Just an Update

I have been rather busy of late and if I wasn't doing some scrapping (which layout I have not yet finished!), we had no electricity for almost 2 days, I was leaving comments on blogs or swimming, or was away.

Our electricity went out last Tuesday at 12:45pm and only came back on Wednesday at 9:30pm. A cable blew up and destroyed the cable next to it. Our whole area had no lights. It was so irritating as Dereck would phone the department who would say that they were working on it, but in actual fact we are linked to another phase and the minute electricity is restored, it blows a fuse and us and our neighbour and one other are then without lights and when you try and explain this ..... no-one wants to listen!!

I have been trying to scrap Grant's graduations pictures. It has been rather slow and last night when I thought I would get a bit more done, Shelley and I ended up chatting so much that I managed to stick down two photos on their backing paper and cut them out!! At least there was some progress!!

I must say I enjoy checking out other people's blogs and there are quite a few I follow, so keeping up to date does take a while and then of course I have to visit facebook and do the word challenge - this is sooooo addictive!!!

I have been doing swimming training as Paula and Kate (from work), myself, Dereck and a friend Darryl have entered the non-company event in the Midmar Mile. I have been going fairly regularly to train and can comfortably swim 2km within an hour with a few minutes to spare and still feel good! We have an hour to swim 1.6km. I have done it before - 9 years ago, and am looking forward to the event next Saturday (7 February).

Dereck had to go to JHB this last week-end for a course that he was attending from Monday to Wednesday so he asked me to drive up with him on Saturday morning and then he would fly me back on Sunday evening. We left at 5:00am and after stopping just past Harrismith (I think) for breakfast we got to Joanne's place (his baby sister) at about 11:00am. Her children, Kerin and Ryan were pleased to see us and I had bought gingerbread men for them, which they were quite tickled about. We spent the morning just chatting and chilling and at about 2pm decided that we were hungry, so went to the Broadacres centre (I have been there previously with Desire, so was able to help them with directions!!!) We went to the Mugg and Bean and had a lovely relaxing afternoon. The evening we just sat round chatting again and much later had cheese and biscuits to fill the little gaps. Kerin and Ryan happily let me take some photos of them, which I will post once I have downloaded them off Dereck's camera.

On Sunday morning, Dereck and I left the duplex and went to another mall and then went to visit Desire & Conroy. We got to their place at about 10:00 and it was great to see them again. Saw her lovely new car, discussed scrapping things (how could we not!) and then sat down to a lovely piece of poppy seed cake and something cold to drink. We chatted and listened and watched the birdlife in her garden and at about 12:00 we left to go and meet a friend of Dereck's in Pretoria. Dereck and David have been friends since they were about 3. We met them at their house and then went to the Brooklyn Mall to a Greek restaurant for lunch. We had a wonderful time and a friend of their daughter who joined us had just returned from being in New York for a year, so we were getting some tips from her for our trip. We left there at about 4:30pm, drove back to Joanne's place and then at about 6:30pm, Dereck drove me to the airport.

Had a good flight home and Grant and Lauren came to fetch me. Dereck drove back yesterday (with all that terrible rain) and arrived back safely at 6:30pm. It was good to have him home!

I have been awarded a few blog awards which I still need to copy the pictures and paste them onto my blog - "please be patient, the awards will be posted". I do appreciate getting them, but have just been otherwise occupied.

Updated signing off ....

BOM Challenge #13 - Creature Comforts

Here is my layout on the latest BOM Challenge #13 (found on Tracy's blog)regarding our "Comforts": And the journalling reads as follows:

"Everything I have gives me comfort and these things also give me a lot of pleasure as I remember how I came about owning them. I feel that I am a fairly easy going person. There is nothing as such that I could not live without. If I don’t have it I do without it, although I choose not to be without my lipstick and always carry one around with me. The other thing that I feel lost without, is a watch and have always worn one.

When going away, I always make sure that I have my hairdryer with me as if my hair is not dried nicely, I don’t feel right.

I find it very relaxing looking at my Beatrix Potter and Swarovski crystal figurines as these bring back memories of many overseas trips or special gifts from family and friends.

I absolutely love music and dancing. My taste in music is such that if you can dance to it I enjoy it. There have been many times whilst I have been scrapping that I have stopped to have a quick dance to a song that I really enjoy. I have a mini hi-fi set in my scrap room and have a few compilations of “older” music which I sooo enjoy and listen to often. I don’t dance enough and would love to take up ballroom dancing, but Dereck hates it!! If I have the house to myself, I put a selection of music in the hi-fi in the bar, turn up the sound loud and totally have a ball!!

I find a lot of comfort and pleasure in reading a good adventure book. Dereck and I have similar tastes, so we have been lucky in that department. Occasionally I will read a soppy book just because but that is not too often. I also enjoy movies as does Dereck, so we often watch movies on TV or go to the movies. Sometimes we go and watch different movies!!

I love being with people and especially my friends and family. There is something about each friend that makes them special to me. Special friends in my life at the moment are Ingrid (Gigs who I have known since 1970 and who currently lives in London and we are still in regular contact), Shelley, Desire, Rayna, Kathy and Audrey. These friends are easy to talk to, I love being with them and I always have a great time with them.

Believe it or not, I enjoy exercising – be it walking, doing gym or currently swimming (I am training for the Midmar Mile on 7 February 2009). I get such satisfaction after my training sessions!

I love comedy and this would be one thing to really cheer me up. I have a great sense of humour and I see the funny side of other people’s misfortunes – not that I would like them to happen to me!

I love making things and get great comfort in seeing the finished product. I also get great pleasure in giving things to people, especially seeing their joy and appreciation of what they have received.

Comfort foods ... well I can’t say that I need a reason to eat!! But, I really do enjoy chocolate, especially with nuts in it, nougat, marzipan, lemon meringue pie and ice-cream, to name a few. I have a sweet tooth and just love food in general.

Since I started scrapping in 2002, I have got to appreciate my camera and get a lot of enjoyment in taking pictures of those special moments with friends, family and holidays.

I enjoy just sitting in my garden and watching the birds. I get huge satisfaction watching monkeys – they certainly entertain me and I am totally fascinated in watching them.

When my friends and I get together we talk about any issues or situations we may have, but I don’t just phone them up to discuss matters. If I am upset, I would either go and scrap, do something on the computer or go and read a book.

I am comfortable within myself and therefore comfortable in most situations."

What are your comforts?

Thanks for looking.

Comfortable signing off .....

I can't believe you wore that to my 21st party....!!!

Yes, that was the theme for Grant's 21st party which we had on Saturday 10 January 2009. Here are pictures of some of the people and how they came dressed up, or not. This is a selection of pictures taken while the speeches were taking place:

This is a selection when Grant was blowing out the candles on the cakes. Debbie made and iced all the cupcakes, which were really yummy:

The birthday boy, just having soo much fun .....

Some of the dressed up guests ....

And some more ....

And even more ...

We hired the Pinetown Athletic Clubhouse and arranged a lamb on the spit with Le Ouma. They came in and did all the meat as well as the salads and also supplied all the crockery and cutlery - which certainly took a load off me. I bought 2 hot snack platters and put out some chips and dips as well.

Between Grant and Dereck, they organised some music on Grant's laptop and later on in the evening everyone (well almost everyone) took to the floor dancing. We had some line dancing and even some sakkie sakkie.

We all had a really great time and I was most impressed with some of the outfits people wore and the trouble they took to dress up.

I certainly think that it was a party that Grant will remember for a long time.

Again, Happy 21st Grant and may you have many more happy birthdays in the future.

Proud mom signing off ...............

A chance to win

Doesn't this look yummy? If you would like a chance to win all this lovely blog candy, then click here.

Feeling lucky signing off ....

100 Things

The list of 100 Things is floating around in Blogland. The things I've done, I've highlighted..... and let me tell you, there are several things I would never, EVER do!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland (going in April 2009)
8. Held a praying mantis
9. Climbed a mountain (how big of a mountain??)
10. Sang a solo (at school!)
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (Stamping)
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning (mild version)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (hope to do that in April 2009)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon (don't run, but have racewalked many)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48.Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Walked in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person (Hope to in April 2009)
80. Published in a book (recipes in school books)
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous (Michael Mol from Top Billing)
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby (2)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Hmmm, I've done quite a bit now let me see yours ...

21 Today - Not me, but Grant!!

On the 4 January 1988 at 08H15 at St Augustine's hospital this little bundle of joy named Grant Michael Ramsay arrived: On the 4 January 2009 this is what the bundle of joy grew up to be (picture taken on Christmas day, but it is close enough!!):

Congratulations Grant - Dad, Leanne and I wish you all the best for your future. Have a great party next week!!! Breakfast in bed (per your request) will be served at 08h15 - pictures later)

Proud mom signing off ....

Give-away by Tracy Fanslow

This is what you can win on Tracy Fanslow's blog and this is what she says about it:

"I have an extra Creating Keepsakes Kit of the Month: Project 365!!! It will be on it's way

to me very soon and I'll be giving it away to a lucky blog reader/follower."

Check it out!!

Feeling lucky signing off ......

Christmas Day with Lesley & Alec

 

We had a lovely day with Lesley & Alec. We had done a draw about a week ago to determine who we had to buy a present for. It was a secret so it was exciting to see what we got and who it was from. Alec's sister Rhona and her husband Fred and their two children joined us for lunch, which was absolutely yummy!

The rest of the afternoon we sat listening to music and playing our present game with our R30 and R10 gifts. This was a load of fun and it was interesting to see what could actually be bought for these amounts.

Sorry these posts are a bit out of order, but at least they are here!!! he he

Spoilt signing off ....

Flowers in my Garden

 

 

Last year we re-did our garden at the back of the house and these are some of the plants that were planted. We had some bad luck initially as some insects started eating them, but this year they have revived and are flowering beautifully. This is just two that were in full bloom that I wanted to show you.

Thanks for looking.

Happy gardner signing off ...

BOM Challenge #12 Dedicated to my Dad & Mom

 

Here is my take on the BOM challenge #12 dedicating the page to someone that has inspired us. There have been many people in my life who have taught me things and inspired me, but I chose do dedicate this page to my parents as without their love and guidance over the years, I would not be the person I am today.

The wording is as follows:

"My dad and mom have been a great inspiration in my life and were and still are, always very fair and treat my brothers, sister and I the same. None of us got more than the other. They are both very kind and caring people and always willing to assist others.
They are very careful with money and taught me at a young age its value and how to budget. When I received my pocket money, it had all been worked out exactly how much I needed and before I got my next month’s pocket money, I had to show my dad what I had spent my money on ie I had to keep a budget. I know that my parents saved well which enabled us to go on holidays (mainly during July) and I saw a lot of South Africa as we mostly drove to wherever we were going. We often visited my cousins in East London and Port Elizabeth.
My parents encouraged us to do sport and fetched and carried when necessary. I was fortunate enough to do music (I played the piano until I was in matric and my teacher died), ballet, modern dancing, speech and drama (I won a bursary to study with Prof. Elizabeth Sneddon for a year), gymnastics, squash, tennis, badminton, athletics and swimming. My dad played a lot of tennis, so I suppose I got that love of sport from him. My brothers and sister also did music, karate, badminton and squash from what I can remember.
My mom was a Domestic Science teacher and once I started school she stopped working, so she was always home in the afternoons. My mom often baked biscuits and cakes which we loved to help with and when I got older, there were certain biscuits, coconut squares and cupcakes that I certainly enjoyed making. Whenever we needed cakes or things for a function, my mom would make meringues (this was her speciality) or other baked goodies. My mom would rather make something than go and buy it. My mom also sewed very well and made a lot of my skirts, dresses and tops and would often sit up late into the night to finish an outfit for me. I remember having to stand up on the desk (she is very short) so that she could measure the hems of my skirts properly!!
My dad is very good with doing woodwork and made a lot of the furniture in our house – all the cupboards in the kitchen and bedrooms, their bed, dressing table, my sister and my bed and chest of drawers to name a few things, as well as for other people. He was always doing something in the garage or fixing up something round the house. My dad very seldom called someone in to fix things – he got on and did them himself.
As children we knew exactly where we stood with my parents. If they said no, there was no changing that. Sometimes we could answer back to my mom, but if she said she was calling my dad, boy were we scared! A lot of pepper and sunlight soap went down my mouth!!!
Both my parents have a good sense of humour, my dad a bit more than my mom and we have had lots of laughs together. My mom has a lot of patience.
To dad and mom – thank you for all that you have done for me and for giving me the grounding to be the person that I am today."

Dedicated signing off ...

A Layout Completed

 

This is a layout of when Grant graduated from pre-school.

Thanks for looking.

Scrapping lady signing off ...

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Glitter Winnie The Pooh Graphics



Hope you all had a great evening. Grant and Lauren spent the evening with friends and they slept over as well. Dereck and I went round to Lesley & Alec's place. Alec made the most divine curry which we had with rice, sambals and garlic bread and I surprised them with my Ginger Pudding (I will give you the recipe once I have uploaded the photos I took!!)

Once we finished supper, we sat around listening to a great music selection from my youth while playing 30 seconds. At midnight we opened up the bubbly and watched all the fireworks going off in the area. I think we got home just before 1am. A great night and felt good this morning.

We got up late this morning and Dereck made us breakfast. He then went to playing on his racing game and I did some scrapping. In the afternoon, we went round to my mom and dad where my sister Liesel and brother Warren, Debbie, Luke and Rebekah were. We played a game called "Park and Shop" which was fun. This is a game I used to play often as a child!

My dad's Bantam chickens have had more chickens and there are 10 of them that are 2 weeks old. I am sad that I didn't take my camera, as they are just soooo cute!

New Year chick signing off ....