The Riders, Tim Winton - Book Review

Well hello people - echo echo echo . It has been some time since I have "blogged" . Twitter has been somewhat easier and frustrating. Anyhoo, I have just completed "The Riders" by TimWinton and what the fuck! I must say I could not put the book down, I so wanted to find out what that bitch was up to but (spoiler alert- Jump to the asterick * . Did we ever? I mean I am so confused, and  I would like to think I am not stupid and I am somewhat intuitive. I mean I love descriptive writing, but geeez! Pages and pages of - "It was cold where Scully went, and the great shifting weight of the earth pressed him from every angle, comforting in the dark. His limbs twisted into him, his tongue pressed against his palate and he felt the freezing weld of his eyelids against his face, the retraction of his balls, his nipples, his lungs." Are all great, except when they interfere with actual story. I want to know why the bitch did it?
I am also perplexed by the worlds hunger for bashing the basic. The person, experience etc etc. that to some, represents boring! It is no-bodies business, including that of the Labour party, to tell someone that its not OK to be happy with just a job and a family. To be happy to be the toilet cleaner with the basic wage, and tell them they should ask for more. If that person is happy, who are you to tell them they should want more. The already cleary have more than you, because they are happy.
Anyway, back to the book. I did not understand the ending either, is it some kind of metaphor? That the kid and the father were kindred spirits because they both saw things others did not see and the kid is lucky in that regard????? Too many questions, maybe I like the Disney endings. No, that's not it, I could take the sick, sad confrontation with the bitch, because humans are basically broken arseholes, so it doesn't surprise me. What I don't like, is no ending !!!

* This book had me picking it up at every spare moment, so if you like descriptive writing and a little suspense (not scary suspense), then this is your book, maybe you will get the ending. It was very nice to be taken back to the Greek Islands though, and he does this very well, Mr Winton. Hmmmm, I guess I would give it 6 out of 10, more if it hadn't pissed me off at the end!

You can check Tim out on his facebook account and countless other places when you google him. I have also read "Cloudstreet", which I did like and I am yet to review.

Regards - Me xx

Sugar Deli - Winter Solstice - Scarborough

 

There is a special little town by the sea in Australia. Scarborough, is situated in a little seaside village in Queensland on the Redcliffe Peninsula. There are many reasons why it is special, but the biggest thing, seems to be the people.

Sara and her team run The Sugar Deli in Scarborough. The Sugar Deli operates as a normal restaurant/café, but every so often there are special functions put on, for those that are lucky enough to attend. The Winter Solstice Medieval Feast, was magical. The fireplace room at the end of the restaurant was decorated brilliantly, you really felt like you were back in the day.

From breaking the bread, to mead, to the main which consisted of whole pheasant stuffed with apricots and sage, braised lamb shanks, thyme roasted duck legs, smoked salmon and brie parcels (my personal favourite) . With whole buttered potato, whole baby carrots, and the most amazing gravy I think I have ever tasted ! Keeping with the theme, it was served on a wooden board, which just added to the whole experience.

 

Guests and staff were dressed in the spirit of the evening. I don't usually like themed events, but this was fun.

 

To finish off the feast we were served a Red wine and cinnamon poached pear, stuffed with hazelnut and chocolate, wrapped in filo pastry. Again, I was at first disappointed, there was no pile of cream with my desert. Again, I was pleasantly surprised the desert did not require the holy grail. Devine desert, just wish I had more room to fit it in.

More review on

 

I had to rush off to relieve the sitter watching my kids, but I could have stayed all night. The company was lovely, the atmosphere and food delicious. Well done team. I will be back for the next special event. Which I think is Christmas in July. Jump onto their face book page to keep up to date. Or pop on down to Scarborough seaside. Sugar Deli does breakfast and lunch and dinners. There is a great park for the kids, and of course the beach. Art galleries and shoes shops too.

 

 

 



Gonski - the elusive details

 

So, I am continually hearing about Gonski, how it is great new reform for schools and our children's future education. Sounds fabulous, best thing without a doubt. I have a 7 and 9 year old. Extremely pertinent to me and my family. So I wondered. Why is it that Queensland will not sign up?

 

Gain knowledge, I said to myself. Where to go. The great google in the sky. What came up first was this : http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-15/draft-gonski-legislation-light-on-detail/4374482

 

Basically, it went on about there being no details in the drafted legislation. That it was about having funding distributed relative to numbers of students and schools housing more indigenous and needs based children gaining more funding. This is all good stuff, but how does that relate to the majority? More importantly how does that help my kids gain a good education? I would love to place my children into a good public school, but until schools are given better tools for control and discipline I will not place my children into an unsafe environment. So I pay for that basic right. My kids are not necessarily getting a better education, they are just getting a safer place. Because private schools are allowed to discipline our children (more on that in another post).

 

So what will Gonski do for me. From the limited amount of information I can see and reading between the lines. I think my kids will be worse off. So I am somewhat glad that Queensland treads carefully in this area. Hence, I go searching for more information ....

What do I find a whole heap on class race, class war and so on and so forth. Since when is it a war, that I choose to make certain sacrifices so that I can send my children to a private school ?? Please can someone tell me, why I should be penalised for choosing to send my worked for dollars in this direction, rather than on some other "want". I am beyond confused with the mindset we are supporting in this country. That, to pay for your children's education is a sin. As such, it should be penalised by sending reduced funding in the direction of private schools. I love the idea of an education card . It means that the funding is accountable and will actually go to those that need it the most. I think the thing that we forget, is that the parents of children than can afford to fund assistance for their special needs children, do so. At a cost to the private school and to them personally. No-one really sees this, or costs this out, it just happens. You keep undermining their resources, undermining their good intentions and you weed away at the very foundations of the people that put the money up in the first place -The Tax Payers .

So on and on, I look for more information:

Missing the point , I think here. There are many comments regarding the inequalities in education. I think you need to start interviewing some of the teachers in these schools. Instead of passing rhetoric back and forth between cronies so far removed from the front line they don't even know the realities. When I talk to parents and teachers alike, their comments come back to the same thing. The majority of parents of children going to public schools do not show a vested interest in their children's education. "It takes a village to bring up a child". So it would make sense, that those that do, would seek to pay for other alternatives. Our children's problems with learning are about how to get the kids to turn up for school at all. Stay engaged and behave themselves long enough to learn something. We don't necessarily need to throw dollars at this. We need to give tools to our teachers to have control. Our kids need a safe controlled environment to learn in. I pay to have my kids go to a school that has boundaries and repercussions, in a loving environment. Shock, they have the cane at my kids school. But they also have a massive amount of music, drama, creativity, family connections, tolerance and love. I wish I could get this in a public arena.

So, is Gonski an elusive bunch of tripe? My first investigations would have to say, yes it is. Real solutions to our education require coming back to basics. Not rating our kids with un-realistic evaluation such as NAPLAN testing - makes me sad just to think about that. I also do not think that evaluating our teachers in a sales based manner will work. It barely works in the sales arena, to motivate people. It is a conflict of interest in an environment that's about nurturing and communicating information to our little people. It is the little things, the simple boring stuff that is going to make a difference in the education of the children in our country. Not the hype. Lets get back to the basics - pleeeeeease.











 

 

 



Max Brenner Chocolate Bar- Southbank

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar

South bank

Had a lovely day with my eldest son today at Southbank Brisbane . My youngest son was at a friends birthday party at the Science Centre  , (which is an awesome idea for a kids party). So I suggested to big boy that he could take me out for the day to South bank. Where is a nine year old going to pick for food fix at South bank ? Well, a Chocolate Bar of course ! Max Brenner Chocolate Bar  to be precise.

  

 The line was at the door. I looked at him and suggested that there were lots of other restaurants to try (I was in the moody for a good eggs Benedict) .  The look on his face suggested that he knew it would be tough waiting, but we could make it. I soon realised that the tough part wasn't because he just couldn't be bothered waiting, more because he didn't want to have to wait for the chocolate fix.

 



I suggested he try something different, ahha, not negotiable, chocolate pizza and hugga mug hot chocolate. I opted for the chocolate souffle and the mocca with spicy chocolate. The wait in the line went much quicker than I though it was going to. The wait for the food was also surprisingly short, considering the amount of people eating here.

 

When I go for a calorie and sugar overload, I expect to totally indulge. My philosophy is, if I am in, I'm all or nothing. So when the chocolate souffle came out with no huge dollop of double island cream I was a little disappointed. As I was about to ask the waitress for some cream I thought to myself. This place has their systems and menu down-pat. There must be a reason for no cream, give it a go. So glad I did, it did not require anything on the side - delicious.

9 year slammed most of the pizza leaving only two slices. For a skinny kid he can certainly put a lot of food away.

See review at   
 

Food done, we went for a stroll through the markets, grabbed a pair of togs from the convenience store (not for me). 9 year old had a dip in the lagoon (no towel, but we managed) and then we had a quick drink and snack and made our way home.

 

I had forgotten how beautiful it is at Southbank. The quick snack was a glass of red for me, dry ginger ale for boy and we shared a salt and pepper calamari. We got in one song by a lovely young lady jazzing up some pop songs. All told it was a fabulous day, and big boy thought so too.

 

xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Mummy bloggers - dont bite the hand that feeds you

 

I must say firstly, that I do have a little bee in my bonnet about Mummy blogger's. That is not to say all of them, but a heck of a lot. It is because the majority of these blogger's that I wish not to be tarred with the same brush (I have a couple of blogs, this is my cleansing one). I am sure in their previous lives they were not so silly (fucking stupid, is more to the point)

 

You might be saying about now, what is she talking about?

 

What I am talking about is the following:

 

 

The not so nice Mummy blogger's are definitely narcissists, this forum just turns them into crazy people that cant take enough selfies

 

 

By default they have stumbled across this time filler. The Mummy blogger often looks like this:  shes just had kids, now has a single income household. This may also mean that she has gone from buying $250 shoes, to struggling to afford Target shoes. So she is pretty angry and somewhat jealous.

 

So what does she do, to deflect. She starts talking about not needing designer clothes and shoes. That she has found her way in the world. She talks about finding herself and whats important. (finger down throat at this point) Because you know damn well that its eating her alive.

 

Here is where I am even more confused. If the enlightenment was in fact real. Then why is she still happy to accept the freebies that represent the very thing she now despises. And if that is not enough she (the new earth woman) joys in the closing down sales at the very same retail outlets that have gifted to her in the past.

 

Does this make sense to you ? Bragging about the freebies in the sealed bag of  magazines (yes, she is now a bag lady). And then dancing for joy at the closing down sales.

 

I know for a fact that they can also be extremely nasty to the stores that no longer wish to give her stuff. One store I spoke now sees posts to the effect, "these are a pair of over-priced boots that I will struggle to get my cost per wear with". When she got them discounted at 50% by said store and they refuse to be bullied by her for more product. So now she writes little nasty digs at them.

 

This would all be hilarious, except that these idiots only contribute to the struggling retail industry. Instead of being responsible and supporting the products and retail stores. Talking about quality and service, what do they do? They tell people to shop overseas online, how to get freebies. To not accept paying full-price, and to rejoice in the closing down of a nasty retail store.

 

So can someone please put them in their place. Or at the very least, local papers should not be running hero stories on them - what the .. is that.

 

Oh dear, sometimes I just want to run away and hide from all this idiocy.

 

Thoughtful rant over xx

 

 

 

 

 

 



Knowing your market - Burberry Wild Bunch

 

Marketing Strategies that "get" their clients

 

Cosmopolitan Magazine , has run a story on the "Burberry-wild-bunch" . Burberry has had great success from truly understanding their target market. This edgy and sometimes slightly aggressive approach to marketing has been a success for several big players. Nike, comes to mind as one of the companies that pull this product placement stuff off well. Oh and McDonalds and Coke, but we wont go there !

 

The thing I love about Burberry's, pitch is the fact that they use the, not, so famous models. It  would also seem that these particular models themselves, have a sassy personality in real life too. This "real lifeness" is what people are looking for, its just handy that they happen to be good looking models as well.

Classy Burberry , every girl needs a little (lot) of it in her life x

 

 

 

 

 

Labor Government - Budget blowout !

 

Hello !

 

Budget blowout. Lower than expected collection of taxes. I wonder why ? !

 

What makes me even angrier, is that even with this reality they still don't get it. Comments regarding tightening of multinational businesses tax loopholes. That's the answer ! Fucking communist/ socialist bastards. Sorry it really needs to be said.
It's no-one in particulars fault. Well it certainly multinational companies are not to blame for such a huge lack of for sight.

Multinational companies need to be closely watched for a whole heap of different reasons, but lets face it, very few business industry's are doing it easy at the moment. It never ceases to amaze me how political parties such as Labor (victim mentality parties) are always the victims. They are never the contributors to the problem. I find it constantly disheartening that the people (organisations) that work, to make the money, i.e. the taxes, are shown as the bad guys. But that aside.

 

SMALL BUSINESS. I don't have all the stats on it right now. But that's not going to change the fact that we already know that small business has been, and will always be, a major contributor to our economy. With that said, wouldn't it make sense that if small business has gone to the crapper, then tax revenues will be down. Just wait until they see this quarters BAS schedules !
We need to look after our business and manufacturing, and this debacle just shows ONE of the reasons why.

Australian public, are we really letting this just happen ? Because NO. Clearly, NO, we can't trust their political acumen. NO, we can't trust their integrity. No, we can not tolerate this any longer.

NO - CONFIDENCE ! 

 

 

 

 

 

Labor budget blowout

 

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/04/29/01/26/expect-tax-revenue-hole-of-12-billion-pm

Relgion, Cultures, Law and Rape - Australia

 

I believe I am very tolerant, respectful and understanding of all different peoples in this world. I am intrigued and often influenced by many cultures. I would say I generally have eclectic religious beliefs. My children are getting older and asking a lot of questions. They go to a religious school and are also starting to make a lot of statements around these religious teachings. So "parental guidance" begins now. Knowing this would be around the corner, I have had to really dig deep to question myself, my feelings and my understanding, and then, how to explain this to them.  So with much reading and research, I have come to understand this:

Religion, or spiritual awareness is a personal thing

Politics and Laws are not part of religion

Religion and Cultural beliefs should not be a place to hide behind or use as an excuse to harm others.

 

I welcome genuine refugees to this country. I am a member of UNHCR, World Vision, Oxfam and CARE. However, I do believe in what we hold dear in this country - FREEDOM. With this, it is simple, lets not muddy it with politics and other such matters.

 

When you come to a country for protection, you must respect our culture and values first. No-one denies that this will be difficult, God knows the whole situation is one fraught from difficulty. However, you must remember, the very reason why you seek our shore. It is because of our culture, our laws, our beliefs. It is because of these, (and perfect they are not) that you are safe to come to us for refuge.

So, there are consequences. We are failing these refugees, and so to our own community, if we do not have in place a system that integrates these people into our country. We must, and I emphasise MUST, get over the bullshit around whether they come or not, and make clear and very strict guidelines around assimilation. This does not mean they have to lose their roots, for Gods sake, its obvious we are very accommodating in that regard in Australia. And, I know that some will hate this - too bad. Assimilation, is not a bad thing. Recent piece by Mamamia , Melissa Mellham highlights the problems. Or at the very least "grey areas", that can occur when we don't have a program that teaches our newcomers what is acceptable in Australia.

Although, for me, it's quite clear. Esmatullah Sharifi , stalked and hunted these girls, covered their mouths (one victim in particular) and would have been damn sure they were not consenting. I can not believe that a judge is granting a right to appeal. Seriously, if its on the grounds of culture, that makes it even worse. It is basic instinct to know when you are forcing a creature against it's will, and there is no culture in the world you can hide behind for that.

I have friends that have different sub-culture beliefs to mine (around things I hold dear, like the environment). I believe in leading by example and I don't judge them, I love them for who they are and respect their sub-culture, because they are kind people.

 

Religion, Laws from Religion and other cultural beliefs should never rise above our laws. They should never be allowed to be used as an excuse to hide behind. I do not know how long Esmatullah Sharifi , has been in Australia. But I can bet you, it has been long enough to fully understand that it is NOT acceptable to touch anyone, in anyway, without consent.

 

Breath in and breath out !

 

 

 

 

Pig N Whistle Brisbane - Review

On a mini getaway with the family we got to eat in lots of yummy places in Brisbane, So I will share the Pig N Whistle experience first.

Great atmosphere situated on the Queens Street Mall Brisbane. Groovy, buzzing atmosphere created by all the people passing by and through the mall. With a lot of retail eye candy nearby as well. 

My husband order oysters kilpatrick for starter. Delicious ! Well presented, the sauce was perfect, temperature was great, as you can see by the empty plate. We also had garlic bread, just right. I ordered the Bug special for my
main and ordered the kids the lasagna main and a side of fries to share. I usually avoid the kids meals as they are mostly an after thought by most restaurants. At the moment a decent main and a side feeds my boys adequately. Husband had the bangers and mash.
We had some red wine and great service to go with these meals. Boys loved the lasagna, husband devoured the bangers and I immersed myself in the journey that was my bugs. Devine. I also loved that I didn't have to ask for a finger bowl or a scraps bowl.

Review on Urban Spoon

 

It had been a couple of years since I had eaten here (we don't get into the city as much as we used to) And we were not disappointed. Atmosphere great, service great, food stunning - thanks Pig 'N' Whistle we had a wonderful night x
8 out of ten truffles for this one .



King of Kings yum cha Review

Still on our mini city break and we took the kids to yum cha in the Brisbane Valley. I used to go here all the time as a young (and not so young) adult. I loved the buzz, colours smells and of course - the food. It was a little disappointing though. The day we went was during the week, they didn't have a lot of people dining so they didn't have the trolleys going around, it detracted from the experience we wanted the kids to have, but the food was great. Toward the end of the meal the trolleys started coming as it got busier, so all wasn't lost.

Check out Urban spoon for this and more restaurant reviews

I love my dim sum, so it would have to be pretty bad for me to not like it at all. Loved all the dishes we ordered and ate. We always order the Asian greens, kids love them too, so that's a bonus. Everything was as I remembered, even the decor, which was actually nice, sometimes you don't want things to change. Staff were friendly and accommodating, food was fresh and yummmmmy.

 

We also love the Chinese tea (Jasmin). It wouldn't be the same without a pot or two. Oh and of course we must have lots of chili sauce, steamed pork bun, steamed prawn dumpling and to finish the meal, custard tarts. What are your favourites when you yum cha ?

 

As you can see, we enjoyed it all. I give this 8 sun dried tomatoes out of ten. The entrance is a little dodgy and dirty, but everything else was just what I wanted it to be xxx

 

 

 



Mumford & Sons - Babel

 

 

Mumford & Sons, say no more !

Well I can't, I must go on and on. I haven't had music move me as much as this. Since coming across the amazing Nina Simone, many years ago. Don't get me wrong, there are lot's of other artists and songs that I love with much intensity. But. There is something about these lads, and I can't quite explain it. Not everyone in my house feels the same way - fools, (but do they?)

I say to My young lads, listen, listen to the words. Like poetry, a window to the the imperfect, yet perfectly normal man's soul. One in particular:

Hopeless Wanderer (and this is my interpretation)

" So when your hopes on fire

But you know your desire

Don't hold a glass over the flame

Don't let your heart grow cold

I will call you by name

I will share your road

 

But hold me fast hold me fast

Cos I'm a hopeless wanderer

Hold me fast hold me fast

Cos I'm a hopeless wanderer

 

And I will learn, I will learn

To love the skies I'm under "

 

^^

If we know this, if we know the (dare I say) soul of our lovers. As hard as it is sometimes, can we let them grow, can we let them go? Not to leave per say. But, to explore that inner part, that we may never understand. And, if we hold on fast, with understanding and love in our heart and maybe we too can grow old together. "Now, how I long, how I long, to grow old."

 

This can't happen when we feel bitter and angry. So maybe we don't get angry, maybe we let our self explore and let our lovers explore ? Knowing, that we will still be here for each other. We are all broken, we are all full of flaws. So in the end, can we ?

 

We will run and scream

You will dance with me

They'll fulfill our dreams

and we'll be free

And we will be who we are

And they'll heal our souls

Sadness will be far.

(Not With Haste)

 

There is so much more in the words of their songs, I just love them. I can listen, over and over again. And then some more.

 

Thank you, Mumford & Sons xx

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fast fruit - preparing for tomorrow

 

Last night we had a healthy taco dinner (which I forgot to photograph) . I always do my mince with a mix of chicken and beef mince. I just use Aldi's packet with all the ingredients. Its quick and easy, this is one of my other alternatives to getting take-out. I would normally rather use my own herbs without the fillers and no MSG, but I figure I still know pretty much whats in it all. Our accompaniments were: avocado, sheep's feta, Greek yoghurt, taco sauce (that came in the pack), roma tomatoes and lettuce. Very yummy.

For desert I cut up a fresh fruit platter (in the picky above)

I also separated off some of the fruit and cut it up for smoothies for breakfast. So the  smoothies I will be making over the next few days will have a mix of rock melon, banana and grape. I put this cut up mix into separate snap-lock bags an popped them in the freezer. This is going to be part of my "prepared for 2013" strategy. So I can be healthy and less stressed and hopefully lose some weight as a bonus.

Full smoothie recipe yet to come, with lots of pickies.

xx

 

 

50 Shades of Grey - Book Review

50 Shades of Grey - book review

Well I just couldn't resist reading this book any longer. I am usually a "late adopter" of things. It took me a long time to use handy cards (I still have a cheque book though). I was one of the last of my friends to move to smart phones ( I love a good old Nokia that you can throw and it doesn't smash). There are many other examples but I wont go on.
I do think this book will be one of those "cult" books. Lot's of references are already been made in every day goings on and I don't understand all of them. I can make assumptions about some of the comments. "Oooh, could do with a bit of "Grey" at the moment" etc etc and so on. But direct references to the "Red Room", I have no idea what people are talking about. My Mother has even read the book and can "knowingly" laugh at references to this cult affair !!
So I decided to put "The Fiery Cross" aside and jump in, so to speak.
I am going to do this review as I read the book and will just pick up each block that I read with a # rather than a date. I will try to make my thoughts flow as best as possible.

#So far it gets a big Snore Snore from me. The main character is a winging pain in the arse and I don't think I am going to be able to finish it. My mind is wondering all the time and I have to re-read paragraphs
#Starting to put my detective hat on! Why is Kate saying that she should stay away from Grey? That he is dangerous! Why do I feel this will have some significance later in the book
#The writing style is not my cup of tea, dare I say it, its a little sloppy. But, is that what will give the book it's charm in the end? I like this Mr Gray's calmness and control. Does this come with being a cajillionaire or are you like that before hand? OK, so now is about where I start thinking the characters are real people, it's how I bond with a story. I just let myself go.
#I find romantic much more sexy than raunch and as I get into the more juicy parts I am thinking I am really not going to like this book. I hate male review shows and poster pictures of hot men all over the place. Don't get me wrong, I totally appreciate a good body and face, but I have all I want at home (brag brag) so I'm not enticed by that stuff. This book is starting to give me that trashy ---- mag feel! (I also don't have anything against raunch, just not tacky)
#I am now finding Mr Grey very intriguing. I am instantly thinking he has mummy and or daddy issues and can't wait to find out more about him. She is still boring me, to the point where I keep forgetting her name.
#If she says "inner goddess" one more time I am going to burn this book !!
#I know this is pretty woman crap. What can I say ? I am a sucker for it. "I've never slept with anyone, never had sex in my bed, never flown a girl in Charlie Tango, never introduced a woman to my mother. ..." That stuff I love, I just find myself not liking that he has fallen for Anna !
#My first time was horrible - haven't we all been there? How do we teach our boys to be better with their women? Without all the details. I guess we just need to give the details, and get over ourselves and the stigma of what we share and don't share with our children. The real question is what age do we start talking to them? Anyway I have digressed.
#I probably shouldn't divulge too much more (for those that are yet to read the series). I do like the idea of the contract though. The details are maybe not my cup of tea, but the concept is good I think. Is that what marriage contracts were originally about?
# Even though I am a strong independent person, I quite like the concept of clear roles in a relationship. I don't think the roles need to be fixed, they can certainly change over time and different stages in the relationship life cycle. We do need to know what is expected of each other though, and that involves clear, and sometimes difficult conversations. I like how the book is really exploring this.
#I have checked out all the music references and music suggestions by the "Mr Grey" and I really like all the music. You tube   has some suggested play lists, with the key songs in them. Definitely worth a listen.
So in closing, I am on to book number two ! I guess that is a good thing (or not). I am intrigued to find out more about Mr Grey and it distracts me from everyday serious stuff. That's not so bad. It's my B105 book I guess. Everything I read has a purpose and those purposes are all different, neither good nor bad just more ideas. Everyone takes what they want out of every experience they have. I mostly choose to find some value or good in everything. With that in mind, I will not be persuaded by the nay-sayer's and I am enjoying the series (with all its imperfections). I recommend you persevere through until at least half way through, it gets better.     

Read the book xxx



           

New Years Resolutions !

 

Hi All

I have decided not to set a New Years resolution this year. They haven't worked for me in the past, so I think a change of habbit is long over-due. 2013 will be what it will be, my attitude in general is what I am going to shift. I mostly have a good positive approach to life (I think), but I am going to put a little bit of more ME in what I do this year, and see how that goes.

I like this from  Miss Millionairess

 

A lot more self-loving coming on this year. I am working on the premise that, if I look after and nurture me. In the end I will have more to give to others.

 

What have you got in store for YOU this 2013 ?