tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29937242627719545752024-02-19T19:24:15.440+13:00Scrappin' Cats and Other ObsessionsA place to ramble..Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.comBlogger681125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-19872593471202964522018-12-23T00:33:00.001+13:002018-12-23T00:33:18.601+13:00It's Nearly Christmas....again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't believe how long it is since I've visited my blog, the last time I tried to, there seemed to be a problem, none of pages would open and when I tried to post it just kept shutting down, but tonight it's working absolutely normal.<br />
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Well it's real close to Christmas now and I have been keeping busy making cards and indulging my obsession with making mini albums........<br />
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Although I have rediscovered a love for 12x12 layouts and I really had fun with this one, just loved how it turned out and I even indulged my passion for inking and antiquing. It is of course featuring my precious Miss Molly I just love taking photos of her and I think she enjoys having her photo taken too.<br />
Anyway I'm glad I rediscovered my Blog and it's working again, because I enjoy sharing photos, thoughts and ideas, somehow it's therapeutic. The posts probably go out into space and nobody even reads them, but it is somehow comforting to put thoughts, feelings and ideas on paper.<br />
So if you're reading this, Thank you and I hope in some way you find something that inspires you to do something that makes you happy.Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-49825431322671962822018-12-22T22:43:00.001+13:002018-12-22T22:43:08.153+13:00How Bizarre....I haven't been on my blog for ages because last time I tried to get onto it it was in "freeze mode" and just wouldn't let me in. Tonight I found it back to perfectly normal, so if this works I'll be back.Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-82696559974400545712018-03-09T11:47:00.001+13:002018-03-09T11:47:45.340+13:00March Musings.Well here we are in March and I haven't updated my blog since December! I guess that's a sad indictment on how my life is at the moment, nothing much happening or to talk about and the adapting process continues.<br />
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It's definitely starting to feel Autumnal here in my little corner of New Zealand, I've noticed I cringe when my little Molly decides she wants the door open to go out and play on the deck....the problem here is that if she's out there she doesn't like the door shut. She comes and sits at the glass door, peering in at me with a look that say's " I knew it! You hate me, you didn't you'd leave the door open for me and FREEZE while I amuse myself out here. But oh well she's worth it, she's such a sweetheart really, I can't complain.<br />
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I have started to prepare myself for my trip to Oz in April, to attend my darling niece's wedding in Surfers. I'm not the keenest flyer but for my baby it will all be worth it, well that's my mantra and I'm sticking to it, even starting to believe it lol!<br />
Of course the other issue is that Molly will have to go into a cattery and she ain't so keen about those places but I've found one that's run by a lady I know so hopefully it'll be ok, no, positivism It will be ok!<br />
I actually can't believe how luck was on my side flight wise, because I go to Oz the week after Ed Sheeran is performing here in Dunedin at Forsyth Barr Stadium and the flights are all totally choca! Dunedin is completely booked out accommodation wise, and still there are people looking for somewhere to stay! It's crazy, nothing happens here that often but when it does Dunedin goes off like a rocket, they are even painting a Mural of Ed on a brick wall in one of our oldest streets, Bath street, to commemorate his visit.<br />
So yes life is about to get turned upside down, and I get the spend time with my family, sooo excited about that part, to see my niece married to her lovely fiance is going to be special.<br />
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Of course I still miss my darling friend, not a day goes by that I don't think of her and wish she was here, even more since this wedding has come onto the horizon, she adored Sam and it was mutual, I know she'll be there in spirit but I'd so love to share it with her and see that beautiful smile as she enjoyed every minute of the adventure. Watching her face during the flight on our last trip to Oz was magical, for all I hate it, she just beamed the whole time, every bump was a thrill to her, that girl loved adventure that's for sure.<br />
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Well it looks like it going to pour with rain, so I better go and wrangle that little furbaby in off the deck before she's soaked to the bone!<br />
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Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-58403302600407572612017-12-14T14:04:00.001+13:002017-12-14T14:07:02.634+13:00 Have A Neenish Tart Dear?It's funny how something can take you back to another time, I time so different from the present that it's almost like an alternative life.!!!!!<br />
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Let me explain, yesterday when I did the shopping I was attracted by this packet of Neenish Tarts, now if you don't know what they are they are a little cake, a little shortcrust case like you'd have on a apple tart, the filling is white and creamy , I'm unsure what's in it but it's very nice. The top is iced half and half with white and chocolate flavoured icing.<br />
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I'd never had a Neenish tart until I was 16 and had started work and met my wonderful friend Faye whose Mum had invited me up to their house one Saturday to meet the rest of the family, I must add here that these Saturday visits resulted in me being unofficially adopted into the family and becoming her "third daughter', but that is a whole other story. However back to this story, this particular Saturday afternoon one of the girls Aunties came for the afternoon. I was fascinated by her, she was the quintessential 1940's lady, (this was 1968 I must add) she wore this wonderful coat with a fur collar, a hat and she removed her gloves before she shook my hand on being introduced to me and of course brought something to add to afternoon tea..... Neenish Tarts.<br />
The table was laid with a beautiful cloth, gorgeous vintage china and I was totally over-awed, my Mum's family had some lovely china, tablecloths etc but they didn't come out on a very ordinary Saturday. Anyway back to the Neenish tarts, after the tea was poured the plate of little tarts was passed around and just because of proximity it was Auntie Alice who offered me the plate saying " a wee Neenish dear?" I looked around the table desperately looking for an answer, what in the world was a Neenish! Faye's Mum, who I must say became my "second Mother" and I loved so much, looked at me with a wicked twinkle in her eye, and said " Have a wee cake Lovey-dear, you'll like it", and with a sigh of relief I took one and and discovered that yes a "wee Neenish" was nice and I did like it and somehow that was the start of a wonderful Alliance between darling "Ret" and me.<br />
It's funny how food can take you to another place and another time, but that was a lovely memory for my wee Neenish tart to take me back to.<br />
<br />Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-78312924862423848652017-10-20T11:00:00.001+13:002017-10-20T11:00:54.868+13:00A Lemonade Day!<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We all know the old saying : " WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS MAKE LEMONADE", well I had a "lemonade" day yesterday. The day before somehow my front side window in my car was smashed! Have no idea how, but I went outside to talk to the guy who does my lawn and we noticed that it was broken. Glass all through the car and and all over the footpath. I have now decided that a stone had flown up from the mower and over the fence and "Bang", but I actually have no idea that this is what happened. </span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So anyway to get it fixed, well after ringing around glass repairers I found one who could fit me yesterday, naively, I thought they'd come and get the car, but ah no, I had to take the car to them yesterday. So there I was gingerly getting into this glass showered car, brushing down the drivers seat and hoping I didn't get glass somewhere painful and off I went.</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I dropped it off in the Industrial area of Dunedin and they said " Ok cool, come back in a couple of hours!" Great what to do now..... but I started walking and arrived at Mitre 10 Mega! Well I had a wander around their house ware department, they have some gorgeous stuff actually, and then into their atrium style cafe. I sat looking out into the garden and enjoyed a cinnamon scroll and a beautiful coffee, this is actually a fabulous cafe in the middle of an industrial wilderness. </span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I explored their house -ware department and fell in love with quite a few pieces but managed to convince myself that this probably wasn't the best day to shop. So I started my walk back, the sun was shining and it was getting quite hot, it started to feel like this was quite a long way after-all. I sat down on a grass area in front of a building and looked down the street and realised that I didn't have far to go all, just to the end of the street. So off I went, as I turned the corner I could see my car parked in front of the building and YES! it was finished. As I walked into the courtyard one of the guys came out and said " Oh good we were just going to ring you, we're all finished and we vacuumed the inside for you so there's no glass to clean up". At this point I wondered how he'd react if this old lady threw her arms around him and kissed him, but sanity prevailed (phew) and I thanked him profusely and got into the car, put the key into the ignition and with a big smile on my face, I drove off!!!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A lovely "Lemonade" day I'd say.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-53528875759516949172017-08-19T17:56:00.002+12:002017-08-19T17:56:42.531+12:00Already August.It's been a long time since I've opened my blog, it's been a very strange year. I've had to completely re-create my life, being home all day having retired but most difficult being without my best friend of 48 yrs. I'm basically rebuilding my life, I'm learning how to occupy my time with things I want to do rather than go to work every day, and this would be huge fun if I still had my "partner-in-crime" to share the days with. I have other friends who have been wonderful but there's still a gaping hole.<br />
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At the moment I seem to be re- visiting interests that took a back seat because of my job. I have continues to knit baby clothes for charity, but I've been getting the urge to revisit patchwork or maybe applique. I haven't actually got further than washing and ironing the fabric,ready to start something but the seed's been sewn . So many ideas running around my head I can't decide where to start. I did briefly, revisit a quilt I started a couple of years ago, and hand-sew some squares together but the hand sewing drove me crazy, so whatever it is I'll be doing it by machine.<br />
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Another long time interest has come back to tempt me and that's my garden. I've been clearing the front garden and plan to turn it into crazy cottage explosion of colour! Well that's the plan, I've started clearing it, and ordered some old-style cottage plants and I'm actually getting quite excited about it, with it being Spring it's the perfect time to start. It's been good to do something physical and feel tired but content at the end of the day. I've also replanted up all my pots on the deck so I'm looking forward to an explosion of colour out there in the next couple of months.<br />
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Scrap-booking comes and goes with me at the moment, I feel like I've done it all and can't really get enthusiastic about it which is sad cos I really want to do it but am devoid of new ideas, does anyone else have this problem? I'd love get some new ideas and find my mojo, cos it's something I love to lose myself in.<br />
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So that's about it at the moment, oh except that the big excitement is my darling niece is getting married next year, so that's going to be a trip to Australia. I'm excited and apprehensive at the same time( I don't like flying), but I'm definitely going to be there for my baby, wouldn't miss it for the world.<br />
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<br />Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-14741591226924879832017-02-04T15:01:00.002+13:002017-02-04T15:01:35.877+13:00February All Ready! <span style="font-size: large;">Well I haven't updated my blog since November and one of the things I said in my last post was" although things were hard then, I knew there was worse to come" and come they did. Even though I had known for some time that my best friend was going to lose her battle with cancer, deep down I kept hoping for a miracle, that somehow they'd find a way to beat it but of course it wasn't possible and the inevitable happened. Life changed forever and and somehow I have to adjust to that. I have had wonderful support from family and some very special friends, but it still hurts big time and I think it always will. You really couldn't be friends, part of each other's families for 48yrs and it not hurt. So now it's getting used to a very different life, without that soul mate being there, sharing everything, the good and the bad, the highs and the lows.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have no idea how to do this, but I'm trying and I guess that's the main thing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So in terms of getting any crafty stuff done, I've only just ventured back to my table. I've gone on a card making mission with a view to doing some local markets. I'm not relying on selling heaps, but it's giving me a sense of direction, a reason to make cards, to sit at my table and lose myself for awhile. I gave a selection to an Animal Welfare group to sell at a couple of markets they're doing. They've only done one of the markets so far so I'll be interested to get an update, I guess they'll wait till they do the second one.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have booked into a small Saturday market myself in about a month so I'll see how that goes. Apart from that Molly (cat) and I are learning how to get through the day now that I no longer work and we don't have our wonderful friend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Miss Molly has grown so much and I guess now is fully grown, she's totally adorable and although not the cuddliest of cats, will sit beside me for ages on the couch happy to have the occasional tummy rub, as long as it's her idea. Yep she's the boss :) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So now that I've decided to update my blog, I really can't think of anything else to say, typical of me right now, the concentration of a gnat lol!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully next time I update my blog I'll have some cards to show, because now that I've committed to doing this market I better get some stock to sell.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ltrs.</span>Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-74206070087781140792016-11-03T15:44:00.001+13:002016-11-03T15:44:48.545+13:00November.....all ready?????<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">So it seems impossible to believe that it's already November, this year has gone so fast, it's been a difficult year and there has been some sad times and sadly I know there will be more, but today I'm focusing on the good stuff, the happy stuff, the stuff that makes me happy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have systematically turned our deck into a bright oasis to enjoy from the living room or on a nice day go out and sit and enjoy. Clearly for Molly it was one of those days today, she loved "taking time to smell the flowers".</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My next goal is to add some lights, I need to get some solar ones that just appear in the evening after a sunny day. I know it will be lovely to look at from the living room and hopefully we'll get a few of those.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I guess I'm practicing the "art of diversion", but sometimes we have to, it's the only way to cope with the hard stuff, the grownup stuff, believe me there's something to be said focusing on the good bits, even when they are minute in comparison to the big stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Right now Molly and I are going to go back out to "play" on the deck. </span></div>
<br />Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-82362850315990439272016-08-19T11:55:00.001+12:002016-08-19T11:55:32.482+12:00A Light Bulb MomentSo feeling rather blah and down this morning, I sat down with a coffee and my laptop. I was checking blogs I follow and there on Accidental Icon, looking at how amazing the writer of the blog looked in her wonderful individual fashion, I felt my spirits rise and I was reminded that age is no barrier to enjoying clothes and looking amazing can do wonders for your spirits, so I felt I had to share and am now going to go through my wardrobe and look at my clothes through different eyes. Maybe somewhere in there I can find things to put together that even though life seems dark and sad you can get a glimmer of sunshine in your day.<br />
Wish me luck!<br />
Have an awesome weekend.Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-31013816815493981632016-07-04T11:50:00.000+12:002016-07-04T11:50:04.692+12:00Ice Ice Baby!Well winter is here with the vengeance! It's absolutely freezing, really icy outside too cold to have the door open but Miss Molly has been stamping her little paws and giving me "that" look until I buckled and opened the deck door for her so that she could go out on the deck and check for herself that I'm not lying, that it really is too cold for those precious little paws to walk across the deck!<br />
The good think about a morning like this is that we will get a pretty, bright day. The sun is already breaking through and by lunch time it will be bearable....almost.<br />
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I think after all the frost this morning, it's timely to remember warmer times, this photo was taken on a holiday to Surfer's Paradise and one of the many layouts I've been doing lately. My scrapping style has changed and I'm going for a simpler style and I like it. Instead of spending days on one page I've found I can get a couple done in the quiet moments of a day....well that's on a day when there is quiet moments. If there's one thing I've learnt over the past few months it's that when you're caring for someone who is ill life is very busy. There's the hospital visits, the hospital stays, the xrays and the blood tests. There's the good days and then there's the bad days when nothing you do can bring relief and comfort to the poor person who's ill, so you make endless cups of tea and try to distract them from the pain.<br />
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This morning I started reorganizing my scrap area to try and make it tidier ( since it's actually our dining room and connected to the kitchen), and to make it more user friendly. I get tired of searching through draws trying to find things, usually by the time I find what I'm looking for, I've forgotten what I was going to do with it lol! I know, pathetic to be concerned about, but when so much is going on any little pleasure is precious.<br />
So this morning I'm making cards, I've fallen in love with my Magnolia stamps again so it's a good distraction. Of course it raises the all time question of what do I do with them once they're done! It's nice to have a few on hand for birthdays and the occasions when you want a card but on the whole it would be nice to find something useful to do with the excess! Oh well something to work on I guess, but right now I'm going to lose myself at my table.<br />
Ltrs!<br />
Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-44714810422722073422016-06-24T11:54:00.001+12:002016-06-24T11:54:37.037+12:00Buzz Friday.Well the town is buzzing, there's not a room to be had in any hotel or motel in our city, why you ask? Because the All Blacks are playing Wales here tomorrow night and as you may or may not know, New Zealand is a very rugby orientated country, and nothing causes a stir like an international game.<br />
It brings back good and bad memories for me, having worked in hotels that hosted, at different times, the All Blacks and the visiting overseas teams. During those occasions I met some wonderful people, had great conversations with some of very famous All Blacks, had some great laughs with some of the overseas players, even did a few late night drop offs in town for some of the players who wanted to party.<br />
I had the advantage you see because with being older than the other staff, they were not threatened by me in any way, looked on me as another Mum, and they were just really good times.<br />
I also met wonderful supporters from England, Ireland, Wales and South Africa. I treasure the good memories, and forget the stress of making it all work, the incredibly late nights, the stress of making it all work, I just remember the best bets because they're the bits that we enjoy, that inspire us and make us smile....and sometimes in life all we need is something to make us smile.<br />
If you are reading this, I hope something makes you smile today, because if one little thing can make us smile then it's a good day!<br />
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Have a great day wherever you are.<br />
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Cheers!Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-43404503705948986842016-06-23T12:32:00.002+12:002016-06-23T12:36:01.608+12:00Scrap Therapy 101.<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So life has finally settled into the new normal, not that by any means it's normal, but I've gotten used to the idea that I no longer go to work, I've stopped feeling guilty about sitting at my scrap table instead of getting ready for work, I've gotten used to (and actually like) that I don't spend 8-10 hrs a night racing around a restaurant, stressing about staff levels, guest satisfaction and whether or not the chef's going to be in a good or bad mood. I like eating a nice dinner at a reasonable time, in warm comfortable surroundings without having to worry about early guests walking through the door! In short I really don't miss the stress and pressure, I do miss the people I've worked with, and over the 30 odd years I worked in restaurants, I've worked with some amazing people, some I'm lucky enough to keep in touch with, thank you Facebook, and others sadly I've lost touch with. Admittedly there are some that I'm happy to have lost touch with, but overall I've enjoyed the company of the majority of people I've worked with.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So what now, well sadly my life has been turned upside down with not one but my two best friends being diagnosed with cancer. They're not just friends they are "sisters from another mother". I read that term in some song lyrics the other day and immediately it resonated with me that it describes my little adopted family perfectly. But we battle on, we enjoy the good days and endure the bad, it's all we can do really.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Anyway the upside to my new lifestyle is that I have time to play in my scrap room, (ex dining room) and I have found a new love for this hobby. With time to play I've been discovering new styles and ideas, I've begun to experiment with the new brighter, funkier papers, and I've really enjoyed what I've come up with. </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The other thing I like about this new style is that the pages take less time, have a cooler edge and I can actually fill up an album with the photos scrapped from a particular occasion, holiday etc much faster, which really suits my time constraints and my short attention span. ( Always wanting to try the next idea that's my problem).</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Of course Miss Molly likes the new lifestyle, she no longer spends the afternoons and nights alone and she has 24hr attention so to her it's all a bonus, although she doesn't appreciate being told to get off my scrap table lol, but she does like the routine of her morning comb up. This is such a routine, she'll come and get me and shepherd me to the couch in the front lounge where she sits beside me and I comb her. Absolutely true, she loves having her fur combed which is wonderful given that her beautiful fluffy coat needs combed everyday, and so we sit on the couch and I comb her fur which is wonderful for both of us.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So yes life is very different, still coming to terms with it, and wish it had come about in a different way but hey right now my life is what it is and now it's my job to enjoy the good bits and find ways to cope with the bad, but then isn't that everyone's life?</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Ltrs.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsJ1hXotiWDwpsr1uyfiqmvRSP-G-EWFx3NbNTtRzBEt4FhZ47ZX-CNaKJse3BIdmEDRiUSGrWNzBX9M_vsvWup3Q-KXxE3Vlwoeq1ZpsR5mC95W9lKGG9ru8qNUSgfiM0HxNhc5Q-DLw/s1600/20160618_184418.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCsJ1hXotiWDwpsr1uyfiqmvRSP-G-EWFx3NbNTtRzBEt4FhZ47ZX-CNaKJse3BIdmEDRiUSGrWNzBX9M_vsvWup3Q-KXxE3Vlwoeq1ZpsR5mC95W9lKGG9ru8qNUSgfiM0HxNhc5Q-DLw/s400/20160618_184418.png" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch with an Ibis.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIaxkOZsuW7KHXUQ1KfexZyqVqtdf1O0Zzo1QDC5iS92giLBAgABI-TYzrANj91_SypaGulwNNtgImJGztbMzhtHgU1E_Wp03qDOnoNvfalLGYKIoz4MKWGXDDb_u8TWXmNlH2X6APpIx/s1600/20160622_182050.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIaxkOZsuW7KHXUQ1KfexZyqVqtdf1O0Zzo1QDC5iS92giLBAgABI-TYzrANj91_SypaGulwNNtgImJGztbMzhtHgU1E_Wp03qDOnoNvfalLGYKIoz4MKWGXDDb_u8TWXmNlH2X6APpIx/s320/20160622_182050.png" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surfers Paradise Vibe.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span>Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-79578091554977551532016-06-16T21:17:00.001+12:002016-06-16T21:17:42.081+12:00It's Been A While....<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">but I've finally found my scrapping mojo. I just love sitting at my table and creating with paper and photos. Life is fairly scary and stressful at the moment so sitting at my table and losing myself in paper and photos for a while is good therapy. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've gone back to a simpler form of scrapping, focusing more on featuring on the photos and not so much on tricky techniques. I'm enjoying featuring the papers and trying different ways to best feature the photos.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For a long time I got into lots of techniques and lost the joy of featuring the photos and telling the story behind them.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been enjoying experimenting with more modern brighter papers, I usually go for the more vintage papers but right now I'm into simple and happy, (wish my life was more like that right now).</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This page features my darling niece when she was about six years old, it seems such a long time ago so I really enjoyed reminiscing while I worked on this page. I guess that's where scrap-booking started, recording memories, telling stories and saving precious photos.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's good to get back to the basics, and not be so side-lined by the fancy techniques, but enjoying the memories and making the most of the photos and in this layout's case reminiscing, dreaming about back when my darling niece was this little girl, I guess this was the original reason we started scrap-booking! So lets get back to basics and enjoy the journey.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-46432068443286708672016-05-18T17:25:00.001+12:002016-05-18T17:25:20.322+12:00It's been a while...<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">since I have blogged. These days keeping in touch on Facebook seems to be the norm but I'v e missed blogging. Randomly writing about life's highs and lows, sharing ideas and in my case crafty creations oh and of course photos of a couple of beautiful fluff balls, ie cats.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So I have decided to reinvent the art of blogging. Maybe it has something to do with getting back to being able to indulge in my crafty hobbies. With taking early retirement I've found myself with time to play, also I'm not so tired that my creativity has packed it's bag and left town.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Of course, nothing comes easily, when I first tried to scrap again it was a disaster, nothing would come together, it looked terrible and so I gave up, but lately the old passion has come back and I've been wanting to get into it again. I have been finding my creative happy place, I have made three mini books for my family, and even now that they done and in Australia, I haven't stopped. I am now onto another book and loving it. So I guess the moral to the story is even when everything seems dark and impossible, don't give up on finding that ray of sunshine that will get you through.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I guess looking at the silver lining, I've spent many a night at work, dreaming about being at home playing with paper and now I'm doing it, so the secret is I guess, make the most of whatever life throws at you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And of course I get to spend time with this little sweetheart!</span>Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-3704303067822505472016-01-07T12:49:00.000+13:002016-01-07T12:49:01.161+13:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I am looking through my photos on my phone and these are a couple that jumped out at me. I so want to get back to doing my cards but somehow I just can't seem to find my mojo. It makes me sad because I got so much pleasure from creating and I miss it so much. My craft room got disrupted when organising Christmas and I wonder if getting that set up again might help, but I soooo miss my mojo. Hope I find it soon.</span>Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-26784105501401849332015-12-31T16:19:00.000+13:002015-12-31T16:24:06.963+13:00And Before I go.....How about a few pics of the gorgeous Molly, she makes me smile every day and I hope she can do the same for you.<br />
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<br />Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-50248775813470596682015-12-31T16:13:00.001+13:002015-12-31T16:26:22.994+13:00The Last Day of 2015.....<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">And I'm finding it hard to believe that another year has past. It seems to have flown by but then so much has happened. If anyone had told me this time last year that by New Year's Eve 2015 I would no longer be working, and worse my best and oldest friend would be so ill, I would not have believed them. But if there is one thing I have learned this year is that even when the most scary things happen, we are stronger than we think, we have more support than we realise and we can achieve things we never thought possible.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">This time last year I was recovering from a quadruple bypass, and I thought that was the scariest thing, but I've decided that was nothing compared to coping with someone you have been best friends with for nearly 49 years, being diagnosed with cancer. Not only being diagnosed, but being told it's one that has no cure and had it been caught earlier it may have had a better outcome. However the original shock has past and life has taken on a new normal and there are times when we even manage to go and do things like normal and for a while forget about the horrible monster hiding in the wings. </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I have learnt that it's actually good not to have to stick to a routine, to sit down and do something crafty in the middle of the day instead of racing around getting ready to go to work, I've learnt it's ok to get up in the middle of the night and have a cuppa and watch rubbish TV, and oh yes it's ok to be addicted to the American show "Say Yes to The Dress" lol!</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">In other words I've learnt that you can get used to the "new normal", that it's important to enjoy the moment, to laugh at the crazy things that once would have frustrated the hell out of you, and most of all to appreciate the people in your life, to go the extra mile without complaint and be grateful for every day you can enjoy their company.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">So as we enter a new year, lets look around at what we have and resolve that in 2016 we will enjoy the littlest things that make us happy, we will make the most of time with family and friends, we will be more tolerant of strangers because you have no idea what they may have going on in their lives and most of all we will look after each other, because we get one chance to make a difference.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Happy New year </span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">and to those friends who have endured bad times and sadness over the past year I'm sending hugs and hope you know you are thought of</span><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> and are welcome to talk any time. Take care.</span></span><br />
<br />Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-30434915775191429442015-12-11T10:34:00.002+13:002015-12-11T10:34:53.248+13:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>So Life is What it Is.......</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">and I don't think anyone should judge from the outside how someone appears to live their life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">This thought has been in my head since the other day when a neighbor collared me as I got out of my car the other morning and started a normal neighborly conversation about the weather, being nearly Christmas etc etc, which was fine until it turned into her telling me how the front of our house hasn't been painted since we moved in, how the garden needed some attention and a few other things. I smiled and joked about time not being my friend and money not being available in abundance, but all the while I was biting my tongue. All the while I wanted to scream at her...."Get off my back back you have no idea what we have gone through/ are going through.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">During our time in our house we have dealt with redundancy, life threatening illnesses, the costs related to family funerals, and I think that's about the serious stuff. Then there's been the necessity of replacing and the running cost of a car and the upkeep and repairs to the inside of the house.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Yes it would be lovely to have the house looking amazing on the outside I quite agree, but on two female wages it's not that easy when life gets in the way.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Believe me I'm not complaining about my lot, I feel I am incredibly blessed. I have wonderful friends, I am lucky enough to have had my bestie since my first day of my first job back in 1968, we have been through all the ups and down of life together and she has supported me through Leukemia and latterly a Heart Bypass operation, and now I'm helping her through a very serious illness which I pray every day we can beat, we have helped each other through the loss of parents and family moving overseas. I could go on but my point is one should not judge from the outside, we do not know how someone's life really is unless we know them really well.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">So the outside of our house may not win a House and Garden show, my car really could do with being updated but I'm just grateful for the fact that the car still runs fine, the house is warm and cosy on the inside, we have some lovely furniture some new and some precious pieces from our families, but most of all the knowledge that I have the company and support of a wonderful friend and that means more to me than a house and garden from a picture in a magazine.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">So dear blog thank you for letting me vent I feel much better now, so I will get on with my very busy day.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">Ltrs.</span></div>
Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-24377948775823194272015-11-04T16:18:00.000+13:002015-11-04T16:18:40.575+13:00I can't believe it's November,<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So much has happened over the past few months, and I feel like my head is still spinning. What with my job ending with the closure of the hotel I worked in, and then being offered another job in another hotel and then after about 6 weeks, quitting that job to stay home and take care of my best friend it's no wonder some days I don't know if I'm Arthur or Martha. But in actual fact I don't regret any of it it's just hard getting my head around a new way of life. The hardest part of course is dealing with the fact that my best friend whom I have been friends with for around 47 yrs has cancer and there is no magic cure, nothing they can do to stop the pain, not with this version of this dreadful disease.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have tried to throw myself into my crafts but even that I find difficult to focus on, I keep thinking if I could just lose myself in chaos of paper, stamps, photos and flowers I'd feel rejuvenated and ready to be strong again, which I really want to be for her but some times it's just so hard! Ok! enough self pity, thank you for letting me whinge and now I can get on with this post. </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So who has started their Christmas cards? I have been resisting the temptation because I have been trying to finish the album that I started, (what seems like months ago). It's just gorgeous, it's one of the versions on the internet by Kathy Orta. I am doing mine without too much embellishment because I want to focus on the photos. But it has lots of flips, envelopes and secret compartments, in which to tuck heaps of photos. I put it away because I was feeling guilty about the mess on the dining room table when we have been having so many visitors, I don't want Faye's bosses and work mates going away thinking she shares a house with a very messy crazy lady. :) </span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the saving graces over the past few weeks has been being able to get up through the night and watch the All Blacks playing in and WINNING the Rugby world cup, that has been a great distraction.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other positive has been that Molly has had 24/7 company, no more being left here in the house for around 8hrs. a day on her own. She's loving the fact that the house is open on a warm day she can go and play on the deck, she has cuddles available 24/7 and of course she never has to worry about an empty food dish. Anyway thank you for letting me ramble out there in blog-land, I'm going to leave you with a few photos and go and try and finish this album.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ciao!</span><br />
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<br />Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-60060465341073759082015-08-16T12:34:00.001+12:002015-08-16T12:34:11.318+12:00Nothing like a miserable wet and foggy Sunday.....to make you feel a bit blah but today this one's done the opposite for me, I've got stuck into the housework, lit the fire and got some washing on, I know it doesn't sound exciting but it's kept me going, stopped me sitting in a chair feeling sorry for myself so I'll take the win.<br />
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Speaking of wins, what a fabulous game of rugby last night between the All Blacks and the Australians, it was so exciting to watch and of course getting a win was the icing on the cake, here's hoping the Silver Ferns do as well this afternoon against Australia. What is it between our two countries that we can't stand to see them win? I have no idea but that rivalry is certainly strong.<br />
It's hard to believe we are half way through August and nearly into spring, can't wait it's going to be exciting to not have to worry about ice at 6am when I go to work. I'm amazed at how I've adapted from working afternoon/night to starting at the crack of dawn! I actually enjoy being home afternoon and evenings, I love that I can go to bed once I'm tired and not have to fight through till 11pm, when I'd go home and suddenly be wide awake until around 2am, this definitely seems more natural.<br />
When I decided to create this post I definitely had something on my mind to say but now that I've waited for the laptop to start up, chased Molly off the keyboard and gotten organised, the thought has gone. I hate this short term memory thingy that's going on at the moment it's horrible. I've been told it's a side effect of the Leukemia meds, it could also be side effects of the Heart Bypass, but whatever it is it's messing with my head. Starting a new job has been hard enough but adding this problem to the mix has been stressful to say the least. I've always considered myself to be a very organised "ahead of the game" kind of person, but lately I spend a lot of time second guessing myself, feeling embarrassed because I've forgotten something I've been told/shown etc or just not feeling my usual organised self, I really hope it's going to pass.<br />
Anyway enough self pity, must go and organise the last load of washing.<br />
Ltrs :)<br />
<br />Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-34469261611639389082015-08-09T14:15:00.000+12:002015-08-09T14:15:06.679+12:00A Snowy Sunday.............and it's freezing. I'm glad I've got the weekend off and don't need to drive anywhere. I was going to go buy some black card to start a very special album for a special person in my life but I don't fancy driving. Plus my best friend is having a bad day and really needs taking care of. It makes me realise how precious life is and how we should not waste any opportunity to appreciate our family and friends because life can be turned upside down in a flash.<br />
So the snow that started falling last night, is still falling although now it's mixed with rain but it still looks treacherous out there.....ah forget that the rain has stopped and now it's big flakes of snow and it's settling. So pleased I'm not starting work at 6am in the morning it could be nasty.<br />
On the subject of work I'm loving my new job and I'm enjoying the fact that it's part-time. Okay I've had to reasses my lifestyle but not being so tired and feeling like work was my only thing has been good.<br />
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On the cute front, I sat down in my chair and picked up my laptop and my darling Molly climbed up onto the chair beside me and went to sleep. Cats really do give you so much love and company and this one makes a career of it.<br />
So I think this afternoon is going to spent finishing the little baby jacket I started last night, this pile of baby knitting is getting bigger and that's awesome.<br />
Oh and of course I'll have to watch the netball, go New Zealand.<br />
<br />Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-6266299989402566042015-07-21T11:52:00.001+12:002015-07-21T11:52:42.840+12:00The things you see....that inspire the hell out of you! This morning I was coming away from a friends place when I spied this amazing lady out walking. It's been cold here this morning and the wind is biting, but there she was, at a guess I'd say definitely in her 70's, very frail and tiny and looking like she just stepped out of Vogue magazine. Had I not been driving I would have whipped out my cell phone and begged her for a photo that I could look at on the days when I need inspiration to get myself out of bed and pulled together. She was dressed in a long, black coat, cinched at the waist with a wide belt, her grey hair pulled elegantly into a bun with a gorgeous little black hat perched on her head. She walked with a stick and was clearly having trouble fighting the wind, but there she was totally beautiful and out braving the cold enjoying her walk!<br />
A message to us all : Use it or lose it!<br />
CheersLiddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-83670094019685701872015-07-20T13:28:00.000+12:002015-07-20T13:28:13.690+12:00Week Three....of being unemployed! But that doesn't mean I haven't been busy, right now I don't know how I fitted work in. Of course a lot of the time has been filled with going to doctors appointments etc with my best friend who has just been diagnosed with cancer. Yes it's been a biggy, and although I don't go to church every week I do believe in God and I think he decided I needed to be unemployed so that I could be her support, go to her appointments, treatments etc with her. It's ironic but when I was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2002 she was working part-time so she could take care of me so I think there's a bit of "higher planning @ going on here. And as of next week I will be working part-time so hopefully that will all work out fine.<br />
It's been incredibly cold here the last few days so I say it's been "knitting weather", I have accumulated quite a pile of baby clothes which I'm going to drop of at the maternity ward at the hospital one day this week. I love knitting little clothes and I enjoy the thought that in some way I'm giving back for the help and care I've had at the hospital, both with the Leukemia and last year having the Heart Bypass. Once again I urge anyone who loves to knit little things to do this because sadly there are a lot of people in our country who through no fault of their own are struggling to make ends meet and a little help along the way never hurt anyone.<br />
Miss Molly is loving the fact that she has all this company at home at the moment, hot and cold running cuddles, food and attention are her idea of a good life lol! She is such a gorgeous wee girl but man is she stroppy if she doesn't get her own way!<br />
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There hasn't been much paper crafting going on, the tables all set ready to go but for the last few weeks my mojo's been on holiday sadly and I just can't seem to get my groove on in that department at all, hopefully Scrap Sunday at the end of the week will get me inspired.<br />
But right now I must go and get this house tidied, being here every day has made me very fussy!<br />
Laters!<br />
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Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-66505525078611258952015-07-05T16:32:00.001+12:002015-07-05T16:32:46.075+12:00It's been a very pretty but cold Sunday.....here today. The whole city seems to be in party mode after the Highlanders rugby team won the game last night making them the champions for the season. It was very weird being at ho,e watching it when normally I would have been at work, the hotel would have been packed to the gunnels, the restaurant would have been crazy before the game and I would have been freaking about how many we would get back to the bar afterwards. Not so last night, I sat here and watched the game, partly excited cos I could watch it and also sad that that episode of my life is now over.<br />
I have no idea what I'm going to do next, after 30yrs in the hospo industry I'm not really up to speed with anything else, Also with all the uncertainty in my life at the moment it's very hard to commit to anything. I want to be available to take care of my bestest friend but at the same time I need to earn a wage.<br />
I've always thought that if my job disappeared I'd do something creative, use my talents with my crafts but that seems to be a hard road at the moment and the openings just aren't there.<br />
However I'm not going to let it stop me doing my crafts, at least they give me something to focus on which I really need at the moment.<br />
Also I've been knitting baby clothes for the local maternity hospital so at least I feel I'm doing something positive.<br />
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So that's about it for a cold grey Sunday arvo, tomorrow is a new day of a new week so onwards and upwards.<br />
Have a great week!<br />
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PS. Miss Molly certainly has a very spoilt life, this is a shot of her apartment complex, right beside the fire.Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993724262771954575.post-17057979347088526512015-06-18T13:02:00.000+12:002015-06-18T13:06:11.893+12:00A Gloomy day in winter...<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and I'm sitting here knowing I should be getting ready for work but really have no desire to do so. So much is happening at the moment that to be able to sit quiet for awhile is so precious.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My best friend of 47 yrs has just been diagnosed with cancer, now I'm not new to this having been diagnosed with Leukemia in 2001 and I have managed to beat it, but somehow watching someone you care about more than life itself is so hard. All you can do is be support and comfort but somehow it doesn't seem enough.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On top of that my job is going in a week and a half, the hotel I work in has been sold and the entire staff of 45 are out on the the street. Not great when it's winter and this city quietens down considerably in the tourist and traveller industry during this time. So there are very few employment opportunities around at the moment. But apart from this it means losing the workmates who have become friends to far and wide. So yeah I probably have reason to want to hunker down by the heater with Miss Molly and lose myself to Blogland.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Apart from all this heavy stuff, I have been enjoying knitting again, knitting baby clothes for the maternity ward at our local hospital. There is a huge need for little knitted items for the the new born babies, sadly so many Mums are not prepared when baby arrives for many reasons, and the hospital are very grateful to have a stash of warm little goodies. So if you are a knitter who loves to knit little quick things I urge you to consider this as a pastime.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So on the crafty front, I have been making a little book with inspiring sayings for when my friend goes into hospital. I'm really thrilled with it and must just do the cover. I got sidetracked because I ordered some of the mini Magnolia stamps and I have been experimenting with them. It takes a bit of getting used to the dimensions, but you have more landscape on your card to decorate so they are very cool.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The other delight of my life Miss Molly is growing so fast and has become a real "force to be reckoned with" lol! No, really she's a gorgeous little cat with bags of attitude, just love her to bits. She loves nothing more than to cuddle up with you and she's great company.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also think the need to return to my blog stems from having a beautiful new laptop, it's gorgeous and the keyboard is just wonderful to use. I don't know, can one keyboard be better than another? Anyway the urge to write(or type) is definitely there.</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So that's pretty much where life's at for me right now, so I'm going to now sign off and sneak in some browsing time looking at all the gorgeous cards on Pinterest. Oh and just a couple of pics of my latest cards and of course one of the Divine Miss M!</span><br />
<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ciao for now!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Liddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07547877537642866603noreply@blogger.com0