Life is a Journey not a Destination

for the perfect kitchen table. Today I found it - while we were looking for a new mattress for our bed. Can’t wait to get it - I think it’s going to look so good in our kitchen.

And best of all we saved $450 (and $1000 on our mattress)!!!

This December I’ve signed up for Shimelle’s Journal Your Christmas class where she gives you daily journalling, photo and layout prompts in the lead up to Christmas and the New Year. Today I worked on my album. It’s VERY different for me but I was inspried by Ali Edwards December Daily album. I haven’t put the dates on all the pages so if I need/want to I can move them around. Now I just can’t wait for the 1st!!!!

As promised here’s another video - this time a before and after of Christy’s bedroom. It’s funny at the end I didn’t feel it looked much different - but that was until I watched the before video. It doesn’t normally get that messy thank goodness.

Before….

And after….

Today I joined a bus load of women (none of whom I knew) to go on a tour of local op shops. It was a free event run by Sustainable Illawarra. This was my first time EVER in an op-shop as a customer so it was a whole new experience for me. I felt a little uncomfortable at first - not knowing where things were or quite how it all works. I didn’t find any clothes for myself but did buy a couple of things for the girls. I found it frustrating liking something but it being too big or too small. Most shops (we went to 5) were well arranged - with clothes sorted by type and colour. Having said that I have to say that I don’t think op-shopping is for me. Not to say I won’t try it again - I’m sure it would be easier if I was thinner, and maybe had someone else to go with.  Anyway, it’s something I can cross of my to-do list for the year.

Well, it’s all over for another year. Amy and Christy both did great and it was wonderful watching them perform on stage - they both love it so much. Kevin was the official photographer so I’ve got lots of great photos but here’s just a few.These are straight off the camera.

I thought is very fitting that Tina won the draw as I actually “met” her when she started a blog inspired by The Perfect Housewife.

Quite a few layouts to share today as it’s been awhile since I’ve posted any. The above one I did yesterday. The rest have been done over the last few weeks and all are for my BPS Design Your Life class with Cathy. Make sure you check out the Halloween page further down - yes, that is Kevin and I way back in 1986!!!! I was some kind of fairy and Kevin a male stripper!!!! (oh, to be 15 again…no, thanks!!)

I’ve never done a giveaway before but I ended up buying this DVD, then discovered that it’s the same episode on the Series 2 DVD. It’s still wrapped and I’m going to be giving it away. It’s from the UK (not sure if it can be played on US DVD players) but I’m happy to ship worldwide. Just leave a comment and I’ll get the kids to help draw winner on Saturday. If you haven’t seen Perfect Housewife this would be a great introduction. It’s just one episode - all about Christmas.

Good luck. Oh, and if you’re in Australia - Season 3 starts on Lifestyle on Dec 4th!!! I can’t wait!!!

EDITED: Oops. Perfect Housewife is shown on Home & Health, not Lifestyle!!!

As you can see we put up our main tree on the weekend (we have another that goes in the family room). On Monday I did all the decorating downstairs so it truly feels like Christmas is on the way. Most presents have been purchases (Mum and I had a big shopping day yesterday) but need to be wrapped. And my Anthea Turner Christmas DVD and book arrived yesterday to help things along.

I’ll be sharing more photos as we get closer to Christmas but in truth it looks much like it did last year.