a new blog for you to visit...

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Morning all. I just had an email from a lovely woman I met on Shannon Fricke's <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-creative-spacestyling-workshop.html">Styling workshop</a> last month. Nic was sitting next to me and we got to talking...and then more talking with <a href="http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/">Kerri with an 'i'</a>...(because is there such a thing as too much gas bagging? I think not). And we kept in touch as like minded people do.  </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nic didn't have a blog. <a href="http://makespacefor.blogspot.com/">But she does now</a>! </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBOn-Oi93G31Jxy0S1i0p9qBxBbCmDW-rwcUDBPinOWJp1GPmvRqx5Np8agKd8YktvslSoltj33q3Z6nOXb6MANywxESbpA7CBwpeSUDzdxASwHi0XAK3JmI8oMvt01YGQ6F_7b4tgYc6/s1600/nicolas+blog+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBOn-Oi93G31Jxy0S1i0p9qBxBbCmDW-rwcUDBPinOWJp1GPmvRqx5Np8agKd8YktvslSoltj33q3Z6nOXb6MANywxESbpA7CBwpeSUDzdxASwHi0XAK3JmI8oMvt01YGQ6F_7b4tgYc6/s640/nicolas+blog+banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She's blaming Kerri and me for her entry into bloggy world, and I'm happy to be blamed. Bet Kerri is too. Thank goodness Nic's not a Kerrie with an 'ie' or there'd be mass confusion.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJKXF1hQEfU1EI7zuuf2yNnnxLh6DmdJbLukBkhClSPStQlXVR2hwNYNatNKZtIs30HCOdLxeJ2wl2GlxzKLnRMLzz_Dl0wx5vDgcv1nn9JvdcE5uTFgIJPoTrb4SDHIiEaoFwXj6MStE/s1600/nicola+blog+image1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJKXF1hQEfU1EI7zuuf2yNnnxLh6DmdJbLukBkhClSPStQlXVR2hwNYNatNKZtIs30HCOdLxeJ2wl2GlxzKLnRMLzz_Dl0wx5vDgcv1nn9JvdcE5uTFgIJPoTrb4SDHIiEaoFwXj6MStE/s400/nicola+blog+image1.JPG" width="352" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nic's a colour girl like me, and lucky for me she's doing the same Cert IV course I am, so I'll be making a nuisance of myself asking for advice. These are some pics from her very first blog post...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7jpLs1LJOoLTbGLQ2F7VXsQEMdlseCKWS0QCBHth7SCgCI8wwlXNapKRaAncf0sLFgNDoMPP3GeXlS3DAtu8LVfv8gPtLeV6i34e-kKOnK9DwanlhSPo9wSMMxcF9VO3sXDaAUM3eGi9/s1600/nicola+blog+image2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7jpLs1LJOoLTbGLQ2F7VXsQEMdlseCKWS0QCBHth7SCgCI8wwlXNapKRaAncf0sLFgNDoMPP3GeXlS3DAtu8LVfv8gPtLeV6i34e-kKOnK9DwanlhSPo9wSMMxcF9VO3sXDaAUM3eGi9/s400/nicola+blog+image2.JPG" width="322" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How about you <a href="http://makespacefor.blogspot.com/">pop over</a>, see the rest and make her welcome...that'd be lovely :)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a terrific weekend everyone. I'm very hopeful that I'll be doing a great deal of not a lot!</span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

a new blog for you to visit...

Morning all. I just had an email from a lovely woman I met on Shannon Fricke's Styling workshop last month. Nic was sitting next to me ...

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look what charlotta did for me...

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Earlier this week I posted about my <strike>casual interest</strike> <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com/2011/05/im-thinking-about-wallpaper.html">fixation</a> on this wallpaper...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoPvdz-WydO_3Ifd4wTAHa7hdm_OSOD955B_kD5g78Q4CSri8hJf2zy8n4BN4hYkThCTYVmOuiK43LgV_Wnlx1wamRSQ7ItK4g0JITkkuvpoZ1AQ3liJ8znreGeSlbNnE9-rArYRMSs3a/s1600/sanderson-wallpaper-sweet-bay-dpfwsw103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoPvdz-WydO_3Ifd4wTAHa7hdm_OSOD955B_kD5g78Q4CSri8hJf2zy8n4BN4hYkThCTYVmOuiK43LgV_Wnlx1wamRSQ7ItK4g0JITkkuvpoZ1AQ3liJ8znreGeSlbNnE9-rArYRMSs3a/s640/sanderson-wallpaper-sweet-bay-dpfwsw103.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and remarked that if only the 23 year old still lived here that he could have done a mock up of that particular wallpaper on this particular bedroom wall (with some arm twisting involved no doubt!)</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XTzQ19-ppSlvbeDMiPMh65lZw1Yr6V4YhoCv6k6580NBjy3Bfftk_UlId5HNhx8hWbxnuxWWK4uQHnXn3c7I9zZb8HmpIOEDC68iOPTRzkkq1Xg2vKgXJzt3uBO1511d6c16XYgrP7ll/s1600/bedroom+bookcase+full+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XTzQ19-ppSlvbeDMiPMh65lZw1Yr6V4YhoCv6k6580NBjy3Bfftk_UlId5HNhx8hWbxnuxWWK4uQHnXn3c7I9zZb8HmpIOEDC68iOPTRzkkq1Xg2vKgXJzt3uBO1511d6c16XYgrP7ll/s640/bedroom+bookcase+full+view.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But...who needs 23 year olds in the house when you have bloggy friends like <a href="http://spaceforinspiration.blogspot.com/">Charlotta from Space for Inspiration</a>. She saw my post and did a mock-up for me.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CnQdLmOwUY9Gn1KFTs-VO1ldAG8GNhR5vH3qv5nLi-6IXmfI6xN0t_GLQkoBOwsYG3CigDrJBGsI_MKwneogUUZozfvwiGe34dNNQpUHK7JuolkPzo5l9kqLrWTQ0Hz8yDJxwZ3MUDu-/s1600/charlotta+mockup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CnQdLmOwUY9Gn1KFTs-VO1ldAG8GNhR5vH3qv5nLi-6IXmfI6xN0t_GLQkoBOwsYG3CigDrJBGsI_MKwneogUUZozfvwiGe34dNNQpUHK7JuolkPzo5l9kqLrWTQ0Hz8yDJxwZ3MUDu-/s640/charlotta+mockup.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Am I going to do this? You betcha!  Thanks <a href="http://spaceforinspiration.blogspot.com/">Charlotta</a>...you're lovely, and smart, and kind, and clever, and...etc, etc :))</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a terrific weekend everyone. And happy wallpaper dreams. I'll be working out where to get some and how to hang it!</span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

look what charlotta did for me...

Earlier this week I posted about my casual interest fixation on this wallpaper... and remarked that if only the 23 year old still lived he...

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my creative space...styling workshop

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I went on a little trip last week. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A flying visit to Bangalow and <a href="http://shannonfricke.blogspot.com/">Shannon Fricke</a>'s Little Cottage...for her Styling workshop.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEUCPBABlXHt-ACx_35q_fM8OIRreJLgh_toOLLzMBauAOIXfiZvO5pwiidFhJrrlhvQH-er-GpBlG1rs8NDlg13StTFQE28tffvMswJXvAlYF-QtmbPkcFM7Uy9F6yZLHwHHc02OuvUl/s1600/styling+101+shannons+studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEUCPBABlXHt-ACx_35q_fM8OIRreJLgh_toOLLzMBauAOIXfiZvO5pwiidFhJrrlhvQH-er-GpBlG1rs8NDlg13StTFQE28tffvMswJXvAlYF-QtmbPkcFM7Uy9F6yZLHwHHc02OuvUl/s640/styling+101+shannons+studio.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a terrific day, for several reasons:</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got to spend time with my dear bloggy friend <a href="http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/">Kerri with an 'i'</a>. We didn't stop talking from the time she picked me up from the airport on Thursday lunchtime until she dropped me back on Friday afternoon. Except maybe when we were being model students...demonstration by Kerri below...</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmxLosBScxU0hhzWWfjdsfqqm0UZo-KFuoEAfVGoZr8hPbZodXedStYuqnBS8BT35zIotsdfcqj27upcWJluD13Jl9_uQmwUNFWtLRj04StmO23svVuOqUslczuqW1gS3JoQSy9lORiV1/s1600/styling+101+kerri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmxLosBScxU0hhzWWfjdsfqqm0UZo-KFuoEAfVGoZr8hPbZodXedStYuqnBS8BT35zIotsdfcqj27upcWJluD13Jl9_uQmwUNFWtLRj04StmO23svVuOqUslczuqW1gS3JoQSy9lORiV1/s640/styling+101+kerri.jpg" width="630" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got to meet some really lovely women, all of us with a shared interest in the stuff we bloggers love. And three who are doing the Certificate IV in Design that I'm doing as well. That was fortuitous, especially seeing they're all way ahead of where I'm at and I now have their email addresses :)</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeift-opraLW-RC_WG60Oxnk8uRiJ-Ic_kVfT4Kmq8ByB_4FHoR-b18Hvl8HT9zYcsv2DxnS0BKvtKLon8w1dLkjG3qjqvPLVsMKmFjqLtB3ux00hOeHtr1LqMBTyNpfCMUabpdGcp8B5/s1600/styling+101+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeift-opraLW-RC_WG60Oxnk8uRiJ-Ic_kVfT4Kmq8ByB_4FHoR-b18Hvl8HT9zYcsv2DxnS0BKvtKLon8w1dLkjG3qjqvPLVsMKmFjqLtB3ux00hOeHtr1LqMBTyNpfCMUabpdGcp8B5/s640/styling+101+group.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I learnt some really good stuff about concepts</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and I feel that I can apply this process to a whole lot of things</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (my spring concept: 'a carefree life' is shown below)</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGWADgxhT91E3430TM7sBPiJXwM_7t4hoyw62zgONnDIfVwiMWVNLyclm58Ue5JcMVroEA0eKsUFLnGSw_yRPVqikzBj57wJ3p4OMjUMg2fZ114yOXdKr_crry7sKFITG_OgQhuFqTQSS/s1600/styling+101+spring+concept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGWADgxhT91E3430TM7sBPiJXwM_7t4hoyw62zgONnDIfVwiMWVNLyclm58Ue5JcMVroEA0eKsUFLnGSw_yRPVqikzBj57wJ3p4OMjUMg2fZ114yOXdKr_crry7sKFITG_OgQhuFqTQSS/s640/styling+101+spring+concept.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I confirmed that I love styling and will continue to do it with gay abandon around my own house and at anyone else's who'll let me in the front door! Here's the little scene I created to demonstrate my springtime 'carefree life' concept...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8LvGSFlRPmsKkdUhZiFi8QwLFfBLOi_pco9844O5oHNvp8VdOFFbtC3BRPYJ17DaYZBfJMQ1CQks0Z9NfIHvn6cnN6utodvV-_F_O9-1dewStBAoq6hKydOwujuM2lWiu5I8BqUzIatO/s1600/styling+101+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8LvGSFlRPmsKkdUhZiFi8QwLFfBLOi_pco9844O5oHNvp8VdOFFbtC3BRPYJ17DaYZBfJMQ1CQks0Z9NfIHvn6cnN6utodvV-_F_O9-1dewStBAoq6hKydOwujuM2lWiu5I8BqUzIatO/s640/styling+101+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">... and <b>most importantly</b>...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I recognised that styling will NOT be my next career move. But I did come a great deal closer to working out what that might be...words and pictures in some combination...exciting :)</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKDPJ88aYU5aBf0vaUyURqbqq3VOJRVJLa2JFi6lWtRRkdAV8eVKyWxmHL480Qt_d_43t-bWcA0lKBq4iOW-mdXED-6Pl72xQ_daPWPQksVxOuUUjaJz5rZFTDF0mA96Ecc62MlL8QE-6/s1600/styling+101+vignette5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKDPJ88aYU5aBf0vaUyURqbqq3VOJRVJLa2JFi6lWtRRkdAV8eVKyWxmHL480Qt_d_43t-bWcA0lKBq4iOW-mdXED-6Pl72xQ_daPWPQksVxOuUUjaJz5rZFTDF0mA96Ecc62MlL8QE-6/s640/styling+101+vignette5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And apart from anything else the day offered (and there was lots), if that didn't make it a worthwhile investment, I don't know what on earth would.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the way, that <a href="http://shannonfricke.blogspot.com/">Shannon Fricke</a> is one impressive woman. And super nice as well. Complete bonus :)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">all photos taken by me</span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

my creative space...styling workshop

I went on a little trip last week.  A flying visit to Bangalow and Shannon Fricke 's Little Cottage...for her Styling workshop. It was a...

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top ten pictures from the week ~ 3 May 2011

<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good grief...how did it get to be May already?</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcj4LsK0Ohyphenhyphen4qWVSYWDJEnOPCJMjOjfdECmkzWtaA2GDWosmFjXlUyYkPdQwHEIaKfDnyVJ4nlzSBEXYmiWsRtgOzVeT9qRbTjyxtFCz5SVfiHQgGw5Yy_xRo9m-EcpCTyZOYePeVuBOW/s1600/via+from+the+right+bank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcj4LsK0Ohyphenhyphen4qWVSYWDJEnOPCJMjOjfdECmkzWtaA2GDWosmFjXlUyYkPdQwHEIaKfDnyVJ4nlzSBEXYmiWsRtgOzVeT9qRbTjyxtFCz5SVfiHQgGw5Yy_xRo9m-EcpCTyZOYePeVuBOW/s640/via+from+the+right+bank.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And wowsers...how about the bin Laden news? That was a surprise.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GctuJq1YE44id7aSNrUKhocb5gbwPeW9NFQVzpcU1DiZSdsazXmX29VtL2IDOUHlOWMzZyKH1pIk95EmXM5uNTTthPxq_RBsxsSe-hFF-jh0OMNuYCuSVay6Vt1Vpa5b71HPWJgHxEdG/s1600/via+desire+to+inspire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GctuJq1YE44id7aSNrUKhocb5gbwPeW9NFQVzpcU1DiZSdsazXmX29VtL2IDOUHlOWMzZyKH1pIk95EmXM5uNTTthPxq_RBsxsSe-hFF-jh0OMNuYCuSVay6Vt1Vpa5b71HPWJgHxEdG/s640/via+desire+to+inspire.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While I may have been cutting back on the old blogging lark...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzGjoFP728d4cHwj5xw-QegBUnaHR2219uBtfhVJ49EAF4ARECaIb7xWKm8E8XEw-A5RnKToKHIU2PVI0mlh00EhmdsFV5S2Ix1aOCSaoetxvCgEcDU9XXBZpUwA9hyphenhyphenP7a_cc0BbRPMjV/s1600/sally+conran+via+desire+to+inspire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzGjoFP728d4cHwj5xw-QegBUnaHR2219uBtfhVJ49EAF4ARECaIb7xWKm8E8XEw-A5RnKToKHIU2PVI0mlh00EhmdsFV5S2Ix1aOCSaoetxvCgEcDU9XXBZpUwA9hyphenhyphenP7a_cc0BbRPMjV/s640/sally+conran+via+desire+to+inspire.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">it hasn't stopped me from collecting lovely pictures...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgN7AQ2FHD574HTaSj6jyyn88d2O5Xu6KqVDTT11Ko1lM6pKXGVktnz4lW7fJwBGVS2-8Hhat7iznWM-TQgKCLX4R7BqHwOfLxPV_HPE5jsWOTVzIWOO2yUwsWU3FxXtZGTjwAK7PdqI7/s1600/via+i+suwanee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgN7AQ2FHD574HTaSj6jyyn88d2O5Xu6KqVDTT11Ko1lM6pKXGVktnz4lW7fJwBGVS2-8Hhat7iznWM-TQgKCLX4R7BqHwOfLxPV_HPE5jsWOTVzIWOO2yUwsWU3FxXtZGTjwAK7PdqI7/s640/via+i+suwanee.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">it is after all, one of my ways of gathering inspiration...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2khsXk-NuCPiXi7MRMm2PxdZaxvs9iGl4YSEbiRCaVfGOTGP2zY1AYflti_EIR_vpnpGVqkXOHizK5T2ggFilfDQgzjPZWaApJLfo0NPZx3KFzknGrbunsRHKUHyCuD55XGoWK-h_QfD/s1600/via+one+sydney+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2khsXk-NuCPiXi7MRMm2PxdZaxvs9iGl4YSEbiRCaVfGOTGP2zY1AYflti_EIR_vpnpGVqkXOHizK5T2ggFilfDQgzjPZWaApJLfo0NPZx3KFzknGrbunsRHKUHyCuD55XGoWK-h_QfD/s640/via+one+sydney+road.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and while it's mostly my taste I know...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjYZhyphenhyphenvT8JX5tAzH_jz_Ob0DpDOmYe3A6fvMzp3NxsRiqT74nHZVKH7BC4D7o8JRpMYcITbcQpNpgskXIYd_KxPI2eS0VM0Mzr7EszFzgbTYt6QQbepG9TvHcJxch-J31uhz2dO9zTa2H/s1600/via+princessannecounty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjYZhyphenhyphenvT8JX5tAzH_jz_Ob0DpDOmYe3A6fvMzp3NxsRiqT74nHZVKH7BC4D7o8JRpMYcITbcQpNpgskXIYd_KxPI2eS0VM0Mzr7EszFzgbTYt6QQbepG9TvHcJxch-J31uhz2dO9zTa2H/s640/via+princessannecounty.jpg" width="524" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope you like at least some...heaven forbid if I go down the Pinterest road :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZfGr534Y85ZgIq0jtt2Rmp4_5zCBp25dALlFMSeXdTdcpcDSsx_vtM5MQNPKDx4ddiCsmqVB95wztKQMBLmeeswzk7LN8elUAbIfT0T1QJZcOddTYioMja_dSqF1ns1ehAUdRXQQGXIb/s1600/via+table+tonic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZfGr534Y85ZgIq0jtt2Rmp4_5zCBp25dALlFMSeXdTdcpcDSsx_vtM5MQNPKDx4ddiCsmqVB95wztKQMBLmeeswzk7LN8elUAbIfT0T1QJZcOddTYioMja_dSqF1ns1ehAUdRXQQGXIb/s400/via+table+tonic.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you so much for sending <a href="http://mostlyolderthanme.blogspot.com/">Julienne</a> some love...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYRgaSBsQWJfPhDBylnZ7nvPmj9Zqt4vUPOrxQKf9xVAGcW45AfqqQV8gQ9WIWkalmzdl9HaeatSdM-LX5N3Q9VVyj9vaEfbkYYp-jdebmdwkIZoZyKyBcJaceI2R_-vj6Jxqv9E_a1PA/s1600/via+the+decorista.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYRgaSBsQWJfPhDBylnZ7nvPmj9Zqt4vUPOrxQKf9xVAGcW45AfqqQV8gQ9WIWkalmzdl9HaeatSdM-LX5N3Q9VVyj9vaEfbkYYp-jdebmdwkIZoZyKyBcJaceI2R_-vj6Jxqv9E_a1PA/s640/via+the+decorista.jpg" width="556" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I knew that you would...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XNUJKm0hzw_i7UM0oJg4UJUQVuSV2KCgLCgKAbvcFaRaM6UDpD0OQr2PbepSK-Bj1bosGzW7QESNzZYiC4Taqb-_t9jx7eeRJ6P6Nm5ao5fze4jN4aZWiRAB0XqsFjKFqN01pjJobbBS/s1600/via+the+decorista2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XNUJKm0hzw_i7UM0oJg4UJUQVuSV2KCgLCgKAbvcFaRaM6UDpD0OQr2PbepSK-Bj1bosGzW7QESNzZYiC4Taqb-_t9jx7eeRJ6P6Nm5ao5fze4jN4aZWiRAB0XqsFjKFqN01pjJobbBS/s640/via+the+decorista2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think it matters that you have</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipq3sZ9jaUh2PylpByj3tz4MU7iXMaivk73zoYSccC3zUv712ESkXBCTBR_lvsVg_I0CEUrhLpX5NQZxpIw90EyEhw90MnZI4XKjVh58oWuooognxCFed03By72VzpXHlAdwxxDyCLYmpR/s1600/vogue+living+australia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipq3sZ9jaUh2PylpByj3tz4MU7iXMaivk73zoYSccC3zUv712ESkXBCTBR_lvsVg_I0CEUrhLpX5NQZxpIw90EyEhw90MnZI4XKjVh58oWuooognxCFed03By72VzpXHlAdwxxDyCLYmpR/s640/vogue+living+australia.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and I know it makes a difference.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5PbA6oa2wDmpSdhkUjrIspLjysI_QXZ0VCm8ruXSIybqnDy_KGmUrC718cAgpPdpTMo4I8SSRg8Kx3hwDfVpgufxiOLTAEA0fbUVnqv6fWp4FVYZxkfVe8jzV8aUaFCaCDbmIgg9UypI/s1600/via+belle+maison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs5PbA6oa2wDmpSdhkUjrIspLjysI_QXZ0VCm8ruXSIybqnDy_KGmUrC718cAgpPdpTMo4I8SSRg8Kx3hwDfVpgufxiOLTAEA0fbUVnqv6fWp4FVYZxkfVe8jzV8aUaFCaCDbmIgg9UypI/s640/via+belle+maison.jpg" width="540" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grief shared isn't necessarily any easier...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCRffSeE9d2vNzrxeWxfwLnsnIFLLdcyKgSpp3UyJCL6ex4-lQ4Ia74c_iK273ry-j1qJ9decVdAcb_HS9DhaqO0EE4jKE5blYSEVUA1bRffASHtKb9BIFYNYt66IGLaamIIrsKhLPsN8/s1600/via+compulsively+compiled.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCRffSeE9d2vNzrxeWxfwLnsnIFLLdcyKgSpp3UyJCL6ex4-lQ4Ia74c_iK273ry-j1qJ9decVdAcb_HS9DhaqO0EE4jKE5blYSEVUA1bRffASHtKb9BIFYNYt66IGLaamIIrsKhLPsN8/s400/via+compulsively+compiled.jpeg" width="275" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but loving thoughts lift us up just a little don't you think?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykoRhaIMbqlQPFgZEyGjohl0e5HC05tZ99HpcECBHt2EKtPix1N5Ua5JpMF6b5Y-rKNWF2QgnX6ZAl9OdehtvoDdfwQ5eei0C_MqmjCkFef8gHVSTcPugxKSNZKGnvy0dNHcqMT3xkRjr/s1600/from+the+right+bank.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykoRhaIMbqlQPFgZEyGjohl0e5HC05tZ99HpcECBHt2EKtPix1N5Ua5JpMF6b5Y-rKNWF2QgnX6ZAl9OdehtvoDdfwQ5eei0C_MqmjCkFef8gHVSTcPugxKSNZKGnvy0dNHcqMT3xkRjr/s640/from+the+right+bank.png" width="640" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's a lot to be said for reaching out. Thanks for being kind.</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">images this week are from: <a href="http://www.fromtherightbank.com/">from the right bank</a>; <a href="http://www.desiretoinspire.net/">desire to inspire</a>; sally conran via <a href="http://www.desiretoinspire.net/">desire to inspire</a>;<a href="http://www.isuwannee.com/"> i suwanee</a>;<a href="http://onesydneyroad.com/blog/"> one sydney road</a>; <a href="http://princessannecounty.blogspot.com/">princess anne county</a>; <a href="http://tabletonic.blogspot.com/">table tonic</a>; <a href="http://www.thedecorista.com/">the decorista</a> (2); <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1140845370"></span>vogue living<span id="goog_1140845371"></span></a>; <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1140845374"></span>belle maison<span id="goog_1140845375"></span></a>; <a href="http://compulsivelycompiled.blogspot.com/">compulsively compiled</a>; <a href="http://www.fromtherightbank.com/">from the right bank</a></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div></div>

top ten pictures from the week ~ 3 May 2011

Good grief...how did it get to be May already? And wowsers...how about the bin Laden news? That was a surprise. While I may have been cuttin...

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a blog friend needs our love and care...

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi everyone. Thank you for reading. Some of you will know Julienne who writes the blog <a href="http://mostlyolderthanme.blogspot.com/">Mostly older than Me</a>. Some of you won't. But I wonder if you would send some love her way...</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XFhGUxdAHlGgk2HHmOHG6Sl6iHNUNvnKsE2De124VBhdoQaH_8dAzYlqyOk64JJg8zCQ3aOvghND0ur8U8OiuMqSUPRC5SNksmbyEyQACxHk-AbKKco_a0oyKMHIfH-WwJvVr90SmYqy/s1600/julienne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XFhGUxdAHlGgk2HHmOHG6Sl6iHNUNvnKsE2De124VBhdoQaH_8dAzYlqyOk64JJg8zCQ3aOvghND0ur8U8OiuMqSUPRC5SNksmbyEyQACxHk-AbKKco_a0oyKMHIfH-WwJvVr90SmYqy/s1600/julienne.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Julienne's husband Brandon...who she always referred to as 'TOP' on the blog, died suddenly and totally unexpectedly last Sunday. There is a tribute to Brandon in this local newspaper article.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.wellingtontimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/trusty-friend-great-sparring-partner-fondly-farewelled/2148008.aspx">http://www.wellingtontimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/trusty-friend-great-sparring-partner-fondly-farewelled/2148008.aspx</a></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52khrtwJKjteamN0bpqnuqwbcUznM3z-mfOz3nxCyGwVFzjfQdbWmP248n0IFd6ZEfvAY7ZcbyKws1RZ1qygAwdd23YIRBzKMhEZYhwwaIo_1yyBqX_zv3ExAV-rFo6Q9OeFN89_ic4dl/s1600/juliennes+husband+Brandon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52khrtwJKjteamN0bpqnuqwbcUznM3z-mfOz3nxCyGwVFzjfQdbWmP248n0IFd6ZEfvAY7ZcbyKws1RZ1qygAwdd23YIRBzKMhEZYhwwaIo_1yyBqX_zv3ExAV-rFo6Q9OeFN89_ic4dl/s400/juliennes+husband+Brandon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Julienne is surrounded by her family at the moment, and she's asked me to tell you that she'll be back as soon as she can. In her own words:<i> </i></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><i>I will come back to my bloggy friends soon but at the moment my house is full with the kids and whilst </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><i>it is ringing with tears so, it is ringing with laughter.</i></span><br /><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i><br /></i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As it should. But in the meantime I would be very grateful if you could send Julienne a message of love, care and support...the stuff that bloggers are made of. I know she would find some comfort in your words. This is the <a href="http://mostlyolderthanme.blogspot.com/">link to Julienne's blog</a> or if you'd prefer to comment here I will make sure she gets them.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks everyone. I'm sure Julienne wouldn't mind me saying that you're a top lot :)</span><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

a blog friend needs our love and care...

Hi everyone. Thank you for reading. Some of you will know Julienne who writes the blog Mostly older than Me . Some of you won't. But I w...

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Blogging: knowing when enough's enough

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Warning Will Robinson: there are a lot of words in this post. 876. It took me a while to write them and it might take you a while to read. I found the 'writing down' very helpful. Perhaps you might find something in this post for you too...I hope so. I've thrown in some pictures as well...consider this a de facto top ten or so for this week :)</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSggYtZBdRaDh7p-1tgWIBuWrzvS3NcaUfXQLreMJIhTcTYe5vIDPwgXCHVRtIR2r0ABC5Iwdwkvku_u4YOh4r698lt_rSvcJ0kbd2OQCP1wUAXT7M_ottRjXPNhd-rCwesixP-4wnEBm/s1600/via+chasing+satellites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXSggYtZBdRaDh7p-1tgWIBuWrzvS3NcaUfXQLreMJIhTcTYe5vIDPwgXCHVRtIR2r0ABC5Iwdwkvku_u4YOh4r698lt_rSvcJ0kbd2OQCP1wUAXT7M_ottRjXPNhd-rCwesixP-4wnEBm/s400/via+chasing+satellites.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I said that I was going to do some <a href="http://tranquiltownhouse.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-easter-promise.html">navel gazing</a> over this long combined Easter/Anzac break. And I did. I also told you that I would have a cunning plan by the end of it...a plan to transform my life into some sort of organised miracle. And I tried that too. Much more difficult than the navel gazing bit!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my 'real life' I'm a consultant. I'm not too bad at it. So I attempted to put my consulting skills to work on me, instead of some poor unsuspecting client. It appears that I'm a difficult customer... as the 22 year old will no doubt confirm!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgbPcGs5MRIehTSl0jecFrZbElrPpM6cWuT8McDbjp39FHGRrDJ4ce9PNfjC6N_menf-UhdQ8wvq4HOhHGRvzhsnEtoo-QUOcboyFhsV8u6-1jIkXZ0CMZwUU0kSdEwgLIg_N2Gjws4a0/s1600/weheart+it+entry+914465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgbPcGs5MRIehTSl0jecFrZbElrPpM6cWuT8McDbjp39FHGRrDJ4ce9PNfjC6N_menf-UhdQ8wvq4HOhHGRvzhsnEtoo-QUOcboyFhsV8u6-1jIkXZ0CMZwUU0kSdEwgLIg_N2Gjws4a0/s400/weheart+it+entry+914465.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heaven forbid that I give away my trade secrets, but suffice to say I asked myself a lot of questions. I probed. I poked. I suggested alternatives. I asked myself why, what was important, what was stopping me, what was supporting me, what was giving pleasure, what should I start doing/stop doing/change, where were the frustrations...were they worth it? On and on I went...for most of the long weekend. I was a pain in my own butt!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the things I try to do in my work is help people see through the complexity of the issue they're dealing with to the simplicity on the other side. It's almost always there somewhere. So that's what I tried to do for myself. I got clear...well, pretty clear. And I decided that I have four areas of focus (loved ones and paid work aside). </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Four <b>discretionary</b> areas of focus if you like. I'm not going to give you the details (you'll probably see some of them emerge over time anyway) but I will say that two are creative, one is about health and one is financial. And I'm very comfortable with them. I could have had a heap more but I thought it was important to set some sort of limit...simplicity remember!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dhVGKQtXU76fO1iobPfpXsk4Da3me8husOBKTp3swVZl3nzFcVAV1JEX8-6g_Jsy0UR9pX9q1sJq5vm3tsfO2uyOdRanJkUE2uClrn8zJDuIZKMDIeSayYpIckXdU23WZW4I_DMTIgWu/s1600/weheart+it+entry7880864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dhVGKQtXU76fO1iobPfpXsk4Da3me8husOBKTp3swVZl3nzFcVAV1JEX8-6g_Jsy0UR9pX9q1sJq5vm3tsfO2uyOdRanJkUE2uClrn8zJDuIZKMDIeSayYpIckXdU23WZW4I_DMTIgWu/s400/weheart+it+entry7880864.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I will share with you is this. Having found my areas of focus, I now have two questions I can use to keep me...well, focused. And they are: </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"is doing this/spending time or money on this/investing your effort in this going to have a positive impact on one or more of those four foci Kez?"</i> </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(ok, I don't actually say foci...who would!!) AND...here's the second question kicker...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"will it enrich your life or someone else's in the process?"</i> </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Except in the case of the financial focus...because if it's enriching someone or something else external to my life, (especially a bank) and it's not enriching me as well...then that's a big no- no!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">you're probably wondering </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">what's all this got to do with blogging and the title of this post? It's this. I've been blogging for a bit over a year now. It's been a fabulous thing to do. It's introduced me to new things, masses of ideas, made me laugh and sometimes cry, shown me that I can do some things, and not others...and most importantly helped me find lovely people who weren't in my life before this experience began.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjbK1eIhA7PKh_PABu0ZSla7-OkFcYK7aKB4nZwvnINKsnNNQjWzO8v5fzxBCB7-atIzWiS5fpYrYkaPIglwQ1IiQ6f5beUxuz0xMy97V4ShEGxbGy1UOmRoOLCqA3MUEOTwoUD5mZDnZ/s1600/weheart+it+entry+9122731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjbK1eIhA7PKh_PABu0ZSla7-OkFcYK7aKB4nZwvnINKsnNNQjWzO8v5fzxBCB7-atIzWiS5fpYrYkaPIglwQ1IiQ6f5beUxuz0xMy97V4ShEGxbGy1UOmRoOLCqA3MUEOTwoUD5mZDnZ/s400/weheart+it+entry+9122731.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But it takes up so much time. If I were to add up all the hours I've spent composing blog posts, thinking about posts, rewriting blog posts, reading other people's blog posts, 'cutting and pasting' beautiful pictures to put into blog posts, squirreling away ideas for things to make, projects to attempt....well, let's just say that I could probably point to a few 'lost' weeks, or more. </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I asked myself those two questions. Does blogging have a positive impact on one or more of my areas of focus and does it enrich my life? The answer was yes...and no.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It really does take up too much time, when time is one of those increasingly precious and rare commodities...especially now that I'm back working full time. It does actually steal time from other things that are important to me...especially now that I have that focus. And sometimes you just have to wise up. <b>So I'm not going to stop, but I am going to cut back.</b>  I'm not entirely sure how...as we all know it can be slightly addictive...but I know I have to. So there'll be fewer posts and possibly, unfortunately, fewer comments on your posts. I will keep commenting I promise, I think that's a really important thing to do, but it's not going to be as frequently as I'd like, and certainly not every day. I'm going to restrict my blogging activity to some set times...not sure what they are yet. So if you don't hear from me as much as you used to...it's not personal. Well, it is...but not in that way. It's about me taking control of 'my personal'. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCSoH75U53Bzwr_LkvSHW9vRwjU7Mmmzls7HYsofydIMUAngO0ET2E5P00yZ273okgM5dFBtp898razPxPMG1RksRC9aEghucHfz9S3ejbv8a4VYSMaU4SjTjF36zj1f90bWJIJoNz7ds/s1600/weheart+it+entry+712420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCSoH75U53Bzwr_LkvSHW9vRwjU7Mmmzls7HYsofydIMUAngO0ET2E5P00yZ273okgM5dFBtp898razPxPMG1RksRC9aEghucHfz9S3ejbv8a4VYSMaU4SjTjF36zj1f90bWJIJoNz7ds/s400/weheart+it+entry+712420.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So there you go. That's where I'm at. Extra long weekend well spent? I think so :)</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">first image: <a href="http://chasingsatellites.tumblr.com/">chasing satellites</a>; others from <a href="http://weheartit.com/images">weheartit</a></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/tranquiltownhouse/6aa76c55681784d717c463ecc754d7c5.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></span>

Blogging: knowing when enough's enough

Warning Will Robinson: there are a lot of words in this post. 876. It took me a while to write them and it might take you a while to read. I...

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guest post by charlotta... global rambles..

<div style="text-align: justify;">Hello dear 'tranquil readers'. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">My name is Charlotta and I usually carry on over at '<a href="http://spaceforinspiration.blogspot.com/"><b style="color: #444444;">Space for Inspiration</b></a>', however today I am here by (very flattering & kind) invitation as my dear hostess is off taking a juicy bite of the 'Big Apple'.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWLUgewEJ1EMkJSqKboyIjbTBEWjHrS2Ow39C9YCfA4u9_2gm2Dt3ZPJ0hyphenhypheneiggYZTtI8xKP3CnlfUIX5RU4hH3sEvpipzRcH7yPj7FCWt5CwyHVxeYtKgHSGpb0_bq3-iUqr0PxSe_EW/s1600/Global+-+Picture+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWLUgewEJ1EMkJSqKboyIjbTBEWjHrS2Ow39C9YCfA4u9_2gm2Dt3ZPJ0hyphenhypheneiggYZTtI8xKP3CnlfUIX5RU4hH3sEvpipzRcH7yPj7FCWt5CwyHVxeYtKgHSGpb0_bq3-iUqr0PxSe_EW/s640/Global+-+Picture+1.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />To reflect my somewhat nomadic and multi-cultural background (I am a 'serial country hopper'..) Kerry has asked that my guest post is written around the topic of 'global'.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmDbotfS3SUlEeR_xUJ_DMMqK4OzcvBX2vWu-P7zORJU8P3f-SO3AL0qtHsQdW7-y1kLK-WMQRi9Bmmyk6hDYboqQj3bkPL29y240iGkpRxaBem1aJDj8zy4Pz-RZnQ8oyeIVvE2nAZmA/s1600/Global+-+Picture+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmDbotfS3SUlEeR_xUJ_DMMqK4OzcvBX2vWu-P7zORJU8P3f-SO3AL0qtHsQdW7-y1kLK-WMQRi9Bmmyk6hDYboqQj3bkPL29y240iGkpRxaBem1aJDj8zy4Pz-RZnQ8oyeIVvE2nAZmA/s640/Global+-+Picture+2.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To me 'global style' is more than reclining in your Italian sofa with a glass of French red wine, whilst gazing at your fabulous Swedish 'Mora Clock', and the African Juju hat you recently bought.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxEXwGBbFRhjLOCCjXrJggmC7u7zLxXQCOvnnkjAIBLHPk_7f_EQc5StT91EWm5s4_7LcVyJYp_tPIqzGpaX5ocY9TqHELfkfN3Psj5VfrIfUjyvjcEGPOwDjgoPXn_ydKyNqPVOQfY4c/s1600/Screen%252Bshot%252B2010-02-06%252Bat%252B9.28.53%252BPM_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxEXwGBbFRhjLOCCjXrJggmC7u7zLxXQCOvnnkjAIBLHPk_7f_EQc5StT91EWm5s4_7LcVyJYp_tPIqzGpaX5ocY9TqHELfkfN3Psj5VfrIfUjyvjcEGPOwDjgoPXn_ydKyNqPVOQfY4c/s640/Screen%252Bshot%252B2010-02-06%252Bat%252B9.28.53%252BPM_xl.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszUrOma_jDmQ8-pB_UiztBbefnedNvUdmK1sk6TGNOvrRXvxzwspygaOp5KWckJ2FeKPHVSYthq-H7kYhjCeSXqZAHxeLVkGG20y9vj8t02-cBmPL-UosL6NVMGqkwD2wVRKg7ey8YDOV/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszUrOma_jDmQ8-pB_UiztBbefnedNvUdmK1sk6TGNOvrRXvxzwspygaOp5KWckJ2FeKPHVSYthq-H7kYhjCeSXqZAHxeLVkGG20y9vj8t02-cBmPL-UosL6NVMGqkwD2wVRKg7ey8YDOV/s640/3.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-O_TVP4-92IxcsRXgQN5cWH6HFx1vj6DmstbFQrXSbypmRYHAjkITVPpGdG9hmNcSVVyklWKaXOKBR4cKmbDeb7ZxiomrWva5a7KfamWXnybs9A82x-DVzjqiD42YuFXkpQvyiELjzKDX/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-O_TVP4-92IxcsRXgQN5cWH6HFx1vj6DmstbFQrXSbypmRYHAjkITVPpGdG9hmNcSVVyklWKaXOKBR4cKmbDeb7ZxiomrWva5a7KfamWXnybs9A82x-DVzjqiD42YuFXkpQvyiELjzKDX/s640/2.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6MdEMQZ9fO-_TlfmxFPGy1ZHCWOCsXNRQj4iUI3zLsWMHIxpb4w3ngy6KMX1DMWRjkkgvEB31sD5cyIqmE_DM4YgY0vfslOwmdWRAKnfamwsYpibVkGcEX5Bn2GV9oTzmKHx0YjANkN3/s1600/55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6MdEMQZ9fO-_TlfmxFPGy1ZHCWOCsXNRQj4iUI3zLsWMHIxpb4w3ngy6KMX1DMWRjkkgvEB31sD5cyIqmE_DM4YgY0vfslOwmdWRAKnfamwsYpibVkGcEX5Bn2GV9oTzmKHx0YjANkN3/s640/55.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It doesn't even make you 'global' if you to do this in some far and remote country that you happen to live in, and you share this moment with your husband that you met in a country other than your own motherland.. Though this for sure is terribly nice, there is more to truly 'global style'..</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFN828fo6Zjj_1ofgcDSmMz2wv3g9_2-f0l6pG-pJVYfHPNi_EjVEswQJwYQleMx1-y54_VD0-yqk0arB_aFYt_buKYpjQpEqt3PE669-tt2G67hdrtYy-NB-lEBsdI5dmVOBH52srNDT/s1600/Global+-+picture+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFN828fo6Zjj_1ofgcDSmMz2wv3g9_2-f0l6pG-pJVYfHPNi_EjVEswQJwYQleMx1-y54_VD0-yqk0arB_aFYt_buKYpjQpEqt3PE669-tt2G67hdrtYy-NB-lEBsdI5dmVOBH52srNDT/s640/Global+-+picture+3.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Prince Charles making an attempt to be a 'global citizen' only isn't quite up there with the Jolie-Pitts..</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Being truly 'global' means that you apply yourself to life and the world in a genuine, boundless & consistently effortless (but always meaningful) manner. It goes beyond 'feeling or seeming at home' everywhere. It means you actually 'belong' everywhere and that you see the world as<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>one cohesive place as opposed to a collection of disparate locations. You would effortlessly speak several languages but not really think about which one happens to come out of your mouth because you care more about the conversation and the person you talk to than what language is spoken.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUSvCczR03NQ3brEDX-GlFYltoUWOF9NICu3XxFQqVFQjfEMAPwUUAlJIWTeQ2DQCPVid05NEmTT4bu4hukR_0mnHM7duIWn3n91BWVOdJv11he2M3zDWOdjN53gZM91FShvkL7QfTCoe/s1600/Global+-+Picture+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUSvCczR03NQ3brEDX-GlFYltoUWOF9NICu3XxFQqVFQjfEMAPwUUAlJIWTeQ2DQCPVid05NEmTT4bu4hukR_0mnHM7duIWn3n91BWVOdJv11he2M3zDWOdjN53gZM91FShvkL7QfTCoe/s640/Global+-+Picture+4.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Now if you happen to be this kind of person, your home may very well <span style="font-style: italic;">be</span> 'culturally eclectic' in your aesthetic style (Juju hat et al..) and you probably <span style="font-style: italic;">do </span>spice it with an array of curious and unique pieces from around the world. You probably also enjoy a wide variety of exotic foods that you may very well be enjoying with a large and varied group of friends from all corners & walks of life - including your life partner that you met on one of your adventures. You don't live like this to build an image or to deliberately impress anyone. It's just a natural expression of who you are and your thirst for knowledge and life. In fact you are innately very laid back, unpretentious and very easy to get a long with.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65lGwG3DHKpZ2N9aqvmmTTUUINise_Ve-f4awUlFMjXdNPVZQgeZPNFH9qbx1hzT6DrRBiYu01ceHY-2JBB3BEsOsRdJMet-_mWRpClqAP5BVe9IObxdoJfiiJNiuVRnZ6TZp76-Ar01b/s1600/Global+-+Picture+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65lGwG3DHKpZ2N9aqvmmTTUUINise_Ve-f4awUlFMjXdNPVZQgeZPNFH9qbx1hzT6DrRBiYu01ceHY-2JBB3BEsOsRdJMet-_mWRpClqAP5BVe9IObxdoJfiiJNiuVRnZ6TZp76-Ar01b/s640/Global+-+Picture+5.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">No interior designer would have traveled the world for you. In fact your home will be filled with objects that have been discovered and acquired by <span style="font-style: italic;">you </span>randomly and organically, without the influence of trends or external pressures. They will have connective substance and a deep personal meaning that go beyond the fact they happened to be found in rare and disparate locations. Actually the location itself doesn't really matter because <i>you</i> attach these objects to the 'experience' rather than to the 'place'. They are part of your life story - and what a fun story it is!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Tn4VdKb33J0gXCgzxxvXf1oYOZLLeft2Za1tkWAl5ge0o9iu0Ymb0FMz3eVtQ-nHvxkLWbHs2-QoYaLw1v0eguLEx4HpM5L6qM9BuCfIrGMEAsfBh-IomX8d-VDrYjczIbd59cispO5n/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="840" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Tn4VdKb33J0gXCgzxxvXf1oYOZLLeft2Za1tkWAl5ge0o9iu0Ymb0FMz3eVtQ-nHvxkLWbHs2-QoYaLw1v0eguLEx4HpM5L6qM9BuCfIrGMEAsfBh-IomX8d-VDrYjczIbd59cispO5n/s640/8.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That's all from me folks, but before I go, may I please share with you <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg"><b style="color: #444444;">THIS</b></a> marvelous (!) - though completely unrelated - video of a child that clearly has the right approach to life..!! Affirmations done by a true pro people!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYxEp3CI1dVHyFIZTvnfj8xwXA1BDUGZY9z1uFOhrCZJNPD1_xxsIbicrQbrCNK5GS7j0U7cWBzjuFkKEQ_Lxivc8_ZOTo1xDMAIREh6EQIV4jyr05yCYSZHMUoT-JRNli_IOmygZN0JU/s1600/YouTube+-+screen+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYxEp3CI1dVHyFIZTvnfj8xwXA1BDUGZY9z1uFOhrCZJNPD1_xxsIbicrQbrCNK5GS7j0U7cWBzjuFkKEQ_Lxivc8_ZOTo1xDMAIREh6EQIV4jyr05yCYSZHMUoT-JRNli_IOmygZN0JU/s640/YouTube+-+screen+shot.jpg" width="620" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg"><span style="color: #444444;">HERE</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Warm Swedish hugs* to all, and thank you again to our very own globetrotter for letting me rant here today. I hope you are having a ball out there in the world. We miss you lots and wait patiently here in your fabulous Tranquil Townhouse until you return.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">xx Charlotta</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />* I am in fact Swedish.. I don't just hand out 'Swedish hugs' randomly..thought that too would be perfectly fine in my book.. :)<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1413483291" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyMWUAyWQ3Ue_Q9q11Qqrq0gDTI3WkNWAH0-syIQ3v9TN1nIqWjhtcVz79KwvoU30DISQC7jswmDAvtwpRBDha6klD4A7xqM2k3moMd4W9lhZFbe0OAmjll8BIpgfryWrwQAlfOMu-axF/s400/Storm%252BBlue%252BBlog%252BBanner%252B-%252B2010_xl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>

guest post by charlotta... global rambles..

Hello dear 'tranquil readers'.  My name is Charlotta and I usually carry on over at ' Space for Inspiration ', however tod...

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