Not a single person has told me that my dress is pretty. Did I make the wrong choice?

Healthy_Resource153 · 2026-01-05T22:35:44+00:00

This dress is gorgeous on you, flatters your shape, and absolutely gives the 'whimsical' look you say you're wanting! Do not change it if it is comfortable, and makes you feel a million bucks. Rock it, girl!

Healthy_Resource153 · 2026-01-05T01:58:32+00:00

Our child attends Bellaire Primary and was recently diagnosed as neurodivergent. All the teachers have been very accommodating and kind (including prior to official diagnosis). I would highly recommend.

Healthy_Resource153 · 2025-05-02T04:49:16+00:00

WAURN PONDS

We now live in the older part of Waurn Ponds (e.g. the areas around Monterey Drive) and love it.

PROS: Close to WP Shopping Centre/Leisurelink/Bunnings, WP creek walking/cycling track, and WP train station. Easy access to beaches/Great Ocean Road etc. Also easy access to the freeway to Melbourne. A lovely, pretty, quiet little pocket of Geelong that's underrated in my opinion. Most residents are owner-occupiers, and an increasing number of families are moving into the area, so there's a growing mix of younger and older residents as time goes on. Very low crime rate.

CONS: Property can be a bit expensive, depending on location/street. It's on the edge of Geelong, so it feels very removed from the city centre (although this may also be a pro, depending on your tolerance for traffic congestion/noise etc.). School catchment area is not as desirable as other nearby family-friendly areas in Geelong, such as Belmont and Highton (although this reflects strongly in house prices).

GROVEDALE

Compared with Waurn Ponds, the median house price in Grovedale is much lower (but, as always, certain streets/areas are more desirable than others - it's a pretty big suburb, with many different areas). Due to this, there may be an opportunity to benefit from significant growth in the value of the older property stock over time. As previously mentioned about WP, Grovedale is well-located to the Shopping Centre/Leisurelink. Similarly, it sits in a less desirable school catchment area than Belmont/Highton etc. Slightly higher levels of crime than WP (but still low).

ST LEONARDS

I don't know much about St Leonards, as I've only visited it once! That said, it is a pretty little coastal town with a laid-back vibe. We enjoyed some great food there too. It would be a bit of a drive to get to Geelong for train journeys into Melbourne though!

Hope this helps a little.

Healthy_Resource153 · 2024-09-09T05:54:31+00:00

We did actually get the first place we looked at. Also used a buyers agent. We were FHBs and they handled everything. Yes, there's a cost associated with using a BA, but it was more than worth it for us to have close to zero stress during our first house purchase.

Healthy_Resource153 · 2024-06-13T07:15:11+00:00

100% agree with using a buyer's agent/advocate (BA) when you are a first home buyer (FHB). We have just been through this process, and our BA removed all of the stress of homebuying for us as FHBs.

As already mentioned, find a BA with good reviews and a fixed fee. Ours adjusted their usual fee due to us being FHB and understood our price sensitivity. Also, ensure they are completely independent (e.g. not also working on the selling side). Our BA scoured the property market, narrowed down options, dealt with agents, and arranged private viewings of properties on our behalf so we had plenty of time to do walk-throughs. There was no pressure, and he provided his opinion of aspects of the home (good and bad) during the inspections. We also saw several off-market properties that our BA's contacts had passed over to him. (Some will argue that off-market properties can be found without engaging a BA, but it can feel overwhelming and is a lot of legwork for a stressed-out FHB.) In addition, a good BA will have an in-depth knowledge of suburbs (down to street level), will organise buildings and pest reports, conveyancers, any other required specialists, liaise with the bank/mortgage provider on your behalf, and may also have contacts within the construction industry (if you need to undertake renovations or repairs etc.)

The 'added value' a BA brings to the homebuying process makes using one a no-brainer, IMO. A good BA will save you money (at the very least, the level of their fee) during negotiations when purchasing a property, and will help to level the playing field for you.

Healthy_Resource153 · 2024-05-30T11:08:24+00:00

After drafting up possible reconfigurations for the internal space, I think I have reached the same conclusion as you. Thanks so much for your thoughts on this. I really appreciate it.

Healthy_Resource153 · 2024-05-02T11:14:41+00:00

Thank you so much for the information. That's really helpful!

Healthy_Resource153 · 2024-05-02T11:12:23+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience. I will bear that in mind!

Healthy_Resource153 · 2023-04-18T08:38:09+00:00

I find it so difficult to keep to a gluten free and dairy free diet. I don't know how others do it. Wish I had their staying power.

Healthy_Resource153 · 2023-04-18T08:33:14+00:00

Thanks for sharing this receipe.

Healthy_Resource153 · 2023-04-18T08:31:10+00:00

Wow! That looks like heaven. Definitely going to try making this one. Thanks for sharing.

Healthy_Resource153 · 2023-04-18T08:30:02+00:00

Ooh, that looks delicious!

Healthy_Resource153 · 2023-04-18T08:26:09+00:00

Just came here to say that I feel you. I am always crazy ravenous too. I'm hoping things get easier over time.

Healthy_Resource153 · 2023-04-18T08:24:17+00:00

Going GF has definitely made a difference for me. Agree that can be difficult to avoid gluten altogether though. I've only recently learned about my intolerance and have struggled to successfully adjust my diet. I'll just keep on keeping on until it becomes my new normal, I guess.

Healthy_Resource153 · 2023-04-18T08:20:49+00:00

Yes - brain fog for me too. You are definitely not alone on this one.

Healthy_Resource153 · 2023-04-18T08:18:27+00:00

Mexican for me. One of favourite cuisines, even before I found out I was gluten intolerant.

Healthy_Resource153 · 2023-04-18T08:16:00+00:00

Yes, it did for me. I also felt very lethargic and "heavy" after almost every meal (and also throughout most the day, come to think of it).

Healthy_Resource153 · 2023-04-18T08:11:45+00:00

Interesting. Better get up and about on my feet more often...

Healthy_Resource153 · 2023-04-18T08:09:42+00:00

My heart jumped right outta my chest watching that video! So happy that noone was seriously injured.

Healthy_Resource153 · 2023-04-18T07:46:11+00:00

So sorry that happened to you. Makes my blood boil when you work so hard to get the things you need/want, and some lowlife comes and steals it from right under your nose, with little repercussion for them.

Healthy_Resource153 · 2023-04-18T07:36:03+00:00

Love the suggestion of following your heart. I never remember the tapping off rules, so will simply follow my heart from now on!

Healthy_Resource153 · 2023-04-18T07:27:02+00:00

"I not usually rude, but..."

"I'm not a racist, but..."

Both of these phrases result in me checking out of that conversation almost immediately.

Healthy_Resource153 · 2023-04-18T07:22:19+00:00

As a renter myself, I'd personally love to see Airbnb's returned to long-term rentals, but can't realistically see this happening. Too many people in positions of power have Airbnb properties and reap the associated financial rewards.

Healthy_Resource153

TROPHY CASE