USA scrapbook layouts

Ok, so for not having blogged for a while, grab your coffee and get comfortable so that you can read and look at all the layouts I have been busy with.

I still need to separate pages of journalling about what we did in New York, but the page below is about some of the sights we saw in New York:This page is about the Empire State Building - boy was this tall. We went up to the 86th floor and it was quite amazing looking down onto New York. It was absolutely freezing too!!
This layout is all about Times Square - this is where everything seems to happen and our hotel was about a 10 minute walk up the road.
This layout is not quite finished as I still need some wording in the top right hand corner and a note or too on the little orange tags (they are not stuck down hence the one being crooked). This is showing Central Park, Bryant Park, Maddison Square Park and the Natural History Museum. The picture with the dinasour is in the entrance area where the film "Night at the Museum" was filmed.
This Mall of America is where I found the best scrapbooking shop!!!!
The journalling is as follows:

Tuesday, 7 April 2009 – my dad’s birthday today. After getting up early and doing our last NY blogpost we headed to the station to get to the airport. Going through customs, we had to take off our shoes, jackets, belts, laptops in a separate container and then put our hand luggage through. Mine got stopped and the customs guy unpacked everything. He even flipped through the books I had! When I asked him what the problem was, his reply was “I don’t know, I just like looking through people’s bags”. While this was going on, our plane was boarding. It was a 2 hour flight from New York to Wisconsin, and we lost another hour, so we were now 7 hours behind SA. Airports in America are different to SA in that guests wait at the luggage carousels and this is where my uncle and aunt, Peter and Liz were waiting for us and it was great to see them.

On our way to Peter and Liz’s house, we stopped at the Great Mall of America, which is the largest mall in the world – not sure if there is one bigger yet. If you walk around the whole mall and up all 3 levels you will have walked 3.2km’s. We had lunch at the Nappa Valley Grill. Dereck and I had cheeseburgers and Peter and Liz had cheeseburger soup. After we finished lunch we wondered around the mall and found a scrapbooking shop called Archivers – What a shop!! After 45 minutes of looking around and only getting through half the shop I was pulled out!!! We wondered round the mall a bit more and on our way back to the car, passed the entertainment area. They have loads of restaurants and take-aways, a movie section and in the middle of the mall is this huge of rollercoaster and big legoland of building blocks. A child’s delight!

Once home we unpacked our bags and then walked around the garden for a bit. Peter took us for a walk up the road and we met his neighbour. Peter had a few errands to run, so we went with him and he left us at the local Dunn Brothers Coffee shop so that we could do a blog update. Once we got home he made us champagne cocktails – very yummy (1tsp Contreau, 1tsp Brandy, maraschino cherries and filled with champagne). Liz made a delicious pork casserole for supper and after chatting and catching up on news and handing out gifts from South Africa, we got to bed at 9:30pm.

This layout below is at my aunt and uncle's house in Wisconsin. The journalling reads as follows:

River Falls, Wisconsin.

My uncle Peter and aunt Liz stay on a 5 acre piece of land. The snow is what we missed a few days before we got there. We watched lots of squirrels and birds eating from the feeders on the veranda. "Nandi" is their sausage dog. Denny's is the diner (just like you see in the movies) where we had breakfast one morning.

Peter and Dereck went to play golf one morning and on their way, these two turkeys were having a bit of "fun"!.

Don't know why this picture came out this way, but anyway, it is about the sights and our trip to a town called "Stockholm". The journalling is as follows:

After a lovely breakfast of poached eggs with an English muffin we headed off to the Kinnickinnic State Park. This is where the Kinnickinnic river joins the St Croix river which eventually joins up with the Mississippi river which is the second longest river in the USA spanning 3730km from its source. There were still a few mounds of snow left from the recent snow fall and I couldn’t resist standing on it! We continued along the scenic route next to the river until we got to a little town called Stockholm. All the towns in the USA have signs stating how many people live there and are updated after a census has been held. There was a pie shop that Peter and Liz said made delicious pies, but it was shut. After chatting to the owner in the art shop next door, he suggested that we go over to Gelly’s pub as they make really nice food. So we did and they were even playing country music. I had a meat loaf with mash and gravy and it was delicious.

While there the owner of the art shop came in to say that his sister (who owns the pie shop) had just popped in and had said that she would make us a pie if we still wanted one. We said that we would like the apple pie and were told it would be ready in 45 minutes time. After our lunch we wondered round a few of the shops and then collected our pie. We headed off to carry along the scenic route of the river, crossed over it and continued on the other side. This river is really huge and very scenic and there are quite a number of places along the route to stop and look at the views. After getting home, Peter cooked some salmon on the braai and we had that with a lovely salad that Liz made and then finished off with the apple pie and ice-cream. One of the best apple pies I have tasted and it was certainly worth the trip!!

Four of these layouts were done over the long week-end when I went up to Johannesburg and spent the time with Desire and Conroy. I also got all the papers and layout ideas for the other layouts as well as another 3 that I still need to complete and once done, that will be the first week of our USA holiday - 4 weeks to go!!!! All credit to Desire for the designs and fantastic colour combinations.

Desire and Conroy are on a healty eating plan and I fitted in with this plan and on my return weighed myself and had lost 1kg. I have never eaten so many vegetables in a week-end as I did then, but boy were they delicious. I have continued with this eating plan and went to see a Dietician when I got home as I am a member of Discovery Vitality and get points for doing this. I have made a chart of what I should be eating and I have had it laminated and put up on my kitchen wall, so that everytime I eat anything, I just cross it off and then I know what I still need to eat. I get weighed next Monday and so far this plan has been really great and I am feeling wonderful.

Two week-ends ago, Rayna and I went to another mosaic/painting class and I started on my mosaic frog who will be named "Padda". I haven't finished it yet, but once finished will post a picture. I must say I am really enjoying the mosaicing and have got a couple of ideas waiting to be mosaiced.

Well, that is all for now.

Scrapped and healthy signing off ....

Update - learning a bit more about me ....

I know it has been rather a while for an update from me, but I saw this on Helen's blog and decided to do an update starting with this - enjoy learning a bit more about me ....

1. What’s the last thing you put in your mouth?

tomato, onion and a small piece of meat

2. Have you ever kissed anyone named Matthew?

Yes, he kissed me to congratulate me on an award

3. Who was the last person you rode in a car with under the age of 20?

Lauren - Grant's girlfriend

4. Can you play guitar hero?

No, what is that?

5. Last time you walked further than a block?

Does walking through the Pavilion count?

6. How late did you stay up last night and why?

11:30pm because I was checking out facebook, playing a game and then did some scrapping and of course had to read some of my book before I eventually put out the light.

7. If you could move somewhere else, would you?

Not now as I could not leave my dogs behind.

8. Do you believe ex’s can be friends?

Depending on the circumstances of them becoming ex's

9. Do you like calling or texting better?

Depending on how much I have to tell the other person - if a little then texting if a lot then a call. I am not fast with texting.

10. When was the last time you cried really hard?

When a good friend passed away at the beginning of this year.

11. Where are you at right now?

At my computer in the study.

12. What bed did you sleep in last night?

My own.

13. What was the last thing someone bought for you?

Dereck bought me a new little Canon printer.

14. Who took your profile picture?

I can't remember his name, but a lady at a scrapping week-end in Mpumalanga

15. Who was the last person you took a picture of?

Grant and Lauren at the Zoological gardens - but that was a while ago!!

16. Was yesterday better than today?

I enjoyed them both.

17. Can you live a day without TV?

I could live forever without it.

18. When was the last time you were extremely disappointed?

On Monday afternoon.

19. Are you a bad influence?

Me a bad influence - no ways!!

20. Night out or night in?

I can razzle on the right occassion!

21. Are you more of an individual or an outgoing person?

Outgoing - definitely

22. What items could you not go without during the day?

Lipstick and some water.

23. Would you share a drink with a stranger?

No.

24. Do you think it’s right for straight guys to get their tongue pierced?

If that is what they want to do, then go for it.

25. Have you ever thrown shoes on a telephone wire?

I have thought of it, but didn't have an old pair to throw away at the time.

26. What does the last message in your inbox say?

Hi M ........................... love Linda x (it was rather long and don't want to repeat it all here)

27. How do you feel about your life right now?

I love my life

28. How many times have you been pulled over by the police?

Only when they do routine checks

29. Do you hate anyone?

There are two people who fit that category.

30. Did you have a Valentine this year?

Dereck is always my valentine

31. Last person who phoned you and why?

Dereck to ask me what I wanted for supper.

32. Can you easily tell if someone is fake?

Sometimes by the way they talk, I feel that they are not genuine.

33. How’s your heart?

Fit and healthy.

34. Say you were given a drug test right now, Would you pass?

Without a question of doubt.

35. What song is stuck in your head?

I gotta Feeling...Black Eyed Peas - I love this song.

36. What do you have to do this week?

Work, take minutes, type the minutes, work, filing, work, have my hair coloured and trimmed, scrap go to a 21st party and scrap some more

37. Can you whistle?

Sort of.

38. Do you sleep on your side, stomach, or back?

Side

39. What gets in your way of your sleeping?

Nothing

40. Are your eyes the same colour as your mom’s or dad’s?

I don't think so, otherwise possibly the same as my dad - green. I can't actually remember his eye colour - he he

41. Do you think too much or too little?

I think a fair amount, but I certainly don't ponder on things.

42. Do you smile a lot?

Lots and lots

43. Why was the last missed call on your phone?

Because I was in my scrappy room with the music playing and didn't hear the phone.

44. Are you happy with your life?

Absolutely

45. Can you handle the truth?

Yes, but not too nice if it is very personal. I can't handle lies

46. Do you get 8 hours of sleep everyday?

Most nights

47. What was the last book you read?

What Became of Us - can't remember the author

48. Is there something you always wear?

Watch (and underwear of course)

49. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?

Reading the Highway Mail

50. Who was the last person to tell that they love you?

Leanne, when she phoned home.

51. Are you an emotional person?

Yes

52. What’s something that can always make you feel better?

Listening to music

53. Will this weekend be a good one?

Of course! It is what you make of it.

54. What do you want right now?

To finish updating my blog so that I can carry on scrapping

55. Look behind you, what do you see?

A couch

56. Have you ever worked in a food place?

Besides my kitchen, Pizzaland when it still existed. Did waitressing while I was at Tech - boy that was a long time ago- but lots of fun!!

Now you know something about me signing off ....

The "Biddy" Filly

Dereck and some of his friends have been talking about buying a race horse and naming it "Biddy" in memory of a great friend who was murdered in May 2008. A good friend, Paul Lafferty is a race horse trainer and he got hold of Dereck recently to let him know that he had this filly currently named Empress Eugenie who was available for sale. Dereck got hold of friends that knew Biddy (Ian Boucher) and there are now 6 of them who are going to be part owners of this horse whose name will be changed to Biddy. She will be 2 years old on 7 November 2009 and will hopefully be ready for racing some time in November. Dereck and I went to the Summerveld stables on Sunday morning to see her and take some photos. I must say she is really a lovely looking horse and I hope she trains well and can win a few races for us. I am certainly looking forward to watching her first race!!

After leaving the stables, we went to Dieter's nursery for a quite bite to eat, then home to make a noodle salad and then off to Ian's place for a braai and then watch the grand prix - my man Lewis Hamilton won - which was great and then we watched the finish of the Tour de France. Awesome racing and I was really pleased that Lance Armstrong made such a come back and finished third - just shows that if your mind can conceive it, the body can achieve it!!

A bit horsey signing off ....

A Wild Week-end!!

On Thursday evening I woke up quite a few times with terrible stomach cramps, diarhea (sp??) and vomitting. I have not had anything like this in absolute years and have no idea what caused it. Nedless to say when my alarm went of at 6am, there was just no ways I could get up for work. I sms'ed my boss and asked if I could come in at 10 and replied that I should come in after lunch. I went back to sleep and woke up at 12 to shower and go to work. I felt horrific. I stayed at work for an hour and a half and then came home again and went straight back to bed and woke up when Dereck came to say goodbye to me when he went to rugby. I drank lucozade and took a health probiotic, had a roll and went back to sleep. After sweating profusely I awoke on Saturday morning like a new person!

I went with Dereck to Umkomaas Golf Club and walked round the golf course with him – about 8km. He and his partner won the competition that they had played in and it was a most enjoyable walk.

Meanwhile Grant and Lauren had gone to Shongweni Farmers Market to sell charcoal and on their way home they collected Lauren’s step-sister Michaela and her brother Jett to spend the week-end with us!! They took them down to the Umgeni Bird Park for the afternoon and we met up with them once they got home. They are such lovely children and Jett is such a cute 3 year old!!

On Sunday morning we decided to go to the Lion Park near Pietermaritzburg. I remeber going there as a child and then when Dereck and I first met, so it was going to be a treat for us as well. We didn't tell Michaela where we were taking them, so they were rather excited once we got there. The first animal besides some cows was a rhine which one of the rangers brought up close to the car for us. Her name was Sally and she just about stuck her head in the window. Jett got a bit of a fright, but calmed down once he saw that she had moved away.

Next up were some elephants. Again the rangers were with them and said we could get out and stand with them. Grant, Lauren and Michaela did just that while I took the photos and Dereck held onto Jett, who was rather concerned that the elephant was going to come and bite him! After we left the elephants he wanted to touch them!!
Then we hit the Lion's Den!! There were a couple of them lying around eating a stick, a few licking each other and some just watching.
This is what my car looked like (notice the rim around the light missing)........

after this lion who had been lying next to the road, decided to get up, walk towards the car and just quietly pull the cover off, then walk round the car, sit down and promptly start chewing it. I couldn't believe what I was seeing and Dereck didn't even try and move the car away!!!! I could not stop laughing as all we could do was sit and watch while she chewed my car part and Jett found this rather funny too that the "Lion had eaten my car!!"

We then headed off the the Zoological Gardens which was just round the corner from the Lion Park. They had quite a number of animals and below are a selection of some of the birds ...
An orangotang whose eyes just said "please cuddle me" and a chimp ....
a few more animals ....
and some more ...
By this time it was about 12pm and we decided that it was time for home to have some lunch rather than stopping somewhere to buy it. We did stop to buy some mince and rolls and once we got home I made some burgers while Dereck and Grant cooked them and Lauren prepared the condiments. Better than Steers and a whole lot cheaper.

Watched the tour de France while others snoozed or watched dvd's.

Wild thing signing off ....

Blogging Updates

Ok, yes I know that it has been rather a while since I updated my blog – so sorry to those regular readers. So, now that I am going to update, I suggest you grab something to drink and maybe even somthing to eat, sit back and catch up on what I have been doing.

To start off, Helen and Libby have challenged me to share 10 honest facts about myself, so here they are:

1. I have just celebrated 25 years of marriage to my wonderful husband, Dereck

2. I love listening to lively music

3. I am really comfortable with who I am

4. I have great relationships with Leanne and Grant

5. I made soup for the first time ever last week and it was delicious (made another pot today)

6. I love reading and am currently reading Spud – learning to fly

7. I am collecting the Tintin hardcover books – only 2 more to get

8. I am a genuine friend to people

9. I have fun making/creating things

10. I love life

I am not going to tag people as most of the ones I would have tagged have been tagged. If you need inspiration for a blog post, then consider yourself tagged and list 10 things about yourself.

The rest of the posts are listed below – happy reading and thank you for looking.

Updated blogger signing off ….

More Mosaicing with friends

On 27 June Kathy, Rayna, Shelley and I went for another mosaicing class. I did a gheko, Shelley painted a cutlery holder, Rayna painted a wooden cutlery holder and Kathy mosaiced a number for her house. All came out really nicely, but unfortunately I forgot to take my camera, so don’t have pictures of everyone’s creations. Here is a picture of my gheko, which I just need to grout and then paint. I plan on doing anther bigger one and they will go on the wall outside near our swimming pool. I must say, I have really enjoyed this mosaicing and have a few projects I would like to do for Christmas presents for people.
I still need to finish off with the grouting and painting.

After the lesson we came back to my house where we had lovely home made soup (made by Rayna), and brandy pudding with custard (made by Woolies).

The South African rugby team were playing the British and Irish Lions and Dereck was at Crusaders watching it and I joined him later on - they won, which was great!

Pet friendly signing off ...

Aloe in the garden

Here is a picture of our lovely aloe that has really taken off and is growing beautifully. This particular plant is really special to me as when our dear friend Jennifer (who passed away earlier this year) did our back garden for us, I has said I would like it to be indigenous and wanted an aloe and this particular one came from her garden and is really thriving now in mine.

Aloe fan signing off ....

Tuesday, 16 June 2009 - Our Silver Wedding Anniversary

Only got out of bed at about 8:30. Dereck made us toast and scrambled egg. The family were arriving at 9:00 as Malcolm (my brother) was going to skype us from New Zealand. My mom, dad, Liesel, Warren, Debbie, Luke and Rebekkah were all sitting around in front of the TV while we skyped. A bit like the “Simpsons” all sitting on their couch!!!! It was great to see and chat to them and they took us on a tour of their house. After that, we showed my family some of our USA/UK holiday pictures that they hadn’t seen on the blog. Later in the afternoon, I made a savoury tart for supper and one for work and also made a milk tart for work.

This was my speech from last night ....

Hi everybody

Thanks again for joining us to share our 25^th wedding anniversary. Nowadays you just don’t seem to hear of many people staying married for so long, so this is really special for me and I am sure it is for Dereck too.

This time 25 years ago, I was so excited to be getting married the next day. All the plans and preparations had been made and it was now just a matter of hours before the big day. I feel the same excitement now as I wait for the 25^th anniversary of our big day!

The last 25 years have certainly had their fair share of ups and downs but we have grown and certainly have had a great time together. Now that Leanne and Grant are grown up and doing their own thing, we have more time to spend with each other.

I would like to say to Dereck that I love you lots and thank you for being the wonderful person that you are. For being there for me, for your support – both voluntary and involuntary and for giving me the freedom to be able to do the things that have interested me.

Whilst on our recent trip to Las Vegas I wanted to renew our wedding vows, but somehow everytime we saw a chapel, it wasn’t quite the time to make enquiries. So there was nothing to leave in Vegas, but I have some questions for you ....

Dereck,

Will you continue to cook at least twice a week

And feed the dogs every night before six

Will you continue to play poker so that I can scrap

And will you watch TV so that I can take a nap

Will you love me and laugh with me and plan our holidays

Will you please do this for at least another 25 years?

Dereck said yes to all my questions, so I know that I have him for at least another 25 years - lucky me!!

All in all a great celebratory week-end.

Hey ho silver signing off …

Monday, 15 June 2009 the afternoon and evening ...

Dereck and I then went to the Westville Country Club to check out how everything was going for our party in the evening. Yes, there was a party of note taking place as on 16 June 2009 we would be celebrating our Silver Wedding Anniversary. I can’t believe that we have been married that long and although we have had our ups and downs, the ups far exceeded the downs.

My friend Michele did the flower arrangements for us and they were absolutely stunning.

Shelley made our cake for us and this was also very, very yummy and she iced it in my favourite colour – mauve – thanks so much Shelley – everyone commented to me on the lovely cake.
I had completed two layouts of our wedding, one of which was the layout done by the delegates at the recent Doing Life Scrapaganza and the other one of Doing Life's kits. I borrowed Desire’s frames to put them in and had these set up on the table.

I had also made some pouches (picture) into which I put a chocolate and Lauren and I set these on the table for each guest.

The meal we had was beef curry and rice as well as chicken carbonara with rice and vegetables.For dessert we had malva pudding with ice-cream and custard.

We had a great time and it was good to see everyone to celebrate with us.

We only left there at about 1am and some of the die hards went to some other place to carry on, but I was rather tired and so ended up going home. Also, I wanted to see all our presents we had received. We really got spoilt and got some lovely gifts and quite a bit of money we will enjoy spending. By the time we finished unpacking and opening our presents, we got to bed at 2am!!
Dereck and I had sat together beforehand and compiled a selection of music and everyone complimented us on the selection. Anyone knowing both mine and Dereck's tastes will then realise that this was quite an achievement!!!!

Pooped out signing off ….

Monday, 15 June 2009 - the morning ...

Today is a special day for me as I am one year older and now closer to turning 50!!

I took a day’s leave and after being spoilt breakfast in bed followed by presents for my birthday from Dereck, Lauren and Grant as well as a lovely bunch of flowers, I got ready to take Lauren to Kloof to work and to fetch Desire and take her to the airport. She spoilt me with some nougat and a voucher for a facial and a pedicure.

Birthday girl signing off ....

Friday 12 and Saturday 13 June 2009

Yes, it has been rather a while, but I have certainly been busy.

I took the day off on Friday. Check out Desire's blog for the full update of what we did on these two days. It was her Scrapaganza at Makaranga Garden Lodge and I am her official, taxi driver, helper, wrapper, speaker, mail lady etc etc, which I have so much fun doing.

It was an awesome day.

Still busy downloading photos to upload and update my blog - won't be too long now!!!

Jackess of all trades signing of ....

BOM Challenge #15 - Mementos

I have tried and tried to get this picture to load correctly, but it is not. I have left a question on Blogger help site too.

Here is the layout I did for the BOM Challenge #15 regarding our mementos:

Journalling is as follows:

Left page of layout:
Next to the doll - My Great Aunt Mary made all the clothes for this doll by hand. There is to much detail and all the seams and tucks were hand stitched.

Bottom left next to the earings - these earings were from my Great Aunt Mary. They are special to me because they came from her. Not quite my style though.

Top right - I really like Imbuia ball and claw furniture and I got this cabinet from Dereck's mom.

Bottom right - antique brooch and eternity rign. I got this from my Great Aunt Mary who live in Easbourne in England.

Bottom middle - old fashioned engagement ring with 4 small diamonds. Sentimental as I got this from my Great Aunt Anne who lives in Canada.

Right page of layout:

Top left - the complete mini set of Shakspeare books. I got this from my Great Gran, Gagga who I never got to meet. She lived in Scotland.

Top right - pastel tea set is what I got from my Gran Farquharson. She loved her tea and this reminds me so much of her. Too nice to use.

Middle - the desk I got from my Grandpa Farquharson and it has pride of place in my craft room. He always had lots of piles on it, but he always knew where thing were.

Left - Bangles - a fond memory of my Gran Engler was the jingly sound of her bangles. Each grand daughter got one and I had mine melted down to make two.

Bottom - this Moorcroft bowl is a collectors item and is special because it came from my Gran Engler.

Bottom right - the green enamel pot is from Dereck's mom. Not to keep, but to make her famous ginger pudding.

Treasurer signing off ....

New Glasses

I have been meaning to go to the optician for a while as I was battling with my eyes when doing things close up. My problem was that when I ate supper I could either see what I was eating and the TV would be blurred or I could see the TV but not see what I was eating!! I eventually went to the optician and decided to get multifocal lenses. I have always been told that these are problematic, but was convinced by my optician that this was not the case and was more in the mind.

I was phoned on Friday evening and collected my new glasses yesterday and put them on before leaving the shop - the shop assistant told me I was very brave!!


They are "Levi's" and come with their own denim case. I have been so comfortable with them on and it was a pleasure working in my craft room making pouches without having to take them off to see what I was doing.

I can see clearly now signing off ....

The Bank Account

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready. As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window. I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy. Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.' 'That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied. Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged ... it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. 'It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away.. Just for this time in my life. Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!
Thank you for your part in filling my Memory Bank. I am still depositing. 'Remember the five simple rules to be happy: 1. Free your heart from hatred. 2. Free your mind from worries. 3. Live simply. 4. Give more. 5. Expect less.

I think there is a great lesson to be learnt from this and it is so true.

Life really is what you make of it.

Have a great day.

Banker signing off ....

I'm Back, but having problems

Yes, Dereck and I are finally back from our wonderful USA and UK holiday. We got back on 9 May 2009 and it has been rather busy since then.

I have been exceptionally busy at work as we have a big court case on at the moment and there has jsut been so much else on the go.

I am not sure if anyone else is experiencing blog problems, but there are some blogs that open and then internet says it can't open and has to abort and some blogs when I try and leave a message it just does not do anything and there is a little note at the bottom on the screen telling me that it took 93ms to process, but still nothing happens. So if I have only left a comment days after your post or no comment at all, that is the reason.

It was my brother, Warren's, 40th birthday get together on Saturday and we had lovely rolled meat over the spit and then soaked in a marinade with potato, noodle and green salad. Very yummy. This was followed by chocolate cake and ice-cream with chocolate sauce (all home made, except the ice-cream).

Busy preparing for our 25th wedding anniversary on 16 June and of course for the Doing Life Scrapaganza on the 13 June, so you can see, I have lots to do.

Anyway, that is all for now, will update again soon when I have taken some photos.

Just me signing off ....