Razybabe's Refuge

It's getting closer

2011-11-06T18:57:00.000-08:00

Well it seems that Christmas is just around the corner. This year has gone by so fast and a lot has happened. I am pleased to say that the health of my sister has turned a corner and it now looks as if she is on the road to recovery. My dh and I are in fairly good health and keep active most days. Now that the summer is here I am finding it difficult with the heat. I do not like summer one bit. My weeks have been filled up with cardmaking, visiting, knitting and crochet, group meetings shopping and church. We are blest to have the family we have and love them all unconditionally. We may not always agree with them or like the way they act but we will always love them. Mark is not in this photo as he was not there on this day. This is christmas 2010.

I'm back - two days in a row

2011-10-13T15:23:00.001-07:00

Well I said I was going to try and do this each day. So day two is here. I wonder how long I will be able to continue to do this.

The brown recliner is one of three we have just bought for our comfort and boy are they nice.

The cushions I have just finished for my sister. I was able to buy some new cushion from Salvos for $3.00 each and then I crocheted the covers. She was very happy with them.

new blanket

2011-10-12T15:22:00.000-07:00

I was embarrassed when someone commented that my blogspot was boring because it wasn't up to date so I have decided to add some photos here to keep myself up to date. This is a blanket I crocheted for Fathers Day Raffle for my church to raise funds. This is one of about four or five that I have made this year. Hope you enjoy.

Visit to Mount Schoenstatt

2011-10-12T15:10:00.000-07:00

John and I went for a small trip to Mount Schoenstatt, Mulgoa after a trip to Warragamba Dam just down the road a little. I had been here many years ago. The place is just beautiful. The chapel is dedicated to Our Lady. The sisters live on the grounds. There is a museum, shop, conference centre and lovely manicured grounds. If you get a chance to visit its a great place to go.

Tangling my way

2011-06-09T14:39:00.000-07:00

Just recently I have been introduced to a "formal" way of doodling. Its doodling with a purpose called Zentangling. I could be quite addicted to it I am sure. I have done about seven so far but this one I really like and so thought I would share. It's called Flower Vase.

2011-06-07T20:30:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken at Collarenebri when we met up for lunch. My sister Frances, myself and Coral were at the local club. We have all changed heaps since then and lots have happened in our lives. We get along very well and have a lot in common. As we get older we are getting to look a lot like each other to the extent that some of my long time friends have made comments to me about seeing me in different places and I've had to tell them sorry i wasn't there but it could have been my sister.

Cleopatra - R.I.P. 25/04/2011

2011-04-24T21:41:00.000-07:00

Cleopatra, my beloved Siamese, went to cat heaven today. She gave me and my family sixteen wonderful years of love and fun. She was a great "mouser" and loved to play. In the evenings she would cuddle up to Ian and get inside his coats to snuggle. We adored her and will miss her greatly.

2011-04-07T05:37:00.000-07:00

Just a few little flowers I made at the last scrapbooking weekend away. They are made with a variegated crochet cotton. I love the way these turned out and will use them on my scrapbook pages.

2011-04-07T05:36:00.000-07:00

This rug is made with sixteen ten inch crocheted squares and put together with the "no sew" method in black yarn. I have made a nice fancy edge on this one. I love the stark colours.

New crocheted blankets

2011-04-07T05:33:00.001-07:00

The center of this rug is made up of twelve small squares and attached to each other by the "no sew" method. I really like the way this turned out.

2010-12-06T13:54:00.000-08:00

After a very emotional day it culminated in some wonderful photos being taken at Regina's place.

A happy ending to a wonderful day.

2010-12-06T13:49:00.000-08:00

A scrap page recently for LSBS. The photos were taken when John turned 50, twenty years ago now. The page was about a treasure and the photo and family are my treasure. We do not have many photos of the family together and although the pictures are not of great quality they are a treasure to me.

Silk Flowers

2010-09-25T00:15:00.001-07:00

I have been having some fun over the last eight weeks learning how to make a silk flower arrangement. I made 90 little flowers for my hydrangea heads i.e. 30 in each of them, forty petals for two daisies, and 40 leaf forms. The teacher actually made the four large leaves so I didn't get to learn how to do them. The end result is quite nice but I am not happy 100% with it. I love the colours of the arrangement though. At a stretch I may make another one in years to come but not right now. I will put up a photo a little later on.

When we were two little boys

2010-09-13T01:04:00.000-07:00

I was very thrilled with this wall hanging that I worked on this afternoon so thought I would put it up here. Hope you enjoy

tea towels

2010-06-17T02:44:00.000-07:00

Just finished doing an order for 5 tea towels for a friend. Thought I would like to share what they look like.

2010-06-14T06:24:00.000-07:00

This is a set of numbered cards that I made yesterday for the LSBS cyber crop.

2010-06-14T06:19:00.000-07:00

These are photos of Cheeky in her new coat and an old layout of me as a baby.

LSBS Cyber crop

2010-06-14T06:12:00.000-07:00

Just spent a lovely long week end scrapping away with some lovely ladies on Sunday night then at home today. I managed to get all five challenges done and I won a mad game of bingo. So much fun. Some of my layouts I will put here now. Tomorrow some more of the same but a little more relaxed.

Boring days

2010-05-13T16:22:00.000-07:00

Today is going to be one of those days with only ironing to do what do I do with the rest of my day. There really is plenty to do - its just a matter of sitting and doing a lot of it. All the things I have begun but have not finished and these all take heaps of time. So do I do a little of all or none or do I start to do something and when tired put it aside for another day. Ho hum. What to do. I really have no decent photos to scrapbook so maybe I need to go to office works and get some printed. Maybe. Who knows. I will put up a few layouts that I have done recently. That may help the boredom a little.

2010-04-22T17:03:00.000-07:00

Today I finished this layout about the women that attended the Scrap Girls Retreat at Castlereagh in March 2010. We had such a fabulous time and we really are a mad mob so hence the title Scrap Girls Madness. Hope you enjoy

Autumn Cleaning

2010-03-02T16:52:00.000-08:00

Well spring cleaning in autumn is easier to do as its not as hot but it still takes the same amount of time. Heaps of time. All day monday, part of tuesday and part of wednesday just for the kitchen/dinette. Almost done frig cleaned and sorted, cupboards cleaned and sorted, stove - all bar the oven, cleaned, microwave done windows, curtains pictures and clock all done. A few breakages though. One bracket for one curtain and one fixture that holds the light shade up. Off to Bunnings it will be to replace these. At least we know where to go. The only thing left to do is the walls but its not long since a paint job and they all look okay they just need to be washed down. Not to hard a job in the kitchen.

So not much time for anything else the last couple of days. Next will be the lounge room - oh what fun. There is so many extras that really are not needed or wanted that have to go. I just have to convince others of that fact. Wish me luck.

Seasoned Scrapper with LSBS

2010-02-06T01:59:00.000-08:00

Well Seasoned Scrapper has begun with LSBS. The first challenge for summer was to create a journal to put all the challenges in for the four season as well as other challenges throughout the year. I really enjoyed this challenge and have finished it and uploaded into LSBS Gallery.

2010-01-25T02:16:00.000-08:00

A new year has begun on LSBS. We will be doing four seasons of challenges over the four seasons, Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring.

The challenges will be top class and the particpants use the forum to chat and look at scrapbook pages and otp of their fellow participants.

There will be a winner of each season.

I enjoyed the challenges we did last year with 52 Pick Up and now we have The Seasoned Scrapper to bring us new ideas and challenges. Thanks to the great Design Team at Little Scrapbook Shop.

I am really looking forward to the first challenge which will be posted Sunday 31st January, 2010. Look forward to seeing everyone on the site.

Christmas 2009

2009-12-27T15:42:00.000-08:00

Christmas this year was just the best. We really enjoyed the day as a family. We began at Regina's place for breakfast. Her complete family were there for a change, and it was good. We were joined by Cherie, Greg and the kids along with Judy. We enjoyed each others company and generally had a good time eating, drinking and being merry. Thanks to one and all for a great breakfast.

Later on in the afternoon we all converged on Mark's home. Deb and the kids were there as well as Mark and his two girls. Once again we sat down to a lovely dinner, sweets and drinks. The gift opening was something to behold.

Thanks to all for a great day all around. Ian, Dad and I really had a good time.
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2009

2009-12-03T17:59:00.000-08:00

I must say I have enjoyed 2009 with great gusto. Many things have been achieved during this year. My involvement with my ladies parish group has been an inspiration. During the year we have worked hard and had great success with our parish stalls, - all items made and donated by the ladies with a few donations thrown in. I hope they all enjoyed it as much and I did and hope they have a lovely Christmas with family and friends.

I have really enjoyed my srapbooking and card making pals and hope to continue along the same path with the same great people that I did this year. I have done so many things and achieved quite a lot and am proud of my efforts.

I also have had many pleasures with my family and friends at bingo. They are a mad lot but I love them to bits.

I, on the other hand miss the people that are no longer with us but know that this is an inevitable part of life.

Card making

2009-11-09T14:44:00.000-08:00

Have been totally taken in with card making. So another fiddle to my bow. It will never overtake my love for scrapbooking but seeing it is around Christmas time I have been very into making some lovely cards. Who said a person would retire when they reached a certain age. What a joke. I now have more to do with my time than I ever had. I am really enjoying this time of my life and the friends I have around me.

Last week for my birthday I had people phoning and singing happy birthday all day and my bingo mates gave me some lovely prezzies. I am truly blest.

Now I'm off to be with the girls today to do some more card making and some scrapping. Oh the joys of retirement.

Mary Mc Killop Museum

2009-10-14T03:30:00.000-07:00

Today was a most enjoyable day at Mount Street, North Sydney with the company of the ladies of the Quakers Hill Parish. We visited the museum of Blessed Mary Mc Killop, went to Mass and visited her tomb. It was a very special day and all enjoyed the day. We went by train and there was non stop talking there and back. Each time we go out we learn a little more about each other. Friendship is very important in this day and age and this group has it in leaps and bounds. We enjoyed morning tea and lunch at the venue and sauntered through the Greenpoint Shops to and from Mount Street. All in all a very enjoyable day.

Tidying up

2009-09-22T22:06:00.000-07:00

I have to make time to do things that are necessary for everyday life. I seem to get 75% of all chores done then fail on the 25% left. lol. Why is it? Why do people never seem to do what they fully intend to do. Is it laziness or just lack of enthusiasm for the chore ahead. lol. Ironing. I don't mind ironing for others but very seldom have my own up to date. Why? Where is the push I need to allow me to do this very small chore each day.

Sick and Tired but now on the turn.

2009-09-01T00:36:00.000-07:00

Well over the last five days I have been so sick with aches and pains, sore throat, runny nose and headaches. I finally got to the doctor on Monday when he diagnosed a viral infection. No antibiotics for that so antihistamine (Telfast - wow) and Panadol with plenty of vitamin c and fluids. Feel a lot better because the coughing has now decreased so much. Thank goodness I did not have swine 'flu. If I felt that bad with just an infection I'd hate to think how awful the swine 'flu must be. I kept myself busy with sleep, and the computer, especially Facebook - Farm Town. Got all my scrapbooking challenges up to date and cleaned up a little without getting too tired. Hopefully will be all right by the weekend. We have a Fathers Day Raffle to be drawn at church next Sunday so here's hoping I will make it.

Orchestra Magic

2009-08-24T04:37:00.000-07:00

On Saturday evening last, my sisters and I were at the Joan Sutherland Centre in Penrith to witness the Penrith Symphony Orchestra in full flight. I had never been to an event of such quality as an adult and was totally "blown" away by the magic of the night. The atmosphere was electric as we waited to be ushered to our seats and as the lights dimmed I sensed that I was in for a first class performance.

The program was of the highest order and included a world premiere of a work by the Composer Paul Connelly. It was titled 1813:The Crossing of the Blue Mountains and depicted the scene beautifully. One could imagine horses, and bush and explorers as the music wrote the script. It was received with great gusto and was totally deserving of such praise. The second was a Concerto No 3 in D Minor for Piano and Orchestra, Opus 30, of Sergei Rachmaninov and was performed by Roman Rudnytsky. Words could not give credit to this great pianist. He played a full thirty minutes without a break with highs and lows and much gusto. When he received his applause he was very humble and after three sets of applause entered the stage once again and played a small piece for Piano only which only made his performance more magical. It was was inspiring.

The third piece was the symphone No 9 in E Minor, Opus 95 "From the New World" by Antonin Dvorak and was truly a lovely way to end an evening.

I would love to attend again. The next concert that I would like to go to there is Handels " Messiah " and it will be performed in December.

I capped the weekend off by staying with my two sisters overnight. A truly lovely time.

Scrapbooking retreat

2009-08-09T17:41:00.001-07:00

I have just had the most wonderful experience with a group of nutty ladies at a retreat centre at Meroo, New South Wales. There was much frivolity, friendship and love going on all around, including an amazing amount of challenges put up by the design team, and lots of other personal challenges, like staying up until the latest possible time, and scrapping madly to the non stop background music. What a hoot. Made new friends and excited to renew friendships from other retreats over the last few years. Thanks to all those who participated we had a wonderful Ball and I have never laughed as much as we did that night. Laughter is a great medicine. Looking forward to my next retreat already - just have to check the pocket strings a little first. ha.

Excitment

2009-08-01T04:36:00.000-07:00

Having all kinds of fun getting ready for a scrapbooking retreat at Meroo. Have been there before and its such a lovely place. It should be a hoot as there will be events over the three days to keep us going. Scrapbooking challenges and lots of other little incidentals that go along with these great events. Can't wait to get going. Hope the weather stays clear for us all and hope everyone has a good time.

Can't wait

2009-07-22T21:36:00.000-07:00

Can't wait for the scrapbook retreat that I will be attending in early August. There is so much fun to be had at these events. The lead up to this weekend is very exciting also with buying some strange stuff for events that will take place. Hope it is all worth it once again. I can't see it being any different from the others that I have been to. Such a warm lovely bunch of nuts attend these weekends. Can't wait to meet them all especially the ones that are coming from quite a distance.

Hand craft

2009-07-04T19:55:00.000-07:00

Have being doing a whole lot of coathanger knitting lately with lace. We had a stall at church last weekend and I needed to contribute a few things so I knitted some lovely lacy coathangers. I have also been doing the usual scrapbook stuff and generally just been keeping up with the housework etc. Not much excitement around here, although last weekend was our 41st Wedding Anniversary and we did go out for dinner - just the two of us. It was a nice break.

Having a Pyjama day

2009-06-14T05:34:00.000-07:00

Had a big pyjama day today. Just stayed in them all day long. Had plenty of craft to do for a church stall for next Sunday. Made six crocheted face washers today. During the week made seven knitted lace coathanger covers. Still have a few more to do but the more the merrier. Also did some scrapbooking (which I love) and uploaded them this evening. Going to an opening of a building tomorrow with my sister - hope it doesn't rain. Also had a lovely talk on messenger to two nieces and a call in from my grandson. So all in all a busy week and day. This is one of my layouts that I did today.

Cooking

2009-06-03T03:51:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been doing some cooking that is aimed at diabetics since John has been diagnosed with the disease. It has been very interesting and so far everything has been great. The education about what a person can eat is very interesting and has more to do with the non fat diet than the too much sugar diet. We would have been lost without the nurse educators and dietician though. Tonight we had chicken meatballs with spaghetti followed by poached pears and yoghurt. Yum.

Sometimes a winner

2009-05-31T04:05:00.000-07:00

I did a scrapbooking page with this photo on the layout and was awarded a prize for the layout. It was a monochromatic layout and I did it in tones of yellow. I called the Layout the Chinese Gardens, Sydney.

Friday

2009-05-28T17:01:00.000-07:00

Up early today. Just finished most of the housework. Dull day so doing a little surfing. Trying to put my mind to some scrapbooking but can't seem to find exactly what I want.

Out all day

2009-05-27T23:18:00.000-07:00

Been out all day today with appointments for educators in diabetes for John and a Hearing Test for John followed by a lovely little run up to the Bonsai place near Vineyard. Bought a few little curios on the way home at Riverstone and am now in the process of cleaning up this house. Just stopped into the office for a few minutes to see what was happening here. Not much going on today.

2009-05-26T18:12:00.000-07:00

Another photo from our trip to New Zealand. This is of Wellington Harbour looking towards the marina and a college of some sort. It was a very overcast and rainy day but we enjoyed ourselves tremendously.

Friends

2009-05-26T00:23:00.000-07:00

Friends are the best. I had a lovely day in with the girls today - just chatting and lounging around. Its amazing how peaceful times like these can be. Going to bingo tonight and hope to win a big one. You never know!!

2009-05-25T03:17:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken when I went on a day out with the local parish ladies to the Chinese Gardens in Sydney. It is a very beautiful place and full of lots of ideas for gardens. It has a very special bonsai area, rock gardens and lovely shaded walks and pavilions.

Now I need to learn how to put photos and pictures on y page

2009-05-25T03:12:00.000-07:00

I am pretty hopeless at this but I now have to learn how to put pictures and photos here. Well what do you know I did it all on my own. Hope I can do it tomorrow too. lol.

This photo was taken on the cable car in Wellington, New Zealand, when we were there on our holidays.

We had a great time.

Keeping busy

2009-05-25T03:09:00.000-07:00

Been keeping busy with scrapping, church and bingo.