Make Over

Sian is a little tornado ... she goes through and leaves devastation behind her.... she drops stuff and moves on. I am always on her back about picking up and cleaning up... well I got sick of it so I have clean culled and made over her room... only took me ALL day. 2013 will see me being a lot more of a mean Mum when it comes to keeping rooms clean.

BEFORE

and 

AFTER

Once in a Blue Moon

The Blue Moon doesn't actually refer to the colour of the moon, but the fact that there is 2 full moon's in one month! Only happens once in a *Blue Moon* :)

I had some fun playing with my camera tonight.

Dance Exams

and today she participated in her first ever dance exams .... and got a High Commendation for both Theatrical and Ballet. So proud of her :)

Sian's Party

Sian had her party yesterday after turning 8 last week. A group of girls making cards ... hmmm sounds familiar. This is a great idea run by Hope Packages the girls had heaps of fun. One of the mums from school also has just started a business making hand decorated biscuits so I asked her to make some to match the cards that the girls were making,. I was very impressed with the results.... you can go visit her page on facebook. Three Sisters Bakery, she is very clever.

Bonds of Fenris - Book Review

A great story with many great lessons to take note of. Very positive way of looking for the positives in life when we are all often thrown a curve ball to deal with. A story of friendship love and learning. I loved this book from start to finish. The ending though was perfect. I loved the challenges that they each faced and the way that they had to adapt the learning for each person as it is in reality. It is very rare for 2 people to learn the same lesson in identical ways and I feel like this story shows that well.

Talia is learning to live as a wolf and has met a pack who are teaching her the ways of Lycanthropy. But then they come across a lone wolf. Is he friend or foe. Talia is intrigued and after much bickering within the pack descends on the other wolf to find out. What she finds and learns becomes an extremely valuable lesson. Now can she convince the rest of the pack to learn as well?

I rate this book 5 stars. This e book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
     

Follow up

I went and had all my tests and didn't think there would be much to worry about. Well I am still thinking as positively as I can, however I have been called back for a follow up. When I rang today for the results I was asked to make an appointment to come back in and also when I got home there was a letter asking me to ring and make an appointment. I am sure it is nothing. But it plays on the mind a little as I have to wait another 4 days to see the doctor. I just have to keep myself busy now so that I don't think about it too much!!

A Class Apart book review

         An enjoyable YA novel. James and Samantha Blake are great characters and I look forward to hearing more about how their powers develop. Also the mysterious Lolly, who is her father and what does he want with the Blake's. Wanting answers to all the questions and more makes you want to keep reading and  I look forward to more books in the series.  Well written and easy to read I Rate this book 4 stars

School holidays are here and almost gone again. I have enjoyed these holidays greatly as I have had some time off and had my parents here for a visit also.
My foot has pretty much healed. I only now have the issue of the ligament not being strong enough. This will come with exercise and physio though.
I have to get back into my exercise and weight loss, back on track. The 2 yearly blood tests came back and they were not devastating, but at the same time they are getting close to being harmful. Something that has to be closely monitored now. I have to go and have further testing for a few other issues that have arisen as well and I am trying to now worry about them too much as it is likely nothing. Time will tell I am guessing.
Work has become a little more stressful of late with a trainee who is really not slotting in well. She is a really lovely person but I really don't think she is cut out for this type of work at all.
Life is flying along rapidly as always, I just need to remind myself to find a way to slow it down a notch so that I can enjoy it more.
I am finding this in my reading actually. I really am enjoying the different books that I am getting the chance to read thanks to the site I am registered with. If you are an avid reader go and check it out. Totally worth it and add me as a friend too if you would like.

Goodreads

Turquoise - Book Review

This book was provided to me, by the author, in paperback in exchange for an honest review.

A great story of a great love that can not be united between 2 lovers due to distance and circumstance.

Based around Yasmin and Renan, when they meet Renan is married with a child and Yasmin can only dream about what life would be like with Renan. As time goes on and Yasmin marries, they face new challenges in their parallel and crossed over lives.

Yasmin and her Armenian classmate Ani were oblivious to ethnic differences during their school years in Istanbul.
A few years on, Yasmin's diplomat father is appointed as the Turkish Consul General to Los Angeles where the family faces a devastating tragedy that will impact their lives in ways unfathomable.

Alot of the story is based around ethnic and cultural differences among the characters of the story. I find that this really makes you think more about how different we all are and question how we treat others.

I enjoyed the love story and the pressures and challenges that Yasmin and her family face.

I rate this story 3/5 stars

The Sounding - Book Review

This book was provided to me, by the author, in paperback in exchange for an honest review.

A story of an ancient prophecy that has come to light to early and needs to be stopped, so the the end of the world doesn't arrive before it is meant to. Based on the book of Revelations and Revolving around a break away congregation of the Catholic Church. Angels and Demons. Forbidden Feelings and great descriptions of the history and buildings of the Vatican City. Elise suddenly finds her world totally turned upside down by an unexpected attack.

It took me quite awhile to warm up to this book. I was enjoying it, however it was for me really hard and not a relaxing read, but this is not a bad thing as it really gets your mind ticking over. Although feeling a little bogged down by all the history and background information that makes up almost the first half of the book, it becomes clear that it is necessary and I encourage you to push through as the book becomes very edgy and exciting with lots of unexpected twists. It was about the half way mark that the story got it's hooks into me and I struggled to put it down. (reading the last 200 pages in 1 day!)
The only down side for me was some of the editing left a bit to be desired, but something that is easy enough to ignore.
I would give this book 4.5/5 stars

No Remorse - Book Review

The first 5 or 6 chapters are building Amber's background so that we can understand a little about who she is and where she comes from. An introduction to Werewolf law and traditions. An extended prologue of sorts.
A story of a wolf with 'special' abilities because she was born on the full moon. Felling alone in the world, until she meets her soul mate and becomes part of his pack. In the process learning the truth about herself and her past. Things are not always as they seem.
MaryLynn Bast explores how werewolves living amongst humans and living up to Pack laws and Traditions can sometimes spell disaster, but there is always good and bad among the species, Just like any race.
There is quite a few explicit scenes in the book that get the pulses racing in the way they are intended. It tells of true love and the link that soul mates share.

There are a few problems in the editing of this version of the book. But for me that doesn't take much away from the story. I find myself immersed in the story and able to overlook these errors.

An easy Paranormal/Fantasy Romance story with some twists but has a happily ever after.

Something I played around with for the Goodreads Book Club that I have joined.

Sleep Stalkers - Book Review

Page 20 and I am already struggling to put this book down. 
The new government views has seen the downfall of churches and the structured religion of the world. Allowing for the evil in the world to work it's way in.
Danger like none other is lurking in the subconscious of the "special" minions.
A tale of friendship and love. Two halves of a whole. 
"The realm of the Sleep Stalkers is a place that lies beyond the waking world; a place of pure evil"
Supernatural meets Lost Girl and Stephen King is what the style of writing comes across as to me. 
I believe Jacki O 'Dierno has combined a great mix of characters and emotions. With her fantastic descriptions and the way she painted the scene I could really immerse myself and feel part of the story and the visualize the surroundings. 
The only mild downside for me was the editing and misplaced words occasionally through the story. This is easy to overlook when enjoying the story though. 
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy fantasy and supernatural themes. I rate the book 4.5 stars. 

Broken Foot

Well.. .there goes the Mother's Day Classic for another year. :(  I have broken the 5th Metatarsal in my foot. On crutches for 2 weeks and then in a brace and being careful for another 4 after that.
All I did was exercise and walk on it. Blah! Such is life
This is not my foot but it shows an example of what I have done.





Tonight we went to the school fundraiser which was labelled Mullumopoly. A truly awesome effort by the fundraising team at school. It was basically a life sized game of Monopoly. Alot of fun and a great social event. I praise them all for the work that went into organising it. So many fine details and presented well by the staff and parent helpers. I was the banker for our table for the night. Not being able to do much else unfortunately.

Work is still going well and everyone is looking after me at the moment with me hobbling around. I have been given more responsibility in the fact that Kathy is now out of the office for half a day every day right through until the end of the year pretty much. I am looking forward to the challenge in some ways. It still has not been made official in anyway that I am 2IC but the fact that I am also now being asked to sit in on interviews is making it feel more official. :)

Looking forward to the end of this week when the crutches can go away :)

Til next time <3

ok, so I have been good with my exercise ... not so good with my eating .... hmmm

Cleaning spree happening here at the moment. But losing power ... still have 2 days to get it organised before I go back to work.

Easter at Mum and Dad's was awesome. Great time and nice and relaxing. :)

All back to normal next week.

I am doing the Mother's Day Classic - 8km walk on May 13th.

Feel free to donate to the cause or sponsor me if you would like. It's all for a really good cause.


Please help me raise funds for Mother's Day Classic
Please sponsor me at my fundraising page: MDC - Sam Jones
Regards,

 Sam

I have my car and I must say it is truly gorgeous. So nice to drive and so many little bonuses with it too. Happy camper. :)

A 4 day weekend for me as the kids are on school holidays. 2 days in work before Easter and then another 4 off. :)

Life is good. I am so tired though and I am not truly sure why. But I need to get back into the exercise as everything has gone pear shaped there. :( I think if I get back into an exercise routine it will also help to combat the tiredness that I have been feeling.

Oh well... tomorrow. Time to put words into actions.

 I entered the Epiphanie Camera Bags Picture It photo contest. http://bit.ly/xN3Pqc

http://www.haveanepiphanie.com/

Awesome Camera bags :)

4 sleeps

4 sleeps to go and I will be driving my new car. Whoop!! The 8 -9 weeks has gone fast but so slow at the same time. I have to say I have been very patient and I think it has taught me a bit of patience too. Good things come to those who wait. :) Our Personal loan is all but paid out. Our car loan will be gone as of Wednesday too. Yay! We will still have a loan sort of I guess as we are leasing the new car so everything will be paid before tax and up front on a monthly basis. It means worry free motoring.

Sian's team won their game of netball this morning. They are all starting to get the hang of the game slowly.
Brad had his first friendly game of the season. Not long now until his season starts full swing too.

Work for me again today. It's been a huge few weeks at work. My normal 36.5 hours a week and so far this month we can add on 27 hours of overtime ( no wonder I am feeling worn out!!)
It's good for the company. It looks like we will make budget for the first time in awhile. Hope things continue to look up.

Gareth's work is still going as well as normal, however some of his team have moved over to the global team in a money saving bid. He is now also the team manager for Brad's soccer team which I think is awesome.

I have not scrapped any more than cards in a class for so very long now. I really need to try and get into my craft area and put on my creative hat and hopefully just have some fun creating.

School holidays and Easter are looming on us. I think I can truly say I am looking forward to it this time around. It will be nice to spend some time with the kids and with Gareth I think they have all been a little neglected over the last few weeks :( Bad Mum and Wife. The house looks like a mess still, but hey that is life. I am beginning to realise that I will never be super woman :P

a day for relaxing and trying to do some housework tomorrow is in store. I want to go find some nice funky coloured stuff for my desk at work too. I am finally making it my space. I have moved it all about and have tried to iron the negativity of the previous occupant out. I moved the pc and found five cents. I think that is someone telling me it is the right move.

Anyways time to hit the pillow for some much overdue shut eye.

Love you all
xx

LOVE THIS

Source: mythinspiration-2011.tumblr.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Gorgeous Day at Puffing Billy today :)

We didn't go on the train. I think I might leave that for Brad's Birthday, see how we go with the 10yo attitude first though. I must say it's been a little bit on the grr side at the moment. But I know this too shall pass. Here are some pics from today ... took 340 in all LOL ... will put more up on my photo blog
Sam's Photos

Back again.... swapped colours for the car ... still waiting though. The green one is still about 8 weeks away now.... so we are getting a black on instead, and that one is about 2 - 3 weeks away now :D Can't wait.
Work is still going mental. So busy, and trying to train up the new staff. however one of the new girls has been away more than she has been there unfortunately. I am playing boss lady again this week. Welll not really boss lady. Just the go to girl while Kathy is away.

The weight loss is going no where at the moment. Rather disappointed with myself. But I hope to get back into it when things settle down a bit.

I am really struggling with some of the girls at work. I need to distance myself from the situation and just do my work and treat them as work colleagues and nothing more. If they want to bitch and be negative then I need to shut it out. I don't believe it is directed at myself as such. But then if they are bitching about 1 I dare say they are bitching about all.

There is 1 certain person that is always drowning herself to the point of stress and then wanting to take on more and more. She frustrates me no end as I believe she is one that has a lot of ambition. and there is nothing wrong with that.... however the way to the top should be earned and not climbing on others using them as a ladder. I know what I mean. She wants to be able to do everything herself and know how to do everything. There is far too much for 1 person to be trying to do this much. Not a team player maybe? Very much like her trainer who was very stubborn and bitchy/gossipy. :(  I am not being a nice person I know. Everyone has a reason that they are like they are. I want to be the better person and learn to let be what is and just enjoy my life. Stay positive. I need to learn to bubble myself against the negativity.

ANYWAYS enough about that.


Here is my gorgeous daughter from this morning. Singing with her grade at assembly.

hmmm well maybe not... I apparently recorded it upside down &*(&&%%#$


photos instead maybe :) I was lucky enough to get my new Macro lens :D so happy

See you all soon  :)