Hello? Hello? Is this thing on? Can anyone here me? Are you out there?

Hello? Hello? Is this thing on? Can anyone here me? Are you out there?

Hell Yes! I hear. Well I am back.

It feels like forever since I've blogged. I was catching up on glo-girls blog and oh my goodness it really is forever! Well in blogging terms. I read all the way to the bottom where I couldn't scroll anymore and still didn't get to something I had read. Oh love your layouts btw, and I hope you had that Australia Day bbq!

We had one. We decided to go to Forster for a couple of days and try out our new caravan. This is the second time taking it out. First time it was blowing a gale. This time it was raining while setting it up. I am so glad we bought that giant tarp so setting up underneath it wasn't so bad. Only thing is someone still needs to be out in the rain to hammer in the pegs. Hello DH! Here I am hiding under the tarp so I don't get wet while he was absolutely soaked. Hee hee.

The first day there was a little strained as DH had trouble relaxing and letting the kiddo's do their thing. Sit down and sit still. Um honey, they don't quite work that way. On the second day I got him to chill out enough so they could ride their scooters between the two speed humps on the road in front of us, and so TJ could go to the loo by herself. I wasn't impressed about this having to take them all, all the time.

Especially BMW who made us take him 5 times in the dark after they'd gone to bed. Ugh. And it was raining. DH andI basically did not sleep the first night. Fortunately the second night everyone was exhausted and with a rearrangement of the sleeping configuration it was mucho better!

We joined the local 'grey army' for an early morning swim at the rock pool. Saw dolphins out the back of it and fish in the bottom. Very cool. Went for a walk on the beach in the afternoon. We tried looking for pippies but just found some empty shells. The surf was ginourmous.

In the evening DH and I took the kids fishing on the rock wall. Lets see, little kids, big uneven rocks, sharp hooks, fishing line and trying to get them to sit still really don't work well together. We lost most of TJ's line/float/sinker/hooks. Very luckily didn't lose Nath. I did try and convince DH to hire a boat because it makes it all so much simpler but he wouldn't be in it. I think I've convinced him now though for next time, lol.

And since this was Australia Day we cranked up the new bbq and cooked some snags for lunch. That new camping bbq is full on and wickedly MAD! It has no where to turn down the heat, its just like full on burn. We have long matches, but I reckon you need tapers to light this thing. I'm sure I lost hair off my knuckles. Scary!

The kids had swim club Friday night when we got home. TJ did 2 PB's. I worked Saturday, a home class and a workshop. 4 figure sales YAH!

Today was Championship Day at Nippers. The kids had Wade, Sprint, Flags and Marathon. BMW got 1st, 2nd, 2nd and 3rd. TJ got 5th in the wade which was a great effort. And about 7th in the flags. Which was nice for her that she got thru a few rounds.

This afternoon I've been cleaning up my scrapping space because I bought some new furniture to help accomodate my growing amount of 'stuff'. I'm thinking maybe one more bookcase might do it. I still have my table to clean and then perhaps I might share a pic of it. If I have time.

I have a lot to organise this week because I'm throwing DH a surprise party! Cannot wait to catch up with our closest friends who are coming and who I miss catching up with so much.

Alrighty, well I'd better go and figure what to feed my tribe for dinner. Its that time and I haven't even taken anything out yet. Pizza anyone? Not that that will help my expanding waistline. Oh well. Back to school this week. Maybe I can work on it then.

Cheerio everybody!

As busy as a bee with a bum full of honey!

I haven't had a chance to post for a few days, as I've been as busy as a bee with a bum full of honey!

There is only a week to go, not even that, until the kids go back to school and all the activities restart. Well some already have. Nippers restarted on the weekend. Which was nice to catch up with everyone after Christmas. Swim club starts on Friday night. DH has had his holidays cancelled for next month as well since the are so busy at work. He thinks we might try and have a week off in March.

We tried out our new caravan for a night and are going away in it tomorrow for two nights so I've been running around trying to get extra supplies and those little bits that we didn't know we needed until we actually went away in it. For something thats meant to come with everything, all those 'little extras' really add up.

TJ and BMW have gone to vacation care today - ice skating. I gave them instructions to keep their hands in if they fall over. I can remember my Mum telling me that when I was young just in case so your fingers don't get cut off. BMW told me he thought he would use a chair to hold onto so I wouldn't have to worry. As long as they come home with no broken limbs and all fingers intact I guess we'll be fine.

I took Oscar (our dog) off to the puppy motel this morning for his own little personalised holiday. The kennel almost didn't accept him as we didn't have the right paperwork with the immunistation. The vet had stuffed up telling us one thing and providing paperwork for something else. Grr. So now I have to get him vacinated again. I will be going somewhere else for this. I am over the local vet!

So this means I can't get him boarded when we have DH's surprise party. I'd better be real nice to the neighbours and see if they will keep him in their yard for the night. I'm thinking this will mean also inviting them to his party. I'm sure since he is friends with the husband DH won't mind, but its the wife who's been a bit funny this last year. It will be interesting if they come what the response of the relo's will be. Oh well. What will be will be.

Now I'm off to pack our caravan. Lets hope it doesn't pour on us when we have to set it up or take it down!

Its funny how things work out.

For those avid blog readers you would know that a week or so ago I was thinking of quitting CM. I'd totally had enough. I really needed a break, and whilst happy to work on my own albums I wanted a rest from everyone elses.

I got some great advice and support which I really appreciated.

I did go to my training day. And while I didn't walk out the door as a totally different person as was initially suggested. I did learn some stuff, was humiliated a little (sort of self building), and met some new colleagues and networked.

I did my class the next day and have had back up sales everyday. Having over $1000 of sales in a week will help quell your conscience for a little while.

So while I haven't made any rash or rational decisions yet (thanks Jo for that one!) I have had an equiry on making an album for someone.

So today I put together a quote for scrapping someone else's 100 pictures. I thought the price would be much too offensive, but she came straight back and asked what about for 60 photos. And then asked if I had a website she could look at, and when I offered her a catalogue and some examples and she then committed herself to a time tomorrow to be here to check it all out.

So isn't it funny how things work out. I wonder what will happen. But one thing I know. What will be will be.

To recap recent events:

Saturday I went to training.
Sunday I had a home class.
Monday drove TJ to Sydney for eisteddfod
Today drove TJ to Sydney for eisteddfod
Tomorrow driving TJ to Sydney for eisteddfod.

Today she won 2nd place for her modern, so that was kinda wonderful for her. She got a medal and was so excited, elated, and proud. We drove back up the freeway with her going, I'm better than that car, I'm better than that truck. It was cute. And so nice to see her happy after trying so hard.

Today we also picked up our new caravan. Very exciting. I got to tow it home on the back of the territory. And then reversed it into the garage. If you've ever seen our skinny street you would know that thats no mean feat! We'll just have to plan now some time and where to go to.

Thats all for now. Cheers!

I made a little layout...

I made a little layout this afternoon. I can't say its totally not CM, because I used the tape runner and photo labelling pencil on the vellum, but thats all! I love it. Yes there is ribbon. And yes it is touching the photo. (shock horror!) And theres some groovy wooden tags, chatterbox papers, and bazill is the background. It feels sort of rustic. I have this little feeling of wanting to send it in as a layout for the Scrapbooking Memories mag. Its most likely not good enough, but it would be fun if it got in. I figure they would never print a whole CM page, lol.

Oh you want to see it?

Resolve

I've had a learning moment today. A resolution really.

I resolve to finish the edge of the carpet tomorrow where it meets the new tiles when DH is at work.

I resolve to not do anymore international SS swaps.

I resolve to do more for me.

I resolve to work everyday on getting my paperwork done.

I resolve to eat more salads after all the Christmas cheer.

I resolve to get finished the things I've started before starting more new things.

I'd really like to resolve to get my scrap room clean, but I know thats not quite possible at the moment because its a storage issue, so I'll quietly work on that one myself. I've been eyeing off some furniture which will help. I'm thinking I could layby it and pay it off slowly.

I'm sure there's more, but thats enough for now, otherwise I won't remember what it was I was going to do!

FUN FUN FUN

I did it! I have had so much fun this morning. I woke DH up after 2.5 hours of sleep, so he could look after TJ and BMW (Nath's 1st day back at preschool) and ducked out to the new LSS. I told him I was doing an art class, which is sorta true, hee hee.

So this is my creation...


I really like it, and I think it looks better IRL than pictured here. I was planning to put it in my scrap room (aka study) but know I'm thinking I could do 3 more, 1 for each season and have them down the hallway. Will have to think on that one.

I really enjoyed using the foam stamps and the effect they create, so I might try some more of that. Actually I enjoyed the whole lot!

busy busy busy

I've been working on my swaps today. I have 2 groups done. The third is half done, 5 cute snowman, which seems quite ridiculous given how hot and humid it is, and then just 1 Christmas set to go. I so hope I can stay awake tonight and get them finished.

I also took the kids to the rock pool, which was lots of fun. My main reason for taking them was so I could take some photos 'cause tomorrow I am booked into a 3hr course at the LSS! I am making a canvas. And although they aren't the best photos (something I'm going to try and work on this year), I'm sure it will still look nice and will gain pride of place on my wall in my study. Can't wait, it will be so much fun doing something different with my materials.

Will let you all know how good it was tomorrow!

Over it.

I'm stressing. I'm tired. And I have a huge headache.

Yesterday DH and I cleaned and rearranged the 3 kids bedrooms. Cleaned up toys, put things away. Reconstructed sets. We finished grouting our tiles and cleaned up the mess. We gardened and I washed in between rain showers. The kids slept over at Grandmas and went on a picnic. But no rest for us, it was work work work.

Now today I have to get my swaps finished. I have my paper peicing swap that has been sitting here since before Christmas to post. I have my inpsired by swap to finish. And I have my sister swap that is overdue. I am not signing up for any more things. Zip. Zero. None.

I am ready to chuck it all in. It is not worth the stress. I went searching this morning for a little cloud punch (a carl one) to make hands with. It was the perfect thing for what I was making. BMW and I went to 3 stores. He is such a champion to be dragged everywhere.

Anyway, in our travels we found a new LSS, only 10 minutes from home. It has basic grey, sei and more! There goes my budget . Well I got to thinking while trying to complete these damn swaps, wouldn't it be nice to be paid to play with all this stuff. I'm going to do my half year CM tally when I find the time, and I'm sure I've not made much money for all the hard yakka I do. I know what the accountant will say at tax time. If you're not making any money there's no point in doing it.

Working at the LSS was one of the mums from ballet. So I've booked into a class on Wednesday. I am making a canvas. I'll get to use paint and rubber stamps. I'm very excited and looking forward to it. I know everyone starts with CM then merges out into something else. I never thought I would be the one to do it. I know that they try and push being a consultant for life but I'm tired of being pushed. I just want to stop. I'm so shocked that I'm actually thinking about it.

Feels better to voice it though. I would have to stock up on albums and pages and adhesive. And I'm booked in to Showcase. I wonder if that will change my mind. I have an hour to decide if I should go to training on Saturday before sign up closes. DH thinks I should since it will help my business. I've got a really busy week next week with TJ's dancing and wonder if another day going to Sydney is really what I need. Hmmm what to do.

What to do?

A quick update on todays events

DH has been at me to clean up the storage room. So this morning while I washed and he played the ps2 with BMW, I cleaned up. Whilst cleaning I found our spare tiles. The ones we have planned (for the last 4 years) to tile our entry way with.

So I decided to do it. And told DH it was being done today and thats all there was to it. Well the tiles didn't end up fitting so we went to the tile store and bought new ones after all. We needed 2.5m but ended up getting 13m because they were a 'lot'. So now we have all these left that we don't need.

Yes we have some left because tonight we tiled the foyer! YAH. I am dirty and covered in bits of tile glue, and we had a thunderstorm in the middle of it with rain coming in the front door whilst my butt was sticking out it, but its done. I have taken pics so will try to remember to post them tomorrow. It looks really good.

And we used those border tiles that we bought 6 years ago for our last house. Even still have some of those left! So happy that its done. Although it makes the carpet look even worse so now I will definately have to get it cleaned.

Night all!

Well I finally posted my Christmas cards today. Actually, I still have 2 sitting here, but I will hand deliver them. All in good time. Can't rush these things.

Also went to the shops becuase today it was raining! YAH! Only problem was, everyone else on the coast had the same idea. It was bedlam in the car park. Today was the first day I've ever yelled at someone in the car park, from my car. Here we are, sitting my a few minutes, blinker on, waiting for these people to finish loading their groceries so they can leave and we can park. A p plate driver comes the other way and I let him know that its my spot and he then moves forward and I'm thinking hes going to keep going, well no, the other car backs out and before I can reverse in he drives straight into the spot. Man was I not happy! So I wait for him to get out of his car and decide to learn this P plate ignoramous. GRRRR. Not happy Jan!

So we finally get another park. We shop. We do the return/exchange thing. All a painful process. Plus the goods are now on sale and DH was in charge of safe keeping all receipts and lost this one. ~sigh~ Then of course could not find what DD wanted to spend it on instead.

It would've all been so much easier to stay at home and watch a video. Never mind. I'm off to make DH a roast lamb dinner, hope its nice.
Later.

No baby here!

Today we went and saw Chicken Little. It was ok. But on the way into the cinema SIL#2 asked me if I was feeling better (I've had this funny throat thing happening) and so I said a little, but it gets me mainly in the morning and at night (which is true, its like the change in air). She then proceeds to ask me if I am pregnant. Err, no. Are you sure because it sounds like it. Err, really no, I would know and yes I am sure, definately no.

Well when we went after the movies to the relo's party I was wondering is it just me, or at they all looking at my stomach and smiling and talking amongst themselves. So I wondered what exactly did my DH tell them on NYE when I didn't turn up for their party. Apparently just that I wasn't feeling well.

So definately not preggers, a little too much Christmas cheer maybe, and someone paying for a gym membership and time to go probably wouldn't go astray. But definately no baby in this tummy!

So slight repreive yesterday on the weather. We had about 1 minute of rain - no joke. Nothing to help my fried plants. When the southerly wind finally did arrive it was full of smoke and ash, and was extremely wild. It was very humourous being stuck inside a boiling hot house and not being able to let the breeze in to cool it. I think the heat was getting to me.

Today we looked at an air conditioner. Unfortunately the store only seems to think we could have a 2.5hp for downstairs loungeroom and a 1hp for our bedroom. The kids would have to miss out. DH said this wasn't acceptable as two of the kids rooms face west and get the hot afternoon sun. So I guess if he wants to look at getting ducted, the first available appointment was April. So that definately means no air con for us this summer. UGH.

On a brighter note I won $107 to spend at the toy store off the radio station. So today we went and collected our voucher and went shopping. Who knew it would be so hard to buy toys! We ended up with Cluedo (TJ's choice), a cricket set to take away, some oars for our blow up boat my brother bought the kids last Christmas (still in the box as it had no oars), a bug catcher and net for Nath, and a leap pad book for BMW. We also had lunch out which was late at 3pm, but really relaxed and felt like we were on holidays. I also found a credit note that had been missing for 10 months, so we spent that at the camping store too. The camping store is right next door to that NSL LSS, but I did not dare to go in with DH in tow!

Tomorrow is off early to see Chicken Little with MIL in Newcastle, have to leave at 8am which is much too early in the holidays, but I guess its what you've gotta do. And then its another bbq with DH's relo's, only he goes back to work tomorrow so I have to look after the tribe. I have to go pack the rid!

See you next time, same bat channel!

What a stinker

Today is new years day. It reached a very hot 45 degrees Celcius. Its now 9:30pm and still in the mid to high 30's. At least the hot wind has stopped, but now there is just humidity and heat. I am so looking forward to a southerly wind coming during the night, but also don't want it as there is bushfires here on the coast, taking out houses, and I have friends that live there, so a strong wind is probably not what they want right now.

We went to the beach this morning, Redhead Beach up in Newcastle. I don't think I have ever felt sand so hot under my feet. The water was a lovely 20 degrees C and crystal clear. I was teaching TJ how to catch waves and also dive under. I took her out once behind the waves and she got out of her depth and couldn't touch the bottom. Although my girl can swim a couple hundred metres in the pool, like she did for her timed swim, she panicked. So now I've also taught her that she can float in the surf, and not to panic. Hopefully she will remember if she ever does it without me.

Thats all for tonight. I'm sweating on the keyboard, its just way to hot to do anything. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little more pleasant. Unfortunately its a bit too late for some of my plants. Being on water restrictions we're not meant to water until tomorrow. I snuck a bit in tonight, my pot plants are crisp, as are my ferns behind my pool. Even the magnolia which we've had for years and has now grown to fence height, today shrivelled its leaves. Much much too hot.