Would you sponsor a child?

Date August 21, 2008

Graham and I have been sponsoring children through World Vision since around 1993 or 1994. Can’t remember when exactly. At the moment we have 3 girls we sponsor - it’s always been girls as we have daughters of our own and we really relate to their needs.  One of the girls in the past could have almost passed for a daughter of our’s - she was so much like our youngest daughter to look at.

Anyway, we’re partnering with World Vision in a time of need.

Two weeks ago I was approached by World Vision Australia with a request to support their current Child Sponsorship campaign by mentioning this extremely worthy cause in my newsletter through my business but this is such a worthy cause that I’m also putting it on some of my blogs for more to see.

In light of the tough economic conditions that all Australians are facing right now, World Vision staff explained that it is becoming more challenging than ever for them to find sponsors for children in desperate need.

Children whose families are struggling to survive chronic food shortages and skyrocketing global food prices.

That is why I can’t think of a better use of this space than to ask you all to consider sponsoring a child right now.

For less than the cost of your daily café latte, you can not only change the life of a child, but of their entire community.

Please follow this link to learn more about child sponsorship.

Blog Update

Date August 9, 2008

I’ve updated the theme and managed to locate old posts and relinked them.  I thought I’d lost it all but managed to find most of them and I’ve now added a new Travels page so you can view our photos. I still have to do our 2006 trip to Ireland/UK/France but that will come.  I have lost all the posts I made during the 2006 and 2007 trips but at least I’ve still got the photos.

I accidentally overwrote some files earlier this year when trying to update Wordpress - popped it into the wrong folder and then deleted the wrong folder trying to fix it up!  Oops! The backup files I thought I had don’t appear to fix the problem so I’ve just elected to start again with what I have and move forward.

Ode to Beauie

Date August 6, 2008

Our beloved Beauie is leaving us today. He’s served a wonderful 16 years with us as a faithful, loving and mainly placid cat.

As a kitten he would race up the back of the couch or up the curtains and we would scold him. He’d run up and down teatrees with baby possums, playing with them. As an adult they became something he hunted and again we’d scold him.

As he grew older he became a faithful companion, a good friend, always keeping company with any member of the family who was unwell or down. He would curl up beside them or on their laps - he loves laps!

It was Beauie who helped me on my blogging journey. Readers might remember this photo from December 2005. Beauie had disappeared for 4 days in the sweltering 40+C heat and when he came back home on Boxing Day, he was hungry, thirsty and injured. We found a Vet that was open in that holiday season and he was patched back up again and I posted this photo - that was when I got my very first blog comments and I got hooked!

As an aged cat he did not like the younger cats jumping all over him and he would soon let them know about it - he was quite vocal when he chose to be. Graham’s lap was always his favourite and it was not unusual for Beauie to come into the office at night and demand Graham’s lap, or even push Graham aside so he could curl up to sleep in Graham’s office chair. We’d put a pillow there just for Beauie!

As he got a lot older he would curl up under Graham’s office desk so he was near the heating vent and the computer hard drive to draw warmth. Sometimes he liked to be on top of the desk too and would find a place in Graham’s filing tray. He’s always been Graham’s cat but is loved by every member of the family.

Last night three of our girls were here at home to say their farewells to him and he got lots of pats and cuddles and ear rubs - which he loves.

It is with sadness we have to let him go. He has contracted a kidney disease and after a couple of weeks of medication, special diet and two hospital stays and an intravenous drip, the vetinerary staff advise there is nothing else they can do for him and he is just wasting away in front of our eyes. Poor Beauie with those beautiful round golden orb shaped eyes who looks at you like he is speaking just to you. We love you Beauie and will never forget you.

Baby Boomer Diva Anniversary

Date July 23, 2008

Many readers will know I’m a member of the Baby Boomer Diva Nation - in fact I believe I was the first Aussie on the list.

Below is a press release written by Beverly Mahone, the founder of this group. I love this group of ladies - they are very special people and I’m proud to be part of their group.

So what is a DIVA? She’s a baby boomer woman who’s Divinely, Inspired, Vivacious and Anointed.

They’re known as Baby Boomer Divas—women over 40 who are on the move and making a difference in their personal and professional lives.

This month the group celebrates its one year anniversary. The idea to create a Baby Boomer Diva Web of Fame came from baby boomer author and expert Beverly Mahone who says, “This was my way to pay tribute to baby boomer women who were doing great things at midlife but weren’t getting their deserved recognition. Mahone says the Divas are all very talented women who come from very diverse backgrounds around the globe. “We come from all walks of life and different races and are eager to share our knowledge and resources. We’ve had a few bumps in the road and some detours but we continue to persevere.

Mahone adds that in addition to a global presence, they are also honored to have celebrities like actresses Debbie Zipp and Bern Nadette Stanis who are active members and want to offer their assistance in helping them grow.

The official anniversary date is July 22, 2007. Since its inception, the Baby Boomer Diva Web of Fame has continued to grow by leaps and bounds. Mahone says the Web of Fame is now officially known as Boomer Diva Nation—a nonprofit organization that provides a variety of resources to assist fellow boomer women in their endeavors. It’s also a place where women can network Mahone anticipates the groups continued growth over the coming year.

“Who would’ve ever thought last year that something called the Baby Boomer Diva Web of Fame would turn into what it is today?”

Charter Diva Members: Linda Alexander, Pam Archer, Angela Betts, Natalie Cole, Cynthia Frazier, Linda Hall, Donna Maria Harris, Kathy Holmes, Gayle Hurd, Karlyn, Betty Lynch, Heidi Richards; Beverly Mahone; Ginger Marks, Carine Nadel, Kathie M. Thomas, Kathy Walsh, Debra Shivelely Welch, Gloria Mount, Ora Stearns-Smith and Vicki M. Taylor.

To learn more about being a part of Boomer Diva Nation, visit: http://www.boomerdivanation.org

Amazon Book Launch tomorrow!

Date June 26, 2008

My book “Worth More Than Rubies” is being launched at Amazon tomorrow. And I’m doing a special offer with giveaways for a 24 hour period only. Of course, the book will always be available, but if you want to experience the special offers, then it needs to be purchased during the time period listed below.

The date is:

Special offer (24 hours only): From midnight 27th June 2008 AEST(10am 26th June - 9.59am 27th June US EDT)

See Amazon Campaign for advance details.

If you’d like to be reminded of the launch and the goodies that will be available please register below - you’ll get an email from me just prior to the launch.