So tired

Today we had another garage sale - this time to try to get rid of all my Dad's tools and other assorted treasures. Neither my Mom or I could believe how much he had - some of it brand new in the packets that he'd never opened. Amazing what some "shoppers" do: four early on the morning wanted lots of stuff for next-to-nothing. I wasn't going to let that happen. They picked up a torch, dropped it on the concrete and of course it broke. They put it back on the table! I told them that in the real world people pay for what they damage and that would be $5. They didn't buy anything but I did get my $5 from them! Another man was so great - he wanted lots of stuff and made really reasonable offers for it all. Most people are honest and will offer a fair price. So we did well - I was pleased but we have another whole garage sale worth of stuff to go!

I am tired to my bones - I'm so tired of being everything to everyone at the moment and no time left for me. I go to school, come home cook, go to bed, can't sleep and then it all starts again. "Please will you"; "Can you take me"; "Can you do"; Can you phone" is all I seem to hear at the moment. There is not enough time during the weekend to do the laundry, the groceries and everything else as well as just have a rest. Actually I need to stop now because I'm making myself sad! I really admire single parents.

On a sad note, I had to take my mom and her cat to the vet on Tuesday and the cat was put to sleep. My mom is really sad about that.

Queen's Birthday weekend

I know I said no more challenges, but sometimes I will do them. No more where the "best" is chosen unless it's a specific competition with big prizes etc. If shops/forums want people to take part, then they should accept that "winner by lucky draw" is the way to get people contributing. Scrappers want to know that it is a level playing in which they are competing.

One such shop that usually has "winner by draw" is Scrappin Patch and they have a great scrappy long weekend planned. Go along here to see what's happening .... and take part!

Scrapping yesterday

Yesterday I went scrapping - haven't been for two months and yesterday I didn't have to consider anyone except myself! It was fantastic - for eight hours I didn't need to check on anyone, take anyone, show anyone, phone anyone - just look after me and do what I wanted to do. I didn't realise how much I had been giving everyone else until yesterday. And the world kept on turning (lol given that an idiot in the US was predicting the end of the world!)

This is from two fundraising events I was involved in for the Christchurch Earthquake appeal, Again, I have done more journalling on the back. Hopefully this will count for the ScrapBox c/s only competition .... although why I'm entering I don't know - they only choose "the best" and "the best" I am not; however, it's MY photos with MY stories that I'm telling

This photo is of Ross and Colin before we left SA taken at a play park of which I've forgotten the name.

Then the two annual "school photos and reports" l/o - the pockets came from Scrappin Patch and while I thought they were too brown, I'm not unhappy with them. The photos are blurred and I' ve tried to get rid of any names for privacy reasons

Today I have five loads of washing on the line (I hope the sun shines all day) and then I have to go and help my mom get sorted for a garage sale we're planning on having next week.

I am feeling happier and my husband wants us to do some counselling sessions through the Family Courts. Thank you to all of you who have written messages of love and hope here, sent me emails or messages on FB, sent me flowers, prayed for me and given me hope - I love all of you. Not sure what the outcome will be, but at least I can start thinking of a future now.

Up and Down

That's me - I've been up and down over the last couple of weeks. Doesn't help that we've had to write reports at school and proofread someone else's. With no extra time - just do it in your spare time. Lots of "cut-and-paste" went on.

Today a piece of stone arrived to fill the gap next to my stove - the gap has been there for two years! I must say that it looks very nice and so I decided to polish the stove quickly to match the new piece of stone. The extra piece of stone is on the right and I'm amazed at the reflection I'm getting

Buddy, the rainbow lorikeet arrived just after we got back from China but we have decided to give him back. He is a lot of work and needs lots of attention and we just can't do that for him right now.

Today I feel as though I've been in a washing machine - soaked, spun around and wrung put.

Next week Ross resits his restricted driver's license test - I hope he gets it this time!

An early night and hopefully I will sleep well

For today

I will turn my face to the sun so the shadows will fall behind me

Things will get better and I will cope with what's going on