Today is always a little sad

Of course, it's always all over the news today, remembering the tragic death of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayad in Paris, 9 years ago. I remember that morning, it was a Sunday, and we were lying in, waiting to get up and go to church around 10. Of course, my big kids weren't all that big at the time (6 and 8) and still got up at a not-so-reasonable hour (but in the other direction to the hour they awake nowadays LOL) and my dd came bolting in saying "MUMMY! PRINCESS DIANA DIED!"
I didn't believe it at first, but sure enough, I turned on the television, and there it was. I took the girls later on in the week to lay some flowers outside Buckingham Palace. I'm sure you saw on the news the beautiful floral carpet that was created outside all her residence but it was spectacular to see it in person. I remember watching the funeral and my heart almost broke watching her two boys walking behind the coffin. The youngest is just a couple of years older than my oldest. I am so proud of the fantastic young men they seem to have become. You can really sense their mothers spirit in them. Just before the first anniversary of her death, my mother also passed away at the age of 68 on the 28th August 1998. She was a long time diabetes sufferer, and had also been a breast cancer sufferer, and undergone a masectomy in her 50s, but also developed Alzheimer's disease which is what ultimately killed her. I remember that first anniversary well. Mourning the death of your mother is a very strange experience, and one that while I would not wish upon anyone, is something that unfortunately the majority of people will experience during their lifetime. I was 30 when she died. Two weeks shy of 31, and it was hard for me even at that age. I guess that is why Diana and her boys are so close to my heart.

We don't have much planned for today. Jamie has a birthday party on Saturday so we need to go and hunt down a present. I am always lost as to what to get, and always end up getting some kind of craft kit or a board game that we enjoyed, if I know the parents and think they'd appreciate that kind of thing. I don't know this kid or his parents at all. The party is at Clown Town. We had Jamie's party there last year, and we've been to about 15 parties there in the last 4 years! The kids love it, I'm not complaining, it's just so hard to keep an eye on Jamie while trying to entertain Anna and give her a turn on things. Is it rude to take my uninvited 15yo along with me for help? If I promise she won't eat anything or use the equipment?

That's all for today - have a great day!

Yet another uneventful day

I read others blogs and always wish I had something interesting to say, or some story to regale people with, but I don't - the highlight of the day was a trip to Woolworths to get school supplies, and to the carpet shop to choose a carpet for the girls' room. Right now it's navy blue, but we just finished painting it pale pink and lilac. I think we (and I use that loosely) decided on cream, on the understanding that they are keeping it clean. I clearly remember making a promise to myself years ago that I would never get a pale carpet. Hoping they change their minds before we go back to buy it. Just the idea of it is scaring me. Then we went swimming this afternoon (while I have the 15yo on school holidays).

Here's a thought - on swimming - maybe it's just me being way overprotective, but WHY don't parents watch their young kids in the pool? Especially in August when the pool is full of kids on school holiday, being boistrous and pushy. Do they assume the armbands will keep them afloat, so they needn't watch? Some parents don't even get IN to the pool with their five year olds, just shout commands/questions/comments from the spectators benches. I just don't get it. I don't get the care free attitude around water. In a playground? Yeah, you don't have to be watching your kid every second. But in the water, it takes seconds for something to go wrong. I want to approach these parents in case they are ignorantly unaware, but I don't have the nerve.
I get into the pool with mine, but I won't even attempt it with the two little ones, I'm just too nervous, and Jamie is too much of a handful, I couldn't trust him to stay with me and not mess about. Today was no exception, but that's a whole other post.

It was the first day back at college for my 17yo today. I think it went well, who knows LOL. She did tell me her timetable will allow her to work from 11AM - 6PM on Wednesdays (in addition to Saturdays 9-6). She's never had a job of this magnitude before (no reason, it's just never come up) but I've never been keen on the idea, and that feeling is only intensified now. I have a couple of issues:
A: She will overwork and tire herself out, going to college and working without any time off, to herself.
B: She will stop socializing with her friends, family and her boyfriend.
and C: She won't leave enough time for studying in her A-level year.
I think she earned about £500 this summer, and I remember that feeling well - the earning money feeling - it's a good one, and can be addicting. There are so many things out there for a 17 year old to do with a good bit of money. I guess I'll let her do what she feels and see how it goes. She works with nice people, not too far away from home, and the hours aren't that bad. We'll see what happens.

I managed to scrap a page this afternoon. I feel like I've been so busy I just haven't had time to sit and scrap unless I know exactly what I want to scrap, and with what. It's a different kind of scrappers block and it's driving me nuts. When I do get online, I check the various message forums and e-mail, and then I'm off again!

Anyway, the page. I'm not really sure what to make of it - LOL! It's a bit all over the place, but I think I like it. I really fancied this kit with some water/pool photos.



I used these papers and elements by Kim Christensen over at ScrapArtist. Lots of cool new stuff over there recently.

Hope tomorrow's a little more interesting!

Another First

Here I go again trying to create a successful blog. Everyone else has one, so I figure I need to keep up with the times. But life happens, things get in the way and I am never able to regularly update. And I don't feel right sharing the link until I have a few posts to my name. My life isn't exactly exciting either, which always helps when trying to entertain visitors. So there you go, my full disclaimer, read at your own risk and only if you have time to burn.

To start, I'll share a few layouts I've done recently. Just because I'm still trying to figure out the cool features, so I may as well give my CT designers a bit of publicity (HA!) whilst I navigate my way around. Any tips for a complete (OK, well I've actually started a couple here and there, but none on blogger to my knowledge, so it doesn't count, right?!) blog virgin? Let me know.

First, rather appropriately, a photo of the six of us, sat outside our house one day a few months ago. My BIL happened to be over when all six of us were actually at home at the same time (yes, ALL SIX! Can you believe it?). Anna couldn't care less, and Jamie was being a little show off. But I love these anyway. This is Us. Credits are posted here.

Another of my baby boy - OK, maybe not so baby afterall. Four still counts as little though, right? He hasn't completely grown up yet? I know he's starting school in October, but I can still call him my little boy? My little man? Credits are posted here.

And here he is in all his glory. Ninety percent of photos I have of Jamie are like this one. He is full of beans. Raring to go all the time. A real live wire. Love his personality. It really does brighten our home. Credits are posted here.

That's all for now! Say a little prayer that I don't abandon this poor thing like I have done the others.