Adorable little face!

I love this photo of my Grandson Harrison. I printed it out in A4 by mistake (meant to do it much smaller) and was just amazed at how gorgeous he looks. Cropped it down a bit and made this layout. Harry is only 2 and is just adorable. Very loving, very adventurous, and is really bonding with me which I just love.
Also love the SEI papers. I've always been a fan of SEI and have heaps of their papers that i havn't used....yet!

Andrea and her little ones are starting to settle down a bit in Brisbane. Not without any problems though. Two weeks ago Blakey had an accident and ended up with one of his front teeth pushed back up in the gums. It's OK now....but required some immediate intervention.
Last week little Sahnie broke her arm. In a very unsual place...just above the elbow. An orthopaedic guy had to check it out, and called her back this week for further x-rays in case she needed pins in it. Fortunately she doesn't and now has a full top of the arm to the start of her fingers bright pink cast. She holds her arm with her other hand all day long. Poor little girl.
I wish I was there to hug and kiss her better.

It's been a funny couple of weeks. Some closures:- we auctioned off our investment property which Sara has lived in for the past 7yrs. It was no longer serving the purpose for which we had bought it. We got a good price.....!

I have started doing some creative work for a friend, and after giving her some samples she was so happy with what I had made. "much more than what she had expected" were her words. It's been fun and am looking forward to doing some more for her. She will be opening a shop in about 6 weeks or so and hopefully my work will be part of her business. It's only 5mts down the road which is perfect.

I have been really, really tired this week. I can sleep a 12hr night and then still fall asleep anytime during the day. This is all still part of my cancer and treatment but it's such a drag. Makes it difficult to be motivated doing the mundane everyday things.

I had afternoon tea (herbal for me) with Robyn Baker this week. So lovely to catch up and chat. It's nice to stay friends with great people. We actually had a good chat about some things that I was struggling with. Verbalizing that I was at a certain point but my feelings were not in sinc with my words. Then her simple statement 'you can't fix it!' really hit home. After all I have done.....there is nothing left to do. I am ready to let go and move away....feels so good!!!!!

Had a sleepover with Carolina whilst Daniel was in WA for the week. We had such fun...played games with the children and then we planned to watch a movie, but instead we just talked and talked till we both fell asleep. So cool....doing that with my daughter in law.

Next week I have the 8 weekly blood tests and Mabthera treatment in hospital. Will talk with my Oncologist about the tiredness I am experiencing....see if it's 'normal'.

That's it for this week. Need to check the quiche I put in the oven...it's probably burnt by now.

Enjoying Time

At last I have done a new layout of Monty. I used to be so good keeping up to date with all the events and Grandchildrens photos. But...obviously I got behind for a long time and am now ENJOYING time to catch up.
Lamont loves to pose for the camera...as is obvious in this photo. It's hard to get a photo of him without 'the pose'.












We had a great day out in Sherbrooke Forest on the Queens Birthday holiday. Everyone was there except Sara and Monty.
I got so many photos of all the grandchildren on this massive log. So many that poor Harrison just had enough and fell of backwards, dragging McKenzie with him. It was so funny and because no-one was hurt we got to have a good laugh.
I am enjoying doing simple layouts, get some photos done and don't have to agonise over too much of it. (and I do a fair bit of copying!)

This layout is from quite a while back......at least 15mths. At our favourite rendevous (Braeside Park). Just great kids, cousins (aka: Grandchildren) having some fun together. Again I enjoyed keeping it all pretty simple.

Apart from a bit of Scrapbooking I have:

1. Gotten used to going out and about without any head cover at all. Just my very, very short silvery white hair. I get heaps of complements so it must be looking OK. Can't wait for it to grow longer so I can get a 'cool' haircut. Although, Mckenzie loves my 'princess hair'. ??

2. Got my tax return back already.......and havn't spent it all yet!

3. Am going to be making cards etc. for a friend of mine who currently has an online business but is going to open a shop in the next few months. I am so excited! And...went out buying 'stuff'. all girly - shabby chic - fun and bright 'stuff'. The girls at Paper2 are getting to know me now. Is that a bad thing??? I am so grateful to Kathy for asking me to do this. It is giving me some new focus and lots of fun.

4. Scrapbooked a few times with Tambi and Krystal. Next week having a few more good friends come over for a bit more fun.

5. Still miss Andrea and the children so much. We talk nearly every day.....yesterday I talked to Orson for a while and then he said; "I miss you Nanna".....well needless to say I had a big cry after that. Andrea is finding pretty hard in Brisbane. She doesn't know anyone and is getting pretty lonely without friends to go out with and chat to. I am wondering if it's all really going to work out........only time will tell.

6. Went to see Mama Mia with Sara, Tambi and McKenzie (she gets in on all the fun with big brother and sister being at school!). I loved the movie. Always have loved the music......and it was just happy and bright enough to have a good laugh and enjoy spending time with Sara. She's so busy with work that I don't get to see anywhere near enough of her.

7. Sara, Carolina and I have been watching the Gilmore Girls series. Sara bought them and we pass them on to eachother as we finish each season. Just really loving this show because it's so uncomplicated and fun to watch.

OK....it's time to feed Colin and watch some more of Numb3rs...oh yeah I bought the first three series of that show cuz we've been spoiled watching too many shows on DVD and now watching free to air TV is just basically annoying with all the ads etc.

On The Move

It's been a really busy couple of weeks. And I think I have to work backwards to remember what's been happening.
Yesterday I had the lovely colonoscopy that I was supposed to have twelve months ago. It all went well. Dr. Merrett is a lovely man and had a chat with me afterwards. He did have to remove two growths that were not good ones...but is confident he took out what was needed and there are no further concerns. Just means I have to have the dreaded 'C' every two years now instead of 3. I think I can cope with that.
Riley and Harrison both had birthdays. Little grandsons, brothers as well. Riley is now five and he had a great bowling party (like his big brother, Joshua a couple of weeks earlier). Harrison is 2 now!! And....so yummy!. I wasn't here for his birthday, and the poor little man was very sick as well so he didn't really get what it was all about.....I heard from the rest of the family.
I returned last week from a very busy and hectic time driving from home to Sydney and from Sydney to Brisbane with Andrea and Blake,Orson and Sahnie.
The most memorable part of the whole trip was that every night Sahnie insisted on sleeping with me and that was just devine. To have this delicate little 2.5yr old snuggling in with me was one of the sweetest things. The fact that she wouldn't go to bed untill I went to bed was so funny. Although it did mean I was in bed very early.
The children were all so good being in the car for ages and ages. We took my portable DVD player. It has a 10" screen. Andrea and I both bought a couple of DVD's that they hadn't seen yet and this kept them entertained and happy. I don't think I ever want to listen to Alvin and The Chipmunks again!!!!
We stayed over for two nights in Sydney at one of my sisters' homes. Met up with another sister, Elly and nephew Heath and his family. Spent the day taking the children to the park and playing with them so they had a good break before starting the long leg of the journey to Brisbane.
I was amazed at how the country scenery changed as we got to northern NSW and then in to Qld. Orson was funny on the trip. Nearly 4 yrs old, he knew he was going to Qld, but he had no concept of what that actually meant. I asked him what was in QLD and he said 'animals' and Matts house! When we stopped for petrol he was in tears because in his words 'there's no Qld here!'. Not sure what he was looking for!!!
After leaving Sydney at 4am we finally arrived at Matts house about 7:30pm. He lives in a brand new estate in a 'normal' house. Not a queenslander! It's a great house with lots of outside entertaining area including a spa.
I spent till Sunday afternoon there, when my eldest sister, Erna and her partner Michael picked me up.
It was gut wrenching saying goodbye to my little grandchildren. These little ones who I see a couple of times a week. I had to do everything in my power to not cry...because I knew that would be sad for everyone. Leaving Andrea was so hard.....we have never been apart on a permanent basis. So, it's all been really emotional and as I type this the tears are rolling again!
I had a great time with Erna. She is such an extrovert. Never stops talking. I have never spent any real time with her. She's a lot older than me and as a child we didn't really cross paths much. So, this was a first. She has a gorgeous house which she has decorated in a very Dutch style. Has nik nacks everywhere. She buys everything at op shops. Because she knows the names of expensive pieces of glassware and pottery etc., she has picked up some amazing bargains.
On the Monday she took me to the Sunshine Coast.....to Noosa where she has time share. Unfortunately it was pouring the whole time so we didn't get out of the car. It was so packed with all the holidaymakers who have come north for the sunshine!!! It actually rained every day I was in Brisbane.
We stopped in a town called Montville. Which is full of amazing shops. They are all handcrafted products everywhere and gorgeous little cafe's. Erna bought me a gorgeous gift there and I bought her a little piece of her favourite Italian glass. Although it was still raining we had fun browsing around the shops.
We stopped at the Big Pineapple and had a sundae there. It was huge...so we didn't need to worry about lunch. We then visited a friend of Erna's for a hot chocolate and then back to her home.
Tuesday we went and did the 'op shop' thing!!! I found a heap of books from a series that I've started collecting from last year when I started chemo. I found 13 of them and didn't want to not buy them. But then I had to work out how to get them home. I only had one bag with me....but right at my feet in the op shop was a strong carry bag that zipped up. The perfect size for all the books. And the lovely red shirt and black leather bag that I bought as well. All for $33. Of course I'm going to have to try a bit of op shopping here now!!!
I arrived back on Wednesday utterly exhausted. And looking at my house wondering where to start. Andrea has left so much stuff for me to either have, or look after for her. Boxes of things. Which gives me just the motivation to clean out cupboards and make room.

I enjoyed being part of a scrapbooking challenge with Blue Bazaar. I was sent a range of new Chatterbox Papers and I made 3 layouts for them to appear (along with other scrapbookers layouts) in their newsletter a couple of weeks ago.
It was fun.....but it brought me back to how hard it is to create within parameters. It just doesn't flow as when doing it just because I like a design and I'm the only one who has to like it.

Well, it's already half way through the day and I havn't done a thing so far. I have to send a parcel to Orson for his 4th birthday next Sunday. Best get on the move.

It's Good News Week

I saw my Oncologist on thursday and he had the good news that my CT scan is clear and my blood is perfect!!!! There is a little damage to my liver from the chemo but my liver is working fine.
I had really gotten quite concerned just waiting for the results and it's such a relief to know that I don't have to worry like that again for the next 3 months.
I also had another of my 8 weekly treatments. Getting more settled in to the fact that I am just passing through Oncology for this treatment and not a permanent fixture like I was.
The girls there were all keen to take my cap off to check out my hair. I am getting so many complements about the colour. It's really white with a bit of grey......and it looks very chic as some have said. However, I am still not that confident going everywhere without some kind of head cover on. Family things I'm fine. Dropping in to the local supermarket I am fine. But a big public place where I may stay for a while.....not yet ready!!!!
It's been a big weekend. Yesterday morning started with Joshua's 7th birthday party. He had a bowling party in Mentone and the children had a blast. He had heaps of friends and cousins. Colin, Sara, Maga and Krystal (Tambi's sister) decided to have a game themselves. Colin promptly dropped the ball on his foot!!!!! I couldn't help but laugh.......and he was good about it although it was really hurting him big time.
We're going to go bowling as a family activity more often...the children really got the hang of it and loved it.
Blake in particular did fantastic. What a shame they are leaving this week!
Which brings me to Saturday night......last night. We had a farewell party for Andrea and the children at her friend Alicia's home in Sandhurst. Wow...some home!!!! It was a fun night and Andrea really appreciated being able to say goodbye to her good friends.
I am so tired today. After the thursday treatment I feel totally worn out. By about Tuesday I should be right again. But with all that's going on at the moment there just seems a lot to deal with. Especially Andrea and her children leaving.
We leave this wednesday for the big drive up to Sydney. It's only a couple of days away now...not weeks.....not, maybe it will happen. It's really going to be happening. Andrea is so excited and can hardly wait. Sara, myself, Tambi and Carolina are all emotional and sad at her going, at Blake, Orson and Sahn not being part of our everyday lives anymore.
How I am going to miss them....it's one of those hard events to deal with.
But......I will get to visit and they will visit....but that won't be the same!!! Nothing I can change so I need to be accepting.
Like accepting lots of things in life. No matter how much I may want something or want to go back to things as they were it isn't always possible. Acceptance is a huge thing to learn....and once mastered I imagine it would be a great personal strength to have. Keep on working at it!!!!
Now I've got ironing to do. A packing list to make etc.etc.etc.

Time to Create

This is one of the layouts I finished at the weekend. The photo is so gorgeous and I love the imaginisce papers...the colours are perfect for my India.
The other layouts are already in frames I forgot to take a photo. Will get to it though.
Caught up with the girls I used to work with, and got a free chriropractic treatment as well.....gee they are such lovely people. So good hearted and caring and they are all happy. Great to catch up with them.
Go to go and pick up Grandson Lamont from school. Can't be late! :)

There Just Too Much.....

I was so shocked and sad to read, last night, that Jane McGraw had passed away. I knew about her battles with cancer. I knew that she had a brain tumour. But never thought that she was in such a life threatening condition.
There are just way too many lovely and beautiful and strong women dying from brain tumours and breast cancer. In less than twelve months I have watched three gorgeous women die from these cancers, and now another public figure from the same thing.
I HATE CANCER.
About 95% of women I met whilst having chemo were having treatment for breast cancer. And I think of several whom I got to know really well and although we didn't exchange contact details I just hope their lives are blessed and that they become 'survivors'. Breast cancer is one of those horrible cancers that so easily transfers to other areas of your body. And although the actual breast cancer may be gone there is always a chance it's going to show up somewhere else.
I remember my oncologist telling me that 1 in 3 people will have some kind of cancer. That's a horrible statistic.
I had the first of my checkup CT Scans last week. This week I have one of my 8 weekly treatments and a visit with my Oncologist to tell me the results of my scan. Although I have been feeling confident, all of a sudden I feel vulnerable and somewhat nervous. And I hope and pray that my results are clear.

On to happier and better things. I am definetly driving up to Brisbane with Andrea and the kids next week. We leave on the 2nd, driving up to Sydney. We'll stay there for a couple of nights and then head on up North to Brisbane on the Friday.
It's going to be fun and difficult and exciting all at once. I'm looking forward to it because I will be able to see where Andrea will be living. Mat has a 4yr old house, it's big and just perfect for their 'blended' family to start a new beginning.
I will be able to take lots of photos and have a mental image of my eldest daughter in her new environement.
I still find it hard to talk about her moving without the tears starting. In fact I can cry at anything so easily at the moment. I'm not sure if that is because of Andrea and the children moving or just a combination of lots of things. I have babysat Sahn quite a bit lately and I am going to miss this querkie special little girl so much. We have such a strong bond. She doesn't go to other people easily but she's always been able to be with me. Blakey is taking the change in his stride but I know he is going to miss his cousins and his papa and nanna. Orson is a bit of a mummy's boy so as long as mummy is around he'll be OK. Although I'm sure he will tell her he wants to go home when he's had enough of this new life.

I have been commissioned by an online store to do some projects for them and am getting right in to it. But it brings back how difficult it is to create on demand. Going to finish the work today and get back to having some fun with scrapbooking.

Last week I had such a great couple of days. I scrapbooked.......photos!!! Not my cancer journal but photos. With a group of friends we had a crop together at Tambi's house. I actually prepared myself with having kits ready to go (talk me all day!!). I finished 3 layouts and nearly finished a 4th. Stayed up until midnight scrapbooking. I havn't done that for a year!!! It was so good.
I stayed the night....sleeping in Isaacs bed while he was asleep on a couple of kids couches on the floor. However, somehow during the night he insisted we swap because he couldn't sleep. So, down on to the floor I went. Trying to sleep on these thin little couches. Then India decided to join me!!! it was still dark!! What was she thinking??? It was so lovely to snuggle up with her. She is such an affectionate little thing.
After not much sleep at all I went with Tambi and the children to school because India had dressup day. She was dressed up as Ariel and looked so yummy. Got lots of photos...of course!!! McKenzie..only 3..insisted on getting dressed up too. So we had Ariel and Superman!!!
In the afternoon Andrea, Sara and Carolina came over to Tambi's for lunch...so it was a very full day.
When I got home I was exhausted but so happy. I had a little rest. Finished off the layout and started on the online projects. I was on a roll. So, today I get to finish it all off, I hope!

Those twists and turns

Life sure does take its many twists and turns.
This morning our dear young friend Taliane passed away. After battling a brain tumour for less than two years. At 22yrs of age. Mother of a 3yr old and an 18 month old.
The past two months have been horrible for her and her husband Jon and their little ones. Now they have the tragic relief that it's over.
Very, very sad. God bless you Taliane.

I am now going to be driving up to Brisbane with Andrea and her children in a couple of weeks. Plans changed and I get to go. We'll have a two night stop over in Sydney at my sisters house. She and her husband will be travelling the world by then so we won't actually get to spend any time with her.
Once in Brisbane I am also going to spend some time with my eldest sister, Erna. I have only spent six hours in Brisbane.......went to a wedding and home the same night.....so am looking forward to seeing a little bit of some things.

Andrea is so excited about her new plans. She told me that since I had cancer she has had to depend on herself much more than she used to and found strengths that she never knew she had. And thereby being able to make the decision to uproot away from us all and believe in herself. I think that's fantastic for her that she has found that growth and is able to give herself this wonderful opportunity. I still feel sad, however.

That's it.....got some ironing to do.

My Weekend

These photos tell a little about what I got up to this weekend. Firstly, I finally asked Colin to take a photo of me without any headcover on at all. I guess I should have been aware that creating a collage in picassa mind mean that my photo came up twice!!! Never mind..it's what I look like now. White silver hair about one or two cm long. Kind of getting used to the colour.
I enjoyed taking some pics of our kittens. They are now a year old, so hardly kittens anymore. They are both cute and right now fast asleep in a warm spot in the house.

Just for a change (?) we all met up at Braeside Park on Monday (Queens Birthday) for a BBQ. Unfortunately the weather kind of turned against us, but we still had some fun and the children enjoyed playing outside. Especially climbing trees. Little Sahn is up for anything that she can climb.....even if she doesn't know how to get down. I love watching Harrison enjoy the outdoors. He does tend to take off in to the bushes though so he needs careful watching.
I was very really confused when McKenzie came running up from a distance when they first arrived. I was sure it was India because of the pig tails. But......no....it was McKenzie bobbing along. She is growing up so fast. I love the expression on her face as she holds her Papa's hand.
India is always ready for a photo.....a natural for the camera lens.

A family photo of Andrea and her 3 children was a bit difficult to get....but we managed....even if it's not 'picture perfect'.

The photo of Andrea sharing something with Blake was a real special moment.

Whilst we were preparing lunch Andrea nudged up to me and said "I'm moving to Brisbane!". Oh my.......I knew it was a strong possibility, but to have her say it was tough. In the photo she is telling Blake that they are moving to Brisbane to live with Mat and Keane (Mat is Andrea's boyfriend/partner - to - be, Keane is his 6yr old). The first thing Blake asked was; "Where is Orson going to live?" That was explained fairly quickly but it was pretty funny.
Andrea is so relaxed now. She has been agonising over this decision for weeks and weeks. Moving to Brisbane means leaving all her family and all her friends behind. She doesn't know anyone in Brisbane. But....she and Mat are really great together and love eachother...so finally yesterday morning she made the decision.

Of course.....I had to walk away as I burst in to tears. And....so did Sara. This is the first time one of my children is moving away to permanently live interstate. I am still like a mother hen with wide wings over my children. I can't spread my wings that far. It really makes me so very very happy for Andrea. She has had a string of nightmare relationships behind her and really deserves a break with a man who will cherish her. Mat will do that. He already does. But, selfishly, I want her to stay. I want my three grandchildren to stay. It means missing birthdays, and Blake's first day at a new school......and the everyday contact we have. It means that Sahnie has less people in her life who she trusts and goes to easily.

I can't help but remember that this time last year was when things began to unravel for me and my family. Different situation, but the enormous emotional drain, again. I am not superstituous and thinking that it's going to be downhill again. I guess I just really struggle with anything that opens the floodgates because I can't shut them so easily and I am so aware of how vulnerable I still am. So, Andrea is planning to move in the next school holidays....only weeks away. It's just going to be tough....again!!!! Somehow though I get through the tough times......learn new things about myself and my strengths or lack of!!!

Now, it's time to go to the podiatrist. Wish it was going for a massage instead!!!!!!

Thanks Ali

I'm really excited. I was just browsing around on the 'net' and checked out Ali Edwards' blog. She has this great display of a 'type drawer' with heaps and heaps of photos in it plus other bits of embellishments. I was just impressed with the whole thing.
So, following her prompts I googled 'type drawer' and instantly found one. It's just like hers and was selling on Ebay. It even comes with some history. It was made in 1890 and came to Australia from England.
I can't wait to make it into a great feature of photos etc.

So, Ali has been really inspiring me lately. Got my albums and pages organised and now I plan to 'copy' her idea with the type drawer.
Thanks Ali!!

What I've been up to this past week

I have been spending quite a bit of time with my grandchildren. Both Sara and Andrea moved houses. So since Thursday school pick up time till school drop-off time on Friday I have had Monty. And then Andrea's three children from late Friday untill Sunday afternoon and then again, Sahn all day Monday.
Phew!!! I am tired but.....I loved the fact that I could do it. I have a photo of Sahn in the shopping trolley...she is just not excited about the camera coming out these days. Orson finally found a toy to play with at his new home......everything else is in boxes!! And Blake was having a 'ball' (literally) in a bigger backyard. The backyard needs a lot of attention but we'll all get to that in a family working bee.

Colin and I went to The Temple last week as well. The first time I've been back there since having been diagnosed. It was so peaceful and beautiful and I always feel like I am 'coming home' whenever my eyes see this beautiful building.

Made some yummy bread rolls. In fact the bread maker is hard at work as I write this so I can make some more. Nothing like homemade!!!!!!!!

I finally took Riley to kinder and got some photos of him. He is growing so fast. He absolutely loves having a 'day with Nanna'. He asks to come over constantly.

And I have done a bit of creating. A card for Martins' birthday (he's gonna be 30!!!!!!!). And four more pages of may cancer journal. I am finally up to starting the chemotherapy treatment. I think I've done 18 pages already. It's so interesting re-reading my experiences then. I feel like I have woken up from a bad dream....and yet in my own words the whole experience is there.

Driving Monty to school this week he asked me two questions. "Are salt and vinegar potato chips a family tradition?" I had to laugh...I can't stand them but everyone else seems to like them.....so my answer was, "why not?" Anything can become a family tradition, right?

The next question was, "what is the oppositie of tomboy?" I thought the answer was a 'girly girl'....but no. He meant if a boy likes to do girls things. I couldn't think of any 'nice' terms for this one at all. So, we decided it wasn't good to label anyone at any time. Phew!! I mean I couldn't say some of the things that came to mind to a 7yr old.

Today I am going to do some more on my cancer journal. I'm kind of eager to get it finished so I can scrapbook some photos.
And, with that intent I had better get away from my keyboard!!!

Loved Freezing Saturday

It's been a busy week!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had a great day on Friday. A crop at my house!!! It was the best fun and so nice to be with others who love scrapbooking like I do. Some of my friends want me to start running classes for them from my house. Not sure about that! At least not yet!
I did get 2 single and 1 double layouts of Harrison done. Which means his grand total of completed layouts has now doubled. I am to keep doing some more of him....he is such fun scrapbooking material. Being nearly 2yrs old and getting in to everything....it's just the best!!!
I got a newsletter from the Scrapboxx last week and only just looked at it. Their design team is amazing. Loving the layouts......great for me to copy. I use up more ink on my printer printing off layouts than I do photos. Who needs magazines???
Wednesday I am going with a few friends to Paper2....introducing them to a bricks and mortar store. I am sure they will spend plenty!!!

I loved the freezing cold weather we had last saturday. Real 'overcoat' weather. I have been hanging out for this type of weather....hot chocolate, home made cinnamon rolls...happy family, a bit of scrapbooking, a good book. Love it all!!!
Saturday night we had tickets for a performance from the BYU Ambassadors at Kingston Centre in Moorabbin. This is a group of 70 young singers, dancers and musicians from BY University in Utah, USA. Their performance was fantastic!!! They sang and danced music from the 50's to the 90's. I hate to admit but I really related to the 60's music. Saturday, in the park......la la la la la...!
On Sunday a lot of the performers were at our Church meetings because they were billeted with member families. A small group of them went to the home of our dear sweet young friend Taliane who is dying from cancer. She is now blind....and is pretty much out of it most of the day. These young Ambassadors went there to sing to her and after they had been there I spoke with a couple of the girls and they were in tears at the amazing experience this had been for them. They are the same age as Taliane (22) and could so identify with this young mother of two small children, loosing her battle with cancer.
I heard later from Taliane's husband, Jon, that Taliane was just mesmerized. She didn't know they were coming until a couple of hours beforehand and it was an especially strong spiritual experience for them all.
Last night went to a Fireside(meeting) from our Church Relief Society......there were about 200 there and the speakers were so inspiring.
I am enjoying being able to go to these events again. It's been a long time. And...like everyone else....I love to be nourished spiritually as well as emotionally etc.

Today, I finally went and did the Drug Allergy Test at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. It was really fascinating how it's all done, and then watching for reactions etc. The culprit is what my aneasthetist thought it would be....one of the muscle relaxants!!! I may have to go back to have further testing of drugs withing the same family....to have a complete picture of the whole deal.
Funnily my mobile rang when I was only home a short while and it was Rod Taylor the aneasthetist....to ask if I had done the test yet. So I was able to tell him the little I knew.

So, in a space of two weeks I've heard from both the surgeon and the aneasthetist who were part of my whole anaphylactic episode.

Time moves on and it was good to be able to tell both of them that I am now in remission....and am hoping to stay that way with the help of the 'wonder drug' mabthera.

Another busy week coming up. Both daughters are moving houses and I am booked for some heavy babysitting duties!!!!!!!!

Enough is Enough

It seems like I'm right back into the 'everything is medical' phase again. Two weeks ago I had the shell of the abscess removed from my neck (the one that caused the serious infection earlier this year). Last week I had to go and have the wound checked...and tomorrow the stitches will be removed. So that's one thing over and done with.
Then it was for a blood test to see if my blood is still doing good.
Last thursday I had the first of my once every eight weeks treatments....mabthera it's called. Back into the day oncology at Brighton Cabrini. It seemed like I hadn't had the 8 weeks break at all. It's a funny feeling really. I am in remission but to keep me there I have to have this treatment so I really do remain a cancer patient for another two years.
Now I feel lethargic and a bit nauseous but nothing like what it was on chemo. And....hopefully in a few days I will feel better again.
It's like have chronic fatigue constantly. No matter how much sleep you get, you just don't feel that bright and alert.
Today I have been for a hip xray. My Oncologists thinks I may have arthritis in my left hip! How does he know....well it hurt really badly when I was sick with the infection earlier this year and as soon as I was back on chemo the pain went away. Chemo is a great drug for arthritis pain!!! So now I have to have that investigated.
It's all downhill once you're over 50......maintenance constantly!!!

Next week I have my drug allergy test at the Royal Melbourne Hospital which is going to be interesting. In fact the surgeon who had to abort the operation got in touch with me the other day via a friend of mine and then rang me as well. He said some really special and nice things and he still has a very strong memory of the all the events of my anaphylaxis cardiac arrest and never wants me to return to him for surgery.......then he said 'only joking'! But, he is a cancer surgeon so I really don't want to return to see him. A christmas card once a year is enough.

Had a wonderful Mothers Day. Grandson Riley(4yrs) wanted to come and cook me a mothers day breakfast because they had just finished a yummy one at home and he wanted me to have some too. How sweet and gorgeous.
We all met at Andrea's home.......everyone made a special contribution towards a yummy dinner and dessert.
The grandchildren were all in fine form and played really good with eachother...for a change.
I got some lovely, sweet presents. Shoes, lots of 'stuff' from dusk (love that place) and a gorgeous long knitted jacket in dark purple. I feel totally spoiled.

Havn't done any creating. Well that's not true. I did help DIL, Tambi last week. She is making an album for our son, her husband for his 30th. So she came over and I helped her put some pages together. Thank goodness for the cuttlebug and the cricut. I made yummy home made pizza for lunch. The bread maker makes the best pizza dough and it's so easy.

I've ordered some more scrapbooking 'stuff'. Some from the US and some from Aus. There was a I love Elsie paper that she first brought out which I really loved and once site actually still had some so I ordered a few sheets. And from the US I can't really remember what I ordered except that Ali Edwards latest book (been out about a year) was very cheap so I know I am getting that.

Have to buy some more Printblocks D Ring albums as some of my grandchildrens' albums are overflowing. Will have to go to Paper2 for them I think they are the closest store that sells them.

Number 11

I've known for a couple of weeks but wasn't allowed to spill a word........however....now I am allowed.

So, here is the spill. I am going to be a grandma again!!! Number 11...proudly sponsored by eldest son Daniel and DIL Carolina. Their fourth child.....and after having 3 boys already guess what they are hoping for??????

So exciting....I'd better get some of the recent photos of their youngest, Harrison scrapbooked.....I just can't keep up.

Exciting news though....whoopee!!

This is a card I made for Carolina's 30th birthday.

I really love the colour combination, pretty happy with this design

Then of course, I had to make a 2nd one because that's my 'thing' to do with every card

that I make

Some of my 25 albums that I now have...organised chronologically or individual for my

10 grandchildren. I hung tags on each of the d-ring binders to identify who or what is in the album.

Part of getting myself organised. Mostly everything is back in albums.

I did take pictures of the piles of layouts that I had, but I can't find them now. Maybe I accidently deleted them from my camera because they are nowhere to be found on my computer.

Oh well, I am not going to pull everything out again.

I just ordered some of the lovely birds chipboard that collections have put out. So gorgeous. I have also been drawing some birds of my own and also a butterfly or two.

I wish that cuttlebug were bringing out a bird die. Not tiny birds but medium size ones.

I also ordered some of the strong clear transparency that hambly have put out....got to get into the transparency book thing and have a play with it.

I showed it to Colin and he said they use that occasionally at work, and he will check out in the factory store room to see if there is any laying about.

He also had the guys at work make me some clear acrylic stamp blocks. I got quite a few smallish ones but several of each size. Because that way if I am using a couple of stamps regularly on a project I can keep them all sitting on the blocks ready to use.

Saved me a few $'s

Now that my big project of organising is done, I can get back to working on my cancer journal. I still have so much to do on that.

Friday I met daughter Sara at Southland and we went to see Maid Of Honour. It was a fantastic movie and we had lots of laughs. Had lunch at TGI Friday and had more laughs together. I love spending time with my girl!!!!!!!

Tonight we are going to Hobsons Restuarant in Sandringham to celebrate Carolina's 30th birthday. Love that place!!!

And...tomorrow is a family BBQ at Braeside Park so we can meet Andrea's Matt. He is from Brisbane and has come down twice now to meet her. She has been up there once and is going again later this month. Sounds like they are pretty serious...and in all likely hood she will move up to Brisbane. (can't cope with that thought right now!!!)

It's such a beautiful day today that I'm going to do something creative!!!!

Moving Right Along

Last time I wrote that I had taken up Ali Edwards' challenge to organise my scrapbooks. Well, I am nearly there!
It's been quite a job. Kind of fun seeing all my older work and wondering if I should maybe redo them....but it's more fun to leave them and just appreciate having learned more over the years.
Each of my grandchildren now have their own album. In fact some of the older ones are now on to their second albums.
Poor Harrison....the youngest grandchild only has 4 layouts done of him. Now that's really not good!!!!
I have chucked out some of my first actual albums which were looking pretty awful and thrown away a lot of page protectors.
Hence I am waiting for an internet order from Blue Bazaar for another 100+ page protectors.
I decided to count the layouts as I put them in to their new homes and I have done around 1,000 pages. Then there are the OTP things as well for gifts or to keep.
That's pretty amazing really. Imagine if each page costs around $10 on average....that's over $10,000. that's saying nothing about the stuff in my scrapbook room and the costs of albums and page protectors. Wow!!!!!
I am now ready to hang little tags on each album so I know exactly what is in them. No more pulling out each one till I find what I am looking for. Then I'm finished and ready to go back to creating.

Last week I went with my friend Sandra to see Kite Runner. What a movie!!! It plays out in Afghanistan and is an amazing,difficult and emotional journey of two young boys who start off as friends. We are so lucky that our children and grandchildren and ourselves too, have been or are being raised in Australia. What a blessing our freedom and our culture is.

Anzac Day we abandoned the idea of our traditional football match and went up in to the mountains to Sherbrooke.
It was a gorgeous day, really balmy. I just love the filtered lighting and took plenty of photos. Most of them of Harrison so I will have plenty of opportunities to create some layouts for him.
We had some lovely walks and we all brought lunch. It was so relaxing. And it was the first time since I had my cancer treatments that I have been on a day-outing with my family.
It sure felt good.
I was so tired when we got home.....but it was a wonderful, comfortable and happy tired.

On Saturday 3 of my nieces and a friend of one all came to visit. Two live in Adelaide and two live in Sydney. They all decided to meet up in Melbourne, and made a special trip down to see Colin and Me. Seems like none of them have changed and they are all just special and sweet.

On Monday I had an appointment to see the surgeon who took out the remaining 'shell' of the abscess I had. A couple of needles, 5mts in the chair, a couple of stitches and it was all done.
Now I just have to go back for 2 appts to check it and then to have the stitches out and that saga should be finished.
Yesterday I looked after Sahn and Orson for the morning. How cute they both were and so very good for me. I just adore my grandchildren.Although I did need a nanna-nap once they went home. That's not unusual cuz I have one of those most days....at least a rest for a couple of hours.
So that's where I've been spending my time....and now I need to do some ironing and get the bread maker started. Just love that smell!!!

Very Proud

Very proud of myself...because I vacuumed the whole house this morning. And...I spot cleaned some spots on the carpet. Once you start that, you see spots everywhere. Hoping to get some new carpet at the end of the year.
I havn't had the energy to vacuum a room let alone the whole house. It feels great!!!!! Never thought I would say that!
So, there's still washing to hang up, and there's a bed to make and then I am going to do something that Ali Edwards has just done.
I am just like her in that I have over the 8 years I've been scrapbooking just put most of my layouts in an album as I complete it. Or, brought it home from Scraptacular after being finished with teaching classes, or used for displays.
So apart from a Heritage, Christmas, About Me and Birthday albums everything is a jumble.
So, I am going to take all the layouts out and arrange them. My grandchildren will finally have their own album of individual layouts I've done and the rest will be organised chronologically. I hope I've dated my journalling!!!!!!
Like Ali I have some that are not 12x12" but they are going to be added in anyway. Makes for a different look...a bit of variation.
I'm going to 'stretch' out our dining room table which we never use....and start the piles.
I have about 7albums that are brand new and then there are the ones I am taking layouts out of so I think I should be good for albums. Page protectors....I have some but probably will need to buy a heap more.

I had my flu shot last week, and then found out that my Oncologist wants me to have the pneumonia shot as well. So, I get tomorrow.
On May 19th I finally go to the Royal Melbourne Hospital for my drug allergy test.
And next monday I see Nick Houseman the surgeon to get the shell of abscess removed from my neck.

Tomorrow I am going to see a movie I have been wanting to see for months. The Kite Runner. I have read a book by the same author as the book this movie is based on. It's quite a raw story, but very interesting. My dear friend Sandra is going to take me! Sandra and I have been friends for more than 16yrs. She's a lot younger than me but we get on so well. It's like we knew eachother before we came here. We can never just chat for 5mts. We have done so much together. Worked with the Young Women from our Church, taken them on camps and slept on the floor of an old railway carriage talking all night long. Planned great activities for the girls together and just became such good friends. Then of all funny things my eldest son married her husbands younger sister. So, we are related now! Which is the best fun of all.

Off to make the bed!!!!

What More Could You Want

Fresh flowers brought home by a loving husband and yummy home made bread!!!!

I love the flowers!!! The colour is stunning and especially love the bright green centre. They are such 'happy flowers'.

Flowers from Colin go back a long way. There was a time, up untill about 2yrs ago, when he never remembered my birthday or did anything special for me personally like going out of his way to buy something. And one day I decided to address that and talk with him about it. Since then he has never failed to make sure there is a vase of fresh flowers in the house. And I think that's especially sweet. He caught on to the message and hasn't forgotten it. And that is amazing for a male!!!

The home made bread....well now I bought the bread maker about 7yrs ago. I used it quite a bit at first and then started working and the machine sat in the cupboard. Andrea borrowed it for a few months and then it came back to my house to sit in a different cupboard.

For some reason when I wasn't well enough to cook at all, I got it in to my head that home made bread was going to be one of the first things I make when I can.

I saw some recipe's of yummy sweet rolls and scrolls some weeks back and it reminded me of my intent to use the bread maker.

And....I have used it a few times now, but the pictures of the loaf of bread is my first home made food since being sick. The whole house smelt yummy. And the bread tastes fantastic!!!!!

In fact that's what I'm going to have for lunch today. One slice is all I need...it's very filling.

A Bit of Work

So I have been having fun doing some creating. A few pages from my Cancer Journal that I have been working on. I think I have done about 14 pages now, and havn't even gotten to where I started the chemotherapy.

I am loving the bird and butterflies stamps that I purchased a while back, and also the lovely tag punch from stampin up. I am trying to add the stamps in one way or another on every page and also trying to include some ribbon on everypage.

It's hard work though because I am doing a smaller size, 8.5x11" and sometimes there is so much writing it takes up the whole page.

I made the cards because Sara wants one for a one year old girl. So I played around with some new Basic Grey paper (the mini ones from their 8x8" pad) and thought they turned out pretty cute. A bit different than my usual style.

Shouldn't have, but.........!

I have been such a villain over the past week. I have had internet orders arriving quite regularly.....more scrapbooking 'stuff'. I swore that I would use what I have first....but the temptation is beyond my strength.
And....I have also visited Paper2 just to have some fun walking around a bricks and mortar store. I also visited Paper Heaven... and for the third time been offered a part time job there. Not interested though!.
So, what fun stuff have I enjoyed buying? Stamps......great ones for cards and for scrapbook pages, some of the new Basic Grey papers, cardstock, and the new Scenic Route papers, and K&Co stickers which I find great for my scrapbooking. And...just 'stuff' I like or have to have or need!!!!
I really need to put the reigns on this spending...considering that I am not earning anything anymore.
I have done about 11 pages of my Cancer Journey journal. I am having a lot of fun with the embellishment aspect. Using a great bird stamp and some butterfly stamps and some ribbon. The 7Gypsies 97%complete stickers are fantastic as well. Especially the Gratitude one.

It's so good to feel energetic, even if it is only for 1/2 the day.
Had a good report from my Oncologist last week. My blood tests show that everything is returning to normal.
Today I had my second visit to the naturopath and start a program of detoxing my body from all the 'crap' from the chemo.

Things are looking good.

Getting used to driving my manual Astra. I feel like I'm a bit of a racing driver pushing through the gears all the time. Just find it difficult listening to talk back radio at the same time, like I used to. Still have to concentrate!

I found the manual for my breadmaker and am keen to start having the smell of freshly baked bread through my house.
Something that I havn't done since starting work 5years ago. And...I'm actually looking forward to a bit more healthy cooking and eating. Now that my appetite is returning.

Colin and I go for a walk everynight. We are now increasing the distance....but the pace is pretty slow. That's my fault! However, it's good that we get out there for about 40mts each day.

Loving the cooler weather. And the little snippets of rain here and there.

This week I'm catching up with Anita for an early lunch, and Robyn and Rosemary for lunch on friday. Can't wait to see them all and have a chat.
And, I'm waiting for Karen to email me back with a time for a morning 'coffee' (I don't drink coffee, but hot chocolate sounds good!). Hint,hint!!!

Yesterday went to General Conference. There were so many people there who I have known for umpteen years. I felt very conspicuous, wearing my usual 'headgear', but those people who I did get to speak to just hugged me and expressed their love and concern.
I was glad to get out of there though. Maybe next time, in another 3months when it's Stake Conference I might have a bit of hair.

It's starting to grow a little bit. Feels like soft baby hair and it's white! I'm going to have to cope with that colour for quite some time and probably stay blonde/white from now on.

A new me!

I just love Pt.Leo. The beaches are so wide and clean. The tide is very strong though and not for the novice swimmers on this side.
You can see Phillip Island in the background. It's great looking at the rock pools, moving little rocks to see what living creatures are underneath. I took some photos, and you wouldn't know that the image was through water, it was just so crystal clear.

I am sitting at my 'puter' waiting for a very special friend of mine, Jean, to come and pick me up so we can go out for lunch. Of course one thing I always do when I am just waiting is start surfing on the computer. Usually scrapbook sites!!!!!

And I have also been reflecting on the past week and realise that I am doing really good.

During last week I had some struggles with myself. I wasn't feeling particularly content and happy but couldn't work out why or what wasn't right.

Over the past six months I have been so unwell and exhausted from all the medical tests and treatment that I was reasonably content to be a blob on a log!!!!

Now that most of that is behind me I have this mental 'thing' that life should be bouncing and that I should be bouncing along with it. Which isn't happening. Understandably so, considering it's only been 4 weeks since my last chemo and 3 weeks since my last actual treatment. And even though I am feeling better, I have no where near the energy I am expecting of myself.

Also......I now have a whole new future ahead. No work!!!! Which is great, but also brings it's own challenges.

I am so used to a schedule, routine. So all the housework or other things that needed doing I would just get in there and do because there was never time to muck around about deciding when to do them. Now I have had 6 months of everyone else doing the work, and the cooking and I am slowly taking back the reigns. But, I am not motivated at all and reluctantly do what I have to. I guess that's partly normal. Reluctance to do housework!!!!!!

Anyhow I understand now why last week I was having a frustrating week, and I figured that I now need to start to Balance my life better.

I need to identify the important things I want to invest time in and start to do that. Even if it's only a small amount of time at the moment. I can build up later.

Last weekend Colin and I had to go to the Royal Melbourne Hospital. I had to have a blood test there. The first stage of my drug allergy testing. Colin said he'd take me cuz he knows the back way to get there.

Well, we ended up going via Port Melbourne and Footscray!!!!! Men!!!!!!! Just for a 20mt visit into the hospital! And he had the nerve to get annoyed that I hadn't checked out where the parking is!!!

Saturday we went to the Movies. We have quite a few tickets that have been given to us as gifts, but because I wasn't well enough we didn't get to go. We went to see the Spiderwick Chronicles. A lovely, fun movie. And it was great to get out. And.....to eat popcorn!!!!! It tasted good!

Sunday I went to Church in the morning. In the afternoon Colin (who wants any excuse to drive my 'manual' car) decided to take a drive to Pt.leo.

I love Pt.Leo. My parents used to take us there all the time and we did likewise with out children. On the way home we would stop at an apple orchard and buy boxes of freshly picked apples. We would munch on them all the way home.

It was just so lovely strolling along the wide open beach there. The tide was going out, there was a bit of wind and on the Surf side there were quite a lot of big waves still.

How refreshing to walk in the crisp clean air and listen to the waves crashing on the rocks.

It seems like forever since I have been 'out' somewhere that isn't to do with hospitals and medical appointments.

And...I even took my camera so there are some photos as evidence!!!

Yesterday was back to medical appointments. Had to see Nick Houseman, the surgeon who is looking after me for the abscess I had on my neck. He still wants to take the shell of it out, to prevent any future problems. So, that's happening in two weeks. Just with a local aneasthetic though.

And today I had to have another blood test, and thursday a check-up with Gary Richardson my Oncologist.

These medical appointments don't stay away for too long!!!

I've been a bit 'naughty' buying some 'stuff' on the Internet. I've visited Blue Bazaar and The Scrap Heap. I've subscribed to Paper Trends Cards magazine for six months. And I've purchased two older issues and the latest issue of same magazine.

I've got the new Scenic Route paper coming.......and bought bits and pieces of the new Basic Grey ranges.

Even though I have a million $'s worth of paper and things here already.

It's so much fun expecting parcels!!!! Although a bricks and mortar shop is so much better. Hmm......must go and visit one of those too. But, which one???

I'm also feeling like doing a class here and there so will have to find out who is teaching what, when.

Time to get some dinner ready........!!! Although I don't feel like eating because my friend Jean and I have been to lunch now (yes this blog has been done in two sittings, obviously!).