My Fortunate Life

On a happier note

2012-02-04T22:38:00.001-08:00

I have been doing a little craft.....I know *gasp* she does more than write........LOL.

My girlfriends from Tamworth and I have decided to try a card challenge this year. We have called ourselves the Crafty Bitches.

Each month there is a new challenge. Here's this months, and please feel free to play along.

Dates – 16/01/12 – 14/02/12

Theme – Valentines and Pink

Rules – You must incorporate the colour pink into either of the following valentines

1. Card

2. Scrap page

3. Off the page

You can use other colours, you are not restricted to just pink.

You may email your creations and you will see them posted to http://www.craftypaperbitches.blogspot.com.au/

In the mean time, here is my offering.

Stay beautiful,

K xxx

What now?

2012-02-04T22:13:00.000-08:00

It would seem that February spells disaster for QLD. One year to the day after cyclone Yasi decimated Cardwell and Tully in North QLD and battered the tropics, the South East corner had it's turn with crippling floods reaching record levels.

My Dad was one in the town of Mitchell to be affected. The whole town was affected in some way large or small. The RSL Club evacuation centre was evacuated to the council depot as the water exceeded the expected peak. Dad got out of his house with his little dog Millie, a few changes of clothing and his mobile phone.........that's it. It would appear at this early stage his home was inundated to ceiling level, but we are quietly praying for much lower.

I think of all Mum and Dad's special things, photographs, family history research and memorabilia of Mum and Dad's life together and I am sad. Not as sad I thought I would be as I realise that the most important things are not in fact things. I am so grateful Dad and his little mate are safe and sound, although a little uncomfortable in a crowded area. I will mourn the loss of the 100+ year old family bible, but we can start another one. Photos and slides of my childhood will be ruined and special things of mine I still had stored at Mum and Dad's place. The more I seem to think about them, the less important they seem. Perhaps I have finally grown up, or perhaps I have moved so much I am becoming less sentimental, I have realised material things are just that......things. I can't replace my father or his little mate Millie and together they will be fine and deal with whatever happens.

The floodwaters are receding a little now and it is Charleville, Roma, St George and Moree's turn to face the challenges of the biggest floods on record.

Spare a thought for the people doing it tough and please support where you can with whatever you can. Every little bit counts......

Stay beautiful,

K xxx

2012.....BRING IT!!!

2012-01-22T15:38:00.000-08:00

Hello to you all and welcome to 2012. A little on the late side, but better late than never right?

Our family had a lovely Christmas break with a visit home to the in-laws for Christmas. 17 in a house for a week makes for loads of fun and tons of laughs. Thanks guys, we always have such a great time don't we?

Second leg of the trip was New Year camping with some old and very dear friends as well as a few days with an absolute treasure of a friend-love you Russ an thanks for letting us invade your home. I got to catch up with my fabulous girlfriends as well. We all met through scrapbooking and we all need to stay friends forever because we know way too much about each other!!! It was a riot as always and I think the staff at The Pub wondered what we were 'on'. You girls are awesome and I love every single one of you.

Next a visit to my dear Dad. 82 years young and still going strong. He misses Mum every day, but he still gets himself up and organised and has made a lovely life for himself. He says he's going great anyway.......

Home again-which brings me to my point. What is home? Is it really where you hang your hat? Is it with your husband and children or is it your parents home? I'm not sure where I feel my home is-certainly where my husband and children are, but is it a place or a town? I'm not too sure on that one actually as I have spent most of my married life travelling around Australia with my husbands job. Perhaps home is more a feeling than a place.............in that case, I have strong feelings for certain places.LOL Tamworth......if ever we had cause to move back could I? Of course I could. I always said you can never go back....it's never the same, but after being back, it WAS the same.

All our friends always make it hard to leave, this time especially so but I'm not sure why. It seems like it calls me back stronger each time we go there. Interesting..............

Anyhoo, have dedicated a song (how cheesy) to how I feel about the people and the "Big Sky Country'.

Stay beautiful

K xxxx

Variety Club Youth Choir Flash Mob 'I am Australian'

2011-03-03T15:37:00.000-08:00

Mum.( Long post )

2010-11-01T00:39:00.000-07:00

HI all. I haven't blogged lately. I wasn't sure where to start, but here goes.

WARNING.

Don't read this if you are on your way out or only have 5 minutes. It's a little LONG.

On Friday the 17th of September, I lost the most influential and wonderful woman in my life-my Mum.

I started this blog just for her to keep up on our lives when we lived so far away.

I wondered whether to continue, but I think I will as I find it helpful to get my thoughts out of my head and onto "something".

Mum was a lovely lady and although she could really frustrate me like all Mother's, I loved her with every fibre of my being.

Mum had a brain tumour that was benign, but large and in a not so great place. It affected balance and memory just to name a few things. Mum was receiving treatment and was looking at an operation to remove it (of which she was terrified). Sadly, the operation wasn't to be and after a fall where she hit her head on the car, the trauma to her head (unbeknown to her ) had started the tumour bleeding, and in the end caused a massive stroke which ended her life.

I spoke to her every 2nd day as she was struggling with her health as a direct result to the tumour, and asked her if she was sure that thing wasn't leaking......... It was.

Early Friday morning at 6.45am, my beautiful Mum left us for her heavenly home. That day-that moment, I felt the gears of my life change.

I am now an adult.

We (I have a brother and a sister) wanted Mum's funeral to be a celebration of her life as she lived a life worth celebrating, so we set to work uncovering "Mum" and the things that made her, 'her'. We have been so richly blessed by what we found, and what we already knew.

Some people go through their lives wondering if they were loved. Mum told us all the time and going through her computer, she had written the "memoirs" of her life. What a huge gift to us.

Mum was much loved by all who met her-she had a way with people. I have never known a person to be such an accurate judge of character and to have the capacity to love everyone.

I miss her immensely, and can't imagine a life without her.

My darling Dad has to start again as well after 57 years of marriage. THAT is the kicker for me. Dad on his own. I can't imagine how you would do that after so many years with the love of your life. He hasn't thrown the towel in by a long shot and is learning to cook and has had lessons in the washing machine previously in the year by Mum. Almost like she was training him for this time.

I wonder if she knew, or made a conscious decision not to seek medical treatment. I will never know, and in the long run, it won't matter. Her life had become quite difficult and she was sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Mum's faith in God never faltered, and I know this by a couple of conversations I had with her. I was brought up in a Christian family, and I know what happens when you die. I am not afraid, nor an I concerned as to where Mum has 'gone', and I know she will be waiting for me when it is my turn. Her 'interim mode of transport'might be in the earth, but her soul is long gone to a far better place than this one.

To those that have supported us, whether with prayers, loving thoughts, cards, phone calls, food and presence, we THANK YOU.

Mum is in heaven now, free of all the burdens that weighed her down in her earthly life, but she left us with this poem she wrote, and I would like to share it here.

WITH LOVE FROM ME TO YOU

MY THANKS TO YOU ALL FROM MY HEART

MY BEAUTIFUL FAMILY LIKE NO OTHER

MY LOVING AND SUPPORTIVE FRIENDS

MY SIBLINGS PLUS ALL OTHERS WHO HAVE TOUCHED MY LIFE'S’ JOURNEY IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER.

AS I SIFT THROUGH LEAVES OF MY MEMORIES,

ALL YELLOWED AND SCATTERED AROUND,

THESE DAYS, THERE’S SO LITTLE OF YESTERDAY,

FURTHER BACK IS WHERE MEMORIES ARE FOUND.

WE CANNOT PLAN OUR LENGTH OF LIFE,

BUT FAMILY CAN BE SURE,

THAT WE LOVED THEM ALL SO DEARLY,

AND THEIR LOVE FOR US MEANS MORE.

Clara Allen April 2010

Thank you,

Stay Beautiful

K XX

Creative Share...............finally

2010-09-08T16:51:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I have been working lots, so the blogging is not coming back into swing like I hoped it would.

Here's a really quick share of a card I made a few days ago (last weekend) using Tim Holtz distress inks and a permanent mask technique I found on

http://jennifermcguireink.com/

Do yourself a favour and check her out.

She deals in simple and elegant.

Two things I have in bucket-loads, so I can relate!!!!!

Any questions?? No?? Sweet. Have a fabulous day

Stay Beautiful,

K xx

The Family that plays together.....................

2010-09-06T05:11:00.000-07:00

I love it that my two older men in the family do something together.

They play baseball.

A lot of the time the older one pitches and the younger one catches (the older one feels too "old" some days)

They encourage each other and there's a bit of banter going on most of the time. Bottom line is, they can count on each other when a play is being made. They don't need to look where the other one is - they just know they will be there.

I love watching them play, and I have a million pics of them. This one, however was taken 2 weeks ago., and it would be one of my faves.

I love the look on their faces.

They both love the game, and love each other.

They felt the need to play in their old Tamworth uniforms to make it an "All Stars" team.

I don't know, but there was a lot of "glory slides" done by the old one that day. He said it was the uniform. "LIKE A COUGAR"!!!!

I LOVE IT

Stay beautiful,

K xx

Fathers Day

2010-09-05T18:29:00.000-07:00

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dad's out there. Hope your day is great!

Special shout out goes to my own Darling Dad. Love ya Pickle!! And to my husband. You're a wonderful Dad babe, and I love you!!! Mwahhhh

I also had a spurt of creativity starting with breakfast. Eggs Benedict on Turkish Bread.

I forgot the spinach leaves.

And the ham.

And also the cream.

Oh, and I forgot to fry up the mushrooms I had saved for the occasion.

BUT, my hubby was just stoked it wasn't toast!!! Tasted divine, and didn't need the extra fat of the cream after all.

I didn't mention the baby spinach leaves, so he didn't know they were missing.

Substituted the ham with bacon. And the mushrooms, well just forgot them and they stayed forgotten until about mid morning. D'OH!!

Never mind.

Spent an unexpected afternoon with our other fave family and did chip sangas for dinner.

Managed to make a few cards too. Will share that tomorrow.

Until then,

Stay Beautiful

K xx

Deliciously Decadent

2010-08-21T22:10:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Have spent the day in the kitchen (and laundry) and was experimenting with yeast cooking. So far this week, we have made our own pasta, naan bread, pizza bases, ham and cheese scrolls and these little beauties. YAY for Cinnamon Scrolls!!!!!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/cinammon_rolls_/

Click on the above link for the recipe.

It makes bulk rolls, so put a few trays in the freezer....if they last that long~

It took all day, with the million other things I had on the go as well, but they are SO worth it. Hopefully the link works, and you can experience these gems for yourself.

They are taken from a blog I follow called The Pioneer Woman.

She cooks, home schools her 4 children and lives on a "ranch" miles from anywhere in Oaklahoma USA. Ree Drummond is her name and she has a wicked wit and take on life. I enjoy her blog daily, and it's worth a read. She also a self taught photographer, and her pics and tutorials have improved my own photography a lot. Not that you'd know from these pics.

Until next time,

Stay beautiful,

K xx

Beloved

2010-08-09T02:20:00.000-07:00

My Beloved is away for 2 weeks.

I really miss him.

I want my feet tickled and my back rubbed. I want to lay on his lap on the lounge while he pretends I'm not there.

I NEED to sleep. I have even conned one of the kids (the smallest one) to sleep with me so my bed isn't so big and lonely.

I want someone to annoy when the adds are on TV, and someone to make me the best cup of tea ever when I'm not annoying him in the adds.

Hurry home babe, it's not the same without you.

You have only been gone 1 day........

Stay Beautiful,

K xx

P.s I thought it might be timely to remember all the families missing loved ones serving in the military overseas. I know lots of these families, and the ones left behind show incredible strength and resilience and quite frankly, you all should be called "Home Heroes".

Embossed card

2010-08-07T23:19:00.001-07:00

I thought I should publish something crafty.......it has been a while.

This is a card I made up quickly for a birthday.

It uses a resist technique.

I stamped the image on white card with versamark ink and embossed with white ink.

I took my Tim Holtz distress inks and applicator and smooshed all over the card in a colour combo I liked.

In this case I have used Perfect Pearls mixed with water in a magic mister and spritzed over the card for a pearly finish.

Then you take a bit of damp rag and carefully wipe the ink off the embossed image to make it shiny. Voila!

One card.

Stay beautiful

Sneaky

2010-08-07T23:03:00.000-07:00

It was Andrew's birthday last week, he was 39.

It has hit me that we are nearly 40.

When did this happen?

I feel the same as I did in my 20's, so I am not sure when the time was so sneaky that I looked up and it was almost time for me to be 40.

I remember when I thought 30 year olds were.......OLD.

I revealed my thoughts to Andrew when we went to bed and lamented that I have got almost to 40 and have done nothing.

"I'm a wife and a Mum and all that, but remember when we were young ( and naive ) and we swore we were going to make a difference in the world? I wanted to make a difference to lives and change things I hated about the world, and I would polish my rose coloured glasses daily."

To this my husband said in his quiet manner, "Kell, you have changed MY world, made a difference, and made it so much better." Cue my self indulgent tears. Sometimes, he can be so............so..............sensitive?

Never underestimate the difference you can make in someone's life. I think sometimes the smallest acts are the most powerful. And for the record, he changed MY world and made it so much better.

I have a sneaking suspicion, that 40 will be my mid-life crisis. Watch here for the memo.

Stay Beautiful,

K xx

Butterflies

2010-08-07T01:54:00.000-07:00

Amanda had her braces put on 2 weeks ago now.

There was very little drama and very little pain or ulcers in her mouth.

She is a trouper for sure.

I don't think the braces look too bad, but MAN, does she have some hardware in her mouth at the moment!!!! In the pic where her mouth is open, look carefully and see the expander across the top of her mouth. She has had that in for 2 months and will get it out just before Christmas. It looks a little like a horses bit. It has caused her more issues than the actual braces, with food and drink flying out at uncontrolled intervals. Combine that with all the wire and brackets, and there is sure a mouthful. It affects her speech a little and the kids at school are giving her a little grief, but nothing she can't handle.

We have 21 months to go before they come off and quite a few monthly payments! I SO should have been an orthodontist!!!!!

We still think she is beautiful.

Remember,

If there was no change, there would be no butterflies.

Stay Beautiful,

K xx

Just for Russ

2010-08-03T18:09:00.000-07:00

After a few less than complimentary phone calls (from an anonymous source), re my blogging frequency, I thought I would post a few photo montages to update you on our life.

Is anyone there?

Anyone?

*crickets chirping*

Is this thing on?

*tap tap*

The first is a series of pics from a fundraiser the kids high school so every year. It's theatre restaurant. You buy tickets, you go and get a meal and a show.

Josh was on the catering team to cook the meal, Amanda was in the show. They rely on audience participation, so Ethan and I were in the show too.

It was a hoot and Amanda is playing a character called Dr Who?

Enjoy,

Stay beautiful,

K xx

I never thought I'd say it, but....................

2010-06-15T03:05:00.000-07:00

Wow, another camping weekend has come and gone all too quickly. We are SO lucky to live in such a breathtakingly beautiful country and it really is a privilege to be able to get out into it.

We camped with the usual crowd, with another family adding to the fun. We also had a few ring-ins with the big girls bringing friend that had never camped before. After the initial shock of a chemical toilet "with a view", and a makeshift shower, they coped great and they said they had a good time. I think they would like to come again.

Just a few stills of Keelbottom Creek up in the Herveys Ranges and a few happy snaps of various things. There was a rise above the creek and we camped there.

Some Army snipers wandered in for a bath and there were a few bare bums, much to the girls' amusement.

Fishing was SUCCESSFUL with a few sooty grunters straying onto lines. Nothing big enough to eat, but the kids loved the thrill of reeling something in........so did my husband (he rarely catches anything).

The kids all took off up the creek and built a fabulous bridge out of old logs and bark. We all trooped up there after our messenger and all had a turn at crossing it. They all worked together and were amused for a good few hours. Sure beats computers and televisions. I don't think there was 1 fight between all the kids for the entire weekend, and that's good going in my book. The 3 dogs we took were great as well.

I never thought I'd say it while living here, but MAN was it COLD the first night and morning. I think 6 degrees was the temp and to us it felt like -6!! I think we have acclimatised.

Enjoy the pics and I will try to blog more often (sorry Russ).

Stay Beautiful,

K xx

Roger that, Mojo

2010-05-09T16:53:00.000-07:00

I think I felt a rush of wings and air on my face. Don't panic though, I just think my mojo is returning to land after being in a holding pattern.

Finally a share of something creative instead of "waffling".

I love this pic of my Mum, Me and my Sister. It was taken last month and I LOVE it. (Did I say that already?)

I am so blessed to have them in my life. They are my sounding boards, my light and shade, my sometimes critics, my perspective givers and my greatest cheer squad. They have been there for me when I haven't been able to be there for myself, and this is a little tribute to the 2 I love the most.

I love you both more than you know and I can't imagine life without you.

This LO is far more 'tizzy' than I usually do. I wanted to celebrate womanhood and girliness in all it's glory. I also wanted it to look a little vintage, cause we are all gettin' on in years!! LOL

Later,

Stay Beautiful,

K xx

Maybe Creative

2010-05-08T18:32:00.000-07:00

See this?

This is my desk.

It is covered in 'stuff'.

I am almost sure that it is creative 'stuff" and I will make it into 'something' today..................maybe.

Stay Beautiful,

K xx

Happy Mothers Day

2010-05-08T18:16:00.001-07:00

Hi all.

Happy Mother's Day, and I hope you get to do something REALLY special today (and tomorrow too), you deserve it.

My day started at 5.50am. Yes, you heard right. My little man was so excited about Mothers Day he could barely contain himself. For those that know me, to say I am NOT a morning person is a gross understatement. The sun wasn't even up, and the moon was exhausted. I sent him back to bed for an hour. He appeared exactly an hour later and I was ok with that. I had had an hour to leave dreamland and crawl to the surface and rub the sleep from my eyes.

He was just so excited, and it was all I could do to make him NOT give me the gifts he had bought at the mothers day stall at school last week. He had hidden them 3 times in different spots so I wouldn't find them.

The best thing, for me, about Mother's Day is the little things. I LOVE the fact that Ethan has agonised over the table of gifts and selected the ones that he thought I would REALLY love. With $4 (I gave him $5 and he bought me change, would you believe) he bought me a little trinket box that smells like perfume (ie someones Nanna donated it), a lollipop with an attachment that can be a flower AND a butterfly if you spin it round, AND a candle so that when "you get romantic with Dad you can light it"!! How funny is that? I love it. I also received a beautiful wooden box that my girl had created at school. It is 2 types of wood and she has done a superb job.I was hoping she would give that to me, and you all know I love handmade gifts.

Also received was a pottery planter to put herbs in and matching bag of potting mix.

Breakfast in bed was served by my husband (even though I'm not HIS mother) and was helped to be eaten by Ethan. It's ok though, all the crumbs went on Andrew's side.......LOL

Enjoy the day, stay beautiful

K xx

More Pics of God's Country

2010-05-06T01:11:00.000-07:00

Just a few more pics relating to the previous post. I especially love the one of the kids asleep on the way home, but who doesn't love kids asleep????

Stay Beautiful,

Our (BIG) Country

2010-05-05T17:17:00.000-07:00

I am so glad that my Great-Grandfather (on my mother's side) was a merchant seaman from Sweden. I am so glad that he came to Australia one day..........and decided to jump ship............and marry an Australian girl.......................and thus become an illegal immigrant.

I am eternally grateful he decided to do this in Australia, because seriously, in his line of work he could have picked anywhere to get off and stay. I'm glad he didn't pick Russia (too cold) and I'm glad he didn't pick India (too hot). I really love our country and I suspect that it's true that we live in the best country in the world. We love to whinge and grizzle about or politicians and the like, but seriously people..........have some perspective, it could be so much worse.

We have just had long weekends in a row. The most recent one, May Day, we decided to have an adventure weekend but do it close to home. The boys were organising it, so the girls booked the camp site at Bivouac Junction, 110klm SW of Townsville. This is one of the more beautiful camp sites we have been to - on the junction (is that the right word?) of the mighty Burdekin and Fanning Rivers. Because the guys organised it, the girls did all the shopping and much of the packing. We thought it timely to use the men for the 'heavy' stuff. We borrowed some kayaks and headed off. You can see the flood marker in one of the photos. The 2009 floods are 2nd from the top and peaked at 20.75metres. That's a whole lot of water. It was only outdone by the 1946 floods that peaked at a metre higher.The campground we were at would have been totally covered. As you can see by the river pics, there are still trees flattened in the middle of the river and debri is piled up in places ,and the silt goes all the way up the bank. VERY impressive.

As I get around our country more and more, I am struck not only by the sheer size of it, but awed by how quickly the landscapes change. This is certainly a beautiful country and we should all get out and see more of it.

I digress though.

As you can see by the (sometimes awful) photos, a great time was had by all. We were joined by a couple of grey nomads who we took under our wing and invited them into our campfire. It was helpful that they were Mack D's parents ( hi Doreen and Rob ) and they had EVERYTHING we had forgotten in their caravan. And I do mean EVERYTHING!. Even when the lettuce froze, Doreen and Rob were able to come to the rescue. A paddle broke and we needed araldite- Doreen and Rob

again. Although they DID fall down once on the usefulness scale.

Miss C forgot her bag of clothes........(good one), but wearing her Grandmother's gear just wasn't appealing to a 14 year old. Doreen couldn't help there. Off to Charters Towers for a couple of pairs of undies, and a few bargain tops.

I am grateful that we have the opportunity to do these things with our kids and friends. I am grateful our country doesn't dictate to us whether we can camp under the stars or not, and I am certainly grateful we can explore our country in relative safety and not worry that out kids will get

a leg blown off by a landmine when they venture off the track exploring.

I am eternally grateful to have such wonderful friends to share this all with. Long live the Screaming Gophers Tours!!

I just LOVE Australia......'nuff said.

Stay Beautiful

80 years young

2010-05-04T18:26:00.000-07:00

My Dad has just turned 80.

He doesn't look 80 and he certainly doesn't act 80.

We travelled 12 hours to be with him on the weekend before his special day.

We were joined by numerous other family

AND

We had a wonderful time, but too short as always.

Happy Birthday Pickle!!! You are loved by many. xoxoxoxoxo

The End

Happy Birthday Harry

2010-04-19T03:39:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since my last blog.

You know how it is when you have so much to tell, and don't know where to start?

Fiji, hurricanes, illness, work and family. There are a million blogs to be done about all that, but today I want to talk about my baby.

He sprang forth from me 8 years ago- Where has the time gone? I always joke that if I'd had him 1st, I would have had 6 babies. Thank God I didn't. There's something about the 3rd child. I was more relaxed, I knew what I was doing. I KNEW dirt wasn't lethal and neither was crying. I loved every minute of him. His smell, his little sucking motion when he was asleep, his happy manner when he was awake-he was always smiling and laughing, and so very sweet and caring.

THEN, he went to school and thought he ought to pick up every other child's revolting habits, and bring them home. I particularly loathe the answering back and sarcasm bit.

TODAY, though, there was none of that to be seen......my baby turned 8 at exactly 11.40am this morning. I still remember it like it was yesterday. I think my brain remembers the labour and birth on purpose so that I don't feel the need to go back and do it all again.

TODAY my baby was the sweet and gentle boy I remember, devoid of all nasty habits. As he snuggled into bed with me well before daylight this morning, I caught a hint of baby smell still on him- and as his warm little, sleepy body moulded to mine and a little arm came round my neck I can forget all the "other" stuff and remember what joy he has bought into our lives. Real joy.

Happy 8th Birthday Harry, we love you so much.

Adventure Sunday

2010-03-01T02:32:00.000-08:00

Another Screaming Gophers tour.

We got out and about to enjoy some of our beautiful country again on Sunday. This trip was to Wallaman Falls, just West of Ingham.

I was struck with the beauty of a changing landscape. From scrubby country to lush cane fields, to rainforest's growing in a complete canopy over the road, it is so beautiful. I am developing a new appreciation for our land. I also love how when we were going through the rain forest, the kids wound down all the windows to catch "that" smell. You know, that humid, wet, a little rotting, but still alive smell of rain forests. They all commented how it reminded them of Dorrigo on the NSW plateau. I thought the forest reminded me of Yabbra State Forest on the NSW North Coast. Many car trips were taken through there when I was a child (with Mum & Dad )to get to where we were going. I recall the bellbirds, the whipbirds and scrub turkeys. I, too, wound down the window to savour the small all those long years ago. I remember the narrow, winding roads and we would often encounter a fully laden log truck taking up most of the road. It called for some "creative" driving on Dad's part.

But, I digress. Back to the waterfall.

It is the largest single drop waterfall in Australia, and with the wet season still pumping, we thought it worth a look.

Spectacular, is all I can say. The drop was amazing, but the amount of water going over the edge was mind blowing. The spray was coming back up about 1/2 way. We just got there, took about 6 photos, and DOWN CAME THE RAIN. I don't mean small drops either, they were big, fat, hard drops.

Going with the theory, that you can only get SO wet before it ceases to matter, we pressed on with the exploring. I fed a leech. Ewwwww! Forgot how gross those things were. Don't worry though, I took the salt............nobody was laughing at me after that!!

We fast discovered that if we limited our lifestyle in the wet season, be wouldn't be living. Some things are just better in the wet.

This was one of them.

Stay beautiful,

K xx

About a Boy

2010-02-25T14:53:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time there was a little boy called Harry

He was very funny, spirited and mostly cute.

Harry didn't much like fishing because it "took too long".

But, one day his Daddy's 'brother from another mother' took him fishing for catfish.

In no time at all Harry had caught his first fish.

He was VERY happy and PROUD.

He took it home and his Nanna cooked it for his tea.

After that he decided he liked fishing after all.

THE END

Stay Beautiful

K xx

I Have Issues

2010-02-23T15:06:00.001-08:00

You know how some days you are the dog and some days you are the hydrant?

Well a few days ago, I was the hydrant.

I had been to the doctor and he had given me a "but this is the worst case scenario" brief, and I was little peeved and upset when I left.

I jumped in the car and took off forgetting I was parked next to a trolley bay. I parked there to minimise scratches on my vehicle, would you believe, and when I took off, I forgot it was there and .................well.........................wiped it out!!...................Right out. So far out that 'they' had to infact remove one of the rails because it was SO wiped out.

You might ask why didn't I stop? Well, one must POWER OUT of a car park mustn't one? And it WAS my Dad who told me that "he who hesitates is often found dead". So, I was just doing what I had learned..................forget the context, it matters not.

I tore the flare off the rear passenger door and part of the flare at the back, BUT the running board saved my car and there STILL wasn't a scratch on it.

I retrieved my car parts from the carpark in as dignified manner as I could. This happens a lot to people right?, and marched over to the cleaner who had watched the whole thing and advised him to tell centre management. He gave me directions for a 20 minute drive to tell them myself.

I politely informed him that I WASN'T going to tell them, he was and turned on my heel and fled to my sadly waiting car.

I came home and did what any self respection woman would do.................made coffee and rang my Mum.

Poor Mum, she heard about all my sad and sorry woes for the last 5 years I reckon and listened with the patience that only a mother can.

I though she was especially gracious when the ugly cry started ( you know, the one with the racking sobs and the snot and the puffy, nasty eyes) and I apologised for being pathetic, only to launch into a new ugly cry with the realisation that I was crying about being pathetic.

What do you make of that Dr Freud?

Sometimes we need to cry the ugly cry. Sometimes we need to let it all hang out and get rid of the baggage that has been weighing us down and all I can say is "thank God for Mothers". Thanks Mum for listening, again, not laughing too hard and providing the support I so badly needed.

I LOVE YA BABY!!!

Stay Beautiful,

K xx

My Dirty Secret

2010-02-19T19:17:00.000-08:00

Yes, I have one. Really don't we all have a secret that's just a little dirty?

A fetish for shoes perhaps? Handbags? Patterned paper? ( yeah, don't deny THAT one scrappers )

A secret that you keep all to yourself and don't reveal to anyone.

A secret that is SUCH a guilty pleasure that you indulge all on your own.

I believe a confession is in order.

My jiggly bits can stand it no longer.................I HAVE to tell.

My thighs DEMAND it.

It will no longer be my guilty little pleasure that nobody knows about.

This is what I NEED to share.

Please.............................don't laugh at me or ridicule me. I can be very sensitive.

Here goes........

Darrell Lea Milk Chocolate Coated Aniseed Rings!!!!!!!!!

There, it is out! I have come out!! My secret is revealed for all the world to see, my dirty laundry aired.

My passion for these started when I was pregnant with #3. We ALL know you do NOT get in the way of a pregnant woman and a craving. I wanted some of these a particular day, and Darrell Lea had run out. I was devastated. I could only eat THOSE ones. The kind lady put in an express order for me and I had them the next day.

Bliss, joy and elation. I had my fix.

Trouble is...........................I still NEED them. One whiff of aniseed and I am on the trail for these things. It's like a drug and I NEED it.

Do not try to stop me, do not get in my way. It will get ugly.

I had intended to photograph the full packet...............................................sorry.

I am so ashamed..................................almost.

My thighs thank you for listening. They are grateful you care.

Have a great weekend

Stay Beautiful

p.s. It was only a small packet

Mortality

2010-02-16T15:10:00.001-08:00

Lately I have been thinking alot of my own mortality.

Don't worry, I'm not sick or anything, just thinkin' about the future I suppose. Maybe that's a sign of maturing or getting old. ;P

Maybe I don't want to do either one!!

I have never been afraid of dying, but rather what happens to the ones I love who are left behind. Will they really be living in a stinkpot of filth and dirty clothes? Will they miss the sometimes crappy food I serve up? Will they think of me on their wedding days? Will they miss the constant nagging and sometime arguments about the state of their rooms? Ok, fair enough, They don't HAVE to miss that.

Then there's the heaven issue. What if, in my life I haven't done ENOUGH to get me there? What if it's a ruse and all I get to do for all eternity is haunt stuff? ( I would probably only get to haunt a dunny or something ) What if as a person, I haven't been ENOUGH?

Then I get to play with patterned paper and eat dessert and it all seems OK. If there's no heaven, there wouldn't be patterned paper right? Or caramel cheesecake dessert, or profiteroles, or Mum's dumplings...

Maybe, just maybe it will all be ok...................and Mum, I NEED, NEED, NEED some golden syrup dumplings..........for Andrew.

Some more offerings from the collage sheet I did. Look familiar Mum?

Have a wonderful day

Stay Beautiful,

K xx

These are a few of my favourite things

2010-02-15T02:29:00.000-08:00

Yep, I think I will compile a list of my favourite stuff.

*Like....the smell of rain

*Lightning storms ( not too close )

*Chocolate

*Kisses and cuddles

*My family

*My friends

*Patterned paper

I think this will be an add to list as time goes on............

I WILL add this though.

A photo of my amazing sister, my beautiful daughter and eccentric old me. I think I will scrapbook this one a hundred times, I love it so much.

There is a sense of belonging to something bigger in this pic, something bigger than us. We are bound by blood and also love. We are all kinda alike, but so different as well.

My Dad would tell you that it's exceptional breeding stock......... he's hilarious like that.

I say it's because we are all exceptional in our own way.

3 exceptional women.

Now THAT'S something to be proud of and to be celebrated.

The other 2 exceptional women were stuck in Mitchell and Roma and didn't make it to the shindig...................................we still love them though.

We didn't save them cake.............sorry.

Stay beautiful

K xx

Family Matters

2010-02-15T02:17:00.000-08:00

No matter what you do or where you go, family is SO important. I am fortunate to belong to a strong, loving family that are open and honest with each other. I also belong to an in-law family like that too.

My nephew turned 30 and we had a little party. The old jokes have SO stopped coming from them now that there are 3 of us in our 30's.

I am so blessed to have grown up with these kids like they are my brothers ( and sister who couldn't make it to the party ). They have grown into loving, compassionate, strong men and woman and I couldn't be prouder of them. I sure hope my kids turn out as good.

SO....................... what I am trying to say is that my family is as important to me as breathing and I can't imagine my life without any of them. (Mum and Dad, you MUST live forever)

Take the time to appreciate your family, because life is too short for the shitty stuff.

Stay beautiful,

K xx

Mojo kickstarted at LAST

2010-02-12T02:28:00.000-08:00

Hi, I have been doing a few cards (see last post) in preparation for doing my nieces wedding invitations, trying to find my mojo. I feel like it is returning.

I did a split shift at work this week and had to come home for 3 1/2 hours. I saw some stuff involving collage on the net and thought I would channel Marcy, and voila! My first collage. I started with a 12x12 white cardstock sheet and just tore up stuff and stuck it down. I didn't think about it too much, just went for it. (Do they call that artistic freedom?)

I told myself if it sucked, it could go in the bin and nobody would know. BUT.......... I was so happy with the result. When the glue was dry, I cut the sheet up into the desired sizes and distressed and stamped some more until I was happy. This is the result. My gorgeous nephew's 30th birthday card. The party is tomorrow night, so will see if he likes it then.

BTW, thanks for all the comments. I can't believe anyone reads this besides Mum, and I so get a kick out of what you all write. Keep 'em coming.

Thanks for the inspiration Marcy, I have been stalking your blog NOT leaving comments LOL, but love your work.

Stay beautiful,

K xx

Craniums, Cyclones and Creativity

2010-02-01T20:09:00.000-08:00

Well, the great debate has been solved. Thankyou Mum for your cranium contribution on this one. You're the bomb!

Go to my post called "Still on It" and check out the comments to see what Mum has found. Perhaps it's something she has drawn on from real life. How old ARE you MUM??

Just a word to let you know that we were almost blown from the face of the earth with ex-cyclone Olga making her mark here in Townsville. I tried to get some photos of the driving rain, but the wind kept shifting everything around. I think we ended up with around 300-400 mm of rain. Amanda flooded her room by leaving her window open..................not cool. Nothing dries in extreme humidity. In fact, I even found mould behind one of my ears..............true.

SO, what's a girls to do when the rain is bucketing down? Play with paper of course!! Here are some offerings of a fiddle with water colour paper, kindy glitz, Twinkling H2oS,Timmy Holtz distress inks and my new butterfly stamp. As you can also see, I was using a range of 'thinking of you' rubons. Gotta use up some of that stash!!! Shhhhh

Mmmmm, bliss.

Stay Beautiful,

K xx

Grab a Coffee and Check This OUT!!!

2010-01-28T23:39:00.000-08:00

Well, you know I LOVE a great website, and don't EVER say I don't anything for you, but I have hit pure gold.

http://www.freebiesforcrafters.blogspot.com

Check out the freebies for crafters website for some fabulous stuff, and best of all, it's all FREE!!

P.S You will need to grab a coffee as you trawl through the archives.

I am ALL OVER Christmas this year already..............now to just get the time to do it all!!

Stay Beautiful ( I am in 91% humidity-NOT )

K xx

Still on it

2010-01-13T23:01:00.000-08:00

Well, we are home. ( Like, last week)

We pulled a 17 hour day from Tamworth to Mackay, and then 4 hours home the next day. Needless to say our kids are EXCEPTIONAL travellers, but the 4 hours from Mackay to home were as long as the 17 hours the day before. Hat drivers and caravans are not cool.

Well, just so you know, I am still researching Auld Lang Syne.

I am.

I know you are waiting, so will hurry it up.

I know that you aren't sleeping for wont of knowing.

I KNOW IT!!

Only another week and a half till school goes back and I can't say I will be sorry. Kids have been really good though, while I have been at work.

We went to the library today and I was going to treat them to morning tea at the library cafe as their behaviour has been so great.

Cue the sirens and the "evacuate please" voice on the loudspeaker and a lady running up the aisles in a hard hat. Yup, we were EVACUATED! I am now an EVACUEE! Could smell burning something outside and the firies dramatically screeched to a halt. Then stood around awaiting instruction.

Will let you know what happened when I find out.

We didn't hang around.

Instead, we went to another cafe, the Luka Bean and had morning tea with Jonathon Thurston and some of the NQ Cowboys who were having their breakfast there.

Yay, the evacuation!!!!!

Stay beautiful

K xx

2010 Ponderings

2009-12-31T22:13:00.000-08:00

For Auld Lang Syne my dear, for Auld Lang Syne..............................

Happy 2010 everyone!!!!! Woooo-Hoooo (cue the party poppers and French kissing)

We had one of THE BEST New Years Eve's I have ever put in.

About 20 great friends gathered ( some bought their caravans )at a very tolerant friends place ( thanks for letting us invade Russ), good company, good conversation, good wine, good food and GREAT singing!!!!! What more can you ever ask for in life?

We hit the golden oldies sing along about 11pm and it went downhill from there, and by that I mean the singing.

Which brings me to wonder what Auld Lang Syne is. I know all the words of all the verses, but I'm not sure what it's all about. Sometimes, I live my life like that. I go through the motions and don't really consider why I am doing something. Perhaps we all do that to a degree for many things, but seeing as it another "NIKE year" for me, I think I will pay more attention to the details of little things that we " do because we do".

I am off now, to sort out the Auld Lang Syne issue. Watch this space if you are interested in knowing..................seriously, I will find out.

Watch this space......................I know you will.
May 2010 bring you much happiness and challenges. After all, if we don't have the rain, we don't appreciate the sunshine.

Stay Beautiful,

K xx

p.s LIKE A COUGAR!!!!

Why is it so?

2009-12-30T02:19:00.000-08:00

Have you ever noticed that stuff hurts more the older you get? Like horse riding for example. As kid, it NEVER hurt, not even the day after. Dancing like a crazy woman ( sorry is that just me? ), it never used to hurt. Now I book a session with my Chiropractor the day BEFORE I go dancing.

Stuff just hurts now.

I have recently spent a week doing water sports. Not just swimming and floating with cocktails in hand. Almost.......... but not quite extreme sports.

And it hurt.

In the above picture, I have included an example of "hurt on the water". I had nothing left in my arms and hands, and if you look very closely, you will see the very tiny hold I had on the handle of the ski rope. I finished with a 360 spin and never even got my hair wet.

The next day, it hurt......................everywhere. Unused muscles were jolted into action and they were MAD..................for days. Until I dealt with the fact they couldn't hurt ANYMORE and kept using them. I'm a fast learner that way.

Stay beautiful,

K xx

Better Late...................real late, than never!!

2009-12-28T20:43:00.000-08:00

Well Helllloooooo to you all in blogland.

All of you who have commented that I haven't been blogging, be silenced now!!!! I am back!

Actually, it's kinda nice to have been missed.

I hope you all had a brilliant Christmas and as we move in to 2010, I pray we keep all the resolutions that we make.

For the first time this year, I kept my resolution for the WHOLE year. I can be a bit of a procrastinator, so I thought I would draw some inspiration from NIKE. I have had a 'Just do it!" year, and because it worked so well, and it actually got me through a really tough year......I reckon I will take it one step further and do it again this year. That, and because I can't think of anything else I want to do besides lose weight, ......and we all know how THAT resolution goes.

We are on holidays at the moment and are back from whence we came. I could move back here in a heartbeat, but at the same time, I DO love seeing different parts of Australia. We spent Christmas with Andrew's family at a local dam known for watersports (an fishing for some) and we had a blast. 17 people, 9 kids and barely a cross word spoken among the kids and none among the adults. I reckon that's pretty amazing.

We had a week there and now are in with Mum and Dad ( bet they are pleased ) and enjoying getting around seeing them and other great friends here.

Leaving for home around the 7th Jan, and will be back at work and back to normal by the 11th Jan. Still got some time to go and New Years Eve to be had. Bit hot at home and raining there also. We would like to say that we bought the rain with us, so cough up local councils!!!

Hope you enjoy the late Christmas pic, we all wanted to be in it this year. Not dressed real fine, but it was a spur of the moment thing.

Talk again soon,

Stay Beautiful,

K xx

Sorta back on

2009-11-19T18:48:00.000-08:00

Well, we have traded up to a new computer and it's a bit noice I must say. Just got to get all my programs off the fried one and on this one and I am back in business.
Lots happening with us, Amanda got dux of her year. I'm sorry if I mentioned it, we're kinda proud. Andrew went to Brisbane this week teaching and on Monday, got the call from school to come and get Josh, he's broken his collar bone. Yep, the kids is SPECIAL. Couldn't go for more than a year without seeing the inside of a hospital. Quite a bad break, but as he said.........."I've had worse". Without a doubt. So he's trussed up like a chicken for the next 6 weeks. yay,......not.
I became a great-aunt again last week with the safe arrival of Lauren Taylor Ramage. Congrats to Honnet and Ramo, we are so proud and you are so clever to have such a beautiful baby girl. We thought it was a boy, so the surprises just keep coming. You may address me hereafter by my title Great-Aunt Lella!!!
Went to the movies last night and saw New Moon. Not sure what to think, but it was a little cheesy in places. The kid who plays the part of Jacob Black really buffed up and he obviously worked hard for his new body. I feel like a dirty old woman, but .......man that boy is FINE!!!! 'Nuff said there. Amanda was practically drooling on herself and Josh was looking at his guns to see if they compared...............they didn't. Nice movie though, think I will have to see it again to form an opinion.
Well, that's it, have to go to work now.You know, the mail MUST get through, through hail and sleet and snow. Yeah right!! Stinking hot here and there certainly ain't none of the aforementioned in this part of the world. Have a great weekend and
STAY BEAUTIFUL
K xx

Technology....friend of foe?

2009-10-30T21:22:00.000-07:00

Hi all, just wish to inform you that our computer crashed.....fried actually, so am reduced to typing away on DH's laptop. Won't be posting for a bit as I can't put pics and so forth on. I just don't think words alone are enough to hold your interest!!!
So while I have your attention now, I would like to say how PROUD we are of our daughter. At the school awards ceremony, she got 2 gold medals. One each for sciences and maths. 2 silver certificates for English and social sciences and THEN.......................got announced for dux of year 8. There was a stunned silence from our little family and we were shocked. Amanda was shocked..... there were crickets chirping and mozzies whining. THEN, the realisation kicked in and she was able to stand and make her way to the stage. She has worked so hard this year and .....well....she really deserves this. Maths and science were her weakest subjects, so the victory is all the sweeter for her. Good onya Manda!!!! Woooooo Hoooooo.
Until sometime in the future,
Stay beautiful,
K xx

Computers, Birthdays and Alcohol...........inks

2009-10-14T15:50:00.000-07:00

Ever feel like you are so alienated from the world, you just don't know what's going on anymore? I do. The 'puter went awry this week and wouldn't turn on, then wouldn't turn off, and wouldn't work in general. I was so lost it was crazy. The kids were lost, but I was REALLY lost. This gadget has become a life line to the world for me. I can find out anything, anytime, anywhere, all the while sitting in my pyjamas. THE NET DOES NOT JUDGE ME!!!! LOL

Still busted, still going to have someone look at it. I can't be without my lifeline!!! LOL

Also, my girl turned 13. Yep, I don't look old enough, I know. Still, it happened. Not sure how I feel about having a young lady on my hands, but she is an unreal kid. I am so blessed to have my life how it is. Small things make it great people, small things!!

Her 14 year old brother made the cake. YEP, THANKYOU Masterchef!!! Thanks Jos, you did a wonderful job, and MAN, did it taste gooooooood.

I have been having a fiddle.....................with alcohol inks. I have collected a few, so just have been dying to have a hard core play with them. Still nailing techniques, but can't let all the backgrounds go to waste, so when life hands you glossy cardstock with alcohol ink on it...................make cards!!!

Stay beautiful,

K xx

p.s thoughts to my wonderful Dad who had some botox on his knee!! Good luck getting rid of THOSE wrinkles DAD!! Hope all went well. K xx

WHAT THE ??????

2009-10-03T15:54:00.000-07:00

Found this sign at the ice skating rink. I reckon it's pretty clear.............................but still open to interpretation.

Stay Beautiful

K xx

Holidays Nearly Over............

2009-10-01T17:17:00.000-07:00

Well, as the QLD school holidays draw to a close, I thought I should do something with the kids. They have been home alot on their own as I work afternoons, so we decided to get out and about. If you read the previous post, you will be familiar with the faces in the pics that aren't of my womb, but they might as well be. I just love 'em.

I now present to you, with much pleasure and pride, the nomadic and world renown icecapades..............

The Travelling Dillberries............( hear crowd shout )

Stay beautiful

K xx

The Women

2009-09-30T23:19:00.000-07:00

I couldn't fit this photo in the previous post. Here are the 'women who know what's going on.'...forget the 'men in charge'!!!

Stay beautiful,

K xx

Travel all over the countryside....ask the Leyland Brothers

2009-09-30T22:48:00.000-07:00

You know that saying that people come into your life for a reason...blah, blah, blah? Well, it is so true. I believe that every person we meet either adds to, or detracts from us as people. We try not to have too many of the 'detractors' in our lives, but the 'adders', well, we try and gather them to ample bosoms and hold onto them.

These people definitely are 'adders'. We have known this family BEFORE they were a family and since before we were married ( some 17 years ) and have kept in touch ever since.

For those of you not blessed to have been involved with the Defence Department, you tend to get used to being posted here and there and meeting heaps of people, but some are special. Being 'in touch' with these people means you don't need to write to or email them every week, or even ring once a year. These special people know that you care even though you aren't seeing them regularly. You meet up for the occasional New Year and discover common things you never knew. When you meet up with them, regardless of whether you saw them last week, or 10 years ago, things are still the same. You can just pick up where you left off. That is the mark of great friendship.

This family is special to us. This is why we harass them to take us places in North QLD, so we can explore. ( And 'cause the men might get to drive on some dirt, or sand, or rocks ) We have had some adventures with them and we hope we have many more.

This is last weekend.

I can't tell you where this is..........it's so secret and remote.

And because I can't remember the name of the beach.

I do know that the orange cast on the photos is because of the ash raining down on us as the authorities burn off in the dry season. There was also dust from the dust storms mixed in there as well.

Thanks again Mack D family, we love ya all more than cake.

Stay beautiful,

K xx

The Beauty Within

2009-09-27T18:16:00.000-07:00

Well, we have had something lovely happen over the weekend.

My girl, I just lover her. She is my anchor in the storm some days, and some days she is just plain weird, but I love her...........even when she's weird. That's something that is becoming more often these days, but it's OK. I still love her.

Amanda decided she wanted her gorgeous hair cut off. She had had enough, but I honestly didn't think she'd do it. Well, she did.

Please see before and after photos of my gorgeous girl. I can't stay long...........I'm off to build the cage to lock her in until she's 30. She looks WAY too grown up. *sigh* wonder if a new haircut will make me look young and vital and gorgeous like this. Nah, don't think so either, but thanks for NOT laughing,

Stay beautiful,

K xx

Great Ideas?........I am full of them.

2009-09-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

Our teenage son, Josh, has been struggling to realise the true value of the dollar. He needed new clothes due to a MASSIVE growth spurt. I swear if his growth is in relation to what he eats, then the lad will be a MONSTER!!

Anyhow, got this great idea from friends of ours. I gave Josh a sum of money. $150 to be exact and told him to outfit himself within that budget. It was agreed I would buy jocks, pyjamas and a pair of shoes, but the rest, he had to buy within that $150 and any change he could keep. He was most excited at this prospect, because I think he thought he was going to pocket $149.95!!

Off we went to Stocklands here in Townsville on a Thursday night. Must have been a full moon, as I saw some sights there that have been only spoken of in legend. EEEwwwwww!

He had an idea of what he needed and was going to buy the lot at Rebel Sport..............yeah right. He saw a t-shirt he wanted for $49.95 and I pointed out that would take a third of his budget. He was OK with that he said and I kept my mouth shut. ( No, really I did )By the time he got to the checkout, he spotted a table with 2 shirts for $40. I could see a re-think taking place and he ended up with 3 shirts for $60. Wow, said he, I just got 2 shirts for what it would have cost for just 1!! ( just smiled and told him he was a great bargain shopper ).

For his money he ended up with 3 t-shirts, 1 pair denim shorts, 1 pair dress shorts, 2 belts and a pair of shoes he picked up for 1/2 price. I think he did well with money and I enjoyed shopping with him and watching him weigh up the options. We DID walk 275 kilometres around the shopping centre though and I put in an extra $60 to buy jocks, a pair of shoes, and PJ's as promised.

This one is the kicker though and made it all worthwhile for me. "Wow", said Josh "this is just me and you have 3 kids to outfit as well as you and Dad". AMEN, thank you, I am brilliant, I know.

The penny had dropped, and really, isn't this what it's all about as a parent? Getting your kids to UNDERSTAND and be GRATEFUL for what you do.

I went to bed a very happy Mummy.

Stay beautiful

K xx

A little poem for Thursday

2009-09-16T17:38:00.000-07:00

http://retromummy.blogspot.com/

If you like to sit and sew,
Here is something good to know.
Drop on by to the above link,
Leave a comment stating what you think.

Then if you're lucky-I bet you are,
You could be her new blog star.
Chosing a prize would be the best.
To create and decorate your little nest.

Thankyou and good night. I'm here all week......try the veal.
Stay beautiful
K xx

Hey Evil eyes.............

2009-09-14T17:43:00.000-07:00

If you are feeling blue,
I know what to do!
Click on this link,
Tell me what you think,
I bet I already have a clue!!

Stay beautiful,
K xx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93CPo0sBVZc

AND this one time, at Scrap Camp.......................

2009-09-13T17:43:00.000-07:00

There was this girl who took the same photo without knowing ......................and scrapped it twice!!!!

By the time she realised, there were 2 layouts done and she cherished the knowledge....................she was not a crazy woman.........................or was she?

Stay Beautiful

K xx

So....a Persian and a Politician go to this party........

2009-09-12T19:23:00.000-07:00

Yep, there was a party, we were invited and it was dress up. You had to dress as something starting with T, J or P as they are the birthday boy's initials.

In this pic we have a Politician, a Persian, a Pirate, a Piece of fairy bread AND a Tennis Player.

Lots of laughs were had and I just LERVE Andrew's 'man-dress'. Yep, did it for me. Every time I looked at him, I couldn't stop laughing.

Pics, by Scott and Em's photography.

Stay Beautiful,

K xx

I vacuum for free at home

2009-09-10T18:09:00.000-07:00

Please, Please let me go to my PAID employment.

You know, at work it's my job to vacuum at the end of the day. The customers often express sympathy at me wrestling with an enormous vacuum that is held together with postie tape and came out on the ark with Noah. I'm sure I could suck up more stuff with a straw than this thing. Anyway, a lady said to me yesterday, "You poor thing having to vacuum here and at home". I smiled a knowing, smile and said, "at home I do it for free, where here I get paid".

Yep, I reckon if I was paid to do what I do at home, my family couldn't afford me. I'm not about to have a whinge, just stating a fact.

I usually do an afternoon shift at the Post Office, say, 1 or 2pm-5pm.

Before I actually go to work this is what I do after taking the kids to school, and I do realise that most Mum's are doing the same as me.

Tidy, sweep inside and out and run the mop over if needed. Make sure my bed is made and do any ironing or washing to make a full load. Dust if needed, usually weekly ( who am I kidding, this is the dustiest place in Australia. And I have lived in a few! ), clean my bathroom ( the kids do their own) and have afternoon tea ready for when the locusts hit. THEN I go to work.

No wonder I am tired at the end of the day. I do love having this shift though, as I can do what I want in the mornings and have all things organised as I hate living in a mess.

AND let's not forget being paid to vacuum....................how GOOD is that?

Josh had his senior baseball grandfinal on the weekend and they WON!!!! YAY Josh's team. They played well and the mercy rule was invoked. Josh took an amazing catch and had some great hits. The eye exercises are paying off. And the best thing? He's is actually turning into a pleasant human being.....................most of the time. About time kid! Josh was fortunate enough to have his Cousin Scott and Scott's gorgeous partner Emma come and watch him. Thanks guys for the family support, you rock!!

Hope you like the pics of the grandfinal day. I think they have loaded backwards to what I intended, so just think backwards ok?

Will post pics of something crafty tomorrow.

Stay beautiful

K xx

Like a Cougar!!

2009-09-07T01:43:00.000-07:00

While in Tamworth, I was fortunate enough to catch up with our baseball club, the Cougars. Andrew always described the team as mates who play baseball, and the members of the club and their wives became great friends. I didn't tell them I was in Tamworth, so Nikkers and I cooked another fib to get them to the Leagues Club for dinner. They were all there and I just walked in. There were laughs and even a tear or two. Well, let me tell you, we laughed all through dinner and well into the waffles we HAD to have for dessert.

I went to the bar to get a drink, and when I came back, the crew were sitting there with hats on and facing away from me. I didn't look twice, as they tend to do some weird things that don't warrant an eyelid bat. On closer inspection, someone had organised the special 25th year anniversary Cougars club caps with our names embroidered on the back. I was almost reduced to tears. Talk about being thought of when we live so far away! I was touched beyond measure at the gesture and when I brought them home to the family, they were SO touched as well.

This club supported us when Josh had his accident last year more than our church did!! We have made lifelong friends there and these wonderful people are just one of the many fortunate and life changing things on our 'journey'.

Thanks Cougars, you don't know what you mean to us.

Featuring in the pic is Amanda and Ethan sporting their Cougars caps.

I have to say "Like a Cougar!!!!!" as they compete in the baseball grand final this weekend. Don't disappoint us.

Stay beautiful

K xx

Feelin' the LOVE!! VERY LONG POST

2009-09-06T03:06:00.000-07:00

Back again after a lengthy absence, I know. I have been doing some great stuff. I have been busy being busy.

Firstly, I went back to Tamworth for a week to see Mum & Dad and to go to the CPR at Lake Keepit. ( Country Paperarts Retreat ) Thing is, Mum & Dad (and Megan)knew I was coming, but the scrapping chicks from Tamworth did not.

This post is testament to them and how well they know me.

When I left Tamworth in January, it was to be Marnie's job to find a pilot, service him and in return he would fly here and pick me up, take me to CPR and fly me back again. Things were looking grim, until the 11th hour at Marnie's Cub pack. In walks a pilot ( complete with flying suit ) to pick up his son, or daughter, (it isn't really relevant which). Marnie would have turned on her considerable charm, smirked her way through the (I'm sure ) witty and engaging conversation and did her best to woo him to "the dark side". SO DID NOT GO WELL. Before any indecent proposals could take place, he was gone..................like a fart into the wind.

Thanks Marn, but sometime ya gotta do stuff yaself.

SO, I who LOVES a covert op, boards the plane and I had a bit of a layover in Sydney. I was feeling rather chuffed with myself after getting this far and not blowing the secret AND being chatted up some guy in a suit who wanted to have a drink with me. So I immersed myself in my coffee and Judy Nunn novel, all the while trying to look like the worldly traveller I'm sure I could have been. Next thing, phone signals a text. It was Pauline. (of course it was) The text read, "sorry you're not coming to scrap camp...................or ARE you?" Who DOES that? I wasn't game to speak to her in person lest I give the game away, so I did the only rational thing.......and lied.......by text.

Got to Tamworth, late flight and it was freezing!! Mum and Dad were there to meet me as well as a surprise Megan who turned up to roll out the red carpet for me. There is SO no place like your Mum and Dad's place is there? You can just be yourself and rest easy. Thanks Mum & Dad for always making me feel like your home is a place I can go for 'soul rest'. It's not an easy thing to achieve and you guys do it unconsciously. You are not allowed to die, cause I love ya's more than chocolate.

Next day, we laid low as I didn't want the "girls" seeing me. Having a coffee with Mum & Dad, there's a car out the front. "SHIT SHIT SHIT".........I called in a very ladylike way, "SHIT IT'S BRONNIE". By this time Mum & I were in full alert mode and diving around trying to pick up all my stuff I had spread around the house in a mere 12 hours. I had never seen her move so fast.....except when she chased me with 'the thong', but that's a whole other can of woop ass. "What do you want me to tell her?" asked Mum. "I DON'T CARE" I said , in again, a voice that would befit the Queen. Anyhoo, Mum let her in, I hid in a bedroom, and when the conversation went for a while, I couldn't stand it any longer and presented myself in the doorway. Man, I wish I had a camera. It was like a version of punk'd. Loved the face Bron, and loved the love more.

This brings me to Maryann. She had rung me the night before I left. There was a package for me at her place as I had forgotten to change my address. I was trying to talk he into letting Mum & Dad pick it up, as I was wanting to use them at camp. But, NO WAY was she having a bar of that one! She was sending me a package right or wrong. She has no ESP obviously, or she would have heard the subtle signal I was screaming at her. I even tried mind influence, but I must be really bad at that, cause she didn't hear that either.

So, Megan came to collect me and we fronted up at camp. I nearly had to lock my legs around Marnie's waist ( and that would've been ok, as we know each other well) to hold myself upright. I tell you, NOBODY on this earth hugs like Marnie. With full abandon and heart and soul into it.

Pauling smugly wandered over to inform me she wasn't the least bit surprised to see me. Bron, had seen me all before earlier that day and Maryann was a mixture of disbelief and that " you lied to me and now I know it". I was privileged to meet Marcy from Wagga as we had met online. Marcy, that would sound deliciously sordid if you were a bloke, and Sheree from Maitland who was a friend of Marns. Thanks for a great weekend ladies, you know what I'm sayin,' nuff said.

Which brings me to this long and drawn out point. I have lived in all places around Australia and made friends with lots of different people-some we have kept in touch with, others not. I'm so grateful for each and every stop on Andrew and my 'journey' as I can't imagine my life without these people in it. I have made a connection in Tamworth with these ladies and it felt like I had never left. I also got the opportunity to close the door on out life there. We left so suddenly, I grieved for the place, but mostly for the people. Flying into Tamworth, I felt like I was coming home, but by the time I left and I was flying into Townsville, for the first time, I felt like THAT was coming home.

So beautiful ladies, thank you so much for yet another gift you probably don't know I have received. Closure, not on our friendship, but our chapter in Tamworth. You will never know how badly I needed to have that so I could walk forward in my life here in Townsville. NOW I can start a new chapter in the book of 'Our Life', that I was struggling with before.

Stay Beautiful, I love you all.

K xx

p.s Just re-reading this, it sounds like a suicide note..................it's not. I still got stuff to do.

p.p.s The pics is a full moon over Lake Keepit

How do ya like them apples?

2009-08-12T17:41:00.001-07:00

I so miss my man when he goes away, I do.

BUT things run so very smoothly when he's away. Dinner is on the table on time, kids are bathed and ready for bed, homework done and handed in.........on time and away to school........yep.........on time. There seems to be less stress and I am more relaxed. It has occurred to me it's because I don't have to split my time yet another way. I try to give time to all and it's important to put time into your marriage, but I had no idea I put in SO MUCH TIME. Much more than I thought. Perhaps that's why we are still going after 16 years of marriage. And we aren't even THAT old!

Anyway, the thing I think I hate the most when DH is away, is sleeping. I just don't. I'm not scared or anything, just.......alone. I can't sleep when that chainsaw noise he calls a gentle snore isn't next to me. Perhaps the silence is the issue. Ponderings for today methinks.

Anyway, it all ends tomorrow approximately 6.45pm when the place lands, and our crazy life can resume again.

I love you more than cake baby.

Stay beautiful,

K xx

Making Time for Taking Time

2009-08-10T01:45:00.000-07:00

Yep, we live in a world full of gadgets to make our life less busy and all we are doing is filling that 'spare time' with other 'stuff'.

It's a well known fact that I'm not the most patient person cooking with kids. It's not that I don't like them, it's just that I do so much baking with 3 hungry kids and 1 husband,that I want to be in and out and onto the next thing.

Saturday, I thought I would change that. After the morning on the run with sport and kids' social engagements, my 7yo DS and I arrived home and decided to bake. He was desperate to make gingerbread men and decorate them. So in amongst cakes and a billion biscuits he made them. He did most of the baking himself including the rolling of the dough and cutting. He did really, really well. Into the oven and then he actually waited and watched them while they cooled.

All this time we were chatting away and singing songs and having a lovely time.

Gingerbread cooled under his watchful eye and onto the decorating. He was there for ,I swear, 2 hours doing the piping of the icing (in zip lock bags. God bless whoever invented THOSE) dropping a zillion silver cachous on the floor and having them bounce into my scrapbook bag (yes, they bounce) and carefully placing heart shaped sugar in all the strategic places. He sang and talked to the gingerbread men all the while and my heart swelled to enormous proportions. I have never seen place so much care and pride into something.

Everyone was amazed with the results and even 14 yo DS commented how fantastic they looked and how he should be very proud to have done all that fine work. ( and it was a genuine compliment )

BUT

The best part of my day, was at the dinner table when he stated that the best part of HIS day was talking with Mummy while he created his gingerbread men. *sigh* THIS is what makes the blood, sweat and tears of being a mother worthwhile. AND all he revelled in was my time.

This week, I will be making time to take time and just BE. I might even make it a habit like my NIKE year, but more on that later. I'll let you know how it goes.

Stay Beautiful

K xx

Heeellllloooooo Handsome

2009-08-05T22:12:00.000-07:00

Don't know what is going on around here. The moon must be in Venus, or Mars, or Saturn, or wherever the moon goes on holiday. (kinda like a blue moon with no "gettin' jiggy wit' it " involved )

My man has entered the kitchen............again. With help.....again.

Don't know how he got there, don't care where he's been. He's there now.

He is also sporting his father's day apron from a year ago. If you don't feel like straining your eyes to read the words it says, "Big nuts...........massive spanner".

Hmmmm, I love how proudly he wears it don't you?

Here's hoping the moon stays in it's current orbit.

Stay Beautiful

K xx

Word for the day

2009-08-03T17:36:00.000-07:00

emp·ty

a. Holding or containing nothing.

1. To remove the contents of:

2. To transfer or pour off completely

3. To unburden; relieve: empty oneself of doubt.
An empty container.

Therefore, I could use the word for the day in a sentence.

I helped to "empty" this bottle of Moet. And it was good.................very...good.

I hope you will try and include this word in your daily conversation.

Thankyou

Amen

Stay beautiful

K xx

I love it when a plan comes together

2009-08-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

Hellooooo again. Long time no blog, I know. Y'all can stop the phone calls and emails, I am back!

Lots has happened, lots of visitors have been through the door, lots of boxes have been unpacked.

Yesterday was my DH's birthday and seeing as he is a man ( obviously ) I feel no need to withhold his age. 38 was the magic number for him!! Happy birthday babe, love you long time!

Amanda made his cake and I'm sure you will agree it's a major masterpiece. The cake was almost a mud cake, but lighter and the frosting was to die for. DH loves Jaffas, but of course we couldn't find any to buy once we decided what we wanted, so settled for orange M & M's. Fresh cream went in the centre and presto! A beautiful cake. She only had minimal help and I'm so proud of her.

Both DS's have also expressed interest in the kitchen, so will carefully cultivate that and throw my impatience at baking with children out the window. Thankyou Master Chef!! I might get a few nights off in the kitchen real soon!

Speaking of time out of the kitchen, my nephew and friend hit the sink to help clean up. We actually have a dishwasher, so the only reason I can think that they did this ..............................was to show off. Seriously, fellas who ARE YOU?????

Plan accomplished.

Stay beautiful,

K xx

How's your Winter?

2009-07-13T17:01:00.000-07:00

Well, Mum and Dad have been and gone. Had a lovely time with them, but had to move house in the middle of their visit. That was a huge bummer as we would've liked to have done so much more with them. I misss them so much and it was much harder so say goodbye than I thought it would be. The kids miss them heaps as well, so oldies, if you think you haven't made an imoression on little people, think again. This will be a destination for next time.Next time, Mum & Dad...................next time. So many beautiful places to see, like this one. Magnetic Island.

Island of fantasies and daydreams.

We have more visitors at the moment, so Chateau de Chambers is full until August. Roz and Panch are from Tamworth and had booked this visit before we even left. So great to see them and we waited for them to come to go to Magnetic island. WOW!!!

We took the car over on the ferry on Sunday, saw the island, deposited Roz and Panch at their accommodation and came home. We loved it so much we are going back this weekend with more visitors. Might even do some snorkelling. Yep, the water is still that warm here.....snorkelling ( in case you didn't read the words properly ). I could seriously live on that island. Lifestyle so laid back, casual, infrastructure in place..................*sigh* real estate REALLY PRICEY. I think I would have to sell a child to afford it. That's not gonna happen any time soon. Lack of buyers.

Economy. All that.

Don't hate me for living in a Winter dream. Seriously, there IS no other place to be in Winter other than North QLD.

GO the MAROONS

Until next time,

Stay beautiful

K xx

Waaaiiiiit for it.............yep, we are done

2009-07-07T18:55:00.000-07:00

Doing a little happy dance here in the tropics at the moment. Despite the face that we are still in t-shirts and shorts while the rest of the country is freezing ( well, there IS that ), we have finally MOVED!!!! YAY!!! Long anticipated, I know, but it has happened and we are officially in a GREAT house. NAY........a HOME!!! I am thrilled with the new place and we actually FIT!! The family was here visiting and helped us transition into our new abode (how was that for timing?) and we just got on with it. Many hands DO make light work and we were all moved in in 2 days. Now comes the task of unpacking boxes at this end. Bleh..I HATE that job. Still, Amanda has made choc-chip biscuits to keep me going, so that will make the boxes seem less I'm sure.
Until next time,
Stay beautiful
K xx
p.s for those of you that have just come from Scrap Camp............you ALL suck!!

Muscles?

2009-06-23T19:36:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we can't help ourselves.

We have something to be proud of and NEED to show it off.

Sometimes that "thing" is nowhere near as impressive to others as it is to us, but we need to show it anyway.

I think this is what's happening here.

Harry loves his muscles, but look carefully.

I love this kid and as a mother it's my job to be impressed.

I am.

Thankyou.

Stay beautiful

K xx

On the move............again

2009-06-22T19:46:00.000-07:00

As I write this I am amid neat rows of packed moving boxes. Yep folks, we are on the move again. 6 months in one house is enough, I need to get out!! Not really......I hate moving. I hate how we have only been here 6 months and have already settled into the place. Everything should still be in the place it belongs, not strewn across the lounge room or bedroom. Heck, imagine if I had unpacked all the boxes instead of only the stuff we needed. My DH is the worst, and if he thinks I'm packing his crap in the shed....................................think again. I am NOT even going in there to tidy up. Oh, forgot to mention that he is in Brisbane all week.........moving week.............and I am left to do the lot again. One of my friends thinks I should call him "blister". Appears after all the work is done!!!

The 3 kids have been unusually helpful, which only makes me wonder what they want. I KNOW they will want something.

On the upside, our new house is only around the corner, much better suited for our family and has a kitchen to LIVE ( not die ) for!! Yep, my office has been upgraded!

Thought I would show a pic of a little visitor who thought he was on holiday at some resort. Sorry Bud, pool needs cleaning so it's time to leave. Ethan loves a crawlie ( or in this case a jumpy) and was fascinated at a close up look. I think it's a cane toad, so we won't look too close.

Until next time,

Stay beautiful

K xx

Deep Winter and go the Maroons

2009-06-04T15:55:00.000-07:00

Well it's deep Winter here and as you can see we have a fog!! Yep, took this about 7am from the front porch looking East. The temp was a cool 18deg. Deep Winter here. LOVE IT!! I have to admit though, Amanda and I have missed the beautiful Autumn leaves and rugging up with scarves and uggies and feeling a cold nose. Someone remind me I said this when we relocated ( yet again) back to the colder climes!!

And speaking for football, how was the State of Origin? We got social and went into the neighbours place, had homemade pizza, and cheered shamelessly ( and really loudly ) for QLD. Well, most of us did. There was one, lonely little NSW supporter and he only got the chance to get vocal a few times. He was a bit timid, he was. Not like my man at all.

Looking forward to the long weekend, going to see a local production of Grease tonight. GO Chloe!!!

Have a great one and stay beautiful

K xx

Motivation Zero

2009-06-03T16:46:00.000-07:00

I am having an issue getting motivated to do anything at the moment. Maybe it's my medication ( which makes me feel like I have the mother of all hangovers EVERY morning ) or maybe I am just lazy, or perhaps I have given into myself and am going to do the things I feel like doing for a bit. After considering all that, I think it's because we have received some bad news from a really close source.

My "other Dad" (I have 3) has found he has the "dreaded "C"". The prognosis is not great, but hopefully he will fight the good fight and all that. I hope above all that his quality of life will be top priority. Makes you start thinking of your own mortality and how your life can turn on a dime. All we really have is here and now.

Today I will read my book, I will sit on the computer when and for as long as I want and I will tell each of my children and DH how much I love them.

BTW I love all of you too!!

Stay beautiful

K xx

Please.........can I use your walking frame?

2009-05-28T22:19:00.000-07:00

Do you rent or borrow or buy a walking frame? Have you ever thought about it? I mean, it's not like you are going to need it in heaven is it?

Perhaps a lease system should be the go.

I feel like I am quite near to needing a walking frame today as my oldest baby turned 14.

I SO don't feel old enough to have a 14yo running around, and I know........................you are all thinking it................I SO don't look old enough either!!!

Yup, 14 years ago today I entered into the foray of motherhood for the first time.

Manual in hand..................hang on........................where's the damn manual????

Where?

Has someone else got one? No???????????? What now?????? *panic*

No one told me I had to trust my instincts and WING IT!!! What if I have NO instincts? what if I have no wings???

Yep, that's the part they DON'T tell you. But kick in the instincts did and I soon found my heart overflowing with more love than I had ever imagined possible. I was charged with the responsibility of raising a little person that I was quite prepared to die for.

As things go, I don't reckon we have done too badly in the child raising stakes ( toot my own horn here ). We certainly have our challenges, but at the end of the day, the kids know right from wrong, how to be courteous and what we expect from them as they begin to take their place in society.

Yup, done good here. I have become an Oprah watching day-drinker and chain-smoker (not really), but feel like I have done a good job. That's all you can ask when the bloody manual didn't come with the baby isn't it?

p.s I am still prepared to die for him........................if I don't kill him first!! LOL

Stay beautiful

K xx

Ladies and Children first please......and mind your step

2009-05-27T17:00:00.000-07:00

OK, it's 10.03am and I am seriously on fire today!

I have stripped all the beds and washed the sheets, taken kids to school, cooked 2 cakes, shopped for DS birthday tomorrow, made dinner and hung out the washing. I am now blogging and intend to make all the beds again, do some scrapping and do the gymnastics run this arvo. (hence dinner cooked now)

Makes a change from yesterday. I couldn't get interested in anything, so surfed the net for about 5 hours and watched a movie in the afternoon and as a result lost 2 hours of my life I will never get back. Bad movie. I just felt lost and didn't know what I wanted to do. Doing nothing is unusual for me, so maybe I just wanted to try it. Was OK for a day, even restful, but I don't plan on making it a habit.

Oh, I did take the boys for haircuts and cooked an awesome green fish curry for dinner, but THAT was it!

Perhaps I feel the need to make up for my slovenly ways TODAY. Never mind, I'm like a cyclone now, so please evacuate the ladies and children first.

Actually, I think I will have a fluffy before any evacuations.

I know you are killing yourselves to know what a fluffy is.

It's a guilty pleasure introduced to us by Troy and Jane-dear friends from VIC. See above pic and that's what a fluffy is. We don't get them all the time, but forever in our household they will be known as "fluffies". Andrew came home from doing the shopping all excited as he found them on a "super special". He took a box for work and left 2 boxes for us.

I have hidden them. Is that bad?

Anyhoo, we all have little secrets don't we?

Till next time,

Stay Beautiful,

K xx

The big "M" and a new "do"

2009-05-26T16:53:00.000-07:00

Just a little share today.

I am going to be a Great-Aunt. (No, a really great Aunt) My niece is about to pop and the little one's name will begin with an "M".

SO, I created a big "M".

Hurry up little one, we are all waiting on you and can't wait to meet you.

Mum, have included a pic of my new "do". Shocking pic, but that's what happens when you have to take it yourself, so don't worry, I don't think I look as awful in real life as I do in the photo!! LOL

Or maybe I do, they say the camera never lies!!!

Stay beautiful

K xx

Girl Interrupted

2009-05-25T18:17:00.001-07:00

I really hate it when my kids are sick.

It pains me to see them suffer.

It pains me they are home.

It pains me that it totally interrupts my routine ( like I have nothing else to do ), and I become maid, slave, bucket holder and drug distributor and general dogs body.

Hey wait!!!

That's not so different to others days! see, I can talk myself into optimism.

Still, I love them, and who cares if the vacuuming waits for another day. (I care, as I feel a little feral with the floor being so grotty) OK, so who cares if the vacuuming waits another 10 minutes, I might be able to squeeze Oprah in!!!

Hello? Who ARE YOU?

2009-05-24T21:08:00.001-07:00

I dunno who this kid is.

I've never seen him before in my life.

I think I will keep him, he looks like a great pet.

Actually, he POSSIBLY may have come out of me............................but I can't be sure.

Stay beautiful,

K xx

Now THAT'S a fish!!

2009-05-23T18:02:00.000-07:00

Hi all, I just KNOW you have missed me!

We have had Andrews folks visiting for the last 10 days, so have been otherwise occupied. More people in this little house was almost hysterical. Well, it would have been if there wasn't the tummy bug going around that a few of us got. NOT fun.

Anyway, Andrew and his Dad went out on a fishing charter and this is what they brought home!! Tony's barra was 1.1 metres long. Forget all the other details - you know like men with babies when they are born. I just say BIG FISH.

We had to cut the thing up on our outdoor table as it wouldn't fit in my kitchen. No bench was long enough! SO..................we will be eating fish for a while. By the way, Andrew caught a mangrove jack, nice size too. We cryovacced it, so no, it wasn't bought from the shop, we just sealed it up as there was so much fish stink in my house, my stomach was turning.

That's all for now, will write again soon,

Stay beautiful,

K xx

WRATH....it appears I have some

2009-05-05T22:12:00.000-07:00

This week over at Wicked Princesses, our Deadly Sin is Wrath. This is my LO. I had fun doing it and getting all painty and inky, but I was so ANGRY doing it. I can't believe this happened 9 years ago, and I am still holding onto the anger. That can't be good. I feel as though I have released it with the finishing of the LO. That IS good.

Anyhoo, this was the criteria.

1. Wrath was the theme

2. Could only use Red, black and white

3. Had to use distressing and inking/painting/tearing.

I will have to get onto my card now. Cya soon

Stay Beautiful

K xx

Playing with paper

2009-04-30T22:04:00.000-07:00

I love playing with paper. It makes me happy. I love just fiddling. I'm a fiddler. I love techniques and making my own embellishments. I will share a LO I have done about Poxy Paper. It is an in-house joke with my scrapping friends and me. Every scrapbook camp we went on, the organiser would make up a goody bag for us. (She got an accidental order of 200 pieces of PP ) Every year for about 4 years ( and there were 2 camps a year ) a piece of this paper would appear in this goody bag. There were various challenges featuring this paper and to test our creative abilities. Bronwen and Pauline managed to make something from their paper. I went with the easy option of doing a LO ABOUT the paper. I present.........................POXY PAPER!!

The other thing I want to share is the card I made as part of the 7 Deadly Sins challenge over at http://www.wickedprincesses.com.au/wickedgallery/index.php

The criteria were

1. Had to be in green and black only

2. Had to use transparency

3. Had to have doodling and say "good luck"

This was my offering. The card itself is made from transparency with butterflies stamped in Staz-On. The butterfly on the circle is stamped from acetate and cut out. I put a little bling on the wings and best them up for some height. Hope you enjoy.

It's a long weekend here in QLD for us. Who knows what we will get up to. I think Andrew has a plan for some sightseeing. Can't wait.

Stay beautiful

K xx

What do you envy?

2009-04-28T20:42:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wished you were an animal? Or maybe entertained the thought you had a previous life and were SOMETHING else? This week over at Wicked Princesses the 7 Deadly Sin we were to scrap about was envy. There were criteria to be met and they were:

1. You can only use green and black

2. You had to doodle

3.You had to use transparency

This was hard. I changed my mind a few times and had a dream I was an elephant ( don't go there ) and how happy I was. Yes.........................I dream in colour and yes...........................mostly they are weird. My best ideas come when I dream, but sometimes they are a little bent. LOL!

Anyhoo, here is my take on the challenge, and get over to the gallery to see what other have come up with. http://www.wickedprincesses.com.au/wickedgallery/ I am amazed with the variety and the different interpretations. My LO in comparison to most is quite boring. Straight lines, big photo. I don't collage well and have given up trying to imitate someone else's style. Perhaps it says a lot about me......big bum ( pic ) and straight...............except in my dreams!!

Have a great day,

Stay beautiful

K xx

Teach the Children

2009-04-25T03:24:00.000-07:00

Today, my thoughts turn towards the people who have given a lot. People who I will never know or have the chance to thank. The people who decided to make a stand against wrong and who believed in our country and way of life enough to pay the ultimate price of giving their lives. We hear stories about the horrors of war, what happened and victories that were won against all the odds. We hear stories of Australian larrikinism, bravery, and mate ship. The wars fought in the past and the ones currently underway, seem to bring out the very best and the very worst of people.

I cannot say thank you to the people who dies in the name of freedom, but I can do the next best thing. I can teach the next generation. My DH and I often talk about what was given up for them in order for them to be free, and I'm proud to say they get it. They REALLY get it. They understand that freedom is never free. They understand that the best thing they can do is remember not only the fallen of long ago, but also the men & women still fighting for freedom today. They understand that one day there will be no one left and they will NEED to remember, to tell their children.
This year we didn't attend any dawn services or marches, and our ANZAC day was the poorer for it. We still talked about it though and watched the old men struggle down the street, marching for themselves and for mates long ago. It still gives me chills and I feel like hugging every one of them and telling them they won't be forgotten. I usually cry.

I always wonder however, no matter how long they were away fighting , what kind of war they fought when they got home.

LEST WE FORGET!

Amanda decided to do some cooking today and what a job she did! Honey Biscuits with butter honey cream filling. Seriously YUM.These are the prettiest, tastiest little morsels I have had in a long time. Needless to say, she will need to bake some more tomorrow. Even the eldest DS was full of compliments for his sister's cooking. She even cleaned up after herself!!! THAT, dear friends is the bonus!!

Until next time,

Stay Beautiful

K xx

Send Sven over NOW!

2009-04-23T17:15:00.000-07:00

Well, my back is still killing me. Could it be the lawn bowls or something more sinister? I believe Sven the masseur should magically appear and take all the pain and stress of my injury away. I could SO go a massage now. Never mind, DH will be home for lunch, so I'm sure he'd be more than willing to massage my back. In the meantime, I have bathrooms to clean. Perhaps Sven could be the maid too?

Just a little share on a couple of cards I made. I certainly don't consider myself a cardmaker, but was pleased with the results.

The purple one is part of the 7 Deadly Sins Challenge over at Wicked Princesses.

1. It had to be purple

2. It had to have bling on it

3. It had to have Celebrate You as the sentiment.

The other card was so much fun to make. It was part of a cyber blind card class. The way it works is that the teacher gives you a list of stuff you'll need, and dimensions to cut paper and so on. BUT.......you can't SEE anything. It's up to you how you interpret her instructions. It only took a little while and it was heaps of fun.

Stay Beautiful

K xx

Lawn Bowls is NOT just for oldies.

2009-04-22T22:33:00.000-07:00

Dad, I needed you today and where were you? Why did you forsake me so? I was humiliated and sadly lacking brilliance. I tried to channel you and you weren't there. Aunty Lyn wasn't there either. So what hope did I have. I was alone and forsaken.

Seriously.

My Dad is a lawn bowler. You might think that is funny. I don't. It's harder than it looks and I was bad. Really bad at it. Don't get me wrong, I had moments of brilliance, but they were more arse than class.

And it was hard. Not just technically. Hard because it HURT. Yep, hurt. My back was killing me and one knee refused to yield to my instructions. Is that why there are heaps of hip and knee replacements in our senior folk? Is lawn bowls the insidious killer of joints? Is it the silent damager of cartliage? Bet you won't see a study on THAT!

So, bowling folk. My rather crumpled and sweaty hat ( and , NO, it wasn't white ) goes off to you and I declare your sport worthy of more accolades than it gets. Very technical, very strategic, and physically hard. My Dad has hit his athletic peak at 79 and I am struggling at 37. Says much on how tough they used to breed 'em.

However, when the silver hairs start to creep through the unnatural colour my hair is now, I think I will think of my Dad and the occasional frozen chook he used to bring home(Now it's tinned fruit and money) and smile to myself as I reach for my bowls bag and crotcheted cloth and head on out for 'a day on the green".

My 14 year old son played as well and I am sad to say Pop left him too. We had high hopes, him and I, being from a bowling stock, but, NAY good folks, channelling was not for us today. We had a lot of fun and were fairly matched.

I will leave you with a picture I took yesterday morning lying on the driveway in the wet dew. I think there's perfection in this world and I think nature holds most of it. These are the most darling little mushrooms and as soon as the sun hit them they closed up. They even look like they are inside out. Something so delicate and so perfect chose to grow beside my driveway............beside the wheels of my 4WD. How's that for brave. I hope you enjoy the no so great pic, and get my drift.

Or not.

Stay beautiful

K xx

Vanity

2009-04-21T16:00:00.000-07:00

Just a little share of a layout I did with the Wicked Princesses "7 Deadly Sins" challenge. ( see blinkie on side of page )I struggled with this layout because it had to have the following criteria.

1. Had to be about me

2. Had to be monochromatic purple

3. Had to have bling on it ( ok, I didn't really struggle with that bit )

4. Had to be titled "It's all about me"

So, I did it. I'm quite pleased with the result, although the woman in the photo seriously can't be me. I look at her face and realise that she has never been hurt by her children. She hasn't realised that her marriage is in trouble ( at the time of the portrait ). And she really doesn't know who she is. BUT..........she knows great love.

I am grateful she got to experience the feeling of nice, bouncy boobs, so she could appreciate them when she wakes up and finds one under her armpit. I am grateful she is naive about raising her children so she doesn't know what's ahead of her. She is young and silly and really always knew who she was, just needed to trust herself. And, I am TRULY grateful she continues to know and experience daily great love.

She is older ( oh, so much older ), she is wiser and she is complete. SHE..........................is me.

Stay Beautiful

K xx

The Birthday Wish

2009-04-20T17:24:00.000-07:00

Something happened yesterday that just blew me away. But first, before I launch into this story, I need to give you some background.

A few days ago, my very fair skinned, red-haired daughter was swimming and was asked twice,"Did you put sunscreen on?" I know nothing apparently, being a child before sunscreen was invented ( I am also fair and freckly). She chose to ignore me, and I did the hardest thing a mother can do.............I let it go. No surprises how she looked that night. Anyway, the sunburn was quite severe, requiring anaesthetic spray and litres of aloe vera to be applied. Amanda tried so hard not to complain, as she knew it was her fault, but she was in so much PAIN. When the blisters appeared, they were a sight to behold. BIG, FAT, FIRM blisters peppered her arms and chest. They are gone, but the peeling is about to start.

Which brings me to the story.

Ethan got a bike helmet ( among other things ) for his birthday and wanted to try it out, understandably. I said "put some shoes on". And apparently, I STILL know nothing. 10 minutes later a little voice said, "Mum, would you please come outside?" Out I went expecting blood and I wasn't disappointed. He had scraped his inner ankle along that bony bit and there was a stream of blood running down his foot. I gently did the "I told you so, and I don't tell you stuff to hear myself talk," and proceeded to impart some of my worldly wisdom of what happened to me when I was his age. I cleaned him up and gave him a cuddle ( he is still at the age when a cuddle from me will fix most things), and the bottom lip began to quiver. I asked what was wrong as two fat tears slip down those kissable cheeks.

This is what he said............................

" Mum, you know how you get a birthday wish?"

"Yes" said I

" I gave my wish to Amanda to make her shoulders better. Do you think they will be better soon, and the leftover magic will fix my foot? She needs my wish more than me, so I can wait for a little while if they need more fixing."

I gave him another snug as fat tears slid down my face. I explained to my little guy how thoughtful that was to wish his wish for someone else.

A 7 year old is so unjaded and so believes in " the birthday wish", and is acutely aware that you only get 1 per year, so I was so moved that he chose to wish something for his sister ( whom he adores ). I so hope that selflessness is going to be a character trait of his, he could do a lot worse and the world could sure use some of what this little boy possesses.

My wish is when my birthday comes around, I can be so unselfish and pass that wish on to someone else. They are, after all, precious.

Stay beautiful

K xx

7 today!

2009-04-19T15:52:00.000-07:00

Exactly 7 years and 6 months ago yesterday, my life changed. Seriously, not just changed a car or bought some new clothes. I found out Andrew and I were expecting our 3rd child. We were only ever having 2. As well as this *ahem* surprise, Andrew was going for an interview for a full time teaching position in Tamworth and wanting to leave the RAAF. This day, was NOT a good day.

You know............. when you think your life is leading you somewhere and you have plans to go there and the next 5 years is mapped out and all is good and peaceful and certain? NOT SO HERE.

It took me a long time to accept that there was to be another addition and I wondered if I would love this little one as much as the other 2. All that stuff. You know, it wasn't until I actually held all 9lb 2oz of him in my arms, that could actually ACCEPT this was happening. I felt the love surge for this little person and I knew I could be Mum-to-3. Truth be known, it was the easiest pregnancy of the 3, and although he was a little on the large size, it wasn't a bad delivery. He was the easiest of the 3 as a baby and was fairly easy going and has a smile to melt the hardest of hearts. He is also incredibly mischievous and laughs so readily and infectiously with a wicked sense of humour, I cannot imagine our life without him. We are, as a family, complete.

Ethan turned 7 yesterday, and I still can't believe that these kids are growing up before my very eyes. He celebrated his birthday with some family presents and then Scott and Emma arrived with an "unexpected surprise" of pool toys. We went to the Aquarium and the Museum and met with the Minn's family and all ventured home for Ethan's birthday tea. He had requested Nachos and he wanted his cake to be violet crumble cheesecake, so that's what he got.

As I was putting him to bed, a little arm wound around my neck and he said......."thank you Mummy, this was such a lovely birthday and I am the luckiest kid around". *sigh* that's when you know all the tears you have shed and all the talking you have done is worth it. Tomorrow might be filled with tantrums and pouts, but today is good.

Happy Birthday little Harry, we love you and are such a precious gift.

Stay beautiful

K xx

What School Holidays?

2009-04-17T17:21:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it, the school holidays are nearly over and I haven't even been stressed by the kids yet. Except when we were camping. Seriously, they think camping is a holiday. Not so. 5 stars is my idea of a truly downtime holiday. Anyhoo, never been to anywhere that has 5 stars, so will make so with what has been handed me. We have had a lovely holidays without a lot of fighting , mouthing off and stress. I think the kids have recognised that, and are agreeing that it's much more pleasant. I actually want to take them places and do things with them, so I think the message is getting through.

We have joined Reef HQ, been to check out the local library, been to the movies, had sleepovers, visits, movie days and shopping trips and it all has been lovely. I think I have had a win and all the teaching and yelling I have done had gotten through, and even though they are horrible to each other at times, I think it will all be ok in the end. Take heart screaming, tired mothers.............the light at the end of the tunnel ISN'T a train!!!

I will be sad to see school go back and be on my own all day actually, but give me a day or 2 and I'm sure I will adjust ok.

Looks like this house is sold and we will know for sure on the 24th of April. Watch this space for details. There has been a house become vacant 2 doors up and it looks like that would suit us down to the ground. Getting the key Monday and having a look. 5brms, pool, big shed and double garage. The only thing is, IT ONLY HAS 1 AIRCONDITIONER! And that's in our room. The previous tenants have trashed it, and the owners are horrified. They are keen for us to move in though, and are prepared to do some work for the right tenants.....which would be us! Will let you know how it goes. Off to do some pool supervision, but will eave a pic of Millaa Millaa Falls for you to drool over. I just wish I was a better photographer ( something I am working on )

Stay beautiful

K xx

Camping, Waterfalls and Leeches

2009-04-13T20:17:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful Easter we had. We went camping with another family to see the sights the "Wet Tropics" had to offer. We set off early Good Friday morning with Mack-Daddy, Clown Sleeves, Dory and Mighty Mouse in one car and the team was "Screaming Gophers". In the other car was Papa Smurf, Pink Knickers, Skipper, Boo-Mae and Harry and our team being the "Killer Bass". We kept in touch through UHF radios, thus the call signs. We got to Bramston Beach ( Near Babinda) and set up camp close to the beachfront. Gorgeous setting. Rain squalled in and out through most of the weekend, but it didn't really bother us. After all, if you're going to see the "Wet Tropics" you are going to get............well.......wet. Because it's so warm, it really isn't an issue.

Mack-Daddy was the tour master and Clown Sleeves the Nav, so we set off in search of adventure and sightseeing. We were SO not disappointed. Babinda Boulders, Atherton, Millaa Millaa falls and the waterfall loop were the destinations of the weekend. Along the way some aired their VERY interesting , but useless knowledge of all things in our path. Saw some pretty amazing trees and Lakes in volcano craters. Saw a mumma cassowary with chicks at foot along the road out of Mission Beach. Very Rare.

This is a beautiful part of Australia and the more I think how old the rain forests are, the more it blows me away.

We were fortunate to camp with an amazing family who took the time to show us the sights and everything was done with great fun and wonderful humour. We are blessed to know you guys and love you lots.

Can't wait for the next long weekend.......................maybe we'll head inland this time, although Andrew and I have earmarked some places for a re-visit while we are here.

Hope everyone had as great a weekend as we did, so I will sign off from the Killer Bass and the Screaming Gophers,

Stay beautiful

K xx

In the blink of an eye

2009-04-07T17:13:00.000-07:00

It is so true what is said about children growing up in the blink of an eye. Here is my lovely daughter Amanda, 12 1/2 going out for dinner as the culmination to a program run at school called "Shine". It's a program run by the school chaplains about self image and self esteem. I think all girls should be offered the opportunity to do something like this, as it has truly benefitted her. Amanda has always been a confident, poised girl, but moving schools really diminished some of that confidence. This program has helped restore that and more. My confident, caring, happy girl is back with us, and when I saw these pics, I wanted to cry. Only yesterday I was wiping her nose, changing her nappy, and kissing bruises.

Amanda has always had an "inner light" and when I saw these, I can see it captured on film. The only makeup she has on is mascara and lip gloss. Thanks to mu nephew's lady, the fabulous Lexie for doing Amanda's hair ( she is an apprentice hairdresser ) and helping her to feel lovely.

2009-04-06T18:25:00.001-07:00

HI everyone. Here is a pic of me looking forward to going away for Easter!! Woo Hoo!! Can't wait. I am almost, nearly organised to boot, so things are looking up. Good luck to the Cougars camping at Lake Keepit over Easter. Looks Like RAIN...............AGAIN!!! LOL
Have just had the owners of our house inspect and they are the loveliest people. He is in the Army and currently in Afghanistan ( on leave for 2 weeks ) and she works for Border Security!! They are so nice and as it looks like the house has been sold, they were asking what would be convenient for us for a settlement!! Looks like we will be here until the lease expires, and on the move 13th July. Can't wait, but we will have visitors then. Might have to rope them into helping. Hey Roz, Panch, Nikkers and Lara, we need a hand!!! The owner showed me how to use the sprinkler system, so yay us. No more dragging the soaker hose around. This thing is all automated with 6 sections. Posh, and he said...expensive. It was apparent to them that the real estate managing the property aren't doing a good job, so they told me to deal directly with them. How good is that. I am glad I could show them the damage the previous tenants had done, so they don't think it was us.

Have been to school for literacy groups. I so could NEVER be a teacher. I don't like my own kids all the time, let alone other people kids!!! Mind you, I LOVE my kids all the time.
A bit full on until after Easter, so won't blog until then.
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!

Stay beautiful

K xx

Mohawn Man and Easter share

2009-04-05T22:04:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, hope your weekend was great. Ours was. Nothing too much happened and that's the way I wanted it this weekend.

Josh played baseball Saturday and was invited to play with the senior men on Sunday. He played 2 games with the seniors and he said he played pretty bad. He said he was really nervous, so that may have been it. He enjoyed the games though and that's the main thing.

Ethan went to Gym and when I picked him up he was red-faced and sweaty. He said he "gave his all" today. What a great attitude. I wish I could say I did that EVERYDAY.

Amanda didn't play golf this week, and she really missed it. I think it's the time with Dad that's the attraction there as well. They enjoy each other's company and it's so important for a girl to have a great relationship with her Dad.

We had my nephew, Scott, his partner Emma and my other nephew's partner Lexie here for lunch on Sunday. Lexie is an apprentice hairdresser and did cuts on the boy's hair. She gave Josh a mohawk, which I was horrified at, but in the end I thought it looked really good. Josh doesn't like it and didn't want to hurt Lexie's feelings, so said nothing. He has asked me to cut it off this afternoon. He is learning about women's feelings...........at last !! LOL

Just thought I would share some little things I have made for Easter. We are camping with another family at Bramston Beach http://www.bramstonbeachholidays.com.au/home.asp

and instead of trying to keep heaps of eggs cool, I am making camping survival kits. They consist of an eyemask, earplugs and a small bar of chocolate. I plan to give them on Friday as they can be used all weekend. As you can see by the pic, there's some for the girls and some for the fellas.

There's a new challenge at http://bootcampourway.blogspot.com/ and at the moment, there's only a few of us involved. Would be great to get some more action from others there. We are going hard at the layouts and I don't think I have scrapped so much in my life!! Yeah!

Until next time,

Stay beautiful

K xx

It didn't start well

2009-04-02T22:42:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a week that didn't start well, but came screaming home in a blaze of glory? This was one of those weeks for me. Things were going down that slippery slope to despair Monday & Tuesday, and thenon Wednesday....................I checked my email. I had won a set of Stampin' Up! Stamps. Thanks Lisa. Check out Lisa's blog here. http://stampwithlisa.blogspot.com/

She's one talented lady and has 4 little boys to boot. Dunno where she gets the time, but she's amazing.

Checked my email the next day. I had won a stamp set from Wicked Princesses. Thanks so much girls. Check out the link here http://stampwithlisa.blogspot.com/ and the blinkie on the side of this page may have got your attention. Get in there and check out the 7 deadly sins challenge. What have YOU got to confess.

The phone rang and it was my sister. Jen, it was so great to hear your voice and I so desperately needed to hear it that day. You are a treasure and I love you very much.

Went to get the mail yesterday as the postie was trying to get off her bike and I thought I would meet her half way. It was a packinge from my mad SIL. There were some little treasures and a couple of patterns and some of the cutest "Wine Slippers" you ever did see. She is a do-er this one and can turn her hand to any craft. Haven't managed to get her into paper yet though. Thankyou Sue, I was so grateful for your thoughtfulness and your creativity.

THEN. I went to get the mail again today as this time the postie was trying to jam a package into my newspaper thing on the mailbox ( that was already full of junk mail ), and there was a parcel from my lunatic friend Marnie. In this parcel was a roll on deodorant and a pair of socks. I read the card, and I couldn't stop laughing for a full 15 minutes. She had this parcel for me when I was bemoaning the cyclone situation soon after we moved here. The deodorant is for when the sweat was really running and the socks were for when I couldn't get anything dry. She said she doesn't want me to get foot rot! What a crack up! The funny thing is, I ran out of deodorant today and the kids have flogged all my socks. Thankyou for your humour Marn and your heart is huge. I miss you lots. Check out Marnies blog here http://www.marniesalterego.blogspot.com/ because she is as talented as she is funny.

So, as you can see this week has gone from being rather Ho Hum crappy to Oh Yum Happy!!! I am so grateful for my family and friends, as life would be so hollow without them.

Just sharing a couple of layouts I did for the Bootcamp Challenge. I found this weeks sketch really hard to get and I'm still not happy with the results. Anyhoo, here they are. Get over here and join us if you haven't already.http://bootcampourway.blogspot.com/ It's a great chance to use up your stash.........................................to buy more!

have a great weekend. Stay Beautiful

K xx

Is that HAIR on my palm?

2009-03-31T01:07:00.000-07:00

Just lately, I have been noticing hair growing where it didn't used to grow. For example, I have hair, BLACK hair growing midway up my thigh, like some geographically confused hair from my nether region. What's with that? I have also found hair growing behind my knee and THAT one is black and curly. I also have a mole on my face sprouting like a long forgotten sea anemone, not to mention the hair I like to call Neil on one nipple.
I am starting to feel a little neanderthal and thought at the grand age of 37 I might be about to meet the dwarves of peri-menopause- itchy, bitchy, sweaty, sleepless, bloaty, forgetful, psycho, and my favourite....................seething. I feel all of these things in about an hour some days.
I have spent so much time in my life trying to REMOVE hair from places it SHOULD be and now I am hit with growth where it SHOULD'NT. What hide! What gall! So unfair.
So off to the doctor to have a chat about Neil the nipple hair and his habits. Blood test tomorrow. Called Mum, as surely she will know something, only to be comforted by the words..." I started THE CHANGE after I had you". She was 38 when I was born. By my maths calculations, I have about 7 months until I turn 38, so time surely must be running out before my ovaries reduce themselves to sultanas and the dwarves move in as housemates. Seriously, I don't have time for this. Heck, I don't have time to once again remove the hair that SHOULD be there and has crept back like mould on a crust of bread. Is menopause something to look forward to or to fear? Up side is the off button is flipped and every month is calm, cool and collected................or not.
Until then I will ride the storm, and perhaps I will take the time to have a mid-life crisis, so as not to disrupt the family too much.
In the mean time.....I'm off...I am going to investigate a certain fuzz on my palm. Well, it is a full moon I suppose!!

Stay beautiful,
K xx

Step away from the vacuum, it's MINE

2009-03-26T18:49:00.001-07:00

HI, would it kill my man to acknowledge what happens when he's NOT here? Seriously. My DH is having a rather stressful time in his life ( workwise ) and I am being a big a support as I can. No problem. To relieve some stress, he has been playing a fair bit of golf . No problem. He says it's his "me" time and I pointed out in my rather blunt way, that I would love some of that and where do you get it. The answer? You have 6 hours of "me" time ( meaning Me and not him, just to be clear ) while the kids are at school. *sides split from laughing so hard* Oh? and what about the housework and the other stuff I do? Answer. Well, you're not doing THAT 6 hours a day are you? * sides again split from laughing*

What he didn't see is the 4 hours baking I had done and put away, the clothes that had been washed and ironed and put away, the hour I put in at the school for literacy groups and the toilets that had been scrubbed until the porcelain begged for mercy. I have to smile to myself and know that as a SAHM ( stay at home mum ) I am worth far more than any one can bring home in a pay packet. I also know that I am far more resilient than any centrelink employee gives us credit for, and I am just as smart as any accountant( let's face it ladies, without 2 incomes sometimes accounting has to get " creative ").

So SAHM's unite and lets us all secretly know that behind every great man, is a better, stronger, smarter woman.

As a little aside, I went to the mailbox wondering what bills had made their way to my house today and found a letter addressed to me. Big deal you say? Well, it was a HAND addressed, HAND written letter with a HAND made card inside. My day has been made, and probably my weekend. Thankyou so much ALI-G, you have rocked my world and you will never know how DESPERATELY I needed to hear the words you penned. We don't receive much REAL mail anymore. Everything is quicker, easier, more economical than writing a letter. The joy I got from opening this letter is unspeakable. Such a simple act, such a grand gift. Watch you letterboxes, there might just be a letter from me inside it.

Have a great day and a better weekend cherishing the "simple" things.

Stay beautiful,

K xx

We Have a Friend!!

2009-03-25T18:36:00.000-07:00

It's official, Ethan is starting to settle into his new school. Thank goodness and we all breathe a sigh of relief. He has a friend coming over to play Friday arvo, and this kid is the DEAREST little fella. He is one the the nicest kids in my group when I help out at school. Ethan has also started talking about other boys who are in this kids little group. They are nice kids and I think it's the advantage of being present in the classroom. I can steer Ethan toward the NICE kids. The teacher has even made a point of telling me how his behaviour has improved out of sight. Acceptance is a VERY powerful thing isn't it? Perhaps we all are striving for acceptance in all we do. Hmmmm, there's a thought to ponder- and with that I will leave you to get on with your day.

I will leave a pic of my gorgeous daughter and my goofy DH taken at Crystal Creek.

Stay beautiful

K xx

What would they do without the woman?

2009-03-24T18:01:00.000-07:00

Just a quick lookie another 2 layouts for the Bootcamp Our Way Challenge. If you aren't involved, just check out the link and jump on in. http://bootcampourway.blogspot.com/

Not sure what my family would do without me. I think they would live in their own filth and be late to EVERYWHERE they go. LOL That's why most men marry women hey?

Amanda left for her first school camp of the year today and I will miss her terribly. She's a great kid.

Have a great day everyone and catch up soon

Kxx

Give me a stiff drink

2009-03-23T18:13:00.001-07:00

Hi all, or rather the 1 other person that reads this! LOL Just thought I would post a pic of Ethan looking WAY too cute in his new glasses. He thinks they make him look "brainier", and he is desperate to show Nanny, so here you go. He is a bit of a ring in, this little bloke. He looks like nobody else in the family, but himself.

Just been tot he school to help with literacy groups. Dear Lord, where has all the discipline in the classroom gone? Bring back the cane I say. I really enjoy going and helping in the classroom, ( and Ethan enjoys me being there ), but MAN, I feel like a stiff drink when I get home. There's 2 kids in particular that usually get into a fist fight. They roam around the room making life hard for all the other kids. These 2 are largely ignored by the teacher ( as she is probably on a horse dose of Valium) as they do what they want. One of them is incredible intelligent and so far I have had no issue with him. If you can engage him, he's fine, but if you can't ................look out. He slammed and kicked doors and I wanted to give him a good hard smack. I know that is SO wrong these days, but lets face it, touchy feely disciplinary methods aren't going so well are they? In my day ( God, I swore I would never start a sentence that way) we had to sit down and shut up and if we backchatted a teacher.........................look out. The discipline at school was NOTHING to what you would get when you got home. I am wondering where we have fallen short is the raising kids department. Is "spare the rod and spoil the child" the way to go? Easier sure, but in the long run, we end up raising young people that have no responsibility for their actions and are non-contributing members of society. We need to change something and it needs to be NOW. We have all these gadget time savers, yet we are busier than ever. Our kids are suffering, because instead of kicking a ball around in the afternoon, they are watching tv or on the computer. We are too busy, being BUSY. We need to stop. Our kids don't need THINGS, they need us and our time. Done, and said, I am by far NOT the best parent, but everyday I try and try and when I am knocked down, I try again. Maybe I am stubborn, maybe I am pushing poo uphill with a stick, but I will be damned if I will give up. Soapbox away, sorry to rant. Frustrated as hell, and looking for answers......long term.

Until next time, take time

Kelly xx

I should have eaten him

2009-03-22T18:50:00.001-07:00

Well, I know why some animals eat their young. SO they never become TEENAGERS, that's why!!!! I have a 14 yo DS and MAN is he putting us through the ringer at the moment, So much so we are going for some family counselling. Kids these days know their rights and flaunt them at us as parents, when sometimes they need a good flogging. We have tried so hard to raise good, responsible, respectful kids that take responsibility for their actions, but I am starting to feel like a world class failure. Sometimes it would have been easier to "spare the rod and spoil the child". I can only hope that some of it has got in and I can keep him alive long enough to grow into a man and have his own children to see what he has put us through.

Anyway, enough of that, everyone has these issues with their teenage werewolves I'm sure.

We have had a lovely weekend. Went to see the Cowboys 1st home game against West Tigers. Cowboys won and it was a good game. We yelled and danced and waved banners. DS elected not to go and see his team, so everyone else went and had a blast.

Sunday, we went North to a Place called Crystal Creek , near Paluma (see pic above) and had a ball. The kids jumped off the rocks into the deep pool and we all went on the natural rock slides. I reckon it's a place to camp and we are going to investigate for the Easter hols. Us girls reckon we can take on the kids while the fellas commute to work and back. Sounds like a plan.

One of the pics is of me going down the rock slide and the other is of Josh jumping off the big rock. Such a beautiful place and it was liberating to feel like a kids again.

Until next time,

Stay beautiful and don't eat the kids!!

K xx

I love Fridays

2009-03-19T22:37:00.000-07:00

Hi, I so love Fridays. It feels like the working week is finished ( even though mine just begins ) and we have "chip nite" with friends.

Josh and Amanda go to youth group with our friend's daughter Chloe and Ethan and our friend's other daughter Sarah, swim while the adults have some "grown up time". I love catching up with Donna and Jason, as we have been friends for many years in many places.

We had Ethan to the optometrist last week and he needs glasses. He can't seem to see too well up close and his reading and writing has deteriorated, so off we went. He scoffed at the woman's suggestion of pink ones with flowers and just wanted blue ones. He looks too cute with them on, so watch this space for a pic.

Had coffee with another GF, Kylee today and we partly shopped the Domain centre. Not a bad place I reckon and we are going back for a "repeat performance". I am so grateful to have GF's living here, and I thank God for them everyday. So grateful that He has chosen to put us all in the same place at the same time. If only He could import the Tamworth crew, and the Lismore clan, life would be perfect. Speaking of perfect, I got flowers from my DH yesterday for no reason.....hmmmmm, he must want to play golf. They are beautiful and are roses. He doesn't usually buy me roses ( or flowers for that matter ) and I am fortunate to have a thoughtful man ( sometimes ) .

Off to the footy tomorrow night. * GO COWBOYS *!! Can't wait as its' the first home game and should be a good one. Hope West Tigers bring it!

Will leave you with some LO pics of the bootcamp challenge http://bootcampourway.blogspot.com/

would be great if you could join us, hop on over and have a look. The st one is my 35th Birthday and the 2nd one is my FIL's 60th.

Have a fabulous weekend!!

Kelly xxx

Monday is the day

2009-03-09T00:54:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely weekend and somehow Monday comes around just too darn quickly. We were supposed to have a cyclone on the weekend, but it missed us. All we got were a few showers and a slight breeze. THANK GOODNESS! I really feel for the poor buggers south of here.

I have been VERY creative in the card making stakes and scrapbooking. I have a glut of scraps that need my attention before they take me over. I found a style I liked and went for it. The result was 4 scrapbook pages and 9 cards. Unfortunately, they are all spoken for, so will have to get going and make some more.

I send an email out for a scrap bootcamp challenge to see you use up some of your paper stash. If you want to join us, then head over to http://www.bluebazaar.com.au/ and print off the sketches and suggested themes. Then, head to http://www.bootcampourway.blogspot.com/ and introduce yourself. I am determined to stop procrastinating about doing pages and 'just do it'. Hey that should be a catchcry for a sports company!!

The weather was so nice yesterday, we went to the beach with my nephew Scott and his partner Emma. We went to Pallarenda beach for a spot of fishing, bbq lunch and look around. Ethan loved the rockpool and we saw the old gun enplacements from WWII. We wanted to look at the old graves too, but we had to trek a swap full of mozzies, so that was out. Next time. I love days like that, getting out with the family with no particular plan in mind *sigh* it was just bliss.

Ethan (his hand pictured above) was fascinated by the little hermit crabs. There weren't at all afraid and zoomed across his opn palm. They came nearly out of their shells to check him out. He played with them for ages.

Crisis Averted. ......for us anyway

2009-03-06T14:34:00.000-08:00

Well, it looks like we are safe once again, thank goodness. Cyclone Hamish looks to have moved away from us and it appears it will be upgraded to a cat 4 as it smashes the Whitsundays. It's starting to close in here now with the wind and the rain, but we will be ok. Pity the others further South though. We sure have had weather of extremes of late in this country and it makes me wonder what on Earth is going on? Is someone mad at us?
Off to do the sports run today. Baseball first, and it was supposed to be gymnastics for Ethan, but he has lost that priviledge this week. Off to see my nephews new puppy and then to buy some rosin, flute grease and a music book. Hopefully some scrapbooking this arvo. Got cards to make. My life could not be more exciting!! LOL I did wish to slow down a few months ago so here it is. Not all bad, as I am quite enjoying it.

ANOTHER cyclone

2009-03-05T21:21:00.000-08:00

Well, it looks like there's another cyclone sitting off the coast. I'm sure it's just waiting for the Chambers' front door to open!! I don't think I can handle any more rain. We have just dried the backyard out after the last lot.
Missed my brothers' birthday on the 3rd March, so Happy Birthday Rossie. Will send the card this weekend.
Ethan still struggling at school, but the other 2 have found their niche. Josh powering at the violin and Amanda making sweet sounds with her flute.
I have been doin some scrapping, so I thought I would get Andrew to show me how to post some stuff for you to see. I think Marnie would be the ONLY person reading this, so, check it out Marn. I don't know how to make my page all pretty like yours.
Applied for a job yesterday, so will see how that goes. I quite like NOT working, but when you move to a new place, you need the social interaction. We'll see if Australia Post is ready for me!! LOL

My Top 100 - The stuff I've done is in red

2009-02-23T23:18:00.000-08:00

My Top 100 list. This has been floating for sometime on line so I here is my version..
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Tahiti
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a stray animal.
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
18 Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snowman.
25 Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Victoria Falls in Sth Africa.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied- just didnt know it !
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen the mud pools in NZ.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Perth and Broome
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold raffle tickets for Scouts
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving,
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Visit the Quarantime Station in Sydney......at night.
67. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the war memorial in Canberra.
71.Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Ice skated.
74. Toured Kakadu.
75.Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. See my life as a work of art when I get to the end of it and hope I was a good person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Walked the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had Chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen Ypres and Poiziers in person
96. Paid homage to the dead on Anzac Day at Gallipoli.
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

48/100 is my score at age 37. Room for improvement there I think.

First Cab off the Rank

2009-02-23T22:20:00.000-08:00

Well, this is the first blog of probably 2. I have lead a fortunate life, hence the name of the blog.