04 May, 2006

romantic dining

lean cuisine style. We don't often use our dining room and with a week in Melbourne coming up B decided it would be nice to suprise me with a 'romantic' dinner - candles, rose petals scattered on the table, wine glasses. It looked like this...

romantic-dining
This fine dining experience was completed with our choice of lean cuisine and cordial, a glass of wine would have seen me fall asleep at the table. Anyway, it's the thought that counts.

02 May, 2006

check your ethics

Recently, B came under attack for questioning the ethics of the actions of a colleague on a committee for which he is a member. The scenario went something like this:

A committee member distributed an email she had come across within her place of employment to all committee members. The email was titled “strictly confidential” and detailed a request that was made to the organisation she works for that was refused. It was a useless piece of nothing really, unrelated to the business of the committee except to provide a tasty bit of gossip that might give some members of the committee a sense of self-righteous satisfaction.

The author of the email request (made of organisation for which the committee member works) is viewed as being a source of irritation to the committee in that she represents a body that has a similar goal to that of the committee and seems more successful in accessing funds, and doing what she does.

Upon receipt of the email B commented that he didn’t believe it was ethical for the committee to be participating in the distribution of emails obtained from their places of work and therefore not intended for them.

The committee member went off the deepend at her actions being questioned and resigned. This in turn led to a flurry of emails including B, asking the said committee member to reconsider, and a right bollocking from the President of the committee who came down on B for his ‘tactless’ email, and while she was at it thought she’d have a go about anything and everything where B was concerned.

Whoa, and what were the good intentions of this group, I forget…..

In an attempt to get things back on track, B apologised to the committee member, although what he was apologising for I still don’t know – the committee member who distributed the email did the wrong thing. Would her employers have given their blessing that an email sent to them had been forwarded to a committee that has no business in their business? Would the person who sent the email request feel indignant that her email request and response had been distributed to sources not intended by her? I betcha!

And does it make any difference even if they are unlikely to find out?

I have this for the committee member* and President…..

Check YOUR ethics

§ Does the decision violate any of my values?
§ Would I feel embarrassed if my decision became a newspaper headline?
§ Would I feel comfortable describing my actions or decisions to a client? Fund Provider? Employer? my family?
§ Is the dignity and liberty of others being maintained by my decision? Are their opportunities increased or decreased?
§ Are the rights, welfare and betterment of those without power being considered? Is the decision being made on genuine merit-based criteria?
§ Do I hope that others will treat me in the same way?
§ Is the possibility of personal gain clouding my judgement?
§ Would those unfavourably affected by this decision accept the fairness of the way the decision was made?

* the committee member retracted her resignation, and accepted B's apology very mean spiritedly suggesting that B give up his ‘occupation of the morale high ground’, secretly I think she was enjoying the drama.

30 April, 2006

old but new

mum and dad visited today bearing gifts, an enormous shabby chic rug and a linen cupboard. Treasures from their garage. The rug is gorgeous although a bit odouriferous at the present time, due to the napthalene that it has been preserved in . The rug has been in the garage for at least 15 years, apparently it was used on the floor of the marquee for my 21st birthday, so it has done well not to be eaten by the moths. Yay for napthalene.

The rug was intended for our bedroom but was too big at 10 foot x 13 foot. I can't say I am too disappointed though as it is a perfect fit in the lounge room, size and colour wise, and will bring some warmth this winter against the tiles.


new but old rug
closeup
And even though I love the look of the floorboards the search for a rug for the bedroom continues.

26 April, 2006

You little thief!!

We might have to teach Macc to do this...

25 April, 2006

five days straight

I have managed a five day weekend, which commenced last Friday and ends today. Whilst it was for no reason in particular,it has ment that I have been able to get a few things done around the house including finishing laying the brick path to the shed, mowing the lawns, a trip to a couple of nurseries, a trip to Bunnings, getting the car washed, planting seeds and plants, baking biscuits and bread, and doing some housework.

I have also managed to do some more of a cross-stitch that has been hanging about for a year (?).

Oh and I have watched a stack of DVD's including:-
~ the first series of 'Love my Way' which was great although episodes 4 and 5 brought with it about 3 hours of crying from me,
~ 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose' B's choice and its not bad,
~ 'Bewitched' minus 5 stars. It was sooooo boring both B and I didn't recall exactily how much of the movie we saw as it put us to sleep (really) and neither wanted to try and watch it again,
~ 'Wolf Creek' also minus 5 stars, it was way to revolting and,
~ 'Prime' which was ok.

grey, gloomy .. study day...

With respect for the ANZAC's here are a few things to 'brighten up your day...


What Your Underwear Says About You

You buy the sexiest underwear you kind find, and always have something hot on underneath your clothes.

You're not afraid to lay around resting your hand in your pants.


Your Job Dissatisfaction Level is 39%

Your job is not bad, but it's probably not a long term thing.
You're just not happy enough to stick around for too long...
And there's little that can change how you feel.
Start looking around for other options, but only quit for something really good!


Your Monster Profile

Undead Worm

You Feast On: Starbucks

You Lurk Around In: Olive Gardens

You Especially Like to Torment: Republicans


People Envy Your Generosity

You're a giving soul, and you'd do almost anything for those you love. And they'd do anything for you!
People may envy how giving you are, but more than anything, they envy those you open your heart to.


and last but not least...

Your Hillbilly Name Is...

Clitus Beaver


Have fun trying these for your self!!!

17 April, 2006

meet the neighbours (part two)

Here we have part 2 in the long awaited story of our meeting the neighbours in the street...

'Postie Pete' (PP) as he is locally known, (also as the ...St chronicle, but Mrs Johnson up the road is more so that!!). He is ok, except to say that NOTHING gets past him! Not long after we moved in, I was up late (2.30am, but there's nothing new here...) upstairs where the PC is, and a couple of days later it was commented on that, "... the light had been on and I was wondering what you were doing..."

Anyway, today when we got home from the Royal Easter Show, some of the teenagers from across the road were coming out of a house further up the street. This, whilst at first seemed strange, was confirmed moments later when World War III broke out. We were still in the car! The teenagers from across the road whilst walking back down the street towards their house had stopped looked down the driveway of PP's new house and then started to throw tennis balls over the house! A couple of minutes later, eggs were being thrown, people were in other peoples property and phones were being thrown onto the road and broken into a million pieces!!!

Welcome to the street...


Postie Pete II

16 April, 2006

Easter Birthday

We were lucky enough to celebrate a birthday this easter - my first nephew turned 4!

Max's birthday cake

I'm not shy
What was even better was having almost everyone in town to celebrate.

the family

10 March, 2006

Happy birthday!!!

Ready to sing everybody??

Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday, dear BBBBBBBB,
Happy birthday to youuuuuuu.

That was great everyone, I could hear you from here!!!

Ah yes, how old are you I hear you ask??
I am happy to say that I am 21 (with 17 years experience)!

07 March, 2006

meet the neighbours (part one)

suffering insomnia, I have been trawling through some of the photos on the computer when I came across this one....

meeting the neighbour!!
this reminded me of a series of blogs I had planned, which would profile some of our neighbours. So here goes, meet our neighbour over the back fence. I believe his name is Eddie, B introduced himself some time back when he retrieved our patio umbrella wnich ended up in his yard after a particulary windy evening. We don't really see or hear much from this neighbour, and I am ashamed to say that until wash day I was not sure who lived behind us, if anyone at all. From the washing line I have guessed that Eddie lives alone and is an older gentleman who is very orderly. He puts my washing line to shame - on my Hills Hoist you will find undies next to a tshirt or tea towel, next to a pillowcase, next to another set of undies, then a sock whose mate may still be in the wash hamper.....