So Proud of...another 8yr old

A couple of weeks ago it was Blake's turn for his special Baptism Day. It was so good to see how happy he is/was and so looking forward to this great day.
Also great to know that this is something he chose to do and that the whole service and celebration afterwards was all about him. Being the eldest of 3, and Andrea being a single Mum ( and having a little sister with Autism) sometimes Blake gets a bit lost in the mix.
This day was totally about him and about having his Dad come from Tasmania and all his family, friends and cousins around him.

So proud of you Blakey

And in a few months it will be Joshua's turn! After that it will only be one a year, sort of. These first four grandsons are so close in age that all the milestones happen very frequently.

Sure is a lot to keep up with for scrapbooking..

Bootcamp 8-10

Well, I got to finish 10 of the 25 layouts for the Blue Bazaar Bootcamp.
It's been a lot of fun and given me a real push to do a bit m ore work on all those photos I have sitting around.
This challenge is going to be repeated in a couple of months so if any one else is interested in doing it....sign up to the Blue Bazaar newsletter and you'll hear about it when it comes around again.
I am going to keep going with the challenge just for myself because I've enjoyed it and I'm getting some work done.


Life is pretty much the same old, same old these days. Seen a few movies with Colin. Have gotten very used to having Colin at home which is comforting. He may be employed part-time soon, will just have to wait and see.

I've been having some fun doing a class at The Scrapbook Scene with my friend Robyn and sure like the classes on offer there. So have booked in to a few more. It's a lovely, comfortable place to visit and do a class. Just what's needed!

Bootcamp Layouts 5-7

Some more of the layouts for the Bootcamp. At least I'm getting some done....and......I am not printing new photos. I have so many photos I have had printed that I am making myself use these before starting on any new ones.

Blue Bazaar Bootcamp Layouts1-4

This is the first layout I have done of me when I lost my hair from the chemo treatment. It was always very confronting for me......but I'm OK with it now. At least my eyebrows and eyelashes were still there at the time of these photos!!

I got so excited about doing the Blue Bazaar Bootcamp Crop...but have really run out of time to do all 25 layouts (what was I thinking?) in the time aloted. However, I have done 7 so far and there is still about a week to go so I might get some more done. Even if I don't get them done in the prescribed time I am going to keep on going.

Riley Starts School

Granchild number 5 started school this year!! Riley Michael Blyth! He looks so tall and is bigger than his grade 2 brother! But...he is such a gentle soul and struggles a bit each morning.
You look great Riley!!!

Our LDS Welfare Program

This is what I was up to last Friday! Our neighbour Joe had called me over to his home to show me the huge boxes of tomatoes he had bought and what he and his wife were planning to do with them. They are Italian and love getting their pasta sauces and their semi-dried tomatoes organised for the coming year.
Well, I have had a bottling outfit for many, many years. My first one was an 'on the top of the stove' type and I used to sit up all night slowly preserving bottles and bottles of fruit. Then I progressed to an electric one which is so much quicker. However, it has been sitting in it's box doing nothing for over 10yrs.
Now the sight of all those tomatoes got me going to buy my own supply. A seventeen kilo box for $18 of roma tomatoes is fantastic.
I have boxes and boxes of vacola bottles and lids and rings........so I DID IT!!!
I now have 18 bottles of crushed tomatoes. And of course now I'm going to check out fruits to buy so I can bottle them too.

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) we are constantly encouraged to become self sufficient and have food storage in the way of basic needs (flour, honey, water, oats, canned foods etc.etc.) for at least 3months. Not an easy task but a worthwhile one. We never know when times of hardship may arise and that can be anything from transport strikes to loss of employment.

We are also encouraged to have a 72hr pack ready at all times. Something most people would kind of scoff at and wonder what the heck we need that for, and what's in it.
What's in it? = enough food for 72hrs, torch, batteries, battery operated small radio, first aid kit, water, small tent (attached on outside of a hiking back pack) copies of important documents in waterproof packing, medications. And more.
What do we need it for? = in case we need to leave our homes at a moments notice. This has happened right on our doorstep this past weekend.
If we have our packs ready......and that means rotating food regularly etc., we can at least be self sufficient for 72hrs.
Of course putting essential documents on a disc is a wonderful idea...less weight etc. And can do the same with photos.

Unfortunately Scrapbook Albums are not going to fit!!!

We call all of this program our Welfare Program and has served many people very well in times of hardship. And I for one am more aware than at any other time how important it is do follow all the guidelines to accomplish this.

Did I enjoy bottling tomatoes?? Not particularly....but I LOVE the result!!!

Silent Prayers

On Saturday I posted on my blog that I was over the heat. I had had enough! It was literally about me, and that I was uncomfortable.
That very same day a tradgedy on a scale never before seen in Victoria was unfolding. My post now appears so selfish and trivial as literally thousand of my fellow Victorians were fighting for their lives. Many didn't make it. Close to 200 people have perished and the police are still counting. Families with nothing left in the whole world but what they are wearing. People searching for family and friends. News stories that some people may never be identified.
The list goes on.
My heart and prayers go out to all of the victims of Saturday 7th February and beyond. And will do whatever is asked of us as a community to contribute to their needs and welfare.
And all the hundreds of volunteers, firefighters and others who are tirelessly still fighting these horrific fires my prayers and gratitude are with you all.

On Monday colin and I went to Shepparton to the canning factories. The Hume Highway was open and as we drove through the Kilmore area everything around us was a wasteland of ash. On both sides of the road for kilometre after kilometre. Dead animals on the side of the road. Charred remains of homes. Homes where the fire had come right to their door....but their homes were stilll there. A terrifying and emotional journey. As we were driving we were listening to 774 on the radio with the constant reporting of the devastation that was unfolding and we were humbled to silence.
What can we say?? As Kevin Rudd in an emotional interview said......there are no words. Just silent prayers.

Forty plus degrees...I'm over it!

Ohhhhhh isn't this weather just awful!!! Here we are facing another 40 something day and it's so windy outside. Just horrible and it's so difficult to keep occupied. Thank goodness for scrapbooking!!
I am in the process of making two small books (from bookboard storybooks) for Isaac and Lamont for the baptism memories.
Then.....when I've finished I am going to do the Bootcamp challenge from Blue Bazaar. I am stoked!!! I love the whole concept they've thrown out there and it's just what I need. Use 50 pattern papers i already have and complete 25 layouts. I can do that!!!!

I have a few interesting things in the pipeline at the moment. Not sure if anything will come of them but if any do it will mean some changes for me. Welcome and positive ones....and that's always good.

I had another treatment this week and got to ask my Oncologist some questions that were important. The main one being when do I actually finish my maintance program. May 2010 !! that's still ages away!
Cabrini Brighton has had huge extensions built and the Oncology is temporarily in a new part of the new hospital so it was nice to go there. Much bigger and brighter and great new chairs. I want one at home. They are so comfortable and everything is done by remote......! My Oncologist, Gary also has his consulting rooms in the new hospital now and they are 'state of the art'. Lovely skylights and great design.

I actually went for a job interview yesterday...but now I'm not sure I want the position.....not sure they will even offer it to me. I think my treatments every 8 weeks threw them a little and the position is actually more hours than first discussed. And right away I felt stressed about it.....and that's not what I want. To go back to a stressful life?? No way!!!

Colin is still trying to find what he wants to do. He's doing some Excell course at the moment....but doing it from home!! But that's OK! We are learning to be around eachother whilst still doing our own thing and having our own space and doing things together.

We have seen a few movies, again! Benjamin Button which I absolutely loved. Gran Torino which I hated. The Changeling which I loved. Marley and Me which I loved and cried through.

I feel like we are a retired couple by the lifestyle we are living.....but that might change yet...at least until we are older. haha!

Well despite the heat I am going to do some ironing with a big fan blowing on me. We don't turn the air con on until later so we don't draw on too much power.

Then it's off to scrapbook for a while. And maybe a little rest. After all I did have some treatment on thursday and that leaves me yuck and useless for a few days.

But yesterday I did something I havn't done in many, many years. But...used to do all the time.
Will post some pics next time!!!

Fun with Isabella

I really enjoyed making this layout. I think it's because I took the time to put in a bit more effort. It's still a bit crooked as a whole photograph......I'll keep working on that.
The papers are a mixture of Basic Grey and Imaginesce. The title is from a cricut cartridge called Storybook and the large swirl is also a cricut cartridge called Home Accents. Just loving both of those because they have all the fance birds, butterflies, swirls etc.
Isabella is not always an easy baby and has managed to wrap her parents around her little finger (like most girls!!)drops the bottom lip...and she's off!

Layouts of Isabella - grandaughter #4 - grandchild #11

Two layouts I have done of our newest little grandaughter, Isabella. She is 6weeks old in these photos. A gorgeous delicate little one.

Isabella seems to have the colouring of Colins Father's side of the family. Her hair is a darkish auburn colour and her skin is very pale. The pale skin is very rare in any of our children or grandchildren but especially with Carolina being Argentinian. Isabella's brothers all have golden olive skin...but this little girl is going to be different. A cute little doll.

I have lost my 'great' place for photographing layouts and am just trying out new spots. The problem is when I place the layout higher than me the photograph doesn't come out balanced in size. Oh well, you get the idea, right??

Proud of You Monty

Here we are....ready for Monty's baptism. Love your sweet and kind look Monty, although he doesn't look too involved in this photo below with me.....but he was having some problems with his eyes...very bloodshot and sore so I guess we can forgive him for the bored look.

Monty's Dad, Gareth flew down from Queensland to baptise him. Monty is so much like Gareth to look at. I love this photo of the two of them together.

Mother and Son.....Monty and our Sara. Such a proud Mum on this special day. I must say that Monty looks a lot chirpier than in the photo with me!!! Favourtism!

The baptism service was so lovely. Lots of family participating and a great feeling of 'togetherness' with some having come from Qld and NSW to be there for Lamont. He was pretty nervous....but as he did for Isaac....Joshua (cousin)_ assured everyone that "He's allright" after the actual baptism was performed.......and he was!!!!

Adjustments and some fun times too

It has been busy, busy here over the past couple of weeks. The normal school holiday busyness with grandchildren having sleepovers and scrapbooking or playing at the park activities.

Colin being home has created more busyiness.....I can't seem to find a routine. Now this is kind of good but kind of bad as well. All of a sudden there isn't any set days or time of the day to do things and I am finding that although it's been relaxing I now think the time has come to put my foot down a little more. Both with myself and with Colin.
We have been having meetings with our financial planner which takes up plenty of time for the actual meetings as well as our preparation for them. All of a sudden we are really faced with what we want out of life...especially financially. And if we are in a position to achieve that now, or if some more hard work has to be put in. It sure makes us look at what we can do without and what we can't. I guess that in comparison to a lot of people we don't expect too much which works in our favour at the moment.

We've been to the movies a couple of times. Saw 7 pounds with Will Smith. Fortunately I was prepared for the main theme because all the advertising doesn't go anywhere near what the story is about. Very confronting and emotional and thought provoking....and Will Smith played his role super, super good.
Also saw Bedtime Stories and Bolt with the grandchildren.

Currently, thanks to my girls, I am engrossed in Army Wives. Andrea bought the first series straight from the US....and now they have 'fed' me the 2nd Series on my memory stick. It's such a cool show. I also get Private Practise and Greys Anatomy and Brothers and Sisters and One Tree Hill from them so we are right up to date with the US. Technology is such an amazing thing!!!
The problem is.......I stay awake way too late at night watching these shows and then I am more tired than I need to be. It's fun though!

I have been scrapbooking a little bit. I've done one lovely page of baby Isabella....it's now in a frame hanging on the wall with the rest of the 'little people'. I've nearly finished a 2nd page of her.
However...today I did something I havn't done for 18months. I went to a scrapbook class. A few weeks ago I went to The Scrapbook Scene in East Burwood and had a little browse around. I've known Janet, the owner, for many years when she was a customer at my LSS. It was nice to catch up and have a browse around. I was impressed with one of the classes on offer and I booked in. So, that's what I did today......and it was great! I love the 'interactive layout' that I made, the teacher and other ladies there were all happy and friendly and I felt I have at last found a new place to enjoy a class or two in a relaxed and nice environment.

My sister, Marianne and her husband Lionel came and stayed with us last week. It was so nice to see them both again. It's been a long time...way too long actually. We had Monty's baptism on Saturday so they came too, of course. Then organised a family pot luck dinner for Sunday and we went out for dinner with just the four of us on Monday.....and I havn't laughed so much in ages. We just had so much fun together. After our dinner out we came home and played Balderdash....a board game we all love. This ended up in more laughter and craziness and it was so good for us all.
Family is just the best........close, extended, immediate....they're all irreplaceable!!!

Not to start we planned......

Thank you friends for your comments on my blog. I wish you a great 2009 for yourselves and your families.
Alison thank you for wanting to catch up with my layouts, I will post some soon. The birthday ones were pretty basic but I have some papers already spread over my desk to start baby girl ones for Isabella.

Well 2009 hasn't started quite like we hoped. Colin was retrenched this week. After working at the same company for 17yrs. So it's been an emotional kind of upheaval on top of which it was done the day after his birthday. So here we have been planning fun birthday things for him but at work they had been planning something a little different.
It's a good time to reflect on what he wants to do now. At least the drive from home to Altona each day can be deleted from his life. He has just turned 61 and so kind of looking at retirement in 4yrs or so (yikes!!), however he is now considering maybe part time work or something totally different.
I'm OK with whatever he decides. He has worked so hard all our married life and it's his time to plan what he wants to do now.
So, we're going to go for Chinese New Year at the end of the month to have another crack at a good new start to the year!!!!!

I've had a lovely week up until Colin came home with the news. Went to the beach for the first time in umpteen years, with the girls and the grandchildren. I got some great photos!! And no, I did not wear bathers!!! I did get horribly burn on the back of my neck/shoulders. I had no idea that when you've had chemo you have to always watch being in the sun because your skin cells have been damaged. So, I'm hoping there's no lasting further damage from the sunburn.

Sahnie came for another sleepover. It is so much fun to wake up with her....we sleep in our spare bed. Having autism she is such a quant unique little one and such a pleasure to spend time with. Andrea is a fantastic Mum for Sahnie and I admire her so much being a single Mum with three children. It sure isn't easy and she is now fully engrossed in learning everything she can about autism. And of course giving us, her family, a lot more insight into how Sahnie processes her environment. It's also confronting for her as she gets glimpses of the future. It's great that we are such a close family and can give heaps of support.

Tonight Monty and Romane are coming for a sleepover...that's going to keep us on our toes. Monty is 8 now and he is getting baptised next saturday. His Dad is coming down from Queensland and it will be an extra special day for Monty.

My sister, Marianne and her hubby Lionel are coming to visit at the end of the week, for a few days. I havn't seen them for over 4yrs now so am very excited.

And one last thing......I always catch up with Heidi Swapp's blog and am amazed that for such a very busy, busy person she blogs as much and often as she does. I love reading her adventures and thoughts.

Off to have breakfast and then go to Church.

My Word for 2009

I love the idea Ali Edwards has of choosing a word for each year. A word that means something to you...a word that can encourage and stretch you.
Last year my word was BALANCE.....as I was having chemo and getting sick from that as well as septicemia I really needed to find BALANCE in my days so that even though I was dealing with all of that negative stuff I could still find something in each day that was positive. Learning to BALANCE what I could and couldn't do was really important. As the months passed and my treatment stopped I then was able to BALANCE other things in my life. I needed to determine what to cast off from 'before' and what I wanted to introduce whilst still keeping a healthy BALANCE. It really worked having this word.......!!

This year my word is FOCUS! I chose FOCUS because that's what I want to do. To FOCUS on spending my time better (less computer games!), to FOCUS on service to others, to FOCUS on appreciating more, to FOCUS on positive relationships, to FOCUS on my scrapbooking from a different perspective than I used to. To FOCUS on my faith and how much I have been blessed and the powerful of Jesus Christ in my life.
In fact there is heaps to FOCUS on.......and that's what I love about this word a year idea.

I have actually scrapbooked two double layouts in the past week. Both grandchildren birthday ones. They are simple, they are bright and they are done!!! I found 19 birthdays in total that I hadn't scrapbooked....found pattern papers for them.....set them aside for when I have some time......and now i just grab a set and get started.
One thing I realise is that I just cannot possibly keep up with all the latest 'stuff'. I have so much to use and I am not allowing myself to buy anymore. I now have enough cartridges for my cricut to cover all my needs. I have two alphabets and other dies for my cuttlebug.....and I can't possibly justify even considering the MM Slice or more embellishments etc.
Adhesives and Cardstock is all I am allowed to buy!!!!!
Because......apart from the continual cost (which is not really good considering the downturn in our finances ie: supperanuation) I want and need to simplify my layouts and remember that Scrapbooking is about the photos and the story and to keep it Simple.
Even though it's tempting to add heaps of 'stuff' to every page often it just really detracts from the two main elements.

We had a great New Years Eve. Went to Martin and Tambi's with our family all there plus a few extras. It was a cold night though.......remembering the 40+ of the previour year.
We had a lot of fun....but then some other people arrived and it all got a bit awkward and it just went a bit flat. But that's life and it was OK.

Yesterday we went as a family to The Zoo. It was a beautiful day......the weather was just perfect. There were heaps of people there so it was hard for us all to stay as one group. I think we ended up splitting in to about 4 by the end.
We watched the Lions being fed.......they only eat 5 times a week!! Once they ate their food, one of them (they are four males all from the same litter) still had his and he was really flaunting it. This started a few fights and their roaring and aggression to eachother was very scary. We have a friend, Curtis, who actually works with the Lions but he was on holidays. He told us he will take us in to a closer area next time.....not sure if I want to get closer!!!!!

So our great day was fantastic.......and then we lost Harrison!!!!!!!! He's only 2 and in such a crowd how could we find him??? Everyone was frantic and ran in all directions calling him...I went to an exit and asked people to look outside, Daniel went to ask for an announcement over the PA system, Andrea gathered all the other 10 children because they were all running off to look for him, Carolina was in a panic as you can imagine.
After about 10mts, Tambi's sister Krystal called us on our mobiles...she had found him!!!!!! What an answer to prayers!!! It is such a scary feeling to loose a child in such a vast area. Every scenario goes through your head......and you don't know where to start.
So....from now on....little strong-willed and energetic Harrison needs to be tied to an Adult!!!!!

I have just applied for my Working With Children card as I am now working with 10 and 11yr olds at Church. I am teaching their Primary class on Sundays and today was the first day and it was so much fun. They are a great age and I can see we are going to have some good times together.

I have rambled enough....it's time to go and watch the news.

Family Christmas Day Photo

We didn't realise Harry was missing from the first photo so we made sure we caught him
for the second photo. And two photos was about all we could get out of this happy bunch.
Christmas Day 2008 - The Blyth Family

We had an absolutely wonderful Christmas day. It started at home with Colin and I watching Carols by Candelight.....this is a must in our home on Christmas Eve. And this year was just stunning and absolutely entertaining. As well, my favourite Christmas Carol of all is O Holy Night always brings me to tears. I love it! And I feel such an amazing gratitude for my Savior whose birth we celebrate at this special time of the year. His birth is such an amazing event and Easter is the reason why we celebrate his birth...because of his sacrifice for us. I feel so blessed to have participated in special Church services and Sacred Music Nights at our (LDS) church here and it sure helps to get the real magic of Christmas happening.

Being with family is the best thing at Christmas and again I am so grateful that no-one was missing.......!! (We thought this year it may have happened, but thankfully we are all united again).

Enjoying Christmas day through the eyes of little children helps me to focus on the simple things in life and to remember to find Joy in the Journey.

It has truelly been a special day because I am alive and well and able to enjoy everything with my loved ones.

Christmas Angels 2008

Some Christmas Angels have been visiting my house!!!

Monty, Orson, Blake and Sahn have been around a few times!!!

I've seen Blake and Orson

Andrea, Sahn and Orson(again!) have also visited

India peeked in the door!! But wait...there's more.......but they will have to wait for another post.

A Merry Merry Christmas

I just want to wish anyone stopping by my blog a very Merry, Merry Christmas and lots of happiness and joy in 2009.

I have been taking pics of my grandchildren with Santa hats on...while I can! Not everyone is co-0perative.....but I try to do it each year.
Other than writing out lots of Christmas cards, finishing Christmas shopping and starting some baking I am just coasting along.
This year Christmas lunch is at Andrea's house. The first time ever that it hasn't been at ours! She has such a great place with a huge outdoor area with lots for the children to do.
I am taking Blake and Orson shopping for something special they can buy for their Mummy. Blake especially loves to be part of the whole Christmas thing and would be horrified if he didn't get to buy a little something for his Mum. I'm thinking we're going to Dusk and The Bodyshop.

I have been able to get some great deals on ebay for Cricut Cartridges. I just had delivered the Home Accents one and it is gorgeous. Lots of swirls, birds, butterflies, decorative frames, flowers, words with swirls. Just beautiful. I think I have another 3 coming!! oops!!! But one only cost me $50 and others no more than $80. Pretty good deal!

Last week on Friday I had a phone call from Peter Gregory, the surgeon who tried to operate on my tumour but had to abort due to the anaphylactic thing!! He rang to ask how I was going, and said 'I will never forget you"...I think it's more "I will never forget the drama of that day!". But it's so nice that he stays in touch...still....after it being over 12 months ago.

Had another treatment last week. This one seemed to leave me feeling a lot more yucky than usual. However...today I'm pretty good again...just a bit tired! The good news is that I don't have to have another CT Scan until April! Whoopee!!! That is sooooo good!

I took some yummy cupcakes made by my friend Kathy, for all the staff in Oncology at Brighton Cabrini. Kathy put some angels on the top and they looked just fantastic. The girls there were so pleased and I felt good wishing them all a wonderful Christmas. They have all been so wonderful and kind and happy every time I go in for treatment. They really are angels!!!

Christmas Cards Part 3

This is my favourite card of all of them. I love the paper...which is metallic (well the top one is) and I especially love the doilly lace punch. I don't know if they are available here in Aus. I was directed to US Ebay by Claire and bought one there.
So, I have made lots of Christmas cards for this year.....and it's been ages since I have actually done that!! And...I've thoroughly enjoyed doing it all.
Now....I just have to write in them and post them!!!!

Christmas Cards Part 2

Probably my least favourite of all the designs I've done....but I've made eight of them so eight friends will be getting one. Actually I love the holly which is again from the Christmas Cheer Cricut Cartridge and the stamp of Merry Christmas in all kinds of different directions looks good too! I think it's the ribbon.....!!! Oh well

One of my favourite designs....I've really enjoyed making these. Especially using different pattern papers that I've had for ages. the tree is also from the Christmas Cheer Cartridge and the letters are Basic Grey stickers.

A close up of my favourite one from this design...added a bit of the old standby...Kindy Glitz!!

I think my most favourite of all my designs for this year. The lettering is Base Camp Cartridge and I used some of my very old, old metal rubons in gold over the letters.

Christmas Cards Part 1

The Wassail Card Kit from Basic Grey....just added a bit of Kindy Glitz here and there...they turned out really nice!!

I just got the little bird die-cut to use in my cuttlebug so I had to add it in somewhere on a card. It comes in three different sizes and is so very, very cute. I also used the Christmas Cheer cartridge for my Cricut for the "Christmas"word

A close up!!!

My 'copy/cardlift' of the Basic Grey card. I loved the design so added it to my card making as well.