C is for Chaos

Weekend Sewing

2012-01-16T21:29:00.000+10:00

Finally I have finished a sewing project!

I had the pattern for months and the fabric for even longer before I even cut into it. It was slow progress but this weekend I finally finished my wrap dress.

I still have a long way to go in terms of technique but it turned out pretty good! Wearable at least! :)

Goodbye work boots and jeans....hello skirts and heels!!!

2011-06-09T21:55:00.001+10:00

That's right....just call me Corporate Barbie!!

After many exhausting interviews, on the phone and in person, I have mercifully landed a job! Hooray for me. And it is on the city no less so it is goodbye work boots and hello heels.

That's right, out comes the corporate wardrobe which means skirts, heels, suits and proper makeup. No longer will I be able to get away with a dash of concealer under the eyes and a lick of mascara. Gone are the days when hair that is simply clean and dry is considered 'done'. And no more will I be able to roll out of bed, grab my jeans from yesterday off the floor, dig a clean (but wrinkled) workshirt out of the laundry basket and jump in the car.

Poor work boots....they look sad already....

Hmmmm....that all actually makes me sound like a slob. Perhaps this corporate stuff won't be so bad after all....

Slightly Crumbled

2011-06-05T13:19:00.005+10:00

Yes my world has decided to crumble slightly. Not crash down around my ears but threaten to....

I now get to enjoy the wonderful journey of the job hunt! Hooray!! Let me tell you, convincing someone that you are capable, hard working and all around wonderful can be exhausting!! And repetitive. After extolling your own virtues three or four times, it all starts to blur together. I swear at one point I felt like just making stuff up just so I could say something different.

But of course, I didn't and I have complete confidence that someone will find me charming and experienced enough to offer me a really great job.

Perhaps then those ominous rumblings and dust clouds that indicate my world is about to crashing down will dissipate and I can concentrate on getting my life back on track.

Wish me luck!

Waterskiing over Easter

2011-05-03T20:17:00.000+10:00

While camping over Easter I also got the chance to learn to water ski. Shaarndra, Dave and the girls had their fancy new boat out on the dam and we all got the chance to ski.

Ready...

Set...

Up...

Uhhhh..uuppp?

Down.

Let's try that again...

Ready...

Set....

Up...

Ohhh...down...

Really down.

One more go...

Ready...

Set...

Up..

Up...

Up....

And staying up!!!

Woohoo!!!

It was incredibly fun and can't wait to go again!!! :D

April – The Month of Cakes

2011-04-30T22:31:00.003+10:00

April has been the busiest month!

Every weekend I have had something on. The first three weekends were birthday/party filled. And each of those parties required cake (after all, no birthday is complete without cake. It’s a rule.) And the last weekend in April was Easter/Anzac Day/camping so I spent the week leading up to it making cupcakes and banana cake to take with us. That’s a lot of cake!! I think the sugar high will last until June.

Peace Cake - Em's 12th birthday

Puppy Cake - My 25th Birthday

Circus Tent Cake - Zennia's 18th Birthday

I really must look into getting a proper mixer if I am going to continue to cook as I am. Fortunately, I don’t think there will be many months like this one. And if there is, I hope it’s not for a while. I need to rest. The Easter break could not have come at a better time!

Easter Long Weekend

2011-04-26T22:57:00.035+10:00

Easter weekend for me meant camping. It has been such a long time since I have been camping. I’m talking years! But it was just as I remember....fun! It was the best weekend I have had in a long time. The spot where we were was picture perfect. It was so relaxing just lying by the dam and reading. Sigh...bliss.

The view from my tent

Sunrise

Sunset

While camping I became the fire master and was responsible for building and maintaining the fire while we were there. I have never got to build the fire by myself before and I think I did a dam good job of it!!

It created some perfect coals for toasted marshmallows (Is there anything better in the world...????)

Camping also includes fishing, which I have discovered I am awesome at!!! I lost two lures and created a massive birds nest by getting the line tangled up! On the plus side I did learn to drive he boat which I LOVED! I am definitely getting my boat licence now.

Me and my line tangle

Fishing and driving the boat...talk about multitasking!

The Easter break also meant lots of reading for me, which is great for the 100+ challenge. I finished 3 books over the break. Whoop!

Home Sweet Tent - relaxing.....ahhhhh

The Bearded Lady

2011-04-16T22:13:00.000+10:00

As part of Zennia's Circus Birthday Extravaganza we were required to dress up.

Which of course, I hate to do (not!).

As the theme was circus I decided to go as the Bearded Lady...

The Bearded Lady and Madam Sword, Fortune Teller

The double takes and strange looks were hilarious. Luckily I don’t mind making a bit of a fool of myself!! :P

Dog Sitting

2011-04-05T23:36:00.004+10:00

I was Chief Dog Sitter this weekend. AJ & fam went away for the weekend so I ended up dog sitting for beautiful Jester. I was a little worried about the fences at my house not being high enough and he might escape but there was no problems.

It was so great going for runs with him and playing outside and just sitting out on the veranda with him. It made me realise how much I still want a dog!! Unfortunately since I don’t know what I’ll be doing next year for work etc (hopefully I will be going overseas) it just wouldn’t be fair to get a dog now and possibly have to give him away in a year or so. But it was sure was great to have a dog, even if it was only temporary. Any time you want me to dog sit again AJ.... :)

( I must remember to start taking photos!! A blog post with photos is much more interesting!)

Wild Mage series

2011-03-24T20:15:00.001+10:00

Another four books have been devoured. Similar to the ‘Song of the Lioness’ series, the ‘Wild Magic’ series is an incredible read. Again they are geared for young teenagers but they are such fantastic stories and exciting writing that I read them over and over. This series follows Daine, a young girl with Wild Magic. It gives her the ability to speak to animals, heal them and even shape shift into them. It’s another great series from Tamora Pierce that incorporates characters from the ‘Song of the Lioness’ series (it is set in the same place, just a few years on).

They are truly wonderful books and I wish there were more!

The Touch

2011-03-22T20:54:00.002+10:00

I finished an amazing book today. It was ‘The Touch’ by Colleen McCulloch. I have read some others by her; ‘The Thornbirds’ (probably her most well known), ‘Angel Puss’ (one of my favourite books) and ‘On, Off’ (a creepy psychological thriller). I am very happy to say that ‘The Touch’ completely lived up to my expectations. Her style of writing is so engaging. I spent most of Friday night finishing it because I couldn’t put it down.

It is the story of Elizabeth, sent from Scotland to live in Australia circa. 1867. She is sent to marry a man she has never met, Alexander Kinross. Alexander has made his fortune in gold and built an entire town around himself, it also being called Kinross. The story follows the journey of Elizabeth, Alexander, Ruby (Alexander’s mistress) and their children through to 1890.

It is a truly wonderful story. Colleen McCulloch is one of the best writers around and if you liked her previous stuff, you would love this. This book was another Bookfest find and another one that will be handed on for AJ to read (although I’m not sure she has read the others I’ve passed on yet).

Skirt Progress

2011-03-16T20:08:00.003+10:00

So close, yet so far....

I am so close to finishing my skirt but still not quite there. I finished the yoke and the facing and put in the zipper. I have now discovered that zippers are not fun. I got a little bit frustrated when I couldn’t get it sit right but luckily Bron was there to help me. I have decided that I am just going to have to do zipper after zipper until I get used to them. They will not beat me!!! My next challenge will be an invisible zipper, which I am told has a completely different technique.

My skirt is nearly done, I just have to finish off where the zipper joins the yoke and finish the bottom stripe of colour which will be simple. I would have liked to have got it finished yesterday but I got hung up on the zipper and ran out of time.

My next project will be one of my dresses and I have set myself the daunting task of having it finished in time to wear to my birthday. This will mean that I will have to do a lot of sewing at home on my own, which is a little scary but also exciting. I am getting much more confident on my machine now so I should be ok. I am still going to continue classes though because there is an unbelievable amount still to learn.

Trickster series

2011-03-14T22:26:00.021+10:00

My love affair with Tamora Pierce’s writing continues. This series was actually the one that got me started on her writing. I read it as one book (rather than spilt into the two as a series) and just fell in love. It is actually the more recent of the books of Tortall (the fictional land where this series, Lioness and Wild Mage is set) and the way that histories, events and people from the previous series are interwoven is truly spectacular. When you first read it you don’t notice but when you read it after reading the other two series there are multitudes of ‘ah ha’ or ‘awww’ moments when you associate back to the other series.

This is the story of Ally, a young girl who is captured as a slave and sent to work for an upper class family. However the family, the Balitangs, and their household are not all they seem. They are the main conspirators in a plot to overthrow twisted dictatorship under which they live and install a rightful queen on the throne. It falls to Ally (with the help of the Gods) to use her considerable talents to help achieve their goals.

Although most of Tamora Pierce’s books are geared towards teenagers they are truly engaging and great reads, even for adults. Definitely some of my favourite books!

Pin Cushions

2011-03-13T21:11:00.001+10:00

Mandy’s Quilt-A-Long is next weekend. I am very much looking forward to it but I am not feeling at all prepared. My charm squares I ordered off Etsy haven’t arrived so I not able to buy backing, sashings, bindings etc until I see exactly what I have to match it with. Fingers crossed, crossed, crossed they arrive this week or I don’t know what I’ll be doing on Saturday!

As part of the quilt-a-long day there will be goody bags that everyone will be contributing to. As my contribution I made some very funky pin cushions.

Inspired by Carolyn's Homework, Sew a Straight Line, Hungry Hippie (found on Tip Junkie with some other amazing but more complicated pin cushions) and some craftiness of my own I followed their tutorials (for the most part) and this is what I produced.

They aren’t 100% professional looking, there are some minor glitches but I think they look pretty darn awesome and I’m proud that I made them.

Fabric Star

Felt Flower

Felt Cupcake

Denim Twist

Fabric and Foam Giftbox

100+ challenge blitz

2011-03-09T22:23:00.000+10:00

This week I finished four books. It’s a little bit of a cheat because they are teenage fiction and I have read them all before but it is truly a great story written by Tamora Pierce and I could happily read them over and over again (which I have!!). But this is the first time I have read the series since starting the 100+ challenge so it still counts.

The series is called ‘Song of the Lioness’ . It is split into four books called ‘Alanna: The First Adventure’, ‘In The Hand of the Goddess’, ‘Woman Who Rides Like a Man’ and ‘Lioness Rampant’. The series follows the story of Alanna, a young girl who dreams of becoming a knight. She disguises herself as a boy and heads to the palace to fulfil her dream. It is a great series, wonderfully written and so easy to read yet so engaging.

Messages of Love

2011-03-03T21:02:00.001+10:00

Today I got a lovely surprise. Actually two lovely surprises. They were text messages from friends, out of the blue. Just simple text messages saying they were thinking of me and checking I was ok. This may not sound exciting or even particularly special to some people but this morning I was feeling a little bit down and the fact that at least two people in this world were thinking about me and wishing me good things truly meant a lot to me and made me feel a whole lot better.

Getting those two message of love and friendship cheered me up immensely and so I felt I owed it to the universe to pass on those good feelings to others. In my own small way of paying it forward, I sent messages to two friends I haven't seen in a while, wishing them happiness and love.

If there is one thing in this world that we could all do with more of it is love and friendship and today I felt truly blessed that I have so much of it in my life, without even realising it. I would call that a positive moment...

I feel like my life has been worryingly short of positive moments in the recent months so this particular moment carried more weight than perhaps it would have at a different time in my life. I am very thankful for my family, my friends and those around me that support and carry me, even when they don't realise it.

Uh oh...

2011-02-19T13:26:00.003+10:00

Today I discovered that fabric buying is addictive......uh oh.

Stay tuned.....

Skirt Progress

2011-02-16T20:51:00.001+10:00

I have pockets!!! And pleats!!

I am making definite progess on my skirt project. It is turning out to be easier than I expected. Everything so far is stuff I know how to do so it hasn't been too challenging yet but I have the zipper to go yet so we shall just see...

Last night I sewed and attached the pockets and I also basted the pleats in. I used the overlocker to finish off the edges of the pockets and the back seam and I LOVE IT. I wish I had an overlocker at home. It would just make everything so much easier. It was a bit scary to use at first though. It goes so much quicker than my machine and then there's the threat of the cutter!

It is starting to look like an actual garment. (apologies for the dodgy photos)

Next I have to join the front and back pieces, attach the yoke and the bottom panel and put in the zipper. Another session should get it pretty much finished. I'm very excited.

The Ship of Brides

2011-02-11T21:55:00.001+10:00

I just finished the most fantastic book. 'The Ship of Brides" by Jojo Moyes.

The year is 1946 and all over the world young women are crossing the seas in their thousands en route to the men they married in wartime, and an unknown future. In Sydney, Australia, four women join 650 other brides on an extraordinary voyage to England - aboard the Victoria, which still carries not just arms and aircraft but a thousand naval officers and men.

Rules of honour, duty and separation are strictly enforced, from the aircraft carrier's captain down to the lowliest young stoker. But the men and the brides will find their lives intertwined in ways the Navy could never have imagined.

And Frances Mackenzie - the enigmatic young bride whose past comes back to haunt her thousands of miles from home - will find that sometimes the journey is more important than the destination.

Based on the true voyage undertaken by HMS Victorious, The Ship of Brides is a novel about love, blind faith, and an age when the collision between duty and love could leave you with more than a broken heart.

It was just wonderful. Such a gripping story that I had to force myself to put it down and then I would pick it up every chance I got. The characters are so engaging and intriguing that it just made me want to read and read until I knew more. This book is based on true events where war brides were transported across the seas and by having that element of reality to it just made the story more vivid. I want to write more about the story but I am afraid of giving away too much.

Jojo Moyes is a wonderful writer and storyteller. She paints such wonderful characters and the story moves so beautifully between years and decades, past and present, yet has a flow that keeps you engaged and wanting more.
I have read other Jojo Moyes books, in particular "Foreign Fruit" which has a similar style of intertwining present and past. It too is a wonderful read with wonderfully rich characters and story. She is a truly gifted writer.

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

2011-02-07T20:59:00.000+10:00

Happy Chinese New Year!!! The 3rd of Feb 2011 is the start of the Year of the Rabbit!!

Since January pretty much sucked for all of us I think we should all just restart the New Year with the Chinese. Hands up if you're with me...

Photoshop my life....

2011-02-06T22:09:00.001+10:00

It is time to photoshop my life. Touch up the edges, adjust the tones, blur out the background, focus on me and crop people out.

The last few weeks/months have been some of the most confusing, mixed up and emotional that I have experienced so far. I came to realisation that I had never had my heart broken before. I can now no longer say that.

While it was a heart-wrenching, stomach-contracting mind-f*ck of an experience; it was exactly that. An experience. Something that I think every emotionally available person has to go through at some stage, possibly even more than once.

I has taken me a long time and more than a few tears to get to the stage that I'm at now where I am feeling marginally better and even a little bit positive about my life. I can only hope that these feelings of positivity continue and that I am strong enough to get through the bad times when they do arise.

It took me a little while to get to this stage and it will take me even longer to truly be ok but at least I have now made a step in the right direction.

Fabric Arrival!

2011-02-04T21:02:00.002+10:00

Finally, my beautiful Hummingbird fabric arrived from Etsy!!! Very excited!!!

I'm pretty sure it arrived a few days ago but a few things in my life happened and I kept forgetting to go to the post office. But...never mind. I now have my fabric and I am happy.

I now, however, have to put a temporary fabric buying ban on myself. I have three lots of fabrics for dresses and a skirt currently in progress, not to mention other craft projects (like my felt fruit). That is plenty to keep me occupied for now so I have to lay off the fabric buying until I at least make a dent.

Now I just have to make sure I stay on track and actually (start and) finish my planned projects. I'm not the best at finishing projects I start. I get very excited and into a project but am very easily distracted and things tend to get left by the wayside. I'm am striving towards changing that part of my personality.

Wish me luck!

Skirt Project Progress

2011-02-02T21:37:00.001+10:00

I had my first sewing class yesterday. It was really great. The other girls in the class were nice and it is a really great atmosphere. It all very loose and informal. Everyone just works at their own pace, on their own projects but there's help there when it's needed.

I got all of my pattern cut out, pinned to my fabric and got my fabric cut out too. I even started to pin the cut pieces together to start stitching. I didn't quite get to stitching despite being there for three hours.

I took the steps very slowly until I gain a bit of confidence. It took me that bit longer because I had Bronwyn (the instructor) check each step before I continued. Hopefully as I get more comfortable I'll be able to move a bit faster but for now I really don't want to stuff it up!

Sewing class tomorrow...

2011-01-30T23:09:00.000+10:00

I'm very excited. Tomorrow is my fist sewing class at The Sewing Workshop.

I already know how to sew, having learned from Mum and then later at high school but it has been so long since I have done any real sewing. I have done small projects and mending etc but sewing something substantial from a pattern is very different so I decided I needed a bit of help.

I found Ana's Sewing School, which is not too far from my house and looks to be exactly what I am looking for. I have been on the waiting list for a while and finally my first class is tomorrow.

The project I have picked to start with is this skirt.

It is not too difficult that I would struggle and get frustrated but it is not so simple that I'm not going to learn anything either. The skirt I am making is the one being modelled (A).This came about from both choice and necessity.

A little while ago I went fabric shopping with AJ and Helen and picked out some great fabric with this class in mind. Unfortunately I made the very silly choice of buying the fabric before having a pattern so of course I ended up with not enough fabric. Thankfully this pattern calls for a contrasting band of fabric around the bottom thus allowing me to use my original chosen fabric and just buying a matching contrasting fabric. Phew!

This is the fabric I have chosen. (The flash makes the colours go a bit strange. Those tiny flowers are actually a lime green). I have a matching red fabric for the bottom band and now I just have to find a top to go with it once it is finished. Maybe something in brown....

Bookfest!!

2011-01-29T19:22:00.002+10:00

I had heard about Bookfest but never had I been so when it came around this year I was determined to go. And it was exactly as I imagined. Table after table of BOOKS! I was in heaven. I spent hours just wandering from table to table collecting as I went. Luckily I had taken the advice of those that had been before and took my big wheelie suitcase with me so I didn’t have to carry all my finds home! I actually didn’t get to spend as much time there as I wanted because I got a call from the man who was fixing my car and I had to leave. I was disappointed because I hadn’t even got to the cheap section yet (next year I will learn to start there and work my way up). I got a great stash of books to work my way through. It is probably a good thing I didn’t get to the other sections and I left when I did because who knows how many books I would have ended up with. Next years game plan: get there earlier, start in the cheaper sections first and turn off my phone. I might need a bigger bag....

My Bookfest Stash


Books, Books, Books...

This was one of about 100 tables full of books!

Beautiful Books

Dead Sexy

2011-01-24T20:54:00.002+10:00

Add another one to the 100+ list.

This was an ok book. I've tried reading some of Kathy Lette's stuff before but could never really get into it.

This book starts out with a music teacher, Shelly, being signed up for a reality dating show. The couple is matched by computer and then if they decide to marry they get money and prizes etc, starting with a romantic honeymoon on a tropical island. Just one small problem: The guy she ends up marring is a jerk and the romantic tropical island is taken over by local militants trying to overthrow their French oppressors.

It is actually a bit weird with a few little plot twists and some sauciness (what Kathy Lette book doesn't) but of course, it all works out in the end (sorry if I ruined it for you). Not sure I would recommend it unless you really like her style of writing.

Spotlight Shopping

2011-01-23T21:15:00.000+10:00

I went Spotlight shopping today. For me Spotlight shopping is not something i do lightly. I always end up spending more than I plan to so a Spotlight shopping trip requires some pre-planned budgeting.

It is so much fun though. I am really loving having the sewing machine out and making stuff.

I went in search of some fabric to make this apron with in-built pot-holders that I found on The Mother Huddle. I fell in love with this fabric.

It is a Moda fabric, which AJ was horrified that I bought beautiful quilting fabric to make a kitchen apron, but I don't care I love this fabric. I got the coordinating purple for the pot-holders and the other striped one just because I loved it. I'll find something to make with is later.

I also bought a cutting mat, quilters ruler and rotary cutter. I love the rotary cutter. I'm not very good at cutting straight so for me it is a godsend.

Hammer of the Gods

2011-01-22T20:42:00.002+10:00

Another book down on the 100+ reading challenge.

'Hammer of the Gods' is an (unauthorised) biography of Led Zeppelin. For those of you who have lived in a cave for the past 40 or so years, Led Zeppelin are a British rock band (1968 - 1980). There were considered very controversial at the time and were so influential, their music and their style is sampled by musicians still to this day.

The book was pretty interesting, although it is an unauthorised biography so all of the stories I took with a grain of salt. Some of the stuff they got up was pretty full on.

Lucia Lucia

2011-01-20T21:35:00.003+10:00

Second book down in the 100+ challenge.

I just finished a great book called Lucia Lucia by Adriana Trigiani. It about a young girl in the 50's who is a seamstress for a fancy department store. She meets a handsome stranger and falls in love but they have to win over her very traditional Italian family and there is an unexpected twist as secrets are revealed and scandals ensues.

It was a great book and a great read.

My first Esty buy

2011-01-13T21:11:00.000+10:00

I have just ordered my first lot of fabric on Etsy.

It is Hummingbird in Teal by Patty Young for Michael Miller.

I fell in love with when I went fabric shopping with AJ and Helen and saw it in Sewco in Mt Gravatt. It had been made into a bag that they had there and I just loved the fabric. They didn't have it in stock in the teal so I had to venture out into the world of Etsy and order it from there.

Now I just have to wait for it to arrive.

The Sewing Room

2011-01-10T20:50:00.000+10:00

The constant rainy weather is starting to get to me. Everything feels damp and I miss seeing the sunshine.

Because I was stuck inside all weekend I decided to do a little remodelling. Nothing structural, I just moved around some furniture to make my house more...usable.

Previously, I had a spare room and an office/sewing room. The office/sewing was always a mess and not actually use for sewing or studying. The spare room was always beautiful and set-up (except for the pile of washing on the bed) but I rarely have visitors (that sounds a bit sad!).

During the holidays I cleaned out the office/sewing room and sorted out all of the crap that had accumulated over the few short months since I have been in this house so the room was lovely and tidy but still not really usable.

My laptop lives out in the lounge room rather than in the office and when I study I sit at the dining room table. The spare room has really only been used once and so I decided that I would use the sewing room much more often. I needed more space for the sewing room to actually be usable so I did a little bit of thinking and figured out a way to move my furniture around to fit it all in, plus an extra table.

I now have a office/spare room and a single dedicated sewing room, with a table just for my machine, a cutting/work table and even have the ironing board in there too. I sorted out all my bits and pieces; fabrics, buttons, haberdashery, ribbons, millinery and just plain stuff so it all beautiful and organised.

Here is my newly organised sewing room.

It's a bit bare and not quite as impressive as some of these sewing/craft rooms on Tip Junkie but it will hopefully fulfill my needs for a while.

Now I just need to start sewing...

A Company of Swans

2011-01-08T21:22:00.002+10:00

Today I finished a wonderful book called 'A Company of Swans' by Eva Ibbotson.

It was a fantastic book set in 1912 about an aspiring dancer who runs away from her oppressive home to join a ballet company bound for Brazil and the Amazon.

Flashback Friday

2011-01-07T09:42:00.001+10:00

The frist Flashback Friday of the year...

This photo is from Schoolies (2003). We spent the week on Great Keppel Island and had an absolute blast!!! Can't believe how much we have all changed!!!

Fabric Shopping Fiesta!

2011-01-03T18:51:00.000+10:00

A couple of days ago I went on a fabric shopping trip with AJ and Helen (who was visiting from WA). It was a great day of driving around visiting a couple of different quilting and fabric shops. I was a bit scared because AJ and Helen are quilters extraordinaire and both have amazing fabric collections so I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into. It turned out to be a great day and I got very excited because I started my very own fabric stash!!! I hope AJ and Helen are proud of me! :)

I got a couple of different fabrics for some dresses, some new scissors and thread snips, bobbins and a little storage box for them to go in and a 1/4 inch foot for my machine.

I am planning on using this for a skirt (with plans for a matching top later on, I think in brown satin)

These two are for dresses.

This is the pattern I'm going to use for the above fabric.

I think I need a bit of sewing instruction before I attempt these. I haven't sewed in years!!!

Luckily I have some sewing classes booked in so it won't be long before I can get started!!

100+ reading challenge

2011-01-02T20:33:00.002+10:00

Happy 2011!!!!

It has been over a year since my last blog post! How slack of me!

As a positive start to 2011 I will attempt to blog more often. This means I actually have to do exciting things to blog about.

What better way to start off the year than with a blogosphere quest about reading....one of my favourite pastimes.

Darling sister AJ has inspired me to join Home Girl in her 100+ reading challenge.

I don't foresee this being a problem for me at all. My biggest problem, I think, will be keeping track of what I finish and when and then blogging about it.

The End of Blogtoberfest

2009-11-01T18:31:00.004+10:00

October is over and thus brings the end of Blogtoberfest.

I tried my best but didn't quite make it. I only skipped a few days and I did blog more during October than I normally do so I would call it a success!

Happy 3 Months!

2009-10-30T08:50:00.000+10:00

Aden is 3 months old today!!

Happy 3 moth birthday gorgeous little man!!

One Word...

2009-10-29T21:31:00.002+10:00

Pinched from AJ's blog (as seen on Xena's blog)

Feel free to do it if the mood takes you-

1. Where is your mobile phone? Bag

2. Your hair? Clean

3. Your mother? Wonderful

4. Your father? Funny

5. Your favourite food? Chocolate

6. Your dream last night? Strange

7. Your favourite drink? Sarsparilla

8. Your dream/goal? Unknown

9. What room are you in? Lounge

10. Your hobby? Dancing

11. Your fear? Lots

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Happy

13. Where were you last night? Home

14. Something that you aren’t? Sleeping

15. Muffins? Choc-chip

16. Wish list item? Blender

17. Where did you grow up? Palmwoods

18. Last thing you did? Ate

19. What are you wearing? PJ's

20. Your TV? Big

21. Your pet? None :(

22. Friends? Great

23. Your life? Mixed-up

24. Your mood? Sleepy

25. Missing someone? Family

26. Vehicle? New!!

27. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes

28. Your favorite store? Retro'specd

29. Your favorite color? Red

30. When was the last time you laughed? Today

31. Last time you cried? Tuesday

32. Your best friend? J

33. One place that I go to over and over? Work

34. One person who emails me regularly? Work

35. Favorite place to eat? Cicciolinas

Even more fascinating....

2009-10-25T21:11:00.034+10:00

Over the past few years I have attended some sort of racing event every year which of course means that I need a new outfit and of course a new fascinator.

I recently posted this years efforts and it got me thinking...

Here are the previous years efforts...including some of me actually wearing them! (the photos are not the best)

The simple things...

2009-10-24T21:07:00.012+10:00

We are very lucky to live in a country where we are free to enjoy the simple things. Having brunch with friends is one of those things.

A gorgeous day near the beach and a good catch up with the girlies! What a perfect day! :)

What a difficult job....

2009-10-21T20:13:00.002+10:00

What a hard job I have. Today I had to go into the city and sample food for two hours!! I tell ya, the sacrifices I make for my career!! :)

Really, it was to sample to food for our up coming work event. There was supposed to be three of us but it ended up being only me and Gwenny...omg there was so much food!! And it was all delicious!

It was so good that I even ate prawns and salmon. And for those who know how much I hate seafood, that is a big deal for me but wow it was all fantastic...especially the chocolate cup with hazelnut praline which was mind blowing!!!!

After the crazy....

2009-10-20T19:31:00.014+10:00

After my rant from yesteday I think I should take a deep breath, stay calm and just post some photos...

Nick, Benny, Chris, Steve, J and Fletch

Chris & Steve under my parasol.

Nic...sitting pretty

Nic & Fletch

Me & Harriott

The shape we're in...

2009-10-19T21:35:00.023+10:00

I came across this afticle on ninemsn a few days ago...

The shape we're in
Janice Turner

Thirty years ago, Susie Orbach identified fat as a feminist issue and went on to become the world’s most famous psychotherapist when she treated Diana, Princess of Wales. Today, as she tells Janice Turner, "body distress" is no longer an illness suffered by the few, but a Western epidemic.

Such was the revolutionary vigour of Fat Is A Feminist Issue when it was first published in 1978 that, for a moment, the screwed-up relationship between women and food looked like it could be resolved. In Susie Orbach’s urgent, crusading prose, all was illuminated: diets don’t work because they lead only to bingeing; we eat compulsively to try to soothe inner hurts; or we get fat as a subconscious rebellion, to opt out of how society insists we look and behave.

It became an instant classic, a student bookshelf staple, and Susie’s theories entered the mainstream in a thousand self-help bibles. Yet today, women and food are more embattled than ever.

Obesity and food disorders – which stem, Susie believes, from one root cause, the perversion of our natural appetites – are epidemic, while female body-loathing now begins in primary school, extending even into the retirement home. “I did not expect to be still writing about this three decades on,” Susie, 62, says.

This was the comment that I left below that article on ninemsn...

I can’t help but wonder what role the media plays in all of this!?! We get images of these "perfect" skinny women (Photoshopped within an inch of their life!) shoved down our throats at every turn. Billboards, magazines and every ad you can think of. No wonder our perception the female body shape is so screwed up. And there are so many mixed messages. We get photos of these skinny unrealistic models beside articles that say "your shape is perfect, be yourself and curves are back! (I'm not sure where they went in the first place)" and then turn around and there are 200 recipes for that "yummy" choc cake or "to-die-for" dessert. Even now on this page, right beside an article on how preoccupied we are and how screwed up our relationship is with food and our bodies and there are 7+ links to recipes, a photo gallery of Barbie (an unrealistic role model if there ever was) and an advertisement proclaiming "dieting" tips.

As I said before, it's no wonder we are all so screwed up!!!!

Fascinating!

2009-10-18T20:46:00.005+10:00

It's Spring Racing Season again!!
My favourite part...dressing up for the races! Every year I make a new fascinator to go with my outfit.This year I built my outfit around a Route 66 skirt I bought while in Melbourne in April. I originally had in mind black, white and pink but I couldn’t find the right shade of pink and it slowly evolved into the black, white and blue creation that I am wearing in the photos. (See previous posts)

Here is this years effort...

It was surprisingly hard to properly photograph this fascinator. The photos didn’t turn out too bad though

And they're off and racing....

2009-10-17T22:11:00.048+10:00

We spent the day at the races yesterday. It was Caulfield Cup Day and a group of us went to Randwick Race Course. It ended up being a fun day. We set off in stlye, being picked up in a limo.

The boys in the limo: Fletch, J & Mr Norman

The girls in the limo: Me & Harriott

As everyone knows the races are just an excuse to get frocked up, stand in the sun all day and drink too much. Throw in some gambling and some sweaty smelly animals (I mean the horses!) and that pretty much sums it up!

The best part of the day however, is the socialising. It is a great way for the group to get together and have some fun.

Me & J

Me & Harriott (after a few glasses of champers!!)

Sexy Ladies: Harriott, Nic & Me

J & Fletch

Happy Birthday AJ!!

2009-10-16T11:36:00.004+10:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to darling sister AJ!!

Hope you have a great day!

I think Aden might be a bit young for bringing you breakfast in bed but Hubby should have stepped up to the mark...!!!

Here she is with our niece Annaleisa who is only a few days old in this photo.

Happy Birthday Ezza!!

2009-10-16T10:19:00.003+10:00

Happy Birthday Ezza!!

Hope you have an awesome day!!!

And so I return...

2009-10-15T15:03:00.001+10:00

Returning from holidays is always disappointing. The days have gone by much too quickly and now it feels as though there was no holiday at all and those relaxing fun days are a distant memory.

I have only been back in Sydney (and back at work) one day and already I am yearning to return to Queensland and those lovely, unstructured, relaxing days where the biggest decsion to make is "will Ihave breakfast, brunch or skip straight over to lunch...?"

I guess it makes us appreciate the days that we do have away from work and the daily grind....I just wish they lasted a little longer!

The depressing sight that greeted me this morning!

Bye bye baby!

2009-10-14T12:47:00.012+10:00

Very sad today. Had to say goodbye to AJ and Aden.

It was so great getting to spend time with my little man even if it was only for a few days. I Cna't wait until Christmas when I'll get to see them more.

Thanks AJ & Az for a great couple of days. I can't wait to live that bit closer so I can see you all more often!!

Aunty Cee babysits!

2009-10-13T21:03:00.022+10:00

I got to baby sit Aden today. AJ had a dentist appointment so I was left in charge of the baby all on my own!

I was a bit apprehensive when she first asked me a few weeks ago but it went just fine. Earlier that morning before AJ left for her appointment I also gave Aden a bath (after he made a mess all over himself and Mummy!!) That was the most daunting thing. I kept getting scared he was going to slip out of my hands!

We had a play, a nappy change, lots of cuddles and a feed. It all went really well (I think). We both survived in any case!

Perhaps Aunty Cee should have brushed her hair!!

Little man starts to get sleepy after a big feed.

Beautiful Baby Day

2009-10-12T20:10:00.019+10:00

Today was my first full day with my beautiful little nephew!! Aden is just the cutest baby ever! He's very alert and laughs a lot!. He was a bit unsure of me when we first met but as soon as I took off my sunglasses he was all smiles and had no problems giving as many cuddles as I wanted!!

The best kind of wake up call...!

(Yes I have just woken up and still in my PJ's)

Making faces with Aunty Cee

Playing with Mummy

Mummy making Aden look silly.

Not happy Mummy!!!!

All tuckered out after a big afternoon at the shops!

How lovely to meet you...

2009-10-11T13:05:00.000+10:00

I met my darling gorgoues nephew today for the first time.

I vistied AJ while she had her big baby belly but I haven't been back up to see them since Aden made his grand entrance into the world.

He is just the cutest little baby ever!!!

Shoptober!

2009-10-10T17:04:00.002+10:00

Today was shopping day. It has been a while since I have been to the shops and just splurged.

Admittedly it wasn't splurging on myself. Most of the stuff I bought was gifts, mainly for my neice and nephew! Because Aden is still only a bubba it was kind of difficult to buy stuff for him but because Annaleisa is that bit older, it was much easier to find things for her. Actually the most difficult part was stopping myself buying things!!

I did also buy a few things for myself which was kind of nicew too. Just a few summer tops and some books but it was still nice to treat myself a little bit.

This is only some of the things I bought on my spree!!

Why does sleep elude me...???

2009-10-08T00:18:00.006+10:00

as in Nocturnal....as in I can't sleep!!!

i have never been a very good sleeper but tonight I just cannot go to sleep. Lying in bed in the dark for 2hours has failed to induce even the smallest chance of drifting off.

Don't know what is going on.!!

Aaahh..to sleep for years and then be woken by a handsome prince....what bliss!

Not quite the same as finally drifting into an unfitful sleep for 2 hours to then be woken by a half asleep J rolling over and hitting me in the face (trying to turn off the alarm!)

Some how those two senarios don't quite compare!

(I do have to put in a little foor note here otherwise I will never hear the end of it...AJ I realise you are probably on less sleep than me having a 2 month old to deal with!)

MWAH! xxoo

Final Countdown...

2009-10-07T16:17:00.002+10:00

My trip up north is only days away! In fact...only 3 days away!!!

I can't wait to see my gorgeous little nephew and of course my darling big sister!!

Counting down....!!!!

Blocktober...

2009-10-06T22:04:00.002+10:00

Today's Blogtoberfest entry is called Blocktober, as in quilting blocks.

Unfortunately, I don't quilt myself. Considering my sewing machine has been in a entirely different state for the past 18 months, I barely sew let alone quilt (I hope to change this when I get my hands back on my sewing machine {watch this space}). My darling sister AJ, however, does quilt and makes beautiful quilts that more often than not she gives away as gifts.

I am the proud owner of her very first quilting project and I treasure it and give it the love it deserves.

AJ recently made a quilt that was commissioned by a friend of mine. It was requested that the commissioned quilt have stars so I did a quick search to see what "starry" quilts I could find. While on my search I came across this quilt called Cosmosdust. I loved it straight away.

What I didn't realise was that this particular quilt will be quite difficult to put together!! Oops sorry AJ!!

Being the darling sister that she is though, she has said that she will make this quilt for me (although I want a white background instead of the dark blue) however I don't think it will be any time soon as she now has my gorgeous little nephew to handle so the quilt might be a while off yet.

It's OK...i can be patient!

Victory!

2009-10-05T08:47:00.000+10:00

Well done to the Melbourne Storm!! Victory in the Grand Final. It made me very happy that Parramatta and their "Jarryd Hayne is the best player ever" arrogance got beaten!

(Day 4 of Blogtoberfest - Jocktober!)

Happy Birthday Mama!!

2009-10-04T19:49:00.004+10:00

Today is the birthday of my gorgeous and wonderful mum!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!!!

What are we saving the daylight from...?

2009-10-03T20:52:00.004+10:00

Daylight Savings!!! Who needs it!! Maybe it comes from growing up in Queensland but I really don't like daylight savings. It makes little to no sense and is frankly a pain in the arse! Tonight we set our clocks forward and are forced to readjust our body clocks! Joy!

(This happily also fits in with Blogtoberfest Day 3 - Clocktober!)

Blogtoberfest!!!

2009-10-03T20:27:00.002+10:00

It's official! I'm in!! Blogtoberfest here we come!!

I started a few days late but hopefully I'll be able to keep up from here on in!

Thanks to the lovely badskirt for the Blogtoberfest Ideas Hub; sharing some fantastic ideas; I should be able to come up with something intersting!
I'll do a quick catch up of the days I have missed so far...

1 - Knocktober (meet & greet...as in Knock Knock)
A few details about me....

Name: Cee
Sex: Female
Born: Beautiful QLD
Currently residing in: Big bad Sydney
Partner: The darling J
Interesting yet true fact: I have moved 10 times in 15 years
Slightly less intersting yet still true fact: I am the youngest of 4 children

2 - Rocktober (music)
I like to think of my music tastes as wonderfully eclectic!
Currently listening to:If I Were A Boy - Beyonce

Still to come...
3 - Clocktober (clocks)
4 - Woktober (stirfries)
5 - Flocktober (birds)
6 - Frocktober (dresses)
7 - Blocktober (quilt blocks)
8 - Croctober (crocodiles)
9 - Stocktober (soup)
10 - Walktober (walking)
11 - Rocktober (stones)
12 - Chalktober (chalk)
13 - Socktober (socks)
14 - Bachtober (classical music)
15 - Spocktober (space themes)
16 - Mocktober (mocktails)
17 - Docktober (boats)
18 - Stalkober (veggies and flowers)
19 - Locktober (hairstyles)
20 - Cocktober (roosters)
21 - Crocktober (slow cooking)
22 - Choctober (anything chocolate)
23 - Bocktober (beer)
24 - Jacquestober (fish)
25 - Jocktober (sports)
26 - Barracktober (politics)\
More to come...

Flashback Friday

2009-09-25T18:22:00.000+10:00

Another Friday had rolled around and I have dug back into my photo archives. This photo is from senior year at high school....actually it is from Schoolies Week i.e. the week we spent on Great Keppel Island!!

Chris (Bowza), Lauren (Lozza), Me and Sam(Samboss)

It was such a fun week. Some things have (mercifully) been blocked from my memory but it was a really great week.

It's weird looking back through all my old photos. That is the beauty of Flashback Friday. It makes us remember the times that have passed and give us the chance to look back and smile...or cringe as I did when I saw myself in that photo!

I see red!

2009-09-23T10:33:00.002+10:00

If you didn't see it on the news, NSW is experiencing a major dust storm at the moment. It is the first one to ever hit a major Australian city.

It was very creepy to wake up to a brilliant orange/red sky. The colour is due to the red dust being blown in from the west/central NSW. It goes all the way from Wooloongong to Newcastle and is being reported to hit parts of South East Queensland!

Photos from ninemsn.com.au

Some of Sydney's most famous landmarks are blotted out by the dust.

Luckily we got to do the bridge run before this storm hit or it would have made things very difficult!

Run...run...as fast as you can!

2009-09-22T10:08:00.000+10:00

I did it!! I finished the Sydney Monring Hearld body+soul Bridge Run on Sunday. It was 9 kms and we (me and J) finished it in 1 hour and 15 minutes.

I was really worried that I wouldn't complete it in time but I did and am very very proud of myself.

For some people 9kms might not be a very big deal (there were some crazy people who did the Marathon - 42kms!) but for me it was a pretty big deal!

It is all because of Harriott that I even considered it in the first place. Running really isn't my thing but I am glad I did it.

The Gang

There were so many people there on the day! It was quite an impressive sight!

Sydney Harbour and all the people.

It was a pretty warm day and the humidity got to about 66%!

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

It turned out to not be as bad as I thought but I probably wouldn't do it again in a hurry!!!

I'll guess I will always have my very special medal to commemmorate what I achieved!!

Flashback Friday!

2009-09-18T15:56:00.000+10:00

I have never participated in Flashback Friday so I thought I would give it a try.

This photo is from skip trip senior year ( July(??) 2003)

That is me (left), George (the snowman) and Thayanna (right)

9kms....!!!

2009-09-17T16:50:00.002+10:00

I can't believe I agreed to do the Sunday Telegraph body+soul Bridge Run!! I am expected to run 9 kilometers and it's in just 4 days!! Didn't quite think this one through!!! Wish me luck....

Zoom Zoom!

2009-08-27T15:17:00.002+10:00

We picked up our shiny new car last week!!! I'm so excited because I have never owned a brand new car before (and probably won't for a long time to come!)

It is a gorgeous Indigo Lights (Dark Blue) Mazda 3 SP25.

Body style

Petrol Sedan

Engine
2.5 litre in-line 4 cylinder 16 valve DOHC S-VT

Max power
122 kW @ 6,000 rpm

Max torque
227 Nm @ 4,000 rpm

Fuel type
Regular unleaded (min. 91RON)

Fuel consumption
8.6 litres per 100km (manual)

Drive
Front-wheel drive

Transmission
6-speed manual

Key features
17 inch alloy wheels
Air-conditioning (dual-zone climate control)
Airbags SRS: front (driver and passenger), side (front) and curtain (front and rear)
AM/FM tuner with 6-disc CD player (MP3 compatible) and 6 speakers
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Bluetooth® audio (MP3 player compatible)
Body kit comprising: front and rear aero bumpers, side skirts and rear spoiler
Cruise control
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Fog lamps (front)
Leather wrapped: gear shift knob and steering wheel
Multi information display with: ambient temperature gauge, Bluetooth® (hands-free compatible) , maintenance monitor, satellite navigation and trip computer
Power windows and mirrors
Remote central locking
Traction Control System (TCS)

I only understand about half of that stuff (mainly the CD stacker etc) but it sounds pretty impressive.

Very proud new owners!!

Farewell...Adieu....Au Revoir....

2009-08-27T11:39:00.002+10:00

As our project slowly comes to a close the farewell drinks have started.

Basically it's just an excuse for eveyone to socialise, mingle and get very drunk!

We went all out and went to a swanky bar on King St Wharf. I had to go on my own because J was at home with the flu. Poor baby.

It was a pretty fun night. I got a little silly but thankfully didn't do anything to completely embarrass myself!

Stuart's wedding

2009-08-24T21:57:00.001+10:00

Took a trip out to the Blue Mountains yesterday for Stuart's wedding. (Stuart is a friend of J's) It was a bit of a drive to get there but the venue was beautiful. It was at Chapel Hill Retreat which has it's own little chapel on site (as the name suggests) and the surrounding gardens were beautiful. We didn't stay at the Reception for long as we didn't know that many people but the ceremony was lovely. Short, sweet and Stuart even shed a little tear (which I imagine he will never live down!)

J & I (photo is a bit blurry!)

The boys (J, Fabian &Stuart)

Stuart and Kerry looking very happy

Girls Gone Wild!!!!

2009-08-17T20:08:00.003+10:00

Girlie weekend on the Gold Coast!!! Such fun!!

It all started back around June when Harriott decided to plan a surprise weekend for Kaz because she had never been on a plane. As soon as Rina and I heard about it we immediately jumped on board. It was quite a challenge keeping it a secret from Kaz for the several weeks between the planning and the actual weekend. She knew something was happening but didn't know what had been planned or that Rina and I were going to be there!

We booked flights, arranged hotels and prepared for our girls weekend away.

Then right at the last minute....Kaz bailed! She called the day before and said she couldn't make it!! So disappointing!!! So we went without her!

The girlies when we first arrived at our hotel

We had a great time! Wandering around soaking in the sunshine and browsing the (fairly dodgy) shops of Surfers Paradise

We also tested out the hotels spa and pool and sampled many a cocktail at various places, including the Casino and in particular Titanium Bar where Harriott and I made friends with the bar tender and had cocktails invented especially for us!

I struggled a little bit because I had a wisdom tooth removed a few days before (see previous post) and was in a fair amount of pain but I soldiered on for as long as I could! :)

The second day were there was very relaxing with Harriott and I spending most of our time laying beside the pool and reading. It was fantastic.

Eventually we had to leave which was both hard because we didn't want to leave the sunshine and relaxation but holidays can't last forever so you really appreciate them when you can!

Harriott at the Gold Coast airport

Oh the pain!!

2009-08-17T09:02:00.000+10:00

Oh the pain...the incredible pain of it all!!!

I had a wisdom tooth out on Thursday and it is still incredibly painful!!

I have never had any major dental work (not even a filling!) so it was quite traumatic! Aside from the fact that it feels like the dentist was trying to remove a part of my jaw bone, when he gave me the anaesthetic he hit a nerve and it felt like an electric shock down my face!! Not pleasant!!

He kept telling me to relax so that along with the pain and extreme discomfort by the end of it I was ready to punch him!!

Then he proceeds to tell me I should have my other two wisdom teeth removed! Not bloody likely buddy!!!

The only reason I got the one removed when I did was because it was infected and painful! The other two are causing me no discomfort so they can stay where they are!!!

I now understand completely why people have such intense dislike for dentists!!!

Just call me Aunty!

2009-07-30T19:07:00.003+10:00

My gorgeous new nephew has made his grand entrance into the world!

Introducing Aden Henry. He was born 24 minutes into the 30 July 2009. He was 53cm long and weighed 4.26kg or 9lb6.

He is just the cutest little thing. I call him my Buddha bubba. He has a squashed up little pudgy face that is just so adorable.

Of course, I am completely biased but I am allowed!!! :)

Congratulations to AJ and Az on their darling new arrival!! Wish I could be there with them!!!!

Delicious!

2009-07-28T19:18:00.000+10:00

I am so proud of myself! I baked a meat pie on the weekend, totally from scratch! I made the filling and the pastry, which of course is not easy but it turned out great!! It tasted really good. So good in fact there was a minor argument in our household over who got to eat the last of it!

Because I tend to be quite messy when I cook/bake I got a new apron so that I stop ruining my clothes.

I wore it to bake the pie and felt like a little fifties housewife. It was quite funny and I had a little giggle to myself.

Leisey Maree

2009-07-26T15:43:00.000+10:00

With the imminent arrival of my new niece/nephew it got me thinking about my gorgeous niece Annaleisa.

She was the first grandchild for Mum and Dad and my first niece.

She was so cute when she was really young with those big big blue eyes! As she gets older she still just as cute but still not much hair poor thing! That is a family trait, none of us had much hair when we were young and even then it was fine fine baby blonde wisps.

I wish I got to see her more often. I get so jealous of Bee sometimes because she gets to see her more often than AJ or I do. I can't wait for Christmas when I get to go home and see her!!!

Waiting....Waiting...Waiting...

2009-07-23T20:20:00.000+10:00

Still waiting waiting waiting for the newest member of the clan to arrive. AJ was due on Tuesday and still hasn't had her bubba.

I know she is getting sick of everyone calling her asking if she has had the baby or telling her to hurry up. It is hard because we are all so excited!!!

Personally I can't can't can't wait for the bubba to arrive. They all call him/her "Russell" but I can't bring myself to call that poor unborn little bubba that, especially if it is a girl.

I guess we can't do anything but wait but it is very hard, expecially sinec I am not the most patient person around!! :)

Pretty New Apartment

2009-07-22T21:32:00.001+10:00

This is my shiny new apartment. Actually we've been here for a few months now so it's not that new but I decided to take some pics over the weekend so i thought I would post some.

It's a very nice little unit. 2 beds, 2 baths, sunroom off second bedroom, balcony off the lounge room, kitchen (yes they are dirty dishes on my sink!! :) ) with a tiny little laundry in the back .

Of course it's not perfect. The kitchen is very small with not enough storage and i don't really like not having a proper clothes line but it's a pretty neat little place and I love living with J. This is the first time I've lived with someone that wasn't my family or a roommate. It's quite a learning experience but I really love it!! :)

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

2009-07-21T22:26:00.000+10:00

Happy Birthday to my Dad!!! It is my dads birthday today. Of course I can't spend it with him, being in another state and all, so I'm sending out big hugs to my daddy on his birthday!

Happy Birthday Big Bro!

2009-07-18T20:34:00.000+10:00

Happy birthday to my big bro!!! My favourite big brother turns the big 3-0 today! I was sad that I couldn't spend it with him. We always had so much fun on birthdays as well as all the other times we went out but birthdays were pretty special!!! Huge hugs to Dorko on his birthday!!! MWAH!

I tried to find a decent photo of the two of us but couldn't find on so I have posted a photo from AJ's wedding a few years ago.

Yummy!!!

2009-07-18T18:08:00.000+10:00

I made the best Lamb Shanks last night. It was a recipe that we got from AJ & Az when we visited them.

It was a bit of an effort to prepare them but they turned out fantastic!!!

Games Night

2009-07-12T21:29:00.000+10:00

Had games night a Loz's. It was really great fun. Haven't seen her in a while so it was good to catch up and we also played board games, which I am great at!!!! :)

One of the games we played was Cranium, which is one of the most fun games ever!!! It is like a mix of charades, pictionary, trivial pursuit, word games with some craziness throw in! It also involves sketching pictures (some times with your eyes closed) and sculpture with Play-Doh.

Here are some truly spectacular outcomes from that game...try and guess what they are supposed to be!

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Visit from Bee

2009-07-07T20:52:00.001+10:00

The week after we got back from Townsville Bee came to visit. Even though I had just seen her on her surprise visit it was good to see her. As usual, that sentiment only lasted the first few days and after that we got on each others nerves.

We did have fun though. We went to dinner with Kaz and Rina and then we went out on Oxford St, the gay centre of Sydney. It was quite an eye opener to walk into a bar full of gay women. Actually a bit intimidating.

Bee under one of the gay pride flags that line Oxford St

Magnetic Island

2009-06-24T15:52:00.000+10:00

While we were in Townsville we visited Magnetic Island for a few days.

We stayed at the Canopy Chalets which were just fantastic!

Magnetic Island was so beautiful and the weather was perfect. We hired pushbikes and scooters to tour the island. Had sore legs after the first day to bike riding (not really used to exercise!)

It was a nice little break and we didn't want to leave! But all good things must come to an end!

Holiday in T'ville

2009-06-24T11:46:00.000+10:00

Spent the last two weeks visiting my sis in T'ville. It was really great to see her, especially since she is 8 months pregnant. It was kind of weird to see her with such a big belly.

My & AJ & Baby belly

It was really great to have a holiday though. It was also the first time that J met anyone in my family. It was slightly daunting but I think it went really well.

Also had AJ's baby shower while we were there and as a surprise for AJ, Mama & Bee showed up. I knew they were coming for several months and managed to keep my mouth shut! Quite a challenge for me!

The baby shower was a fun, but very busy and slightly crazy, afternoon. You can read all about it on AJ's blog, here.

We had such a great time and I can't wait for the next time I visit because that will be when my gorgeous little niece or nephew is born!!!

Site visit

2009-04-24T22:24:00.002+10:00

Have been visiting site for the last few days. In between organising the Expo that is. I love to site visit...get out of the office, get dirty! It was also Rina's first visit to site so it was exciting for her!

Me & Rina

Rina in her work gear!

Me and Eric

Me & Sam on the barge.

Happy birthday to me!

2009-04-08T21:39:00.001+10:00

Today is my birthday!!! YYYAAAYYY!!!

My gorgeous darling bubba bought me a digital camera for my birthday and I had great fun testing it out!

Kazza

Also had a birthday lunch with some lovely work people!