you know why I think I should be famous generation. Dash and D'Bree are shop assistants that want to be famous and aren't afraid to reveal some youth truths as well as try and make everybody look and be as fabulous as they are.

Here''s a link to some of their uploaded videos, where you can see lessons in walking like a model, tv performances, stage shows, singing and other productions.

Their performance on Australia's got talent gave birth to the idea of a television show, the judges loved them and Danni Minogue said she just wants to hang out with them.

Check out the clap rap video from their first audition.. (Did you spot me smiling in the audience?)

Here's a link to their facebook page...

and their twitter is here https://twitter.com/dashanddbree

They are in the process of raising some money for a new web series. This is a rags to riches story I want to see come true. I believe they only need a few hundred dollars to reach their modest goal. This a shout out to them and their hard work, the world will be a funnier place if more people meet their talent. Even if you have absolutely no intention of handing over a single cent, click on the link for a taste of their humour and skill, and like or join their fb or twitter. I love their 'you can't say that' comedy a lot, mostly because they do say and even sing about it.

Click here if you want to learn more about their appeal.

Wednesday, 14 August 2013

When Abstinence becomes Indulgence.

I have mastered the art of indulgence and rarely chosen, or adhered to, abstinence. So I used my ability to twist things around in order to make sense of it all and asked myself how to make abstinence an indulgence?

Instead of indulging an insatiable appetite The Captain and I have abstained from re-filling our plates with 'left overs' and started indulging a desire to be healthier and happier.

Abstaining from late night television and cuddling on the sofa means we have indulged in more sleep and better moods.

Abstaining from pasta and potatoes means we have indulged in more colourful vegetables, beans and salads.

Abstaining from sugar has re-introduced fruit as a naturally sweet indulgence.

Abstaining from extra salt means indulging in herbs and spices.

Abstained from spoiling each other with immobilising treats, indulge in long walks in the forest.

Abstain from back hunching hours on the computer, indulge in lengthening stretches that give birth to long forgotten endorphins. .

Abstain from a sedative lifestyle, indulge in skipping ropes and racing heart beats.

Abstain from wasting money, save instead for indulgent holidays.

Abstain from talking too much, indulge in words of new stories you hear.

Abstain from controlling, indulge in spontaneity, at times it's the other way round.

Abstain from criticising yourself and begin to indulge a desire to be loved - by you.

***

The Captain saw 14 shooting starts last night, I asked him if he wished my wish, be fit. He answered if that will make you happier then I wished it 14 times.

***

This from the man that loves decadent meals.

Me: What, no cheese?
Him: Not today.

***

Me: I bought you a present.
Him: Chocolate?
Me: No. A skipping rope.
Him: *finds you tube clip on how to skip rope - starts skipping*
Me: *Wipes dust off my rope.*

***

This from the Captain, after a night shift, whose favourite dock has always been his own bed.

Me: It's windy and raining, perfect day to spend in bed.
Him: Mmm - I'll make you a coffee but you have to be dressed by 11.00. We're going for a walk.

Complaining is an indulgence I might just abstain from too.

Monday, 12 August 2013

The Anti-Blogfest Gary Fest

Anti-Blogfest Gary Fest!

In honour of Gary (and special mention to Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar)
Gary at Klahanie is many things including lover of animals, enchanted forests and humans, especially the people that live outside of society's perfectly formed cubes. He is courteous, wise, funny and one of the first bloggers to make me feel welcome in blogland. If you visit him and share his virtues you will be welcomed too. He also whinges a lot, about blog hops and blogfests especially the #atozchallenge which he anti-supports to such a great extent that I am sure many people have joined the challenge just because of him...

This is the Anti-blogfest Gary Fest, created in his honour for (i'm guessing here) '(less) shits and (more) giggles' and is hosted by:

Mark "Madman" Koopmans
Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh
Rockin' Robyn Engel
Life is good Tina
Morgan Shamy.

The rules: Create the titles of three PG-13 blogfests you would never join and then add a descriptive sentence or two

1. Abstinence and Celibacy blogfest. No blogging for one month - not even a 'this is not an official post' posts - and no reflections post or you will be disqualified from participating for up to 3 years depending on length of the post and how much you whined. Also taking holiday's doesn't count.

2. The look at moi look at moi i'm so great and have really really great products i want you to buy and i don't care how great you think you are just read my blog and buy my products and leave a comment so everyone can see that you think i'm great too.......but don't expect me to reply to your comment or even read your blog and there is no way i will ever comment on your blog .......ever..... but I will email you and try to sell my products.....grammar anarchy blogfest. Rule number one: the only acceptable punctuation is lots of ellipses. Rule number two: Just read my blog and buy my stuff.

3. The A to Z bigot list. Lists must be in alphabetical order: you may choose one minority group and list 26 things you hate about them, or 26 minority groups and one thing you hate about them. Technical point... there are more women than men on the planet so they are no longer a minority group.

***

So there they are, 3 blogfests I would never join and I am sure Gary would never promote... though I'm thinking grammar anarchy on it's own would be one he might support in it's own right. Check out his blog here, I never know what to expect but I'm always glad that I took the time to read something he or Penny wrote.

Dear Gary I hope you have fun on your day.

I wish I knew how to add the linky list to my post... check out the hosts pages to see the list of other participants

Friday, 9 August 2013

NaNoBloPo - Didn't hot used to mean stolen?

I have to admit that while NaNoBloPo has give me a reason to blog, the prompts for the 'HOT' theme aren't inspiring me in a positive way. Need I remind you that there are no rules even suggesting that you have to use the prompts, you don't even need a theme to join, so with no-one left to blame, it's time for me to have a positive attitude check. This week's prompts and the reasons I've avoided them are:

Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Would you want to be known as hot?

Admittedly my social life, since moving to Denmark, is somewhat limited to family, classmates and the local pub (which, coincidentally is owned by a fellow Aussie woman, that has lived here for 20 years.) She has become a friend and my mentor and the only reason I visit the pub as often as I do, which isn't often, but I'm on a first name basis with all the regulars! One of them recently asked me why I don't have any tattoo's, because he thinks they are hot. The only part of my body he could see was my wrists and neck. No I don't want to be known as hot. I also don't want to know if the other regulars think I look hot, pregnant... or not, and I tire of the ass and breast comments every time my friend or I wear anything other than wet weather gear or practical uniforms. Paris Hilton popularised the word hot, anything from a car to a baby is labelled hot, once upon a time a hot car meant jail time. Hot or Not is what stops me leaving the house some days, I can't be bothered putting on a costume and my house clothes are either too hot (i.e very little) or just too daggy to be seen by the general public, some people would think me walking around the house without a bra on is hot, others will shudder at the image. I don't want to know if anyone thinks I'm hot or not, but I love that the Captain thinks I'm beautiful.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Is someone hot forever once they're labeled hot? Or is hotness fleeting?

Ok so Sophia Loren is hot, isn't she? Are great weddings hot even after the marriage has fallen apart? Are couple's hot for getting back together or is never breaking apart even hotter, what about those cold nights? Is it hot to be liked by everyone, does that make any of us hot? I guess the easiest way to answer this question is to keep asking questions.

Thursday, August 8, 2013
Gina Lollobrigida declared 40 "hot." What do you think is the "hottest" age for women?

Her image is hot...but I can't even picture that now. She was an actress right? I'm guessing she has dark hair and if I google her I'm sure I can find a photo of her in a red dress. I think every woman has potential to look her best towards the end of every decade, energetically by mid-late 20's, 30's, 40's etc, we have embraced a decade of change and released the fear of getting a decade older. We haven't started worrying about the looming next decade yet, the peak has been reached. Gina Lollobrigida must be hot because the last three letters of her name are.

Friday, August 9, 2013
How is a red hot second different from a regular second?

More questions. Were you closer to first or third? It's still second. Second in charge (2ic). I am a two person, born on the second, and my initials are IC. I am an natural 2ic. If hot meant funny I would think that's hot.

Ok, maybe I have been in a 'not so positive' mood all week, but I really think that these questions require too much thought or they are just so cliche and simple, that I couldn't be bothered putting too much thought into them. On the other hand there isn't much thinking going on around here about anything else I could be writing, so I procrastinated then ended up doing the prompts. Hopefully there is a shift next week.

If my surprise visitor on wednesday night was any indication, then there are going to be some changes on the way.

My surprise visitor flew silently into the house after midnight, at first I thought it was a large moth. The second time it flew past I thought it was a very quiet bird. By the time I woke up the Captain and he stood up, we both realised it was a bat. In many cultures Bat is a symbol of rebirth.

Thanks domrador.

Monday, 5 August 2013

What makes a woman hot? NaNoBloPo

Today's prompt for NaNoBloPo is What make a woman hot?

Well all I can think of for now is how hot I was on Friday night at a double 40th birthday party I was at. It was over 30 degrees, no air conditioning and no sign of a cool change as the night heated up. I was wearing a black outfit and yellow shoes, the Captain thought I looked hot but he is incredibly biased. There was lots of hotties partying all through the night. It was so hot the next morning I decided to have a nap on the hammock outside because it was just too hot to sleep inside.

Other hot things on my radar this past month have been:

My friends Ode to Aphrodite facebook page, it's for the wild woman at heart.

The 2011 movie Hysteria that I watched the other night.

A fascinating article or blog post about the wisdom of females, their genitals and the etymology of the terribly misused C word.

This clip about the first female runner in the Boston Marathon

and another clip that has been doing the rounds on facebook recently.

Reclaiming power, facing changes, overcoming challenges all these things are hot, and curry, which happens to be simmering on the stove right now, the Captain is pouring the wine and it smells ready to eat, so ciao for now.

Sunday, 4 August 2013

Have you ever Nano...ed?

In November 2012 I became a Nanowrimo winner for the first time... google it if you are interesting in finally committing to a writing a novel, the goal is to write fifty thousand words in a month. Many people have successfully published books as a result of their Nano efforts, and it opened up a whole new world to me.

This month I've decided to joined the NaBloPoMo challenge tomorrow is the last day to join here.

I am already a day or three behind. There are prompts here, if you choose to follow the prompts the theme is hot, otherwise you can write about whatever you want, it appears weekends are not counted. There doesn't seem to be any rules or regulations, just some usual blog hop courtesies etc...

The first two prompts are...

Thursday, August 1, 2013
Do you like hot drinks such as coffee and tea?

Yes and Yes. I love coffee so much that I get annoyed if it isn't made properly. I am yet to taste a well made cafe latte in Denmark, unlike France and Melbourne my hometown has a great reputation for perfect coffee. I like espresso too, no sugar thanks. The Captain makes me coffee with steamy, frothy milk shaped loved hearts on them.

I never get tired of them, though I know he would love to get more creative eventually.

Friday, August 2, 2013
How do you like to warm up when you're cold?

I never understood what really cold was before I moved so close close to the north pole. In these parts of the world nothing quite warms you up as good as sensible layering of clothes and the famous Danish coffee punch. Warning I did not say it tastes good. Strong black coffee, two spoons of sugar and a generous dollop of Danish Akvavit (a herbal infused vodka type liqueur). The new floor heating and a hot spa bath downstairs works wonders too!

That's it for now see you Monday