Wow, check this out for some super bargains!
http://hdscrapbooking.com.au/forum/index.php
Monday, December 29, 2008
the Tree
I can never get a really good shot of our tree. This year I took photos of our ornaments instead, and scrapped it for our Christmas album.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
it's the season....
This is the time of year when even total strangers will beam at you and wish you well. It's nice isn't it? I love hearing people wish each other a Merry Christmas in the post office, or down at the supermarket, or wherever. I love the feeling of goodwill that abounds at this time of year.
And I would like to add my measure of goodwill too - I hope everyone has a wonderful day tomorrow -- that they'll be spending it with loved ones and enjoying each others' company. I wish all the world were so fortunate, and that there could be just one day of complete peace and prosperity.
But closer to home my most fervent wish is that everyone I know stays safe. People, be careful on the roads, watch those fishbones, use your sunscreen, stay off the kids' skateboards!
And may God bless each and every one of you.
xxx
And I would like to add my measure of goodwill too - I hope everyone has a wonderful day tomorrow -- that they'll be spending it with loved ones and enjoying each others' company. I wish all the world were so fortunate, and that there could be just one day of complete peace and prosperity.
But closer to home my most fervent wish is that everyone I know stays safe. People, be careful on the roads, watch those fishbones, use your sunscreen, stay off the kids' skateboards!
And may God bless each and every one of you.
xxx
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Levi
We drove up to Kalgoorlie last week, to see Pete and Lindell, and deliver Levis' Christmas and birthday presents.
Here's a LO I did today, of him with his new Mr Potato Head.
Here's a LO I did today, of him with his new Mr Potato Head.
Friday, December 19, 2008
THANKFUL
Today I'm thinking about being thankful.
I am a SAHM, and I'm so grateful that I have that luxury. I don't WANT to go out into the workforce, I LIKE being at home -- and thanks to my husband, I can do exactly that.
I'm looking at all the luxuries I have in my home -- electricity, running water, airconditioning -- and I'm thinking of my grandmother and great-grandmother, who had to contend with shacks, dirt floors, wash tubs, lamps, heat, snakes, carting water, constant worrying over money....
They worked so hard all their lives and were just amazing women (well, my Nana still is!)
Makes me think I'm a bit spoilt, and take so much for granted. Having all these luxuries isn't a right, it's a privilege. I've been blessed, and I need to keep that in mind, especially the next time I'm whinging because the linen cupboard is too small to hold all our winter blankets, or because the kitchen sink drains a bit too slowly!
I am a SAHM, and I'm so grateful that I have that luxury. I don't WANT to go out into the workforce, I LIKE being at home -- and thanks to my husband, I can do exactly that.
I'm looking at all the luxuries I have in my home -- electricity, running water, airconditioning -- and I'm thinking of my grandmother and great-grandmother, who had to contend with shacks, dirt floors, wash tubs, lamps, heat, snakes, carting water, constant worrying over money....
They worked so hard all their lives and were just amazing women (well, my Nana still is!)
Makes me think I'm a bit spoilt, and take so much for granted. Having all these luxuries isn't a right, it's a privilege. I've been blessed, and I need to keep that in mind, especially the next time I'm whinging because the linen cupboard is too small to hold all our winter blankets, or because the kitchen sink drains a bit too slowly!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Christmas
This is my challenge for the Dec CC at Hybrid, using a Christmas card I bought years ago but couldn't bear to write in. (weird I know)
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
A LUMPY UPDATE
Whew, I am one relieved little chickie today -- turns out the lump on my arm was a solar keratosis (no cancer) so YAAY!
People - get your lumps and bumps CHECKED!!!
People - get your lumps and bumps CHECKED!!!
I've been TAGGED!
ooh tagged by Rachy -- so let me see if I have this right ----
5 things you don't know about me:
1. I don't like milk from a plastic carton - and yes, I CAN taste the difference
2. I've been bitten by a crcodile
3. I got my drivers' licence when I was 32
4. I've never had a speeding ticket
5. I sometimes waltz around the lino in my socks
Okay, so now I tag these 3 people --
Caroline, Keryn, and maree!
xxx
5 things you don't know about me:
1. I don't like milk from a plastic carton - and yes, I CAN taste the difference
2. I've been bitten by a crcodile
3. I got my drivers' licence when I was 32
4. I've never had a speeding ticket
5. I sometimes waltz around the lino in my socks
Okay, so now I tag these 3 people --
Caroline, Keryn, and maree!
xxx
Saturday, December 6, 2008
PROPS to ME!!
I'm so pleased with myself today -- cos of the banner up top! I did that! Last night - took me ages fiddling around in Photoshop, re-sizing, adding the scratchy lines around the edge, picking a font etc etc.
It's not easy for me to learn new things -- that would be because I'm impossibly old and feeble-minded, according to my darling children -- so I'm very impressed with my tiny bit of techiness.
Now I'm off to do some knitting in my rocking chair with a nice cup of tea....
It's not easy for me to learn new things -- that would be because I'm impossibly old and feeble-minded, according to my darling children -- so I'm very impressed with my tiny bit of techiness.
Now I'm off to do some knitting in my rocking chair with a nice cup of tea....
Friday, December 5, 2008
Shipping News
My cousin Jo is the family researcher, and from time to time she comes up with some amazing stuff.
Like this - our paternal grandfather died well before we were born, so we never knew him. But Jo managed to find some kind of distant inner-spring relative of ours who had these images on his on-line tree.
This is the Orsova, the ship my grandfather (Earnie) sailed to Australia on in 1927
and the passenger list showing his name and age -- he was 18! and is recorded as a plumbers' mate.
Seeing these documents (absolute GOLD for a scrapbooker!) has led me to search the National Archives of Australia (naa.gov.au) for my maternal great-grandparents records - if any.
I wasn't sure there would be - they came to Australia from Germany (coincidentally, also in 1927)
But yes, I found the passenger list (possibly) and also - possibly - my greatgrandfathers' naturalisation papers!
I have requested copies so won't be sure what is actually contained in the files until they come through (which could take a few weeks)
The most astonishing thing was my reaction to seeing my greatGrandads' name on the site - I burst into tears! I wish I had known him better. They were both amazing people.
Like this - our paternal grandfather died well before we were born, so we never knew him. But Jo managed to find some kind of distant inner-spring relative of ours who had these images on his on-line tree.
This is the Orsova, the ship my grandfather (Earnie) sailed to Australia on in 1927
and the passenger list showing his name and age -- he was 18! and is recorded as a plumbers' mate.
Seeing these documents (absolute GOLD for a scrapbooker!) has led me to search the National Archives of Australia (naa.gov.au) for my maternal great-grandparents records - if any.
I wasn't sure there would be - they came to Australia from Germany (coincidentally, also in 1927)
But yes, I found the passenger list (possibly) and also - possibly - my greatgrandfathers' naturalisation papers!
I have requested copies so won't be sure what is actually contained in the files until they come through (which could take a few weeks)
The most astonishing thing was my reaction to seeing my greatGrandads' name on the site - I burst into tears! I wish I had known him better. They were both amazing people.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The Lump
Still no word - results aren't back yet. No news is good news, eh?
The hole in my arm looks weird and stings all the time, like a medium bad sunburn. But it's healing over -- looks like a mini bullet hole so I might take to telling people it's where I was shot in the war.
The hole in my arm looks weird and stings all the time, like a medium bad sunburn. But it's healing over -- looks like a mini bullet hole so I might take to telling people it's where I was shot in the war.
Monday, December 1, 2008
UH-OH!
I've had a funny-looking lump on my arm for quite some time now. It was pink and very small (not noticeable to anyone but me) but I kept knocking it on things and it developed a rough top and got to be quite sore if it was bumped (stinging)
So I went and saw the Doc on Saturday and had it chopped out.
See, the scary thing is, I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my forehead a few years ago, and I have that white white skin that goes with red hair - and I grew up in an age where NO-ONE wore a hat or used sunblock. I used to get badly sunburnt on a regular basis - we all did!
So I have to be super careful of every little bump and blemish now. Should have the results back on Thursday, so fingers are crossed that all is fine.
So I went and saw the Doc on Saturday and had it chopped out.
See, the scary thing is, I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my forehead a few years ago, and I have that white white skin that goes with red hair - and I grew up in an age where NO-ONE wore a hat or used sunblock. I used to get badly sunburnt on a regular basis - we all did!
So I have to be super careful of every little bump and blemish now. Should have the results back on Thursday, so fingers are crossed that all is fine.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
One of my favourite pieces of music ever....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5tngHfemWc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5tngHfemWc
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Jacks' cake
I finished Jacks' birthday cake today, all ready for his 7th tomorrow.
Hard to believe my 'little' boy is already 7! I can remember turning 7 myself - a very long time ago!
Jack is getting his first trick car track! so he'll be a HAPPY CAMPER in the morning!
Anyway, here's the cake - before the candles go on....
Hard to believe my 'little' boy is already 7! I can remember turning 7 myself - a very long time ago!
Jack is getting his first trick car track! so he'll be a HAPPY CAMPER in the morning!
Anyway, here's the cake - before the candles go on....
Friday, November 21, 2008
Glenns' MO
My cuz has grown a MO and looks like a 70s porn star. Come on, family, click here to donate to him...
https://www.movember.com/au/donate/donate-details.php?action=sponsorlink®o=1524871&country=au
https://www.movember.com/au/donate/donate-details.php?action=sponsorlink®o=1524871&country=au
Sunday, November 16, 2008
BAROSSA VALLEY
While we were on holiday, we drove through the Barossa Valley and are determined to go back for at least a couple of days -- kid-free!
We had lunch at Chateau Yaldara, a beautiful spot with great food
We also called in at the Wolf Blass winery and spent up!
We had lunch at Chateau Yaldara, a beautiful spot with great food
We also called in at the Wolf Blass winery and spent up!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Abandoned
We just went away for the weekend, and I finished off my book! SHOCK HORROR. So I went looking for something else, and picked up Abandoned by Anya Peters.
Well, it blew me away.
Anya was abused by her uncle for years, emotionally and physically, and the first part of the book is about her childhood, and the rest is about her descent into depression and homelessness.
She writes well, like she is telling you the story -- and the subject is a terrible one but at no time did I feel that she was throwing a pity-party.
Quite the opposite, in fact - the amazing strength she shows in dragging herself back into lfe will astound you.
The thing that really struck me is the attitude many of us have towards homeless people - that they are not trying hard enough, or that they are too hard to think about - so we don't.
Reading Anyas' story, I was really struck by her need to retain some dignity - how desperately ashamed she was to have fallen so low -- and by how hard she fought to come back.
This is truly a remarkable story, and an amazingly brave woman.
If you would like to have a look at her blog, you can find the link on the right -- WanderingScribe.
Well, it blew me away.
Anya was abused by her uncle for years, emotionally and physically, and the first part of the book is about her childhood, and the rest is about her descent into depression and homelessness.
She writes well, like she is telling you the story -- and the subject is a terrible one but at no time did I feel that she was throwing a pity-party.
Quite the opposite, in fact - the amazing strength she shows in dragging herself back into lfe will astound you.
The thing that really struck me is the attitude many of us have towards homeless people - that they are not trying hard enough, or that they are too hard to think about - so we don't.
Reading Anyas' story, I was really struck by her need to retain some dignity - how desperately ashamed she was to have fallen so low -- and by how hard she fought to come back.
This is truly a remarkable story, and an amazingly brave woman.
If you would like to have a look at her blog, you can find the link on the right -- WanderingScribe.
Where the Hell is Matt??
I saw an interview with Matt one night, and was just so impressed.
If you don't know his story, he's just an ordinary guy - a bit geeky in a totally cool kind of way - an American who was living and working in Australia. He used to do this funny little dance to hurry up his friends so they could go to lunch -- and then when they went on holidays overseas, his friend (who had the camera) said "do the dance" - and then they just kind of kept doing it.
The trip was posted on Matts' blog (the link is on the RHS) and word got around. Clearly something about the dance was attracting people.
Every time I watch the video, I get goosebumpy. Yeah, I know, I'm a sook -- but this is just so cool for so many reasons. look at the joy on peoples' faces! how often do you see that in this world?
And I really really LOVE that Matt has no axe to grind - not commercial, not political -- he's just a guy, making a difference.
If you don't know his story, he's just an ordinary guy - a bit geeky in a totally cool kind of way - an American who was living and working in Australia. He used to do this funny little dance to hurry up his friends so they could go to lunch -- and then when they went on holidays overseas, his friend (who had the camera) said "do the dance" - and then they just kind of kept doing it.
The trip was posted on Matts' blog (the link is on the RHS) and word got around. Clearly something about the dance was attracting people.
Every time I watch the video, I get goosebumpy. Yeah, I know, I'm a sook -- but this is just so cool for so many reasons. look at the joy on peoples' faces! how often do you see that in this world?
And I really really LOVE that Matt has no axe to grind - not commercial, not political -- he's just a guy, making a difference.
Monday, October 27, 2008
The Great Escape
Well, as most of you know, we went on a fab holiday in September/October, and spent part of it on a houseboat on the Murray River.
Thought I would give the boat a little plug http://www.houseboatescape.com.au/ because it was very luxurious and the owners are such nice people!
Jules piloted the boat himself with no problems, and we were up and down the river for a week; we had to have the Paringa Bridge raised for us (which stopped traffic and impressed the kids) and went through a lock twice. All VERY entertaining.
We chugged past the SA/Vic border too..... saw heaps of wildlife including a big goanna which I didn't get a picture of.....
The boat was very safe for the kids, although you still have to have some common sense and watch them - so if you're thinking about a really different holiday, one so totally relaxing that you come home looking 5 years younger - this is IT!
Thought I would give the boat a little plug http://www.houseboatescape.com.au/ because it was very luxurious and the owners are such nice people!
Jules piloted the boat himself with no problems, and we were up and down the river for a week; we had to have the Paringa Bridge raised for us (which stopped traffic and impressed the kids) and went through a lock twice. All VERY entertaining.
We chugged past the SA/Vic border too..... saw heaps of wildlife including a big goanna which I didn't get a picture of.....
The boat was very safe for the kids, although you still have to have some common sense and watch them - so if you're thinking about a really different holiday, one so totally relaxing that you come home looking 5 years younger - this is IT!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
my October CC Challenge at HDS
This is my example for the October CC challenge at HDS
and here's the link:
http://hdscrapbooking.com.au/forum/index.php/topic,545.0.html
and here's the link:
http://hdscrapbooking.com.au/forum/index.php/topic,545.0.html
Weird things happen.
You know how you have an idea how your day will proceed, and then it all takes a sharp turn to the left?
Jules went down the the video store yesterday, to get a DVD for last night. And he came home with a helicopter!
Well, strictly speaking it was some kind of gyro (2 seater). And it had a man in it - guy by the name of Don - who is delivering the gyro from near Tamworth, to York (outside Perth)
He has been flying it over, landed last night and needed a safe place to store it overnight. So he and Jules got to chatting in the street, and Jules offered our backyard for the night.
What an interesting man! and what an amazing adventure to be taking! The gyro is the cutest little thing, although I would guess they could be very dangerous.
So I took some photos of course!
Jules went down the the video store yesterday, to get a DVD for last night. And he came home with a helicopter!
Well, strictly speaking it was some kind of gyro (2 seater). And it had a man in it - guy by the name of Don - who is delivering the gyro from near Tamworth, to York (outside Perth)
He has been flying it over, landed last night and needed a safe place to store it overnight. So he and Jules got to chatting in the street, and Jules offered our backyard for the night.
What an interesting man! and what an amazing adventure to be taking! The gyro is the cutest little thing, although I would guess they could be very dangerous.
So I took some photos of course!
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