She's back

In light of the fact that it has been pointed out to me many times how neglected this poor thing is... I thought tonight I would take pity on it and give it a bit of TLC as well as share the news of recent events. Though I'll work backwards - at least that way I'll remember it as I go.

Today's excitement was reading the Royal Melbourne Show Craft results page to find out that I had won several awards for the items I had entered there. To say I was excited was probably a bit of an understatement. I had thought about entering the Royal last year but completely forgot about it until we actually went to the show. So this year I set myself a reminder. Going back over the selection process of what to exhibit was an interesting evening with Shane and I and a myriad of layouts sprawled across the couch and a process of elimination that can only be described as pot luck. Obviously we selected the right ones.

0173	SCRAPBOOKING - PETS.
1	Maree Redmond:

2	Jodi Smith:

3	Heather Gray:

HC	Angela Carruthers:

HCHC	Michelle Jordison:

0175	SCRAPBOOKING - FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
1	Maree Redmond:

2	Sonya King:

3	Maree Redmond:

C	Heather Gray:

C	Moira Vosper:

HC	Emma Blake:

VHC	Claire Chadwick:

VHC	Jodi Smith:

VHC	Maree Redmond:

VHC	Emma Blake:

0176	SCRAPBOOKING - OFF THE PAGE.
1	Maree Redmond:

2	Emma Blake:

3	Sonya King:

C	Robyn Johnson:

HC	Sonya King:

HC	Emma Blake:

VHC	Maree Redmond:

S116	BEST EXHIBIT: SCRAPBOOKING.
	Maree Redmond:

Although I had also entered two double layouts in a class called Scrapbooking Holidays. Those results are nowhere that I can find on the site, and how strange they don't give the exhibit numbers of the winning items. So I guess I'll have to wait until we go to the show this weekend to find out which item actually won!

But how exciting - Best Scrapbooking Exhibit!!! Not a dog in sight - but another Best in Show LOL. Of course I couldn't have done it without my beloved Shane who took the time to deliver said items to the showgrounds and of course who is very often the inspiration, the subject, and/or the photographer for the things I create and without who's support and encouragement I know I would not have the courage or the confidence to put my creations out for such scrutiny. Just as soon as I figure out what won - I'll post some pictures.

Unfortunately I've been a bit under the weather (thank you Doug) with a cold that just seems to keep on keeping on. I'm not usually susceptible to colds, but this one took hold and won't let go. Even as I write this, my best friend is a box of tissues and my nose would probably rival Rudolph! Shane was unwell this week as well and so yesterday and today we found ourselves both feeling miserable and not working. Having run out of pills to try to stop the aches & pains, we went into town to pick up some supplies and on the way home, snapped this photo of a rather strange sight. A duck waddling around a paddock near a fox that had been killed and strung up on the fence. Not sure if the duck was checking it out or laughing at it - but he was keeping a close eye on our car as we stopped to take the picture.....

Last weekend we headed off to Bendigo and I had the pleasure of meeting more of Shane's family - sister Linda and sister-in-law Pam & neice Denise. It's been a year now, and although I had spoken with them on the phone and/or via Facebook, this was the first opportunity I had had to meet with them face to face. I really enjoyed their company and could identify so much with a number of things they have been through both in terms of loss and of disabilities. And it brought home to me just how cruel the past years have been to Shane in keeping him from his family. Not only has he missed a great deal from being segregated from them, but they too have missed out on knowing the incredible man he is. Thankfully that is all part of a past life that exists no more. Something both of us are eternally grateful for. One of the highlights from the weekend though was the weather being about 30 degrees - as late as midnight - and Shane and I made the most of it taking a walk into the city and then sitting out on the balcony of the accommodation watching the nightlife wind down and just enjoying the moment.

I'm really pleased to have the facilities to have my doggies back with me. We now have Hogan, Ashley & Dee Dee living with us. My thanks to Graham for once again coming up with the perfect doggie living arrangement. Given we have a huge garage, this pen Graham built for me is just perfect for the dogs and they are very obviously happy in their new environment (despite the fact that Dee Dee can't help herself and bark during the photo session - thank heaven she's debarked!!!). I'm looking forward to some better weather so we can start going for a few walks, as well as having a pair of clippers to shave off those greys so they don't look QUITE so old - even though Hogan & Ashley are approaching their 10th birthdays. Where the heck does the time go?????

Things have been bubbling along for Lakeisha & Justin. I'm so pleased to see her so happy. It's something both of us have deserved for a long time. I have yet to work on doing something with these photos from Justin's first year Uni Ball and wishing there were a few more photos to work with that actually showed the dress - but here were a couple that took my fancy for one reason or another.

I'm sure the last photo had no bearing on the quality of the night at all......
More updates to follow.....