So sad today

Today we went to a funeral for twin girls who were stillborn last week - so, so sad. I really felt for Jo and Mike as, after the initial shock wore off, they were so looking forward to their twin babies. I did cry in the Service and then cried more when I realised that there were probably no photos either. Please spare some thoughts, prayers and some cyber hugs for Jo and Mike.

If you're a scrapbooker .....

How did you get in to scrapping? In late 2002,I was invited to join a local group of ladies who were "scrapbooking". I'd never heard of it so went along to see. Even though they were the most unfriendly group of people I've ever met, I was hooked! I even got some paintbrushes and paint and my husband couldn't believe his eyes. I continued going to that group for a few months and discovered KiwiScraps and other mucher nicer scrappers. In September 2003 what was to become "Paper, Scissors Crop" was born and we are still going strong. In May of the following year, I ran my first ScrapCamp.

Why do I scrap? Because I love it! I love the friendships I have formed, I love that even uncreative me can be a little bit creative, I love telling the stories so one day my boys will remember better than I can remember my own childhood. I love going out once a month to have some "me" time.

Leave me a message and tell me your story

Yesterday

The boys won their first soccer match this season! They were all so pleased with themselves not to mention the coach! It was a great soccer game; the teams were evenly matched and the other ref was fair to all of them. Ross got Player of the Day so he was very happy

Adrian went to a Lion's Convention all day and I went scrapping. KiwiScraps is working out well as a venue - it was nice and warm there and it's well set up for paper crafters - it's a most enjoyable venue. I had a great day scrapping - it's so nice to get out once a month and do my hobby.

More things that irritate me

People who don't know how to navigate a round-about properly
People who mistreat their children
People who mistreat their animals
People who don't have any manners
Teenagers who won't try
Coaches who think that 12th Grade B division soccer should be treated like Chatham Cup soccer - as long as the kids are having fun, learning the game and learning team spirit and fairness let's not go overboard about it


And I'll keep adding other things that irritate me and thankfully I can say all of this because I live in New Zealand where there is still freedom of speech

And I'm quite sure that I irritate other people because I'm not tidy and my garden is a mess and....and .....and ... and they can say that too because they're also entitled to freedom of speech

My friend Nik

Is making Scrappyware - wonderful aprons and superb little things called scrapper's bags - they are weighted down and hang on the side of your scrapping table to keep your tools and rubbish. Now,I just need to get my act together and order one! You can get one here

It irritates me!!

When people can't write English properly!

I read that an NZ girl got a job as the Stationary Buyer. Was she never taught that stationery has envelopes in it? And that personel has employees? And that I go to practice (noun) and do the practise (verb)? And that principal is the alpha male/female?

Not to mention their, there, they're:
That is their house
There is my car
They're going on holiday next week

And then there's your and you're: you're is an abbreviation for you are and your is a possesive determiner
This is your house
You're going to go inside it

And don't get me started on the abuse of apostrophes!

Just needed to say that!

Thanks Lynda - edited to add: "youse" as in plural of "you".
The plural of "you" is "you".
"Youse" sounds like "use" or "ewes"

Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day.
Mother:1. a female parent.

2. (often initial capital letter) one's female parent.

3. a mother-in-law, stepmother, or adoptive mother.

4. a term of address for a female parent or a woman having or regarded as having the status, function, or authority of a female parent.

5. a term of familiar address for an old or elderly woman.

6. mother superior.

7. a woman exercising control, influence, or authority like that of a mother: to be a mother to someone.

8. the qualities characteristic of a mother, as maternal affection: It is the mother in her showing itself.

9. something or someone that gives rise to or exercises protecting care over something else; origin or source.

10. (in disc recording) a mold from which stampers are made.–adjective

11. being a mother: a mother bird.

12. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a mother: mother love.

13. derived from or as if from one's mother; native: his mother culture.

14. bearing a relation like that of a mother, as in being the origin, source, or protector: the mother company and its affiliates; the mother computer and its network of terminals.–verb (used with object)

15. to be the mother of; give origin or rise to.

16. to acknowledge oneself the author of; assume as one's own.

17. to care for or protect like a mother; act maternally toward.–verb (used without object)

18. to perform the tasks or duties of a female parent; act maternally: a woman with a need to mother.—Idiom

and for all the mums/moms/moeders who visit me here....

for all the women who are mothers,
and have mothers.
and those that dont.

for all the women who carried a child for a time in their wombs, whether that time be a few days, weeks or many months.

for all the women who wanted with all their hearts to carry a child, and never got that wish.

for all the women who have loved unconditionally a child of their womb.

for all the women who have loved unconditionally a child of another woman's womb.

for all the women who gave up the child they carried for a better life for that child.

for all the women who have lost a child, and think about them still.

for all the women who care, and love, and mother their neices, nephews, godchildren, friend's children as if they were their own.

for all the women who had the best mothers.
and for all the women who didnt.

for all the women who lived up to all their mothers wished for them.
and for all the women who live good and happy lives inspite of not having those wishes wished

for them.

for all the women who looked at their new born babies, and were amazed that they themselves MADE this child.

and for all the mothers who look at their 15 year olds, and wonder where they came from.

For the mothers of boys,
and the mothers of girls.

for those mothers who are awake at 2.30am, holding a crying baby who will not settle, tears rolling down their cheeks as they wish and pray for the sun to come up , so they know they have both survived another night.

for those who dont survive.

for all the women who do it by themselves, without support.
and for all those women ( and men!) who choose to support another.

for all those women who know the feeling of full and leaden breasts, that leak at the sound of a baby's cry, even if their baby is in another suburb.
for all those women who bottlefed.
and for those women who still feel their breast tingle when a baby cries, even though their "babies" are now in high school.

for all those women who look back and remember, s/he would have been 21 today.
and for all those women who make a rousing and full hearted 21st brithday speech for their kids.

for those women who work. at home and in the work force.

for all those women who try their best.

For those women who are mothers, but never see their children.
and for those mothers who tuck their kids in each and every night.

for all the mothers who fight with all that they have, and all that they are, to be there for and with their family.
and those who lose the battle.

For all the mothers who will receive lavish gifts, and get taken out for breakfast.
for those that receive luke warm tea, and burnt toast.
and for those who are not remembered as they should be.

For those mothers whose every breath is focused on finding food, safety and shelter for her children and herself.
and for those who will ( thankfully) never know that terror.

For all those mothers who are horrifed by the last tattoo, piercing or haircut.
and for those who horrify their kids with same.

For all those mothers just beginning their journey...
and all those who know that journey never ends...

for every woman who has ever given of herself for the betterment of a child's life, who has given praise, or time, a hug, a kiss, or a pat on the back. For any woman who has been a confidant, a keeper of trust, a cheerleader, a warrior, a mother.....

I raise my glass to you.I thank you for the investment you have made in the mothers ( and fathers) of tomorrow.You do the hardest, and lowest paying, and greatest rewarding job in the world.You have my undying admiration....my applause...and my thanks.
Happy Mother's Day.

with many thanks to my friend Ngaire Bartlam who wrote these words

Dancing with the Stars

My mom and I arrived at Avalon studios at 7.30pm and were given a group number. We were called in in groups and our names were on our chairs.Phil (from Lotto) did a bit of a warm up just after 8pm and then there was time for a practice opening. Before we knew it, the programme was going out live to new Zealand. What a wonderful night! If you think the costumes are beautiful on TV they are spectacular IRL - they shimmer and sparkle. It's also great being able to watch the dancers completely and not just what the camera person wants you to watch. We had no option but to bop along cheer, jeer and have fun. The dancers are wonderful and seem to be having such fun. I called Greer Robson at one point and she turned and looked at me - I gave her a thumbs up sign. Brendan Cole and Candy Lane (NZ and international dance champions) gave a demonstration dance that was so beautiful it looked like one person dancing. At the end of the evening, Greer hugged me and thanked me for supporting her.

I could hardly sleep when I got home as I was so hyped up still from the evening so I went surfing the net (as you do) and discoverd at Scrapbook Outlet I had won May's kit and both add-ons! What an exciting night! I have RAK'd some of it to Yvette for being such a great PI too.

We weren't supposed to take cameras to DWTS so I didn't but I noticed that other people had them Anyway, a lady at TV One has kindlysent me some but I have promised that I will only print them for a scrapbook page so I can't show them here. Maybe I'll do the l/o next weekend and then I can show you

Monthly cropping group

Our cropping group has been getting together eleven times a year (not in December) for the last nearly four years. Firstly in Tawa in the community centre but we outgrew that so we moved to the Catholic Church in Newlands. They put the rent up by 40% so we moved again; this time to KiwiScraps where we had a wonderful day!

I did this l/o about the Ice Bar in Queenstown using some pale blue Bazzill Bling that I got in my Double Take kit from Scrapbook Outlet .I also used some Heidi Swapp ghost letters that we got in 2005 when HS came to New Zealand, added a bit of blue ink and kindy glitz and some metal snow drops and I think it looks rather "icy"!

I won tickets to Dancing with the Stars live show tomorrow night so I'm taking my Mom with me - should be fun!