The newest addition to the family...

This is my second nephew, Kai, a beautiful baby brother for little Will. Even better, it's only a few days until I'll be in sunny Queensland to visit them both!

Oh, happy day!

Things I'm grateful for today:

* My new Weight Loss Hypnosis program.
* Feeling more in control of my eating after only two days on the program.
* Another day closer to my second nephew being born.
* Sleeping in.
* A flexible schedule that provides a fantastic work / life balance.

Today's treasures!

Today I am thankful for:

* A positive and exciting client meeting this afternoon.
* Plenty of rain pouring down this morning outside my window.
* Hot coffee.
* Enjoying the drive across town to my meeting.
* Loving my job more and more each day!

Rampage of Appreciation for my business!

I love my job!

I love the freedom and flexibility that it affords me to work as and when I choose. I love that I can work at midnight if I can't sleep, and I love that I can choose to sit in the park with a coffee and work on a sunny afternoon.

I am thankful for the many wonderful people that I meet and the lessons that I learn from each of them as they tell their stories of achievement and success.

I am grateful for an opportunity to be part of a company that values integrity most highly, and also places emphasis on honesty, trust and commitment to being the best at what we do each day.

I love the endless opportunities for growth that are only capped by my imagination and willingness to succeed. I am lucky that I can run the business on my terms whilst still being backed by a national brand name.

Every day I am thankful for my business and the wonderful life that I have.

Today's gem...

“If we plant a seed in the ground we know that the sun will shine and the rain will water, and we leave it to the Law to bring results...Well, the desire you image is the seed, your occasional closing of the eyes in imagery is the sun, and your constant, though not anxious, expectation is the rain and cultivation necessary to bring absolutely sure results...”

Frances Larimer Warner, Our Invisible Supply: Part One 1907

A fond farewell...I love you Tricia and I'll miss you...

A note for my loving grandmother who passed away a few moments ago...

I remember being so young and somebody asking me who Tricia was? I remember thinking that it was a crazy question as everyone had a Tricia..you know, a Tricia and a Grandad. I didn't understand at the time that not all grandmothers were named Tricia, just mine. You chose to use your own name as you thought it sounded so much younger and I just loved that it was something different to everyone else. You had the courage of your convictions and you would fight for what you believed in. More than anything else, you would fight for your family.

Four beautiful children and so many grandchildren that it would almost be too hard to count...you were so loved throughout your life Tricia. I know that Grandad will be there to welcome you home today and you can be together again after all these years...just the way that I remembered you both as I was growing up. Making Grandad's morning tea together, big Christmas lunches, sewing my Calisthenics costumes and the letters that would arrive unexpectedly in my letter box in the last few years...just some of my favorite memories. I loved to get those letters that would always tell me how proud you were of your first grandchild and that I was always in your thoughts.

I'm sorry that we didn't get to spend more time together in the last few years but even that could never change the bond that we have. I love you and I will miss you dearly but in my heart I know that you will always be with me, just as I have always felt Grandad's presence with me too. You earned your place in heaven and I know that you willl smile down on your family for all eternity. I send you this goodbye wrapped up in all the hugs in the world.

Rampage of Appreciation for our house.

The quickest way to create something new and wonderful in your life is to be thankful for all that you already have. Having seen a lovely house in Yarra Glen that might just be perfect for us, I wanted to take the time to appreciate all the beauty and joy that our current house brings. Here goes:

Our little house is a sweet and comfortable home that provides us with shelter and protection from the elements. I am thankful that it is warm in winter and cool in summer and the many windows provide a constant outlook onto nature. Being so small, it is easy to keep clean and well maintained and it has such a cosy, personal feel to it. The recently painted walls and the new timber laminate floor provide an updated yet casual look and complement our dark chocolate furniture and gold trimmings so perfectly. I am grateful for the safe location that allows for peaceful meditation and moments of quiet thought. This home is an oasis in the midst of a sometimes hectic life and it's sunny outlook and simplistic layout create calm and work together to combat any craziness or chaos.

I am thankful for our beautiful home and will appreciate our time here long after we have moved into our new home.

Making new friends Karma style.

Talk about the cutest thing!

Earlier this afternoon, I was watching kitty lying in the sun in the kitchen and thinking that it was unusual as I have never seen him lie there before. I pretty much forgot about him until I looked up to see him poking the window sill with his paw. He was clearly very focused on something that was outside the window.

I walked over to the window to find a decent size lizard sitting on the outside of the window sill with his head raised looking Karma right in the eye. He was bold as brass...they were nose to nose against the glass and neither were backing down. Karma kept tapping at the glass as he tried to poke the lizard to make it move some more.

I only wish that I had a camera handy. That would have been a priceless photo!

It's the little things...

I was just sitting here thinking back over my day and it made me realise that it truly is the little things, the tiniest details that add up to make us feel "lucky" or "in the flow" each day. Below are some of the highlights of my day...each one is small on it's own but focus on enough little moments of joy and soon you have a lifetime of happiness:

* sitting on the front step with my laptop whilst the sun went down and the birds said goodbye to the day
* cuddles from my kitty
* finding a ticket for the makeup that I was looking for at 20% off and then unexpectedly discovering that they had more in stock
* catching a song on the movie "Sister Act 2" when I changed channels that made me feel inspired and alive
* trying Cadbury's Breakaway chocolate...mmm
* wearing an unusual top that I had purchased recently and feeling confident and fantastic
* singing out loud just because I felt like it
* my boyfriend accidentally putting maple syrup on my crumpets rather than honey and then discovering the taste sensation when you mix both together.

Little things I know, but they made my day!

100 facts about me: facts 31-40

31. I love to sit outside with a hot coffee and my laptop (love wireless broadband!) or a great book and enjoy the sounds of the birds chattering away.
32. I have so many books (mainly on New Age topics, spirituality and metaphysics) that it would take 3 to 4 large bookshelves to hold them all.
33. I'm really lazy when it comes to exercise and keeping fit...and I mean REALLY lazy!
34. Being close to nature gives me a deep feeling of inner calm.
35. I love to search out and stay at beautiful country bed and breakfasts.
36. I have owned or lived with five cats in my 33 years...Diddams, Cindy, Tabby, Baby and Karma.
37. I would choose to have a cat rather than a dog, even though I love both.
38. I hate football (yes, this one has been brought on by the fact that today is the AFL Grand Final).
39. I attended Grovedale West Primary School and Belmont High School.
40. I drive a cherry red Mazda 3 SP23 and I absolutely adore my car.

Things I'm just loving today!!

1. The Proclaimers song "I'm On My Way"...an oldie but a goodie that I dug up tonight. Try not to break out in a goofy grin with that song playing nice and loud. Bet you can't...

2. The Law of Attraction starting to show me hints (Uni-winks) of what's in store if I keep remembering to JUST FEEL GOOD!

3. Unexpected clients coming my way...thank you Universe!

4. Almost finishing "Ask and it is Given" and looking forward to reading "The Power of Deliberate Intent" for a second time.

5. Karma kitty changing his sleeping patterns to let me sleep peacefully from the time I go to bed until at least5.30am. This was one of the intentions that I put out into the Universe recently and all I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you for the speedy manifestation of that one...

Oh, life's good!!!!!!!!

Rampage of Appreciation!

I just love this process. It is drawn from "Ask and It Is Given" by Esther and Jerry Hicks from the teachings of Abraham-Hicks. So here goes!

Today's rampage of appreciation:

The thing that I love most about today were the moments when I heard the chitter chatter of the birds outside the window.

I love that the sound of birds is a constant. In almost any environment, I am no more than a few steps away from somewhere that I can hear birds if I listen closely. Birds live in the moment...they're not focused on paying bills or planning for the future. They are just happy being alive in this moment, happy to be chattering away or foraging for food as if it's the most natural thing in the world.

I love that they reminded me that living in the moment is natural, that the tendency to live in the past or sometime in the future is a learned behaviour.

I love that the sounds of the birds today reminded me to stop for a moment and just be. It reminded me to look beyond myself to notice the patterns of the clouds forming outside the window and the detail of the leaf patterns on the trees that continue to grow whether they have my attention or not.

I love that the many different sounds of the birds reminded me how precious the differences in each of us are and that to be the same would be to live in a world of "gray".

I am so thankful and appreciative of the moments that I shared in blissful awareness of the neighbourhood birds today. Life is joyous and wondrous when we make the time to stop and notice in conscious awareness.

Things I love today!

1. Karma kitty curling up with his head resting on the keyboard of my laptop while I type (although it does make the "A" key a little harder to reach...lol).

2. Seeing The Lake House movie on Thursday night. I've decided that I quite like seeing a movie during the week.

3. A nice long sleep in this morning.

4. The Tattslotto ticket that we bought to win us lots and lots of money!!

5. The sounds of birds outside the window as they settle in for the evening.

Ain't life grand!!

Today's quote...

"We create in constructive ways or we create in destructive ways. Either way, creative energy finds expression." - Dan Millman

100 facts about me: facts 21-30

21. Purple has been my favorite color for as long as I can remember.
22. I was brought home from the hospital in a purple baby blanket that I named "Scratchie" and I had a giant purple teddy bear.
23. I don't really like to cook but I have a great deal of admiration for people who can whip up delicious dishes with so much ease.
24. I get a buzz out of collecting the mail each day.
25. I am a Level II Certified Reiki Practitioner.
26. At high school, I decided that I wanted to be a psychiatrist...until I realised that I can't stand the sight of blood and I would have to become a fully qualified GP first.
27. I completed a combined Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws at university.
28. I am terrified of amusement park rides that are really fast or really high.
29. I travelled to New Zealand for a holiday when I was 11.
30. I travelled to China and Hong Kong for work purposes on two occassions.

My intention for today!

I'm part way through reading "Excuse me, your life is waiting" and I've realised that one of the easiest ways to get into the necessary feeling place to create or manifest your desires is to focus on the why's of your intentions. So here goes...let's start small:

Intention: I intend to see Lady Bugs everywhere for the next few days. I intend to see pictures, words, stories, photos or real live lady bugs! Lady bugs are everywhere and I will be both surprised and delighted when the Universe finds unexpected ways to reveal them to me.

Why: Lady Bugs make me smile. They remind me of the innocence of childhood, of warm afternoons in the garden, of the joy of finding a lady bug unexpectedly and feeling the tickle as it crawls across your hand.

Lady bugs remind me of just how amazing Mother Nature is to create such a tiny, beautiful object with such ease.

Lady bugs remind me to just enjoy the moment, to stop and focus on one single element in a vast and endless microcosm. Lady bugs are timeless..no matter how many years pass, the possibility of finding a lady bug unexpectedly still remains.

For these reasons and many more, I intend to be surprised and delighted by the lady bugs that will be revealed to me in the next three days.

100 facts about me: facts 1-20

1. I am a 33 year old Libran.
2. I have 2 sisters, aged 29 and 22.
3. I have one nephew and another one on the way.
4. I love chocolate with a passion.
5. I have a crazy, beautiful, black and white cat named Karma.
6. I love to read non fiction books on any subject that interests me.
7. I love to write and have thought about writing a book since I was a child.
8. Growing up, I enjoyed netball and calisthenics.
9. I love to curl up on the couch with a good movie and some junk food as a treat.
10. I love my job wholeheartedly (I own and manage the Melbourne Central branch of Australian Recruiting).
11. I used to be a magazine junkie but I have cut back to only two magazines a month (Weight Watchers and Slimming).
12. I'm in the process of learning everything that I can about the Law of Attraction.
13. My favorite movie is Serendipity.
14. My favorite documentary style movie is The Secret.
15. I am not allergic to anything that I am aware of.
16. My mother and one of my sisters live on the Gold Coast in Qld.
17. My Dad and my other sister live in Geelong in Victoria.
18. I have lived in Melbourne for the last 8 or so years.
19. I have bought, lived in and then sold my first house.
20. I have a somewhat unusual combination of fair skin, dark hair and blue eyes.

Isn't life wonderful??????

Whhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!

Thank you Universe (you know what for)! Wink!

Joy is...

1. Receiving the first letter from the mother of my World Vision sponsored child and hearing that the little girl has enrolled in school like her brother and sister.

2. Icy cold and super sweet Pepsi Max.

3. The flexibility to have an afternoon nap just because I wanted to.

4. Way too many Freddo frogs...oh well!

5. The pretty sunset peeking through the front windows as day fades into night.

Focus Point...

"Today, no matter where I am going, no matter what I am doing, no matter whom I am doing it with...nothing is more important than that I feel good.

Today I will look for that which I am wanting to see.

I am the creator of my own reality."

Abraham-Hicks: The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent (p231)

Today's little treats...

1. Lunch with Dad and my sister (there goes the diet!)...heaps of fun.

2. Low fat cookie and cream ice-cream sundae.

3. A huge Big Brother upset on tonight's eviction show. I can't help it...I just love the drama...

4. I'm really enjoying the new template for this blog. It's so calm and peaceful.

5. The excitement of a busy and successful week ahead. Believe and achieve!

I just love life's little treats!!

Spoiled? Who...me?

I even have my own bedroom! Mum thinks it's a guest room so let's keep it our little secret...sssshhhhhh....

I'm a big boy now!

Hurry up Auntie! It's time to come and visit...

YES! YES! YES!

That's me shouting YES! to the Universe, YES! to the Law of Attraction and YES! to the wonderful things in my life.

Did you hear me...I said:

"YES! YES! YES!"

Life is wonderful because...

1. We went to our favorite Malaysian restaurant for dinner. The food comes out in a matter of minutes and it's perfect every time. Yum!

2. I'm part way through reading "The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent" and it's really helping to clarify some missing links in my understanding of the Law of Attraction.

3. It's one day closer to seeing my sister and nephew again...not that I'm counting...

4. I collected my $28.00 tattslotto win and bought another quick pick and two $1 scratchies. I won $2 and bought two more. I won $2 again and bought two more. This was not a case of third time lucky, but it was heaps of fun while it lasted.

5. Karma slept on my bed for most of the night last night instead of running around scratching couches like a mad cat. It was so nice to get a good night's sleep.

These things and so many more make life wonderful today.

Little rays of sunshine...

1. Great new wrap dresses, a new necklace and earrings to match...I love shopping!

2. The Law of Attraction at work - my sister focused on her unit selling for a great price and the offer received today was $30,000 above the highest price ever paid for a unit in the same complex! Absolutely amazing result. Well done sis!

3. Finding the "What the Bleep Do We Know?" DVD at Borders and getting 15% off with a receipt coupon.

4. Daydreaming about the new Mazda MX-5 that the Universe is in the process of bringing to me...I'm ready when you are Universe!

5. Hearing an old song on the radio that gave me a real buzz and had me singing out loud as I was driving to my meeting this afternoon.

When you take time to notice how much there is to be grateful for, every day can be a sunny day. Happy blogging!

Happiness hit list for the day...

1. An unexpected but very welcome call from my little sis...that's always a treat!

2. Putting an intention into the Universe to see or hear about dolphins today and then stumbling across an unexpected forum discussion on the joy that dolphins bring.

3. Discovering that the free tickets I received from an ebay seller are for a 2 1/2 day NLP seminar in early August. Sounds like fun!

4. Unexpected sunshine on a winter's day that started with ice on the car windows.

5. Just a little over 4 weeks until my trip to Queensland to visit with my sister, her fiance and my nephew. Woo Hoo!

I love...

1. super sweet and delicious strawberries and cherries.

2. brand new books, so full of information and possibilities.

3. cuddles from my Karma kitty.

4. losing another 300gm this week (even after the junk I ate at the weekend).

5. the potential in new friendships.

I love these things and so much more today!

Things I'm grateful for today!

1. My Mazda SP23! I've had it for more than 18 months now and it's still the best car I've ever owned.

2. A fantastic candidate interview today that reminded me yet again how much I love my job.

3. Milk chocolate freddo frogs...no explanation required.

4. Karma kitty letting me sleep last night without the usual in and out of bed routine to stop him scratching the couch. Aaahh, it was pure bliss...

5. Home made hot potatoes with bolognaise sauce, red kidney beans and cottage cheese. (Focused on food? Who, me?)

Things I love today!

1. Weight Watchers bacon and egg sandwichs for lunch...yummm!!

2. Time to relax and play on the internet.

3. Spending a fun night out with friends for dinner last night.

4. Books. I absolutely adore books and I have so many great books waiting to be explored.

5. Weekend sleep ins!

Today I'm happy because...

1. I have finished decorating my vision box and have started to fill it with the wonderful things coming into my life.

2. I have a career that allows me the freedom to work when and where I choose and provides me with an abundance of personal satisfaction.

3. The banana sandwich that I made for lunch seemed like such a decadent treat. Who would have thought?

4. I am consistently losing weight each day with relative ease.

5. So much abundance, prosperity, health and well being is making it's way to me in this very moment.

I ama thankful for all these things and so many more!

Reasons to be grateful today...

The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...The Secret...

Did I mention that today I'm grateful for The Secret? If you haven't seen it, get a copy asap! You'll never see your future in the same way again!

Today happiness is...

1. Finally receiving a book I purchased from an ebay seller who has not responded to my emails for almost a month. Won't be buying from her again!

2. Not putting any weight on over the weekend despite going out for dinner twice.

3. Trusting that the Universe will take care of things in ways that I cannot even begin to imagine :-)

4. Understanding the concept of SWITCHWORDS a little better and seeing small but immediate results.

5. The friendliness and great service offered by the guy thay I deal with for my advertising through Coffee News. This guy is a real gem!

Today I'm grateful for...

1. Being drawn to the Powerful Intentions forum at www.powerfulintentions.com .

2. Knowing that my sister will be having a healthy baby boy! Another nephew...yeah!

3. Finding my Weight Watchers Eating out guide unexpectedly today after searching for it yesterday.

4. Ordering a copy of "The Secret" on DVD and waiting in anticipation for it to arrive on Monday.

5. Winning a signed copy of Alex Lloyd's CD "Watching Angels" on
Ebay as a surprise for someone.

Things I'm grateful for today!

1. The internet! I love that I can find anything and everything on the net, all without leaving home. And even better, I get the fun and challenge of sifting through the junk to find the real gems of information and knowledge.

2. Time to relax and fill my mind with new thoughts, ideas and concepts.

3. The ability to create, design and manifest my own future.

4. Weighing in .9kg lighter at Weight Watchers yesterday.

5. The beautiful, sunny winter day that was so unexpected today.

Stuff and nonsense...

Day 6 back on Weight Watchers and still doing well. We went out for dinner and to the movies on Friday night and I had grilled fish and steamed vegies and took some Freddos to the cinema for portion controlled treats. I made hot potatoes with low fat bolognaise and chickpea sauce last night...added some low fat cottaage cheese and a tiny sniff of parmesan and it was absolutely delicious! That will definitely be a new favorite on the menu.

I know I'm not supposed to weigh myself between meetings but I just couldn't resist. I've lost just over half a kilo so hopefully by Tuesday's weigh in I might be closer to one kilo. That would be a nice start!

I've managed at least 1.2 litres of water each day and even made it to 1.8 on one day. This is such a huge achievement for me as it is simply unheard of! A little bit of diet cordial certainly helps, but I really want to stay focused on keeping my water intake up as everyone says that it really helps with the weight loss.

I've started doing the Dr Wayne Dyer "Meditations for Manifesting" CD. I've only done it twice so far and only the morning "Ah" meditation but I feel really relaxed afterwards. If anyone else has tried any of Dr Dyer's meditations and has had success in manifesting something that they desired into their life, I would love to hear about it in the comments section. If you haven't tried it, I definitely recommend giving it a go, even if just for the relaxation if nothing else. Karma kitty seemed to like it...he feel asleep next to me on the bed, right next to my head. He must have liked the "aaahhhhh" sound too.

Enough from me for today...I'm off to have some soup and toast and then to a game of bowling to increase those points. Catch you next time!

Bits and pieces...

Okay, so being back on Weight Watchers is going well so far. I'm on No Count and it's Day 3 and I've only had one little treat (a plain Freddo for 1 1/2 points). I haven't really found it too difficult even though I've been working from home. I find that I'm more likely to snack on junk when I'm working from home, perhaps because the food is readily available. I'm trying to save most of my 21 points for the weekend so that I can treat myself a little when I'm out.

I've also managed to drink 1.2 litres of water each day, mixed with the 4.3.2.1 herbal supplement. This is a lot for me as I generally don't drink even one glass! I figure it makes sense to aim for two 600ml bottles each day rather than set myself up for failure by expecting to go from nothing to 2 litres immediately. I can already see a change in my skin...it looks clearer and brighter than it has for some time, so that's an added benefit.

On a completely different topic, the information pack and photo arrived today for the little girl that I have sponsored through World Vision. I am so excited about sending her a letter and adding a little extra hope into her life. Looking at her photo today reinforced to me yet again that I am very fortunate and that sharing that fortune with someone who knows only poverty and hunger is the least that I can do to show my gratitude.

I have been listening to Dr Wayne Dyer's CD's and Podcasts any chance that I can get. He really is very inspirational and so positive about life and our inherent ability to determine our own future and happiness. Great listening if you get a chance!

That's probably it for me today. Keep smiling and don't forget to take the time to think of 5 things that you are grateful for today! Share them in my comments section...I'd love to know what others are grateful for.

Let's try again...

I joined Weight Watchers again this morning and this time I'm starting at 73.7kg. Not as bad as I thought but still disappointing that I let all my hard work unravel. Not to worry...we can only live in the moment.

I was very disappointed when I joined my new meeting this morning. I knew that I needed to sign up as a new member again due to the time lapse and I had a free registration coupon so that wasn't a problem. But here's the sting!

Despite having 8 pre-paid coupons left (which are valid for 12 months from date of purchase), I had to pay cash for a meeting fee and give up a pre-paid coupon as well! I basically paid twice for the one meeting!

The leader argued black and blue that she was right, even when I pointed out that nowhere in the terms and conditions does it say that a rejoining member must pay twice for the first meeting simply because they have pre-paid coupons remaining. Sure, if I was an active member and I missed some weeks I would have to forfeit a coupon as "back pay" to keep my membership active, but not when I am rejoining all over again after a lapse. In other words, if it weren't for the free registration coupon, I would have paid the registration fee of $33.00 plus $17.95 cash for a meeting fee plus a pre-paid coupon worth $17.95!

I was seething through the whole meeting and was so close to demanding my money back and walking out. I decided though that my health was more important than some unfriendly leader and I tried to get as much from the meeting as I could.

After the meeting I rang WW and they were so lovely. I was put through to someone who could actually address the problem and she took the time to fully understand what had happened. As I had expected, it was the leader's error and the lovely person at the State office is sending me a free meeting coupon to replace the one that I incorrectly had to pay today.

Now that is what I call the best and worst of customer service in action! Big thumbs up to the Call Centre and State office team. WW have retained a happy member due to their empathy and willingness to address an issue.

I must say that until now I have been very lucky with meetings and with leaders, so if you are thinking about joining WW, it's definitely worth it!

A rose by any other name...

For any regular visitors, you may have noticed the name change for my blog?

I have decided that I am so much more than my weight loss journey (which by the way will re-commence with rejoining Weight Watchers on Tuesday morning). Rather than define or limit myself by this journey, I will open up my blog to "a little bit of this and a whole lot of that"!

A water cooler in cyber space if you will...somewhere to catch up on the latest gossip and trade stories, hints and tips on just about any topic we can think of. Of course, there will be a whole lot about me (what can I say...I can't escape myself) but let's just leave it open and see where the Talking Point takes us!

Time to think about someone other than myself.

I've thought about sponsoring a child at various times over the last few years but I never put those thoughts into action. I guess I was too caught up in my own life and it was something that I would get around to "one day".

Being so happy in my new career has made me realise once again just how fortunate I am to have choices..choices to work where I want to, eat and drink what I want to and pursue the dreams that I want to.

Now I am choosing to give something back by sponsoring a little girl in Ethiopia. At only eight years old, I'm sure that she has endured more hardship than I can even imagine. Hopefully my small contribution will help this little girl and her community in some small way.

If you would like to sponsor a child, visit www.worldvision.com.au . It only takes a minute but it will change the life of a child as well as their family and community potentially for a lifetime. You may even save a life.

Things I'm grateful for today!

1. I am so grateful for the opportunity to help others find happiness in their careers, just as I have done in changing career myself.

2. The two appointments that didn't arrive today, thereby giving me some unexpected time to listen to the CD version of Manifest Your Destiny by Dr. Wayne Dyer as I worked today.

3. The ability to take at least one small step each day towards achieving my dreams.

4. The incredible service and friendliness offered by ebay seller memo470 (books and audio cd's). This guy always adds a personal touch to every transaction and it is a pleasure to buy from him.

5. McDonald's Coffee...mmmmmm....

5 things I'm grateful for today!

1. The opportunity to meet so many wonderful and interesting people each day when they visit my office for interviews.

2. The gorgeous kitty cat that lives outside the local La Porchetta and is always there to greet us when we arrive.

3. My new Senseo coffee machine...and yes, I'm already addicted... mmmm.... coofffeeeee...

4. My own beautiful Karma cat who waits for me inside the window sill each night until I get home...no matter how late it is.

5. The oportunity to learn something new every day and to grow not just a little older, but a little wiser too.

For all these things and more, I am grateful today!

Visit my other blog...no really...go ahead...

For summaries of some fantastic candidates registered with my office, visit www.crazykarmakitty.bigblog.com.au .

You never know...the perfect employee might just be waiting for you!

Australian Recruiting - Melbourne Central

As Branch Manager of the Melbourne Central Branch of Australian Recruiting, I personally invite you to follow the links to learn a little more about us!

Australian Recruiting - Melbourne Central

Whether you are a large company or a small business owner, please do not hesitate to contact me for assistance with your recruitment needs at donna.hutchins@australianrecruiting.com.

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Try the quiz...you know you want to!

You scored as Cultural Creative. Cultural Creatives are probably the newest group to enter this realm. You are a modern thinker who tends to shy away from organized religion but still feels as if there is something greater than ourselves. You are very spiritual, even if you are not religious. Life has a meaning outside of the rational.

Cultural Creative 75% Idealist 56% Postmodernist 56% Romanticist 56% Existentialist 50% Fundamentalist 44% Modernist 31% Materialist 31% What is Your World View? (updated) created with QuizFarm.com

Back on track...again...

It's time to get serious...time to get back on the weight loss band wagon and face the fact that I need to take responsibility for the damage done over the last few weeks.

I weighed myself this morning after many weeks of avoiding the scales and eating anything and everything that I wanted. I have to admit that 70kg is probably less than I thought I would weigh given how much junk I have eaten, and it is a good round number to start from (and yes, I am somewhat rounder than I was a few weeks ago...lol).

I just let all the hard work and dedication go. I think I was so focused on the huge task ahead with resigning from my job, renovating and moving house and setting up a new business, all in a matter of a few weeks. On top of that, my boyfriend's mother has been quite ill which has added some additional worries for us both. Mind you, apart from the resigning part, I'm still in the middle of the rest of it, but I can't let that be an excuse any more.

No one can keep this under control for me. It really is something that I need to stay focused on myself, no matter what twists and turns life brings. Even though I have only put a few kilograms back on, I don't feel as good about my body or as confident as I did a few weeks, and I miss that feeling of being in control.

So I'm back on track today! I'm using No Count for the simplicity factor and so far today I haven't had any temptations or used any points. Let's hope that's a sign of good things to come.

He's just sooo cute!

I couldn't resist posting the latest pics of my nephew. He's so just adorable. I don't get to see him as often as I would like as he lives in another state, but it's just so much fun when my sister comes to visit. Love you heaps sis xoxox

One week to go (big happy face!)...

I can't believe how quickly time has passed. I have five more days at work before it's all over. After 9 years at one company, it's well and truly time to move on.

So where to from here? For two weeks after I finish, I will have my sister and gorgeous nephew to play with, then the week following I need to pack and move to my boyfriend's house (I need to remember to start saying "our" house). Then it's one week to get settled and hey presto, I start in my own business. I feel like such a grown-up!

It's all happening!

Talk about a big week...not only did I resign from my job, but my landlord gave notice that she would like to move back into her unit as soon as possible. Hmmm, nothing quite like shaking everything up at once.

Only three weeks left at my current job! I'm opening my own business in the recruitment industry. I will be opening a Branch office for a national company and I can't wait to get started. There is so much to organise but I feel like I'm just being carried along by the momentum and everything is falling into place. Even the rental situation makes sense as I couldn't have run my business from my current address. Call it fate, call it destiny, but I truly believe that eveything happens for a reason...

Aaaaaaarrrrrrrggggggghhhhhh!!!

And that's all I have to say today...well, apart from "chocolate is my best friend"....and "if in doubt, eat chocolate"...

No Count is my new best friend!

I have to say that I'm loving this whole No Count shebang. It is so much easier than counting points and my food choices are ultimately healthier and less processed than on the Points program. I also find that I spend much less time thinking about food during the day as it's a much more natural way of eating. Don't get me wrong, the Points program definitely works, but No Count is the way to go for me at the moment.

Here's a standard day for me on No Count (today in fact!):

Breakfast: Rice Bubbles mixed with All Bran, skim milk & yoghurt, white coffee
Mid morning: Grapes
Lunch: Minestrone Soup & wholemeal roll (cafe), skim latte, diet yoghurt
Afternoon: Grapes, Nectarine
Dinner: Spaghetti with Spicy Bacon and Tomato Sauce

I haven't used any points yet but I'm thinking a single square of mint chocolate with a decaf coffee might just finish the evening nicely.

The one thing missing here is water. I've had about 400mls, which sadly is more than I usually have in a day. I just find it really hard to drink as much water as I should, but I wonder if perhaps it is impacting my weight loss. I lost only 300 grams at weigh in tonight, despite a great week on No Count. The food list above is pretty consistent with the type and amount of food I would be eating in a day, so the problem must lie elsewhere. Perhaps I should aim to drink at least 1 litre of water a day for the next week and see if it has an impact at next week's weigh in.

I NEED TO DRINK MORE WATER!!!

Chocolate...it's yummy for my tummy...

I confess...I have had a huge chocolate binge kind of day. Yep, triple deck mint chocolate by the truck load, as well as a KFC Twister and some chips. I definitely fell off the wagon today and I have no excuse other than the fact that I wanted to. Anyway, it's right back on track tomorrow and no looking back. No regrets as they say...


I figured that since this is the first post for the new year, I should mark it with the most recent photo so that I have a benchmark for myself. This was taken today at the Balgownie Winery cottages. I think I'm about 68.5 kg but I'm guessing as I didn't have any scales to weigh myself. Of course, after the junk food binge, well who knows which way the scales will head this week?

I'm almost half way to goal now so I'm going to stay focused and motivated and work harder than ever to get to goal this year. 2006 will be my year to get my weight, as well as my exercise and eating habits, under control.

Slimville, here we come!!! Oh, and make that a one way ticket please sir...