I have been such a bad blogger!

I have been such a bad blogger lately and I am so sorry to all my buds who usually come check out my blog and for those I have also neglected. Things have been just a little rough this past week and a half and my mind has been completely sidetracked with it all. Sometimes life does get in the way and sometimes it is just difficult to get past it especially when you hear news you would never expect of dear friends going through rough times that effect you (although not as much) as well. So I have been on a different planet lately and just trying to get back on target now.

Ok onto other things.

Tagged again!!!

Yes and this time the lovely Retta tagged me so here we go!

Here are are the rules to play:

List 5 weird things about yourself or your pets.
Tag 5 friends and list them.
Those people then need to write on their blogs about 5 weird things, and state the rules, and tag 5 more people.
Don’t forget to let the people you tagged know by posting a comment on their blog!

Here are my 5 weird things:

1. I can't stand my feet being touched by anyone.
2. When I get the hiccups I get them bad. They are very loud, totally uncontrollable and sound quite weird. My husband always thought I was putting it on but after several years of marriage he came to realise that they were fair dinkum.
3. I am the loudest snorer in the house. I never use to snore up till about 2 years ago and I have been known to keep family members awake as well as wake them up. If my hubby doesn't fall asleep before me he has to get up and do something else cause he can't stand it. He has tried everything to stop me from snoring....roll me on side etc etc and nup doesn't work!
4. I don't like anything even, in anything I do odds always wins. Examples:
flowers in a vase must be an odd number, decorating must be done in clusters 3's, 5's and 7's etc. Anyway you get the drift!
5. My dog CJ loves eating mango pips and raw broccoli stalks, particularly once buried in the ground for a few weeks. She digs them up and they are black and.... well.... yuk and eats them right in front of me.

Ok so that's my 5 wierd things and now I tag....

Trish, Angela, Dee, Jodie and Kell


So what else is news in my small part of the world?!

Hummmmm....thinking.....lol that's bad isn't it and it isn't that I don't have anything to say I just don't know what to put.

Oh yes and you all know the dramas with the shower etc well all fixed and now I have a tradie in the house....... introducing.........ahem...drum roll please Lance......Tim the Tiler, Tim the Grouter, Tim the Plumber and Tim the Cement Sheet Fixerer to the wall Dude!!!!!

Yep our shower has now been successfully working since 2 weekends ago. Eventually the entire bathroom will have to be done as it is in bad need of it but for now we have a working shower and I have never seen cleaner kids.....lol. Not that they weren't clean before but it was always a bit of a "chore" (for want of a better word) to have a bath daily and 6 times over so now we are soaking in the shower and it is bliss.


LO time! I said in my last blogging that I would get a few more LO's up in here and boy have I been slack cause I didn't get that far did I so here are a couple more LO's for your pleasure.

The 1st one is a paper LO I am doing for a challenge at a paper site I am a member of called Strictly Scrapbooking. The challenge was to scrap one or more B&W photos and so I did. This one is of Stephanie over the holidays when she and 3 other GF's decided to go to the movies on their own......eeeeeeeeekkkkkk (no parents *sigh*) to see Material Girls. They had a ball and yes we were very cautious. Made sure we dropped them all off, let them buy their own tickets, made sure they got seated, made sure they had a mobile phone just in case, and were picked up promptly once the movie was finished. I cannot believe that Steps will be 13 next birthday.
*Anyone got a box of tissues*





















As this is a paper LO no credits are needed but the papers are Basic Grey papers and I have always been in love with this manufacturers scrapbooking designs. They top my list!
Of course being a paper LO the images never come out as well as digi but you get the idea here.





















All you need to know about this LO is below so read on.


Every year in September coinciding with the school holidays the church we are involved with have a camp for all the kids. Our 2 older ones Lance and Grace went off to seniors camp and had a blast catching up with all their mates. Here is a photo taken of friends Candy and Nat on Graduation Night (the last night of camp). Natalie (on the right) sent me this photo (which was in colour)and using the chocolate photo action by Photoblast to edit the photo I just had to scrap it. She now has a copy printed off as a precious keepsake.


Credits:
Papers, flowers, ribbon and corner stamp all from the Countryish Kit by Meredith Fenwick and Kim Christensen. ID plate, lace edge, and iron hinge from Holly McCaig's Shabby Retreat Kit. Bulldog Clip, key, stamp, envelope and ticket from Holly McCaig's Office Chic Kit. Number circle element from Holly McCaig's Lauren Lane Kit. Stitching from Julie Mead's Keep you in Stitches with Templates Kit. Jump rings by me.
Font:
Kayleigh
Special thanks to Atomic Cupcake for silver action.


This next LO is the 1st LO in the "Defining Me" project so many of us are doing over at PBP.
Thanks to Jo one of our very own designers for getting this up and going as it is fantastic and so many people are enjoying this and perhaps also stepping out of their comfort zone as we are scrapping the 1 person we tend to avoid............ourselves.

BTW if your interested in doing this go check out the link here
Then check out the gallery here




















Credits:
Holly McCaig Shabby Retreat Kit and button and number round element from her Lauren Lane Kit.
Font:
Kayleigh and Franklin Gothic Medium
Special thanks to Atomic Cupcake for Chipboard action

Ok I was going to show off my latest kit tonight as well but silly blogger won't let me so I'll have to leave if till next time and this time I won't take so long to update.

Till next time guys take care and happy scrapping.
Ciao

Back to school and any other ramblings of the day.

Yes it's official kids started back to school today and boy was it quiet here at home. All 4 kids went off to school today and I have to say that I missed them. I love the school holidays and always have and these holidays were so nice and relaxing. So even though I do look forward to them going back to school in one way I also miss them. Tim starts back at uni this week as well. he only had the week off and that was full up with studying. I think I remember he said he only had 4 more weeks left of the semester and then he is on a much needed and well deserved break until he starts back next year. Gosh the year has flown so quickly and....eeeeeek...... Christmas is so close!

Ok so what did I do today?

Well once the kids were out the door Tim took off some pipes in the shower so we could go and get some replacements. Last year when Tim was replacing a new washer in one of the shower taps a pipe split and I mean split. Anyways knowing what was ahead and only being on limited finances as Tim is in full time uni we knew we could not afford to do anything about it at all cause the entire wall and plumbing had to be replaced. Big job indeed and lots of $$$$ so anyways the other week a friend of ours who is also a Social Worker ( that's what Tim is studying at uni) came to the rescue and said he would do the work if we just purchased the stuff that needed to be replaced. Yeh right!!!.....lol he popped over the other night and he and Tim got to looking at where the pipe had split. Well after loads of noise and demolishing obviously going on I felt compelled to ask how things were. Well to get to the split the had to take out one entire wall, tiles, cement sheeting and all. But wait there's more.....there was no split but instead a huge hole in one of the main pipes and the entire pipe had to be replaced along with the cement sheeting and tiles. They had no choice but to pull it all out to find where the problem was. So today we went shopping to buy the materials needed for one small shower wall and tomorow night Tim and friend start on repairing the damage done. Then no more baths.......lol I can't wait woohoo!!!!!

Anyhow that's it for now I think as I haven't any more to say.

Till next time guys keep on smiling!

School Holidays.........

........are almost over here in Victoria and I have really enjoyed them and it has been so nice and relaxing. The kids have been good and even though we didn't go away (we usually don't) we all survived. Lance and Grace went on a church camp the first week and caught up with all their buddies from right around Australia. All the kids had a great time and none of them wanted to come home but as the saying goes all good things must come to an end....and so camp did as well. But they are constantly on MSN chatting to all their mates and it has been a real juggle between all of us to grab some time on the pc's.

So what else is new....well Lance got his plaster off both his arms yesterday. They are both fairly fragile still and he is not allowed to do any sport or anything that could be just a little to aggressive otherwise as the doc said he will break them again. So the next month will be interesting as he didn't stop skateboarding even with 2 arms in plaster....mind you I did mention that to the doc yesterday too....typical teen hey, and they are NOT invincible like they think.

Tonight we went out for tea and that was nice. My sister shouted us chinese and it was so yummy. It was so nice and it was great to get out for a couple of hours and enjoy each others company.

Tomorrow we decided that we would treat the kids to the movies..BUT!!!! oh yeh there is a BUT.....lol as they are getting older and further apart in taste and style no-one can decide on what movie to see so I can just imagine all of us getting there and going our separate ways into 6 different cinema's what a laugh!!!! So somehow we will have to at least decide on 2 movies perhaps one Tim can see with the boys and then a chickflick for us girls.

I have a new kit available over at PBP called Sweet Alice.



You can check the kit out here

Yep I have been busy scrapping a few LO's as well. Here are just a couple and then I'll post some more over the next day or 2, otherwise you could be here all night and not that I wouldn't mind at all. I also finished my secret OTP project for PBP which is awesome.....shhhhhhh not telling and got some more work done on Tim's album. In fact it is finished bar the journaling and the covers so woohoo!!! and it looks awesome. I will post pics of it but no doubt that may not be till next year now as I can't now just in case he reads my blog in that time.

On to the LO's

This 1st LO is my son Lance when he was about 15 months old and when digital camera's were not around at all. This was done for this months quote challenge 4th -30th of September by Annette over at PBP. You can find more details here



Credits:
September Quote Challenge by Annette Farrelly, South of the Border Kit by Shabby Princess, Michelle Coleman Brish Strokes, Atomic Cupcake Stitches, Ribbon from Heck Ya Kit by Holly McCaig and Manda Bean and Button from Holly McCaig's Austin Blvd's Kit.
Fonts:
LDJ Jilly Nilly, LD Note Pad and Arial Narrow.




And here he is at the age of 15....PHEW where did that time go?! Of course you are aware my son broke both wrists trying out a new trick on his skateboard a month ago (plaster off both yesterday), and here is a LO I did. I thought the title was quite fitting for this LO.


Journaling reads:
: skateboarding
: 2 broken wrists
: 4 weeks of plaster
: still skateboarding despite breaks
: still skateboarding despite doctors saying NO MORE SKATEBOARDING!!!

Credits:
Foster Kit from TracyAnn Robinson's Artlines collection, Keep You In Stitches with Templates by Julie Mead, Atomic Cupcake Office Scraps and It's a Guy Thing Kits and Altered Fragments Numbers by K Aicken.
Fonts: Quick Type and Nueva Std.

Next LO is of my DD Steps.




This photo was taken recently in the park. I love how Steps can behave silly and then be very mature and all at the same time. She informed me that in 6 months she was going to be 13 and then realised herself what she said and I quote her words " oooh that's scary" I can't believe it myself.

The labels read:
Never selfish, Love you for just being you, Always happy, Love your quirkiness, Very photogenic and Love that silly behaviour.

Credits:
Serendipitous Days by our very own DebF (avail here), heart charm and brad from McCaigbeans Mean Girls, staple from Old School Kit by ScrapFX and Twisting Pixels B+W filter.
Font:
Century Gothic
Special Thanks:
Atomic Cupcake for chipboard action and labelmaker.

Well guys I think I will leave it there until next blogging oh and BTW I haven't been blog hopping for a few days so I promise I haven't gone MIA or AWOL just distracted with kids home from school and having some deadlines to meet. So when all is peacefully quiet next week..................ahhhh can you here that........silence and bliss.......... I will get about then.

Ciao for now!

Tag your it!!

Yep I've been tagged by Jodie.....lol girl too cheeky.

If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be?
Out in the bush with no neighbours but close enough too town so we can access everthing we need to.


What's your favorite article of clothing?
I love wearing skirts you know the gyspy look ones...all the rage this year and I do have my fave pair of jeans I seem to live in.

Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex?
Definately his eyes. Alot can be "said" through the eyes.


What's the last CD that you bought?
Il Divo...just adore these guys!

Where's your favorite place to be?
At home with my family all snuggled up.

Where is your least favorite place to be?
Outside in the cold and wind.

What's your favorite place to be massaged?
My back and the back of my neck.

Strong in mind or strong in body?
Definately the mind

What time do you wake up in the morning?
Usually as the sun is rising and just before the alarm goes off.

What is your favorite kitchen appliance?
Hummmmm..........fave um well can't go past my kettle....lol

What makes you really angry?
How long you got?! I would have to say the absolute unfairness of this world and how so many people are NOT treated as equals because of where they come from and who they are, and how is it that the politicians of our own country have no idea what is involved in raising a family!

If you could play any instrument, what would it be?
Well thankfully I can play an instrument and I play the piano, but I would if I were much younger love to learn.....the drums and the bass guitar and the saxophone and clarinet. I have a clarinet but never got round to learning professionally.

Favorite color?
I simply don't have a fave colour as I love so many of them.

Which do you prefer...sports car or SUV?
SUV

Do you believe in an afterlife?
Yes I do but perhaps not the same way most do!

Favorite children's book?
Hummmmm honestly I don't have one!

What is your favorite season?
Spring as I love what this season brings, new birth, growth and colour in the garden.

What is your least favorite household chore?
Do I have to just chose one......lol I hate it all but I can't stand ironing!

If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Don't all mums have super powers *wink*. But on a more serious note to be able too breathe under water with no aids...yep just like a fish!

If you have a tattoo, what is it?
No tattoo

Can you juggle?
I sure can. I'm a mum, a wife and I have 4 kids so I am very busy. I juggle all that I have to in life.

The one person from your past that you wish you could go back and talk to?
My best friend Pamela Brown. I would love to say how sorry I was for never saying goodbye when my parents moved when I was 10 to another planet ( well at least it seemed that way at the time). I miss her so much even after all these years and I never got a chance to say goodbye because I came home from school one day and we were all packed ready for a new life. That was unexpected and so much agony!

What's your favorite day?
Thursday I love that day as it is not quite the weekend yet!

What's in the trunk of your car?
Gas tanks x 3 as we are duel fuel, spare tyre and bracket, basket that we take with us all over the joint, and 2 picnic blankets.

Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger?
Sushi.


So who to tag next....let me see.....ok these gals Jo, Lee and Annette

HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY
MADDISON!!!!

Wow can you believe this...another birthday and this time my youngest son Maddison turns 11 today. Gosh how the time flies and they all grow up so quickly. What an amazing journey it has been for all of us.

I can remember being quite shocked when we found out I was pregnant with you. I always wanted 4 kids but having been so very sick with all the others I was hoping that you would arrive when Stephanie started school....just to give me and my body a breather and once again God had different plans and you were concieved somewhat 4 years earlier....lol

I knew you would be my last and so I hung onto every precious moment more with you in some ways then was even possible with your siblings before. I cherished breast feeding you and was quite successful and proud that finally I could accomplish this, what seemed to be the most painful time with all the others was the most unpainful and rewarding experience with you, and the fact that we managed it for almost 2 years was even better.

I tried to keep you as a baby longer but somehow that didn't work as here you are today and all off 11. What a journey. I can remember when you were first diagnosed with the horrible visual impairment you share along side your father and your sister Stephanie.

Best's Vitelliform Dystrophy..... a rare macular dystrophy of sorts that is genetic, degenrative and has no cure and nothing can be done for it. The fact that it is also fairly rare and you had been the youngest at the time of your diagnosis in the world according to all the research at the time. What a shock it was for us to take you for your 3.5 yearly assesment at the maternal health clinic and as Shirley was testing you and you said you could not see anything out of your right eye I knew there and then what was happening and even though I tried to prepare myself with all you kids I was still in shock.

Urgently we got you off to the specialist who knew us well and she only confirmed what we already knew and then I was in tears. I could not believe that you could not see as well as me and that you never would and that the condition would only get worse over time and you would have blind spots in your central vision which would only progress and you would see less and less as the years would pass.

But with all the help through the RVIB (Royal Institute for the Blind, now known as Vision Australia) and God's grace and mercy we have managed and come a long way. You have your own strategies on how to deal with things and work around what you can and can't see and we have never stopped you from doing anything you think you can manage. Yep you have it tougher then many peers your age, and so many people just don't and can't understand your visual impairment thinking that if you wear glasses you will be fine, little do they know the glasses do nothing and as you are longsighted, the sight you have left is being corrected with the many glasses prescribed and worn since you were 3.5 years of age.

But you know what I have always said and alot of the time it is what gets me through.....there is always someone out there that is worse of than us, so even though I have 3 visually impaired loved ones I need to be eyes for, someone else has no-one.

Life is too precious to dwell on what one can't do, grab life with both hands and live it fully, dwell on everything you can do despite the odds and if along the way you need another pair of eyes to help see with......I am here.

Have a great day Maddi, all my love mum xxoo