One Little Word

It seems the trend for the New Year is to choose one word to aspire to. I have given this much thought and have come up with many words but one that shines bright. My word for 2011 is:

************* RELAX**************

As many of you may know I have a very control freak personality, almost bordering on OCD. This year I am not going to be stressed if the kids aren't in the bath at 5pm or the dinner isn't on the table at 6pm. As a friend told me recently there are far worse things in life - don't sweat the small stuff.

Smile was also in the top three but I thought if I relaxed more then there would be more smiling.

So there you have it. What is your word for 2011?
Rach xx

ps - 2011 goals to follow or is that too control freakish?

pps - On this day 16yrs ago I flew to Bundaberg to begin my career as a radiographer/sonographer - oh how time has flown.

Back From An Adelaide Christmas

We spent 5 days in Adelaide over Christmas, visiting my family. Most of the boxes were unpacked so I was ready for a relax. The weather was topsy-turvy as usual - 30 degrees one day and 19 the next! We managed to visit the beach where the children bravely entered the water. Too cold for the adults but the children had a lovely time.

Christmas day was spent having a long lazy lunch/dinner at my parents place.

Boxing day was spent at the zoo which we all enjoyed although the pandas were a great disappointment this time as they were sleeping. I think they must've experienced too much Christmas cheer as one had her paw covering her eyes.

On Monday we visited my aunt and uncle's "special place" (as Penny calls it) in the Adelaide hills. Although it was very cool up there we had a wonderful time as usual. All of my cousins and their families were present (26 of us), just my sister, Robyn unfortunately missing. The children had a great time on the rope swing, we had a treasure hunt around the property, we caught some red claw and the kids paddled around the dam in a boat. My uncle, Nigel has recently completed the construction of another vintage motor car which is 82 yrs old. Penny was first to put her hand up for a ride as she had such a good time in the Speedwell (in this post) when we visited in June. We finished up with a family photo as it has taken many years for all of us to be together (perhaps 15yrs). Someone will just have to photoshop Robyn in!

On Tuesday the shops opened again in Adelaide for the big sales (no Boxing Day sales). We had a little look although didn't have much room for purchases.
We returned to Brisbane on Tuesday night and a huge number of emails containing photos of the floods from our friends in Bundaberg. What a tragic event and we feel very deeply for those who have lost so much. It must be a rather smelly and depressing place to be and will be for sometime. The house that we sold is not flooded as it is in a higher part of Bundaberg. Thinking of you all.
Rach xxx

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