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The world lost one of its most magical people on Friday, just a few hours after Christmas.

From the back of your big blue eyes
I knew you’d be gone as soon as you could
And I hoped you would

We could see that you weren’t yourself
And the lines on your face did tell, it’s just as well
You’d never be yourself again

Saw you last night
Danced by the light of the moon
Stars in your eyes
Free from the life that you knew

You’re the magic that holds the sky up from the ground
You’re the breath that blows these cool winds ’round
Trading places with an angel now

Goodnight, Grandpa. I can’t imagine anybody ever taking your place.
(From Miss EJ)

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It really wasn’t my intention to stop blogging as soon as NaBloPoMo finished. It’s amazing just how much I miss writing here every day after getting myself into such a good habit.

I won’t go into the reasons for my absence, I’ll just take this opportunity to remind myself that it’s okay to continue blogging about the inane while the bigger real-life stuff goes on in the background. Hear that, Self? Good.

These have hit my inbox multiple times over the past couple of weeks, so I thought it would be nice to spread the cheer. Enjoy!

“Here’s hoping your holidays are notable.”

“Hope you make it through the holidays.”

“Count your blessings this holiday season.”

“Best wishes for a stab-free holiday season.”

“Wishing you a warm and only mildly infuriating holiday season.”

And although this one isn’t Christmas-related at all, I have to share it. It’s pretty hard to beat a your mom joke:

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National Blog Posting Month is over for another year, and I’m happy to have been a part of it. It’s been really nice to have a reason to connect with this little part of my life each day, and those of you who share in it!

(Would somebody be kind enough to start International Blog Posting Month so that we non-Americans don’t feel like gatecrashers? InBloPoMo doesn’t sound any sillier than NaBloPoMo, does it?)

I finished November with a bang today, crossing two items off my list!

#82 - Post a photo/day for one month (30/30
I posted the last in my Daily Photo series today. I very much hope that this newly-formed habit extends beyond November!

#60 - Get rid of 101 material items (170/101)
Today Justine & I had a garage sale and got rid of a serious amount of crap! My gear was mostly clothes that have been bagged up (for “ebay”) for over a year, plus a few bulkier items that were seriously getting on my nerves. All up I prepared 176 items for sale, and sold or donated all but 5 items. I was especially happy to be rid of our old microwave, my bulky old CRT monitor and computer chair.

And now it is time to take my tired bones, and badly sunburned face, to bed. Goodnight, and goodbye to NaBloPoMo for another year!

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At Justine’s house, between customers at our garage sale.

With item #82 on my list of 101 Things to do in 1001 Days complete, this is the last of my Daily Photo posts! However, it really has inspired me to post my work here more often, so you will be seeing plenty more of my photography in this blog.

Thanks to everybody who left me a comment to let me know you were watching. I hope you’ve enjoyed this series as much as I have enjoyed putting it together!

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You can eat New England clam chowder in Australia, as long as you don’t mind paying $7/can.

(We didn’t!)

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Dear Santa,

Let’s not beat around the bush. We both know which of your lists has my name on it this year, and the many, many ways in which I earned my status. I think we’re also on the same page about how much fun I had getting there.

Look, you seem like a great guy. You’re always laughing at the hos, so I’m pretty sure you have a good sense of humour. Word on the street is that you also like to drink on the job, so already you sound like my kind of person. You wouldn’t begrudge me the little bit of fun I’ve had this year, would you?

I understand your strict naughty/nice policy, but aren’t you sick of those goody-two-shoes kids by now? Nobody has to know that you bent the rules for little old me! I’ve even gone to the trouble of developing a short-list from which to choose.

(Maybe address them to my dog Harry so that none of the elves catch on. It’s the perfect crime.)

Thanks in advance, big guy. Come through for me this year, and I’ll forget all about the childhood trauma you caused when that pony never came.

Cheers,
Elizabeth

Tiffany 1837 circles lariat
A timeless Tiffany favorite. Interlocking circles lariat in sterling silver. 18″ long.

Elsa Peretti Teardrop Earrings
Reminiscent of a solitary raindrop or a shining bead of morning dew. Hoop earrings in sterling silver, for pierced ears. Original designs copyrighted by Elsa Peretti.

Pandora bracelet
Build your own bracelet

Crumpler 7 Million Dollar Home

Hot Air Balloon Flight

PS: I am still accepting ponies.

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Horse and carriage. St Kilda Road, Melbourne.

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In many ways November has been a terrible month to commit to daily blogging.

My new workplace, until this month, has been remarkably kind to me as I have learned the ropes. I was given a month-long handover, a lengthy orientation in which I sat with colleagues from different departments, and a really supportive set of co-workers.

And while they continue to be supportive, they suddenly see me as somebody who has everything under control. I have become the go-to person for all sorts of issues that I hadn’t even considered a few weeks ago. Issues that are suddenly my responsibility to solve, develop or take ownership of.

I’m in a new, challenging phase of work where I really don’t know what will be waiting for me each morning when I walk through the door. So far I’m doing well to keep all the balls in the air, but it’s a hell of a way to learn to juggle!

So while I admit that my posts have been a little on the light side, content-wise, I’m pretty happy that I’ve stuck with NaBloPoMo. By the time this month ends I’ll have crossed one more item off my list (to post one photo every day), and that’s worth plenty on its own. The fact that I’ve posted a little extra each day was a bonus, and mostly good fun.

So I want to thank everybody who has been following me this month, especially if you’ve just discovered my blog. I hope you understand that the lack of inspirational posts has not been the result of a lack of interest on my part - just a lack of hours in the day! The nature of my workplace means that things will really slow down in a couple of weeks, and one of the luxuries I am looking forward to is the time to write here more regularly.

Well, in between interstate and international visitors!

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Harry at the beach. Brighton, QLD.

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I almost missed posting today! I’ve been asleep since about 5:30pm, trying to fend off an impending migraine. I guess my little bloggerometer woke me up just in time to make today’s post.

Enjoy this cute little video that I came across a few days ago - I did!

(I have the same complaint about movie popcorn sizes.)

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The Hoppoate Hand, Brisbane QLD

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I am now a better person for having seen this video. It is mesmerizing.

Thank you for the tip, Mighty Girl!

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Wheeee!
Seaworld, Gold Coast QLD.

A partner to this shot. It may not be my most technically sophisticated shot, but it sure can put a smile on my face after a killer day…

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