The Life of a Mad Scrapper

No More Posts

2010-02-24T17:55:00.002+10:00

Having started University, doing a Bachelor of Social Science and keeping up with my book blog, Alaine - Queen of Happy Endings I have very little time. So I've decided that I won't be posting anymore on this blog. I was going to shut it down but I've noticed that the page counter is still ticking over so people must be reading it.

When I first started this blog it wasn't long after my Dad passed away in 2007 and I used it to help myself deal with the grief that I was going through. As they say, time heals all wounds and whilst I miss my Dad terribly, life has managed to return to 'normal' even though he's not here.

I've also had some major health issues to deal with and have been seeing a Neurologist, we are no closer to a diagnosis so I just have to live with the symptoms until something else happens or my symptoms get worse. Apparently, this is common with people who have neurological issues. This means that I am tired all the time and my memory is awful so it's all I can do to manage my book blog and my studies.

I will be posting photos of my scrapbooking to my book blog now and also I do weekly updates on my Monday post of what's going on in my life. Thank you to everyone who has read this blog, I truly hope that my journey through grief has helped someone.

To my Dad who was the reason I started this blog, not a day, not a moment goes by that you aren't in my thoughts, life is just not the same without you. My heart yearned for you the week that my first grandchild and your first great-grandchild was born. I remembered how very proud you were when I made you a grandfather and what a doting grandfather you were and how proud you would have been being a great grandfather. It was one of the most difficult weeks I'd had since you died, I wanted so badly to share that moment with you. The only thing that brings me comfort now is that I know you'll be the one waiting for me when it's my time to leave this earth, I can't wait to have you give me one your big cuddles, making me feel that no matter what, I am safe, no one has ever done that like you did. Forever your loving daughter xoxo

So thanks to everyone who has read this blog, please come visit me at Alaine - Queen of Happy Endings where you'll keep up with my life, my love of reading and my scrapbooking. PS I post photos of my gorgeous new grandson as well.

It's Been A While

2009-10-20T21:25:00.003+10:00

WOW I didn't realise how long it had been since I'd done a post on this blog! I am however, still blogging and most of the time you'll find me on my book blog Alaine - Queen of Happy Endings.

Lots has been happening in the last few months. I finished the Preparing for Success course at Southern Cross University, even managed to get a high distinction for one of my assignments which was just amazing and I still can't believe it. So in February I'll be starting a Bachelor of Social Science, 201o will be a very busy year!

I've been having some gynaecological issues for a while now. Five years ago I had a Mirena put it because of constant heavy bleeding, unfortunately it didn't work all that well and when I saw the gynaecologist the other day he gave me the choice of a Endometrial Ablation or Hysterectomy. Great choice, however, I'm kind of attached to my uterus, and whilst it's true that I no longer need it for child bearing, I want removing it to be the last option. This is the third time I've been told that I need a Hysterectomy, the first time I was only 23 and wouldn't have my beautiful boys if I hadn't insisted on trying other options. So I'm having the Endometrial Ablation on December 6th.

I went to another scrapbook camp a few weeks ago with my daughter Annie so I'll post pictures soon. Sheree and I are going to the last one for the year in November and we are both really looking forward to it. It's always nice to spend a weekend together, away from all our normal responsibilities where we can just laugh and have a great time. It's our 'us' time that we both really love. Next year we are booked in to 4 camps which will be great!

Our pregnant daughter and her husband have moved back in with us so that they can save money to buy a house next year and whilst this puts a lot of extra pressure on me with meals and washing etc the good part is that they'll be here when the baby is born. We are all very excited about this phase in our lives and the edition of the next generation, there is just something so special about it that I can't even put into words. I just feel very blessed.

Well that's about it for now, will update again soon.

Dad's Anniversary

2009-08-12T22:06:00.000+10:00

Graham John Bucknall 3/8/1946 - 13/8/2007

The hardest part when someone dies suddenly is that there is no time to say goodbye. You are sleeping soundly in your bed and then the phone rings and suddenly your life changes so completely. You are no longer the person you once where. But that's what death does, it changes your life. It's been 2 years at 12.45pm tonight since I got the phone call and for as long as I live I will never forget it. I do my best not to think about it because I can't stop myself from crying. These past 2 years have been a struggle but I have made it through some of the darkest days of my life.

Already we missed having Dad at the first wedding of one of his grand children and now that same grandchild is having his first great grandchild. He would have been so proud! But I know he is still around us, watching over us. Sometimes I have incredibly vivid dreams about him, I feel him giving me a hug. I will wake up and be so sure I've seen him, his hugs were so special and unique, the way he just folded you up in his arms, that's what makes me so sure it's him, his hugs where so different to anyone else.

I'm trying hard this year to remember Dad's life, not his death. It's hard because your mind automatically goes back to those dark weeks in our lives, but that's not what I want to remember about my Dad. I want to remember his hugs and the way in which he loved us, his kids, his grandkids and his wife. I want to remember the way he always said 'what do you know?' when you saw him or spoke to him on the phone. The jokes he told and the way he always laughed at his own jokes which made you laugh even more, I still remember his laugh and the way he looked when he cracked himself up. He'd say 'did you here the one about...' I will always remember the look on his face when I placed his first grandchild in his arms, he spoiled her rotten, she was his angel, 'come to Grandad' he'd say every time she cried.

But most of all I want to remember what an important part of my life he was. He raised me to be the wife and mother that I am today and I know he was proud of me. I know he's still around us all giving us his love, reminding us to make the most of each day. I love you Dad! xoxo

Dropped the Ball

2009-07-26T06:55:00.007+10:00

This week I really dropped the ball. It was a stressful week with Annie home after her dental surgery and then I had one or both boys home over three days with a vomiting virus. My second Uni assignment was due on Friday. So despite my plan to relax a little more I was really stressed.

But what I did get done was a cart that has been used for homework items for years. It's gone! It had become more of a junk holder and it only took me 20 minutes, a job I was certain would take a few hours. So bit by bit as I look around the house all those little annoying jobs are getting done. I also handed in my second Uni assignment, which I have to say would never have happened if it wasn't for my wonderful daughter who helped me and pushed me kicking and screaming.

This weekend I made a list of all the jobs I want to get done before Ian's birthday at the end of August. It's a very long list and includes lots of little jobs and some really big ones i.e. washing down all the railings on the back deck. I have 52 jobs to do in 32 days! As well as that I have my regular housework and four Uni assignments due in that time. But, Uni has to come first, that and my regular housework of course. So my goal is to get my jobs done, my assignments handed in on time and not get stressed. A big challenge but I can do it, if I speak nicely to myself and tell myself 'I can do it' rather than the nagging voice that says 'what were you thinking'. Doing a prep course for Uni is challenging. I actually started it two years ago and then Dad died a few weeks in and I pulled out of the course. It really is a hard course but it does prepare you well for the challenges of university. So here I am again! Wish me luck!

What a Week!

2009-07-19T20:18:00.005+10:00

I have to say that last week was very stressful! Planning out my schedule last Sunday and then realising on Tuesday that I had to do five days work in four as my daughter was having surgery on Friday, add to that Kylie and her husband stayed over on Wednesday night and my mum came and stayed a night as well, to say that I was stressed is an understatement.

Having said all that, gosh I got a lot done! I got both my bathrooms and laundry scrubbed from top to bottom, including walls and I got two kitchen draws cleaned out as well as all the regular housework. I also planted up some herbs and a few veges and flowers. So I'm proud of myself, I did well. I do however know myself and I pushed myself a little to hard and my body paid for it. So my goal for this coming week is to get everything done on my lists but to TRY and relax a little more and not push myself quite so hard.

A few weeks ago I enrolled in a University Preparation course for 13 weeks. It's full time so it's adding quite a bit of stress with assignments due almost every week. So lots of study this week as well.

Annie (my daughter) came through her surgery (four wisdom teeth removed) with no problems and the first 24 hours she was fine. However, by this morning her face had swelled up like a bruised balloon and she's calling herself Mrs Potato Head, she has used up almost all of her pain killers but fortunately I've got some left over from my back injury a few weeks ago to get her through the night tonight until we can get another script from the surgeon tomorrow. So she is in a lot of pain and feeling pretty miserable, still she is a great patient and hasn't complained at all. She has the week off work to recover which it looks like she's going to need. She starts her semester of Uni on Thursday night so we're hoping she is recovered enough to not miss her first lecture.

On the last note I'm happy to say that my 'clean up after yourself' nagging is paying off and the house that often looks like a bomb on the weekend and takes me forever to put back in order Sunday night or Monday morning looks great! My husband kept the kitchen tidy all weekend (he cooks on weekends) and the boys have been putting their stuff away after using it. So tomorrows work load is significantly reduced compared to a 'normal' Monday morning. Should be able to fly through the house in the morning and get some study done as I'm very nervous about a big assignment due Friday!

Hope you all have a great week!

Starting to Fly

2009-07-14T19:58:00.006+10:00

I've been working really hard over the last two weeks and it is really starting to pay off. The first thing I did was set up my control journal as recommended on Fly Lady, now I've been working it for a week I'm starting to adapt it a little better to suit my needs and lifestyle. Whilst I'm a long way from where I want to end up with the decluttering, I still haven't touched the cupboard that got me started on this whole challenge but I know I'll get to it. My house is looking great and is visitor ready every day of the week and I've managed to do a number of little things that have been bugging me for months. I'm working to lists, because I'm a person who works best that way and I don't have to try and think about what else I need to do, I just pick something from the list, depending on how much energy I have or how much time I want to spend.

One of the things that constantly amazes me is how much you can get done in a short period of time. In 15 minutes every morning, I make my bed, have a shower, clean my shower, vanity and toilet, get dressed and do all my girly things. By the time I get back from school drop off (takes me 30 minutes) I've made all the beds, cleaned the kitchen, done a load of washing, cleaned main bathroom and toilet and tidied up the living area and I don't feel rushed, even though reading it, it sounds that way.

I feel more in control of not only of my house but my life and especially my emotions. I've been very emotional and teary this past week as it's coming up to my Dad's birthday and the anniversary of his death, it will have been 2 years. But because I have kept myself busy and my mind challenged it has really helped me to not become overwhelmed with these emotions and end up really depressed.

I've also begun working on a full time university prep course, which I have to be honest and say is really hard and challenging. I managed to get in 4 hours of study today and I'm starting to get my study plan organised but that is a challenge in itself. But I guess the upshot of this whole challenge is that I feel productive and I have a sense of accomplishment, I can honestly say that I never would have been able to cope with even the idea of studying if it's wasn't for this challenge and Fly Lady.

15 Minute Challenge Update

2009-07-05T20:10:00.004+10:00

Yes it's been a while since I've put up a post. Firstly I can tell you that the our first Grandchild is due on February 7th, 2010.

Now for an update on the challenge! I had an injury that has put my off my feet for about 10 days now. Initially I was on pretty strong pain meds and didn't do a thing but sleep, don't really remember much about the first 5 days. But this weekend I've been up and about just a little and I decided to really get organised! Last night I read a friends blog and she reminded me to be grateful for what I can do instead of worrying about what I can't and also to stop being so negative, which I think I've become lately.

So I've spent my time studying the FlyLady.net and I've made my control journal. It has taken me hours to do up new phone lists, address lists, daily plans, weekly plans and monthly plans. My printer has been running hot for most of the day! I've been printing off calendars for the next 12 months (very easy to do in Outlook) and all the things I need to keep myself nice and organised. I've always preferred to work to a routine but as I'm getting a little older and have some minor back issues it is harder to do a big clean in one day. I find I'm exhausted by the end and just don't enjoy it like I used to. With this new routine the work is spread out over the whole week so hopefully this will work better for me. I've still got lots more to do but I'm taking baby steps, I've got to back up my computer and photos and music and organise all my recipes to make weekly menu planning easier and I still need to do the all important birthday list. But with the kids on holidays I should get most of it finished this week.

I've also noticed that my Google Reader has gotten a little out of control with it reaching 1000+ in a matter of days, in fact twice last week I had to do mass deletes because I just couldn't get through the posts. I'm not sure why, I haven't started following lots more blogs or anything, maybe it's just everyone has been posting more frequently. The problem is when you spend a few hours a day reading your Google Reader and emails and generally surfing the net, that is a couple of hours I could be reading. So I've decided to seriously reduce my Internet time so that I can get lots more reading done. I have so many great books that I'm just dying to read at the moment.

Well that's all for me today. I'm just watching the first episode of Australian Dancing with the Stars 2009, it's one of my favourite shows! Hope all our US friends had a happy 4th of July! So how are you going with your 15 Minute Challenge?

This month on Queen of Happy Endings you could win Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran or Blood Promise by Richelle Mead. Check this blog post for all the details. International entrants welcome.

Wonderful News

2009-06-15T14:37:00.002+10:00

Today I took my married daughter, Kylie to the Doctors to get a pregnancy test done and it was positive. I cried and we were hugging and laughing, it was such a wonderful feeling. Kylie and Troy got married last year in September and have been trying to get pregnant since. They wanted to have a family straight away, in my ideal world, I thought it would be better if they waited for a few years, but it's all they both wanted. Troy told me when they left for their honeymoon that he wanted to get Ky pregnant then. So they've been through the ups and downs, but after 8 1/2 months they finally got the happy news.

We don't know how far along she is or anything like that yet as she's not sure of her dates and her last period was very light so she may have already been pregnant then. Doctor said he will send her for a scan next week to check her dates etc.

I am so excited! This will be my first grandchild and the first great grandchild on my side. I just love children and babies, which is probably why I had four LOL. Hoping to have lots of grandchildren! My youngest son will be an Uncle at 11, so he thinks that's pretty cool. We were sitting around talking about it at dinner last night because I told them I was taking Kylie for the test. So I just wanted to share my wonderful exciting news! Can't wait to start baby shopping! This baby will be so spoiled!!!!

MIA

2009-06-14T08:08:00.004+10:00

Whilst I have been 'Missing In Action', I haven't been idle. In fact, I've been working really hard on the challenge and organising everything in my life, from the house and my daily routine to my reading schedule.

I realised last week that I was really sick of cooking, then I started thinking about why because I've always loved cooking for my family. Then I figured out that I was bored, so time to get online and look at my favourite recipe site and find some new recipes. Not only have I been cooking new dinners but I've been baking 3 times a week as well, which the family is loving.

I've managed to stay on top of the housework and the washing and my blogging and have read 5 or so books in the last 2 weeks. Plus I've had my Mum stay over for a few days. So I'm feeling very organised and on top of everything! I'm also going to take the plunge and try online grocery shopping next week. I've done a lot of research and comparing prices etc, I've organised my menu in advanced and chosen the company I'm gong to use. So this will also be something new and if it works out will make life a little bit easier.

So how are you all going with your personal challenge?

Official New Moon Movie Trailer

2009-06-01T13:28:00.003+10:00

I spent my entire morning cleaning the house from top to bottom and then I sit down and find this. Now I'm just going to sit her all afternoon and watch it over and over! Enjoy!

Does Anyone Else Find This Disturbing?

2009-05-31T10:26:00.002+10:00

I'm a huge True Blood fan (the TV show not the drink) and I can understand that you might do something like this once for a party. But keeping it in your refrigerator? There are some really strange fans out there!

Movie Trailer - My Sister's Keeper

2009-05-29T21:44:00.001+10:00

I can't wait to see this movie. I wonder if it will end the same in the movie as it did in the book!

Scrapbook Layouts Done at Camp

2009-05-25T10:00:00.005+10:00

These are all the layouts that I did while at camp. The sixth one down is the layout we did at the Friday night class. Well I was asleep by 9.30pm last night and slept until 7am, then I got up and cooked breakie for myself and the boys, took them to school, did some tidying, put on the washing, unpacked all my scrapbooking stuff and now I'm about to have a shower and then I have to go down to Kylie's and pick her up and take her to the doctor. She is really sick and sounds like she has the flu or something. I'm really worried about her, I wish I could just bring her here and look after her but I know she'd rather be in her own bed at home. I probably won't be home until after I pick up the boys from school. I'm feeling very tired today, but it's better if I don't have a nana nap so that I can sleep tonight. I've still got to read 200+ emails and 540 blog posts in my google reader, I'll obviously be deleting most because it's to hard to catch up.

Fantastic Weekend

2009-05-24T20:11:00.004+10:00

Thanks to Barbie and her team I had another fantastic weekend at Scrapbook camp. You will not find a lovelier group of ladies. As usual, we ate wonderful food, bought gorgeous scrapbook products, slept in a comfortable bed, talked about books, scrapbooking, kids, husbands and life in general. We laughed, we cried, we made new friends and caught up with old ones. As we drove home we talked about how much fun we had and that we can't wait to go again in October. The women that we see at camp have become such good friends and now with Facebook and Blogging it is easier to keep in touch with them in between camps.

This camp I was quite productive and I completed 8 layouts, which was pretty good (will post photos tomorrow). I got all my cuddles after I'd arrived home, everyone looked through my album (actually asked to see it), was amazed at how much I did, told me how bored they were because I wasn't here and it rained so they couldn't play any sport. Their only entertainment was to tease and annoy poor Kristianne, who is coming to the next camp rather than stay at home with the 3 boys. I then got a phone call from my married daughter Kylie, my Mum and then whilst eating my yummy roast dinner, my Dad. So I spent 1 1/2 hours on the phone to Crestmead, Beaudesert and Thursday Island. So I missed family dinner but I couldn't hang up on my Dad since he rang from Thursday Island and I only talk to him every couple of weeks.

Apart from coming home to a yummy roast pork dinner, the house is also lovely and clean which means I can have a nice relaxing day tomorrow. I'm a lucky girl! So I'm off to have an early night. Hope everyone had a lovely weekend!

Scrapbook Camp

2009-05-21T21:08:00.004+10:00

Sheree and I are off to scrapbook camp tomorrow at Daisy Chain scrapbook shop. This scrapbook camp is different from most in that we spend the weekend scrapbooking at the shop and we go to the motel to sleep, the little of it we do. The food is delicious, the shop is full of lots of gorgeous products to buy and use, the company is fantastic and the laughs are non stop. This weekend away, that we have a couple of times a year rejuvenates us in a way that nothing else does.

It takes a lot of work to get organised to go on camp. I have to pack my scrapbook stuff, get photos printed, pack clothes, load up IPod with audio books, clean the house, do the grocery shopping and make sure there are uniforms washing for the beginning of next week. Sometimes getting ready for camp is like running up hill, but by the time we arrive and relax and soon the laughter starts and it's all worthwhile!

So whatever you're doing this weekend I hope you laugh as much we are going to. Come back next week so you can see my layouts.

Cleaning Tip

2009-05-20T07:06:00.003+10:00

Shannon Lush suggests in her book Speed Cleaning that you should have a cleaning bucket containing everything you need for cleaning in any room of the house. Now I could never possibly fit everything into one bucket as I'm one of those people that has lots of cleaning products in every room of the house. For the last couple of weeks since the challenge started I have been trying to use the greener options i.e. bicarbonate soda and vinegar. We are all different and have our preferences so here is what I put in my bucket.

Roll of paper towel. I use paper towels to clean my toilets so that I can dispose of them easily.
A special glass cloth, that requires no chemicals. You just put a little water on one section of the cloth. I've been using one of these for a few years and love it, it works on all glass surfaces including TV's etc. You just wash it in the machine every now and again.
A bottle of vinegar and bicarb. That I will use cleaning drains, dishwasher etc.
A spray bottle of bleach and water. Now I tried using vinegar and bicarb to clean the toilets but I hated the toilet smelling of vinegar. For me my toilets don't smell clean unless they smell like bleach. So that's what I use it for.
Wooden furniture polish and cloth.
Rubber gloves, which should help prevent chemical damage to my hands that keep peeling.
Cleaning cloth.
My enjo heavy duty cleaning cloth.

With this bucket I can pick it up and take it to every room in the house and do quick or heavy cleans. It's easy to see what I need when I'm doing the shopping list and it's not heavy or hard to carry. Now I can get rid of all the products I have sitting around the house in cupboards, which will also give me some more space and I will have de-cluttered some more cupboards.

How's Your 15 minutes Going this Week?

2009-05-19T14:31:00.003+10:00

This week more than any other I have been surprised by how much you can do in 15 minutes. This week the task I set myself was to do the ironing, which I had almost 3 baskets. Now I have to mention that I have one of those Clothes Steamers that is used to iron clothes while they are hanging, so it is a lot faster than traditional iron (which means I have no excuse for 3 baskets).

Yesterday I decided I would do the basket of denim clothing i.e. jeans and denim shorts because I had to use my normal iron for that. So I got everything ready, made sure the iron was full of water and fully heated when I started the timer. Well I got 8 pairs of jeans done in 15 minutes, I couldn't believe it and since I only had 3 or 4 items left, I finished it. I was genuinely shocked! I just couldn't believe I could get that much done in 15 minutes. Today I used the steamer and ironed 12 shirts in 15 minutes. I should have it finished tomorrow. Then I may have a couple of things to do on Friday morning from this weeks washing. But I will have done it easily, even though when I set myself the task I didn't think I'd get it finished. Yesterday I also got the boys cupboards done, so all the clothes have been packed up and ready for goodwill.

All this and it's only Tuesday! So what can you do in 15 minutes? It really is such a small amount of time and therefore easy to commit to. Everyone can do 15 minutes a day!

It was a Good Week

2009-05-17T20:36:00.005+10:00

I surprised myself with the amount I got done this week. I filled three big bags with clothes to go to charity, I still have the linen closet to do and my youngest son has grown out of a couple of things so I'll do his draws this coming week. I forced myself to be ruthless and it was hard but I feel much better now it's done.

As well as get my room done I packed everything I need for scrapbook camp next weekend. Sheree and I had decided we needed to take much less stuff than we normally do. So I went and bought a smaller container and I packed and I'm quite sure that I have everything I will need. I've also put photos onto a memory stick to go and get printed and I've printed out all the sketches I want to use. All I have left to do is pack my clothes and toiletries.

This week I really need to get the ironing done and get the house cleaned. I did most of the washing today and folded it late this afternoon so it was done and out of the way. Tomorrow that will just leave the house cleaning, although my 23 year old daughter is still sick with a flu virus (might have to take her to Doctors), she went out with me today to do a couple of things and kept getting dizzy and was exhausted and she had to keep sitting down. She is very upset about it because she wants to go back to work. Now my teenage son is getting it so I'm hoping he will be alright tomorrow because the boys have Tuesday off due to the teacher's strike. But I'm not holding out much hope, I think he may need a trip to the doctors and antibiotics as well, the coughing is terrible and sounds awful. My youngest son had it a two weeks ago but so far Ian and I haven't had it!

So back to the challenge for this coming week. I'm thinking I'm going to try ironing, sounds crazy doesn't it? I have 2 full baskets of ironing, can I possibly get it done in 15 minutes a day? I'm going to give it a go. I've also continued to use the washing formula and when I folded all the clothes tonight, again, everything was clean. I've also put bay leaves on all the shelves in the pantry, so hopefully I wont see moths again. Well that's my update.

Pantry Tip

2009-05-14T05:00:00.002+10:00

About six weeks ago I discovered that I had moths in my pantry and they had gotten into everything. I had to throw out hundreds of dollars worth of food. I cleaned the whole pantry (that wasn't every untidy or dirty) and I sprayed the cupboard. Now every now and then I find a moth in the pantry so I check everything and spray again. So here's the pest free answer!

Pantry Tip: If you want to keep moths out of your pantry place a bay leaf (fresh or dry) every 60cm around your shelves. The lauric acid in bay leaves both repels moths and stops them breeding.

Washing Tip

2009-05-12T18:31:00.007+10:00

I don't know about you but I spend a fortune on washing powders and soakers. I have a front loader and that has reduced my costs and I was told by my repairman to never ever use fabric softener. So I've recently begun using the following products and reduced amounts of washing powders. Now before I started doing this I was have to soak all of my husbands work clothes and half my boys clothes every day. I no longer do any soaking at all and I have had every item come out spotless.

Washing Tip: Cut the recommended dose (according to the box) in half. So if it recommends one full scoop, use no more than a half, less if the load isn't a full one, it doesn't matter if you have a top loader or front loader. In every wash add half a scoop of an oxygen bleach that is colourfast, in Australia we have a product called Vanish NapiSan In Wash & Soaker OxyAction Intelligence Stain Remover, it's in a big bright pink container and it is what I use. Also add a scoop (1/2 cup) of bicarb of soda, all three products go in together. Then lastly add 1/2 cup of vinegar as your fabric softener, must go into the same place that your fabric softener would (check your manual). I was really nervous about adding the vinegar because I hate the smell but I can assure you nothing comes out smelling like vinegar, it comes out clean and soft. The benefit of using the bicarb and vinegar is that they help clean the pipes in your washing machine, which will also prolong it's life.

Washing Tip: For tough stains, including grease or body odour mix up a paste with the Napysan Oxy wash and water to the consistency of peanut butter and apply to stain and leave for 15 minutes then add to a heavy wash load.

So try it and let me know how you go. I have been using this system for 2 weeks and I think it's great. I'd also recommend washing all your clothes in separate colours i.e. whites, coloureds, red, brown and blacks and sheets and towels. I also do a heavy wash and a light wash.

15 Minute Challenge Competition

2009-05-12T07:00:00.000+10:00

This is the book that inspired the 15 Minute Challenge and I would like one of the participants to win a copy.

Here's how you enter:
1. Sign up to do the Challenge.

2. Leave a comment on this post.
3. Become a follower of my blog for another entry. If you already follow, let me know and you'll receive another entry.
4. Post about this give-away on your blog for another entry.
5. Please leave an email address or ensure you are contactable via your blog.

Competition closes on June 14, 2009 which is about half way through the Challenge. Winner will be announced on this blog so please check back to see if you're the winner. Winner will be given 48 hours to contact me (after I've sent them an email) or I will redraw. Competition open to everyone in all countries. Good luck!

Speed Cleaning by Shannon Lush

2009-05-11T15:30:00.004+10:00

The book Speed Cleaning by Shannon Lush and Jennifer Fleming is the reason that I decided to start this challenge. Shannon has a new show that's started on cable TV in Australia called Lush House and in it she teaches people to de-clutter and how to speed clean. I'm going to put up tips from this book to help those of you that are de-cluttering like me.

Tip: Assemble all you need before you get started on your 15 minutes. Use a timer that has an alarm that goes off at the end of your 15 minutes. If you are doing cupboards in a room, make sure the room is tidy before you start, this will make it easier. Have a clear goal before you get started i.e. 2 draws or 1 shelf in cupboard etc. If possible try and do it every day around the same time, as this helps to develop the habit.

I had a happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T20:36:00.007+10:00

My day started at 7am when Kristianne, Rory, Kenzie and Ian came in with a cup of tea and lots of presents. Kenzie made me a card at school and told me that his teacher made them do their best handwriting LOL. Then he wanted to know after I'd read all the cards if his was the best! He is the family clown that boy.

Presents: A Homemedics neck massager (it's fantastic and already my neck is feeling better), beautiful flowers, Play Station Sing Star Game - Queen, a charger for my IPod, Dark Needs at Night's Edge by Kresley Cole, Fever by Christine Feehan, Dark Challenge by Christine Feehan, a $50 gift certificate for QBD (book shop), a beautiful big jumper, The Stepford Wives on DVD, a singlet top, Twilight key rings, 3 pairs bonds bed socks, 2 boomerang pillows, 3 scrapbook magazines, a canister set for tea and sugar, a box of scorched almonds and a voucher to get a pedicure. I know I've forgotten something but can't remember what it is. I am so very lucky because I was very spoiled.

Then we went to Kylie and Troy's for a beautiful and delicious breakfast. Kylie also made cup cakes for us to bring home and a strawberry cheesecake (didn't get a photo cause we started eating it before I got the chance LOL). Kylie had to go to work today so breakfast was the only time we could see them. She went to so much trouble to make everything look lovely and special (see photos above). We came home after breakfast and had a sleep and then we watched Stepford Wives. Then late this afternoon Kristianne helped me re-organise my bookcase, to make more room. Now I'm sitting here after the boys have gone to bed while Kristianne and I watch The Other Boleyn Girl on Foxtel. What a perfect way to end a perfect day!

I am a very lucky woman to have such wonderful children and a thoughtful and loving husband. Kristianne wrote a beautiful post on her blog that made me cry and today everyone did their best to make me feel special and it reminded me how lucky I am. Although I didn't see my Mum today she is coming up to stay with us for a few days this week.

To all the Mum's out there I hope you had a lovely day with your family and that you felt as special as I did.

Have a lovely day!

2009-05-10T00:01:00.001+10:00

This morning we went to our daughter's house for a lovely breakfast. She has to work today but wanted to see me for Mother's Day, it's the first time we've gone to their house for a meal since they moved out, so it was really nice.

15 Minute Challenge Update

2009-05-09T18:32:00.008+10:00

Have you started the challenge? How did you go this week? I have to be honest and admit that I didn't do the cupboard that I planned on doing. I did do other things that needed to be done, such as organising my laundry to use the Speed Cleaning system in the book. I also made my bed everyday just so that I could set the tone. Yes, I'm admitting that I don't always make my bed, shock and horror, my mother would be horrified! But I made it every day this week, I also got some big bags that I can use when I do my wardrobe and I have already put a few things in them that don't fit the kids as I was folding washing this week. I have two boys who will just wear whatever they grab out of the cupboard and if it's a little on the small side, oh well! So I started removing things from the washing. Getting prepared this week was a good exercise because I'm actually excited about doing my wardrobe.

Okay, here is a little catch up on how everyone is doing so far:

Kjirsten has put up her first challenge post. Check it out here. Kjirsten is exercising for her challenge.

Wendy has also put up her challenge post and she is going to read to her kids which I think is wonderful. Check it out here.

Sheree has done a fantastic job this week and made huge progress in her challenge. Check out her post here. Sheree is de-cluttering for her challenge.

Scrap Girl has put up her first post here is and also de-cluttering her cupboards and draws, just like me.

Deanna is spring cleaning for her challenge, check it out here and she is also following Simple Mom which has some great ideas if you are cleaning or de-cluttering so go and have a look at that one as well.

Debi has created a blog especially for this challenge, which I think is fantastic and commitment, check it out here. Debi is also de-cluttering.

Well I think that is everyone who's put up there first post. I have visited all of your blogs to see how you're going and I will do that every week and I'll put up a weekly progress post. Don't forget to leave a comment when you've put up a post about the challenge. This week I will start posting tips from Speed Cleaning and I will put up a give-away that will be drawn half way through the challenge. Good luck and let us know what you're plan for this week. Go check out everyone's blogs and cheer them on, become a follower so it's easy to support each other.

Blog Tip: Did you know that if you are logged into blogger there is a new button at the top between 'flag blog' and 'next blog' that says 'follow blog' it automatically makes you a follower and add the blog to your google reader.

My Action Plan

2009-05-04T16:10:00.007+10:00

It's a public holiday today and since I'm not going to do my 15 minute a day challenge on weekends I haven't done it today because technically it's a weekend. So as you already know from previous posts my challenge is going to be to tackle the clutter in my cupboards. It amazes me that when my children were little I had no clutter and I've been thinking about how it got away from me, and it's one word, 'Mackenzie', my forth child, a son! When he was born I really became time poor and then when he was one I started a business which I had for around 6 years. He is now 10, so it's time to get my act together.

Now since the whole idea of doing this challenge is to get on top of something that bothers you, I have been thinking about where I should start. I could start in my room because I really need to go through all my clothes but I'm happy to put that off for at least another week or two and I also know which job I'll do last because I don't even like the idea of facing it (a cupboard full of scrap stuff). So I'm going to go with the hall cupboard, not the linen closet (I have two hall cupboards) the large cupboard in the hall that's full of 'stuff'. It doesn't have a lot of junk in it, just stuff that needs to be sorted and organised and I've been wanting to do it for a while. If I do 15 minutes a day I think I should have it finished by the end of the week. Then next week I'll do the kitchen, I have a few cupboards that I want to move around, they have been annoying me for 6 months.

So I've got my timer ready and I know where I'm going to start. I will post every few days and let you know how I'm going and I will put up tips. Also each time I put up a post for this challenge I will use the small button on this post. Each time you put up a post on your blog about the challenge leave a comment on my latest post and we can all go and read it as well. What are you doing for your first 15 minutes and when are you starting?

Recession Busters

2009-05-02T19:56:00.000+10:00

Meaning: recession is a general slowdown in economic activity in a country over a sustained period of time.

In my house we've been having a 'housework' recession, it's not the general housework, I get that done just fine. For me, it's mostly the clutter that has slowly built around the place. It's hiding in cupboards, drawers, on top of cupboards. Now some people would look around my house and think it's not that bad, but if I showed them inside a couple of large cupboards they might be shocked.

Yes I have my reasons, I had 2 quarters in an emotional down turn and I just haven't been able to recover. The point is, the clutter has been bothering me for a while now, but I just didn't know where to start and the job seem overwhelming so I've just put it off.

Last night I watched a new show on Foxtel (cable TV) called Lush House, it's on the Lifestyle channel. Australian author Shannon Lush teaches families to clean their house in 15 minutes a day! Easy? Well not exactly, before you can use Sharon's techniques you have to declutter. My problem is not keeping the house tidy or cleaning, which I do once a week on a Monday, it's that the clutter in my cupboards, that is hiding prevents me from enjoying the clean house feeling because I know that I need to do the places you can't see.

So what to do?

Run a challenge of course!

Feel free to check it out here. Sign up with me to beat your own recession (whatever that may be).

The 15 Minute Challenge

2009-05-02T18:57:00.006+10:00

On my reading blog I have had great success in accomplishing my goals by participating in reading challenges. So, inspired by Shannon Lush and her book Speed Cleaning, I'm going to publicy challenge myself to declutter my home in 15 minute sessions per day over the next 3 months and you can join me!

The idea is quite simple. What one thing could you do for 15 minutes each day that would have the biggest impact on how you feel about yourself and your life? I will use this challenge to motivate myself to declutter however as an example, you could exercise, catch up on ironing, work on a life goal (such as writing or researching a topic), have dinner together with your family, read to your child, read the bible, pray, practise visualisations or meditate. It really can be anything. You just need to find something that you are currently not doing that bothers you.

To join this challenge follow these instructions:

Sign up with Mr Linky below.
Put the challenge button on your blog. If you don't have a blog then just join us by adding comments to this post.
Put a post on your blog (or comment here) telling us what your personal 15 minute challenge is and why you are doing it.
At least once a week, do a blog post or comment here, to tell us how you are going.
I also encourage you to put up tips on your blog that might help others, whatever your personal challenge is.
Please go and support other who are participating in the challenge and cheer them on.

Empathy

2009-04-25T01:45:00.000+10:00

Meaning: Empathy is the capability to share and understand another's emotion and feelings. It is often characterized as the ability to "put oneself into another's shoes," or in some way experience what the other person is feeling.

What this doesn't tell you is that if you are a person who feels empathy, it hurts, a lot. This week something happened in my family, well my brother's actually, and he, his partner and their children are going through a lot. This is not my story to tell so I can't got into details but it is causing a lot of pain and suffering throughout the whole family. It is a terrible thing to be so worried about people you love.

So consequently I haven't felt very inspired to create anything at all. In fact, I haven't even been near my scrapping stuff. I know that I should and it might help take my mind off things but while you come to terms with difficulties in your life you don't exactly feel inspired.

My 10 year old son, Kenzie got sick earlier in the week and now he can't stop coughing. So we are off to the Doctors this morning. I knew he needed to go last night when he got all snuggly and didn't want to play Xbox. So this weekend, I will be sitting around with him, having lots of cuddles and looking him after him and watching movies or TV. We were going to go to the movies and see Race to Witch Mountain but we'll have to do that next weekend as he is too sick to go out in public. Oh, I do have a mountain of washing, and I mean a mountain, well maybe not as much as in the previous post but I do have a few loads.

Aren't They Beautiful Birds?

2009-04-20T07:45:00.004+10:00

They truly are beautiful birds but NOT at 6am. I wake up every morning to the loud screeching noise of these birds in a tree outside my window. First I start dreaming about shooting them with a slug gun and then I dream of cutting the tree down that is on the public footpath, then I realise I can't do that so I dream of poisoning this tree. Then I wake up and I feel cranky even though I usually wake up around this time anyway. Lets face it, it's not pleasant being woken up by an unpleasant noise!

Well had a nice weekend taking part in a 24 hour Read-a-thon, and even though I only had 4 hours sleep afterwards and then 6 hours sleep last night I'm really not that tired.

Today I have another very busy day. It's my daughter Kylie's 21st birthday and her and her husband Troy are coming over for dinner. She wants BBQ Meatloaf, Creamy potatoes, Caramel Dumplings for desert and a Chocolate Cake with strawberries and cream. A couple of hours cooking there! We've already given Ky her presents cause we didn't know if she had the night off work but she does so it worked out well. Happy birthday Ky!

For other reasons that I can't get into, today will be one of those really tough days that you don't know if you'll get through. Some stuff happening in my family (not my immediate family) How I'm going to cope with it is unknown to me. I just have to keep busy I guess even though I'd rather hide in my room with my head under the covers.

This week I've also got to go to the hospital to visit my niece who gave birth to a 2lb baby girl on the weekend. Her family live 6 hours from Brisbane and can't get down to Brisbane until the weekend so Annie and I will go and visit her this week and see the baby. The baby was 10 weeks premature and my niece is only young (18) so I'm sure she is feeling scared. The doctors haven't been able to give them a prognosis for the baby yet but she is holding her own at the moment.

Well that's my day, I really better get up and have a shower and make this cake. Hope you all have a good Monday!

So Much To Do Today!

2009-04-17T08:46:00.006+10:00

Whilst that pile of washing below is done, it's not folded or ironed. I have a long to do list today. So here it is:

~~Fold all that washing~~
~~Do some more washing (never ends)~~
Make Kylie's birthday present
~~Clean house~~
~~Go to 2nd hand book shop to get a couple of books for this weekends Read-a-thon~~
~~Do the grocery shopping~~
~~Bake some treats for weekend~~
Do 2 book reviews
~~Repair hole in waterbed!~~

How much do you think I'll get done? Well, I had better get up and out of bed since it's nearly 9am already and all I've done is read my Google reader this morning. Where to start?

3PM Update: Well I'm doing pretty well, cleaned whole house including floors and bathrooms! Don't know if I'll get the book reviews done though cause I only have Annie's laptop until she gets home from work. Hubby is still working on mine and when he only has an hour or two at night it's slow going. Should be ready by the end of the weekend (fingers crossed). Should have everything else finished by tonight. Will make Kylie present after dinner.

6PM Update: Hey, almost done! Just cooking dinner and then I can go and make Ky's present. Well I should be able to get most of it done anyway tonight. Who knows I might even get the book reviews done as well!

10PM Update: Well I'm going to do the book reviews right now and I started Kylie's present but figured out I only had one of the two colours of paint that I need so I have to go and get some more in the morning. I also realised that it's going to need lots of coats and then varnish at the end. So it will take me the next three days to do it. Not sure why I was thinking I'd just do it today LOL. Anyway, off to do my book reviews.

A Pile of Washing!

2009-04-15T16:46:00.005+10:00

I am usually very good at staying on top of the washing, because if I get behind in the washing that means I soon have a pile of folding and then a heap of ironing to do. But with our vow renewal, honeymoon, Easter and the school holidays I let it get the better of me. So today, while working my way through that pile in the photo I made the cards below. I love combining the mundane with the enjoyable!I made this card for my daughter's 21st next Monday. I used a new range of Bella that I found this morning at Photo Continental. I made 4 cards from 2 sheets of patterned paper, so that's not to bad. This is another Vow Renewal layout and the photos is when Ian was saying the vows he'd written to me. You probably can't tell in this photos that Annie and I were really crying. It was so beautiful. The paper is one of my favourites, Vita Bella, and underneath the photo is a pocket that I've put the vows we made to each other.
This is a family shot taken on the day. The paper is Yellow Bicycle that I've had in my stash for a while and I have so much I am going to do another page to go with this so it will be a double. Well all in all I fairly productive day, now I just have to fold that pile of clean clothes! Hope everyone's enjoying the school holidays!

I Do

2009-04-12T09:44:00.003+10:00

I did this page yesterday afternoon but there wasn't enough natural light to photograph it. It's another of our vow renewal photos and me getting my eternity ring. Journalling says, "I waited 24 years for my eternity ring. It was definitely worth the wait." The paper is Wild Asparagus and has been in my stash for a very long time, the chipboard words are from an Ebay seller.

After I finished this we all sat around, ate fish and chips for dinner and then watched Twilight on DVD. It was a lovely relaxing evening. Today whilst the boys go down the coast for more Futsal I'm going to do some more scrapbooking whilst listening to my audio book and then I'm going to do some more reading of Dark Gold, the third book in a series I'm totally hooked on. Oh yeah, I should do some washing, my wonderful husband has been doing all the housework, making me cups of tea and doing all the cooking and meal preparation. No wonder I feel so relaxed! Hope you all have a lovely Easter Sunday eating your chocolate. Got to love a holiday that encourages eating as much chocolate as you can stomach!

Happy Easter

2009-04-11T16:41:00.004+10:00

We are having a lovely relaxing weekend. Yesterday I sat around on the new lounge all day and read my book while Ian watched TV, boys played Xbox and Annie read her book and surfed the net, it was wonderful to just relax with everyone in the same room. This morning Annie and I hit the shops and then came home and cleaned out her book case and we both counted up all our unread books. I have 178, actually after shopping 179 unread books on 3 book cases. I have 264 fiction books and I only keep books I really love and think there is some chance I will read again one day.

With regards to this revelation I have come up with a few rules:

No buying books from through away tables at book stores.
Only buy new release books for the authors I know and love.
Only buy new release books if they are highly recommended.
No buying more books in a week than I read i.e. read 2 - buy 2, read 0 - buy 0.
I have read 40 books this year so far, I have purchased 71. Shame on me!!!

This afternoon I have scrapped my first anniversary page and have been listening to a great audio book.

I love this photo of us, I have never seen my husband look more genuinely happy in a photo. It is Basic Grey Two Scoops, Bazzill flowers and a few other bits and pieces all from my stash.

So Lucky!

2009-04-09T07:55:00.008+10:00

We got back yesterday from our '2nd' honeymoon and you know I think I enjoyed this one more! I know that sounds corny, but Ian was so attentive, loving and romantic and he knows me so much better and knows all the things that make me feel special. I didn't open a car door the whole time we were there, we ate the food I wanted, went to the places I wanted to go and did whatever I felt like doing, even if that was sleeping LOL. Every time I asked him what he wanted he would say that this was about spoiling me so I had to choose. He's not a selfish man at the best of times but he really treated me like a princess.

This was the view from our balcony on the 7th floor. It rained most of the time we were there and the beaches were closed so no swimming. We didn't even get to go for a walk on the beach until the last day because the tides were so high there wasn't much beach to walk on.

Sunrise on the morning we left. It was the first morning that we could see the sun and it was beautiful. This past week, since our vow renewal have been the most romantic and loving of my life, I feel so lucky and blessed to have such a wonderful husband and an amazing family.
Our eldest daughter Annie, conducted the ceremony. I asked her because I read online that if you want a more personal ceremony that it is tradition to ask your eldest child. She did such a good job, she cried as much as we did and she shared in the moments like no one else could. You can read her beautiful blog post here. Thank you so much honey, it meant the world to us to have you do this for us and to share in such private moments.
We wanted a very private ceremony so that we could speak openly to each other without feeling inhibited in any way. So we only had our family and closest friends there. It was perfect and we both said afterwards that we wouldn't change a thing.

Now I'm so excited to have such lovely photos (thanks to Sheree) that I'm off to get some printed so that I can start scrapping them this weekend.

Happy Anniversary

2009-04-04T22:19:00.007+10:00

Just a few quick photos before we go away to the Gold Coast to stay in the same place that we had our honeymoon in. Today was the most beautiful and romantic ceremony and I am so grateful to be able to share it with the people I love.

To my amazing and wonderful husband, thank you for the most beautiful words a man could ever say to a woman! You are my heart. XOXO

Will have lots more to share when I get back from my 2nd honeymoon at the end of the week.

Just Another Day

2009-04-01T14:28:00.007+10:00

Today I made this card for my Dad who is flying for 4 hours to come to our vow renewal. It means a lot to me, especially knowing he hates flying and will have to fly for 8 hours within 4 days.
Got quite a few things done today from my 'long' list of jobs to be done before the weekend and cleaned the house clean and did 4 loads of washing. Not feeling well today, sore throat is back again and I've had a headache all day. But I still managed to be productive which makes me feel good. Of course all this was done while listening to Christine Feehan's Dark Prince, which is so good!!!!
The other card I made was just playing around, didn't turn out exactly as I planned but one for the stash.

Scrapped in my new space

2009-03-29T23:59:00.001+10:00

It's been a couple of weeks since I scrapped but I finally got in there yesterday and scrapped this page. The new area is nice to work in although trying to remember where I put stuff took some time. The journaling says 'Rory had his first style cut and colour. He had it done for Kylie's Wedding but he liked it so much he kept it that way'.

PMS Day

2009-03-29T14:37:00.006+10:00

Once a month (when we can get there) Sheree and I go to Nicki's PMS (play with my stuff) day. We get fed yummy food and we spend the day making cards. Now of course we can design our own stuff when we feel so inclined but Nicki has so many lovely cards to copy that I just make hers and everytime I go she has more!

The Special Two

2009-03-29T09:23:00.005+10:00

In another week I will renew my vows to the man I committed my life to 25 years ago. I've spent a lot of time thinking about the things that I want to say to him during the ceremony. The only problem is that everytime I think about the words I get overwhelmed with emotion and start crying. Don't know how I'm going to manage looking into his eyes and saying these things on the actual day.

I have been a lucky woman, this man has been a wonderful husband who loves me more today than he did the day we married and I know this because he tells me. I know that I am without a doubt the most important person in his life and there is nothing he wouldn't do for me, he has treasured me, supported me, he has been there for me through the birth of five babies, the death of our baby daughter and the sudden and unexpected death of my Dad. Every single good thing in my life is because of him and for that I am so grateful. We have four amazing children and a wonderful son-in-law and this family that we created together is what keeps us happy and motivated through the storms of life.

Whilst most people wouldn't know this about him he is a very romantic man albeit in private and after 25 years of being together I know that he would still choose me to spend his life with and I with him. Isn't that amazing, to know that you married the right person and wouldn't change a thing? It makes me feel so lucky. Our love and passion for each other is stronger then ever. We've had our lifetime together, now we will commit to each other for eternity! We always new ours was one of the great loves! Whilst my Dad won't be there this time, I know he'll be watching over us, just as proud he was that day and with the same tear in his eyes. Only this time it won't be because his daughter will be moving on to another important man, it will be because he is so proud that I chose so well the man to spend my life with and be the father of my children. Love you Dad!

Pride & Prejudice

2009-03-24T11:21:00.005+10:00

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love watching the 2005 film version of Pride and Prejudice. In fact, I would watch it on average, once a week. I even have both the English version (released in Australia) and the American version with an extended ending of the movies on DVD. If like me you love this movie than you should read this book.

Sharon Lathan was a fan of the movie like me and when she went looking for sequels to Pride and Prejudice, like me she found nothing to really satisfy her. So began her journey into what I hope will be a very successful writing career, as I'm looking forward to reading further works from this author. There is another book due out this year, one in early 2010 and Sharon is contracted for two more, although I don't know if those two are sequels to Pride and Prejudice. Of course I also recommend, Mr Darcy Presents His Bride by the Australian author Helen Halstead.

This book is one of the most beautiful and romantic love stories I've ever read. It is extremely sensual and yes it has lots of sex, as Mr & Mrs Darcy enjoy the early days of married life. Now I had read a few reviews that said this book had to much sex in it and I must confess that was one of the things that took it from a 'will read' to 'must read asap'. So if you're not one of those people who think that Darcy and Lizzie would have gone on to have a very happy and passionate marriage then this book is not for you. If however, you love their romance and just want more, then you can buy this book here with free postage to Australia.

Now I will also mention that the theme for my wedding to my wonderful husband was 'The Two Shall Be One' and we are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary in two weeks with a vow renewal ceremony. We are also going back to the refurbished beach front apartment (7th floor) for a couple of days, I've even managed to get us onto the same floor looking out over the ocean, where we spent the first two weeks of married life. We were telling the kids at dinner the other night how we spent a whole night sleeping out on the balcony watching the stars one night, it was so romantic. Of course, reading this book reminded me of my early days of marriage and I loved it!

So if you're in the mood for romance then give yourself a treat and read this sickly sweet romantic book. It will make you sigh 'ahhh'.

Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word

2009-03-22T07:39:00.005+10:00

Well what started out being a reasonably relaxing week very quickly became stressful. By Thursday night, having 8 people in the house, I was feeling, well, a little bit psycho, although at the time I thought I was fine. It really wasn't until the light of the next day that I realised my poor husband had copped my wrath for no particular reason. In fact, he'd done nothing at all except be in the room when my little outburst erupted.

The next day when I awoke with my guilt firmly in hand I wanted to ring my husband and apologise profusely and hope he wouldn't be mad at me for to long. Instead I rang him and pretended nothing happened and spoke to him as though everything was normal. He happily went along with this. Why? You know when he does something to upset me, I need the sorry. I've spent numerous hours debating this fact with myself over the past few days. Not only do I need to hear the sorry, I had an overwhelming need to say it, being that I was completely in the wrong. After two days I couldn't stand it any longer and said I was sorry. I asked him if he'd wanted me to say it to him and he said, 'no, I was just happy you were being nice to me'. What???

Now I have a friend, and I won't tell you who she is, but she is going through the exact opposite problem with her husband. He had the psycho attack and she copped it, he then proceeded to withdraw from her for a week, then did an about turn and is now being 'very nice', but she still needs the sorry. He won't give it to her (I have the compulsion to go hit him over the head with a lump of wood) I don't understand this, and in case you are wondering, is he just really stupid and doesn't get it, she did tell him twice, that she needed it. So why can't he say it, it seems so simple?

Why do women need the sorry? Is it because we are extremely emotional creatures and it's about comfort and hugs? When that comfort is taken away from us we find it difficult to cope. Why can men just let it go? Are my husband and I like this because we have been married for 25 years and we just hate wasting time fighting with each other? It certainly wasn't like that in the early days of marriage, although we could never fight for long, hours not days. However, as the years have gone on we just hate fighting and having tension between us, so we just let things go (most of the time). This has been a long and difficult lesson for me, learning to let things go, not sweat the small stuff. We are both passionate people so fighting can be and has been very intense at times.

Despite all this, I am still left wondering, why do we need the sorry? Is it not enough for them to demonstrate their love by doing things for us and making it better in their own way? I still need the words, but equally when the tables where turned I needed to give the sorry, despite the fact that it wasn't needed.

New Moon Movie

2009-03-20T21:40:00.003+10:00

Doesn't this just make your day? It did mine, when I found it. I thought it was interesting that Edward is on the cover, since he isn't in the book that much, compared to Bella anyway. I wonder if the movie will cover what he did while he was away from her as well as what happened between her and Jacob.

Mum's Room

2009-03-15T20:05:00.005+10:00

Finally got everything finished in Mum's room. I've taken the time and paid lots of attention to the little details, even with the bed, even though you can't tell from the photos it's actually a high bed so getting in and out of it will be easy for her. There is a Scrapbook page on the wall in a clear acrylic holder (that I'll change each time she visits), photos of Dad on the bedside table, I even went and got a book by an author she likes and put that beside the bed for her. I've put a power adaptor under the bed so she can plug in her laptop and mobile charger.
On the book case I've put family photos, books that she would like, a candle and teddies. Put in after the photos were taken is a clock. So I think I thought of everything that Mum could want to make her stay comfortable. Hopefully, she'll feel better now she's not putting anyone out of their bed and has her own room to stay in, she can come over whenever she feels like it. She has no idea I've done is so it will be a surprise. I've planned all her favourite meals this week as well so maybe I can get some weight on her before she goes home. She has always been a thin person but she has lost so much weight since my Dad died that she is just skin and bones now. My sister cooks all her dinners but if someone doesn't feed her, she doesn't eat and my sister works full time so Mum's by herself a lot.
So another busy week and unfortunately I will probably not do any scrapbooking this week. I have my first physio appointment for my right shoulder. I damaged it last year when I had a fall and it's continued to get worse. Doctor said I have to try physio and if that doesn't work then it's off to see an orthopedic surgeon. But I'm looking forward to going and hopefully getting some relief.
Even though it was a busy weekend, it was nice. Got lots done, spent lots of time with Annie, watched movies, Return to Me, Fool's Gold, The Last of the Mohican's and Twilight! So it was a good weekend.

New Scrap Space

2009-03-14T16:46:00.003+10:00

A space for two that faces the TV that is connected to Foxtel. So now TV is an option whilst scrapping, which means I can watch all my favourites i.e. Pride and Prejudice and Mama Mia (watched both while setting up)
Now my sewing machine is set up, along with my Cricut and Sizzix machine. This is great because I'm much more likely to use them now. I can't tell you the last time I used my Cricut machine, it was just to much hassle to set it up. On the wall I have some of my recent scrapbook pages. I just change them as I do more.

This is my scrapbooking wall, and yes I know I have a lot of stuff but what you can't see is the cupboard upstairs that is full. The great thing about this, is that now all my albums are on the shelves so that might get me motivated to start getting those baby albums done.

So why the move around? I needed to set up a room for my Mum to stay in when she visits. Currently one of the kids vacated their bed for her and she hated imposing. She has found life very hard since Dad died 19 months ago and I just want to make things a little easier. At least she'll have her own room to stay in now. Also, most of her friends are up here as she lived here for 35 years until her and Dad moved to a Granny flat at my sister's house (an hour away) before Dad was due to retire. He died eight months after they moved. It will be a surprise as I'd told her we would do it but she said no she didn't want to put anyone out. But I did it anyway. I went and bought her a King Single bed, I thought sleeping in a single bed would be easier and wouldn't feel like someone was missing so much. Silly me though, I bought and washed King Size sheets, not King Single (so I can't take them back and I wondered why they were so expensive, I was sure they weren't that expensive on the shelf LOL). But I got a pretty doona cover and a woolen doona because she's lost so much weight since Dad died that she really feels the cold. We've put some family photos on the bookcase and I've put books in there she might like to read. Tomorrow Annie and I will go and buy a lamp and bedside table and of course another set of sheets. Hopefully, she will like it!

My Poor Boy

2009-03-11T21:08:00.003+10:00

Today my son-in-law had surgery on his nose. He repeatedly broke his nose playing sport as a boy and did so much damage that his breathing was compromised. So the doctors had to fix it. They told Kylie (his wife/my daughter) that the surgery would take about half an hour and then half an hour in recovery. So instead of coming home to wait she decided to stay at the hospital. Six hours later and a very distressed daughter, I arrived at the hospital and demanded to know what was going on. The surgery was much more complicated than expected and it took three hours, and then he had a lot of difficulty breathing after the anesthetic and was kept in recovery for another three hours until they could stabilise him. It was very stressful for both of them. Kylie is now tucked up in bed after having some painkillers for a migraine she got from all the stress.

I took this photo of him when we got to see him. He had a lot of bleeding and his dressing had to be changed every 15 minutes. We'll be picking him up in the morning after dropping the boys at school. He's so sweet, he even put me down as his next of kin at the hospital, telling them I'm his Mum. I'll have to make him his favourite Vanilla Slices while he's recovering. The doctor told him that he only had 20% of his tastes buds and that he might not like some foods after this because his sense of taste will be so much stronger. But he is very sure he will still love his custard!

After Ky and Troy are settled back at their home tomorrow I will be moving my scraproom to another room in the house. It's going to be a huge job, but I need to have a room for my Mum when she comes to visit so that she doesn't have to feel guilty for kicking one of the kids out of their room and bed. I'm a little bit excited but also dreading all the hard work.

New Toy

2009-03-09T17:48:00.003+10:00

I've been wanting one of these steamers for months and I finally got one today. They are the steamers they use in clothing stores and I'd saw one used and thought it would be great. I did a basket of ironing in half an hour. So on the plus side it's really fast, on a down side I have bad burns on two fingers and typing is painful LOL.

Today I did all the housework, washing and ironing. I even managed to get all the bed linen dry before the rain started this morning. I love it when I'm organised for the start of the week, it always seems to make the rest of the week flow more smoothly. If this rain keeps up tomorrow I might have a relaxing day reading and scrapping.

Busy Week

2009-03-08T14:51:00.004+10:00

I actually scrapped a page of myself, I've only ever done one other that I remember. I do try and do pages with me in them but don't do them just of me. This year I want to do a page for everyone for their birthday. I used an older range of Kelly Panacci paper.

This week will be busy, my son-in-law is going into hospital for surgery on his nose (he broke it a lot when younger and now has trouble breathing). He'll be in hospital overnight and since Kylie (his wife) doesn't have her licence they need me to do the running around for them. Kylie wants to spend the night here, when Troy's in hospital so she's not by herself. So lots of running around!

I want to get all the housework and washing done tomorrow and make sure I'm organised for the week. Kenzie has soccer training 2 nights and Rory and he have Indoor soccer on Thursday night and then next weekend Kenzie has a game on Saturday and Sunday. Of course, I've also promised Kenzie I'll go watch him play school soccer on Thursday, so it will be a busy week. Would be nice to have time to scrap another page as well. No promises though!

The Young Victoria

2009-03-05T07:04:00.004+10:00

I found this on http://passagestothepast.blogspot.com/ and was so excited! I have read and watched movies about the Tudors and Elizabeth and I've bought a few books about Queen Victoria but haven't read them yet. This is just the thing I needed to get those books of the shelf and get them read. I couldn't get a release date for Australia but found info that suggested late summer, but think that's US. The only knowledge I have of Queen Victoria is that she was deeply in love with her husband and had lots of children and she was Queen for a long time! So I'm off to see what books are on my shelves that I can devour them before the movie comes out!

Scenic Route

2009-03-01T14:32:00.003+10:00

This was a really quick layout I did this morning in about 45 minutes. This was scraplift, unfortunately I have no idea where I found it. Scrap lifting is a great way to get back into scrapping if you haven't done it for a while. The paper is my favourite Scenic Route range and look Jenny, I cut out all the hearts! The layout is of my beautiful daugher and her new husband.

Moment in Time

2009-03-01T07:43:00.003+10:00

This is the page I did last night when Ian and I got home from our little trip and he was cooking dinner. It is scraplifted from one of my favourite Australian Scrapbookers Ali Russell. I used a couple of things from my stash including the Daisy D paper, 7 Gypsies gaffer tape, Inque stickers and my Heidi Swap clock stamp set. The border scroll was one I bought from EBay and the butterfly is new punch.. Even though you can't really see it I did do some sewing on it as well.

Well today I've got a few loads of washing to do and then we'll see, maybe some reading or I am in the mood to watch Pride and Prejudice again after spending quite a bit of time reading this blog this morning.

We Found the Spot

2009-02-28T20:15:00.007+10:00

Just by this beautiful gum tree is the spot we both thought was the perfect place to renew our wedding vows in five weeks. We had two places in mind, one in the country and one at the beach. We decided to go with the one in the country, it's a place called Christmas Creek and it's about 1 1/2 hours drive from our home. It really is beautiful and just the perfect spot. It's been a few years since we've been out there and you can camp out there now, so we hope to plan a weekend camping trip with our friends for sometime later in the year. Now if I can just find something to wear as easily.

Thank God it's Friday

2009-02-27T19:46:00.004+10:00

Well I have no idea where the week went, but I'm glad it's the weekend all the same. I can honestly say that I did very little, usually when I get back from scrapbook camp all I want to do is keep scrapping. Sadly not this time! In fact, when my BF mentioned scrapping next week I panicked and went and unpacked, which she thought was very funny. Apart from that, I've read a couple of books and kept the house tidy, without doing any actual cleaning (impressive if you ask me). I should mention that it was spotless when I went away so it isn't as though it needed anything major anyway.
This weekend my husband and I are going out to look for a place to have our 25th wedding anniversary vow renewal. When we got married I wanted a garden wedding, but things worked out differently. It's going to be a very casual jeans and t-shirt kind of affair with just a couple of family members and my BF and her family.

So back to scrapbooking or the lack of it! I spent a little time in my scrapbook room this afternoon and did some 'moving around'. I had to take pages out of the current work album and put them into the albums they belong in. What I discovered was not pleasant, in fact, it was kind of depressing! I have scrapped more photos of my dog than my children as babies! In the last couple of years I have done no back scrapping at all, I haven't really even kept up with the year. I need a plan!
The only thing I've come up with so far is to scrap a page reflecting each month's events and then the rest of my scrapping time could be devoted to back scrapping. This way I could also work on the kids individual albums. The pages I do for the boys generally include them both so they go in my album. I've done nothing for their individual albums for quite a while. Their school albums jump from 2005 to 2008, and the girls, well, did they go to school? So there is a lot to do including finishing Kylie and Troy's wedding album for them. So the goal for this weekend is to start scrapping again. I haven't scrapped at home since November so I need to get started.
Hope you all have a great weekend!

My Creative Escape

2009-02-23T17:23:00.006+10:00

It was so nice to go to scrapbook camp. Sheree and I haven't been since May last year and we've really missed seeing everyone. There is something special about Scrapbook Camp at Daisy Chain, this is our fourth year of going but although we only catch up with these ladies twice a year it is just like going home. One of the things I love is the depth of conversation held over the course of three days, it seems to me that people there share a part of their souls with each other. Maybe it's because we are all Mum's with families we are devoted to and looking at pictures of people you love whilst scrapping all weekend, makes you feel emotional and so you talk more openly. Maybe it's just the cosy atmosphere and the fun and laughter that makes you feel so comfortable. Whatever it is, it is special. Catching up with Jenny, Gina and Sue and getting to know Lisa was a special highlight of this camp. Of course, chatting about favourite books and sharing Audio Books was also great! Sheree and I got to talk about our two favourite subjects, books and scrapbooking! Sitting and talking to Barbie in the early hours of Sunday morning (another camp tradition) started to get me excited about Ian and I renewing our vows on our 25th Wedding anniversary this year (it also helps that Ian picked up my ring on the weekend while I was away and is now teasing me with it).

Camps at Daisy Chain have become so popular that we had to book in to camps right up until February next year! We have put our name on the waiting list for May and are booked in for October and November. So if we are lucky we will fit in more than two camps this year.

Back to blogging! I know I haven't blogged much since December last year and that's because over the summer life always gets busy and I don't have time for scrapbooking and other things! But, I'm now back into the swing of things and my plan is to unpack and tidy my scraproom this week and then I can get back to it! Have plenty of audio books to listen to while I scrap and the housework is all up to date so no excuses!

Only did four layouts at camp and a canvas so I'll photograph them tomorrow!

Thinking of You

2009-02-12T19:57:00.004+10:00

Tonight at midnight it will be 18 months since my Dad died. So hard to believe because so much has happened and so many events have gone on without him. I still miss him terribly but have come to accept that I always will. It is just the way it is when you lose someone.

Of course, watching the news and what is happening in Victoria with the bush fires and the awful pain that people are suffering it's hard to know how to cope with so much pain in such difficult times. All you can do is remind the people you love how very much you love them and give them all an extra hug. It's the people we love that mean so much to us at times like this. We just never know what life will bring.
Now for some happy news! I have a brand new niece, Amy Pearle. Welcome to the world precious one!
To all my 'special' people, who all know who they are, I love you with all my heart and am thankful everyday to have you in my life. xoxoxo

Blog Award

2009-02-05T07:33:00.004+10:00

Thanks so much to Rebecca from Scrapers Delight for this blog award. I haven't done any scrapbooking this year yet because it is very hot and I have had lots of other things going on. However that will all change when I go to Scrapbook Camp in 2 weeks, it always gets me in the mood for scrapping. Anyway after receiving this award I get to nominate 5 of my favourite blogs that haven't already received this award. Please go and check out their blogs and then go vote for your favourite at Scrapers Delight. So here they are:

http://kadeemorrisondesigns.blogspot.com/
http://leslieashe.blogspot.com/
http://www.nickitidbold.com/
http://sketchesbytamara.blogspot.com/
http://www.makeeshabyl.com.au/

What is your favorite die / Cricut Cartridge?
Whilst I do like my Cricut Machine I think my favourite is still the Sizzix machine, I have about 30 dies and I like that I can use it to make my own chipboard shapes.

What type of die cutter do you find your self using the most?
My Sizzix machine.

How do you make embossing and what brand is it if you us a machine?
Yes I know I'm behind the times but I haven't really done much embossing. Although on my list of wants this year is a Cuttlebug machine. I have a Fiskars embosser but I will admit that I haven't really used it.

What are your favorite techniques you use the most?
After discovering the fun of stamping with Stampin Up I'd have to say that is probably one of my favourite techniques.

What do you have the most of?
Hmm, well I have lots and lots of paper, flowers, buttons and embellishments. I have a room full to the brim of scrapbooking stuff. I am going to have to have another clean out if I'm to purchase anything this year.

Tag, you're it!

2009-02-03T20:44:00.005+10:00

I've been tagged by Sheree from Excerpts from the Edge. This is a photo challenge, go to the 6th photo folder on your PC, choose the 6th photo and explain what the photo's about ...This is a photo of my very famous, much desired 'Vanilla Slice'. It can cure many ills, and cheer the saddest of spirits, oh and it tastes as good as it looks. Anyway I took this photo for Recipe cards that I made for an Off the Page Project.

I'm tagging:
Danielle @ Homespun with Heart
Kadee @ Kadee Morrison Designs
Leslie @ Live Love Laugh
Tamara @ Scrapbooking Friends
Kjirsten @ Planet Hartwell
Sherry @ Sassy Schtuff

Back to School

2009-01-27T09:17:00.004+10:00

Happy when they left and happy when they returned! I spent the whole day worrying and of course, just like every other year they are fine.

After school we went to the Orthodontist and had his spacers put on and then he has his braces on next Tuesday. So it was a big day, but all is good! Now tomorrow I can relax and enjoy myself without having to worry!

Marley and Me

2009-01-14T20:17:00.004+10:00

Went and saw this movie last Friday with a friend. I was a bit dubious about seeing it as my BF had seen it and told me it was sad and would remind me of my beautiful dog Ally who died 18 months ago. Of course it did, but in a good way and it certainly made me feel like rushing home and hugging our dog Buddy who really is a small version of Marley and often drives me crazy.
I really enjoyed the movie, I think it was a great story about life, love and family, and the everyday occurrences that can drive us nuts! However, I do think is is much more enjoyable for dog lovers. I'd give this movie a 4/5 stars and recommend it to any dog lover. This movie reminds you of how much our pets become part of our lives and our families.

Guess the Television Theme song

2009-01-13T21:23:00.000+10:00

Your Final Score Was 38%

You did well but I think you need to study your TV theme songs a little more. Do some research, try again and I'm sure you will do better.

Guess the Theme Song
Take More Quizzes

What Have I Been Up To?

2009-01-11T07:37:00.003+10:00

For the last couple of months and in particular the past two weeks I've been madly working on a new Book Review Website that I'm contributing to with two other crazy women. This would explain why I haven't done much scrapbooking since November. That will all change when school resumes in two weeks as the itch is getting stronger!

However, in the meantime if you're looking for a new author or just trying to find a good book to read, go and check out Royal Reviews there are dozens of book reviews so you are sure to find something you like.

We've got an air conditioning unit being installed in the only bedroom that didn't have one tomorrow and I'm spending the day with the boys and my Dad. He goes back to Thursday Island on Thursday so tomorrow will be the last time I see him in a while. Getting to know him has been such an unexpected surprise. I find him so easy to talk to and I feel very comfortable around him which is not what I was expecting. Don't get me wrong, it has been very awkward at times but the more time I've spent with him the easier it has become. Last Monday he spent a few hours with me and we were alone for the first time (well except for the boys) and it was really nice and effortless. So I'm looking forward to tomorrow, going to make him my famous Vanilla Slices! I am sad that he is leaving so soon after meeting him but I find it very easy to talk to him on the phone so we'll keep in touch.

Rory has to have another two teeth out on Tuesday, he had three out on Friday. Four of the teeth are adult teeth and one baby tooth all ready for his braces to go on. He has the spacers put on the first day of school in two weeks and then the second week of school the braces go on. He is very excited and so are we. His teeth are dreadful so I can't wait to see him with a gorgeous smile and straight teeth, if the girl's braces are anything to go by his smile will be dramatically improved within the first month.

My youngest son Mackenzie turned 10 on the 4th of January and we had friends and family over to celebrate. I can't believe my baby is 10, time just goes by so fast, reminds me why scrapbooking is so important, to keep those memories fresh.

The last but not least bit of news, is that Kylie and Troy are finally looking for a house to move to. They put in around six applications yesterday so my fingers are crossed that they get one of them. It's not that we don't want them around, it's more that the boys desperately need their own rooms now, especially with Rory starting High School in two weeks. I am also looking forward to cooking for five, two extra people make a huge difference, especially if one of those people is Troy, he has a mountainous appetite.

Well that' all my news for now, I have to go and wash dishes because the dishwasher has broken down again. Tomorrow I have ring up to get a repairman out, can't handle washing mountains of dishes for very long.

Reading Challenges

2009-01-01T09:40:00.008+10:00

As well as scrapbooking and card-making I love to read. Below is a list of reading challenges I found for you to check out if you are interested.

Historical Fiction Reading Challenge - this is a great little challenge that only rung until March 31st. You must read 3 historical books set up to World War 2.

Books vs Movies Challenge - read 6 books and watch the movie for each book in 2009. You must write a review and post it or join Goodreads to be eligible for prizes.

The Year of Readers - this reading challenge is about donating your time and money so that you raise money for Book Charities.

Serial Readers Challenge 2009 - this reading challenge is to read as many series as you can in 2009. This one is great for those of us who have a few series sitting on our shelves to read.

2009 TBR Challenge - This one is a nice easy one. Choose 12 books that have been in your To Be Read pile for more than six months and read one a month. You are even allowed to have a back up for each month just in case they don't grab you. Sounds like a nice easy one!

In Their Shoes - this challenge is to read as many memoirs, autobiographies or biographies as you want.

The 999 Challenge - for this challenge you have to read 9 books from 9 categories of your choice and as an added challenge you have to try and have it finished by 9/9/09. This is a great challenge to help you get through your TBR pile.

Well Seasoned Reader Challenge - this one is a nice quick one, it finished on March 31st and you only have to read 3 books. The idea is to read books related to food or travel, it's more complicated than that but I love the idea. You should definitely go and check it out.

First in a Series 2009 - read 12 first in a series books by any author and any genre. There is also a second challenge to read a second book by an author you've previously read. For those of you who love series this one would be great.

2009 Suspense and Thriller Challenge - read 12 different sub-genres of thrillers in 2009.

War Through the Generations Challenge - for this challenge you have to read 5 books set in WW11, they can be either fiction or non-fiction. A good challenge to expand your horizons!

2009 Mini Challenges - if you are looking to extend yourself then this is the challenge for you. It involves more than just reading fiction. Looks like a lot of fun.

Books into Movies Challenge - this is a nice easy one, you have to read 2 books that have been made into movies and then watch the movie or books that relate to the television show Murder She Wrote.

There are hundreds of reading challenges out there so go find one and start reading in 2009. Reading challenges are a fun way to keep you motivated.

The End of Another Year

2008-12-31T13:31:00.009+10:00

It's hard to believe that it's the end of 2008. I can't help but feel that I let this year happen to me, most of the year felt as though I had no control whatsoever over my life. My Dad had only passed a few months before Christmas and I was still in shock over such a big loss. If you asked me what the worst days of my life were, I'd tell you that it was the day my daughter died and the night my father died. I spent most of this year filled with the pain of grief and loss and it was extraordinarily difficult. I got through it primarily because my wonderful daughter Annie put her life on hold and took care of me and the rest of the family while I stayed in my bed and did my grieving. Honestly I can't tell you what I would have done without her, she was truly amazing in the unconditional love that she gave me during this time. I love her more than any words could possibly express, she is my best friend, my constant companion who I have more in common with than anyone I know. We laugh together, cry together and find ourselves often in companionable silence whilst doing 'our' thing. I consider myself the luckiest mother in the world to have her for my daughter, it is such a privilege.
This year brought an added burden that I was not expecting. My best friend lost her Mum to Melanoma cancer within 6 weeks of diagnosis. There are no words to express what it is like to watch someone you love so much begin going through the pain that you are currently experiencing yourself. No one could have told us that we'd both lose a parent within seven months of each other. I don't think anything could have bought us closer together. It has been difficult because we have always been there for each other and there have been times this year when we haven't been able to 'be there' for each other. But we have a wonderful friendship that I couldn't manage without and she has been a wonderful support to me as I've crawled through this year. We always seem to be able to make each other laugh no matter how bad things are, she is the sister of my heart and I love her more than she will ever know. As awful as this year was most of the good memories I have, she is a part of.

So on to the good things that happened this year:

The biggest event this year was without a doubt the wedding of our beautiful daughter Kylie. She truly was the most beautiful bride, and her new husband Troy was very handsome. They make a beautiful couple and are currently looking for a house so that they can move out of home and really begin their lives together. Whilst we will miss them both I am looking forward to seeing their joy and the fun of having your first place.

I read 50 books and reading certainly kept me from going insane. I went to some wonderful places and had some fantastic adventures, I became a vampire, I spent a week in the deep south in the America. I discovered an Ireland and Irish folklore that I knew nothing about. I fell in love several times, including many times over with Henry the 8th, and I did a lot of travelling with my favourite red haired Scotsman, Jamie. I feel lucky to have enjoyed so many wonderful books this year. I can't imagine I can read anything better in 2009 but I'm certainly willing to try.
If 2008 was the year of wonderful books than it was also the year of great movies. I saw Mama Mia 3 times, Twilight 4 times and who could forget The Other Boleyn Girl, The Duchess and Nights in Rodanthe. The last but certainly not least was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and almost 3 hours of watching the very gorgeous Brad Pitt. I also watched Pride and Prejudice on DVD about 52 times, I've watched it every week. It was a great movie year!
This year I also managed to Scrapbook over 40 pages and 45 cards. I think this year I have done my best work and I have loved and enjoyed the time that Sheree and I have spent scrapbooking together. We've done a number of pages together and had lots of fun sharing our creative ideas.

For 2009 I look forward to reading lots more, scrapping lots more and laughing lots more! My married daughter is moving out, my eldest son is starting high school and my husband and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary by going on our first cruise. I have much to be grateful for and I am determined to enjoy my time with my family and friends. To all of you, I wish you a happy new year and may 2009 bring you health and happiness. Well we are heading off to enjoy our last movie of the year, 'Bedtime Stories'.

What a day!

2008-12-20T21:41:00.005+10:00

Today I met my father for the first time. I think we both freaked out a little beforehand and I ended up being an hour late. But better late than never I guess. He seems like a lovely man, he seems gentle and kind. I also met my two gorgeous brothers, I really liked them and we laughed and joked easily. They made me feel really comfortable and I enjoyed the afternoon. I am really looking forward to getting to know them all but especially my father. He is in Brisbane for a month so hopefully we will spend some time together. He and his wife live on Thursday Island, I have a sister who lives with them but she didn't make it down for this trip. Meeting her is something I get to do in the New Year, although I'm sure we will get along, she loves reading!

Surprising Phone Call

2008-12-14T08:59:00.001+10:00

Last night I got a phone call from my biological father. Mum had organised for him to call me on Tuesday night because he is coming to Brisbane and wants to meet me but thought it would be better if we spoke on the phone first. I'm still in shock, I just can't believe I've spoken to him. Anyway he just couldn't wait and decided to ring me last night instead.
We talked for over an hour and the conversation was relatively easy, he has a lovely voice and sounds like a gentle man. He said he can't wait to meet me and will be in Brisbane for a month and wants to get to know me while he is here. He also wants me to meet his family, well one of his sons anyway and some of his wife's relatives. He said he has things to explain to me and he wants to help me understand why he did the things he did 'back then'. I talked to him about things that I don't even talk to Mum about, which amazed me. Actually I think I'm still in shock, I just can't believe all this is happening. It's an amazing thing to know that someone who you don't remember has loved you your whole life and you didn't even know it. So it looks like me and my family will be meeting him next weekend. Which will be truly amazing, I'm so nervous and excited and terrified all at the same time.
No one could have told me that while this year started out with the loss of my Dad still so fresh and raw it would end with me meeting my biological father. It truly just blows me away and one of the bizarre things is that he understands my feelings about being adopted because he was adopted also, so he gets all the difficulties that causes. WOW....

Twilight the Movie

2008-12-12T06:07:00.004+10:00

My daughter Annie talked me into going to see Twilight with her, a friend and Rory last night because she had an extra ticket. So I went along even though I really wasn't in the mood to go out but I am so glad I did! Twilight was one of those rare movies that did the book justice. Of course, it didn't have the detail that the book did but that would be impossible. I loved the movie and can't wait to see it again. I think the essence of the relationship between Edward and Bella really was captured on screen and my favourite scene was the fight scene at the end of the movie, a scene that wasn't in the book. But it was done so well, it was fantastic. The only downside was that because this is a teen movie there were a lot of teenage girls making all sorts of weird noises throughout the movie.

Why is Christmas so hard?

2008-12-10T13:37:00.004+10:00

This was Christmas 1996, Kristianne and Kylie loved having their Grandad come over dressed up as Santa. He'd played Santa at a Christmas party and asked if he could stay in the suit to go visit his Grandchildren. I remember it was a very hot day and he must have been dying in that suit. But he came over and gave the kids presents. Rory was terrified of him and wouldn't go near him, so he took off his beard, hat and pants just so Rory would know it was his Grandad.

It is extraordinary the amount of grief you feel at Christmas time when they are not here any more. I have been going through a particularly difficult time recently and the hardest thing is knowing that if he were here he would know exactly what to say that would make everything ok. Mum told me today that she thinks he sent my biological Dad to me and somewhere deep inside I think that might be true but I can't help wishing he were here with me.

When he met his daughter from a relationship he had before he met Mum, he asked me to be there with him and now I want him to be here with me when I meet my other father. Right now I just feel very alone, more alone than I think I've ever felt in my life. I miss you so much Dad!

2008-12-04T09:32:00.002+10:00

25 Days Until Christmas

2008-12-01T06:00:00.001+10:00

I put up the Christmas tree yesterday afternoon and got all the Christmas cards written up. I've only done a small amount of shopping but that's no big deal, Ian and I will do it all in one day a weekend or two before Christmas. As well as that I've planned the Christmas day menu so I don't feel like I have to stress about it all now. We usually put the tree up on December 1st but it's a school day and soccer night.

Anyway it's lucky I got it done because I have to take Rory to the Doctors, his entire thumb is black and swollen from a soccer game on Friday night. The usual remedies haven't helped so we'd better get it checked, I'm not worried about it being broken because there is nothing they can do about that, it's more that it may be dislocated. He can't move it at all and the pain doesn't seem to be easing. So that's my day for today!

The Year is Almost Over

2008-11-30T11:11:00.006+10:00

I was just reading over some of the things that happened this year and how I was feeling when the year began. This has been the first complete year of my life that my Dad hasn't been around. It was a year that has seen me fight my way out of the deepest depression that I could ever have imagined. It has been a year of confusion and a lot of emotional pain. But I'm still here, only due to the help and support of my husband, children (especially Annie) and my BF.

The beginning of this year had a focus on the loss of my father and it seems that the end of the year has a focus on finding out about my biological father. I am a person who didn't find out that my 'Dad' wasn't my biological father until I was 21 and pregnant with our twin girls. Needless to say at the time it was a huge shock. I had always known about 'Alan', my Mum's first love, she told me all about the romance, well all except the bit about me. Mum was told in the 70's (I think) that he was dead. I remember her saying that she didn't believe it, that she really believed she'd know in her heart if that were true. Well I guess the same appears to be true of him, he knew that she was in great pain and a couple of months after Dad died Alan made contact with the extended family because he wanted to speak to Mum. This came as quite a shock not only to her but to me as well. To complicate the story, Alan is Mum's first cousin, however, there is no blood connection because he was adopted, that is why he contacted the family because they are his family as well.

My first reaction was I suppose fairly normal, I wanted to reject him the same way that he rejected me, although none of that was conscious. Now after I get information filtered through from him I am slowly changing my mind and am open to the possibility of maybe meeting him in the future. Mum told me today that he said he regretted what he'd done and that leaving her and I was the biggest mistake of his life. She said that regrets are a waste and that she doesn't regret any of her life. I am happy for her that she feels that way, how could she not, she loved my Dad with all her heart and can't possible conceive of regretting her life because she had 3 children with him. But I don't feel that way, I needed to know that Alan had regrets about what he did, it makes me feel so much better, and definitely less angry.

So whilst I've made no decisions and truthfully I don't even know if he wants to meet me, he's seen photos of me and my family but that's all I know. I don't want to be the lost daughter, that much I do know. At the moment I just want to see a photo of him, just to see if I can see any reflection of myself at all.

It's been a difficult year, a painful year, but somehow I'm still hear and I'm ok, still very emotional most of the time and still have days where I feel deeply depressed. But all things considered I think I'm ok. Well today I'm ok anyway! One day at a time, that's all I have right now and today is a good day.

Fun Weekend

2008-11-27T07:04:00.004+10:00

This weekend we have a few things to do, like defrost and turn off the freezer in the laundry, mow the yard, just the usual weekend activities. We also have to take Rory shopping to get his graduation clothes, he is graduating grade 7 next week. And for the fun stuff.... we are going to see Australia and then we are going to have dinner and a 'few' drinks and Sheree and I are going to sing our little hearts out with the new Abba Singstar! We were so excited that they released an Abba Singstar! It's nice to have something fun to look forward to after a really rough couple of weeks.

Thank God it's Friday

2008-11-14T07:13:00.004+10:00

I can honestly say that as weeks go this one has been horrible! It seems that since Dad died I have had many weeks like this and I often wonder if things will ever get back to normal and will life ever feel like clear sailing and blue skies again.

I have spent many hours this week crying, can't necessarily explain that, I don't completely understand why myself except that there is a lot going on. At times I felt that my sanity was perilously close to the edge. But there was a light, a beacon if you will, that drew me away from all the 'stuff' and took me to another place and time. It wrapped it's delicate fingers around me and promised that if I just stayed there with it, all would be well.

Last night I went with Ian and Kenzie to futsal, Ian had to coach three games and Kenzie had to play two. I took my phone that has a great MP3 player on it, plugged in my headphones, turned up the music load enough to drown out the soccer noise and opened my book 'Son of the Shadows' by Juliet Marillier. How I managed to listen to loud music, be completely absorbed in a book and not miss one of Kenzie's goals can only be described as amazing, but I did. Well by the third game, one of the Dad's I was sitting near just had to keep commenting on the game so I had to put my book away.

But during this time I escaped all that was happening in my life and joined the Irish folktales and mythology that I was reading about. I felt the highs and lows and every emotion as if it were my own and escaped into a world of beauty, fear and devastation. I felt the emotions of the characters wrap around me like a shawl and shut out all the emotions I was feeling, last night the main one being anger. This is why I read!

Nothing can take you away from your own life like the pages of a good book. Whether you are having a difficult time, you're sick or life is just going through one of it's mundane patches. It can enhance the feelings you have towards your partner, your children, it can remind you of how lucky you are, or it can take you to destinations you will never see without the eyes of the characters. I have travelled the world extensively and seen so many beautiful places in the pages of some wonderful books. I have personally also seen some beautiful places with my own eyes and for me the memories of the places I've seen IRL (in real life) and the places I've seen in books is the same imagery. No different! Isn't that amazing? Think about it, is it different in your memory? I am a visual, so for me reading a book is no different in my memory to watching a movie or standing on the beach (I also dream in colour). I sometimes think that when I'm old and forgetful I will be sure I've travelled the world and seen all the wonders of it. I still remember vividly the settings of Matthew Reilly's novel Temple, and Katherine Kerr's Deverry Series. If I close my eyes I can imagine standing there and smelling the forest/jungle, and feel the earth on my feet.

This is why I love to read. It's also why I can't read horror books, because it takes me to places and brings back memories I don't want to see or feel. So, am I a freak, or are you like this too? Think about it, remember the places you've seen IRL and books and see if the memory seems different.

Nights in Rodanthe

2008-11-06T22:20:00.003+10:00

Length: 1hr 37mins
Starring: Diane Lane and Richard Gere
Book: Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks

Review: This is a beautiful love story about 2 people who find each other, which in turn helps them find themselves. If you love Nicholas Spark books turned into films than this one does not disappoint. This is one of his books that I haven't yet read which is sometimes a good thing. It is a heartfelt story and by that I mean, get out the kleenex because you'll need them. If you have experienced any kind of grief than you might need two packets.

Richard Gere and Diane Lane are brilliant, they are a middle aged couple who look like a middle aged couple, they have real lines on their faces from a life really lived. One of the pleasures of having both these actors play the leads was in fact that they weren't botoxed up to the hairline, they actually had wrinkles in their forehead when they expressed themselves (something you rarely see anymore). He didn't look to old for her and she looked like a beautiful and natural woman.

The reason this film got 4 stars and not 5 was because enough time wasn't given to the love story aspect of the film. I didn't have enough time to really believe that these two people were completely in love. The movie should have been at least 20 minutes longer. I realise that being a reader I always want more from a movie but I went with both my daughters and they also made the same comment afterwards. The only measurement that you had of their love was the depth of Adriane's grief afterwards. I wanted that ahhh feeling to come before the pain and suffering and it just didn't get there.

Recommendation: Go see this movie if you enjoy a 'real' story with 'real' emotions. Don't see this movie if you have recently lost someone and are still going through the earlier stages of grief. I lost my Dad more than a year ago and I found it quite difficult at times.

New Kaiser Rhinestone Flourish

2008-10-30T13:57:00.005+10:00

This is a double page layout for Kylie and Troy's Wedding album. I've used Basic Grey Scarlett Letter. I've also used the new Kaiser Flourish, but be warned a great deal of patience is required to put these on. They are very sticky but when you lift them from the transparency they don't keep their shape. It took me a good 10 minutes to get this onto my page but I do love the final result.

A Sad Goodbye

2008-10-28T22:44:00.004+10:00

Ian was asleep and I was watching 'All Saints' when Kylie came in and said someone was knocking at the door. It was the lady from the house diagonally behind us. She told me our cat had been hurt by her dogs. She was crying and very upset, she was covered in blood so I knew it wasn't going to be good.
Her dogs ripped 'Bubbles' to pieces, thankfully she was dead by the time Ian got there. They are horrible dogs and often turn on each other. Anyone who comes to our house knows about the dogs because they go crazy everytime the boys go into the yard to play soccer.
Bubbles was a strange cat! I got her for my 40th birthday 4 years ago yesterday. She was a beautiful ball of fluff, but being a Persian she didn't like to be held and she occasionally tolerated patting. Today she was lying in the hallway and growled at me when I walked past her, I just rolled my eyes and giggled. Sometimes when I walked past her she'd start purring. She really was a strange cat. Rory is very upset and very concerned about Kenzie because Kenzie loved Bubbles. He didn't care that when he nursed her she made that scary noise, he just loved her. Kenzie is away at school camp which is a small blessing because I wouldn't have wanted him to know what happened to her or have seen her.
So we are all feeling pretty sad right now and it is made so much worse by the way she died, so cruel!

Caring Husband

2008-10-28T17:37:00.003+10:00

Yesterday was my 44th birthday. Despite the best laid plans it didn't turn out to be a great day. Last night in bed my husband who wanted me to have a better birthday than he'd had said he wanted to take me out for dinner tonight. I told him that would be nice but didn't think much of it. But then he rang this morning to tell me to make a reservation at an Italian restaurant we wanted to try. So we will soon be heading off for dinner. He can be so sweet sometimes.
Kenzie went off to school camp today but I had Rory home sick with another throat infection. I hope he can go to school tomorrow as I am hoping to do some scrapping with Sheree. But we'll just see how everyone feels I guess. Well I better get dressed for dinner!

Happy 13th Birthday Rory

2008-10-26T06:48:00.002+10:00

Everybody says time flies and it's true, but never is it truer than when you're celebrating your child's birthday. Today the son that we never even thought we'd have is 13. Of course like all children he is special and unique but this boy has a heart of gold. He is gently and kind and can be very tender. Now I know from experience that most of these qualities will be buried deep beneath the surface as he embarks on his journey into adulthood. He started puberty a year ago and can get quite moody but I hope at the conclusion of his journey he will be the same loving man that was the boy.
Rory, you have brought so much joy and happiness to our lives, you are the only person in the world who can tickle me and make me laugh, you sometimes just come and sit with me, needing no words. The year after your Grandfather died you just let me be and had a wisdom beyond your years that I just needed time to heal. You and your Dad have a fantastic relationship which makes me so proud but you still need to come and talk to me every now and then and that makes me feel special. I have loved watching you grow from a baby to a boy and now I will watch you grow from a boy to a man. Good luck, may your journey be an easy one and may you always find your way home as you explore the world of adulthood. Love Always Mum xoxo

Still Scrapping

2008-10-23T05:30:00.002+10:00

I love this photo of the girls that Sheree took at Kylie's wedding. I really wanted to do something special with it, which is why I've waited to scrap it. Well I finally got game enough to do it yesterday and I love it. I have even used up some paper from my stash, Cherry Arte, that I've had since early last year.
From the very first moment I saw these photos I loved them. They look almost magical to me, Sheree took these as well! This was a really easy layout and I used the new Bella Love Me range and accessories.
Well this will probably be it for this week, I've done 9 layouts. Now I have to turn my attention to my son's 13th birthday on Sunday and then I get to have a day out with my friends on Monday for my birthday. Now that I know Sheree is ok I actually feel like celebrating. We are going to see and movie and go to my favourite Thai restaurant for lunch! All I have to do now is pick the movie.

Friendship

2008-10-22T15:53:00.003+10:00

Sheree and I have an amazing friendship, unlike any I've ever had. Sometimes I think she is like the other half of me that broke away at birth because we are so similar. She is more like my sister than anything, we have such a deep understanding of each other that so often doesn't require words. Over this past year because of the tragedy we have both gone through with the loss of precious parents we have become even closer.

So today as she waited for results after having three moles removed yesterday I waited with her. Both of us terrified, all we could do was distract ourselves and try our best not to think about it. There are no words to explain how frightened I was or how close to tears all day at the thought of what the news might be. Fortunately the news was good and the moles where benign and I am so grateful.

Something Different

2008-10-21T16:13:00.003+10:00

This page is unlike anything I've ever done before. I saw a pure white page while surfing the net one day and thought it would be a great way to do a wedding page. I'm very happy with the way it turned out.

Another Wedding Layout

2008-10-20T20:13:00.004+10:00

This is a scraplift from Renee Dowling. I love some of Reneee's layouts and plan on scraplifting some more in the future. Anyway Troy and Kylie loved this page. The paper is Basic Grey, the black letters are Bella and the white are Doodlebug, I also used 7 Gypsies Gaffer Tape, Kaiser black jewels and some flowers.

Fantastic Weekend

2008-10-19T17:34:00.005+10:00

Sheree and I had a great weekend scrapping at her place. We each did six layouts, which wasn't a lot but we did get a lot more sleep than we usually do. Because we are such good friends and our families are so close we often find that we are either scrapping the same photos or plan to do similar layouts i.e. Mother's Day, Kylie's Wedding etc. We also have very similar taste in the layouts, so a couple of camps ago we started scrapping layouts together. This weekend we did two layouts together, unfortunately one of them took us all day Saturday to complete. Don't know why, I think it was the paper we used. It is the least favourite of my layouts but Sheree loved it, so occasionally we don't like the same thing. I don't know why I don't like it. I also did a pure white layout for Kylie's wedding album, that means that all the paper and embellishments are white and I've used a black and white photo. It is unlike anything I've ever done before, I saw a layout done all in white somewhere on the net and thought it was a great idea for a wedding page.
This layout is of our gorgeous poodle, Buddy, it is a scraplift from Scrap This. I will photograph the rest of the layouts tomorrow.
While Sheree and I spent the weekend at her place scraping, our husbands took the boys camping at the beach for the weekend. They had a fantastic time and are planning their next trip with us so I can't wait.

Sigh of Relief

2008-10-16T17:36:00.003+10:00

Today Ian had to go and have a stress test to see how his heart was functioning. The reason he had to have the test was because he has been having heart pain for a while. I don't know how long but I know it's more than a year, maybe two, he said. I only found out about the pain last week. Whilst I sat in the waiting room, worry until I ended up with a severe tension headache he sweated away on the walking machine. Why was I so worried, well apart from the fact that my Dad dropped dead from a heart attack just over a year ago, Ian announced at the dinner table last week that 1 in 10,000 die whilst having this test and 3 in 10,000 have a major heart attack. So whilst in my heart I really did knew he'd be fine, my head kept hearing all those voice that tell you your world can be turned upside down in the blink of an eye, but then I heard him laugh. Those of you that know him will know what I'm talking about, it was a sweet sound today. Well the good news is that his heart is functioning normally, so that means the blood flow through the major vessels is good.
Tomorrow Ian and the boys are going camping with Neil and Callum to Tallebudgera. While the boys are off camping Sheree and I are having our own little scrapbook camp. We are both looking forward to it. Well I have to go back to packing because I really need to get my scrap stuff organised so I can get heaps done.

Royal Harlot

2008-10-13T22:27:00.002+10:00

A very hot king and an amazingly beautiful woman combine to make history come alive in this fantastic novel. I think it's the raunchiest historical novel I've ever read but I learned so much about the history of this time which is what made it a great historical read. You could easily be confused and think it was a historical romance, but it's not. It's a story based on historical fact. Couldn't put it down!

This week Sheree and I are going to be busy organising our 'scrapbook camp' at her place this weekend. Neil and Ian are taking the boys camping, so the boys are excited. We are looking forward to a fun weekend, with lots of yummy food, watching 'The Tudors' while we scrapbook and no doubt plenty of laughter!

No Scrapping

2008-10-11T11:17:00.002+10:00

Haven't done any scrapping this week at all. Instead my week has been spent getting the house back to a reasonable condition after the school holidays, that and washing and ironing. Although I have spent some time sorting out what photos and layouts I want to do next weekend at our 'home' scrapbook camp. Sheree and I are having our own scrapbook camp at her place next weekend while the boys all go camping. This coming week we will spend time buying supplies, like we need an excuse and getting organised. Anyway, I might scrap something this weekend but I'm also thoroughly enjoying reading Royal Harlot by Susan Holloway Scott. So no promises, just a maybe.

The Duchess

2008-10-06T20:44:00.004+10:00

Annie, Sheree and I went to see this movie yesterday. I really loved it! It is one of the most honest depictions of this time period I have ever seen. It told of powerful story of how incredibly helpless woman really were and how they were completely at the mercy of the men who ruled them. I would give it 4.5/5. Well worth seeing!

World Card Making Day

2008-10-04T18:01:00.002+10:00

This is how I spent my day! Making cards with my daughter and niece and some scrapbooking friends! Had a lovely day and was glad to get some cards made for up coming birthdays. Of course and a jump start on the Christmas cards.

Gift for the Newlyweds

2008-10-04T06:00:00.002+10:00

This is one of those shadow box frames that allows you to use bulky embellishments when scrapping. I made this for Kylie and Troy to put on the wall of their house when they move. I used Heidi Grace paper, basic grey rub ons, and of course some bling. I wanted to use very understated paper so that the photo was the focus of the page. Anyway, they loved it! It is their favourite wedding photo. It is also a scraplift from one of my favourite scrapbookers Nancy.

Another Confession!

2008-10-03T13:39:00.006+10:00

This time it is a book confession! I love Elizabeth Chadwicks book covers, in fact I haven't seen one I haven't loved yet. Annie and I have purchased several of her books just because we like the covers. In fact I'm hoping that some dear daughter or bf will buy me both of these for my birthday to put on my new book case (hopefully getting for my birthday).

So what's the big confession? Well if you look at my Book Blog you'll see that I've only read one of her books and I didn't like it to much. I am however convinced that with covers such as these I will love them and I must have them. So if anyone needs birthday ideas????

Poor Honey Girl

2008-10-03T07:48:00.005+10:00

Kylie and Troy's 4 month old mini foxie had to be rushed to the vet last night after breaking out in hives all over her body. Being that she is so small and weighs only 1.9kg her airways can be easily compromised so you can't take any chances. This is the second time in 3 weeks that this has happened and the Emergency vet we went to thinks it could actually be a plant in the yard that she's brushing up against. So today we'll have to have a good look around the yard and just try and keep a close eye on her. You can see in the photo the pink around her white eye. She had to have 2 injections and they work pretty quickly and I'm sure by this morning she will be perfectly fine and back to running around like a maniac.

Baby Let's Cruise

2008-09-29T20:00:00.001+10:00

For our 25th Wedding Anniversary next year we are going to renew our Wedding vows on April 7th and we decided we should go on a 2nd Honeymoon. I wanted to go on a cruise for our first honeymoon but Ian wasn't so keen. This time he suggested a cruise and I'm so excited. I booked it today! It is for 7 days and it is a cruise of the Whitsundays, we depart on April 25th and arrive home on May 2nd. I really can't wait, it is a dream come true. I've always wanted to go on a cruise with my husband!

Boys in Black

2008-09-29T13:02:00.005+10:00

This is my take on the Sketch 104 at Pencil Lines. This will probably be a double layout as I have many more photos to do of the boys at the wedding. This layout is of my 'four' boys, two I gave birth to and the other two came into my life and are like my 'other' sons.

The paper is Yellow Bicycle's Vita Bella Collection and the letters are K & Co.

Basic Grey Eva

2008-09-28T07:53:00.004+10:00

Here is one of the 3 layouts I did last night. Look here to see the other two. I used the new Basic Grey Eva and I love it, which of course I would considering it uses my two favourite colours, pink and purple. The other layouts I did using Basic Grey Ambrosia and I really like it as well, fantastic colours for boys. I'm listening to an audio book while I've been scrapping and I'm about 3/4 of the way through it. It's a great book by Susan Wiggs called Winter Lodge. Well, we are off to the beach so don't know if I'll get any scrapping done today and then tonight 'Dancing with the Stars and 'The Grey's Anatomy' spin off show which I love (but can't remember the name right now LOL) is on, so that's what I'll be doing. Oh I almost forgot, this page is a scrap lift from one of my favourite scrappers - Nancy. I love circles so that's why I love Nancy's work so much and regularly scrap lift her style!

Scrapbook Page of My Beautiful Daughters

2008-09-27T11:40:00.002+10:00

This is another Wedding layout of my two beautiful daughters. I have used the new Bella 'Me and You' range. I wasn't a big fan when I first saw it but I loved the embellishments that go with all their paper and they are so reasonably priced. I also can't wait to use the gorgeous new 'Love Me' range, it is very romantic and girly. Both the word 'Cherish' and the Scroll in the bottom right hand corner are chipboard purchased from a great EBay seller CheapScrapz, they have lots of different sized chipboard words, shapes and scrolls and they are cheaper than any others I've seen. They combine postage as well so it's good value.

This week both my best friend and my daughter are going away and I will be completely lost without them both! So I will have to use up some of the supplies I have purchased in the last week such as my latest favourite paper ranges i.e. Basic Grey Euphoria and Kaiser Make a Wish. I also bought the new Basic Grey Ambrosia and Eva and of course the new Bella Love Me range. So lots of new supplies and paper to use while I have a lonely week without my favourite girls. Well I'm off to do another page this afternoon, although I might watch a movie first!

Confessions of a Scrapaholic

2008-09-26T18:35:00.003+10:00

Those of you who read my blog might remember my excitement when I cleaned my scrapbook room (photos here). Well it doesn't look like that now. I really fell like scrapbooking but I can't with this mess, I took this photo after I have spent the last hour cleaning it, you can imagine what it looked like. I wish the scrapbook fairy would come and wave her magic wand and make it look like it did then! Trouble is it's not just the mess I've made when I'm being creative, it's all the stuff I purchased since then that I have to find a home for. I honestly don't know where I'm going to put it! Well back to tidying up so that I can actually scrapbook the photos I got printed today.

Always Loved

2008-09-24T18:03:00.003+10:00

This is the layout I did today when I was at Sheree's. It was a scraplift of a layout that I have seen on Two Peas. The paper is one of the new Kaiser ranges called Wish Upon, it is a Christmas range but I think it's very adaptable. Sheree took the photo of Mum and I at Kylie and Troy's wedding and I really love it. I don't think I have any other photos of Mum and I so it is very special.

Mind, Body and Soul Challenge

2008-09-20T16:58:00.003+10:00

It's been a few months since I've read a book, but I love reading and there's nothing like a new challenge to get you reading again, we do them in scrapbooking all the time so here's a reading challenge for you. Annie who was the creator of the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge that I completed earlier this year has come up with a new challenge.

The Mind, Body & Soul Challenge is only for a month so not to big a commitment for me. So here are my selections:

Mind (Option 2): I will read 'Pride & Prejudice' by Jane Austen and the read 'The Pemberley Chronicles' by Rebecca Ann Collins.

Body (Option 1): I will listen to 'Winter Lodge' by Susan Wiggs. It goes for 12.5 hours so that means that I will have to exercise for 40 minutes a day. Not very realistic for me so I might listen to it while I'm doing housework as well (surely that counts as exercise).

Soul (Option 2): I will reread 'Mr Darcy Presents His Bride' by Helen Halstead. I only read this book this year but I loved it and would love to read it again. I would have to say that now it is my favourite love story. Helen is an Australian author and this is a very romantic version that's an easy read.

So there it is, that's my entry. There are some great prizes in this challenge and I wouldn't mind winning one or two. I just have to finish my current read by Monday.

Quote of the Day

2008-09-20T13:11:00.002+10:00

The only normal people

are the ones

you don't know very well!

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

2008-09-17T17:06:00.004+10:00

Sometimes life is difficult and you just need to forget all your problems. A day spent in the company of a good friend and her most beautiful little boy is just what you need. This day I spent with Renata at the Soccer Break Up was full of laughter, giggles and chatter. Just for a short time I forgot to worry about my BF and her hubby and waiting for the news of the moles he had removed.

Whilst the news wasn't good, one of the moles was a Melanoma and I took them on Monday night so that he could have a hole the size of a chicken breast cut out of his back. The news that came in today is that they got it all and that the clearance area is good. So now they wait, he has 3 monthly body scans and they hope that no more appear. I spent half the day crying today as it was a very emotional day with lots of things going on and I just really felt overwhelmed with emotion. It is these days that I remember how much I wish my Dad was here. So I am not fighting my emotions anymore, I'm giving in to them and I am in bed, just resting, catching up on some TV shows that I've recorded and cuddling my new Jessica Bear (a gift from Sheree). I'm going to order take out while Ian takes Callum (BF's son) to soccer training and who knows I might even play the new Sims 2 Apartment Life (I was holding off until the holidays). I think this is just such a difficult time when there has been so much death this past year, some days it feels like just one thing after another keeps on happening. I think we all need something great to look forward to!

Devastating News

2008-09-16T07:00:00.003+10:00

Yesterday started as just another ordinary day, except I had invited my BF over to scrap with me. She was waiting on some news, actually it was pathology results on a mole her husband had cut out of his back on Friday night and I didn't want her to sit at home and worry. I had a feeling the news wasn't going to be good but I remained hopeful. Her Mum died from Melanoma cancer almost 5 months ago so I kept telling myself life just can't be that cruel. Unfortunately it was and the news came through that one of the moles was in fact Melanoma. I looked after her until her husband arrived from work to pick her up. It was so hard to try and say the 'right' things when all I wanted to say was that life really sucks and this is not fair. I told her she is a strong woman and has to dig deep and draw on her inner strength to be their for her husband and sons who I knew would be devastated. She did really well and I'm so proud of her. I wanted to write about it last night on my blog but didn't think it was appropriate. She has now put her story on her blog and you can read it here. Let this be a reminder to us all to be vigilant about getting our skin checked and looking after our health.

For me, this is a reminder to count everyday as a blessing and make sure you do everything you can to let the people you love know how important and special they are. As my BF and her husband face a difficult and uncertain future as they wait and prayer for the next 2 years that everything will be ok, I know that the marriage they have built over the last few months will see them through. So visit her blog, read her story and say a prayer for them.