A day in the life...

Guest DT

Things have been super busy here, and I know I have been very slack in updating my blog.  I have created a huge post today, only to have my photos go all wacky on me.  This is more than disappointing, as I was posting pics of layouts that I recently did for a guest DT spot for Jill at A Million Little Things.  It would appear that Typepad won't let me load more than one photo at a time, and I have no idea why.  Until I hear back from them about it, you can check out the layouts on the AMLT Blog. There are layouts created with MM Paperie, Love Notes and Flower Patch; MME Smitten, Bella Bella and Penny Lane and some Theresa Collins too.

It has been more than 12 months since I did any DT spots for anyone, and although I have loved the break; it was also nice to have the challenge to create for someone else.  I jumped at the opportunity to create for Jill, as AMLT is my first stop whenever I am chasing up new supplies.  The store has the best range that I have ever come across (and always has new stuff straight after the big shows), the prices are great, and I love that I can have brand new products from the US on my doorstep within a week.  Not only that, but Jill is one of the sweetest ladies I have come across.  Not only is she super generous, but she bends over backwards to help you out with any special requests...not to mention that she must never sleep!!!  So I would like to send out a huge thanks to Jill for this opportunity..I loved every minute of it.

Since Tyepad is only letting me load one pic...I will give you a little taste of what I did this month.  

Please donate

I know so many of you have already dug deep, but please...if you haven't; make a donation at The Red Cross towards the victims of the Victorian bushfires.  Even if it's only $10...every little bit will help these innocent Australians rebuild their shattered lives.

I'm not one to lecture or ask for much on this blog...but I feel that this is very important!! 

Just so sad

I had a whole post ready to go...but it's gone now...bugger!!

Needless to say, I am in shock and so very sad about what is happening in Victoria.  I cannot believe the destruction, and loss of life.  Seeing so many small towns wiped out really hits home, as I grew up in a small country town...I can't imagine losing that many people from one area.

Things have been super busy here, but I will come back (hopefully tommorrow) with an update and photos.

I pray for everyone who has lost loved ones, and everything they have ever worked for.  I pray that these towns will rebuild and prosper once again.  And I will hug my loved ones a little bit tighter today.

Guess what???

We have a new family member!!!!!  It has been over 3 months since Monet passed away (boy did that go fast), and we feel now that Christmas is over, that it's the right time to introduce another puppy into our family.  We have all missed Mon so much, but nobody more than Phantom.  He has been quiet lonely without her company...especially when we are out.  We have been looking online at shelters for the past few weeks, and on Friday we ventured into Brisbane RSPCA.  There were two maltese pups that we liked, and a foxy cross.  Pretty much everything else was a medium to big dog unfortunately.  With Craig in the RAAF it makes sense to have small dogs, as we never know what size yards we are going to have when we get posted etc. Unfortunately the two maltese pups were already taken and the foxy cross wasn't able to go to homes with kids.

However....they mentioned that they had a maltese cross that had'nt been made available for adoption yet, but would be available within the hour...if we wanted to hang around and wait.  So we did...and OMG she was so cute and cuddly.  So of course we wanted her...but because she had been born at the shelter, and her mother was seized; they had to do a property check first.  So yesterday morning, after the inspector gave our yard the all clear, we were able to go and pick her up.  So here she is...LOLA!!  Her original name was Lilac, but we changed it to something a little bit easier on the tongue.  Eden was keen on a rock n roll themed name, and when I explained that Lola is a Kinks song, not to mention the name of Barry Manilow's famous showgirl at the Copacabana...well then she was sold on the name!

Lola is a four month old Maltese/Bichon Frize cross...which really means a furball.  She is white with black ears and markings, and she is already almost as tall as Phantom.  She loves to eat (typical pup) and get cuddles; and can already jump on the lounge.  Her and Phantom got on great yesterday...playing, and even going on a walk to the park together...but this morning Phantom has been a little more dominant...I think it has just sunk in that she is here to stay LOL!!

So for now, that's enough of an update.  Hopefully I will be back next week with a full holiday recap...once the kids are back at school.

MERRY MERRY!!!

I thought I would pop in quickly while I have a few minutes to give a quick rundown of our festivities.  To say we have been run off our feet is an understatement.  BUT the house is looking almost like it's normal self after a big clean up this morning.  All the kids unwrapped presents are in their own piles in the loungeroom, all the rubbish is in the bin, and even the fridge is looking emptier!!!  My Dad went home early this morning.  It's been great having him here for the past 5 days...so sad that he lives so far away!!  We are heading back up to Mum's tommorrow for NYE, so I have to make the most of my computer time while I have a chance.

Christmas day was fabulous.  The kids didn't get up until 6am (in fact, I had to wake up Jamieson) and of course they were thrilled with everything that Santa left for them under the tree.  No pictures as yet...they are still on my camera...no time to download yet!  As usual, they were quite spoilt, and they received everything from their Santa wish lists.  Lots of toys, clothes, books, DVDs, CDs, stocking stuffers, games, DS games etc.  Eden got her own Girl Tech digi camera/online journal...plus two Gwen Stefani Harajuku girl perfumes (one was from Nanny); and Jamieson got a Leapster with a Thomas and a Cars game, plus the new remote control Thomas track set, which fortunately, links to all his other tracks.  He has barely put down his Leapster...which is like a 5-7 year olds version of DS...he loves it.  The biggest surprise though was a Nintendo Wii...which we all love to death...something the whole family can play...even unco me!!!  Craig was spoilt with new clothes, shoes, books, CDs and his surprise from Santa... a GPS!!!  I got a set of 5 Chanel minature perfumes; an Elizabeth Arden makeup set; clothes, books, sunnies and jewellery.  I am one lucky girl.

We had a yummy breaky outside, and then played several games with the kids.  Eden got the Spicks and Specks board game, so we had a good laugh playing that one.  Lunch was delicious and quite easy, as I only had to cook the pork and turkey...all the desserts and sides were made the day before...and I had set the table the night before.  So much less hassle this way...and then I get to enjoy the day too.  After we had stuffed ourselves silly, we head over to Nikki's to exchange gifts with the Morgan family.  We hung out there for a couple of hours, and then came home again to enjoy a night of Wii, more board games, and lots of dessert (my white chocolate and Grand Marnier trifle went over a treat!!).  So all in all it was a great day...but as usual, was all over so quickly!!

It will be nice to kick back and relax over the next few days...who knows, I might even get to scrap.  I haven't had time to stop and relax at all over the past few weeks.  Craig's work party at the Comedy Club in Brisbane was hilarious and fun; we've enjoyed several Xmas parties; plus the races last weekend...which were fantastic...and yay, I managed to get the dress I wanted...the day before we left to go to Chinchilla!!  Mum took some nice photos for our Xmas card, and I literally edited just one...so I have a lot of time on the computer ahead of me in the NY.  So I will leave you with a few pics, and some Xmas hugs to you all.  Please have a safe and festive New Year!!

A quick catch up

No this isn't going to be one of those nice posts with lots of pretty pictures.  In fact I have been just too busy to even think about taking photos, and the only scrapping I have done is for the mags.  The past few weeks have passed by in a blur, but there has been a lot involved.

My birthday came and went...without my husband!!  Once again he got stuffed around by the bureaucrats that sit at a desk...and was delayed 5 times getting home from up North.  In the end, he was flown home on a civi flight...just in time for our anniversary.  Mum had come down to visit though, so she took me out for lunch and dinner on my birthday...which was nice, save for a nightmare taxi trip home!!

Since Craig has been home it has been a whirlwind of Xmas shopping, birthday shopping, and social activities. We have had one day at home in the past week, and that was spent spring cleaning the house and yard.  School Xmas concerts, Carols by Candlelight, school break up parties...you name it.  Last week I made a stack of cookies for parties and teachers, as well as organising teacher gifts.  The biggest headache actually turned out really well.  Year 5 had been given a country each to study for the year...Eden was lucky enough to get Mongolia!!!  For their break up party, each student had to bring a dish from their country...so Eden and I spent quite a few hours online looking for recipes.  I had visions of 50 year 5 students going home with food poisoning from our Mongolian Lamb (left sitting on a table in the classroom).  Luckily we stumbled across a recipe for Mongolian fudge...and although I've never attempted to make fudge, we thought this was as good as we were going to get it.  So we combined 3 cups of sugar, condensed milk, golden syrup, milk and a whole heap of butter (yes this recipe is a great one for weight loss...and thank goodness Qld is finally adding fluoride to it's water supply!!), and mixed and mixed over heat...with no real idea if we were doing it right or not.  After what seemed like forever, we decided it was time to put it in the tin; put it in the fridge...and hope for the best.  A few hours later, we were cutting up the most delicious fudge I have ever had...I kid you not.  She took two plates full to school, and we demolished the leftovers (Hey...I was walking around shopping centres for hours...one or two or seven pieces of fudge weren't going to kill me!!)  So, we are making our Mongolian fudge for Xmas too...let's hope we can get it the second time around.

We decorated noodle boxes for the teachers, and filled them with cookies; and also gave out Xmas tree decoations and candles from Dusk.  After their parties, the school spent the afternoon roller skating.  Humpf...we spent the whole day looking for presents.  Fear was washing over me...as I could hardly find a thing on my list at Chermside.  Things were looking grim.  Had I left it too late??  Was Christmas morning going to be a huge disappointment for my kids...who only had a few simple requests.  But man, I couldn't find that new Thomas DVD anywhere!!!  After 3 shopping trips in one week, I have finally been able to get everything on their wish lists...but only after a lot of trekking around shop after shop! Unfortunately, it's not over yet, as Craig and I still have to shop for each other...and I have to find a dress to wear to the races this weekend!!!  I found a dress in a mag that I have fallen in love with...but it's not available in the shops yet!  Of course, everything else I look at just doesn't live up to other sid dress..so I'm crossing my fingers that when I walk into Country Road at Indroopilly on Wednesday morning, my dream dress will be hanging there!

Craig's work function was Friday night, and we had the best time.  We went to the Comedy Club at Paddington.  Dinner (Xmas ham and turkey...yum) and 3 comedians...my sides were aching from laughing so hard.  Great company, lots of laughs, a few bevvies (I learnt after my experience at the wedding...so this time I played it safe), and a bit of dancing.  We all went onto the Normanby (glad to see I wasn't the oldest person there...but also more than glad that I'm not in my early 20's anymore!!), and didn't leave until 2am.  The kids stayed the night at Nikki and Troys (who have recently become engaged..yay.  June wedding next year, with yours truley as official wedding photographer...no pressure LOL!!), so we could enjoy our night out, and do more shopping on Saturday.

In other news...my diet has come to an end.  I am happy at the outcome, and am still trying to eat healthy the majority of the time, with little treats (like a wine or two at the work do...or a piece of my own home made fudge).  I haven't been on the machine for a week....but have been walking my butt off!  If I feel any of it creep back on, I will get straight back on.  We are also tossing up about getting a Wii and Wii fit for Xmas...so that will be fun, and exercise at the same time!!  Also, I'm pleased to say that my dental visits will now be back to twice a year again!!  My permanent plates were made up this week, and were made to measure exact...no gaps, and the teeth are slightly bigger...so I no longer look like an extra from 'Twilight'!!  I am more than happy with the end results.  I am planning a family Xmas photo shoot this weekend out at Mum's so hopefully I will have some nice photos to share next week.

So sorry that these blog posts are becoming less frequent, and plain...with no pretty pics.  Hopefully, after all the Xmas festivities (and everything that goes along with that) I will have lots of photos to share.  Also hope that some relaxation holiday time will also see the return of my mojo, so I may also have some layouts to share.

What a week!!!!!

I am so glad that this week is OVER!!!  To say it's been scarey is a major understatement.  The beginning of the week started out normally, except that my beloved elliptical machine broke...aah.  This thing has been my lifesaver when it comes to exercising...as it means I can do it at anytime without having to leave the house.  And I was on such a roll.  Thankfully, Craig rang the guys at work, and they came and fixed it for me...hallelujah!!  It's working even better than before so thanks Sully!!  I've backed off from my 80 minute sessions, as they were really killing me.  Doing a lot of reading online about cardio made me realise that 40 mins a day, plus my school walks, plus my weight training...is more than enough.  I have reached 70kg (so I'm losing an average of .6kg a week now, which is actually quite good and reasonable for gradual weight loss) Best of all though, is seeing areas toning up.

Now onto the really bad!!  We had a storm here Sunday afternoon, with lots of lightning and hail...but it passed by quite quickly.  Unfortunately, people in Brissy weren't quite so lucky.  However, it was soon to be our turn.  I went to bed at 10pm on Wednesday night, but by 10.30 I was getting Eden out of her bed, and putting her in with me.  While Craig is away, I like the kids close by when something scarey is happening...just in case I have to get them both in a hurry.  The rain was pelting down, and I mean pelting down...and it didn't stop for hours.  I kept getting up to look out the loungeroom window to check on the small creek at the end of our street.  If it backed up we would be cactus.  It was 3am before it stopped and I was able to get some sleep.  Woke up to the phone ringing.  It was my Dad in Newcastle ringing to see if we were OK.  I was still groggy, looked out the window...saw a couple of puddles, and said 'yep, we are alright'.  Then my Nikki rang from Brisbane, so I told her the same thing.  It wasn't until I went downstairs that I realised that our guest bedroom's carpet was completely wet.  I ran in next door, to see one corner of the carpet in my scrap room soaked too.  Thankfully it was only the carpet that was wet...no scrapping stuff etc.  It seems that so much water pooled at the side of the house that it started coming up through the floor in one corner.  So the last few days I've had fans blaring, and doors and windows wide open to air it all out.  Thankfully it's all dried out now!!  Expecting more storms last night, I spent hours putting all my scrapping stuff up high, plus stuff in the downstairs area.

When I went to get the fans out of the garage out the back, I discovered that there had been 18cm of water pool through the whole garage!!!!  Luckily nothing major had been down low, but Eden and I spent more hours lifting huge boxes (of books no less!!) and other stuff up higher in the garage.  We managed all on our own (working muscles I didn't know existed) even though there were some seriously big spiders to deal with!!

So relieved that the expected storm didn't show up at all, so today everything has been put back in it's rightful place downstairs...but all the stuff in the garage can wait until Craig gets home in 12 days...that will teach him for being away!!!

I am looking forward to him getting back even more now.  I have never been so scared in my life as I was listening to that storm, and I want him with me next time so he can know himself how scarey it really was.  He feels terrible anyway, so I'm not trying to make him feel guilty...just explaining how helpless I felt against mother nature.  Having that extra pair of (strong) hands would have certainly helped...but fingers crossed, we will have no more major storms before he gets back.

Needless to say, not a bit of scrapping was done this week...so this week, I'm planning on going crazy, and just playing all week..although I will be going to see Australia at the movies with a friend on Thursday.

Yesterday the kids and I went shopping...the kids got something new to play with, I got some wide legged jeans...and Singstar ABBA!!  Eden and I played it for an hour last night...she is determined to know it off by heart before Craig gets back so that she can beat him.  Shouldn't be too hard LOL!

Counting down until Idol tonight!!  We are backing Wes, who we are mad for...but we also like Luke, and think it would be a great feel good story if he won.  Still, we are more likely to buy Wes' stuff, so go WES!!

Still reeling from the World Cup final last night.  Bet Billy Slater woke up this morning hoping it was all a dream!!

I'm sitting here making lists for Chrissy presents...Craig and I will be flat out when he gets back...so I'm thinking another 3am trip to Chermside is in order.  My Dad is almost definitely coming up, so we get to spend the day here, although we will travel to Nikki's for a few hours in the morning to catch up with the Morgan family.  Then it will be home for our feast, and a few celebratory (and well earned) bubbles!!

That's it for now...hopefully this week will be a lot less eventful!!

What's up??

Well things are pretty normal here, even though Craig is away.  Trying to keep busy to make the time go quicker.

Spent the past week working on an article for Simply Cards...so no scrapping to share.  Maybe next week.  The time out might help me get my mojo back, as I have been feeling a little distracted lately...probably all the dieting and exercise.  On that front, things are still going good.  I am definitely committed, even though there are times (usually when I'm exercising) that I just want to lay down and die LOL!  It's good though, because I have been treating myself to a little shopping spree each weekend to celebrate my hard work for the week...nothing like a new dress or pair of shoes to instantly make it all worth it!!

Went and saw 'Mirrors' at the movies yesterday.  It has Kiefer Sutherland in it, and man...it is scarey.  I had to cover my mouth several times to stop myself from screaming out loud LOL.  If you like scarey, check this one out.

The kids have a disco at school tonight...so I have a great night ahead of me!!  I'm sure I will get home exhausted.  Eden came home stressing yesterday, as the teacher decided to spring a science test on them today. She spent several hours yesterday cramming as much info into her head as she could...and it was worth it. 100% yay Eden!! She will definitely let her hair down tonight.

Nikki and Troy are coming over on the weekend, so it will be cool to catch up.  Seems like ages since I've seen them.  I'm going to try to find a new dress to wear to the Chinchilla Races on Dec 20...it's quite a big deal up there, and very festive, being so close to Xmas and all.  In fact, Dec is going to be flat out for us socially; so I'm looking forward to that.

Well, I better go organise outfits for the disco..not that I get a say in Eden's ensembles anymore!!  Oh well, I just have to live vicariously through Jamieson instead!!

I love a good wedding!!!

This past Saturday was spent attending the wedding of our friends Anthony and Kristy.  I was so excited, as I love everything about a wedding, and Corny (his RAAF nickname) and Kristy are the cutest couple.  Everything went perfectly, and we got a couple of nice photos.  I didn't go overboard, as I wanted to enjoy the event.  No evening photos as there were little throwaway cameras on the tables anyway...plus I don't want to be in charge of my camera when I'm drinking champers!!  So here are a couple of shots.

The groom spotting his bride for the first time..priceless.

No photo of the bride walking down the aisle...I left Craig in charge of that, and there wasn't a shot without someone elses' melon in the way...and nothing I could crop either...bugger.  But I did get some gorgeous ring shots, and kissy shots...but I will save them the embarrasment LOL.  Here is a lovely registry shot...how gorgeous was the bride...just glowing.

Here is a shot of Craig and I that my Mum took before we left home.  I love my big flower!!  I got my hair cut into a layered bob last week, so I thought a big rose would be the perfect accessory, and since I already had this one in my collection, I was set!  And Mr Morgs looked very handsome too.  He wore a tie and jacket to the wedding, but since it was so hot, he waited until we were there to put them on...sook!!

We had a great time hanging out with all our RAAF friends.  Craig is Anthony's boss, and they pay each other out something chronic.  All the placecards had their nicknames on them, and there was lots of joking around.  We have also met both the bride and grooms family and friends several times before, so it was definitely a party night.  Needless to say, without going into the gory details...yesterday was a little less enjoyable for me!!!  Lesson learnt...dieting, exercise and wine consumption do not mix.  Now...I wasn't drunk...I just didn't eat much on Saturday cos I had hair appointments, makeup etc...and then at the reception I didn't eat a great deal either.  At almost 37 I should know way better LOL!!  So yesterday, I spent much of the day in bed.  We did go and visit the bride and groom for their post wedding BBQ, but didn't stay long.  But hey, today is a new day, and I feel wonderful LOL!!!  Not tempted to have a glass of wine anytime soon though!!

So Craig left this morning for a 5 week long exercise up North.  We are crossing our fingers that he will be home for my birthday on Dec 5.  So this week is going to be a bit of a vegout (apart from the exercise regime), and then next week I am going to work on some deadlines.  I have lots of photos, so I'm sure to do some scrapping this week.

The health kick is going well.  My fave jeans are almost a perfect fit again...only a hint of a muffin top now Yay!!  I'm doing hand weights too cos the most frustrating thing is the bingo arms....everything can look nice and slim, but then there it is at the top of your arms...those saggy baggy bits!!!  Hopefully I can tone them up in the next 5 weeks, so that when Craig gets home he won't recognise me.

We are getting into the Christmas mood here.  We put up our tree and decorations last night..only cos Craig was going away...didn't want to wait until December and have him miss out on helping us.  Now I just have to hit the shops and find presents aagh!!

Lastly, how awesome was Wes on Idol last night.  Eden just about flipped out when she heard that it was to be a Micheal Jackson night...so cool!  She loved everything, but stated that Chrislyn's version of Thriller was cringeworthy...or in her words "Mum, she murdered that song" hee hee!!  I'm thinking Wes should be safe, but we have sent him a couple of votes just in case!!

OK, there's my little update.  Might have more to add later in the week.

Double digits

OK...so Eden had been counting down the days forever!!  Me, not so much...just really hard to accept that my baby girl was turning 10!!  So the big day arrived, and I couldn't avoid it.  On Friday, my beautiful girl reached double digits!!  I just find it hard to think of her as a ten year old, when it's still so fresh in my memory; that rainy Saturday evening ten years ago in Perth, when she came into our world.  It's been a wonderful ten years though...and she is a good girl..the best!!!  She really is an old soul, and so mature for her age...although she is capable of being totally silly too!!  And of course, we love her to bits!!

Mum came down the night before, so we were all there when she climbed into our bed at 5.30am!!  Lots of presents...books, DVDs, DS games, Bratz, funky clothes and sunnies, stuff from Smiggle (her new favourite shop), magazine subscription, a charm for her bracelet, and a lava lamp.  We always like to give a 'main' present, which is something practical but fun too.  This year we gave Eden an interactive globe that we found at National Geographic.  This girl is obsessed with geography, and her atlas is very dog-eared.  She constantly talks about where she wants to travel to...so when we spotted this at the shops, we knew she would love it.  So it has a touch pen, and when you touch a country it tells you all sorts of information...even obscure facts.  It has 3 age levels, right up to adult...so we figure that both Eden and Jamieson will find it useful right through to High School.  The best thing...the info doesn't become obsolete...as it can be connected to the internet, and the info in the globe will be updated.  ie after the US election we can update the info, so it will say who the new President is.  It comes with a poster of national flags, and when you touch the flags, it plays the national anthems.  There is also a pull out tray which features a larger map of Australia, so you can get additional info about the states etc.  It also has quizzes, which Miss Trivia head just loves.  I must admit, we are all having fun playing with it.  Of course, it doesn't come with a power cord (just a socket)...but a quick trip to Dick Smith and Craig had it all set up with a power cord too....so long batteries!!

Being a total sucker, I let her and Jamieson have the day off school...I know I know!!  We spent the morning playing with her stuff, and watching That 70's show season 4 (or some of it).  Craig got home from work at midday, so we took the birthday girl to Springfield Lakes Hotel for lunch..yum...and then a play down at the lake...while I got some birthday photos.  Mummy cooked dinner at her request...lasagne!!  And a cheesecake with chocolate Flake for the birthday cake (is this child of mine deliberately trying to sabotage my diet!! I sure spent some time on the cross trainer machine that night!!)  All in all, she had a great day, and was very spoilt.  Saturday night her best friend Emma had a sleepover (yikes) and Sunday we headed to Chermside to go shopping (the girls brought even more stuff from Smiggle!!)  After lunch we headed to the Victoria Park golf complex and played 18 holes of Putt Putt...fun!!  We were all exhausted by the end of the day!

In other news, things have been flat out here.  Another trip to the dentist yesterday.  I have an excursion with Jamieson tommorrow to South Bank.  Hair appointment Friday.  We are going out to Mums Friday after school for the weekend.  My Uncle runs the local museum, and it is having a birthday celebration..so we will go along to that. The kids love the museum...and all the old stuff (like typewriters and dial phones...fancy that!!). Will also get to see my cousins' new baby. Then next week it's another trip to the dentist (are you sensing a pattern here??). We have a wedding next Saturday, and the grooms birthday party on the Sunday (so that will be a big weekend), and then Craig goes away on the Monday for a month.  Hopefully I can catch up on a tonne of work while he is away.

My health kick is going great guns.  I lost another kilo this week, so I'm celebrating with a new haircut on Friday..something fresh for Summer.  I've added some weight training to my exercise plan...so goodbye Bingo arms!!!

OK, I have some scrapping to get done..so I'm outta here!!