Red Shoes

What is it that is so captivating about red shoes? It can't be a new phenomenon, after all Hans Christian Anderson wrote his story about them back in 1845 (if you haven't read it, they were not good shoes, even if they were fabulous). But there really is something beguiling about red shoes.

I'm pretty sure that you can present any woman with a bit of a shoe fetish (which lets face it is a rather large percentage of the population) with a red shoe and she will swoon. They draw comments like nothing else and everyone I know seems to remember getting her first pair of red sandals as a little girl.

I own 4 pairs, from ballet flats to boots and I would buy more in a heartbeat. I have consciously added red clothes and accessories to my wardrobe, just so I can wear them and even when they are not being worn, I just like to look at them brightening my wardrobe.

Today I'm wearing my favourite pair of red ballet flats. They have been loved, almost to death. In fact I've been rationing my wearing of them because they aren't going to last much longer. But every time I look down at my bright feet they make me happy.

BBQ!!!

You know the smell of a lamb chop on the BBQ? That super delicious smell that wafts over from the neighbours house teasing your nostrils with it's inticing yumminess?

With all the warm weather that mouthwatering smell has been teasing me everywhere I've gone and without a BBQ of my own there is nothing I could do about it. But tonight my gorgeous Mum pandered to my cravings and cooked me a BBQ. Lamb cutlets, BBQ prawns and potato and bacon bake. Yum, yum, yum!!

Thanks Mum I loved it.

Cheesecake

"Nothing is more important than cheesecake."

A quote from a colleague today who clearly has his priorities in the right order! Cheesecake might seem a bit frivolous at a time like this and to be honest, I've spent the past 24 hours glued to the news of the floods on TV, radio and the internet, not to mention the personal accounts on the Vogue Forum, but our cheesecake break was as much about sanity as it was about Martin's birthday.

The flood crisis is so great that it is difficult to think or talk of anything else. But my chocolate ripple cheesecake and our terrible rendition of "Happy Birthday" (our office really needs to hire someone with a great singing voice to carry the rest of us) was a lovely break. It was yummy, it was comforting and for a few minutes at least we talked food rather than floods.

I hope you found a few moments distraction today.

Hope shines through

My thoughts today, I think like most Australians, have been on the unfolding flooding tragedy happening in Queensland. Lives have been lost, homes have been shattered, communities devastated. And while the worst of the human toll may be in Queensland, these amazing rains are also wreaking havoc in states across the country.

Experiencing a natural disaster changes a place and it changes you. I was in Canberra in 2003 when bushfires claimed 4 lives and over 500 homes. In 2009 following the horrific Victorian fires my direct work phone line was inadvertently given out as an assistance line and I spent weeks talking to distraught people who had lost everything and needed assistance that I just couldn't give them.

You may wonder why I am writing about disasters on a blog that is supposed to be about the happy things in life, but some of the times I've felt most uplifted have been associated with disasters. There really is nothing like it for bringing people together in the most inspiring of ways. And witnessing loss at such a scale makes me realise how fortunate I am and what a blessed life I lead.

Canberra has often been called a city without a soul, but the community spirit we all experienced in 2003 shows what is lying just under the surface. In a city this small everyone knew someone who had lost a home. The effect was profound, it was as if the whole city had post traumatic shock, but people opened their wallets, their wardrobes and their homes. I witnessed families being gathered up in the arms of their friends and sheltered as they rebuilt their lives. For those who lived through it there is a definite before and after, it was a shattering of innocence as we realised our city is so fragile but an awakening of a community as people revealed just how strong they are.

It truly makes my heart lift and fills me with pride about how we support each other, through acts of bravery, acts of friendship, acts of love.

So in these dark days, when the news seems so terrible, I encourage everyone to think about what they can do, and know through your own generosity, you will not just be helping others, you will raise your own spirits too. The rain may be pouring now, but the sun will shine again.

Dancing

Yay, dance classes are back!

In 2004 at about this time of year I convinced two friends to come to a dance class with me and it proved to be a life changing action. Sometimes the decisions and actions that have the most profound effect on our lives are ones that we barely notice at the time. Like my year 8 form tutor suggesting I might like to try drama, an off hand comment which provided me with away to deal with my shyness and the tools on which I've built a career.

But back to dance. I had always wanted to learn to dance but thought you needed a partner to go to classes and even in that case, I thought I was too uncoordinated. A chance conversation at a Christmas party introduced me to the world of ceroc and when the new term started, I gathered my courage, rounded up a few friends and off we went. I would love to say I marched into the room, but it was nerves and trepidation that caused my friend to practically push me in the door. But once in that door it was love at first step and I haven't look back ever since - that is the dance lead's job!

Dance has given me fitness, better posture and presence. But more importantly it has given me the most truly wonderful group of friends who are now my family. My life has been made so much richer by the dance world, I can't find the words to adequately express what an impact it has had, but suffice it to say, I'm sure Terry who told me about ceroc, or Barbara who prompted him had no idea that one 5 minute conversation at a party could change the course of someone's life in such a significant way.

So I head to dance class tonight with an extra spring in my step, and the world's biggest smile on my face.

Just lazing about

The plan for today was to enjoy a BBQ with friends in a local park. Mother Nature however, was not in on the plan and proceeded to deliver us large quantities of rain, not suited to BBQing.

Because I'd planned to be out all day, I did all my chores yesterday which left me with the wonder of a completely free day. I considered going out and doing something productive, but in the end I've spent the vast majority of my day lazing about. I really mean doing absolutely nothing and it has been lovely. Lying on my comfy couch, listening to music or watching episodes of "Mad Men", or simply listening to and watching the rain fall day.

A perfect relax.

Jazz in the evening

The Australian Botanic Gardens run a summer jazz series. On the weekends in the evenings they have jazz bands play. You bring a picnic and a rug, sit under shady trees and listen to great music. It is just a brilliant way to spend a summer evening.

Really, what could be better than good music, in a lovely setting with the added benefit of butterflies dancing about?