The aftermath

Do you feel like you're in the middle of an aftermath after Christmas? I'm absolutely exhausted, thank goodness I have this week off work. I will be taking down the Christmas decos and tree today. How come putting it up is left to me, as is pulling it all down? I find that so depressing, but I'm ready for a clear living room again.

So who does resolutions? I don't usually. Oh well actually usually my resolution for the year is to do as many things as possible that I've never done before - whether that is from trying a new endeavour, eating something for the first time, travelling to a new place, whatever. You can't really break that resolution, and it's a growth thing really.

However this year I'm going to add de-clutter to the list. I must admit I'm a bit of a hoarder. Things seem to take on an emotional appeal to me and I find it hard to cull. But this year I am. It's good Feng Shui anyway, a cluttered home is a cluttered mind is a cluttered life. I want to simplify this year. Let's see how I go anyway.

Well I finished the socks for step-daughter no. 2. She adored them. Loved the colour, loved the fit. When she opened the present she said "oh but I have such a small foot" and I said "I know, that's why I made them like that". They fit like a glove. She was most impressed. Collinette Jitterbug is such a yummy wool to knit with, I should have gone down a needle size or two as the body of the sock was roomy but Miss B liked that, it was more the foot length I got down perfectly for her.

This photo doesn't do the socks justice, the colour is even more vibrant up close. The pattern is Anastasia socks and I've never done toe up so I did this top down and just worked the pattern the opposite way. Hey, I'm getting adventurous. I finished with about 1 metre of yarn left. Whew!

On the scrapping front thought I'd delve back through the archives of recently completed but still not shown pages. This is a photograph of my grandmother as a young girl. My grandma was only 5 when her mum died and 14 when her dad died and so the three siblings were raised by their Auntie. One of these days I'll scrap the lives of my grandparents. Ahhhh so many projects, so little time.

Credits here.

As for the menagerie, status quo exists. Although Bo did go almost nose to nose with Lucky through a fence we've put up between the bathroom/laundry area and the passageway, so that's encouraging, she did that of her own volition. Still early days I guess. He's under the desk at my feet right now funny little fellow that he is.

Tomorrow I get to meet one of my scrapbooking friends for the first time. Esther does such beautiful scrapbook pages and is holidaying in my neck of the woods so we're meeting up to go to a craft market together, perhaps a lovely coffee and cake, yum! Who knows. I'm looking forward to meeting her. She's instructed that my copy of the family book must come along and she has some of her work to show me too. It will be lovely to see in real life as opposed to one the computer screen.

Christmas - how we spent it

What a day, it was huge. We drove to Geelong with Lucky in tow. He slept from the moment we left home till the first traffic lights 2 hours later! And the same on the way back again, what a great little traveller.

We visited the cemetary to see Mike's mum's grave. Then over to my mum's house, having Lucky with us stemmed a lot of the tears she was feeling on the day, funny little cone head he is. She loved the book. No ... wait ... she adored the book. She was speechless, and since Christmas Day it's been round the neighbourhood too!

A bit overwhelmed as she opened it.

I don't know whether this was laughter or tears, because there was certainly both.

I made peace with mum's wish to be alone this Christmas as long as I could see her in the morning on the way through to Ocean Grove and again on the way back. She spent the day and the first anniversary of dad's death how she wanted it. The book helped. I hope it cleansed. I hope it made her laugh. I hope it offered a salve to her wounds.

Then onto Ocean Grove to lunch with Mike's sister. The kids adored Lucky and gave him quite the work out. Here's us at the Christmas table. What a feast - turkey, ham, all the trimmings, followed by the most delicious plum pudding, brandy custard and cream. Oh and for overseas people the funny paper hats we are wearing are from the bon bons (crackers). Don't know if you have them there.

Then late afternoon headed to see my brother and family. More presents to unwrap. More playing with Lucky, until in all the excitement he pee'd on Matthew's new boogie board. Lucky then became known as "Pisser" !!

Then back to mum's to chill out for a few hours which was nice. We just sat, opened some more presents and had coffee and enjoyed the peace and quiet. I know Christmas is about the kids, but lots of high pitched squealing and giggling and the incessant "Auntie Carol Auntie Carol Auntie Carol" chant nearly did me in.

Then Home James with us and we got home about 10pm. HUGE DAY!

We've just vegged out the last couple now. I haven't even gone into the sales, although I'm heading down to Geelong in an hour to spend a couple of nights with mum, we'll be going to the sales down there and may even make a trip to Highpoint.

And finally as for the menagerie. We are going okay (I think). Mainly the "I think" because I don't have anything to rate it against. Molly and Bo have always maintained a calm distance, I have seen Molly lick Bo a few times and she's not moved away, so that's kind of the arm's length relationship they have.

With Lucky in the mix, oh boy. Molly has done a bit of growling I must admit, but I've been told to step back and let them sort it out. It's all about the top dog status apparently. Lucky then takes a few steps back, lays down until Molly stops with the growling and then comes back for more, sheesh!

Bo has made some of the scary hissing sounds and Lucky does the same, steps back and lays down and lets Bo go off on her merry sweet way. Although yesterday he decided to see what happened if he chased her. Heck! All hell broke loose. I ended up with a scratch from just below my right ear across my neck and down my chest. My own silly fault I got in the way and I know she didn't mean it. Now it's game on.

We've provided a safe room that Bo can get in and out of, but Lucky can't. Likewise with Bo's food. She has been coming back in each afternoon so that's a good sign. After all the hellaballoo we were watching a movie last night. Mike and I on the couch, Molly laying at our feet, Lucky on the arm rest side of Mike. Bo came in the back door, hopped up onto my arm rest, walked along the back of the couch and then came to sit on Mike's arm rest, within half a foot of Lucky, all very calm. Then hopped off and walked up the passageway. Not a peep out of Lucky.

So that's a good sign right? Please people placate me. I have no benchmarks. I feel like with Lucky and the cat it's a step forward and a step backwards. And of course my main focus is on the cat right now, I don't want her stressed. But she keeps coming back so I think that is positive.

Anyway cone head no more, the stitches came out yesterday and so did the cone come off. Here's the sweet little face that's worked it's way into our hearts.

We got Lucky today ... literally!

I was giggling so much when I wrote that post last night about getting lucky this year. Yes we did.

Introducing Lucky, our new 8 month old Jack Russell. He was needing a new home, came across from South Australia and he's all ours. Little brother for Molly and Bo.

Molly is none too fussed, they've had some big run arounds together and she's showing him she's top dog as it should be, there were a few grrrrrs when the butt sniffing got a wee bit personal! As for Bo the cat, well she's sulking up on our bed and hasn't ventured back out. After a few big dummy spit hisses we're just letting her find her own feet in this, she's been given a safe area that Lucky can't get into so we'll go from there.

Oh and the collar is because he still has stitches in from being desexed. They come out in three days. Then we'll get to see that beautiful little face for real.

Is this picture the epitome of love? I ask you! Someone is in love I tell you, I think the feeling might be mutual.

I have enjoyed writing this blog this year and am grateful and treasure the friendships I have made, people I don't really know, never met, but get to visit their lives from time to time. I enjoy that immensely.

As I will struggle through Christmas Day, I will be sure to take time out to count my blessings, it's been a tough year. I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and hope to see and "visit" you all again in the New Year.

I have news !!

But not until tomorrow.

te he I'm terrible aren't I? Leaving you hanging. But it's good news, I promise. After such a shitty year, it's about time we've gotten lucky huh?

I'm giggling so much here.

Tomorrow.

I promise.


Until then, Molly wants to say hi.

Credits here.

So continuing on with the Christmas theme

Thought I would show another Christmas page. It's almost mandatory isn't it? All throughout December.

Weekend before last it was cold. It was mighty cold. Rained torrential rain all weekend. We even had the fireplace on which is UNHEARD of for us in December. No wonder Christmas has snuck up on everyone here, because it's just not been Christmas weather. So I just had to take a picture of part of my tree and a lot of our fireplace, which made me laugh.

Credits here.

And while I'm at it, here's a pic of me and my easter bunny ... err ... reindeer! hahahahahaha Just showing off my new darker coloured hair.

What a week

It's surely been a week and a half in this neck of the woods. I am pleased to say that the cold weather seems to have disappeared. It's been lovely and warm this weekend and so much more Christmassy to get us in the mood. I don't know that I could cope with a cold Christmas. Oh okay, maybe I'd like to try it once. But bring on the heat I say.

I am pleased to say that all orders were received during the week. All orders I say??? Yes everything I was waiting for ... and ... THE ALBUM (I say in hushed tones with reverence). I can't even describe the overwhelming feelings I got when I opened the package. Actually I sat at the kitchen table and stared at the package a good ten minutes before I got up the nerve to open it. Step-daughter No.2 has been staying for the week so she and Mike gathered around as we looked at it in awe. Just the sight of it and physically being able to hold it in my hands after seeing it only in parts on the computer screen for the last 18 months, well I don't mind tell you I burst into uncontrollable tears.

It's beautiful. I can't imagine it being anything else than it is. It is EXACTLY as I had imagined, even better. Photos will be forthcoming.

Mum has spent the weekend with us and she's well and truly been initiated into our little town. We had the annual Christmas parade. What a hoot. Loved every minute of it. Then Carols by Candlelight in the Village Green. Once the sun went down it got rather chilly, but we were armed with santa hats, coats, big woolly rugs. It was a lovely evening.

I decided to use Sharon's new paper pack, aptly named Warm Christmas to show off some of the sights of our Christmas parade, as only a little town can pull off. ;-)

Credits here.

Oh yes, that's the love of my life there in all his reindeer glory !!! He was most put out when we were told by one of our friends that her young son came racing over to her and in almost a hyperventilating voice said ... "Oh mummy, did you see, did you see? There's Santa Claus and ... and ... and the Easter Bunny"!

Out of the mouths of babes huh?

Building an Ark !

It has not stopped raining. And even if it looks like stopping, you can still feel the moisture in the air. It started around lunchtime yesterday and is still going now. We have the fire on right now. In December!! Unheard of.

Mike and I were talking earlier, the long hot unending days of Summer when we were kids. It seems to be a thing of the past, or at least the seasons are moving, now we seem to be getting warm weather up until Easter.

It's a quagmire out in back yard, but yes I know the rain is good for the garden, the water shortage, yes yes I know. But this much? Over the Christmas season? We have our Carols by Candlelight in the Village Green next Friday night. Please please please don't rain on our parade two years running.

So it is Mike's birthday today. 47 years young. His dad and sister and family are coming up tomorrow for lunch. I have a zucchini/carrot pie in the oven right now. Tossed salad. Cheesecake in the fridge. I'm good to go! Stress is starting to finally be released.

So in keeping with my Christmas layouts, here's another to keep us in the festive mood.

Credits here.

Okay, back to the knitting, thank goodness the Collinette Jitterbug knits up fast, I need to get this last sock finished!

Update, how am I going?

I'm getting there...

• Tree is still up - the dog and cat haven't knocked it down yet, LOL.
• Gifts 95% wrapped, ribbons still all over the kitchen table, but not so anxious now.
• Cards half sent, ran out of stamps, but the last lot ready to go.
• Christmas stockings well and truly on their way.
• Lost present found - LUCKY - because it was a watch! whew.
• The sock - had done about 5cm from the cast on and totally stuffed up the pattern and ripped it out. Still to be done. Big effort this weekend.
• Yes, cheesecake shop has been visited and a luscious strawberry cheesecake is sitting in the fridge right now for the birthday boy.
• And ring is at the jewellers for fixing.

And at last the weekend. And it's raining. Very steadily. I think it's going to be a wet weekend the whole way through. Birthday presents are all wrapped for the birthday boy tomorrow. He's in the loungeroom watching the Last Samarai on telly. Why? When we have the DVD, who knows.

So to bring you a bit more Christmas cheer, I'll finish off with a page I did using one of the new designers at twolittlepixels' - Opal Scraps newest kit, Urban Garden.

My little Bo Bo Girl, I think this was actually a yawn from memory, but it looks like a funny little laugh from her, so I'll stick with that!

Christmas Anomaly - Relaxation

So the silly season has well and truly set in. Aren't we all meant to sit back and enjoy the days of December.

I don't know how it goes in your home, but why is it that I have to write all the cards (which mind you are still sitting on the kitchen bench not sent, even the overseas ones!!), I have to keep tabs of what we've got for who, I am the one braving the stores, I am doing all the wrapping. Who gets to sit back and relax in December??? Not I.

I have revolted again this year and Mike is writing on the cards of the people who are first and foremost his friends the longest. I just plonked 10 tags in front of him and instructed him to write, so there's his writing on some of the items. As for the wrapping, nah! I'll do that.

So let's take stock of where we are up to in the land of Carol and Mike.

• Tree is up - check.
• Gifts half wrapped, paper and ribbons still all over the kitchen table - making me anxious.
• Cards written, still not sent - half check.
• Final order of four Christmas stockings finished and packaged, to be sent tomorrow - check.
• One lost present I hid so well I can't find it - DISASTER!
• Still one sock to finish otherwise the recipient will be given only half a pair - breathe breathe!
• Husband's family descending on us on Sunday for Mike's birthday - arrrrrgggghhhh!!
• Meal to plan, birthday cake to make - think Cheesecake Shop might be getting a quick visit!
• And in amongst it all - one lost diamond.

I whacked my hand on a cabinet in the filing room today and looked down and there was a gap. One of the three diamonds on my engagement ring had disappeared. I even had the boss down on his hands and knees searching!! And after 10 minutes searching there it was. What a big scream I let out and then a sigh of relief. So a visit to the jewellers planned tomorrow to fix my ring.

Yep - rest and relaxation in December!

So let's have a walk down memory lane at some of my Christmasses past, a double page spread from the family album.

Credits here.

You can't help but be impressed with my fringe in the first page huh? Mum was the master of what I lovingly call "the bowl cut". She would put sticky tape across our hair and then cut whatever was left hanging. hahahahahahaha

Okay, off to search for the lost present again.

Hope your December is a bit more relaxing. Somehow I'm wondering if Christmas + Relaxation = does not compute.

Yawn !

Sunday morning. I'm tired. Mike was up early and has gone bush looking for gold. I intend to turn this place into a Christmas wonderland today but I need a bit of oomph to get me going this morning.

It means I need to get up to the top shelf of the cupboard and get the Christmas tree down. Vaccuum. I usually put away a lot of decorator pieces in the loungeroom and replace with Christmas decorating so it's not "too much", put away my normal white dinner crockery and replace with Christmas crockery, plus I intend to wrap presents today, finish writing cards, and parcel up the overseas presents I send hoping they get there in time.

It is the season for rest and relaxation isn't it? te he

Thought I'd show you more pages that are in the family album. Counting down the days till it arrives.

A double page along the same theme, lots of smiling faces over the years. I love mum's face in this first page. She had just unwrapped a cappuccino maker. I guess coffee does that too a girl !

Credits here.

Credits here.

Okay, I'm eyeing off the cupboard, will need to find the step ladder. I can do it right? Let's go get that tree. Eeeek.

Can't help but be impressed

So my last post I mentioned I had just sent away my book to Shutterfly to get printed. And it's Thursday now and I've received an email to tell me it is winging it's way to me as I type. Now that's service! Soon soon soon it will be in my hot little hands. I can't wait.

Here's another couple of pages that went into the book, thought I better put a wedding page in and some of my loveliest memories of my family at our wedding. Gosh dad was scared when he walked me down the aisle. I remember sitting in the back of the car with him as we were chauffeured to the venue. I said "so dad, this is where you have to give me some advice and words of wisdom". He could hardly speak he was so nervous. So instead of any worldly speech from him, he started talking to the driver about the mighty Cats !

Here's a double page spread, both pages using the fabulous new Uptown kit by creashens.

And although you've not seen all the pages of the book, you'll still have more to see, I absolutely love the front page I created. I had a vision in my head that it was going to be white and I love this paper. I can't wait to see it all done.

Credits here.

You know sometimes fate comes in and lends a helping hand. Do you believe in that? I do. Mum had been invited to a memorial night that the funeral home puts on each Christmas. She dearly wanted to go, but doesn't drive and doesn't particularly like going out at night, so passed it up.

Step in my work. I was told to go to a training course down in Geelong on Wednesday and to travel down Tuesday night and stay over. Unbeknowns to anyone at work that this would work in perfectly, I could take mum to the memorial night and attend myself also. You just don't question this type of luck do you?

My goodness, there were hundreds there. Sometimes you feel like you're the only one going through it and then you look around and everyone there was grieving a loss. It was a beautiful night, some songs from a woman with the most angelic voice, a talk about getting through the Christmas season and some ideas to implement to help us through it and honour our loved one at the same time. Then we got to light a candle from one of the four main candles they had lit amongst many tears from our part - memory, courage, life, love. Afterwards they gave us all a balloon and we went outside and let them go flying free high in the sky. Very freeing. Then a supper afterwards if we wanted to stay.

I don't think mum has changed her mind as to wanting not to join in any festivities over Christmas and for solitude, but I do think it's helped heal just a wee little part of her heart.

I must admit I often look for signs. Signs from dad. Silly may be, hopeful possibly. I do like to think that dad had a role in making sure that this course was on and I had to attend when I did, to enable mum (and me) to get to that night. I'm going to believe that anyway.

That's it from me tonight. It's raining very steadily outside right now. I've done a lot of sewing tonight, so now it's time for bed. G'night.

He was everything ... and more !!

It was a given really. I have just loved Billy Joel since forever. What a great weekend.

What fun. The motel was perfect, we had a fabulous banquet in China Town for dinner, the weather was ideal for walking, our seats were AMAZING!, Billy was incredible, have I used enough adjectives?

Here's some pictures. Like I said, amazing seats, this wasn't zoomed in, this was exactly where I was sitting.

Then of course I got up on stage with him to take these ... hahahahaaha Only kidding. The wonders of the zoom lens huh?

Truly just the best weekend ever.

Now I'm down to earth. Ready for this ... THE FAMILY HISTORY BOOK IS FINISHED !!!! And I just spent an obscene amount at Shutterfly for the printing. Gasp! But it will be worth it when I see mum's face when she opens it for Christmas.

Over and out.