Another boring update

Well really, that's about what life has become like lately. Same old same old. Work, home, sleep.
Seriously, I am always tired. The past two weeks have been ridiculous. When I haven't been working, I've been sleeping. I've also got the bugs that are going around work. To quote one of my managers yesterday 'They're dropping like flies'. Sounds funny but it's not. It's leaving us short staffed. So yesterday (on a day when I'm not supposed to have clients and just be available to help everyone with craft) I was assigned a client for the day. Let me tell you it is hard to give undivided attention to a client and also run a craft class at the same time.
Anyway..... onto my 10 random facts. Next week, I promise photos.....

1. Miss Seven has been struggling at school and is generally not that happy. We have spoken to her teacher who suggested that we get her eyes tested. The result? Miss Seven is waiting for her glasses to come back. She is getting two pair - one for home and one for school. They are to be used when reading, watching tv, computer and school work. They are really cool looking glasses and she chose the rims in purple!
2. Mr19 is doing well. I know he reads this blog so I won't say anything that might upset him. lol We really are proud of him. We just hope that this year is going to be a life changing time for him. And he better be keeping his room clean too!
3. My baby girls are going well. Miss Amelia is getting bigger every day. She is a different baby now that she has had her reflux diagnosed and we are treating it. She is so much more settled and happy. She 'chats' to us now and watches us when we're talking to her. Miss Ava is a two foot wrecking machine. But you can't help but smile. She climbs on everything and not even putting things high guarantees their safety.
4. The New Mum and her man have just become engaged.
5. The painting of the house has stalled. The room for Miss Seven has been painted but that is as far as we have got. Time just seems to disappear these days. I work every second weekend so that makes it harder also. It seems that my days off rarely coincide with the MOTH's RDO's. I am looking for a colour for the kitchen/dining area. And I've been told that if I want to paint the back bedroom again then I do it myself. Guess it's gonna stay yellow with butterflies and flowers around the top.
6. I'm actually finding a bit of time to read in the past couple of weeks. I've finished The Second Sons trilogy by Jennifer Fallon and now I'm starting on my pile of Kathy Reich's books.
7. I'm still doing Project 365. I sometimes miss a day but make it up by taking a photo relevant to the day later. I'm hoping to catch up with the layouts this weekend.
8. The scrap shop closes it's doors this weekend. I went in the other day to spend more money. The MOTH just shrugs and says 'How much did you spend this time'? And then asks where I'm going to put it all. But I can't pass up paints for $1.95 or brush pens for around the same price. I even got a 6x6 album for $5 the other day. Some good bargains to be sure.
9. Miss Seven has joined her school choir. She seems to be having a great time. She has also gone back to dancing this year. Although I work on a Thursday so the MOTH has been taking her to classes and organising costumes and dance shoes.
10. Well I'd best be off. When I get home from work this afternoon we are heading down the Gold Coast. We have booked a unit at Burleigh Heads for the weekend and I am so hanging out for it. So I have to go and pack our bags and organise stuff before I head out the door for work for the day. This is gonna be so much fun.

Is it February already?

For weeks now I have been writing blog posts in my head but they never seem to make it the point of publishing.
In the past weeks, I have had my break from work (and gone back), covered school books for Miss Seven to go back to school, said farewell to Mr19 as he heads off to Melbourne for the year, spent lots of time with my gorgeous grandbabies and just got back into the swing of life in general.
Right now, everything on tv, radio and in general conversation is related to the devasting Victorian Bushfires. My heart breaks for the loss of lives and of homes. Over 1000 homes lost. And a death toll that is rising every day. So many people have lost their loved ones. You can rebuild a home but you can't rebuild a life that has been lost. I can't fathom how quickly the fires reached these people. Some had absolutely no warning at all before the fires were upon them. Each day the police are getting closer to the *@%^! that lit the fires. May the wrath of the nation fall upon them.

I think I'll just go with 10 random facts for this post again. I really must resize some photos to post here. I have a fun one taken at Mr 19's farewell bbq that shows just how spirited and determined Miss Ava is....another time. It's on the laptop. lol
1. Miss Seven is in Grade 3 this year. She has a love/hate relationship with school right now. Although she loves learning she places such high expectations on herself and hates to fail. Right now they are working through last year's State testing to see where their strengths and weaknesses are. She is hating every minute of this. On the upside of school - she has made new friends and swimming has started back.
2. I must make an appointment to get Miss Seven's eyes tested again. She is doing a lot of blackboard work right now and she is having troubles.
3. Mr 19 is appearing to settle in Melbourne. He rides the trams every day and says he has a great group of people that he is with. Their course is a bit disjointed right now because those usually involved with the teaching are up working at the firefronts. He tells me that his group are asking to be sent up to help there also.
4. Our local scrapbook shop is closing in less than two weeks. I call in as often as possible to see what they have marked down. I've been collecting some papers but generally it is other craft stuff such as inks, stamps, albums, adhesives, brads, eyelets, paints etc that I am picking up. And I'm stocking up on cardstock. I also have some of their shelving paid for... gonna look great in my craft room!!
5. We have finished (well the MOTH has finished) painting Mr 19's old room ready for Miss Seven to move into. We now have to go and buy the bed we have our eye on for her. Hope it's still there.
6. Once Miss Seven is safely ensconced in her new room, then I can start work on my craft/computer/library room. I can't wait. Then we're going to work on the rest of the house and the shed. The MOTH wants his workbench back again.
7. I am helping coordinate a Bushfire Appeal sausage sizzle at work. One of the clients had the idea and the rest of the clients are enthusiastic about helping out. It's great to see them notice what is going on in the world around them.
8. Mentally, I'm not doing so well again. The dr has increased my medication. Also had a biopsy done on a sun cancer on my arm the other day.
9. Miss Ava and Miss Amelia are just growing in leaps and bounds. Miss A just adores all babies right now. She is always wanting to 'mwah' Miss Amelia and cuddle her. The other night at Mr19's farewell, I took a photo of her trying to cuddle her little cousin Lily. The photos are amusing. Miss A is full of love and Miss Lily has a pained expression on her face.
10. It's time for me to get ready for work. My roster is filling. I am almost finished my Cert 3 and I'm looking at options to do my Diploma. Unfortunately not finding too many places that I'm going to be able to keep working and study at the same time. Off to a Behaviour Management Training course next week. That is going to be interesting and I'm looking forward to that. I'm doing it with one of the guys from work and he's a lot of fun.

Well, until my next random update. Stay strong everyone!

Happy New Baby!!

Happy New Year to you all.
I have been spending the past few days relaxing and unwinding. I have 3 weeks off work to spend with Miss Seven and the mum-to-be. Miss Seven is having a blast so far and has a packed agenda for me over the next couple of weeks including lots of crafts and mummy/daughter time.
I have lots of photos to share in this post but I'll put them at the end.
Okay... random news.
1. Inspired by Ali Edwards and lots of my fellow quirksters I have decided to forego making a new year's resolution and instead choose a word for the year. A word for me to live by. And the word I have chosen is 'Breathe'

breathe (brēt̸h)

intransitive verb, transitive verb breathed, breathing breath′·ing


1. to take (air) into the lungs and let it out again; inhale and exhale, esp. easily and naturally
2. to inhale (in full, breathe in) or exhale (in full, breathe out)
3. to carry on respiration (sense )
4. to live
5. Old Poet. to give out (an odor)
6. to give out or instill as if by breathing to breathe confidence
7. Old Poet. to blow softly
8. to speak or sing softly; whisper; murmur
9. to give or take time to breathe; rest to breathe a horse
10. to pant or cause to pant, as from exertion
11. to react with the air after being opened or decanted and thus develop further in flavor and bouquet: said of wine
12. to allow the passage of air, water, vapor, etc. through or as through pores: said of fabrics

1.To draw breath
respire, use one's lungs, inhale, exhale, draw in, breathe in or out, gasp, pant, wheeze, snort, sigh, take air into one's lungs or nostrils, scent, sniff, smell, huff, puff, sniffle.

2.To live
move, exist, be alive;

3.To blow gently
puff, fan, exhale;

4.To pause
take a breath, recuperate, take a breather*; see pause, rest 2.

So that is what I am going to do - breathe when I need to rest, to live, to exist, to pause and to slow down to recuperate.
2. We should have got that new car we were talking about 6 months ago. Now we have spent so much on our old beast and replaced all major parts that it is not worth our while to trade it in on a new one. Breathe.... the latest repair bill is looking around $2000.... breathe
3. I have been teaching Miss Seven to digiscrap and she has taken to it like a duck to water. She wants to scrap all the time. I am going to get her an 8x8 album and print out her layouts for her. She is super excited about this. I have started her by using templates. Here are her first two layouts. I have no credits because Miss Seven just chose what she wanted from ACDSee and worked on her own with occasional help from me.

The photos in this layout were taken by Miss Seven also (on her new camera that she got for Christmas).

Her swimming carnival.

And now my most exciting news..... I have a new baby granddaughter!!!!
Amelia Dawn came into the world at 11.05pm on Tuesday 6th January. She came quickly and her parents only just made it to the hospital in time. The New Mum came home today and headed straight to my house where my mother and brother just happened to be visiting. Apparently Miss Amelia cried for the first two hours after her birth but has slept virtually non stop since then. Miss Ava is staying with us so her mum can catch up on sleep for a couple of days. I waited anxiously all day to be the first to cuddle her but the MOTH arrived home at the same time as the new parents arrived here and beat me to the car. *sigh* You couldn't wipe the smile from the proud Pa's face. So bear with me ..... proud Ma alert!!! Lots of photos to follow.

Amelia Dawn 8lb 7oz and 55cm long.

The proud (and very tired) family

The proudest aunt you will find.

Miss Ava meets her little sister. Note that her mother is holding her arm lol. Miss Ava is a little bit energetic.

Four generations

With my baby girls. I am just the proudest Ma out there!!!!

My Wish to You

As I sit here listening to the soothing strains of my new Boyz2Men CD (that I got for Christmas) and let the thoughts of the past days and year come to me, I am happy. I am happy that I am here. I am happy that I have a family and friends who love me for who I am. I am happy that my dreams are alive and well and that nobody can take them away from me. I am happy that I have freedom of speech. I am free to say and do what I wish with only my conscience to guide me. I can love without fear and the only things that I fear (apart from spiders and heights) are losing those that I love. I am truly blessed.

 

Each day that I wake, I wonder what will come from the day. Some days are diamonds and some days are stone. Some days I still sink into the depths of despair and depression and want to run away and hide from the world and some days I revel in my life and the love of my family. Right now, I am in a good place. I am learning to relax and to let my stress wash over me. It is not always easy and sometimes I just want to scream and shout and stamp my feet like a two year old in the throes of a tantrum. However, I know that the feeling of relief would only be temporary. I am learning to breathe deeply and to count my blessings. I am learning to let myself drift along with the melodies of music. I soar with the high notes and plunge to the depths with the bass. I imagine the waves on the beach. I let them roll over me and wash away the worries of the world. I let myself find peace in the rhythm of my breathing.

 

If you have read this far, I applaud you for staying with my ramblings. And thankyou that you cared enough to read on.

So? What happened to 2008? Have we really had Christmas already? Time just goes so fast these days.

I have had a year of highs and lows and I have been tested by fire but I have remained resolute.

I have spent a wonderful year getting to know my beautiful granddaughter. She is my joy. I wear a constant smile when she is around. Her constant enthusiasm for life and all things new is a beautiful thing. She is bright and intelligent and has a very quick temper. Although at 13 months she doesn't say too much, she makes her wishes known quite easily. She has such a strong will and zest for living that leaves me breathless at times.

And if she is my Joy, then the MOTH is my Peace. He is my constant. He is my rock. I rest in him and know that I am safe and that his love is always there. He makes me smile. And he understands and cares when I need him to. My Hope is Miss Seven. She is growing so quickly and is so quick to learn. She has a thirst for knowledge and respects those who teach her (well most of the time). A straight 'A' student according to her last report card (I only hope that keeps up) and the joy of her teachers. She is my hope.

I guess I should say that all of my children are my hope. At the moment, I am waiting for my new grandchild to arrive and so jump every time the phone rings. My daughter has proved that underneath that brash and rebellious teenager that rampaged through my life in the past, there is a caring and loving mother and partner. She embodies hope for the future.

And then there is Mr 19. He recently moved out of home. I think he agrees that doing so was the best thing he has done. He is starting to mature but still has a long way to go. I am going to miss him when he goes to Melbourne in February but I know that doing this is either going to make or break him.

My children embody my hopes and dreams.

 

So to my friends who are reading this, I wish to you a 2009 that is filled with promise and love. I wish for you that any dreams you have may begin to find fruition. That the pains in your life may be made easy to bear and that through them you go stronger. And my biggest wish is that at this time next year, we are still able to wish each other all the best for the future.

Good luck to you all and Happy New Year.

 

Yes, I know I'm slack....

I must admit that 2 months between posts has got to be a bit of a record. *sigh*
In my defence, all has not been well in the Diva home downunder. Well the family are all pretty good, it's just me that's been struggling a bit. Last week it all became too much and I went to the doctor. Although she has run a lot of tests (find out the result of them today), she has given me a preliminary diagnosis of clinical depression. She started me immediately on meds and I have to say I have seen a difference in my mindset and attitude already. The worst part is that there are side effects until the meds fully kick in - and they are not pretty. Still to have my mind back in one piece (well as good as it has ever been anyway) I'm willing to put up with some physical discomfort. The MOTH has been wonderful and supportive. And the kids are pretty good too. So I'm on the road to recovery.
So that's my sob story... okay enough of the pity party. I'm off to do my 10 random facts.

1. Miss Ava turns one in three weeks. I can't believe it. She is such a gorgeous little person to have around as well. She is always happy (unless she's teething - and she has 5 of them now). She says a few words - 'Dog' was the first one and she spends her days just pottering around and having fun. Although she likes having me in the same room with her. She gets upset if I have to leave the room and tries to run after me. Her favourite 'toy' when she is at Ma & Pa's is her aunt's toothbrush. Go figure. We keep a toybox full of toys for her and she spends the day playing with a toothbrush.lol
2. Work is going well. The work on my assignments is being recognised and I am happy with that. It's good to receive recognition for hard work.
3. Miss Six turns 7 in three weeks (her and Miss Ava are only 3 days apart for birthdays). She is excited and counting sleeps.
4. I also have it on good authority that there are 50 sleeps until Santa comes. We have had the 'Santa' discussion. I know many won't agree with me, but I want my daughter to retain the magic of Christmas until she is a bit older. I don't like that her school (and play) friends are telling her otherwise. I have explained that all presents under the tree come from us but that Santa brings her a Santa Sack filled with little things. I also asked if she still believes. When she said yes then I said that is what the important thing is. I hope she keeps her sense of magic and wonder. This is the girl who wants to believe in fairies too. The world is a harsh place without taking some of the magic of childhood away. *stepping down off my soapbox*
5. I'm over the US election. I have been following discussions in the DST politics forum. It has been eye opening.
6. The New Mum is now in single digit weeks in her countdown to grandchild #2. Her and her partner know what they are having but won't tell any of us. They want to keep it a surprise. I hope it's a boy. But that is only because I don't like the name they have picked out for a girl. lol Isn't it funny how associations with people of the same name colour how you see that name? But I will love the child no matter what.... and spend one day each week next year looking after 2 little ones.
7. The MOTH surprised me yesterday by bringing me home a tin of lollies. I looked at him in shock. He just shrugged and said 'They're in a great tin. You can use that can't you'? Bless his little cotton socks.
8. I am having a blast with the altered team at ScrapArtist. We have so many ideas for upcoming challenges. And I really am enjoying letting my creativity take over. I've also joined the community at Digital Art Quirks. Those ladies are way cool!!
9. Making plans for Christmas. It should be interesting this year because it looks as if my parents are moving to Toowoomba the week before. I'm trying to work with forward planning and getting stuff done so I won't be doing any last minute running around. Don't know how that's gonna work out though. lol
10. It feels like Summer is here already and it is only spring. The humidity is killing me. Bring on winter.....

Okay. Enough rambling from me... Have a good one!

Let's see if this works

I'm trying to publish this blog post through email. The first time that I've ever tried it, so let's see if it works.

 

I am a bad blogger. I admit it. I should update people more often. And I know that a lot of you stop by because I get my stats each week telling me. lol Although I'm not really an interesting person. My children tell me that I'm boring actually but then you get that from children at times don't you? I remember that my oldest daughter used to complain all the time when she was a teenager about how boring we were and how there isn't ever any loud noise at our home. Now that she has a partner whose large family is all about noise and yelling and the home is constantly pulsing, she tells me that she appreciates coming over here and bringing little Miss Ava so that she can just relax and chill in the quiet. I must point out that life with my ex was never quiet. We had a home that was full of shouting and noise. It has been a real blessing to me to have a life with the MOTH that is calm and peaceful (and I can count on one hand the amount of discussions - we don't fight - that we have had over the past 12 years). He certainly is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Okay... now I'm rambling... let's get to the random facts. I have no photos to show you this time. I have done ONE (yes only one) layout in the past couple of weeks and the thumbnail for that is on my laptop and I'm too lazy to get up and turn it on and get it.

 

1. I weighed myself last night. Don't know how accurate the scales are but it looks like I'm back to what I was at this time last year. I'm not happy. That means I've put on close to 20kgs. I guess that the whole home is going to start eating properly again. Now that the MOTH has been told about his cholesterol he is more open to suggestion on changing his diet.

2. Work is still really busy but the good thing is that we are finally making inroads into the mortgage. The MOTH and I are discussing putting new carpet in the lounge and hall, a new lounge suite and renovating the bathroom. (Can you hear the yippee from me about the bathroom)?

3. I had a talk to my boss about my progress at work the other day and came away heartened.

4. I finished my last assignment and now have 3 others due before the end of the month. It never rains but it pours.

5. I'm just about finished a project that I'm working on to do with ScrapArtist. I'm very excited about this.

6. I have a new CT gig. I'm CT'ing for 3 months for Jodie McNally at OScraps. I'm really looking forward to this because Jodie's speciality is Word Art..... and of course most of you know how much I love wordart.

7. I did a photoshoot with Miss Ava the other day and I had the most fun but was totally exhausted at the end of it. It took me well over an hour because she kept crawling away, pulling down my backdrop and pulling at my camera. But I got some gorgeous shots and also some that aren't great but I kept because they show her personality. I gave the disk of photos to her mum and she's just rapt with them.

8. I have been frantically trying to get my entries for the photography section of the local show together. What happened to August? I thought I was on track to do it all and then the month just ended! *sigh* I ran around trying to track down a place to print my photos the other day. I want to recommend the print shop at Harvey Norman at Loganholme and Suzy the sales girl. She went out of her way to help me out and the service rocked! I don't think I'll do well this year. I'm not 100% happy with  my entries (and my family tell me that my photos just don't have 'it' this year) although Miss Six tells me that I'll win everything. Then she told me that I look beautiful in purple..... I think she's up to something.

8. The Beauy Show is on this weekend and Miss Six is dancing at it. So we'll go along (after I finish work) and see everything. Then we'll get a pass out and come back about 4.30pm to grab our seats for the night programme. I take too  many photos at the Show each year and don't scrap half of them.

9. I went to a Stampin' Up demonstration at a friend's home last weekend and bought some stamps. I'm going to have a huge card making day one day so I have cards on hand at all times. I bit the bullet and booked one myself. The MOTH just groaned and told me that I'm a fool. Every time I have one of these sort of things, nobody ever turns up. So if you're living in Brisbane and you're reading this.... mark Sunday the 28th Sept in your diaries!!

10. Well I have to get Miss Six motivated for school and get myself organised for the day. I have 3 more mats to organise for my photos and I have to go into work to put my timesheet in. Yesterday was my day off and I got called in to work. *sigh*

Have a good week everyone!!

PS: He he.... I found this in my drafts folder and published it. Wahoo!! But since I write all my emails in my favourite colour... it has published in my favourite colour. Let me know if it is too hard on the eyes and next time I'll remember to change the font back to black!

Still alive.... but it doesn't feel too good!!

What a horrendous past couple of weeks I have had. I had one week at work that was truly abysmal resulting in a meltdown in front of the boss that had her very concerned for me. And then the weekend of my birthday (which was supposed to be my weekend off). I got 3 calls from work asking me to cover shifts but I said no to them all. And then the day after my birthday (after spending a wonderful day with the Man of the House), I got sick that night. Then spent the next week in bed with the damn 'flu. I have never felt such pain. I was heating up the heat pack to put to various parts of my body... and hot showers have never felt so darn good.
So this week, I am alive... but now have a head cold! Gotta love winter in Australia!

Okay, now that the state of my health is out of the way lets get to my 10 random facts.
1. I have scrapped a couple of layouts (shared below) but I'm not scrapping much right now because I have a couple of projects on the go and also have a huge assignment due next week for my Cert 3 in Disability Care.
2. We went to the Ekka on Monday. I'm certainly pleased that I only go every blue moon because the crowds were incredible. Miss Six was over the moon. There was so much to see and do. We saw so much and ate too much... and bought home too many show bags filled with chocolate!
3. Whilst at the show I had two brushes with fame. The first was being steamrolled in the Qld Govt Pavilion by a media crew that had the Premier Anna Bligh in the centre of it. Got a quick snapshot before news crews pushed me out of the way. The second was with Big Wal from the first Aussie Biggest Loser. He was promoting the Fireman's Calendars that raise money for the burns units at the Royal Children's Hospital. I bought a calendar and he signed it for me. I asked if I could get a photo and he said yes and got me in this bear hug. The MOTH dutifully took a photo (under duress) using one hand and no flash. The photo is blurred *sigh* but I'm going to try to save it.
4. I managed to get two of Sara Douglas' books read whilst sick last week. I'm eagerly waiting for her third book to be released. According to her website (that was last updated in May) she is almost finished writing her third book. With luck it may be out before Christmas.
5. I am getting frustrated with my weight gain but have no motivation to exercise. My diet (whilst not perfect) is not all the trouble. It is my lack of exercise. I know that I need to do this but find it hard to do something about it.
6. I drove a manual car (well ute) yesterday for the first time in um.... let me think... a lot of years. I needed to take one of the work utes yesterday for my shift. It was an interesting trip to Brisbane and back but we made it in one piece and no marks on the car! :)
7. My birthday came and went quietly. My little girl gave me a framed b&w portrait of a very young Elvis Presley. The MOTH bought me a bunch of flowers and then picked some gorgeous roses and lavender from the garden as well. No present from him as yet. Since it was his birthday 6 days later we are contemplating getting a Wii. The only trouble with that idea is keeping it away from sundry other peoples in this house!
8. I'm really enjoying the Olympics right now. Discovered a show on in the mornings called Yum Cha with Andrew Daddo, Sonia Kruger, Tom (gosh.can't.think.of.his.last.name.right.now) and Rebecca Wilson. It's pretty fun. But I'm enjoying watching the sports as well. Only time in my life that you will find me glued to the tv watching sports.

I'm actually going to leave this at 8 facts today because I have to go into work to work on my Cert 3 assignment this morning. And I have my family coming for lunch today as well.
Here's a couple of layouts from me. All credits are in my SA Gallery.