I cant believe it's all over!

Well, here we are, BOXING DAY already! Where has December gone? Christmas day, has been and gone, everyone is totally happy with this years pressies and peace reigns in the Youd household (for a few days anyway!). A big surprise for us on Christmas eve! Rosso, Lukes mate who is like a 4th son to us, walked down our driveway!! (he moved to Ingham about 18 months ago or more), I was only saying to Luke the day before, how much i missed him coming for his Christmas Dinner (he was bought up Jehovah, and had never had Christmas before he met us, he has spent every Christmas day at our house for the last 4 years, I felt overwhelmed that he had driven down especially to be with us! and to make it all the better, i had no idea!!)

Cameron received some (much needed?) PSP accessories and games and of course..the guiness book of records! Aaryn finally got his batman blaster and Hero guitar (which is one of the best sony accessories and i just love it!).

We had a great day starting at Tina's for Brekkie, Where Poppy, dressed as Santa and seemed to really enjoy his new role in life!! (very worrying lol)

then over to Hayley's for lunch and then back to ours for dinner! why do we just seem to eat all day?

Finished the day with the traditional Poker match! (hayley bought gary a poker set, so the 'boys' were very professional this year LOL.. (photo, Gary

, Rosso, Luke, Tina's head and Zeb)

I always feel a little sad on Boxing day so see Christmas gone, this year is the same, although not as bad as we get to do it all again in 2 weeks when my brother arrives!!...

It will soon be time to take down all the lights outside, but we'll leave them on for another week, AT least it's not going to be so hectic as it has been and we'll be able to relax and enjoy the Christmas season, hopefully do something nice new years eve with all the kids!

In regards to our wishing well, we have raised in excess of $300 for the precious babies at NGH, so will leave the well out until after new year, for passer's-by (we had heaps in last night, but left them to their own devices, we needed time out lol)..

I think to date, Christmas 2006 has been our best yet! Good friends, family and lots of love, that's the secret!!

Love this pic of Aaryn..the kewl dude he is!!

TA..DA..

and here is the finished project!!!...well most of it..you cant see the 8ft santa's on the lawn to the right of santa's workshop (aka the garage lol).. lights on the roof, move,and you cant quite see the blue drop lights that go along the front of the house between the blue poles..nor can you see the G'day Mate sign behind the palm tree, shall put in more photo's later, i was just learning how to use camera with aperture and some other technical term tonight LOL...

FINALLY

Fairy lights finished!

The end of painting the lights has arrived. I've painted 2050 bulbs this year now all that's left to do is put them up. I've just put the igloo into the garden and Gaz has to get on the roof and put up Santa and Rudolph and the other Santa in the chimney..The fairy goes on a 20ft pole to go up the 30ft Christmas tree in the front yard!!! BUT as luck would have it..it's too windy to get on the roof or put a pole up, so he's having the day off work tomorrow, hopefully it will be done then. That's it then, finished, ready for the big tour to start on Saturday!!..bit excited this year as a little birdy told me the newspaper is coming to surprise us with a little interview, quite famous, We've already been mentioned on the radio as we are fund-raising for the hospital and they arranged a little announcement to get the ball rolling!! which reminds me. THE WISHING WELL, has to be pulled out and put in the front garden with the signs around it. I guess everyone is sick and tired about hearing about the lights but to be honest, that's all that's happening here at the moment..give me til next week, then it's 3 of the 5 kids birthdays ..YES..3 of them in the space of 6 days!! Hayley on the 15th, Tina on the 20th and Cam on the 21st!! not to mention Monika (adopted daughter of sorts!!) on the 19th and her Citizenship ceremony on the same day..an exciting time for everyone!!... 20 MORE SLEEPS TO GO and then it's all over for another year!! (and still no presents bought, how slack i have been this year indeed!!!)

just an ordinary update!!!

Not a lot happening in this household other than LIGHTS, LIGHTS and more LIGHTS! we still haven't finished decorating but have to be by Friday ready for the start of the Wonderland of Lights tour!! I'll be painting light bulbs until new year the way i'm going, i'm still to paint the 6ft fairy and the 6ft santa going down the chimney, touch up some of the ones already up and paint the igloo doorway!! shouldn't take too long LOL...I'm going to work out exactly how many lights there are later too (just a bit of mathematics, Cameron will help me,!!! you get sick of people asking how many and just saying..A LOT..so this year i'm going to stump them by giving them a number LOL..) We are collecting for the Special Baby Care Unit at the hospital, so hope we can raise lots of $$ for them. Had the kids carols last night, we lasted 45 minutes! Absolutely DREADFUL, had to have them in the highschool hall because of rain, it was hot, stuffy and far too noisy, trying to fit a whole school into a far to small area, kids running riot, and the school band that they had were just woeful! couldn't hear the kids for the noise coming off the school, the classes were to have gone onstage at 5.30 at 6pm we were still waiting for the wretched noise makers to get off the stage so kids could get on..Usually our carols are one of the best around, but the last 2 years have been shocking..wont be going next year if they are in the hall, BRING BACK THE OVAL i say!!!..Cameron was pleased to leave as well, he said he wont go again!! Aaryn was not to pleased to say the least, he was having fun playing on the oval with his mates, and couldn't understand why we were so hot and frazzled..(probably because the man sitting beside me who i didn't know, was clapping so loudly, singing along to the songs just as badly as the kids and gave me a migraine) to add insult to injury, Miss Emily, decided that nanna's boobies would make a really good chair, so promptly, stood on my legs and then plopped her bottie square on them, she was the only comfortable person in the room LOL..when trying to get her off, the man beside me had a thrill, as my top came down with her and the 'seating arrangement' was revealed to all!! shall update with some photo's of the weekend later, i'm off to Tina's to do a bit of much needed christmas present scrapping now!!

Starting early!

This year, we have put up the tree a bit earlier than usual (well only 4 day's i'm sure nothing bad will happen)..we've just got so much on Friday that i'm sure we wouldn't have time to do it..what with outside to light up, and everyone coming to see that..The boys had a ball doing it, with absolutely no interference from mum! (which was really hard, but i didn't..ok i did..just once..i put my scotland and paris ornaments where they could be seen LOL)..have to yet put a little ribbon on the back of my little welsh doll and scottish doll to be used as a decoration too!! The boys did a really good job, it was funny to watch them step back to admire, then tweak and remove ornaments too close together..I thinkthey must be growing up!

It was Cam's turn to put the Angel on the top which he did just fine!!..

(probably not as lavish as other tree's but it's ours!! plain and simple!!)

The countdown to Christmas has begun. Today I got out the tree and Hayley made it all straight and tidy ready for me to mess up with decorations. Couldn't resist taking a few (well 30) photo's of the delightful Miss Em, just loved this blooper, which turned out quite cute...Emily trying to blow out the xmas lights!!! Aaryn was being a little snot today, so out came the telephone to ring the big fat man. I was having a very animated conversation with Santa (him and i are great friends you know), when suddenly the phone I was holding, rang!!! oh the embarrassment of it all..I've never been caught out before..and by the likes of a little snot too!!he had rung the house phone from my mobile to see if i was really on it, me thinks he is getting to old for THAT trick!!he hasn't let me live it down at all..I shall get him though...my brother is on standby, with his santa voice ready!!..It's a well known fact that I love everything Christmas..We had a test run of the lights extravaganza tonight and have to admit to feeling a little choked up when the kids went AWWW dad, it's fantastic..and we haven't even finished putting them up yet..Quote of the week has to be miss Em, when leaving the house today..looked at poppy, put her hands in the air and proclaimed..I JUST LOVE IT...I LOVE IT ALL...IT'S LOVELY!!! just too cute!!

birthday photos

what do you think??

SO,..what do you think of the new blog look?? i kinda like it!!..and clever me worked out how to replace music AND i'm finding the new beta blogger much easier and user friendly!!!

Birthday Fun

I had a wonderful birthday last week..lots of goodies came my way..a massage chair off gary and the boys, box of choccies off the boys...Tina made me the cutest photo box and gave me an assortment of goodies from the LSS. Hayley and the kids presented me with a beautiful vase with stick things in it!(how technical am i!!)..2 blue cannisters off Chris..beautifully decorated letter T off Tassie Deb...some beautiful earings off my adopted mother Heather, hand decorated card of adopted aunty Jenny and a $20 gift voucher for LSS off Jackie!! (with which i bought my photo album for my BOM. A party was had at daisy's, all the girls were going to be there..imagine my surprise when, out of the blue i heard a voice yell at me across the room..DONT JUST STAND THERE, HELP ME GET MY STUFF IN HERE!! i looked up to see Chris standing there, with the biggest grin on her face..I just froze, burst into tears and couldn't believe what my eyes were telling me.(see the photo, you can tell i've been bawling LOL) I hadn't seen her since swig, and she drove down after work especially to surprise me..WOW..even Tina never told!! (she actually avoided me for a couple of days so she wouldn't tell me LOL).. Jackie bought me a mud cake YUMMMYYY...photo's were taken..posed even LOL.. I sure wont forget my 46th birthday for quite a long time i reckon!!!.. ok having probs with naughty blogger uploading photos will post them later!!

Restaurant

The name of the restaurant was.....THE NAKED TURTLE...Kings Beach....YUMMMMMMMMM

WHAT a Night!!!!

Sunday night was one of the best nights out EVER (dare I even say, more fun than Michael Crawford concert! and that's saying something!).. First we went out for a nice dinner, just the 2 of us at The Naked Turtle at Kings Beach..the GARLIC PRAWNS are a MUST HAVE..just thinking about them makes my mouth water, reasonable prices too and the main courses were FANTASTIC (i had boring FishnChips, but they were the best i've ever tasted and so much!!)..Then we went to the Cultural Centre to pick up our tickets and wait for the Smokie Concert to start. First there was this guy singing (whose name i cant remember, Dennis someone) he was WOEFUL..he sang a song about going to the river to drown or something like that, i remember thinking..if he doesn't stop singing, i'll personally take him to the river and drown him. LOL..then on came Phil Emanuel..WOW WOW that man knows how to strum a guitar...AMAZING...then the highlight.,..SMOKIE!!!!!...WOWZERS!!!! They haven't lost any of their appeal, charisma, vim and vitality at all, I dont know where they get their energy, but boy do they know how to have an audience eat out of their hands.. They had us singing with them, up in our seats dancing..YES they even sang ALICE and everyone at the appropriate moments yelled out ** who the F**k is Alice** just like my cousin said we would LOL..oh so funny..I was so pumped..was a bit reserved at first because there was a man sitting beside me and he told me before the concert he hoped i wasn't one of 'those' women who liked to sing and dance along with the group..(and it wasn't gary) after about the 2nd song i thought, stuff you mister, i paid for my ticket, i'll sing and dance if i want to..SO I DID!!... NO camera's were allowed in the venue and those who did take them in paid the price of having them confiscated and photo's deleted..(tut tut)..another funny thing was this woman in front of us, during the 2nd song, started to crawl out of her seat, and had some sort of hysterical turn in the aisle..she lay down, thrashing about, overcome with it all SO FUNNY..the security guards came and sat with her for a little while but she couldn't be removed from the place..then she sat quietly on the steps, inching her way down to the floor area..Every now and again, the lights would come on so that we could all sing with the Band, she would sit up very straight and yell out to them..(so embarrassing lol)..during the last 2 songs which were the loudest and longest of the night (and most fun), she started to crawl her way to the stage, much to my amusement. i was in fits of giggles..the band noticed her and made a signal to the security, by this time i was nearly wetting myself laughing at her (I mean, she was at least 60, the stupid woman)..with that the Police came in, SMOKIE started to sing REALLY Loud..the lights dimmed down, and she was taken out, the lights came back up and they sang the final song of the night (Alice)..much to everyones delight!!..then they stayed onstage and shook hands with as many people as they could..WHAT LOVELY GUYS...i shook one of their hands, was so in shock i cant remember which one I think it was Mike the lead singer!!..had a kiss blown to me bySteve the Drummer, (because i blew him one!!). .. And had a Wave off Terry, (the original smokie!!) and off Martin (keyboard)...and had a thumbs up off the ever so sexy..Mick..(guitarist..)..so all in all it made for a terrific night i wont forget for a very long time..ROLL ON FEBRUARY 08..when they come back again...I'll be there, camera hidden!!! ready for after the show!!!...oh and yes..i did buy a cd.. but NOT the tshirt LOL..dont think i'd look good wearing a tshirt with (who the F**k is Alice) written on the front of it LOL

in loving memory of Angela...a victim of Breast cancer 1982..my dear cousin..still sadly missed

SMOKIE!!

Well what a suprise for me!!! well 2 suprises really, yesterday Gary bought me a Shiatsu massager (an early birthday present) because I had hurt my back yet again and was in agony. I've used it 4 times and can now touch my toes again which is good, and today i've had no pills whatsoever!! so a great investment..Of course, we had to sell one of the kids to pay for it LOL but worth it LOL LOL..the other suprise was TICKETS to see SMOKIE one of my fave bands from the 70's...some of their hits were..Living next door to Alice..(i must not yell out who the hell is alice!! a long standing joke)..It's your Life...Stumbling In (sung with Suzi Q)... Don't Play your rock'n'roll to me..Lay back in the arms of someone....Oh Carol....Needles and Pins.. etc etc..the list is endless. I'm taking my camera in, not sure if we can use it yet, but will try!! there is also an autograph session afterwards..I SHALL BE THERE with camera in hand and cd case too LOL...We are going out for dinner first, Tina is babysitting the 2 boys and she said we can come home whenever we like NO CURFEW woohoo LOL..

Learn Chinese in 5 Minutes, must read out loud!!

1) That’s not right................................................Sum Ting Wong 2) Are you harbouring a fugitive.........................Hu Yu Hai Ding 3) See me ASAP..................................................Kum Hia 4) Stupid Man......................................................Dum Fuk 5) Small Horse.....................................................Tai Ni Po Ni 6) Did you go to the beach.....................................Wai Yu So Tan 7) I bumped the coffee table..................................Ai Bang Mai Fa Kin Ni 8) I think you need a face lift................................Chin Tu Fat 9) It’s Very dark in here.........................................Wai So Dim 10) I Thought you were on a diet...........................Wai Yu Mun Ching 11) This is a tow away zone...................................No Pah King 12) Our meeting is scheduled for next week..........Wai Yu Kum Nao 13) Staying out of sight.........................................Lei Ying Lo 14) He’s cleaning his automobile .........................Wa Shing Ka 15)Your body odor is offensive............................Yu Stin Ki Pu 16) Great................................................................Fa Kin Su Pah

Chrissy's Class

Bev's Class!!

Raechel and Me!!

Surviver SWIG 13!

YES..i'm a survivor!!!...I survived my first ever SWIG!!...Thanks to my table buddies, Raechel, Chris, Jackie, Judy and Michelle W, i have never laughed so much (or wet my pants!! too much info I know!)..Also thanks must go to Roomies, Julie and Chris..(even though Chris snored far too loud!!)..I did 2 classes, so wishing i did them all, next time, i will be!!..I made a beautiful frame for the grandies with the ever so funny Bev, and a doodled layout with the lovely Chrissy. (Have to admit i was a secret doodler and really enjoyed coming out! LOL..)..The food was..ok...to be fair .. the roast on Saturday night followed by apple pie and custard was delish, the poached egg on Sat morning was yum, The marble cake and orange cake was LUSH,..the kfc we snuck off for and the macca's brekkie on sunday (another sneak) were delish...the food was ok..just really not a lot of it, BUT that is not the Girls fault, more so the Prison warders who ran the joint!! BUT being us, we even managed to really laugh them off too!!...Other than that, the venue was terrific,. LOTS of room to move about, a whole table each!!!!! A cabin YES a cabin with ensuite!! most impressed!!!...I've been on lots of 'scrapping retreats' and have to admit that this was one of the BEST venues...(we just wont mention food again ok!!)...I did 9 layouts and 2 classes, in between laughing so hard everything hurts...I must remember to take my cushion next time, my back is killing for not remembering it!!...Also must remember to leave phone at home because those naughty girls kept stealing it (yes...Judy and Michelle!!) to listen and watch Harry the Hamster...(a very naughty hamster who expresses himself delicately LOL)... Hearing aids must also be packed, as I kept 'mis'hearing things and I'm 100% sure that Deb B did NOT say..I'm terrified of those cane toads jumping out all over the place... Bloody Virginia..(meaning that V told her that cane toads would get her lol)..oh no..she didn't say that..I heard a part of her anatomy mentioned NOT V's name!!!that caused a major asthma attack...just so funny...and then Raech, who wanted a squirt of my glue...THAT is not what she said..she wanted a squirt but not my glue...believe me..those girls are WICKED!!!!...i was a saint before i went, but it's ok..i've been to confession, said my 10 hail mary's and all is forgiven.until the next one..WHERE i shall be taking my Poise..(just incase !!) I enjoyed spending a weekend with Chris, who I haven't seen since she defected to Maryborough, and had forgotten just how much fun we used to have together..I just LOVED Raech..such a funny genuine person..I just wished she lived closer, so we could scrap more often together..Jackie...well what can i say!!! we scrap together most Fridays and she always has me in fits...Judy as usual, made me laugh so hard..and Michelle, well it was the first time i'd met her and she's an lovely person and ever so funny too.....Finally meeting BEV..well..what can i say only that her stories are TRUE..oh so funny, i nearly choked eating morning tea, wet myself laughing..i'm amazed i wasn't taken away by ambulance with all the asthma attacks i had from laughing.!!!.....All in all, everyone was just LOVELY!! Beryl and Christine did a fantastic job organising the classes, running the shop, generally keeping all of us in hand LOL...I CANT WAIT TIL THE NEXT ONE!!!!

I've been tagged!! (thanks Chrissy!!)

The rules of the tag are: List 5 weird things about yourself or your pets.Tag 5 friends and list them. Then, those people need to write on their blogs about 5 weird things, and state the rules, and tag 5 more people. Dont forget to let the people you tag know by posting a comment on their blog! 1. I like to dance along to the wiggles when no one is around 2. I dip my chocolate into coffee 3. I always clean the shower before getting in it 4. When making tea or coffee, i always stir it 10 times (always) 5. When i scrap, i have Meatloaf blaring from the computer!! I tag:- Julie, Debbie Y, Susan C, TD, Jenelle

WE ARE

Expecting...yes..Gary and i are expecting yet again!!!!....it's a boy!,

more excitement

I was gobsmacked when Kelly and Dawn from the scrap apple emailed me and asked if i would like to be a guest scrapper for the month of July, best kept secret LOL, had a few hiccups, but finally, received my stash and became guest scrapper for Sept instead. now it's been in the newsletter, i can share. I was going to apply for the design team, but have decided not to, as I dont really have the time to commit at the moment, and i am a bit worried that it will take the 'fun' out of scrapping if i 'have' to do it!!..(might apply next time when i'm a bit more confident lol). I was sent a mint tin and some chipboard and scrummy black white paper, so i made a tag booklet to put inside the tin!!..gotta love simplicity LOL.................. ON the subject of excitement, there is only 2 more sleeps until the Pulford family meet the Youd family....look out sunshine coast...thinking of changing the venue though, i dont think we are going to get near Aus zoo, and we had arranged to meet at Underwater world if it's raining..I'm now thinking Aussie World will be the go, if Deb's boys are willing that is!....all is nearly ready for the BIG morning tea on Wednesday, when some of the Aussie girls will come to my humble abode ONCE AGAIN..watch out Sunshine Coast LOL...Went to Underwater World today with Keiran and Poppy...absolutely exhausted, but we had a great day!! Tina had won tickets for her and Hayley to go to the Wiggles 15th birthday party, so they took the 2 terrible 2 yr olds to Dreamworld, stole my new car too i might add LOL..pictures coming soon!!!...ok off to my LSS in a few minutes (well when DH gets home!) for my usual Friday crop til ya drop!! rarely get home before 3 am and i'm cactus the next day LOL...CIAO...

VERY EXCITED!!!

I'm ever so excited..my brother rang me last night out of the blue, he had just booked airfares for him, his wife and his 2 children (from a previous relationship who have never been to visit their aunty before!!). I was nearly in tears when he asked if they could stay with us for 5 days..They will stay on the Gold Coast for 4 days, doing the theme parks, then come to us on the 5th January, then we will have a belated Christmas day with them..We are going to leave the Christmas Lights up so the children can see them. I haven't seen Rick and Tahli-Anne for nearly 5 years. This is just what I needed to cheer me up and gives me something to look forward to..(now lets hope 'somebody' doesn't try to spoil it for us!!)..OH how many sleeps until 1st January 2007??? LOL

The word is getting out..

Please read Rani's Story and then go to here to register your name for organ donation..THANK YOU!

Rain Rain and More Rain!!!

How ironic, that TD comes to Qld for a holiday and it hasn't stopped raining since her plane landed...Not complaining..we need the rain..water tanks are over flowing..farmers are starting to smile a bit..so long as it stops by Sunday i dont care~~. TD's family and mine are all meeting at Australia Zoo for the day, has been planned since about March!! finally it's arrived and it's raining LOL..typical...Plan B will be Underwater World at Mooloolaba i guess..We went to Maryborough yesterday for the day, got just out of Gympie and the skys opened, it hasn't stopped yet, thunder and lightening for about 4 hours, (i'm terrified of storms), we were at Chris and Pauls, who have just moved there last week! We had to go to their grandson's soccer trophy presentation, i wouldn't let Chris stand near me with her umbrella for fear of being zapped~~had a great day nontheless!!...I've got the 2 boys home from school today, it's raining so hard, i couldn't find my umbrella's, they have no raincoats..(i gave them to the grandkids, was going to buy new one's BUT it wasn't raining) and they would have gotten soaked getting from the car to their classrooms..they are being so good and quiet, i dont mind so much, Poor Hubby is home too, (prob why the boys are quiet!!) he has a small dose of the flu...edit that..he has chronic pneumonia, i'm probably going to have to call the ambo's later, he is moaning and groaning...his throat is sore...edit that..he has strep throat and will probably need his tonsil's removed...his head aches..edit that..he has something more serious..his nose is runny..WHY is it when men are sick..they are dying...i have just asked him to die a bit quieter, he say's i'm insensitive LOL..my punishment for being an uncaring wife..he now has turned the tv over to watch the shows he loves..argh i hate them..shall scrap and ignore him for a few hours i think LOL..

bit profound!

Rani's True light. 25/8/04 - 1/9/06 Sleeping Peacefully

.................................. .................................................................................................... I was watching tv this morning, tributes for Steve, when someone said a quote, which has stuck in my mind all morning... *His legacy was done, so it was time for him to leave* how true is this...through him, the world now preserves it's conservation, he has (sort of) made the world a better place. His catch cry is heard world wide CRIKEY..tell someone your from Queensland..they ask you..DO you know Steve Irwin...and then they are shocked when you say ..Actually...yes...I live not 15 minutes away from him!!! It's not just me feeling like this, it's every person on the SUnshine Coast, every person in Queensland, every person in Australia, every person in the World!! What's my legacy I thought, do I have one?? Does any of us have one? Is it true that only the good die young?? (It seems to be the case lately.) Does that mean if you die at 80 you were bad? Today is also Rani's funeral, I cant comprehend, how Mel and John feel today, in thinking of legacies, i believe Rani's was to make us all aware of how important love is. To also make us aware of organ donation and Biliary Arteris. We've all become donors, no amount of advertising would have made us, so God sent her, to tell us. She was an angel, sent down to make a difference....which she did, in more way's than one. How many of us, now tell our children we love them, more than we ever did before?? How many of us no longer take small things for granted any more?? the smell of grass, sun/rain on your face? All of these things, she never experienced because she was making a difference. In one year, she made a difference to MY life, I never knew her personally, but through her, I hope I can become a better person. *Her legacy is done, it is time for her to leave* how true are these words....... i had promised myself i would not fill my blog with anything depressing, today i felt i needed to get this all out of my head. I will more than likely delete it in a few days, but for now, in memory of these 2 remarkable people I shall leave it here. Just so you to can see, what a difference they both made to the world.

More sad news

It was not long announced that the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, was accidently killed by a stingray barb in the chest. Steve will sadly be missed by our family, especially Aaryn, who was his biggest fan, Deepest condolences to Teri, Bindy-Sue and Baby Bob. (not that they will read this but it made me feel better putting it there!). RIP Steve..you will be missed by one and all!!!...

Benny Hill's Love child perhaps???

I'm beginning to think I'm Benny Hill's love child...yes it's true..i have finally accepted the fact that i am a clumsy so and so!!..how so you ask??? well Friday night, i was asked to move my car for a fellow scrapper at my LSS..it was very dark..as i went to get into my car, i said to the old lady who was getting in the passenger seat of her daughter's car to be careful, there was a garden bed where she was standing, with a raised edge..Out of the corner of my eye, i noticed something drop..i thought it was her scrapcart, then i realized that the older lady had fallen, backwards into the garden, she had tripped on the raised border. She came down with a horrble thump and hit her head on the cement window sill..I turned around quickly to help her..and to my horror, i smashed my foot into the raised border, resulting in my falling into the same garden bed, i held my hand out to catch myself, and it slammed into the metal edge of the window, resulting in 3 bruised fingers (which we thought were broken) and now my little finger has a huge bruise under the nail!!...i almost landed ontop of the poor woman who i was trying to rescue....i managed to get up without looking a total ass..(well ok then i looked a total ass), helped her up, and found myself covered in her blood..i made her come back inside the shop, sat her down and washed her head to see if she needed stitches, luckily she didn't, so we helped her back out to her daughter's car and i came back inside...I don't know why everyone laughed at me when i told them what had happened..in fact..i was quite serious about it..but they all said it was typical of me...HOW RUDE lol...oh BTW...my fingers are much better now....

OH so Pretty!! LOL

What a weekend we had, I have never laughed so much, yet got so much done!!

We started at 6pm on Friday night, found our beds, and set up ready for a full weekend of scrapping!!...on our table were Me, Jackie, Jenny and Heather (sister's) Maree and Monika. Heather adopted me, so now i have the lovliest mother a girl could wish for!! (and i mean that!!).. After settling in i managed to do 6 layouts on Friday night, although it was 5.30 when i finally got to sleep and up again at 7.30 LOL..I won a prize for doing the most layouts in one night (no mean feat, with all the laughing that was happening at our table, that Jackie is a distraction ROFL). we had the customary full retreat photo shoot, i'll put that in when i get it! i walked in and started singing "i feel pretty, oh so pretty, i feel pretty and witty and gay",..only to have everyone on the table join in, then poor Jackie couldn't get it out of her head and she kept breaking into song too...after that came my Demis Rousouss Forever and Ever...the Tess version is much better, Ask Jenny, who choked with laughter and had to leave the room in a dreadful hurry..something about toilet, quickly??? i dont know lol..that was the end of us all...we started to sing snippets of all the sound of music songs, i'm sure we drove everyone mental! we then did a a class with Beverly from BumbleBee..the first person to finish their album completley would win a prize...hehehe i won!!!...i'll take a pic later...a 9x9 MM leather album, a pack of MM products, some melissa francis products and some glitter chipboard flower...very nice..After that, it started...By Saturday afternoon i was feeling the pressure of no sleep, had a migraine starting to happen so thought i'd take a couple of mersyndol and have a hot shower to see if that would work...it did!! too much LOL..lesson to be learnt..do not take 3 mersyndol when your overtired and have had not much to eat!!! yes it's sends you hyper!! (my excuse i am sticking to it!!)....About 10.30 Jackie and Jenny decided we all needed chocolate, coke and crisps..(as if!!) so we stood up to head to the chip machine outside..OH NO..i was paralysed...i tried to move but my leg just wouldn't move..jackie and jenny were in fits...monika was staring at me horrified..heather was worried..i was beginning to panic...I kept telling them, i couldn't move..my leg was stuck..it was paralysed...ok...calm down i thought..i'll sit for a sec to see if it would come right...i sat down..to my mortification...i found out why...my um..chair you see had somehow gotten itself onto the heal of my slipper, as i was moving my leg, the chair stopped it from moving...HOW EMBARRASSING...that was the end of us..we all collapsed laughing and now thewhole room KNEW we were all mad!!!! Finally after much laughing and singing and not a lot of scrapping, Jackie left to go home about 12.30 Jenny, Heather, Monika and I snuck off for hot chocolate, refusing to go to bed until we had sung that great classic from Sound of music..'goodnite, goodnite' only in english, we couldn't remember the other words lol, to everyone as they went to bed!! we finally got to bed about 1.45..i dont even remember lying down, just waking up at 8.30 feeling not so pretty, not so witty and definately NOT gay rofl..we had breakfast and before lunch i had done yet another 6 layouts!! in total i ended up doing 16 god knows how!! lol..Chris turned up to say goodbye to us all, she was moving to Maryborough the next day, so outside we went for a photo shoot with her. lots of tears were shed by me and her when the time came to say goodbye, but i swear it was because i was overtired!!..we came back in and got someone to take some photo's of our mad table..we couldn't even behave for that...all in all it was a fantastic weekend i only hope we haven't scared Monika off for life!!!! lol

Birthday's galore

WOW what a month we've had...Luke and Evan shared a birthday on the 21st JUNE wow a month ago!! Aaryn turned 9 on the 9th and Miss Emily turned 2 on Monday!!! Haven't done much scrapping in the last month and haven't kept up with the dc's either BUT i have done this layout that i haven't shared on The scrap heap YET!! I treated myself to the K&co k-ology scrappad peabody and also some of provocraft new flocked lettering.....YUMMOOO...couldn't decide which lettering so bought both boxes. naughty girl LOL but it's been so long since i had a really big spend up so it's justified LOL especially since i dont tell Gary how much the pad cost etc *giggle*.. I'm off now to to the accompanying page to this one, then i can share it on TSH!!!!

TAGGED ARGHH

OMG i cant believe it..i've been tagged!! by Julie none the less LOL....so i had better do it otherwise i'll be in very big trouble What would you do?with 27 millon dollars? Ok I stole this from anotehr blog...hehehe thansk sally. 1. Buy 6 Houses one for each child and one for me and Gary, naturally Cam and Aaryn will have to wait until they are old enough to move out to get their houses, so i'll rent them out until then. 2. Buy a House in UK - so i could go there anytime i wish without the hassle of having to stay with rellies and inconvenience them .3. Buy us all a you beaut car each and a super huge boat for gary, probably one for Zeb too, campervan oh and a car to keep in UK for when we are there.4. World trip for 12 months or more.5. Give my brother a heap of money cos i love him and invest a whole heap too.naturally of course if i ever won that much i wouldn't have to worry about what to do with it because i'd have had a massive heart attack and gary would get the lot LOL???So what do you want - I tag hmmmm TD and Michelle M....... SUFFER!!!!!!!!!

Chrissy's challenge!!

The lovely Chrissie issued us a challenge to update our blogs with a pic of the layout we like the best that we've done for the daily challenges. I couldn't decide between 2 (should have asked for the worst i could have put in that revolting orange or even worse the yellow/green effort!).I love the way my case of Tassie Deb's layout turned out, It turned out better than i thought it would (i simply cant case for the life of me!) and i love love love my blurred challenge. Of course it looks better IRL because you can see the Castle looming out of the tree's, it's a fairytale castle and you half expect to see a knight on horseback racing down to rescue you!

BUSY!!!

I'm in the process of trying to get my layouts into albums YEAH RIGHT too many layouts not near enough albums, looking good in pizza boxes! Thinking I might have to use my Yoki Ori box for the layouts until i get proper albums actually, that's not a bad idea I might use that instead of albums, they'll look good stacked up with the layouts inside them hmmm must go and order some more i'm thinking!! While doing all this i counted up how many layouts etc i've done so far this year TADA ~ ~ ~ 92 layouts 2 RE technique folders with 6 complete pages 10 tins 3 boxes 2 photo swap layouts 15 cards 30 + paperclips 2 clipboards 5 canvases 2 RAK pages, i've also done Bev's classes so really not sure how many little bits and pieces i've made. Also made 2 shop hour signs, 1 for my cousin's hair salon in Wales and one for daisy chain which looks good on their wall LOL. So while i've been sulking and thinking i've done nothing, i've actually done heaps (no wonder i have scrappers block now!) if it wasn't for the daily challenges that we've all been doing for the scrap heap i wouldn't have done half the layouts i have! it's been a good learning curve, looking at everyone's lovely layouts, trying to comment even though i've not really had the time (must remedy that i think i need to comment on about 100 now!) i'm still 5 layouts behind but will catch up eventually, I hope lol..I also have to make 8 cards for the card swap i'm in, (why do i do this to myself?? cos it's fun lol) actually i love the swaps!! I am also in the process of making a secret santa in july present, cant say what it is or who it is from incase she comes in here and see's but after she's received it, i'll put a pic in LOL..gosh i love secret santa's. The lovely Michelle M organises the best swaps! well off to do some more sorting and might make a start on some cards..why did i pick boy birthday?? i wonder if it's too late to change to thank you????? i'll see ;) lol..

MY GOODNESS!!

I cant believe it has been nearly A WHOLE MONTH since i stepped foot into here!! How slack am I indeed. It has been a dreadfully busy month though so i will forgive myself. What has happened HMMM..let me see...My dearest friend Chris, gave me a huge scare by being admitted into NGH , she had inhaled toxic fumes (probably because her mouth is alway open with her talking LOL) and when examined by paramedics she had a very irregular EEG so was whisked off, She was most indignant when the ambo's refused to just stop in at my house (i live 2 streets away from the childcare centre) to get me, she kept telling them that i would need to know..The childcare centre rang me and i left immediately to go to the hospital, i nearly fainted when i saw her hooked up to all the machines. She has been told never to do that again EVER!!! The funny thing was she made work ring me before her husband and i had to keep ringing Maryborough with updates because Her hubby knew she was in safe hands with me being there! She's fine now, goes for a stress test in 2 weeks (which i've told her hubby HE MUST attend with her!).What else has happened ....Oh i went on Retreat with My LSS . I arrived on the Saturday morning, and sat with the lovely Virginia and her friend Anna, we had a ball, i scrapped 8 layout. Never went to bed at all on the Saturday night, stayed up with my friend Maree!! I was absolutely cactus on the Sunday and managed to stay until 2pm! went home and slept for hours and was woken up with a phone call from Wales from my Aunty T, who had received her present and was in tears of joy over it! (i'm so glad she liked it). I bought a new camera too, it's a Fuji Finepix S7000 and it's just fantastic! Did a class at The new shop at Palmwoods. Always Scrapbooking. T and I were the only 2 there, Bronwyn who owns the shop is a lovely girl and she has heaps of yummy crate papers and is only 8 minutes from my house, needless to say i spend a bit of time (and money) in her shop! We decorated a beautiful wooden box with CBX (my all time fave) and were given rolls of CBX YES ROLLS!! i just love them!. Trying to think what else we've done....oh we bought a new bbq and outdoor setting, we haven't had a new bbq for years, ours was given to us 10 years ago and it was about 10 years old then too LOL, never had a proper outdoor setting either so its lovely to look out the sliding doors onto the patio and see it looking ever so spiffy!!. Have been keeping up with the challenges on Aussies and i'm only 2 behind which for me is a miracle, but will get them done tonight because they are not to hard (yeah right!!)..WELL i think that's it..i think I'm up to date with the blog..will put some photo's on later when i've gone through my discs. i'm in the process of backing up the whole computer ready for my buying a new one WOOOHOOO!!!!

I HAVE BEEN TAGGED!

My turn to be tagged! I have been tagged byBev and Susan What scrapbook products/lines do you like/ dislike? I cant live without Patterned Paper but i also cant live without my Fiskars cutter, double sided tape, heidi swapp letters (get the picture??) Dislikes?? There isn't much that i really dislike but i refuse to make a Poppet unless Christine issues it as a challenge then i'll have to , i'll put it in the bin after i've made it though! I dont like sticker much and i shudder when i see CM techniques (which is weird considering i have 4 albums full of CM techniques lol) What technique do you use more than anything else? DO i have a fave technique, maybe inking? I usually do whatever i feel like at the time, I do go through phases eg: handcutting, ribbons etc What is the smallest scrap of paper you save? Extremely wasteful I have been told I am. I throw everything away when i'm home alone BUT bring my friend Chris into the picture and it's a different story, she is the one who at crops goes around and empties the bins (most embarrassing) she even empties the bins at shops who don't know us! Now even our friends save bits of paper for her. My fave thing to do is to throw a piece of cardstock in the table bin at a crop and watch her face as she 'yells' at me in horror!! lol Have you had any scrapping related injuries? Well i once cut my finger open with scissors, bled all over my layout AND there was no band-aids at the workshop (there is now!) i made my own out of a bit of cotton wool and double sided tape ROFL..then another time i was pushing a brad thingy (the lethal ones with heaps of pointy bits) into a piece of paper and forgot my thumb was under it, I had 4 tiny holes in my thumb that bled all over the place, i was using an overlay, i think my DNA is still on it! Finish this sentence…'If I weren’t a scrapbooker/stamper, I’d spend my money on .....TRAVEL! Give your best storage organisational tool. I adore my MM tote, it's amazing how much stuff i can stuff into it! and i love my Ori Yoki boxes too! You just won a week long scrapping cruise for 5. Who is going with you? Well i guess i had better take Chris, i'd never hear the end of it..the other tickets, i'd auction off to the highest bidders so i could have money to spend!! oh ok then..first 3 to put their names down! When you received your first publication notification, who did you tell? yeah right! OK NOW IT"S MY TURN TO TAG HMMM.. ok i tag Julie and Debbie

just a few daggy pics from today's visit!!

Had a lovely visit from Julie today, She bought her lovely son Corey along and the 3 boys got along famously, it was like they had always been friends. Have promised Corey a sleep-over during the holidays if they are all good!! Photo's say it all really, can tell where the kids get their dagginess from hey..yup,, their father's ROFL..Nearly choked at lunch watching Cam and Julie have a race to see who could eat their chip buttie first! Julie won lol, Cam thinks she is "WAY KEWL" and well poor Gary he just doesn't know what to think!! (He's still in shock from being grabbed and kissed and photographed all at once LOL) . All in all, we had a lovely time together, haven't laughed that much in ages. Poor Julie even had the misfortune of meeting my quite 'eccentric nosey' neighbour, who i wasn't going to introduce because i knew she would tell poor julie her life history..SO Julie introduced herself so it's her fault she got the life history ROFLPIMP!!!!

The Littlest member turns 1!

big big BIRTHDAY HUGS to the littlest member of the family BRAY, turning one whole year old today!!! big cuddles were had from his Adoring Nanna!! Birthday party is tomorrow, where poppy is going to take the boat so all the daddy's can go tubing! Nanna is designated photographer (as usual) Should be a fun day..stay tuned for photo's~~

finally finished!

I have finished my aunty Mary's folder!!! here it is The verse was written by Peter, my cousin, who wrote it for Aunty Theresa's folder, I liked it so much i used it on both!! verse reads:

With thoughts of you from miles away

upon your very special day

Although we're half a world apart

Your always here within my heart.

Isn't it just a beautiful verse, written by a special guy!!

Friday's Frolic!

Had the most lovliest day yesterday (Friday), My dear friend Chris had a half RDO so she picked me up at 11.30 and we toddled off to Landsborough where we had the most delicious counter lunch at the Landsborough Pub (roast beef, with all the veges and gravy, followed by a peach gateau which we shared!), after a leisurely lunch complete with a glass of wine, we headed up the road to Scrappy-Doo, where we did a make-and-take class (for free!) spent nearly 3 hours in the shop, they were so friendly, even asked us if we would like coffee! (is the pope catholic??) We spent up big as they have heaps of stuff that we cant get at our LSS and bought the most Lush boxes to carry our 12 x 12 layouts in and matching box for my ribbons. I bought the pink candy stripe one YUMMO !Very cheap for $15 going back to get more, i think they will be better for storing my layouts instead of the poor pizza boxes i'm using until i can find the right albums for my work! If anyone want's boxes the site is click here for boxes as I'm only 15 minutes away from the store, i'm more than happy to pick them up for anyone (they only had about 8 left but will be getting more in end of May!) UPDATE: they are brand name Ori Yoki! Got home just after the boys, the G too them to archery and tennis while i got ready for my crop night! H arrived an hour early, so we sorted some photo's and I gave her a heap of her 2 babies and of her 2 nephews as she doesn't have many. We then left here at 5.15 because we had to pick up Asian Dinner for Monika, Chris, Al, Me, T and H. was yummy! I had Singapore Fried Bee Hoon cant remember what the others had LOL. Arrived at LSS by 5.45 nice and quiet at that time, set up our stuff and then pigged out on our dinners. Started scrapping about 7 as i had to have a look around shop (like spending bigtime in the afternoon wasn't enough lol). Was very good and only bought a pack of jewels because i needed them for my aunty's birthday present!. FINISHED! the inside of one folder. I worked on Aunty T's (my namesake) did 5 lovely little pages for her. . I also had to make a small folder for Chris for her mother for mother's day. That took me about half hour as i had to measure etc and make a template working out how small she wanted it, I loved the end result! going to make one today for my cousin Sal, who is having a birthday on Wednesday. Making Aunty M's today too so i can post them all off to the UK tomorrow (po is open until 2 on sunday in the plaza!). I left early again, was home by 12.30 Have to admit i am enjoying leaving that little bit early and not feeling so washed out on saturday mornings!. G is at his boating course today, getting his license, so it's just me and the 2 boys, home, they are watching Narnia, lovely movie! We cant go anywhere for the moment because L has my car in Brisbane, he took B, there for the night as it was her 18th Birthday and he wanted to do something special for her! I'm off to scrap now, early as it is, i need to get a card made for B, and the 2 folders finished!! at least the boys are being good for now!

Having FUN!

G bought himself a new boat! It's a little bigger than his other one and this one actually goes! I never went in the other one, i hated it with a passion BUT THIS ONE!! i love it, G took me out on Sunday with C and his little friend J, we went up the back of Petrie Creek into the mangroves and stopped for a little while to fish, I didn't want to go home but J got a bit bored with it all after 2 hours, C however enjoyed himself so much he cant wait to go back out again. BUT next time he wants to take out the Tube again, I wont go when the tube is involved i'm to much of a worrier so G says so he takes the boys out on that! G has also promised me that when he sells his other boat I can have the $$ to buy my new computer and printer! then i'll be a happier chappy!Today i had a spontaneous moment and decided to go to the new spotlight store, invited T and a friend M and we somehow ended up in Landsborough at ScrappyDoo, none of us had been there before so we had a bit of a browse (going back on friday to pick up my goodies that i left under counter) and we then went and ate a pie in the park! it was the first time M had eaten a pie (She's from Poland and T and I are educating her LOL poor girl). We've decided to make Wednesdays our search for scrapshops and pie day! next week we are going to the new Palmwoods store and maybe Cooroy if we have enough time, if not we'll do Cooroy the week after!! Just did a fab online class with Bev, a lovely photo box, i'll decorate it and put a picture of it, in later. G is out fishing again SUPRISE SUPRISE lol..He's going to be chuffed when he gets in, i just managed to buy him, L, B, C and A, good tickets to Crusty Demons (i'd rather stay home and stick needles in my eye!!) the show is on the 20th May, gates open at 3 performance at 5, so a nice peaceful day for me i think. They like that sort of thing. Another thing he's going to be chuffed about is that i used his card to pay for them ROFL..you didn't think i was going to use my card did you???? rofl..I'm off to have a coffee and read a bit more of the new Mary Higgins Clark book that T lent me today, i love her writings and this one is going to have me in tears i just know it!!

HOW RUDE!

Well, how rude are G and daughter T indeed! They have just been talking about me as if i wasn't in the room, talking about my COFFIN and how they are going to start a coffin-swap, send it around australia, get every one of my scrapping friends to add just a little something they are in absolute fits of laughter now, trying to decide which will be the best way to post it, will it fit in a pizza box? what colour and pp would I like? Would i like ribbons and blossoms (ah yes) AND to add insult to injury, they are putting my mobile in with me, buying me a laptop with broadband access AND hoping that i get the error message, sorry you are out of range! OH and my headstone is going to be embellished beautifully, with room for journalling! It's very reasuring to know that I am loved and that they have my best interests at heart, BUT will they please leave room for my tote???? LOL

Dumb or DUMBER??

I asked G to fill a saucepan with water for me, I looked up to see him with a look of horror on his face as all the water poured out of the bottom of the saucepan, he turned it over looking even more horrified when he saw the holes in the bottom..YUP he was trying to fill the steamer! (can you tell he DOESN'T do the cooking at our house LOL

MY FRIENDS

My friends are special to me, i love them all!

LOOK WHO VISITED US TODAY!!

Today we had a visit from

THE EASTER BONNIE

rofl!!!!

OH NO!

Oh dear! DH bought a surround sound system with new DVD player last week so has decided that it HAS to be installed NOW! He's had it all working great, (I know it's going to drive me mad in my shoebox) so why is he now mucking about with the back of the TV?? Why do men feel the need to have more power? WHY do men think they dont need the instruction manual until they have said at least 5 or more swear words?? Is it to do with Testosterone I wonder? All I want to do is finish off my Easter boxes but NO, not going to happen for a little while, I'm just sitting here PMSL at him he keeps asking me if I can hear it..UM YES! I'm not totally deaf, in fact I think the neighbor's hear it! The boys have gone off to bed anticipating the arrival of Easter Bunny, not much sleep going to happen with the noise coming from those wretched speakers, but it's keeping DH quiet (well sort of quiet lol).Now he has informed me that the dvd has a built in radio so can he take the stereo out to his office..YES and if you keep it up you can take your bed out there too LOL. Now he's gone off to the shower and left the music on and i dont know how to turn it off, shall have to 'visit' the instruction manual and learn how this 'new' remote works!! Spoke to soon, now he's back to work out the remote, its going to be 'one of those nights' i can feel it in my water LMAO!

FINALLY! My own scrap space!

FINALLY my very own scrap space. This is my very own little corner in my shoebox house for only ME. I used an old bookcase that A had in his room that was the perfect size for all my prima flower bottles and paint bottles, altered items, bits and bots. In the draws I have labeled boxes with all my bits in, and the paper shelving I bought on sale for $69 a few weeks ago. I'm just as happy as a pig in mud now LOL, as I've not had my own space for ages. AND note I don't even have to have a table lamp as I have my very own spotlight on the wall that I can move around to suit myself!! Just love it. Photo's show 2 angles of my own space, one taken close up and the other taken from the kitchen to show how small our shoebox is. I don't mind cozy, I can watch the plasma TV, use the computer, scrap and cook all at the same time LOL oh and I can see who is at the front door by just turning around and I can also watch the dog chasing the birds out of the windows SO whose a happy girl then?? Not sure how long it will stay as neat as this, probably another half hour or so as I'm about to finish the tin's I'm making for E and J!

My first real post!

Well here we are, Good Friday, DH is at work finishing off a job and I'm home alone with the boys AGAIN! They are being good today so I have relented and let them on the sony's and computers for a little while, C is still not dressed though and is refusing to take his med's so I'm just letting him be, he'll take them when he's ready I guess. (at least he has taken his Lamitcal) I scrapped until 2 last night, got home just before 3, left workshop at 2.45 so that wasn't too bad, except I had to get up at 8 as DH had left and I didn't want the boys running riot! Will feel it later on I reckon. I'm hoping to get a bit of scrapbooking done today, I'm going to go through Cameron's birth photo's and see if i get any inspiration to scrap them! What else is happening.. We are going to H and B's on Sunday for a bbq lunch, that should be nice, It's Bubbies 1st Easter so some good photo opportunities there! I made a tin for E and J (B's little sister) and just bought a rabbit for Bubby. Have bought a rabbit for E and for K i bought him what he asked for A HEN..he said..i want a HEN nanna, a HEN..not a chook A HEN! so i found him a very cute chocolate hen on a nest, seems a shame to eat it! for C and A i bought a v8 supercar filled with small eggs, and i guess i had better buy L something tomorrow (even though he's nearly 20 he still sulks if he doesn't get anything lol). Shall pick up something for Br to i guess! C has just come out and is going to take his pills LOL i just wish he'd get dressed! oh well i guess it's a go slow day. DH is getting the motor off his boat back tomorrow and will probably go out fishing tomorrow night, he's going to help me fix up my scrap corner this afternoon, (well that is the plan!) we'll see! lol. That's it for now! back later perhaps!!

BIG THANK YOU

Before I do anything I want to give a huge Thank you to 2 wonderful ladies from Aussies ~ The queen of Blogs ~ CHRISSY and The princess of Blogs ~ MICHELLE M. Without the help of these 2 wonderful ladies I wouldn't have any music playing (well I would but it would have been in the wrong place and the wrong size). Your bloods worth bottling!