3 weeks ago...

3 weeks ago this photo was taken at the Pittsburgh International Airport. These bags are what we lugged back to Australian with us... In our defence, Mum's suitcase is the blue one :) So we only had 8!

It is a beautiful sunny Sunday out so time to get busy!

Sky Watch Friday, Canada

Happy SWF!!!

Another photo taken from the plane this week. The land you can just see at the top is Canada. As we flew NYC to LA we went over Chicago and the great lakes.

Today in good ole Uralla the sky is grey, very depressing! I am really looking forward to spring this year!

To look at other Sky Watch Friday pics click HERE

A proud moment!

This afternoon at school Shawn was involved in a concert. Students that have been learning instruments could perform a small piece to play. Shawn played Creams, "Sunshine of your love". He did very well!

He loves learning the guitar and he thinks his teacher is pretty cool (He likes Lego and Star Wars too!)

He has the complete rock star look happening with the long hair... come summer it is gone! :)

Love this stuff....

Glimmer Mist is the same great product with a Fabulous NEW Look!

Over on My Tattered Angels they are promoting the new winter 09 range of Glimmer Mist and are giving away some with the brand new packaging! It makes for an interesting read if you are a crafter of any type...

It has been toooo long since I have made time to scrap, perhaps a win may help :) If not, I am looking forward to some scrap time at camp in August...

A handy thing!

This is what we affectionately call a "Handy Thing". My Dad gave this to us. You put butter/marg in it, push the inside so it comes out of the bottom and rub the curved edge along your cob. How efficient is that! It actually works really well...
I have had a big few days and am paying for them today. Friday Liberty and I went to the school for a few hours to help pack book packs for next term, then up to Armidale to shop for the P&C Fathers Day stall. Early I know, but a shop is having a closing down sale so I thought it would be a good chance to make a few extra $$$. Saturday I worked then came home and started dusting, washing, moving things... I finally stopped last night at about 9.30. I don't know what came over me!!!
Yesterday we also had 3 of the 4 Ferris' come and visit. First time we had seen each other since we have been home, not bad since they live 3 hours away. I would like to say they came just to see us.... but they were actually driving through from seeing one of the Pink concerts in Newcastle.
It was still below freezing at 8.30am today.... I am really missing the perfect weather we had in America...

Sky Watch Friday..... I Missed You!!!

It has been a good while since I have played along with Sky Watch Friday. I did think of it while I was away, so now I have a good amount of 'back-up' pics for emergency Fridays :)

This is taken from the plane somewhere between Sydney and LA June 29th or 30th. I love looking down on beautiful fluffy clouds, just as the sun is adding colour.

Happy Friday everyone! I have a big day planned so I better get moving...

My babies...

My beautiful children.

I took this shot at a wedding we went to while in America, Trauger PA. I do like this pic, it is especially lovely of Shawn...

Well I am in bed with the new mattress... it will take a bit of getting use to. We picked up a new electric blanket as well and I can feel it under the sheet, so I will also get a new egg create. I must have Princess and the pea syndrome :)

Toys Were Us

Matt, Shawn and Liberty went on this giant indoor ferris wheel 4 times. I didn't go on it once...someone had to take the photos :)

Toys R Us Times Square is amazing! It is possibly Shawn's very favourite store.

I worked again today. I do like what I do, but a day at home while Liberty was at Preschool would have been a great help... maybe next week. It seemed like this windy weather blew in crazy customers today... :)

Now it is time to go and and put wood in the fire and enjoy my last night with my old mattress.

Pablo

While in New York we went to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Times Square. This is Shawn with Pablo Picasso who he studied at school recently.

I had almost a days work today and another 5 hours tomorrow. Matt is off to New Castle for a meeting tomorrow night, so busy times in our house.

I am pretty much all unpacked and settled into routine from our trip... unfortunately :)

Panorama

This is the 180 degree view from my Dads deck. If you click on the image it will come up larger. The red bird feeder to the right is for Hummingbirds. In the middle, near the pine trees are the other bird and Squirrel feeders.

I was shown the short cut for joining photos at TAFE last Thursday, (My last one). This is made from 4 photos. I hope to find time to play with this technique more, it is so simple.

I went back to work yesterday...

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! x

I'm back...

If anyone is checking in we are home!

Exhausted but swine flu free. The 43 hour trip home really knocked me about, hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. Although today was pretty productive, all 7 suitcaases are unpacked, 3/4 of the washing is done and most stuff has found a home.

Now I am going to start looking at the 1411 photos that I took.

night.

Hellllooooo...

Hi everyone!
Sorry I have not posted since I have been on vacation... time is just to short to be on the computer! We are all having a great time. Shawn and Liberty are loving spending time with their Grandpa!
Weather has not been to bad, a few wet days. We are hoping to let off some firecrackers tonight. It should be dark enough in about an hour....

New York was fantastic.... could it be anything but???

We went and had 2 nights at Lancaster with my cousin, her husband and her 'baby to be'. It was a great 2 nights, with family, but also friends :)

Liberty is breaking hearts all over the state :)

Well the hot dogs are on the grill so I better go!

Hope all is well in your part of the world! x

not long now...

Sorry I have been MIA lately.
I have been busy packing. Tomorrow we head off to Sydney then Friday to New York!!
This time next week we will be in Pennsylvania with my Dad!! I am so looking forward to our trip.
Hopefully I will be able to post the odd post while we are away.
Until then....Byeeeeee x

UFO Factory

Matt calls this building a UFO Factory. It is actually a unique shearing shed.

" The Deeargee Wool Shed. It was built in 1869 to an octagonal design with a unique 3 tier roof with glass ventilators providing the perfect environment for shearing. It is the oldest and largest shed in Australia and is still in use today. It is a National Trust registered building."

HERE for the www that I found the info...

I took this pic 2 weeks ago. We have no sky for me to take a Sky Watch Friday photo, it has been wet and windy for most of the week.

Only 6 sleeps until our trip!!! NYC here we come!!! :)

Enjoy your weekend!

Thunderbolt went to the Ball

Well the Deb Ball is over!!! It feels soooo good. I think the Ball went really well, it is always hard to get a feel for how things are going when you are 'backstage'.

I guess someone enjoyed themselves and thought Thunderbolt should as well. He is wearing the latest in Deb Ball Tableware... Pink Satin. I overlocked about 140 meters of this pink fabric... such a slow job.

So today, not having Ball stuff to keep me busy, I started to pack. Only 10 sleeps until we start our trip.... soooo excited!!!!

A beautiful Autumn

This Autumn has been beautiful. Not many leaves are left and the wind is picking up so not much more colour is left.

Tafe was great tonight, I loved the exercise we did. I might post it in the next few days.

Tomorrow is set-up day for the Debutante Ball. I am looking forward to the ball being over.... it has been a huge, time consuming task.

This photo is my image for this weeks Sky Watch Friday. For more images from around the world click HERE.

Moonbi Lookout

We stopped at this lookout on the way to Tamworth last week. It had been many years since I had stopped instead of driving past.

Mother's Day stall went well at school yesterday. I am going over again today to see if I can sell a few more items at Recess. A lot of kids forgot money. Normally we don't do the second day, but I over shopped and we had more donations than normal...

Another frost this morning, if the wind stays away it should be a lovely day!

Happy Sky Watch Friday everyone!

I scrapped!

Sunday evening I actually made time to scrap!

Today I had grand plans.... then I was asked to go into work... Can't say no to money! So the housework will wait another day, possibly 2.

Tomorrow is the Mother's Day stall at the school. I have wrapped and ready to go over 240 gifts. I am looking forward to tomorrow. It is so great to see the children so thrilled to be doing something great for the 'Mum' in their life. I must say it will also be good to clear the gifts out of my house and cross it off my list of things to do. It means our trip is just a little bit closer and I get to see my Dad!

My Kandinsky

This is what I learnt at TAFE the other night. How to make your own brushes for photoshop. I wasn't feeling 'into' class that night, so I just used the first photo that came up in my album. That photo was the waterski image below. I used just a small portion of the spray. I was pretty impressed with this little trick! I can see so many ways you could use it... weather I do is another thing :)


I worked this morning, nothing went right!!! I did make it out the other end not to flustered so that was great! Nothing like the smell of photographic chemicals.... ick...

After work my Mum wanted me to see some Jewellery that she found at a craft show. Dichoric Glass pendants. I have often looked at them not knowing what or how they are made... I now own two pendants, I couldn't choose between them. Mum treated me to one, thanks Mum! x I will try and take photos of them, it will be a fun experimental activity.

Frosty....

I snapped this image yesterday morning. I stepped out to get some wood and discovered Jack Frost had paid his first visit of the year. It was rather pretty.
Looking forward to this weekend. I don't have any major plans and home to get this house into some order and get some neglected things taken care of. The joys of owning your own home! :)
To look at skies from around the world look at Sky Watch Friday

Have a great weekend!

Boys Toys!

This is Matt's new toy. He spotted this on ebay Sunday afternoon and drove 3 hours to look at it Monday after work... and it followed him home!

When Matt and I first started going out he rode a bike, very cool! ;)

This bike needs very little TLC. A new tyre and some work on the tank sticker that has been put on badly. It is registered and insured ready to go!

Shawn and Liberty love it!

This scrap page is from much warmer days... it is so frosty outside!

Today Liberty and Shawn went up to Grandmas so I could get some sewing done for the Deb Ball. My poor old overlocker is struggling and it needs a service. If it plays nice and gets me through I will treat it to a make over!

One month and one day until our trip!!!!

Mr Lucas

This is my Godson to be... How exciting!!!! The Ferris Four were in town and stopped in for a bit Saturday. Matt & I were asked to be his Godparents... Of course we said yes! He is the happiest little man!

Today we went to Tamworth for a quick trip to spotlight for some pink thread.... exciting isn't it? :)

This afternoon I had a very special delivery. Pam personally delivered to me a big,yummy bowl of her Pumpkin soup.... soooo good. I just finished a mug while tucked up in bed and I could just curl up and sleep. After Pam's generosity and kindness, I put her to work wrapping Mother's Day gifts for the school :) Thanks Pam!

Happy Friday!

Sorry my posts are becoming far and few between... life is busy, too busy at the moment! If I can get all the the school P&C stuff done and send out my UEMC street parade info asap then I can focus on our trip to NYC and Pittsburgh.... Anyway, I will stop my complaing, it is Friday after all! :)

This is my Sky Watch Friday image. I took this Monday evening. I was on my way home from Armidale and the whole 15min drive wished I had a camera with me.... Just as I pulled into town it dawned on me.... I went to Armidale to pick up my new D90, it was on the floor beside me!!! See, I have way to much on my mind! :) I had missed all of the open sky shots, but I did manage to take this shot in Alma Park.

Yesterday was a great school holiday day. Just what the kids (and I) needed. My distant cousin was up this way with his 2 kids. We had a great day hanging out. Met up with my friends at an indoor play centre, then McD's. Later in the afternoon the kids got back together for some PS2 and hide and seek. A very refreshing day!

Well time to start the day... Happy SWF!

My new baby...

Isn't she beautiful....

I traded in my D60 for the D90. I am so much happier... I have not had much of a chance to play, but the little things make so much of a difference. The flash for a start is more balanced and even. All 11 focus points... Bliss.

I worked yesterday afternoon and had a great time. I caught up with some customers I had not see in years, 5 years. I even saw a guy I used to work with... he had grown up, in such a good way! It was just great to get out of this house!!! These school holidays are really testing me!

Today I finished designing the Deb Ball tickets then printed and cut them out... all 200 of them. It was the perfect job for today. Yesterday at work I twisted my knee, so I needed to get it up. I am off to ice it again! Bye x

If anyone needs a spare battery for a D60 I have one goping at a good price....

It's a bit chilly!

Sunday. Well the weekend is almost over. I love weekends, but they just fly past so quickly!

Both Shawn and Liberty are unwell so they are on the couch with a DVD. Hopefully they will both fall asleep (yeah, right!) I am going to finish this post and then start on something crafty.... not sure what yet, but I will come up with something! It has been awhile since I have sat at my craft table. Hope you are all enjoying your weekend! :)

I took this pic of a busy bee last week on a trip to the park. We had an Easter egg hunt with some friends. We enjoyed the sun while it was out, it has certainly left today!

Mighty Macleay

This morning I realised I didn't have a Sky Watch Friday pic, so I stepped out my front door and saw this Magpie perched up on the electricity pole. Not a cloud in the sky! I really must get out and take some Autumn shots before it is to late.

This landscape is of the mighty Macleay River. The property is Green Oak and I took this shot last Saturday. When the river flooded a few weeks ago, 6 meters of extra water went through. In this photo it is approx half a meter above 'normal'. I can't imagine what 6 meters would be like. In the flood of 1949 water surrounded the house. That is the house in the top right.

If you click on the photo it should come up larger for a closer look :)

Easter Long Weekend 2009

Well we had a great Easter break!

Friday we went down to Green Oak on the Macleay river. The flood certainly made it's mark! We got some good quality fishing in and between the 9 of us who were down there got over 20 keepers. Shawn does love his crumbed fish. Nothing beats catching you own and helping your pop prepare and cook it!

We were to have done some major fencing while away but the river was still to high and moving much to quickly to cross with all of the gear. Saturday morning we decided to take a road trip to Stoney Park and watch some of the Australian National Waterski Championships. Matt enjoyed watching and looking at the park set up... I enjoyed taking over 300 photos :) I have not had a chance to look through them all and have a play yet.

Sunday the Easter Bunny had visited, Shawn and Liberty were very excited! It rained on and off most of the day, but at least it wasn't cold. We went on the 4 wheeler and took the dogs for a good run. That afternoon we went fishing for hours.... It was lovely! I will post some photos of the river later on.

Now we are home and all four of us have colds and sore throats... apart from catching up on all of the washing I plan on doing very little!

Easter Time!

This is my Sky Watch Friday shot for this week. We have been spending a few afternoon's over at the basketball courts. Liberty rides her bike around and around and around... Shawn either rides his skateboard or shoots hoops with Matt. I roam about with my camera :)

This has been a very busy week. I am looking forward to going away and relaxing for 4 days. Just to get out of the rut that is my house, will be a pleasant change!

I had photoshop on at TAFE tonight. It was a pretty laid back class tonight, but I am still really enjoying it.

Well where ever you may be this Easter, enjoy! I will be back next week x

Hump Day!

Did anyone see where today went?

Actually it wasn't that bad... I just didn't get anything done at home. I had a meeting at the school all day. We did break for the school ANZAC Assembly. At 2pm when I was done in the meeting I did go and see Shawn's wonderful art work. His extension art class had a gallery day for the community... When Shawn was 'manning' the gallery he also serenaded the patrons with his guitar skills...... I always had a soft spot for the guitar player :)

Miss Liberty had Pre School today. She is really looking forward to Molly starting next term. Yesterday we went to the pub for lunch and she got to play with Molly in the kiddie area... they are very cute....

Well I have some things to do before Criminal Minds starts in half an hour.... bye...... x

* I have been busy scrapping up a storm... I just can't show you yet.... but cross fingers for me :)

A fun evening!

Tonight I got to play florist... Rach's Mum if a fantastic florist, many moons ago she did my wedding flowers. For years I have been asking Rach to take me to watch her in action... I guess she got sick of me asking! So Rach, Pam and I got to be good little helpers and wire Camellia leaves. Three hours and a red wine with blackberry ice (yummm) later I have mastered florist tape! I think i will keep my day job, but I had a great night, Thanks Rhonda :)

I did this LO a few weeks ago of my handsome man. I love this pic of him taken on Crazy Hair Day. He has the most beautiful big brown eyes...

Sky Watch Friday

We have had more wild weather in our part of the world. Where we are, we have missed the brunt of it, but have been affected with family stuck, roads closed etc.

I caught this image through the week.

Last night was TAFE night and I really enjoyed it.

Have a great weekend everyone!

To check out more images from around the world click HERE

April 123 Challenge

CRITERIA ONE Use at least 2 stamps and at least 2 different stamping techniques
CRITERIA TWO paint splattering
CRITERIA THREE Use scrap paper from your scrap stash

HERE for more info.

I missed last months so I will hopefully get a chance to tackle this one!

so cute!

Today Liberty went to Preschool, she is always so happy to see us when we pick her up. Today she made this Easter Hat and wanted to come straight home and have her photo taken.

Shawn has Guitar lessons on Wednesday today he mastered a rift from Creams, Sunshine of your love. He looks so at home holding a guitar.

Not a lot going really, busy with the some old, same old...

I am looking forward to the Easter holidays.

A day well wasted!

These people are my friends.

Today we enjoyed a perfect Autumn day down at the local park. We had a BBQ lunch and watched the beautiful day go by. I loved it. All 11 kids played perfectly, the adults even behaved as well! :) Matt hogged one of the kids RipStick and now really wants his own... kids theses days!

Once home Matt and the kids did some motor bike riding and more skateboarding while I did some scrapbooking. Then we all headed out for a walk/skate/ride. It was Liberty's first 'bike ride' out and about town, she did really well and rode the whole way.

I think we will all sleep well tonight x

Quasi

This little man came to play today. Quasi is a 2 month old Boxer who wanted to play with Combi. They had a lovely time, so lovely that Quasi fell asleep!

Liberty now wants one.... She went and got her very favourite stripey blanket and put over him while he slept, and her pillow for under his head...

So sweet.

Happy Sky Watch Friday... another week flown by.

I took this shot from my front door at 7.30am this morning. Looked like another hot, clear day. It is overcast and raining slightly, not quite 2 hours after!

Yesterday I collected my new glasses, taking a good bit of getting use to, but hopefully my work will improve (if only it was that simple!) As long as the headaches go I will be thrilled! I actually have one pupil that is oval... must google that!

Have a great day. And if you want to see more sky watch friday pics click HERE

This afternoon Matt stained the back deck and the front verandah. They so needed it, the timber was very dry. Should look wonderful if the morning. Just like new!

Finally...

This is the CD tin that I covered for Kelly and Josh's wedding DVD's. I used the green ribbon that was from the chocolate box at my table.

They should get the photo books and DVD's tomorrow... I will give them a call over the weekend and see if they like them... hope so!

I can feel a pesky cold just around the corner... yuck! I have been sucking down vitamin C's.

Hopefully I will have time to share wedding pics tomorrow. night x

Ebor Falls

This is the first scrapbooking I had done in awhile... I forgot how to scrap! I even did another LO after this one, I was on a roll! It needs a little 'something' before it is finished.

We had a big weekend... yesterday was spent helping Shawn with his school project on Parliament House. He has done a fantastic job. It should be finished tonight. He even wants to sent it to Kevin Rudd when he gets it back.... we will see... ;)

This LO is for the 8 week challenge over at Scrapbooking Top 50. It is not to late to join in and the prizes are very generous....

* So sorry about the shocking quality of the pic, It has been nothing but trouble from the get go!

Happy Sky Watch Friday.

These images are of Ebor Falls taken on our drive home from Grafton last Sunday.

This is Liberty with Lucas. It is not a good photo, but the best I could get. I have great ones of each of them, just not at the same time!

Shawn has come home from school and is so excited about the new guitar tune he learnt today. He has mastered the rift of ' Smoke on the water' and now will start on ' Sweet home Alabama'... He asked the teacher to teach him that as it is his Dads favourite song... When I started Guitar we did 'Twinkle Twinkle'!!! Kids these days! :)

The last few weeks I have been on a merit selection panel for the school to choose a new Assistant Principal. Today should be the last, ending with interviews. I have really enjoyed it, a very interesting process. I did learn a very important thing... I need new glasses, I could hardly read some things. Off to the optometrist tomorrow for me! $$$

Crazy Hair Day

Last Friday was Crazy hair day at school to raise awareness/$$ for cancer. My boy sure does have crazy hair... and that is without the blue spray! Haircuts for him and his father tomorrow!!! Liberty had to have blue hair as well and was very excited!

Friday afternoon we went up to Grafton for the weekend. We had not been up since New Years... this year is racing away very quickly. I am my worst enemy when it comes to that, I am always counting down to the next event. Easter, we go away, birthdays, scrap camp, wedding, wedding, thunderbolts festival, birthdays, wedding, Christmas etc... That is a full year, done! Lucky I have my camera to catch it as it all flys by....

Have a wonderful week x

Colour

Happy bright sky watch Friday

I took this shot last Sunday, I love it!

Tonight was TAFE night. We have 2 weeks of assessments and I finished all of my work in an hour. So I will go next week and see what I can play with and discover. I did enjoy tonight and am happy with the work I produced.

Weeeeeeeeee

Miss Liberty loves life! I like this pic, it is by no means a 'good' photo, but it shows a little of her personality :)

I finally have all of the wedding photos edited and have the photo books being printed as I type... It feels good to have them done, such a big job! I will have to share some soon.

Today Pam and I decided that sausage rolls just don't cut it for lunch any more so we are heading out to one of the local pubs tomorrow in search of something yummy... Hopefully some of the other 'girls' can join us.

Family Photo Day

This morning the 4 of us headed down to the local park, armed with tripod and camera. I had hoped to get a decent family photo of us... We got the perfect shot first click! I took another, and it was also great so I stopped. Then we went walking through the gardens to find a spot to take photos just of Shawn and Liberty. I think I have a shot I can use, but I do like this fun one. They do love each other so much!

This afternoon, I headed out to Arding to take some family photos for a lovely family. Interesting fact for the day... back in 1999, they grew the worlds largest pear... and yes, I did come home and look it up in the Guinness World Records!

Well both the laptop and my battery is getting low. Enjoy your week!

Lookout!

I went out this morning at 9.30 to get these shots. I thought it would be something a little different for me :)
The top image is the view from my front steps. If you can manage to see past all of the power lines, you may be able to see a tower on top of the mountain.
The next image is taken looking down towards my home from the tower base. The trees have really grown. I couldn't find our roof but I could see the school clearly. I will have to go up in winter and see if I can get a clear view.

Happy sky watch friday!

Meeting Lucy

Yesterday we went and met Lucy. She is just over a week old... so, so cute and such a fantastic little baby! As you can see in the photo, Liberty was quite smitten.

It was a very eventful day yesterday... a great day with rib hurting laughter. Thanks Pam. I hope you find your bus full of school boys soon :)

Last night I had TAFE, I am starting to feel that I am making progress, all of the little bits are coming together. The next two lessons are assessment tasks......



Well I will be back later on with a SWF pic...bye....

The wall that Matt built

This is our new retaining wall. Matt has done a super job with it! We have had the sleepers for months now. His brother dug the holes with his Bobcat. Matts Dad helped with the concreting yesterday and today his brother-in-law helped with the heavy stuff. I am so greatful to them for there help, it looks fantastic! As you can see we still have a good bit to do, but the main part is over and we can do a little when we get the time. Now to decide what to plant???