We've Moved!

Hi everyone,

No, not physically moving again!

But, the blog has moved.

We are now at http://countrygypsies.com

All the posts that have been on this site are now over at the new site!

I hope you like it and keep visiting us over there!

Cheers

Lisa xox

Bit Of A Hiccup

Hi everyone.

I owe you an apology - it seems many of my amazing, incredible and insightful images have been 'falling off' the CG blog.

I have my technical assistant (my 13 year old) working on this as we speak.

We are almost ready to go 'live' with our new more streamlined blog site and hopefully all these little hiccups will be gone!

So, here is an image of me this morning trying to get it sorted.

Please stay with me - I really appreciate your support!!!

And this is where I am pretending to be!

Thanks for your support!

Lisa x0x

Fashionista Friday #5

Welcome once again to Fashionista Friday.

I'm sure you have all been on the edge of your seats in anticipation of what fashion musings I will be discussing this week.

Now some of you may be a bit too young to remember the hey day of this fashion bonanza, so maybe ask your Mum/Aunt/Grandma or a friend older than 40!

Because today Ladies and Gents we are discussing.........

Not just for the chicks either!!!

Remember this BMX bandit

THE PERM!!!!!

!

Oh yes, not the fashionable perm that I think may be creeping back in to society today where the beautiful bouncy waves hang loosely, like Clive Palmer's McDonalds food creeping down his chin.

No, we are talking about the perms of the eighties!

I, for one, did indulge in this sartorial display of bad hair taste, but hey, I am  was a slave to fashion.  It was the done thing, back in the day!
But of course mine didn't start out with your full on perm. Mine started when Mum decided that my lank locks needed a bit of oommppphhhh so she booked me in at the local barber salon and they proceeded to only perm my fringe and the two dangly bits near my ears.

Oh, the look of horror  utter amazement when those curlers were taken out and that poisonous perming solution was washed off!!!!!!!!

After realizing just how gorgeous I was, I then decided to go the full hog!

Perm meets mullet - the Merm?  The Pullet?

Yep, the full head perm.  Oh, those were the days. Having your hair wound so tightly around those little curlers then the 'solution' poured on and sitting there with tears streaming down your face, no, not because you had a premonition that you were going to look like a poodle on a bad hair day but that it really was poison stinging your eyes.

Then after 47 hours sitting in the world's most uncomfortable chair (thank goodness the hairdressers of the world fixed that issue!!!) having it washed off and dried and you did indeed look like a poodle. On a bad hair day.

The hairdresser then would exclaim just how gorgeous you were and not to wash it for 37 days because it may 'drop' and you walked out of the salon with tears in your eyes realizing that it would have been so much easier, and far less expensive, to stick your fingers in a power socket, and possibly less dangerous!!!


But after 65 perms, the world of perms opened up in a big way.  There wasn't just the poodle gone wrong perm, there was also the spiral perm and the 'root' perm (luckily there wasn't a brazilian perm back then - you would have walked out with no hair!!!!). Yes, I did them all.

Oh yes, those were the days of seeing just how much poisonous solution your hair could soak up before it did indeed fall out.
I always found the best days of the perm were about 2 days before your next perm when it looked like it was meant to - the beautiful bouncy curls that we can now get with a GHD (except me, I just cannot do it for the life of me).

So, as we all know, fashion is on a fairly short cycle so it must only be hours away till we walk into the hair dresser asking for a root.....perm!!!!!

Did you have a perm?

Did your hair fall out??

Do you own a poodle???

Cheers

Lisa xox

p.s. Oh, shame I couldn't find any pics of me with my perm!!!!

Windback Wednesday #1

I thought that some of you who are new connoisseurs of my blog ( and THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU) might like to find out a bit more about our little family and our adventures.

In the next few days I will be posting about our recent road trip to Victoria, visiting family and our adventures along The Great Ocean Road.

But I thought you may be interested in a little holiday we had a couple of years ago which was our first attempt at camping.  Of course, we are now seasoned campers ( ahem) and we are so confident that we drive for hours to beautiful places because we know we've got our camping shit sorted now!

But, our first camping trip we decided not to go too far.  Just in case.  In case of what I'm not sure but we drove 45 minutes and arrived at our destination.

Click here and it will take you right there - no unpacking required!!!!!

http://countrygypsies.blogspot.com.au/2011/12/picture-tells-thousand-words-heres-3.5html



Enjoy


Lisa XoX

A Bit Prickly!

Before I start, well, now that's not correct because I have technically started, but I would like to thank two lovely friends of mine for the idea for this post.

Thanks K and E - you know who you are (well, I hope you do because if you don't then you may not realise you have two lovely kids and you may have left them accidentally at the shops yesterday and ......I digress!).

Anyway, it started out by discussing my recent road trip to Victoria.

It then led into an incredible fact that I did not know - actually not so much a fact but a law. Yes, an actual law.  Legal stuff.

Apparently, it is illegal to wear pink hot pants after midday on a Sunday. In Victoria. Well, it's fortunate that I didn't know that on Sunday!!!

Oh, I didn't realise there was a camera

I decided to investigate further into other laws that I may have unintentionally broken.

Such as only licensed electricians are allowed to change a light bulb in Victoria (not sure what happens if it is on a Sunday and they are wearing pink hot pants at the same time?)

And this - It is illegal to roam the streets wearing black clothes, felt shoes and black shoe polish on your face as you might be a cat burglar!

Or taxi's are required to carry a bale of hay in their boot.

And that bars are required to stable, water and feed the horses of their patrons.

I'll have a double!

Those were the ones from Australia.

Here are some more I discovered whilst reading my legal epistles (aka surfing the net) - I have included the country of each one as a travellers tip for you - my pleasure!

In England, it is illegal to die in the Houses Of Parliament.

It is illegal, in France, to name a pig Napoleon.

Call me Bacon!

In Ohio, it is illegal to get a fish drunk.

Steady on!

In the UK, a pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants, even in a policeman's helmet (Don't tell Todd Carney - too soon???).

In the UK again, all men over the age of 14 must carry out two hours of longbow practice a day.

In Rhode Island, USA, it is illegal to sell toothpaste and toothbrushes to the same person on a Sunday.

And finally, well there are actually dozens more but I have to put a stop to it somewhere, in Florida, USA, it is illegal to have sex with a porcupine.

Ouch!

What the?????

Have you broken a law?

Do you have a pet pig??

Like porcupines???


Lisa xox

Confession #1

I have to confess something.

I am not happy about confessing this, but it appears I have to bite the bullet and admit a fault.  Only one, mind you.

It is apparent that I have lost the ability to park.  The car.  Not everywhere mind you.

I can safely parallel park, in fact I take pride on my ability to do so (unlike my Aunty who somehow managed to pass her driving test in her forties without ever doing a parallel park, and used to leave the car out in the street, motor running, yelling to my Uncle to come and park the car for her. No biggie other than the fact they lived on a MAJOR ROAD in the CITY!!!).

No, it is when there are lines.  To designate a parking spot.

Shouldn't be too difficult

I first noticed this at the start of the year. After my major knee surgery, I had to go to rehab a few times a week.  I was fine driving but when I parked in between the lines, or not as the case may be, I noticed that I sort of missed.

Somehow I managed to park on an angle so that the back of the car was perfectly parked but the front of the car was a bit crooked.

Yes, even with no other cars around

I thought initially that I was the only one who noticed this, until Mr Physio commented EVERY FRIGGING DAY about how funny it was when I drove in and parked that I actually couldn't.  Park that is.

I blamed the leftover pain killers in my system however it is now 7 months since the surgery and I don't really have much of an excuse.

I have noticed that I now seem to do it everywhere.

Shopping centre car parks - tick.

Motel accommodation carparks - tick

Work car park - tick

Whilst on holidays and parking in designated areas - tick tick and tick

Well technically there is a space!!!

I am not sure why this is occurring and am even more unsure as to what I should do about it.

I'm thinking someone might leave me something like this...

What do you think?



Are you a fabulous parker?

Can you parallel park??

Have you lost your glasses like me???


Cheers

Lisa xox

The Royal We!

I may be a little mean here, but this irks me.

Yes.  Irks.  Me.

Irk - what an interesting word!

Anyway, we have just finished our big road trip - there will be some exciting tales and plenty of photos coming up soon ( once I can work out how to connect the phone and camera and ipad to the the computer to transfer them all!!).

This was so much easier

But, back to it.

So on our little trip we called into a few retail premises here and there.  They were mainly surf shops, cos that's the way these country hicks roll (no, they were just everywhere, considering we were coastal).

And in just about every shop we walked in ,we were welcomed with the same greeting "Hi guys, how are we?".

Now, of course, that is a much better approach than "oh, I don't think we have anything suitable for you in here" ( that's for another post), but it still irks me.

Why the irk?

Because not only do they use the royal 'we' but before they have finished asking the actual question, they have turned away to check their fake tan out in the mirror, or hang ten with the cool surfer dude behind the counter.

But, back to the royal 'we'.  Of course it is lovely to be greeted as you walk into the shop but when I receive this welcome, I immediately want to reply with....'Well, I cant speak for you obviously because I have  never met you before in my life, but I'm fine at the moment, thanks for asking.'

I was very close to actually using this reply at a surf shop in Torquay on the weekend, but Horse Girl made me promise not to do it, at least until we were leaving the shop  which then kinda made the whole thing ridiculous!).

So, in the interests of all things retail, please feel free to welcome me, but just a simple 'Hi, how are you?' will suffice.

Unless I have Prince George with me - then feel free to use the royal 'we'.  Or maybe he might!!!!!!

Not the Royal WEE!!!!!

Do you like the royal 'we'?

Do you hang ten??

Are you a fake tan user but muck it up on the ankles???


Cheers

Lisa XoX

Out of Respect

I have deleted a post that was published on my blog a couple of days ago.

It was about a ski trip with friends some years ago and some of the shenanigans we got up to.

Unfortunately, a young man has died at Perisher Blue in the past 48 hours whilst snow boarding.

Although I did not know this fellow, there could have been some parallels made between the two stories, with my story fortunately ending safely.

This young man's story did not.

I absolutely love skiing and the snow but it can be a dangerous sport.

Please take care if you chose this or any other sport with an element of danger.

Lisa xox

Fashionista Friday #4...on a Friday

I know that this post now makes two Fashionista Friday posts for this week (even though one was on a Monday - confused???) but let's just run with it.

The reason I decided to focus on this today was because recently a photo was taken of me displaying just such fashion sense.  I will add that I did not intentionally set out for the photo to do this. Nor my hairstyle.

I am talking about the comb over. 

Yes, you know the one.  Usually a style coveted by the male species, it is where the hair is receding to the point that one must really admit to being in the 'bald' category.

Except, unfortunately for some, they don't. 

Admit it.

Being bald.

Um......

Instead they think that the rest of the world just might not notice that if they grow one part of their hair that is still actually alive, they can then surreptitiously 'comb' it over the balding area to ensure the rest of us are none the wiser!

The King Of Comb Over

WTF people?????

I am sorry as each to their own and I am certainly not completely 100% perfect but goodness gracious me!!!

Do you really think that this looks better....

Just wrong...on so many levels

than this??????

He can always wear a beanie

Now, I guess I am lucky that I don't have an issue with a receding hair line, although my hair does seem to be getting a little thinner but I guess that's what happens in your forties third decade, but please please please.

I just do not understand how this can look good.





King Donald as a Ranga!

Now, in the interests of being a completely fair individual, here is the offending photo of me with my own version of the comb over.

Now that's just awkward

Not pretty is it.



Do you have a comb over?

Do you like comb overs??

Are you in your thirties???


Cheers

Lisa x0x

Go Cammie!

I read with interest the other day that good looking people don't get sick.

Having never had a sick day in my life..... hahaha.

According to a 'research study' based on thousands of men and women aged between 24 and 35 (oh, lucky I'm in that age group!!!) , those of us who are blessed with good looks are more unlikely to suffer from a range of health problems which range from high cholesterol to depression, asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Now of course I don't mean to doubt the studies of no doubt so called experts, no doubt (OK, overuse of THAT term) these people were paid millions of dollars as consultants to come up with such credible research.

But, who the hell determines whether people are good looking?  Because apparently the researchers ratings on physical attractiveness were done face to face rather than pictures, drawings or videos.

Now we can all have an off day or two...... exhibit A

Not the best Cammie

But apparently the attractiveness rating was based on a 90 minute session.  As I said, it's easy enough to have an off day or two.......exhibit B

If she had on the red speedos it'd be better

So, just be careful if you are feeling a bit off as you are doing your powerwalk through Fountain  Gate after a night on the Cardonnay  (not a spelling error!!!) and a market research person starts to hunt you down.

Is that some market researchers looking for attractive people Kel???

Oh, and don't panic too much.  The same research study decided that having a partner has a beneficial impact on health for men.

Thanks Captain Obvious!

Are you an attractive person?

Been sick lately??

Earn thousands of $$$$ as a researcher???

Cheers

Lisa x0x

Fashionista Friday..on a Monday???

I know, I know.  This is supposed to be on a Friday as that is Fashionista Friday but just for this week I have changed it ( and any other week that I might choose to as well).

Anyways, I have decided to bring Fashionista Friday early this week as I saw something that I just couldn't forget.

Now, before I offend anyone, and I don't wish to do that at all, remember that I recently confessed to having more than one perm, and also a hairy chin!

But I just can't come to grips with the mullet.  You know, that hair style that doesn't know if it wants to be long or short, the hairstyle that comes with its own built in sun visor for the back of the neck.

Now, I am not being critical of kids here - most of them can get away with any hairstyle because most kids are cute.

I am talking about the more radical version of the mullet, on fully grown adults, who should know better. Have you ever looked in a mirror people?

And I don't just mean the Farnsy ( aka John Farnham) mullet as that was more of an awkward type rock star look, but the more radical versions.


Such as this...




Um....

This.....

er.....

And this!

absolutely no words...

I really don't mean to offend but it's just not something that does ANYTHING at all for this little duck. And in my short survey, it doesn't seem to do much for too many others either.

If someone can explain the reasoning behind why supposedly grown men like this look, please feel free. I am all ears ( well I'm certainly not all hair growing down my back)!


Do you have a mullet?

Do you have a hairstyle named after a fish?

Are you a Farnsy fan???

Oh Farnsey, you legend you

Cheers,


Lisa x0x

Happy Birthday to.....

Today is my Birthday.

Thanks

So I have decided to give you the presents, cos that's the way I roll (and you don't know my address to send pressies to anyway)!

I'm giving you my wisdom.

Yes, 48 Things I have learnt in my 48  few decades of being (in no particular order)


1.  Treasure every moment - they go way too fast.
2.  Don't shave your legs - continue with the waxing you first started at 16 even though back then it hurt like all get out
3.  Don't doubt yourself.
4.  Treasure your family - as much as they may drive you crazy, they are very special to you.
5.  Ditto re friends - some will arrive and leave, and some will stay. Some of this is out of your control - don't stress.
6.  You are not perfect - neither is anyone else.
7.  Keep fit
8.  Keep drinking lots of water - even in winter
9.  Don't be afraid or embarrassed of the 'Black Dog'. It comes to visit but you DO have the strength to kick it aside. It's just that sometimes are harder than others
10. Never stray from one of your true loves - LEOPARD PRINT (just not all at once)

Too much?

11.  Travel.  Then travel more. Always open your eyes to more travel opportunities
12.  Never say never.
13. Champagne is good for you - Gin not so much (well, that's just me!)
14. Ditto Vodka
15. Don't let the downers get to you - not everyone has to like you
16. You don't have to like everyone
17. Chocolate is good for dinner every now and then.
18. Ditto Blue Cheese
19. The park can be sooo boring when the kids are little - that's OK
20. A great bonfire is a great soul soother

Can just stare ay this for hours and hours and ....

21. Always tell those you love that you do
22. My house is not a showroom - deal with a bit of mess
23. Take a risk or two - not dangerous but put yourself out of your comfort zone
24.  Learn to touch type
25. Believe in yourself
26. You don't have to say YES to everything
27. You can't control everything - some people are just deadest idiots!
28. Follow your heart - wherever it takes you
29. Find joy in every day - you actually can
30. The petrol light doesn' mean see how far you can get with it on, Get petrol now

Take note of this

31. Some people can really shit you. Even if they are your friends, they can just take take take.
32. If people shit you, stay polite but ease back from them.
33. Wear a spencer on cold days. Passion killer but who gives a...  Stay warm
34. Swim as much as you can. No better feeling than being in the ocean
35. Laugh. And keep laughing. Nothing better
36. If you are sick, stay home. No pint working, especially teaching, when you are sick. Takes you too long to get over it.
37. Glandular fever is the pits. Don't get it a third time
38. Speak up. When people do the wrong thing, don't be afraid.
39. Try to choose your words wisely
40. Don't stress the small things




Cool!!!!!

41. Do what you love and love what you do
42. Learn to surf. Even if you're hopeless, its still a great laugh
43. See as many sunrises as you can - they are incredible
44. Ditto sunsets, appreciate them
45. Be the best you can be
46. But don't be too hard on yourself
47. You ARE doing a great job - keep it up


and finally



48. CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTHDAY EVERY YEAR - whether big or small, be grateful for the fact that you get to have another one - many people don't!

So I hope you have a great birthday whenever it is.  I will be!!!!!



Cheers


Lisa x0x