Little bits of my home........

Finally a few images of little nooks in my home.....

we bought a very old home almost 18 months ago now, with the intention of "doing it up"... it has been slow slow going. I am finally starting to get a little excited. We have so much to go, but these few nooks of my home, are giving me hope :)

Anyone who knows me, knows I love antiques and vintage styles. Always have. Even before they became fashionable. But I like a mix of stuff, not just one style or era, so my style is certainly ecclectic :) Bit like me I guess!!! Oh and I LOVE RED!!!!

Here is my foyer ( I LOVE that old homes have foyers) - I bought a vintage table cloth for $2 (which was stained) and cut out a couple of good bits and frames them with emroidery hoops.

The Tapestry of the two girls (which reminded me of my girls) I picked up for $10 !!!! the frame alone would have cost $100 plus - so happy about that purchase!! and the tapestry sitting on the floor my nanna made for me YEARS ago, and I have neer found a place for it....but it goes so well with the reds now.

Here is our dinning room - yep a RED chandlelier!! I wanted this when it was full price - but wait a few months and I got it for 1/3 the asking price originally!!! and our gorgeous dining table, was bought last year at the easter show, towards the end of the show, and the man who makes them just didn't want to truck it back to Melboure - another amazing bargain :)

This buffet was one of the first peices of furniture Justin and I bought new - we loved it, it was that yellow pine colour, and for years it has sat in our garage. A few weeks ago I found some white paint gave it two coats, them scrubbed it back, added some new handles and I LOVE it again.

A gorgeous antique set of kitchen scales I bought on ebay

Oh and o course I need a red polka dot apron!!! ROFL

And some framed artwork from my clever kiddies....and a red 70's rotary phone (found on ebay) and a typewrited (which the kids love and it still works) found in the local opshop for $5. Bargain!!!!



So that is just the start, a few of the bits of my home that I adore!

Love Lisa

xx

Why oh Why ???

Does this happen when I am trying ot get a couple of decent photo's of the Kids for Christmas??

I mean how hard is it to either smile, or look natural?? Seriously what is the world coming too ;) Love that they have so much fun together, they play, and tease and love....makes my heart happy really.

I will be back soon with a couple of photo's of my seriously wonky gingerbread house, and some picks of what we have been up to in our home.

Love Lisa

x

Been home for ages!!!!

and no blogging!!

sorry, life has been so hectic.

Jere had his high school orientation, and Liv her kindy one. How on earth I managed to have two children starting such huge milestones in the same year in the same week, is beyond me!!!

I am really looking to the "big kids" finishing school in a week, so I don't have to worry about lunches, and uniforms and just concentrate on having some fun with the kids and resting myself.

My RA has gone insane over the last few months, and I am under a new specialist - but it will be a long few months till I qualify for the new super dooper injections. They cost $1700 per jab!!! which I will need every 2 weeks, but if I jump through all the hoops the govt want me too, they will only be $30 per jab - a huge difference and an affordale difference. Yesterday my new doc gave me cortisone injections into my shoulder joints. Which wasn't so bad at the time, but I appear to be part of the small number of people who it makes their joints worse for a day or two - it is so so so so BAD!!! anyway hopefully it will improve tomorrow!!!

Onto some scrappy goodness!!! here is a layout I did for a challenge over at scraptherapy, inspired by the sensational Miss Belinda V.........I so love her work, and she is the most lovely girl ( and might I add enjoys a glass of chardy)

anyway, I am now waffling....

so I am going to go :)

Love Lisa

Shanghai and the search for clean air?????

That was the first thing that I noticed as we landed in Shanghai, where the heck was the sky???

The above piccy is a great example, this is almost Midday and it is a piccy at "The Bund" an old part of town with beautiful old French Buildings, can you see the far bank?? Not really?? It is only about 400m wide (approx) and you had to squint to see it!

I was expecting it to perhaps be a little smoggy in the morning, but not all day, it's kinda like you are living in low grey cloud........all the time. Feels weird. We have Miss Liv's asthma stuff here and she is on a preventative, but we have been praying like mad she wouldn't have an attack, Lord knows I don't want to see the inside of a Chinese Hospital (Hiya Dad!). She does have a croaky throat, but I am not sure wether that is from the pool or the polution???

and the PEOPLE..........thousands and thousands of them, everywhere. In cars, on motorbikes, push bikes, on foot - crazy. The streets are mad, with honking horns and scary driving. We even managed to witness an accident involving two motorbikes!! EEEEKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!

The kids have taken it all in their stride, not bothered by the noise and the crowds, battling the streets no problems at all. We are so very proud of them. They have also learnt how to say "no no" when someone asks them if they want to buy something! LOL

They are all little stars here, particularly Miss Liv with her blonde hair and blue eyes, she waves and says hello, and smiles for the camera - too funny really. She keeps saying that she is "very special" in China.

The above is a piccy from out hotel at night, we are up lovely and high, and as you can see even late the traffic doesn't stop!

and Below are piccy's of both the Kids and J and I at "the bund"............ We have a thing anout Lions I reckon....

Today is our last full day here (we leave tomorrow around 5pm) and so we are going to head back to Nanjing Road for some more shopping and bargaining......kids even know how to say "cheapa you give for cheapa" Too Funny!!!!

Love Lisa

Bustin' a Move

This is what happens when you let Livinia loose on London!!!!!

We had been having a spot of breaky at Kris and Sea's fave cafe, and I took the kids out while Justin paid the bill............

and this is what Liv did (with encouragement from her Sis that people may throw money at her!). I was hysterical with laughter, and she was most perturbed that we stoped her and didn't get a couple of pounds! What am I going to do with this child????

She is wearing her brothers cap, and we nicknamed her "axl" after this performance, as that is what her hair looked like - the music style (singing) of choice was more Hip Hop!!!

OMG!!!!!! We are a family of crazy people!

Love Lisa

x

More Museums........

Our kids just love love love museums...........

doesn't matter what kind, they just LOVE them

We visited the natural history museam a couple of days ago, they just adored it especially the dinosoar exhibit and the "stuffed animals" LOL!!!!

We have also visited the science museu which was really great - no photo's from that though, I was getting a little sick of carrying my camera everywhere - and just didn't feel like the pressure of taking photo's really!

The kids (and us) are doin really well, and loving everything.......the kids are missing having a backyard though, and the girls tend to wander outside barefooted and in T-shirts to "play" in a very small courtyard. Funny Things. We went to a little cutie place called Chiswick and stopped in a churches' grounds for a bit of a rest and a sanga, and they took off like they were crazy, running, chasing, enjoying the space. Funny.

Justin has booked us into hotel on tuesday (just him and me) in the heart of London and also booked us into one of Gordon Ramsey's Restaurants - I can't wait!!!!!

Till next time!

Lisa

x

more adventures

I am so behind in keeping everyone up to date with what we are doing here in England, sorry :)

Here are a few piccy's to keep you going.....kiddies in Trafalgar (SP?) Square...this has been one of Jere's fave things.....He was so looking forward to seeing the statue of Nelson (Such his Daddy's boy).

We have had a few days "down time" cause we are all tired! I just needed a day to blob so my joints would start playing nice, and poor Jere and Justin got a tummy bug, all good now though.

Tomorrow we are heading to So -Ho and to pick up some tickets to a couple of musicals - should be fun.

Love Lisa

x

Big Days

That's what we seem to be having.................walking, exploring,walking!!!

Enjoying local parks -Lilli is a huge fan of the "round a bout" something that we don't see much of here in Aus. The faster the better :)

So we have visited Harrods - what an amazingly beautiful store. Had a trip around the city in a open top red bus. More museams, art gallery's, parks, shops loving it all - even if we are so so so so tired!!!!

The Girls in Harrods, with a "friend"!!!!

Jere playing super man :)

and lastly, the girls playing roller coaster at the back of the open bus around London ( they also sang, "London Bridge is falling down" at the TOP of their lungs while riding over it!) - bit of a spot the aussie moment!!! LOL

Off to Notting Hill Tomorrow :) Can't wait.

Love Lisa

x

The British Museum

Yesterday we headed on the tube to the museum..... we braced ourselves because it was raining, and armed with jackets and rain covers for the pram... of we went.

And had a fabbo time. It was awesome. So much to see. So many people. The museum was a beautiful building, high ceilings, gorgeous light. Beautiful.

I was panicking when I realised that when I put my camera in my bag it had my 50mm lens, not my everyday all situations one. But it was such a blessing in disguise, because I got great shots inside the museum of both the kids and some of the artifacts.

That's all for today!

Love Lisa

x

Good times.............

yep, that's what this trip is all about.

Chillin' with family. Playing with Roobs. Just enjoying being together. So good.

Here are a few of my fave photo's so far (and there is going to be hundreds!)

We bought Roobs a DS today :) She totally loves it, and has been playing it all day - just like the "big kids" - cooking mumma is the game of choice. So nice to be able to spoil her, can't wait till they move home.

More photo's tomorrow! LOL

Love Lisa

x

Cutie Journals for the Kiddies!!!

Just finished in time :) Some super cute jouranals for the kids, to put all their bits and bobs, photo's and writing in while on our trip. I used a mixture of Love Elsie and Making Memories, a little Jenni Bowlin, and a few other bits........the best bit is the kids LOVE them.

Mine is still a work in progress! Which is pretty funny considering we leave tomorrow!!!! I reckon I will finish it tonight sometime!

Very possibly the next time I post I will be in LONDON!!!! YAY!!!!!

Love Lisa

x

packing and unpacking.........

Trying desperately not to over pack. Because I know there is going to be some SERIOUS Shopping in London and Shanghai!!!

So I pack, then check, then remove stuff, then pack again.

This week is all about getting the "jobs" done, stuff like organising for Freddie the Wonder Dog to be groomed and clipped, picking up visa cards, washing, cleaning, making sure there is music on the kids Ipods, chanrging DS's, checking scripts and medications, final bloods for me before the trip (oh the joy) and of course my hair done today!

Amoungst all this there have been kiddie parties and soccer presentations. My beautiful Godson Jake has turned ONE!!!!! Check out this cutie eating his Bday cake!!!!

So busy! but I am sooooo looking forward to the trip!!!!

And here is a photo of Littlest Missy - with my new lens.....so so so happy with it. Darn those eyes are GORGEOUS - and I didn't even bother with PS.

Anyway, Justin is about to head out to Footsal ( indoor soccer kinda game) and the kids and I are about to eat some yummy shephards pie......hmmmmm.

Wait a minute - just a quick share, of a layout I did for the LSBS Cybercrop last weekend. Love these dodgy photo's of Helen and I looking rather worse for wear, after a huge weekend at retreat - check out our eyes!!!! But I love the photo's anyway, cause it is with the most gorgeous girl in the entire universe, and we had one hoot of a weekend!!!!

Love Lisa

x

Saying Goodbye..........

I have been trying to write this post all week! and i just didn't know what to say.

So here is is, simple and sweet. This last week I have finalised my time on the DT at LSBS.... I know, I know....I love the place, I have loved being part of the team, it has been such a HUGE part of my life for the last three years.

There is no real reason why I am moving on, just that I *knew* it was time. Nothing more than that. Time to let someone else step up. Time to enjoy being just part of the forum.

*sigh*

I am thankfull that the end has been such a positive experience, all the Dt girls so supportive of my decision. That makes me happy. I am thankfull for the wonderful friends I have made.

So onto the next thing, whatever that may be. I know it will find me in the right time. And until that time, I will be busy preparing for the trip to LONDON in 14 days!!!!!!!

WHOOOOO HOOOO.

Love Lisa
x

Just doing some pretty stuff ........

so just give me a chance......it will slowly get pretty!!!!

Lots and Lots of Layouts !

Just sharing!

It has been another huge week here, and I am thankful it is friday!

But I still found plenty of time to get to my desk and create, some is here

, some will be uploaded in the next week or so......

Tomorrow we are heading up the mountains to have some family photo's, I can't wait. They are going to be fun, intimate and so so so so not like a pixie photo! One of the mums at preschool is an AWESOME photographer, and as soon as saw what she did with the preschool photo's ( and lets admit they are HARD to get great natural shots!) I KNEW that Kylie was the girl for our family photoshoot. You can check out her work here If you are in the Lake Macquarie/Newcastle Area, I highly reccomend her - and she is a cool chick to boot :)

Thats all for today!! YAY for the weekend!

Love Lisa

101 Posts!!!

That probably deserves a prize !! For you not me!!! Leave me a comment and I will get Miss Liv to pick a name out of a hat ( or something else) and I will send you a little something in the mail :)

Back to blogging!!!

Well I am home from the retreat, and I can FINALLY share with you the class I taught - it is a super cute Maya Road sheer album. I LOVE it, and thankfully everyone else did too ;)

It was so much fun! I love it when people are totally excited about the class, and come up to you after to show you there completed album - makes me happy in my heart!

All things are going well and full steam ahead for our trip to LONDON!!! We had our last lot of shots for the stopover (four nights) in shanghai, and I have bought some new clothes and back packs for the kiddies.

Can't wait Can't wait Can't wait......

and here are some stuff I have been creating just for the fun of sharing!

This layout was in Creative Paper not that long ago - I was lucky enough to get to do a tool challenge :)

Love Love Love this - arty and farty! This was for a challenge at LSBS

and my boy - I did this TWELVE months ago and it was accepted for publication my SM at the same time - it is finally in the mag!!!!

Hope your sunday is beautiful

Love Lisa

x

Jeremiah

ahhhhh, my baby boy!!!

Some of you will know that Jere has had ongoing health issues since he was 5. Kidney stuff and other stuff....*sigh*

Well we have had to have a whole other round of investigations as the poor laddies has been having massive pain in his tum tum. They first found NINE enlarged/swollen lymph nodes in his tummy, and for the last few weeks we have been back and forward to doctors to work out what the HECK is going on.

So today we went back to the Pead.........and had some xrays.........then back to the pead......

and so far we have found Jere has a kidney stone, a blocked up intestine/bowel, and HIGH CHOLESTROL!!!!!!

His cholestrol is not from his diet, but rather his bad Genes!

So we are starting some stuff to clear the blockage, having some more bloods for his cholestrol then starting meds, and watching the stone carefully!!!!

This would probably be too much for some mums, but for us this is actually GOOD NEWS!!!! This is all treatable, and that is the bestest ever............and it means by the time we get to LONDON he will be so so so so so so so so much better.

Happy Day!!!