photohunter #164

#164 Books

find Henry here 

 

Desks: too many choices

Remember when you had just one desk, and the struggle it was to keep it tidy? The pens all in one container all pointing downwards, pencils sharpened pointing up.  Neat little divider thing in the drawer with blu-tak, scissors and pins. An in-tray and an out-tray, even if they were full.

A thick blotting pad to cover the actual desk surface, or a one year planning calendar that did the same. Off to the side was a photo of someone you love, and maybe a clock.  A pot plant or vase of fresh flowers, a framed motivating quote and a telephone, plugged into the wall. 

Ah,  those were the days, 

Now we have 2 desk tops to keep tidy. The real actual desk that you are sitting at (or would be if you had one) and the desk top of your computer. 

Yes an endless array of choices and colours, images and gadgets awaits our selection. 

Do you want a default grid setting, or to place the icons where you want them? What will the image be? This can be influenced by where the computer is? At work or home, and of course with laptops and notebooks these days one computer may be many things, in many places. 

Then there are the screen savers…yes or no?  A yes will bring an ever endless search as you explore a vast world of offerings. Then you have to decide how fast you want it to appear,  a 5 minute delay at home might be ok, but at work will this send a message to the Boss that you are not actually working? SO maybe 15? 

Sounds and alerts are a whole new ball game. Want your email notification delivered by a Butler? or a aeroplane flitting across your screen? A simple pop up envelope? With or with out sound efffects?  Talk about bells and whistles. 

Some one wants to chat with you – select a notification sound. Make it dfferent for each service you are subscibed to.  Ah but what happens when 5 people want you at once…what a noise. 

I have just added google taskbar (this is not a paid commercial – of even a commercial or a public service announcement) to the right side of my desktop screen.

I have opted to put there Google Talk…I have noticed I have been dashing back and forth from Gmail -Chat gadget to my igoogle home page looking for the conversation associated with a particular sound effect. I also have added world news headlines, as I am a news freak. Or is that geek? 

I added the notepad as I have developed the (good) habit of making notes from phone calls etc direct onto the computer.  This one tells me all my notes are saved but as yet I am not sure where to. 

I added a gadget for my over stuffed reader, the theory being that I can hop in and out while waiting for other things to happen. Yet to test this, will report back. 

and then I added upthe top, a digital growing potplant. Looks nice. I don’t need to to water it or feed it. Reminds me of the cute cat that used to be on…hmmm was it Word? A nice pretend aka virtual realistic touch. 

Now that all that is done, I have currently opted for a black background (I just cleaned the screen and it looks great) and this image:

 

OK so I am done. For now…

How about you? 

Beautiful & Smart Sydney

more here and here 

how well do you know the net?

today I am ‘unplugged’ must be more tired than I realised. 

How about you? Try Here

Swine Flu: Australia update

 

As more cases of swine flu were recorded across the country, Health Minister Nicola Roxon revealed private contractor CSL would receive about $150 million to develop one of the world’s first vaccines for swine flu. 

The Government also will fork out $43 million to build its stockpile of anti-viral drugs. 

The number of confirmed swine flu cases in Australia has risen to 150, as the Federal Government orders 10 million doses of swine flu vaccine. more here 

Mid week escape

yes, it is the weekend. What can I say…

you deserve a few days off from everything – don’t you? 

 

lush enough? 

 

sleep in peace, with natural breezes

 

breakfast on your verandah..and what’s onthe menu? 

 

The first course….

Fruit Juice

Muesli

Yoghurt

Tropical Fruit in Season.

followed by the second course … 
choose from

Omelette from our own eggs
(fresh herb, cheese or mushroom)

Banana pancake with either mango and ginger sauce or black sapote sauce 
and sour cream (depending on the season)

Shredded potato pancakes with chilli tomato salsa

Eggs benedict with hollandaise sauce, served on a bed of tropical spinach

Buckwheat pancake with smoked salmon, sour cream and chives

Scrambled eggs and smoked salmon with sour cream and chives

French toast served with bacon and maple syrup

---

Croissants with home-made jam and our honey

Twinings Tea, Herbal Tea or Filtered Coffee

 

need a little activity now? 

choose & book here 

 

more info & book here 

Swine flu

ABC Radio is asking ‘if your family was in quarantine for 7 days and nights

not allowed any outside contact’ (as with a family that has swine flu)

COULD YOU SURVIVE?

Do you have enough food, water? and whatever else your family might need?

INTERESTING question…how would you go?

tell me in a comment. 

fabulous friday – a little late

I am a chocolate-free zone, however this is a beautiful website worth viewing

even if you cannot read it; the looking is delightful

this is for last friday – sorry it is late – worth waiting for though

 

here via Paris Breakfast

Memorial Day USA

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in the service of United States of America. 

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the ‘National <oment of Remembrance’. A  resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps’.

THE PRICE OF FREEDOM ISN’T FREE!!!

Photohunter #163

here

Plastic

with no effort life can become rather plastic…

and even perceived through plastic 

when invented plastiv was an amazing product. 

Now on so many ways is is a burden. 

without any effort, I suspect life can become rather plastic…

even perceived through plastic 

when invented, plastic was an amazing product. 

Now on so many ways it is a burden. 

 

In others, is continues to be extraordinary.

feel free to leave a comment. 

 

 

The Red Shoes

I forgot I had these shots. Aren’t the shoes just fab! 

stunning!

don’t you just want to click your heels 3 times? 

 

A Beautiful Life: April Review

 

visit Melissa @ The Inspired Room

(so sorry Melissa, I have goofed up again on the link – maybe next month I will get it right) 

 

Have a life…yes well. In April what I mostly had was sickness. In bedness. A disgustting hacking cough. It went on and on for weeks and weeks.

I worked my way through so many boxes of tissues. All I wanted to do was laze back on the pillows and watch a DVD or 2 on my laptop, but I found it needed a driver update downloaded. And the list of options was too much for me. And the list was in the teeniest font. 

My Dr had me tested for whooping cough (on the increase in Australia) but it was not thta just a regular everyday common garden (why do we say that?) virus.

My Blog friend A-M and I commiserated with each other, as we hacked our way through the days and weeks. She started before me. And strangly I have ended before her. Of course I am not building a house with associated dramas. 

I must credit my Dr with the solution. She asked if I was asthmatic and I said yes I am a winter asthmatic. She flicked on her computer, saying she recalled a new directive. And sure enough a new directive appeared.  (not like in Star Trek) one that within days eliminated The Cough.

Then a couple days resting to make sure and rebuild my energy. Wouldn’t you know it…in the those last few days my newly ‘adopted’ brother in Florida was able to advise me as to which Driver Upgrade I needed to install and whammo…no cough but a DVD player that worked.

LONG time Friends, that are now relatives (I do tend to adopt people) came to stay. I was still weakish and a little on the grumpy side. But it was fun to have them here.  We ate some great meals.  The Family Roast Dinner was scheduled and rescheduled.  Until finally we managed it. Did I take a photo…no my head was still not 100% clear. But hey it was very very yummy.

There was the debacle of my scooter being returned. She didn’t arrive after several hours (we will be there in 40 mins they had said)

 I had a call from the local police. Was I the owner of a scooter rego……?YES! Did I know where it was? No I did not (whilst thinking: oh my goodness has she been used as a getaway scooter in a  robbery?) NO Just delivered to the wrong address where an honest lady called the police. Mind you the keys were left in her.

The Pink People came for a 2 night l seep over. That was great fun.

I went to the City and spent a few hours with visiting with my travelling son and took him to the airport.  Then stayed over with a remarkable friend for a few days.

 So did I have a life in April? Yes, but not the kind I had imagined when I set the 12 month goals in January. But it was like all months, some good some bad. A lot interesting. 

I am still not coughing and A-M still is. But she is still building a house.  Sort of. 

(actually I notice a lot of the virus way in March..though it ran into April)

Hey Iwill try and be a little earlier for the May Review. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Weekend

 

Hello to all my friends, and readers from around the world. 

 

 

have a great weekend, by great I mean peaceful, and safe.

Australia Flood Locations

East Coast of Australia

 

Bardon Brisbane

 

Mt Crosby

 

image by Adam Pelzer

all images from news.com.au (gallery) 

rain rain and more rain

1/3 of the annual rain fall has cascaded across Brisbane, the Gold Coast (South) /Sunshine Coast (North) in the last 24 hours. 

Some school are closed. Many roads are blocked by flood waters, potholes and landslides.

On Bribie Island half a road disapeared into Pumistone Passage.

Bus, ferry and city cat delays, also train problems, and surgery postponements. 

Radio broadcast on the worst hit areas and a constant call from Police to NOT drive through flood waters. Yet people still do it and get trapped. 

PLEASE do NOT let kids, or anyone swim in flood waters.

In bound freeways are quiet as people are called to stay off the roads unless it it essential. 

South East Queensland has been declared a natural disaster. 

The Good News & The Bad News

The drought is officially over! Yayyy 

but now we have floods. booo

 

Bud Tingwell – farewell

a gracious man. a consumate actor.

sign here 

Australia Brisbane/Gold Coast floods

LATEST: POLICE have declared an emergency in central Surfers Paradise after wild winds tore off part of a high rise building’s roof and blew windows out of others.

The winds  – part of the weather system which dumped up to 300mm of rain on the southeast – tore off part of the roof of Circle on Cavill this afternoon.

In Brisbane: 85 + roads shut, a landslide at The Gap.

Jindalee Boat Ramp has just washed away after being hit by a huge log. 

For bus, power outages etc check

 info more info here 

Strathpine Rd.

Google Rain Map 

Cancer: a word not a sentence.

Thursday 28 May, but you can host an event any time during the month of May or June. 

here  

grab your peppermint tea bag,

and go…

Wiki what?

wiki how thats what havent you always wanted to learn how to:

 sew a baby hat with ears?   

make flip flops from a yoga mat? 

how to eat maple seeds?  

Now you can!  

A world of exciting lessons awaits…

personally I am off to study #109, 118 and 131. 

A wintery Wednesday

Even though I live on Australia’s GOLD COAST today is grey, and wet and cold. There are warnings for the beautiful beaches and the it has suddenly become soup weather.  

I have thought about today and what I might complete since I am housebound. No way am I going out in that. I just did my 4 weeks worth of being crook.  

I am considering a DVD, ‘Night in the Museum’ , or scanning photos and documents on to a USB for my EMERGENCY Pack.  You don’t have to live in shaky LA to be prepared. So many Victorians lost everything in the Black Saturday Bush fires in Feb. (see the Feb archives ).  

Ok but 1st I need to fund a sunny spot for the mid week escape.  I have some homework for Take OutPhoto…and need to write up April for Michelle.  She had some tough news a few days ago and I want to see how she is doing. And of course A-M is only 9 days away from moving into the house she built.  And whoa she has found time to make a new header….women are amazing. Rain rain go away – A-M needs the sun today! As in right now!!    

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Nelson Mandela

 

H1N1 (swine) flu world update

Swine flu shuts down 2000 schools

JAPAN has reported 135 swine flu cases and shut more than 2000 schools and kindergartens in a bid to slow the spread of the virus that may already have infected hundreds.

The Japanese outbreak increases the chance the World Health Organisation may raise its pandemic alert level to six – more 

H E R E 

 

NEW YORK (CNN) – An New York middle school assistant principal who was hospitalized with the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, died Sunday apparently from flu complications, a hospital spokesman said. more

 

 

 

 

 

photohunter #162

painting – which I did this week. 

scroll on down for more evidence. 

Truely ‘Trulli’ Claudio

Did you see this 

well, read this

Hi there, thanks for the e-mail,
Hope one day you will come and visit us!
Regards
Claudio

-----Original Message-----

Sent: 13 May 2009 14:35
To: info@trullicountryfarmhouse.com
Subject: Trulli Booking Request

Booking Details: Jane
Contact Number: 0000 0000 
Notes: I dont want a booking (at the moment, maybe one day) I am in
Australia and I have put Trulli Country Farmhouse on my Blog. See it here
www.janelifeandtimes.wordpress.com

Claudio, 

         I hope so!

Paris is for bunnys.

the bunny in my life might like these.

 

Eric amazes me again                                                                                             read about the bunnies here

                                  

it is friday again…

pearls for the sweet baby in your life – but can I recall where I found these? let me look – ok let me search – meantime, are they not beautiful? 

Eurovision – a little taste

yes, little taste indeed. Love it or hate it – it’s back again.

Check your local TV guide and settle in for an evening of fun

E U R O V I S I O N  2009

Regina of Bosnia

 

Inga & Anush from Amenia

Czech ‘Gypsy’

 

Research just in – man-flu is real

MEN’S ability to turn a sniffle into flu and a headache into a migraine has long been a source of irritation to wives and girlfriends.

image from here

 

But man-flu may not be a myth after all thanks to research showing that men really are the weaker sex.

Researchers found that women have a more powerful immune system than men…

awww poor things 

more

Google:Options

I think this makes things a little easier and quicker 

needing a mid week escape?

Originally a working farmhouse, Trulli Country Farmhouse is surrounded by olive and fruit trees. It is located in the famous Itria Valley, just outside Cisternino, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Sympathetically restored, using local materials, it reflects the local character of this region. 

In all, Trulli Country Farmhouse presents as a tranquil oasis for complete relaxation and a base ideally situated for visiting the beaches and surrounding places of interest. 

The four guest rooms, accommodating 2-4 persons, each have a bathroom and independent entrance opening out on to the gardens. They are individually characterised by drawing on influences from other cultures. 

Truilli Country Farmhouse – Here 

 

Outside there is a Jacuzzi pool 4 metre square with an adjoining sundeck, pool side shower and shaded lounging area. 

twitter: out of this world

 

Astronaut Mike Massimino made Twitter history with a 139-character post to the micro-blogging site — the first person to do so from space.

“From orbit: Launch was awesome!! I am feeling great, working hard, & enjoying the magnificent views, the adventure of a lifetime has begun!” he wrote at 4:30 p.m. ET Tuesday. more

yesterdays fence job

3/4 completed

and a beautiful flower next door

Painting a picket fence day

save $ do the work with a friend…hopefully will go from kind of like this 

 

 

to this 

if Eric hadn’t told me

I would have missed the 120th Birthday of The Eiffel Tower 

Find Eric Here @ his ParisDailyPhotoBlog

Mothers

 

Missed a couple of weeks, don’t know why. 

Everyone is looking great. 

no pain now, just sweet memories. 

http://janezlifeandtimes.wordpress.com/2009/05/09/photohunter-161/

 

for all mothers everywhere, who ever were, or yet will be 

enjoy your day. 

remember, no cooking, no dishes, no laundry – nothing you normally do. 

photohunter 161

In Memory    here

mums shoes remind me of her: small elegant & unusual. 

its been 1 years and 16 days.

 

green acres is the life for me….

One stop shopping – store, cafe, takeaways, homemade organic soaps.

 

call or snail mail..no internet cafe inside though

 

open for brekkie, get your news paper and local new. Business contact Board to the left of the door. 

up a few more hills and turns we found this – great for the garden I guess? Paying for the poo was an honour system, a bright orange hoola hoop inside the fence: just toss your coins in. Way up on the hill I spotted a house with a lady on the balacony. A friendly country wave was exchanged.

what a great sign. true blue aussie word art. 

there were a few, all different colours. chomping away on the lush hinterland grass. 

 

I will go back with my real camera. I took all these shots on my phone. 

Bonsai Autumn

autumn on the gold coast – not quite maine or colorado but our little touch of gold

 

fabulous friday (again)

 

also comes under the cute baby series…

i saw this image in the doco the other night. found it here 

Mid week escape…France

Millie after her week in Sydney, and others might well be needing this….my bags are packed…

well, ok, it’s on my Dream List.

La Grange

3, rue de Villette

60240 Fresneaux-Montchevreuil

take a long relaxing soak in this tub…add some candles, a good book, maybe some soothing music and you will be heaven. When you are all soaked out crawl into bed with a great book and sleep your tiredness away. 

next mornng: tai chi by the pool? A quick jog? time in the gym, then a refreshing dip.

Elegant residence on a seven-acre, fenced estate

Swimming Pool, Tennis, Sauna, Gym, Playground, Satellite TV & ADSL Internet

Five comfortable rental accommodations

62 Kms NW of Paris and 15 Kms from the A16 motorway

contact

 

lunch

lunch

(Take Out Photo) Breakfast at the Beach

 

here

 

 

 

 

Monday Money

 oops Monday Money is happening on a Tuesday this week. (Yesterday was a holiday where I live) 

Changing the buttons* on last years coat can give it a new look. Add a pashmina (not the $400 kind unless that is budgeting for you) along with a matching hat and gloves and you are ready for winter. 

Summer (or winter) skirts can be made for just a few dollars. Draft you own basic pattern and make several. This is so easy even I have done it. Katrin shows you how.  Check out your shirts and blouses and buy fabirc to mix and match. Different lengths makes for more variety.  

*Buy clothing at garage sales or where ever to get unusal/antique buttons. Use the fabric for a patch work quilt.  

20 things that make me happy

here

 

20 things that make me happy 

1. my family 

2. friends:real, virtual, old & new

3. Learning 

4. Blogging

5. a great hair cut, pedicure & manicure on one day. 

6. reading 

7. writing 

8. thinking 

9. wonderful resturants

10. blue and white

11. memories

12. great movies 

13. my ol’ teddy bear 

14. helping others 

15. crisp white sheets 

16. lots of pillows 

17. growing things 

18. Gigi my sooter 

19. stressless days

20. Life 

 

20 things that make me happy 

1. my family 

2. friends:real, virtual, old & new

3. Learning 

4. Blogging

5. a great hair cut, pedicure & manicure on one day. 

6. reading 

7. writing 

8. thinking 

9. wonderful resturants

10. blue and white

11. memories

12. great movies 

13. my ol’ teddy bear 

14. helping others 

15. crisp white sheets 

16. lots of pillows 

17. growing things 

18. Gigi my sooter 

19. stressless days

20. Life 

visual impressions

did you know I have a photopgraph blog? 

 

Visit here   

H1N1 USA Update

CDC & P  

or click the soap top right in sidebar

 

My reading…

 

 Check out what I am reading at the moment. 

Sorry, I have been a bit slack keeping up todate with this list. 

Click here   

       

Have you seen Madeleine?

read here

H1N1 (swine flu) 367 & counting

Confirmed number of global swine flu cases: 367 and counting…

The effects in Mexico reflect the fear and concern across the globe, including in the United States, where schools and parents are taking precautions in academics, graduations and sports because of the flu.

Health officials in Denmark and China each said Friday they had confirmed the first cases of swine flu in their respective countries, but the WHO has not yet confirmed those findings.

Hong Kong health officials said a patient who is being treated there arrived from Mexico on a China Eastern Airlines flight that stopped in Shanghai. Denmark did not provide further details.

The 1st Australian with the virus, is in London and will be for some time. 

more and more  

sources:cnn.com/new.com.au