Just Reflecting on 2007

I sit here at this time of night with one eye on Pretty Woman on the TV and the other on the neighbours fireworks and think about what I have done in 2007. Its been a busy year and seems to have gone really fast - perhaps too fast.

Personally I think I have stressed less and relaxed more about things. Andrew might say otherwise! Since giving up work 18 months ago it has taken me until about half way through this year to get to that point. I want to set some goals regarding family, home and finances. I want to address the imbalance of scrapbooking versus everything else especially housework. There are things around home that I meant to do when I finished work and they still haven't been done.

Scrapbooking wise it has been a fantastic year. I decided at the start of 2007 that there was more to it than sitting at my desk and doing it alone. So I joined the SE forum (after being a lurker for a while) and have met some wonderful people there and in real life too! Made a great new friend in Tanya. Loved meeting lots of SE ladies at SENZ. The biggie for me was taking part in the SE Ultimate Scrapbooking Challenge - something I never thought I would do and even got a 3rd place for one of the layouts. I have taken part in challenges - again something I didn't feel confident about. Its a big thing to put what you are doing on display for others to see and judge. I made a blog and have surprised myself with the technology side of things including learning how to upload photos into galleries. Its been a big learning curve. I now know what a RAK is and what ROFL is - among others.

In reflection it has been a good year and am going to sit down with everyone tomorrow and see what they want to accomplish for 2008.

So Happy New Year everyone and many thanks for reading my blog and encouraging me along the way.

Secret Santa Revealed

Its.....Julie B from Invercargill. Many thanks Julie - its been a great Christmas.

Got a bit carried away today in packing up some of the Christmas ornaments and before I knew it the kids had taken the trees down and packed them away. So, it would appear that Christmas is well and truly over for us in this house this year. Still have the outside lights up though and they might just stay up until Andrew remembers to take them down as I can't reach them. LOL.

Did some of the sales today and got some more lights and candy canes (ready for making into reindeer and sleighs next Christmas). Aaron bought himself a soft toy penquin which we thought was half price and I'm sure when I went to school half of $8 is $4 not $5. If I had paid for it I wouldn't have worried about it but because it was his pocket money, I queried it and it turned out that they actually had 75% off. That made his day because he got a bigger refund! Was our bargain of the day. Got Alexia some new togs at Millers. She was a bit reluctant at going into an "old ladies shop" and hoped none of her friends spotted her, but was really pleased with the togs once she tried them on.

Starting to think about what is going on my list for 2008 - don't really do resolutions as I don't usually stick with them but lists I can do! Off to do some comments on those of you still blogging at this time of year.

Secret Santa

Just have to put up a photo of what was in my Secret Santa gift from someone in Invercargill. I know that because they put a post office box address on it. Theres about 5 of you down there but all will be revealed once Debbie posts the list on the SE Forum. Love everything about it from the bag and card (very clever with those by the way and going to copy that for next Christmas) that "SS" has made to the contents. It will all be used in due course. Thank you so much - just loving it.

I feel very lucky this year to have met such wonderful people through the SE Forum and am glad that I came out of lurkdom to join in. Got lots of happy mail this Christmas as a result. Thanks everyone.

Happy Birthday Mum

Caught up with Mum in Oz this morning for her birthday - her first in Oz. She is off to a picnic at the beach with my sister and her family while we snuggle up indoors from the rain and freezing wind. Happy Birthday Mum and hope you enjoy your first in Australia.


This is what Aaron left for Santa. Would appear that Dad missed out!!!




Well, Christmas is over and done with for another year. We had a very relaxing day with breakfast here and then round to Andrews parents for lunch. Was so stuffed couldn't face tea so it got flagged. We all got very spoilt and the kids were very happy with what they got. We gave them all a DVD player which they are busy charging up ready to go. Aaron loved his electronic rubiks cube and must say it is very cool to play with and Alexia is very taken with her rabbit mushabelly which sounds more like a chipmunk than a rabbit. They all loved their coupon books that I made and also the canvases for Andrew and Aaron. We all thought of our poor old Jazz and really missed having him amongst all the wrapping paper in his antlers. The dog album that I made for Andrew has been looked at numerous times and has been put in a special place!! Certainly the odd tear was shed. I got a label maker for my scrapbooking and some money which may go towards something for my cricut machine.


Heres Alexia and Aaron sussing out one of the presents. Very cool.



Christmas Lunch

Today is very quiet and we are watching DVD's before we head out this afternoon to my brothers place for a BBQ tea with his family. Sort of a Christmas catch up I guess - still it was nice not having to travel anywhere yesterday like we usually do. We are not bothering with the Boxing Day sales this year although would like some more outdoor Christmas lights but will suss it out later in the week.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Twas the Day Before Christmas

The big day is nearly here. The teenagers are just out of bed but they assure me that they will be up earlier tomorrow!! LOL. The veges have been bought - was there at 8.30 this morning and it was really busy. The music is playing and the lillies have just opened. So it is sounding and smelling like Christmas. Aaron is about to bake some lemon tarts (his speciality) with his friend Megan. Rebecca is wanting me to help her with the cricut so that she can make the placecards for breakfast and Alexia is making hers for the lunch table. So everything is just about done. Andrew is at work and hopefully finishing early. Rebecca still has to go to work but only from 3pm to 8pm. We will have fish and chips for tea and the kids are organising munchies for afterwards. Its a tradition!!

Just want to say to everyone who reads my blog and has left comments over past couple of months for a newbie in blogland - many many thanks. You have made me laugh and just made my day. I have been introduced to many new blogs and my list on bloglines gets longer everyday.

Merry Christmas to you all and have a very special day with your family and friends. If you are out and about - be safe in your travels. Will catch up with you all after Christmas and will reveal who my Secret Santa is (have a sneaky suspicion). So have a good one from all of us here.

We Are Such a Tragic Pair

For the first time in I don't know how long - we were childless. Aaron was at a party, Alexia swimming with her friends and Rebecca at work. So what did Andrew & I do? We went to the dump! After having a cleanup in the garden this morning - you know the getting everything ready for Christmas look - we went to the dump and queued for about 20 mins once we got in the gate along with half of Christchurch. How exciting!!! No, tragic is more like it. We have forgotten how to be adults and do nice relaxing things and make the most of having no children for a few hours. We didn't feel like facing the malls and the carparks just to get a coffee somewhere and all our shopping is done anyway. Talk about boring! I think this may be a New Years resolution in the making - learn to do things that are not child orientated in preparation for our babies leaving the nest, especially as Rebecca will be 18 and leaving school at the end of 2008. We came home from the dump and got some nibbles and drinks and watched Wild Hogs. So it didn't all end too badly but by then we had one return home and now the other two are gradually drifting in. Gonna have to work on this one.


Here are photos of the last coupon book. Lots of pink, bling and teddies - all are Alexias favourites! My desk has been cleaned up and not looking very creative. I think I'm done with it all for now. Am not feeling very inspired to anything.

My Lucky Day

Yay - got my December Kit from SE and boy is it a doozey. Just fabulous - don't know when I'll get around to using it though! Also got some bits and pieces to finish off a couple of projects and also a birthday present for one of Aarons friends - the K & Co Doorhanger which I'm sure she will love doing. Also got happy mail from Tanya (pink tags & chocolate) and Michele (flocked brads). Thanks guys - will email you later. These are two ladies I have "met" this year through scrapbooking - Tanya through the shop and lurking on her blog for a while, and Michele is the one who I send the circle journals on to and "talk" to on the computer.

My kitchen has been invaded by teenagers. Rebecca has a friend here in full chocolate production. I don't mind SO LONG AS THEY CLEAN UP THE MESS!!! She has also made truffles and lolly cake ready for Christmas. We made the mallowpuff puddings and also Santas sleighs yesterday. So nearly everything on my list is done. Still deciding about a cake - bit late I know - but who cares! Check this out - sorry not the best photo in the world.

Am off to Tanya's tonight for a bit of cropping and Christmas cheer!

Rarotonga - NOT!

Today I "did" Christmas with my friend and neighbour Heidi. We went out to Rangiora for the day - did the scrapbook shop, lunched, opened presents and shopped. One of her children thought we were off to Rarotonga - didn't we wish! Many, many thanks Heidi for a really good day out and my present. She gave me a DVD of The Holiday and some Provocraft black and white lettering that I soooo needed. LOL. It was so hot again today but windy with it. Was so tiring that I even had a nana nap around 4pm. Aaron woke me at 5pm wanting food - what else!

Have been working on Aarons volcano power point presentation which is being presented to the class either tomorrow or Wednesday. Who does this sort of thing in the last days of school - I thought it was time to be winding down? My brain is just not up to this sort of thing at this time of year. I have a sneaky suspicion that he has known about it for a while and been working on it in class and just not managed to get it finished. He is neither confirming or denying. Got his school report and its pretty good although he has to focus more on finishing things (haven't I just mentioned that) and also work on his presentation. No surprises there - his handwriting for a 12 year old is appalling and who cares how many times he crosses things out, spells wrong and leaves out capital letters!!! Just basic stuff that I would have thought he would know going into Year 8. He doesn't care. But I do, unfortunately for him. On the whole though, he has had a really good year - is with a great bunch of friends and maybe even grown up a little bit and become a bit more responsible. (At home its a different story though). Am very proud of him and its a bit hard to think of my baby being in his last year of primary school next year.

Shhhh...

Teddies are asleep!! Look what we whipped up today and they are now safely hidden away so they don't get munched too quickly (like my mince tarts which are nearly gone). Should have used the chocolate flavoured ones to make them stand out more on the bed but this was all they had at the supermarket AND they have chocolate on the back. Thanks Beverley - did go on the forum and also really like the little cups as well but am so running out of time for all these new ideas. Have started a new file on the computer for them all for next year!

It is soooo hot today - would have to be well over 30 but silly us had to go out in the middle of the day and put up our outside Christmas lights around the house. Bought them in the Boxing Day sales last year so it is a first for us. Aaron is very excited and can't wait until tonight for the big lights on. Have got a couple of lots of hanging icicles and a string of clear. They don't go very far but must admit to being just a tad excited about it all myself.

Forgot to add...

For Annelie - the books are from one of our local scrapbook shops where she does them in the shop. Also got the paper cut there too!

Must also share this email - very funny.

Hiya...Parker Family

I see again that you have let Andrew come to work with running shoes on while he is wearing jeans again!
I wonder if as his children you could explain to him the fashion tragedy that this is, an explanation now may save you future fatherly embarrassment.

Compliments of the season.

And our reply:

Dear Mr ....
Thank you for your concern in this matter. It would appear to be a problem that we both seem to be concerned about. Please believe us that we have tried very hard to rectify this matter but as you can see we have failed. We are doomed to receive the unwanted attention and embarrassment that our father causes by wearing such clothes and combinations of clothes.

We had such high hopes that your own personal style would rub off on him but it would appear not to have worked either.

Our compliments of the season to you as well and we thank you again for your concern for our wellbeing.

Parker Family.

It would appear to be Andrews turn to be "got at". It is a bit of a family joke about his lack of dress sense. He does dressy and grunge really well but sort of gets the casual wrong. Apparently I am not his mother!!!!

Its a Mess..

A creative mess, that is! This is what my desk looks like at the moment. Have just finished doing Aarons coupon book and was eventually left with a little space on my desk big enough to do his book. Two down - one to go. Here are the photos of Rebecca and Aarons books. The vouchers include $1 scratchie, $2 Shop, Date with Dad, Date with Mum, Subway. The girls have Glassons and a chemist voucher for photo developing. Aaron has a Warehouse voucher as well as Time Zone.

For Rebeccas book I have used the Daisy D girlfriend range and there were some rub ons that matched her exactly saying - I am a dancer, creative, a friend, unique and a dreamer. For Aarons, I have used Crate Paper Zoom Collection. Has been a great way of using up lots of bits and pieces hence my desk looking the way it does! Warning - lots of photos coming up!

If I get time I might decorate up one of my many $2 Shop tins as these fit perfectly inside one of the sizes that I got.

Have been updated on Janine W's blog and am really impressed with what she has done with this months kit so am off to check out the SE gallery to see what everyone else has done. Can't wait to get mine this month and also waiting on the Queen & Co red felt stars just for a couple to put in Aarons book.

Happy Mail

Yahoo! Today was the day for lots of happy mail - both sorts - the hand delivered sort and the mailman sort.

Tanya delivered some Christmas presents for the kids - really really cool santa suit bags filled with chocolates and lollies. Lucky me also got a beautiful Christmas box with a gorgeous decoration and a pressie inside but am going to be real good and leave it under the tree until Christmas. The mailman brought me a lovely tag card made by Michelle (mich) and also my Secret Santa gift. Now this one, I have looked at, but its Tanya's fault as she made me!! Its also very cool with lots of goodies and will do a photo later probably Boxing Day when my Secret Santa is revealed.

Had a "Just 'Cos" day out with Tanya. First up we went to a scrapbook sale. Yep, thats right and it was a closing down sale!! Had 50% off everything except papers which were all $1.00. So got 30 Basic Grey papers, Jenni Bowlin journalling cards, Tombow, 2 refills for my sticker maker, 2x Queen & Co felt fusion and a wooden album cover, all for the grand total of $60. Really wanted some cricut (anything would have been OK) but there was none. We ended up at Cobb & Co for lunch followed by a bit of Christmas shopping.

As for Shortland Street tonight - what a let down. Talk about it all happening in the last 5 minutes but must admit did not think it was Joey. Hope Tania gives him what for - right where it hurts!

Our Thursday

Thursday already - where has this week gone? Seem to have been out and about most days getting bits and pieces (and I thought I had finished my shopping). Am nearly finished Aarons coupon book for Christmas and will do a photo tomorrow of Rebeccas finished one. I am really pleased with them and hope that they like them.

Aaron is not doing anything at school except watching DVD's, playing on the computer and playstation. Yes - someone did bring it to school. He is in a composite class of Year 7 & 8's and the Year 8's have gone on camp so it would appear that the rest of them are largely unsupervised in the class!!! I thought they were having a reliever but it would appear not. Will get Andrew onto the case as he has a board meeting at school tonight.

Rebecca went off to her dance class only to be returned home as they apparently finished last week. Wouldn't you have thought that someone could have rung and told us. She has missed the last couple - one because of an exam and the other because she had huge weepy yukky blisters on her heels but still it would have been nice to be told. She is happy because she has been asked to do an extra shift at the supermarket. Has dollar signs in her eyes!

Alexia is busy making Tanyas little sequin Christmas pudding decorations from the 12 days of Christmas. Aaron has made one too and they are very cool. Keep having to buy sequins though! It is proving to be a very crafty Christmas in this household this year and now wish that I had started sooner. All "normal" scrapbooking has gone by the by and I am now 6 weeks behind on the CPC 52 Pieces of Me! They are up to week 6. LOL.

Yahoo - Tanyas continuing with another 12 days of Christmas.

From Beverleys Blog

I saw this questionare on Beverly’s blog and thought I would answer it as well for Christmas!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Normally just wrapping paper but I do have some gift bags for the odd special present. I like lots of different coloured paper too.

2. Real tree or artificial? Has to be artificial due to hayfever.

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually around December 1st.

4. When do you take the tree down? When I get sick of it and want my rooms back to normal. Usually around New Years though.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Transistor radio comes to mind. Bit of a touchy point as my sister always got the pretty pink things and I got blue. Even my radio had a blue tag.

7. Do you have a Nativity scene? No.

8. Hardest person to buy for? My father-in-law and the kids find Andrew hard.

9. Easiest person to buy for? I would have to say Me and the kids.

10. Worst Christmas Gift you ever received? Can't recall an actual present although don't appreciate a treasure hunt to find it.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Don't do a lot of cards but mail.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? In our family the Die Hard ones come out of the cupboard but also really like the original Miracle on 34th Street.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I start on Boxing Day!! We only do $5 presents so that everyone in the extended family gets one and there are lots of bargains in the sales. Shop throughout the year as well.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Andrew gets given lots of bottles of wine etc and as we don't drink then yes it does get given away - not necessarily as presents though.

15. Favorite things to eat at Christmas? Ham, ham and more ham. Also KFC coleslaw.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Coloured.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Cliff Richards, Mistletoe and Wine. Also love kids singing Edith the Elf!!

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? This year will be staying put and really looking forward to it too. Am a bit over the travelling around on Christmas Day.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? On Christmas morning we have the grandparents come round to watch the kids open parcels but until they get here they are allowed to open the ones to each other and their stockings.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? How the schools leave everything to the last couple of weeks to organise trips, camps etc. Also no one seems to have any patience in mall carparks.

23. What is the silliest Christmas tradition you do? Mum made the mistake one year joking about the Christmas toilet paper that is in the shops so now each year she gets given it even if she is in Australia this year.

24. Ugliest Christmas Decoration ever invented? Can’t think of one.

25. Which looks best, theme trees or homey trees? Theme trees before kids and then once they came along with their handmade decorations from Playcentre, Kindy and School I let them have their own tree. Now I don't care.

26. Gingerbread or sugar cookies? Probably gingerbread.

27. Do you like Fruitcake? Definitely.

Have just received two courier parcels. One with Christmas presents from Australia and the other is tinbum Rebecca winning another competition. This time its full of skincare products to the value of $110. About a month ago she won $200 worth of haircare. Gonna be looking good ain't she!!!

End of Busy Weekend

Thats the end of that one! On Saturday we had a Christmas BBQ at Tanya & Neils as well as for Noahs 2nd birthday. He is one cute kid that one! We had a great time although Andrew had to leave with Alexia as she was babysitting and still wanted to come for a while. He did come back though. The kids had a treasure hunt and lolly scramble. Aaron was right in his element and just loved playing with all the boys and especially seeing Jarrod and Leigh again. They had a waterslide but it got very cold - funny thing about kids is that they don't seem to feel the cold! Lots of teeth chattering and goosebumps though. Thanks Tanya and Neil for including us in your circle of friends this year.
Heres Leigh on the waterslide and yes I forgot to turn the photo.

Today we had Andrews work picnic. All three kids are too old for presents now but they still like to go anyway. They put on a BBQ lunch. We had El Gregoe, the Magician, Santa, running races, lolly scramble, pony rides, bungy thing and ride on cars which were Alexia and Aarons favourite. It was really hot for once and was weatherwise the best work picnic we have had in quite a few years. The temperature guage on the car said 27. We actually got a little sunburnt in spite of sunblock. Does this mean its summer??? The swimming pool was open but apparently the water was freezing.

Heres Aaron and Alexia in the wheelbarrow race.

And Alexia on the cars

Haven't done too much scrapping wise this weekend but its nice just to go and sit at my desk and look at my "stuff"!!

Heres the Christmas crackers all done. Used the Basic Grey Figgy Pudding range and have a funny feeling that they are going to be hard to pull apart but not my problem and I'm sure no one else is going to worry about it either.

The plan for this week is to do some Christmas baking, get haircuts and finish the kids coupon books (well maybe finish 2 out of 3), and the Christmas grocery shopping later on in the week. Need to make some dates for lunches out - just 'cos I can!!! LOL.

End of Week

Its now the end of another busy week and I'm had it! Have just about shopped till I dropped today and can say that I have finally finished the Christmas shopping. It is even all wrapped up! It had gotten to that stage where I just needed a bit of this and a bit of that to go with a certain parcel and so blitzed it today. Even sent off my Secret Santa. Bought some tins today from $2 Shop just for decorating up. They had lots of different sizes and it was hard choosing so may yet go back and get some more over the weekend once I work out what I want them for! We did the Farmers sale last night and got some "Nana" presents as well as Andrews Secret Santa for his Te Reo class which finishes for the year next week.

Sorry folks - have been having another play but this time I have joined Bloglines so that I don't have to sit here for ages going from blog to blog checking up on you all. Have just added three of you to my list for starters so will see what happens with that. Hopefully I haven't mucked anything up as per usual! Thanks to Beverley and Hannah for that suggestion. Just wondering how I get notified though!

Have finished my Christmas crackers and will add photo over weekend. Used the instructions from the MM Christmas book and they are pretty flash if I do say so myself (compared to other years anyway). Kids have been giving them a little shake now and then and have well and truly sussed out which one is theirs.

Both girls are now finished school totally. Alexia is busy doing um... nothing and driving me nuts with it. She just wants to sit around all day and watch DVD's and repeats of Desperate Housewives. Rebecca is out and about on the buses doing Christmas shopping and meeting her friends. They are so different. Alexia is going to apply for work at the new Bunnings being built a couple of streets over and due to open in March. They have just started advertising now and it would be so handy for her, and best of all we wouldn't need to take her! Will do her good.

Are off to Tanya's tomorrow for her Christmas BBQ and of course Noahs 2nd birthday. Really looking forward to that and hope that you are feeling better now Tanya.

Santa Parade

Today we went off to the Santa Parade. We found out that there were 150 floats from Alexia's ranger leader who was marshalling. There were a few gaps and a bit of waiting between some of them but it was great. Thought we were going to get rained on but it held off. This year I took lots of photos of all the "old" floats that were around from when I was a kid and will do them in some sort of nostalgia type of scrapbook page. Theres been criticism over the years about all the cultural groups that take part but it certainly adds to the colour of the parade and its really nice that they all get behind it. Both girls recognised friends in the parade from Japan, China and Korea. Aarons friend and neighbour, Megan was also on a float and although we waved madly don't think she saw us.

This is one of the "oldies" and one of the "newbies" (Aarons favourite).

Just a wee note about our white tree - its only the second year we have had it and I'm still a bit iffy over it being white. We had a big green one which finally died (if thats possible with an artificial one) and were without a big tree for a couple of years. Got this one on sale last year for $50. The only thing I don't like is that the white and clear decorations get lost on it and so they have been moved onto the green one. The kids like it and even Aaron thinks it looks pretty!

Now off to finish my Christmas pudding decoration thanks to Tanya on the SE Consultants blog.

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Todays the day! Although both kids wanted to help set it up they soon disappeared when it came to actually pulling out all the branches - thats got to be the worst job. They came back to help with the decorations though. Have left some for Rebecca to do after work.

From this:

To this:

We also have a couple of tiny trees which sit on the coffee tables and also a green 6ft one in the lounge to do as well. Lots of little table decorations to put out and a couple of things to go on the walls and then I think we're going to be done. Oops - forgot about the outside lights which we have never done before and have a couple of sets that we got in the after Christmas sales last year. So thats us - the beginnings of Christmas.