Tasha's 10th birthday

I'm not really sure who this girl is but she looks waaaayyy too old to be my little girl! How did she get so grown up?!? We had Tasha's 10th birthday party on Saturday and of course with her love of music she wanted a disco/karaoke themed party so instead of following our original plan of having karaoke in our back room we found a place that did karaoke themed parties - MUCH better idea!
Tasha's cake HAD to have a guitar on it!
Hitting the dance floor! I must say the kids were all so good with the younger cousins - if anything they got spoilt rotten by all the 10 year girls who thought they were "so cute"
And they thing that amazed me was Tasha with all her friends there when they were sitting down to eat made sure she had two of her little cousins either side of her and her other cousins were directly opposite!

They played heaps of games. they had an obstacle couse race, treasure hunt

Musical chairs! and heaps more
So all in all Saturday was a good night.

However....... on her actual birthday (Sunday) we went over to Auntie Gails in the afternoon and Tash was very quiet and withdrawn and then when we got home the poor little thing started vomiting. Its heartwrenching when your little girl is sitting there saying "Mum I just don't want to do this anymore" re being sick.

So this is how she ended up on her birthday!

We told her no more special days - she was sick for christmas and her birthday!

She's almost there!

Yep, the countdown is on. My baby turns 10 tomorrow!

HOW DID THAT HAPPEN !?!?!??!?

And according to Tash "I'm really excited".

Hmmmm, 10 years old - does that mean I can put her to work now! ~L~ Not according to her!

Now all we have to do is survive the party tonight! 14 x 10 year olds singing karaoke. HHHEEELLLLPPPPPP. Lets see if we make it to tomorrow.

WOW

All I can say is I am glad Dishwashers are full of water!

How's that for an opening statement! But very true!

We put the dishwasher on earlier and Tony was commenting on how we need to replace it as it only works on one cycle etc etc. Anyway upon opening it to empty it everything looked fine at first and then Kyle noticed a plate was broken and had scorch marks on it! Upon closer look the plastic container for the cutlery had obviously had a fire under it as there are scorch marks and one corner is melted and some of the cutlery handles melted into it! One corner of the dishwasher also has scorch marks!

Must have been a nice little fire in there! Just glad that there was also lots of water!!!!!

Seems Tony is right - we do need to replace the dishwasher (think that will have to go on the back burner - oh well good thing we have kids! ~L~)

The Weekend

Phew it has been a kind of mad week this week so I was glad for the weekend!

The kids school had a fundraiser photo thing going where for $10 you got to have a sitting and get a free 20 x 30 cm photo and a keyring photo so we went along (after all our last studio family pic doesn't even have Tasha in it *oops*) we got a whole fmaily shot, one of the kdis and one of Tony and I. Just got to wait and see how they turned out now!

Then I went straight from there up to Shellharbour for a card making afternoon at Cass'. It was great fun - the girls there are always heaps of fun to spend time with and very friendly. We made some really cool cards and a little pouch with a chocolate bar in it (What more can a girl ask for - scrapping and chocolate!).

Then I stayed for dinner with the King family - yummy risotto - and then Cass and I sat and did some more stampin/scrapping.

Today is Simone's birthday so:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONE

We will pop down and see her at some stage and then the plan is to get some scrapping done this afternoon.

I got some exciting/sad news today too ........................................ check out the next post for details

Wayne Brady is coming to Australia!

Wow I can't believe it!

Tony and I just adore this guy - he is one the funniest stand up / improv people I have seen in a long time. We tune into Whose Line Is It Anyway to check out what he is coming up with next. Not only is he funny and quickwitted but he has the most amazing voice and his improved songs are amazing. (and the way he can shake his tush would rival Ricky Martin!). If you haven't seen Whose Line you may have seen him on Don't Forget The Lyrics - he was the host.

Anyway seriously amazing guy and we were so excited to hear he was coming to Australia but then we realised 1) we really couldn't afford the tickets and 2) it's on December 20th which means there is no way Tony could get there - the week before Christmas is probably one of their busiest times :( . I am sure we could have got around that somehow just don't know how we would come up with the dollars

If you can get to see him I would thoroughly recommend it - and if you do - think of me when you're there!

Wayne Brady is the funniest improv/stand up guy you will ever see - without a doubt.

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

ETA: Can you hear me screaming?!? I can't believe it - we are going to the show. tony bought me the tickets for my birthday - so excited.
If you can you need to check out this guy's album - its called "a long time coming" and has some of the most amazing R&B songs on it.
I so can't wait till the 20th of December to see him live. He seriously is one of the best entertainers around. His improv is amazing and his voice. WOW

Quick Update

Ooops had it pointed out that I haven't actually updated!!
*insert red face here*

So willl have to sit down and do it properly but here is our last month in a nutshell:

* Tony's stress test results were all clear
* I got new glasses (will post pic)
* It's been 5 years since Dad died - Didn't cope too well but we got through!
* Went to 2 Stampin Up parties in a week (1 here - 1 down the road)
* Went to family Day / Open Day at the Grange (where Mum and John will be moving)
* Worked lots
* Went to Simones Baby Shower
* Went to a scrapping with soul day at the church
* Have been madly looking for a replacement for "bomb car"
* Maggie's heart condition is slowly getting worse
* Been getting a bit of scrapping and cardmaking done at home
* Had picnic lunch with Cass, Callum and Annabelle in Kiama
* Got Kyle's High School sorted out
* Planned Tasha's birthday
* Had heaps of "fun" dealing with Telstra and the Internet. GGGGRRRRR

Hmmmm think that's it - I'm sure I will think of more.

Anyway will do a proper update just thought this might placate some ~L~

YYAAAYYY!!!

Wooooo Hoooooo after weeks of "discussions" with Telstra we finally have our internet back on at home.

Now have to reply to the mass of messages and emails - sorry guys if it takes me to some time to wade through them but I will get there.

Have heaps to update here too - better get stuck into that as well!

Not much happening

Hi guys.

Yeah I know I haven't blogged for over a week but seriously there hasn't been much happening! Thanks for the sms to check up on me. It's great to know I have friends who care. MWAH sweetie!

As I said not much happening so I thought I'd share this with you! ~L~ I figured if I had to see it every day you could check it out too! I worked every day last week and this is the view from my office window! Enjoy! lol

There was one very exciting thing this week. Kyle got man of the match at soccer! Congrats Kyle. Unfortunately I missed it as I didn't make it to his game this week but I was very proud of my little man when he came home with the trophy. His dad reports it was well earned! (and yes Kase he does play soccer better than his dad plays hockey!)

Sick kids

No not mine!

Both Simone and Kaycee have sick little ones at the moment. Simone's little man Dominic has croup and Kaycee's little Charlee has been having a really rough couple of days with seizures. When I spoke to Kaycee this afternoon she was taking Charlee back to the doctor. Hopefully they get things sorted out to cut down these major fits.

Please keep both of these little ones in your thoughts and prayers (and their mums)

Catching up with friends

Well today has definately been my "catch up" day. By that I mean catching up with my friends. Today Gail and I drove to Bowral to see Lou, Tracy, Cass and Annabelle (and meet Carol) and then Haylee came up later to join us. It was great to sit and chat with Cass and the other ladies and just catch up on what has been happening in each others lives.

We really need to organise a social type gathering where we can sit and chat properly rather than over a scrapping table.

Then after getting home I got on the phone to Melbourne to catch up with all the gossip from the Allan's. Well almost an hour later (57 minutes!) and I think we are up to date. Was so great to hear her voice and just sit and chat.

School holidays

Wow the first week of the holidays is over! Doesn't time fly! We have had an okay week. Monday we originally thought we were having Charlee but Cooper was sick so she stayed home with her mummy. So Tasha and I cooked! We made mini cup cakes and choc biscuits.
Apparently blogger thinks this photo should be sideways!!!
Then we told Tasha she could ring Tegan to see if she can come over and play. Tasha and Tegan go to different schools but are still good friends and Tegan comes over most school holidays.

Then our plans for Tues/Wed sort of fell in a heap so we took the kids ten pin bowling instead.
And I got a strike! If you look with a magnifying glass it is written on the screen above my head ~L~ How cool!
Then the kids and I went to see Get Smart on Wednesday. I got them up early so we could go to the early bird deal only $6.60 each. We took our own chips and got drinks from my work afterwards so all in all a reasonably cheap trip!
Then I worked thurs/Fri.

Next week will be a lot duller for the kids as I am working everyday. They are having a sleep over at Nana and John's one night so that should be fun for them.

I have a scrapping day in Moss Vale tomorrow (saturday) with some of the Scrap of Faith girls. Looking forward to a day of fun, laughs, chatting, cuddles (baby Annabelle will be there ~ but adults hugs too!) and maybe even some scrapping.

Fun week!

Monday was the athletics carnival at the kids school and Tony and I went along to watch the kids. Wemissed their first race (100m) but saw them run in their second race (200m). I was so proud of both of them for trying and for entering 2 races. Tasha came 3rd (she thinks) in her 100m race and was picked for the relay team which we got to see and they came in second! Checking out the competition - like father, like daughter ~L~
Then Tuesday I went up to Shellharbour to see the King's. Played putt putt golf with Callum, and had lunch with Callum, Annabelle and Cass.
It was a great relaxing day and as always when spending time with Cass I came home feeling happier and less stressed.
Tuesday night Tasha had a fancy dress night at Girls Brigade. they have a dress up night for the last night of each term and this term it was hippie/flower power. So after raiding Aunty Gail's dress up cupboard here is my little hippie chick!
Not much else happening this week. Work was hectic (as usual).

I am missing my chats with Sandra. It is funny we don't tend to chat on the phone much but through email etc we check up on each other regularly. With her being away training and not having computer access I am finding it hard. I think of something or see something and think "got to tell SJ" but can't. Oh well she will be home soon and things will be back to normal.

My weekend!

This weekend had been another good one! We started of with a home game for soccer! That is always a good start! Here's my boy on the soccer field (don't you just love the grey knees!) Number 2 - when Kyle started playing 7 years ago he always stated he wanted to play for the bears and he wanted to wear number 2 because "That's what Greg does". He has the number 2 shirt again this year!
Then saturday night I went to the 50th birthday of a lady I used to work with. She has had some major hurdles in her life and the speeches were very moving but it was a good night also. There was a singer there with an amazing voice and we got to have a dance so I was happy.
Here is the birthday girl with her 2 daughters.
Then on Sunday Cass and Jane came over for a scrapping/card making afternoon (and Tim Tam eating session). Of course slow thinking me forgot to grab the camera when the girls were here so no pics. Jason also called in from Canberra to show us his new motorbike. Twice in 2 weeks Jason. Good to see you - Hope to catch up again soon!

These are the cards I made when the girls were here and below is a LO I completed after they left. It needs something but still not quite sure what?!?

She's home

Looking very tired and slightly grumpy - but she's home!

Sounds like they had a great time. She loved the tour of the Rocks - listening to all the history etc (particularly the bit about people being hung!). they went to Sydney Aquarium and Wildlife world and the Art gallery as well.

They stayed at the Woolbrokers in the city which apparently is gorgeous!
Early night tonight!

My baby's gone!

My little girl is away from us at the moment. She has an overnight excursion to Sydney! Don't know who came up with the idea of taking year 4 for an overnight stay but I really wasn't ready for this. It's not normally until year 5. I didn't sleep last night - mind you we had that horrid wind last night so that could have bothered me too. I lay there all night listening to the wind.

The kids aren't allowed to take a phone with them so we can't ring to see how she is going but I am sure she is fine. Prayed and prayed for her protection last night!

But the amazing thing is - the house is soooooooooo quiet without her. I didn't realise just how much noise one girl generates but there is no music, no singing, no constant chatter. Its weird! Even Kyle is missing the noise - go figure normally he whinges she is too noisy.

She will be back tomorrow with heaps of stories I am sure!

a weekend of highs and lows

This weekend has been a mixed bag.

Friday night we had Davina and Gails families over here for dinner which happened to be Davina's birthday so we had the whole party theme! Plastic tablecloths, paper plates (with castles and pirates of course) party hats and everyone brought finger food! It was a great night we had heaps of fun and (I think) everyone have a great time. One of Tony's mates Jason who worked with him for years and years was in town so we rang him and he came along and caught up with everyone too. It was soo good to see him and catch up.

Saturday Kyle had soccer in Ulladulla so we all got up early and headed down there. It was sooo cold. Only just over 1/2 the team turned up so they did lose quite dramatically but they gave it a good go and didn't give up. I was very proud of them. Then seeing we were down that way we went to Batemans Bay and had a wander around and got some lunch and sat on the waterfront to eat.

Heading home I started feeling a bit off colour but thought I was just tired and then KC rang and asked if we could have the kids - which I was really excited about. Anyway we got home and I was violently ill. Just threw up the entire contents of my stomach in one foul swoop. So we had to ring Gail and see if she could babysit and I didn't get to spend time with Charlee and Cooper :( I was so violently sick that apparently I have either bruised or cracked a rib and am in so much pain now and can barely move.

Oh well at least I don't have to go to work until Wednesday!

Scrapping shopping

Just got to share this. Check out this blog for some amazing scrapping barginas.

The address is http://scrappybargains.blogspot.com/

The evening

After the craft show we headed back to the motel and checked in (eventually ggrrrrr to useless check in staff!) then sat and had Tim tams and champagne whilst we got ready to go out. Spent too much time sitting and chatting that it was 7:30 before we headed out for dinner so instead of going to Baia and relaxing as I had been looking forward to we just ducked into one of the little places at Darling Harbour and had a quick meal which was very basic -although we did sit and check out all the people wandering by (I just have to say these people wandering around are getting younger and younger - don't know how their mothers let them out the house without supervision - ~L~ or maybe I'm just getting old) before going up to Star City to see the show.

We met Davina, Stephen, Beth and Mark just inside the door (literally) of the theatre and had a chat before Jane and I headed down to our seats (in Row A). Rocky Horror was a great show! I loved it! The cast would walk down off stage regularly (although having the aisle seat I kept getting strange men running their hands through my hair as they walked past!) and it was just a fun show. We even did the Time Warp at the end (well nearly everyone - the guy in front of us stayed sitting the whole time!) and I did that with one of the cast dancing along beside me.

After the show Jane and I headed to Cockle Bay to the Lindt shop for dessert! Yummy, yummy coffee and I had a cherry chocolate cheesecake and Jane had a brownie. mmmmmmmm.

Then we wandered back around cockle bay and through Darling Harbour (and past the remnants of an "incident" - all we saw were flasihing police lights and crime tape!) and back to the hotel.

Then Sunday we had brekky at Darling Harbour and went to Paddy's Markets where ~ wait for it ~ I bought a handbag!!!! Bet you didn't see that coming. lol

All in all a great weekend. Pity Kathy couldn't make it but hopefully next time! Oh and SJ and Cass!

The craft show

Had a great weekend with Jane.

It started at 7am on Saturday! She picked me up and we headed off to Sydney. got stopped at the base of the Kiama bends for ages with an accident stopping traffic both ways. We were just disucssing turning around and going the looooooooonnnnnng way when we started moving. YAY! Got to Sydney and didn't turn into the wrong parking station (long story but a tradition it seems). Then we stopped for coffee and headed off to the craft show!

Where we shopped and shopped and shopped! (Well I did - Jane bought some ribbon!) I didn't spend too much but got heaps for my $$. I found a place that had Basic Grey, We R Memory Keepers and SEI packs for $12. Yep $12. So I bought up heaps. (Actually bought so much paper that my arm was numb that night from carrying my bags and I still have a very sore neck now!). Got some new stamps and thats about it. Stayed within my budget which I was very pleased about.

The highlight of the craft show was definately seeing an album at the Scrapapple stand with the gorgeous Allan family in it! Loved your mini album SJ - it was gorgeous (and everyone was commenting on it!)

Yay It's Friday!

Wow what happened to that week? Blink and it's gone!

First I have to shout out a huge CONGRATS to the gorgeous SJ for getting accepted into the course she has been talking about for ages (although I knew all along they would grab you sweetie).

I have my girls weekend in Sydney this weekend. We are going up for the Craft and Quilt show (we normally plan our annual weekend so we can craft show all day!). then we will probably end up at Cockle Bay for dinner and drinks before heading to Star City to See Rocky Horror and then after that we will find somewhere to dance until some really ridiculous hour of the morning! ~ got to find some way to warm up in these cold nights ~
Looking forward to it so much. Love the chatting and giggling and general girliness of these weekends. DH has it all sussed ~ he bought us our packet of TimTams (which is kind of a tradition - champagne and TimTams in the motel whilst we are getting ready to go out!)

Hope you all have a great weekend

Long Weekend

Well we have had a great long weekend!

Saturday we thought seeing it was such a nice day we would go for one of our family drives. So we got in the car and headed south this time! I kept telling Tony to drive to Melbourne but he wouldn't be in that - spoil sport!.
Anyway ~ driving through Milton we noticed the scarecrow festival was on so we parked and had a look around some of the street stalls when we ran in to Jenny Webb and then we ended up going back to her place and catching up with Mark and Jenny for the entire afternoon! The kids went off and played with her kids (Tasha patted a horse!) and we had a great time catching up. Jenny and Mark used to be our house church leaders way back before we were married and we havent seen them for years and years.

Sunday we went to church and then came home and **geek alert** sat down and watched the entire series 3 of Dr Who!

Then monday (today) I went in and tidied up my scrap room - unpacked my scrap stuff from last weekend and then sat down and made cards for about 4 hours!

All in all a lovely weekend.

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.