did i do that?

catching up...

If you asked me what I did 3 days ago I would probably stare into space and hum and hah and I couldn't tell you.  All I know is that over the last few days I have taken photos, had an Australia Day BBQ, worked, scrapped, giggled with friends, fiddled with PS, sent 3/4 of my children off to school for another year and did washing that would gobsmack a Chinese laundry.  Yes Siree! Hu Fwung Wot would be suitably impressed with yours truly however, I'll not get into the laundering techniques required for a family of 6 for fear of grossing you out forever.

Thank you for the emails suggesting which macro lens you would recommend.  Most of them were very helpful and I ended up deciding on this...

Here's what I've found:

• Love the pics.
• The clarity is devine.
• It's a heavy lens.
• Don't take macro shots in a breeze because the auto focus will keep seeking until the subject stops moving but by then you'll be frowning and frowning is never good at any age. Moving on...
• It requires skill to take a focused shot without a tripod.
• It takes great portraits.
• Overall it will take some getting used to but I am happy.
• and don't try to take a photo while you're wearing glasses.  It'll make a clunking sound and you'll probably say "oh!"

So I have taken a few pics.  Some of which are barely recognisable and a couple of which have made it to Project 365.  This, however is not one of them.

Ok.  So honestly this wasn't intended for Project 365 but being Australia Day and all and organising a BBQ with the expected company, I got distracted and at the end of the day a tad desperate so, well... here you have it.

Here is Day 17 and also Day 1 of my new lens.

Yes.  They are the elusive peepers that almost had me hopping on a 747 direct to the land of Obama to retrieve them.  Lucky for Obama, I was able to wrestle them from the clutches of a sock drawer.  Now I no longer frown, have headaches or stretch marks.

The kid attached to this is edible.  And he likes it when I get a gnash on.  It's symbiotic.

Kathie also sent me this -

Thanks Kathie!  Kathie is a fellow SM Master 2008 and I believe is one of the most talented scrapbookers Australia has to offer.

I will be lazy and forward this to all of the girls up there in the 'Friends I Stalk' list.  You are all great bloggers even though I see some of you coming and going without comment.  You know who you are! ; )

I do believe there is something else I need to post here but I'm having a perimenopausal moment.  Oh well... at least my ankles aren't swelling.

i'm kinda...

over it.  This steamy weather is taking it out of everyone.  Siestas and vege-ing in front of a DVD inside with the air-conditioning is where we want to be.  Scrapping has taken a back seat on the priority list although I am in the middle of something for Scrapbooks etc.

Speaking of the steamy weather - the deluge SEQ has witnessed in the last couple of days has been welcomed by many.  Especially those on acreages who have a dependence on the weather for household water.  The critters around this place also have a dependence on the water for survival - namely the frogs.  Literally hundreds of the tiny things are clamouring over each other attracted by the lights in the house.  They are stuck to the windows and sneaking in through the smallest little nooks and crannies.  Cute.  Can't help but feel a little sad for the ones you don't discover until morning when they are covered in dust bunnies and mummified...  I also feel bad (just a little) about the amount of dust they pick up.  Frogs/Dust bunnies... I could patent that.

On the upside - this weather is great for hunting these for full-contact sport...

Project 365 Days 14 and 15...

Look at the long string of insect carcasses... this critter's been busy...

And this little critter is just gorgeous.  He looks so much like his Mum.

wheeeee!!! another post!

Ok so you can pick yourselves up off the floor because I've made 3 posts in as many days.  All I can say is this is the calm before the storm because once the kids start back at school my life will become hectic again and the occurrence of a blog postage will be few and far between...

Here are days 12 and 13 of Project 365. 

Part of my Bohemian stash.  Add to this bangles and earrings.  Some were quite expensive but well worth the money.

There's a story behind this stump.  Not long before we moved here (over 3 years ago) the owner was mowing the acreage.  When he'd completed the job and was driving towards the shed to park the mower he heard a really loud CRACK!  and then the huge movement of leaves and an almighty thud.  The tree that once stood where this stump is, had come crashing down where he had been only moments before. 

They don't call these things "Widow Makers" for nothing.  Quite often distant cracks and thuds can be heard in these parts and each and every time I'm hoping that nobody was underneath the falling limb or tree.

Anyway, against the odds, this tree is battling to stay alive.  Perhaps it's the sauna-like conditions at the moment that are encouraging growth.  Brad only cut the sucklings off this a few weeks ago...

Here is a sneak peek of a layout I've done for  Aussie Scrapjack.  I like doing this sort of thing because I get to use my humongous stash.  Everything else I create is all about the product and therefore there are limits.  I can use anything here... heh heh...

Well, I placed post-its on rear-vision mirrors, under pillows, inside shoes and even on top of the toaster to ensure any subtle or not-so-subtle hint might get through... DH turns to me today and tells me to go order the lens.   OK... so he is financing my new lens but it's up to me to arrange the acquisition.  I'm good with that.  I'm ok.  Happy birthday to meeeeeeee!  Watch this space...

i have some layouts to share...

...but I have absolutely no idea what I've done or where they are! 

A very dear friend sent me this the other day thinking that I could relate to it.  I have no idea WHERE she came up with that idea!  Bev! Bev!!! If you're listening, it's our song! =D

Forgetter Be Forgotten

My forgetter's getting better,
But my rememberer is broke
To you that may seem funny
But, to me, that is no joke

For when I'm 'here' I'm wondering
If I really should be 'there'
And, when I try to think it through,
I haven't got a prayer!

Oft times I walk into a room,
Say 'what am I here for?'
I wrack my brain, but all in vain!
A zero, is my score.

At times I put something away
Where it is safe, but, Gee!
The person it is safest from
Is, generally, me!

When shopping I may see someone,
Say 'Hi' and have a chat,
Then, when the person walks away
I ask myself, 'who the hell was that?'

Yes, my forgetter's getting better
While my rememberer is broke,
And it's driving me plumb crazy
And that isn't any joke.

Anyway, never a truer word has been spoken regarding my....    Now where was I?

Oh Yes!  Layouts.  I think these are reveal-able.

January's Product Pick at Scrapbooks etc.

and this was a double paged Sketched! for January at Scrapbooks etc.

I used this same paper line for my Eddies layout.  Although it's not patterned paper that I would normally glean inspiration from, I really like the line.

I have been busy with a couple of scrapping commitments but I'm not allowed to show you.

Here is yesterday's contribution to Project 365.

Taken with my camera at knee level and pointing up.  It is a windmill fashioned from a pump.  It's sole purpose is to tell us in which direction the wind is blowing.  Simply FASCINATING piece of technology.  I know you're all glued to your seats!  It's all nice and rusty and squeaky and very interesting to photograph.

Without it we could have the neighbours abusing us because it effectively tells us when it's a good time to light a bonfire.

SO!!! The birthday hint/instruction has been dropped.  The website address has been plonked into his lap.  Explicit instructions as to which lens he should get.  Now all I have to do is look surprised!

you do what ya gotta do...

I'm still plodding along with Project 365.  My limited photographic creativeness now has me blaming my tools.  Yes. I've come to the conclusion that I NEED a couple of new lenses because the 6 that I have in my stash just don't cut it any more.  They're great for portraits... and other stuff (?) but I just NEED more.  Like a macro lens.  That would be good.  And I want a good zoom lens and... and... and...

Once upon a time we had a functioning aquarium.  It was pretty, full of tropical fish and at times better than TV to watch.  After approximately 3 years I decommissioned it as we had a water shortage.  The fortnightly 1/4 tank water change was taking it's toll so I just kind of let it go.  One by one the fish disappeared.  No bodies. The tank just kind of swallowed them up.  Except for this one.  Or rather one of these ones...

It's an Upside Down Catfish.  Ugly creatures. They like to swim upside down and hide in dark places. Zane and his girlfriend decided to buy me one for my birthday a few years ago as a joke.  They named him "Fugly" for obvious reasons.

Fugly has weathered the comings and goings of many a fish in the time that we have had him. More than once we have thought he has met his demise because we don't see him for weeks and then all of a sudden as soon as food has been dropped into the tank, out he skitters in all his fugliness.  Weird. Eventually it had been months since he was last sighted.

So when I decommissioned the tank and pulled the plugs to the pump and heater I didn't expect Fugly to come skittering out from his hidey hole a couple of weeks later.

Ever since I began Project 365 I have been on a quest to capture this little critter in my lens.  Elusive is our Fugly but I just KNOW that once I get that macro lens he'll just want to come out to have his photo taken.  Upside Down Catfish are renowned for that.

About 3 seconds before I hopped into bed last night I remembered that I had to take a photo.

I'm calling it 'Patterns' because I totally planned this photo and went to great lengths in search of something  representative of 'Patterns'.

I did.
Really. 

breathe 2, 3, 4...

Today I drove past the church in which Brad and I exchanged vows.  The billboard said "Patience is a Virtue" and something else that made a play on the words weight/wait all of which I can't remember because I'm peri-menopausal, you know.  Stay with me here...

After the Christmas deluge in which iPods were the order of the day, everything from movies to Abba to ACDC to Chris Brown to Andrea Bocelli (I know. Go figure) have entered this household via our Broadband account and what do you know...

Warp speed went  PPPPPP-O-O-O-O-O-FFFFF!!!!!!!

Well OK.  I tried to make that event more entertaining  than it really was.  Truth be known there was a long list of expletives uttered in 3 different locations around the house.  So one is exercising one's virtue of patience.  The good thing is we will be back to warp speed in a couple of days so we've done fairly well considering.

If you're wondering whether I'm keeping up with Project 365, a couple of days ago I made a dedicated side bar link strictly for your convenience on keeping up with my excuses for photographs.  It takes the pressure off me to create a new post and lets face it, y'all have better things to do than check my blog daily.

I believe the whole Project 365 is a great idea for improving one's photography.  If you commit yourself to taking a photo a day for 365 days it will force you to view the things we take for granted in a different perspective thus developing ones photographic creativity.  Me? Today out of desperation for a subject I managed to end up with a motorbike and a husband while sitting on a dusty, greasy floor in a shed.  Nice.

It's not even in good focus but it was getting dark and this woman has an aversion to boy places so I was in a hurry to get out of there...  Love that 50mm f/1.4 lens.  It lights up even the darkest of places.

Speaking of lenses.  Can anyone recommend a Canon Macro lens? I'm in the market and any suggestions will be gratefully received.   Project 365 needs one.  I need one.  You need one.  Pout. 

Hit me widdit.

day 2 and awwwwwls wayellllll!

I slept in, finished a layout, inspected the 'work in progress' that would be a new tree house for the kids.  Yes. Husband is constructing a tree house!  Intriguing to watch to say the least considering that he is into swimming pools and motor bikes.  I feel like I'm giving birth to livestock... I hardly think Kendra would have had the same birthing experiences as me when her husband decided to build her this to live in.  Still, I'm being positive. Oh my wordy Lordy YES! I'm being positive!  AND I'm not down there supervising!  And that is saying something because I'm really good at that. 

Here's some of the progress...

"...Woh! Ok Dad!..."

So the floor is on and we had a picnic up there for lunch.  I had to take a pic of my sub... BECAUSE  I'M A SCRAPBOOKER! 

Girlfriend is the project manager at the moment.  She has been spending time with her Dad --which she NEVER does which is also kind of nice because she is usually stuck to my hip like an extra leg.  She came to me last night asking if we could go shopping for carpet today. Haaaa!  So I nodded and said "Nah!"  We have a rolled up rug somewhere which will do quite nicely.  She is already picking out furniture around the house and has marked the spot for a pot plant!  So cute.  Lord help the boys if they trash her new digs!

Here are a couple of sneaks for February at Scrapbooks etc. 

This here is for my class - Dimensional Pop.  Book now as places are limited.

This one here is my contribution for Product Pick for February.

And lastly...  Here is the photo for Day 2 of Project 365.

speaking of inspiration...

We went to see Yes Man a couple of days ago.  Generally, I'm not a Jim Carey fan but there were some  hilarious scenes in the movie.  Particularly the fight scene and the 'thank you' scene.  When you see the movie yourselves you'll know what I mean by "Thank you".  I tried very hard to distract the kids...

ANYWAY, apart from being funny, everything he said "Yes" to rewarded him in so many more ways than he initially thought.  It's a feel good movie. 

Which leads me to this.  I've thought hard about not making resolutions.  I even undertook not to make any because it will set me up for failure.  It's usually the weight thing.  I will wait until the kids go back to school and then hit the gym and diet etc. until Easter and then it all goes to seed.  Always failure.  What is my problem?  In 2008 I gained so much weight and as a result, I felt that nasty cloud of negativity loom over my head.   This cloud has affected my outlook on everything and I took it everywhere I went.  I don't have time for this, I can't be bothered doing that, I won't try that because it's just a waste of time and just who do they think they are?  Boo hoo! Go eat something and while you're at it, sit down.  Even my sense of humour has been overshadowed with sarcasm which is never a good thing.

So, it is with great commitment that I say "I resolve to be more positive."

I resolve to think in a positive context.  I resolve to openly acknowledge the good in people instead of privately dwelling on the bad. I can make the time to spend with my family and complete scrapping commitments.  The entire family will benefit from the effects of great food and healthy bodies!  They can even join me on weekly bush walks and photography excursions.  Yeah! Awesome!  I figure if I am more positive I will see the bright side and the bright side will shine on me accordingly.

If they have to carry me out of the gym on a stretcher I've probably had a great time getting there!  Yay!

Now I am going to start Project 365.  That is take a photo a day for 365 days.  Everyone is doing it! I can do it! (Picture an apprehensive grin from ear to ear.)    And if everyone else can find the time to do it then I CAN TOO! 

Now I'm going to take a photo...

 
Can you feel the love? =D  I'm feel'n the love.

inspiration...

for my Masters submission for the 2009 calendar was gained from this circle journal produced over 15 months ago... 

After 15 long months it still hasn't returned and I know that at least 4 members of the group of thirteen have yet to contribute.

So, if you have it can you pretty PLEASE send it back?

These are another source of inspiration.  Aren't I lucky that they haven't started running from the camera?!?  I didn't manage to get a good photo of Tyler within the 5 minutes that these were taken but these ones will do...  did someone tell these kids not to smile?  I think I said it once about a year ago.  Now they're all working it...

I'm still fudging my way through CS4 and learning something new every day.  And yesterday the lesson for the day was CALIBRATION.  From camera to Photoshop to printer/internet.  So, after  venturing into screens and options I never even knew existed and downloading drivers etc.  my printer is not working so I guess it's more study time for me.

I believe I may have lost my reading peepers somewhere between US, Canada and Australia.  If you happen to spy them, please let me know so I can come and pick them up.  I can't afford to have my face screwed up in a permanent squint.  Especially now. At my age. Nuff said. Thank you.

i scrapped!

Ok so I have a sneak to share.  I also have a couple of layouts that I did seeing as the weather cooled a smidgen and I was able to go back to my scrapdom where I found  a nice little stream of mojo flowing.  Alas!!!! It's too hot again today and I'm hiding in my puter which is still in the air conditioned comfort of the main house.  I caught up on blogs and surfed the web, bought a new puter for the business and played a little with CS4...

Go see the jacks for January at Aussie Scrapjack!  There's some inspiring talent there.  Here's my jack...

Notice I used the papers from 7Gypsies that the super-talented designer extraordinaire Donna designed!?!?!

Scrapbooks etc also have these Autumn leaves papers and embellishments.  I just HAD to have some.  Love the felt embellishments.  So I just HAD to do a layout of Lochie.  Gorgeous muchkin...

And what would a post be without a teaser? 

Find the full version at Scrapbooks etc in the Sketched! class for January.

Well, that's all from me for the next couple of days.  Have a good one!