Cassie and Co.

Holiday fun week 1

2011-09-23T16:44:00.001+10:00

The kids have had a great time with this lovely outdoor weather. A day at the park, a day at the beach, making messes in the house, creating jelly and mousse desserts. But so glad that it is holidays. Can you believe that Pilsy let me take a photo of her like this? She is a funny munchkin. I have been crochetting madly to finish making my Parliment of Owls to upload to Jenny King's website. Almost done four, just have to make their eyes.

A new phase?

2011-09-23T12:06:00.000+10:00

Maybe it is just a fad, that is what happens to me. I get into these fads. Now don't think for a minute that I am not going to finish my studies, or my scrapping challenges, but I am really into the greatness of all the other crafts at the moment. Here is my first Owl, which is going to a very special person who needs looking over at night. Now this design is by Jenny King, who created the Give a HOOT program. She is a Queensland, so well worth a big high five. The idea is to make an owl and give it to someone you believe needs watching over at night, because Owls stay awake at night. This is going to be one of the starting projects of the Crafternoon tea group.

What the?

2011-08-22T18:40:00.000+10:00

Wow, since turing 40 I have had two years of a roller coaster.
I have certainly made a lot of changes and grown, I have seen a lot of different perspectivies about life, the role we play in life itself.
One thing that has become very clear to me, is that certainly once we become parents, our choices are govened by their immediate needs of our offspring to feel safe and loved. I know that my choices in the last two years have not been selfish, but a learning process about my role as a mother and an adult.
Children are our future and if we want them to turn out to be socially acceptable citizens, then we have to nurther the positive and happy elements in their makeup.

Missing in action

2011-04-28T22:14:00.000+10:00

Sometimes I think this little angle can't get any cuter. But now she has lost her two front teeth, I can't stop looking at her and smiling. My baby is no longer a baby. She is changing in so many ways. She is growing up and I can't stop it. She is starting to define her likes and dislikes, and I must say they are very Black and White. With this princess there is not grey. He father asked her the other day if he could borrow $10 dollars until he got to the shops, she refushed him, stating that she had to save it for her holiday, as "Thats what Mummy said". Love it. Love her. Love them all.

Where does time go?

2011-04-27T20:14:00.000+10:00

So whats being happening in the neighbourhood?

We have been very busy getting ready for a new school year.
We celebrated Australia day by putting up a flag pole and flying the flag. The kids thought this was very cool.
We celebrated a number of birthdays, including my own.
Thanks Shanny for my lovely hand made bag. I LOVE IT.
We spent some time at the shack, Thanks Boo for the poo shot. LOL
We had a few days at Lake Monduran, how cool is that place. Again blessed with the best weather.
And Easter was celebrated with Aunty Katie, Uncle Scott, and the cousins at Cania Gorge.
We made some really yummy damper on a stick, and when you add honey it is extra nice. Again blessed with some fab weather.
Then there was the concert weekends. First Keith Urban, then Justin Beiber. We really have been busy and having fun.
If life is for living, you can say we have lived lately.

Term 2 of school hopefully will allow us to concentrate on our relaxation techniques.
Just jokes, I don't know how to relax, two speeds: fast forward and stop.

Teaching happiness at UCLA

2011-01-09T09:27:00.000+10:00

Now this has to be the key to humanity's sucess. We need to teach happiness.
Maybe this needs to be the next thing I study, to add to my Masters????

RSA Animate - Changing Education Paradigms

2011-01-09T08:58:00.000+10:00

I love this guy Sir Ken Robinson, I'm not sure if it is just his accent, or if it is how funny he makes learning. Take a look if you are into learning. Giggle.

Museum day

2011-01-08T17:58:00.000+10:00

We had a great day in Brisvagus at the Museum, Pills was served up on a platter,

We all got stretched to our limits. Some can stretch further than others!!!!!

Holidays so far

2011-01-08T17:48:00.001+10:00

Well my boy just loves to experiment.
As can be seen he he has two marbles "sucked" up his nose.

Now what about his Beiber look, although he will tell you he doesn't, I keep asking him to cut his hair, but he wants it long for the holiday. Giggle, love my boy.

A Christmas present has them both engaged fully, loving this, they are being archiologists, maybe one day realised as a real job????

A sad day, but a happy moment.

2010-12-22T07:53:00.000+10:00

Today we do the earthy farewell to my Uncle Harold. Some of you might remember his wife my Aunty Joy, who would often come along to our scrapbooking events when P and I ran the club together. On Sunday just gone he passed away in his sleep, answering many prayers that he at last maybe at peace and out of pain. He was originally given only 18 months to live, and being the fighter he was, came to town to see a specialist investigating his type of cancer. This specialist tried many different new and innovative drugs and techniques and so kept him on this earth for a further 10 years. What a blessing for my Aunty to have the love of her life with her for a further 10 years.
They had been happilied married for 50 years!!!!!! Now that is a triumpant effort, that is also what I would call TRUE LOVE.
My prayers go out to her today as she farewells her true love.
Also to his children who farewell their much loved father.
In Gods hands he now resides.

Fraser Island

2010-12-08T08:39:00.000+10:00

Just came back from a sucessful Duke of E trip to Fraser. That place never stops suprising me, I love the quiet and the chaos of the animal noises, the plants, big and small,which are ever changing. I love the people I meet along the way, and the friendliness of others wearing a back pack. It truely is one of natures great gifts. I took Bailey with me this time and of course he had a ball with the kids. I think most were suprised at how switched on he is about nature and how much he truely knows about plants and animals. It was great to let him run free, so to speak, and explore, which is what the trip was all about. Athough it rained on and off during our four days, the kids were really good about it and for the most part enjoyed getting wet, as we were usually hiking and it was refreshing to feel the cool rain on our faces.
So now to Christmas, not really organised for this upcoming event, but I'm sure I can pull something together.
Love to all who read and enjoy my mutterings.

Looking back

2010-10-31T18:00:00.000+10:00

Tonight I had a quick look over the old scrap club blog site and remembered all the fun we use to have.
Now all this came about with the thought that our head of school is going to do our time table for next year.
That means that this year is drawing to a close and I have a lot of work to make sure everything is done. But to that is the upcoming Girls night in (Cancer council fundraiser) that Lorelle is organising this year. (Which I will link soon. But goodluck Lorelle with the night as I know you will do a great job.

"YOU RAISE ME UP"

2010-10-31T15:07:00.001+10:00

Shout to the Lord - Hillsong

2010-10-31T14:48:00.000+10:00

Who Am I - Casting Crowns

2010-10-31T14:30:00.000+10:00

Casting Crowns-"Praise You In This Storm" (live)

2010-10-31T14:26:00.000+10:00

Music Friday

2010-10-02T16:32:00.000+10:00

The kids decided that they wanted to be Rock Stars, so they got all of their equipment out and put on the iPod and started blasting the lounge room. This of course turned into a video session, where DD1 learns that she actually sounds quite BAD. But still a fun morning.

I have had a full break with the kids and I am sure we are all glad we are going into the last term of school for the year. We are all looking forward to the end of year concert that both girls are in this year and also the many awards ceremonies I will have to attend this term. They should call this term offically: Term Busy, not Term 4.

I start next week with a prac teacher for two weeks, he is a very funny and tallented person and I am sure when he finishes his degree the school who gets him will be blessed.
I must say since returning to blogging I feel a lot better about many parts of myself, so thank you for the opportunity to vent.

Back on the horse.

2010-09-28T07:41:00.003+10:00

The scrapbooking horse, so to speak.

I have neglected my scrapbooking for almost a year now, only doing a bit here and there.

So recently while I was on Sick Leave (had a hysterectomy), I managed to get myself organised and do some pages. So here is a summary of a few pages.

I had forgotten how much I enjoy the solice of scrapping. I actually moved some of my stuff out into the lounge room, as Mum and Dad were here for the first week I was out of hospital to look after me, so I wanted to be close to them.

Although I haven't really purchased anything new for quite some time, I couldn't believe how much stuff I had in my "stash". Made me feel quite naughty actually, having all of that product and not doing anything with it.

Blog Surfing

2010-09-28T07:38:00.002+10:00

But I should be doing my assignment, I have started my Masters this year, just another distraction from the real problems in my life (LOL)
I was checking out Emily Falconbridges blog,which I love, and came across this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AWRHBHDVlQ&feature=player_embedded
It is a really cool video clip and the song is so sweet.
Enjoy

GrowDeep: Headed towards the Farm...

2010-09-27T08:30:00.001+10:00

I came across this fab website while surfing the blog net today, sometimes I know that God is working with me, and today is one of those days, this guy is inspirational.

GrowDeep: Headed towards the Farm...: "'An African Christian described it to me this way: “You Americans think of Christianity as a farm with a fence. Your question is, ‘Are you inside or outside the fence, where as the African's believe the church has no fence, they are ask the question are you heading toward the farm or away from the farm.."

Don't Feed the Birds

2010-09-27T08:06:00.002+10:00

That's what they said, but it is a little hard when they decide to help themselves to your lunch preparation table. This little cutie thought that he might like one of our cherrie tomatoes, so he swooped down and grabbed one, then sat on top of our annex to show us how clever he was and how much he enjoyed it. And in true "theif" style left a mess on top of the annex with his left overs, which distressed Dad to no end. Lucky it was raining so it was the stain out pretty quickly. Cania Gorge, I love it.

Back at It

2010-09-26T08:33:00.003+10:00

Well a lot has happened since I last posted, but it is all for a good reason I guess.

I spent last this last week at Cania Gorge, which I love to visit, and so do the kids.
During one of my walks, the big 22 km to the top lookout I had time to do my thinking, which is why I enjoy hiking so much.
During this time it dawned on me that we as women have emancipated ourselves so much that the circle of evolution has us in a state of transition. As humans women and men no longer have defined roles as they did one hundred years ago. This leads to confusion and disappointment when one doesn't obtain a state of happiness in one's life. We as women believe it is our right to have a career also, but are born to give birth to the next generation. Once we give birth we are in such a state of confusion, as nature says you are to nurture this infant until it obtains independence. Your own independence tells you it is time to carry on with your career or you will fall behind in the job race. (against the men in your sector)
So ladies, here we are in a self created evolution that will ultimately benefit our own daughters and granddaughters. We want to know that when they become young ladies that they are informed about their rights as human beings. (not to mention the right to breast feed or bottle feed, what is this rubbish that they are trying to put formula onto prescription only use?) Surely the right to choose includes all elements of our life.
I am currently reading Neale Donald Walsh's latest book "Happier than God", and for those who know me they would know that I am a big fan of his writings.
The previous book I read of his, before embarking on my Kokoda trip, which by the way, I didn't get to go on, (a later topic in the Cassie Saga) LOL, was entitled "When everything changes, change everything."
Neile talks about the fact that in our life we all have the ability to accept what is going on, as God in the beginning gave us "Free Will" to make these choices. Free will does not mean you are not without repercussions for your actions, it simple means we all have to ability to accept the things we can not change and change the things we can. MMM sounds like a prayer I have recently read.
Well I am glad to again be here writing, and for those reading, God Bless.

My new theme song

2010-06-15T21:40:00.002+10:00

Just a one liner that was in our school news letter this week.

“Nothing ahead of you is bigger or stronger than the power of God behind you”.

I will be chanting this while taking on the Kokoda track in the next few weeks.

God bless.

Introducing Fifi

2010-06-15T21:29:00.005+10:00

We were very sad the day that Milley did not return from the shack trip.

It has taken my 3 months of trying to convince myself and the kids that she would return.

But unfortunately it did not happen. So I am always worried about my boy dog fretting being by himself, now that he is getting on in age, so I searched the net for weeks until I fell in love with this little beauty.

We travelled one Saturday morning to the Sunshine coast to collect her. And I must say she was so worth it. She spent the next week with me at school until the easter holidays came about and we could spend more time with her at home. She is alot bigger now, and I feel I have time to blog again.

So I will update here size soon and for the one person I bet with that she would still be sleeping with me by Christmas, you have lost already, she is sleeping happily with her boy dog outside each night, but still comes running in each morning to kiss "The Mamma"

God bless to all.

Half way mark in the year

2010-06-11T22:27:00.002+10:00

And what have you done?
This is a question I constantly ask myself, a great reflection and recognition of ones own efforts really.
What have I been doing for 6 months, since my last post.
Well on Wednesday night (not everyone though) I have been doing Zumba. Now how much fun is that? If you haven't had a go, then you don't know how much fun you are missing out on.
I have been hard at work training my brain and my body for Kokoda.
So watch this space after July for an update and a photo explosion. I am so excited, I will be off in just over a week now, I am kitted out, I am pumped and I am going with such a diverse group, I think that it will be the time of my life.
Lastly I have been studing, I have been hard at work, on my first subject for my Masters.
And I must say, it is hard. But no one gets into heaven with out some sort of payment along the way.
To all my friends out there who have been supportive of me and my position over the past 9 month, thank you so much and I love you all.
I have always followed a path I truely believed my God had planned for me and I will always continue to follow that path.
OOOOO almost forgot, I will have to upload a picture of our newest family member: Fifi.
That will be in the next post.
Cass

The start to a new year

2010-02-16T11:31:00.002+10:00

2010 has already brought so many changes to my life, but all of which I believe God intended.
My path of discovery and learning has certainly allowed be to encounter many place, meet many faces and live an exciting life. I know that my ultimate goal is to be one again with my God and at the moment finding the inner strength to realise my full happiness is something of a struggle.
I have endured many mountains in my life's climb, but the hill I am travelling up at the moment is not one that I can say anyone else can prepare me for. My days are spent working, but praying that those around me are affected in the most positive way by the changes happening in our lives. How is it that when you think you have life all worked out that you realise that your body is telling you there is a lot more wrong than you could have ever imagined. I have just finished another of Neil Donald Walsh's books, of whom I love to read, this one was entitled, "When everything changes, change everything." You know to look for the positive in any negative is the greatest of life's challenges. Not childbirth, not marriage, not death or work, but maintaining a positive disposition when all else appears to be bad!!! This is the greatest challenge I face.

A whole month Gone...

2009-10-30T12:44:00.003+10:00

I cant believe it, a whole month could go buy and I haven't even been bothered putting something up here. Well we have been up to a few things, but I find that these days I like to do a bit of "instant" messaging. But I understand that I still need to keep a record and that is what this is for me and my kids.

So I have been hiking to Kondalilla falls, how beautiful is that place. So georgous, can't wait to go there again, will do it again with Duke of Edinburgh kids next year because it is so lovely.

I have also had a wonderful weekend away with my Mum and Dad, in Brisvagus. I did it without the kids and had some real quality time with my family and close friend. Sometimes just laughing can be the best medicine, especially when all seems lost.

I haven't had much time to scrap lately, and also found out that I didn't get anything from my masters entry, but all's good with that, because I loved doing it. I also really loved my submission. So that will be my next job, to put up my pictures here for you to see my entry.

Week in Brisvagus

2009-09-27T12:19:00.008+10:00

Always a treat. And it started with my feet. Painted my nails, got the glittery nail polish and made sure that from the bottom up I felt good.

We went to the movies to see Up. The kids loved it, not to mention the fact that I thought it was a wonderful idea to think that you could live your life with one person, be so comfortable and happy in each other's company.We had play days in the park at Caboolture and the kids fed the duck, lil and bailey feel in at one stage, which was very funny, but stinky. But all in all, great fun.And fishing at Bribie. We spent a few days on the beach, one day I couldn't even get the kids in for morning tea, then lunch was a quick stop for some chips then they were back to it. Crazy.

10 Years of Marriage

2009-09-11T09:33:00.003+10:00

Who would have thought? That we would make it. Well I certainly hoped it would be forever and getting to 10 years certainly is a lifetime in some kingdoms. We have at least beaten the statistics which see many marriages break down before this time frame. So here's to my hard working husband, our support network of family and friends, our faith system and our children, who all make it possible to see the purpose of Marriage.

September's Classes

2009-09-01T16:13:00.003+10:00

Well the enthusiasm has been waining for some time now, so if you want to come and rejoin with your scrapping Mojo, then come on Wednesday nights to the cottage. Join me for some fun, usually laughs of some sort and some scrapping. Even if you don't want to make what we are making, come and join in around the table and do some scrapping for a couple of hours. Anyway you might find that doing a Wednesday night really breaks up your week, I know it does for me.
Check out the time table below for what we are doing and I'll see you there.

Oops

2009-08-26T17:36:00.004+10:00

This is what happens when Daddy tells you plenty of times to shift your bike out of the drive, because Mummy is going to pick Ab up soon.!!!!!

Laugh

2009-08-15T14:29:00.005+10:00

I know that I need to laugh at my life more. I have it pretty good and sometimes I get myself in such a pickle that I don't think I will get out of it. But you know that's not the way at the end of the day and things are quiet and you can sleep. This week I ran the school worship service with my (now not mine) Pastoral Care class. It was wonderful, the students stood so proud and one boy who struggles talking in front of his class mates with out stuttering, managed to get up in front of the whole assembly, take his time and say a prayer. Now that is the power of the holy spirit. Of course this also made me cry. The power of love never ceases to amaze me. In other news I am getting a prac teacher this coming week, so that will be exciting. I always like to see how I am performing as a professional when I get a prac teacher. You get a bit of a glimps of what they are teaching at the universities now and also what younger teacher expect to be doing( as a teacher). You know the old 9 -3 Theory always makes me laugh. For those of us who have been in the game for a few years know that your first few years, your week nights are filled with preparation and practicing of lessons.
Now I don't usually put in some of my kids work, but here are some pieces of jewellery that we made using enamel powders.

Well thats all, have a good weekend people.

Quiet

2009-08-03T20:44:00.005+10:00

You always know something is up when they are all quiet, but I would have never thought that they were doing this!!!!

My kids the genius's. Well they all got really good report cards. Bailey is doing so well with his spelling that the teacher gives him words from other year levels, the other day he had Australia to spell as his extra word for the week. Who remembers doing Australia as a spelling word in year 1. You know that Lilly is learning to read at the moment. They are doing the sight words that Abbey learnt in Year 1 elsewhere. Lil is loving it. She even makes up books with words in it to read to her cuddly friends.
Well enough about my cute and smart kids, because they are mine and I am bias.

On to other news, my other best friend Nicole completed her 1/2 marithon on the weekend at the sunny coast. Gaining PB time she is just amazing to me at the moment. Lucky I don't like girls because I think I might be in love with her at the moment, she looks so good. Inspiration for me to get back in shape. And for those who don't know a 1/2 marithon is 21 km. RUNNING!!! In one go, not stopping!!!. Go girlfriend.

Sneak Peak

2009-08-03T20:27:00.001+10:00

So for those of you who wanted a look at my Masters submission

Well

Here

it

is......

It's gone

2009-07-30T18:54:00.002+10:00

The pack with my masters entry in it.
I have been so happy to take part in this comp, and given that there will be hundreds of people entereing, I have faith that mine has at least made it too their office.
Now I can focus on my Department Budget and building extensions and Tax return paper work.
Oh I have been putting it all off, but now I don't have an excuse.

Latest Expedition

2009-07-25T21:02:00.007+10:00

Cania Gorge as a family and as a school trip.
Mark and the kids camped separately to the school group, but at least they were able to come on most of the walks with us.

Bailey loved all the caves and the opportunity to look in the cracks and creavises for insects and and any other suprises.
Abbey and Lilly actually enjoyed the company of Mark and the older kids, they walked so well, given the climbs and the loose ground on some parts of the walks. They all had to have walking "poles" just like Mummy's.
This is Mark with his beloved Dragon as the Dragon cave. If you look hard enough you can see a picture of a flying dragon in the dark section of the sandstone wall of the cave.
Lilly didn't want to leave the "holiday". She wanted it to go on forever I think because they got to sit by the camp fire at night, roast their mashmellows and drink their hot milo before drifting off to sleep in either mum or dads lap. What a life.
At least this was a good start to our "camping" family holidays. I'm sure there will be plenty more now that Mark has it all figured out, even the solar panel to recharge the battery. You would be so proud Dad.

What has been happening?

2009-07-25T20:41:00.019+10:00

We had sports day, Bailey got fourth place in his 80m sprint.
Abbey doing long jump. She is so small and yet she was able to jump a distance .
Lilly being cheeky as usual, she caught me taking her photo, which of course she doesn't like.
We had Bailey's birthday, hard to believe my little boy is 7, before I know it he will be 17!!! I wish that away.
We had our first baby's 9th birthday, of course Poppy is the only one who ever has a light. He always says that is the only reason we invite him.

Here is Aussie our new Budgie, acutally Bailey's budgie. Poor Bella is looking for a scratch but she is not getting one from this bird. Bailey got him from the Show with his money from Grandma Thorne.
The girls got some more Beanie kids. How we love those BK, at least they don't rot their teeth.

Our baby Quails are getting bigger. Below is a picture of them a few days after they hatched. A few couldn't be raise at first by the mum, so we took them inside and kept them warm until they could feed themselves.
Could they be any cuter, who would abandon these little fellows.
Mothers day came and went, and Ab made me these precious little flowers, when she presented them to me, they looked like scrunched up bits of paper, not that I don't like scruncted up bits of paper! But you put them in water and they open up like water lilly's. They are truely beautiful.
And of course it wouldn't be Mother's day with out the drinks, family and photo's. Her are the in laws and outlaws, and I love them all.
I just thought I would throw in a few layouts I've done also. Not that any of these are my "master" pieces. (hee hee) that actually sounds funny.
Lastly for those who remember me talking about my long time friend Peta, she is doing extremely well after her stroke last year and is now concentrating on her ability to write again and get around independently. God bless her determination. I can certainly learn a lot from you my lovely. Determination can really make a difference to life.

Masters is almost finished

2009-07-25T18:03:00.002+10:00

I really enjoyed doing this masters challenge for the opportunity to push myself beyond anything that I have done before.
If anything comes of it well and good, but just to say I had a go is what I will remember.
I always think, imagine if everyone thought, only the professionals get through, then no one would ever want to have a go.
I have enjoyed finding out how I can push the limits, find new ways to the same old thing, and use the same old products differently.
So lets hope others have had a go also.
Good luck to all that entered.

10 Years ago

2009-06-04T09:47:00.002+10:00

Today I send prayers and wishes to P and all mothers of lost souls. Mothers are the ONE greatest creation of our God. He made everything else first, creating and altering, adjusting and perfecting, until of course he created the greatest of all. Females. Now I am not just being femennist, but realistic. If the Creator was a true designer, then as he created he perfected!!!
So it is not mother's day once a year, it is mother's day every day, every moment we exist.
Mother's are the only creature to carry another life, give birth to it, to cry, to laugh and to love!!! Unconditionally love!!

Classes

2009-05-19T19:03:00.002+10:00

Wow, I truely hope I can keep this up, but I have been really getting through some pages lately. Teaching a class at Donna's shop is really making me get those pages done. I try to get a few different page layouts as examples done each week to accomodate all the different ladies I have attend.
Last week I made it to 6 ladies. I keep getting new ones each week, and of course the old ones coming back.
So I guess for Donna it was a good move to go over the bridge.

If you are interested, tomorrow night, 6.30, Gavin Street. Check out my class update. Should have that done by the end of the night also.
Have a good one.

To get us started

2009-05-02T17:46:00.002+10:00

Now to get started I have just read a May 1st entry at Up 2 Scrap, a NZ mag, and it has a sketch challenge all about page shapes. (not the traditional square 12 x 12 page). Hmm heard that anywhere lately??
Yes that's right, it's one of the "Masters" challenges.
So check it out, give it a go and use it as a practice run.
I'm going to.
Have a good weekend.

My Challenge this Year is

2009-05-01T20:21:00.002+10:00

The lastest Mag has the requirements for this years Masters.
Seems like this is my challenge this year.
Check out the latest Scrapbooking Memories Mag for more details, but this is the basics.

One page, unusual shape, can't be a 12 x 12, about anything.
A single page dedicated to your greatest achiement.
A double page using more than five photos.
Mystery project, show us what you are made of. Just make sure it showcases your tallents.
Tell us 250 words about yourself.
Overall size of all bits together must fit into postage box 430 x 305 x 140.

So who else is up to the challenge?
Come one I recon we are all capable of doing these challenges.

Now looking at last years entries and what is required from last year, I recon the first one is about all those unusual page shapes that are coming out at the moment, unknow the robot stuff and babuska dolls.

The greatest achievement page could be hard, how do you select just one, I have so many!!! My kids, my marriage, my degrees, my home, my work achievements, my hiking achievements, the list goes on and I can't think of just one.

The mystery project, I recon is one of the OTP things around at the moment, a board book or a clear album ect.

And the double page with more than 5 photos, now we can all do that using the Picasa 3 program, it will automatically give you a collage photo, make it a 8 x 10 canvas and print two of those, tooooo easy to get more that 5 photos.

Ok off to start it now, I'll keep you posted, not with pics though, I think everything has to be unpublished. (until they reject you)
Thanks to all those well wishes, my face is returning to normal, I am starting to eat solids (soft stuff though) and have survived today without needing to come home and take a pain killer and lie down. Well I'm still awake at the moment. Good sign things are getting better.

Have a good weekend.

How cool is Gimp

2009-04-28T21:59:00.002+10:00

Now if you don't know Gimp is a free program on the net that is a bit of a simple (small) version of photo shop. Good for kids and newbies to play with. Anyway thought I would have a go at putting togther a layout template for my Wednesday night classes. Too easy. So this is my template for tomorrow night.

Just for P

2009-04-27T16:37:00.003+10:00

and of course anyone else who wants to see me looking less than my usual perfect self.
I had my wisdom teeth taken out on Thursday, thankfully at the hospital, so they didn't have to put any feet on my chest or use plungers to pull them out. The stitches inside my mouth(which I would never expose to anyone else) are very neat. Thanks to Dr Van der Walt. I have had four good days of recovery, mainly sleeping and I headed off to work this morning. Came home at lunch when the morning painkiller worn off. So far things are going Ok, however, still not sure why the front of my mouth is still numb?? Doesn't stop me from talking however, just makes things a little difficult when eating. (others have to tell you when you have spilt soup down your face!!!)
So as you can see, really only swelling on one side of my face and this is the side where I have still lost feeling.
I will be doing my class on Wednesday night at the CAC if any one wants to come along. We are looking at texture paste and starting an off the page object, just in time for mothers day. Should be able to whip up some cards as well.
Have a good week.
Cassie

Stage two of holidays

2009-04-25T15:59:00.012+10:00

Last weekend was the Catholic School races and we have attended now for the past 4 years. It is always an exciting day, a chance for me to catch up with people I once worked with and to meet the new staff. I was lucky enough to meet the new Principal who seems like a friendly chap. Someone else that I did see on the day was Jo McCauley. Now this man was an inspiration of mine when I first started teaching at Shalom and I credit my interest in teaching religion to him. He has so much passion and enthusiams even back then when he was, I'm sure in his late 50's. Still looks the same age today. So I just had to thank him and remind him was an inspiration he was to myself and other beginning teachers.
Saturday was also Bailey's first Rugy League footy game. So far he is loving it. But the game was at 10 am and very hot.Sunday Abbey had her dance estedfodd, where her group got a highly commended for their performance. They are so little in comparison to some of the Sunshine coast groups to they did extremely well to get that type of placing.
Sunday night we packed for Cania Gorge.And what fun we had.We stopped at Boolbunda tunnel on the way, Bailey got bat poo on him and we couldn't stop laughing about it.
We fed the birds. As crazy as they were, they would climb all over one another just to get some seed.
We climbed mountains to look at the abandoned Gold mines.
We watched an extremely large but beautiful snake cross the road.The kids had a crazy time on the jumping bladder. Truth be told, even I had a go, extreme fun.But most of all everyone enjoyed the Bettongs, around the camp fire with our marshmellow milo's.
So we will be heading back next holidays, although I'm sure it will be much colder, the kids will enjoy the other hikes we didn't do and also the explore the other camp site.

A holiday???

2009-04-19T10:11:00.009+10:00

It started with a whistle: the first Clarenet recital by Ab at school and .........

It started with a bang.

Couldn't believe that here is me trying my hardest to get everything done Thursday night, so I didn't have to do anything on the long weekend.
Note to self, sometimes it better to just leave the jobs until you are rested.

So now I have to go with out the car for a week, which I'm sure is going to be a challenge.
I do know that there is a "banger" car rental place in town, so I might be able to get a banger for the week. I could pretend I'm a back packer for the week.

The quails gave the kids a real easter message on Good Friday, EGGS. So at least we could talk about New life and the real meaning of easter and the egg message.
It seems that they lay a new egg each couple of days, and thank Karen for the Quail egg recipe, but I think I may have a big fight on my hands if I try to take any of the eggs from the cage and boil them up. I mean, the kids believe that they may hatch and then we will have all of these mini quails running around the place.

Easter Sunday, after church we headed off to Hervey Bay, for Mark to take a look for his birthday present, which I might add turned into being his Father's day and his Christmas present, some new golf clubs.
While he was practicing swinging the kids and I headed off to the big M for some lunch and face painting.
How good is the dragon on Boo??? Yeah a bit hard to see we were about to go swimming.
And this beautiful butterfly on Lil?
Ab is alway a bit scared to go first so she just did the safe hand thing. You know when you are not too sure how good the end product will look. But this lady was out of this world.On Tuesday we did heaps of jobs around town and home, so on Wednesday we made sure we had a park day. I thought it might also be a good opportunity to get a good photo of the kids to put in a frame for Mum and Dad. But there is someone who is always not so co operative.

Busy Days coming to an end

2009-04-02T19:55:00.005+10:00

Just a bit from the busy life of the Thorneberries.
We had Peacock's wedding on the weekend. AKA Ben.It was lovely and totally different to anything that I have been to before.
I enjoyed the standing around, the freedom to move from place to place, dance when you wanted, drink what you wanted and pick from food presented to you. Arrrr.
But then back to reality on Monday, Boo was presented with a "star worker" award. They get them when they get 10 class awards. He was presented it on assembly and was so excited to tell us about it on Tuesday morning when he was packing his bag for school the next day.The last photo is of me and Markie, something we don't often get. A GOOD PHOTO, although still not happy with this one, but it is better than nothing.

Sewing....

2009-03-22T22:14:00.003+10:00

I know it is something that I usually do on my scrap pages, but I'm not doing any scrapbooking tonight. Instead, this weekend I have spent sewing up skirts for the school musical. We are doing Man of Steel. The musical about Super man and clark kent. I know they are the same person. Anyway at the end of last year I put my hand up and said that I would be willing to help out. But as usual always get myself in way toooo deep. So instead of sewing 20 skirts I was able to farm out 14 of them and I only have to make 6 now with two other special mums doing the rest. Just a very plain skirt, so easy enough. The musical is on in two weeks, the weekend of the retreat is opening night.!!! I have organised for someone else to do the Sunday afternoon show and I will do the Sunday night show. How exciting that the retreat is only two weeks away.

But on the note of two weeks away, my beginners class only has two more weeks. We are doing a sketch challenge this week. So the trainee's are to use their new found knowledge to complete the challenge, then next week we will have our graduation night. So the more the merrier for the next two weeks. So don't be shy, it would be nice for you to come along and have a go at the sketch challenge. You know I might be able to whip up a prize if I have more than four at the class.
Now in saying that I think that our graduation my even be at the new store!!! We will have this week I think at the old store, but next week....... The grand opening of the new shop .

The retreat....... If you want to be organised and get as many papes done as possible, then you really need to start now. Go out and get all of your photo's printed, then start matching existing paper and card stock with them. That way you can then go and get a top up of supplies before you go. That leaves the big pink bus and Kerrie's supplies for the "bits" you just need to finish off a page perfectly.

Funny...... Sometimes I think that my life is funny. P and I have been friends now for a bit longer than we have both been married, so our relationship has whethered a lot. We know that we can go with out talking for a while and still manage to know what the other needs when we see each other again. For the past two weeks I have been excited, maybe a bit too much at times and then quite down.... I was putting it down to the fact that I have turned 40??? But then P rang and popped over this afternoon and I realised I hadn't had my girl fix for some time. I didn't get to spend any where near enough time with Fiona or Nicole at my birthday part, P and karen couldn't make it, so I really didn't get enough of a fix. So even for the brief time that I saw P today, it was enough to boost me up so that going out for dinner tonight with the family was not a chore, but a delight. Thanks P. Hope it is my turn for coffee this week??? And then maybe it will be also be my Friday night with Karen. Who needs men when you have great girlfriends?
I recently had the joy of catching up with a dear old friend Brother Vince. He is such a sweetie, he asked me how I was and if I was happy as he believed that his God and definately the God of all wanted us all to be happy. That if a relationship was not making us happy then at some point we must find a way to be happy. Now I'm sure the Budda said something similar as did Jesus, when he said of all the commandments that greatest is "love". So in order to be happy one must love. I leave that one with you. Have a good week.

Ok

2009-03-19T14:54:00.002+10:00

Now I will try this again,

just posted most of this onto the Retreat blog for some reason.

More Birthdays....

2009-03-13T21:53:00.002+10:00

Petrina has just alerted me to the fact that I share my birthday with a very important friend, Rachel. Happy birthday sweetie and thankyou for the e-card. No wonder you remembered my birthday. And really it wasn't a black friday for either of us I'm sure. If you go outside you can see the star I just sent you. Just look up and slightly to the left. It is the really shiny one. Lil often asks which star she is and I always tell her she is one of the three stars that form the handle of the "pot" shape in the sky. She loves it.
So stars in the sky means sunshiny days ahead.
Woohoo.

Hip hip horray

2009-03-13T20:27:00.004+10:00

Yep it's my birthday.
Today I turned 40.
So I guess that means my life begins.
A big thank you to all those people who emailed, rang or sent beautiful flowers. (In particular these from P and the second lot from Grandma H.)
I have had a wonder day and I am sure that tomorrow will be even better, with my family and friends celebrating both my birthday and Marks. He has a few more days of being 39, so he is extremely happy to tell people that he is NOT YET 40. I mean it is a milestone, and really what we have done in our short life time together is truely amazing and beautiful. I am thankful for every experience I have had and am happy to shout to the world that I am 40. Now ask me next year if I am any older I'm sure I will still be 40 for many years to come....

My week

2009-03-08T15:45:00.005+10:00

Well it was a good one.
I had a very exciting week with the year 10 student.
We climbed the smaller mountain beside Coongarra Rock. It was way to hot to be venturing up the cliff face of Coongarra like we did last year.
I enjoyed the walks, they were no where near as difficult as last year, but given the heat, it was just as well.
The water hole was actually enjoyable. Given that I had to swim across it twice. We saw this beautiful goanna on the Thursday, he was just happy to wander around us as we sat having lunch.
I can tell you that I got to know the kids a lot better, I laughed so much my ribs hurt and I turely believe the bush heals your brain cells. I have come back with a renewed energy. But then I do most times I go away on a hike.
At this stage my next one will be at Easter with a group of D of E students doing their Gold award.

Have a good week.

Here's hoping

2009-03-08T15:43:00.004+10:00

we are still all around on Tuesday, for our Scrap class at the Creative Arts Cottage.

Just a reminder that it starts at 6.30pm, we are looking at "distressing".

Hope to see some new faces this week, and maybe some old ones.

Here

2009-03-08T15:43:00.001+10:00

Tuesday night classes

2009-03-01T15:20:00.001+10:00

Just a reminded to all those lovely ladies who come along to the beginners course on Tuesday nights. This coming Tuesday night I will be away on camp so we are skipping this week and resuming our course next week. So ladies I will see you all on the 10th March. Wow so close to my BDay.

Q Q Q Quail

2009-03-01T09:28:00.004+10:00

The things I do to help my children with their spelling.
Just joking, we have finally finished the outdoor aveiry. Here's hoping it is a "George" proof as possible. If not, then we will try no more.

I bought three quails for the kids yesterday and put Bella our yellow bird out in the cage also yesterday. The kids loved the little birds and have already set up nests and water and food containers in millions of different combinations. Just to get the right set up for them.
Bella has only today come out of her big cage, I think she is still trying to get use to the whole outdoors thing.

A Week

2009-02-28T22:49:00.003+10:00

Yep they are going fast.
The more I try to get organised the more I seem to have to do.
This week on Thursday I went to Rainbow beach with the Surfing kids for the Wide Bay titles.
It was a wonderful day, not too rushed but certainly busy enough for the day to go too fast. Of course I was with an ex Art teacher, so just like me she likes taking photo's. So by no means did I realise that I had such a big gut.

I certainly look like I'm relaxed.

At least she didn't put the earlier one in of me drinking a coffee and stuffing my face with a muffin. mmmm very nice.

The kids are going great guns at school and tonight Lil asked to do her homework with me in the office, while I was doing some work myself. Ohh does that mean she likes school. I know she loves being with her teacher, which is great. They have their swimming carnival on my birthday, how cute is that going to be. Mum and Dad might even be up for it, if I am quick enough to ask them to come up for. Which reminds me only two weeks until the lines start showing on my face, my butt starts to sag down behind my knees and my boobs will need to be tucked into my pants. Hee Hee just joking. Turing 40 is nowdays the new 30's. So who remembers what I was like on my 30th. Tash would. I guess so would Mum and Dad. It wasn't that bad but it was fun.
I'm off this week to the bush again. This time on year 10 Camp. I'm out for the whole week. Now that's going to be a test. But rumour has it that our new Head of School wants to take a group to Kakoda. So I will have to be fit for that. This will be a good chance to show him what I am made of.
More work to do. Have a good week.
OMG, forgot the biggest news of all. I have had the same NZ mag that Karen will be published in ask for one of my pages too. It will be in their May issue if I can get it in the post this week.

Tuesday night classes

2009-02-16T18:00:00.002+10:00

Don't forget that I will be at The Creative Artz Cottage tomorrow night.
I'm doing Brads buttons and bling. I have changed the schedule slightly as we really covered Hues last week as well as the colour wheel.
I can't put up a sneek peek, because I don't want to reveal anything except our theme: Brads, buttons and bling.
But I'm sure you can guess what we are going to be doing.
So the class starts at 6.30pm and we go for two hours. If you are keen drop me an email or phone The Creative Artz Cottage direct.

The Party

2009-02-08T17:54:00.008+10:00

According to Lilly, it was the best party ever.
It was loud, full on, packed with people, games, lollies and cake.

We got up early on Saturday morning, went to the shops to get a cake, came back with cake mixture, whipped up these little beauties and the kids did the decorating.

They were a sucess.

Now last week we had been into L'Mores for a Beanie Kid and Lil had asked for this particual one, of course it was not in the rewards budget, the little ones were. After a great fight we left with the smaller one. But for her birthday from one of her girlfriends she recieved the exact one. Now this is the favourite toy, sorry Ted but you are Out for the time being and this cute mermaid is IN.

Something new over on Karen's blog is the link to this new challenge blog she has set up.

Good on you mate. So here is my entry. Whipped it up this morning waiting for DH to get home from the shack.

I know, like I need more

2009-02-06T12:54:00.002+10:00

But I do.
I need more Larissa Bright Cosmetics.
It seems the only way I can get it NOW is to become consultant.
So I am.
If you know of it, then I can order it for you,
if you are interested in seeing a catalogue, I can show you one, but otherwise, it really is just for me. (I know I really have to learn to share better)
This lady is amazing, she has started this business AFTER having her children, at the point when we all realize that most of those luxury things we have been getting for ourselves are now just a bit out of our reach. $$ wise that is.
She knows about time limits, but the importants of looking your best.
She knows what it is like to be a full time mum, and employee.
Check it out or ask me if you are interested in more.
Have a good weekend
Cass

What a great start

2009-02-04T20:41:00.003+10:00

It was a little group but a great time.
I must say that my first teaching lesson was great.
Thanks to Andrea and Rachel and a real scrap newbie, Denise.
Hope to see you all next week for a colour wheel feature.

The Creative Arts Cottage Teacher

2009-02-02T19:39:00.002+10:00

Yep that is correct.
I have signed up to teach a beginners scrapbookers course.

I'm sure it wont really be that much of a beginners course if I only have friends doing it.

But that means I will have to upskill to an intermediate scrapbookers course.

So if would like to come along, learn something from the "limited time" scrapbook newbie,
then the day is

When: Tuesday Nights

Time: 6.30pm to 8.30pm

At: The Creative Arts Cottage
Takalvan street.

Cost: $10.00 for class, materials extra

Book at The Creative Arts Cottage

I will post an outline of the course here on my blog side bar.

So even if you want to know a little thing and not do the whole course.

Hope to see some friendly faces tomorrow night.
If not see you next week.
Cassie

The end of the week

2009-02-02T18:08:00.003+10:00

couldn't come fast enough.

Day 2 of school saw Boy wonder trip over at lunch time, fly through the air and make a crash landing with his head into the end of the seats in the playground.

So I got the call from the primary office, could you come over, there has been a bit of an accident, and a little bit of blood.

So I casually walked across expecting a bump and a crying boy, instead I was confronted with a gaping split in the very front of his head, just above his hair line.

Oops looks like it needs stitches, so off to Dr B we went.

3 stitches later, a little less hair for the boy and a great story, as you can imagine.

So here is the photo, the only one I could get.

Well it appear as if I DONT have photos of the "before",
as it looks like my camera is also having it's own problems.

I had taken quite a few photos of Lilly blowing out her candles on Tuesday night, all gone. Oh well.

Off to do school work.

Still have to update with weekend stuff later.

The day started well

2009-01-27T20:51:00.004+10:00

We were ready with plenty of time to do the first day photos.

But could we get one good photo????

At least they all had a good day.

I thought that Lilly was going to loose it at lunch time when she saw me in the playgound, but after also seeing her big brother and big sister, she was OK to go back to her class group.

Now onto day 2. I'm sure this will be my last post until the weekend now. Have a great week.

2009 here we come

2009-01-26T15:27:00.008+10:00

Tomorrow for all of us is the beginning of the new school year.
One in Year 4, one in Year 1 and my baby in Prep.

I was recently asked what I had been doing all holidays, my reply was...
Playing and having fun with my children.
These holidays I have made sure that my time has been spent well.
I have only really scrapped on two occassions, but I have managed to achieve alot.
I feel as if I have really had a holiday.
I have however been spending my spare time at the moment getting ready to teach.
It never seems to amaze me that people with out children are the ones complaining about
having no time. I value all the time I get and use it wisely. Not everything gets done NOW,
but everything gets done.

Mum and Dad have been up for Lilly's Birthday and they got her a bike. It only took one afternoon, with my joggers on, running up and down the street, for her to get the idea of
balance and steering. By the time we had to pick DH up from the club, she was having no problems turning around and coming back to us. We are still working on the stopping and starting, but she may have to wait until she is physically taller.

I have also been working on a few things I started last year for my class room and have now finished a few of them. They are part of the design process we use in Technology studies.

Also posting a picture of my study make over. Thanks to Petrina for her old/new corner desk. It fits perfectly into my room. As if it knew that one day it would be in the perfect home corner.

Thanks

2009-01-19T21:05:00.002+10:00

to all those people wishing me congratulations.

Yes Lellie you are right, paitence is the key.
I guess as the lady at the magazine said, you have to be in it to win it.
I really feel like I have won the lotto. I guess this is the scrappers lotto.
LOL.

Thanks again.

Cassie

Something Different...

2009-01-14T20:42:00.002+10:00

I think every one can post one of these this year, a quick cheap meal for the whole family with the opportunity for variety and taste.
This is my mum's tuna pie
very easy, you can add grated vegies, which I normally do, but didn't for some reason here.
You can add salmon if you don't like tuna, add chilli ect ect.
But this is a really easy to make, cheap, you can make it in advance, freeze it for later in the week or even use left overs for school lunch boxes.

As P says, it will happen

2009-01-14T20:07:00.002+10:00

You just have to submit, submit, submit....

So I did for quite a while last christmas, yes that's right last christmas and my page is finally published in this months S M mag.

So get it and check me out because now......

I'm Published.

Tick that off my list of things to do before I die.

Cubby House updates

2009-01-14T07:31:00.006+10:00

Just pictures for the moment.

It takes 7 years...

2009-01-06T19:53:00.005+10:00

but it has finally happened.

As a house warming gift my Mum and Dad bought us a Jaboticaba tree. ( in 2003) They are a Brazillian fruit tree that will only start fruiting after it is 7 years old.
When we planted the tree it was just a small stick, and waiting seemed impossible.
But out of the blue, DH came running in before Christmas, as if Santa had just been, displaying the beautifully round black berry. At first all I could do was taste it, then realised, how am I a going to prove that it has actually fruited. They are very sweet and I would have to say, well worth the wait. So DS and I took to the tree to find more and to our suprise we found these.

We have quite a few different berry trees in our yard and at times you will find DS searching for his next meal.

Have a great week, and
Happy new year to all.

New Year, New Club Name

2008-12-29T08:17:00.002+10:00

Its here the New Same Old club.
Good on you Dylis and Linda.
Check out the club here.
So ladies get along and if you need to email Linda or Dylis that you are attending.
Have a great new year.

It's play time

2008-12-23T08:52:00.005+10:00

I was able to finish the floor to the cubby house on Sunday and put it down in the afternoon.
So Monday morning I was out early to the shops so that when we got home I could just make some quick modifications so that we could actually play outside!!!! An old tarp until the real roof gets put on, a few old doona covers (now who doesn't have too many of these things?) for the walls and the results speak for themselves. Hours of play, mainly A wanting to be a teacher and everyone else had "sit on the carpet". What the???

It's in the post

2008-12-23T08:31:00.003+10:00

Just needed to get this out of the house and into the post.
They are memory books for SCKC 09, co ordinated by Julie Stone.
Had to take the Rachel challenge and do at least 6 books worth. Thanks Rachel for setting a standard, I feel like I have achieved something already these holidays.

Now to the cleaning. ahhhhh.

2008-12-21T14:26:00.006+10:00

Our first week of school holidays was spent down at Neilson's Park, camping in our camper trailor.

DH still had to work, so he stayed with us for a few nights, but it was mainly us with my Mum and Dad.

Our first few nights were quite a challenge with hot sunny days and cyclonic rainy nights.

We survived and lived to tell the tales of our adventures.

The kids got an early christmas present from us, their boogie boards. By the end of the first day they were catching waves and heading out deeper than I wanted them to. They were so confidend, and a few dunkings didn't deter them from going back in again and again.

Our week went far too quickly, but we were all ready to come home on the Friday. Exhasted from a week of early moring walks, big swims, and afternoon surfing.

Golf Fundraiser

2008-12-20T20:12:00.004+10:00

Each year the sporting department at school has a golf day to raise money for events and prizes for kids sport during the year, not to mention more sporting equipment.

So this year I thought it might be a good idea for DH and I to join in and maybe even get some quality time together. It worked.

By the way my clubs haven't been out in daylight for over 4 years. When DH got them out of the cupboard a big moth flew out of the bag.??

Kid free for 4 hours and only us and another couple to talk to. It was great.
We both enjoyed it so much that we have made a pack to do it more often in the new year.
This photo of me putting, was the only hole I actually got it in from this distance.

At the end of the day we stayed for a couple of drinks and to see who won what. I'm sure the head of sport felt sorry for me, as every time his beautiful wife saw me, DH was saying "come on, we have to keep going, keep up will you." I was running all the time to keep up with him. So at the end of the day PR gave me and DH "most improved" award. Thanks PR.

Bring on next year. I'm going to really get some practice in before next year.

Last two weeks of school

2008-12-20T19:42:00.007+10:00

Now could this part of my world be any busier, with three kids involved in an assortment of events with in their own small part of the school.

A was involved in the school Drama event with the senior students, where she stole the show, being the cute one.

B was a shepard in the Prep musical, where he was very well behaved. Which he has not been for a while. Bring on year 1 and some hard core discipline thats all I can say. This boy needs to be sat down and taught not to move.

Then there is my little L, Mary in the play about Jesus. Her and her best mate S were the Mary and Joseph. Of course all the girls wanted to be Mary when they found out who Joseph was!!! But the teacher chose my L. As you can see as innocent as the part required.

Our other event was putting up the Christmas lights. I was so quick to put them up that I forgot to test them. Not to mention doing it by myself, with three kids all wanting to assist and "Mrs Mangels" (not her real name) down the road coming down to tell me, "we are not actually turing out lights on until Dec 1 st. ?? Bless her for her concerns.

So as much as I love doing a post when I can, sometimes it is near impossible.

But I will endeavour to catch this up before Christmas.

By the way it is only 5 sleeps away!!!!!

Keep checking......

2008-12-20T19:41:00.003+10:00

Scrapbooking Memories Next month.....
Big Reveal about to happen.....
It has only taken 12 months, but Mum always said all good things come to those who wait.

A big one

2008-12-20T19:29:00.008+10:00

It has been quite a few weeks now since I last posted, but they don't call is the silly season for no reason at all.

Mark has been busy over the past month fitting in the construction of the kids cubby house/mansion in between all of his social functions that he just has to attend. It's part of his job.??

So he has been chiselling, digging, cementing, drilling, bolting and assembling.
And I might add it looks very good.

I am responsible for the decorating.
So I have been painting and sealing the ply floor.
Next I will have to enlist the kids for the painting of the posts and walls.

Hoping fully this will happen between Christmas and New year.

Have a good one.

Get on board

2008-11-13T11:06:00.001+10:00

Check out P's blog is you haven't already for the scrap challenge.
It's one where you win your inner beauty. Doing something for some one you have never met or ever will.
Pay it forward.
(What a great movie)

Check out the lastest Scrapbook Creations

2008-11-11T20:48:00.002+10:00

If you haven't got it yet, you might want to invest in it.
There is a great article in it about our scrapbooking club and Petrina's fundraising efforts.
Good on you P. The photo's are fabulous and truely depict the diversity of the club. I really think they needed a photo of Lorelle though in that infamous pink nighty. Now that P has done it in 2006, Lorelle has done in 2007 and I have done it in 2008, (fundraising for the Cancer council), who will do it in 2009? I'm sure the English Tea will make an appearance somewhere in amonst all of the Pink ephemeria.
We have our big Christmas Scrap Club break up this Sunday, so I'm off to get my outfit ready. You know polish my bells and the sorts. See you all there.
Cass

Weekend of Scraps

2008-11-06T15:23:00.007+10:00

That itwas, I spent Saturday and Sunday Scrapping my heart out and this is the result.

Now it may appear that there is a bit of a competition going on because Petrina did 9 layouts last weekend, Karen did 12 but I think I can take the cake with 15. Ok so I have never been published and some would say my work is a little dull. But to me I 'm a winner and I thank all those who encourage me to be so full of myself.

I have put some of them below for all those who lurk, as I have found out lately, some people are a lot like me and just lurk about these blogs.

It was the end of a very busy week, but this weekend certainly also promises to be relaxing.

Have a good one.

Cassie

Laugh

2008-10-26T08:24:00.002+10:00

Well thanks to you Karen for a great Friday night.
I laughed so much my head hurt and I needed asprin when I got home.
But the best part was last night I needed a does of laughs again, so I googled not only Chopper, but also Carl Barron.
Mate if any of you need a laugh just go onto utube and search for a comedian you like.
It certainly gave me a good night sleep.
Maybe it was the Chivis regal that I had while watching also helped with the sleeping.
Anyway for all those that check out this blog, maybe instead of scrappin' to relive tension and pressure from our daily lives we should all give the comedians a go.
Have a good week
Cass

Success

2008-10-13T21:25:00.005+10:00

Thanks to all those who came and had a great time.

Thanks especially to Loretta Grayson for being so wonderful, so down to earth and so "just one of us".

Loretta's classes were easy, in a sense that everyone had the opportunity to go at their own pace and scrap at their own level. You could adapt the pages to suit your photos sooo easy and they were certainly not over the top fancy techniques. Just beautiful, simple, stylish and effective.

I could go on all night about Loretta, but she is on holidays and we don't want her going home with a big

head, just a sweet Bargara Sun tan.

I'll have to get some more photo from Donna, she had one of me and Loretta. We look like old friends, how cute.

Thanks to Donna, now it may have looked as if I did a lot, but really, Donna organised the food, she invited Loretta, made sure that she had everything that Loretta needed for the day, pampered us all with space, time and fun to scrap.

So well done to her. You know she was a virgin at organising such an event. And we all know what happens after you loose your virginity... You can't get enough of it.... So I'm sure that while the fire is burning Donna is at home planning her next great event.

Cooool....

Am I too old to say that?? Coooool.. there said it again.

I had the best time on Saturday, even though it had to end and I only scraped three layouts I was happy.

Ohhhh and another thing I had to get some of P's new chip board pieces, she tells me that there is something else in the pipeline?? So I guess we have to hold on tight and wait for issue 10:11 of Scrapbooking Memories. Oh hang on is that about me??? Will just have to wait and see. Lots of stuff coming out in magazines in the coming months.

And also stuff coming on this blog.

Now that will keep you checking.....

Have a good week

Cass

Cancer Council Fundraiser

2008-10-05T14:11:00.002+10:00

This is just one of the things you could win if you buy a raffle ticket from me.

Better still, get into one of the scrapbooking shops and buy a ticket from them, they have HUGH prizes.

Next weekend we (The Creative Arts Cottage and ISTIA Club) are hosting a Girls night In with guest tutor Loretta Grayson coming up from Brisbane. I can't wait, it is going to be a great time.

If you want to be apart of it, get along to the Creative Arts Cottage and buy yourself a ticket.

Tomorrow is school again, back to routine, and paid work.

Some times the round about has to stop.

Got to get ready now.

Have a good week.

Cancer Council Fundraiser

2008-09-23T18:10:00.002+10:00

I'm off this weekend to visit my friend who had a stroke over a month ago now. Two weeks ago she turned 40 and as yet has not had the opportunity to celebrate properly. Here's hoping we can give her a little celebration in Rocky.
Thanks very much to Ngaire and Vicky for their pledge of a donation for the Cancer Council Fundrasier in 3 weeks time. OMG, it is a bit hard to believe that it is really only a few weeks away.
Have you got your ticket??
We have Lorretta Grayson coming up from Brisbane, so here's our opportunity to show the big city's that we can also host a Scrapping event with well know names. Maybe this will lead to bigger and better things for us here in Bundy.
No hearing yet in the right ear, but at least the pain has gone.
Have a good week if I don't post again.
Yours in Scrapping
Cassie

I'm on the Hunt

2008-09-19T14:30:00.003+10:00

Yes that is correct.

I will be doing the footslogging and finger pressing stuff for the next few weeks looking for donations for the Cancer Council's Girls Night In.

Good to hear that some already have their tickets.

Please remember that there is only 30 places, we don't want to scare Lorretta with a room full of eager scrappers, just 30 of us instead.

This is the flyer from the CAC.

Out of Action

2008-09-15T11:40:00.006+10:00

Well that's what I will be once again for a few days.

I have a busted ear drum.

I thought I had an ear infection, Doctor said Nooooo, just an irritated canal???

So went home friday night with some ear drops, only to wake at 2am with blood coming out my ear and nose???

Oops thought, that can't be good, off to the hospital, where they confirmed that yes I must have had an ear infection, that has not ruptured the ear drum and left blisters all over it as well.

Can't hear out of my right ear, which has it's advantages when you don't want to hear something.

But is very annoying as I walk like I am a drunk.

I have registered to do the "Girls night in" in October, so I'm going on the hunt soon for some donations for raffle prizes. (hint hint if you are one of those people who read my blog)

I have teamed up with Donna at the Creative Arts Cottage to have a day/night thing. She has invited Lorretta Grayson one of the 2007 Masters? or is she actually the 2008 masters. Anyway she is coming up from Brisbane to give us a few tips and techniques on how she does things, which is realllllly Excccccitingggg.

Well done to Karen who actually was brave enough to enter this year's master's competition.

Me I mean well, get all excited, but never ever finish in time. Story of my life. But good on you karen, and if you get a chance to have a look it is on her blog at the moment.

Ok off to do some real work. School work. I might be sick but it doesn't stop the work needing to be marked.

Musical tallents

2008-09-10T13:41:00.003+10:00

Well my two sweeties in prep and year 3 had their concert last week and what a concert it was.

Can you believe that another...

2008-09-05T14:32:00.002+10:00

whole month has gone past and I didn't do one post.

Well I can tell you at last we have someone in our Rental house.

That is all finished and I am glad.

Father's day this weekend and I am hoping to get in some ZZZZ.

Isn't that what father's day is all about???

For those who know my old loyal friend Peta Goodwin, please keep her in your prayers.

This months has seen her undergo surgury to fix her Shunt (in her brain). The operation went well, however she suffered a massive stroke after returning home to Capella. She is now back in Hospital in Greenslops undergoing rehabilitation for speech and movement of her legs. She has high spirits thank the Lord, but it is still sad that she feels like she is now in prizon. Can't really imagine what it would be like not to be able to talk or walk or do what you want when you want, so I am praying each night for her to regain her independence.

On a brighter note all is well with my three darling kids, we had the normal flue at the beginning of the week and had to take a couple of days off, but it is so great sometimes just to lie around the house and watch TV.

Have a good weekend.

Cass

What's Happening?

2008-07-20T16:38:00.003+10:00

Well my last post was about how busy I was at the time, this one is about what I have been up to since my last post.
House renovations, lots of painting, sanding, washing walls, hanging curtains ect.

Helping out at The Creative Arts Cottage with daytime kids classes, and alot of fun really.

Attending birthday parties.

Holding parties for my own children.

Scrapping of course, in between the kids needing attention.

A four day hike over to Fraser Island and,

right now getting ready for Semester 2, I'm excited.

Have a good week.
Cass

Overworked

2008-06-19T21:11:00.002+10:00

Is that a statement that at times we hear others say and think, they really don't know what hard work is. Well I'm saying it, I'm sure I'm not really overworked, but I feel like this time of the year is like the end of a marathon, you have to give just that little bit more to be rewarded with the finish line. We are doing reports, marking exams, writing comments, getting kids over the line. And in the end we are rewarded with two days of a sports carnival. It is great. It is a whole school carnival and it is an atmosphere that I have never experienced at any other school. The kids get excited about having a go in all the events, they get a chance to just do a run by or a jump through just to get a point for their house. They really spend the day going from one event to another as a year level, sorry two days going from event to event. And truely, they love it. My cherubs have their mini olympics tomorrow as it has been bought forward due to state championships being in Darwin this year and the event must be before the wet season??? Go figure. Apparently it happens every four years.
We have been working hard on our little renter and feel that it is almost ready to hand over to the real estate. Just some electrical checking by my mate Bonus and we should be underway. It has come up a little charmer, the gardens are looking lovely again and the inside looks like some one sweet wants to live there. Lets hope someone sweet does move in to it.
But I was hoping for a quiet weekend, not the case, with a social little boy who has two parties this weekend and one next weekend. We were thinking of having a party for him, but I'm sure all the kids will be partied out by then??? But then again, I did promise him last year and never got around to it, so I do need to make a bigger effort this year.
Have a good weekend
Cass

Thanks

2008-06-11T20:25:00.002+10:00

to all those people who have wished my big girl many happy returns. She was a very lucky girl with the gifts, cards and money that she recieved for her birthday.
A very busy two weeks ahead, reports and exams, as well as working on the Spence street house still..... Hopefully this will be the last weekend and we can at least look for some one to rent or buy it. Which ever comes first. It has been good for DH and I as we at least both enjoy the practical work side of it. We are constantly talking about what we want to do with the house, but have to pull each other up knowing that we really aren't the ones who are going to live in it.
WOW, went into the CAC this afternoon, she has some coooool new stuff in and also new stuff she will be doing in classes. I'm up for them, and I'm sure I could talk Andrea Baldry into some classes as well.
Now I have actually agreed to run/host some kids classes over the holidays for Donna, (she is very sweet, how could I say no?) so I guess there maybe some parents that want to leave their kids somewhere for a couple of hours while they could sit on the deck and enjoy a coffee, or even join in? (for such a small amount of money really)
Well must get back to the reporting.
Have a good Humpday
Cass

Crazy week

2008-06-07T20:54:00.003+10:00

Some days I just want to get off this ride, and I think I have written this once before. I'm not on the edge or anything, but I just need a full day of sleep I think. I have been writting papers, doing a program for a course for next year and trying to finish an RPL package for teaching VET in schools, and it has all been too much.
But the light at the end of the tunnel can be seen. Holidays are only a few weeks away.
My first Angel is turning 8 tomorrow and my best mates son turns 7. The mysteries of the world never cease.
Abbey has already picked out what she wants for lunch tomorrow and to my surprise it is to be chicken drumsticks, salad and potato bake. Topped off with a simple cheesecake made into the number 8. (thanks Sara Lee)

I'm off now to get the presents ready.
Have a good week.
Hope P got some good stuff for show and tell.
Cassie

What you do when it is raining

2008-06-01T14:50:00.006+10:00

Well you eat,

You dress up,You practice your ballet,
and you eat.

The Show came to town

2008-05-31T22:55:00.004+10:00

On people's day, we did the thing that you know is going to cost you the earth, but may in return make your children happy. We went to the show, but we did make a deal before we went that they could only have 2 rides, 2 games, something to eat and 1 show bag. Now Abbey needs these kinds of guidelines to work by, that way she doesn't harp the whole time you are doing an activity, she kind of keeps track of things. I even had to go to the extent of explaining exactly what we would do, you know go in the gate, walk down side show alley ect. However Mark decided to park on the other side of the show grounds which put my plan all out of whack, not the Ab noticed.
There really wasn't that many people there, so we got something to eat and headed for the Ferris wheel, the kids loved it.

They had their two games, won some small tokens that they will love for a week or so or until they break, but a highlight for Bailey was seeing a real Army guy, with his gun, so we just had to get that picture.

Then after seeing the animals inbetween dodging the rain droplets we headed for the showbag area. Lilly knew straigt away which one she wanted, Bailey it took some time, but Abbey it took forever. There just wasn't really anything for a in between being a teenager or a teeny Hi 5 recruit for her, so she just settled on the same as Lilly. Which in the end wasn't the exact thing she wanted buy never is these days. What to do with an 8 year old teenager??? I'm sure to figure it out before too long.

Off to world Environment day tomorrow at the PCYC, maybe some of you might like to get out of the house and pop down and see what is going on. If so look for me.
Cassie

WARNING

2008-05-30T21:12:00.005+10:00

When visiting the parents of a new baby, as shown below.

Do not leave your camera unattended, if it falls into an Irish Male hands it could get some really unsavoury photos on it, as shown below.WHAT THE!!!

LOL good one Geoff.
Welcome baby Clancy.
Anyway great work Karen with the cherrished new family member he is wonderful and I hope he stays that way for awhile. (uknow until he hits school, when anything is possible)

Fame.

2008-05-30T20:45:00.002+10:00

It runs in the family, we just all love the camera so much that we want to be in the paper. I think there is a name for that.

I was coming home from picking Abbey up from Ballet on Tuesday night when Lilly comes running out with the Guardian saying "look Abbey this is your paper". What she was trying to say was that Abbey had featured along with a boy in her class "Charlie" on the front page of the free local paper.

The school had recieved a grant last year when Abbey was in year 2 to design and construct an Indigenious garden, or as the kids tell it, "the garden with all the food plants in it". At least they think you can eat most of the stuff. Not so sure about eating the "grass tree", but they do know that you get your spear from that to catch/hunt your food.

Abbey is a bit obsessed with this boy Charlie at school and is often talking about him. We have had the infamous Cassie talk about our school is not about socializing, it is about academics. So Abbey assures me that they are just friends, although she was extremely excited when the photographer asked for Charlie to put his arm on her shoulder for the shot. Looking at the "serious" look on her face you would have thought that she really didn't like it. Good cover up sweetie.

Well besides that, it has been a wet couple of days but we still managed to get to the show, have a couple of rides, buy the show bags, look through the pavillion, buy my Ruby wine and get home in one piece. Minus a large sum of money, but with happy kids. The down side was the thought of not seeing the fireworks. How to do this in the rain and wind. So after making the suggestions of just taking them for a drive around the time the fireworks would be on, Lilly fell asleep. I stayed at home and Mark took them for a drive and park to watch the show in the sky. The kids were so happy that the day had ended the way it should, with a show of colour. Thanks Daddy.

So soon I might take some photo's of the pages I did at the retreat. I seemed to fly through them, got my mojo back and haven't been able to stop since I got home.
Ok thanks for reading.
Yours in scrapping.
Cassie

Long time

2008-05-26T21:51:00.003+10:00

I keep looking at this site and many others but never actually manage to do anything.
The time after the retreat is always a bummer, I feel like I expect too much from a weekend away, but really I need a week away for me to get fully relaxed and into it. That must come from being a teacher, you know we get sooooo many holidays, but I always work on the fact that we really work more than 40 hours a week, and all that overtime is just taken as accumulated days off. eg School holidays.
I must say the retreat was great, I love having such a good night sleep every now and again, I really loved catching up with Andrea and also meeting the new comers to the club. It amazes me how much hidden tallent is out there. Sometimes we only think of tallent as that which we see published, but there are a great deal more in our small community. But good on every one for displaying their hidden tallent. I tell you picking the winner of some of the challenges would have been a very hard decision. Ok, I'll post soon when I actually have some pages to display, because I did get quite a few done on the weekend away.
Yours in scrapping
Cassie

Races 2008

2008-04-14T21:50:00.004+10:00

This weekend Mark and I went to the Catholic Race day. What a hoot. We had a wonderful time with friends that we haven't seen for quite awhile, got waited on with some wonder food and had the excitement of the horse racing by just near our table.
I love the races and Nicole and I made sure we got a few photos in before it was "not so pretty" of us to have our photo's taken.
The second last race and I recognised the Jockey as a boy I grew up with in Caboolture. Shaun Bayliss, very exciting when you know the jockey. I bet on his horse, he came second. Really exciting for me because the people around me thought I was "drunk" talking when I said I knew the Jockey. Egg on their face when he came over to the fence for a photo.
And my last race of the day I got a good win on to at least be happy with my losses for the day. I'm not a big gambler, but I must admit I love to look at the horse and watch them run. Have a good week.
Cassie

Relaxation

2008-04-02T15:28:00.003+10:00

Now usually when Mark goes away I get all upset because I'm afraid of the big job ahead, you know doing everything yourself for three children.

But this weekend was great. I didn't rush around anywhere, I did some cleaning, scrapping on Saturday, then spent most of Sunday with a friend who I haven't seen for awhile. It was great she lives across the road from the beach and we just Hung out all day, the 6 kids (three of hers and three of mine) just played so well , for the most of it I didn't even know they were there.

So it was truely a relaxing weekend.

Need more of them.

Here's my favourite layout for the weekend that I finished.