Random Pictures

Here are a few random pictures I would like to share with you. From the snow in Dandenong North, to the sunny beaches of Cairns and Melbourne in the distance to the beautiful brights lights of the banks of the Yarra at night.

God I miss you Melbourne...

How I'm feeling in 5 Pictures today.

1) Excited  at the possibility of maybe taking half a day off and doing something fun with Kevin, seeing he's off work today.

2) Loved up....finally got to spend a Sunday night with Kevin, at his parents house.

3) Loving this gorgeous work blouse and this top. 

4) Looking forward to Saturday and going out for a meal for Valentine's Day.

5) Happy at the prospect of being able to spend more time with Kevin at the weekends.

20 Questions Monday

1. What was the easiest subject for you in school?


French I think. followed by IT.

2. Three signs Autumn is here:

it starts to get a bit chilly, but not too cold. The leaves begin to turn brown and fall off the trees. I start feeling down and needing a holiday again.

3. What is your favorite flavor of potato chip?

Salted, followed by cheese and onion.

4. What is your favorite dessert to get at a restaurant?

I don't normally do desserts. But probably just ice cream nowadays.

5. Where is your favorite place to go when you need some time alone?

My room. I can escape from everyone there.

6. Scatter-brained or organized?

Everyone has their scatter-brain moments. Generally though I like to think I'm slightly organised.

7. Would you pay extra for a room with a view?

If it had a sea or a beach view. Mountains or generally a nice view, then yes.

8. What is your favorite black-and-white movie?

The Apartament.

9. What's the best part of the playground?

The roundabout.

10. Which do you prefer: the activity of city life or the peacefulness of country life?

I quite like both. The hustle and bustle of the city, but then the peacefulness of the country for chill out time.

11. The color yellow makes me think of:

Summer. Sunshine. Daffodils.

12. What was the last tv program you watched?

Ghost Hunters last night with Kevin.

13. How old were you when you got your first bank account?

about 7 or 8 it was a halifax account.

14. What is your most productive time of day?

usually around and after 10am. I have about an hour where I need to chill a little before I do anything major. i.e. Invoicing.

15. Ketchup goes on:

Burgers and hot dogs. But if you're my brother's girlfriend - anything goes with Ketchup.

16. Which room in your home needs the most cleaning attention right now?

My bedroom, it needs a right good tidy out and I need to put my shelves up and get my reading material back on there.

17. What bill do you hate to pay the most?

My credit card bill.


18. Why did you choose the shirt you are wearing today?

Just in case I have the day off. So i've made a bit of an effort.

19. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?

No but it should be thought about carefully, as your making a commitment to one person, with whom you're going to spend the rest of your life.

20. Where was the hangout spot when you were a teenager?

The Woolpack usually at lunchtimes or after school.

Five things Friday

Five things I am thankful for today.

I would be lost without my iphone.

1) My Iphone.  I know sometimes It does crash on me because it's been Jailbroken but I can't help but love it.

2) My health. I made a resolution this year to get fit and healthy. Drink more water etc. Well it seems to be working because since last November, I have lost nearly 2 stones (nearly 30lbs) and feel so much healthier.

3) My Friends. They're always there to cheer you up if you're feeling blue.

4) My Fiance.   I was supposed to ring him last night, but was too tired and fell fast asleep. Sorry Baby. I Love you so much.

5) My family. 

Thursday in pictures.

How I'm feeling in 5 Pictures today.

Happy. So happy I feel like I want to Jump into the Ocean.

Happiness is a wonderful thing.

 One Day maybe.

All these bills and No-one to help me pay them!!!

Snug and Warm next to the fire (well Super ser gas heater).

Random Things.

Random Things.

1) candle scents i burned this month:


Lavender, Winter Frost, Frankinsence and Myrrh. Clean Cotton.

2) what i am reading this month:

Michael Jackson - The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story. The Iphone Book.

3) top three songs i was drawn to:

Spandau Ballet - Through The Barricades. Everybody Hurts - Song for Haiti. Joe McElderry - The Climb.

4) movies i saw:

The Hangover. Finally!!!!

5) favorite tv moments of the month:

The carling Cup semi final 2nd leg between Manchester United and Manchester City. I love Derbys. Watching Gok Wan work his magic with a blind lady who has been blind for 37 years on How To Look Good Naked. It brought a tear to my eyes just wondering how that lady must be feeling not being able to see her own body.

6) something yummy i made:

Risotto with broccoli and red onions.

7) restaurants i ate at:

I haven't eaten out much this last month, but will be going to The Red Lantern on the Saturday before Valentine's Day with my lovely fiance, Kevin.

8) something that made me cry:

all the images of Haiti. so much pain and destruction. and yet still, so many video segments of rescued people being pulled from rubble, singing joyfully.  Watching How To Look Good Naked last night, that poor blind woman.

9) a goal i had for this month:

To try and write at least two blog posts per day.

10) this month I'll forward to:

Going out for Valentine's Day.

11) something i want to remember about this month:

How fortunate I am to have been able to do most of the cooking for the past few weeks, whilst my mum's hand heals after her carpal tunnel surgery. The cold weather, looking forward to Spring.

12) a photo i took this month: Our friend Sue took this on Christmas Eve.

Thought we had seen the last of you!

I thought we had seen the last of this bloody snow!


- Posted using BlogPress from Cowbag's iPhone.

Location:Hameldon Rd,Rawtenstall,United Kingdom

Wednesday Wants

It's already that time of week again. Welcome to another edition of Sara's I Want Wednesday.

This is the eBook version of the printed book. If the print book includes a CD-ROM, this content is not included within the eBook version.

Here is your essential companion to Apple’s iPhone! The iPhone Pocket Guide, Third Edition covers all iPhone models including the new iPhone 3G. Unlike other iPhone books, The iPhone Pocket Guide, Third Edition was written based on the final release of iPhone 2.0 software and the iPhone 3G, and the content accurately reflects the design of your iPhone 3G and how you will use it. Author Christopher Breen has been covering the iPod and iPhone from the first day of their releases. This affordably priced Pocket Guide incorporates snappy writing and eye-catching graphics as Breen steers you through how to:

Set up and quickly start using your phone/iPod/Internet device.

Download applications from the App Store.

Make and receive calls and send text messages with your phone.

Keep everything in sync between your Windows PC or Mac and your iPhone.

E-mail family and friends using your carrier’s wireless network or a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Listen to songs and podcasts, and watch movies and TV shows (and YouTube!).

Browse the Web using the built-in Safari browser.

Figure out where you are with the iPhone’s location services.

Fix common problems, and learn what to do if you can’t fix them yourself.
 
 

The first edition of The iPhone Book was chosen by Amazon's editors as their Computer/Technology Book of the Year. The second version of the book was chosen by Amazon as one of their "Top 10 Must-Have Books" in their annual list of the most "gift-worthy" books of the holiday season.

Authors Scott Kelby and Terry White are now back with the 3rd edition, now covering the iPhone 3G S, with features such as video camera, voice control, higher speed, and much more. Here's why this book has become such a hit with iPhone users around the world: it's not a “Tell-me-all-about-it” book, which has in-depth discussions on every­thing from wireless network protocols to advanced compression codes. Instead it's a “show-me-how-to-do-it” book, that skips all the confusing techno-jargon and just tells you, in plain simple English, exactly how to use the iPhone features you want to use most.

The book’s layout is brilliant, with each page covering just one single topic, so finding the information you need is quick and easy, with a large full-color photo on each page so you can see exactly how it works.

In this book, you'll learn:

How to set up and manage your email the right way from the start

How to use the revolutionary new video camera

How to activate and start using Voice Control right away

How to take advantage of the iPhone's Web features (including important tips that help you avoid frustration, and get you where you want to go fast!)

How to download and install applications from Apple's online App Store

The key trouble-shooting tips you've got to know

How to get your favorite photos onto your iPhone, tips for using its built-in camera, and how to make the most of the iPhone's surprisingly powerful photo features

The tips you've got to know to use your iPhone's built-in iPod features, including watching videos, podcasts, TV shows and movies (you're going to amazed at some of the cool things you can do)

How to use the iPhone's built-in applications to organize your life (you'll learn things in this chapter you didn't know the iPhone could do!)

The top tips for the iPhone's phone feature that will make you fall in love with it (you'll never want to use any other phone again)

Plus so much more!

The iPhone Book is from Scott Kelby, the award-winning author of the smash best­seller, The iPod Book, who teams up once again with gadget guru, and iPhone authority, Terry White to put together a book that is an awful lot like the iPhone itself—simple to use and fun to learn.

In this major update to the book, Scott and Terry focus on just the most use­ful and most requested features (without all the techno-babble) so you can start really using your iPhone today! If you've been waiting for a book that focuses on just the most important, most useful, and most fun stuff about your iPhone—you’ve found it.


Adobe Reader Application for iphone. Flash for iphone.

Some lovely pink champagne for valentine's day.

One of these gorgeous cute teddies.

Or one of these cute teddies.

Happiness for the rest of this week!!!

200th Post!!!!

Today is my 200th post! Whoo hoo!

A year ago I have to admit that I never thought I'd see this day. I was never really into blogging and couldn't see myself updating my blog everyday or every other day. But here it is. My 200th post! I feel excited today! It kinda makes me feel all tingly inside.

How did you feel after posting your 200th post?

Location:200th Post!

Weekend in Review

Weekend Review

It's been something of another quiet weekend. Friday night I decided that it was about time I caught up with one of my friends, so I texted Leonie to go round for a natter and a catch up. We spent most of the evening watching TV and chatting about random things.

Saturday Morning started with me having to forget my usual lie in and head off to work, but not before stopping off at dad's work to meet Kevin who was picking up a fridge for one of the girls at work. It was ridiculously cold out and as soon as we loaded the fridge into Kevin's Quashqai, I could tell he was itching to get home and back to his nice warm house - Lol. But Kevin being Kevin thought it only fair to stop and talk before leaving me. Then it was off to work for me. It was busy until around four o'clock when I think most people began making their way to the Turf to watch their beloved Clarets take on Chelsea in the Premiership. I managed to get away from work on time and easily avoided the traffic.

Then it was off out with Kevin. Thanks again for a wonderful evening Kevin. Love you Loads xxxx

Then yesterday just short of eleven am, my iphone's springboard crashed and i ended up having to restore it as a new phone and re-install my music, my apps, my everything really.

So all in all something of a quiet weekend if you can call it that. Lol.

How was your weekend?

Inspiring Monday Quotes

Inspiring Monday Quotes from the Desk Calendar.

"Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you'd left open".

"He is rich or poor according to what he is, not according to what he has."

"If you're going through hell, keep going".

" For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness".

Thankful For Friday.

Every Friday I will be writing a list of things I have been thankful for this week.

They will vary from the little things that make someone happy in life to silly things and just things in general.

My Car. It feels awkward when I can't drive it. When we had the big freeze here it was stuck on the drive everyday and I had to get my dad to take me to work and pick me up. I couldn't go out anywhere at night, even if I wanted to.

My Health Insurance. I had to go to the dentists this week for a check-up, after not having been since 2005!!! But at least I didnt have to have anything done. I'd like to think that I'm lucky to have my health insurance there just in case.

My Parents. Always there to offer advice and someone to talk to. Our neighbour said something this morning that made me realise just how special my dad is. He's always there when you need him, he's got a heart of gold and will do anything for anyone. Mum's the same.

My Fiance Kevin. I was reading Crystal Jigsaw's blog earlier, her post about finding her soulmate and reflecting on things made me too, think about how lucky I was to meet my soulmate in Kevin. We've been together now three years and I wouldn't change him for anyone.

My ability to cook dinner. Last night I learnt how to make a risotto for our dinner. Mum's just had carpal tunnel surgery so she can't do very much with her hands at the moment. Having to make the dinner for four of us has been good too, I'm learning new things and hopefully when Kevin gets his own flat, i'll be able to do the same for him.

Slimming World. Ok so I'm not a member anymore, but it still helps to have the little recipe books there. I'm doing a sponsored  Six Week Slimathon starting next week.

What things have you been thankful for this week?

I'm Guest Posting Today!

Hello fellow bloggers. I'm doing my very first guest post today for Jennifer over at http://novelistabarista.blogspot.com/.

5 Little Things That Have Made me Happy this Week.

1) Getting a Text from Kevin, just a random text. I love it when he just sends me a text out of the blue. Least when I am not expecting it.
2) Going on the Wii and getting a Wii Fitness age of 33 and under. Having a decent work out on Your Shape and not feeling tired afterwards.
3) Finding Out that I am only needed to do one shift in my other job this week.
4) My favourite soccer team winning last night!!! (Revenge is sooooo Sweet!!!! )
5) A new drama on channel 4 starring "Sex and the City's" , "Mr Big". I had seen this advertised and thought it looked good, sadly I missed the first episode on monday night!!!!!

Posted By Sara at Pink Banana

Thursday Treats

Boeuf Bourguignon Easy


Easy? Well, that is to say if you cut out some of the finer points of the exercise and are content with the thought that Boeuf Bourguignon of a kind is better than none at all! 


Ingredients


1 lb (450 g) or 1 x 500 g pack cubed beef

1 x 200 g pack Tesco Lightly Smoked Bacon Bits

4 oz (110g) chestnut mushrooms - I wont be putting mushrooms in it.

2 cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced

1 medium onion, peeled and sliced

6 sprigs of thyme

2 bay leaves

2 heaped tablespoons flour

15 fl oz (425 ml) red burgundy

salt and freshly milled black pepper

Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 1, 275°F (140°C).

Method


This is what you might call an all-in-one recipe – just place the  ingredients in a medium-sized flameproof casserole and season well with salt and pepper. Then sprinkle in the flour and, using both hands, toss it all around till everything is lightly coated with flour.

Next pour in the wine, give it a good stir then – ignoring the unpromising sight before you – put a close-fitting lid on the casserole, pop it into the oven on the centre shelf and leave it there for 3 hours, and look forward to the minimum-effort, maximum-result supper that awaits.

To serve, it needs lots of fluffy mashed potato, which you can by all means buy ready-made (but in this case not from Tesco because theirs is poor) and then add extra butter and milk or cream.

Hopefully It will look something like this!!!

I think I'll serve it with some some nice creamy garlic mash.

The End product.

Yummmy!!!!

Wednesday Wants

I really want one of these

 for Kevin's flat. I think it would look totally unexpected and out of place in his Living Room. But Who cares? Of course I know Kevin probably won't like it. I just hope that when we eventually get our own place together, he will let me make my mark on "OUR" pad.

I've been wanting to get a baseball cap with The SD's logo for ages. Think I might just have to get one of these. Or maybe a cute lil Padres Tee. 

Then again there's a Trevor Hoffman (my all -time favourite Padre) 51 tee that I wouldn't mind getting my mitts on.

 A new hairstyle for Valentine's.

5 Little things

5 Little Things That Have Made me Happy this Week.

1) Getting a Text from Kevin, just a random text. I love it when he just sends me a text out of the blue. Least when I am not expecting it. 

I Love you Baby xxx

2) Going on the Wii and getting a Wii Fitness age of 33 and under. Having a decent work out on Your Shape and not feeling tired afterwards.

3) Finding Out that I am only needed to do one shift in my other job this week.



4) My favourite soccer team winning.



5) A new drama on channel 4 starring "Sex and the City's" , "Mr Big". I had seen this advertised and thought it looked good, sadly I missed the first episode on monday night!!!!!

Posted By Sara at Pink Banana

Charles de Gaulle - "The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs."

New Year Resolutions Update.

1) To eat more healthily and cook more. My mum's originally from the middle east and has always been a wonderful cook, I've learnt a few of her fantastic dishes that she's picked up from her mum and would like to cook more of these dishes myself.  Mum has just had carpal tunnel surgery, so as of Thursday I have had to do most of the cooking for myself, mum, dad and my brother. We had pasta with grilled vegetables and tomato last night. I feel so much better after eating something healthy,


2) To do something fun with Kevin every month. We don't get much time together as we still live with our parents and although Kevin is going to start looking for his own place, it would just be nice to do something fun every month, whether it be going to the pictures or just going somewhere different for a drink.  Once Kevin gets his own place, I think we will be able to watch more films and dvd's together. He's already been in touch with Calico and has applied for two flats. Let's just hope he gets lucky.

3) To do more with my camera. I have always been a big fan of photography and the last few years haven't done much with it so this year i am determined to get out and make the most of my camera.  I still haven't got round to this. Although I have been having some fun with an application called "Framed" on my Iphone.

6) To develop a fitness regime and workout everyday or every other day with Wii Your Shape. I am extremely proud of myself, and love Kevin for getting me this. I've already lost two and a half stones (35Lbs) just through eating healthily and using this, combined with my Wii Sports Fitness.  The weight loss suture I had done in November has also helped a lot.

7) To lose another stone before my birthday in April. I know this is a long way off, but I will do it.

9) Drink A LOT more water. Drink less soda and more Juices. Drink less alcohol. I usually take two bottles of water to work now and sip it through the day. I will be getting some more juice this week when we do the weekly shop. I can't drink a lot of orange juice though, so it will have to be apple juice. Now that Kevin and I only seem to be going out once a week, I'm not drinking half as much bacardi.

20 Questions 26/1/10

1. What's the last sporting event you watched?


That would be the game between Manchester United and Burnley two weeks ago.

2. The world could do without:

All this war and fighting in Afghanistan or wherever it is happening. Telemarketing, Rice Pudding.


3. What is the farthest you have ever been from home?

Australia.

4. What is your favorite kind of cereal?

I like all the Special K berries, yoghurty and Love coco pops!


5. Four sports teams you like:

Manchester United, (Burnley), Liverpool, San Diego Padres, Hawthorne Hawks.

6. What is it time for right now?

My coffee break at work.

7. You wake up and discover that it's a rainy, dreary day out. Does this affect your attitude at all or do you tend to stay happy no matter what the weather is doing?

The weather does affect my mood most of the time. If it's raining, dreary and damp, I tend to get a bit narky but other than that no.

8. What is the best way to spend a Sunday afternoon?

Chilling out, either with a good book and some music. Or watching soccer as long as it's Manchester United or Burnley, I'm happy.


9. What is your favorite appetizer?

Olives either stuffed with pimento, garlic. Any olives really.


10. Why did you pick the outfit you have on?

It wasn't really picked. More just thrown on this morning.


11. How sensitive are you to cool temperatures?

When the weather changes suddenly, I often find myself feeling much more lethargic in the winter months. But when the summer comes I seem to perk up.

12. What's your favorite blanket like?

My couch blanket is furry, brown and cosy warm. My other one is furry, brown leopard print. Whilst my other one I have had since I was a baby and it's fallen to bits.



13. Did you go to public school?

I went to a privately run kindergarten for a few weeks, then after that I went to local council run school, so I guess you could say I went to Public school.


14. Are you scared of bees?

I don't mind them, but when they start buzzing around and annoying me, then I get scared of them.



15. How many lurkers do you think you have that read your blog, but never comment? Have you ever been successful at getting them to say hello? Do you mind the lurking? Are you a lurker? Or do you try and comment every time you visit?

I think nearly everyone reads, lurks but never comments. maybe I just can't blog as well as you guys! Though I have one comment on a post from last year. I admit I do like to try and comment on blogs I like to follow especially if It's a post I like or it interests me.


16. Desktop or laptop?

I have both. My laptop I use mainly at home when I just want to do random stuff, such as letter writing, as it's rubbish at connecting to the internet right now. My desktop that I use at work.



17. What is your favorite kind of cheese?

Blue Stilton. Ok so it smells like sweaty feet but it's lovely.



18. What is the oldest thing you own?

My christening gifts. my parents were having their dining room decorated so they were clearing out their cupboard and that's when we found my christening cards and gifts. Oh and probably all the bits of decoration from my mum and dad's wedding.



19. How did your car get that little scratch/dent? (Because let’s face it, we ALL have car stories, right?)

I had been away on vacation, my brother was using my car for college as he didn't have his own car, I can honestly say that I came home and it had just miraculously appeared.



20. Which would you rather do: the dusting or the vacuuming?

vacuum. it's fast. it's easy. I don't mind the dusting.