Moving Done

Well we made the big move to Brisbane last week. All went really well. The removalists were great and didn't break a thing. I have most of the boxes unpacked and everything in its place. The kids have coped well although are feeling a little cabin fever from waiting around for me to finish unpacking. We ventured out to the shops and the local library yesterday. My favourite scrapping shop had its final closing down day yesterday and I received 80% off my purchases! The cat travelled well and seems to love her new place. High fences, small yard and plenty of bushes to hide under.  The new house is lovely. The kitchen is huge. I am getting leg weary moving from one side to the other. Penny was over the stairs after the first day as they are quite steep. We all had sore calves for the first few days climbing up and down. We have a beautiful park nearby on the river which we have visited a couple of times. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas.
Rach xx

Cleaning Break

I really am missing my scrapping at the moment. I haven't scrapped for a month as I packed all of my gear up. I even handed out bought thank you cards! I am having a bit of a break from cleaning and thought I'd have a look over the LO's I completed in 2010. I came across these 2 that I haven't shown yet.

In other news we are right on track for the truck to come and collect our gear on Tuesday and hand over the keys to our home of 13yrs on Friday. We feel mixed emotions at present - sad to leave but excited for our future. The kids and I all had our last day yesterday. The lovely carers at Penny's daycare made us a card in which they all wrote messages - very touching. Nick received cards from some of his friends and teachers wishing him well. I had cake and yummy morning tea at work yesterday - thanks Tracey and BR staff. I walked out of the door after almost 16years yesterday and felt sad to say goodbye but am also so excited for what our future holds. I feel that we must be making the right move as everything has fallen into place so easily. I have just signed a contract to start work in 8wks, working school hours, 3 days a week. I am really looking forward to working at this practice.

So I must sign off for a week as my internet provider tells me it will be a little while before I am back on-line. Hope you have found your Christmas Spirit and are enjoying the season. Only 14 more sleeps until Santa visits!

Jazz, Tap and Ballet

Penny had her 3 dancing concerts this weekend. She performed the 3 genres in each concert. It was a lovely concert as any biased mother would say. Penny loves performing on the stage and was very sad to find out that dancing is over for another year. Much to our relief (and wallet) she has decided ballet is where her heart lies and so we will be in search of a ballet school in Brisbane.

In other news we have just been packing, packing, packing. My garage is filled with boxes. Cleaning has begun. We move in a little over a week. We have a lovely 2 storey house to move to, much to Penny's delight. Stairs were her main request. We are just praying for slightly finer weather than the torrential downpours we have been having in the last week.

My work friends took me out for a farewell dinner last week. I had a lovely night and was spoilt with gifts. Saying goodbye to the lovely friends that I have made over the past 16yrs is sad but I am starting to get excited about our new adventure.

Nick finishes year 2 this week and Penny will finish daycare. More goodbyes!

Have a good week.

Rach xxx

A Simply Superb Farewell

Today, I sadly attended my last Sunday scrap with the Simply Crafty Club. The sneaky ladies had organised a scrummy lunch of quiche, salad, sandwiches and chicken wings not to mention delicious desserts. They also presented me with a lovely card, Camera House vouchers and each lady made me a lovely tag to remember them by. I was completely overwhelmed and will really miss the friendships I have made and nurtured over the past 7yrs. Thank you to you all. I hope to return for at least one of the retreats next year.
Box packing is well underway and they are slowly stacking up. We still don't have a house to move to in Brisbane but will remedy that in the next week. Only 4 more weeks of work! It almost feels like I am going on maternity leave again. It's more like Mummy leave and it will be very special to spend the whole school holidays exploring our new city with the children.
Have a good week.
Rach xxx

Pro Marker Pens

To all of my scrapping friends, I just wanted to post a LINK to a blog with a great competition to win a set of newly released 148 Pro Marker pens. They are from a UK based company and are alcohol based ink pens great for colouring in stamped pictures that blend very well - same as Copic but cheaper. Just leave a comment by 14th November.
In other news I am starting to get organised and am packing some gear. I have also had another major throw out which I think will continue until we move. Our house sale is progressing just as it should. We don't have a rental yet but found out that we have to live in the same suburb as the school which will narrow our search down greatly. I don't think finding a house is going to be an easy task - think positively Rachael!!
The weekend was very restful without any children's sport. Nick attended a Halloween party on Sunday morning and had a lovely time. Penny and I went to the beach together with another Mum and her kids. It was beautiful building sandcastles and wallowing in the shallows.
I'm busy trying to put another scrap booking LO together at present but am easily distracted and find there are so many other things I should do.
Have a good week.
Rach xxx

5 Today!

Our princess Penny turned 5 today. She has had a very happy day with a party for 15 friends, presents, lollies, presents, afternoon tea with Grandma, Nan and Ted and Aileen and presents (did I mention those). She didn't need much convincing to go to bed tonight. Photos below of her cake which I created with a little help from the Women's Weekly magazine and also our take on "pin the tail on the donkey". She also had pass the parcel and best of all a treasure hunt. She has had a wonderful day playing with all of her new toys.

***Happy birthday to my sister Robyn who celebrated her birthday on Friday. Hope you had a good day Rob xxx ***

Thank you to all for their kind words of sympathy on the loss of our dog, Zoe. We miss her dearly but it is getting easier with each day.

This week will be spent organising a Halloween costume for Nick who has a Halloween party to attend next Sunday. He's back to his fine form with spelling again - another 20/20! Well done Nick!

Have a good week.

 Rach xxx

Goodbye Dear Zoe

Today we farewelled our dear Labrador, Zoe. She was 11 and 3/4 yrs old. Zoe brought us so much love and happiness and we all have such heavy hearts at present. We know that it was time for her to go as her cancer was advanced and making it difficult to walk. She wagged her tail until the end. We like to think that she is cancer-free and running and sniffing around a huge park in the sky. Rest in peace our sweet friend, Zoe. xxxx