Ponderings of a Princess ....

Run Like A Mother ...

2012-01-23T11:32:00.000+11:00

How cool is that book title? I'm hunting the book down at the moment, in the hope that it might give me some support in making my new venture stick past my first few forays. Yep, I'm taking up running. Well, to be honest, I don't know that you could call what I did last night "running" ... it was more an energetic walk, with spurts of jogging as the voice in my head told me to "start running now". My beautiful friend Tracey has recently started to do the C25K program. I've always secretly wanted to run .... something about the idea of just me, and the road, and my thoughts, seems appealing. But when you are unfit, and overweight, how do you get to that? Yeah, I didn't know either - and it was easier to just sit at home and dream about it, but not actually do anything to get me there. Procrastinator, anyone?Last night, I decided it was time to do something about it. Rather than wait until the weather was good, or the stars were in alignment, or we could afford to join a gym, I pulled out the joggers. I searched for some pants - and found them, thanks to my husband's suggestion (how is it he knows so much about my wardrobe? scary!) And I left the house, iphone in hand, and went for a walk/ jog. How did it go? Much better than I expected, actually! The first session on the C25K app program gets you to walk for a 5 minute warmup, then alternate 60 seconds running with 90 seconds walking for 20 minutes, followed by a 5 minute cooldown walk. I felt better in the running phase than I expected - I really liked it, truth be told, even though I couldn't breathe particularly well. I also didn't manage to run for a full 60 seconds at a time, which was a bit of a disappointment, but I'm going to go again tonight, and try and push it a bit more. I'm hoping that before I move on the second day of the program (it gives your 3 days per week of training) I'll be able to do the first one properly!After I got home, looking like I don't know what, I felt exhausted. Sore. Tired. Beetroot red. But, I also felt really good. It reminded me of when I used to do karate, and how satisfying it felt after a good training session. And also, how good it felt to do something for me. So I'm on a mission to make this a habit. It's certainly better than some of my other ones!! I'll keep you posted about how I go. The scary thing? I was searching on ebay last night for a bike. I secretly harbour the dream to do a triathalon. Yeah, I laugh at me too .... but I'm still keeping an eye out for a bike, for me and for Kelsey, who wants to go exercising with mum!! Till next time .... take care of you!Love Tamara

Inconsistently yours ...

2012-01-15T13:18:00.000+11:00

Yep, it's been ages again. Are you surprised? Me either. I logged in today to discover that there were about half a dozen posts I'd started over the past year, but didn't get around to finishing them - so I deleted them. Moving on.So, it's 2012!! Did you have a great Christmas? I did - so relaxed. Christmas eve was spent with some wonderful friends who have become very important to us. Christmas day we went to Mum's place, with all our family around, and it was very laid back - just the way I like it. Boxing day Dennis and I spent at home by ourselves, as the kids visited family (woo hoo!!) And then we started packing. Our usual 2 weeks at Colo over new years seemed even better this year ... partly because I had Dennis there pretty much the whole time, and partly because we decided to just take advantage of the time to relax, and take the opportunity to spend with our wonderful kids. Plus, as always, there are friends and family there - with some new friends this year!! Some highlights for mw .... jet-skiing, which we all loved. Kayaking, which Tayla took to like some kind of waterbird to, well, water. Some of the best books I've read in a long time (partly because I haven't had a chance to read ANYTHING in a long time!) And the realisation that, yes, all the hard work I've done on myself in the past year or so has paid off. I'm happy in my skin, and I'm happy in my head. I think taking this time out gave me the chance to reflect on it, which I haven't had time to do over the past very hectic 12 months. This time last year I was in the middle of some serious work with my psychologist. It was tough. I didn't want to go back for another appointment, but I knew I had to, or I'd just be living in the same kind of trauma I had been for years - coping, but kidding myself that everything was ok. So I went back, again and again, until it DID get easier. I'm so proud of what I've accomplished, both for myself, and for my family. We rock, collectively, and I adore who we are, and I don't think that would be so easy for me to say without the work I've done, and in some ways am still doing, on myself, and how I feel about who I am.So, that's how I'm starting this year. No resolutions, because they don't often stick.... just some reflections, and lots of gratitude. How about you? What are you doing to kick off this new year?A couple of pictures to finish off - the first, my beautiful family, as we got ready to take Kelsey to her year 6 farewell. Yes, she's heading off to high school this year. No, I'm not nearly ready for that!!

How grown up does she look? And no-one is allowed to mention how tall Kieran is either - sheesh. Who told these kids they were allowed to get so tall on me? The last picture I'll leave you with broke my heart. It was a quick snap of my gorgeous girl, who looked at in the camera screen and said "Wow, I'm pretty", with a tone of total shock in her voice. Yes, yes you are my princess ... but you are SOOOO much more than that.

Every time I look at this pic now (which is often!!) I get a little tear - how can she not know she's beautiful? I keep reminding her now - but also, that she's soooo much more than just a gorgeous exterior! She's sweet, and generous, and quirky, and dedicated .... one of the most amazing people I know, and I'm so proud to call her mine. No promises about what may or may not appear on here in the coming weeks or months - I might post some of the scrapping the girls and I have done in the next couple of weeks. I might not post until next January again!! We'll see. Take care of you and yours!!Love,Tamara

New addictions ...

2011-02-26T22:21:00.003+11:00

Twitter. Yammer. Polyvore. Ecaudor Dark Chocolate Magnums. Yep, it's been a great couple of weeks!!

My confidence ... by princess-tamara on Polyvore.com

Not a lot of scrapping going on, but I'm becoming rapidly addicted to the creative possibilities of Polyvore .... and I'm seriously developing a shoe fetish!!

In other news ... work, work, work. Loving it, but it's taking up a lot of time, which means that some things are having to go! Thankfully, the things that are giving way are non-essentials - you know, housework. That kind of thing.

Oh, and if you have been stalking this blog waiting (IM)patiently for an update since my last post, I'm terribly sorry .... I'm not a good blogger, am I? lol

I have been doing some scrapping over the past month or so - mostly at the Scrapgirls mother daughter retreat, which was a blast. My gorgeous girls and I had a ball, and they both won prizes, the clever little things! Also had a wonderful day scrapping with Shelee and AT .... belated thanks for a lovely day, ladies!

K, I'm off to wrap birthday presents - Bella's third birthday party tomorrow, with a special guest appearance from Dora the Explorer - pop back soon, I may surprise you with another post, and some photos!!

Love ya,
Tamara

Our post-testosterone haze

2010-08-15T10:43:00.002+10:00

So, a few weeks ago, slug boy, aka Kieran, turned 16. And for quite a while now, he'd been pestering us about his birthday party. Making plans. Reminding me ad nauseum that twiggy sticks were essential. Increasing the amount of guests (aka other slug boys) that he wanted to stay over. And last night, the x-box extravaganza took place. Slugs started slithering from their parental vehicles at about 4, and by 6, the house was over-run with testosterone. I was reminded why I'm glad that I teach at a co-ed school - 10 of them was bad enough, but a whole class of them??? Ugggh.

The big tv from the lounge room was moved to the back room, so they could system link the two tvs and xboxs and battle each other. Dennis was stuck with a little 34cm tv in the lounge room - it looks rediculous in our big unit! lol They were all glued to the tvs until dinner, aka plates full of meat and potatoes, was served, at which point they awoke from their previously catatonic state and went outside to eat. Then promptly started stick fighting with stumps, cricket bats and broom sticks. Note to self - next time, get parental units to sign an indemnity form.

Luckily, they all survived, then went back to the xboxes, after a quick detour for mud cake topped with proffiteroles with pretty sparkly candles. The girls and I headed out for a night at the movies - if you haven't been to half pipe, the bean bag cinema, you really need to try it! At Hoyts Mt Druitt - not sure if they have them in other places as well, and it was fun. Tayla, of course, had to practise somersaulting from one to the next - luckily the cinema wasn't very full! lol

I got home fully expecting to see the boys all still glued to the screens. You can imagine my surprise when I discovered them old school gaming. With dice, and a board. Yep, all crowded in the lounge room playing board games. I was shocked. Apparently they were lured from the back of the house by Angelina Jolie on the tv (entirely understandable!!!) and then felt the need to play a WW2 recreation game. Yep, Kieran's friends are obviously as big military nuts as he is .... sigh.

Dennis and I went to bed at about 1am, and awoke this morning to discover that 3 of the slug boys had not slept at all ... they gamed through the night. 2 of those have already gone home - they just couldn't cope, I guess, and were probably asleep before their cars hit the end of the street. I spent an hour this morning cooking bacon and hash browns, and they are shooting at each other again. Not sure what time they are all leaving, but I hope it's soon - I need a nanna nap!

So, the toll for the evening?
1.5 kg twiggy sticks
2 kg sausages
2 kg chicken kebabs
2 kg potato bake
2 kg popcorn chicken
10 bags of lollies and chips
5 boxes of softdrink (they were attempting to build an empty can pyramid - the crash at 3am indicated they were not too successful at that venture)
2 kg bacon
2 bags hash browns

Luckily, they didn't want to appear too greedy, so not many of them touched the salad I'd so carefully prepared. Apparently, whilst green is great on camoflauge gear, it's not so popular on your dinner plate. Who knew??

Whilst I complained on facebook during the night about the crashes, smells and other assorted noises in my house, I will say this .... we've done a good job with this boy. Whilst I was out shopping for his party food yesterday, he was tidying the house. At random moments throughout the night and morning, he's come up to me to give me a hug and say thanks, and that he loves me. His friends are polite, responsible, and a really great group of people, and it's been no trouble at all having them here. (I can say that because I'm fairly certain that none of them read my blog - wouldn't say it to their faces though, they might keep coming back!! lol) So, while I sit here inhaling my 2nd coffee for the morning, and listen to them abusing each other ("stop shooting me!!!!!"), I'm reminded how blessed I am. It's been a rough few years with this boy, but even at our worst, I know that it could have been way more horrendous, and I know that, compared to what others have faced, and are facing with their teens, we've got it easy. In fact, compared to what we went through first time round, this is a cake walk. I'm proud of the young man he's turning into, and I'm proud of how we as a couple, and as a family, are dealing with it. Go us!!

Was planning on adding some photos, but can't find the card reader - I suspect it's in Kieran's room, and I'm wary of venturing out there at the moment. Contemplating having a shower, then another coffee, perhaps followed by some rollerskating this afternoon? Not sure if my body is up to it, but it could be fun!

Take care everyone - have a great sunday!

A long time between drinks.

2010-08-04T21:08:00.003+10:00

Almost a year, in fact, since I posted on here. And what a year it's been. I've been going through a lot .... WE'VE been going through a lot. As a couple, as parents, as an extended family, it's been emotional, and exhausting, and scary, and amazing .... it's been full of a lot, and I can't begin to find the words to express it all here. I will say this though .... I'm so very grateful that I have so many wonderful people around me. I'm so very grateful for the man I get to call mine every day. I'm so very grateful for these children who I probably don't deserve, but who still call me mum anyway, and who love me in spite of all my hangups about myself. I'm so very grateful for these crazy beautiful wonderful women that I call my friends. And I'm so grateful for the gift of a wonderful woman who I don't know very well, but who has been an enormous help to me, and is still helping me work through all this baggage that I've been hanging on to for such a very long time.

So, I'm blogging again .... for no other reason that, as part of some much needed therapy, I've started writing. And I forgot how much I missed it. And, I've been reading some blogs, and I've been moved. Inspired by the lives of some wonderful women who are struggling with the ordinariness of womanhood. Enchanted by the strength that they have shown in embracing that ordinariness, and celebrating the amazing worth that is them. So I decided it was time to get back to blogging. I've spent the past hour or so reading over my old posts, with tears streaming down my face, as I relived some wonderful moments. As I remembered the pain of loss, and the stinging tears that accompanied my last meal of eggs and soldiers. I'm so glad this blog lurks here, holding these reflections for me, and I don't want to forget them.

There has been a lot going on over the past few months, and I'm still really overwhelmed with it all. Lots of elephants, big and small, lurking in the corners of my livingroom. What are the elephants? They're my baggage, both spoken and unspoken, and I've spent a lot of time ignoring a lot of them, but it's been getting harder and harder lately, and to be honest, I don't think that's a bad thing. I mentioned blogs I've been reading .... the most powerful, and the most profound for me, is Tracey Clark's collection of reflections on Enoughness .... I Am Enough. Such beautiful women. Such real stories. And each time I read one, I'm struck by how similar in so many ways they are, or were, to me. I'm really sick, in this elephant-ridden room, of feeling like I'm not enough, so I'm taking hold of the promise of me, and giving myself a break. My dead people would be pissed at me for giving myself such a hard time. I'm pissed at myself for giving myself such a hard time. And if I know nothing else about that awesome man I call a husband, I know that HE'S pissed at me for giving myself such a hard time! So I'm trying to be nicer to this girl who is me, and I'm hoping that she gets better at accepting that. Am I Enough? Right now I'm not 100% believing of that, but I'm getting closer!

Wow, that's a deep one for my return to the blogosphere huh? I guess I'll be around more often, as I get back into the swing of this writing thing .... I'd forgotten how much it helps me clarify my thoughts when I purge those thoughts from my crowded head. Even if no-one is still reading this, I will be .... so thanks for reading, me, and I'll talk to you again soon!

A life well lived, but not long enough.

2009-08-23T20:07:00.003+10:00

Shelley. What do you say about such a wonderful person? She had such an enormous impact upon the world around her, as evidenced by the massive amount of people who couldn't fit in the chapel for the funeral, by the facebook, email, sms and personal words of sorrow, and by the uncontrolled tears that have flowed in the past week.

Tuesday .... I was on my way to work. Running late, as usual. I was going across the bridge over the M4 on Mamre Rd. The phone rang, and I almost didn't answer it ... I was driving, so I usually just let it go to message bank, but something made me check who it was. As soon as I saw my sister's name, my heart sank. She told me that Shelley had been unresponsive that morning, and they'd had to call the MET team. A quick change of plans, and a call to work ... before I knew it, I was at the hospital. It was way too familiar an experience. My mum was already there, talking to our cousin, who runs the Oncology ward there. Shelley was conscious, but really struggling. She was in an out all day ... awake, but not really lucid. Obviously very distressed, and in a lot of pain. One of her sisters was there too, another was on her way, and the third was getting ready to drive from Bourke. It was a long emotional day. Shelley's sons were there, looking as shell-shocked as I've ever seen them. My sister was holding it all together. Some special friends gathered, and were just legends. A bit after 7pm tuesday night, everyone else left the room. Shelley and Lorraine were in the room by themselves, with a nurse. And Shelley left this world the way she wanted to - with no fuss, quickly, and with the love of her life by her side.

I rang Dennis straight away, and Kieran could tell without being told what had happened. I stayed with Lorraine until after midnight ... a trip back to her place to put Bella-Rai to bed, have drink, then head back to the hospital to wait for Shelley's other sister, who was still travelling from Bourke. We didn't want to tell her over the phone, and we really wanted to be there when she found out. After spending a bit of time with Shelley, and seeing her so peaceful, it was time to leave. It was hard for Lorraine to walk out that door, and I can't even imagine what it must have been like for her.

Wednesday morning, we had to tell the girls. They lost it, understandably. Tayla said "why does this keep happening to us?" How do you answer that? I have no idea .... it's too hard for me to get my head around, so how do I expect a 6 year old to? They've been coping as ok as can be expected. We had the funeral on Friday, just like Shelley wanted. I spent Thursday night organising and editing photos of Shelley for the slideshow. It was so hard - to see that beautiful smile, the funny faces, and all the wonderful memories, and know that we weren't going to have any more of these. Even harder was getting ready to head off to the funeral. What a beautiful service though. Lots of pink - the guys in our family were wearing pink ties, we were all wearing rainbow ribbon pins, as well as pink ribbons in honour of all those fighting breast cancer. A beautiful photo, along with some special keepsakes sitting on top of the coffin. Shelley's biker bear and stuffed motorbike. Some beautiful words by one of the kids from the Cottage, the OOSH centre Lorraine runs, and that Shelley used to work at before she got too sick. Wonderful memories. Some VERY Shelley music. And a beautiful Bella-Rai, dancing in the aisle, wandering around and saying hello to everyone she loved.

Afterwards, we all went back to the Cottage for a celebration of a wonderful life. Kelsey and Tayla said that we had to have fairy bread - Aunty Shelley almost wouldn't come to one of Tay's birthday parties one year, because we weren't having fairy bread, so we had to make some so she would come. I think it was the kind of gathering she would have loved to be at ... all her favourite people. After that, we went to Lorraine's place for dinner and drinks - there was a huge amount of food left from the wake, and I think there still is, two days later!

How are we all doing? Good question ... and one I'm not nearly capable of answering clearly. I feel like a part of my broken heart is missing. The girls are slightly shell-shocked still. Kieran is wandering around looking a little lost. Bella doesn't know what's going on - it hasn't hit her yet that her Mumma isn't around, and it will take a bit of time for that reality to hit her, the poor little munchkin. Everyone else is missing that dry sense of humour, and that total honesty. Lorraine ... I don't know. She's missing the love of her life. I think she's feeling totally lonely ... surrounded by so many people who love her, she wants the only one she can't have any more. My already broken heart is breaking even more for her.

So, I guess this post, as sombre as it is, is a celebration of a life who has made mine so much richer for it's influence. I love her so much, my life is both fuller and emptier because of her. There aren't many people in your life who can leave such an indelible mark after 8 short years. Shelley .... always in my heart. Love you forever. There aren't many people I would choose to be bald for. You made us all better people, and more importantly, made my sister happy. We are going to be there for the family you have left behind, and make your legacy live on in the lessons you have taught us. What an honour, and a privilege. You really were the wild one, and we loved you for it.

Oh my gosh, the pressure!!!!!

2009-08-02T22:05:00.003+10:00

From work, home, kids, Mandy .... I tell you .... it's everywhere!! lol

The past couple of weeks have been a nightmare, work-wise. Lots and lots of stuff to do. We've had program review on, so all our programs have to be handed in - and since we've overhauled what we are teaching, and there are new texts this year for the HSC, we've had a massive amount to do. Thankfully friday was D-day - almost all of them are done, and handed in. Just one more Richard 3 one sitting open on my laptop as I type, waiting for the finishing touches.

ALmost no scrapping done over the past few weeks, as I've been too busy with school stuff, and dashing backwards and forwards to the hospital to spend some time with Shelley. We had a fab day today with Bella, my little niece, coming over to play ... thank goodness I hadn't vacuumed before she came, as she thought it was hysterical to use the chip bowl as a hat. It was rather cute - only problem was it still had chip crumbs in it!!

I did get to scrap this last night though - for Chooks Idol comp, which I'm loving. It was also chosen as layout of the day over there ... made me happy in my heart!! The challenge was to use fabric and flowers, and a mixed alpha title. Oh yeah ... it needed to be monochromatic!! Can you figure out what colour I decided to go with?? lol

This other one, very UN-monochromatic, was for a CC challenge a couple of weeks ago. And, I just realised that these pics of Tayla must have been taken around the same time - she's wearing the same shirt. Not that that is a big surprise though - she LOVED it, and would wear it every day if I let her. We used to have to hide it if it needed to be washed.

I'm going on LSBS retreat next weekend ... I can't wait!! So, Mandy, if you give me a bit of time to get home from that, and I'll have another update for you, I promise! Maybe even a Shabby layout, if you are lucky.

Ok, off to finish grappling with Richard and Pacino. Night all!

A shabby holiday!

2009-07-20T17:17:00.008+10:00

Well, one week is down in my holidays. One more to go. What have I done? A lot of nothing. Some housework ... only some, mind you. Major renovation in Tayla's room - we pulled down her gorgeous castle loft bunk, and put her very pretty girly bed back in there. She's over the castle bed, which makes me a bit sad, but we've certainly gotten our money's worth out of it ... so look out for a pre-loved castle loft bunk coming to an auction site near you! lol

I've done some bits and pieces of school work - still have a massive amount to do though. Sigh.

I've been to the movies a few times - we all took the girls to see Hannah Montana, which was REALLY good. We even went and brought the soundtrack for it the next day. Seriously, I enjoyed it heaps ... so did Dennis. Oh yeah, the girls liked it too. lol I took Kieran to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince ... yeah, I liked it. It was good. I laughed a lot. I was sad at the end. But part of my sadness wasn't just for the death ... it was for the parts of the book that I had been looking forward to seeing on screen, that didn't make the final cut. Sigh .... I guess we'll just have to wait until November 2010 and July 2011 to see how the final films resolve all that, given that there was some stuff in HBP that I thought was fairly important background info for what happens in Deathly Hallows. Yes, I know, I'm a book snob. So sue me. lol My sister and I, after much running around the countryside to make a session that wasn't sold out, went to see My Life in Ruins, which was funny, light hearted, and just what we needed!!

Scrapping ... yep, done a bit. Not a lot, mind you ... but I've brought pretty new things, does that count?
This is my layout for the big band round of Chook Scraps Idol - the criteria was to scrap a double layout, with at least 8 pics, 3 pp and some metal. These are pics from my Nan and Pa's home town, taken on the day we went and put Pa's ashes in the memorial wall.

And this is my only-just-making-it-in-by-the-skin-of-my-teeth entry in the first challenge at Let's Get Shabby. We had to be inspired by this picture:

And I was very inspired!! I've gone with a pink, cream and green colour scheme from the pic, and chosen a picture of a beautiful girl wearing a hat. I've also placed text at the top and the bottom, ala the picture, and used some paint, stitchy and ribbony elements to shabby it up. I've also concertinad some layers of the flowers to mimic the fans in the pic - but you can't see that very well!

And the other thing that's got me just a little sad at the moment ... my boy has gone on a cadets camp. Yep, done that heaps before, and normally I'm cheering at a few days break from the testosterone-fueled drama that surrounds a 14year old. But this week, he becomes a 15year old. While he is at camp. And I won't see him on his birthday. I know, it happens right? But this is the first time I won't be seeing one of my kids on their birthday, and I'm a little sad about it. I'm sure we'll both cope though, and before you know it he'll be home and we'll be fighting all over again. Nice!

K, that's it for me - I'd better go and cook something for dinner. I've been all Masterchef inspired lately - last night was lamb shanks on a bed of mashed baby and sweet potatoes with steamed veges. Tonight, meatloaf. Dennis is loving not having to cook so much. I don't know how long it will last, though, so he'd better make the most of it!! lol

One week to go!

2009-07-04T10:49:00.005+10:00

It's almost school holidays here in NSW. I can't wait - catching up with some wonderful friends, scrapping, and sleeping in. Plus, some time with my kids. I know I'm going to have a heap of stuff for work, but at least I can do it at home ... unless of course I end up spending time at FarmTown! Seriously, could that game be more addictive? lol

I've had this layout sitting on my desk for almost 2 weeks. It's my layout for the next round of Chookscraps Idol. I love it, but I just can't figure out what else it needs - it doesn't look finished to me!! Anyway, I used one of my new glimmermists from Tattered Angels on it ... on the chipboard, more specifically. I think I'm going to be using my old chipboard more often! It's quick, it looks fab when the glimmermist soaks into the chipboard, and I just love it!

So what else has been going on? Sick kids - Tayla was home for three days this week, Kelsey 2. Lots and lots of work to do, to get ready for a program review at the beginning of next term. Cadets stuff with Kieran left right and centre. Tayla has a gymnastics competition on tomorrow, so thank goodness she is feeling better - I don't know what we'd have done if she couldn't go, she'd be unconsolable! That's about it really. The usual.

I've got a massive amount of housework to get done today, so I can feel not so guilty about scrapping tonight, so I should go. Take care!

To get Mandy off my back ...

2009-06-25T22:57:00.005+10:00

it's time for an update. It's going to be a quick one!

What's been going on lately?

P!nk concert ... omg. omg. O M G. It was amazing. Awesome. Loved it loved it loved it!!

Work. Busy .... total understatement!! Parent teacher interviews. Subject information session, which was awesome, but full on. Reports, which had to be completely redone ... argggh. Oh yes, and I've been teaching sometimes too ... what a novel idea!

Sad news. We're getting our heads around it, but those of you who know what's going on will know the depth of my sorrow right now.
Kids stuff ... Kieran has cadets stuff left right and centre, Kelsey has Karate grading coming up soon, and Tayla has her state trial gymnastic competition in a couple of weeks, so has been having extra classes, and loving them to bits.
Scrapping ... I've been doing not a huge amount, but really enjoying the freedom of it! The journal-it challenges are great, and no pressure at all. I've been doing an Idol comp at Chook Scraps which is fun.

Is that better Mandy? In your honour, you lovable nag, here's a layout ... from the last round of Idol, and looking decidedly shabby. Speaking of which - check out my new pic in the sidebar over there, which you can click on to go straight to the new Let's Get Shabby blog, which has it's first fab challenge up!! (You can click on the pic, as always, if you want to read the journalling.)

K, I'm off to bed .... have fun people!!

Loving a lazy long weekend!

2009-06-07T13:46:00.006+10:00

Sigh ... bliss. Friday night scrapping with the totally awesome Nic. Saturday catching up with my sis and mum for a d&m, then home for housework duty (I'm pretending to be a mature and responsible adult .... LOL) Saturday night, a couple of friends came over for dinner - Dennis knows Bruce through work, and I've met him a few times, but his wife only once before. It was really lovely to catch up with them, and share a great meal and a few nice drinks (I have a new fave sparkly wine!!) Today, we slept in. I'm still in my pj's. The kids are playing Wii. I'm wasting time on facebook. I'm scrapping tonight, and planning the same kind of day for tomorrow as I have had today. Totally awesome!!

It hasn't been all great - my SIL Shelley is in hospital, with an enlarged liver. She's not been well for a week or so, since her chemo and radiation treatments ended, so we're glad she's getting some help now .... fingers crossed.

Oh, some super-exciting news!!! The beautiful Mandy and and wonderful Julie, along with some over super-awesome scrappers, have set up a new challenge blog. It's Let's Get Shabby, and I so can't wait until the first challenge is posted. Check it out!! I'm also loving the new Kiddilit challenge blog that's been going for a few months now ... planning on scrapping a layout for the Wild Thing challenge tonight!

K, here are a couple of layouts I've done recently ...

I can't believe he's 15 next month. SOOOO in denial here. It's just wrong.

My final challenge for ScrapTherapy - each of the DT members picked a challenge element that we thought best fit our style, then created a sample layout encompassing all of these elements. This was mine - and I'm really happy with it!!

This one is for Round 7 of the Idol comp at Chook Scraps ... the challenge was to do a layout using black, white and touches of one other colour, masking and dimension. My new Tim Holtz clock mask and glimmermist arrived the day before this challenge was due, so I had fun playing with them ... I think this layout needs something else, but I'm not quite sure what, so I'm leaving it for the moment. I've been scrapping so many pics of myself since I had my hair cut!

What a tom-boy ... she is so girly, but so rough and tumble at the same time!! Love this paper range, I wish I had more of it left.

And finally, this fortnight's layout for Journal-It!! - the theme is to scrap an affirmation. Pop on over and check it out if you haven't seen it yet - no pressure, no prizes, just some great inspiration to create some layouts with journalling that is meaningful for you!

K, off to play more facebook games... thanks for stopping by!!

May 30th .... one of those days.

2009-05-31T09:54:00.005+10:00

Have you ever had one of those days that was incredibly sad but at the same time truly wonderful? Yesterday was one of those days for me. It was a year since Pa passed away. The reality of that hit me like a ton of bricks. ONE WHOLE YEAR. 12 months. 365 days. However many minutes they sing about in Rent. Lots and lots of time. So why does it seem like only yesterday? Mum's taxi was in full swing yesterday, with Tay's gymnastics class, and Kieran needing to be at Blacktown to march in the Festival parade, and both these events happening at the same time. So for the first half of the day, I didn't have time to think much about it. But after lunch, I sat down, and contemplated the past year. It's been full of good and bad. Lots of tears shed. Lots of breathless gasping nights where sleep only came through sheer exhaustion. But also, lots of moments of laughter through the tears.... moments where we reflected on a life well lived. Moments where we remembered joys shared over a bad joke, a silly trick, or a special hug. Lots of moments, good and bad.

What occured to me yesterday was that 12 months ago, I couldn't imagine ever smiling again. I couldn't imagine NOT thinking about how many pieces my heart was in. But there have been whole hours, sometimes even a full day, where I haven't thought about Pa. That just seems a bit wrong, doesn't it? People are supposed to say, at times like this, that "I've thought about you every day", "you are forever in my heart". I was feeling a bit guilty about that .... but I shouldn't, right? This is what is supposed to happen. You are supposed to feel better. It doesn't mean I miss him any less ... in fact, if it's possible, since Nan died I miss him more. So, I'm celebrating my dead people today, and am very grateful for their lasting impact on my life.

Some good news!!

2009-05-16T08:39:00.003+10:00

I completely forgot to announce this, in my sorrow about another family funeral, leaving Therapy DT, and all the other not-so-exciting news going on! A few weeks ago Beth asked me if I'd like to be involved in a blog she is running, focused on journalling, which is really close oto my heart. Journal-It is not a typical challenge blog - it's not about winning prizes, it's more about inspiring you to create something with some meaningful journalling. This fortnight's prompt is about Your Favourite Phrase.

"Suck it up, princess!" has become a bit of a favourite around here - firstly to the girls, but it's also been adopted by my softball team when trying to get me to run an extra base ... sigh.

I went out to dinner last night at a tepanyaki bar with some friends for a hen's nihgt, and had such a great time!! Good food, good company, good coffee and drinks afterwards, and lots of laughs. Plus, I looked pretty hot, if I do say so myself - I got a new haircut yesterday, and I'm loving it sick! I didn't get a photo, though, so hopefully Gill has one that doesn't have me with food all over my face ... I was the only one in our group to drop the rice when it was thrown at me! lol

K, off to do some housework - nothing has been done around here for a while, because we've had heaps of sick people. Not me, touch wood, but I'm expecting it to hit me soon! Take care, and give the people you love a big hug!!

Eggy tears.

2009-05-12T22:17:00.003+10:00

How is it possible that something as simple as eggs and soldiers can bring you to tears? Well, this is a mighty powerful meal. Tonight, after a full-on day at work, physi for the girls this afternoon, and karate for Kels and I, I popped in to see my sis and her partner. Shelley's uncle died this morning. It's sad, but at the same time everyone is kind of at peace with it. He's had a rough struggle with health issues and dementia. We are all so sick of funerals though, and while we were talking, we counted up the amount of deaths that have affected our family or close friends in the past year. It's almost 12 months since Pa died, and there have been 7 more deaths since then. So, it was with that in mind that I came home. Got Kelsey some dinner. Carried poor little sick Tayla in to bed. Wandered aimlessly around the kitchen till I found something for dinner. Sat down to some boiled eggs and toast. And proceeded to bawl my eyes out.
Pa used to do this thing ... every time I had boiled eggs, he'd sit there, very patiently waiting until I finished. Then, he'd distract me. "Look, what's that?" Very subtle, he was. I'd turn around, knowing exactly what he was doing, but secretly delighted all the same. He'd turn the empty egg-shell over, and then when I turned back round, tell me to finish my breakfast. He'd sit there trying to contain the big goofy grin on his face, while I broke the empty eggshell. Then he'd laugh and laugh, and brag that he got me again. And I'd laugh too, partly because I wanted to humour him, but partly because I just loved this. I loved his reliability. I loved that he would continue to do something over and over again if he thought it would bring a smile to my face.

Love you Pa. Miss you every day.

Scrappy news ... happy and sad.

2009-05-09T18:00:00.004+10:00

Hi all! Especially Mandy, who has been pestering me to update ... are you happy hon? lol
So, what have I been up to? LOTS!! School holidays ended with a totally full-on, but totally awesome, weekend. Saturday, Anzac day, saw us in the city. We went Jet Boating on the harbour - very fast, very sharp sudden stops, very VERY wet, and most of all, lots of fun! Kelsey almost cut off the circulation in my hand, and went VERY white, but she couldn't stop talking about it when we got off - total thrill seeker, that girl. Of course, well prepared mother that I am, had dry clothes for the kids, but for me? Nada. Thank goodness for the modicum of protection provided by the purple monk robes we wore, otherwise I may have been even more drenched than I was! We went in and back from the city on the Rivercat, which is well worth the trip, let me tell you! Lovely views, unhurried pace, a nice and relaxing way to get to Circular Quay. I'm going that way more often!
Sunday meant it was time for our house to be taken over by 9year old girls. Kelsey wanted a scrapping birthday party, and it was 4 hours of girly mayhem. Lots of fun though, both for the girls and for me. The made a wonderful little mini album each, painted a gift bag, played a few games, and made mini-pizzas for lunch. Kelsey has such lovely friends!!

After a very busy week back at work, during which I was acting head teacher (sheesh - full on!!!) I got to friday again. I had a yr12 excursion planned, to take my class to see a performance of Richard III by the Siren Theatre Company. OMG. I've never been so on the edge of my seat, holding my breath captivated by a performance of a Shakespeare play. Totally wonderful!! The only downside was that I had to lug my slightly under 23kilo suitcase there. The upside to that was, I WAS ON MY WAY TO CAIRNS!! ScrapTherapy retreat. Holiday Inn, overlooking the Esplanade. Water views from our room. The bestest room buddy a girl could ask for. Adjoining room with 2 wonderful chicks I hadn't met in real life before, but who felt like long lost friends. Three days of scrapping. More wonderful friends - some I've known for years in real life, some I was meeting for the first time, but all of whom are just wonderful beautiful ladies!! Lots of laughter. Lots of scrapping. Lots of shopping, eating wonderful food, and just enjoying some me-time. I was in heaven ... especially when I got to go and take some pics of the cute jellybean guys holding their privates!! lol

So, because Mandy told me to ... here are some pics of the weekend, both people and scrapping.

Nat and I with the little perverted jelly-bean men ... LOL
This layout has a story behind it - when I opened my suitcase at the hotel, I discovered my brads and buttons all through my clothes. It took me about 40 minutes to completely pick them out, and I was VERY careful putting my undies on for the rest of the weekend! The next morning, I got downstairs to the scrapping room to discover someone (cough*RACHAEL*cough) had spilt buttons all over the layout I was working on. They weren't the right colour, but it inspired me, and two hours later this layout was finished - man, it took a long time to do all these buttons and brads! Yes, I know there is purple ink on the photo - I need to reprint it. That's what happens when you try to recolour foam alphas ... tip of the day, just use sharpies!!

How cool are these light-up skipping ropes? I've had this BG paper to use for ages, but it just didn't do it for me, so I was soooo going to use it before I came home!!

Room mates - Lisa, Natalie, Me and Rachael. What a top group of girls!!

And finally, the DT group, minus Julie who couldn't join us. Mandy, who is just too sweet for words (even when she IS harrassing me to blog!!), me, Narelle, and Leeanne, our Therapy mum.

Ok ... The sad news. (Hidden at the bottom of a post about things that made me happy for very good reason!! Lol) I have made the decision to step down from the Scrap Therapy Design Team, as have the other girls. It's been a wonderful experience, and I really thank Natalie and Leeanne for the opportunity. It's been wonderful working with such a wonderful group of girls, and this is not a decision I took lightly. It was announced on the forums this morning, and I thought I'd be ok with that ... I've been at peace with the decision for a while now. But to see it in print, and to make it public ... well, it just seems so real, and I've spent a few moments today in tears. I'm really looking forward to being able to scrap with the girls more, and to scrap without commitments to anyone else but me, and that's a really liberating feeling. I had wanted to be on a DT for a while before this opportunity came up, and I'm so thankful that this came along when it did - I can't imagine a better place to be a Design Team Member for, and a more wonderful group of women, both DT and forum members, to have shared this experience with. I know that after the end of this month, when my status officially changes, and I'm no longer able to do all that extra stuff that I do as an administrator, I'll probably have a few more tears, but mostly I'm very excited about seeing who the next lot of inspiring Design Therapists will be, and enjoying my role as Therapy Locum.
Leeanne has chosen a Guest DT for June, from some wonderful girls who were at the retreat, and will be looking for another group for July, before the new DT takes over. I can't wait to see what everyone does, it's going to be great!

So, off for some icecream, and some celebratory scrapping. I'll share some more layouts from the retreat soon - there are heaps!!

This is a community service announcement.

2009-04-23T15:11:00.005+10:00

Today be'eth a day of immense significance. Hirrah to Sir William Shakespeare, who would be aged 445 years today, if his life had not been arrested by the ravages of death. It has been proclaimed throughout the land that thou shalt speaketh like this noble gentleman today, and I entreat you to't!

http://www.talklikeshakespeare.org/

For some Othello goodness, checketh this out. It maketh me happy in my heart. So, methinks thou canker-blossoms should'st speak out, loud and proud. Ellocute thyselves in a manner befitting a man who scribed more about sex and incest than any playwright of modern times would dare do. Methinks there is a double meaning in that!! (laugh-out-loudeth).

Holiday!! Oh yeah.

2009-04-20T22:09:00.012+10:00

Man, I love school holidays. Love them!! We have just been chilling. My MIL came to stay with us over easter, and was here for 5 days. Love her to bits, but it's nice to be able to drink the last little bit of coffee in my cup without being jumped on for my mug, because she wants to wash up! lol She's awesome, and the kids loved having her here. I think it made Easter a little bit easier for everyone, because we could spend time with Grandma, and weren't so focused on the fact that it was our first Easter without both Nan and Pa. Tuesday after Easter was Kelsey's birthday ... she is seriously getting WAY too old, and too tall, and too amazing for words.

The best thing about the day was that Dennis and I had our whole family there. Dennis' daughter and her kids came over, and his son Garry and his girlfriend are down for the holidays. It was so good to see them all together in one place - it made Dennis really happy in his heart, I think, and it was the best gift Kelsey could have for her birthday - to have all her brothers and sisters in the one place for the first time in years. It was a truly awesome day. Aren't we a gorgeous looking bunch?

The kids and I went to Nurragingy the other day, and took some pics ... I'm so in love with that place, I can't even tell you. It's so beautiful. And when you have a beautiful place, a wonderful day, some stunningly gorgeous kids, and a great camera, you can't go wrong! I took hundreds of photos, and apart from the debacle of trying to get a pic of the kids laying on the grass with their heads touching from above, without cutting anyone off at the neck, they are all completely scrapable. In fact, I've already done some of them!!

It's been a week of letting go for me. Of realising that my kids are getting so much bigger than I'm ready for, and so much more independent. Kelsey has gone away with friends for a week, and she wasn't at all upset about saying goodbye to me. That's a good thing, I guess, especially as she used to be so painfully shy, but it just made me a little sad. Then, I said yes. I sat for most of an afternoon with my heart in my throat. I let my baby buy get on a train and go and meet some friends, all by himself. Yes, he's almost 15, and I could be accused of being overprotective, but it's better than the alternative, right? Sigh ... growing up way too fast.

Speaking of way too fast ... it's been over a month already since Nan joined Pa. So long, but so

quickly .... and while life is still going on, there are moments when I stop, and realise that it just doesn't seem the same. I don't know what it is - the colour of the sky isn't right. The birds are slightly off tune. The earth is slightly off-kilter. But then it passes, and I'm ok again. I remember how lucky we are. Totally blessed. Loving my life, ups and downs, and I wouldn't be anywhere else.

K, that's it from me at the moment ... take care everyone, hugs to you and yours!!

Hi ho, hi ho ...

2009-03-30T19:35:00.004+11:00

It's off to work we go! It's been full on at work for the past couple of weeks, and will be the same, I think, for the next couple. Bring on Good Friday, I say! School holidays. Sleeping in. Catching up with family. Much needed scrapping time with friends. And just chilling ... how wonderful!!

I actually had a total chill-out day yesterday ... we had people over for dinner on Saturday night, so flogged our guts out getting the house looking presentable. It was a really nice night. But the best part for me was waking up on Sunday morning and knowing that there was NO housework to do. Nothing at all. Zip. Nada. Zilch. So, our plans to go to the river for lunch went out the window. We stayed home. Me in my pj's all day (you reeeeallly needed to know that, didn't you?) The kids played. We did not much of anything. I read a book. Dennis watched sports on TV. And it was BLISS.... totally wonderful, and just what we all needed after the past few months.

I even did a bit of scrapping on Sunday night, which was nice!

So some of what has happened over the past couple of weeks ... the funeral was last friday. The day started with a major drama ... Tayla had a scarf that Nan had knitted her, and Kelsey wanted hers as well. Only problem was, Daddy couldn't find it. Frantic phonecalls to mummy at work ensued. I came rushing home and searched high and low ... yes, we found it, thank goodness. My wonderful awesome beautiful cousins from Perth arrived, and there were hugs and tears all round. My brothers arrived from QLD ... more hugs. We headed to the funeral, and met more family, who we only seem to catch up with at funerals ... we need to do something about that, I think! A lot of people didn't recognise me to start with, I don't think - they aren't used to seeing me without long hair! After Lorraine and I did our eulogy, though, there were more smiles of recognition ... well, smiles through the tears, at least. I was really proud of what we put together to remember Nan's life, I think it was pretty moving (if I do say so myself!!)

The priest who did the service was so cute - old, irish, a bit dottery, and slightly eccentric I think. Said Nan's name wrong. Was convinced that she was Irish too, to the consternation of my aunty. I had to laugh ... is that wrong? Ah well, I know Nan would have liked the Hail Mary he said in Gaelic, whether she was Irish or not!!

After the funeral, we joined the throng heading back to mum's place. You haven't seen a wake done like my family do. Or really, any gathering where people need to be fed. It's really amazing - like a military operation, only with icing sugar and cream. Unbelievable!! Fairy cakes. Date loaf - a total throwback to family get-togethers in my childhood. Scones. Jam slices. Pikelets ... not store-brought ones. Not packet shake and bake mix ones. Pikelets full of air, and an aunty's love. Heaven!! Mushroom cakes, which were secreted in the kitchen, and doled out to special people with the air of a clandestine drug deal. They certainly had everyone on a high! They were the highlights ... I'm so bummed that I didn't think to get a photo of the food table.

I was too busy catching up with the McDiarmid/Ryan Clan. Love these people so much, I can't even tell you. It was a wonderful amazing awesome afternoon, and I know that Nan and Pa had staked out a good possy up there, watching, laughing along with us all, shaking their heads in embarrassment when we told some of the stories about her she wanted to keep secret (we kept them out of the eulogy Nan, but how could I resist the bribery of a mushroom cake for a secret story?????)

Saturday, after spending some time with the WA clan, my sister and I had to play softball. It was our grandfinal. And, can I just say, with all due modesty and decorum, we so totally rocked. Extreme in our awesomeness, we were. In our division, there were three other teams. Two of them we beat comprehensively every time we played. The other team, though, which is from the same club as us, always gave us a run for our money. They had only beaten us once before the final series (and that was a game I didn't play ... does that tell you something??? ROFL). The first semi-final we played them to go straight into the grand final, and they beat us. Only just, and one of our team members ended up in hospital with a broken wrist. So, we had to play the next week to get another chance to get into the GF, and play them again. Which we did. And, as I think I mentioned before, we TOTALLY rocked. 15-0. Us 15, them 0, in case you are under any illusions as to how totally fantastic my team is. It was the best fun ... and even more wonderful because I know just how proud Nan would have been of us (now that she's finally gotten over her horror that I started playing team sports at the age of 32 ... "aren't you too old for that now Tamara?") My sis and I had the biggest cheer squad there - three car loads of rowdy relatives. So glad we won, they never would have let us forget it if we didn't!!

Oh, and for the record ... as vain as I am often accused of being, I could probably be forced to admit that I am perhaps NOT the secret to our teams' success. In fact, Belinda and I are first to admit that we are probably just the window dressing on our awesomely talented team, all of whom can hit, throw, and catch like I only dream of. I'm soooo amazed that by the end of the season, I was swinging and hitting almost as often as I was missing ... woo hoo!!

My girls stayed at my sister's place that night, and headed out to the club to celebrate for us, while I headed to Castlereagh Academy. It was time for Scrapgirls Cropfest, which has started on Thursday night ... so I had a lot to catch up on! It was really just wonderful to see the beautiful Tracy, Kylie, Nic, Sharon, Cath, Ali, Lorraine, Sue, Rae, Anne ... have I forgotten anyone? OMG ... yes! Belinda! Fellow rocking softballer, and all-round awesome scrapper. She also is a fairly mean cook, and fed us so well over the weekend. Luv ya B!! I created a few layouts, but it was just wonderful really to have a bit of time just for me. No family commitments. No work to think about. (well, yes there was, but I was in denial). Just me. Loved that ... need to do it more often.

Wow, that's a seriously long post, huh? So, here's a few scrapping things to check out.

This one is the beautiful little Bella-Rai. What a cutie, huh? And the mini-album is made from totally from Bella products, as part of a DT challenge for Scrap Therapy.

I have another layout to share soon, which is really special to me - the photo I shared last post of Nan and Pa sharing a smooch, using some of the most beautiful Melissa Frances papers. I have so many of these papers now, after winning a RAK recently with a heap more of them, so I'm going to do a RAK myself next post with some of these ... keep an eye out for that!

K, off to eat some Bega cheese chips. Yummo! Take care, and hugs to you and yours.

Farewell...

2009-03-18T09:48:00.005+11:00

Yesterday morning, just before 10am, a beautiful soul rejoined her beloved husband in heaven. My Nan, Esme McDiarmid, has been fighting for months, after being diagnosed with cancer that was pretty much everywhere through her body. She had radiation and a dose of chemotherapy. She was taking so many pills we thought she should rattle. As time went on she wasn't able to walk by herself, and in the last few days wasn't even able to get up out of bed. For most of those months she has been staying at my mum's place, just down the road from us, and was helped by her two daughters (my mum and aunty), and her youngest sister. Last week, knowing that the end was coming, she made the decision to go to palliative care.

Over the past few months she has been surrounded by people she loves - family from all over the country, literally, have travelled to spend valued time with her, and it's been lovely for us to be able to see her every day, and make the most of those few precious moments. On Monday afternoon, her pain became too much, and they doubled her morphine. My sister and I sat with her all monday night, but she wasn't really conscious ... sleeping, in obvious pain, and moaning quietly. It was so painful an experience for everyone there to see her like that, and it was heart-breaking to leave that night, knowing that it would probably be the last time we saw her.

As it turned out, it was. I got the call at work, and some awesome people stepped in to cover my classes so I could be with my family. I got to see her, lying there in her bed, the pain lines gone, and looking really peaceful, and as hard as that was, it was also kind of a relief, if that makes sense.

Telling the kids was the hardest, as we knew it would be. They were as prepared as they could be. They knew she wasn't well. They knew she wasn't going to get better. But the reality of a world without Nan hit them hard. Tayla, though, the little legend, was also a bit happy. "Now Pa isn't alone, him and Nan are together again." And that really sums it up for all of us, I think.

The funeral is on Friday, so I'm sitting here contemplating how to talk about this beautiful woman in a way that will do her justice. Love you Nan. Give Pa a kiss for us!

Really??

2009-02-11T19:57:00.003+11:00

Really? It's necessary as a teacher to go through a massive about of bullshit for no particular reason at all?? I'm not talking about parents. I'm not talking about obnoxious students (and trust me, I have a few!!) I'm talking about staff members. I'm going to be very non-specific here (I don't know WHO stalks my blog from work! lol) but I'm so over people who think they are all that with no reason ... who talk themselves up ... who use big words to make themselves sound impressive ... who feel the need to attempt to put other people down to make themselves appear more superior. I'm SOOOO over it, and there are some days that I wonder what I'm doing with my life. Sigh. Today was a mix of one of those days, and one of the good ones - the ones where I walk out of a classroom just feeling alive, like I've made a difference, and that someone is a bit closer to being successful in their schooling career because of something I said or did. And THANK GOD that moment came not once, but twice today ... that's the only reason I'm going back tomorrow. And the next day. And the day after that ... well, no actually, because it's saturday, but you get my point.

Hmmm ... what's going on apart from that? Lots of stuff to make me sad. Yes, I've spent a massive amount of time in the past 4 or 5 days just bawling. Bushfires. Loss. Tragedy. It's just inhumane that people are dying, not just because of a natural phenomenon, but due to the work of some sick disturbed arsonists. It's something I'll never understand ... and thank god for that.
For every beautiful image that comes along, like the wondrous picture of the CFA worker giving that koala a drink, there are so many more to break your heart. Houses. Land. Belongings. People. Too sad for words ... and it's not often that I'm lost for words really, so that's something huh. One of my classes today actually brought it up - we were talking about character traits, and they all had to pick 10 out of a list that described them. Compassionate was on the list, and one of the kids said that was me - and then asked how I was feeling about the bushfires. I said that, in all honesty, I just couldn't talk about it, and they all sat there stunned - totally stunned. "That's a first, Miss!" came the comment from the back of the room. Yeah, that lesson was one of my highlights ... love that group.

Other stuff to make me sad ... Nan isn't doing so well. Yet again, too heartbreaking for words. She has deteriorated a lot in the past couple of weeks, and whilst we are all hoping that she is here for Bella's first birthday, we aren't really holding our breaths. I'm just not ready ... are you ever? Crapola. Totally.

I was reading Lusi's blog today ... she has this "Get Real" thing going on, and I was planning on starting it - I was going to tell you about how I didn't make the beds this morning (in fact, I haven't in AAAAGES!!) and how my laundry basket is full to overflowing. I was going to tell you about a whole lot of average, ordinary, real-life stuff ... but I guess what I've already posted is just about as much reality as I can cope with today. Love the focus on the real Lusi - I think I've been doing that for a while actually! No-one could ever accuse me of being superwoman (except in jest! Lol) So I am going to leave the reality of destruction and despair as my "getting real" for today. And I thought I might share some of the other realities in my life that keep me grounded! Some layouts of my favouritest people. God I love my kids!!

These are all layouts using some of my yummy new Basic Grey, and my beautiful new printer ... oh how I love thee, Canon Pixma 630!! Just awesome.

Basic Grey is the MAN of the Month at Scrap Therapy this month - check it out, there is a lot of great stuff on sale, and some new ranges due in any day now!

K, I'm off to get ready for work tomorrow, and get the kids school clothes ready - they are having a mufti day to raise money for the bush fire appeal, and they are very excited about it - they have been gatherin every cent they can to take in!!! Hug your kids, and tell the special people in your lives how special they are!

A new profile pic!

2009-02-06T18:23:00.002+11:00

For all of you who were wondering how the hair is growing back - check it out! I have hair again. It's seriously so much cooler - I don't know how I coped in summer with that much hair before! I'm loving it (even if I do look like a toilet brush ... don't you just love my DH!! LOL)

So, back at school. The girls are just loving their teachers and their classes. I'm loving my classes, but not so much my classroom - I had to move at the end of last year, and my new room isn't airconditioned. Most of our school isn't actually, so I guess I was lucky that I had aircon in my old room. I'm more missing my mural than the aircon though - 2 years ago my classes, who new how happy I was to finally have my own classroom, painted the back room of the wall for me, and I miss looking at it every morning. It made me happy. A big bright rainbow. Some very funky butterflies. Sunshine on one side of the rainbow, and storm clouds on the other. And beautiful fish and sea creatures swimming along the bottom of the wall. Sigh ... I miss my wall!

Not much more to report on at the moment - it's hot here, I'm sweltering, and sooo not looking forward to playing softball tomorrow!! It's wrong, it's just wrong. Thank goodness for air conditioning! Oh yeah - do you feel like scrapping tonight? Cybercropping at Scrap Therapy - it's OSCAR'S month!! Come along and check out the challenges and chat - bingo is on tonight! I'll be back to share some scrapping soon - I've been doing heaps, but I can't share them, as most of them are DT layouts. Take care!!

What a day.

2009-01-21T11:33:00.005+11:00

America officially has a new president. Yep, I stayed up all night to watch the inauguration. The coverage started around midnight here in Australia, with the official ceremonies kicking off at about 4ish ... I don't really know, as my eyes were falling out of my head about then. I did see most of it, but drifted off to sleep after Obama's speech, so I managed about an hours sleep before Dennis got up to go to work. Today Tayla has her BFF from kindergarten over to play - they are in full swing dress-up mode at the moment. I've had princesses, witches and fairies running all over the house, goodness knows what they are turning into now!

So, the inauguration. He's such a great speaker. I was moved, and I'm not even American! There's just something about a stirring political speech which speaks to my soul. Loved it!

Less than a week until back to school, and back to work ... so wishing we had a bit longer! I've been making the most of my scrapping time though, and managed to squeeze in some scrapping with Michelle, and some cuddles with Holly. Lots of layouts done for the LSBS cybercrop - it's the most challenges I've managed to do for this for ages!

This one was a pic I took while playing with the new lens ... working out how to get different things in focus in a picture. The Sass Lass Reindeer Kisses paper was just perfect - how cute are those little reindeer?

I love this diecut stitched cardstock - it's Bella. Add some cool papers, some gorgeous lace, and you have my favourite layout at the moment!!

This one was for a challenge set my Nic ... to scrap an ordinary moment. This was that day last week where the temperature hit a squillion ... the girls found their own way to keep cool!

Kelsey grading to Orange Belt/white stripe at Karate ... what a legend!

And, finally, Dennis and the girls cooking dinner. And he says I'M a messy cook! lol I used a lot of old supplies on this one - I'm trying to use up some old pp, so I don't feel guilty about the yummy new stuff I've got coming from Scrap Therapy. BG Bittersweet ... yumm!!!

K, I'd better go ... the girls are playing Dance Factory on PS2, and want to show me their moves. I hope they don't want me to dance, I don't think I'm awake enough to be able to follow all those moves!

Scrappin' and singin' ...

2009-01-13T10:47:00.004+11:00

I love listening to music while I scrap ... and Scrapping The Music has has some great songs the past couple of weeks! This week it's Pictures of You by The Last Goodnight. I love this song ... I had actually scrapped it once before!!

This is the one I did last night - another picture from Colo playing around with my new lens. I need to work on getting rid of those shadows a bit, but I love this photo - it's my neice, Bella-Rai, who is seriously the biggest character! She's a total clown ... love her to bits.

This is the one I did last year - lots of pics of Kelsey, between 1 and 2 years old. She's almost 9 now - and growing up WAY too fast!

K, I'd better go and finish de-christmasing my house ... there's still little bits everywhere!!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-11T12:12:00.004+11:00

Yes, I know I'm late ... I've been on holidays!! Our annual NY trip to Colo. Bliss, total bliss. We slept in, ate too much food, had afternoon naps, spent time in the pool, went canoeing, did a bit more swimming, read, read some more ... the kids rode their bikes, got totally filthy, and had a fantastic time. I could fill pages with how much I love Colo! Plus, it gave me the perfect opportunity to play with the new lens I got for my birthday. I got some fantastic pictures, and I've already scrapped a few of them! I got lots of scrapping done while I was away - it was nice to scrap for the fun of it, not because I felt like I had to fit the layout to specific challenge criteria, etc etc. I had fun! So, what did I do when I got home? Did a challenge layout! lol of course. I can't help myself.

I did this one for Scrapping The Music - the song this week was Hands by Jewel. It has made me dig out my Jewel cd - I forgot how much I loved her music! This was my annual "NY reflections" layout ... very deep and meaningful. Look at that bald head! It's grown back a bit since then - I'm looking very fuzzball-ish right now.

I'm doing a "52 pickup" layout challenge this year - a layout a week, with specific criteria. The first one was to use some metal on your layout - and lets face it, most scrappers have heaps in their stash! I used an old metal frame on mine, cut in half for the photo corners. I'm going to do my 52 layouts using photos that I've taken in that week, so it'll be a record of my year. Some people at Scrap Therapy are doing a photo a day, but I just don't have time for that, so one a week is as much as I can commit to. This one is a picture of Kelsey at Colo, using my new lens.

K, that's it for now. Take care of you!!

Christmas wishes

2008-12-23T08:33:00.006+11:00

What are yours? Mine are simple this year - and things just aren't going to cut it. My Nan is ill - she's been diagnosed with cancer, pretty much everywhere. She has it in about 5 different organs, as well as throughout her bones, and swelling at a fracture on her spine threatening to press on nerves. They are starting treatment on the spot on her spine to try and stop the possibility or paraplegia, and are talking about chemo as a palliative care move. After losing Pa earlier in the year, she is ready to be with him again, and is coping pretty well with the dr's assessment that she has months, not years.

So our christmas wish - that her new meds help her cope with the enormous amount of pain she's in over the christmas period, so she can enjoy the time we'll have with her family ... all our family from pretty much all over the country are flying in for christmas, which is going to be awesome. That when she goes, it's with dignity. She's a lady, my Nan, and the thought of her hanging on and losing her dignity, needing people to wash her, and feed her, and having machines keep her alive, is really far more painful a thought than that of losing her. So we're praying for a wonderful, blessed, and peaceful end to an awesome life.

So, after that depressing start to a christmas post ... who's ready for santa? Not this little black duck! I've battled the Plaza three days in the past week (anyone who's been to Penrith around Christmas knows EXACTLY what I'm talking about!!) and I've had amazing luck - driven pretty much straight into a parking spot! That, dear readers, is where the luck ended though. I've wandered around aimlessly, not able to find anything that really takes my fancy. I had a run-in with one manager from a store which will remain nameless, but then was saved by another - God Bless Glenn, who saved my bacon with my DS-loving 6 year old who is desperate for a blue one off Santa! I've got to say though, she's missing out from Santa ... I decided this year I don't want some random fat guy in a red suit getting the credit for the kick-arse presents I've been slaving over, so the really good ones are coming from me and Dennis!! So that's been my dilemma, actually ... coming up with a present that looks substantial enough to be a Santa gift, but isn't going to break the bank - we didn't want to spend too much this year, and I'm trying my hardest to stick to that! We eventually found some great gifts, but there are still little bits and pieces to be sourced. My kingdom for a decent junk shop!! And I'm battling that age-old issue ... what to get our next door neighbours who I KNOW have been baking yet again, to give us a special hand-made christmas gift. Is a large box of Cadbury's Favourites a suitable enough gift in return for hours slaving over a hot stove? Probably not, but that's as good as it's going to get!! lol

I whipped this up last night. How cool are these colours! I stumbled across these papers in a LSS, that used to be a fabric store. It has the best collection of scrapping and habby stuff, omg ... I was in heaven! And a gorgeous wooden book shaped box. I've been dropping hints, but I think I'm going to have to go and buy it myself for christmas! This is Pink Paislee Vintage moon paper - the owl and branch are cut from another sheet from the range. It's officially my first non-square layout! Those of you who know me know how stressed I would be getting at the thought of how this is going to look in my album .... but I've solved that dilemma, it just needs to go back to back with a layout done on Kraft cardstock, and has no brads or stitching, etc, peeking through the back around the edges! lol Yes, I'm anal. I keep looking at this layout and thinking it needs something else, but it took less than 15 minutes, and I love the colours in the pp - every time I add something else I keep taking it off again! So it's going to stay like this. How hot are we? ROFL.

This one uses some beautiful Basic Grey papers and alphas, and Melissa Frances and Fancy Pants trims. I love how the colours of the paper match the colours in the water!

This one is from a little while ago, but it caught my eye again while I was adding pics, so I thought I'd share it too ... how big is my Kelsey girl getting? Sigh ... it makes me proud and sad all at the same time.

K, off to tell Kieran, aged 14 and waaaay too cool for his own good, that he's coming to get a Santa photo taken today. Wish me luck! PMSL.

It's my birthday and I'll whinge if I want to!!

2008-12-17T18:41:00.003+11:00

OMG ... what kind of person subjects themselves to pain on their birthday? This kind, apparently! It was my birthday yesterday, by the way, just in case you were wondering ... happy birthday to me! lol
So, the pain - well, we had Karate. I would normally have skipped it - I'm all for a good excuse not to go to training. But Kelsey was grading. And she ROCKED!!!! She's now an orange belt with white stripe. Go you little ninja you! So since I was there, I stayed for the adults class ... they knew I was around, it was a bit hard to sneak out. OMG ... OMG ... OOOOO MMMMM GGGGGG. Who knew that there were so many kinds of push-ups? We did normal pushups. We did scorpion pushups. We did some wierd kind of yoga-like prayer pushups (I tell you, I was praying during them ... ouch!) We did the specially patented, Kumiai-Ryu, "I'm a sadistic bastard and want to inflict as much pain as is humanly possible in a 60 minute period" pushups. And do I hurt today? Yes I do. Will I hurt tomorrow? You bet your sore little butt-muscles I will! But am I proud of myself? Abso-friggin-lotuley! I kicked all my tension from work out. I did some serious kicks that I've NEVER been able to do before. And, this overweight and unfit 34 year old held her own with teenagers and black belts. Go me!!

Hmmm ... what else? Well, it's time for a message from our sponsors ... lol. Who loves scrapping? Who loves Kaiser? Well, if the answer is you, my friend, then get yourself to ScrapTherapy, where this month's MAN of the month is Kaisercraft! Such nice new ranges in - you'll love them! Plus, the beautiful new Clear albums - I can't wait to play with these! Everything is super-cheap - some of the ranges this month are reduced more than Lee-anne's usual generous 20%!

This is my favourite otp of the moment - our "Christmas wishes" hanger! Kaiser papers and bauble album - cute huh? The back of the decos have a piece of clear plastic on them, so we can write our christmas wishes, and then they can be wiped off and used again for next year. I really like this!

A layout for the Therapy monthly challenge - to scrap a layout using one of a few great christmas quotes. I love this one, it's one of my faves, and this pic from last year of my kids plus our cousin Phoenix is so nice.

This album, a Kaiser one, is part of the girls' christmas present. It's got Veronica's lyrics, pics, and concert tickets. They are just going to go nuts - they think the concert is WAAAY too expensive. I can't wait to see the looks on their faces!

K, I'd better go - I've got so many teacher presents to make, and so little time. This is the problem with making something really awesome one year - they all begin to expect it when you've established a precedent! That'll teach me ... lol.

A rarity ... a totally wonderful day, in every single way.

2008-11-22T20:26:00.005+11:00

You know those days that are just awesome? When you feel like you've done something good, you enjoy your day, and you go to sleep content? That was yesterday. I took my senior English class to some workshops yesterday, one of them run by an old lecturer of mine from uni, and they were awesome. I learnt a lot. They learnt a lot. We had a good time, and had some really interesting thought-provoking conversations. I found a totally divine second-hand book store, and brought a couple of books, one of which I'm about half way through and LOVING. I could have done some serious damage to some of those shelves with someone else's credit card!

The big deal, though, was the workshops. They inspired me to stop just dreaming about doing some post-grad literature study, but to actually start doing it. I've decided that a PhD is probably a bit out of my ball park at the moment, so I'm researching Masters Degrees .... anyone know any good distance ed English Lit Masters courses around? I spend an hour or so searching around last night, but I'm so out of touch with academia - I don't know if I'm looking in the wrong spots, or what I'm after just simply doesn't exist!

So, after some research research last night, I did some scrapping. And I got HEAPS done!! Pretty happy with them all too, so that's a good thing. Do you wanna see? Well too bad if you don't ... go and check out someone else's blog then! lol

I finally finished a layout for Scrapping the Music in time to enter it ... amazing really! I love the song that was the prompt for this week.

This was my totally sexy hair cut, just before my current sexy hair cut! lol I seriously hardly EVER go to the hairdressers, and I'd just gotten this 'do done about 4 weeks before I shaved my head ... what a waste, huh?

Two layouts of the girls at physi this year - I didn't deliberately do them using the same things, it was a bit of a mistake, but they look really good sitting next to each other in my album.

These two are some yummy American Crafts products - still on sale at Scrap Therapy until the end of the month. The Christmas one is over in the forum as a step-by-step, if you want to have a go at it!

Well, I think my bath is ready - hot water, bubbles, a glass of red, candles, and a new old book. What could be better? Night all!!

What a MAN!!!

2008-11-17T20:22:00.004+11:00

You know what I love about the site I am sooooo blessedly on the Design Team for? Scrap Therapy has an awesome Manufacturer of the Month thing going on ... affectionately called the MAN of the month. The forum is buzzing every month, just before the announcement, not only trying to guess the real MAN (as in scrapping manufacturer) but also coming up with a new MAN - a real life, hot, often shirtless one - that Julie will scrap into a cute little ATC each month. It seriously rocks! Check out the Scrap Therapy blog for this month's MAN ... nice, very nice!

So, the REAL MAN of the month is one of my faves ... American Crafts!! Gotta love the colours. Gotta love the variety. Gotta love the ALBUMS!!!! Gotta love the cardstock. And, most importantly - GOTTA LOVE THE THICKERS! The really exciting thing is that every month, the MAN of the Month is on sale - 20%! (hence the shirtless thing, I think. 20% off ... roughly 20% of the outfit would be a shirt ... get it? Yeah, I know, I'm grasping at straws ... shutting up now. lol) So, this month American Crafts is on sale at 20% off the prices listed in store - the reduced price will come up as you go through checkout. This applies to everything but the cardstock, which is already at the rediculously low price of 55cents, so buy up big on that anyway!

Here are a couple of MAN Creations that I've done so far - both are using the Amplified range, which is vibrant and gorgeous, but also really versatile. So many of the sheets in this range are embossed, die cut, or foiled - just beautiful! I've also used the obligatory Thickers, and the journalling blocks are done using the AC clear stickers - love them to bits!

This one isn't AC, but I wanted to share it anyway - this was a layout I did just after attending the Relay for Life in Blacktown. It was such an emotional event, and I came home finally ready to scrap this amazing man. Love ya, Pa! (Basic Grey Granola, in case you were wondering!)

Ok, that's about it for me ... I've got so much going on here at the moment I can't even see straight! Reports to write, stuff to scrap, floors to mop, kids to nurse (Kieran has tonsilitis again, Tayla has an allergic reaction to something, and I'm feeling crappy!) and at some point in all that I need to remember to breathe. So what do I do? That's right, I blog ... of course! LOL

Oh, a quick note - I haven't forgotten about the rak draw for people who donated to the head shave thing for breast cancer research ... I'm just waiting on a few names from our lovely GNI organisers, and I'll get it done.

K, all, off I go - cya later! Mwah!!

Yumm ...

2008-10-23T20:50:00.005+11:00

I'm so in love with Peters Creme brulee icecream right now- and my husband for getting it for me! What a legend - I love that man! (even if he does have longer hair than me ... he he)

I've been having some fun scrapping this week - some stuff I can't share just yet, so keep an eye out for that soon, but here is some stuff I can share!
I did both these layouts for the CC at LSBS, and I love them! The "In focus" one was thanks to a colour challenge set by the beautiful Tracy, and I just love it - it is something I would normally never do! The other one was done in my effort to use up my stash, so I can feel a bit better about just having placed a couple of orders ... lol. So, Goofy Girl is mostly Fancy Pants, with some Heidi and American Crafts alphas, just in case you were wondering! lol I also used up a HEAP of Love Elsie papers I had sitting here - I don't feel so bad about buying the whole Melissa Frances Thankful range now! Actually, I didn't feel bad about buying it anyway - it's too nice for words. So pretty and girly -really me. Plus, I got some of the vintage trims and embellishments, and some ticket tags ... watch out for some baldy pics scrapped in pretty pink coming soon to a computer screen near you! lol

These two layouts aren't mine, as much as I'd like to take credit for them. Kelsey did these - isn't she a talented little cookie? She was given an 8.5x11 album for her birthday last year, and she loves scrapping that size. Her album is almost full, and she's decided she wants a ring-binder one next - seriously, how many 8 year olds decide they want to upgrade their scrapping albums for christmas? Too funny!

So, back to work this week with no hair - and the reaction I got from the kids was overwhelming! One girl was in tears - she couldn't believe that someone would willingly do that to their hair. The best reaction, though, came from one of our resident bad-boys. He had been kicked out of class, and was on his way to see the deputy principal, and I was walking the same way. I'd just put a bandanna on, because my head was FREEZING (we've had a cold snap here this week - just my luck!) and he told me that he'd just brought the same bandanna for his Nan, because she has cancer. I told him why I was wearing it, and why I'd shaved my head, and this tough guy who takes everyone on whenever he gets a chance said "you're a f*cking legend Miss."So there you go ... I'm a legend!! lol Moments like that - that's why I love my job. Something little, a seemingly insignificant conversation in the corridor, and it makes a connection. And that's what teaching is all about - making the most of those little connections in the hope that when it matters, you can make a big difference. Moments like that make me LOVE teenagers - they swear heaps, they give you attitude like you wouldn't believe, but they are honest and appreciative when it counts. I wouldn't work anywhere else! (NOTE TO SELF: RE-READ THIS NEXT TIME YOU ARE HAVING A SHITTY DAY/ WEEK/ MONTH/ TERM/ YEAR AT WORK!)

K, I'm off to play with my new pretty things! Take care, luv ya, thanks for stopping by!

A new 'do.

2008-10-19T09:23:00.003+11:00

What a couple of days. I can't really begin to tell you all how touched I am at this point. I've been planning the head shave for a couple of weeks now, and we were supposed to be doing it next weekend, but I got a phonecall on Thursday night to say that Shelley's hair was starting to come out, and I thought we'd be moving it forward. So, yesterday, the scissors came out, the clippers were plugged in, and the hair was cut. And I love it! Not the type of haircut I'd normally ask for, but it feels really cool, and I'm so honoured to have been able to do this for someone amazing.
So, speaking of amazing people ... there are a lot of them out there! On Friday night, Tracy Belinda and I headed off to Canon headquarters for a Scrapbooking Memories Pixma party, and got to chat to a truly wonderful woman. Melissa Frances (you can can check out her website if you don't know her!) was there with her fiance Brian, and we had the chance to talk to them thoughout the night. Melissa shared her experiences as a breast cancer survivor, and it was very touching. It also gave me hope - we've been focusing on now with Shelley, and not so much on the future, and this reminded me why it's important that we raise money for research into this disease, so that there are more stories like hers. Anyway, we told her about my impending shave, and I was really honoured by her reaction. To be told what a truly special thing it was by someone who would know what that would mean to a breast cancer sufferer ... it really touched me. It was an evening I won't forget in a hurry!

Other amazing people at the SM party ... well, there were heaps. I felt so privileged to be there among all these names that I recognised from the mags, or the forums, and whose work I admired. The awesome Sara Pearcy, looking totally glowing (partly due to the projector shining in her face! lol) gave us some great tips on photography. We got to play with some AWESOME printers ... omg, A3+ sized photos onto rag paper - I'm in love! And, I've found glossy prints that make me happy in my heart!!

So saturday ... I was stressing out a bit because we didn't know when we were doing the shave. It was looking like we were going to be waiting till today, and I was SOOO ready to go. Then my sis rang me and said "do you want to come down here now and we'll do it?" I was there in a shot. I tell you, we have some seriously funny photos from during - never in my life have I had short hair like it was after we hacked off the plaits. Or a mowhawk. Or a racing stripe down the middle! In fact, my mum came down to watch because she's never seen my head - I was born with a heap of thick black hair, so this is officially the first time my scalp has seen the light of day! And I've gotta tell you, I really liked it short - I'm looking forward to it getting a bit longer than it is now so I can play around with some different hairstyles!!

So the wierd - well, I didn't realise how much like velcro my head would be. Seriously, taking my hat off at softball - it was EXACTLY like ripping the two sides of velcro apart. Freaky! Or, how much my head would stick to my pillow case. We shaved with the clippers, then when I got home I went over it again with a razor, but my hair is so thick that there is still the tiniest bit of stubble. Oh yeah - I have something cool to share! I have a new weight loss tip. Firstly, what you do is grow your hair for most of your life, with only occasional trims chucked in. You make sure you are born with rediculously thick hair. And then, you shave it all off. Hey presto, you'll be almost 2 kilos lighter. Seriously! I weighed myself before and after, and it was 1.85kilos difference. Too funny!

So, you're really only here to see photos aren't you? Well, without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to - TAMARA'S HEAD!!

The bottom pic is me, Shelley in the middle, and my sister. Aren't we a sexy bunch?? lol

Oh, yeah - the Girl's Night In yesterday! I'd like to say a massive thankyou to Karryn and Gill for an amazing job, and to all the sponsors that provided awesome prizes. Also to Cath at LSBS for her contribution to the night. It was wonderful to be a part of such an amazing group of women who were happily giving to a good cause, and I felt so overwhelmed walking in to a massive round of applause ... I can't even begin to tell you all what the comments and support meant to me, I feel really touched. It was great to share a table with some beautiful people too - Michelle, Steph and Missty were great scrapping companions, thanks girls! I hope I didn't take up too much of the table.

And now for the thankyous. Thanks to everyone who has supported me, either through your well-wishes, or your financial contributions. Big or small, they have all made a difference, and added to our total which I THINK is getting very close to $1500. It's still not too late to make a donation ... check out the next post down for the link to donate straight to our Girl's Night In page, via the Cancer Council's totally secure Credit card donation site, and they'll email you a PDF tax invoice straight away, so you can claim it back on your tax next year - gotta love that!! Otherwise, email me and I'll give you some bank details, if you'd rather not use your CC online. Don't forget to leave me a comment if you do make a donation, so I can add your name into the draw for one of a few little prizes I have to give away - a personalised button cupboard (you can see my version in the next post down too) and some scrapping packs, as well as some nice little pamper packs. I also have a Red Earth hair care pack here that I was given a little while ago, which I don't think I need any more - it's been opened so I could smell the yumminess, but not used! lol

I think that's it for me now - I'm off to moisturise my head. I didn't pull my camera out at all at either the SM or GNI events, so if you were there, and got photos, please email them to me! (I know there are some photos of me from the GNI - I felt like I was surrounded by the paparazzi when I arrived! LOL)

And if you are still reading at this point, well done - give yourself a pat on the back! I wonder if this is my longest blog post to date!

Bye bye hair!!

2008-10-09T11:22:00.005+11:00

I just want to show you all a picture ...

That's me with hair. In fact, that was me at the beginning of the year with hair - it's a bit longer now!

Take a good look, because it won't be there for long! On Saturday October 25th, it's all coming off. You can read a few posts down about a chick I love to bits - my sister-in-law, Shelley, is undergoing chemo at the moment, fighting Breast Cancer, and my sister and I were talking about shaving our heads to support her. Well, I'm doing it, and I figure with this much hair, I might as well try and raise a bit of money for research as well. A couple of friends are running a Girls Night In event on the 17th of October, and they've let me link my impending baldness to their event - they've even kicked off the donations!

So, if you'd like to help out an awesome cause, and help me feel a little bit better about losing my beloved hair, I'd so love you to be a part of this!

There are a couple of ways you can support the cause ... go to the following link:

GLENWOOD GIRL'S NIGHT IN

You'll find the details for the event that's taking place next weekend, and there is also a link for you to donate using your credit card - it's totally secure, and you'll recieve a tax receipt in the mail. Yes, donations over $2 are tax deductible, you've gotta love that! You can also come along to the GNI, for some paper-crafting fun (if you're into that kind of thing! lol). Gill and Karyn have organised heaps of awesome prizes, and some great classes, so it's going to be a great event.

You can also check out the FACEBOOK PAGE or LIVE PAGE for more details about the event.

If you'd like to donate, but aren't comfortable about putting your CC details in over the internet, please email me - tamara_rodgers@hotmail.com. Gill has set up a bank account to take donations directly, so can give you those details. Any donation, big or small, will be greatly appreciated, and every cent makes a difference.

I'd also like to give a huge thanks to Leeanne at Scrap Therapy, who is letting me advertise this on the forum. I know that she's a huge supporter of the cause, so keep your eyes peeled, there might be another way you can support Breast cancer research, and also your scrapping habit, coming soon!

I also have a special thanks to any of my awesome scrapping friends, or people who I don't know yet from the scrapping world who pop in and support this. I've just completed a really cool little botton cupboard, using some great products from Scrap Therapy, and I have a spare one of these cupboards, not yet decorated. This is what mine looks like:

If you make a donation, and post a comment here to let me know, once the deed is done, I'll be drawing a name out of a hat, and you'll receive a personally decorated cupboard, done to your specifications! If you want it the same as this, that's no drama, but if you'd prefer other colours in the paint (I think hot pink under a black crackle would look awesome!!) or in the paper behind the jars, I'll do it to your specifications. No, the buttons and jars aren't included - you'll have to provide them yourself. lol

I also have a couple of other little goodies that will be making there way to a new home, so if you make a donation, please let me know so I can pop your name in the draw!

So, that's what's happening so far - I'll keep you updated with any new developments. Thanks in advance for supporting such an awesome cause - and keep an eye out here on Saturday 25th of October for post-shave pictures!

Some scrappy weekend stuff

2008-10-04T10:07:00.005+10:00

It's cybercrop weekend at Scrap Therapy this weekend - lots of cool ROCKtober challenges! If you need some scrapping time, head on over. The first game was run and won last night, but there is bingo tonight, 7pm NSW time, so pop on in to the forum and make sure you PM me your list of bingo words before we start! There is also an extra challenge this afternoon, in honour of World Card Making day, and some extra giveaway prizes from a few of the DT members, which will be taking place periodically over the weekend - we have some extra Sass Lass goodies that we didn't use from our DT packs, so we are sharing the love!

Here is the layout I did for my theme challenge - you need to use the word "ROCK" somewhere in your journalling, song lyrics for your title, and curves somewhere. I love these pics of Tay, and the Sass Lass papers are too nice for words. They are on sale until tomorrow night - 20% off - so don't miss out if you want some!

This one is one that I did for the monthly Write Stuff challenge in the forum ... to do a layout with no photos. I'm really happy with how it turned out!

I've been having a great time this week - school holidays, so I've been scrapping up a storm. Lot's of new MAN of the month goodness ... I'll share those layouts after tomorrow night, and the big announcement at Therapy.

I took the kids to Taronga Zoo yesterday, with my sister's childcare centre. I was helping supervise a group of 10 little girls, including my 2. We managed to lose Tayla near the gorillas (appropriate really!) and then both Kelsey and Tayla near the penguins - they got caught up listening to the keeper talk. Yes, I was very stressed - not nearly as stressed as poor little Tay the first time though! They had only just noticed we were gone at the penguins when I got back there, thank goodness. One good thing about it was that as much as Tay was stressed, she did the right thing - went and found a keeper, and told them she couldn't find me, and showed them the phone number. The girls were just starting to talk to the penguin keeper when I went back around the corner. So, all those talks about what to do if you are separated paid off!

I got some great photos - loving the Canon EOS 350D! Man, it's heavy though - I didn't realise until I spent a whole day with it around my neck. I've just ordered some great accessories through an online camera store - a lens hood, card reader, new memory card, some filters, and something else ... it's bad when you can't remember huh?? lol It was heaps cheaper than I've found them anywhere else, so I'll definitely be going back there when I need/want more camera goodness!

Ok, I'm off to scrap a bit - and set an alarm on my phone! We have to pick up Kieran after a week at cadets camp. He's going to stink! lol But I know he will have had a great time. Catch you all later!

An update of sorts.

2008-09-20T22:12:00.004+10:00

Well, Kylie gave me a kick up the butt, so I'm updating for her! Are you happy? lol

It's been a week of ... well, stuff. Not so great stuff. Some awesome stuff. Lots of stuff. Hmmm.

Tayla turned 6 last week, and had been counting down to it for ages! It almost felt like a non-event really, because the anticipation had been so high. She did, however, get her most-requested gift - FLOWERS. In fact, she got 2 bunches, so she was feeling mightily spoilt. And, she's taller - measurably so! lol She can now sit on the seats at Red Rooster and her feet touch the floor, which they didn't before, she reliably informed us. So, definitely getting taller and taller in her old age.

September is a big birthday month around here - 2 more to come along were Shelley, my sister-in-law, and Dennis. Shelley's birthday is the day after Tayla's, so they shared a special dinner, and we went out for the second night in a row, on a school night no less - it's no wonder Tay feels so much more grown up now! Dennis' bday is a week after Shelley's, and really marked a sad time for us all ... not because of his getting older (although I think that was sad for him) but because it coincided with us receiving some horrid news. Shelley has Inflammatory Breast Cancer. If you haven't heard of this particularly horrid form of breast cancer before, then you should really check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s9_UrVtc6c

If you are a woman, or you know a woman (and that should cover you all, huh?) it's really important to be aware of this ... as much as we all know by now about the usual ways of keeping on top of changes in your breasts, this is one that probably wouldn't occur to a lot of people.

Shelley is my sister's partner, and they are so totally devoted to each other. My sister had a baby earlier this year, and they, along with Shelley's two grown sons, are such a wonderful family. It's going to be a horrid time ahead, and we are praying for miracles, but we are all scared ... this is a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer, already at Stage 4 and most likely in the lymph nodes.
Telling my kids was sadly not the hardest thing I've had to do this year ... and that's too tragic for words! We went back to Lithgow, where we used to live, last night, for a couple of reasons (I'll talk about them soon!) so I decided to tell them in the car - at least then, I could concentrate on driving while I was talking, and I'd be less likely to burst into tears, which has happened a lot the past couple of days. I know, it's worth crying over, but I also know that my kids have been through a lot this year. I do want them to be aware of what's going on, as they are going to see her a lot, and need to know why she is sick from the chemo, but I also want them not to be too upset and alarmed unless there is a reason for them to be ... does that make sense? It went as well as that type of conversation can go. The heart-breaking bit was when Kelsey said "mummy, thank goodness Tayla doesn't know what that word can mean, but I do. I hope that doesn't happen, because we've been sad enough." I almost lost it - thank goodness for the road! She's taking the whole praying/being positive/helping whenever we can thing very seriously, the little darling. I'm with her ... we've been sad enough this year, I don't think any of us can grieve any more at this point! So, if you are the praying type, they'd all be appreciated. I'm at the point where I just don't feel like I know how to pray, so I'm crying, and just saying "please God" over and over. I think he'll get the message though.

So, this weekend - more mixed stuff! Today was the last of the girls' slightly more informal physical culture competitions, before Champion Girl ones start, and they had a great time - Grandma even came to watch them, which they loved! Kelsey did as well as Kelsey always does - had a ball, grooved along in her own little world, tried her best, and came away with another participation badge to add to her collection. She had a ball! Tayla, on the other hand - she's very competitive. She was soooo convinced that she was going to get First this time - she came third and fourth at the last 2 comps. I kept telling her that she should just concentrate on doing her best, and having a good time, like I always do, but once her section started, it became very obvious that she was likely to get her goal. She is soooooo good! She just seems to switch on. And, she came first. She was so proud of herself - it was really cute!

So, that was the good. The not so good ... today was the day we put Pa's ashes in the memorial wall. Well, some people did anyway. I got there after it was all over, as there was a mixup with the times, and it was on an hour before I could make it there. So I arrived to see his new resting place. And it's nice. He'd like it. He's back at home - my grandparents have lived on the South Coast of NSW for years now, but Portland has always been home. I took some photos of the wall, and the scenery around it, and some great "Pa's hometown" pics- the cement works where he worked for most of his life, the town pool that he helped raise funds for, the house he lived in. And it feels right, him being back in Portland. I'm still a bit bitter about missing the service, especially after hearing at dinner tonight with the family how nice it was, and that everyone got to hold the urn before it was place in the wall ... but that's ok, I'll get over that. I spent a bit of time gathering some photographic memories of my Pa. And they'll last me a lifetime.

I'm treasuring memories at the moment - I've been so aware of the fact that the time we have here is precious, and that we need to grab hold of them whenever we can. So, here are a few special moments I've been scrapping lately. Just some random, fun, wonderful memories that I'm going to treasure. Because they all should count, huh?

I wasn't really sure about the "Dream" one, but it's growing on me - normally I'd cut the crap out of this paper, but it just seems to work. I can just imagine all this stuff going on in her head while she's sleeping - nothing Tayla does is ever simple and uncomplicated! lol

The two bright ones are using the new Sassafras Lass papers, which are on sale this month at Scrap Therapy, so if you are feeling the need for some retail therapy check them out. (New thickers too ... who could resist? Not me!) There is also some great stuff going on in the forum too - new challenges, new competition, it's full steam ahead! I may have mentioned I love Scrap Therapy before ... let me tell you why. It's not just because of the top products, service, etc etc. It's because the people there, from the top down, CARE about you. And I've felt very loved and supported over there. I know that I'm among friends. And I've made some awesome friendships there that will last me a lifetime. I'm so grateful for them - from Therapy mum, to fellow Design Therapists, and the therapy attendees. Love you all heaps girls, if you are reading this!

Ok, that's my emotional purge for the night, I'm heading off to bed. Take care of you and yours. And tell them you love them. NOW! Don't wait for a time when it feels like it's your last chance. Do it now. Do it often.

It's sunday again!

2008-07-27T19:09:00.004+10:00

The only thing wrong with a sunday is the day that follows it. Sigh.

Man, what a weekend! Tayla had a gymnastics competition yesterday. It was a State Trial. I have NEVER seen this confident little girl so nervous or excited. She's viewing this as good practice for when she has to do trials to get into the Olympics, God love her. The girl has ambition! Tay is only 5, and trains once a week, whereas most of the other girls competing in her division are a year or 2 older, and train 2 or 3 times a week. We made the decision at the end of last year to only put her in one class, as she started school this year, which wasn't really popular with a couple of the coaches, but I think we made the right decision! Anyway, she is still really little, but she does so well in all her apparatus. The only thing she struggles with is the bars - the little monkey loves them, but there is a particular skill, the pullover, which she has never been able to do. It involves jumping up and pulling herself over the bar, legs going around first, if that makes sense ... anyway, it's very tough for her little muscles. Last comp she had to have a coach help her, and she has been getting very frustrated that she can't do it by herself. Well, yesterday at the competition, my little legend DID A PULLOVER ALL BY HERSELF! She did it in her practice run, and I thought her face was going to split in two, her grin was that big. So then, the judged turn, she went do to it, but couldn't - her feet dropped back to the floor again. Her coach stepped in to help her, but she had another go, and she DID IT AGAIN!!! She was just over the moon. She did so well on all her apparatus, and didn't fall of the beam, which disappointed her at the last comp. She didn't place, and she didn't get selected for the next trial, but does that matter to her? Not at all. Her beaming smile hasn't dimmed at all since yesterday, and she tells everyone who'll listen that she's sooooooo proud of herself because she did something she's never been able to do before, and she did her best routines ever. Gotta love that! That's what junior sports should be about, don't you think? I just hope she keeps that attitude as she goes on.

Here she is after having done her pullover by herself ... she told me on the way home that she wants this one enlarged so she can scrap it. What a cutie!

This weekend has been the announcement of the winner of the Make Believe Masters at Scrap Therapy, and the very talented winner of this years' competition is the wonderful Mandy! There have been a series of surprise challenges this weekend too, and a free class run by yours truly ... this was the sample layout I did. If you want to have a go at it, you can pop on over to the forum and check out the instructions! I'd love to see what you come up with.

Some sad news, but also some great news if you are after a bargain. One of my bestest friends in the world, the gorgeous Nicole, has made the difficult decision to close down her business, Acacia Papercrafts. They are a wholesaler of some fantastic brands, including MME, Daisy Bucket, Reminisce and Everlasting Keepsakes. They have just opened up their ordering process, so that members of the public can order directly, and save heaps! Check out the blurb ...

Friends,

Acacia Paper Craft is now live to the public... both online and at our premises.

Visit our website, and register. We will issue you with a username and password (you'll receive advice via email) and you can shop til your hearts content!

We are also open at 5-7/12-14 Campbell Street, Blacktown NSW 2148 from 10 to 2pm Monday to Friday. We are located above Campbell Street Medical Practice. Feel free to pop in for a browse and to grab a bargain!

Tell your friends, family, even strangers in the street! Everything must go! All genuine wholesale pricing, some products even below cost!

Will be looking forward to packing your order (and your friends... and your friend of a friends... and their friends! lol)

Feel free to pass this on to anyone who you think might be interested... there is some great stuff to be had, but it's not going to last forever, so I suggest you get in quickly!

K, that's it from me for today ... take care!

A bit of a sunday share!

2008-07-13T10:55:00.004+10:00

I love school holidays. Sleeping in. Reading. A few glasses of wine. Dealing with my own kids, and NOT everyone else's. The only thing I don't like about them is that they are so short. Ho hum. We are already halfway through them!
Today is a pretty exciting day - for christmas last year, we got Kieran a voucher for a session in a flight simulator at Flight Experience Darling Harbour. Today is the day! Man, they are hard to book into - they're so busy! The only downside is Dennis can't get off work until 3.30 - Kieran's appointment is 5.30. I was hoping we'd get into the city heaps earlier, and spend some time wandering around, but no, we'll probably just get there in time, with all the expected pilgrim delays! Dennis and I get to be his passengers, so I've got the batteries all charged up! Kierna wants to be a fighter pilot, so he's been hanging for today to get here.
I've been scrapping heaps these holidays! Here are a few of the layouts I've done over the past week. For the last few weeks I was making thankyou cards for Nan to send out after Pa's funeral. (Note to self: get a cuttlebug of your own before you give this one back to Tracey!) I've had fun, pulling out some older products I've had laying around for a while and scrapping just for the fun of it.

A few of these were for the Scraptherapy CC last weekend, and the (Im)perfect one was from Bon's blind scrap - thanks Bon! I've done more this weekend, but I'll upload those next time. K, I'd better go and figure out the best parking for Darling Harbour ... eep! Cya all later!

A great weekend ...

2008-06-11T21:09:00.003+10:00

Well, what an awesome weekend! I spent Saturday pottering around the house with the kids. Sunday, I went to lunch with Belinda, and some of her friends, and had the BEST South African lamb burger at Latte-tude in Penrith ... too yummy for words! It was topped off with a bottle of bubbly, in honour of the occasion - we were heading off to see Sex and The City! It was tops. Loved it. Loved even more that I was out of the house, and having a bit of fun ... it seems like it's been a very long time since I've had something to smile about!

The girls stayed at my sister's place, and Kieran at Poppy's, so Dennis and I had the house to ourselves. We watched some TV, and I did some scrapping. Then Monday morning, Dennis got up to go to work, and I slept in. Till about 10am. In TOTAL silence. It was blissful. I got up, and didn't turn the tv on. I didn't turn the radio on. It was just me, all alone in my house. Loved it to bits!! I enjoyed the silence for a while, then did a mountain of housework - washing, folding, sorting, vacuuming, mopping, cleaning, dusting, etc. It completely wore me out, but it felt good at the same time. It felt normal. (Well, anyone who knows me knows that me cleaning is so NOT normal - but you know what I mean! lol)

So, here are a couple of the layouts I scrapped ... I'm pretty happy with them! I did a couple more too, but they are in varying states of completion, so I'll share them when I'm done.

Oh yes ... this is the infamous sketch from ScrapTherapy's Cybercrop on the weekend. I bow in reverence to all the people who are able to produce stunning sketches using their computer, but I'm a pen and paper kind of girl. Aren't the stick figures ... interesting? The kids at work hassle me every time I have to draw on the board. I tell them it could be worse ... I could be their Art teacher! lol This sketch was used as inspiration for my "Big Bro" layout in the post below, and also the "Shine" one here. I'm really happy with Shine actually - love those pics of Tayla!

If you missed the CC, then you can always join in at LSBS this weekend, for their Friday the 13th cybercrop - it's all about black, baby!

Well, that's about it - Dennis is yelling at the TV. Apparently the ref is an idiot. I have NO idea how our kids are still asleep! So I think I'm going to curl up with a good book in bed, and try and get to sleep early tonight. Have a great week, everyone!

One week on

2008-06-06T20:26:00.002+10:00

It's been one week of a world without Reg, and as he would have wanted, things are slowly but surely getting back to normal. The kids are fighting with each other again, with intermittent moments of clinging to each other for emotional support. Work, school, housework (well, if the truth be told, not too much housework - as I said, things are getting back to normal! lol).

It's been a pretty productive week at work, considering I missed 2 days of it. I've organised an excursion at the last minute to take my Advanced English class to a Bells Shakespeare performance at another school. I ran a lesson this afternoon with the head teacher, deputy principal and principal as special guests - my year 7 class put on a meal of freeze dried survival style camping food, and had a great time testing out all the food, and inflicting the strawberry icecream dessert onto the guests. It was a lot of fun, but man, I'm exhausted! lol

This weekend is a long weekend here ... I'll be catching up on some of the aforementioned housework (never fear - we won't get to display home tidy, I'm just aiming for non-post-psychlone tidy. I can live in hope!) I have reports to write. Eeeep! I have books to mark. And, at some point this weekend, I would like to get some scrapping done.

There is a CC on this weekend at ScrapTherapy - it's BLING month, and the challenges are all up now, all sparkly and pretty, so hop on over to the forums and check it out! This is my sample layout for my sketch challenge ... omg, you really need to go and check out my sketch, it's the funniest thing you've ever seen. Well, ok, maybe not as funny as 5 second films on YouTube (which you REALLY need to check out if you haven't seen them!) but it tickled my fancy this afternoon and had me in stitches. Hmmm.

Ok, that's about it from me ... have a great weekend, especially those of you who get to have an extra day off!

RIP Reg

2008-06-03T14:00:00.004+10:00

Well, the day that we were dreading came. On Friday 30th May, just before 2am, Reginald McDiarmid, the truest gentleman I know, left this world. My mum rang us at about 1.30am to let us know that he was failing, and she was on her way down the coast to see him, and then rang us again just after she got there ... Nan didn't want to call her while she was driving to let her know, so she waited until Mum arrived to give her the heart breaking news.

We woke the kids to tell them, and they were understandably devestated. Kieran looked up to Pa so much, and it's going to take him a while to fully deal with it I think - as will the rest of us! Kelsey is being a total trooper - yes, she's upset, and she loved her Pa very much, but she's the kind of person who just wants to protect people around her, so she's being a little legend, trying to cheer Tayla up and keep her mind off it. Tayla ...well, she's only 5, and she has lost her best mate. She knows that she won't see him again, and that she won't ever have another big Pa hug, but every so often over the past few days she just breaks down in tears, saying "I want my Pa!" They were really best mates - the rest of us felt a little bit left out sometimes, I think, as they shared their special moments! Ok, not really left out - but I'm eternally grateful that she has so many wonderful memories to cherish of her relationship with the best man I know.

I don't want to sugar coat it - Pa wasn't all peaches and cream. He's coped with so much in the past couple of decades, it's really a miracle that he'd lasted this long. His personality had changed somewhat, as a result of a brain tumour a while ago, and that meant that there were times when he was grumpy, obnoxious, and a general pain in the butt. Mostly, though, he was a legend. Last year, Nan had to have surgery to repair a macular hole in her eye, and I was Pa's taxi for the day. We got to wander around the city for a while, as we waited for Nan to come out of surgery. Pa is the kind of man, even at 79 and frail, who would gently take my elbow and steer me to the inside of the footpath, so that he was between me and the road, just in case he needed to fend off any stray cars to protect me. Half the time, I didn't even realise he was doing it, till all of a sudden I was on the other side of him, wondering how I got there!

He was a man who knew the value of a good joke.... and thought that a suitably bad joke was priceless. Some of his jokes and stories are forever a part of our family legacy, and I'm so grateful that after the funeral yesterday, we got a chance to reminisce about some of those. There was a lot of laughter, and that's just the way Reggie would have wanted it.

I'll never be able to look at my knees again without thinking of my Pa - he had this habit of creating a rhyme for all his grandkids, and mine was "Tamara Louise with the knobbly knees". We all will cherish that, as much as we used to complain when he called us by our extended names when we were growing up.

I've only been to a few funerals in my lifetime, and only 4 of people that were very close to me. This one was the hardest that I've experienced, but at the same time the most beautiful. Nan and Pa's next door neighbours have 2 sons who were pretty much family. We'd hang out when we were on holidays, and I know that the Clancy's regard Nan and Pa as part of their extended family. It was a total honour, then, that Steven conducted the service with the celebrant at the crematorium. It was so moving that someone who knew Reg was speaking about his impact on those around him. Thanks, Steven, you made a very difficult time much more bearable.

My uncle spoke on behalf of Nan, my mum and my Aunty, and I was so choked up. Uncle Pete is a genuine nice bloke, and I haven't seen a lot of him in recent years, but I haven't ever seen a tear in his eye before yesterday, let alone heard him struggling to speak through his sorrow. My sister and I were speaking on behalf of the grandkids, and had to follow Uncle Pete ... that was a difficult task. We had decided we wanted to really focus on what a great guy he was - all our memories about Pa revolve around the tricks, and the jokes, and the funny times, so we spoke a lot about those things - the memories of our Pa that we will cherish for a lifetime and beyond. It was hard, but we got through it with our heads held high, and by the end there were a lot of smiles and chuckles in honour of a man who loved to make people laugh. I hope I made you proud, Pa!

My kids wanted to contribute something to our speech, and that was probably the hardest thing for me. Lorraine and I read a paragraph each, and the way it worked out was that I got to read Kieran's paragraph, which was the first of the great grandkids' comments. I almost lost it then - mostly because I saw his eyes fill up with renewed tears when he heard me say his name. Here is what my kids wrote about their Pa...

Kieran says:
I love Pa. every time I shook his hand he wouldn't let go. He would keep shaking for about 90 seconds. Sometimes my hand would go numb! So, every time someone shakes my hand I'll think of Pa shaking my hand till it was about to fall off, and all the good times we had together. Although he is not here, he will never let go of me.

Kelsey says:
I love my Pa so much. I will always remember him. He would always try to tell me that there was something on my top, and when I would look, he would tap me on the nose. Every time I would say "there's nothing there", and he would say "there is this time, go on, look, just there!" I would know that there was nothing there but I would still look, and he'd get my nose every time. Every time anyone touches my nose, I'll think of Pa trying to get me again.

Tayla says:
Pa is my best buddy. He always plays tricks on me. He would get me to start saying the alphabet, and said "A". I'd say "B", and he would say "I hope he stings you before me!" He would give me the best hugs and kisses, and tickled me all the time. He liked to make me laugh. He is living in my heart now, and every time I laugh, that's my Pa being glad that I'm happy.

Little legends, aren't they?

The final paragraph of our eulogy was written thanks to some inspiring words from Allison, an online friend from LSBS. I closed by saying this:

Pa was a one in a million – they broke the mould when he came along, and the world could do with more men like him. It comforts me to know that he’s probably up there right now, not just rebuilding that mould, but finding a way to make it better – if anyone could, it’s our Pa. We all have many fond memories of our Pa, and they’ll be with us for the rest of our lives. He is a very special person who will always have a special place in our hearts.

Thanks Allison, it was really a perfect thought for my Pa.

I went for a viewing yesterday morning before the funeral, and anyone who has done this will understand when I say that it was one of the most harrowing experiences of my life. I was expecting... well, actually I don't know what I was expecting. But I'm glad I did it. Wasn't expecting Pa's hands to be so cold, and afterwards I realised how stupid that was - I don't know why I was shocked when I touched them. Somehow, it was him, but it wasn't, if that makes sense ... I'm still trying to process it in my head, but at least I wasn't focusing on what was in that big brown box at the front when I was speaking, so that was a blessing. This picture is how I prefer to remember Pa ... with Tay sitting on his lap, where she invariably was when he was around!

His coffin had a gorgeous photo of him sitting on it - not in a suit, which seemed a little wrong, but in a flanalette shirt and jumper, laughing at someone off camera. His beloved Tigers jersey was draped over the top, and his other favourite posessions, a "Best Buddies" beanie bear Tay gave him for christmas, and a necklace Kieran gave him for luck in the hospital, were also on there. We had brought some roses, and at the end of the service the celebrant gave us a moment to lay a flower on the coffin if we wanted to. My kids were the first ones up - Tayla kissed her hand and touched Pa's footy jumper, which was such a sweet thing to do. It made me really proud of them, and fairly certain that they are going to be ok - they are all handling it ok, although very differently to each other.

How am I handling it? That's a great question. Ok, I think. I'm looking forward to some "alone" time to just cry for a while, but it's hard because whenever Tayla sees me upset, she loses it again, and I don't know if that's really helping her. So I'm being strong while I need to, and hanging out for Dennis to have a few days off work - he's working every day for the next three weeks, as his Assistant Manager is on holidays, so it took a lot of shuffling for him to get yesterday off work for the funeral. My sister is going to look after the kids on Sunday, and I'm catching up with some girlfriends to see Sex and the City ... it's kind of obligatory to see that with a group of girlfriends, isn't it?

So, back to work tomorrow, and I've got a massive pile of paperwork to catch up on, plus reports to write for both year 7 and 8. Life goes on, huh? Today, Kieran headed off to Canberra for a GAT excursion, and I drove Kelsey to Springwood to catch up with her class - she was supposed to go on her very first camp yesterday, for 3 days, so she missed the first day, but was excited to get there this morning. It's been pouring down rain though, so fingers crossed it's not too miserable for her. Tayla and I, after all the running around this morning, have been just veging out in front of the TV. I've been scrapping a little bit -getting a sample layout for a this weekend's cybercrop at ScrapTherapy ready. It's all about the bling this month, so if you are interested in a great weekend of scrapping, pop over to the forums and say hi!

Well, that's about it for today ... I just really wanted to get some of that down while it was fresh in my head. Thanks heaps to everyone who has been popping by and leaving comments of support, or emailing me or posting on forums. I appreciate it more than you know.

Life is what happens when your busy making other plans.

2008-05-26T22:38:00.002+10:00

That's totally how I'm feeling right now. Seriously, who would schedule a time like this in their lives? Who would decide that you were going to experience so much pain? I tell people that my grandfather is in hospital, probably dying, and I get the whole "oh, how old is he? well, he's had a good life" ... and I swear, if one more person tells me that I'll choke them till they are a pretty shade of purple. It's a much nicer colour than blue! Yes, I'm aware he is old! Yes, his body has suffered through more than any one person should be able to survive. But he is my Pa. He was there when I didn't have a dad around. Even though he isn't outwardly affectionate, I've always known that I've been totally unconditionally loved by him. I've always known that I've made him proud. And I can't even get my head around a world without Reg ... but at the same time, I can't bear to see him suffering the way he is. So how do I feel? On and off ok. Mostly the most conflicted and miserable I've been in a long time. Even when we were going through everything with Kieran last year, I felt like that in that there was something I could do ... but now, I'm helpless. And seeing Pa laying in hospital, too tired to even tell a joke, makes me feel even more helpless.
It's been 2 weeks. I've been down to see him 3 times. Last time was the best and worst. On Wednesday, he was telling me jokes, fighting with me, and going off at me for not attending the rally for the teacher's strike. All TOTALLY my Pa - he tells the worst jokes I've ever heard, he's a staunch unionist, and he loves to argue. The next day, he could hardly keep his eyes opened, and was struggling to breath, let alone talk. And when I lay down at night, I have those two men in my head ... both of them him, but neither of them quite right. It's breaking my heart.
The other broken hearts around here belong to my kids, and all for slightly different reasons. Tayla and Pa are best mates. To try and prepare a 5 year old for the fact that the biggest man in her life outside her daddy might not be here for long - that's just too hard. But it's too cruel to not even let her know that he's really sick, and she's not silly - she saw it in his eyes when we took them down last weekend to see him. Kieran, well he's just a mess, and I don't blame him! He gave Pa his necklace, and that brought Pa to tears - noone in our family can remember that happening very much (well, not since Kieran offered him a lung if he needed it when his lungs collapsed last year!) And Kelsey is just being Kelsey - holding it in, being strong for everyone. I guess maybe I'm more worried about her than anyone.
So where to from here? He survived surgery the other day, which was more than we expected. He's still in ICU, and making ever so tiny improvements, but mostly he is just hanging on. It could be days, it could be weeks or months. I don't know how much more I can take. And I read that, and I feel so guilty, because this shouldn't be about me - he's going through so much more! So I'm praying when I can, but I don't know what to pray for. Lost. So totally lost, and I don't know what do feel or think about it anymore.

It hasn't all been so grim ... the weekend provided us with a few moments of joy. Kieran had a cadets duty, for the opening of Blacktown Festival, and there was a military display thing at Nurragingy Reserve, so we took the kids down. It was a lot of fun, and even though tanks and jeeps aren't really my thing, it was great to get the kids out of the house, watch them ooh and aah over the parachutists and ponys, and run around in excitement over the waterfall and the icecream truck.
Sunday was the beautiful Bella-Rai's naming day, and my sister and her partner did a fantastic job ... I was using their camera, so as soon as I get the pictures I'll share some. Kieran is Bella's godfather, and Kelsey and Tayla are her "Guardian Angels" - they love that idea, and it was such a sweet gesture. They all got lovely cross necklaces, and Tayla in particular took her role very seriously - she was considering before she said "yes" when asked if she would be the guardian angel and take on that responsibility during the service. Too cute!

Hmmm ... that' s about all I can write now. I have a shocking headache, and should probably go to bed, but I think I just needed a bit of an emotional purge tonight! Thanks for persevering, if you made it this far. And go and give the special people in your life big hugs, or ring them and tell them you love them. Life is too short to assume that you'll have time to do it later.

A monday share ...

2008-05-12T22:28:00.002+10:00

http://wendi-aarons.blogspot.com/
Love it. Love it, love it, love it. Thanks Kerryn for sharing this with me! Love it.
That's it for today, really - just another reminder to myself to check this out regularly. Did you hear that Tamara? Go off and check that out again! And a reminder (read the hangover post!) that you are NOT 21 anymore ... you aren't even 16 ... and square poles are designed to hold up patios. That's it. Nuff said.

Oh yeah - Miss Holly has a blog! Thanks to her lovely mummy, Miss Shelee, she's joined the world wide web. Welcome, gorgeous!
http://missholly-shelee.blogspot.com/

A Mother's Day Reflection

2008-05-11T00:06:00.002+10:00

I just posted this over at ScrapTherapy - it started off as a "Happy Mother's Day" post, but I had a very close friend firmly in my mind as I was writing it, and it got deep and meaningful. I thought I'd post it here too.

To all the mothers of children, present and absent.
To all those who nurture children who they didn't birth, but they love all the same.
To all those who are aunties, sisters, friends and neighbours, who offer a maternal ear, or shoulder, or hand when needed.
To all those who long to hold a baby but have not been blessed.
To all those who have not given birth, and have no desire to.
To all those who nurture their fur-babies.
Who love unconditionally.
Who make the world a better place through their presence.

My life has been nurtured and enriched by so many women.
I have been touched by a biological mother.
By a mother of a close friend, who saved my life on more than one occasion.
By a woman whose womb had never produced an offspring but nonetheless impacted on the world around her deeply - both as a teacher, and a lifelong friend.
By a grandmother, and more aunts that I can number.
By a sister who, by choice, wasn't able to have children in the conventional way, but has this year realised her dream of motherhood, and celebrates her first mother's day this year.
And by friends, both mothers and not, who make the world a better place through their compassion.
Their humour.
Their ability to make rainbows out of the darkest storms.
Their persistence and perserverance.
And their deep and abiding love.

Thankyou to all those women in my life.
And thankyou to those women in yours.
Have a wonderful day today, you beautiful women, no matter what your circumstances and experiences.
You hold a truly honoured place in this world, and I am honoured to be counted amongst you.

What a week!

2008-05-01T17:11:00.002+10:00

Man, I've only been back at work for 4 days, but I'm already in need of a holiday. It's program review week at work ... so what does that mean? Well, basically a lot of trees have given their lives this week, my friends. Piles of paper, all attempting to justify our pedagogical decisions. We've been collecting books, organising outcomes markbooks, and documenting every breath we have taken this term. Fun, huh? I'm sure there was something else I was supposed to be doing in my chosen career... ah yes, teaching! Maybe I'll get to that when we get through all the paperwork.

A quick text update - thanks for all the comments and advice on my 1984 dilemma. I've ended up changing my text choices for this term, and am doing a close study on Othello instead (LOVE Iago, what a legend!!) so I can give myself a bit more time to prepare a more interesting (and less snooze-inducing) comparative study program for next term. I'm feeling much better about it, so that's good. Hopefully my yr11 class enjoy Iago as much as me. One of the girls in my class told me about a Bollywood film version of Othello - anyone know any good places in Australia to pick up Indian films? I'd love to get a hold of it - as long as it's subtitled in English!

Scrapping wise, I'm looking forward to a big weekend! ScrapTherapy have their first retreat on this weekend, and I'm not going (boo hoo), but I get to stay home and run the cybercrop which is running this weekend with Julie (woo hoo!!) There is going to be a Blind Scrapping challenge tomorrow night, too, run by Scrapping4Kaytie ... I can't wait, I'm loving blind scrapping. Too much fun!

The other super exciting thing (well for me anyway) is that my kit for my first OTP class at Scrap Therapy has gone on sale - it's going to be great. The class is on May 17th, and you'll get to make a gorgeous mini album using a Kaiser crown album, and some beautiful Daisy Bucket papers. Check out the info in the forum HERE, and take a look at my cool kit - it's really good value!

Ok, I have an Othello program to finish writing by tomorrow, so I'd better go and get cracking.
Take care!
Tamara

NOTE TO SELF:

2008-04-20T23:08:00.002+10:00

Check this out regularly.
http://lovelife.typepad.com/kalbarteski/
Especially Tiny Art 35. "I am bulletproof because I have to be".
And Tiny Art 31. I'm going to try to embrace my wobbly bits (metaphorically speaking of course).
Thanks Alison Shearer for sharing the link to this blog - love the art, it's just so inspiring!

So ... an intellectual rant. I hate 1984. Sorry, Aldous Huxley, you've utterly failed to grab me. And the rantings of your army of zealots, proclaiming your genius and wisdom, and insisting that it is a work of genius, have failed to sway me. I'm supposed to teach this to a class? Heaven help me. I seriously need to reconsider my options. What I REALLY need is a time machine to return me to a point in the not too distant past when the Board of Studies was meeting to set the new NSW HSC Text Prescriptions, and stop them from adding Brave New World into the Extension course ... then I'd be free to teach it this year to my year 11 class. What do you think my chances are of that happening before school goes back in 8 days time ... slim?? Ah well ... it's either 1984 or Animal Farm. Or, if anyone has any brilliant ideas of a novel to teach in a comparative unit with AI (Speilberg film) or in fact, with any film in a comparative unit, I'd be only too pleased to hear about it. I'm desperate!! I can't convince myself that the interminably boring passages of Winston reading "The Book" are worth ploughing through - how do I even attempt to convince a group of cynical smart 16 and 17 year olds that they should? Oh, the pain! Oh, the drama!

K, I'm going to bed now to dream of an agonizing and painful world ... of Big Brother and lack of freedom, and being 8 days away from excruciating drudgery. Oh wait, that's not a dream - that's going back to work and having to teach 1984. Can you believe Big Brother is about to come back on, by the way? The first housemate was revealed during dance tonight ... ugggh is all I have to say about that. Ugggh.

What a month

2008-04-18T12:01:00.030+10:00

Well, holidays are almost halfway over - it's not fair! I haven't had a chance to do even 10% of the things that I wanted to catch up on, either at home, or the massive pile of work I have to do before school goes back. Arrgggh!

So, a quick catch up - I got to demo for Matisse at the Royal Easter Show at Homebush last month, with the totally gorgeous and amazingly talented Lisa Pate. She even came for a sleepover - and was SOOOO patient after being driven all over the countryside while I ran around after my son, who is apparently incapable of knowing that he needs to take his cadets boots on a cadets camp - go figure! Love ya Lisa, it was so much fun. (And yes - I was only that cool calm and collected because you were in the car - if I was by myself I would have been swearing and cursing about it!)

Kelsey turned 8 on Monday - and seriously, who knew that 8 was so much more grown up and mature than 7? It's just wrong! She seems to be so much taller than she was a few weeks ago. She has a school camp coming up in a couple of months, and she'll be away for 3 days - all these things are combining to make me feel very sad that my little girl is not so little any more. She's not too big for cuddles with mummy, though. Happy birthday sweetypie, I love you heaps! She got so spoilt - new DS games, new clothes, and her special present - her membership to the Swarovski Crystal Society was renewed, so that for the next 3 years she'll get special members' only pieces of crystal, as well as special mail. This is something my mum got both girls on their 5th birthday, and it lasts for 3 years, so every third year she does the renewal for them, and they just love it.

We have a new Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalogue, and it's sooooo nice!! I also earned a free stamp set from a promo that was running in February, and that arrived on Monday - I just LOVE it, it's soooo me! A whole heap of definition stamps - one for every letter of the alphabet. It's an expensive set, but well worth it - I know I'm going to use it heaps! If you are interested in a hard copy of the new Idea Book and Catalogue, email me or leave a comment - they are normally $12.95 PLUS postage, but as a special offer for special people (that's you!) I'll mail it free for you. So what's so special about the new catty? Textured cardstock. Beautiful new papers. Gorgeous ribbons. Stamps, stamps, and more stamps! New In-Color inks and cardstocks. Beautiful new papers. (Can you tell I love the new papers?) It's way too nice for words! You can check out the online catty through the links on the side of the blog.

A few Public holiday Monday reads

2008-03-24T14:19:00.002+11:00

I just wanted to share a few links - mainly so I can come back and find them again later! This is what has been helping me procrastinate today.

In Praise of the Elephant Girls ... yep, that's me in a nutshell, so much so that I had to take a few minutes to ponder the all-round significance of it. Still kind of in shock actually.
Post Secret I revist this every so often, and there never fails to be a secret which speaks to my soul. Love it.
Journal Revolution - it's a top read, but I was totally sold by the "2008- the year of wanting to do less" pic ... OMG! So in my head. lol

K, off to do less now!

A bit of Stampin' Up! News, and a bit of a layout share!

2008-03-23T15:56:00.003+11:00

Hi all,

well the time is drawing near for a new SU catty ... and omg, it's just divine. A few teething problems, but it doesn't make me love it any less! If you are interested in having one mailed out to you, for $12 including postage, with a special voucher included, email me at tamara_rodgers@hotmail.com! Otherwise, keep an eye out on April 1 for the link to the beautiful new Idea Book And Catalogue, so you can drool over all the new stuff ... very very pretty!

If you are in mourning for anything that is retiring, get in quick to place an order! As a special offer until the end of this month ONLY, I'm giving a 15% discount on all SU orders - but they need to get to me ASAP, and payment must be received before March 31st so I can put the orders through in time! Contact me if you aren't sure if the products you are interested in are retiring. Don't forget, the links to both the Idea Book And Catalogue, and the Summer Mini catalogue, are in the sidebar of my blog, and the Summer Mini is ending too - a lot from there hasn't made it into our new catty, so don't miss out!

Ok, so that's the advertising section of the post over and done with. Man, it's been busy around here! The girls had their easter hat/crazy hair parade on Thursday, and we had so much fun getting them organised. Tayla's hat has a whole heap of chickens around the outside, all doing different activities - there is even a chicken named after her kindy teacher! Kelsey's hair is plaited with a wire coat hanger through it, so it sticks WAY up in the air - a little hard to tell in the angle of this photo, but it was way cool. I've just noticed this is a belly button shot - that's all for you, Helen, cause I just know how much you love them! ROFL

I've been so busy with work, that it's been such a relief to have 4 days off to catch up on some scrapping, and just spend some time with family and friends. LOVING it!! Tayla was funny this morning - she woke up sulking because the Easter Bunny brought chocolate (which she doesn't really like) and was only appeased when she discovered she had new Dora pj's as well. Thank goodness for a last minute dash to Target.

My Mother in law is staying here with us this weekend, and the kids are loving it - and my grandparents are staying at my mum's house, so the kids are getting spoilt rotten this weekend! On top of that, we have the beautiful new addition to the family, Bella-Rai, just being too adorable for words ... I could so eat her up, with her cute chubby cheeks! All in all, it's been a pretty awesome easter weekend, and we still have another day to go before we have to go back to work - TOPS!!

So here is some of the scrapping - these first two were done using Sassafras Lass gorgeous papers. Sassafras Lass is the Manufacturer of the Month at ScrapTherapy, so pop on over and check out the wonderful stuff Nat has in stock, and share you Sassafras Lass creations with us!

This last one is a layout I did of my ?"$#@!!#$ 13 year old son (can you tell what kind of day I'm having with him?) This was for the Survivor comp at Chookscraps - I'm really happy with it. Still need to fill in some of those spots on the crossword though, but maybe not today ... who knows what it would end up saying?? LOL

K, I guess I should go and be hospitable ... enjoy the rest of your long weekend, everyone, and give the people you love must a big warm squishy hug, either in person, or by email. It's about time you told them how much they mean to you!

Cheers,
Tamara

Raindrops keep falling on my head

2008-03-12T21:13:00.005+11:00

You know what I love about rain? The more you get, the more chance you have of seeing a rainbow. Today, I'm thanking God for all the rainbows in my life - they make the rain bearable!

So what have we been up to? The usual ... working, working, working, running around after the kids, working a bit more. We have a new car - well, new to us, and hopefully a decent enough P.O.S. that it'll hold together until we are a bit more financially back on our feet, and can buy something more new new!

The girls BOTH came home with special awards from school today - their school picks one person per class each week to receive a special award for living up to the rule of the week, nd both Kelsey and Tayla came rushing out of class this afternoon holding a big gold award. Too cool!

Kieran got to meet some of the dancers from So You Think You Can Dance today, on an excursion into the city ... that's not what the excursion was for, it was just a cool side-event. He got some autographs, but no photos, so here's hoping we can get some copies of the ones that his friends took.

Anything else? Hmmm ... not really! I'm so looking forward to the long weekend next weekend. I really need a break! I've been scrapping a bit, and getting ready to scrap a bit more. I did this layout recently for ChookScraps Survivor - I had been kicked off the island, but I'm back this week as an intruder!! woo hoo! I've no doubt I'll be back on Castaway Island soon, but it's a bit of fun.

If you're interested in some cool savings, Nat has a 40% OFF sale over at Scrap Therapy - way too tempting for words, really! I'm only telling you now because I stocked up on some of my fave 2scoops papers, so I don't need to race you there - lol.

Oh yes, one more exciting thing!! This saturday, I'm playing in our softball grand final! We've had such a disrupted season, with heaps of games being called off due to rain. The past couple of games have been so much fun, and we've played heaps better than we had before, so we're going in to Saturday's game ready for some fun, and not expecting anything else.

K, that's it for me - off to get ready for work tomorrow, and to try and get an early night ... I'm so sick of not sleeping properly, I'm hoping that sheer exhaustion will put me over the edge tonight!

Take care, and I wish you all lots of rainbows in your life!

A little bit of news, and a whole lot of stuff!!

2008-02-22T22:23:00.004+11:00

Wow, it's been a busy month! The first exciting thing to happen since my last post was that Tayla, who has been hanging to start school for a year now, actually got to go. Woo hoo! No tears (not even from me!) she was just in such a rush to go that we had to force her to stop and give us a kiss before she bolted up the steps! She's super excited, too, as she's in a K-1 composite class, and has the same teacher that Kelsey had in Kindy. She's doing so well - not that we are surprised! Here she is pushing past everyone to get up the stairs - just a little bit heart breaking actually.

So what else has been happening? Hmmm ... lots! Dennis was offered not one job, but two! That was pretty cool ... so he picked one, and on Sunday he's flying to Melbourne for training, before he returns home to take over as store manager of his very own store. It's a big step up for him, and he's soooo ready for it - I'm really proud of him, and very excited for him!! Love you, babe!

It's been exciting for me on the scrapping front - lots of scrapping going on, lots of great layouts that I totally LOVE, and some super-exciting news. First, a layout share though. This first one is from the LSBS cybercrop, and was done using one of Cath's totally awesome sketches - I've been doing a lot of bright stuff lately, and I just love this! MME paper. Noice!!

The next couple are Scrap Therapy layouts - the first for the cybercrop, and the second for Scrapping with the Stars, which has just wrapped up over there. Congrats to everyone managed to complete all ten rounds, you rock!

The other cool news from Therapy is .... oh yes. I'm doing a cool series of technique step-by-steps using chalks! Check them out in the forums HERE if you want to see how totally talented I am! (Man, I really need to work on this self-esteem issue I have, don't I?? lol) I'm sure there was something else. What was it?????? Ah, that's right. I'm now the newest member of the Scrap Therapy DT - I'm a Design Therapist! How awesome is that? I'm so excited, and really grateful to Nat for the opportunity to work with some super-cool DT people over there. I'll be teaching a class on Friday 29th, to kick off a weekend of awesome step-by-steps, so make sure you check them out!

Ok, that's it for me ... I'm off to clean up my table so I can get some scrapping done. Have a great weekend everyone!

Nooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

2008-01-22T10:30:00.000+11:00

School holidays have less than one week to go ... which means that I only have one more week before I'm back at work! Have I accomplished everything I had planned for these holidays? Absolutely not. Have I had a great time? You bet your nelly I have! (yeah, I know ... I don't know where that came from either. Nelly? I don't think I even have one to bet!)

So New Year's Resolutions? Didn't make any. I have made some life decisions though, and the big one is to NOT have any expectations of my holidays! lol I've also decided to become more of a Pollyanna this year. Last year was our "annus horribilus", and it really got me down, and this year actually started with some pretty potentially awful news as well, but you know what? This year, I'm not going to let it get me down. This year, when life hands me difficult situations, I'm going to take the opportunities that they present me with, and run with them. This year, I'm going to focus on all the amazing gifts I have in my life and rejoice in them.

So that's what we did when Dennis lost his job! The company closed his store, and offered him a position at Port Kembla. Are you serious? We see him little enough as it is! So, rather than get depressed over the lack of job, we took this as an awesome oportunity for Dennis to find a much better job, that has better hours, is closer to home, and will provide him with more job satisfaction. He's been in contact with a few places, and there is a potential job that is sounding totally perfect for us, so if you're the praying type, pray away!!

I've also been focussing on me a lot more ... I've been saying for ages I wanted my hair cut, and my hair has been really annoying me (it was very very long, very very thick, and very very split!) So, one day while we were at Colo, I drove home to go with my sis to her dr's appt, and booked in for a hair cut. I'm totally loving myself sick at the moment! It's just below my shoulders, really layered, and I can't stop playing with it - two weeks later, I'm still in love with it! I've also scrapped myself a lot since we got home, which I NEVER do, and in fact I've been scrapping up a bit of a storm. Wanna see? (if you don't, why are you reading this, hmmm? You know I always share something if I can!! lol)

This one was inspired by the totally awesome Lusi's new blog ... she has this song playing, and it's kind of her theme, so check it out! This was for a CC challenge at Chooks.

This one was for a CC challenge at LSBS - and I won! Woo hoo! How could I not, though, with such a totally hot-looking picture??
This uses the new MME Out and about paper, and a sketch from Little Book Of Sketches ... there are some new sketches up at the moment, so if you need some inspiration, check it out! The more I look at this, the more I think it needs a few more flowers, but I'll see how I go ... I'll probably add some though!

This one was for a colour challenge at ScrapTherapy, who are having a month-long CC to celebrate their birthday ... thanks for having us Relsi!

And this card was for Therapy too ... cute, huh? This is using the SU Pretty Princess set, which is too cute for words ... and if you are interested, I'm having a special till the end of the month, with 20% off all SU products you purchase through me! Leave me a comment, or email me if you are interested.

OK ... I've been meaning to do this for a while! Last year sometime, I received a totally gorgeous charm bracelet from Michelle, as part of a Pay-it-forward RAK. SO now it's my turn! I haven't decided what my RAK is going to be, but anyone who leaves a comment here between now and the end of the month will go into the draw, and I'll do a PIF RAK to three lucky people! So just leave a comment to tell me how totally stunning I'm looking right now (or just to say hi, if you must!!) and I'll pop your name in the draw.

Ok, off to enjoy another blissful day of holidays ... take care!!

A quick update ...

2007-12-04T14:15:00.000+11:00

Basically, I want to remind myself to breathe, and this is a good way! lol

So last weekend - (if you are wondering why I need to breathe, by the way, check out the schedule in my last post ... "fully hektik, as my yr10 class would say!!) It was totally awesome. Kelsey was a total star at her dancing concert on Friday night. She looked like she enjoyed ballet, but Jazz was really her thing. She wiggled, she grooved, she shimmied and shook. She totally beamed on stage, and I was so proud of her! She was so overjoyed at the flowers that Tayla had picked out for her as well, and Tay was pretty excited about that!

Up early on Saturday morning to take Kieran to cadets - he had to be there at 7am to prepare for his graduation parade. He had a fantastic time, by all accounts - I couldn't make it, as the girls had a physi comp, so we did the "split parent" thing - me and Nanna to dancing, Dad and Poppy to cadets. Kieran was one of very very few cadets to not make a mistake - what a legend!

The girls did really well at physi - you could tell Kelsey was tired from dancing the two nights beforehand, but she did her best. Tayla came first in her age group, AND won the dance award - the little groover!

Saturday night was Kieran's cadets grad dinner - he took his new girlfriend, which was a TOTAL spin out for me ... and really disappointing, too, as I wasn't there to get to see him head off for his night. The girls and I had tickets to see The Nutcracker at the Opera House, performed by the Australian Ballet, and it was totally exquisite! Tayla fell asleep halfway through the second act, but that was from sheer exhaustion, poor baby - she totally loved the ballet, as did Kelsey. We met up with some of Kelsey's ballet friends, as we'd organised tickets together as a celebration for the girls. I would so go again - totally wonderful!! The next day was my sisters baby shower - really tired, but a great day, and despite the full-on weekend, the kids managed to spend almost all day swimming in the pool. Man, I wish I had some of their energy!

So, since then - I've had a week of preparation for orientation day at work, which went really well. I've had a weekend of relaxing a little bit -not much, but just a little. And I've had another run-in with our red car. Dennis was on the way home on sunday, and it just died. After dramas getting it pushed out of the no-stopping zone it stopped in (can't it read road signs????) and trying to get it started - no luck! - we got it towed to our mechanic yesterday. Today came the bad news - it's the cam shaft, whatever that is. It's snapped. So we need a new engine. Great. Fantastic! Now where did I leave my magic wand? I'm sure I had it around here somewhere! I'm so over always being behind the 8-ball. Surely next year has to get better! Although, I'm kind of getting used to life sucking ... so, if things don't get better, at least I'm good at dealing with all this crap!

Ok, I think I've gotten some oxygen back in my lungs. Here's a layout I did last night - well, actually I started it a couple of months ago, but finished it last night! And the second one is one I did a couple of weeks ago, in about 15 minutes while waiting for Kieran to get ready for cadets - too cool!

Take care of yourselves, and take some time to breathe in this lead up to the silly season!

Bring on the holidays!

2007-11-27T20:04:00.000+11:00

Three weeks and three days of work left to go. Three million and three things left to do before then. Arrrrgggghhhh!!

Ok, here's a quick update of where I've been, where I'm going to be over the next few weeks, and what I've been up to ... my poor neglected blog!! lol

Kelsey has been healing up really well after the dog bite -she's a trooper! She had to see an orthodontist recently too, as she has a difficult dodgy out of place tooth ... grrr. She's been doing really well, though, and I'm so proud of her. She's in the middle of scrapping a mini-album about why she loves ART - she'd probably be finished if Mummy hadn't cut her Love Elsie fabric paper the wrong way! I'll share that as soon as it's finished - it's looking pretty funky!

Kieran has been on a bivouac for Army Cadets to Somersby - he came home with feet covered with blisters, and has a throat infection, so we had to squeeze in a trip to the dr's this afternoon, on top of everything else we have to do. Bliss!

Tayla had orientation day for kindergarten last thursday, and has her second session this week - she's so excited, and coped so well! Apparently the kindy teachers are fighting over who gets to have her next year ... lol.

Dennis and I went out to dinner on saturday night ... it was my sister's work christmas party, and we had a great night. We even got a really nice picture of both of us, so that's a bonus!

So what's on for the next couple of weeks? My goodness, I'm exhausted just thinking about it!
Wednesday - Kieran's GAT presentation afternoon at school, and Kelsey's final ballet class before her concert
Thursday - Tay's gymnastics class, and Kelsey's first concert; orthodontist appt for Kelsey, and orientation session for Tayla
Friday - Second concert - we're all going to watch this one!
Saturday - Physi competition, and Kieran's cadets passing out parade - both at 11am
I'm taking the girls to see the Nutcracker ballet at the Opera House on sat. night, and Kieran has his graduation dinner as well (he's taking a GIRL ... ewwww! Tayla is most disgusted at the thought that they might kiss. lol)
Sunday - my sister's baby shower
Monday - Work, work, and more work - hopefully I'll have a chance to get some stuff organised for the upcoming thursday, which is the yr7 orientation session at work (which I'm running!!) Last cadets meeting for the year.
Tuesday - Physi disco and presentation night
Wednesday - hmmm ... actually I think it's just the usual work routine that day!
Thursday - Orientation day. I've got some "sitting and breathing" time scheduled for some point that afternoon too, hopefully.
Over the next 2 weeks leading up to christmas, we then have gymnastics presentation nights, daycare graduations and christmas parties, and lots and lots of other stuff to do, both for work and home. I'm thinking that ad where people are bidding on some time isn't looking too bad right about now!

Somehow amongst all this, though, I've been finding some time to scrap for the Scrap Therapy Scrapping with the Stars competition, and I'm totally loving the layouts I've done so far!

This one was for the latest round - the star was Charm (Charmaine Koch), and we had to use 2 pp from different manufacturers, felt or fabric, and the date and some journalling.

This one was from the Rhonna Farrer challenge - to scrap our dreams. I really like this one!

And finally, the really emotional one. This was the layout I did for the challenge set by the gorgeous Lusi Austin. I don't even really remember what the criteria was, but I know that I've never been so proud of a layout as I am of this one. There are two "flaps" to this - opening on either side of the layout to reveal a heap of journalling about my feelings and thoughts on Kelsey's time in hospital after being bitten by a dog. I really love this - every time I look at it I just get a really awesome feeling - a real sense of pride in something I've done. It's nice!

Ok, so that's as much procrastination time as I can justify tonight - off to do some work. If you haven't checked out Scrap Therapy's scrapping with the stars yet, take a look - and you can vote for me if you feel so inclined! lol
Also, if you aren't as mentally busy as me on the weekend, Little Scrapbook Shop has a cybercrop on this weekend, and it's going to be great ... check it out!
Ok, off to do some work ... take care of yourselves as this silly season kicks into gear!

Blue days

2007-10-26T21:33:00.000+10:00

Well, it's been a while ... but I've just not had a lot of great stuff to blog about, and frankly I'm getting a little tired of all my news being miserable and depressing! But in the interests of not having the most un-updated blog on the web (yep, I'm an English teacher, can you tell???) I thought I'd pop in here and give my sadly neglected ponderings a dust off.

So what's been happening? A lot of little things, I guess, that have just compounded over the past few months into this insurmountable mess that has become my life! Man, that sounds worse than it really is - can you tell I'm in a melancholic mood?
My totally gorgeous, and totally brave, daughter Kelsey was bitten by a dog at a birthday party. She was bitten on the top lip, and had to be taken to Westmead Children's Hospital by ambulance, for an overnight stay and surgery. The poor little munchkin was so totally brave, I'm so proud of her. It was totally heartbreaking! It was the day before school went back after holidays, too, which just made it worse for her, as she was so looking forward to getting back to see her friends and her teacher. She's recovering well, and thanks to the totally awesome team at Westmead Children's, is likely to have a very minimal scar on her face, which will hopefully diminish as she gets older.
Hmmm ... a car crash with some whiplash for Dennis, a stressed out Tayla from witnessing so much drama with her siblings, a sprained wrist for me, and not enough sleep for, I don't know, it feels like a year! Total crapola, is all I have to say.

Ok, maybe not TOTAL ... there have been some bright moments. Tayla got through to the semi-finals at the Physi champion girl comp, which was even more impressive considering that they don't have her age group so she had to compete up an age! Kelsey's physi team came third, and she did so well, I'm so proud of her effort. Tay started Levels gymnastics - she had her first class yesterday, and itw as a bit scary - for me, more than her I think! She's with much older girls, and it's a two hour long class, so we are letting her try it out this term, and we'll see how she goes for next year. She was a little overwhelmed, I think, as it's a huge step up from what she was doing last term, but she really loved it once she got settled. I sat there with my heart in my throat for most of the time.

K, I think it's bed time for me ... we have a huge weekend, with a lot of stuff to get done, and I'm really just about ready to crash, so it's probably a good time to head off huh? Next time I update (which will hopefully be soon!) I'll add some pictures of some stuff I've been working on lately ... lots of cards, and lots of OTP stuff. I really need to get some new photos printed, I'm running out of stuff to scrap! lol Oh, if you're in the mood for a cool scrapping comp, check out ScrapTherapy - SCRAPPING WITH THE STARS has started, and it's very cool! I'm hoping that things settle down enough soon that I'll be able to scrap some stuff for this!
Yep, going to bed now - LOL. Bye all!

Sensational September has arrived ...

2007-09-04T20:32:00.000+10:00

Gee, it's nice to have some good news! (Some sad news scattered somewhere, but it's ok, I'll get over it ... LOL) My grandfather and MIL are both out of hospital, and doing pretty well, considering. I've been scrapping, catching up with some friends, and starting to feel like I'm in a bit more control of my life, which is a nice change to being battered along by the storms of circumstance!

Sunday was the best day I've had in ages ... I got to spend the whole day at home, by myself, no kids around, Dennis at work ... it was just divine. I scrapped, I watched Season 6 of the West Wing, I stayed in my pj's all day. I also got a couple of gorgeous visitors - Cath and Ali, who were hooning around on their new motorbikes. Totally sexy!

The slightly sad news ... I've been in a DT comp at Scrap Therapy, and didn't make it past the second round. I don't know why things like this upset me so much, but they just do ... so I think I just need to not apply for DT's any more! I think it's because I only apply for them when I really want to be a part of the site, and it's disappointing to miss out on that opportunity. Ah well ... congrats to the talented chickies who are in to the next round, I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Ok, I'm going to go and do some more scrapping - I'm on a roll since sunday! So here are some of the layouts I've done over the past week.
This one was done using a single photo layout sketch from Little Book of Sketches - I've used a mirror image of the single page sketch to do the second page of the layout. Love these pics!

This one was from the LSBS retreat ... and it took me almost no time. Some Fancy pants rubons, a couple of strips of paper, and a cute pic - done!

This was the layout I did for the Scrap Therapy DT comp ... didn't get through, but I love the layout anyway.

Why does it always rain on me?

2007-08-24T20:37:00.000+10:00

Wow, time has passed since my last update, huh? It's been a pretty horrific few weeks in the Rodgers household ... please don't feel obligated to read this, it's pretty sad and depressing. I'm really just posting it as a bit of an emotional purge for myself!!

A few weeks ago, Dennis got a phone call from Kieran's school ... he'd been hit in the head, was sitting up and talking ok, but they'd called an ambulance just as a precaution. At least, that's what we were told. He rang me at work, said "I'm on my way there, but it's no big deal". I just had a really sick feeling in my stomach, so went and spoke to the Deputy Principal, who let me go home early. I was on my way along the highway, heading towards his school, when Dennis rang me again - it was NOT quite as inane as it was first described to him. Dennis and Tayla had walked in to the quad, to find the paramedics putting a neck collar on Kieran, who was lying in a pool of his own blood. Another kid had gone nuts, king hit him from behind, and then kicked him in the head and back a number of times until he was unconscious, and only stopped kicking when a teacher got there. I beat the ambulance to the hospital, and saw my baby looking scared, immobilised and bloody, lying on the stretcher in the emergency room. Amazingly, he's fine physically - he ended up with some deep tissue bruising, but it's a miracle that there were no broken bones, no lasting head trauma ... thank God for that!! He's been back at school for a couple of weeks now - it's been really stressful for him, and he's getting a hard time off some total w&nkers at school, but he's coping a whole lot better than I would be! Thank goodness for the school counsellor, is all I can say - and petition your local member for more funding for counselling staff in schools!! There aren't enough of them. It's really been up and down though - some good days, some bad ... he keeps reliving the moment before he blacked out, when he thought he was going to die, and it's one of those times when I just wish I could bundle him up, run away from everything, and protect him. It sucks when life doesn't end up being what you planned, isn't it? Who expects this kind of thing when you spend so much time choosing a school for your kids??

Anyway ... yes, the school has suspended the attacker, and there are ongoing investigations ... he's been charged, and Kieran decided to apply for an AVO against him. I tell you, my boy was a total trooper at the Police Station filing his report - I thought I was going to lose it! We are still going through a lot of follow up stuff in regards to the school, and where we go from here.

The light in all of this? Kieran has wanted to go to Army Cadets for ages ... he would have prefered Air Force cadets, but it's a bit too far to travel to. So my mum offered to pay his fees for his birthday present. I took him along to check it out the monday after the attack - and it was EXACTLY what he needed. He started on Monday night this week, and he's totally in his element. It was so good to see him smile, and hear him talk about something with excitement in his voice ... I breathed a little easier that night. As much as the protective mother in me would like to see him take up a career that's a little safer (dentistry maybe??) the overwhelming joy he shows when talking about all things military is really exciting to see ... how spunky does he look in his greens??

If only that was the only tragedy in our lives ... my grandfather is in ICU as I type this. His lungs have collapsed a few times now, and he's not a good candidate for surgery, so we are basically playing a waiting game. I'm really not ready to say goodbye to him, you know? He's my rock ... when I had no father figure around, he's always been the stable man in my life. I can't envisage a world in which I won't be hearing one of Pa's infamously bad jokes any more. Yes, he's a fighter, and yes, he's beaten the odds many times before, but there can only be so many times that your body can fight through something like this before it just can't do it anymore, can't there? So, if you are the praying type, prayers for Reg would be much appreciated right now - I'd like him and Tayla, best mates that they are, to have some more time together.

What else? My mother in law is in hospital - thankfully, not as serious, and she should be home, touch wood, on Sunday. But she gave us all a scare! My sister has gone through some tests - she's pregnant, and her ultrasound and blood tests put her in a high risk group, so we are praying that they come back on Monday showing no problems. I really feel like I'm just holding it together ... and not very well, really!! Thank goodness for the LSBS weekend retreat last weekend - it helped me hold on to the last vestiges of my sanity!

On to the retreat - my shining beacon, my saving grace. I tell you, I didn't realise how totally awesome my best friends are - even those I hadn't met in person before!! These girls are the sweetest, funniest, craziest, most genuine people I've ever had the good fortune to meet, and I thank God for them. Cath, Nic, Tracey, , Michelle, Lisa, Helen, Sharon... love you all to bits! I'm waiting for some pics from everyone (I didn't take my camera, as Dennis needed it for a soccer gala day) so I'll share them later, but you can see some on Relsi's blog. I also got to meet up with some new friends - Amanda, Bon, Celeste, and the totally divine Narelle, who I just adore. I can't wait to catch up with her again - hopefully in a couple of months, if I get to Paperific in Melbourne to see her and Bon again! I can't wait.

Classes? TOTALLY worth it! The totally awesome, her royal marvellousness, Alison Shearer, taught along side the Divine Miss Lisa - 2 classes, 2 groups, 1 timeslot! They handled it so well, and had some great OTP projects for us to do!! Sunday was a cool class with Rebekka Erickson. As soon as I get any of the projects finished (they are in various states at the moment) I'll share them with you.

The highlight was definitely the PJ fashion parade - Relsi has a group shot on her blog (OMG check out my cleavage!!! lol) It was too funny - I don't remember the last time I laughed so much, which was EXACTLY what I needed. That was just after the most relaxing massage from Tracy, who'd joined us for the day to give us all some much needed stress relief - thanks Trace! I got about 3 hours sleep each night - I wasn't one of the brave few who managed to stay up all hours, but it was definitely the best sleep I've had in weeks and weeks. So BIG thanks to Cath for the best weekend I've had in a long time ... can't wait till next year!

Well, this weekend is either going to be great, or awful ... we are going to see how Pa is going tomorrow night, before I make a decision as to whether we take the kids for a drive down on Sunday to see him. I'd hate for them to miss out on the opportunity to get to see him again, just in case ... so again, big prayers for Reg!! We don't have soccer any more, so we all get a sleep in tomorrow morning - woo hoo! Oh, I forgot to mention - Dennis got a new job! He's assistant manager at a sporting goods and shoe store ... which is where his car broke down last week, and ended up costing us $500 to get fixed. Hmmmm. See? Told you it'd been a crappy month!!

Ok, I'm going to go and chase these kids off to bed, then get stuck into some scrapping. If you are still reading this, go and get yourself a drink and some chocolate - you deserve it!!

Hmmm ... pics aren't uploading - I'll come back later and add them. Trust me, they are worth waiting for!!

Back in the Land of the Living

2007-08-01T21:15:00.000+10:00

What a busy couple of weeks! Just a quick update of what's been going on ... I'm too tired to write much at the moment.

Kieran turned 13 - I'm SOOO not in the head-space to have a teenage son, so I don't know who let that happen, but they'd better turn the clock back quickly! We decided to get him an electric guitar, and Target had an awesome one in their toy sale catalogue. I rang around the stores near us, the day before the sale started, and only Penrith had any in stock - and they only had 12. So, silly mum decided to head over to Penrith at midnight for the opening ... man, having faced that, Pamplona would be a piece of cake! I got knocked over by some psycho chick, who then ran over me with her trolley ... I kid you not, this is not some bizarre urban legend, this was my reality at 12.01am. Can you believe it?? What some people will do for the prospect of a slightly cheaper trolley full of toys that their kids will break in a day or so! I ended up getting the guitar, and headed back to the car, where I sat for about 10 minutes - I think if I had driven off, and seen the psycho walking across the street, I would have been seriously tempted to show her exactly how it felt to be run over!
Yes, Kieran loved the guitar - totally blown away, he was. So it was worth it. He got some great presents, and had a wonderful day.
The next weekend was the big one - dinner on friday night with some relatives from my side of the family, who were here from all over the country. Saturday morning soccer, which was our biggest game - Tay's team scored 2 goals!! WOO HOO!! Saturday afternoon and well into the night was an engagement party for Dennis' neice, and it was great to catch up with everyone, as exhausting as it was. It was at Tahmoor, which is just a lovely place!
Sunday morning brought the birthday party - and a trek into Milsons Point to Luna Park. We met a few of Kieran's mates at the railway station, only to discover that there was weekend trackwork, and we had to catch buses part of the way. Tayla was very excited, but also a bit nervous - it was her first train trip.
We arrived at Milsons Point, and OMG the wind was bitterly cold as we walked down the hill. It was fine for the rest of the day, but it was a scary start! Lots of rides, lots of laughter, and lots of fun was had. Kelsey, our shy quiet little girl, went mental - going on all the rides she could by herself, including the Wild Mouse and the Spider! Tayla, on the other hand, was a bit more reserved - it took her ages to build up the courage to go on the Ferris Wheel, but when she did she loved it! She also went on the Spider - screaming all the time "This bit is scary, and this bit is scary, and this bit is scary - the whole thing is scary mummy!" while she had the biggest smile on her face. I don't know how the girls were able to walk on the way back to the train - up the stairs for the slides at Coney Island about a million times. Man, you should all be very VERY scared when these girls get their licence too -you should have seen them on the dodgems! Kelsey was a little speed demon, darting in and out of traffic, chucking laps around everyone!

The special guest appearance for the day was Mr Chucky. Kieran has a love/hate relationship with fast big rides ... loves to go on them, hates what they do to his stomach!! lol The notable absence?? The digital camera, which was safely locked up in the car back at the railway station. Thanks to the lovely people at the gift shop, we now have 27 photos on a disposable camera to commemorate the day - I hope some of them turn out.

Then to the trip home. I don't know if you heard about his accident ...

This is just around the corner from us. The train/bus we were supposed to be on would have meant that we were getting home (or just here) at the time of the accident. We didn't know it at the time we were cursing the overcrowded all-stations bus we got pushed onto, but it saved us from either being here when this happened, or coming more directly upon the wreckage. As it was, we drove down the highway to a massive amount of flashing lights, and had to be redirected. It made me feel sick to the pit of my stomach. Someone was looking out for us!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ... how good was it? I'll leave my rant and rave post for another day (I had a totally crappy shopping experience when I headed off bright and early to get my copy of the book too!!) but I totally loved the end of the series, and had a number of gasp out loud, teary moments. Thanks for the wonderful moments, Harry and Co!

Ok, I need to go to bed - totally exhausted here, I have a bit of hay fever I think. Night all, take care, I'll try to update again soon with some pics!

2007-07-10T22:37:00.000+10:00

Hmmm ... blogger isn't letting me put in a title for some reason, but if I was to be able to, it would be .....

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS ROCK!!

Yep, I'm having a great thing -staying up late, scrapping, spending time with the kids, catching up with some friends. Totally loving it! So, I thought I'd pop in to share some layouts that I've done over the past week or so - very bright for me, but I'm really loving them.

Love Elsie stuff ... wasn't in love with it when I first saw it, but it's easy to do this kind of funky, whimsical layout with the products. Tayla loves them!Reminisce range - too cute! I couldn't resist scrapping this pic of Kieran in his Mickey jumper with these papers.

Yes, I know, this isn't a new one - but I love it! So I thought I'd share it again. My princess, and my favourite paper range. Love it!

So some of you have been hassling me about my big secret from a few weeks ago, and today I can reveal that ... I'm going to be an Aunty! My little sis has been trying through IVF to fall pregnant, and she fell ... woo hoo! She had her scan today, and there's only one little bun in the oven (my kids were hoping for multiples so that they could share), and all is going well. I'm so happy for them both, it's too exciting for words!

K, I'm going to go and think about heading off to bed now - I'd love to stay up and scrap, but Kelsey fell off her bunk bed as she was trying to come down the ladder forwards, and grazed her whole side, so she's sleeping in the lounge room ...grrr. What am I going to do?? Take care everyone, I'll catch you later!

Some more layouts to share!

2007-06-26T21:07:00.000+10:00

Not much news this week - busy busy busy, counting down till school holidays. Plus I've been scrapping up a storm this week - and it's only Tuesday! I did a layout last night that I'm LOVING, but it still needs a little something, so I'll upload that when I decide that it's finished. So, I thought I'd share a few more of my layouts from the LBOBM comp. Are you ready??

This is my FAVOURITE layout at the moment - I keep looking at it, and just smiling so much. I love the picture, I love the overall look, I'm super-proud of the journalling - love it, love it, love it! Daisy Bucket papers, and American Crafts embellishments, in case you were wondering. Tayla was so excited to give Kelsey her flowers after the ballet concert last year ... why do I think it's a good idea to cut out patterns from pp? I don't know, but every time I do I say that's it - the last time! Hmmm. This one is all American Crafts.

I totally hated these papers when I first saw them, but I'm really happy with the layout, so that's good! The garden feel is just perfect for these pics. Cactus Pink papers and ribbon, and American Crafts chipboard and rubons (again - can you tell I like them?)
Hmmm ... this one I'm still not sure about, but Tay loves it, so that's ok ... Doodlebug papers, frills, flowers and buttons. I stamped onto the chipboard letters with a Stamping Up! stamp, and outlined random flowers with a darker pen. Flourishes with the Crafters Workshop templates - LOVE those.

Ok, big apologies for all those non-scrappers out there who have had to sit through another layout share ... how cute are my kids though?? lol K, take care of yourselves. THREE MORE SLEEPS!!

Some competition layouts

2007-06-23T18:43:00.001+10:00

I mentioned that the LBOBM comp at Little Scrapbookshop is over ... well, here are some of the layouts I LOVE that I completed as part of the competition!

Camping Out In the dining room ... this layout uses Fancy Pants papers, chipboard and rubons - the pics are a bit blurry, and you can see a perfect example of why I DON'T like having my photo taken, but this was SOOOO much fun!

Last Day of Primary School, using Rebecca Erickson papers and chipboard. I really like the muted blues in this one!
Birthday girl - Tayla's 4th birthday, using Daisy Bucket papers (these are so nice!)
Yet another double - yes, I did a lot of them! Kelsey's birthday party layout, using Kelly Panacci papers and stickers.
And finally, a single layout - the person at the photo lab apologised for the main photo, saying "I just don't know what happened with the cropping on this one!" lol Only a scrapper would take a photo of feet! This was for the Reminisce range.

K, well that's all blogger will let me upload, so now for some news .. My son was offered a place in the Gifted and Talented program at his school, after some extensive testing - woo hoo! He's so excited, they get some awesome opportunities as part of this.

I have some super-exciting family news ... but I can't share just yet! You'll just have to keep an eye out (and no, I'm NOT pregnant ... lol) K, I'm going to scrap - I'll share some more layouts soon, because there are another 10 or so to go from the comp, and I've been doing heaps of others lately too!

Long time no blog!!

2007-06-11T18:59:00.000+10:00

Wow, how did that month get away so quickly? Just a quick update of what I've been up to ...

Work has been super hectic- it's reports time, so all those teachers out there know what I'm talking about! Massive piles of exams, reports to write and proof read, and to top it all off, I'm the year 6 into 7 coordinator, so had to organise some lessons for a couple of local primary schools to come up to ... madness!! It all worked out well, eventually, but I was so over it by Wednesday night.

The Little Book of Big Memories is over at Little Scrapbook Shop, and the winners have been announced ... congrats to all the winners! Tash was the overall winner, and there were heaps of individual category winners, but my fave was Shelee ... way to go, sweety!! I was not one of them (boo hoo, sob sob!!) but I'm not really upset - I've got another 17 layouts finished to add to my albums, and I love almost all of them! I've kind of accepted that I'm not the kind of scrapper who wins prizes or gets published - people who do the more "arty", fussy, embellished kinds of layouts get that privilege. But I'm ok with that - I love what I do, and the most important aspect of my scrapping for me is that I am taking some time to capture special memories of our lives so that we can relive and remember them in the future. As much as I would love to see some of my work in print, I'm not stressing about it ... magazines are obviously looking for something else, and that's cool!

It's been a long weekend here in NSW ... woo hoo! I've been sick for most of it though ... boo hoo. I was feeling much better yesterday morning though, and headed off to Scrapabout Australia for an awesome class with the wonderful Alison Shearer. Thanks for the inspiration, Alison ... if you want to see some of what we worked on, you can check out her blog (and whilst she may have meant "paint" not "pain", she tried her best to inflict some bodily harm to me with her new staple gun - I almost had a brand new piercing!!) Today, we took the kids to see Shrek the Third ... not as good as the previous 2 movies, but a good way to spend a monday afternoon all the same.

Cybercropping at LSBS this weekend ... I've only managed to do one layout, but the girls have both done one each too, and I'm so proud of them - they both did their own handwritten journalling! So here is what we got up to this weekend - I'll share some LBOBM layouts next time I post (which hopefully will be sooner than next month!)

The first one is Kelseys, the second Tayla's, and the last one mine.

K, that's it from me ... take care everyone, see you all soon!

KIDS - who'd have 'em??

2007-05-16T17:33:00.000+10:00

GRRR ... what a day! Firstly, I was supposed to be at a behavioural management seminar for work- yay! The only problem was, I was told the wrong starting time, and the wrong section of the venue - so, when we sorted out where I was supposed to be, I was over an hour late.
About an hour or so into it, and I got a phone call, which I ignored, as it was from a number I didn't recognise - then another, then another, all from different numbers though. Finally, one of the staff members came in looking for "Tamara Rodgers - there's a phone call for you." It was from Kieran's high school, just telling me that he was involved in an incident and was injured, and they needed someone to pick him up. It turns out that another student had taken exception when Kieran reached for a pencil, and smashed him into a window sill. Kieran had a pen in his hand, and during the struggle the other child got scratched with the pen, so now Kieran is in trouble for that, even though he was trying to protect himself, and now has major strained muscles in his neck, and what likes like a developing black eye. Double GRRR! I just want to keep him home and teach him myself - I think it makes it harder because I work in a high school, so I know what they can be like. Dammit, I just want to protect him from all this crap, but at the same time I just know that I can't!

Ok, that's it - just a little vent. I'll return you to your scheduled programming!! LOL If you are up for some scrapping this weekend, LSBS is having their 2nd birthday Cybercrop this weekend - check it out!!
I'll catch you all later - hopefully with better news next time!!

The week (and a bit) in review ...

2007-05-13T20:27:00.000+10:00

Wow, I'm getting slack aren't I? The past couple of weeks have been pretty full on, and I'm amazed that I'm here as sane and stable as I am at this point in time! So just a quick wrap up of what has been going on ...

Mum was hospitalised last week, with chest pains - she's ok now, following up on some Dr's appointments, but it was very scary seeing such a strong and capable woman lying in a hospital bed scared and helpless. Thanks to everyone who sent well-wishes to me, I really appreciate all your thoughts and prayers. So that was monday - she was home on Tuesday, and Kieran was in hospital for his orthodontic surgery on Wednesday. The surgery itself went ok, but he doesn't react well to anaesthesia (spelling??), so it was very scary to see him laying there, semi-conscious in recovery, and not to be able to do a thing to help him (can you sense the theme of my week?) Still welling up a bit at the thought of it actually!! That whole night was not great for him (despite the spectacularly funny face plant as he tried to stand up and tumbled over the lounge, then went back to sleep completely oblivious) but by the next day he was getting back to his usual obnoxious self. I did take the rest of the week off work though - I think the stress of it all just got to me, and my body shut down. SO, I was more than ready for the weekend, and the Scrapgirls retreat!! I had a total blast, and it totally reminded me how much I love my friends - they are just awesome, and I'm so grateful for them. So here is a copy and paste version of my weekend, taken from the post I made at LSBS.

The weekend was SOOO awesome, you won’t even believe it. We did some great classes – a cool altered clock class run by Sheree which was great, a calendar class (I think Nic might have been the only one to do this though out of us lot!!) and a couple of other kit type ones – the BEST by far, though, (sorry Sheree!!) was Alison Shearer’s mini book/folder class … it’s too cool for words, really! Alison is such a great teacher – Nic and I are becoming her groupies!! Lol I haven’t taken pics of my projects yet, but I know Nic’s clock, plus some of her other layouts are already in the gallery.

So that’s the serious scrapping stuff … now for the rest. We played bingo … Sheree was no good at calling out the words (she kept calling the wrong ones) so Kylie was put in charge. Friday night was an early night for me – I went to bed at 3am, while Cath and Nic powered on till 4. I say powered on … what I mean is, Nic powered on, while Cath shuffled papers around and kept her company. LOL. Not much scrapping went on there!! Saturday arrived, and so did Sharon … and you would have thought that Nic won the lottery! You’ve never seen anyone more excited in your life – we joked for the rest of the weekend that they were conjoined twins, and Cath and I felt bad for separating them. They slept on opposite sides of the same wall on Saturday night, and you would have thought that woodpeckers were invading, or someone was trying to send morse code signals … LOL. We didn’t get to bed on Sunday morning until we heard the roosters crow – it was about 4.30 when we headed to our rooms, and much later than that when the tapping stopped and the snoring started.

You have never seen musical chairs in your life like we played it at Meroo. It was combat musical chairs. Bodies were flying, private parts were groped – it certainly needed an M rating. And that was before we saw the prize that Nic got for winning – otherwise the rest of us would have fought harder! I do know that Cath was NOT impressed with the choice of music (Hi-5), but you couldn’t tell from the enthusiasm with which she was grooving and shaking around those chairs with. Maybe she was just trying to put us off!! Lol Sheree got some pics, so hopefully she’ll share them with us.

I demo'ed my first SU card!! It was pretty simple, but a few people made one, and they seemed to really like it, so I was a happy camper. I don't have pics of that yet, but I'll find them when I eventually unpack my scrapping stuff.

Our motto for the weekend??? Scrapping is a contact sport. There’s nothing soft about it!! I know I’ve missed a LOT of stuff – but I’m at work, and I should probably go and earn some money. Some other highlights included a demonstration of Cath’s superior negotiation skills, Sharon and Nic doing their best on-stage performance of a Robbie song (of which there were MANY over the weekend!!!), and my ever-so graceful tumble UP the stairs as we were packing up to come home. I tell you, I can’t WAIT for the Little Scrapbook Shop retreat – it’s going to be totally awesome!! It's at the same venue as Scrapgirls, and I know that Cath is going to have some AMAZING stuff organised for us. Check out LSBS for some info if you are interested in joining us!

So after the retreat, it was back to work for the week - lots of running around, not much of a chance to organise anything meaningful though, and I got to the athletics carnival on Friday with a sense of relief. It was a great day - I was on Shot Put with a good friend, so we had a fun time. Friday night drinks across the road are becoming a bit of a regular event which we all enjoy, and after running around on Saturday to soccer, Kieran's high school for a uniform sale (OMG, what people will do for half price uniform, it put the Myer Boxing Day sales to shame!!!), then dancing with Kelsey before heading to Cath's for a great afternoon - no scrapping, but lots of great conversation. Love you, Cath!!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot - HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! I hope all you mothers out there had a great day, and all you aunties, god mothers, good friends who help and support other people with their kids, school teachers, child care workers ... it takes a village to raise a child, as somone famous once said (who WAS that???) and I'm so grateful for all the women around me who help me out, so I'm celebrating all of them today, not just the ones who are biologically mothers.

I had a great day - breakfast in bed (which I normally hate, but minimal crumbs on the sheets this morning, so that's good!) The classic quote for the day:

Kelsey: Mummy, you're going to have a surprise breakfast! We're having muffins.
Kieran: Good on you, Kelsey, you just told her!
Kelsey: It's ok, she doesn't know about the bacon and egg....

I PMSL at the look on her face when she realised that she'd given it away - she's too cute!

I got the most beautiful framed portrait of the kids for mothers day, which I didn't even know had been taken - Dennis had organised it while I was away last weekend. He even got extra copies in a few different sizes, so that I can scrap them - what a gem! Plus an assortment of handmade cards, and an address book and pen from Kelsey from the school fete - I'm a happy camper. We had lunch at my sisters place with my parents, and my sister in law's family, and it was great - really relaxed and fun. Home to a nap on the lounge, and to watch TJ get evicted from Big Brother - what could be better?

Wow, this has turned into a very long post ... I'll finish off with some layouts that I did last weekend. Totally loving everything I did, which is unusual for me!
This layout was made with the challenge pack that we were given - can't remember the papers, but I really like them. This was also made using a sketch from Little Book of Sketches - LOVE the resources there!

This second layout was done using the scraps left over from the first layout, and this is one of my faves - I love these pics of Kelsey!

This one is a pic that I know some people will recognise -I think it's about the third time I've scrapped it. Yes, I know, with the amount of photos I have I should really scrap something else. This is the first time I've used Stampin' Up! papers, and they are VERY nice - this layout is all SU stuff, the pp, cs, chipboard (yes chipboard in the new catty -very very nice!!) and of course stamps. Cool, huh??

And this last one, a quick and fun one of Tay splashing around - she's such a cutie!

K everyone, that's it from me today - if you've read this far, give yourself a pat on the back, and leave me a comment, I've got some lovely cards I've made here from the retreat that need a home! I'm going to pick someone at random to send one to. Take care, and have a great week!

Weekly roundup

2007-04-22T19:18:00.000+10:00

Well, the school holidays are coming to a close ... only hours to go, really! I'm SO not ready to go back to work tomorrow -any volunteers to go for me? It's really easy, I promise - pay no attention to any of that other stuff I may have said in the past. hmmmm .... no takers? Oh, ok, well I tried.

So it's a big couple of weeks coming up - settling back in to the swing of things at work, punctuated by Kelsey's birthday party, Kieran's next round of dental surgery, and the most exciting (for me anyway) SCRAPGIRLS RETREAT! I am so looking forward to this, it's going to be great. So if your a scrapper (and I don't think anyone BUT scrappers reads this, really) and you want a great weekend of scrapping, classes, and a lot of fun, check out the Scrapgirls website! It's going to be wonderful, and I was talking to Kylie last week and she said that there are some spots left, so you should really book in now!!

I've spent most of the weekend scrapping - Friday at Tracey's place with Deanne and Leonie, and it was great ... thanks for helping cut out all those little flowers AT! Saturday I went to visit Nicole, and had a chat with her and Sheree, who was also popping around for a visit. Then Saturday night at Cath's place, with Sharon and Michelle. Today I finished a couple of layouts for the LSBS Little Book of Big Memories competition, and I'm pretty happy with them - 7 down, 5 to go. I can't wait to get them all finished - there are some wonderful layouts appearing in the gallery, it's really inspiring!

K, I guess that's it for me - I really should go and get myself organised for tomorrow. Oh, I almost forgot ... did you check out my new addition to the blog? I LOVE Natalie Merchant, she's one of my fave singers. I hope it works ok for you - make sure you leave a comment and let me know if you like it, and if it works ok for you!

Take care,
Tamara

Exciting News, and a great quote!

2007-04-18T22:38:00.000+10:00

Ok, I mentioned the other day that there might be some exciting news coming? Well, here it is!! I've been asked to be on the Creative Team at Little Book of Sketches ... I'm so excited! It's such a great site, with a wonderful collection of sketches that you can't help but be inspired by. I totally love it, and I'm honoured to have been asked to work with them. If you head over there, you can check out my first layout appearing on the blog - it's one of my favourites lately, I just love it! And, it was made using scraps - even better!

So, the most exciting thing for me when I read the post announcing that I was on the creative team, and showcasing my layout? The fact that I was called "YOUNG" in my description ... LOL. (I have a sneaking suspicion that it's just so that Cath can be young by association, as she is ONLY JUST younger than me, but I'll let her get away with that indulgence, as she creates such awesome sketches.)

Don't forget - there is still time to link, blink and win over at LBOS! If you use one of their blinkies, or add them to your blog links, just leave a commment for your chance to win! Gotta love free stuff.

So here's my favourite quote of the moment ... I was blog surfing earlier, and stumbled across Zina Wright's blog, where she had posted this. I just love it - I'm going to make it my motto, I think.

I will grow.
I will become something new and grand,
But no grander than I now am.
Just as the sky will be different in a few hours, it's present perfection and completeness
is not deficient, so am I presently perfect
and not deficient, because
I will be different tomorrow.
Wayne Dyer

Thanks for checking in, everyone ... Take care!

What teachers make ...

2007-04-13T17:57:00.000+10:00

I was just checking out the blogs of people who left a comment at Little Book of Sketches ... I found this at kpitt.typepad.com ... I love it! So during these school holidays, this is for all of you who teach, or who have a teacher in your lives somewhere - it's a great read!

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher ?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."
To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make ?" Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make?
(She paused for a second, then began...)
"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like a Medal of Honour. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental...
You want to know what I make?"
(She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)
I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them criticize.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them to write and then I make them write.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

I make my students stand to sing Advance Australia Fair because we live in the best country in the world .
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.
(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)
"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what I make?
I MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
What do you make?"

THERE IS MUCH TRUTH IN THIS STATEMENT:
"Teachers make every other profession."

So big hugs to all the teachers out there!!!

Don't forget to check out Little Book Of Sketches ... there is a great comp running at the moment where you can win free scrapping products, and lets face it, are there any better kinds of products than free ones???

How exciting!

2007-04-12T00:35:00.000+10:00

I just wanted to share with you an awesome new blog ... I totally love it, what an awesome resource! It's called the Little Book of Sketches, and it's filled with some amazing sketches to help you out in your scrapping, sorted into categories according to layout size and the number of photos used, as well as sketches for different shapes and styles of cards, and even ATC's!

Even more exciting - for me, anyway - is that I've been asked to be a part of this blog - keep an eye out for some exciting news coming up! I just love using these sketches - heaps of inspiration, and heaps of great ideas. And, they look TOTALLY great - really different to a lot of other sketch sites out there. So if you are in a scrapping slump, or just want to try something different, check it out - it looks fantastic!

Lets see if i have a life...

2007-04-08T23:38:00.000+10:00

I'm off to the Royal Easter Show tomorrow, to demonstrate for Matisse, and meet up with the wonderful Michelle Roberts - I can't wait! So if you are going to be there tomorow, come and say hi ... I'll be the one at the Matisse stand getting all messy. LOL

Ok well I stole this from Sheree's blog and she thinks she has no life LOL... now its my turn to see if i have a life... if you want to find out just copy and paste the list onto your blog would love to see who has a life LOL....(after scrapping that is)
It’s been said that allegedly if you’ve seen over 85 movies you have no life. Mark the ones you’ve seen. There are 239 films on this list. Copy this list, go to your own blog, paste it in and put x’s by the ones that you have seen. Add them up, change the header adding your number, and post it.”
(x) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest
( ) Boondock Saints
( ) Fight Club
( ) Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
(x) Blazing Saddles
( ) Airplane
(x) The Princess Bride
( ) AnchorMan
( ) Napoleon Dynamite
(x) Labyrinth
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
( ) White Noise
( ) White Oleander
(X) Anger Management
(x) 50 First Dates
(X) The Princess Diaries
( ) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Total so far: 11 out of 22.
(X) Scream
(X) Scream 2
(X) Scream 3
(x) Scary Movie
(X) Scary Movie 2
(X) Scary Movie 3
(X) Scary Movie 4
(x) American Pie
(X) American Pie 2
(X) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
(x) Harry Potter 1
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
(x) Harry Potter 4
( ) Resident Evil 1
( ) Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
( ) Little Black Book
( ) The Village
(X) Lilo & Stitch
Total so far: 27 out of 43
(X) Finding Nemo
( ) Finding Neverland
(x) Signs
(X) The Grinch
( x) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
(x) White Chicks
( ) Butterfly Effect
( ) 13 Going on 30 (Sundenny 30-for all us Aussies)
(x) I, Robot
( x) Robots
(x) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
(x) Universal Soldier
(x) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
( ) Along Came Polly
(X) Deep Impact
( ) KingPin
(x) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
( ) Joe Dirt
(x) King Kong
Total so far: 42 out of 66.
(x) A Cinderella Story
(x) The Terminal
(X) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
( ) Dumber & Dumberer
( ) Final Destination
( ) Final Destination 2
( ) Final Destination 3
(x) Halloween
( ) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
( ) Surviving Christmas
(X) Flubber
( ) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(X) Practical Magic
(X) Chicago
( ) Ghost Ship
( ) From Hell
( ) Hellboy
( ) Secret Window
(x) I Am Sam
(x) The Whole Nine Yards
(X) The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 53 out of 90.
(x) The Day After Tomorrow
(X) Child’s Play
(x) Seed of Chucky
( x) Bride of Chucky
(X) Ten Things I Hate About You
(X) Just Married
( ) Gothika
(X) Nightmare on Elm Street
( ) Sixteen Candles
( x) Remember the Titans
(x) Coach Carter
( ) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
(X) The Mask
( ) Son Of The Mask
(x) Bad Boys
(x) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride (aka Roadkill - for us Aussies)
( ) Lucky Number Sleven
(X) Ocean’s Eleven
(x) Ocean’s Twelve
(x) Bourne Identity
(x) Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
(x) Bedazzled
( x) Predator I
( ) Predator II
( ) The Fog
(X) Ice Age
(x) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
(x) Curious George
Total so far: 74 out of 121.
(X) Independence Day
( x) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
(x) Christine
(X) E.T.
(X) Children of the Corn
(X) My Bosses Daughter
(x ) Maid in Manhattan
( x) War of the Worlds
(X) Rush Hour
(X) Rush Hour 2
( ) Best Bet
(X) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
(x ) She’s All That
( ) Calendar Girls
( ) Sideways
(x) Mars Attacks
(x) Event Horizon
(X) Ever After
(X) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
(x) Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
(x) The Terminator 2
(x) The Terminator 3
Total so far: 95 out of 147.
(x) X-Men
(x) X-2
(x) X3
(x ) Spider-Man
( x) Spider-Man 2
( ) Sky High
(x) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
(x) Catch Me If You Can
(X) The Little Mermaid
(X) Freaky Friday*
( ) Reign of Fire
( ) The Skulls
(x) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
(x) The Hot Chick
(X) Shrek
(X) Shrek 2
Total so far: 108 out of 165.
(X) Swimfan
(x) Miracle on 34th street*
( ) Old School
( ) The Notebook
(x) K-Pax
( ) Krippendorf’s Tribe
(X) A Walk to Remember
(x) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
( ) The 40-year-old Virgin
(x) Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings: Return Of the King
(X) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(X) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(X) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 119 out of 181.
(x) Base-ketball
( ) Hostel
( ) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
( ) Devils Rejects
(x) Elf
(x) Highlander
( ) Mothman Prophecies
(X) American History X
( ) Three
( ) The Jacket
( ) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(X) Monsters Inc.
(X) Titanic
(X) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
( ) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willard
Total so far: 126 out of 200.
( ) High Tension
() Club Dread
(x) Hulk
() Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
(x) Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
(x ) 28 days later
( ) Orgazmo
( ) Phantasm
(x) Waterworld
(x ) Kill Bill Vol. 1
( ) Kill Bill Vol. 2
() Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
(x) Kingdom of Heaven
( ) The Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave
( ) The Last House on the Left
( ) Re-Animator
() Army of Darkness
Total so far: 133 out of 220.
(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(x) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(x ) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
(x) Ewoks: Caravan Of Courage
( ) Ewoks: The Battle For Endor
(x) The Matrix
(x) The Matrix: Reloaded
() The Matrix: Revolutions
() Animatrix
() Evil Dead
() Evil Dead 2
( ) Team America: World Police
() Red Dragon
(X) Silence of the Lambs
( ) Hannibal
So a grand total of 143 out of 239

WOW - that's a lot of hours in front of the television!
I'm signing off now - going to stretch my hip a bit more in the hope that I'll actually be able to walk tomorrow, and clean up the post easter chocolate hunt mess. Hope you all had a great easter!

My new best friend

2007-04-02T18:43:00.000+10:00

I'd like to introduce you all to my new best friend. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I'm in love. Slender, dark, powerful, and really switched on. He's also pretty fast. I've been lusting after him for a long time, and I've finally replaced my old defective model - he was just too slow, too boring, too blah.
So here he is - my SpeedTouch WiFi modem! Isn't he gorgeous?? LOL I don't know how I survived on Dial-up for so long, and I'm so thankful to be finally able to not waste time waiting for pages to upload. What did I do before broadband? I'll tell you what I did - wait, wait, wait, and wait. Curse the connection for dropping out halfway through posting, so I had to start all over again. And then, just for something a bit different, I waited. Now, I'm zooming along! I'm very grateful for you, my new man... and I'll try to wait at least a week before I start getting frustrated with your faults, and cursing you while I sit here and surf the net!

Funny faces

2007-03-26T18:15:00.000+10:00

Ok, here is my layout for the UL comp at Scrap Therapy - I really love this one, some gorgeous paper, and the cutest pics of my girls mucking around, practising their air-guitar skills! I hand cut the title out of one sheet of pp, and the flowers were cut from another - I've given up saying that I'm not going to handcut stuff anymore, because let's face it, I'm a bit addicted, and everyone knows I'll be doing it again! lol

That's it for today - no amazing news, just a lo share. Oh, yeah - have you checked out the big comp at Little Scrapbook Shop yet? What are you waiting for??? Cath has just told us she's got some new stuff in - you know you want to look!! lol

Going, going, GONE!!

2007-03-25T20:20:00.000+10:00

And we have a winner ... they're all packed up, and on their way to a new home. I could probably get rid of this much again, and still not notice the difference in my stash - so keep your eyes peeled, there could be another pack on its way.

So do you feel like you need to scrap something?? It's Urban Lily month at Scrap Therapy ... the monthly kit is one of my fave UL ranges, and there is a great competition running with an awesome prize of UL papers!! Check it out ... you have until the end of the month to upload your Urban Lily layout to the gallery! I've been doing that this afternoon, and I've scrapped a lo of some goofy pics of the girls ... I can't wait to get a pic of it in decent light tomorrow. I'll upload it for you then!

Take care people ... Love Tamara

Paper for sale, part 2

2007-03-25T12:05:00.000+10:00

Ok, here is the final pack - it's an assorted mix of paper, including 3Bugs, Pebbles Inc, Fancy Pants, KandCO, Comstock Collection, Wild Asparagus, and others. 21 sheets of paper, a 2Bugs tag sheet with 3 tags missing, and a 12x12 creative imaginations overlar (it's the black and gold one - it's clear, but has a sheet of white paper behind it so you can see it better). $10.

Don't forget to check out the post below for the other packs!

Do you need paper??? ROFL

2007-03-25T11:41:00.000+10:00

Ok, I'm clearing out some pp ... there is no WAY I need as much as I have! So here they are:

Chatterbox pack - there is a pack of paper patches, which retail for about $6 I think, plus 28 sheets from a number of ranges. $15

Basic Grey pack - these are older ranges, like Sweet Pea Jack and Alyssa, Motifica, Aged and Confused, Lollipop Shop, Acid Washed, and Black Tie. There are 20 full sheets, a 2/3 sheet in case you want to use it, plus a sheet of tags from the aged and confused range with one tag missing. $10

Black and white 8x8 pages. There are 25 assorted sheets of pp, most of them doubles - some gorgeous papers that I have WAY too many off! $5

Melissa Frances and KISS assorted pack - there are 18 sheets of Melissa Frances pp, and another 9 sheets of Designs Galore and KISS photograph range papers. The red range are christmas ones, and are just gorgeous - I love these Melissa Frances pp's! $10

Girly assortment - there are 2 Rasberry paper packs in this lot, with 4 sheets of pp each, and matching alpha stickers, plus a variety of other ranges, including AED, Scrapbooking Australia, and Karen Foster. There are 3 sheets of AED My Cuts, which do have a couple of tags or letters missing, and the purple letter paper has a couple of letters cut out of it. 20 sheets of pp altogether, and I'm throwing in some assorted blossoms with this lot. $10

There is one more assortment, but I can only upload 5 images per post, so I'll create another post above this one. If you are interested in any of these, let me know either by email or by leaving a comment here ... I've got them all packed up ready to go. Postage will be extra, but as an added bonus if you want 3 or more of these packs, I'll post them for free for you.

Have a great day!

A Quick Ad Break ...

2007-03-20T23:02:00.000+11:00

Ok people, this will be quick - what do Channel 10 say? A 60 second ad break ... well, that all depends on how quickly you can read! lol

Friday night, I'm having a Total Learning demo ... it's basically a great range of educational books and CD-ROM's, some really awesome stuff! And let's face it, you can never have enough kids books (although my husband would vehemently disagree with this comment!!) If you are in my area, and you want to come along, email me and I'll give you the details. Or, if you can't make it, you can check out the online catalogue, and let me know if you want to place an order ... http://www.totallearning.ws/catalogue.php

While I'm advertising, don't forget - there isn't long until the new Stamping Up! Catalogue arrives, which means that there's not long to go until the Retiring items leave us forever! Here are the links if you are interested in checking out what is retiring ... email me if you want to place an order, but remember, anything on the Retirements list is only available while stocks last, or until March 31st, so don't leave it too late! (Note to self - ORDER SOME WATERCOLOUR CRAYONS!!)
Stamping Up! 2006-2007 Idea Book and Catalogue
Stamping Up! Retirement List

I hope that wasn't too long a break - I'll now return you to your scheduled progamming.

Take care everyone!

2 posts in one day ... what is the world coming to???

2007-03-19T18:10:00.000+11:00

Ok, here are the pics I promised!!

http://www.littlescrapbookshop.com.au/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=3296
This link will take you (hopefully!) to my Fancy Pants layout for the Little Scrapbook Shop Little Book of Big Memories comp - the girls and I camped out in the loungeroom, it was lots of fun!
And this next one is for my Cactus Pink lo - when I started working on this one, I really didn't like the paper, but I'm so happy with how this lo has turned out!!
http://www.littlescrapbookshop.com.au/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=3377
Take a look at the other great lo's in the competition gallery so far - if you haven't registered yet, there is heaps of time, check out the posts in the forum for more details!

And then, finally, the soccer star - how cute is she?? lol

Ok, I'm off again - suffering with a sinus related headache and earache tonight, so I'm having a day of tomorrow to recover. Take care all!

2007-03-19T09:23:00.000+11:00

Well hi there! I've been slack, I know, so I thought that in my few minutes of freedom from the tryranny of work today, I'd give you all a quick update as to what I've been doing for the past couple of weeks!

Firstly, Tayla had her first soccer game on Saturday - what a little legend! They had a trial game, and played so well - I can't wait till Saturday again, when the season starts, it was just the cutest thing!! lol I don't have pics here, but when I get home tonight I'll upload some, I promise - I can't wait to scrap them!

Scrapping, scrapping, scrapping - I've been on a roll with my Little Book of Big Memories comp lo's for Little Scrapbook Shop. I'll add some pics later, but you can check them out in the Competition gallery at www.littlescrapbookshop.com ... I can't wait to get some time this week to work on some more of them, I'll loving almost all the products that we are getting to use for this!

Speaking of loving products ... I got my big prize from Scrap Therapy! How much fun was it to go shopping, and not have to worry about paying for it - thanks Nat!! I got some awesome doublesided cardstock - doublemates, it's called, check it out if you haven't seen it yet! Some Urban Lily, blades for my trimmer, chipboard and plastic alphas, rubons ... can't remember what else, but it was all so nice! Oh, some Daisy Bucket - LOVE that stuff!!

So that's it for me today - I'd better go and type up this assignment for my year 10 students (they are going to love it!! lol). I'll post some pics of all the excitement tonight ... take care everyone!!

The winner takes it all ...

2007-03-05T22:11:00.000+11:00

Woo hoo - this is just a quick brag post!! Natalie at Scrap Therapy have been having a competition to win a $100 gift voucher for the store ... you had to chat, and let's face it, that's something I'm good at! She announced the winner on Saturday night, during the cybercrop (which was great, by the way), and I guess you've worked out all by yourself now that I won ... woo hoo!!I can't wait to get shopping - Nat has some great stuff in store, and a great sale on Urban Lily this month, so check it out!

In other news - omg, I'm a scrapping legend this week!! I've been working on some of my lo's for the Little Book of Big Memories at Little Scrapbook Shop, and I'm loving every one of them so far - I'm even being a bit daring for me, and scrapping something other than my kids. Of the 12 lo's that we have to do, 3 of them are going to be on me - shock horror! I'm doing a lo about when I got by purple belt, one on my tattoo, and one on the experience of being a full time public school teacher for the first time. That last one is scary, and I'm not really sure how I'm going to tackle it, so we'll see what happens!

Ok, bloggers, I'm off to bed ... take care everyone, cya all another day!

And now, the end is near ...

2007-03-01T09:01:00.000+11:00

Gee it was hard finding a song title for this post! lol

This is just a quick one - it's getting close to the time when we have to farewell some stamp sets from the Stampin' UP! 2006-2007 Idea Book and Catalogue, as well as from the mini catalogue. You can check out the retirements here .... there are a lot of them! If you are interested in purchasing any of these before they disappear forever, let me know - I'm offering a 10% discount of the total order cost for anyone who orders 2 or more items from the retirement list. You only have until March 31st to order any of the retirements, so don't delay ... sorry, I'm all out of steak knives, so you'll just have to miss out on those this time! lol

Ok, I'm off to do some work - I just had to check out the retirement list this morning, though, so I thought I'd share it with you. Email me if you have any questions! tamara_rodgers@hotmail.com

Have a great day!

Why does it always rain on me?

2007-02-28T18:56:00.000+11:00

You know, I really love the rain ... it's my favourite weather!! But why is it that whenever I have heaps of stuff in my hands, or have parked miles away from where I need to go, that it starts to rain just as I need to leave the building? And why is it that no matter how long I wait for the rain to settle down a bit, it will continue unabated until I get inside the car, then it will stop?? It's a mystery.

Tayla had her first "big girl" gymnastics lesson at YMCA today - she totally loved it! They didn't stop working the whole time, unlike the kindygum class which consisted of lots of lining up to get on the equipment. The other great thing about it was that there is an advanced class on at the same time, so Tayla has decided that next week she'd like to learn how to walk on her hands. And, she wanted me to teach her ... rofl. I don't think so!

I'm scrapping, scrapping, scrapping my little heart out at the moment! I've got 2 lo's almost done for the HUGE comp at LittleScrapbookShop - if you haven't checked it out yet, make sure you do, it's awesome!

Do you want to get some scrapping done this weekend? How about the opportunity to win some AWESOME prizes? Scraptherapy is having their cybercrop this weekend ... it's going to be great, make sure you check it out. Challenges will be posted on friday night, but there are hints in the forum already, so check it out. Nat has done an awesome job on her site - her logo is just to die for, I love it!

Ok, I'm off to do something - take care, everyone!!

Tell me why I don't like mondays.

2007-02-25T16:14:00.000+11:00

I forgot for a while there I was singing to you all with my post headings. So here we go - can't you just imagine how amazing I sound singing along while I'm typing?? lol

So what has everyone been up to this weekend? We had our last game of softball yesterday, and it was lots of fun - right up until the game got cancelled due to rain, lightning and thunder. I was a bit disappointed, as it was a fun game - got our butts royally kicked, but the other team were really great to play, and we did pretty well to restrict the score to what it was, so that was good. We had our night out last night - drove to Emu Plains, through torrential rain and car-shaking thunder, to discover that the Hotel we were planning on eating at was flooded, with no electricity. A quick change of venue, and we ended up at the Henry Lawson Club at Werrington. Great food, awesome service, and a really fun Karaoke set up (I didn't sing, but I was about the only one in our group ... go the Bon Jovi head banging!!) What an awesome night! I never thought I would hear myself say this, but I can't wait until next season starts. Most of our team is staying together - only 2 people are leaving, we think, so it's going to be a great season, and our coach is staying too - I think he's planning on whipping us into shape, and not letting us get away with our slackness at training of this year, so I'm kind of looking forward to that.
The up side of softball finishing is, no more early saturday mornings, as we rush to get the kids down to the fields in time for their games ... woo hoo! I can sleep in - at least till soccer starts.

Tayla has decided that she wants to play soccer this year - and that decision was solidified when she found out that her "boyfriend" Joshie is playing too. So we have been on the hunt for tiny soccer boots. After being told by a number of rude salespeople that I would never find any soccer boots in that small a size, as there was no demand for them (HELLO!! isn't the fact that I'm after a pair of them an indication that there is?? Boooooo Rebel Sports at Penrith for their rude customer service staff by the way!!) we found a pair at KMart - and the kicker is (ROFL) that they are Diadora brand ... cover up the first 3 letters, and they are DORA soccer boots!! She's so excited, it's adorable. So here are her new wardrobe additions - she's in heaven. She sat down watching SBS soccer coverage this afternoon, and was taking note of all the things she wants to learn when training starts - I didn't have the heart to tell her that she probably won't be learning an overhead goal kick in under 5's.

K, that's it for me for today ... I'm off to do a bit more shopping for LSBS's big competition! It's so hard to pick which products to use, Cath has put together an amazing selection of stuff for us to choose from! Make sure you check it out, if you haven't already - so far, there are about 50 people registered to have a go at it, so it's going to be pretty awesome. Tomorrow is back to work - I hope this rain keeps up, because we desperately need it, but at the same time I'm glad that I've got a fairly light teaching load this week - rain tends to send teenagers a little nutty!! lol Take care everyone, hope you all have a great monday!

Staying alive, staying alive!!

2007-02-21T19:34:00.000+11:00

What a couple of days! Full on at work, full on at home, and to top it all off I'm starting to feel the effects of the February hay fever strike. Sore throat, itchy eyes - fun fun fun! So a trip to the chemist was in order today while I waited for Kelsey to finish dancing the afternoon away at her school disco. It's amazing what a few years at school will do - for her kindergarten disco, she wanted to know when I'd be picking her up, and what songs they'd play, and what she should do if ... I had to walk her in, and it took a while to prise her arms from my leg. Today, I barely got a kiss as she bolted for the door to find her friends!!

Well, a little bit of news - it's not really new news for some people, but it was pointed out to me that I hadn't mentioned it on my blog (sorry AT!) so here I am! I'm officially a Stampin' Up! demostrator. I'm planning on trying to fit some demo's around my busy life - so if you are interested in booking one, or you want to place an order for some of the amazing SU products, feel free to contact me!! I'm about to add the links to the online catalogues to my links on the side bar - take a look, you'll love them! (Warning ... SU! stuff can be addictive ... LOL)
One more SU! thing - the SellABrations promotion that Stampin' Up! has been running is drawing to an end, so if you are interested in getting a FREE set of stamps, all you need to do is place an order for $100, and you'll get to choose your free set from those in the SellABrations brochure ... You'll have to hurry, though, because it ends on monday night! So if you are interested in placing an order, and getting a set of free limited edition stamps, let me know ... you get a free set for every $100 you spend, it's a great deal!

Ok, that's my sales pitch for the night ... lol. Now on to some exciting news ... I think! Tayla has been going to gymnastics since the middle of last year - kindygym at the YMCA, where they teach them balance, coordination, tumbles, etc. Well, she just LOVES it, and is really good. The problem has been this year that since she can't start school till next year, she is back in the same kindygym class as last year, and is bored out of her brain. Well, yesterday Dennis talked to one of her instructors, and she agreed that Tay needs to be a bit more challenged - so she's going up to a higher grade, where she can learn to do cartwheels and more advanced skills. She's so excited - and so am I, but someone on LSBS mentioned last year that she loved gymnastics, and was informed of the costs, both financial and time, that gymnastics can consume when you have a talented child who gets right into it ... maybe I'm not so excited! Ah well, I'm sure I can take on a second job if it comes to that ... lol.

Ok, that's it from me tonight - I'm off to take some antihistamine, and hope that I can speak tomorrow. I can feel myself losing my voice, but I'd hate to not go in when it's an easy day (well, easy compared to the other days anyway ... I have a couple of free periods where I get to catch up on the mountains of paperwork that always seem to be waiting for me!) Take care everyone, have a great thursday!

My big hairy scary encounter!!

2007-02-19T21:38:00.001+11:00

Oh my God - never before has getting a coffee been such a stressful event! I had to leave a little early from work today to get Tayla, as Dennis had a Dr's appointment, but there was a bit of time to kill until we had to pick the kids up from school, so Tay and I went shopping. After a lovely little spending spree at KMart, we headed back to the car, and while heading out of the car park Tay announced that she needed a drink. Thankfully, there is a relatively new Starbucks store, which has drive-thru ... perfect!! So through we go, ordering our drinks and heading to the pick up window. I go to hand the lady my money, and she squeals "aahhhh, a spider!" I look up, and there on the window frame of my door, is a big, huge, hairy hunstman spider - I'm talking massive, and less than 10 cm away from my head. Tayla started freaking out, mummy wasn't far behind her, and the girl serving us went hunting for a broom to sweep it away - hello! What happens if it starts running towards me? I couldn't wind the window up, as it was halfway inside the car, and I didn't want it to be trapped inside with me. A manager came to my rescue with a large plastic cup to trap it in ... if you've ever had a large frappe from Starbucks, you'll know the size of the cup, and this spider totally filled it from top to bottom, with no room to move around at all. It was a good half hour afterwards before I felt calm again ... it was interesting driving away after that, let me tell you.

I TOTALLY blame this on Nic, as we spent a bit of time talking about spiders at her place on Saturday night ... all the time I was cm's away from this thing, I was remembering what she told me, and was wishing I had some hairspray - I tell you, this thing had lots of hair! I'm still a little jittery thinking about it actually.

So that was my excitement for the day - I think I'm still coasting a bit on the adrenaline of it all, as our backroom has gone from looking like a total trash heap to looking like ... well, like a back room! I was just contemplating when I got home how many spiders there might be living in amongst all that mess - luckily for them, there were none, as I had my extra strength gel spray ready to go, just in case!!

Oh, some happy exciting news ... I won a prize for a lo I did for a surprise comp at Scrap Therapy! Happy happy joy joy ... LOL. Thanks Nat!! Ok, I'm off to bed - hopefully to dream of things with 2 legs, not 8. And definitely not with little pincers that open and close while you sit there staring horrified at them. Or beady little black eyes. :Shudder:
Thanks for dropping by - if you've got a scary encounter story, please leave a comment! Or even if you don't, you can leave one too - just to say hi, so I don't feel like I'm talking to myself. Luv ya!!

Blogging along, blogging along ...

2007-02-15T21:28:00.000+11:00

Yes I know, it's not a real song, but it's close enough ... LOL. This isn't a real post - it's a figment of your imagination! I've just taken the plunge and changed my template over - the drop and drag editing thing is pretty cool, but now for some reason my elements in my sidebar are WAY too far apart, and the flashy blinky thing at the top, advertising the LSBS Competition, isn't flashing or blinking the way I wanted it to. And I still can't figure out how to do a cool pretty looking header for my blog - Cath has given my blog envy!! So really, this is a test post, to make sure that I haven't completely stuffed this up. Have a great friday tomorrow, everyone!

I love a rainy night ...

2007-02-13T22:33:00.000+11:00

I'm thinking about doing posts with song lyrics as titles, what do you think?? lol Yep, it's late, I'm bored, and I've been coming up with lots of bizarre ideas, so just humour me.

So an update, I hear you exclaim! What's been happening in my life? Lots, thanks for asking!! Some not so great, and I don't really want to go into that right now ... but I do want to say this. I freaked out a little last week at how long my MSN contact list was getting with scrapping people I'd met online, particularly when you compared it with "real" people (those ones who I had seen in person before I knew what an avatar was). But when the chips are down (what a stupid saying!!) and times are tough, my online friends are the ones who have been flooding me with support, and for that I am truly grateful. It's made me realise how lucky I am to have met so many of you through forums, and scrapping sites, and I value each and every one of you. Big hugs!!! (I need some emoticons on here, Cath!) Just as an aside ... before I edited that last sentence, it said big jugs ... I'm just going to leave that out there, for you to ponder on.

HOW AWESOME has the rain been? I was totally loving it, and am a bit disappointed that it didn't pour any more today. We had our swimming carnival at work today, and could have almost held it in the quad, the puddles were so big after the past couple of days. Fingers crossed that it does some good - God knows we need even more!

Some good news - I have a classroom! YAY ME! It's amazing what a bit of diplomatic discussions will achieve, so tomorrow is D-Day - decorating! I'm taking all my accumulated posters and resources in to get my room organised. Very exciting (well, for me anyway ... smile and nod, all you non-teacher people who don't get the thrill of a permanent classroom, and move on to the next paragraph, ok?)

I think I've got a couple of new lo's to share - do you want to see? If not, you probably should have stopped at the last paragraph - which totally sucks for those of you who aren't teachers, now, doesn't it? The question is, then, if you aren't a teacher or a scrapper, what on earth are you reading this for? There isn't much else in my life ... lol.

These are just a few random lo's from the past couple of weeks - some done for a cybercrop at Scrap Therapy (LOVE the site, Nat, you are doing an awesome job girl!!) and some more just for fun.

Ok, off to bed for me - have a great rest of the week, everyone, and give your kids a HUGE hug. Life is too short to let stress about stupid little things get in the way of what's special, and those moments where you can hug them and make them hug you back, even though they may be rolling their eyes as they do it, are all too fleeting. Take care, and Happy Valentine's Day for tomorrow!!

Hi ho, hi ho, it's back to work I go.

2007-02-01T21:28:00.000+11:00

Well, how did everyone enjoy the first day back to school, hmm? For me, it wasn't such a happy occassion - it marked the end of my blissful scrapping holiday, and the return to the every day activity of planning lessons, programming, dealing with all the politics that comes with working in a school, and of course teaching. There's a huge dilemma about my classroom ... or rather lack of one! But I'm not going to get into that here - too depressing!!

Over the last week of the school holidays, I scrapped up a storm, baby! Lots and lots of lo's, including some monthly and DT challenges from Little Scrapbook Shop, and lots of lo's just for fun. I might just save some time - almost EVERYTHING I scrapped on the weekend used My Mind's Eye Bohemia papers and embellishments ... I'm so in love with them, I can't even tell you!

Here are as many of the lo's that blogger will let me upload today ... please be good little blogger!

Ok, so it's letting me show you 5 - I'll upload some more later on.

So, the really exciting news ... Kieran started highschool, and after the initial misgivings (he was almost sick with nerves the day before) he LOVES it! He is really in his element - he's totally loving maths, and his History teacher is a little blown away by his level of knowledge I think. So all is good on that front ... I think I'm over the "I'm not ready for my son to be going to high school" phase. It's kind of good teaching a year 7 class actually, as I can live vicariously through them, and have some kind of an insight into what my son is experiencing.

Ok, I'm off to get some work done - take care, everyone, and give your kids a big HUGE hug ... they grow up way too quickly!!

The long-awaited update!

2007-01-22T23:29:00.000+11:00

I know, it's been ages, and I know that you've been stalking my blog just WAITING for the next update in the delightful insanity of my life. So, without further ado, here it is! Our school holidays in a nut shell.

We had a great christmas - the kids got some wonderful presents, and we're totally over the moon, so that's a good thing. Stayed home in the morning, and let the kids play with their presents, before heading to mum's for round two of unwrapping, and the big feast. I didn't stuff myself silly, which is highly unusual, and I really enjoyed it - with no bloated sick feelings that night, it was a definite improvement over past christmases! I got mainly gift vouchers and books, so I was one happy chappy.

We had our usual New Year's trip to Colo River, only this time we were there for almost 2 weeks, and what a big 2 weeks it was! Kelsey learnt to ride her bike with no training wheels, and almost no effort. Learning to STEER the said bike was another matter entirely, and I won't tell you how many times she came back to our van bragging about her latest stack -the most impressive was when she slowly and gracefully rode the entire length of the park, smack bang into the brick wall of the toilet block. Oh how I wish I had a video camera on it, it was SOOO cool!

Tayla went from being cautious and a little scared in the pool, to being a total superfish - or "mermaid", as she prefers to be called. She can now swim underwater, no floaties, no assistance at all, and is even diving - it's too cool for words!

Kieran went boating - we hired the tinny for a couple of hours, and he was in his element, captaining the ship up and down the river. Good practice for a military career, I guess. LOL

Home again, home again - and lots of relaxation and scrapping, a bit of housework, and many many incredulous cries about how fast the holidays have gone, and that there is no WAY that it's really only a week until my son is heading off to high school. Here are a couple of the lo's I've done in the past couple of weeks - I'm having lots of fun with it, especially when I get to scrap with total legends! Cath, Shelee, Tracey and Nicole graced me with their presence on the weekend, and our house survived the onslaught of "scrappers" (I'm counting you as a scrapper now AT - LOL)

So a funny story to leave you with - I'm totally loving this conversation, and I've just finished scrapping it, but the light is too bad to photograph it, so I'll upload the pic tomorrow.

Tayla: "Mummy, I'm not allowed to say the F word, am I?"
Mummy: "No sweety, you're not. It's not nice to say words like that."
T: Cause it's a swear word, a naughty word.
M: What's the F word? How do you know that?
T: I just know. Can I whisper it though? Softly?
M: What do you think it is?
T: It's FIB, cause lying is really naughty.
M: (PHEW!!!!) Lying's bad, isn't it sweety?
T: Yeah, when you lie you break the truth.

How cute is that? I totally love that a lie is "breaking the truth"... what a legend she is.
K, that's it for me- I promise that my next update will not be as delayed as this one was.
Cya later, everyone, and enjoy the remnants of the school holidays - I know I'll be making the most of mine!

It's beginning to look a lot like christmas ...

2006-12-24T20:03:00.000+11:00

and I'm LOVING it, baby! I'm finally out of my pre-christmas funk that has been lurking lately and making me miserable (although I'm still bummed about the missing deco's!!) and I can't wait till Santa gets here. It's been super full on around here lately - time for some dot points, I think!

Kelsey's dancing concert was awesome, despite mummy having to SEW things ... heaven forbid! She was graceful and elegant in ballet, but the Jazz - Oh MY GOD! She was groovy, and funky, and so awesome, I couldn't stop smiling and crying simultaneously all the way through it.

Tayla's gymnastics concert was too cute - it was a Peter Pan theme, and despite her initial missgivings (our little angel wanted to be a pirate!!) she was a gorgeous fairy, swinging and floating and tumbling around. No self esteem issues, this girl - they gave all the kids a medal, and she strutted over to us saying "I'm the YMCA champion, mummy!!" So here are some pics of our champion in fairy land ... it was set up so well, and was an awesome show, with some of the older gymnasts taking on the roles of Hook, Peter and Wendy. Tayla was so impressed, she wants to learn to bounce and tumble like them - and given her backflip attempt last night, it won't be long before she can!

Kieran's Yr 6 graduation/farewell/last day of school ... I thought I'd be fine, really. And I was - right up until my big brave boy lost it, and stood there hugging his best mates, tears pouring down their cheeks. I lost it right along with him. Then Kelsey started - she's going to miss her yr 1 teacher big time. And Tayla started crying because we all were. It was a big Rodger's Family crying session, really. But he looked so handsome all dressed up for his farewell, and when I arrived to pick him up, I found him holding hands with a girl .. not too sure how impressed I was with that, but I played it cool, so that's something, I guess!! This pic is the result of letting him take the camera to the farewell ... not many usable pics among the bunch!!

There was lots lots more, but really, I'm too tired to go through it all. I will share some exciting scrapping news though ... I won a cc with a lo I totally love at the Chookscraps CC, and I've been invited back to compete for a spot in the Chookscraps survivor comp ... I'm in awesome company, as the wonderful Jini was also invited back! Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with. This is the lo from the CC - lots of handcutting, and a totally gorgeous picture of Tayla - I love this! I took this photo as part of a camera challenge at LittleScrapbookShop - the lovely DT member and allround legend Lisa challenged us to explore the settings on our digital cameras and take a black and white pic, and this was the result - thanks Lisa!

Have a great christmas everyone ... I can't wait till Santa gets here, and we see what the kids get - they've been refining their lists for a while now! lol. I hope your day tomorrow is blessed, and you have someone wonderful to share it with. Don't forget to check out Santa's website - Claus.com, to see if you are on santa's naughty or nice list - so far, everyone here is on the nice list (although I don't know how after the past couple of days!) Take care!!

Bah humbug

2006-12-03T16:43:00.000+11:00

'Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la, and all that.

So it's officially December, and try as I might, I'm having real trouble getting into the christmas spirit. Why is that? I don't know, but when you figure it out, please let me know! Our lights are up, and working, except for the one set that Tayla dropped the transformer to, and it's now kaput. The tree is up, but not fully decorated, as there are some decorations missing - don't know where they are, but there are quite a few MIA, including the christmas countdown sign that I made last year. Everything else is replacable, but the sign has got me a bit upset, and I just can't seem to shake it. The only place we can think of that they might concievably be is in the ceiling of our old house - which now sits empty, having been sold by our previous landlords, so we don't know how we'd go about checking if they are still there or not.

On the plus side, there are only 3 weeks of school left - which means, dear readers, only 3 weeks until I'm on holidays, and can try and catch up on some of the massive amounts of housework that sit here waiting for me every day. I can't wait to spend some time scrapping and getting myself organised - I'm planning at least one day of nothing but scrapping every week of the hols, I feel like I'm going into withdrawals! I have done a couple of lo's lately that I really like though -
This one was from a challenge by a couple of friends. Lorraine challenged me on ScrapbookingTop50 to do a lo containing lots of ribbon, black and white, and an oversized monogram. Not long before that, Nicole had sent me a pic of a lo from the Maya Road newsletter (I think!) challenging me to scraplift it. This is the result! Lots of lovely ribbon from the LittleScrapbookShop stand at Papercrafts in Penrith. It's too noice!

This next one is the one that blogger hasn't been liking for ages - it's my last Chookscraps survivor one (yep, the lo that got me sent to Exile Island!) I still love it though - it's such a cute pic of Kieran, one of my "let's try and stop him growing up a bit by scrapping every single picture of him as a little boy" efforts.

Oh, I forgot the truly exciting news for the day - the girls had their end of year physi competition, and did SO well! I'm so proud of them both - they looked gorgeous. Tayla came second in her age group, and was unlucky (says the totally unbiased mother) to not get the dancing award. Kelsey came 7th, and was just lovely - you can really see the impact of ballet in some of her routines, it's so nice to watch.

So that's it from me today - off to feel a bit more sorry for myself, and try and get this house looking like someone other than a family of careless squatters inhabit it.
Take care, everyone.

Tag, you're it!

2006-11-15T21:12:00.000+11:00

I've been tagged by Jini! So here is a bit about me ... cause you know, after all, this is my blog, and if you want to read something really interesting you're going to have to go somewhere else, all you'll get here is ME!! ROFL

1. NAME: Tamara
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? A character in a Russian novel
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? It's actually been a while - at least a week or so.
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I never used to, but it's really growing on me!
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Turkey
6. KIDS? 2 stepkids, 3 others, and my husband!
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? It would depend on which one of my personalities I met ... but really, I think I'm pretty loyal and giving to those who are lucky enough to get close to me!
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Yep - I have a couple!
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Well derr! (does that answer the question? lol)
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Nope
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I'd always said no, but as I get older a bit of a daredevil streak is appearing ... so maybe!
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Cereal is something you eat at breakfast isn't it? Nah, don't do breakfast ... too early in the morning!
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Ummm ... no, not even when I wear shoes with laces!
14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG PHYSICALLY OR MENTALLY? I think both ... I'm becoming stronger physically, and I can be super strong mentally when I need to - even though I'm a big sook!
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Cookies and cream. Honeycomb. Do we have to pick just one?
16. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their smile
17.RED OR PINK? Pink all the way - I'm buying my boxing gloves tomorrow, can you guess what colour?? lol
18. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My need to please people ... why can't I just please myself?
19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Cherisse, my best friend from high school.
20. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Yep!
21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES YOU ARE WEARING? Hmmm ... I just got out of the shower, so maybe I shouldn't tell you what I'm wearing! lol
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? I'd be the white one that had rubbed against all the other crayons, picking up bits of all the other colours.
23. FAVORITE SMELL? Vanilla ... totally love it!
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My husband
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Sure do ... she's a deadset scrapping legend, and an allround nice person!
26.FAVORITE DRINK? Coffee
27. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? Tennis
28. HAIR COLOR? Brown
29. EYE COLOR? brown
30. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Nope
31. FAVORITE FOOD? Seafood of almost any description!
32. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? happy ending!
33. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Baz Lurhmann's Romeo and Juliet ... teaching it at school at the moment.
34. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? I'll refer you back to question 21.
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter!
36. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs
37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Fruit and cheese platter
38. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? No idea
39. MOST LIKELY NOT TO RESPOND? Me normally!
40. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? Mort by Terry Pratchett
41. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Marvin the Martian
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST ON TV LAST NIGHT? Dancing with the stars
43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? My kids laughing!
44. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles, hands down
45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Melbourne
46. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Hmmm ... don't know!
47. WHEN WERE YOU BORN? December
48.WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Lithgow
49. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE? Feel like I've done a good job with my kids, look back on our journey big or small, and smile.

Ok, so I tag Amanda, Tracy, or Lavs, whoever reads it and wants to share!

I've tried the image thing again, but blogger is just not playing nice ... maybe next time! Take care all.

I'm back - did you miss me?

2006-11-13T16:18:00.000+11:00

I survived my weekend away on the houseboat - but not, unfortunately, the chookscraps survivor challenge. But the weekend first - it was AWESOME! People, I totally recommend that if you ever get the chance to do this, don't think twice - go for it! It was the best weekend I've had in ages and ages. Even with no scrapping, and no internet access - that's saying something, isn't it?? lol.

I fished, I talked, I drank, I swam, I ate way too much, I read lots, and I fished some more ... I even caught one! I do have photographic evidence (like I'd come home without photos!) but they are on a friends' camera, so I'll share those when she emails them to me. And this is the bit I know you're all waiting for - the injury toll! Yes, dear readers, I can home with an injury - a fishing hook went underneath my finger nail, then back out again ... ouch! I got it out eventually, but I'm heading off to the doctors tomorrow for a tetanus shot, just in case. I'd hate for one of my essential typing fingers to fall off now!

And while I was off having fun, I was being villified back home ... plots abounded on LittleScrapbookShop to have me kidnapped and starved, all so they can get ahead of me in the post count! The things people will do to be like me - am I really that special? LOL So Gill, Lav, and AT, I'm on to you, and if you try anything, be warned - I'm a blue belt in Karate, and watched lots of McGyver, so I'll be a whole lot harder to imprison than you think! (really, everyone, people at LSBS are MOSTLY harmless, and generally very nice- there are just a few trouble makers you need to be careful of ... rofl)

So Survivor -well, my journey is no more. I've been asked to leave the island, LO in hand, never to return. Ah well, it was fun while it lasted - and I didn't think I'd get this far! Here is the second lo I did for this challenge - you can see the first in my last post. I really love it - Urban Lily paper, some hessian underneath the journalling, and the cutest boy you ever did see! Before you point it out - yes, I know there is nothing in the label holder in the top corner, I need to find out the date the pics were taken and add it. I just can't remember when it was!
Ok, blogger's being difficult ... I'll try to upload the pic later. I'm off to do some housework - see you later, people!

Sailing away ...

2006-11-09T22:02:00.000+11:00

It's here! The big weekend away (otherwise known as the big lesbian weekend ... no, not me, but I'm the token straight person for the weekend, I think! lol) Some friends and I have chipped in and hired a houseboat for the weekend, to celebrate the 40th birthday of someone special (again, not me - I may feel that old, but I'm not there yet!) So I'm heading off tomorrow to learn how to drive the thing ... scary, huh? If you are anywhere near the Hawkesbury this weekend, watch out!! I can't wait, but at the same time I'm feeling a little bad. Dennis has had a couple of moles removed, and he's in a bit of pain atm, as his back is playing up, so I feel a little guilty about leaving him to deal with the kids all by himself, and getting Kelsey off to dancing, etc etc. But it's only for 2 days ... and did I mention, I can't wait? lol

So bon voyage to me! A little parting gift - you may recall, I'm through to round three of the Chookscraps Survivor comp?
Well, after spending 4 days on my challenge lo, and not being happy with it, last night I whipped up not one, but TWO lo's I totally love for this one! It took a while (and a bit of help - thanks, AT and Nic!) to decide which lo to submit, but it's done now, so I can share the other one with you. It's Urban Lily - one of my fave's at the moment - and some totally gorgeous pics of my gorgeous girl Tayla. Gotta love her! Oh my goodness, I haven't packed - why am I still here talking to you??? lol. I'll upload the other lo when I get home - the decision will have been made whether I'm through to the next round or not by then, and you can see why it was such a hard choice!

Penrith Papercrafts Festival - AWESOME!!

2006-11-05T19:35:00.000+11:00

Well, it's all over for another year - and I'm exhausted. It all started on Friday with the trade show, and how awesome did the Acacia PaperCrafts stand look? Well, pretty damned awesome, let me tell you. Here are a couple of pics -
the Acacia Sign is one of my efforts, using some Bella chipboard letters (including some I had to create from other letters, as they don't make a whole alphabet) and the Reminisce stripestock ... each letter is made from the one sheet, as they have a coordinating stripe and pattern on either side. Noice, huh?

The lovely Sharon, aka sparkles, fellow DT member extraordinaire, and I ... don't we look hard at work? lol We had a great time, and were busy all day, but neither of us want to look at the stock we were demonstrating for a little while. I am the quotestick queen, apparently, but I'm willing to give up the crown! lol We were very grateful for the big - no, make that HUGE glass of lollies parked right in front of us (as were all the people who made it to our end of the room! lol) Sherberts - my FAVE! Thanks Therese and Nicole!

And this bunch of lunatics? Well, this was the first time I got to catch up with the awesome people from LSBS this weekend. From L to R: Cath, Lisa (in front), Sharon, Nic, me, and Helen. Too noice, this lot!

So we are at saturday - a quick trip to the retail show to catch up with everyone, which was great, but it really was quick - I only had a1 and a half hours while Kelsey was at dancing to check everything out, but Cath did an awesome job! I played softball yesterday, despite the rain, and we kicked butt ... after last weeks terrifying game at 3rd base, our coach put me there again (he reckons I did an awesome job - I don't know what game he was watching!) but I really enjoyed it - now I know all the rules out there! lol. So that was great, I'm really enjoying being a sporty person - and no, AT, no major injuries (althought my thumb is really bruised, and I don't know how that happened - it's not sore at all though, so that's a little wierd!)

Dinner at King Henry's Court on saturday night with Helen, Cath, Shelee, Lisa, Gill and Missty, was TOO awesome - I have 2 more kindred spirits. LOVE you, Lisa and Helen, if you are reading this! (Have you linked me yet, Lisa? Her blog is over in my list, everyone, if you want to check out whether she's put me there yet! lol) LOTS of photos taken, but not many on my camera, so I'll upload them when I get them (email me, people!!)

I went back to the show today - originally to just buy some more pens, because Uniball Signo pens ROCK!! - but Cath put me to work, and I spent 4 hours working the cash register and eftpos machine. Man, I'm versatile! lol. I also got to meet up with new LSBS DT member Deanne, and Anne (glad you got a new cutter, babe!) After the manic pack up, I've come home and just hit the wall - but what a great weekend. It was awesome to catch up with everyone. (and just in case anyone from Chooks is reading this - yes, I brought more than just the pens, and I know I'm not supposed to be buying anything, but it was just for my Survivor lo - do you forgive me??)

So that was my weekend ... too busy, too much fun, and too many beautiful people! I'm off to de-stress - see you later, everyone!

The princess and the cockroach.

2006-11-01T19:44:00.000+11:00

Welcome, dear readers, to another installment in the wondrous tale of the beautiful Princess, and her adventures in the dark and mysterious world that surrounds her. In our last chapter, you may recall, the Princess did battle with the forces of evil who threatened to expel her from the field of diamonds (ie tried to get her out at softball) and suffered a debilitating injury to her precious leg. Undeterred, she battled on, and eventually recovered to resume her rule over Casa Del Rodgers.

Time passed in the peaceful kingdom, and our lovely and generous princess reigned over her subjects with wisdom and bravery. Until one day, a terrifying creature threatened the peace and tranquility of the land.

A piercing shriek split the silence ... "Arrrrrgggghhhh!!!! Mummy, a cockroach!!" wailed the Princess in Training, the lovely (and occasionally psychotic) Princess Tayla, as the giant beast scurried across the room. The ever brave PT leapt to her feet (PMSL at the image of me leaping!!) to rush to her defence. Glass slipper in hand, she pounded the giant beast. Once, twice, thrice she struck it, till finally it's gruesome legs flailed no more, and lay defeated. The Princess was victorious, but not unscathed. For in her haste to protect her kingdom, the force from the pounding of the slipper ricocheted back through her finger, causing lasting damage. But nonetheless, PT continued to share her thoughts with her loyal subjects (ie write inane stuff on her blog) even though the effort caused great discomfort.

Yep, a sore finger from hitting a cockroach with a shoe. Can't get more lame than that, can it? I wish I had a cool karate injury story, but it's really unexciting.
I also wanted to share my latest lo - I finished this one last night, and I really love it - very bright for me, isn't it? Loving these papers - they are from the Lime Tart kit I won in the ScrapbookingTop50 treasure hunt.
Ok, off to rest the battle wound - it has taken SOOOO long to type this up, you wouldn't believe it!

I'm a survivor ...

2006-10-30T16:08:00.000+11:00

Yay! I made it to round 3! That's round 3 of the Chookscraps Survivor competition, if you haven't been following the saga.

The challenge was to do a monochromatic lo, and it was a bit tough to start with, but came together pretty well. So here's my lo - I really love this one! More Basic Grey - I'm a bit in love with it lately, can you tell? The rest of the stuff is Heidi Swapp (but those of you who care probably knew that already anyway! lol)
Anyway, that's it for today -short and sweet. Just wanted to share how excited I was. The next round is to scrap a lo inspired from a coffee ad, and I love it so much I think I might even go and do it now. Cya later alligators!

Happy World Teacher's Day!

2006-10-27T19:30:00.000+10:00

I mentioned that I won a prize in the treasure hunt on ScrapbookingTop50? Well, my prize arrived ... OMG! I'm still not over the shock - so much stuff, I don't know how Jude got the box taped shut! TOO noice! I got everything you see in the picture, plus a $50 gift voucher to KSK, so I'm pretty happy. How nice is all that Urban Lily? Totally loving it! Plus a Lime Tart kit - I already had this one (all the bright papers in the top right hand corner) but couldn't decide what side of them to use, as they are all double sided, so I'm more than happy to have them again! Plus, I didn't know that Heidi Swapp had a smaller set of alpha masks - so now I have both sizes! Some awesome stamps from Scrappin' Bug Stamps rounded out my faves, although everything is so nice, I just don't know where to start!

In other news, I've finished my lo for round 2 of Chookscraps Survivor ... and I'm loving it! I'll upload it as soon as the judging for this round is finished, along with the verdict ... lol. And most importantly - it's World Teacher's Day! You'd think that a teacher would be on top of stuff like this, wouldn't you? Well, guess who's kids went to school today with nothing for their teachers'? That's right, campers, I forgot about it. So a big "spoil the teacher" session coming up on monday, to make up for it! Ok, I've got to go and get some scrapping done - I'm on a roll!

Pics of a Pro!

2006-10-23T18:15:00.000+10:00

Just wanted to share some awesome pics of my work! How much difference does it make having someone take pics of them who know what they are doing with their camera??? These are all DT lo's and projects for Acacia PaperCraft....

Another lo of my Beautiful Tayla - using Wild Asparagus "Beautiful" range of papers and embellishments, and Basic Grey Wholly Cow rubons. How totally GORGEOUS is that grin? I just adore this little munchkin - she's too cute for words!

Wild Asparagus again ... can you tell I love this stuff? Dennis and I when we first started dating ... how young do we look? lol. The Everlasting Keepsakes framedangoe at the top is my TOTAL favourite - I use it so much, it's not funny. I should be named it's ambassador or something!

And a detail pic - omg, I just love this, and it has me totally wishing for a new camera.

Ok, that's it for now - I was going to share some pics from the Matisse open day, and Chooks cybercrop, but they look a little sad next to these ones, so I'll wait till next time, and try and get some better pictures!

Scrapping, painting, scrapping!!

2006-10-20T17:11:00.000+10:00

Wow, I'm tired already, and the weekend hasn't started yet! I'm cybercropping tonight at Chookscraps - pop over and check it out!Tomorrow, if you aren't busy, and you are in the Sydney area, Matisse is having their factory open day - I'm demonstrating there, so you can come and watch an artistic genius at work ... oh yes, you can see me too! (Rofl ... man I'm funny!!)

The lo below - the adorable one from the LittleScrapbookShop cybercrop? Well, it one the challenge ... yay me! I get a lovely new stash of May Arts and Maya Road ribbons - too cool! I also won a wonderful prize from ScrapbookingTop50 - the lovely Jude got together a wonderful group of Australian stores and manufacturers to sponsor a treasure hunt, and I won one of the prizes! Other winners included the Tara, and AuntyTracy ... congrats girls! Can't wait to receive my parcel - Jude had to go to the post office for bigger boxes, as our stash didn't fit in a pizza box - how awesome is that!!

Ok, I'm off to get ready for tomorrow ... wish me luck! I'll share some pics tomorrow when I get home - hopefully of lots of wonderful painted creations! Cya later bloggers!

A Scrappy Weekend!

2006-10-16T21:20:00.000+10:00

I've had a really productive weekend, so I'm going to share it with you - I'm so happy with myself! lol
I'm in a Survivors competition at Chookscraps and got through to the second round! The first round was a sketch challenge - this is the lo that got me through!

I also Cybercropped at LittleScrapbookShop this weekend ... and with the lovely Cath and Shelee to scrap with, who wouldn't be inspired? This is one of my lo's from that.

And last, but not least, I finally finished this lo for the EDM comp, again at Chookscraps - been working on it for ages, and couldn't quite get it finished!

Ok, that's it - a quick pic share, and no whinging AT ALL about the fact that I started back at work today, and am already beginning the countdown to the christmas holidays. Aren't you proud of me? Bye bloggers!