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!