Here With Me

Bye Bye Blogger...

2008-03-14T16:08:00.003+13:00

http://nztreasure.wordpress.com/

I am on the move. See you over there. :O)

Scrap Camp '08

2008-03-12T11:09:00.004+13:00

The Scenery

The Layouts

It was a very fun weekend, a total eyeopener for me. I learnt some new things. Some of those new things I would have preferred to stay in the dark about. I don't think I will ever forget the drive up and the first hand experience of bad tourist drivers - being passed by a camper van on the Devils Staircase and seeing a couple of camper vans coming the other way really gets the heart pumping.

Queenstown is a stunning place to visit at any time of the year, and this weekend was no exception. The Lakeland was gorgeous - thanks to the organizers for fabulous accommodation, fabulous food and thank you to Scrapbook Outlet and Scrapbook Essentials for the fabulous make intakes. I've made the acrylic album, will share later. I'm planning to print some pictures to do the chipboard album. I think I had a wonderfully productive weekend scrapping wise. Now the trick is to keep the momentum going and try to scrap more on a more regular basis.

Busy, busy

2008-03-05T13:11:00.005+13:00

not anymore! Yippee I'm packed for The Retreat - I don't think I'm taking that much do you - although my desk has never looked so tidy and lonesome. Only 2 more sleeps for me and then its a weekend of scrapbooking, and fun with fabulous friends. Sounds almost amazingly to good to be true!
Tomorrow I have to bake (okay my wall oven is busted but I'm sure I can whip up muffins in my benchtop oven - they are actually quite yummy cooked in that because the top gets a wee crust) and I have to go to the supermarket and stock the cupboards for Leo and the kids so they dont tell me they starved and had to have takeaways for every meal! I have to keep it basic because Leo's idea of cooking is peeling a massive pot of potatoes... thats it lol!

I have been surfing around for some different storage ideas and whats out there is just fabulous, some ideas are really doable - I say doable because honestly some very lucky people have scraprooms that the done over with the budget we have to do over the kitchen!
If you get the time check out this - Michelle sent it to me and I told Leo it looked easy and he has measured my bookcase that sits behind my scrap table - so maybe I will have this in the very close future : sticker storage.
But I just love these Ribbon Rings, I have oodles of ribbon but hardly any of it is on reels so the gorgeous little ribbon holders are no use to me. My ribbon is in glass jars all nicely muddled up.

In my travels on the WWW I find so many cool creative ideas but this one just 'rocks'. Jess and I are going to head out to Riverton in the near future - it has the best rocks for this and have a go at making these.

And a great site for all you challenge junkies. One goal I set myself this year to journal more - check out The Journaler's Junction for the neatest prompts and challenges and inspiration.

Planning...

2008-03-01T18:51:00.006+13:00

what to take on a scrap retreat is not as easy as I thought it would be! I want to take everything in case I forget something really important, and its not like I can pop home and get it! I'm guessing I will have a number of half done layouts done at camp and finish them when I get home. I do know that the March issue of Creating Keepsakes is coming with me - the article called Finish 5 Projects Today - get more pages and cards done with Easy Patterns - looks so cool this month. The concept is to create multiple projects with just a handful of supplies. Its probably very easy in theory - lol!
My niece has come for a visit. She lives in Perth Australia - my oldest sister having jumped the ditch nearly 10 years ago - check out his layout I did awhile back of her leaving - Tina is standing in front of her mother - and thats the last time I seen her...until she walked through the airport gate last night! OMG hasn't she grown up!? Her and Ashleigh have been making plans since the laid eyes on each other. Donna's 2 girls and Ashleigh were so close growing up, it was really difficult for Ash when Donna left. They have 2 weeks now to catch up. Mum I think was the most emotional - she last seen Tina 7 years ago! I don't begrudge Donna leaving for a better life - but I just wished she had of gone somewhere a little closer. 10 years is far to long! Okay my sneaky peeks from a week or so back have been published in a fabulous online EZine put together by Scrapbook Outlet. It was a big thing for me when I was asked, no one had ever asked me to do that before so I'm talking major confidence boost and head swell - trust me I'm really hard to live with now - lol!AND finally tonight I'm the proud owner of this totally awesome book I just love how adventurous it is. This book has opened a whole new world for me I am a font lover from way back and a huge huge fan now of dingbats (thank you Mz Renfree - her fault - lol) so this book is just perfectly perfect in every way.

Lookie Here

2008-02-26T16:26:00.003+13:00

Thanks Trace for the totally neat wee "Funky Blog.
Now I have to admit I could never figure out how people seem to know that my blog had been updated - almost before I knew??!! I have the subscription doohickey but that has a few hours delay.
Anyhoo I was reading on the SE forum about Bloglines and you could have quite literally seen the lightbulb go on over my head. Now I have loaded all the blogs I read on regular basis onto it and you would think I invented it - man it rocks!! :o)
I can see this being a major time saver. So big thanks to Hannah for her random post that got me there

Here goes...

2008-02-25T19:16:00.002+13:00

First things first - we popped all the names in a bowl and Brooke pulled out a piece of paper with the name Vicki on it - so Vicki I owe you!! ;o) but here are some flowers in the meantime, lol. Don't forget to PIF and make someone else's day.Its been an awful week here with a gastro bug laying the 2 males down low. Poor Josef was so upset he couldn't participate in his school sports day. With all the news about the low water levels and the negative effect the dairy farmers are having on our environment we have banned drinking tap water here until we get a filter/purifier installed. Ive been buying water and its not a cheap option but since we have been drinking bottled water both Jess and I have noticed we don't have queasy tummies anymore. Call me paranoid but we are just so sick of being sick! So if anyone else has a filter/purifier I'd love to know what you think of it and the ongoing costs if any.
On the scrapping front - its been pretty quiet - Ive been just to tired to scrap, to many sleepless nights make Julie a grumpy toad. So I was pretty pleased last night to find the energy and inspiration to whip up this layout of a Friday night challenge that was based on Ali Edwards use of patterned papers. Hands up those who like me have a teeny tiny issue with patterns? LOL its fun to be challenged and then really enjoy the process AND overcome that teeny tiny issue and discover patterns aren't so darn scary after all.

Pay it forward.

2008-02-18T13:09:00.004+13:00

Now Neen PIFed me this gorgeous notebook - how cool is that. So I will pick a name from my comment box of todays post and PIF someone - gotta love this piffing - lol!!
Neen also had the task of scrapping a layout for me in response to a draw at Jack Me Up in December. I emailed her a photo and she sent this back - it is stunning Neen!! Thank you so much.And to round out this post - I have a sneak peek - I have completed 2 layouts for an ezine and just love them - had to share - lol Thank you all for the wonderful comments about my layouts - it is amazing to read them and it gives me those warm fuzzies that so many of you like what I do.

Jack

2008-02-17T14:04:00.004+13:00

My take on the Jack being run over at Kiwi Jack Me Up - awesome challenge this. I really love the way this one turned out.
And a few more layouts to share. I have folder after folder of summers at Nokomai so I have trying to scrap at least one layout a week of what we get up to when we are at the crib. Because of the amount of photos I have, I've found Becky Higgins Sketch book a treasure trove of fabulous inspiration.
And these two layouts are the Friday Night Challenge and the Fortnightly Sketch Challenge from over at SE. I'm a mildly addicted challenge junkie don't you think?

A bit of housecleaning

2008-02-16T11:38:00.012+13:00

I've had a bit of fun playing with the template - all a learning curve - but fun! My blinkies don't work anymore - but I will find them and reinsert them to their rightful places.

So A Quick Catch Up!!

This is my first layout that will ultimately make up my Book of Me.
I have always wanted to do one.

Layouts to share...

The month of January flew past for us, we had plenty to keep us well and truly busy.
Lots of BBQs, day trips and visiting friends and family and weekends in Nokomai helped make the summer holidays just zoom past.
A day trip to Dunedin to visit the amazing butterfly collection at the museum, and of course The Cadbury Factory. A picnic lunch in the Botanical Gardens - which are truly beautiful!
We took in a Rodeo - which Leo and I just loved but Josef totally surprised us by being upset at the calf roping - he didn't like seeing the calves tossed to the ground. This from a boy who got stroppy in the video store because I wouldn't let him hire a playstation game called "Kill All Humans" Jess enjoyed it for about an hour, and then read her book. Ash took the kids home with her so Leo and I could enjoy the rest of the show in peace.And then January turned into February and my son started Junior High. So far he loves it. He has a fabulous teacher who has had a deaf student before and is pretty clued up in dealing with that, which is a huge load of our minds because High School is a whole different ballgame to Primary.I hope you don't mind the super fast catch up - lol - I have some layouts just itching to be put on paper but I hadn't had a chance to get back to blogger all week.
So till next time...

I'm back

2008-02-11T11:50:00.000+13:00

well sort off :o)
I just checked my email to find an email from the lovely techies at Firefox to say my browser should be working as it should be - we think a Vista/Firefox glitch?? Me thinks a major Microsoft conspiracy!!!
Anyway I have busy afternoon ahead so I will pop back later and update the last month - A WHOLE MONTH!!!! Okay you will get highlights - lol, as its been a busy, busy month.

But OMG - I am posting again - yippee...

2007 in my rearview mirror

2008-01-05T23:15:00.000+13:00

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? 
Took the 2 little ones tramping!
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I get a gold star for effort! LOL. I made a few, kept them in spirit and didn't make any this year - I plan to journal more though - I have been so slack in my journals!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? 
My daughter had a baby new years eve 2006
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What states/countries did you visit?
Canterbury - lol
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? 
Better self confidence, new clothes in a smaller size, new church.
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? 
January 1st - Brand new year and brand new granddaughter
October 10th - Oma and Opas 50th wedding anniversary - huge milestone
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting a new job
9. What was your biggest failure?
Failing to recognise the signs and falling back into the grip of depression.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? 
Acute sinus troubles - drove me batty - lol!!
11. What was the best thing you bought? 
The wee fake french antique looking window seat I have in my lounge - I love this seat!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Those in countries that are at war. The mind boggles trying to understand and the heart breaks thinking of the casualties.
14. Where did most of your money go? 
My laptop, the carport and the section redevelopment.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? 
SENZ - I had never been to anything like this before so it was a wonderful experience for me.
16. What song will always remind you of 2007? 
Its Not Over - Daughtry
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: 
a) happier or sadder?  Happier
b) thinner or fatter?  Fatter!!!!
c) richer or poorer? Poorer - but thats only because we have doubled our savings plan for a while - need a new bathroom this year!!
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Take more time to listen to my inner self and stopped bottling feelings up, talked about things more.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? 
Watching TV - such a time waster.
20. How did you spend Christmas? 
With my parents and Leos parents for a long relaxing lunch
21. Did you fall in love in 2007? 
I did - I discovered Daughtry - lol - a voice I can hear and I love listening to.
22. What was your favorite TV program? 
NCIS
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? 
Nope
24. What was the best book you read?
Slow Burn by Julie Garwood - loving her stuff at the moment
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? 
Daughtry
26. What did you want and get? 
A better relationship with Ashleigh. We have put all the past well and truly behind us and we have become great friends.
27. What did you want and not get? 
The perfect job! ;o)
28. What was your favorite film of this year? 
Pirates 3 and Transformers - lol
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 
Flipped over to the fast slide to 40 - hmmmm.... very quiet had tea here for family.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? 
Oh dear???!!!
32. What kept you sane? 
My husband :o)
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? 
I got a huge kick out of Captain Jack Sparrow.
34. What political issue stirred you the most? 
John Keys has captured my attention. I'm not a terribly political person - NZ politics are pathetic - to many personal vendettas and not enough focus on real issues.
35. Who did you miss?
Miriam and Donna
36. Who was the best new person you met?
Brooke
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Never take yourself for granted!

Josef's Graduation

2007-12-19T13:37:00.000+13:00

Its the end of primary school for Josef! How incredibly sad that my boy has grown up so fast. Next year he will go to a whole new school and be a Junior High School student.

Last night we went to St Teresa's for the school leavers mass. It was so awesome to see the kids going up to get their "Children of the Light" candles lit by Father Hamish.
As each child went up to receive their candle and graduation certificate the child's teacher had a little to say about each child. Mrs Diane McFaul, who was Josef's teacher this year said this "Josef has a wicked sense of humour and is constantly teasing me and others in the class. He is kind to others and is reliable and responsible. He accepts and takes on challenges. He loves to draw and really enjoys graphics on the computer. Well done and good luck Josef."

All of Josef's teachers he has had at St Patricks have taken a very shy, withdrawn little boy who had major social and learning problems and shaped him into the bright, funny young boy he is now. For sure there have been some rocky moments but the teachers have persevered and each of them have given Josef the most solid foundations of which Josef will build his life on.

Thank you St Patricks.
Thank you Diane McFaul
Thank you Julie McElhinney
Thank you Trevor Morton
Thank you Caroline Rout.

Teachers are expected to reach unattainable goals with inadequate tools. The miracle is that at times they accomplish this impossible task. (Haim G. Ginott)

Counting down

2007-12-16T18:55:00.000+13:00

sure does make the time go faster - not long until the jolly fat man who has caused a serious dent in our wallets drops in. My children are sitting on the fence as to whether they still believe. Jessie put it best - she visited Santa and told me he wasn't real because she could see his black eyebrows under his white ones!! I asked her what did she believe then and after a moments thought "I believe in the magic Mummy because Christmas makes us all so happy and we get to see all of our big family."
Yeah Jessie I still believe in the magic, its wonderful isnt it?

Anyway believe it or not I managed to find the time to plot, plan and create this layout for the Jack Me Up team.
The photos are a year old, but sometimes it takes a challenge to motivate me to use photos that can stump me. It turned in to a double page spread - but it was a perfect way to use the many, many photos I took that day.

A mother's joy begins when new life is stirring inside...
when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time
and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone.
unknown

Rested and ready

2007-12-04T17:46:00.000+13:00

A weekend at the crib was just what I needed. I've been feeling a little iffy around the edges. Whether its because Christmas is just around the corner, I'm working 5 days now, I've felt a little let down by some people and the kids have discovered sibling rivalry and that has become a constant in the home of late. I have lately been wishing we could escape the city and get back to nature. I always feel so much more alive and at peace with myself and the world when I'm sitting in the middle of nowhere. So we packed up the car and went to Nokomai. Okay its not the bush but its remote - no shops, no traffic (unless you count the farm vehicles or fishermen) no people close by. No pressure! No need to get up at a certain time, no need to have meals at specific times! No tv, no computer, no scrapbooking, no diy projects for Leo. Just us. My family and I. Just 2 beautiful sunny days of sitting outside, going for walks, playing soccer, paddling in the creek, playing cluedo and payday. Lunch at 2pm and tea at 7pm.
What a huge difference those 2 days have made to us, the kids are calmer, Leo and I are more mentally prepared for the christmas season - which is hectic and fun - but with a stressed out mind can be ruined.
So I haven't scrapped all week. I'm not worried because I have oodles of new photos I took at Nokomai just waiting to be printed and played with. ;o)
Oh and Thank you so much NZDares for the delightful parcel I found waiting for me - what a thrill it was to have my name pulled out for the digital/hybrid dare.

A budding scrapbooker...

2007-11-26T21:20:00.000+13:00

Most kids play with their food.
But how many ask to borrow the camera so they can take a picture?
And then wonder out loud what papers will she use to scrap it....

Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like. (Mark Twain)

I got elfed

2007-11-23T16:11:00.000+13:00

Check this out - the new wave in christmas cards huh??
Elf Yourself

A meme

2007-11-22T22:12:00.000+13:00

… seen on Hannah's blog

I give you money and send you into the grocery store to pick up 5 items. You can only pick one thing from the following departments … what is it?
1. Produce: a pineapple
2. Bakery: raspberry jam fingers
3. Meat: salmon
4. Frozen: WW cookies and cream icecream
5. Dry goods: egg noodles

Let’s say we’re heading out for a weekend getaway. You’re only allowed to bring 3 articles of clothing with you. So, what’s in your bag?
1. yoga pants
2. t-shirt
3. clean knickers

If I was to listen in on one of your conversations throughout the day, what 5 phrases or words would I be most likely to hear?
1. If you know what I mean
2. Ditto/Mwah - (these are in texts alot)
3. I love you
4. 1...2...3
5. I am so tired!!!

So, what 3 things do you find yourself doing every single day, and if you didn’t get to do, you’d probably be in a pretty irritable/bad mood?
1. Brush my teeth - gotta do that or I cant talk, lol
2. Tea table talk!!
3. Spend time in my scraproom

What are 3 things that you have in your room that have been with you for the longest amount of time?
1. The floral hat a friend made me when I turned 15
2. The white teddy mum gave me when I turned 16
3. My plunket book - its in my bedside table lol

If you were only allowed to listen to 5 of your CDs for the rest of your life, never adding anything else, which 5 could you listen to & be content with?
1. John Denver - Favourites
2. 80's on your radio
3. Pat Benetar - Best Shots
4. Bon Jovi - Cross Roads
5. Grease Soundtrack

You’re driving down the road, and suddenly you’re hit with this sense of road rage. What 3 factors probably contributed to it?
1. Dazed and confused elderly driver in front
2. DH in the passenger seat being a backseat driver
3. That toad that just pulled in front of me with no warning!!

You just scored a whole afternoon to yourself. We’re talking a 3 hour block with nobody around. What 5 activities might we find you doing?
1. Reading a book
2. Spending time online (there goes the 3 hours - lol)
3. Scrapbooking
4. Deep cleaning a room
5. Shopping

We’re going to the zoo. But it looks like it could start storming, so it’ll have to be a quick visit. What 3 exhibits do we have to get to?
1. Monkeys
2. Giraffes
3. Kiwis

You just scored tickets to the taping of any show of your choice. You can pick between 5, so what are you deciding between?
1. Extreme Makeover Home Edition
2. NCIS
3. Boston Legal
4. Sea Patrol
5. The View

You’re hungry for ice cream. I’ll give you a triple dipper ice cream cone. What 3 flavours can I pile on for ya?
1. Pinky
2. Caramel chunks
3. Banana choc chip

Somebody stole your purse … in order to get it back, you have to name 5 things you know are inside to claim it. So, what’s in there?
1. Wallet
2. Cellphone
3. Address Book
4. WW meeting book
5. Camera

You are at a job fair, and asked what areas you are interested in pursuing a career in. Let’s pretend you have every talent and ability to be whatever you wanted, so what 4 careers would be fun for you?
1. Writer
2. Geologist
3. Talk Show Host
4. Air Force Pilot

If you could go back and talk to the old you, when you were in high school, and inform yourself of 4 things that you should or should not do, what would they be?
1. Keep having fun - you will grow up soon enough
2. Keep it fun - don't take risks and ask yourself WWJD
3. Stay in school!!!
4. That boy in that band is bad news! ;o)

Hybrid...

2007-11-18T20:38:00.000+13:00

I made this up using a Rhonna Farrer free love digital kit that was available free from 2 peas.
Usually I might add something to a photo then print it out and scrap traditionally. But I quite liked the way this all sat together.
Its my entry into my 2nd NZ Dare. I often look and think man the talent that is there... its a Dare for me to post that I have done a Dare - LOL!

The words - which you cant read (sorry) are from the song that played as our first dance when we were married. It was sung by John McCall a country singer in Australia. He was one of my Dad's good friends so it was extra special.

Our song…

I want to share your life
every minute every day of your life
and I want you to know
that whatever you do
and where ever you go
Remember…

Someone loves you honey
no matter what
just be my girl baby
someone loves you honey
more than anything in the world

I’m so glad I’m the one
that you came to when you needed someone

that’s what my loves is for
it’s a shoulder to lean on
a boat in the storm
Remember…

Someone loves you honey
no matter what
just be my girl baby
someone loves you honey
more than anything in the world

Back...

2007-11-18T20:00:00.000+13:00

I must have a had a wee dose of seeing into the future in my last post! 2 posts in one day and then nothing for 2 weeks..... hmmm - seriously we have had tummy bugs and accidents just doing the rounds here - and I am so over bugs. Lets start with Josef getting stuck in a window - we still don't know what he was thinking when he decided to climb out the window at school! But he slipped and got 'hung'. He was quite banged up when I got to school and after a quick consult with my doctor it was decided he was suffering a mild case of shock. What a dreadful experience, poor Josef was so shaken he slept 24 hours and it took over a week for him to bounce back.
Then we started taking turns with the gastro bug that has taken Southland by storm. Leo suffered the most, he was off work 5 days and he only went back because the telecom faults were pouring in and he works alone so wasn't a risk. Then Jessica, then Josef and then me. Ashleigh and Steven even joined in the fun!! Poor wee Brooke got it last week and ended up spending a few hours at A&E with a 41 degree temperature and a totally freaked out mother.
Last weekend I was moving a shelf in my scrap room and my back decided to let me know it existed - amazing how much we take the spine for granted. My lower back has been giving me so much grief lately. Its almost humorous to go to work and have my elderly clients demanding I sit!!!
Last Thursday I picked Jess up from school and she was in tears because she had a piece of grit in her eye and the teacher had given her an ice pack???? I rinsed her eye as soon as we got home and sure enough a piece of grit sailed out but by this time Jess had rubbed her eye so much it had scratched. Friday she was home with an infection in her eye!
Today I went up to the craft show for a wee looksie with Ashleigh and Brooke and before we left I noticed a small rash on Brooke's neck. Ash had assumed she was reacting to the wool washs he used to wash Brooke's sleeping bag. Ashleigh text me this afternoon to say she had been to Oma's and Oma took one look at Brooke and announced Brooke had the measles. So I went to look and yep sure enough Brooke has the measles!!! That poor baby has such a rough time of it lately. Those spots came out so fast!!!

But we have had some bright spots! Josef had his New Entrants Day at Boys High on Friday and he loved it!! He was so pleased to see Jeremy from his soccer team. Nathan another soccer team member but a year older made Josef feel good as well. Josef was shown around the school by PJ - PJ is deaf as well and is doing really well at school - this was a total confidence boost for us as we have had some people vocally knocking Boys High as a bad choice for Josef. When you have only have 2 schools to choose from you will get pros and cons for them but ultimately Josef is the one who has to go there.

And finally yesterday we had a most wonderful day spent with Ashleigh and Steven and a lot of family and friends as we celebrated my baby girls engagement. Yes I am having some trouble cutting the aprons strings, even though she is a mother herself, she is my baby now and forever!
The sun came out and we had a fabulous BBQ tea. It was such a great evening. I was so impressed with the goodwill and love that just flowed to Ash and Steven. The make such a lovely couple and they both work so hard to make things work out. They have come such a long way from the troubled teenagers to grow into mature, loving adults.
It really goes to show that sometimes just sticking by your kid when they go off the rails and quietly mending damage in the background can really pay off. The layout is my entry for the monthly challenge at Scrapbook Essentials. Brooke looked so adorable in the wee red jacket Oma had knitted her it seemed a perfect photo op!

The Winds of Fate (Ella Wheeler Wilcox 1850-1919)

One ship drives east and another drives west
With the selfsame winds that blow.
'Tis the set of the sails
And not the gales
Which tells us the way to go

Like the winds of the sea are the ways of fate,
As we voyage along through life;
'Tis the set of a soul
That decides it's goal,
And not the calm or the strife.

Two Posts in One Day

2007-11-06T11:55:00.000+13:00

Hmm - I must be ultra motivated or coming down with something...

Anyway I just wanted to share the awesome night I had on Saturday out at Sue's farm. It started out a Halloween party for the kids, we had some cool games. Like the Mummy Wrap - teams of 2 had to race to wrap each other in toilet paper. The eyeball and spoon race. The Pinata. Apple Bobbing. Lots and lots of fun!!
Rachel, Sue and I wen the whole deal and even made up Halloween treats for the table.
Then we sat down to a BBQ tea. Gotta love Southern BBQ's - yep it rained, lol - okay it was only a wee spit but still it felt right - LOL.
Sue and I got cracking and stuffed a guy for the bonfire. I swear I haven't laughed so hard in ages with all the adult humor that was flying while we sewed this 'guy' up.
We haven't purchased fireworks for a long time, so much money just to burn!!! But with the 3 families all sharing the cost we had a cracker of an evening around th bonfire. Our Guy took all of 5 minutes to burn up (big sigh - he was a good man - LOL) The children especially loved the sparklers. We all had a go at writing our names in the air with the sparkly effect.
Enjoy these photos - there are several layouts itching to be done now!

Q. Why don't witches like to ride their brooms when they're angry?
A. They're afraid of flying off the handle!
Q. How do witches keep their hair in place while flying?
A. With scare spray.
Q. What kind of mistakes do spooks make?
A. Boo boos.
Q: Why do mummies have trouble keeping friends?
A: They're so wrapped up in themselves
Q: What Do You Get When You Cross a Snowman With a Vampire?
A: Frostbite.

How Thrilling!!

2007-11-06T11:46:00.000+13:00

My name was pulled out of the hat for this layout and it won this prize!!! Love the winner's cassette Neen makes up for the blog...So I put this together over the weekend for the latest song -yep "Thriller" LOL.Thanks so much Neen, I love these challenges so keep them coming :o)

"Fangs" for the memories

The Travellers Road Test

2007-10-31T13:55:00.000+13:00

http://www.travellersroadtest.co.nz/

Miriam sent this to me and I took it for a bit of fun. I was actually pleasantly surprised at the results as they are very true. While I haven't traveled a fraction of what I wish I could - it will happen. Leo and I were just talking last night about which tracks we plan to tramp this summer. And on our wishlist of family activities is to attempt the cycle trip of the Central Otago goldfields with our kids.

You appear to be a direct descendant of Ed Hilary, viewing all geographical landmarks as something to be conquered. Nothing makes you happier than lacing up your slightly pungent boots and heading for the hills.

You’re self sufficient and independent and prefer to travel alone or with like-minded people. Large regimented tour groups make you twitchy.

You’re prepared to take risks but you’re also equipped for any occasion. Pocket knives are a basic accessory of any outfit and you could create a tourniquet out of an old jandal. Even your pants are waterproof, wrinkle-free and flame resistant.

Travel essentials: The necessary Lonely Planet, insect repellent
Favourite souvenirs: A piece of rock from Everest or the Berlin Wall
Similar travellers: Vikings, Christohper Columbus

LOL - I don't have a piece of Everest or the Berlin wall - but I do have a piece of Vanuatu and I always want to go back there!

So whats your traveling style - do share...

Some of them seemed possessed of an incorrigible inner urge simply to explore,
to use whatever excuse was necessary to travel into country where no one else had been, to see where the rivers went, to find a pass through a mountain range that no one else had crossed. (David Thompson)

Time after Time

2007-10-30T11:10:00.000+13:00

My layout for this challenge - I'm glad Neen extended the deadline as I have had such a busy month and I really wanted to do it.

So here it is....

“Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick,
and think of you
caught up in circles confusion–
is nothing new
Flashback–warm nights–
almost left behind
suitcases of memories,
time after…”

“…If you’re lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you; I’ll be waiting
Time after time”

Cyndi Lauper

Whoa Jack!!

2007-10-25T21:13:00.000+13:00

I was surfing around and realized I hadn't done this months Jack!! Okay so this month has had a life of its own and flown by. I know I'm a challenge junky and lately I seem to be a nick of time junky as well - LOL.
Anyhoo here is my Jack of the extremely talented Delys Crams layout.Buttons, stitching and the ever present glitz...and of course the gorgeous shot of Brooke - perfect ;o)

If I could sit on the porch with God, the first thing I would do is thank him for you.... author unknown

Layouts to share

2007-10-24T18:48:00.000+13:00

Okay I managed to finish up a few layouts from SENZ.
This was from the brilliant Sequined Secrets class run by Kerrin Quall. I loved this class and I loved the whole idea of creating my embellishments with sequins and beads. Time consuming yes - but man it looks so good!!This is the Rocking Roxie Class layout. I really enjoyed the class - the new techniques and the doodling - all fun and bound to turn up in future layouts.And this was a layout I played with at the Saturday night crop at Tanya's old work. I played with the cricut and was suitably impressed by the way it cut me a big flourish without breaking into a sweat. Then I had oodles of fun doodling with an awesome Aussie Scrap Source DT kit I picked up at SENZ. The kit was Doodling Delight by Christine Miller. Not being a confident doodler this kit has really given me a fabulous taste of doodling.And these little beauties are the serviette canvases my sister Gaye taught me to make. With Christmas just around the corner they are going to make a stunning centerpiece. On the subject of Christmas the Scrapbook Essentials forum ran a 1 day challenge to make a Christmas card and tag. I made these. I had bookmarked this card a while ago in a Memory Makers magazine and figured I'd give it a crack. I doubt I would make these as the cards I send out to family and friends - it took ages and was as fiddly as heck!! LOL. But the tag was easy to whip up.The weather down this way has been positively awful. Yesterday was gale force winds up to 145km and today torrential rain and hail. I'm used to our totally weird unpredictable spring weather but these 2 days have been over the top even for Southland.

All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

SENZ

2007-10-18T12:48:00.000+13:00

I know its been ages since I last posted and I do hope this is not a sign of things to come - but seriously folks - I am over rushing around and being so busy I don't have time to vege!

Before I get started HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELLE!!! I hope you have a fabulous day.I flew up to Christchurch last Wednesday, and from the touch down till lift off it was a pretty full on weekend. I loved the SENZ experience and I would definitely be keen to do it again.

I think the best part of the whole thing was doing something with my big sister and developing that childhood bond that can sometimes get lost in the rush and chaos that is adulthood. I am so pleased that Gaye and I have a common interest that we can share. Congratulations Gaye - btw - for having your name drawn as winner of the first Scrapbook Essentials Sketch Challenge - its a fabulous layout and I thought it was a buzz to see you win something on your very first entry!!
Okay back to my Christchurch trip - I distract myself!!
I spent Thursday with Miriam - huge hugs babe!!! Thank you for putting up with me and I will be thinking of you tonight!!! Miriam's sister Hannah has been nominated in the Best Gospel/Christian Album of the year, and Miriam is going to walk the red carpet with her. What an awesome experience that will be.
Friday, Gaye and I headed into SENZ and did some serious damage to our bank balances - we shopped! I spent time watching a demo for serviettes on canvases and I tell you this is my next big thing - everyone is going to get a canvas made by me!! LOL!
I found Michelle wandering around up at SENZ - woohoo photo opportunities - and we did - we had fun playing!!!We then attended my favourite SENZ class - Sequined Secrets with Kerrin Quall. The detail and work in this womans work is just awe inspiring - she is talented and I was so badly bitten by the sequin bug - move over brads - I have to make room for my now growing sequins and beads collection! My layout isnt finished for this class - the sewing and beadwork is complete - but I need a title so its sitting in my pile waiting patiently for me to be struck by inspiration.Friday night Gaye's friend Barb came over and we played with canvases and serviettes - oh what fun fun fun!!
Saturday we had to be in at SENZ with the birds to make the first class of the day which was run by Chris Miller. This lady can doodle something wicked!! And it always looks so fabulous. We had a play with the Love Elsie Roxie range. The layout when complete was stunning and just the sort of layout to 'rock' me!
Then I went and played with stamps!!! I'm not huge on stamps - they annoy me - but they are so much fun when they do as they are told! We took a class on using the same stamp for different looks and I was surprised how versatile a stamp can be - we made 3 cards and got instructions for more. And we got to keep the stamp - yay!
The classes were awesome and I learnt some great new techniques. In hindsight more classes would have been fun but this was my first SENZ and I wasn't sure what to expect.
Saturday night we got together with a bunch of SE ladies - thank you so much Tanya for arranging this and the cake was scrumptious!! We cropped, we shopped, we talked and we laughed - what a fun night! Meeting Tracy, Mich, Lynda and Vicky from SE forums was really great. I have to finish this post with a massive happy happy dance - I'm going to go to the Scrap Retreat next March in Queenstown. Meg, Sue, Rachel, Janine, Megan, Mich, Tanya, Gaye, Michele and maybe JulieMaree - to name the ones from SE going.... how gosh darn exciting can you get??!!! I am really looking forward to meeting you Janine - that will definitely be a major highlight for me!

"I wish I'd known from the beginning that I was born a strong woman.
What a difference it would have made!
I wish I'd known that I was born a courageous woman;
I've spent so much of my life cowering...
I wish I'd known that I'd been born to take on the world;
I wouldn't have run from it for so long,
but run to it with open arms.
(from Excavating Your Authentic Self by Sarah Ban Breathnach)

Happy Memories. Happy Times.

2007-10-08T19:31:00.000+13:00

Happy Anniversary.Its been a very very busy week in this house. Maria is over from America. We have had 4 birthdays - Mum, Dad, Oma and Me (yep I hit the big 21 yet again ;o) ). We have had lunch dates and supper dates. We all still have worked. And the kids have been home for school holidays.

But the biggest milestone I think is the massive celebration we had in the weekend to celebrate the 5oth Wedding Anniversary of Oma and Opa.I will have been married to Leo for 10 years next year and truly that seems so long - 50 years is such a wonderful achievement and we had such a lovely day - its such a joy to have the entire family in one place!!

One can only wonder at what it must have been like for Oma and Opa as newlyweds to say goodbye to their family and friends and climb aboard a ship to sail to the other side of the world to start a new life together. And what a life they have had, they had 5 children, they have mourned the loss of one of these sons. Opa built many houses in Invercargill in his day as a bricklayer. They have traveled back to Holland and many of their family have visited here. A crib built by Oma and Opa in Nokomai is still a favourite place for the extended family to vacation and see in the New Year with the traditional dutch Olie Bollens made by Opa.
I share a love of needlework and juicy thrillers with Oma so we often swap books and compare notes.
I wonder where Leo and I will be in 40 years time? What will the passage of years bring us?
I hate farewells, I want to keep my family close, but the world has become so small that we have scattered.
The sad part is saying goodbye, Angie and Teresa-lee back to Christchurch, Lynette is off to a new job in Te Anau (and her partner, Allen is away to The Solomons for a stint as a peacekeeper), Maria is heading back to the US next week. And my Ash tells me that her and her partner Steven are planning to move to Australia.

Fiftieth Anniversary

(Nancy Smith)

Fifty years ago we started our life.
It was the day we became husband and wife.
The years passed by and our children are all gone.
Now our little ones have babes of their own.
And sometimes it seems like the time went too fast.
When we reminisce of our life in the past.
But there is still one thing that I know I would do...
I would still spend another 5 decades with you.

Jess loves me

2007-10-01T18:22:00.000+13:00

I already knew that - LOL, but she was busy creating today and made me this...Each little card says something so sweet and honestly put a lump in my throat.

Things about Mum
- You Rock
-You Are Always There
- I Love You
- You Never Let Anyone Down
- You Are One Cool Mum
- I Would Never Forget What You Do
- It Wouldn't Be The Same Without You
- You Are The Best

If nothing else Lord, please let this little girl always hold me in such high esteem and
don't let me do anything to break her faith in me.

Tagged - What am I grateful for?

2007-09-28T19:49:00.000+12:00

Hannah has tagged me and its such a cool tag - I have to list 6 - 8 things I am grateful for...

1. I am grateful I am sitting here and a friend has been thinking of me and added me to her list of tags, this means I have friends, I have people who think of me and care what I have to say - yes I am grateful for that.

2. I am grateful for my family, my husband Leo who has been my rock and my pillow for 12 years now. My children - Ashleigh who taught me how to grow a backbone and be a stronger Mum ;o) and Jess and Jos who bring me so much joy. To Brooke who has been such a wonder since day 1.

3. I am grateful I can believe, know and trust in my Heavenly Father and that he is watching over me. My personal faith has been very important to me as I struggled with life's curve balls.
4. I am grateful for the advances in technology that has opened doors for me and allowed me as a hearing impaired mum to be more independent, like my fax machine, my emails, my cellphone and my relay phone - all let me stand on my own 2 feet.

5. I am grateful that I have a creative bent that lets me scrapbook, I love the fact I am preserving our lives now for the future generations.

6. I am grateful I live in Southland - we are on the doorstep of some of the worlds most spectacular National Parks and I am grateful we have the means to be able to spend as much time in these parks as we wish.

7. I am grateful, today, that my sister and her family have driven down from ChCh for a visit. family is so very important and its always so wonderful to be able to see each other on a reasonable regular basis.

How wonderful it is to be grateful for all the little things that make up the 'big picture'.
Thanks Hannah for the cool tag!

I think for the fun of it I will tag
Ann
Michelle
and
Janine
have fun...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!!! MWAH...

My desktop

2007-09-26T17:35:00.000+12:00

Having a laptop in ones scrap room does not encourage scrapping!! LOL. I'm sitting in here looking for a quote for a card and go blog hopping instead - then I spot Hannah's blog and this cool post about sharing your desktop. Now I have just gotten this laptop and its running Vista. Ive heard a lot of bad things about Vista and Ive heard some pretty good things. I love how visually appealing it is and the folders are soooo much easier to navigate!!
Anyway this is my desktop right now.I love how there are no game icons scattered all over my picture - Josef and Jess have laid claim to the old desktop and it actually runs better without all my scrap stuff on it!!!
The icons on my laptop are all scrap related - LOL - photo editing, printing, hybrid scrapbooking word processing...
I love the vista gadgets - the sticky notes are a godsend to someone like me who writes mysefl notes about everything!!!
The big clock is there to theoretically keep me aware of the time, hasn't worked yet - but it looks good!
And the slideshow viewer is a nifty wee way of always seeing my photos.

At the time I had Hannahs blog open I had 6 tabs open in Firefox - I have 2 eyes and read 6 pages at once - go figure.
My Mail was open and I was also looking for a layout in 'my scanned layouts' folder.

And last but not least media player is pinned to the bottom bar and has several playlists loaded.

So that is my desktop!

Now Hannah issued an open tag and I will do the same. I 'normally' blog once or twice a week so I don't always notice tags etc so I will make that assumtion of others lol.

If you feel like doing this then here are the rules (as cut and pasted from Hannahs blog - thanx Hannah ;o)

My Desktop Free View Instruction:

A. Upon receiving this tag, immediately perform a screen capture of your desktop. It is best that no icons be deleted before the screen capture so as to add to the element of fun.
You can do a screen capture by: [1] Going to your desktop and pressing the Print Scrn key. [2] Open a graphics program (like Picture Manager, Paint, or Photoshop) and do a Paste. [3] If you wish, you can “edit” the image, before saving it.
For MAC users: Press [ Apple] [ Ctrl ] [ Shift ] and [ 3 ]
B. Post the picture in your blog. You can also give a short explanation on the look of your desktop just below it if you want.
C. Tag 5 of your friends and ask them to give you a Free View of their desktop as well.
D. Add your name to this list of Free Viewers with a link pointing directly to your Desktop Free View post to promote it to succeeding participants.

iRonnie
Rebecca
Jon
Vegan Momma
The Vaguetarian Tea Room
Blairs Boys

Here with Me

My 1st NZ Dare

2007-09-25T17:10:00.000+12:00

Ive often looked but never tried...
Here is my very first NZ Dare.
The challenge was to scrapbook something in your life to do with television. Well I couldn't resist the attempt to scrapbook my very favorite television programme of all time.
The strip journalling is some of my favourite quotes from the show:

"You know, this is pretty good - someone should be writing this down!"
- Potter

Henry: “Pierce, are you scared?”
Hawkeye: “Don't be silly. I'm too frightened to be scared.”

“I will not carry a gun, Frank. When I got into this war I had a very clear understanding with the Pentagon. No guns. I'll carry your books, I'll carry a torch, I'll carry a tune, I'll carry on, carry over, carry forward, Cary Grant, cash and carry, carry me back to old Virginie, I'll even hari-kari if you show me how, but I will not carry a gun!”
- Hawkeye

Frank: “I insist on quiet in here!”
Trapper: “Will someone please turn the war down for Frank?”

B.J.'s early impressions of the Korean War: “I think I hate this.”

“Aw, pony pucks!”
- Potter

“These are the forms to get the forms to order more forms, sir.”
- Radar

Hawkeye: “You won again. You always win. Who do you know? “
(Father Mulcahy looks up.)
Hawkeye: “Name dropper.”

Frank, whatever it is, just write it down and put it on my desk where I can't find it.
- Henry

The journalling is tucked behind one of the bigger photos at the top and reads:

"I grew up watching M*A*S*H. My sisters and I would watch it on my parent’s bedroom TV while Mum and Dad watched the news.

As an adult I have a healthier appreciation for the humor and I still really enjoy watching this show. I have the entire collection on DVD and watch it whenever I am in the mood for Alan Alda, who will always be one of my favourite people."

And that was fun! It took me a lot longer than anticipated because I kept getting distracted and reading websites dedicated to MASH. LOL.

3 challenges and spring flowers

2007-09-24T20:29:00.000+12:00

make for a happy Julie.

I decided to march all the kids over to the back of the old hospital where the gardens have been let to grow wild, the spring flowers are in full bloom and are simply stunning.

I have taken quite a few photos and will be scrapping them in the very near future. I have been suffering 'scrappers doubt' lately - wondering if my stuff is a good as I think it is. I woke up and smelt the daffodils - and quietly reminded myself that I scrap for me and my family. I share because I love the hobby and I like any other person love to be told I do well, but mostly I want to say "Hey look what I've done today."

And on that note here is what I have been up to...

This is my take on the layout by Ann up to be 'Jacked' over at Jack Me Up. I used to cross stitch all the time - small children put an end to the long hous spent stitching in a corner. So it was a lot of fun to stitch this wee soccer dude just for a page of my own little soccer star. And I just loved playing with all the circles.

This is my layout for Neens challenge over at The Music in Me. For future reference I have written on the back of the layout that the song is sung by Gwen Stefani. I just got the Scenic Route papers last Wednesday and have been itching to do this page with this photo.

And this little gem was put together as a result of a Friday Night Challenge offered up by Megan Renfree over at Scrapbook Essentials. We had to use decorative scissors, chipboard and a stamp. Hmmm... LOL I have decided I really, really like 'ingredient' challenges. Anyway Megan placed all the entrant sin a hat and my name popped out, so for my efforts I am to get a package of rubons from Imaginisce - yummy!!!

This is Brooke and her 2 great grandfathers! Opa and Grandpop. Both of them just love having a little one around again.

Grandpa and Me
(Nancy Wolthoff )
Come Grandpa, walk with me... Help me to be the best kid I can be. Take me here and take me there... Show me now how much you care. The many hours we share together... Will be the times I'll remember forever.

Sunny days ...

2007-09-16T20:13:00.000+12:00

chasing the clouds away.

Oh how blissful the last few days have been, glorious warm sunny days. Days that spell the coming of summer.

I've not done any scrapbooking this week. I've lost my mojo and I'm in a dark place scrapping wise.

But I have new photos and a couple of new monthly kits arriving so maybe...

First things first

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSICA-JOHANNA

I can not believe how fast the last 8 years have flown and I have this gorgeous little diva to call my own. We have had a family afternoon tea today but next weekend she is having a sleepover with a few friends. She picked that weekend because that is the weekend of the release of High School Musical 2! So we are going to get rid of the boys and do our hair and nails and pop some corn and settle in for this cool movie (cool being Jessica's description - LOL)

2nd up - Leo totally blew me a way with this groovy (my word) surprise! My very own laptop!!Yay for darling man who doesnt give flowers or is as romantic as Captain Jack Sparrow! Yay for the fabulous man who announces a new laptop may be what I need to get my mojo back - yes he notices when I have a dry spell, and he is such a supportive scrapping spouse. I adore this man, he knows the right moves - no doubt about that. I'm still in the learning process with htis new toy, but what fun!

And 3rd up - HERE"S BROOKE.....

she is such a darling wee sweetheart at the moment - she loves to show off her 2 teeth and I love to show off my grand daughter.

Finally I leave you not with a poem but a quote from Ali Edwards site - its a meaningful quote and one that I plan to take to heart. I have noticed my scrapbooking has become very 'arty' and while I love this I feel I have lost the true meaning for scrapping - for me anyway.

...but the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while doing this. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of the three on them sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4, and 1. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in a hurry to get on to the next things: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.

Anna Quindlen

I blinked and my week was over

2007-09-08T12:13:00.000+12:00

Ever felt that way!!?? Between working and the children I think I ended each day in a daze!
Anyway I just wanted to quickly upload some layouts that I've completed recently - thank goodness I can leave my work in progress laying around, some of this sits for days before I can get back to it!This layout is for the challenge posted by Neen here on her new blog. I wasn't sure I would do this one because I never liked the song - LOL - but then I came across this photo and couldnt resist - it was so appropriate.

Fabulous news is Josef has been accepted to Boys High School - he is so excited. They have an orientation day next month - he cant wait now! Please Lord let him keep this enthusiasm for school and this love of learning - please!

Watching a Lunar Eclipse

2007-08-28T22:50:00.000+12:00

Jessica and Josef were allowed to stay up and watch the moon enter the earths shadow. The weather down here was perfect for watching the eclipse, but right at the end high cloud blew in and we didn't see as much of the red moon as we would have liked. The children were absolutely thrilled with this experience and full of amazing questions about what was happening.

Moon Names Many cultures had names for the various full moons throughout the year. Some of the most common are:
January - cold moon, wolf moon
February - trappers moon, snow moon, hunger moon
March - windy moon, storm moon
April - growing moon, rain moon
May - planting moon, flower moon
June - green corn moon, strawberry moon
July - ripe corn moon, hay moon, thunder moon
August - lightening moon, sturgeon moon
September - harvest moon, big feast moon
October - hunters moon, falling leaf moon
November - dark moon, beaver moon
December - snow moon, winter moon, long night moon

I am sooo angry

2007-08-27T19:48:00.000+12:00

According to ABC News 'Almost 600 New Zealanders are leaving home every week to live and work overseas and most of them are heading to Australia, migration figures show.' I can so understand this!!!
Our education, health and welfare systems have completely gone to the dogs!
1. Jessica needs new hearing aids - urgently - we followed all the requirements and the aids are covered by our personal home insurance. The audiology department told us today it will be late September, early October before she gets an appointment. Ummm - hello did we mention urgent - as in she needs them for school? We have to go private! The hospital has a contract to provide this service free to school children and we have to go private!! (but going private means she will be seen Wednesday)
2. Again health related - my dad is in dire need of a triple bypass open heart surgery. He has been told he is a "walking time bomb". He has type 2 diabetes and most days is a really awful shade of grey. He is on a waiting list.. and he will have to travel to Dunedin for the surgery which may or may not happen before Christmas.
3. Ashleigh rang IRD today to find out why she hasn't gotten family assistance to be told they had on file Brooke was in CYFS care!!! What the??? I'm sitting on the floor playing with Brooke while Ash was relating the conversation she was having on the phone! We were gobsmacked. Then because its a government department - it will take a couple of weeks to sort this out and the payments should start 2-3 weeks. No sorry, no explanations, nothing!
4. Education - oh good heavens I could write a book about what I think is wrong with our education system - I'll start with the way they grade kids - give me A B C D E etc - over all this politically correct achieved, merits what have you - you either pass or you fail! You nearly need a degree in something to understand a high school students report lol!

I'm in such a grumbly, angry mood with everything!!! And I have a headache. Grrrrrr.... some days I haven't a clue why we stay in New Zealand, it does not seem to be a country that works for middle income, hard working people. I worry constantly about what the future will offer Josef. Josef wants to be an archaeologist and has such big dreams. Its funny but I dont worry about the girls as much - they seem to land on their feet better than Josef. (Jess has announced she is moving to France so she can be a professional artist)

I'm sure by tomorrow I will be over my grumble - and back to loving my country to pieces. And I do, I love how we can hop in the car and in half an hour we will be in the mountains, at the beach or a river. But tonight I am sooooo angry!!

Photo shoot...

2007-08-23T21:16:00.000+12:00

We had family photos taken 2 weeks ago and last night we went to view them - I was just blown away - I love them so much! The complete package was affordable and when you paid for them you get a CD with all the pictures they took including the duds!
Even though I think I take a fair photo, there is just something about studio portraits that is sometimes a little better. I am waiting for Ash to let me have her disk so I can share the gorgeous shots the photographer took of Brooke.
And we also got a four generation photo taken - my Mother, Ashleigh, Brooke and myself.
A lot of "professional" shots going to be framed and put up on my walls!!

Josef had his soccer team photo today - the photographer had everyone in fits of laughter because he didn't have a clue where to stand Josef! No matter where he stood he was so little he disappeared. It will be interesting to see that photo when it comes out! They had a little play after the shoot and some of the boys asked Leo to be goalie and let them practice kicking - this gave Leo such a head swell he is now unbearable to live with - LOL!! I think most of the other parents thought Leo was an assistant coach because he would spend games running up and down the sides telling the kids where to go and where to kick etc. A very loud, supportive Dad.

Jessica and Leo had a minor disaster tonight, Jess is refusing to talk to her Dad!! We had takeaways for tea - the kids had Burger King and Jess being Jess took her hearing aids out and put them in the BK paper bag for safe keeping. While Jess was up getting her pj's on Leo decided to have a tidy up and threw the BK bag in the fire! Leo is cross with Jess because he doesn't understand why she put the aids in the bag and Jess is cross with Leo because he threw her bag out when as far as she was concerned it wasn't rubbish. Jess was so upset when she discovered what Leo had done she started to hyperventilate and nearly fainted!! The poor kid was so worried. It took me quite some time to calm her.
Its going to be a couple of weeks before she will get new ones, I have to contact our insurance tomorrow and start a claim. Then audiology so they can order new aids and book an appointment for Jess to get new molds made up. I'm hoping her teacher will be a little understanding and make sure Jess is aware.

Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever. (Aaron Sussman)

Jack-Time

2007-08-20T09:36:00.000+12:00

My layout is completed for this months Jack. I just loved Christi's layout. I had a lot of fun 'lifting' this idea.
The title is the bum of Brooke's pants she was wearing - very appropriate. LOL. The wee fairy and the papers were a freebie from ages ago - one of the magazines was kind enough.

When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into thousands of pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies. (from Peter Pan)

Beep Beep

2007-08-19T19:11:00.000+12:00

Thats my wake up call. I have been in a procrastinating mood for the last while and have put off quite a bit - updating my blog is one of them!I came online at lunchtime and had a wee wander over to Michelle's blog - what a delightful surprise to discover she has awarded me with a webbie "NICE" award. Now that just made a grey day brighter - and to prove it all the clouds in the sky went away and the sun came out, warming me right through. Which is exactly how I feel when I read the lovely comments Michelle had written about me.
This last week has been so good to me! Gaye and I have been planning our SENZ weekend and we have so much to look forward to - I honestly can not wait. We have booked A Rocking Roxie class with Scrapbook Outlet, Sequined Secret class with Hastings Rubber Stamps and Take One Stamp class with Stamp Zone Ltd. And we plan to spend plenty of time 'surfing' the booths!! AND a big highlight for me is going to be the Saturday night - Tanya has arranged a crop night at her work. So far 14 ladies have signed up - and they are all from Scrapbook Essentials. That is going to be amazing.

Josef's soccer team made it into the finals, he has at least one game left. I have loved watching him play this season, he has come out of his shell and taken to the game. On Saturday he played a forward for the first time and he totally blew us away with his ball skills and he nearly got a goal. he was disappointed he didn't but it skimmed the post and went the wrong way! His team mates showed such spirit when they high-fived him! That one of the things I love the most about Josef's team, they love to win but they don't let it get to them if they don't. I love this photo, I took it on Saturday, it shows the height difference to the extreme - LOL - Josef is in the middle - the other 2 boys are only a year older than him!And this is our little fan - even on a muddy soccer field she can look like a diva!Look what I got!! I love Heidi Swapp! Her stuff is just so scrappable!! I actually got up at 4.30am in the morning to get this - LOL! Leo had to go to work at 5am and he woke me up and I decide to getup and order the kits in the US of A. They took a week to get here - and they quoted 25 days - how cool is that?! I'm going to have a lot of fun playing with this kit.And thats not all - sweet Meg from Scrapbook Essen tials found me this book and ordered it in for me... to quote the website "150 cool new ways to turn your everyday scrapbooking products and tools into fabulous projects" This book ROCKS!!! Its just packed with fabulous ideas using stickers, rubons, brads, ribbons and so on. Such an inspiring book.And Brooke - latest pictures - hasn't she grown into such a darling? She has her first tooth and can push herself up onto her hands and knees. Ash and Brooke came with me to Meg's when I picked up my book and Brooke and Max sat on the floor chatting away in their own little language. It was so cute to listen to. Max got into Ashleigh's nappy bag and got an Avon magazine for Meg - he swapped on of his shoes for it. Ash found it later when she got home LOL!! Next he will be slipping Brooke his phone number - hehehe.

Latest layouts, I haven't been terribly creative lately. I have completed 3 layouts for the big competiton over at SE. Its has been such a fun experience being challenged like this.
This one was just for fun - he is such a dude my son!

Don't wait for great opportunities. Seize common, everyday ones and make them great. (Farmers Almanac)

I've decided that I want to pay forward my NICE award - all that read my blog - you all deserve one, your heartwarming comments make my day. that includes all of you that read my blog and email me - you know who you are - I love you all to bits! Thank you.

The Circle Journal is over...

2007-08-09T15:14:00.000+12:00

While I wait for my journal to make its way back to me I thought I would share the pages I completed in 13 other journals.
It has been a bumper run and I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this whole sharing process!

Harry Potter Heaven

2007-07-30T18:43:00.000+12:00

Josef won an amazing Harry Potter prize pack from Womans Day magazine! He is so over the moon with his new things.
He got
A Playstation 2 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix game
Harry's book - its a gorgeous blank book
A fountain pen and ink
2 movie passes
The movie soundtrack
A poster
A leather satchel bag
4 mini badges
A snake pen
A sweat shirt (he gave to Ash - because she was soooo jealous - and it was way to big for him)
A Dumbledores Army tshirt
Harry's Quidditch tanktop
A Hogworts keyring
Some skin tattoos
A Ministry of Magic cap.

This has made his Harry Potter heart very happy!!

Hybrid Scrapbooking

2007-07-25T19:21:00.000+12:00

That seems to be my cup of tea these days - I'm in love with all the free digital downloads available on the internet and even had a go at digital scrapbooking but found I much rather have my hands on something, then add in the fact that I like a hard copy of my efforts and the thought of trying to print something in 12x12 format is a little out of my realm of expertise I think! One big bonus about digital is you never ever run out of your favourite embellishment!
because I love to print digital stuff out and I love to add digital elements to my photos then print them - and then I put the whole lot together on a page along with traditional papers and embellishments I am evolving into a hybrid scrapbooker! Scrapjazz has a neat explanation of what hybrid scrapbooking is all about - click here. Its easy to do - and I don't use Photo Shop or any fancy programmes - I use the basic Picture It that came with my computer.
Anyway while I'm on the subject of scrapbooking (gee how did that happen?) - this is what I have been creating lately....I have 2 layouts on the go on my desk and ideas going around and around my head- my mojo went on a mini holiday I think and has come home to me!! I'm a sucker for sketches and I have been trying to learn to adapt them to my - rather than straight copy the sketch.

On Monday we went to Boys High for the Open Night - WOW!! That school is huge and it is going to swallow my little boy up! Josef loved it though, he loved the science labs and the computer rooms. He loved the whole thing and now he cant wait to go there!!
Leo wants to go to the Verdon open day on Sunday - I'm not keen - I had such a terrible experience with this school when Ash was there that I just don't want anything more to do with it. Leo wants me to keep an open mind, he reminds me of my own words - that is not just the school but the child as well that will determined how well they do. I know of dozens and dozens of parents who will say Verdon is the best school. But when Ash was there they let me down, she was trouble with a capital T and she skipped school a lot - but it took them nearly 6 months to tell me this fact! All the time I was dropping her off at the gates and picking her up, and they couldnt tell me she wasn't actually going!! When I confronted this issue they politely told me that I was very difficult to contact - with having a hearing problem! They had Leo's cell number!! I felt they were negligent, she was their responsibility from 9am to 3pm. We were having problems at home at the time with Ash and I was taking comfort in the fact that at least she was till in school.
Now I just couldnt send my son there - he is quite deaf - will they bother trying to teach him - or would that be to 'difficult' for them?
Whoa - that was a major rant!! Just pat me on the head and say "there, there" - LOL.
Anyway I told Leo he can take Josef to Verdon for a looksee - but Josef and I have already decided - he is going to Boys High. We will just humour Leo.
(I hope I am not made to eat my words and Josef ends up at Verdon - unfortunately Invercargill is subject to zoning and we are just slightly out of the Boys High zone - but we spoke to the rector and he is quietly confident Josef will be accepted)

Education is our passport to the future,
for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.
(Malcom X)

Ohhhhh Jack....

2007-07-18T17:06:00.000+12:00

I wasn't sure if I was going to do this Jack - it was way cool - but so totally out of my comfort zone.
I cant seem to get as creatively creative as the others do - when I put to much on a page it bugs me - but I like it when others do it - go figure!!
Any way here is what I did just for the fun of it...

A dog thinks: Hey, these people I live with feed me, love me, provide me with a nice warm, dry house, pet me, and take good care of me...
They must be gods!
A cat thinks: Hey, these people I live with feed me, love me, provide me with a nice warm, dry house, pet me, and take good care of me...
I must be a god!

Jess and the Helicopter

2007-07-17T13:00:00.000+12:00

Leo had to fly over to Stewart Island on Friday and change some batteries. Because it was going to be a quick trip he decided to take Jessica with him. It was Jessica's first time in a helicopter and when I dropped her off at the hanger she was a little nervous -but they were in a rush so she was whipped off and buckled in before she could say "Boo." According to Jessica it was great fun! She enjoyed flying over the ocean and while they were changing the batteries on the Maritime NZ radio site Jess was collecting rocks!She thoroughly enjoyed this special experience with her dad. I think we are lucky that Leo's job is such that occasionally we can go places with him that we normally wouldn't be able to go. Although we are very disappointed that his new work truck has no back seats, as that has meant the end of travelling to Queenstown and up mountains with him.

I have been having a bit of fun playing around with Picture It! and a few of the most yummy free digital downloads I have come across on the internet. I was going to try my hand at digital scrapbooking but it just never grew on me. But I do love to alter photos then print them out.

As for paper scrapbooking I only had the chance to be creative on Saturday night. I cant believe how difficult it has been for me to get the chance or the motivation to scrapbook. I'm heading off to my scrapbook room now but I bet I potter - I do that so well.
On Saturday Leo, Ash, Steven, Josef and Jessica and Josef's mate Brayden went to see Harry Potter. Because I don't go to the movies it seemed ideal that I have my first real stint as a babysitter - LOL. Brooke and I went out to visit Michelle. Brooke was such a solemn wee thing while we were there but she manged this gorgeous wee grin when Michelle whipped out the camera.

The earth belongs to anyone who stops for a moment, gazes, and goes on his way. (Colette)

I got my tickets for SENZ

2007-07-11T20:01:00.000+12:00

YAY!! I'm so excited to be going. I got the 3 day pass and the airplane tickets. I have to try to save a little spending $$. Now I just have to count down the days till October! I'm such an impatient creature - lol!
I was trying to create an avatar before and discovered a neat wee site that made me into a book cover - a romance cover to boot! I also found one that lets me write a newspaper article - will have to try that at a later date! I needed the avatar to update mine on the SE forums. Michele had challenged us to 'show ourselves' hmmmm.... LOL - anyway I couldnt for the life of me figure out how to get my picture smaller than 6kb! So I googled! Wonderful creation Google. I can find anything I want and so quickly. Of course you do tend to find lots of distracting, useless, neat sites as well - but that I think is part of the beauty of the World Wide Web!
This is my layout for the July 07 challenge over at SE. I'm circle nutty at the moment and have added to my wishlist a big circle cutter - not a coluzzle but the big ones I've seen in the magazines.

Take a minute for Jessica tonight - her mouse died this morning. She is pretty unhappy about it and has said no more mice! (thank goodness) . She doesn't like the idea of pets at the moment - they are so 'fickle'. Her kitten is being Leo's shadow at the moment. At least the fish are impartial.

When a Pet Dies

When a pet dies, that special place in our hearts
feels so empty...
But we realize, as time passes, that animals have
a way of teaching us about loving, about
loyalty, joy, and friendship...
And whatever we've shared in their presence can never
really be lost.

Unknown

Jack Frost has been visiting

2007-07-08T13:45:00.000+12:00

I woke up this morning and the world outside my windows was a frosty white vision! It looks so gorgeous. I ran outside to check the birdbath and it has a solid sheet of ice in it - perfect for the fairies that want to go ice skating. Because of the low cloud that is hanging around its nearly 2 o'clock in the afternoon and still everything is frozen solid. Leo is wandering around outside looking mournful. He wants to do things but its to cold to take his hands out of his pockets - LOL!
Its been one of those weeks where life has taken me way up and way down. The kids are home for the school holidays and even though I am only working mornings - its the first time I haven't been able to make plans to do things with the kids. Yes they both old enough to entertain themselves - but I feel like I'm forgetting something - or missing something. Its definitely a weird feeling and one that will take me a while to get used to I guess.I'm sure I've told you about our Kitten, Tigger - he is a real character - I found him and Jess playing and had to snap this picture - what a poser - he loved being pushed around.
My printer/scanner has done an update!! Go figure! It connected to the internet and now has a new user interface.
Sometimes I wish I could plug myself into the internet and get a new interface - or at least a few updates - LOL!!
When I was younger my parents had two tv sets. One was in the living room that we watched a grand total of 2 TV channels on. My parents had a smaller black and white tv in their bedroom. At 6pm on weeknights Mum and Dad would watch the news on TV1 and my sisters and I were allowed to go into our parents room and watch whatever was on TV2. We grew up watching reruns of Happy Days and MASH. MASH was a firm favourite for me. I loved that programme and Alan Alda has long been one of my favourite actors. Leo and I have just bought the entire series on DVD and have been watching episodes when we have time to sit together. What a TRIP! This is a show that could make me laugh out loud and cry in the same episode. 11 seasons I have here and I'm enjoying every episode. If you liked MASH - I like this site - a neat wee bit of trivia here. The 4077th Home Page.

This is the only scrapbooking I have done this week!! I'm afraid its just way way way to cold to venture into my conservatory, and my gas heater is out of gas - lol! I've filled the bottle so fingers crossed I get something a little creative done this week.
Hawkeye: War isn't Hell. War is war, and Hell is Hell. And of the two, war is a lot worse.
Father Mulcahy: How do you figure, Hawkeye?
Hawkeye: Easy, Father. Tell me, who goes to Hell?
Father Mulcahy: Sinners, I believe.
Hawkeye: Exactly. There are no innocent bystanders in Hell. War is chalk full of them - little kids, cripples, old ladies. In fact, except for some of the brass, almost everybody involved is an innocent bystander.

Now thats "LIFE"

2007-07-01T17:59:00.000+12:00

Now how cool is it to have a dull moment in a dreary day - flick on the computer - go to your favourite Scrapbook site - Scrapbook Essentials :O) and discover you have won a challenge? If that is not the perfect pick me up I dont know what is - LOL! Heck even the sun decided to try and come out after that. The challenge was No Kids Allowed and my "life" layout won me a whole heap of praise!
I loath winter, every year I get the 'blues' and struggle to find motivation to meet goals. Winter to me is a cold, dirty season. I'm afraid my hometown doesn't put on a spectacular show for this season. A couple of hours out of town it at least has the decency to snow - which in turn is pretty - I know its cold - but at least you get something to show for the cold! Here it rains, blows, sleets, slushes, freezes and everything turns to mud! The sky turns heavy with thick clouds and smoke from fires. Rooms become damp and chills settle into bones. My home is a haven over winter, we have installed both a DVS system and a room to room heat transfer system. No more wet windows and the bedrooms, while not toasty - they are warm enough to dress without risk of hypothermia. But some of the homes I work in the bedrooms are ice chillers! I work for elderly people and it makes me so sad to see them huddled over a heater when I arrive.
BUT!! The shortest day has been and gone - so roll on Spring - I love spring - at least the mud had purpose - it means the ground has thawed a little - LOL! New life and all the gorgeous bulbs that will pop up - hmmmm....
It might sound a little weird after nutting about Winter - but my favourite season is Autumn. I love the colours of autumn and down here we get warm autumns - last year we had quite a number of "Indian Summer" days - it was wetter than usual though!
LOL - well that was an unexpected wee rant about the weather!
Josef's class has been studying the 1930's and 1940's schooling. Josef has just loved it! For the last day of the school term his class had a mufti day and had to come dressed as students from the olden days. They had spent a week being educated as they would have back then and had a blast! I popped over to his classroom to take some photos and got treated to some blackball lollies - yummy - I havent had those in years. Josef's teacher provided lunch and Josef was so not impressed to get a milo - but with no sugar! He likes a little sugar - lol!

I was quite impressed with the kids likes and dislikes about the schooling in the years 1930/40's.Those were the days, my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we'd choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way
Mary Hopkins

Pirates and Bratz

2007-06-29T15:47:00.000+12:00

My kids have saved up their pocket money and had a wee spending spree. Lucky things took full advantage of the big Toy Sale at The Warehouse and Josef has gotten himself The Black Pearl from Pirates of the Caribbean. He loves these movies - we all do, they are such good fun to watch and me personally - I just love the character of Jack Sparrow ( I have always liked Johnny Depp's work - even way back in the 21 Jump Street days). Josef has spent hours playing with his ships (he has 3 now) and he has big battles and plays out scenes from the movies.
Jess on the other hand scored herself a new Bratz Princess doll. Her bratz dolls have taken over her Sindy dollhouse and moved in! I'm really impressed with how the kids saved their money - and they work hard for this money with their jobs they have to do. Then they spent ages browsing the toy catalogue that came out to work out the best bang for their buck.
With the weather packed up and the kids inside all day especially for the next 2 weeks during the school holidays I'm pleased they can use their imaginations and play with their toys. I dont mind the tv on yucky days but I'd rather they would play. Its quite fun seeing Jessica play 'offices' that takes me back, I used to play that - and schools - LOL!
I only manged to complete 2 layouts this past week. its a little difficult to find a healthy balance and get things done!! I'm enjoying working, but when I get home all I want to do is curl up with a good book and a hot drink in front of the fire. I'm thrilled though with what I have been creating. 2 layouts sit on my desk right now - but its freezing in my scrap room - LOL!!!

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me
We pillage, we plunder, we rifle and loot
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me
We extort, we pilfer, we filch and sack
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
Maraud and embezzle and even high-jack
Drink up me hearties yo ho
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me
We kindle and char, inflame and ignite
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
We burn up the city, we're really a fright
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
We're rascals, scoundrels, villains, and knaves
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
We're devils and black sheep, really bad eggs
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me
We're beggars and blighters and ne'er do-well cads
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads
Drink up me hearties, yo ho

Pirates of the Caribbean
Theme Park Song

OMG It's so COLD!!

2007-06-22T19:30:00.001+12:00

No joke! The temperature has just plummeted and my toes are ready to leave me and move to a warmer climate! It tries to snow but it gets all mixed up with the wind and rain and becomes a cold, mushy slush. But when it hails - it hurts!!! Its quite difficult to decide what to do when the weather is like this, it will actually clear for a while - lovely patches of blue sky and the ground dries a bit and you think "Yes! I'll just pop out" and as soon as you get where you were going the skies darken and the wind picks up (the wind at the moment has a direct line from the Antarctica) and I'm running through a slush storm or a hail storm or something!! I have noticed a tendency of Mother Nature to put on really spectacular displays of terrible weather at 3pm - when I really need to go out!This layout is my take on the challenge at Jack Me Up. I'm a scraplifter from way back. But I very seldom lift an entire layout, usually it will be something on the layout that just appeals to me or is perfect for a photo I have. This layout is a bit different from my normal 'clean and simple' style but I really enjoyed doing it. And LOOK!! Miss Brooke is sitting! All by her little self! And so gosh darn proud of herself. Of course there were three pairs of hands (Ashleigh's, Steven's, and mine) there to catch her if she fell. But she was so excited she could do it.

Winter clutches at me with greedy fingers of glass;
Half forgotten dreams of summer are just beyond her reach.
Still she stretches, reaching out with icicle hands
Keening and wailing for lost bright beach days
and red hot nights.
Desperately grabbing for some vestige of a season gone,
She lets loose a mad flurry of pristine white anger...
As it settles she realizes what beauty there is in herself.
Winter
And finds solace in the crystalline perfection of
Freshly fallen snow.
Julie L (from dMarie)

Fast Five

2007-06-20T21:54:00.000+12:00

Colour: Green

Food: Salmon
Magazine: Simple Scrapbooks
Song: The Power of Your Love
Movie: Whats Eating Gilbert Grape.

What are your favourite Fast Fives?

I completed a layout this afternoon for Jessica, after reading the Hannah and Debbie's comments I don't feel so bad about seeming to scrap a certain person for a while.I just love the way this page turned out. I am really in love with those paint daubers - I've used raspberry and espresso to colour just about every edge seen - LOL!

I was reading this weeks issue of Womans Day and came across a very provoking article on The Surrendered Wife. I was a bit concerned at how it seemed the woman in the article had become a living doormat. I admit I'm uncomfortable with the theory that the woman must always defer to the male and never question him at all. It all seems very one way street to me.
I talked about this with Leo and while he said he would love to have me be a little more 'subservant' (note: he said this while backing out the door - with a huge grin on his face), he thinks our marriage works well because we are partners. We each have our own 'jobs' to do but we also have no problem helping each other out if we need. We discuss things, we have rules and we respect each others decisions. We have the occasionally blow up but we always sort it out.
My religion teaches me that my husband is the head of the household. I have no problem with this because he cherishes me. Leo can be a cave man in his mentality some days but the bottom line is he really doesn't think he could cope if I was to suddenly become a 'surrendered wife' - I think he'd kinda prefer more "Desperate Housewife' diva ;o)
Okay if this 'surrendered wife' works for some people - wonderful. Each to their own.
I just personally believe it takes 2 to make a marriage work. Marriage is a blessing, it can be hard work but each day is one more block in building a solid foundation. Having a healthy sense of humour helps as well :o)

Did you miss me?

2007-06-19T20:50:00.000+12:00

Its been so long since I last blogged! I have to say this is the worst I have been since I started blogging (shame). I do have a good excuse though :o)
I've been so busy and so tired and so sick! Honestly I had days where one wonders why one gets out of bed!? I caught the humble cold, not so bad? It evolved!! It became an infection in my back muscles. The pain was so bad I couldn't even sit at the computer and type!! And that is like a cruel and unusual punishment. On top of that I started a new job as a personal caregiver, it does not help your way in life when the first week you start your job you have to turn down work or wear a face mask to the jobs you can go to! By the time my cold cleared I was able to accept more work, but then I was coming home shattered. I would flick the computer on, check emails, read a couple of blogs, and check on the SE forum to see what I have missed. I am in the process of answering emails so if I owe you one it will come! ;o)
But I have gotten into a routine now and managed to get caught up on some scrapbooking. I tell you, one can easily go into withdrawal when the scrapping seems to dry up!These 2 layouts are for the latest monthly challenge over at SE. The challenge put up by Neen was "Lets get Lyrical" I found the photos of Donna when she left New Zealand way back in 1998 when I was cleaning out my photo drawer. They really took me back, I can still remember how incredibly sad that who moment was, how so very, very hard it was to say goodbye! Neen has also gotten me very keen on this little (big) venture called Jack Me Up - basically a New Zealand website for New Zealand scrappers - where they "jack" a layout - or 'lift" a layout and then you use that layout as inspiration! Now how cool is that?
This layout was entered in a fortnightly challenge - "No kids allowed!" I printed the big photo onto green vellum and was really pleased with the result. It all goes so well with me word of the year "LIFE".Jessica has pointed out to me that I seem to be scrapping more of Josef lately so my next few layouts have to be of her! I guess I should be very pleased that they like my work enough to want me to do more on them.
The photos taken on the Kepler Track were taken just 2 weeks ago - in fact the day after my last post. We love the Kepler Track and wanted to take a day walk in. We took Josef and Leo's mum. Josef thinks it 'might' be okay to go back in the tramping season and stay overnight.

If at first you don't succeed...

...destroy all evidence that you tried.
...do it the way your mother told you to.
...do it the way your wife told you to.
...failure may be your thing. (Warren Miller)
...see if the loser gets anything.
...maybe skydiving isn't for you.
...there's always next year.
...YOU DID IT WRONG!
...you'll get a lot of advice.
...you're running about average. (M.H. Alderson)
...try, try again.
...try, try again. Then quit. There's no use making a fool of yourself. (W. C. Fields)
If at first you DO succeed, try not to look astonished.

Got Spots?!?

2007-06-02T18:32:00.000+12:00

Poor wee Brooke has the chicken pox. She didn't seem to mind terribly much when she was but has been keeping her Mum and Dad awake at night with the grizzles. I had Brooke in my scrapbook room and I was playing my new CD - 80's on your Radio - Brooke was actually kicking in time to the music - it was so cool - she was swinging those wee legs flat out, she really liked Final Countdown and Lets Hear It For The Boy - LOL.

Chicken Pox Poem
Oh, look at all my horrid spots!
I think I've got the chicken pox.
They're on my arms and on my nose;
They're even in between my toes.
They're on my chest and in my hair
These chicken pox are everywhere!
They're on my feet and elbows, too!
I don't know what I'm going to do.
Twelve new spots appeared today
I wish that they would go away
So I could go outside and play!

Shel Silverstein

Leo had a birthday last week - for the next 5 months I can tease him about being 10 years older than me - he hates it as much as I love doing it!
Last night he had the brothers Hank and Herman over - they don't get together often - busy lives etc etc - but when they do - they talk well into the wee hours. Leo and Hank grew up together and Hank was the MC at our wedding. Herman drove the wedding car I was in and took me to the wrong church - LOL!! Leo, Hank and Herman have a lot of history and I'm so glad that they have managed to keep the spark of friendship going all these years when sometimes its easy to 'get wrapped up in your own life'.I have completed Level 1 and Level 2 of Care of the Elderly. The week was long and ....well LONG!! I learnt so much but I really felt they dragged the course out far to long - what we studied in those 5 days could have been taught easily in 2 or 3! I am really looking forward, though to actually working with clients.

Popped out to see Michelle today - I hope you are feeling better soon! Michelle has had a health scare that none of us ever want to experience. I admire Michelle for keeping that sweet sense of humour while telling me what happened. Only Michelle can tell a story that will, while making me cringe in horror will have me chuckling as I picture her doing her 'thing' as well!

Home Remedies That Really Work

If you are choking on an ice cube, don't panic. Simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat and presto! The blockage will be almost instantly removed.
Clumsy? Avoid cutting yourself while slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold them while you chop away.
High blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for awhile, thus reducing the pressure in your veins.
A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep when you hit the snooze button.
If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives, then you will be afraid to cough.
Have a bad tooth ache? Hit your thumb with a hammer and then you will forget about the tooth ache.
Finally...be really good to your family and friends. You never know when you are going to need them to hold the vegetables.

Brookes Big Day

2007-05-27T20:12:00.000+12:00

Please God...

Grant this little child Your love
As each new day appears,
Grant the parents guidance
And wisdom though out the years -
Smile down upon this christening
And in Your loving way
Let Your presence gently bless
This little one today.
unknown

Brooke was baptized today. Another milestone! She was such a little angel. She spent the entire time staring at Father Hamish with the hugest eyes, then a wee gummy grin for those watching her - then back to the serious stare... During the lighting of the candle she started to chatter, which was so sweet. It was a very small affair, just family and 3 of Ashleigh's friends who have bothered to keep in touch with her - 1 of which was so delighted to be asked to be a godmother - she went out and bought Brooke 2 gorgeous wee Pumpkin Patch outfits - LOL - I can see a bit of spoiling going to happen here!

We also had a big family lunch today for a combined Leo and Josef birthdays. I just love this photo of Josef!!
What a full on weekend...I'm so not looking forward to this full time course - I just don't know how working mums do it - keep the house, work and still look fab! I keep telling myself its just for a week...

Going to the Velodrome

2007-05-25T19:02:00.001+12:00

Yesterday was Kit Day - Keeping In Touch Day for all the Hearing Impaired primary school kids in Southland. What an absolute fabulous day it was! We met at the offices of 2 very wonderful ladies Gretchen and Karen for a whole lot of fun with Michelle from Dunedin who played games with the kids and then gave the kids a pile of neat bits and pieces to make bookmarks and cards.
Michelle came to our house on Wednesday night and taught us some very basic sign language. We are very keen to learn but there are no teachers in Invercargill!! We now know the alphabet and how to count to 20 and a few very easy signs like 'name', 'who', 'what', 'nice meet you', 'go'. We need to learn more - it will take forever to have a conversation if we have to spell every word out!!
I got side tracked didn't I? LOL ;o)
Anyway after the fun with Michelle we went to an Indoor mini golf. This mini golf place is just a tad different than the rest - its played in the dark. All the holes glow! The balls glow! Its actually quite disorientating walking in there! Because we had a group of hearing impaired children we had to turn the lights on. But they all had a crack at the last hole darkness. Its quite cool watching this wee ball rolling along apparently in thin air!
After lunch we visited the Velodrome. Now this place rocks! Its is so cool. The kids had such a blast racing each other and some of the dads had a go at racing quite fast! I even had a go - LOL - bummer about this track is if you decide half way round its not your cuppa tea - there is no exit, except right back where you went on!! So Ashleigh and I had a wee race back to the bike stand. I won - for the record - LOL!And for other news today - I have a job - I am registered with Workbridge - they help people with disabilities get jobs. I have to be honest - I have always felt my biggest disabilities are not my hearing loss, but more my lack of confidence and lack of marketable skills. I went for the interview on Wednesday morning and got the email today to say I start the training course on Monday. I will be working for Access Home Health as a personal caregiver. I have a long week ahead of me next week with some pretty full on training. But the beauty is I can take that training further if I want! I'd like to get the full certificate in Elderly Care and then think about the Dementia papers. Both of my big sisters are in health care, Donna is nursing in Perth and Gaye is a midwife in Christchurch. I don't want to be a nurse - both my sisters tell me its twice as hard for them because they have to be twice as alert but they love their jobs. I think I would love to work with the elderly.
For now I'm impressed with the whole deal because I can chose my own hours and work as much or as little as I want. and while I want to work, I want to be there for my kids as well. So keep your fingers crossed for me!!

Guy, 17 years old, lives for cycling competitions.
He trained hard in his cycling club, and the day came when he was to take part in his first real race.
His parents went with him to the starting line, giving last-minute advice.
Suddenly, the starting signal was given.
His mother shouted, "Guy, be careful! Don't go too fast!"

Way to Go Jess

2007-05-22T13:54:00.000+12:00

I just got an email from kiwiscraps - I bought Jessica a kids pizza box full of craft goodies before the last school holidays and she completed the colouring comp and sent it off herself! If you scroll down the page here you will see her pages - she signs off with her full first name - Jessica-Johanna.
What a wee rush for her!

Put Something In

Draw a crazy picture,
Write a nutty poem,
Sing a mumble-gumble song,
Whistle through your comb.
Do a looney-gooney dance
'Cross the kitchen floor,
Put something silly in the world
That ain't been there before.

by Shel Silverstein

And I thought I would share this picture of Mr 10 - he was quite chuffed to read all the comments you all put on here for him yesterday ;o)
His request for tea was homemade chicken and corn soup with hot rolls. So easy to please this child of mine. But to make it a bit more special the girls got all the 'good' crockery and cutlery AND crystal glasses. I thought the wine cover on the fizz bottle was a nice touch...

Five Ways to say "Happy Birthday"

English - Happy Birthday
French - Joyeux Anniversaire
German - Alles Gute zum Geburtstag
Italian - Buon Compleanno
Spanish - Feliz Cumpleaños

A Decade of Josef...

2007-05-22T10:21:00.000+12:00

Josef is 10 today!

He is in double digits now :o(
Officially a 'tween'
Apparently he woke his dad up at 5am to ask him if it was okay to get up.
I missed that one - LOL.

The poem I found to use on his card is just perfect

Today You Are Ten

I can hardly believe,
That today you are ten.
I wish you were still little,
But I cannot pretend.
You have grown to be strong,
Sensitive and kind.
When I see you out playing
I can't believe you are mine.
Talented, athletic, funny and sweet,
You drink a gallon of milk every week!
I can hardly keep up.

You are growing so fast.
Ten years as your mother
Is now a thing of the past.
My prayer? My hope?
My dream for your life?
Love God. Seek His word.
Do what is right.
My heart? My ambition?
My desire everyday?
To love you and train you
To walk in His ways.

- Delora Burrow-Bradish

Josef arrived at 2.40am weighing in at 8lbs and 10 ozs. He arrived sucking his thumb! He was a dream baby. And apart from the nasty medical hiccup as a toddler he has sailed through life. Even when he was at his sickest he had a ready grin and a playful personality. The older he got the more droll his sense of humour got and now he has the same wit as his father and can drive a saint insane!

I really wonder what the next 10 years will bring. I'm in no hurry for Josef to grow up. I hope he follows through on his dream to be a scientist or a cartoonist (what career extremes - LOL). Maybe he will be a game programmer - he does so love his games! Or the next Bill gates. Or as a scientist he will discover the genetic flaw that causes our hearing loss. Or maybe he will write screen plays. This is the kind of kid Josef is - diverse in his interests and very intense in what he does. He never does anything with half a heart - it is all or nothing.

I am so enjoying watching Josef growing and becoming himself. He fits his shoes just perfectly!

Happy Birthday Dude!

Heres to the girls

2007-05-21T11:08:00.000+12:00

I got a gorgeous email from a friend this weekend - thank you Gretchen - I just wanted to share it with all you ladies I consider my friends....

What's so poignant about this picture? Well, it shows a line of little girls holding hands facing the immensity of ocean waves.

Alone they might be washed away, but together they stand strong.
Thank you each for holding my hand somewhere along the way when I was facing a wave of my own.
I hope you will reach for my hand when your own wave threatens.

All of us girls..
Old and young...
Near and far...
Hold special memories of good times we've shared.
We've had our share of hard times when our friends were there to make us feel better.
We've shared...
our hearts
our time
our secrets
our fears
our hopes
and our dreams.
Let us never break the chain of friends!

I am only as strong as the caffeine I drink, the hair spray I use and the girlfriends I have.
Here's to you!
Why do we only have parties for each other when one of us gets married,
pregnant, has a birthday, or retires?
What would most of us do without our sisters, confidants, and shopping, lunching and traveling girlfriends?
Let's celebrate each other for each other's sake!

Love who you are.
Look in the mirror in the morning and smile and say

"I am too blessed to be stressed and too anointed to be disappointed!"
I like that!
"Winners make things happen.
Losers let things happen"
Be Blessed ladies and pass this on to encourage another woman.
"To the world you might be one person,
But to one person you just might be the world". HERE IS TO YOU MY FRIENDS!

Pretty cool huh? I really liked it and it made my day - I hope it makes yours.

On the home front it was a busy weekend, Josef had soccer on Saturday - what a kid - he just loves it, he tries so hard and really gives it his whole heart. I took some more photos but this one kind of high lights how small Josef is - and he is the same age as most of his team members...I had a "Friends Day" I guess you could call it on Saturday - LOL - Michelle txt and said come out and have a cuppa, gladly accepted - she makes a good cuppa - LOL. We had a poke around on the computer and a really great chat. Thanks Michelle ;o)
Then that evening I went to a Stamping Up party with Rachel and Sue, now this was fun - lots of laughter. We made cards and sat around chatting. I really love how I can apply my scrapbooking talents to card making - its a naturally progression I think. I have never had much luck with stamping but the hostess Bronwyn has been teaching me how to stamp. Stamps are so expensive I think I need to learn how to use them and then buy - LOL. After the party we three ladies decided to visit town and popped into Zookeepers for dessert. I had the most decadent chocolate cake - it had a moro melted inside it - oh my!
Nothing lifts the mood higher than spending quality time with good friends and having a chat and a laugh.
Yesterday was a "Welcome Home Day" to Danny and Nicky - 8 weeks touring the US of A, and they had a grand time. I loved looking at their photos and have added Hawaii to my list of places I would love to visit. They collected mugs from everywhere they went - what a great idea. The girls got spoilt with gorgeous necklaces and Josef got the most awesome Pirates of the Caribbean bath towel - its has pride of the place on his bedroom wall - he loves it!
I got this teddy, I just love it so much.I'm glad they are home safe and sound and it is so cool that they thought of us while they were away and bought us souvenirs. Now I cant wait to go over and have a proper look at all the magazines, brochures and bits and pieces they accumulated - I love that stuff - LOL!!!

People

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some people move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to understanding with the passing whisper of
their wisdom.
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.
They stay in our lives for a while,
leave footprints on our hearts,
and we are never, ever the same.

Hello...

2007-05-15T19:34:00.000+12:00

Nobody trips over mountains.
It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble.
Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain.

Its been a while since my last post, I haven't been doing to well with my depression lately and it has a flow on effect with the rest of my life - lousy, rotten cycle.
I thank God daily for my family, my husband it quite literally my ROCK! I haven't been very much here mentally.
Anyway, I'm feeling soooo much better now. Except my hand - I burnt 3 fingers and my thumb last night pouring soup - then I cut 2 fingers on the same hand - I have given my hand permission to have the night off - Leo has done the dishes! (well he loaded the dishwasher!)

I had to take a short break right now I just could not stop laughing - Josef was playing silly with Leo in the kitchen and he went to kick a ping pong ball but his shoe flew off and smashed the cover of the florescent light (on the ceiling) - Jos looked at me and said "I'm going to bed now!" I went into the kitchen and Leo is standing there with a gobsmacked expression - then we both just laughed! Poor Jos was so upset he had broken something! I can handle accidents, I loath purposely done destruction - and Josef's reaction was pure grief - how can you growl? I did - but only because he had his shoes on inside and we have a shoes off policy!

So to update whats been happening in our lives lately - hmmmmm......

We finally got our new garage roof put on!! Yay!! Only 6 months after accepting the quote - then it takes a day to do the job - go figure! We needed this new roof because the old one leaked - and if my scrapbook room is going in there - it is forbidden to leak!! If you pardon the windows - they need cleaned on the outside - LOL - this is before...and this is after! This garage roof is the view I have from my kitchen sink so I'm pleased its looking nice and clean and I love that green!We bought a new car - okay its old (1990) but its sooo economical to run around in. My other car is an Honda Odyssey - 7 seater and a dream to drive - but it chews through petrol like it was lolly water. The only down side the new/old car - its a Honda Accord, is that its a manual - I have been driving an automatic for the last 10 years. So it was to Jess and Josef's complete and utter delight the first time I got behind the wheel. Leo kept a straight face - good man - but the kids were in the back seat laughing their little troll heads off! Then Ashleigh and Steven followed me when I went to pick up the kids from school - I am so pleased to report I didn't bunnyhop once!

Brooke has started solids - bit sad because it only highlights how quickly babies grow and change! She wasn't terribly impressed with her introduction to the high chair - LOLand putting that 'goo' in her mouth was just so funny - she was so startled by the whole episode! She is just a wee poser now and loves to smile this totally yummy gummy grin.Ashleigh is doing such a fabulous job being Brookes mum! I'm quite proud of how she copes. Mind it helps that Brooke is such a delightfully, easy baby.I have had a couple of stabs at scrapbooking, I love these 4 pages but a couple of other need redone as its a case of 'what was she thinking?!?"
Josef started playing soccer last week! he plays for Thistle and he just loves it. He had his first game on Saturday and he was such a little dynamo - darting around the field. He got Player of the day -much to his utter delight. He was thrown in the deep end - he has never played before, but he quickly picked it up and made such a wonderful save by the goal! I had to laugh though when he was by 2 boys, 1 boys headed the ball and up it went, the next boy headed it and over it went to Josef. Josef looked at the ball and ducked! Leo used to play soccer, but he hasn't played since he had his leg broken when Josef was 2 years old. I cringe when I think of the power in a mans kick that it can snap a leg bone. Leo is thinking of playing again!!! He just loved watching Josef play.I'm off to go do Hannahs circle journal - "Advice to my younger self" I had a bit of giggle looking for photos for this one - and had to share this - I was a sucker for the big hair and perms and I loved big glasses!! At least my old albums are entertaining !Don't Quit

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
When you want to smile but you have to sigh,
When cares are pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must,
but don't you quit!

Life is strange with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won if he stuck it out

Don't you give up though the pace seems slow,
You might succeed with another blow,
Often the goal is nearer than
It ever seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And, he learned too late, with a groan and frown,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
You never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So, stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
It's when things seem worse that you must not quit.

- unknown

Well how are you all...

2007-05-04T10:01:00.000+12:00

1st things 1st
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONNA!!!!
Have a fabulous day bliss.

I cant believe the issues computers can throw at you!!! Grrrr. I couldn't create my slide show on my usual place - it would not load my photos properly!! So I googled (gotta love Google) and found a new place. It doesn't have the fancy slide frames etc - but at least it WORKS!!!
I also found RockYou.com - so cool - I now have my name on a star! I shall bookmark them so I can play around at my leisure later.

Anyway - I do have a tendency to waffle just a tad huh? Those pictures are just a fraction of the photos I took while we were doing a driving tour of the West Coast of the South Island. I took over 400 - god bless my digital camera and my 1GB memory card! Most I plan to scrap, but most will probably just go in a "normal" album.
I absolutely loved getting away with my family. We spent hours and hours in the car but the kids were fabulous. Only a few sibling issues got dealt with - the occasional "Mum, she keeps making funny noises" or "Mum, he has his foot on my side" More often than not it was giggles and chatter we heard. Plus we let them time waste with the portable DVD player - understanding parents we are - we appreciate that for a kid - see one tree - see them all - LOL. Josef is now hooked on the Eragon series.
Our trip in a nutshell:
Thursday - drive up to Wanaka. We visited the Toy and Transport Museum - that is awesome - huge hangers full of cars, planes, fire engines, trucks, and of course thousands and thousands of TOYS!! Then we checked into the holiday camp, very nice cabin. At night we went to look at the Earth from Above photo exhibition that is along the waterfront. This is so very thought provoking, the photos are stunning but its the social commentary under them that makes you feel so lucky to live here and so guilty of a thousand little wasteful behaviours.
Friday - We went to Puzzling World. The entire place is just mind boggling. I loved the room where everything is on a lean - its so disorientating!
Then we hoped in the car for the drive up to Franz Josef. We stopped at places like Haast for the whole tourist bit. Lunch was with the natives (sandflies) at Ship Creek. What a gorgeous little bay. If it wasn't for the sandflies - I'd live there!! Then onwards to Fox Glacier where we were able to walk in quite close to the glacier. We heard a huge chunk fall off - it was quite a scary sound, it was a bummer we weren't close enough to see it happen - but the sound was cool! Leo and Josef had so much fun climbing over a huge ice chunk that was in the 'safe' part of the track. Leo broke of a big piece of the ice and we put it in the chilly bin - it lasted till Westport!
The cabin we stayed in at Franz Josef was cool - the kids liked it because we had a TV!
Saturday - We took a quick walk up to the Franz Josef Glacier. Unfortunately we couldnt get to close to it. But Josef loved the name of it - lol - its not often he finds anything with his name!
We stopped at Ross for lunch after a toilet stop revealed a gorgeously restored heritage area!
Then it was a straight shot through to Westport, stopping at Hokitika for a looksie. The camping ground at Westport had the neatest mini-golf - so we just had to play. Jess and I cant play for peanuts - but we sure had fun. Leo and Josef were quite competitive.
Sunday - Cape Foulwind walk - it was such a lovely day we didn't get to see why it got its name, but it was still spectacular to look at the waves crashing on those rocks!
Seal Colony - aww - all those baby seals were just to cute, they put on a wee show playing and falling off the rocks.
Punakaiki - or Pancake Rocks, these were the initial reason for the trip - I seen photos of them years ago - and Leo was always promising to take me up to see them - one day!
They were so totally worth the trip. It gives you a tremendous appreciation of the earths power when you see the rock formations like that.
Little Earth - its a cool wee place where they have made a model town the exact replica of the 1930's town Waiutu. Waiutu was a booming goldfields town that was deserted after the mine collapsed. Its so fabulous though to see the labour of love that has gone into recreating it.
Then into Greymouth to check into the camping ground. We had a wee wander up the beach - which was right across a lane from our cabin - the waves were so loud! Then we had a yummy spa - Leo is now convinced a spa pool would be just perfect in the conservatory!
Monday - 5 hours spent wandering around Shantytown, doing the walks and having lunch. They have a neat activity for the kids - a goldminer has lost 10 bags of gold through the town and the kids had to find each one and list which building it was found in - when they found all 10 they got a free ice cream! I loved this place, its so neat.
Back to Greymouth for a few short walks and a looksie through the town.
Tuesday - Over Lewis Pass to Hanmer Springs for lunch then on to Rangiora to my sister for the night. We are planning to book a holiday home at Hanmer for Christmas.
Wednesday- Out to the beach past Amberley for a walk and a bit of beachcombing with my sister and her family. Then into Christchurch to stay with Miriam.
Thursday - Shop till you drop - well not quite but after such a laid back week the city seemed overwhelming! Had a fleeting hug with Hannah - Miriam's little sister who is doing so well for herself - she is currently touring. I have her CD and its definitely worth a listen.
This evening I got to meet Tanya, Louise and Michele from the Scrapbook Essentials forums. This was a buzz - its so great to have the opportunity to meet people who you chat to online or you send things to - LOL! Louise your bags are ready to be mailed - I haven't forgotten!
Friday - The long, long , long drive home! And it was good to come home.

At thats the whole trip in a very condensed version - LOL - I can make it shorter - 2 words - EXCELLENT HOLIDAY!
Thank you Gaye and Richard and Miriam and Jeff for letting us invade your space - it was to short but at least we got to see you and that was fabulous.

As I was walking a ribbon of highway
I saw above me an endless skyway
I saw below me a golden valley
This land was made for you and me

I've roamed and rambled and I've followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
And all around me a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me

The sun comes shining as I was strolling
The wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
The fog was lifting a voice come chanting
This land was made for you and me

Woody Guthrie

Important Computer Lesson #1089

2007-05-03T10:16:00.000+12:00

Always, always update your anti-virus BEFORE you start downloading emails. Especially if you have been away for over a week!
I opened a virus (shame) its been dropping my internet connection all week - so very frustrating.
All seems to be fixed now - but geez I hate going into the registry on my computer! Not for the faint hearted!
I'm off to make a slide slow for my wee holiday... watch this space - or the space above it - LOL!

I pop out for a minute...

2007-04-29T17:59:00.000+12:00

And when I get back I find I have been tagged - not once, not even twice but three times! LOL - thankfully they are all the same tag!

Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves, people who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names.Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

1. My brother broke my front tooth with a fire poker when I was about 8 years old - I don't think I ever teased him again...
2. I moved 6 times in 2 years when Ashleigh was a baby...
3. I can't sleep if my feet are hot - so they have to be out of the blankets - BUT I cant hang them over the side - there might be something under my bed!!!
4. I love purple winegums...
5. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints...
6. I belong to Greenpeace...
7. I like to write stories...

I'm not going to tag anyone because I think all my scrapn' friends have been tagged. Makes for interesting reading.
I have several blogs to catch up on - friends forgive me - we went on holiday and were away 8 days.
I will blog on that when I get my photos loaded.
Hugs

Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers...the mind can never break off from the journey.

What do you do when its raining

2007-04-15T19:12:00.000+12:00

and the kids can occupy themselves and you have done all your errands AND you can finally lean forward without feeling like your brains may just fall through your eyeballs (hayfever - again - big sigh - LOL)
Well I went on the scrapbookers equivalent of a 'bender' - I finished out a couple of layouts that needed journaling or just that finishing touch.
I redid 2 layouts and done another one for a challenge. Its Neen's challenge on the Scrapbook Essential site - create a LO using a movie poster as inspiration. So I have completed a 2 pager - but page one is based on the layout of the Pretty in Pink poster. Neat huh? Then because I was feeling rather clever I made some cards. I gave one to my nephew for his birthday today and he thought I was pretty clever - although the $$ in the card might have influenced hima bit. I gave another to my niece for her birthday and she is a budding editor - she picked up the mistake I made - I put 5 balloon brads on instead of 4 - LOL!! I spent quite a bit of time trying to convince her the extra one was for good luck!

Ahhhh feeling of great satisfaction....
That lasted until I looked at the pile of unfinished layouts and the drawer full of photos yet to see cool paper! LOL
Oh well....

On a fab note - it was really cool to see my big sister and her 2 girls today - they have come down from Christchurch for a few days. The girls had a plane ride and loved it - apparently my youngest niece fell in love with the nice man air host (what on earth do we call them these days??) I plan to take my sister over to Megs tomorrow- yay! Any excuse to go shopping - LOL!

Scrapbooking isn't about scraps of paper and photos.
Scrapbooking is about scraps of life - yours and those special to you.
(Rebecca Sower)

Generations...

2007-04-12T09:38:00.000+12:00

I was looking at some some photos the other day and realised (slow brain cells in action here - LOL) there are actually a number of benefits to having children at a young age. Brooke has both sets of grandparents AND most of both sets of Great Grandparents still living! And we are (most of us) still very young and able to get down and play with the baby.
This is my mother - Brooke's Great Nana...This is Leo's Mother - Brooke's Great Oma.Her paternal grandparents and some great grandparents are still around as well...
I'm envious in a way because I never knew my grand parents - let alone great grandparents! My Dad's Dad is the only grand parent I knew and he died a few years back! Brooke has a huge family surrounding her! When I think of how she will practically have an entire row of supporters when she does anything at school, etc I get the giggles. This child is going to be so spoilt for attention and love - and free babysitters!

Grandparent's are a Blessing

When God created grandparents
the world was truly blessed
with all the special joys
that make a family happiest...

For grandparents know how to do
the things that warm a heart,
They touch our lives with loving care
right from the very start...

They show that they believe in us
and all we're dreaming of...
When God created grandparents,
He blessed our lives with love.

Jessica's kitten popped in to say hello - he loves camera's this wee guy - if you are trying to take photos and he is around he is almost guaranteed to try and hog the shot!

Rest and Relaxation...

2007-04-10T18:30:00.000+12:00

At Nokomai - just what I needed. Days with no plans and no pressures, lots of games and books! Other than the freezing cold at night it was lovely up there, most of the time it was t shirt weather but it cooled down fast and at night we snuggled deep under our blankets and woke in the morning with cold noses - LOL. We went for a few walks - the photo above is the walk to the cattle stop - or as Ashleigh used to call it the candle stop! LOL - we used to imagine hordes of candles trying to escape their melting death from the crib!
I actually found it difficult to come back to the computer and sit down! How sad huh? I really enjoyed going away with my family and can not wait until next week when we head away for a few days to the West Coast and then to Christchurch. It makes me get itchy feet, Leo keeps me grounded - he hates change - I think I was a gypsy in a previous life - until I met Leo I moved on a whim, if I found my flat boring I moved - LOL - I was a pro at moving by the time I moved to my current home - and now I think I would dread moving - I have accumulated so much stuff!!! My scrap room alone would need its own trailer!

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter break? We had a wee hunt a little later - I think easter Bunny couldn't find Nokomai - all the eggs were left at home!!My Chocolate Bunny
I love you chocolate bunny, dear,
I think I'll nibble on your ear.
And it won't do you any harm,
If I nibble on your arm.

I don't think anyone will know
If I nibble on your toe.
Oh, chocolate bunny, you're so sweet,
I think I'll nibble on your feet.

You're better than an Easter Egg.
I think I'll nibble on your leg.
I love you chocolate bunny so,
Oh no! Where did my bunny go?

Suzanne Tillman

May the spirit of hope that Easter brings,
Help you find contentment in little things,
And restore your faith in the Lord above,
Who gave His life for the ones He loves.

DVD's

2007-03-31T22:38:00.000+12:00

I bought 4 DVD's yesterday
You, Me and Dupree - so funny!!!
The Devil Wears Prada - haven't watched, but Ash says it is great
The Weather Man - haven't watched - but love Nicolas Cage movies
Miami Vice - its cool - but not my Don Johnson by a long shot.
Anyway I was putting them on the database I set up for my movies and I just happened to notice the little number at the bottom of the screen that told me I have 527 DVD's. Hmmm - now should I be worried?
I used to work in a video store and it started my love of movies. When I lost most of my hearing I lost interest in watching movies because I couldn't follow them (Americans do everything in the dark!! They have no light switches over there - I'm not joking, watch any US or Canadian show and they will be running round with a dinky wee torch solving crimes or doing their thing!)) - anyway when DVD's came out I was delighted! I have gotten most of my favourite movies on DVD, I got Bugsy Malone, Grease, Flight of the Navigator, The Goonies, Gone With The Wind, Annie...
I once bought some DVD's from Thailand, but I gave them the flick - they were bad copies!! the subtitles didn't match the movies - this btw gave Leo endless enjoyment - he could hear what the people said and then he would read the subtitles and laugh himself silly!! Meanwhile I would be sitting there trying to figure out why they said that!!! I guess things really do get lost in translation!
Our movie collection is so cool though, we have movies for all tastes because we enjoy just about anything. We do rent some first before we buy - just to make sure. And yes we watch them over and over. I have lost count of the number of times we have watched LOTR's or Harry Potter or Sahara or What Eating Gilbert Grape or Shrek.
I'm looking for Star Wars 1 and 2 for Josef - I bought him the boxed Trilogy 4,5,6 for his birthday and we have #3. He has gone Star wars nutty at the moment!

I went over to Rachel's tonight and completed 2 layouts! I impressed myself - usually I forget half my stuff and come home with a couple of layouts that need finishing - but not tonight!
I love this photo of Ashleigh - I cant get over how my baby girl is all grown up... ....and with her own baby - who graced us with this gorgeously gummy grin!
No form of art goes beyond ordinary consciousness as film does, straight to our emotions, deep into the twilight of the soul.
Ingrid Bergman

Me I'm dishonest, and a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest. Honestly it's the honest ones you have to watch out for, you never can predict if they're going to do something incredibly stupid.
Capt Jack Sparrow

It's 106 miles to Chicago. We've got a full tank of gas and half a pack of cigarettes. It's dark and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit it. The Blues Brothers

My name is

2007-03-29T20:24:00.000+12:00

Julie - LOL - I hope you already knew that!
I was blog catching up - some of my favourite bloggers blog relentlessly - and I made a pact with myself not to spend so much time on the computer - so now when I come online I spend twice as long catching up. Not to worry - makes for better time spent than telly!
Anyway - I came across this link over at Janine's, what does your name mean, but with a few juicy bits tossed in!
My information was quite cool...

Julie

~ Julia ~

(Latin)

~ meaning ~
Youthful

~ motivation ~
Motivated to help others

~ character ~
Does not get rattled

~ feelings ~
A person who loves life

~ intelligence ~
Known for their inventiveness

~ spiritual ~
Has a free spirit

~ nature ~
Considered to be obliging

~ inherent ~
You are enthusiastic with all you do

I'd be so interested to know what people who know me well thought of these :)
All the old baby books say Julie means 'downy faced' - what the heck does downy faced mean? And what were my parents thinking?

Scrap updates - The monthly swap this month at Scrapbook Essentials is SCRAPS - I haven't met a scrapper yet who can throw her scraps out - so it was so neat to be challenge to use them!! I got a fabulous envelope of basic Grey scraps to use and these 2 photos begging to be scrapped! This layout was for the sticker fortnightly challenge - use some stickers on your page - I've got an embarrassing amount of stickers - so it was fun to got through them all again - bonus is I have some pinned to the board I plan to use soon!
Do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and your children's children. (Deuteronomy 4:9)

Quirky Me??

2007-03-27T19:35:00.000+12:00

Nah - I'm so normal its painful - LOL I got tagged by the lovely Rochelle and Tanya - both from Christchurch - I have to list 5 quirky things about myself?!?! Hmm...

1. I am a compulsive door checker - I have broken several doorhandles to our back door checking that it is actually locked.
2. I wont hang underwear on the line, even if I am home all day! And I hang my washing out in order small things on the inside, big things on the outside, I turn everything right way in before pegging it out. When I bring in the laundry I have to fold it immediately else it bugs me!
3. I cant parallel park - I need 2 parks to get my car into a park and then you could probably park a bus between me and the curb and I get seriously stressed if someone parks to close to me!
4. I smile at strangers constantly, I enjoy the thought that I made even one persons moment a little brighter (if not then I at least made them worried I was nutty).
5. I cant sleep if Leo is not home. His job is dangerous and he does a lot of 4 wheel driving up mountains and flying in helicopters. When he is away I just cant rest, when I hear him come in the door I fall a sleep instantly!

See I am not quirky - not really - LOL. You want quirky go check some of the other ladies who's blogs I read...LOL
I am going to tag Rachel and Michelle - because I know them and I want to know their quirks - plus I can also see how often they read my blog - nah nah :)

And the week that was...

2007-03-25T14:06:00.000+12:00

What a week - its been flat out and it flew!
I've been so busy doing things that I had so little time to sit and contemplate the computer screen! But at least its clean! In fact my whole house sparkles. I am one of these housewives who about 4 times a year completely overhaul the entire house - then my housework is so easy form then on. When it starts getting harder to keep the home tidy I know its time to have the "big clean" Rachel actually triggered this clean - LOL -she lost her keys! During the hunt for them we were getting mauled by dust bunnies! They were big! I think the worst culprit is the wool carpet throughout the house has had its day and its breaks in little fibres - makes for nasty dust!My scrapbook room got overhauled as well - I'm absolutely thrilled to bits with the result. I found things in that room that I didn't know I had! Thats, my friends, its down right embarrassing!
I've also had a few birthdays to celebrate lately - my niece was 21!! Happy 21st Lynette!I made this canvas fore Lynette - there is supposed to be a little accordion style album in the corner but it is at her flat! The canvas it is still at her mum and dads - LOL - safer there I think!Callan - my wee friend from across the road was 5 - he looked so adorable in his uniform on his first day of school I couldn't resist this shot!A my wee sweetheart Brooke has learnt to turn on the charm! Does it rather well dont you think!
I have my mother-in-law staying for a few days, she had an minor operation for kidney stones and hasn't bounced back as well as she would have like (this is a very stubborn dutch woman we are talking about here - LOL) - the children love having her here, and its been good for her to be able to put her feet up and relax. I'm so blessed my mother-in-law and I have a great relationship - I've heard horror stories about mother-in-laws from hell! But she is so determined not to 'put us out' that we have to growl at her to ask for things!!

And thats is the week that was - in a nut shell!!
;)

Now is the only time there is. Make your now wow, your minutes miracles, and your days pay. Your life will have been magnificently lived and invested, and when you die you will have made a difference.
--Mark Victor Hansen

Camp Pounawea

2007-03-18T10:08:00.000+12:00

Josef has been on his first school camp. He went away on Tuesday and came home on Friday. Camp Pounawea is in the Catlin's - gorgeous, gorgeous area running up the coast of the South Island.
This was his timetable:

Tuesday
Travel the scenic route stopping at Waipapa Point Lighthouse and Curio Bay.
View Matai Water Falls
Do the Tautuku Nature Walk
Arrive at camp. Set up.
Wednesday
Lunch at Kaka Point
Walk to the Lighthouse
Walk through Tunnel Hill
Cannibal/Surat Bay walk
Games/Activities
Thursday
Jack's Bay Blowhole
Jack's Bay Rocky Shore Study
Pounawea Bush Walk
Activities/Games
Friday
Celebrate St Patricks Day (this involved green milk I'm told)
Clean Up
Leave camp and travel home.

What a fabulous week he has had!! They got to see so much. Josef was fascinated by the sea lions - and in little boy spirit - took morbid delight in the fact the fact that sea lions were very aggressive and they could chase you and bite!! This was his highlight I think - actually seeing sea lions up close at Jack's Point.
He tells me they talked about Hypothermia - he tells me you can die from this and that if I was to start slurring my words and such he will wonder if I have hypothermia - bless his heart!! LOL!
A plastic bag of shells came home with him - some are really cool - and he said it was fun on the beach when they went there for the shell study. Mussels on the beach look nothing like the mussels I buy at the supermarket - I may have to sit down and explain the seafood farms and then commercial processing and packaging to him.
He had a great time and it was so good to see him when he came home. There is this weird thing that happens to kids when they are away for a time - they look that wee bit different - and Jos looked just that wee bit more grown up!
I gave him a disposable camera to take photos with - not expecting to get much back - but didn't he do well!We haven't been to Pounawea before but we have been to Waipapa Point - the history to this place is heartbreaking. A ship hit rocks here and went down taking most of its passengers with it. The saddest part is they were actually within distance of land and could have tried to swim. Curio Bay is a fantastic swimming bay - I've heard of people who have been swimming here and had dolphins approach them. And we stayed at Tautuku one year for the Hunting Clubs annual family camp. This piece of Southland is so rich in amazing scenery. I remember going to the Cathedral Caves - which is an awesome huge cave on the beach you walk in one entrance and do a loop and come out the other. I have itchy feet to go up back around the coast for the day - LOL!

My Favorite Leprechaun

2007-03-16T09:41:00.000+13:00

Okay I know I am a day early but Jess celebrates it at school so we do as well!! I have downloaded a digital kit that will be perfect for printing out and using to scrap these photos. I wanted to make her hair green as well but she has swimming tonight and I don't think the pool will appreciate it - LOL.

An Irish Prayer

May God
Grant you always...
A Sunbeam to warm you,
A Moonbeam to charm you,
A Sheltering Angel
so nothing can harm you.
Laughter to cheer you,
Faithful friends near you,
And whenever you pray,
Heaven to hear you!

Its been one of those weeks - the sudden drop in temperature and I get a head cold - this leads to a drop in motivation to do much except the basics. But I did manage to complete the Trash challenge from the SE fortnightly challenges. I really got a kick out of this one as it was a challenge to use "rubbish" or things that you would normally discard. I used a GE Finance mailer - it looked so neat when it came in the mail and my first reaction was that this would make a neat mini album - and it has! I scrapped all the photos I took of Josef's class trip rock climbing last year.And I even completed a normal 12x12 layout just for the fun of it, I loved these photos - Jessica has so much trouble going to sleep in her own bed. We simply let her fall asleep where she is and put her to bed in her own bed, sounds like a great example of bad parenting - LOL - but she will go to bed at her bedtime and be asleep where ever she drops at least 15 minutes later. Unless its a weekend then we often find the 2 kids in our bed reading!! These particular photos were taken so badly - it was next to impossible to place them on a page so it looked alright!! But it works - sort of - LOL! I have noticed though that I haven't been doing many double layouts - I used to do heaps of them!! I can take so many photos of the same event and I enjoy the challenge of getting as many onto a 2 page spread. I have fallen into the habit of single 5x7 photos or a couple of 6x4's.
I am going to try and complete more double pages - I like them, they look great in an album.

And in the spirit of St Paddy's Day I leave you this wee gem...

Irish Blessing

May those that love us, love us.
And those who don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping!

;)

The StoryBook Circus

2007-03-12T19:37:00.000+13:00

Family treat time - we went to the circus and had an absolute fabulous time!
We needed it, after a very emotionally draining week with a major family crisis - it was so great to sit back and laugh and gasp and ohh and ahhh. Jess and I discovered we both just could not look a the guy who thought he would try to swing right out of the big top - he was insanity to watch - so fast - so high - I felt sick watching. The circus people are sooo talented and so scarily weirdly flexible!!! They can do things that seem to completely defeat laws of gravity and bend their bodies into shapes that defy the human skeleton!This clown was awesome - Jessica asked him if Leo could take her picture with him and he grabbed her and Josefs hands and took them right down into the ring and in front of the the big circus door - it was so cool!
My niece turned 21 last week - hows that for making one feel old!! She's all grown up and left home. I made her an altered canvas - I need to take another photo of the finished product but this key was the centerpiece for it. We went to Leo's brothers house for a bbq tea to celebrate and it was a great night - warm and happy atmosphere.

Jessica had a really bad day at school last week - she has had a very harsh lesson in life and peer pressure. A friend of hers stole a few of her daddy's smokes and took them to school - a group of them were caught behind the church pretending to be grown up and so cool! The smokes weren't lit or anything - they were play acting - but it was still a pretty serious thing for 7 year old girls.
Jessica was so upset - she told us she knew it was wrong to be there but her 'friends' had told her that they wouldn't be her 'friends' anymore. One of the little girls is pure trouble and we have been quietly discouraging them playing, I realise some people think this is wrong of me - but I just don't want my kid playing with a little girl who is allowed to walk around the streets by herself (my kids arent even allowed to go down the street to the park alone), she steals, lies and if Jess doesn't do what she says will actively try to make the other kids in the class not like Jess. It sucks that 7 year olds girls are subjected to the same peer pressure I watched Ashleigh go through at 13 - 14. Jess has been pretty subdued the last few days, and doesn't want to go to school anymore. I'm a bit worried because Jess takes knocks badly and recovers slowly. The girl she considers her best friend plays with the little girl we discourage - so its separating Jess and D. Its easy to say make new friends - but D and Jess have been best friends since kindergarten.
I may look in to homeschooling yet! :(
On a positive note - the schools approach was fabulous - they had the children sit around and discuss the dangers of smoking and what to do if you feel threatened or pressured by a 'friend'. And my sweet little son told Jess that if she was worried at school she should find him and he will help her - it still makes me teary when I think of him standing up for her like this!
I have been reading some bedtime stories to Jessica - I grew up reading Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Stories and found a set that is very similar but the themes have been updated to be a little more relevant for kids of today. There are stories that deal with making good decisions, setting boundaries, handling peer pressure, dealing with fear, when someone is making fun of you, forgiveness, honesty, accepting personal differences and so on. We have begun reading a story each night and then talking about what we have read.
Its good because we are sharing time together as well as hopefully installing in Jess some pretty good ideals.

Its Raining.....

2007-03-07T15:50:00.000+13:00

Its one of those utterly dull days, the rain just keeps coming down and everything is starting to feel waterlogged and there is a chill in the air. I figure I'll have a wee moan here and maybe I'll feel better - LOL!
At least I could scrap and not feel guilty for sitting at my desk in the middle of the day. I was majorly motivated today and got tea ready this morning, I was all set to scrap till tea time and catch up on a few layouts.
Great intentions - I forgot I had a parent teacher interview at 5! So I finished a page for a competition, tidied up my desk, turned tea on and sat down at my computer for a little blog catch up instead.

Its been one of 'those' weeks - where despite everything you do you just never seem to get to do what you want, I've snatched moments here and there to read emails, reply to some, check the forums and even post in the forums - lol -but write on my blog - it just wasn't happening - LOL.

I've got 2 boxes of chocolates here - Josef has school camp next week and they left the fund raiser till the very last minute - not terribly impressed - but the chocolates keep whispering to me!! I really don't mind that Cadbury Mint - as soon as it stops raining Josef has GOT to sell those chocolates!!This page is for the March Competition on the Scrapbook Essentials Forum. We had a list of 'ingredients' and we had to use at least 4 of them. I picked pattern paper, buttons, rub ons, and chipboard. The photo was taken by Michelle at Rachel's wedding - I love it.I just had to scrap these pictures - all the Bode men in one place and willing to let me take their picture! Josef is the youngest and thinks his big cousins are so cool!I wasn't 100% impressed with the photo taken at Harvey Norman last year for the Santa shots - the setting was a little bland, but I don't think the page turned out so bad.

I treated myself today to the most amazingly awesome book - the Creating Keepsakes "photography for Scrapbookers" by Tracy White.
Its so cool - tips to help take better photos, teaching your eye to 'see' the photo before you snap, ideas for photographing babies, kids, scenery and so much more. I am on page 13 - lol - I keep flipping through it! But I'm already singing its praises - what a fabulous resource book.

I was just catching up on some other blogs and noticed Janine has tagged me!!
1. Find the nearest book: Yep okay - LOL - I just got the book as a freebie from Whitcoulls - neat huh!

2. Name the book & the author: The Girl In Times Square

3. Turn to page 123: haven't gotten that far yet

4. Go to the 5th sentence on the page & copy out the next three sentences onto your blog:
There were some things in life for which once was enough. There weren't many of them. Many of life's offerings were renewable pleasures, like sex, or renewable miseries, like alcohol.

5. Tag 3 more people.
I tag you : Kelly and Hannah and Meg

Photo of the Day - 16

2007-03-02T22:59:00.000+13:00

Things to Do If You Are a Flower
Be a wonderful color, like purplish pink.
Stay out in the rain.
Understand what the wind says.
Dance to its rhythms.
Grow toward the sun.
Smell good.
Give bees honey.
Count every star.
Be beautiful.

Way back when...

2007-03-02T22:38:00.000+13:00

Neen on the Scrapbook Essentials forum challenged us today to look at our earlier scrapping styles - our first layouts! I had an enjoyable hour flipping through those older albums and having a giggle and a cringe. I like to think I have found "MY' style and I like to think I have grown and adapted as a scrapper to the place I am now - I'm comfortable and I love what I create. I think product has evolved heaps to - lol - its a bit like looking at photos of yourself as a kid and wondering why your mother dressed you in 'that' jersey??!! It was probably very trendy! Scrapbooking it so much like that - BUT - I think once you find your groove you tend to stick to it - you occasionally branch out and try new things but ultimately you come back to the true 'you'.
Here a re some of my earlier layouts!

Trying to use old supplies

2007-03-01T20:58:00.000+13:00

Its really hard sometimes when the new stuff just keeps coming and is so totally gorgeous - I don't scrap fast enough to keep up with my buying - how sad is that!?!
I used a paperkin on this layout - I just cut him a new shirt and pants as the ones he came with clashed - the daisies are simple punchies.
When I first got this filmstrip I was delighted - I thought it looked so cool - then promptly put it in a drawer and forgot about it! Okay the paper is crate paper - but in the scrap'n world its dated - LOL. I have a set of the keys and locks - have had them for ages and never really had much use for them.
Another where I've used something old on new paper. Now if I can just keep it up I will make a healthy dent in my supplies and feel so much better!

Jessica got put in the big pool at swimming today! I'm so proud of her - she can't touch the bottom and at first wouldn't let go of the side of the pool, but she gradually got more confident and swam away for the side.
She goes to swimming lessons on Friday night with the Murihuki Swimming Club - her first night swimming has gone down in history at the club! She can be a difficult child sometimes and this night (she was 5) she decided she didn't want swimming lessons - BUT - she wasn't going to get out of the pool - she stood in the water just out of my reach and screamed! For about 5 minutes she made such a lot of noise - much to the delight of the watching parents. Then she promptly decided she was going to learn to swim after all.
If I had been able to reach her I think she would have been out of the pool so fast and in the car and home - but she is a smart child. I have learnt to ignore this diva behaviour in Jess now - but at the time I was mortified. Unfortunately 2 years later I still get ribbed about it!
I got side tracked didn't I? LOL - Jessica is swimming at school 2 afternoons a week at the moment and was with her age group. She swims much, much better than her age group so is now in with the 9 year olds. I am so very proud of her, I love how well she is doing.
I do have to say I was pretty shocked at the number of children who have no confidence at all around the water. This country has so much accessible water and the first thing we should be doing is teaching our kids water safety and basic skills. This is why we took out kids to lessons initially - our crib is beside the Nokomai Creek and across the paddock for the Matuara River.
(off the soapbox - sorry)
:)

Photo of the Day - 15

2007-03-01T20:51:00.000+13:00

Now, it was in the month of May
As, wrestling with a rhyme rheumatic,
I chanced to look across the way,
And lo! within a neighbor attic,
A hand drew back the window shade,
And there, a picture glad and glowing,
I saw a sweet and slender maid,
And she was sewing, sewing, sewing.

from The Sewing Girl
By Robert Service

This is my mending pile - I finally tackled it today - 5 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of shorts, 1 shirt and 1 dress! Buttons, seams and taking in waistbands.

2007-02-28T22:06:00.000+13:00

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)

2007-02-28T21:58:00.000+13:00

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....

2007-02-27T09:02:00.000+13:00

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

2007-02-22T19:40:00.000+13:00

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

2007-02-21T18:56:00.000+13:00

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

2007-02-21T18:50:00.000+13:00

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...

2007-02-20T20:25:00.000+13:00

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

2007-02-20T20:19:00.000+13:00

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

2007-02-19T19:56:00.000+13:00

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

2007-02-18T17:50:00.000+13:00

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! :)