This morning dawned bright, I had kind of hoped for rain, as I was not cherishing the task ahead...the painting of our Garage

...Andrew has a smile, guess he's feeling more enthusiastic about the task than me! Dad has brush in hand and was the first one to 'make his mark'.

Granmar had no qualms about climbing the ladder...I hate heights so was very happy to paint lower down the wall.

By 4 pm we had most of the base coat on and dived into the tin of 'contrast'

Our kind friend Murray put in a hard days yacker as well.

Tomorrow we get to do the whole thing over again... yee-harr!!!

Ive been missng for ages!

Here I am!! I haven't really been missing, just busy!! I have a photo here to prove it...me today in the garden, look at the state of me, no make-up and my hairs a mess.

...and this is what Ive been up to... take note of the garden behind my lovely family

...now look..the same spot ...only bald!! I decided that some of our large garden just had to go. Once the lawn seed grows I will have even more time to scrap and craft. (I hope).

I am so over digging ..and raking..and gardening in general!

and I have some news that is very exciting for me...
I made it!! WooHoo....
...onto the Up2scrap Elite 2010 team!!! I Could not believe my good fortune,but its true, check this out.

Another week has whizzed by so quickly. I have achieved very little this week...again! Although today I mowed the lawns and pulled a few weeds out of my garden, still lots more to do!

On that note I found a photo of our house in my archives, before we had our alterations done , after Andrews accident. I loved our house the way it used to be! Sure it was not as grand, or spacious, and yes the roof could do with a little moss remover on it, but, looking back I can only say (as our friend John would say) life was good. With our new look house come our whole new way of life, and really...although I didn't realise it at the time I loved our old life just the way it was !

Anyway here is our before house....

...and our after house.

The veranda now comes out beyond where my front garden used to be, my garden, if it was still there would now be in our lounge. So although its hard to tell form my photos our house has grown heaps! That piece added onto the right hand side is now our bedroom and ensuite on the bottom floor, along with the lift well that goes up into my craft room on the top floor.It really is a shame that things cannot stay the same!

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend.

Cody is working all weekend for a friend, hes putting down his tools to try his hand at tailing lambs.

Aimee is away down south for the weekend with two friends.

Camden is about to head off eeling with his mates who I believe are camping out at our house.

I am hoping for rain so I can catch up on a bit of scrapping, if we don't get rain then I'll be out among the weeds!!

Anzac Day

Hope you have all had a happy Anzac Day. Our morning got off to an early start with Camden heading into town at 5.30am to take part in the dawn service in Oamaru. He arrived home at 7.30, had a bite to eat then we wandered along to the War memorial in Duntroon to attend our little local service.

Here is Camden doing his bit for the cause.

...and again, another tune on the pipes.

Its not often I go walking this early in the morning and just as we neared our house on the way back from the service I just had to snap a photo of yet another glorious and new day dawning.

My thoughts today are with all of the brave men who fought for us, all of those years ago.

Half way...almost!

Another grape picking day done! Today we picked thirteen bins full of Pinot Gris grapes, look at them all!! I have to tell you that I had a feast as I went along! These wine grapes are much smaller than 'table grapes' but so much sweeter in taste...yummy!

By all accounts we are almost at the half way mark as far as picking goes. Tomorrow and the weekend are days off as I believe the remaining grapes need to be tested to ensure they are just right for the picking. So if all goes well next week will be another big week in the vineyard!!

The photo below was one I snapped near the end of the day...before we were all treated to a wine sampling. Isn't our country side glorious at this time of the year! Once again we were treated to a perfect day full of sunshine and blue sky, not a breath of wind to be found. I feel so lucky to be living in such a beautiful part of the country on days like this! :-)

Checkout the Ostler website to see the view we were treated to from the top of the vines today, and if you have a wee look under the News and Reviews heading you will spot my Andrews name.

Camden left home this morning at 7am . He is away up in the high country tiring his hand at fencing with one of his friends, and his dad. I am sure he will come home tomorrow feeling as tired as I felt at the end of the grape picking today!!

Aimee spent today with her nose in her school books, goodness me 7th form really is a very tough year, she has spent hours these holidays wading through book work, and still has lots to do.
Tomorrow I will be back with some scrapping. I hope!!

Thankyou all so much for the lovely comments you left me on yesterdays post. Hugs to you all xx

No crafting for me

No crafting for me at the moment.

This week we are picking grapes at Ostler Vineyard, about four minutes drive up the road from our house.
Each year Ostler advertise for volunteer pickers, the wages that these volunteers would make go to the Spinal Trust, based in Christchurch ,where is it dived out to communities to assist with helping paraplegics get back into, and around their community.
Last year Duntroon received funds to assist with making the Squash Courts wheelchair accessible. This is to enable Andrew to be a part of the squash community, which was a big part of his life pre injury. Sure, he cannot play squash, but he can still socialise, attend meetings (he is club captain) and watch our three children play.

This trust has helped us, so it is really nice to be able to give something back.

Have to say that the weather is just gorgeous, the company is warm and friendly and its great to be out in the fresh country air, I am even gaining a sun tan!!


Take a look at me after todays work, all those nets in the background are covering vines that are yet to be picked...Yikes... another big day ahead tomorrow!

October 3rd

Another month closer to christmas!! Where is the year going I just cannot keep up!
This past week has been a busy one, so much trailing back and forth to hospitals! Andrew was diagnosed in Dunedin hospital on Tuesday with Deep Vein Thrombosus. Lucky for us the clot stayed put! Wednesday we went to Christchurch to meet Aimee, David Laura, Tom and little Joel at the airport. That was the high light of our week! So nice to have Aimee home again - well we had her for two nights anyway, she is away to a friends for the night at the moment. LOL!!! I am pretty sure she does love us...really!!
Today we were back in Oamaru for Andrew's treatment, received a phone call from the Lab today, just after returning home informing us that the doctor wants Andrew back in tomorrow for more tests. Blast! Thought we might get Saturady off- no such luck!Unsure if thats a good sign or not, I asked but received a very hazzy answer that told me nothing at all!!
My work in the craft room this week has been null and void pretty much- just had no time. I did manage however to get the october Challenge uploaded to the Scrapbooking by Design gallery and create my layout to go with it. This is my first ever turn at putting up the challenge!! What a worry- no one might do it- no one might like it I am thinking! Pressure!! The ladies on the forum and the design team are very kind though and left me some lovely comments, very very sweet of them! Anyone at all out there looking for a challenge and wanting to make a needie ladie's day be sure to check it out !! Follow the link to the forum by clicking on my 'October Sketch Challenge' picture above this post!
I am up to date, pretty much with my swaps and challenges, although I did miss the Bossy Scrapper on Sunday and was unable to squeeze in the September Challenge, which i'm sad about as they both looked like fun!
The perfect end to the week come this morning when my washing machine died- and the repair man said he could not get here untill Monday!! Come Monday he wont be able to find us for the great pile of washing we are going to be surrounded by!