tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28364010804049422482024-03-13T10:28:44.436+11:00RoseMary's NoteBook©The original Aussie self-esteem initiative, born 1991, for ALL women. SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.comBlogger560125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-64352499083659384952023-03-06T15:35:00.003+11:002023-03-06T15:35:48.617+11:00LARGE, but in CHARGE© - Introduction<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;">BACKGROUND</b></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>My crusade to inspire plus size women to see themselves differently from the perceptions of other people’s inappropriate attitudes started out in a very small way. The year was 1994. As so often happens with crusades it soon became a passion and grew beyond my wildest dreams. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>It came as somewhat a surprise to me to learn that women everywhere found my small publications, e-newsletters and websites, appealing. Something I said struck a chord with them. Because of a number of things such as age, size, shape, weight, even looks, they too had suffered discrimination. This behaviour on the part of other people can have such an influence on our lives, that we begin to believe what we are told. “<i>You’re unacceptable”. </i> People with probably but not necessarily good intentions and people who wanted to exploit us, all gave us the same advice. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>You’ve got to lose weight, become more like us, dress like us, do as we do, and even consider cosmetic surgery like us, to be accepted (by us).</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></i>The funny thing though is that <i>they</i> are never satisfied with how slim they are, how well they dress, or how they look. If they’re so besotted with looks and slimness that they’ll go overboard in an attempt to achieve the impossible, where does that leave us? Where we are right now - unacceptable <i>in their sight</i>! So why get stuck on the same merry-go-round as they are? And let me say here, it is most definitely NOT a merry-go-round. It’s a never ending battle with ourselves to become someone and something that we are not.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>As I “matured” <i>(what a lovely word that is - makes you think of top-of-the-range cheese and the best and most expensive wine!)</i>, I realised I’d never fit in with THEIR ideas of perfection. I wasted my time trying to fit in with THEIR perception of who I should be. Their opinion was that I should have no say in the matter and I should conform to THEIR demands without question. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>If I met their demands I knew I would lose all my independence and become a puppet never to again have control of my life. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I then had a brilliant flash of revelation. If I didn’t want to conform to THEIR ideals, then why not learn to like and ultimately to accept myself as I am? This meant I was no longer subjected to turning myself inside out trying to please everybody else and never pleasing me!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I’ve seen too many women suffer the stings and barbs of inappropriate words and actions by other people; all based on size and looks. If you wonder why I focus my newsletters and booklets on women then my answer is simple. Because I am a woman I can speak from personal experience. Furthermore it is from speaking with women that I know my experiences are not isolated. More often than not it’s mainly women who are the target of unrelenting persuasion to lose weight; to be as lovely and seductive as the latest model/actress favourite and to look as young as a 20 year old. What is interesting and quite confusing however is to find how many modern men are now being pressured <i>(are they really enjoying it?</i>) into the use of makeup, cosmetics, body beautifying therapies and cosmetic surgery. Will they in time become more <i>beautiful </i>and attain the looks of young women while young women increasingly want to take on the skinny prepubescent young boy look? What is going on?</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>It’s an unspoken law that men growing older are seen to be attractive while a woman growing older is seen to be worn-out and a has-been. There are inferences and innuendoes that she hasn’t taken care of herself or her body, and therefore she deserves all the criticism thrown at her. The fact that she embodies womanhood through all its stages is lost in the mist of unreality. This unreality is taken to extremes and should be curbed. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Whether you agree with me or not when it comes to disliking our looks, shape and size, men are not our main enemy even though the media would have us believe it. Of course the fashion gurus who happen to be male don’t help the situation one little bit but we already know that. However, based on my personal life-experiences, I’ve come to realise that it is other women who cause us more distress than men. When someone - anyone - makes fun of us or causes us embarrassment based on their disparaging remarks, then we come to think of ourselves as being worthless and too often, we begin to lose whatever self-esteem we may have ever had. It is disturbing to realise our greatest adversaries are women - sometimes staff at boutiques and stores, sometimes our friends, sometimes our neighbours, sometimes even our family who try to convince us that we’re letting the team down and not “conforming”. They seem to delight in tearing us down and scratching out not only our eyes but stripping us bare of any dignity we may have.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Why? Are they so competitive and so unsure of themselves that they have to go out of their way to prove they’re superior to us? Do they hate us so much? If you listen to their arguments you could be forgiven for thinking their dislike of us is well-deserved. We just won’t take their advice and fit in with their plans and demands.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When I first wrote this booklet - <b>Large, but in Charge©, </b> (<b><i>back in 2005 would you believe</i></b>?), we did not have what is known as “social media”. Women (and I guess men too) have taken to this media with the greatest of enthusiasm, and I still find it hard to comprehend the depth of belief readers have on what they read on Facebook and others. I admit there is a lot of truth shared via this form of media, but by the same token there is a lot of unsubstantiated truth. People now get away with “tearing” another person’s reputation not to mention their life and their looks and their beliefs. Anger so hot that it represents a form of hatred about other people comes through in the words expressed in many Facebook posts. Many professional women journalists and reporters have deleted their FaceBook and Instagram accounts due to this vitriolic stream of abuse. Good manners and etiquette and politeness appear to have almost disappeared in our society. So it is up to us to deal with it the best way we can and the best we can is to believe in ourselves.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>My argument against these people’s dislike is that I have a right to decide what is best for me. I’ve come to realise “attitude” is what it’s all about. You either have a good attitude about yourself, or you don’t. It’s not easy to change years of negative thinking, but it can be done, if you really want it to. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Coupled with attitude I would say both a sense of humour and common sense are also important. Why do we waste time in doing things to our mind and to our body which in the long run won’t work, or won’t last? </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Let’s find the inner child within us, and let her grow as she is meant to grow. Into a beautiful, self confident, good natured, well mannered woman. Whether she is clothed in a well-endowed curvy body or whether she is naturally slim and svelte surely shouldn’t matter? </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>No two women are identical. We’re different. The differences between us should draw us together not tear us apart. We are unique beings, formed by the God of creation. Yes, we’re different but we’re the same. We are sisters. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Our experiences and observations of life can be the difference between having no self-esteem or a healthy and happy life built upon self-confidence. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Maybe our experiences can even impact favourably upon the lives of other women who hear and read our stories.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxhw7d6eF0nsjWQQUZwm88UnsTIQ7Ya30fS02ZNZmz20qhkkDUNAiKtcOvtP5e9X5qu-w6TMuCLRhmrZF69no_m5lH2TehnevBlyh8BQ3YgAEfD5JClrmL5zlKEpVCc_6U0CVpXf-bVdqecmtxFx1Ozc8yhEQ0JXT3rWGwxwXGK-PjVJjNPoaU0mxo_g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="1331" height="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxhw7d6eF0nsjWQQUZwm88UnsTIQ7Ya30fS02ZNZmz20qhkkDUNAiKtcOvtP5e9X5qu-w6TMuCLRhmrZF69no_m5lH2TehnevBlyh8BQ3YgAEfD5JClrmL5zlKEpVCc_6U0CVpXf-bVdqecmtxFx1Ozc8yhEQ0JXT3rWGwxwXGK-PjVJjNPoaU0mxo_g" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Copyright © 2005/2023 Rosemary Parry-Brock Davidson</span></p><p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">All rights reserved. No part of this publication may reproduced,</span></p><p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any </span></p><p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, scanning, recording,</span></p><p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> USB, CD or DVD or otherwise, without the prior written permission </span></p><p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">of the author. </span> </p><p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-size: 10px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 37px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify; text-indent: -2px;"><br /></p>SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-66261642300161854522022-11-08T19:33:00.001+11:002023-09-01T16:09:45.948+10:00The Song of the Ocean
<p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEek4BFzR5P4w6NApZFSPi3PtJWuGszsyhBI5SdWiXQxfq0d8t6oI6gkT6hXs35JnNrluguLcijIyMkTv4nNMpluT90vH8XwvvusrIwAEbHCWh-N9WH-n0aZpmT__8FLFEU9FEn0yawlPOlZo8ifalN8U6P3SgWBNg3LiSAVE8yuqoXYbraQxXrRRCwg/s300/images.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEek4BFzR5P4w6NApZFSPi3PtJWuGszsyhBI5SdWiXQxfq0d8t6oI6gkT6hXs35JnNrluguLcijIyMkTv4nNMpluT90vH8XwvvusrIwAEbHCWh-N9WH-n0aZpmT__8FLFEU9FEn0yawlPOlZo8ifalN8U6P3SgWBNg3LiSAVE8yuqoXYbraQxXrRRCwg/w523-h168/images.jpeg" width="523" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-family: "Mona Lisa Solid ITC TT"; font-size: 25px;">Song of the Ocean:</span><span style="font-family: "Mona Lisa Solid ITC TT"; font-size: 25px;"> </span><p></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Moon on a canvas sail, such a beautiful sight; </span></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lost on a star-dust trail, on a mystical night</span></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wash of a million waves, calling to me; </span></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">deep in my soul I can hear, </span></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Song of the Ocean. “</span></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p><div><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">ISN’T IT JUST AMAZING?</span></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">I had been wondering what to put as y subject matter for this post and of course I chose the Song of the Ocean. I'd been listening to the Charlie Landsborough rendition of this song, and found it hantingly beautiful. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"> Settling down after dinner I picked up my book to continue reading and this is what I found:</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: medium;">“<i>They sat in contented silence for a while, sunset lit the ocean, a spreading stain of liquid gold. The sky glowed fierce fiery orange and pink streaked with purple, while restful blue stole down softly from the east, lighting the little stars one by one. Billy felt lulled by the rhythmic thunder of the waves buffeting the rocks below like a mother’s heartbeat. </i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans; font-size: medium;">Slowly the sea deepened to indigo and the sky to black, and the lighthouse on the small rocky islet a league offshore sent its beam sweeping out over the water and the rocks where the seals snuggled down for the night.”</span></i></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><i></i><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">I hope you, like me, am able to visualise the scene described. The moods, the colours, the textures, and the infinite wonder of nature. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">Having left my book to give you the opportunity of sharing that lovely excerpt, I am now intending to fold myself up into my favourite chair and lose myself in my book again. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;">'til next time</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Josefin Sans;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p></div>SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-90355823658739417192022-11-05T12:58:00.003+11:002023-09-01T16:11:45.576+10:00ADAPTING TO LIFE CHANGES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIcLqsln9OoX6hKunqXa4lEF2jJDDaS_D3YMY6B4eFYmIOW7AUO5OefaG2tS4P4BU31lvzoBM2wNl5p9281DFkzf0wNclChZT8ELkfoD5RKhiIxAF7prsXj-OH4vqkV7p5tmF0bt2jMpT5ucLX3KCz7ppPOpWPtQsMgjqsPUwOPovI4A3MdJvMhtIiA/s1920/flowers-g3568b24b0_1920%20copy%202.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="1920" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIcLqsln9OoX6hKunqXa4lEF2jJDDaS_D3YMY6B4eFYmIOW7AUO5OefaG2tS4P4BU31lvzoBM2wNl5p9281DFkzf0wNclChZT8ELkfoD5RKhiIxAF7prsXj-OH4vqkV7p5tmF0bt2jMpT5ucLX3KCz7ppPOpWPtQsMgjqsPUwOPovI4A3MdJvMhtIiA/s320/flowers-g3568b24b0_1920%20copy%202.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: justify;">Early in 2020 as news of the Covid Pandemic hit the headlines around the world, many people thought it was merely a hiccough in the evolution of "<i>normal"</i> every-day life. How often people said the words, <i>"won't it be good to get back to normal?" </i>This was most certainly said here in Australia. </p></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>It soon became obvious that this was not to be the case, as the world and we as individuals had to learn to cope with increasing stresses and anxiety. Those who had lived through the years of the Second World War, as well as the following decades, in the main, settled down to following daily reports relevant to their own cities and countries health situations; taking note of scientific and epidemiology advice and following instructions on how to look after themselves and their families, neithbours and friends, by following the restrictions and rules laid down by the health authorities of that jurisdiction. We learned to regularly wash and sanitise hands, to keep physical distance from everyone else, and to wear masks.Vaccinations were then trialed and marketed. </p><p>Vaccination clinics and hubs opened; and people queued to receive their first and second vaccinations. Now there is the suggestion that especially vulnerable people (the disabled, the aging and frail, and those with multiple health issues) should prepare and book for a booster. </p><p>So matters of every-day living prior to the arrival of Covid became almost a memory. Things we took for granted - going to the cinema; going shopping for retail thereapy; meeting with family and friends; going for a picnic; dancing; concerts, stage shows, attending weddings; celebrating christenings; visiting older people in aged care; visiting family and friends in hospital; having elective surgery, going out to a meal as often as we could (or that we could afford!), suddenly ceased and we have been left bewildered. </p><p>Children have not been able to attend school; families have been unable to visit loved ones. Curfews stopped a lot of population movement, and city residents were unable to visit other regional and interstate areas, so travelling came to a standstill. </p><p>While there was, and remains, an element of people who have become angry about all these changes, there are others who have expressed their care and kindness in myriads of ways. Family members initiating schedules to ensure at least one member speaks on the tephone to a loved one at least once every day. (<i>On the other hand, many lonely people in our society never hear from their families at any time</i>.) Small groups of volunteers deliverying food and essential goods; people buying extra in their weekly supermarket shop - (not to store in the cupboard, but to literally give to their neighbours!). Church services made available online. Drs and Specialists providing telephone consultations. </p><p>Agencies manned by volunteers working from home, telephoning lonely people just to make sure they're OK.</p><p>These kindnesses continued during and between the Lockdowns (we've just come out of our sixth) showing that the changes to life-style wrought by the Pandemic has brought out the best (<i>and in some cases</i>) the worst of human behaviour.</p><p>YET ........ hasn't it always been the case throughout history? That life-style is not a happy story-book all the time. There are difficulties, there are challenges, there are hurdles to jump or to climb around; there are problems, there are natural disasters; there are tragedies told and untold. Wars, and pandemics. Poverty and starvation. Homelessness and Statelessness.</p></blockquote><p><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span><span> <span><span>Humankind is resilient, for it has been created so.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> And the history books and the memories </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>of generations of families confirm that this is so.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </p>SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-37153648307951313892021-09-14T14:58:00.001+10:002021-11-10T10:54:27.265+11:00BRINGING EVERYONE UPTODATE<p><span style="font-size: medium;">It's incredible how quickly time passes. 2020 and here in 2021, here in Melbourne (Victoria) Australia, we are in Lockdown again. Our Sixth Lockdown! So what does a "lady" do with her time?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Well, for an ageing gracefully (or outrageously!) lady, it's a matter of perspective. Attitude comes into it as well. No sense in becoming bored or cantakerous although I've been known to take on this attribute at times. No , it's a matter of doing what I've always done since I began my years in building up my "career". I've always been a "list-maker". Pen and paper accompany me at all times. It's also essential to remain focussed, to have a sense of humour and a determination often described as being single-minded.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It's also essential that the lists I make come into fruition. If not, I disregard that particular note and get on with other things. Just as important things, that is.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So with that, and with the re-introduction of my posts I apologise for taking so long since my previous thoughts. You'd think my excuse would be I'd been too busy, but sadly no. But I've done a heck of a lot of reading!!! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The other thing I've been doing over the past couple of years is also taking photos. Well, doesn't everyone? Especially if you have a smart phone of whatever brand. But I enjoy it, and it's been something that's kept me occupied especially during our lockdowns. So don't be surprised to see lots of photos of flowers and plants. Mind you, I guess if I looked around the internet I'd see that thousands of other people are doing the same thing. But I figure that this blog has always been about adjusting to life as it is, not as we would like it. So flowers it is, folks. </span></p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1-63f1XXAQNGYPTk33OPoeqiE_UkSXsq7Te7LiH_C9A2TzBI9_UCh4umP3bBvJVg-ERBYuAkhq_YZNaXsIS1i90TKAPNFGXuiPyqQ427JNiNijb-d74baFdFBRmj-P9jIs9OmHXs3QMy/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1-63f1XXAQNGYPTk33OPoeqiE_UkSXsq7Te7LiH_C9A2TzBI9_UCh4umP3bBvJVg-ERBYuAkhq_YZNaXsIS1i90TKAPNFGXuiPyqQ427JNiNijb-d74baFdFBRmj-P9jIs9OmHXs3QMy/" width="320" /></span></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2_-QvPBRY2ezIBTWwMWn-G6lG2uK7iBndYX1kM7krG37WX0JvY-rdfph757eL68o_zs_5fim7GLipjn_lYI_rwBWRVznkRjYqMemww31MJA5ISx2NyQuBWGbSuZsb1c784XAzfp_VuqT/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2_-QvPBRY2ezIBTWwMWn-G6lG2uK7iBndYX1kM7krG37WX0JvY-rdfph757eL68o_zs_5fim7GLipjn_lYI_rwBWRVznkRjYqMemww31MJA5ISx2NyQuBWGbSuZsb1c784XAzfp_VuqT/w275-h236/IMG_1746.jpeg" width="275" /></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As you can tell I love looking at the textures amd many hidden mysteries within the natural world around us. Of course we're unable to venture too far out of our local area - 5 kms at the most - but it's quite amazing what one can find.</div><div><br /></div><div>So let me leave this post with this quotation: </div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(50, 50, 50); color: #323232; font-family: Charter, Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 1.0625rem;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">"Flowers always make people better, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">happier, and more helpful; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">they are sunshine, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">food and medicine for the soul."SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-2906632163921310922020-06-13T11:36:00.000+10:002020-06-13T11:36:40.204+10:00ANOTHER NOTE DURING THE LOCK-DOWN<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section" style="background-color: white;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tuesday, 2nd June.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">WINTER </span>has officially arrived here in Melbourne. Low temperatures, grey skies with very low clouds, and a slight drizzle of rain. Yesterday I decided it was necessary (indeed imperative) that I sort through my thicker warmer knitted garments, bringing them to the front of my wardrobe. As is usual, I found two or three sweaters and T- shirts I’d forgotten I had, and I had just been about ready to buy some more on-line. Now I don’t need to, so I’ve saved some money in the process of tidying up my wardrobe! I also found a few new summer tops I’d purchased last year, but hadn’t worn nor had I chosen to wear this year, so my girl- friend (and she knows who she is!!!!) is going to gain a few she and her daughter may like.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">IT’S DURING THIS “SEASON” OF ISOLATION</span>, that my thoughts readily go to women who live apart from their families, and more specifically those whose families are no longer close to them - in emotional terms. Growing older (and in turn “feeling old”), living alone, and being dismissed by the people they love, this Isolation has taken a battering on their feelings. Feelings of worth, of value, of importance. When one takes this </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">Pandemic into account, those feelings sometimes become shattering.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="column">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #b51700;">* </span>So it’s essential that women who are “alone”and more-so during this time of </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">lock-down and restrictions insofar as not being able to meet up with friends and going to places outdoors as well as shopping (even if only window-shopping), take time to reflect just who they are exactly, and to recall all the things they</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">have </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">done in the past. Not only for themselves, but for others, too. To remember and get to know the person they’ve always been, and realise even if their family or certain friends no longer maintain any contact with them, that they are extremely important to themselves. Important enough to cope with the constant changes that are occurring around them, and to adapt to the best of their ability, especially taking into account the isolation. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is imperative they continue to hold their heads high and to be grateful and proud of just who and what they are. They’ve got plenty of experience, and that life-experience is invaluable.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A couple of my friends this week during our telephone catch-up, mentioned this very subject. I know as one grows older, when friends drift away and families have their own responsibilities and no longer “have the time” for their elders, it is very easy to become the shy and unsure person </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">they used to be when they were children. Too easy to be told one should focus on the here and now and not allow earlier feelings of unworthiness, of incapability to perform certain things, to be strong and always put others first, to come into a person’s daily thoughts. It comes down to how we feel about ourselves, and how comfortable we are in being who we are and what we are. Knowing we’ve always done (or tried to do) the best we could for others in the past. We’ve worked through many difficulties, physical as well as emotional, and we’re proud people!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And don’t forget, there are many other women out there who feel the same way, and it’s up to each of us to take their feelings into consideration, and to pick up the phone, or to write them a short letter just reminding them of THEIR importance too!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">** As with my readers, I am well aware that in 2020 and in these times of pandemic, there are women of all ages, who have no home, no roof over their heads, no money, no food, no blankets, no warm clothing. Women who through no fault of their own no longer have the advantages of even a small room. They’d love the opportunity of even having a </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">telephone to ring their friends, if they have any, that is! What can we do to ease their suffering? Older women cast out by society and having to overcome the risks involved in living in cars, or finding a spot to hide in. I also think of the work our wonderful volunteers of all ages readily do in going beyond their personal safety boundaries caused by social distancing, every night to adminsiter their caring sharing to all the people out there living on the streets. These people too deserve thanks and support (moral, prayer and/or small donations to worthy welfare agencies, whether financial or practical.) </span><br />
<div class="page" title="Page 3">
<div class="section" style="background-color: white;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="section" style="background-color: white;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-weight: 700;">WOMEN HAVE TRAVELLED SOME INTERESTING, INCREDIBLE, DIFFICULT, EXCITING, FULFILLING JOURNEYS. </span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">We’ve accepted and taken full responsibility for our actions, our behaviours and our dreams (even when those have not met with approval by others or never come to fruition.) Many of us have been trodden on, walked over, ignored, used and abused.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 3">
<div class="section" style="background-color: white;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div class="column">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But as Helen Reddy sang:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">I am woman, hear me roar</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">In numbers too big to ignore </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">And I know too much to go back and pretend</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">‘Cause I’ve heard it all before </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">And I’ve been done there on the floor </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">No one’s ever gonna keep me down again.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">Oh yes, I am wise</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">But it’s wisdom born of pain </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Yes, I’ve paid the price</span>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">But look how much I gained </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">If I have to, I can do anything </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I am strong, I am invincible, I am woman.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">You can bend but never break me </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">‘Cause it only serves to make me </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">More determined to achieve my final goal</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And I’ll come back even stronger </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Not a novice any longer </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">‘Cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">I am woman watch me grow</span></div>
<span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">See me standing toe to toe</span></span></div>
<span style="font-style: italic;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I spread my loving arms across the land</span></span></div>
<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But I’m still an embryo</span></span></div>
<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
With a long, long way to go </div>
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Until I make my brothers understand.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">Oh yes, I am wise</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">But it’s wisdom born of pain </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Yes, I’ve paid the price</span>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">But look how much I gained </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">If I have to, I can face anything </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">I am strong, I am invincible,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I am woman.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
</div>
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">...oOo...</span></div>
</div>
<div class="column">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 4">
<div class="section" style="background-color: white;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Friday, 5th June.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: 700;">THIS TIME WE’RE LIVING IN AT PRESENT IS A TEST OF WILLS</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; text-align: justify;">The will of an unseen and irresponsible virus, pitted against the will of determination and discipline of men and women and children. The pressures put upon our brothers and sisters (and children) is intense. Unemployment; how to pay the mort- gage; home tutoring; how to provide for the family; the uncertainty of the times.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="column">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And we come back the constant need for KINDNESS and A CARING HEART. For no one knows what this virus is, no one knows how it came into being, no one knows how long we will need to adapt knowing it’s around us, ready to strike. For there have been any epidemics even pandemics in earlier times, although the statistics of such events is really unknown for the simple reason the peoples of those times did not realise the importance of keeping figures or numbers and communications were nothing like we have today.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And here we are, we’ve followed the suggestions and instructions by our Health Departments to the best of our abilities. We’ve adapted to the restrictions and while other countries are coming “out” of similar restrictions, there’s still the concern that while this virus may be dormant (sleeping) in those places, it may nevertheless still be present.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So we have to be watchful, we have to be alert, we have to care for one another, we have to show kindness to one another. We also have to be personally careful, and to be aware of our own personal health and the responsibilities we have to ourselves.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Again this morning I’m sitting at my computer, and lifting my eyes I am confronted with a bright blue sky. Hmm. Nice and early and I can’t see anyone else around outside, although with the roads through the village, </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">residents are able to continue walking as their exercise each day. Time for a quick “scoot” around the village, to take in some fresh air, and to be refreshed, ready to get stuck into what tidying up I need to do around my room.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 5">
<div class="section" style="background-color: white;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I’m an avid collector of documents and papers. Great lever-arch files containing all the “important” things, which in the scheme of things are perhaps not! </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yet I have to admit I’m never sure about these papers and documents - they seem to have a life of their own. I place them in neat piles ready to be filed away, only to find to my dismay that they “breed” overnight. Honestly, and I can’t keep up with them! So what I have to do is to maintain control of them. Go through them, sort them, throw out what I don’t really need, and then immediately file those I want to keep. Not put it off until later. So here goes ......</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the meantime, God Bless you one and all, without exception.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Rosemary</i></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> 🌹🌹🌹 </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">STAY SAFE, TAKE CARE EVERYONE.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="caret-color: rgb(238, 34, 12); color: #ee220c; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; font-weight: 700;">QUOTATION FOR THE DAY:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">BE ON THE ALERT TO RECOGNISE YOUR PRIME AT WHATEVER TIME OF YOUR LIFE IT MAY OCCUR. </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">........Miss Jean Brodie, </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="column">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">AN ADDENDUM TO MY NEWSLETTER:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I’d finished up my newsletter, rugged myself up and took myself for a “scoot” around the village. It was 5 degrees. I sat in a small secluded spot, reading, when my eyes lifted to see a special little visitor. Because the surroundings were dark, this young Australian magpie had stopped in a tiny spot of sunshine. Only a few steps away from me, this little fellow (who knows it may have been a lass) absorbed the weak sunshine, and then came nearer to me. How does one talk to a magpie, without it flying madly away? Well, Dr Doolittle succeeded, and Rosemary did her best to pacify the little bird, and to make soft noises that would satisfy it, so it would not be frightened by a human, being so close. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Mw2a8WXm9OPJCh0wp_jbKN-2zmQsf0E9CS-SB_qaMQTlA-kZbzI1m_VcyxHJ7pl_hsODsJnYmVNLVnjUhy9We7nEXQ5qia3eIzcnL_AVCxgCuLsfeNDtHD-zQsnQdPT0Y8q1DrOFRPCU/s1600/IMG_3746+copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Mw2a8WXm9OPJCh0wp_jbKN-2zmQsf0E9CS-SB_qaMQTlA-kZbzI1m_VcyxHJ7pl_hsODsJnYmVNLVnjUhy9We7nEXQ5qia3eIzcnL_AVCxgCuLsfeNDtHD-zQsnQdPT0Y8q1DrOFRPCU/s320/IMG_3746+copy.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">You see, my Great Aunt back in the 1940s had a pet magpie, and I was given lessons by her, as to how to allow them to approach her. So I did what Great-Aunt showed me. And I had a magical ten minutes with a beautiful magpie. There’s nothing quite like being permitted to go close to a native animal or bird. It’s like an invitation to share their space, and I can only use the word “magical”, for that’s what it is .</span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">..... Rosemary</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-49707481521224139822020-06-07T21:46:00.000+10:002020-06-07T21:48:53.125+10:00YET ANOTHER WEEK IN ISOLATION .....<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"> Hello dear friends,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The days are filled with great lumps of looking out of the window and <i>not</i> looking out of the window, it seems. Yet when I find the clock nears lunch time (how does IT know, when I hadn’t given it a thought before hand?), I hop up from my chair in readiness to find something to snack on.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">This morning I’ve tided my room, watched the news, then “Songs of Praise” on the ABC, read a few (well more than that if I’m honest!) chapters of my book, done a bit of work on the computer, read some great emails from my friends both here in Australia as well as overseas, made a phone call or two. Then I wandered out of my room to check my garden patch which sits immediately outside my door but still within the building, in which I have a beautiful indoor plant that has gone wild and then wandered back in. </span>So when I checked my watch two minutes ago I realised it was “Lunch time” - hooray! </div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">It’s 12 degrees here - quite a nice temperature for us at this Season. So I’ll warm up some beautiful pumpkin soup made by my friend Rosie (no, that’s not me, but my true friend Rosie!), and with a slice of toast, and a cup of Lemon & Ginger Tea for lunch, I’ll be ready for what the afternoon brings. Even though I’m in “isolation”. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Some people have all the fun, don’t they? Me included. For it’s how we look at things I’ve come to realise over the years that is very important to how we feel about ourselves. Two sides of a coin was the old saying, and it sure is. It’s either heads or tails, and quick frankly I rather the heads. Lifting the head your eyes can take in the world around you. Tails of course, you’re looking at the other end of things! Don’t let me start on explaining my weird sense of humour, because I’ll confuse you even more.<br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Anyway, friends, it’s Sunday, and I decided to do a small “scoot” around the village. That’s on my scooter, not jogging! Coming home I stopped and looked up into the sky, where I saw a beautiful cloud tipped with the colours of the setting sun. Turning the corner I espied a beautiful Autumn tree which because of it's placement, still has all its leaves. Most of the other larger trees are now bare. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vEjkyQfgQTGlUdyohscp0s9FqJjYsLd08kNcxCpnZgOiJOsQZ7KnpZDBCng3yLxSvSwqgQkNHe_0oGPitfixQuAGHg2Rn0CEnq6CRDlcw5byjOqdD7ThT2nQRelf2Yt7z5WeiW_DKJJ0/s1600/IMG_8297+copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="257" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vEjkyQfgQTGlUdyohscp0s9FqJjYsLd08kNcxCpnZgOiJOsQZ7KnpZDBCng3yLxSvSwqgQkNHe_0oGPitfixQuAGHg2Rn0CEnq6CRDlcw5byjOqdD7ThT2nQRelf2Yt7z5WeiW_DKJJ0/s320/IMG_8297+copy.jpeg" width="208" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
Now, I’m taking things easy. About to sit in my favourite chair and my book (of course!). Please take care, my friends. </div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #e6000e; font-family: "Mona Lisa Solid ITC TT"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 28.8px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">Rosemary </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "apple color emoji"; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">🌹</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "apple color emoji"; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">🌹</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "apple color emoji"; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">🌹</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 26px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">STAY SAFE, TAKE CARE EVERYONE.</span></div>
SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-8807000276264902142020-06-03T13:32:00.001+10:002020-06-03T13:32:20.560+10:00MISSING HUGS?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="section" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hello dear friends,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Should you wish to try a novel way of still retaining your social-distancing while at the same time gain the satisfaction and feeling of well-being, then here’s a great way of ensuring you don’t miss out without treating yourself to a “hug” or two.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>(The following article is from National Seniors Australia newsletter received this week. Quoted verbatim.)</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">HUGS ARE OK ... REALLY!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While Australians are getting through the COVID-19 lockdown by using technology to hook up, panic buy and home school, Iceland's forestry service has come up with a novel way to overcome the people’s sense of <span style="font-weight: 700;">isolation</span>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They have opened up their forests so people can hug the trees and in the words of a senior ranger “get the energy from [them].”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Top tips</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="about:invalid#zClosurez" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And yes, some hugs are better than others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsMEDVeTEClcAHvRlaR70ynxPmnnMiZubv0LdG2BIcuK008GnFjvF8007EzD9VEoXYu2YseqDhn010Ss0YluBBPKNPc0xsYRBK4CbBqBgdAXJha35-XbxKo0OOlSp69H3V2IIUvrz5zag/s1600/treehugger.jpg.860x0_q70_crop-scale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="860" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsMEDVeTEClcAHvRlaR70ynxPmnnMiZubv0LdG2BIcuK008GnFjvF8007EzD9VEoXYu2YseqDhn010Ss0YluBBPKNPc0xsYRBK4CbBqBgdAXJha35-XbxKo0OOlSp69H3V2IIUvrz5zag/s320/treehugger.jpg.860x0_q70_crop-scale.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="page" style="text-align: start;" title="Page 1">
<div class="section" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">"It's good to close your eyes while hugging a tree. I press my cheek against it and feel the warmth and currents flowing from the tree into me... it starts in your toes, runs up your legs and through your body into your brain. You get such a good relaxing feeling that are ready for a new day and new challenges,"</i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> the Ranger says. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't rush</span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="section" style="background-color: white;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They’re a thoughtful lot, these Icelanders. The Rangers have cut paths through the forest snow at Hallormsstadur so people can get close to the trees, and the paths are, of course, wide enough for people to keep the two-metre distance.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For us in Australia it might be good to check your tree first before leaning in for a hug to ensure there are no stinging ants, spiders or anything else that may detract from the experience.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">EDITOR'S NOTE</span>: So if you see people rushing through our streets to choose the tree they wish to hug, give a moments thought to the poor old trees. To have been ignored for hundreds of years, and now to be the subject of “love” and “hugs”. Well ..... just goes to show, how the world can change in the blink of an eye!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #970e53;">“</span><span style="color: #970e53; font-weight: 700;">COMPASS” </span><span style="color: #970e53;">- Last Sunday 17th May 2020, on the ABC</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #970e53; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My friend Bill Crews and his Exodus Foundation at the Ashfield Uniting Church in Ashfield, New South Wales, was the subject of the Compass show last Sunday evening at 6.30 p.m.,, depicting how Exodus had adapted to the countless restrictions brought upon them by the Covid19 pandemic.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #970e53; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #970e53; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As with numerous other agencies and organisations, Exodus was faced with having to close down, thus putting thousands of homeless and poor Sydney citizens at risk, not only of no longer having meals, but also the risk of contracting the virus. Exodus is not just one or two people who are dispensing welfare; it has hundreds of people involved in one way or another. It is an organisation that protects the people who come into its sphere. Caring, sharing, giving, loving.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #970e53; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #970e53; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With social distancing and people having to isolate, the Ashfield church had to close its doors from their weekly services. So Bill took the service out-doors so that people wouldn’t miss out on their spiritual needs. Then the restrictions became stronger, and social distancing ultimately meant they could not provide the church service in the grounds. So Bill did what he always does. Thinks outside of the square. He began to send his parishioners emailed (those who have computers and emails) programmes for each Sunday’s service. And this included the You-tube “messages”.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #970e53; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #970e53; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As far as caring for the homeless and destitute, it looked as though the whole project would collapse. Exodus provides a shower; endeavours to give some of their “people” housing; somewhere where they can do such a simple thing as charge their phone. And that’s the only start of things.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #970e53; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #970e53; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Submissions were made to the government to have Exodus proclaimed an “essential service”. This was denied. At first. But Bill and his crew don’t give in that easily, and so a further submission was made, as restrictions became more severe.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #970e53; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #970e53; font-style: italic;">They have a team of people who check each person’s temperature; provide meals; provide counselling. And the night-time Van that goes to Wooloomooloo 364 nights a </span><span style="color: #970e53; font-style: italic;">year (the only exception being New Year’s Eve), takes hot meals to those people in that area. And it’s when the viewer sees the queues of people who all need a warm meal, that we who are fortunate in having warm clothes, a warm meal, in a warm room, realise just what life is like outside of our room. People who are cold, people who are hungry. People who have no money. People who have no home. People who are at risk - physically and emotionally. And then there’s the damned coronavirus to contend with.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #970e53; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 3">
<div class="section" style="background-color: white;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #970e53; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That’s just a little of the story that was shown on the ABC last Sunday night. If you did not catch this on TV, then take a few minutes and watch it. It will open your eyes.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #970e53; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #172b36; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From Christine, Sydney, New South Wales</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #172b36;">“C</span><span style="color: #172b36; font-style: italic;">afe’s are open and I see numbers of people shopping and wandering about munching fingers to mouth, and back to wandering and shopping. So suspect the next wave of virus will be created by folk who forget the necessity of personal hygiene. Until observing this I had not used sanitiser and gloves in my bag BUT instinct pushes me to begin now! Maybe it was just the supermarket but coughing and sneezing without plunging head into elbow seems forgotten .... we are a very strange species."</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #172b36; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">SYMPTOMS OF COVID 19</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #172b36;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As my readers know from old, I’m very strong on sharing information - especially when it is important information. When speaking with some of my friends most of whom are in their 80s (although I’m proud to say I count many others in their early 50s and 60s as my loyal readers), there seems to be a bit of confusion as to the symptoms of this virulent disease. Here’s a rundown for you.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #172b36;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #172b36;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Most common symptoms </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #172b36;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">* fever<br />* dry cough<br />* tiredness</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #172b36;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #172b36;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Less common symptoms * aches and pains<br />* sore throat<br />* diarrhoea</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #172b36;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">* conjunctivitis<br />* headache<br />* loss of taste or smell<br />* a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #172b36;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #172b36;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Serious symptoms<br />* difficulty breathing or shortness of breath * chest pain or pressure<br />* loss of speech or movement</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #172b36;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #172b36;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms. Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 4">
<div class="section" style="background-color: white;">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="color: #172b36;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home. On average it takes 5-6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms o show, however it can take up to 14 days.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #172b36;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #172b36;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fondest regards</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #172b36;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #172b36;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #172b36;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #172b36;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #172b36;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-57367600312123530312020-05-17T16:44:00.002+10:002020-06-07T21:32:23.279+10:00Another week in Isolation!<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Hello dear friends, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">This “Isolation” newsletter is starting off a little bit differently this time. My lovely friend in New Zealand (who has a great grasp of the English language, and keeps me up to scratch), wrote to me at the weekend, in response to my most recent newsletter mentioning Regency politeness and behaviour, as well as her views on “Isolation”. I quote her letter below, verbatim:</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b>From L of New Zealand: </b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><i>“</i></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; background-color: white;"><i>First of all, I LOVE this idea… </i>(of Regency greetings, bowing and curtseying …)</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Then, this is how I see Lockdown:</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #131313; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>My son overworks constantly and I warned him he was heading for burnout. Now, working from home, he still does long hours but he can rest more because he doesn't have a 90 minute commuter rush-hour at either end of the day. </i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #131313; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #131313; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Why did it take a virus to make him see just how exhausted he was? His story mirrors that of many people: the mad rush, the treadmill, the rat race, call it what you will, modern life and the necessity to keep a roof over your families heads and food in their tummies is a hard taskmaster.</i></span></div>
<div style="color: #131313; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i> </i></span></div>
<div style="color: #131313; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>So devastating though this virus has been, for all the lives it has taken, let's hope it has made people realise life is precious and that being so, maybe it's saved a few who might have been pushed beyond their human capacity by stress and the inability to just STOP and look at our still wonderful world...and </i></span></div>
<div style="color: #131313; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i></i></b></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #131313; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>just breathe……</i></b></span></div>
<div style="color: #131313; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-size: 11.7px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i></i></b></span><br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3229ea; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b><i>What is this life if, full of care,</i></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3229ea; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i>We have no time to stand and stare.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3229ea; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i></i></b></span><br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3229ea; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i>No time to stand beneath the boughs</i></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3229ea; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i>And stare as long as sheep or cows.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3229ea; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i></i></b></span><br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3229ea; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i>No time to see, when woods we pass,</i></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3229ea; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i>Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3229ea; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i></i></b></span><br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3229ea; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i>No time to see, in broad daylight,</i></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #3229ea; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i>Streams full of stars, like skies at night.”</i></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">………..</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">I would also encourage readers to visit this exquisite short video, made in New Zealand, on Youtube. The words are so beautiful and make us realise just what beauty we live with and that we are a part of. Please visit. …. </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKyekQ1njNQ&fbclid=IwAR33SOK4wws9qB-MvkWrVbo8n6-WFsXmS2XFcWhM3MOuvJHWDaP2fXh3Vms">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKyekQ1njNQ&fbclid=IwAR33SOK4wws9qB-MvkWrVbo8n6-WFsXmS2XFcWhM3MOuvJHWDaP2fXh3Vms</a></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">……</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Another clever quotation from my friend <b>Judy of WA</b>:</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #fc2190; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 60.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b><i>Please - just be careful because people are going crazy from being in lock down! Actually I've just been talking about this with the microwave and toaster while drinking coffee and all of us agreed that things are getting bad. I didn't mention anything to the washing machine as she puts a different spin on everything and certainly not to the fridge as he is acting cold and distant. In the end the iron calmed me down as she said everything will be fin<span style="font-size: 11.7px;">e - no </span>situation is too pressing....</i></b></span></div>
<div style="color: #fc2190; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 60.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>From Ruth of Victoria:</b> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Thank you for your lovely newsletter. Keep it up, it does not just help you, it helps many people.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">As you mentioned the homeless, here is something you might like to have a look at. I received the attached newsletter from a friend who runs a charity for the homeless. <a href="https://bit.ly/avalonian-gazette-april-2020"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">https://bit.ly/avalonian-gazette-april-2020</span> </a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">She deserves a mention, and, maybe, some donations from people to help the homeless.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Personally I have been attacking my weeds, making myself very unpopular with them. Hasn’t stopped me from continuing. There are a lot more to get at.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">I am lucky enough to be allowed out for shopping and exercise. The last is not just walking, but a lot of talking. Keeps the face muscles strong, and you can keep your distance.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Looking for the positive things in our lives helps too.. Making someone laugh is good for the soul, ours and theirs”</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">…… </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>From my very dear friend Valerie Parv:</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">“Thank you for thinking of me on my birthday and sending good wishes … I was given some lovely gifts from organic hand wash liquid (very timely) to books and DVDs. Plus some gift cards which I can plan how to spend until we're free to go out and do so. Sometimes planning is half the enjoyment.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">I haven't had to declutter or organise my office, having done so over the last year. I even joined in the national Garage Sale Trail last October which was a major decluttering exercise. In my small community, garage sale shopping is a "thing" where a group goes from one garage sale to another, ending up having coffee at McDonald's. Personally I don't dare to visit other people's garage sales for fear of finding something I simply must have. Books are the worst of course but fortunately I read most fiction on my Kindle. I only buy nonfiction in paper as I find them easier for reference.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Thank you for quoting in your newsletter my favourite psalm, </span><span style="color: #830041; font-kerning: none;"><b><i>"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help."</i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> When I lived in Canberra there were always hills you could see even from the bus stop or the shopping mall, and this verse was in the back of my mind while shopping or waiting for a bus. It's one of the pleasures I miss from Canberra, but we have glorious rural vistas, as I was reminded when Better Homes and Gardens visited recently and showcased some of the attractions. A tourist magazine mentioned that I live here, quite unexpectedly. I've had many accolades in my career but this is my first time as a tourist attraction.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">When the lockdown started six weeks ago (six weeks!) I had so many writing plans, but sad to say I've written none of them. I'll include a link to the blog I posted yesterday, exploring the reasons, as I've found many creative friends in the same situation. I have kept busy, however, blogging and taking part in online writing activitities including a week-long WordFest in aid of rescue greyhounds. I also continue to mentor the current holder of the Valerie Parv Award organised by Romance Writers of Australia. Next year's award has just closed and I'll find out mid year who will be my new mentee, or minion, as past winners call themselves. Here's my blog link.</span></div>
<div style="color: #9d33d6; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="color: #094fd1; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://valerieparv.wordpress.com/2020/05/03/first-monday-mentoring-may-2020-what-you-can-write-during-the-crisis-and-a-challenge/?fbclid=IwAR1cLEb0-bI3flRqakMkHMyEyDHaygRsVAB9vxzX-PQksWdMK1cPva3mgkM">https://valerieparv.wordpress.com/2020/05/03/first-monday-mentoring-may-2020-what-you-can-write-during-the-crisis-and-a-challenge/?fbclid=IwAR1cLEb0-bI3flRqakMkHMyEyDHaygRsVAB9vxzX-PQksWdMK1cPva3mgkM</a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">It does talk mainly to writers but can also apply to any creative goal we may have. <i>(Note from the NoteBook©: The hints and strategies Valerie has put forward so easily fit into what we who are not “writers” can do, to take away the stress of “Isolation” …… Rosemary) </i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Thank you again for another thought-provoking newsletter. Your consideration for the homeless is commendable. I saw on a news program recently an interview with a homeless man for whom a long term place had been found with others staying in a motel, and he said he had become so used to having a proper place to live and bed to sleep in that he didn't know how he would cope going back to the streets. I only pray he doesn't have to.”</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Recently Valerie talked writing with Sarah Williams </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">on her Write With Love Podcast</span></div>
<div style="color: #094fd1; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://tinyurl.com/yamlhdc8">https://tinyurl.com/yamlhdc8</a></span></div>
<div style="color: #094fd1; font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Look for Valerie's <b>'Desert Justice' </b>in<b> 'Her Hot Desert Fantasy' anthology </b>on <a href="http://amazon.com/"><span style="color: #094fd1; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>Amazon.com</b></span></a><b> and Big W.</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Outback Code</b>, 3 books in one from Mira out now in stores, print and ebooks </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<b>From my dear pastors, G and M </b>(<i>from the Village here. We can not, </i><b><i>at the moment</i></b><i>, attend Chapel each week, but these two wonderful girls ensure we are not “grounded” without any contact from them.) </i></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
“So here we are another week stuck inside, feeling a little bit frustrated, bored, maybe even alone. So what can we do in order to help ourselves survive this unusual time we are living in.<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">What can we do with this time of solitude. Is there something we can learn from all this time we have on our hands at the moment, from the Scriptures?</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
<ol><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;">Solitude is a state of being alone without being lonely and can lead to self-</span><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;">awareness</span></ol>
<ol><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;">Solitude is a time that can be used for reflection, inner searching, growth or enjoyment of some kind.</span></ol>
<ol><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;">Solitude suggests peacefulness stemming from a state of inner richness,</span><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;">It is a means of enjoying the quiet, and whatever it brings that is satisfying, and from which we draw sustenance.</span><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;">It is something we </span><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;">cultivate</span></ol>
<ol><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;">Solitude is refreshing’ an opportunity to renew ourselves.</span><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;">In other words, it replenishes us</span></ol>
<ol><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;">Solitude gives us time to explore and know ourselves.</span><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;">It is the necessary counterpoint to intimacy, it is what allows us to have a self worthy of sharing.</span><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;">Solitude gives us a chance to regain perspective</span></ol>
<ol><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;">Solitude restores body and mine and Spirit.</span><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;">A time to withdraw from the hustle and bustle of lives around us.”</span><span style="font-family: "avenir next"; text-align: justify;"> </span></ol>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>MAY I CLOSE THIS NEWSLETTER,</b></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>WITH A MESSAGE FROM MY FRIEND BILL CREWS, OF THE</b></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b> </b></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>EXODUS FOUNDATION</b></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b> </b></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b>IN SYDNEY:</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b></b></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Hi everyone</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">The homeless people we work with and love usually have three chronic illnesses. For them Coronavirus probably means death. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">We do everything we can to protect them. That includes free flu shots and virus testing for everyone. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Here is the link to the 7-minute video showing how we do it.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> <a href="https://youtu.be/utNoA7i8vJk">https://youtu.be/utNoA7i8vJk</a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 28.8px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 28.8px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">God Bless, Bill</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 28.8px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 33.3px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Fondest regards</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 28.8px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span></div>
<div style="color: #830041; font-family: "Mona Lisa Solid ITC TT"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin-left: 28.8px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">Rosemary </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "apple color emoji"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">🌹</span><span style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "apple color emoji"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">🌹</span><span style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "apple color emoji"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">🌹</span><span style="color: black; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">STAY SAFE, TAKE CARE EVERYONE.</span></div>
SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-12920867117199425992020-05-12T14:35:00.001+10:002020-06-07T21:33:20.882+10:00Lockdown and Emotions<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9blMdOEZtlYyJuRrBkJjtoeUBsTDDfrK4JeE-jact80OBRTd6tUcYmRBa0MImGD90u-kAyTyXMrWUh_0nFjne_8u5q2cna8JQe6kmU-Na0Uypd-GC8UvxCLxJehvKk34uIIDRbE2CI7F/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_fde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="222" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9blMdOEZtlYyJuRrBkJjtoeUBsTDDfrK4JeE-jact80OBRTd6tUcYmRBa0MImGD90u-kAyTyXMrWUh_0nFjne_8u5q2cna8JQe6kmU-Na0Uypd-GC8UvxCLxJehvKk34uIIDRbE2CI7F/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_fde.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Hello dear friends, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">This is a “strange” time we’re in. Being in Isolation I find daylight hours seem slow and tedious, whereas as the afternoon unfolds, I find my day is rushing by. When I speak to some of my neighbours by phone or Messenger , they say the same thing! Just what is going on, I ask?</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">This morning I opened the curtains to find the sky grey with heavy clouds. Two hours later the sky is blue, and the sun is shining. For those readers overseas, we’re in the second month of Autumn (my friends in the USA call it “Fall”). While the weather here is cooling considerably, one thing I am missing is being able to walk around nearby streets and to see the ever-changing gardens. I miss seeing the leaves of the deciduous trees turning into their beautiful colours. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>The Lockdown and Emotions</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">A number of my friends are telling me they’ve been going through all sorts of emotional ups and downs. The worry associated with “not knowing” (what this virus is, where it came from, how long we will need to fight it, will it “die” of its own accord, or hide away?), together with not being able to see our families or to join in small groups with our girl-friends, yet trying to cope with the feelings of having no control on almost any part of our daily life, is taking its toll. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Yet, as another friend from New Zealand wrote in her blog today, “<i>This crisis WILL pass. We WILL be back to normal, whatever our normal was or will be. Life may be on hold for many but it still has the potential to be full of dreams and plans.” </i>She then included a most beautiful Youtube video of her land which has incredible uplifting words. Visit her blog at: <a href="http://thelockdowndiary.blogspot.com/"> <span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">thelockdowndiary.blogspot.com</span></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i></i></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Asking for Help</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">This is a time when our friends - whether close-by or further afield, need us, as we need them. Too often we hold back and not ask for help, whether it be physical or merely just to “listen” to us when we feel out-of-sorts or “down in the dumps”. We hold back because we don’t want to worry them, or take up their time. Yet, I‘ve often found that when I do let my “pride” down a notch or two and actually ask a friend to “listen”, then they are ready, willing and able to put their life on hold, just to hold my hand (figuratively) and walk me through my times of anxiety or stress. I like to think that I respond in like manner when they call on me. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">This is where, even though the “social-distancing” and “isolation” is restricting us in so many ways, we have opportunities to reach out and seek a friendly word of encouragement through means of emails, telephone calls and face-time. We don’t need to remain silent, to keep things to ourselves, to wonder how other people are coping. For when we are aware that <b><i>we</i></b> may feel disadvantaged because we can’t meet up with our girl-friends for coffee or get together in groups for lunch, then we become aware that <b>they</b> in turn most likely feel the same way. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b>Loving each other</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">I heard the Joni Mitchell song the other night, “<i>I’ve looked at love from both sides now</i>.” While this is a regretful-love-song, it is more to the point a song about the two sides of love. We can easily say we love our family, friends and neighbours, but to actually prove that in words, deeds, and caring, we rise above just being someone who says things but never does things, In so doing, we can then become even more the person we’ve always hoped we would become.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">But love doesn’t only have two sides. It is multi faceted. Love is just a four letter word, and yet it is incredibly difficult to define. There are so many layers. So many meanings. So many translations. Yet love is what makes the world go round. It’s not being powerful, or being multi-rich, it’s being aware of another person’s needs whether they be physical or emotional and being ready to respond to those needs in whatever way we can. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">We also need to “thank” each other for countless things. Teena the other morning reminded me about this when she told me she makes a point of saying “thank you” to all the people stocking the shelves in the supermarket where she shops. When you think about it, there are thousands of people who are still working in order for this country to continue moving forward. To most of us they are the people in the background and we seldom give them a thought. Why not make a short list of people you can think of, to whom you can say “thank you”. For doing what they do, whether they are on the frontline (in their selfless examples) or in the background. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Keep safe , everyone. God bless you all, without exceptions.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Fondest regards</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Avenir Next"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Apple Color Emoji"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">🌹</span><span style="font-family: "mona lisa solid itc tt"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">🌹</span><span style="font-family: "mona lisa solid itc tt"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">🌹</span></div>
SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-9758000546299824012020-04-01T14:35:00.000+11:002020-04-01T15:01:58.632+11:00CARING about one another. CARING for one another.<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">Hello Dear Friends</span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">For those of us of a “certain age” (don’t ask me what that means, because as far as I’m concerned any and every age is a “certain” age!! Lol), we’ve enjoyed many decades that became enriched following the Second World War, by way of better housing, more choices as far as food and clothing are concerned; better transport, in fact being able to buy our own car, better and faster access to going to the Dr, the supply of medications, the ability to travel extensively, being able to regularly go to a restaurant for a special meal, the opportunity of education whether it be by attending mature-age university or by learning on the job, the technological age that permitted us to have our very own personal computer and then electronic devices, and the list goes on.</span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">Yet now in 2020, with each day, in fact almost hour by hour, we find more things to upset us; to cause us </span><span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">inconvenience; to make us anxious and stressed. </span><span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"> We learn there are more things to confront. </span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><i>For nothing has prepared us for this dreadful Covid 19 and its horrendous journey throughout the world and for those who say it’s not serious are denying reality. </i> The government here in Victoria (Australia) is bringing in even more stringent measures in its endeavour to control the rapid spread of this virus through social physical interaction; casinos, hotels, sporting events, gyms, coffee shops, restaurants, concerts, art galleries, theatres, cinemas, churches are having to close. Warnings of social distancing have been rejected by thousands of people, who take the attitude its not serious and therefore doesn’t affect them. The common laws of good manners and common sense have been foolishly scorned. Hundreds of thousands of jobs are being lost, as well as small businesses going to the wall. Not to mention large businesses. </span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">Unfortunately it affects us all. And it's important that we, as intelligent, sensible human beings, take into account that each one of us is as important as the other. Caring and sharing has become a symbol of “charity” (good-will and kindness) to its highest level of meaning amongst many people in our communities. Young people are volunteering in droves to deliver food parcels where homelessness and poverty prevent people from buying essential foods. Each day brings “positive” stories of individuals who have decided to make a stand, and to <i class="" style="font-weight: bold;">do</i> things for other people, without thought of recompense. </span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">I made a conscious decision more than a fortnight ago to semi-self-isolate. For someone who has always enjoyed my own space, and not needing other people to provide my “entertainment”, it has been quite enlightening to me to realise what semi-self-isolation actually means. Especially for those who “need” face-to-face interaction with other people. I cannot comprehend their feelings of loss. Yet, I thank God for my one small room which I call my sanctuary - my “Serendipity Sanctuary”! </span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">So, finding my options were (1) watching TV, which I haven’t done for quite some time with the exception of the evening news each day; (2) reading and I’ve begun to read some of my old favourite authors again; (3) and apart from vacuuming my room, tidying up and dusting, doing a little bit of simple cooking, it has become clear I have the opportunity of seeking other means of keeping myself occupied in meaningful and worthwhile endeavours. I am lost for things to do! Although I have found I’m increasing my contact with friends, some whom I’ve not spoken with for years, by telephone, and now by “ messenger” via my iPhone The sound of another human voice and a voice we know, brings so much pleasure and costs nothing. Oh yes, I’m playing music far more often that I’ve done over the past few years. There’s no doubt that music soothes the soul. </span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">I am most fortunate in having my computer. I can sit and write. I can sit and learn. I can sit and think. And boy, do I think a lot? (As most of you know!!) I’ve decided that “semi-self-isolation” is in fact “solitude”. Solitude is not loneliness. It is more a <i class="">“place of calm and peace”</i>, whereby our well-being can become:</span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: left;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">(a) refreshed</span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: left;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">(b) reinvigorated</span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: left;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">(c) revitalised</span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: left;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">(d) renewed</span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: left;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">(e) revived, and</span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: left;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">(f) restored. </span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14px;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">With that achieved, we are well armed to provide helpfulness through kind and loving words and encouragement; a listening ear to those who are going through problems that beset them; and a heart that is open to those who need a friend. </span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<br class="" /></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">Women of all ages, since the beginning of time as we know it, have been resilient, adapting to the changing world around us. Going without - in order that families and neighbours were fed; in order that children were clothed and educated; in order that elders were cared for; in order that others were thought of and looked after. </span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">Women have had to fight for the privilege of education (and I’m not only speaking of the 20th century, but earlier.) Women had to fight draconian working conditions in mills and workshops as the industrial age came along, not to mention the backbreaking work in the coal and tin mines, Women had to fight for acceptance to become doctors and teachers, and then typists and secretaries. Women have had to fight discrimination throughout all facets of every-day life. Women have had to face hardship, poverty, domestic abuse, and sadly many still do. </span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">But all in all, as life-style things improved for women, we began to take things for granted in so many ways. This situation that now confronts us is a “wake-up” call, that things are not as they seem or as we recall just months ago. We can’t assume that life will continue in that way, after this virus has passed away. We have to grapple with a new reality and a fight against an unseen and remorseless foe. </span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">Yet women are born fighters! And while we are facing and coping with this Covid 19, if we look beyond our own needs, and share with others their needs, we will all be victors! </span><span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"> And our men need us too. To provide the strength and toughness of spirit that <i class="">we can provide them</i> as they also battle with the insecurity and uncertainty presently confronting us. </span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">Because women have always had the ability to look beyond what is NOW. For “now” soon becomes “then.” </span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;"><br class="" /></span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">Take care my friends and express love to one another in simple ways. God bless you all - without exceptions. We need each other more now than history can recall. </span></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<br class="" /></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; text-align: justify;">
<span class="" style="font-family: AvenirNext-Regular;">Fondest regards</span></div>
<div class="" style="font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;">
<span class="" style="font-family: "chopinscript";"><span class="" style="font-size: 36px;">🌹</span></span><span class="" style="font-family: "chopinscript"; font-size: 36px;">🌹</span><span class="" style="font-family: "chopinscript"; font-size: 36px;">🌹</span></div>
SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-72665258935437383512019-08-31T10:42:00.002+10:002019-08-31T10:42:27.332+10:00Some day my "prints" will come<span style="font-size: large;">Remember the theme song from Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs? Some day my Prince (prints) will come? </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpulpz3sT6xdTgoGgmdkZLDYtAC64Ed60sA-xcOmTWVuXb2PquID0alBjCfkOv9CTTdoCVsunUqlv4dT8tipl0AZluC3YHSSy4VR1qDJ9tZihP6NeaqDnn1m7a7pQF06ynBxd3miEVs4I/s1600/zzz+Special+Size+1a.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpulpz3sT6xdTgoGgmdkZLDYtAC64Ed60sA-xcOmTWVuXb2PquID0alBjCfkOv9CTTdoCVsunUqlv4dT8tipl0AZluC3YHSSy4VR1qDJ9tZihP6NeaqDnn1m7a7pQF06ynBxd3miEVs4I/s320/zzz+Special+Size+1a.jpg" width="202" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, I'll be contented with some of the lovely prints (large and small) that are appearing in our stores, and I believe we're being promised many more variations on the print theme.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Block colours are gradually easing out and prints are back! Does that mean chintz as well? Does everyone remember that fabric - mostly used for curtains and furnishings but brave young women of the day used chintz to make their own "fashion". For we used to make our own clothes, would you believe? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When it comes to fabrics, I wonder why we never see things like broderie anglaise and seersucker these days. They're not seen to be "luxury" fabrics and yet, and yet ......... For one thing they are both excellent fabrics for our warm weather here. Now I'm talking out of turn here I guess, because the temperature here overnight was zero but the sun is now shining in a bright blue sky and while there's a chill in the air, the sunshine makes us think of the warmer days. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But then we're in Winter heading towards Spring (officially starts tomorrow!), so that's to be expected. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In the meantime,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Regards</span>SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-40426039915803789112019-03-01T13:31:00.002+11:002023-09-01T16:13:06.482+10:00Procrastination doesn't pay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfcJyWXhqvCdip1XijvhzEf08_4vQf779XMLWlH1es07YvEoHx_H27LVYwb3p_lMxKIOCRELSQ3sO8fNVbEpTthXN4eDtJ-OaqOalrzsqKL8ZDY_kbVCZv8iC_S2cHgDV_dz0RndcC0uF/s1600/Photo+on+15-1-18+at+2.06+pm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfcJyWXhqvCdip1XijvhzEf08_4vQf779XMLWlH1es07YvEoHx_H27LVYwb3p_lMxKIOCRELSQ3sO8fNVbEpTthXN4eDtJ-OaqOalrzsqKL8ZDY_kbVCZv8iC_S2cHgDV_dz0RndcC0uF/s320/Photo+on+15-1-18+at+2.06+pm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
For someone who believes they are "organised", I think I fell through the floor. I've just been able to find my blog, and have determined to be a little more regular in posts.<br />
<br />
Of course during the time since I last posted on the NoteBook©, I've been battling with a few growing older issues including health, but then many of my readers have found themselves in similar boats, so at least we can laugh togetther, and share notes.<br />
<br />
The other thing that happened is that I had a great deal of trouble with my ISP, who startsd billing excessive charges, with no real understanding of my loyalty years. Some 25 years to be exact. So I did what any sensible woman does, and I told them to keep their service and I'd go elsewhere. <br />
<br />
You know, it's times like this when you realise that putting things off doesn't pay and quite honestly is stupid. Just because were growing older doesn't mean to say that we've lost the ability to think things through and to make concsious decisions that are favourable and worthwhile.<br />
<br />
So that's what's been happening in a nutshell since my previous post. A tiny nutshell I'll admit, but nevertheless gives an explanation of what I've been up to.<br />
<br />
I see on the news last evening that our friend Ita Buttrose has been chosen to be the next Chair of the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporatio). This lady has proved many times of her tenacity, determination, discipline and her ability to take on extraordinary projects. I persoally wish her well. recall back in the very days of this NoteBook© that Ita interviewed me on her radio programme on 2GB in Sydney. She encouraged me, she inspired me and continues to do so.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWy4Vnl1bi5gpt96gwiDEMQFkkZB7jrkWfXUxzraW_hnr9smmF7TPlIKKpM9FUHc7Z5tzvCvIcl3y_JmIsPKy0e3akjzKoVb-_n9sbrrg-LYW3kAeHcC5NoDxiq1LXtR7I1Dkn-4Nv2yA/s1600/IMG_6701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWy4Vnl1bi5gpt96gwiDEMQFkkZB7jrkWfXUxzraW_hnr9smmF7TPlIKKpM9FUHc7Z5tzvCvIcl3y_JmIsPKy0e3akjzKoVb-_n9sbrrg-LYW3kAeHcC5NoDxiq1LXtR7I1Dkn-4Nv2yA/s320/IMG_6701.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Regards to everyone.<br />
<br />
<br />SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-30806846477849149852016-09-25T14:24:00.003+10:002016-09-25T14:24:36.364+10:00SpringtimeSpringtime officially began here in the eastern states of Australia on the 1st September.<br />
<br />
Well! You could have been mistaken about that, for the weather has been somewhat contradictory. The cold spell we've had reminds us of mid-winter and this of course has reflected in what we are wearing. It's almost as though we're asking ourselves "<i>when will we be able to wear some of our lovely summer clothes".</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
But it's merely a matter of being patient, and making sure that our summer clothes are in readiness for us. <br />
<br />
For the more curvaceous woman, the ranges from Maggie T as well as Autograph meet our young-at-heart feelings - whatever age we are! For the more budget conscious, then the ranges from Victoria Hill and Danart neet that need as well. Visit both their websites and view their latest catalogues and then get along to a store or purchase from on-line. <br />
<br />
Cotton and linen are favourites this year as well as a lot of stretch fabrics, particularly in pants and crops. The casual but dressy look is one that will carry you from the home, or business, to an early evening get-together with friends.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOEELRzdba7BYIijoCaIMcdWpXxDWYhFlk1JpFi96MVsmClo34-sCg9q92rR4MazJE64xLp8vIgN1HgGAqhGDnvuWtpMcMeYISJEdDCFUOXnX1RQigiueLerqobdmVjhA80rKEexXiSlC/s1600/2438-maggie-t-ss16-digital-catalogue_spread3_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOEELRzdba7BYIijoCaIMcdWpXxDWYhFlk1JpFi96MVsmClo34-sCg9q92rR4MazJE64xLp8vIgN1HgGAqhGDnvuWtpMcMeYISJEdDCFUOXnX1RQigiueLerqobdmVjhA80rKEexXiSlC/s640/2438-maggie-t-ss16-digital-catalogue_spread3_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjap36LDHN5ZKIAdV4ccSx05UEYxoItKLjufJOR80TZebL8hbXSTakvqLjaeRD6e3110RN3kRPSB6HwNuL623fln4k6sskhfVeAoBxl3r6juI4O2LfasrV-NPh9rl7uCmOO7ZZBaAhJTNm0/s1600/cd44cd2e-0e50-4c5f-a542-89f1c9ae31a3_mag_september_940x580-comingsoon7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjap36LDHN5ZKIAdV4ccSx05UEYxoItKLjufJOR80TZebL8hbXSTakvqLjaeRD6e3110RN3kRPSB6HwNuL623fln4k6sskhfVeAoBxl3r6juI4O2LfasrV-NPh9rl7uCmOO7ZZBaAhJTNm0/s640/cd44cd2e-0e50-4c5f-a542-89f1c9ae31a3_mag_september_940x580-comingsoon7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-6765044281695709352016-08-18T08:56:00.001+10:002016-08-18T08:57:15.242+10:00LATEST VIEWS AND OPINIONS!<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">There are still a number of stores that well clothing up to and including size 18 and sometimes 20. Anything higher then you have to look around to find what’s there, and more importantly what looks good. For as you and I know full well, many of the clothes are so mass produced that they begin to look like just plain olf “stuff”. We know that most, if not all, clothing these days is made in China.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">But I’m not complaining. Ha, you say. Rosemary’s not complaining? Well I suppose I am in a small sweet way, but what I’m doing is stating fact. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiFTGt-38xUQfba4MPlNOmakOtV3s4Relmg1Sk1pD8XmiHv-oOQKQUFooksUq2jLf9IfrAYRVWIymq5skkNBrDnFxv0VXXhyphenhyphentPEYU_Pxd2j9YAupJKq3FFORGEb65Cseofbr-mwZ_X7d0/s1600/99558683-8f49-4550-9f36-772e8f045200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiFTGt-38xUQfba4MPlNOmakOtV3s4Relmg1Sk1pD8XmiHv-oOQKQUFooksUq2jLf9IfrAYRVWIymq5skkNBrDnFxv0VXXhyphenhyphentPEYU_Pxd2j9YAupJKq3FFORGEb65Cseofbr-mwZ_X7d0/s320/99558683-8f49-4550-9f36-772e8f045200.jpg" width="190" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkyHzC7ob_NTVFK0IaGnDtlhM8g3CFgkiK14xReHhjdjCuUHhyhvgjT-2WPQd1TRnvxn_QuMuK2sRcOyFAKUYeC3uQMnBOLvSj9uuEobltUzSkz3OZeNV85I9ueRM6bRFxh6oNMDbNrbF/s1600/ff014d10-d3bd-46a3-bc87-ad218116999a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkyHzC7ob_NTVFK0IaGnDtlhM8g3CFgkiK14xReHhjdjCuUHhyhvgjT-2WPQd1TRnvxn_QuMuK2sRcOyFAKUYeC3uQMnBOLvSj9uuEobltUzSkz3OZeNV85I9ueRM6bRFxh6oNMDbNrbF/s320/ff014d10-d3bd-46a3-bc87-ad218116999a.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">There are some good companies overseas, including Making It Big (which now comes under the title of “On the Plus Side by Making It Big” (<a href="mailto:mib@makingitbig.com"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">mib@makingitbig.com</span></a>). Monif C (<a href="http://monifc.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">monifc.com</span></a>) <a href="mailto:info@news.monifc.com"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">info@news.monifc.com</span></a>) and Igigi (<a href="http://igigi.com/"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">igigi.com</span></a>) who cater for the more curvaceous woman. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">These are very sexy garments and if I were “brave” I might be tempted!</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">While I’m not suggesting in any way that any garments from these suppliers are anything but top quality, a lot of women are now coming back to the old-fashioned idea of being able to “see” a garment, “feel a garment” and to look at how it is made (sewn) before buying. Some are perfectly happy buying on-line and have never been disappointed. I had a couple of experiences and was extremely disappointed, so …… (Let's be honest here, my purchases DID NOT come from any of these three USA suppliers!)</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Now we come to what is available in the stores here. Autograph has some lovely garments, including underwear/lingerie did you know? It’s always worth your while to visit an Autograph store because they do have some great bargains occasionally. Taking Shape - well I’m on their email list but for some reason nothing seems to take my eye. But then, as most of you will be aware, I’m not longer “young” (even though I'm still seen as <i>young at heart)</i> and I’ve come to the stage where I have worked out my wardrobe and what suits me, and I stick with the guidelines I’ve set myself from years experience. So a number of Australian stores that supposedly stock and sell clothing for curvaceous women have a focus on the younger woman most of the time.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">I even find (here I go - am I in fact complaining? Probably). I find Maggie T garments are attractive but so pricey that I can no longer do more than look at their catalogue (on-line) and drool. That’s where I’ve gotten to, girls.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">I’m also on the mailing list for “In Fashion”, the catalogue that includes Damart and Victoria Hill. While Damart,garments go up to size 24, many of Victoria Hill garments go up to size 30. This latest catalogue for Spring 2016 has some really attractive items. Let me say at the outset that the prices are comparable to those in the stores, but it’s a matter of sensibly working out a mix-n-match outfit and then being able to add items at a later date that will in effect create YOUR own profile outfit. Let this be the start of something BIG!</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCdO6oPA80yT0_ukQ75s6kjaWlEq1PbbJSWIxM5HqKLQPwmTOOyiwe91E1eEd0x_JX1TTxzItnwxmfZzG3ksY-lOkeFRLN5e-McB-rVT4by-4mDbfTBlAzZTAaQEO9TjKRpdbJ8tRdwoz/s1600/12S43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCdO6oPA80yT0_ukQ75s6kjaWlEq1PbbJSWIxM5HqKLQPwmTOOyiwe91E1eEd0x_JX1TTxzItnwxmfZzG3ksY-lOkeFRLN5e-McB-rVT4by-4mDbfTBlAzZTAaQEO9TjKRpdbJ8tRdwoz/s320/12S43.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Victoria Hill has Jeans, regular lengths as well as Crop, Tunic Tops, Lightweight Cardigans, Knee Length Crinkle Shorts, a dress or two, tee shirts, sweatshirts, plain and printed polos, skirts, and a selection of jeans, shirt, cami and skirt in Lyocell (which in the catalogue looks very much like Tencel - remember that fabric) </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Their catalogue also has a range of swimwear, shoes, handbags, hats (including floppy hats for the sun!), and jewellery. Not to mention nightwear and lingerie.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">This catalogue is 100 pages, and well worth having a look at the hard-copy. Again, I’m old-fashioned and like leafing through the catalogue and making my mind up slowly rather than going mad on-line and ordering half a dozen items that I may not like in the long run.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal;">
<div style="font-family: helvetica;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">So there, has this given you any ideas? Perhaps you’ve got ideas of our own that you could share with me, and the other readers of RoseMary’s NoteBook© Then we’ll all be the Gold Medal Winners.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: helvetica;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">'Til next time</span></div>
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Rosemary</b></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<br /></div>
SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-67597820465702406412016-08-01T14:28:00.000+10:002016-08-01T14:32:13.766+10:00PUT A LITTLE ZING INTO YOUR STEP!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2836401080404942248" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkX6Xx1Fc0h-eJGmpDptTFHlJ-rr-oppJUXaKzWykUe2G7QDW50O2eqQuQ0exmoZRst0RDW6IL8uvtfhmYqCqyBdhnPed7xK7RIflK4oo4kHq0ZKivRVTgH7d4keQxrPu1Dwy3P2A1YE57/s1600/fashion+fullskirtbyfossilmike+-+Version+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkX6Xx1Fc0h-eJGmpDptTFHlJ-rr-oppJUXaKzWykUe2G7QDW50O2eqQuQ0exmoZRst0RDW6IL8uvtfhmYqCqyBdhnPed7xK7RIflK4oo4kHq0ZKivRVTgH7d4keQxrPu1Dwy3P2A1YE57/s320/fashion+fullskirtbyfossilmike+-+Version+2.jpg" width="224" /></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2836401080404942248" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When it comes to being flambouyant, there’s nothing quite like a full-circle skirt. Especially a long full-circle skirt. </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There’s something quite sensual about the skirt flowing freely around your legs and with Springtime not too far off, why not look into adding this type of garment to your wardrobe.</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For those of us who are “growing older”, it can quite often become a matter of “I’m too old for something like that”. Well more to the point what’s growing older got to do with wearing something that makes you feel good? </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So get out there and let your hair down, as the old saying goes, and even if you only wear it indoors, make it your goal to start looking at yourself as a unique, one-off individual. Age, size, colour have nothing to do with being a woman and enjoying life as a woman should do. </span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our younger women are experimenting with all sorts of variations and trends all the time. Don’t put off doing something really nice for yourself.</span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; min-height: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s your time you know, Right now, Let’s know what you’ve added to your wardrobe recently and what you intend to add in the short term.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">'til next time</span></span><br />
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Rosemary</b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div>
SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-33858735340595109442016-01-03T12:18:00.000+11:002016-08-01T14:22:36.447+10:00HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Well, as you’ll see it’s been a long while since I “posted” on my blog. Some people have asked the reasons why, while others haven’t said a word. Does that mean not many of my regulars have been following me after all?</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">However, ever the inveterate optimist, that’s me. So I’m starting the New Year off with a reminder to everyone to please keep this blog current and to “follow me” on your computer. Perhaps you’ll learn a thing or two, perhaps you’ll be entertained, informed and/or educated. Perhaps you won’t learn a thing, but hey, let’s keep in contact one way or another.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2836401080404942248" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2836401080404942248" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2836401080404942248" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2836401080404942248" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2836401080404942248" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2836401080404942248" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2836401080404942248" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Many of my friends have gathered up the courage to try out FaceBook. Well, my friends, believe it or not, I’m trying to grasp the ins and outs of FaceBook myself. But it’s not as easy as it sounds. Oh yes, young people seem to be able to navigate it quite smoothly and even to make it work for them. Me, I stumble and I stagger around, but at least I’m trying. Yes, I hear many of my friends say, you definitely are “trying”, Rosemary!</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">But with that, I’d like to start off by stating, the obvious. I don’t know where “fashion” is here in Australia - has it gone to sleep, is it hiding, or does it only come out at night? As all my loyal readers know I am a great “observer” of people, particularly women, and I can’t see where there is anything exciting being worn by the majority of women who visit our shopping malls and larger centres during daylight hours. Once again, and please don’t blame me, but it seems to be to be “same all, same all”. Where’s the flare, where’s the fun, where’s the flounces, where’s the feminity, where’s the feisiness?</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dull, boring, cut off pants and tee shirts. Jeans and tee shirts. “Hippy” style long skirts with tee shirts. Slip slop thongs (I mean the footwear not the undies). Bra straps showing and for those who don’t wear bras, a lot of “other” showing. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Let’s start 2016 off with an understanding of what we can wear, how we can wear it and how we can embrace our femininity with style. It’s a matter of experiment, experiment, experiment. Experiment with colours, with textures, with fabrics, with designs and what ever else you can think of.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Layering brings with it a whole kaleadiscope of possibilities. You can put together colours that you may not usually wear, but take the plunge. You’ll enjoy the experience.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-variant-caps: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;">'til next time</span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana", sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b><i>Rosemary</i></b></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-68794662656150189812015-10-13T07:21:00.000+11:002015-10-13T07:21:39.740+11:00THE PACE OF LIFESo much has changed during recent years, not only in our daily lives, but in the way we live. And especially at the speed at which we live. Who would have thought even five years ago that "social media" would take over our lives.<br />
<br />
Communication today is instantaneous. Social media has made a lasting effect upon our thinking and this can be both a good as well as not so good thing about organising the hours in any day.<br />
<br />
No longer do we need to depend just on women's magazines that came out monthly rather than weekly to read the latest fashion trends, celebrity gossip, what is occurring on the other side of the world. We hear about these things so quickly now that for many of us, our heads spin trying to take it all in. For "fashion trends" change not only seasonally but almost daily.<br />
<br />
Yet many quotations by notable people from years ago are still pertinent today when it comes to fashion particularly. <br />
<br />
I'd like to quote Yves St Laurent who said:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"FASHION FADES, STYLE IS ETERNAL"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Instead of chasing fashion trends (which so often don't suit us at all), why not study the effects of "style"? Observe other women and how they dress, whether it be casual or conservative, and see how confident and self assured women use clothing in such a way as to expxress their own individual personality, rather than being part of the "mob". And they do it with a certain panaché. </div>
<br />
<br />SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-87532533926602112772015-09-27T13:35:00.003+10:002015-09-27T13:35:26.171+10:00QUOTATION for the DAY<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">When people have light in themselves, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">it will shine out from them</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">then we get to know each other as we walk together </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">through the darkness,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">without needing to pass our hands over each other's faces, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">or to intrude into each other's hearts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: x-small;">.... Albert chweitzer - 1875-1965</span></div>
SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-74469359753665932892015-09-20T11:36:00.002+10:002015-09-20T11:37:39.390+10:00QUOTE FOR THE DAY<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>And the song</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>from beginning to end</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>I found in the </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b>heart of a friend</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
..... Henry Wadsworth Longfellow</div>
SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-34823541323571275382015-09-17T07:26:00.001+10:002015-09-17T07:26:19.368+10:00QUOTE FOR THE DAY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0WMG72gfKRO_TxRUSWIAyTCo5vPoZ-nFMPgAYLwV1t_5rhcfPgLUCvK4AxUuOPYRBrdAzyXtAmPaIa_btDAjQB0ZM5Ly3elQq9yc7-uAAi2G_fMuqom14r1fV8j_LtdcvnG96VN0w6kn/s1600/12004046_10153027809347441_1487275113724372583_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0WMG72gfKRO_TxRUSWIAyTCo5vPoZ-nFMPgAYLwV1t_5rhcfPgLUCvK4AxUuOPYRBrdAzyXtAmPaIa_btDAjQB0ZM5Ly3elQq9yc7-uAAi2G_fMuqom14r1fV8j_LtdcvnG96VN0w6kn/s320/12004046_10153027809347441_1487275113724372583_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-22055891925710988072015-09-09T09:56:00.000+10:002015-09-10T10:07:05.877+10:00NOT a problem to be solved!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've just discovered this on FaceBook (but was unable to "share" for some reason) so full acknowledgement is given to the author/artist whoever it may be.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The important thing is that this is the type of "poster" we should see more often. I wonder sometimes why we don't see many children's books about "chubby" boys and girls, in a positive way.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In fact why why don't we see a lot more curvaceous "female" heroines (or larger "male" heroes) in novels. Can you think of any? Write and share your finds.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4nRCwEju4oC88dBBfZNGK7-yQrGjcUMtEv6dP8F_kUewOiwr0agtxaSM6lBiHZHovrcegw3Obq0Pm6yzg3xyqW9U0iEHD1j1Lep94vtM37h9V12lRwDokDju9tqQMIBsd4WotWWDRSgG/s1600/10403302_10153019759262441_2380003658699212498_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4nRCwEju4oC88dBBfZNGK7-yQrGjcUMtEv6dP8F_kUewOiwr0agtxaSM6lBiHZHovrcegw3Obq0Pm6yzg3xyqW9U0iEHD1j1Lep94vtM37h9V12lRwDokDju9tqQMIBsd4WotWWDRSgG/s320/10403302_10153019759262441_2380003658699212498_n.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
<br />SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-51156620756256505462015-09-05T10:10:00.002+10:002015-10-13T07:23:05.692+11:00A GLIMPSE OF THE SEASON'S TRENDS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hIGGHAe2ToJiCz4nimJ2CXp5CflGTaHv32WK3Dtab6Cg2QdVMFe0qJBjJYAoEWxWS3XL6QjMO6FutBh6kLW7d0Mi_1lmJZbXwosDEpY31w5rcwX1GCHNnvBQlcdmxX3kiQl5RXKZUOWC/s1600/logo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hIGGHAe2ToJiCz4nimJ2CXp5CflGTaHv32WK3Dtab6Cg2QdVMFe0qJBjJYAoEWxWS3XL6QjMO6FutBh6kLW7d0Mi_1lmJZbXwosDEpY31w5rcwX1GCHNnvBQlcdmxX3kiQl5RXKZUOWC/s640/logo2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="webkit-fake-url://C362C0DB-9EE5-4F9B-AC3B-E182CB762967/image.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="webkit-fake-url://C362C0DB-9EE5-4F9B-AC3B-E182CB762967/image.tiff" /></a></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have to confess I was “giving up” on a number of the Australian suppliers for not having the courage (or initiative) to seriously look at the plus-size figure as something of beauty to be complimented and enhanced by loving clothing - rather than the run-of-the-mill sameness that has been appearing in our stores for far too long.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">But size 22 plus women, want something that glides over the figure - yes, we still have a figure whether you believe it or not. This is why I was so pleased to see the latest range from TS 12-24 Celebrate Your Curves. </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Taking Shape - the name says it all. Now the brand is coming up with some great ideas for the woman whose size ranges between 12-24. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">What a pity they don’t go into higher sizes!</span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuChojUQ-jHoUBhOddfv6OoGC1L2P5yDsTuJe_uWtEdYVF-3IIGQo_S1eD6VmsEm60pgELMR5L5OztWBrfyqBQCndz3zH-6UUXpNAkMXKYpM7YZyHQkhVm3RGvMtWhEN5B2hwkroijayXv/s1600/150831_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuChojUQ-jHoUBhOddfv6OoGC1L2P5yDsTuJe_uWtEdYVF-3IIGQo_S1eD6VmsEm60pgELMR5L5OztWBrfyqBQCndz3zH-6UUXpNAkMXKYpM7YZyHQkhVm3RGvMtWhEN5B2hwkroijayXv/s640/150831_07.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is a fabulous tunic/gown. Called the White Noise Shirt Dress, it can be worn with leggings, slim pants, and if you have fabulous legs (like Maggie T) then black beautiful stockings.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">With a button down front, this garment can be worn dressed-up or dressed-down, open or closed. Large side splits at the sides allows for comfort, especially when sitting. The cap sleeves (15cm) I would have preferred to be longer, but then if you like layering then a smart black sleeved cami or light tee shirt can disguise the thicker arms that many plus-size women experience.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love the length of this garment and I also love what appears to be a collar. Collars always seem to me to add a bit of class - don’t ask me why, but that’s my humble opinion. </span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #5d6366; font: 11.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; min-height: 13.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-3957899014937157592015-08-26T14:19:00.000+10:002015-08-26T14:19:30.076+10:00COLOURS AND HOW WE FEEL ABOUT OURSELVES<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s all got to do with a basic knowledge of what colours suit you and your complexion. Believe it or not but colours ARE important, not only to how you look but to how you feel.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1y5ZyJjJF4otkylM0xjDJGyymD_qMfVoC4sNb_tx7arblGU-lWmhldQ0OhHRA3xe_CkQPS0MpjgvtWvu9zAuSYNHM_r8LJvfjGWTP_OT4eJeu3Lkpc-oI9YqQa_br0fSrPrgvJaiWaOu/s1600/IMG_1037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1y5ZyJjJF4otkylM0xjDJGyymD_qMfVoC4sNb_tx7arblGU-lWmhldQ0OhHRA3xe_CkQPS0MpjgvtWvu9zAuSYNHM_r8LJvfjGWTP_OT4eJeu3Lkpc-oI9YqQa_br0fSrPrgvJaiWaOu/s320/IMG_1037.jpg" width="272" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let’s face it, with everything that’s going on around us at any time, we need to feel “good” about ourselves. There’s enough criticism and negativity that is inferred, or said, by others to make us feel less optimistic about ourselves. That shouldn’t be, and we know we shouldn’t take any notice, but unfortunately there are days when we do. And we fall in a heap. We start criticising ourselves. We vent our anger at ourselves for being too fat, too ungainly, too clumsy, too dull, too boring. Then we become even more critical on how we dress.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If I turn my thoughts into focussing on “me” all the time, then I lose track of what is important to me, and in my life. Many women I have spoken and listened to, who have all come to the conclusion that we know what is best for us, agree that when we have basic knowledge of what is good for us, then we can add to it, work on it, and enhance it. Thus making our lives happier and contented.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I was younger I wasn’t aware there were most definitely colours that didn’t suit me. I saw lovely garments in the stores, I went in, tried them on in the store dressing rooms and handed over my hard earned money for them. Taking them home and hanging them in the wardrobe, it simply didn’t occur to me to ask myself why, after something like 5 years, I had never worn that garment again. I learned much later it was because the colours did not suit me. The lighting in the dressing rooms of the stores and my hunger to find something I liked made me lost focus.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That was until I met Susan M of Booragoon, WA. An Image Consultant par excellence. Susan took me through the steps of understanding the range of colours and the importance of yellow based and blue based colours. Now for a long while I couldn’t understand what a “blue based yellow” was, nor a “yellow based blue”. It took time, and I’m glad it did because now when I see a colour I know immediately what category it falls under. I’m a “blue based person” so when I go into a store I know exactly what I’m looking for. My wardrobe is grateful for this knowledge too.</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It all comes down to being willing to learn new things about ourselves, and life.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-34534939487433442622015-07-26T11:18:00.000+10:002015-07-26T11:18:16.194+10:00GROWING OLDER, with styleI'm a great observer of places and people. Particularly women. When it comes to seeing someone who takes your eye and is an example of a person who is comfortable with who and what she is, then this shows in their dress as well as demeanour. <br />
<br />
Take Jill for example. A woman in her 70s and very proud of it. I have only known her for about 3 years, yet She astounds me with her dress sense and style every time I see her.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfo8yrRsdOAQ94LUIiWQTx1DbD-sQBMw4k7YIFoFF8xRstD05UQ9rwe-XfreOyo6FDzF7wLaGMshquoJLT-Hy7mCVJc2QeN5C1WRSQGzwdI97W1pbpHcjrAkWFmrsfw872Dx-kN1lICF6x/s1600/Jill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfo8yrRsdOAQ94LUIiWQTx1DbD-sQBMw4k7YIFoFF8xRstD05UQ9rwe-XfreOyo6FDzF7wLaGMshquoJLT-Hy7mCVJc2QeN5C1WRSQGzwdI97W1pbpHcjrAkWFmrsfw872Dx-kN1lICF6x/s400/Jill.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For more examples of "growing older" women who are living exciting and adventurous lives, visit our sister-blog, "<a href="http://thesilvergeneration.blogspot.com.au/">the SILVER GENERATION©</a>". </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836401080404942248.post-58465617727203151832015-07-23T16:40:00.001+10:002015-07-23T16:40:45.311+10:00GOOD MANNERSAccording to a recent publication by Paul Theroux on 31rules for international travel, Australia doesn't come out too well!<br />
<br />
If one looks at Rule Number 8, it comes as a slight shock to read: "The Australian Book of Etiquette is a very slim volume".<br />
<br />
While the publication focusses on 31 rules, there are three main areas that are seen to have declined over recent years and those of us who live in this Great South Land could offer even more examples. It is a great pity these days good manners aren't seen to be important or at the very least taught at primary school level. It all comes back to lack of respect - lack of respect for and to others, and lack of respect to and for oneself.<br />
<br />
Take for instance - people travelling on public transport not offering their seats to pregnant women or the elderly. Their attitude appears to be - <i>I bought a ticket therefore I have the right to a seat regardless of other people's needs that are greater than mine. </i> <br />
<br />
The next item that offends many of us - whether we be residents here in Australia or visitors, is the trend to use cutlery incorrectly. Don't people learn how to use a knife and fork together? Many Australians have adopted the American habit of eating all food with a fork used like a spoon. Of course then there are those people who don't use a knife or fork, but use fingers. Not only for finger food but for any solid food that is served - for instance - leaf salads, chops, peas (yes, that's been seen many times), asparagus, even finger tips of rice. <br />
<br />
The third item which is apparent in today's society is the lack of good manners when it comes to a man opening a door for a woman. Too many men expect the woman to open the door for them and then they walk straight in front of her through the door not caring to see that the door doesn't slam back into her. On the other hand, too many women who demand to be seen as "equals" (read: better than) see good manners from a man as being "weak" and discriminatory and either abuse or glower at him.<br />
<br />
We won't get onto the subject of equal pay here, but quite honestly, good manners don't cost a cent, and yet we seem to have lost the ability not only to live express good manners, but to understand what good manners are.<br />
<br />
As Tom Elliott (Drive time host on 3AW) says: <i> In the areas of education, workforce participation and pay, gender equality is undoubtedly a good thing. But must it come at the expense of social etiquette?</i><br />
<br />SPECIALISED SUPPORT TEAM MEMBERShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05291389139118464048noreply@blogger.com0