So much happening...

It's only Thursday, but I feel I've lived 2 weeks in the past 4 days...

On Monday I sacrificed sleep (worked Night Duty the night before) to spend a precious few hours with my dear, sweet friends from Uni. Jen and Kaz drove to Bendigo to lunch with Jocelyn and I. And all our kids of course. It was just lovely, and once again I lament the fact that we don't all live in the same street.

Got a couple of hours sleep in then went to my second Night Duty. I only lasted 2 hours. As soon as I arrived there was a message to call Steve at home. Turns out that Dad had just rang him. Mum was in hospital, and had sufferred a "bleed into her brain". I rang the hospital to hear what what happening. Basically, a few days ago Mum had a 3cm bleed into her brain (essentially a stroke). I spoke briefly with Mum, who was crying and feeling very frightened. I was just glad to hear her voice and know that at least she could still talk.

I didn't stay at work. Went home so that I could get a few hours sleep, then set off for Dad's first thing Tuesday morning. Dad was very relieved to see me. He had been holding it together well, but Mum is Dad's rock really, so I thought Dad would be in a worse state than he was. We drove the rest of the way to the hospital together. Mum looked good when we arrived. All her neurological exams checked out, so they discharged her. She needs an MRI of her brain in a couple of weeks, and depending on what that shows, she'll probably need a craniotomy (brain surgery) to clip an aneurysm. I put the fear of God into Mum, trying to ensure that if she has symptoms again, to call an ambulance, not hop in the car.

So, I loaded up the car and headed home Tuesday afternoon. I rang home to tell them I would be home in about an hour. Oscar must have left the phone off the hook after he spoke to me. This would be important in about an hour's time... Got halfway home and the freakin' car overheated. It's done this before, despite numerous mechanic visits, and despite Dad and I BOTH checking the oil and water before I left their place. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr. I had 2 litres of water in the car with me, but it wasn't enough. I sat on the side of the road for about an hour, waiting for the car to cool off. I tried to ring home to tell them what was happening, but the phone was off the hook. I sent a text to my neighbour to ask her to go tell Steve to hang up the phone, but it turns out she was out of town too. Then my phone died. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I limped 500m up the road before the needle shot to HOT again. So, I decided to be grown up about it, and walked a kilometer or so, to find a farmhouse a bit off the main road. No one answered when I knocked, so I helped myself to some water from an outdoor tap. As I was walking back to the car, and old man finally heard me and came out of the house to help. Turns out the extra water was all I needed, and I was on my way.

Phew. I cursed the car the whole way home. Had a little cry as well, once all the drama was over. LOL

Poor Steve. When I walked in the door, I unleashed my fury. Called the car all the names I could possibly think of, then went on a rant about how surely two adults with jobs should be able to have a reliable car, capable of surviving a ONE HOUR drive when my mother is sick. So, scrap that previous post about the Territory being stalled. It's full steam ahead baby. Not a question of having Steve 100% on board now. I mean, he always was, but he kept cringing about the $$$$ factor. I care not now. Mum and Dad aren't getting any younger, and there will be more times when I need to just drop everything and go to them. The last thing I need to think about is whether the car will let me down.

Rant over.

So, the past few days have been... interesting. Watch this space for the sparkling new car. hehehe Actually, I have decided that perhaps NEW is not necessary. A used Territory will do the job I reckon.

Things to share!

As promised, I have taken pics of all the cards I made today. I also did something else... I sorted my ribbons out. They had become a little disorganised, so I tipped them all out of their jars and re-sorted them. Before you view this pic, please know that I admit I have a problem when it comes to ribbons. I have far more than I will use in many lifetimes. I know this, I admit this. However, having said that, I make no promises about not adding to my stash any time soon...

The ribbons are now all back in their jars, and look fab.

Here are the cards I've been working on today. I hope to do some "scrapping" tonight, now that the cards are out of my system!

Influenza A... a for awful

We've been struck down by the flu. First time in my life I've actually had the "flu". It has always irritated me when people describe the common cold as the "flu" and now it will annoy me even more. There's no confusing the two. You might feel lousy with the cold, but you feel like begging for a lethal injection when you have the flu! As it stands today, Jacob is the only one to have avoided it. Steve had it the worst, and I reckon mine was the mildest out of us all. Mothers are not allowed to get sick anyway... Oscar took out the prize for most miserable-looking. He insisted he wasn't overly sick, but his poor little face just looked miserable. Ossie and I were sick at the same time, so we spent a good deal of it cuddled up on the couch together. Awwwwwwww.

I have been mega busy making cards. I haven't photographed them yet, but aim to do it sometime today. I also sent off a heap of cards to Remember When to be photographed, so keep a look out for my stuff on their site.

I went a little crazy and ordered up big from Yankee Candle Company. I just love their candles, they have a mega long burn time, and the smell is divine. I get frustrated with candles that have next to no scent. These candles make me happy, and seem to inspire creativity for me.

The new car is stalled. Got the go ahead from everyone: Steve, the bank etc, but now I'm re-thinking it. The repayments are quite large, so I'm just having another look around to see if I can fall in love with a cheaper car, to the extent that I am in love with the Ford Territory! Probably aint gonna happen, but for one the voice of reason has prevailed. I'm turning into Steve!!! hehe

Okay, off to clean my scrapping space, take some pics and then back to share with you later.

Have a great day!
XXX

Just for fun...

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Candy Cressida

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Vanilla Raspberry Shortcake (hmmmm, doesn't sound too tough!)

3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)Akof (Dude..................)

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Yellow Cat

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Gaye Melbourne.

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) Kofan

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put "The") The Blue Chardonnay (OMG, I'm cracking myself up!)

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Bernard Patrick

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) Allure Starburst.

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names ) Jean Patrick.

I'm back baby...

Back in the groove of cardmaking and scrapping! Yay. Here are a few cards I've been making in the past couple of days.

The scalloped edges are a new product from Remember When Paper Company. They are laser cut from bazzill, any colour you like, and adhesive backed. I want some in every Bazzill colour known to man!

In other news, Lara has been a permanant fixture on the couch this past week. Poor darling, she's had high fevers, vomiting and abdo pain. She's almost better today, but we decided that one more day off school, combined with the weekend, will see her 100% by Monday. Just cross your fingers that none of the rest of us come down with it by then.

Mmmmm...

I am just sampling the newest release from Omni. Omni Purple (Berry). Just the right degree of sweetness, plentiful bubbles and a very nice colour. I can see a new addiction is being born.
Omni is a sparkling wine for those non-Aussies amongst us.

Not much has been happening here. Fence is up to the rendering stage. The guinea pigs are still alive. Father's Day is tomorrow, and the kids are busting to give Steve the presents they made/bought at the Father's Day stall. It's so sweet to see them mega excited about "giving" as opposed to the receiving part.

Our weekends are our own again! Netball finished last week, so we're having a rest from weekend sport for a while. Lara's still putting in hours at Gym, but that's during the week after school.

Lara's ecxema has been out of control. She's covered in scabs and itchy sores. There have been many rumours going around school that she has chicken pox. LOL I'm blaming myself. At the end of summer I switched laundry detergents. The previous one was an environmentally friendly one that can be used in grey water. I didn't see the point in paying extra $$ for detergent that just goes down the plug hole in winter. I think this is the culprit. I have since switched back to our old detergent, sourced shampoo and conditioner that don't have soap or perfume (thanks Kazzy) and have been slathering her in sorbolene three times per day. Finally starting to see some improvement. It's minor in the scheme of things, but awful to see her beautiful skin looking so manky and sore.

I'm having a bit of a slump with regards to card making and scrapping. I need to get re-inspired. I ordered some things from www.twopeasinabucket.com today. I always feel inspired by new things!!