and again....

What a week!
As you would have read i submitted a few things to For keeps. Two things to be exact.. Well while i recieved a congratulatory note in my email about the summer book i was still waiting to hear back about another one.
Dissapointment at reading a Thanks but no thanks from Scrapbooking Memories suddenly turned into squealing all round when i re opened my inbox after closing the note from SM to find a CONGRATULATIONS letter from For Keeps.
Im so so so so over the moon right now.. i cant explain the rush.. from a great start yesterday comes a continuation of wonderfulness..
Here is a sneek!
;)
In total, there are 46 photos, 17 hidden areas & only 7 board pages including front and back cover = 12 scrap pages total... all this in 7.5 x 5.5 inches!

I have to say a huge huge thanks to Alison for kicking my arse enough to get me to complete this for the call out.. as well as her generous, open invitation to her ribbon stash... the home of most of the ribbons used and that glorious beaded trim! I owe ya!!!! Thank you sweetheart!
PS: This one will be in the Christmas Gallery in the same Edition as the Summer one, #61

Anyway.. here is to wonderful Fridays... hope that you are all having one.. i know that i am.. and its just getting better.
I got two movie tickets the other day from the sweetest Lady (she knows who she is) and Matt has just suggested that he take me out to dinner and then go watch a movie... so... 2 layouts accepted and a date night and its not even my birthday... how cool is that!?
hahaha.

love n hugs~
me :)

Miss You Much....

If i could tell you anything today.. it would be that you are missed dearly.. that your little girl still, after 14 years thinks about you every day and wishes things were different and misses you beyond words.
Though... things sadly were not different...

You are there and i am here and all that i have are the memories of the best father a little girl could have ever wished to have.
You have missed so much... so many things that i know.. you would be proud of... exciting milestones that i know that you looked forward to though never got to experience.. three children every day demonstrate the gentleness, compassion and love that they have inherited from you..though, through my eyes.. i hope that you do see... and dont miss a second.

My children, your beautiful grand children know all there is to know about their poppy and even they did not have the opportunity to know you nor meet you.. they are rich still for the memories that i have. and for what i can tell them of the man that will always be my hero.
I can't promise no more tears though i can promise to continue to be the mother that you would have hoped me to be, I hope that i make you proud.
Miss you much dad...and love you for always.
Your little Girl.
xx

Chasing Storms...

Ever since watching Wizzard of Oz as a child i have had a fascination with storms and cloud formations.. and after watching the movie Tiwster many years ago have said that i would before i die love to go storm chasing.. Ofcourse, its not something i would do just by myself... id happily pay to join one of the teams that chase storms across the Unite States... after seeing these pictures that Matt sent me via email this morning (he knows me WAY to well!), my dream of doing such is even stronger than it was.. how amazing are these pictures!?
Some people want to bungee jump, some people want to climb huge mountains, some people want to swim with sharks..
Give me storms, white water Rapids, a parachute and plane, or better still, some serious G's in a fighter jet and i will be a happy happy camper!


Check them out!!!! Aren't they just spectacular!?

Just sharing ...

Wooohooo... I thought i would share my excitement of the morning with you all... I'm being published again, though this time, its For Keeps that has picked me up.
I didnt check my mail yesterday and this morning when i woke and checked it.. there it was... an acceptance for issue 61 later this year - Summer Gallery.
I will give you a sneek peek of the Album that is being published... when i send it off, i will replace it with the published banner.. k!?

Just had to share my excitement...

In Print!

Well.. its official... i'm in print. My first ever accepted Layout has become magazine print!
I got the sms message on friday last week at 6.45am from one very very excited Cath to let me know that my Layout was looking gorgeous on page 32 of this months scrapbooking Memories Mag (i think that is the page)...Thank you sweet heart.. only one other way better to be woken up.. hahaha.. although, it wasn't until last night, courtesty of Alisons wonderful hubby whom brought a copy all the way across town did i actually see it. WOW.. im so so excited... even more impressed. The colours are perfect! I could not be more excited unless ofcourse, it was being used as the picture to the title page of the swirls and flourishes gallery or on the from page itself. Now.. just to get my hands on my own copy of it..

PS: Its ALLAN, not Allen! ;)

PPS: I dont know if i can put the picture back up here yet.. anyone know the protocol!?

a chip in the eye is worth...

well you know the saying.. a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush... i dont know if a chip in the eye is worth anything but lots of laughter and tonnes more stinging from the salt that was on it.
It was too funny not to share and im sure that my purple headed giggle pot of a friend will be laughing her arse off at my stupidity... so.. here i am... still blushing from embarrassment, eyes wet from tears of laughter... and red from salt reaction.
Tonight we decided to have an easy dinner since Matt and i got out into our front yard, did some weeding and mowed the lawns that were well and truely in need of some TLC. So... just for those that see easy as ducking to the fish and chip shop, let me clarify.. we are talking box fish and mc cains crunchy fish and chip shop style crunchy chips.. tossing them in the oven is easy... means i can toss the kids into the bath and shower while its cooking and then there is no waiting for people to come eat.. ANYWAY.. (im rambling)... i quality control tested these so called crunchy chips tonight.. and... you know what!? They are super crunchy. For some unknown reason.. (i do lots of dumb things after all)... i held the chip between my thumb and fore finger at each end and pushed hard... the thing just was not going to snap in two.. (and it was not over cooked)... then.. all of a sudden.. snap... wham... OUCH... it snapped...& hit me right in the eye ... while it was open still no less... thus the ouch!
Hope you get as much of a laugh as the guys did... they thought it hysterical.. didnt matter that my eye was on fire with the sting of salt and i couldnt see because my eye chose the moments after to snap shut and refuse to open again! ~L~

It made me think almost immediately to the Book of me challenge that i have set over at Froggy Todd. "Through these eyes" & "behind these eyes".
Jamie definately thought i should get my picture taken and scrap it... i think not! ~L~
I seriously dont think i need to document for future generations ALL my stupidity, besides.. i have no doubt there will be many other oportunities.. dont you?

Scrapboxx & a Scrap Box

Well....
yesterday i did it... i broke the drought! Would you believe that the last time i REALLY played with paper and did anything more than a card or two was in MAY!!!!????
Yesterday i recieved the latest scrapboxx newsletter (which i have to say i look forward to every month. Thanks Maria :D) and fell in love with a LO that Kim Archer had done for the back to Bassix challenge.. i had to have it... the first time ever i have scrap lifted in entirety a LO, but since its for my own personal use, wont be published online.. not even in my blog, i didnt think there was any harm... and i have given the artist full credit. I hope that she see's it as the greatest form of flattery... today, i love you Kim!!
Without this newsletter and this gorgeous (i hope it is going to be published) LO, i would have still been deep in drought.
I had all the items to create the layout & make the embellishment... i didnt go any further than my scrap-box. (no pun intended)
It has been the longest time since ive created anything and it felt so good. In April i got sick and by May i was unable to scrap... as i started to get better, i had to see my doctor about my hands since they were hurting around the clock and it got to the stage that i was almost unable to hold a craft knife let alone hold a ruler still. To a scrapper... and a serious scrapper at that, this was a nightmare. I became depressed about the thought of not being able to do one of my favourite things again.. my other, is quilting... just as depressing was the thought... i found it harder and harder to be inspired, to be creative as i knew that even if i was inspired, i could not do much because my hands would ache so badly and i would regret it days after.
Anyway... my worst nightmare became reality when i was diagnosed with Rheumatoid athritis... but it doesnt stop there... after a series of xrays was taken, it was discovered that while i dont have serious degenerative changes yet, i have a god aweful cyst in my wrist (on the hand side) that is pressing on muscles and restricting movement in my fingers.
I also found that i had a deficiency in b1, b2, b12, a low white blood count and was iron deficient which was associated to chronic tiredness, i have two bone growths on my left foot that are growing into soft tissue.. While, this means that i cant walk very far some days when the pain is so bad, it means that i should be able to sit and scrap.
Medication has eased the effects of the deficiencies, pain medication and anti-inflamitories are helping with the pain and Kim Archer, it seems is helping with the inspiration.
Between them all, i think i will be okay!
:)
Happy humpday everyone... i have some scrapping to do!

Birthday wishes for the birthday Girl.

Happy birthday to you...
Happy birthday to you...
Happy birthday my sweet lil lady..
Happy birthday to you!

I cant believe it.. my first born is 14... i dont where the time went. You know..i still remember every detail (well.. all but what was blurred by huge doses of drugs)... i remember how i felt (other than numb and sick! ~L~) what she smelt like..(beautiful) what the weather was like.. (hailing).. like it was only yesterday that i held my gorgeous baby in my arms.. even though she is now, quiet litterally, a young lady.. she will be very much, like Jamie and Miranda, my baby for always.

You make me proud with everything you say and do.. your tollerance of those around you.. your beliefs and determination and the wisdom beyond the years..
Love you baby girl.

Craeeeeeeee-zeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

:-o

As a few people know, my mum has come to visit.. and ultimately become my warden for a few weeks... this is NOT good. While i love my mum... i love my space, my quiet and my own time way too much to share an ounce of it with anyone outside my immediate family for more than say... a week.. though, why is it that the visit span of mum's should never be any longer than the shelf life of fresh meat!? ~lol~
i say two days maximum.. that is a weekend visit that would normally fly by, though 2 weeks? What was i thinkin'!? Not that i really had a say in the whole warden thing.. but... you know.. right?
Insane.

i made a poem up that explains the situation completely..

Crazy's taken her crazy pills and boarded the crazy train. Crazy is no longer crazy she totally insane!

5 sleeps and counting..
hahaha

ground hog day... almost...

Happy Birthday to you...
Happy birthday to you..
Happy birthday my mini hunka hunka man...
Happy birthday to you!

No... im not losing my mind and singing birthday songs again for Matt... Besides.. he packed up this morning and went to the snow :( leaving me at home for 7 sleeps... though... its my other mans birthday today.
If i get too reminiscent, im going to cry... though, it's hard to believe that 12 years ago today, born in the wee hours of the morning our boy child graced us with his presence.. i was a new mama to the sweetest little boy that i had ever laid eyes on... 12 years though.. how did that happen!?
The girls are sick sick sick... i think im not far behind... its blustery cold outside today... so while this is not going to be the best, funnest out doorys type birthday... it will surely give him way enough time to try out all the playstation games that he got last night at his lil family birthday party we had.
Sometimes, just doing what you want to do on your birthday makes it a birthday to remember.. huh!?
Anyway...
Happy birthday Sweet man... so proud to be your mum... Love you to the moon and back! x

Since Matt was going to be away, we did birthday dinner, cake and pressies last night.. though... Matt has take the pics with him on the camera i think so i will put up pics later.

Hope y'all have a great sunday!
Stay warm!!!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to You...
Happy Birthday to You.
Happy Birthday my Hunka-Hunka Man
Happy Birthday to You!

Let me say.. that my man is so lucky that he is at work at the moment when i am in the totally crazy mood to want to sing to him. Lucky for him, lucky for his ears... lucky for the neighbours to.o.
Though.. even though i sit here and joke...(when i should have on my mummy face and be in the kitchen doing lunches and supervising 3 drag-m'-bottom-in -the-mornin' kids to get dressed, i hope he knows what he means to me, how much i love him and how glad i am, after ALL these years to be beside him to share yet another birthday with his birthday-aging butt. (even now that we have to alert the fire-brigade to birthday activities).

Love you Baby.. you mean the planets to me, as well as the world. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

xxx

Got her head screwed on straight...

I have to share this... it is too brilliant to not. Her thoughts... her hate for stuff says it all.... exactly how i would love my house some days... Matt and i have a real issue with stuff just hanging around... the kids how ever... obviously see it as interior decorating skills... bra's hanging on bed posts, shoes not on their rack, school bags dumped at the front door... notes strewn across a perfectly clean, spotless, BARE bench.. BLEH.. not me... i see it... as annoyance..
My scrap room on the other hand... now... that is one place sacred that is allowed to have... stuff..
I have to say though, that i dont have photos on display, though it is something that i long for a moment or two in my ever growing list of "projects" to do... but minimilistic is definately the way to be.

anyway... This is written by Erica Glover... in my eyes... a genius in her thinking! ~L~

"I HATE STUFF. Especially piles of stuff. Paperwork, washing & folding, toys etc. You get the drift. I hate it. In my house, everything has it;s place and everything had better be put back in its place. Or else! Clutter terrifies me. I have nightmares about it. Seriously. So i throw things out. And i delete. A lot. Too much probably. If it hasn't been used in a while, it doesn't need to be in my home. Piling up, needing to be cleaned, or washed, or dusted, or put away, or replied to, or filed, or backed up. I am the ultimate deleter/disposer. I don't save emails. I don;t save documents. I don't save bags or boxes or receipts or mail. I hate stuff. Come into my home, open any drawer, open any cupboard, and what will you find? A whole lotta shelf! And maybe one or two items, or three or four. Neatly folded, just the way i like it. Sure, the kids follow me around, like a shadow undoing all that i do. But i persist. Clothes that haven;t fit in a while, toys that havenn;t been placyed with, things that are too dirty to clean, anything that doesn't make the cut turf turf turf. My kitchen bench is totally bare. No mil on the bench, no toaster nor kettle available for easy access, no photos or nik naks on display. Nothing on the windowsill. Nothing anywhere. I crave a clear head. But my life is hectic, I can't keep up no matter what i do. I am constantly chasing my tail, constantly playing catch up, constantly trying to keep my head above water and constantly failing. And failing sucks. So i delete, and i spring clean, and i remove anything that i possibly can that is unnecessary. If it doesn't fit properly, or it has a stain, or it doesn't match, give me any excuse and i will turf it. I know i am anal. I know i am a nightmare to live with and that there are far more important things in the world than a clean bench, a bare fridge and an empty inbox. I can't stop. I don't think i want to. I really hate stuff".

How many of you have ever wished your house to be so simple... so crisp, clean and fresh!?
I do... atleast daily.

Tag Time.

The Crazy Kat hastagged me,... a tag of any kind is a first for me... so here goes...

The rules:
Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose other people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog! (it is meant to be seven, though.. since i don't have that many to tag, im not worrying about trying to find 7)

The Facts:
1- I'm Obsessive. Weather it is cleaning or my routine of how things are to be done, or what ever... i can't help obsessing... totally a pain in the arse at times... i swear..

2- Im a list writer. I don't seem to function unless i have a gazillion lists happening. I guess it would help if i read them more often than just writing them. Taht way, i definately would not be the woman standing at the checkout of the supermarket doing a great impersonation of a blonde as i try and remember EXACTLY what i had to go in there for and instead being the well organised woman that is not buying all the "just incase" items! (no offence to my blonde friends)

3- I'm not a very trusting person. While i rate myself highly as being extremely trustworthy, it takes me a long long time to trust anyone. Not because i think there is or may be something about them... i just find that its an easy way not to be let down.

4- I Adore butterflies, but am totally phobic of moths! I once had a huge (im talking two hand span in size, no kidding) moth fly up under my dress and was flapping around. I seriously thought i was going to die!

5- As a child i wanted to be an astronaut. Even as a teen i wanted nothing more than to become a NASA astronaut.. brains let me down. :( The of such though still fascinates me. Perhaps in another life.

6- I used to be a serious planner. If i was going somewhere, i had to know every little detail and plan accordingly for it. I could not just fly by the seat of my pants. I would stress.. These days, while i still stress, im trying to be more easy going and just follow my feet and see where the day takes me apposed to planning every aspect of it. (again.. i guess that falls under obsessive, huh?)

7- A day is not complete without millions of kid-kisses, three kiss kisses from Matt, wet kisses from Bai and Music..

Now... for my unsuspecting victims...
Miss Cath, Miss Nance, Lisa (S-Witch), Tara
....
:P

Rollercoasters, Rain Clouds & Pink PJs

By now, you guys are possibly thinking that im one of the slackest bloggers of our time... ha, i do... though you know what!? Im here now.. and really.. that is all that matters.. right? hahaha.

So... where have i been since last time i blogged? I dont know... my memory sucks... though i'm trying hard to play more regular blogging again.. okay?

This i promise is not going to be as gloomy an entry as the title may suggest... quiet the opposite... for the most.

The one thing that i didnt add in my title was SUNSHINE... because... well... it didnt sound good in the title...(haha) THOUGH.... i have had sunshine in the form of one gorgeous Cathy... and her darlin' family whom surprised me last week and dropped in on me for a lunchtime visit with a present no less... may i add... they came all the way from New South Wales to give me a "hug"!!!!

While the visit was short... and very tear jerking (on my part) saying goodbye after a few hours, it was absolutely wonderful. This is one lady that knows how important she is in my life, and one lady that i thank my lucky star every day for knowing. A lady that whispered something in my ear as i got my last hug before she left that put a HUGE smile on my dial... she is coming for a sleep over play date again very very soon!!!!! i cant wait!!!!!
I love ya sweety... (and thanks for letting me steal our pic off your blog! ;) Mwah!!)

I think that i have seen as much rain in the last few months as what i did for a wet season in Darwin. While it is not monsoonal, or terential like it was up there, its regular... and its good soaking rain.. just what we all need to pull us out of the drought. I have a lawn! When we moved here in December, as Alison could vouch, our newly laid turf crunched!!!! Well... its now got to the stage that you can walk on the grass though i am not game enough to stand still just incase i sink and vanish! ~L~
While i love winter... love the ability to just snuggle up and stay warm and cosy... i have to sadly say that this year.. im getting over it and looking with excitement to spring... Canberra was chilly, though i think because we live near the water here.. its a different chilly entirely... moreso because of the horendous winds that seem to blow almost constantly. Nothing worse than feeling like you have walked through a wind storm just to retrieve the mail. ~laughin~
So... to make those winds bearable i think that winter needs to come to an end... i love my slippers, though i found a pair of my thongs (flip flops for Lyn ;) ) in the wardrobe this morning and had this yearning to wear them again.. hurry up summer!

As my friends would know, ive been riding a rather icky rollercoster over the last few months.. well i wish i could say that its stopped and i can climb off, though it seems that some where... when i was not looking, i was given a double ride pass.. Bleh.
On top of the other things that i have been dealing with...routine blood tests turned into regular... i am now having to learn to cope with weekly blood tests and more medicine than i think i want to ever take. :(
Hopefully on Thursday i will have some of both mine and the doctors questions answered as to what the hell is happening with me...
For now though... i will just keep taking my medicine like a good girl and hope that with every dose that im closer to being able to stop that and the tests.
~L~ Did i tell you how much im scared of needles!?

Through all the nastly pathologists there has been an Angel in Pink PJs, weather its via 4.25 hour long phone calls or in person to make me laugh and take my mind of everything.. to whom im forever, eternally greatful... though... i swear, i am going to educate that girl in the way of music if its the last thing i do!!! MAHAHAHA. >:P

You know those days where you just wish you could just stay in your Jammas all day and not worry about anything!? Well... in my neck of the woods, that has become an official day of the week.. while so far, its been a monday, the day is negotiable.. though the attire isnt... its pink Jammas... no... ifs... no buts.... hahah.. and i have to say... im sure we are a dashing site to see... specially the on lookers when we have ventured outside of the house.. fluffy pink sox t'boot!
Though.. you know what!? I think everyone should have a day where PJ's is the uniform... there would definately be a lot more relaxed happy people in the world.
Alison... my Pink Pyjama companion... you broaden my thoughts.. widen my scopes and show me that anything is possible if i use my imagination.

And... last, but not least... ive even done some scrapping. I have promised Wendy that i would have it in the gallery for you to see... promise you will all get a squiz soon.

So... there you have it... i will leave you with this quote, since its starting up at me from some Chatter box transperancy tags that i have left to scrap for the FTC DT.



Smile to yourself until you have warmed
your own heart with the sunshine of
your cheery counterance. Then
go out - and radiate your smile.

~Bruno Hagspeil~

Quote of the MONTH

As many of you may have realised by now, i have not been around for some time.
For those of you whom have stopped by and found a very quiet blog.. im sorry...
Where i've been or what i've been up to, doesnt matter... I will not go into details, for i don't feel inclined...
For my friends that have been there, even if it was simply noticing my absence, i thank you from the bottom of my heart... you each in your own way know what part you play in my life and know what you mean to me.
Lyn, i shall just say... love you girl!

So much more time than a month seems to have past since i last blogged... i guess that happens sometimes huh!? Time, seems to have truely been lost.

So much, i could write, if only i had the inclination, though instead, i shall just close with....

~The only way to deal with the future is to function efficiently in the Now~
~GITA BELLIN~

xxx

published...again

Well... having my first acceptance for publication was not a fluke afterall...
After submitting my felt Layout to Scrapbooking memories at the same time as i uploaded it online for the felt competition, i recieved an email today telling me that they loved my layout and could i please send it in for further concideration for publication... wooohooooo.. im so so excited!!
_______________________________________________________________

Update: Well... i didnt win the felt LO comp, though as far as im concerned... im a winner anyway, being published instead! Yipppeeeee!!!

_______________________________________________________________

28th June 2007: I have received my Layout, Poser back from Scrapbooking memories... Now im just waiting on details of when it will be published. I know at this stage that it will appear in the "girls Gallery"...
I'll be sure to keep you posted!
mwah!
xx

a storm is a brewin...

of the scrappin' kind!

Im a slow scrapper... bah.. we all knew that.. though.. on sunday, i was able to complete yet another challenge from the FTC CC... honestly.. its something i really dont care if anyone else likes.. because.. to me... its perfect.. it complements her so well.. and.. im not talking from a scappers view.. im talking souly from that of a smitten mama.. She was so tired, though still so willing to be infront of the camera... the paper reminds me of that sweet soft skin... and just makes me smile when i look at it. Hopefully in years to come is will give me the same pleasure, the same warmness that it does now..

And.. then there was felt! What is it with this stuff that has the scrapping world so crazy about it!? Sure.. its different.. its texture.. but its felt.. ~L~... Anyway.. i decided that it was about time that i caved and gave it a go... It has been entered into a store comp for the felt challenge
While i dont expect to win, i have to say, i enjoyed playing with it.. though... honestly.. i enjoyed hand stitching again.. a whole lot more. ~L~ The photos though.. arent they gorgeous? Matt took them of Miranda while she was sitting in a huge tunnel tube thing attached to some play equiptment a few weeks back when we went on a day trip to Mornington peninsula.. She is definately a poser... though... gorgeous t'boot! Hahaha..



now... onto a dark storm front.
There has been a lot of crap happening at Scrapbooking Memories Forum that apparently allegations have been made in which i am to be blamed for the trouble making and bullying.
Ha.. if i only had the time..or the inclination for that matter, though, for the record... emotionally, i am not of the mind to be buggered with the crap that seems to be taking over that forum. I would like though for the allegations towards me to cease though.. you would not think that it would be a tough ask.. though apparently someone has a vendetta out towards me and wants to bury me alive in lies and bullshit. What does it take.. seriously? Defamation charges to be laid up them or for me to have a total nervous break?
Ive had emails up to my ears, from gutless people too scared to show their real names.. threatening me, accusing me of everything but sinking the titanic... the next one i get, im afraid i will be taking action on. I am over it.

She

This is sofar the only layout that i have been able to manage for the Froggy Todd Cyber Crop this weekend.. Figured since i made the challenges that i best do something.. even though for the most of the last three days ive been struggling with a migrane that just does not seem to fully want to leave me..
This photo was taken of Kiera a few years ago, though as soon as i saw her through the view finder the Song, She by Elvis Costello played in my head and has done so every single time that i have looked it... anything else i dont think would have done this photo justice from my perspective..
I have another one that i created a few weeks ago that im busting to share with you though since it was made to be released with this months FTC newsletter i guess i have to wait.. just a little longer! ~L~
anyway...

~hugs~

Quote of the Day

Life gives us brief moments with another...
but sometimes its in those brief moments,
we get memories that last a lifetime.

The saddest News...

This message today goes out with the heaviest of hearts....

To MY wonderful American Family... you are in my heart as well as my thoughts.. always... Love you especially sweet sweet lady..

You can shed tears that she is gone,
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back,
or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her,
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her only that she is gone,
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back.
Or you can do what she'd want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.


if you need me... i'm here... love you girl. xxx

Thank goodness green is my favourite colour!

This is my boy... I'm just so proud... He scares me a little... (especially when this face was made when mama was just trying to give him a kiss and say "i love you" on mothers day! )

I got this for mothers day... what did you get!? ~L~

Ofcourse, he really wasnt angry... he was being the silly billy that he usually is... the title fitted though.. ~L~

FROGGY TOOD CREATIONS MAY CYBER CROP

This Months Cyber Crop is ready to get underway in just over 30 minutes from now.
There are stacks of challenges and some totally fabulous prizes up for grabs..
You would be crazy to miss out on it.

For this weekend only, the BIG rego Raffle is getting bigger as we give everyone participating in the cyber crop this weekend a Double Take!

Pop over to our forum and check out May Cyber Crop for more details on how you too join in on our Double take!!!

Look forward to seeing old faces, meeting new faces and having a great weekend with you all!!

Cheers!!!!
SJ

Lions and Tigers and Bears.... oh my!!!

What a day we had!!!! We have just arrived back from the Melbourne zoo... totally exhausted and ready for sleep. Seriously.. i didnt realise that place was so big... seriously .. i dont think i even did that much excercise in my 2 hours gym cram sessions with my trainer.. seriously.. would anyone realise if i just passed out here!? ~L~

To see the childrens faces with the animals was so wonderful.. Kiera and Jamie were only both very small when they last went to Taronga Zoo in Sydney... Mirandas face was priceless... i only discovered this morning that she thought that Elephants were only a pretend animal... how wrong she was... She was so excited to see all the animals that she pours over in her books coming to life... though i think the highlight of the day would have been the visit to the butterfly house... oh my goodness.... i thought i was promptly going to cry... serious.. those who know me know my fascination with these creatures.. right? Well almost the instant i closed the door behind me some flew over, circled me and promptly landed on my head.. ofcourse, Matt and the camera were off paying rediculous prices for some dispossy batteries since the rechargables for the flash of our babie died. So... innitially, he missed the excitement.. the squeal od Kiera and Miranda as they saw them land while Jamie rushed to hurry Matt back to snap photos.. This photo was taken, as we walked through their sanctuary... it seemed quiet at home and had been there, sitting on my head for most of my visit...at that stage... shortly after.. Matt was having Northern Territory flash backs and had to leave... it was just so humid in there... the kids and i however, spent a good hour in total.. just surrounded by these beautiful creatures....

Sadly... it left our visit with the Orangutans shorter than the hours Matt had envisiaged spending with them... though.. priceless... breathtaking... gorgeous creatures they were. While this picture is very blurry, it is one that i think Jamie will treasure for ever. This orangutan had been walking around like a twit on the enclosures ground entertaining the crowds for the longest time with the sheet rightly pulled over its head... arms swaying in the air... bumping into everything and anything before plonking down like a 2 year old on tantrum and pulling the sheet around its head like a bonnet..

All the while.. Jamie stood in the gallery upstairs with his face smooched to the glass in awe of the darlin below... all of a sudden it springs to its feet, grabs a rope and hoists itself up to the platform on the otherside of the glass... eyes intently on Jamie.. by this stage Matt is running like a wild man through the crowd who were moving in for a better look. tears forming in his eyes as he could see exactly what i could see ready to happen... the grin.. OH my god.. Matt was like a kid in a candy store.. he loves these guys!!! The orangutan smooched its face directly in front of Jamies, sharing the very same bit of glass.... the glass was litterally the only thing that seperated them!! I think... it scared Jamie a little.. or.. started him atleast that he was so close.. that he shifted back quickly, just as the camera snapped. The reflection from the flash has made it hard to see.. though its something that in all honesty, will stay with us all for ever!

Quote of the Day

Wise men talk because they have soemthing to say...
... fools talk because they have to say Something.

~PLATO~

How slack have i been?

Hi guys... i am almost ashamed at my slackness where my blog is concerned.. i think this absence has been the longest by far. It was actually the gorgeous miss Kat that pointed out that i had not updated in the longest time. Im so sorry for not atleast checking in.
Yes.. im alive, i have all limbs, fingers, toes and eyes.. and i breath..
Ive just been caught up in the whirlwind of life, teaching & preparing classes, froggy Todd Creations Design Team stuff and scrapping.. And, between you and i.. .. im scrapping up a storm.

Some of my most recent stuff will be released along with the latest edition of the FTC newsletter which is going to be hitting emails everywhere.. anyday... so please be patient... trust me.. im finding it hard to take my own advice.. im busting to show you all that while my style has been morphing a lot over the last few months.. ive finally fallen into my own... and quietly, i think i like it!!!
Anywho...
just wanted to say hi... that i have not fallen off the face of the earth... hope to get into the swing again.. quickly.

I have a post or two still in draft stages... (Cath.. namely, documenting the chaotic fun of two friends when they get together)

~hugs~
SJ

Caths Visit

(she went back yesterday)

sleep kept me from blogging though already i miss her dearly.. :( :(


While most of our time was spent scrapping... quietly... and one day spent visiting Mornington.. and getting slightly... errr... well lets say we took the scenic less travelled route there.. ~L~ Add sugar in the form of pink icing left over from Mirandas birthday cake and that quiet suddenly dissapears... I dont think i have ever... seriously laughed as much... or as hard as i did .... we had a case of the 3.30pm munchies and decided... since the cupboards were looking less than interesting that we would pull out a pack of cinnamon crunch bickies and the icing and share with the kids for afternoon tea... well.. lets say... anything and everything became the subject to be topped with this sickly sweet pink concoction... even in Kieras case a Banana... while Cath discretely whispers that it didnt look anything LIKE a banana... (thanks for that Cath!)
I cant wait to have this wonderful.. beautiful lady visit with me again.. though next time.. it will have to be for so much longer...

Miss you already girl!!
Love ya!!!!

My Babys first kiss

well Miss Mirandas 6th birthday party was a raging sucess... so much so that we had tears from a few when mummies and daddies started arriving at the end.. though, two were inseperable... Miranda her and "friend" Joel.

Apparently his mum hears nothing but miranda this and miranda that all the time at home and last night miranda painstakenly chose the "best" lollies to put in his lolly bag. Joel is all i hear about here at home too..
so, birthday cake comes out.. he pushes through to sit next to Miranda and helps her blow out her #6 candle. Miranda knows the house rule that if the knife comes out dirty she must kiss the first boy... well at this stage all the boys stepped back, .though this darling little boy that is smitten with my sweet girl as much as she, him, stood firm and waiting for the knife to come out... with a grin he waited while miranda had a marshmallow off her cake before being delivered that awaited kiss.
Was so cute.. and best still.. i have it on the camera and plan to scrap it over the weekend!!!

(will show y'all the pic later)

Tin Box Creations Stamps

I discovered these Tin Box Creations Stamps a little while ago at FTC and i'm now hanging to get them all, they are fantastic. They are clear like the autumleaves stamps though so much more stickier.. i dont have an acrylic block yet though without a problem they cling to the face of an old CD case without fail, every single time.
I could rave on about these all day...they not only come in a gorgeous lil CD tin, they were created to stimulate and inspire by a lil company in Canada... and FTC are lucky to be the only store that stock these here in Australia... yay for being first to discover these.


I created this dragonfly out of the stamps in the laugh-lines set... one of the many things that ive been making with the array of little bits and pieces that fills the tin. Its truely creativity in a tin.. With so many different stamps on the market now, and me loving so many of them, i have to say these by far were the best find... definately a cheap and easy way to create a stamp made by ME instead of having the very same stamp as everyone else..
You so have to get yourselves some and have a play.. you really... truely dont know what your missing out on..


PSSST... wanna know a secret?
A lil birdy whispered in my ear and told me, if you go and visit Miss Wendy over at the shop from sunday she is putting the full range that we have in stock on sale at 10% off until the 30th of April. Just have to make sure that payment is received within 24 hours to be able to benifit from the special.

im sure if you cant wait that long though, if you poke your nose into her email she may very well help you with your need to buy earlier.. though ... shhhhh... ~hahaha~

Meet us at the frog hop!

It's on again, the monthly Cyber Crop at Froggy Todd Creations... 7.30pm is when it will kick off... as usual, there will be awesome prizes up for grabs, lots of fun things and great challenges that will not only get you scrapping but inspired and doing something perhaps a little out of the ordinary as well...
These are something that i look forward to every month and this month is no different.. soooooo can't wait!!!!

If your not a member yet and want to join in the fun, register a little before time so that you wil be able to chat with everyone on the forums before it all begins..
all are welcome.. the more the merrier.. Look forward to seeing you all in a few hours!!!

MWAH!!!!

Double-up & Double-over

As anyone that has been in any proximity to me lately would know, ive been taking in the sights and sounds of the Melbourne comedy festival in a huge way.. not only did i meet some brilliant comedians, Pete Sharkey, David Tulk, Scott McAteer (LOVE THIS GUY) and Jono KT at their show, Grab the 86 to 303, i also got to listen to the hilariously funny Nik Coppin. If you can get to see this guy live... do yourself the favour and take yourself along to his show.. He is BRILLIANT!!!
To many, this would sound like a little bit of a comedy overload, seeing that we saw these 5 all in the one night, though it doesnt stop there...

I have just returned from the Athenium (SP?)Theatre in the city where we went earlier tonight to see the Umbilical brothers... oh my goodness, i thought i was going to crack a rib watching these two on stage.. from the second we sat down (we were running a little late due to traffic) til the time we were clapping them good bye we were in stitches.. i dont think i have seen anything more hilarious in all my life. For those that dont know, The umbilical Brothrs are two very talented Australian Comedians that work mime with their own made sound overs. Totally Crazy, Totally hysterical..
If this was not good enough, as we were leaving, we found ourselves being ushered into front row, top level seats (right over the stage) to was Jimoin!
I was slightly dissapointed with his performance.. i thought he would be funnier, though.. i guess, after just coming out from watching the Umbies, anything has to pale a little in comparison, right!? Still... The man in his own right is a funny funny man and im sure at some stage i'll definately watch a show again.. i guess the difference is, he did not seem to work from a script, it was random.. unrehearsed humour.
We still have Akmal to see, hopefully the scared weird little guys and the last show that the umbilical brothers will be doing through the festival. (id sell a kidney to see these guys again.. IM A HUGE FAN!)

This is where i should say a HUGE HUGE thankyou to a very gorgeous lady for making the Comedy Festival, one to truely remember! Your a gem!

phew... im pooooped. Night y'all!!!

Good things come to those who wait

As some of you would know, ive been on a Design Team in the past, which i had to leave because of life commitments and a little to much chaos in my life. Chaos, Bleh... anyway, since leaving there i have entered competitions to two different Stores (at different times) to see weather i would be accepted to be part of a design team again... while the first atempt was not as sucessful as one would hope.. it was not a complete failure either, making it 4 rounds of 6 .. rather impressive effort i thoughts... this time, my last attempt though came up gold!!!

Your now listening to the one half of the new Design team for Froggy Todd Creations... i'm so excited, though more so... so astounded that i was so impressively voted for by the community there,taking out 33% of the votes by myself.. ~insert blush here~ obviously i have done something that they like... lets hope that i can continue to come up with things that they love, huh!?

Anyway... thats my little bit of news for today... like that is not news enough.. huh!? ~L~
Hope that you guys are having a super day as well... we are off to see a few comedians in Northcote now...

~hugs n kisses~

My Enchanting lil Imp..

I thought i (a doting, very bias mother) would share with you one of my most favourite photos taken of Miranda in our butterfly photo shoot on the weekend.. this is what happens when you tell a little girl-imp to smile for mama when she really doesnt want to! ~Laughs~ Though... i think this is better than any photo i could have captured with a smile for i think that i really captured her spirit by capturing this shot of her being 100% herself. I'd give so much to learn of some of the mystery and magic that shimmers unspoken within those gorgeous dark blue eyes of hers. She knows so much more about this universe than she lets on.... she is knowledgable beyond her years.. she is my Bella Mia.. my beautiful Miranda.
May she always have spirit... may she always dare to be herself!

xxx

PS:

<---- that is a pic of the wings she is wearing, though in true colour.. they are more like the colour behind her in this picture ----->

Totally freesyle and girly

Lately ive found that my style is morphing yet again... becoming more free and less organised... im following in the steps of a few of my idols and letting the pages talk to me and tell me what they want... this is the latest Layout that i have done.. it was actually a challenge for Froggy Todd Creations. The challenge was for there to be no adhesive used, hand made patterned paper a stamp, but not a flourish, hand journalling and a photo but not of a person... I had made the photo open up and plan to put two more photos behind... it is themed on Miss Mirandas passion for make believe.. she is so girly... i think this LO expresses that girly-ness so much. I have to say, that i had so much fun creating this Layout... it was great just to let go and just add and play... anyway.. dont know what y'all think of it but im rather proud.
Once i have done the page inside i plan on submitting it to For Keeps for their Dress Up call and to Scrapbooking Memories. Who knows.. i may just get lucky with one of them, huh!? (this inside was completed on the 10th, which happens to be the deadline for the Dress Up Call.. what can i say, i work well under pressure. ~LMAO~ I also submitted this to SM, wonder if i can be so lucky!)

UPDATE: I just found out that i won the challenge.. how cool... it has just made a perfect day even more perfect-er!!!

Note to self: Make sure to always use the same light when two photos of one Layout are required. The first picture, of the closed LO is true to colour.

Butterfly Queen

While at the Markets this morning we found a face painter that was painting faces ..courtesy of the council, since it was the first market for the area... this lady was painting fairies and butterfly themed faces and while we started by getting Mirandas face painted which was perfectly timed since we had plans on doing a photo of her with wings on to go with the LO that ive been working on, the face just topped it off Kiera thought that she would like to get hers done as well... doesnt she look totally gorgoeus!?








Heartfelt thoughts: Be still my heart... The beauty that i see when i look at this photo both makes me delirious with pride as well as so very terrified...It takes my breath away to see that my sweet little girl is quickly growing into a stunning young lady.

Hello April.

Wow.. can you believe how fast this year seems to be zooming along!?
I can't believe that in 22 short days im going to be putting another birthday candle on my babies cake (6) and spending a few days with Cathy (miss Cath). It seems that the count down for her visit has been happening for so long... i dont know how im going to hold out for so much longer.. arrrggh.

The last few months have been a total roller coaster for us... With the move, Jamies finger, the kids all starting a new school.. sadness has touched on us as well with the totally distressing news that my dear friends cousin (mentioned at christmas time) has once again been touched by cancer, this time, inoperable... sadly, her days are slipping away fast.. making me realise how important it is to make the most of those that you have... my thoughts are with the sweet lady who must watch one of her dearst friends slip away.. i love you girl.. you know that!

Thankfully Jamie was given the thumbs up from the rehab staff on thursday and no longer is required to do occupational therapy. He has lost 5% use of his finger.. a lot less than what they expected... totally wonderful if you ask me since there was a stage when we were unsure weather he would lose it.
I can now breath a little... ive been working on an entry for Froggy Todds design team for the last few weeks and since the dead line for that was last night.. now is simply a waiting game to see weather i have been sucessful..
fingers crossed.

Today we have had the most awesome day as a family, getting up super early to bath
Mister Bai, who smelled totally too much like a dog and less like one of us (he is a dog by the way) and went for a sunday walk in the sunshine.. i must add, that whilst Mister Bai loved his walk, socialising with over Cavaliers, like him but in puppy form.. he is now totally zonked under my desk. ~L~ It really is a Dogs life!!

Hey Hi Hello...

I know.. i know... ive been so so slack when it comes to my blog this week... i'm sorry for all those that visit and have found nothing new... :(

Ive uploaded a few posts that i had to finish off etc, so there are a few new things... though.. im my life... nothing much has changed, same ol.. same ol... ooooooh.. other than the fact that yet another perk has come my way which sees me as a VIP in the Pit area at all the motor events that i can drag myself too.. including .... omg.... the V8s. Those who REALLY know me, know that im a closet petrol head and have a very very big soft spot for the V8s. GO HOLDEN!!!!!

So many doors and opportunities have opened up to us since we have moved down here... When i moved, i was very unsure of what life would bring, other than scrap days with someone i no longer choose to associate with, and when her and i stopped speaking.. i realised that even though we had not spent that much time together (had got together 2 times) i didnt need her to survive in Melbourne, like it was suggested to methat i would...pphhhft. As a couple, Matt and i have done so much on our own... and so much is still happening.. Which, again, for those who know us, would not surprise you, since we have never been the kind to be dependant on others for anything. Matt is in negotiations at the moment for something rather huge, though until signatures hit the dotted line, i would rather not say anything... and... something very very exciting is happening in my own "lil world" too. Again... cant say anything incase i jinx it... lets just say, things are looking wonderful! (i could not be takin' the risk of bursting with excitement, so ive let slip my secret to a few...they know who they are.. hahah)

So... i guess i will rephrase that opening line to say... ive been busy, flat out almost.. so much is happening that i've not had a minute to post!? ~LMAO~ Hmmm... that may work!

Life is good!

Don't Mess with Grandma

This is too funny.. thought i would give you a laugh for the day if you have not had one by now... or... simply add to the laughs you have already had.
love n Hugs
~s
xx

P.S. I love you...

well... Matt to be exact... but that is the title of my newest Layout.
P.S. I love you [like the song] What can i say.. im am an I am Sam fan... this is something that Matt and i have said to each other, many times over the years...
so finally.. a layout to preserve the wonderful words... forever..

Love n hugs
S
xx

UPDATE: 2nd May. Sorry Guys, this image has been removed for Publication (insert WOOOHOOOS and happy dances here)... i promise to return it as soon as it can be put back here!

Melbourne Comedy Festival

I cant believe how unbelievably lucky i am sometimes to be married to such a clever man. Not only is he a great daddy, wonderful husband.. he is so very talented.. so much so that he has been asked to take the promotional photographs for some of the comedians that will b e working the Melbourne Comedy Festival. If that is not good enough, this job comes with perks... tickets plentiful enough to wall paper a room.. to anything and everything happening here in melbourne at the moment... one of my favourite thoughts at the moment is that i WILL be going to see the umbilical brothers live.. though.. only days before that, we have been invited to a bar where all the comedians wind down after the shows, as special guests of a few of the comedians, to meet others... including the umbilical brothers... im so envious, even of myself at the moment.. if that is even possible! ~L~

i so so so so so so so cant wait!!!

Well... i didnt think it would happen this weekend, since i was so exhausted after getting back from the stitches and craft show yesterday, though it happened...Froggy Todd has a Cyber Crop on this weekend.. so how could i resist... i scrapped! This is totally out side of my usual stuff but you know what? i think i like the freesyle-ness of it...

What a Fabbo Day!!!

The day ive been waiting so for finally arrived today when i met Bec (rih2002) from Scrapbooking Memories and Froggy Todd at the stitches and craft show... my god i didnt think two women could laugh as much as we have through out the day.. so much so that i STILL have sore sides as i write this. I dont think anyone will be able to remove the smile from my face any time soon... and... i know that you will be asking if i dont, so... here are a few pics from the day. Bec, dont kill me for posting both these... they are just too cool not to!
We were so exhausted, though still had enough energy to strike a pose, right in the midst of a case of the sillies!



Its so nice to have a friend, even if meeting them for the first time in real life, and have it feel like you have known them your entire life and today, is just another day catching up and goofing off.

Only neither of us could quite get enough courage up, we would have some very funny photos of us getting our shoes shined... sounds normal enough.. right? Until your wearing sandals or thongs.. then.. it becomes a hilarious thought.. perhaps next time!
Love ya gal!
xx

Pissed off... upset and totally... bewildered

okay.. so you guys heard about the crop that i was part of on the weekend.. right!? Who didnt.. it was the most scrapping ive done in one time frame in ages.. well.. the results are in... i didnt get close to winning.. though, that is not the reason for my pissy-ness... its the fact that it did not appear to go on effort and quality of the work but how many LOs that someone could throw together.. and when i say throw together, im saying that... very loosely.. where i spent hours on Layouts, some literally threw a photo (not even straight) onto cheap paper and used a texta marker to write a title.. (again. not straight). Each challenge created was apparently worth points... most points = winner. Obviously i did not find the thread with those details. Im so angry.. atleast i know that my work is loved by my family so i guess its not a weekend wasted..
Atleast when i get a reject letter from a mag, i understand that there are lots of very talented ladies out there who obviously had something that the mags wanted, but this is a bigger kick in the guts than getting rejects from mags.. simply because there was no effort justifying the winner... winning. grrrrrrr...

do i sound like a spoilt brat!?

Just had to vent.. sorry. :(

Crop 'til you drop

I think that this should be the name of one stores online cyber crop name... i found by chance a site in the United States that was having a cyber crop this weekend so i thought that it would be a little different and a tonne of fun to scrap with the Americans since it seems that they scrap a lot different than we seem to do down under... anyway.. here i was, niave and sheltered from all the aussie cyber crops, thinking that there would be a few games and 3-4 challenges.. this is pretty normal.. right!?! Wrong.. how VERY wrong i was... try games til you cant game any more and cropping til you litterally drop or have your fingers fall off. 15 Challenges!! Yep.. you read right... fifteen! What are these women thinking... are they insane!? I guess if i was a power scrapper






instead of a snail then i would not have a problem at all with 15 challenges but you guessed it... im struggling... i was on track until they threw 5 more up.. and then i thought.. yep.. this is cool.. i will be able to have 9 done by mid morning Monday (since its a public hol in Vic and the CC is due to end around then) WRONG... im sure they senced my sureness and confidence in scrapping way more than i think i've ever scrapped in a 48 hour period so they threw up another 5...

Gawd damn-it... my game plan is mud now.. ~L~...


Im still going to work on the challenges, even though i wont be able to submit them for the crop... here is what i have come up with so far..
Ive discovered that this is what cropping in a pure relaxed atmostphere while listening to blues creates.

Miss Mirandas ABC Puzzle

I made this puzzle and tin set i made Miranda for christmas but forgot to put it up and show y'all... honestly, until today i had not even got around to photographing it, but i read that For Keeps has a call for OTP things at the moment so i thought i would submit it and see how i go.It's not a usual puzzle, it is an alphabet puzzle made of 6 x 6 piece puzzle pieces. It has 24 sides and 10 flowers thrown in to make this a little more Tricky. It was inspired by Mirandas passion for puzzles, and her ability to do them and master them within the shortest amount of time. While she is the master in our house of puzzles she is not very good with her alphabet so i came up with the idea of this puzzle, not only to make her think a little deeper when doing her puzzle (with the fact that the patterned paper i used on the background is not all running the same way)
i have included flowers into the puzzle just to make it a little more tricky so that when she does master her alphabet it will not be a puzzle that she completes in a few minutes. I have also made it so that none of the pieces can be the same colour, beside, diagonally or two across to make the puzzle even that little more complicated. It has stumped a few adults though Miranda is still loving the challenge! ~L~ And.. yep... she has completed it... a few times actually.

BOM - Right Now

Thought i would share with you a page that i did yesterday in my newly started Book Of Me..
Thejournalling that i have allowed the world to see is a harsh blunt reality which Matt says could not be any more truethful if i tried... this is for me... my growth... my benifit... so.. you know what!? Harsh and Blunt is good.. it gives me something to look back on later and see how very far i have actually travelled on my lifes journey.. right!?
There is extra journalling under anything that is held down with photo turns! ;)

Anyway.. that is it for me..
hugs n kisses
xxx

D Day...

Can you believe that it has been six weeks since Jamies drama with his finger!? Some days it seems way longer.. like an eternity or two.. though yay for today, its D Day...

We have both been counting down the days until today would come around and this morning... no more sleeps!! We headed to the hospital about midday and have just not arrived home with the best news!!!

WE HAVE MOVEMENT!!!!

It took a few minutes of trying ... (with mummys heart in her throat) to get the movement.. but yep... it twitched.. then slowly but surely... he bent it.. only the slightest bit... but it MOVED... by the end of rehab he had progressed marginly, though... its happening... like they say, it may not happen overnight, but it will happen..
His finger looks rather putrid (not in the dirty, unclean sence either ~L~) though ive been assured that new skin will grow and the colour will return to normal. Please let it be sooner rather than later! Almost gag-worthy. ~L~

Everything went smoothly except for the doctor slipping with the grip of his pliers as he went to pull the pin out of Jamies finger, tearing the flesh at the tip a little.. before the pin was removed.. i probably should say this is done with no anasthetic.. anyway.. Jamie says the doctors lied when they said it didnt hurt..
my man was so brave, even though i could see the tears, he didnt fully cry.. he has decided that the pin must be scrapbooked along with the rest of the ickies from this journey.. yay for mum since she is the one that has to do it.. bleh bleh..

still weeks of rehab getting the finger to move properly.. months of aching as it strengthens... but we have been told as long as he follows the rehab orders of no basket ball or hard tasking, we should have a full recovery in a few months.. yay!!

Thank god that stage is all over!

81 Candles

Yet another year rolls by, another candle my father has earned, yet never again shall he be able to blow them out...

Today the 2nd of March, as every year, i find myself a little melancholy...though i fight through the day...i no longer find a solace in placing roses upon the marble rimmed plaque that mark where his earthly body remains...but more in the memories that the day provides...

Dad... do you remember the first time i ever made you a birthday cake? Remember how i stood at the oven door so impatiently for the cake to be done and was so upset that it had not risen an inch? I painstakenly made the icing, passionfruit, with the seeds included... and smiled through tears as you being you, laughed and blew out the candles anyway, saying that it was the best cake you had ever seen.
Remember how i promised to make the next birthday cake so much better? It rose, like a dream, though the icing, blue - was almost fluroescent it was so bright? Again you gave me praise like you have always done. It became tradition that i would make your cake, each year and thankfully they got better, though, slowly!. i have now mastered the art of cake making and can even make the icing the colour and shade i want it to be... you would be so proud.. though, im sure... you being you...no matter if it was hollow and sunken in the middle and resembled the colour of the mid day sun... you would love it... and eagerly blow those 81 candles out...

I miss making those cakes for you.. I miss you so much more.

Happy Birthday... i love you!

no other word for it...

than 100% CRAZY... me, this song...whatever... craaaaaaazeee!

What better way to start March than with a little bit.. or a lot... of Crazy!~L~

I thought i would share a little bit with you!

Llama Song

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! :)