VALENTINES DAY - SIMPLE THINGS

The small and simple things make you feel the most loved; not the gift given just because it is Valentines Day (and the pressure is on) ... (although flowers any other day are much more special!). 

My Valentines Day - I went to see my mum for breakfast before work, spent the evening with my daughter walking the dog, and had a poem written for me.  Three things that mean more to me than any gift or flowers.

The effort and the symbolism are more important than the gift; the pleasure of the memory lasts forever;  flowers die, earrings lose their lustre, cards get lost in boxes.  

The Wor(l)d according to Bill Gates

I know these quotes have been around for a while, but sometimes you just need to be reminded of worthwhile things.

These are the rules of life according to Bill Gates (who is also a great humanitarian and philanthropist). 

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2: The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it’s not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters.. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

SIMPLE PLEASURES

Sometimes we want too much, and forget the simple joys. 

I love this quote ......

“This morning, with her, having coffee.” (Johnny Cash, when asked for his definition of paradise.)

 I have my own ideals for paradise ... shhh; they are secret .... :)

The great DOWNSIZE!

I recently sold my 'far too big' suburban home, and am looking for a smaller place to live (with a place for the dog too!).

Thinking about going smaller means that I need to move with less.  When I first moved into the house I went from small to large and had to buy/find things to fill up the spaces.  (Thank you Ebay!)

Now, I look at all the things I have and have to think ..."time to go ........"

Big modular couch .... gone (sigh, the stories that couch could tell!)

Antique sewing machine .... on offer

Balinese entertainment unit ....on offer

My Triathlon racing bike and gear .... on offer

I sorted through my videos (yes videos) and 'out' went half of them (I still watch them sometimes!)

Giant plant pots ... on offer

My American oak extendable dining table ... gone to my niece.

Photos - I sorted through boxes and threw away the ones I can't remember the places/people.

Of course some things will be going to the sea change, but the culling process has begun.    

Funny Signs #2

Now 'Woolies' wants to get in on the act.

After I spotted the Coles Supermarket example of poor mathematical skills (see my first funny signs post), Woolworths had to do one better.

Mathematically accurate (point score there), but how much yogurt do you need?  Is there a discount for buying in bulk?

Love it!

It will all be alright .......

I watched 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' last night, on DVD.

A very gentle movie ... where nothing happened, but life went on.

It would not be to everyone's taste, but I don't think it is exclusively an 'old persons' movie either.  Some of the story line was a little forced, the characters generally too much a 'type' rather than complex and some of it was very predictable; but the vibe of India (Jaipur I think it was in); the colours, textures and light were wonderful.

The one thing that I remember from the DVD is a line the young Indian 'entrepreneur' Sonny used; which became a bit of a mantra for the film ...

'It will all be alright in the end; and if it is not all right, it is not the end.'

  

I am going through major upheavals in my life at the moment (sigh, I am almost beginning to crave routine).  The unknown is always in my face, with decisions to make and the thrill of the unknown, not bad, just different.

I should make this my mantra too! That way, when everything is ok, I will know!

Funny Signs #1

Had to share this one.  Coles Supermarkets need a better accountant!.

Hmmm, 40% off $20 is $10.    Wha?????????