On the mend

Well after dropping Kyle off at a friends place and doing some cleaning up (and 3 baskets of ironing yuck!) I took Tasha in to the doctor for her check up.

Her ears look fine and she has been given the okay to fly (phew). Her tonsils are still enlarged but not too badly - temp is still up at 37.7 but she is doing much better. You can tell this just from looking at her 1) she doesn't have that shiny feverish look and 2) she has a smile on her face!

All christmas presents have now been opened and she is having lots of fun playing!

Had a wonderful surprise this morning when Haylee dropped in with a few little things for us cause we didn't really have a christmas celebration. Not only were there all the photos from christmas day so in a way we could see everyone open their presents (you take a good pic Haylee - you have a great eye for a photo - much better than I would have done) but there were some little treats for all of us and a wonderful card with the most amazing message in it.

Thank you Haylee for this wonderful card and especially the message inside it was lovely. Sorry we couldn't talk for long this morning we were running so late.

A time for friends

Well they say Christmas is a time for friends and today I must say I have been blessed with two great people in my life as friends.

I got home from work yesterday to find a tired, lethargic girl (Tasha) who had spent the day outside playing and in her cousins pool. Her temperature went up to 38.5 and she was so apathetic and lethargic. She went to bed and I rang Casualty who told me it could be sunstroke and to keep an eye on her - make sure she took continual fluids and if she convulsed or went unconscious to take her straight in.

Well how do you tell if a kid is unconsicous or just sleeping at midnight?

So to cut a long story short, she was up every 20 mins or so to either run to the toilet with diarrhoea, with stomach cramps or needing a drink so I spent the night lying on the concrete floor near her bed ( I am getting waaaayyyyyy to old for that) and praying for God to watch over her.

When we got up this morning sho started vomiting and when we sat down in front of the christmas stocking she opened a couple of presents and then decided she didn't want any more! Now I KNEW she was SICK!!!!

So after scoffing down some berries (We had a special breakky of raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, cherries and custard as well as croissants planned but it just didn't happen!) Tasha and I headed off to Casualty.

When we got there her temp was up to 39.4! We were seen pretty quickly which was good (We also ran into my brother in law Steve in Cas who had hurt his back!) And after a couple of hours of pushing fluid through her (note for future - Gastrolyte Ice Blocks make her throw up - she can't stand the taste!) and tests she was sent home with a diagnosis of "Minor meningeal infection. NOT meningitis but watch her for stiff neck and sensitivity to light either of these symptoms and we had to get her back to casualty ASAP. She also had enlarged and swollen tonsils and adenoids."

Anyway through all this - when I was feeling terrible due to lack of sleep and concern over my little girl (boy does your heart drop when the doctor mentions meningococcal) I got messages through the day from Jane and SJ. It was so lovely to know they were thinking of us and to know I wasn't alone. To these girls I can not express my thanks enough. I do not know what I have done to have these girls in my life. Especially SJ who has provided me with so much support and unconditional friendship (and one or two crazy times ~L~) This year has been a much better for me because of having you in it - thank you.

Will update the chrissy thing later. My brain really does not work on 1/2 an hours sleep!

Christmas Lunch

We started our christmas celebrations early this year! We went up to Mum and John's property Georgia for a Christmas lunch. It was good to see Jo, Ashleigh, Paul and Samantha again - it has been a long time since we were all together! (Something like 18 months!) So it really was great to catch up and see the kids.


The kids had a ball playing together and running around like mad.

We had planned to talk to Mark, Mel and Declan via webcam in Dubai but due to technical problems on our side and water problems on theirs it just didn't happen :( So we have re-scheduled for the afternoon of Christmas Day. Hopefully this will work this time.

Here's some pics of the kids together!






Did you notice the same thing I did? I was so excited when I noticed (with no prior planning at all) the girls were colour co-ordinated and so were the boys! How much easier is that going to make it for me to scrap the photos!!!!! lol

The scary thing is how much Ashleigh looks like Jo did at that age! I will have to find a pic and compare them! (I guess i notice it now because Jo didn't come to us until she was 12 or 13 so I don't know what she looked like any younger!)

Woo hoo-oo Woo hoo-oo

Woo hoo-ooo Woo hoo-ooo

Doing the happy dance here!

Have FINISHED my christmas shopping! YIIIPPPPEEEEE

Just got 2 pressies to finish making and the wrapping to do but apart from that I am done!

You have no idea what a great feeling that is. This year in particular has been really hard - trying to plan the holiday for just after christmas - all the kids end of year things, I have been responsible for ALL the presents this year, and with Tony's hours I have basically been a single mum with this man who turns up for 1/2 an hour here and there ~ and usually in a bad mood because he hasn't slept! Thanks so much to Gail and Davina for coming to Tasha's Girls Brigade night - your support was so appreciated.
All this and the doctor wonders why my blood pressure is funny. Doh!

I am getting a bit tired of people asking me where Tony is because I have been going everywhere by myself.

Oh well I guess in a few weeks time we will have to get to know this man all over again. It will be weird seeing him for three solid weeks - with him being awake during the day and willing to talk and socialise with us!

Almost a week till christmas

Well someone asked what I had planned for this week leading up to chrissy and up until now I hadn't felt it was too bad - then I sat down to think about it and AAARRRGGGGGHHHHH!!

Today I worked all day then tonight we are wrapping presents. (With the kids help takes twice as long)

Tomorrow I have to go to post office to send some parcels (no matter how much making out I do with the postman still have to post my own parcels *sigh*) I have a doctors appointmentin the morning then going to school assembly for kids from 11.30 - 1.15. Picking Gail up and driving to Wollongong to see Cass and her new baby girl Annabelle. Oh BTW CONGRATS CASS then coming home for a BBQ dinner.

Wednesday: Cleaning out the laundry cupboards (getting the house ready for house sitters!) then HAVE to get some scrapping done to finish the christmas presents that have been put off till the last minute. Call into old work at some stage to do the Merry Christmas thing!

Thursday: Meeting with Kyle's teacher. Tasha in talent show so have to drop in and clap at appropriate times! Have to call into work to pick up bits for hamper then come home and put it all together. Meet mum for lunch. Get hair cut. Also have to go into my new job to sort out starting details, fill out forms etc. Buy last minute pressies (yeah I know I say every year I'll be done waaayyyy before now).

Friday: Working at one job in the morning - last day before hols so will be a busy one! Then go to other job to do the chrissy present thing.

Saturday: Doing christmas lunch with my family (hopefully my sister will turn up) and then christmas light hunting with kids at night.



All I can say is.......thanks SJ for making me think about it! Seemed much more manageable before I sat down and listed it all!

What Fun!

We have had a fun (and slightly messy morning!) Kyle is over at a friends today so Tasha and I decied we would do a "girls thing" - that usually means something Tasha would think was fun!

So we decided to make a gingerbread house! We did cheat slightly in that we went to Target and bought a kit for 20 bucks! How cool - the gingerbread is all pre-baked and cut so we just had to make icing and decorate.

We did tend to spread the icing a long way! But for our first attempt at piping I think we did well. Okay so it's not up to the standards of some in shops but hey it's ours and we did it!

I was so blown away with how well Tasha actually did with the icing but the finished product is pretty cool.

Hmmmmmm what do you think my chances are of it lasting until Christmas?????

Spoilt!

My birthday started early with my Mum and Step-dad taking me out to lunch yesterday cause I was working today. we went to Posties Tavern and had a beautiful lunch (and even splurged on dessert!)

Then today!

My day started with a gorgeous message from a dear friend - both on her blog and my phone! MWAH love ya girl ~ you always put a smile on my dial!

Got big hugs from the kids and then Tony called in quickly from work (on a quick break) to give me a birthday hug and I got spoilt by my family. Got some money from Mum and John, a webcam (not quite sure why I got this for my birthday) and an Ipod from the kids and Tony with some money to go scrap shopping!!

Then had to work today - yuck - should be a law against it. I find it most unfair because my two closest friends are born on christmas day and New Years Day - So they get a public holiday for their birthdays - EVERY YEAR!!! Soooo not fair

Anyway firstly I get a lovely box of choccies from Gail at work then the girls all put in and bought we a beautiful bunch of flowers. Gerberas, Carnations, Birds of Paradise - all nice and bright and happy flowers. Then mid morning in come the lforist with ANOTHER bunch of flowers - this time from my Boss and his wife - so sweet of them!

Anyway had to work at my second job this afternoon and they had a scrumptious cake (chocolate and strawberries & Cream how can you go wrong).

Had messages from Jane and Kaycee to brighten up my day as well!

We are going out to dinner tonight to the Sports Club for dinner so will catch you later!

Pippi Longstocking!

"Pippi longstocking is coming into your world,
a freckle faced red haired girl
you oughta know -
she'll throw your life into a whirl!"


Well Tasha had her girls brigade end of year party tonight and they had to go dressed as a character out of a book and so of course Tash had to go as Pippi Longstocking (with her monkey Mr Nelson).

It's all just falling into place!

The last few days have just been amazing. From having so much on my mind and being so stressed everything has just dropped nicely into place. Lets see I have been trying to organise things for our holiday, figure out what to do about work and get myself out of the low patch I've been in and then in the last 2 days it has just all worked out so nicely.

Firstly have been trying to figure out what to do about the house when we are away and then yesterday I find out a friend of mine is looking for a house to house sit in our area on the exact dates that we are away- how amazing is that. It is great having someone we know we can trust ( I was best friends with her sister for years - we met their family at church about 15 years ago).

Then today after so much worry and prayer and talks about what to do about work but knowing that I can't do much because we will be away in January today I get offered a job totally out of the blue. The exact hours I want. They don't want me to start until the end of January. The guy that rang me to offer me the position had so many nice and complimentary things to say it was such an uplifting phone call.

So now the 2 jobs I hold at the moment have been from people just ringing me up and offering me work without me having to go and hunt for a job. How positive a feeling that gives you!

We have found a place that is having a special deal in Sydney to leave the car when we fly - the deal also lasts the exact dates we are away. I think God is looking after us well!

The holiday plans are all falling into place now too!

Just got to find time to get my chrissy presents finished (got some scrapping to do!), organise our annual bbq lunch and I should be able to relax!

What a day!

Well today has certainly been a big one!

Started off this morning - dropped the kids off at school and then headed up to Shellharbour to shop! Nice, easy drive! NOT! It teamed with rain. Apparently this monring the Wollongong area was the wettest place in the country with some amazing downpours. It was raining so hard there was hardly any visibility. I tucked myself in behind a truck and could not see further than 1/2 way along it! It pelted down! The water was rushing across the road and I couldn't pull over because there was no side of the road - just river!

Anyway finally made it Shellharbour Square and found a parking spot in the far corner of the parking lot.

Did some christmas shopping - wasn't too happy with what I got - couldn't get most things. Ran into Royce who told me when he came through Dapto the road was blocked due to water from a blocked drain and there was water on most of the roads in the area.

The high point of my day was meeting up with Cass, Callum and Cass's mum for lunch. It was great to catch up - would have loved to spend more time with them but didn't want to make Cass walk around the shops too much.

Then I went up to Warrawong to pick up some stuff at Big W and YAY got nearly all my shopping list crossed off - 2 things to go! What a great feeling!

Drove home (thankfully no rain but the road was still wet in patches) and am now feeling exhausted! Driving in that sort of weather really wears you out!

Thanks to Cass's Mum for driving Cass and Callum to meet me for lunch. And thanks Cass - it was great to catch up.

Not very productive!

What a week. Had monday off work and then nothing planned till Thursday so had planned to actually get some scrapping done. 3 whole days put aside for scrapping! YAY!

Sadly didn't work out that way :( Got one morning for scrapping - got one page done but that's all. Going to Shellharbour tomorrow and then working Friday so the rest of the week is no good.

Oh well - will try again next week! Although I'm working Mon, Fri and busy Thurs so don't like my chances!

I've been elfed!

check this out. I got it off Chelle's blog. How cute is this!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1169191747

Yep...its beginning to look a lot like christmas!

Yes our lounge room does look all pretty and glittery now! After doing the grocery shopping (hint for the future: if you want the kids to behave at shopping and not stop and look at EVERYTHING then just tell them as soon as the groceries are packed away you can put the tree up .... the shopping was sooooo easy today ~L~)

Anyway Heres some pics of our day!

First our little tree. The pics don't work the best - will have to wait for night to take a pic of the purty lights. A wish from our family to all of yours!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS
Had to add this pic. Isn't she just sooo cheeky. Love the grin! Ooops sorry it's christmas - so not cheeky , maybe impish or elvish! ~L~

The kids in front of their tree (note the collection of ornaments in a ring around the bottom! - and I lifted the tree up off the ground!)

Tash standing on her tiptoes on a chair because she had to put the angel on top - all by herself!

OOooohhhh aren't they cute!

And yes...... we did even get a hat on Tony! Wonders will never cease!

We had such a ball putting the tree up. This year has been a much better one for us and for me in particular. This Christmas is going to be a great one too. Very relaxed and low key!

Oh....... I have heaps of great pics that I took today putting up the tree. got some great pics of the kids and I that would look great scraped. Just got to find time to do them! Hhhmmm any volunteers lol

The countdown is on

Well knowing how much I like countdown's lets try another one!

26 Days till Christmas!!!!!!!

Even though I live with the ultimate scrooge and have toned down my excitement for Christmas (Its a big secret ssssshhhhh don't tell anyone ......... but ........ I am really just a big kid!) lol bet you didn't know that!

Anyway this year the kids and I decided that this year is going to be a proper christmas so we are hitting it in a big way! Tomorrow we are putting up our tree ( which with the kids help tends to mean all the decorations in one section on the tree ..... lol) which is something the kids always look forward to but this year we are also going to spread the christmas cheer around the house a bit. Tony reluctantly agreed to let us spread out just a bit further than the one corner with the tree in it. Hhhhmmmm wonder if he knows what he's in for!

I'm not sure who is more excited, the little kids or the big kid!

Then Sunday we are going up to Georgia to help Mum put up and decorate her Christmas tree and lights.

So Countdown is on - Christmas is on its way! Promise I've been behaving!

it's official - I'm slack!

I did have good intentions! Does that count?.............................................

Had planned to make all my chrissy cards this year. Simone kept saying (from months ago) that we would get together and have a card making day together but......................it just hasn't happened. I turned around and suddenly it's almost christmas. Anyway last weekend I decided to get moving and after a bit over 2 hours I had made........................................wait for it...............................wait for it....................................

3 Cards!!!!!!

WOO HOOO

At this rate I might have enough done by next year!

So this morning I went and bought a pack of cards. Yep that's me - officially slack!

Scrap of Faith weekend

Hmmmmmm can you tell who the trouble makers were??????

Busy weekend

Well last weekend was a busy one!

Had Scrapping with Soul crop day on Saturday 12 - 10pm. Got 4 tins covered and a minibook made - not bad for someone with no mojo!

sunday was Haylee's 21st birthday party. We had a great day at Gails. the kids had heaps of fun and we all got a little sun burnt!

Was going to show some pics but blogger doesn't want me to upload today so will try again tomorrow

Birthday Wishes

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear Haylee
Happy birthday to you

Hip, hip, hooray....
Hip, hip, Hooray....
Hip, hip, Hooray......



Wishing you all the best for your 21st HAylee

An inspiring weekend

After feeling so sick and not sure if I would even made it I am so glad that I went to the scrap day on the weekend.

What an amazing and inspiring group of women!

We met up at Bowral Baptist church as a fundraiser for mercy ministries which is a great support for young women. Between the 7 of us we raised $232.10. (I think that's right). But apart from the money raised what agreat day we had! We went from 10 - 6 and I actually got 3 1/2 layouts done! I was so stoked. Cass got 5 done! Gail and Lou did a great job organising everything. Lou did so much work organising us a wonderful lunch and Gail had spot prizes and giveaways. It was great to see each others work and catch up.

We then went out to dinner at the Coloseum in Bowral for some absolutely yummy pizzas and melt in your mouth ribs and wings. Yum yum. We got to meet Tracey's DH Cam at dinner too. Then tracey and Cam joined Gail, Lou and myself back at Lou's for a time of sharing and chatting. These people are so inspiring and Cam's bible knowledge blew me away.

We will definately have to do this again (and I promise to share more next time Tracey - we just needed some sleep!). Even if we just have a family day out some where it would be great.

Apart from that not much new news. Have the SWS crop day this weekend and I have a heap of tins and OTP's to do. A bit nervous taking these along with me - Gail is the OTP queen there! Oh and Haylee's 21st!!!!! Happy Birthday for Friday Haylee.

Feeling Yuck

Yep been a slack blogger this week but haven't been doing much apart from lazing around in bed.

Have got this horrid, horrid flu thing. you know the runny nose, sore throat, constant cough, fevers (sitting here in jumpers etc covered in goosebumps and shivering madly) and just generally feeling terrible.

Have had to miss 3 days work so far which worries me somewhat as I don't get paid when I don't work. Went out for 2 hours on Saturday - didn't so much just sat and watched the kids play and it totally wiped me out.

I would just be happy to get some sleep - have slept in 1/2 hour increments for the last 5 nights. Just drift off to sleep and start coughing and wake myself up again. GGGRRRRR

I have been looking forward to the weekend with the SoF girls this weekend and will be devastated if I can't make it.

FTC Cybercrop

These are my layouts for the FTC cyber crop. I'm not overly happy with either of them but don't have time to re-do them.

Challenge one was "dress ups" We had to use a picture of someone dressed up and then "dress up" the page with at least 4 embellishments. I have wanted to scrap this pic for a while. It was a photo taken at our place one easter of Harmony and Makayla - so cute! Challenge 2 was "inspired by" Either do a page on what inspires you or a theme inspired by something. My LO was on how my family inspire me to be a better person. the photo flips up to reveal my journalling about the different ways they inspire me
The other part of this challenge was sparkle!! So I cut my flowers out of the BG paper and kindy glitz'ed around the edges

Weekend - time for rest!

YEAH RIGHT!


Met mum down town this morning for the meat raffle. (John was helping to run it) and didn't win anything BUT the guy beside us won 6 meat trays.

Then did the grocery shopping came home did some housework and then........................................

Yes I got some scrapping done! Froggy Todd has their cyber crop this weekend have finished one challenge so far hopefully will find some more time tomorrow!

Oh and I have a secret - very exciting but it's all hush hush right now until it is confirmed. But I can tell you that Tony is going to have to bestest birthday EVER!

Scrapping

Here is some of my latest scrapping - Again I have taken my pics at night so they are not the best quality.

This pic is my doodling LO. There is actually a tag in behind the black sheet with my journalling on it. I had this pic that I wanted to use but the background was that horrible bright pink my camera seems to like so I had to cut around the pic to use it. This is another LO I did at Gail's on the weekend
And this LO was one I actually did at home!!!!!

SOME pics from Melbourne!!!

Well as promised here's just the beginning of my Melbourne pics. This first one was especially for Gail. We saw these jars and knew just how much you would love them but really didn't think I could fit them in my suitcase. Sorry! This was our girly day saturday - This (apparently) is shopping in Melbourne!!!!!!!

The obligatory pic of the two of us


And of course - what would a girls day be without chocolate cake!!!!

Day OFF!!!!

YAY I Have a day off - with NOTHING planned. There was talk at work yesterday of getting me to come in today but they decided to give me a day off. It is the first day I have had in ages with nothing planned (I mean there is always housework but I don't have to leave the house at all).

I might even get some scrapping done!!!! - but with all the ironing to be done and TV shows to catch up on maybe not ~L~

Got very excited on Sunday - my mum is getting better and better on her computer skills. with Mark over in Dubai she is getting used to emails - just the basic sending and recieving but on Sunday we had another lesson and she can now forward emails on!!!!!!!! Might not sound like much but for someone as totally computer illiterate as mum it was a big deal.

Oh and I do have pics to show you from Melbourne and latest scrapping attempts just have to get them out of the camera!

Today was a good day!

As the title says - today was a good day!

Went to bed early last night to wake up wide awake at 1:30am Doh!

But had a great time today - packed up nearly all of my scrapping supplies to take to Gail's as I hadn't had time organise what I was going to scrap and got to Gails about 10:15.

Got to see Cass and scrap and chat with her, Haylee and Gail. It was soooooooo what I needed just to sit and relax and laugh and just switch off for a little while. I love to scrap with these girls they are so inspirational but also very calming and I feel very comfortable with them.

Came home having only accomplished 2 1/2 pages but feeling so much better and more able to cope with life.

Oh...... tony's results were okay - results were only borderline not as bad as the first doctor made out he just has to have regular checks which is a load of my mind too.

Last but in no way least Happy Birthday to my Mum. We will be going over to see her tomorrow to give her birthday hugs etc. She had plans with her friends today - hope she got spoilt!!!!!!

The working week

Well how busy has this week been!

I started off tired after my weekend away and this week has been sooo busy at work. I have worked every day this week which my poor body is not used to but it has also been a very busy week at work and tomorrow is our mega big day with three extra clinics!!! Also this week I haven't been sleeping well waiting on Tony's test results to come back. He goes back to the doctor tomorrow so hopefully we will know more soon and what treatment he needs.

BUT I do have a light at the end of the tunnel. I am soo excited. Friday night is the cyber crop at Froggy Todd (If I can stay awake) but the exciting thing is that I get to scrap with Haylee, Gail and Cass on saturday!!!!! Can't wait.

Home!!

Yes I'm home. Very tired but home!

Lets see what can I tell you about the last few days - I had a ball! ~L~ What else do you need to know?!?

Got picked up at 7.15 thurs morning by the airport shuttle which got us to the airport about 2 hours before my flight so I knew I had a bit of a wait but then the flight was delayed by an hour so lots of waiting before we finally boarded and took off for Melbourne. The pilot was a bit of a worry - sounded very tired - couldn't remember his co-pilots name kept umming and aaahing - had to stop a few times in his speech to check details etc etc! But at least he knew where we were headed so figured that was a plus!

Was met in Avalon by the wonderful SJ and after picking Matt up from work we headed off shopping!!!!!! I LOVE DFO!!!!!

Friday morning we headed off nice and early to Paperific. Caught the train in (after a slight blonde moment on the platform which had security intercom man tell us they had us on their camera! ) ooopppps. NOTE TO SJ: Red does not ALWAYS mean stop!!!! ~L~ Got into Paperific and had lots of fun touching - feeling - doing make and takes etc etc. Went into the trade show which was a little disappointing HOWEVER got to see the new stamps and chipboard from Lusi Austin GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS!! Got home very tired and worn out.

Saturday was our girly day. The 4 girls did what we do so well and went shopping again! Any reports of me skipping down the footpath with Keira are obviously figments of peoples imagination (ie the piker who wouldn't join us!) We scrap shopped, had chocolate and shopped some more!

Then Sunday was dropped off at Avalon for another wait around whilst the plane was delayed Again - mustn't have fixed it properly the first time! Missed my bus home so was a bit panicky but they sent another to get me so was okay. Got home eventually about 7pm.

And TODAY- back to the grindstone. WORK WAS MAD!!!!! First day back after 2 weeks holidays and everyone wants to ring at 9am. Then tell us "we've been trying all morning" ~ ~ Yeah I know - I've been on the phone all morning!!!!!!!!! And this week is going to be a shocker because I found out today one of the girls Dad died late last week and I am working EVERY DAY this week. Feeling exhausted already!

So to wrap up - thank you to the Allan's for the wonderful welcome and acceptance and for letting me invade your house! SJ thanks for the laughs and the fun!

Oh I do have pics but haven't downloaded them yet - It did take us until late afternoon on the second day to remember to get the camera out (wish I had thought of it on the train platform the camera would have been fun!) - How shocking is that for a scrapper! *hangs head in shame*

Almost there!

Well after talking about for sooo long It's almost time to go to Melbourne. My shuttle bus picks me up from here at 7.15 tomorrow morning and then drops me back about 6.30-7.00 Sunday night.

Soooo excited about seeing SJ. Just can't wait.

And then I guess I will have to force myself ~L~ to go shopping at DFO and at Paperific. Hey it's a tough job but someone has to do it. Hmmmm don't know if it was a good move on Tony's behalf to give me the credit card to take with me! There will be lots of fun things to play with and I have been practising my "ooooh's" and "aaahhh's" to use on all the purty things.

To the wonderful Flutters........see you tomorrow sweetie!

Busy school hols

What a busy holiday we have had! We went to the pool and to Putt poutt golf last week and then this week we were going to go to Mogo Zoo but it was overcast and yucky so the kids and I went to see Underdog at the movies and then on Tues we went to the local library for a "Where's Wally" morning. the kids had heaps of fun. they had to go around the library finding the answers to a questionaire and they got their photo taken with "Wally" (aka Aunty Gail). They were very excited because they BOTH won prizes. Sooo cool.

I have some great pics from the school holidays. will post them up when I get back.

I'm worse than Santa Claus!

Yep well the title says it all! I know I have these *slight* OCD issues and they do seem to get worse when I'm going away. You know the song "He's making a list, He's checking it twice"? Well I made my list about a week or so ago as I always do just to make sure I don't forget anything and then it all gets ticked off when I pack.......but I must admit it has been checked a lot more than twice!..........Even Santa is happy with just a second check and he packs a lot more than me!!!!!!!

I mean I'm only going to a place known as one of the greatest shopping places in Australia so it's not as if I could buy anything I forgot right?!? ~L~

Having said that I am sooo excited about going. Pity it's only for 3 nights but if I don't turn up for work on Monday they may have an issue with paying me! Don't understand why!

Oh... and by the way yes I did actually get some scrapping done yesterday! Just some very basic plain stuff but I did some.

School holiday fun!

What a fun few days we have had!

Thursday the kids and I went out to Bay and Basin Leisure Centre- much to Tasha's delight, she has been trying to get me to take her out there for ages! What a great set-up. cost $10 for the three of us to get in and they have 2 indoor pools, an indoor waterslide, fountain things in one pool for the kids to swim under, spa, blow up dragon thing to climb over and a cafeteria to sit in and watch over the pool! They also had 4 lifegaurds on duty at all times. We had a ball just swimming and playing in the pools.

Friday we went to Putt putt golf and I got seriously ripped off! Kyle beat me by 1 point!!!!!!!
He did so well - got 4 hole in ones. And ironically Tasha beat Tony by one point as well. But we had lots of fun and laughs.

Saturday was houswork day and I spent the day cleaning out wardrobes etc. Boy those kids grow fast. then felt totally dead at the end of the day and didn't feel like cooking so Tony took us out to Buffet Fusion for dinner.

Today I am hoping to actually get some scrapping done. Havent done any for a few weeks. In fact last time I scrapped was the scrap day and I haven't even unpacked from then! SO I guess I better unpack first then scrap!

7 days to go

Well I guess this week is going to be pretty mad!

Maggie is settling in well. The kids are having so much fun and Tasha has been really good with her. She doesn't seem scared of her at all. She takes her out for a walk each morning and does pooper scooper duty and she walks around the house with Maggie 2 steps behind her! It is great to see with her being so terrified of dogs hopefully this will be a great step forward for her.

Spent Tuesday in the garden pulling out weeds and emptying out one garden bed then worked Wednesday at Tuck Inn - made soooo many milkshakes and ice creams that between the two days my shoulders were shocking last night.

The kids and I are going to Bay and Basin Leisure Centre today - the kids want to go to the indoor pool and water slide! I haven't been there before but apparently it is great.

The countdown to Paperific is on! 7 days till I get to Melbourne and am picked up (Well I hope so anyway) by the wonderful SJ and 8 days till Paperific. Can't wait to play touchy/feely with all the new products! My main problem is the limited amount of shopping I can do being I have to fly home :( Oh well I can still play! And the best part is the wonderful welcome I always recieve in the Allan house. Can't wait.

Couldn't resist

Up in the air we fly

Zoom zoom, zooma zoom zoom

Up in the clear blue sky

Zoom zoom, zooma zoom zoom

zoom...zoom....zoom zooma zoom zoom zoom zoom

zoom....zoom...zoom zooma zoom zoom

-------------------------------------

Count down is on! 10 days till I fly to Melbourne

WARNING......Sugar Overload!!!!!

What a Day!!

Today the kids and I went to Gails for a bbq lunch which was lovely! When we got there we spent some time making "Teddys in bed" You start with a plain biscuit (we used Nice - hey if you're going for sugar overload you may as well do it properly!) then put a small amount of icing down for a pillow and use this to fasten your tiny teddy to the biscuit.



Then you add more icing for the teddy blanket and sprinkles for decoration.


Very yummy! Oh and we made some little tiny teddies with skirts on!



Anyway we made these biccies and of course Royce had to go one better - couldn't do the same basic thing as everyone else could he!



So he made this double bunk Teddy in a bed using licorice for the bed posts!!!



Very cute but definately a one of a kind.



We also made some with chocolate icing but they must have been on the other plate



So we (Gail, Haylee, Royce, John, Erin and myself) had our BBQ lunch and then played the new Spicks and Specks interactive game which had us in stitches and the teams were quite evenly matched until we got to The Final Countdown and John answered just about every question. Our Teams were John, Tasha, Gail and Erin vs Haylee, Royce, Kyle and myself. So it ended up with John's (Allan's) team winning twice. Note for the future - don't let John sing for Substitute!........Very funny to watch...... not so easy to guess




Then we played the TV week trivia board game. Teams as such..... The boys (John, Royce, Kyle).....The young girls (Haylee, Erin, Tasha) and then Gail and I were "The old chooks" HOW RUDE!!! ~L~




Anyway long story short - lots of laughs, lots of silliness and the young girls won!

Goodbyes and Welcomes

Well today has been a day full of ups and downs. We met up with my big brother at Mum and John's today to say goodbye to Mark, Melissa and Declan as it is the last time we will see them for probably about three years:( :(

They are moving to Dubai for Mark's work.

So while we had a lovely time with them it was also sad knowing that this would be the last time we would all be together for quite some time.

It's funny - Mark and I went through a period where we didn't get on much at all but now we get on really well. I am really quite proud of where he is now and what he has acheived. He has a great wife in Melissa who I just adore and we get on really well! Oh well- good thing for e-mail!!







Also today we got an addition to our family!

Meet Maggie!

Maggie was Mark and Mel's old Jack Russell. She is too old to take over to Dubai and the heat would be too much for her so she now lives with us!

It's great for Tasha because even though she has this overwhelming fear of dogs she actually likes Maggie so it will be a great way to get her to feel more comfortable around dogs.

Its off!!!!!!!

YAY Kyle has his cast off!

We went and saw the physio yesterday to have the cast removed - Kyle wasn't too sure about letting someone near his leg with a saw and had to be reassured that she wouldn't cut his leg off but we got there! Then over to x-ray for a check and on to the orthopaedic specialist.

Dave had a look at his films and examined the leg and gave him the all clear - he has to keep using the crutches for a week or so until he feels a lot sturdier on the leg. Then once he is walking okay he can slowly (yeah right) start to jog and then run on it!

No basketball for the rest of the year but he was very happy to hear that swimming is a really good idea so the kids have already lined up lots of trips to the pool in the school holidays!
_____________________________________________________________________

BTW: 14 days till I go to eat pink icing and do the touchy-feely thing! Mum told me yesterday I should get a frequent visitor to Melbourne pass!!!!! Is she trying to tell me something??

What a weekend!

What a great hubby I have! About once a year we have a weekend away together just the two of us and he was responsible for organising this one and I think I'll let him organise them from now on! We did something totally decadent (well for us anyway) and something we have NEVER done before and flew interstate for the weekend!!!!! It was very exciting for me.

We went up to the Formula 1 motel near the airport Friday night and then early Saturday morning we flew out to.. . (Sssssh got to whisper here cause I will be in BIIIIGGGG trouble if SJ finds outI was in town and didn't stay at her place) Melbourne to see War of the Worlds. It was a good show but I don't think it was as good as all the hype etc. We stayed at Citigate on Flinders Street which was lovely - the staff were sooooo good and friendly.

We got into Melbourne about 9.30am dropped our bag at the hotel and went shopping! First to Queen Victoria Markets, then we went to the DFO and then up to Bourke Street Mall .... and don't my legs and feet know it! cause when you go with Tony "There's no need to get tram tickets - we can walk!". But we shopped and shopped and you'll never guess what I bought! (CAN YOU GUESS! ~L~). Then we went back to the hotel where I had a wonderful bubble bath and we had dinner and went to the show.

Then we flew home today - got back about 6pm.

Have to say thanks to Gail and family for having our kids for the weekend!

I've been blog surfing!

Wow!!!!!

I have just been checking out some of the blogs from the ladies at Scrap of Faith and have just come away totally amazed. Not only are there some wonderful blogging ideas but the layouts and work on their blogs is amazing.

I love checking out other peoples blogs - it is a great way to keep in touch, get to know people and be inspired!

Layouts, layouts.....

These are my layouts from the recent Scrapping with Soul day!

.....and more layouts!

These layout were done at scrap mornings at Simones

What a weekend

This weekend has been extreme in its highs and lows.

Started on Friday with one of those days!!!! Had to get up earely to drop the car in for a pink slip check. We were having computer troubles at work and everyone was slightly (read extremely!) stressed. Finally got my work done and called into town to do some bits and pieces when Tony rings to say Tasha is sick at school so I raced done to the garage to find the car was still up on the hoist. Waited while they brought it back down and then went and picked Tasha up. Turns out she had some sort of stomach bug with vomiting etc. So Friday night was spent with sick girl!

Saturday morning she was much better. Woke up to sobbing child because Kyle had whacked his head on the bunk bed! Had to race Kyle around to get info for his project from the tourist info centre. Got home to find some of the booklets he picked up had prices on them so had to race back down and pay for them! Tony was in on of *those* moods so almost didn't go to the scrap day.

I am soooooooo glad I did. I got to meet Lou who is just so much fun and met up with Cass again. Cass is one of those sweet souls who I had only met once before but I just feel really comfortable with IYKWIM.
In the middle of the afternoon we all left to go and witness Haylee being baptised which was so uplifting and wonderful to be part of. Then back to the scrap day where all in all I got 4 layouts done - will post piccies later.

So all in all a totally up and down weekend. hopefully today will be nice and peaceful - looking around me I can see it will be spent doing housework!

What a glorious day!

It was a nice sunny day today. the sun was out but it wasn't too hot! A gorgeous day for a girls day with my mum.

I went over to Berry for a spot of shopping and I know you won't believe this as it is so unusual ~L~ but I bought some handbags!! ~L~ Wasn't my fault - Mum made me do it! They are gorgeous Thai silk with butterflies and dragonflies.

Then we went down to the best shop around (I have to go there whenever I'm in Berry) Haven and Space for a look see and then finished off with lunch at the Grapefruit Cafe where I had a scrumptious chicken wrap followed by the much revered, exalted and talked about............................................ Banoffi Pie! Have to say (ducking behind cover) that its okay but I do much prefer good ol banana cream pie - sorry but the caramel is just too sweet for me. (Okay stop throwing things now please)

The other scary thing that happened today is concerning our scrap day on saturday - I am packed already!!!! How did that happen ?!?

Scrapping

Well I haven't really scrapped much for myself lately - been doing a fair bit of card making and gifts for others but when it comes to pages...........

Anyway I hadn't put any of my work up for ages so I thought I'd put some of my latest stuff here. Hopefully after the weekend I will have some NEW things to show!

These pics were taken inside and on a bit of a funny angle but they really are straight ..... honest!

Happy birthday

Today would have been my daddy's 70th birthday. His birthday was always around Fathers Day and remember when I was younger he would always get things like a pair of socks - one for his birthday and one for fathers day ~L~ poor man!

If you still have your parents make an effort to let them know you love them or just to give them a hug. Even if you don't get on with them as you would like you will miss them when they are gone.

My favourite memories with my dad were the little things - sitting down going through stamps or coins with him (he was a collector), him running along beside me teaching me to ride my pushbike, or going bushbashing with him on the motorbikes.

I know if he was here we would be having a big party today - he did like being the centre of attention and having a fuss made!

So Happy Birthday and Happy Fathers Day to my special dad.

Diary of a girls weekend

Friday Night - We went to Husky Pub for dinner and dancing - but the dancing wasn't too good so we went into St Georges Basin Country Club which has had a facelift since we were last there which confudled Jane no end and she had to keep walking around trying to sort out where things used to be opposed to where they are now! Jane, Kathy and Tina at Husky Pub

Saturday- we went to Miss Janes for lunch to check out her new (well halfway finished) bathroom and then we went for a drive to show off the area to the "tourists" So we went out to Culburra and had pics taken at the lookout and then went into Callala Beach for a stroll along the sand

Check the lovely "windswept" hair - Jane, Kath, Myself and Tina

Sheridan, Jane and Tina

Saturday Night - Dinner at Trevi Fountain! The meal was delicious and the service was wonderful - not only was it fast and efficient but the staff were very friendly and fun.

Girls at Trevi Fountain

We did try to go dancing but apparently Nowra was shut for the weekend! Well not quite but we went to Ex-Servos and the place was half empty but also had ALL the lights on as well! That's not mood lighting for dancing! We went to Posties but there was a line up to get in and we didn't think we were young enough so we went up to North Nowra Tavern which was absolutely shocking. I have never seen the place so empty - including us there was 16 people in the place! So we gave up!

Sunday Morning - We all met up at Gloria Jeans for the traditional girls weekend Brunch coffee. (Made a bit sadder this time as we hadn't had a particularly late night the night before) Usually it is a much needed and very quiet time as we sit there and inhale our coffee