secret womens business

Loggerheads at Hervey Bay

2009-12-08T13:17:00.001+10:00

Last weekend my friend and I decided to have a weekend away at Hervey Bay, a lovely seaside town, 2 hours drive north of Brisbane. Hervey Bay is one of our favourite places for a weekend getaway but this weekend held a special treat in store for us.
We both enjoy early morning walks on the beach and sunday morning we were walking on the beach at 5:30 am when we noticed the telltale marks in the sand that told us a Loggerhead Turtle had paid the beach a visit overnight.
Where the tracks ended there was a mound of freshly dug sand and we knew the turtle had dragged its huge body up the sand to deposit it's eggs before returning to the sea.
The only problem was that the particular part of the beach the turtle had chosen meant that when the tide was out she had to drag herself over about 200 meters of rocks to return to the sea and this is where we found her, halfway across the rocks on her way back to the ocean.
We went out to see if we could help her but she was huge and there really wasn'f anything we could do so we watched as she struggeled across the rocks and finally made it to the sea once again.
We rang Parks and Wildlife to let them know a turtle had deposited it's eggs on the beach overnight and they told us they would fence off the nest to protect it and would then monitor the eggs until the hatched and the babies would be helped to get safely to the sea.
It is a rare occurance for Loggerhead Turtles to come onto the beach Hervey Bay but about 30 minutes further north at Mon Repo Beach at Bundaberg it is an annual event and tourists come from all over the world to watch the baby turtles hatch and make their mad dash to the safety of the surf. This event is strictly monitored by the Parks and Wildlife in an effort to protect the turtles.
The trutle that we saw was unusual because the Loggerhead turtles always go back to the place where they hatched to lay their eggs but my friend and I were delighted to have had the opportunity to see this unusual event unfold at Hervey Bay.
If you would like to hear more about the wonderful creatures or perhaps take your children to Mon Repo to watch the hatchlings then visit Mon Repos Turtle Consevation Park website for details. Although this is a tourist attraction for Bundaberg it is also a serious effort to protect the Loggerhead Turtles.

Where Have I Been?

2009-11-26T11:14:00.002+10:00

It has been a very long time since I wrote in my blog so if you have been wondering where I've been then here it is.
First of all I took a trip to Thursday Island which is an Island just north of Australia, between Australia and New Guinea and then took a 4WD trip back down from the Northern most tip of Australia to my home on the Qld Sunshine Coast.
When I got back from this trip I barely had time to wash my clothes and pack again before I took off with a friend for London. We then toured around Europe, spent some time in Sicily, Athens, took a Greek Island cruise before going on to Turkey where we did a tour to Gallipoli (a very important site for Australians.)
Now that my feet are firmly re- planted on my mother soil (for awhile anyway) I will, over the next few months, share my photos and experiences with you. (That is if I can figure out how to put the photos on my blog :-)

Family Vacation

2009-08-22T08:40:00.006+10:00

When it comes to family holidays Karisma Hotels has something for everyone from adults only to family holidays to naturist holidays.

Karisma Hotels is a collection of properties built along the pristine white sandy beaches on the Mexican Riviera Maya. These luxuriously appointed resorts cater for your every need from their gourmet dining to butler service on the beach , a soft towel service to tanning products They also offer a range of activites which include deep-sea fishing, cenote diving or meditation classes and much more.

Whatever you are looking for in a family vacation Karisma Hotels have something for you. Their family orientated Azul Beach Hotel doesn't forget the parents while still catering for the children with everything from baby milk heaters to kid sized bath robes.

For your next vacation remember the meaning of Karisma is "divine favour" and Karisma Hotels offer you a truly "Divine Favoured" holiday.

Articles You Will Love

2009-01-20T14:18:00.002+10:00

If you are a woman who likes to read the stories of other women's daily struggles, trials and tribulations as well as their joys and triumphs I would highly recommend a visit to Ann's blog. It is full of wonderful, well written articles and photos that Ann has taken.

One of the videos on AnnOnandOn (the name of Ann's blog. Don't you just love it?) turned on the water works for me. Once again I thought of those wonderful women in my life who had fought the battle with cancer and the ones who won and the ones who lost and my tears were for them. We all know someone who has been a winner and someone who lost despite their heroic struggle. When will they find a cure for this awful affliction?

AnnOnandOn is fun and entertaining to read so pop on over and take a peep. I am sure you will love it as much as I do and maybe, like me, you will be a tad envious of her wonderful lifestyle.

Realise Your Potential

2009-01-08T12:29:00.001+10:00

I have often wondered why some people succeed in life and others fail miserably. Why does one person get offered promotions when another who works hard and is good at their job is passed over?

Recently I started reading motivational books by people like Paul Hanna, Louise Hays, Dr Joe Vitale and I also read The Power Of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale and How To Win Friend and Influence People by Dale Carnegie and it brought me to the realisation that it isn't just hard work that brings success.

What brings success to some and not to others is the persons belief in themselves and their total commitment to their own success. These people greet every new day with enthusiasm, ready to meet and overcome every challenge, they believe totally in themselves. Paul Hanna explains this in his books Believe and Achieve and You Can Do It.

People who drag themselves reluctantly out of bed every morning, dreading the very thought of going to work, will never succeed regardless of how hard they work or how good they are at their jobs.

The thing I learned from all this reading is that the potential to achieve great things is in us all but most of us never learn how to utilise that potential. My new post new year resolution is to realise my full potential with a positive, confident outlook on life and I hope you will do the same.

When Fake Is Not Good Enough

2009-01-06T12:01:00.003+10:00

I have always loved jewelry and if I could afford it I would be dripping with gold and precious gems but I'm afraid I have champagne tastes on a beer income and beautiful jewelry was simply out of my price range. Most of my jewelry was fake with a couple of noted exceptions like my engagement and eternity rings and a lovely diamond pendant I saved for a year to afford. Of course the fakes did not fool anyone. The fact is they were very ordinary.

Recently I found Holsted Jewelers and was amazed, not only by their beautiful Designer Jewelry but also by their very reasonable prices.

If you want beautiful jewelry that you will be proud to wear at a price you can afford and that will make your friends eyes pop, then you should take a look at Holsted Jewelry. You will not find Jewelry like this anywhere else. Holsted's also have a wonderful and affordable range of gifts and accessories that will delight you. Visit Holsteds Jewelry now, I know you will love it.

New Years Resolution

2008-12-28T11:13:00.003+10:00

It is almost 2009 and most of us will be making those infamous New Years Resolutions that we seldom, if ever keep, so what will yours be this year? Will you make a resolution to lose weight, give up smoking, get a new job or maybe take a special holiday. Whatever your New Years resolution is how will you ensure you keep it.

My New Years resolution is to buy a motor home and travel around Australia. This is what I have wanted to do for many years and have worked and saved to make it happen, so, fingers crossed, hand on heart, fear stifled and determination fueled, 2009 is the year I am going to make it happen.

This is a huge step for me. You see I am 66 years old and alone. To do this I need to sell up, find the right motor home for me (and pray I don't end up with a lemon) at a price I can afford. It means cutting myself loose from all that is familiar, my friends and my family and striking out on my own, virtually into the unknown. All this at a time when many people are settling comfortably into their nest of family and familiarity.

When I think about this huge adventure I feel a mixture of emotions, not least among them is fear. But I also feel excitment and anticipation but there are so many decisions to be made that at times I feel overwhelmed.

So why aren't I nestling into my comfort zone? Because when I am sitting in a nursing home dribbling and losing control of my bodily functions I don't want to look back and regret I didn't do it when I could. Because every day of our lives is a gift and we need to seize every opportunity and live our dreams.

Remember Carpe Diem? Seize the day? That is what I intend to do. Live it, enjoy it and ring every drop out of every day of my life.

When I keep my New Years Resolution I plan to write a blog and call it The Wandering Star (which is what my motor home will be called) and I want to write about my journey, the places I visit, the people I meet along the way and their stories and about anything else that I feel could be of interest to my readers. When the time comes I hope you will join me on my journey around my beautiful Australia.

2008-12-24T06:46:00.003+10:00

May the joy of Christmas fill your life every day of 2009
and bring to you and your family a
year of peace love and fulfillment

Christmas Expectations

2008-12-21T09:32:00.005+10:00

So here it is again. Christmas!! The kids are bouncing off the walls, you've still got a mountain of shopping to do and then there is all that food to cook and decorating to do and on and on it goes. Is it any wonder that some people get very depressed at Christmas.

For some people, the pressures and expectations of Christmas push them beyond what they can cope with and they slide into depression. Christmas sadness is very real.

We all want to have a lovely, loving Christmas with our families but often this doesn't happen. The expense, the extra work, the demands all become too much and all we want to do is curl up in a ball and disappear until it is over. Tensions rise and all too often families who are loving and caring all year round find themselves snapping at each other and getting angry and frustrated.

I think the best way to cope with Christmas is to lower our expectations. We are bombarded with what we should be giving, eating, doing and feeling and we feel inadequate. Then of course there are those feel good, everything turns out wonderful in the end movies that make us feel even more inadequate.

Christmas is about being with your family and friends it is not about how much a gift costs or a feast fit for a king so let us not lose sight of that. Do the things you all enjoy doing together. Lower your expectations and raise your enjoyment but most of all teach your children the true meaning of Christmas so they don't grow up feeling let down at Christmas.

Having said all that I wish everyone a truely happy Christmas filled with love and laughter.

How is Your Dental Health

2008-12-10T09:48:00.002+10:00

I have always been scared of going to the dentist. Of course I am not alone in that department. Who likes a perfect stranger sticking their fingers and other nasty things in their mouth? You would have to be a bit odd wouldn't you?

I once went for almost two weeks with and abscessed tooth, enduring dreadful toothache rather than endure a few seconds pain at the dentist. Yep, I know, stupid really, but at the time and up until today I didn't realise how stupid and dangerous my actions were.

Today I visited the Daytona Daily News site and the first thing that jumped off the page at me was 12-year-old Deamonte Driver of Maryland died last year following an untreated toothache. This article entitled Will a Child's Death Change Dental Policy made me realise the risks we are all taking when we avoid going to the dentist. It also made me realise that some people, especially disadvantaged children in some US states, are unable to access the dental care that is vital to their health due to the short comings in the state-federal health insurance program that only funds around 50% of what dentists charge.

If you would like to read this article you will find it at Daytona Daily News. I am sure it will open your eyes to how hard some people in our affluent societies are really doing it.

World AIDS Day

2008-12-02T09:09:00.002+10:00

December 1st was world AIDS day and I guess most people did not even give it a thought. I think the 33 million people world wide who are living with HIV/AIDS (AIDS.Gov) may have thought about it and felt deep regret that they had not taken precautions before it was too late.

I have written articles about the research regarding circumcision and aids in the past. If you would like to read then go to benefits of circumcision and to snip or not to snip.

When AIDS was first diagnosed we were bombarded with advertising and I still shudder when I remember the grim reaper ads. They would scare anyone into abstinence. Now we never hear anything about the explosion of this disease.

As parents it is vital that we teach out children about safe sex. Most young people today know about AIDS but what they don't think about is that it cannot be cured. If you want to educate your child about HIV/AIDS but don't know where to start then go to AIDS.Gov and go through the information there with your children. Perhaps it will save their life.

Home Health Care Supplies

2008-11-23T10:04:00.001+10:00

When someone in our family is diagnosed with a condition that requires them to have any kind of medical equipment our first question is , where do we get what we need.

AllegroMedical was founded in 1996 and in is one of the largest online retailers of medical supplies and equipment in the United States. Whether you need diabetic test strips, a blood pressure monitor or a shower chair Allegro Medical has it and much more. they are servicing over 1million customers with over 55,000 products under 50 categories. To find the product you need you can shop by condition, category or brand.

In 1998 Allegro expanded into Exercise and Fitness Equipment, Maternity and Baby supplies and Nutritional Dietary Supplements.

Whatever you need in lifestyle products you will find it online at Allegro Medical.

Living Too Long

2008-11-23T09:40:00.002+10:00

Who would have thought when we have worked all our lives and put away a nest egg to keep us comfortably until we departed this earth that we would actually outlive that nest egg? With the stock market collapse and the dramatic downturn in our economy many elderly people who thought they were well provided for are realising there is a very real risk that they will outlive their savings.

And article on Reuters website about this very subject will make you stop and think about how easily our security can be snatched away because of the greed and selfishness of just a few people who really should be in jail for what they have done.

The Reuters article talks about the plight of 84 year old Edie Stark and her 88 year old husband who have lost over fifty percent of their their retirement assets due to the downturn in the stock market.

This is not the kind of worry that we expect to have in our old age. We all hope that we will be able to support ourselves reasonably comfortably in our old age and have a little left over to leave to out children. You can find this article on Reuters web site.

What is Love

2008-11-21T14:15:00.000+10:00

Do you ever ask yourself "What is love?" and if you do what is the answer to that question. I have never met anyone who could actually define love in a way that made complete sense to me. I once read in a book that love was friendship with sexual attraction and even though it is probably a reasonable definition it definitely lacks something.

One can be sexually attracted to someone who they feel strong friendship for but they would not call it love. Is love a strong desire to protect that other person? I think this is part of it and it definitely applies to a parents love for their child but adult love is different.

If there is someone who believes they can define exactly what love is then I would love to hear from them. If you are in love and can explain your feelings then tell me. Just leave a message and tell me what it is to you because, maybe, love is different things to different people and maybe that is why relationships fail.

If love is something different to one partner than it is to the other then different expectations could drive them apart. Love may make the world go round but can you define what love is?

Being Beautiful

2008-11-21T10:56:00.005+10:00

When someone decides to enhance what nature gave them with a little surgery their first questions should be where and by whom. Denver Plastic Surgery was founded in 1975. It was founded by Dr John A. Grossman and is committed to assisting their patients reach the goal of achieving the beauty they desire.

Grossman Plastic Surgery has a commitment to all aspects of plastic surgery as well as non-surgical methods. Whatever you want they will not only provide it they will achieve great results that you will be delighted with.

If you are trying to find the right place to have some work done this could be it. After 23 years there is no doubt that they are not only a reputable company, they really are helping people achieve the results they are looking for.

When You Need Inspiration

2008-11-21T10:29:00.002+10:00

Sometimes when you are trawling through some sites looking for something interesting to write about you come across a site that speaks to your heart. You know it immediately because you relate to it so well. Today this happened to me. I found a site called Smart Women Smart Solutions

The founder of this great site is Joy Chudacoff who not only writes great articles that inspire and motivate but is also a Certified Professional Coach, group leader and business consultant.

Joy writes articles that I am sure you will enjoy but for me her articles made me stop and think about the things that make my life richer, fuller and more satisfying. Her articles are simple but thought provoking and I am sure you will enjoy them and be inspired by them just as I was.

Do You Need Glasses

2008-11-12T08:30:00.002+10:00

With the economy sliding down the toilet and rising unemployment the last thing any of us need is to have to pay an inflated price for a new pair of eyeglasses. Isn't it always the way that the things that are necessities in life are the most expensive? Well, with new eyeglasses you need not pay an arm and a leg for an attractive, fashionable and flattering new pair of eyeglasses.

Zenni Optical has prices that will literally save you hundreds. You can get a complete set of single vision glasses for as little as $8 and you can choose from their extensive and fashionable range. Even your teenager would be delighted with the range available. The fact is Zenni Optical has a range that will suit you entire family, even the most discerning and fussy fashion conscious will love them.

Whatever you need you will be able to find it at Zenni Optical. They have a full range of bifocal, progressive lenses, sunsesor or tinted lenses to meet your needs.

An article in the Chicago Tribune about Zenni Optical that will answer a lot of the questions you may have so why not check it out before you make your final decision about where you will buy the next pair of eyeglasses for someone in your family.

Protect Our Environment

2008-11-10T09:30:00.001+10:00

I think everyone realises we have to change our ways and protect the environment but often we think doing this means big expensive changes. The fact is there are many things we can do everyday to conserve and protect our world. Recycling need not only mean putting your paper and plastics into the recycling bin. It can also mean recycling furniture.

If you are looking for some good ideas on the things you can do every day to that will make a change then you should go to Twice Upon A Time. There are a lot of ideas that we can all use to protect our world so that our great grandchildren can enjoy it as much as we have.

Creative Craft

2008-11-08T17:16:00.002+10:00

I have always loved craft and envied those people who could create beautiful and original objects.
If you are like me you might like to check out My Cozy Cottage World.

Debbie has created some beautiful Christmas creations that I am sure you will love and there is a recipe for Delicious Crockpot Dressing that sounds absoltuely mouth watering.

Check Debbie' s site out and I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as I do.

First Step to a Better World

2008-11-06T15:42:00.003+10:00

Even though I live in Australia I followed the history making US election of the first African/American to the most powerful position in the world closely. I cannot tell you the profound pride I felt for the American people who went to the polls and buried their racist past to elect the man. Barack Obama is a man I have come to respectas a true statesman over the course of the election campaign.

Now, with bigotry behind them, I wonder if the American people will begin to show more tolerance and understanding to their gay citizens. These men and women did not choose to be homosexual any more than the rest of us chose to be heterosexual. Gay people are not paedophiles, they are simply people who are attracted sexually to members of their own sex.

Allowing gay couples to marry and to adopt children does not put those children at risk. What it does is put a child into a loving home where it is wanted and will be nurtured. If you think this is a bad thing perhaps you should read an article in Mail Online.

The article is heart wrenching and possibly it will put things in perspective for those who oppose same sex relationships. It is not same sex relationships and parents that do the damage to children it is the intolerance, neglect and indifference that this article writes about.

A Special Gift

2008-10-29T12:04:00.003+10:00

When I left home to start my training to become a registered nurse my mother gave me a Parker pen set. It was a beautiful pen set with my name engraved on the side and I still cherish it today. When Mum gave it to me she said, "this is to make sure you write to me often", and I did. Every time I picked up my pen I thought of my mother and, being a little home sick, it made me feel close to her.

Many parents will soon be saying goodbye to children going off to University and many will be looking for a farewell gift to give their child. An engraved pen is simple and special, especially in this age of text messages and emails. A beautiful pen asks to be used and what better way to use it than to write to the folks at home.

When someone you love is going away what better gift is there than an engraved pen set and encourage them to keep in touch.

How Is Your Sex Life

2008-10-29T09:58:00.003+10:00

I guess this subject had to come up sooner or later, anyway here it is. Many women do not have a satisfying sex life and are often left feeling let down and disappointed after making love. If you are one of those women you may like to check out a site called Female Orgasm Secrets and then maybe you should get your partner to read it too.

Many women go through life never knowing what it feels like to experience an orgasm and yet it is something every woman is capable of experiencing. Sex is one of the most important elements in any relationship and it is the right of both couples to enjoy sex fully. Don't go on believing the female orgasm is a myth, visit Female Orgasm Secrets and enjoy a full and satisfying sex life.

Animal SOS Sri Lanka

2008-10-26T14:15:00.003+10:00

An article in The Sunday Leader Online made me realise that there are special people in this world who do very special things. If you are an animal lover like me and despise the cruelty that is handed out to man animals this article will touch you.

The article is about the treatment ( or lack of it) of stray dogs in Sri Lanka and how To mark the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi celebrations in May 2006, President Mahinda Rajapakse, an animal lover, gave this directive to stop killing strays. Despite this directive the killing of strays continued until Kim Cooling, a social worker from London, formed Animal SOS Sri Lanka with the aim of helping the destitute strays in Sri Lanka.

This article is well worth reading and it will probably bring tears to your eyes but at least now someone is working to improve the lot of these animals. If you would like to read the article go to The Sunday Leader Online and be thankful there are people like Kim Cooling in this world.

Plan For Your Own Retirement

2008-10-24T11:17:00.000+10:00

Women today are closer to being on an equal footing with men than they have ever been before. Because of this they need to plan for their own future and not expect a man to do it for them.

In the past the man made plans for his retirement and his wife just drifted along and expected to be taken care of. Sometimes this did not happen and the woman found herself not only alone but also without any security in their advancing years.

Women today are able to plan for themselves. They are able to secure their own future with saving and superannuation from jobs, that in the past were the domain of men only. Women are no longer limited in their choices of employment and restricted by low wages.

There are any number of sites on the Internet that will give you advice and guidance in planning your own retirement. If you are like me and not a financial whizz then you should get some advice but like anything else you need to arm yourself with as much information and knowledge as you can first. The following is a list of sites where you can start getting some information on how to plan your retirement starting right now.
ClearView Retirement Solutions
BT Super
Money 101
Retirement Planning Calculator
Planning For A Secure Retirement

There are many more sites on the Internet that you can access but the main thing is to do something today to secure your retirement. It doesn't matter if you have only just started your first job. The earlier you start the better off you will be and the best thing of all you can do it on your own and ensure your security in retirement. You don't have to be old and broke.

Adopt A Pensioner

2008-10-22T11:15:00.000+10:00

In today's world many old people live in fear. They lock themselves in their homes afraid that someone will break in and by doing this they put themselves at risk. If there is a fire all too often these poor frightened old souls burn to death because the firemen can't get to them. This is a sad indictment on our society and one that we should be addressing.

Now the elderly have a new monster to fear. Having worked all their lives and saved to make life a little easier after their retirement they are seeing their savings disappear in the financial turmoil we are finding ourselves.

In Australia there is a group of people who have started a movement called "adopt a pensioner". These wonderful people visit elderly people who are living alone and take them shopping or even take them food parcels to help them manage on the pittance the Australian Government call a pension. Despite admitting publicly that they could not live on a single pension the government refuses to increase the single pension despite having a large surplus in hand.

I suppose this is why society in general is uncaring of each other. When a government is not prepared to take care of a group of people who have fought in wars to defend their country and have worked and paid taxes all their lives then it is not surprising that there is only a few people who are willing to do something like adopt a pensioner