Proud Mama

Alexia has just received two awards in the Arts Colours Assembly - one was for service to the Zonta Club and the other was for service to the library. The girls think these assemblies are really boring but not this year!!! I got a very excited text from her afterwards and she is stoked. Alexia is one of those kids who try really hard and frequently get overlooked so it has been a hugh boost to her self esteem. Both girls are expecting something in the Sports Colours Assembly for their rockclimbing so will just have to wait and see.

Aaron has just found out that he has gotten into the Zone Athletics Sports for discus and also for the relay. He really tried hard to get in for this year as other years there have been lots of really sporty/competitive kids who have always gone but they left school to go to intermediate leaving the field wide open - so to speak.

Good on ya kids!

All the blue food colouring seems to have cleaned up alright with just a couple of very faint dots on the carpet but not enough to worry about. Just need to find out about magic erasers and where to get it from - sounds like something I need to have.

Counter

Its taken me a while but have finally figured out how to do this so now I will know how many people are reading my blog - mostly me checking comments - LOL!!

Heard of Little Green Men...

Well, we've gone blue! Aaron caused a big disaster with just a little bottle of blue food colouring that he hadn't screwed the lid on properly. It fell on the floor and luckily the bottle didn't break but it went EVERYWHERE. Its amazing how far it went for such a small bottle. I was thinking insurance claim as the grout in the tiles was blue, we had blue dots on the carpet, across the kitchen cupboards, on the oven front - you get the picture! In the process of cleaning up we had blue hands and feet. I was not happy.

Anyhow been playing with my scrapping supplies over the weekend. This layout is for the sketch challenge. Wasn't going to do it as it is 6x12 and I have enough albums but decided to do it for a Christmas present about our Jazz. Have chased round a couple of the scrapbook shops to find some 6x12 page protectors but they only have them the other way and am not sure if that is the way I want the album to go. May have to talk to our Miss SE Consultant and she what she has to say. She has some real good ideas!!

This one is for the Friday night challenge where it had to been from one manufacturer. I chose Sassafras Lass and used the new papers that I bought at SENZ. Not overly happy with it as I really missed using my plain card and its quite busy for me.

This last one is from a series of photos that I have already scrapped but still really like it so have put in into my album of favourites. The layouts in this album are 8x8 and really simple.

Yahoo!!!

Congratulations to Tanya on being the new Consultant for Scrapbook Essentials. From a purely selfish point of view I can get to buy goodies from SE here in CHCH and also get to do crops and classes with a very talented lady especially since I am a scrapbooker with no original ideas!! LOL. Can't wait.

Why Is It That...

Why is that people are not nicer to each other? Why do they not care about other peoples feelings and feel that they can walk all over them to get what they want? Quite some time ago Meg wrote in her blog about something that had happened within the scrapbook industry - I don't know what she was referring to and quite frankly don't want to know. But at the time I thought that can't happen - its scrapbooking for goodness sake however since then I have changed my mind big time after what has happened to a friend within the industry. I find it hard to believe after all this person did that she was treated the way she was and now that she is out of that situation is better off for it. They have lost a very creative and dedicated person who was an asset to the business. So good luck my friend in your new endeavours and be assured that you have one supporter here.

In the past couple of weeks within our school community we have lost two young lives - one aged 10 through illness and the other aged 12 years through a very tragic accident yesterday. My condolences go out to both these families. When you hear of things like this it makes you want to hug your kids tighter and watch their every move to keep them safe in that big bad world. So when things happen like what has happened to my friend it really makes you wonder about some peoples priorities and just what they are thinking. I wonder if it was worth it!

Blinkie

Its taken me all day to figure this out and big thanks to Mrs Frizz for helping me get to this point but OMG I've done it. The blinkie is on the blog. Think I'll try to upload some photos of layouts just to see if that is working now.

OMG - I'm on a roll now - dare I try again for another layout. Nope would appear that is it for now. Will try again tomorrow.

Long Weekend

Its been a bit quiet round here this weekend which is really nice for a change. Have had something on just about every weekend lately. In saying that though took Alexia out to Blue Skies yesterday where we had to put up tents for a guide camp on today. This was the last thing we had to do for the Jamboree fundraising. Now just have to pay for it by the end of the month.

Had done a supernanny on my kids yesterday. Am fed up with paying out pocket money for them doing nothing!!! So now they get a dollar a job (and it gets written down as my memory is terrible). Over the fortnight the girls have to do 20 (for $20 pocket money) and Aaron has to do 10 (for $5 pocket money and his Horrible Science magazine once a fortnight). Aaron freaked out and just saw the big picture and thought it was too much - he used much stronger language and earned a time out in his room (Supernanny would be proud of me). He calmed down once he saw that it wasn't as big a deal as he thought. So, as a result I now have some clean windows, some ironing done, washing bought in, baking and the showers and basins cleaned - all without me having to ask. Just had to lay down some ground rules as to what was going to earn them their money and also pointed out that once they hit their limit they were not allowed to go on strike. Also that there would still be their usual jobs that they had to do as well as things that they would be asked to do that would be done for love. LOL.

Still having problems downloading photos onto my blog. Any suggestions? It comes up with this:

Most likely causes:
You are not connected to the Internet.
The website is encountering problems.
There might be a typing error in the address.

Think I will try Xtra again as it seems to be more of a connection problem than a perhaps a blogger problem.

Computer Frustration

Now, I am not a computer person usually. I like to think though that when I turn it on, it will go. I do not want a message to come up "You are not connected to the internet" or whatever. I am getting it a lot of that lately and are getting really frustrated with it. I can read other peoples blogs but can't seem to comment on them let alone trying to even sign into mine as it takes a couple of times. Its a bit hit and miss and really annoying. I can't seem to download photos onto my blog anymore and I have such a lot that I want to share. We have contacted Xtra on the help line and at least managed to get a connection but all our settings are mucked up and it has affected the passwords. Guess I will have to take what I can get and hope that somehow it fixes itself before I throw it out the window.
Whinge over.

Happy Birthday Aaron

Aaron turned 12 yesterday which in itself is not a problem however when he tells me that next year he will be a teenager I get the heebie jeebies. Three teenagers in one house is a scary thought and I suddenly feel really old. Anyhow he had a really good day but did wake at 4.30am and then was so excited he couldn't get back to sleep. He got lots of "making" things like kite flying kit, glow in the dark skeleton, balloon animals and a big 1000 piece puzzle. He also got a new skateboard. Nana made him a bean bag and got him a new mink blanket - I'm guessing that this is going to be his new bed for a while. He's a good one for sleeping on the floor and I gave up on sheets and duvet for him years ago so hence the mink blanket. It was his choice to go to KFC for tea and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. After our last trip there I vowed never to go back as I really didn't like their food handling but a big rebuild of the place seemed to be for the good. Our kids decorate their own cakes - I just have to make it - so he chose blue icing on a chocolate cake and puts lots of M&M's, jelly snakes and fizzy lollies. He was not happy with his sisters pinching the lollies and called them seagals -get it - instead of scavenging seagulls they are seagals. Very clever and sure to stick.

SENZ

Well, where do I start. I have had the best couple of days. After the last SENZ in CHCH I was a bit nervous about going again as that one was disappointing but I booked the 3 day pass (and got a goodie bag). Didn't do any classes but next time will do so. I spent Friday just going round all the sites and shop, shop, shopping. Went by myself and was there right on 10am. Had a blast. Met up with Tanya inbetween her classes and also got to meet Michelle (Mrs Frizz) and Lynda (lmarie) from the SE Forum. Had the crop on Friday night with Judy, Tanya, Michelle and Lynda. Didn't get much done and lost a bit of momentum in having to do a table challenge in the middle of it. Thanks to Lynda we got a prize for the 8x8 layout she did. On Saturday I was back there, this time with the girls to do the day crop. Spent a lot of time getting them started and managed to sneak away to get some stamps for Judy and do a bit more shopping for me (had a shopping list from the day before). The girls wanted to do some shopping as well once the crop was finished and they got some bargains that they were happy with.

Had the SE get together at the shop on the Saturday night and met Julie, Gaye, Tracey, Mich (who looks nothing like her photo and I'm sorry but thought she was a customer in the shop when I arrived and didn't talk to her - so sorry Michelle) as well as Lynda, Michelle and of course Tanya. Thanks Tanya for organising it all and for the birthday gateau - a yummy Black Forest one best eaten with fingers - and also our pack of goodies. Its nice to be able to put faces to forum names now. Spent my birthday voucher on a Xyron sticker maker, Tombow glue and a lunchbox tin to decorate.

My best buys of SENZ were 2 sets of Autumn Leaves stamps that I have wanted for ages - one was Christmas that I haven't seen before. Also got Nic Howards book which I absolutely love and heaps of fabulous new papers. Lots of other bits and pieces that I am still sorting out and putting away.

Now back to normal life and have Louise's CJ to finish. Might give the Friday night challenge a go as have until tomorrow night for that one and have a couple of layouts needing some journalling which will finish them off.

So that's SENZ for another couple of years - might just start saving now!!

Thanks Everyone

Thanks everyone for your good wishes after my last post. We are getting there although Aaron changed our desktop picture to a photo of Jazz but that was a bit much for me at the moment.

Now for better news - SENZ is tomorrow. Have spent the day making swap pins after thinking I wouldn't have time, have ended up making about 20 odd. Was just having a play with my cricut and before I knew it had the shapes done for them. They aren't flash (like Tanya's - hers are awesome!) but I like them. Swapped one already with Rebecca.

Have the crop night tomorrow night and taking my friend Judy along as well. Neither of us have ever been to anything like it before so looking forward to it. Really looking forward to having a good old nosy around the stands and spending my birthday money.

Its Been a Sad Day

Today I found our beautiful, 4 year old Siberian Husky, Jasper (Jazz) had died in the night. He didn't come in when I opened the door which is usual but when he still hadn't come in whilst I was doing breakfast I went looking for him and found him dead in the garden. It was a total shock for us all as he was young, fit and healthy. Don't know how, when or why. Andrew wasn't keen on taking him to the Vet to find out why. As he was such a big part of our family it has come as a total shock. The kids are all dealing with it in different ways - Aaron is bursting into tears and talking lots about him and looking at the photos. Rebecca is telling Aaron to shut up and acting like nothing happened and Alexia is somewhere inbetween. Andrew is gutted as he wanted a Husky for years and didn't anticipate having to bury him at 4 years old. As for me, I have lost my scrapping buddy as he always lay under my table and kept me company. He was the subject of my first ever scrapbook page. We are all feeling washed out and rather flat tonight. After the highs of my birthday yesterday and the lows of today hopefully tomorrow will bring brighter things for us all.

This is one of the layouts I entered into the SE Ultimate Scrapbookers Competition of our Jazz.

Happy Birthday to Me

Yep, its my birthday today and what a day I've had. I see that Tanya has broadcast it on the SE forum and have had lovely birthday wishes from the ladies there. Have hardly been home today. Met up with Judy for aquajogging first thing and then we shopped and lunched at the Cobb & Co at Northwood. Its really nice and trendy and not at all like the Cobb & Co's of old. Have also been out for tea to Spagalimi's with the family. Just love their pizza's. Also had to stop for a $1 shake at KFC on the way home. The kids loved that!! Got spoilt in that I got my Cricut machine which Andrew bought me as well as a scrapping voucher. Also got some money to spend at SENZ so bring it on - I'm ready now!!!

Four Days to SENZ

Well, everyone is back to school and work today - even the dog came out of hiding and realised that things were back to normal. The girls only have 5 more weeks of school left before the end of year exams and then what are they going to do? Get a job hopefully.

Only four days to go until SENZ. When I first booked the tickets it just seemed so far away and now here we are just days away. Can't wait. Am going to the Friday night crop with Judy. Also taking the girls to the Saturday lunch crop and really looking forward to the Saturday night crop at the shop with the SE ladies. With all that cropping going on, I should get a lot of scrapbooking done - yeah right!!!

This is my entry for the Friday night challenge - had to use 3 patterned papers, strip journalling, bling and ink or paint. Am really enjoying the challenges as it is making me scrapbook and if I stick to just doing Aarons photos then I will be caught up in no time.

Lucky Me

Its my lucky day - just found out that I have won some Jenni Bowlin goodies from Tanya - just by commenting on her blog. Its made my day. Thanks so much.

I decided that this year I would do more things with my scrapbooking by getting more involved in it than just sitting at home and doing it, shopping or talking about it with my friend Heidi. Sooooo... I joined the SE forum (after being a lurker for some time) and what a fantastic bunch of ladies they are too. I started going along to crop nights at the shop and got to meet more people and see what they were doing. I even entered a competition for the first time ever and won a third and a spot prize. Its been a real confidence boost doing these things. After just being a reader/lurker of blogs I have finally created my own after putting it in the too hard basket for so long. And I have met a new friend - Tanya. I told her she was my good luck charm as since I have met her good things have been happening. Also got asked to do some layouts for display at the shop. That was a bit nerve-wracking. Whats up next - who knows!!!

As for normal everyday life, Alexia and I went to help out with a garage sale for the Guide fundraising for Jamboree to be held here in Christchurch, in January. We were on clean up and what a lot of stuff they had left over. She came home with a word processor that still goes and is in perfect condition and we got a stack of books that were on their way to the dump. They made about $1200. We have one more fundraiser to help out with in a couple of weeks and then thats it. Alexia is really excited about going to Jamboree as the Rangers have their own camp this time and she gets to fly a plane(???) and go scuba diving. Thats all we know about at this stage so I am sure that there will be other activities that will have her jumping up and down.

Crop Night

Went to Tanya's crop night last night. What a quiet one - only 4 of us. Got most of a little chipboard book done for my niece Georgia and another one painted up for her sister Hayley. They were a lot easier than I thought - only big decision was what papers to use without buying any more! Need to get them finished for the Christmas postings to Australia. Am on top of things at present with Tanyas CJ finished and about to start on a couple of challenges both on SE and at the shop. Although still trying to decide what to do about swap pins - hopefully I may have my cricut next week and that would solve everything!

Took Alexia shopping this afternoon for clothes - its so tiring and what with the wheeling and dealing on her part as to who is paying for what, I'm exhausted. I think she came out on the winning side. We aren't very good at paying up on pocket money and owe all 3 of them so much its not funny - then have to pay out big lump sums which is what happened today. Mind you they haven't really been doing much to earn it lately. Andrew took Aaron to the skate park which he has been wanting to do for ages and pestering us both about it. But today was the day and he was happy - apparently only came off twice.

Rebecca went off on the bus with her 3 very good friends - Alice, Anna and Harmony to Sumner for the day. It was to celebrate Rebecca and Alice's birthdays which were actually in August right when their exams were on so they put it off till today. Anna bought them a cake and apparently they sat in a small cave on the top of Cave Rock and blew out the candles. Guess it will be of those parties that they remember for years to come. She got lots of goodies - chocolate - my favourite!

Rebecca also got a letter from the CPIT saying that she didn't get into the medical imagery course for next year. I don't think she's too disappointed and we sort of expected it as she has only just turned 17 and the only exam results she could put down were her Level 1 NCEA from last year. She will go back to school next year and do year 13 and reapply. We can ring up and find out why she was declined so may just do that to see if there is anything that will help her better for next year. It was just a bit scary to realise that this coming term would have been her last at school!!

Tiki Touring

We finally got to Ashburton today with a lot of tiki touring round on Andrews part. Its a straight road from Christchurch through to Ashburton but thats not Andrews way. We took the "scenic route". Drove through every little town between here and Ashburton and tested the kids patience. Got there in the end. I visited the scrapbook shop (which was my sole reason for going there in the first place) and finally got some Autumn Leaves stamps that I have been wanting for ages. So much for saving my money for SENZ! Its only a matter of days now and can't wait.

I've been outed!

Well, Tanya's let the cat out of the bag. A big hello to all the SE ladies who have decided to take a peek at my new blog. Please leave a comment as I love reading them and thanks to those who already have. Bloggings fun - should have done it months ago!

Circle Journal

Have spent the night doing Tanya's circle journal. It's a bit of a tricky one and won't elaborate as it will give the game away should anyone read this. I have just about finished it and only have to do the sign in tag. Can't wait to get the next one. I must remember to take a photo and will publish them all when it is finished around February sometime.

Andrew and I had a "lunch date" today as Sharron (Andrews Mum) took all the kids out for lunch to McDonalds and run around at the park. We went to the Sequoia 88 - it was OK but not in a hurry to go back. Also went and got 120 photos printed off - it was real cheap - only $10 for 40 prints. Am slowly getting caught up on the photos on the computer.

Alexia got invited to a "real" Zonta meeting tonight and came home buzzing from it. She is in the Zonta Club at school and they have been doing things for the kids at Cholmondely Childrens Home with them. She had to give a wee speech about what they had been doing and was a bit nervous about it but seemed to handle it OK.