tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21334629665122241112024-03-05T15:07:57.967+11:00Too Many ShoesA little bit of everything from a suburban life in melbourneMelbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-58219519068228089242009-08-14T10:58:00.000+10:002009-08-14T11:00:25.351+10:00Sky High<div id="ms__id62"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBb9Ut3JkPay9o6BF88p4QbGXyffG_gbW3sH8nTevdbbetGdg3Av11pzXSR2puJX3ZdkdJMbpCaoIULnxBjjTszdpQs7wnKK_fRpv0rjM1sAsD6h0gJGiJSYSRxNzC3Vkfdye0qTNFUVM/s1600-h/stilettos+5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 243px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369617843049732482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBb9Ut3JkPay9o6BF88p4QbGXyffG_gbW3sH8nTevdbbetGdg3Av11pzXSR2puJX3ZdkdJMbpCaoIULnxBjjTszdpQs7wnKK_fRpv0rjM1sAsD6h0gJGiJSYSRxNzC3Vkfdye0qTNFUVM/s320/stilettos+5.jpg" /></a> </div><div id="ms__id63">What a great colour! What a stylish shoe!</div><div id="ms__id64"> </div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-73028137775917004312009-08-03T07:56:00.002+10:002009-08-03T08:08:33.153+10:00Neutrals<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghljZ_OHuyYFk0IvEfvkJXNYzNQ-Yrv2PTvru_zT0BntvNB34hyphenhyphenyGGbo-Ny4cvfIlRTFu4AwOP5tObKSGEK0XjwfLDNhinhcKVVIBr9ViWgj0DSKw0WVdrX3BYVVRrDYQE5KW-fr0sQnQf/s1600-h/aquarius-mblahnik.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365488849451568306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 294px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghljZ_OHuyYFk0IvEfvkJXNYzNQ-Yrv2PTvru_zT0BntvNB34hyphenhyphenyGGbo-Ny4cvfIlRTFu4AwOP5tObKSGEK0XjwfLDNhinhcKVVIBr9ViWgj0DSKw0WVdrX3BYVVRrDYQE5KW-fr0sQnQf/s320/aquarius-mblahnik.jpg" border="0" /></a> I have a pair just like these. They are not Manolo's and they did not cost as much as a pair of Manolo's. I got them on sale at Wittner's early last year.<br /><br />They're a camely colour in patent leather and they are pretty comfy...although they don't look it.<br /><br />I do like these ones though.Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-64481309711960151842009-07-31T16:22:00.010+10:002009-08-01T09:38:12.019+10:00Trials of pet ownership<div id="ms__id79">If my life had been a movie, last night it would've been called: </div><div id="ms__id12"></div><div id="ms__id11"></div><br /><br /><div id="ms__id10"></div><div id="ms__id9"><span style="font-size:130%;">"THE NIGHT MY CAT'S BUM EXPLODED"</span></div><br /><br /><div id="ms__id8"></div><div id="ms__id7"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6QNiPAQrZQSiJRcQ1_zR8ehavkkAvAGHTAloT-HK8LBupFbDbgukZHfPJoV9eJAufKe769Msch3QYZs9s9J4NNvW4bFPUFY0uyhXcdJjbLI23BAzmDl8lvkurEDHijVxh3BWhpCfZypi/s1600-h/fanny+20080714_0797.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364506157644176866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6QNiPAQrZQSiJRcQ1_zR8ehavkkAvAGHTAloT-HK8LBupFbDbgukZHfPJoV9eJAufKe769Msch3QYZs9s9J4NNvW4bFPUFY0uyhXcdJjbLI23BAzmDl8lvkurEDHijVxh3BWhpCfZypi/s320/fanny+20080714_0797.JPG" /></a><br /><div id="ms__id80">This is my old girl, the last of my girls actually...and on the face of it she looks pretty harmless.<br /><br /></div><div id="ms__id89"></div><div id="ms__id90"></div><div id="ms__id82">I've had her since 1991 when I found her while driving to work very early one morning.</div><div id="ms__id91"></div><div id="ms__id92"></div><br /><br />She's been a wonderful companion. She has a lovely nature, has easily settled in when I've continually changed addreses and has travelled with me interstate without any hassles when I was transferred for work...in fact she probably clocked up more frequent flyer points than I did.<br /><br />Unfortunately, last night though, she must've had a few problems controlling her bowels because when I got up in the middle of the night I was confronted with what can only be described as a stench that would makes your eyes water...and a sight that certainly got the juices in my stomach wanting to make their way up past my tonsils.<br /><div id="ms__id86"></div><div id="ms__id102"><br /><br /></div><div id="ms__id95"></div><div id="ms__id94">Think projectile vomiting coming from the nether regions. Her poo was up the walls, across the floor and, unfortunately, over my towel. She can always get out if she needs to relieve herself through the night, but it was raining and she doesn't like the wet. So she used the stand-by tray in the bathroom/toilet. And that's what I was confronted with... </div></div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-8231436595819169842009-07-30T15:30:00.003+10:002009-07-30T15:34:31.529+10:00Pretty Happy Jan!<div id="ms__id7"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Gl9Og8XWjS_-BLGpCGmzchK3m0NeDp5g0hNWsJ9ztA4FvzM49TpoeorUtHBWYo3KHKYnPu10HrFpLUgcAnWoZxIskpiW5HWEI2RG2fSlyFgJA1ptJEbfsfHbi7o2hpxE0L6nPdlqJ3I1/s1600-h/happy_woman.gif"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364121565221099922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Gl9Og8XWjS_-BLGpCGmzchK3m0NeDp5g0hNWsJ9ztA4FvzM49TpoeorUtHBWYo3KHKYnPu10HrFpLUgcAnWoZxIskpiW5HWEI2RG2fSlyFgJA1ptJEbfsfHbi7o2hpxE0L6nPdlqJ3I1/s320/happy_woman.gif" /></a> </div>Blood pressure. Check<br /><br /><div id="ms__id9">Weight loss. Check.</div><div id="ms__id10"></div><div id="ms__id11"><br />Yep, a pretty satisfying trip to the doctor this afternoon</div><div id="ms__id8"></div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-20567182815301465452009-07-30T09:51:00.003+10:002009-07-30T09:58:47.301+10:00Janet Hill Beauties<div id="ms__id25">Janet Hill's Beauty Sleeps</div><br /><div id="ms__id27"></div><div id="ms__id26"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGB1UBnQVZE1hTcKEFdu_l3_p7B54398T3xlGm5Cl21OYmv71F5HhkJh3gHPoriYdxSatmvXJN2WVhjpRju4HNdBaNGvl259sndclXu2mZhMUYTR6R-_KFeOwwHcZlcJFHWon9OiC43btj/s1600-h/Janet+Hill+-+Beauty+Sleeps.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364034132416224610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGB1UBnQVZE1hTcKEFdu_l3_p7B54398T3xlGm5Cl21OYmv71F5HhkJh3gHPoriYdxSatmvXJN2WVhjpRju4HNdBaNGvl259sndclXu2mZhMUYTR6R-_KFeOwwHcZlcJFHWon9OiC43btj/s320/Janet+Hill+-+Beauty+Sleeps.jpg" /></a> I've fallen in love with the gorgeous paintings of Janet Hill. She's a Canadian artist and you can find her work <a href="http://janethillstudio.blogspot.com/">here</a></div><div id="ms__id43"></div><div id="ms__id44"></div><div id="ms__id41"></div><div id="ms__id40"><div id="ms__id31"></div><br /><br />This is the latest one I've ordered and I can't wait till it arrives. When it does, I'll have it framed and will hang it with the other two I have in my sewing room, wheree I spend a lot of my time.</div><div id="ms__id49"></div><div id="ms__id48"></div><div id="ms__id46"><br /><br />Gorgeous!</div><div id="ms__id45"></div><div id="ms__id47"></div><div id="ms__id33"></div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-41419572621997571472009-07-27T09:22:00.008+10:002009-07-27T14:38:15.900+10:00Give my regards....<div id="ms__id23">I've always been a bit of a Broadway Musical tragic. I love the songs, the dancing, the music and the talent of the performers<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnFZZJcWbY3bToB8DxH09ujt_ZotB_mW5aZJQhfs42UAZQjWnXg8u2Es37n60RxL4iWPJzew69R42VGeDhtvtWDq7q-EHP1ThpzByoYEQ04aIp-RpuL5nMC2377lkJPod4CcFNl1N8UtV/s1600-h/mandy+patinkin+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 218px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362915461730470194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnFZZJcWbY3bToB8DxH09ujt_ZotB_mW5aZJQhfs42UAZQjWnXg8u2Es37n60RxL4iWPJzew69R42VGeDhtvtWDq7q-EHP1ThpzByoYEQ04aIp-RpuL5nMC2377lkJPod4CcFNl1N8UtV/s320/mandy+patinkin+2.jpg" /></a><br />So, last week when I read that Mandy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Patinkin</span> and Patti <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">LuPone</span> were in Australia and doing two shows in Melbourne, I jumped at the chance of getting tickets...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDZfeATtdBjPWND0bdOki2DcJ3Y4WKSaYiyWa3zszG4jHv_o5U71PsH9sUKA2aa-m9jjF0bQoFQiNu7U4gVZHnJdiLYEeDdyYYluaTW1BYJZNzskvD28Kdk7upBBSzoD2Esomwghi5VaZ/s1600-h/pattie+lupone.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362913999970804306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDZfeATtdBjPWND0bdOki2DcJ3Y4WKSaYiyWa3zszG4jHv_o5U71PsH9sUKA2aa-m9jjF0bQoFQiNu7U4gVZHnJdiLYEeDdyYYluaTW1BYJZNzskvD28Kdk7upBBSzoD2Esomwghi5VaZ/s320/pattie+lupone.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />...and I was not disappointed.<br /><br /><br />I remember some years back watching Patti <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">LuPone</span> on Television, singing Don't Cry For Me Argentina. I think it was an awards ceremony show...maybe not. But I distinctly remember what she was wearing: A white, one shoulder dress and she had a large white flower in her hair.<br /><br />She looked gorgeous.<br /><div id="ms__id20"></div><br /><div id="ms__id18">I also remember sitting there in front of the TV crying as she sang that song...and so it was last Wednesday evening as I sat there in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hamer</span> Hall and cried as she sang the song that I will forever associate with her. She is brilliant... and so is Mr P<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">atinkin</span>. A great voice and a great presence on stage.</div></div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-71746118040878197142009-07-24T14:51:00.001+10:002009-07-24T14:53:06.730+10:00I guess this is the way it's going to be<div id="ms__id70">A small loss one week, a larger one the next</div><br /><div id="ms__id69"> </div><div id="ms__id71"> </div><div id="ms__id68">Just 300 grams off the weight this week, which brings my total weight loss to 5.3 kilograms....just as long as the losses continue </div><br /><div id="ms__id67"> </div><div id="ms__id72"> </div><div id="ms__id66">Slow but sure said the tortoise.</div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-20812695608141384012009-07-21T14:21:00.007+10:002009-07-21T15:22:32.403+10:00Front Porch<div id="ms__id136"></div><div id="ms__id160"></div><div id="ms__id139">I've always loved weatherboard houses, in fact I've always loved WHITE weatherboard houses. They just appeal to me. Maybe because they have a bit of character, but I always thought I'd end up in a white weatherboard house....and I have.</div><div id="ms__id184"></div><br /><div id="ms__id167"></div><div id="ms__id168"></div><div id="ms__id169"></div><div id="ms__id161"></div><div id="ms__id140"></div><div id="ms__id138"></div><div id="ms__id137"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7760xIzuWmY_Bx-QpOA1J3ukMJWpkMnIJdY8M4EtV2q-1giOPyBaCWHlLaSHulFMu-tFgDIouy9tLV7_cXpzZDhAMmJ_Mkv8r65mAmv0s-oIUVCToZ-IDL9MN4oP-rlenRswWp010YFj/s1600-h/front+porch+3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360764545181436818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7760xIzuWmY_Bx-QpOA1J3ukMJWpkMnIJdY8M4EtV2q-1giOPyBaCWHlLaSHulFMu-tFgDIouy9tLV7_cXpzZDhAMmJ_Mkv8r65mAmv0s-oIUVCToZ-IDL9MN4oP-rlenRswWp010YFj/s320/front+porch+3.JPG" /></a></div><div id="ms__id141"></div><div id="ms__id142"></div><div id="ms__id170">I've lived in quite a few places around the country... Tasmania, Sydney and Queensland...but back in Melbourne I feel at home and I think this is probably the last house I'll live in. It's me. It's us.</div><br /><br /><div id="ms__id155"></div><div id="ms__id156">It is a house though that is forever changing. Sometimes the changes have been huge, with new rooms added...sometimes, subtle.</div><div id="ms__id157"></div><br /><br /><div id="ms__id135"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgz0G93Fe9XGqtOrnBv-m6lTFS3LFAuoGOCLhkJbMpm6gpvOcbIxQfRV7SibMgnA8lDnGpQFkYv9VBJLq2Ib7vHLV_uU2Lh54TnNvzuUD5093voA-mB3Gc_UhhyphenhypheneyKlDIt3lCU4HteJ1rd/s1600-h/front+porch+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360764403834609234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgz0G93Fe9XGqtOrnBv-m6lTFS3LFAuoGOCLhkJbMpm6gpvOcbIxQfRV7SibMgnA8lDnGpQFkYv9VBJLq2Ib7vHLV_uU2Lh54TnNvzuUD5093voA-mB3Gc_UhhyphenhypheneyKlDIt3lCU4HteJ1rd/s320/front+porch+2.JPG" /></a> But changing nonetheless.<br /><br /></div><div id="ms__id185"></div><div id="ms__id186"></div><div id="ms__id187"></div><div id="ms__id144"></div><div id="ms__id162"></div><div id="ms__id153">I bought the house back in the late 90's before I was married and it looked nothing like this. It was a mustardy/yellow colour. It had bottle green trim. It had an old cracked concrete driveway and a front fence that was made of a strange roofing iron that had been painted bottle green. There was no front porch or deck, just a small concrete landing at the front door...and lots of prickly bushes scattered around the front garden.</div><div id="ms__id188"></div><div id="ms__id199"></div><div id="ms__id200"></div><div id="ms__id189"><br /><br />The roof was probably the worst though. It was a moulded metal type of thing that was supposed to look like tiles. It didn't. It was ugly. It had to go and it did.</div><div id="ms__id190"></div><br /><div id="ms__id191"></div><div id="ms__id192">The insides were painted yellow. White ceilings, yellow walls, stained wood trim. Noice! </div><div id="ms__id150"></div><div id="ms__id163"></div><div id="ms__id151"><br />Now, everything is white. Or off white. Antique White USA to be precise.</div><div id="ms__id152"><br /></div><div id="ms__id134"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDk3x4v7rK82Qf4ssukpCBp9FobIlhtEy0GLpjXGWA25dYLRTteHyKqZydC4Nx05Vb0eH6oPvzNq7oJV_YHk1MeNbsSaLIpr52YWwvQwvbQ-jIpyir1vu0oYuPHJiAQz66e4Kesp0Pvp5Y/s1600-h/front+porch+1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360764239611160242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDk3x4v7rK82Qf4ssukpCBp9FobIlhtEy0GLpjXGWA25dYLRTteHyKqZydC4Nx05Vb0eH6oPvzNq7oJV_YHk1MeNbsSaLIpr52YWwvQwvbQ-jIpyir1vu0oYuPHJiAQz66e4Kesp0Pvp5Y/s320/front+porch+1.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div id="ms__id197"></div><div id="ms__id193">There was no heating and no insulation. In fact the walls consisted of a weatherbopard outer layer and a fibrous plaster internal layer. That's it. It was bloody freezing!</div><div id="ms__id194"></div><div id="ms__id198"></div><div id="ms__id195"></div><div id="ms__id196"><br /><br />This is the latest change. A new front porch. Until recently it was just a deck, and Hubbie was reluctant to "close it in" with posts etc. But he saw a neighbour's efforts and decided it looked good, so off he went and voila. A new front porch</div><div id="ms__id165"></div><div id="ms__id166"></div><br /><div id="ms__id159"></div><div id="ms__id158">I like it</div><div id="ms__id164"><br /><br /></div><div id="ms__id133"></div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-49836653868684510952009-07-17T10:08:00.002+10:002009-07-17T10:10:00.424+10:00Friday Weigh In - Woo HooA loss of 1.2 kilograms this week. Gotta be happy with that!<br /><br />That brings my total weight loss so far to 5 kilograms<br /><br />It's a slow process....but I'm getting there.Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-38784138664144684902009-07-17T07:01:00.010+10:002009-07-17T11:03:41.037+10:00Masterchef or Master Food Stylist?<div id="ms__id22"></div><br /><div id="ms__id27">I admit it, like millions of others, I've been tuning in to watch Masterchef almost every night. In fact I think we've only missed one episode in our house since it started. It's been a fun ride and interesting to see what sort of dishes the various contestants have come up with.</div><br /><div id="ms__id35"></div><div id="ms__id33"></div><div id="ms__id29"></div><div id="ms__id30">I haven't had a favourite contestant though. I really don't mind who wins the "big prize" It could've been Josh, who got voted off ages ago, or Tom or Justine, Lucas or Chris...or even Poh, who's come up with some amazing dishes.</div><div id="ms__id28"></div><br /><div id="ms__id23"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGS5r0y3Nyuij73IRPVLq-0mvTBCAM3mlxyhqt09LFNaF8_A9ChCHHcISQci2XqlaVfWIVZVZjHIxYs4Y4ox5SLwn4_OWHKKxY7z0z3PAo-WBwSWZy9cN9Qou5E8uFDzdqaKrK64vBLnf9/s1600-h/poh+masterchef.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 237px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359166274466733970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGS5r0y3Nyuij73IRPVLq-0mvTBCAM3mlxyhqt09LFNaF8_A9ChCHHcISQci2XqlaVfWIVZVZjHIxYs4Y4ox5SLwn4_OWHKKxY7z0z3PAo-WBwSWZy9cN9Qou5E8uFDzdqaKrK64vBLnf9/s320/poh+masterchef.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div id="ms__id36">What I can't fathom though is what happened last night. </div><div id="ms__id38"><br /><br /><div id="ms__id21"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhvoKRVp93K2YjtSgfOBfw3aMFnPEveuS3vjhVGee_iN2S3pnJl5AmlMYO88YpYl0HnJPUBACTSfBftCn7oHweVnRmA_M5dCHbF8lvwUfOmIJvInYRZKAvA7L9Cjg7ltEEvdBPR4T1Yk4/s1600-h/julie+masterchef.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 237px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359166184357818050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhvoKRVp93K2YjtSgfOBfw3aMFnPEveuS3vjhVGee_iN2S3pnJl5AmlMYO88YpYl0HnJPUBACTSfBftCn7oHweVnRmA_M5dCHbF8lvwUfOmIJvInYRZKAvA7L9Cjg7ltEEvdBPR4T1Yk4/s320/julie+masterchef.jpg" /></a><br /><br />A lot of people were against Chris, the Beer Merchant, winning because of his arrogance/hat/hair/beard...whatever..but he was a damn good cook. Consistently good in fact. So was Justine. A great cook. But she was evicted the previous night.<br /><br /><br />But I still don't quite understand what happened last night, when the judges allowed Julie to stay, even though she failed to get her entire meal plated...and continued to sweat and cry and make an almighty mess right through the preparation of her three meals.</div><div id="ms__id111"> </div><div id="ms__id112"> </div><div id="ms__id113">Another thing I'm a little perplexed about is the new innovation, where the contestants not only had to cook but "STYLE" their food and come up with their cookbook concept. </div><div id="ms__id32"></div><div id="ms__id36"></div><br /><div id="ms__id35"></div><div id="ms__id25"></div><div id="ms__id21"><br />Donna Hay is a favourite of mine. Love her magazine. Love her cookbooks. But give me a break. She has a test kitchen, cooks and food stylists to do a lot of the work for her. She does not style every food pic in her mag alone...and we all know that food styling involves a lot more than just "food". Think glycerine, glue, polystyrene, dyes, paint and various other things not remotely related to food.</div><div id="ms__id56"></div><div id="ms__id33"></div><div id="ms__id34"></div><div id="ms__id22"></div><div id="ms__id24"><br /><br />So, last night was probably the last night I'll tune into Masterchef. I thought it was a cooking contest where the contestants were judged on the food they delivered. Not on how good that food would look in a photograph on the front of a cookbook or on their cookbook concept.</div><div id="ms__id57"></div><div id="ms__id58"><br />So, I ask the producers of Masterchef...If you've kept me interested until now, despite little rule changes mid-stream, do you still consider it a raging success if I no longer care about who wins? </div></div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-79366730438758191622009-07-10T13:10:00.005+10:002009-07-10T13:16:08.825+10:00Friday Weigh-In....Meh<div id="ms__id34">200 grams. </div><br /><div id="ms__id74"></div><div id="ms__id75"></div><div id="ms__id76">That's all I lost this week. 200 grams.</div><div id="ms__id77"></div><br /><div id="ms__id78"></div><div id="ms__id79"></div><div id="ms__id63">I spent ages on the treadmill...did the regular weight and cardio sessions and watched what I ate and drank.</div><div id="ms__id80"></div><br /><div id="ms__id81"></div><div id="ms__id82"></div><div id="ms__id83">200 grams?!</div><div id="ms__id84"></div><div id="ms__id88"></div><br /><div id="ms__id87"></div><div id="ms__id69">Ahh well, I suppose it's a loss, which is better than a gain....But 200 grams?</div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-13860554244955267862009-07-08T08:15:00.003+10:002009-07-08T08:17:32.159+10:00Ooh La LaI covet!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfL3fP5HcSDlt_t_hKDJxyhwMaAyCCn8sgohcFZ6ZsNRGGGw3ihnCZVCgxb_aZ58-Aqi7Q_ckOWoNbblOZSTnQA-h5FsaB6gI135hTgfcb_jSVxtFN26yYGDov05wTiq_AxGwpENXEvCuz/s1600-h/manolo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355845624888948514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 262px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfL3fP5HcSDlt_t_hKDJxyhwMaAyCCn8sgohcFZ6ZsNRGGGw3ihnCZVCgxb_aZ58-Aqi7Q_ckOWoNbblOZSTnQA-h5FsaB6gI135hTgfcb_jSVxtFN26yYGDov05wTiq_AxGwpENXEvCuz/s320/manolo.jpg" border="0" /></a> Hello you little beauties!<br /><br /><div></div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-13191398728730324512009-07-06T11:49:00.006+10:002009-07-06T12:14:14.632+10:00Blowin' in the wind<div id="ms__id24"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJt2-mfRLogso2dWJM8l12oXkDJa5eaS9EVXKhx17FJsQqhVzABCmhrtTCkJ4DZMANwHUlK1-wz5UJdPWBjhaIpw3a3__FpwE7d_3Ko5Dx4EkFSip1pAhdDegOszQmOJ_FzjZi37ilbOuw/s1600-h/clothes+line+3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355160961237678450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJt2-mfRLogso2dWJM8l12oXkDJa5eaS9EVXKhx17FJsQqhVzABCmhrtTCkJ4DZMANwHUlK1-wz5UJdPWBjhaIpw3a3__FpwE7d_3Ko5Dx4EkFSip1pAhdDegOszQmOJ_FzjZi37ilbOuw/s320/clothes+line+3.JPG" /></a> I've never been a big fan of clothes dryers. Sure I have one and it gets used occasionally, but I can't remember the last time I put something straight from the washing machine into the dryer and switched it on.</div><div id="ms__id27"></div><div id="ms__id28">I generally use mine to finish things off, like towels, just to fluff them up a bit....and I have four clothes airers...or as my Mum calls them, clothes horses to put the washing on when it's too wet outside.</div><div id="ms__id33"></div><div id="ms__id26"><br /><div id="ms__id23"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiut9GrI4kaTBQeRi6zt4QQjaPPwXIYjBU7mE97GNdpfe8EJpJBMKUMzDJJMQFBsYdsQt9gq1qBw69q2rsKVw7nifUABUjyP-4GMPPyza6wRwAV0VHObDQFWpW9S619Ta4aQqGgvXt_-C7/s1600-h/clothes+line+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 195px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355160829483422242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiut9GrI4kaTBQeRi6zt4QQjaPPwXIYjBU7mE97GNdpfe8EJpJBMKUMzDJJMQFBsYdsQt9gq1qBw69q2rsKVw7nifUABUjyP-4GMPPyza6wRwAV0VHObDQFWpW9S619Ta4aQqGgvXt_-C7/s320/clothes+line+2.JPG" /></a> This morning, I was checking out A-M's blog, <a href="http://thehousethata-mbuilt.blogspot.com/">TheHouseThatA-MBuilt... </a>and she was lamenting the fact that she hadn't allowed enough room for a clothes line to be installed at her gorgeous new home.</div><div id="ms__id29"></div><div id="ms__id30">Well, I don't have one either, at least not a conventional one. Mine is a straight piece of cable, similar to the stuff used on a hills hoist, that's connected to the carport and the back deck by a couple of large clips, like the ones used on dogs leads .</div><div id="ms__id31"></div><div id="ms__id32">It works just as well as any rotary clothes line, or retractable one.<br /><br /></div><div id="ms__id20"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxD37cPUsbruuqSp-bJXuGkGXt6f6CjsGZTMcXsH3bCNQ9ioK5_OWzYXk62hOpSA5wj7_82eIDlGCVoBZE99sIGJuL0bFbCAvHk59SBg3Gm6BD0A8hC_tkuwJBONQ-g7XffGoQ-RHliorp/s1600-h/clothes+line+1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355160418870833042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxD37cPUsbruuqSp-bJXuGkGXt6f6CjsGZTMcXsH3bCNQ9ioK5_OWzYXk62hOpSA5wj7_82eIDlGCVoBZE99sIGJuL0bFbCAvHk59SBg3Gm6BD0A8hC_tkuwJBONQ-g7XffGoQ-RHliorp/s320/clothes+line+1.JPG" /></a>In fact, It's long enough and strong enough to hold a couple of queen sized sheets, towels and other assorted odds and bods...I mean, why pay to use a dryer when there's perfectly good sunshine and wind outside?</div><div id="ms__id34"><div id="ms__id12"></div><div id="ms__id18"></div><div id="ms__id19"></div><br /><br /><br /><div id="ms__id7"></div></div></div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-42514064958131059392009-07-04T09:27:00.003+10:002009-07-04T09:31:37.475+10:00Saturday Vintage<div id="ms__id173">More shots from "19" circa 1974</div><br /><br /><div id="ms__id174"> </div><div id="ms__id175"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBJkFEqpWYkCWjq2qjt76oxYc4baLJ5tSt9_2V0p8PpbIuAVSy1TXsipXQIq3SVcE7k2IigtH_OPvkCGQxplmy2PD-9HZKRjRDenEx5SQj4o78Kv5GvP-Oor-1QjDjiD3UCqLdS7CiLUP/s1600-h/19+scan+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354379776152958626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBJkFEqpWYkCWjq2qjt76oxYc4baLJ5tSt9_2V0p8PpbIuAVSy1TXsipXQIq3SVcE7k2IigtH_OPvkCGQxplmy2PD-9HZKRjRDenEx5SQj4o78Kv5GvP-Oor-1QjDjiD3UCqLdS7CiLUP/s320/19+scan+3.jpg" /></a></div><div id="ms__id176"><div id="ms__id172">I wonder how freaked out the girl was when she learned she had to hold a chook for the shoot...or for that matter, how freaked out the chook was when it was corralled into it.</div><div id="ms__id180"> </div><div id="ms__id177"> </div></div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-7685322753985412452009-07-03T13:23:00.007+10:002009-07-03T13:31:15.197+10:00Friday weigh-in<div id="ms__id33">Another successful week...</div><br /><br /><div id="ms__id35"></div><div id="ms__id36"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43SO6UV84A5yNklEXRW3pvLe-oIQuixRIkcdjtRmWXZ5WiGaKIUZQ4Hz5OYLvMyz1K39yA8JpdYxGsYWTEbug3t8QeLe15HoqBEZ-KJqAwL5JwHaHL7pd3SgKOxX1gmSwtPQZyU5MqEw3/s1600-h/iStock_apple%2520tape%2520measure.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354069598586801842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43SO6UV84A5yNklEXRW3pvLe-oIQuixRIkcdjtRmWXZ5WiGaKIUZQ4Hz5OYLvMyz1K39yA8JpdYxGsYWTEbug3t8QeLe15HoqBEZ-KJqAwL5JwHaHL7pd3SgKOxX1gmSwtPQZyU5MqEw3/s320/iStock_apple%2520tape%2520measure.jpg" /></a> I lost 900 grams this week, which brings total weight loss so far to 3.6 kilos.</div><div id="ms__id66"></div><br /><div id="ms__id60"></div><div id="ms__id59">I thought my weigh in would be disappointing, but I have to say that I am again, a happy camper.</div><br /><div id="ms__id62"></div><div id="ms__id57">It's funny because a few years back I was at the weight I am right now and was almost nearing depression because I weighed so much. Now I'm happy because I've got down to this weight....what the?</div><div id="ms__id67"></div><div id="ms__id68">OK....Bring on Christmas!</div><div id="ms__id47"></div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-87209005133133385592009-07-02T11:23:00.013+10:002009-07-02T13:50:20.264+10:00Keep on keeping on<div id="ms__id230">We love a good renovation around here....so much so that we just keep doing it. The entire house has been transformed. Walls and ceilings have been replaced, walls moved, lino tiles lifted, floors sanded and polished, bathrooms gutted and re-done, roof replaced, chimney's demolished, kitchen gutted and rebuilt, rooms re-located....it's never ending really</div><br /><div id="ms__id232"></div><div id="ms__id233"></div><div id="ms__id231"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPaKvlSsC3UvF-lPYUTlPodvxDmxonRFcB1GJRZ0ZOtWx0bEmjKnFZvEANURRNgVnwXVsBDHg9p6T7n78aDPydS0aC48PQAw3rA76B0iNa6v2aR9EsUTB9kO4pZHfPoBFbiWTFHjD1CoR/s1600-h/loungeroom+reno+2+!cid_507.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353675292877532946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPaKvlSsC3UvF-lPYUTlPodvxDmxonRFcB1GJRZ0ZOtWx0bEmjKnFZvEANURRNgVnwXVsBDHg9p6T7n78aDPydS0aC48PQAw3rA76B0iNa6v2aR9EsUTB9kO4pZHfPoBFbiWTFHjD1CoR/s320/loungeroom+reno+2+!cid_507.jpg" /></a><br /><div id="ms__id220"></div><div id="ms__id221">This photo shows the newly reduced wall between the kitchen, dining room and loungeroom. The lounge is a strange sort of shape and is quite small, so opening it up by making the dividing wall a little smaller, seems to create the illusion of a larger room.</div><br /><div id="ms__id90"></div><br /><div id="ms__id39"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3amUkyf-WtDBTlbtJwMAyx-Fe84u6eVpTUelaJW7Sl-nMvwpnqLp6kIe_jr6IzasnAncHnCajWAnP0qszChMExtl2nX2ENl7xWatxrwOYaa9EUiIDM9vkotREeb_cg_Tv98KQqw8W2Ofd/s1600-h/kitchen+lounge+2+redo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353667675197982162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3amUkyf-WtDBTlbtJwMAyx-Fe84u6eVpTUelaJW7Sl-nMvwpnqLp6kIe_jr6IzasnAncHnCajWAnP0qszChMExtl2nX2ENl7xWatxrwOYaa9EUiIDM9vkotREeb_cg_Tv98KQqw8W2Ofd/s320/kitchen+lounge+2+redo.jpg" /></a> This photo is from the lounge looking through to the kitchen with my new bench tops and cook top in the alcove. </div><br /><div id="ms__id76"></div><div id="ms__id55"></div><div id="ms__id66">The lounge room/kitchen renovation is now completed...well, as completed as it will be till we come up with another idea and decide to "tweak" it again</div><br /><div id="ms__id77"></div><div id="ms__id78"></div><div id="ms__id65"></div><div id="ms__id58">These were taken on my mobile phone when my camera was out of action. </div><br /><div id="ms__id79"></div><p></p><p>When I bought the house there was no heating and no insulation, so you can imagine just how damn cold it was! I moved in in the middle of Winter, so the cats and I slept on a mattress on the lounge room floor under two doonas! All the walls through the house were painted a lemony yellow...quite bright it was too. The kitchen was black and yellow, with a bit of white thrown in...not nice, unless you're a Richmond supporter.</p><div id="ms__id192"></div><div id="ms__id193"></div><div id="ms__id196"></div><div id="ms__id195">There was no dining room and no study, so I had them built on.</div><div id="ms__id197"></div><div id="ms__id198"></div><div id="ms__id199"></div><br /><div id="ms__id201">The ceilings right through the house were sagging terribly and needed replacing, so that's what I had done. I thought I'd be able to live with the crackly fibrous plaster walls, but they eventually had to go too.</div><br />Ahh if I'd known then what I know now.....famous last words. <div id="ms__id169"></div><br /><div id="ms__id168">After replacing the ceilings and installing all lovely new cornices, as well as putting insulation right through, we then decided to replace the walls. The task was how to do it without completely destroying the cornice. </div><br /><div id="ms__id202"></div><div id="ms__id203"></div><div id="ms__id204"></div><div id="ms__id171"></div><div id="ms__id172"></div><div id="ms__id173"></div><div id="ms__id147"></div><div id="ms__id148"></div><div id="ms__id149">We got there...just... A big job, but it gave us the opportunity to put insulation in all of the walls and get some in the ceiling too ... then I had the floors done again, just to tidy them up a bit.</div><br /><div id="ms__id205"></div><div id="ms__id174"></div><div id="ms__id175"></div><div id="ms__id176"></div><div id="ms__id150"></div><div id="ms__id151"></div><div id="ms__id152">This house, like many others, is a work in progress.... a money pit. But I love it and I love the transformation we've been able to make.</div><br /><div id="ms__id61"></div><div id="ms__id52"></div><div id="ms__id38"></div></div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-1023016515273023922009-06-30T08:56:00.004+10:002009-06-30T09:21:31.212+10:00Shoe Love Tuesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHai1jFJ9kfmWp9n38SIWEjiOxvHm8VWU_sTpq564610yneQxi-OVne-qkyW1t014ZfPFw1T-klVXFPCFzx5PBEU31fmjaffjLtnWfcvvn3Y6Np-kIILQE7lxSHf2L6nbts0KkL7N5kHv/s1600-h/manolo-blahnik-satin-slingback.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352892650165129458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 308px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHai1jFJ9kfmWp9n38SIWEjiOxvHm8VWU_sTpq564610yneQxi-OVne-qkyW1t014ZfPFw1T-klVXFPCFzx5PBEU31fmjaffjLtnWfcvvn3Y6Np-kIILQE7lxSHf2L6nbts0KkL7N5kHv/s320/manolo-blahnik-satin-slingback.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqg53TYMZ6M4BA1YpvM8W0sF2bXW7yMIzGQFo2tRdCSEBl_JXdUGXVVleqEGIouF3pas8zAUNEmP0z5tXbz3eASIcnZaSN8pTSrWqipkH91jArt6W5R2syK7LG5Z1wOwRAsCd9ys-Ymmi/s1600-h/houristra-manolo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352887561991742082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 216px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 270px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqg53TYMZ6M4BA1YpvM8W0sF2bXW7yMIzGQFo2tRdCSEBl_JXdUGXVVleqEGIouF3pas8zAUNEmP0z5tXbz3eASIcnZaSN8pTSrWqipkH91jArt6W5R2syK7LG5Z1wOwRAsCd9ys-Ymmi/s320/houristra-manolo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Aren't these lovely?</div><div> </div><div>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.</div><div> </div><div>I think so anyway.</div><div> </div><div> </div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-53693069896716007872009-06-29T16:41:00.003+10:002009-06-29T16:48:51.905+10:00Baby it's cold outside<div id="ms__id39"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9ny9nEw-Z_dFrh80_n0Yfzov5J-Nb6nvry-rRBpimVIrJvqOdhOgcaD983bxqBcbrSjwb0nwOxbzah9QcnLIsO36aB65d5NSHEEtTK_9d5sZsFlnRpOvxzWeH0r0uMOwT7s56Msx7slo/s1600-h/IMG_0011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352637591589522530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9ny9nEw-Z_dFrh80_n0Yfzov5J-Nb6nvry-rRBpimVIrJvqOdhOgcaD983bxqBcbrSjwb0nwOxbzah9QcnLIsO36aB65d5NSHEEtTK_9d5sZsFlnRpOvxzWeH0r0uMOwT7s56Msx7slo/s320/IMG_0011.JPG" /></a><br /><div id="ms__id35">Winter has really arrived with a vengeance, but the chooks seem to like wandering around looking for grubs....and we like watching them.<br /></div><div id="ms__id36"></div><br />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.<br /><br />Our three girls are getting on a bit now, only laying occasionally, but they're still lovely to watch. </div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-44339403394727088222009-06-26T10:27:00.007+10:002009-06-26T10:42:32.971+10:00Happy Camper<div id="ms__id77">Another <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">successful</span> week on the treadmill, P<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ilates</span> and workouts...where did I find the time for it all....</div><div id="ms__id79"></div><div id="ms__id78"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9J4CpxOmXLrotboWE3wtib9j5vU4lRWDvvNq5VCbiDFNFQm5Q0Mvb0nbYx0ZED6Q3Tg3UL6GLgMWOT0mIIZ0kUdsBY9qcqI2C1JGdm1GgfiNypqToq0nQDwIVgS6irj7ZsENcpTOwlzAs/s1600-h/Plastic_tape_measure.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351426678241043122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9J4CpxOmXLrotboWE3wtib9j5vU4lRWDvvNq5VCbiDFNFQm5Q0Mvb0nbYx0ZED6Q3Tg3UL6GLgMWOT0mIIZ0kUdsBY9qcqI2C1JGdm1GgfiNypqToq0nQDwIVgS6irj7ZsENcpTOwlzAs/s320/Plastic_tape_measure.jpg" /></a>.... what with work and everything else going on ....</div><br /><br /><div id="ms__id122"></div><div id="ms__id114"></div><div id="ms__id115"></div><div id="ms__id116">Anyway, I recorded a loss of 0.8 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">kgs</span> 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?</div><div id="ms__id123"></div><br /><div id="ms__id117"></div><div id="ms__id85"></div><div id="ms__id86"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ahhh</span> whatever, it seems to be working and yep, I'm a happy camper...<br /></div><div id="ms__id76"></div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-64738507520373509572009-06-25T18:29:00.011+10:002009-06-25T18:55:46.608+10:00Mandarin anyone...how 'bout Spanish?<div id="ms__id47"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdpLiOmm-wYOFVTXmnBUwKDPKWu6DNmXNbIs3JxMF-jux51mpFm6lnktCYmqQTWyP5b3flwLoIpsPtJ9RclkwFtYj-GuRy7Dzrl0fia1aUv-EaGFx2H4y1Qr1DHU9gLkomKAG6xODDN-O/s1600-h/kevin+rudd.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 339px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351184648045166434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdpLiOmm-wYOFVTXmnBUwKDPKWu6DNmXNbIs3JxMF-jux51mpFm6lnktCYmqQTWyP5b3flwLoIpsPtJ9RclkwFtYj-GuRy7Dzrl0fia1aUv-EaGFx2H4y1Qr1DHU9gLkomKAG6xODDN-O/s400/kevin+rudd.jpg" /></a><br /><div id="ms__id25">Is it just me ...or do others detect some people having a problem with Kevin Rudd and others, using their linguistic skills in public?</div><br /><div id="ms__id26"></div><br /><div id="ms__id27">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</div><br /><div id="ms__id42"></div><div id="ms__id43">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.</div><br /><div id="ms__id44"></div><div id="ms__id45"></div><br /><div id="ms__id28">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</div><br /><div id="ms__id34"></div>But why do we have such a problem with it?</div><div id="ms__id38"></div><p>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?</p><p></p><p>I know who I prefer.</p><p></p><br /><br /><div id="ms__id46"></div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-67481414591610152252009-06-23T17:45:00.005+10:002009-06-23T17:49:52.031+10:00On A Brighter Note.....<div id="ms__id232"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFwR9rWH3ZvubPk6Trn1VlBoKj7AxA7rdysm5dFSU3bFQcfmvQbEVYc4KrijcMvMhTkjXjIVJaQ0GKSPrHvJJIU0a6XyPfKRD_kMurkzb24KgnsZiiRMfGNmPClxGIVJO1MAr3BHI_Dzm/s1600-h/stilettos+4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 348px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350426347313303634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFwR9rWH3ZvubPk6Trn1VlBoKj7AxA7rdysm5dFSU3bFQcfmvQbEVYc4KrijcMvMhTkjXjIVJaQ0GKSPrHvJJIU0a6XyPfKRD_kMurkzb24KgnsZiiRMfGNmPClxGIVJO1MAr3BHI_Dzm/s400/stilettos+4.jpg" /></a><br /><div id="ms__id231">In the words of Carrie Bradshaw.....Hello Lover...</div><br /><br /><div id="ms__id233"></div><div id="ms__id236"></div><div id="ms__id237"></div><div id="ms__id238">Ahhh Yes.... Shoe Heaven</div><br /><br /><br /><div id="ms__id230"></div></div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-1529998956659345822009-06-23T16:37:00.006+10:002009-06-23T17:17:56.287+10:00Not Happy Jan!!!<div id="ms__id93"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZwJI5I4sTwTfNT5-QB-QwSNBKAmt-LeiWGTU6I3VerIcPdWrsTj2kYQ7HjeVBrlpfruPtGEf1iXkhZ7SB4S2Zr4vNIby0Urots8fpegE06Uffj3uYHVnR4ikB708ClccvSzO8VUEP72x/s1600-h/scared+woman.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 275px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350409150571891570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZwJI5I4sTwTfNT5-QB-QwSNBKAmt-LeiWGTU6I3VerIcPdWrsTj2kYQ7HjeVBrlpfruPtGEf1iXkhZ7SB4S2Zr4vNIby0Urots8fpegE06Uffj3uYHVnR4ikB708ClccvSzO8VUEP72x/s400/scared+woman.jpg" /></a><br /><div id="ms__id60">Yes...this is the exact look I had when the doctor gave me the news today.</div><div id="ms__id140"> </div><div id="ms__id139"> </div>I made a little visit to my GP today, just for a general check-up...and the result wasn't good.<br /><br /><div id="ms__id62"></div><br /><div id="ms__id64">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.</div><br /><div id="ms__id67"></div><br /><div id="ms__id70">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? </div><br /><div id="ms__id71"></div><br /><div id="ms__id72">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</div><br /><div id="ms__id73"></div><br /><div id="ms__id74">Let's hope my efforts over the next four weeks pay off and I can get back to "normal" again, whatever that is</div><br /><div id="ms__id75"></div><br /><div id="ms__id76">Bloody Hell it's annoying!!</div><div id="ms__id106"></div></div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-72870866197912962102009-06-19T12:04:00.006+10:002009-06-19T12:26:44.195+10:00More (Realistic) Success<div id="ms__id40"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYg_mAbCmcrdjYghAuszEFfpfYfOa375VoDZ0CKaFHpR_RPu0JJDOn85um-zGnyiojcJUhH5KAJkRhUhREFim6rAkRexyA7oWUPNcObvaeKJxsViH3Bi4cQ8LlYxLQYKWRWwTPoRN5u_v/s1600-h/Proteus+Treadmill.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348856765359534466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYg_mAbCmcrdjYghAuszEFfpfYfOa375VoDZ0CKaFHpR_RPu0JJDOn85um-zGnyiojcJUhH5KAJkRhUhREFim6rAkRexyA7oWUPNcObvaeKJxsViH3Bi4cQ8LlYxLQYKWRWwTPoRN5u_v/s320/Proteus+Treadmill.jpg" /></a><br /><div id="ms__id37"><div id="ms__id28"></div><div id="ms__id38"></div><div id="ms__id39">Another <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">successful</span> week on the weight loss front</div><div id="ms__id29"></div><br /><div id="ms__id30">I weighed in half a kilogram lighter this week, which gives me an overall weight loss so far of 1.9 kilograms<br /><br /></div><div id="ms__id32">I know it's just about every weight <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">shedder's</span> goal to lose multiple kilos each and every week, but a loss is a loss, and whether it be 1.4 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">kgs</span> or 0.5, I'm happy</div><br /><div id="ms__id41"></div><div id="ms__id36">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!</div><br /><br /><div id="ms__id35"></div><div id="ms__id33"></div><div id="ms__id34"></div></div></div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-46553087254880830652009-06-16T14:30:00.008+10:002009-06-16T15:56:10.939+10:00Home Improvement<div id="ms__id70"><div id="ms__id41">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:</div><a href="http://thehousethata-mbuilt.blogspot.com/">thehousethata-mbuilt.blogspot.com/</a><br /><div id="ms__id73"><br /></div><div id="ms__id64">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.</div><div id="ms__id74"></div><div id="ms__id75"></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcNBVENXDwpS4eJORGgyv24sznGByW_Ja_GXJiLO5TNRUj09NWyEHse72MWc4L8nRMaaXHQInipeTsSmmDv0SO5_icEX85mr863eG6cRIz8igUl_Bj9gWOCp2RAV0lKG8yG_VEByI1wWo/s1600-h/loungeroom+reno+1+!cid_157.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347798611721430418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcNBVENXDwpS4eJORGgyv24sznGByW_Ja_GXJiLO5TNRUj09NWyEHse72MWc4L8nRMaaXHQInipeTsSmmDv0SO5_icEX85mr863eG6cRIz8igUl_Bj9gWOCp2RAV0lKG8yG_VEByI1wWo/s320/loungeroom+reno+1+!cid_157.jpg" /></a><br /><div id="ms__id60"><div id="ms__id68"></div><div id="ms__id65"></div><div id="ms__id66">But there have been a few hiccups along the way too.</div><br /><div id="ms__id67"></div><div id="ms__id61"></div><div id="ms__id62"><span style="font-size:0;"></span></div><div id="ms__id50"></div><div id="ms__id57"></div><br /><div id="ms__id53">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.</div><br /><br /><p>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.</p><br /><p>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.</p><br /><p>Not only was this guy slow, he was a grot and even worse, he was a liar!</p><br /><p>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.</p><br /><p>As you can imagine, his time with us was not long</p><br /><p>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.</p><br /><p>Have you had any major issues with tradespeople in the past?</p></div></div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2133462966512224111.post-29715474637675018202009-06-15T08:22:00.003+10:002009-06-15T08:38:12.140+10:00Shoe love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqYTCNkijqcDXH9yHFwhNP-kSS_Ae2HXtQdL8lZT3qIiZnm16sX_Vz3CE8L_N-N-7mMdKqb7bCBZWXd-wkRn7Itp2cwmigD-lTFw9uAGYxEWJU8PxtCTd98nIsrxF5kZEjpqe4_4IGA3-/s1600-h/stilletos+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347314691091544994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 289px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 289px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqYTCNkijqcDXH9yHFwhNP-kSS_Ae2HXtQdL8lZT3qIiZnm16sX_Vz3CE8L_N-N-7mMdKqb7bCBZWXd-wkRn7Itp2cwmigD-lTFw9uAGYxEWJU8PxtCTd98nIsrxF5kZEjpqe4_4IGA3-/s320/stilletos+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Well, as the title of my blog implies... I do have a thing about shoes...but then, I'm not alone.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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!</div><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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 <a href="http://www.toomanyshoes.com.au/">http://www.toomanyshoes.com.au/</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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.</div><div> </div><div>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</div><div> </div><div> </div>Melbourne Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00512877501524848674noreply@blogger.com0