All systems go...

I have now got PSCS3 on my MacBook and i am scrapping like you wouldn't believe lol. It feels so good to be able to get a LO finished in one sitting rather than having to save after each thing i do and then it taking a week to complete. I think i have counted 8 LO's so far so that's a LO a day since i got PS installed.

Last night Clair & Dannii came over to scrap and it was a really nice night. Clair arrived just after 3pm and Dannii came about 7.30pm so there was a lot of chatting going on. I managed 1 LO and half of Coban's mini album. Clair went nuts and churned out a heap of awesome LO's. Dannii also got a few finished but i can't remember how many lol. Sorry chook.

I can't show the LO i finished last night as it hasn't been released yet. It is a new one from Kaye Winiecki and it is SO cute!!! I will be sure to show it off here next Wednesday.

These are the others that i have completed in the last week. One is missing as i'm trying to decide whether or not to keep it for AFE.


Kit- Parker by Kaye Winiecki~ available at Pickleberrypop.
Full Credits HERE.


I am yet to upload these LO's to my galleries.


My sweet little munchkins.



My beautiful Claudia. I will be changing the journaling on this one and probably adding a bit more to it but it's fine for now.


I am really loving my scrapping at the moment. I feel really pleased with the end results and i think it has to do with only being on the 1 creative team now. It means i get to scrap for 'ME' more so i can use whatever i feel like and i just feel much more content IYKWIM.

I have 3 LO's in this months Scrapbooking Memories magazine. I got a nice surprise as i'd forgotten that i was going to have any in this issue lol. Here they are:









There is less than 2 months to go until the Scraptac retreat!!!! WOO HOO
I am just a little excited about it. I will be picking Sonia up from the train station at 9am ish and then we will head over to Scraptacular for a bit of shopping and meet and greets lol. Then i think there was talk of lunch for us EB girls and then off to the retreat! Sometimes when i think about it, i feel as though i'm going to explode lol. I just can't quite believe that so many of us EB girls will be meeting in the one spot for a whole weekend. There are still quite a number of girls that can't make it which is quite sad but hopefully i get to meet them all in time. I sure hope so! I have been telling Daniel that we need to go to Sydney & Perth for holidays pmsl.

That's it from me. I need a hot chocolate. :)

Planning on having kids???

Then read this and be prepared PMSL.

I found it on Anita's blog and just had to post it here. It made me laugh and nod my head at pretty much everything. So grab a cuppa and get reading lol.

Thinking of having kids?

Do this 11 step program first!

Lesson 1

1. Go to the grocery store.
2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
3. Go home.
4. Pick up the paper.
5. Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2

Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...
1. Methods of discipline.
2. Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run wild.
5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior. Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3

A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...
1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly. (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner)
2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.
3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.
4. Set the alarm for 3AM.
5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.
6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.
7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.
8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.
9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)
10. Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together.

Lesson 4

Can you stand the mess children make? To find out...
1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.
2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.
4. Then rub them on the clean walls.
5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.
6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5

Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.
1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out. Time allowed for this - all morning.

Lesson 6

Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.
1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.
2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.
3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.
4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 7

Go to the local grocery store.
Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice).
If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat.
Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight.
Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys.
Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 8

1. Hollow out a melon.
2. Make a small hole in the side.
3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.
4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.
5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.
6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.
You are now ready to feed a nine-month-old baby.

Lesson 9

Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you're thinking What's 'Noggin'?) Exactly the point.

Lesson 10

Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' and or 'daddy' repeatedly.
(Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required).
Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years.
You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 11

Start talking to an adult of your choice.
Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy/daddy' tape made from Lesson 10 above.
You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

I was also tagged by Dannii a few days ago so i'd better get onto that.

The rules are:
- Link the person who tagged you
- Mention the rules on your blog
- Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
- Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them
- Leave a comment on each of the tagged bloggers blogs letting them know they have been tagged.

1. Like Dannii, I am a total "Get Mail" junkie too!!! I am constantly clicking on the send/receive button even though my email checks messages every 10 minutes lol.

2. I was once a beauty consultant and a wax technician but i don't look after my skin properly or get waxed even though i know all the benefits lol.

3. I have very broad musical taste. My CD collection consists of music by Kasey Chambers, Delta Goodrem, No Doubt, Gwen Stefani, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallic, LOADS of 70's & 80's compilation CD's, Guns n Roses, Nirvana, The Doors, Jeff Buckley, Michael Buble...The list goes on. I do however, draw the line at such crap as Tool, Opeth, Pantera and the like (DH's music taste!).

4. I have been in the audience of The Price Is Right twice and i got to hold a briefcase on Deal or No Deal once. I did try to get a spot on Family Feud but we weren't so lucky. I am hanging out to get onto Wheel Of Fortune though so fingers crossed. I will have to wait for my game show addicted buddy to come down from Brissie though. (OK Amanda???)lol

5. I hate cooking!! I only do it because i have to feed my family and i always leave it to the last minute so it's always something quick and easy lol. I do make a mean lasagne but usually only for special occasions.

6. When the phone rings i answer it with 'hello' and if there is a pause, i hang up straight away. I am so sick of people trying to sell me things. Especially at dinner/bath/bed times. Grrr.... I have learnt to be rude and hang up too.

I know that probably wasn't all that exciting but it was bloody hard to think of 6 things lol. Maybe i need to get a bit more eccentric.

Take care.
xxx

Holy heck!!

I can't quite believe that i am already 27 yrs old. I know some of you will be laughing at me and saying that 27 is SO not old but i can remember when i thought 24 was getting old lol. I really don't mind getting older though. I don't think about age as being all that important but rather how you feel about yourself. I think i will always feel younger as i enjoy being silly at times and try not to take myself too seriously. I do however think that having 3 kids has made me feel a little bit older lol. I even have crows feet now!!! (Or what i like to call smile lines.)

It was my birthday on Sunday (Mother's Day) and i got very spoilt!! Daniel bought me a MacBook which is just the COOLEST present i have ever received. Well maybe not quite as nice as my engagement ring for my 21st lol. I am trying to get my head around it and so far i am succeeding. Although i haven't really installed anything on here yet. Just figuring out the programs that are already on here is hard enough. And getting used to the different commands etc. But i will get there and as soon as i get PS on here i'll be in seventh heaven!! I cannot wait to start scrapping without having to save after every single thing i do. I'm getting excited just thinking about it lol.

I also got a gift voucher for Scraptacular so i can get the class kits i will need for the retreat, 2 scarves, a new dinner set, a pair of Havaianas, A gorgeous vase, PJ's, Myer voucher and cash. Daniel & Coban made me the yummiest birthday cake too. I was very impressed with the chocolate cake with thick white chocolate frosting. Man it was good!! Plus there was left over frosting which Daniel put in the fridge for me to eat lol. I also got a handmade card which just made my day! 

As soon as i get PS installed, i will upload some photos. I got Daniel & Mum to take some photos using my camera and there were a couple of flukey ones in the bunch that turned out ok lol. I didn't put it on Auto so there's lots of blur lol.

Dannii tagged me too but i will get to that in the next couple of days. I think it's going to be a hard one lol. 

Can't think of much else to say so i'll head off now.

Bye.

I've Been Tagged.

Sonia tagged me ages ago but typical me forgot to do it. So here it is. If you feel like doing it too, then i tag you lol.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 5.30am. Miranda & Claudia have decided that this is a good time to wake for a feed.
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds for sure.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? I think it was Pirates 3
4. What is your favourite TV show? I have lots; Home & Away, Depserate Housewives, All Saints, Dr Phil
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Cereal and a coffee
6. What is your middle name? Maree
7. What food do you dislike? Gourmet sausages
8. What is your favourite CD at the moment? I have too many. But i am hanging out to get the new Kasey Chambers one.
9. What kind of car do you drive? AUII Ford Falcon S
10. Favourite sandwich? Chicken, lettuce & cheese.
11. What characteristic do you despise? Irresponsibilty
12. Favourite item of clothing? If i had anything half decent to wear then i'd say that lol. But i do love my dressing gown and ugg boots lol.
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Tahiti
14. Favourite brand of clothes? I do love Sportsgirl pants. They fit so well!!
15. Where would you retire to? Country Vic hopefully.
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? Probably my 21st! That was the last party i had.
17. Favourite sport to watch? AFL or netball.
18. Furthest place you are sending this? I think the www will take this baby everywhere lol.
19. Person you expect to send this back first? ~
20. When is your birthday? 11th May!!! Only 4 more days. :)
21. Are you a morning person or a night person? Probably morning. Having kids has made me like this i think lol.
22. What is your shoe size? 8
23. Pets? A cat, Sherrin
24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Only that it's almost my birthday lol.!
25. What did you want to be when you were little? A nurse & a flight attendant
26. How are you today? Good so far.
27. What is your favourite flower? Oriental Lillies are one of my faves but i also love the mix of bulbs growing in our garden. No idea what they all are but i know there are Daffodils lol.
28. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? July 18-21 - Scraptacular Retreat!!!!!
29. Are you allergic to anything? No
30. What are you listening to right now? Me typing and a distant baby crying lol.
31. What was the last thing you ate? My breakfast.
32. Do you wish on stars? No.
33. If you were a crayon what colour would you be? Purple.
34. How is the weather right now? Cold.
35. Last person you spoke to on the phone? I think maybe Daniel.
36. Favourite soft drink? Lemonade.
37. Favourite restaurant? Kublai. Mongolian BBQ place in Croydon. YUMM!!!!
38. Hair colour? Light brown/Dark blonde
39. What was your favourite toy as a child? My Cabbage Patch kids; Scarlett and twins Desmond & Mark. Plus my She-Ra dolls and castle.
40. Summer or winter? Summer.
41. Hugs or kisses? Hugs
42. Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate!!!
43. Coffee or tea? Coffee
44. Do you want your friends to email you back? Blog it!!!
45. When was the last time you cried? I held back tears when watching tv yesterday lol.
46. What is under your bed? Nothing but dust i'd say.
47. What did you do last night? Ate dinner, watched All Saints, looked at laptops in catalogues and online.
48. What are you afraid of? Snakes and spiders. And anything bad happening to my family.
49. Salty or sweet? Sweet, Sweet, Sweet
50. How many keys on your key ring? On my car keys, just 1. On my house keys, 9.
51. How many years at your current job? as a mum... 3
52. Favourite day of the week? Friday, knowing it's almost the weekend
53. How many towns have you lived in? Portland, Tyrendarra, Adelaide, Melbourne.
54. Do you make friends easily? I think so.
55. How many people will you send this to? I will just blog it.
56. How many will respond? Hopefully someone lol
57. Do you like finding out all this stuff about your friends? Yes

Nothing overly exciting to report. Miranda is sick at the moment although she does seem to be getting a bit better. I think it was the viral thing that Coban passed on. I sure hope i miss out on it this year. Which reminds me, i was going to get the flu shot this year. Must remember to make an appt with the Dr.

Only 4 more days and i turn 27!! It makes me feel old when each year i get closer to the big '30' lol. Not that i am overly worried about getting older but it's a bit annoying when you notice crows feet already. :( I put it down to too much smiling. :) Life really is good. Anyway, i have to share Mother's Day with my birthday this year. It is something that i am getting used to as it happens a lot. Or at least within a couple of days of each other. I usually get the whole weekend to do what i want so i have to decide on what it is i want to do this year. I really want to go to the museum but i think it'll be too much with the girls. I might have a look and see what craft markets are on. That is something that i never really get to do. Daniel will be sure to hate it but it's my birthday!!! ;)

I made my first purchase on Etsy a little while ago and my goodies arrived on Monday. It is a present for my Mum for Mother's Day so i can't show you here what i got. But i reckon she'll love them. I sure do!! I think it is going to become a very expensive hobby searching that website. Too many awesome goodies!!!

I even managed to get a LO finished yesterday. It is one of Sonia & I. I really like this photo of us and it was just calling to be scrapped.



I will try to pop back in soon with some photos of my kiddies.

Finally an Update.

I'm sorry that this has taken me so long but i have just had so many little things to get done and blogging was way down on that list. :( But i'm here now to update so hold on to your seats lol.

Last week was a bit of a whirlwind. We had to travel down to Port Campbell as Daniel had to attend the funeral of the father of one of his good friends. We booked a Motel for the night and the kids & I stayed there while Daniel & his Mum went to the funeral. The Motel was quite nice. Nothing too fancy or anything but it was in a lovely spot. It was a little 2 storey apartment and the kids, Daniel & I slept downstairs while MIL slept upstairs. Coban and the girls were pretty well behaved while we were there but the girls both slept pretty crappy overnight.


On the Friday (Anzac Day) we drove in to Warrnambool and visited with Sonia & her family for an hour. Unfortunately we were on a tight time schedule so it couldn't be longer. :( We all had such a lovely time there meeting Al, Kaitlyn & Freya. And Sonia & I trying to cram in as much chatting as we could lol. Daniel & Al seemed to hit it off, talking about cars, work & music. You know, typical boys stuff. I was a bit sad to leave actually. I couldn't stop thinking about them for an hour or so lol. It was like leaving my family behind. ;)

Saturday morning saw Coban wake up with a pretty high temperature which lasted until Monday night. He didn't have a temperature on the Tuesday but he was quite blocked in his sinuses to he stayed home from kinder. He was a bit miserable for those few days so nothing much got done here. We managed to venture to the shops but that was about it lol. The poor child is probably hanging to do something outside. It has been so damn cold here that i haven't let him go outside to play. Mind you, it has been raining most of the time.
It is kinder today though so he should enjoy that.



I also tried to change the girls' routine yesterday. It was going ok until late afternoon when they were just very tired and ratty. Nothing was working and i was just exhausted. I put them to bed about 6pm and they cried for a while but eventually fell asleep. They slept well but woke up at 4.40am so i got them up and fed them but then put them straight back to bed. They slept until 6.30am and then i let them up lol. The routine hasn't gone quite so well today!!! I have been trying to get them to cut down from 3 to 2 sleeps during the day but somehow i don't think it's going to happen any time soon. I might just have to stretch them out a little bit over time. Fingers crossed that things pick up.

My baby girls are now 8.5 months old and are so, so gorgeous!! :) Claudia is still a very grumpy , tired little girl who likes to be held more often than Miranda. Miranda is a very happy, content, smiley little girl who loves playing by herself. Preferably with Coban's toys lol. They are both crawling all over the place and are happiest when they can get their hands on things they shouldn't. Claudia has picked up the crawling so quickly. It's like she has watched Miranda master it and took it all in. She is so fast lol. Neither of them are sitting up by themselves yet. Miranda is almost there. She sits and has her hand on the floor so she is a bit crooked. I don't think it will be long. She has been pulling herself up onto things now too. Not standing completely straight but she's well on her way.

Miranda has also found out how fun it is to crawl over Claudia. They will both be happy playing next to each other and then all of a sudden i hear Claudia crying and notice that Miranda has crawled right over the top of her lol. It is very funny to watch but i don't think Claudia is overly impressed.



Nothing new on the scrapping front. I have 2 LO's that i am working on but i have hit a wall with them so i am taking a break. I have started on a mini album of Coban's Pirate Party though. Hopefully that will come together without too much hassle.