Christmas Joy

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

For The Memory

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

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

Just Waiting is Awful

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

Caught in the Act!!

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

Just my everyday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Weekend Away with Scraptacular

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

It's Moments Like These - Fathers Day

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

Ali Edwards

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

Kiwi Scraps

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

Back at Last

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

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

Lovely Lunch

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

Back at Work Again

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

A Lovely Quiet Day

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

The Bumps in The Road

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

July 4th

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

Counting Down.Orwas it Up???

What a day today! Do I keep starting all my blogs with the same thing? I am going to have to be more creative in my writing. Better get my Tracy White book out again.
I went back to the Doctor this morning after having been told he needed to see me for my chest xray results.
Happy news!! My lungs are clear! However........the xray showed I 'may' have signs of osteoporosis in my spine. Great!!!! I am going to become a bent over old lady any day now! So now I have to have a bone density test. Now all you 'young Mavis' read carefully. On this blog you will gradually become very informed about the 'natural or otherwise' ageing process. You will become familiar with all the tests and medical sagas that will unfold in my life and this information will prepare you for when you get to be my age. Arn't you all lucky to have this information first hand?
Had fun at stocktaking last night. At Scraptacular we closed the doors to all public at 4pm yesterday and we all started counting. Now we were all doing pretty good until Sarah came out with some outrageous remark and we all lost our count didn't we? Sarah is a lot of fun to work with. I love your sense of humour kiddo. Of course Tamay was chanting quite a bit. I think he may have been counting aloud in turkish. Not really sure what it was.
Can you believe we counted everything in the shop in one day. Including the back storage room. It is quite remarkable when you start counting as to how much is actually there. Phew! I'm glad I havn't paid the bills!
Today we had a family dinner at Andrea's. It was very hectic and rather exhausting. The kids....all 10 of them (one extra) were all crazy. It was fun though. It was in honor of Joshua who just turned 5, and Riley who turns 3 in a couple of weeks. But because they are expecting a new baby brother in a few weeks both birthdays were combined.
Well, time to go to bed.

Especially for Sharon

It's Friday evening. We are waiting for Andrea to call so Colin can go and buy some F&C for dinner. She is on her way back from Werribee after picking up Blakey who has been visiting with his Dad.
I have been sooooo tired today!!! Colin has had the day off. We had lots of plans (way too many!!) of things to do. We managed to go to DFO and then to Parkmore. Home for lunch and I had a 2hr sleep. So I feel much betterer now! Just finished the ironing which has been sitting looking at me for a few days.
I havn't been back at work yet. Yesterday I did do some classes layouts. I finished H&F and also Large & In Charge. Maybe that's why I am so tired today.
And...I did stay up and watch 24! But...I did not get up and watch the Socceroos. I did however get a text message from Tambi at 7:30 this morning with...'Go Aussie'. I think she might have been watching the game!!
Today I called the Medical Centre for my chest xrays results expecting to be told everything is clear however I was told that Dr.Burke needs me to make an appointment to see him. What the!!!! I can't see him till Sunday morning so now I am wondering what the dickens is going on.
Now, to the most important part of this post. My friend Sharon!
This remarkable young woman has touched us all! Her enthusiasm and her courage in the rather unknown world of scrapbooking is just amazing. She is not afraid to copy anything!!! Whatever she sees she has the courage to just take it off the original creator and duplicate it. She gets so enthusiastic with her accomplishments (as do we) and is actually considering establishing a company. The name of this company will be THE Copy Team. Of course Sharon will be the director, accountant and CEO of this company. In fact she will probably put it on the open market within a short time due to its already well known success.
Sharon I honor you and wish I could be just like you. Copying layout after layout!!! Could I please put my name on the waiting list as a member of your company???? Oh, I nearly forgot there is something else which Sharon does extremelly well. She is unashamedly seeking notoriety and fame so if anyone else wants to introduce her anywhere at all she will love it.
Enjoy the photo of the 'stupid Mavis' at Sharons house!! We always have a blast together!!

"Uhmmmmmm. Interesting!!

Time gets away from me when I havn't posted a new blog for a while. I can't remember much of anything exciting. Oh yeah!! I did manage to buy 30cans of dogfood at IGA on Saturday. Enough for a whole month and that way when it's on special again in a few weeks I can top up again. I know that you are 'all' very interested in this.
I had fun being the boss for Sensational Saturday. I enjoy being with all the girls and having a laugh.
However, as per usual for me at the moment I got sick again. I could feel that some bug was trying to worm it's way into my system and without much resistance it has taken over, again. I can't talk without massive coughing fits. And if I can talk my voice sounds like a mans. That's great!!
So the doctor is sending me for a chest x-ray tomorrow. As if that isn't bad enough I also have to have a mammogram at the same place. Ouch!! I have antibiotics again, and some days off work to stay where it's warm and cozy. I just feel very tired all the time and need to re-build my reserves a bit.
Apart from all those woes and 'poor me' things I have spent some time with some of the 'little people'. Andrea and Orson & Sahn on Friday. We went to browse around the shopping centre and I spent way too much. Sunday Colin and I met up with some friends that we used to associate with but havn't seen for about 25yrs. We had lunch at their home and it was great fun. Seemed like we only lost touch a year ago.
Monday I cooked an extra meal and took it over for Daniel and Carolina. They had a rough weekend with Joshua being taken to hospital in an ambulance in the middle of the night. He gets croup very badly and his breathing was sooo bad Daniel rang an ambulance and they had to give him adrenaline and rushed him to the hospital for some more drugs etc. He was fine by the morning thank goodness. Riley isn't well either so poor Carolina was wasted. A meal helped a bit.
Today I had Lamont to look after and we met Andrea and the kids and Tambi and the kids at Karingal movies and saw Over The Hedge. It was such a funny movie. I asked Monty what he thought of it and he said: "Uhm.....interesting!" What a funny boy!! But because i'm not feeling well we came straight back home and Monty and I played UNO. He beat me 3 times and he's only 5yrs old! Does that mean he is a fantastic player? Or does it mean I am a rotten player? Maybe a bit of both.
I have scrapped a little bit over the past day or two. Nearly finished Large and In Charge for a class and have done a couple of single layouts for Hard&Fast. I just find it difficult to get some time to prepare these classes. I can't seem to stay up late like I used to because I get sick straight away. It's a bit of a nuisance really. Maybe I'm just getting older!!
Well, that's it. I am going to watch Medical Emergency and then All Saints and then.......The Blanket Show! Never heard of it? It means to go to bed! Goodnight!