through my eyes

hurricane..

so at the begiining of october i am going to America for a photography workshop that I have been dreaming about since I paid my deposit at the beginning of the year. My lovely generous husband has given me the all clear to go away and learn stuff for at least a week because he knows it means ALOT to me. (that and he made a stupid deal with me based on getting his new job..he got it, so I get to go!! Serves him right for not believing in himself more..LOL!!) Anyway, guess where said workshop is..yep, New Orleans. The place they are currently evacuating because a bigger than Katrina hurricane is expected to hit early this week..WHAT THE ****!! ARGGGHHH..I feel so dreadful for all the people who have got to go through this again just when I believe the city was starting to get back on its feet. I pray it passes by quietly with minimal damage, but if it doesn't, that the government have got better strategies in place this time. And for purely selfish reasons, I really hope my workshop is postponed rather than cancelled..
Jack is still out of sorts..not sleeping well, slightly grumpy and over emotional. still clingy which makes attacking my growing to-do list a little tricky! I am scheduled to do the school photos for my kids childcare centre this week so hopefully Jack will be cool without me for the hour I am gone each day. Daddy and grandma will be taking turns looking after them so I am sure he will get lots of cuddles!
I got a box in the mail on friday and in it was the latest issue of simple scrapbooks, with a layout of mine that i had completely forgotten about. It was cool to see it in there and read my words again. It gave me fresh oomph to get going with the plans I have in my head. here it is..
seeing that photo makes me giggle because it reminds me of the "fun" (?!) hour i spent at the train station all alone because I missed my train and how the guards actually got an express train to stop just for me..and how did I fill in my hour..eating junk food from the vending machine and taking sself portraits at arms length..lol! it was great light! the guards probably thought i was nuts! well..i suppose i am sort of..hehehee!
anyway, my bed is calling my name. bit of a sore throat and achy body tonight that I need to chase away so I am fighting fit for my week ahead. seeya!

i had a sleep

and I feel much better now. Jack is still a bit irritable and grumpy when his pain relief starts to wear off ( and the clinginess is wearing a little thin.."i want mum" was nice at first..now, not so much..LOL! I actually took my camera to hospital with me (just the little 400D not my big mumma 5D!) ..i planned to document his stay but of course I remembered to get it out of my bag at the start and then totally forgot about it after that! Bummer really as his room had great light! LOL. anyway, heres my little dude all ready to go to theatre, haning out watching movies on my laptop..
Yesterday the shop and crop newsletter came out. I scored the colour combo challenge for this fortnight, which is blue and yellow. I got to play with the cool pink paislee papers which was so much fun I made 2..


I also had the chance to play with the fabulous new school days paper range from KI Memories. It is perfect for school photos but has heaps of other applications too..great boy colours!

The balloon is slowly shrinking..he seems ok with that..thankfully it hasn't gone "pop"
I have also put together a layout for the fabulous basic grey limited edition kit at shop and crop. Lots of yummy product, 3 layouts with instructions , made by me, Jen Hall and Fiona Leehane.. i made this..

and one last show and tell..
On thursday night, 18th September starting at 8pm I will be teaching another double up (2 layouts in 2 hours)online class at shop and crop using some gorgeous Pink Paislee papers..THINK PINK!

thats it..I am all caught up! phew..LOL! I feel a bit all over the shop in my life at the moment..lots going on, lots about to happen. Brad goes to korea next week, and I am doing the kids childcare photos starting Monday for a week, then we go to the Gold coast for 2 weeks to celebrate my dads 60th, home to shoot a wedding then I am off to New orleans for a week..woohooo!! still trying to convince Brad New York would be good for me to visit too!! LOL! Trying to focus on one day at a time and not get too ahead of myself..wish me luck with that! LOL!
Anyway, my clingy boy is calling me..catch ya later!

home from the hospital

Jacks operation went well. We are home safe and sound. He did amazingly well throughout the experience..the only tough bit was as he woke up in recovery..he REALLY did NOT want to drip in and he is a strong little fella.! He calmed down once we went back to our room and enjoyed hanging out watching movies on my laptop and having my undivided attention. We came home this morning and it has been a LONG day..he has been a bit unsettled and not that eager to take his medicine. He went a bit strange after one lot of pain relief so I think I'll avoid that one for a few days. I am beyond tired. I will return tomorrow with shares and stuff but for now I am going to bed. Nite.

lots happening

Jack is going in for his operation to remove his adenoids and tonsils first thing in the morning. I am feeling a wee bit apprehensive and jumpy but otherwise good. the hard part for me will be the waiting while he is in theatre, worrying and wondering..followed by the staying overnight. I am not very good at sitting around doing nothing..its genetic...my dad is exactly the same!! I will take my laptop and some movies (and my earplugs!)..realistically i could probably do with the rest! LOL!
I delivered photos to a client this afternoon and it was lovely to watch her expression as she looked through them..I love what I do! I love the impact of a frozen moment in time, a captured emotion or facial expression...love it!
I did another session on the weekend that I finished editing yesterday, you can see more of it here, but heres one of my favourites..she has the most beautiful smile..it just lights her up! They are getting married in October the day before I fly to New orleans..Can't tell you which I am more excited about. October is going to be a fabulous month!!
I think I am delaying going to bed because I don't feel ready to take my baby to hospital..i Should go pack up my gear and clothes. think of this cheeky little man in the morning..

see you on thursday!

colour me silly.

just playing around with the ability to change colours on my blog..LOL! I will settle on something soon ..i need a re-vamp but time is limited this week. I have a couple of sessions to finish editing first, plus some samples to make for a mag and S&C, and then Jack is having his operation on wednesday and we will be in hospital overnight. Somewhere in there I also need to clean up my work space..I am drowning in a sea of paperwork. I bought folders to store it all in but I haven't had time to sort it all out yet. arrrggghh..LOL! i am about to head out for a photoshoot but thought i would share the layout I made just for fun last night. Lovely new Rose moka papers (yummo colours, fab weight!!)

anyway..i must away..my lovely couple are meeting me at the harbour soon..hopefully it won't be too windy and cold! seeya!

i am sitting here in bed

laptop in hand, olympics on TV, listening to the soft sounds of my husband breathing and enjoying the opals playing the Us girls and i feel very CONTENT. Its taken me a few days to lift from the shock of finishing work I think. I have felt very flat the last 2 days..I think its just because I need to refocus. When you want something for so long and then you achieve it I suppose you need time to take stock and set some new goals. Here I am , in the quiet darkness of my bedroom, lit only by the laptop and the tv, and I am ready to start the next chapter of my saga! LOL! Bring it on!
This morning the kids had a birthday party and then we pottered around inside the warmth of our house this afternoon (it was FREEZING here!). then tonight I had some lovely ladies come around and scrap at my place. I am going to start teaching classes here soon..i miss teaching now that A2S has closed. I have lots of ideas for new classes too. I almost finished a mini and made 2 layouts just for fun. I will photograph them tomorrow and share. It was great hanging out with my girly friends, scrapping and chatting. Makes me feel calm and balanced to know I have friends who get me and support me! I moved around so much as a kid I really struggled to form lasting friendships with anyone. But now I feel blessed because I truly believe I have found life long friends.
enough deep and meaningful..the opals are down by 8 ...arrgghhh!! i am going to miss watching the games when they are over ..I am going to love getting more sleep though. off to scream at the Tv..seeya!

the end of an era

today marked my last day as a radiographer at IRG. I have worked as a radiographer for 16 years, 11 of which have been at IRG. It was sad to say goodbye, not only to that part of my life but also to my workmates. At the same time I felt relieved, excited and positive about my future. I took my camera along today to snap a few images to remind me of my time there..heres a little sample.
time for a change....

today was also upload day at shop and crop..the theme this week being titles "I am.."
heres my contribution using the yummy new pink paisley papers and chipboard trims..






I also had the newsletter technique topic this week and i got to show off blanketstitch..had a bit of fun with the autumn leaves manhatan range and photos i took of brad presenting at his work dinner..

My dad is visiting tonight which is great. The kids were so excited to see him and show him anything and everything they could think of. I am currently watching the hockey and spain just levelled the score..arrgghh. After the girls water polo tonight i have no fingernails left..i really don't need any more nervous excitement. I do love watching all these amazing athletes. Almost makes me want to get out of my cozy bed and go for a run..almost..LOL! off to cheer loudly and bite my nails some more..seeya!

fun day

today was a great day. I feel like some of my burdens have been lifted just by knowing that as of next week I will have a whole new day to focus on my business and my to-do list! So today I focussed on being a mum and hanging out my kids..and it was lovely. We went to mothers group this morning, then home to have lunch. we drew together, watched bits of the olympics snuggling on the couch and spent a great deal of time sitting on the driveway making chalk art. The kids loved the freedom it gave them and I loved seeing them concentrate and enjoy the experience together.
tonight i had a meet and greet with a couple getting married on my 10 year anniversary! they were lovely and it will be a pleasure to capture their special day on the day I will treasure and remember mine! Brad thinks it gets him out of taking me to fiji..i am thinking we just go sooner! LOL! we'll see...
Tomorrow I have a big to-do list to tackle while the kids have a play date with grandma who has been away for a week...but for now i am heading to bed to snuggle with my hubby and watch the athletics. seeya!

feeling better!!

my back is getting much better..thank you to everyone who commented, emailed etc..I am having musculo-skeletal therapy and that is helping heaps! I have felt the best I have all week today so I have hit the computer and made a dent in some proofing, plus I played with some paper..just for fun, and just for me. I have a love for little bits and pieces, and this page certainly demonstrates that. I was having such fun diving through my bags of goodies to see what gems i could use..and i used alot! LOL!. makes me happy...so does she..

I have started one on jack but I am heading off to a photoshoot shortly so I thought i would take the opportunity to blog while I clean my memory cards! LOL!
still loving having the olympics on..i have watched more tv in the last week than i have done in the last 3 months I think!
Yesterday I resigned from my job as a radiographer. I have been there for 10 years and I have had enough. Its time to focus on my new business and my kids. I was feeling like I was spreading myself too thinly and I was just plain miserable.., so I quit. woohooo!! hope this photography thing works out or I am in trouble..LOL! Seriously though, I feel this amazing sense of relief. I had planned on waiting til the end of the year, with Lucy starting school next year I wanted to be able to pick her up and drop her off without rushing from work, changing my hours etc. So I just did it. still feeling a bit weird about it. I am sort of unemployed..sort of! LOL!. I am self-employed I suppose! anyway. its done. I am excited about spending more time focussing on my business when the kids are in care, which will free up my time when I am home. Lucy deserves more of my attention as she gets ready for school and I am already feeling how much I am going to miss her next year, ..let alone how Jack is going to deal with losing his play mate!
Jack had a hearing test yesterday and he got the all clear..so just his adenoids and tonsils will be coming out in 2 weeks, no need for grommits! very happy!! it does mean that he chooses to ignore me and answer with "huh?"..which i forgave him for just in case his ears were struggling..but now I know the truth..he does it to irritate me!! LOL!
The doorbell just rang and it was the lite n easyman with my delivery for the eek. Thats my diet plan. have someone tell me and provide me what to eat.!! heheee!! I have been doing it for one week now and have lost almost 2 kgs..all lying flat on my sore back! LOL!. i love that I don't have to think about what to eat, especially for lunch! I just grab the bag with the allocated day on it and enjoy! The food is really good too!!! no shakes or weird bars..just normal food. portion size and structured eating is my main problem..so fingers crossed this works!
thats all my news I think and my cards are clean..so off I go to have some fun in the sun with a cute family! seeya later alligators!

random things on my mind..

1. Lucy looks so cute in glasses!! LOL> thanks again Margaret!
and she knows it! hehee!!
2. my back is worse and although i made it through the day it was tough going. I had treatment this afternoon which has helped but I am still feeling very ginger and tingly in the legs (yay sciatica!)
3. I am so happy the olympics is on while I have been given orders to lie flat!! LOL! perfect!
4. I am excited about my photoshop class at my place on sunday. Can't wait to share the photoshop love!
5. i want to scrapbook..i have pictures and product but i can't seem to manage it from the flat on my back position or even semi-recumbent as i am now!
5. I am going to resume full flatness..seeya!