What a wonderful day

I just spent a very relaxing Sunday with 5 great friends at Where a Girl Goes High Tea Party.
Everything was just wonderful, the staff were great, the food yummo and the activities such as Tarot Card reading and card making just brilliant and to top it off Natalie Gauci and her band played.
I also won a raffle prize but happened to be sitting on the toilet when my name was called so missed the excitement but the prize was definitely worth winning and then we got a goody bag to go home with.
Overall a wonderful day with wonderful friends and we have vowed to do it on a more regular basis, go out and spoil ourselves every now and then.

Another milestone

Well this time last week we were gearing up for the 18th Birthday party and today Alyce gained her total independence by getting her P's.
At the moment I haven't really processed it all properly because she is at work and her car is here.
She does want her dad and I to take it down to her so she can drive home tonight but that hasn't been decided on as yet.
Am I scared about her driving - you bet I am. Not so much about her because I think she is a pretty good driver although she has had her moments but more about others on the road.
You only have to watch the news each night to know that the young ones these days dont really have an idea about how dangerous our roads are and what power there is when they get behind the wheel.
But this is probably the last of the apron strings that needs to be cut, she no longer needs me to drive her here and there, we dont need to worry about being back in Broadmeadows by a certain time to pick her up from work etc.
I am sure after a couple of drives on her own I will be OK - no I won't who am I kidding but I am sure it was the same for my mum when I got my licence so I will just have to live with it and wait for her to walk in the door and sigh that little sigh of relief that she is home safe and sound.
The other issue now is the juggling of cars in the driveway! Oh well such is life

Well its over and done with

Alyce's 18th Birthday Party that is.
Friday night came and went without too many dramas thank goodness.
We had a few hiccups with rain putting paid to plans to have it in the backyard, thankfully our carport is big enough to hold a party and with a couple of strategic placings of tarps the carport was closed in from the weather and all went ahead.
The birthday girl was 100% well but soldiered on and received some great presents from family and friends.
Just a tip to those having parties for the younger generation, food isnt overly essential as they dont eat - or dont seem to. Lots of food left over but thats ok.
Well our baby girl is now legally an adult and only has a couple more days to wait until she goes for her licence and then a few weeks to get her exam results so heres hoping for good results in both

Inspired by these 2 crusty old blokes who I love and copied from my BFFL

HERE IS MY BUCKET LIST (and I can add to it as I need or think of something else)

1. Foster a child or
2. Participate in Big Brother Big Sister
3. Go to Europe with Kevin and discover where my and Kev’s ancestors came from
4. Spend lots of quality time with my husband and daughter
5. Be a good daughter
   
6. Spend lots of quality time with my friends
7. Be the mother of the Bride (but not for at least 8-10 years are you listening Alyce?)
8. Be a Grandma (but not for at least 8-10 years, and then after the wedding are you listening Alyce?)
9. Sleep at the zoo (either Melbourne or Werribee) with the animals
10. See Neil Diamond
11. See the Nth Melbourne Football Club win at least one but hopefully many more premierships
12. See at least one but I would like several more Kangaroo Brownlow Medallists
13. Gain a Diploma
14. Scrapbook more and more fun events
15. Lose weight
16. Go to Ayers Rock
17. See the Great Barrier Reef
18. Have a very different 50^th Birthday Party
19. Travel, travel and more travel anywhere
20. Go on scrapbook retreats with my friends
21. If Abba tour I would be there with bells on (can’t see this happening though)
22. Go back to Thailand
23. Go back to see parts of the USA I didn’t see the first time and some that I did
24. Be in Gallipoli on Anzac day
25. Watch Alyce grow into a beautiful young independent woman (this has already started)
26. Go on a cruise
27. Maybe meet someone who I have wanted to for a long time
    

Wow, I am having fun here and I am a copy cat

When I first started this blogging caper it was hard to navigate around getting things done on here but I dont know if I have got better at the computer or blogger has made it easier but I now know what to do and how to do it and re-arrange things and add things and I love it. So it might mean that I do this blogging thing on a more regular basis which is good for me cos I am starting to forget things. LOL

Anyway on the copy cat thing, my BFFL started a bucket list on her blog and I think its a super idea so I am going to copy it. Over the years I have seen list of things I would like to do before I am fifty and because thats not all that far away I am not sure thats a great idea, so just a bucket list of the things I would like to do someday/oneday is better and thats what I will do in another post so that I can keep track

I love to Scrapbook

And over the years have met many wonderful new friends because of it.
I just wish there were more hours in the day for me to be able to do it on a regular basis.
These days I now need a day or weekend together with friends to get things done and I love the times we share when doing this, but I wish I was one of those people who just does it because they can when they have a couple of spare hours to themselves.
Maybe with the clean up that happened here on the weekend cos of Miss nearly 18's up coming birthday I will get myself sorted properly and be able to do that.
This year has seen me scrap occasions rather than individual Layouts, having done an 18th album for a BFFL's daughter and a well loved 80th Album for my aunt and having just completed my own daughters Deb Ball album.
On the last weekend away I was able to complete one out of the blue LO with a photo of some of the friends I love to scrapbook with, and they might share there own LO of the same photo.
I LOVE TO SCRAPBOOK and I LOVE THE PEOPLE I DO IT WITH
Here is a few recent ones and a not so recent one that I love
First one is my grandparents at my parents wedding, next is one I did for a project a few years ago of my family, next Alyce at her Deb Ball and last those scrapping Friends who I love with a LO a bit out of my compfort zone cos I used patterned paper, sorry the photo isnt great

If I could fix it I would

It is so sad that you can see someone you love in pain and hurting like hell and you can't do a thing about it.
I am in that position at the moment and despite all of the positive affirmations I can give I cant take the hurt away.
I wish I had a magic wand and could fix everything but sadly I don't and I can't
I can only just be there and I hope it helps but I don't think it does or at least not to the level I would like it to.

I remember.................all those years ago

How in love with ABBA I was and today just rekindled all that for me.
As an only child I kept myself amused in my late primary years listening to ABBA. I was ABBA crazy, I still am.
Today I had a trip down memory lane when I visited ABBA World in at Fed square with Alyce
It was like I was 12 again and I loved it
I remember trying to believe that I could be them, loved the music, loved the life they lead just everything about them, it was what kept me going.
Frida was my favourite and I even remember performing as her in front of the Grade 6's to raise money for something all those years ago.
I have seen the stage show and the movie and all the music and memorabilia that was around me today was awesome. Thankyou to my friends at Reed who gave me the tickets as a farewell present it was very much appreciated.

Why aren't there more hours in the day? Or why aren't I just more disciplined?

I could do with a couple more hours in the day, a couple more days in the week, a week or 2 extra in the month and so on.
I cant believe we are nearly at Christmas again or a least worrying about what to do for Christmas.
Life never seems to slow down, it is one thing after another and I know that time travels at the same pace for everyone but after having a couple of days off this week I wonder how I fit it all in.
I fitted in 2 nights of going to night school for 9 weeks but have I been disciplined enough to sit down at the computer for 6 hours a week and continue on with my diploma - no siree.
Discipline has always been an issue for me - I HAVE NONE
Dieting, exercising cleaning, paperwork all things that require discipline and I have NONE.
I decided for my 2010 resolution that I would start being more disciplined with the paperwork - did that happen NO. We have an appointment with the tax agent on Tuesday, am I ready NO.
I want to know who invented paper cos is seems we have more than our fair share at this house and I hate it!
Well thats enough ranting I think I have it out of my system and I do really need to go and make sure I am ready to get the tax done
Bye for now

29 years later and still going strong

Yesterday was the 29th Anniversary of the day that Kev and I formally had a date or our first kiss whichever suits.
I cant believe it has been that long, the time has flown.
A majority of that time has been great but I am sure you cant survive living with someone that long and not have issues and there is no doubt we have had ours but I can honestly say the good times far outweigh the bad.
I have been with Kev since I was a 16 year old girl at high school, he was nearly 19 when I met him so we have grown together into a couple from a very young age and I believe this has been great for both of us.
We have a wonderful daughter, a great house (that could do with a better housekeeper than me) we have travelled (hope there is more of that to come) and generally life is good.
Lets hope there are lots more years to this partnership - I am sure there are
Next year sees us being together 30 years and married for 25 years - we are hoping to travel overseas but if that doesnt happen I am planning on having some sort of celebration of our love together

Well now I have missed a year

A friend has started writing on her blog and because I posted a comment my blog page bobbed up out of nowhere.
It has officially been more than 13 months since I last wrote on this blog and what a year it has been.
Will it keep this up I don't know, but I am having trouble remembering things so maybe it is a good idea that I come here sometimes and record my thoughts.
Well the last year has seen me change careers and I can honestly say I don't miss the bank at all.
At the age of 45 who would have thought that a whole new career world would beckon but it has.
I am now an Employee Advocate and although it has its bad days like most jobs it has its great days too. The satisfaction I get from helping someone find a job is quite exhilarating. There was never quite that feeling I got from anything I did in the bank unless it was helping someone achieve something for them.
I am lucky I have been able to keep some wonderful friends from my 25 years in the 2 banks I worked for and on the other hand quite sad about the way it all ended at the Bank. I feel extremely let down by some who I thought were on my side, when it has become quite clear that wasn't the case. I hope that they will be able to live with what happened and why and what has happened since, but then thats their problem and not mine anymore.
I have had 2 great jobs since leaving the Bank and have again met some wonderful people at Reed that I will keep as friends forever and have now met some great people at my new job.
Ok enough about me...................
Well our baby girl is nearly 18, not far off getting her license, finishing year 12 and still working at Maccas (which she loves). She is in the middle of deciding what to do next year with it changing on a daily basis. She has saved money to buy a car and overall a great young lady.
Won't say that she doesn't push my buttons sometimes though and usually she knows it and revels in it. BUT we love her with all our heart...................where did all those years go?
And Kev, well he is still Kev, riding his bike although not quite as much after the car hit him and he had a knee op but he is getting back into it a bit more now that the weather is starting to fine up. He has unfortunately had to drive to Keysborough for work since the start of the year which is a bit of a pain but he has soldiered on.
We havent had a holiday for a couple of years so I think that might be on the cards soon too.
We have had some issues with both my step dad and Kev's dad being in hospital over the last couple of months but hope that they are both on the improve now.
Well the footy has had it ups and downs this year but hopefully with the introduction of a new coach and a few less injuries next year we will be in for some finals action.
The highlight would have to have been the Best and Fairest held at Crown Pallidium last week.
Well the scrapping has been happening too and we are just over a week away from another weekend away so looking forward to that and catching up with the girlies.
OK think this has been long and boring enough but I must admit it was funny reading back through the posts and seeing what had happened over the last couple of years, maybe I should do this on a more regular basis just for my own sake.
See ya soon

Well I did come back eventually

Well lots and lots has happened since the last time I was here but some of the biggies are:-

I am unemployed after my position was made redundant in August 28.08.09

Alyce had her Presentation Ball in April and looked beautiful

Alyce played in a netball Grand Final (Monday night comp) and they won
Alyce has been asked to do a coaches course paid for by Craigieburn Netball and has also been asked to start umpiring.
Maccas have also asked her submit an application to be a crew trainer
Our little girl is growing up and we are very proud of her.


























We have had a Getaway now renamed Scrapaholics Playgroup and have also been away with Scrappers Delite to Lancefield for the weekend

Claire and Damian have a new little baby girl called Emily - Congrats

The Kangaroos had a very average year but finished off well with a couple of wins to give hope for 2010.



















And I think thats about it will just add some photos





















And this little girl is the baby girl of Najette and Peter - baby Janine

Well a monthly one at least

Well it has been a month that has flown, didn't realize that it had been that long since I had blogged.
Things that have happened in that time
1.The Kangas lost their game in the Nab Cup
2. I had a birthday and it was great
3. Went to Emma and Leon's Wedding
4. Kev has gone to Tassie for a week
5. I have had superficial thrombosis in my left leg which has caused a bit of grief
6. Alyce is still rolling along being busy and getting ready for her Deb
7. Received a wonderful gift from Julie of going to see Babba at Twilights at the zoo pity it rained
and generally life just keeps rolling
I am still at Watergardens and probably will be until the end of April at least
I am waying up some options in regards to that - not really sure where my career is headed at this stage
I am looking forward to the footy starting soon and I have just about completed reading my 6th novel since Christmas day
They have been in no particular order
1.Fishing for Stars by Bryce Courtney
2. Knit 2 by Kate Jacobs
3. All Together Now by Monica McInerney
4. The Kite Runner
5. Tavern on Maple Street
6. just finishing the Persimmon Tree by Bryce Courtney
I love reading and one of my goals this year was to read more which I seem to be achieving
Pity the other goal of organisation is extremely lacking
And of course I am in the throes of getting the next weekend away organised
And after this monster post I think thats about it from me

What a horrible, horrible week

This week has been the most horrible in not only in Victorian, but Australian history with the devastating bush fires that have claimed many many lives and whole towns here in Victoria.
The devastation is just beyond belief and the fact that the top half of Australia is in the middle of floods just doesn't make a whole heap of sense.
How can one country have such differing extremes of weather?
My heart and that of my family goes out to those affected, I can only imagine (actually I don't think I can)what they are going through and how long it may take them to rebuild their lives.
We have donated to appeals but it just doesn't seem enough, i wish there was some tangible way to help out.
Thats about it from me as I really dont feel like blogging but needed to express those feelings

Well maybe a weekly post then

OK so I havent been doing this daily and not even weekly but I am still posting so thats something
This week has been very very VERY hot and I am not a big fan of the heat so I am doing as little as possible
I did go to Fiona's to scrap which was great as I got all of the Christmas photos done in one 8 x 8 album and then on Sunday I finished up pages already started for the December Daily album we have been doing at Fionas. So I spent quite a lot of the Australia Day weekend doing what I love Scrapbooking.
This week I have also received some more scrapping stuff from a couple of suppliers so that is always fun too.
Yesterday Kev and I ventured to the pictures to see Slumdog Millionaire which was good but not a five star film I didnt think.
Today we are off to have lunch for Max's birthday and then the whirlwind of life begins again tomorrow when Alyce heads back to school and netball starts.
I have also been working on the album for Emma and Leon's wedding and that is all coming together as well.
So all in all fairly productive week considering the heat..................................

The end of the week

Well things have been a bit busier this week
Had to trek into town for work on Wednesday and also received a couple of boxes of scrapping stuff so that is always exciting and the weekend is filled with scrapping as the group are going to Fiona's tomorrow and then back to Creekwood Drive on Sunday, so instead of being here I should be getting ready for all of that.
So off I go...........................................

Some days later

I have remembered to come back.............
Nothing too exciting happening so didnt have much to blog.
Wednesday night I tried to finish off Julies 2008 little album that I made her and became a bit frustrated with it and then Thursday night I did finish it and took it around to her as well as the 2 books I have read since Xmas.
Not sure if I mentioned them in a previous post but have just about finished 3 books since Xmas
A Monica McInerney book (which I love) a Kate Jacobs book I read in less than a day and now I am trying to get a Bryce Courtney book finished.
Alyce had an all nighter at Maccas Friday night and we watched Australia lose the cricket and last night Alyce and Kirsten went to see Delta Goodrem and we had dinner at Brett and Aaron's and played Buzz.
Think I am all caught up now.

Missed again

But only one day and technically it is only 7 and a bit hours
Find this tough when there isnt much to say - nothing happened yesterday - got up went to work came home...................................you know same old same old.
Did try and convince Kev to go to SA for the long weekend to see Lance Armstrong and he is excited because looks like he will have his new bike this week but thats about it.
It is going to be very hot here today my least favorite time of the year and thats about it

Ok so I have missed a couple of days

But I have a good excuse I have not been well
So Thursday I came home from work with a bad abscess on my gum and was in agony and felt terrible - I had to go to work on Friday but did feel a little better
Alyce worked Friday night and Kev needed to go to Kmart for some fishing gear so we headed there on the way to pick up Alyce and I discovered a book from an author I love Kate Jacobs and by 1pm Saturday the book was read. I can be a real book nerd when the feeling takes me
Didnt do much On Saturday afternoon or night but today we went and met Baby Archie Fraser and what a cutie he is but so tiny - if blogger plays nice I may even be able to put a photo here
Isn't he the cutest baby boy and his Mum and Dad are stoked and celebrating their first wedding anniversary today - Congrats Carlie and Marcus
Well up to date now hope to keep it that way

Day 7 Must be a record

Well I am here again - surprise surprise
Again not a lot to blog about
Kev and Alyce had a great day with Grace and Amber and I am sad I wasn't here
I have a sore face as I have an abcess and scrapping was cancelled so not a good day all around
I really did want to scrap....................................