Hi Everyone!

[Heartfire At Home]

Hi everybody...

My name is Linda and I'm from Ballarat in Victoria (about an hour or so away from Melbourne).

I'm a part timer at quite a few things which adds up to a really full and very busy life - lol. I'm a primary school teacher (this is my 24th year I think), a writer (I do some copywriting here and there although not much lately), a serious blogger, and an interior designer focusing on the emotional connection between people and their homes. I like to think of myself as a room choreographer plus an atmospheric designer (getting the 'vibe' and heartbeat of a home right). And, I just LOVE colour and pattern!

I also 'have a thing' for trees, owls, maps, books, butterflies, music (I perform in local amateur musical theatre when I find the time), and I have a cat called Jessie who's getting on a bit.

I'm so happy to find a forum (and an Aussie one at that!) where people love to talk about decorating and design. Bliss!

Looking forward to getting to know everyone and also visiting sites and links available here.

Cheers,
Linda.

[rosierose]

Hey Linda.........
You are right.......J-A has created a lovely warm forum with such a great bunch of members.......if you love all those things you listed then you are definitely in the right place. I have always loved Ballarat. As children we would go every year as my brother was in music competitions held there. We would go to Sovereign Hill, Eureka Stockade and I have a memory of swans at a lake(not sure if this was even Ballarat).....but it has been years since I have been back...... Even though I am living in Melbourne.....

Can't wait to hear all about your decorating....welcome again Linda

[Eli]

Hi and welcome Linda. Great to see another Victorian on board

[Heartfire At Home]

Hi Rosie Rose and Eli, and thanks so much for the warm welcome!

Rosie Rose... YES it certainly was Ballarat!! And guess what... the school where I teach 4 days a week is exactly opposite that very same lake (Lake Wendouree). We have swans on our nature strip (and the accompanying poo!). It's called Pleasant Street Primary School, and it lives up to its name. If you walk out our door and over the school crossing you are basically on the lake foreshore! My classroom is on the side of the school whose wall of windows overlooks the lake... very lucky indeed for all of us! I conduct the school choir, and we are singing at the Royal South Street Competitions this year, which is probably one of the singing comps your brother was in? Ballarat has a rich history surrounding the performing arts, which is one of the reasons I love living here.

Linda. x

[Jess_F]

Welcome Linda - you'll love it here ... it's a very warm and inviting forum.

[Heartfire At Home]

Thanks 4sterftg! You're not that far away either - Ferntree Gully!

Linda.

[Jess_F]

No not too far ... I travel through (or at least past via the bypass) when I visit my two brother in Ararat. Ballarat is beautiful - very serene and gorgeous architecture and gardens.

[thisisme]

Welcome Linda!!!

[Heartfire At Home]

Hi thisisme! Great to meet you.

4sterftg, it does have some lovely architecture, very true! I wish it were a bit warmer sometimes though. Although not as cold as 'legend' would have you believe, it's still really cold here! I used to live in Horsham and surrounds (much warmer) before I moved to Ballarat many years ago to attend uni... I did the drive from Ballarat to Horsham too many times to count. Ararat was always the halfway mark! I haven't been there for years, and I imagine it's grown heaps.

[Beverley]

Welcome Heartfire at Home, I hope you enjoy the forum