Madness and mayhem at my place

Moove on over

2007-02-10T08:29:00.000+13:00

Hi all I have moved to Word press here
Please come and see me there!

Okaay Blogger is being a pain

2007-02-08T20:19:00.000+13:00

and I cant reply in my comments!! grrr

Debbie..the calendar template I used wasnt a template as such it was a page out of a free calendar but you can also download calendar templates from Maya rd ..hope that helps? And good idea Tracy doing the whole process every 5 years! Annie it would be too expensive to freight and as its not a flash one..youd be wasting money...go buy one on TM there will be one in your area.

Yes Karen its a mosaic cafe called L'Arte...fantastic works of art there for sure! Will be doing a LO with that pic.

Okay Im grumpy tonight coz DS has broken my most favourite cup of all time(I am still overdramatising this)...it was an accident but Im still grumpy (not at him) but cos it was one of a kind type of Mug and I cant even show you asTana has made off with part of my camera charger and goodness knows where that is! lol! Hopefully its not chewed up.... Yep Tana is still here and going home tomorrow. He has been swimming in the river with Bella, Duncan (who doesnt swim very well) and Jennifer and loving it. Wish I took my camera down to watch them play ..Duncan got dunked by Tana twice (no wonder he doesnt like swimming) but little Tana is a natural.

Our 8 year old cat is missing 2 days now so not holding out much hope for her...she is our fat cat and is ruled by her stomach so its not looking good that shes missed that many feeds. Hmmmm

We often call her Poopy Poppy cos she has an 'attitude'....but she has her little quirks that we will miss Im sure. Still got my fingers crossed that she turns up tomorrow. We have also had a calf die too not sure how it happened but she has possibly been chased by a dog (as she was tangled up in wire and at the neigbours (which is non farming and would be the last place a calf would go) Going to have a little wordy with the neighbour tomorrow...Might not be his dog but I have seen him chase a calf before (The dog is a pig dog). Basically we said last time if we saw him do it again hed get a bullet...but we havent seen him do it so gotta give him the benefit of doubt.

Anyway, something big is brewing over at SBO where Andrea is about to announce about the DT for this year. Its so cool that Lara, Donna, Yolande and Rach will be staying on...their work is very inspiring for us all aye? So just two spots up for grabs!

This week has been crazy and I havent done a single LO!!! Sheesh! Have done a little tag for Jennifers bag...went to put it on her bag and found another one Id done late December and forgotten Id done...I must be getting alzheimers!!!!!!! But I have got a few pages sorted to go to a crop over at Bookem tommorrow with Yolande, Michelle TW and Sandra et al..its going to be fun, fun, fun!!! I will need it as Im teaching a new highschool kid to milk in the afternoons..hes quite good but just needs a little direction for a milking or two.
Oh yeah I have rung Telecom and told them where to stick their broadband go large (still havent got it after 3 months of waiting)and have signed up for a free installation of Satellite Broadband and 3 months free fees...Yahoo just waiting to hear when they are coming around to instal...

Finally this is Rhys off to Highschool looking smart in his uniform...I wasnt allowed to take photos at school so i have to be content with a few I took beforehand...sad, sad, sad!
Hes loving it so far. Hes had tests to sort them into classes (streamed for English, Maths and Science) and hes got 2 new friends. We had a hassle with the bus but he coped well.
Jennifer was rapt to find that the boy she likes is sitting next to her at school! LOL! and oh her teacher is cool too she says...too funny!
Ciao!

Bad Bad Blogger!

2007-02-06T08:38:00.000+13:00

Yep I have been busy!

Hubby and kids had an awesome trip up to Northland. Their favourite thing was the Hole in the Rock boat trip at Paihia in the Excitor boat (the fast one)

They also loved beach hopping but drove 13kms into Taupo Bay ..get there and there is this siign saying its the most safest beach in Northland..get out of the car and all they hear is SHARK! lol so they got back into the car and drove out 13km to the main rd and went to the next bay instead..too funny! I had heaps of hassles on the farm while they were away but eventually got them sorted...grrr.

This week we are puppy sitting Tana who has been missing his Mum and been crying at night time and causing us all a lack of sleep. Hes a gorgeous pup though and so cuddly but boy am I looking forward to Andrea coming home! lol

Anyway last weekend I headed off for a girls weekend in Taupo with some girlfriends and despite one Gfs broken foot in a cast, we had a ball! We even got her a wheelchair (after a quick trip to the hospital to have her cast of a week split-too tight) and had endless amount of laughs (at her expense) with it. Drank too much and ate to much but hey its only once or twice a year with these girls so gotta make the most of it!

Yay its back to school tomorrow and Rhys will be off to High school..wow where has the time gone huh? Jennifer is going into year 6 (std 4). Ive signed her up for jazz and Hip hop again. Rhys has decided to do guitar this year so I will be selling our piano off (takes up too much room).

Well gotta go as we are off to town to have a look at outdoor furniture.

2 Dare Layouts

2007-01-24T11:17:00.000+13:00

Using circles! Did these yesterday morning after my DH and kids took off for a weeks holiday in Northland while I have peace and quiet and scrapbook..and oh milk the cows!
I had to use Andreas camera though coz I havent scanned a Lo for a couple of years...so much easier to take a photo..only camera is with kids and DH. Nevermind Andrea came to the rescue.
last night she took me out to the Weber Bros Circus as she got free tickets. It was really good but up in Auckland DH and kids were watching Varekai Cirque du Soleil...which is the REAL deal!
Right had better go scrap some more!

This is what Jennifer had done yesterday

2007-01-20T09:08:00.000+13:00

Yep she had her hair cut short! I had a tear in my eye as her long blond locks fell to the floor but I love her cut as does Jennifer..I cant help looking at her she looks so different! She is rapt as it will be much easier to brush/wash and keep tidy! The last time she had it this short was when she was 3!!! (when she started Ballet and got told to grow her hair so it could go up in a bun)

And here she is with Tana (hasnt he grown?)

I had a colour makeup makeover party which was really great. I dont wear much makeup but do when i go out so it was great to have a look at different colours. I bought a new lip liner, lipstick, eye brow and eye Liner along with some new eyeshadows. It was a Mary Kay consult ...just love her products. I have tried nutrimetics but I react to it so not going there again. The other products I use is shiseido which i have used since I was a teenager and still do. Photos to come of before and after.

Okay some more LOs to share. Ive been having discussions with a few girls at SO about putting LOs on your blog that you might want to publish one day and have come to the conclusion think it wont matter for aussie mags but Up2scrap dont want to see your LOs published anywhere ..which is fair enough. My problem has always been not submitting to the mags coz I have shown them on my blog (I just want to share after all!)

dunno if Ive shown the cub camp one yet...had to have the longdrop on there lol!

Warning is a little dig at Rhys lol!

and the next two are some more Get Real competition entries for SBO.. 1st December for the Dec/Jan topic and the Have you is for the Hmmm topic. Might put my local LSS class LOs and up2scrap ones on my word press blog I am setting up which will be a closed one. You will have to email me to get into that one.

Just got my Tarisota yesterday and cant wait to play with it but am into my garden this weekend, covering the silage stack (just making more silage today...almost unheard of in January lol) and drenching the calves for worms.

Have a great weekend.

Ive been a bit naughty

2007-01-18T07:53:00.000+13:00

and overspent my scrapbooking budget big time! (shh dont tell hubby)

Yep I signed up for Tarisota I want it all for 12 months again and then I saw Sandras Lime Tart kit so had to get that too. Andrea at SBO decided to tempt me with a sale and then was having a look at Lisas stuff at SBBD and I went yummo got to have that! (she seriously has some cool stuff)

So all this buying is because next week Hubby and kids are off on holiday (camping) up to Northland for a week while I run the farm...scrapbook all day and all night ...eat what I want and when I want..and have PEACE and QUIET! Yahoo!

Seriously looking forward to it as I do every year. People say oh how sad that you arent going on a family holiday? Well we all love how we have holidays in our family...kids get to be with Dad and camping (always camping with Mum having been a cub leader) and then Mum takes them off on holiday at Easter and then Hubby and I have a week off when we dry the cows off. Works for us and then we are only paying for one relief milker (which is our part time worker who comes in) and not paying $100 per milking for 2 relief milkers..add that up for 7 days and you will come to $1400! mmm..rather it be in my pocket! (or in my scraproom hahaha)

Anyway some LOs to share. A couple of my Get Real 'Its all about the little things' competition entries at SBO . I think I have two more celebration Los to do, one more hmmm (planned in my head) and one more at home (have another one done but not happy with it) to do and I will be all up to date. Am stuggling with the celebrations one a bit but will have to think outside the square for this one.

The watching Tv is for the at home topic and the your talent is me and mine. Jennifer will probably growl me that I have shown it ..hehehe ..and wait to you see some of my other ones..lets just say they are embarrassing.

and these are for Jacquis use up your stash weekly challenge at SBBD which was a great topic to do coz Ive got so much old stuff that I need to scrap before I get the new stuff! Hehehe.

In other news..Andrea has put her comp in to fix..hopefully its just the button to turn on!And she has gone for a job interview so fingers crossed everyone for her. She finds out on Tuesday.

Had a lovely weekend

2007-01-14T17:57:00.000+13:00

Didnt start off too well as I was supposed to have a sleep in but our part time worker didnt turn up on Saturday morning at 5.30 so DH came to get me at 6.20am ..so I had 1 hour extra sleep! lol. Our worker got the wrong end of the stick and was most apologetic! But ive had a sleep in this morning and he informs me tonight that I can sleep in tomorrow too...yay!

We had a great crop on Saturday. I did 3 Los and almost finished an OTP pencil case for Jennifer. Dianna and I popped out to visit the LSS and to sort out classes we will be teaching and we came back with free stuff to do our creations...that rocks!

So I will be doing 2 xmas LOs, a puppy power (colour me silly) Lo and a heritage LO. Just finishing the 2nd Xmas LO tonight but have done all the others. Havent got photos as have given them in for sneak peak photography for her newsletter. Will show when I get them back. Dianna is doing a girlie one. She is doing an awesome LO at the moment using Scenic Route...geez I love that paper! Its awesome so hope she shows that one. She borught along her friend Jackie who was a real crack up!

Michelle TW turned up with her two boys which was lovely to see irl. And she scrapped up a storm but had to go early.

And we had Sandra and her friend Raewyn there too. Sandra had just had her 'makeover' and had a colour and new style cut and looked fabulous! She quickly suckered me into buying a Limetart kit too ...just lovely stuff! So my CC is looking worse for wear this morning!

Other news ..

we have sold this on TM for 2 whole dollars! Bargain! DH found it in the shed that he was cleaning out...its most of a Morris Minor and the buyer is rapt that he got it for 2 bucks...i just want it off my lawn..lol!

Andrea might be offline for a bit ..her comp is acting up and wont turn on..hopefully its just the button but it is an old comp so maybe its passed its use by date? She is gutted but can access my Mums comp or mine at least.

Off to check out Senz and CC ...woohoo I can go as its on when Im not busy on the farm!

Have a lovely week everyone.

scrapping up a storm at the moment

2007-01-10T17:47:00.000+13:00

We had a great time in Rotorua on Monday..went to Spotlight and Bead me up..didnt buy a lot just stocked up on a few buttons (as you button jar is getting low..Yeah right as my sister would say)

Kids had a ball at Pizza Hut all you can eat for lunch...didnt need dinner after that! We also went to Leisure World..it has 3 cool hydroslides that my kids just loved, bumper boats, racing cars and dodgems. Havent been there before but will definately be back. Been scrapping ever since got home apart from giving Duncan a summer haircut (he looks bald) and then dropping him off this morning for his snip and to be microchipped..poor little fella is still sleeping it off and is very sore. hehehe

This Layout is for the Scrapbook Outlet December/Jan compettition- summer photos and had to have yellow on it (I dont like Yellow) so this was a struggle for me. The second LO is for SBBD's Monthly competition- had to have time/clock on the LO. The third is the weekly challenge at SBBD which was to have two patterned papers.

still havent cleaned up my scrap room yet...procrastinating here..

just a quick post

2007-01-08T08:53:00.000+13:00

as off to Rotorua for the day shopping.
I have updated a few Los into my slide show..sadly I cant show you the 10 other Los Ive done in the past 2 weeks cos got some in for submissions to mags.
Have you checked out Scrapbooking By Design yet? Go here if you havent!
Havent started cleaning up my scraproom yet...procrastinating again but will need to before this weekend when we have Michelle Tw, Sandra and friends and Angela coming so far for a crop..anyone else?

Welcome little Tana!/Crop next weekend

2007-01-06T10:53:00.000+13:00

here is a pic of Andreas new pup Tana!

He is such a smoocher!

edited to add more photos now that I have time...both kids are at friends overnight so Hubby and I are off to dinner tonight (yay) and a movie..dunno what we are going to see yet..anyone got ideas?

Had a great night last night after having a few bubbles with my sister (celebration of Tana arriving) got into drinking scotch while chatting to everyone at SO in the chatroom...thanks for the chat girls...very entertaining! Sore head this morning though!

Anyway more photos of Tana and my crop challenge no 1 LO. As you can see Tana discovered the cat dishes and ate it all up in two seconds flat and then we gave him some dog roll which promptly went in the same fashion as the cat biccies!

Now I have news...Michelle TW and I were chatting last night about having a crop next weekend so I have asked my ex scout group leader if we can use the scout hall..means its free! AND WE CAN.There are a few tables/chairs and sink/toilet but its a concrete floor so if you wanna come bring your slippers...Time 10am to 10pm next Saturday at the Awakeri Scout Hall. Out of towners can stay with me or Andrea...havent asked her yet but Im sure she will say yes! lol!

Post on here or email me cram family one word at the normal (and useless) NZ internet provider. (still havent got my broadband yet).

Whew

2006-12-30T09:00:00.000+13:00

I have gorged myself silly on yummy scrummy food and plonk and Im about to pop! How about you? We had a lovely Christmas. Weve had lots of visitors, BBQs, Andreas Birthday, movies and down to the beach(although its too darn cold for me). Even the kids arent staying in long so thats saying something! I have been scrapping up a storm in the last few days too. getting onto my Make it Real Comp for Scrapbook Outlet...Ive done one LO so far and got 11 to go to catch up!!Also been doing some Rhys layouts and some 12 days of Christmas LOs for Janines challenge.

So what did you all get for Christmas? I got a foot spa, my own toolkit (just have to work out how I am going to lock it/hide it from hubby), a bottle of scotch, a facial, a CD, a mug, handknitted gloves and lots of choccies. I made the kids there santa tins at the last moment (too rushed doing last minute things for everyone) so kept it plain. Will embellish a bit more later (but will probably keep it simple). So my kids (with help from hubby) gave me a santa sack this year

and all of this was in it! lol! There was pegs galore (my westie steals the pegs and stashes them who knows where), photosplits, glue, ribbon, buttons, a westie cup,pens, a fly swat, lollies and lots of milky bars..yum!! didnt they do well!

Kids did rather well and got a cellphone, PS2 games, towels, money, vouchers and choccies, (Rhys) and Jennifer got a watch, a password journal, a boogie board, DVD, money, vouchers, towels, Now CD, a tamagotchi and choccies, Hubby got lots of port and vouchers and the 70s NZ cricket team shirt and hat (really revolting but knew hed like it) lol!

Well might go and do some more scrapping since Im on a roll. Have a great weekend.

Must sort out my links as lots arent working (after I alphabetised and added they didnt work anymore lol).

Happy Scrapping/eating/being merry!

getting some good mail

2006-12-19T15:50:00.000+13:00

lately! A lovely RAK from Janine and a card...thanks Janine! A neat card from Kelly too! Thanks girlie! and yesterday I got a nice big fat cheque from IRD! Yay! I like those kind of days!
...but bad news for Karen with her being made redundant...Big hugs Karen! Those scummy new bosses take the LOSER award from me ..especially delivering the news right before Christmas.

Hope you find a new job soon!

I have been busy finishing off the crackers for my Niece in law and Nephew. Inside I put a couple of choccies, a joke and a little gift (a pocket knife for my nephew and glass nail file for my niece). Still have to sort out the pressies for the rest of the familys' crackers and put new snaps in. Ive also been finishing Rachs' cj and doing a card and little gift for Jennifers best friend Emily. Its her birthday today and having a party but Jennifer is having mixed emotions about it as Emily has not wanting to play with her and playing with another girl who is nasty to Jennifer...sigh why are girls so mean? I Wasnt like that when I was a kid ..it just annoys the hell out me but I always say its up to the kids to fight their battles not me.

Anyway this is what I have done..

Yesterday I sent off my very late christmas cards...and there was only 6 of them! lol not very organised am I? So Im planning on making some Happy New Year cards instead. Last night the kids had their fancy dress night and prize giving for the year 8s (Rhys). He didnt dress up (not cool) but Jennifer did.
Rhys is the one in the front with red shorts on.
Kids last day at school tomorrow! I cant believe Rhys is off to High school next year...Im looking at these kids and thinking I remember them as 5 year olds. Now they are all pimply teenagers! lol!

Normal Friday catch up

2006-12-15T17:52:00.000+13:00

This week seems to have flown by...Tuesday- last week of Keas, Wednesday- cubs and an AGM (why they are having it at this time I dunno) where I resigned as a cub leader...so no more cubs for me yay! I have enjoyed it over the 3 and a half years but it was a big committment and took a lot of my time because the other cub leaders were new or had no idea how to run it. (They were males) lol! Time for someone else to step up to the mark.

I also had a full day farmsafe course to go to on Wednesday too so I can get 10% discount on our ACC levies which are huge! Thursday I made a banana cake and then took it to Jennifers Middle School Picnic. It was my hubby's birthday so he got a large piece of cake before I went...mean making a cake not for him! Poor Dave! But we went out to Dinner at a local fish restaurant which was lovely and we had a good time. One fellow restaranteer commented that the our kids were so well behaved! Lol that doesnt happen at home...

Today I have been doing the last of the kids Xmas shopping, having a haircut and making one of my reusable christmas crackers for my nephew...still got one to make for neice in law as found out that they arent coming for xmas and will be lacking in pressies and also doing the kids teachers gifts (cant show on my blog sorry).

Got a busy weekend planned with farm work and scrapping...got lots to do still! Not enough time in the day!

Good couple of days!

2006-12-11T18:32:00.000+13:00

Got a email from Up2scrap saying they wanted the two Layouts I submitted for the wet wet wet category. So pleased about that...both as different as chalk and cheese.

Andrea dropped this in ...the card swap I was in with Andrea, Sandra, Janine and Karen...I got some pretty amazing cards and Andrea gave me choccies (and i notice the after dinner mint container is begging to be altered) , a diary and a calendar in a neat velvet box... love it!

Then I hear that I won Donnas challenge at Scrapbook Outlet for my little handbags I made for Jennifers dance teachers. This is my first little handbags Ive made and geez they are so quick and easy to do! The teachers were suitably impressed ..inside is those Gourmet jelly beans that Jennifer and I love so much. Jennifers production went well ..yes I managed to get our other afternoon worker to come in so Dave and I could go to different sessions and see Jennifer perform. It always cracks me up to see the young littlies dance...they are soo darn cute and I remember Jennifer at that age all unco and not smiling or fake smile plastered on their face. makes me realise how far Jennifer has come as when she smiles she just lights up the whole stage...well I think so lol (a mothers perogative). She does two forms of dance so has to race off the stage get dressed into her other costume and race onto the stage. Luckily no footwear was involved this year as last year she had to change from tap shoes to jazz shoes. This year she is doing Hip Hop and Jazz.

I had a play with this photo in MS but in picassa its a better result. So see this photo in a LO sometime soon! lol

Then I received this today..its my ss gift from scrapbook essentials secret santa swap..yeah i know i said Id never do this again and I relented ...IM SO GLAD I DID! Yay Im rapt with it all! each done up individually in little crackers/parcels. I love how she knew I love purple and green together and... oh the chipboard and sheer alphas yum.She new I love otp and got me the maya rd heart coasters and the jumbo cards in the maya rd tin (lightbulbs going on there thanks SS) There was an R "dog tag" and some beaut flowers and beaded necklaces..my treasure trove was complete with some buttons...its bizarre that I get silly over buttons lol!!!.........my SS has certainly done her homework...Thank you SS you did a great job!

And then our Performance review and our bosses are really rapt with us (and the club sammies I provided lol).

What a great couple of days!

On a sober note can I ask everyone who posts anonymously to sign their name? Would also love to know the lurkers on my blog (I have a program that tells me that I am having comments from all over the world) ...Just want to wave Hi and thank you for your posts!

Talk about a frantic week

2006-12-09T08:09:00.000+13:00

And its not over with yet! Its Jennifers Dance performances this weekend (3 of them) and our worker rung up last night to say he has broken his collar bone...dunno how long he is going to be off yet! So I have to find a relief milker this morning for the next week of afternoons and a morning milking... all the rest I can do myself. Arrrgh! We have our performance review on Monday so the big boss is coming to visit during milking (hence why Im stressing about getting a relief milker for Monday) so we are doing the 'last little clean up' this weekend too (theres not much to be done thankfully).

Anyway Cub camp was a blast! Its one of the best Ive ever been on. we chased turkeys, made bivvys, had a burma trail that went through a stream, had a campfire and had the marshmallow thing going on, sang songs, had skits, went swimming in the creek, went yabby fishing and went for a bush walk. We were tenting and it was a no mod cons type of camp so we had a long drop...no tent or tarp around it though.. just in the trees! lol! It was a 'real' throne I reckoned! this was my last ever cub camp as Im giving up being a leader. Jennifer is off to Scouts next year and Im just doing too much so its time for someone else to step up to the mark. Yes Im learning to finally say no!

I have been busy this week trying to email off my Scrapbook Essentials Guest DT stuff and having problems with email...I so hate that! Sending off my Secret Santa gift and completing a few Layouts for Up2scrap submissions. (not to mention doing some paper work for the farm) I also got to have a play with the My Mind Eye Bohemia range that I won for winning the International Dare at No 8 wired...absoloutely love it and will be using it all up ..every last scrap I reckon! And I even managed to fit in the Last cypercrop at Scrapbook Outlet and managed to do these tags by 10pm.

Well had better go and start ringing. Have a great weekend everyone!

A quick post

2006-11-29T14:12:00.000+13:00

here is my No 8 Wired dare LO.

Im really busy at the moment planning for a cub camp (this weekend), having our boss visiting and trying to get SE's Guest designer stuff done. ..nearly finished on that.

Ive been doing lots of socialising at the moment too so thats been taking up my time. Its nearly Xmas! Was going to put tree up this weekend but will be busy with a 3 day camp.

Also did this for a friend. It was damaged when I got it but managed to hide most of the dent. My friend just loved it! (it was for her bday)

Big news for little ol Whakatane..Kmart opens tomorrow! Yay!!! And we have now got a scrapbooking shop! Not only that but as soon as the owner saw my name (I was writing my name down for a newsletter) she promptly offered me a job teaching on the spot and said whenever you want to start you can! lol ...exciting week!

gotta go and pick up kids...will post more when I get time.

Im Back

2006-11-24T19:20:00.000+13:00

but still suffering from this flu! Darn it I wish it would go away! I have still been milking, doing farm work, taking Rhys to his orientation day at his High School for next year, taking keas(papier mache pinatas), taking cubs (it was entertainer idol this week-Jennifer won it and as i got parents to judge that was great) and cooking (but no cleaning)- well somethings have to slide when your sick aye? Im presently trying to kill it off with a glass of wine on this Friday night but dont hold out much hope! lol!
Scrapcamp was a blast! Loved meeting all my fellow bloggers and forum members and we all hit it off so well! I did NOT get a sleep in coz of some selfish ladies in the next cabin who woke us at 6.15am on Saturday and at 6.45am on Sunday decided to vaccuum out their bunkroom...so I go marching in there and made them feel stink...'I havent had a sleep in since July and I get up at 4am every morning' blah blah blah...lol!
Loved Nics cards heres mine.. and loved Fayes class to as have been struggling with boy layouts lately so this was timely to get me in the mood for more boy lOs.

and then we had some challenges. 1st up a cosmo cricket challenge that we had until Sunday to do. i did mine first up ...i have lost a button somewhere will have to fix. It was totally amazing everyones take on this pack us kiwi scrappers are a talented bunch alright!
and then we had a one hour challenge with 7 different pps (that I would NEVER use together) and I came up with this.. a Chris M inspired one!

and I also got to do my Xmas cards done which Sandra was trying to coax me into putting into my sisters card swap so she could get one and I was telling her nope! Well guess what Sandra some of them are...BUT Andrea reckons she is going to keep them all for herself though.. as she is the organiser of the swap...lol!
I came home to a meal prepared and a bottle of wine chilled...he got brownie points for that!
He has also got brownie points for this..
which he got last night at an auction. Its for my papers/CS (when he takes out the dividers) and it is horizontal rather than vertical here. didnt he do well for $80!
Now all I have to do is fit it into my scrap room!! ........might have to lose the spare double bed I think! LOL!
Well thats it for tonight..have more to post but will do it sometime soon!
Thanks for your get well wishes girls and have a great weekend.

Well I

2006-11-20T17:57:00.000+13:00

brought back the flu from scrapcamp. I will update in a couple of days when Im feeling better.

Getting ready

2006-11-16T15:10:00.000+13:00

For Scrapcamptoday!! Yay! Sorry to all those not going but really looking forward to this weekend..because of A. I get to sleep in B. I get to meet some online buddies from some forums C. I get to play all weekend and do lots of spending and D. I will hopefully have sorted most of my Xmas presents that I am making for everyone.
So today I have printed off my photos and have started to pack my scrap stuff up...hmm what not to take!!! I am doing little kits up for the projects I want to do. It seems to work with me otherwise Im forever trying to choose this or that paper. I have sorted my 'green' costume also.
Im going as a Greenpeace activist. I was thinking of going as a green party MP like that Nandos guy with the dreds, but thats too easy. Ive had trouble sourcing an orange overall but have got one that has some orange on it. I have also made a whales tale with RIP on it and some little signs to pin to my overalls like nuclear free/save the world from global warming etc. Should be good fun.
Something to share.. these I have done for my Mum for Christmas. They are all interactive e.g turn , pull out or open with words of Christmas underneath. It was my entry for the Maya rd DT (yes boot me ..I entered). I was not thinking I was going to get anywhere but got talked into it by KELLY. Anyway Im really happy how it turned out and is one pressie down on the Xmas to do list.
mmm Christmas is coming up mighty quick! Our pig wont be ready in time unfortunatley so will have to buy a ham this year again and have lots of roasts, pork chops and bacon..very fattening but we dont have it often.
And have you all been hearing about the nastiness over there in the OZ scrapping world? Its a real shame as its hurt a lot of people who I admire. Some people need to get a life I reckon and just shut up. If you dont like something dont look at it/buy it and certainly dont mouth off at the person...how rude!
Okay off my soapbox now.
..talking of soapboxes, I am doing 'Cub Idol' with my cub group atm. They are loving it. Last night was the first night and we had 'farmer idol' where they had an obstacle course with tyres/drums/planks etc then had to go around and around a broom and finally eat a half of a dry weetbix then drink some milk (straight from the cowshed I think-other leader organised the milk part but it certainly smelt like it). Then they had a pin the udder on the cow comp, a charades type animal game and finally a dress up relay where they had to put on overalls, wet weather gear, gumbbots and motorbike helmet and then peg it all out for washing...very hilarious. We didnt get time for the milk the glove activity but might put that in for the final. 2 kids go through each week to the final. Next week is entertainer idol.
I have also set up a kea group this term and thought I had a leader but she cancelled on me so one of the other Mums will have to step up or it wont be happpening. I have got them making lolly pinatas which they are loving..those smiles and the thank yous make it all worthwhile I reckon.
Anyway had better get packing!

Here is my No 8 Wired International Dare

2006-11-10T10:55:00.000+13:00

Im glad I have entered this dare coz I went searching through some old photos and found this beauty! . My parents had sold our house at St Clair (Dunedin) really quickly so we had to find a place to live for 3 months before we moved to Wellington. The journalling says.. While we were waiting to move up to Wellington, we moved out into the other side of the Port Chalmers Post Office. We loved it there as it had huge big bedrooms, a big old freestanding bath and polished floors. But best of all, we looked out onto the wahrf. We would go to bed at night time, and in the morning, there would be a huge big container ship right outside our back door! Not a sound heard...
I spent a lot of time watching all the comings and goings. The 'Visitors' who would turn up to greet the sailors on the boat. Or the deft way the cranes would pick up the containers and put them just...there.
Interesting times and one of fond memories from my childhood.

There you go! Blast from the past aye Andrea?!!!

Have a great weekend everyone. Will be thinking of you tomorrow Janine at your affirmation ceremony. Hope you have a wonderful time and enjoy your family and friends celebration of your wedding. Cheers to you Janine and Mike!!

I got two parcels today

2006-11-07T18:53:00.000+13:00

How exciting!! Im getting broadband!!!! yahoo! It arrived today but get this...I cant have it yet! Apparently there is a shortage of equipment at the exchange and I dont know when we can get it installed!WHAT!!!!!!How bloody frustrating is that!!!We are obviously low priority as well.

The other parcel was a pizza box from Meg at SE which is my kit as the November Guest Designer. Yummo stuff there! Check out that Maya rd chipboard book...have already got ideas for that one and all of those cool flowers! Lovely Cherry Arte pps too. Im really going to enjoy designing for this Kit...thanks Meg!!!!

Jennifer has just informed me that she got 20 out of 20 for her speech! She was one of 4 in her class who got top marks and the only year 5...we are really proud of her. She worked on her speech for 2 weeks solid. Her speech was on the Wahine disaster and she interviewed her Grandma, Great aunt Phyllis and Andrea about it all since we were living in Wellington at the time. She tried to interview me but I was only 2 at the time so couldnt remember..but she put that in too for a laugh. Will have to shout her to the movies or do something special as a reward me thinks!

Im off tomorrow to watch Rhys run (thats if its not raining). He got into his schools' interschool athletics team to run in the senior boys 800m and 1500m. Maybe he takes after his Aunty Andrea or his Grandad, coz he certainly doesnt take after me! lol! He is rapt that he is going as he has never been before. Hes doing well for sporting prowess this year. He also got 4= in high jump which is pretty damn good for a little shortie!!

Right had better get onto my NZ dare LO. Just picked up the reprints today.

Bottle of wine -free to good home!

2006-11-05T08:01:00.000+13:00

Hubby and I have been giving a tanker driver some excess colostrum/milk so he could rear his beefie calf. (We thought it pays to keep in with the tanker drivers-this is the milk that cant go into the vat) Anway he turns up on Friday with a 15 bottle box of steinies for hubby( $20) and this for me! (?$6) rofl! Anyone want it..can i bring it to scrapcamp for someone? Im certainly not going to drink it coz if Im going to have bubbles I like it dry not sweet. At least he thought of me I have to say ..not much but it was the thought that counted!
Jennifer is blardy mad...I bought the kids a slip and slide on Friday...well she was out there in her bikini at 10am yesterday going on it for 2 hours then came inside warmed up with milo and beanie/scarf ...then out again at 2pm for another go...stark raving mad I told her!
shes ready this morning again I see (at 8.20 am) cheap entertainment I suppose and gets her away from the TV/playstation. In the background you can see we have cut silage..this is the first time we have used this contractor and will be the last as he toook 2 days to do a one day job...they get paid by the hour so sorry mister youre out next time.
Hey isnt it exciting news on the NZ dares with an international dare. I have my Lo planned waiting for me to play with it today. Talking about exciting news...Yahoo for Michelle C who is preggers...hope the morning sickness settles down quick!
For those of you on beta blogger...i cant seem to leave any comments I just get a blank comment box...does anyone know how to fix? I would love to comment but cant. Andrea was having problems too.
Last week I counted up all my old coins and I counted $130 so trundled into the bank and exchanged it and then Hubby and I went out to a fancy cafe for lunch, had a bottle of wine and wanted a nanny nap in the afternoon! lol! The rest of it I have spent on the kids with the above slippery slide, a game for Rhys and a learn to knit thing for Jennifer. She is frustrated as ...trying to master knitting but she keeps on trying...I remember my first attempts at knitting so no what shes experiencing! I havent knitted for years but its amazing how you can just pick it up and start knitting. The kit was to make a teddy bear but i have just got her knitting a scarf instead...KISS!
I have so many OTP projects in my head atm for christmas gifts its not funny ...will be doing them at scrapcamp but gotta plan before what Im going to need. Then theres Andreas card swap...I have done 5 so far..lol! better get my A into G for that and finish Rachs' slice CJ. Its looking fantastic! Shes going to be rapt with it!
Anyway had better get this tip tidied up before I start scrapbooking. Maybe I should tidy up my scrapbooking table too? Then I might be able to find my hole punch! mmmm

Thanks Girls!

2006-11-02T08:16:00.000+13:00

Im not normally so down when this sort of thing happens as I normally go oh heck and then carry on with my life...so its PMT I blame lol!
Seriously, you girls rock! I suppose this is also what I love about blogging..that we can all bolster, support each other in times of trouble and celebrate with everyone when its great news.
So thanks for all the support and comments on my blog.
Here is my entries ..

Its Monday

2006-10-30T09:37:00.000+13:00

Im feeling all rejected, Its 'that' time of the month and I have a hangover! Not a good mix on a Monday morning! Hubby and kids are staying well clear! lol!
But how is everyone else?
Ive decided not to do this again -apply for DTs that is ...Its just too disheartening to get rejected all the time. So from now on Im just doing it for me and my family. If a magazine sub comes up I may put one in but probably not.
Congratulations to those girls who got the nod at SE. Your work is stunning.
Thats it for me on this crappy Monday Morning.

My Kirby

2006-10-29T08:30:00.000+13:00

Well I promised Megan that Id take a photo of my carpet and my kirby so here it is...I cant get over how clean my house looks just because the carpet is clean for once! lol
And heres another couple of Los to share. The first one is for SO's October Ad Layout competition. I used completely different colours and enjoyed it ..very quick and easy to do as basic colourblocking really! Photo didnt really go with the pp but what the heck!
The second Lo is for SE's Metal swap challenge. My Secret swapper gave me a pack of DCWV metal tags and I had to do a Lo with it on. Really enjoying the Cosmo cricket pps and those chipboard in the cigar box is just bloody fantastic I tell ya! Andrea took this photo of Jennifer and I just love it as she is really looking at you! Ive just got a series of photos reprinted and enlarged of her and Rhys. They were flood damaged photos so really pleased to be able to use these in my LOs.
Well had better get onto cleaning out the garage so I can start rummaging around for any old coins to bank tomorrow. Going to keep some as well just for history. Oh and start on making 10 cards for my sisters card swap shes running...I didnt sign up for it but have been told Im doing it! lol and I struggle with making cards! I know its all in my head!

well I didnt

2006-10-26T19:36:00.000+13:00

get a spot on the DT at Scrapbooking by Design but looking at all the entries Im going wow that mustve been a hard decision! Never mind...onto the next one which is SE and fingers crossed for this one! I have to say that its my best work yet(I think anyway) so I get to show you my latest (well some of them)these are the entries for my up2scrap/SBD DT. The fan I just had to have when I saw it and took me ages to do but was right up my alley! here is the other side...

and the final one was a bit over the top for me but I just loved the colours together.
been busy with Cubs and Keas this past couple of weeks and am also taking Duncan to puppy classes...dianna is there with Cleo and both of our pups are doing nothing, misbehaving the lot...lol ..good to have Andrea there last week to help out and sort some probs out with some of the dogs...im amazed at these people (especially my sister)as they just know how dogs tick! But alot of it is common sense i think...treat your dog like a spoilt child and you will get one spoilt dog! Anyway Duncan is progressing at least...baby steps!
Still loving my Kirby and still havent taken a photo sorry Megan! will do in the weekend. it looks sooooo clean!

Purple Challenge

2006-10-23T18:26:00.000+13:00

Here you go Dianna! lol but the coffee catch up is on the menu for next week okay?
Yolande has challenged us at SO this weekend to do a purple LO (a colour she hates) . Jen just loves purple and I have been using a bit of it with my SE DT submissions. Just loved the Bg lily kate to work with and gotta have some cosmo cricket pp ..just loving that range atm!
looking forward to getting the christmas pps too as I have bought two red shed tins that I am gonna alter for the kids ..instead of santa sacks.
Yesterday I was supposed to be a. paying the bills/doing a gst return
b. scrapbooking and finishing my SE DT OTP
c. doing several challenges for SO.
d. doing a cj and organising jen with her kids cj she is doing
e. doing 5 loads of washing
but instead I was entertained with a freebie carpet clean that took 3 hours..you see they were selling the Kirby vacuum cleaner...and we bought one!(glad that hubby actually wanted to buy it for me too without any prompting or tactic!) .. mega bucks later I am rapt with it as my BLUE carpet is the carpet from hell! It picks up any little speck and hair possible and has been basically been too hard to keep clean..like i have had to take the nozzle of my electrolux and clean it with the hose pipe...which takes ages! Looking forward to having a clean house now!! (dont laugh Andrea!)..My Mother was impressed this morning and thats saying something as my Mum is a clean freak. Its an upright vacuum cleaner/carpet cleaner that really does the job especially as I am an asthmatic. Hubby is too but both kids arent ...as they were born over in WA...not much carpet there perhaps?
Will take a photo of my new acquistion tomorrow along with the 5 loads of washing in my wash house because of 2 disgusting kids.

The trials and tribulations of a scrapbooker

2006-10-15T08:15:00.000+13:00

I am fine..sort of! On some antiflamm tablets that Andrea gave me last night along with the nurofen plus...and Im fine! Hehehe! geez they are good!
For those of you that dont know..I fell off the vat stand after yesterdays morning milking. We were late as we slept in an extra hour..and that hour made a difference in the amount the cows gave and overflowed our vat..7613 Litres the tanker picked up yesterday out of the vat but there was probably another 30 litres that went down the drain. This was a first for us.
So i go up there to take a photo of it with my new phone...has a camera in it..yahoo! And I misjudged the edge of the vat stand and ended up on my side on the ground..a metre below! The phone was fine i have to tell you! lol! So I thought oh S#*t Ive broken something and lay there for a while..hubby blissfully unaware milking the colostrum row. Got up and then took a photo also realised I was also videoing it too along with my moans and groans! too funny! The things you do when youre a scrapbooker aye?
Went into A&E department and Doctor doesnt think it is broken but if it is come back on Monday and have an xray as they dont come in in the weekend unless its an emergency! Lovely! She said that even if it is they cant plaster it as that bone they just put it into a sling. This morning I realised i have also hurt my neck too but that antiflam tablet is working a treat!
Kids and hubby been great and doing things around the house for me which is great.

Yummo Tarisota Prize

2006-10-06T09:43:00.000+13:00

Ive had a great week of getting new supplies...my pizza box arrived on Tuesday from Tamar at Tarisota. This was my prize for winning the Tarisota Designer Discovery compettition. I went ooh and ahh over everything...and have already done a Lo and started on a OTP project with some of the stuff from it. Creativity in a box her collections I reckon! I got some yummy Cosmo cricket paper and Lilykate BG..love the Lil Davis paint kit too! I have also been shopping at a couple of other stores too this week so lots of yummy stuff to play with!
This morning (7.30am) was interesting as the cows busted out on the road (they were waiting to go over the road)and decided to go visiting the Kiwifruit pack house instead across the road! Major embarrassement for us! Luckily it was just some of the pack house staff and a whey irrigation guy who saw it all and helped us out. Normally theres like 50 cars going past at 100kms/hr so very lucky there! have to have a laugh about it now but at the time it was a wee bit stressful as the naughty baggages wouldnt get out and back to the paddock they were going too..grrr! Our AI mating also started this morning and our technician is new and took ages to inseminate the 22 cows that were in heat.
Anyway got home to find an email from Meg at SE to say that I had won the August swap compettition for my LO below. My prize is some awesome altered buttons by Adrienne Looman (she judged the comp) ... I am rapt as love love those buttons and anyone who knows me knows how much I love buttons aye?
Alright am off to do some more scrapping...stuff the housework!

A pinch and a punch for the first of the Month

2006-10-01T08:56:00.000+13:00

And NO RETURN!
Daylight savings! Yuk for us cow cockies for the first week but I have to say that I love the extra daylight hours at night time. The poor cows were still asleep this morning and didnt milk all that well either (its amazing what an hour makes to milk production I tell ya).
Im still doing bookwork but occasionally I have been sneaking away to do a LO or Cj or two! Got so many more to do as there is heaps of challenges atm! This was for a Button Swap challenge ..you have to use what you receive in the swap on a LO. I got star buttons and some of them were broken so only had 4 to use. This SEI paper was challenging for me I have to say. I havent been doing many LOs of Rhys lately so I wanted to do one of him. I also have done another one on Rhys for the SBO Get real comp but I couldnt get a good photograph last night to get it entered into the draw for the Monthly prize but at least it is done.
Wahoo..yesterday I got two pizza boxes delivered as part of the Scrapbook Essentials Pizza box swap. Basically one is filled with pp that people dont want and the other is an embellishment pizza box. Totally brilliant idea Janine! So if you take out 10 papers..you have to put 10 papers back in etc... same with the embellishment one if you dont like anything, you dont take anything out. So I was rapt to find some Heidi Grace paper in there and a few more bits of yummy paper. What someone doesnt like..someone else does!
I am awaiting my Tarisota prize pack this week so will take a photo of it when it comes!
Better get onto the book work. We have a herd test tonight/ tomorrow morning which is taking a sample of each cows milk and it going off for testing. We do this so we know who has got mastitis and who is great and who is useless! Hence why Im madly trying to get the herd records up to date! Typical me leaving it till the last minute!

Breaking news

2006-09-29T18:00:00.000+12:00

Andrea has texted me to say that while walking the dogs last night (she is at the Nationals for Dog obedience/agility/breed except she is there with Max for tracking.) Max got a scent and started tracking...turns out he was tracking an offender and the police got him with Maxs' and Andreas help!! So she had to make a statement blah blah blah! Wowee that wouldlve been scary but thrilling for her! Go Max! Hes is one smart dog! Hope she gets mentioned for that at the nationals..this novice tracker has done this!
Im laughing at this offender though..he picked the wrong day to do something bad!
Im snowed under here with paper work atm ..herd records to update and the farm consultant has just decided to put mating forward 10days so we have had a mad scramble to get the bull semen organised for earlier. And then the bulls are going in earlier etc etc all a flow on effect. It also means more work for us but will be great for next years calving and more money in the bank for us.
Am looking forward to tonights Online crop at SO ..have several LOs to finish and several more to start over this weekend in between more herd record updating. yeah right!

Chris Ms class

2006-09-25T12:30:00.000+12:00

I had an awesome night of scrapping on Saturday night with some of the girls at SO and this is my take on Chris Millars class.

Yep its me asleep on the sofa with the tv remote control and an empty wine glass...a typical sight in my house over calving. Crack up photo aye? Lovely of Hubby to take it hmmmm will get him back on that one! I have cut around the border edge (cant really see very well) but looks great.

Just got my rejection email for Up2scrap...never mind!... will apply again next time! However they want one of my LOs for the gift of life category so thats good. Busy doing CJs, my button Lo for Scrapbook Essentials August Swap Comp, the Get Real SO compettition- I havent done any yet and you have to do 3 per month!!

and then have to start on the 2 DT submissions coming up. Have decided on both of my OTP projects which is typical as thats usually the first thing that gets done. Unfortunately Im busy with a bit of farmwork atm. Im the big meany and weaned 15 of my calves so they are bunting me up the bum everytime I go near them (Im giving them meal 2x daily so have lots of bruises!!!) Every year I Hum and Ha over whether they are 100 kg yet and when i end up weighing them, they are 120kg! Big Malumbas!). The calf club calves are coming along nicely. Rhys has almost finished getting all the hairs out. Jennifer has a bit more to do but will get there in time too. I am so proud of them..its a lot of hard work. I have to laugh as one of the judges drives past every morning on the way to his work and sees my kids out there at 7.30 am every morning! snigger!

Well had better get out there..this arvo I am measuring the grass in each paddock with a platemeter. Very time consuming but it is my job every 10 days to do one. (we are working out how much we can feed each cow basically). Scientific mumbo jumbo but accurate.

caio

Production

2006-09-21T20:49:00.000+12:00

Before makeup and hair done....................................
they were normal honest! lol!
Rhys decided on a goatee lat night (his last performance)which was unlike him as all the previous shows he had without. I finally managed to take a pic of him (he sees me coming and hides if I have my camera)
Jennifer is just loving the whole experience and it shows. She just beams on stage! She is tired though ..its really hard on the year 5s doing 4 shows I reckon but the fact is that the production is sooo popular that they have to have 4 to fit all the spectators in.
Jennifer was an Outlaw AND an entertainer in this production. She had all her lines, singing and dance moves down pat.
Rhys was a Citizen, had more lines to say than Jennifer (so he tells her). He auditioned for a major role but didnt get it. A bit of a shame as he has a good voice. Sees himself as a rock star me thinks!

Look at Jennifers Scary hair!!! Yep you guessed it gotta scrap that!

And can ANYONE tell me how to get this slide above into my template on my side bar? I have tried heaps of times but every time it pushes my links etc way down the page. GRRRrr

Edited to add..yipee I did it!

Dare No 7- Metal

2006-09-19T12:31:00.000+12:00

Here is my entry for the No 8 Wired metal dare. Yep I have quite a bit of stash so thought Id use it up on this Layout! Im a magpie really and I have to admit to buying Jennifers clothes that have things attached! e.g The metal flower was on a hair tie and if you look where the 'treasure' paper clip is you will see why I bought this pair of jeans...It has a metal/plastic star hanging off..lol! Shame on me!! Only problem is that Jennifer has now cottoned onto this and is insisting on it being in her scrap stash...until I reminded her that I paid for it so its MINE...hehehe. Why did I let my daughter start to scrapbook aye?

I cant seem to get a good pic of this LO! papers are by Reminisence which I have used every scrap of ..loved these papers. There is Claudia Elysse mesh and word, book plate, pink heart pin, brown spiral clip, treasure pp clip, diamantes, scrap metal MY (painted and doodled), metallic embroidery floss and the metal flower.

Now Id better clean up my place..it looks as though a bombs hit!!

This week is School Production week. Both Rhys and Jennifer have speaking parts and Jennifer also has a jazz dance to do in a talent show within it too. This is her first year (only year 5 up do it) and she was lucky enough to get a part. Usually they pick the older kids so she is rapt! Cant wait to see it tonight. Tomorrow I am helping with makeup so hope to get some photos! Rhys was pleased that he had more lines than his sister! lol

They are both madly brushing their calves for calf club day atm. Basically all the coarse outer hair has to come out to reveal the soft coat underneath. Theyve been at it a month now ..twice a day for an hour each. Its 3 weeks until calf club and they have their work cut out for them these holidays. They drive me nuts as they muck around, fight (physical ones as well as verbal), sing and complain bitterly that they arent going to get anywhere...and it goes on! But its all worth it at the end when they get a ribbon or two or three and cups galore. Life lessons learnt I feel of perseverence and satisfaction of a job well done!

Have a good week everyone.

Yesterday I had

2006-09-13T09:21:00.000+12:00

Whitebait for lunch! My fritters arent really fritters..more like an omelette ....It was yum!
Hubby has the bug now and is off whitebaiting at every opportunity! lol! His biggest haul has only been about a cup so only enough for Hubby and I so kids are still drooling and waiting.

Ive decided not to enter for the FK Awards for Excellence ..just not enough time to do it justice and I thought I would be pushing to get it finished on time. Anyway I have decided that little ol NZ has enough comps at the moment so I am going to concentrate on them.

So yesterday I finished my Up2scrap DT Double LO. Today I am photographing and will email them off tonight. The double is about my Hubbys efforts to whitebait...really fun LO. I havent done a double for about a year and really enjoyed it! I think Hubby was secretly pleased I was doing a Lo about him and he didnt mind me taking the mickey! lol.

Good luck to everyone that is entering!

Better get snapping!

NO PHOTOS

2006-09-08T19:38:00.000+12:00

Yes you guessed it..Jennifer forgot to take the camera up the mountain on their snowboarding lesson and as a result we have 10 pics of the mountain from the camp and numerous ones of her bunk bed..lol! (holding my head in my hands here!) So the whole story of not taking the photos has to be scrapped of course! lol
Our high school guys are turning out great and today I didnt have to milk this afternoon. So all up today I got 3 hours scrapping done! yay! I finished a CJ, completed my OTP for the UP2scrap DT call and looked at my single LO that I had done for it and went mmmm needs something more. The Double, I hope to do next week as need to take more photos this weekend. I am also waiting for a 2 yo to calve (first time mother) as I want to capture the pic of the new Mum in action..they are such a laugh to watch! Sometimes they catch sight of whats 'out the back end' as they are calving and they spin around and around to see what it is! Centrifugal actions occurs and the calf swings out and around onto the ground..lmao too funny! The calf is fine I have to add as a little thump is good for the heart. Then the new mum cautiously goes up to this writhing body and discovers that it smells of her! Well this is just the moment I want to get on camera as it is just total amazement on her part that this is HERS! She sniffs and bellows, licks and bellows and then the instinct kicks in and she is a MUM.
And finally a photo of the result of my Hubbys' fathers day present....
Yes just one whitebait caught in his net! LOL! The cat turned her nose up at it too! Hopefully they will be running this weekend as we had rain during the week..so fingers crossed for whitebait fritters this weekend!

Photos- yay for blogger

2006-08-27T18:13:00.000+12:00

I can upload some photos! Below a photo of Rhys who won the Fonterra prize for dairy application in the EBOP Science fair. He was rapt as he got a trophy to keep and $70 cash! He made a multi purpose electric fence reel handle. Very simple idea and no one had made one before. He emailed a manufacturer who also thought it was a great idea! lol!

And here is a photo of Andrea with all her horde of dogs for the week. (my labrador Bella has gone out to meet them and Duncan has also but he is barking at them out of shot)

and this was taken a couple of days ago. Hubby doesnt like his photo but too bad...he is busy with calving! I look shocking atm too! Duncan needs some puppy training desperately as he wont come when you call him BUT he is good when you want to feed him (sits nicely and waits until you say he can have it) or you produce his brush! lol! He is one smart dog.
Woohoo! Two posts in one day!!!

I am still here!

2006-08-27T08:55:00.000+12:00

Yay the workload has eased off and we are just getting dribs and drabs of 4-6 calves a day. Yesterday we only had one so I managed to get some scrapping done so I finished off a CJ that is probably a month late!! Now onto the next CJ! Hopefully I will get more time from now on.
My MIL is up for a few weeks but is about to head home next week. I really appreciate her coming up but I wont be asking her next year as she is driving me crazy! She comes up to normally do my washing and cooking and the odd vacuum but this year its been obviously too much for her and I have had to cook as well. So we have been having dinner about 7pm every night. But my big real gripe is that she underminds the independence of our two kids but doing things for them which are not neccessary and lets them get away with blue murder! She is 68 but where my Mum is an active 60+, my MIL is a very old one.
Even though I havent had any time to scrap it wouldve been nice to visit my scrap space and just push a few things around but MIL goes to bed early and has naps just when i might get a spare minute. So thats also why I will be glad when she goes home. Phew got that off my chesty bits lol!
We are just about to start employing a couple of high school students for after school milkings which will free me up in the afternoon to do things with the kids. One of them is just so keen that he has turned up this morning to give me his list of sizes for overalls/gumboots/raincoat etc that I asked him to get yesterday. We are buying them all for them and they will stay at the shed as I dont think its fair for them to pay for them and it come out of their earnings. We want them to stay in the industry after all. I am really excited as it means I can also scrap in the afternoons or while Im cooking dinner etc...yay..I have missed it heaps! I still have calves to feed but that is really cruisy as I am only rearing 34. All the rest of my calves have been going off at 4 days for research on a new gene. We are one of 3 farms doing it. It means a bit of extra identifying and paper work but is soo much easier for me! They are loving my calves especially as the other two are a bit scungy they reckon (the guys picking them up). We have a bit less than a hundred cows to calve now and the milkings are soo cruisy. This is our first year in a rotary shed and am loving it..so fast and easy. Some cows forget to get off the merry go round and go around again and are obviously enjoying the music too! lol
My kids are off to the snow next weekend! Yep our cub/scout group and another group are off to Mt Ruapehu on Friday for a skiing weekend. It is costing us $45 each + $57 each for a snow boarding lesson. Bloody good value only because our group is paying half. I am rapt for them as it is really not possible for us to going skiing at this time of year. Ive given them strict instructions on lots of photos of THEMSELVES not all the other kids! lol!
Well I was going to post a few pics of duncan (he has grown) but is very naughty! And one of Andrea with her hoard of dogs but blogger wont let me. Will try later.
Cor this is a long post!
Have a good week!

Up2scrap

2006-08-14T20:42:00.000+12:00

I got my copy today! yahoo! its just fab! Im happy with my interview in there but thought the jandal could have been photographed a bit clearer. But overall just brilliant magazine... we need it to be published more often is my only complaint!
Im full on with calving here..not a lot of time to scrap or even think coherently lol
We had a shocking week last week with 4 down cows and a dead cow in one morning! We also were a swamp again and didnt sleep much as we were listening to all that rain thinking...is it going to burst its stopbanks again?
Thankfully, my MIL has arrived for a few weeks to take over my house...cook, clean and most importantly do our washing! I was getting extremely stressed out milking, being fulltime on the farm, feeding calves and then getting home at 5.45 and cooking a meal for us all. Not to mention drop the kids off to this or that activity afterschool.
Sorry Rach but Im late for sending off the next Cj ...hope to get some time soon!...its all planned, photo done just need half an hour really!
Rhys got a major prize in the EBOP science fair and he was rapt to get 70 bucks and a backpack and trophy awarded (to keep too). I was a proud Mummy for sure!
Jennifer has just done her Jazz exam and might find out tomorrow how she has done. It went well at least. The examiner seemed to like her so she says. I had to have her in to town by 8.15 so that was a mission and all some of the other Mums could bitch about was that they had to get up early (like 6.30am) I just looked at another sharemilker Mum and we gave each other a wink! Try 4am ladies... we were thinking!. So dropped her off and went in to Robert Harris for brekkie..yummo!
Thats it folks ...too tired and Im off to bed. Owners are here tomorrow so its still full on!
Congrats to Evana on your new baby Boy! Off to check out Trina now!

Zombie

2006-08-04T21:05:00.000+12:00

I've been singing that song tonight as thats how I feel atm! It has something to do with the 12-14 hour days on the farm, then home to sort out kids, cook dinner and cope with a messy house and Loads and Loads of washing! Wish I could split myself in two during this time of year! I have just been to the supermarket and stocked up as we had no food in the house...Ive been meaning to get there all week but just been too busy! So while Rhys was at his game of hockey I whipped into the supermarket..$400 later, I staggered out with a heaped trolley full. It was full of wine(me), beer(hubbby), mini pizzas, pies and other quick junk food items and a lamb roast and a corned beef (dont have any in my freezer atm)...so its either slow cooker food/roast or quick junk food or convenience food like chicken tonight, pasta. There was lots of fruit and vege too...cant afford to get sick ..but we eat lots of it anyway.
But horray! I won the SO July challenge which cheered me up no end ! Hubby and I try to have an hour off over lunch. So Ive been making the point of going into my scraproom then ...half an hour only but its something and it makes me feel as though Im having some me time!
Calves are doing well but had unpleasant experience of helping a vet put one of my calves down yesterday. It had a hernia and while i get these occasionally, its ususally just filled with blood. this looked different (just used my gut instinct that it wasnt right)so I called the vet who said it was just blood and pierced it...well It wasnt ...it was its intestines (so he made a mistake) and had to put it down...so he asks me to hold its neck while he injects it(to put it down) and Im going umm no, umm no! Thankfully Dh came and took over. I didnt mind picking it up after it was dead but I certainly couldnt look at it and hold it while it was put to sleep could I? He was very apologectic and I thought ..mate we are all human and can make mistakes! hopefully he will learn from it!
In other news, Rhys got 3rd equal in his schools science fair. He is really pleased! (Its extremely competitive) I am amazed what these yr 7 and 8 kids come up with! He got highly commended last year so he was chuffed! Hes off to the EBOP science fair next week. His invention was farming related in that he made a multi purpose electric fence reel hook. Just simple but effective and we will certainly be using it!

A bomb has hit our house

2006-07-31T20:57:00.001+12:00

and its called calving time! Im like a blue a*se fly here...Getting 10 calves a day, I am milking, farm work, cooking (no housework as Andrea can probably testify to) and have 30 calves to feed so far...some have gone already (sold off or bobbied-dont like doing this)
We have peewee ( a heifer calf) who Id swear by her size is a twin but she is not. But all go! I love these little ones...just goers I reckon!
This morning at 12.30am we had to calve a R2 year old heifer (first time mum) that was having trouble but otherwise the cows have been spitting them out easily. Wish us humans had it that way huh! and what a laugh...we have our very pregnant cows in the paddock next to the house and both my kids are giving us a running commentary of who has their membranes out, two hooves, head, halfway and on the ground...'Oh I think it looks like a Bull Mum'!!!! LOL. But they are also helping and noticing what number the cow is who has calved. Great stuff kids!
My babies are doing well ..I have to leave them in my Mums capable hands though for the next 2days as Andrea and I are off to see Donny O tomorrow! She taught me my calf rearin so have no qualms about leaving them in her hands. Dave can milk by himself atm as its not quite one round of the rotary shed but it will be difficult.
I really shouldnt be going but as the tickets were paid for in January and we expected to see him in March ...which didnt happen so here we are...I have to say I am really looking forward it!
Now planning on getting to Scrapbook Inn in Mt Wellington about 2.30ish tomorrow and will take it from there ...I really like NZ Scrapbook Co in North Harbour but it might be too far and not a lot of time to visit two shops. Will have to take off early to come back Wednesday..no time to spare!
Is anyone having trouble with xtramail? I am having majors (never had before) cant login forced exit of session it tells me! Major frustration!

Famous last words

2006-07-27T12:11:00.000+12:00

that I said in Mondays post about no calves...there was one...... she was hiding in the long grass for the day and we found her at 4pm. Hubby had to chase her 5 paddocks as she sprinted off and caught her just as she was about to leap into the Orini canal! So she was aptly named by Jennifer -Pocket rocket! Weve had a few since then and have had some big days on the farm sorting cows (took a whole day), tagging heifers (just got tags as was mix up) ,cleaning my calf rearing equipment and the bosses visit. No time for scrapping here! I am going to try and do a CJ this weekend though and send it off before the date so I will be early for once! Poor Rach has been getting all of my CJs late so far! Which is not like me at all...I am usually an early person. Sorry Rach!
Started snoozing off on the sofa last night at 8pm so its starting..my snoring on the sofa! lol! Sometimes I beat the kids to bed during calving and hubby and I have to plan who is going to bed early and who is staying up till the kids go to bed...or we are all into bed by 8.30pm!
Basic Grey has accepted my altered flower. Its on page 3 I think! Not a good photo because of the background.
Alright...since Andrea and I are off to see Donny O next week...we are planning on visiting some scrapbooking shops up in Auckland yahoo! So...which is the best ones girls? How do we get there?

Shabby LO

2006-07-24T18:26:00.000+12:00

No paper in this one ..Have submitted it for Scrapbook Outlets ribbon July challenge. Ive been sitting on this one for a couple of weeks as was going to submit it for FKs comp but have decided not to as there is no journalling. Its one of my favourites I think!

No more calves here so doing some more scrapping..yay! Got Agday AGM tonight (I am convenor).

yay a crop!

2006-07-23T19:08:00.000+12:00

Went to a crop today with Andrea. Ngaio Knebel and her sister Lyn hold one once a month And didnt do everything I wanted to do if fact was quite lacking in the mojo department ...then got going late am/early pm and did 3 LOs and have nearly finished another. Here is one that I have completed. Ki memories pp just yummo! I back to my style again after having a shabby chic stage (which I love)
AND Yesterday I got a big bunch of lace from Sandra!!! I was sooo excited and told everyone I saw about it... Andrea is still laughing at me Im sure!
Things to keep Delys happy..
1. chocolate- lemon cheesecake- banoffie pie has given me heartburn so pass on that.
2. Scrapbooking crop all day..yahoo
3. Lace, ribbon, chipboard alphas, material and my sewing machine...all on a LO. Lace especially in a parcel from Sandra!
4. colourful papers...gotta have some of that Daisy D paper I saw today that Lyn knebel had..yummo!
5. Time spent yakking to my sister.

Thanks Sandra you made my day yesterday!

We have started

2006-07-20T19:15:00.000+12:00

calving that is.....we found out when the calves popped off the truck today (the majority of the cows came from grazing today) was two little calves...poor buggers they were knackered standing all that way. So have given them a good feed. Jennifer has nicknamed them goody goody and gumdrop! We arent supposed to start for another 2 weeks but for twins coming early..thats normal aint it?
Scrapping wise I am just about finished a kit I got from Dianna and Tashs' crop ...SR papers just YUMMO! I have finished the large flower OTP I was doing. But will see if BG wants it on their gallery ...If not I will post here! bascially its a large wooden flower all decorated and is planned for Jennifers door.
Photos soon.

Virgin on ridiculous

2006-07-19T17:40:00.000+12:00

Here is my take..not a very good pic though and its mince on toast for tea instead of meatloaf tonight as I rushed to finish it! lol! A bit different for me. But I had fun!!!
Been busy on the farm so no scrapping until this arvo for me. Hope to get some more time tomorrow and Friday!

No 8 wired

2006-07-15T09:59:00.000+12:00

go here to No 8 Wired
Truly inspirational girls! Cant wait to see what everyone comes up with and have already got my plan for what Im doing for the Virgin on Ridiculous challenge.
And Im not sure when the Tarisota talk is coming out..its supposed to be today so Im letting you see my competition submissions today...here they are...

Just minding my own business

2006-07-13T20:14:00.000+12:00

Been a bit under the weather lately and havent been in the mood for bloggin'. Sacriledge!!!
So what is the exciting news that everyone seems to know is happening on Saturday morning except a few of us huh? Is it news of scrapcamp or a KS DT perhaps? The suspense is killing me!! and Im already stressed after 2 weeks of holidays! lol ..actually I have loved it..sleep ins, scrapping, movies..bliss! Went to Pirates of the Carribean today with the kids and just loved it...Johnny Depp...too funny. I hear he modelled himself on Keith Richards (rolling stones) did you see him on the telly with Mick J etc the other night? Count the wrinkles on that fella!
Jennifer has had her half cast removed so she was pleased that she could go to the pool...and then meany Aunty Andrea told her she couldnt go on the inflatable...which was fair enough..so she went on the hydroslide instead.
Scrapping wise...I have decided I am entering the FK comps this year (both the excellence and the everyday moments). Gotta be in and at least you have accomplished some LOs in the meantime!
I was going to do the Chatterbox thing but have run out of time ...and being under the weather its just not going to happen. So the flood album still is to be completed. Its taken me this long to get my head around the whole experience anyway.
Something to share...and Sherryl if you look now you will spoil your surprise that is awaiting you in the next day or two.
When Tamar gave me this Delish paint tin I thought I have to alter that...well I did wait for a couple of weeks honest ...and couldnt wait any longer! I have used SR papers. Inside is her fave lollies...raspberry drops. Although she does like acid drops so if you see any let me know okay?

Its a thank you for making my cake for my birthday. Just a gorgeous cake and a lot of work!

We are childless

2006-07-08T16:08:00.000+12:00

tonight! Yep, DS has gone off to his friends this morning to stay the night and DD has gone off this morning to stay at her friends.. Yay! So today I am sorting out my scrap room as Tamar wants me to take a photo of my scrap space...arrrgh! It looked like a bombs hit it. Yesterday I bought a seagrass cabinet to put all my stuff in...I love it. Will post when I get it all looking nice...and then I will quite quickly mess it up again! Today I also went in and got some jars to put all my buttons, ribbons and silk flowers looks great too. Lol a night of scrapping here I come (rugby is on) but I will just graze in and out I think. This is a LO I did last night. Its for SO...Laras challenge. I didnt have the chipboard flower on in time as it was still drying ...Im happy with how it turned out. The papers are foofala and BG. Gold paint is in the July Tarisota kit...I have used up almost all of the delish paint...just yummo. And all of the sequins are almost all gone as well!
Went to Bookem in Tauranga on Thursday and they had some of the new yummo Q&co sequins in these cute containers..just had to have them! I also found this chipboard fan by etcetera or DCWV I think? Am going to do something with that definately! And got some more ribbon...cant have enough. Kids rolled their eyes at me when I said I wouldnt be long...I was ONLY 15 mins...what are they complaining about!!!
Have you checked out the Tarisota gallery yet? Im going wow at Ngaires stuff and wow at Julies stuff....Ill just sit in the corner! Lol! You have to wait to see my Layout, Jandal and card that won the competition. I think it comes out on the 15th in the Tarisota talk.
Right ..off to finish my scrap room.. mmm might poor myself a gin first! Cheers!

Tarisota Gallery

2006-07-07T22:43:00.000+12:00

is up! go here
Woohoo!

Circle Journal

2006-07-05T13:08:00.000+12:00

If you are in my group ..please dont look! Lol
Yep I have finally finished my cake Circle Journal that Im doing with a bunch of girls at Scrapbook Outlet. Only mine is a box! Well I couldnt resist after seeing this box in my stash that I got for $5 at Whitcoulls. It used to have stationary in it but now its going to have cake recipes in it.
I have also done my recipe which is a death by chocolate cake..yummy!

Cant wait to see what everyone else contributes! Now on to Shanis CJ which is a lemon recipe CJ. Guess Im going to doing some more baking! I made a lasagne in my crockpot last night for the first time..and it was sooo yummy and easy peasy to boot!
Well had better go and do some farm work...getting the calf pens ready and helping DH with waterblasting the outside of the dairy shed.

Scrapbook Outlet

2006-07-03T08:53:00.000+12:00

Wow what a great weekend for scrapping! Was challenged to do some LOs in the cyebercrop on Friday night...I even won one ..yay! Although there is some controversy about that though as I uploaded it after the deadline (as I was told I could !). Feel stink now!
Was a bit frustrated getting kicked out all the time so I missed the painting the toenail challenge...but then I figured Id have to cut my toenails before painting so I wouldnt have had a S**T show! eww!
Anyway a few LOs to share.
The first is the 8x8 challenge. Am going to fiddle with it before sending it off to SO for their CJ Album.

The second is Shanis challenge where you had to use things out of the house on your LO. I used a plastic shopping bag, Duncans (new) collar...will have to go and buy him another one now! Lol! the tag that was attached to it that has my journalling, fridge magnets and a label I cut off a McD's toy. Had fun doing this one!
And the third is the SO challenge for a winter LO + a sketch. Struggled with this one!
Now onto to finishing my recipe CJ which is a week late. But having to do the Tarisota DT collection ..I ran out of time.
I have just changed my CJ to a box. It wasnt working with the other one so all those girls in my group look out for my box that you put the recipes inside. I am sending extra stamps with it as its a little heavier than my other CJ that I planned.

Spilling the beans

2006-07-01T08:16:00.000+12:00

Yay now I can say ...
I won!
Oh and I forgot to say that Up2Scrap are doing a feature on me next issue too! Scary stuff!
I have had a mad week as I have had to complete everything for next months kit early! I have loved every minute of it though!lol
My scraproom is a bomb site atm too!

Bad Blogger

2006-06-28T07:59:00.000+12:00

Sorry Ive been a bad blogger...been extremely busy is my excuse!
Hmm since last week what has happened..
Friday night we went out to a social function that our local vet clinic puts on. It was a horse race derby. Basically you are allocated to either a trainer or an owner and if your horse wins (on video up on a big screen) then you get to pick a prize. So my horse won, so I got a lovely overnight suitcase! DH and I won the brain teaser questionnaire for the night as well so DH picked an oilskin vest. It was a great night especially as the bar was free and supper was yummy too! Mustve cost them an arm and a leg!
Had 4 boys over for Rhys' belated birthday party sleepover on Saturday/Sunday. (it was the 21st May but as we were moving he had it this last weekend). Went and growled at 1am to keep it down (which they did). Some only had a couple of hours sleep and were absolutely knackered by 4pm when they went home! lol!
Sunday 5pm, Jennifer fell over while skating..thought it was just a sprain and iced it but by next morning ...when it wasnt any better I took her into A&E...4 hours waiting and xrays and she came out with a part cast. Yep greenstick fracture! Only a minor one thankfully and the part cast will be off in a few weeks. She was just rapt as its her right arm and she gets out of handwriting! lol! She is back at school using her left hand on the computer in the classroom.
Yesterday Rhys was up at a interschool crosscountry meet. He got 14th! Just awesome result for him! one proud Mum here! It was over these humungous hills so he did well. They got 2nd overall in their team placings and as another school got the first 4 places, that was a great result.
Loving the new bed..dont want to get out in the morning..bliss! No sore backs in our house!

Well I think

2006-06-21T20:49:00.000+12:00

I have put on a couple of kilos after that conference! Nevermind ...soon I will be running after cows and calves and will take it all off again! lol!
Had a great conference..met some really wonderful people and swapped email addys so hope to keep in touch over the next year. We stayed at the Kingsgate Hotel in Hamilton. It had several spas a lap pool with one of those current machines in and a full gym..all of which looked really great but we didnt get time to visit. Beds were rock hard though.
Whoopi was a hit as was Dhs' hippy outfit.The prize went to Billy Idol though..he did a good job! Havent got any photos as my camera is out of action...cos I cant find the recharger! Grrr. We had heaps of farm visits and Karen I have to say the one in Tokoroa was the pitz....sooo bloody cold! But lovely people though!
The hotel happens to be right next door to the Te Rapa Spotlight! How cool..except that I was too busy to visit during the conference so had to wait until after to get in there and deal with Dh giving me the hurryup! They didnt have much stock in though as it was stocktake so a bit disappointed in that.
Kids very happy to see us as was Bella and one of our cats.. Duncan couldnt have cared less! He has put on weight too and managed to pick up some fleas...thanks Chelsea and Max! (Andreas dogs)lol!
Our kitten (well she is a year old now) hasnt turned up yet so getting a bit concerned as she is normally a homebody. Might have to go out calling on the farm and ring the SPCA tomorrow. Hope shes alright!
Got to get scraproom sorted tomorrow as have just received my Tarisota collection which is just divine this month. From even before the sneak peaks started I knew that I would love this one.
Got to finish my recipe CJ for Scrapbook Outlet that Im doing too.
My printer is out of action...major drama for me as I rely on it so much! Because its under and extended warranty, it has to be sent off over to Hamilton to get fixed...OMG what was I going to do? They didnt have a spare to loan me so I ended up buying a $80.00 Epson stylus in the meantime and will give it to Rhys after I get my photo printer back. I print a lot of my photos so this is a major pain for me! It will be okay for journalling though and cub stuff. It obviously doesnt like printing the PTA financial reports as it crapped out last year at that time too..lol!
Also bought a new bed on the way over to conference ..2 more sleeps till it arrives yehaa!

Would

2006-06-16T15:34:00.000+12:00

Like to say that I have been scrapping...but I havent! Need to stop in and get some more cs on the way home as need more for this recipe CJ. Been busy doing the books up for the PTA AGM and trying to sort out things on the new farm. As per usual, my printer always breaks down just when I want to print out the financial statement and take it into my friendly accountant..on the day of the AGM...typical! lol!
Heading off to our conference tomorrow after Rhys' soccer game and my great neices 2nd birthday. Yay! Hubby isnt going as Elvis as we thought but as a hippy..long hair..flower power headband, shirt and jandals. Im going as whoopi (mask) and in a nun habit. Should be fun! lol!
A bit worried about Duncan..as Andrea has decided to go to a tracking show so my Mum is looking after him. Only my Brother has arrived with his dog and cat from Oz and the new neighbours have 4 dogs...who ate all but two of my chooks before I could move them. Still its only one night b4 Andrea is home and can take him and Bella to her place..
Just a worry wart I am!
Anyway have a great weekend everyone! See you next Tues/Wednesday when Im back.

Nude sunbather

2006-06-13T19:29:00.000+12:00

This pic is just a laugh..its of our other dog Bella who often lies like this...but we just cracked up when we saw her in all her glory in the middle of the driveway...too funny!
And here is another pic of Duncan...have to take another picture as he now has his other ear up!
Its like having another kid...and toilet training...watching...watching then run out side! Hes been very good I have to say...or is that we have been very good at observing! lol!
Had an interesting mid afternoon as got text from Andrea to say that the silage cover was blowing off the maize stack and to help her pronto..so I quickly rang DH and headed over there to find her on top of the stack hanging on for dear life! So I climb up there and did the same...at times we got picked up and rolled around (was lots of fun actually! LOL) and then Dh arrived ...we quickly realised we needed more help and luckily 2 nephews and ones DP was going by and they gave us a hand to get it under control...it took us about an hour to do so!
Who needs to go to the Gym when you can have an aerobic exercise of holding down a parachute type cover and throwing tractor and car tyres on to keep it down!
Nothing doing on the scrapping front ...trying to do a recipe CJ cover and intro page. Need more C/S so need a trip to Tauranga ...and have just seen a new Harvey Norman catalogue so might go shopping for a new bed too!
Off to Hamilton next weekend for a all expenses paid conference and am sorting out some costumes for one nights dress up/karioke. I am going as Whoopi and Dave is going as Elvis. Should be fun and as have already got my tonsils into training last weekend ...I should be right! lol!

pics

2006-06-11T17:19:00.000+12:00

Heres a couple of pics! The pic of me, my friend Sherryl (spider hat) and other friend Leeanne (witch hat) ...just arriving for the party (and already having a few wines under our belts). I just had a fab day. I dont remember too much about the party except for a few things like having my Dh and one of my gfs come up to me and tell me my fly was undone...dunno how long it was undone though! lol Too funny! The singstar was a hit but not with everyones ears lmao...and we have video of it too...scary!My Mum and I singing I got you babe will probably stick in everyones memory of the worst possible performance on singstar yet! lol...well we had fun anyway!
I woke this morning really well (thanks Dianna for your concern) as after cutting the cake...I stopped drinking and by 2.30am was starting to sober up. The cake was just stunning...will post pics of that soon. My Gf is a very talented potter. Her work is usually big busted women, cats or kiwiana...you know outhouses, coal ranges, baches...or cribs as those south islanders sometimes call them! Shes just had her first exhibition.

and here is a pic of Duncan! He nearly has his other ear up and this shot is him after a bath (which he hated but as hes white and living on a farm..hes gonna have to get used to it! lol). he is a real dag and Im still pinching myself that I have another westie! Thank you Andrea!
He has immediately bonded with our other dog Bella and our kitten Possum. The cat hadnt been seen for a couple of days but has just turned up now...but thats typical for her...a snooty cat is she!
and finally Im leaving you with this lovely Elvis hat from my nephew Glenn...
Thank you for all of your birthday wishes and emails everyone..Im so lucky to have met all of you..my scrapbooking friends (and Leeanne-witchy hat- my blog stalker)

Heres this lovely lightshade

2006-06-06T07:54:00.000+12:00

Mmm mmm here is this lovely lightshade in our bedroom which is just about to be taken down and thrown out...nope I dont think I can wash it and use it on a scrap layout ...but I will try lol!

Still cleaning here..my Mum came in yesterday and cleaned a couple of rooms for me which was great! I was busy having a crash course at the merry go round (rotary milking shed) as we had to drench the cows for lice before they go off to grazing. Then tried to put another mob through but unfortunately, they are heifers (with some cows)and had never been on there before..it caused a lot of pushing them on and laughing at them..poor things...scary! They were also scared of me as they had obviously not seen a woman before! Lol they will get used to us Im sure!

I have unpacked the kitchen and the bathroom, linen cupboard and today I am even going to put pictures up on the walls seeing as most of them have been wiped down. I am aslo cleaning windows and planting some of my plants that I dug up to take (some are already in just daylillies and hostas to split up and put in). The garden needs a bit of a tidy up too..yep you guessed it..it wasnt weeded either. But thats next weeks job! As is the waterblasting of the house.

As if we didnt have enough to do ..yesterday we had to deliver phone books for scouts/cubs. Luckily I grabbed a small run that we already knew. Ive just got some businesses to do today and we are finished.

Havent even looked at my scrap room yet and need to clean that first!

Just a quick post

2006-06-03T09:15:00.000+12:00

Andrea has been filling you in on things I see.
The house was a bit of a mess that we moved into so Andrea and I are once again cleaning...both of us have really sore hands, necks and arms from cleaning the ceilings and walls once again!
There were no curtains in the bedrooms or lightshades in the house (except for some just BEAUDIFUL light shades in the living room and our bedroom-will take a pic of them when I get a chance) The one in our bedroom is a crotcheted number...mmm mmmm! no shower curtain or towel rail...cant find the rubbish bin either!!!
So yesterday, I went to town and bought 3 sets of ready made curtains for $642 and copius rolls of duraseal to cover the kitchen cupboards which were just disgusting! Some people have no idea of cleanliness!
Gotta get back into it..thanks for all of your comments!

MOOOVING ON OUT

2006-05-31T06:30:00.000+12:00

Yep its looking as though its going to be late this arvo before we can get in (half a day early yay!)
Just about finished the cleaning thanks to my sister Andrea (who hasnt updated her blog because shes been busy cleaning for me) I wouldnt have got it done with out her! Both of us have sore necks from cleaning the ceiling. Just got to pack the final bits n pieces and polish the inside of the windows, final vaccuum and wash floors when everything is out and we are done!
Baby wipes!....Excellent for cleaning the fly dirt off walls and ceilings. Andrea and I wont be using anything else from now on! Doesnt harm your paint or wallpaper..one wipe and its gone. Brilliant!
9 days to go till Angus or Duncan arrives (will wait to see what he suits the best) I am leaning towards Angus. The name brings back memories of swimming carnivals in Hamilton and one particular announcer calling out Angus Mclaughlins name (as hes about to step up to the blocks).....just hilarious I tell ya!
Alrighty...have just shut the cats in their cages (cant put them in one as they fight-our older cat just hates our kitten still) The kitten is furiously trying to break out and is a bit stressed poor thing and the dog is looking at them from the laundry laughing at them I expect!
Anyway had better get MOOOVING!

Singing....'Im soo excited

2006-05-28T17:06:00.000+12:00

and I just cant hide it'....
Im getting a puppy for my birthday and Im just over the moon! Yep my sister Andrea is buying me a West Highland Terrier Pup...we had a westie who died about 4 years ago (Barney) and have been wanting one for ages...so Andrea has got me one for my Birthday..we pick him up between the 8-10th! Cant wait and the kids are rapt too!
Heres a pic of a couple of the pups but Im not sure which one (if any of them is my pup).
Westies are such dags! The have personality plus alright!
Im soo excited!

Jumping on the bandwagon

2006-05-27T08:52:00.000+12:00

with Mel about kids art being their work. I reckon it also goes for science fair, homework studies/projects and calf club or pet shows or similar. I have had a parent in calf club day(i am convenor) who has obviously groomed all 3 of her childrens calves(5,6 and 8)...but unfortunately you cant mark the kid down for it..the judges have to just judge the calf/lamb etc on the day. I think its sad as the kid doesnt gain anything from it just a ribbon/prize/star that Mum or Dad did. Its like the parents are having a second childhood all over again.
Anyway...enough of that ...here is Jennifers LO...she did it a couple of weeks ago of our visit to the Easter Show.I just love all of her doodles, writing and stickers.
Packing is almost finished and my Mum has come over to start cleaning...which is just great...but she is driving me crazy! She wanted to know what she could help me pack...so I said she could pack up some more of the kitchen leaving anything out that I might need to cook for the next few days (from tonight we are having meals over at my Mums house-isnt that lovely?)
Well she basically packed it all! So when I went to get a frying pan and a pyrex dish out ..they were packed! So we had fishn chips instead..except where was the loaf and half of bread I had out? ...no it wasnt packed but in the fridge (where I NEVER put it and didnt even think to look for it) so got some more bread out of the freezer and now have 3 loaves of bread in my pantry! Too funny! I have had chicken tenderloins and pasta in the fridge thinking I was going to have that in the past couple of days ..well they will just be going over to Mums place as I dont have the equipment to cook it all...its packed! I have to laugh at her really as she always does this (I call it her "busted arse rush"). Less that one week to go and I am packing up my scrap gear this weekend, cleaning out Jens pigsty and cleaning.
We have already packed a load of boxes onto the trailer and parked it in the shed so thats already to go. Carpet cleaners on Monday so everything has to be packed/tidy for them! Really wet here so grateful we arent moving out this weekend really.
Anyway enough of my ramblings..

In between packing...

2006-05-23T13:49:00.000+12:00

I did these 2 Layouts yesterday. Got lots of packing done in the early morning and then scrapped until school was out. Nothing spectacular about these two but glad to do some scrapping before I pack it all away! I think I got a computer virus this morning when I was up at 4am (courtesy of a cat fight right outside our bedroom window!) ...couldnt get back to sleep so visited some blogs and finished off the calf club LO! Have done a system restore after backing up everything....grrrr.
The journalling for the square eyed monster says...Beware! The sqaure eyed monster might get you Rhys.....if you dont stop playing playstation all of the time!
The journalling for the calf club says ...8 weeks of feeding, 8 weeks of brushing, 8 weeks of calf leading, 8 weeks of squashed toes, 8 weeks of calf hugging, 8 weeks of calf kisses,
friends for life!

Five and a half hours

2006-05-22T07:41:00.000+12:00

Yep it took me that long to ice Rhys' cake! Wasnt happy with the dwarves ...thought they looked like wombles more than dwarves but hey..Rhys' said they were cool anyway! Lol!
We had chinese for dinner (yum!) which is great as I didnt have to turn around and cook after doing the cake.

And my pizza boxes turned up on Saturday ...yay! Some lovely Maya rd chipboard, buttons, doodlebug flowers and AC ribbon and CB/UL pps from SO and my tarisota had some gorgeous HS chipboard alphas in a container that is begging to be altered afterward, lil davis flowers, buttons/brads, some cute paperclips and some more UL, Three bugs pps and assorted CS...YUMMY. Now want to play with them! Shhh told Dh that I was doing some more packing today and instead....lol ! (he is at polytech today).
Hey does anyone watch Dancing with the stars! Rodney Hide just has to go! He must have all of Epsom voting for him I reckon! Its driving me nuts! Didnt Beatrice do well! Was a bit worried that they were in the bottom three though!
Anyway enought rambling from me! Have a good week everyone and if you are driving up/down to scrapcamp...take care! Watch all those silly bu88ers on the road aye? I am not going..sniff sniff..just too close to moving...so very disappointed I cant make it but there is always the next scrapcamp!
Have a good day!

Forgot to take a pic

2006-05-19T19:30:00.000+12:00

Of Rhys playing his second game of hockey late this afternoon...one where the flood lights didnt spoil the photo! Grr forgot the camera! He played well but they lost 4-0. I am just about hoarse from yelling from the side saying 'get in front', 'move around blue' and 'run back!' Lol! Im not the only one yelling as a friend (also a hockey player/coach) was doing the same ...much to both our sons disgust! lol!
I didnt get my pizza boxes today so hopefully they are here tomorrow or I will be starting to think they have gone missing. I sometimes put this non delivery down to the rural delivery man though..I am probably maligning him here but it just seems that parcels on certain days NEVER arrive! Could be a sorting problem though? I was so hoping for my pizza boxes as I wanted to do some scrapping but at least I got more packing done and and had a good go at getting all of my accounts up to date on my new financial software programme..coding them all up etc was time consuming but Im pleased that I have worked it all out without ringing the help desk every half an hour! lol.
I have a busy weekend ahead! It is Rhys' birthday on Sunday. I am making him a dwarves gold mining cake (he picked it-and dont worry it is from a book and comes with some instructions...I can usually work just from a pic though) But he wants banana cake so thats easy! (not chocolate mudcake or fruitcake lol)
This is the little birthday novelty cracker I made him. It has a warehouse card and a couple of movie vouchers. He has already got his present from us...his 29inch TV I got off TM (see a previous post) Jennifer has got him a board game that gets played on dvd too...dungeons and dragons type thing. Hes been wanting to get it for yonks. He is just rapt with his TV and cant wait to have his friends over so he can skite! lol..kids!
Busy on the farm over the weekend too as Andrea is away so I need to do the stock at the runoff and we have split half the cows up here for them to go away to grazing...its my last chance to have a pat and scratch with all of the ex calf club calves and my pet cows...I will miss them! Im a real sop!
GO THE CANES!

DH and I went into town today

2006-05-16T19:13:00.000+12:00

to look at a bed which was on special at Farmers....but unfortunatley the one we liked in the brochure at home wasnt stocked in at our hicksville store! Minor rant here!
So we will be going over to Tauranga to buy our new bed ...which cant come soon enough...but we have to wait for 2 weeks at least as Im not moving the new bed as well as the old one into the new house!
We have had our current bed for 2 years...its a cheapie but it was donated to us (new) after our flood...we were grateful but it is not what we had originally...that went in the flood and even though we had insurance ...when the donated bed came up...we thought hey lets just use that instead...bad move...so both of us have been suffering this hard and uncomfortable bed all this time..but the end is nigh....we have just got a big tax refund so we are off to spend it on a new bed! lol!
But as we were looking around today we spotted a good deal on DVD recorders so have bought one! Go shopping for a bed and come back with a DVD recorder! lol Its a HDD one too so we can record and burn some dvds.
This has all happened because Rhys has got a TV for his birthday (off TM) and he will be taking the playstation down to his room so we wont have a dvd player....Now I always thought I would not allow that (TVs in bedrooms) but as they are getting older...I can see the benefit for Dh and Me so Ive changed my mind!
Packed 5 more boxes today and have moved a lot of the boxes into the dining area...so no eating at the table now...boxes everywhere! Just 2weeks and 2 days to go now....
And as for LOs I had a fiddle with this LO last night that I did for Ngaio Ks shabby chic class the other day...

On a roll yesterday

2006-05-15T12:20:00.000+12:00

and did 4 layouts at a crop with Ngaio and Lyn Knebel over in Opotiki. I did a shabby chic class first and 3 other LOs.
This one I have entered into the SO May challenge. Just had to have the lace when I saw it in my local Haberdashery shop... They are getting to know me well in there!

Lol at my crooked stitching! Nevermind (artistic flair I could call it aye?)

Had a great Mothers day yesterday..hope all of you Mothers out there had a great day too!

I got spoilt ...kids gave me a new scrap album and a Jodi Piccoult book. Then I spent from 9am-4pm scrapbooking with Ngaio, Lyn, Andrea and girls. Arrived home to a glass of wine handed to me at the door, MY mess on the table all cleaned up and dinner all cooked for me!

After saying that we dont usually get worked up over Mothers Day...the kids outdid themselves this year! Lucky, Lucky ME!

Thanks

2006-05-12T19:27:00.000+12:00

for all of your messages...I was just a blubbering mess last night reading them...thanks girls!
Got up this morning to my hubby telling me ...oh I forgot to say that the power is going to be off all morning from 9-12! Umm it was 8.20 when he told me and I still had another load of washing to be done and the dishwasher hadnt been turned on the night before so that had to go on too..I was not impressed! Mucked up my plans for the morning which was sorting out herd records so went into town to the gym, went to the supermarket and had a good rummage around a haberdashery shop. Got back and quickly did up my mothers day cards for my Mum and MIL.
Picked up kids from school and just while my gf was picking up her kids, some little sh*ts broke into her house and stole their cellphones and camera...she disturbed them and they took off...she is very shaken! The police were around there pronto as they had stolen a ute earlier. They are just about to take their kids on a 3 week holiday over to the US ...disneyland etc and were just waiting for the security guy to turn up to install their alarm! They are very nervous now about going!
Some people are just scumbags!
Rhys had his first ever game of hockey tonight and he played really well! He just gets stuck in there and gives it a go ... Im really proud of him! He has his game of soccer tomorrow morning...hes gonna be fit by the end of the season thats for sure! lol

Andrea has set me off

2006-05-11T18:48:00.000+12:00

having abit of a cry tonight for my Dad who died 4 years ago today...it was actually the day before Mothers day...so Mothers day is always not really big in my house. My Dad was a musician (especially the ukelele but also as a lead singer in a band), an accountant type person and truly talented with finance, a rugby trivia star(he won competitions with his talent) , a runner of marathons, a talented farmer, witty, loving, telling it like it is person! I looked up to him, recognised his faults but loved him anyway! He was my sounding board... I really miss him. He died of an asthma attack 4 years ago. 2 years previously my dh and I brought him back with cpr etc...and this time we tried again but to no avail...he was gone before we got him off the bed. He had just half and hour previously been watching the rugby with my dh and Mum. Thats how quick it goes when your times up!
Ive seen this working at a Paediatric hospital ..having all the monitors hooked up etc and major intervention and they still go...
I havent scrapped about my Dad..its still too painful for me...but puttin this on my blog as a record for later....

Craters of the Moon

2006-05-10T20:52:00.000+12:00

Omg will you look at this pic (one of many) I took today of the 'craters of the moon' tourist attraction today near Taupo. Ive never been there before as I usually take the back road to Taupo (cuts out 1/2 an hour). This was one of the two attractions we did on the way to camp...I was dropping dd off and 2 others. Did some orienteering in the Redwood forest in Rotorua first...have I ever mentioned that I am useless with a map? Morgan shortcut my hubby sometimes calls me (hes been derogatory about my family here! lol) I take after my Father there! Not a good look as a cub leader but hey we all have faults aye! lol! Thats why I have 2 other Male cub leaders to do that!

As for the cakes...Ive had some flops too! the fairy mushroom house wanted to flop for Jens 7th birthday and I had major probs with Andreas cake for her 40th...it is really hard to do decent cakes in the summer months Ive decided! Lol Dianna..you are desperate m8....what date is Arwens bday and I will think about it ...it would need a serious bribe mind you! For my 40th bday my friend Sherryl is making it ...she also does cakes and is a fantastic potter...very artistic! Ive tried converting her to scrapbooking but shes stuck on pottery and is selling her artwork well in galleries and on TM sometimes. She does cats and big busty women with attitude! just love it!

No scrapping done here until Sunday..have to clean up the table tomorrow and put everything away ...awwwe! But scrapping on Sunday though...hope to do some SO challenge layouts. Tonight I also won the weekly challenge so woohoo I get get $5 off my next order ...which is great as my cc is about to get a thrashing with all their new stuff this week!

Thursday is gym day and recovery day for me ...and I have found out today that I dont have to go and pick Jen etc up so Friday is mine to do what I want ...yippee!

Cows are dried off now ...took hubby and I 4.5 hours to do it yesterday and still have sore nails from ripping off the tips of the tubes...ouch! Last night...kept waking up every half hour though from 4am ...wondering why he wasnt out of bed milking the cows and then realised I have 3 + months of this...tis nice ...but am used to having the bed all to myself from 4am (when i am not milking)Next season I will be getting up and milking anyway and am sort of sad in a way that I will be missing my sleep ins ...but in reality I get up early anyway! I am so much more organised when I am milking too! and i scrap best late afternoon/early evening or first thing in the morning..and then it becomes an all day thing! lol

Went to a Farmlands Shareholder night last night too and it was great my sister Andrea won a spot prize too...I kept on asking her what she was going to give me because I asked her along...but somehow she has been silent! lol

Done and dusted

2006-05-08T06:05:00.000+12:00

Yep I have sent my Tarisota Guest Design team submission off yesterday and Im really happy with it all. Cant give you any sneak peaks of my OTP as it would let the cat out of the bag...so you will all just have to wait! lol!
As for the packing ...I have had a big chuck out of my wardrobe ...thats all going to the recycled label place today and I have packed up all of my good glasses/plates and half of my pantry even! So am getting there.
Message on the answer machine last night from the people moving in here..'can we come and have another look at the house?' OMG my house is a tip ..boxes everywhere! They will have to wait to at least Thursday or Sat pm to see it ...Im too busy this week!
...Mad clean up today (was needed anyway)
....Tommorrow we are drying off the cows ..by putting 1 tube per teat of antibiotic up for 180 cows...takes us a few hours.
....Wednesday I am taking Jennifer and 2 others to a school camp in Taupo (just dropping off) then picking up a TV I bought off a guy 20km south of Taupo...just gotta love that TM!). ......Thursday nothing at this stage...so at least I will get to the Gym 2x this week!
.....Friday go and pick up Jennifer etc from camp and then we are into
.....Saturday sport again!
Phew! the good news is that Im off to a crop on Sunday (Mothers day-how bad/good is that? -I have the kids blessing though! lol) so hope to get some stuff done there! And Hubby reckons he and the kids are cooking me dinner that day...mmm arent they lovely?
And just because I like to have photo on my blog posts...and for those who dont know about my cakes.. here is one that I did for my Mum a few years ago. The kitten is just icing. the ball of wool is the cake. (not a very good pic sorry)
Rhys has decided he wants some dwarves with a goldmining cart for his birthday ...on the 21st of this month.(I have several books to copy off-Im not that clever) so I said yes as I actually like making the figures...its like playing with playdough...so Im just a big kid at heart! lol.
Well better get a move on...yep Ive been on here a couple of hours already as still having trouble sleeping past 4am (too much on my mind)
Have a good week!

Cubs

2006-05-05T17:45:00.000+12:00

This is the sombrero that Jennifer made yesterday at cubs...it is normally flicked up but as it was modelled by Rhys while he was playing PS2,.....hehehe ..21st album..hehe...., you cant see this!The kids had a ball making them and I am kicking myself for not taking the camera...the look of newspaper over their head and masking tape was just hilarious! Some had more probs than others mainly with the rolling of the edges....and we ran out of time as they were supposed to paint the head and the rim area...nevermind... we also ran out of masking tape too (I had 60ms of the stuff) So Dh was disappointed lol!
On the packing front...I have packed a bit more...this time the kitchen cupboards...and plan to tackle my wardrobe this weekend and get rid of all the sizes (I have a range-fat and thin) that is not my present size...except for a few faves that I cant bear to part with! It is a major sort out/chuck out weekend for us so no scrapping for me.
I thought I had my OTP sorted for the Tarisota guest design team sorted ...have just about finished it until I started dreaming again!!! lol so will have a go about doing that altered piece (its different is all Im letting on). Andrea reckons one of my hat invitations is really good and I should put that it..im not so sure....will see.
DH took this photo of me today after having a haircut (badly needed I tell ya). I have just shockingly realised that I am getting real wrinkles/laugh lines...I obviously havent had a photo lately and having lost a little weight......not that Im unhappy about it but just realisin' that I AM getting older! The pic was taken and there in the background is the weeds I can see ...lol...so I say to Dh..was that a good shot...was the background okay? Yes he says!lol Males! Thank heaven for cropping on the other photo! lol! Its for the Tarisota DT call of course..Got my glasses fixed today too...now I dont need to wear them all the time...just for driving ...but I do as I lose them otherwise! A cow squashed my glasses (while I was wearing them mind you! LOL) so my frames had to be straightened and new nose thingies put on...so finally my glasses are now straight!

LOL

2006-05-02T20:40:00.000+12:00

I say to hubby tonight that I need his help tomorrow...I need to wrap newspaper over his head and wrap around his head with masking tape and he says....hehehe that sounds like fun what are you going to do to me? LOL....I blushed and let him down gently I assure you...lol!!!
Actually its a cub activity for tomorrow night...we are making mexican sombreros and having mexican hot chocolate (cream and eggs added to cooking chocolate). Its all for Cinqa de Mayo (a mexican holiday) The hat that I make tomorrow for him will actually be his so he can wear it to my 40th birthday party...finally finished the invites....and you are all invited if you can make it!
10th June at 7pm at my Mums place next door. Bring your best singing voice and dance moves! Hat or bizarre hairdo optional! Please me email on cramfamily@xtra.co.nz if you want some room on the mattresses at my place...and bring your sleeping bag and pillow! And Ill send you an invite too! Please come!
On the scrapping front...I AM submitting for Tarisota...well why not? and today I did my LO...and heres a sneak peak... Theres a story behind this LO as I dreamed about it all night last night...BG urban couture pp's and I just love them! So when hubby got up to milk the cows this morning..I got up and started this LO...finished it this arvo as I had to go into town to get more Xyron sticker tape. (just love that stuff and just go through it like nobodys!) its a very lumpy bumpy LO too. Now onto the card...I really struggle sometimes to come up with innovative ideas on cards for some reason ...but last night it just flowed with the invites so there you go! Want to do something WOW so getting my thinking cap on..already have the OTP project sorted.
Can you guess that I havent been doing any packing? I have got to get onto it tomorrow...I am selling clothes and junk off on TM as much as I can but still got Jennifers pigsty to sort out...its a mess. Rhys' is usually tidy so wont be much...and there is my mess...lol ...scrap stuff/cub stuff in my bedroom as well as in the lounge and the dining room! And its growing Hubby reckons! lol

Hands up!

2006-04-30T17:47:00.000+12:00

All the naughty girls! lol! DH took this pic last night of our cat Possum and as soon as I saw it (this afternoon as I went to bed early) I had the cardstock and paper already picked out! lol! So another bright one coming up...gotta finish the LO from yesterdays crop with Tash and Dianna...and woohoo for Tash as she has a LO published in For keeps this month. (issue 42) Had a quick flick through her copy ..you know the subscription copy that she won at scrapcamp last year? And just lovely LOs from everyone especially our kiwi girls! Cant wait to get my copy too...from the shop though so that will take ages!
Had a good Saturday and managed to catch up with a lot of people at the soccer tournament ...a real social occasion these soccer/rugby/netball games arent they? I stayed for all of his games as his draw for the tournament was great and then I scrapped the afternoon away.
Today I waterblasted the house and then I took the kids to the movies to see 8 Below...gee that was a good movie! I was blubbering in the sad parts for sure! Must get this on DVD. Go see it!
On the way out to the movies today...I drove along the tanker track and past the letterbox...and my heart sank...there sitting behind (fallen off the top of the Letterbox and in the bushes underneath) was a pizza box...my SBO order...cringe mega bucks down the drain...wet BG/new chatterbox etc (we had had about 30mls yesterday afternoon and another 20mls overnight)....BUT fortunately the way it fell and the fact that it was in a 12x 12 plastic bag...saved the day! Phew!!!! lucky, lucky, lucky!

It was raining today so

2006-04-28T17:55:00.000+12:00

I did another LO ...Scenic Route this time with another HS flower and jewels. had fun with my sewing and this is another with no journalling...but might put some hidden journalling in yet or put it on bottom left area.

Hey If anyone knows anyone who has been flooded ...let me know..my heart just goes out to those people and we certainly know how it feels!
Poor buggers...
Well it looks like Rhys' be at his soccer tournament tomorrow but luckily Dh has said if I drop him off, he will pick him off...so I can watch a few games..then go to a crop...yay!
I had to go to the local post office agency today and got accosted by my ex hockey playing team mate who effectively conned me into playing a game or two on a Tuesday night...lol I am a sucker for punishment! But as I am a goalie...tis not too bad! (no injuries as am a michelin man in my gear lol )
Have a great weekend everyone and hope everyone is high and dry.

Oops Ive been a slacker

2006-04-27T19:46:00.000+12:00

and not emailed those of you about the cracker instructions ...but found I had to recharge the camera to take pics...then my scanner wouldnt work so have had to uninstall etc ...but Im getting there ..honest!
It didnt help that Ive been TALKING a lot today ...first various parents about cubs, scouts and soccer practise that DS forgot to inform me was on this afternoon ...and as he had piano 1/2 hour after and is 10mins away from his school that was a mission ..he grumbled as he wanted me to cancel his piano practise but Im paying here so 'you will go to piano practise'! lol the soccer was a one off practise before Bayday Soccer Tournament which is when the EBOP starts their soccer.
Actually Rhys is triple booked on Saturday as he has signed up for Friday night hockey but they are having a tournament this Saturday too..lol and then I get a phone call that he has a shooting scout activity on at 10.30am .....obviously the scout leader didnt know that the winter sports started this weekend...but I dont blame them as its been a short holidays for the primary/intermediate. Bizarre! (the weather is looking really horrible though so he might get to do the shooting yet!)
Then I get to the gym/pool and talked to Dianna and Tash for half and hour...went in and did my 45 min routine at the gym and talked to Andrea for half and hour...then went to the supermarket...and get home to find that Its time to pick up kids from school! Where does the time go???
Just had my first go at selling on TM (Lots of Jens clothes that dont fit anymore) am pleased how it went and will rummage through Rhys' clothing now lol! Im hooked! (well was already hooked on buying...now hooked on selling!)
Finally here is a pic of kids at anzac parade Its not a good one unfortunately as my camera had no memory space and needed recharging...and gave to other cub family people to take photos and it didnt happen...Rhys' vest is bare because he cant find his other one...the one with lots of scout badges on....grrrrr! Jennifer has about 6 more badges to sew on but a. she is painfully slow sewing them on and b.if I was going to do it ... my sewing machine is all set up for sewing cardstock and not material at the moment...lol!

Im on a roll

2006-04-25T17:13:00.000+12:00

and completed two LOs today. Well what was a girl to do on a wet and wild day?
Anzac Day...what an experience! We went as part of the EBOP contingent to march at the 9am parade. Jennifer was even keen to march in the rain ...but thankfully it was indoors!
I felt a great deal of honour and respect by marching with my kids and the other leaders. The hairs stood up on the back of my neck several times during the service too. Am going to do a LO on it so will post when Ive done that.
Then came home and did this Oh baby boy BG LO of which Im really happy with...just love those HS flowers (Got from latest Tarisota collection along with the white CS-have been meaning to do some white CS ones after seeing the latest FKs) and Michelle and Yolande have done some stunning white CS LOs too.
Finished off the other easter Lo I was doing for Rhys too. Sometimes I can just get my act together! lol
Thanks for those who have emailed me wanting the cracker instructions...I will scan the pic tommorrow (as it was a freehand drawing) and will take a pic of it unfolded just to give you and idea how to do one part of it (i.e the trickiest part).

A couple of LOs I did yesterday.

2006-04-24T17:16:00.000+12:00

Havent quite finished the third yet ...I was really pleased with how the day went and how much I got done! I was organised for a change ..thats why! I had my little kits ready and even though I changed the papers..it was altogether. I also enjoyed scrapping out of my crop bag rather than rummaging around on the kitchen table amongst the mess for all my new goodies buried under everything! lol! I am trying to use up all of my older BG before I use the new stuff but its very hard to resist... so today I have started a new LO with some Oh Baby Boy...will post when I have finished. And I have ordered some more new BG so Im in big trouble...shhh I was telling hubby the other day that I had enough supplies at the moment....lol..yeah right! FOB OFF...FOB OFF!

BTW, the machine stitching in the corners is a crazy stitch and not mesh. Just me having a play! There is hidden journalling attached to the flower. Which is basically about how my dd is developing...eg she is developing boobs, hips are flaring out etc etc
Everyone at the crop just loved my demo of the Christmas crackers...and Penny you dont rip them open ..you unroll the ends and can re use them. Each one personalised...but you dont have to use them for christmas crackers only...Im going to make one as a gift for my mother for mothers day..put some choccies in and a small gift and voila! Am planning on making that this weekend so will show you when its done...Im half thinking of entering the junkitz competition with it as I just love the junkitz papers. Not to mention UL, BG, Wild asparagus, Chatterbox and Scenic Route! Umm havent got any of that new Crate paper yet so am looking out for that.
The journalling reads for the showtime LO..(for my son)
'Easter comes every year and memories of the Auckland Easter Show filter through my childhood memory of good times,
the thrill of amusement park rides and the sideshow attractions.
Hot dogs and freebie Easter eggs, shaved iced and raspberry fizzy...not a good combination ...but yummy anyway.
Oops sorry this is long winded!
Must get my links sorted sorry gals I blog hop a lot as havent had the time to sort it ...soon!!!!

yay a crop!

2006-04-23T07:46:00.000+12:00

Last night I dusted off my crop bag and filled it up with supplies to take to a crop today...yay! Its a crop with Ngaio and Lyn Knebel...they are just amazing scrappers! Both from a little town called Opotiki! Ngaio has previously been over in Oz teaching classes and contributing to many scrap magazines. They have about 20 odd women who go to their crops so scrapping is really taking off over here. Im only there till 1.30pm as I have to get back for a herd test...last one yay (we test each cows milk to see who has mastitis/whose the best cow etc- 4 times a year and just takes ages!) And then another couple of weeks and we'll dry the cows off. Yahoo!
I dont usually use this bag as its far too small but I am on a misson today to complete a couple of LOs so have my kits ready. I am also showing how to do my christmas crackers as Ngaio has been nagging me to show...yes I know its not Xmas but this is my first crop with them this year.
So last night I did up some instructions on my comp...so let me know if you want a copy? Email me cramfamily@xtra.co.nz
Well had better make a move...Yolande will now be happy as that CHOCOLATE pic will have gone from my blog page...lol! Big tease arent I?

Hurricane

2006-04-21T08:56:00.000+12:00

This is a pic of my kids as theyve just come off the Hurricane at the Easter Show...they loved it up to the point where the arms go out...and Jennifers face went green and Rhys was petrified she was going to puke on him...and was also getting squashed into the corner (from Jennifer)...and they vowed and declared not to go on that ride again! Lol...yeah right!Meanwhile I was LMAO down the bottom and remembering my last ride on that ride myself...I had an asthma attack and gave my sister a real fright..never again would I go on that ride....I said! So you wont get me on that one! Kids and I had a ball...we went ice skating, shoppping, wave pool, easter egg hunts and lots of social lunches, a 40th birthday party and BBQ's. Was going to go scrapbook shopping on the Tuesday before coming home but the heavens opened and I could hardly see the motorway and was just following the car in front- very scary! So ditched that plan and came home! So I didnt end up buying anything for me ...shock horror! Kids got some clothes and Dh got this humungus bottle of port! Got home to get my latest Tarisota collection which is absolutely YummO! I Love it all...now need photos and time to scrap....packing or scrapping? Darn it but packing/sorting out herd records/installing a new financial software package and learning that and trying to complete my 40th Birthday invites is taking up my time. I have 2 LOs with all but the photos planned though and in a bag waiting!

Well had better take Rhys into town...he is selling poppies today as a Scout.

Easter Shopping

2006-04-12T17:48:00.000+12:00

OMG! I have just come back from the supermarket with the kids buying our easter eggs and it cost me $144! Time I got one each for kids, one to sis from each of us, my Mum-one each from all of us etc etc. Expensive exercise! Easter egg giving is going to be cancelled next year I reckon! (my brother and all his horde are moving back from Tassie so we will not be exchanging easter eggs with all of us- too expensive!)
For Easter I am not going to be with my Dh...(that sucks aye) He is staying home to milk the cows. awe!
Im going up with the kids to the Royal Easter Show in Auckland...Im really excited about that as I can remember it as a kid..going to the big smoke and seeing the Easter show...it was big then so I presume its even bigger now! This is 'my' week to take the kids on holiday. (Dh took them around the East Coast camping). so I said do you want to go to Wellington or Auckland...the Easter show is on...so they chose! Next time Wellington I promise!
I also have our friends 40th birthday to go to ..we flatted together and met in our first year of uni. We see her and her hubby often as they have family down here and we stay with them sometimes. So looking forward to that...I havent bought her a pressie yet..will go shopping tomorrow...might even give her a pink hammer too! lol...every woman needs one! They have kids who just adore my kids and visa versa so its good all round.
Its my Great Aunts birthday on Sunday (so I wont be there) she will be 85? (I think!) She lives next door with my Mum and is a kind of great grandparent to my kids.
I am madly doing some cards for her to write to her friends...might even alter a Tim Tam tin to put them in so will be burning the midnight oil trying to complete that...she is so hard to buy for so I usually make her something and give her a bottle of Port!
Better get on with it!

Mission Impossible Camp

2006-04-10T06:51:00.000+12:00

This photo was taken up on top of the climbing wall of all of us with flag break yesterday morning. I am in the blue shirt on the outside of the circle and not taking the photo....no way jose was I going up there!
We survived the weekends full on camp in the kaimais...Jennifer is very sore though as she came a cropper several times. She fell out of the Kayak after it got too rough and there was a mad dash to get her before she went down the rapids! She was very frightened poor thing. She tripped over tree roots during the alphabet code breaker trail through the forest, cut herself on a punga when doing the burma trail and fell over on the concrete when doing a treasure hunt in the compound. But she had fun on the climbing wall/abseil (she just loved that), they made pea shooters, rockets out of plastic bottles with water in them and chinese lanterns of which we put around our campfire and looked awesome!
I am still extremely tired and it was nice to come home to a glass of wine and DH who cooked dinner!
The other parent who went with me dropped a bombshell on me that she is just about to leave her dh in the next week! And that shed been having an affair with another cub parent (who has split from his wife already). Talk about 'days of our lives'! Im glad she told me as it is still a very 'volatile' situation and I need to know as their kids cub leader. I actually really like the two families involved tremendously so hope it can all work out without too much stress on the kids..but Im not holding my breath. Poor kids!
Anyway today I am doing some stock work first thing then tidying up my house and washing! DS was away all weekend with a friend so he has a mountain of washing too. Groan!

2 Layouts

2006-04-07T20:42:00.000+12:00

The first one is one of my Scrapbook Outlet DT submissions...will post the rest plus my project as they have deleted their DT submissions gallery ...whats with that?
The second one is the Lo I completed today of dd who got her ears pierced for her 9th birthday (still got to put that little tag on but still drying)
The journalling says
Is it going to hurt
can you hold my hand?
umm Ill have the blue earrings
How long does it take?
should I have my eyes open or closed?
Im gonna squeeze your hand really hard Mum, if it hurts!
Oh that wasnt too bad! (giggle)
(of course Jen didnt have her ears pierced with these ones ...I lost those photos when my comp crashed...poetic license? yeah!)
Am all packed and ready to go for this cub camp. Hope it is mainly fine! Got all of my wet weather gear in case...and my gumboots.
Counted the money last night and we got $2800 takings but ending up with $1450 profit so we are really happy (PTA). I had $1600 of coins and staggered into the local Westpac branch with it... looking at the business tellers and seeing one woman laugh..yep she picked I was headed straight for her! Left it there while they counted it and did some shopping.
Have been stalking the local Paper Plus for my next scrapbook magazine...in withdrawl here and need my next fix! Has anyone got their latest Scrapbook Creations or For Keeps?
Have a good weekend.

Yesterday

2006-04-06T06:49:00.000+12:00

Yesterday I was all in a tizz as our neighbours had their 4 wheeler stolen and other neighbours had diesel and tools stolen. Thank goodness we have a dog who barks or we mightve been hit too. (she went ballistic so dh went out with the spotlight...he couldnt see anything but they had obviously scarpered) Anyway they have caught the b@#*ards but they will probably just get off with a fine like 2 weeks ago when they stole diesel. Whats worse is that 2 of them were relief milkers...casing out the joint when they milked the cows.
Its all for drugs of course!

So last night I didnt have much sleep as thought theyd be back to do our farm (not knowing until this morning that theyd been caught) and woke at every little noise...grrr
I had cubs last night which went really well! We had a commonwealth games theme and last night they competed in their countries for gold, silver etc (chocolate coins with a streamer band I made a few days ago). They did a talkathon (non stop talking with yellow cards for pauses, repeating words or more than 5 umms and red carded when you were out)), a ankle wrestling match, back to back relay, 2 man ski race, blindfold compass competition, cracker eating competition (while blowing up a balloon) and the Limbo. The kids had a ball and us adults had a good laugh especially at the cracker competition! lol! Took me a while to calm down after that fun and then had to help milk this morning too so a 4am start. Today I am PTA ing and helping selling food/lollies/iceblocks etc for an interschool touch day. So tonight I am counting lots of money and will be worth robbing! lol! then I will be crashing Im sure!
Tommorrow I am packing for a cub camp this weekend in the kaimais and trying to finish a LO I have started ...thinking of having a doodle on it so hopefully that will turn out. With all this new stuff Ive just got Ive been itching to scrap but havent had the time! Roll on school holidays!
I am trying to pack a box a day at the moment so my house is starting to fill up with boxes.

But my best buy

2006-04-04T12:30:00.000+12:00

Was this little number! Hubby certainly wont be 'borrowing' this! lol! And it has the two screwdrivers inside the handle so that will come in handy! Actually thats what I get so annoyed with Dh about...he pinches MY screwdrivers and then I go to get one out of my little box and theyre gone...disappeared over to his tool shed! never to be seen again.Grr!
I bought it at a Living and Giving store if anyone is interested in buying one.

Shopping shopping shopping!

2006-04-03T09:05:00.000+12:00

Thats what I did the most of during the weekend! Got myself some new runners as my old ones are falling apart.
Had a ball at the Ezibuy outlet shop where everything was $5-20 each. Nice stuff too! So got myself a pair of cords, 2 pair shoes , a skirt, 2 tops and a pair of jeans for $2 for Jennifer....all for $50.
Then we went to dressmart and got Jennifer 4 pairs of groooooovy pants/jeans and a top from Pumpkin Patch (all half price) and Rhys 2 pair pants and 3 long sleeve tops/hoodies. (some from PP and some from other shops there)
I went scrap shopping before I met up with my gfs. Didnt go overboard as they didnt have the new Bg in (this was Create). Im shopping in this shop and I realised who actually owns it or manages it (ex KS person-in fact shes probably still on there) and so Im the only person in this shop and shes out the back (which is sort of screened off by paper stands) and she was just bagging KS to her other worker. In fact I wondered if she knew who I was and did it on purpose (I have my photo on there as does she I think)...but I was not impressed!
Nice shop though and had everything theme related which was great!
Went to the new Spotlight and bought up big too!
Didnt have time to go to Scrapbook Inn though!
So apart from shopping, we went out to dinner, had nice lunches at pubs and at night we just talked until midnight and then went to the casino..the earliest we got to bed was 2am. I quickly lost my $20 on the pokies and then I boogied down with one of my gfs...the other was winning on the pokies ($140 the first night...less the second night so she did well!)
Well had better get my house sorted...it looks as though a bombs gone off!

900gms

2006-03-30T07:48:00.000+12:00

Oh so close! I asked the ww weigh in lady to fib and put down 1 kilo but she wouldnt!!!
So I was so close to winning the bet DH gave me but nevermind...no cooked dinners by him for a week!
It goes to show...do not weigh yourself everyday as you fluctuate so much! e.g on day 3 I had lost 1.3 kilos...by day 5 I had put it all on again(and doing nothing different except go to the Gym)...ummm muscle you say? Could be but I do all cardio at the gym and no weights. I think its fluid retention myself and must drink more water to flush out.
Today Im off to the pool for a swim so that I give my body a wake up call...im thinking mix up my exercise to get that great weightloss happening....not that im not happy with 900gm!!!
Am packing my bags today yay. Here I come Hamilton!
Ds is very excited as he is off to Wellywood tomorrow with Andrea to watch the Hurricanes play the Crusaders! (Aunty Andrea is shouting him the ticket as an early bday present). He is also excited as he is missing out on school too!

My latest Los

2006-03-29T07:32:00.000+12:00

Here they are. The Laugh out loud photo is my favourite photo of Rhys and I (Andrea took the photo)
Today is weigh in and Im really feeling bloated so dont think I will be losing the kilo! Even though i had lost 1.3 kilos in the weekend and then I started back at the gym again! So will be totally bummed if I havent lost it.
Signed Dh up to do an agribusiness diploma yesterday and he has no excuse not to go as the polytech in on our new farm that we are going to!
I have already done the course but I lost almost all of my notes etc. He will find it easy (mostly anyway) And he will not struggle through the financial planning and taxation papers like I did!

Im still

2006-03-28T07:26:00.000+12:00

having problems with my computer so I have restored it to an earlier date hoping that will fix the problem...if not I will have to re format the hard drive..ouch!
So now I have to re install everything again particularly office, firefox, thunderbird and picasa! Major pain in the butt on dial up downloads!
So thats why I havent been posting much lately...its very annoying as I need my fix of the comp in the morning!
Have to install office before I can post my latest LOs. I have done a few of my 40th party invites yesterday so will post that too.
Was busy with census on the weekend sorting out all of her stuff ups but have basically got it done. I have been up and down certain roads looking for numbers (note the plural there) that dont exist and have found a couple of houses she missed altogether! I have 3 people to go back to who are giving me the run around as well and are about to get the 'if you dont fill in I will be sending in a report and you will be fined $500 each person + $20 a day' speech. I mean come on its been 3 weeks since census night!! Some people just try it on on purpose aye?
Im getting excited as Im off for a girls weekend in Hamilton this weekend..yahoo staying at the Rydges Le Grand and shopping, restaurants and casino here I come! (Im not a gambler but will have a play on the pokeys). Im going to check out Create before meeting up with my gfs. Havent been there before as only been to scrapbook Inn ...is there any other scrap shops in Hamilton I should know about? Obligatory stop at spotlight too...so might do that before as well...had better take off early on Friday then! lol!

Having trouble sleeping

2006-03-24T02:22:00.000+12:00

Been having trouble sleeping lately so here I am at 2.20 am posting on my blog...sad, sad sad!
I think its because my body clock is all up the whack with daylight saving?
Anyway I finished that Lo yesterday...have loaded it onto the Basic Grey website too I think?? Not showing up yet but it took it as though it was going to publish it! I wont be submitting this LO as my photo is a flood affected one and all buckled. So at least Im trying to preserve the photo! For some bizarre reason i cant post it onto here...I have just got my comp back and no It wasnt all intact and have had to reload everything. I have had one helluva frustrating day I tell ya trying to sort out settings on everything...obviously got more to do!

Had better do this tag that Rach
has kindly sent my way...lol!
What scrapbook products/lines do you dislike?
Umm cant think of any...but I dislike any papers that are yellow...just find it hard to scrap that colour for some reason.

Whats the hardest thing youve had to scrap?
Our flood photos..its been two years and I have only done 2 LOs so many more to do!
Also had trouble recently with Nephews wedding album on which realatives to put in/leave out.

What technique do you use more than anything else?
inking and machine sewing.

What is the smallest scrap of paper you save?
Probably about 3x3

Have you had any scrapping related injuries?
Nope!

Finish this sentence...'If I werent a scrapbooker/stamper, Id spend my money on..
Antique shops, art for my walls, books and more books..well actually i still buy books anyway.

Give your best storage organisational tool..
What me organised? Im finding those silver folding boxes from whitcoulls are working well for me at the moment...my space is semi tidy for a change! Oh yay for my scrapping room here I come in 10 weeks!

You just won a week long scrapping cruise for 5. Who is going with you?
Id take my sister Andrea, Yolande, Lianne, Mel and Karen. All of them funny, talented, inspirational and just plain fun!

When you received your first publication notification, who did you tell?
Hubby and kids, then my sister.

As for tagging someone else? What about you Mel, Karen and Andrea?...since youre coming on my fictional cruise...I will tag you!
Better get back to bed now!
Im census fixing up today, got parent interviews this afternoon and doing census all weekend. Kids wont be happy but thats life.

Busy busy busy

2006-03-22T21:07:00.000+12:00

It never ends this census! Today I gave in all my areas census forms (yahoo)...and I have now been taken on to fix up another collectors botch ups (getting paid extra). Basically she just hasnt done a very good job and has been suspended and may not get her full pay! Im not looking forward to going into her area to fix up but someone has to do it...so they picked me! (im a sucker arent I?)lol
Just got an email today to say that Up2scrap wants one of my LOs for the grandparent section in the next UP2scrap! Yay! The thing is that after I did the Lo and sent it off...I decided I didnt like it!! Will still send it in but am not happy with it! Has anyone else got Los they arent happy with? And what do you do with them? Hide them in another album or do you pull them apart?
Just about finished a LO that I started at Dianna and Tash's crop the other day....especially as on Tuesday I went shopping in Tauranga and got 3 packs of pressed petals Tall chip chatter and LOTS of Chatterbox...yep Im going to enter the CB make it meaningful contest...if only to get an album done in CB papers which I just love!
Now to think of a theme!!!!Will post my LO tomorrow!
Still no comp back yet but good news that my hard drive was saved intact! How clever is our kids school principal! He definately deserves extra brownie points! Hope to get it back tomorrow.
Only lost 100g on WW this week so need to get a into g and do more exercise especially as I have a bet on with DH. If I lose a kilo next week, he will cook dinner all week! (I wont mention what he gets if I dont lose it)......

Yay it's over

2006-03-20T06:53:00.000+12:00

for another year! Dh tells me the school earned $28000 but we have costs to come out yet so probably mid $20k so a good year this year. Dh is treasurer so sits counting money all day...very boring job and you have to concentrate the whole time..not my cuppa tea.
I sold out of all my lollies by 12.30pm which was bizarre as I normally go until 2pm. I had more stock this year too...but I reckon it was because it was a cloudy day. I didnt sell out on my icecreams I have 3 unopened boxes (of which I can give back to Tip Top) but I might buy two of them and my gf is going to buy the other. Kids will eat them and I will buy them at cost (my little perk). So I have 60 iceblocks in my freezer right now!
Now if they were Tropical snows....then the kids wouldnt have chance (my fave).
We had a bit of an excitement early on as a woman went into labour and went to contractions 2 mins apart almost straight away (3rd time Mum) so the ambulance had its siren going through the crowd to get to her (she couldnt move understandedly) She had it on the way to Hospital in the ambulance...just as well we had an ambulance here aye? lol!
I didnt get to see any of Jennifers cheerleading. The one time I had a break...they broke for lunch themselves! That sucks aye!! kids tired today ..especially Rhys as he went on a scout camp in the Taraweras on Friday and Saturday..back at 8pm then up early for Top school and a whole day of fun. Thank goodness Daylight saving has ended and their bodies think they are getting an extra hour sleep.
House cleaning today...the house looks like a bomb site!

Top School

2006-03-18T21:19:00.000+13:00

Its our big Top School Gala tomorrow so tonight Im madly pricing the ice creams and Lollies..making signs and generally in a mad panic! Im still smelling like onions and bread from helping buttering a hundred loaves of bread and peeling 5 bags of onions! yuck...I stink! lol!
Then after that I managed to fit in a crop with Dianna and Tash which is why Im disorganised tonight. But I really needed some me time and almost finished a LO. Im having probs installing my printer onto this comp (DS's still) so cant print off my price lists! Grrrrr!
Nevermind have a back up plan but will need to get up early to stamp them with my delish design stamps.
I got to the school this morning to find my helper hadnt closed the icecream freezer properly ...and I have lost 2 boxes (60) of icecreams ..phew that it wasnt more (I have over $1000 of icecreams to sell) I have refreezed them and will sell them off for 50c at the end of the day...pray for fine weather!
Jennifer is getting excited as she is a cheer leader for our Awakeri team. Basically the competition is based on the TOP Town competition that we had in the 70s/80s. We have 26 teams of 6 coming...plus parents, teachers etc so we are expecting several thousand people to come! and annually we raise $20,000...but this is our main fundraiser..us PTA raise an extra $6000 for the school throughout the year too. Not bad for a country school!
Had better get out to the garage now and sort out the lollies so see you next week.
Hopefully we will all hear about the TSO DT members soon (thanks for all of those who have emailed me!)

Computers crashed

2006-03-17T21:26:00.000+13:00

and now on old comp(DS's) First impressions is that it was a power surge...even though we have the best available surge protector availbale! it must be a rural connection! More points for broadband...we are going to get when we move to the new place. Im so gutted as even though I have backed up to end of Jan...I have lost lots of photos...
Back Up every time you download pics!!!!!!!!!!!
I have so much business data to input also its not funny...but luckily I backed up that too!
Please tell me who got into the Scrapbook Outlet DT ...I certainly havent got the call...please email me on cramfamily@xtra.co.nz to tell me ...Im in the doldrums here but want to know who to congratulate! Go NZ
Wearing black today coz of Moss Burmeister...I shouted and screamed as he won our first gold for NZ...Im so proud of him and Ian for doing so well to be 5th too! Ian has the same coach as I had...Duncan Laing he is still awesome! (Duncan has long been the coach of the ex medal winners of Butterfly all except Moss..and I take proud that he is also a BOP boy...ex hastings though! But us NZers...We really rock at Butterfly basically!) I was just telling my Ds today about Duncan Laing ...how he told my parents that i could be a commonwealth games swimmer in Butterfly and Breastroke...I never knew this and a year later I gave up swimming...if only!'
Please email me!

Swimming Sports

2006-03-14T09:02:00.000+13:00

This is the sort of look you get when your Mum is embarrassing you in front of most of the school by taking a pic at the school swimming sports!!!
(Rhys is the one in the blue shorts BTW). He had tough competition and got 2 fourths which was really great..he gives everything a go which is the main thing! He is his House sports Captain so he was egging all of his fellow Rimu students to cheer them all on.
Jennifer did well and got a first in Breastroke and 3rd in Freestyle.
I have taught them Breastroke myself (ex national age group swimmer here) so they are some of the only kids who know how to do it properly in their school. I had to have a talk to
the main teacher in charge of the day as she had decided that only 10 yrs and above were going to do Breastroke (coz she thought the younger ones couldnt do it) so I convinced her to put the 9 year olds in and include any younger ones who knew how to do it. They all swam in the 10
year old age group and Jennifer won!! I hope she thinks of that next year! Im all for giving kids a chance to have a go.
I was going to swim in the parents vs the teachers relay but they had enough parents to take part!(isnt that great that we had too many parents...we almost had enough for 2 teams). The parents duly beat the pants of the kids and teachers!

Birthday pics

2006-03-13T07:32:00.000+13:00

Phew! Thats over for another couple of years! They had a blast! I am definately having this jukebox for my own birthday party in June! It totally rocks...a great mix of new and old songs on there too. The girls had a singstar competition too which they all enjoyed. They had pass the nail polish (like pass the parcel) except you pass the nail polish and when it stops, you paint all of your nails until the music starts...and the competition is the first done and best done. The girls loved it...very messy though and glad I put old sheet down on the floor. They had competitions for best lip syncher, best rock dancer, best slow (ballet) dancer and best overall dancer. There were a few more but cant remember them all. Cooked way to much food as per normal so lots of leftovers for us. Totally blown this weeks WW points though! Will have to be extra good for next few days! lol!Got my email from The Scrapbook outlet
to say they had received my submission and said there were over 100 submissions!!! Wow! What a hard decision for them!! I guess I dont stand a chance really but gotta give it a go!
Cant wait to see more in the gallery...Ive been lurking several times a day waiting lol!
Gotta go busy day ahead again...lawns, farm shed inspection and more census collecting...not to mention cleaning up the house!!

Party boxes

2006-03-10T07:36:00.000+13:00

Well shes done it! Yep she squeezed my hand yesterday as she got her ears pierced as part of her birthday present....and I call myself a scrapbooker and I didnt even take my camera!! Duh! Will take a photo of the chemist and do a LO on it at some stage ...havent had time to do any LOs this week! grrr

These party boxes are still W.I.P but here they are...still got more embellishments and might put flowers around the lip to disguise uneven edges of the noodle boxes I made! lol! These girls are lucky as I have just taken delivery of the lollies for our Top School Gala so they will be getting a few of them in their party bags (all novelty lollies). Its this time of year that my kids just drool over these lollies in the house and I say DONT TOUCH! Cruel aye? hehehehe! Will post a pic later of them all finished and filled up.
Busy collecting census forms...most people been really great about it all...did you hear about the census collector with the criminal record? What a stuff up! Makes our job so much harder as a result as people are looking at you thinking ...is she a murderer too? (as if I look like one though aye?lol)
gotta get going...

Party Invites

2006-03-06T22:05:00.000+13:00

Got home yesterday arvo and quickly did these handbag invites for Jennifers birthday party this weekend. Inside is all the details. Just kept it simple as theyre likely to end up bottom of a school bag afterall! lol
And I bought a noodle box as a template for the goody bags I will do up towards the end of the week....cant wait to do these as been wanting to alter a noodle box for ages!
I have booked a jukebox for her as thats what she wanted for her birthday party this year (I only do parties every 2nd year)...shes also getting her ears pierced (hence the earring box I did for her ages ago). I am really impressed with Jennifer as she has had huge peer pressure to have her ears pierced since she started school and she has waited till she is 9....basically I think she just doesnt want any pain...lol she is a bit excited but a bit aphrehensive too about it too! I wonder if Ive got time to also alter a diary/journal too for her? Friday and Saturday night job maybe (her bday is Sunday) ..also got to do her cake but ITS EASY THIS YEAR! Yahoo! no unicorns, princesses in castles or fairies under a toadstool this year...this year she has chosen a goody bag cake filled with banana cake and lollies...very easy will ice that in half an hour! I am very happy as usually her cakes take me several hours!
OOh and update on the camera..Mum decided not to take it as she managed to get another one so have my friend still with me! Yay!
Hello to Megan and Donna! Thanks for your comments!

Ummm

2006-03-06T21:26:00.000+13:00

I forgot to take a photo of the completed album!!!! I was completing it up till the last minute I tell ya! Will try to get some photos of the album I promise! Everyone just loved the album...I had her side of the family finding out who I was and coming up to me saying they just loved it. Stuart and Lichelle were just blown away with it and just love the printed photos of their wedding of 2 hours old!!! Yep Andrea and I managed to find a Dick Smith Powerhouse store thanks to Andreas friend in Hamilton so we printed them off and came back to the Hotel and stuck them in the scrapbook! I just loved Lichelles dress and she was such a beautiful bride, funny and just was herself which was great! My Nephew couldnt believe his luck I think that he had hooked his beautiful bride! Loved the detail on the back of the dress dont you?
Had a slow leak on a tyre on the way there and back so had to keep on checking it every town! tried getting into tyre places but no luck ..all gone home! lol (we have a space saver of a spare tyre which are a bit useless to put on -it can get you to the next town but it is not the best). DH had it replaced this morning so had to take me to my census training venue ...have just replaced the front tyres so am not impressed that have had to do back tyres too...ouch!
Ate too much of the wrong sort of food and drank too much of course but hey you dont have weddings everyday do you? Eggs benedict with salmon the next morning....mmmmm my favourite! Lovely room at the Rydges Hotel and as reception there was handy!
I didnt have much probs with Lichelles side of things actually as have a heap of embellishments for girls I have discovered! I was doing 4 Los a day on hers wheras Stuarts were taking me a day to do each!!
Its the calm before the storm so to speak with the Census here and everywhere...just checked my previously vacant houses tonight to find 2 had moved in...so issued their forms ...I so like getting those ones!
Mad clean and shine my sink before we have people come through to have a look at our house tommorrow (new manager for this farm having a look)...I still havent caught up on camp washing from Friday yet so have done 3 loads tonight to get it sorted!