Scrapping

I told you I actually did some scrapping last weekend! For some reason my pics are all turning out really grainy but hey at least I can prove I did actually stick some stuff down!


Can you tell my thoughts were on Melbourne! Missing you heaps sweetie. (Even the paper I used on the top LO was first spotted at Melbourne paperific!). For the second one I just HAD to use BG paper - and Gail's favourite range!

The theme for the weekend was Love is..... (Cass and I even found out that love is....retreat and love is......competition ~L~) ANYWAY
I sat down and finally got around to doing my LOVE that I have had sitting around for a while.

Of course I had to include a wedding pic! Love this one - can you tell we were taking the photos seriously!
And my man! I love this song - It is by Bob Carlisle (they guy who sang butterfly kisses ~ another great song) but it is sooooo Tony. It says
"He was a rock, he was the one that she ran to, and when he said the words forever, she knew that it was true. He wasn't a saint, but he was saint enough for her, he was a man, a man of his word".
As stated this is 4 generations. Tony's mum, brother Stuart, stuart's son Shawn and shawn's daughter Makayla. This pic was taken at Simone's wedding.
And Kaycee Luellen. This girl has done it rough but she has dug in and turned into an amazing adult, wife and mother. I am so proud of the person she is today and I don't know if I could cope with everything she has and come out of it as well!!

SWS Retreat

Thought I'd better do the share-sy thing with my pics from the scrapping with soul retreat. Sorry - there is quite a few pics but I couldn't pick which to use.

It all started Friday night we got there about 6:30 ish (after I led myself and the 2 cars following me the wrong way! *insert red face here*) and booked in. I was in a room with Cass and Jo. I hadn't met Jo before but she was just lovely and we got on really well. We were given our name badges for the weekend and I just had to share - these girls don't know my likes and dislikes so how cool was my name badge! Look - it's paisley!
Anyway Friday night was taken up with scrapping and chatting and heading off to bed about midnight.

Saturday was the busy day! I went to a Lusi Austin class in the morning which was so different my normal stuff but I really enjoyed it (and playing with the Lusi Austin Buzz and Bloom stamps was just soooooooo cool!

And we were in Lusi's class when she found out she had won a lucky door prize - is that an excited face!
Then after lunch Haylee and I went in and played assistant to Gail whilst she taught on OTP class on covering tins.
The theme for the weekend was "love is" so saturday night we had a romantic dinner (for 70!) - check out the balloons and mood lighting!!!!

Saturday night Cass and I sat up chatting and offloading. Jo came creeping in about 1:30 trying not to wake us ~L~ so she joined in and we all sat there chatting until about 3am!!

Sunday morning we had a group photo and then the girls from scrap of faith got together for a photo session. Of course as we are all getting ourselves ready Lusi jumped up on the rock and I just had to take this pic!
Then we went down the hill and some of the girls tried to do the can can on a tree branch!!! *note* I say tried!
Then back in for some more scrapping
Then it was time to go - so I ran around getting pap snaps with anyone who would stand still!

And it was all over for another year! I did actually get some scrapping done too so will take some pics and upload those too!

First day

So much news to share!

Have had such a mad week. So much emotion crammed into a short space of time.

Firstly Stuart is doing okay. He is still in St Vincents and still has a long way to go but he is responding to people and that is a good sign.

Second, I have spent the last few days away at a scrapping retreat which has been uplifting and very hard at the same time. It was great to get away with these girls and relax and chat (Cass and I were up till 3am but it was so great to just sit and share) but at the same time it was extremely hard for me to be away from Tony at this time. I must admit I found some times a big struggle and would just disappear, gather my thoughts, sort myself out and then jump back in again. Will post more about the retreat once I get pics sorted.

Third, Wow today was opening day at the surgery. Things went fairly smoothly. Still a lot to be sorted and organised and I must admit I am not feeling too calm about things at the moment but hopefully things will settle in to place soon.

I am so thankful for my friends at the moment. I had my big offload to Cass on the weekend. Jane turned up at work this morning with a box of choccies to welcome the new practice and then tonight I find an email from Sandra just checking in and letting me know she cares - oh and that she is totally insane - she even offered to have my kids so Tony and I could have some "us" time - she must be mad! (although the kids would love it!) ~L~ It's just lovely to know that they think about Tony and I and care about us.

True friends

You know there is a saying that a friend is there for the good times but a true friend stays around for the bad and I must say I have found this to be so true.

The last few days have been horrid. We got a call to say Stuart (Tony's brother) had a heart attack friday night. This was a major heart attack and he was transferred to St George by helicopter in the early hours of Saturday morning. We then got a call at 4.30am sunday morning to say he had deteriorated and they were calling the family in. So Tony, Gail, Davina, Stephen and Philip drove up to the hospital.

He really has had a hard time of it. He had a triple bypass, was ventilated, then had a tamponade or similar, had to have his chest re opened. Was put on a heart/lung machine, put on dialysis and his kidneys failed and was put in a drug induced coma.

He is now in a stable condition and has just been transferred to St Vincents hospital.

Anyway in the midst of all this I found out who my true friends were. They sent messages to let know they were thinking of me and just having that support meant a lot. To Jane, Cass and Sandra thank you so much you have no idea how much I appreciate your friendship.

I ask that you keep Stuart and his family in your thoughts and keep praying for him.

Special mail

I was sitting at the table having my morning cuppa (really - if you want me to be human I MUST have my morning cuppa) and relaxing in the midst of kids running around when DH drops a parcel in front of me.

Inside was a wonderful pack with chipboard and ribbons and tags and heaps of cool scrapping stuff. There was no return address and no note with it but it put such a big smile on my dial. Things have been so busy lately and I haven't felt like I have time to think but this really brightened my day.

So to whoever - THANK YOU so much. It was a lovely surprise but mainly just the thought that someone was thinking of me made me feel extra special and grin like a fool!

Thespian moments

Had one of those busy days today. Spent the first half of the morning at Dr Dayoub's surgery running through things with his wife.

Went from there to the School of Arts to watch Kyle in the Eisteddfod. He was part of a small group from his class that did a short play. There were just three characters and he did really well. I was so proud of him. He spoke loudly without yelling, very clearly, and remembered all his lines! He did such a good job. I think we just have a budding thespian in the family.

Went from there to work at the anaesthetic practice. It was going to be my afternoon off but Sally asked me to work so she could go home - she has the horrid flu virus that is going around. So it's been a busy day. Got home, cooked dinner, sorted the kids out and then SCRAPPED! Yes thats right I actually found some time to sit and scrap. Oh how good did that feel! I really have a struggle finding time to do it and I feel so much better when I do - it's my stress relief.

Starting to feel normal

Yuck I have been so sick over the weekend. Started Thursday night - was up nearly all night being violently ill and got up Friday went to work for about an hour before I was sent home. Went to bed and apart from jumping up to rush to the bathroom stayed there for over 24 hours! Haven't done that in years and years.

Spent Sunday just lazing around with absolutely no energy and no oooommph at all.

I woke up this morning feeling almost normal. Lasted the whole day at work - Came home to find Tony re-arranging our bedroom which we had planned to do on the weekend but because I was sleeping in there we couldn't!

Anyway to cut a long story short - I am still feeling slightly *blech* but much more human

My boy's gone to camp.

Well don't know if camp is the right word but he has gone off for an overnight trip to Canberra. Had to be up at 4am this morning - YUCK.

They are going to Parliament house (when it is in session) and to the electoral commision etc etc. They stay overnight in cabins in groups of 6. 3 classes and 4 teachers! Feel sorry for those poor teachers!

I thought I was coping okay with it but didn't sleep at all last night. I think my mind was trying to stop me thinking (and worrying) about it so I had every other thought in the world running through my head all night.

Some scrapping

Scary - it's another post from me!!!!!

Thought I'd better prove that I do still scrap on the odd occasion. This first LO is for an album I am doing on people who have been an important part of my life or influenced me in a major way.

My stuff lately has been very basic but I like it that way. I do do the fussy thing as well and I LURVE to fussy cut but lately I just haven't had the mojo. If anyone finds my mojo hidden somewhere can they send it home please.

This tin was done on the spur of the moment when I had no scrapping mojo - Gail had a spare tin so I sat down and did this instead! I was really happy with how it turned out.

Mothers Day!

Hope you all had a Happy Mothers Day.

My day started with me getting out the shower and going to head out of my bedroom to be met by Tasha - one hand straight out in front of her - saying "You can't come out here, get back into bed and read a book!".

So I did.

I got back into bed (wet hair and all) and picked up "The power of a praying parent" and started reading. Then Tasha and Kyle came in with my breakfast - they had cooked me toad-in-the-hole which is an egg cooked in a piece of bread with a hole cut out, except instead of a hole they used cookie cutters so my egg was in the shape of a bunny rabbit!!

I got very spoilt. Tasha gave me some new slippers and an itunes voucher (so I have spent this evening downloading music!) and Kyle gave me a new mobile phone.

We went to church this morning and then went up to Georgia to have lunch with Mum and John. All in all a very pleasant and relaxed day. Oh and whilst I was at Mum's Mark rang to say Happy Mothers Day so I got to chat with him as well!

Catch up time

Had a lovely dinner tonight - we had Greg, Simone, Jhorjie and Dominic over for a baked dinner.

It was great to just sit and chat - haven't done that in a while. We did lots of catching up - discussing the guys (it's okay they joined in too ~ lol) and an awful lot of "Do you remembers" and "What was that guy's name" etc.

It was a great evening and we will definately have to do it more often.

Watch out - this girl is armed!

You better step back - be warned this girl can now use power tools!

~L~

I had some things I wanted put up in our bathroom today and rather than waiting and nagging and waiting etc for Tony to do them I thought I'd give it a go. I know it's not very exciting for some but for me - Hey I have now used a power tool!!!

I thought it was exciting anyway! ~L~

Its been a good weekend

This weekend has been a very encouraging one for me.

Saturday morning we helped some friends move house. We have known the Baldwins for some time now and their daugther and Tasha are really good friends. (Well truth be told.... Tony did lots of helping I went and cleaned for 2 hours and then left). But thats because I had to go to - - -

The Scrapping with Soul scrap day. Didn't have much mojo - didn't acheive much - but did do a tin that I was VERY happy with but mainly I got to sit and chat and had a much needed conversation with Cass. I am not a big "sharer" or personal problems as I don't like to burden others with my problems and tend to wait until after things have settled to speak up but I did manage to share with Cass yesterday and I thank her so much for listening. I know all will be fine but I do tend to stress anyway!
Got some pics from New Zealand scrapped - have to sit down now and work out what I want to take to the SWS retreat - CANT WAIT.

Today has been a fairly pleasant - again haven't achieved much but just pottered around the house. Cleaned out one of the kitchen cupboards and went shopping with the girls. (Tegan stayed over here last night as things were still unpacked at her place so Tasha and Tegan had a ball playing "golf" outside. Very dangerous for bystanders!

Do have some photos - will get around to posting them at some stage.

Have been pining for Melbourne a lot lately. Will have to try and find some way to get down there soon. SJ- miss you heaps sweetie.

Blessed

The past few days have been full of reflections over the past year. Life has been extremely busy and hectic lately but I realised that it now 1 year since I bit the bullet and quit my job.

I have been doing a bit of blog surfing and thinking about what has happened in my life. Seeing what is going on in others lives and the change in mine. I have gone from feeling so low and flat to actually starting to like the person I am and feeling truly "happy". I have not felt this content for an awful long time.

Sorry to drivel on but I just wanted to record for myself to look back on the good things in my life.

1) WORK

I have gone from being in a job which whilst it had people I absolutely adored and a boss I throughly enjoyed working for caused so much stress and low self esteem due to one particular staff member. I left here thinking there is no way I would work in this town again (dramatic I know but she always pushed how much influence she had with everyone). Ihave since found this not to be true and have 3 great jobs in friendly offices. These jobs have offered me no end of self-esteem boosting as I have not applied for any of them but had people chase me to work for them. It is nice to hear that I have a good reputation and that people want me! Each time I have had that call saying "Heard you were free and were wondering if you would consider coming to work with us" it gives me such a warm fuzzy boost.

I have some challenges coming up but these are very exciting and I can't wait.

2) HOME LIFE

The kids have settled down well at school and Tony and I are actually listening to each other and supporting each other. Even though our work hours do make any sort of family life difficult we are getting there. We still do communicate via notes or sms during the week sometimes and I hate being at home alone at night but we're getting there. We have our "family outings" and even if it's just a day at a park it's lovely to just sit and chat and spend time together.

3) FRIENDS

I have some great people in my life right now. These people encourage me and are there in good times and bad. I am so blessed to count them as my mates! Sometimes people come into your life just when you need them and I know that these people are here to stay.

Jane - You have been there through thick and thin. You have been there for hugs when that pesky crying woman appears and with champers and choccies on "those" days. You make me laugh and know just when I need a hug (or when I DONT need a hug ~L~)

SJ - You are the other half of me. Tony and I were just discussing how relaxed I am around you and how you are the person I am the most "ME" around. Thank you for the fun and silliness we have when we are together but also for being the support when I need it. Thanks for caring for me and for somehow knowing when I need a MWAH. I love that I am an "honorary Allan" and always welcomed as part of the family. You love me for just being me and that is such a special gift. You have no idea how much I treasure our friendship gorgeous girl.

Cass - We met and clicked straight away. Thank you for sharing your family with me and for just being you. You are always so open and willing to share. I love your generous personality and your smile. I feel at peace with you and feel comfortable and I thank you so much for letting me into your life. I love our days out and even just sitting chatting . You encourage me in so many ways and I thank you for that.

Tracy - We have been friends for so long and even though we don't see each other often I know you are there and when we do catch up it's like we have never parted. You know the good and bad parts of me (even the bits I try and hide from the world) and love me anyway.

I guess this is a rather long winded way of saying LIFE IS GOOD! I am at a point where not only am I happy but I am actually beginning to think that this person called Cath is kind of okay and not the total fool I used to think she was!

A fun day!

Had a great day today.

We invited some of our friends over for a bbq lunch. All though we have been friends with these people for some time and consider them all to be special friends we have not actually had them all together before so they hadn't met each other!

Having said that everyone got on really well. We had Cassandra, Dale, Callum and Annabelle, Gail and Daniel, Jane and Simon and Tracy and Jacob! Add the four of us in there and it was quite a crowd!! Everyone got on well ( I think) and I had a great time catching up.

The kids all played well together which is always nice. The only problem with a group that size is you don't get to spend a lot of one-on-one time but it was still a very pleasant day.

Long Weekend

Well this week is over! Thought it would be a massively busy one but surprisingly it hasn't been too bad.

Worked full time but work was quite pleasant and definately not too rushed.

Looking forward to the weekend. Tasha is marching with Girls Brigade at the local Anzac Day Ceremony tomorrow (well hopefully she isn't feeling well at the moment so hope she will be okay in the morning).

Saturday we have some friends coming over for lunch so I am really looking forward to catching up and having a good chat!

Hope you all have a great weekend.

All music'ed out!

What a busy weekend we had!

First we headed off to the Acer Arena at Homebush to see High School Musical on ICE. The show was really good. The kids were just happy to hear the music - I loved the skating. I have always loved ice skating (saw Torvill and Dean years ago!).

Tony picked us up after the show and we went back to our motel. GORGEOUS. I wasn't expecting much because we had a really cheap package deal but the hotel was beautiful and our room was amazing!

If you ever get the chance to stay at the Courtyard by Marriott at Parramatta I would recommend it. Gorgeous open fire in the lobby - beautiful atmosphere - wonderful staff who all called us by name!!
Our room was actually 2 interconnecting rooms with a small sitting room.

We went to Lone Star for dinner - YUM YUM! and breakfast was a buffet at the restaurant which was included in our accommodation.

Then on the way home we were going to go to Parklea Markets but after drving round and round and round and...... well you get the picture :)...... we gave up on that idea and went to Miranda Fair instead!!!!

A wonderful day

Had a great day today! Tasha, "Lachlan" and myself spent the day with Cass, Callum and Annabelle.

Who is Lachlan?? Good question! We weren't sure either! But Callum seemed to think it was a good name for Kyle - he couldn't remember his name so he just became Lachlan. Why not !?!

We had a nice quiet peaceful day. This kids played together, the mums sat and chatted and Cath and Tasha got lots of Annabelle cuddles.

Thanks to Cass for having us and to Callum for sharing his toys with Tasha and the other kid!

Happy Mail !!!!

Tony came in this morning with a parcel for me. I love getting mail and after noting that this had come from Melbourne I turned it over to see the return address. It said

"Sunshine and happiness package"

and inside was a gorgeous hand made card with a gorgeous message.

Thanks SJ you put such a great big smile on my dial! Love you sweetie

Another weekend gone :(

After a busy week I was looking forward to the weekend and it was lovely!

Saturday we piled in the car again for what seems to be our regular family outing! This time we ended up on the harbour at Kiama. The kids were fascinated watching the fisherman cleaning and gutting their fish and sat and watched for ages. They also got to see a group of 4 sting rays come up to wharf which was pretty cool.

After our day out we came home and I was feeling pretty shattered so went off for a nana nap at 6pm to be woken by Tony at 7.00 to say "Time to get up - we have reservations for 7.30. I'm taking you out for dinner!"

1/2 an hour to wake up, have a shower, dry my hair, pick clothes, put my face on etc etc. (well really 20 mins allowing for travel time) YIKES.
I am proud to say I almost managed it - we were about 10-15 minutes late.

We went out to Pelican Rocks - I have never been there before. The meals were beautiful, service wonderful - the only down side was the cockroach that scuttled across our table mid meal! Thanks to the Combers for having the kids for us for a couple of hours. We had discussed the need for a weekend away just the two of us but dinner out was as far as the money would go.

Sunday was a nice quiet day spent potteirng around the house, trying to declutter. It is slowly starting to work!

My super hero!

Well, bet you didn't know I had a superhero in my house, did you?? ~L~

For girls brigade end of term party they had a dress up night (as usual). This terms theme was super hero - real or imaginary.

Tasha thought long and hard and came up with the super hero that every town needs! For days when the wind catches you by surprise or you had bad bed hair - call the EMERGENCY HAIRDRESSER ~L~

What a great idea. Could do with one of those!

Love these pics of Tasha, especially the close up of her and the brush. the look on her face is so cute!

A great weekend

Had a great time last weekend!

Gail, Haylee and I drove up to Barden Ridge (about 10 minutes from Engadine) for a scrapping day. Met up with the wonderful Cass and had some great chats and great cuddles (and got some cuddles from Annabelle too!). Met Marion for the first time and also caught up with Tracy. We went to Scrapbook HQ for a spot of shopping mid afternoon too.

I finally got my holiday photos started so that was exciting. Scrapping, shopping and chatting - what a great way to spend a day!

The next morning Gail, Haylee and I got our scrapping stuff out of the car and spent a couple of hours scrapping on the two tiny tables in the hotel room. Not ideal space but we all managed.

THEN we went to Miranda Fair!!!! Yep lots of spending!!!!

Heart problems!

Not mine this time!!!!

We took Maggie to the vet on Friday because she has been struggling for breath lately and (almost $500 later) we found out she has dilated cardiomyopathy. Which basically means her heart is enlarged and the lining is thinner.

Anyway the end result is we now have a dog on heart tablets and diuretics!!!!!!! The long term prognosis isn't good. I know she has only been with us for about 6 months but she is part of our family now. We knew when we got her from Mark that she was old and wouldn't last long but you sort of become complacent until something like this jumps up and slaps you in the face.

Dont believe the weatherman!

After hearing the weather report forecast lots of wet weather for this weekend I thought to myself "Good I can get some scrapping done"! But instead we woke up saturday morning to a beautiful sunny day.

So we decided to go out for the day - We drove down to Ulladulla and had lunch on the waterfront at Ulladulla harbour. It was a beautiful day.
Tasha had us ins titches with the seagulls - Can't wait to scrap these photos - have the title all sorted! Tash kept getting upset when the seagulls came too close yelling at them " Back off - I need my personal space"
We went across to Funland (a timezone type place) wher ethe kids had a ball playing laser tag ~ they even got to play twice because the lasers weren't working properly the first time ~ and then they went on the dodgems. Check out the horrid welt on Tasha's neck from the seatbelt in the dodgem car - Kyle has one too but not as bad. Think they would have been better off not wearing the seatbelt!
Anyway - finally got to some scrapping this afternoon and did one of the monthly challenges for Scrap of Faith (just in time - last day of the month!) This was a sketch challenge. The pic is one I took of Tasha when we were in Dunedin.

Life is full of ups and downs

The last few weeks have been so busy and so fluctuating!

Wow have had some terrible lows over the past 3 -4 weeks. Felt like hiding away and not coming out but in the middle of this have had some wonderful moments. It is amazing how good it feels just to get a simple message from a friend saying How are you. Or just checking in - noticed you been quiet. Or even just a simple hello. It always puts a smile on my face to know that I was in someones mind. When I am not doing so well I tend to hibernate so sometimes I need that "Oi you whats happening!"

Work has been very "interesting" this week with one staff member leaving very suddenly which starts a snowball effect.

Am so hoping to get down to Melbourne soon - desperately need a bit of friend time with the Allans but can't see it happening for a while :( - unless that rich uncle turns up ~L~

Got lots of scrapping coming up over the next few months - and finally got the NZ pics printed so I can scrap the holiday stuff now!!!

Been doing the rounds of high schools trying to figure out what to do for Kyle next year - we have to have forms in by the end of this week telling them which schools we want to apply to for next year! What a tough decision.

Had a great easter get together at Davinas Easter Sunday - lots of family, lots of choccy and lots of laughs.

School holidays coming up soon! I am working nearly every day during the holidays but the kids and I have a "heaps cool" weekend planned (according to Tasha) as we have tickets to see High School Musical - on ice. Both kids are looking forward to it so much.

Anyway think thats just about caught up with the news. Hope you are all doing well and remembering to smile every day!

All growed up!

I know, I know..... I have been a bad blogger - no more nudges please!

The last few weeks have been the sort where you just want to bury your head under the doona and not surface!

But...............................

I had to pop up today and say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my big man!

Just think 12 years ago today (1.30am to be exact) I was biting off Simone's fingers! Hope you have recovered Mone!

He is turning into a young man before my eyes. Growing up heaps.

Love you mate and am very proud of you. Hope you had a great birthday.

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