Our new little angel...

Meet Lachlan Robert Maxwell Hawting born last Friday at Newcastle Private. 3.27k and 51cm long. The guy with the big grin is my baby brother Peter who has waited a long time to have his own little footy mate. No doubt the Essendon jumper has already been bought. Stephanie is doing well. Can't wait until they get home for a cuddle.

The last week has been a write off - bacterial gastroenteritis or food poisoning. Pro-biotic drinks are supposed to fill your stomach with good bacteria - this one did exactly the opposite. For 4 days I had 40C temperatures, a permanent booking on the loo, total dehydration and lost 4 kg. I haven't been at work for over a week and been too sick to enjoy the time off. I am pleased to report that I have missed absolutely nothing on Days of our Lives since I last watched it 15 years ago. Just can't figure out why they keep looking younger!

I have made a new recipe file - I used a Martha Stewart flip photo album and the recipes will slide in the plastic pockets to keep them clean. Maybe oneday I might even cook....

By the way did I tell you - I'm an AUNTIE!!!!!!!!!

A FIERY DAY IN FEBRUARY – JO-ANNE MATHESON

There came a day in February
That had us all in shock
A time when the south east of Australia
Was hit by a fiery rock

The country just exploded
Into a huge fireball
And in its path spared nothing
Intent on taking it all

The CFA and others
Were there to fight the fight
And we at home were watching
The devastation and the fright


One cannot imagine
What folks are going through
As they wait for news on loved ones
And the others that they knew


They are always believing
That they will soon be seen
Some are already grieving
Where the hell could they have been?


Sometimes the word is positive
Often it’s not so good
Some have lost a place to live
Where every family should


We pray to God for strength and hope
As they face what lies ahead
How the hell are they going to cope?
So much fear - so much dread.

Australians we know how to fight
As we observe the strife
So dig in deep with all our might
To give them back their life



Monday – 9 February 2009

It has been an horrific week in Victoria with fire raging all over the state. John's ex-wife and her husband - a member of the local CFA - are in Murrundindi and have been isolated on their property by the fires - it is worrying for his children. At this time they are safe. Luckily Emily doesn't have to go to her school in Yea for another couple of weeks - this of course may now change depending on the fire activity.

The poem is written by my friend Jo in Queensland, thank you for allowing me to post it here.

The photograph credit is seven.com.au

To all the firefighters, and others putting their lives on the line for us. Thank you.

January has nearly gone...

And I haven't posted since the first...

Em and her friends have been to Luna Park and had such a fun time. I dropped them off and went into the office to have a cuppa with Euan. They all got matching tattoos and Em was quite disappointed when hers finally washed off.

Bec has been working, training and had a brilliant skating seminar with Jodie Johnson-Garufo - a fantastic coach and former coach of Skate Australia - our World's precision team. Her team has been selected to skate for Australia at the Oceania Championships to be held in Melbourne in July.

I managed to get a few layouts done for a cyber crop at Chookscraps



Last Friday I spent the morning in hospital for tests as there were some disturbing signs on my last CT scan and my doctor suspected that I may have cancer - the good news is that all is fine and nothing a few (well quite a few really...) kilos off and a total diet change can't keep under control. I just have to be reviewed every two years now. I have to now get my achilles tendonitis (probably Nintendo-itis) and arthritis under control so I can go back to exercising properly again.

A big happy 40th tomorrow to Jen and a happy 20th to Sean T.

WELCOME To 2009!!!!!!!!!

Wishing everyone the best for a happy and healthy New Year!

The month that was...

I haven't updated for a while with the usual end of year rush so here are a few highlights of the past couple of weeks. Better grab your coffee first....

Create 08 - OMG - in all the years I have been scrapbooking I have never done a live class and now I have really been initiated. I haven't been to Wattle Park since I left school and I refuse to say how many years ago that was. Some things don't change - especially the Chalet. The classes were fast and furious and Heidi Swapp was a delight. Loved the techique class! And its always more fun with friends - spending time with Wendy, Leeanne, Willisa, Susan, Kim and Deb was great as I rarely get to see the PD girls these days - not that there was much time for chatting. Susan won the door prize - how typical! Hit the ProShop at the golf club for a real coffee to recharge the batteries and I came home with a new driver - well who could resist the lovely pink shaft...just got to get out and play.

I have been cyber cropping - gives me a break from working. First one was for Scrapping Around . We had to "Scrap your Stash"

Old photos (10 years or over): -

Old supplies: - Use up all our old chipboard:-
Then there were some fun step by step decorations -

And the bonus was that I won shop prizes for the layouts so now I have my inks and mask to do finish my Heidi calendar.

Next one was for Chook Scraps - using Christmas colours for this challenge.

That's more scrapping then I have done in months!

Emily had her school presentation day at Fun Fields in Whittlesea - I am loving Eastlink - saved me nearly half and hour each way. And so different to last year - this time she was off with her friends as soon as we got through the gate. She was rapt that Nat - who moved to Healesville earlier this year - was there too. She loved driving the go karts. And I loved the report and the comments from her teachers!

Bec did really well with her Year 11 subjects and passed Year 12 Further Maths. Yeasterday she spent the day in the city with a friend and they went to the aquarium (appropriate for a future conservation biologist and zoo keeper!) and went up to the Skydeck at Eureka Tower. They thought it was so cool.

We had the usual Sunday before Christmas with John's family - his 2yo grandson James was hilarious and we given the exciting news that Chris and Tamara are expecting their first - so he will have another grandchild in June.

Our Christmas was lovely - Bec had gone on a huge present buying spree this year but the nicest thing was what she had written on cards to John, Em and me. Very thoughtful. We went at watched a light show at a house on Olivers Hill on Christmas Eve. Christmas dinner was at my mother's - only 11 this year with my brother and partner, Sean and Sarah, and Kathy away and Tom no longer with us - she did a fabulous job.

Nanny playing Santa:-

The pudding made to my grandmother's recipe and bought to the table to be lit:-

MIL, John, Em and Bec:-

Sean has been in Qld for a month with Sarah's family. Her mum has finished chemo now and wanted a holiday to celebrate. Pity she picked up a really nasty cold which she gave to everyone except Sean and Sarah. They got back yesterday so we made the girls wait until last night to open the last of their presents - a Wii and Wii Fit - and it wasn't to be set up until today - I am such a mean mother!

Congratulations if you have made it his far - I am on holidays now until the 12th Jan so now the mad rush is over I can hopefully relax and recharge the batteries.

Its' nearly 2009!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL....

Hope you are have a wonderful day and if you are travelling take care.
I'll be soon with an update - its time now to open presents!!!

Lasagna