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??
Monday, January 26, 2009
Layouts of Isabella - grandaughter #4 - grandchild #11
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??
Friday, January 23, 2009
Proud of You Monty
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!!!
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!!!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
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.
Monday, December 15, 2008
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!!!
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!!!
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
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.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Busy, Busy, Busy!!!
You guessed it....I have been so busy. Of course with baby Isabella came lots of baby sitting for me. Looking after three boys, 7, 5 and 2 for three days was quite exhausting to say the least. A lot of fun too though. But with driving to school and kinder and visiting at the hospital it kept me on my toes.
Harrison didn't want to meet his new baby sister and created havoc in the hospital. He is so strong at 2yrs old and we decided he wasn't visiting there again. When baby did come home he wouldn't have a bar of her.....he's much better now though.
So, for the next three weeks until school finishes for the Christmas holidays I will be taking Joshie to school each morning and Riley to kinder when he has morning sessions. Carolina is a bit overwhelmed with trying to get them all ready on time.
After I got home again from my house sitting and baby sitting stint I slept for two afternoons and then got really sick. My voice went, my throat went, my stomach went and I just had to nurse myself for about a week. I'm heaps better now, and have missed going to the Gym. I havn't been for two weeks now!!! I can't share my energy around to too many places at once so I had to be content to just take it easy.
Today Martin, Tambi and the kids came for lunch after Church and we put up our Christmas tree. It's so much more fun when there are children helping and getting in to the spirit of the festive season.
I have taken photos but havn't uploaded them yet....I will get to doing that.
One thing I have been really enjoying is making Christmas cards. I started off using the Basic Grey Wassail Card pack. You make eight cards from the pack and they are really basic so it only took me 1hr to make them all.
Then I made a Christmas Card list and worked out roughly how many I need to make in total. About 50 I figured so I have so far made 8 each of several different designs. Currently the last ones are waiting for one more addition and I'm finished.
I have stolen/copied/cardlifted one design from the Wassail range but the rest are bits and pieces of ideas from everywhere.
When they are finished I will take photos. One of the good things was that i used up some really ancient Christmas paper I had kept and hardly touched my new ones. Except for Figgy Pudding. I must have bought a pack last year when Basic Grey released it for Christmas...but never used it. Mainly because I havn't scrapbooked any Christmas photos for a long, long time.
And.....I just love Figgy Pudding....I think it's the nicest Christmas range Basic Grey have put out.
So...with Christmas nearly upon us I am so reminded of where I was this time last year. About to hear that my cancer was Stage 3 and a couple of days off starting my first Chemo. I remember how rotten I felt throughout the summer and the warmer weather and my clothes are a constant reminder. In fact I have at least one t-shirt I just can't wear because of it's association with my cancer.
I know in the US they have just had Thanksgiving and that is something I wish we had here. A time where we focus entirely on what we are grateful and thankful for.
I have so much.......that mere words are not sufficient to express how I feel. I am so thankful to be here for this Christmas to share this with my family, to have more time for my family, to be there for them as they were for me. I have amazing friends. Some whom I have only known for a short while, others whom I've known for many, many years. Each one of them is precious and from each one of them I learn and grow.
Last year was a horrible year, the start of this year wasn't much better....but as the year has progressed and we are in the last calendar month I understand and see where I was and where I am now....and I feel content, and I feel happy, and I feel so very, very blessed. And, yes I AM THANKFUL.
Harrison didn't want to meet his new baby sister and created havoc in the hospital. He is so strong at 2yrs old and we decided he wasn't visiting there again. When baby did come home he wouldn't have a bar of her.....he's much better now though.
So, for the next three weeks until school finishes for the Christmas holidays I will be taking Joshie to school each morning and Riley to kinder when he has morning sessions. Carolina is a bit overwhelmed with trying to get them all ready on time.
After I got home again from my house sitting and baby sitting stint I slept for two afternoons and then got really sick. My voice went, my throat went, my stomach went and I just had to nurse myself for about a week. I'm heaps better now, and have missed going to the Gym. I havn't been for two weeks now!!! I can't share my energy around to too many places at once so I had to be content to just take it easy.
Today Martin, Tambi and the kids came for lunch after Church and we put up our Christmas tree. It's so much more fun when there are children helping and getting in to the spirit of the festive season.
I have taken photos but havn't uploaded them yet....I will get to doing that.
One thing I have been really enjoying is making Christmas cards. I started off using the Basic Grey Wassail Card pack. You make eight cards from the pack and they are really basic so it only took me 1hr to make them all.
Then I made a Christmas Card list and worked out roughly how many I need to make in total. About 50 I figured so I have so far made 8 each of several different designs. Currently the last ones are waiting for one more addition and I'm finished.
I have stolen/copied/cardlifted one design from the Wassail range but the rest are bits and pieces of ideas from everywhere.
When they are finished I will take photos. One of the good things was that i used up some really ancient Christmas paper I had kept and hardly touched my new ones. Except for Figgy Pudding. I must have bought a pack last year when Basic Grey released it for Christmas...but never used it. Mainly because I havn't scrapbooked any Christmas photos for a long, long time.
And.....I just love Figgy Pudding....I think it's the nicest Christmas range Basic Grey have put out.
So...with Christmas nearly upon us I am so reminded of where I was this time last year. About to hear that my cancer was Stage 3 and a couple of days off starting my first Chemo. I remember how rotten I felt throughout the summer and the warmer weather and my clothes are a constant reminder. In fact I have at least one t-shirt I just can't wear because of it's association with my cancer.
I know in the US they have just had Thanksgiving and that is something I wish we had here. A time where we focus entirely on what we are grateful and thankful for.
I have so much.......that mere words are not sufficient to express how I feel. I am so thankful to be here for this Christmas to share this with my family, to have more time for my family, to be there for them as they were for me. I have amazing friends. Some whom I have only known for a short while, others whom I've known for many, many years. Each one of them is precious and from each one of them I learn and grow.
Last year was a horrible year, the start of this year wasn't much better....but as the year has progressed and we are in the last calendar month I understand and see where I was and where I am now....and I feel content, and I feel happy, and I feel so very, very blessed. And, yes I AM THANKFUL.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
And the baby is.....................
A LITTLE GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ISABELLA BEATRIZ (middle name after Carolina's Mum who passed away almost exactly 4yrs ago)
How exciting for Dan and Carolina after having 3 boys to finally have a placid and calm little girl. She's placid and calm at the moment.
Isabella was born at 4:25am this morning.....and I havn't had much sleep so that's what I am going to do right now before going to the hospital to introduce myself to my new grandaughter!
ciao
ISABELLA BEATRIZ (middle name after Carolina's Mum who passed away almost exactly 4yrs ago)
How exciting for Dan and Carolina after having 3 boys to finally have a placid and calm little girl. She's placid and calm at the moment.
Isabella was born at 4:25am this morning.....and I havn't had much sleep so that's what I am going to do right now before going to the hospital to introduce myself to my new grandaughter!
ciao
Monday, November 17, 2008
AWOL
What a week it's been!!!! Actually going back to two weekends ago (whilst I'm trying to remember what I've been up to!). Colin and I went to see Nights in Rodanthe. I've read the book of it some time ago and really enjoyed it so we went to see the movie. It's so lovely and romantic and emotional. Boy was it emotional!!!!! In fact one of the characters who is really only referred to throughout the movie had the same experience I did in having an allergic reaction to an anaesthetic drug...she died however. But it just really had a big impact on me and afterwards in the carpark I just broke down and had this massive sobbing session, whilst trying to laugh at myself at the same time. Very exhausting!!!!
On Sunday last weekend 6 of our grandchildren were participating in a childrens program at Church so we went to Cranbourne Chapel for Sacrament Meeting. It is so beautiful hearing the children speak their parts and sing the songs. India loves being on show, McKenzie decided not to participate at all. Isaac looked like he'd rather have been surfing or something, Blakey sang his heart out and really got in to it, Monty sang a bit but yawned a lot more and Orson......was to shy and just dropped to the floor. Such fun!!
I've bumped in to a few 'old friends' this past week, friends I knew from my Scraptacular days. Glenda and Nicole it was so lovely to see you and have a chat for a while.
I've been really busy, trying to get organised for Christmas. I've so far made 24 Christmas Cards. I bought the Wassail (Basic Grey) Christmas Card Kit and enjoyed kicking off with making them. Then I made 8 each of two different designs using up all my really old Christmas paper scraps. They all look the same but different because I've used different papers and different card colours. Will post some photos later.
Then of course we had the horrible house fire across the road. Workmen have been taking all the tiles off the roof and you can see how black it all is inside the roof throughout the house. It's a lot of damage.
And...the morning this all happened I saw and fed our two kittens Bizkit and Balou. However as the day progressed only Balou showed up now and then. By evening and especially the next morning we couldn't find Bizkit anywhere. We went looking all over the place and I was getting really worried because the weather was hot, and hot again on Thursday, then storms and rain on Friday and still no Bizkit. We really thought we would never see her again which was really sad because we are really attached to both of our kittens.
I printed off some flyers with her picture on it and put them in letterboxes in our street.
Come Sunday morning about 6am we hear this constant wailing meowing at the front door and
there is Bizkit. She rushed inside with heaps of loud meowing...we fed her and she wanted to eat but at the same time she was so excited to be home that she wanted to purr, meow and eat at the same time.
She didn't show any signs of trauma, or looked bedraggled from the weather at all. We think someone may have seen her and decided she would make a nice pet....then got our flyer and let her go.
Whatever....she found her way back home and is happy and content. The funny thing is that Balou was quite happy that she was gone! She was way more affectionate and loving...and now that Bizkit is back she seems very put out. Typical girl!!!
Still no new baby grandchild. This is the first time that Carolina has gone past 38 weeks. She has an appointment on Thursday and if she makes it to that they will make another one for the following week and possibly induce her that day.....if she makes it to then.
I've been ready for so long I've kind of forgotten about being ready...if that makes sense!!!!
We went to Lazy Moe's for dinner on Saturday with a large group of friends. I didn't like it much at all. The meals were obscenely huge and not great quality. Fun to socialise with friends though.
Have a very few busy weeks coming up. Babysitting and activities...some more work to do for a friend. I've just completed my second lot of 'creations' for her and she loves them....it's nice to dabble in my favourite hobby and earn a dollar or two.
Little Sahn has now officially been diagnosed as Autistic. She is now under a paediatrician in Frankston who has a downs syndrome child of his own, so he knows the difficulties and the best sources of help.
Sahnie is being referred to a speech therapist and a physiotherapist and again on the waiting list for other intervention programs.
She is such a beautiful, loving and gentle girl. Except when she gets frustrated because she can't communicate. There are things we know for sure though....she hates loud noises, she hates birthday cakes and singing happy birthday, she hates shopping.......she tucks herself in to bed if it all gets to be too much. And...we all love her to pieces. She is so adored by our entire family and although she will only be really comfortable to spend time with some of us, she at least gets forced to socialise a bit when we all get together.
This week.....another busy week. Grandparents day at Rileys kinder and babysitting ...surprise!!!
On Sunday last weekend 6 of our grandchildren were participating in a childrens program at Church so we went to Cranbourne Chapel for Sacrament Meeting. It is so beautiful hearing the children speak their parts and sing the songs. India loves being on show, McKenzie decided not to participate at all. Isaac looked like he'd rather have been surfing or something, Blakey sang his heart out and really got in to it, Monty sang a bit but yawned a lot more and Orson......was to shy and just dropped to the floor. Such fun!!
I've bumped in to a few 'old friends' this past week, friends I knew from my Scraptacular days. Glenda and Nicole it was so lovely to see you and have a chat for a while.
I've been really busy, trying to get organised for Christmas. I've so far made 24 Christmas Cards. I bought the Wassail (Basic Grey) Christmas Card Kit and enjoyed kicking off with making them. Then I made 8 each of two different designs using up all my really old Christmas paper scraps. They all look the same but different because I've used different papers and different card colours. Will post some photos later.
Then of course we had the horrible house fire across the road. Workmen have been taking all the tiles off the roof and you can see how black it all is inside the roof throughout the house. It's a lot of damage.
And...the morning this all happened I saw and fed our two kittens Bizkit and Balou. However as the day progressed only Balou showed up now and then. By evening and especially the next morning we couldn't find Bizkit anywhere. We went looking all over the place and I was getting really worried because the weather was hot, and hot again on Thursday, then storms and rain on Friday and still no Bizkit. We really thought we would never see her again which was really sad because we are really attached to both of our kittens.
I printed off some flyers with her picture on it and put them in letterboxes in our street.
Come Sunday morning about 6am we hear this constant wailing meowing at the front door and
there is Bizkit. She rushed inside with heaps of loud meowing...we fed her and she wanted to eat but at the same time she was so excited to be home that she wanted to purr, meow and eat at the same time.
She didn't show any signs of trauma, or looked bedraggled from the weather at all. We think someone may have seen her and decided she would make a nice pet....then got our flyer and let her go.
Whatever....she found her way back home and is happy and content. The funny thing is that Balou was quite happy that she was gone! She was way more affectionate and loving...and now that Bizkit is back she seems very put out. Typical girl!!!
Still no new baby grandchild. This is the first time that Carolina has gone past 38 weeks. She has an appointment on Thursday and if she makes it to that they will make another one for the following week and possibly induce her that day.....if she makes it to then.
I've been ready for so long I've kind of forgotten about being ready...if that makes sense!!!!
We went to Lazy Moe's for dinner on Saturday with a large group of friends. I didn't like it much at all. The meals were obscenely huge and not great quality. Fun to socialise with friends though.
Have a very few busy weeks coming up. Babysitting and activities...some more work to do for a friend. I've just completed my second lot of 'creations' for her and she loves them....it's nice to dabble in my favourite hobby and earn a dollar or two.
Little Sahn has now officially been diagnosed as Autistic. She is now under a paediatrician in Frankston who has a downs syndrome child of his own, so he knows the difficulties and the best sources of help.
Sahnie is being referred to a speech therapist and a physiotherapist and again on the waiting list for other intervention programs.
She is such a beautiful, loving and gentle girl. Except when she gets frustrated because she can't communicate. There are things we know for sure though....she hates loud noises, she hates birthday cakes and singing happy birthday, she hates shopping.......she tucks herself in to bed if it all gets to be too much. And...we all love her to pieces. She is so adored by our entire family and although she will only be really comfortable to spend time with some of us, she at least gets forced to socialise a bit when we all get together.
This week.....another busy week. Grandparents day at Rileys kinder and babysitting ...surprise!!!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We all got woken up early this morning with what sounded like a door banging followed by some booms!! Colin went outside and our neightbours across the streets house was on FIRE!!! The whole garage was up in flames....the flames were huge and kept bursting through the garage door as well. It took a good 15mts for the fire brigade to arrive. Eventually they cut through the garage door and got to finally put it all out. We thought it was just the garage but talking to the owners this morning no-one was allowed back in the house because the fire had gotten into the heating ducts.....which were then weighed down and the ceiling was collapsing inside. there's heaps of water damage as well. Poor family....everyone got out safely which is the most important.
Our whole neighbourhood was out making arrangements for the kids, clothes for all the family etc.
What a night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Brothers
Here is Harrison - behind bars. He sure looks cute - our little mister dynamite. Such a typical 2yr old, very active boy. We are all wondering how he is going to cope with a new baby in the house. He is sensing that something is changing and he is just a bit unsure right now. Well, baby is going to come any day and I'm sure he will love 'it' - eventually.
Joshua is so proud of his Ben10 watch - it does have a more 'technical' name but I don't remember what it is.
Riley just wanted to make cupcakes with Nanna and he did a great job....very messy but that's half the fun.
Harrison kept trying to grab one.......Riley was very protective of his cupcakes and had to take them home!!!
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Catching Up.....Easter 07
This is Harrisons first Easter, the day orson learned to ride a 2 wheeler (with training wheels!) with cousin Isaac riding close by to help him learn the ropes, McKenzie looking like Miss Independent (and 18months later she has certainly grown in to that title), Sahnie is crawling around everywhere closely followed by cousin India.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Anniversary
It's anniversary time!!!
Firstly, it was my wedding Anniversay on Friday. 38yrs!!! Yikes!!!! We actually had a lovely relaxed day together. Colin and I went and did a bit of shopping and then went out in the evening. It was really casual but just nice enough.
Today (Sunday) is my first anniversary. It's been exactly one year today that my life was saved!! One year today that I went to hospital for a simple lymphnode biopsy and ended up with all sorts of dramas. One year today that I was given a clean canvas, to have the opportunity and blessing of making big, big changes in my life. To plan a more balanced life.
And...I have looked back with much reflection over the past 12 months and changes I have made and where I am now in comparison to twelve months ago.
It's been the hardest twelve months I have ever lived and yet so much good has come from it all. And decisions and changes that I have made have worked. I am in a good place. I am reasonably healthy...(I certainly don't complain about every sniffle and headache), I have an amazing family and wonderful friends. I still enjoy my scrapbooking hobbie but am not 'obsessed' like I used to be. I am able to 'be in the moment' and appreciate it much more. My faith has increased a hundred fold and 'life is good'.
I also had my first haircut. A proper haircut. My hair actually has a bit of style. It's still pretty short but I can actually do a little bit with it now.
The past week has been full of babysitting. One day after another, and another. All different grandchildren...but it has worn me out just a bit. Had a 'big' sleep today....actually for about four hours.
Alison, thank you for your comment on my last post. I did go to the site that you suggested!!! What a gorgeous baby album Pip is making. Takes commitment to do that everyday! But, I like the idea of doing it about myself and my family. So, might have to look up where she got the book from.
I was naughty...I ordered one of her paper packs!!!!
Well, we have hardly eaten today and Colin is starving which means I need to get off the computer and into the kitchen.
Thanks for stopping by
Firstly, it was my wedding Anniversay on Friday. 38yrs!!! Yikes!!!! We actually had a lovely relaxed day together. Colin and I went and did a bit of shopping and then went out in the evening. It was really casual but just nice enough.
Today (Sunday) is my first anniversary. It's been exactly one year today that my life was saved!! One year today that I went to hospital for a simple lymphnode biopsy and ended up with all sorts of dramas. One year today that I was given a clean canvas, to have the opportunity and blessing of making big, big changes in my life. To plan a more balanced life.
And...I have looked back with much reflection over the past 12 months and changes I have made and where I am now in comparison to twelve months ago.
It's been the hardest twelve months I have ever lived and yet so much good has come from it all. And decisions and changes that I have made have worked. I am in a good place. I am reasonably healthy...(I certainly don't complain about every sniffle and headache), I have an amazing family and wonderful friends. I still enjoy my scrapbooking hobbie but am not 'obsessed' like I used to be. I am able to 'be in the moment' and appreciate it much more. My faith has increased a hundred fold and 'life is good'.
I also had my first haircut. A proper haircut. My hair actually has a bit of style. It's still pretty short but I can actually do a little bit with it now.
The past week has been full of babysitting. One day after another, and another. All different grandchildren...but it has worn me out just a bit. Had a 'big' sleep today....actually for about four hours.
Alison, thank you for your comment on my last post. I did go to the site that you suggested!!! What a gorgeous baby album Pip is making. Takes commitment to do that everyday! But, I like the idea of doing it about myself and my family. So, might have to look up where she got the book from.
I was naughty...I ordered one of her paper packs!!!!
Well, we have hardly eaten today and Colin is starving which means I need to get off the computer and into the kitchen.
Thanks for stopping by
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Not Again?
I clearly remember my Oncologist telling me at my first visit to him that 1 in 3 people will have some type of cancer in their lifetime. At the time it shocked me. However, having been exposed to a lot of wonderful people in Oncology wards I became used to the idea.
And of course having lost two very dear and very young friends in less than 6months has also been devastating and at the same time verifying the statistics.
Today I found out that another dear friend of mine has breast cancer. Terry is the bravest woman I have ever met. She is in her early 3o's with two beautiful young daughters and a very supportive husband. In fact if you are ever in Thrift Park at Mentone you may have seen Terry. Terry is in a wheel chair and often manages to get to the shops at Mentone because it's close to her home. Often you will see her giving one of her daughters a ride with her.
When Terry was 12 she had a tumour in her back. Surgeons operating severed her spinal cord and left her a paraplegic. She still had to endure a great deal of radiation and chemotherapy as well as coming to terms with never being able to walk again.
Over time she met her husband and amazingly had two beautiful daughters. Not without complications...but everything has been going really great for them.
And now...another hurdle.
One of Terry's problems is that Oncologists are reluctant to give her any further radiation because of the amount she has already had in the past. So she is having some very radical surgery on friday.
At Church, our entire congregation have been asked to fast and pray for her and for the success of her operation.
This was all done for me too, when I was having my hurdles and I felt the power of prayer so profoundly throughout the journey. However, there is always the fact that perhaps what we are asking for isn't meant to be and our faith and trust in a loving Heavenly Father needs to allow for those possibilities. Not our will, but thine.
Today has been one of lots of reflection and pondering for me. And I hope that in whatever way I am needed I can be there for Terry, like so many were for me.
And of course having lost two very dear and very young friends in less than 6months has also been devastating and at the same time verifying the statistics.
Today I found out that another dear friend of mine has breast cancer. Terry is the bravest woman I have ever met. She is in her early 3o's with two beautiful young daughters and a very supportive husband. In fact if you are ever in Thrift Park at Mentone you may have seen Terry. Terry is in a wheel chair and often manages to get to the shops at Mentone because it's close to her home. Often you will see her giving one of her daughters a ride with her.
When Terry was 12 she had a tumour in her back. Surgeons operating severed her spinal cord and left her a paraplegic. She still had to endure a great deal of radiation and chemotherapy as well as coming to terms with never being able to walk again.
Over time she met her husband and amazingly had two beautiful daughters. Not without complications...but everything has been going really great for them.
And now...another hurdle.
One of Terry's problems is that Oncologists are reluctant to give her any further radiation because of the amount she has already had in the past. So she is having some very radical surgery on friday.
At Church, our entire congregation have been asked to fast and pray for her and for the success of her operation.
This was all done for me too, when I was having my hurdles and I felt the power of prayer so profoundly throughout the journey. However, there is always the fact that perhaps what we are asking for isn't meant to be and our faith and trust in a loving Heavenly Father needs to allow for those possibilities. Not our will, but thine.
Today has been one of lots of reflection and pondering for me. And I hope that in whatever way I am needed I can be there for Terry, like so many were for me.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
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