Reg and I have driven south from Tarra Valley, to Yarram then travelled north to Maffra where we are spending a few days visiting his sister and her husband.

Reg and I are both enjoying the catch up time, chatting with his sister.

Because I am resolved to eat healthy and portion controlled, I am eating some of the meals with the family and preparing some of my own meals off to the side, then eating them with the others.

I am also keeping up with my writing and using the internet to catch up. I have found the internet here in Maffra, painfully slow in the afternoons and evenings. I know it is not my laptop memory that is the problem as I have heaps of computer memory in reserve. It must just be too heavy use for the Telstra wireless internet system to handle properly during peak hours in the country areas I am visiting, so I will be trying to do heaps, on line, early in the morning, while internet access is more available.

We were lucky last night, the hailstorm that hit Melbourne was expected, out this way, thankfully, it did not hit us as we are living in the caravan out in the open, it would have damaged the car and van those hail stones were up to 20 to 100 millimetres across.  A Shocking storm, so glad we only got the rain here at Maffra. 

Do you have an old washing machine laying around?
Consider recycling the bowl and making your own outdoor fire pot.
 
Reg and I love the outdoor life that we share on our caravanning trips and when we are home at our summer studio, we try to extend the feeling of living out of doors, close to nature, and a chimenea, has always been a part of our garden design. 

I know you can get gas outdoor fireplaces but Reg and I love the look and feel of a natural wood fire, out of doors. Even on a warm night, they help serve the purpose of discouraging insects, which allows you to sit outside for longer.

At Tarra Valley we had the most divine time just sitting around an outdoor, fire bowl, made from the inside of an old washing machine, see photos. 

"Most of our obstacles would melt away
if, instead of cowering before them,
we should make up our minds
to walk boldly through them."
- Orison Swett Marden

 

inhospitable surroundings, is the price of all great achievements.
Orison Swett Marden

A good system shortens the road to the goal.
Orison Swett Marden

A strong, successful man is not the victim of his environment. He creates favorable conditions. His own inherent force and energy compel things to turn out as he desires.
Orison Swett Marden

A will finds a way
.Orison Swett Marden

Achievement is not always success, while reputed failure often is. It is honest endeavor, persistent effort to do the best possible under any and all circumstances.
Orison Swett Marden

All men who have achieved great things have been great dreamers.
Orison Swett Marden

All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible.
Orison Swett Marden

Analyzing what you haven't got as well as what you have is a necessary ingredient of a career.
Orison Swett Marden

Be larger than your task.
Orison Swett Marden

Character is the indelible mark that determines the only true value of all people and all their work.
Orison Swett Marden

Deep within man dwell those slumbering powers; powers that would astonish him, that he never dreamed of possessing; forces that would revolutionize his life if aroused and put into action.
Orison Swett Marden

Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. Weak men wait for opportunities; strong men make them.
Orison Swett Marden

Every youth owes it to himself and to the world to make the most possible out of the stuff that is in him.
Orison Swett Marden

Forests, lakes, and rivers, clouds and winds, stars and flowers, stupendous glaciers and crystal snowflakes - every form of animate or inanimate existence, leaves its impress upon the soul of man.
Orison Swett Marden

If you do not feel yourself growing in your work and your life broadening and deepening, if your task is not a perpetual tonic to you, you have not found your place.
Orison Swett Marden

It is like the seed put in the soil - the more one sows, the greater the harvest.
Orison Swett Marden

It is psychological law that whatever we desire to accomplish we must impress upon the subjective or subconscious mind.
Orison Swett Marden

It is what we do easily and what we like to do that we do well.Orison Swett Marden

Joyfulness keeps the heart and face young. A good laugh makes us better friends with ourselves and everybody around us.
Orison Swett Marden

Many a man has finally succeeded only because he has failed after repeated efforts. If he had never met defeat he would never have known any great victory.
Orison Swett Marden

No employer today is independent of those about him. He cannot succeed alone, no matter how great his ability or capital. Business today is more than ever a question of cooperation.
Orison Swett Marden

No man can be ideally successful until he has found his place. Like a locomotive he is strong on the track, but weak anywhere else.
Orison Swett Marden

No man fails who does his best.
Orison Swett Marden

No one has a corner on success. It is his who pays the price.
Orison Swett Marden

Nothing else so destroys the power to stand alone as the habit of leaning upon others. If you lean, you will never be strong or original. Stand alone or bury your ambition to be somebody in the world.
Orison Swett Marden

Obstacles are like wild animals. They are cowards but they will bluff you if they can. If they see you are afraid of them... they are liable to spring upon you; but if you look them squarely in the eye, they will slink out of sight.
Orison Swett Marden

Our destiny changes with our thought; we shall become what we wish to become, do what we wish to do, when our habitual thought corresponds with our desire.
Orison Swett Marden

Our thoughts and imagination are the only real limits to our possibilities.Orison Swett Marden

Our trials, our sorrows, and our grieves develop us
.Orison Swett Marden

Power gravitates to the man who knows how.
Orison Swett Marden

Put the uncommon effort into the common task... make it large by doing it in a great way.
Orison Swett Marden

Success is not measured by what you accomplish, but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds.
Orison Swett Marden

Success is the child of drudgery and perseverance. It cannot be coaxed or bribed; pay the price and it is yours.
Orison Swett Marden

The best thing about giving of ourselves is that what we get is always better than what we give. The reaction is greater than the action.Orison Swett Marden

The Creator has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do.
Orison Swett Marden

The golden opportunity you are seeking is in yourself. It is not in your environment; it is not in luck or chance, or the help of others; it is in yourself alone.
Orison Swett Marden

The golden rule for every business man is this: 'Put yourself in your customer's place.'
Orison Swett Marden

The greatest thing a man can do in this world is to make the most possible out of the stuff that has been given him. This is success, and there is no other.
Orison Swett Marden

The hand cannot reach higher than does the heart.
Orison Swett Marden

 Books By Orison, Swett Marden

Fishing Tips 
Bays and Estuaries
Beach Fishing
Rock Fishing
Offshore
Fresh Water
Lure Fishing/Spinning

I found the website of mobility compare when I was searching for some,  mobility products  for a friend who is helping  her mother remain independent.  My friend is helping her mum with her day to day bathing and she has developed a repetition strain injury while helping her mother take her bath. Knowing I have had some past experience in caring for my own mum,  when she became unable to do everything for herself without assistance, she asked my advice.

I suggested she find different ways to do things, arrange for a visit from the district nursing service, for the purpose of, showing her some safer, ways to help her mum stand up and sit and I suggested she stop trying to help her mum use a conventional bath. I showed her some of the equipment designed, to help people with disabilities lead an independent lifestyle.

Trying to climb in and out of a high sided, bath or step into a sunken bath when you lack a high degree of mobility, is dangerous. Trying to help someone do this, on your own, without some, assistance is risking an injury.  I love, the concept, of a walk in, bathtub, they are a fantastic idea.

You enter and exit the walk in bath while it is empty. The mobility bath door is best opening inward so the pressure of the water against the door assists in ensuring a tight seal with no leakage.

You can also purchase a bath lift, to overcome the need for even a small entry step into your mobility bath.

I wish I had had one of these mobility baths, back when I cared for my mum.

 

Please do everything you can to assist my friend, Mel, raise her $2,000. goal for the Worlds Greatest Shae harity Event. Here is Mel's message.

Melonie Knight:: Amount Raised: $50.00 [2 % of goal] Fundraising Goal: $2,000.00
'
Mel's  Message 'I'm taking part in the Leukaemia Foundations Worlds Greatest Shave 2010. Please sponsor me! The funds we raise will help the Leukaemia Foundation to provide practical care and support to patients and families living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders.'

http://my.imisfriendraising.com.au/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=315701&langPref=en-CA

 

The picture is from A Bunch Florist  ( Beaconsfield , WA.) who donated a $60 voucher, all proceeds go to the Hope From Ashes charity to assist those rebuilding their lives after the Toodyay Fires of December 2009

 Check out  Hope from Ashes

I had bid on some beautiful gold rings with cubic zirconium or diamonds donated to the Hope from the Ashes, charity auctions. These rings would not have fitted me, I mainly placed a bid to support the great cause, but as the rings sold at an unbelievably low price, I would think, below wholesale, I wish I had not been so busy and been around to increase my bid, they would have been beautiful gifts for my granddaughters as they got a little older.

Look at the Hope from the Ashes, charity auctions, to both support a worthy cause and grab yourself a great buy.  You might also be the lucky one to buy close to wholesale.
Check  out wholesaleinsurance.net  for some great buys if you are an on line shopper.  

 

You are bidding on a new Cream Rayon Lycra Blend Top, all proceeds go to the Hope From Ashes charity to assist those rebuilding their lives after the Toodyay Fires of December 2009

Cream Ladies Top - Rayon Lycra Blend size medium
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/New-Top-rayon-lycra-blend-Cream_W0QQitemZ300394602584QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Womens_Clothing_2?hash=item45f0e9e058
VERY HAPPY TO POST AT BUYERS EXPENSE

New Top rayon/lycra blend from Stall at Fremantle Markets. Beautiful soft fabric -  flattering to the figure and light and feminine to wear with flexibility and comfort. Cream off the Shoulder Top with  long bell shaped sleeves. Size medium

Hope from Ashes


The Hope From Ashes auction will run online starting on the date of the benefit concert with new items being put up daily over the next week.  This online auction will raise awareness and funds and give people the opportunity to contribute and help Toodyay people who are rebuilding after the fire.

We have tried to gather together a range of diverse and high quality items and services that in some way reflect the diversity and creativity of the Toodyay community. In finding a gift for yourself you will be giving to the Toodyay community and we hope the excitement and high energy of the auction will be uplifting and inspiring in its way.

The auction has the Hope From Ashes flavour celebrating and demonstrating the generosity, positivity and support that has flowed so readily for and within the Toodyay community.

As well as people from Perth many local Toodyay businesses and individuals have also contributed to the auction, some although deeply affected by the fires through loss of home or workplace. Artworks, craft items, trips away, fantastic meals and even life coaching sessions, massages, motoring items, clothing and collectors plates are just a few of the amazing items we can offer you. The list grows every day so “no napping” or you may miss a fabulous item…which is just what you need!

We hope you will enjoy the items on offer and we hope you have fun whilst you bid big as we pull together to raise much needed funds for the survivors of the Toodyay Bushfires.

If you wish to make a donation in person, please use the following Bendigo Bank details. Thank you.
Hope from Ashes
BSB: 633 000
Account: 139 064 364



There are so many great items in EBay auction, like Orlando vacation packages

  but to win something and help charity is an extra bonus.

 

I am going to show some great charity auctions items for women, you could be bidding on  new Ladies Pants - Green in  Rayon Lycra Blend , all proceeds go to the Hope From Ashes charity to assist those rebuilding their lives after the Toodyay Fires of December 2009

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/New-Ladies-Pants_W0QQitemZ300394605233QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Womens_Clothing_2?hash=item45f0e9eab1

New Ladies Pants, Green - Rayon Lycra Blend size medium

VERY HAPPY TO POST AT BUYERS EXPENSE

New Ladies pants in rayon/lycra blend from Stall at Fremantle Markets. Beautiful soft fabric -  flattering to the figure and light and feminine to wear with flexibility and comfort. Green pants, with flowing legs. Size large

Second photo shows Pants being worn.  

Hope from Ashes


The Hope From Ashes auction will run online starting on the date of the benefit concert with new items being put up daily over the next week.  This online auction will raise awareness and funds and give people the opportunity to contribute and help Toodyay people who are rebuilding after the fire.

We have tried to gather together a range of diverse and high quality items and services that in some way reflect the diversity and creativity of the Toodyay community. In finding a gift for yourself you will be giving to the Toodyay community and we hope the excitement and high energy of the auction will be uplifting and inspiring in its way.

The auction has the Hope From Ashes flavour celebrating and demonstrating the generosity, positivity and support that has flowed so readily for and within the Toodyay community.

As well as people from Perth many local Toodyay businesses and individuals have also contributed to the auction, some although deeply affected by the fires through loss of home or workplace. Artworks, craft items, trips away, fantastic meals and even life coaching sessions, massages, motoring items, clothing and collectors plates are just a few of the amazing items we can offer you. The list grows every day so “no napping” or you may miss a fabulous item…which is just what you need!

We hope you will enjoy the items on offer and we hope you have fun whilst you bid big as we pull together to raise much needed funds for the survivors of the Toodyay Bushfires.

If you wish to make a donation in person, please use the following Bendigo Bank details. Thank you.
Hope from Ashes
BSB: 633 000
Account: 139 064 364



There are so many great items in EBay auction, like eye cream, but to win something and help charity is an extra bonus.