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becoming.jpg

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Here's a couple of my latest projects - on canvas. They were so much fun to do - and relatively simple.

We are now finally moved in, and settled into our new house - although it was an extremely stressful time for us - and settlement was delayed after much ado!  But, it's done now - thank goodness!!!!  Having a housewarming party on Friday... can't wait to celebrate!

Tomorrow I am going for an interview for a great job out at the Uni - Relationship Development Coordinator.  It is all to do with graduates, and keeping them involved with the Uni once they graduate.  Would be right up my alley - and the pay is good - so here's hoping!  I've nearly forgotten what it's like to interview - better bust out the refresher course!

I'm also going to be the course co-ordinator for a subject called "Marketing Promotions" - a bit step for me - but sure to be an interesting one.

Oh, and in a couple of days, my sister, Kerry will be moving back here - WOOHOO!!!

Kids are back at school, and settled in.  Classes have resumed here for painting - and all is great.  Netball is about to kick off next week - and it's great to see that we have 12 teams nominted this year - a 50% increase on last years!  After all the stress and work, I'd really just like a game of netball now...

... that's not all... but I really don't want to get into the floods, water damage saga... today has had sunshine for the first time in ages... and I'm hoping it stays that way for a bit!

Hope everyone out there is doing great!

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A NEW house for us!

Guess what! We've signed a contract on a NEW HOUSE!!!!







Here's the details:

• 352 Philp Avenue, Frenchville (Berserker Heights) Rockhampton
• 604m2 block
• 3 huge bedrooms upstairs
• 1 bedroom, one large office, and a rumpus room downstairs
• Large central internal stairs
• Harry Potter/storage room under stairs
• New kitchen
• Bathroom/toilet upstairs AND downstairs
• Polished wood floors throughout
• Security screens throughout
• Air-conditioning in all upstairs bedrooms, lounge/kitchen, rumpus/office
• Landscaped gardens with automatic sprinkler system
• 2 car garage - one with remote access (Open Sesame)
• 2 bedrooms with huge built in cupboards, 1 with a walk in wardrobe (not the main one either!)
• Gas hot water/stove top
• Long verandah runs across front of house - with access from lounge and 2 bedrooms
• Lovely large back deck

Have a look - settlement is 5 February 2008... WOOHOO!

Done and dusted!

Well, I could nearly cry... it's all over, and we're back home.

Firstly, before I recap anything, let me share with you my claim to fame...
It’s available to view on-line via the TVNZ website (free of charge): http://tvnz.co.nz/content/?o=&k=&style=tvnz&s=d&b=2007-11-31T00%3A00%3A00&a=2007-11-01T00%3A00%3A00&ct=video&ayear=2007&amonth=11&byear=2007&bmonth=11&q=finals (the story is titled ‘Netball quarter finals in sight’).

Word of warning, I don't 'normally' talk like that I'm sure... but I was very nervous!

Now, back to the recap.... as you saw from Mum's post, the Jamaicans nearly bumped NZ out of their Grand Finals chance - and were, for the most of the game, the better team. I was SO impressed at how they played - not anywhere near the normal brutal game - I always thought they'd be dangerous if they ever got some control - and they were! Luckily for both teams they also got the best umpires - which made the game about netball, not rugby, as Mum stated.

Not so lucky for the Grand Finals... what a nail biter! I heard there were 3 heart attacks at the venue - and I think that was just my heart stopping all the time! Kerry and I managed to choke the life out of FOUR of the Aussie clappers - and Mum ended up a blubbering mess at the end of the game. I'm sure Jodie has finger marks where Mum was sqeezing her!

The umpiring was ... well... let me think of a more appropriate 4 letter words.... Nup, can't... we'll go with 'inadequate' and honestly, very lopsided. Bodies flew everywhere, not call, or worse, the WRONG call. Then, there was wee little hand brushes that WERE called! Go figure????

But the girls pulled through, battered but not beaten - we were SO proud. And, you're not going to believe this, but Norma GRINNED and waved to us!!! You could see this title meant the world to Liz as she tried to compose herself before being interviewed - she was nearly as emotional as Mum... nearly!

On the bus trip home, I was nearly in tears as I realised it was all over, and our little 'routine' was shattered. No more hot bread shop, no more date scones, no more cooked breakfasts... no more Aussie, Aussie Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi! No more time with our new friends.....

However, we did finish the trip off really nicely.... we got to NZ international airport about the same time as the team did - and at about the same place - so we got to cheer them off, and give Liz a huge round of applause as she came in with the world cup with her luggage! And then, they were all drifting around the duty free shopping while we were there.... so hard not to fun up and make a scene!

Well, that's all for now.... Back to reality.... and the Runaways AGM... *sigh*...

Today's the day

There was some good netball played today and some good rugby. Australia was a bit scrappy in the shooting circle but this wasn't helped by some inconsistent umpiring. Jamaica defended, shot and used space very well. They pulled ahead early on, but, after a tactical time-out, the Kiwis were able to literally knock out one of their opposition in the shooting circle and gained the upper hand. The stadium was packed to the rafters and the atmosphere was electric. Tonight there will be standing room only. Aussies and Kiwis love their netball and look on their players as superstars. I only hope that it will be netball we get to watch tonight and not rugby as I really feel that any team which resorts to strong deliberate contact designed to take out players have not "won" regardless of their nationality.
We went to a good Japanese restaurant today, the food was beautiful and the service good. The cake shop around the corner from the restaurant is totally to blame for the weight we've all put on (maybe not for Kerry's) and we've never seen sandwiches and cakes so good AND cheap. $1.10 NZ for an apricot turnover, the same for a large date scone $2.20 for a really healthy sandwich.
The breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Hotel with Vicki Wilson was a great success. The food part of the morning was unhealthily greasy, but the entertainment part was great. The Australian netball team came along and said hello and Vicki told a few stories from the past. She held a netball trivia competition and Jodie won! Out of nearly 150 people! She was given an Australian netball cap signed by the whole team!
Jo and Shell went down to the pub to celebrate getting into the finals, and were shouted drinks. They were late back, had a marvellous time and have declared that we are all going down there tonight, win or lose, old or pregnant.
It is unreal to think we are heading back to Australia tomorrow. On one hand I would love to see more of Auckland but on the other I want to go HOME.
Bye, Helen

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More Netball stuff

Well, it's getting to the exciting end of things.... and the games are getting tighter! We've adopted the Botswana team - and our adoptees are proving to be VERY successful - we are very proud of them - and got a special thank you in their speech after the game.

The other big news is my shirt design... it's taken off! Yesterday we went to catch the free shuttle bus to Henderson mall (they have a bus there and back every day) ... and were told that the TV crew had been on the previous bus. We arrived at Laser Copy Design shop - which are the guys that have been doing our shirts for us... to find the TV crew in there, along with a THRONG of Aussie supporters all queuing up for their shirts.... MY shirts! WHAT A BUZZ!!!

I snuck into the corner and asked for my shirts.... but the people that were there being interviewed soon pointed me out.... and I was asked for an interview about the shirts by the TV crew - pretty exciting stuff... but very, very scary too! Didn't say half of what I wanted to! And then back at the stadium, they came and asked us for another interview about netball.... so all we need to do is find where it is online.... haven't had much success so far!

Apparently, as of yesterday MORNING they have had over 100 shirts done up. And that was without the Aussies that only came yesterday even knowing about it.... I'm SURE there'll be more! Good thing was that they GAVE me my 3 shirts yesterday as a thank you for all the business - and the publicity! Not that I asked - but the other girls did!!! It's so wonderful to see something that was just a little thing for our little group get picked up by so many people, and so many being so happy and thankful to be able to get some memorabilia of the netball.

Someone has also arranged to have our signs printed off in bulk so that come the Finals, we're a force to be reckoned with! Can't wait to see it all!v

xx
Shelly

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After being bitterly disappointed at the lack of merchandising available to purchase at the World Cup, I decided to make my own!  Here's the design that we're going to get put onto shirts, signs, etc.  I got it put on a huge A2 sign - printed with a yellow background and green writing - and I now have about 1/2 the team signed it... working on getting more!

We left the design with the local lasercopy - and we're letting any Aussie that wants to show their support go and get it printed on a shirt that they buy.  Looks like there's going to be a few.

We're off shopping this morning - Australia doesn't play today... but we'll be there.  Botswana is our adopted team... :)

Anyway, must go and eat!  I'm sure there'll me much, much more news on it's way...

xx
Shelly

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More Netball in Auckland

Hi all,
Our dream, which we've been planning for years, came to life on Saturday. Netball and New Zealand. What could be better? A world cup win for Australia, I hear you say? We have been talking netball, watching netball live, talking netball, and then watching the games again that night on telly, and then, of course talking netball again. Most nights are late nights. There are some real netball nuts out here and I'm not just talking about us.
The first game on Saturday was New Zealand and Malawi. For the first two or three quarters Malawi didn't play with their usual flair and enjoyment which was disappointing but they seemed to relax in the end and I enjoyed the last bit. The next day the games started in earnest. Vicky Wilson (my idol) came and sat with the Australian contingent near us, and was chatting away to everyone, giving autographs. The Australians were obvious in their bright yellows and green. You could also pick them by their enthusiastic support of whichever team was underdog.
I felt the South Africans have really improved and will give the other top teams a run for their money. The other favourites are Jamaica, England, New Zealand and (of course) Australia. Only time will tell which is the better team. The umpiring is occasionally weak, but when all's said and done, the winning team will have to play to overcome any miscalls. For example when a Malawi player obviously kicked the ball out of court and got the throw-in. And that was the chap who umpired the finals at the last Commonwealth Games.
The staff at Alpers Lodge have been absolutely marvellous! They have been courteous, friendly and helpful. This is great after all the frustrations we've had in the past few days. We even have a bottle of low fat milk labelled with our room numbers.
Kerry and Jo have gone out on the town this morning, or the CBD anyway. They'll be worn out tonight. You know the girls are always getting really embarassed about the way I umpire when watching games. Well they're still getting embarassed!! But, guess what? My lovely girls were umpiring too. I even heard Ker booing. Shell was coaching the weaker teams and the whole stadium groaned when one of their players did a massive step.
Touch wood, the weather has been beautiful. We don't even wear a jumper most of the time. No rain yet but it may be coming.
Our bus comes soon, so will go and catch you another day. We don't get back till late, so bye.
Helen/Mum
ps. Miss you lots, Merv

Some Pics

Dad - this one is for you.... Jodie found a nice slab of wood she thought you'd like, and Kerry found an example of a dowel she needed to show you....



:)



We got to see a great Maori performance, and view their wonderful carvings - doesn't the pic below just look too surreal?



Does this angle make Kerry's belly look big?


Still uploading the ones from the netball - but we're VERY close to the action - so there will be heaps of photo opportunities - and Vicky Wilson is within 'howdy' distance from us too!  Very happy!





OK... got to go and get ready... xx

Shelly

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Now that we have had a good night's sleep.....

Well, good morning.....

We arrived yesterday and after some 'interesting' events

Spent about 20 mins getting the seats we wanted - at least one window seat(we were 1st in line to check in)

We had a really nice chappy check our passports and he gave us a stamp (YAY)

Jodie & I got frisked for drugs & explosives in Australia

I got stopped as we were boarding the plane and they had decided to sit me 4 rows away from the rest of the girls (I spat chips - they move all of us to a middle isle)

We spent the flight catching up (NOT) with headphones on and watching movies
(I tell you.... the next time I fly to Rocky; I want to do it by stopping over in another country so I can watch movies that have only just been released)

Mum (accidently) threw her chicken salad over Jodie

I broke my TV screen by trying to play games

We got off the flight and all was going well...... The food & drugs sniffer dog (cute beagle) attacked Mum who pushed it away with her foot (force of habbit) and all our bags had to be checked. It liked mine and earnt itself 3 treats.

We got to the x-ray machines and Mum got dragged away because some desk dude did not fill out her arrival form. What really seemed to get to Mum is that he grabbed gloves on the way and wouldn't let anyone go with her. All OK though - gloves not needed (Phew)

Arrived safe & sound at the hotel (met people on the bus who were staying in 'our' hotel that we had paid for - and have not been refunded for). Checked in. Reservation was a little stuffed up as they tried to tell us that we would have to pay additionally for breakfast....... jodie turned purple and I was smoking from my nose.... we smiled and said we would have this all sorted by b'fast.

Decided to go out to tea and had a wonderful dinner and a leisurly walk (our luck was changing finally)

Spent the best part of 15 minutes trying to buy bottled water at a 7/11 - that's a whole nother story.

The tour 'guides' finally arrived with our stuff at around 11pm and guess what - ALL THERE AND LOOKING GREAT

CONFIRMED - OUR LUCK IS CHANGING - THE TOUR BUS ARRIVED EARLY AND WE ARE OFF FOR A FUN FILLED DAY BEFORE HEADING TO THE NETBALL!

Talk to you all soon - and don't forget to check out the pics.....

Kez

A piccy to share

Here's the 3 'girls' at the wharf....

If you want to see more pics from day 1 - have a look here:
http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/mickeyleerobs/NetballWorldCup2007/

xx
Shelly

Netball at last

Well, today's the day! We finally get to see a game of netball tonight - Malawi and New Zealand. This morning we had a good breakfast and then boarded the hop-on, hop-off bus, first stop the Auckland Museum. It was absolutely fantastic. Filled with an enormous amount of Maori culture. Everything the Maoris had was covered with carving - war canoes, whares, tools, spears and many other things. We went to the auditorium at the museum and were treated to Maori dancing, singing, stick throwing and a poi exhibition. Nearly everything seemed to be connected to warfare in one way or another. Now they carry the warfare on on the sporting fields. Hope they get defeated!!!!!
I"ll get off now. See you later.
Mum/Helen

Netball at last

Well, today's the day! We finally get to see a game of netball tonight - Malawi and New Zealand. This morning we had a good breakfast and then boarded the hop-on, hop-off bus, first stop the Auckland Museum. It was absolutely fantastic. Filled with an enormous amount of Maori culture. Everything the Maoris had was covered with carving - war canoes, whares, tools, spears and many other things. We went to the auditorium at the museum and were treated to Maori dancing, singing, stick throwing and a poi exhibition. Nearly everything seemed to be connected to warfare in one way or another. Now they carry the warfare on on the sporting fields. Hope they get defeated!!!!!
I"ll get off now. See you later.
Mum/Helen

We're HERE!

Post from Mum (Helen)
It seems so unreal to finally be in Auckland. It's so green and many of the buildings, both business and houses, are like the heritage buildings in Rockhampton. Both Kerry and Jodie were taken away by Customs in Australia to be frisked. It was quite exciting. And then when we got to New Zealand, the cutest little sniffer dog (with a young female customs officer) showed a great interest in our bags. I thought we were going to all be hauled away. After a while we were all on our way to Alpers Lodge. Two others women are here too. The rooms are pretty okay. One totally smelled of cigarette smoke, which we said was unacceptable so the management changed it. Caught a taxi to the wharf, checked out restaurant prices, when we caught our breath went hunting for something more affordable. Found a lovely place, good food, enough of it and good service. Saw a huge ferry/boat at the wharf. It was enormous. Saw some lovely Kiwi clothes, sporty type, black with white fern. Beautiful. All sizes. Our tour organisers turned up with caps, t-shirts emblazoned with Australia and best of all, our games tickets. The organizers say that the seats are very good. We'll see tomorrow. Yay!

No more days, one more sleep

We're going on a holiday.... it's gonna be a big one.... I'm not scared... what a beautiful day... uh oh...

We're off to see the Netball World Cup - watch this space for reports from your avid netball reporters... photos will be placed on Photobucket...

:)

Holy imploding tables Batman!

Look at what happened when Jodie and I went out for tea tonight... the table imploded on us - we were covered in glass!!!Nope, no good reason, it just happened! We weren't doing anything that caused it AT ALL - heck we were eating fish with a fork because it was so tender we didn't need to carve it!The whole restaurant FULL of people inside all took time to take photos though... nice of them really, wasn't it?You'd have thought this would have earned us a free meal - or at least dessert... but nope! I know it was an accident, but how you deal with accidents is a way to win customers... something D's obviously didn't get taught.

This is where I work...

OK Everyone, THIS is where I work! Well, kinda! It's a tour of the Matisse Derivan Factory....


Hope you enjoy! I've been having a lot of fun adding stuff to the Matisse Derivan YouTube site http://au.youtube.com/MatisseDerivan which now hosts some pretty cool Liquid Pencil videos - I'll be adding more as I can... it takes a bit of time to process it all!

So, what's been happening in my little world? LOTS!!! I seem to have been spending a more time in aeroplanes than cars lately - went to Brissy last weekend, and of course the Matisse Open Day the weekend before that! Will be on the big planes to go to New Zealand later this week - WOOHOO!!!

Got to catch up with my bestie, Crissy while I was in Brisbane - and got a wee little bit of shopping done too... OK... a lot! I DID have to get some stuff for NZ now, didn't I?

I spent a stressful, and disappointing Sunday with Netball Qld.... but that's a whole chapter in a book I think... and too negative to waste anymore time on. On the positive side, I got to know a fellow coach, and get some insight into how other clubs handle their coaching, team selection etc.

And... I confess, I'm a glutten for punishment - just signed a contract to teach 2 courses for uni online - with a total of 40 students. At least I managed to get tutoring contracts out of it - instead of 87 hours of marking!

Oh, and it looks like I might get to spend Easter in Sydney this year - hopefully we'll be planning a working holiday - I'll be working, and the family can be holidaying.... we have a big display etc on at the Royal Easter Show - and the boss has asked if I'm interested in coming down for it. Only problem is that it's 2 weeks long.... logistically that could be tricky. But I'm really looking forward to having the family down and actually sight seeing a little of Sydney for once! I know they're going to love even the little things - like riding on the light rail, and seeing Sydney Opera House etc. I really want them to see The Rocks, and some of the historic sights... and of course the Royal Easter Show!

OK... that's all for me... :)

I can YouTube to!

Here's hoping this works! This is a quick YouTube video I've done... hmmm... let's see...

Yep, even thought it looks like it's not working, it IS!!!!

How exiting! This is a quick 1 minute video that I've done up with artist Catherine Harry using the Derivan Liquid Pencil. Pretty cool for the little bit of time it's taken her to do - I WISH I could paint like that!

I have more coming - but you will have to wait until I edit them - and find some better music to go with them!

Oh, and I'd really like it if some of you guys out there would become my 'friend' in YouTube... cause it's being quite rude and telling me that 'you have no friends' - bit disheartening really! I think you can also subscribe as well, so you get all the videos - it's the Matisse Derivan YouTube - so it will always be about painting!

:)

A little netball, a little cuteness

Well, once again it's been a little while. I'm a naughty little blogger! Things have been happening, but I've still be so tired that I just want to sleep!

So, what's some of the things... well... I am going to be spending a lot of time on a plane soon, as I will be jetting off to Sydney for the Matisse Open Day where I get to have a whole lot of fun and catch up with a whole lot of artists! Looking forward to that BIG TIME!!!

Runaways Netball Club (which I'm president of) had their annual presentation dinner - so that was a flurry, but it ended with eating and drinking and being merry - so all was good. I won't bore you with ALL the photos... but here's some of us...

Here's Emily receivign her perpetual trophy for "Most Dependable Member" for all the hard work she did through the year selling chocoates, pies, picking up rubbish after the games, volunteering to help in the canteen etc. She was plenty chuffed!

And here I am receiving my first EVER 'Most valuable' player trophy. In all the years I've been playing, I don't think I've ever got that. So, WOW!

And another first... me receiving the "Senior Coach of the Year" award... WOOHOO!!! Long time coming for that one - I've been coaching for the club for over 10 years now....

Enough netball... no?

OK then. Let me say that I've decided that 'why the heck not' and put my name down to play in the Premier League with the big girls this year.... Thought I'd see how far I can push myself playing at a higher level - can't wait!

We're also playing mixed - which isn't always good combo - me, Michael and netball often causes conflict.... but we should have fun. Leesa is sporting our mixed uniform above... it was awesome to see the sea of green when we turned up last Wednesday - we were IMPRESSIVE!!! Now if only we can play as good as we look!

Oh, and in November Mum, Jodie, Kerry and I are off on my very first overseas holiday... to New Zealand... Auckland (is that the closest you can get to Australia and still need a passport I wonder?) to watch the NETBALL WORLD CUP!!! Bring it on!!! We're so excited... over a week of watching netball and hanging out with the girls... could it get any better??? Nup!

Now to share some cute, cute, cute pics of my new niece, and her big bro. Charlotte Rose is such a sweetie, and I got a good couple of hours of cuddle time in on Saturday. She's a little angel. Jake on the other hand has this devilish grin... :)

How can you resist this?











That should keep you guys busy for a while!