Been keeping busy

Well, there haven't been any quotes for a couple of days int he 21 day challenge - but that's sweet - when I first started out I thought - yeah! create something new everyday - but after a week I realised that the HABIT was the important thing hehehehe

And so my clean house habit is going great...so I'm 100% happy with the challenge.

I'm also working on my journal cover & some other quotes that I love to add to it - so I'm still being creative on that front.

I've also being working on a LO for the weekly challenge at Scrapbook Outlet its all about summer this week & I have loved this challenge.

Been inspired by Adrienne's Colorful House for this one & I think there'll be a few similar ones popping up for the summer of 2003/4 LOs...just loving her style at the mo!

Day 11 & 12

This is a two-in-one...its the weekend, so I didn't get much more sophisticated in this one.

but more importantly...the habit: the sink is till shiney, the rooms are still clean & the laundry is still up to date...YAY!!!!

Well we're off for Sunday morning breakfast, so I can't stay & chat :o)

Day 10 - still going strong!

Albert Einstein's quote "In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity".

How true is that!! My hope is that I always have the eyes to see the opportunity :o)

This challenge has been fantastic for me...I'm loving it!!

I've tried to simplify my "style", trying different things...its great to come up with a little something everyday.

The best part of the challenge has been developing my habit though & I have to say, that has been having a positive impact on my family..we're all alot happier :o)

I think I'll try to pretty up my style & use up some of my stash on day 11 :o)

Day 9 - 21 Day Challenge

I'm very fortunate that I grew up with a Mum who taught me all about choices & a Dad who was all about "actions have consequences", so while I was grounded for my actions I had the opportunity to choose whether or not to complain about the "stupid rules" or be happy that I got time to myself :o)

For the last year I have been practising focussing on what's right in my life & I am constantly amazed at what a wonderful life I have... I am happy right where I am & I find it pretty easy to find things to be grateful for (except for my PMT days..but I'm aware of that prob & am working on it).

I have an absolutely fantastic family...I'm not just talking Hubby & kids...my brothers & sisters are all wonderful people...Mum & Dad are amazing - I'm even close my aunties & uncles, I know my cousins are there for me whenever I need them & I have two fantastic grandmothers who I adore & I know that they love me...its so cool that they will always remember baby me & paint the pictures in their minds of who I am today with a touch of of baby me and who I have been along the way.

I know their love for my children is compounded because of their love for me...its just an awesome thing to be surrounded by love in a world where the media tries to tell us there is nothing but violence, hate & fear.

Love is what I choose to focus on today :o)

Day 8 - 21 Day Challemge

We're into week 2 & all is well :o)

What an awesome quote today: "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"

As I think of this, I know without a shadow of a doubt that my dreams will come true...I have always believed in the beauty of my dreams, and alot of them have come true.

Would you believe, just 3 and a bit short years ago I was a single Mum, on the DBP.

But I believed that I would meet a wonderful man, and have more children and have a happy ever after...I knew I was (am) destined for a life of goodness.

Now the foundation has been laid & I know that by taking a step each day towards my dreams I teach my children, by example, valuable lessons that will equip them to be happy in life. And my success is inevitable!!

Yeehaaa One Week of Goods Habits!!

Day 7 of the 21 Day challenge is complete - one week down 2 to go...although I'm not sure I want it to end :o)

7 Days of clean rooms - I still need to work on the office & dining/scraproom...but I'm being consistent with the rest - good girl Kelly :o)

The FlyLady has given me a shiney sink & the sense that soon my whole house will be in an ordered routine.



My Husband is thrilled with the new habits...and sort of wondering what's going on...I told him its because of scrapbooking that this has come about...well, that's mostly true..without the 21 day Challenge I wouldn't have had the kick-start I needed & I would never have found out about FlyLady, so hopefully I'll be getting some more scrap supplies for my birthday tomorrow hehehehehe.

So, the 21 day challenge is creating plenty of sunshine in my life...funny how alot of people have been on the same wavelength about positivity & happiness lately...I stumbled across PollyAnna on TV the other day & was trying to teach Taigy about choosing to be happy..so its good to know that the loving, happy energy is spread through-out the world today.

Have a fantastic day - I know I will ;o)

Day 6 - 21 Day Challenge

I'm simply loving this challenge.

Love trying to come up with something every day.
Love seeing everyone else's work.
Love the kind comments people are leaving.
Love the habits I'm developing.

Love, love, love becoming a better me!!

Here's today's entry & a big THANK YOU to Lara for introducing me to the fly lady this is definately going to help me beyond the 21 days!!

Getting excited!!!

I'm getting really excited about the Recipe Circle Journal at Scrapbook Outlet today I finished off my sign-in page...I still need to do my entry.

I'll get that done this week. got the basics down - just need a pic & pull it together on a page.

This is my first CJ & I'm really buzzed!

On another note my 21 day habit is going great. Bedrooms have been clean 5 days in a row.

Kitchen has been clean, washing has been done - OMG I didn't realise I actually did so many loads of washing! - I'm doing it daily now & making sure there is no dirty laundry in the tub (which sits right next to our front door - GROSS!!!) Before if it was raining I'd let it wait, but now I'll throw it in the dryer - and would you believe that that is my one thing that scares me for the day.

It seems a little crazy - & its not the dryer I'm scared of, but the electricty bill!!

But I have a theory that everything in life costs - so I have to ask myself to weigh the cost: which is more important to me - success in maintaining a clean, calm, clutter-free environment (and all the benefits that go with it eg teaching the kids good habits, an added source of heating ;o) etc) or saving a few dollars on electricity??

Well, when you put it like that, the answer is OBVIOUS!!!

So the dryer is going, the tub is empty & the house is a little warmer - God bless Rhonna!!

Day 5 - 21 Day Challenge

Woohoo I'm on a roll :o)

Here's my Day 5 of Rhonna's 21 day challenge.

Think I'll have an early night...just off to do a last minute tidy so I wake to a clean home...ahhhhh I'm seeing the benefits of this habit!!!

Thank you Miss Rhonna!!!

Oh, and I'd just like to mention that I didn't know I had this paper (the Kelly Pannaci pink)...but I came across it...like my mind knew it was there...just goes to show I really do know more than I think I do (day 4 quote) hehehehe

Day 4 - 21 Day Challenge

Once again Rhonna has delivered inspiration.

Today's quote: Trust yourself- you know more than you think you do.

My habit is coming along really well...I am feeling successful, inspired & confident.

Having the house in the process of being organised/routinified/decluttered/put away has added a sense of calm to my days... I feel like I am able to give the kids more love because I don't have guilt & clutter clouding my mind - strange eh!

Well, here is today's entry...and I see day 5 has just been posted, fortunately the house is still tidy, so I'll be able to get straight onto this one :o)

Day 3 - 21 Day Challenge

Here is day 3's entry....I went out last night to a handwriting class, so I didn't get a chance to complete this until today...usually I do them the night they are posted (all 2 days so far LOL) .

I used a some of the techniques I learned at the class...like practising changing the shape/size/spacing of your letters - quite fun :o)

But, I seriously need more pens!

Marriage

I just love it!!

It's our 3rd anniversary today & my darling got me red roses! He's such an angel!!

This is my 2nd marriage & OMG its amazing!!!

Just the ease of it...I can't believe how easy it can be to love someone.

I am so amazed that I have someone so wonderful as my husband, I mean I always expected my husband would be wonderful...but then you go through life & hear things like compromise, settle, Mr Right Now & the seed is sown to accept less than you deserve.

Well, I don't know what I have done to deserve such love but I am completely and utterly grateful for it.

My Wayne really is my soul mate...my balance... He's my home...the place I belong. He's the sunshine in my morning, my comforter at night, the caffine that gets me going, the cup of tea to soothe me. He meets me at my peaks, catches me at my lows & holds my hand through every part of the journey.

My Wayne, My Husband, My Love....I adore him!!

Day 2 - 21 Day Challenge

Woohoo I've completed day 2 & my "Make or Break" habit is getting organised around the house. Today was a huge success for me (see pics below hehehehe).

I'm feeling motivated, inspired & unstoppable...yeeeeehaaaaa - thanks Rhonna!!!

I found my motivator!!

Before & after pics...yes I love it..have been testing this concept today.. I also updated my 21 day challenge entry...added some meaning to my habit..Actually decided on my habit to work on..."getting organised"

I've managed Taigy's room. on the 4th load of washing & got the lounge room done..phew!

Mind you Ravey had a HUGE sleep 10 til 2.30...wonderful, perfect, angelic child :o)

The little area in the corner is my attempt to Montessorify our home. Problem is I haven't taught the kids to put their toys back in their places yet.

I had Dr Phil on while I was tidying & he was reminding me that its my responsibilty to make sure my kids grow up to be able to function in the owrld...I'm all for that...independent capable kids. Taig is so cute when she folds her jammies & I'll have to do a LO of her folding the washing....tooo cute :o)

Well almost time to pick her up from pre-school..better quickly feed my little prince :o)

CJ...Making Progress

Well, I'm definately making progress on my Recipe CJ....got til 26th to get it ready..phew!!

This is the (incomplete) intro page...a scraplift from Teri Fode.

Well, Rave has just discovered how much he loves to climb, so I'd better go & rescue him!

21 Day Challenge

Rhonna Farrer has just started a new 21 Day Challenge (round 4)

I'm going to challenge myself to do it - today is day 1.

Yeah, like I said today is day1 hehehehe

I'm prepared to be stretched for the next 20 days.

Oh, if this looks a little basic, that's because this is day 1 and I've never done anything like it before...did I mention this is day 1????

Oh, if you're up to it join the challenge :o)

Boogalafeish

That's Taigy's new word for the day...boogalafeish!!

Oh, what a day!!

The power was off for most of the day. Wayne went to drop Tai at pre-school & they got sent home because there was no power there.

So I had my 2 precious angels home with me today.

I think Ravey's top molars are coming down he's totally grizzly, off his food & just drowsy...won't sleep either..so I think that's cos of the pain...poor wee angel!!

Taiga was pretty much an angel today...none of the back-chatting that I've had to put up with for the last 2 weeks...I think the weekend at Steve's jolted her out of it - thank GOD!!!!

So, hopefully my sweetie-pie angel, darling girl is back & I can say good-bye to her evil twin :o)

I did a bit of work on my recipe CJ today & took some pics of me & the kids...not too phappy witht them...I really want a decent family shot & I have the tripod...just have to get Wayno in the mood...for photos that is ;O)

Gosh, you really realize how much you rely on electricity when its not there...couldn't heat a bottle for my boy...make a milo for my girl...or even a cup of tea for that matter...polished off the macaroons regardless though!!

Oops, forgot to ring the gym to see if I can suspend my membership til spring...my motivation has gone ...

WEll, I'd better feed my babies & send them to bed so I can get some more work done on my CJ.

What a productive weekend!!

Well I've finished off another 2 LOs! The 2nd of the blurries for SO ..this is the one I have entered in June's comp.

And I completed my secret swap challenge from SE. I received the fabric label, bottle top, tags & ribbon.

I'm so thrilled with the goodies & I think they work really well with the pic...they were great inspiration....and another bonus is that I got to use cut-offs from the 60th album I did the other week...so all in all I'm quite pleased with the end results.

Today I think I'd beter make some serious headway with my CJ...my theme is veggie side dishes...trying to get inspired to be healthier - not much point going to the gym if I don't eat better... although I must say I have drastically reduced my junk food intake....I think its cos Taigy changed kindy's..now I don't have to pick her up at 12.30 & drive past BK on the way home :o)


Well my handsome prince is having an attck of the whinges & trying to tutu wiht my camera. so I'd best be off!!

Busy Scrapping

Oh its so good to be home & catch up on scrapping :o)

So far I've completed a LO for the SO sketch challenge I thought I had missed out (being away on holiday) but they extended it for a week - yay!

And I've also done a LO for the SO June challenge using a blurry/out of focus pic. I'm working on another one of these as well - just because I have so many blurry photos, it a great opportunity to get a few scrapped.


I'm also working on the June challenge at Scrapbook Essentials and I just got my secret swap stuff today too..so that's another LO to do...its for a boy - so I'm just trying to find the right pic of Ravey for that one.

Then I've also got my recipe circle journal (CJ) to start...has to be ready by June 19th..I'm so excited about this!!!

So I don't really have time to sit here...but I can't resist.

Oh, one thing I wanted to mention is a big thank you to the universe!!!!

I asked for a copy of Photoshop because I don't have it on the new PC & with the laptop being in its sad state I dare not try to turn it on & transfer my copy from there...so I asked the universe to get me a copy of Photoshop this week for free....and would you believe I had forgotten that a couple of weeks ago I had downloaded a thing called Paint.net which is pretty similar to photoshop & it was free. Well thank you universe!!!

All I really need is a program to manipulate my photos...make 2 into 1 pic & resize to odd sizes etc & this little baby will do the job perfectly & it has alot of the effects of photoshop...apparently its based on photoshop & run by a bunch of uni students who are constantly working on it & upgrading it etc

Well, looks like I have been given more to be grateful for :o)

Ooooh its good to be home!!!

We arrived home today, drove non-stop from Taupo cos Ravey wasn't well...does that make sense to you...not stopping to comfort my poor wee baby...not stopping to dose him up on pandol...just driving, driving, driving to make it home & get him comfortable....yeah, well I'm just the passenger!

Well, I was reminded of a valuable lesson while we were away & that is all about gratitude...OMG you have no idea how ungrateful I have been behaving!!!

So to balance my pathetic, ungrateful, selfish behaviour I'm going to let you know what I am grateful for:

1. I am grateful my aunty gave us a week's free accomodation in Taupo, at a lovely motel.
2. I am grateful I was able to organize parts of the house & sell heaps of stuff on TradeMe so we had spending money for our holiday.
3. I am grateful that every night we were able to have a relaxing soak in the huge hot tub joined to our room. (and that Taigy ened up loving the tub & wanted to stay in Taupo so she could have a swimming bath every night)
4. I am grateful that, even though the kids got sick, they survived & weren't sick enough to stop us from any activities.
5. I am grateful that Taupo has a great range of internet cafes.
6.I am grateful that my darling didn't get fed up with me.
7. I am grateful that at the end of each sleepless night was a beautiful new day.
8. I am grateful that we got to do a tiki tour over to napier to visit Kane & La & the kids.
9 I am grateful that we have some fantastic photos from our holiday.
10. I am grateful that the kids had a great time.
11. I am grateful that management gave us the spare VCR when the main one wasn't working...even if it menat watching Shrek 5 times ;o)
12. I am grateful that Mum & Dad were able to come down & spend the weekend with us.
13. I am grateful that we were able to have the heater on 24/7
14. I am grateful that we had electric blankets to welcome us into bed each night.
15. I am grateful that Wayne got a break from work.
16. I am grateful that we got to visit the craft fair.
17. I am grateful that the streets of Taupo are flat & easy to walk.
18. I am grateful that I got a brand new pair of jeans from KMart Hasting for $2.45!!
19. I am grateful that we got to go to the Prawn Farm & have a delicious lunch
20. I am grateful to have such a wonderful family, who loves me despite my ungrateful behaviour of this past week.
21. I am grateful to be home.

The Sun is Shining in Taupo

And I'm in an internet cafe blogging :o)

We went to Huka Falls thismorning & off to the Prawn Farm tomorrow.

Ravey is asleep in the car & Taigy is by my side...not feeling too well though...she really should be having a sleep, but you know kids..as if its going to happen.

Well, now she's busting so I'd better go!

Blog Headers

Great news...I found out how to add a pic to the top of my blog.

I have been wanting to do this for ages (a week hehehe) and now I have...I'll need to fix the pic though...followed someone else's instructions for creating the pic.

Do you want to know how? Just go on over to Lindsay Teague's blog for the instructions.

It's simple, but it's not easy :o)

I tried the village place for hosting photos, but I recommend photobucket my pics turn out much crisper from there for some reason.

But once you've done it you can update it whenever you like.

Now, if I can just get someone to tell me how to add the slideshow to my page........

Mission Completion!!

Yay me!!

I finally completed the albums for Louise!

I hope she likes them. The Celebrate one is for her Dad's 60th and I'm just in love with brown & green. These chatterbox designs (chateau) are yum!!

A bit of a mix of cardweight stock & thin paper stock - I would have preferred all one or he other, but I love then end result...love it! love it! love it!

It was a bit hard to part with this one...but I know its going to a good home :o)

This is the other one, it's similar to one I made for her to put old wedding photos in...apparently her Aunty saw her album & wanted one like it, & here it is I think it turned out just lovely.

Wild Asparagus papers...mmmmmm the colours, the designs, the texture....I love it.

I find it really easy to use these papers for the albums, but I think I would struggle to put them on a layout.

Then again I have a few cut-offs so I might see what I can come up with.

Oh, I'm working on the BW/Colour colage pic with doodling & so far it sucks.

Well, maybe sucks is a bit harsh...the photos are great...the doodling hasn't turned uot as i had liked. Nevertheless, I'll finish it off & put it up here...if nothing else it's a learning experience.

Well, I'd better get ready for the day. Might be back later if I finish my layout.