Where Do I Start!!!!!!

Hi all, sorry it has been a while but so much has been happening here! Ok where do I start? Ok first my dad....

I got a phone call a couple of weeks ago from my mum, and I knew right away something was wrong. She told me dad had been taken to hospital the night before, he had been vomiting blood and collapsed in bed. I can't tell you how that made me feel!!!! She said they were doing tests and she would let me know as soon as they knew anything. Of course I have all these cancer thoughts and "oh god what if he dies" He still hasn't met my husband or our daughter!!!! And I haven't seen him in nearly 4 years!!! I was a mess the whole day, until David and his dad, Ray said to me don't panic until you know for sure what is going on. I think the waiting was the hardest thing. Finally got a message from dad himself on the Wednesday (he went into hospital Sunday morning), he was home and had two peptic ulcers. Needless to say I cried with relief! Dad and I have had a few ups and downs in our relationship, but I love him so very much and the thought of him not being there is hard to think about, but I think this has made us all realise he is nearly 80 and his health is not to good, we should all make the most of him while he is here. I love you dad xxx

I better introduce you all to the newest member of the Spinks clan....

Summer Rose Spinks

David's brother, Andrew and his partner Ashley had their baby, FINALLY, 8 days past due date on 30 MAy 2009 at 12.02am, Grandad Ray's birthday. They thought they were having a boy, just a feeling they had, but turns out they were wrong, another girl!!! Out og 10 grand kids there are now 3 boys and 8 girls!!!!

And lastly, I finally finished Samantha's blanket, my first major crochet project.....

I am so very proud of it and it looks great in her room. What to make next, mmmmmm??????

3rd Miracle

Yes that's right a 3rd miracle has occurred!!!! I have finally taught myself to crochet!!!!! After years of my sister, Diane, (who is an amazing crocheter and knitter) telling me "to give it a try" and "it's not as hard as it looks", I brought a little book on how to crochet, a hook and some wool and well..... I CAN CROCHET!!!!!

This is my first square....

Then I got hooked (ha ha) and have decided to make Samantha a blanket for her bed...

Then I decided to give a hat a try and this is the finished product...



I then gave making a flower a go, so added that to the hat as well....

I am really enjoying it and can't believe I wasted so many good crochet years saying "it's to hard" and giving up. Well Diane I should have listened to you after all shouldn't I. Note to self....Listen to your big sister!!!!

Two Miracles!!!!

The first miracle....

I KNITTED!!!!! I bought some yarn and a pattern and started knitting. I haven't knitted in years!!! Well here is the finished product...

It's not perfect but for someone who has not knitted in a few years I am happy with the end result. I have added another toggle to the front since taking this photo.

I also made up this little hand bag I bought as a kit from my fav craft store Spotlight...

I love the colours and it as just so whimsical, I love it! Gave myself a huge blister on my finger from doing all the stitches but it was worth it!

The second miracle....

We finally got our deck covered!!!! We have been saving for it for a while because every one said it would cost about $1000, but we managed to do it for under $500!!!! David and his dad Ray did all the work with a little hand from Spencer and they have done a great job I must say....

It is so great being able to stand out there when it is raining and it just looks really good. Thank you my darling husband David and the greatest father in law a girl could want, Ray, with the help of Spencer you all did a great job.

I have lost 12kilos on my diet, mainly from my hips and stomach. A long way to go but feeling much more confident and sexy I must say.

I know we don't look all that happy in this photo, but it was about the 10th photo Ray had taken of us and we just wanted to go out to dinner! The first dinner we have had alone as husband and wife sine the honeymoon 6 months ago!! We don't really get a lot of time alone together, so when Ray and Maree offered to look after the kids we jumped at the chance!!!

Samantha Turns 3!!!!

I can't believe our wee girl is 3!!! Where did the time go???? Here are a few photos from her party that we had last weekend...

The Birthday Girl in her party dress....


She loved dancing around in it....

"Happy Birthday To You..." Samantha loved everyone singing to her...

Blowing out the candles...

The birthday cake I made...

Flower biscuits I made, I love these, they look gorgeous....

Butterflies I made and hung over the table, everyone loved these...

Gift bags I put together for the girls, Samantha, Skye, Jessica and Matilda. Each included a necklace, feather pen, balloon and lollies...

The girls playing in the tent we got Samantha...

The duvet cover we got Sam and Spencer gave her the giant Upsy Daisy doll..

Playing with the tea set sent from Nana, grandad and Aunty Diane in NZ...

Fairy doll I saw and just HAD to get my little girl...

Raro

My sister Diane had to have one of her beloved cats, Raro, put to sleep yesterday. I bawled my eyes out when I heard! Diane and I were living with our brother Graham when we got Raro and she is very special to us. She was a lovely cat and will be greatly missed.

Rest in Peace our beautiful Miss Ra xxx

Raro is the tabby, Scotty is the little minx tormenting her which he did from the moment we got him! Scotty will be lost with out you Ra. Our thoughts and love are with you Diane xxx

A Beautiful Day

Well here I am 37 and doing my 101st post on my blog! I had a great day for my birthday (13th March), my husband took the day off work and spoiled me!! He took me to a book warehouse that I have been wanting to go to for ages where they have nothing over $5! I bought 5 novels. Then he took me to Spotlight (craft heaven) where I bought some scrap booking things and a duvet cover for our new bed. Speaking of our bed... HERE SHE IS....

I am sure my sister will be very surprised as it is not the usual style I go for! I like romantic beds, but this caught both me and David, and it matches the drawers we already had. It was delivered on Saturday and we had it up within minutes! Then I decided to make the brown cushion covers to put on it as well. I love the end result the whole bed ensemble looks great!

I got cards from all of my family and text messages from them and a phone call from my wonderful sister, Diane. Hearing her voice made my day!

David's Dad and step-mum Maree gave me some lovely candles that I put in our bedroom...

The rest of David's made no effort at all, no cards not even a phone call or text. But David, Ray, Maree and my kids along with the phone call from my sister helped me have a great day!

Oh The Calmness!!!

Well ladies and gentlemen, the fire threat is over.... THANK GOD!!!! We had rain last weekend and even though a few fires are still going they are controlled and not a threat to anybody! It is so nice to have everything back to normal, Spen back at school,no packed bags sitting around waiting to be whisked away if we evacuated, no water bombing helicopters flying around, no stress every time the smoke gets thicker!!! Thank you to all CFA fire fighters, fire fighters from around the world, SES workers and all who helped keep us all safe during this trying and tiring month.

Diet is going well, people have started to notice the weight falling off me now, not sure how much I have lost but clothes are loser and had to put stitches in jeans to hold them up! I don't like weighing myself so I go by how loose my clothes get. I'm happy with the result and as a reward I dyed my hair! I was contemplating cutting it all off... going from this..........

To this....
But David said he loved my long hair (even though he complains about finding it laying around every where), so I decided to dye it instead, from the natural red to dark brown...

Not the best photo sorry, I am still not sure if I like it or not, David and Spencer love it!!! David's dad Ray said I looked expensive, but he didn't say I looked bad, so that's good coming from him!

Going to be a big week, my 37th (OH MY GOD) birthday on Friday, not planning anything special, Spen won't be here, his dad is coming over from NZ and having him for a few days, David might do something I don't know. He has bought me (us) a new bed for my birthday, gets delivered on Thursday, can't wait!!! What a darling he is. Diane, I think you will be surprised at the bed I picked!!! Stay tuned!!!