New creations

It feels so wonderful to be scrapping again. I just haven't really been in a place to create lately so finding some mojo AND being really pleased with what came out of it has been fantastic. These latest ones have all come out of challenges at Challenge Masters - with so many lovely creative ladies onboard - how could you NOT be inspired to create.

This is my new favourite - entitled How Rude. I've loved this photo of Lakeisha & Bundy taken at our last dog show back in 2007. This one was for week 2 of the Chopped Challenges and I am thrilled with how this came up.

The next one was for week 1 of the Chopped Challenge - a photo that I took last November when Lisa was visiting and we journeyed down to the coast taking in Erskine Falls on the way. The challenge was to include circles, lime green and paint. I am still not happy with the fact that the white paint would not stay white on the green cardstock, but overall I still love the layout.

And finally this one was the hardest of all - more from an emotional point than any technical difficulties. This was one of the most scary moments I have ever had in my life and even years later as I look at the photos I am reminded of just how lucky I am to still have this man in my life.

Progress is still being made on Lakeisha's 21st invitations and also with the Halloween invitations. And of course the big plans for the Halloween Party in October. More on that soon.

The Daily Om

It's interesting how things come and go in your life. Well lets make that things AND people. I think you get to understand it a little more as you grow older and perhaps the events that happen tend to worry you less the more you understand other people and yourself. Over the years, for various reasons, people have come and gone in my life. The ones who really matter are still there, even if only in my thoughts. But it's still sad when you see people drift off especially if you haven't yet come to a point of understanding in the "why".

A thread on Challenge Masters this week got me to thinking about this blog, about people and about myself and where I am at today even throughout the short journey of my life that has been publicly shared through these pages. It led me to read a few old posts and I came across a quote from "The Daily OM". I used to love the quotes that came from this site and I'm not quite sure why I no longer subscribe to it, but I decided to re-acquaint myself with it. Today's post was about the differences between people and how we surround ourselves with "like-minded" people for harmony and enjoyment, but also about accepting the fact that there are some people in life who simply don't like you and likely never will. I don't think - at least I would certainly hope I don't - judge people for being different. I'm all for embracing difference. I guess the people I have come to like least in life have been those who don't embrace difference and get all bent out of shape because you don't think the way they do.

For the right now in my life, I am pleased to say that there has been an embracing of some really lovely people, both at work and socially, and it's such a wonderful thing to see those friendships evolve and come to a realisation that there are lovely people out there who share your thoughts and views and who you can enjoy a jolly good laugh with. For this, I am totally blessed.

New Challenge

Well now that I have a moment to post - I'm pretty excited to share that I've been invited to join the Design Diva's at Challenge Masters!!!! Thank you Terri for giving me this opportunity and I'm really looking forward to working with the other lovely talented ladies. My first challenge is due to go up the first Sunday in April. Now to get the photo I have in mind taken and the layout created!!!!!!

More March Photos.

Including a couple from our trip to Melbourne to audition for the game show "Deal or No Deal" and Shane and I taking a drive in the country, ending up at Lorne, for some photo opportunities.....

Time MARCHes on

So many stories, so little time. At the forefront of life is the new knowledge that the accident Shane was involved in way back in July 2007 actually resulted in a fractured spine that until about a month ago went undiagnosed. I guess that WOULD explain the escalating pain over the past 4 years amongst other things. So now we are facing a fairly difficult regime of exercise and failing that surgery. It seems it never rains but it pours.

On a brighter note, there are some very good things about having the man at home. Pulling up in the drive and having him waiting on the verandah for a hug and/or to help you carry in whatever you've brought home with you is something I do look forward to every single day. And in all the drama I would hope to honestly say we are OK and we are coping. It's a tough road, our life, but we have each other and that is the thing that gives us both the strength to carry on. I know that somehow we'll manage to make the best of whatever is thrown at us. I love him more now than I ever have, and even though I know the future holds even more challenges, I am not daunted by it or have I for one second second guessed any past decisions.

On a broader scope, I'm saddened by the tragic events in Australia, Christchurch and now as I write the whole Japanese disaster is unfolding. I am so very grateful right now to live where I do. I can't imagine the sheer terror of going through such devastating events as cyclones, earthquakes and tsunamis. I tend to think my only real risk here is fire, and it looks as though that risk is minimised for this year at least. One can only hope the loss of life in Japan is kept to a minimum but when you see the vision on TV it's hard to imagine anyone in its path surviving.

In the meantime, photos, scrapbooking and preparations for the long awaited Halloween party as well as Lakeisha's 21st birthday (which isn't for over a year yet) take up our time and our thoughts. It is good in difficult times to have distractions......