Neighbours, babies and feeling out of the loop

Ok so this is just a quick update and likely to be one of my last ones before SENZ hits me…

Firstly anyone who’s bothered reading my blurbs for any length of time knows about some of the issues we’ve had with all our neighbours. We have them on three sides and they all need to be committed. Seriously. We just like to live a quiet life and they, for some reason unknown to us, insist on interfering with that life in sneaky and underhanded ways. We had the kid who threw rocks at our dog and on the roof of the house (until we told them we had it on camera), the father of this same kid looking through our windows with a torch to see what we’d done with the kitchen. The drug house (since raided, sold and no longer a problem). The hypocritical, arrogant ones behind us who’ve sprayed our trees with roundup, come onto our property and cut OUR trees where it overhangs OUR water tank and left a mess, thrown a bag of dog faeces onto our property as if it was Kobi that left the reminder on their lawn (our dog is kept on the property at all times unlike theirs, who is tiny and sneaks through our fence to crap on our lawn!). The insane ones who crack whips all summer, say hi to us when it suits them and then ignore us if they think we’re moving house, and we’re sure has peered through out windows and have even set off our office alarm when we forgot to lock the workshop once and someone opened the door. Don’t ask me how but we just KNOW it’s them.

This is about the insane ones. They were fine when the drug house was there, all united against them etc but now they’re back to their old tricks. Now our house is higher than theirs, they’re right in the drainage bowl of the street and have terrible drainage issues (which they think they can fix by filling their property with decks and sheds). We have a small drainage culvert that runs along the front of our property into a pipe that goes under our driveway and then onto their property as it’s the natural flow for the drainage. It’s been there about 50 years and was put there by the council, but in a bid to help them with their drainage issues we put in a pipe to redirect some of the overflow back onto our property and into our drainage system we put in. The mysterious thing is that EVERY winter and umpteen times during winter we find a semi-deflated ball shoved into one end of the large pipe (the only end it’ll fit) that makes all the water back up onto our property completely. I WONDER who would do that? hmmmm. On inspection the ball has the NAME of the idiot owner on it, (and has done the last few times) so it’s not rocket science huh? So now we’re putting a grill up on the big end of the pipe so he who shall remain nameless can’t do it again, if the grill gets removed we’ll stick a camera on him and get the council involved…

What I want to know is why us? We’re pleasant to our neighbours but aren’t ones to get involved much in anything, we just like to do our own thing. And they can’t stand it! We’re not that interesting. Seriously!!

Anyway the drama will no doubt continue… as it does.

As for babies we’re all ready for the little guy to make his appearance and good job too, I’m waaay too tired to shop for anything else! I’m not sleeping much with major insomnia, aching hips and pelvis and a brain that won’t switch off this close to SENZ. I don’t think I’ll have the baby sleep-deprivation shock I had with Joshie this time around so that’s a small consolation. I’m due 16th or 17th September so there’s 2 1/2 months to go but we’ve pretty much got everything sorted, just a small supermarket shop for bits and bag to pack for the hospital and we’re off. His kicks have turned to painful prods and pokes too and he’s sooooo busy, maybe he and Joshie will wear each other out once Lucas is at an age to play with him. One can hope.

As my scrapping has totally revolved around digi stuff in the leadup to SENZ, I’m also feeling completely out of the loop with friends. No-one seems to want to catch up and I’m considering changing my deodorant. Is it me? is everyone just busy? Have I offended the world with my opinions (which I don’t mean to do but I do have them)… I’m just feeling a bit isolated at the moment and there’s no reason in particular for it. Must be the baby blues kicking in, the hormones must be building. Poor Steve, he has my sympathies.

Anyway as for SENZ I’m pretty much just burning CD’s and printing the last bits of signage and we’re there. I’m hoping more than anything I don’t end up sitting there for 3 days selling nothing and wishing I’d never bothered. It’s scary as it’s new to a lot of people but my hope is to show people how much cheaper than can make their scrapping, how easy it is and how interesting it can make their pages. We’re sharing a stand with Up2Scrap too so if you’re coming please come and say hi, it’s always nice to put faces to the names. If you can’t come to the show we’ll also be specialling the kits that are being released exclusively for the show online for that weekend only – you’ll get other bonuses if you buy from us in person though.

Hi ho, hi ho, I can’t feel my fingers it’s so cold but back to work I go…

x

I’m not dead yet…

Just soooo busy!! SENZ is fast approaching and I’m working madly on a kazillion things in preparation for the show – please come and say hi if you’re coming to it in July!! We’ve got a whole lot of new releases at show specials as well as some very cool digi/hybrid layouts to try and drag some of you across to giving it a go (kicking and screaming no doubt!!)… so that’s been me pretty much for the last month!!
Apart from Lucas of course, I’m now in month 7 (where the hell has the time gone?) and he’s a very BUSY wee boy… well all I can say is enjoy the room while you’ve got it kiddo and pass me a timtam… hehehe. All is well with him though, he’s exactly where he’s supposed to be size-wise and is very active with a perfect heartbeat. Off for more blood tests next week but so far, so good!
Did you see the hybrid album I put together with Rasberry goodies? It’s on their blog if you want to check it out… I wanted to reuse some of the rubons so went the hybrid route.
Up2Scrap mag is coming out again soon so keep your eye out for it!! In the meantime check out their blog for this month’s challenge – it’s another goodie!!

Until I get more time…

L x

My new baby has arrived…

Nope, not Lucas but almost as exciting for a tech-head like me…

Now let me just wipe the drool off my keyboard and confirm that no, I’m not surfing around looking for Asian men, it’s just a demo shot. But I’ve got a real one and it’s more likely to be looking at Hugh Jackman than Mr Japan 2009. It’s in its box calling to me but I’m meant to be working dang it.

I’ve got it so I can do my digi designing work at night in the house without freezing! It’ll also be great when Lucas is born so I can work from inside with him instead of dragging him down to the office with me. All very sensible I thought. LOL

Anyhooo we went to Hamilton last weekend and despite the weather had a great time. Sometimes you’ve just got to run away from an unrenovated house, piles of work and annoying animals who insist on attaching themselves like velcro in this cold weather. We took Joshie to see Monsters vs Aliens (which he loved) and he also went to his first rugby game. We were close to the stadium and saw all the fireworks going off (while Joshie was supposed to be asleep in bed) and that was it for sleep for him. Next thing I know Steve’s got him all wrapped up like a snowman and is off for a walk to tire him out, 30 mins later I get a phone call saying they’d been given free tickets to the big game that was on and they’d be back later. They got in at almost 10pm (bit late for a 3 year old but he was wide awake and hyped up on lollies from a lollie scramble), and Joshie couldn’t stop grinning. Steve really enjoyed some real father-son time too so I was glad I didn’t go (also I hate rugby – league yes, rugby no).

After the weekend I had a big think scrappy wise and have had a MASSIVE cull of my stuff. We’re talking about half of what I had is now (or shortly being added) to trademe to pay for my new laptop. I’ve decided to take my work completely hybrid (other than my DT commitments around the place) so have gotten rid of 6 x big paper stands, 7 huge drawers and 7 paper holders worth of goodies. I’ve found since before the last retreat that I just don’t want to scrap traditionally much anymore, the odd bit here and there but if I can do 70% of the page digitally and the rest traditionally it’ll be a better balance for me. Lighter albums and less glitter in the bed at night.

L

Guest DT spot up for grabs

Would you like the chance to GUEST DT for Rasberry???? read on…

We are running a challenge here at Rasberry and the grand prize is a GUEST DT spot designing with our fabulous Rasberry products… so how do you win… okay here is what you need to do…

Design a 12 x 12 layout using 95% of ONE manufacturer of your choice, also using that manufacturers papers to create your own embellishments…this creation needs to be newly designed specifically for this challenge. The challenge will close on Sunday May 31, 2009 at Midnight!!!

Please list all products used and email your details and a photo of your creation to:
rasberrydesignteam@gmail.com

For your chance to win go to the Rasberry blog here…

Just a quickie…

Thought I’d show you what you can do with a quick page!! This is the one for my Remembering Alice kit over in the store, download it for free and then add what you like. You’ll find the angel wordart as a freebie over at bellascraps.com and you’ll also get a $2.00 discount off the full kit.
All I did was add the photo, the word art and voila!!

Also, have you seen these?

These are a super cool way to add the date to any layout – the product comes as 5 files that you just copy and paste into layers, then rotate the month, year and date dials until they line up with the date you want under the little indicator. Gorgeous for so many layouts!

And finally…

Check out the Rasberry blog for the full image…

awwww….

thanks for all the lovely comments re: my feeling guilty for wishing my wee fella was going to be a girl. I’m over it. Totally. Can’t wait to have the little guy running around with Joshie and we’ve even got the name sorted. It came to me last night and just fits. Even Steve agrees!! LOL
Won’t tell you what it is yet as I may have to hold a RAK competition thingy… heheehe

L x

It’s a…

boy!

I have to go back for another scan in 2-3 weeks time as it wasn’t an easy one to do as the baby is about a week behind in size (which is to do with me not getting my original dates right – baby is right size for a week behind!!). We’ll be able to confirm it then but she’s pretty confident and I saw what was most definitely a boy…

It was a bit of a surprise as I was so sure it was a girl, I’ve felt that all along (up until the last couple of days when I’ve begun to feel it was a boy). I admit I was a bit deflated as I’d have really liked a girl, but am now getting pretty excited about another little guy running around… just need to think of a name. I’m also feeling terribly guilty for being initially disappointed he was a boy, I mean it’s not his fault!! He just is what he is meant to be and I believe we get what we’re supposed to have… just feeling bad that my initial reaction wasn’t “how wonderful” but more “it’s a boy…” to Steve. I know it’s probably only natural as I’d gotten my hopes up for a girl but I know I’m gonna love him to bits as I already do and he will definitely be the last. I’ve only ever wanted 2 children so am very grateful I’ve got that wish.

Soooo to get myself out of that feeling I visited Pumpkin Patch on the way home and got the cutest wee pj all-in-ones, so the boy-induced cluckiness is well on its way.  I also went through what we had of Joshie’s baby clothes left and am loving the cute boy stuff available so all is happy.

Anyhoo… as a tribute to my friend’s lovely little baby that left them too soon, I created this kit called Remembering Alice. It’s a super-huge mega kit (we’re talking 20 papers, and alphabet and 62 embellishments!!) and is so soft and pretty, I’ve put it in the store too so it’s available for anyone that’s looking for a really pretty but not babyish kit. Just click on the images to go to the items in the store.

There’s also a free quick page available for download that includes a special offer in the terms of use! So easy – just add your photo, title and journalling and you’re done!

Also keep your eye over at Eidou for the announcement of our new Creative Team! PLUS we have some new designers starting shortly in the store – lots of changes happening and all very exciting!

Soooooo, off to look for some boy’s names, had a few girl’s ones in mind but nothing for a boy so it’s back to the drawing board.

L

TO: God.com

Dear Lord,

Every single evening
As I’m lying here in bed,
This tiny little Prayer
Keeps running through my head:

God bless all my family
Wherever they may be,
Keep them warm
and safe from harm
For they’re so close to me.

And God, there is one more thing
I wish that you could do;
Hope you don’t mind me asking,
Please bless my computer too.

Now I know that it’s unusual
To Bless a motherboard,
But listen just a second
While I explain it to you, Lord.

You see, that little metal box
Holds more than odds and ends;
Inside those small compartments
Rest so many of my friends.

I know so much about them
By the kindness that they give,
And this little scrap of metal
Takes me in to where they live.

By faith is how I know them
Much the same as you.
We share in what life brings us
And from that our friendships grew.

Please take an extra minute
From your duties up above,
To bless those in my address book
That’s filled with so much love.

Wherever else this prayer may reach
To each and every friend,
Bless each e-mail inbox
And each person who hits ’send’.

When you update your Heavenly list
On your own Great CD-ROM,
Bless everyone who says this prayer
Sent up to GOD.com

Amen

Long one…

Ok, sit back with a coffee because there’s a whole lot of updates…

Firstly, I saw the midwife this morning and got some not fabulous news. While getting some blood test results I‘ve had a strange antibody turn up in my blood tests. I suspect it’s from the hospital infusions I had 8 months ago (we were told to wait 6 months before getting pregnant – which we did – and I suspect this is why). If the levels rise it could mean (in very rare instances) the baby being born with bleeding issues (like haemophilia). At the moment it just means having blood tests monthly to keep an eye on the levels, and personally as I suspect the levels were made by the infusions artificially in the first place then I can’t see why my body would suddenly go into mass production of them. Still it’s a worry.

Everything else is fine, baby’s heartbeat is strong and perfect and all my other tests are normal so fingers crossed. Just a wait and see but it’s obvious that this pregnancy isn’t going to be as straight forward as my last one. Lorraine (my midwife) said she’s had another woman recently with the same thing just have her baby with no problems at all, and I’ll be closely monitored by my OB this time around too… so fingers crossed all will be ok but it’s a worry still.

On with some lighter stuff – this weekend being Easter I’m veering away from the egg hunt I did last year. Joshie ended up with way too much chocolate! So this year I’ve bought him an egg with a monster truck and two small eggs and Sunday morning we’ll be doing an egg hunt using clues. Now being only 3 1/2 he’s not likely to figure out anything too cryptic, so instead I’ve gone around the house taking photos of various objects and will print them out (complete with bunny paw print). Then in the morning he can find his first clue, go to the place/object and look for his next photo clue… all the way to the washing machine where his egg will be hidden inside! I’ll be taking photos… LOL.

I love doing things like this, growing up mum did fun things for us (including tying string to our bedroom door handles and making us follow it round the house until we found our eggs!). I appreciated the effort she went to and they’re some of my favourite childhood memories. I just want Joshie to have the same so thanks mum!

Ok, on to the retreat. I didn’t get to scrap with (and give grief to) Nic this time around, so poor Lesley Cooper copped it instead. Good job she share’s my sense of humour so I think she’s still talking to me… I didn’t have as much energy this time either and ended up going to bed around 11pm each night as well as having breaks and nanna naps in the day. Baby is having a growth spurt and I’m feeling it! I did managed to still do around 7 layouts though, there’s one I do really like – the others? well I got them done. Say no more. I didn’t come away with any that I’m really excited about sharing though, KWIM? The motivation was there but the mojo wasn’t… never mind, had a great time anyway! I also did a hybrid make and take card on the Friday night, I must have been stressing over it without realising because my heart was racing before it. Once it was over I was fine again though and didn’t feel too nervous actually during it. Hopefully people liked what we made and I know I did manage to convert a couple of scrappers over to the dark side.

Sooo here they are (and yep, you’ll see my obsession with a recently purchased leaf stamp, staz on brown ink and transparencies cropping up repeatedly)…

First up was this one (had only been there 40 mins and wasn’t into it… that’s my excuse anyway!). Bit of a chuck it on the page and glue it down job, oh well, it’s more photos scrapped!

This one I don’t mind, it’s a play on that “You had me at hello” thing from Jerry McGuire. I wish I’d vintaged the photo before i scrapped it though, might end up redoing the piccie and slotting it in…

This one isn’t really me but it’s very much for Joshie. He loves fun, bright pages and although I love the paper range and chipboard shapes, I’m not sure I did them justice.

This one’s grown on me, it’s a little Ali Edwards I think and much more minimalist than I usually do but I’m beginning to really like it. The gold spray paint on the background really shines and sets it off.

Don’t love it, don’t hate it… LOL

This is the one I really like, it took a while before it came together and the white journalling formed a frame around it that just finished it off.

This one is me playing with scrolls and cog chipboard. I painted, inked and dimensional magic’d the chipboard and then finished it off with some brads, it’s another one growing on me.

Anyhooo, that’s pretty much the updates for now, and before you all jump up and down and tell me not to be so hard on myself I feel my mojo returning… LOL… probably needed another day or two scrapping and I’d have come right! I’ll be back with some Rasberry in the next few days…

L

My baby is an avocado…

according to the pregnancy updates I get anyway! I feel like it’s more a melon. Or maybe a small compact car. I can’t believe how huge I’m feeling already! if we hadn’t have checked for twins (twice) then I’d be mighty worried. At the last scan baby was the right size though so it’s probably more the chocolate peanuts than the baby. LOL
Have you seen the latest challenge over at the Up2Scrap blog? You could win some gorgeous goodies from 7 Gypsies this month as well as learn a very cool trick from Delys. Gotta try that one myself.
Ok, packing and trying to organise myself for the retreat this weekend, got everything yet to do so better hop…
L x