Life is a Journey – Page 165 – The life and times of Libby Withnall

Weekend in Sydney – Harry Potter

Posted on January 15, 2012November 6, 2026 by Libby Withnall

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.

A Day in the Life – 13th Jan, 2012

Posted on January 14, 2012November 8, 2026 by Libby Withnall

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.

Project Life

Posted on January 13, 2012November 7, 2026 by Libby Withnall

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.