Time in Tumut

Friday 1st May saw us pack up 'Winnie' and head our for another weekend trip. Our destination this time was Tumut. The community there were putting on the Festival of the Falling Leaf and so there was a market day, Street Procession and Fireworks.

We travelled up on the Friday morning with our friends Fred and Jenny, enjoying a stop at Junee for lunch before heading on to Tumut.
We set up camp at the Riverglades Caravan Park and decided to go for a bike ride - to cut a long story short my bike needs a new back wheel as I fell on it! Never laughed so hard for a long time.

The Blakes arrived and set up their tents and by then it was time for tea. Plenty to eat and drink, plenty of conversation and time for bed.

Next morning the guys rode their bikes in the mountain bike challenges and us girls headed off to the markets, watched the street procession, had lunch in the park and retired to the caravan park for a nana nap. The Harris' joined us and we had a short happy hour at the van. Afterwards we went to watch the fireworks and came back for tea.

Sunday the weather was again beautiful and after a walk around the wetlands area, we packed up and drove out to Blowering Dam. Such a beautiful area and just perfect for a picnic lunch. On the way home we stopped into the liquorice factory at Junee for some supplies! A great weekend!!

Happy Birthday Malachi !

We celebrated Malachi's 9th birthday - it was on Friday 1st May and we got together for a family dinner on the Thursday night as Richard and I were leaving for a weekend at Tumut on the Friday.
I love these times together - just 'low-key' family traditions that celebrate not only the occassion but us, as a family.

It's 'that' time of month!

Yes, the last Wednesday of the month has rolled around again and so Michelle, Sam (Kaiden of course) and I headed off to Leeton for our monthly 'sanity' break! We have been attending the card making classes for a long time, making a real day of it. It is a 55km trip to get there and we have lunch after the class and fit it some shopping if we have time.

Today we made 2 cards guided by Su, our long-suffering teacher and guide. The first is a note card and would be great for an invitation because you could put a RSVP slip in behind the purple card or a gift card or money if you used it as a birthday card.



The other card is stamped using a two step stamping method and then embossed. I found it hard to offset the image and the mats - I usually like things to line up!!



If you are ever in Leeton NSW, call in to What's Scrappening and say hello to Su and Julie - great service!!

It Snowed!!!!

Last weekend we went up to Oldina Lodge at Falls Creek in Victoria for a staff retreat. It was expected to be very cold but nothing like what eventuated!! After starting to rain on the Friday afternoon (which made for a scary trip up the mountain in the fog and rain), raining all day Saturday, we awoke Sunday morning to a blanket of snow!

There was only a few centimetres so I decided to go for a walk - after about 15 minutes it started to come down heavier and I quickly lost my bearings and retraced my footprints, just barely visible in the deepening snow. Most of the photos I've taken were from behind the glass in the upstairs window - the best way to look at the snow - in the warmth and comfort with a roaring fire behind me!














After lunch we headed home very slowly down the mountain ... such a beautiful sight.


Some of the things that I learned from the retreat:

• The body can defend or grow - but it cannot do both at the same time!
• That health is Optimum physical, mental and social well being and not necessarily the absence of disease.
• There is no such thing as failure, there are only results.
• Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there - Will Rogers.
• Have positive goals and not negative ones.
• Adversity does not build character, it reveals it.

I was challenged to be more aware of the decisions I make and to this end I have decided on a few goals;

To live a more satisfying life I will:

1. Count my blessings
2. Practice random acts of kindness
3. Savour life's joys
4. Thank a mentor
5. Learn to forgive
6. Invest time in friends and family
7. Take care of my body
8. Develop strategies for coping with stress and hardship

It was a good weekend -and I was reminded that people pray for me and care for me
"So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in Him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 ( Thanks Judy!)

Easter Blessings

We were able to have a few days over Easter to spend out at the lake - as you can see from the new banner photo - this was the view from our motorome. Even though it wasn't as peaceful this time - due to the Australian Jet Sprint Boat finals being run next door and a 21st birthday bash (even louder than the jet boats! lol) it was still a time of recharge and renew!


Spent time rowing around the lake in my new little kayak and having some of the family visit with us made for an enjoyable time. Richard and I took the kayak out each day and I enjoyed seeing the lake from a different angle - from behind his back - lol.

Michelle has a few lessons (and a few bruises!) on how (not) to row from Tim - a very patient teacher!We were treated to some spectactular sunrises and sunsets - and you know how much I love taking photos of them!




On Saturday evening we were able to attend the launch of a new CD by local singer-songwriter (and excellent chiropractor lol) Ryan Day It was brilliant and I enjoyed it so much - Go Ryan!!

All in all - a great weekend!

Isaac's Birthday

Isaac celebrated his 11th birthday 2 weeks ago - yes I know I'm a slack Grandma - I've only just gotten around to uploading the photos!
He had 3 school friends around to join in our family dinner.

He proudly showed of all his presents and enjoyed his special meal, marinated chicken and fried rice. The 'birthday cake' was lots of little cupcakes, vanilla, chocolate, and cookies and creme - very yummy!

Another Layout!!!!!

Here's Layout No:3 for the year - at this rate I'll be scrappin til I'm ninty!! Oh well it doesn't matter - at least I will have acheived this much.

Keeping right up with my simple is completed theme, this layout is of the time we spent in Canberra with our other grand son's - we had a wonderful time with them saling around Lake Burley Griffin.

We hadn't sailed around the lake before so it was good to see all the familar icons from a different perspective.
The boys were a little apprehensive at first but soon settled in and enjoyed their trip.