my memories

Last post

2009-08-02T22:58:00.003+10:00

I think this will be the last post I do here at this blog. Going to try and keep just the one blog up to date....so I will now be hanging out at www.wishalicouscards.blogspot.com ...so come on over and say Hi.
Cheers,
Deb

wishalicious

2009-07-21T20:42:00.002+10:00

I have started a new blog...even though I am not a regular or very well committed blogger, I think I needed another blog just for my crafty stuff. It is called www.wishaliciouscards.blogspot.com/ and I am planning to post all the wonderful cards and scrappy stuff that I make on it.

On another note, if you want to check out a fresh, competitive and superbly organised NEW ONLINE SCRAPPING STORE, go check out my lovely friends new shop.
Heike Brennan has opened www.scrapz.biz.com.au She has given her new and lovely Design Team their task for August, and the challenges will begin on AUGUST 1...so go check it out.
I am doing some things to do with photography over there. I am really looking forward to learning more about my camera myself - I am amateur status, but love learning more.

Well, best shoot off and get to bed. 6.30am start for me in the morning....I really don't like getting up that early, but once you are, the early part of the morning truly is magnificient, especially the past few days in which the weather has been perfect.
Happy Tuesday everyone.
Deb
x

First dental visit

2009-07-15T20:38:00.002+10:00

Yesterday was Tom's first visit to the Dentist. We had a lovely lady called Robyn who was magic at doing a filling. My little man was so brave. He sat for nearly a whole hour by the time his teeth were checked, xrayed, and filled. I was so worried that he had holes...we thought we were pretty good at caring for his teeth - but Robyn made me feel better and said that some baby teeth were prone to decay. Lets hope his second teeth are nice and strong. On that note, he now has 2/3 plus 1/3 of his new front teeth. They grow a little each week. I noticed his second front tooth had cut through after my return from Sydney on the 28th June.

On another note, I am resigning from my Design Team position at 3 Angels Scrapping. I have been on the team since August 2007. I have learnt alot, met some great people and had a wonderful time whilst working there. Thank you to all the ladies who wished me well on the forum. I appreciate your kind words.

My plans for craftiness and creating in my future - I am hoping go something along the lines of the following three things.

1. I am looking to start a little card making business...creating hand made cards and selling them. I have probably sold around 100 so far, to family and friends and some at a fundraiser. I have had a very good response to them to date(from non crafty people hee hee...maybe they are easily impressed!) Anyway, it is something I really enjoy doing.

2.I would like to start some classes at home...probably card or scrapbooking classes. I will aim to do one a month to begin with and see how they go.

3. I want to further my photography skills and would love to photograph families...natural, candid stuff.

So I am planning to follow my dreams of building a small home based business...hopefully one that may one day help sustain my family. Taking steps in a new direction is often hard, and anyone that knows me well knows I am not a big risk taker and am not terribly confident in my own abilities. I guess at the end of the day, people that know me would understand this.

So these things are on my list to do at the moment.

I start a teaching contract on 31 August - 31 October this year at Tom's school. Teaching Year 1 in the mornings and doing Learning Support in the afternoons. I am really looking forward to the opportunity to work in a school again. I really miss working school hours. My mum and dad have been wonderful helping with the care of Tom before and after school, but it will be wonderful not to have to organise care for him before and after school.

Well, that is about all I want to remember at the moment.
Happy Birthday to Cath my SIL who catches up with me tomorrow (in age). Happy 42nd Cath! Have baked her a chocolate cake for tomorrow - actually a recipe which she gave me!
Cheers,
Deb

The Crawfords

2009-07-05T16:02:00.004+10:00

We have had some very dear friends visit us this week. Lucy and Baz, Lexie and Kel and Marty all came down from the Sunshine Coast on Thursday to have a little holiday with us.

Sat morning was Tom's soccer game in Yamba...freezing, but worth it. My little man is quite talented, even though i know I am his mum and am biased. He is getting the gist of the game and scored a few goals this week. They all like to be the star at this age (maybe any age?) and I have some very cool photos of him rejoicing in his goal kicking glory.

Last night was the BBQ with Tony and Cath, Liam, Georgia and Ella, along with our lovely neighbours Bek, Aaron and Alex. The boys all sang a few tunes...which improved with the alcohol consumption...luckily Liam kept them on track - Liam is a very talented little guitarist - go Liam!

Baz and Dan had to share Baz's glasses, which presented a small problem considering neither could read the lyrics or the chords without them...hence, a little improvisation occurred.

And here is Tommy performing at Maclean Bowling Club with his kindy class. They sang three songs, I'm a bushranger, Tigger and the Underwear song. They were a big hit and we were very proud parents.

And of course, the mandatory family and friends shoot...even though Baz hates smiling, he did quite well. Tom and Marty become good friends quickly again. Kids are so great with becoming instant friends.

They all head home tomorrow and we will be sad to see them leave. We have had such a nice time with them.

2 sketches 4 You - sketch 29

2009-07-03T21:42:00.007+10:00

Lately I have been on a card making journey, so this week I thought I would try out this sketch at http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/ This is the first time I have entered a competition on this website, so many beautiful cards and I would never had made a card like this if it weren't for the sketch. The stamp is Hero Arts and papers are SEI. The prize is one of those fabulous SCORE-IT boards, which the lovely Heike let me use at the retreat last week.

This is my interpretation of the sketch:

Love these colours together, lime green and pink - and it is not even Xmas.

Cheers,

Deb

42 years...

2009-05-26T14:22:00.002+10:00

is what i am today.

This is just a quick post, with some photos from the last week. We have had major flooding here and have been isolated since last Thurs afternoon. All things considered, the floods havent bothered us at all really. No water in houses, and the kids have had a blast playing in the street and roaming from one house to another.

Here come the photos.

Relay for Life...Relay for my dad...Relay for Honey...Relay for Michelle...Relay for all those who have been touched by cancer

2009-05-17T12:49:00.003+10:00

This is what we did yesterday, starting at 3pm and going through to 9am this morning.

We walked to fight against cancer...a community of around 6000 pulled together and raised $70 thousand dollars. AMAZING.

The walk began at 3pm. My very dear friend Michelle shared her story about her cancer survival. She is one of the bravest people I know. Honey is also one of the bravest people I know, and my dad is one of the bravest people I know. All these people who we love have had cancer, fought it and beat it. This was for them...to celebrate their lives and give hope to all those and their families who ard fighting this terrible, terrible thing.

One of the most moving things I have ever experienced was walking the circuit with the lights out and seeing the rows of hope bags lit with candles inside. All of the messages written on the bags is one of the saddest and at the same time inspirational things i have ever seen.

Thank you to everyone who donated and made this such a special event.

some layouts to share.

2009-05-10T20:52:00.003+10:00

Just some stuff i have been making lately.

Dear Tom

2009-05-10T20:26:00.004+10:00

Dear Tom,

somedays it is tough....other days it is a breeze...and everyday is different. Being your mother that is.

Today was no exception. Started off with a lovely cuddle, pressie (voucher at homewares shop), card and basket - dad knows i like cane storage baskets. We had booked into the golf club for lunch which was exciting for you, but as the morning progressed, there were lots of ups and downs. Lots of testing the limits, lots of attitude and battling to be the boss. I hate to burst your bubble Tom, but you are never going to be the boss at 5 years old! I am the mother, and I am in charge....no matter how many times you like to test that theory out.

This seems to be the pattern emerging in our life...lots of trying things out, lots of trying out words and phrases you hear on the bus and at school, lots of trying out behaviours, and I guess that is your job as a child - and I guess my job is to nuture you, and guide you, and encourage you in the right directions....no matter how tired I get of the 'broken record' thing, saying the same thing over and over. I do believe we have made some progress - finding your currency is the trick - what things don't you want to lose. I have to find your currency otherwise I have nothing to barter with, nothing to remove. At the moment your currency is a footy game on PS2...i know, probably shouldn't have a PS2 at 5 years old, but Mac outgrew it and passed it on to you. It is another opportunity to learn about time management and rules I guess. No PS2 before school, no PS2 if you are rude to your mother! Ah, the journey is bumpy at times, but at the end of the day when you are laying in your bed (or mine) asleep, all is redeemed, the love I feel for you is very overpowering and makes me so thankful to have you in my, in our, lives

So on this Mothers Day in 2009, I am happy and thankful for my life, my son, my husband. I don't pretend that each day is a bed of roses, but even the bumpy days are always better than someone else's in the world - everthing is relative.
So thank you my beautiful boy - I love you more than you can ever imagine, and you won't know that feeling until one day you are gazing into the eyes of your own child.

I love you,

mum.

xxx

2009-04-20T20:53:00.001+10:00

just for the record...tom lost his second front tooth tonight, so he is speaking with a very cute lisp...having trouble with all words that have an "S" in them.
Taking some photos tomorrow.

More wedding photos

2009-02-15T22:55:00.005+11:00

Mark and Trilby...congrats

2009-02-15T22:32:00.002+11:00

Well, my little nephew got married on St. Valentines Day. It was the day they had their first date 5 years ago. It was the day Dan and I met in 1988. Lots of love at this wedding. It was a beautiful wedding, and heaps of fun after the ceremony with dancing and singing along with the band. Many, many closet singers in this group, and wanna-be band members. Where is Wayne??? He was the drummer, the tambourine man, the beer-nazi, the 'after-the-official-photographer-goes-home' photographer. Funny!
Despite the torrential rain, which washed away the beach ceremony, everything went smoothly and beautifully. The food was yum! Tommy LOVED the chocolate fondue fountain, and basically that is all he ate for dinner. Good one Mark!

Here are some of the better pictures.
Enjoy.

New Layouts

2009-02-08T21:39:00.002+11:00

Just some new ones to share.

a money jar for3 angels scrapping university...heaps happening over there!

the gals from work...hi miss renee and miss di.

another kindy first day layout....Can you do too many of these?

blast from the past

2009-02-08T00:40:00.004+11:00

how sweet is he...how tired am i???
5 years ago, can't believe he has lost his bottom teeth and two top ones are loose already.

this week....

2009-02-07T21:32:00.018+11:00

This week we have....

celebrated Grandads 79th birthday...happy birthday for the 6th from us grandad...we miss you heaps.

xxx

Knocked down a wall....

BEFORE SHOT...

and after....

had bedroom discos....

and homework...

reading two books a night...

drawing 2 pictures in your beginning sounds book...

Celebrated Bec's Birthday....here she is with beautiful ruby...who mothered and fussed and cared for all the littlies at the party...good girl rub's.

Beautiful photo bec!!!!

cutting the cake...

lots of eager anticipation...

ate chocolate cake....

and little jimmys cake is nearly as big as him!

Milly and Anna enjoying the chocolateness in their cake....

Thats it for the week....

Hi to gran and grandad who are in flood waters in Tully.

From the mouths of babes....

2009-02-03T13:13:00.003+11:00

i collected tom from school yesterday. I arrived at his room and it was empty, so i went to the computer lab and there they were...all 22 kindergarteners, 6 girls and 16 boys.
Tom was sharing his computer...good kids.
The lesson was over and I was helping the teacher shut the computers down. As i was helping a little girl, so looked at me and said, "are you a mum or a grandma?"....OUCH!
Sorry tom for having an old mummy...hee hee. Tom said, "no, she is my mum!" Good kid a second time in ten minutes.
Made me smile though...love the innocence of children and their lack of tact - very attractive and cute in a 5 year old.

He is on the bus again today...and coming home on it this afternoon (with me following in the car).

First bus day

2009-02-02T10:13:00.005+11:00

Another memorable occasion. Your first bus trip to school.

BUS STOP: about 200m up the road out the front of Tony (my brother) and Cath's house.

Distance: about 7-8km...must remember to measure this.

Duration: around half hour (i think)

School: St Joseph's Maclean.

Bus driver: forgotten his name already!

The bus was full of kids...chocca block. Standing room only. The bus driver got two high school girls to move over for you and you sat on the edge of seat directly behind him.

NOTHING for you to hold on to...hope it was not too bumpy.

Ella went behind you...not sure where she got a seat but it would have been close by.

I was more worried about you on the bus than going to school.

I am sure you were OK. I asked you if you wanted me to follow you in the car and make sure you were OK, but you said, "no thanks mum". AWWWW...big grown up boy.

Another milestone -

yesterday we went to the yamba pool about 1pm. YOu are KEEN, KEEN, KEEN, to swim at that pool. I guess you can touch the bottom in the little pool and makes you feel safe, it also allows you to have a go at swimming. So far you kick your legs but not much happens in the arm action area. Your head is under and you manage to get some distance....but yesterday, you saw a big kid in the big pool doing freestyle, so you did too.

I sat there watching you and the next minute you had freestyled (in a beginning swimmer style fashion) across the width of the little pool!!!!!!!!!! No breaths, just held on and kicked and swam all the way across with no touching the bottom to stand up for a breath. I WAS impressed. I asked how you knew what to do, and you just said, "i watched that big kid do it." Gotta love that response.

Now, on the scrapping front, http://www.3angelsscrapping.com.au/ has started their UNIVERSITY courses...some very cool things happening over there, and some great prizes up for grabs.

Major prize is a Making Memories Slice....i can only dream of having one of these little babies.

There are 5 core subjects, each with prizes.

There are also electives, each with prizes.

You do not have to enter into everything to win a prize...so head over if you want to learn something new.

Here are some samples from my subjects.

I am professor of ENGLISH, ECONOMICS, and BUSINESS.

Thats it for me today. This is my first ever child free and husband free day at home ALL BY MYSELF!

Lots of jobs on my list.

deb

First Day of Kindergarten

2009-01-29T21:50:00.010+11:00

Well, today was another milestone in Tom's life. KINDERGARTEN. Dan and I were very proud parents of our little man. He was so comfortable with his room, his beautiful and sweet teacher, and the other kids.
We dropped him off at 9am. He got his "TOM" nametag and went straight to drawing a dinosaur with a stencil. A little mate from the childcare is in his class, and I think that made the day even better. Always good to see a familiar face.
In his lunchbox... (for my memory only)

peanut butter sandwich on grainy bread

mini chop chip choc muffin

apple and sultana muesli bar

apple juice

green apple (which he told me tonight he threw away...i knew he would, takes too long to eat).

mixed nuts-macademias, almonds and cashews - left most of the almonds

water

Most of it got eaten (or maybe thrown in the bin...who knows????)

The most favourite thing Tom did today was 'sport', and they played 'duck, duck, goose'...but he didn't get a turn - maybe next time.

He played with Harrison at lunch time.

He learnt the words 'I" and "am" and drew a picture of himself. The words across the bottom were "I am Tom". So, tonight we made an I am book...i printed the pages on the computer and did the drawings. There was,

i am five, i am happy, i am fast, i am sleeping, i am eating, i am tom.

Tom drew pictures to go with each page, and then drew us on the cover. He wrote some letters which he said were, i love you mum and dad. It was so cool, he made sure he a a LETTER for each word. He was two letters short to start with, and as he read it back pointing to each letter (which represented a word for him), he added more letters so he had the correct amount. VERY VERY impressive for me. He has never been terribly interested in writing before, so it was so good to see. He also added his own page which was i am crazy and i helped him write the letters to spell the words.

So...here are todays pics. After we dropped him off, we went to Grafton with mum and dad. At times, I felt like I had a limb missing, it was so strange to be without him at the shops, and Dan commented how strange it was NOT to go into the toy section at BIG W for an hour, and be asked, how much is this one dad...and do you have that many dollars??????????????????????

PS We said prayers tonight...blessed everyone and asked god to especially look after Honey and make her better.

Goggles...

2009-01-25T00:16:00.002+11:00

wearing goggles to the pool has made such a difference to your attitude towards swimming...you are more under the water than above it.
Today at the pool was cool. 3 hours in total...way too much sun, but you were loving it.
Playing with heaps of different kids as they came and went...always being social and friendly. I am so proud of you. I didnt take the camera, but i will next time because you are so clever and cute.
Only 5 days until you start school...i can hardly believe it. Two other kids from Willy's are going to the same school, so there will be a couple of familiar faces - Rachel and Harrison. Such an exciting time.

16 things

2009-01-22T20:18:00.003+11:00

Just joining in the sixteen things about me... so here goes.

1. The thought of cancer scares me. I have two special people in my life fighting it right now. I think about them alot. I am hopeful for them. I want them to live long and fulfilling lives.

2. I am preparing for my little boy to go to school in 7 days...one week. I hope he loves school, and has a love for learning. At the moment, he asks me the meaning of so many things, like, this mornings was, "Mum, what does 'no fear' mean, or 'it's a deal'? Stuff that he hears around. He is learning to make sense of his world and understand language.

3. I have a cool kid. No one can prepare you for parenthood and everything that it entails, good and not so good...but life is SO much more fulfilling with a child, or children. You learn the real meaning of unconditional love.

4. I plan to make 2009 a productive year. I have tasks to do, I want to streamline my life to create more time for my family, and for me. I want to do stuff just for me. May sound selfish, but I want to create some time just to do whatever I feel like doing - gotta let go of the guilt that accomanies this type of thing at the moment.

5. I missed the whole last season of Grey's Anatomy, but i am so looking forward to this years.

6. I rarely watch TV.

7. I want to scan all our childhood photos this year and create copies for my 6 siblings. A BIG job, so I have given myself until christmas 2009.

8. I have religiously contributed to a holiday savings account for over 4 months, without one withdrawal.

9. I love to read novels....love stories, conspiracies, old fashioned stories. Anything really that is easy to read and remember where i am up to.

10. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the beach. I think it the only place where i feel instantly relaxed. I love the joy of the simplicity of the beach. Just sand and water, but so easy to fill in the hours.

11. I plan to get fitter this year. This week i began walking again. One hour 4-5 times a week is my aim. Planning to walk on my early/late shift days, and on Fridays when i have a rostered day off.

12. I am planning to help out in Tom's class once a week. I can't wait to play 'mum' in his room.

13. I make a good salad, or so Dan says. My favourite is pasta spirals, sundried tomates, olives, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers grown by my dad, seed and nut mix, avocado on top. Add a splash of balsamic. NEVER get sick of this one.

14. i have returned to the land of DIET coke...probably not very healthy, but i try to drink it at times to ward off the 'nibbles'.

15. I have just visited a compounding chemist...looking into checking my hormone levels to make me healthy AND happy...gotta be a good thing.

16. I am on holidays today for 2 WHOLE WEEKS....lots of jobs to do, but plan to spend the next 5 days doing fun stuff with my little boy before he embarks on his formal education.

more photos...

2009-01-17T10:00:00.002+11:00

Made this last night...a scraplift...no thinking required.
And the photo below is looking off my front verandah...no very nice weather, but we so need the rain. C'mon rain...

Thoughts for you Honey...hope you are feeling better today.
love deb
x

2009-01-16T22:55:00.002+11:00

just sharing a layout. Totally digital...just mucking around with PS7.
thanks for looking.
deb
x

2009-01-16T22:45:00.002+11:00

Happy 5th Birthday Tom.
Dad cooked spaghetti bog.

You and I made a chocolate cake.

with superman on top!

the fun part...eating and sticking on the smarties.

and the best part....licking the beaters.

Such a cool day.

Relaxed and together.

happy birthday tom

2009-01-15T15:34:00.003+11:00

my little man turned 5 today.
so far we have had a great day.
Woke up at 7.30am. Dan and I both have the day off. We opened presents, Tom had porridge with sprinkles (hundreds and thousands) on it, set up his castle (from a great big box) and opened his other gifts. Thanks to Honey, Peter, Rachel and Dan...the shark shorts and t-shirt are a huge hit.
Grandma and grandpa bought him his first fishing rod...going fishing with dad next week. They also gave him a very swish knife, fork and spoon set.
Chocolate cake and spaghetti bog for dinner....not in that order.
Saw aunty cath at the credit union and got our mandatory balloon that he always gets from cath. Thanks cath.
Cards in the mail from the bradfords, the birds, the brittons.
Phone calls from Jen in canberra, kerry in cairns, grandad and gran in tully (actually in townsville at the moment). Thank you all for remembering. He was very very excited about turning 5.

We also sat down after we got home from the beach, put our hands together and said a prayer for Honey who had an operation today in Townsville. We sent it to heaven. We love you heaps Honey.

More pictures later when i sort them out on the computer.

3 angels scrapping university

2009-01-15T15:30:00.001+11:00

3AS UNIVERSITY *
Announcing Australia's First
Looking for a challenge? Want to take your scrapping one step further?Enrol in a 3AS University degree starting on
February 1, 2009.To be in the running for some great prizes you need to enrol and pass all 5 core subjects (English, Maths, Science, History, Geography).Extra credit points can be gained by enrolling in electives ( Economics, Business, Graphics and Computer Technology, Literature, Art, Psychology, LOTE (Language Other Than English), Home Ec, Phys Ed and Dance)Each subject on offer will be run by a professor (AKA DT member) who will set a specific task or assignment for you to complete. For each completed subject you earn credit points towards graduation. Extra credit assignments will also be on offer for each core subject. Each professor will assign bonus points to the top 10 students in each subject.
COSTThe competition is open to all 3AS members.
Tuition is free. No HECS fees here!
DATES
Winners of each elective will be announced weekly.
Overall winner and runner-up will be announced on March 20.
PRIZESA merit prize will be awarded for each core and elective subject. There are goodie packs, shopping vouchers, etc to be won.
There will also be a major prize for the most outstanding student with the highest credit points and a runner-up prize at the end of the course.
The runner-up will receive a magazine subscription of their choice and the winner will win a fabulous MM Slice.
In the event of a tiebreak, there will be a ‘final exam’ set at the end of the semester.Are you enrolled yet?
Some professors have posted a course outline giving you a brief idea of the content and assessment of their course. Check out the details here.

It will be lots of fun....so go on over to http://www.3angelsscrapping.com.au/index.php and sign up now.

august 5 photo

2008-08-05T20:18:00.002+10:00

my work shoes...they are my saviour at work...my feet ache by the end of the day, but these little guys seem to make it a little better.

next lot of challenge photos

2008-08-04T20:52:00.006+10:00

ok, so i am taking feet shots it seems...probably because it is 7.30 and i am tired and lazy.i apologise for you having to view my feet.

so here they are - the next shots from the last 2 days.

photo challenge.

2008-08-03T21:50:00.005+10:00

over at http://www.3angelsscrapping.com.au/index.htm we are doing a photo challenge to take a photo each day for august. As i took my first one on aug 1 at 7.30, i am sticking with this theme...7.30 each night, or maybe i will just go with my foot attire????

Happy birthday to...

2008-08-03T21:48:00.002+10:00

therese and nat.

he writes...

2008-08-03T21:11:00.004+10:00

Just some important stuff for me to remember from AUGUST ONE....Tom now is writing alphabet letters on his drawings...this is alphabet writing stage - and as i am a teacher this is very exciting for me...he even is able to tell me what his writing says, and he makes up the cutest sweetest stories.

He is also counting everthing, everywhere...up to 29 so far which i also think is pretty cool. He is getting so ready for big school.

Just another date to remember...I enrolled Tom at St Joesphs in Maclean on Friday 1st August 2008...so exciting.

And tonight he told me the sweetest bedtime story which was a mix of the 3 bears, 3 little pigs and a naughty fox. He has the BEST story telling voice, all animated and expressive in the correct places. So proud of him.

latest layouts

2008-08-03T20:25:00.006+10:00

these are some of my latest creations....

Happy 41st Birthday to me!

2008-05-26T23:42:00.005+10:00

I am 41 today...hard to believe i am really that old...don't feel it...probably well and truly look it...but that is OK. Thanks to everyone who sent me cards, pressies and text messages...hope i can remember you all...

mum (thanks for my sponge) and dad (thanks for my bag and boots),

helen and pat,

honey,

lucy, elissa, katelin, steven,

cath and tone and georgia, ella (special thanks for your beautiful card) and liam (thanks for the bubbly),

kayleen, al, claudia and mac (thanks for my books and my esky),

paul,

vicki - thanks for your text and happy birthday back to you!

sally, riley and jake (thanks for the card),

Libby and bruce,

beverley and scott and the tribe (thanks for the card and wow, your family are growing like weeds),

kerry and nigel and brittany and the kids,

natalie (thanks for my cake),

michelle, mel, therese, meg, erica...thanks for my facial

di (thanks for my choccy and my lip gloss!),

willy wags girls...deb, cate, kristal, louise, leesha, barb, renee - thanks for my voucher.

thanks to cath my sister for my flowers and basket and choccies and bubbly...

and i hope i havent forgotten anyone...but it is very late and my OLD mind is not as it used to be.

Finally, thanks to my lovely hubby and beautiful son, for caring and being there and putting up with me. Love you both.

And...some pics of the OLD me.

2008-05-04T13:54:00.003+10:00

Where did last month go??? And it was nothing out of the ordinary...just doesnt seem to be enough hours in the day to do everything i want to. I guess i have achieved some stuff though, most of my cupboards in my house are now cleaned out, tidied and sorted and this makes me happy. SAD, i know, but TRUTHFUL. I dont know what it is about a tidy, uncluttered house, but it truly does make me feel better. And lately, i have reverted back to making my bed EVERY morning before i go to work. I got into a habit of walking out the door with it unmade, which is still OK, but i like it made so much more. I have the most beautiful, red, vintagey patchwork quilt on my bed, so I have to make it now, otherwise i cant see my quilt. Just another obsessive quirk about me.

Dan returned from his annual Fraser Island man holiday...goodbye honey on toast for dinner. I am back to meal planning this week, trying to keep on top of things, sticking to my budget, trying to make our house run smoothly. Want to be efficient, yet simple. That is my aim for the year...and of course to ACCEPT anything else inbetween. I guess that is why i am decluttering. When i finally finish painting away the ugly brick walls inside my house, and they become a lovely clean, fresh, uncluttered white, it will make my house seem even more decluttered. I plan on finishing the painting during some holidays which i am taking in June. WOW, i can say that it is only one month away...yipee for me.

Happy birthday to my big sis Jen for the 2nd of this month. Hope it was a good one Jen,and hope that little puppy of yours settles in fast.

During the past month, these things happened.

My eldest nephew got married.
Dan went on a holiday.
I cleaned out my cupboards.
Tom learnt to wipe his own bottom (a milestone in this house!)
I had to buy new clothes and shoes for my growing boy - thank goodness for Target and their 20% off sales.
Winter arrived...i got my blue ugg boots out of the cupboard...i know, tacky, but there is NO other shoe that keeps your feet warm like the uglies.
I now wear a uniform to work. Green shirt and black pants.
I bought a new pair of walking shoes for work, complete with a 1500km guarantee...dont know how i will know when i clock up 1500km, but i figure it will be a while.
I cleaned out my back garden and am now replanting with plants raised by my parents.
I completed a course in Child Protection.
I watched movies at night...this is rare for me as I rarely watch TV, but at the moment, it is all I crave at night.
I read my first novel in years...nearly in one night (stayed up till 2am reading - havent done that in years either).

I am sure there are more than a list of 12, but hey, it is what i can remember right now.

On a final note, this is my latest LO for 3 angels...a picture of me when i was 16...young and wrinkle free.

Cheers,

deb

Catch up..

2008-04-07T19:14:00.002+10:00

Lots to catch up on...First of all - Happy Anniversary Gran and Grandad. Congratulations on making a wonderful 50 years of marriage. What a milestone...my mum and dad are coming up to 52 years this year...another amazing milestone. Good on you all.

I also witnessed the first of my nieces and nephews to get married on the 29th march...congratulations to Aaron and Tiffany. You both looked sensational and it was a truly magical day...may your next 50 years or so be as magical and wonderful.

I have lots of photos to post, but not sure what i have done with them all! Resized and got ready, but must not have saved them. Bummer.

Anyway, what else...

Hi to Michael who i haven't spoken to for a lifetime..great to chat to you today.
Michael and I were friends and went to school together...feels like a lifetime ago. But we plan to catch up, fill each other in on the highs and lows of the last 20 years or so, and probably compare grey hairs and the encroachment of wrinkles...looking forward to it (chatting, not the wrinkles).

Off to resize some photos to make this post a little more interesting.
deb
x

Easter Cooking and Day care

2008-03-24T21:52:00.004+11:00

This year at Willy Wagtails (where i work),

we had an easter concert/harmony day celebration.

I Baked these....

Tom got his face painted....

Grandma and Grandpa and Dad came for a visit.

A lovely day.

Happy easter and Britt and Josh visit

2008-03-24T20:49:00.008+11:00

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE.

Well, easter is over for another year. The bunny came, left goodies, then snuck off till next year. He left choccies at our place, and a BIG BLUE RABBIT at grandma's and grandpa's place. What a generous bunny he was this year.

We also had another lovely gift this easter...a visit from our gorgeous niece and nephew, Britt and josh.

So nice to have family visit, especially for Dan as he is so far away from them. Britt is studying at Gatton UQ, lots of horsey animal stuff that i could NEVER do, and Josh is learning how to be a physio and has just scored a job with the Broncos as a massage therapist whilst he is completing his studies. Clever little kids, not really little, just young. 21 and 24 I think. Anyway, lovely to have them and tommy SO LOVED them and misses them terribly already. Our door is always open to you guys anytime.

Here are some pics from our weekend.

Barbequeing...Tom just LOVES to bbq with Dan. Cool man bonding stuff.

Tommy is not 100%...had some vomits last night, bit lethargic today and sleepy tonight. Hope it is nothing too serious.

And Britt and Josh drove away in these cute little cars.

Back to work tomorrow. Dan starts his first round of night shift - midnight to 8am. YUKKO.

Mowed all the lawn today. Looks sensational. Mum and dad came up this arvo and helped me to plant some trees along our back fence to help with the gail force winds which we seem to experience regularly here in Palmers Island. Also planted 3 purple flowery trees called LIASIANDRA...not the correct spelling i am sure, but phonetically correct.

And we also had a visit from beautiful Ella today...my little niece from up the road. Thanks for playing Ella...we always love having you over.

And here is my latest work for 3 angels...made the collage in FLICKR...must share with everyone how i made it.

This layout features easter photos from the last three years. I am really enjoying LO featuring photos that span across time...goes so quickly and we change so much. Next January this little man will be going to school...I still am coming to terms with that one.

Have a great week everyone.

Love d

Happy Anniversary to us.

2008-03-17T20:49:00.009+11:00

Today, St Pattys day, is our 7th wedding anniversary. Thank you to everyone who sent well wishes either by phone or email....Bev, kayleen, Gran and Grandad, Lucy, Kerry, Mum and Dad (special thanks to mum who cooked us a beautiful baked dinner tonight).

Life is good. Married 7 years, ups and downs, but our health is good, our hearts are committed, and we have a beautiful family of three. I have always liked that number, looks good when you plant things in groups of 3 in your garden....looks good when you scrapbook and you make a visual triangle with 3 elements...it is the number of our house where we live right now - 123 North bank road....it is just us. 3 is good, 3 is complete.

Anyway, here is some stuff that i have been making in my scrapbooking room at our house.

As you can see...i am a bit into butterflies at the moment. Not sure what i like about them, their shape just appeals to me, and i like that they are sweet little insects - plus tom likes them.

Work today was great...love quiet, gentle mondays, and today was one of them. We all played together - the 2's - 4 year olds. They were all good - i made 3 batches of playdough - green for st pattys day. We made easter baskets from paper plates and painted pictures with pretty pastel paints.

I also had a haircut...i was to the point of wearing bobby pins in my fringe to see. Thanks to the lovely girl who cut my hair - painstakingly good i must say - washed, dried and straightened AS she cut - a new technique for me. Didnt get a pic before i showered tonight - should have, because she was darn good and i looked a bit glam for a nearly 41 year old!

Will get the pics off my camera from this arvo and post up. Dan and tom caught a cat fish today while they played house at home. And they mowed the lawn with the ride on...busy boys they were.

Bye for now.
Deb
x

Sunday and some more work.

2008-03-09T22:57:00.009+11:00

This week was Off the Page for 3A's and i made a set of cards using Kaisercraft papers.

I have also made another layout...a record for me to make more than one thing a week at the moment.

It talks about how i was looking forward to having tommy in my preschool group at work...but when it comes to lunchtime and he gets tired, then all he sees is me as his mum...not his teacher. Have some things to work on together, but it is so hard some days, and of course some are better than others. Just need to teach him some more strategies of coping...he is such a good little boy when he ISNT tired LOL!

And today we visited Gary and Jenni. Jen has just returned from NZ - a trekking holiday to the Milford Sound.

And whenever we visit...tom loves to see kitty....who holds premier residence in the caravan in the big shed.

She is a beautiful cat, and is the best rat tracker around.

Well, must go to bed..early start tomorrow. Dan is working early as well.

Happy birthday for tomorrow Sal. Still slack - have a gift for you but still sitting on my shelf awaiting to be wrapped and posted.

Also have Gran's birthday on Wednesday...sending you many wishes for that day Gran and all the best with the tests.

And, Aaron and Nifty both share a birthday on Tuesday...happy birthday to you also.

And just for a blast from the past, from the days when i was a SAHM, this is the cake i made for you sal in 2005.

So much LIFE has happened since then...i hope you have a really great day. I will be thinking of you.

goodnight

A bug...

2008-03-02T22:00:00.006+11:00

is in my stomach...yukko to being sick. In bed all day saturday and still not better today - better than saturday but still not good. GO AWAY BUGS!

And this is my latest Layout for 3 angels scrapping...love this photo of tom lying in our bbackyard... always have loved photos of his feet.

The journaling is from a song called MY WISH by Rascal Flatts.
The words are
I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
and each road leads you where you wanna go,and if you're faced with a choice,
and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
if it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile.
But more than anything, more than anything...
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.
I hope you never look back, but you never forget,all the ones who love you, in the place you left
I hope you always forgive,
and you never regret,
and you help somebody every chance you get,
Oh, you find God's grace, in every mistake,
and always give more than you take.
But More than anything, yeah, more than anything...
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish. Yeah.
My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yeah, this, is my wish.

I couldnt fit all the words on, but they are such nice words.

Looking forward to a more settled stomach in the morning...
deb
x

the wonder of children

2008-02-27T21:02:00.004+11:00

While driving to work yesterday, Tom says out of the blue, "Mum, where is Jesus?"

Me: In heaven

Tom: Is he better yet? (He went to church with gran and grandad while they were here, and i figure he is referring to the nails in the hands and feet bit)

Me: Yep, He is all good now.

Tom: Is he with Lucy?

Me: Yep, and they are happy and well.

Tom: Will she be back soon?

Me: No, she likes it up there.

The conversation continued like this for a little more and made me realise how clever kids really are, and how they need to make sense of their world.

And leaving with a picture of tom doing one of his fav things at the moment...cooking. Today it was soup made from cane mulch, stones and water. He spent about 40 minutes cooking in the backyard (2 Feb) the other day.

And just for the fun...here is the passage of time over the last 4 years.

Another ribbon LO

2008-02-24T22:32:00.003+11:00

This is another layout for 3 Angels...Using ribbon again as the technique this month.

This LO was super quick...didnt think too much about it - just had a general idea and stuck things down. I added glue and stuck...didnt move stuff around too much like i usually do, wanted to 'accept' (my 2008 word) however it turned out.

How could it not look good with this photo???

Journaling says:

Your bun was missing from your lunchbox, so i asked you where it was.

You said "It looked beautiful, but I threw it out, it had germs on it".

I laughed....it was covered in poppy seeds.

Thanks for looking,

deb

Starting work early in morning - 6.30 am so i had better get to bed.

3 Angels Layout

2008-02-23T20:52:00.003+11:00

This is my LO for 3 Angels scrapping. The technique this week was to use ribbon. My Layout is about things that i love right now...not necessarily BIG stuff...just stuff that popped into my head on Wednesday night when i made it.

TODAY tom and i went to the beach at yamba. We went to main beach...there is NO sand on any of the beaches at the moment. Since all the rain, floods, high tides etc, it is all gone. But we managed to have a really nice swim in the salt water pool which was overflowing. Tom loved it...he can's swim yet but i bet if we went more often, he would be like a fish. He is very brave and jumps off the side and is learning to dog paddle. We had a hot dog and choc milkshake from the kiosk at the surfclub. When i was a kid, we were always allowed an icecream, and from memory, my choice was either a have-a-heart or pine-lime split. Yum.

Mum had her eye operation on Thursday - cataracts. She was pretty tired and worn out on Friday, but today is much better and says her sight is way better than yesterday. Still very red looking, but she is good with it. She has her checkup on Tuesday in Maclean. TOm will go with her as Dan and I are both working.

Hayley and jamie....hope you are having a great night. Sorry we couldnt be there. I am sure you will be having a ball!

Love us.

That's about it for today.

love me.

Happy Birthday Paul

2008-02-22T16:57:00.006+11:00

Happy Birthday Paul....hope you had a lovely day with YOUR NEW PUPPY!!!!! Your world from here on in will never be the same. ENJOY.

Just adding, this is a very quick layout of Tom's 4th birthday back in January.

The only embellishment is the card i made for his birthday - just cut it up and stuck it on.

Need to do some journaling about the day before it fades from my memory...which these days doesn't seem to take very long!

And finally, a sneaky peeky at my latest layout for 3 angels scrapping...using ribbon.

Have a great day.

Deb

2008-02-20T21:40:00.002+11:00

I've been tagged
A: The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B: Each player answers the questions about themselves.
C: At the end of the post, the player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

10 Years Ago:
I was married to someone else...eeek! I was teaching full time.....eeeek! I was driving over 100km a day to work....eeeeek! Glad things have improved since then!

Things on my to-do list today:Well, as it is night, and I have made lunches, ironed and put out clothes, cut and pasted stuff for work, unpacked the dishwasher, hung out the washing,....i think sleep is the only thing left on my to do list today.

What I would do if I were suddenly made a billionaire:
Retire from work and do something I really love.
Pay off my house and renovate it.
Pay off all my siblings homes.
Give generously to others.
Oh, and I would buy a new car - i have NEVER owned a brand new car.

3 of my bad habits:
I don't keep contact with people very well.
I bite my nails.
I let paperwork pile up.

3 places I have lived:
Brisbane, Coolum (Sunshine Coast qld), Caloundra (Sunshine Coast qld), Yamba and Palmers Island (northern NSW)...i know that is 5, but i have only lived in 5 places.

5 jobs that I have had:
Pizza hut box folder...now that was fun.
Office chick in Brisbane Photographic studio.
Primary School Teacher.
Scrapbook Teacher.
Preschool Teacher.

5 Things people don't know about me:
I have big dreams to be a good mother, a good wife and a good person....doesnt always happen though.
I love chick flick movies - soppy and lovey.
I love reading magazines.
I nearly died when I had Tom, so he will be an only child.
I eat chocolate just about every day.

Thanks Alison for tagging me.
I tag Nat, Heike, and Felicity.

Busy Busy Busy...

2008-02-19T21:14:00.002+11:00

getting my LO ready for the www.3angelsscrapping.com.au weekly DT challenge...using ribbons, fabric, brads that i have had for ages...bit of a funky LO and trying to be a positive one for 2008 also...thinking about things that are good at the moment - again, inspired by Ali E. I find this lady SO inspiring, she is someone who i keep returning to, to keep me on track, to help me focus, to remember the big and the little is important - i find the internet still amazing - how someone you have never met can be so influential on your life, and they are totally unaware of it. So, thank you Ali, thank you for sharing your life and your ideas, I just LOVE your concepts about life and scrapping....got off tangent then, but hey, it is my blog isn't it.

Work again tomorrow, lunches are packed, clothes are hanging, bags are ready. Now just need to sleep and renew for a brand new day. Let's hope the sun is shining tomorrow. I am very over being inside with 20 4 year olds because of the rain - and they really are good kids, inside just gets boring quickly. Outside and fresh air is so much more fun.
cheers,
me
x

Latest Layout for 3 Angels Scrapping

2008-02-16T21:46:00.002+11:00

is this...my word for 2008 - inspired by Ali Edwards. My word is Accept. I lifted the tree idea from a home magazine...some one actually painted it on their lounge room wall - how cool would that be. I am a bit into trees and leaves on my work lately. The quote is something i wish i would live by more than i do, but you gotta have goals right? It says, " This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, in its place is something you have left behind...let it be something good." Author unknown.

Grandad and Gran's last day...

2008-02-16T21:23:00.003+11:00

Well Grandad and Gran are heading back to Brisbane tomorrow with Dan. They are flying back to Cairns on Tuesday and returning home to Tully. It has been wonderful having them here, and they both have helped out SO much whilst i have been working. Tom has so enjoyed having them here...Gran is his saviour from his cranky mother. Yesterday, he and I were arguing over him bringing a stick inside the house...i was determined he wasn't and he was determined he was. As we stood at the back door arguing, with him trying to sneak in, he looks at gran and says, "Gran, get me out of this!"....to which I replied, "Gran is NOT saving you from this one!" God love him, it was so cute and clever. Lucky kids have got grandparents hey!

And today, we went over to the mill to see where dad works. Here are some pics of our day. Keep in mind, last night we had the Dibellas and Marrons over for dinner, and Tom didn't go to sleep till 11pm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And had NO nap today. Tonight, while we were having dinner, he grumped off into the lounge room, it went very quiet and he was sound asleep behind the lounge on the floor. He hasn't done that for a LONG time.

Thanks Elissa and Katelin

2008-02-11T18:30:00.000+11:00

Today Tommy got $20 in a birthday card from his lovely Aunty Lucy, Uncle Stephen, Cousin Elissa and cousin Katelin...only 27 days late...but who is counting (sorry Lucy...just that i know you have difficulty with getting the letter INTO the PO box).

Anyway, this afternoon we took gran to the famous Maclean Toyworld - which we should own shares in...and Tom selected an $11 Ben Ten figure, a penguin....who knows the motive behind that one...and he returned home with $6 for his money box. A pretty good present I would say.

Thanks guys....we have a lovely afternoon. After that we went shopping for Combantrim...need i say more!

So Ben 10 and the penguin had a lovely swim in the bath tub tonight, and i have a SUPER clean little guy ready for bed tonight.

Thanks again,

Deb

2008-02-08T18:22:00.000+11:00

NOTE TO SELF: Tom sings all the time....songs in the car, songs around the house, songs in the shower, just generally sings everywhere. It is so sweet...he makes up lots of his own songs, and improvises on known ones when he forgets the words. Maybe he will be taking after his dad who always wanted to be a rock star!

On another note, I made a big decision in his care this week. I decided to be a greedy mum and enrol tom for a second day in the centre where i work. He already comes with me on Thursdays, and I loved being with him hanging out with the other kids having a great time, I decided to say goodbye to Julie and Family Day care, and have him with me in my room Wednesdays also.

Julie has been the one of the most amazing people in Tom's life...she was not his first carer,( because i worked when he was younger, but that didnt work out) but she is a very special person and will always hold a special place in our memories of Tom's journey. Thank you Julie, and thank you Michelle for being the link to her.

2008-02-08T15:12:00.000+11:00

Tom and Grandad mucking around in the lounge room...tom later tied grandad up around his legs.

Latest published Layouts

2008-02-08T14:39:00.000+11:00

These are the latest two published layouts...the Australia Day one was in Scrapbooking Memories, and Red Cup was in Scrapbook Creations - the last one was a full page. Plus, I am featured in the http://3angelsscrapping.com.au advert as well.

I have one coming up next month in Scrapbooking CREATIONS vol 52 with Gran and Grandad in it, so keep a look out if you are a Mullins person and you want to see Pat, Helen and Tom in print. The layout was when we were living in Yamba. The only downside of purchasing these magazines is that they are sealed at the newsagency, so you have to remember the issue number if you want to purchase it.

I also have a couple coming up in For Keeps, but can't remember which issue.

Went to Maclean this morning with gran, grandad, dan and tom. Had yummo coffee and sandwiches at coffee arte cafe, bought about $50 worth of kids books - all on sale from about $15 down to $5, bought plastic boats and chalk for the childcare where i work, and bought tom a 55c parachute man which lasted about a whole hour before the strings were tangled and the parachute ripped...oh, well, you get what you pay for.

Will post more photos of our visitors next post.

bye.

Happy Birthday Grandad

2008-02-06T21:42:00.000+11:00

Grandad turned 78 today. Happy Birthday Grandad. We bought him some new jammies, and a few new shirts...which he wore 3 of today (all in the one day). Tom and Dan made his birthday cake yesterday...and grandad and tom ate most of it yesterday, so we only had PART of the cake tonight, but it didnt matter, still enough cake to put candles on and sing happy birthday too.

oh and...

2008-02-02T22:10:00.000+11:00

tommy had fun doing this today

having another go...

2008-02-02T14:01:00.000+11:00

at blogging...i find it so hard to be consistent with blogging..but i like the concept of it so here i go again.
What's new....
I am on the Design Team for a very cool store.... I love this place...such cool girls and friendly people, plus i get some wonderful goodies each month to create with....otherwise i dont think i would be motivated enough to scrap. I definitely am a procrastinator, and perform best when i have to.

I work 4 days a week at a Childcare Centre called Willy Wagtails in the beautiful seaside town of Yamba. I am the preschool teacher there, and my little man Tom is in my group with me 2 days a week. Some have asked if that is OK...but he is so good there and copes with his mother being the teacher really well.

I have a feeling this year is going to be great...don't ask me why...just a feeling.
I want to update here at least a couple of times a week, my journal is getting neglected again, too tired at night to write in it.

Anyway, will try to add in some pics and keep it a little interesting.
bye,
deb

stff from my old blog....

2007-04-19T13:20:00.001+10:00

Just did a cut and paste from my old blog...new learning curve for me...but i did want to keep the entries, even though there was only 3.

2007-04-19T13:19:00.003+10:00

Friday, September 29, 2006
Weeding and Words

Well, I have been gardening at our new house - lots of weeds to pull out. We now have our toilet fixed (yeah!!! and big thanks to Al and Kayleen for organising it). We are now the proud owners of 2 toilets that flush properly - i tell you - SIMPLE things are good, especially when they work, like toilets. It's one of those things you just take for granted, but when we moved in here, there was stacks of rain and no flush was a-happenin', yukko. But we are all good now.Tommy is just loving our big pile of black sand that mum and dad bought us to put on the garden. Children dont need toys when they have dirt, water and sunshine to play in. He was so black yesterday from running up and down the 3 metre pile, I had to bath him outside and get the nail brush to get the black off his skin, but boy oh boy did he have a good time.His favourite thing to say today was "that's a great idea!" Where does this come from??? He comes out with the funniest things, a few weeks ago it was "That's just perfect mum" - in relation to anything that he wanted, like chocolate or toys which he wanted me to buy.He is such a cute boy - don't get me wrong, we have our moments when he does the most annoying things (like straight after you have asked, "please ....."), but of course these moments are redeemed when he says things like, 'i need a cuddle mum' and he puts his little arms out and then cuddles me and pats MY back. Sweet beyond description.I am waiting patiently to see if I made the cutoff in round 2 at scrapboxx search for a design team member. I made it through round 1 - with 93 other ladies!!! From now on, they will halve the number that get through till they get down to 6. Each week is a new challenge if you make the cut. First challenge was making a LO for under $5, this last challenge was using a sketch and making a LO from it. Some amazing talent out there.SHould be my copy of Scrapbook Creations soon - my LO of tom drinking from his toy teacup is getting published. Seems like forever ago when it got accepted. So far i have had 4 LO accepted for publishing. DOesnt seem like much, but some women have been trying forever to get published and have not been chosen. I just think there are so many women out there that are talented and creative, it is hard to get noticed. I think the mags get thousands of submissions each month, so they would have alot to choose from.Anyway, dan is asleep on the lounge, tom is asleep in my bed and that is where i am heading now.cheers.

2007-04-19T13:19:00.001+10:00

Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Sal's visit

Had a visit today from Sal, Riley and Jake. It's been ages since we have seen them, may i think. Little Jake is so grown up, smiling and happy, and growing like a weed. Riley and Tom got on pretty good, even though tom tends to be in a 'search and destroy' mode lately. They had moments when they actually played together, the developed a game called 'throw tom's dummy under the ride-on mower' which they seemed to find entertaining for at least fifteen minutes. Claudia was with us too, having a sick day, you know, one of those days when you are sick for the first hour after school starts then you come good! It was nice to have her home, plus she was a great help with the boys.
Claudia and Mac have been going great guns - not seeming to miss Kayl and Al too badly. I'm so glad, because ten days is a long time to miss your mum and dad. Not much else to report other than... tom didnt like me holding Jake, he wanted me to pick him up every time i nursed jake - rivalry(sp?) for his mother. I like it!

2007-04-19T13:18:00.001+10:00

Monday, September 04, 2006
Life is precious

Steve Irwin died this morning. I know it is world news, but as a recent local to the area in which he lived, I want to remember this day. I feel like the day diana died, you hear the news and just cant believe it is real. He was larger than life, a great conservationist, a clever man with a passion. I remember the first time i saw steve irwin was when i had taped "the crocodile hunter" - the first one, and played it to my class (Years 1/2/3) at coolum state school, qld, aust. in 1989. He was unbelievable...he was wild...he was probably just a bit crazy. I still recall him chasing a snake across the sand and saying, "now, kids, if you see one of these at home, DONT do this! Just stop and walk away". We thought, is he for REAL??? And of course, over the next 13 years of his life, we came to know him through the media, and we learnt that he was FOR REAL. So sad this day, an amazing individual, a husband, a son, a father is gone. When you have children of your own, it makes you check them sleeping one more time, just to make sure they are OK. Life is precious

Well...i am here.

2007-04-19T13:15:00.000+10:00

I have started a blog once before...didn't know enough about it and lost interest. But i do really want one....mainly because i can type faster than i can write, even though i still love my journal, i am going to ATTEMPT to blog. Just for us, just for me, just for my memories. So here goes....

2007-01-22T23:59:00.000+11:00