Cute Santa Card

I haven't done much preparation for my intoduction to Stampin' Up! party in 2 weeks...I haven't even invited people yet! I have, however, decided that we're going to make this cute card I just designed and made. I always intended to have everyone make a card that was simple (it is an introduction afterall) and I think this card is simple and cute.

I had better start writing a guest list or I might be making this card by myself!

xxx

Winds of Change

It's windy today...very windy. I am mellow because I have let myself down in an area of my life I really need to take control of. I won't beat myself up over it though, instead, I'll use this space for getting it out into the world so I can let it go...make new goals, clean a room, and do some crafts!

I'll be back soon in a better frame of mind, I'm sure.

Breaking the 'sugar' drought!

I finally scrapbooked after a little over a year!

This page is of Remmy in Fiji the day before we got married. There's hidden journalling in the pocket bottom right that has a quote from Remmy describing how relaxed he felt but that he was very excited too. He does look relaxed here. Me? I was fairly relaxed but only because I didn't think about what we were about to do. ha ha. No really, I knew what we were getting ourselves into but I was always the more apprehensive of the two of us.

If you want to read about the gorgeous Stampin' Up! products I used (the LO is exclusively SU!) just head on over to the Cardinal Stampers blog (link in previous post).

What a slacker I have been to have left scrapping for that long. I'm only a slacker to myself though, I really love to scrap! I know I've been busy moving house, being pregnant and uncomfortable, and then having a baby and demanding toddler to contend with but it's so important to take the time to do those things that you enjoy...what's life without them? You could think about indulgent crafty type pursuits as 'sugar'...you crave it when you don't have enough, it gives you a 'high', and you can get it sensibly (natural sugars in fruit for instance...scrapping after all household chores are done for the day) or you can be a bit naughty and get your 'fix' in less wholesome ways (snacks with little nutritional value...stealing moments in the day while you really should be doing something else). Yes, I am very tired (as usual for my posts) so should really go to bed. All the household chores are done for the night now though, maybe I'll go and get some sugar...guilt-free!

Cardinal Stampers

In my sleepy state I forgot why I came on tonight...to post up a link to Stampin' Up! group blog Cardinal Stampers! http://cardinalstampers.blogspot.com/ We post up challenges for each other and encourage anyone to join in.

Here's a couple of my latest cards. If you want to know which products I've used just head on over to cardinal stampers and find the 'recipe'. If you have any questions or wish to order some products don't hesitate to leave a comment.

Challenge #1 - watercolouring

Challenge #2 - inspiration from a catalogue page

Challenge #3 - make a girly card

I've issued a scrapbooking challenge for #4.

xxx

New Goals

I've been feeling really positive lately about achieving my goal of living a more balanced life. I've had so many ups and downs in the past few years that it's such a relief to be content amidst what is still a crazy period in time. Here's a little list of some things I'm looking forward to (in no order of importance):

~ I've wanted to go to England since my uni days and my mother and I made a pact last week that we would go together and start saving straight away! I haven't been on a holiday since my honeymoon 3 years ago so, while this trip may not be for another 2 years (finances willing), I'm so excited! We will open a bank account specifically for our savings and she will just match whatever I can afford each week.

~ I'm finally going to start putting some regular time into my Stampin' Up! demonstratorship and my first party will be very soon. I was going to schedule it for Sat 29th Nov but one of my sisters (the crafty one no less) is away then so it may be the following Saturday. I have so much to do beforehand but it's all exciting stuff.

~ I'm going to start a new fitness plan. There are plenty of things I could start with that we already own (cross-trainer, fitness dvds, pilates, walking...) but I am going to bite the bullet and buy a piece of equipment that I have had my eye on for about 8 years. You would just laugh at me if I told you what it is (there's a famous infomercial you would have seen) so I'll wait until I have it to reveal! Very funny!

~ I am going to see if I can get some fun casual work for Saturday's. We could always use the money but I would mostly be doing it for a bit of balance and time out of the house feeling worthwhile. I don't think I would hire someone just for a Saturday (and that's all I could really offer) but I will put it out there because you never know.

~ I still plan on doing post-grad study at uni. I won't be doing this in 2009 but I'm aiming for 2010, all very achievable with the boys a little older.

~ I've pulled Jasper from the childcare he was attending (for too many reasons. Basically though, I was missing him and I wasn't confident in the care or communication between them and I). I really wanted it to work out so he could learn to socialise and just get used to other people but I will take him to the local playgroup and music classes for toddlers. There's also a library morning for toddlers apparently, which I would love to attend, but it's the same day we go shopping with my mother and he benefits from that time with Nanny too.

Ok, I'm fading fast and need to put the bins out for collection and jump in bed before my baby boy wakes up! Here are a few photos taken last week

Summer mini!

No, I'm not talking about my upcoming wardrobe (although let's hope I will be 'mini' soon!)...I'm talking about the new Summer mini catalogue for Stampin' Up!, and the fact that I preordered some products today in anticipation of the introduction party I'm planning. Yay! It's always so exciting to get a new mini! So what was my favourite thing in the catty? It would have to be Flower Fusion -- beautiful felt flowers in the most gorgeous colours! There are lots of gorgeous Patterned Papers too though. Oooh, and rub-ons, and stamp sets of course....even an extra wide double stitched ribbon I couldn't resist. I was quite restrained really...really! If you don't know what in the world I am talking about check out the annual catalogue here (and I'll post up a link to this mini cat as soon as it's available on the SU! site):

http://catalogs.shoplocal.com/stampinup/index.aspx?pagename=shopmain&fsid=273903e9-7279-44ee-8791-fef7cb8c3be9&storeid=1039381&circularid=12781

Here is a picture of Jasper playing in the backyard about a week ago. Do you think I need to invest in a bigger pool for him?!

Hypochondriac...? Me...? Never!

Nausea...Headaches...Bloating...Weight gain...Vomiting...Lethargy...

These are the top six symptoms of a drug I was prescribed. More than just being symptoms, these are those symptoms listed under the 'go back to your doctor if...' title on the included leaflet.

The doctor told me yesterday morning that I am allergic to this drug and to cease usage immediately. I had persevered with that horrible nausea (especially) for 11 days before it had progressed to actual vomiting! I was silly to do so but I have an awkward fear of not being taken seriously at the doctor's so would tend to avoid rather than be made to feel silly for wasting his time, as has so often happened in the past. I am slowly learning to be more assertive in the face of such perceived disdain...one of life's many lessons for me.

The significance of these symptoms (apart from the fact that my Saturday was spent sprawled out on the couch with Jasper jumping all over my face while I slowly sipped electrolyte-replacement drinks and avoided food lest it increase the nausea) is that I've been concerned very recently with feeling tired enough to question my iron levels and feeling quite depressed about my poor, unexercised-of-late body. I believe I even questioned where in the world could I get some energy to start a new fitness program. It's quite amazing how stereotypically bad my body reacted to this drug...couldn't have been more clearly allergic!

I am happy to say that already, just one day on, my belly is at least half the size and I'm no longer too tired to move come 7pm. In fact I barely sat down today and I'm still awake and writing on here at almost 1am (ok I didn't say I was clever, just more energetic!). The extra energy has excited me today...endless possibilities etc etc. The issue of why I was taking the drug in the first place still exists but with a new positive attitude and a little extra energy I say, "Pfft" to that!

Here are some more photos of Gabriel...also taken on a day when Jasper was at childcare. I vow to get the camera out very soon to snap my eldest beautiful boy! (not that I haven't taken any of him, I just haven't taken any decent ones, he's far too busy at the moment!) I just can't narrow down this sequence into 2 or 3 pictures so will upload many (thank goodness for autosaving...just saved me having to repeat myself oh so close to the final photo!). It IS very late. I'll go to bed now. ha ha

Thoughts, Shmoughts

I almost feel as if I have too much to say tonight yet no ability to distinguish between noteworthy thoughts and rubbish! I might just show off my new pram (yes, you can't miss me strolling down the street now!!)...and my gorgeous son, of course...

We had just dropped Jasper off for his second day of childcare. Will I ever get used to him not being around for those 6 or 7 hours twice each week?