Out with the old.. in with....

Veronica... my very brand new smelling straight from the box computer...

Yesterday i had nothing but trouble with my computer where it was freezing continually and giving me nothing but grief.. after Matt emailing me at work and saying he would like to talk to me when he got home about getting me a new one (my old one was hand me down that has been nothing but naughtiness since i got it) the last thing i expected the minute he walked in the door was to be piled into the car and taken off computer shopping while the house was sprayed for spiders..

I don't know exactly why Matt called the computer Veronica... but.. the name has kind of stuck now.. though knowing him it was for some pervy reason like girls playing with girls or something.. i guess what ever floats his boat.. I'm not complaining... since.. well... veronica is all mine mine mine... (insert wicked laughter).. Not only though did i get Veronica but i got her friend, a brand new not yet nicknamed photo quality scanner and printer (which again, Matt was the first to play with)... aren't i just too spoilt!?

She is now 5 hours old and the very first thing i have done on her is blogged... have to get my priorities right.. right!?

"Why on earth is she 5 hours old and your only just now playing with her!!" i hear you ask!?

well... tonight was Froggy Todds first Cyber Crop, and as much as i was teased by Matt and the neighbour ripping open cardboard boxes and letting that new smell waft my way, i had a cyber crop to run... for all the teasing and time away from veronica though, i have to say... it was a great night..
Now though, i must kiss Veronica good night and tuck her in.. i have to go to bed.
I love my man ... i love my new friends...

good night
~hugs n kisses~

It ain't easy be'in GREEN...

I'm so so so loving my new blog... its randomness and colours i think are just totally me and where i'm at lately... i think it would be what the inside of my head would look like if we were to take a peek at the moment... not green of course.. that would be a little icky, if not totally worrisome... ewww... but simply the scribbly random busy-ness of everything... if nothing else, it looks like my desk at the moment... a total creative mess! ~LOL~

I still have some things that i have to finish, change or create for my work in progress... but... for today, this will do..

It ain't easy be'in green... getting this far has taken me quite some time... i guess i've been out of the graphic~design side of things too long... i'm sure it wont take me too long to remeber all the tricks to making things purdy quickly.. :)
love n hugs
~s

Out of the darkness came light...

GREEN is the new black... you heard it first here! ~LMAO~... nah.. just kidding... but... for me, there is no other colour... i dont know what it is about it... but i seem to have suddenly bonded with a colour that i really did not think i liked that much.. though... looking back on things bought over the years, green is definately a colour that plays a big part in my life... perhaps subconsiously, it is my colour... anyway.. here is my new blog... i love my hubby for helping tweak things after i made the banner.. and i love rhonna farrer for actually having tonnes of freebies online that i could use to make this blog what it is now...

So... tell me... honestly... what do you think!? Have i lost my mind or do you like it!?

14 Years .... and counting...

Well.... today is my Matts and my 14th wedding anniversary... i dont know sometimes how we made it this far though, the thing is... that we have.... we are strong together...and to mark such a milestone, we have three beautiful children and a dog!

though... 14 years!? WOW...

Matt,
Babe... through all of the clouds always came sunshine... through all my tears, you have found a way to dry them... when life has caused me to feel like if fallen behind, you have been there waiting for me to catch up, When i have fallen, you have always pick me up and show me that it will be okay....
We are all told that everyone's life has rough points, sadly for us, most have not been of our own making... thank you for taking the sometimes foggy path with me and still having hold of my hand just as tightly when we have stepped into the light again.

... i love you...

I'm no stamper... nor cardmaker...

I'm a scrapper through and through..

this card that i made last week should say it all... ~L~... its just a mini scrapbook without pages.

Though.....

Earlier on this afternoon i was so over card making and i had barely even tried stamping (save for a few very primative attempts some 4 years ago)
well.. instead of throwing the stamps out the window and the cardstock in the bin (though i will say there were a few errors along the way) i finally created my first real card that i'm 100% happy with.. im sure the card makers will laugh.. and the stampers perhaps even more, at my attempt but for a scrapper, this is huge progress... this card does not resemble a mini scrapbook page! ~LMAO~

i am so so so excited and so chuffed at my own ... well... i could say brilliance, but i will simply settle for perseverance..

i did it i did it.. wooooohoooooo!!!!




im just stoked that this card kinda resembles a stampers attempt at a card since im no stamper, or cardmaker.. im a scrapper through and through!~L~

WINTER.... Come on Down!!!!!

OMG.. how hot as it been... while my dear friends in the states are freezing we here in Australia are slowly melting... i dont know about where you live but the last few days here have been totally intollerable..

Its 10.30am here this morning and its already 31 degrees celsc. inside... there is a hot breeze blowing and im still struggling to recover from yesterday.. would you believe that it was still 34 inside at 7pm!? Crazy godforsaken summer weather..
Bring on Winter i say!

We are packing the kids up and taking a drive somewhere... maybe we will get somewhere cooler.. who knows.. but atleast the car has airconditioning!~LMAO~

Im such a winter person... im soooooo not dealing with this weather at the moment... bleh!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

I hope that those of you whom do the gift exchanging get some wonderful presents.. For Matt and i, we share this day with the children, normally huddling us all around a beautifully set candle lit table, linen and crystal and divine food... tonight shall be no different... I shall be able to share the occassion with the 4 people that will always be my loves.. what better gift could i get!?

May your day be shared with all those people that you love and make you smile... Happy valentines day.

Priceless little Treasures

I recieved a circle journal in the post today... its totally stunning... its one of those little books that you have to touch.. you know... velvet ribbon that deserves a caress... a silk flower thats petal deserves a stroke.. little brads and snaps that attract finger to them so that you can feel every dimension of such a beautiful work of art..What i didnt consider though was the thoughts that it would cause to churn in my head.. the emotion that it would rise..
The theme of the book is "priceless little treasures" and in the introduction the artist says "Our lives consist of many little things that may not be of any value to the average person, but are priceless and precious to you"
I had the perfect thing to place in this book.. it was a plate that was given to me by my father when i was only tiny.. the only thing out of what was a childrens dinner set that has survived 33 years. It was the saucer from a tea cup and saucer.. though with our last move, the removalists dropped it. While it would have been priceless to the rest of the world.. it was everything to me.. It is now with a repairer.. hoping that he may be able to repair it.. though, since it has been away from me... as silly as it sounds.. i have missed it every day and made my dad seem that little bit more away from me.. i cant wait to get it back. Perhaps i will just journal about it.
I have something else that i will definately be taking a pic of and adding to this little book of treasures.. its a golden 3 tier jewel box of my grandmothers.. something that was filled with all her own little treasures, mostly broken jewelry that she just never got rid of for what ever reason. When she died, no one wanted it except for my mum... when i was a child i used to be alowed to lay on mums bed and just open it up and rummage through its bits and pieces, now.. it has found its way into my hands as part of my mothers living will.. it is something that has a dear place in my heart.

:)
Thanks for listening to my rambles yet again.

Finding my feet

I've had the most marvelous time lately... i have found a new online community in which i found by being nosey oneday and clicking on someones signature... that someone happened to be none other than the owner, a wonderful lady none the less. This community has quickly become home to me and the place that while online, i spend about 99% of my time, the other 1% is chared amongst checking for messages from people on two other forums and reading email... i can't say enough about this place... i can see nothing but wonderful things happening in the near future and have no doubt in my mind that it will become one of the best known online stores in australia. The owner just has the mentaility that she CAN do anything that she sets out to do.. its wonderful. It cant get better than that, right!? Wrong!! Her prices are pretty fantastic as well and she even stocks the famous, ever wanted, always talked about Autumn Leaves stamps!!
She has kindly invited me to assist her some at froggy Todd Creations.. it has been wonderful... i have found my feet, my niche and am loving it... to top things off i will be assisting further by running their very own cyber crop on the 23rd of February... cross out anything in your diary and make sure that you come along, support a new community, a great woman and have tonnes of fun while doing so... i assure you, it will be worth your while.. i have been given some great prizes to share and have some terrific challenges for you all! If you really CANT make it to the cyber crop, be sure to stop in and visit us... we would be more than happy to welcome you to our home..I believe that she has a very special prize for someone and it has not been won yet, will that person be you!? Don't forget to check out the shop as well... its getting some fabulous stuff added all the time!

{Sweet} like sugar

Thought i would share with you my latest Layout.. its of Miranda, again.. surprise surprise.. i dont know what it is about her, other than that she is so sweet.. so gorgeously photgenic not to mention MY daughter.. but she just always gives me inspiration to scrap... I love all my children.. dont get me wrong... perhaps its the cute-ness that still has not left her that makes scrapping pages of her just so damn easy..
Unfortunately the flower did not come out as true to colour as i would have hoped... nor did the arrow head or center of the flower.. The blossom is the dark pink heidi swapp and the center, arrow head and title are done in Basic Greys Gypsy Paper - dragonfly.



Anyway.. thanks for looking!

A Case of the Sillies

All i wanted to do is get a pic of the kids in front of the dressing pavillions yesterday.. but do you think i could get them to be serious!?
This photo doesnt show them all being co-operative and smiling but it does show them being them... gorgeous and just a little silly!

Brighton... on a cloudy day

Matt and i finally got to take the children out to Brighton.. We have been wanting to get there since we have arrived.. finally, today we left home with a rather blue sky and the sun shining.. camera in hand and BIG plans for finding the famous beach dressing rooms that we have seen so many times in magazines and on Tellie.. well.. after a few Zigs instead of Zags, we finally found them... WOW... what colour... What variety... What scrapping pages i could do with these.... What!? Rain clouds!? Just out luck! Within about 15 mins of walking along the beach, picking up shells & looking at the bright beautiful dressing sheds while Matt took some photos (before i was allowed to get my hands on the Canon) it started to rain... but i was there for photos god-damn it and i was NOT leaving no matter how dripping i become without the photos... and photos we got!!!!

Though.. as it got heavier, we decided that it was not in the best interest of the Canon to stay out in such inclement weather.. or us for that matter.. since the wind was now blowing the dry-ish sand onto the wet bodies and slowly turning us into sand yeti's... wouldnt you know it though.. after getting back to the car and getting the kids in, the clouds parted and the sky turned blue again.. it was as if the photo gods were not on our side... well.. to those photo gods... you didnt act fast enough... we got these!!!! ~LMAO~

One of those MUST HAVES

You know when you see something that you just can't live without!!? well that is me... i have seen the new clock faces that heidi swapp released at CHA this year though my goodness... look at this clock set of stamps!? Isnt that better than all the pre-fabricated clockfaces in the world? I have added this to almost the top of my ever growing wish list! ~L~

Just a Mum

I read this today and had to share it with those of you who i know will really appreciate it... not mentioning anynames today Lyn... OOPSs... did i say that out loud!? ~blinks~


JUST A MUM?


A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office
was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.


"What I mean is," explained the recorder,
"do you have a job or are you just a......?"

"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.
"I'm a Mom."
"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,"
said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the
same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.
The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,
efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like,
"Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."

"What is your occupation?" she probed.
What made me say it?
I do not know.
The words simply popped out.
"I'm a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,
in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest,
"just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
"I have a continuing program of research,
[what mother doesn't)
in the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are
more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she
completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,
I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than
"just another Mom."
Motherhood!
What a glorious career!
Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers
"Senior Research associates in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations"
and great grandmothers
"Executive Senior Research Associates"?
I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts
"Associate Research Assistants".

We Survived the first school week!

Well... its Monday and after a little rushing to get out the door the children are back at school this morning and im slowly making my way through the few chores that i have to do and making a brilliant little ... err... or not so little, depends on who you are i guess, of scrapping things that i need/want/desire. We got boradband installed on friday and i can no browse all those store that took forever to look through before... there are so many glorious things though i have found the most fabulous price on some Autumn Leaves Stamps that i want to get... you know when you see something and dont know which one you want to chose? Well.. that is what im like... i've decided.. and my Sweet Man has obligued me to get them all... im one lucky ducky... hopefully next week or the week later at the most i will be putting in my order to the States and anxiously awaiting the courier whom no doubtedly i will almost kiss when he finally arrives with my goodies. :D

The kids seem to be settling into this school remarkably well... after all the issues in the past that we have had with Kiera and Jamie wanting to go "home" to their old schools they have surprise me... pleasently with their acceptance and liking of this school.. i have to admit though... they want for nothing there.. its more like a private school than a public system school... its brand new.. state of the art and simply brilliant in my eyes.
We had their first all school assembly this morning and what can i say... im busting with pride, Kiera was awarded the first of the class awards this year for great work ethics... i think she knows just how proud both her daddy and i are of her efforts so early in the year!

Okay... washing machine is beeping at me... must be off... who ever is reading this.. hope that y'all have a wonderful day.

_________________________________________________
Afterthought: its meant to be 38 celcius today... bleh... bring on winter!

My baby girl's first BIG day

Well Miss Miranda started Kindy today, or as its called in Victoria.. Prep.
She looked totally adorable.. though have not yet got the pictures off the camera yet.. from behind she looked like a backpack with legs in a hat! My baby is not so much a baby anymore now that uniform has officially gone on...
She loved it!
Matt spoke to the teacher this afternoon when he picked up Miranda, apparently she was great all day though near the end of the day wanted to come home because everyone wanted to play with her and she wanted to play by herself! The same thing happened at preschool for the first week... i guess playing by herself at home all the time is "normal" for her... having everyone wanting to play with you would have to be a little overwhelming.. im sure she will adjust quickly.

She is my last one to send to school now... my neighbour cant imagine the extent of quietness that is in my house now and says that if it was her home alone she would be dancing around the house naked hollerin' "WHOOOHOOO"...
me... well.. im fully dressed and just trying to adjust. Hopefully today i will not crumble to the silence like i did yesterday and start talking to myself to break the total quiet!~L~
Ajdustment i dont think will take long... i keep telling myself, after i've acomplished all those little jobs that ive been desperately waiting to do, think of all the scrapping i can do!


______________________________________________

Jamie and i headed off to the hospital again today, this time to have a plastics consult and check up. What a number he did on the finger... i sware, though... thankfully there was not a lot of swelling and no bruising at all which surprised the pants off me. He has about 7 stitches which will come out next week and today, started rehab... not that they did a lot, just had the cast cut off and a finger cast put on instead so now atleast he can have movement of the other fingers... he hurt so much simply because his hand and fingers were all so stiff.. poor man.
They are not sure of how much movement he is going to have of his finger as the damage done to the tendon was apparently a little more than they first suspected (or was told to me after surgery)... so i guess.... like it has been thus far, it will continue to be a waiting game. I will remain optomistic and say that i'm sure he will make a full recovery! :)