Arthritis Awareness Week. 29 March - 4 April 2009.

I am one of the estimated 3.0 million Australians who suffer from arthritis. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis nine years ago. I was almost 19. When I first got sick I joked with my Dad about the possibility of having arthritis, we both laughed because we thought it was an 'old peoples' disease. We were wrong. One in four people in Australia with arthritis are under 50.

Arthritis has had a huge impact on my life and the way I live, but with the help of some medication and a positive attitude, I'm still able to do the things I love without too much trouble. I even won my indoor soccer grand final a couple of years ago!

Arthritis is very common (I'm sure we all know of someone who has it) and it's not just something you get when you're old.

Photo: 'Where you can breathe' by Alicia Bock. Alicia's beautiful work can be found here. I just love it!

Can I count on you?

Image from Le Love

The times they are a changing.

A little while ago Zee posted about change. How as humans we struggle with it and so on. I've had a big change and although earlier I was feeling quite scared, I'm now feeling a little more optimistic about it. I hate to sound cliche, but everything happens for a reason and I'm looking forward to finding out what that is. I went for an interview for my dream job - how that went I have yet to find out. Fingers crossed though. Even if they do pick someone else, I'm sure there are bigger and better things coming my way. Some nice quotes that fit today:

"Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time." Desiderata poem

"Life can be one of two things: A spectacular adventure or absolutely nothing" Helen Keller

Photo by Chris Searl. Artwork by Sister Corita

So fine.

Have you ever seen anything so fine? The Sartorialist shot a bunch of Parents on the streets of Stockholm for his column in Cookie Mag. Love it. I hope I get one as stylish as this (I'm talking about the dad of course).

The ultimate makeover.

I love a good makeover. I think I can pin point this love to the first time I saw 'Calamity Jane'. I was about seven and it has been one of my favourite movies ever since. Now I do admit that I fast forward a couple of the 'musical numbers', but if you love a good makeover this movie is for you. Calam brings Katie Brown to town and before you know it they have turned Calam's old shack into a charming cottage, complete with rose flower boxes and lace curtains. The best part is it doesn't end there. Katie manages to work her magic, and before our very eyes Calam is transformed from a dirty, boyish cowboy into a beautiful blonde lady. Oh and all this happens in a 'makeover montage'. It truly is a feast for the eyes. I think I'm going to go and make something over, I just wish it was as easy as it looked in the movie.

I feel like a deer in the headlights.

Right now I feel frozen with panic. I know it will pass, but fear is such a powerful thing. I can't think about anything else and my heart is racing...

Photo by Lella

Gucci Westman in Cookie Mag

I know its an old interview, but I’ve just re-hashed Gucci Westman’s interview in Cookie magazine about motherhood, work, and her gorgeous husband David Neville, the British codesigner of the Rag & Bone clothing line. I am just loving her. It’s always inspiring to see successful women who are still so down to earth.
Here are a few cute questions she answered for the interview:
1. The unhealthiest thing I ever passed off as dinner for my child was... "...chips, guacamole, and hot sauce."
2. I define downtime as... "...Sundays with David and Dashie, just kicking it, going on long walks with no pressing engagements."
3. I wish I had more time for... "...reading books. It's nice to get lost, be uninterrupted."
Read the full interview here at Cookie Mag.com

Colour me happy.

I love stationery supplies. I could spend hours browsing through the endless treasures at my local art shop, and even feel giddy with joy at the thought of visiting 'Office Works'.

Of all the wonderful stationery items available, pencils would have to be my favourite. Lead or coloured I don't mind. I love making sure the pencils in my tins are in order and freshly sharpened, ready for the next time I use them. I even love the smell.

There is a line in 'You've Got Mail' that captured my imagination as soon as I heard it. Meg Ryan talks about a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils. Doesn't that just sound wonderful? I often think there would be nothing more romantic than receiving such a bouquet. Oh the beauty...

Photo from Flickr