It Ain't Always My Life: July 2011

Sunday, July 31, 2011

My Favourite Photos of the Week

Taken by me for your enjoyment

A Turtle - spotted as we drove down past Yan Yean dam. A little shy - but worth the patience. 12th March 2011

The same turtle with a hitchhiker! (March Fly) Taken 12th March 2011

A hole in a tree. Two branches joined at the hip so to speak. Found at Phillip Island Caravan Park. Taken 19th April 2011

Spider webs in the mist. Taken 25th April 2011

Please DO NOT copy any photos on this blog - without my express written permission

Sunday, July 24, 2011

My Favourite Photos of the Week

Taken by me for your enjoyment

Beside the railway tracks - somewhere in Eastern Victoria, near Bairnsdale. 22nd April 2011

Beach art - left behind in Kilcunda, Victoria 18th April 2011

Sunrise at Apollo Bay 20th March 2011

Please DO NOT copy any photos on this blog - without my express written permission

Sunday, July 17, 2011

My Favourite Photos of the week

Taken by me for your enjoyment

Sammy the Seal - resident of Apollo Bay Harbour 25th Janaury 2011

Sammy the Seal - resident of Apollo Bay Harbour 26th Janaury 2011

Sammy the Seal - resident of Apollo Bay Harbour 25th Janaury 2011

Please DO NOT copy any photos on this blog - without my express written permission

Sunday, July 10, 2011

My Favourite Photos of the week

Taken by me for your enjoyment

A seal playing in the waves at Apollo Bay at dusk - small but had to share! 28th January 2011

Rain drops on a hot timber deck 2nd December 2010

Please DO NOT copy any photos on this blog - without my express written permission

Friday, July 8, 2011

My missing husband

We’ve been married for 23years this year. Rarely do we spend time apart, and if we do it may be 1-2 nights consecutively. I don’t remember a period longer than that, other than when my children were born.

I’ve spent the last week without my husband. He’s been at work and I’ve been away with my son.

The nights are the loneliest, the coldest and also the longest.

I’m also missing the conversations and just the general companionship.

I couldn’t imagine losing my husband for real. I couldn’t imagine knowing that I would never see him again. I couldn’t imagine burying him. My partner is my other half in life. He is my support, my friend, my pal and everything else that goes with the word pair.

I have been so lucky, to have a partner for 23 years, someone who is the other half of me and completes me.

What made me write this is? He called 5 minutes ago and told me that the dog doesn’t like him, as he’s done a runner (2nd time in the last week) Hubby said he’d tie an anchor to his tail next time he sees him!

For the past week, I’ve felt incomplete. Certainly lonely, both mentally and physically. Teenagers aren’t a substitute, their language skills leave a lot to be desired!

To all those that have loved and lost. I send you a cyber hug. Condolences just don’t cut it – they really don’t.

XXOO

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Centrelink – Name and Shame

I persisted with the Centrelink applications, even though I tried 2 years ago and felt like I was being treated dirt.

Previously I’ve been denied assistance because of their attitude and being in the fragile state I was, I couldn’t afford the knock-down of dealing with more garbage in my life by following up forms etc.

3 weeks ago I went back to the same office and I was told (word for word) “It’s your fault” “Don’t blame us”, “If you don’t apply we won’t give you money” “We don’t care if you don’t have any money”

These were just SOME of the insults thrown at me from ONE person. I was also told I need financial counseling.

I was also told to seek emotional counselling.

I knew it was going to be bad – but I didn’t think applying for family payments would be so soul destroying, demoralising and make me feel like killing myself. For 24 hours prior I felt sick knowing I would have to face ‘those’ people again.

I had some forms thrown at me, and told to fill them in, come back when you’ve completed them and if they’re not completed in full, we have the right to reject them.

This occurred at the Epping, Victoria Centrelink office and I felt physically sick both before and after.

I confided in a girlfriend and she was aghast that people could treat me like that.

She took me under her wing and we went to a different office the following week. Talk about chalk and cheese.

The new office even had me applying for things that I’m fully entitled to and yet Epping didn’t even offer, (let alone check my circumstances) for any other supplementary income.

My girlfriend was appalled and so was the new Centrelink office, both advised that I make a complaint against the Epping Centrelink office, which I have just done, This isn’t a once off with me with that office. The 3 times in 10 years I’ve been to that office, I’ve had 3 bad experiences. And yet the ‘new’ office was a complete change and the attitude of staff was amazing, They didn’t see me as a leech – they saw me as a person.

So if you deal with Centrelink, perhaps take some Valium and pray that you get a good office with good people.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

My Favourite Photos of the week

Taken by me for your enjoyment!

Tree under lights in the Laurimar Estate, Doreen 31st January 2011

Spider web, under UV 25th December 2010

Poppy 9th January 2011

Moth at rest 4th January 2011

Please DO NOT copy any photos on this blog - without my express written permission

Friday, July 1, 2011

Terry Border and his Artwork.

These pictures came to me via email. I loved them immediately. It turns out they are by gentleman by the name of Terry Border. There is little on his bio page, when I found his blog - BUT WOW......... Check out the blog Bent Objects Also Terry has exhibitions in the USA - an upcoming on is in Phoenix, as advertised on his blog.

Congratulations Terry and thank-you for sharing. I do love your work!