Our family

My blog has

2007-12-18T19:41:00.000+10:00

My blog has moved, and if you want to know where and I havent told you , well you will have to email me, cos Im not sure who actually reads this, and Im not giving it to everyone.

Cheers!

Footy

2007-12-18T09:42:00.000+10:00

Heres some pics of the kids- Kalyb and Rick are having fun playing kick to kick in the yard

And of course I managed to cath a pic of rick on kalybs birthday present ( yep the pogo ball)

OH and miss zoe has discovered how good cherries taste- mmm its always christmas when the cherries come out ( we only buy them in december)

Got Tarnis report

2007-12-16T16:01:00.000+10:00

Yes we got Miss Tarnis report from Grammar and I have to say I am impressed. In ALL her results she got either a H ( high level of understanding and successful application of skills) or a S+ ( developing a high level of understanding and successful application of skills) and also all 1s ( student effort is commendable)

I am really really pleased with her, and all she has acheived this year. Her general comment also was beautiful, her teachers wrote about her high literacy acheivements and how she also has a level of comprehension to match her reading, and also that her maths is advanced.

I am really impressed with Grammar, and have to say thankyou to all her teachers, we will always acknowledge what you have done, thankyou so much.

Countdown is on!

2007-12-14T10:25:00.000+10:00

Less than 2 weeks till Christmas, the kids are so excited now.We are anxiously counting down the days, and the kids get more excited every time we go out and see lights, or Santa, or someones decorations.

Last night we went over to Garden City and the kids found a craft shop, and they found each other presents, was lovely to see them take their time and really choose. Kalyb had already made his purchases a few weeks ago, and had them wrapped adn waiting, so his are nice suprises! I didnt see what the girls got me, but I do know what my wonderful husband has purchased....cos the guy tried it on me first....but I wont spoil the surprise!

Well keep watching for pics, we have been spending lots of time exploring the local parks, and down the beach ( too cold for that today though!)

I........

2007-12-12T15:20:00.000+10:00

well the house is as clean as it can be until we get this bed and desk.....so I scrapped.....just one page as Im over it since I cant find all my supplies argh!

And the much promised pic of the tussie from Linda

I cut her hair......

2007-12-11T16:00:00.000+10:00

and she loves it! Tarni looks gorgeous, much more grown up. I guess its still really regarded as long, just looks much better now. What do you think?
We spent the morning on South Beach at Fremantle. It was overcast and looks very thundery, but was lovely and warm, the kids had aball running up and down the sand and jumping into the gorgeous clear water...but guess who forgot to take the camera????

what do you think

2007-12-09T08:46:00.000+10:00

yes i got a pink toaster and kettle ( and blender)

Im loving these shelves,

they are perfect for all the little knick knacks!
Last night we watched the channel 7/RAC christmas pageant for perth, very nice, maybe next year we will go in to town, but was great to sit in peace and watch on tv!

Today we walked up to the school, takes 15 mins to walk slowly, so we are happy with that......maybe santa will bring bikes for the kids......

and check out the gorgeous tussie that Linda made me- yours is sitting here ready to post...and tomorrow I am taking the car and driving hubby to work lol

oh and last but not least...boys and soft toy balls make........

Moved IN and Christmas

2007-12-08T17:32:00.000+10:00

So we moved into our house, here are some pics, all decorated for Christmas! Enjoy.

By the way Jen thanks so much for the tree, its gorgeous!
What do you think of the blocks, will do a better picture of them soon, the very wonderful and talented Julie Brodie made these for me, look for them in Rick Rutherfords shop- she does an amazing job!

The house

2007-12-07T08:40:00.000+10:00

Just a couple of pics, will add more once the furniture is all up and in place

That time of they year

2007-12-06T10:05:00.000+10:00

Well its that time of the year, where we start to wrap up the year that is almost finished and begin to think of our resolutions for the next year.

This year has been interesting to say the least. Rick and I went to the brink of splitting up ( and we did for a bit) but got it back together and working hard on making us strong again.

We have moved ( yes again) from onehouse in Townsville to an amazing house with a pool, and then to make things slightly more fun we once again sold everything and moved to Perth ( wow last time we got rid of everything we moved to Perth and lasted all of 6 weeks hehe)

Kalyb had a wonderful teacher who I will thank every day for seeing the potential in him, and getting him to the stage where he wasnt behind. Thankyou Zoe we will miss you a lot. Kalyb also made it to the milestone of 10!

Tarni changed schools mid year to Grammar, and loved every second of being there. Thanks go to the wonderful teachers who have guided her on her path so far. Thanks to those who encouraged her love of reading, and got her so far ahead rather than telling her she wasnt allowed to.

Zoe - well Zoe is Zoe, she will always be the one up to mischeif I fear, but I am always proud of the way she stands up for what she beleives in ( no matter how wrong she may be I love the coniction she has,and I must learn to encourage it as it is a great skill when she is older)

I have made some great new friends this year, and have re met many old ones on myspace and facebook. I have found all my cousins on my fathers side ( well basically bar one but I know what she is up to lol). My children have met their "cousins", and found that sense of family that was missing.

I still have days and times where I wonder why certain people wont talk to me, and what I have done to make people upset, but I am learning its something I cant control. Ive learnt that friendships may slowly fade away, but we will always have wonderful memories of what was....and that we cant live in thepast, only be thankful for the influences that made us who we are today.
I have also learnt that my wonderful close friends ( Candy, Alisa, Julie and Jane) will be there for me through thick and thin, and I love them dearly for the things they have done, and the wise things they say to me when we talk.

As for me, I learnt this year where my future career path lies- thankyou Dave and Rowan for teaching me the beginning part of flying- and now my goals are set for the years to come

So resolutions for next year....now to start thinking about them

Main one of course is early next year both Rick and I are competing in the body blitz ( would have been earlier but for me dropping the chopping board on my foot lol)

I know I want to keep up with my blog ( not that you guys leave comments!!!!) and also my scrapping, I may not be of publishing standard but I love it. I also need to practice patience- as that is one thing I lack in a major way :) and also get back to not worrying about what anyone else thinks, as ultimately this is my life with my family.

And the highlights of the year?

*Hot Air Ballooning at sunrise
* Red Bull Air Race in Perth- and having my pic taken with Peter Besenyeis plane, as well as seeing him in the street
*Seeing our gorgeous children grow up
* Seeing my wonderful friends on our trip
and lastly "meeting" my family along the way

Birthday cake

2007-12-06T09:13:00.000+10:00

Wednesday

2007-12-05T09:35:00.000+10:00

Wow its the middle of the week, we move into our house on Friday ( if you want the address you will just have to email me for it, as I only have ricks laptop so I have no email addresses)

Our house is really nice, am so looking forward to moving in, and of course have been out looking at furniture ( and slowly buying it lol)

We ended up having a pizza picnic for Kalyb last night, and he found a video shop which had a sale on, and bought himself some dvds, so we also watched Pirates of the Carribean 3! Very nice......

Rick is liking his new job which is good, Im glad he is happy

Also a very big congratulations to Rod, Marnie and Lauren on the birth of Katie......she is way too gorgeous!!!

Kalyb is 10!

2007-12-04T08:19:00.000+10:00

Well yes he made it to 10! Double digits- he is very excited

Yesterday he also decided he is too old for happy meals now...so propermeals out from now on please mum

Kalyb was very happy with his presents this morning, he got 2 movies- cats and dogs and scooby doo 2, and a new helmet ( crusty demons of course aunty sarah) and a zoingo boingo-pongo ball, and has asked for Maccas and cake on the beach for a picnic tonight-works for us

We also sign the lease on our house today-yay- first one we looked at, we loved and we got it!

Pics!

2007-12-03T08:23:00.000+10:00

Tropical Twist

2007-12-02T14:30:00.000+10:00

This morning we took the kids to tropical twist, an indoor playground. This afternoon we are taking the kids down to Freo to see Josh kiteboard- which they are looking forward to. They are resting now hehe, so all very quiet...and look what just was on the doorstep.....

Grrr blogger isnt playing nice, so will upload pics later!

The Chalets

2007-11-29T20:47:00.000+10:00

These are the gorgeous but tiny chalets where we are staying at Jandakot airport.Love them but cant wait to get a house!!

Pics

2007-11-28T20:42:00.000+10:00

Arrived in Perth!

2007-11-28T16:42:00.000+10:00

Well we are at the chalets at the airport after an interesting trip

So we left sydney and drove to adelaide- the gps got us lost lol....seriously not funny at the time! Was really good to see Nana and Papa ( Happy Birthday for today nana we love you!)

On the Saturday we spent the day with Sue ( Ricks mum) and also saw Simon and Moni and Ethan and Zoe- way too gorgeous!Also I dropped a chopping board on my foot so still swollen and sore

Sunday was a family bbq for Kalybs birthday- and Nanas too, so we spent the day with peggy, Kerry, Tyrone, Amelia, Zac, Nana and Papa, and the kids from next door for a while also.

Then across the Nullarbor for the second time......was fairly uneventful.

Now off looking for houses....stay tuned hehe, so far today blogger doesnt like my pics so will keep trying or will upload later

Visiting!

2007-11-22T12:58:00.000+10:00

Today we visited Aunty Julie ( who is my godmother and Tarnis also!!) Just some pics, wowee I know you read this your house is just gorgeous!!Thanks for the cake mmmmm and good coffee too ( much better than Riva lol)

Moving.....

2007-11-22T06:31:00.000+10:00

Well we arrived in sydney in one piece.....hehehhe

day 1
trailer kept blowing fuses so we finally got going......only a few hours late
then a truck tried to run me off the road

stopped at rockhampton in a hotel, where coco managed to find a little exit for himself...imagine 2 adults searching for a cat at midnight!! lucky he answers to his special call and came back- still not impressed

day 2

I was driving and almost hit an eagle...missed the eagle but it dropped a snake on my windscreen!

made it to grafton with kids still alive- luckily cos I am over hearing- are we near perth yet

the trailer was the best part of the day, when the car indicated right, the trailer indicated left.....Rick managed to fix it in gympie while we played at a lake...cats thought they were in hell- honestly there were ducks walking past and they couldnt get them

day 3
was filling up with petrol and accidentally broke the fuel cover off...hmmmmm.... was putting petrol in and it just fell off

then as we came over a hill in sydney well we stopped but the trailer pushed us forward into a car in front, luckily no damage to theiur car- just their box, and only the number plate on ours damaged

today is a day off, going to see my godmother, and out for tea before we go tomorrow

JUst cos the girls said

2007-11-15T12:45:00.000+10:00

So we had coffee this morning at Lukabean yep with poffertjes for breakfast ( I missed you Vicki!!)

Here are some pics...just cos....and they are only on ere cos the girls said you know these will end up on her blog

ROFL

Will miss you girls
MWAH xxxx

Swimming Carnival

2007-11-14T18:06:00.000+10:00

Townsville Grammar had their infant swimming carnival today- way too cute!Here is my munchkin- she came fifth in freestyle, last in backstroke ( but very funny- the year 6 boy grabbed her thinking she was in trouble as she was going sideways lol) and she had fun in the novelty noodle team race! I will definetely miss Grammar and the friends we have made there too, but you never know who we may see in Perth :D

Fed Up With Chrisco

2007-11-14T07:30:00.000+10:00

Well for the seventh year in a row Chrisco Hampers has NOT made my christmas.....once again I have been stuffed around by a bunch of people with no freaking idea.

Thats it, had enough, off their mailing list now. Tell me how a large organisation can have no clue about customer service, customer relations or actually they just have no clue full stop

The hampers I ordered are not the ones being delivered
they are going to the wrong adress since they forgot to change my delivery address even though they changed the postal ( cos that makes sense)
Oh and apparently Perth- well isnt that in QLD????

Lets not even discuss the lack of return phone calls......well done Chrisco- 7 years of crap is way more than enough for this person.

MY OPINION

2007-11-13T07:42:00.000+10:00

Let me clarify my opinion on moving to everyone

First of all thanks for the well wishes, they are much appreciated

Here is my moving thing....This is move 34 in 11 years......NO I dont get sick of moving....yes Im obviously nomadic

Yes I unpack my boxes every time and throw them away thanks for pointing out to me that I may as well leave them packed

I DONT THINK WE ARE MAKING THE WRONG DECISION

Let me ask you this...when was the last time you went and did something for yourselves? While we are moving around..yes it can be annoying and its horrid to do the cleaning and leave our friends look on the flip side

*We have been to amazing places in Australia
* Our kids have a wide general knowledge
* Our kids are not racist having lived in multi cultural and / or indigenous communities
* We have awesome photo albums of our experiences
* We have amazing memories of the people we have met and the places we have been

My son can light a fire and throw a spear, my daughters can talk about Australia and show much they love it, my husband has been snorkelling and fishing in remote areas, I am learning to fly, we have been hot air ballooning, we have acheived so many of our goals and dreams in NOW TIME rather than waiting till kids are grown up and we are reitred.

We go see and do lots of activities rather than sit home and complain that the house isnt clean enough, or worry about the boring day to day drudgery that weighs people downWe have a wide range of friends, from a wide range of areas, sure makes travelling fun, no matter where we go we always know somene or know friends of someone.

So rather than judge me on what you all think is wrong look at it from our point of view. WE LOVE OUR LIFE. We know we will eventually live in Darwin on a permanent basis, not when the kids are at school though. We also know that once the kids hit high school we will stop moving, high school is importnat ( well in the short term it is- long term we have never found our lack of completion to be an issue for either of us- and we didnt have year 12 exam stress and we actually enjoy our jobs now)

Yep maybe we dont conform to your idea of proper perfection and how we should live in one place our entire lives...but if we nver moved we wouldnt be us, and that would be boring wouldnt it.

The Big News

2007-11-12T17:14:00.000+10:00

OK so I guess you all know....we are moving!! IN ONE WEEK

Well its Monday afternoon and so far I have packed the kids clothes hehe

Nah will do more this evening.....there is so much to do, and we pack the trailer Saturday so by then I need to have rubbish tossed, everything packed and house as clean as I can!!

WOOHOO Perth here we come :)

just a few

2007-11-05T17:37:00.000+10:00

we walked around perth this morning, have some really pretty pics, will slowly upload them

BIG NEWS coming soon....keep watching this space :)

Air Race

2007-11-04T22:30:00.000+10:00

Today was the final of the air race and it was awesome

I was upset becuase my fave pilot was knocked out- peter besenyei and then my second favourite alexandro maclean was also eliminated- big sigh-

went to tea tonight at some nice chinese place- cant remember what it was called

and jacq i have an aweswome video of josh- rick opened a champers bottle behind him and i got him on vid jumping so will figure how to add it
:)

have a great one

Pics

2007-11-03T16:49:00.000+10:00

Red Bull Air Race-Saturday morning

2007-11-03T12:21:00.000+10:00

Well this morning we went down to Pit Lane and took lots of pics, the pre race show starts in 1/2 hour, and the racing in 1 1/2 hours, I am so excited!!

Hope you like the pics

Its been nice being away from the kids- really lol, although we do miss them. Yesterday we had a sauna- the spa was hot but not working, and a swim, hvae done lots of walking around perth too

Dinner last night- well we took advantage of the free drinks and canapes for 2 hours and ummm thats all the eating we did...sushi, beef and rice, cakesw, crackers and cheese yummmmm. And the alcohol of course- rick was happy with the free coronas.

Ok the pics dont want to upload..will try once more otherwise I will put them up later

We are here!

2007-11-02T10:35:00.000+10:00

Well we sat behinf the townsville crocodiles from townsville to sydney which was very very exciting!!

A long trip from sydney to perth, a cab ride and we finally arrived in our hotel at midnight! Woke up before 7 this morning and had a shower in the gorgeous marble bathroom- with a tv to watch the news....then some breakfast mmmmmm very nice. After that we headed off for a walk in the freezing but very beautiful 22 degree morning in Perth. Found the airstrip set up and did the big block around it. We can see the course from where we are...we have a [perfect view.

I was so excited this morning when we were walking we saw ALEJANDRO MCCLEAN and PETER BESENYI they are staying at the hotel only on the next corner...but I didnt have my camera!

Will go take more pics today and keep uploading while we are away so keep your eyes out :)

Did I mention the outdoor heated pool and spa in the hotel? Very nice, we are going down after lunch when its slightly warmer

I am an idiot

2007-10-24T15:24:00.001+10:00

I fell down in the gravelly steep driveway at work

One knee is now glued back together
the other has a big bandaid on it

my toes are skun....my ankle has a nice gash on it...my arm and wrist on one arm is sore and skun but not to bad, and i think i threw my back out

But the worst part......I broke my favourite shoe

How exciting again lol

2007-10-24T07:38:00.000+10:00

We planted some vegies last week, snap beans, cucumbers, tomatoes and hot chillies, as well as the breast cancer flowers that Tarni wanted. And they are sprouting!!

Here we start!

2007-10-23T09:55:00.000+10:00

ok well 9 days till we go to Perth, and when we come back I am starting the 12 week body blitz challenge. Actually going to ask my lovely hubby to come do it with me too.

I went back to the gym last night, and although I worked hard I don't feel bad this morning, it was wonderful!! I actually did chin ups ( ok they were assisted ones on themachine but still) Im pleased ( and now STOP laughing at me )
I even caught the ball with my sit ups ( I do a sit up throw a 2kg medicine ball at the wall, catch it and lay down...and repeat) The first times I did it I couldnt catch the ball......yep still no hand eye coordination when it comes to those sports rofl.

I had a training session a while back and got a program drawn up, mostly for my upper body, I need to be able to push the plane around and back into the hanger, and at the moment I dont have the strength...and Im not always going to have someone around to help me with it

Anyway thats it for today, Im at work trying to ignore the big bowl of minties....am having lunch with Miss Jackie today- get to see the baby belly- hwo exciting!

Have a great one

More pages :)

2007-10-18T16:08:00.000+10:00

I love scrapping, and I love big pictures at the moment too. They make such a great impact on your page.

Almost ten

2007-10-17T13:30:00.000+10:00

The camera house had a great price on 8x10 prints......love this one of Kalyb!

Thanks TD

2007-10-16T06:43:00.000+10:00

Well I have to say it wasnt Lone who did my gorgeous page, it was Tassie Deb, and I love love love it, thanks you so much, and it certainly was a mystery :)

MWAH- you did a perfect job!! Cant beleive I have a TD original in my book now!! And big thanks to all in the swap. mine will be sent this week.....almost done ;)

Three In one day!!

2007-10-15T16:04:00.000+10:00

Here you go, arent you lucky, three posts in one day.....here is our favourite Townsville afternoon activity

Mystery Photo Swap

2007-10-15T14:08:00.001+10:00

We did a mystery photo swap over at CPC

I got the most divine layout in the mail today- I think it was from Lone......Im hoping Im giving kudos to the right person- isnt it just stunning!!!!

All good here

2007-10-15T09:06:00.001+10:00

Hi all

sorry its been another week since I updates, I crashed my home computer and then working as well makes it hard!

We went to Greek fest on Saturday, and ended up having a quiet one saturday night- we were supposed to go to a birthday/farewell party but it didnt happen in the end for us anyway, had a barbie on sunday.....and its been soooooo nice swimming in the pool

Looks like Rick has the job in town, waiting for the letter, and I am working full time at a temp job till we go to Perth, then heading over to work for Defcredit, Im really excited :)

Also guys come and check out Inspire Me We need some more layouts sent to us!!!

Hi all

2007-10-08T14:22:00.000+10:00

Just a quick post to let you know I havent fallen off the face of the earth, have just been working full time, and then a lot of swimming as well

Is anyone on facebook? I am loving this site at the moment, if you are send me your name and or email address and I will add you

I have no idea whats happening in blogland either, will have to have a look today!!

Please keep Mel in your thoughts this week, she has had to have her baby yesterday at 29 weeks and 6 days and she is not well, hope all is good soon

Love and hugs
J

Tussie swap

2007-10-02T07:47:00.001+10:00

Cmon girls.....today is the last day to sign up.....quick spread the word!

The Countdown is on!!

2007-10-02T07:31:00.000+10:00

Wowee the countdown is on!

30 days till we go to Perth
45 days till our 11 year anniversary
63 days till Kalybs birthday
84 days till christmas!!

I love this time of the year! Normally we move- this year we still are waiting on one company before we know if we are moving or staying......its all in limbo- but its all exciting too!

I have started tolist stuff on ebay- the link is on the left if you would like to have a peek

Now these pics, I took them this morning in the rain we are having, I love flowers but am normally not a good gardener, these are just growing everywhere in my yard though, arent they gorgeous!

Another weekend

2007-09-30T13:36:00.001+10:00

Ok its only early SUnday afternoon, but its been more big days!

On Friday Rick went to Sydney for the day, so fingers crossed for us there

Saturday was footy grandfinal day, Geelong broke its 44 year drought. HAd friends over to watch it, and swim and then went to Pokies for a little while. First time Ive been, went with $20 came home with $13...was very bored lol

Today we went to the Kite Festival on at the Strand, was lovely! Here are some pics

Kalyb is getting a new bed this afternoon, and then the rugby grand final is on. Was saying to Rick the townsville slogan is definietly right- THIS IS THE LIFE- sitting on the back deck with a gentle breeze, eating bbqd banana prawns for lunch mmmmm!

Ive been tagged

2007-09-28T20:14:00.000+10:00

HAVE BEEN TAGGED - 7 Random Things
I have been tagged by Alison at Creative Arts and Crafts.

Here is how it works. Once tagged, you give 7 random things about yourself that no one knows and then you tag 7 more bloggers to continue the tag. Then contact each one that you have tagged to let them know.

1. I am scared of heights but only up to 2 stories high- quite bizarre! I love the view from my plane window but I cant climb onto a roof!

2. I have moved around Australia twice- all except for Tasmania

3. I have a lypoma ( fat cell growth) on my tailbone.....cant see it in normal colthes though luckily!

4. I once sewed my finger to a sewimg machine.

5. I got kicked out of cooking classes twice- once when I set my teatowel on fire, and once when I made pumpkin scones- noone told me you had to COOK the pumpkin first!

6. I didnt get my lience until I was 22, and it was a week before Tarni was due.

7. I quite often get insomnia. Goes back to living with lack of sleep when I lived on the streets.....screwed my whole system up Im sure.

Now to tag 7 more bloggers. I hope you haven't already been tagged.
So lets all check out what they have to say once they post their 7 Random Things

I tag Lisa
Treezah
Renee
Peta
Heike
Lalalee
Nae

pages

2007-09-28T08:11:00.000+10:00

Have done some pages that I cant share....cos I dont know how to block out faces! Anyway here is what I can share

Today Rick has gone to Sydney to see a prospective boss....so keep your fingers crossed for us.

Kids and I are just going to laze around in the pool, and finish spring cleaning the kitchen.
Got our pics in the paper the other day, will take a photo of it later so you can all see. Was from the blue on blue opening :)
Not much else happening here, will be scrapping today too, so look out for more pages

Luv ya all!

just playing around

2007-09-27T14:18:00.000+10:00

I am trying to learn how to link...so bear with me here....Im going to send this to CPC

Just one

2007-09-25T21:06:00.001+10:00

Just one page for today. Its a pencillines sketch- I love pencil lines!

Tussie Swap

2007-09-25T13:33:00.000+10:00

Here is what the swap is about:

You will have ONE partner, and make and fill a tussie mussie for them ( because we all know they are just gorgeous!)

Sign up here by 1st October, and parcels out by 15th October.....

Please spread the word, this is open to all, but please only sign up if you are committed! We would love to swap with you.

I have called it a Spring Tussie Swap as its spring in the southern hemisphere, but Fall/Autumn works just as well :)

Hope to swap with you all soon!

THe Brownlows

2007-09-25T07:38:00.001+10:00

Yes I sat up and watched Jimmy Bartel win....great player.....still he beat Simon Black, and Brent Harvey and Gary Ablett.....Yes he plays for Geelong, still dont know whether I will go for Geelong or POrt Adelaide on the weekend, as I dont like either team!!!

Big weekend

2007-09-23T19:01:00.000+10:00

WEll the roos lost so its a port v geeliong grand final and I dont like either team! and our beloved cowboys lost too. ANd then to add insult to injury the crocs got beaten by Cairns Taipans boo Larry Abney is a traitor now he plays for Cairns ppfffttt!

Anyway had a very big weekend, enjoy the pics!

Eisteddfod News

2007-09-21T08:06:00.000+10:00

Kalybs class came SECOND in the year 5 and under performances...considering he is in Year 4 I thought that was great, actually it is great! What an opportunity for him, Im so proud ( can you tell!!)

Cos Im a MEAN mummy

2007-09-20T20:59:00.000+10:00

First night of school holidays and my kids were in bed at 630pm. They are never down that early but it was bed or I would have probably strangled them they were that horrible tonight! Anyway they slept and I scrapped!

School Holidays

2007-09-20T18:03:00.000+10:00

Yipee no school runs for 2 weeks!

Today Kalyb participated in the eistedfodd, I couldnt attend :( but they did ok apparently. Here is a picture from before.

Zoe and I went and watched the Cowboys parade through the town, ok not really a parade as such, just about 30 cars covered in balloons and streamers, and the bus taking the Cowboys to the airport to go to Sydney

Lets go Cowboys this weekend on saturday- were all behind you 100%

Wednesday natterings

2007-09-19T22:15:00.000+10:00

OH no I have only 24 sheets of cardstock left.....think I need some more!

ON a completely different note, Jonathon Thurston got off at the judiciary tonight hooray! So the cowboys go in a full strength team. Its the preliminary final in NRL....so cmon cowboys!! We really need to get through and win the grand final as a great send off for a legend...BEAR....aka Paul Bowman.

The AFL looks really good this week too, the Roos playing Port, and Collingwood playing Geelong.... and then only a week till the Grand Final...thank goodness its basketball season cos I used to hate having the footy season end and then only seeing cricket blergh...we saw the Crocs at the fan appreciation day last weekend, got a nice signed poster of the team, which is up on the wall, tickets will be up on the radio soon woohoo!!

Tuesdays......craft days

2007-09-18T20:41:00.000+10:00

Tuesdays I spend scrapping with my wonderful group of friends! Here is todays haul!

Manic Monday

2007-09-17T21:04:00.000+10:00

20 years ago I . . . was 8, and waiting for my brand new little sibling to be born
10 years ago I . . . 18 and pregnant, getting towards the end of my pregnancy, living in Toowoomba
5 years ago I . . . was 23 and pregnant woth Zoe, and looking forward to moving up to Groote Eylandt
3 years ago I . . . was geting itchy feet, just moved back to Roxby from Woomera and trying to get back to the NT

1 year ago I . . . had just moved to Townsville and was staying in the hotel

So far this year I . . . have worked at a few jobs, had fun scrapping, started flying lessons and went through a bad patch with Rick
Yesterday I . . .watched the cowboys smash the warriors!

Tomorrow I. . .am scrapping and working and cleaning just a normal day

In the next year I shall . . . find a job I enjoy, scrap, fly, love my family, learn to sew, cooki better :)

5 things I'm grateful for. having a loving husband, having 3 children I adore, my darling friends, my pool at this time of year and my kettle which makes the hot water for coffee addiction

I got tagged

2007-09-17T20:03:00.000+10:00

Here’s how it works:
1. Players must list one fact, word, or tidbit that is somehow relevant to their life for each letter of their first or middle name.
2. When you are tagged you need to write your own post containing your first or middle name game facts, word, or tidbit.
3. At the end of your post choose one person for each letter of your name to tag.
4. Don’t forget to leave a comment telling them that they have been tagged, and to read your blog.
5. If I’ve tagged YOU (see below), please join in on the fun!

Thanks to the lovely Mish for tagging me!
Here we go

J- joyful- I like to keep things around me that make me smile. I f something has a bad memorry attached to it, no matter how lovely it is, out it goes

O is for over the country :) ina good way of course, we have moved all over australia and loved every inch of it!

Y is for yellow the one colour Idont really like. love the sun and green and gold but yellow does not do it for me at all

C is for children, I have 3 terrors who I love dearly. Im sure you know all about them by now!

E is for excitement. I crave exciting new experiences, hence why we keep moving and travelling, and changing jobs, but a friend told me today how to get excitement without that...buy a trapeze that can flip for te backyard woohoo! sounds great!!

Now I tag

Peta
Nicole B
Melleny
Pam
Catherine

Some other pics of us :)

2007-09-16T15:37:00.000+10:00

Blue on Blue

2007-09-16T13:37:00.000+10:00

We went to the opening of a 5 star restaurant and hotel on Magnetic Island last night, Blue on Blue

absolutely divine and what fun! Love dressing up :D

Sticker Club

2007-09-14T19:39:00.000+10:00

Does anyone have any kids who would like to be involved in a sticker club chain mail letter? It looks like fun!!

Just comment or email me if you do!

go cowboys

2007-09-14T17:06:00.000+10:00

Some more pages

2007-09-13T09:26:00.000+10:00

Join me for tea

2007-09-12T18:16:00.000+10:00

Wednesday

2007-09-12T10:27:00.000+10:00

First of all Happy 15th Anniversary to our dear friends Mel and Chris. May you have many many more.

Here is a tabbed journal I have been working on for no reason but that it was fun, thinking these will make some great CHristmas pressies since its only 105 days till CHristmas now!

Also come and check out scraploot ( http://www.scraploot.typepad.com/ ) There is a great spring BOM challenge happening!

And over at CPC ( http://countrypapercraft.powweb.com/gallery/ ) there is about to be a new competition launched also! VEry exciting

Have a great day, I am off to my next temp assignement starting this afternoon- should be fun!

go cowboys

2007-09-11T07:02:00.000+10:00

OK OK I AM FROM NORTH QLD NOW so that makes me a cowboys fan ( really I am an afl fan) but GO COWBOYS!! they have an at home game at dairy farmers stadium this week again, this time against the Warriors!

Some pages

2007-09-11T06:38:00.000+10:00

I have only 2 pages on my computer at the moment,I made a new cd of all my pics and I delete them after that. So here are 2 of the 9 I did yesterday. You can look in my galleries if you want to see more.

FAmily is for Sharryns challenge at CPC. It had a lot of criteria but I got it all!
And the other page was a just because :)Its Maggie Island

swimming

2007-09-10T10:46:00.000+10:00

Ok so its not hot enough for me to get past my ankles but the kids loved it! Coco wasnt too sure, after falling in the other week he carefully sat back and watched the kids....Im sure he was thinking they were mad!

I've been tagged

2007-09-06T11:59:00.000+10:00

I have been tagged to play the Name Game by the Katrina.
Here are the rules: you must state the rules before you state the facts. The facts are to name one thing relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you do not have a middle name then you choose the middle name that you wish you had. Then you tag one person for each letter of your middle name and let them know they have been tagged.

So this will be easy for me as my middle name is a short one: Eileen

E: is for empty which is my coffee cup right now so I had better go and fill it up!
I: is for idiot- which I feel like right now cos I posted this before with my first name- doh!
L: is for lizard which I am like as I need lots of sun and heat to function
E: is for everything I love which is everything in life
E: is for eggs...my favourite brekky
N: is for nothing to do- my favourite time of the day when theres nothing to do but relax :)

Ok, now I have to tag 3 people. I choose:
Julles of http://shabby-jules.blogspot.com/
Mrs Frizz of http://frisbys.blogspot.com
Lisa of http://lisa-eaton76.blogspot.com/

and some more pages

2007-09-05T20:59:00.000+10:00

4 more for tonight, cant believe I got 8 pics on one page!!
oh the baby one is of me, at 7 hours old....how big was I!

last 4 pages

2007-09-05T11:42:00.000+10:00

This is for its all about me

hobbies
my drive
mixed tape
and friends of the moment

Smile

2007-09-04T22:46:00.000+10:00

And the one with Steve and Jane is friends are our hearts family

Did these pages tonight
Zoes one says- who could resist that smile?

My boy

2007-09-04T18:30:00.000+10:00

Thanks to Catherine who printed out some extra copies of the photos she took, for me to play with!! Have some more to do tonight ( after I fold the washing)

Mondays

2007-09-03T21:12:00.000+10:00

Just the two pages today, I spring cleaned- even did 15 minutes of weeding in my garden- shock horror- actually thats our project for the month, 15 minutes a day out in the garden, who knows where it may lead! And the pool finally ahs the pump back- soon it will be lovely enough to swim

And I am giving away a little scrapping gift.....you have to go to www.inspireme2007.blogspot.com and link your blog up, send me a comment on there to say its linked and send me a page to go in the draw!!

And last ones, makes it ummm 9 for the weekend

2007-09-02T21:55:00.000+10:00

This is the poem on the Daddy page
A daddy and his daughters, walking hand in hand,
Though he can't spend much time with them,
They say they understand.

When he's at work or on a trip, the memory of him lingers,
The two girls smile, they know they have him
Wrapped around their fingers.

A slight tilt of their pretty heads, a smile, a lowered glance,
A hug and kiss and, "Daddy please?"
He doesn't stand a chance!

In later years he will recall, with tenderness and love,
Two charming girls, with hands in his,
Two blessings from above.

More from today

2007-09-02T18:51:00.000+10:00

Some more pics, most from Catherine, and some pages i did

Ive been tagged!

2007-09-02T17:02:00.000+10:00

You've been TAGGED, now you have to go to scrap the stuff leave a comment AND submit a page or OTP. (www.scrapthestuff.blogspot.com)

Tag 3 friends and leave comment on their blog to let them know they've been tagged
I tag....Melleny, Lisa and Chrissy

Sunday arvos

2007-09-02T15:16:00.001+10:00

Went to the uni open day today to see Christine Anu- absolutely stunning in real life, and her music makes me shiver.

This weeks challenge entry

2007-09-02T08:34:00.000+10:00

Here is my page for this weeks Amazing Scrapbook JOurney at Country Papercrafts. SOmething very very different for me

Happy Fathers Day

2007-09-02T07:40:00.001+10:00

Happy Fathers Day to a wonderful husband and father.

More scrapping

2007-09-01T23:01:00.000+10:00

I did another two pages tonight, one I will uplaod tomorrow after I have put it on to CPC. This one is called Dinner, its the story behind this gorgeous romantic candlelit dinner that Rick arranged when Kalyb was a baby.

You Make me laugh

2007-09-01T18:22:00.000+10:00

A page using the last of my gorgeous kit from Country Papercraft.

The Museum

2007-09-01T12:37:00.000+10:00

Took the kids to the Tropical North Queensland Museum, which the kids loved! Its an interactive place so they can touch EVERYTHING.

ITS SPRING

2007-09-01T09:48:00.000+10:00

Which is fab because I dont do winter!!

TArni lost another tooth yesterday, so she now has 2 missing on the bottom- very cute!

Look out for more pics later on today, we are heading out to the museum and maybe the army parade today, and tomorrow we are going to the Uni open day as Christine Anu is playing, and maybe Reef HQ for feeding time, which we love to watch.

Today also is the day we uplaod our challenges into www.countrypapercraft.com.au wow someone really ahs to tell me how to make links on here so you can click and go...one thing I havent learnt how to do!

And one lucky last pic, Kalyb is learning how to use a camera, so here is one of me

Cathedral Builders

2007-08-30T18:54:00.000+10:00

This is a story for all of the invisible cathedral builders commonly

known as mothers...

I'm invisible.

It all began to make sense - the blank stares, the lack of response, the

way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store.

Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not. No

one can see if I'm on the phone or cooking or sweeping the floor or even

standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.

I'm invisible.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can

you tie this? Can you open this?

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being.

I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?"

I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?"

I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30 , please."

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the

eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude -

but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen

again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a

friend from England ..

Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on

and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking

around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to

compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style

dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean.

My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could

actually smell peanut butter in it.

I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a

beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this."

It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't exactly sure

why she'd given it to me until I read her

inscription: "To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what

you are building when no one sees."

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would

discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after

which I could pattern my work:

-No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of

their names.

-These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see

finished.

-They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.

-The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes

of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the

cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny

bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are

you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be

covered by the roof? No one will ever see it."

And the workman replied, "Because God sees."

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was

almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see

the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No

act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've

baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a

great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become .."

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a

disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my

own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As

one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see

finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The

writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever

be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to

sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend

he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4

in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a

turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That

would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him

to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his

friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there."

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're

doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will

marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been

added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Great Job, MOM!

Kabuki Homewares

2007-08-30T07:59:00.000+10:00

I have joined Kabuki Homewares as a consultant which is very exciting!! I already have a few parties booked, but I am happy to take more in the Townsville/Cairns area :)

Arent these products just gorgeous!!

Inspire Me

2007-08-28T16:16:00.001+10:00

Please come and join me on Inspire Me, a new blog, uploading a page a day to inspire you!

http://inspireme2007.blogspot.com/

Spoilt Part 2

2007-08-28T06:51:00.000+10:00

How happy was I to come home after an awful days work to find a stack of parcels on the step?? Well actually they were [placed] over the fence near the mailbox- think the parcel lady is scared of the dog too.....

There was a big box with goodies from Katrina www.littlelalas.blogspot.com who was my partner in Shannons cotton and candy swap.

She sent me vodka mudshake mmmmm, chupa chups, a fling....,the most gorgeous tea towel ( I am so going to buy some of these- how cute is it) and scrap supplies, and a cute lingerie bag!

How spoilt am I!!!

Spoilt Part 1

2007-08-28T06:45:00.000+10:00

The apron swap

Isnt that the most divine crocheted apron you have seen????

Anyone for a tea party?

2007-08-28T06:25:00.000+10:00

Please come join in the fun at www.makeminepink.blogspot.com

Monday itis

2007-08-27T21:48:00.000+10:00

Well TArni got student of the week! Was very exciting, but I had to work so I missed the assembly :(

Here is her certificate though! Will take a pic of her with it tomorrow.

Also some more pages....

2007-08-26T16:46:00.001+10:00

Just because I know you all love to see my pages so many times, here is another hehe

IMHO

2007-08-26T16:01:00.000+10:00

I have been doing the challenges at www.thisismejournal.blogspot.com

This is the In My Honest Opinion page, this is such a great little me journal, not supposed to be perfect yay! I am going to do my hobbies so I am up ready to go for the next challenge, which is out on Mondays and Thursdays.

Coco

2007-08-26T11:53:00.001+10:00

This is the crazy cat.....or grumpy cat....and this morning he was a very wet cat, who fell in the pool when sitting on the edge. All we heard was a big splash....and then saw one soaled cat come flying out of the pool and up the stairs. Poor Coco...

Saturdays

2007-08-25T17:55:00.000+10:00

Saturdays are our sort of lazy days. Last night we had a barbie which was wonderful, had a great time with friends, and didnt get to bed till midnight.
Today we had a lunch barbie with Mark, Alisa and the kids, which was wonderful and relaxing, we dont do it often enough. I love to eat and drink and relax with my friends.
Then Rick worked on his car while the kids slept and I ended up doing this weeks challenge for CPC. And yep, a self portrait..the kids insisted!

Exciting news!

2007-08-23T19:14:00.000+10:00

Tarni lost her first tooth!!

Shabby chic

2007-08-23T12:49:00.000+10:00

This is the shabby chic class at Scrapbook Shenanigans

Scrapping Day

2007-08-21T20:18:00.000+10:00

Tuesdays are the days I have the wonderful ladies over for scrapping day :)

Today I did a few things, here is one page for the new album- just Rick and I, starting with our wedding pics!

Going back to work tomorrow, just three days a week for now, see what happens, 15 hours a week plus weekends isnt too bad really.

Congratulations!!

2007-08-20T22:26:00.000+10:00

WELCOME Bailey and CONGRATULATIONS Cal, Kirsten and Ardyn

I completed another

2007-08-20T16:52:00.000+10:00

I finally got around to completing another project out of my OTP crate. I have done about 5 so far, and doesnt look like I have done any! This one is the Create monogram circles- arent they lovely

2007-08-19T22:39:00.000+10:00

Another mini album, and Another page, and I completed this envelope album too, but no pics of that yet.