My layout for the February challenge on the Scrapbook Essentials forum.
I love to scrap Leo and the children but its not often I find a photo of me that I really want around for future generations to look at - I'm learning to like my picture - but with all weight issues I have - I could do without the extra chins!! In having said that - I don't like photos of me pre-Ashleigh as I thought I was way to thin. I was a size 8 with room to grow!
What is it with this image thing - where we seem to never be content with how we look? I know I am losing weight slowly this time ( last time I lost it quite fast but then put it all back on and a little bit extra for luck!) I've made lifestyle changes instead of just dieting. But when do you get to the point where you can look at photos of yourself and be content?
I mean I know I don't want to be super skinny again and I know its a delightful feeling to throw away the plus sizes. My goal is simply to fit a size 12 pair of jeans again. I'm out of the 16's and down to the 14's - 12's here I come! Its a reasonable goal I think - doable don't you think? LOL

Here's some dieting quips to make you smile!
*Amazing! You just hang something in your closet for a while, and it shrinks two sizes.
*Caution: Hungry Dieter...may bite if provoked.
*Dieting is wishful shrinking!
*Ever get nostalgic for "The Weigh We were"?
*I keep trying to lose weight...but it keeps finding me!
*In the Middle Ages, they had guillotines, stretch racks, whips and chains. Nowadays, we have a much more effective torture device called the bathroom scale.
*Inside me there's a thin woman struggling to get out...
But I can usually sedate her with 4 or 5 cupcakes.
*Skinny people irritate me! Especially when they say things like, "You know sometimes I just forget to eat." Now I've forgotten my address, my mother's maiden name, and my keys. But I've never forgotten to eat. You have to be a special kind of stupid to forget to eat.

Photo of the Day - 14 (see yesterday's post- there's a lot of photos there - LOL)

Meet Tigger - Jessica's new kitten - for some reason kittens don't give me the same allergic issues as grown cats do - so its safe for a while - then it will join Texas in being "Outside" guardians. Texas, by the way, is quite nervous of this new addition!

Punctuation

Your arched tail is a question mark
when you wish to inquire;
its a rigid exclamation point
when you express your ire.

You whiskers cup quotations
around your every yowl.
Your paw scoops, like a comma,
to knead, or play, or prowl.

And when at night you settle
into a curve of sleep,
your gentle shape parentheses
the dreams you wish to keep.

(Beth Thompson)

Silly Question

When people see my cat's litter box, they always say, "Oh, have you got a cat?"
Just once I want to say, "No, it's for company!"

Chantilly Lace and a Pretty Face....

I was so thrilled to share this wonderful day with Rachel and Brendon! It was a full on day starting with hair and makeup, collecting cakes, balloons, making salads, getting my kids ready, chasing Kaleb around the house. That wee dude was just a right wee terror at the house - he lost Rachels gold chain - panic stations as we tossed the house looking for it, he refused to get dressed, thought the bed was an excellent trampoline. BUT - at the ceremony - he was a dream child - so sweet, he watched his Mum and Dad with wide eyes! All 3 of Rachels boys were angels this day - she was so proud of them.
I think Rachel was stunning and seeing her standing by Brendon bought tears to my eyes as she realised a dream of becoming "Mrs Jones".

A Wedding Prayer

Today is the beginning.
In the years that lie ahead
May you always share the love you have
This day as you are wed.

I pray you'll each be one on whom
The other can depend,
And may you share not only love,
But be each other's friend.

Some hopes may not be realized,
Some dreams may not come true,
But many of them will, I know,
To bless the two of you.

Within the home that you will have,
I pray you'll always find
Contentment, joy, security,
Good health and peace of mind.

(P.S - these photos are my last few days Photo of the Day - LOL)

Photo of the Day - 10

What Could Be Better

Oh, what could be better
Than reading in bed,
Or thinking about
All the books that you've read?

With someone who loves you,
A father, a mother,
A doll, or a pet,
Or a sister or brother,

A grandma, a grandpa,
An uncle, an aunt -
(Can you think of anything better?
I can't!)

While outside the sky
Is all twinkling with light,
From stars that shine down
As we sleep through the night.

Oh, what could be better
Than sleeping in bed,
When the books that you love
Fill the dreams in your head?

Helen H. Moore

Thank you

for the emails and comments I have gotten - it is so wonderful to mean that much to others that they care...
Yes today was a much better day - lots of rain though!!
Denny made me laugh as always.
Thank you my dear friends and my sister who read my blog yesterday and sent me a lovely email even though she hasn't been in great health herself, I owe you all one for helping to perk me up!

:)

Photo of the Day - 9

you are more perfect
than I could have hoped,
more beautiful than I could have dreamed,
more precious than I could have imagined...
...I love you more than
I could have known

Pollyanna thoughts...

I didn't get the job...
I'm sure I will find a job and I'm sure it will be great...
But I wanted that one...
I'm sure when I finally find a job it will be worth the wait...
I had my fingers and toes crossed for that job...
Oh Pollyanna had it so easy! She found rainbows in prisms - I see rainbows when I'm wet! Her 'Glad" game has its positives - but what on earth am I to be 'glad' about???
I'm glad today is nearly over because I'm so sure tomorrow will be a better day - and its Wednesday - so there will be the job vacancy section in the paper - see it works - think happy Pollyanna thoughts and you will find something to be glad about.

I had such a dreadful morning - I went to the doctor today because my hayfever and sinuses have been having major revolutions lately - I've told them they are free to leave - but no they hang around causing me pain and suffering. I got a new prescription for antihistamines.
Then out of the blue my doctor gets all concerned and sends me to get and x-ray! That I have to wait for - next week - private - costing $130 thank you very much!!
When he was pressing on my cheeks he asked me to make chewing motions while he was pressing on my jaw joint, it hurt so much I had tears running down my face and my doctor tripping over himself with remorse.
He thinks I may have a Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) - (hows that for a nice big fancy word!!) I got him to write it down so I could research it - and now I don't know if I want to - what if I sit here and start 'seeing' symptoms?
But if I have it, then it explains why my face always hurts so much - most days I feel like I been kicked in the face. I had always assumed it was my sinuses - but nope - sinuses don't do this!
I came out of the doctors to see a nice wee traffic man about to ticket my car - one wheel was just resting on a yellow line!! I asked him if ticketing me was going to make his day brighter? My eyes were all red from crying and he must have felt like such a shit! No ticket - a warning!!
Then I shot round to Spotlight to see if I could buy the numbers 2 and 1 to alter for my nieces 21st - no numbers - lots of letters.
I think about here I started with my Pollyanna mantra!!
Home to the fax that says Thanks but we regret to inform you, etc,etc.

I'm going to watch Boston Legal -- Denny Crane can always make me laugh! Should I have the appalling bad luck to have a power failure or my tv blows up - I shall personally hunt down and make Pollyanna eat each little 'glad' moment...

:)

Photo of the Day - 8

I left my pictur on th ground wher u walk
so that somday if th sun was jst right
& th rain didnt wash me awa
u might c me out of th corner of yr i & pic me up

Emma Passmore

(Emma won a text poetry competition in the UK Guardian!)

Photo of the Day - 7

I could while away the hours
Conferrin' with the flowers
Consultin' with the rain
And my head, I'd be scratchin'
While my thoughts were busy hatchin'
If I only had a brain.
I'd unravel ev'ry riddle
For any individ'le
In trouble or in pain

With the thoughts you'd be thinkin'
You could be another Lincoln,
If you only had a brain.

Oh, I could tell you why
The ocean's near the shore,
I could think of things I never thunk before
And then I'd sit and think some more.

I would not be just a nuffin'
My head all full of stuffin'
My heart all full of pain.
I would dance and be merry
Life would be a ding-a-derry
If I only had a brain--Whoa!

The Wizard of OZ :)

Photo of the Day - 6

What is love?
Dependability, caring, protection, listening and kindness.
Love does not demand, it asks.
Love does not manipulate into dark ways, but leads to illumination.
Love does not accuse, it questions in a positive manner.
Love is not always being together,
but is an intersection of two people in a world of fast moving fates.
Love is like a solid comfortable hide-a-bed...
sturdy, provides excellent support and is durable.
If you know how it works, you can even sleep on it.
(Bobijean Neher)

Okay another cheat today - I took the photo - a while back - I have just finished Rachels invitations and this is the end result! :)

Photo of the Day - 5

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

What a day it was yesterday

Morning spent in a state of nervous tension... so much so I actually wondered why I was doing this to myself.
I had a job interview at Books 'n More at H&J's - its part time 5 days a week, no weekend work. The interview was at 1pm and I was so very nervous - a whole year of sending in C.V's and getting the stock rejection letter, I think I apply on autopilot - LOL. This was the first interview I had had that is for a job I really want. I went for a job interview last year for a cleaning position - but even though I got it - it wasn't meant to be - I pinched the nerves in my lower back first week on the job - and - it was a job that I took because I was of the mindset that this was all I could do. I was pretty upset when I couldn't do it - trust me!!

The interview went well - great interviewer - easy to speak to, and I felt at ease. I will find out on Tuesday. I'm hoping but not holding my breath. I have no retail skills at all - and although the advert was "full training" - I am sure there are others with better qualifications.... we will see!

Time spent with Ashleigh - Brooke had her first immunisation shots today and Ashleigh text me in tears telling me she felt like the worlds worst mother - and Brooke was not happy at all - when I got over there Brooke was crying - I mean screaming!! But I think it was more hurt feelings and the shock of the jab, because a wee bit of baby panadol and a nice warm bath and she was all coos again! But Brooke has this cutest little pout - LOL!

Shopping - bought a gorgeous skirt and top to wear to Rachels wedding - most I have ever spent on an outfit in a long time - but Rach worth it!! I am so delighted she and Brendon are finally taking the step to commitment, I know in this day "living together" is socially acceptable I still believe in the magic of marriage - its a very special step for 2 people to take. 2 weeks notice makes it even more fun though - LOL! I've seen her dress and she is going to look absolutely stunning!

Fingerprinting - Josef and his C.S.I stuff again - the family has stained fingers from being printed, he plans to do his mates and did Mitchell last night - Leo has been writing everyones rap sheets - hilarious reading - Leo is the Godfather!! And the powder!!! Its goes everywhere! I didn't realise how grubby that coffee table was!

Movies - watched Final Destination 3 - I will never ride a roller coaster, use a sunbed, watch fireworks if there is a horse in the neighbourhood, let Leo buy a nail gun or park in front of a truck in a drive through! Very important lessons! :)

Photo of the Day - 4

Okay so I missed yesterday - I will post twice today to make up for it - LOL

IF

If freckles were lovely, and day was night,
And measles were nice and a lie warn’t a lie,
Life would be delight, —
But things couldn’t go right
For in such a sad plight
I wouldn’t be I.

If earth was heaven and now was hence,
And past was present, and false was true,
There might be some sense
But I’d be in suspense
For on such a pretense
You wouldn’t be you.

If fear was plucky, and globes were square,
And dirt was cleanly and tears were glee
Things would seem fair, —
Yet they’d all despair,
For if here was there
We wouldn’t be we.

e.e cummings

Photo Of The Day #3

Well, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
I really wanna know (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Tell me, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
'Cause I really wanna know (Who are you? Who, who, who?)
The Who

LOL - okay had a bit of fun with todays photo. Josef got a C.S.I Forensic Facial Reconstruction Kit for Christmas - he has been making it up slowly... He finished it today - Leo and I think its definitely the missing link! Instead of a poem today I think the theme song for C.S.I is a little more appropriate...

Photo Of The Day - #2

Breath

by J. Daniel Beaudry

Tree, gather up my thoughts
like the clouds in your branches.
Draw up my soul
like the waters in your root.

In the arteries of your trunk
bring me together.
Through your leaves
breathe out the sky.

You Know You Grew Up In The 80's if:

My friend Minni sent this to me - I guess she knew how much I would relate to everything - but boy did it take me back!! The music, the songs, the fashions - I got soooo sentimental - and guess what I've been singing practically ever since?

You used to buy cassette singles… and still have some stashed somewhere…

Girls wore biker shorts under their skirts and felt stylishly sexy.

You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters club and tried to start a club of your own.

You owned those lil' Strawberry Shortcake pals scented dolls

Two words: Hammer Pants

You watched "Fraggle Rock".

You had plastic streamers on your handle bars... and spokey-dokies or playing cards on your spokes for that incredible sound effect

You watched "Duck Tales" (Woo ooh!)

You (your sister, cousins) wore a ponytail on the side of your head.

You wore stonewashed jean jackets and were proud of it.

You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF"

You wanted to be a Goonie.

You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.

You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.

You still get the urge to say "NOT" after every sentence.

You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.

You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up"

You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates.

You have ever played with a Skip-It or Elastix

You've gone through this nodding your head in agreement.

Don't worry, be happy

You wore socks scrunched down

You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.

You remember watching both Gremlins movies.

You thought Doogie Howser was hot.

You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.

You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool

You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.

You just sang those words to yourself.

Homemade Levi shorts.. (the shorter the better)

You remember when mullets were cool!

You still sing "We are the World"

You tight rolled your jeans.

You owned a bannana clip.

You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' 'bout Willis?"

You had big hair and you knew how to use it.

You're still singing shot through the heart in your head, aren't you!

ROCK ON!!!