Almost There....

About a month and a half ago I wrote on my blog here that I had a lump in my neck. I wrote about the subsequent tests etc and that everything turned out fine.
Well, from that i was sent to a surgeon for cosmetic purposes.
And everything began to unravel from there.
Firstly this surgeon straight away told me he was pretty sure I have Hodgkins Lymphoma and the lump needed to be operated on immediately - in four days time to be exact.
This was a huge shock for me. Having been told that I was clear of any 'cancer' link. I was shaking and in tears.
On friday november 2nd I reported for duty at Cabrini Hospital, Brighton to have my surgery in the afternoon.
I get pretty scared of aneasthetics so I was given a pre-med and 10mts later wheeled in to the operating room.
I remember the usual things of being transfered to the operating table. The anaesthetist looking for suitable veins to administer drugs. A mask on my face and off to sleep......................zzzzzzzz!
When I began to recognise sounds around me, I was a bit bewildered. I began to sense that something was different.
Firstly, I had a breathing tube down my throat which I kept gagging on. My hands were tied to the railings of the bed (apparently I tried to pull out the tube!) and conversations that I picked up bits and pieces from didn't make sense.
So what had happened????
Within a minute of going to sleep I had an anaphalactyx allergic reaction to one of three drugs that I was given. (Don't know which yet)
I had no pulse, I stopped breathing. So, I was intubated and massive amounts of adrenaline given to me.
It took an hour to stabilise me enough to transport me via the MICA Ambulance, with the aneasthetist accompanying me to Cabrini Malvern and in to Intensive Care there.
And that's where I began to wake up.
My operation hadn't been done because I had basically died on them.
I will forever be grateful to two amazing men and their staff. Dr. Peter Gregory and Dr. Rod Taylor. Rod Taylor was the aneasthetist who saved my life. Who stayed with me to Intensive Care and was there again first thing in the morning. As was Peter Gregory.
My poor family!!!! they had all sat with me during the night untill they were told I was going to make it and then returned at the crack of dawn. Rod Taylor took them all aside and explained everything that had happened and gave them the opportunities to ask questions.
Meanwhile the staff in Intensive Care had been kept very busy keeping me alive during the night.
Once I came to and things were slowly coming together for me it was the most surreal experience. If I had died I would not have even known I was in such a critical condition. I didn't know any of this had happened.
The next big task was to organise a new surgeon and anaeasthetist to do the surgery, which couldn't be delayed.
Peter Gregory called on his workmate and he in turn called in a specialist aneasthetist and between them all assurred me that they would keep me safe.
So, surgery was scheduled on Monday. It did go OK, and they did keep me safe. I am so grateful to these wonderful people who have had the biggest affect on my life.
Although he didn't do the actual surgery, Peter Gregory has stayed in touch with Colin and with myself almost daily.
This kind of experience really shakes the doctors involved and although if they had to they would operate on me again, but prefer not to. Understandably.
I was so protected, watched over and felt so loved by my family, friends and everyone involved.
I had personal experiences that will stay with me forever.
The pathology result is not what I wanted to hear. I do have cancer in the lymphatic system. It doesn't appear to be anywhere else but in my neck and will require treatment.
Next week I see an oncologist.
I never pictured myself dealing with Cancer. I have never pictured myself looking at the ravages of the treatment on my body. I have never wondered how I might cope if given this kind of news.
Here I am looking straight at it. I am still very affected emotionally and mentally by the past 10 days. However, I feel a strength within myself that I can do this.
Of course I havn't started anything yet and won't know how I'm going to feel.........soon that will be a reality and I may see things very different.
I was almost there...........I was almost gone from this earthly life. But...my life was saved for a reason, for a purpose. I know that without a doubt. What that is will come my way when it's time.
My family both close and extended, both here inVictoria, around Australia, in the US and Europe have all sent their love and prayers to me and I have felt that so strongly.
I am so grateful for my faith, for my knowledge in Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I was given a comfort that only He can!
Now I see so much of what I didn't see before. The things that matter, and the things that don't. The things to invest emotion, time and energy to, and the things to let go.
It has been traumatic, but yet a blessing at the same time.
That's it for now.

Close to the surface......

Just had a lovely time with Martin (son) and Tambi and the kids. We went for a long walk, and the kids rode their bikes.
That's such a nice part of living where we do. We have lots of bike paths and places for the little ones to ride safely.
Then we had taco's and 'stuff' for dinner together.
Tambi had made a chocolate cake and I had made a whipped sort of dessert - all very yummy.
McKenzie (2.5yrs) was so funny. She had eaten plenty and there she was with this chocolate cake sitting right in front of her.
She lowered her head and stuck out her tongue and took a huge 'lick' from the icing of the cake.
It was sooooo funny. Except that her daddy growled at her and made her cry.
She was sooo cute. Tears and chocolate cake all over her face.
What a sweetie.
Just had a lovely email from Wendy who has been so supportive and a good friend to me through tuff times.
She has also experienced some of the same tuff things in her bid to support me and express her own feelings.
Sometimes you just wonder how things get to where they do.
Going over past stuff just brings all that horrible emotion back. It's still so close to the surface.
Just a wrong choice here, or there and you're somewhere where you never intended to go.
And lots of times I still have a big question. What did I do, exactly. Because I've never had it explained to me.
Oh well.......some questions are just going to remain a mystery....and life will continue on without the answers.
Time to go and watch some TV, relax and get my head straightened out again.

This week has been unremarkable, except that I had another birthday.
Doesn't seem so long ago since the last one!!!!!!!!!
I was very spoiled both by family and very unexpectedly by my new employers.
It's nice to feel accepted and that I fit in at my new job. I am meeting some really interesting people as they come in for treatment. Some people have such difficult lives and it makes me so aware that I am truelly blessed.
I worked extra hours this week as Narelle had some days off. So today, my day off I had a big nanna-nap.
I did work on a double birthday layout for a while but the desire and need for a sleep overcame the desire to scrapbook.
On Monday I go and see the neck surgeon/specialist about the big lymphnode lump that is still very evident in my neck.
I'm a bit nervous as I don't do well with the thought of surgery. I'm also still nervous with thoughts at the back of my mind asking questions as to why this lymphnode is still so enlarged and what is it reacting to. Even though biopsy tests indicate nothing sinister - I am looking forward to hearing what this specialist has to say about it.
Another busy weekend with Martin and Tambi and the kids coming over for dinner and an early bike-ride before eating.
Sunday is family dinner and I am making dessert.
I decided to look through these little Womens Weekly Menu Planner books I have owned for about 20yrs now.
They brought back memories of many meals we've had way before our kids were grown up. So for the first time in many years I have made a meal plan for the coming week. Something I used to do every week. Takes the guess work out of what to eat each day, and what to buy each week.
So, for dessert tomorrow night (after we eat taco's) I am going to make Flummery. My kids loved it - so now I'm going to introduce the grand-kids to it.
Think I'll be in the kitchen a bit more than usual tomorrow.

Enjoying the moment........

Again another busy week and weekend has passed.

Busy with working, busy with family, busy scrapbooking.

I have had a lovely weekend. My weekend always starts on a Friday which is lots of fun. I met Sarah (youngest daughter) at Southland and we shopped and browsed and enjoyed spending some rare time together.

Saturday was Monty's birthday party. Which was all go from the start. It was at Springers and they organise kids parties there. A lovely young man helped the kids play basketball games, soccer games and t-ball. It was heaps of fun for them all.

I am glad there isn't a party this week!!! Although, I could organise one, seeing as how it's my birthday next monday. But.....I think I'll pass on that idea.

The weekends seem to be more exhausting than the working week at the moment. I'm looking forward to maybe going to see a movie or something next weekend.

I think I've missed all the movies that I had wanted to see. Although The Kingdom looks good because I am a Jennifer Garner fan. Ex Alias etc.

I had some real relaxing fun doing a few scrapbook pages. Some new ones to put in the frames I have hanging all around my home.

One of Sahnie at her birthday party and one of India at Sahns party.

They are scraplifted, but I have no idea where from.

Sometimes I just browse around all different sites and print off layouts I like. Then later I forget where I got them from.

So, if they look familiar and you think they may be yours..........please know that I enjoyed copying them and am really happy with the results.

I am really enjoying being able to scrapbook however I want. After so many years of preparing classes and needing to think differently about planning layouts it's nice and relaxing to work with my photos in whatever way I feel at the time. Which often means just copying a basic design I like and then adding my own touch.

After a 10.5hr day it's time to relax and watch a bit of TV. I'm always glad when Monday is behind me because that's my longest day every week.

I got a nice complement at work today. I'm now part of the furniture. Although I know I am on a 3month trial it's nice to know that I am fitting in and doing the job well.

Pretty 2yr old

This is my beautiful little grandaughter Sahn at her 2nd birthday party. She wasn't too fussed about a lot of the games but she sure did love the chalk drawing on the balcony.
Sahnie I love your hair in the two little pig tails. You are such an adorable and cute little girl.
Despite the fact that you have some development delays you are changing all the time.
I see you expressing yourself differently and just getting a grasp on things at a much faster rate than you used to.
You love to keep up with the older kids and that's great because you learn to copy what they do. Even the naughtie stuff!!
Our third birthday party in a row this week - it was such a beautiful day that the children could play all the games outside.
they particularly loved the game of tying balloons to your ankles and whilst attempting to protect your own try to pop some one else's.
Andrea made a gorgeos cake for Sahnie. Really pretty. Pink and bows and flowers etc. Nice to see after having so many 'boys' birthday cakes around. I even got some scrapbooking done this weekend. A layout of Isaacs birthday and nearly finished one of India's birthday. Just ran out of time. At work today all the staff got their specially scanned for, orthotics. Pretty special working at a place where you get something worth about $300 for nothing. Especially when I've only been there for 6 weeks.
And mine are really comfortable too.
Off to Medicare today to claim some of those 'big' pathology/radiology bills. And then buy some new photopaper. I bought a pack of 50 last week and used them all!!! Mainly printing photos for the family. Because I usually am the only person taking photos I thought I'd share a few.
Time to go and dry my hair - it's drying by itself at the moment and that's not going to be a good look.

Just had to come back for a minute

I keep forgetting I wanted to post a couple of photos on my blog from Friday of last week.

Our weather has been really nice, but Friday last week we had this huge hail storm.

One of those ones that comes with furious wind and last about 10mts max.

I had to rush out and take some photos of course, because I could see a layout happening right before my eyes.

The funny thing was our little kittens. We opened the family room door, and called them. Both of them kept running up to us, but then kept running straight back into the garden and getting drenched. The poor little things didn't know what to do. The sound on the patio roof was so loud that they were just scared out of their wits.

When I did get them in I had to wrap them both up in towels to dry them off.

Fortunately they both recovered well from their exciting afternoon.

It's All Good........... nearly!

I have been sweating the results of two biopsies I had done on Tuesday. One on a huge lymph node in my neck and the other on a growth on my thyroid.
Well today Dr.Nick gave me the good news that neither have any cancer. Whoopee!!!!!!! Even though I felt confident that things would be OK, there was always a little niggling doubt in the back of my mind.
I still have to go and see a throat surgeon because he may want to do surgery on the lymph node, and maybe on the thyroid. Will wait and see what he says. I hope he doesn't want to do anything. That would suit me a lot more.
I have just printed out about 60+ photos. Some to give to family members and others for me to scrapbook. I think I spend more time organising myself to scrapbook, than actually scrapbooking.
The photos are all of recent birthday parties held for little grandchildren.
India's 'princess castle' book was such a hit, I had to make one for Sahn. Hers I made out of Basic Grey papers as well but I used the Lilly and Kate ones.
It's Sahns 2nd birthday party today!!!!
Got home from a late evening out with some girlfriends, on Thursday night, to find a huge parcel! I hadn't ordered anything, and I didn't think passports (which was the only thing I was expecting!) came in such a huge parcel.
It was from Express Publications and I had won a prize for a competition I entered months ago.
Yeah!!! I havn't won anything, ever. So this was fun.
Unwrapping it was a challenge in itself. However when I got to the goods I have 2 large albums, 1 6x6" album. Refills for all of them. A tote for lots of bits and pieces. Embellishments, craft mats and more.
Pretty lucky girl.
So, this week has been a great week. I worked about 25hrs again. I am feeling really comfortable at my new place of work. Everyone there is pretty easy going and there is always someone setting someone else up so we all get a laugh.
I worked two nights by myself and did allright so I now work my permanent 29hrs per week and that's great. Now I can get some routine and things worked out with meals etc. It's a bit harder when I get home after 7:30pm two nights and after 6pm two nights. But, I get a 3 day weekend every week. Loving that!
I'm off to organise a birthday layout. Then off to another birthday party. Sahn's 2nd birthday. It's going to be crazy. Lots of big people, lots of little people and not a whole lot of room. Should be fun though...................!!

Busy,Busy Saturday

I started off Saturday very early, for me that is!
Daniel and his family and Colin & I were assigned to clean our chapel today. What? On Grand Final Day? Not only Grand Final day but also India's birthday party!
So, we were up and at the Chapel for 7:30am. We cleaned toilets, and vacuumed, washed windows and dusted. By 9am we were done! Everything smelt nice and clean and looked good. It was actually a priviledge to have helped to fulfill that assignment. It felt good!
Home for a quick shower etc., and off to McDonalds Karingal for India's party. Weren't we only there two weeks ago? Yep, but that was for Isaacs party.
India turned 5 and she had her friends from Kinder and her cousins of course. Took some cute photos. But not too many this time. Usually I take way too many and never print them all, or scrapbook them all.
After the party we went back to Mart and Tambi's for a little while to check out Indias presents. She got so many Bratz dolls and pretty girly stuff. I made her the Princess Castle book which is a kit class put out by Aussie Scrap Source. I made it out of Basic Grey Pheobe paper and looked just gorgeous. She loves it and it's already on display in her room.
Then it was off to Andrea's house to watch the footie game.
The game wasn't much - a bit blow-out. But the outcome was great. Not that I am a Geelong supporter, but you couldn't deny them the idea of winning a Grand Final after 44yrs.
Dan and Carolina came over as well, with the kids. Then Mart, Tambi and the kids came over and we had fish and chips and pizza for dinner.
Now after a day of Maccas, pizza and chips I feel disgusting!!!!!!!!!!!
Not the best thing for the waist line. Actually, what waist line?? I can't even find mine.
Work has been great this week. I worked about 25.5hrs. Still learning, but getting more confident. I worked by myself again on Wednesday night. And monday night is my first 'big night' on my own. I think I'll be OK. Maybe.
So, I went to get my UltraSound results from Dr.Nic. It turns out the big lump in my neck is a lymph node which sits right next to my thyroid. On my thyroid is a growth of some sort and the lymph node is not happy about it and is reacting to it.
Now I'm not getting jumpy just yet. Although I have been looking on the internet.........just to scare myself.
Nic tried to get me in to see one of his 'throat men' but both are on holidays. Of course! And he himself is on holidays this week!!!! Great medical care! Actually he is sending me off for a needle biopsy. Yikes!!!!! Just the thought of that is frightening enough let alone that the fact a biopsy is only done to check out if the 'thing' is cancer or not.
But, I'm trying not to think along those lines. Just taking one step at a time.
So, the next step is this needle biopsy which I get done on Tuesday morning. I hope it doesn't hurt...........!!!!
I have an appointment with Nic on Saturday morning to get those results. Not thinking that far ahead either.
Because, next Saturday is Sahns birthday party. She will be 2yrs old. I can't believe how fast time goes.
The following Saturday is Lamonts birthday and he will be 8.
The Saturday after that is pretty much my birthday.....but we wont' go there.
Gonna do some ironing and then watch The Bill. Love that show!

A Nervous Wait

Yesterday I discovered a very large lump on the side of my neck. Yikes! Was my first reaction and then got all nervous and worried. I hadn't had an accident or bumped my neck. I had been a bit sick with a cold, fever and sinus stuff - so maybe it's just nothing.
Of course all the crap I've had to deal with over the past couple of months would not help to have a non-stressed and healthy body. All that stress isn't good for anyone.
Went to my friend Dr.Nic and he didn't know what it is so sent me off for an ultrasound today. After having three people prod and push around my neck for 45mts I still don't know what it is.
The last person to play with the ultrasound was the Doctor and he thinks it's an enlarged gland. About 3.9cm which is huge!! But doesn't know why and what it's consisting of.
'Do I have to worry?' I asked him. 'Well maybe yes, or maybe no. I can't say without further tests.'he said.
So what further tests? Maybe a CT scan and/or a needle biopsy.
Now I'm really worried. And, why can't they do all that today so I don't have to wait and get all anxious in the meantime.
Don't they know I need answers today?????
OK, I have decided I am not going to get stressed and worried unless I have to. I don't believe it's anything sinister because it just appeared so quickly.
For now, that's my position. And if I start to think differently I will need to just get myself back on track.
Otherwise I could be using up so many emotions and that would be exhausting and it might all be for nothing.
So here's to a positive mind set while I wait, and wait, and wait.

Little Cats

this is Bizkit

And this is Balou.

Hey Ange - meet the cats!!!

Balou is a very quiet, loving and gentle kitten. Bizkit is crazy!!! She never sits still. In fact I've had to get the water spray out on her a couple of times. She is very funny. Last night she jumped into the bath - not realising that it had lots of water in it!!! She literally walked on water to get out it was the funniest thing to see. Shame I didn't have a movie camera on hand at the time.

Balou likes nothing better than to snuggle up and lick me on my face. Of course I don't want to be licked on my face so it's a constant battle to stop her. I move her away, I cover my face and she pushes her nose in trying to get to me. She is very persistent.

They both love the computer and like to help me type whatever I'm trying to do. They also love to try and catch the curser.

I love cats and have usually always had one. But after Dribble (yep! He was named after the basketball term, dribbling) was gone we never got another cat.

It's nice to have them around.

Pal Dog Food

Karen, I had to laugh at your memories of my 'dog food' blogs. Seems like an eternity away. I don't buy dog food anymore, cuz we had our old dog Mari euthenased about 10weeks ago. That was a pretty sad time because she was nearly 15yrs old!
However, now I look for Whiskars instead. Yep, I came home with not one but two kittens. They are sisters and I couldn't take one and leave the other one there by herself.
So, if you notice if Whiskars is on special anywhere let me know.
Yep, it is good that things are now going a lot better. No-one escapes the hard and difficult times that pop up here and there in our lives.
Just feels great when you come out the other side and you're still in one piece and can keep smiling.
Thanks for your comments - and I am much more diligent about keeping my blog up to date. So you don't have to tell me off anymore!

Everythings Good!

Had another great week. Didn't work as many hours, but the week flew by just as fast. Don't really know what I did with all that time!
I've decided I am going to sort all my scrapbooking albums. I really only have Heritage ,Puffing Billy and Christmas as individual ones at the moment. I think I might try to organise them chronologically. It's going to be a massive undertaking but I think it will be worth it. At the moment when I am trying to find a particular layout I have to look through 15 albums and try to guess where it might be.
Had lunch with two lovely friends, Rosemary and Robyn, today. Hayley also popped in and said 'Hi'. I am so happy that we stay in touch and keep our friendships alive and well. I don't see them as much as I used to because I don't work where I used to and that's where I used to catch up all the time. Now, we catch up about once a month and it means a lot to me that they like to stay in touch too.
Heading off to Daniel and Carolina's for dinner tonight. Get to sit on their new couches. Brown leather, is all I know about them. I offered to make dessert and Carolina asked me to make mini pavs. Which isn't really mini pavs because I break up the pavolova shells and it looks just like a big pav.
Can't wait to see Josh,Riley and Harrison as well.
Also can't wait for the weather to get a bit milder and then we can all hang out more at parks etc. Lots of photo ops!!!
I got quite sick this week. Think it started off as hayfever but quickly developed into a burning throat, and the next day my voice was gone and so were my sinus'. I had the aches and shivers etc. I still went to work yesterday, feeling like crap. And got some 'treatment' and some homeopathic drops and tablets and by today I am feeling a whole lot better. That was so lucky cuz I think I was going to be in for a big bout of flu.
It's great that I can use good stuff to get rid of the bad stuff, instead of anti-biotics. So far, so good!!!
Off to dinner!

Really Lovin' It

I have now worked two full weeks at my new job and am just 'lovin it. I'm working anywhere between 20-30hrs each week but I always get Fridays off. When I stop being trained my hours will be set which is good cuz then i can get into a routine and organise myself a bit better.
I'm finding it fun, challenging and meeting really nice people. Which is what I enjoy doing.
I'm also excited because the other day I came home and there were 3xpizza boxes waiting for me. No, not with pizza's - Scrapbook Stuff of course!
I had placed an order with Blue Bazaar, one with The Scrapheap and one with 2Peas and they all came on the same day!
I got the new, new Elsie Stuff - not much of the paper because they were out of stock, but the buttons etc are great. Love the colours.
Got some 'boy' papers from both the other stores.
It was fun. I sat on the bed and opened each one as if it was Christmas.
Now I just have to fit in Scrapbooking in my schedule. Which I am sure I can manage.
Although at the moment I am hooked on the old TV show 'Felicity'. My girls have bought the 4xseries on DVD and I've only just started on the first one. Sitting there watching 4 episodes at a time - is just the best way to relax. Only means I stay up way too late and I don't scrapbook.
Just got home from work and now I need to eat dinner. Thankfully I made enough last night to cover tonight.

All charged up

Had a great weekend. Went to Isaac's 7th birthday and had so much fun with all the littlies. He was very very spoiled with his presents. Lucky little boy!
Andrea and the kids and Dan & Carolina and the kids all came over and we went for a bike ride. I got my bike out too!!! That's a bit amazing in itself. Colin and I had been on a bike ride the day before, out for about 45mts and I was sore and stiff after that effort.
I thought riding along with the kids would be the best fun, which it was. For a little while, but then my handlebars worked themselves loose, and were going in all directions. So I got a bit scared to ride it. Darn!! It was so much easier riding than walking.
We were all out for about 2hrs and then came home, made dinner together and enjoyed some yummy pasta and salad.
I've had an amazing weekend really. I am feeling a peace I havn't felt in a long time and it's comforting and feels good.
I so love time with my family and friends and just relaxing and enjoying each moment.
Now I am ready to start another week at my new job.
It's an great place to work and the people there are all focused on such positive things.
Just love it!

Sweet Kristy

Today i went to the funeral of my dear, sweet friend Kristy.

There were so many people there and everyone wore something pink. Pink because it is her favourite colour and pink for breast cancer.

Even the men wore pink ties with their suits. It was such a special and beautiful touch, and united everyone in their purpose of being there for Kristy and for Luke. The spirit of love and kindness and peace was breathtaking.

Kristy's coffin was the softest, softest pink - almost white and the flowers were all shades of pink and white.

I feel so blessed to have been there, to have felt the spirit of her love and her testimony in every word that was said about her. Luke read out a letter, to Kristy. There wasn't a dry eye there it was so emotional and moving.

It is so special to know that she has only just moved on, that our time here on earth is so short compared to eternity. And how important it is to get priorities right and focus on those things that are eternal.

God bless you sweet girl.

Those 'Sometimes Moments'

I've had a few of those 'sometimes in life' moments over the past few days.
Good things, great things, sad things and unpleasant things. And each of them or their own become something to learn from but when they all come together it can be pretty overwhelming.
Loosing Kristy this week has been an enormous challenge. I'm so glad that her own faith has been such an example to those she has left behind. Giving everyone strength to understand that God Does Work in Mysterious Ways and that when we can't make sense of why things happen in it is our faith and the faith of others that helps so much.
I have really enjoyed starting my new job. I have worked 3 days now and will work again tomorrow. It's nice to be in an environment where you just quietly do your work and people come and go. The professionals there are just that - very professional. It's nice to work in a place where the management have things in control in a pleasant and kind way.
Unpleasant things have come my way too. It seems that sometimes in life you really get hit over the head with who your 'real' and genuine friends are.
That's a pretty overwhelming confrontation.
So, I must say that at the moment it has been quite hurtful but also I realise that being away from an environment that creates such vibes is the best thing that can happen to me.
Resigning from S has now become one of the best ideas I ever had. At the time I had a lot of remorse about my decision. But as things have unfolded over the past month and a bit there has been a huge revelation of where I need to focus now.
At first I really missed the contact with customers and friends, and of course buying scrapbooking products as soon as they arrived in the shop. I longed for being able to go to crops and classes.
Now, I realise that there are so many more important things to direct my energy. I will love scrapbooking for myself and record my own life and that of my family for my family and me to enjoy.
But now I realise that neglecting my family and good friends to work and associate with people at S, was not worth it. I found that there was a huge degree of selfishness amongst some of the scrapbookers - it's all about ME! And I got into that kind of thinking too. Now that I am away from it, I realise how wrong that is for trying to balance my life.
My life was totally out of balance, and fortunately I am now finding it again.
So it's been another week of learning and awareness and generally realising that I am no longer at a cross-road. I have taken a new path and it will lead to better and happier things for me and my family.

Farewell to a sweet Friend

This morning I heard that a lovely young friend of mine has passed away. Kristie battled breast cancer two years ago. She was cleared of cancer and began to resume her young life, marrying Luke 18months ago. She has always been the sweetest and loveliest girl. Easy to talk with and always caring about someone else.

The past few weeks she has become ill with something very painful. She was back seeing her oncologist. The story most of us were told was that she had some broken ribs after a car accident.

Through Church we started helping them with a meal for their dinner each night. When it was my turn we chatted for about 1/2hr and she told me what she was experiencing, but now in hindsight, I can see how much she left out. Some of what she said, didn't make sense either and of course now I realise why.

Last Sunday I briefly saw her at Church and she looked so frail and so frightened. My heart went out to her. She was gone before I got to give her a hug.

During the week she was put in to hospital and she developed blood clots in the lungs. This morning she passed away.

A tragic end to a beautiful young life.

Now is the time to remember my faith and my beliefs. I know that she has gone to a place of peace and a place of rest. I know that she is now free from pain and that she has further things to accomplish in her journey.

For Luke, it is so different. Poor boy! My heart goes out to him as do my prayers.

So, to you Kristie - until we meet again!!

A Brand New Start

I am excited!!!! I have a new job!
I have been going for so many interviews which has been a great experience. A bit scary too!! I am actually amazed at how many places need staff and especially mature staff. I do come under that catergory.
The job that's been offered is at a Chiropractic Clinic at the front desk. Something I have wanted to do for a long time. Medical Receptionist. I was going to do a course at Frankston Hospital, but on the job training is much better.
So, today i work a couple of hours, next week about 15hrs and then it will increase.
I think I can cope with the more hours per week, because I don't have to worry about preparing classes or thinking about classes etc.
Although working in the Scrapbook industry has been an amazing experience. It has given me confidence dealing with people and lots of other skills. Now, I can really scrapbook just for myself and for gifts etc.
So, where the one door has closed there is definetly a new one opened. Again, I feel very blessed.

Lots of fun

What a great weekend. The weather has been really mild and encouraged lots of outdoor time. Saturday afternoon we spent with Andrea, Blake, Orson and Sahn coming over for a bike ride and a walk. It was so relaxing and fun to be with the kids and Andrea. Orson fell off his bike so many times, and I had to take a photo of his 'sore-sore' everytime he stopped. Sahnie isn't happy to sit in the pram and be pushed along. She has to walk and walk she did. We were out for over an hour and she walked the whole time.

Blake is very proud of himself because he can ride a two wheeler without training wheels. Except when he is going really slow and then he gets the wobbles.

We all had home made pizza for dinner and then Monty came over cuz he was sleeping the night so we thought we'd better have Blake sleep the night too. Now that's a challenge!!!

Some chemical reaction is set off when those two grandsons are together! They are sooooo naughty, and they know it!

It was with some relief when Sara picked up Monty this morning, and we had only Blakey to entertain.

We took him for a long walk to feed the ducks. He loved it. Chattering the whole way, asking lots of questions. He really loves some one on one time.

We went to Church together and he was the best behaved boy.

Tonight we dropped Blakey home and then went to Martin and Tambi's for dinner. Three more gorgeous grandchildren to spend time with. And they were all in the funniest moods, keeping us laughing all the time.

How blessed I am. I have such a wonderful and close family. Four great children and ten fantastic grandchildren.

Friday I went for a job interview. Yikes!!! Actually I wasn't nervous at all. That may be a bad sign! It would be nice to get the job, but if not, that's OK too.

I learned something over the past few days. There has been the biggest fuss made in the US about a very big disagreement between Stacey Julian and Heidi Swapp. Unfortunately, Stacey Julian made a big boo-boo by writing an email with some non nice comments, and mistakingly sending it to everyone in her address book. Which included a lot of people. So, it all blew up. the 2peas forum has quite a discussion on it. Everyone with their own judgments etc. So, I decided to go to Stacey's blog and check out a bit more.

She had written a big apology and expressed a lot of remorse at the situation she had created. I was really impressed with her humility. She then wrote about the fact that humility was something she had been trying to work on, and here she was in this horrible situation. And, for her all she could do was say what she was feeling. Regret and admitting her mistake.

I feel a lot like her too. I made some mistakes a few weeks ago, with emails. I regret them too. And I am trying really hard to make amends as much as I can. I can't be responsible for how other people respond to me. All I can do is be sincere. And try to do better.

So, this weekend I have had fun, and I have learned some good principles.

Can't get it much better than that!!!!

The Best News

Yesterday my little grandaughter Sahn had to go back to the ear specialist after having had surgery for grommets and having her adenoids out. Prior to this operation her hearing was less than 50%.

Now, she is within the normal range. How fantastic is that!!!! I am so excited for her. She has been so different since this operation. Much more confident and I believe that her speech will develop really fast now. She is such a sweet and cute and now very cheeky little one.

Here she is last easter - happy but not walking or talking. Now she runs! And now she can hear! What a blessing!

Monday, Monday

It's Monday!!! Colin has gone back to work!!! Yeah!!! We enjoyed a week together to just relax and not have any pressures - but it's nice to have a little time to myself now.
I have lots to do today. Phone calls, and appointments. I am excited.
When I woke up this morning I felt good, which is a wonderful feeling to have on a Monday!
Alison, thank you for your lovely comment. I will miss Scraptacular too. I don't think I miss actually working though!!! lol
I had a lovely weekend. Caught up with most of my family which I always love. Those little grandchildren help me realise what the priorities in life really are. And when I hear little Orson (3yrs) so excited that I have just knocked on the door and then later giving me a cuddle and telling me he loves me my heart just melts and I know what is important.
Went to Church at Cranbourne Ward yesterday, in their brand new Chapel. It is gorgeous. The style is called 'Legacy' which is what all Chapels around the world are now built in. Our Chapel didn't have any water due to massive renovations and extensions going on.
So it was a great opportunity to surprise Martin and his family and Andrea and her family by us coming to join in their meetings.
It's so nice that no matter where you go for Church meetings, it is exactly the same spirit, and lessons etc as when we are meeting in our own Chapel.
It was nice to catch up with some 'old' friends too.
Well, better get started with this busy Monday that I have planned.

Amazing Grace

Colin has had all of this week off, due to not really having any time after his Dad passed away. He was struggling at work last week, and the Doctor has given him this week off, to relax.
We have gone for long, long walks each day. And that's been good for both of us. The past month or two have been pretty bumpy and it's nice to slowly let go of it.
Today we went to see a great film- Amazing Grace about the abolition of slavery. What an inspirational movie that is. I had a few weepy moments as I saw the struggle and the lack of care that William Wilberforce endured year after year. Until eventually he did get the bill passed.
Just makes me think about the hic-cups in my life. I can choose to make them something I learn from and grow from, or something that will pull me down.
I tend to be an 'emotional thinker' at my worst times and that's not the time to make decisions and I've decided that is my 'challenge' to work on right now.
Had a lovely chat with former workmate Anita. She has all my belongings to return to me so we're getting together tomorrow.
It will be nice to have all my scrapbook albums at home for the first time ever.
And, now I'm tired to going to have dinner and relax.

It was the best of times it was the worst of times.

This past couple of months have been so difficult for me.

I think it started when we had to put our dog of 15yrs down. She wasn't in the best health anymore but because she was such a beautiful and faithful friend we kept putting of this horrible decision.

Needless to say, once the decision was made the emotions were more than I expected.

Then Colins' dad (who has been more of a dad to me, than my own dad), had a bad fall in the nursing home and was taken to hospital.

Whilst there he developed pneumonia and other conditions that he didn't have before this fall. It must have been his body just not coping with the stress and trauma of the fall he had.

We visited him every day/night. Most nights not eating dinner untill well after 9pm. As well as keeping up both of our work commitments.

After 3 weeks in the hospital they told us there wasn't anything more they could do for him, so he was sent back to the nursing home for palliative care.

Three days back there, and we got a middle of the night call to say he had passed away. How sad! We hoped in the car and went to see him in his room, for the last time.

So began the horrible things you have to deal with. Funeral arrangements, cleaning out his belongings from the nursing home. We then heard that because of his fall there would be a coroners report required to determine cause of death. Which meant having to go into the coroners office to identify him. Then we heard that an autopsy would be required. This poor man was 91yrs of age and we felt very sad that his body was being violated that way. But realised it was necessary.

We had his funeral, without him being there. His body was not yet released. However, we knew he was with us in spirit. Especially his humor.

The next day we went back to the cemetery, just Colin and I and said are last goodbye.

He has been a very funny, special and devoted gramps to all of our family. And we are surely gonna miss him.

Then, Colin who is struggling big time with a very bad case of psoriasis wasn't coping too well going back to work. So, he now has this week off. Resting and relaxing, and getting some new treatment for his condition. Hopefully it will work. It is a very debillitating thing to have. Especially when it's practically over all of your body.

As for me.....well.......I didn't handle things too well for a while there. Meaning that I quit my job over an issue that just seemed to consume me and became very emotional for me. Even knowing that the business was being sold in only a few weeks.

Niavely I felt confident that the new owner would have me as part of her team, but that wasn't to be.

Everything was just horrible, and overwhelming and I spat the dummy. If I could go back and undo some things, but I can't.

So, now it's time to move on. I have some new plans/ideas for my future. I am just taking my time getting my head around things.

I havn't been able to scrapbook since all this has happened. I am pretty lost at the moment but maybe that's because Colin is home and we have been going for lots of walks, and just getting some rest here and there.

We do get some laughs around here too. Our two kittens, Balou and Bizkit are so funny and so sweet.

I am in the process of applying for my passport. Anytime, if my aunt in Holland passes away then my sisters and I have five days to get there for her funeral. Which is something she really wants us to do. I hadn't given it a lot of thought, thinking this was just some illusive idea. But considering she is 89yrs old one of my sisters prompted me to at least get a passport ready, because I wouldn't be able to get one in just 5days.

That's it for me. Gonna work on my 'plans'.

ps: just an aside - if anyone reads this, and was the recipient of any emails I sent when I spat the dummy I apologise. I was hurting big time although that's probably not an excuse.

Ok, I got it a little bit wrong

I got the name of the author of the Book of She a little bit wrong. Her name is Kobi Yamada. After checking Claire's blog I realised I had it totally wrong.
Anyhow now that I've cleared that up, I'm going to my scrapbook room to 'plan'. Layouts I need/want to do and in what order. ETC. ETC. ETc.

'Book of She'

I am just loving participating in the Book of She that Claire has organised on the Scraptacular website.

Anyone can join in. Each month there is a new quote which is what your page is based on. I love it.

It really makes me think about my journalling. It makes me dig a little deeper to achieve something more meaningful than 'life was OK'. It makes me confront a little more but in a creative way so that I can bring happiness to the page as well.

The quotes are great and can from the Book of She by Kyobi (can't remember her last name!), but it really is all about being a woman. And what that means to each of us is different and can be expressed in our journalling.

However, I think I need some new photos of 'me' cuz I can't keep using the same ones.

Had a busy week preparing a lot of 'stuff' for Church. I made cards to cover lots of different situations and helped make assignments for two of our members who had been in hospital. So they could get some meals when first at home. And did some shopping to buy fun stuff for a soon to be new mum, and little gifts for 'just because we care' type of thing. Nice to spend someone else's money!!

So, although I had 3 consecutive days off work. I was pretty busy.

I was pretty chuffed with the cards I made and decided to take some photos and upload them to the gallery at Scraptacular, but my camera has decided to not recognise the USB connection. Just out of the blue! So, now I have to take it back, and they have to send it away, and I might be without it for a few weeks. Darn! Or, as one of my grandsons said at age 2, "Crap Guy!"

I really need it back because on the 24th of this month it's McKenzies 2nd birthday and I can't not be taking any photos.

Had a lovely sleep in today. I woke up at 10am. Pretty neat really! I guess I 'needed' a good sleep!

I've been having a lot of fun making collages of photos on Picasa2. It's a photo editing software that you can download for free. It's run by Google. And it's great for those times when you take 189 photos of one day, and you want to scrapbook them all!!!! You can make a collage of 8 or 12 or 24 - whatever you want and then print it off. Then you get that many photos on one page!!! There are also some great colour effects options too.

If I just would get off this puter then I might have some time to scrapbook!!!!!!!

But - I've gotta finish our Family Puffing Billy Day first. It's going to end up being a whole album. If only I had discovered Picasa before getting so many photos printed.

It's Been So Long

I can't believe that it has been months since I last wrote on my blog. What have I been doing with my time???
Well, I don't really know. It must be the Puffing Billy Album I am still working on. I have never made a Scrapbooking Album all about a one day event. However, our family trip on Puffing Billy was so much fun, and as everyone does these days, I took 200 photos that tell the story of the entire day.
So, with my papers and photos under my arm all I have been doing in the way of scrapbooking is this album. And I never thought I would say it, but I am tired of Urban Couture!!! Yep, that's what I have been doing the album in cuz the colours go so well with the train. But after months of working on this album we have only just gotten off the train!!!!! And that's not the return journey, it's on the way to Lakeside.
I am having fun with it though.
But, now I want to play with the gorgeous new Basic Grey that's arrived. I think it's their best ever!!!!! I'm in love - again!
Personaly, I am enjoying not working as much. Although, I can be found hanging around the shop attending a class or two or having fun joining in the crop days. Well, where else would I be??
I am tired of summer. I am tired of feeling tired, and hot and sweaty. I can't wait for the crisp days of winter to arrive. I am tempted to move to Chicago. I saw their temperature overnight was -20F. Perhaps a little too cold!!! How could you live there??
I have been spending nearly every weekend babysitting. I say 'I', because Colin doesn't do much apart from drive the car to and fro. I have to bath and feed and generally take care of little people. Whilst he sits there getting dramatic if one of them falls or hurts themselves.
After family dinner tonight, we went for a walk and I said to him, 'I am over little people for a while!'. Just need some relaxing quieter time for a week or two.
I wonder if that will happen!!???
So, this week I am planning to scrapbook and make cards. I have some cards to make for Church, so that I have a little 'stash' on hand. I want to make some for myself. And I need to organise them better than I do. And I want to finish puffing billy and start on something new with some new papers. Brighter ones!!
So, that's it for now.

Christmas Joy

Here are three of my Christmas grandchildren. Everyone has already gone home and these three, Blake, Orson and Sahn are mucking around and i'm trying to get a nice photo shoot of them wearing Christmas hats. No!! Only Blake wants to co-operate and Orson and Sahn are just into making it funny.
Well, it is real life art isn't it???
We had a wonderful Christmas day. I was spoiled with gifts but the best gift was having those I love share the day with me. My DH, my kids and their spouses and my 10 gorgeous grandchildren.
We had yummy food, lots of laughs. We played games and sang some carols and told the Christmas story. Because amidts all the celebration we also tried to focus on why we celebrate this wonderful occassion.
Hope you all had a wonderful day too.

For The Memory

Another rare event! An update on my blog! Hi Lyn. Thanks for reading my blog and for your good wishes to our friend Talian. Unfortunately the news for her hasn't been great. Her surgery only removed part of the tumor and she has to have chemo when she is strong enough to cope with it. The worst part is that she has been given up to 5yrs to survive this kind of tumor. It isn't good news. She has a beautiful new baby son and a gorgeous little daughter so it's very sad. She is now having rehab to make her body strong enough for chemo and that is just going to drain her body right back down again. Such an awful time for them all.
Well, last night was our Team Scraptacular Christmas Break-up. We had a yummy dinner at Doyle's in Mordialloc and then went back to Jodie (Boss!)'s home where we exchanged Kris Kringle gifts, laughed a lot, took photos, played with cameras, scrapbooked (well I made some Christmas cards) and watched the movie Scrapped.
I went to bed at 2:30. It probably took me an hour to get to sleep and then awake again at 8:30am to face a busy but happy day.
For my Kris Kringle present - Robbie gave me a beautiful decorative metal stand with a glass lamp shade and gorgeous candles to burn inside.
Jodie gave us all a 'big bag' of bits and pieces. Scrapping stuff (all mauves and light aqua!!), chocolates, cute things from smiggles and other unique stationary places. Some personal stuff like bath salts. It was a real treasure bag!!!
And Kimmie gave us all a necklace with tiny coloured christmas bells so we all jingled along for the rest of the night.
I had fun taking photos of all Jodie's christmas decorations. And I can tell you she has a lot of christmas decorations. Thought the photos might come in handy for my next Hard & Fast class which is a Christmas theme.
Tonight we had family dinner at Dan & Carolinas. Boy the kids were all ratty and Grandpa (also known as Colin) was a grump as well. We're going to have a break until Christmas day now before we all get together again.
Now for some exciting news!!!!! Drum roll please!........................Safeway have dogfood on special this week.!!!!! IGA had it a few weeks ago so my stash is really quite healthy.
Time to do a page on this important part of my life.
I have sooo many Christmas projects on the go. I hope I can complete them all in time for Christmas. Fortunately I have a few days off this week. Tomorrow I hope to complete my Secret Santa gift. Then I can get on to the gifts I need ready for Christmas day. And before that I need to finish the Christmas cards I have started. I havn't made christmas cards for a few years now. I remember why I stopped now that I'm in the middle of making them!!
Time to go to the blanket show.

I totally forgot to write about our wonderful day going on the Puffing Billy train. All 19 of us!! Ten little grandchildren and 9 adults. We had such a wonderful time.
The adults were just as excited as the children and we had a whole carrage to ourselves because there were so many of us and there was so much noise coming from it that everyone else took one look and kept walking.
The photo is of Me of course!! With my daughter Sara behind me hugging her son Monty and Joshua and Riley and McKenzie and then Tambi taking a photo as well.
I just loved the whole day. We went all the way to Lakeside and the scenery and just the beautiful rural countryside was fantastic.
It was also fantastic to all be together as a family having this experience together. I only took 188 photos!!! Lots of scrappin to tell the story of our one day out.

Just Waiting is Awful

This week has been a really difficult one. Close friends, The Brady family, are going through one of those straight from hell moments. Their daughter in law who is only 21 and a mother of a 16mth little girl has been diagnosed with a brain tumour. She was 8months pregnant with their second child. The doctors had to do an emergency C section to deliver baby to save her. All week she has been in an induced coma and of course a full range of tests being done. This has kept the family on tenderhooks waiting for results. Our family, particularly my daughters and daughters in law are very close to Tee and have also been waiting anxiously.
Yesterday Tee went into surgery at 9am and by 4pm was still not out. The tumour is 5cm and very deeply inbedded in her brain. Poor, poor darling. She has a new baby boy, Cody who she hasn't been able to bond with, and who she can't breast feed. She barely knows that he has been born.
The doctors had said to prepare for the worst which is not good news, but at least they can move from that position to a better one without any distress as opposed to doing the opposite.
I guess that by now the family knows the result of the surgery. The initial report was that it was inoperable but obviously the surgeons decided to make an attempt.
It's times like these when your faith is really tested and the answers to questions such as Why?are ones we may not know for a very long time.
It's good to believe that there is a God and that He does love his children. It is also good to know that this life is only part of His plan for us.
It is also good to believe that He hears and answers our prayers. They may not always be answered in the way that we want but to know there is a reason for that is also comforting.
Anyhow, this week has really made me think so much of how fragile our life is and how I take it sooooo for granted. These are the times you want to surround yourself with your family and hug them and tell them how much you love and treasure each of them.
These are the times that I appreciate my friends and family and be aware of how much they contribute to the quality of my life.
As Jerry McGuire once said: 'they complete me!'

Caught in the Act!!

I didn't have to work today but seeing as how I was in the area I decided to pop in to Safeway and just buy a few more cans of .... wait for it....Dog Food. What else?? There I was quietly waiting at the checkout and I got sprung by boss Jodie. What are you doing here? She asked me. Could I tell her?? Actually I didn't have to tell her. She saw quite clearly what I was doing there. The cans of dog food gave me away!
So, that prompted the discussions of having to do a layout all about my obsession with buying dog food only when it's on special. And, from what I hear I am not the only one!!! That's good to know!
Claire, thank you for your lovely words of encouragement in regards to blogging. I will have to take the suggestions on board and go for it.
I also can't wait to get my scrapper exchange layout from Claire. She has done the most amazing work for everyone.
So, I got to try out my new camera. Of all days to have a school trip planned for the Zoo it happened to be Thursday. The only day we have had some descent rain in Victoria. I went with Sara and Monty's Prep class. And it poured and poured and we all got absolutely soaked. Which we didn't mind. The kids loved the puddles. Some of them couldn't remember what a puddle looked like.
It wasn't until after lunch that I finally got to take my camera out. Because, of course I wasn't going to take it out in the rain. I got some great photos. And after rushing to the shop to have them developed the same day I was very happy with the results.
Now, tomorrow I can have the best opportunity with all of my family going on Puffing Billy!
I can't wait.
Lots more scrapping to do.
I had a wonderful opportunity (a free one!) for a facial and a 1hr full body massage today. It was absolutely marvellous. I thought I was in heaven. So, now I feel a new me!
Just got to shake off those kg's and then I will look like a new me!
Well, now I need my beauty sleep just in case I can get into a photo or two tomorrow.
Gonna try and put a photo of the Zoo in my blog. I havn't had too much luck with getting pictures uploaded but will have another try.

Just my everyday

Hello there everyone. I guess that most of my 'fans' (aka: friends) have deserted my blog because I havn't been here to update anything for nearly a month.
Thanks Claire, for the little push to get something on here again.
I have been super busy at work this month. We knew that October would be a full on month and it certainly has been. On top of which I have tried to stay up to date with my classes.
And.....I am now up to date. It feels great.
So in the past month these have been the special highlights:

• Monty grandson turned 6
• Sahn grandaughter turned 1
• I myself had a birthday - no, no numbers!!!
• Today is our wedding anniversary - 36yrs. I was a child bride!!! Believe me!
• Dog food was on special at IGA so I bought a whole months worth. Nearly out now, but wait....there's more. Safeway now have it on special this week. Can't believe my luck!
• I bought my own birthday present. I pre-empted a shopping trip to buy clothes with my DH. He has very different taste for me, than me. So on the way home from work I bought a new camera.
• Yep, I finally have an SLR - but it's a small one. It's a fuji and I love it. It's still small enough to carry comfortably and has lots of great features.

So, I think I've had a pretty good month. Not doing too good with the weight loss goal though. Trying to loose 10kgs by Christmas and the weeks are flying by without the Kgs flying off me!

I need something magic that doesn't involve giving up chocolate!

Well, time to get some dinner organised for DH. I don't need any because Jodie (BossMavis) gave me some Thai chicken and rice for lunch. And I am still full.

I'm looking forward to having some time now to evolve my own scrapbooking style. It isn't very often that I can scrapbook my own stuff - ie: not for classes but now I have some time to do that.

But first I have the scary task of sorting and tidying up my scrapbook room because it is a disaster.

Weekend Away with Scraptacular

We had a blast at out weekend away. I had a photo in here but I pushed the wrong button and it's gone all of a sudden. Darn! Havn 't got time to re-upload it. Will have to do it next time. I had a ball at our weekend. With all our old friends and our new friends. Thanks everyone.

It's Moments Like These - Fathers Day

Fathers Day - it started out like most fathers days. Not having any of our children living at home anymore and the fact that Colin is not my father it was all pretty low key. Wished Colin a happy fathers day and thanked him for being a great dad to our 4 grown up children.
I got ready for Church. Today was a special day because baby Harrison was being blessed. This meant that all our children and their children would be coming to Springvale to our meeting. This was soo hillarious. Can you imagine 10 little cousins all sitting next to or very close to eachother and trying to keep them quiet.
Harrisons blessing was beautiful. As most blessings usually are.
The next part of the day was to all organise our assigned food and meet again at Carolina's (daughter-in-law) dads home for a lovely relaxing lunch.
So, our house was a bit of a central meeting point for 1/2 of our family. The kids were all ratty and irritating eachother so it was with relief that we made our way to Raul's home.
The food was yummy. Colin finally got his fathers day presents. Which I had had to keep secret because everyone contributed. We gave him the 4 seasons of '24'. He hasn't seen any of them so that will keep him quiet for a few months. He also got some aftershave's as well. So he did pretty good.
Whilst we are all enjoying eachothers company we could hear a child crying and in comes Monty with blood pouring from his nose and from his eye!!!!! OMgosh! One of Carolina's brothers boys (who is 12yrs old) threw a stick like a spear and it hit Monty right in the eye!! Good one! We put a clean teatowel to his eye straight away. However poor Sara (mum) lost it! She was frantic and panicking and getting Monty to the car to get him to a doctor. She wouldn't let us remove the teatowel to check where the blood was coming from. Carolina decided it best to call an ambulance which she did. After waiting about 15mts they arrived and took Monty and Sara to Dandenong Hospital.
So, I drove Sara's car there and Colin followed in my car.
By the time I got there Monty was already being seen. Fortunately his actual eye appears undamaged. He had a deep gash right in the corner of his eyelid which had to be glued and another under his eye. Poor little boy! The swelling and bruising was coming out and he looks a mess. Fortunately, again, he was able to go home!
He's OK! But he doesn't want to look at it because he gets frightened.
One thing I learned from this day was that I don't want Sara around if I ever have an emergency!!!!
By the time we got back to Rauls home everyone but Dan and Carolina and the kids had left. Poor Joshie, he had not stopped crying for Monty. He was pretty shaken by all the blood and seeing his cousin go off in an ambulance was too much for him. His little brother Riley said to me, "Joshie is crying for Monty" I asked him if he, Riley was sad for Monty and he just said 'No!'
That's a 3 yr old for you.
Now we still had a dinner engagement for the evening as well. So we went home for a brief hour. Much too brief! Met our friends at the appointed time and place only to find out that HE had forgotten to book. And it's fathers day!!! So, we got pizza's at Michelangelo in Aspendale and ate them at our house.
It was nice though. We relaxed and now they've gone home. The dishes are in the dishwasher and I am on the computer, about to go to bed.
Till next time. Adieu

Ali Edwards

I love this photo that I took of Ali Edwards as she was teaching one of her classes.
I did post a new blog last week but my computer froze half way through so I didn't have any luck getting it onto my blog.
Never mind.
Actually it was very important because I had found the dog food on special again this week. So that was very exciting.
I've been helping Andrea (daughter) quite a bit this week as she has been approved for a rental property and is moving out of Jethro's (estranged husband) house.
Fortunately we get lots of boxes at work so she has a hallway full of packed goodies already to go in a week and a bit.
It will be a relief for all of us when she is out of the house. He will not be able to just barge in whenever he pleases. And he may actually leave her alone.
Work has been good. I havn't worked as many hours this week which is OK. Although I do need money so I can start saving for a new camera. One day!!!
That's it. I'm off to bed and as this blog is very uninspired it's best to just stop now.
Nice to read your comment on my blog Lynne. Thanks!!

Kiwi Scraps

I've been, I've conquered and now I'm back!!!
Kiwi Scraps in Sydney was great!!!!!!!. To tell the whole story is going to take me a while and if no-one can be bothered reading that's OK cuz this is 'my' story.
Robyn arrived on Thursday morning early and we waited for Kim and Linda to arrive. We heard a truck coming up the road - didn't realise that was Kimmie!!!! Not in a truck though but it sure sounded like it.
We struggled to get the luggage in but after pushing and re-organising finally made it. And off to the airport.
Got there safely, parked the car got out the luggage and of course had to have a few photos, which is very important for us scrappers to record the journey visually as well as in words. It was good to check in the luggage because it was sooo heavy. All those scrapbooking tools and things (I think it must have been all the adhesives I took!!!) weigh a heap.
We met Wendy S. at the airport although we did drive up behind her on the Tullamarine freeway and called her on her mobile to look out the back. There we were waving like idiots!
The plane was uneventful unless you can call Linda's brief lapse as she yelled out that she had been cheated because not only did she not get a window seat - there wasn't even a window there at all!!! Pretty funny!
Arrived in Sydney grabbed our luggage and got in a maxi-taxi to take all five of us to the Mecure Hotel about 8minutes away. Yep I really timed it!!! Nah, not really.
Checked in, which was a bit strange. We booked in May and yet they had us in the wrong kind of rooms. No, Robyn and I were not going into a smoking room and also not into a queen size room. They had one double room left. How can that happen when we booked in May and they confirmed the booking???
The hotel is really nice. The rooms very comfortable and the showers were great. When you learnt how to use them. I don't think Robyn appreciated me calling her early in the morning to advise me on how to turn the darn thing on.
The four of us decided to not waste the day and we headed of for the train. We went in several different directions trying to find it and it would have been a good idea to follow our initial instincts because that was the right way.
We took the train to Circular Quay and did the 'tourist thing' cameras and all. Of course!!! The bridge and the opera house. Then we took the Ferry to Manly. Mind you it was dark by then! We had dinner at a German Pub. Yummy fish. Then wandered the streets for a while before heading into Coles and buying enough supplies for breakfast and lunches for the next 3 days. Back on the Ferry and a taxi to the hotel.
Of course, lots of 'scrappers' were already there and a lot of familiar faces.
The classes with Ali Edwards were fantastic. I love her style as a creater of Art as well as a person. Very down to earth. Makes soooo much sense. Friendly, funny and a great teacher. She was sooo prepared. Colour copies of step-by step directions including photos. All three of her classes were great. I love what I made in each of them.
Donna Downey was a bit different. Very 'out there' personality. A lot of fun. She couldn't believe how chatty we Aussie women are in a class. She was a bit thrown by it at first, but then learnt that it wasn't a slight on her or her class....we just like to talk. The only way to get our attention was to shout out Aussie, Aussie, Aussie - and we did the OI, OI, OI, thing back. Then we knew we had to be quiet.
Her first class was in Robyn's words a bit of a 'downer'. It was very basic and finished in 1hr. This was very disappointing. It isn't even something I will use. I was a bit concerned about the other 2 classes of hers I had booked into. However, she came through with two great classes. So I was a happy girl!.
I didn't do any of Cathy Zielske's classes which I now regret. Everyone was so impressed and said they had learnt a lot from her.
I did meet her and we had a chat for a while....and of course the obligatory photos.
Robyn and I went to the Friday night Crop. That was madness. I don't think I would do it again. We sat at a table with Helen Williams who was real nice, and friendly. Also Karen from KKS who was also friendly. That was about it as far as friendliness went. It was very clickie (spelling??). and unless you were in a big group not much fun socially. Robyn got chosen to go and do the mystery class so I just stayed there and finished one of the class projects.
I actually felt sorry for the Kiwi Scraps people who were trying to make the evening interesting with some competitions etc., but people just would not shut up and show some respect by allowing them to talk. They had to yell above the din created. Didn't impress me one bit.
I think that there are too many 'big heads' in Australian Scrapbooking. A lot of 'elitist type' personalities who are basically a pain in the neck.
We were rather surprised on Friday evening as the four of us sat in the Hotel Restarant as very strange looking people started coming in for meals and generally wandering around the hotel. They were cross-dressers. Yikes!!!! We Melburnians are very sheltered from the 'weirdness' of life. The hotel was hosting a Crossdressers & Partners ball on Saturday night. So some of these yucky people were actually staying at the hotel and you would get in the lift and there would be 'one' in there.
Robyn and I got picked up by Marianne and Elly (my two sisters who live in Sydney) and we had some yummy pizza at Little Sicily. An ordinary looking place in a not so good neighbourhood. But boy can they make nice pizzas.
It was lovely to catch up with them and because by then I was pretty tired from three very full-on days I was just stupid. I laughed at everything and made stupid comments at or about everything. We had fun though.
I believe that Robyn has a bit of knowledge to blackmail me with now.
When we got back to the hotel the c/d's (weird people!) were milling around the hotel everywhere. We stayed around for a while then decided it was time for bed. But I wanted to watch a movie. So I payed 15.00 for a pathetic movie which I insisted on watching right through because I had payed for it. Robyn fell asleep after 5mts.
Last day in Sydney. Sunday and Linda and Kim had made up an itinerary for us for the day.
We checked out of the hotel and left our luggage there to collect later - booked a taxi to the rocks so we could check out the market there. It was a beautiful day - nice and warm. We wandered around there for a couple of hours then caught the bus to Centre Point.
We went up in the tiniest lift with Linda warning us she was going to have a panic attack (which she didn't) and came out to the most beautiful viewing deck.
360degree view of Sydney. Believe it or not we took lots of photos!!!
Then back down and we walked to Darling Harbour. Very much like our own Southbank but a lot bigger of course.
Big yachts and the rich and famous lounging around. Didn't see anyone famous though. Well at least not there, but we did see Kate Langebrook and Ian Chappel and some old guy who used to act a lot on the plane going to Sydney.
Back to Darling Harbour. We were all starving so stopped at a nice looking place and had a yummy lunch. I had a hamburger and then a chocolate tart for dessert. Very delicious.
We walked from one end of Darling Harbour around to the other end. I think I only took about 100 photos there. Pretty reasonable I think!!!
Now it was time to find a taxi and head back to the Hotel to get our luggage and to hop on the shuttle bus and head off to the Airport. Which, of course is exactly what we did.
Took a few photo ops whilst at the Airport. Couldn't find Linda and Kim when it was time to board - and they had left all they bags with us. What to do??? We went and asked if they could page 'the Mavis' but the girl was very dull and said we still have 62 people to board so just sit there and wait a minute or two.
The girls came running from afar when they realised that the plane had already boarded.
We were sooooo tired on the flight home we all dozed. It took an hour from when we landed until we got back to Kimmie's car. By then we were all soooo stupid! We laughed at everything it was soo funny. However, when a battery operated toothbrush is buzzing away in one girls suitcase (Kimmies) and in another Robyn's) there is a hairspray can shhssssing away it is pretty funny when you're tired.
The toothbrush buzzed all the way home! We took the scenic route home as well. We ended up in South Melbourne which is fine but nobody believed me. So, against my advise ( I have to stress that, cuz it wasn't my fault) we ended up going past the MCG and on to Punt Road. Can you believe that?
At last we got home at about 10:45PM. I had a fantastic 4 days. The highlights?????: Meeting Ali Edwards, Donna Downey and Cathy Zielske. Laughing heaps. Getting to Scrapbook - well sort of!, seeing more of Sydney than I had in past visits. Being with friends. Thanks girls I had a great time!!!
PS: Does anyone know if any of the Supermarkets have Pal dog food on special this week??? I've missed the junk mail!!!

Back at Last

I think it's been more than a month since I have updated my blog.
I have been very busy at work. Robbie was away of course and then poor Jodie got sick so between Sarah, Anita and myself we kept the ship (shop!) afloat succesfully. But I did work about double the hours for a couple of weeks and was just too wasted to start typing on my blog.
Then I got very focused on finishing all my class preparations for this current calendar. And now I have!!! I'm finished (for a while!)
So, now I have given myself permission to update my blog.
I am very disappointed though because I cannot report a dog food special at the moment. I have had to buy some cans (not many) at full price! That's a horrible thing to have to do!
I am very excited however (I certainly am a person of mixed emotions!) because tomorrow we head off to Sydney for Kiwi Scraps Convention. I'll be meeting Ali Edwards and Donna Downey and Cathy Zielske. And I guess anyone else who comes up and introduces themselves to me!
Kimmie,Robbie and I should have our Team Scraptacular tees ready that we can wear.
I can't believe how much I have to pack to go there. I have the biggest suitcase. I think I may have to rethink that one though and aim to do it all a bit differently.
Working with Sarah today. But I'm a bit excited so I don't know if I will be much good. Although I am teaching a Heritage class this morning. Thank goodness I wrote a bit of an instruction list for myself - otherwise who knows what the girls layouts will end up looking like.
So, that's it for now.
Next post will be a commentary and maybe some pics of the convention.
I am going to try to put up a picture of the online class that Sarah and Jodie and myself did with Kimmie as a practise run.

OK.....I have been to IGA and bought out the store. No, not really. I did buy 30cans though.
I love getting dog food at a cheap price. Is it because I resent how much it costs to feed the dog? Is it because the dog is Andrea's and she left her with us? Surely not?
It must be because I like a bargain!
DH and I have just finished watching the movie 'Pay it Forward'. I have now wiped away the salty water off my face but still feel very emotional from this show. It has such a wonderful meaning. But why do these brilliant minds in Hollywood have to spoil it at the end by having a tragic ending?
I might have to start a movement with the 'pay it forward' theme.
I was a good girl today. After work I did the grocery shopping. Came home and made yummy pumpkin soup and then did some ironing. No scrapbooking darn it! Now I feel OK to scrapbook for the rest of the week.
Spoke to Robbie again today! She was just on her way back to London, Canada from CHA. She was so excited but it was also so overwhelming it was hard for her to string two sentences together.
She was very impressed with a My Minds Eye paper and embellishment range called Bohemian. That blew her away the most. She went back to their stand several times. Took lots of photos everywhere and has catalogues from everyone.
I forgot to ask her how the Lacrosse was going. She may have posted results by now. I havn't checked.
I have enjoyed a busy time at work this past week. So many new products and the 'buzz' with our website up and running and the pressure to start getting our online shop happening. It's been real excitement, busy but great to be a part of.
Gee I love scrapbooking.
That's it!
Oops! Almost forgot. My dearest youngest daughter Sara checked out my blog last night and told me she would be very upset with me if I don't mention her in it anywhere. Which I actually hadn't as yet.
She and I are going to decorate some wooden words together soon which will be great fun. I am very blessed to have wonderful daughters who share my interest in crafts and scrapbooking. Sara has a bit more time than Andrea as Monty is at school. So when she isn't working we can organise some scrapping opportunities.
So, Sara I can't wait to get started whenever you give me the 'nod'.

Lovely Lunch

Today has been my first day off for the week. Many months ago Cara, Didi, Debbie and myself were very smart scrapchicks winning first place in a car rally. One of the prizes was lunch at the Lobster Cave. Today we finally managed to all get there and enjoy a great 2hrs of chatting, laughing and eating yummy food.
Thanks for the great afternoon girls!
And....this morning I did go to our Accountant for our tax returns. Colin is going to get a very healthy one! Wonder if I could wangle some money out of his towards a new camera???? Hmmmm! Probably not! Somehow I don't he think he would understand my need for 'another' new camera. That would be the third one in 2 years.
Guess what?????? Yep! IGA have dog food on special! Gee these supermarkets are good to me. Just when I need to buy some more. 30 tins will do! Wonder what the dog is going to eat for the next month??
I had such a lovely time with India at her Grandparents day at 3yr old Kinder yesterday. She rushed up and hugged me as soon as I got there. We spent an hour doing all kinds of craft projects. Cutting and pasting and gluing etc. Then a little play outside and time for the children to do a little song etc on the mat. India wouldn't leave me. She hugged my leg so tight that there was no way on earth she was going to sit on that mat with all these strange people watching her.
So, I sat her on my lap and we watched the other children doing 'their thing'. Just as they finished little Miss India had fallen asleep! It was so cute! All snuggled in my lap. Then of course that presented a problem of how to get her to the car. So, I carried her. I know I shouldn't have with my back as it is but I didn't have the heart to wake her up. It was a really special couple of hours.
Work has been soooooo busy. Lots of new products. Daisy D's, Scrapworks, 3 Bugs in a Rug, Paper Pleasure and so much more I can't remember it all.
So, we have been very busy entering all the new stock and getting on the shelves so everyone can be as excited as we are. Not good for my budget though.
Robbie Roos has called us 3 times now. How fun is that? She must miss all of us here at Scraptacular. Canada is a long way away!
I never seem to sit and say very much here. I have a huge headache at the moment so I think I'd best get off here cuz it's making it a lot worser. I think it's coming from a sore neck and shoulders which is probably a result of carrying little Miss India yesterday.

Back at Work Again

I've been back at work for three days now. And boy is it busy. Fancy coming back on a Sensational Saturday. Lots of lovely women all scrapping and chatting and laughing and having a wonderful time at Scraptacular. It's hard to work when they're having sooooo much fun! I just want to join them too.
It is really buzzing at Scraptacular now. The new website is up and running. Jodie has been ordering like crazy and we have sooooo much work to do to get all the new gorgeous products out on the shelves.
Love the new 3 bugs in a rug, daisy d's, We R Memory Keepers, Scrapworks papers. Somehow 2 of each design are finding their way into my stash spot in the back room of the shop.
Been spending some quality time with family over the past few days.
On Sunday night we had dinner with Martin and Tambi and their gorgeous three children. It was fun just to relax and enjoy the grandchildren and play with them.
Tonight we have just come home from having dinner with Andrea and the troops there. Sahn was already asleep which was a shame.
Andrea is doing really well. Jethro has been leaving her alone lately and hopefully will be more civil next time they need to talk about anything.
This week I am also going to India's kinder for Grandma's day. I love these special times with them. Lots of photo opportunities too.
I have just finished compiling all the necessary paper work for both Colin and my tax information so I am ready for our accountant appointment on Friday.
I would love to put some money away for an SLR camera. But, I don't think that's going to happen this year. Have a few other priorities first. Boohoo!!
Well, it's late and I promised myself early bedtimes. So, off I go

A Lovely Quiet Day

Well, today has been a nice and sweet day. Andrea came over with Orson and Sahn. Sahn really loves me!! She gives me the sweetest smiles and loves lots of cuddles and plays. She is good for the soul.
Orson wasn't feeling too good, so he was a bit grizzly.
I helped Andrea make a small book for her friends baby shower. She so enjoyed making it. Such good therapy when life is tough.
We went and had a burger and pippies (yep! chippies! Orson language) for lunch and Orson made a friend in the play area at Maccas. He had a ball!
Yesterday I had a great 'therapy' day. I went along to work to do Sarah's class. I really enjoyed it and it was lovely to just leave the world behind for a little while.
I was so impressed with my layouts that all three are framed on the wall.
With 10 grandchildren I planned to have a framed page of each of them on the wall somewhere in the house. I have now got 7 done.
Three more to go!
Tomorrow I am going with Andrea to the Frankston Concert Centre to watch Blakey in their school production. This is the primary school version of the Rock Eistedford. I think he is a tornado or something. Very suitable.
Next week I have Grandparents day at Kinder for India. I love being a Grandma and being involved with 'the little people' and what they are doing in their lives.
Must go. I hear the garage door opening. Which means the hubby is home from work and although dinner is almost ready it isn't quite there yet. He will be hungry.
Thanks for reading!

The Bumps in The Road

Those bumps in the road on our journey of life seem to be around too many corners at the moment.
We have been all elated with the arrival of baby Harrison. Enjoying most of my time with Riley and Joshie.
However, family problems with our eldest daughter, Andrea has certainly put a damper on the elation.
We knew that Andrea and husband, Jethro, were having some serious problems but things have escalated to very unpleasant scenarios. Hence I have been over with her in Cranbourne a lot (there goes my holidays!) providing moral support and babysitting when necesarry. It's a constant thing at the moment.
However, she is going to get some legal help soon and that should quiet him down.
It's one of the most horrible things to go through as a Mum. Here is my daughter who is now nearly 30yrs old in a relationship which I now know has been physically violent. He has left the house but can come in and out whenever it suits him and shout and yell at her in front of the kids. Say whatever he likes and leave her an absolute emotional and mental wreck. Every time I call her and she says 'I can't talk, will call you back', I know he is over there. And I get all anxious waiting for her to call. When/if that takes a while I start imagining horrible scenes and my anxiety goes through the roof. The relief when she calls and I hear her voice is amazing.
She is a strong girl and she won't be manipulated by him anymore which is frustrating him.
We pray that she will be able to have the energy and mental strength to be able to get through this time in her life.
This will be a very important page for her to scrapbook. Maybe for me as well. When I look at photos of her as a little girl my heart breaks because of her innocence and sweetness. As a Mum I never hoped then, that she would have to deal with these things now.
It's tough being a Mum. Even when your children are older you don't cut the nurturing ties with them. Their pain is my pain. Their joy is my joy.
So, today I have stayed at home. Finally! (well, OK, I did make a trip to Scraptacular!) and having been making a mini album for my Handmade books class. I like it! I hope others do too!
I am so 'proud' to be part of Team Scraptacular! The new website is amazing! I knew it could be done! (by someone else! not me!).
And....knowing some of the plans coming up for the future it is all so exciting!
I can't wait for the weekend away.
Although I do have the Crafting Connection to look forward to before that!
Ahhhhhhhh!!!! Thank goodness for scrapbooking.

July 4th

July 4th is a very special day in my family. Firstly it was my Mothers birthday (she has passed away). It is my father's sisters birthday (otherwise known as my Auntie) and now it is my brand new baby grandsons birthday as well!
Forget American Indepence Day!!
Baby Harrison Joel was born at 2.40am and weighed 7lb2oz. He has lots of dark hair and a round little face. He is very cute. Mum (Carolina is doing great!)
So you might ask where is a photo?? Well, Nanna Anna, the great scrapbooker forgot her camera!!! Ok now wise cracks! (about the 'great scrapbooker' bit that is!). I do have some photos on my phone but I havn't worked out yet how to get them on to my computer. I will get some on my camera today.
So I have had a very busy time going over to their home at midnight. Trying to get some sleep, but there were lots of text messages and phone calls happening all night.
Joshua and Riley had the biggest grins on their faces when they saw me in their house when they woke up. I told them where mumma was (in hospital) and that they have a new baby brother. Riley: "Has Harrison popped out now?" Joshua: "What team is he on?" Well to the first question I could calmly say that yes Harrison had popped out now. To the second question...well. The team thing is that Carolina and Joshua have green eyes and Daniel and Riley have blue eyes. Joshua decided that meant they were on teams. I tried to explain that we won't know for a little while which colour eyes Harrison is going to have.
So yesterday was very busy. Packing clothes for them both to bring over, taking Joshua to kinder. Doing some shopping for dinner. Making dinner. Riley having a very short sleep. Picking up Joshie from Kinder and going to the hospital to visit their new baby brother. No wonder I forget something essential. (the camera!).
Then home, in the dark. Dinner, bath and then bed. I was wasted. Just stayed on the couch to watch All Saints when Riley decided he needed to do poo! Now Riley doesn't just do poo and get off the toilet and back to bed. It takes him forever. So didn't get to see much of All Saints.
Anyway it was nice to get to bed.
A very special day for our family and especially for Daniel and his family. What a blessing it is when each new life comes to join our family.
We are now blessed with 10 grandchildren. Hard to believe! Each one is sooo unique and have such sweet spirits. They certainly 'complete me'!
So, today has been full of running around to kinder, a bit of shopping and partly made dinner. Soon I need to get Joshie. We're having Maccas for lunch. Home for a little rest. Back to the hospital. etc.etc.etc.
Thanks for reading.