Mini RLO Reunion

Spent a wonderful weekend at Bargara outside of Bundaberg where I got to catch up with 4 other ex RLO's. What a weekend. These girls never fail to make me smile and laugh. Karen from Emerald arrived in on Friday, picked me up and we ventured down to Benaraby where we picked up Helen, and then drove through to Bundaberg. The lovely Maureen and her husband Don had already booked us into our Unit down at Bargara. You can imagine my shock when we arrived to find out that the very Units that Maureen had booked us into were now situated on the very block of land that had been Steve and my first home when we got married 30 old years ago. We lived on the top floor of a set of units that was built there. Unfortunately the units we lived in were torn down and replaced with this lovely set of units that we stated in. As you can image it was quite nostalgic for me and it was like a trip down memory lane. The whole weekend felt a little like then as I explored a lot of the area in which I had grown up. Maureen also supplied us with a wonderful dinner which honestly melted in our mouths. Janet and her husband Richard arrived within 10 minutes of us and we all shared a three bedroom unit right on the beach. Lots of laughter, hugs and stories were shared over a couple of bottles of wine.

On Saturday, we had a bit of a sleep in and then Richard, followed by Helen had a dip in the ocean whilst, Janet, Karen B and I all walked to Bargara. We had breakfast at 10am and were still sitting in the BarBQue area of the resort at 1pm so obviously breakfast turned into Brunch. We spent the afternoon chatting and having a look at the many photos that Richard and Janet had taken on their trip to Canada and Alaska. They have only been home a couple of weeks from their holiday of a lifetime. Late Saturday afternoon Maureen and I went for a drive around Bargara and to the supermarket. I grew up in Bundaberg so it was nice going to visit some of my old haunts and seeing how much it had all changed.

Saturday night we all went to the Bargara Pub for dinner and had our dinner out in the open on a deck that went out to the footpath - just a lovely evening, lovely company and a beautiful breeze. We we arrived home Richard, Janet, Karen and I all played a game of "Hearts" until close on midnight.

Sunday we spent exploring some of the other beaches in the area. we went down to Mon Repos where the turtles come up to nest. This was also another stomping ground from my youth. When I was in my teenage years, this was a beach we hung out at each week, so it was definately very interesting to go back and see how little it has changed in the last thirty years. it is still a gorgous beach though - took photos to share. We also then went for a drive to Burnett Heads. Took a photo of the old lighthouse. When I was growing up we always had our Sunday School picnic down here in the park where this lighthouse now stands. Had to take a photo for memories sake. After visiting these couple of beaches we went to Maureen and Don's home for a lovely lunch - exquisite salads that just made your mouth water - and after devouring them all we realized that we had not taken photos. We left Bundaberg about 4pm and arrived home at about 7.30pm last night. The weekend was such a HUGE success that we have decided to make it an annual event for at least the five of us, but also we have decided to organise a long weekend for the rest of the other RLO's in Brisbane for the middle of next year. Of course I have photos to share.
Just wanted to share a few of these photos with you.
This is the view from the front lawn of our unit - straight down onto the beach and it is a really safe family beach.
This photo was taken from the beach looking back towards our units and the pool.
Hade to take a photo of this shelter shed cause it hasn't changed in the slightest from when I was a kid. We used to often come down to here as a family after work and school for a swim and to have dinner in this shelter shed. Ah the memories. Us all having a late brunch on the beach with Maureen's son Phil. He often speaks to us on the phone but had never met us personally so he came down to visit and introduce himself om the Saturday morning. Such a lovely guy.
Photo of the five of us - five out of fifteen. This weekend is definately on the agenda to become a yearly event.

Just as we left Bundaberg, I got Karen to take us for a drive through the new Botanical Gardens, ( well technically they are not new now because they would have to be over ten years old. As I said before, I grew up in Bundy and it holds lots of wonderful memories for me, but another very special memory I have of Bundaberg is that of these gardens that my Dad was responsible for bringing to the city. You see he was Mayor of Bundaberg for many years and the drive through the Botanical Gardens was named after him. Of course I just had to stop and take a photo didn't I.
Last week, my friend Irene also came over one night and we sat and made some more cards together. Just thought I would share some of the new cards I made with Irene.
Got to play with my new Martha Stewart edge punch. So much fun.
Pretty basic card but I was happy with the way it turned out.
I had a play with the cuttlebug and the nestabilities with this card.

I was playing around with the Fancy boarder punch a bit more here. This card was made to go with the Secret sister gift for my secret sister at church, and here is a photo of the gift and card together.
Well another three day weekend has come and gone and it is back to work again tomorrow. I am only at work for one day this week as on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday I am off to a Literacy Training Seminar for three days. Then there are only two more weeks of school until our holidays. Steve actually finishes work this week - lucky thing, although I am sure he will be back at school again next week for a few days just to tidy up some loose ends from the year. Honestly where has this year gone. It just seems to have flown.

I have so many things I am thankful for and feel grateful for this week.

1. A wonderful weekend with a wonderful group of woman.
2. Unique friendships.
3. Sleepovers
4. Safety as we travelled on the weekend.
5. Meeting Phil.
6. Pedicures and manicures
7. Lunch with Karen B today.
8. An hour and a half of exercise in the pool tonight.
9. New red and white coffee mug
10. Air conditioning.

Cardmaking

I have never really been much of a card maker, but I have to admit, I have really been enjoying making cards this past couple of weeks. We have had a few people to thank, and at church we have a secret sister project going at the moment which means that a constant supply of cards will not go astray.
These are some of the cards that I have had fun making this week

Also managed to finish the rest of my Christmas cards - just got to add a bit of Kindy Glitz and they will be finished completely.
We have been running a "Secret Sister" program at church this last six months. We are given the name of someone else in the church and it is our responsibility to prayer for them and give them some small gifts and letters as an encouragement. Most of us don't know who our secret sister is and it will not be revealed until June next year.

Today, I made this little tea light candle holder for my secret sister, and I have added this verse to it as an encouragement to her.
It was actually quite easy to make. I just used an empty jam jar with a little bit of ribbon, flowers and bling added to it. It looks so effective. Thinking I might have to make a few more.

Look what I found when I was out shopping today.
I found these great cupcake toppers. I have been doing some research into toppers for cupcakes, and they are all so expensive ranging in price from 50cents each to over $2 each. Well I found these in Big W today for $2.45 each jar - enough in them to decorate a couple of dozen cupcakes. Real Bargain I would say. Here they are close up.
These little birds are so cute.
Saw these Crocodiles and thought they were too cute to pass up too.
And these fish - I can see a batch of cupcakes coming up for the guys from church to take next time they all go fishing - at least that way they can be assured of a feed of fish - even if they are the lolly variety on top of cupcakes.

I am hoping to make some cupcakes as gifts this Christmas - I have been looking around for ideas for decorating them - but in the process found these awesome cupcake papers from here
Think I might just have to order myself some of these. Then I found these - frightfully expensive but how cool do they look. You might be tempted if you had a very special occassion. I found these ones here.
In other news - Chloe has her cast off - after 8 long weeks, she now has to learn to walk again. We visited the Physio today- long list of exercises she must do to get her strength back. We also had to have her foot x-rayed again today and see the doctor. Unfortunately, her foot has not mended as it should and there is still a good chance that she will need surgery again in the next 4-6 weeks. They need for her now to start taking some weight through her foot. This will cause one of two things, either with the extra blood flow and circulation will cause her foot to heal, or it will cause the bone to break again and in that case she will need surgery to have it pinned. It will also probably mean that she will need to have it pinned in Brisbane as she will need to be seen by a specialist who understands neuropathy.

I have so many things to be thankful and grateful for this week.

1. Gloria Jeans
2. A new black fineliner which has been getting a real workover this week with all the card making
3, A glass of fresh cold water.
4. Fellowhip with new and old mates
5. air conditioning
6. The Gym Pool and getting to swim laps.
7. Fellowship with my online sisters at SofF.
8. That we have confidence that God is in control even though we don't always understand the things that happen arund us.
9. Truth because it really does set you free.
10. Card making and being able to use my creativity to bless others.

One Sleep to Go

Only one sleep to go and she can say hooray to this
And these
Well perhaps she may need these a little longer until she regains some strength in her leg. It is 8 weeks since she broke her foot and I think that Chloe is almost counting the minutes down now until the cast comes off tomorrow.

It will be a big day tomorrow. She has a couple of specialists she needs to see so here's hoping that everything will be fine and there will be no setbacks.

It has been a big week here. Last weekend I had a work conference. It was a State Teacher Aide Conference called "Lighting the Way" put on by the LHMU and Ed Qld for professional development for Teacher Aides. There was probably about 120 of us there with as many coming from out of the district as there were with local Teacher Aides. It ended with a dinner on the Saturday evening. It is always nice to meet new people and lots of networkng was done. Thought I would share a collage of some of the guys I work or have worked with.I have also managed to do some scrapbooking this week - mostly stuff I have to get done for committments but I did manage to take up Ingeborg's challenge from her challenge blog and complete this layout.
I have not been having much luck photographing layouts lately - it seems to be too late in the day before I can get a chance to get the camera out and then there always seems to be a gloss over the photos on the layout when I take the photo. Anyone got any helpful hints on how to prevent this.

I also managed to get a few more tags done for the Scrap of Faith Hope Tins.
I have also been busy making Christmas Cards for our final scrapbooking get together for 2009 in two weeks time. I am pretty happy with them and now I feel motivated to make my own Christmas cards this year. Am really liking the BG Christmas papers this year -
Had fun using bling, Kindy Glitz and ribbon on these cards - my favourite things to use.

Last night I got to go out for dinner with the ex-Allies girls. We have been getting together for afternoon tea or dinner each month now for 3 years. Even though most of us have moved on to greener pastures, I love that we still get to spend time together. They are such an awesome group of women and we always manage to have a good time together with plenty of laughter. Unfortunately three of the girls couldn't make it last night, so we have decided that we will just have to get together for dinner again in the next month. Any excuse to get together is a good one.
Finally I have so many things to feel grateful and thankful for this week:

1. The ex-Allies girls and their friendship.
2. Laughter - a good medicine for the soul.
3. Gentle breezes and pleasant temperatures.
4. A drive to the beach with my daughter
5. Cherishing days off.
6. Fresh fruit and vegetables
7. God's promises
8. The smell and sound of rain.
9. Great doctors and wonderful medical attention.
10. God's faithful provision in supplying for us each and every day, especially in our work places.

Hope you are all having a great week - not long to the holidays and Christmas now.

Feeling pretty flat tonight

Received some really sad news today. I found out this afternoon, that one of my old neighbours was flown to Brissie today because they have found out that she has a couple of brain tumors. She rang me so that I could let one of our other neighbours know. She didn't want to ring him with the news she wanted someone to be there with him when he was told. It just breaks my heart. It seems we are surrounds by close friends and church family who are presently suffering from the dreadful "C" disease. My heart breaks for them and their families. Unfortuantely all of them are way too young.

I have been busy making these this week.


Just a few encouragement tags for the Hope Tins that the girls from Scrap of Faith put together for those going through a bit of a hard time. Sorry about the poor quality of the photos but they were taken at night - not the best time to take photos of scrapbooking unfortunately but the only time I have at the moment.
Well I need to get to bed - I have a very early start in the morning. I have a work seminar to attend all day tomorrow. 8am for and 8.30am start. The seminar finishes at 5pm and then we have the conference dinner starting at 6.30pm so it will be a full on day.

A Visit from the States

We have a great weekend. Got to catch up with a friend who is out from the States for work at the moment. He has been sent out from America to sort out a few problems at one of the coal mines just north of us, so was able to get a weekend off and pop down and visit us on the weekend. He flies home again this weekend so it was extra special to have that little catch up. Got some photos together and these are for you Angie.We all enjoyed a meal out together on Saturday night
We're hoping that they need to fly him out again sometime soon and that he can bring Angie his lovely wife with him. It has been 10 years since we have caught up with Chris in person.
Friday night Steve had the sports dinner at school and came home with this lovely surprise for me.
Also managed to do a little scrapbooking last week. Trying to still catch up on the backload of photos that are sitting on my scrap desk. These photos are from a family fun day in Brisbane back in July. The collage lifts up to reveal hidden journalling underneath.
I've also been making a few small gift cards with some of my left over paper scraps. Made a heap for some of the teachers I work with for Internation Teacher's Day last week, and then these are a few left overSome other good news that we received last week. Chloe foot is finally healing nicely and she won't need the surgery. Only two more weeks now until the plaster comes off - will probably need her crutches for a week or two after that though until she gets some strength back in her leg. She is on her second cast - these are the new colours.
It was nice to have a pretty relaxed weekend as we have a pretty busy month ahead of us.

Things I am grateful for this week.

1. Great catch up with Chris on the weekend. A friendship that has spanned a decade even though we live on the opposite sides of the world.
2. That Chloe's foot is healing and surgery is not needed
3. Awesome service at church yesterday and that one person can make a difference in the world.
4. Vibrant youth who want to share the message of the Gospel with their friends.
5. A thoughtful and loving husband
6. Pete and Amanda's engagement - about time.
7. Another day off and that I have managed to get a lot done at home
8. A cool breeze today.
9. Fresh flowers on my dining room table
10. Dedicated teachers who enjoy teaching and making the difference in the lives of their students.

Another layout.

Didn't have a lot of spare time of the weekend. We had a memorial service for a very dear old lady from church who passed away last week. She would have been 90 tomorrow. Didn't leave a lot of time to do too much. Also managed to have a girls afternoon at the Movies yesterday when about a dozen of us went and saw "Julie and Julia" Great movie, just wished it would have ended differently.

Really love this scrapbookers work - she does awesome double pages and this one is pretty much a scraplift of one of her pages. I'm working on another couple of layouts and doing a little digi scrapbooking at the moment. Will share some more soon.

Right now there are several things I am grateful for this week.

1. Fresh clean washing flapping in the breeze
2. Rest
3. Bulk Billing at the Radiologists.
4. Coffee out with Angela this morning
5. Sustaining by God's grace
6. Our Uniqueness
7. Worship Music and You Tube
8. Good Books
9. A spare half hour to update this blog
10. A moment to rest. reflect and praise God.

A Little More Scrapbooking.

Not a long post tonight - just some layouts that I have managed to do in the last week or so, plus also some photos of my gorgeous daughter at the wedding on Saturday. Who said Mums are biased. Chloe had to get a new cast on last week so she managed to colour co ordinate it eith her new dress.
A little inspiration from this lady.
The photos on the layouts below aren't the best as they were taken with a mobile phone. The only problem is they are the only photos I have.
Honoring a special friend who is visiting her sister in NY.
I have to say the photo in the layout below is one of my all time favourites, It was snapped without the girls being aware. We had spent the day with family and then shopping in the city in Brissie and were on our way home. We were walking to the bus station to catch the bus home, and these two were walking along arms around each other deep in conversation. Love that they have such a special bond and really care for each other.
Chloe had to get a new cast last week - the swelling had gone down, and there is some wastage in her muscles which meant that the cast was actually quite loose and sloppy on her foot and leg, so it was time for a new one. Chloe had it colour co ordinated to match her new dress hat she had bought for the wedding. Love these shots of her.
Photo of Chloe with her dad and a good look at her new cast.
Just a collage of a few of my favourite shots.
Must be time I hit the sack.