Wow- this is post # 200!!!

200 posts- well I'll be!!!

Our happy household is still enjoying the holidays!!
I didn't actually scrap on Thursday night as I had planned, rather I spent some quality time with my wonderful husband. It was a weird feeling however having no kids in the house- I missed them and was really pleased to see them when I got to Kim's on Friday. The girls had an absolute blast and didn't want to leave. Thanks again Kim!!!

Today- oh, before I tell you about today-
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY.
Kim's DD turns 11 today! All here in the King house wish you a wonderful day Emily- pop over to Kim's blog and wish Emily a Happy Birthday- she'll be thrilled!!!!

This morning, my girls were slothing around on the lounge and still in their pjs at 11am so I cracked the whip, made them get dressed and we hit the shops. We went down to Mandurah and boy did we shop!!! Four or so hours later, we staggered back to the car with all our bargains!! Lots of shops are having sales at the moment so we all got some new goodies!!! I was especially pleased to get some new skinny leg jeans so now I can wear my new rocking red boots to Miss Emily's party tomorrow!!! Both the girls scored new clothes- not that they need any!!!

Yay- I also have some scrapping to share-

J1.Scrap a LO using no patterned paper.

J8. Scrap a LO using the journaling rub on we bought (bird or owl)


Tonight I hope to get another LO or two finished- I'm seriously loving this holiday challenge Kim and I have got going. Maursie has joined in too- woo hoo- check out her rockin' LOs on her blog!!! I'm now half way through- yep, 10/20 LOs done!!!!

Please stay safe and remember to snuggle cuddle your loved ones!!!
Love Janine xxx

Oh man, my house is quiet......

I'm kidless...... again!

The very brave Kim took my girls home with her (and her girls) this afternoon for a sleep over! All the girls were SUPER excited and I see Kim's point - the girls will all keep each other company and she'll have time to scrap- well here's hoping anyway!!! Thanks Kim- you're a gem!

So....that means my house is very quiet and very empty (DH is still at work). I may just have to scrap myself- yay!!!

I managed three more challenges yesterday as I was kidless yesterday too! During Tuesday my friend Jodie and I played phone tag, leaving message after message for each other before we finally caught up Tuesday night. Jodie invited Emma (with her daughter Kira) to go to a basketball clinic for the morning and then a play in the afternoon. So Jodie picked Emma up at 8:30 in the morning and I didn't see her until 5 that afternoon. Just after I got off the phone from Jodie, Gracie rang and invited Sarah over to play so off she went too. No kids all day!

I did do several loads of washing and other bits of house work before I started scrapping.

K1. Complete an online challenge & link the website when you upload.

This is this month's scrapjack for Aussie Scrapjack. We got to scrapjack Zina Wright. I found Zina a little challenging to scrapjack as her style is so unique, so Zina!!! I am pleased with how this LO has turned out and I just love this photo of Emma- it is SO her!!!!

J3. Scrap a LO that uses a song title or song lyrics as the LO title.

K4. Use more than 10 eyelets or brads on a single layout.

I've used 12 brads- they are on the wings and the body of the butterfly.

I love this Irish Blessing. It says "May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun. And find your shoulder to light on. To bring you luck, happiness and riches. Today, tomorrow and beyond."

This morning both my girls had dentist appointments. Straight after the dentist we met Kim at the cinema with her girls and we went and saw MAMMA MIA!!! WOW- what a great movie. We loved it!! My toes were tapping the whole way through. Kim gave me a copy of the Mamma Mia soundtrack CD and I've been bopping away to it in my car- love that too!!!

I highly recommend Mamma Mia, in fact I would love to see it again.

After the movie, Kim and I took the girls out to lunch. We went to Betty Blues again- boy their food is delicious!!! I ate far too much but it was YUMMY!!! That is how my girls ended up at Kim's house- they followed her home after lunch- LOL, not really!!!

Kim just messaged and she is scrapping and the girls are behaving- thank goodness!!!!

Anyway I must go and get scrapping- I have no excuse tonight for not getting some more LOs finished!

Hope your day is wonderful.

Love Janine xxx

Another one down...

I have managed another challenge!! Woo hoo!!!

J6. Kim scrap lift one of Janine’s LOs and Janine scrap lift one of Kim’s LOs.

Here is my LO and below is Kim's.

I love both LOs- thanks Kim, I loved scrap lifting you!!! :)

In other news, this special girl received the sacrament of reconciliation for the first time today.

Afterwards, Emma, Sarah and I went out to celebrate with a yummo scrummo lunch at Betty Blues. We then continued to celebrate and went shopping!!! The surf shop just around the corner from Betty Blues was having a sale- he he he ..... say no more, we came out with a nice big bag of goodies!!!! I {heart} shopping!!!
Check out this photo- it was one I snapped in Betty Blues. Check out Sarah's hair colour...NO I haven't dyed her hair, this is totally natural!!! Stunningly beautiful isn't it????

After our little shopping spree at the surf shop, we went to our local shopping centre where Sarah scored some new ugg boots and some new black boots!!! Lucky possum!!!
We then met up with friends for coffee and cake down the foreshore. Kim, Lian and I managed to survive coffee and cake with all seven of our kiddos without too much drama and the kids even got a play in the park across the road. We then relocated ourselves to Lian's house for a wine- all in all, a fabulous day!! I love catching up with friends, whether it be coffee or wine.....it is so good for the soul to spend time with friends!! I love it...thanks Kim and Lian!!!!

I'm home now and hopefully I'll be able to scrap another LO tonight.
Be happy and stay safe.
Love Janine xxx

More scrapping....

Last night I managed to finish two more 'holiday challenges'-

K2. Use a Grungeboard alphabet on a layout.

The word 'beyond' are grungeborad letters that I have inked.

J10. Scrap school photo/s – the professional ones we pay for every year and never scrap!!!

Hmmm, I really should try harder when I photograph my LOs...they're all so crooked- sorry!!!

I have been busy cleaning, washing, vacuuming, washing floors etc this morning. Grace has gone home now so it is just me and my girls. The girls are happily playing MarioKart- again, so I am going to see if I can scrap another challenge or two before we head out later this afternoon.
My friend Lian has organised for a group of us to go and see the West Coast Fever play against NSW Swifts tonight at Challenge Stadium. The girls and I are really looking forward to it, it should be a good game!!! (West Coast Fever is the WA netball team).

That's all folks!!!!

Love Janine xxx

YAY...holidays!!!

Woo hoo- the holidays are finally here!!!! Yeeee haaaa!!! I {heart} holidays!!!!

Not that my life has slowed down, in fact I have been as busy as ever!!! Friday night the girls still had basketball, so I braved the cold and sat through three games of basketball when I would have much rather been at home. Never mind, once I got home I had a well deserved glass of wine and scrapped my first 'holiday challenge' LO.
Here is my first challenge- K3. Create a layout using the sketch shown below.


The girls didn't have netball on Saturday morning however they still had acrobatics. After acro Grace came home with us and myself, Sarah, Emma and Grace all went off to the movies. Emma has been filling in for her friend Kira's basketball team and the team had a holiday outing so they invited Emma along.....so Sarah, Grace and I went too. We went to the movies and saw Get Smart. I enjoyed it but I think some of the jokes went over the girls' heads. After the movies we all went to Hungry Jacks for a snack!! The kids loved this and played away happily until all the parents finally dragged them away!!!
Grace slept over because Marlene and Macca were going to a 40th. We had a wonderful time playing with the new MarioKart Wii game I bought while the girls were at acro. I bought an extra steering wheel too so we spent the night racing each other- great family fun!!! I made the girls go to bed reasonably early as Grace and Sarah had to get up for a basketball carnival Sunday morning. Grrr- my normally quiet street wasn't so quiet last night. A house about five house down from me had a rather noisy party- now I'm not one to deny people a good party however there were people everywhere, walking (or rather staggering) up and down our street, past our house all the time. Bottles were being smashed on the road and the party goers were generally being a pain. Rusty kept barking at all the noisy drunks staggering by. The police were eventually called however I was awake much longer than I had anticipated.
I did manage to finish a LO while all this was going on!!!
K8. Scrap a layout using no card stock and at least two patterned papers
There are two pp on this LO- the blue one and the second is the black Rusty Pickle paper surrounding the photo.

Sunday morning I was up and organized early. I prepared a curry in the slow cooker and even made the girls home made bacon and egg muffin burgers for breakfast!! Then we were off- Sarah and Grace had to play in a basketball carnival at Willetton. They played well, winning two of their three games and only losing the third game by two goals.
Emma stayed at home with Adam and when we got back here the girls (Grace was still with me) made cup cakes. A week or so ago I bought these gorgeous silicone star shaped patty pans and the girls were itching to try them out. I let all three loose in the kitchen and they cooked up a storm. I scrapped while they cooked. They even made the icing themselves- can you tell!!!!
Do not adjust your computer- this is really the colour of the icing!!!! Despite the in-your-face colour, the cakes actually taste yummy!!!

Tonight Grace is still here- she has managed to score another sleep over so all three girls are watching Gladiators. We have eaten our scrummo yummo curry and I'm just about to top up my wine and keep scrapping!!
I hope your day is wonderful!
Be happy,
Love Janine xxx

July Holiday Challenges!!!

Well I won't be here at 3pm tomorrow afternoon as I'll be at work and I don't want to be square so here are Kim and my July holiday challenges!!!!

J1.Scrap a LO using no patterned paper.
J2. Scrap a LO that has a ‘sports’ theme.
J3. Scrap a LO that uses a song title or song lyrics as the LO title.
J4. Scrap a LO about your husband. (Photo of husband- optional)
J5. Scrap a LO that has the word FRIEND/FRIENDSHIP in the title.
J6. Kim scrap lift one of Janine’s LOs and Janine scrap lift one of Kim’s LOs.
J7. Scrap a LO that contains both black & white and colour photos.
J8. Scrap a LO using the journaling rub on we bought (bird or owl)
J9. Scrap a LO using one of your childhood photos.
J10. Scrap school photo/s – the professional ones we pay for every year and never scrap!!!

K1. Complete an online challenge & link the website when you upload
K2. Use a Grungeboard alphabet on a layout.
K3. Create a layout using the sketch shown below.
K4. Use more than 10 eyelets or brads on a single layout
K5. Do a non-person layout
K6. Use purple & yellow as a colour combination
K7. Scrap a layout for a current magazine submission theme
K8. Scrap a layout using no cardstock and at least two patterned papers
K9. Use a diecut shape/picture on a layout
K10. Create a layout using only products from the June Tarisota collection

Please join us!

Must go- less than 17 hours until I'm on holidays- yeeeeee hhhhaaaarrrrr!!!

Be happy!
love Janine xxx

Kalgoorlie and Kung Fu!!

Okay, here is my mini review about my Kalgoorlie adventure!!! I crammed so much into such a short time and had very little sleep but boy was it FUN!!!Here is my oldest buddy Karen. Karen and I met at Castletown Primary School in year one. We have been friends ever since. We went to school together all through primary school and then for years 8, 9 and 10 of high school(Esperance Senior High School). At the end of year 10, Karen's family moved to Perth however we remained close friends. We have both married and have become mothers but remain certain friends.

I set the alarm for 3:45am on Saturday morning, got up and got myself organized and got to the airport about 5:30. (it takes about an hour to drive to the airport from my house) I checked in and the plane flew off at 6:15 right on schedule. My Aunty Elvie met me at the airport and I went back to her house for breakfast. After breakfast Elvie and I went into Kalgoorlie and went shopping. I bought Karen's birthday present - a voucher from LUSH (beauty/massage place) and we had a wander around the shops and did some more shopping. I had to buy some new shoes as I only had leather ballet pump type shoes on and my toes we freezing...any excuse, I know!!!
Elvie had to go to work at 11am so I borrowed her car to go and catch up with Karen. Karen, myself and three other friends went off out to lunch and we had a heap of laughs. It was so good... we reminisced about the 'old days' !!! After lunch the five of us wandered the shops and shopped some more!! I bought this most gorgeous pair of red boots- I love them!!!! They are an "I Love Billy" brand and very scrummo indeed...and they were on sale- wooo hooo!!
About 3 pm we all went our own ways and I caught back up with Elvie. Elvie took me on a tour around Kalgoorlie and Boulder. We drove past old houses where my grandparents and my parents used to live. We visited the Super Pit and finally we made it home to Elvie's.
I showered and got ready for the party and Elvie dropped me off at about 6.30.
I talked, drank, took photos, danced, laughed and reminisced ALL night. By 4pm I could stay awake no longer and headed off to bed (well the mattress on the floor in Karen's lounge room!!!) I slept like a log until Karen's gorgeous kids woke me about 7. I got up and made coffees for everyone- there were people who hadn't yet gone to bed!!!!!
Eventually I got Karen's Mum to drop me back at Elvie's about 11am and Elvie and I went off to catch up with her son, my cousin. We stay for a while and then Elvie and I went out to a great little cafe for lunch. After lunch we went to catch up with my cousin and her family. When we got there my other aunty and uncle, my other cousin and her husband and my cousin who I haven't seen since I was 17 were there. I was sssooo good to chat and catch up. I honestly could have chatted ALL night(again)!!!

Alas I had a plane to catch. Unfortunately my plane was delayed several hours but I eventually made it back to Perth and home to my wonderful family. I was extremely tired but so, so happy that I had had such a wonderful weekend and caught up with so many wonderful friends and family members!!! I have heaps on photos- both good, bad and ugly from Karen's party- I may just have to scrap her a mini album!!!!

And what made the weekend even better... when I arrived home, everything had run smoothly here and the house was clean, kids and dogs fed and husband happy- what more could I ask!!!!

Well there you go...my mini Kalgoorlie adventure, one I will remember for a long time- HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY!!!!

Tonight (Wednesday) Adam, the girls and I went to see Kung Fu Panda!! What a fabulous movie. The school had a fun raising night at the movies and I even won a raffle prize- woo hoo -way to go!!! This is such a good movie- we all loved it.

Anyway I must go and don't forget to check back soon for Kim and my school holiday challenges- starts Friday 3pm, be there or be square!!!

Be happy and keep warm!!!
Love Janine xxx

Time for an update!

Busy, busy, busy, busy!!! I've hardly had time to scratch myself in the last week but here I am, finally updating!!!
Let me go back to last week-
Thursday- I was a parent helper for Sarah's class excursion to Scitech, which was fantastic because I took my camera along!!!! We were up and organized early as the bus left the school at 8am sharp! We arrived at Scitech and went straight into a viewing at The Planetarium- WOW- this was great. The Planetarium is an indoor theatre that presents high tech multi-media shows about our night sky, the solar system and beyond. The digital projection system accurately displays stars, planets and other celestial bodies on its dome screen, allowing you to journey through space without ever leaving your seat.
After that we had morning tea and then each group could go with their parent helper and explore Scitech. I had five fantastic girls in my group and we had a ball!!! The girls behaved beautifully and I just followed along taking photos!!! Cool huh!!

Here is just one- this is Sarah playing with this air blower thing. There are so many fantastic things to see at Scitech that I think I might go back during the school holidays and spend a day there with both my girls!!! (Marlene, Kim- you interested?????)

After we explored, it was time for lunch. Then we had to head back to school...however one of the teacher heard on the radio that a whale had washed up on the beach in Safety Bay. (Safety Bay is the next suburb to the school) We diverted the bus slightly and did a bit of impromptu adventuring. Off this group of 27 kids and 6 adults went and we found the washed up whale- unfortunately it was dead but an interesting source of conversation anyway!!!

Here it is.. It was an 18 month old humpback whale which probably died from an illness and then was half eaten by killer whales and sharks. What a wonderful impromptu lesson the kids had!!! We arrived back just in time for the end of the day siren but over an hour after we were meant to!!!

Friday- I had to work on Friday and the day was fine until after school when I walked out to my car to go and collect my girls. During the day, some *&@*@* had hit my car!!! I was fuming. Across the back bumper is a lovely big scratch. Grrr, I can't believe that someone hit my car and then failed to do anything- yep, no note was left, nothing. Boy was I pi***d off. I was spitting chips. When I finally got to pick up my girls Emma greeted me with this hugest smile and an honour certificate in her hand. She was so excited that my anger just melted away. Both the girls had their reports with them and once I had read them, my whole attitude changed. The girls had received brilliant reports and really my car can be fixed so... I'm over it. But watch out whoever hit my car...I believe in KARMA!!!

Then on Friday night (after 3 games of basketball) I packed my bags ready for my mini adventure to Kalgoorlie. I'll update on my weekend away next post!!!

Monday- I managed to drag myself out of bed for school. Then that brings us to today!!! YAY- today my partner-in-crime and I went off on a scrap shopping adventure. I love days like this!!! We dropped our kids at school and then off we went. We stopped at Just Scrapbooking first for a spend up. Then we went up to Scrapbooks From The Heart for some more spending- yeee haaa!!! We also visited The Catholic Corner so I could get some things for Emma as she has her First Reconciliation next week. Then off to Carousel Shopping Centre for lunch and some more shopping!!!! I had a great day- Thanks Kim!! I have well and truly stocked up on my scrapping supplies so that this weekend Kim and I can start our holiday challenge again!! Check back in on Friday or Saturday to see our challenges this time around...and of course you are welcome to join us if you like!!!

I really must go- Adam is home from indoor cricket and I'm off to spend some time with him- I'll update you on my fantastic Kalgoorlie trip next post...promise!!!

Stay safe and stay warm!!!

Love Janine xxx

Loved....

Do you know the feeling, the one where someone does something for you because they want to...not because you have asked, not because you have hinted, not because you have whined, not because you have expected or demanded....just because they wanted to and they love you??? Well, that is the feeling that I have had for the past few day!!!...such a nice feeling!!! :) :) :)

I've also been busy today...and RUTHLESS!!! I have finally started sorting my scrapping area properly!! My scraping area is in our family room and visible to all. It is, unfortunately, the messiest area in my house-arrrrggghh!!

I'm so proud of myself, I have been so ruthless!!! I have got scrap stuff that is years old and I KNOW I will NEVER use it, yet I keep it......not any more!!! I haven't finished yet but WOW my area is looking so much better, cleaner and more usable already!!! I also have a green garbage bin full and a huge box of scrapping supplies to donate!!!

It is nearly time to pick the girls up from school so I'll leave you with just a few of the beach photos I took Sunday. I haven't even had time to edit them properly yet but I'm loving them already! I can see lots of happy scrapping hours ahead with these photos!!!

I hope your day is just as wonderful as mine! I'm off out to dinner tonight with some girlfriends- looking forward to that.. good food, good wine and good company- just what I love!!

Be happy,

Love Janine xxx

Oh and if you have a chance, check out the new site at The Boxx- Maria has done a fantastic job!!!

Happy Sunday.

Firstly....Meet Miss Rani! Rani is staying with us while her Mummy and Daddy are off having a wonderful holiday in Phuket(Aunty Lorraine has gone too!). She is an old girl like Chloe and totally gorgeous!! Rusty must think he is in doggy heaven with two females living with him but believe me both Chloe and Rani tune the young whipper snapper Rusty in when he annoys them too much!!!

We picked Rani up on Friday after school and she will be staying for a two week holiday... the girls are thrilled ....three dogs to play with!!!!

Sarah and I went to see The West Coast Eagles play on Saturday night...hmmm, what a disappointing game it was. The Eagles got flogged by Geelong. We had this very nice but rather drunk Geelong supporter sitting near us and the more goals Geelong got, the more beers he drank!! He was a happy drunk however so all was good. It was way too cold, freezing infact so I was rather glad to get home.

This morning after a little sleep in I made the most delicious mushroom soup. I saw the recipe on Tamar's blog a week or so ago so made it first thing this morning and the house smelt delish all day while it slowly simmered away- YUMMO!! Thanks Tamar!!!

I also completed my Nic Anderson scrapjack today. I must say, I loved scrap jacking Nic as I love her style- right down my alley IYKWIM. Thanks Nic!!!!

Here is a close up of the flowers.

This afternoon I took the girls for a walk along the beach and took my camera too....the result.... about 260 photos of my girls!!!! They are still on my camera at the moment however when I download them I'm positive I'll have a heap of new photos to scrap- WOOOO HOOOO!!!

Not much else to report. I have a busy, busy, busy week ahead of me but hopefully I'll get back in a few days with some beach photos.

Stay safe and BE HAPPY!!!!

Love Janine xxx

Wooooo hoooooooo!!!

I just have to say.....


I have the best, most wonderful husband in the whole wide world!!!!

:)

Happy, happy, happy!!!!

WOW- two posts in one day!! I'm having such a HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY day and yet nothing out of the ordinary has happened- strange huh???
I was busy all day but for some reason I feel really content tonight- huh, I'm happy to go with it!!!!

I had two appointments today. Firstly I had an appointment to have my eyes checked- no deterioration in my eyes (good news) and new trendy, super cool glasses on order(more good news). I had an appointment to see Emma's teacher (more good news). I made appointments for the girls at the dentist (good news for me, maybe not for them- LOL), I booked Emma's First Reconciliation (good news), I booked an appointment for Sarah at the orthodontist (hopefully good news), I had afternoon tea with Aunty Lorraine (Aunty Lorraine flys off to Phuket on Friday -good news for her!!!!!), I cleaned and washed and vacuumed (good) and I cooked a scrummo yummo dinner( good!!) .... and I scrapped a LO (good, good, good).... so..... TODAY HAS DEFINITELY BEEN A GOOD DAY- I {love} good days!!!

Here is my LO-



I so hope your day has been good!!!
Love Janine xxxx

Banana photos as promised!!!

Here they are- B1 & B2. Cutest bananas I've ever seen!!

I love seeing the closeness that these two girls share. It is so warm and fuzzy to see! Friendship is a wonderful thing!

Sarah's assembly went off beautifully. The class said a poem about Australia that they had written themselves and then sang a medley of Australian songs- it was fabulous. The kids had to dress as something Australian- hence...B1 & B2. Merv Hughes was there, as was Dame Edna, a kangaroo and emu joined in as well!!! I was very impressed and you could just tell that the kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves too! Great stuff!

I loved the photos so much I just had to scrap one of them!!!

Sarah played in another basketball carnival on Sunday. This time it was in Australind (near Bunbury). Adam went to Bunbury on Saturday to help Mum out with some things so instead of driving home, he stayed overnight. So on Sunday morning the girls and I drove to Australind and Adam met us there. The carnival went well. Rockingham beat Willetton 1 in the first game(23 - 11), then Willetton 2 in the second game (28 - 23) and narrowly lost to Lakeside in a third game(20-22). All in all, a good day. The rain was a bit of a pain- it rained and rained and rained. We drove down in the pouring rain- the rain was so heavy between Rockingham and Dawesville that it was very difficult to even see. I don't think the rain has stopped yet and it is now Tuesday!!! Good for some I suppose!!!

YAY- guess what.... Dad is now home in Bunbury!! Woo hooo! He is so happy to be home- the rest of us are too!! Dad is now able to be at home and can continue his physio in Bunbury- happy, happy, happy!!

More woo hoo news- I've booked myself flights to Kalgoorlie and back in a few weeks time for one of my bestie's 4oth birthday party. Adam and I ummed and arred about us all going however in this busy life we lead it was going to be too much hassle so.... I'm off on my own for a party weekend- YAY!!!

Talking about turning 40 -here is my very own 40 year old!!!

I really must go- I've several appointments today. I hope your day is happy.

Love Janine xxx

Heeelllloooooo!!

Hey- guess what I've been doing????


No idea, huh?? Well I've been making B1 & B2 costumes!!! Sarah's class has their assembly item tomorrow and Sarah and her bestie are B1 & B2- you know, the Bananas in Pyjamas. I was trying to be slack and the hire costumes ...but (darn it) the costume shop didn't have any so what was a resourceful gal to do- yep, that's right...make them!!!
Sorry I have no photos to share yet ...I delivered B2's costume this afternoon so I promise I will take heaps of photos tomorrow.

In other news, Dad has now been moved to Bentley Rehabilitation Hospital for some intense physio. He should be home in Bunbury in no time- woo hoo. HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY.

And I have some scrapping to share!! Yeeee haaaa!




Life is still busy- zooming along at a zillion miles an hour... so whatever you are doing.... think happy, be happy and hug your loved ones!!!

Take care,
Love Janine xxx

I'm married to a forty year old!!!

Yes, today my wonderful husband turned forty!!! Happy Birthday Honey!!!! I met Adam when we were both 21 so we are getting close to have known each other for half of our lives- scary!!!
Due to "life" we didn't celebrate properly. Adam's Mum and Dad are on a round the world, three month holiday, my Dad is still in hospital, Mark is still not well and Mum and Brad are back in Bunbury so we decided just to celebrate quietly for Adam's actual birthday and then in a month's time we hope to celebrate bigger. (I'm 40 in two months so we thought if we have a 'party' in a month's time, it can be a combined fortieth- IYKWIM)
Anyway I couldn't let today go by without a photo of the birthday boy and his cake!!

I bought Adam a vintage motor bike, a Bantam, for his birthday, unfortunately it's not here yet. Dad is in a vintage bike club and helped me get the bike organized however with Dad still in hospital, things didn't quite work out... so Adam will have to wait a few weeks for his bike. I have told him it is coming and he is absolutely stoked. Hmm, I'm nearly tempted to get my motor bike licence so I can ride it!!!

Mum and Dad bought Adam a woollen underlay for our bed- we put it on bed last night- WOW- it is so comfy!! LOL- I benefit from that present as well!!!!

Adam had a very quiet start to his birthday this morning...it was just he and I!!! Woo hoo!

Emma's friend Kira had her birthday back in April however due to Kira's Grandma being quite ill, Kira's sleep over for her birthday was put on hold...until last night. I dropped Emma off at Kira's house about 1:30pm esterday and I didn't see her again until about 3:30pm this afternoon. She had a ball- they made jewelry boxes, they rode bikes, they rode Green Machines, they made pancakes from breakfast and they even went boogie boarding at the beach!! Emma came home saying it was the best birthday party ever!!!

After I dropped Emma off at Kira's yesterday, I went to pick Sarah up from Grace's house however Sarah and Grace had convinced Marlene to let Sarah sleep over ....so I came home childless!!!

Adam and I enjoyed a quiet night at home together. In fact it is the first night EVER, since having children, that we have spent the night and home without kids and without going out. We enjoyed take away, wine and some movies. Well... I watched the first movie by myself while Adam watched the football (grr Eagles). I watch 27 Dresses. I enjoyed it but it wasn't as good as I thought it would be. Adam and I watched P.S. I Love You together and boy oh boy was it the most wonderful movie- I bawled but it was the best movie I have seen in ages- I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. I loved it so much I'm going to buy myself a copy of the movie- fantastic movie and very emotionally motivating.

The rest of today (without kids) I cleaned!!! This time my en suite got the once over! The rest of the house was dusted, cleaned and vacuumed, two loads of washing were washed and I even cooked a roast dinner for Adam (he did help with this- what a sweetie!) Dinner was scrummo yummo!

Okay- let me go back to Sarah- she has been offered a place at Iona!!! Her interview wasn't really an interview. When we got there on Wednesday, there were about 12 or so girls with their parents and the principal spoke to us all as a group. The girls had been pre selected and this was more of an information talk. Earlier this year we were required to send in information such as WALNA results and school reports...so the school had already selected these students and Wednesday was merely a meeting and information night. Sarah is super excited and Adam and I are very pleased also. I now have two weeks to pay Sarah's holding deposit!!! Woo hoo!

On the scrapping front I have scrapped a few LOs- nowhere near as many as I would like to have completed however I've been going up to the hospital to visit Dad on the days I don't work so it sort of cuts into my time. Never mind...family is more important. I haven't photographed any of the LO I have done... so I will do that soon- it won't be tomorrow as I work and after school, Emma has jazz and tap, Sarah has Flames basketball training and tap and Brad will be here for dinner and to stay the night as he flies out to Port Hedland on Tuesday... oh man, my life is non-stop!!!

Hmm, I can't think of anything else to say at the moment so I'm off to spent more time with my forty year old!!!! Be happy and stay safe!

Love Janine xxx

P.S. The Parthenon was the building Sarah built for her project- LOL- had she not told me I would have never known either!!!

Hi all...

Hey- how good are you at Greek history??? Can you name this structure????

I have scrubbed out the name of this structure from Sarah's project so I can give away a RAK- everyone who answers correctly will go into a draw!! Come on...here's a hint...that is the Greek goddess of wisdom at the front!!!! (Kim G - you are not allowed to enter as Emily did the same project!!!!!)

How cool is this project!! Sarah is in year 5 and her class have been studying Greek mythology- I have learnt more in the past few weeks from Sarah than I ever knew from my own schooling!!! Their project was to construct one of four structures. Sarah absolutely loved doing hers- she chatted and told me all about the structure and the related Gods etc while she built it.

I went into Sarah's class this afternoon when I picked her up and I also checked out all the other kid's structures- boy some were fabulous!!! I really loved the Trojan Horses- that's what I wanted Sarah to construct however she had her heart set on constructing ???????. Go on, have a guess and you may win a yummo RAK- nothing to lose really. (I will post a RAK overseas too!!)

Not much else has been going on. As Mum is in Bunbury, I have been going up to see Dad every second day. (Someone has to do his washing as the hospital doesn't!) The last few times I have been in Perth I have been managing to squeeze in a bit of shopping (gotta love that!) I know this sounds terrible but I could shop everyday and not get sick of it!!!!

Tomorrow evening Sarah has her interview for Iona- the high school we have chosen for her. I am feeling very excited for Sarah, not at all nervous, for as much as I'm sad that my first born is growing older, I'm excited that she is beginning a new chapter in her life. I am comforted however by the fact that high school is still 18 months away despite her being interviewed now! I am not really worried about Sarah getting offered a place, in fact if I can sound conceited, I honestly believe this is just a formality. Still, it is very exciting for Sarah and she is in her own mini dilemma of what to wear- LOL!!!

What ever you are doing, I hope it is wonderful.

Have a safe and happy week.

Love Janine xxx

Wild weather and a scrapjack!

Wow- Perth was hit with some crazy, wild weather yesterday. Here in Rockingham, there were trees and fences bought down, at least one roof was torn off and bins (in Port Kennedy) were thrown all over the place! The girls and I braved the weather to get hair cuts and then the girls had acrobatics....I can tell you, as soon as that was over we came home and stayed home!!!! Great day for being indoors!! Poor Adam, due to the nature of our business, (we own a communications company) he had plenty of call outs due to lightning striking and damaging telephone systems. So....he and his staff were busy, busy, busy yesterday. No damage to report here, just leaves, small twig branches and junk mail blown all over the place!!

Yesterday afternoon, I cleaned some more! YAY!!! Several more cupboards sorted and cleaned and my wheelie bin full again!!!
I did actually sit down and scrap last night- I realized that May's scrapjack was due at midnight last night so ...taaa daa....here is mine.

We were able to scrapjack Dee Heath this time and I really enjoyed creating this LO. Thanks Dee!!! This photo is an older one I found of Emma- this is at her 5th birthday party. I hired the most amazing face painter ever- RosieO - I would highly recommend her for birthday parties!!!

This afternoon the girls and I are going to visit Dad. Adam has driven to Bunbury to deal with some family issues- yes, my younger brother AGAIN! Brad (my older brother) is in Bunbury already. He went down on Friday to stay with Mum. I so hope things start to calm down and level out soon.

Hopefully your weekend is sailing along smoothly. We have a public holiday tomorrow so I hope to get some more scrapping and cleaning done.
Have a wonderful day!
Love Janine xxx

Yes- I'm still here!!!

Oh man- what a week.
Firstly - fantastic news- my big brother Brad, whom I think the world of and love dearly, flew home last Friday night. Brad, his wife and kidlets have been happily sailing around Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia for the past 12 months... however due to certain circumstances, Brad had flown home temporarily- much to my delight!!!!Georgie and the boys are still on the yacht in Langkawi. I picked Brad up from the airport last Friday night and look what he brought for my girls-
How happy do these girls look!!! LOL- don't worry, that bottle is filled with chocolates- not alcohol!!!!
Dad was absolutely thrilled to see Brad too. Talking of Dad- more good news...his kidneys are functioning normally and if he continues as is, he will not need further dialysis- woo hoo!!! Within the week, Dad should move from Royal Perth to Bentley rehabilitation hospital for lots of physio to get him walking properly and from there- woo hoo- HOME!!! Yee ha!! Dad has been in hospital since March 6th and I can tell you- he is well over hospitals!!!!

On the scrapping front- not much has been going on... quite sad really. :(
Just a few LOs.

Yes, I know there is an 'r' missing - this is Em on one of Dad's vintage motor bikes.
Emma again- being a pink pirate!!!The LO looks dull here, sorry but the LO looks better IRL.

In other news, my younger brother has made life extremely difficult this week and I have lost lots of sleep over him. I have tried my hardest to protect my girls from all his cr*p, however I feel it is all getting on top of me. Some days I could just scream at the total and utter lack of suitable medical facilities available for mentally ill people. All I can say is that thank goodness we are a strong and together family or we would have fallen over and crumbled long ago. Enough said.

Woo hoo- it is a long weekend here in Perth and apart from haircuts and acrobatics in the morning... we have not much on!! I am so hoping I can get some scrapping done- LOL- I'm having scrapping withdrawals!!! I was planning to scrap tonight however I went off to a friend's house instead...now I'm home- I'm ready for bed!!! LOL!!!

I hope your weekend is sensational!!!
Love Janine xxx

Delicious soup!!!

I made the yummiest soup tonight so I thought I'd share.

Sweet Potato and Pear Soup.
25g butter
1 white onion- finely chopped
750g orange sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 2cm cubes
2 firm pears, peeled and chopped into 2cm cubes
750ml vegetable or chicken stock
250ml cream (fresh or sour)
mint leaves to garnish

Melt butter, cook onions until soft. Add potatoes and pears and cook for a few minutes. Add stock, bring to the boil and then simmer for 20 minutes or until potatoes and pears are soft. Cool slightly then puree. Add cream, garnish and serve.

Yummo!!! We had this tonight with some delicious crusty bread- mmmm very nice indeed! I love soup in winter and I'm always looking for new yummo recipes ....so if you feel inclined to share, then please do. :)

In other news, my darling daughter (said with gritted teeth) closed and locked the front door this morning- with the house keys still in the house - aaaarrrrggghhhh.
Luckily I'm not the helpless type so I climbed on the roof (yes I was dressed ready for work), pushed roof tiles up, squeezed through into the roof cavity, crawled to the manhole and jumped through into the house, unlocked the house, when back up onto the roof to replace the roof tiles, jumped back down and then had to get changed (I was covered in dust from the roof cavity) and then off I went to work!! Great start to the day huh!! I can laugh- NOW!!

I forgave her however because like my Emmy girl, I love my beautiful Sarah girl too. Love her, love her, LOVE HER!!! Last Friday she got a merit award at the assembly and her teacher spoke to me telling me how she is continually impressed with Sarah. Hmm that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. We received a letter yesterday from the high school we have enrolled the girls in and Sarah has her enrolment interview in two weeks. Bit scary, however I have no doubts that Sarah will do well. Worried about me though- what am I going to wear?? LOL!!!

I thought I'd finish with some fantastic news- Mum is back home in Bunbury at the moment and tonight she rang me in tears, happy tears- Dad is being taken off dialysis for the time being. The doctors are really pleased with how he is progressing so they are stopping dialysis to see how he manages! This is just the best news as about a week ago, the doctors told us that the chances of Dad's kidneys working again were slim. HAPPY, HAPPY NEWS!

I hope your week is just as wonderful. Oops, I know I haven't posted my most recent LOs- will do that tomorrow!

Be happy and believe that good things happen!
Love Janine xxx

Check out this girl!

She is just so beautiful!! Yes I know I'm slightly bias but hey....check out these photos!

Hard to believe she is only eight! I love her to bits, she's my gorgeous Emmy girl!! Love her, love her, LOVE HER!!!!

This last photo, I took today. The girls went to a birthday party and I stayed and helped out. I also took a heap of photos. It was a fabulous party. Lian (the birthday girl's Mum) had all the bits and pieces for the girls to make gorgeous bead necklaces, bracelets and earrings. It was fantastic and all the girls made terrific jewelery- clever cookies!

Well, this week has been yet another busy week-gawd, aren't they all!!! As well as the craziness of all the afternoon activities and weekend sports, I have done some more cleaning- YAY!!! I have three more HUGE garbage bags full of clothes ready for the Good Sammies. It feels so good to be doing all of this 'cleaning and clearing out'! Watch out.... because I still have heaps more to clear out!!! LOL- don't stand still in my house or you may be cleared out!!!

On the scrapping front, I've had a bit of an off week. At one stage I had three unfinished LOs on the go. This is unusual for me as I usually finish one LO before starting the next. So on Saturday night, I sat down determined to finish the LOs and I managed to finish two of them! I'll photograph them soon and share.

I hope that your week is wonderful.

Stay safe and cuddle your kids often!

Love Janine xxx

What does a Mum do on Mother's Day???

Be a taxi driver for her 10 year old DD and take her to yet another basketball carnival of course!!!! Luckily we didn't have to leave quite so early as last time. Sarah played in an Under 12's basketball carnival in Mandurah this afternoon. It was games only, no finals and our team won their first game 22-12. Their second game was an 'on-the-edge-of-your-chair-game' - very even, low scoring and going goal for goal. Unfortunately our girls went down by one goal however it was a fantastic game. Their last game of the day was a walk over. They won, convincingly, 30-17. I seem to have been given the job of official photographer for the team. After each carnival I've been asked to supply a photo of the team for the RBA website.

Here are the team after their final game this afternoon. Sweaty lot huh??? I love that Sarah is a part of this team- she is widening her group of friends and experiencing new situations with this team and I'm so proud of how she is handling herself. So.... I didn't really mind spending my Mother's Day taxiing my girl around! :)

Okay, on to Mother's Day- HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all the mothers out there!!! I am a firm believer in quality, not quantity so I hope you spent a lot of today being with and cuddling your gorgeous children. I'm not particularly into the commercial, spend heaps of money on Mother's Day thing. In fact, I love my children's handmade treasures far more than any bought items on Mother's day. My absolute favourite to date has to be Emma singing to me "You are my Sunshine" - this was last year and still very fresh in my mind and heart.

I roped Adam into taking heaps of photos tonight of Mum, myself and the girls, then myself and the girls and then just Mum and I.... so I will have some fresh new photos to scrap very soon!!!! Wooo hooooo!!!!

Speaking on things made... here is the mini box that I made for my Mum for Mother's Day- the one I would now love to keep myself!!! I bought the kit from Tarisota, a gorgeous 'Box of Love' designed by Suz Doyle. My Mum loved it and so did I. Here it is...

Anyway, I still have uniforms to iron for tomorrow (groan) so I had better go. I do hope your Mother's Day was wonderful.

Have a fabulous week.

Love Janine xxx

Yeah, yeah... I'm still alive!

I honestly don't know where the last week has gone - HEY who stole last week!! LOL!!!
This week at school we have had the little kiddos doing lots of great things for Mother's Day. Check out this card. For those of you whom were lucky enough to be at the Scrapboxx retreat, you may remember that I won the raffle- THE CUTTLEBUG!!!! YIPPEE!!! Well, I've put it to good use. I took it to school and let all my little 5 year olds have a go- aren't I nice!! (It is safe, back at my house now!) They all made a card similar to this for their Mums for Mother's Day. I was wrapped with how the cards turned out. We did lots of other bits and pieces for the Mums including making Chocolate Yum Yums and Ginger and Macadamia Nut Balls with the kids for their Mums. (I have the recipes and am happy to share if anyone wants easy recipes that kids can easily cope with)
On Wednesday, we had a special Mother's Day afternoon tea for the Mums. We helped the kids make scones and sultana and cinnamon pikelets. The kids sang a collection of songs for the Mums, presented them with their presents and then served them afternoon tea. The Mums were thrilled and so were we- a great afternoon for all involved!

Apart from that life has just been ticking along. I have been doing more cleaning- I am really loving the fact that I'm finally getting organized. This week I've cleaned out several cupboards in the kitchen. given Emma's bedroom the once over(again) and started on the hanging clothes in my walk-in-robe.
We have also had dancing x2 , basketball training, hip hop x2, netball training x2, more basketball training x2 and basketball games x3.

On the scrapping front, I haven't done a great deal however this week, I have made the most gorgeous mini photo box album for my Mum for Mother's Day- I will share after Sunday! I really like it and would now like to keep it myself!!!
Sorry about the terrible scan but here is the LO that I did over a week ago now. I am really missing my scrapping time however am totally loving my more organized house. Sadly the messiest area in my house now is my scrapping space. I'm just such a messy scrapper, I really don't think my scrap desk will ever remain neat for long!!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and to all the Mums out there- have a lovely day on Sunday.
Stay safe and be happy.
Love Janine xxx

Basketball, netball, more cleaning and a movie!

Oh man, I've been living life in the fast lane!!!!

Friday afternoon saw the beginning of the winter basketball season. Emma played first and I'm thrilled to say her team won. Emma is not the most competitive player however she played really well and 'got in there' with the boys in her team! (Em is the only girl in her team!) Sarah's team player straight after and they won as well- convincingly...52-4. Sarah is not only playing in the under 12 competition but in the under 14 comp as well. Her U14 team is made up from the girls in the U12 Flames development squad. Their coach is playing them up a division to give the 'hard' game practice. They lost their first game however the team they played were the winners of the U14 summer season and no other team in the summer comp scored double figure against them. Our girls lost but score 25 points to their 39. No bad considering!!!

Saturday saw the beginning of the winter netball season. Emma's team started the season brilliantly. They won 26- 2. Emma scored 13 of her team's 26 goals and she only played in goals for 2 of the four quarters!!!
Sarah's team won as well although not as convincingly. They won 9-3. Overall it was a good start to the basketball/netball winter season!!! Yes- I love team sports for my girls. I love that it builds team skills and wonderful friendships. Crazy for me however running from training here, there and everywhere!!!

After netball on Saturday the girls and I took the train to Perth to see Dad. (Mum had already gone up in the morning.) Dad is looking so much better. We were able to take Dad in a wheelchair down to the cafe and have a coffee. He is improving however is still having dialysis for his kidneys three times a week. His leg is looking not too bad. Most of the skin grafts took and his leg is slowly improving. He looks thinner however- at last weigh in, he has lost 20kg!!! (This is not a bad thing for my Dad as he was quite overweight)

After leaving the hospital, Mum, the girls and I walked into Perth and ...you guessed it...went shopping!!! This sports store was having a closing down sale and we got some great bargains!!! I was very pleased to pick Sarah up a fabulous pair of basketball shoes for about 60% off- BARGAIN!!!

Later that night, after dinner, Mum and I got in the cleaning mood and I cleaned out my 'plastics' cupboard and also my pot drawer - I threw out heaps and now both and spick and span.

Sunday is the day of rest right...WRONG. Mum went off to the hospital early so Adam and I did a heap of gardening. Edges done, lawns mowed, patio and drive way swept, weeds pulled- a great morning's work!! By lunchtime Adam wanted to settle in and watch the footy so I decided to take the girls to the movies. Emma decided not to come in the end after much ummmming and arrring. I'm glad she didn't because Sarah and I went to see The Spiderwick Chronicles and I just know that Emma would have found it too scary. Sarah and I loved it!! Sarah has read all five of the Spiderwick Chronicles books so was really looking forward to seeing the movie.

After we got home I decided to keep on cleaning my walk-in-robe. I have a set a drawers in my wir and a set in my bedroom but not in the wir, so I cleaned both of them. WOW- heaps more clothes for the Good Sammies!!! While I was doing that Adam decided to buy a new mattress for our bed. Lucky Harvey Norman's open on a Sunday! We have been talking about it for ages however had never gotten around to it so off he went this afternoon and bought us a new mattress for our bed. I had already stripped all the beds this morning and washed the sheets, pillow slips and doona covers so putting a new mattress on was no issue at all. Geee I hope it is comfortable!!!

On the scrapping front, I haven't done much at all- too busy cleaning!!! I do have one LO that I finished during the week but I haven't photographed- soon I promise.!

I do however feel very pleased with myself with all the clearing out I have achieved!! Woo hoo- I feel like I'm slowly getting my house organized!!!!

Before I go, please remember Maddie McCann in your prayers- today is the first anniversary of her disappearance. I can't even begin to imagine how her parents must feel.

Stay safe, stay happy and have a wonderful week.

Love Janine xxx

Out with the old.....

...and in with the new!!!!
I think I need to go shoe shopping!!!

My walk-in-robe needs a HUGE clean out so I decided to start today by cleaning out and sorting my shoes. I threw out (bin or Good Sammies) 28 pairs of shoes- YES 28 PAIRS!!!! OMGawd!!!! Boy was I ruthless!!!!

Now the shoes that I still have are fabulously neat however looking rather sad in the number department- hmmmm, solution -SHOE SHOPPING!!!! LOL!!!

Hope your day has been wonderful!!!
Love Janine xxx