I love this LEUNIG cartoon...

I love this Leunig cartoon, it was in one of the free calenders you get with the SMH and I've kept it for years. I think it's such a good way of looking at life. I'm glad I found it on Google Images so I can share it with you. If Life is a Holiday, you may as well make it a Good One!

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Miracles do happen!

Never managed to get back on the computer yesterday as little Miss M was very clingy due to teething and my Kiwi-Guy came home with a massive cold and needed some TLC. Have an hour or so now, as I wore Miss M out by giving her a surprise morning bath. (Normally Daddy gives her one at night).

Anyhow, had another full memory stick so just went to copy and burn it onto ex harddrive and you will never guess what I found on there; my "lost" clips! I don't understand how they could all of a sudden show up, with all the new ones on the same stick as well, but I am not complaining at all! It sure is a miracle to me!!

Just had to let y'all know!

Chat again after I finish renaming etc.

Hooroo!




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No-Go Boo-Hoo :(

It's disappointing, but the first people to show an interest in buying my parents' lovely home have said 'No Go'. So back to the drawingboard. I just hope that the market in Holland improves soon. At least with the end of August, also comes the end of summer-holidays. So fingers crossed the buyer is amongst those Dutchies that spend their summer weeks down South in France, Italy or Spain.

We have been contemplating travelling to Europe for a couple of weeks, just to re-inspire my parents as to why they made the decision to immigrate. Of course they miss Miss M terribly! Problem is, with me on Maternity Leave the cashflow ain't flowing so fast!

Other than that, it's a pretty quiet day here. Had my conference call with Tony and some of the other DAGgers this morning, baked a carrot and walnut cake (never did that before. I'm not much of a sweet tooth) and have been renaming files as my memorysticks were full again.

And that's all I got time for right now, as I can hear the Marvelous Miss M calling out.

Try to hop on computer again bit later

Hooroo!



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Things To Do When The Boss Is Away

My lovely Kiwi-Man was send this by his boss. I found it quite funny, so I thought I'd share it with you. Perhaps it'll give you all at Access Innovation Media an idea as to how to spend the time.. (Just kidding, of course!)


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Quote of the Day

The wise man seeks little joys, knowing that life is long and that his quota of great joys is distinctly limited. - William Feather





As vague as I may have been today, the little joys did not escape my attention:





*Miss M's total adoration as she smiles at me from her cot
*Sun-dried laundry flapping away on the line
*Receiving a postcard from Holland
*Hearing my brother is coming to visit on Sunday
*Hearing the fun Miss M is having while her Daddy gives her a bath

I hope your day was full of little joys too!






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Nothingness

I swear, my head is filled with Nothingness today. I admit, I had a shocking night sleep, which is never condusive to thinking the brightest thougths. But even I am amazed at my own vagueness!

I must have gone downstairs to the laundry three times, only to have forgotten what I went there for. And let's be honest, laundries typically give one not-too-many options as to what activity may take place there.

I thought I'll sit down and do some blogging, but after five (very peaceful) minutes; still NOTHING. Never mind, I'm sure there's someone somewhere thinking amazing thoughts. So I might now go into the sunshine, and top up my vitamin D. Will let you know if I have any brainwaves....

:)

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888***TheAvNGavShow***888: THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

888***TheAvNGavShow***888: THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

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I laughed out loud when i read this with Tony.
This is my first ever LINKed thought for the day.:)

Aarghh! I am so BUMMED OUT!

Just as I thought I was getting better and more comfortable with the computer side of things, the thing comes and bites me in the butt!!! I was just trying to put about 7-8 clips on the external hard-drive, as I'm going to see Tony tomorrow and I LOST THEM! I don't know what happened, but they're gone, nowhere to be found, moments lost forever. And I had some good ones in there! Aarghh! I don't want to use bad language but it would alleviate my frustration! Poo-Bum! Gotta start again... breathe, breathe, breathe....

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A Personal Breakthrough!

Morning EveryOne!

Well, last night I experienced a personal breakthrough! Whilst enjoying a couple of quiet bevvies with my other half we finally managed to put some videos on disc! I am particularly excited for my parents, as they will now finally be able to watch the many little clips I've filmed of Miss M. They'll be stoked to see her in moving images. Of course it's not the same as the real thing, but it's better than just photo's.

I also learned how to put formulas into spreadsheets. Which in itself is of course very dry and boring, but once again; a personal breakthrough as it all has to do with overcoming my dislike of computers!

Whilst I'm writing this I am downloading more clips onto my external hard-drive so I can pass them on to Tony tomorrow. I am feeling so very new Millenium right now! Ha Ha! Who would have thought?!!

Have a FanFabulous Sunday!

Hooroo!


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I LOVE this Song!!!

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Where There's A Will, There's A Way

I just read 'Ze Daggers Bible' and saw the thought of the Day is Where there's a will there's a way. I wholly and totally believe in that! All through my life I've experienced that if you want something badly enough, you can find a way to make it happen.

It's caused me to do some creative accounting in the past, to secure a homeloan to get that first home, it's made me persevere when I really wanted to give up. It has also gotten me in some hot water when I THOUGHT I wanted something (or rather someONE) but when I got what I wanted it turned out that it wasn't what I wanted AT ALL! So it goes to show that you've gotta be careful what you wish for (or want and put your mind to) as you might just get what you want!


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Brrr...It's freezing!

Yuk! I hate getting out of bed when it's this cold. Am currently sitting ON TOP of the heater in a vain attempt to get warm and cosy. Little Miss M was up twice thru the night, her teeth must be bothering her, poor thing. By the time I got her settled again, of course I couldn't get back to sleep. Never mind, might as well get up and have brekkie and start some blogging.

I start work at 9 am so haven't got that much time anyway. I'm doing some office work for a friend which is great. I quite enjoy organising things for her and it helps her out too. And just between you and me; it is nice to have some baby-free time and think different thoughts for a couple of hours a week. Daddy is wrapped to have this Daddy-Daughter-Day too, so it's a WIN-WIN situation!

We've been talking about finally getting our lovely little boat in the water. It's about time too, we've had her for almost 2 years now! We've been working on her, fixing and painting and improving, but now it really is time to have some FUN! She is called 'Petit Bateau' which is french for little boat. She is a Hartley trailer-sailer, a New Zealand design. We now hope to have her in the water (and floating) in October, ready for the long hot summer. We already got a little life-jacket for Miss M; SAFETY FIRST.

Hopefully the weather is better tomorrow, so we can go and check out some moorings in Fisherman's Bay. Ahhh, I can already see myself laying back in the sun with a glass of SavBlanc, enjoying the sounds of the water lapping against the boat...

On that note... better get ready.

Hooroo!




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Welcome to our 888-Family

I would like to be the first one to welcome Furball into our DAGgy family! She came over to my place this afternoon and we spend some time setting up her blog and generally getting a feel for it. So watch her space at 888furball@blogspot.com and make her feel welcome.

I've just come back from another boxercise class where I teamed up with a guy this time. Talk about the difference between man and woman... I thought I threw an ok punch up until tonight, but I think I'll have to refrain from getting into any real fights for a while longer! :) My hands are shaking so much, it's hard to type this.

Other than that I had a pretty uneventful day. Did some laundry, vacuum-cleaning and dusting, paid some bills (incl. a parking fine; I HATE wasting money like that!!)and of course had my daily phone call with the people from Belkin. Yes, that's right, the wireless situation still hasn't been resolved. Today they suggested moving the desk so it's more or less in-line with the phone connection. I'm thinking of getting on of those computer nerds in to solve the puzzle for me, as moving furniture is not an option at this stage.

The Beautiful Miss M is finally and definitely teething so that's cause for more needed cuddles and smeares of Bonjella.

My poor husband hasn't seen me more than 5 minutes so I think I better show him some lovin'.


Hooroo!







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Fingers Crossed...

I just spoke with my parents and after about 7 months they've finally had someone interested in buying their home! It is too early to get all excited, but I can't help it! I need everyone to cross their fingers for us. I have to go back to work in January and it would just be so perfect if they could be here then. And not just for me, I think for them it would be great too, if things would move along now. Once you've made a big decision like immigrating you don't want things to stagnate and draw out the inevitable.

Will keep you posted...




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WORLD PEACE DAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2008

I just watched the clip that The Miracle Mile posted and was thinking we should do something. Why don't we get together somewhere in a park or something and have a huge picnic. If we all tell one friend it could grow into something quite big. And it'd be fun...

Lemme know what y'all think.


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Amazing Street Art

Whilst browsing Google for some early morning inspiration I came across these drawings by an unknown street artist. How incredible! How talented!




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*888*Access Denied*888*

I was talking today to one of the Bundeena Ambo's about the situation regarding access to Ambulance Services here. Basically the below-mentioned Officers have been volunteering their time, but without much support at all from the NSW Ambulance Service.

As we already know, Ambo's are over-worked and underpaid like other healthcare workers, but in this case the officers were on Stand-by outside their normal rosters and thus suffered extreme fatigue.

It seems to me that the solution is so simple. Surely it is possible to build a 'Bundeena Stand-by' into the rosters of these three officers. This practice might even get adopted by other 'remote' suburbs!

I really think it's ridiculous for a suburb with the same postcode as Cronulla to have such limited access to basic services. You would think we live out in Woop-Woop.


This whole story certainly doesn't follow our Principles of SAFETY, ACCESS and INCLUSION!

I've copied an article that appeared in the local Leader 10th July 2008


FOR the past 15 years, residents of Bundeena and Maianbar, on the edge of the Royal National Park, relied on local ambulance officers to be on call between shifts and on their days off as the only emergency medical service in the immediate area.

Other than three local ambulance officers, residents have just one part-time GP and no after-hours emergency service. There is no local taxi service and the ferry stops at 7pm.

Danelle Brown, of Maianbar, said she had to wait for between 35 and 40 minutes for an ambulance to arrive from Engadine in January last year after her three-year-old daughter, Esprit, collapsed and stopped breathing.

She stopped breathing again in December. This time a local ambulance arrived within 25 minutes, she said.

"If they [ambulance officers] were at a station, it would have been 10 minutes. I think if there was a service in town it would probably be used more.

"I think people realise the waiting time and they panic and jump in the car and deal with their problems themselves and go to Sutherland Hospital," Mrs Brown said.

One local ambulance officer is due to retire in two years, one has a wife who is terminally ill, and the other has three children under 10. They are fed up working up to 20 hours straight and decided in May to withdraw their on-call services due to extreme fatigue and a lack of support from ambulance management, a submission to the parliamentary inquiry into the Ambulance Service of NSW says.

The submission says the Bundeena ambulance is stationed at Engadine, under an ambulance service directive issued in May. It could therefore "easily be more than an hour" to get a person to a hospital, "posing serious risk to emergency patients", the submission says.

Last year, the three local officers - who each work at different stations outside the park - responded to 190 calls in addition to their normal shifts and overtime, the submission says. They were unable to respond to 20 calls.

The submission says the final straw was when two officers were "reprimanded and dictated to" after telling management they were too exhausted from having worked 20 hours straight to start another 14-hour shift in a few hours.

An ambulance service spokesman said the number of call-outs was not high enough to justify a full-time local service, which the Bundeena/Maianbar Ambulance Action Group wants.

The ambulance service has proposed that a scheme in which NSW Fire Brigades' officers act as "first responders".

The fire brigade supports the idea because its officers are trained in advanced first aid and can provide basic life support, a spokeswoman said.

The action group said in its submission to the inquiry that the proposal was unacceptable because the Bundeena-Maianbar area was too far from a hospital and fire brigade officers were not able to make medical diagnoses or administer drugs.


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Much better, thanks!

Today has been much better. Started gargling with salt-water last night. Home remedy courtesy of my friend Matty. It's disgusting but does work and is completely natural. The trick is NOT to swallow!

So packed up my Precious this morning, and her nappy-bag, a rug, some toys, something to eat 'just in case', as well as my towel, yoga mat and bottle of water, and made my way to another boxercise class. Honestly, I'm a pretty organised person, but it still amazes me how much shit you have to carry with you when you go anywhere with a baby!

It was all worth it as it was truly invigorating working out in the park. There was even a new mum there, who only gave birth 2 weeks ago. So I salute her!

I've never been one to exercise much. I did the gym-thing sporadically 'cause I felt I should, but never really got into it. I could certainly never understand those people that got addicted to it! But being outdoors makes all the difference to me. And it's kinda liberating to punch someone with all your might. It mellows me out for the rest of the day, and nothing stresses me much and that's gotta be good, right?



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I don't like to complain, but...

I feel like death warmed up. Flaming headache, coughing-fits that I'm sure can be heard in outer-space, hot and cold flushes, muscle-aches and just enough energy to drag myself from the bed to the lounge. Unfortunately having a 10-month old crawling around the place is not conducive to curling up and feeling sorry for one-self. That, and I feel guilty whingeing about having a cold when I know there's people out there who are much worse off than I.

So there's nothing else to do but soldier on. At least the flu-virus looks very pretty in the picture.

ah-choo!



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Another Day in Paradise

Woke up to another gorgeous, sunny, sparkly day in Paradise with my lovely family this morning. How lucky am I?! I'm not going to let the endless mountain of laundry get to me. The machine does it all anyway.

I'm going to go out into the streets of Bundeena and find some inspiration. And perhaps find the Sunday paper and a cup of tea at the local coffee shop.

And then when we come back I want to start measuring out our planned vegie-patch. I've been reading up on growing our own vegies. I'm excited about it, tho I'm by no means a 'green-thumb'. But surely growing a couple of lettuces, some tomatoes and herbs can't be that difficult? Watch this space... I might turn into a Vasili yet! (Have you watched Vasili's Garden on SBS?)



Hooroo!



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Powerful Stuff

I have just spend the last hour or so reading Katrina's Social X-Rays. What a powerful blog! I have never met you, Katrina, but reading a story like yours puts my little complaints in perspective. I'm sure the grated apple/rice shot was the best you have ever tasted! I haven't commented on your blog yet as we are back on dial-up for the moment, so everything takes forever. But I look forward to meeting you one day. You've been an inspiration to me today.

It's good to know you are SAFE and that you have ACCESS to all the LOVE you could possibly need.

*888*Wishing you all things Wonderful*888*



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I'm Ba-ack!

In case you wondered where I went; spend some time under the doona, a lot of time running around getting sicker, but MOST time trying to get our computer/modem/phoneline/wireless to work. Oh-my-Gawd, I tried to BREATHE, BREATHE, BREATHE, but ended up HYPERVENTILATING! And it still isn't fixed. Arrgh!!! If anyone has any bright suggestions about how to get wireless to work, I'm all ears. We have established that it isn't the hardware. So they tell me it is our house. But we had another wireless device work perfectly well when we were still on dial-up. I have to now race off as I'm running late for an appointment as I just spend another HOUR on the phone. But I am back, I promise!

In...Out...In...Out...

Breathe
Breathe
Breathe

grab that paper-bag!

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Safety cannot be under-estimated

One of the big things amongst us DAGgers is Safety. It really is easily taken for granted that we live in a safe society, in safe surroundings.

Just today I realised I wasn't being 'safe' in that I was taking flu-medication that I shouldn't have, as I am still breastfeeding. Didn't even occur to me! So I cut it out immediately and thus my flu has returned with a vengence! Never mind, I rather sneeze and sniffle a couple of days longer, that exposing my little Angel to anything that might be unsafe for her.

And yesterday, while I was preparing dinner this channel 9 helicopter kept circling right above our home. I knew it wasn't bushfires, and it couldn't be a plane that went down in the ocean either as it was pointed in-land. Turns out the second floor of a home in the street behind us had collapsed while they were pouring concrete. One man died. Just like that. I am shocked, and feel so sad for the man's family. I don't know who he was, but obviously he wasn't safe.

And then the poor citizens in Georgia. They're not safe. Mother's just like myself, leaving their homes with their children to find safety...where? And why? It's a mess in this world.

I wish I had the answer. Perhaps all we can do is being aware, and sharing that awareness with the world. And thus perhaps bring change, one conversation at the time.

Be safe, always

Schatzi



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Dutch-Aussie-Connection

Ok, I'll quit the Dutch-thing now, but thought this was quite amusing....





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The Dutch National Anthem

Hi EveryOne and All!

Had a lovely day today. Started with a boxercise class out in the park. Got my muscles working and filled my lungs with lovely fresh air. Then two of my beautiful friends, Chris and Michel visited and brought a yummie and healthy lunch. We hung out and watched the swimming at the Olympics. Michael Phelps was pretty much winning everything. So I kept hearing the American National Anthem. Haven't heard the Dutch Anthem yet, so thought I'll just put it on my blog.

So, pass the Dutchie and sing along!

Hooroo!
*888*DAG.com

Feeling more DAGgy than 888DAG today!

We went out to Sydney Institution 'The Basement' last night and had a lovely dinner and watched a very groovy band. Unfortunately our long-awaited night out was somewhat tempered by my on-coming flu. My sister and her partner had kindly offered to baby-sit. Thankfully Miss M was very well-behaved and they didn't hear a peep out of her. Until of course at 5.30 am this morning, but by that time we were back at hand. I feel like an absolute zombie today, complete with sore muscles, headache, shivers and sweats. So not my most inspired day.

I think I'll head back to the lounge for another hot Lemsip and some TLC from the husband!

Hooroo!



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Elmer says Difference is Great!

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From all the Lands on Earth we come...

Currently there is an ad on tv that uses that song 'I am, you are, we are Australian". Now I am not Australian (yet). Our Daughter is. But I am Dutch and my Other Half Kiwi. I like that song, it is very catchy. 'We are One, and we are Many, and from all the Lands on Earth we come.' It made me think that probably not many people know where exactly I come from.

I come from a town near Rotterdam called Schiedam ( pronounced; 'skhē'däm'). It is famous for two things; Dutch Gin and the worlds Tallest Windmills. There are currently about 75.000 people living in Schiedam. Two of whom are the most important in the world! My Parents.

At the beginning of this year they made the very BIG decision to move to Australia permanently. Of course I am very excited about that. It'll mean that all the things a lot of families take for granted will be possible for us after being fragmented for nearly 20 years. Christmasses, Birthdays, Weddings, but also the small things, like popping over for a cuppa, or hitting the Sales with Mum (watch out, here we come!). Of course it'll be wonderful for Miss M to grow up knowing her grandparents.

Anyway, I am diverting. What I meant to say is; next time you find yourself in Holland. Don't just go and see Amsterdam. Take the train to Schiedam and check it out. And just in case you were wondering... they have coffee-shops there too! ;)

Happy Days everyone,
*888*

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*888*Crazy with Excitement*888*

Yay! Only one more day and the wait is over! We are just CRAZY with excitement here. I hope everyone has a Wonderful, Exciting and Positive Day.

I'm off to see my very good friend Vanessa to share the love!

Schatzi

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i'm forgetting something...

It's 22:36 and I was all nice and cosy, tucked into bed. Was up again this morning at 05:30, so one would think sleep would come easy... NOT!! I've got too much on my mind and I was going around in circles, driving my other half mad with my sighing and twisting and turning. So decided to get up again.

So what's on my mind? I didn't do any video-ing today, and I feel bad about it. I didn't do any blogging either. I DID do non-stop running around, getting groceries, paying bills, organising our little lives etc etc. Realised at 5 pm that I'd been busting to go since 2 pm!

And still... I'm forgetting something...It came to me as I walked down the stairs just then; I was forgetting to BREATHE!

BREATHE...
BREATHE...
BREATHE...

It's so simple, we all do it so automatically that we forget to do it properly. And when done properly it does bring such clarity, doesn;t it?!

Sweet Dreams EveryOne!

Schatzi

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Thought of the Day

'You are only one thought away from a good feeling'.

**888*Access*888**

I was talking to one of the Mum's at playgroup yesterday. She was telling me that she went into the city with the pram the other day and how difficult it was to get around. I have experienced that more than once myself. I am able-bodied, my only 'handicap' being that I've got a bouncing baby in a pram. So, if I can't get to a shop because the escalator or doorway is too narrow, I just shop elsewhere.

But what about those with a disability? The elderly and frail? The vision-impaired. To them, Access to the community is denied in so many small ways we take for granted. I think it pays to stop and think every now and again.

Be aware, breathe, see what you can change, don't be afraid to offer help and assistance. *888* Inclusion and Access *888*

*888*08-08-08 Is The End Of The Wait!

There is a real buzz in the air... a general feeling of anticipation. I'm sure for some it is the Olympic Games that bring this on. For me, it is more the suspense leading up to a big party, the long-awaited birth of something that will bring Hope and Joy and Togetherness and Fun.

May Your Day Be Bright And Happy.

Sunday morning Love

Our Beautiful-Baby-Alarm-Clock went off at 5 am this morning. I guess Baby tummies don't care whether you have had your beauty-sleep or not.

Blurry eyed I try to find my ugg-boots and brace myself against the cold... only to be met with the Warmest, Brightest, Loveliest smile one can imagine.

I love her so much, the word 'Love' just doesn't do her justice.

She is my World, my Universe. She is my Star, my Breath, my Heart-beat. And the feeling grows and grows with every passing second.

I am blessed. I know that. And I am grateful for every moment I spend in her presence.

*888*For her I want to be a Better Person*888*