I know you must be wondering Where is Winnie lately?!?!, so this is just a quick post to tell you that all is not well in the Winnitude world.
Firstly, my bodyclock is all out of whack. I usually get like this during the change of seasons. It seems that my body adjusts to daylight savings time about a month before it's actually applied - so for about a month, my body is totally confused and completely stuffed. One more week to go. I think we change to daylight savings time next weekend. Yay. The other reason my body clock is out of whack is due to the fact that I've somehow developed an awful habit of getting home after work, having dinner, falling asleep in the recliner (usually with a dog on my lap. Or two.), waking up at midnight and freaking out 'cause I've done nothing all night but sleep. Then by the time I've fluffed around, it's 2am and I'm trying to shut my mind down and go to sleep. Only to have to wake up again at 5am to get ready to go to work and the routine starts all over again. On the days I don't work, I'm so knackered that I end up sleeping all day, and then wondering where all the time has gone and why I haven't accomplished anything. Sigh. This September seems to have been a wasted month with very little accomplished.
The second reason I haven't been around is that I've been struggling with a stomach virus for all of last week. I get bad bacteria in my stomach from time to time, but it normally doesn't last 6 days. I don't like doctors, so I didn't go to see one until Saturday when I couldn't stand going to the toilet every 2 hours any longer. The doctor gave me FOUR GIGANTIC tablets to take ALL AT ONCE!!!!! Well, all at once meaning to take them at the one time, not literally all at once. I think I would have choked. Or suffocated. Or both. By Sunday morning I was feeling okay and could actually eat something without it coming out the other end (sorry, I know that's a bit too much information, but I'm just presenting facts!). Good thing too as I went to see Wicked and had to sit for three hours!
(Oh, and Wicked was ABSOLUTELY FANTABULISTICALLY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! More on that at a later date.)
The third reason I haven't been around is because of various events I've had to attend. It's Spring. There is an event or function that I *have* to attend almost every weekend. I hate having to travel all the way to Sydney events, although they are enjoyable once I get there, but the travelling really tires me out. The local events are the best. So close, so different, so enjoyable. :D There's still lots to do!
Finally, the fourth reason why I haven't been around is because I've had to stay off the internet due to the fact that I've pretty much maxed out our broadband limit this month. I've been downloading digital crafting goodies like there's no tomorrow, forgetting that I'm not in the city anymore and as such, do not have access to any *affordable* unlimited broadband plans. Bu**er. Only a few more days until the limit is reset and I'll be back to haunt you. Bwahahahahaha!
(Yes, the lack of sleep has completely fried my brain. Completely.)
Oh, and sorry for the not-so-quick-post. You know how I like to ramble. LOL
I admit it. I've never really been interested in antiques or second-hand goods, so have tended to stay away from such stores or markets. On the weekend however, I discovered that I have been completely depriving myself of the fun and enjoyment which comes from browsing antique stores!
We've been looking for a round mirror to go above our fireplace and we figured Antique stores might be a good place to start as we don't really want a modern looking one. So we headed up to Blackheath to the large Antique store there. Wowsers! The store was filled from floor to ceiling with loads of wonderful goodies! Furniture, homewares, knick-knacks, clothing - everything (and more!) was represented. It was awesome!
We flipped through old 80s records, exalting and cringing accordingly. Gus came across an old Canon camera and spent some time trying to figure out how it worked. We paged through tattered books on Signal Flags and Anatomy from the 1930s and 40s. I gingerly fingered some absolutely gorgeous dresses from the 1950s. We laughed at fluoro-orange furniture and homewares from the 1960s. We puzzled over the function of unusual items. We marvelled at 100 year old guns, wondering if they still worked.
Three hours later, we stumble out of the shop, exhausted! We didn't find a mirror, but I did get this gorgeous box/travel case.
Gus thought that I matched the case with my vintage looking hat, scarf and cardigan, so I made him take a photo. What do you think? I can just picture myself standing at a railway station waiting for the old steam train to take me to places unknown!! LOL
The actual antiquity of the box/case is definitely up for debate, but it doesn't bother me one iota. It's beautiful as is and it makes a fantastic place to store my mini-books. If I ever make enough to fill it that is. LOL
I wish I could show you all the other items we looked at but unfortunately photography was not allowed and there were security cameras all over the shop. :( Never mind. I'm sure you can imagine it!
A chocolate bar is better than a gold bar (and cheaper!!).
A day without chocolate is a day without sunshine.
A little too much chocolate is just about right.
A nice box of chocolate provides your total daily intake of calories in one place. Isn't that handy?
All a woman needs is a little love and a lot of chocolate.
All things are better with chocolate.
Always keep a smile on your face, a rainbow in your heart, and some chocolate on hand.
An apple a day goes down much better if it's covered in chocolate, caramel and nuts.
Anything tastes better dipped in chocolate.
Biochemically, love is just like eating large amounts of chocolate. -- John Milton, The Devils Advocate
Breaking a candy bar into little pieces, splits all the calories, rendering them harmless.
Chocolate doesn't make the world go around ... but it certainly makes the ride worthwhile!
Chocolate... Here today... Gone today.
Chocolate is an antidepressant, which is especially useful as you start to gain weight.
Chocolate is cheaper than therapy and you don't need an appointment.
Chocolate is nature's way of making up for Mondays.
Chocolate may not reduce stress but at least having your mouth full will keep you from saying something you'll regret.
Chocolate reduces stress and it's so much quieter than throwing a screaming fit.
Chocolate shrinks clothes, so get chocolate and a new wardrobe!
Chocolate-covered raisins, cherries, orange slices and strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you like.
Dark chocolate is very rich, so enjoy it because it may be the closest to rich you ever get.
Don't do drugs... eat chocolate!
Eat a chocolate before each meal. It will take the edge off your appetite and you will eat less.
Eat chocolate. You never know when it is your last chance!
Equal parts of dark chocolate and white chocolate make a balanced diet.
Exercise is a dirty word... Every time I hear it, I wash my mouth out with chocolate.
God sends no stress that prayer and chocolate cannot handle!
Don't drown your sorrows; Suffocate them with chocolate chip cookies!
If at first you don't succeed, have a chocolate!
If not for chocolate, there would be no need for control top pantyhose.
If you can't eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer. But if you can't eat all your chocolate, it may be a sign of a deeper problem.
If you eat chocolate in the forest and no one sees, do the calories count?
If you get melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly.
In the beginning, the Lord created chocolate, and He saw that it was good. Then He separated the light from the dark, and it was better.
Inside many of us is a thin person screaming and struggling to get out, but she can usually be sedated with a few pieces of chocolate.
It's never too early or too late for chocolate.
Laughter is good for you, so have a Snickers bar.
Money can't buy love, but it can buy chocolate.
Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way at least you will get one thing done.
Rationally chocolate is healthy. The rationalization: Chocolate is derived from cacao beans and beans are vegetables. Sugar is derived from either sugar cane or sugar beets, which are plants, placing them in the vegetable category. Thus chocolate is a vegetable. To go one step further, chocolate candy bars also contain milk, which is a dairy product. All in all, chocolate bars are a real health food!
Save Earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.
Seven days without chocolate makes one weak.
Ten best ways to relieve stress: 1. Eat a handful of chocolate. 2. Repeat 9 times.
Ten excuses for eating chocolate: 1) I love it! 2) I love it! 3) I love it! 4) I love it! 5) I love it! 6) I love it! 7) I love it! 8) I love it! 9) I love it! 10) I love it! On the other hand, who needs an excuse??
The best over-the-counter prescription to perk you up is chocolate.
The best way to end the day could only be the chocolate way.
The calories in white chocolate are negative and cancel out the positive calories in dark chocolate.
The future is uncertain. Eat your chocolate first.
There are two food groups: Chocolate and fruit. And if it is fruit, it should be dipped in chocolate.
When life gets you down and nothing is going right, you always have a friend ... in chocolate.
Here's a summary of all the things I've learnt in the past week of the LSNED project. As always click on the photos to get a better look. Find out about the LSNED project here.
Monday, 6 September 2010
The image you *think* you project to the world may not necessarily be the image that people see.
I had an interesting conversation with a work colleague today that had me realise the image I was projecting at work wasn't necessarily the image that some people saw of me. It was a bit of a shock to the system to know my image was now "tarnished". LOL But maybe that's a good thing that this colleague saw a bit of the "real me". I'm not sure I will open up completely, but at least with him, I can relax my guard a bit?!? Who knows?
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Severe PMS should not be taken lightly.
I suffer badly from PMS. Not just the emotional symptoms but the debilitating psychological and physical symptoms too. Cramps, tiredness/lethargy, aches and pains, headaches etc. Maybe I need help if it's this severe? Hiding away once a month might not be the perfect solution, but it helps. LOL
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Check all settings on the camera BEFORE taking photos.
I was playing around with my new macro lens when I noticed a symbol I hadn't seen before on the camera display.
Puzzled Winnie: What's this symbol mean, Gus?
Stricken Gus: Uh oh. That's the manual white balance.
More Puzzled Winnie: Erm . . . why is it on manual white balance and what effect will that have on the gazillion photos I just took?
Sheepish Gus: I was playing with the camera last night and set the manual white balance for indoors. It means all your photos will have a blue tinge.
Anguished Winnie: You're kidding, right!?! Tell me it can be fixed?!?!
Sad Gus: Um . . . no, it can't be fixed because the camera wasn't set up to take RAW photos so I can't really fix the photos.
Gobsmacked Winnie: ..........
Thursday, 9 September 2010
READ ALL DIALOGUE BOXES CAREFULLY BEFORE CLICKING THE "OK" BUTTON!!!!!!
Thank goodness I married an IT guy who has the foresight to create numerous back-ups of all our data as I managed to delete whole folders off our computer AND my laptop. Twice. Sigh.
Friday, 10 September 2010
An achievement no matter how small is still an achievement.
I managed to complete my very first digi layout COMPLETELY IN PHOTOSHOP!!! This is exciting for me as I've previously used a programme called Scrapbook Factory. It's a great programme but a little limited in what it can do. I've picked up a lot of knowledge of Photoshop through various readings, but just hadn't sat myself down to play with it yet. I did so today and managed to create THIS layout, so I was pretty chuffed! :D
Saturday, 11 September 2010
Sometimes the most pleasurable things in life are free.
A gorgeously sunny and cloudless, mild early spring day.
New shoots on trees that have been bare all autumn/winter.
Relaxing in our very own "holiday house".
Playing with the dogs and enjoying a nap in the sun WITHOUT the prying eyes of neighbours on all sides.
Going for an exploratory walk with the dogs along some fire trails close to home.
All the above on one day?!?
PRICELESS!!! :D LOL
Sunday, 12 September 2010
Some things definitely are just as good, if not better, the second time around.
I saw Wicked again today. Even though there were two different actors playing the lead roles, it was still as awesome as the first time. Not quite as magical, but only because I knew what was going to happen next. I still loved the music, I still loved the costumes and I still loved the story. What more could I ask for?
Erm. Perhaps seeing it AGAIN in two weeks time?!? LOL
That's the wrap-up for the second week of September. Did you learn as much as I did?!? :D Come back next Sunday for a wrap-up of the lessons learnt in Week 3. Hopefully I will have put all the lessons into a mini-album by then!! :D
Oh, and did I tell you that after this show, I'm going to see it FOR A THIRD TIME on September 26th?!?!
My wonderful hubby has agreed to go tomorrow (which was SUPPOSED to be the last show - don't ask, it was a HUGE debacle) as well as the [absolute] Final Show on the 26th. Isn't he just the best?!?!? :D
So, just repeating. One more sleep until Wicked. Then another 14 more sleeps until the final Wicked. YAY!!!!!!!!
