Challenge...

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How did you go with your challenge? Hopefully I inspired some of you to think about the layouts you do and try different ways to go about creating them.

I'm feeling really guilty right now as I have just stuffed myself stupid with hot chips and gravy -something that is a big NO NO for me and will certainly send my blood glucose levels totally out of whack...but it's a miserable day and I was hungry as I walked past the take away shop and I had eaten my lunch at 11.30 which was way too early, so I splurged and broke the ridged "eating right" rules.

I must say they were the best chips and gravy I've had for a long time (even though they are the only chips and gravy I've had for a long time).

Isn't it funny how guilty we find ourselves feeling when we go off track with something...and you know at the end of the day it's normal, actually part of life to go off track.

You know...I've just made a decision (yep, just now, right this minute) I'm not going to feel guilty anymore.

So what if I occasionally (and in my case this one needs to be occasional) eat something I'm not supposed to or I spend more than I should have (especially on scrapbook supplies) or I decide to have a life and leave the kids in my hubby's capable hands for an evening and go out with the girls (and not worry) or leave the washing up for someone else to do (I like this one) or I sleep in on a Sunday morning (I really like this one)...yeah so what!!

I am not going to feel GUILTY anymore for anything that I decide to do in my life. After all, at the end of the day, it is my life!!

Gee whiz I enjoyed those hot chips and I especially enjoyed that gravy...MMMM....

A challenge for you...

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Today I'm issuing a challenge to you all. Let me know how you do...

Think about music and how it affects your life. Do you bop around the house to your favourite tune while cleaning (I do)?Maybe you enjoy karaoke and can't resist the urge to get up and have a go (I definitely don't). Does a particular tune on the radio evoke emotions and memories that are special? Is it an old disco number or maybe a song from a movie. Why not incorporate song lyrics or journaling about how a song moves you into your pages.

Here are some ideas:

* Holidays. Is there a song that embodies your emotions about the holiday season? Maybe the lyrics remind you of your childhood or a special time in your life.

* Love. What song speaks the most to you and your significant other? Why?

* Inspiration. When you need a boost of confidence, what music do you turn to? What words inspire you the most?

* Comfort. Is there a sad song that speaks to your soul when it needs a little comfort?

* Children. Is there a lullaby you sing to your child? Do the words hold special meaning? Maybe it was a song sung to you by your own mother. Does it still touch you now?

What is your life's soundtrack? Think about songs that have meaning to you, those specials songs or a new song that touches you. Why not write down your feelings about it.

Have a go at designing a page this week based on how music touches you...

Wild weekend...

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What a wild weekend we had!!!

We went away over the weekend. We left on Friday night and stayed with the in-laws in Newcastle on Friday night and then headed to our on-site van at Anna Bay on Saturday morning. I'm not sure what we were thinking...but we promised the kids we would go and we had already cancelled last month when we were all sick.

Everything was in place - Sharon was working at the shop on Saturday morning, the bags were packed on Thursday night, Steve had done the weeks washing on Friday, the girls had a multitude of games ready for a family games weekend and there was a bit of rain. By the time we arrived in Newcastle it wasn't just a bit of rain it was bucketing down. In the 10 metres from our car to my in-laws front door we all ended up soaked. Just what the in-laws needed 2 wet children with 2 wet kids of their own and the added bonus of 2 wet dogs along for the ride. Lucky for us they are tolerant and had a fabulous meal waiting!!

The trip up was Bronson's (now 21 weeks) first long distance trip in the car and unfortunately he was car sick...and car sick again on the 45 min trip over to Anna Bay on Saturday morning. Lucky our dogs are crate trained and this is how they travel so it is very easy to clean up. Thank goodness.

So, we arrived at Anna Bay the same way we arrived in Newcastle the previous evening WET!!
We unpacked in the rain , towel dried ourselves, blow dried the dogs, went shopping for food and finally settled in for the weekend.

Saturday afternoon we played board games with the girls and they enjoyed that. The rain was so loud on the roof that we could hardly hear the TV but we watched the movie Transformers that the girls borrowed from their Uncle Matthew (aged 17 - he is only 2 years older than Lauren) even though you couldn't hear most of it.

Saturday night we lit a fire in the combustion heater but as we only had fire starters and logs (the kindling was all wet) it didn't really take and we resorted to the electric fan heater. In a small area it works a treat and we were all cosy under our doonas and slept really well that night.

Imagine our surprise to awake on Fathers Day and see the sun...BLISS. It was a lovely day and we enjoyed fresh prawns and salad for lunch - the seafood being delivered direct to our door by the "seafood man" that drives around the park with a little bell on his van.

We went walking along the beach with kids and dogs and really enjoyed the spring weather.

Let's hope it lasts...

Although scrapping wasn't done this weekend we all have memories of our adventure to Anna Bay in the wind and rain. Normally we go with swimmers, shorts, t-shirts, boogie boards and plenty of sunscreen so this weekend certainly was something different for the girls (I think the dogs are totally over it!!) to experience.

No challenges etc this week as I think everyone is probably busy catching up on the washing....

Spring has arrived...

It shouldn't be long before we see alot more sunny days, the days will start becoming longer and we will have some lovely weather in which to take some great photos.

Father's Day this weekend will present a photo shoot opportunity. Dad's opening pressy's, kids cuddling granddads, families enjoying meals together etc etc. Have you made your Father's Day cards yet? I have...I used the fabulous Kaisercraft papers and card packs to make these fab cards for my dad and father-in-law.

I have been busy working on a project this week which will be put on the class program shortly as it would make a fabulous gift especially with Christmas fast approaching.

It is a book with pages made from envelopes and beautiful K & Co papers. The idea is that you can store your cards (homemade or store bought) ready to give to family and friends in the envelope that is appropriate to their month of birth. Each page has a list for you to write when their birthday is so you will never forget to send a birthday card ever again. I just need to finish the cover and then I can add it to the class calendar.

This week has been crazy at our place - Madi is being a typical 11 year old with major ATTITUDE and was actually grounded 5 out of the 7 days this last week.
Last Sunday afternoon after a major tantrum I grounded her from all friends contact including playing with, talking on msn and the phone.
Well, she was very upset and told me she would much prefer being banned from TV - Madi is not a TV girl and normally I would not negotiate with her as keeping in touch with her friends is way more important than TV, BUT she loves Australian Idol which was starting it's new season that evening so I told her OK she can be banned from TV.
Well, you should have seen the smirk (cheeky so and so) as she skipped happily away from me until I said "of course, that includes being grounded from watching Australian Idol tonight".
Talk about a turn around - she got very upset and begged me to change the grounding back to the original terms. I'm sorry kid, that's ten points to Mum!!
This is an instance in which keeping one step ahead of your kids paid off, unfortunately I think Madi's hormones have kicked in with such force that keeping one step ahead is going to be very exhausting for a long while.

I did an attitude layout on Madi some time ago which I had on display in the shop for some time, I think I'll go home and pull it out and post it here during the week for you to see my typical mad Madison.

Olympics still sorted but not started - to many other projects this week. Hopefully I will start next week.

TIP OF THE DAY: This is an oldie but a goodie -

"Be good to your Mother"

and I better say Father as well seeing it's their week this week.

Enjoy spoiling the dad's of the world.