SERENDIPITY - Part I

Tracey E writes:

"There's no doubt that women everywhere suffer from varying degrees of low self-esteem. It doesn't matter if you are an African tribeswoman or a member of the European upper-crust; if you're an up and coming Olympian swimmer or just the kid around the corner, low self-esteem will hit you at sometimes. And for the Australian woman it is no different. She may be financially independent, she may be holding down a satisfying and well rewarding job, she may be young, she may be older, she may even be thin or fat. Low self-esteem will impact upon her life, and influence how she feels about herself and how she sees herself in the big picture. As a woman well endowed with size and shape, I had for many years foolishly thought my low self-esteem was because I was: (a) stupid and (b) I was fat. I questioned myself for years, and I still came to the conclusion that I must be stupid because I hadn't any friends. As an adult and based on a more adult perspective of life, this belief lived with me and was reinforced in my self feelings. "I must be stupid because I had a bad marriage, and I must be stupid because I'm not happy." I tended to be a "loner" mainly because people overlooked me or treated me as a bit of a puzzle or even a joke."

.....© 2010 Tracey E, Australia

To be continued ....

What was it that Pavarotti said?

"The reason fat people are happy is because their nerves are protected!"

SARONG (SAR-wrong?) SAR-right!

What is the one piece of clothing most backpackers carry when they travel? If you guessed a sarong, you're right.

What is so useful about a piece of rectangular fabric? For the uninitiated, the sarong has many uses.

As a piece of clothing, it is versatile. As a dress, simply tie it at the front and above the chest. As a skirt, it can be fastened around the waist. It is especially convenient as a cover when returning from the beach or as a bathrobe when going to or from a shower. For those with some skill, the sarong can be converted into a pair of shorts and a top.

Even if you are not wearing the sarong during a day's sightseeing, keep it in your bag. Many religious sites require visitors to cover their arms/legs. Simply pull it out of your bag, wrap it around the body, and you will save any embarrassment for yourself and the officials of the religious site.

Travellers have been finding many other practical uses for the sarong. One is to use it as a towel. (Not that I'd suggest you use one if you are travelling or visiting the snowfields!) They are a great replacement for towels on the beach or even in general showering. Normal towels are heavy, take a long while to dry, and take up precious space in a pack.

The sarong is lightweight, dries in a short time and can be rolled down into a tiny bundle.

The sarong is great for the beach as it also acts as a sun protector. I tend to use it as a shawl when my shoulders start to get pink from the sun. It's light fabric protects from the harsh rays but allows your skin to breathe.

As an item to be used in your bedroom, the sarong has myriad uses. Put a sarong over a window to block out the morning sun or the lights shining on. If you are visiting, and have to spend a night on a sofa, the sarong makes a great sheet.

Other practical uses include that of tablecloth, picnic rug or a makeshift bag. A little creativity on your part will most probably come up with some additional uses in an emergency.

This simple piece of clothing, which can be bought for a few dollars (after all it is only a straight length of fabric!) is one of travellings essential items. Don't leave without it.

Sarongs are one of the most under-rated garments for the size 6 plus. It's practical, it's comfortable, it looks good, it can be worn dressed up or dressed down. If you want a garment to "disguise" your body, it's perfect, if you want to show off your figure, it's just as perfect.

It's an all season garment - NOT merely for the warmer months. If you haven't tried one, then do so, and you'll most certainly be hooked.

© Autumn Parry, Australia

daydreaming .......

I'm at long last finding time to spend by myself and I'm being surprised every day with the knowledge there are times when I like solitude.

Let me hasten to say though, that in no way do I enjoy being "lonely" and sometimes it happens - but I mean choosing to be "alone" is quite nice when you want it to be.

For those of you who know me a little through my various columns, you will already know that my career curve has taken another one - curve I mean! I'm loving the freedom that this choice is giving me, in doing the things that I want to do, when I want to do them, and with who I want to do them. And I'm saying nothing further in that regard - well, not at the moment anyway.

This morning has been one of those bleak cold and grey mornings, and while sitting down with a good book and a cup of coffee - with cream! - I found that I was suddenly transported away on imaginings and my thoughts were falling all over each other in their scramble to form a sensible pattern. I realised that I was day-dreaming, and when I thought more seriously about it, I realised I hadn't had time to daydream for years, being heavily committed to business activities and travelling, and then having to run the home as well before my CDC - "career direction change".

I remembered as a child - especially in the classroom, when I would dabble in daydreaming - of course neither the teacher nor my parents found it amusing, and told me I was wasting valuable time and expense in doing so.

But you know, I've found in my adulthood that being able to daydream occasionally rounds off some of the harsh edges that life creates for us. Being able to put day-0dreams into action plays a big part in our abilities to take on new challenges, to set new goals and to undertake new adventures.

I don't know about you, but I find daydreams very valuable stuff - without them I think that life would be sadly lacking in some of the romance and fantasy areas that we all need at some time during our lives.

That's not to say that we should spend the whole day daydreaming but occasionally it can do us good. As a matter of fact just like chocolates - did you read the other day that chocolates can be VERY good for us, if eaten sensibly and moderately?

That's great, because I've decided to take advantage of daydreaming when I want to and enjoying chocolates when I want to. Perhaps I can combine the two together!

Because I reckon I'll be all the happier - knowing that there's no suggestion of "having to go without" because that to me, WOULD be a waste of time.

.....© Leonie Stevens

Shortened days - longer nights!

Officially it's Winter.  Chillier mornings and evenings.   It gets darker earlier of an evening - street lights come on in anticipation of the greyness that embraces everything.   Here we're experiencing some early fogs, and most of us are rummaging around in our wardrobe to find the warmest, the favourite winter woolie.   It may be coat, jacket, jumper, sweater, vest, tunic, pants, long skirt, and/or fleecy lined boots (if you're fortunate enough to be able to buy them to fit!), and around the house our well-worn but worn--well snuggly slippers to keep our toes warm together with faux fur rug to tug in around our legs finds it way to our sofa. 

Some of us in this group have even found out our knitting needs and crochet hooks ready for the cooler nights.   Watching TV (who can resist Jethro Gibbs? - please don't tell us he's leaving NCIS!) and the upcoming Poirot/Miss Marple series about to start soon on the ABC, there's nothing better (and easier to do) than to sit and knit.   What a wonderful array of knitting yarns there are about these days - chenille, feather, ribbon, fuzzy, bubbly, bobbly - and so many more.   We've found these textured yarns don't even need to be done in plain and purl - just plain!   'Cos the end result is what you're seeking in the long run, anyway.


Why can't we buy nice, attractive garments in wool for the winter months?   There are plenty of fleecy lined garments (made in China - where else?) but it's almost impossible to find knitted or woven garments that are flattering to the plus-size woman.   Yet just today we saw some "felted" garments - vests - short and long=line, which are attractive in multi colours, as well as some lovely tunics in light wool.   


Something not many of us do in the colder months (or the warmer seasons either for that matter) is to "layer".   Is it because we've come to the conclusion that it's because most "winter" clothes are bulky and therefore we look more like a fuzzy bear all bundled up, rather than an attractive plus-size women wearing sensible and flattering clothing.   So if you have favourite light-wight clothing in your wardrobe, get them out and have a think about co-ordinating and "layering".    Quite honestly you might be surprised at how effective light-weight clothing can be in keeping you warm!