Goodbyes and Welcomes

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

They are moving to Dubai for Mark's work.

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

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







Also today we got an addition to our family!

Meet Maggie!

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

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

Its off!!!!!!!

YAY Kyle has his cast off!

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

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

No basketball for the rest of the year but he was very happy to hear that swimming is a really good idea so the kids have already lined up lots of trips to the pool in the school holidays!
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BTW: 14 days till I go to eat pink icing and do the touchy-feely thing! Mum told me yesterday I should get a frequent visitor to Melbourne pass!!!!! Is she trying to tell me something??

What a weekend!

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

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

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

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

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

I've been blog surfing!

Wow!!!!!

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

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

Layouts, layouts.....

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

.....and more layouts!

These layout were done at scrap mornings at Simones

What a weekend

This weekend has been extreme in its highs and lows.

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

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

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

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

What a glorious day!

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

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

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

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

Scrapping

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

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

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

Happy birthday

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

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

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

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

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

Diary of a girls weekend

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

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

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

Sheridan, Jane and Tina

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

Girls at Trevi Fountain

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

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

Happy Father's Day

Happy Fathers Day to a wonderful father.

Well sorry - no brekky in bed but you get up waaayyy to early!

We spoilt Tony this morning with a lovely jar Tasha made him for his nails etc at Girls Brigade, a new drill piece set, a T-shirt (no not the Mr Grumpy one that Tasha wanted to get but a Marvel comic one instead - see pic) and a Chasers DVD.

And of course lots of hugs and kisses from the two little people in the house who adore their daddy. "The bestest dad in the whole, wide world"

It's time to sing!!!

Happy birthday to you.....

Happy birthday to you.....

Happy birthday dear Tasha

Happy birthday to you......

Happy birthday sweetie. Hope you have a great day.
You are growing up so fast - 9 years old today!!! (Although sometimes you act 19!)
Don't forget that life is to be enjoyed - don't wish it past too quickly gorgeous girl BIG birthday grins
Getting birthday wishes
The birthday girl with her daddy (Who's Daddy's Girl?!? - She loves her daddy)
Cuddles for hopalong - oops I mean dear big bro

Busy weekend ahead!

I am having a nice peaceful day today before the madness! Just pottering around doing some housework before meeting mum for lunch. I need the quiet time to try and recharge - been feeling a bit "wrung out" lately. I took time of work for me time to try and sort out what I want and who I am etc but havent had much quiet time at all. Don't know how I fitted work in before ~L~

This weekend will be busy but I am really looking forward to it.

Starting tomorrow - Tasha's birthday. So we will have all the excitement in the morning then it's driving the kids to school. The bus was such a wonderful thing now its a 30 minute trip morning and afternoon until Kyle gets confident enough on the crutches to catch the bus. I am working tomorrow then pick the kids up and we are going out for dinner (Tasha's choice).

Then the fun starts! The girls from up north (the ones we meet in Sydney for our girls weekends) are coming down here for the weekend!. So Friday night we are going to Husky Pub for dancing and laughs. Then we will be doing some sort of touristy thing Saturday before dinner out Saturday night. I can't wait to see the girls again. It is always so much fun when we get together.

Then father's day on sunday (and it would also have been my dad's birthday).

Whew - feeling tired already. But can't wait to see Kath, Tina and Sheridan - and spend time with Jane as well.

Yep It's Broken!

well..... took Kyle to school this morning and had a word to Mrs Wade about his ankle then raced in to work. Rang the GP and got him in this afternoon so Tony picked him up from school and I met them there. And......apparently there is a fracture at the lower end of the right tibia. Which if there is going to be a break is better than it being the ankle.

Kyle is really disappointed - he was hoping to get the all clear and be off the crutches by now.

So anyway the doctor couldn't tell us what to do next or what needed to be done and the hospital x-rays weren't clear so I ended up telling her to just give me a referral for new x-rays and then I rang Dave (Gee it helps knowing an orthopaedic surgeon!) and he is going to see us tomorrow between cases in theatre. By this time tomorrow we will know if he can survive with just the backslab (plaster cast 1/2 way round his leg held on by bandages) or if he needs a full cast. I am hoping the backslab will be fine!

Oh what a night.

I was looking forward to an early night last night but it just wasn't going to happen!

Kyle had an early game of basketball so we all went along to watch. He went after the ball and fell and when he was lying on the ground with the ball under his foot so his foot was up in the air another player fell onto his leg. Poor kid was in agony. So we dropped Tony and Tasha home and I took him up to casualty.

So theres me sitting in the waiting room of cas all flu-ey and coughing and sneezing while Kyle sits beside me playing his gameboy!

They took Kyle off to x-ray fairly quickly and then sent us back to the waiting room. After 5 1/2 hours we finally see the doctor to be told "We think it's broken but we don't know for sure because the x-ray machine isn't working and even though we took his x-rays we can't read them"

So they put him in a backslab, sent him home and we have to go back again this morning!

Our day at the Zoo

Phew what a day!

I didn't get much sleep Wednesday night - one because I had the worst throat and cough and two because I kept thinking I'd sleep through the alarm so I was checking the clock every half hour! Doh!

I got up at 5.30 and had my shower etc then woke Kyle up at 6.00. We had our brekkie and then headed off at 6.30 to school. The bus left Nowra at 7am. 60 hyperactive kids YAY. WE headed off watching the Wild Thornberrys Movie - very mind numbing then we got to Kiama and turned around and started home because they forot to pick someone up in Berry! Anyway - back in the right direction again! We got to the Zoo about 10.30. (After also watching Spongebob Squarepants!)

Sat down for morning tea all together and were then sorted into our small groups. About 11.30 we were finally allowed to go off looking at animals but not for long as we had an education session at 11.45. My group did a quick (and I mean quick - like there it is - seen it - lets go) trip past the Lions and Tigers and Bears (OH MY) before racing to our education program

This was cool - we were talking about rainforest animals and got to pat a bandicoot - see a stick insect - pat a frog - pat a snake (Yes I did! Very proud of myself! - Couldn't look like a wuz in front of all those kids!) - and pat a sugar glider.

Then we had another 45 minutes where we went to the gibbons, gorillas, bird enclosure, giant crocodile and Fishing Cat - Yes thats right a cat with webbed feet that likes swimming to catch its food! Then we raced back to meet up for lunch.

We had planned to go to the seal show after lunch but we ended up going on a the chairlft as a big group so we had to wait around for an hour for everyone to finish lunch before doing the "Sky safari" chairlift.

After that we had just enough time to race down to the meerkats and red pandas before seeing the Bird of Prey live show. Unbeknownst to us we positioned ourselves just near the eagle perch so when they flew over down to the keeper and back they swooped right over us - one even came so low it knocked Kyle's hat!

Then we raced back up the hill (and that hill is a shocker!) to meet the bus at 3.30 to head home. Coming through Sydney at peak hour isn't fun and then we ran into roadworks so we finally got back to Nowra at 7.30.

Totally shattered I went to bed early. It was a long day but it was great too. Kyle wants to go back up in the school holidays and see all the things we missed!

Oh did I mention that it poured rain most of the day! SO my little cold has just catapulted into something much worse!

Its a bit scary!!!

Wow what an exciting but extremely scary time ahead for my family.

Heard from my brother yesterday and they have definately to move! Looks like things are moving full steam ahead and they should be gone by the end of October.

He has accepted a job in Dubai!! .......Dubai is located in a fairly risky part of the world. It is located across an expanse of water known as "The Gulf" (yes that Gulf) from Iraq. I know it is a great opportunity for him - he will be in charge of offices in Dubai, Egypt and Saudi Arabia but it is still a bit scary for me to think of him, his wife and son living in such a risky place. I looked it up on the government travelling website and they list it as "rethink your travel plans" or 4 out of 5 on the risk scale!

I know I will be praying for their safety a lot over the next 3 years!

His family will be coming back home (he is over there at the moment) to catch up with us all before they leave.

We are trying to teach mum to use the puter now to keep in contact - she actually sent an email the other day and received one back! Sounds pretty simple but it was a great cause of celebration for us - she was very proud!

BBQ at Davina's

On the weekend we were invited to Davinas for a BBQ lunch to say thankyou to all the people who helped them with their house renovations and moving. It was a lovely meal and a relaxing time.

I just had to share these pics of my little Nephew Dominic who arrived with his Mum Simone. Don't you just love the cheeky look on his face - I love it!

Dominic with his Aunty Cathy!

Playing with Aunty Gail - Hmm not sure who's having the most fun here!!!

Yum yum

I love these! Aren't they divine! The new BG mellow range. I sooooooooooooo want some. Have seen them online and just fell in love. Yum yum. This is just a few of the range - check them out if you can - There are a few new ranges but this is by far my fav.