The life and times of Libby Withnall

I saw the most wonderful (and easy) idea on A Bowl Full of Lemons and had to do it immediately.

I didn’t think to take a photo beforehand but I was storing all my store loyalty cards in a small softsided pencil case. It worked but it was always a hassle to quickly find a card when trying to pay.

Now they look like this…

Much more compact and so much easier to use and find at the shops. If you have a lot of cards be sure to try this idea. I think it is so brilliant.

It was the week that started with a trip to the dog beach….

It was the week of beautiful skies…

and time spent by the pool….

It was the week of improvised boxing gloves….

and tea parties and sleepovers with friends….

It was the week of a tragic loss for the Wollongong Hawks…

and a weekend in Sydney to see the Harry Potter Exhibition and the musical Annie….

It was the week of Rosie wearing her bucket…

and Bailey ending up in strange positions….

We woke up to rain. Nice for a lazy Sunday morning but not motivating to get out and explore.

So we stayed in and played on our laptops before making breakfast in the most poorly equipment kitchen I have EVER come across (having only crockery, pots and a few large utensils does not make for easy cooking).

At 11am we checked out…

and drove over the Star City Casino. We were to meet Nan, Pop and my Granny but they were caught in traffic, so had a bit of wait for them to arrive.

We took some photos while waiting.

Eventually they arrived and with less than an hour for lunch we made a mad dash for the buffet. The food was great but everyone was a bit stressed with the fact we had to eat and run. There was hardly any talking, just eating.

We arrived at the theatre to the chimes ringing. I grabbed a quick photo as we moved promptly to find out seats.

We had barely 5mins till the lights dimmed and the show began.

It was a wonderful musical and we all thoroughly enjoyed. Christy, who is a big fan of the movie, was a bit confused that some parts were different but she just loved the show – esp. the kids and Sandy (Annie’s dog).

We should have stayed for a cuppa afterwards but we headed to the car and back to Wollongong. It was a fun weekend away and lovely hanging out all together.

We had leisurely start to the morning and eventually left home just after 10am. First stop was Gloria Jeans for iced chocolates (and coffee for Kevin).

We went via Sarah’s home to drop her off, had a bit of a chat with Noel and Leanne, and a play with Russ (who has grown so much). Then it was on to Sydney where I was excited to find us a prime parking spot.

We then walked over to the Powerhouse Museum…

for the Harry Potter Exhibition.

We were early for the tour time (be sure to book beforehand if you’re going as the rest of the day was booked out) so headed to the outdoor cafe to get some lunch.

A friendly pigeon was minding a table for us.

My baguette (with brie and tomato) yummy, the coconut water horrendous.

We headed for our 2pm tour 15mins early (which I think was a good move). The audio tour was so-so but I think still worth doing, it definitely told you a lot more about the movie making but we agree it could have been done a lot better.

We had a bit of wait in line till we got through. It was crowded, but manageable. Unfortunately you weren’t allowed to take photos. Which was a real bummer as Christy was one the children chosen to be  sorted into a house by the sorting hat. Her house – Gryffendor.

We took about 1.5 hours to go through the exhibit and it was so fun seeing all the props from the movie. We all really enjoyed it. If you love the Harry Potter movies then you’ll love the exhibit. There is, of course, a shop at the end. Christy got a sloppy joe and Amy a t-shirt. Then Christy had a tantrum over not getting a Hermione wand…… which cost $60!. She wanted it to play with and I had to explain it was more of a souvenier. Well at the price it was one expensive toy.

My feet were really feeling it  by now (I find 2 hours is my limit) so I found a comfy couch while Kevin & the girls explored a few other things in the museum

We then had a short drive to our hotel – the Radisson Plaza. We had booked a 2 bedroom apartment, and while the space is nice, I really don’t think this room was good value for money.

We hung out for a bit while Kevin and Christy sorted out their Bertie Bott’s beans. Kevin was brave and tried ALL the flavours.

Apparently vomit and ear wax wasn’t too bad, but Rotten Egg  was pretty bad!!!

I then took the girls to the indoor pool for a swim.

Then there was computer time. Kevin was concentrating on his game.

Christy made herself some toast for dinner…

and Kevin was kind enough to go and get the rest of us Pie Face.

He also picked up some mini apple pies for dessert.

Around 8.30pm we all got sick of the couch – which wasn’t the most comfortable, so headed off to our beds (with computers or i-pads). And I made myself a cup of tea…. or two …. as the cups were so small.

I was up about 6.30am, which is almost a sleep in for me. I let the dogs out and made a cup of tea. Bailey didn’t want to come back in so I left him outside for a bit.

I spent time on my laptop, watching youtube videos and reading some blogs. Around 8am I got up and moving with my morning routine. I’m trying to get up to date with youtube so I half watched some while emptying the dishwasher.

Then it was outdoors to water the veggie garden and collect a whole heap of tomatoes, a red capsicum and some strawberries.

I also swept the back paved area and deck, which needed it after a windy few days.

Next up was a shower. When I got out I found Christy and the dogs on my bed (which I had just made).

Time for some makeup.

After which I found Bailey like this.

AT 10am Amy and I headed of to the doctors. I needed a referral and Amy was having some vaccinations (that she missed at school due to being away). She made the mistake of asking which injection (she had two) makes your arm swell up, so they kept her back for a few minutes thinking she might have a reaction, which is did not.

On the way home we dropped off some goods to be donated and visited the local shop to get a few supplies. Then it was home to do todays household chores, like vacuuming.

And hanging out the washing.

Amy got all set up for a tea party she is hosting.

I made us both falafel wraps for lunch and finally got to put my feet up for a bit.

At 3pm Amy’s guest arrived. She had invited a few people but most hadn’t replied, and one forget to come. So it was just the 3 of them.

I felt bad for her because she had gone to a lot of trouble but they all enjoyed themselves.

The party continued with tea leaf reading.

I worked on our Momento album for Fiji,

while enjoying some afternoon tea.

After the one guest left the Powells arrived for Sarah to sleep over. They stayed for a chat and cup of tea, and were about to leave when Kevin arrived home. We chatted for a bit longer and when they did leave I went tidied up the kitchen and got ready for the basketball. All the girls went over to Nan and Pops for dinner.

Kevin and I shared a salad wrap at the game.

It was an exciting game. Not sure if you can make out the score but it was VERY close with just 2mins to go. It went down to buzzer with Rhys Martin (who had been the games best player) missing a 3 pt shot to win the game. I felt so bad for them. They play well for the most part but just can’t seem to win.

When we got back from the game the girls were in the middle of a glee marathon, having just painted their nails.

I tided the kitchen (again), went out to put one chicken to bed, made a cup of tea and headed to bad with instructions for the girls to go to bed at 10.30pm.

There are LOTS of posts around about Project Life but a few people asked how I do it so I thought I’d share. I’m a lazy scrapbooker and a lazy project lifer. I figure it’s better to be done quickly and simply than not done at all. Even though we’re almost half way through the month I still hadn’t set up this years project life so I had the brilliant idea to pay the girls to do it – $2 each and it’s done!!

You can just do each week as you go but it’s easier as the year goes along if the inital set up is done. It probably takes 30mins max. to do it. Becky has a great video on how to do it.

Here’s the first page of the Clemintine kit….just waiting on some photos….

And week 1 for 2012….

This is my forth year doing project life so it’s fun to compare weeks.

2011…

2010…

2009… I missed out on a kit this year so just made up my own – using free printables…

Unfortunately I’ve never actually kept up a whole year of Project life.

The first year, 2009, I only journalled till June, and added photos till August…

In 2010 I journalled til May (but then we went overseas for 6 weeks). I photographed the whole year.

Last year, 2011, I journalled till August and photographed the year. Still hoping to get back and finish the journalling.

At least each year sees an improvement on the last so hopefully this year I’ll keep up and make it ALL the way the end. I can print photos at home (on my Selphy printer) which makes it very doable to set aside 30mins a week for printing and journalling. At the moment I’m trying to pick a photo out daily and make journalling notes right on i-photo but maybe I should keep my journalling cards on my desk and just write up when picking photos.

You do see some wonderful looking Project Life albums on the web. Mine really is basic. It’s the kind of project you can make your own and do any way you see fit. even digitally.

Please let me know if you’re joining in this year.

The girls and I took the pups to the local dog beach for a few hours of sun, surf and sand. As always they had LOTS of fun.

I made a new video as the last one was 3 years ago.

Of course, after the beach comes the dog bath….

It was a nice relaxing week at home. Sunny, warm days, swims in the pool and trying to get back into some sort of housework routine.

It was the week of a few fun purchases….

And the week my Project Life kit arrived (well the week I picked it up from the post office). Anyone else doing Project Life this year?

It was the week of being happy with the way the lounge room is shaping up. I spend a LOT of time in this room so it’s nice it’s full of my happy things.

It was the week of friends over to play….

and the taking out of SOME of Christy’s braids….

It was the week of very small eggs from the new chooks….

and the week of seeing this out of Christy’s bedroom window. They come to eat the chicken food.

It was the week of this fun nail polish. It’s much more flurescent (think pink highlighter) than the photo shows and Amy informs me I’m too old to wear such a colour!

It was the week of Kevin finally installing a new kitchen tap. You might recall that head lamp from a recent post….

and the week Kevin hung some canvas prints in our stair well. We do plan to add more but I think it looks great….

It was week of dinner out with friends….

and a basketball game where the oppositions coach actually got expelled from the game….

with some fun half time entertainment….

It was the week of fresh veg and strawberries from the garden…

And the week of simple dinners like macaroni and cheese….

and tacos…

and cheese and hummus wraps (known as crack wraps in the food blogging world) for breakfast…

and pavlova nests with fresh cream and strawberries from our garden…

And was the week of cosy pups….

and the return of Rosie cone-head… due to hot spots….

With Christmas over and the decorations all boxed up, I decided it was time to do something with the cupboard where the bins are stored. I also decided to bring through the Halloween and Easter tubs so all our decorations are store together.

Hmmm… 3 shelves of Christmas stuff (not including all our trees), one of Halloween and one tub for Easter…. looks like I need to buy more stuff for Easter .

Of course, this means I have stuff left over to donate, throw out or find new homes for .

I didn’t wake up until 6.30am this morning. After a lot of early morning and late nights it’s catch up time.

Kevin is home today being a public holiday and was busy playing warcraft. After the normal routine, including tea and blog reading, I attended to todays jobs which included feeding the chickens.

Bailey likes to watch them as well.

I found an egg laid by one of the new girls – not the most clever spot to lay an egg .

Back inside I found Christy making herself a jaffle for breakfast.

I made a bagel with cheese for Kevin and I. Rosie had a sleep.

Christy’s loose tooth finally fell out.

About 10am Christy and I took the dogs for a run down to the lake.

It was a glorious day – not a cloud in the sky – and it was nice to get outside for a bit.

Back home Kevin was at work installing some new shelves above the TV.

They look great. And it’s nice having another place to display some of my nick-knacks.

As you can see Amy was trying out our new kinect game – Disneyland.

I headed to the kitchen to make some gingerbread muffins. 30mins later…..

Christy was cleaning up after making ANOTHER jaffle, this time for lunch.

I made the rest up a very healthy lunch …..

I got settled on the couch with Bailey…..

and we watched Pirates of the Carribean 3….

In the afternoon the wind picked up and blew my clothes line over. I had lot of washing today – 4 loads!

Dinner tonight was tacos….

while Bailey played….

and Christy, Kevin and I watched Cars 2. We really enjoyed it and Amy would have too if she wasn’t too “cool” to watch it. Tweens!!!!

After the movie I took Christy up to bed. She had her tooth and note for the toothfairy.

Back downstairs I enjoyed a chocolate billabong while we watched a couple of episodes of Grimm before going to bed.