I Won

Yay Yay Yay I won the monthly challenge at Scrap Therapy, actually I came tied first with Scrapmanda which I take as a huge compliment.

This is my winning LO, the colours are not tru to life the page is actually white

Damn Kitten

This a pic of our new kitten Tom at the top of my newly decorated Christmas tree, this is not the first or last time either. I am getting tired of picking the baubles up off the floor.

Home Quiz

I came across this while browsing Belinda's blog and thought I would give it a go.

What Your Home Says About You

You come across as very intellectual. People take your wisdom seriously. Your hygiene is passable, but you may be hiding some dirty secrets. You are a very domestic person. You enjoy decorating, cooking, and making things homey. You are a very nurturing person. You find meaning in taking care of others. You feel settled in your life. You have enough time to focus on little details. You are a somewhat self sufficient person. You can do fine on your own if you have to. Your friends see you as insightful, encouraging, and progressive.

What Does Your Home Say About You?

Not too far fromt he truth lol.

Youniverse

Relsi suggested I give this a go, and to my surprise we did not come out the same lol.

Why don't you give it a go?

Hmmm Been a While

Nothing too exciting has been happening here to update you on. We have bought some floating floor and underlay, but havent put it down yet. Bought a new washing machine and dishwasher today, so that will be good for me but not very exciting blog news.

Just updating really to put up some scrapping.

A New Baby

Before you all say it, no I do not want any more human babies, this is actually Sam's kitten. His name is Tom, and we adopted him from the RSPCA on the weekend. He has made himself right at home, Sox on the other hand not so impressed.
Havent managed much scrapping lately, but maybe this weekend at the Scrap Therapy CC. Don't imagine I will get much done today, as I have 2 sick chicks here.

Scrapping At Last

Well I have finally set up my scrap space, and done some scrapping. I finished a swap that was overdue and have managed 4 LOs so far. I have pics of 3 that I will share now and will come back with the 4th and maybe more if I get a chance tonight.

Kinder Birthday

Just wanted to put up these couple of pics of Ethan at kinder with the birthday hat and cardboard cake.

Playgrounds and Parties

Bit overdue for an update. A couple of weeks ago we went to Mooroopna to pick up an ebay purchase, we figured while we were there we would do some Ardmona shopping and take the kids to the cool playground there. A couple of shots of us at Kidstown.

It was also a certain little man's birthday, can't believe my baby boy is 5. We had a Superhero training camp party which seemed to go down well with everyone. Some pics of the cake and Ethan seeing as I don't want to post pics of other peoples kids without permission.

We're In!

Well the house thing has not gone quite as smoothly as I would have liked but we are in. We finally got the finance sorted out and settlement happened on time, the bank did forget to mention that they would take the the amount of the First Home Owners Grant out of our account and then reimburse us, nevermind that that put our account in serious overdraw and the funds didn't clear for 3 days. We got the keys at 3pm on Friday and came around that afternoon and with some help from family mowed lawns, tidied gardens and brought round some small stuff. On Saturday my gorgeous friend Narelle came up and helped us clean walls and paint ceilings. Monday the removalists came to move the big stuff and while that was happening our dog got out and went missing. After a dark and stormy night she reappeared on Tuesday, smelly and hungry.

Since then we have been moving the small stuff, cleaning, and unpacking. We thought we would avoid the stress of having to go back and clean and tidy gardens, so we got some people in to do that for us. So much for stress free, neither company managed to do as we asked, even after 2 attempts each, the house is still not how it should be. So this weekend we have to go back and finish the job then argue about the fee we have been charged for an unacceptable job. Grrrrrr.

The good news we are here and its ours. On other good news front Dad had some scans done and got the results on the tumour he had removed from his bladder, no cancer. Further surgery in about a month for prostate but all in the clear otherwise.

Finally!!!

YAY YAY YAY we finally got full approval from ANZ for 95%, so the house is full steam ahead. Settlement is in 1 1/2 weeks, so it was not before time, but it has happened.

Dad had surgery to remove a tumour from his bladder today and came through so well they sent him home instead of keeping him over night.

This is the Kaiser clock I decorated for Phil for fathers day.

Snake Warning

As it is Fathers Day we went to see my Dad where he is staying with a mate. Dad's mate Dale is a snake guy (can't think of the official term), he has about 60 snakes and lizards in a big shed at his place, he was cool enough to bring quite a few out to show us.





Obviously these are the non-venomous ones a couple of children's pythons, and a carpet python. Dale did bring out some adders, a baby tiger and I think a cobra, but they stayed in their boxes or Dale had them with his stick. I was so proud of Sam, as you can see he held all the pythons, as did Dad, Phil and I were a bit more wussy and just patted them lol. The littlies were interested for the first couple but when they had to stay away from the poisonous ones they lost interest.

Notice Given

We gave notice in this place today so we are another step closer to moving to our own place.

And So It Begins

Well now that we are officially on track to the house, we have to start packing eeeek. I put some manchester in a bag today so I guess that counts as making a start. We also went to Bunnings and they were giving away a heap of boxes so we grabbed about 5 of them and may still go back.

So with less than 4 weeks to go we better start getting organised, sigh, I hate moving.

I Wish I Were Joking

Ok, so you know you have got a great deal on a house when there are no comparable sales, anything like our house has been selling for much more, hence nothing comparable, seems simple right? Well not according to the Lenders Mortgage Insurance company, because there are no "comparable sales" they will only lend 90%, never mind that the reason there is noting comparable is because we have got a fantastic bargin, nothing comparable to them means no 95% lend. I am so blown away by the whole lack of logic behind this argument I don't really know what else to say.

We are still going ahead but it has just become an even tighter race against time and finances. Like I said I wish I were joking.

Life Wasn't Meant To Be Easy

Ok I knew the buying of the house was going too smoothly. We are still waiting for our full finance approval, I was expecting the phone call last Friday, instead we got a call asking for more income information, updated pay slips etc. So we did that, Monday night I got a phone call, the bank can't confirm my employment because HR won't release the information without my written consent. I have no idea where they even got the number for HR I gave them my manager's name and number, they ring my manager but she couldn't take the call, the next day she spends hours trying to call the number that was left, where no body answers. Finally get her to make contact with someone on a different number yesterday. Phone goes today, I was sure this was it. No due to laziness of valuer, who claimed that there was not enough comparable sales data to include in the report LMI company will only approve a 90% lend. So our mortgage broker is trying to round up the data to support the purchase price of the house so we can get 95%. Unbelievable! I am starting to get a wee bit stressed, we have extended the finance clause 3 times now, once was the vendors solicitors fault and the rest from our side. I can't give notice here or pack a box until I know for sure we can move, so frustrating. So like my manager claims she is doing can you send some positive affirmations out into the universe for us, please.

I'm Not Packed

Its retreat time again in 2 days and I'm not packed eeeek. I have printed photos, but I'm not finished, my PJs are in the washer, but nothing is in my bag and I haven't packed any scrappy stuff yet. So I need to put this laptop down and get on with it. I took tomorrow off work so I could have more time to get ready but that is quickly filling up with other things that need doing, I catch a train at 7:30pm tomorrow to head to my bestie's place in Sunbury, then our flight to Sydney leaves at 9:45am (I think) on Friday again I say eeeek. Ok I am going, I am going.

Looking For Some Inspiration

Then pop on over to Scrap Therapy its Cyber Crop weekend. Plenty of challenges and games to be had. The theme this weekend is "Everything Old is New Again".

Grab A Bargain

One of my lovely friends is closing her wholesale scrapping business so, if like me, you usually have to pay retail, pay Nic a visit and grab your self some bargains. Visit Acacia Papercraft and register to go shopping.

A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words

Promised Pics

Ok so I got a bit side tracked with the house stuff. But here are the pics from our trip to Dunkeld, doesn't it look cosy?Phil and I in the freezing cold outside our cabin.

The view of Mt Sturgeon from our cabin

The bedroomOur cute and cosy cabin
The comfy chairThe living room with open fire place.

It was a lovely place to escape, the only down side is everything still smells of smoke including my camera bag lol.

So Much Easier

Last night I checked realestate.com.au just "in case" anything had come up, and discovered a new listing in the suburb we wanted, with 4 bedrooms (which I just told Sam we couldn't afford), close to school, brick, so many things we wanted. Being that it was 10:30pm we thought calling the agent might not be taken well Phil texted and emailed her lol. This morning she called, we viewed it at 4:45pm, made her an offer on the spot. A second man was coming to view it just after us, so all we could do was cross our fingers. Well I am gobsmacked at what happened next. The next man wanted to make an offer as well, the agent explained that we had made an offer and were pretty keen, she explained we had missed out on 2 others and that we were first home buyers, we had chatted to her obviously. Well the man, who was an investor, said "oh let them have it", he didn't make an offer he walked away so we could have the best shot at it. How gorgeous is that?

Long story short agent called back, said our offer had been accepted. We have a house!!! Mind you my husband was with us for 15 minutes before he told us, how rude, said he wanted us all in the same room before saying anything and couldn't exactly round us up without giving it away. Bugger!.

So this is it here

The Wait is Over

But the news isn't good for us, after two weeks of mucking about with this house, the agent tells us he has had a higher offer. He claims he left a message on Phil's phone on Friday (but he didn't), in conversation he tells Phil he doesn't trust the guy that made the offer, which is ironic considering I don't believe anything the agent tells us anymore. The guy is meant to be going in to pay his deposit today, so if he does exist and is trustworthy we have to start our search again, if none of that is true or he doesn't turn up the house will be ours. Its guys like this that give real estate agents a bad name I am sure.

Anyway our 4 days away were lovely, no kids, no TV, no internet, no phone. We read, talked, slept, and watched some movies on the laptop. It rained nearly the whole time we were away, but you don't go to Dunkeld expecting warm weather so that was ok, thats what the open fire was for. Will upload some photos later, so you can see how cosy our little cabin was.

And So It Starts Again

We upped our offer today, mind you we had to chase the agent. Dad went to the open on Saturday and played up at being an interested buyer, the agent told him there had been 3 offers for the same amount we had offered, but that $5000 would buy it. Getting a bit sick of him really, the last agent we dealt with was awesome, so not what you usually hear about agents, this guy fits right in the mold. So we are waiting again.

We are going away for 4 days tomorrow, leaving the kids with grandparents. I know I will miss them by the end but I so need a break right now, Audrey and Ethan are pushing every limit they can find and Sam is always trying to discipline them, so all in all its angst everywhere here at the moment. Not to mention I have had a cold for a week and it has turned into a sinus infection, yeah I need a holiday.

And Still Waiting

So the vendor has rejected our second offer, she is holding out for $5000 more. They are having another open house this weekend, but we will wait till next week before we discuss going any higher, regardless we won't be going that high. I hate waiting, so this is really testing my patience, we do really want it but we have to be sensible too. Waiting waiting waiting.

And We're Still Waiting

We are now waiting for the vender to decide if our offer is enough. The other "keen" couple haven't put in an offer and there have been no other "competitive offers" so I guess we are still in there with a fair shot. According to the agent she will make up her mind tonight or first thing so hopefully tomorrow I will have some news.

The Waiting Game

Well we found another house we would like to own this one We have made an offer, and now we are waiting for the agent to get back to us, seeing as its 9:30pm it won't happen until tomorrow now. There is at least one other couple who were very interested and we are expecting them to also put in an offer, but seeing as we haven't heard from the agent we are guessing they haven't yet. So cross your fingers for us.

A Cute Funny

I got this from a friend today and it was one of those cute things that tickled my fancy

Red Belt

I am so proud of my big boy, he went for a grading session at karate and came home with a new red belt.
Sam is not usually a risk taking so I am proud of him for just attempting it but I am also not surprised he passed it he is very serious about his karate.

PS. Audrey is fine, I'm not sure if she was extra clumsy the next day or if it was just because I was so on edge about it. She had a nice blue tinge in the corner of her right eye the next day but other than that no signs of any trauma.

Never Been So Scared

I have just got back from the ER. Audrey was mucking around on the couches, like I have asked her not to do about a million times, she jumped towards me and hit her legs on the front of the couch and I guess her head on the arm. Next thing I know she fell over backwards, her head landed in the bottom shelf of the bookshelf, I grabbed her hand to help her up but she was rigid and her eyes rolled back. I picked her up and she was out of it. That was it, boys packed up, everyone in the car. I was shaking so much and could barely think straight, all the literature tells you that if you knock your head the signs to watch out for are vomiting, drowsiness and seizing, I thought we had gone right to the worst case scenario. I have never been so scared I was going to lose one of them, Sam had a febrile convulsion when he was younger but I knew it was from the fever .

Luckily we got in quickly at the ER, it was obviously earlier enough on a Friday. The Dr seems to think she had a fainting episode not an actual seizure. She was dopey for about 10 minutes but then perked up. She didn't bite her tongue, she didn't wet herself and she wasn't as tired as she should have been for a seizure. So I guess fainting is the best option, I have never been so happy to over react. She is over it, I am not entirely, she is back to jumping off the couch but my nerves are shot, I just want to put her to bed so I don't have to worry about her bumping her precious head again. But I would need to strap her down she is not one to be deterred.

8-12 Years

Well this time 8 years ago I was getting my hair done and getting into a big white dress. Yep its my wedding anniversary today, its also the anniversary of when we started seeing each other, that was 12 years ago. Sometimes it feels like yesterday sometimes not so much lol. Phil has just told me this morning as my (our) present we are going to stay at the Royal Mail Hotel for 4 days, child free. Should be lovely, quiet and relaxing, can't wait.

Oh yeah I am also the Cybercrop Superstar at Scrap Therapy, this really just means I talked the most amount of crap and did a few challenges lol. But I will wear my blinkie with pride, and I get to host a blind challenge which I better get prepared for.

Not Much

Well I haven't posted much news lately but I have some more scrapping to share. I have done these today for the Scrap Therapy CC.


We have had a couple of hiccups in the buying of the house. We have found one we like and the owner is very keen to sell we just have to find a borrower who will consider Phil's commission seeing as he hasn't been there 2 years yet. Otherwise we will have to wait till October and most likely start the search all over again, sigh.

CCing

Well I haven't posted or scrapped for a little while but here I am doing both. Just a couple of creations I did for the LSBS Birthday CC this past weekend.
And these 2 are from the ST CC.

We Are Close

Wow, we thought it would still be a while till we could afford to buy our own house. Turns out we were wrong. We like to check out the market every once in a while just to see what is available and for what price. So we checked out some open for inspections on the weekend, fell in love with the cutest little house, worked out numbers and we can do it. Unfortunately the way the Bendigo high schools are zoned makes the gorgeous little house in the wrong area (the boundary runs down the middle of the street and it is on the wrong side), but we are now seriously looking around for something else. How exciting?!

Finally Some Scrapping

My mojo must have gone walkabout for a while there but it is back and has possibly brought friends, so if yours is missing let me know lol.
This first LO is for LSBS April CC, based on one of Cath's sketches.

This one I did a couple of weeks ago , finished in about half an hour, love the quick LO just before pack up.


These last 2 are the first album I did for Scrapbooking n' Craft DT. Photos of Melinda's daughter, Bella papers and embellishments. Hope she likes it : )