Lisa's yr 12 formal..

Lisa had her Yr 12 graduation and formal just a couple of weeks ago.. My how time has flown. She has grown up so much..

She was so excited preparing for her formal.. what dress to pick, jewellery and shoes.. especially shoes, she definately has a thing for them!  I have to say, she looked beautiful, not that I'm biased or anything ya know.

These pics were taken at a local park..

She wanted a picture of the back of her dress so I made them do a 'pose'

and here's Ryan and James. Ryan will be turning 21 on the 20th, just a few more days. He'll be having some mates and cousins over so I will be a little busy with that too!

She's just applied to TAFE to do a Children's Services course, that is she wants work in a preschool or daycare centre. She tried it for work placement at school once and she loved it. I can really see her in that line of work. She has such a lovely temperament with little children. She hopes to then, later on, go to uni and become a primary school teacher. Looking at my children now, I think where have the years gone? They grow up so quickly these days. They really are my pride and joy.. take care, Maryann

Back to school.. and a lovely surprise!

Well today James, my youngest, starts highschool. So I thought I'd take some quick snaps of him with Lisa who is in year 12 now. Sort of brought back memories of his first day at kindy, I was a bit emotional as you know your last baby is growing up too now!
It was a bit hard trying to get a decent photo of them though....!

Finally a decent one of James

It feels a bit too quiet here now ... yay!! I think I'll make myself a cuppa and just enjoy the silence..

For a while now I have been on the look out for a full length mirror for my bedroom so when hubby turned up with this mirror out of the blue I was so surprised. Apparently one of his work mates' wife had this in her bathroom, but because her house is modern she gave it to me as she knows what my house is like. I only ever see her at Fred's work xmas parties, so how nice was that of her!  thanks Sue! I love it!

Ok better go and do something productive..... ! take care, Maryann

So much has happened..

So much has happened since my last post I don't know where to start really, but I think I will start with what's most important! Well today is my eldest son's, my first born as I like to refer to him, 20th birthday. Here are some pics of him when he was only about 2 yrs old! His hair was so blonde and curly.

We are at the beach here and my brother decided to 'peg' him. I wonder if I could get to him to pose like this now?????

Ryan and me back then.

But this would have to be typical Ryan  growing up, (about 10 here) always pulling funny faces when the camera came out!

Ryan is in the middle at the back and my youngest son James as at the front looking away. The other 2 handsome boys are my nephews. This was taken about 3 yrs ago.

Ryan (now) is in the middle with the black shirt. Happy birthday son, seems like only yesterday I was wiping your bottom! lol!!

Ok, well, I can't believe I won Shannon's giveaway from 'Paint mine Pink'. I was so excited I can't tell you as I NEVER WIN ANYTHING!!!!  I am so looking forward to getting the gorgeous cupcakes she makes. I can't thank you enough Sam for drawing my ticket! yay! I am thinking of having my own giveaway before xmas so stay tuned.

My house extensions are nearly finished The builder has done his bit and the electrician was here yesterday. I am in the process of getting quotes for plastering so I am hoping they are reasonable otherwise it could be a job for me and hubby. Here are some pics.

The back. note new window on the side that was originally in the front in one of the bedrooms.

It still looks like I've plonked a second house infront of the first. I'm hoping once I've done the gardens and it's all painted one colour it will look better. The house looks so much nicer from the sides. I'm still very happy though as it has made such a difference to the inside. It looks so more spacious and open now. This picture is of the corner where I used to have my china cabinet and arm chair and lamp in the corner. That window used to let in so much sunlight. I will definately miss it, but it has to go.

I was so excited here, finally I can see what the house will look like and what effect the opening will make.

Well James just had to make an appearance, so much like Ryan! Now I can see my front door from inside!! Yay!!

My hallway from the new opening.

I will have french doors leading into my lounge room and it has  a cathedral ceiling. I wish my house had high ceilings but atleast I have one room now with a high ceiling that will accomodate my chandelier. If I can't have the whole cake atleast I can have a slice I always say! Those french doors lead to the back. Not that they will be used much. Thought I'd give you a sneak peak of my fireplace surround. This has been in storage for atleast 4 years and couldn't wait to see it again.

Also since my last post I went through a very scary ordeal. About a week ago late in the evening I was feeling very tired, which is nothing unusual these days. I decided I had better go have my shower and go to bed.  Well, while I was showering I started to feel dizzy and thought ok..., this will get better soon.... but instead of getting better it got worse and I felt I was like on a merry go round that didn't want to stop and the room was literally spinning in front of my eyes to the point I had to get down on my knees and call Fred. Well, he dragged me out of the bathroom onto the bed where I collapsed but I was still conscious and every movement made me sick and dizzy.  I didn't want to move or talk and I was breathing very heavy. I was like a rag doll basically. I was so scared I told Fred to call an ambulance whcih was an effort in itself.

Well to cut a long story short I ended up in hospital that night on a drip. They gave me a couple of injections for the dizziness, which didn't work and then they gave me something, don't ask me what, which I heard them say to Fred was something they give to cancer patients and was alot stronger. Throughout this whole ordeal I was also bringing up. (sorry about that).  I tell you I have never been so scared and prayed to God to get me through this. What the heck was happening to me?   About 7 am the next morning I could open my eyes without the room spinning. They said there was a bug going around and that I would be dizzy for a few days. They were right. Now is it just me or am I the only one that freezes in hospital? The only other times I have had to go to hospital is when I had my kids and even then I remember how cold I would be. I am feeling much better now, but I never want to go through that again.

   Take care of yourselves ladies, Maryann

kids!!

All this week my daughter Lisa had work placement as part of her hospitality subject at school. She was doing it at a local retirement home and her job was the kitchen side of it ofcourse, peeling vegies, washing up etc. Today at dinner she was telling me and hubby how a lot of them have dementia and some of the happenings there. For example one elderly gentleman every day goes up to the manager and asks her for his key to his door when it's always hanging on a string around his neck. We were feeling quite sorry and compassionate about it all.
Anyway she has decided that hospitality is not her thing and says " well if there's one thing I've learnt from this is that there is no way I will let you end up in a retirement home!" Fred and I both looked at her in amazement and with such pride!
Fred says " so, does that mean you'll look after us?" "No.. James will" she replied. Kids!!!Gotta love'em.

ps James is my youngest (11 yr old)