Shoe Love Tuesday

Aren't these lovely?

I really love a good shoe. It doesn't have to be a Jimmy Choo or Manolo Blahnik, but a good pair of shoes really can make an outfit.

I think so anyway.

Baby it's cold outside

Winter has really arrived with a vengeance, but the chooks seem to like wandering around looking for grubs....and we like watching them.

They're always so "busy" when they're hunting for moths and insects in the yard. They're extremely funny too when they appear to see something in the distance and make a run for it.

Our three girls are getting on a bit now, only laying occasionally, but they're still lovely to watch.

Happy Camper

Another successful week on the treadmill, Pilates and workouts...where did I find the time for it all....

.... what with work and everything else going on ....

Anyway, I recorded a loss of 0.8 kgs this week...bringing my total weight loss in the three weeks I've been on this "journey" to 2.7 kilograms. Don't you just hate that word...maybe I should try to find another...quest maybe? Endeavour?

Ahhh whatever, it seems to be working and yep, I'm a happy camper...

Mandarin anyone...how 'bout Spanish?

Is it just me ...or do others detect some people having a problem with Kevin Rudd and others, using their linguistic skills in public?

I happen to think it's great that the leader of this country is fluent in another language..Mandarin. In fact I really admire people who take the time and put in the effort to learn another language, because it's not easy for an adult, generally speaking, to do that and come out sounding as if it's second nature

Even tonight on the news, the tone of the introduction to the story of Rudd welcoming the Spanish Royals to Australia was...here he goes again...speaking another language. What a show off.

Now I know he's been called a nerd and criticised for flaunting his oral abilities...and I know there have been other members of parliament who have also been able to speak another language

But why do we have such a problem with it?

Are we really so insecure with people who can converse in a language other than "ocker"? Or do we prefer watching the likes of John Howard circling the globe in his Wallabies trackie...saying "g"day to all and sundry, including people who wouldn't have had a clue who he was?

I know who I prefer.

On A Brighter Note.....

In the words of Carrie Bradshaw.....Hello Lover...

Ahhh Yes.... Shoe Heaven

Not Happy Jan!!!

Yes...this is the exact look I had when the doctor gave me the news today.

I made a little visit to my GP today, just for a general check-up...and the result wasn't good.

To my disgust, my blood pressure is right UP. In fact he took it TWICE just to make sure it was the correct reading! It's probably because of my shocking weight gain over the past year or so, I understand that, but it's the first time ever I've had high blood pressure. It's so disappointing because I've been working out a lot lately, and it doesn't appear to have made any difference.

Two sessions of cardio and weights, one 90 minute session of pilates...and walking my arse off another three days a week. I mean to say, isn't that enough?

Anyway, he's given me a script for some stuff to take and then I have to go back and see him in a month

Let's hope my efforts over the next four weeks pay off and I can get back to "normal" again, whatever that is

Bloody Hell it's annoying!!

More (Realistic) Success

Another successful week on the weight loss front

I weighed in half a kilogram lighter this week, which gives me an overall weight loss so far of 1.9 kilograms

I know it's just about every weight shedder's goal to lose multiple kilos each and every week, but a loss is a loss, and whether it be 1.4 kgs or 0.5, I'm happy

It appears the walking has made a difference. I got on the treadmill most days this past week and walked between 2 and 3 kilometres. If I can summon the energy to do that every day, then the weight loss journey will be a successful one. I hope!

Home Improvement

I've been following the progress of an absolutely gorgeous home that A-M has been building in Brisbane. It really is something to behold, but she's been having a few "issues" with her builder and his painter. You can check out her latest instalment at:

thehousethata-mbuilt.blogspot.com/

Anyway, it got me thinking about all the trials and tribulations of my own renovations over the years. Most have been wonderful experiences (no really, they have)...and I've met some great tradies who have become firm family friends and who have worked on multiple projects for me.

But there have been a few hiccups along the way too.

One case in point was a builder I hired to extend my small house. I had plans drawn up to build on a dining room, study and new bathroom as well as a back deck, but I only wanted it to lock-up stage so I could bring in my own plasterer. Well, tyhis guy's building skills left a lot to be desired and caused some real headaches, especially at the end of his contract. As we were packing the walls to get them square and level so we could hang the plasterboard, we realised that if we'd kept going we would've ended up with a dining room the size of a matchbox...every time we got one wall square, another wall was "out", so we had to re-do the other wall...and so it went as we continued to work around the room in a never ending spiral.

It was quite a challenge knowing when to stop, but in the end we just had to accept that it was never going to be perfect.

Another issue I had was with a painter late last year... I had painted all of the ceilings and walls, but we needed someone to finish off all the woodwork and windows etc.

Not only was this guy slow, he was a grot and even worse, he was a liar!

Apart from making me feel uncomfortable when he was in the house, he decided one afternoon to sand the french doors and architraves with an electric sander, but didn't bother to cover any of the furniture or electrical items like the TV or stereo. When I came home, I also noticed that, not only was my lounge room shrouded in a haze of fine dust, he'd sanded a small section of floor (that I'd recently had polished) where he thought he'd left a spot of paint. When I challenged him about it he denied all knowledge...and as I was getting angrier with him he told me to "be quiet and let him have his say.

As you can imagine, his time with us was not long

There's no real moral to this story...it really can be trial and error when it comes to bringing strangers into your home to perform tasks that you're unable or unqualified to do. The only advice I can offer is to get recommendations from friends or check out local suppliers like plumbing and timber stores or lighting shops to get them to give you some names of reliable tradespeople. That's how I found my cabinet maker and plasterer.

Have you had any major issues with tradespeople in the past?

Shoe love

Well, as the title of my blog implies... I do have a thing about shoes...but then, I'm not alone.

My love of shoes began a long time ago while still at school. I kept seeing beautiful shoes on sale but couldn't afford both dresses and shoes. So, I learnt how to sew so I could save my money for SHOES!

My love of shoes has continued right through the years ....and while I have quite a few pairs I defintely do not have too many.

As an extension of this love, I started my own little business from home, selling clear shoe boxes. You can check out my website at http://www.toomanyshoes.com.au/

Originally, I was looking to buy some but thought they were a bit expensive, so started the search for a manufacturer. Luckily I found one not far from my home. We got a design worked out to fit just about every size of shoe and not long afterwards, I took delivery of my first batch of clear shoe boxes.

I've sold quite a lot, mostly on ebay and it's been a lot of fun. Check out my website if you like to have a look

On My Way!

Some early success. My first weigh-in and it's a good one.

A loss of 1.4 kgs this week. Let's hope I can keep it up!

Not getting carried away so early on this journey, but it's always good to get a positive result at the start, to kick you along.

The finished product

The driveway and front path are finished. A new tree's been planted in the spot where another old crab apple had to be removed. We put in a Crepe Myrtle. Lovely.

...and I can't begin to describe the difference it's made to the front of the house

Some lights have been installed on the front gate and some sandstone paving has also been laid outside the gate to the footpath

I'll get some more grass seed to fill in the gaps.

Lovely.

Hippy Hippy Shake

After last night's dinner party of Veggie soup, roast lamb, scalloped potatoes and asparagus, followed by Sticky Date Pudding with cream and caramel sauce, I started thinking it was time to get serious about losing a few (read: many) kilos.

I'm too damn heavy for my height. When I was at school I weighed 55 kgs. I always felt I was chubby but now that I look back I know damn well I wasn't. I was just fine and now, almost 30 kgs heavier, I'm way past chubby and am downright FAT!

Back in 2005, a girlfriend and I started an on-line weight loss challenge. My aim was to lose 15 kgs. Her aim was to lose 25. I didn't make it but did lose 9 kgs and I was very happy with myself. I looked good and felt terrific. My friend almost made it and lost 21kgs and she looked sensational! But we've both put it all back on and then some.

She lives in a country town so has gone back to doing Weight Watchers on line, and has so far done pretty well.

I already do a session of Pilates once a week as well as two-hour long sessions of cardio and weights. But it appears it's not enough.

So...today, Sunday 7th June, it's "D-DAY" Diminish my body day

I got on the treadmill, for the first time in ages and worked up a sweat. I walked for 2 kilometres and tomorrow I'll do the same. One can only hope that I will lose something in the first week and then go on from there

Off we go!

Chaser Apologises

News today that The Chaser's War on Everything will be missing from our ABC screens for a couple of weeks, so Auntie can "review its approval processes" following the controversy over a skit about dying children.

There's been much talk on radio about the skit and the shows overall merits...some of those callers have also appealed to the ABC to take the show off-air permanently

I watched it and must admit, didn't find it particularly funny....but that doesn't mean I want it ripped off-air. I have a remote control with an "off" button on it as well as the ability to change channels. If I don't like something I simply turn off or watch something else.

I was chatting to a friend about the program, and even though he didn't see it, made a judgement on it by the comments he'd heard about it and an excerpt of the program he'd seen. I suggested that the best way to make an informed judgement on something was to make sure you knew exactly what you were opposing or supporting first.

There are quite a few programs on TV that I don't watch because I find them puerile. Case in point: Two and a Half Men and Rules of Engagement.

One Age-Green Guide TV reviewer described Rules Of Engagement recently as "crap". I agree.

My neighbour loves them though and encourages me to watch them because she says, they're hilarious! No thanks. But just because I don't want to watch them doesn't mean I want to destroy her enjoyment

I find it interesting that the calls for the Chaser to be scrapped come in the same week of the 20th Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre...and this week, China's rulers have been busy with the censors scissors, cutting all mention of it from Internet websites and even stopping some websites from operating...it also comes at a time when the press in Fiji is virtually non-existent since the new, so called, Government stepped in and took control of the media

If you don't like the Chaser, switch off, read a book, watch Rules of Engagement or Two and a Half men...but don't try to impose your TV tastes on everyone else

Time Keeping

I've had a thing about clocks for quite some time...any time piece really. I don't really know why but I just like the way they keep ticking away. It's like there are a lot of little beating hearts through the house

The first one I fell in love with was way back in the early 80's when I moved interstate for work. I wanted an alarm clock but something that also looked good next to my bed, so I bought a little carriage clock. It cost me a fortune back then...or what I considered to be a fortune, but I just had to have it...and it's been sitting next to my bed ever since.

Then there have been a couple of crystal clocks...2 French style clocks ...and everything in between

Creature Comforts

I love my critters!

The one who greets you in glorious colour as you enter this site has been with us for almost 3 years. She was a rescue from the Lost Dogs Home and has had a few "issues". But we're still working through them and will, eventually conquer them all.

This little girl is quite old and she was given to us about six years ago or thereabouts. She had been used to produce puppies but had passed her use by date, so was being given away. I said we'd take her home to be with us and it was really meant to be, because as soon as I put the lead on her, she almost ran to my car with not one goodbye or a look over her shoulder to acknowledge her former owner.

She is the most loveable, gorgeous and friendly girl you'd ever want to have on your lap....and she does tend to want to do that a lot.