Cats for Premiers 2007

We did it (I say we 'collectively' mind you as I did a lot of work barracking from my couch here!). My beloved Cats won the AFL Premiership today after a 44 year drought. The boys did so brilliantly against Port Power and won by a zillion points.

I was so drugged up with tablets with this sore throat and hacking cough I've been developing, my head was already fuzzy, but I made it through the match and only fell asleep during half time. At the final siren I was a sobbing mess. Now I'll probably put that down to the fact I'm feeling quite ill at the moment and you just have to look at me sideways to set me off into tears right now, but what a glorious moment.

So fuzzy head and all (my God, this screen is so bright on my eyes right now!!) I had to scrap a page. I've shamefully recoloured Sharon's papers but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, right? And now I do believe my couch is calling me, I have the fire going, my big crochet rug to curl up under and big plumpy pillows. Mike is off camping this weekend with number 1 son, so the evening is my own.

Credits

Paper – Bubbaboy former freebie from [ksharonkdesigns] completely recoloured
Staples from Small Packages – Stationery Plus 1 from [ksharonkdesigns]
Vintage Flash card by Katie Pertiet (words altered)
Torn frame overlay by Anna Aspnes
Font – Antique Type

I promised a story to tell

So here it is. Geelong Footy Club, my beloved Cats, the last time they won a Grand Final was before I was born. It was 5th October 1963 and the day my mum and dad got married.

Now you may very well ask why on earth would someone plan a wedding on Grand Final day, the day that stops the nation downunder. Well they didn't, it's usually that "one day in September" but that particular year something happened to push the Grand Final out a week. Ack! The day they got married.

Now my dad's side of the family were Geelong footy fans through and through, staunch supporters. My mum's side of the family were one-eyed Collingwood fans (who happened to be in the Reserve finals I believe that day). All during the afternoon wedding reception, dad's side of the family all held transistor radios to their ears to listen to the play. Hey! What happened to the bride being the centre of attention?!?!?!? Alas, not on Grand Final day.

So mum played second fiddle to the Cats that day, who won the Grand Final. She also spent a rather ... err ... romantic wedding night in a honeymoon suite of a motel watching the Grand Final Replay on telly!!

So one may wonder why Geelong has never won a premiership since that day? Some may say the nerves get them when they get into the big one. We all know differently now though don't we? My mum has put the mozz on them for the last 44 years!

So will 2007 be any different? Oh please please please let me see the Cats win the big one once in my lifetime, please!!! Stay tuned for Saturday.

So as I mentioned they got married on 5th October, so my brother who is quite impressed with my digi scrapping, thought we could put together a framed layout of the two of us for them for their anniversary this year. They don't have a great many photos, well decent photos anyway, of the two of us together without pulling faces or nudging each other or eyes closed, well you know the drill. Here's what I have come up with so far, I may tweak it a bit, but it's a start. Love all the frippery bits by Tracy, my newest favourite thing to play with.

Credits

Lots of goodies from Something Special by Tracy Ann (Something Green and Something Gold)
Brushware by Tracy Ann
Star sprinkle from Tracy Ann Frippery Trio
Vintage Photo Frame by Katie Pertiet
Font – Palace Script

I'm wrecked!

Oh my, I think as you get older it takes longer to get over big nights, right? We went to see The Borderers last night. And danced and danced and danced until we were exhausted. Don't let the thought of them being a Celtic band fool you, they are rocking fabulous! If you ever EVER get a chance to see them, do. You won't regret it. Your feet might, but you won't! ha

Now before I go any further, a big thank you to my dear friend Bells of Bellsknits. A surprise birthday gift made its way to me during the week and I squealed with joy and delight (and quite frankly despair that I will never master dpns!). Thank you thank you thank you, and you're not wrong, I do remember reading your post in that it was hard to photograph your own feet. This is the best I can do. Aren't they beautiful everyone.

Onto digi scrapping. Sharon has done it again with the most magnificent new kit called "missing you" available from pickleberrypop. (That gorgeous frame I've used for the socks is from the kit). Isn't the kit beautiful, go forth and buy I say!

Plus she has a complementary freebie on her blog right now which matches beautifully or can be used in its own right. Go visit Sharon now at Artistic Musings to grab the freebie, available for a limited time. I've used the freebie here with a couple of other items for the Designer Digital quote challenge. What a timely quote for me to use. I do so love this pic of us.

Credits

Missing You freebie by [ksharonkdesigns]
Doodle Stitches by Tracy Drane
Designer Digitals Quote Challenge by Mindy Terasawa.

Much to talk about this post. My beloved Cats won the semi-final and now through to the Grand Final next week. Oh please please please let them do it this time. They've been in the Grand Final a spattering of times over the years but lost, the last premiership was 1963. I have a story to tell about that, but I'll leave that for during the week.

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Christeph asked what a musk stick was. haha It's a big pink lolly Christeph! That's what I looked like on Friday night at the "Girls Night In". Quite an enjoyable night that raised a fair few dollars for the Anti-Cancer Council.

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Later all, I have a curry bubbling away on the stove, mmmmmm curry night tonight. Perfect.

GO CATS !!!

GO CATS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can do it boys. Geelong versus Collingwood tonight, winner into the Grand Final. I want to see a bit of Premiership glory at least once in my lifetime. 44 years since the last premiership win, is a wee bit too long between drinks.

Only problem is, I'm going to miss it on telly tonight. I will have to get regular score texts from Mike. I'm off to a "GIRLS NIGHT IN" - a fundraising night for Breast Cancer awareness with all proceeds going to the Anti-Cancer Council. The ladies in town are meeting down at the hall for an evening of nibbles, games, nibbles, drinks, nibbles, fun, nibbles, talking, nibbles, prizes, oh and did I say nibbles? LOL

And of course breast cancer awareness, the theme is pink. I'm decked out like a musk stick right now.

Gotta go.

GO CATS GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She's not fat, she's just hefty!

Well today was the day that both Molly and Bo were off to the vets for their annual shots. I have re-jigged their yearly shots so that they can be done together, this was our first year to do that. What was I thinking? A 45 minute drive to the vets with both of them in the car.
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Bo was pitifully meowing the whole way, she really doesn't like car travel, let alone being in her cat carrier. I had bought a new harness for Molly for the car and eeek, the large didn't fit her. It said labrador on the box!! Hmmmph. So I ended up in the back seat next to her. Oh joy! She decided to bark at every car that passed us. I'm deafened.
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Now I ask, I have no idea what Dr. Adam was thinking but he decided to see them both TOGETHER! Now don't get me wrong, they do tolerate each other, a quiet respect, but they have no desire to be THAT close. Our quiet-unassuming-love everybody-Molly decided to take an inane dislike to Dr. Adam when he held the thermometer out. We did warn him from episodes in previous years that she was 'bottom shy' but he wouldn't listen and after she nearly bit him (yikes!) he finally listened and got a muzzle for her. My poor girl she just put her head into the crook of my armpit and sobbed when she got her temp taken. Needles no worries, worming tablets, yep they're a treat, but take her temperature and she turns into a feral wide eyed stranger.
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Molly has meant to be on a diet for the past 12 months and she has lost, since the last visit, a grand total of ......... (drum roll please) .......... half a kilogram (that's about 1 pound for my American friends). Oh the shame. In 12 months she's lost a pound. She's now 40.3 kilograms, that's 88 pound my friends.
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Now I say yes she's overweight, but she's not a pure lab. She's crossed with something and I like to think it's probably a very large dog. Yes she has a jelly belly, but she's quite firm across the shoulders and chest. So I think she's just a sturdy dog, yanno. So on with the diet we go, Dr. Adam wants us in once every couple of months now to weigh her.
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I did get her a new harness whilst at the vets. Ummmmm, errrrrrrr, the one that fitted her fits a Newfoundland or Bull Mastiff. Okay, enuff said.
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On the scrapping front, I have done yet another page for my mother-in-law's album that I'm doing of her grandchildren for Mother's Day next year. Yes I know, but if I don't start now I'll never get it finished. This is youngest step-son getting squished and rather not impressed that I captured it on the camera! ha. He should know better with me.
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Credits
Goodies from Tracy Ann Design’s Something Special – Something Blue.
Striped paper from Mermaid’s Haven, Amber Waves papers
Stacked vintage photo frames by Katie Pertiet
Flash cards – Vintage Flash card words 2 by Katie Pertiet (words altered)
Font – Susie’s Hand

Happy Birthday to me! LOL

Ahh heck, you get one day a year to be a princess right? I've had a terrific day. I never ever work on my birthday, how decadent, I always wangle a rostered day off. So brecky in bed this morning, followed by pressies, and this evening Mexican for dinner followed by The Bourne Ultimatum. But that's not all, we were very naughty at the supermarket and came home with some cookies and cream icecream and had that with coffee which was laced with rum and topped with cream. I ask you, could you even imagine anything better?
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Credits for the above are from Miss Mints Party Pants.

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Hmmmm, I just realized I'm going to have to change my age in the profile, perhaps I'll make it "forty-something" now!!

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Now on to some real fun stuff for the digi scrapping buffs. The amazing Sharon of [ksharonkdesigns] has come up with a real treat. For those times where time might be short and inspiration even shorter, where you just want a quick start, or to pop something together for a last minute gift. Her *ruff stuff* quick album might be just what you're looking for.

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So to try it out for size, how's this for a little cutie, a dear friend from work has let me borrow her baby! LOL Well at least allowed me the joy of scrapping her baby photos and one of Sharon's pages were just perfect. Add a bit of journalling, a few elements of your own and voila, a fabulous looking page.

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Credits
*ruff stuff* quick album by [ksharonkdesigns] available at pickleberrypop
The 'd' is from the alpha in the Sweetpea Kit by [ksharonkdesigns]
Buttons from the Springshine Kit by [ksharonkdesigns] - green and white recoloured
Font - Kidprint

A glimpse of where we live

Okay, so I only said a glimpse, a small teeny tiny peek, LOL. Bells once asked people to put pics of their surrounds on their blog, so we can get an insight as to where they live. So these pics are probably a wee bit smaller than what she was wanting to see, but they're here right now so I may as well post them.

This is one of our favourite walks, only two blocks up from where we live. We do live in the town with neighbours, we're not *that* far out in the country, and sure there are only around 1000 people in town, but we're kind of on almost the edge of where the houses in town are before you hit the golf course (yes! we have a golf course! just up the end of our street) and then farmland.

So Molly and I usually like to trek up these country lanes, and she usually eyes off the sheep that may be grazing in the paddocks or a horse or two and I know she's just itching to go join them, heaven forbid, but just to play mind you.

There's a bit of birthday fun going on at pickleberrypop for the first birthday and the designers have made "lolly bags" as treats. Such bargains at only $2.50 AUD (even less for US!) heck you pay more for a block of chocolate and this is way much more fun!! Sharon's lolly bag is just spectacular, you would not be disappointed, so go forth and grab some treats!! (For this week only).

So here's a layout using some lolly bag treats and other Sharon goodies, and especially for Bells, showing a bit of my neighbourhood.

Credits

Simple Sets #21 by [ksharonkdesigns] - from the lollybag!
Paper from Unadorned Freebie by [ksharonkdesigns] from her blog Artistic Musings
Circle from Scruffy Freebie by [ksharonkdesigns]
Stitching from Simple Joys Mini Kit by [ksharonkdesigns]
Alpha from Small Packages Alpha 1 by [ksharonkdesigns] - from the lollybag, mmmmmm!
Paw prints from Gone to the Dogs Kit by Patti Knox of Designer Digitals
Splotch (recoloured) from Something Special – Something Fab Kit by Tracy Ann Designs

Walkies!! And now for a nap, LOL

Who used to say "Walkies", Barbara someone or other, an English lady on telly I think, she worked with dogs, way before I had a dog and knew the love of having a dog and ever expected I would own a dog. It just struck me funny that I said it just now.

Took Molly for a wonderfully long walk today, we've both benefitted. Then as if I wasn't exhausted enough, it was bathtime for her too, which she's not overly keen about but she will suffer through it. Now she's laying flat out sprawled every which way outside and I think I'm about to do the same thing, a 30 minute kip will work wonders.

I did want to scrap another one of the pictures I took of Mike and my beautiful step-daughter last weekend, something magical about Tracy Ann's goodies in this pack, I just knew this was one pic I would use it for. And I used Natasha Whitely's colour action with this picture and it did make it pop as promised. Will be playing with this action now for sure.

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Credits

Something Special - Something sparkly kit by Tracy Ann Designs
Stacked Vintage frames by Katie Pertiet
Natasha Whitely - Contrastpopncolour action

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Now Mike is off today chasing the illusive gold stuff, LOL, so let's see if he can match the gold on this paper with what he brings home tonight. Stay tuned!

Eeeeek ... Christmas is coming!

Heck, didn't we just get over Christmas last year? LOL Someone mentioned to me the other day it was only 16 weeks to go. I didn't go check, but I'm assuming that's right. And me, the "Christmas Carol" personified, loving everything Christmas, I am so not prepared. I usually have my shopping fairly well under control by now (yes, I am my mother's daughter, she is already finished Christmas shopping, you can roll your eyes if you wish!!)

So with this talk of Christmas I walk through Target the other day and there it was, the first of the Christmas decos out!! Okay, so it was just their small stand of Hallmark dated decorations, but Christmas all the same. I've been collecting these dated decorations since about 1988, I figure when I'm old and grey I'll sell them all as a collection to fund my retirement, haha.

Now you think I'm an early Christmas organiser, well check this out ...

Credits

Unadorned Freebie by [ksharonkdesigns] from her blog right now!! (one week only)
Orange paper - Softly paper pack by [ksharonkdesigns]
Tracy Ann Take Two Photomats
Curled Edges by Anna Aspnes
Font - Yelly

So run, don't walk, to Sharon's blog Artistic Musings to pick up the Adorned freebie, which I used for a couple of the papers and the great ledger print. Available this week only so don't delay.

What fabulous textured paper and what a fun way to use Tracey Ann's photo mats. You can get them at her blog.

Off now to make the trek to Geelong to see mum and dad, helping them out with a few things today, I'll be exhausted by the time I get home tonight. I tend to listen to talking books in the car while driving to and from work or up and back to Geelong, so the trip today will go quickly as I'm really enjoying the book I'm listening to right now. Can't think of the name, will note that down and post later, but it's about a girl who fudged her way into a cook's job at the antarctica. It's really great stuff.

Waiting waiting ...

Mike is over at his mate's place at the moment, going through some music for their upcoming wedding where Mike will be playing the bagpipes at the ceremony. I'm thinking he'll still be a while yet, and we haven't had dinner. I don't know about you, but if I eat after say 8/8.30pm I have a real hard time getting to sleep. He may just end up with a plate to zap in the microwave yet cause I don't think he'll be home any time soon once they get talking.

I finally feel like I'm starting to get on top of things and just when you feel normal something sets you back. Mum and I were in tears on the phone together last night, silly really I guess when you think about it. But the cremation certificate had come in the mail and when mum told me I just cried and cried. So did she. I say silly, because we know that grandma was cremated, we know it happened, but to have it written in black and white cuts another knife into your chest. I'm going down to mum and dad's on Saturday for the day just to spend some time, it will be nice.

So let's see, I haven't shared a "Things" layout for a while have I? So here's the latest. Enjoy. Poor hapless Greg will never live this down, LOL.

Credits

Papers - Antique Garden paper by Bren Boone, Vintage Picnic Solids by Katie Pertiet and Memories by Lemonaid Lucy
Frame – Vintage Frames by Katie Pertiet
Vintage Flash card words 2 by Katie Pertiet (words altered)
Postcard Journallers by Katie Pertiet
Dirty Note Alpha by Katie Pertiet
Aged Tag by Barbara LeMay of Heralds Place
Stitching by Tracy Blankenship
Photo - the fabulous Square America

Happy Father's Day to all the dads

Not that I expect there are any dads reading this blog, but just in case, and if you're in the southern hemisphere (because I know at least in America, Father's Day I think is in June), so if you qualify and you're reading this ... HAPPY FATHER'S DAY !

I haven't yet done a father/daughter layout as yet from the pics I took yesterday, but I did do one of step-daughter 2, love this photo. It really shows the essence of her, she's such a beautiful girl and loving and kind and gentle and I think that shines through her face in this photo, as eccentric and eclectic as she is!

Credits

Peek-a-boo Oops bits by Tracy Ann Designs
Natasha Whitely Black & White tone action
Font - FG Cathie's hand


On the knitting front, I have been knitting a scarf for myself (at long last) from the most delicious wool called "Freedom Spirit" by Twilleys of Stamford, made in England. I picked it up at Stitchery Blue in Geelong on one of my many trips back and forth a few weeks ago. It's knitting up superbly, beautifully striped, photo will be forthcoming once finished.
Photoframe by Katie Pertiet

The pattern I'm using is the One Row Scarf by the Yarn Harlot and it's such an easy pattern and looks really great. And I only picked this scarf pattern as it had received raved reviews from Tanya and Bells. Should be finished it this week for pics.

Time to go snuggle on the couch with husband and knitting in front of the fire as it's turned chilly again.

Thank you

Firstly a thank you to the messages and emails I have received during this last week, it was much appreciated. You think it's just words thrown out there until you're on the receiving end and it does help to know that people are thinking of you. So thank you for that. It's been a long week, kind of like treading water. But grandma's funeral last Tuesday was small, but beautiful and moving and she was sent off with Mike playing Amazing Grace on his pipes. Just as she would have wanted.

Funny how there are times like this that make other moments in your life hold so much more importance to what they usually rate on a day to day basis. What I mean, is I have a gazillion photographs of my grandma, I was always shoving the camera in her face, but it hit me just the other night, there'll be no more photos, no more memories to keep. So it's made photographing family even more important to me now.

Step-daughter No.2 is staying with us this weekend, and I just took her and Mike down to the local park for a father/daughter photo shoot. They indulged me. Did they have any other option? I got some good photographs which I'm happy about, but it has only appeased me for now. Next visit does she realize I'll have the camera stuck in her face again? Probably. She'll indulge me again. That's what you do when you love someone, right?

Blog Day

So logging on to the computer today has taken me by surprise. Did you know that 31st August was Blog Day? Who knew? Not I until now. So okay, it's 1st September in this part of the world right now, but I'm still going to participate. A surprise comment sent to me by Yenny Girl, had her listing my blog. I didn't even know she visited me, so there it works, I've met another blogger!

BlogDay was created with the belief that bloggers should have one day dedicated to getting to know other bloggers from other countries and areas of interest. On that day Bloggers will recommend other blogs to their blog visitors. With the goal in mind, on this day every blogger will post a recommendation of 5 new blogs. This way, all blog readers will find themselves leaping around and discovering new, previously unknown blogs.

So my five blogs in no particular order that I would like to introduce you to, that entertain me no end are:

Bellsknits

A terrific blog by a good friend of mine, about knitting, life, and with a peppering of social commentary thrown in. Hugely entertaining, just like the lady herself.

Paper Moons

An amazingly talented scrapper who is also a friend. Anna is an incredible artist, has two adorable children who I love to read tales about, and she is also just a lovely lovely lady.

Artistic Musings

Thinking back my first week of doing my first bit of digi scrapbooking I found Sharon's site and have stalked it ever since! She has shown great faith in me in allowing me a guest spot on her creative team and I'm loving the camaraderie with Sharon and the rest of the team and really being able to extend my fledgling skills with digi scrapping. Highly recommend a visit here.

Saving the world one file at a time

I do so love reading about Victoria and her family, the books that she reads and the things that are happening to her and the family and her fabulous layouts of her children and their lives. I regularly pop in to have a read, almost like ducking over for a cuppa with her!

Oz Country Quilting Mum

Not sure how I stumbled onto Tracey's blog originally, but it took my fancy as I recognized things she was writing about and we found we don't live too far from each other, although never met! LOL Tracey makes the most amazing quilts and other sewing craft with quite extraordinary finds from op shops, etc. You'll love her photographs of life in the country around here also.

I have so many other blogs I read, but if I must pick five, then five it is. Click on the links, have a read and enjoy these fabulous blogs by fabulous women.