How about the night before Christmas!

I love Christmas!

This is Mark with his Christmas Eve pressie (its a Lantz tradition, not a Storer one. Mark is still pleased he is a Lantz!)

The other tradition is Carol's by Candlelight. Loved the opening song, wish I knew its name. Bom bom bom bom.... don't you wish you could hear me hum, will make it easier to figure out the song I'm trying to figure out.

Next is leaving the snack for Santa! This is a little boy who is TORN - is Santa real or not, to be on the safe side... here is the milk and cookies - and a carrot for Rudolf. PS please excuse the lovely table that the snack is on, yes you are correct, its toilet paper! I really need a nice coffee table!

Next is Mark hiding from the camera.

Next is a super excited me! Sorry about the double chin folks, but its me in all of my glory, unfortunately I actually do have a double chin.


I'll post some pics tomorrow showing off our loot!

Twas the week before Christmas

Thought I'd say HI

This is a painting that Jamie and I got for Christmas from his side of the family.
That is the helicopter that the little man got.
That is also his newly painted room.

Hospital.

Interesting night last night. My sleep study.
Arrived at 7.30pm the girl (never got her name) said "Hello, you will be in room 2, here is the decaffinated coffee and breakfast if you want it. Please change into your pj's"

What now? Are you for real.. so in my jammies at about 8pm. I'm not a fan of being *exposed* in semi public.

Then it was my time to be wired up. Sitting in a chair the technician with a measuring tape - she drew on my scalp to get the right position for the electrodes. Once all of the positions were marked she applied some goop then stuck the electrodes. Then a sticker on the middle of my forehead. Some around my eyes and around the mouth.

Sat in the "lounge" got a decaf coffee. Watched the end of Farmer Wants a Wife. When it was over, everyone asked what do you want to watch everyone said they didn't care, so I suggested the Chaser. I won and ended up being the only one in the lounge, everyone else went to bed. BTW there were 6 of us.

Then I went to my room - which ended up being room 6. I sat in the chair and read for a little bit. Then one of the technicians came in and asked what time I went to bed. She wanted to wire me up (MORE???). So I did go to bed. Got some new electrodes on my chest, two bands around my middle and 4 on my legs. THEN she put oxygen prongs up my nose - they are the MOST uncomfortable things in the world. Most of the people who have sleep studies are there for sleep apnoea. I also needed a oxygen saturation "peg" which they taped to my middle finger, here as I write this I still have a sore finger and a slight pressure spot on it. BOOHOO.

I read for a little bit, then decided to attempt to sleep. Managed it alright actually. Had a couple of bouts of restless legs, but not what I have at home. I do toss and turn - which is quite hard when you have HEAPS of wires hanging off of me. Only dislodged one.

About 4.30 there was a HUGE bang where they are demolishing part of the hospital. The bloke came in at 6am, woke me up, disconnected me and sent me on my way!

That is my story of the sleep study. Thanks for listening.

Stressors.

Hey there family and friends who are not on Facebook.

Just to give a small update...

• Had an appointment with my specialist, it was actually quite wonderful. She suggested I de-stress.

• As some of you who actually read this, housework is a problem. I'm getting a cleaner.

• I have an appointment for a "Sleep Study" next Wednesday. It was weird, they didn't have any appointments available until March next year. BUT they did have a cancellation for next week. So this will be my first overnight stay in hospital since I had Mark. I have to get there at 7.30pm have my pj's, towel, toothbrush etc. Then get wired up! Leads will be put on my head and hopefully on my legs to see what happens. Gee wizz I hope there is a telly! Its the Chaser Decides and I need to watch that. Will be a surreal experience.

• I'm quite excited about the election. I know its daggy, but I want to be involved. I wish I had thought of having an election party, but then we might not be able to channel surf and watch the election coverage. Go Kevin07!
  

Finally scrapbooking again.


This is a pic of me from 2000 (ages ago) I was lying on the floor, some very groovy paper - can't remember the brand but I got it from ScrapNeeds. This one is titled "I need Sleep" How cute is that little owl??





This one is obviously Sheena Geary. Had a lot of fun with rubons in this one.
"All is good when you are nearly 2"









This is the canvas that Mark and I painted when he was home sick. Its really bad, but we are not into Halloween in Australia and its the first time I have every done anything like that before. I'm quite happy with the little ghost saying BOO.








This is the first page I have done for Lauren's sister - its a total scraplift of Charmane Otto.
















This one is using Urban Lily paper, very easy but VERY nice.














This was me messing around last night, don't think I like it, but hey its a page.














School Dance "A Night at the Movies"
This is Mark's class dancing to "Walk like an Egyptian", his is the only face you can see in that picture. Also in the other photos, wow that was an accident, I did a point and click at the group he was dancing with - imagine only getting him to keep in line with the child protection laws. It was a good night, weather was very kind, picnic was good (although it was ham and not a roast chicken as requested). Mark is not destined to be a dancer - I know that now!

Fed Up

Not really sure what else to call this post.
Insomnia is playing a major part of my life at the moment. Here I am at 2.11am not even really feeling that tired, just fed up. I have to be up at 5.45 for work as I'm starting at 7am.
I'm not functioning the way a real person should. What am I to do?
Another trip to the doctor, and for what? More drugs.

Other than that, home is good. Family is happy. I'm totally addicted to Facebook and I'm not really even sure why! Truthfully, I haven't seen most of the school people in over 16 years, our similarities are we sat in a classroom all those years ago and read books, learned maths and did science experiments together. Work friends I see most days anyway! Oh well its an excuse not to do anything else.

A super huge positive - Mark got STUDENT OF THE WEEK I'm one proud mama. Its for good bookwork - but to be honest I think it was his turn. This week is the only week all year that the boy did not bring home a school newsletter, how am I supposed to scrap it.

That would mean I was scrapping, which I am not cos I'm playing on Facebook and talking to Kathryn and Ella on Skype! Hmmm, I need to readjust I think.

Sorry for the ramblings of an overtired 34-year-old. That saying is not only for 2 year olds!!!

Overuse of exclamation marks Christy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another little cool cookie.

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Goldie Patrol

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Chocolate Tim Tam

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) C.Lan

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Green Dog

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

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

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink), The Pink Coke Zero

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Arthur James

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite chocolate bar) LuLu Boost

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) Anne Brian

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Bell Boston

12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower). Spring Tulip

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) Raspberry Cargoie

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree), Yogurt Elm

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”),The Scrapbook Storm Tour


Clever!

Making me laugh.

Who does this best? Its my boy.

Yesterday he had his first cricket training. They got heaps of goodies as its "Milo Have A Go" promotion, and Cricket Australia is sure focusing on kids. He got a tshirt, hat, cricket bat and ball, drink bottle, sweat bands, badge. It was like Christmas for the boy. Anyway that isn't what made me laugh.

We stopped at Coles on the way home and bought my cheat dinner (Roast Chook) and going back to the car he said to me "Do you remember when I was a little boy and I thought nipples were called NIBBLES". I nearly wet myself on the spot. #1 a nine year reminiscing about when he was young. #2 why does he recall bizarre things all the time. #3 Yes he did think they were called nibbles and it freaked me out each time he said it which was frighteningly often.

I laughed so hard I snorted, he cracked up too... well I guess you had to be there.

:)

Cool

What do you think?

Did I mention??

What a gorgeous bod my little boy has.

We went to the beach with friends of ours on Sunday, they have a son just a year younger than Mark and he is very much a little boy - and I reckon he has a version of ADHD he is so disagreeable, when I see this kid I know we have no problems with Mark. Anyway I noticed Mel looking at Mark then she said "Wow Mark has a nice... ummm" and I said "Body?" yes she agreed, he has a six pack stomach and isn't too skinny or fat.

Just plain gorgeous I reackon

Just gorgeous

Mark and Sheena in the bath together.
Got out Mark's dolphins from when he was a baby and Sheena loves them.
That is me at the side there supervising the kids.

I'm over it.

What is it exactly???

COUGHING.

I have coughed for almost two weeks and the last 5 days have been horrible. Went to the doc on Sunday morning, who took a throat swab (it was karma getting me back for all of those NG tubes I place) and has given me a few days off work. Got the phone numbers of all of my patients from the clinic and canceled them yesterday. Had a super dooper coughing fit yesterday to the point of throwing up... aren't you glad I shared that tidbit of information.

So today, I have been resting.

Mark started back at school and he's all enthusiastic. Wore his new white shirt uniform and he looks gorgeous. Saw the ladies from OOSH and its nice to see them again.

Jamie had an interview for a job in Melbourne, but unfortunately not this time. Still looking for other jobs.

Must head off and rest some more :)

Home and its hot.

Welcome home to Newcastle. Had a lovely holiday with my mummy, daddy, little sister and Sheena the Punk Rocker.

Nice to see Jamie again, and he was slightly domesticated, did some washing, did some cooking, put the dishwasher on! Wonders never cease.

Today, Mark and I went shopping in the morning, got Jamie some new shorts (gee this is an exciting post) because our 4WD got broken into. Both of our cars had windows smashed in less than a month. But one was at home and the other at the boat ramp, so we don't need to move urgently. Mark got some new uniforms. I got some cupcake tins to foster my obsession - shall be cooking tomorrow, tis to hot today.

Mmmmm

Today my current dream was fulfilled.

I was in cupcake heaven. There is a tiny little shop at the Prahran Market called "Crabapple Bakery" and it only sold cupcakes. I had a dainty one called "Strawberry and Vanilla", Mum had a "Lemon Delight" Dad had "Lumberjack Cupcake" which obviously was a lumberjack cake with coconut icing. Mark had a "Halloween Cupcake" with bright purple icing and a jaffa and other lollies on it.

Well worth the trip and not quite as exxy as I was expecting.

Glenrowan

Day #2 of the holiday started off in the motel, we had a continental breakfast in the dining room (again Mark thought he was a king!). Off on the road again.

We stopped in a town called Glenrowan - the heart of Kelly country. As a rule I'm against the idolisation of Ned Kelly. I don't understand Australia's fascination with a cop killer and bush ranger. To be truthful, I didn't pay much attention at school. I don't know the Kelly side of things - why he turned to bushranging etc. But its a continual fascination. Somewhat like my Law & Order shows on tv which raise up murderers to cult level, the media's love of serial killers and Jack the Ripper, its all on a par. Anyway I have digressed.

During Year 3 in school there is a course on Australian history which includes the bushranging time and the king of the bush rangers is Ned Kelly. Glenrowan was where he lived and the shootout was in Glenrowan, the whole town is a celebration of his life and crimes.

We went to one of the museums and saw lots of "ye olde worlde" artefacts.

Here is another montage of photos of our day (quarter of a day) at Glenrowan.

Holiday Day #1

Mark, Mum, Dad and I left Newcastle on Monday morning after the grandfinal weekend!
We drove all day, traffic in Sydney was very good (thankyou for being a public holiday).
Nothing to report on the trip almost at all... very boring actually.
We spent the night in a motel in Albury, it was very nice, Mark loved it so much. He felt like a king.
This is a tiny montage to dinner out in Albury.

New Skills

Jamie showing Mark the correct way to push a mowe

Going out on his own

The look of satisfied concentration.

Yes you saw it here first, Mark is mowing the lawn! My little bloke is growing up and starting to do "man chores".

We had a very productive Saturday, the room is nearly done (do I sound like a broken record?), the vacuuming for the whole house is done. My bathroom is clean.

Tomorrow I'm going to Lollypops with some girls from work. Very excited about that. Need to get some scrapping done as well.

Happy Birthday to Me

I shall commence this post with a portrait I took of me and Mark today. I wanted to do a family portrait, but Jamie wouldn't play. Yes I agree Mark has big feet!

Today - well now its officially yesterday was my birthday. I'm now the glorious age of 34!
Luckily I don't feel that age, but hey what does feeling 34 feel. I'm still younger than my mum was when she had me! Quite amazing that. So fertility wise I'm not yet on the shelf (no you didn't just hear that Mum). I'm only 4 years into my career and its all going well. Two weeks time I'm on holidays, can't wait for that.

My new year to me resolutions...
Take care of myself.
Not *worry* about my legs so much.
Have some fun (starting by going out with the girls on Sunday)
Prevent dementia by exercising for half an hour 3 times a week.
Think about learning a new language - which one???

The Good, the Bad and the Very Very Annoying.

Good.

Sunny day.
Shortland Festival Day
Gardening.
Hanging out as a family.
Laughing with Mark.
Jamie has made me a customised banner

Bad.

The boat engine won't start.
The house is still a mess.
I think I'm sunburned.

The Very Very Annoying.

The computer room isn't painted yet - but almost.
The banner is a little bit short.

Ooops

I can't believe what I did today.

I left the iron on

Luckily the house is still standing, luckily all the insurances are paid. Luckily I found it now and not in the morning.
I ironed my work shirt at 6.30am and found it still on at 6.15pm. There was a heat emanating from the ironing board.