Damn! I had to come home.

It's always depressing to get to the end of a break and then come home isn't it? Even the manager of the units we stayed at commented that we weren't there for very long. *so sad* lol
Still, we had a lovely time away. We had a lot of laughs and lots of relaxation. I didn't even miss the computer - seriously! The main reason I was anxious to get back online today was to wish Miss Kim a very happy birthday (and I'm glad she had such a great one too).
First things first..... Anzac Day. We went to the local march and Miss Five marched with her school. We were so proud of her. I cried during the singing of the hymn 'Abide with Me' (as I do every year). I missed my Granny a whole lot. And I had a few laughs with one of my acquantainces and her husband at the outfit our esteemed Lady Mayoress was wearing (nice lady but no fashion sense).
So here is a photo of my baby before the parade.

The teachers said that the little ones were really well behaved and a credit to the school. It was so darn hot during the parade and service as well.

Now, back to the break to the beach.
The first thing we did when we unpacked was head down to the beach for Miss Five to chase waves and build a sandcastle (which incidentally stayed there for the whole 4 days we were at the unit. We could see it from our living area windows and nobody knocked it down). She was so proud of it and named it - the 'Cool One'. Which translated means the Q1 (tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere). lol

Jumping waves


The 'Cool One' (the real one is actually right under her elbow).


The Surfers Paradise skyline (lots of sand flying around in the foreground). The Q1 is the tallest building.

Next day we went shopping and bought heaps of stuff, including a tamagotchi for Miss Five, some fitness books and mags for me and some boxing gloves and focus pads for me to train with. My son also shouted me a massage with this hydro thing. I didn't get wet but I was massaged with jets of water. Very cool. We bought some kites and then headed down the beach. Mr 17 had a few issues with his kites though. lol



Next day we went fishing down at Tallebudgera Creek. Miss Five caught a couple of baby flathead and I took the opportunity to take lots of photos. I really wanted to get a photo of some seagulls in flight so my ever obliging family helped by waiting until I had the camera set up and then chasing them for me. Got a couple of photos that I really like.

Miss Five's flathead


Looking toward the mouth of Tallebudgera Creek


My favourite seagull shot

Yesterday, the Man of the House was telling me about a couple of Rainbow Lorikeets that landed on the balcony rail and seemed quite tame. This morning whilst I was out watching the sunrise...

... they came back. So I went inside and broke up some bread and wet it and they started to eat it from my hand. I took lots of photos and then they called some of their friends over and I had 9 of them out on the balcony rail so I woke up Miss Five and got her to come out and feed them too. The only thing I can think of is that these birds are regular at the Currumbin Sanctuary (which is just over the hill from where we were staying) and they stopped by.


Oooh, just have to share one more photo from last night. We went into Surfers to this great seafood place on Cavill Ave and I wanted to take a photo of my son (who hates being in photos). My daughter on the other hand just loves to be in photos.... lol


And that summarises my fantastic few days away. We have decided that next time we will definitely go for a week and next time we might head up to the Sunshine Coast. Roll on next time.... I have to go to work tomorrow night! *sigh*

It's Monday Again!

Welcome to another week. I wish I could remember to update my blog all the time but I either run out of time or get distracted doing other things. Like yesterday - I was supposed to be doing my Dad's bookwork and BAS and what did I end up doing? Having a nap (alright - maybe two), watching an old Elvis movie, finishing finding out what happened during 2006 to add to my family album, doing a couple of layouts (I love templates) and reorganizing kits and stuff and uploading them to Digitals.
I'm also reworking some of my older kits (that I just love some of the elements and papers in) and putting them back up again.
So today (after I've been to the gym), I have to do the housework AND the bookwork! lol

So today is a pretty bittersweet day for me because I'm remembering my Granny. We lost her a year ago today. I still haven't forgiven myself for not getting to see her before she left us but I saw her afterwards. I'm glad I went to say goodbye to her before her funeral. I'll miss her more on Anzac Day because that is the day that I always feel the closest to her. I wish she was still with us. This year, Miss Five is marching with her school. Granny would have loved that.

Okay, onto brighter things. What's happened since my last blog post?
* I've put this paper pack into the Digitals store. I used it to scrap with yesterday and I think I'm in love with these papers. I don't often share my layouts (they're pretty boring) but I want to show you one of the papers in action.

The swirls are by Holly McCaig, the photocluster by Nancy Comelab, the alpha by Christine Smith and the notepaper by LaWanna Desjardin.
To create this paper pack, I also used my Make It Grunge overlays.


Okay, what else has happened?
* I did my nutrition exam last week. I studied my butt off for it and then when I actually sat the test I flew through it because it was all multiple choice or true/false. I'm pretty sure I got a few wrong but I'm looking forward to seeing my results. Hopefully they'll let me resit it if I have to.
* This current module I'm doing is doing my head in. Who'd've thought that we had so many muscles, bones and stuff in our bodies?
* We're going away for a few days this week. I'm so looking forward to it. Not looking forward to losing the pay but definitely looking forward to a few days at the beach.
* I got my first paper in the mail the other day from the Stamp-it May collection. It is so cool to see one of my papers actually in 12x12 format. It even has my name on the little strip along the bottom. I have one more paper coming out in May as well and I'm looking forward to seeing that one too.
* My oldest daughter is doing okay. She had a few issues through the week with pain and had to go for ultrasounds and tests. She saw the little bean and it's heartbeat beating strongly on the screen. However, they've discovered that she has endometriosis and that is why she is having such pain. The dr told her that she is incredibly lucky to have fallen pregnant - even if she was taking precautions and not planning on it!

Okay, I've rambled enough. Time to get children organised for school.

Be Original Blog Project

Okay, I got tagged by Kim Hill (linky to her blog over at the side there) for the 'Be Original Blog Project'. Now I'm just gonna cut'n'paste from Kim's blog to explain it all (sorry no links 'cause I have a huge day at work today and this blog post is being done quickly).

So here's the scoop. It all started with a 'Be Original" post on Mohit Singhania's blog. I've lifted this off Susan's blog who lifted it from Michelle's blog who lifted it off Angie Pedersen's blog. Anyway, here's the deal from Mohit’s original post about how it works:

In a new blog post, list and write about 5 to 10 methods you use to create original posts. At the start of your post, tell your audience (briefly or at length) what you are doing with the “Be Original” Project and link to the project. Link/trackback to the blogger who tagged you for “Be Original” Share your “Be Original” methods with your own audience Pick as many bloggers as you want and “tag” them to take part in the fun…After all, that is how a meme works (a unit of cultural information transferable from one mind to another). Sit back and learn from the discussion.

How Do I Come Up with Original Blog Post Ideas?

1. I just write about life (it's like a soap opera some days).

2. Put my fave photos that I've taken up to show.

3. Talk about my family.

4. Talk about my digi stuff.

5. I write like I talk.

Now it's YOUR turn to join in the Be Original Project. I'm tagging the following people: Angela, Eugenia, Karen Hunt, Trish Jones, Christine M (haha, that means you'll have to do a post Christine lol).

So there's been a few things going in life since my last post. Some I can't blog about though. As a result, I have resigned from Elemental Scraps... so if you want something from there at 20% before the end of the month (use coupon code sj030865) then grab it, otherwise you'll find it in the Digitals store.
The only reason that I have downsized everything is due to purely personal reasons and is no reflection on any of the stores that I have sold at. Actually I'm so gonna miss the other designers at ES - they rock!
This week, work is pretty busy. I'm doing a split shift today. I start work at 9am and finish tonight when we close. I do get a lunch break though. lol I'm so looking forward to getting away for a few days. We've booked the same unit at Palm Beach that we stayed at last year. Only going for a few days but I'm looking forward to not doing much (although I'm taking my study books along).
I have my first exam next Tuesday. This exam is on nutrition. Of course I'm trying madly to remember everything and I'm studying hard. At the same time I'm working on my muscles and bones in the next module.

Yesterday, the council newsletter came out with the pay slips and The Man of the House bought the newsletter over to show me when he came home. Thankyou dear SIL for posting those wonderful photos of us taken at the Heritage Festival in the newsletter. I believe the MOTH is not gonna let you get away with it! rofl.

Have a great day people!

Creative Day Yesterday

We had a great day yesterday.
Even though I hadn't had a full night's sleep and then when I finally tried to sleep in, I had someone pulling my hair and kicking me in the back and whining in my ear about a warm chocolate milk so I got up.
Work went well for Murry yesterday morning - such a blessing after the past few days. When he came home he helped me catch up on some of the housework that I've neglected in the rush of the past week and then I retired to my computer and he retired to stretch out for a kip on the lounge. Miss Five just ran around between us both writing letters to the Easter Bunny and generally being the usual Miss Five that she is. lol
So... I got a paper pack created yesterday and I so love it. I'm really happy with my latest stuff.
Then my daughter rang and asked if she could come for a visit. It's the first time we've seen her since she rang to tell me she was expecting. So we were excited.
After Miss Five had monopolised her for the first 15 minutes, I got her to pose for a photo of her tummy. She insists there is nothing there - but there is. It isn't much. Just a little tiny bump (more than likely because she's bloated and sick) but I got a photo of it anyway. She refused to look at the camera though.
So we watched 'Open Season' then and I really had to laugh. Miss Five got bored and decided that the trampoline outside sounded a better option. She also thought it would be a good excuse to start on the few Easter eggs she has so far. Then when the movie finished, Marge and George (my nicknames for man and daughter) sat and watched another movie. It was a little too violent and full of bad language for me so I came out and did some more designing and Miss Five retired to the trampoline again.
So it was a good day and evening. The Man of the House and I finished it up with some prawns and a couple of drinks and then I fell asleep whilst sitting up - AGAIN! I guess he's used to it.
But guess what? I actually slept the whole night through last night - and then slept in this morning. I think I'm in heaven!

Okay, so here is my new paper set - Tundra.
It's in the ES store now.
Okay, I have things planned for today, so I'm off. Happy Easter!

Happy Easter

Well here it is Good Friday already. Where has the year gone?
I have to admit that I am really looking forward to my few days off from work. I was supposed to have 5 days off but it has changed to 4 now. Here I was yesterday (after working in the morning), in the store with an arm full of easter eggs (yes I left it until the last minute to get them) and my phone rang. It was my boss asking me to work on my day off. I'm getting used to it. lol
So, the past week has been really full on. We had the Rathdowney Heritage Festival last Sunday and our family all participated this year. We all dressed up in period costume for a couple of hours. Even Miss Five did - and she was so well behaved. I was very proud. I'll share a couple of photos with you. I've changed them to sepia to give them an older 'feel'.



The week has been pretty busy as well. I finished up my kits and put them in the Digitals store and also at ElementalScraps. So now I introduce you to The Machinery Shed Papers and The Machinery Shed Elements. I have to admit that I really love this set and I've been overwhelmed by the positive comments that I've received about them. I hope you love them as much as I do.




If you like these and really can't wait to get your hands on them, then you can hop over to the ES store and pick these (and any other of my products) for 20% off using coupon code sj030865.
Now, in the Digitals store is my Sweet Spring Kit. Quite different from my Machinery Shed stuff but I like it just the same. You can pick up a sample of this kit in the Digitals sampler section of the store here.
The rest of the week has been taken up with work and other family stuff. I've also been sick all week - which really sucks. It doesn't help with the sudden bout of insomnia that I have had this week. It usually begins when Miss Five wakes me up when she climbs into bed with us. I've tried laying there all night and attempting to get back to sleep but this morning I just gave up and came out to the computer and attended a chat! lol
In other news:
*I've finished all the assessments in my nutrition module for my course and they've been marked and returned. The exam is on it's way to a local JP and I will probably sit it next week. So I guess I'll be studying over the next few days.
*My new module has arrived... and I'm scared. lol I've got to name bones and muscles and stuff. Now that is just scary.
*My weight has plateaued. Of course it hasn't been helped by the fact that I have been too tired and ill to cook. So pizza was delivered the other night. And last night was leftover pizza. I also have hardly worked out all week. And believe it or not, I'm missing it.
Okay, enough rambling. I have things to do. Have a wonderful Easter everyone.