Birthday Wishes

A big shout out to my niece Chloe who turned two today!!!

Can't wait to see you real soon!!

Also, Happy Birthday to my sister Michelle for tomorrow - she turned.............. don't worry I won't tell people how old you are.

Best Wishes to both of you on your special days.

September 11

7 years ........... that is how long it has been since 9/11. Where were you on September 11th, 2001? What does this date mean to you?

The eerie thing is that I remember quite clearly were I was and what I was doing on this day - as if it were just yesterday.

In September 2001 I was working for Disney Cruise Line. We were just pulling in to Norfolk, Virginia for Drydock. I know my DH and I were really excited about Drydock as we were planning on driving to Washington to see the sights - it would be a totally new experience for both of us.

On the morning we arrived in Virginia we were all called in for an emergency meeting in the Kids play area. There were no guests on the ship, just crew. As I stepped into the Kids play area I saw my Manager's there watching one of the t.v's. They had the station on CNN which I found odd as we were not usually allowed to watch regular t.v in the Kids area. It was then that our Manager's explained what was going on and as they explained about the first plane going through the twin towers - we all watched in horror as the 2nd plane went through the twin towers too. It still brings tears to my eyes watching that and thinking that it was a blockbuster movie being filmed. Sadly it wasn't, it was actually happening and it was happening not that far away from where we were.

Drydock did not start of as much fun at all. The ship was in total lock down - nobody was allowed to leave and nobody was allowed to come on. Our drydock area was a known Navy base and could have been targeted. Infact, it felt like total anarchy as there was rumour going around that just being on the Disney ship was a target in itself - being that it is an 'All American' company. My DH called his family in Canada to make sure they knew we were okay. I know his friends were eager to get us home quickly but we couldn't leave the ship. I remember calling Mum and Dad in Australia to tell them not to worry - I ended up scaring them myself as the news hadn't even hit Australia at that point.

I think we were in lockdown on the ship for a few days before they started letting us off the ship and living a somewhat more normal existance. Needless to say, my DH and I decided not to venture out to Washington. We took in the sights of Norfolk which was more than enough. After about a week it was business as usual................

After 9/11 everything changed though. Leaving Orlando airport to head home there were armed police everywhere. Extra security was obvious and understandable but it was from that point on that I knew things would never be the same again.

For all those people who lost loved ones due to 9/11 - I am so very sorry. Such a horrible thing to have taken place - lives taken away because of what??

A Busy Weekend

This weekend just flew by. We had lots planned over the weekend so I think that is why it went by so fast.

I was lucky enough to have Saturday, Sunday and Monday off - which was awesome.

On Saturday I went shopping with my MIL. We got a 40% off one item coupon for Old Navy (one of my favourite stores) so we went out to use it. I have been meaning to purchase new pants for a while now as I have lost a bit of weight and nothing is fitting right anymore. I found a great pair of pants that I thought I could wear for work - but the icing on the cake was that I think I confused the clerk and she gave me 40% off all my items. I ended up getting three pairs of pants for $50. I thought that was a steal of a deal - literally.

Saturday night was UFC 88!! One of my favourite fighters, Chuck Liddell was fighting that night and I was really looking forward to him knocking his opponent out. Unfortunately, that is not what happened. Please watch the video to see the shocking KNOCKOUT.



On Sunday, my DH and I went to training at the gym. We were grappling and sparring for about 2 hours and I was pooped at the end of it. It was an awesome workout though and I do feel like I am getting more and more stronger each day.

Finally Sunday night we went over to our friends, Juan and Mariyln for dinner. We used to work with Juan and Marilyn on Disney Cruise Line and they now live about 45 minutes away. It is nice to have good friends from our ship life living so close.

That was our weekend - as you can see I was tired and couldn't wait to crawl into bed Sunday night.

As for Monday - I am goodness - let's just say I was aching all day Tuesday. We did a boxing class and then went right into a Jiu Jitsu class on Monday night. I was totally done then.

Till next time......

Some cards to share.........

Not the best photo's, but here are a couple of cards that I have made recently. I am always eager to play with my stamps and cardmaking but it is so hard to find the time sometimes. Here they are:




The first card, 'Congratulations', was made for a couple of friends who just opened a restaurant. One of my friends from work, Sam, suggested the new Basic Grey line, Offbeat. The actual paperI used is called Atypical and it has vegetables all over it in a kind of hip way. I just love this paper and the colours in it too and I paired it up with matching cardstock, brads and ribbon. Simple card that can be put together in record time - I should know, my DH gave me about 15 minutes to make it.

You are probably wondering, where does she get her ideas from. Well, I often go through magazines to get initial ideas but often I will look at something and then go in a totally different direction. The ideas truly are endless when it comes to card making.

The second card is for my dad for Father's Day. No, I am not late for Father's Day. In Australia we like to be different and actually celebrate Father's Day in September. I used some really cute paper that I had lying around the house. I can't remember which company made it, maybe Scenic Route??

Anyways, as you will probably notice I have been using a threading scallop punch alot in my cards. It is my new favourite tool - I think I may be using it too much!!! It is a punch from Fiskars and we sell it at Clipper Street and at Clipper Street Online. I bought the 'Father's Day' stamp from Clipper Street a little while ago. Comes in handy at least once a year.

Well, that was my creative moment from for this week. Wish I had more time to be creative though.

Till next time..............

Pleasantly Surprised

I just watched the movie 'Georgia Rule' yesterday and loved it. What a great movie.

The biggest surprise for me in this movie was what a great actress Lyndsay Lohan is. She was amazing in this movie. I am not a big Lyndsay Lohan fan - I am not into these young actresses who think the world owes them something - but this girl can act.

Basically the story is about three generations of women - daughter, mother, grandmother - who have a strained relationship. L.L character is a chronic liar, her mother is an alcoholic and they do not get along. The grandmother and her mum - do not get along either. L.L character is sent to live with the grandmother - Georgia - and to learn all of Georgia's Rules.

There is obviously alot more to the storyline - but like I was saying L.L was just awesome. I remember reading in magazines all the drama she caused while filming this movie - but this girl has talent. No excuses for being a spoiled brat but she is lucky she has the talent to get her away with stuff.

This is a chick flick that I highly recommend. While I'm on the subject of great chick flicks, if you haven't seen it yet I encourage every woman to watch the tear jerker 'Terms of Endearment'. It was on the t.v the other night - what a great movie.

Till next time.............

PNE moment

I just had to add these photo's from the PNE. Here is Bren, Cammy and I on our favourite ride. The one were we just couldn't stop laughing.

In the first photo you will notice little Cammy sitting in the middles of us. Imagine this ride going at full force and Cammy - who weighs next to nothing - being squashed into nothing. We all had the giggles the whole way through the ride.

In the second photo the lady who worked this ride actually told us to change seating arrangements so that Cammy wouldn't be squished again. I think this was a smart idea.

I have to say this was one of the funniest moments ever with these two little angels. What a great day out.

Thanks gir

I don't know if I have mentioned before but my DH is an unreal cook. If it wasn't for him I think I would be living on Kraft Dinner!!!

I am one lucky lady as he can open up the cupboard or the fridge and come up with an amazing meal with what is in front of him. Now, if I opened up the cupboard or the fridge my next move went be calling Domino's and ordering a pizza.

Tonight was no exception for yummy meals. My DH had a pork roast sitting in the slow cooker all day and we were going to have pulled pork sandwiches. I came home from work and nobody was home and all I could smell was the roast cooking. It took ALOT of will power not to start chowing down on it.

Now I know it is hard to get a real grasp of how good this smelled but the next best thing is to take a picture of it so everybody can drool over what my man cooked. Doesn't it look good. I love how the photo even shows the steam coming out of the pot.

Well, needless to say dinner was delicious.

I've definetly got a keeper here.............I just wish all woman had men like my DH who were so willing to cook and not only that, so willing to cook really good meals.

till next time..............