So pretty!

If anyone is ever feeling generous and is wondering what is on my wishlist at the moment, this bag is right up there! So so pretty! I would be absolutely thrilled to find it land on my doorstep. ;)
And while you are checking out Amie's gorgeous bags, why not enter her giveaway to win one. Just visit her blog here and leave her a comment.

Thanks to a beautiful friend

We met by chance on an internet forum and we've seen each other in person only a small handful of times, yet this beautiful woman has become one of my dearest friends. And as I type this I see her cringing at the use of the word 'beautiful' and the referral to her because, like me, she suffers from a serious dislike of her physical appearance. And so I offer these pieces of other people's wisdom (for they put it better than I could!):

“A woman whose smile is open and whose expression is glad has a kind of beauty no matter what she wears.” - Anne Roiphe

“Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical.” - Sophia Loren

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” - Elisabeth Kubler-Ross


Thank you dear friend for your friendship. Thank you for the phone calls and the emails that keep us in contact. Thank you for listening to my problems and for trusting me with yours. Thank you for sharing the highs and lows of my life, and allowing me to share in yours. Thank you for the *hugs* and the uplifting words that bring a smile to my face and sometimes a tear to my eyes. I truly treasure the friendship that we have and look forward to many more years together.

Talk about packing stuff in!

Callum and I took advantage of Annabelle being in daycare yesterday and today by doing the following:
* Callum had a sleep in
* We saw Ice Age 3 at the cinema (complete with our own homemade popcorn and water bottles. Who wants to pay cinema prices for anything?!)
* We went out to lunch at a cafe in Shellharbour Village and shared a Hawaiian Chicken burger and a bowl of potato wedges.
* We went to the chocolate shop. Callum was given $1 and told he could buy anything he could afford. He found something for 95c and happily put the 5c change in his moneybox at home.
* We played an hour of computer games together.
* We did the food shopping at Woolworths. There was so much that it took us two loads! (ie. fill the trolley, through the checkout, to the car, unload, back inside and repeat process.)
* I did 5 loads of washing.
* I vacuumed the house.
* We played a board game Callum got for free from school. It's one of those educational games about fire safety.
* We went shopping at Shellharbour Square and bought new singlets for Callum. Those size 3 ones just weren't cutting it anymore!
* We stopped for morning tea and shared a finger bun and a skim milkshake.
* We went to the park for a picnic lunch. Callum played on the equipment while I enjoyed the sunshine.
* We played soccer at the park.
* I took a heap of photos of Callum and he took a couple of me. Would like to say the photos are awesome, but Callum seems to be pulling a silly face in most of them!
* We went for a walk around the lake.
* We fed the ducks at the lake.
* We went to the library and borrowed a pile of books.
* We went to the post office.
* We tidied the loungeroom.

And now I am ready to fall in a heap! Hope everyone else is enjoying their holidays just as much. :)

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Catching up with friends

First day of the school holidays! Woohoo! I've been looking forward to them for weeks. Callum and I have already written a list of things that he (we) would like to do these holidays. We are starting on Monday with 'go to movies'. :)

Today was exactly what I needed - a chance to catch up with friends. Cathy and Tasha came for afternoon tea (date loaf and donuts - yum!). It has been way too long since I saw Cathy and I have missed her heaps. Still need to organise a cardmaking/scrapbooking day, but at least I got to see her. :)

Tonight Garth and Rebecca came for dinner. A last minute google search found this recipe, which turned out to be quite nice. Thanks Google! I love relaxing with friends who make me feel comfortable just being me (complete with tracksuit pants and a messy house). Love you both.

Glimmer Mist

Tattered Angels' Glimmer Mist is the same great product with a Fabulous NEW Look!

Kim put me on to this product and I must say it has changed the way I look at chipboard. And the news that they are bringing out bottles of White Glimmer Mist is just too exciting! Check out their gorgeous colours here!

Today...

Outside my window... it is sunny and quite windy. Perfect weather for drying washing on the line.

I am thinking... about making myself a cup of tea.

I am thankful for... my two beautiful children, Callum and Annabelle.

From the kitchen... last night was homemade chicken schnitzels, hash browns, corn, peas and cauliflower. Tonight is pumpkin and spinach risotto.

I am wearing... jeans and a black tank top.

I am creating... Sesame Street characters from coloured cardboard. An idea copied entirely from Alana Gallagher.

I am going... to spend the house tidying the house, binding cardstock sampler books and later picking up Callum and his friend Jett from school.

I am reading... a children's Bible stories book with Callum.

I am still hoping... that my family manage to shake off the assorted sickness that has been running amok in the household for the past month. (this one hasn't changed from the last time I filled out these answers!)

I am hearing... the television playing with a children's video. Not sure why it's on since Annie is here in the kitchen with me!

Around the house... I am slowly making progress in my quest to simplify our lives and get rid of the clutter.

One of my favourite things... is reading with Callum before he goes to bed. I love that quiet time we have together.

Favorite picture from this month... Haven't taken any yet. Photos of sick people are not fun!