Day 29 - The Last Day

Well, when I first started on this challenge I did wonder what I would take a photo of everyday. Some days it has been a bit tricky and others it has just fallen into place. When I look back over them they are definitely a snapshot of our lives - both in what we were doing and the things that are around us everyday.

Here is my Day 29 Photo:


The things we do for scrapbooking! Being Friday, its really my day off from everything. I try to do no housework and generally just spend the day either playing on the computer (did tidy up my blog and added a few new links), scrapbooking or reading. So my photo for today is the BIG coffee mug we got for Alexia for Christmas. I started out by photographing it for a layout in relation to her coffee addiction and the SE sketch challenge, and then thought it would be good to actually make a mocha in it seeing as it was morning tea. Of course I have now have the photo of that as well.

For once tonight we have Rebecca at home and Alexia and Aaron are out. Alexia is babysitting round the road and Aaron has gone to a friends youth group. This does not happen often so will be enjoying the peace and quiet for a few hours at least.

Just for Hippyhappyhay.

Not sure if I should be calling you Hippy, happy or hay but here is an explanation of what a CJ (circle journal) is, courtesy of Hannah which is rather fitting seeing as I found your blog through Hannahs.

"Basically, a Circle Journal is a small album which gets circulated amongst a group of scrappers. CJ groups are formed by people who get together in real life or on a forum. Each person in the group makes an album (usually 6x6 or 8x8 or similar) on whatever theme/topic they like, and includes instructions for all the subsequent participants so they know what is required. Then, they post/courier/hand over their CJ to somebody else, who completes a page (or 2, whatever the requirement is) in the album, and then passes it on to the next person in the group. Everybody's CJ does the rounds of the entire group, until eventually it returns to it's owner, and it is a finished album with each page done by a different person."

Hope that explains it and thanks for visiting. Just love reading your blog.

Day 28 of 29

Only one to go now. This month sure has gone fast.

Inside this courier bag is Julies circle journal to send to Michele. Its the last one I have to send so hope I don't have problems with the courier man coming to get it. Have had a few issues over the last 4-5 months with them. Now just have to do Michele's one and thats the last one. How exciting to get my own one back - can't wait.

Right, now for some bits and pieces. Still have Alexia home today and we have been watching 8 Below - what a sad, happy, sad, happy movie - if you get what I mean. She is definitely going to school tomorrow!!!

Have had a busy week with a lot of stuff on in the evenings. Andrew has been re-elected as Chairman of the Board at the girls school at his meeting last night. He has also had a couple of meetings this week talking to the Year 9 parents at the "meet the teacher" nights. Alexia has had rangers and Rebecca has been working so its no wonder I didn't get to Tanyas last night for a crop. Always next week.

Aaron has been selected to go to the Zone sports and he had to choose 2 events so is going for 100m backstroke and 100m breaststroke. He is pretty happy about that.

So who watched Dancing with the Stars on Tuesday? I thought they were all pretty good compared to other seasons. My picks are Monty Beatham (although the joke about not seeing the full Monty yet was a bit in poor taste - as if he hasn't heard that before!), Miriama Smith and Temepara George. I loved the ballroom dances as it just looks so beautiful.

Tonight is my favourite - Survivor and boy are those fans all going for it this time round!

Haha - you ladies are so funny over washing the floors and Beverley I'm really really sorry but you will have to do it yourself.

Off to do lunch now and then tidy my scrap desk. Its an ongoing process.

Day 27 of 29

Two days to go...

How random is this - my floors have gone into shock at actually getting washed!! LOL

By the way really like the idea of a new scrap shop opening over in the new Bunnings centre. Thanks Beverley. Could be very handy and I know a real good manager with lots of ideas (Hey Tanya). Are you reading this Miss Meg - am happy to help!! ROFL.

Have had Alexia home sick today - yep its her turn for the headache, high temp and sore throat. She will be going to school tomorrow though. Still managed to go aquajogging though and have coffee afterwards. The day has just flown.

Day 26

Here is my photo for Day 26. It is just a couple of streets away from where we live and if we go through the alley way next to my in laws its only a 2 minute walk. This is taken from outside their back fence looking across 4 lanes. Aaron can't wait until its finished and he will be in DIY boy heaven. Its supposed to be opening mid March. We have to go past it to take the boys to school and its been a nightmare whilst they redo all the roading and realign the traffic lights etc. Must admit its going to be handy and they are building other shops around it all relating to house stuff - carpet, curtains, furniture etc as well as a coffee shop (could be handy methinks).

Guess What We've Got!!!!

WESTLIFE TICKETS!!!!

Was on the internet at 9am this morning buying them. Did not tell Alexia that you could get them today and this is her reaction after school.

This is the... "This better be what I think it is" photo.



This is the..... "OMG" screaming photo and told her if she does that at the concert then I will sit on her! LOL.



And this is the photo for Day 25. Priceless!



Just between you and me, I might just be a tad excited about it as well. I won't tell her that we are in the draw to meet the "boys" as I don't think my ears could take the screaming again.

Challenges

Have been scrapping this weekend. Heres my effort for the Friday Night Challenge. Not too sure about all the patterned paper but hey its another layout done.

Have caught up to date with the February Book of Me Challenge as well. Just to explain. I have decided to do an acrylic album but am doing it also based on the gratitude journals where you put together an album with all different sized papers, tags etc. This is the first page. It is a transparency over the acrylic page. Took me ages to work out to do the acrylic and ended up just putting paper over it - will get better as time on goes I guess. Need to do some research on this one. May yet replace the transparency with acrylic as I don't think it is going to stand the test of time.

Here is the second page which was to scrapbook your receipts. I did this by way of a shopping list of what I spent last pay day. This page also has a transparency with the title and rub ons over the bottom half of the page. Please note this does not include any scrapbooking "stuff" as it probably needs a page all its own! LOL.

Here is the title page for a Magic Carpet ride - where would you go?

And the pages it relates to...

And finally for the February challenge - What 3 things would you grab in a hurry? I came up with a long list but narrowed it down to these 3 and then realised that Trace had come up with the same things. Oops sorry Trace - I didn't copy - honest!

Now I realise that there are no photos as per the challenge and I haven't done it exactly as mentioned in the challenges but as I already have a 12x12 and 8x8 album on the go. I just wanted to do something a bit different for this Book of Me. And thats that.

Day 24

Meet Tala - he belongs to my in-laws and loves to visit. The kids just love him to bits and he loves them as well.

Day 23

Alexia got this in the mail today for her birthday. Its from my sister in Australia. Its very pink (look Tanya) and very big and she just loves it.

Funky Blog Award

Thank you Trace for giving me this. How cool. I'm going to pass it on to Beverley because I just love all the ideas that she has, not just scrapbooking stuff but party stuff as well, and to Annelie because she is the Queen of Challenges and how cool is it to write comments on a blog where you can't understand what it says but you get the general idea.

Now have a busy weekend of scrapping ahead of me - life is sooo hard at times. Have 3 things on the go - Julies CJ, my BOM and will have the Friday Nite Challenge. Have been to see Tanya and got stocked up on some new supplies - got some grunge stuff. Usually I am the last to get new stuff and by then its old and going out of stock. LOL. Really must keep up with whats new. Wow - Julies CJ - what a lovely one. Will try and get it done ready for an early post on Monday so that Michele can finish it before scrap camp to give back to Julie. And Michele if you're reading this I've seen your one too!!!

Doing the rounds of the blogs there is a lot going on - Mrs Frizz has a mammoth job of packing up her scrapbooking stuff, Little Moo is going to be a big brother, there are lots of funky blogs and who knew there were so many Westlife fans. Go Mich - that would have been amazing - would love to see a photo of you in your "W" hat.

Aaron is feeling much better after a day off playing with Jarrod, Leigh & Noah this morning and watching DVD's this afternoon. Just a high temp and sore throat that we can thank his father for. Andrew was home Tues, had Rebecca on Thurs and now Aaron today. Hopefully Alexia will get her bit done over the weekend as she has started complaining now.

Day 22

Here is todays photo - now I must "fess up as I didn't take it. Aaron did. He is home sick today and got hold of my camera and started playing around and got it to work on the self timer thingie. What a great shot.



What is it about kids these days that they are so technologically savvy. Now I just wish he would apply it to instant recall of the times tables. LOL

WESTLIFE IS COMING TO TOWN

Yahoo - couple of very happy campers here. Am still deaf in one ear where Alexia screamed when she heard about it on the radio. Am definitely going to try and get there. I just love these boys!!! So does Alexia and we have just bought her a couple of their CD's for her birthday so she would stop pinching mine. Just have to do some fast talking to Andrew as we will only just be back from Australia but the tickets go on sale on 1st March. Could hit him up for our wedding anniversary which is the 2nd March. Hmmm lots of thinking and planning to do on this one.

So my Day 21 photo has to be....



Not the greatest photo - thats what happens when you are in a hurry.

One thing I don't like about blogger is that you can't reply to comments unless you do it through the blog - unless someone knows something I don't know?

But for Julie - its the first year we have grown anything successfully and am taking a keen interest in the growth of our tomatoes. Bit of a competition going on with my FIL as he gave me the plants - mine are bigger than his!! LOL.

Day 20

Here is todays random photo - Aaron spotted this "tornado" and wanted a photo of it. Just clouds - no panic.



Now for those wanting to know the lettering used on my last layout posted. Have used MM rub ons and the word Peace is from Tanya's Opposites Attract for the cricut.

Another Layout

This is another Fiskars sketch and another one done for Aarons album (and I used up 4 photos from our Glacier trip). I am sending this off to Tanya for the Consultants Showroom http://consultant4se.wordpress.com/. Come on everyone (not just CHCH people) - she needs some layouts and theres a really cool prize to be won.

Day 19

Short and sweet today. Here is Day 19. First time I have ever grown them successfully. We have tomatoes for China!!!

Day 18

Day 18 of 29
Take a squizz at what I got today - yep its my kit together with my Periphery papers that I ordered and my Trade Me stuff. Have been hanging out for all this.


Thank you everyone for your lovely comments for Alexia's birthday - she was pretty chuffed by them all.

And as for the washing photo - you are all funny but at least I didn't show the row that had all the knickers and socks!! ROFL.

Show & Tell

Day 17 of 29

We have had a beautiful day after all the rain and so have had a huge catch up on all the washing.

Have also been scrapping and here is my effort for the Friday Night Challenge. I asked Andrew if it looked like the layout to be scraplifted and he said it was nothing like it! LOL.

And Alison - I don't mind if you want to scraplift, go for it!

Happy Birthday Alexia

Sweet Sixteen she is today. We have done the opening of the presents on our bed first thing and been out to breakfast at McDonalds as Rebecca is working today and Alexia wanted all of us together for at least one meal on her birthday. LOL. In lieu of a party she wanted money to spend in Australia and I am more than happy to oblige on that request. Have redone her coupon book from Christmas with more vouchers and the Oz money. She loved it. Nana & Grandad have been round and given her a hair straightener which she has been fiddling with and must say from the back she just looks like Rebecca and so grown up. Gran has phoned from Australia and her friends have been texting. We are about to watch the DVD of Ratatouille and she thinks we have a bit of a rat thing going on for her as she got the DVD of Flushed Away for Christmas. She has just told me that she has had a bloody good day in spite of not having a party! Now thats a good thing - right.


My random shot for Day 16 is the Crusaders sword I got at last nights game. With no kids in tow I would guess that this would count as a date with my hubby and wow we have now had 2 in 2 days. It was a real yummy BBQ tea under the stands as well. Was very wet and we watched from inside but did go out near the end when it stopped raining and soaked up the atmosphere. Yay we won - Go the Crusaders!

Finally a layout I started at Tanya's the other night. Its the Fiskars February sketch.

Have used a quote from Mrs Frizz and a couple of your RAK stars as well. Now off to work out what to do for the Friday Night Challenge. Its been a perfect day for scrapping.

Happy Days

First of all here is the Day 15 of 29 photo. So totally me - notes left on the bench to remind me of what I have to do during the day.

Now for the fun stuff. Had a lovely lunch out yesterday with Andrew before racing off to watch Aaron at the swimming sports. OMG - my camera is just fantastic. I was sitting across the pool from him and could zoom in right on his face. Sooo funny just snapping away as he was mucking about with his friends - until he spotted me. Got some cool photos. After reading in Yvettes blog about the sport - Aaron gave everything a go. He got a couple of seconds and a third which was great considering there were only 3 of them swimming in his age group - he was chuffed. The parents were great and clapped all the swimmers especially the last ones. Great school spirit.

To top off yesterday I got happy mail times two. Mrs Frizz sent me a RAK which was just perfect for a layout needing a couple of finishing touches. Loved the tags and flowers. Thank you so much. Also got one from Trina McClune after commenting on her blog - lots of Heidi Grace stuff - papers, rub ons etc. Thanks Trina.

Andrew went out last night just to get a couple of things for Alexias coupon book and topped up my phone as well (so romantic of him) but he did spend up big at KMart as they had 15% off Lego and he bought a huge remote controlled bulldozer for Aaron for his birthday which he wanted and is now safely hidden away. I thought we were saving money!!!

Just remembered also that Andrew got voted in as Chairman at the primary school on Monday and have the high school in the next week or so as well.

We are supposed to be off to the rugby tonight but it is bucketing down and our seats are outside. We have a meal beforehand under the stands and supper after the game all put on by Andrews work so hopefully the weather improves otherwise we will sit inside and watch the screens.

Today have just found out that my layout of Alexia has made its way onto the SE blog - soo cool. Thanks Hannah for choosing it. So am feeling pretty damn pleased with myself.

Happy Valentines Day

Day 14

In keeping with Valentines Day - I whipped these up in about 10 minutes this morning for Andrew and the kids. Its just a peanut slab with a scratchie wrapped in Fancy Pants paper.


On the love theme here is a layout I finished last night at Tanya's - a scraplift of one that Ann did. As soon as I saw hers I knew I had just the thing. Its a card that Alexia made me some time last year that I "found" when cleaning up and she had forgotten to give it to me.



Will share some more layouts from last night once they have their finishing touches done.

Happy Valentines Day everyone - Andrew and I are off to lunch today. Part Valentines and part of the New Years good intentions to go on a few more dates.

Day 13 of 29

Day 13 Photo

A reminder of who I am picking up from school. I share transport with my friend Heidi as we both have boys going to one school and girls going to another. Usually we do week about but sometimes things crop up where we have to swap it round and I do these notes to myself on the steering wheel as to where I am going!!


Aaron now has a new favourite thing to do - surfing. Yesterday for their outdoor education they went windsurfing in the estuary and then surfing at Sumner. He was really impressed that he could actually stand up on the board and now wants one for his birthday (October!!!). Now Andrew and him are searching Trade Me. Yeah right - what happened to saving money for our trip to Australia and how about we just see if he's still serious in October and revisit it then!! But no, we have this gung ho attitude - lets do it now. Well, I've got news for you boys and its all bad!

Still on this subject, I was really surprised that they even went yesterday as it was cold and rainy most of the day. Heidi said that when she picked the boys up Aaron was grey, with blue lips - touch of hypothermia I would say. Must have looked like death warmed up as she said even other parents were commenting on him. Will talk to the teacher about that this afternoon as thats not good. They were wearing wetsuits and he certainly doesn't have any body fat on him (unlike his mother) but theres no reason for him to be that bad. He took a long time to warm up but was OK by the time I saw him.

Off to finish a layout now and going to Tanya's tonight for a bit of scrapping. Need to sort out what I'm going to do.

Day 12

Day 12 of 29
Here is Alexias teddy that she carved out of Oamaru stone during a kidsfest event about 3 years ago.

Yahoo - I'm up to date putting them on my blog!

Boy, did we have some rain last night or what! Thunder and lightning as well. Had to go out at 8.30 to get Alexia from Rangers and have never driven in rain like it. Was really noisy and could hardly see through the windscreen. Still hanging around today but also muggy with it. Aaron is supposed to be windsurfing and surfing today but doubt whether that is a happening thing.

I'm scrapping today - have done what little cleaning I'm going to do but at least the basics have now all been caught up on from the holidays. Anything extra done now is a bonus!

Days 10 & 11

Just trying to catch up with putting them on the blog.

Day 10

This is what greets visitors to our front door. It is the dumping place of all sorts - can now say it is no longer there.

Day 11

Trade Me. Spent yesterday morning doing a whole lot of new listings after our tidy up at the weekend.

Day 12 - doesn't want to do it.

Day 9 of 29

Day 9 Photo

Whilst watching The Most Extreme programme on Saturday morning which was about blood thirsty animals it mentioned the leech. Aaron went and got his which came with his Horrible Science magazines. Quite realistic really!

Doesn't appear to want to upload Day 11 and 12 photos - will try later. They have been taken though.

With everyone back to school today for the proper times it finally feels normal round here. Have worked up a sweat doing the vacuuming and about to list a whole heap of "stuff" on Trade Me. The toilets and bathrooms can wait until tomorrow - no point rushing these things. Also have a very messy scrapdesk to sort out and a letter to write. Alexia needs to take a plate to Rangers tonight and doubt whether she will get time to do it after school so its my list to do as well. Just a normal day.

Heres a layout for the Scrapbox Sketch Challenge.

Please Work This Time

This is for the Friday Night Challenge and it was a really nice change to do a girlie page. We found this sign at Coolangatta Airport and thought it was soo funny as it is just the total opposite of what we have told Alexia all these years when she worried about her size. Also another site had a challenge for something that tickled your fancy (NZ Dares???) and couldn't find a photo at the time - have since found this and another one which I will do as well. Fingers crossed. OMG it worked and in super fast time as well.

Day 7 - Lets reintroduce Aarons Ping - waving madly at Mrs Frizz. LOL.


Day 8 - Feijoa Flower


Day 9 - Doesn't want to upload this one - might be too big.

Well I missed out on some of the BG Periphery as the website couldn't cope and threw a hissy over stock numbers. So someone got there before me?????? Who was it? Watch out cos Mrs Frizz is on the case!!! ROFL.

Right off to take my Day 10 photo and then I will be up to date. Appears to be mostly working now and don't want to push my luck - must have just needed a wee rest. Don't we all.

Day 8

Day 7 - Meet Ping. He has had 10 years of loving from Aaron and is now currently living in my laundry waiting for a soak and a wash. Before that can happen however he needs to have a few holes patched up before he loses the rest of his beans.
Day 8 - Feijoa Flower - didn't realise how many flowers I still have in my garden!

Ok - so no one can see the photos - will have to try again.

Day 7

Having problems tonight uploading my Day 7 photo so will try again tomorrow.

Apparently Andrew did well at the Powhiri and I spoke a little too soon about him not being stressed by it. Miss 17 told him last night "don't worry because nobody listens anyway". Good on ya Becs! From there he couldn't sleep because he was worrying and ended up with a headache this morning. But alls well that ends well.

As for shopping with Tanya - lets just say our kids did well out of us! It was nice to go out just cos we could! LOL. Have also just finished shopping on the SE website and brought a whole heap of Basic Grey Periphery. I think it might just do for my wedding photos when and if I ever get around to it.

Day 6 - Waitangi Day

Day 6
Just been having a play around with the new camera and discovered macro - its very cool. This is just one of my many miniature roses.

Wow - what a reaction over cheese prices! I think I'm going to just keep my mouth shut and put up with what we are paying. $15 - are you guys kidding! It's just not an option in our house to cut back on it either as its a necessity. LOL. By the way Hannah that was a Pak n Save price. I get to do the groceries tomorrow and without any others tagging along and putting their two cents worth in or "why do you buy that when this is cheaper". I can't wait as I really enjoy doing the groceries.

Have all three back at school tomorrow. YAY - me time. Tanya and I are going shopping!!

Andrew is busy putting the final touches to his speech for the Powhiri tomorrow morning to welcome the Year 9 students. He did really well last year speaking in Maori - so much so that the girls didn't realise it was him. LOL. He's been having lessons for the past 6 months so should be really good this year. For once he's not stressing about it.

It was a pretty relaxing day round here today. Andrews parents brought round a couple of trees that they had dug out and all donations gratefully received here thanks. Fluffed around with a couple of layouts but nothing wonderful. One was of Aarons school photo - why do they have to put the year on it now, its so annoying. Rebecca was at work and Aaron finally got to "spend" his Subway card at lunchtime. Alexia hid away in her cave most of the day listening to Westlife, her current favourites and my CD! Spent a bit of time on the computer going through my scrapbook folder and sorting out and printing out. It was a bit overdue for an overhaul if you know what I mean.

It feels like Saturday!

Day 5

Day 5 Photo
Colours are not as sharp as they should be - will work on that.

Just some bits and pieces. Have just been to the supermarket for some basics to tide us over to pay day. Whats with the price of cheese - $9.45 for 1kg. Usually we get through two over a fortnight! Wow!

Hi Yvette - thanks for looking at my blog. Have 3 children, Rebecca 17 in Year 13, Alexia who will be 16 next week in Year 12 and Aaron 12 in Year 8.

Been aquajogging this morning and things are slowly returning to normality.

Posting now because I usually leave it too late to do and then seem to be up half the night on the computer.

Day 4

Here is my Day 4 photo.



I have high hopes for this scrapbook because it is Aarons homework book and already after one day there are at least 6 pages pasted into it to be completed over the next fortnight. He was not impressed but when he really looked at it (and did it) he found that it wasn't as bad as he thought it was going to be. We did wonder why he needed five of them!!! LOL.

He had a really good day at school and his teacher seems nice although Aaron said that she talked all day. They now have budgies and goldfish in the classroom as well as the reintroduction of "the mat" which they all thought they had left behind long ago. His friends have really shot up over the holidays and are now on eye level with me - very scary.

The girls also went this afternoon for an hour and a half to find out their form rooms. Rebecca was wanting to switch from Physics and Chemistry to Classical Studies and Tourism and found out today that this has been OK'ed by the powers that be, so she is happy. Alexia is also happy because the Maori language class that she was going to be in, and then not, due to it being cancelled is now back in it. At least she will now be able to have a conversation with Andrew as he is continuing with his course as well this year.

Have scrapped Alice's CJ today and nearly finished it. Watch out Michele as it may be coming your way real early!

My Photos

Ok folks - my photos on the previous post would appear to have come out as "sneak peeks". I can view them fine but some of you can't. Apologies, as have been having a play with my new camera and got the pixels wrong blah blah blah. Did always wonder how people managed to do the sneak peek thing and now I know. Will get it right eventually but I'm not a very patient kind of person and want it all done/fixed/sorted NOW without resorting to the instructions (thats Andrews job).

Great to catch up with Janine (Angelgurl) and Michele in the chatroom. Thanks for all the great ideas Janine, on how to scrap "special occasions".

Meant to say also my boy is back to school tomorrow for the start of his last year at primary school. We have been around this school for the past 12 years so am feeling a bit nostalgic about that side of things. He does not want to go but has a teacher who will be new to the school so hopefully things will go ok. Bit of trouble getting my head around "my baby" being the big senior Year 8 around school though and off to High School next year. Am thinking of others at the other end of the scale with kids just starting or soon to start - Alison, Alisa and Mich and any others I've missed. Wishing you all the best and good luck with the transition from home to school.

Day 3

Day 3

Just a little bit of a picture in my lounge - slighty blurry but thats OK.

Have been scrapping off and on all day and still not overly happy with the results. Its my take on the SE sketch challenge and have done 2. I think its all the little photos that have thrown me and also the very busy background in one of them. But its still 2 more done!

Off to load one now for the challenge and get Debbies CJ ready for tomorrows courier.

29 Day Challenge

Ok - its on Janine W's blog - a challenge to take a photo for every day in February. I am already a day late as it was too late last night to do one so have taken 2 today to make up for it.

Day 1
I got this little beauty today. Lucky lucky me. Andrew made an impulse purchase!! (Still waiting for the BBQ but more than happy with this in the meantime. LOL).


Day 2
These beautiful flowers actually grow in my garden.

Are there a lot of challenges going on or what? There is SE, Fiskars, and Kiwi Jack Me Up to name just a few - am going to be busy. Just as well I redid my scrap space and had a big cleanout.

Check out what Tanya is up to on the SE Consultants blog - very exciting and I AM GOING! Can't wait.

Those "Duty" Pages

Just sharing.
The top one is based on Hannahs instructions from the December Kit. The second one is Aarons 10th birthday and the last one is from a sketch I found at http://stucksketches.blogspot.com/.