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Paws & Claws

Vet / By

Hello, dear readers!

It’s been a whirlwind few months since Bella (my adorable beagle) and I bumped into Jess and her spirited spaniel, Max, at the vet. Little did we know that a tangled leash would lead us here – moving in together, sharing our mornings, and contemplating the future with our four-legged companions.

We often joke that Bella and Max must have been conspiring that day, given how seamlessly our lives have intertwined. They’ve become inseparable, and watching them together is a daily dose of joy. It’s almost like they knew something we didn’t, but that’s just whimsical thinking, right?

As we navigate this new chapter, Jess and I have been pondering the idea of enrolling Bella and Max in a puppy school based near Clyde. We’ve heard fantastic things about it, and it seems like the perfect opportunity for them to polish their manners (and maybe learn a trick or two!). It’s fascinating to think about how much they can learn and how these classes can further strengthen the bond between us.

On another note, we’ve also found ourselves lingering on the question, “Should I get a cat?” It started as a playful conversation, but the idea has been growing on us. We imagine a furry little addition would bring a new dynamic to our family, though we can’t help but wonder how Bella and Max would react. They’ve always been the centre of our universe, and we hope a cat would be a welcome friend, not a frenemy!

As we mull over these thoughts, it’s clear that our journey, sparked by a chance encounter, is blossoming into something beautiful. Our home is filled with love, laughter, and the occasional bark and purr debate. We owe so much to our pups – they may not have intentionally set us up, but we’re amazed at how well they understand us, sometimes even better than we understand ourselves.

So, as Jess and I sit down to discuss puppy schools and the potential of welcoming a cat, we can’t help but feel grateful. Grateful for the unexpected twists in life, for the companionship of our dogs, and for the new adventures that lie ahead. Who knows what the future holds? But one thing’s for sure – it’s going to be a pawsome ride!

Stay tuned for more tales (and tails) from our little family!

Happy Foot

Podiatry / By

In the heart of Melbourne, a renowned podiatry clinic had gained fame for its exceptional care in children’s foot health. The story unfolds with a young girl, Emma, who was facing challenges with her gait. Her parents, eager to find a solution, had heard of the best podiatry clinic in Melbourne and decided to visit.

Upon entering, they were greeted with a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere, tailor-made for children. The clinic was not just a medical facility but a fun, educational space where kids could learn about foot health. Emma was immediately drawn to the colourful area dedicated to children’s orthotics solutions.

Dr. Harris, a specialist in paediatric podiatry, greeted Emma with a warm smile. He began examining her feet with gentle expertise, explaining the benefits of orthotics in correcting and supporting foot posture. “Orthotics are not just about comfort, Emma. They help your feet grow healthy and strong,” he explained, showing her various types of children’s orthotics solutions.

As Emma tried on different orthotics, Dr. Harris detailed how their clinic, located near Cheltenham, was sought after for their personalised approach to each child’s needs. “We’re not just a clinic; we’re a place where young feet get the best start in life,” he said, his words reflecting the clinic’s commitment to paediatric foot care.

Emma’s parents were impressed by the clinic’s thorough approach and the range of children’s orthotics solutions available. They felt reassured knowing they were in one of the best podiatry clinics in Melbourne, dedicated to children’s foot health.

The story concludes with Emma walking confidently with her new orthotics, a beaming smile on her face. This experience at the clinic not only provided her with the necessary foot support but also educated her family about the importance of proper foot care from a young age. The clinic stood true to its reputation, offering unmatched care and solutions in the realm of children’s orthotics near Cheltenham.

Mismatched Podiatry

Podiatry / By

Marlowe Mismatch had always been a little, well, mismatched. Ever since he was a boy, he’d struggled to find a pair of socks that matched. It wasn’t that he didn’t own matching socks; they simply refused to be worn together. Today, his left foot sported a neon green sock with miniature dragons, while the right was adorned with a peaceful blue scene of floating rubber ducks.

His latest misadventure, however, was far beyond a fashion faux pas.

As he trudged through the streets of Cheltenham, Marlowe began noticing a rather curious trail. He was leaving footprints behind. Not the usual kind that disappear after a few steps, but glittering, golden footprints, no less. And with each step, the streets of Cheltenham became a little more golden.

Naturally, this caused quite the commotion. Mothers whisked their children off the streets, whispering about Midas’ curses. Buskers tried playing songs on his golden tracks, hoping for a rich tune. Tourists, thinking it some sort of street performance, applauded and threw coins (though not gold) in appreciation.

As Marlowe ambled onward, a rather insistent man with a clipboard approached him. “Sir! Sir! Are you aware that you’re literally walking on gold? You need to see the best podiatrist in the Cheltenham area. This could be a classic case of Aurumfootitis!”

“Auru-what-now?” Marlowe blinked in confusion.

Before Clipboard-man could explain, a group of shoe enthusiasts circled Marlowe, all murmuring about what custom orthotics were and whether such devices could turn their own feet into golden geese. Others wondered aloud if golden footprints might be a side effect of high arches or perhaps flat feet. Maybe it was fungal?

Pulling himself free, with one shoe less (which someone claimed would be auctioned on a popular online platform), Marlowe decided that maybe, just maybe, he should seek out this podiatrist. Not for the gold, no. But to figure out how to get out of the sudden spotlight. And maybe, for once, to finally get something about his feet right.

Little did Marlowe know, his golden problems were only just beginning.

Ute Tray Analysis

Aluminium / By

From the depths of the far-flung cosmos, Earth’s technology has always held a certain allure. It is often the little things that catch our attention, the things that Earthlings use in their everyday life that seem, to us, so strangely remarkable. And on a routine scanning mission around their blue planet, we stumbled upon something of note – a “ute”, fitted with an intriguing aluminium tray and canopy.

We, under the supervision of lead scientist Dr. Zorgon, observed this vehicle – a remarkable specimen of utilitarian Earth transport. The ute was located in an area the humans refer to as “Melbourne” – a bustling hub of activity and innovation. A decision was made, and swiftly we abducted the vehicle, teleporting it onto our spaceship for closer examination.

Our first impressions were marked by the ute’s robust structure and apparent durability. What captured our interest was the aluminium tray and canopy. The half canopy installation, in particular, was designed in a way that maximised the vehicle’s storage capacity without compromising the versatility of the open tray.

Upon closer inspection, the ingenuity behind the aluminium tray and canopy became more evident. The canopy was designed to withstand the Earth’s various weather conditions, while the aluminium tray seemed resilient to the rigors of the human world. Our initial analysis of the canopy also indicated that it could be easily removed when not needed, indicating an impressive level of functionality and adaptability.

As we delved deeper into the structure and design of this vehicle, we became more impressed by the practicality and thoughtful engineering of the aluminium tray and canopy. We observed a variety of ute canopies for sale in Melbourne, noting the demand for this functional addition to the ute among Earthlings.

To fully understand the complexities of this technology, we decided to reach out to the Earthling experts on aluminium trays and canopies. After all, who better to educate us on this intriguing human innovation than the people who work with it every day? As Dr. Zorgon often says, “Understanding is the first step to innovation”.

Ongoing care

Homecare / By

As a thirty-five year old who has lived with a disability his whole life, I understand the challenges. To make my life easier, I am receiving ongoing support from a great team of carers who assist me in managing my condition, while giving me the freedom to still maintain my independence each day.

In the past, I’ve struggled to find the right support services that met my needs. I often felt like I was just another number on a list, and that my individual needs weren’t being taken into account. That all changed when I discovered a recommended community nursing support service in Adelaide who had been helping people just like me for the last decade. I remember not wanting to waste any time, and quickly grabbing the phone to contact them and learn more about their services. They put me in touch with a support coordinator whose role was to help me navigate the complicated world of disability. She was great at explaining the ins and outs of the funding and services available to disabled people.

Gaining access to NDIS support coordination has helped me become aware of my entitlements. For many years, I knew I was entitled to something but I had no idea where to start. My support coordinator helped me understand the options available to me and identify the services that best met my needs.

Thanks to community nursing, and the wider support from the NDIS, I now receive comprehensive assistance personalised to my needs. I no longer feel like I’m going day-to-day feeling alone while managing my condition. I now have people I can go to who are always prepared to support me and answer any questions I have. It also helps that they understand my condition and my needs, so they always know the best ways to put me at ease when I’m feeling beaten down by my disability. If there’s anyone else who can relate to the feeling of defeat that is associated with disability, then I highly recommend you contact the NDIS.

Florist content

Video Production / By

 

I’ve been a florist for the last twelve years and am planning to take my knowledge to the internet! My whole life I’ve had an interest in flowers. I started working in a florist part time when I was in my teens. Before I knew it they’d wanted me onboard full-time! Unfortunately after three years of working at this florist, the business had come to some struggle. People weren’t coming to us as frequently as they used to. It was as if no one wanted to buy flowers anymore. I guess this might have been the result of more and more people opting for fake flowers as they don’t die. 

To help combat this I thought we needed to start opening up our offerings a bit more. We’d never really sold many personalised, or ‘order-to-make’ bouquets before. People would come in, grab a bouquet they like, and be on their way. In my spare time I arranged for a website to be made where people could put together the flowers they want, and then I would make these bouquets for them to pick up. I also experimented with creating bouquets out of fake flowers. Before we knew it, sales started to pick up again. 

There came a time when the owners decided to sell the florist. I’d already spent multiple years here, establishing great ideas, there was no way I was going to leave. I bought the shop and found a video production company to hire. Melbourne has a few florists, but I wanted to do something that would make us stand out. I started creating videos of me making various bouquets, and showing the process. This really helped us increase our presence online. More people became invested with my shop, and so many people were subscribing to my videos.

Next, I found a 2D animation company to help me make ads. I use these ads to retarget people who have already subscribed to my channel. This then converts those customers into actual customers. This method has proven successful and I’m keen to find more ways to utilise video!

Mysterious Home Builder

Building / By

The stairs continued for some time – long enough that Mavis had completely lost track, although she’d never been good at keeping time.

It got colder with each step until, eventually, Mavis wished she’d been warned so she could bring a coat. Shortly after the stairwell felt almost to be at freezing temperatures, the stairs ended and they came into a chamber lit by a hearth at the back. She felt the warmth immediately, it almost making her ill with the sudden change.

Through the dizziness now overwhelming her, it took Mavis a few seconds to realise that Gideon was motioning for her to sit on a small couch. She did so, waiting for him to take the other couch across the coffee table, which was covered in papers. Perhaps they were plans for houses that would make other luxury home designers jealous.

Gideon paced the room for a while, and Mavis began to wonder whether he was just trying to make her nervous. She knew the first rule of negotiations, however: never make the first move.

Finally, Gideon sat across from her, bringing his hands together. Did all new home builders for the Mornington Peninsula act like this?

“Mavis van Westerly.” Gideon said her name slowly, drawing it out like a final breath. “I have brought you here because I need your help with a rather ambitious project. Lorenzo has kept a close eye on you and your friends. We believe you are perfect for this, as our goals align quite nicely.”

“And what goals would those be?”

Gideon chuckled. “Your friend Dirk seems quite interested in bringing down the elites. His lips are quite loose after a drink or two, I’m afraid. But it will take more than a few dozen Elite Tokens to even put a dent in the system. If that were the case, I would have dismantled it by now.”

Mavis bit her lip. “I suppose you have my attention. Do go on, Mr Gideon.”

First Day Speech

Video Production / By

‘I want all of you to look to your left,’ the professor recited. The class begrudgingly followed her instruction.

‘Now look to your right.’

         Again, they did as she asked.

         ‘Remember those faces,’ she continued sternly. ‘Because they will most likely be your colleagues one day. This is a filmmaking class, not a law degree, most of you are going to graduate.’

         A smattering of laughter broke out amongst the crowd and the professor allowed herself a small smile.

         ‘Now then,’ she whipped around to face the whiteboard. ‘My name is Professor Imelda Brown…’ she frowned, patting her pockets. ‘Which you’ll just have to remember for yourselves because I left my whiteboard markers in my office.’

         Another quiet chuckle filled the room.

         ‘Anyway,’ Professor Brown went on. ‘Who can tell me why we’re here?’

         ‘To make movies?’ piped up a confident voice from the middle-back.

         ‘Totally wrong,’ she shut him down with a point of her finger and a shake of her head. ‘We’re here to learn video production.’

         ‘Isn’t that the same thing?’ came the voice from the back.

         ‘I am not here to teach you filmmaking,’ Imelda rolled her eyes. ‘You have other teachers, and classes and, frankly, U-Toobe. No, I’m here to help you succeed in corporate video production.’

         A murmuring went up amongst the students, as if she’d just said a rude word. She rolled her eyes again.

         ‘Be practical, people. If you’d like to actually work – and survive – doing what you love, this is how you get there. Hell, in twenty years you could be standing in front of a room full of students preaching the magic of working for a quality video animation company near Melbourne.’

         A small laugh from them let her know that she’d gotten them at least a little bit back on side.

         ‘Alright,’ she said. ‘Open your books to page 105. If, for some reason, you don’t have a textbook, you’d better hope one of the people you looked at earlier thought you were cute. And yes,’ she nodded. ‘I know I just made it weird for you. Bring your textbook next time.’

Ancient Building Mysteries

Building / By

Having just discovered a secret passageway in the kitchen pantry of her fiance’s old family home in the hills, Rylee simply couldn’t not explore it. She flicked her phone’s torch on and pressed forward, through the tight space.

Did Cole know about this? Surely not. She kind of liked the idea of this being her little secret, though, so she needed to explore before he got back. That could be hours, though, given he wouldn’t even be at one of the best building companies on the Mornington Peninsula yet. Still, there was no telling how many mysteries awaited beyond this tight corridor.

Eventually, she squeezed through to a spiral staircase that went up and down, in better condition than anything else in the house. Figuring up went to the attic she’d been trying to work out how to get into, Rylee descended the dark staircase. 

After about thirty steps, she came to a large room with walls of stone. Through the torchlight, she could just make out two shapes near the far wall. They appeared to be tombstones. 

Well, isn’t this just a lovely piece of history? Rylee thought. What have we got down here? Vampires? Cole may be searching for some modern home builders for hire, but I sure as heck won’t let them touch this place.

Rylee crept forward, a dark presence feeling less like it was in her imagination with each step. Occasionally she glanced back, her torch illuminating the darkness she stepped out from. Nothing.

As she reached the tombstones, Rylee read the names engraved on them. Sir Henry Francis and Lady Anabelle Francis. Francis? Rylee wondered at the name. She hadn’t known of anybody in Cole’s family named Francis. His grandparents had been Charlie and Sarah West, hadn’t they? So, who were these people?

There were a few doors in this odd basement, but Rylee decided that she’d rather check out the attic before Cole got home. And so, she made her way back up the stairs, not noticing the shadowy figure that followed closely behind her.

Exciting Bathroom Renovations

Uncategorized / By

The designers presented the bathroom designs to us this morning. The designs are absolutely perfect! It’s like they took everything that we said on the site meetup extremely seriously, and then really went away to conceptualise a space that would be practical, functional and aesthetically pleasing. I’m absolutely over the moon.

My parents, who are paying for the whole thing, were also very happy. They said they had no changes or problems with the layout and gave the renovators and designers the go-ahead to commence the bathroom renovations. Close to Melbourne in the suburbs surrounding the CBD, renovators are really busy. We actually got so lucky that we contacted these designers and renovators the day that a project ended. Their next scheduled project isn’t for another month, and so they said they could get it all done before their next project commences. How awesome!

Now that we’ve approved the design, their incredible team are going to buy all the fixtures and fittings and then come back. They estimate that within the next three weeks we will have a completely new bathroom. I honestly can’t wait. 

I know I’m greedy, but I wonder if once we have our new bathroom, my parents would be open to getting bathroom laundry renovations. In the Melbourne area, it’s very popular to have a laundry that is also a powder room. That way there’s a spare toilet for guests away from our private bathrooms. My family have personally never had one because we don’t really have spare funds to do renovations whenever we want, but now that we’re already getting a renovation done, maybe we can chuck another one in afterwards for good measure. 

I might wait a little longer before bringing this up with my parents. Hopefully, once they see how incredible our brand new bathroom is, they’re overcome with the love of the renovation process and are keen to do some more renovations.