This image has captured Mount Isa beautifully, and I’m not just saying that because it was taken by my Dad.  I love night time photography.  It just seems to add a certain sense of magic to scenes.

I think there’s also a level of beauty that night time affords man made objects.  I personally think that the Mount Isa Mines site looks a lot nicer, dare I even say prettier, at night when it’s lit up.

I’m having a proud daughter moment and I can’t wait to see what other images he produces.  He’s certainly in a stunningly beautiful part of the Australian countryside so he should have no end of landscapes waiting to be captured.

I just had to share.  I was happily working away on my school work in the dining room turned study and I could hear someone snoring.  I assumed it was one of the dogs.  However when I got up to investigate how HUBBY could be watching television with the loud rumble of dog snore I found this.

Turns out it was HUBBY who was snoring and he’d fallen asleep on the beagle.  She really is man’s best friend; laying still and supporting his sleeping head.  It’s just so cute.

HUBBY and I are planning a trip to Melbourne in the next week to see Mumford & Sons and Stephen Fry.  We’re both really excited, but I suspect I’m more so then he is because I’m also planning a little blog inspired voyeurism.  You see there’s a few blogs who I love that are located near Melbourne and have stores attached to their blogs.  Or should that be blogs attached to their stores?  Either way there’s shopping involved.

One of the blogs that I’m planning on visiting is The Lark.  The Lark store is located in Daylesford, which HUBBY informs me is a mere hour or so from where we’ll be staying in Melbourne.  I’m so excited at the prospect of being able to wonder through the store and see all the handmade goodness up close and personal.

I love reading The Lark because it provides an insight into living in a small community, what it takes to keep a successful business afloat and how to juggle work with family.  A lot of the time I use The Lark as a starting point for all of the fantasies I have about moving to the country and living a simpler life.

Image source: The Lark

If you’d like a little slice of Australian heaven then check out The Lark. You can even shop online with The Lark Online Shop so if you can’t make it to Daylesford you can bring a little bit of Daylesford to you!

Today’s activity in 31 Days to Build a Better Blog is to think about lists as posts.  I’ve been partial to a few list posts in my time, but I’ve not giving much thought to writing them.  So today I put my head to work and tried to come up with a list post.

I actually surprised myself and came up with a few different list ideas, but I’ve decided to stick with a simple one for today and post a few different list posts over the coming weeks.

In an attempt to let you know a little more useless information about me I thought I would give you….

1. Twitter – I don’t know how people lived without Twitter.  I am addicted.  Totally.  I love all the interaction that you can have without leaving the comfort of your home, and even if you have to leave your home you can take Twitter with you.
2. Etsy – The next evolution from eBay.  I adore Etsy.  I could spend hours just window shopping on the Etsy site.
3. Apple Products – My iPhone never leaves my hand.  My iPod is essential to making my day complete.  My Macbook Pro is my lifeline to the world I love.  I am totally an Apple disciple.
4. Books – I’m a mad reader.  I can’t get enough of books.  I would love to live in a library.  There’s something wonderful about books lined up on a bookshelf.
5. Teddy Bear – My Teddy Bear was a gift from my HUBBY on our first Valentine’s Day together.  I love my teddy bear.  I travel with my teddy, and the couple of times I’ve been in hospital my teddy has come with me.  I tell Ted all my secrets and when I’m really upset and just feeling low Ted is always there for me.  Every girl should have a teddy!
6. Television – I love television.  Only I don’t love watching television the conventional way.  Now it’s all about watching television while watching Twitter.  Or it’s about watching television shows in one big hit from DVD.  There are some really great shows being produced at the moment.  I feel like television is going trough a renaissance of sorts.  Love it!
7. Camera – I love my camera, I just don’t use it as much as I would like.  I love getting a good shot.  I love seeing life through the lens.  I love spending time with the men in my life talking about the shots and comparing what we’ve captured.  Always a great source of enjoyment.
8. HUBBY – Obviously this list isn’t in order of importance… I just didn’t want to put him at the top and then have to live with the gloating.  He’s my best friend and the person I want to rush home to and tell him about everything.  I adore him and would be lost without him.  He’s the perfect accompaniment to my madness.
9. Chocolate – My eating habits changed a lot after my gastric surgery, but one thing that didn’t was my love of chocolate.  There’s nothing better than a chocolate something.  It’s just amazing.  I can’t get enough!
10. Internet – Seriously, what did people do before the internet?  I would be lost without it.  I have meet so many amazing people through the internet.  I’ve learnt so much about the wonderful world we live in.  My mind has just been blown by the things out there on the internet.  I’ve also managed to spend many many hours doing nothing but surfing the internet.  It’s mind blowing.

As a list post it probably won’t go viral, but I’m sure thinking about some posts in the future that I hope will.  It’s given me a new found respect and possible love for the list!

Today’s a stealth Friday Fancies.  It’s all about ninja’s.  Sometimes I’m sure my HUBBY thinks he’s a ninja and I’m convinced our beagle has some ninja training when it comes to stealing food.  Regardless, these ninja inspired items made me smile and I’m sure would bring enjoyment to anyone lucky enough to receive one as a gift.

1.  Chihi Warrior (Little Ninja) Crane Poster & Chibi Warrior (Little Ninja) Training Poster 2.  Amigurumi Ninja 3.  Ninja Bunnies Tote Bag 4.  I heart ninjas 2pc magnet set.  5.  Customizable Wedding Ninjas Kokeshi Doll Set.

Now that I’ve listed mine, it’s time for you to list yours.  Once you’ve listed your 10 random things link back here so we can all learn something new about the wonderful people out there on the internet.

Music Monday is a little late today, but with good reason.  I’ve been waiting to hear about my father’s surgery and now I have I feel like the world can keep once again start to spin on it’s axis.

So, because I love you all for your support, well wishes and general awesomeness this Music Monday is for you, my friends – both in the real world and the even realer world of the internet!

I’m having a Dad flavour this week, which has coincided with Father’s Day in America quite nicely.  So I thought for this week’s Friday Fancies I’d lead with things that I think my Dad would be chuffed to receive.

1.  Camera Cufflinks – Ok, so to be fair I probably like these more than my Dad would.  But as he’s into photography I thought I could squeeze these into the list.  They’re too cute to not include!

2.  Burlap Gift Bag – My Dad is partial to a nice wine and this gift bag would be a great way to jazz up the wine.

3.  Scrabble Tile Desk Sign – Might as well advertise the truth, right?  I love these because they remind me of something that a little kid could make for their Dad.  Somtimes the simplest craft is the best.

4.  Sterling Silver Personlised Golf Ball Markers – My Dad plays a bit of golf and I think these would be a great item to remind him how much you love him every time he plays.

5.  Walnut Mood Light (USB Powered) – Dad’s also into woodworking, so this light would be an awesome accessory.  In fact, I’m considering getting one for HUBBY… for those late night internet fixes.

1. Lulu on her Dad’s Shoulders., 2. A Dad’s Cuddle, 3. A dad’s heart, 4. Show me the Way, Dad

On Thursday last week my Father had a heart attack.  As I prepare this entry he’s currently in hospital waiting to have some tests that will determine how much damage has been done to his heart.  The doctor’s are saying at the moment that due to the nature of my Father’s lifestyle, heavy smoker, likes his liquor and loves a good bit of food, that he’ll likely need open heart surgery.

My heart is breaking.  I’m heading home to be with him and my Mother at this time and it’s killing me.  I was only there a few weeks ago, and now I’m having to go back under the worst circumstances.

I am very much a Daddy’s Girl.  To me he’s the perfect Dad.  I’m praying desperately that he’ll be ok and this will just result in a much needed change to his lifestyle.

I’m also cursing my infertility.  Never have I hated it so much as I do right now.  It’s robbed me of time with my parents that I will never be able to have.  I want my children to grow up knowing how amazing and wonderful their Grandparents are.  We’ve already lost HUBBY’s mother, I couldn’t cope if we lost another parent.  It’s not even been twelve months since my Mother was diagnosed with cancer and had to have major surgery.

It seems like it has just been one big ticket issue after another.

This week HUBBY and I were supposed to embark on the final stage of our IVF journey, but now it appears that I’ll be in another hospital, in another city, praying that the man that helped create me survives to get to see his grandkids.  It just doesn’t seem fair.

At times like this when I want to wallow in the pain and the “why me” I am always reminded that there are other people out there doing it harder, tougher and alone.  I should be counting my blessings at times like these.  It’s just hard to remember that when it’s the person who holds a piece of your heart in theirs that’s the focus of the issue.

Hopefully for Flickr Faves next week it’ll be a selection of sunshine and puppies…

♥♥♥♥♥

If you’d like to see more (less dramatic) flickr faves head on over to ArtMind!

When my Father turned 40 this was the theme song to an event that will live on in many people’s memories.  As a child Jimmy Buffet was the soundtrack to many a family adventure.  As I got older Jimmy Buffet became the music we listened to when we had family nights on the deck.  When I left home Jimmy Buffet was the music I listened to when I wanted to be reminded of home.

In winter I listen to Jimmy to try and get some much needed sun and warmth in my life.  Lately I’ve been listening to Jimmy because I’m home sick.  Now I listen to Jimmy to try and hold on to something special to me.

This is a cover of Jimmy Buffet‘s “A Pirate Looks at 40″ – it’s performed by a couple of talented lads and I thought it would make a nice homage to the music that means home to me.