Don't sweat the small stuff.

Hi
Lately I have come across a few sad stories of Families loosing Children and each time I am reminded to ponder how we end our day. Did the Kidlets go to bed knowing how much I loved them and were they feeling safe, secure and proud of themselves as they dropped of to sleep?? No matter what happens in our day I am making a conscious effort to put them to sleep at night knowing how much I love them and what they did that day that was so special to me. I spoke to a girlfriend late this arvo and in convo I mentioned that life was ticking away pretty much the same, cleaning house, running the kidlets around for school etc, harping at them to pick up toys and things they leave around the house and she then told me of a story which has since made me think how I can make myself stop sweating the small stuff and lighten up. She told me about a little girl from her Daughter's school who was diagnosed with a brain tumour 3.5 weeks ago and has just passed away. That poor Family had just 3.5 weeks to say goodbye to her and cherish every last second of time with her. The Mother is weeks off having her 3rd child and the other sibling is 2.5 years old, this little girl was 5 in Pre primary. How devastating would that be, I just keep choking back the tears and I dont know this Family but my thoughts and prayers as certainly going out to them, Trin is that age and I just dont know how you could get through the shock and grief of something so sudden and fast and be pregnant also.

I have been really taking time out with my Kidlets lately and enjoying every moment I spend with them and when I heard this story it just reinforced to me more how important that is. It is hard spreading love evenly between 4 sometimes the others get their nose out of joint as on a particular day I may be needed more with 1 more than another but I feel better knowing that I am putting them to bed at night with love in their hearts and mind and they sleep so much better for that also. Takes 5 mins of my time for that hug and the right words but we all feel so much better off for it. So we must always remember the washing will wait, the dirt wont go away, the tea will eventually get cooked but the moment they ask of you will pass if we dont down tools and give it to them.

So onto some lighter news, we had Tim's folks and Sister here yesterday, Tim and his Sister and Dad went and got us some wood and MIL stayed with the kidlets and I. After getting my beds changed and washing hung out and lunch prepared we sat and had a wine and chat and waited for the merry wood collectors. They came home a bit wet but they got us a good load of wood and then we had a lovely lunch and more wine. Tim went and picked up Keelan and took the 2 little ones and Trin and I had time together while I ironed we chatted and she coloured in a flower for me. Today I was hanging out washing and was just about to come inside when Zay asked me to give him a ride in the little wood trolley, he had his 2 go karts tyres in with him and normally I would say I was busy but his little face melted me so off we went, great exercise for me, I will have to do it more often, so we did a few laps around the yard and out the yard around the shed area and back again. He was so happy and so was I for stopping and giving him some special time.

Don't you just love the feel of a little ones hand on your face, they have such soft skin and it feels awesome. I just love it and I make sure I get my fix from Zay every day, there is something special about a 2.5 year old hugging you and putting their little hand on your face or neck. LOVE IT, LOVE IT. I need to find some time to create soon, I just dont know what I want to do that is the problem, hoping to get some inspiration soon.
Thanks for reading all this if you get to the end. Have a great week.
Take care
Trace.

The Crusty Demons Rock!!

Hi
Yesterday we went to the Crusty Demons and they are just amazing, not sure I could watch any of my Kidlets do what they do but they are brilliant. I spent a lot of time taking shots so a lot I missed as it is all so quick and my camera really shows its limitations for taking action shots and getting distant pics but I am hoping I will get to update my camera sometime this year. I am really enjoy taking shots but I tell you these guys are so fast you just have to snap quick and hope for the best. My camera takes forever to take the shot when the light is not the best but anyway it didnt do too bad for the distance and I took over 100. The kidlets loved it, I think Trin wants to be a Crusty Babe, that is all she has mentioned, she loves to dance so she thought their dancing acts were the greatest. I hope she changes her mind soon!!! LOL. Apart from being stuck in a traffic jam for an hour it was all good. It was so funny sitting in the car waiting for some movement, the bigger kids could see why we didnt move but Zay really didnt understand so every 10 mins towards the end a little voice would yell out "MOVE" and then it would get more and more of a demand and we had to explain that we couldn't so he would be quiet for another 10 mins and then off he would go again.

They make you laugh sometimes even though we were also frustrated by that stage and all the drunks were starting to cut sick in their cars.

Other news is weigh in was much better than I thought it would be with 1.1 kilos off so all the exercise on holidays definitely worked. I have lost 8.1 kilos now so I am inspired to keep going, really dont feel like eating the big meals I used to and being away we ate smaller and I am feeling better for it.

I hope to scrap tomorrow night, I need to get into another few layouts before I loose touch with it again.

Well that is about it for now, the fire is going tonight, damn freezing last night and cold this morning so its snuggle time looming again. Take care, Trace.

P.S. Just got to tell this story before I go, last night I am watching the show and I feel something wet on the old behind, so I put my hand there and felt wet, turned around and on my coat which I was sitting on it a big wet patch and I looked up and this kid goes "Oh I spilt my drink", bloody coke of all things so I am scrambling through my bag looking for tissues to clean it off and the moron just sits there and his Dad doing nothing, I was fuming to say the least, I cleaned my coat and then found it was all up the back of my vest as well, so more cleaning and on the blanket too. I was so shitty but what made it worse was not a sorry or even the warning he had dropped the drink till I felt the wet bum!!! And the bloody Father he did nothing, wouldnt even make eye contact with me, geez all I could think is what I would have done to 1 of my kidlets had they have done it to someone in front, I only let my kidlets have water when out anyway to save any of this on themselves or someone else and sticky coke, lucky I had the wet ones but I just wonder what it will be like in years to come when they are getting raised like that. So today as I washed blankets and my coat I was reminded again of this incident, not happy Jan. Some of the eye and ear openers heard last night gee I just worry how life will become, think it is a much safer practise to Scrapbook and meet wonderful Ladies than be out in some public events these days. LOL. Rant over but sticky, I dont do sticky!!!!!!!!!! And wet coats in the cold !!!!!!!!!!!! Dont do that either!!!!!LOL.

Take care
Trace.

2 in 1 Day

Hi again,
Just thought I better get our holiday on here before it is in the distant past, we had the best time, weather was not the best by any means but this is the first holiday Mum and I have not tracked to the laundry or cooked evening meals every night, we took them already cooked and frozen and had enough clothes for 7 days and spent so much time with the kidlets it was brilliant.

We went for big long walks up the hills and Zay managed to make most of the big hill, I carried him up the top the last bit, they played on swings and paddled in the water, fossicked around the rocks, walked up the beach and beside the river, played in the river and Trin even patted and fed Sting rays. The kidlets made friends daily, as some friends went home they made friends with some more, we had rainy days but still walked in the rain and they had craft time with us also, they scrapped a page each 1 morning and then painted little boxes with Nana and Grandad and decorated them the next day, we played cards, deal or no deal, laughed, slept, ate lots of M&M peanuts even for morning tea, weight watchers wont be good tonight LOL. but most of all we just loved being with each other and kicking back letting life just happen. How rare is that, you really can't beat the old caravan park holiday for some good old fashioned simple, laid back holidaying. No T.V. awesome, the kidlets actually learnt eye contact again and they pitched in and helped with chores and we had ducks that smelt the food so always wandered around for some morning tea and lunch if they werent too stuffed.

We have all come back fresh, happy and with lots of clarity. Tim managed to have 2 nights, I did give up my queen sized blow up mattress to share it with him, that was hard going I tell you, I was comfy as on my own. But lucky because he was there on the coldest night so we cuddled up, I think he froze my feet on purpose so I would have to snuggle to get warm. LOL. So all good, home laundry up to date, rearing to create, I took about 134 photos of nearly the same things so lots to cull which is so hard for me but I will get there. Well better go and get ready for the big weigh in, will post tomorrow but I will be licking my wounds as I bet I am up. LOL
Take care
Trace.

Recent layouts.

Hi
I just thought I would post these L.O.'s before another week slips away, this first 1 of Tim and I is about the best photo I have of us 2 so has been in a few L.O.'s but this is the first 1 I have ever done about US.

The next is about Trin, it was great to scrap a few photos that told the story of that day and to use my cricut again.

The next is Zay I just love these pics when he looks so much like a Dude.

Last is the Stampin Up L.O. I did before we went away. I dont know what I think of it really in some ways I like it and in others I dont, just so different from my normal style I guess but it was great to create a L.O. with only Stampin up products. Will hopefully get better with more practise.

Bye for now.
Take care
Trace.

Tagged!!

Hi,
I have been tagged by Courtney, to answer 7 questions about things you may not know about me, so here goes.

1. I was raised in Perth but have always yearned to marry a country boy which I have done twice now, the 2nd time it was my Farmer as I always wanted to be on the land however we have since sold the farm and changed our life direction, great having no stress of running a farm but sad to be away from the freedom of the land.

2. After a great Catholic Education and leaving the city I had to settle for a job at a Piggery, delivering piglets and caring for them afterwards, a really smelly job and a huge job change from being a Medical Secretary.

3. I had trouble having Children with 1st husband but Tim and I tend to breed like rabbits. LOL.

4. I have a tattoo of a butterfly with a tigers face in it on my hip, it took 2.5 hours to do and then Tim had his done after me.

5. I am a qualified Reflexologist.

6. I have been raised with Speedway from 6 weeks to 19 years old I have spent nearly every Friday night at Claremont speedway it was our Family outing.

7. I have Psychic information come to me about people and live by my feelings more now than ever. I have learnt to listen to what comes to me and pass it on where necessary. I often worry about being judged about it so I am not always comfortable admitting it.

Well that is some info about me, I have a lot to update about our week away and photos and some L.O.'s to post but I hope to get time tomorrow. Thanks for looking.
Take care
Trace.

Going AWOL>>>>>>>

Hi
Just a quick update before we take off for a week away, well hoping to get the week in as it is raining ATM and the forecast is not the best for a tent!!!!! I really hope for the kidlets sake that we get some nice weather, they are so excited it is not funny and we have lots of great things planned for them.

It is great having my Parents here, I miss my Mum we always have lots of laughs and I soo need those laughs we see the funny side in things that others don't and have fun mucking with the kidlets which brings out the dags in them also, so I am looking forward to lightening up!!!
Mum and I played around with Stampin up stamps last night and did a L.O. which was fun, probably not anything over exciting but it was just fun to start off with blank paper and build it up with stamps and a lot of basic items and end up with a page that is not too bad. LOL.
I have cooked up a storm today so Mum and I are not thinking about tea and cooking in hell hour and D.H. has no meals to prepare which is a good thing as he really isnt much of a cook but he loves it that way as he never gets lumbered with cooking, only the BBQ. I was going to take scrapping gear away but decided tonight that I am leaving this holiday about the kids and will be busy creating stuff with them, lots of little projects for them to make and play with in the arvo after we have worn them out all morning fossicking at the beach..

So that is the plan but will see what mother nature dishes out. Hope you are lovin the holidays, catch you on our return.
Take care
Trace.

HELP, toddler needs taming.

Hi
As the heading says we are in need of a toddler tamer ATM. LOL. Oh my lord what started off as a Beautiful quiet Baby that did everything right from wo to go has now become a fully fledged demon, I dont know what is possessing this child but I will personally pack its bags and it can leave now!!!! Today because Big Bro was not around to play with he tried all sorts of nonsense till Mum lost the plot and then he settled it down for a while and then he got put to bed for his sleep and woke up a different kid. He climbs up the breakfast bar this morning and pulled my special bell Mum gave me for my Birthday a few years ago, I am making beds and hear the sound of beads spilling everywhere and here he is standing on the bench with bell in hand. Grrrrrr and once again Sisters saying "we saw him on the bench Mum, he has broken the breakfast bell", their favourite name for it. So down I get him and off he runs and I am left threading and trying to make it look similar but some beads could not be found but they have turned up in funny places all day.

Next whilst talking to Mum on phone, (dont you love the mischief they get up to when on the phone) he disappears so we have a quick whip around back yard and he is missing so we run out the front, shovel on front lawn left and big smell of Dog poop but no Zay, so cut Mum off and wonder which direction to run, calling, calling , next minute around he comes from side of house "WHAT" he says, okay settle heart down and mind from all the kidnapping scenarios, especially as Mum and I had just spoken about a kidnapped boy who has just been found after weeks of torture. OMG, so he high tails it back to backyard, so I lock the gate and get on with things.
I empty washing machine and head around to the clothes line, passed toddler going indoors on my way out and intuition is telling me to call him he up to no good but no ignore intuition, get the darn washing on the line and then I hear the girls say " I think he has toilet paper" then some quiet talking so I start pegging clothes furiously on the line as he is up to something else, all is very quiet. Come back around to the patio and the girls say "Mum, Zay has put toilet paper everywhere" Oh great girls why didnt you stop him, but there in all its unrolled glory is my new roll of paper towel!!!! Toddler no where in sight, missing in action, so Mum with steam coming out her ears goes hunting, finds target and gives a good telling off to him and sorts him out. Well he sat quiet for the rest of the morning till bed time thank goodness. You know some days they just get on a roll and it is full steam ahead until you burst and then they come good. Meanwhile you are exhausted.

Yesterday I had a lovely Day with Keelan shopping and having lunch together which is rare for us to have time on our own, it was so lovely and we enjoyed it. The little ones went to Tim's folks and kept them on their toes, Zay broke a photo frame of MIL's so he was in the bad books then but he felt bad, he couldn't even face her for ages. OH the tough times of a toddler.
Hoping he is going to be better tomorrow so I can catch up on some stuff before we go away.
Well off to go and make some cards.
Take care
Trace.

Holidays

Hi

I knew these holidays would be fast and already we are looming on Wednesday the mid week of the first week LOL. We had a quiet Easter which was nice, took the Kidlets to a park yesterday and it was great, it is in a new housing estate and it is the best park around. Digger and see saw, they have a mini footy oval for kids, 2 cricket nets, a basketball court and a wall to play hand ball or squash so well thought out. They are still building a gazebo and I would think BBQ is going in as well. I think that is the only thing lacking in our estate, the developers were meant to put in a park but still havent so I would say it is not happening.

Today the kidlets have kept me on my toes, this morning Zay decided to empty Nutra grain pack on the mat in lounge room and then add milk so I was greeted with something I never before have seen from the other 3 although I dont know how much help he did or didnt get but I dont think they did anything to stop him so that started the day great!!!! NOT.
Lots of squabbles and mess today but hey its holidays.
Next week we are going camping with Mum and Dad so the kidlets are really looking forward to that as am I, we have not had a decent holiday for a couple of years so I hope they stay well and fit for then. I have some L.O's to share but hopefully tomorrow I will get them up here.

Happy Birthday to my SIL Kim for your 30th today welcome to the 30's. Although boo hoo I am on my way out of them. OMG August is looming too fast. On that note I am off to have a cuppa as us old boilers need after tea. LOL. But remember when we were 18 and 40 year olds were boilers to us, Mum used to say "YOU CHEEKY PUP THIS WILL BE YOU ONE DAY" guess I am not that Pup anymore just your regular up and coming boiler. OMG I need therapy, I just can't believe how once you breed time flies so darn fast!!! LOL. On that waffle Goodbye.
Take care
Trace.

Happy Easter Day

Hi,
Happy Easter Day, hope you are all satisfied on Chocolate!!!! My kidlets are sufficiently stocked up on choccie, I dont know how they are not bouncing off the walls ATM, LOL it is amazing how much they have grazed away on since 6.10am. I cooked them an egg on toast just to sober them up. LOL.
I just wanted to share another couple of L.O.'s I did this week, a lot of freestyling, loving it immensely, really have about 3 wheelbarrow loads of my stash that could find another home if I keep this style up as I really only need pens, colour pencils and the big must have in your stash Kraft cardstock. LOVING IT, will be getting a lot more with my next Stampin Up order and have been giving my customers a freebie piece to play on with their new catalogue. LOVE IT.


The L.O. above is using some S.U. stamps, the sweet spot stamp set to be exact and then Heidi swapp stars and Alpha. My own handmade journalling box and that is it.

This L.O. of Trin is using my pencils and pens again to do flowers and background on Kraft cardstock, you could also stamp the flowers and colour but I love drawing flowers, nothing perfect but hey I get good therapy out of playing. Then the saying is from my cricut machine as are couple of flowers in pale pink. Some wooden butterflies from my stash but even stamped and coloured ones with glue dots would have been nice too. Plus little sparkly flowers to add something extra. I am going to get creating some more this arvo. Not a lot else going on here, kidlets have painted the morning away, I have caught up on some home duties and it will be time to take the arvo easy. Hope you are having a good one,
Take care
Trace.

Happy Easter

Hi
I thought I would just take this moment to wish everyone a Happy Easter and a safe one. Enjoy the time to be with Family and celebrate with those you love.

I picked Rainee up from Kindy today and she looked like this, top pic so I thought I would get some shots of the kids wishing you all Happy Easter, Keelan is missing of course still at camp till 6pm. Can't wait to see what sort of time he has had
Other news from W.W. put on .3 this week so not too happy with myself but then weighed myself on my scales this morning and was lower than I was the day before so dont know why. Even feel like I lost some Easter will be a challenge as I am a chocolate lover from way back but I will do my best to balance the points.

Will post 2 L.O's tomorrow I have been working on.
Better go and get tea sorted out.
Take care
Trace.

Another L.O.

Hi again
I did this L.O. through the week, it was fun, My minds eye stuff is so yummy I just have to keep using it along with a lot of my doodling it has turned out fun and funky, like these 2 sisters are. I love this photo of the girls and have been waiting to get the right idea for a L.O. before I used it.

That is it from me. I hope to do some more tonight. Creating certainly takes my mind of eating naughty treats after tea so I should be getting lots done each night.
Well off to see how the photo hanging is going. See ya.
Take care
Trace.

Creative weekend

Hi

It has been a busy weekend with lots of coming and going of Keelan and his mates, wow we got swamped with his mates yesterday coming and going and it looks like in years to come we are going to be the local drop in centre with Tim being Mr fix it for all their bike problems but that is fine with us as if they are here we know what they are doing which most of the time is in Keelan's room versing each other on the playstation 2 or on the internet playing Runescape.

So in between all that I did manage to create some things and last night did some more to finish it. I stayed up till 1am in the peaceful quiet of the house and finished my OUR FAMILY canvas. I had lots of photos that I had used already in L.O.'s and reasons unknown to me I seem to have printed out too many so I decided to do the canvas which I had painted up ready months ago but was not sure once I painted it what to do with it. I am happy with how it turned out. The kidlets love looking at pics of themselves and seeing as my albums are not really organised at this stage they can't sit and look through them so this is the next best thing to liven up our living room.



The colours IRL look really yummy.
The ATC at the top is for a swaps I have done with the LSS the theme was buttons and I had forgotten I put in to do it and was reminded this week about it so I had to get cracking with it. I missed the Scrapbook Designs swap this month but I procrastinated too long, never mind will get organised for this month.
This L.O. is of Rainee, I think this would have been lovely as a canvas also. The journalling is about how Trin is in the background and that as a big Sister Trin is always behind Rainee ready to play with her and back her up when she is needed. I hope to keep creating while I am on a role as I have so much product that needs to be used up and I am working on having a wall in the house as a scrap/photo wall, I really need to brighten up my house so ATM I am trying to get D.H. to put some hooks in the wall for me.

D.H. is cooking a chook on the rotisserie in the oven tonight and Keelan is off to camp tomorrow so I have to go and pack final stuff. Hope you have had a lovely weekend and YAY school holidays are only 4 days away. This time next week the old diet might have blown out the window. I love chocolate. Yummo but apparently the better the brand of chocolate the lower the calories so remember buy the best. lol.
Take care
Trace.