Since I've been blogging, each year, at this time, I've written a little bit about organ donation, and how at some time, in the future, I would need a double lung transplant.
Well, that time came, and today marks my 172nd day on the waiting list.
I know that I'm preaching to the converted here on the blog, as I've had so many messages and comments from everyone who has signed up to the national register, and has discussed it with their family.
So this year, just for something a little bit different, I'm going to issue a challenge....
The challenge is:
At some time during Donate Life Week (Sunday 19th - Sunday 26th February), have a discussion about organ donation with someone whom you've never discussed the issue with before.
It could be a co-worker, the checkout operator, the lady at the post office, your neighbour, one of your kiddies schoolteachers, the lollipop lady, or the person in the queue next to you at the shops.
Feel free to use me, or this blog to bring it up in the conversation. Maybe you could start with... Do you know its Donate Life Week? I have a friend/read a blog by someone who is waiting for a lung transplant....
If you do take on the challenge, I'd love it if you could come back and leave a comment to let me know!
Also feel free to pop this pic in your sidebar for the week and link it to the Donate Life website.
If you'd like to learn more about organ donation, or you would like some resources for your family, so that you can discuss the issue, the Donate Life website is a fantastic resource, jam packed full of everything you could ever need to know.
No matter what happens, your family will always need to give the final consent, so it's vitally important that they know your wishes, and that you sign up to the national register.
Thankyou... from the bottom of my poor overworked, enlarged, moderately pulmonary hypertensive heart and bronchiectasised lungs!
Unfortunately, I'm totally bummed that I can't make it to opening night, but I'm heading down on Saturday to meet up with my sister, and Cathy, to see it.
I haven't even had the chance to take a sneak peek in Cathy's studio (like I would normally do), so I really really can't wait to see it!
There's an excellent little cafe just around the corner from Red Brick, so it's the perfect spot to meet up with friends for a visit!
If you're in the city, then make sure to get along to Outre Gallery and check out the very talented Jess McCaughey (Teddy Bears Wednesday).
Opening night is also tonight, but luckily both exhibitions run for two weeks until March 1st.
If you've never been along to check out an exhibition, then I can highly recommend it!
The directory is a celebration of the diverse range of Aussie Female Bloggers and covers categories from craft, to fashion, to lifestyle, to travel.... and soooo much more.
I've answered lots of questions about blogging and a few personal ones as well, so I hope you'll pop on over for a read, and while you're there, add your blog (if you haven't already).
The interview has ended up being perfectly timed as we're heading into the start of Donate Life Week beginning this Sunday, February 19th, and running until February 26th.
I seem to have had piles upon piles of pretty things stacking up around the house that just need framing and hanging.
I kept using the excuse that I was waiting for someone to take a trip to Ikea to buy me some frames.... then luckily one day a few weeks ago, B-Fab tweeted from that very place.... and so I bombarded her with my very own personal shopping order!
First on the list was these very beautiful vintage playing cards that Madeleine from Little Circus Design sent to me, along with some fantastic postcards featuring her original artworks.
Funnily enough, this frame has been collecting dust in the garage for years....
It seems it was just waiting for that right moment.