Things I'm Loving

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something you can be thankful for..no matter how simple it is.

I am loving that despite having a hot heavy cast and a broken wrist this boy still smiles everyday

I love that we have great Neighbours who have kids that get along awesome with my kids

I am loving doing some Crafting just for ME

and I am loving school holidays where I get to just hang out with my kids!

Christmas Crafting

I have some AMAZINGLY talented friends. I am both inspired and intimidated by them!
There are four lovely ladies who are not only some of my most favourite people in the world but also some of the most creatively talented people I know.

Ruth, Janine, Jennie, Nicola and I decided that we were going to do a Christmas present swap with each other.
We all made pinterest boards especially for the swap. We had to pin things that we would like someone else to make us. Then we all went through each others boards and picked something to make for each person. So we made and received 4 gifts each.
See my board HERE

So now it is after Christmas I can share what I made and what I received.

NICOLA

Nic pinned this photo frame whiteboard on her board. She also mentioned that her favourite colour was blue, so I set to work.

I found an old frame in my stash of things and cleaned it up. Then using the Sweetest Thing Bluebell Collection from My Minds Eye I made this.

I spent ages dividing it into 7 pieces and stamped a day on each part. Embellished with some flowers, butterflies and a Kaisercraft wooden Birdcage and we were done!

I am really pleased with how it turned out, and I am super glad it arrived in Christchurch in one piece! 

I have always loved these melted crayon pictures. 

I have always wanted to try it myself, and I will get around to doing it ... eventually!!

Nic used this pin to inspire (literally) to make this AWESOME melted crayon art.

I absolutely ADORE it!! At the moment it is hanging in my library. I think it will eventually end up in my craft space when I renovate in there.

RUTH

I started out making something completely different for Ruth but it didn't quite work out. I went scrolling through her  board and saw these and though "hmmm I could make those"

So I raided the kids block box and using It's The Little Things Collection from Fancy Pants and loads of Mod Podge I made these.

Abbey was rather fond of them and Ruth was lucky they weren't stolen, so I might need to make some more!

Ruth was sneaky and didn't make me anything off my board. She knows how much of a Harry Potter freak I am though. Check these beauties out HERE

So she made this for me

I LOVE this sooo much!! It is definitely going to go in the library!

JANINE

For Janine I picked this as inspiration

I spent a while looking for what to use. I didn't want to make card ones I was hoping to find some big wooden dice. One day I happened to walk into Spotlight one day and they had little wooden Calendars ... PERFECT!

So I took it home pulled it apart and did this to it ....

I used The Sweetest Thing Bluebell Collection from My Minds Eye for this. I already knew Janine liked this collection because she has bought quite a bit of it in The Scrap Heap Store!!

Janine really surprised me with her gift to me. Firstly because it wasn't a medium she usually uses and because of how it looked sooo much like the original pin! 

This is what I pinned

And this is what she made 

It's us!! The three Art Night Girls, Roo, J9 & Me .... I Love it!!!

This one I think might end up on the wall in my bedroom.

JENNIE

I knew I wanted to make it as soon as I saw it on Jennie's board!! I might even eventually make one for myself (in orange of course!!)

Pin

And my version

I used The Sweetest Thing Bluebell collection from My Minds Eye again (one of my favourites!) And I filled it up with lollies!

Jennie got inspiration for my present from this pin

She totally blew me away with the little suitcases she made! I love them so much! And excellent colour choices too!!

They are on my mantelpiece at the moment. And look awesome.

I am such a lucky lucky girl to get such amazing presents from my amazing friends! I can't wait to do it again for this years Christmas!!!

My Relationship with Facebook

When I first signed up for a Facebook account back in August 2007 (Thanks FB timeline!) I had no idea how much a massive part of my life it would become.

I love the social media part of it. If not for Facebook I wouldn't have re-connected and re-kindled with old friends or be able to keep as up to date with overseas and out of town family members.

Before Jase died we both were on Facebook. It was cute to send little notes to each other, he'd often embarrass me with his status updates, but I would be on once or twice a day and that was pretty much it.

Facebook for me when Jason died was a LIFESAVER.
95% of our friends found out about his death on the 6 o'clock news and my phone after 6pm went crazy. I went onto Facebook and said ...

Tracy Palmer
16 May 2010
Thanks to all your well wishes, prayers and thoughts. I am not taking any calls at present but feel free to txt or message me here .. I cannot begin to describe how my world is tumbling down right now Love to you all

The phone calls stopped but the messages on Facebook came pouring in. Every night before I went to bed I would sit down and read every single message. Sometimes I would say stuff, sometimes not. It was wonderful to be able to hear from all my friends, know that they were all with me in spirit without actually having to talk to anyone. I am forever grateful for all the messages and support via Facebook from my friends and family.

I now find I am on Facebook ALL the time. I am checking in several times a day. I am updating with things I wouldn't have before.

I sat down and thought about it one day. Why do I have to be on here all the time. Why can't I just be satisfied to turn the darn thing off?
And I came to the realisation that Facebook is my Jason substitute. My Adult company. My sounding board.

When Jason was around he was here to make comments about TV shows with, he was here to small talk with or have deep and meaningful conversations with. He was my sounding board, I would throw ideas with him, share silly things the kids had done with him and tell him all my thoughts. I don't have anyone here to do that with any more so I turn to Facebook. I have friends who take over that role now. They give me feedback, advice, comfort, assurance and even knock the sense into me sometimes. They share my children's achievements and silliness. The good and bad times. And when I think about it like that I don't feel so bad about checking in so often. I don't feel so bad sharing as much as I do. I don't feel like it is taking over my life, it's just a part of it.

I am on the Internet way too much, I totally know that. But coming to an understanding of why I am is the first step in finding a balance.

I'll never give it up, or take a massive break (unless I'm away) I owe way too much to the computer. I met some of my best friends via the Internet, heck I met my husband online! Some of these friends I talk to every single day, and they live in different towns to me. I love sharing my life with them and I love them sharing their lives with me.

In the long run Facebook makes me feel less alone.

2013

It's a new year.
I'm not going to post any resolutions or promises.
Beeg there done that FAILED!!!

I will say:
I am HOPING that this year is a good one.
I am PRAYING that my friends who have struggled through 2012 have a year of good fortune and rewards.
I am WISHING that my children soar this year.
I am BEGGING that nothing bad happens to me, my family or my friends.
I will TRY to be a better Mum, Daughter, Friend, Blogger.
I will REMEMBER what is important to and for me.
I will TAKE opportunities that come my way, because life is too short to regret what I haven't done.
I will CRAFT as often as I can.

I hope that you all have a WONDERFUL year this year. I hope to share it with you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Catch Up ...

Uh Oh! I'm a little bit behind so I will do a quick recap catch up!!!

December 7th

Off on a end of year school trip to the Town Basin and the Pools with Riley.

December 8th

Abbey Entertained herself and Phoebe by reading through our Daily December!

December 9th

We finally got our Christmas Tree!!! YAY!!!

December 10th

Bye Bye Uncle Tony .. back off to Australia.

December 11th

It's really hot in the shop!!

December 12th

YAY!!! New Car!!!

December 13th

Abbey's end of year Dance Festival .. it was A.Dorable!!!

December 14th

Last Day of school and a mysterious letter from Santa telling of a Special package due to arrive!!

December 15th

Christmas Festival with some of my favourite ladies!

December 16th

Preparing for two new arrivals in our family tomorrow!!

I will try not to get so far behind again!!!!

December 5th & 6th

It was a late night last night after having Art night so blogging two days in one again!!

 December 5th
Normal day, kids at school, me at the shop. Nothing much interesting happened.
After school we decided it was time to go get Riley a haircut. It was starting to get in his eyes so that is a sure sign of needing a haircut LOL

The barber was busy as and we were the last in line with about 6 people infront of us .. all kids ... all boys!! Everyone had the same idea as us ... haircut after school!
Riley was awesome sat still and nicely and there was A LOT of hair on the floor when he was done!

Riley LOVES his new hair. He keeps feeling the back of it .. "My hair is so soft Mum" hehehe and it was hilarious when he came in this morning and exclaimed "My hair is still soft Mum!" I told him it will take a while to grow out. Too cute!

Wednesday is Art Night!! Me and two of the most talented ladies get together and eat chips and dip and gossip craft. It had been 2 Christmases ago that we had a picture together so we decided that is was overdue to get one done. First Riley was our photographer, then Abbey. After that Ruth, Janine and I all had a go. It was a laugh out loud extreme event trying to get a decent photo!! I still giggle when I look at them today!

Before the girls arrived Riley practised his photography skills on me and Abbey. He even asked us to do different poses. Hehehe too funny!

At Art Night one of my jobs was to make a very special card for a very special friend who lost her Dad this week. 

Art Night as always was great fun and I got to bed late as always! Love my girls!!

December 6th

Today was the day of the School Triathlon. So this morning I loaded the car up with the bikes and helped the kids take them up to school.

I then went and picked up my brother and we went and bought me a new car!! I will talk more about that when I get the car next week.

Tony and I then went back to school to watch the kids compete.

Riley was up first. 3 Lengths of the pool, 3 laps of the bike track and 3 laps running.

My son is not athletic and he is definitely not competitive. I could never be prouder of my sweet Riley as I was today. He had the Triathlon of his life. He was a lap and a half behind everyone else in the pool but that massive smile didn't leave his face, one of the teachers pushed him on his bike 1/2 way around the course, and he was lapped on the bike by the group of kids that swam after him, after the 2nd lap of his 3 lap run the teacher asked him if he wanted to finished but he said no and continued on and did all 3 laps. He came out way last and he came out smiling. I am SO proud that he pushed himself to finish and I am so proud that he did it all with a smile!! So super super proud of my boy and his determination and persistence!
At the end he said "Man! That was exhausting!"

Abbey's race was much quicker!
One lap of everything. She also performed like a star and with a winning smile!

I feel like my kids are stars today!!!
Another great December Day!!!

December 3rd & 4th

Opps!! I forgot to do my December 3rd post!!!

So yesterday was a pretty ordinary normal day. I did the school morning routine - make lunches, pack bags, take kids to school ... came home opened up the shop.
A courier had dropped off a box of goodies for me. In the package was the Basic Grey Aspen Frost Collection I had ordered. After opening the box all the plans I had made went out the window because I NEEDED to play with the new things!!!

It's so pretty and Christmasey!! I'm not usually a Basic Grey fan but I really like this collection.  I got a few Card kits so I pulled one apart and had a play. Absolutely LOVED it!!

                           

It has been such awesome weather! HOT and sunny and Summery.  The kids decided that when I watered the garden that they needed watering too! I only managed to get pics of Riley since Abbey had got out of the water and dressed before I got my camera out!!

December 4th (today) has been a much more eventful and interesting day! 

My Art night girls, Ruth and Janine, came to play at the shop today. I absolutely LOVE these girls. They are funny, talented amazing ladies! I never get tired of hanging out and crafting with them!! 

                                                         

I didn't get a picture of Ruth, and we are long overdue for a group photo!! But Here is Janine with the heart chip she found hehehe

Today we all got busy with bits and pieces. I made some Christmas tags for my Pinterest Craft swap presents. I also made a VERY long over due swap present.  A lovely lady, Kate, came in so I could help her make a Christmas present for her partner (he specified he only wanted home made gifts! LOVE that idea!!) I filled in my Daily December journal so it is up to date (until tomorrow!!) 

Last night my Biggest brother Tony flew in from Cairns Australia. Last time I saw Tony was when he flew over after Jason died, 2 1/2 years ago! He popped in briefly at the shop for lunch and then after school the kids and I invaded my Mums place to hang out with Tony and my nephew Zane and of course my Mum & Dad too!! Love Love Love my Big brother!!

Yes he IS that much taller than me!!!  Since he has been in Australia (far too many years for me to remember how long!!) He has worked in the mining industry. He bought both my Mum and I one of these adorable little Mining Rescue Lions! I just love him! And bonus points for the orange uniform!!

                    

                  


So all in all today was a pretty good one! Here's hoping the rest of December follows suit!!