What a lovely surprise

This morning we headed out to swimming as per usual on a Wednesday, and when we came home, there was a big bag full of Barbies and Polly Pockets and their associated clothes and accessories sitting on our front door step.

When we came inside and checked the messages on the machine, we found out that our neighbours had been doing a clean out and their 11 year old daughter decided that she was too old them. So she happily passed them on to my girls.

I wish that I had taken a photo of the family room with dolls ALL OVER IT. The girls thought that all their Christmases had come at once.

But Ardyn (or course) still wants more. She was watching TV later in the afternoon and an ad came on for a doll of some description, and of course she comes out with "Can I have that for my birthday"? Oh dear, she has a birthday in 5 weeks, and then Christmas. I think that we may need a bigger box for the dollies.

xx

The nights are getting warmer

Which is better than the days getting warmer as it means that summer might really be coming!!!!

Yay!!
K xx

Hahahaha!!!!!

Lisa bought a sewing machine, and today we bought fabric for her to use with the sewing machine.

If you don't know Lisa, that's okay, ignore me.
If you know her, you'd understand why I'm laughing.

Hehehe.
Love you Miss L.

K xx

What has he done to my little girl?!!?!?!?!

This is the scene at our kitchen bench most Saturday mornings these days.

Yes, that's my 4 year old daughter reading the form guide and choosing her tips for the day.
So sad.

Even sadder was last weekend when Cal was out of town, and she told me that they needed to have a TV at the Fairy and Pirate Picnic so that she could watch the horse races while there.
Should I just be happy that they are bonding over something?

K xx

Thank goodness I scrapbook!

I was getting ready to head out to Merv's wedding yesterday evening, and as I was putting my dress on, I realised exactly how low cut it was. My bra kept showing. So I changed bras, and that still wasn't working. I decided that I was going to have to go braless, but I wasn't real comfortable with the way that the dress sat on my boobs. I was so scared that one of them would pop out at any moment.

Down to the study, into the scrapbooking supplies and out with the double-sided tape!!! Ha!

Who needs to go out and buy Magic Tape when all the help you need is right there in your craft supplies!!
And all night I was comfortable knowing that my dress was staying put.

Hooray for scrapbooking!!!!!
K xx

I survived!!!

I had my first dance class last night. After 36 years of never being interested in learning to dance, I have no idea as to what possessed me to start taking lessons. Ha! I signed up for Beginner Jazz classes at one of the local dance schools, and we ended up doing a Modern Contemporary routine, but it was still good.

I nearly made myself sick doing spot turns. Hehe. It took a little while for the dizziness to wear off. Right now and am now a little stiff through the hamstrings more than anything else. I didn't think that my abs hurt until just now when I was playing with Ardyn on the floor. It's all good. It was a fun and different way to get a workout.

Tonight I am off to Merv's wedding. It will be nice to frock up. Haven't done it in so long. Cal is already in town catching up with "the boys" prior to the event. I can't get to the service at 4:40 though as I can't get rid of the girls until about 6pm. We had trouble getting a babysitter, and our dear friend Sarah has come to the rescue and is taking the girls for the night. I don't know how I'm going to be though. The first night without my babies in the house. I don't think that I'll get much sleep actually. I have to get them early in the morning anyway as Sarah has stuff on - maybe that's a good thing.

It will also get me up to go to Zumba. More dancing. Yay! I'm really enjoying it. I don't know what I'm going to do once the term is off and the summer break is here. Maybe back to the gym? Maybe get all of this sewing done that is piling up. :)

I just got a couple of yummy Moda charm packs delivered - "Aviary" and "Basket of Flowers" - to make some cute cot quilts. And I have some sun hats cut out in the lounge room that need to be sewed, and of course all of the other projects that I have been 'meaning to do' for MONTHS!!!!

But I have scrapped this week. Geez! This is a lot more than I have done this whole YEAR. This one is for the Monthly Sketch Challenge over at Forever Always. I haven't posted it there yet, but will do later.


Time to get things organised for tonight. Six o'clock will be here before I know it!

Have a good weekend.
K xx

Strange....weird.......floopy

Yes, I know most of you think that about sums me up, but for the last few days I've been feeling a bit weird. Can't explain it. I've had a bit of a headache and a sore neck....I think that may be the culprit.......but I've been tired and sluggish, and really forgetful.

I was sitting on the couch last night reading a magazine and was trying to work out what it was that I have been doing on a Wednesday night, as I knew that I didn't sit on the couch, but for the life of me couldn't work out what it was. T about 9:30 I went to check my email and there was a message there from Forever Always as a reminder for the Wednesday night Recipe Scrap. What a duffer!!!

And by that time a was feeling REALLY tired and was looking forward to bed. Weird.
I will have to go to the forum and have a look anyway.

I may be just trying to catch up since the weekend. It was pretty full on. I was running around all weekend and getting a heap of stuff done (kind of reminiscent of when Cal was working) and then he came home and all of a sudden a I'm sluggish again (kind of reminiscent of when he first stopped working).

It's a strange feeling. I feel more on top of things and get more things done when he's not around. You'd think that by having an extra pair of hands it would make things easier. I think that it may make the big picture easier, but day to day it most certainly is not.

Anyway, just my musings for now. I had a few minutes to kill. Heh.
K xx

Oops!

Head over the the Forever Always Blog for the October Tutorial hosted by Ky.
A cool address book made using lots of beautiful Bella products.

Weekend ramblings

I forgot how much work the house and kids are when you have to do it by yourself!!! With Cal being off work for so long, it's been MONTHS since I've had to amuse both kids, while keeping the hose tidy and feeding us all. There is no time for yourself. With another body around it's a lot easier to get that 5 minutes to refresh. And given that the last time I had to deal with both of them myself on a daily basis, Bailey was barely 18 months old, and a lot less demanding. She's at that age where she's old enough to do stuff, but not old enough to do it by herself.

We'll get there.

All in all we are having a good weekend.
I forgot to mention WHY we are by ourselves. Cal is riding around Port Philip Bay today so he has been gone since Friday, and will be back tomorrow. For those of you who are not familiar with the Bay, that's where Melbourne is - hehe. He and a group of friends are riding 210kms around the Bay. And no, it's not just for the hell of it, it's an annual event organised by Bicycle Victoria. I think they're nuts myself, but good on them for having a goal and completing it. At least I assume that their going to complete it. They should be finishing soon-ish. Hope he gets through alright.

So I've been trying to get the kids out and keep them amused. After we dropped Cal at the airport on Friday morning, we went to Krispy Kreme at the airport and watched the planes take off and land while enjoying donuts and milkshakes - at least the kids did. I watched them enjoy them. Then over the the library and the park, and finally home again. We were all exhausted. Bailey went to bed, Ardyn crashed with her booty of books and I continued on with the domestic chores......ho hum.

Then yesterday the girls donned their fairy dresses and we headed over the the Glen Street Theatre for the Fairy and Pirate Picnic. I took my camera and was hoping to get some cool shots of the girls enjoying the fun, but in the first 10 minutes Bailey was scared by a pirate and wouldn't let go of me for AGES. I was carrying her for the first hour at least. Ardyn got all sooky when she was volunteered by a friendly fairy to be her helper during story time, and decided that she was going to hide behind my legs all day. So even though there were a heap of pirates and fairy friends everywhere, getting photos of them with the girls was impossible. They didn't even want their faces painted!!!! What the?? Then we came across a fairy hoola-hooping, and she had a TONNE of hoola hoops for the kids to enjoy. Well they lightened up a little then.

At 11:30 we headed over to the theatre for a Panto entitled "Fairy Princess's Surprise Party". It was pretty good, and they got really into it. Ardyn was screaming out instructions to the pixies and pirate and Bailey was dancing up a storm. There was even the obligatory "Behind You!!!!" being screamed by the adorable 4 year old next to me (Ardyn). No photos though due to Copyright restrictions, but they did have the performers pose for photos with the kids after the show. The girls actaully wanted a photo with them, but I wasn't waiting in line behind about 50 other kids for a photo when they were also complaining about being hungry. So....sooky 4 year old AGAIN.

For lunch we went and had a sausage sizzle, then got balloon flowers made and after that they decided that they wanted to have their faces painted. We did that, ran into a few friends, had a further treat (ice cream) and off we went home.

Bailey to bed, Ardyn chilled in front of the "idiot box" and I had a quick kip on the couch (and when I say quick, I mean about 15-20 minutes) before I got into the dishes and laundry again.

Never ending.
I had these grand plans to do a basket of ironing last night, but I ended up veging on the couch and watching "Sex and the City" and then read a bit of my book before I fell into a DEEP DEEP sleep.

Today I just took them to the Mall to get them out of the house (and get stuff for dinner). After lunch Bailey came to me with her sleep friends and asked to go to bed (!!?!?!? - not complaining), Ardyn is colouring and I am here. After I'm done here...back to the laundry and dishes - yippee (not)!!

I was hoping to be a little bit creative this weekend. Forever Always is having a CyberCrop this weekend, and I thought that I'd be able to get a bit of scraping done. It was a nice thought. If I even have a minute to attempt something creative, I have Ardyn at my heels wanting to scrapbook too. And I have to help her. So we have been creative for HER album. At least it's something I guess. Here's her creation.

I the other night (Thursday? Friday?) did manage to get my Recipe Scrap layout finished from Wednesday. It looks nothing like Amies, but hers was a good starting point for me. Here's what I came up with.

And just for the millionth time this weekend, Ardyn's just cracked the sads and stormed off to her room. This time because I wouldn't scrapbook with her RIGHT THIS SECOND. God forbid that I have 10 minutes to myself without her constantly in my ear!!! Whatever is it going to be like when they're teens if this is what I get at 2 and 4?

Bugger me!

And a quick plug for Lime Tart. I haven't been over there to look for a while, and I popped over to their gallery and Blog for a bit of inspiration and was quite excited about what I saw. Good job girls! They are also promoting their "Challenge Tuesdays". I will have to make sure that I remember to pop in on Tuesdays for a look-see. Why don't you?

I'll be back at some other stage with less about our 'doings', and more about stuff I've seen or like lately.
Thanks for visiting.
K xx

Pre-warning of a long post

I actually have a list of things here that I want to Blog about, but I just have to find the time to do it.
Later today.
K xx

Keep forgetting

I think that it's time to spread a little bit of happiness.

Do you remember the film "Pay It Forward" starring Haley Joel Osment and Kevin Spacey? The basic plot is: a young boy decides that if he can do three good deeds for someone and they in turn can "pay it forward" and so forth, positive changes can occur.

Well I was blog-surfing a couple of weeks ago, and came across this Blinkie on Sonia's Blog.

I have heard of Pay It Forward exchanges in the blogging/crafting world, but never participated. How it works is that I will make and send a handmade gift to the first three people who comment on this post requesting to join the PIF exchange. In return, these three people have to do the same and make the same promise on their blog, or in their lives.

And if someone wants to participate but is not crafty, you can comment (and I'll send you some handmade goodness) and you can just go out and do some good in the world.
Just pay something forward. Use your skills in some way, and do some good.

Now, I can't say WHEN I will get your handmade gift to you, but you WILL get it.

(Now I only hope that three people actually read my blog - haha!!!)

Do some good today! Go on!
K xx

My today

....has been quite busy. I dropped the kids at kindy, picked up some groceries, saw my Naturopath (I'm healthy again!!!), put some shelves up in Bailey's room, rearranged Bailey's room, ordered new bedroom furniture to go into the newly arranged room, dusted and tidied the house, vacuumed the floors and cleaned one bathroom.

The other two bathrooms can wait until tomorrow.
I think that is enough for one day.

Other things.......

Bad Girls Project 52 starts today. I am very keen to participate, and I hope that I keep motivated enough to keep going with it. I have been having a bit of creative time lately, and I really like it. I feel good for it. This is just another way to challenge myself.

I have enrolled in dance classes......stop laughing. I am going to be starting Jazz/Modern classes next Thursday night and am really looking forward to them. I'll let you know how I go.

I seem to have found a new scrapping home. I have been hanging out over at Forever Always and chatting the ears (!!...fingers???....) off the girls over there. They have inspired me, and I can feel my creative juices starting to flow again. On Wednesday nights they have a 'Recipe Scrap' where you are given a list of supplies and then scrap a layout using written instructions (kind of like an online class, but without the photos). It's interesting to see what everyone ends up creating. This is my layout from last week's scrap.

The supplies needed for this Wednesday's scrap are:

1 Photo 6 x 8 landscape orientation
1 sheet of cardstock
1 Piece of patterned paper
Alphas for title
Journaling pen
3 different colours cupcake papers - Yes what you use for cooking cupcakes
1 button
1 heart
kindyglitz, paint or glimmermist...
1 or 2 chipboard numbers (the layout is going to be based on a birthday so it depends on the age)

It starts at 8:30 (Eastern Summer Time). Go over to the forum and register, and I'll see you on Wednesday. Maybe???

And I have FA's fearless leader Sonia to thank for my Christmas tree Countdown widget. I'm sorry if it scares anyone, but I must admit that it leaves me with the unpleasant taste of reality in my mouth. Christmas is closer than I would like.

Lastly, one of the greatest fabric stores, The Oz Material Girls, is celebrating their 5th birthday. They are having competitions and giveaways over at their blog. Today's giveaway is a Shabby Rose Lecien Fabric Gift Pack which is simply beautiful. If you are into sewing or fabric, head over and have a look, then do yourself a favour and pop over to their store for a look-see. You won't be disappointed.

I think that I've shared enough of my recent movements and doings. I hope that you and your family are travelling well, and that life is good for you all.
Love and hugs,
K xx

Scrapbooking help needed!!!!

Okay, if anyone reading this is a scrapbooker, I need help.

Anyone who knows me as a scrapper knows that I do 1 page, generally single photos layouts. If I have more photos to scrap, I make a mini album.
Well I am challenging myself....

I have just printed out a heap or wallet-sized photos from Bailey's first birthday (yes, she turned 2 a couple of months ago!!!) and want to create a layout with them. I think that it will have to be a double page LO too!!! OMG!!!!!!

I nearly caved and made a mini album, but have decided to push through.

So I need some help with sketches/ideas. I am going through all of my CKs to check out Becky's sketches, but want more help.

I need you to email me any sketches or layouts that you think I may be able to get inspiration from. Lots of photos, double page.
Eeeek! I'm a bit scared.

Email to berga(at)netspace(dot)net(dot)au

Thanks,
K xx

I want this studio/office

Isn't it just airy and bright??? Don't you just wish that you had windows like that to peer out of?
Many more "desks with a view" can be seen here.

Today I love.......

Today I love

Hope you do too.
K xx

Photos - Aug/Sept 09

Our lives the past couple of months captured in photos.......

Crappy crappy

Feeling crappy crappy. Not physically, mentally. Emotionally. And when I have stress in my life, I eat. I think that in the last 12 hours I may have undone the last 6 weeks of good.

Back on the wagon Kirst.

Kids usually get what they want.......

......even if it involves proving to mummy that she really isn't an artist.

The last few days have been painful for most Sydney parents. The rain has been persistent, and most kids have been stuck inside for a few days now.
Well late today I gave in to the pleas from my kids. They had been begging for me to do some face painting for them. I have no idea why we have face paints in the house anyway (probably a good idea one day in the past), and I have even less idea where they found them.

So late this afternoon I sat each girl on a kitchen stool and proceeded to create a vision on thier face. The vision and the reality were really mile apart.

Bailey had a yellow flower painted over the side of her face and one eye. It looked like a very scary character from A Clockwork Orange (with curls). Eek!!!!
Ardyn requested a butterfly on he whole face. Once I got some lines around her eyes, I realised that this was in no way going to look like a butterfly. It ended up looking more like a bad blue mardi-gras mask with glitter on it.

But they seemed happy. I was just plain embarassed.

No, there are no photos. Do you really think that I would even further embarass myself (or my kids) like that????

And this weather doesn't look like stopping any time soon. What are they going to request over the next week. Please let it be 'normal' painting, or cooking, or something that I can actaully DO. Please!!!!!

K xx

What happened to spring????

Well we had the hottest September for ages or something, and now October comes and it's cold, wet and miserable. What a great start to the school holidays! YUK!!!!

Well I went to my first Zumba class today. It was held by one of the local dance teachers at a church hall, and was small and friendly. Just what you want. It was not intimidating and nonconfrontational. It wasn't over the top exhausting, but I still managed to work up a sweat and now that I'm cooling down a bit I can feel that I've worked my hips and abs. Good! Just what I wanted.

I have no idea what we are going to do this long weekend. The weather sucks, so no going ot the beach, the play centres will be chockers and Ardyn has been strangely sad and mopey this morning, so it may get worse.

:(

I can hear Ardyn and Cal coming home from her Saturday morning soprt now. Best run. Will post some photos later.
K xx