Blog Posts

Love meeting women doing it for themselves

25/5/2017

It is my thing …. Don’t ask why – just know it is my thing. I have my hair done regularly. I call it a “hairy” …. Shampoo and blow dry and if I am really lucky, a damn good head massage during the shampoo phase. Having a regular coiffure is just part of my regular maintenance.

Which means that when I am on the move, I have a built in radar to find the closest and/or local hairdresser for a “coiff”.
I suss out the local at 3 paces …. Rather like Tezza finding the local pub, when we are on the move!

During a recent “distraction week out”, in the greater city of Melbourne, I needed to find a local salon.

We had planned a morning at the iconic Queen Victoria Market – always a favourite place to visit, if time permits. While walking around I mentioned I needed to find a place for a “hairy” some time that day. With the aid of technology we soon discovered there was a “mobile salon” situated in the market.

An appointment was made and I had the most delightful pleasure of meeting Chelsea and having a fabulous hairy.

Not only is her “van” mobile and groovy – her story is fantastic. I love it when I come across young women who just have the gumption to get out and do what they love, with conviction, energy and work ethic. Not only that, she is gorgeous, friendly and a damn good hairdresser.

Check her out, make an appointment and go hear her story – it simply rocks !!! Her salon is awesome.

http://www.eyeamhair.com/

Check her out and let me know what you think .....

DC

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Holiday in the City .... #debandtez chill out

18/5/2017

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Tez had holidays coming up as per his roster. Nothing in particular planned for these May holidays so I thought maybe we could have a mini-holiday. "Let's go to the city!" I suggested.

A very dear friend has an apartment in the city .... that is the city of MELBOURNE, I am talking about. Her place is in a great location, close to public transport and walking distance to things that appeal to us. Given that we live in a rural setting so we "go to the country" all the time. Also considering I have been working by "the coast" for the last 2 years, a time out in the city seemed like a good idea. How fortunate we are that our friend let us have a key.

Leaving the car at home in the garage, we jumped on the train and headed to the big smoke. Tez armed with his trusty good food guide and me with my sturdy Prada walking shoes on, we loaded up the MyKi travel card and here we are at the half way mark of our city getaway.

For those who have never been to Melbourne, it really is an awesome place. Very easy to get around as the town planning is based on a gird. The trams rattle up and down all the main streets and everything is really not that far away.

It will come as no surprise that food has featured significantly in our daily planning. Brunches so far have not disappointed. We have tried eating houses not visited before and so far, all have a big tick. We have found a couple of wine bars for the afternoon stops that have satisfied beyond our expectations. Dinner at a couple of new venues and next two nights planned at some old favourites. Spontaneous drop in to see some friends and of course, the obligatory visits to same favourite shops and arcades. Two movies watched, two new books and two new CD's complete the half way mark. So nothing unusual, no out of the ordinary events or stunningly spectacular unexpected sights ...... however, it is re-energizing to wake up to the sounds of the city, amble along in whichever direction we desire and just take in the beat of a city we both definitely feel is our home city!

DC

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The day someone dies

18/4/2017

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Driving along chatting about nothing in particular and the phone rings. You recognize the number belongs to one of your besties, who you happen to be on the road to visit. ‘Oh, they may want me to stop at the supermarket and pick something up,’ you think to yourself.

“Hello …” you say and then as soon as you hear their voice you know …. Something is wrong, very wrong. So wrong, that from that moment on – everything changes in the world as you know it.

I know this happens to everyone in their lifetime and it has happened recently to people I love and care for, very deeply. We still feel their pain and attempt to support them as they take the time to discover, feel and live their own grieving story.

Sometimes you are peripheral or two or 3 circles of closeness removed from the loss and other times you are amid it. Sometimes you are the professional who knows the right sounds of silence to not speak or utter the right words that are heard for comfort. Still the degrees of closeness are never described accurately in any defined “loved one role description” and we all feel it differently.

So when one of our besties died so suddenly, recently … it exposed all sorts of feelings.

As health professionals we are taught so much and have learnt to respect the teachings of wise educators, philosophical counsellors and other experienced professionals.

But, WTF, when it is one of your besties, one of your family ….There is just raw grief.

There is the pain of others you want to absorb. There is the question “why him, why now?" you want answered. There is the confrontation of a reality, so in your face, you just don’t know what to think.

You can only feel. That sad, angry, disbelieving, lost, overwhelming feeling that you just know is, a piece of your heart that just broke.

DC

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Happy faces, places & spaces #21 …. 1980’s

23/1/2017

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Recently on Facebook someone sent round a video clip of songs and “pop icons” from 1984. It was so cool watching and recalling the clips, songs and pop icons. In fact, after watching it I recall thinking to myself, that there was only one artist among them that I was not really into, at the time. The rest I adored.

When you watch things like that you start to remember other stuff … I started to think about life and living in the 1980’s.

In retrospect it was actually a rather cool time. I lived in some great places – particularly a terrace house in Gore Street, Fitzroy. There are a few amongst you that may have memories of that time, in that house!

It was a great time for big shoulder pads, big taffeta bows and even bigger hair.

In many ways it was possibly one of my best decades – work, living and all round great memories were created.

David Addison was born and introduced the world to the cheeky smirk of Bruce Willis. Jack T Colton was the dude I wanted to end up in a chapter with me. And awesome movies were made.

But, the music… Annie, Madonna, Cyndi, Whitney, Tina, Kate, Sade and Gloria. Of course there were the guys as well – Stevie, Michael, Paul Weller (Style Council), George, Prince and so the list goes on.

I have some of the best photos albums of fun that happened in those years. Lots of fabulous clubs, pubs and eating places. Fun times shared with awesome friends and I was very very single and I had a good time!

Life is millions of moments creating memories along the way.

Some walk by night, Some walk by day, Something is sweeter, When you meet ‘long the way …
Moonlighting stranger, who just met along the way.

DC

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Professional life and aspirations

29/12/2016

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Throughout my career and professional life (are they the same thing? – another question for another time maybe) I have been so fortunate and privileged to meet and work with some incredible people.

My adult professional working life (one aspect of a colourful tapestry that is the "DC story") is summed up as having been a career in the health sector. Yes, it has been diverse and some say eclectic, but, always interesting, rewarding and fulfilling with many opportunities having come my way. However, at the moment, it is reflection on people that has absorbed my thinking.

After all, my work life is about delivering care to people, delivered by people and enabled and supported by other people.

In some ways this thinking has been stimulated by a conversation with Terry recently, after he had asked me “why do you still feel driven to do more?”

Having worked through clinical, education, management and now executive roles, it may seem that the journey is relatively fulfilled. But I don’t think or feel it is. It really has stirred up my thoughts, which I am not sure I am able to fully articulate yet. However a post on a blog of a friend, colleague and all inspiring woman I know in Canada; Barb Shellian, has really struck a chord.

She talked about courageous leadership and quoted a list of characteristics from Susan Tardanico (I confess, I did not know who this person was, but have since “googled”).

I liked the list and I started to think about this in context of what I still want to pursue.

Courageous leaders ………. (from Susan Tradanico via my friend Barb)

1.    Confront reality head-on. Ditch the rose-colored glasses and face the facts. Only by knowing the true current state can you lead to a better place.
2.    Seek feedback and listen. We all have blind spots that impact the way we interact with others. Unfiltered 360-degree feedback is not always easy to hear, but it can breathe new life into your relationships and leadership style if you listen and act.
3.    Say what needs to be said. Real conversations can be awkward and uncomfortable, especially if conflict is involved. Having crucial conversations helps cut through the smoke and move through issues. This also means having the courage to put your opinions on the table, even if they are unpopular.
4.    Encourage push-back. Many leaders feel pressure to have all the answers. By encouraging constructive dissent and healthy debate, you reinforce the strength of the team and demonstrate that in the tension of diverse opinions lies a better answer.
5.    Take action on performance issues. Confronting people issues is hard, which is why so many leaders ignore them until they become a toxic threat to the team performance. By taking swift action , you are helping yourself, the team and the profession.
6.    Communicate openly and frequently.   Keep the lines of communication open, even when you don’t know all the answers. Courageous leaders refuse to hide behind jargon and wiggle-words – they use straight-talk and are not afraid to say “I don’t know.” They also share information instead of hoarding it.
7.    Lead change. In fear-based environments, it’s all about protecting the status quo. Envision a better way, a better solution, a better product – and approach it with determination and an open mind, knowing that it will be messy and that a mid-course correction may be necessary. Remember that you need to bring people along the change process for them to truly engage.
8.    Make decisions and move forward. Especially in environments of fear and intense change, it feels unsafe to commit to a decision and move ahead. Avoid the crutch of ‘analysis paralysis’ and make the decision. Forward movement is always better than being stuck in place.
9.    Give credit to others. Let go of the need for praise and instead give the credit to those around you. Remember that a good leader takes more than their fair share of the blame and less than their fair share of the credit.
10. Hold people (and yourself) accountable. Expect people to perform and deliver on their commitments, and have courage to call them out when they don’t follow through. Remember that accountability begins with you – holding yourself responsible for modeling the behaviors you expect of others.

I think I am starting to get it....
I want to be able to settle in my head and heart that I have achieved a worthwhile contribution. My contribution needs to be in harmony with the values that I feel are important and be making a difference in caring for people well.

DC

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12 days of Festive Cheer .... #2016_12 HAPPY – do happy

25/12/2016

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The best treat you can treat yourself? I believe, it is to be HAPPY.
Do happy. What does it take for you to feel really happy?

I know that for some people finding true happy can be a struggle, either physical, psychological or chemical. But if you can do happy …. Do it.

Finding something that makes you feel happy – like laugh out happy, cracking up with my sisters or whether it is a beautiful peaceful quiet spot that makes you feel inner soul happy, like a fireplace in a farmhouse in Provence. Just find it and feel it.

Family, friends or places – Whateevr it is, I just hope you know where your happy is.

One last thought from me for this festive season, shared by my darling niece in law Carly and I don’t where it comes from …… but it is special…..

#allyouneedislove #imagine

DC

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12 days of Festive Cheers …. #2016_11 Old recipes

24/12/2016

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For us Aussies, we know the reliability of good old fashioned CWA (Country Women’s Association), The Australian Cooking Way and the Women’s Weekly, recipes. Generally, they are not earth shattering science defying recipes, but they are reliable.

We learnt to use them in home economics classes, way back when, before they were cut from school curriculums. In recent time the resurgence of cooking shows, recipes books and food being a total lifestyle choice, means many of us are right into the food thing!!
S
ometimes the best treats of all is a trusty old, fail safe recipe that is just good comfort food.
Here is one for you …… From the Australian Women’s Weekly.

Cheese and Olive Loaf
Ingredients
1 cup self-raising flour
2/3 cup coarsely grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh mint
½ tsp ground black pepper
1 cup seeded black olives, chopped coarsely
75 gm chopped mortadella
4 eggs beaten lightly
80 gms butter, melted
Method:
Preheat oven to 200C/180C fab forced. Lightly grease 8cm x 26cm loaf pan.
Sift flour into medium bowl; stir in cheese, mint, pepper, olives and mortadella. Add egg and butter; stir until well combined.
Spread mixture into pan; bake about 35 minutes or until browned lightly. Turn onto a wire rack to cool.

DC

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12 days of Festive Cheer…. #2016_10 Do Lunch

23/12/2016

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Be one of this people that just decides, at random …. I will do lunch today. Then let yourself be surprised.

Do lunch somewhere you might not usually think of, rather than the local take away or sandwich shop. ….. Mind you I am a great fan of local sandwich shops, especially if you are supporting a local small business s and the sandwiches are big, moist and yummy.

Try a wine bar, noodle shop or food bus for something different.

Just treat yourself to something that is not the usual. Of course, if permissible, a glass of bubbles or local wine is also an added treat.

DC

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12 days of Festive Cheer …. #2016_9 Cheese or Dessert?

22/12/2016

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At the end a meal, there are two types of people; Cheese or Dessert people. How fortunate I am to be such a unique character, that I am actually both!!

So it seems obviosu to me – have both. If it makes you feel better – simply share with someone else.

Just don’t deny yourself the treat.

DC

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12 days of Festive Cheers …. #2016_8 YOU …. Be kind to you.

21/12/2016

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Books. Movie. Eating. Shopping. Nothing.

Whatever it is that is the real treat for you, pop it into the diary to do it. Nurture your soul, recharge your batteries or treat yourself. However you wish to define it – take some time out to be with yourself.

For me the greatest treat of all – is the pure luxury to do absolutely nothing and just THINK undisturbed. Let my mind wander aimlessly with nowhere to go, no list to tick off and complete, no jobs that demand conclusion, no cooking to finish and no solutions to be found.

Now this is a real treat …. Any day of the year – if you can schedule the diary for it to happen – do it!

DC

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12 days of Festive Cheer …. #2016_7 New food

20/12/2016

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Some days it is simply easier to prepare and cook the foods we are familiar with. For me, a "trick or treat" can be trying something new or not tasted before. More times than not, it is a treat rather than a trick. That is, new food tastings are pleasurable and not yucky and certainly that is what happened the first time I tasted celeriac.

An unusual looking food, but very versatile and with a unique taste. This is a recipe from the very enthusiastic Jamie Oliver. A very easy recipe that takes less than an hour.

Apple & Celeriac Soup
Ingredients;
•             4 tablespoons of olive oil
•             2 onions, peeled and sliced
•             1 celery stalk, roughly chopped
•             1 celeriac, chopped
•             4 Cox’s Orange Pippin apples (in Australia we can substitute Pink Lady apples if unable to find the cox’s),
cored and quartered
•             a few sprigs of thyme, leaves picked
•             2 litres vegetable or chicken stock
•             200 mls crème fraiche
•             a few sage leaves
•             toasted hazelnuts or grated fresh horseradish, to serve

Preparation Time
•             55 minutes

Method
1.            Heat half the oil in a large pan. Add the onions and celery and cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes until soft. Add the celeriac, apples and thyme and cook for 2 – 3 minutes. Add the stock, season, and simmer over a low heat for 30 minutes until the celeriac is tender.
2.            Remove from the heat and blitz with a hand blender until smooth. Stir in half the crème fraiche. Heat the remaining oil in a pan and fry the sage until crispy (this does not take long – don’t take your eyes of the leaves).
3.            Spoon the soup into bowls and top with remaining crème fraiche.
4.            To serve, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with toasted hazelnuts or grated horseradish and throw across some crispy sage leave.

Of course, always accompany your soup with crispy bread, if that pleases you.

Just make sure you treat yourself with a new taste sensation this festive season …… don’t forget to come and tell me what you tried and how you enjoyed it!

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12 days of Festive Cheer …. #2016_6 galpals

19/12/2016

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NEVER. EVER. Underestimate the therapeutic value of time spent with girlfriends.

I am so blessed with #galpals around the globe. How enriched my life is because of the love and diversity of these friendships.

These two just happened to be around a while back and there was plenty of love and laughter.

Organise some time with #galpals .... right now.

DC

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12 days of Festive Cheer …. #2016_5 Flowers

18/12/2016

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Do I really need to explain what a pure joy it is to have fresh flowers? In your home, office or any where else that pleases.

Yes, I know some people think it is a bit wasteful as they do not always last a long time ….. I dont feel like that. For me, the joy of fresh flowers in the house is truly wonderful.

If no one is buying them for you – treat yourself – you are worth it.

DC

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12 days of Festive Cheer …. #2016_04 Luxury Food

17/12/2016

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Every once in a while everyone should take some time to discover a food that they would not normally eat and treat themselves. Something that I call a luxury food – that is, it would not normally appear on your weekly shopping list. Years ago I was introduced to Mostardos – Italian preserved fruits in mustard syrup. I adore them. Luscious, sticky sweet with a mustard tang and simply divinely delish in my mouth. I particularly like using them in fresh pasta dishes with a touch of cream and sage leaves crisped up in butter. I am salivating thinking of it right now.

A version of this is a discovery we made in a truly breath taking village, that we fell in love with in Provence.

A store called Lilmand Confiserie in the village of Isle-sur-la-Sougue (Island in the River).

These little gems are “Fruits Confits au Sirop”

Go on, lash out and treat yourself something special. You deserve it.

Happy tastings.

DC

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12 days of Festive Cheer …. #2016_03 Sand under your feet

16/12/2016

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Some people are not feet people … You know the kind, the don’t like their feet being touched or massaged or rubbed or even like to dry their feet after a shower. I don’t understand that as I think one of the best things in life is indeed , a foot massage.

Now I do think that feet are not a particularly attractive part of the body. I don’t recall ever seeing someone’s feet and thinking “Wow, they are stunning looking feet!”

HOWEVER, they are a hard working part of the human body. They walk a lot of miles and carry a heavy load.
Treat yourself to nature’s exfoliator and walk bare foot on a gorgeous beach somewhere and feel how good your feet feel afterwards.