Absolutely Ages

It has been quite a while since I added anything to my blog. I think I'm a bit over it these days and asking myself why I am keeping a blog at all.

Then I remembered all the benefit of having a blog when going through difficult times and how I was able to record all my thoughts, feelings and what was going on in my life at that time. Later I was able to refer back to all that information I had stored to create a journal of that time in my life. It was so helpful being able to do that. So, I figured that it is worth keeping on going with my blog.

What have I been doing? Nothing remarkable......everyday things!

Movies? - just saw Angels and Demons yesterday. Great movie. I love Tom Hanks as an actor although he is a bit controversial in his private life with his opinions on some things that I don't agree with and that has kind of changed my view of him a bit.

Scrapbooking? not a whole lot. I am finally working on my type drawer that I bought about a year ago. Mine has lots of very narrow long sections in it and so it's taking me a bit of trial and error to work out how to be creative with the whole thing. I am finally getting somewhere now. I have done a couple of classes at The Scrapbook Scene....which is always fun and I enjoy very much.
I notice through store newsletters and in talking to some store owners that there are a few online stores and retail stores being sold or closing. I guess that in this economic climate scrapbooking products are not really a necessity (although.....I could debate that point!), and I can imagine that sales etc. are down a bit.
It's still important to keep recording those personal/family memories - just have to figure out a way to keep the cost down.

Family? Always busy with my family. My darling eldest daughter, Andrea who is a single mother of three and has already had confirmed that her youngest daughter is Autistic has now had her eldest diagnosed with Aspergers. Quite a lot to deal with and poor Orson in the middle misses out a bit. So we are trying to have the children over for sleepovers at different times so she can focus on one at a time or have a day to herself.
I am so grateful that I am well enough now to be able to help her out this way.
Our other children and their families are doing really well. Isabella is 6months old now and so very cute. Time goes way too quick!
Sara is looking 'pregnant'! and has started wearing maternity clothes.....she looks so beautiful. In a few weeks she will find out if this baby is a boy or a girl.....can't wait to find out myself!

I had to stop going to the gym. It was taking too much out of me and my doctors told me to quit and just stick to walking. So every day Colin and I go for a 40mt quick (for me it's quick) stroll around the neighbourhood. I can only do it in the morning though!

My tests are still good.....and I am still having my 'every eight weeks' treatment. I do have to be very careful of infections because my lymphocyte count is much lower and always will be due to the damage from the lymphoma. So I'm hoping to not catch anything 'sinister' this winter.

I have been really enjoying reading again. I am devouring books lately and I guess that's why I am not getting as much scrapbooking done.

This week I am off to Geelong with my dear friend Robyn to the Kaiser Craft outlet and maybe check out the local scrapbook store and hopefully pop in to see our other dear friend Rosemary who has moved to Lara. It will be a great day........friends and scrapbooking 'stuff'. I'm looking forward to it.
Later in the month I am going to Paperific with Anita and her friend. 3 Dutchies together!!! Great fun......and hopefully some good bargains to buy as well.


I will try to keep up with my blogging a bit better than I have been.

In To Boys Pages

Riley at age 5 - taken last September 08. When I saw this photo I realised how much this little grandson has grown up all of a sudden. Papers I used are Kaiser Craft - they are really getting good with their papers. The tree I made copying ideas on Sassafras Lass papers the owl is Sassafras Lass as is the heart. The title is down with the cricut Graphically Speaking cartridge. Which I absolutely love!

Big brother, Joshua at 7 -playing mini golf. Joshie never changes......he is smaller than his younger brother! But makes up for it with personality and drive. We were playing mini-golf this particular day in September 08

The left hand side of a double page of little brother Harrison. These photos were taken Christmas Day 08. Harry loves the camera and is right in to posing with a different expression and then running up to have a look on the screen.
I again copied the trees and the owls from the Sassafras Lass range. I didn't have any left so just made them up myself. The little wooden embellishments are Sassafras Lass. The papers are a mixture and the frames are My Minds Eye.

Right hand page of our irrepressible Harry. I had a lot of fun coming up with new ideas for boys pages. Trees and owls instead of stars and arrows!!!

I havn't done much else interesting besides enjoying my scrapbooking. Have felt really tired though. This is all part of my metabolism having changed after Chemo.
We did go and see the movie The Boy in The Striped Pajamas. It is an amazing story of the jewish camps through the eyes of two eight year olds. Really pulls at the heartstrings and sure worth seeing.

Off to daughter Andrea's for the afternoon to watch the Anzac Day match between Essendon and Collingwood. Martin and Daniel have gone to the match and so the 'girls and children and Papa and Nanna' are going to watch it together and supervise the kidlets.

Easter 2009 Memories

Our baby, Isabella 4.5mths old

Lamont and Mckenzie with Daisy (Andrea's puppy)

Sahnie.....this is her I'm tired pose

Patiently waiting for......Easter Eggs - a 'bunch of cousins'

Easter Surprise

Here are my two beautiful daughters. One, Andrea is the mother of three gorgeous children. The other, Sara is the mother of 8yr old Monty and........she's pregnant!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah!!!! She has wanted another baby for so long but the timing hasn't been right for her and her partner, Maga. Now, they are in their own house and now must be the right time!!!!!
Baby is due next November.

Am I excited??? I sure am! Grandchild number 12......wow!!!!

Sara and Maga told us yesterday when we had our traditional Easter Monday get together as a family. A perfect time to tell us because we were all together and it just added to the wonderful day we were already having.

Easter is always a special time as we reflect on the antonement and resurrection of our Saviour. We also had General Conference and there was one talk given by Elder Jeffrey Holland that was so powerful. I was in tears.....and I am sure many others in the congregation were too.

Of course our family get together didn't go without it's usual mishaps. Firstly, India stepped backward off the decking and fell very awkwardly with her head landing on the edge of a brick. So a huge egg and a nasty scrape on the arm resulted in a lot of tears. Then just when the children were ready to start their egg hunt Blakey got pushed off the deck by enthusiastic cousins and landed with one knee on the ground and the other foot still up on the balcony. Ouch!!! So a sore knee and another nasty scrape on his leg and a lot of tears.
Then finally the kids all went to get their eggs!! Phew!!

Then we had two little ones with a loose tooth each. Exactly the same tooth.........in separate mouths of course. India tugged away at hers and then Joshua tugged away at his and out they both came!!!!! They were so funny watching them to see who could pull theirs out first.

I was exhausted when we got home but it was such a wonderful day that it was a blissful exhaustion!!!

Joshua Excells at AFL

Last weekend Joshua began AusKick - the junior clubs sponsored by the AFL. He's never played aussie rules before. He's played a bit of soccer, and is doing gymnastics but he wanted to have a go at AFL. As you do with little ones (7yrs) you let them try out things in the hope they may find something they really love.
Today is Joshua's first real game. Today he puts on his club colours for the first time ever....and walks out on the the footie field for the first time ever.

However, this is not just any footie field.............IT'S THE MCG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yep! Joshua's first ever game of AFL football takes him right to the hallowed ground of the famous MCG. The half time junior competitions that play when the big boys are in getting told off by their coaches. I think it's Collingwood playing today.
Talk about being an excited little boy. He's convinced we are going to see him on TV....but I don't think they show the little ones out there at half time....which is such a shame.

So in one foul sweep he has eclipsed the efforts of his Dad, Uncle, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather.

I just found it hillarious......good for you Josh!!!!

Still catching up

She sure knows how to work the camera with those expressions...Sahn

This photo above and the last one are a little bit wonkie!!!! I havn't yet mastered the art of stitching two pictures together so I just take the photo of the entire layout and crop it. Hence the 'dip' in the middle causing the pages to just be a little 'off'. But....it still shows them well enough.

I love the photo of McKenzie....love the layout too!!!

Our little island princess, Sahnie

I bought myself another Cricut Cartridge and it's fantastic for titles!!! It's called Graphically Speaking and has so many possibilities. Love it!!!

Catching up on some older photos

I have been really enjoying getting some layouts done. Still using some of the sketches from the Bootcamp but also just doing some of my own thing. I'm trying not to have any more photos printed.....but I did get a few done online just to check the quality. Not as good as when I do it myself!!! But cheaper!

It's been a busy month with birthdays and family days together. We went to a lovely picnic ground called Kay's Park in Sherbrooke on Labour Day and it was so peaceful and great walks in to the forest with running streams. Yep...there was water in the streams!!! The children loved it so much.
Every walk we went on Sahnie was at the front of the line. That girl is like a young african child who just runs and runs all day. We always joke that she's looking for her village.

Sahnie is doing really well since she has been in a specialized autistic program at Biala in Mornington. She is starting to parrot what we say or what she hears in her favourite DVD's. This can be a good thing to help her develop speech.
She also has been given funding to have an 'aid' for 5hrs a week at daycare. It was difficult to start with but she's so at home now that they put her in the Junior Kinder room, which is where she should be for her age. And she loved it. So, the good thing as far as her development goes is that the funding has been withdrawn for her 'aid' because she has adapted so well. She has been thoroughly tested and does not have any intellectual delays....just some physical and speech....and some of the classic tantrum events that are part of autism.

However, it just seems that she is really doing well and we can see the growth and development in her.

Colin is not working......I'm not sure if he really wants to. Tonight he attends a meeting in relation to doing some voluntary work so maybe that will be something he will be interested in. At least some things around the house are getting done. He has been such a fantastic help though. Vacuums the house, started ironing, cleans up after dinner etc.etc. Which has been a great help to me. More time for scrapbooking!!!

I went to a few more classes at The Scrapscene. One of them I took Tambi and her sister with me and they loved it too. The classes are great......everyone is friendly and relaxed. It's fun to finally sit in a class again. Something I really missed and used to enjoy so much. And it's often hard to find somewhere where the classes interest me and are a bit challenging.

I had a Cat Scan and other tests this week and saw my Oncologist before my treatment and all the results are good. I was given a DVD by the Australian Lymphoma Society and this had some concerning, conflicting information in it. So I've given it to my Doctor to watch it and report.....back to me. When it's to do with prognosis and treatments it can be pretty scarey if you don't have the facts right in your head!

Well, off to do some ironing...and maybe a bit of scrapbooking. I'm on a roll!!

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!!!!