Reflections

It's beginning to look a lot like . . .

Christmas!

Can you believe that it's nearly here . . . one minute there seemed to be all the time in the world and now Playgroup, Kinder & School are finished and the count-down begins!

So . . . am I organised?  Well . . . for the most part!  Just need to grab my groceries to see us through the big day today and I need to grab one more thing for Adam and then I'm done!  I tackled some of the wrapping last night and will get the boys to finishing wrapping there things today, to visit Santa and get a quick hair trim as well.  If I can help it, I don't want to go anywhere near the shopping centre on the weekend - LOL  So how are your preparations going?

It will be interesting to see what today brings too with regards to the extreme temperature being tipped (with northerly winds) and the fires still burning.  We are already receiving some of the smoke, so it could be another interesting day!

Finally finished all my handmade Christmas Cards and got them sent out . . . here's the one I did for my mother-in-law - gotta love that pattern paper!

• Today's Quote: 'Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine' - Anthony J. D'Angelo

Here's hoping that you are enjoying the lead up to Christmas and I hope that the festive season brings you much love, laughter & fond memories!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Shirl

Smokey Skies

As many of you will know, we have some servere bushfires here in Victoria at the moment and the smoke from them is just unbelievable!  We were shroaded in smoke all day yesterday and got a light south westerly breeze start up in the early evening which cleared it a little BUT as the sun was setting yesterday afternoon we had some amazing light changes and I thought I would share some of the pics I took at about 8pm last night (with no photo editing - this was the true colour of our skies last night) . . . these are taken looking north and north east (directly towards the fires in the hills) - as you can see, our former lovely green grass is as dry as!

• Today's Quote: 'He who would leap high must take a long run' - Danish Proverb

Have a great day everyone . . . I've got a bit of running around to do in town before taking Adam to his last swimming lesson for this year . . . then I need to come home and finish making his presents to give to his Kinder teachers on Wednesday!

Shirl

Nearly done!

Well . . . I still have a touch of my cold BUT I am very pleased to say that my Christmas shopping is nearly done . . . I just have a gift voucher to collect and one more pressy to buy - phew!  Haven't thought much about the food - except for ordering the pork, but the rest of that will come later . . . it's just nice to know that all my gifts are now under control - I hate that feeling of not knowing what to get and just walking around aimlessly looking.

So - how's your preparations for Christmas going?  I plan on doing my Christmas cards this weekend - I've got everything there ready (including the stamps would you believe) so there really isn't anything stopping me now is there :)  I did the Christmas Photo Shoot the other day and actually managed another few good shots whilst the boys were decorating the tree, but thought I would share this one . . . butter just wouldn't melt in their mouths would it?  LOL

• Today's Quote: 'Ability is what you're capable of doing.  Motivation determines what you do.  Attitude determines how well you do it'  ~ Lou Holtz

Oh how very true!  I love that quote . . . I think that might be one I scrapbook . . . your attitude to doing something definitely makes a difference . . . it's kind of like the power of positive thinking in a way isn't it?

Have a great day everyone!

Shirl

Grr - A cold!

Yep . . . it seems this chopping & changing Victorian weather has gotten the better of me and now I'm getting a head cold!  I can't seem to find the tap to turn off my nose - LOL  I will not let it take hold . . . I will not let it take hold . . . the power of positive thinking maybe?  Mmm - well, that remains to be seen I guess.

• Today's Quote: To a friend's house the road is never long.

More Christmas shopping done yesterday and plans confirmed that we'll spend Christmas Day at home with my parents' coming up on Christmas Eve and staying until Boxing Day.  We'll then all go back to their place to meet my brother, SIL and niece who will arrive.  The boys just can't wait to see Briana - especially since now she is walking around and doing so many more things independantly.

Usually, we put up our Christmas tree on December 1 BUT not this year . . . I was kind of late getting back from town & then in getting tea last night and with one thing & another we just  decided to leave it to today . . . so, having said that,  I guess I'd better go and get THE CAMERA, the boxes and pull out the tree . . . will share some pics soon . . .

Shirl