teacup

So Long, Farewell , to you and you and you

2008-11-18T15:41:00.004+10:30

Thought I should make it official and say I am going to have a temporary break from blogging. Considering its been over a month since I posted last any way I think its probably fitting..... I mean does anyone read it anyway ?? apart from my mum and dad and sister ( they dont even count!!! )Juggling the usual things like kids,work,out of school activities,school (my own) and the boring bits of housework,cooking bla bla - man I sound whiney - I shall be back in the future - less whiney, less crowded in the head and mojo back ready to blog my little fingers away!!!!! I shall still be reading my usual blogs and probably comment if I can stop my fingers from whining also.

So I shall leave you with this. God love a Birthday girl.

Happy Birthday Miss Three.

Take a trip away....

2008-10-14T15:50:00.002+10:30

Although we had just finished our two weeks of school holidays we decided to go up to the fabulous Gold Coast with our best friends and their two boys. I am not sure when I started feeling really old. Maybe it was the full length mirrors in our apartment oh I mean mirrored wardrobes(noice) - coupled with having to get into bathers - I was feeling rather ragged. Maybe it was eery second girl that passed me was 6 foot tall , brown and way to goddess like slinking around in shorts and bikini tops - but never fear after a couple of fruit and nut bars and some contol top bikini bottoms I felt like I could face the locals! Dreamworld and Seaworld look out!
It was sooooo muuucchhh fffuuuuuunnnn. Yep it was exspensive.Yep all the food there was crap but (here comes the cheesy bit) to see the kids having so much fun and in a constant daze of happiness I would bravely face the bronzed bodies again.
Lokk out bermuda triangle - Here we come again....

I couldnt help myself

2008-09-23T15:57:00.002+09:30

I just couldnt help myself ..... my nose is not that big in real life ... really,truly

aw geez the blisters

2008-09-09T12:46:00.004+09:30

My Social life at the moment is at an all time high. Im talking getting the heels out,blushing up and hittin the dance floor like Im an eighteen year old! ( We can all dream can't we???) I have had three weekends in a row where we have had a fairly swisho special occasion. A fortieth where my husband dressed up as Ziggy stardust and wore a white lycra jumpsuit.
Oh that was special.

Followed by two weddings.
I am feeling the love.
However my blistered toes aint. Heels that only get taken out occasionally are running the risk of showing slight wear. And the dancing? What was I thinking? Or was it the champagne thinking? My toes felt like they were put through a mincer.Or was that because I thought it would be funny to try and do the running man to all early ninety hits? (In my three inch heels)

I even spied some crumpers on the dance floor. MMMMMMMmm lucky we all have a sense of uummmour.

Looking forward to getting back to Saturday night in front of bad Hallmark movies. My toes will thank me for it later.

Awww the happy couple. Congrats.

D is for ...

2008-08-21T11:05:00.003+09:30

I can't believe it has been over a month since my last post.

Oh so much to write but so little time. My Month in short has consisted of the following : ( How Academic do I sound???)

I submitted my first essay in 16 years - yay.
Drum roll please...... And I got a Distinction. I am so pleased with myself - I think I am like so totally smart n stuff. At first when I saw the D I started getting flashbacks from school. Rattling on in my mind was something like this ..." Geez nothing has changed since school I am totally a dumbarse , what was I thinking going back to school"

When I realised that the D was for distinction the conversation in my head went something like this " wow I really am a dumbarse you'd think I wold have worked out the marking system before now.."

Anyhoo in my house I am obviously not the only one who has a bit of rattling conversation going on in my mind - my two and a half year old has an imaginary friend named Gugga . Interesting . Gugga has been around for a while but he really has confirmed his presence in the last week or so. As long as he doesnt wee on the floor, make a mess or hog the telly he can stay.

We trotted off to Palm Cove last week for a lovely sunny relaxing holiday. We ate lots ( especially me ) from the breakfast buffet everymorning. Why do they insist on having pile high pancakes with maple syrup waiting there for the taking??
So apart from lounging around and watching the Olympics we managed a night trip out to the local zoo.

Check the size of this wombat?????

All for animals and all but he was a bit gross although Violet was happy to cuddle him.eeeuuuuuwwww. Anyhoo enough from me. Hopefully I wont wait another month before my next post.

no photos please

2008-07-17T17:00:00.003+09:30

I have been putting off doing a blog post because I cannot find the mini memory card that goes into my camera,copies the snaps,then into my computer and then onto my blog.Tada!!!. Then I realised that I dont have anything crafty to take pics of nor do I rearrange my house and spend hours getting the right light to take a picture. Becasue it just isnt that kind of blog.So I really was running out of excuses. So instead of watching of my kids stuffing their faces with Spaghetti I thought I would hide out in the spare room and write in peace. Did I say peace? because I dont want to jinx myself.

no peace to be had in this house of late. Kids that do not want to go to bed. And some times when they are in bed they want to either wet it or just get out of it at odd times in the night.

I cant even take a snap of my disgusting ganglion cyst that is on my wrist. Trust me if you saw it you so would not want to be my friend. I diagnosed myself ofcourse, because I obtained my medical degree from google.

I cant take a snap of all the ace pics I have been getting off etsy. You will just have to trust me.

And for all you nice readers that asked about my dad - he is fine. Tumour benign and removed completely.Very lucky for a man who has fagged and drunk all his life. But he is as chirpy as ever and doing great guns. As for my beautiful friend who lost her darling little boy - well what can I say ? Life is cruel sometimes but she is doing the best she can.( which is pretty bloody amazing if you ask me!)

ps thank god school is back!

Things are kind of sucky

2008-06-22T19:55:00.004+09:30

Yes things are a bit sucky for me at the moment .

It has just been one of those weeks.

One of my best friends lost her three week old son. oh so very heart breaking and tragic.
Tomorrow will be the three year anniversary of my nephew who passed away when he was four weeks old.
How can this happen????? Let alone twice???? Does it ever get easier???

My Dad going into hospital tomorrow to get a tumour removed.

Sucky - I tell you.

But this makes me laugh. Really laugh . Pee your pants kind of stuff. Flight of the conchords.

Back to School

2008-06-14T09:06:00.002+09:30

Yep.I am back to SCHOOL.

I have to remember what the dewy decimal sysytem is. I have to remember how to write an essay. I get to use a highlighter .It is all happening I tell you.

This will help me when I am working at PANDA. This will help me achieve what I truly want to do as far as work goes.It has only taken me five years to find the right thing.

And yes, I will be the annoying mature age student in the front row constantly with my hand up.

Do you remember these??

2008-06-03T19:58:00.002+09:30

Today as I drove past my local op shop I saw THIS in the Window. Remember???? How Sweeeeeet! I cannot find my memory card for my phone so I can't even take my own picture of it.
So here is someone elses
About A year ago I bought the whole kenner family tree house on ebay for $80.00. Bit nuts I know but I was desperate to have one. I justified it to myself that my kids would love it as much as I did as a kid.Well they don't - infact they barely play with it even though though it takes pride of place on their shelf in their room.

See don't even have another picture to show!

This one from the op shop was five bucks!! Wooohhhhhooooo!! It was just the shell but I will eventually track down all the pieces/family etc and give it to my best friend as a surprise - she shares my love for this green piece of plastic.

And I don't have to worry about her finding out as she refuses to read my blog.She likens it too reading my diary and can't bring herself to do it. Ha surprise for her!!

What were your fave childhood toys?????

One Hundred!

2008-05-22T15:39:00.006+09:30

I had been meaning to do a blog post for ages. I then without realising it went on a little blogging break. Had a little writers block. Had nothing exciting to say really. Then I realised it was my one hundredth post!! Yippee for me!! Tradition would say that I have to do a giveaway..... So I guess I will....Maybe a bit of fabric added with a little paper. Maybe a surprise. We shall see so leave a comment to reap a reward. No rush though - I don't like to be in a hurry - you have got til next week. Time for the lurkers to de lurk and if anyone else reads this to realise that I am still alive! So what have I been doing I hear you ask.....

* over indulging in Rocky Road Chocolate
* watching too much netball on the tv
* going to a fund raising function with 500 woman - crazy drunk ladies that I think maybe were waiting for manpower??
* trawling ebay and wasting time on facebook
* slow cooking Lamb shanks
* trying to exercise our crazy whippet
* doing way to much driving
* doing way to much washing thanks to child wetting the bed every fourth night
* Holding new babies - that are all boys
* Slowly coming to terms that I probably won't have a new baby of my own again
* Eating too many pastries for morning tea
* Drinking too many cups of tea
* Hoping that the next call I take at Panda is always better than the last.
* Trying to tune out to a screaming toddler
* Calming children when they have coughing fits at 3am
* Going to a truckload of birthday parties!
* Walking to school in the cold icy Melbourne mornings
* Loving the new show mistresses and so excited that silent witness and Spooks are back on

See I tell you not that exciting. I will venture to pull out my sewing machine and finish some projects that I started a while ago. I will venture to pull out the guillotine and get some new cards happening. Oh promises promises.

Thought I would leave you with this sight -
The proud dancing princess

The proud dancing princess Viper from Gladiators - sad I know.

I have been indoors for a while

what we eat..

2008-05-04T16:21:00.003+09:30

Better late than never I say. I don't often join in on other bloggers challenges , not because I don't like them but purely because I cannot be bothered. Boils down to laziness really.

So FAIRLIE threw out the challenge and THIS I could not resist. I just found it fascinating. What people eat. A snippet of their life .... I am a closet stalker.

So this is us

Around Aus $82.00 (decided not to include the dog food and toilet paper) then I usually spend another $30 during the week on more fresh fruit and veg and something from the butcher and the baker (ha ha pardon the pun). There was already broccoli,pumpkin,carrits and zucchini in the house and some red meat in the freezer .I can keep my grocery costs down because I have fussy children that are happy to have basic inexpensive food ie spaghetti bolognese,vegetable risotto,and sausages and veg. Ha no lobster thermadore for them!
You will always find bread,apples,bananas and rocky road chocolate at my house and a crisper full of mini can coke zeros .

And I am always good for a cup of tea also.

I do the shopping bulk at the local coles (ocassionally the safeway when I am feeling a little crazy ) And go to my local Butcher,green grocer and bakery down the road.Support the locals I say.

What you got????

Is copying the new Black?

2008-04-25T10:41:00.003+09:30

Seems to a bit of it going on. Mentioned it a little here. Atleast Violet mentioned where she got her inspiration ( cough splutter copy ) from.

And who the artist was.

And she is allowed.
Because she is family and they are the rules.

And yes she did do it.

Not so PC

2008-04-14T13:12:00.005+09:30

There was always going to be a time where one of our kids was going to cross the line of taking family jokes and turning them into a public joke. As a child of Indian Immigrants it isn't uncommon for myself or my siblings to take of their accent. In fact we do it rather often. So much so that now Violet does it. We get the " you have just won a mobile phone " (in an Indian accent) and even more frightening when Violet opened a lolly bag from a recent party to find a chico in it she said " hello I am from India" (in a thick Indian Accent ) and proceeded to eat it.

I am sure that is quite politically Incorrect!

As my husband is still attempting to redeem himself from my birthday shannigans he decided to clean out the pantry this weekend whilst I was doing a course.

He may nearly be there!!!

On top of that I had excitedly ordered one of Stacey's hats . I bought these for my girls last year and couldn't resist getting one for myself.

I love it !! And who said matching your kids was daggy????????

All good things must come to an end...

2008-04-04T19:50:00.003+10:30

Last day of school holidays today. Yippppeeeeeeeee.

Not that I haven't enjoyed quality time with my girls.

But after two whole weeks my patience was wearing a little thin. I am sure you get what I mean.
In particular Wednesday was a doozy not only was there those crazy storms that blew of half of our gate and ripped an awning clean off I locked myself out of the house. with the kids.
The crying whining wet kids.
Anyhoo a yummy lunch with friends and a good dose of Hannah Montana in 3D seemed to brighten the day for myself and Violet (who was bopping in her seat with mega sized 3D glasses on). Then to my surprise I recieved a birthday present in the mail. Check it out HERE

How fantastic... what a nice thought. I love it so much that I haven't taken it off when I am around the house.... maybe I am getting closer to being Martha....So thank you Thank you thank you Cam!

And just to let you know STACEY,I am still doing some cards.

Its my Birthday and I will cry if I want to.

2008-03-27T16:09:00.002+10:30

Today it's my birthday........ and my husband forgot!

So I got no cuddles in the morning let alone a card - Present? hhhhhhmmmmph... not even a flower from the garden. No kids jumping on the bed with excitement yelling happy Birthday - noooooooooo - just a smelly dog lick from Winnie the crazy whippet. Maybe I will get the excuse that it was our anniversary 2 weeks ago and I got a present that I exchanged ( to a very similar one)Or maybe I will get the "buy yourself one" because Want a pair of winter boots that I am sure he isnt going to choose (fair enough). Ok the no present thing I can deal with - but forgetting????

That sucks.

Not even a card??

That sucks

Anyhoo picked a winner for my great paper giveaway. Two actually because to fell out of the box by accident.See how fair I am??? And sorry no pics of the names and box etc but I couldnt be bothered today.

Curly pops and Cass from Snailblazer.

So Ladies send me your email details and Ill send you some goodies of the paper kind!

school holiday giveaway

2008-03-24T17:29:00.005+10:30

Ive never done a giveaway before.... not really sure why you would want to give your stuff.Unless you hate it and its crap.Or maybe you are just super generous. My reason is to declutter the things I are not going to use as much of. (Especially after our easter house re arrange)

My thing is paper. Lots of different types but my fave types of paper are Japanese paper and vintage wallpaper.I have tonnes.I used to use tonnes.

This year I am looking to go back to school.(adult study...makes me squirm alittle just thinking about it). I am just going back part time and will probably get my degree for my 45th birthday , but hey, follow that dream they say!! Hence not so much time for doing my cards.So I thought I would give away a stash of wallpaper,japanese paper and other paper tid bits that are begging to be used. If you want to be on the recieving end just leave a comment. If you are shy just leave the word poo if you want. Whatever makes you happy.

Here is a sneak peak at my latest project.

I will post pics of the finished product.

God I love chasing around my walking two and a half year old! The novelty has not worn off yet (obviously)!!

Post Party

2008-03-17T15:39:00.004+10:30

Thank you for all those understanding comments about childrens parties. Well Violets was a pretty successful one - dancing,singing,laughing and eating. Doesn't get much better than that! The Birthday Girl was extremely well behaved and gracious ( which was quite different from last year )

The house is still a mess but hey I think it is too hot to care. Even her little sister got into some birthday games action.

Next year Violet has just informed me that should would love a Hannah Montana party...omg it's just been over 24 hours....

Up Up and Away

2008-03-14T21:51:00.003+10:30

Well its finally happened...my two and half year old daughter is finally beginning to walk!
Praiiiissssseee the Lord! Well done Saffy - we thought you may have been pipped by your not-even-one-year-old -cousin. Maybe that is what finally got ther butt into gear.

No more being on the recieving end of strange looks when I tell people she is over two. No more being scared to go to the health nurse because I just so cannot be bothered having to go through my story with her.

Very weak muscle tone. Yes she has a paeditrician. Yes she does physio. mmmm yes she even has had a barrage of intrusive tests that showed up nothing.yep nuttin! Yes she has a nuerolgist and yes it has cost us an effing fortune (not just financially)

I was getting very sick and tired of carrying my little thumper around. My hips have been constantly out and maybe I will be saying goodbye to the sickening click my chiropracter makes adjusting it back in.
I can now finally enjoy what other kids Saffy's age have been doing...... visits to the park , wandering to the shops hand in hand and not have to juggle carry hefty 16kg child with handbag,groceries,child bag (spare nappy etc) and generally a six year olds schoolbag also!!
Speaking of six year olds - Violet turned six last Sunday. The Itinary was created by miss six.

Bike Ride

Trip to the park

beach

Mcdonalds for dinner.
Demandinnnnggg!!! Well Miss six is walking around as a bundle of excitement as she is having birthday party this weekend. A "High School Musical" party. Sounds very special doesn't it???? Well if you are six it may just be one of the highlights of your schoolterm! I am rather laid back about this party - I am not one for organising venues and and co ordinating party accessories. A cd player, some good old fashioned games and fairy bread at home always seem to do the trick.

And definately no parents. ( I mean of other kids - party girls parents will be there or DHS maybe contacted). It's not there party so bugger if I will be entertaining them aswell. ( More party food for me and the kids I say!)

Is it wierd that I even know some the songs.. like word for word???

Anyway wish us luck ....

happy Anniversary

2008-03-06T14:37:00.004+10:30

Forgive me Father as it has been fourteen days since my last post. I occasionally fall off the blogging horse. I have actually been on a little bit of a working soiree. I say soiree because although I was in Sydney working at the Gift and Trade show selling this great product I also happened to be child free.

Just me.

Eating breakfast in peace.

No little heads popping around the corner when you want to go to the toilet.

No Mad rush hour of dressing,feeding ,tidying in the mornings.

Having the remote all to myself.

Reading this in peace.

Just me me me.

Back to reality now. Making these pants for Saffy.

Now I just have to learn to rethread the bobbin. Oh geez. Bloody fiddly little things.

By the way. It's my wedding Anniversary today. Nine Years.

Three property moves (not including an overseas stint)Eleven Birthdays,Valentines days. Five Mothers Days. Five Fathers Day. Five Family Trips to New Zealand. Six Camping trips.Two Births.Two Dogs.Seven Jobs.Four trips to the Sunshine coast.Numerous sporting teams although all of them named the "poochies".Four Funerals.Six weddings. Seven cars.Eight Countries visited.

Numerous occasions of laughter ,lllluuurrvvveee and great times. ( Hope I score a good pressie!!!)

Happy Anniversary Willy xx

Summer Holiday - The Last Stand.

2008-02-20T18:02:00.006+10:30

Well being back in the land of Reality has its pros. Sleeping in your own bed. No more living out of a suitcase and the comfort of being able to catch up on this.

Being on Holiday in New Zealand was fantatsic. There are lots of things I love about New Zealand. For example I love this chocolate bar and ofcourse this one ( strange name I know ).

I love the fact you can be walking in beautiful rainforests like this

And then come upon this 100m later

Late nights,sleeping in,eating out,catching up with friends and family sigh sigh. Oh well now back to hauling my butt to the gym to work off all those pinky bars.

And attempting to get over my daughter asking me what sex was.

summer holiday

2008-02-09T17:05:00.000+10:30

Crazy I know but I am writing a post from our summer Holiday. We didn't take one at Christmas because we knew we would be flying across the ditch to a friends wedding in Wellington New Zealand soonish after. So here we are in Wellington taking in the sights and sounds of this gorgeous city.

So there are no snaps to be soon although I am taking some when I remember.

The wedding was divine and so was the reception.... and after a few champas I declared to Mr.D that I thought we were the coolest couple there. You see I am so witty and glamorous after a glass and a half of champagne. So what if I'd blistered my feet wearing 3 inch heels within the first ten minutes - walking is totally overrated. Double so what if my spray on tan had been mucked up a bit on my hands and they looked like I had stolen them off an oompa loompa. Small things I tell you.

Off to Rotorua tomorrow - a six hour drive away - with the kids. MMMMMmmmm that should be fun.

New Kids on the Block

2008-01-30T21:24:00.000+10:30

Well as much as I was soooo desperate for the school year to begin there was a little excitement and much trepidation about going back to school this year - because it is a new school for my little Grade 1 girl.

Much bigger than the last.
Much more overwhelming when you've just figured out the dynamics of school friends and realise you have to start again. But after some tears at the start and a few whimpers of " Will I have any friends?" ( me then stopping to put my heart back in ) off she went holding hands with her new teacher.

I was so excited to do the first school pick up for 2008 - although it was the first day for me too remember - I didn't know a soul either - but when I finally saw her walking out, arms linked with two other girls and not even a hello to me but " Ella wants me to play at her house tonight so can I go?" I figured everything would be alright.

And she does have the coolest library bag in the class - well me and my Janome think so anyway!!!!

Welcome Home with a bag full of goodies.

2008-01-20T09:48:00.000+10:30

My Husband has been away for two weeks in Las Vegas for work. Nice for some. Maybe it has been because it has been smack bang in the school holidays or right after Christmas but he has been really missed.
That's not to say he wouldn't be missed as a general rule but there was something about this trip that made us all very sad and miserable that we weren't all together.
He even got a home made "Welcome Home Daddy " sign at the airport.
So what does my spunky W. do to make up for his time away.
Shower us with gifts.
And man,were they good! Maybe a little overboard for the kids but I'm happy for some over compensation to go on occasionally. There was GAP items for the girls - embarrassed to say he even got into double figures of how many items of clothing he bought for them. I should add for himself also - good shopper old Willy - especially when I got a filled bag from Victoria Secret. Weeeeheeee. Then came out the Disney bag.
You need to understand I have a highly influenced Five turning thirteen year old that happens to be a Disney -Marketing Dream. In fact when they set their demographic I am sure it just says " Violet Davey".
Anyhoo out came the High School Musical WII game with microphone ofcourse - then the Hannah Montana tshirt - mmm noice. He smugly tells me that we were lucky that he didn't buy the wig.Yep that's right you can even buy wigs in the Disney store.

The hit was the Peter Pan and Captain Hook costumes purchased so when her male friends come over they have something to dress up if they want to. Yes I know all feminists out there - offensive on a few levels but lets not take the fun out of the day of over-consumption! Including this day and my views on Christmas I am surprised you haven't seen me on Today Tonight.

You just couldn't wipe the smile of this little girls face!

Nimble Fingers

2008-01-17T16:11:00.000+10:30

I got a Janome for Christmas.

Watchyouget???

No news is good news

2008-01-13T18:46:00.000+10:30

I guess I should be saying that I am back from a wonderful Christmas holiday where I had no access to a computer therefore I couldn't blog.... But that would be such a lie because I have just been hanging out in sunny ( stinking stifling hot on some days ) Melbourne. I mean really where would you rather be??? I just have been really lazy and not blogging - although reading blogs avidly, incase I missed out on some fantabulous news.
Myself on the other hand has no reallll exciting news - except that this afternoon was a bit of a doozy.
Decided to pop in to my old neighbourhood Supermarket as I needed a chemist and they have an adjoining one. It completely slipped my mind that there was a reason we moved from that unfriendly pain-in-the-arse area. This just reminded me - I pulled into our car park and was just about to hop out of the car when a car pulled up into the space next to me - so close that I couldn't open my car door. I waited a little bit as I just assumed he would back out and straighten up his park. It was pretty obvious he hadn't parked properly. The driver and his passenger could see myself and my two kids in the car.

I then realised he wasn't going to straighten up and his passenger got out and wandered in to the supermarket whilst he waited in the car - as he couldn't get out either . I am looking at him thinking what profanity can I scream at you?? Hellooooooo???? So I have to jump over to the passenger door to let myself out and get the two kids out of the car.
Noice.
I am telling you - friendly suburb - great community feel. After a deep sigh I thought " I have my two girls with me , he must know he has been a pig I'll just go inside. Which I proceed to do and head straight to the chemist to see if I can get something for eldest daughter stomach cramps. Two nights of her waking up upset and in the fetal position was kind of freakin me out.

Not as much as when the chemist recommended I give her an enema before anything else.

Effing great.

Try explaining that to a 5 1/2 year old.

Needless to say I headed off home with a slightly anxious feeling....eeeuuuuuwww this wasn't going to be fun. Lucky my daughter has a great sense of humour and took it all in her stride.

Half an hour later and from the toilet she yells " MMMUUUMMMMM this is a bit weird I think I want to do poo but I think I'm doing wee" when I go in to see if she is ok I get " Can you give me some privacy please Mum?"

Christ she will be asking for a newspaper next.

It just wouldn't be right....

2007-12-24T12:33:00.000+10:30

Dear Lord it has been eleven days since my last post...... Wow how time flies when you have several Christmas parties,bbqs, and just general shannanigans around this festive season. It just wouldnt be right if I didnt do the obligatory Christmas post. Yes, I have queued , bustled and waited for car parks with the best of them. I have cooked,roasted and baked - not to mention the cleaning. I have wrapped , written and posted. It is a nuts time of year.

Especially when your daughter picks her christmas trinkets with her father.

I feel exactly the same way I did last year at christmas so although I am sure there will be alot of you reading this will disagree with me ( horses for courses ).

Merry Christmas!!

technical hitch

2007-12-13T12:23:00.000+10:30

I have been a little slack on the blogging front as of late because everything seems to have hit a glitch. Couldn't charge the camera. Optus kept suspending our phone due to their own billing mistakes. Every time I got on the computer I was strangely compelled to search through Facebook for the Australian netball team.

I know - strange but true. My blogging was pushed to the wayside just so I could get a glimpse of Liz Ellis....

Trying not to freak out that my forever fagging father was in hospital with all sorts of breathing/lung/tumour issues - deciding if this was the right time in my life to get addicted to some sort of anxiety relaxant and it be totally justified!?!

Lots of christmas excitement going on - although we temporarily lost the tree and then the box of decorations.
Christmas Carols and morning teas have definately made up for that.

What is it with this time of year and morning teas?????

I shouldn't really complain as I never say no to some cheesecake and home made slice ( even if it is before 11.00 am)

Anyhoo also trying my hand at some bunting for Christmas pressies.

Whatdya think???? Just ignore the smudges on the tv - how do people photograph bunting so well???

Off on a date tonight with my husband - hooowwww romantic .... hoping it won't be some last minute christmas shopping at chaddy then some misery and salmonella from the food court.

Im sure we can do better than that!

It's a Bake Off

2007-12-02T19:00:00.000+10:30

What do you do when you are stressing about all things Christmas.... For example all those Christmas presents and allllll those expenses that comes with dinners and do's and trying to still get into the spirit of things.

Well I baked.

Nothing like some vanilla cupcakes with buttercream icing to make you feel better.

Pre that little bake off there was the Humming bird cake. (with cream cheese frosting)

oooooohhh and if only I could take proper snaps to show how tasty and good they were.

I could show the dimples on my thighs as proof but that could be pushing the friendship.

Ode to Sammy

2007-11-25T18:23:00.000+10:30

Here is a little story to sure put a smile on your face.

The other morning my two year old daughter decided to pour her bottle of water over herself whilst I was driving. After sitting in that soaked car seat she was very very wet. Being the super organised mum that I am I didn't have a spare pair of pants with me.(bugger) Luckily the physio didnt care that she had completely wet pants on.... next stop was my gym where I was having a training session with a friend. I had no time to go home and get new pants so I texted my friend to see if she had anything in the cupboard of her daughters that mine could borrow. Although there is a three year age difference I was pretty confidant she could find something for Saf that she could get through the next hour in without feeling like she went to the toilet on herself several times over. Ofcourse I got a reply back saying "no problem."

When I got to the gym my friend told me that she just couldn't find anything that would fit my daughter........so.......SHE MADE HER A PAIR OF PANTS TO WEAR!!!!!!!!.

In, like twenty minutes!!!

Aren't you all jealous that she is my friend!!!!!!!!!!

A very thoughful and generous one at that!!!

They were such a hit I believe you may be even to get some yourself. They are Ace. Over the next few days . watch this space

I guess I should also mention that it is my husbands birthday today. He doesn't like too much of a fuss made for his birthday - what is it with men. I guess there hasn't been to much excitement going on in the Mr. Davey camp due to an excessive bout of gastro and doing his knee at indoor soccer. Gross I know. But hey what is a blog without sharing????

He scored a vintage croquet set from here.

More about him here.

Happy Birthday Willy you big spunk!

Blame it on the rain

2007-11-18T15:31:00.000+10:30

Not even hailstones and pouring rain can ruin a good wedding.

Ok so a little bit of champagne helped .... especially when my heels were slowly sinking into the ground. What a fantastic place. Great company and ofcourse a beautiful couple ..... aaaahhh ooohhh sigh.

It was lovely.

Here is my obligatory photo in the mirror shot.

And no I didn't yell out " don't sign ! don't sign "

The farmer wants a wife

2007-11-07T20:14:00.000+10:30

oooohhh yes it is my new favourite show

I do have a really bad habit of getting attached to every possible really crappy reality tv show that comes out - this time is no different. I love it. I am not sure what I love more - the super sensitive new age farmer who talks of gazing into the eyes of one of the poor girls vying for his attention .... maybe its the farmer that had his mum come over and change the sheets ( he was a little confused as to why because he only slept on one side???!!!!!).

What can I say ??

Love a good trashy show.

My second favourite is "Tori and Dean Inn love".

Obviously I have too much time on my hands (which is ironic because I haven't blogged in a while). But don't worry you haven't missed out on anything exciting as I would just be gushing about my eldest daughters first school concert and how proud I was just to see her on stage or how absolutely joyous I am that my second daughters test results came back negative for some nasty conditions that you wouldn't wish on any child.

Or maybe I could mention all the bits and pieces we are trying to get organised for around the house ie Blind quotes (not of the non-seeing kind) drive way gate quotes, looking at pavers - you know,blah blah blah.

However, I have been busy making some cards.

birthdays and special friends

2007-10-23T12:19:00.000+09:30

Well although I haven't posted for a while ( because I am a lazy cow) you would think I have some exciting news. But I have nothing.
nuttin.
nada.

Ok here are some semi exciting tidbits...

My youngest daughter turned two - and ooohhh so cute because she is slowly bearing weight and taking some steps when I hold her hands. Yippppeeeeeeee.

She is currently obsessed with Dora. ( Sorry all you the "tv is not a babysitter Mums" out there .

My Husband resigned from his job and now has five weeks before he starts his new one - mmmmmmmm, could this drive me nuts????? He is going to pave the back yard.....

I got to be my cutesy-pie nuffy niece 's special friend at her "special friend day" at creche. It was ace fun - even if she still calls me mum?????

I got a speeding fine of $220 and have lost three demerit points.Bugger.

I have been madly making cards and lucky for me - selling them!!

Started my counselling training course with Panda.

Attempting to cut down on my chocolate intake.

Finding out my five year old has started playing kiss chasey at school.

Having to have a lie - down after finding out about the last tidbit.

Well Saf here's to you my big two year old - Happy Birthday ( and here's hoping you don't turn out like your sister!!!!!! )

Kinda joking there.

2007-10-12T19:39:00.000+09:30

Having been home a week it seems like we've never been away. Although the extra two kilos that have made a home for themselves around my tummy and thighs are just a pleasant reminder. Maybe it was the buffet breakfasts every morning where I just couldn't resist the biryani,roti and curry.... maybe it was the cadbury fruit and nut bars that I consumed daily just before naptime.Yep you read it - nap time in sync with saffys.mmmmm cosy. Love Holidays. Maybe it was the clear blue sky and lovely sun that kept us lazing by the pool..... and at night walking the streets with the locals ( and scungy mice and scrawny cats with broken tails). The malaysian people were beautiful and strangely obsessed with my kids ( who lapped up every bit of it).

Saffy even met a friend on the plane. Sad that her little friend look like such a feminine angel and Saffy looks like an infant version of Chopper Reed.

And you thought I was joking.

Oh well the food was great.
The hotel Amazing.The wildlife exciting. And we all managed to stay in the same room for nine days. Strangely warm and fuzzy.

Now off to watch wire in the blood....

Paris

2007-10-07T21:34:00.000+09:30

Move over Paris.

I may be only five but I have soooooo got you covered.

Hi Honey I'm Home

2007-10-06T09:04:00.001+09:30

mmmmmm what a great escape...... room with a view....

jealous???

much????

Did come home to a dog that had broken her knee cap and had a pin put in it. I had been trying to resolve her gambling debts but I guess the canines in the neighbourhood had other ideas.

Anyone who knows of any good dog trainers/clubs/tips etc that can help us control our super bubbly (but oh so lovable ) pup (who is getting to be the size of one large whopping dog) would be sooooooooo much appreciated.

Anyhoo more about the hol later but just another snap just to rrrreeeeaalllly rub it in

Well here's another just to make sure.....

new jewels

2007-09-21T15:01:00.000+09:30

Happy to be home after my stint at The Sydney Gift and Jewellery fair. Although I did have no kids to chase after and basically slave too - I still missed them. Guess Will should get a mention also - definately missed his crazy jokes and infectious giggle - also missed the maccas they had every second night for dinner!!!!

Amongst all the stands of Imported product ( sigh ) it was great to meet a very clever girl, Nicole Lacey,who is the brains behind Hot Toffee. Beautifully handcrafted goodies. Ofcourse I coudn't resist a purchase or too - although I did take some photos but because I am so crap at doing that I thought I would just add a linl to her website - and she has an etsy site.yay.

In other news we are getting ready to go off on our mini adventure to Kota Kinabalu. Actually nothing to mini about flying twelve hours with two kids under six but hey I am sure we will make up for the stress with a massage and cocktail in handafterwards. If you aren't jealous yet then just letting you know there is a kids club and nannies on hand.....

Also got some fabric from Corriefor my daughters bedroom project - photos to follow in september 2009 - just joking - hopefully my ideas will work out!
mmm you'd think I could of ironed it before I took a picture!

The busy One

2007-09-13T12:12:00.000+09:30

Some days I wonder if I have too much time and am I using my time wisely. I wish I had a day like that coming up - or that had just been. Instead things have been buzzing at a frantic pace, lots going on in my little bubble and my surrounding bubbles. Three newly announced pregnant friends. Yippppeeeee we all love a good pregnancy. An engagement - double yippee - especially love it when it is of the shotgun kind!! ( Happy shotgun kind) Sooooo invitations to help organise amidst running around after school child who seems to have a very full social calender this week. Fighting with snotty grotty and miserable second child who doesn't want to eat this week and just keeps moaning Biiiicccckkkkkkeeeeee. Trying to fight off cough,cold,sore throat etc that has been crippling rest of family as I am off to Sydney tomorrow for the next gift and jewellery fair. AAAAnnnddd doing some cards. Meeting with Panda about doing some volunteering for them and eating copious amounts of chocolate. See Busy.. I tell ya.

The postman rang once

2007-09-06T16:20:00.000+09:30

I had a liitle surprise at my door yesterday of some nice new Japanese yuzen paper. Gave me a good motivating kick up the bum - so here are some snaps.

Bit of this and a bit of that...

2007-09-02T16:41:00.000+09:30

Well what a lovely sunny fathers day. Home made cards and the garden toy request was recieved happily.No brekky in bed for the daddy of the house - he did get a coffee with froth - does that count??

Not too much has been happening of late but just enough. Waiting for some new Yuzen papers to arrive so in the meantime have been nursing a sick child (fever etc) and some recieved some great (not)service from the local (not regular doctor) who looked at his watch when we walked in AND answered his mobile phone.

I had been eyeing off one of Staceys hand knitted lovelies for ages so I am happy to say I recieved them a couple of weeks ago. I had to get my daughters matching beanies. Cruel I know but I just couldnt help myself. Ofcourse I didnt have to beg to get Violet to pose in the beanie for this one!

Bit late with snap of a great marimekko print tablecloth for a friend also...

Things I am looking forward to this week are...
1. Hopefully oldest child well enough to go back to school.
2. Eating fathers day leftovers - slow cooked rogan josh - yum
3. Getting some energy from somewhere ...anywhere...
4. Playing a 10.25pm game of netball (just kidding about that one)

Flashback Friday

2007-08-24T16:38:00.000+09:30

Here is a picture of me ( with my stylish five year old bouffant ) with my older sister after my very first sports day at primary school. I was in the gold team hence the yellow tshirts - my sister was the captain so I think I thought she was the best thing ever. I had a blue ribbon because at a very young age I was freakishly fast at running. Ha gone are those days!!
"go little fella run like the wind"

I had been eyeing off this digital pic on canvas for a while so I decided to get it. It is by a local girl. I wish I once looked that cool!!!

Hoping to have a weekend of sunshine and of course the obligatory stuffing my face, especially after the crazy week of trips to the post office trying to organise passports, costumes for book week and a crazy non stop growing puppy who has turned out to be a whippet cross blue heeler instead of a whippet cross jack russell - yes I know I am still laughing and gasping.

The Adventures of .... Trude and Pru

2007-08-19T08:17:00.000+09:30

Dear Pru
Hope Norrsa is fab. The Market is diviarne. The shirts are getting a great response especially nnorw Im wearing one - sooo glad we increased the collar by 1cm - when you wear it up it looks sooo much better. Some new retailers around, this nnuuew stall holder Aunty Cookie is sooooo busy she does goorrgeous little drawings and fabric. Darl she says to just relax? Anyway Jane and the girls from the tennis club are here so I'll send you another email soon. Darl I am getting so tarred that I'll have to go up to the house in Norrsa once its all over.

Bar Bar
Trude xx

Ok so I am being a little cheeky but after my stint at Magnolia Square I think I earned the right! Shan's stall was looking hot and it was great fun meeting some other bloggers. Kind of weird knowing so much about peoples lives and then seeing them in the flesh - and even if this was slighlty stalkerish of me I recognised Jo from jelly babys' kids before I even saw her. So lovely to meet Jodie,Annie (even if they were the craziest!!!!)Jo,Bec, Cathy and Stacey. Apparently Miss H&B popped by but the hooch didnt say Hi!!!! Anyhoo, life will be getting back to normal a bit now because after two trade fairs and Magnolia Square I am a little tired of smiling all the time not to mention missing my husband and kids etc yadayadayada.Looking forward to catching up with some friends and filling some new wholesale orders ... but more of that later.

Flashback Friday

2007-08-09T20:33:00.000+09:30

This is a picture of moi and my sisters , circa 78' ... I think. Nice overalls thanks Mum. Cannot believe that pudgy kid in the middle is now a stick thin insect. Whenever I look back on photos of me as a young girl ( I say Girl because I know you are all thinking who is that little fella in the brown overalls??) and complain to my mum about the outfits we were dressed in,"Apparently" we were very fashionable and were dressed in Mothercare clothes. How very International. I will let you be the judge of the fashion stakes.

I have just finished working at the Gift and Jewellery fair in Melbourne.My cheeks are sore from smiling.Sneakily scored some new customers for my own business.HA ha yippee. Off to the Fine Jewellery fair on the weekend so if my posts are few and far between its because I am smoozing with some diamond lovin retailers.

2007-07-30T16:42:00.000+09:30

Since posting nice embarrassing pictures from the beyond seem to be the order of the day I thought I would share my own - my sister and I aaalloonng time ago. How sad at such a young age I managed to have a considerable sized bouffant - noice. My mums excuse for not growing my hair until I was thirteen was " your face was too small" - excellent work, I just loved being mistaken for a boy. Especially went I would be sent down on my malvern star to the local milkbar to get my dads cigarettes - or even better - just some tally-ho's. The milkbar man would always hand over the packet of fags saying "there you go son". No issues there.

Anyhoo things that have been happening in my world lately -

1. Stupid f#@%ing doctors who LOST my daughters test results and we now have to have them alllllll re-done. So looking forward to that trip into the Royal Children's hospital.NOT. And then having to wait a-n-o-t-h-e-r 6-8 weeks to get the results.

2. Getting pulled over by the police at 8.55am (rushing to school) because I turned into a street that had a big sign saying "no right hand turn between 7am & 9am".oops. (guess I got away with it for half the year..)and Violet crying in the back seat thinking they were going to put me into jail.

3.My husband getting back from Bangkok with some Victoria Beckham Knock off jeans for moi. (Now all I need is anorexia for Christmas ... just joking)

4. Getting lots of cards done for some of my new customers - here is a peek -

Off to do more cutting and pasting..

Latte anyone???

2007-07-21T17:28:00.000+09:30

I decided to post this picture of my five year old daughter .... just because I liked it.

Its my blog so I can post what I like.

Ofcourse I like my kids.... ( sometimes)

I liked it because I am soooooo crap at taking photos that I wasnt shocked by the outcome.I liked it because I cannot say that I am super crafty and knitted her beret come beanie. I can say thank you Target circa 2006. I love that my constantly growing daughter can still fit her noggin into that noice acrylic beanie. ( However now that I read so many crafty blogs I will ofcourse purchase a hand knitted delight for her next winter... promise)

I mostly love the picture because it captures her cheekiness and ofcourse her cubby which is her favourite french chic cafe that she sells her pretend lattes,pancakes and sausages?? from. I also love it because she posed so quickly and naturally that I could have sworn she had been watching Americas Top Model and secretly practicing in her bedroom. I kind of also hate that because she is only five.

And there is no way that she gets the posing from me... maybe the odd cheekiness but I swear the rest is natural born hoochiness.

Cannot wait for the teenage years.

Happy weekend all.

Caawwllliiinnnggggggg

2007-07-15T16:33:00.000+09:30

Firstly I need to write this before I forget (I don't have Alzheimer's just kids so brain mush,you know the feeling?) when you go to the Blogger dashboard and it flashes up names of blogs (so you can have an insight into all the blogs on blogger) there was one that flashed up "personal Lapdance". I am now assuming that some dirty porn link sneaked its way into blogger.I didn't actually click on it so if you have a knitting blog and its called personal lapdance I apologise now but if you don't and you are just some dirty perv making money on nudey sites,trying to infiltrate wherever you can, I am telling you politely to bugger off ( and I am only being polite because my Mum and dad read my blog!!!!)
Gee do you think they are scared??
Anyhoo - I have some great personal news,my youngest daughter who has gross motor development delay (we think?? such an unknown hole of darkness but that is for another post)has started crawling. Yippppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
This is soo wonderful because at our fortnightly physio ( new nice physio who isn't going to give up on Saffy like the last cow who we paid $85 bucks a pop to see Saffy and tell me how something was sooooooo wrong with her....blah blah wont go off on that tangent) we have been focusing on getting her to stand as we thought she had bypassed crawling due to her bumshuffling.
This is wonderful because she has done it out of the blue.
This is also wonderful because it means she is strengthening her arms (which have little muscle tone)
Triple wonderful because it is a natural stepping stone for eventually walking.
Quadruple wonderful because when she does it it she says "cccaaawwwllliiinnnnggg" and then stops and claps her hands. Oh so cute!

Now I am not going to get all hippy alternative on you but I contribute alot of this new found skill to a new therapy we have been trying.
It is called Craniosacral therapy.
A very non intrusive therapy that was recommended to me for children with developmental delay.
Then there is a very caring attentive physio that believes whole heartedly in is patient. A million dollars cannot buy that. I believe we are finally ( after six weeks)reaping the rewards of a therapy that just maybe helping Saf reach her potential. We shall keep our fingers and toes crossed for a good while yet but its nice to see a little bit of progress!!!!

I have also being trying my hand at some gocco printing. Definitely hasn't been too successful - SOME may even say I have been a pain in the ass trying to teach to get it right..... After a few attempts I have ended up with one print that I want to use on some baby cards. Still a little unsure.... feedback...anyone?????

Anyhoo back to school this week. Oh well no more pyjama days (sniff sniff) no more trips to the Nail bar and getting a pedicure while my five year old gets her nails and toes painted at the same time.( Hope social services dont read this) No more rip off PAID ENTERTAINMENT ( really used my trump cards way to early in the school hols) and thank god I didnt have toLINE UP on our one visit to an indoor playcentre.(snot and brats galore).

I am sure I will survive.

The new Tag

2007-07-05T17:57:00.000+09:30

Well I have been tagged by the lovely EM

here goes. But First there are rules.

A. Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves.

B. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed.

C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog

1. I eat atleast one chocolate bar a day.

2. My best friend and I had the exact same due dates with our first child - we married best friends and we still talk on the phone once a day.

3. I often gargle before brushing

4. I only started liking my first child when she was about 13 weeks old.

5. I love waking up before my husband and kids and having a very strong sweet cup of tea on my own.

6. I have an addiction to trashy magazines.

7. My dream meal would be spaghetti blognese with a side of chicken schnitzel washed down with a coke - I am very classy.

8. I wish I was about 3kg lighter - may have something to do with the daily intake of chocolate.

I am tagging

Mary
Jo
Sam
Caroline
Stacey
Kim
Shan
Corrie

when the postman brings gifts

2007-06-29T14:23:00.000+09:30

We all love little surprises in the mail - especially me.
I was soooooo excited to recieve this from the super clever and thoughtful Jodie from Ric-Rac. It amazes me of peoples talents not to mention their generosity.AAAAAAAwwww .sigh. sigh.

I love the scrabble letter on the little softie and have just popped the super cool purse into my handbag! And I was excited this morning when I recieved a freebie from Tupperware - ha! Little did I know.... Anyway so Jodie thank you thank you thank you!!!

School holidays have begun and my life will be tipped upside down for two weeks - please don't expect any fabulous looking snaps of homemade crafts that I will be doing with my daughter - its telly,maccas and a few trips to paid entertainment for us! Yipppeeee!

Anway what would a post of mine be without a pic of a card???

Or a picture of my Boy bunting...

Now I have to quickly go and take that bunting off the tv screen because ...

A/ I have no idea how to take snaps of bunting so I layed it out across the the tv screen.

B/ I may have used a tiny tiny piece of sticky tape to stick down the back of the bunting ( see I really have no idea how to photograph bunting)

C/ The tv is my husbands dream tv - new 42"inch plasma - commonly known in my house as his penis extension.

D/ I am in soooo much trouble when he reads this!

Whine

2007-06-22T10:49:00.000+09:30

Do you ever feel like your blogging mojo goes away on a holiday?? Mine had... too much going on in this household this week so I thought I would share (whinge and whine really) a few things that Im really hating this week

1. miserable, pale and distressed child that doctor says nothing is wrong but a virus.
2. older child that has all of a sudden forgotten how to dress herself
3.Husband away while for three nights mid week whilst children decide that sleeping at night is overrated
4.every time I laugh I have to cough up a nice big phlegm ball (mmm yum)
5. A friend who lost her baby at 38 weeks
6.Doctors that overuse the word virus
7.A sad city because of some crazed man with a gun killing an innocent family man
8.A crazy puppy diving through a my hands whilst I am trying to do the back yard poo pick up resulting in a poo explosion over the grass and my hands leading me to then dry reach. ( I know soooo gross)

Ok so I am going for an academy award with my dramatic acting but a good whinge is so worth it.
Perspective is back.

pics of the pooches

2007-06-11T21:09:00.000+09:30

Well what a gloriously lazy long weekend we have had. Lots of eating (pikelets, homemade beef ragu and a box of krispy kremes, to mention a few - please hold on whilst I purge) snoozing and ofcourse playing with some cute doggies!!

Here are some pics of our new arrival ( of the furry variety)

Pasquale is our full grown nutcase dog - thought I better show a snap of him...

ok done with the dog pics for a year.

Winnie

2007-06-09T22:03:00.000+09:30

Today we bought a puppy.
Maybe it was an emotional purchase - well actually ofcourse it was - why else would you spend money to clean up more poo and wee. I have had a fixation with whippets and greyhounds for years now. We were looking into adopting an ex- racing greyhound but this little whippet cross pup crossed our path first. Or more like my sister rang and told us about the dog ad in the paper and you can work out the rest.

So I not only have a new puppy - have a new picture from the fab Julie Knoblock.

Sorry bad shadowed picture . Another new surprise (although won't be in my posession for long) A digital image from this clever lady Wanda Kujacz - she doesnt have a blog but you can check her other great digital prints in her etsy store

AAANNDDD because I am so clever a snap of some bunting I have made for an upcoming two year olds birthday.

There will be photos of our new addition to the family soon.

In the name of the father... the sequel

2007-06-04T11:27:00.000+09:30

" Come on mum,what starts with C?"
Cat? no Card? no Catch? no chocolate? no coolchops? no no
"Ill give you a clue mum, Jesus was nailed to it"

Cross.

Well after a weekend of sucking back on a nebuliser,taking steroids and upping my dosage of ventolin (to no avail) the doctor revealed to me today I had viral pneumonia.
Excellent.
Atleast I got some cards done.

In the name of the father...

2007-05-28T13:12:00.000+09:30

I know all little girls go through toy phases. Like my little pony or Barbies.Some love playing house and pretending to be mummies to their little dolls. Well through the years Violet has had her fair share of "whats hot" now little episodes with toys.
She now has a new one.
God.
Yep thats right , my five year old has found God.

It was an easy choice for us to send her to a small Catholic Primary school. For many reasons that I won't go into - obviously part and parcel of being in the catholic school system is learning about Jesus.

When she is playing with her snap cards she says "look mum Ive made a cross" whilst rearranging the cards.
When playing the word game (a version of eye spy) everything starts with J or G.... for Jesus and God ofcourse.
"Im so glad Jesus has risen mum because he is such a good guy" or " I am so sad that Jesus had to wear that headband of thorns it must have really hurt"
At night times she has started to request that we all have prayer time - we sit in a circle and light a candle.
Her prayers are generally like this " Dear God I hope you don't get bitten by mozzies.Amen"

Hopefully I am not being to cynical when I say I am scrambling for every Barbie I can get hold of!

Here was my first try at bunting for a friends baby boy.

Dance Hall Days

2007-05-26T21:22:00.000+09:30

Tonight we went to the local Greek Restaurant with some friends and their kids.We love Greek food. We had heard great things about this place.The food was in abundance and we ate accordingly.This restaurant resembled a school hall with a dancefloor in the middle of the room. Classy.

The whole experience made me feel that I was reliving my youth when my parents used to drag myself and my sisters to the Anglo-Indian Saturday night Dances. When the Middle Aged Greek Singer got out the the Yamaha organ and started singing - which could only be compared to the skinning of a cat with some background synthesizer - sorry to you folk that enjoy the traditional Greek music (Im sure its and acquired taste)it reminded me of all the middle aged Anglo-Indian men who used to front their Rock n Roll Cover bands with their hair quiffed banging out some Elvis tune.

De Ja vu had hit me. Memories came flooding back - like when my parents made me and my sister enter in a dance competition (there were only four of us in it). We were mighty embaressed but I am sure my sister ended up winning.....

Or when my pissed uncle mumbled to a woman across the table from him to "go back to Goa you Lezzo".

Or when inbetween guzzling glasses of straight whisky every great uncle would drag us onto the dancefloor and make us join in to the "chickendance"

God love family restaurants.

Birdie Num Num

2007-05-22T13:09:00.000+09:30

Just playing around with some new shapes.

I did it !

2007-05-17T13:26:00.000+09:30

I know for those who know me will find it hard to believe - but look what I made!? Ofcourse I had a Good teacher who was very patient , but finally I made something myself with my sewing machine - woohoo - exciting for me anyway. You won't be seeing me re-arranging my house with smooth precision and then taking arty snaps of it but you will see some attempts to make a few things.With fabric that is!
I have been inspired.

And its lined!

I have also been tagged by Sam about my fave blogs. Now I don't like to play favourites but here are a few ....

1.Go fug yourself just makes me ooohhh and ahhhhh and nod my head.
2. All consuming - I love the way she writes and the reality of her everyday life
3. Aunty Cookie - because I may get in trouble if I didn't put her on the list!
4. H&B - because when I read her posts they often make me laugh out loud ( and apparently I've moved into her neighbourhood so I better keep her sweet!!!!)
5. Jorth - because anyone who doesn't have a tv and attempts not to use plastic is my idol.and she is very crafty and super funny!

No news to report except that the cleaner that we have started to get fornightly told me today she sat down and had a cup of tea and one of my caramellos. Is that weird?? My caramellos were in a bowl high up in the pantry.... Is that in the rules??????

Calling all Mums

2007-05-13T09:44:00.000+09:30

Its that time of year again....breakfasts in bed...lots of cuddles - in my case going over to My mums for lunch and gorging myself on some home cooked curries mmmm yum! I was ofcourse meant to be doing the 4km Mothers day run for cancer research but the opportunity to go out to a fancy dinner with some dear friends and Mr Davey whilst the girls were having a sleep over at my mums was way too great!!! Oh well... there is always next year.

H is for ..

2007-05-06T21:31:00.000+09:30

H is for Hector - a baby brother for LuLu

H is for Hoochie Violet who started beginners funk classes this week (oh so cute but boy am I in for it!)

H is for hoovering down atleast six chocolate bars over the weekend

H is for heartbreak from our not so successful specialist check up for Saffy

H is for happiness when I see her cheeky face

H is for Hanging in there - because we will and we are and (fingers and toes crossed) we will conquer!!!!!

Avon Calling

2007-04-27T15:50:00.000+09:30

You know that you have moved to the burbs when

1. You recieve an Avon catalogue in the mail and realise you have your own personal Avon Lady

2. You recieve a Chocolate cake from the neighbour across the road welcoming you to the street.

OOhhh (sigh) life is good.

Here are some things I have made for the upcoming Mothers Day stall at my daughters school. Remember those????? Hope my 50cents scores me something good!

Some new butterfly cards ready for one of my customers.

Poor miserable Man of the house is sick and bed-ridden - get well soon Willy - see you do get a mention in my blog??!!

Moved

2007-04-24T18:59:00.000+09:30

Yippeeeeeeeeeeeee We have finally moved into our new house - hence my blogging absence.
Goodbye old house - you served us well and we had some great times......

I am now obsessed with Bunnings and the local hardware store. I am now googling strange garden sites and random questions like "how to look after a passsionfruit vine?"

The move was not a smooth one. Settlement got screwed up and we spent the night on my Mum's floor. But I have blocked it out. Because now we are in!
My very first letter to my new address was from a fellow blogger,CAROLINE . She sent me a small prize apparently for scoring a big fat zero on her CLASSIC quiz. Atleast somepeople appreciate me being culturally bankrupt. Does knowing all the words to most of Kylie's songs count????? Anyhoo my prize was some super cute custom made badges - thank you thankyou thank you. It was such a great surprise and kept the smile planted on my face allllllllllllll day.

Sadly I don't have any really exciting pictures to post as my camera battery recharger ( was that proper English Jane??)was lost in the move so I guess I needn't go on about all the great arts and crafts I have been whipping up because I have nothing to show. Ha Ha Ha - We all know Im not just culturally challenged.

Must get back to browsing at all home/renovation/furniture/interior design sites now.

She's Here....

2007-04-08T21:22:00.000+09:30

Well it has happened! My sister, aka Auntie Cookie - has had her baby.
Beautiful gorgeous and scrumptious Sadie Neave entered the world at 7.47am on Saturday Morning. Gosh I didn't even have time to get myself properly organised as I was in Geelong when I got the phonecall at 2.30am. Nothing like hooning down the freeway after having two hours sleep, schulling a v energy drink.( eeuuw gross by the way)to greet my contracting but calm sister.

Fast forward to 7.47am - "its a girl" - a great loud "woohoo" and Sadie starts sucking at anything for dear life. Too cute. Go the sisterhood!!

Even if your sister Lola called you are monkey I think you are the most beautiful little baby ever. It was such an amazing (super cliche) fabulous and memorable moment seeing my neice born. Her Mum did such an amazing job - truly inspirational.
Congratulations Shan, Steven and Lola - enjoy your totally delicious addition to your family.

And, Miss Sadie Neave - I cannot wait to spoil you rotten!!!!!

The Heat is On

2007-04-03T21:36:00.000+09:30

This week could prove to be a busy one.
Firstly , I may be recieving the "call" to go to the hospital with my pregnant sister. So my mobile is near ( ha! what a joke - all that know me probably realise by now I can text in the dark at lightning speed). I am trying to prepare my words of encouragement like " you look great","you are doing really well ", "well done you are nearly there" - although more likely I will be saying "get her an epidural and 'no, ofcourse you didn't poo".
Even more likely,I mightn't say a word because I will be in a diazapam created fluffy fog.mmmmmmm.
One must be prepared for these stressfull times.

Secondly, everything is in a packed away state or going to be packed away because of our forthcoming move - wooohhhooooo - but unlike my strangely neat and organised husband, who is looking forward to packing and unpacking, I am dreading it more than ever. My hands start sweating just thinking about it. And my dining room looks like this.

That doesn't make for comfortable living.

Thirdly, the orders are rolling in.
I have been busy keeping up with my card orders because they dont care that we are moving. They don't care that my easily-bored-crazy-five-year old is on school holidays. Bloody Hell and isn't that just another can of worms. What do people do to entertain and stimulate their kids on school hols that doesn't include spending oodles of money and/or just sticking them in front of the telly???? So I think it would be far to say there is a little going on this week.

Ofcourse I did forget to mention the death of Christ. We didn't think we got all those Easter eggs for nothin did we??!!!!!

Here is a sneak preview of some of my cards partly done.

Mummy loves me

2007-03-26T06:32:00.000+09:30

Well I may not walk.
My physiotherapist may have given up on me. ( bitch)
I may wear all the bottoms out of my pants.
I may be the fastest bottom shuffler around the traps.
I may not want to stand
I do enjoy eating anything I can get my hands on (including my dogs food)
People always like to stress my Mum out by constantly asking how old I am and why aren't I walking yet. yada yada .yada.
I see Elmo and the teletubbies and I laugh like you have told me the funniest joke ever.
I am totally obsessed with my dad. And pulling hair.
My sister is my idol.(scary I know)
I pretend to talk on the phone.All the time.
I have mastered the art of fake crying. It works for me.

I always have this crazy cheeky smile on my face.
I am so happy.
Mummy loves me.

Birthday Booty

2007-03-25T19:05:00.000+09:30

Ladies Lunches' always work for me.I seem to have created ( unintentionally) a tradition for my birthday.A group of girlfriends and myself go out for lunch.Generally a long lunch. Keep the night free because you maybe at lunch. This year was no different. Champagne glasses clinking, fat-filled desserts eaten and cool birthday booty recieved!!!

I recieved some fab mags to keep me occupied for hours and some yummy chocs that didnt even make the pics. Fancy Dr.C knitted me the bbbeeessssstt beanie. No more last minute scurrying around the Port Fairy Market at Easter muttering "Geez its cold I can't believe I didn't bring a beanie" and being forced to buy an itchy acrylic beanie that has been knitted by the local bowling club ladies. (yes,they do a great job).

Dr.C really needs to get a blog so she can show off her self taught talents! I also scored this funky necklace that was purchased by my sister from local jewellery extraordinaire Lara.

Hoping to milk it for all its worth until the end of Tuesday....You only get to be a birthday princess once a year, right?????

Winner takes it all.

2007-03-21T13:51:00.000+10:30

First school sports as a parent is always filled with excitement,hopes and dreams of your child blitzing the sports field with their amazing sports skill, speed and agility. Bugger the "as long as you have fun" - lets be honest - we all want our child to get thje blue ribbon. It was hard to contain my excitement when I recieved the letter saying that Violet was in the red team and school sports would be on soon.

Fast forward to Monday night and school sports was held at the local oval. The atmosphere of children in their house colours and cheering on their team mates was so infectious. There were parent officials, coloured witches hats out to mark out the course and ofcourse the sausage sizzle.
The games had started.
Now someone has to come last in these competitions - whether it be a running race, the long jump, the shotput etc - otherwise how can there be a winner right? Well, lets just say I didnt expect it to be my child!
In everything!
By miles.
And miles.

But do you know what????
She had the best time - EVER!

Fretting

2007-03-15T14:19:00.000+10:30

Whilst I have been totally fretting because my baby cousin is having a baby (she is already six days overdue) I have been making some new cards. The first couple are with some vintage wallpaper.

I guess I should explain that my baby cousin is actually 27 but sometimes it is hard to accept that she is a grown up. I still think that she is twelve - I have this problem with most of my younger cousins actually. I think it is called denial. I get confused when I see my sixteen year old male cousin and wonder why he still isn't into pokeman but instead is downloading obscene mobile ringtones onto his phone.Or why my other 21 year old male cousin has taken down all his he-man posters and instead plays in a very popular cover band that plays around Melbourne. Oh deny.deny.deny. Its not like Im fifteen years older than them either......

I am getting so impatient for this baby to come that I think I may drag Elyssa to a step class with me. That should do the trick?????

hi five

2007-03-14T20:56:00.000+10:30

We all officially survived a five year olds disco party. The diso balls were sparkling and Kylie was on in the background. There was face painting done by an Angry Artist who just couldnt work without her instruments and there was pink hairspray for all the partygoers. Obnoxious brat is a more than fair comment for my childs behaviour on the day - an overload of attention and material gifts - which contrary to popular belief - Violet isnt used to. After eating lots of fairy bread,playing musical statues and numerous games of Simon Says the party reached another level when good old Justine Clark came on.I am embarressed to say but the five year olds went off! The marshmallow barbie cake was a hit - until my daughter licked all the icing off barbies legs in one swift lick - something a little odd about that!

After all the chaos was over and sheer exhaustion was taking over I realised that the partying wasn't to end there.I had to venture out to some birthday celebrations for a friend. I dragged my best friend Gem along. I soon realised that I hadnt been in a pub for a very long time . Bloody hell,what do I order at the bar??? Was I just looking way to uncool in comparison to all the little super skinny style queens that were surrounding me?? Would some young twenty something male come up to me and ask " Are you the Gem and Jo from the late nineties?" .......... Would they bring us back to the days of drinking shandies in a corner, eating sweet potatoe fries from Blue train for dinner and shamedly knowing all the words to traditonal Irish Pub songs. I shall stop there.

Well we were home by ten thirty, a couple of champagnes later and very impressed with our social skills - ok so we forgot how to deal with smelly cigarette hair and feeling a little hungover the next day - but all in the name of being a socialite - what can I say???

sold

2007-03-04T19:50:00.000+10:30

We bought a house - yipeeeeeeeeeee - Brand New space! I am so happy no-one can wipe this ridiculous smile off me face. A back yard for my girls to play, oh the Australian dream!!!! A laundry - yes, I am excited about this prospect as I have had always had to share a laundry and bathroom. I am dreaming of the loads of washing already. Sad, I know. And a driveway. And an attic store room. Can you tell I am excited??????? Now every post is going to be like an entry to "better homes and garden".....

Next project. Organise disco party for miss-turning-five. gee won't that be fun.

So Much to Say so little time..

2007-02-27T12:35:00.000+10:30

I have been pushing aside my blog entries to a small corner of my brain at the moment because there is alot going on in the Davey household . I am franticly dealing with real estate agents, finance brokers - back and forth,back and forth - my head is just about to swivel off. We are hoping to bid this weekend at the house of our miniscule dreams so ofcourse comes with that is a truckload of anxiety, precise organisation and dealing with agents that never call you back. I am trying to not get too excited , I havent thought out in my head where all our furniture will go AT ALL. Haven't dreamt of knocking out walls or buying pieces of furniture either!! Let's face it, anyone who knows anything about the Melbourne Real Estate Market knows that property prices are going through the roof at the moment so there is a high chance we will miss out on this property and begin the search again. And Again. This has occupied the better part of my days for two weeks now - Can you tell??????????

I have also been facing the trials and tribulations of a new preppy who seems to be loving school but not loving the little girl in her class who keeps telling her that she "hates her" and refuses to let my daughter play with her.... ( why would you want to play with a five year bully/nasty/brat anyway????? ) and trying to deal with " but mum she squeezes my hand until it goes really red and then just smiles at me". AAAAAAAAh to dob or not to dob??? Let them work it out??? Bound to happen at school right? maybe I should just go up to the little girl in question and quietly whisper in her ear "Santas not real you know"..............

Anyhoo enough of me whinging but thats what has been swirling around my head for the past fortnight so to get some light relief I purchased some beautiful Vintage Buttons from the camberwell Market on Sunday.

I am a real sucker for buttons and thought my collection needed some filling. And how could I resist them??? Hoping to show hat I will do with them in the near future.
We also celebrated my best friends sons fifth birthday at the Collingwood childrens farm. Oh what fun had by all - maybe not the animals though - not sure if the guinea pigs liked being squished in tiny excitable hands ??? The ducks and chickens may have liked being chased......I also proved to be popular with a particular goat - that was special!!!
The scones with jam and cream and gemmys special fudge cupcakes seemed to be the highlight of the day. OH and Saffys insistance on bumshuffling through the chicken poo on the ground was also good for light entertainment.

Time to get back to hassling agents - borriiinnngggggggg.

Things that make you go mmmmm??????

2007-02-17T21:07:00.000+10:30

There have been a few things that have happened this week that have had some measurable importance to mention in this blog. Some great - we sold our house!! Yippee!!! Two weeks before Auction - Oh so pleased!

Some not so great - Some blind-sighted driver in an effing fwd backed into me because they didnt see me - No Shit sherlock they were probably to busy thinking " Aren't I the coolest person because I drive a fwd and I own the road..."

Some things that make me fume...

Enjoy some Mother Guilt Everyone - if you haven't had your serve today , please , read THIS

Well that made my day because now my bottle fed children won't only be asthmatic, obese, and have a much poorer immune system compared to their breast fed counter parts but they will also have a life of struggling to get better exam results and oh-my-lord who knows what kind of job prospects they will have??????
This makes me so angry I want to sssccccrrreeeeeeeaaaaammmmmmmmm

Take Two

2007-02-07T16:54:00.000+10:30

Now thats Better......

Trial and Big Errors

2007-02-05T14:02:00.000+10:30

Have just started getting some new cards happening for my store visits this week and next - bloody nothing is working out!!!
Damn! I thought I was being incredibly crafty but in real life things just were not doing what they were meant to .Paper buckling - colours all wrong - aaaahhhh annoying!

Here's a preview anyway...

New Paper

Very average cards!

Times are changin'

2007-02-04T15:46:00.000+10:30

Well, I am officially a parent of a school child.
I can assure many an issue has come along with that tag. The first day of school was filled with anxiety and excitement.(me ofcourse).

Clean Uniform - check.
All clothes tagged with name - check
Healthy lunch packed - check (need to make a good impression and show that my child does'nt really live on spaghetti bolognese,mangoes and vegemite sandwiches.)
Hair scraped back into plaits - check
Hat and Back pack on - check
Super Excited child - check

We are off!

When the school bell rang I nearly dry reached.
Assembly - eeuuww memories.... All good so far - no tears- no whines and happily sitting with class on basketball court come mini playground. Phew. Time to go with teacher (who vaguely resembles a disney princess in casual attire - she's a winner already) AND OFF SHE GOES.......

Wow no tears, no running back just a quick cuddle,kiss and a goodbye and that was it. I even held it together - pride was bursting out of me - And so is the beginning of the school year.

A new chapter in our lives - new people to meet and DEFINATELY more peace at home between the hours of 9 and 3.30 - thank god. I have already met the 'super-friendly-social-calender-organiser-mum' who has got my number to organise some "drinky-poos" - as she so poeticly put it. I forgot to mention that I may get a migraine after one shandy but hey we'll leave that information privvy for a while.

Phew - here's to the next twelve years....

Look what Ive got!

2007-01-25T14:52:00.000+10:30

I am a bit behind in showing these but better late than never. I got these for Christmas from my sneaky sister.I now officially have a business card which is great so I now don't have to fumble some rubbish to customers like ".....sorry,Ive just run out".One of my yearly goals has been crossed off the list so double whammy!!!

They are pretty cool and if you haven't already got some -get some.

Stay tuned as the work bug has started nibbling so may have some new things to show.

Meme

2007-01-22T08:00:00.000+10:30

What is a Meme short for anyway....... I am assuming it is me.me. Am I right? Well I have been tagged by the very funny Caroline - and she can tap! Where does her talent end! Here goes......

DO YOU LIKE THE LOOK AND CONTENTS OF YOUR BLOG?

Yeah its ok ... ofcourse there is room for it be a bit spiffier... more fancy things on the side and for the contents - well- Id like it to be funnier, smarter,full of original fabulous creations - you know, stuff like that.

DOES YOUR FAMILY KNOW ABOUT YOUR BLOG?

yyyeeess - my sister did the header.

CAN YOU TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT YOUR BLOG?

Yes

DO YOU JUST READ THE BLOGS OF THOSE THAT COMMENT ON YOUR BLOG?

Sometimes, It depends how much time I have.I do subscribe to bloglines though so I get updated of my faves.I generally sneak peek around through links of my favourite bloggers.

DOES YOUR BLOG POSITIVELY EFFECT YOUR MIND?

Occassionally.... I am not an obsessed blogger and I go through phases. It is a great way to vent and just blah blah, massage your ego abit and ofcourse when you get comments it is full of warm fuzzys.

WHAT DOES THE NUMBER OF VISITORS TO YOUR BLOG MEAN?

I have no idea who reads/ visits my blog unless they comment. Obviously the more the merrier.

DO YOU IMAGINE WHAT OTHER BLOGGERS LOOK LIKE?

Naa not really because most of the time there a pics along the way of themselves on their blog - seems to solve that.

DO YOU THINK BLOGGING HAS ANY REAL BENEFIT?

For me, it has given me a small something to do.... a creative task that keeps my brain ticking along and helps me validate myself a little especially because I am a now a stay-at-home with a small play-business on the side. (sad that I feel that but I do). Blogging is a reminder to myself that I have a brain and I can use it - something I tend to forget when Im cleaning up spew at three am........

DO YOU THINK THAT THE BLOGASHERE IS A STAND ALONE COMMUNITY SEPERATED FROM THE REAL WORLD?

To some ego-blog-maniacs -yes. But for the most, no.

DO SOME POLITICAL BLOGS SCARE YOU? DO YOU AVOID THEM?

They dont scare me but that isn't why I read blogs so I choose not to read them.

DO YOU THINK THAT CRITICIZING YOUR BLOG IS USEFUL?

I think most of us criticisize ourselves enough without some anonymous chickenshit sticking the boot in.

HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO YOUR BLOG INCASE YOU DIED?

Well I have now!!

WHICH BLOGGER HAD THE GREATEST IMPRESSION ON YOU?

Probably my sisters because it inspired me to do my own

WHICH BLOGGER DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST SIMILAR TO YOU?

I have no idea... We are filling a tiny hole but I doubt they are the same. OOOhh that was very freudian of me wasn't it????

NAME A SONG YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO?

Im a closet disco/video hits queen so anything on double tt generally hits the spot

Im tagging Sammy and Leisl.

Onto something that I did over the weekend for a little friend of my daughters....yes, I know not the most original idea but I do think much better than some thing plastic that has a thousand pieces!! Apparently the birthday girl wasn't too impressed.... Oh well tough luck five year old!!

The Curse of the Wii

2007-01-17T14:21:00.000+10:30

It finally happened and ofcourse had to happen to me.
An injury was caused by the Wii.
By me holding and controlling the wii.
I smacked a poor five year old in the head with the remote and the slapping noise was sickening - you see I pack a mean backhand - even in my loungeroom.
There was blood. Alot of blood. A very surprised five year old. A very unhappy mother. A very shaken wii holder.
WARNING - Dangerous object! What was even worse was that ten seconds before it happened we were all laughing at the warnings that flash up on the screen before you play, about how you must make sure no-one is around you. OOOOOOPSSS. Anyhoo,all is well, no bruising nor lumps to be seen on victim just a small cut. My hand has also stopped shaking. Apparently these INJURIES are not so uncommom.

Apart from scaring small children I have been doing a little bit of applique.

I am quite impressed with myself as the weather here has been sooooooooo hot it is getting a little unbearable, especially when you have no air conditioning and two whingey sweaty kids. Keeping calm myself has been a challenge......Thank god for chocolate chip cookies...... No comfort eating going on here.

And the New Year Begins....

2007-01-07T09:55:00.000+10:30

For some strange reason I am feeling a little apprehensive about the year ahead.... One of the reasons is we will be selling our house, yes, we are growing out of it but it is our first property and although a little squishy we do love it.AAAAAhhhh well, time to move on, maybe the real reason I am feeling nervous is that we really don't think that the next move will be the "BIG" one. You know, the house that you stay in for the next 20 years...... we just don't have the crackers..... my husband is being strangely consistant in mentioning that we should move in with my Mum so we can eat all her yummy curries. Now call me old- fashioned but there are several things wrong with that scenario!

My baby is going off to school this year so I am having issues about that! Not about her - me, ofcourse! ( Although the sound of her singing to "high school musical soundtrack" on the Karaoke Option , around the clock will not be missed,bless her little Joh Benet Socks)

This Christmas I also officially created a monster - I bought my husband a NINTENDO WII It was such a secret squirrel mission I had to get it from New Zealand - long story... an interactive game that has you running around the lounge room like a lunatic. My gadget obsessed husband is extremely happy and there is no turning back now.

With the summer holiday just a distant memory - although I still have the farmers market Vanilla and strawberry jam to remind me - yum,we will be getting back into the swing of things. Back to the gym, eating better blah blah blah well here is my list.... ( personal goals)

Blank ... Tried but have too many to mention.... Have to Raincheck it....

Happy New Year.

Over Indulge

2006-12-22T10:41:00.000+10:30

I know it's Christmas and everyone is snivelling with disgust because it seems every year it seems to get bigger, more expensive, louder and crazier than the last. We all worry that maybe we have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas ( if there is one at all). We all look shocked when the decorations in stores started coming out in November. Oh Goodness, aren't we all getting so materialistic...... Are the kids watching too much TV??? Are they eating too many chocolates?? Are they too big to have a dummy?? Should the girls really be watching Barbie??V McDonald's happy toys are just such a marketing ploy!!! NO SHIT!

The gracious thing to do would be to donate money to charity this Christmas instead of presents..... Give our time to feeding the homeless on Christmas Day instead of shovelling mouthfuls of fattening food into our tummies that cost us triple the amount of money we would normally spend on food. Attempt to tell our children that Christmas is about giving not receiving...

BUGGER THAT!!

This is the only time of the year that I refuse to feel guilty about spoiling my loved ones - if I choose to do it in a material manner - isn't that my business?? If my girls receive things during the year (ie toys,games etc)it is generally not from us as we wait for Birthdays and Christmas. Yes,they have alot of unnecessary toys ,clothes and get to have a miniature social life that involves play dates - I attempt to control this to my possible best and always discipline my children. My husband and I work hard (at home and out) so why on earth should this one day - that the kids wait all year for - be kept low key??

Bring on the tree!
Bring on the milk and carrot for Santa and the reindeer's!
Bring on the Barbie that is waiting to be opened!
Bring on the pressies!
Bring on the over-indulgent food..... Whatever it may be that makes your day fun and memorable is Okay with me!!!

We are well aware that half our state is burning and the rest of the country is suffering a crippling drought. I know that global warming is getting so severe that it is rearing its ugly head. I understand the implications of that.I also feel heartbroken when I think of the under- privileged, starving and suffering that goes on. I could go on... We are not oblivious - -We are just going to enjoy our Christmas Day the WAY WE WANT TO! I hope you all do to.

Merry Christmas - stay safe and Happy New Year.

I have to go wrap the Barbie Campervan now........ ( just joking Violet already has one!!! It was found in the hard rubbish ok??????)

Impossible Princess

2006-12-18T15:08:00.000+10:30

Well if you love KYLIE then you would not have been disappointed with her concert on Saturday night. Aaahh what a show.....If you were a male gay Kylie fan you would have loved it even more.... Nearly nude men in simulated shower scenes,Feathers,lycra hotpant overload, Lordy, this concert had it all. Although I do have a bone to pick with the homosexual-Kylie- fans.Did they just jump on the bandwagon of Kylie when she funked it up or did they love her from the start????????Did they love her when she sang "Sisters are doing it for themselves" with her sister on Young Talent Time?? Did they shed a tear when she walked down the aisle to Angry Andersons "Suddenly" on Neighbours. Did they want to kill Scott for cheating on Charlene with Plain Jane the super-brain????? Did they beg their Mums to buy them a red ruffle dress when the film clip of "locomotion" came out??? What ever happened to Tania Lacey anyway???
Anyhoo I have had my rant... I guess there is enough room for everyone in the Kylie fanclub!!!

On a totally different topic a BLOODY POSSUM was in my kitchen this morning!!!!! How do I know this????? A smashing and crashing of glass was heard - and when I went downstairs the evidence was there.....possum poo everywhere and a sly looking possum in my courtyard.
EEEEEEEUUUUUWWWWWWW.
Where the hell was my useless dog in all of
this??? I have the craziest psychotic dog that barks at you as you are coming out of the bathroom but the crazy muttly couldn't muster a sound when a furry intruder was in our house!!! He is a dud I tell you!! Thank god the possum had made its way out by the time I got down stairs otherwise I would have totally freaked out.
If you are wondering how the little bugger got in , it was through the doggie door.

If you are also wondering ( after reading this post) if I am a homoephobic animal hater... I am not. Just wanted to clear that up.

Tagged

2006-12-08T11:21:00.000+10:30

Well I have been tagged and although a little late - here it is

4 jobs I have had...
1. Brand Manager
2.Store Manager
3.Sales Rep
4.Bakery Assistant

4 movies I could watch over over
1.Dirty Dancing ( how embaressment)
2.Never been kissed (even more how embaressment)
3.Starsky and Hutch
4.Clueless ( ok I have bad taste in movies)

4 places I have lived apart from where I live now
1. Hong Kong
2. New York ( only for two months so no need to get excited)
-
-
(how sad - I love Melbourne!!!)

4 tv shows I love
1.Scrubs
2.Greys Anatomy
3. Mcleods Daughters ( I realise what that has just done to my reputation!!!!!)
4.Blood in the wire

4 places I have been for a vacation
1.Darwin
2.Sunshine Coast
3.Koh Samui
4.Las Vegas

4 Websites I visit Daily
1. My Email
2.Ebay ( addiction just won't go away)
3.Bloglines
4.Real estate .com ( looking for a house)

4 Favourite foods
1. Chocolate
2. Gemmys lasagne
3. Mums meatball curry
4. Spaghetti Bolognese ( oh so cultured!!)

4 places I would rather be
1. At Aurora Spa Retreat
2. At Coolum Beach
3. South of France
4. Hong Kong

4 people I am tagging
Sammy
Shannon
Caroline
Georgie

All ready for Lulu....

oooooohhhh its all happening.... where is that baby gone?????

Willy Whiskers

2006-11-26T19:41:00.000+10:30

This Weekend was filled with alot of soccer (if thats what you could call it).It was My husbands 35th birthday and being the crazed soccer lover he is we all trooped off to a park, ate lots of crappy food whilst some very unfit males ran around on the grass trying to relive the soccer skills of their youth. The next morning there was alot more from where that came from!!!!! Corporate games seemed to bring out a whole new breed of 30 + men wistfully imagining they were playing for the socceroos.It was sad and sometimes cringeful, however, team spirits were soaring .Thankfully - because there was nothing else soaring I can asure you!!! Will was the team captain and in true Willy fashion he was positive and supportive of his sore and sweaty team.In honour of my true team leader and him turning 35 here are few things about the birthday boy.

1. He is the third William James Davey in his family.
2.He is strangely obsessed with the series "scrubs"
3.He adores his "girls" - that includes me - hee hee
4.He has very short fingers - stumpy would say!!
5.He has very small feet but could drive a car with his big toe!
6.He is an insulin dependant diabetic
7.He often considers a seachange and wants to buy a "subway" franchise
8.He is a proud kiwi
9.He makes the best homemade hamburgers ever!
10.He always wanted to be a comedian
11.He refuses to make the takeaway order phonecall
12.One of his nicknames is " Willy Whiskers"
13.His favourite food is my mums Ball Curry
14.His 2nd favoutite food is bread - in any form
15.He is a crazy and fearless goalkeeper
16.He is very funny and has an infectious giggle for a man
17.He is exceptional at wrapping presents and will not let me do any
18.He used to own a mesh top ( and wear it!)
19.He is adopted
20.He has a Calvin and Hobbs tattoo
21.He is not interested in listening to Music (strange I know)
22.He can jump incredibly high for a short man
23.He has followed the NZ Cricket team around and sold Cricket merchandise at their Venues
24.He used to play soccer for NZ u/19
25.He used to do ballroom dancing
26.He has a strange repatoire of gymnastic moves
27.He has never smoked a cigarette in his life
28.He is a folder not a scruncher
29.He is the only one not to accept that our dog is part chihuhua
30.He rarely goes to bed before midnight
31.He always smells good
32.He keeps every box that any appliance/electrical good comes in
33.He is almost always incredibly calm and rational
34.He has great taste in women
35.He is a fantastic Catch.

Happy Birthday Willy.

The Day I dread

2006-11-23T10:04:00.000+10:30

Every year when the 23rd of November comes around I get all tingly. Not in a warm fuzzy way but in a yuk,sweaty dreading kind of way. On November 23rd 2003 my 20 month old daughter, Violet, suffered a stroke.There was no warning and no reason behind it.
Violet had a fever for 36 hours that I just couldn't keep under control - a visit to a doctor assured me that there was no visible infection (ears or throat)and to keep on doing what we were doing - which was administering nurofen as prescribed. That night my very upset and frazzled daughter woke up screaming and still hot so I brought her into our bed. This was something that we had never done before as Violet was always such a good sleeper and she always slept in her cot.
The next morning at 6.30am I awoke to look at a very still,listless child lying next to me - her eyes wide open, blinking but she wouldn't move.I noticed a large pile of phlegm in front of her mouth. I knew immediately something was wrong - the look in her eyes was frightening.I woke my husband straight away and we both tried to rouse her but she still wouldn't move.My husband picked up her listless body and she just hung from him.I called and ambulance and managed to get out that my child wasn't moving,she was awake and breathing but wasn't responding to anything. By the time I put on some pants and headed down stairs an ambulance had arrived. I was trying to explain to them what was going on but my words were jumbled and I my voice was breaking. The paramedic sternly told me to calm down and not to panic.Everything was going to be fine.I was embarrassed that I had been told off - everything was going to be fine - I needed to get it together. Another ambulance arrived and after a short discussion and after an initial exam of Violet (temperature,blood pressure,checking pulse etc) the decision was made to take her into the Royal Childrens Hospital. She was to lay on me on the stretcher whilst Will,her dad followed in the car. The new paramedic was alot more gentle and compassionate.He explained to me that it was common for children to have a febrile convulsion because of their temperature and it had probably knocked the wind out of her. I began to relax a little,just a little. We were seen straight away by the emergency doctors and as Violet was layed on the bad she started to have a seizure - this wasn't visible to me but her teeth were clamped together and her body was tensed. She was given Valium which stopped the seizure but caused her to stop breathing on her own - they had to "bag" her and put on a mask that would breath for her.My husband and I were in shock - I was talking to her because that is what the doctors kept telling me to do but I can't remember what I said. I couldn't stop crying and it felt like I was watching a movie - this isn't my cheeky 20 month year old daughter who is full of life and spunk. Who is this lifeless child on the bed? The situation was surreal. Violet started to breath on her own and we were sent to a cubicle.
After more tests a doctor came and told us that it was a more then likely a febrile convulsion and she just needed to rest and get over it - she was probably exhausted. He wasn't sure about admitting us - there were no beds. We were about to go home and then they found a bed and decided to do a catscan just to be on the safe side. Will and I began to relax and the relief we felt was better than winning tattslotto.
Our girl was going to be ok.
By this time some family had arrived and were sitting with us and our still very listless daughter,in her tiny cubicle in the hospital. A doctor came in and shut the curtains and told us that something had shown up in the catscan. I had Violet in my arms,sleeping,still hot and still with a very high temperature.
"Violet has had a stroke." the doctor said.
WWHHAAATTTT???
I didn't say anything but in my mind I was screaming no no no no.
The technical terms started to baffle me - we were told that had really no idea of how much damage was done. She more than likely would have to re-learn to walk and talk and use the right side of her body.The stroke was on the left side of her brain.
what what what - where was my girl? I want my girl back? This isn't happening to us - this is not allowed to happen to us.But it did.
We cancelled everything and met with neurologists,haematologists and physios.Speech therapists,occupational therapists were also at our disposal. Where is my girl gone?? Is this it?? What is her life going to be like now? Will her friends progress on without her? There were so many questions - way too many to write. Unfortunately no answers.
I was trying to get my head around that she couldn't walk and talk.Then she said "hi daddy" We all cried with joy. Two days later she took two steps. We cried again. I hated seeing other children because my bitterness about them being healthy was over-whelming. That was also accompanied by great guilt for feeling like that. I made arrangements for Violet to be in hospital for six- eight weeks.
There were so may needles and tests we lost count. We pinned her down and tried to distract her with Elmo. .Oh Elmo. He made my daughters life a little easier back then. In fact friends brought in all their childrens Elmo toys.
There was a lumbar puncture, A heart echo and ECG. There was an MRI and daily trips to physio and speech therapy.
Day three Violet took 12 steps and started to say a few words. Violet couldn't move her right arm but her right leg started to function.
Day four Violet walked,unassisted and straight down the hall of her ward.
The doctors said that maybe she could go home in a couple of weeks - her progress was amazing.They couldn't explain it.
Friends brought in gifts that said the world - sandwiches for lunch,chocolate rum balls to munch on and toys to fill a toy shop.
Fast forward to day seven and Violet was discharged.
Her recovery was so amazing the doctors couldn't explain it. Violet was walking and talking and although her right side was limp she was ready to get back to life as she knew it.
the next months were filled with weekly physios and appointments with specialists that I don't care to re call. There were specific games we had to play with her to help her regain her strength in her right side. The visits to the Royal Children's hospital were totally draining because of the sad stories that surrounded you. And the guilt that enveloped you because my daughter was getting well. I learned that that was a luxury.
I learnt so much through this time - from things about living and things about what is important. So cliche, I know but very true.
Fast forward to three years on.
Violet has slight numbness on the right side of her mouth - that is it! Her fine motor skills are great and her gross motor skills are perfect. Violet went back to creche two weeks after her stroke and has never looked back. She re-learned to walk and talk ( oh talk talk talk) and now uses her left hand instead of her right. Violet is off to school next year. My gorgeous ,cheeky,fun loving girl is living life like any other little girl.
Although the 23rd of November is still a day I do dread I also realise that we are very lucky to have got through the other side of Violets stroke.

Get your Skates On

2006-11-17T10:03:00.000+10:30

I thought I had all the Christmas pressies undercontrol but alas I have forgotten some - so I bet to get crackin! I am trying to work out what are the appropiate gifts to give to kinder teachers and Creche carers without over stepping the line. There was an article recently in The Age that teachers from private schools often recieved French perfumes and weekend away Packages.Yep because that IS IN THE SPIRIT!! nOT!! Well call me a major scumbag but I am having trouble in deciding Chocolates???? or yummy soaps???? I do lovethis shop so maybe I will get some goodies from here........ Support the local Business I say!

I have been slowly trying my hand at some applique - my blanket stitching has been coming a treat - Well I do tend to live in my own craft lunchbox - This was a request from Violet, now she has asked for a mermaid ???

Some new cards ......

PS If anyone is wondering why I didn't post any pics of Oakes Day it is because the camera seemed to add on 5kgs. Don't you hate when that happens??????!!!!

Chocolate

2006-11-05T14:27:00.000+10:30

Well Saf had her first taste of chocolate a couple of days ago and although probably not politically correct because she is only one it was an exciting moment for me - you see the apple doesn't fall from the tree in my house! I am a self-confessed chocoholic who has been known to have the last chocolate bar in the house that belonged to my Diabetic husband incase of a hypoglycemic episode. oooopppsssss.

Something is happening to the latte sipping, black wearing Melbournians - it is called Spring Racing. They have now become the floral-dress-wearing,champagne swigging and shall-I-wear-a-facinator-or-a-hat gang. Although I shouldn't be sounding so high and mighty myself as I am going to Ladies Day.I hope it doesn't rain so my fake tan drips all over the grass........

Here are my latest paper finds.... Bring on the Festive season...

Insane shopping bliss

2006-10-26T09:59:00.000+09:30

Yesterday I went to one of my favourite places in the whole world. A gorgeous cafe ? I hear you ask... maybe a luscious hideaway just for grown ups with lots of yummy food,wine and Justin Timberlake in the background ( yes I do still want to be in a video hits film clip)??? No - wrong again. It is the fashion capital.
Go on click on it and sway to the music.
Most of you are probably in shock that one of my favourite places in the world is a crowded shopping centre with way too much going on. I am coming to terms with it myself. There are so many things I dislike about it.... the crowds,the sheer size of the place,the total tradition of everyone being there because they want to look like everyone else.The huge sunglassed four-wheel-drive drivers throwing their weight around the car park ( man, I hate 4wd ).However, something so deliciously appealing. Maybe, its the massive array of choice that always leaves you confused.Maybe its the smell. Maybe its the fact it has the king there and this. Maybe its just the fact that you can swan around there for hours and not have bought a single thing because you are just so over whelmed.Who really knows - but I do love the place.Sad I know.The fact that they have a very successful 24 hour trade night before Christmas is even sadder. Anyhoo,what can I say?? I am a suburban shopping centre princess.

Here are some more cards - just showing off my Japanese paper really...

Bizzzeee Bizzzee

2006-10-23T10:25:00.000+09:30

Although I like to think of myself as kind-of organised (have nearly done my kiddy christmas shopping ) I have to say my organisational skills have let me down of late as I am struggling to get my cards in order.Don't get me wrong,it is great to have some stores to supply but I did forget that They would be wanting christmas stock fairly soon.......Uh Oh ....get cutting and pasting!!!! I have acquired a new customer and I have to say I am tooottaallyy chuffed about it as I personally luuurrvvveee this store,so if you are ever in East St.Kilda do pop in.

I shall be off now ...
ps big news in the Davey house - littlest Davey starting to move herself around in circles on the floor - pretty bloody good considering she can't be fagged doing anything but sit a-n-d she is one!!!!!!!! Bring on the commando crawl I say!!

Mind your peas and q's.

2006-10-19T22:22:00.000+09:30

I knew there would be a time in my life that I would have to watch what I say out loud.I don't mean your general "mind-your-manners" kind of thing - no swearing before midday, being politically correct and making sure you don't say "bugger " too loudly when someone else gets the last chocolate Royal in the pack - I mean the watching what you say because you have a four and a half year old that seems to have the biggest ears in all of Melbourne.
Last week I caught her in her bedroom with her little toy baby doll ( no big deal) except that she had tied the doll to a chair using a shoelace and was pointing her finger at it saying "....you are being a little hoochie......"
Uh -Oh !!!!!!!!!
Note to self : Stop using word "hoochi" or abbreviated term "hooch"
As she goes on with her day, if something takes her by surprise I hear her say " What the hheeeellll???...."
I better start really watching what I say.
I'm sure there is already some irreversible damage - I will pretend that I didn't hear her say "nnnuuuppp" when she should be saying no and just politely repeat the question. I will pretend that when she mutters "bugger" she really said "Oh no what happened here?" in a syrupy tone.I really will have to watch what I say,because big ears are always listening!

Rain rain Go Away

2006-10-15T16:17:00.000+09:30

Today was my daughters First Birthday. Thank god we made it throught the first year!!
A Picnic in the park was the order of the day - not freezing our bits off!!
But hey, a real estate agent turning up with homemade dip and chicken and a biscuit also wasn't on the cards either AND that happened - TRUE and witnesses to prove it! One would think that we are thinking of putting a million dollar property on the market........gee,it didn't make me feel uncomfortable at all either.....

Oh well, the kids had a ball whether it was raining or not and no reports of pneumonia yet so we cannot complain too much.

Mini lolly boxes

And what little girl couldn't do without her own guitar bag??????

And to the brain surgeons who turned up as we were leaving......well, what can I say??
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAFFRON MAE.

ps Unfortunately I am not the clever person who made the cake
- does truck loads of fairy bread count????

Weekend

2006-10-08T18:11:00.000+09:30

The weekend was filled with too many glasses of champagne, the best meatball panini in aaaallllllll of Melbourne and lots family time. Quite a good mix I would say! I had an early morning start on Sunday to the Camberwell Market. Filled my bag with yummy soaps, barbie clothes ( oooohhh so important!) and some precious cardstock for my cards (ofcourse).
Then the day was filled with more champagne at a housewarming and being plowed into by a crazy three year old on an electric car. Hoping to share more exciting news and pics when I finally get my laptop back - although I may have to sell a kidney before I can afford to do it.I am off to see a small design store in East St Kilda this week so fingers crossed.
And no more champagne for a long time.

No news is good news

2006-10-04T13:40:00.000+09:30

As I am getting over the fact that my laptop has died and I feel like I have lost my right arm - I do realise I have bigger things to worry about.Today my beautiful girl is going in for a very important appointment . Saffron Mae is seeing a neurologist because of her slight lack of entusiasm to move her sweet little butt!!!!! Saf doesn't crawl or look like she may even remotely crawl and h-a-t-e-s being on her tum - no big deal I hear you say - well she is nearly twelve months and missing out on her reaching some milestones has been a little stressful and sad.However, no news is good news so that is what we are going to be hoping for!!!! Fingers and toes crossed and the throw in the odd prayer. Apart from that - which has consumed my thoughts quite a bit lately - life is A-ok. Except for the part where my laptop died and I am borrowing my sisters so hence no pics for a while AND I have been soooo busy with new cards and applique extravaganzas to show.OOOhhhh welllllll never mind. hope to be back soon with pics and good news.

School Holiday Delight

2006-09-26T18:59:00.000+09:30

Well I am totally knackered! Not sure how politically correct that term is, but that is exactly how I feel. Today I went to the The Show.
Every childs dream and every parents nightmare!
The crowds ,the money sucking machines that seem to be around every corner.The navigation skills that are required to get around and then the showbag negotiation! I had to admit that the train ride was nearly as exciting for my daughter as the show itself - except no nursery animals to pat and no jumping castle. Violet was also most impressed because we were accompanied by her partner in crime and her partner in crime's Mum. Ice cream was eaten,sugary drinks drunk and the same crappy showbag chosen - again. Oh well, another year of the show gone and can hardly wait til the September School holidays come round again next year so we can go again.Really.Truly.Honestly.

Ok so even if Mum is a little weary if that isn't a little girl having fun I don't know what is!!!!!!

On the Recieving End

2006-09-21T13:25:00.000+09:30

I have recieved some great paper from a collage swap I participated in. Not only cool paper but aan embroidered button - how cute! Yumbo - scored a whizzfizz also !! Now that brought me back to my days of Little Aths - they were 45c then and every now and then I used to get one after begging and pleading with Mum and Dad to buy me one. Peer group pressure really, every kid seemed to be munching on one - maybe they thought it would make them run fast.

Another strange reference to my Little Aths days was my second recieved paper swap.It had some pages out of Athletic Instruction book - I llluuurrrvvveeeedd it! This brought back memories of my Mum and dad making me drink rice water before an event. For those of you that do not know what that is, please let me explain. It is the water that rice has been soaking in - full of starch and meant to give you energy.What a load of crap!! It tasted disgusting and I gagged every time I drank it.It would be fair to say that all I wanted was some cordial like all the other kids! GGeee do you think I am scarred?????
Anyhoo , this was the most amazing swap with the most eccentric pictures in it - I really can't wait to use them. I especially love these -

How cool is this......

I love this knitting lady.....

Craft Scmaft

2006-09-17T14:57:00.000+09:30

So who said I wasn't crafty???? Where have I been hiding such talent I hear you ask...
One of these tops are for my youngest daughter Saffy so it really doesn't matter what people think of my sewing skills. However, the B applique top was for a boy in oldest daughters Kinder class , thus meaning I will have to show my face and stand tall to any critics. Ofcourse, I am hoping there isn't any!

I went to very lovely first birthday party this weekend that was filled with glorious food and great company. The Father of the gorgeous one-year-old gave a heart felt speech that acknowledge the child and the Mother. Well, highfive to you Janey and well done Anthony because we all know how exciting it is to celebrate a one-year-olds birthday. However,this was a great milestone for the mother also - because this was a year that was filled with personal struggle on many levels. The life change of career,coupledom and becoming a family isn't always as rosey as we would all hope it to be. Infact, sometimes the joy of it all seems to have gone a lloonnnggg holiday and you wonder if it is ever going to come back. Well in this case it did and I am so glad we were allowed to be a part of it. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Baby Steps

2006-09-08T09:10:00.000+09:30

I have begun to roll the ball. The ball being the one that rolls toward selling your house and purchasing another.It should be called the stress ball.Trust me I have bigger things to be stressed about at the moment however we shall be focusing on this stress at the moment.
My first step was to try and find an agent and see what they had to say ........ Loooorrrddddyyyy is it a competition to be my best friend?? So who do I choose? the woman who became so enthralled in my cards that I thought she may open a store just to solely sell them or the woman who came to my house with two lunch boxes packed with promotional toys for my girls? ( with their names on them??!!)
NEWS FLASH
I don't need a new best friend - quite satisfied with my current one - but thanks anyway.
I just want you to love my place and want to sell it for the best posibble price.
Anyhoo some big decisions to be made............

Here is my first attempt to share my work in progress.

It doesn't quite look as wonderfully creative as others but the world of card making isn't particularly glamorous nor do I carefully place my work to be photographed.I am afraid I have a rather slap-bang approach.

Here are some photos of some more Japanese Yuzen paper I am using at the moment.

Garage goodies

2006-09-06T11:47:00.000+09:30

Look at what I managed to get my hands on at a garage sale!!!!! ( please excuse my photography skills - but I think you may get the drift )

How fantastic! I got two glorious rolls of this vintage wallpaper.

I had my first officail meeting with a wholesale paper supplier - it was very nerve wracking but worth every penny! Here is a little peak at some of the beautiful Yuzen paper I bought.

Are you ready for this Jelly??

2006-09-02T08:49:00.000+09:30

Since childhood I have had secret fantasies of being on Video Hits. Although back then it may have been repeat shows of Countdown..... or Sounds... ( geez remember that!!) I never wanted to take the limelight just a backup dancer would have done me fine. However,considering the only reason I got into the school Rock Esteidford was because my friends choreographed it I think that can give you an idea of my dancing skills!
However, I am hot again!!
Lights are off.
Disco ball on.
Music pumping.
GGGooooo Body Jam. It is soooo much fun. So , what is the big deal that I was the oldest female there.( By atleast eight years!) Did it really matter that I wasn't sporting combat pants and a crop top? My Abs haven't come back from holiday yet - hence no crop top. Did it really matter that I occasionally turned the wrong way and used the wrong foot??? I think not!
There were words like " pump it" "stomp it" "shimmy" and "pulse". OOOOOOOOooohhh it was exciting. It was exhausting - but in a good,just had a workout kind-of-way. Working up a sweat has never been so much fun!
So, look out Beyonce, I am Back!

Some new goodies

2006-08-30T14:28:00.000+09:30

I have bought some bautiful new paper that I have trying out for some of my cards. My photography skills are a little below average.....

Another interesting story.
four year old Dad did you know that you have boobs???

Dad a little shocked and speechless

four year old Don't worry dad, I don't have boobs I just have nibbles.

Weekend Fun

2006-08-28T14:56:00.000+09:30

I had a great weekend of celebrations.
Our first celebration was that we went to a friends 40th birthday party which was super-fabulous. It followed a very high-bred version of party finger food. Not a party pie to be seen but replaced by a mini beef and burgundy pastry with tomatoe relish. Small bowls of chicken ceasar salad and saffron risotto with parmesan were handed out. Salt and pepper prawns with vietnamese salad. ooooohhhhhh so much more but because it was washed down with moet I can't quite be sure. Yes, you read it - Moet Chandon and more Moet Chandon. I tell you -Fabulous!! The Birthday girl looked ever so cool and sexy - she thanked this but I think she owned the birthday glow. Her funny and charming husband made a great dvd of her life and to top it all off......drum roll.......there were profiteroles!!
And being sugar-free I didn't indulge - how dumb am I ????
There were also tiny lemon meringue pies and exotic flavoured ice cream with mint fairy floss on top.
I almost felt famous .... until it was time to relieve the babysitter.

Second celebration was a beautiful cosy first birthday party. An afternoon tea with an abundance of toys to keep children amused.What more can one ask for????
So Happy birthday Natalie and Happy first Birthday Elliot. Hope all your dreams come true.

Note to self : must get back onto sugar wagon

Sugar - free

2006-08-24T15:23:00.000+09:30

After eating (literally shovelling) fluffy bright green mint cream into my mouth ( middle of a mint ripple mud cake mmmmmmm) I actually thought what on earth am I doing? Are my sugar cravings leading me so astray that the thought of eating green cream is actually inviting??? Ofcourse, in total impulsive fashion I thought I would go totally sugar-free. Rid my body of such impurities! Anyone who knows me realises that this is quite a challenge. No more sugary tea. No more soft drink. No more raiding my diabetic husbands hypo stash of chocolate bars. Oh my - no more chocolate bars.No more chocolate royals. I will stop now otherwise we will be here for days.I am now 10 days sugar-free....... and it hhuuurrtttssss. Yes,it is really hurting my feelings.
However,strange things are happening. My headaches have settled down considerably. I am sleeping better and have more energy. My peepers are open BEFORE the alarm - even before the kids. My mood is a little lighter and I seem to be constantly smiling at strangers.
Bizarre.
I am now a believer.
Give it a try

My slump in motivation is now a distant memory and have been working on some new cards so here is a peak.

Stay tuned - more in my bag of goodies

Sleepover Fun

2006-08-20T17:11:00.000+09:30

Isn't it great when your child has found another child to boss around and then that child in turn has to find another to boss around. The circle of agest rivalry!!! That is what we had at my house this weekend but oh what fun was had by all! We are very lucky that in my immediate family we have had little girls. So in our mini gang there is a 4 year old a two year old and a ten month old.We are also lucky that our mini gang love each others company.Ofcourse I felt compelled to share a few snaps.

The brekky race is on...

Artists at work

Kisses all round

Ohhhhh Looorrddyyyyy

2006-08-19T08:41:00.000+09:30

Now Ladies listen up. He is better than a block of cadbury on the couch. He is better than a childfree afternoon with a footrub on the couch. The only thing that could possibly be better if HE was rubbing your feet whilst feeding you chocolate on the couch............
Ok my fantasy is over.
It is HUGH The one and only. The most gorgeous ,sexy,Aussie on the planet. Now,this has been previously been mentioned by Sammy so I think you Ladies must be getting the message.If you have not seen the The Boy from Oz go now.
Like right now.
Get off this computer.
Ladies, why are you still here??????
This show is the ladies Viagra.
Extremely Strange concept, considering it is about a gay mans life! Somehow,somewhere Hugh does it for us Ladies and that is not taking away from his camp-like "ra-ra-ra stick-it-in-a-jar" performance.
I have to say as fabulous as Hugh is,it isn't just his wonderful performance of the late great Peter Allen, it is the whole fantastic ensemble.
Chrissy Amphlett as Judy Garland is amazing -
Colleen Hewitt as Peter's Mother is fabulous.
I am going to stop now because if you haven't got the hint now you never will.
GO FORTH AND PAY HUGH A VISIT you will not be disappointed!
I am off now to my real world. Bugger. Thanks Hugh , it was all worth it.