Kate's Capers

OMG! A month has passed!

2011-03-27T16:04:00.000-07:00

OMG I cannot believe it has been a month since i was on here. Some pics from the local show last weekend. She had a great time - was very spoilt by Grandma and Poppy - lots of prizes, sample bag, lollies, fairy floss etc.

Rory comes home today after a week's holiday with her Dad, I am so looking forward to seeing her.

Have a couple of LO's half completed - hope to have them done by the challenge due date... if not.. at least they are another couple done. I also need to do my 'scrap whisper'... yep, imagine the game Chinese Whispers and then add a scrapbooking page. I have never done one before... should be fun to see them all at the end.

This semester for Uni I have:

Social Process of Behaviour

Motivation and Emotion

I have had a busy couple of weeks with an Assignment due in week 4, so all my other study has fallen by the wayside, so I am a little behind at the moment. I guess once the novelty of Rory being home wears off I will have to get my butt into gear.

Hope y'all have a great week!

Uni results in...and another page done

2011-02-25T19:07:00.000-08:00

I was very excited yesterday afternoon to get my Uni results for Data Analysis, the subject I did over Summer. After hoping for a Credit, I actually got a High Distinction!! Can't do any better than that, and I'm really happy seeing as it is probably my weakest area. Also pleased it's over, seeing as I had started this subject once before and dropped out.

Also managed another page this week, using Sar's Savvy Random Kit Challenge. The criteria were to use a Scrapbook Savvy kit, have rounded corners, one circle and the journalling stamp included in the kit.

Computer fun

I love how these challenges give me a base to work off, takes all the pressure off knowing where to start!

I hope to get at least another page done this weekend, as Semester 1 for 2011 starts on Monday, and after that I don't think there will be much scrapping getting done.

Have a great weekend y'all.

Some scrappin'

2011-02-20T14:18:00.001-08:00

I managed two layouts on the weekend. Both of them are for my 52 weeks of us album that I am still catching up on from last year.

Scrapbook Savvy had a cybercrop on the weekend, this page is for one of them. The criteria were food related photos, a handmade item, ribbons and/or fabric and stitching.

The Best Bit

This one is based on an online class held by Anthea Peterson at Scrapbook Savvy, there were meant to be alot more handmade flowers, but I was really hopeless at them so this is what I ended up with.

Our New Path

Not alot else happening.

Not enjoying this heat and humidity at all.

Off to take the dog to get his operation today.

Have a great week y'all!

At last...some scrapping

2011-02-13T15:52:00.000-08:00

Well, Summer semester for Uni is over, as of last Tuesday when i sat the exam. Considering it is Statistics, I'll be happy with just a pass.

And now I have 3 glorious weeks off until Semester starts again, so far it has been taken up with all those jobs that have been put off for the last few weeks.

Yesterday, Rory and I actually went in and did some scrapbooking (or 'scrapworking' in Rory language). Having a 4yo loose with inkpads, glue and paper next to you is a little disconcerting, but we got there. I managed two pages for my 52 weeks album for last year. I am determined I will finish this album, I have the dates and photos for every week, just have to transfer them into pages.

New Bed - from the February 1st sketch at Stuck! sketches

Newborn - from Anthea's Sketch challenge at Scrapbook Savvy

Am so loving 8.5 X 11 layouts, I am seriously considering only doing this size from now on. Less stress, suits my simple style, and is quicker, less procrastinating.

Better be off, Miss Rory is lining up for another morning in the scrapping room.

Busy start to the year...

2011-01-27T14:45:00.001-08:00

I can't believe it's the end of January already... the weeks are just flying by...

Last week was taken up with block swimming lessons, Rory was not really keen the first day, but after getting in she was fine.

The five lessons in a row have really seen her come ahead in leaps and bounds, she was also excited because at the Wondai pool she can touch the bottom at the shallow end!!

Then this week was the first day of Kindy for the year. She went on Monday, but then we changed where she would be attending, so she started a new pre-prep Kindy program at the C&K Kindegarten here, on Tuesday and Wednesday..

She was very excited on both her first days, but she was particularly taken with the pre-prep program, I think because all the kids are about her age, whereas before she had quite young kids in her group as well
No scrapping done - no time! Between organising Kindy, two trips to Kingaroy, and one Statistics assignment due, the week has just disappeared!

Rain, rain go away...

2011-01-08T16:16:00.000-08:00

I think I pretty much speak for anyone is Queensland at this point. If there is somewhere that is still drought declared... well I apologise.

After getting 4 inches of rain on Friday afternoon/night, we woke up to more rain Saturday morning...

The result being:

Redgate

Angels Bridge

Krebs Bridge

These photos are from yesterday, so for most of the day we were cut off at all 3 entry points into town. At least we are lucky in the sense that the water moves fast, so doesn't sit around like those poor folk at Rockhampton. However, the amount of water we get relies on rainfall elsewhere as well, so we are expecting another 1-3 metres of water though these spots in the next couple of days. And that doesn't include any additional rain we might get.

Unfortunately we have had one fatality locally, a young woman who was swimming with friends in the flooded Barambah Creek. Her name is yet to be released.

So, people, if you are in a floodridden area, please, please, please be careful, and don't take unnecessary risks. Getting home quicker, an exciting swim - just not worth it. 14 people have died since December 1 2010 in or around flood waters. Be safe!!

52 weeks Layouts

2011-01-03T15:07:00.000-08:00

Thought I would upload some of my favourite LO's from my 52 Weeks of Us album from 2010 (which isn't finished by the way!!)

Rory writing her name by herself for the first time -

Playing with Max -

A 'just because' photo -

Back to Reality...

2011-01-03T05:59:00.000-08:00

Well, even though I don't have paid employment currently, it still seems that it is easy to fall into holiday mode, and let the daily routine lapse a little...

Today for us meant back to reality, cleaning up the house, back to homework (as Rory calls me struggling with Statistics - I simply call it Hell), and back to all those little jobs that have been let go.

Rory has gone to her Dad's for a couple of nights, I do miss her terribly when she's not here, I'm not sure how to describe it - I feel like something is missing, or that constant nagging feeling in the back of your mind that you have forgotten something.

Grandma's birthday party was great yesterday, I swear Rory was more excited than when it was her birthday! Up two hours earlier than normal, and then completely hyper until eventually I just said we were going just so she might calm down. Didn't work. Anyway, between the Kelly's, Zischke's and us there were 8 kids, so that tired her out soon enough. Good sleep when she got home too!

Friday means a round trip to Brisbane, which is 7 hours in the car for us, all to see one (very nice) doctor. However, a necessary evil, and over the last two years I have gone from monthly visits to every 3 months, so I shouldn't complain. Financially it's a bit of a blow, travelling like that is expensive, but there is people alot worse off than me so I try to not complain too much about it.

Anyways, off to check my to do list, I'm sure I must have some things I can cross off the list by now. Would have got more done, except silly me didn't realize there was a holiday today, so tomorrow will have to do.

New Year 2011

2010-12-31T23:57:00.000-08:00

Well the new year is here... and you won't be getting any resolutions from me!!

However I do have a couple of things I want to aim for. I desperately want this separation stuff, financial and custody sorted, so I can move on to the next phase of my life. I am tired of living in limbo, and it has been going on for 16 months! I'm not sure how I make this happen, but I am not willing to lay down and be walked on simply to have it over and done with. Hopefully this year will see a conclusion.

I am also going to continue to do my very best at uni, I am proud of the marks I have recieved so far, and really want to keep them up. I need to keep myself healthy, and take care of my baby girl, not only physically, but guide her through the complicated life that she is already forced to live.

I'm not sure what the year will bring, good or bad, but I hope that I have the strength to take whatever comes my way, with dignity and respect for others. I am so very fortunate to have a few amazing people in my life who have supported me, rescued me, listened to me, and even helped me out financially so that I have so many more choices, and the ability to be as independent as I can. To Bama Lyn and Poppy Mick, thank you just doesn't cover how much I truly appreciate your help.

No scrapping to show off, my time is currently spent writing an assignment and trying to keep up with uni over the holidays. And after all, playing with my girl and helping her with Chrsitmas presents is so much more worthy of my time.

And lastly, Happy Birthday for tomorrow Grandma Lyn, we have made you the most gorgeous chocolate cake with pink icing and lots of sprinkles (as per Rory's instructions) - you are going to be amazed!

Christmas 2010!!

2010-12-27T14:25:00.000-08:00

Well, just a few piccies of the big day. I never have a lot of photos of the big day, because I'm always the one that has to take them, and I'd rather be sharing in the fun and excitement with Rory rather than being behind the camera. And seeing as Rory had to go to her Dad's at 11am, we had to squeeze lots of Christmas into a short amount of time!

Grandma's Christmas Tree

Loving the wind up bubble blower!

This is my favourite shot from the day - very indepth conversation with Grandma

Santa's been!!

Just a few of my favourite pics, now just to find time to scrap them. And while I'm at it, I could scrap last year's Christmas too!!

Christmas Countdown!!

2010-12-21T18:27:00.000-08:00

Well, we are remarkably organised for Christmas this year...

All presents are wrapped, just need to find a bone for the dog, thanks to Rory's instructions.

I am so excited that my name was randomly drawn out for the purple challenge at Scrapbook Savvy, I was just happy to do a page! So thanks to Anthea for the challenge. Am finding that I can't scrapbook at all with Rory as she wants to do exactly what I am doing, which is not exactly conducive to getting anything done!

Anyway, Rory is currently glued to the television, due to the fact that we picked up the DVD of the dance concert this morning. Weather has turned yucky (as expected) so that gives me an excuse for no washing.

Need to go get some lunch into this kidlet and put her down for a sleep. I can see this is going to be difficult, although at the moment the 'Santa' argument works well!

2010-12-20T05:15:00.000-08:00

Well, I have managed to screw this up royally for 2010!!

My new aims for 2011...

1. Keep blog reasonably up to date (cause I'm so good at it!!)

2. Spent more time laughing and playing with my daughter rather than teaching her rules, and how to grow up.

3. Stay up to date with uni stuff (I am getting better) and keep on aiming for Distinctions and High Distinctions.

4. Get more photos taken of Rory and I - even if I don't like how I look in them (I think there is one photo of us together ALL year)

5. Continue to get my health sorted, including my weight and diet under control. This may take awhile, so I need to be patient.

6. Scrapbook for the fun of it! No pressure to do perfect pages, just get in there and do it. If I spent as much time planning it as I did doing it I would be up to date on my 52 weeks album ( which at this stage is a 30 week album...)

I think that will do - don't want to stress myself out too much after all!!

And here is the only page I have done in months. Anthea challenged us on the Scrapbook Savvy site to do a page using purple. Wasn't really a challenge for me cos I use lots of purple, but it is another page done!

TFL!!

March is nearly over!!

2010-03-26T19:41:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how fast the year is going, easter next week and then I guess we'll start heading into winter...

Did a couple of layouts for the Scrapbook Savvy Cypercrop that was held the week before last...

Travelling in Style - Blind Scrap Challenge

Flower Girls - had to use a specific photo (available at Scrapbook Savvy) as inspiration...

Concentration - another challenge based on a specific picture (available at Scrapbook Savvy forum)...

Once again I am behind in my '52 weeks of us' album, have the photos ready just haven't had the time to scrap... two uni subjects is definitely keeping me on my toes, and I am trying desperately not to fall behind...

Rory and I are busy doing 'easter' stuff, made biscuits today, just need to ice them after her sleep today. We have some dough left over that I think we will put in the freezer - will make for an easy baking day later in the week. We also have some other crafty stuff planned, and we have been talking about the easter bunny coming...

More Layouts!!

2010-03-11T21:30:00.001-08:00

I have been on a bit of a roll just of late... well for me anyway!! This is Week 9 of my '52 weeks of Us' album:

And I have done two layouts!! using the Scrapbook Savvy - We're Savvy kit for March - also had to scraplift a page from the Design Team at Scrapbook Savvy, use at least a two word title, and use more than 3 embellishments.

Not a lot else happening around here, am keeping up with two Uni subjects quite well so far, and have been doing a lot of baking, collage, and crafty stuff with Rory. She is loving dancing, and is very busy at the moment learning the days of the week - PlaySchool does wonders!

I am looking forward to the Scrapbook Savvy cybercrop that starts tonight: here's hoping I actually get some of the challenges done!

I've been so slack!!

2010-03-05T23:37:00.001-08:00

Well, I can't believe how slack I have been about this blog, it seems to be the thing on the bottom of my list all the time.

Not that alot has been happening, finished Indigenous Perspectives for Educators at Uni and got a High Distinction, so was pleased with that, it was certainly unexpected. The new Semester started on March 1 and I am doing two subjects, Communication and Scholarship, and Psychology A.

Rory started Tiny Tots dance classes at the beginning of February, she looks so cute in her leotard, skirt and slippers. We have been doing lots of baking, gluing and activity books while I have been off Uni.

I decided at the beginning of the year I was going to scrapbook a '52 weeks of Us', basically a 8.5X11 page for each week of the year. I am mostly using scraps etc. and leftovers from kits.

Week 1 - Make a Wish

Week 2 - Feeding Einstein (papers from Scrapbook Savvy kit)

Week 3 - Fun (inspiration from a Scrapbook Savvy We're Savvy kit challenge)

Week 4 - Swimming Lessons (once again using leftovers from January We're Savvy kit)

Week 5 - Swimming in Luxury

Week 6 - Dance (inspiration for this one from Scrap the Girls blog)

Week 7 - Coffee (inspiration for this one from a February Scrapbook Savvy Cybercrop challenge)

Week 8 - No More Dummy

Haven't done any real pages... but I guess this way I am at least doing one page a week!

We had another 3 inches of rain here last night, so that means 14 inches of rain since the start of February! Sorely needed, and I have to say the overcast/rainy weather hasn't bothered me like it usually does!! Lucky, because I think we are in for more tomorrow!

2010-01-08T18:05:00.000-08:00

Not much been going on...

I got my mark back for my first assignment, 27/30 (yay me!!) so am very happy with that.

Rory and I have had a quiet week, not much happening... she is now at her Dad's for the weekend.

The last couple of layouts I've done - I can't believe I've done three layouts already for the month - so not like me! I guess I'll make up for it during exam time whem I don't get any done.

This LO is for a Colour challenge on the Scrapbook Savvy site, the colours were purple, teal blue and orange.

And the sketch challenge for Scrapbook Savvy and Inspire Blueprints as well - love this sketch - will definitely be using it again.

2010-01-01T23:37:00.000-08:00

Well I welcomed in the new year in my comfy bed and a good book... not very exciting hey!! My BIL Brad managed to get vey sick and hospitalised New Year's Eve so I drove up and picked up Nellie and Lachy. As Nellie and Rory are only 13 days apart in age, it's like having twins I imagine, one minute they are getting on famously, the next fighting like cats and dogs! So we spent New Year's Day up at the farm so they could entertain each other, and Lachlan was happy just following them around.

Today marks our first birthday of the year, Grandma Lyn turned 53! I organised lunch and took it up to their place seeing as nowhere was open to go out to lunch. Cheated though, didn't even make the cake! The girls helped her blow out her candles...

Not the best photo of Mum, but the kids are cute!

Scrapbooking wise, seeing as everyone is making goals, I am going to aim for 50 layouts for the year (about twice my output last year) plus not buy any cards, make them instead!

And here is my first layout for 2010, it is based on Emma's 5-4-3-2-1 challenge for December from the Scrapbook Savvy site.

2009-12-27T02:14:00.001-08:00

It always amazes me that I stress about the right presents, the right wrapping etc. for weeks... then it is all over in a matter of hours...LOL

We had a great Christmas, picked Rory up at 11am, thought she would be over presents and unwrapping, but she just moved on to Phase 2 of Christmas without a backwards glance. All the kids had a ball, especially Shanelle and Rory who, at 3, are just the right age. Not so cheery were Uncle Brad and Aunty Kelley who had been up all night with a vomiting bug, and then Brendan and Amanda and ALL FOUR kids had been up with it all night as well, so some of the adults were fairly subdued.

Rory is excited about the trampoline Santa brought, even though she already has one at her Dad's, except it has drizzled rain here since she got it so she hasn't really had a chance to jump on it, will get some photos tomorrow.

I have only a couple of decent photos from Christmas Day, because some little fingers had played with the settings on the camera...took me all day to work out what was wrong with it.

I also have finally finished a layout I started some weeks ago... I used the Scrapbook Savvy We're Savvy Kit, and the rules for the Kit challenge, even though I was done too late to enter. The rules were, a messy photo, or grubby faces (I used a grumpy face), hand doodling and scallops.

And yes, I did finish the advent calendar, I think we started about the 15th, but Rory didn't care.

I still haven't worked out how to 'decorate' my blog yet, or how to link back to other sites, but I am getting there..thanks to those who have left me comments, I was so excited!

2009-12-15T01:53:00.000-08:00

Well.. it hasn't been the best of weeks...

I managed to get my first assignment fnished and sent on time.. now just to see if I pass it!

Last Saturday 12th December, we lost our long time four legged friend, Kya, whom we had had since she was a puppy. She went into liver failure, out of the blue on Friday, and had basically slipped into a coma by Saturday morning at the vets. On a positive note, we got to say goodbye, and she had a very comfortable and happy life for 9 years. Rory still doesn't get it but I just keep explaining that Ky was too sick to come home, and that she went to dog heaven.

We went to the Christmas Fair on Friday night, with Grandma and Poppy, Kellie, Shanelle and Lachy, and the kids had such a ball! They went on ride after ride, the giant slide, the merry-go-round, the teacup and jumping castle, ate ice cream, got glow sticks and fairy floss to take home and generally got spoilt! At this age it is so amazing to watch them experiencing new things, and the look of pure joy on their faces when they try something new is a joy to behold.

We went shopping today to try and get the last of the Christmas shopping done, and to get our photo with Santa. Rory was happy enough to chat to Santa, but got a little overawed by everyone in the line looking at her, so we didn't get a smile. Doesn't matter, has to be better than last year when she was actually crying!

Haven't got any scrapping done, and need to take photos of the advent calendar, which I am really pleased with. Have another assignment due this Friday, which I have started but am nowhere near finished, so there will probably be no scrapping this week either, and then next week is Christmas!

2009-12-08T05:39:00.000-08:00

My first post to my very first blog... I guess I should have something really clever or philosophical to say, but I really don't! Actually I have been getting around to this for some time, and while I was procrastinating over finishing my uni assignment, I thought I would jump on and set it up.

While I am here I will post my last scrapbook page I did... it is a sketch challenge from the Scrapbook Savvy site.

I am currently doing a Kaiser Advent Calendar (yeah I know its getting a bit late) but I am almost finished it - Ror is going to love the concept when I get it started!