Update on the box in a bag!

After making the box in a bag I decided that this would make a nice present for a work-mate who is turning 40! (I hope she doesn't read my blog!!)

I have made matching tags for other staff to write birthday messages on added lots of bling and it all fits beautifully inside the bag.

I am very pleased with how it has all turned out.

Box in a Bag

My project for today - to make a 'box in a bag'. My friend (and Stampin Up! Demonstrator) Sandra had posted the directions for this on her blog ( http://www.sandrawetzel.com/blog.html ) and I had been meaning to try it ever since I had seen it. I just used some old papers I had here - didn't want to muck up the 'good' stuff until I was sure I understood the directions.I'm quite happy with the results!

We went over to Leeton yesterday for a card making class and learnt some 3D techniques - A bit fiddley but fun to do Sorry the photos aren't straight but you get the idea!

Another Great Weekend - Happy Australia Day!!

Had another great weekend - as well as celebrating the Australia Day weekend, we celebrated grand daughter Sam's 18th birthday at the lake on Saturday - mostly with her father's family - we haven't done that since she was about 2. She had a wonderful time celebrating with her families!

Anna & Isaac stayed the night with us in the van and our family came back out for tea on Sunday night along with some other friends - very low key but most enjoyable.

I even took the canoe out for a row around the lake Monday morning - no photos though.... I'm the photographer!! Lol

So now I'm washing and catching up with emails, downloading photos.. You know... all the important stuff!!

Change in the Wind?

As I listened to Barack Obama give his speech at his inauguration I couldn't help but see the parallels between America and Australia. It is time that we also as a nation need to realise that we have serious challenges ahead and that we must chose hope over fear, and unity of conflict. May God bless him as he leads his nation into the future.

He said, ( in part, you can see it here ) ....

America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we, the people, have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

Serious challenges

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

We have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met.

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

I have finally scrapped!!

My first layout for 2009!

I had forgotten how to scrap - it has been so long, so its not my best effort but with the help of the sketch from www.pencillines.com (sketch 117) I have managed this simple layout.

The photos was taken last Christmas - yes 2007, I'm THAT far behind!! It is Zachary ( Jason & Belinda's eldest) and Isaac, (the eldest of Michelle's boys)

I really need to make an effort to do a little bit more scrapping - it is very satisfying and I love looking through our family history.

Choices

I was thinking today - yes I do that occassionally! As I sorted through papers etc to get together for the accountant - they were in a mess - it gave me plenty of time to think.

Our lives are a sum of the choices that we make each day - some days we make good, wise choices and other days our choices leave a lot to be desired.

We can choose life and blessing,living each day abundantly, or we can focus on the negative things that happens to us all. This year I have resolved to live abundantly - to concentrate on all the wonderful people that are in my life, all the blessings that I have and know that I am loved beyond measure.

(I have also resolved not to let my papers get in such a mess again! lol)

Isn't he gorgeous?

Kaiden is growing so quickly!

I looked after him for a couple of hours yesterday - he slept most of the time but he was awake long enough to play with Grandma's camera!

He is nine weeks old and is growing steadily - Sam is doing a wonderful job as a mum and Kaiden is thriving with all the love and attention he gets from his extended family.

Happy Birthday Michelle!

Where have the years gone? Our 'baby' celebrates her 35th Birthday today!

It doesn't seem all that long ago to me that we were celebrating her birth, her first day at school, and all the other milestone that happen over the years.

Happy Birthday, Shell - we love you and are so proud of all you have acheived. Bless you heaps!

Love Mum & Dad
(Michelle and her family: l to r at back Michelle,Isaac and Malachi
front: Anna, Sam and Kaiden)

More Getting Away From It All

Friday we packed the motorhome again and headed off 30 kms away to a little place on the Murrumbidgge River called Darlington Point. We were joined by some friends for a 'chill out' weekend.

I went for a few walks alongside the river - seriously lacking in water! The others went bike riding but I haven't figured out how to take photos while riding a bike (just an excuse really- lol) so I stuck to the walking.

Saturday evening we set off for a little walk over the bridge to the pub for a drink before heading to a new resturant that has the most wonderful Italian food - Riverdestra. After eating WAY too much we walked home and continued our evening under the stars.

We plan on taking lots more such weekends this year.

R & R at Lake Wyangan

Rest and relaxation was the order of the day (week) after we returned from Canberra.

We called in at home to restock the van and headed out to Lake Wyangan and had the van set up and tea organised by dark. It was a wonderful relaxing time.

We had a visit from the rest of the family on New Year's Day - they enjoyed the sailing the kids spent most of their time in the water either sailing, swimming or canoeing.

A good start to the new year.

Canberra

On Boxing Day, we packed up our motorhome and travelled over to Canberra to visit our family there.

We were blessed to spend time with our 3 grandsons. We took them on a cruise around Lake Burley Griffin. As first they were very apprehensive but soon were in their element. We had lunch on banks at the sailing club overlooking the lake.

What is it about new babies?

There seems to be something about new babies that bring out the best in us.

Is it a desire to nurture new life or maybe the maternal instinct is stirred? There is a freshness, a beginning, I guess like the New Year ahead, the promise of things to come.

This photo was taken on Christmas day - Kaiden's first Christmas with us - it was so nice to have our first great grandchild celebrate with us. I think he looked a little stunned with all the proceedings of 'present giving time'

He continues to do well - has put on weight and at eight weeks old is starting to interact with us all.

Such a nice age!!

Persevere

My word for 2009!!!! I have been doing a little reading and this word has been cropping up quite a lot!
I read this in the Word For Today last Friday.

It's said that Walt Disney's request for a loan was rejected by 301 banks before he finally got a "yes". But because he refused to quit, he built the world's most famous theme park.
So, this year remember two things: (1) Perseverance is needed to win the prize. At a sales convention the manager said to 2000 of his firm's sales force, "Did the Wright brothers ever quit?" "No!" they responded. "Did Charles Lindburg ever quit?" "No!" they shouted. "Did Lance Armstrong ever quit?" "No!" they bellowed. "Did Thorndike McKester ever quit?" There was a long, confused silence. Then a salesperson shouted, "Who in the world is Thorndike McKester? Nobody's ever heard of him." The sales manager snapped back, "Of course you haven't - that's because he quit!" Quitters never win, and winners never quit.
(2) Perseverance turns adversity into advancement. Paul writes, "Everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News" (Philp 1:12 NLT). Paul didn't give up - he rose up! How did he do it? He found the benefit to him personally that comes from every trial. One Christian author writes: "Today we're obsessed with speed, but God is more interested in strength and stability. We want the quick fix, the shortcut, the on-the-spot solution. We want a sermon, a seminar or an experience that will instantly resolve all problems, remove all temptation and release us from all growing pains. But real maturity is never the result of a single experience, no matter how powerful or moving." Growth is gradual. The Bible says, "And we...are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord" (2 Cor 3:18 NIV).

Last year was a real time of testing but I realised the importance of moving on, of persevering even when all around is not looking good. So , 2009, for me is going to be consolidating that moving onwards, looking ahead and not to what has passed! Yay 2009!