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.

Daylight Saving

Today the clocks went forward one hour so I don't feel guilty sitting here typing at 11pm at night as I know it is really only 10pm. The first few days are always a bit mucked up until you get used to the new time - meal times are a real pain though as don't feel like eating at the new time as its too early. Got round that tonight as didn't have to cook as Andrews parents came round and went and got Pizza Hut. Good Sunday night holiday food and who cares what the time is as I didn't have to cook!

Took Alexia out to Blue Skies this morning to help with a Guide camp for her Ranger service but they were staying on "normal" time and we were there an hour early for them. She walked round most of Kaiapoi on an Amazing Race and had really sore feet - they did say to wear comfortable shoes. She had fun anyway and is slowly chipping away at the 40 hours of service that she has to do for her Queens Guide Award. Am leaving this one up to her to do as I felt like I pushed and pushed her to finish her Guides Aotearoa Award - drove me nuts.

Rebecca went babysitting last night and didn't get home until after 12 only to help us finish the jigsaw puzzle through to 1.30am. Boy are those things addictive! Have taken a photo of it and hopefully will get it onto Trade Me if Aaron lets me!

Entered another 8x8 layout into the SE Friday night challenge. This is of Rebecca at 22months and had to use pink, a black pen and ribbon or fabric. Happy to have another page done in my favourite photos album. Will try and put it on here and see if it works.




Yep - that is so clever of me however it ended up at the top of this post and took me a while to figure out how to put it in the right place. Hey Tanya - didn't I do well!!!

What a boring night!!

There's nothing on TV and have gone blank on doing my page in Tanya's circle journal. What a boring night. Andrew & Aaron are doing a jigsaw puzzle, Rebecca is babysitting and Alexia has gone to bed in disgust. I guess I could take another look at the Friday night DT Challenge at Scrapbook Essentials as have a layout that fits the criteria.

Anyhow on the up side the dog seems to have come to life after being a bit dog tired over past couple of days - don't know what that was about.

Wow - I have had 2 comments. Thanks Tanya and Michelle (Mrs Frizz).

Talk about rambling on about nothing, I think I'll go take a look at the SE Forum!