Our Family Day Out

Seeing today was such a beatuiful day Tony decided that we would go and do something. Not sure what but let's get out in the sun! So we all (yes ALL - that included Maggie the dog!) pilled in the car and headed out. Knowing I LOVE waterfalls Tony decided to head to Minnamurra Falls but we didn't quite get there because 1) We had the Dog and the ranger won't let you in and 2) we didn't realise to had to pay to get to them!!!

So instead we went to Carrington Falls and played tag team to get to the falls. First the boys went ~ and they ran down and back! (more energy than sense) whilst Tasha and I waited at the car with Maggie and I got these gorgeous pics of Tasha.
Then the girls went- started jogging but then slowed down to a walk (I am just too un-coordinated to run down uneven steps!) the falls were only small but they dropped a loooonnnnggg way down. Beautiful.
Then we got back in the car and stopped at Robertson Pie shop for their wonderful pies and sausage rolls - and even tried dessert pies! I had never seen a cheesecake pie before!

Then we headed back home via Belmore Falls. Again taking it in turns to get to the falls - This time Tasha and Tony and Kyle and I. I loved Belmore Falls. Could have watched them for ages.

We were planning on goin to Fitzroy Falls too but it was almost 5pm so we headed home - stopping in Kangaroo Valley for some wonderful home made ice cream from the fudge house!

All in all a wonderful day - even better because it was a great family day out!

Fun at the Animal Park

Well after a shocking weekend with a sick Tasha (those fevers just did not want to go away) and then a sick me (I went out in sympathy ~L~) this week was starting on a bit of a downer.

I had been sooooo looking forward to my lunch date that Cass and I planned a few weeks ago but with all the wet weather just was not sure how it would work but after much prayer I got up Tuesday morning to a glorious sunny day!

I met Cass, Callum and Annabelle at the Nowra Animal Park and we had a wonderful time. This pic really isn't the best - was very dark and I tried to lighten it a bit without much success. Callum was so well behaved ( as usual). Very well mannered and wonderful. He was very eager to share his animal feed with me and even went to great lengths to show me and make sure I knew how to feed the goats and horses.

"Look Cathy, I show you. You hold your hand like this. I show you" So cute and he is such a sweetie.

Cass and I got to catch up and have a chat as we wandered around and will definately have to meet up on a regular basis. She is such a sweet person and we just get on really well.

However - we did kind of balk at the snake but eventually get ALL plucked up the courage and had a quick pat.

Then with a wonderful end to the day ~ I got cuddles from Cass, Callum (and Annabelle earlier in the day) ~ as Callum was getting in the car he turned to me and said "We had a great time today Cathy"

My crafty day!

Today I spent some time in my craft room - sorting things out and just generally tidying up and I came to my Kaiser Wood pen holders that have sat on my desk in their raw state for quite some time so I got stuck into decorating them today.

I am really happy with the way the y turned out - i was trying for that drippy paint sort of look which didn't work quite how I wanted but I am still happy with them. Here is how they look in use on my desk!

Although when you look at the big picture - they do tend to disappear a bit don't they!

Fun with old friends

Today was a good day! Did the cooking last night so didn't have to do too much today!

Went down town to do the grocery shopping (keep running into people who wanted to talk) and then got home just before Tracy was due to arrive.


We had a great time of sharing and chatting. And then we chatted a bit more. And a bit more!
Tracy has been in Tony and my life for ages. We were in youth group together. She sat under a table with me on my first night of youth group (long story). She sat in the car with me and hugged me whilst I cried when my nana died. Tony was her confidante (one of the many people who went to him for advice - including me!). Tracy has always been special in our lives - she sang at our wedding and even when she moved to Kiama we travelled up regularly to see her.

Anyway we had a great lunch today and will definately have to do it more often. She really is a special person.

We had a bbq for lunch (of course - with all that meat!) and a simple salad of lettuce, tomato, cucumber, mango, avocado and cheese but it was lovely. Very yummy.
Tasha made baby cupcakes (cookies and cream). They were a packet mix but apart from taking them out the oven she did it all her self so she was very proud.

Hey Mum, whats that???

What a start to the day!

As I walked into the kitchen Kyle says to me "Hey Mum, Whats that?" and I look down and there is a big puddle of water in the kitchen!

MY FREEZER DECIDED TO DEFROST OVERNIGHT!

So all my meat and frozen vegies have defrosted. Luckily it wasn't that full but still I will be cooking up a sotrm this weekend so that I can then re-freeze the ready made meals. At least it will make life easier on the nights I don't feel like cooking!

And the other good thing is we have a friend coming over tomorrow to catch up (and I can't wait to spend time with her again - one of my oldest and dearest friends who has gone through some tough times lately) and I was wondering what to have to eat - now I know! We're having a bbq - got heaps of meat!

my sick little girl

We have a sick little girl again.

Funnily enough it is the day after she has been swimming!!!!

The swimming carnival was on Tuesday and tues night she was complaining of not feeling well. Then she came home from school about lunch time on Wednesday with a high fever (39.5) and feeling terrible, sore all over etc etc.

Don't know if she swallows too much chlorine when she swims or if it just a coincidence but both times she has been really sick she has been swimming the previous day. Having said that we have been swimming on other occasions and she has been fine ?!? But on these occasions she has just been on waterslides or floating around - maybe when she goes underwater she drinks 1/2 the pool!

So at the moment we have a little girl feeling really sad and sorry for herself and a mum suffering from sleep deprevation.

A feel good day!

Today was one of those good days - not that anything major happened but I just got a lot acheived and feel quite good!

I did some scrapping last night!!!!!! That is a major achievement in itself - will put pics up once I'm organised.

Today I slept in until 9am!!!!!!! Haven't done that for sooooo long. Then I set to work cleaning out the walk in robe in our bedroom. Have to say myself it looks great! DH put up hooks for my bags and everything.

Tasha has had her friend Tegan over so they have been buzzing around all afternoon (isn't it amazing how suddenly they need to hang around and ask questions all afternoon)

Then I got catch up with my dear friend Jane. We have spent so much time lately corresponding by text so it wa great to have a catch up session. (Oh and I took her in to show her my wardrobe!)

Then we went out to dinner and I didn't have to cook - what a great way to end the day. Hopefully I can find some time to scrap some more tomorrow and it will be a wonderful weekend!

Modern speak!!

Had to laugh today. I tend to forget that sometimes technological speak (or lazy speak) sneaks up on us! I have a wonderful friend who is not terribly technologically savvy. She can now use the internet - without help! - and has progressed to more than simple one word sms responses. I even get pictures from her!

Like today for Valentines day she sent me a cute little cupid with a couple of hearts so without thinking i sent her back the message MWAH. Which (of course) means kisses or the sound you make when you blow someone a kiss! I didn't realise this was so difficult until I got a call from her at work

"Okay it's driving us mad - we have spent ages trying to figure out what it stands for and we came up Make Wine A Habit or Moderm Women Are Hip!"

To which I just about fell down laughing. I forgot that what is simple every day language to me just sounds likes gobbledygook to someone else - but it did give me a good laugh - mainly the fact that the 3 girls in her office had spent so long trying to figure it out! Although I do think Make Wine A Habit does sound like good advice ~L~

Thankful

Allcraftz forum have a couple of challenges at the moment that have me thinking. The first challenge is to do a page saying thank you to someone - not to a relative but to someone who you would like to thank for something they did. The second is to do a page on someone who inspires you.

So I started thinking, firstly how do you pick just one person and secondly I am not good at expressing my feelings and opening up. There are so many people in my life that have encouraged and inspired me but I think this is what I have decided on.

The person I need to say thank you to is SJ. She has no idea what a blessing she has been in my life but just by accepting me for me has let me accept myself more. I have grown so much as a person because I finally start to believe that I am worth standing up for. In her simply allowing me to be "me" she has allowed me to get know the real Cath. There are no words I can use to explain how precious a gift that is. I have spent my life trying to be the person averyone wants me to be. I have friends that one side of my personality can come out but they don't like this or that so I hide it. SJ accepts the total package and I thank her so much for it.


The person that inspires me is someone who shows the kind of person I want to be. She has overcome a lot of personal obstacles and continues to push herself. She is a kind, caring person who I don't think I have heard say a bad word against anyone else. When Tasha was sick on Christmas Day we got a wonderful card with the most special message inside and some little gifts for us a day later because she knew we hadn't had much of a christmas. She has taught me by watching her that you can acheive things if you put your mind to it. We have a lot of the same anxiety issues and she handles them much better than I do! I watch the growth in her and it encourages me to do the same. I only hope that I can be the same sort of genuinely caring person that she is. The person that inspires me is Haylee.


So now I have figured this out I just have to find the time to scrap them!!!!!!!!!

great day

Today was a good day!

It was raining and after the holiday the wallet is empty so we had decided not to go to the Nowra Show but instead I had planned to go through the wardrobe and do a BIG clean out. Anyway just as I was about to start Tony comes in and says we might go around to Davinas instead. We scrounged (and I do mean scrounged) around for some nibblies to take.

So we packed up a few games and went around. It was a surprise to see Mark was there! So us, the combers and Davina Steve and Mark had a fun afternoon with heaps of laughs ..... like almost hysterical laughs...... and most importantly the girls beat the boys 3 games to 2!!!!!!!!

What a week

(and it's only half way through!)

Had a VERY busy day at work on Monday. I wonder sometimes if it's worth taking holidays because it is always a madhouse when I get back.

Tuesday was our wedding anniversary so Tony and I went out to lunch at the sports club (Tony had a 2 for 1 voucher!) becasue with his work we can't do dinner.

We had a very excited girl ready to start Girls Brigade again. She was dressed and ready to go about an hour before we had to go. We got there to find that there was no actual Girls Brigade that night it was just registration night - so we registered her, and came home again!

Today was a weird one at work. We were having fun with our computers - don't now if all the electrical storms affect them ...... although knowing the building we are in it is probably more water in the lines..... but we had so much trouble. Kept getting database errors and network errors and having to reboot AAAARRRGGGGHHHHHHH!

Hopefully tomorrow is slightly better!

14 years!

Today is our 14 year Wedding Anniversary and Tony remembered! We don't tend to make a big fuss of anniversaries and in fact one year we BOTH forgot!! But for some reason this one seems special to both of us... I guess if you asked us a few years back we would have said there's no way we'd make it this far and I really didn't think we had a chance but we have survived and life is good!

Today is soooo wet - I walked the kids to the bus stop (literally across the road) with the big golf umbrellas and still came home soaking wet from the knees down. There is so much water the drains just can't cope.

The scrap day on the weekend was so good. After only figuring out about 1/2 an hour before that yes I could get there. Boy I think every piece of useless junk we own was thrown into the craft room before we went away and I tossed so much stuff just to get to my craft cupboards. I really hadn't planned anything but just took some random stuff and actually got a couple of pages done. That is, however, after spending the first hour with my thumb stuck in a bowl of ice after slamming it in the car boot! It was so good to catch up with Lou, Gail, Haylee and Cass, and of course Annabelle. I got to have quite a few cuddles (and yes some with Annabelle too ~L~). I love spending time with these girls. They are so accepting and so encouraging and just plain fun.

Survived the week!

Well we survived the week. It has been a bit of a rush job with nothing quite happening but we are getting there.

After getting home Monday and Tony going to work Monday night. The kids going back to school Wed. I started my new job Wed and have worked Wed, Thurs and Fri. Phew it has been busy ~ and the hot weather has not helped!

have a scrapping day tomorrow and still havent started figuring out what I'm scrapping let alone what I'm taking......haven't even started a list yet :o :o

Hopefully will have some pics to show you if I get some scrapping done tomorrow.

Have started uploading pics to my holiday blog - link is in my list to the right. Will get there slowly.

First day

well I had my first day at my new job today and apart from feeling like my head is going to explode from all the information I had a great day!

I really think I am going to enjoy this job - and Sally is great to work with.

He loved it!

After agonising for so long over what to get Tony for his 50th I finally came up with something special for him. I was devastated when it didn't arrive in time to take it with us and give to him on his birthday.

The first thing I did yesterday was grab the mail (we had a small pile from when we were away!) and pull the correct parcel out and give to him.

With much trepidation..... I hoped he would like it but you never know with Tony.....I handed it over. I had gotten photos from his parents growing up, their wedding, photos of him as a child and gorwing up with his siblings, then pics of his teenage years and people who had been a major part of his life. Photos of our wedding and the kids births etc etc... Then I put them all together in a book and sent it off to a printers to be professionally printed and bound so he has his own book all about his life.

Well he loved it! He sat there flicking through it with tears coming down his face.....now Tony is not a crier at all so I am glad that it touched him in such a way and that I could come up with something special for him for his birthday

Might take some time!

Bear with me guys!

Have been fiddling with my blog tonight (found a paisley pattern that I just HAD to use!) and it is taking me some time to figure things out.

I am so not computer literate when it comes to these things so may take me some time to fiddle until I get it how I want it but I'll get there.

Back inOZ

Well we made it home safely - we were hoping for a massive airline strike or some such thing but it just didn't happen :(

After coping with the "heat" in New Zealand - which although it was in the 20's nearly every day most motels don't believe in fans - we came home to the horrid humidity of Sydney!

So we are now unpacking and sorting things out and wishing we were back over there!

Once we are all sorted I will catch up with you all and get some more details sorted about our holiday including some pics

Excitement City

Thats what this place is.

Queenstown is like the ski resort area for NZ so heaps of adrenaline type activities - bungy jumping, canyon swings, jetboats - and resort prices!!! wow things are dear here! and there are people everywhere!

We went up in the gondola yesterday and we all went on the luge (kind of like the tobaggan thing at Jamberoo) which was heaps of fun. Kyle was happy because we went and saw a Maori show which included the Haka and Tasha was included in the show and got to join in one of the dances. (I do think she is taking after her aunty Gail here)

Tony's 50th birthday tomorrow so we have special day planned. We are splurging and having breakfast here in the restaurant and then Tony and Tasha go jetboating with Shotover Jetboats through the canyon. Then we head to Wanaka to Puzzle world and then a very special dinner out in a wonderful sounding restaurant (Thanks Davina). I had a special present organised but it didn't arrive before we left :( so can't wait to get home to give it to him.

I think this is it for me. the other places we are going don't mention having internet so will speak to you all soon (way tooo soon)

Another update

Wow. Another update! Thought I would use the computer whilst we can!

Today has been one of the best days ever! We saw some beautiful scenery. Amazing mountains.

We drove from here at Te Anau to Milford Sound through some of the most gorgeous areas. We stopped by the side of the road at one stage and saw a wild Kea (an almost extinct bird - I think they said there are 300 of them) which actually jumped on our car roof! The kids went and played in a snow cave and then we drove through Homer tunnel. This tunnel has been bored into the rockof the mountain so it goes for over a km and it is straight through the middle of the mountain. so Cool!

then we did a Milford sound cruise which took us all the way along Milford Sound. we saw fur seals warming themselves on the rocks and we went to Stirling Falls.
This waterfall the boat goes right up to the base of the falls where it hits the water - I mean right up, the bow of the boat almost goes into the fall. Tasha and I were standing up on top deck so we got a bit wet! But got some amazing views.

If I don't get to update again before we get home (only 9 days to go boo hoo) will chat to you all back in Aus.

What a day!

We have had another great day today - checked out of our motel and headed off for Te Anau. Stopped on the way at the most amazing paua shell factory shop and bought up heaps of gorgeous items for souvenirs!

and YES Jane I did get a bag!

Then we arrived in Te Anau. this place is so amazing. If you are ever over in NZ you need to come here. It is beautiful. We did our glowworm cave tour and it was mind blowing. you walk down into the cave and then go underground in a little boat to the glowworm caves. The boat goes just past the rocks and actually brushes against them at some times and the worms are sitting right there in front of you!

Then we went for a little tour! You have heard of tandem bikes and the goodies had a bike for three - well today we had a bike for 4!!!! It is set up like a car - you have 2 seats in front and 2 in back. the person in front steers and has the brakes but all 4 can pedal. After an hour of this our legs were very tired!

The place we staying in is great. This town is just amazing.

Hope you guys are all doing well

Another NZ post

Well guys life over here is great! NZ is kind of taking a step back to yesteryear- it is very retro and 70's over here!

We are having a great time. Went over to Stewart Island on a wet day so didn't see as much as we would have liked but Tony got to chat to some guys on the island and we learnt a bit about life on the island then and now.

Today we spent a day down at the Bluff and went around to a lady's house from the local historic society and found out more info about the Lucas and Cross clan. We even found Lizzie Cross's grave in the local cemetery! Found out that these people live a long time - the average age at death is about 90!!

We leave here tomorrow to head to Te Anau and Milford Sound and then Queenstown. Have booked for Tony to go jetboating in Queenstown for his 50th birthday.

To those who have sent us messages and haven't heard back we do apologise but roaming on our mobiles does cost a lot so we try and keep in contact via the internet and avoid the phones if we can.

The kids are having a blast and seeing lots of cool things - we are going to an underground glow worm cave tomorrow- accessed by boat - looking forward to that.

Hi from NZ

Checking in to let you know we are okay.

Have been having a blast - went to the Chocolate Factory and Tasha got spalshed by a chocolate waterfall! That was pretyy cool!

We have spent some time around Dunedin/Port Chalmers and found records of Tony's dad in the Maritime Museum. We found out some new facts and on old pic of him when he was 14. We are at Stewart Island today so catching up on more family history!

In Invercargill for a few days and then up to Queenstown and then the West Coast.

Will update when I can

We are away!

hi guys - just letting you know we are in NZ - had a great flight.

Had the best day with the allan's in Sydney on friday - didn't do much just hung out but it was sooo good

Have been taking heaps of pics as ordered by Matt- just wish I had a 1/4 of his talent with the camera!

will try and update when I can

Leaving on a jet plane

"All our bags are packed - we're ready to go"


Yep it's almost that time. Handed the keys over to Michelle today. Finished the cleaning of the house. we really need to get housesitters in more often - I even did the Tupperware drawer!

I am getting excited and nervous. I can't wait to see the Allan's tomorrow .

1 more sleep!!!!1

and in 2 sleeps we will be boarding our plane and heading off! I have made my list - checked it twice! Have all my confirmations and tours booked.

Will try and check in occasionally while we are over there when we can - really need to get a laptop with internet!!!!!!

Speak to you all later!

New Years Eve

Heres some of the photos from new years eve at Simone and Greg's


Haylee and Royce


Tracy



Haylee and John


the Karaoke posse!!!

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to one of the sweetest most caring people I know! To a person who has accepted me as me and welcomed me into her home on numerous occasions. A girl who has blessed my life by letting me be part of hers!

Yes, of course I'm talking about you girl!

Happy birthday SJ. Can't wait to see you to give my birthday hug in person!

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The countdown is well and truly on. We are getting ready for our trip - going up to Sydney to have a day with the Allan's before we fly out on our holiday!!!
The timing was great to have them up from Melbourne when we were going to be in Sydney. (well we are going up a day early and they are coming down from their break to meet us!). Can't wait to see them all again.

The nerves are starting to hit with the holiday! I am slightly worried about the flying thing and the being in a strange country thing! Have never left Australia before! But also very excited at the same time.

Happy New Year

WOooo HOOOOOOO

Happy new year everyone

We had a fun night - went to Mone's for a karaoke NYE party!

The kids had a blast and we belted out a few tunes (well I was back up dancer!).

Was great to see everyone and Tracy and Jacob came along with us so it was great to ctach up with them too - will post some pics soon

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!