Plagiarism and the Internet

When I was studying at uni in the days BS (before Steve), I was taught that plagiarism was an absolute no-no. The Internet was used for research purposes and that was about it. But I've heard that these days, with electronic submission of essays, it's easy to check if work has been plagiarised, with lots of sites around to write the paper for you.



But, what about content that is going straight onto a website for the general public to use? I certainly would never have expect to encounter a plagiarised recipe last week, but that's exactly what happened.

Maybe I'm being naive. Because I don't create in a vacuum, I regularly copy other people's tutorials when I'm crafting. But a recipe. On a big Australian website. That is cited as being created specifically for that website by somebody. And then, when I had a problem with the recipe I went looking for something else to bake and stumbled on the exact. same. recipe. on a different, major Australian website. And the copied recipe isn't even right!

And, after all that, the kids didn't like the slice I baked. Back to the drawing board tomorrow.

{I haven't shared any links, although I really want to. Would you bring the plagiarism to the attention of the website in question?}

words on wednesday | way too busy

I'm overwhelmed by life at the moment. And I can't seem to find my groove.

Yes, I know I should give myself a break, because I get a lot done every day and every week. But it's overwhelming in it's constant-ness.

People want to eat food every day. Scout stuff needs to be done every day. Housework needs to be done every day.

I have to complete projects for And Sew We Craft, and for 100 days to Christmas (because you know it's only 230 days to Christmas, right?), and write scouts programs on my own.

And attend scouts training.

And run my household as well.

And I signed up for 31 Things, because I love the idea of getting some new stories and photos down on paper.

And I signed up for Cover to Cover, because, well, it's Shimelle. And my albums are a mess that don't make sense to me, let alone anyone else. And while that doesn't worry me, I want others to be able to understand my albums and love them as much as I do.

And I've been so busy DOing that I haven't even looked at the prompts from Move More Eat Well and One Little Word.

Since March.

But I gave up coke three weeks ago.

And I've lost 2kgs.

{I don't know if stream-of-consciousness writing works for me. But it's nice to get it out and get on with the day}

words on wednesday

{8x10}

paper from Audacious Designs at Design House Digital

words on wednesday

{inspired by www.marcandangel.com}

words on wednesday | a survey

I've been wandering a path of exhaustion the last few days. I know I can cope with the hats that I'm wearing right now, but I'm struggling to find my groove. Keeping track of my thoughts in a way that works for me is something that I've been working on for a few weeks (even months), and I still haven't found the perfect idea. But it's a work in progress.

That's why, when I was cleaning the freezer/work bench yesterday and I had a brain wave idea, I ran for the camera to share the evidence of cleaning, not the computer to start working on my idea straight away.

What was the idea? A survey! I want to find out about you, the readers of {life behind the purple door}. I want to go back to post consistently, and writing the words that matter to me, and hopefully make them worthy of reading. I want to know how you found my little space, what you like about it (and what you don't), and how I can improve what I do here.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions!

words on wednesday

As I sit cutting out tissue paper hearts, I contemplate my day.

I didn't get the glitter explosion cleaned up, but I did take Riley to the park.

 I didn't get on the treadmill, but I did enjoy eating my lunch without rushing.

I didn't wash the dishes, but I did wash three loads of clothes.

I didn't get my grocery list and menu planned, but I did get paperwork for scouts tonight ready.

A productive day.

What didn't you do today?

words on wednesday

inspired by this post

I forgot my mantra

{source via pinterest}

When Chloe's father and I split up I spent a lot of time reading self-help books and watching Oprah. I steered clear of John Gray's "men are from Mars, women are from Venus" (because it had a place in my parents failed marriage), but purchased "How to get what you want, and want what you have." I collected quotes out of the book that resonated with me, and quotes from Oprah's shows as well. And still today I can be heard saying "if it's important, you'll find a way to make it happen"

But I forgot to remind myself. I have become the queen of excuses, here on my blog and in my life. I don't like the me I have become, I feel like I am always whining about stuff, (even when I'm not), but I'm not sure how to shake myself out of this funk that my life has become. 

I realised yesterday I don't have a diary this year. I think it's the first time in about ten years I haven't had a diary - even in recent years I kept one, just for writing appointments, jotting notes I didn't want to forget. It has always worked in well with the family calendar in the kitchen. I think I need to go and buy a diary today.

Do you have a mantra (or quote) that guides you?

the one about a box, and photos I don't have...

I couldn't resist taking photos of the kids playing in this empty lawn mower box... in fact, I made all 3 of them get in the box, and will do it again when Chloe is home this weekend. I know it's a bit silly, but it evokes a memory in me, one that I don't have photos of, only images in my mind, and I don't want my kids to have just images.

One of the photos that I remember most clearly from our family album as a kid is one of me in a cardboard box, and my dad in a cardboard box. I'm about 5 or 6ish, making my dad not quite 30ish. I'm in a big box, and he's in a small box that has broken around him. The photo is dark, cause it was taken in the factory my parents ran, probably after work one day, or on a weekend when we were cleaning up for the week ahead. I always thought it was funny that dad sat in the little box and it broke, when there I was in a big box that would have been a better fit for him.

A simple memory, but a photo I can't share... and I'm determined that even if I don't scrap them, my kids will have the photos to remember moments.

“Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.” Kevin Arnold.

words on wednesday

words on wednesday

Today is my fourth wedding anniversary.

{yes, that is a purple and orange dress}

{no wedding party, just the kids}

{our ceremony was at 6.30pm, so photos were taken late afternoon}

{she was 8, and I was pregnant with Natalie}

{Douglas was only 4, Steve made me laugh}

{one of my favourite photos}

{even the cake was purple}

{mum gave me away}

{and my granma came from Melbourne}

{he still makes me laugh}

Happy Anniversary Steve!

words on wednesday

words on wednesday

words on wednesday

{I've finally updated my blog header this month}

{action is PW seventies}

words on wednesday

words on wednesday

I don't often whinge and grumble on my blog, but sometimes a body needs a good whinge and grumble...

{source}

Did you read Kelly Purkey's blog last Thursday? She was so right about making our lives look bright and perfect, but some days just suck. I have been busy for the last week, but now I sit down and reflect on it, and I don't have a clue what it was I was busy doing. (I know I didn't create anything, that's why there was no post on Monday... but I am creating this week)

Riley has been sick and teething for the last week, but no teeth have actually cut through. Unfortunately, he has discovered his capacity to cry, which usually kicks in when dad needs to sit down after holding the little boy for hours, after mum has been holding him for hours while dad has been at work.

{have I told you, dear reader, that my brother and his two children live here with us? So we have 3 adults, and 5 children in our house, plus 1 who comes every other week? We have no control over any of the children (particularly Nat) because they constantly get mixed messages from the different parenting (or lack of parenting) that happens, and it doesn't look like the situation will change any time soon, although it was only supposed to be a 6-12 month arrangement, and we asked themt o leave by the time Riley was born (at which time they would have ben here for 12mths)... Riley will be 9 months old on Friday, so it's almost two years they ave been here... You'll note there's no whinging about his inability to clean house, help with any housework (like loading the dishwasher, washing dishes after he cooks, cleaning up the cereal his children drop on the floor)... there is also no whinging about the constant stress this puts on my relationship with Steve (who blames me for the disgusting way my brother treats all the children - negligent at least, abusive if he didn't live with us) not to mention the lack of hot water for showers!}

A couple of weeks ago I won Your Life: Captured Through the Len on Katrina Kennedy's blog. I've printed out all the material so far, but haven't had a chance to play along yet. I'm also taking 52 Card Pickup at BPS... I thought a small technique class I could keep up with, right? Wrong! In one week I have managed to make ONE card! (there's one technique from the first week, using old photos with writing on the back, that I know I can't do, because I don't have any old photos) I haven't even managed to READ this week's prompts!

Want to hear something silly? Yesterday I made a quilt. It's not for me, you see, it's for a friend who is going away next week, and the person who was making it for her fell through, so she asked me. It's a paying job.. So I can find the time to do that (although it took me all day to create four appliques, and sew four fat quarters together. I rushed sewing the back on last night, and botched it, have to start from scratch today) Kind of like growing up with an unfinished kitchen, cause my dad was a cabinet maker and was always busy doing work he was being paid for.

Ooh, it's cathartic having a bit of a grumble. I'm feeling better already for having just released the feeling into the world. {I'm also feeling inspired to get stuck into my technique cards once I've finished the quilt later today) Thanks for taking the time to read my grumbling.

Oh, and while I think of it, thank you for taking the time to comment on my blog. It makes me smile to see who is reading and leaving comments. I don't always leave comments or reply to those left, but I do smile lots these days. (although it's time for a reader clean out, if I can get through 150 blogs in an hour without bookmarking anything, I'm not being inspired)

words on wednesday

words on wednesday

Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most. Buddah

words on wednesday

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.  ~Kahlil Gibran

words on wednesday

For a very long time, my philosophy on life has been that if something is important enough, you find a way to make it happen.

{source}

 And just this morning, while driving home from mums group I had an epiphany, when I realised that if I want to create, and particularly scrap, then I need to make the time for it to happen. In fact, that awesome piece off to the side in my profile was written in response to a question Shimelle asked on her blog many moons ago (well, August last year) about how to make time to do the things you love. I don't know where I pulled my profound advice from

the things you love ARE the things that really need to get done… as women, not just mothers, we all have a tendency, for whatever reason, to put “everything else” before our own needs and wants, but sometimes the only way to get through the day is to put “everything else” in a big pile, ignore it, and get on with doing what WE want to do

but I haven't been very good about following my own advice. Here is Shimelle's response to her own question. [yes, I am going to go back and read both those posts I have linked to, and try to figure out what it was that spoke to me]


So, back to the donut, or more acurately, the sprinkles. That's right, sprinkles. Now, most everybody who reads this blog reads it because the world of blogs and scrapbooking collided late in 2009, so I'm guessing I don't really need to introduce anyone to Stacy Julian. And I probably don't have to explain her philosophy for scrapping, and sprinkles, do I?! Did you read this weeks sprinkle? After my "make time if it's important" epiphany this morning, this sprinkle just sang to my heart, so while the kids are having their afternoon naps (right now), I'm going to shut the computer down, wander into the kitchen (where there is a small stash of scrappy and fabric goodness) and play...


ETA - I managed to get ribbon cut for three taggie blankets before Riley woke up, and two pinned together before everone else woke up/returned from school. I was pinning the third when Steve got home from work, and gave up at that point. But they are ready for sewing the next time I pull my machine out.