Bitty Bloggy Post

Just a quick update... Hubby and kids are away, and it's been soooo quiet here.... except for the phone ringing...Michael calling generally!

Mum and I spent most of yesterday spring cleaning my office.... and it looks hardly any better for the bags and bags and bags of stuff I threw out... but it's been an inside out type clean... so more than just a tidy, things have all been taken out, sorted, allocated a specific place and put there.... it's starting to look a bit better... but my goodness! I have had some crap!

Good thing is that I've sorted all my uni stuff and put it all away... which declutters a lot... I've also finally cleaned out the filing cabinet... urk... and the piles of crap that was everywhere in here. I've now lost my mojo... but better get it back, because it's the mess before the clean stage... and I want it CLEAN!!!!

Better get to it!!!!

Twas the day AFTER Christmas...

Well, it's all done and dusted for another year... PHEW!!! This is my gorgeous little nephew - Jake! What a little winner he is - absolutely adorable!!! Oh, and he KNOWS it!!!

Well, Christmas was somewhat eventful this year - actually Christmas Eve was moreso. We had to clean, clean clean for the big day - a job that doesn't get done in this household as much as it should. The house gets cleaned every week, but the corners, shelves, etc don't get touched - and things were a bit out of control. So the kids were each given areas to remove everything, dust, replace, put away whatever didn't belong. Mum was coming over in the PM to do the actual cleaning (paid gig) and I wanted it so all she had to do was sweep, mop and vac... but the kids and I were somewhat unmotivated, and Michael kept finding excuses to go to the shops... but we got most of what I wanted done, done. I spring cleaned my cupboards, my makeup - my whole bedroom! The kids did the shelves, display areas etc, and Mum came over...

Michael, thinking Mum's a superhero, or at least a big bloke, asked her for help taking our old 2-door fridge downstairs. I came out to help too, but it ended up with Mum above the fridge and Michael below it, with me watching on. Over the first step, BOUNCE, 2nd step, BOUNCE... 3 - bottom step.... d d d d d d d d d d d d dd d in a mad hurry! Looked like the fridge was trying to attack hubby! I was so worried for him, but it just stopped at the end of the stairs - with him well out of the way. I breathed a sigh of relief until I looked back up at Mum and she was clutching both shins!!!! The side of the fridge had run over both her legs!!!! I've never climbed the stairs from the outside, but I did. Fortunately, there wasn't any broken bones or anything - but some ugly skinned shins with huge black bruises and lumps around them. Had to put Mum in the recliner with an ice (read, mixed veges) pack on each leg. She was definitely shaken - and so was I! So that was pretty much the end of the cleaning for the day - and the relos would have to take what they got the next day!

(update - Mum's legs looked MUCH better the next day!)

So, Christmas came to our place - and Santa delivered to Emily, and Allan got his very first lot of pressies under the Christmas Tree (we don't give presents to people already getting something from Santa). The kids seemed to love everything they got, and Michael and I got to unwrap a few presents too that we already knew about. One I didn't know about was one the kids bought for me. It was so sweet! Emily chose a little Guide Dog puppy toy for me.... so I would remember not to eat sugar, so I don't go blind.... (sincerely thoughtful) and Allan chose an Alex Kava book (love them) and they also got me a Scrapbooking Memories pack I hadn't got. So sweet!

Much more to tell, but I have to go and play ... don't know what it's called... tennis on a stick... with my son....

More photos soon...

PHEW!!!

Well, the week is over, and it's nearly Christmas... and I'm pooped!!!

On Wednesday, Michael drove down to the Gold Coast to pick up my much awaited cupboards from IKEA. When we were there for our mini break, we worked out EXACTLY what we wanted for our bedroom - and I was excited to finally have something that good looking in my bedroom. Much better than the saggy '70's duo that were in there.

But, I got a call from Michael.... they don't have this, they don't have that, and they don't have this. And of course, him trying to make me work out something else in 2 minutes while he's on the phone. But no, I'd spent hours working out what we'd get - making the most of every cm of our walls... and it was perfect! So, in the end I told him to bring back what he could, and we'd just have to make do, and add on the extras at the end.

So, after over 5 hours of construction yesterday, I now have a pretty impressive set of cupboards. Here's what I bought.... http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?cattype=sub&topcategoryId=15597&categoryId=15862&parentCats=15597*15852*15855&storeId=18&catalogId=10103&langId=-26

It's the Hopen Range. We ended up with 2 x 80cm cupboards sans doors (not by choice), and 2 x 60cm cupboards, with doors. We both have a set of the drawers as well. There were none of the corner unit we were going to add to the end of this, and no shelves! But, it's still impressive. I just can't wait to get the rest here to finish it all off. What we have is actually big enough for us - by miles - but I wanted the corner unit to take it from wall to wall. Oh well.

Now, what else has happened? Monday night wa the last night with my painting girls, and they bought be a lovely gift of Lavender body/bath type things - I love that kind of stuff... Anything that smells good. Trudy also made each of us (there's only 3 in the class) a set of 3 bottles of condiments (?). A vinegarette, a salad dressing, and extra virgin olive oil - all with rosemary and peppercorns in the bottle. Very nice! I should have taken a photo, so cute! I do love handmade stuff so much!

Not a whole lot of other news that I can think of... but spending hours putting up IKEA cupboards does tend to sap your brainpower!!!! Thank goodness I have a week off now!!!

Merry Christmas to you all! I'll leave you with our corporate Christmas Email (click on it to make it bigger). Plastered and Busted are so cute aren't they? Anne Cahill did a great job with these - and all in a couple of hours after I'd asked her for 'something'. I've painted one of them (instructions are in our newsletter), and another ornament as well - would like to do some more before Christmas, but I don't think that's going to happen!

No news... but is it good news?

Well, I got the results of the last lot of blood tests back today... nothing! Nada! All clear.

So, I think I will just listen to my body a bit, and get some rest, and hope that everything picks up a bit more with more weight loss.

The diabetes educator thought it may have been something to do with sleeping, and thinks I should do a sleep test up at the hospital. I really thought I'd been sleeping quite well, but there MUST be some reason for my fatigue.

The other possibility is that my body's crashed after the toll I put on it over the past few years with Uni, study, tutoring, netball, coaching etc... maybe it's recognized that I've stopped a lot of this now, and is just taking time for a break!

Good news is I feel fantastic today!!!

More Educated...

I've just been to see the Diabetes Educator - she's such a positive person, it's nice to go and see her, if only for a boost in morale!

She says that I'm doing incredibly well and is really impressed with my results. The official results from her are:

Since 11/10/2006 I've lost 8.5kg's - that's from when she started weighing me. My BMI is down 3 points, and I've lost 8cm in my waist. Too bad I didn't get her to measure my bust... I'm sure we would have seen much more dramatic reductions (darn).

I spoke to her about being tired all the time, and she said it was definitely NOT related to my diabetes. That my levels are not fatigue causing levels, and that my body would be well on top of the exercise etc by now. She said I should find out what my results are for the tests, and if there's nothing there, I should have a sleep test.

Well, I just called the Dr - and the tests are in, but he hasn't viewed them as yet - so I will need to call back this afternoon... it's good that the results are so QUICK - I only had the tests on Friday.

Tell you all more soon....

Results are in...

Firstly, a couple more little projects completed. These were dual purpose - for the LSBS Cybercrop - and to experiment with the new 3D Kindyglitz - you guys are going to LOVE it when it's released! Got more projects in my little head for this product - now to find the time and energy to do them!

Well, I went and saw the Dr on Friday - and got the results of my blood tests... for those it means anything too... here they are, with the first number being my original results, and the second being my new results:

Glucose: 9.8 / 8.4

Cholesterol: 6.4 /5.7

Glycated Haemoglobin: 7.8 / 6.8 (under 7 means good diabetes control)

Blood Pressure: 100/70

So, in all, pretty good. Actually, the Dr said a few times I was doing really well - which was good to hear. But, the bad news was that he was concerned about my cholesterol levels, because I'm now considered to be in a high risk group, I need to have it down to under 4.0... and he doesn't think it will matter how much weight I lose.... it will still be too high. So it looks like I will need to a) lose more weight to get better control of my diabetes (which is working now) and b) then get the cholesterol under control.

I suppose having the diabetes has highlighted this problem - which is good in the long run - at least I can do something about it now. I also asked him about being so completely and utterly tired all the time and he said it may be just that I'm exercising more, and eating less calories - and my body isn't used to it... but, it's been 3 months - surely it's had time to get somewhat used to it??? He's ordered a couple more blood tests for me, just to check my thyroids and something else... can't remember what. Did that on Friday, so should know soon enough if there's anything else wrong with me!

I got to the Diabetes Educator tomorrow for my next appointment - so I'll be able to talk more with her about my results etc.

On other news... kids have now finished school for the year, and for Allan, Primary School is only a memory ;)

I went to pick him up on Friday after my Dr's appointment, but couldn't find him at the school - after about 3/4 hour of trekking around the school looking for him. Ended up he walked home to 'surprise' me - not realising I was at the Dr's. I tell you - I freaked out a little... not nice not knowing where your kids are! Scared the life out of me, he did!

OK... off to bed, even though I've spent a goodly time there recently... sigh... nighty night!

Bookmarks

Another quick post to show you some bookmarks the kids and I made for Teacher's Christmas presents. Very quick, very simple - but I really like them. Emily liked what Allan did so much she copied him - quite well actually! We also got each teacher a voucher for the book store as well... last day today.... URK!!!!

Tip to punters - don't use tape if you are laminating - it shows up - just use a dab of glue stick!

Gift Card Envelopes

Here's a couple of gift card Envelopes Emily and I made on the weekend at the LSBS cybercrop. Emily's are the ones with the snowmen on.

Proud Mum

Today I got to go and sit and watch the awards ceremony for Emily and Allan. It was a special one this year as Allan was 'graduating' primary school, and we'd received a letter home saying Emily was getting an award (we weren't told what for).

So, I went. Emily received the 'Citizenship' award for her class - for being a friendly and caring student. Allan's ceremony was lovely too - and they gave each student a document folder, which contained a photo of EVERY year 7 student for the year and a few other things - it was a beautiful touch.

Allan's best friend Matt received the Dux for his class - so that was nice too, while a couple of Emily's friends also go awards.

There was a sad note though too - one of the year 7 students couldn't be there - and sent a letter for his teacher to read to the class. She couldn't get through it without crying, and it really sounded like a goodbye letter. Allan said this boy apparently has a heart condition they tried to fix, but couldn't (yep, typical boy - none of the full details). Makes you stop and think though - could be your kids.

Other news for today - OUCH!

Yep, I'm sore everywhere it seems from my fall last night. Especially down my right side - even though I fell on my left first apparently (as evidenced by carpet burn on my knee). I had trouble sleeping last night as I couldn't turn over properly - felt like I had boards strapped to me - and it was a huge effort.

I went to the gym, but couldn't put my muscles through the weights - so just did cardio - but even that hurt and I nearly stopped! I came home after the awards and lifting my arm to the computer etc was just too much. I took the rest of the day off, and spent most of it in BED! Got up for about an hour - only because Mum turned up - and then went back to bed and didn't get up until 7pm. I was tired as much as sore - but really, who needs THAT much sleep!!!

I'm getting really, really frustrated at this 'need' to sleep - I really don't want to - but I'm dog tired all the time. I'm going to the Dr on Friday - so I will grill him about my options there - it doesn't ever seem enough sleep, and coffee, Vit B, etc doesn't seem to help... I'm getting really upset, because it also affects my memory and concentration - which is no good for work - thank goodness I've finished Uni!!!

OK... had my vent - signing off now...

Coming a 'gutsa'

Well today has been a bit of a ho hum kinda day. You know, a green light, but with someone waiting to turn... ;)

I had to have a blood test this morning - and I really don't like them at all. But I know it's got to be done... I have deep veins and low blood pressure, which means, when they finally find the one vein that's been trained - it takes forever for them to get the blood they need.

So today I walk in for the test, and tell the (nurse? technician?) which arm it is that she has to use.... and she spends quite a while prodding and poking.... and then asks me if I was SURE it was this arm. I show he the other, and she sees reason and rips the tip off the finger of her glove and keeps trying. Eventually she finds the one elusive vein.....

Now, I try really hard to pretend like it doesn't phase me... but it does... and I must get some sort of freaked out look on my face... (the dentist always notices it too...) because she actually looked very alarmed and asked me a few times if I was going to be SICK!!!

But it's done now... phew!

Tonight I umpired, played and then umpired netball again. And in the third quarter of my play game, I came a literal gutsa. Imagine this (for those that can)... I step deftly around my player and deflect the incoming pass using all the correct movements - perfect intercept in the making... and I go to follow through on my touch of the ball when next thing I know I've been tripped and fallen SO heavily - flat on my stomach. It was a really heavy fall - like my legs were just taken out from under me - no stumbling, not scrambling just vertical one minute, and horizontal the next - and like Wile E Coyote - with that frozen second hanging mid air, knowing I'm going down.

I hope I pull up OK tomorrow - I have a grazed knee - not too bad - but my back and pelvis are starting to complain - and really, I'm surprised my insides are still inside... but I don't want to not do gym tomorrow because I missed out today already because of the blood test. Perhaps just the walking machine if nothing else.... or the cycle... but I WANT to do the weights... I enjoy them.

Oh, and if anyone's looking for something to paint - check out the cute reindeer ornaments Anne Cahill did for the latest Hue Review (online at www.matisse.com.au ). My painting ladies and I had a great time last night painting up our own versions - way too cute!!!

OK... that's all for now...

Being creative - and LOVING it!!!

OK... so let me get all the creative stuff out of the way, and then I can tell you all the gossip... or you can just head down below all the pics now... lol!

This is a layout done for Challenge 1 at the Little Scrapbook Shop Cybercrop. It was a sketch challenge that I adapted, and I've used all my new Bohemia collection papers - and OMG, do I LOVE them!!! This photo of Allan couldn't have worked better for me... I'm really liking this layout... ;)

Challenge Two was cardmaking - actually the rest of the challenges are step-by-step projects, which is really handy as a learning tool - I've already picked up a couple of tricks! For these, Emily and I actually did one each together (ohh... aren't I good Mum?) . Hers are on the right, and mine on the left. She did a great job, didn't she?

Then it was my turn to set a challenge - and these are the two 'shaker' cards I came up with for the challenge - they are way cool fun to make - and much simpler that they look. I really enjoyed these, and they just look so much more.... um... more betterer... ;) They look more 'expensive' if that makes any sense because they are so 3d.

Anyway, so that's all the creating for today. But it's been a lot of fun. I want to try and get some of the other challenges done as well - so I'll keep posting what I get done. I now have some very special Christmas cards for some special friends... or family!

Now, for the news of late....

Report cards came home on Friday - and I was pleasantly surprised with both of them! Allan has seemed a lot happier and contented at school this year (the past 2 years he had an on again/off again teacher, who actually passed away late last year - so, lots of sub teachers, and no consistency). His report card showed it, with some good improvements. Pretty evenly spaced between sound and high achievements - and when we were getting low achievements only 18 months ago, it's a big improvement.

Emily's report card was nearly perfect. I had an inkling it would be pretty good, because we'd had a 'private and confidential' letter sent home telling us that she was getting an award this year... which was so nice to get. In her report card, she got all HA's (highest) with one lonely little WC (working competently) for PE... poor thing has been blessed with my physical skills... bugger all!

I'd had the feeling for a while now that we were going to have to be very careful at report card time as Emily is quite a bright spark, and along with that she loves to learn - one of the few children I know that will ask for homework on school holidays!!! Allan's always been a step ahead, simply because he's 4 years her senior. He's a typical boy who tended to fool around in class, and not bring homework home.

But what do you do... these two are quite competitive by nature... but luckily I had Emily to myself Friday afternoon, and we had a heart to heart about the results. I explained that we needed to look at each one's results compared to what THEY'VE achieved before. That we couldn't compare them to each other, because that wasn't fair. And then went on to tell her how lucky she was to have a big brother that could teach her stuff and help her learn more.... and that under no circumstances was she to skite about her results. Luckily she's a very empathetic little girl... ;)

Moving on...

On Friday I taught a 1 hour class to a group of Yr 9 students from Glenmore High as part of a careers day at the Uni. I nearly didn't though. I was told to be there at 11am to set up and start at 11:15am. No-one there at 11... no-one there at 11:15... no-one there at 11:27... and I was about to go home when they finally turned up. I didn't have codes for the doors either, so I couldn't check out the computers to make sure they worked OK... which they didn't. Logged in OK... but the program I needed to teach them wasn't available. And neither was the person organising it - she'd left minutes after leaving the students with me. Luckily I'd written down the phone number of my favourite computer guy who rushed over and sorted things out for me - well, let us into the other computer lab - which is where we should have been booked into to start with, but weren't.

While waiting for him to turn up, I had to do an improv talk about Photoshop, what they could use it for, and other info about it.... thank goodness he didn't take any longer, because I was all out of talk!!!

But, the actual lesson went well - thankfully!

OH!!!! and BIG news - I've finally lost OVER 10kg's!!! YAY!!!! Another milestone... many more to go.... but I'm thrilled that I'm doing this - and getting the results. And poor Michael has to put up with me showing him my muscles at every opportunity I get... and if they can't be seen, he has to poke until he can feel them! LOL!

OK.... that's all for now... sweet dreams!

The weekend is over...

Well, I did a LOT over the weekend! I tried to tell you all about it, but Blogger didn't like me. First it would let me even try to upload photos (took the tool thingy away) and then it pretended to upload them, but did a switcharoo with a little red cross. All seems well now though.

The first 3 layouts are ones I did for the Cybercrop over at Scrapbooking Top 5o - I love a good Cybercrop! The Little Scrapbooking Store is having theirs this weekend - so I'll be there soon enough.

I'm trying to get back into scrapbooking and stretch myself that bit more lately. I'm less hung up about creating the world's best layout, and more about trying out things to see how they work... some don't... lol!!
(see the Movie World one...lol)

It was Mum's 60th (sorry Mum) birthday on Sunday - and seen as how Dad gazumped me the Netball DVD, I made her a layout about her Mum, my Grandma. I really like this one - probably because it means something special to me. Mum loved it (she always does though).


I also completed 2 canvas' for a presentation to Spotlight to showcase Derivan Kindyglitz and our new 3D Kindyglitz. I also did a whole heap of other cards and stuff too (too many to post now). It was a big rush, rush job - and I only received the samples of the 3D KG on Friday, so I worked over the weekend to get these done, and wrote up instructions in the wee hours (2am) so that Pete could have them to present to Spotlight at his meeting this morning.

Which they postponed.

GRRRR!!!! I could have SLEPT!!!!!

But, I do love these canvas' - they've come out really well - esp seen as though I could only work with what Spotlight sold - not from my beloved stash!



I also created these fun hand painted / stamped papers for Cath at the Little Scrapbook shop as part of my new role as paint specialist. I had a ball doing these, and I think I might do more! If you want instructions - just pop over to the Little Scrapbook Store and visit my Classroom there (but not Tues/Wed as they are migrating servers).

Oh, and some other incidental news... I went to the pool with Mum and Emily as her treat for the week... and I actually got in and got wet! She loved it, and so did I. Love board shorts.

We also had everyone over for tea on Sunday night - I love it when our family gets together - never often enough! We had steak which Michael managed to get a massive fire on ( you could see the glow on the OTHER side of the verandah!) and salads - Mum's choice... but then Col and Bec brought the health food out... you know, Mud Cake (with extra choc and cream), trifle (with buried freddo frogs) and a huge bowl of cream!!!

But I was pretty good - just a spoonful of trifle (no chocolate). But damn! That Mud cake looked fine!

OK... that's all for now... oh.. one more thing...

HELLO CRISSY!!!! I'm thinking of you - just cause I love you. Hope everything's going great!

xxx

Need Sleep!

There was a time, a while ago, where it would be nothing for me to spend a good part of my weekend doing work. Not complaining - it was my choice - and it was when I let myself do more of the 'creative' stuff. Nowadays though, I seem to be too tired ALL the time - and even though I want to do some work, I just don't.

So, when I said I would put together a DVD over the weekend, why didn't my brain tell me I was dreamin'? The idea being that putting together the DVD just chews up my computer and I can't do anything else while it's on but wait, so on the weekend I could start it, and just walk away.

But, I forgot. Didn't even think about it.

And last night I remembered with a start - and thought, cleverly, that I could just do it before going to bed.... so at about 10pm I sat at the computer, turned on the little TV, and started.

At 2:50am I gave up!

What's happened is that on a couple of occassions I have flown to Sydney to videotape the boss, and make up a very useful DVD all about Matisse Derivan. The first one was a factory tour, overview of products and mediums training. The boss liked it so much I came back and we did a full techniques section to add to the DVD. All good, and all done. We've even had them 'printed' so to speak to send out to various stores/art groups etc.

BUT, then we had the brainwave of putting TV/DVD players into major art stores, and having the DVD playing for customers to watch - they seemed to love it at the Open Day. The only problem was that the way the DVD part was set up - it didn't loop - just went back to the main menu when it was finished. AND, we didn't want quite as much in there. So, I thought I could just delete the sequences we didn't want, and work out how to make it play continuously - and it would all be done!

5 hours later and I still don't know why the surface prep part just seems to go for 5 seconds and then stop, and start again... GRRRRR

It will have to do though. So, if you're in the art store for that 5 seconds - please pretend there must be something wrong with the DVD player for me, will ya?

On a sad note, the kitten is gone. And not to a good home like I would have hoped. No-one claimed him, and so Michael took the poor little thing to the pound - we couldn't get anyone else to take him. Pretty sad, as we were getting quite attached (which is why I didn't want to leave it any longer). But our gorgeous black cat was rather upset about having a kitten in the house, and after the little one wet Emily's bed and soiled Allan's (both just having put on their brand new Sheridan sheets we bought) I knew we couldn't keep him - I am just not ready to be the mother of a newborn again!