Bad - Good
Went from place to place trying to get someone to engrave some names on some pens for Christmas. Was almost ready to give up when I finally found someone who would do it ... and they look simply beautiful! Black Schafer pens and when the black is scratched off (engraved) the engraving comes through gold. Simply stunning.

Ugly - Beautiful
Spent the afternoon cutting dead buds from the bushes. They don't look very good now, but there was a time when the bushes were covered in beautiful flowers. And they will be covered again and the bushes will look beautiful again.

Ugly - Beautiful
Just turned 9 crumpled shirts into 9 crisp creaseless shirts. It takes time and is not the most enjoyable job. But ironing would have to be one of the most rewarding chores. And now someone is going to look good at work for the next week :)

Bad - Good
So often we see/hear about the brutal side of human nature. It is wonderful to see/hear about so many people coming forward with donations of food, household items etc to support the fire victims.

Bad - Good
We've had huge wild-fires burning in our state the last few days. Over 30 homes lost and lots of damage to wildlife and bushland. So sad. Thankfully, there have been no human lives lost.

Bad - Good
For months I have been searching for a solution to a problem. This week a solution appeared and I thought 'No way. I don't want it solved like that!' After thinking about it for a few days, I realise that it is a solution, and there can be positive outcomes to this. When options are limited and a solution presents itself, see if you can work with it even though it may not be what you had in mind.

Bad - Good
Today is one of those days where I sit down and look at myself, my life, my 'thing's, my family. Nothing seems so bad when I remember the things I am thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Ugly - Beautiful
All the dead and dying stalks in the Gladiola patch are a reminder of the beauty that I enjoyed all winter. I picked flowers constantly for 3 months.

Bad - Good
What a horrible day! Nothing went right. Nothing worked out as I planned. I felt so depressed. Was it really so bad? Things may not have gone as planned, but that is not the end of the world. Was there anything that went right? Sure... and the more I listed, the better I felt.

Bad - Good
A job that I thought was going to take only 15 minutes at the most turned out to be two and a half hours long. I was getting so frustrated and angry that I was making even more errors. I knew it was my attitude that was making it worse and I fed my frustration. I walked away for a few minutes then started over with the task. It was much easier when I didn't allow my unhelpful thoughts to dominate.

Bad - Good
There is smoke around, which means there are fires in the hills. In a way, it's good that they are burning now while it is a bit cool and no wind. It means the summer fires won't burn so fiercely.

Bad - Good
Visiting last night... There was a little dog with his ball. He ran for hours and hours as first one person then another threw the ball. When no one was paying attention to him, he patiently sat with the ball just waiting to be noticed. He was focused and he knew what he wanted without being a pest. I realised that I could apply his actions to my life. Be quietly persistent and focus on the task at hand.

Bad - Good
Our little granddaughter came to visit - she has just learned to crawl. We were constantly moving things and her in order to keep her safe. Next time she comes I will be better prepared.

Ugly - Beautiful
Today the weather was dull and dreary and it drizzled most of the day. I heard someone say 'what a miserable day'. I don't think it was miserable - I loved it. It's a matter of perspective.

Bad - Good
Discovered on of my orchids in a pot has died. It was tucked away in the side garden, out of sight and didn't get enough water through the winter. The other one is alive, but not looking very happy but at least it is alive. I've moved it to where I can see it. Who knows - it might reward me with a flower :)

Bad - Good
At the post office I discovered that my envelope of calendars was 50 grams over and would cost me an extra $9 to send. So I brought it home and opened it to make two envelopes and discovered that there was an extra calendar in it. I had accidentally left the one I picked out for myself in the batch. Now I have my calendar and tomorrow when I post the others, they will be within the required weight.

Ugly - Beautiful
I think that trees with no leaves look sad. Now that summer is coming, the mulberry tree is covered in thick green foliage and looks beautiful. It will soon be loaded with plump juicy fruit.

Bad - Good
Threw out my favourite jeans - good thing is that I will buy a size smaller when I replace them.

Bad - Good
Several months ago, I planted half a dozen Corn Flower plants. The dog took a liking to them and chewed them down to the ground. I replaced them and the chickens scratched several up, the rabbit dug up a couple, and the dog ate them again. I refused to buy more. Weeks later, I discovered that one lonely Corn Flower plant survived. Now it is almost thigh high and covered in flowers.

Ugly - Beautiful
Weeds - I once saw them as ugly and annoying. Now I find myself tenderly watering some of them and encouraging them to grow. They have a purpose at the moment - to feed the little finches and give them nest building material. So grow, little weeds, grow!

Ugly - Beautiful
There's a plant in my garden that looks like a weed, smells like a weed, grows like a weed - yet it's not a weed. How can something so ugly produce such a beautiful flower? I was going to pull them out, but now I think I'll leave them.

Bad - Good
Had to move the nesting finches. They got frightened and never returned to the nest the next day I had to take away the eggs and dismantle the next. It was so sad, as there were fertile eggs. Good thing is that the new avery was almost complete. A little more work and we moved them into the new avery. Now they will have a secure place to nest. Don't know what my daughter is going to think about that :)

Bad - Good
We added a new fish to our collection of pets. Now I can't find it. Something has eaten it! Plenty more where that one came from, but do I replace it and risk it being eaten again? Yeah, it's a cute little fish.

Ugly - Beautiful
We have a rose that is very special. It is brilliant red and year after year a tiny white flaw appears down one side of the roses. This flaw is visible from the centre of the rose to the outside petals. It makes the rose imperfect, but it is quite unique and beautiful. We love it.

Bad - Good

Tried again to make my cookies - didn't happen. So frustrating ... then I laughed. Maybe the desire for cookies will be gone before I get around to making them and I'll be glad I didn't eat any.

Bad - Good
Out of the blue I decided to make a batch of cookies because I felt like eating hot cookies. But I didn't have enough butter. Probably a good thing because I really don't need to eat hot cookies.

Bad - Good
Left my window open and now my carpet is a bit damp. Because of the good rainfall, it will be another week at least before we have to turn on the reticulation.

Bad - Good
Really disappointed that I had to cancel a special meeting because I'm still unwell. It was either cancel the meeting or take a bucket with me. Ended up sitting outside on the patio watching the storm pass over. Simply spectacular! Glad I was home :)

Bad - Good
Not feeling well today. I am reminded how blessed I am to enjoy such good health from year to year.

Ugly - Beautiful
We are 'Finch sitting' for our daughter. We gave them some fresh weed/seeds and they built the ugliest nest I have ever seen. But inside the nest are two of the most beautiful round white eggs.