03.28.07
And now for those photos….
Finally I have got some time with my PC and the camera at the same time so I’m thinking it’s about time I added some colour back to the blog.
This first lo I am so pleased with. It’s based on a sketch using just 3 photos, but I think I managed to get the 4th in there nicely. Don’t you just believe that butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth??!! Mr 3 has just been caught stealing “Christmas Trees” of the cookie plate……
The stamps are some Pebbles Inc foam stamps – they are just great to use – they come in various fonts. These big ones were borrowed from Donna - thank you!
This next one is from the ClourTech classes – the Triadic scheme. This is where you use 3 colours, each spaced 3 colours apart on the colour wheel. Here I have used, yellow-orange, blue-green and red-violet.
There is no way that I would have EVER imagined putting these colour together in a single page. I was amazed to see how well it actually came out.
The subjects are Mr’s 3 & 5 with their cousin who is 6 months younger than Mr 3. Their (another) uncle was trying to get a nice shot of the three of them together for the aunt that was back in the US on a night back on ‘05. So they are all much younger than they are now…. and there was NO way they were all 3 EVER going to look in the same direction!! 
Then just last weekend we did the Diadic scheme: Use 2 colours separated by two colours on the colour wheel. I would normally have chosen blue as the main colour- it’s probably the colour I am most comfortable with. But I couldn’t get the scheme to work for me with either option then. So a quick chat with the tutor and I started with yellow. This let me add blue-green into the scheme – and I am again amazed at how well it worked.
I’ve really enjoyed doing this Colour series – we have one more class in the series this coming weekend and we will be doing a Tetrad scheme. That seems a little daunting to me!
After chatting to Shona, the tutor, it seems she has in mind to perhaps do a follow up series. We didn’t go so much into the emotions of colours – beyond touching on it as a concept in the first lesson. I hope she will be able to do that second kind of series because I think that would allow a deeper use of colour to be made.
This lo was one of the ones I did in the Friday night crop a couple of weeks ago. I know I’m going to end up with lots of these – but it makes my heart sing! I love how these two are good mates. Don’t get me wrong: the scrap like anything as well! But they Do get on well – and what mum would not be happy to see that??!
And finally – a heritage page that I also did a the crop night.
I do need to do the title still – “Opa & Oma” but I haven’t quite found the right font yet. The journalling will be a translation of the marriage details: names, dates, places of birth etc. But I’m feeling really pleased to get the first of the heritage pages started. I have my dad and aunt working on their mum and dad’s details; my other nana and grandad on the case of their stories and my MIL for hers. Phew – busy, busy!!
Me and my quirks
Ok – here’s a little catch-up. Firstly, *thanks* to Karen – revenge is indeed a dish served cold! 
She tagged me with this quirky little thing: to name 5 of the quirks that make me, me. I have probably got a whole lot more than this but we’ll deal with the ones that spring to mind. Actually I don’t have any, so there we are.
Ohhhhh, Ok, those that know me will never let me away with that, will they??!
- When I go to sleep, I have to begin lying on my left side, then at some point turn to my right. If I do it around the opposite way, I cannot fall asleep. Don’t ask!
Just accept! - I like to lick the flavour of potato crisps… especially the really zingy S&Vs (salt and vinegar to the uninitiated). I do my best to be discrete about this, but I’m sure it has been noted.
- Actually back to the sleep thing – if I go to bed too early, I end up being awake longer than normal….. probably because a bit of my brain is constantly telling me I should be asleep now………… and I’m not…….
- When eating marshmallow easter eggs, I like to split them in half first. Maybe to let the extra calories leak out first….
- I have an ordered approach to eating my meals…. 1st the least liked or appealing item (of a vegie nature) working my way around and upwards so the yummiest veg item is second to last. The last item – the meat. Always one thing at a time, always the meat last. Do not ask me to taste how good something else is, I need to finish one item at a time!
Looking at this list, I am a little afraid that it is sleep and food that spring to mind first. Is that another quirk do you think??
So, now who to tag next…………………… Keryn, Donna, Christi and Gillian.
You only need to tag 3 but, hey, I thought I’d help you out with adding to your blog, Donna
03.27.07
Disconnected from the world
It has been a scary 24 hours. I realise now that I am completely addicted to all things online. I would never have imagined that just a few months ago!!
DH has finally gotten on board the DSL train (we won’t mention things like “about time too” – ‘cos it’s only the line of work he is!!!!. Go figure!)
I think his decision to go broadband was based around getting a cool all singing, all dancing modem through work. It was so cool, we weren’t able to configure it properly and I could not get back on to the net. I was almost at the anxiety attack stage!!!
Anyway, as you can see – ‘cos I’ve managed to get back on here! – we’re back up and running again.
Hopefully this means I am able to update and load pics faster on here….. I think the desk has hollows from where I drum my fingers waiting for the wordpress pages to change!!
03.25.07
Thanks for the *Hugs*
A big thank you to all you lovely ladies out there – it’s nice to know that feeling a bit grey, blue or just plain overtired is a feeling that others know (probably know TOO well!) as much as I do. Your good vibes all came this way, and together with a couple of early nights, I am feeling a whole heap better today. Thank you.
Mr 5 is well pleased with this – his mother is not yelling at him at full volume today. At half volume, he is easily able to ignore that ringing tone in his ears that is “His Mother’s Voice”….. *sigh*
I must have been tired too – last night, I fell asleep on the couch while watching the Crusaders game. That has never happened before. Mainly to disallow any chance of DH hassling me about a poor performance from the boys. Happily for me, last night was not a poor performance and I can still keep that One Eye open.
On the creative front, I did the fifth class in the Colourtech course yesterday. I’ll share once I have the photo taken. I also completed a Circle Journal page for Susanne in Australia. This was on chocolate – and funny for me (as I really do love the stuff) it was quite hard to pull it together. In the end, I think I did OK. Tonight I hope to finish a page for the SE girls circle journal. I’m doing Christi’s challenge this round… so I don’t think I ought to be putting sneak peeks up. I will say though, that it was a challenge, but I’m hoping I got there – and Thanks Christi, I did enjoy it!
And while doing a quick catch up on the Blog rounds – I see Hannah has tagged me. A meme on what *Real Mums* do. Firstly, I’ll have to confess that although I get the *tag* business, I have absolutely no idea what a *meme* is. Anyone caring to enlighten me and probably a few others: feel free to do so by leaving a comment. :lol: In the meantime, I’m assuming that I do likewise with the tag – you’ll just have to watch this space because it involves taking a photo for it. That and I have to figure out who I can tag….
I also had a great catch up with a SIL in the US today. Their daughter is in the process of deciding on the college she will be attending. Sounds like she has some great choices. The one that sounds exciting at the moment is in Raleigh, Nth Carolina. The company DH works for has offices there, and it is always a potential possibility that gets considered from time to time (no-one reading this should get overly excited – you should note the *potential possibility* statement!). Would be kinda cool to have the place vetted thoroughly for us in advance though!
Oh, and while I am having a catch-up – I see on Ali Edwards’ site, she has managed to reach an amazing total of over $20,000 for Autism Speaks Inc. We are continually amazed at how many people we know that are affected by this disorder. It seems to be something that is more and more prevelent these days. Our family is unable to donate to this particular research fundraiser as you need to be a US resident to do so. However, if you are reading this, and are able to do so, we would encourage you to donate a small amount and help this fundraiser grow. Thanks in advance!
Oh – and one final thing before I sign off – or you fall asleep while reading! *Hope you did well in the Real Woman Duatholon event, Karen!!!*
Now I am off to check the lamb roast cooking in my new oven…………mmmmmmmmmm….Sunday Roast….
03.23.07
Made it to Friday
Ughhh. That’s the sound my brain is making at the moment. I don’t think it is capable of making much more than that.
I cannot believe how quickly this week has gone by – nor how unbelieveably tired I am. I am even turning down the opportunity to get together with some really fun and crafty ladies tonight because I think I need to get my head down on to my pillow – fast.
The change in time has affected the boys – they are up earlier than they need to be according to the clocks – and their mother. Yet their bodies are telling them it’s all perfectly normal to be awake and up. I am really hoping this changes very very soon!
I had a lunch time Tupperware party today – a little more stressful than I was anticipating but we got there in the end. I feel sorry for the rep – it was not the most lucrative parties she will have! However, I am left with some very tasty cake indeed. I’ll be happy with that.
I’ve just come from visiting Hannah’s blog - she sounds like she had simply the best day today. Just spending time hanging out with the kids. With my study and other commitments, I’m beginning to feel a little overwhelmed again. I have been careful to avoid the temptation of doing stuff ‘cos it’s fun and it seems like a good idea at the time. But I still have a tendency to jump into something ane let things work themselves out. So, the concept of simplifying my life is still one in progress – maybe not so *HAPPY* today. But a good thing to keep in mind is that I am more aware of needing to avoid my usual trick of overloading. I can still focus on my Word for the year and re-direct myself.
Mind you, I could just be too tired to be focused on anything to tell the truth. Kids are also very tired; Mr 3 is asking for Peanut Butter sandwiches for dinner. And you know, that sounds like a mighty fine idea! Quick and easy tonight, an early night and a weekend ahead. That can only be good! Ohhhhh ok, I might add a wee drink into that
03.20.07
Cupcakes and other things
Well, hopefully you will see the cupcakes that I made for Mr 3’s birthday party over the weekend. They went down a treat! I did two packets and it was just as well… the packets made the exact 12 each the packet said…. and I discovered at the party that I had miscounted by 2 bodies. My boys. Where did I get my brain from and can I get a refund???!!
Ok, and now for a little something interesting hopefully… I’m going to try and add a second photo in here…..
Ok – I did it – got the second photo in. It didn’t happen the way that was suggested to me, but I found a workaround. It only took 20 minutes!!! So, I’m not going to get really into it and put up all the pics I was intending to. Turns out I’m ony half as clever as I thought I was. That’s OK. I’ll work out the “proper” way soon hopefully!
What is really cute about this pic is that things all went quiet downstairs last week. I went down to check and this is what I found! Mr 3 had made himself a cubby house using his old baby playgym thing, a blanket and his pillow. Awwwww! I then had to wake him up to get his brother from school – we was NOT quite so cute for the rest of the afternoon. Mean mummy!!
Other news in brief – Mr 3 got his callup to afternoon kindy and sarted yesterday - loves it! Mr 5 lost the plot at the birthday party over a goody bag and was sent out to the car with his father while mother died of embarrassment! Daylight savings turnback happened almost unnoticed at teh weekend – how on EARTH I managed to miss every reminder I’ll NEVER know…. Mr’s 3 & 5 now wake at 5am. I’m soooooooooooooo NOT loving that!! 
I am knackered with all the excitement of the last two weeks and although my bathroom is nearly done, have realised I have so much more I need to turn my poor wee mushed up brain to. Will it happen? I seriously doubt it, but I am sure that somehow the week will find it’s way to Friday again.
03.17.07
There’s been a whole lot of scrappin’ going on!
I think I’ve managed to have the best week ever in terms of scrapping. I’ve managed to get not one, but TWO crop nights in PLUS the class I’m doing on Saturdays. I’m loving it! Drove the hubby round the twist – apparently me being out two nights this week meant he was unable to paint our bathroom………… “yes, Dear………… NOT!!!“ Men, Eh?!
Anyway, I have managed to complete a total of five, yes, FIVE layouts this week. Now that is going to be a record that remains unbeaten for some time. I will probably get around to posting them but as Flickr only seems to let you post one pic per post and I can only be bothered writing one post tonight, most will have to wait!
The one I am posting I got a lot of interesting feedback on when I finished at Friday night’s crop. I’m sure that most people spotting it thought I was round the twistseriously for scrapping my straightners, but when I explained the kind of album it was for, they all thought it was pretty cool. It was quite amazing to see that almost everyone at my table had never considered scrapping about themselves. Most particularly liked the kooky subject matter as they got that they could scrap about them without necessarily including a picture of themselves in the layout.
Although this subject might seem trivial, it is actually a little more meaningful to me. I don’t know why, but if I feel my hair is under control – at least to some degree – I feel more confident about the way I look and therefore present a more confident face to the world. If my hair is doing its own thing, I tend to feel way more self conscious than is proper. It all goes back to the fact I’m a pretty shy and insecure person. Make that a Reformed shy girl. I’m pretty sure most of my insecurities have been left back in my 20s, but for some reason, if my hair will not co-operate they do threaten a comeback. Now I am armed – resistence is futile!
So, anyways, how many of you out there are doing BOMs for yourselves. Don’t forget to tell some of your own stories – if you need any prompts, visit the forum at Scrapbook Essentials – there’s a bunch of ideas round there.
The other layouts I finished were some that I’ve had going round my head for a while: a heritage one with DH’s Oma and Opa, a very guilty little fellow caught stealing christmas treats a couple of years ago, one of Mr’s 5 and 3 being very cute together and then there was my class one today.
The rest of the week has gone by in a blur – my new lino is down and I’m loving it! My new stove is in and installed – and has been used! I came home today after the colour class to find out we had been invited to a Pot-luck St Pats dinner at friends up the road. So the very first thing cooked in the new oven was a peach sponge – with a layer of dark chocolate melts under the sponge. It was heavenly! My new fridge is also in – and semi filled. Need to get groceries. It all has me inspired to go and cook fantastic gourmet treats for me and the family. We’ll be seeing how long that urge lasts!
Oh – and I also got the cupcakes made – and they look great! Promise to share the pics in the next day or two.
The party is tomorrow and I’m sure prior to that hubby will have me on babysitting duties while he finishes painting the bathroom (yes, you just heard the sound of a whip being cracked!) and I must get some study in. So, catch you all next post and I hope you all have a great weekend!
03.16.07
The updates on our house are beginning to show!
Oh it’s been so exciting – if very tiring the last few days…. We’ve been renovating our bathroom and getting all that updated. One of the things taht we had to do as part of that is relay some vinyl. We had a lot of fun looking at different types of coverings and in the end we chose a whte, timber look.
Seeing as they needed to come in and do this, we decided that rather than continuing to think about how much we disliked the existing black and white squares in the kitchen, not to mention the carpet in the dining room, it was about time we sorted those rooms out too. So we chose a natural timber vinyl for in there. I am SO pleased with it – they came in this morning and have laid both rooms by just after lunch.
As well as all this excitement, we decided to replace our not very safe oven and our leaky fridge (fridges don’t like being moved from one side of the planet to the other very much!). Because the vinyl was being laid today, I’d arranged delivery of the new appliance for tomorrow. The Kitchen looks so weird without those items in there!!
We had to take them out last night so that the vinyl layers could do the job properly. So, we are without a fridge and a stove for 2 nights. Today is Mr 3’s birthday. Guess who isn’t getting a homemade birthday cake for tea tonight! I feel pretty stink about that, BUT we are having his party on Sunday and I AM making little Thomas cupcakes for him then. In fact, I think they will be christening the new oven!
But what to do for tea tonight? It’s amazing when your stove is taken away from you, you suddenly realise how much you use it….even my jug is plugged on on the side and i had to find a new plug for that!
You know, we are doing a pretty simple update and change to our home. It looks like a warzone at the moment (and some days it might even sound like one as “design decisions” are being decided upon….). I’m not sure our marriage would survive a full on house renovation. But once this is done, there are a few more decorating jobs I think hubby needs to finish. Then there is the maintenence outside….. Poor Boy!
03.13.07
CJ Sneak Peek
It’s OK – I checked with Hannah before loading this up. I so wish I knew how to operate my very basic Sony Cybershot better – yes it is a close up but I didn’t think it would be quite so blurry. Or maybe that was the effect I was going for!
Pages were for “Advice to a Younger Me” … You might have to wait a little longer to see what advice I had….. and whether I’ve taken any of it!
It’s raining, it’s pouring
*Sigh* According to Augie Auer on National Radio yesterday, today could signal the end of summer. Apparently there’s a really cold blast about to hit and it’s probably the end of the golden weather. I really love summer – and I was feeling like there wasn’t enough of it this year thanks to the late start. However, even I have to admit that the run of gorgeous, sunny, warm weather we have had the last few weeks has been lovely. Short maybe, but definitely sweet.
So, today it is raining. Thank goodness I brought my washing in off the line last night. On busy days, it can often get left overnight 
However while it looks and sounds like wild weather – the wind whistling, the rain against the windows, it’s actually still quite warm. ……………..Maybe, just maybe, Autumn will hold off for another few days….
The only annoying thing is: Tuesdays are one of our busy days. Instead of enjoying from the inside, I will be out often enough I doubt the time spent with my hairdryer will make a jot of difference. So I guess regardless of what the weather reporters say, I should just find my coat, and put up with the fact I will be looking like something the cat dragged in today. My hair HATES Wellington (actually, it’s me it hates but that’s a WHOLE other story!) – too much wind, the smell of rain – it’s enough for it to just forget what any hairbrush or hairdryer tried to tell it in the morning.
So, if you see me around today – don’t be too frightened, OK? It is me, I did attempt to tame the bush, but …..
