Long time. . .no blog :P

Life sneaks up and makes you soooo busy at times!

Where to start .. .

Possibly last thing was Pops toe op - all went well, home and recovering fine. He then fell ill, was spending a lot of time sleeping (in bed alone, as Nan slept in the spare room so she wouldnt bump ihis foot during sleep) taking his time in the shower/bathroom, not quizzed as he is private and wouldnt ask for help. . . .nan started to notice him doing strange things, and once he lost movement in his left side she finally called an ambulance. . .you know the generation - dont ask for help/charity, just go through life as best they can. . . gathered him up in his gown and slippers and got him to the hospital.

Turns out he had a minor stroke, possibly brought on by his low sugar levels (they are meant to be about 7 and he hardly registered 1 on the test at the hospital). This blood pressure was extremely LOW too, plus blood results pretty low.

Nan had gone back home at this stage (about 10pm) and noticed blood and eerm poop on the lounge where he had been sitting. . .she checked out the bed and noticed little stains/spots there too and hidden rolls of loo paper. She called the hospital and told them about this, they had a look and he was bleeding from the bowel. Was in a mess poor old pop, how horrid for him.

He had 6 blood transfusions in a few days and his levels (and general colour) came back up. They also dont tests (scope etc) to see what the bleeding was from.

Turns out he has cancer, very advanced, in his bowel and liver. The doc has out a 6mth time stamp on him.

Turns out the bleeding had been going on for a while, Nan is giving herself heaps about it. . .as she 'should have noticed' but how could have she? She slept in another room once he came back from the toe op, didnt question excess time in bathroom due to the fact walking with a sore foot was hard - showering and using the loo would have been tricky.

He was in hospital for almost two weeks, but due to the terrible state of our hospital (lack of staff means we dont even have day surgery anymore) he is home again. Which is ok, as he is going along ok and is doing better in his own surroundings. His gout has come back (sore foot/ankle and elbows). . .the med for the gout plays up with his sugar, so he has to check that more often during the day, taking meds for the cancer. . in hope that it will allow him to toilet for himself (as he refussed a colostomy bag, dont blame him) plus mega big pain killers.

Now its just a day to day thing, their GP has been excellent. He lives nearby and drops in on his way home every few days, great to have such a caring doc that goes beyond his job!

As if this isnt enough. . .lets see what else has happened (in point form)
* 15 year old cousin is pregnant and due in 3 weeks, we have just been told as she had been living with her mother (uncles ex wife) but has moved back in with dad - so less stress there now she is in a more stable environment :)
* Work dramas to the max. . .
* A missed call from my fathers sister (have not had contact with that side of the family since I was about 6 .. so 20 years) - automatically think its to do with my Grandmother, and spin into thoughts of a funeral and how to deal with seeing my father. Finally get in contact with her after three days of messages left on her phone. . .to find out Grandma had a fall a few months back, is losing her memory and keeps asking for me and my sister (refers to us as toddlers). Going downhill fast, has had to take an AVO out on my father and had her will changed to state father will get nothing in her will instead his 'share' will be given to sister and I. Wanted to warn us, in case father finds out about this and tries to contact us. Joy. . .
* Cashed out my savings and brought a lounge :) But its delayed. . .nothing too bad but it follows the string of bad news!

So. . .for anyone still reading this far - thanks for hanging in there

xx Renee

Still some time left to vote!!

Heya :)

There is still only a bit of time to vote. . .

You can see the enteries HERE

and you go OVER HERE to vote!

Thanks chickadees!

xx Renee

My Rainbow. . .

Firstly, Id like to thank everyone for the words of kindness after my little out burst in my last post. . .

A comment from Skye has stuck with me. . .

I guess all we can do is look for rainbow at the end of the downpour?!

Thanks heaps hun xx

And here is my rainbow - the lovely Miss Moo and Lucas Spewcus (which is a loving name, even if it sounds bad. . he has terrible reflux, there is a spew after EACH bottle I kid you not!! But he is getting better as soilds are being introduced)

I love being your aunty xx

I used this photo in the lasest challenge at Idol - head over to the forum (link in two posts down) from 5ish tonight to vote for me ;)

Oh in other news - I won the Boxx of Scraps challenge at The Boxx!!!

Now just to decide which kit to pick as my prize. . .see another rainbow there too!

xx Renee

PS. Dont forget to vote LOL

When it rains. . .

it bloody pours!!

Does it not??

I really couldnt understand this 'saying' growing up. . .of course it pours when it rains Mum!!

Some bad things have happened over the last few days. . .

My Pop is very sick, in hospital for the fourth day now. Had an op yesterday to remove some toes as the infection has spread to the bone. Very sore Poppy!

Nan is having a hard time, being at home on her own. . and managed to trip over and almost knock the brand spankie new tv over. So she is all bruised down one side, but still trying to sneak Pop some home made food into the hospital. . .aww

A phone call from the ATO stating I owe them a bucket full of money, relating to a debit from an old tax return which wasnt much then but due to the interest. . .ouchies. How nice they took years to remind me of this (hmmm I have to shift the blame to someone I guess LOL)

I teared up on the phone to the ATO and ended up having a nice talk to some older lady in the debit section (or something). . .

Now repaying the ATO for a few months, so looks like tinned spagetthi on toast will be making an apperance for dinner at my place for a while now. Id rather get it sorted ASAP rather then having the debit increased. Sadly I dont see myself buying any kits for a few months either!

My washing machine is on the verge of breaking, it groans as it spins. . . That much so I have to close the doors and turn the TV volume up to hear! If I use the highest water level, it leaks HAHA :) I had to wash my sheets in two loads (on medium) yesterday otherwise I would have had to mop up puddles again!!

Last but not least. . . My rent is going up by $5 a week! After the events from Friday till lunch time today, I really didnt want to read a letter from the real estate. . .my first thought was the place was finally on the market (as there is talk the units will be sold, as the owner recently passed away RIP) - so an increase of $5 a week in the big scheme of things is ok with me!

I hope you all had a better weekend then I, I guess it all will smooth out and be right again soon

xx Renee

Oh my. .. .

I MADE IT TO THE NEXT ROUND

YEEEHAAAAA

Thanks to all that voted, all 9 of you :)

I know a few who said they would vote, but a few a are mystery . ..so thanks to you all

xx

I have the mind ticking over for this weeks challenge already!!

Idol Round 3 - Voting

Heya Guys!!

So its that time again, time for me to self promote myself! LOL

This weeks challenge was to scrap on something other then 12x12 paper. . . Some ladies done excellent jobs! Binx even managed to scrap on a mirror - friggen awesome!!

I, scrapped on the bottom of a pizza box from an online order I made. I ripped back the coating so i ended up with the lumpy bumpy cardboard. . painted it with my fingers (as the foam brush wouldnt get into the grooves as much as I liked). . and this was the outcome:




I like it very much!!

If you like it too, I hope you will vote for me!!

Check out the other Idols work over HERE - the Idol's name will come up when you view their work. . . So once you have your top 5 (doesnt have to be 5. ..just no more then 5) You need to go OVER HERE to vote. I know it might sound like a lot, as you need to register. . .but it is only a few simple steps. Provide an email address, user name and password.

I'll be forever happy if you do decide to vote :)

Also, apart from my happiness you will meet a group of fantasial girls that are heaps of fun!

Let me know what you think about my new LO :)

xx Renee

Life Motto. . .

So I made it though the next round of idol!

How exciting :)

The next challenge is to scrap my life motto. . . really has me thinking!

And got me wonder, what is your life motto??

Please share

xx Renee

Round Two Baby!!

So its that time again,

Time for me to plead and beg for a vote. . or two :)

This weeks challenge for Idol was:

This week we'd like you to make your own 'arty' background. Spray, splatter, drip or smear some paint. it must include the following.......

* At least 1 photo

* Journaling

* Title

* You must use a mask

EEEK Stumped from the word go. . .

Anyhow i gave it my best and came out with this. . .

The photo doesnt really show the colours as well as they actually are. . but thats our shocking weather for you :P

So. . . to vote you need to go to the Idol Gallery and select your top 5 (hopefully this includes me!!)

Then send embellised an email to mail@embellished.com.au and in the subject line put your 5 votes....using the names from the gallery( blog gallery or main site gallery is fine!).

There is some super work this week, some blows me away. . .that much so Im worried about getting kicked out this week!!

So please, please, please vote!!

xx Renee aka Nay @ embellised :)

PS VOTING IS ONLY OPEN TILL 5PM SUNDAY

Dont you hate it when. . . .

You have a LO all planned in your head. . .

But the photo you thought you had, isnt how you remembered it to be. . .

So now you need to rethink the photo, although the 'base' of the LO is done. . .

Or somehow get a piccie posed, which is hard when the niece and nephew are sickies and not up for visiting!!!

ARGH

If someone has a landscape photo, of their toddler sleeping/day dreaming. . LMAO. . .I doubt it

xx Renee

Vote for me here. . .

PLEASE

http://embellished.typepad.com/idol_2008

8th from the bottom 'Nay'

You can vote for yor 5 fave. . so its all fair if you have another chicky you know asking for a vote!!

Ta!!!

xx Renee

PLEASE GO VOTE FOR ME!!!!

So girls,

The IDOL comp has just closed for ROUND ONE!!!

And. . . I really really hope that you come vote for me!

Im not sure how the voting works or anything yet?

You can see my LO and the other 40 odd (YES FORTY) here

Mine is the one that has 13 photos and still a LOT of white space. . . called Bouncing Queen!!

SOOOO at the moment im not sure if you vote via the Idol Blog or the Embellished Forum. .

I will keep you posted once I know!

xx Renee

I've been tagged!!

So the lovely Kayla Renee has tagged me . . .

First time being tagged - yeeha!!

Here it goes

Here are the rules:
• Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
• Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, we all want to know them.
• Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
• Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

Ok so here goes... 7 random facts
1. I have to peg clothes with matching coloured pegs on with item. . .
2. I have a shower routine, which I hate being messed about with. . . (wont go into the detail of the routine)
3. I dislike waslking down steps, childhood accident makes me dizzy when ever go go near them. . so I have to walk down one step at a time like an old lady would haha
4. The volume on the TV needs to be on an even number
5. I believe fun coloured tea towels make washing up much easier to cope with. . . haha
6. I hardly eat breakfast
7. I have a fear of bugs. . anything with more then 4 legs is just GROSS!!!

Ok...So now I have to tag 7 others...


Miss Del
The Lovely Donna
Super Skye
The Talented Karen
Wonderful Witchy - Lisa
Amazing Ali
Miss Mandz - when your back on the air!!

Cant wait to see what random facts your girls have to share!!

xx Renee

Idol has started!!!

Yeeeha!!

The first challenge for Embellished Idol was put up last night. . .although its to late to join, the sketch is GREAT!! You can come along to play though :)

Here I am in my Idol glory . .

http://embellished.typepad.com/idol_2008/

So when all the LOs are up for voting. . .come vote for me!! Haha

Thanks!!!!

xx Renee

Lastest LO. . . getting ready for IDOL 08!!!

So here she is!

Trying to work outside my fear of COLOUR and PATTERN and over use of WHITE SPACE. . .

"What a hoot a jumping castle can be"



This girl is surely my niece, who else would try to SLIDE down the steps while laughing herself silly and pushing the bigger boys out of the way?!?

View my page on The Boxx

Eye Candy

So. . .

With the help of the girls that commented i have brought the following items. . . some are sitting in a cart somewhere to be paid on Thursday, cuz Im not as rich as I would like! Booo :(

Firstly some yummy prima flowers as suggested by the lovely Miss Ruby

Next up was Megan. . .who suggested some stamps which was backed up by Liz. My guess, knowing thse girls would be AL stamps! I thought about this one, and decided that I have enough unloved stamps, I would order some Stazon in Jet black. . .as I might be more happy to try these stamps out rather then with the bright colours I own already!!

Felicity said I should get me some felt. Thanks to spotty I have me some felt. . .not sure what to do with it. . .maybe some pinwheel flowers??

I have also been eyeing these off over at Etsy . . .

Very cool ay??!!

Donna. . .oh Donna. . .ribbon! How oculd I have guessed. Im not buying any, cuz after the swap we are in Im sure I wont need any for a widdle bit :)

Witchy suggested PAINT. I have about a zillion bottles of MM paint. . .I just need to get lose and play with it. Also like the look of those ranger paint dabbers. . . They come in 36 colours plus black and white!!

And lastly Skye suggest thickers. . .and i wont agure, as I LOVE thickers. So I have allowed myself to get some of the poolside and jewerly box ones. . .yummy!

Im sure you all have seen all these yummies before. . .but its always good to look again!

Keep suggesting things that I really really need!!

Ta

Renee xx

New LO. . .

So I created a new LO last night, and Im loving it :)

But I cant share till later on as its part of a whisper over at Scrapboxx. . .

Once the other girls finish their turns, I will share. . .

Hope everyone has been keeping well

xx Renee

Linkie linkie??

So. . .following in footsteps of others. .

My blog needs some loving!

Let me know if you wanna be linked here. . .also makes it easier for lazy old nay to look up other peoples blogs!

Cheers. . .

Also, if you want to be linkeded. . . there is a condition (no, i dont want you to link me on yours. . ) but you need to let me know ONE scrap product I need to purchase, as Im lacking in mojo. .

Tanks :)

R xx

Oh No!! Dont put the ball in the BUSH!!

Happy Long Weekend Everyone!!!

Here is one I whipped up this morning. . .

Self challenge was to do a LO on a bazzill I wouldnt normally use :)

Enjoy

xx R

PS - Sorry about the bad photo :)

And some older ones . . .

Someone asked for LOs done using die cut papers. . . so here are some!!

Lookie Here. . .

Ive made some new pretties :)

This LO was done on a sketch from Scrapboxx - the photos are from Sept 07. LOVE these photos of my darling neice, dont mind my double chins (which I have dumped since 07 yay!!)

This next one is more recent. Miss Mak has grown so much, she is becoming more of an individual and doesnt need adult help with lots of things anymore. Which is good, its great to see her getting bigger and growing, learning new things! Im only her Aunty and its sad to see the baby girl grow up - dont know how you mums do it!

With out too much rambling, here is my girl xx

Im working on some more this weekend, hopefully will have some more to share soon!

Hope you all have a good long weekend, and dont be shy - drop me a line so I can visit your blog :)

A NEW LO - FINALLY!!!

Heya Girls :)

Im sure boys dont visit this blog - please correct me if Im wrong.

Anyhow, I have so so lost my mojo of late. A combo of having no exciting photos to scrap, I need to get over the fact that I 'cant' scrap a piccie if I dont really like the background of it or if the subject (aka Miss Moo) happens to have a bit of a messy hairdo or chocolate on her face! Afterall she is only 2 :)

Also there is just SOOO much out there to buy, so many pretties and not enough monies to get my hands on them!

Work has also been insane, financial type work + the lead up to end of financial year = 9hour days PLUS lunch. So by the time I get home and do this and that about the house there is NO time to scrap!

I also need to learn I can leave a LO to finish later and not try to rush and finish it. . .as that leads in a whole bottle of DM didnt spit on the page and the table and the embellies sitting there ready to grace the now wet page! haha

Yesterday I whipped this little LO out, nothing too fancy - but its my style. I still think the focus needs to be on the PHOTO . . .I'm not the biggest fan of busy busy pages. I like my white space :)

Without any futher ramblings, here it is! I hope you like it :)

xx R

Oi YOU!!!

So I have seen the stats of visitors to my little blog have been slowly jumping up. .


BUT no extra comments :(

If you swing by, Please leave a comment!

xx R

Hmmm

Hmmm as I dont know if i like this new LO or not.

Havent felt at all creative lately so I thought I might take a new spin on a layout but so NOT sure if I like it. . . .you decide!

Hope everyone had a fab weekend

xx R

Lookie here. . . .Just got me some

The most DELISH Chipboard shapes ever!!!!

They are from Scrapware and designed by the delightful Karen Day - http://karendaydesigns.blogspot.com/

Visit her blog ASAP for an awesome blog party thats happening right now!

Cant wait for these to come so I can create, create, create!!!

xx Renee

A Lesson for Everyone

Now that I'm older, means im wiser. Least I think so anyhow. . haha
I have learnt that I am the one responsible for my happiness. . . and to do this I need to look at the world from different angles, the whole thinking outside the square. . doing new things. . . experiencing different things. Basically enjoying life :)
xx R

An actual post. .

Heya anyone that is reading. . . .

I thought it was about time I gave this blog some love, considering I have been busy exploring other blogs and they might come over to mine to see who this stranger stalker is!

Im Renee, and I try to scrap!

Also should clear up, the lovely bubbas you will see on my layouts are NOT my own children. They are my adorable neice Makayla and nephew Lucas. I love them to pieces, and are good training for when I have my own haha

I often scrap my sisters and brother - all younger then me. But due to the cuteness of girly papers, scrolls and flowers Miss Mak seems to be the most scrapped. I will have to spread my wings and try to challenge myself to scrap more outside my little square. . . Feel free to challenge me :)

I turned the big TWO SIX on friday. . . and as much as I dreaded it, I handled it pretty well. Mum commented that she should be the one to be stressed, as her biggest baby turned 26!!

Anyhow this house of mine is calling out to be cleaned, so I better listen otherwise I might get lost on the mess :)

xx R

Miss Moo

So about time I updated my blog!

Here is my fave lastest LOs of Little Miss :)

She holds my heart, and she knows just the way to work her Aunty!

xx Love You Miss Moo!!

Some LOs

Hopefully this works . . .

Three of my latest

Enjoy :)

Welcome

So. . I thought it was time to get a blog happening :)

The plan is to use this to show off my scrapbooking. .

While I get the hang of it all, im going to have to call on you scrappy girls to give me a hand!

Thanks

Renee xx