vivtwelftree

9th November 2012

Dear Friends and Family 

Have been somewhat off the radar lately so thought it was about time I communicated, here is a glimpse of my recent nomadic life, while still doing some work  (a very little bit) thus far ………….

 

What an amazing journey I am taking. After a very hectic lead up, in getting the house sorted, putting in new kitchen, then ripping up all the floor boards because the new washing machine leaked then putting new boards and the kitchen back again, living next door while it was all done etc etc etc. Packing, sorting, giving lots of stuff away to charity – generally getting my house ready to rent or sell. Not knowing which it would be – out of the blue I received a call from a fellow with two boxer dogs wanting to rent in North Adelaide for 8 months, mentioned I had been thinking about renting mine – said he would take it – When?  Next week   – Oh Shit!!!!!!!   Then it was on – getting the back wall rendered and a serious pack and what to leave behind being the most difficult – what if I needed ………?????  Cleaning and tidying to the inch of its life – then – suddenly I’m homeless – stepping out on the future without a safety net.

 

Its now three months since I merged my business with Fox Real Estate – along with full professional back up admin support, they are a fantastic bunch of people and I am so thrilled that they are happy for me to continue working with them – once I have had my holiday of course – If you need any real estate help in the meantime you can still call me to oversee the process and introduce you to them to get the very best service possible.

 

On the 18th November will be 2 months since I rented out my house (only 6 to go) and took off the next day for two sensational weeks in Tasmania – catching a ride with my friend Jeremy from Adelaide driving to Melbourne and going on the ferry across Bass Straight – (now that I have done it will fly every next time) then hiring a car and driving about 2000 k’s around the most scenic state, while Jeremy went off to work in Launceston.  

Every where you look there is something gorgeous to see.  I can’t understand why anyone in Tassie would be miserable – If we could attach it to the mainland and move it up a bit to warmer climate it would be perfect.  

The funniest thing was attending a Rotary Club meeting where I stayed in Launceston.  They referred to me as being from Australia and when it came to fines wanting some of my ‘foreign” coin.

 

The trip there enabled me to re-unite with my friend Penny and her husband Tom at Orford near Triabunna, who I flatted with in Melbourne when we were about 18 years old.  So good!!!!  Highly recommend the MONA Art Gallery, drive around the Huon Valley where you will find the Red Velvet Lounge at a town called Cygnet – cured salmon and truffle aioli and poached egg on a huge crouton. Sounds simple but totally stunning taste.  

Other highlights – a gorgeous town called Stanley on the North West Coast- having first big sleep in weeks, fresh scallops at the pub, the views from historic site, the Nut, the history,  driving the Targa track through Hellya Gorge to Strahan,  Across the central highlands, The Gorge in Launceston, the seahorses, platypus and echidnas, Anvers chocolate, Mole Creek, – so much more – black cows on green pastures, rich soil where they grow the most amazing produce, but mostly the scenery – snow capped mountains etc

 

After that drove back to Adelaide and Lynn’s beautiful home with her wonderful and welcoming hospitality, where in a busy week attempted to get myself sorted – both business and personal. Mail, bills, car service, check up and tests with my doctor, visiting friends etc – decided to take my diabetes seriously.

 

Realising how much stuff I had packed for every occasion and how overwhelming that is, I have now shed at least half of it and packed it back home.  Only wore about a third of what I had taken to Tassie.   My tenant Glen is really great and loving North Adelaide.  Funnily enough I have no desire to go back yet.

 

Then took off for a few days south to visit June and John – their home overlooks the golf course at McCracken.  On the way stopped at McLaren Vale and had a long lunch and yummy red wine with favourite cousin Brian.  

I boarded with June when I was 12 years old when I came down to school at PGC.  Discovered that our mothers were friends – even though she is exactly 20 years older than me.  It was so wonderful spending quality time with her and John.

 

Back to Lynn’s again for a few days before I took off this time to the Barossa – Angaston to visit my eldest brother Peter and his wife Margaret. Once again the opportunity to spend quality time with people I love and who over the past 22 years not had that opportunity because I was always working or could only spend a short time – an hour here or there and never on a weekend.  

 

A few more days at Lynn’s then stayed with Kerrell at Glenside- celebrated her birthday at the Naval & Military with a few of her gorgeous friends and then came down with a bit of a cold – so one day not feeling so hot.  Kerrell has such a lovely home – the first one I ever appraised as a real estate agent nearly 11 years ago – I remember from that first appraisal I counted 17 doors to the outside downstairs and balconies etc .

 

Had  great long lunch and catch up with Julie, Lyndy, Robyn, Bunty, Renee, Lynn & Suzanne – an interesting thing that even though they have all been friends of mine for ages, some of them met for the first time – just lovely.    Emphasis here on the LONG – normally unheard of – previously I have always had to rush off somewhere or the other – such a difference and most welcoming change for me.

 

A couple of days later – I am at Pooh Corner in Robe – I did some house sitting for about a month in August for Peppy and Michael, who have a 25 acre property in the Adelaide Hills, along with four sheep, three chooks, two shetland ponies and Bosco (the dog).     P & M offered for me to stay here at Robe as a thank you – Now I don’t know how I am going to thank them back enough for having me here – what a quandary!!!!  Guess we will think of something!

 

Chris & Mike also have a home at Robe and were here last weekend – great food, discussions on politics and religion and quality time.  Also wonderful to see Hazel & Bill who were also here for the weekend with their four dogs and three cats – bumped into them on the beach (cats were not there) and later at the Art exhibition opening. The gallery here closes down over winter and its opening hails the start of the summer season. Some really good stuff – fell in love with a blue finch made of metal perched on a branch on a rock sculpture.  Then saw the red dot – Bugger – however it’s gone to a good home with friends so quite happy that I might be able to visit it one day.  Wonder who I will bump into this weekend??

 

Have been here a week now, it’s so good going on long walks and just absorbing the quiet.  Its the first time in ages that I have been totally on my own. had a small bout of cabin fever – quickly shrugged that off and went to the beach.  Nature and a walk certainly has its way of making you feel better and making you realise how insignificant we are and how minuscule and unimportant are any problems we may have.  

We had a huge storm with thunder and lightening VERY VERY frightening.  I went down to the West Beach lookout to watch it roll in, dark and foreboding deep rumbling thunder and hundreds of brilliant lightening strikes, while the water close to shore was calm and clear it became increasing darker in shades of blue to dark purple as I looked out to sea.   The lightening got so close it frightened me enough, to get back in the car and head home.  Lots of rain then the following day its absolutely beautiful –  that happened again last night – a huge storm and today weather is stunning – must go for my walk soon.

 

Yesterday I discovered Beachport – took a picnic and went for a drive there – about half an hour from Robe.  They have a scenic drive that blows your mind, and I found a great spot for coffee in the sunshine.  The jetty built there in the 1800’s was over a kilometre long in its day – about three quarters of that now, but still really long – A stunning spot a well kept secret they say. 

 

Was meant to be going on a sailing trip up the Murray from Goolwa for a couple of weeks, however has not turned out to be, so will stay here for a little while longer than first planned – apparently my work here has not yet been done.  Noticed a few of the shop assistants quite grumpy so will try to get some of them smiling before I go.

 

In December will head for NSW to visit my darling friend Peta Peter in Bowral – I have a house sitting job for 3 weeks near Mittagong which is close to her home and looking forward to discovering the Southern Highlands with her – apparently there are 50 wineries close by, along with more great food and conversation that never seems to run out.

Then it will be Christmas which I a so looking forward to spending with my children.  David works with Mikel there in his IT / web design business and also hoping that Vanessa will be able to come too.

 

So there you have it – albeit very brief for me, sorry if its a bit long will try to do less more often.

 

Look forward to seeing you again soon if at all possible and hearing back from you with your news

Love to you

Viv xxxx

Wise words from Bobby Limb Australian TV host in the 1970’s when I was working  at John Martins department store publicity and promotions department– late 1970’s

There are many ways of becoming a failure – not taking a chance is the most successful.

If you have a worry, turn it into a problem – problems can be solved.

Make your goals un-achievable – bite off more that you need and chew like mad.

Always have two lives – one private and one public – never confuse the two.

Don’t borrow sorrow from tomorrow

When on TV – Don’t be insincere, your talking to only one or two people with an average intelligence of 7 – 10 years old.

Fighting for peace is like f……. for charity!

If you make people think they are thinking they will love you.  If you make people really think, they will despise you.

Miscellaneous 

The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them.  A man may live long yet get little from life – Montaigne essays

Controlled, directed concentrated thought = Power

When you throw mud all you do is lose ground – Anger, wrought through frustration is your own fault.  You only upset yourself and the ones you love.

“Everyone creates their own heaven or hell”

“We are each the author of our own lives.  We live in what we have created.  There is no way to shift the blame and no-one else can accept the accolades.”

Remember Self  –   Self Control, Self Esteem, Self Love, Moderation, Logical thinking, care for self and respect for others.

“Give me the Strength to accept things I can not change, The Courage to change the things I can and the Wisdom to know the difference”

Don’t try to change the world, just yourself to appreciate what you have and try to make it better.  To leave the world a better place for your having lived in it.

The more you do the more you can do – the more you have done!

Everyone should have an admiration society – the only way to have one is to do something that other people will admire.

I’m not perfect, but parts of me are fantastic

BRAVE NEW WORLD FOR ME

Have just launched into a brave new world, by starting this blog – to communicate with you – to find out and discuss what interests you and to share with you thoughts and inspiration (my own and borrowed from amazing people) to assist YOU find happiness within.    My aim is  “To turn your frown upside down”  and as a wise person once said “Always look on the bright side of life”  Unfortunately, this is not often very easy and very often feels impossible to achieve.

I was sent on this path about 6 months ago when all I wanted to do was disappear — I was totally disillusioned by my life – I was totally fed up with greedy, selfish, manipulative individuals and mostly fed up with being used, judged and identified by What I Was – not Who I was!

I needed to discover ME again, discover MY purpose, re-ignite MY passion for life, instead of constantly being directed by others needs, wants and desires.   I know this sounds selfish, however very necessary for survival and ultimately enables each of us to give more to others.

Anyway, here I was wanting a huge change in my life – Googled “How to disappear”  WELL – got all the good oil on such things as hiding money in foreign bank accounts, passports, name and identity changes etc – did not think I was quite up to disappearing quite that much or in that manner – I have nothing to hide, so continued to search other sites.

In my travels I came across Fabian Kruze – The Friendly Anarchist- he sent me his publication called “Beyond Rules” – What a refreshing and interesting young man – a very good read – encouraging  people to create their own moral and ethical existence etc – look him up and say hello from me!

In future editions I will investigate other subjects of interest share other fantastic sites I have discovered and helped me re- discover my passion and determine my purpose.

• To put it very simply – the people of our world are made up of two distinct groups – Users and Helpers  – which category do you aspire to join or to which one do you belong?   Will expand on this issue again at a later date.

Remember when people are smiling and happy they are not fighting or angry!!!!!!

May I suggest to get the ball rolling that everyone try to perform at lease one Random act of kindness each day – to make someone else smile.  Here are a couple of examples

• Open a door for someone (stranger or friend) and say “Oh look – automatic doors!!!”
• Gather a bunch of flowers – go to your local shopping centre and hand them out one by one to strangers – (this idea stolen from Fabian Kruse – Walking with flowers)

I look forward to hearing your thoughts

Until next time – Keep smiling!!!!

Vivienne Twelftree xx