tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17157896444419640772024-03-13T21:42:33.505+02:00My crazy lekker lifeThe ups and downs of my life!~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.comBlogger144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-79586797792555301422011-01-30T12:57:00.000+02:002011-01-30T12:57:19.142+02:00Heeeellllllloooooo!!!I guess now is a good time as ever to start blogging again! I'm NOT going into the detail of why I stopped blogging but all I can say is I missed it - a LOT!!!!!<br />
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I'm also not even going to try to catch up on what I missed or try to tell you what happened with me in these past dad quiet months. The good stuff (any maybe some of the bad) will surface at some time or another I'm sure.<br />
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I have to start with the good news! I am sooooo excited! I am planning a trip to Italy and France during the winter holidays (summer in Europe)!!!! I'm going with a friend - we will be 6 women only on the trip! I don't really know the other girls and only met one of them the other day but they all sound great! The first week of the trip we will spend on a farm close to Perugia in the beautiful province of Umbria - right in the heart of Italy. <br />
<img height="452" id="il_fi" src="http://photos.longjaunt.com/2008/04/27/the_italian_countryside/005.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="678" /><br />
This part of the holiday will be a "cooking vacation" where we will have cooking classes in the mornings and go on excursions in the afternoons. Italian food has always been my absolute favourite!!!<br />
<img height="447" id="il_fi" src="http://eternallycool.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/pasta-alla-carbonara.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="640" /><br />
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After that we will travel through the Italian and French countryside mainly. We will end our journey in Paris - the only city that I really would love to see on this trip. <br />
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<img height="378" id="il_fi" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1159/869942883_eb7264baae.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="500" /><br />
It all feels so unreal still. We're finalising our flights and booking at the farm this week. Maybe once I've paid my deposit it will start feeling real and not just like a beautiful dream that might end at any moment!<br />
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So - that's it for now. I will try to not be a stranger again!~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-30636237683551330582010-10-19T08:37:00.001+02:002010-10-19T08:38:00.930+02:00FeedbackSome feedback about the new job. Well, I survived the first week. Can't say that it wasn't stressful but at least I felt very welcome. Apart from the unfamiliar surroundings, I really didn't feel like the new kid on the block. My new teammates are wonderful people who really went out of their way to make me feel welcome and to show me the ropes. There where so many things on my to-do list for this week but you know how it goes. Life has a way of interfering when you make other plans. <br />
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Over the weekend I got sick! On Saturday I ignored the little voice that told me to go to the doctor and started self medication. On Sunday morning I literally couldn't get out of bed. I had a very high fever, throbbing headache, a throat that made me believe that my tonsils grew back overnight and aching muscles all over. Leon managed to get hold of a doctor who was willing to see me which is a major accomplishment if you consider that it was a Sunday in Parys! The doctor awarded me the price of the highest fever for the week award! 39.2 degrees! Plus low blood pressure which explained my dizziness. After an injection and anti-biotics plus lots of pain pills I started feeling human again - even if it was still a rather sick human!<br />
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Today I really feel a lot better. The headache is still lurking and my throat is still VERY sore but at least the muscle ache and tiredness is better. I'm still at home and decided to use the opportunity to do a quick blog post as I don't know when I will get the chance again. <br />
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Apart from illness I must say that I feel great! I'm enjoying the weather, even if we get cold spells every now and again. The greenness of everything around me just have a way of cheering me up! Feels like this new challenge came at exactly the right time for me too! I feel so extremely blessed.<br />
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On the creative front, nothing has really happened since the SB convention in September. There are so many things that I want to do but absolutely no time to do anything! :( I don't even get time to go to art class to finish the paintings that I'm busy with. <br />
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I haven't even taken pictures of my convention layouts. Maybe later today. Will post it as soon as I can cause I really like how some of them turned out.<br />
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I did however buy a new toy last week! My friend Tanya gave me the heads up on a special offer on our favourite online shop <a href="http://www.creativexpress.com/">Creative Xpress</a>. They're selling the <a href="http://www.creativexpress.com/products/Special-Offer-%252d-YourStory-Bundle.html">Your Story</a> book binding / laminating machine plus extras for a ridiculous price of USD29.99 the regular price is USD239.94)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.creativexpress.com/products/Special-Offer-%252d-YourStory-Bundle.html"><img border="0" ex="true" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNWyR0ZDUS_ZEhjHAu86lmQcnzqPSxJ1VNtOzBpPtviLMu8fU7iEG4exn6PPWX04WNmVQ4WlgKjdbB1AcXZhYqyaCAs8ecr2sIq3EnWGib8kzsT5BoABQpwxem7Mw7ZBt_QJlrrjdMCk/s640/a37_5100__50925.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It really sounds too good to be true but we decided to go ahead and take the chance. We got the machines delivered last week. I haven't tried it out but it looks like good quality on the outside at least. It's a Provocraft product so I trust that it will work as good as they say.<br />
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I really thought that this will just be a quick post and now I went and blabbered on and on. Now I'm off to make myself some scrambled eggs to eat so I can drink my medicine. Think I'll get back into bed after that cause I feel my headache is protesting against all this blogging!~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-35115269782815928852010-10-07T20:52:00.000+02:002010-10-07T20:52:40.533+02:00Upside down ...My little world is rather upside down at the moment. This time the crazyness revolves mostly around my job. I've been doing the same job for the past 10 years. Although I've been rather sick of my job recently, I've been in a really comfy comfort zone. On Tuesday my boss asked me to step into a new position. The same type of work but on a MUCH larger scale. Lots more responsibilities! Worst of all - I have to take over almost immediately. No time to even get used to the idea. This will only be the start of a rollercoaster ride of changes upon changes as we are in the midst of a total restructuring process. Stressfull times for me!<br />
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At least I'll have a bit of a breather before I officially step into my new role on Monday. I have an invite to go to the <a href="http://events.infohub.co.za/details.htm?id=1670__huisgenoot-skouspel-2010">Huisgenoot Skouspel</a> at <a href="http://www.sun-city-south-africa.com/">Sun City</a> on Saturday with Leon's sister. That should be lots of fun as we will only be girls!<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My friend Michelle Van Wyk has a <a href="http://homespunscrap.blogspot.com/2010/10/blog-candy.html">Blog Candy Giveaway</a> on her blog! Check out all the chipboard yummyness that you can win!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://homespunscrap.blogspot.com/2010/10/blog-candy.html"><img border="0" ex="true" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJRBvhdzbTrWzjSEwZvBhRVK5W4vkMfajzblQ1nsDV7tYrsRIMb86M1mqfrrKpOUSurVHrCbrdJui2rxHsVV4G1GdnG6Av8haID5Rd_pzJ8I8bpqwN1lrwn2unx1gGKyjSiWAdcHrKII/s640/blog+candy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now I'm off to bed - totally poofed out! </div>~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-76945113370639362052010-10-01T09:11:00.000+02:002010-10-01T09:11:09.219+02:00AardklopWoweeee!!!! This week has been soooo much fun!!<br />
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I took a week's leave from work to spend time with the kids on they short school break and to go to the "Aardklop" Arts Festival in Potchefstroom.<br />
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I bought tickets for one show per day on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. This way I allowed myself enough time to browse the art galleries and craft market.<br />
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This was the TV ad for the festival:<br />
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In the ad they they imply (in a rather tongue in the cheek kind of way) that art is therapeutic and can let you live longer. I have to agree with that! Although I came home totally exhausted every evening, I now feel refreshed and inspired and energised and in the mood to create! <br />
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I've seen so many stunning paintings but if I have to pick one artist to win the prize it would have to be <a href="http://www.mariaart.co.za/">MARIA</a>. Unfortunately I couldn't afford one of her original paintings, so I settled for 3 beautiful prints of her work. I also had the privilege to meet her. What a beautiful woman she is - inside and out! Here are some of her work. You have to check out the rest on her <a href="http://www.mariaart.co.za/">website</a> - absolutely stunning!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohgGK0C1fTDnNEDgbxitmRc7f0urXK2nM8x3GLNAx2nirY-1pAGuDXY2Q3Nr-jrouXIBoSbHAGwwIKn5M-62rxg4v5sxcVFgw3TmGnZxt1O3z-i8mEgQWse3C45XJsZFvUNOMr3En8tc/s1600/Thumbnailv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiohgGK0C1fTDnNEDgbxitmRc7f0urXK2nM8x3GLNAx2nirY-1pAGuDXY2Q3Nr-jrouXIBoSbHAGwwIKn5M-62rxg4v5sxcVFgw3TmGnZxt1O3z-i8mEgQWse3C45XJsZFvUNOMr3En8tc/s400/Thumbnailv.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYG0iBM87d6SsrQeReDF-qJBnQBd7Gz3toxNM9k54M3RQpnvPGbPgxBeUwlfCEKgyDl96-u2x7meDNa3GC3cHMpvirPRQGjpY_nll7dLyyIjBF1gdwa83pKGQgyn3wkkDXAcBE4h3vwVI/s1600/Thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYG0iBM87d6SsrQeReDF-qJBnQBd7Gz3toxNM9k54M3RQpnvPGbPgxBeUwlfCEKgyDl96-u2x7meDNa3GC3cHMpvirPRQGjpY_nll7dLyyIjBF1gdwa83pKGQgyn3wkkDXAcBE4h3vwVI/s400/Thumbnail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Another artist whose work I'm totally crazy about is <a href="http://ronaldwest.com/">Ronald West</a>. His paintings is so much fun. He says that he paints life - not as it really is but the way we would love life to be. Here are some of his work:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzT17ROyk83iCW72RHu5HCFG3lkYpTpTQg39VB_ul0xSEbzCfEjfQA94dYAsNUEP_tPFg_EQUQgrPXZUJFeAQ3ZKbiOu1-cj6uaOvV9pUBYV1iRwjakObUhNNpmmCJnJ05oBB5nC-hWM/s1600/west009__09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzT17ROyk83iCW72RHu5HCFG3lkYpTpTQg39VB_ul0xSEbzCfEjfQA94dYAsNUEP_tPFg_EQUQgrPXZUJFeAQ3ZKbiOu1-cj6uaOvV9pUBYV1iRwjakObUhNNpmmCJnJ05oBB5nC-hWM/s400/west009__09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtWJW4md9QTD4K3vuOuSWtgMzIbJHwyI7eWPH4KJJx2yEYixCcHl7NgLqjAj_BSVteVZHMmOKp-b-5q3XByCO3ZdY7SlkcGv1fZ-DjqCfq25ZHcWkwB5v9VNVaD8XMXqtGn0-XEmme0E/s1600/rw2008__24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtWJW4md9QTD4K3vuOuSWtgMzIbJHwyI7eWPH4KJJx2yEYixCcHl7NgLqjAj_BSVteVZHMmOKp-b-5q3XByCO3ZdY7SlkcGv1fZ-DjqCfq25ZHcWkwB5v9VNVaD8XMXqtGn0-XEmme0E/s640/rw2008__24.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIXmdhak54jeOReAWbf-o8Qu7aXJf2_9Sxwzc8Q_X-fFVUicYinxwyMVtPEYdVjGp3fD4l-RYuEyORbvDdoXmRoYLSG_hByjNPYxHHRTwIabDSvkI5fq36NFGqDv_USx7RIdNhAh_wrc/s1600/west009__06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIXmdhak54jeOReAWbf-o8Qu7aXJf2_9Sxwzc8Q_X-fFVUicYinxwyMVtPEYdVjGp3fD4l-RYuEyORbvDdoXmRoYLSG_hByjNPYxHHRTwIabDSvkI5fq36NFGqDv_USx7RIdNhAh_wrc/s640/west009__06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Love it!!!!! <br />
I'll try to take photos of some of the pretty little things that I bought at Aardklop to share with you later.~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-26240553018079522142010-09-17T19:04:00.000+02:002010-09-17T19:04:41.988+02:00What a week!!!!The past seven days of my life has been so enriching and fulfilling in so many different ways that I don't even know where to start!<br />
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Last Friday I drove off to Pretoria to visit my sister and her family for the weekend. I have to admit that I used her house as a guesthouse to a certain extend as I didn't really spend a lot of time with them. Saturday and Sunday I attended the <a href="http://www.scrapbookex.co.za/">Scrapbook Convention</a> at Emperor's Palace. I met so many of my online friends for the very first time in real life. That was such an amazing experience on it's own. I want to say a SPECIAL thanks to <a href="http://tracyscharmedlife.blogspot.com/">Tracy</a>, Belma, <a href="http://sallison.blogspot.com/">Sophia </a>Jenny and <a href="http://scrapbookphotographyetc.blogspot.com/">Amanda</a> who shared my table. It was so nice to get to know you all.You're a bunch of super dooper great girls!!! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgek8DEe_L-ACZkKs0ILuRhwimwvaaVVIjJ3da_uiq6yoBGst2zqLHvDfX9McWiYRxUSh34Ob6Uicq6rJ_JZ-xF9Iu8jidBNdOWbUq3ShLXd-DW9EJxFTDtVmweZOCi8Yaw5WAHoOn0Nr4/s1600/Untitled-2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgek8DEe_L-ACZkKs0ILuRhwimwvaaVVIjJ3da_uiq6yoBGst2zqLHvDfX9McWiYRxUSh34Ob6Uicq6rJ_JZ-xF9Iu8jidBNdOWbUq3ShLXd-DW9EJxFTDtVmweZOCi8Yaw5WAHoOn0Nr4/s640/Untitled-2.gif" width="640" /></a></div>I also got to meet <a href="http://homespunscrap.blogspot.com/">Michelle Van Wyk</a>, <a href="http://tertia-craftinggran.blogspot.com/">Tertia Jacobs</a>, <a href="http://whatsupwithcathy.blogspot.com/">Cathy Saunders</a> and <a href="http://jacquibourne.blogspot.com/">Jacqui Bourne</a>. It was so great to see the faces that I've only seen on my screen before, come alive! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZRI4lw25ttXEjlu1wJtgalregRqkwYymCI1xwCM2zZzM8FE5nSbyhgod3Xf93oTP1Xb4jOYaFCoZScwI58LXO-JBIP26-UBSHFn0DQQ7k54DXjensJ6ibV2fT3zmpH-6RC0-Q1BAy8E/s1600/Untitled-1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZRI4lw25ttXEjlu1wJtgalregRqkwYymCI1xwCM2zZzM8FE5nSbyhgod3Xf93oTP1Xb4jOYaFCoZScwI58LXO-JBIP26-UBSHFn0DQQ7k54DXjensJ6ibV2fT3zmpH-6RC0-Q1BAy8E/s400/Untitled-1.gif" width="400" /></a></div>It was absolutely amazing to see Candice Greenway again! Her class was just as amazing! <br />
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On Saturday evening I had to earn my boarding and lodging by babysitting my little Leeloo angel! Not that it was any effort at all for me - only one BIG pleasure from beginning to end! :)<br />
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We got to make beautiful layouts using the most beautiful products! Can't wait to unpack it all and play with it again! Will post some of it once it's completed.<br />
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On Monday morning I had to attend a meeting in Rosebank but I also got to visit my other niece, Monya and her beautiful little 6 week old baby boy Danru. How cute is he?!<br />
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Tuesday, I was back at work and had to deal with a personnel crisis of a totally different nature. I cannot share the details here but it really gave me perspective on my own problems.<br />
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</div>From Wednesday to Friday I had to attend a "Personal Insight Workshop". To be honest, I really didn't feel to positive about this thing that I had to do and I was so NOT looking forward to "talk about my feelings" with a bunch of people I hardly knew. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Boy - how wrong I was! It turned out to be a real life changing experience for me! I got the opportunity to get to know a side of my colleagues that I never knew existed! It really turned out to be exactly what the name says - it gave me so much insight into my own heart and soul as well as that of others. I'm really grateful for the opportunity that I had to attend.</div><br />
This weekend I hope to get my scraproom sorted and get some of those beautiful layouts from the convention completed. <br />
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But now I'm off to have a relaxing, romantic dinner at my favourite restaurant (Hoi Poloi) with Leon ...~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-72528938632642724662010-09-04T13:54:00.002+02:002010-09-04T17:52:44.208+02:00Spring has finally arrived!!!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Finally this dreary winter is officially a thing of the past!!! We celebrated spring in the office on Wednesday with fresh flowers in pots and even fresh flower corsages! When I came home, this beautiful bunch of roses (plus a sweet treat!) was waiting for me! :) </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PK1BcJAYm32zUu0aZ2NzP8o4t9x-s8HWvbR7p0ydkc59kHsH1XzJDurEt8fgyfBXOVqjIO7qhNNpoe7CQkbmRXSXH0gGqWTdF5dX9XL4OrmUhcQKcPT_wk5ueUGl4DFmohuyvtWp0ws/s1600/IMG_6697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PK1BcJAYm32zUu0aZ2NzP8o4t9x-s8HWvbR7p0ydkc59kHsH1XzJDurEt8fgyfBXOVqjIO7qhNNpoe7CQkbmRXSXH0gGqWTdF5dX9XL4OrmUhcQKcPT_wk5ueUGl4DFmohuyvtWp0ws/s400/IMG_6697.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Can't believe that it's been 2 years since I last posted about our Casual Day at work <a href="http://mycrazylekkerlife.blogspot.com/2008/09/casual-day-o.html">(click here to see that post</a>). This year the theme was "Dress for Laughs". We decided to go all out - again. We dressed as the Hippy (Kim), the Nun (me), the Prostitute (Angelique) and the Party Animal (Benny). Needless to say, we had loads of fun!</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvciXSBUwqFRfK5V4vNbyAN8svPXWM6L5_jdI8va7TcquBuAbRCP8_ST2qlvII6NsX4EvjVWfGuNfJPCOQybT_djLvfcPohWUDaM9xG44hB1sdtRTehetZ3Myq8XAntLEVXCiMtuGbR4/s1600/IMG_6696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvciXSBUwqFRfK5V4vNbyAN8svPXWM6L5_jdI8va7TcquBuAbRCP8_ST2qlvII6NsX4EvjVWfGuNfJPCOQybT_djLvfcPohWUDaM9xG44hB1sdtRTehetZ3Myq8XAntLEVXCiMtuGbR4/s640/IMG_6696.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Today I'm getting my last bit of photos as stash sorted for the convention. Photos are all printed - only need to cut them. I need a couple of inkpads and don't know where I will be able to get them before the convention but that's the way it goes if you leave things for the last minute like I always do!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Now that I'm almost ready to go, I'm even more exited about the convention. Not sure though what I'm more excited about - playing with all the beautiful goodies from the fabulous sponsors or meeting some of my online friends for the first time in real life! I even made a list so that I won't miss out on the opportunity. If you know me and you're going to the convention and you're not on the list - please let me know so that I can make sure to meet you while we're there. Here's my list:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://sallison.blogspot.com/">Sophia Allison</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://tracyscharmedlife.blogspot.com/">Tracy Gardiner</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://scrapbookphotographyetc.blogspot.com/">Amanda Dovey</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://jacquibourne.blogspot.com/">Jacqui Bourne</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://whatsupwithcathy.blogspot.com/">Cathy Saunders</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://homespunscrap.blogspot.com/">Michelle Van Wyk</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://tertia-craftinggran.blogspot.com/">Tertia Jacobs</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Mara Swanepoel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Melanie Davis</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Ingrid Pistorius</span>~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-45933276897449663022010-08-29T17:20:00.001+02:002010-08-29T17:21:17.269+02:00Lazy Sunday ...Can't remember when last I had such a lazy Sunday! Only time I went out of the gate was to fetch fast food! Actually it's been a rather productive day as I sorted out my photos for the Scrapbooking convention that's coming up in 2 weeks time. I managed to get photos for 10 of the 12 pages done. Hope to finish the other 2 sets of photos done before the end of today too.<br />
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Céline decided that today was the day to break the ice and take the first swim in the swimming pool. The water temperature was only 17 degrees C, but that didn't seem to bother her too much. They boys will be sorry that they missed this event!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0m2xKduGLnDuN2bitg36JQqWzYJXcIW-Yq_awWYY08S-7xgoZOGHFBIZ3o0bGPKXrpxtZ4haAIMLAsE7DZntshGCyKp3ixmkAlqAjZWam8-JO52p8GSQB4o4V3T3SyvUn9bXVqAyeE8A/s1600/IMG_6609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0m2xKduGLnDuN2bitg36JQqWzYJXcIW-Yq_awWYY08S-7xgoZOGHFBIZ3o0bGPKXrpxtZ4haAIMLAsE7DZntshGCyKp3ixmkAlqAjZWam8-JO52p8GSQB4o4V3T3SyvUn9bXVqAyeE8A/s640/IMG_6609.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5n4ojwrixVyS6gUhLOUItglY9lyaJCxrNiJ_HNuEU2NGwA04Gn8ZXtDxUXHXgaX9Lhk3VzE5SFeQiafLBXA5PXDXmIM68Xgyx5vfrLGQu1VwU0ssp4r3JOmEiUNR4cOLkRl194ixQ1k4/s1600/IMG_6627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5n4ojwrixVyS6gUhLOUItglY9lyaJCxrNiJ_HNuEU2NGwA04Gn8ZXtDxUXHXgaX9Lhk3VzE5SFeQiafLBXA5PXDXmIM68Xgyx5vfrLGQu1VwU0ssp4r3JOmEiUNR4cOLkRl194ixQ1k4/s640/IMG_6627.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
As you can see the back garden is still non existent. We're waiting for September to arrrive before we plant the grass and rest of the plants.<br />
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In my previous post I told you about the fish pond that we built - also in the back yard. This is what it looks like:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBconeql64bjricTzRfaNPiQUVDmNaUa5RpmoQhSAvlDzQvJq7a8GV0no0vK5P2yJNS2WytoCusjdCHBAw9poubEGv9b7vpKhaGi67LHo-YEmUaosUFQMrIeeRGNd7pFOxEl0o1Wp8Kg/s1600/IMG_6631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBconeql64bjricTzRfaNPiQUVDmNaUa5RpmoQhSAvlDzQvJq7a8GV0no0vK5P2yJNS2WytoCusjdCHBAw9poubEGv9b7vpKhaGi67LHo-YEmUaosUFQMrIeeRGNd7pFOxEl0o1Wp8Kg/s640/IMG_6631.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It's been about 10 days since we first put water in the pond and today Leon bought the first three koi fish.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51Lj3v-fKAC9IrkrM421Z4g4c9qXqzbYYYNp4lAGqejJXEIxNn9ULmRSTr-ZtvyT51wxKJ-XQHSmgW_aj7Syp7vYhUTF-thODTdnHJUEExjuKxex5K_2x4EnLL7DxBEnKAiqPqpiMgPc/s1600/IMG_6641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51Lj3v-fKAC9IrkrM421Z4g4c9qXqzbYYYNp4lAGqejJXEIxNn9ULmRSTr-ZtvyT51wxKJ-XQHSmgW_aj7Syp7vYhUTF-thODTdnHJUEExjuKxex5K_2x4EnLL7DxBEnKAiqPqpiMgPc/s640/IMG_6641.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>It looks like they're enjoying their new home.<br />
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I haven't done any scrapping in ages, but I still have photos of a couple of layouts that I finished a couple of months ago:<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgssqRRDVPFw10tvBTuYpxe0T5w5aFipazoZVn3rvtK15D7A554ucgyCKSkDqpB_URPrVnkNP3VvTuPwwnR1p6QQjtFAUTgywJXvItCT1GkVAeAcCLdxlaDXeHu69UghsbScxyXqh4qQ/s1600/IMG_5352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgssqRRDVPFw10tvBTuYpxe0T5w5aFipazoZVn3rvtK15D7A554ucgyCKSkDqpB_URPrVnkNP3VvTuPwwnR1p6QQjtFAUTgywJXvItCT1GkVAeAcCLdxlaDXeHu69UghsbScxyXqh4qQ/s640/IMG_5352.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvkKxU7Mqzw02NHCL4S0eK1ybPhtL0M1CrPzWZ4iWuR3ek3dDbFL-GVBAVxmZ3q951jtvjMomATCjQXG757sJs85PDQldEUP-2FfcPOW_Ttx7QrBlYOwghJ1FPDwWk27_I_Fhh_e-Q7g/s1600/IMG_5357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvkKxU7Mqzw02NHCL4S0eK1ybPhtL0M1CrPzWZ4iWuR3ek3dDbFL-GVBAVxmZ3q951jtvjMomATCjQXG757sJs85PDQldEUP-2FfcPOW_Ttx7QrBlYOwghJ1FPDwWk27_I_Fhh_e-Q7g/s640/IMG_5357.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzJ5MItkwBHA6acCd4PVkPT0GqSzUcV0EmDLTsMmU4Fzw6Cm2pSarSt3LGK57kKMQwPLhPdyQE59jXHjJIBCB_1LQ4ygEqItQypaxqOv-2IkuVoUuas7Cssrm5_E8C3MKtNADAcmSq1E/s1600/IMG_5358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzJ5MItkwBHA6acCd4PVkPT0GqSzUcV0EmDLTsMmU4Fzw6Cm2pSarSt3LGK57kKMQwPLhPdyQE59jXHjJIBCB_1LQ4ygEqItQypaxqOv-2IkuVoUuas7Cssrm5_E8C3MKtNADAcmSq1E/s640/IMG_5358.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8rjIQ6vgDHzz-iEBf6-GqB2vqbn4vq4UuttIGlQ79jdScX1LHiTF5I4auv916kw45SB70Kxjquqc7_QZdruBFUo_i1daajxKW_mYWRNr-qCsGAdDcR2xaoX48rFJC9vvNeVr0LXmBvk/s1600/IMG_5359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8rjIQ6vgDHzz-iEBf6-GqB2vqbn4vq4UuttIGlQ79jdScX1LHiTF5I4auv916kw45SB70Kxjquqc7_QZdruBFUo_i1daajxKW_mYWRNr-qCsGAdDcR2xaoX48rFJC9vvNeVr0LXmBvk/s640/IMG_5359.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz1r7y09swohz7WegaZ5u6ZCbzXM5rwErDSUu7tbKjH26N9oVPQQWUxx9pOcK_CXQNfxKohKVSBJY_VhK09XJRZpvsQYsxy520g7R8NrrEGb0QEfA4397E8EmuDqQuGbA3OsxcStx0E4/s1600/IMG_5363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="630" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyz1r7y09swohz7WegaZ5u6ZCbzXM5rwErDSUu7tbKjH26N9oVPQQWUxx9pOcK_CXQNfxKohKVSBJY_VhK09XJRZpvsQYsxy520g7R8NrrEGb0QEfA4397E8EmuDqQuGbA3OsxcStx0E4/s640/IMG_5363.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3y-d44ObGDUHlXTD83Ni8Ny4Wv5nAWM6FCx6ngA0HsYae_PccgLoCkh70tlhpzXlRcHAwwtd2Vc9FoEh11ABJE7lZ59eOXtQ8xc1dDlE2ItggTMCY0Ii7_fA4GNimT3fhYkvuut0V-4/s1600/IMG_5364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3y-d44ObGDUHlXTD83Ni8Ny4Wv5nAWM6FCx6ngA0HsYae_PccgLoCkh70tlhpzXlRcHAwwtd2Vc9FoEh11ABJE7lZ59eOXtQ8xc1dDlE2ItggTMCY0Ii7_fA4GNimT3fhYkvuut0V-4/s640/IMG_5364.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAfUZfkQfjsvA3CfDg2eP9izyE9lP73GeKEHBfpVB92ILZZqommn_Lua8ifu0kV2tynrt7pc9IEixqRNtJUwPcINyTerBEkrrCwATd-xcfNOL8oPrVutKUO3mcc9YHww2LMfr3GnBGdA/s1600/IMG_5370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="630" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijAfUZfkQfjsvA3CfDg2eP9izyE9lP73GeKEHBfpVB92ILZZqommn_Lua8ifu0kV2tynrt7pc9IEixqRNtJUwPcINyTerBEkrrCwATd-xcfNOL8oPrVutKUO3mcc9YHww2LMfr3GnBGdA/s640/IMG_5370.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgml6Wctmn-7mjKgIZ_FJ3dWpcWb9x4GuAYDJfyr_pOltxo6NSH4GxbBsrFpbpzwWd5cMdjJ_FG5lHwl1M84z4oIRyRlSkGXwXzbAzEGmSV1dWyHl3ytO_gcCnUWpwfpNLUEVXzKWlcCW4/s1600/IMG_5378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgml6Wctmn-7mjKgIZ_FJ3dWpcWb9x4GuAYDJfyr_pOltxo6NSH4GxbBsrFpbpzwWd5cMdjJ_FG5lHwl1M84z4oIRyRlSkGXwXzbAzEGmSV1dWyHl3ytO_gcCnUWpwfpNLUEVXzKWlcCW4/s640/IMG_5378.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNUj2Yi5MUq80OaNiId1xwWvdFxBJDpoTeaQgpS7fzpN3jcN8ReP4dwycFfTruriTIr-7rF6kypb-lmkcDV2px2oQ7tBEmkAPBFTHfT32OeUmUjbiSZuRI-6SzemaCeObQQAKPwSpltI/s1600/IMG_5380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNUj2Yi5MUq80OaNiId1xwWvdFxBJDpoTeaQgpS7fzpN3jcN8ReP4dwycFfTruriTIr-7rF6kypb-lmkcDV2px2oQ7tBEmkAPBFTHfT32OeUmUjbiSZuRI-6SzemaCeObQQAKPwSpltI/s640/IMG_5380.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVuymvS-E0MSGn-ARY_vproPhQWaezxED8eVQZqSuZtvL3hKGfHZ5LTNJu9Jwn0qo91-kaIjwIXYkiPcJe95yUIbpBhMmSW3LyauSG3gbWzxvs630LvWV2C970ZY0yfcrNCg94qnm-LQ/s1600/IMG_5381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVuymvS-E0MSGn-ARY_vproPhQWaezxED8eVQZqSuZtvL3hKGfHZ5LTNJu9Jwn0qo91-kaIjwIXYkiPcJe95yUIbpBhMmSW3LyauSG3gbWzxvs630LvWV2C970ZY0yfcrNCg94qnm-LQ/s640/IMG_5381.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MCDgKow8rlXw29S8eIW04c4sjxXj-5Vf5mxMRidakimbanCkuejxDTjGaCAfquHJNr8Mya9WCc3MHG7AyNT840-2wayYUHxMAgyuwfTZbcdJBxhN6hsBgSjt_OiSZZ9m7i8x2JZo48Y/s1600/IMG_5382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MCDgKow8rlXw29S8eIW04c4sjxXj-5Vf5mxMRidakimbanCkuejxDTjGaCAfquHJNr8Mya9WCc3MHG7AyNT840-2wayYUHxMAgyuwfTZbcdJBxhN6hsBgSjt_OiSZZ9m7i8x2JZo48Y/s640/IMG_5382.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> As you can see - I love using my Cuttlebug to create titles,<br />
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Now that I've seen these finished pages, my fingers itch to get scrapping again. Too bad I won't have time to get something done today still. <br />
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I really want to start spinning again this week. Don't know how I will get the energy and willpower to start but I guess I'll just have to get up and do it. Wish me luck! :)~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-65479309793676524062010-08-17T19:59:00.000+02:002010-08-17T19:59:31.673+02:00Out of hibernation<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Eish - I' know I'm the worst blogger ever! Always lots of excuses. This time I guess I can blame it on the winter. It's been so cold and I just felt like doing as little as possible for as long as possible. Anybody who know me know that that is sooo not what I'm like but this winter was just too much for me. Have to admit that it was not only the cold but a lot of other "stuff" that dragged me down too. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But now I feel sufficiently hibernated and slowly but surely I'm getting ready to shed the woolly (or shall I say flabby?) winter layers. Unfortunately I not only talking about jerseys and jackets. I've picked up soo much weight and I fell real yukky about it. Will have to take drastic measures here.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On the home, or more specifically the garden, front - we've made steady progress during the winter. The pool is completed and we liked it so much that we decided to ask the same guy to build a fishpond / water feature for us as well. They've completed that today and it looks great! Now I really can't wait for summer to start planting grass and get the rest of the garden done.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">One thing that I did while in hibernation (that is apart from dragging myself to work and back every day!) was reading. I finished a couple of books this winter including the Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larson. I loved all 3 books:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_6qmoha-W5lCTaxg-smRQ9Qj4AKUlkHpXvoUpXzwKZFO5bBBisI-9Bb5zNH5vp-l3BNszU8SQnX2ZMlFpRZ9M5niBdBaVlfPUE7h1micgSbcBNezTb07AXpNyJLpDbLXfOeCLRuXpMk/s1600/the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_6qmoha-W5lCTaxg-smRQ9Qj4AKUlkHpXvoUpXzwKZFO5bBBisI-9Bb5zNH5vp-l3BNszU8SQnX2ZMlFpRZ9M5niBdBaVlfPUE7h1micgSbcBNezTb07AXpNyJLpDbLXfOeCLRuXpMk/s320/the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OcxKyRiv7lIkGVtyBw7XJlmWBQTYboWTY1cpHTRcIHTO0G3RKhMpA3L4hkWqr8cFy4LnCls0PIs-Uus1n5_F_c7n85GDRx4_KUUuXKtlUFO-VJIT1yG9_nif7dI-0kDbyNKWv7ZbSyY/s1600/the-girl-who-kicked-the-hornets-nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OcxKyRiv7lIkGVtyBw7XJlmWBQTYboWTY1cpHTRcIHTO0G3RKhMpA3L4hkWqr8cFy4LnCls0PIs-Uus1n5_F_c7n85GDRx4_KUUuXKtlUFO-VJIT1yG9_nif7dI-0kDbyNKWv7ZbSyY/s320/the-girl-who-kicked-the-hornets-nest.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGKIGN_DzMv79kVuMm6X1OHgHBrGdKX_S79h8n_9fMQ6J_3Wow17Vw1ivfusXVtGqqERcKXpdY-6KVVIvOjkkLoO9aCzT4gBunWRoJYh4qFZThpiRvALJfvKD9ECTTXKbadH6Antj46A/s1600/n270478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGKIGN_DzMv79kVuMm6X1OHgHBrGdKX_S79h8n_9fMQ6J_3Wow17Vw1ivfusXVtGqqERcKXpdY-6KVVIvOjkkLoO9aCzT4gBunWRoJYh4qFZThpiRvALJfvKD9ECTTXKbadH6Antj46A/s320/n270478.jpg" /></a></div><br />
After that I read "A Dark Dividing" by Sarah Rayne. It was okay but nothing spectacular. I think I might've enjoyed it more if I read it before the Stieg Larson books.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRy7_F92c_SnJUXy8vdfGOEUgkRoMMwGRxE429MxCuNxff0dLKbpUhrL4Jn5scoahxpWzsJRXcfnkB6Vw2nVAVgMf_g80NBdC7g8BL9B_SnmkvxqalLWsR6qdDRddGzKd9DKYbFkeJns/s1600/n134184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRy7_F92c_SnJUXy8vdfGOEUgkRoMMwGRxE429MxCuNxff0dLKbpUhrL4Jn5scoahxpWzsJRXcfnkB6Vw2nVAVgMf_g80NBdC7g8BL9B_SnmkvxqalLWsR6qdDRddGzKd9DKYbFkeJns/s320/n134184.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now I'm busy reading "The Hobbit" after which I plan to tackle "The Lord of the Rings"</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSTsXfJKnCSEKSpSDY8XLG0aHh3GynXGthLkWIr87H1NlxOzv4h_B-Qnta84aD_1SFdiezvnOrvzAKJHo0Y62RiSa_QspkqjBAT5wOYN8WtN_9hPgihDSKaB74AlLkBjCnBAS_GSzHD8/s1600/the-hobbit-by-jrr-tolkien.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSTsXfJKnCSEKSpSDY8XLG0aHh3GynXGthLkWIr87H1NlxOzv4h_B-Qnta84aD_1SFdiezvnOrvzAKJHo0Y62RiSa_QspkqjBAT5wOYN8WtN_9hPgihDSKaB74AlLkBjCnBAS_GSzHD8/s320/the-hobbit-by-jrr-tolkien.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3a2rHPa-Dmo-JOmX8ERQLoeKVDvZvWZzyiBszdRw5ADBVdrhgnxfChYhg4O2uCh1HohkZojaWPWA8YefVAQraAntKubO2p_tBV2rzncTCt-_TnfC2pocw0snjeKu-LfcVCbaLl0GPB4/s1600/LordofTheRings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3a2rHPa-Dmo-JOmX8ERQLoeKVDvZvWZzyiBszdRw5ADBVdrhgnxfChYhg4O2uCh1HohkZojaWPWA8YefVAQraAntKubO2p_tBV2rzncTCt-_TnfC2pocw0snjeKu-LfcVCbaLl0GPB4/s320/LordofTheRings.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I ordered "Eat, Pray, Love" so I might read that first before I start The Lord of the Rings.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHJRH2OrY_xPCBGCWHbkjj-8hVQC13YnwbJALczO6oUSIOrbF00ZFjorTPpsWwoJxlvdPqLco8kbx606_fTkW3pA93g7vR37Coxcb6X2kN4IzzkXlKzeJ1pdbt0ZjD9LGJaWD-jBw-VQ/s1600/read_eat-pray-love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHJRH2OrY_xPCBGCWHbkjj-8hVQC13YnwbJALczO6oUSIOrbF00ZFjorTPpsWwoJxlvdPqLco8kbx606_fTkW3pA93g7vR37Coxcb6X2kN4IzzkXlKzeJ1pdbt0ZjD9LGJaWD-jBw-VQ/s320/read_eat-pray-love.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>On the creative side things have been just as slow :( My mojo went into hibernation too!) Last week I decided to get my A in G and booked for art classes over the weekend. It was pure bliss to have a paintbrush in my hand again after 7 months of nothing! I've started another huge canvas. It's going to be another surprise painting for Leon, so shhh - don't say a word! :)<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm really exited about the Scrapbook Convention that I signed up for. It's going to be held in Jo'burg on 11 and 12 September. It will be my very first 2 day convention so I'm a little scared as well. The class info that we received look absolutely fabulous! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NzhSVirchsGNCvJaHF4jtQnsbA6vfQZQbPJ2kd4UHFkcHki0v9D4k74JtwEExY_tnfpSOS1AKvOqVC1ldv07A-kb5XGttO2cKNA9Sc_Q4v6hM7HFdUPiCs8DrfaMq_y99hWg_qfBK1s/s400/imgIndexAug.jpg" width="258" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>I'm off to bed now. Next time I'll be back with some unposted layouts and photos.<br />
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</div>~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-82125679510416725972010-05-20T09:15:00.001+02:002010-05-20T09:20:51.358+02:00Sneeking back in …<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I’m just going to slip this post in here as if nothing happened – maybe nobody will notice that I’ve been absent (once again!) for more than a month!!!</div><br />
This is what my backyard looked like a week or so ago:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAQ5TZ0XF9-dsxCqJEaonHKYGKB2waaX69Lymn0ZFcpIiF3M1Jm6p6rQh_04FKnmtcoN4J_qC7AO9ziSEX03skNVqYFZARl1maZ__TjHoxDWiu3suttr9V8Dugjkg756_P1oILqsBmGo/s1600/backyard-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAQ5TZ0XF9-dsxCqJEaonHKYGKB2waaX69Lymn0ZFcpIiF3M1Jm6p6rQh_04FKnmtcoN4J_qC7AO9ziSEX03skNVqYFZARl1maZ__TjHoxDWiu3suttr9V8Dugjkg756_P1oILqsBmGo/s640/backyard-1.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And this is what it looks like now:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlc1mKXI-_7lC86FaQmHbNmv-ieItsgL6EQkFYVPtHfwWKQkqMfYFiw6jaLJVC_nGIJpNmFM5c8XWTc0jJhe_3eQXsqbv9lhh_YFQij6EcjcZTxhHdyqTq3qqRK2fji03yfQGe95TXvc/s1600/backyard-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlc1mKXI-_7lC86FaQmHbNmv-ieItsgL6EQkFYVPtHfwWKQkqMfYFiw6jaLJVC_nGIJpNmFM5c8XWTc0jJhe_3eQXsqbv9lhh_YFQij6EcjcZTxhHdyqTq3qqRK2fji03yfQGe95TXvc/s640/backyard-2.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Not much better but we’re getting there! Hopefully we’ll be able to enjoy all this by Springtime which is around September .</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Last week was a horrible week! My handbag was stolen with (what felt like) my entire life inside it!!!!! Apart from the cash (which was quite substantial for me!), I lost: my wallet, cellphone (with all my contacts – I don’t have it backed up!), ID book, drivers license, all my bank cards + loyalty cards, glasses (this was the most expensive to replace), the book I was busy reading (The monk who sold his Ferrari), makeup + countless business cards with contacts that I will have a really hard time to get hold of again! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The very next day, just when I thought I had my share of bad luck, a guy came to my house to tell me that a car has hit Marco while he was driving his bicycle home from school. I almost had heart failure! By the grace of God the car hit his rear wheel and he only sustained minor injuries from falling from the bike. My first emotion was relief which turned into anger at the driver of the car but soon I realized that it won’t do anybody any good to be angry. Now I’m just soooooo grateful that my boy is ok. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This is what his bike looked like:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIQV0KHH51gCpMcSwTplS1_5Ft9k_ppGCuxeTuGv1eHs9KCK17e1k6lMPYaAfI-cMYVOultVLSCFQwf7RaAu7LNlxVGvWD4AfhTNfRKs39vnHk65sU0YnsQU0idsNrB1i_6WwzlkBk04/s1600/bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIQV0KHH51gCpMcSwTplS1_5Ft9k_ppGCuxeTuGv1eHs9KCK17e1k6lMPYaAfI-cMYVOultVLSCFQwf7RaAu7LNlxVGvWD4AfhTNfRKs39vnHk65sU0YnsQU0idsNrB1i_6WwzlkBk04/s640/bike.jpg" width="428" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Winter is really creeping in now and however hard I worked to get at least one part of my garden growing , everything just seem to stagnate at this stage. Now I’m only trying to get everything covered up to protect it against the cold. I’m so looking forward to Spring this year – more so than ever before! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMANdGKPMv8rV7_zwoggBgmbk8t9mctwodp3m8prsw5TXsgcNgWGhMTIwrTKepx-j81wXUqRLifx_DoAAIql3KqHdjIx-DTZeawpoD0kpRP8BIBV8jjfMR1-d9m0WUsqTjS9A-Hlc6i0/s1600/Leeloo-kaartjie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="63" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMANdGKPMv8rV7_zwoggBgmbk8t9mctwodp3m8prsw5TXsgcNgWGhMTIwrTKepx-j81wXUqRLifx_DoAAIql3KqHdjIx-DTZeawpoD0kpRP8BIBV8jjfMR1-d9m0WUsqTjS9A-Hlc6i0/s400/Leeloo-kaartjie.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 424px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 1298px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our little fairy baby Leeloo was Christened in April. She had a long fairy dress and we added wings but only for a quick photo shoot. She looked soooooo cute!!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmp9moaH1jhJPmaZvvL2THTozgMiK6Y7MayjaorWNXusUivSpMsXKSdnVzjPBw5dzGtWUdiXfl5mDmdoS_LWo3tCHrmDxCjEDkQmfmcp0e41YX_Fga3RaE-AKfi4zKqvBoZz-WsPvOgo/s1600/IMG_4282-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmp9moaH1jhJPmaZvvL2THTozgMiK6Y7MayjaorWNXusUivSpMsXKSdnVzjPBw5dzGtWUdiXfl5mDmdoS_LWo3tCHrmDxCjEDkQmfmcp0e41YX_Fga3RaE-AKfi4zKqvBoZz-WsPvOgo/s640/IMG_4282-copy.jpg" width="562" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnulJmv5E-Yze8iQ_4yy5PVolbxYa5g9tBCxO59uSQqB6hvq6v4IGSLlwCSnrhyKutOOlgDXsBx1NLb306CDokNno4zvxM10vEhFl_3Ov4rqSImDB4mc9VDpIxgntOdlTTo0r0yvkH2zk/s1600/IMG_4358-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnulJmv5E-Yze8iQ_4yy5PVolbxYa5g9tBCxO59uSQqB6hvq6v4IGSLlwCSnrhyKutOOlgDXsBx1NLb306CDokNno4zvxM10vEhFl_3Ov4rqSImDB4mc9VDpIxgntOdlTTo0r0yvkH2zk/s640/IMG_4358-copy.jpg" width="584" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I made this little card for her with a special message inside:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMANdGKPMv8rV7_zwoggBgmbk8t9mctwodp3m8prsw5TXsgcNgWGhMTIwrTKepx-j81wXUqRLifx_DoAAIql3KqHdjIx-DTZeawpoD0kpRP8BIBV8jjfMR1-d9m0WUsqTjS9A-Hlc6i0/s1600/Leeloo-kaartjie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMANdGKPMv8rV7_zwoggBgmbk8t9mctwodp3m8prsw5TXsgcNgWGhMTIwrTKepx-j81wXUqRLifx_DoAAIql3KqHdjIx-DTZeawpoD0kpRP8BIBV8jjfMR1-d9m0WUsqTjS9A-Hlc6i0/s400/Leeloo-kaartjie.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
I haven’t been able to scrap a lot lately but I managed to finish a couple of pages. Here are 2 of them. I'll take photos of the others and will post them next time.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILZHSMQL6d4AyI6VEkixDT1O2PyK9monEF-ceeMF_pjw7pbIbhfYNIlPefhcASt4iAq3jm3YCHkvADgOaguMabk9Z97YmbALVS-q0z541kfwjB0E6Gs4w5BMRSV_0Lw-npwloQQEQIYs/s1600/haasbekkie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILZHSMQL6d4AyI6VEkixDT1O2PyK9monEF-ceeMF_pjw7pbIbhfYNIlPefhcASt4iAq3jm3YCHkvADgOaguMabk9Z97YmbALVS-q0z541kfwjB0E6Gs4w5BMRSV_0Lw-npwloQQEQIYs/s640/haasbekkie.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwh4CFVen4Xlj0rG9PeM2F-oebbPWaFdiO-hFOkqIEr6px_u2wbt7NJrC5sP4hwY7-WSKYw03PbPEiV4n7XN17E_ewIGEDcd29azuAyDFYq-R6zJ7d6SIkC0tWOEAbhjTMuaCCKuQRgk/s1600/haasbekkie-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwh4CFVen4Xlj0rG9PeM2F-oebbPWaFdiO-hFOkqIEr6px_u2wbt7NJrC5sP4hwY7-WSKYw03PbPEiV4n7XN17E_ewIGEDcd29azuAyDFYq-R6zJ7d6SIkC0tWOEAbhjTMuaCCKuQRgk/s640/haasbekkie-2.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNmdoCdUUVeKcxBNfBmuiGS8DJQw8F4342-p0AwnvI4_FFaLG9t1mTFmvqwbOode4Q9Je6SX_zD4cbbsF3tMMXxaJJcaXqtzUJvEivunXn-hOPkuoD8lfE8Do1M9adWNIxIlCgbnYthc/s1600/haasbekkie-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNmdoCdUUVeKcxBNfBmuiGS8DJQw8F4342-p0AwnvI4_FFaLG9t1mTFmvqwbOode4Q9Je6SX_zD4cbbsF3tMMXxaJJcaXqtzUJvEivunXn-hOPkuoD8lfE8Do1M9adWNIxIlCgbnYthc/s640/haasbekkie-1.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtt5MS4w90o-sHYM4VqXfJ2374rVX2i9y6sbBtwW0gcabPr9b2cKIF4qTNexOuTKVIQTuanaMzyei-vTbmXoXiby3dfLklFLJHzhtqMDXVR2o18K-6BqdeAqegc4tL4TXHp8qzWt2BlW0/s1600/Ouma-Martie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtt5MS4w90o-sHYM4VqXfJ2374rVX2i9y6sbBtwW0gcabPr9b2cKIF4qTNexOuTKVIQTuanaMzyei-vTbmXoXiby3dfLklFLJHzhtqMDXVR2o18K-6BqdeAqegc4tL4TXHp8qzWt2BlW0/s640/Ouma-Martie.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQQdaY6iXVAn23Coz1bZ03E4hvf5PgQJCo3u-MTcwD8ChhocFlJ4VvvqwFuqu_2m4jDnu-6InPkCSfaRiPYqL__L9pabqqc4_6IQb3ZUjTjo9W16NtLgei3TrMlfV4Uc5JQQFsWXH8YQ/s1600/Ouma-Martie-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQQdaY6iXVAn23Coz1bZ03E4hvf5PgQJCo3u-MTcwD8ChhocFlJ4VvvqwFuqu_2m4jDnu-6InPkCSfaRiPYqL__L9pabqqc4_6IQb3ZUjTjo9W16NtLgei3TrMlfV4Uc5JQQFsWXH8YQ/s640/Ouma-Martie-1.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5xXiSfr2ha6aJzP2GGEQ2Zh7-LLvJVgCMH-D2oPzX1gfvlg9-93nPIa7APfOJHDyww7hLfu6wr9a4RVXxBgAth9dclHweaNr3-a20J_FFMBySNfEbn2Pyp-Vc92rI92zk2wVJgKeJ7Q/s1600/Ouma-Martie-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5xXiSfr2ha6aJzP2GGEQ2Zh7-LLvJVgCMH-D2oPzX1gfvlg9-93nPIa7APfOJHDyww7hLfu6wr9a4RVXxBgAth9dclHweaNr3-a20J_FFMBySNfEbn2Pyp-Vc92rI92zk2wVJgKeJ7Q/s640/Ouma-Martie-2.jpg" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Bye for now! :)~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-40825921098061338142010-04-05T11:18:00.002+02:002010-04-05T11:26:07.848+02:00Seeking inspiration ...We spent the Easter weekend at home mostly - very quietly mostly too, cause the kids were with their other parents. We dined out all the time which was nice but I can feel the indulgement on my clothes already! <br />
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Our little village had a couple of power failures over the weekend and since yesterday we're without water! Rather frustrating cause we all know that the real reason is pathetic municipal management!<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">On Saturday Leon and I went to watch <a href="http://www.aliceinwonderlandmovie.org/">Alice in Wonderland</a> in 3D. What a brilliant movie! Loved the fantasy, brilliant acting (especially by Johnny Depp - yum!) and special the effects! The 3D technology is totally mind boggling!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/alice_in_wonderland_poster01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/alice_in_wonderland_poster01.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">We bought a couple of excellent cook books recently. This one is my favourite:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/9781868423606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/9781868423606.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Today I have all to myself to scrap my heart out and guess what - now my mojo is on vacation!!! Will have to browse around on my favorite sites until I find something to kick start me! :)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">An hour later ....</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are a couple of goodies I found that inspire me. I'm not sure why it ended up to be mostly fashion items cause I'm not really into that. Apart from the fact that I woul totally love to own and wear all of these items, I feel so inspired by them!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I love the romantic, vintage feeling of <a href="http://www.michalnegrin.com/">Michal Negrin's</a> designs! Look at this pretty little dress / top:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/img-thing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/img-thing.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I found these cute shoes <a href="http://www.beaute-femme.org/blog-femme/chaussures-compensees-ballerines-75">here</a>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/img-thingCA3H7HU3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/img-thingCA3H7HU3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I adore this bag. I found it at this amazing site - <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp">Anthroplogie</a>. I'm sooooo in love with their style! Check out their cool site for much more eye candy! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/bag.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Love this top to bits! Found it from <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/">ModCloth</a>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/img-thingCAXFW8ID.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/img-thingCAXFW8ID.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm off to my scraproom now to clean up my desk and just get going with what I have on there. Hopefully my mojo will join me sometime soon ...</div>~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-66075051947842128222010-04-01T10:18:00.001+02:002010-04-01T11:10:56.301+02:00So far this week ....I'm still enjoying my leave although I don't have a lot time to relax. My maid had a hysterectomy on Monday which means that I'll have to do the housework myself!!! The garden is getting along - slowly but surely. Not quite ready to share photos at this stage. <br />
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I haven't done any scrapping so far this week but I have a page that I finished last week to share.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_3801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_3801.jpg" /></a><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_3805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_3805.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_3809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_3809.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_3807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_3807.jpg" /></a></div>Marco had a rugby week in Potchefstroom this week - at my old primary school! Yesterday we went to watch him play. I walked through the school. What a trip down memory lane that was!!!!!!<br />
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Marco's team went through to the finals but lost the game (which they played in pouring rain!) in the end. They did get a trophy for second place though.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_3863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_3863.jpg" /></a></div><br />
After rugby we went to see <a href="http://thebookofeli.warnerbros.com/">The Book of Eli</a>. If was Michaels choice and I didn't really want to see it, but I don't regret that we did. Not the best movie ever made, but the story was good. I little bit too gruesome for my liking.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/book-of-eli-afm-poster-full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/book-of-eli-afm-poster-full.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">During my gardening -"research", I found a picture of this beautiful rose called "My Granny". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/MY_GRANNY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/MY_GRANNY.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I fell in love with it and went on a mission to find it. I was sure that it would be difficult to get hold of as it always is when I want something specific like that. Big was my surprise when I found it at the first nursery that I asked for it! I am now the proud owner of two of these lovely rose bushes. Can't wait to get them into pots! I'm going to that right now!</div>~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-82733337880675555312010-03-27T12:17:00.001+02:002010-03-27T12:18:24.857+02:00I'm on leave!!!!I am officially on leave! I decided to take 2 weeks leave from work to spend the school holidays with my kids. This first term has been so totally hectic at work - especially the last month. It was filled with lots of pressure - both physically and emotionally. Had some tough decisions to make and even though it wasn't always the most popular decision - I now know that I did the right thing!<br />
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I'm still trying to relax and get used to the idea that I don't have to go to work on Monday. I plan to spend a lot of time on my new garden. From the little that I've done in the garden so far, I've come to realise that it takes so much effort (not to mention moolas!) to make just a little difference. Lots of hard work still lying ahead but I'm sure I will be rewarded in the end.<br />
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I have a couple of lo's to share.<br />
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This one I made for my little baby girl Leeloo:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2558.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2559.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2561.jpg" /></a></div><br />
This is a very special one I made for Michael. He was christened when he was about 3 months old. He recently decided that he wanted to be babtised again. This made my heart jump with joy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2546.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2548.jpg" /></a></div><br />
A while ago one of my colleages from work asked me to do a photoshoot of her family. She knows that I'm a passionate amature photographer who loves to take photos of especially kids. We made a date for this past Monday - which was a public holiday. I really enjoyed doing this sooooo much! I wish I could do this every day of my life. Just not so sure if I'm good enough or that the market is big enough to make a living from photography alone. Here are some of the shots that I like best:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2731-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2731-copy.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I just love to take candid photos in a natural relaxed setting. I think it's so much nicer than studio photos. In our area at least there aren't any photographers that I know of who does this kind of thing and I would love to explore the possibility of doing this for a living. I would really appreciate your feedback - both about the photos and the idea of doing this professionally.<br />
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Hope that all of you will have a funfilled relaxed weekend!<br />
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Bye for now! :)~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-323873305558322642010-03-13T22:11:00.003+02:002010-03-13T22:13:48.872+02:00I live for weekends!I just love the feeling of FREEDOM when Friday afternoon arrives. I know it's not supposed to be like that and that I should treasure each day. Unfortunately it's not the case for me. I find it hard to treasure a day at work filled with budgets and having to check up on others to make sure they do their job!! I hate it! I already feel better for just putting it out there. I'm really going through a "rough patch" at work. It just feels like all the wheels fell off at the same time. I'm sure it will all get better in time. <br />
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But now it's weekend and Idon't even want to think about work. <br />
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Last weekend I went to Pretoria to visit this little beautiful thing:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2480.jpg" vt="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I love little Leeloo more and more everytime I see her! She's such a precious little creature and I miss her so much already! That's why I'm busy making a LO of some pics I took last week. Will show that as soon as it's done.<br />
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Last night we went to see a show of a local artist - <a href="http://www.jakdepriester.co.za/">Jak De Priester</a> at the theatre in Sasolburg. I just love his down-to-earth and from-the-heart poems and songs.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/jak_de_priester1.jpg" vt="true" width="213" /></div><br />
This past week they've been digging up our garden - if you can call the vast expanse of nothing around our house a garden! They're busy installing an irrigation system. I insited that we get that done before I attempt starting a garden. I don't really know anything about gardening but I LOVE a beautiful garden, so I suppose I'll have to start learning about gardening very fast. I know that it's not really the ideal time of year to start a garden but I really want to get a head start before winter. So - watch this space - I suspect that gardening might become a regular topic on this blog.<br />
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This afternoon a friend came over and we scrapped together. Or at least - that was the plan! In the end we chatted so much and didn't get a lot of scrapping done. It was fun though and that's all the matters. :)<br />
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I've got 2 lo's that I want to share. I finished them a couple of weeks ago already but only got around to taking photos of them today.<br />
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This is another Chrismas LO of the kids:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2358.jpg" vt="true" width="632" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2362.jpg" vt="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
And this is a VERY special lo I made of me and my best friend, Tanya. We've been friends since 1983! In 1986, we became "blood sisters" by pricking our fingers and mixing our blood. Sounds gory I know. Actually there was nothing sinister around the ritual at all. We did it right there in the middle of the math classroom. I guess it was just symbolic of how we will stick together - no matter what. And we did! I love you Tanya! :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2371.jpg" vt="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2374.jpg" vt="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2375.jpg" vt="true" width="640" /></a></div>That's it for now. I'm off to bed. Sleep tight! :)~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-68578923768913918932010-02-26T18:18:00.002+02:002010-02-26T18:24:36.847+02:00Sharing<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I decided that today I'm not going to complain or even offer any explanation for my absence cause it seems like that's all I do when I blog!<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Today I'm only going to share a couple of LO's that I've completed in the past month or so.<br />
<div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, here we go:</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>2 x Christmas layouts. One of the treasure hunt and one of our little Chrismas Angel, Céline<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2311.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2322.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2322.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; display: block; height: 433px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 650px;" /></a><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2309.jpg" /></a></div></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2318.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2315.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2316.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2316.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; display: block; height: 433px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 650px;" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I completed 2 layouts of our beautiful little Daisy:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2296.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2332.jpg" /></a> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2301.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2327.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2331.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; display: block; height: 433px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 650px;" /></a>This year Marco didn't have much of a birthday. They had an athletics meeting at school on that day. At least he did't have any schoolwork on the day. I took a day's leave to spend the day with hime. After atheletics we went out for lunch. The next weekend we celebrated his b-day with a movie and dinner. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2303.jpg" /></a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2324.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2324.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; display: block; height: 492px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 650px;" /></a><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2323.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2323.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; display: block; height: 433px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 650px;" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My next LO was inspired by a digital LO that I saw on Designerdigitals - sorry - can't remember who the designer was.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2293.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2339.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2337.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_2337.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; display: block; height: 366px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 650px;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I had a rougn 2 weeks both at home and at work. I'm so glad I found time amoungs all the crazyness to scrap. It's the only thing that kept me sane.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm busy with a very special LO. Hope I can post it by Sunday.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Tomorrow is athletics again. Marco is really doing so well with Javelin this year. I'm so proud of him! The off to a b-day party of a friend. Sunday should be quiet so I hope to get a little scrapping and hopefully blogging done then.</div>~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-14265296590482755852010-02-08T19:00:00.000+02:002010-02-08T19:00:01.063+02:00The big picture<div>At last I took the time to figure out how to post larger pictures in Blogger! It's been bothering me since I started blogging that the pictures are so small. It was actually much easier that what I expected. So if anybody want to know how I did it - just ask.<br /><div><div><div><br />First of all I want to show you this great kit that I won on <a href="http://creativemoments-lynette.blogspot.com/">Lynnette's </a>blog a while ago. It's from <a href="http://www.mymindseye.com/shopping/shopping_online.asp">My Minds Ey</a>e and was designed by <a href="http://www.jenwilsondesigns.com/">Jen Wilson</a>. Great to do some pages for my boys. I REALLY love this kit. Thanks soooooo much <a href="http://creativemoments-lynette.blogspot.com/">Lynnette</a>!!!!<br /><br /><div><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 630px; display: block; height: 420px;" alt="" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_1549.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>I actually managed to get some scrapping done between Christmas and New Year. Here are the 3 pages that I completed:<img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 630px; display: block; height: 612px;" alt="" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_9887.jpg" border="0" /></div><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 630px; display: block; height: 420px;" alt="" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_9904.jpg" border="0" /><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_9892.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 630px; display: block; height: 621px;" alt="" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_9892.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_9895.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 630px; display: block; height: 420px;" alt="" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_9895.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_9892.jpg"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 630px; display: block; height: 622px;" alt="" src="http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc347/woestynblom/IMG_9921.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-47420582345395999492010-01-31T11:01:00.016+02:002010-02-07T11:25:06.293+02:00(Not so) New Year<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I can hardly believe that the first month of 2010 is over and gone! I designed a new blog banner when I had a little break between Christmas and New year and intended to put it up on 1 January. Before I could do it, our house was struck by lightning and we lost a our PC (luckily motherboard only - hard disc is still intact), modem, hi-fi pre-amp, alarm system and even some of the lights went haywire! This meant no blogging, surfing and TV for a while. It's such a mission to get everything back to they way it was! </div><div> </div><div>Last Friday, Leon left for a 2 week fishing trip to Namibia. He's so in love with that country and it's wonderful to hear the happiness in his voice over the phone. It's like he went home! I miss him so much but he deserves the break.<br /></div><br /><div>Ok - it's time to play catch-up again. Seems like that's all I do on this blog of mine!<br /></div><div>Apart from the back to school rush, there's been a couple of highlights for me this past month:<br /></div><br /><div>Leon and I went to Clarens for a weekend getaway on 15 January. The mountains and fields were so green and luscious as a result of the lots of rain that fell in the area since the start of summer. The scenery were absolutely beautiful. We didn't really do much. Just relaxed and took in the beauty of nature around us. I did have some time to brows around the pretty little shops in town and spent a lot of time in the wonderful art galleries too. I especially liked these ones: <a href="http://www.thegalleryclarens.co.za/index.htm">The Gallery</a>, <a href="http://www.bloudonki.co.za/index.htm">Blou Donki</a> and <a href="http://www.johansmith.co.za/">Johan Smith Art Gallery</a>. We stayed in a little cottage at <a href="http://www.bokpoort.co.za/">Bokpoort</a>. Just up the road from where we stayed is this cute fantasy <a href="http://www.castleinclarens.com/">castle</a> that you can rent. A bit pricey but I would love to stay there some day!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435424426694708930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvKxbvdCG6jvYQXFJNSg9lV-XPyl9-TrexsMSzkOEW7XXBieRDYlMzEEKpYW_06C-ukwe8kfRBiCjMhsQpMOBXOEFta2oLP4udYMuarAtqzY5AOm15GQa-axwxIjWWfzpQaEHABdrivI/s400/IMG_0607.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435422700374229250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqKHP-X9S38EUr3cjY1gpG4hqL1EiBmg2FC3wd7sUQuBBZxgrqzFO1oDRckCoYyN9iVSAqsZzYS4pI2tQv6s6N9HUedzn4TJRgXS-R8Hoqr6FD6VqaNA6nnI06EVc6D0EcSEbwuUPRPg/s400/Panorama-3.jpg" /></div><div></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435422687339164210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-uXjE1osdwUTE8sajaiRyS-iF8-vqoyKNzLR9vAlYy9vNiv5NMGqYHDYjbISU8hgLrsq2n_YOQ7Z55XHLEd8kkKt5XegCQz3WjDuEOKr9wpiUYV5IYCo4D8kizDd1Aiq7mrtrt-cUJQ/s400/IMG_0710.jpg" /> <div>We went to watch <a href="http://www.avatarmovie.com/index.html">Avatar 3D</a>! What an absolutely amazing experience! Even despite the big hoo-haa about the movie I still didn't expect to enjoy it that much. I'm not a big science fiction fan but that movie was simply spectacular. <a href="http://www.avatarmovie.com/index.html"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 196px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432832640821594066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Nm-2KSWJ2y5_OeuCLRlb0zrBRCXjKJ4tnUHzaSjw9EVTzYLahblq2l9K7olA9o8ZehM3io0Yl7ZlRUSUUBLLcYfrB2qPxcLi-duLTG3LKgUMh48Fo3-Txp4xgw5trMtDjUr9_SRkQE4/s400/avatar-3d-live-webcast.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>I went to visit my little baby girl Leeloo. It's so amazing how much she changed in the 5 weeks since my last visit. She is the most adorable little creature! I held her in my arms most of the time I was there. She even slept in the room with me. This little girl has crawled very deep into my heart already! I miss her so much!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435425368183810834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4P0egVwSQrHrNUqj_Sf3SxqaICW63IstqQeCGljEt8bAeDGPp799ybuBD58H_B7F59sEKJpAcb_J1U-L6uRlgXJiqXgSIaGfGeziVqyPzw1IEp2OZvfBEKVI16kSJeoZmHB5XYiDjTo/s400/IMG_0962-copy.jpg" /></p><p>Last Tuesday (26 Jan) was Marco's 12th b-day. They didn't have school that day as they had a Zone Athletics Meeting that day. He won the shot put and came second with javelin. I took a days leave to spend the day with him. To celebrate his b-day, his best friend came to visit this entire weekend. Yesterday, I took them out to Potchefstroom for gift shopping, movie and lunch. </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435426333470108770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtF3rhRTKBJjpswa2_AXhXYxVTi6-_bGEDPrbrQfDkN438WxKchfA2J9fUW5ixyuwX47XsGdje-NZ9h7BZoVIXPJpPbqJxFxvMabcWtDknAvm25YD_U4ogDcQ1X5fR0zhge17zAKC9UmE/s400/IMG_1510.jpg" /> We've had so much rain this past month! All the rivers and dams in the area are flooded. They had to open up 14 sluice gates at the Vaal Dam last week which resulted in the Vaal River (which flows through our little town) to flood its banks even more. Here are some pictures:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 404px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435429395457216434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeWy4O2MvHPWYKNqB4N8MNfVaDrQcLW3Bb1-na7c7MOshzn4SyFMtXd0Mt3LjpDDeYtkAWmru5KgIrBpQw5ecUtWWBt-eQw68wrbFShjc9mcUW5j7dGo0eO0e2QhTwJ2iYMeQPnKn-z8/s400/IMG_1089.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435428201322607026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtItI17h12uoUIXqx5Sqbhza4VQShw6CyKgp85uFLmKGuprFbE8bNGn1nNckVFco2eV7-g07fJxa1S9SlcJPTqMex_oA9ZdITudJ-5b4DFvTSfJ9LKiP3LQfaAkKi_YG7svzBwvthTIoQ/s400/IMG_1100.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435428196524413250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZ5vTL-_osFRlOFpRbkrYZxJMPzJqss0gjn7dpkbmFmYhlL68M5MwL_CQtRgGmuxv5_30p-MtpRoAEpWovcVpKaxRS6j-JJtF6iLugYWBfByz0tc_DJn6HsY9CVNCI0wDfIIJQBSEyTk/s400/IMG_1091.jpg" /> <p>I won't promise that I'll be a better blogger this year. I've seen that life just gets in the way and somehow blogging just gets pushed down on my priority list. I'll do my best to blog as often as I can and even more important I'll try to visit my friends' blogs more often.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-72868433293315162522009-12-26T14:40:00.014+02:002009-12-26T15:16:04.927+02:00Christmas @ our placeChristmas has come and gone way too fast! This year we spent Christmas at home with no other family or friends around - just Leon, me and the three kids. We had so much fun and really spent a lot of quality time together.<br /><br />This is my Goofy Teenage Santa:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419527564152084578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WaG0uoEyFSyc1Dus6KBWCX7KH8_JY8lvLOFR2qVaHvUwvJoNAk3WLhqGJ_ug3kQhz8ZxF7SOVYJglJNe1BfzKa0lM7AvR6MPTalYj6wrTwitocE0svynmh923Y7Q97jAELqbBJ6JYFI/s400/IMG_9556.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">And</span> these are his little helpers:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419527560238167938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41flKjqfFvHU_bRhl6_wHDozS29n3374K4XMnY8h3zY-_qLpsPDl13_TQysRb11CyigJ8w9mNP2s-HkqMA25PA9kmu4wxCZpeZSjYILDaIm0yv3dHXacd4WH_qgjXDOcf_sXseChSuJk/s400/IMG_9553-copy.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />On Christmas eve, the kids and I decided to do a nativity puppet show. Leon was the only human in the audience. Celine decided that all her stuffed animals had to come watch the show as well. I was the director. Michael was the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">narrator</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Céline</span> and Marco the puppet masters.<br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">narrator:</span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419527570313303778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPqoMUtAoLOYM1X8cT0zdrQLvZyQNsWxj69tGgvvUmylS3r0EDYsKfWI4J_YwJKWHULtNbaR-VHWDzc6ImkKKQk3lBOaK7aL73Sh93vAN1YFKXKkaCY3OL7ND07Ym2qIYpKCYES24GHY/s400/IMG_9605.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />The cast:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419527575356538242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 352px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0m6L4gpQPTXyw0EBYORimdXZPLnnWBdK59IqmbsIYLPpumzrir_vJyMyyJbDuN4cpQcrpqDm_yEsR4kJXs7ioszSlmPfd2MIFU936zo0WA9XvnOUQHzkOvyhl9ui9al6QbKn8kvelFEc/s400/IMG_9609.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />The props and cast back stage (behind the bar counter):<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419527570385797090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbLU7h8D2qLQgkFFNlrCYxMPawj7TKR4f_tEDhV6IvWuBZzmpTtKDvC1DKQjNfSh9DRLxnmr_u_2ZNe7cK0HmGiguhlC5S05elgNkwpzOHPs1JjB_iDskPZm9rLgQiW69MGcMEzI3Rd0/s400/IMG_9600.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />The audience:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419527806714375186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 364px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDksKbXqHMPC65V1P6MvZFYwFzUa_MastdIoKchy0094n8xPYpR4pvYe54-xRyuESSqu4itu3boTs3aQqCVGYL5Z1lb_cwEfhvhZSzwM0w-CRRDcQegGeXBMgewFqZGrmeO6cbEWtf5Q/s400/IMG_9612.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />After the show we had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Céline's</span> favourite food - <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">lasagna</span> - for dinner. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419528333908744706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIEtIPfG-otBzm1WzKsVSfSijUsP95gDYzGaadYTUiG5hajBET10fpUPPz0bGyV_nGAPb2qe1uKWqWcfKl2B2tlIiD4TtPuL03I02F42cM7QLSzE9kweOHEJDvy8F7-M4h6lXN_U86hA/s400/IMG_9617.jpg" border="0" />After dinner I took the kids out for ice cream and a drive around town to watch all the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Christmas</span> lights that the people have up in the gardens.<br /><br />When we got back home it was time for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Santa's</span> little helpers to hand out the gifts.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419527811743444002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHl-rzAHXgPM_4lHt2yupVofOFb47KTAHbh5xZBEIZmo8SMIr9uT_eLPaICDoCSzIwJUgrl7wLYPrPiD3x05qtWDY6wzPAOOMzzyw_BCuJcWV6vnSb7Xuk0i4CTSbOdBXYg51L6HXWXKQ/s400/IMG_9626.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />I usually have sweets and an extra little surprise for the kids in their Christmas stockings on Christmas morning. This year I had an extra surprise waiting for them - a Christmas treasure hunt. I hid 17 different clues around the garden which they had to search for before they found their "treasures".<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419527815761456770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2s-bltjLlZpxL65DZUnwLWwOI5wR9D6rTzz-7dk1ORUQj0iMEyQi-wL-mSRnhYwoHH6qQyCkv2IzxEi5iqNfZwhe_ycmDV6vKx_WJBwpUk0nYZbpt7R7coz5sh55mYA0tNvkuhRxvNg/s400/IMG_9727.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419527816845065442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRBYQjtLWtzQEY995c8iOVET6rHeIjGAq-vaPU-BvAdBQ9IJCfOn1x7aq2SIH707t0HdIgWKQC-7tVecwZ_tfNPG1VY6k0ZKwk2mmGlYd9Sjc0zF3SOOMWb2XhH0s11rP_h-_QTsfcoI/s400/IMG_9731.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Céline</span> got a new cellphone while the boys got a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Wii</span>. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419527819185185618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3Wa6b10e-dxkM_oglJ9XNYq9Z3dgQPEdlUgqsYXTNQzqfSv9eysKqvUCopmKKjinGVdnAChYg6ekEqOTIF_OfwJm3j-GLEGL2t7ph91aQLOA2lwgv_wT5Lj-Jhm7FQqVuYOUtEBUxsE/s400/IMG_9810.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419528321910993730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAY-VG16MQdZNVKFfc8CgXpTIXosx3UJv8L40bJKhnOUzsYv5F6AVBVzIinYYKYpu2u3WpdlIthYgSrhMOLmDdxPfrOX3Ph9EBCebJKUYuGNtFZ3dV2odoAa7EPsORxAdgTteUC_uW_rQ/s400/IMG_9815.jpg" border="0" />They had so much fun doing the treasure hunt and were over the moon about their extra gifts.<br /><br />I feel so relaxed! Last night I even had time for a little scrapping. I finished this page that I started with a while ago at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">scrapclub</span>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419528328795748514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 367px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgSz0DpxA7jAjvft1baonRlKlat_cu-3dSgULik9TclORcTHLXWR8wb8koFEMe1DFYdvEVUjKqQXkR85DVckgIxK01PXnyDRvqrXAqYOUfrnQzS554xlObCWlwIUxXwQB3Z4Wtvk_8h4/s400/IMG_9864.jpg" border="0" /><br />Today I plan to do a little re-organisation in my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">scraproom</span> and hopefully get a little more scrapping done too. I also want to pay a visit to as many of my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">bloggy</span> friends blogs as possible.<br /><br />I hope that all of you had an equally great Christmas with your families.~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-66514427151953576492009-12-20T18:55:00.030+02:002009-12-21T07:29:32.016+02:00Catch upI'm so not a good blogger! I don't even know where to start catching up. These past few weeks have been a big rush. Barely touching ground and feeling overwhelmed and stressed most of the time. Lots of good times <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">in between</span> as well, which kept me going though.<br /><br />We had my moms 80<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span></span></span> b-day party on 28 November. This is what the table looked like - we only had one <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">loooong</span></span></span> table, so all the guests could sit together.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417376088393365826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZ2I1Xtf4suy0YHU_tSH-Nz_AmuWr7w5njdcjEti9s1qALRD-qVkz0TU5vMs7HWQT4xXI-wx3QiOQLMAqW3JDdW9L3Xz4p6fcqd2Wt5z0SDYrtp68EEdA9eGzvYMIljOD3gf4ZwY_HG8/s400/IMG_8472.jpg" border="0" /><br />It was a really special day for my mom and she loved seeing all her <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">friends</span> and family that she haven't seen in years.<br /><br /><br />This is me and the boys with the birthday girl.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417376090647043042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 330px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFBN2S2d2ODFLWtu2Jfc9zBOGIw2TJC3bHk_WL8hSRxfhDBPeNM2FQbBCwKo5mK-cFcdppRfTsb8rlpcGuUwq29ckheLbEu3JUgVazkO69GQdG8Iuuq7SySGUqxJSqlgKuciGfCLexdA/s400/IMG_8823.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />As a birthday gift to her, I made her an album with photos of her with each of the guests as well as a handwritten message from each and everybody there. I did 24 pages. for the album. Unfortunately I never had time to take photos of the album before I gave it to her. Will do so later.<br /><br /><br />Then on 7 December, my god daughter <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Annalize's</span></span></span> little baby girl <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Leeloo</span></span></span> was born! I looked forward to this day <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">sooooo</span></span></span> much and despite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">everything</span> on my plate, I just had to go and meet this little angel as soon as they got out of hospital.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417376382048485858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_0cU3nLOj1U20rT6yFaVfHi4-G5qGW6AA63ZPVW3e4wp1x0VfDfRT7naZ5o8chjc8Y-KS5Rngt3a9Ujzf-AMg8qOmBl4jZVwuR-xlkzVbwilmvUCEfyW9VizvqYiyTS32v0TJJ5ppPI/s400/IMG_9315-copy-2.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417376383297199138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjER-gB_iZfElt6RIHDUYRAuJh96mANdqhBjGy3h0V4i41FY0oeGgt1xVycFhC131X-QGs5cqgP7jp6Lcwab2mpsCJUArI2oN36nxaBXQmcjv3acCBoEnoK8j5uXhxZSB_y7jrkbJfK7H0/s400/IMG_9355.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Leon's birthday was on 13 December, and I wanted to make something special for him. I decided to make a painting of his idol - Mark <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Knopfler</span></span></span>. I wanted to make it large, and ended up with a huge 1.5m x 1.1m canvas. If it wasn't for my art teacher's confidence in me, I never would have even attempted something as big as this. Unfortunately, even after I took an entire day's leave from work to work on the painting, I couldn't finish it in time for his birthday and only finished it yesterday. This is what it looks like:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417376547830835090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXN_cxoeCETcMjWpEGG1YtXEyeF71DxUmEF3-KwnsDuyRtVr0fde3dxOD25OgJCZEZzWM6AOWNykalJU5MFK1eRty5oGHUytun6v6FS1lqFo2A5dZRx7IDBxscZneg7Qxpy3lHYOIsXQ/s400/IMG_9525.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />He is very chuffed with his work of art in his bar.<br /><br />This is the birthday boy on his b-day last week.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417376374569661554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 397px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxFWTXzk6A6ArmJR8xQ92dobD6Zo6iYQpobtLKSdnoWDcXhyDQxjHGLVNtRB3sldEa4d_B8B3f6rfFTENHkbvD9Rm0fMShdfk4IR98XvyrDMAdnjYirVvGjegw7KC00I1GsMhFK56CIs/s400/IMG_9204.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Since I finished the painting and wrapped most of my Christmas gifts yesterday, I feel much more relaxed. I even had time to make this wrath and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Christmas</span></span> tree that I wanted to make last year already.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417376388340516818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 376px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vyfBC10AsqkhDMPOMgskGegquUVxhqZG5EzMiyxl6pQDSHl812SoF8wE9bVunbUR-X25paBW9bpdDGGAtrrmizmuvGRN8eVFRX_M1BNOo576-mOzBqYv1BCJwy3IUhYEzRHwV3W8z5I/s400/IMG_9442.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417376541467238130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPJegXv5wqFEGn2nOS0cW2hscq2ZzIH4hA-gTpObBFVDi12P5m1VXFYfOIZg9TsXatHqQhCy2Xmr4PbBF66dNF3ad_8Dk9ieFCwkaYEDCDr3jvHQTgO3eMDGU-yr2Acz4Pccc2gxBQlM/s400/IMG_9518.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />And this is our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Christmas</span></span></span> tree .<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417376388059114994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScyimR9h1BZuuCZwDfKLzNx74r1bhdJp7RKhiIcKycPHT06sfv66EZ8PuSw0hyphenhyphenFs6KYa2VznwKTujUOViBFZoc5Ue7_P21xuI2jjM_qlvrXfglYdbM5TNJYJyazhs8T9wQCCYuQUldRc/s400/IMG_9478.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Two weeks ago, we had friends over for Sunday lunch. Leon cooked some excellent food and I had a ball decorating the table. I found these old silver wine glasses in one of the antique shops in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Parys</span></span></span> a while back and since then I wanted to use them as individual flower vases.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417376099044912338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBm4KiOdT0b2FRFmqZMOZn8o0gbc54LEN7Ds03WgTq7CRqWcEFYu_cjUYbgPySvNd3ntG0MP8OPgiDtBcvTbokUiwcfapzINjS2h_pk4DUNmeB7STAZ3DJ53PiZxtienntw1yqN2U7Ilk/s400/IMG_9007.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417376102732105970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5BgPmGH-sKz-8zvEnEmo4GEdmfdQWbSdOvYHV-VV9Xz6Ru3AVrA1wtu4giddbfegGoqzt7MQC2H0sZludVmqm-MkMkbHW932_2sMobWPUulTKYf-g0WKhdPCtSptWtpQ3XPvHs04EXk/s400/IMG_9013.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />For desert Leon made this absolutely gorgeous <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Amarula</span></span></span> Cheesecake. I only helped a little with the decorating.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417376097526671778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCn84h7qMby5onk3fnKXJGFQKuTOFGytv1SJgl-X4ebPcAX9pBKBl95v_Hyz6Hb9dfgLg8bvZqWx9aW9wDXQVVuK1A95CQ-NWqaztsdUHlAInLGJPGonU8i0VPvPtbnvJK01RAXOCN1B0/s400/IMG_8994.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Unfortunately I'm one of the "skeletons" at work and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">business</span></span></span> isn't as slow as we expected. I have to run around between three desks trying to keep everybody happy.<br /><br /><br />So there it is - what kept me occupied for the past couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to a peaceful Christmas with my family now.<br /><br />I hope that each and every person who reads this post will have a wonderful Christmas filled with love, peace and hope for the future. Keep the real reason for this day in your heart and it will be filled with His love for you! :)~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-3305678022063635152009-11-22T10:10:00.007+02:002009-11-22T17:24:52.491+02:00Sunny Sunday! :)The weather has been really miserable all week. Today the sun is shining - yay!<br /><br /><br /><br />We had the students exhibition at the gallery this weekend. Feels kind of weird to have your paintings out there for the whole world to see. I guess it's been "out there" on my blog for a while too, but somehow this was different.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406879549463675586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioggSmYTjfdsDbbXR0CHgAfhyphenhyphen7727ABcZZfTRTBqa8CUAuQpRSON6ecpJ189ZXPVF3FuiNh5-h9Xg7XxWW4RgebIYmb8TjEh7yeEeCMziMqzPHbXVn7oWD4CxrwNSnyFPoTrloouWE4pA/s400/IMG_8409.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />Went to another art exhibition with a friend - saw beautiful paintings and felt really humbled by the work of great artists.<br /><br />I've finished the placecards and menus for my moms birthday party. I made little name cards with a thank you note on the back and attached it to a little bag filled with sweets for each of the guests. Will take pictures later. Only one week to go before the party.~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-74186410644500121732009-11-15T16:38:00.033+02:002009-11-15T18:12:17.042+02:00My weekendI've been busy this weekend. Not scrapping, not painting, not even going away. I was at home (or at least in my hometown) all the time busy, busy busy!<br /><br /><div>I made place cards for my moms 80th birthday party coming up in 2 weeks time. I have it all printed now but still have to make it up together with the little gift bags that will go with it. Will post pictures later as soon as I have them finished. I still have to do the menus and table seating.</div><div></div><div></div><div>I went furniture shopping for something to put in my front passage. As you all probably know by now - I love antique furniture. I found a nice sideboard ... as well as something else I didn't bargain on buying but just couldn't resist! </div><div></div><br /><div>This is the sideboard:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404353048530083458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkfQiy1-zXQvbqIXpCoByzTOOv7WsfTGU9ET6oXXckqrr1jBt8bDInaHmGzOrPccsGwgxaJ80FLtGkQ-tSC0MfVz8WN_J28MCnkPTfZY7T8lrH3cDPvWjSiZ-uisOQW3KCyOBwyGdMi8/s400/IMG_8392.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>When I saw this quint little church bench I just had to have it for my front porch!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404353038500365506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCm2s1ZeQdF-RXJ-x6yGgK7Ru_t0ZYdKrCrafEs22Tt01TrVaYjm71fYeaL2BxSSB7blzbn9lbqccohbZN1KwUyRQs5gQsk0jzHaI7ZkV1vwLUIrEdWnn23e5115HCtmVHG-AOp-Z0HU/s400/IMG_8363.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404352804053749570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUM2XRH_-s5nfegdG_Iv4k6Ze6SSbrTRpuHvb3FtaAwMWBD_oC8uBZBSDPjcihILAIPhD6DRbO5LwjSl25-thTaBMMvH1XzIpVu_XS4H87zxr8h-P3YXGAc8ojl_bGn8NVyscWx05m0E/s400/IMG_8362.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>I bought this little handmade clock about a year ago but still had it packed because I wanted to keep it until I had the sideboard to put it on. At last this little work of art could see daylight again! Just look at the protruding arms! Love it! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404355115881639026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_ZaJWpPYzTqAVnWnlvR7-zdA3HNq_JWOWYxbnPcaMlylv_fBMgkMAXAPaspE0xtwnIYsKu5mjZwNnQMbkXC6CgA_sdGmJ-3MLesOl1_ND1RQnQYSHFMlIth4wmJ28_iH-_MFAPSWHbE/s400/IMG_8356.jpg" border="0" />I also bought this painting that I've been eyeing for ages today: <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404352796971374082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 218px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOV0JdJ3kCyYG5cvVY_sUea7D6xWn9ZuPupFXEQUkB8rmamZUxdNA_RmNV08bbqlrsISP3MPcYnSTeIXt-O6Ak6u668llSsBM06UDk9ak2s-f5qKOwbVP7IpqLQZ1ZmSuqVFP_ju0Eu8/s400/IMG_8348.jpg" border="0" />It's by a local Parys artist - <a href="http://www.annettedannhauser.co.za/Galleries.htm">Annette Dannhauzer</a>. I love her work. It's filled with religious symbolism. The name of this specific one is "Mi Casa Su Casa".</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Next weekend we're having a student exhibition at the gallery where I take art class. I still have a painting to finish. I wanted to do that today but just didn't get to it. I guess 3 paintings of mine will have to be enough. I had one of the paintings that I finished a while ago framed. This is what is looks like framed.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404353045039749602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 303px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FGC9kcMo15Mt1IhbPiRh-7MLxWJAwR47Rb6jQlX7N8OtNvXCU9Z2WdiMiaTvkHKMPSdimEscNflBZRFex8K9XSosifNMjansxPrzFTV7ezOF4HYh7zq28klB0n-GMEbNxCi8e5FN4bA/s400/IMG_8396.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>I also finished this one about a month ago. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404353044158542418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 367px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUnVvjP075YWkYyUHTQVqlQXBlsWfk-6Q01Kf798eXlAG8oMq-IpesfI0cRiTPsQ23sQ_4R7qGvBAtD7Wsb22NdjZH-7be-WOj7Qf1v0ks8OyOv1qYUh7_cjc6nUi2YI2ec4IIE7GgXI/s400/IMG_8387.jpg" border="0" />The one that I'm busy with is also a rose, but from another angle to go with this one. Will show you pictures of it once it's done.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>This afternoon I went to pick lavenders to put in a vase. I found a whole bunch of honey bees and dragon flies having a party in the lavender bush! I quickly went to fetch my camera and switched the lenses. I took these pics using my macro lens.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404352789262927186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMImnH8rm904F5SgExbOBJ-DpwMv6BNENHV_Sc0tWH_2LavLVdyEMWRO4IHtuZ1u-Bs6emhNoa5upqI7Vd1rMUVgP7TWFhYvJJDiYMml-MLPjLcbLzH3mDE4WhxY4TO9Ndx9_HVDAcQo0/s400/IMG_8296.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404352794415174514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPTc419JlzWn_ENxH-j1XpczENosDYTU3AYztDX8BCp2YmkRj85KiQN2Oqf-8QTbu9g_1VzkEEEqnFx8UfFNVAphoVWTX9J3avzEymqdOcSOnFWRdkrD_G8HEqOL6liNchphMz6pmieo/s400/IMG_8335.jpg" border="0" /> In between everything else I packed a a little thank you gift with goodies for <a href="http://thetuckerwolekclan.blogspot.com/">Julie</a> - to say thanks for her trouble forwarding the packages from Amazon to us.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404357180494635250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij525iTgXwXjRoQtt_yl9NKbee2sC8zgm_qfyhI1qRfn2nWWJk8KQ3YblfzlmmISG8oasxkU6Nczr_OWcxTTvOFyyzhmmrlcypZHJ7_3cl-WAKVfVMTLRfM-5L8PVMokqPJwrOdkqY9n0/s400/IMG_8399.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>I also made up this package with books and a little added surprise for my namesake - <a href="http://fromichelle.blogspot.com/">Michelle McGee.</a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404357183681465506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ08wEMqPKoRZr1frIdnmnNhtssXURAh2LolFJdu3n-ZKqQ8HjIdZvhzlc_ogRa80dx2vURWaUZuhjxGTjlzpjvzb5MsksHzH5iXMPGvhe5O9KREf9islWrzmWWuGwgy9MPTRWSEk9Zkg/s400/IMG_8400.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>Will get both of these out on their journey to the USA tomorow. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hope all of you also had a great weekend! Will read all about it tomorrow. Now I'm wasted and just want to crawl into bed - but not before I spoil myself with a warm bubble bath! </div>~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-24569583277110519002009-11-10T13:36:00.015+02:002009-11-14T08:09:48.927+02:00Happy b-day Céline!!!! (edited)<span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><span class="483251311-10112009"><em>Looks like blogger is acting up or something. Most people could not see the picture the I added in this post. I could see it and some other people could also see it but not everybody?! Weird! Seems like Blogger also had some trouble with spacing. Anyway - all seems better now! :)</em></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><span class="483251311-10112009"><em></em></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><span class="483251311-10112009">Today is Céline's 10th b-day! Can't believe another year has come and gone. She's growing up way too fast now! She had her party on Saturday, so tonight we'll treat her to dinner anywhere she pick. </span></span><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><span class="483251311-10112009">She used to have a fairy themed bedroom - all pink and lilac and girly. Recently she decided that it was time to change her room and the theme that she picked was horses - since she is crazy about horses and horse riding. I started looking for something pretty and appropriate for her age but after months of searching locally as well as in Johannesburg and Pretoria, I just couldn't find anything that she liked. I turned to my old Google buddy and reliable as it always is, it turned up with the most beautiful horse themed bedding. I got Céline to sit with me and choose something that she liked. The set that she chose was on the Amazon site. I proceeded to place the order but before I could finish, I got the message that they couldn't ship bedding to South Africa because of some manufacturers warrantee issue. Both Céline and I was so disappointed. Then I had this bright idea! I asked my bloggy and scrappy friend, <a href="http://thetuckerwolekclan.blogspot.com/">Julie</a>, if I could use her address to order the stuff. She was sooooo generous to agree to let them ship it off to her and then forwarded it on to me!!! </span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><span class="483251311-10112009">We got the packages in the mail a while ago and couldn't wait to replace the old bedding. Everything is up and it looks so pretty. We even got a new light fitting for her. We still need to paint the walls, get new curtains as well as a dressing table for the little cowgirl, so I don't want to take a picture of the unfinished room. I'll do so once the room is done. In the meantime, here's some pictures of the bedding that we ordered:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 350px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403836329237296754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptNXQfzZyOrGq0ULCnpqMaS-rTP0gg5JhzHEG7eUnpuy4gWTrDMUE4x2WLdOkZJVDFEs9y7tlSsSVxSqTDg2Q8XWLAh2YaXPwfcEpfDmvSvEtMwEf88TFeppOB1JjOCG7miEz2KA1yF4/s400/1095019989_4238080702_thumbnail.jpg" /></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><span class="483251311-10112009">It looks even better i.r.l.</span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><span class="483251311-10112009"></span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><span class="483251311-10112009">Once again - Thank you soooooooooooooo much <a href="http://thetuckerwolekclan.blogspot.com/">Julie</a>!!! We really appreciate it.</span></span><br /></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><span class="483251311-10112009">I picked up a tag from Lynette's blog to answer this list in one word. Tricky, but here it goes:</span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;">1. Where is your cell phone? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:maroon;">desk</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;">2. Your hair? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:maroon;">dyed</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />3. Your mother? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:maroon;">eighty</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />4. Your father? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:maroon;">dead</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />5. Your favourite food? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:maroon;">desert</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />6. Your dream last night? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:maroon;">diaper</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />7. Your dream/goal?</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#990000;"> photographer</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />8. Your favourite drink? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:maroon;">milkshake</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />9. What room are you in? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:maroon;">office</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"> </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;">10. Your hobby? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:maroon;">scrapping</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />11. Your fear? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:maroon;">disability</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />12. Where do you want to be in 6 years?</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#990000;"> home</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />13. Where were you last night?</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#990000;"> home</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />14. Something that you aren't? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:maroon;">false</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />15. Muffins? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#990000;">blueberry</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />16. Wish list item?</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#990000;"> trip</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />17. Where did you grow up? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#990000;">Vereeniging</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />18. Last thing you did?</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#990000;"> work</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;">19. What are you wearing?</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#990000;"> clothes</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;">20.Your TV? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#990000;">off</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />21. Your Pets? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#990000;">Daisy</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />22. Friends? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#990000;">few</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />23. Your life?</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#990000;"> happy</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />24. Your mood?</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#990000;"> happy</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;">25. Missing Someone? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:maroon;">yes</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />26. Vehicle? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:maroon;">Mazda</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />27. Something you're not wearing? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#990000;">socks</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />28. Your favourite store? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:maroon;">Thrupps</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />29. Your favourite colour? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#990000;">pink</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />30. When was the last time you laughed?</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#990000;"> today</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />31. Last time you cried? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#990000;">yesterday</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />32. Your best friend? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#990000;">Tanya</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />33. One place that I go to over and over? </span><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#990000;">Namibia</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />34. Facebook? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:maroon;">seldom</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:#333333;"><br />35. Favourite place to eat? </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:maroon;">Hoi Poloi</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:maroon;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;color:maroon;"></span></p><p>Let me know if you decided to pick up this tag! :)</p>~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-71827189955817359272009-11-05T11:19:00.001+02:002009-11-05T11:19:00.648+02:00My desktop<div><a href="http://creativemoments-lynette.blogspot.com/">Lynette</a> posted her desktop (such a cute picture) and I thought it was a great idea to see what all the girls have on their desktops - so join in and let me know if you've posted yours.</div><br /><div>Here's mine:<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400176635353258050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCo7Z_rhu_0xCdySffyoFeGAKpjSiiNcsK9ew5rtZVrJ0LQvmjUsQxK4WLXcVZ-e8XrJFZ4kWQo8E3R1dcxipccJGqGTEKr7ju0_wswPd_8xABfKpAtUZ_Q15h7v4-VQrjn56TjfWx_dg/s400/Picture1.png" border="0" /></div><br />It's a painting by one of my favourite artists - <a href="http://www.annejulie-art.com/blog/">Anne Julie </a>~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-77571909742022953472009-11-04T08:00:00.002+02:002009-11-04T08:00:06.081+02:00My SonI finished a lo that I started over the weekend of my eldest son - Michael. He's 14 now and rapidly (way too fast!) turning into a man! He's such a sweet sweet thing! I love him to pieces. Sometimes I wish I could hold his small boy body in my arms just one more time.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCgcmvY_m_AolQ1YofehIhN1O0LeMO4qQCOR-rjDanz17Tv2ZJEnuXWoX0N3G6q3XVux6yklWLtfAAXUoa0GcrW3HB8MO6ZG2egvf8wNsdLecN4qmILA1ulAWpPeBFuXoZMlI4BLghSo/s1600-h/IMG_8162.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399162614360666754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCgcmvY_m_AolQ1YofehIhN1O0LeMO4qQCOR-rjDanz17Tv2ZJEnuXWoX0N3G6q3XVux6yklWLtfAAXUoa0GcrW3HB8MO6ZG2egvf8wNsdLecN4qmILA1ulAWpPeBFuXoZMlI4BLghSo/s400/IMG_8162.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF97MfmnnA16YMXUsw0lEnZWOxll0Z06dd5WVKwVWWaA14-iuwr8L-yI4Aj1Ol9fIheOZwrQcePKbkQ7j53agcyy8TVAaGZYo10ZDFit_RiR4XlSSrH19KQYPv3iy5kwSPwXWb5szC-Q0/s1600-h/IMG_8161.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399162610719198594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF97MfmnnA16YMXUsw0lEnZWOxll0Z06dd5WVKwVWWaA14-iuwr8L-yI4Aj1Ol9fIheOZwrQcePKbkQ7j53agcyy8TVAaGZYo10ZDFit_RiR4XlSSrH19KQYPv3iy5kwSPwXWb5szC-Q0/s400/IMG_8161.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidazzx4WT1tgEw-J-Di3Y0TkMS3Pi-LcJRA2LrGM5kDGU-QFP-FWVGRdcd1NApcoM0P3-YpfNGWtXP-85pe8g-qh16SuX_jY2JPFjWgbtRZo_T75IvryAxJtsTpbTXqBF-s49TeI6HWY/s1600-h/IMG_8160.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399162606564024562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidazzx4WT1tgEw-J-Di3Y0TkMS3Pi-LcJRA2LrGM5kDGU-QFP-FWVGRdcd1NApcoM0P3-YpfNGWtXP-85pe8g-qh16SuX_jY2JPFjWgbtRZo_T75IvryAxJtsTpbTXqBF-s49TeI6HWY/s400/IMG_8160.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SlDQkwMPkgp15nvnSaCCa71L8xYh5hVPp2F0GVmFCS-nIWJm_hQhb5qAu9PxGRTJVw91JtEMe9ekMGUGxRkeo872He1_P3D3F8AQgvNwyDInSMiS09RvOJ1y5kmZIlngg62brP1pKGc/s1600-h/IMG_8158.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399162597429902386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 389px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SlDQkwMPkgp15nvnSaCCa71L8xYh5hVPp2F0GVmFCS-nIWJm_hQhb5qAu9PxGRTJVw91JtEMe9ekMGUGxRkeo872He1_P3D3F8AQgvNwyDInSMiS09RvOJ1y5kmZIlngg62brP1pKGc/s400/IMG_8158.jpg" border="0" /></a> He had a couple of "girlfriends" in primary school but I think he's really in love for the first time now. Look what he did on Saturday when the girlfriend came to visit. After he poured <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cold drinks</span> for them - he replaced the empty soda bottle in the fridge! :)<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHjssBxLrtsV6yAu8qt3aA4eIk99zthdnvZRfWclkOXRRSHw6hHNTMTtjyJ0eet_IJLiRpKk15jJVAMAQnDgECW6jFap03CG3EaoCQ60pdkKnzNfHmEww47n30i4WC_B1VvVcbMm1F2I/s1600-h/IMG_8138.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399162593627178082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHjssBxLrtsV6yAu8qt3aA4eIk99zthdnvZRfWclkOXRRSHw6hHNTMTtjyJ0eet_IJLiRpKk15jJVAMAQnDgECW6jFap03CG3EaoCQ60pdkKnzNfHmEww47n30i4WC_B1VvVcbMm1F2I/s400/IMG_8138.jpg" border="0" /></a> See - I'm a much better blogger this week! So far so good! ;o)</div></div></div></div>~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-45680199923008430042009-11-02T07:00:00.000+02:002009-11-02T07:01:19.806+02:00I managed to get a little scrapping done this weekend. Not a lot though - and had to sneek in a little time here and there but I finished a lo that's been on my table for a while, plus do another one. The other one I did a week or so ago when I joined the local scrap club ladies.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCTn2oBSF1IMwbwjX15gAtu6AefxsrLhjCWrOIju1YZmb4cwPkrQwHdVAFR6ezERfbA6uTaLCVThHuG9pArNIeAutXqpaXA7vMKxasnUKmHqjViZcxqUg4OY_z1xmzCgjXlCRVEewcPQ/s1600-h/IMG_8134.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399142670000551042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCTn2oBSF1IMwbwjX15gAtu6AefxsrLhjCWrOIju1YZmb4cwPkrQwHdVAFR6ezERfbA6uTaLCVThHuG9pArNIeAutXqpaXA7vMKxasnUKmHqjViZcxqUg4OY_z1xmzCgjXlCRVEewcPQ/s400/IMG_8134.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAo5fTYrNtSVxN-CC6_txsk5wbSMJBppGoi8EmNAvl5-_sUf__R4Y9j2t6k6jQ_Jj5b2KV5aa9XP62l6kwT4UkYna4Xerv-xHVi3VojS_geQFEf4P5WI09DCXeibvoq7DopGvRQmk_V8/s1600-h/IMG_8133.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399142669443128274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAo5fTYrNtSVxN-CC6_txsk5wbSMJBppGoi8EmNAvl5-_sUf__R4Y9j2t6k6jQ_Jj5b2KV5aa9XP62l6kwT4UkYna4Xerv-xHVi3VojS_geQFEf4P5WI09DCXeibvoq7DopGvRQmk_V8/s400/IMG_8133.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWFknkhQNK-FbSSOL1AdxQVv-I5tuYOSlsRdDx6oIs_Nt9CeiwML2mp210epa7EEypG_rKSl9JQJrJ0rpcyUK_Z-2hWlaBexjwQzTqCEr7IalGbY3Ygf0fgZ0jVG5BQEkkMGMLDGgGOY/s1600-h/IMG_8132.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399142666238323714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWFknkhQNK-FbSSOL1AdxQVv-I5tuYOSlsRdDx6oIs_Nt9CeiwML2mp210epa7EEypG_rKSl9JQJrJ0rpcyUK_Z-2hWlaBexjwQzTqCEr7IalGbY3Ygf0fgZ0jVG5BQEkkMGMLDGgGOY/s400/IMG_8132.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgOMBJ_9khsuokLjzySVckg1-USCZa2X7DvUuWdBuCyDRv12eG7INmiBcflsV_h0ab7lXysM_sslzx7ATDAH847lwKbBQxZxI8vURoroX2w0sSUYNSQwEYFG3aZ1-5GLoibP6angGP0M/s1600-h/IMG_8130.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399142661393541490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 399px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgOMBJ_9khsuokLjzySVckg1-USCZa2X7DvUuWdBuCyDRv12eG7INmiBcflsV_h0ab7lXysM_sslzx7ATDAH847lwKbBQxZxI8vURoroX2w0sSUYNSQwEYFG3aZ1-5GLoibP6angGP0M/s400/IMG_8130.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUlo_mrjrQTBVWHXLz0MSvjWbYP1va1NVlR9HxuavKbTifZfj2f8hhUxwXHDc65cfuG9zG94ri6WPd0ZMi3ErNIDEs36MxxFDln_WNLspHgxaRxrONSJnL7lwzPhbGishS2DAaulzSLg/s1600-h/IMG_8128.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399142434539642178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 332px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUlo_mrjrQTBVWHXLz0MSvjWbYP1va1NVlR9HxuavKbTifZfj2f8hhUxwXHDc65cfuG9zG94ri6WPd0ZMi3ErNIDEs36MxxFDln_WNLspHgxaRxrONSJnL7lwzPhbGishS2DAaulzSLg/s400/IMG_8128.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijo6RKdnc0EIdOc9aa6EfesxphxweBGBw_hw4d4o9v4P2R9njWj1JRjHawcHC-ODV_kPcyqFPzEhTsNfukxgYW4cEhG-EVn6NiK0YvhH2t5TXWl6H8TpzPeQCLxvFQlUYvgA9v_hAs0Wk/s1600-h/IMG_8127.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399142433301378322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijo6RKdnc0EIdOc9aa6EfesxphxweBGBw_hw4d4o9v4P2R9njWj1JRjHawcHC-ODV_kPcyqFPzEhTsNfukxgYW4cEhG-EVn6NiK0YvhH2t5TXWl6H8TpzPeQCLxvFQlUYvgA9v_hAs0Wk/s400/IMG_8127.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPv7LPtw42FZ9aUXqCaOnfHj1Oo1gsx_xdiaoE74Q-_EnB9Qz6hKxnkCYal13fOgGDgJN75YwYJszBc2p3ruCSsbnc11xsDcsB3t5aQuOIVui2lxMtYR3oCws_S4Nd2-Na6UhEYlsDeGA/s1600-h/IMG_8126.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399142428337491426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 397px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPv7LPtw42FZ9aUXqCaOnfHj1Oo1gsx_xdiaoE74Q-_EnB9Qz6hKxnkCYal13fOgGDgJN75YwYJszBc2p3ruCSsbnc11xsDcsB3t5aQuOIVui2lxMtYR3oCws_S4Nd2-Na6UhEYlsDeGA/s400/IMG_8126.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggk6hUf7OqF3vAoaAGzPX23Kukb02UXHs4YPrrLiXr1CFVi_201WnivhyyW_ytlDIbihXCavthMRsw0OIkE2AUK-zuLW1KRGj27PrjKxjMrNpTUSix0wvaRRtIORVPxcI7_1H_ikyrDaQ/s1600-h/IMG_8121.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399142425413977346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggk6hUf7OqF3vAoaAGzPX23Kukb02UXHs4YPrrLiXr1CFVi_201WnivhyyW_ytlDIbihXCavthMRsw0OIkE2AUK-zuLW1KRGj27PrjKxjMrNpTUSix0wvaRRtIORVPxcI7_1H_ikyrDaQ/s400/IMG_8121.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyOIAkNfecNC0nmo2qwmzmaX4dljk1NUe2R6JwJ-o3F9miNKXP6i7PT17fpiYG5aaFTG6ocxXcWxjnqfB5IHyD_kv_VtyrYVyZ2nndLxPuWzPspLowmGUM-c5yDP_K9UTW59OMCVYNZM/s1600-h/IMG_8119.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399142422980113090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 388px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyOIAkNfecNC0nmo2qwmzmaX4dljk1NUe2R6JwJ-o3F9miNKXP6i7PT17fpiYG5aaFTG6ocxXcWxjnqfB5IHyD_kv_VtyrYVyZ2nndLxPuWzPspLowmGUM-c5yDP_K9UTW59OMCVYNZM/s400/IMG_8119.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>At least I feel like I can still call myself a scrapper! :)</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1715789644441964077.post-55647586420835621392009-10-28T13:07:00.018+02:002009-10-30T16:40:02.248+02:00I'm the worst blogger ever!!!!!!!<span class="190214912-26102009"><span style="font-family:arial;">I know, I know! I'm the worst blogger ever!!!! I admire the girls who blog almost daily - Like </span><a href="http://thetuckerwolekclan.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;">Julie</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> and </span><a href="http://skruijver.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sharmaine</span></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;">! Hats off to you!</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span class="190214912-26102009"></span><br /><span class="190214912-26102009">I don't even have a good excuse - just the normal - too busy thing! I've typed about 20 posts in my mind in the meantime - to tell you all about my day / week / month, but I never got a chance to actually sit down and post. I'm just <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">soooo</span> tired when I get home in the afternoon - after cooking supper, I don't even have the energy to switch on the PC - let alone - blog! Weekends have been filled with all kinds of other things too!</span><br /><span class="190214912-26102009"></span><br /><span class="190214912-26102009">So many little things have happened since my last post. Nothing major though. Here's a couple things that kept me busy:</span> </span><br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="190214912-26102009">We're planning my mom's 80<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> b-day party. I designed, printed and posted the invitations. This is what it looks like:</span> </span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Front and back:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398395335187616018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbKgA0Yxk3v-JyY3iEKH5CdDAVRqhHj6o7CX6ZtNODnsd66omxeNAPnkx7uQwBHuYKAGTcJpsN7MXBBTbJJnRAk_pWMh2HTx95BhsDSzMRUrgDbb6IgsKiOaZNrBEH4lziFFMw5RdwIA/s400/buiteblad-copy.jpg" border="0" /></span></p><span style="font-family:arial;">Inside:</span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398395328937741074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5y_4uHfSNYKagnzegI_h7aNMBDujtnexAadOAPqRChyphenhyphenimczIPCC1idcQFlRzW_Xzjh8-nxRykPnrlhLazeEtBl0FZk2vHuwRJ2Xt-7XX5UtNNeJHCnIAJ6ngL4Xtv4jNajYp3DXwswI/s400/binnekant-dubble-blaai-copy.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:arial;">On 26 September we held a scrapbook day to raise funds for one of our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">scrapbooking</span> friends who where diagnosed with cancer. We made a Jacob's ladder mini album. In honor of Jackie (our friend) - we called it Jackie's ladder. </span></li></ul><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398395343388973058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gljz9mC4VfU8XHrC6Pju0bB5jMV7AdHhQxZm08gB3a9T7TpCWhORhRoGmc-PX2-Z4Zwcx-_CRmzZTE8KA1InJCPq9D0BiUkzD3BrkvmqJ2t0dWqeLI2rFNSo82tIgBKTx7xqU4GyLKc/s400/IMG_7474.jpg" border="0" /><br /><ul><br /><li></span><span class="190214912-26102009"><span style="font-family:arial;">Been to <a href="http://aardklop-co-za.win27.glodns.net/afr/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Aardklop</span> Arts Festival </a>in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Potchefstroom</span> with my sister on 2 and 3 October. We had a blast! Went to see a show on each of the days and saw a LOT of beautiful arts and crafts. </span></span></li></ul><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398395339022003458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Y22rdUj4-ZwFxxa1_S-HhAgt-v1g8YJCPZL6_2EUBIm0qXqBtmEIFsD0v0kXzhbgRahWNUdglT5AOq361enNR8NQSW3ipFX9GUMrwEDTxzq_m9iTKRaLIOPddGwdBJXL9jUPhhgNeQQ/s400/DSCN4458.jpg" border="0" /> </p><ul><li><span class="190214912-26102009"><span style="font-family:arial;">We participated in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">CANSA</span> Relay 4 Life on 9 October. For those who've never heard of Relay 4 Life - it's an event aimed at fundraising for the Cancer Association where teams have to walk around a track for 12 hours throughout the night. You can read more about it on the <a href="http://www.cansa.org.za/cgi-bin/giga.cgi?cat=772&limit=10&page=0&sort=D&cause_id=1056&cmd=cause_dir_news"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">CANSA</span> website</a>. It turned out to be a lot of fun! It was also very emotional at stages as people who were lost to Cancer were honoured. Lots of tears and laughter! I was totally exhausted by 6 o'clock the next morning - both physically and emotionally! Definitely worth it though! </span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398395346056221602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFU2IEgGz6lW115exqEgFvMp83Zc309R-_48EctTUNyhaBEc9g9rWIDGPF0d-5ZC0iONRPoSyEoNF2DV0oLh-roc98vz9-WY9koIWsOtaslaEr5ZaNbRZXMTy0L1wDRNStTmMRUtjzzp4/s400/IMG_7572.jpg" border="0" /></span> </li></ul><li><span class="190214912-26102009" style="font-family:arial;">Went to my god daughter's baby shower in Pretoria on 17 November. She's a real "airy fairy girl", so we threw a pregnant fairy party for her. Can't wait for little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Leeloo's</span> appearance sometime early December. Would that make me her god-grandmother? Or maybe her fairy godmother? ;o)</span><span class="190214912-26102009"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398397700121392418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7cHZKiaNh5J_zQHskSz1117H__hWMnZpZQczL5Y2qyoZ1iTw8NqobfVjeJbdVqQeGXmgFssy5Lmv6C1ffugQFOf9DiTgzh5evolTsem2lGmKVUmPsv9OfbOFAricrH9IaFvpC_-X4S4/s400/IMG_8019.jpg" border="0" /></span> </li></span><li><span class="190214912-26102009" style="font-family:arial;">Marco got his braces on 24 October - He looks really cute and says it doesn't hurt at all. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398401010861625650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvTjTjR7t1om02nRFdKib8hvP9O-m2BuvCEXHKhCBo3aeU5Uq9mj7ENZQKW2rWnd_TQY88NSqSWTfSB8f6jf5z1_LtFgwYiFXIg5Q2UFMogmpATKfd_5oUdjRBKTF20b-gnN5SXvxUys/s400/IMG_8111.jpg" border="0" /></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="190214912-26102009"></span></span></li><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="190214912-26102009"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Obviously</span> there's also been work - both at work and at home! We had to go shop for more light fittings last weekend. The little village where we live don't really have a lot of variety, so we had to go to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Jo'burg</span> for some shopping. Reminded me again why I will never be able to live there! </span><br /><span class="190214912-26102009"></span><br /><span class="190214912-26102009">They will start building our swimming pool in a week or so. Apparently it will take about 4 weeks to finish which means a big mess on our doorstep for at least a month! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Grrrrr</span> - wish I had a magic wand! Then comes the irrigation and landscaping and ..... Makes me tired just thinking about all the work! BUT I'm looking forward to the end result!</span><br /><span class="190214912-26102009"></span><br /><span class="190214912-26102009">I stumbled upon this wonderful local SA site the other day! I started using their weekly menu immediately and it really made my life so much easier! <a href="http://www.whatsfordinner.co.za/">What's for Dinner!</a> </span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span class="190214912-26102009">Now I don't have to wonder what to cook for dinner anymore - I print out the shopping list for the next week - make sure I have everything in the pantry / fridge and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">wha</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">lah</span> ... no more boring suppers in our house! Most of the meals are quick and easy to prepare and it really helped me to get "out of the box" with my cooking! If you don't like what they have on the menu - you can pick something else from the 100's of other recipes on the site. </span><br /><span class="190214912-26102009"></span><br /><span class="190214912-26102009">I've managed to do some blog reading over the past weeks but not a lot. Will try to catch up sometime.</span> </span></p><span class="190214912-26102009"><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Not making any promises about posting but will really try to be a better blogger! :)</span></span></p><span style="font-family:arial;"></span>~*{ Michelle }*~http://www.blogger.com/profile/04434924606570527496noreply@blogger.com3