A Visit to the Suburbs

Last night I enjoyed an Italian meal at Ciao Bella - just on the corner where I'm staying. Noticed a couple from the flight from LA to Vancouver also enjoying a meal there - of all the restuarants! They had a real piano player and I enjoyed a glass of red with my lasagne and tiramsu. While the lasagne was enjoyable, it wasn't as good as mine!!!

Awoke this morning to two lovely surprises - a phone call (quick) from Peter who was trying out a new net based phone system that will hopefully save some $$$ AND beautiful sunshine! Warm enough for no jacket, hat, singlet or gloves. My apartment was actually too hot before I left @ 9.30am

Today I ventured out into the suburbs using public transport. It didn't start well - when I tried to catch the no.17 bus - right bus but wrong direction - thanks to the advice from the Japanese lady @ the tourist centre yesterday! Once pointing in the right direction, I was off. The suburbs don't seem all that well kept - the ones I travelled through - people of all nationalities. I realised I haven't seen too many fair skinned, blond/red heads in the areas I've been.

After getting off the bus alittle too early and having to hike a few blocks, I finally found the Scrapbook Warehouse. It claims to have BC's largest selection, if this is true I'm a lot disappointed. There were a couple of things I hadn't seen before but not much. The prices were marginally cheaper. All this aside, I did manage to spend a few $$ and got some goodies for some of my scrap friends @ home.

From here I decided to catch a different bus and not go back into the city but across to the second biggest shopping mall in Canada. The bus trip itself was an adventure when the driver (a trainee??) missed a turn and we ended up going some distance the wrong way before we could turn around (with a passenger directing traffic while we turned!!). Shopping centres/malls are the same everywhere I've decided although I think ours are better! I tried New York Fries for lunch (more of that 'orange' cheese) and then pounded the pavements looking @ shops and picking up a few more items to bring home. I caught the Skytrain to get back into the city - didn't have the energy to try and find the second scrap shop today. The walk from the city to my place seems to kill my feet more and more each day!

Not sure what I'll do for dinner tonight - maybe a curry. There are so many quaint, little restaurants to choose from within a block of my place - Asian, Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Pizza, French etc. I'm also hoping to do some work on my scrap journal tonight - have a few bits 'n' pieces to go into to it.

Just had a lovely chat to Mum & Dad who called to see how I'm going. Having trouble getting my emails through to Dad -will try again tonight.

Tomorrow I'm off to Victoria on Vancouver Island. It's a full day tour - 9am pick up and won't be back until 9.45pm - so won't get a chance to log on until Sunday before I go to the conference.

Off to check my emails now - 'til next post :)

Vancouver (First two days)

First impressions of Vancouver:

* Long long long cue (approx. 1 hour) through immigration
* Nice taxi driver who knew Australia (daughter had visited for a year)
* Similar feel to Melbourne (although once I got into the city area near water like Sydney too I guess)
* Cars on WRONG side of road!!! Drivers on WRONG side of car!!!
* Need to be VERY careful crossing the road!!
* First grocery shopping experience - Safeways - walked around in a daze looking at the different products trying to make decisions!
* Internet cafe first stop - paid up for 5 hours - shouldn't take long to use that!!!
* Cool, very fresh, wore gloves and big jacket. Fresh around ears and face!
* Amazing view from apartment - snow capped mountains in the distance, boats, harbour, walk ways, park land.
* Missing company - wish I wasn't on my own experiencing all this.
* French accents - dual language on packaging in supermarket.
* Toilets lower to the ground!!!

Today - Thursday 27 April

Asleep last night by 9pm and stayed in bed until about 8.30am. No decent TV last night made it easy to go to bed early and that I couldn't keep my eyes open!!! Did manage to try my Hershey's chocolate bar though! Had nice Mexican dinner last night nearby appartment. French speaking waitress wasn't sure what I meant by a glass of dry white wine - Mexican lady had to taste test first before serving it to me!! Wasn't a bad drop for a house wine.

This morning did a walk to the conference venue (after making some work based phone calls trying to sort out extra meetings). It's about a 20 minute walk with slight hill half way. Weather a bit rainy and cooler - wore my hat (all day due to hat hair!!!). Checked out some city shops and started gift purchases!

Had a lovely phone call from Peter and the girls (on their way to school Friday morning) finished with a tear in my eye!

Did my first "tourist" stop at the Storyeum in Gastown. History of BC highlighting lots of similarilties with Australia - English settlement, treatment of indigenous peoples, gold, railway and very proud now-a-days.

Late lunch - was going to have Subway but wanted to try "stuff" not @ home. Had a tuna melt bagel - yummy but strange 'orange' coloured cheese on top. Also had a cranberry cocktail!

I've booked my three day trips for Saturday this week and the following Saturday and Sunday. Also purchased an all day public transport ticket so I can go exploring tomorrow for scrapbooking shops!!!

Lots of walking today - very sore feet and legs. Only took some photos of the gardens/tulips in bloom. Off for Italian tonight after I finish here. Better check emails too.

LA & Flight to Vancouver

Well the flight wasn't too bad. While I had lots of leg room (I got the seat I wanted - exit row, isle seat) my seat was right beside the loo so I had people walking on my toes all night (should have worn glow-in-the-dark socks!!) as they waited to use the toilet. Took a sleeping tablet and probably got about 4-5 hours interupted sleep. Watched a couple of movies - "Walk the Line" Johnny Cash's story and most of "Broke Back Mountain" not sure what all the fuss was about!!

Flying into LA - from what little view I had - we could've been flying into Sydney or Melbourne. Negoitated customs with no dramas. The very stern official relaxed a little when he asked me what I was doing here, what the conference was, what I did and I said "law enforcement". The terminal for my flight to Vancouver was a short walk and after a little confusion I found the departure gate. A few shops but VERY disappointed the newsagency didn't have any scrapbooking magazines - didn't even know what I was talking about - referring me to jotting paper!!! Wouldn't want to spend 12 hours here on the way home!! Sat and chatted with a retired couple from the Sunshine Coast I'd met in Brisbane who are on their way to Vancouver too.

Slept from take off (started to feel very weary!!) when I opened the window blind I think I said "WOW" outloud - snow capped mountains filled my window seat view!!! Large lakes, rural farming areas, with circle crops and more light snow covered ranges.

Alaska Airlines seems very "quaint" - father, son and one lady flight attendents with interesting sense of humour. No meal provided - just drinks. Should have had more than a Starbucks coffee in LA.

Lost It

Wrote up a great post very late last night - only to have it disappear when I tried to upload!!!! Arghh!!! Well apparently I didn't lose it!!!! After initially uploading this post - realised my post from last night did upload afterall....it's going to be one of those days!!!

Very time short ATM - my list to do before I leave (less than 24 hours now!!) seems to be getting longer rather than shorter!!

Before I go - here's the canvas I've done for the SAM CC for next week. I plan on posting it to Merle for Mother's Day when I get back. Don't think she reads my blog!!!

So...next time I blog (hopefully) I'll be in Vancouver!!!

It's Late

but I really wanted to get to this tonight before I went to bed.

Only about 36 hours until I leave Australia and my list just doesn't seem to be getting any shorter. I keep thinking of things to do before I go. And I thought I was organised - ha!!!

On a happy note - had a great crop night on Friday with the ladies from Scrapbooking Memories online + a few (lovely) ring ins (you know who you are!!!). Don't know if I was all that productive - did a lot of hand stitching for the SAM CC LO - that I'm not overly fussed on now that it's finished but anyway. We had a bit of a photo jam session at one stage - see pics below and it was lovely to catch up with old friends and meet some new ones IRL.

My persistent kidney/bladder infection is BACK!!! What rotten timing. Luckily my GP told me to get my antibotics just in case for Canada so I'm taking them AGAIN and should feel much better by the time I leave on Wednesday. Not sure if I'm allowed to drink alcohol while on these ones though....not a huge problem I guess.

I've made a "kiss" chart up for the girls while I'm away. Each night they get to cross off a "kiss" from me and it will double as a count down to when I get home. I'm also working on a "food" list and timetable for Peter to make his job easier.

Joined a Canadian online scrap forum today in the hope of getting some more suggestions of shops to check out. Received a reply almost straight away - with a number of places to check out. Shame my funding body won't accept scrap research as legitimate work for this trip!! All the same I'm sure I'll find time (in my time) to do some scrap research (and purchasing).

Went to Sandy's eldest boys birthday on Saturday night - Brendan is now 17! Hard to get used to seeing him drinking (moderately) and smoking with his girlfriend. Seems like just the other day I was bouncing on my knee!!! I feel like my grandmother saying that!!!

Better go and try to sleep. May post again before I leave. Hope to post at least a couple of times from Canada - will see how I go.

Time's Flying

Can't believe how fast this week has flown by - this time next Thursday I'll be in Vancouver!!!! Made the mistake of going into work yesterday - left stressed without having done everything I was supposed to do. Also visited my GP for final check up - got my flu shot and signed letter from her for all my "drugs"!!! She also gave me the all clear from my last pap smear after my 'procedure' late last year.

Still getting time to scrap everyday - I"m in heaven!!! Did this LO of Danah for a competition on Top 50 - using lots of ribbon. Looking forward to a crop at Scrapbook Etc on Friday night with friends from work, Scrapbooking Memories forum and the lovely and very talented Sara (see her blog in my list). Will have to make the most of it as it'll be my last scrapping for a couple of weeks (how will I survive???).

Enjoyed a cuppa with my long-time girlfriend Sandy today. We hardly ever get to catch up - both with busy families. We're going over to their place on Saturday night for a BBQ to celebrate Brendan's birthday - can't believe he's 17!!!! How scary is that??? She's all excited as they are off on a cruise next month. Hope they have a fantastic time.

Travel Journal

Made a start on my travel journal today. Quite happy with the result - so far.

Have a few friends checking out my blog - thanks Julie, Megan and hopefully Vik - leave a comment for me so I know you've visited :)

Mentioned by "dirty dancing" layout for a circle journal I'm in - last week - well here it is. Couldn't find the font anywhere - so ended up hand cutting the title from a scanned image.

All Choc'd Out!

Well that's Easter for another year. We've enjoyed a lovely weekend so far - with lots of DVD's and too much chocolate! Had a yummy roast lunch with Mum & Dad and brother Andrew today so don't need dinner tonight! I'm supposed to be starting another "healthy eating phase" tomorrow but Peter and the girls gave me a huge egg - which I couldn't possibly eat all of today :)

Finished my cyber crop challenge today for SAM - used a pic of Danah's new high heel shoes. Also completed a (rare) LO on Peter & I - for Craft Attic's April competition - using "fool" somehow (I've used an Elvis song to draw on the 'fool' component).


Received a lovely compliment on Saturday on the Scrapbooking Memories forum. Someone put up a thread about "scrapmanda's work" - saying how a LO of mine is in the current "Scrapbooking Creations" mag and how she loves my work. How sweet!! I was tickled pink. Haven't got my copy of SC yet - should arrive in the mail this week. It's the "sisters" LO I did of the girls when Tara was a bub - in black 'n' white with orange and pink.

Additions to the family

Two of my cousins have recently had their first babies - Emma in Sydney had a little boy last month (Byron) and Natalie in Melbourne had Sophie Grace last week. We don't get to see either of them nearly enough but it's lovely to know that our extended family is extending!!! Made a card today for Natalie and Chris to welcome Sophie.












Also finished my April card for the Scrapbooking Memories forum card swap I'm in - this month it was a "thinking of you" card. Tried a new stamping technique I saw in a magazine the girls got for free from Debra @ the Craft Attic last time we were there.

Picked up a few more items for my travel journal I intend to keep while in Canada - saw an article in Creating Keepsakes that inspired me to take a few scrap items with me to do it as I go - just some glue, stapler, ink, stamp and pens - so I can add 'stuff' to it as I travel. I'm going to use a visual art diary - not too expensive - just in case it's not much chop :)

What a mixture of emotions

Well today I had a "oh my goodness" moment! Danah (10) and one of her friends wanted to go shopping - on their own - with their saved up pocket money. Tara & I were at the shopping centre too of course but we kept our distance. Anyway, Danah soon learnt that her $$ wasn't going far and she tried for a few extra dollars. She ended up buying a dress from Supre and some shoes - very high shoes!!! She so wants to be grown up (way too quickly). As she teetered around in her high slides I had a flashback to my childhood and remembered wanting to feel grown up too. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry (maybe a bit of both!!).

In complete contrast, this afternoon the three of us rode our bikes to the park near school (about 2 kms and Tara's first road ride) - Danah happily played on the play gym at the park - like a happy little girl = such a contrast to this morning.

Here's a few happy snaps from the park.

Love being home

I'm really powering through my scraping tasks while home on hols. Finished my monogram swap contributions - very plain but hopefully to everyone's liking. Also my oriental flavoured paper bag album contribution (see below). I've also completed my hat pin swap pins - haven't taken a pic of them yet but will tomorrow before posting.

I got two more CJ's today so I've spent tonight searching the net for a copy of the Dirty Dancing font - one CJ is on your favourite movie (which is Dirty Dancing for me :) ).

The girls had a creative day too. Danah's in a junior CJ at SAM so we've started making her journal and she bought some PP to cover it and do her contribution. They are both also making some friendship tags to share with other children on the Scrapbooking Memories forum - so will finish those later in the week. Tara also painted her ceramic money box ready for "cooking" tomorrow.

I received back my "scrap techniques" altered board book today from the Craft Attic forum. It's fantastic - I now have great ideas on collage, stamping, ribbons and tags as scrap techniques + my own 'sewing' contribution. It was a good, quick CJ to be in with only the five of us. Liked using the board book too - might use on of them again for another CJ sometime???

Here's Tara's stitching effort today - she punched the holes herself. She's now working on a teddy bear picture we downloaded off the net. I'll have to get her some long stitch or cross stitch kits to work on over the holidays.

We're off to see "Ice Age 2" tomorrow at the movies - I'm looking forward to it as much as the girls. Going with a friend from work , Megan, and her little girl, Madeline, who loves Danah & Tara.

Had a win!

Chuffed to find out today I won one of the challenges from the Craft Attic Cyber Crop last Friday night with my LO "Sun Beauty". It was a sketch challenge using pale/light colours.

Unfortunately I haven't had a win yet with Scrapbooking Memories!!! Another rejection email this week from them for my submissions for their call for "Pets" LO's. Sent in three - two of the cats and then one on Jack and was sure it was a winner!

The other two mags have picked up a couple of my LO's but I'm yet to be accepted by SM!!! It's a challenge now for me to keep trying until I do! Think I'll send my Jack one into the other two and see if they want it.

Sew It

I'm sitting here in my scrap/computer room and Tara is on the floor hand sewing her own embellishment while I scrap!! She did a little bit of sewing on her LO last weekend and now wants to do some more.

I've been finishing off my "Sew it" contribution to the Craft Attic Board Book swap I'm in so I've been doing lots of hand and machine sewing while putting it together. Here's the first page of "Sew It" page. I'll upload Tara's effort later :)

The cover of my board book for this swap is above - it's been good fun and I'm looking forward to getting my book back real soon.

Now off to finish my SAM CC LO :)

Got them boots!!

Found my 'canadian' boots today. My hairdresser wasn't ready for me and sent me off to shop for 10 minutes or so before my appointment. So checked out a local shoe shop and woo hoo! found my low ankle black leather pull on boots. Wearing them now (with shorts - what a look!!) to wear them in.

I've also had confirmation of my Vancouver accommodation from work today - I'll be staying at the Lord Stanley Suites (http://www.lordstanley.com) - it's a few blocks from the conference venue but close to Stanley Park.

Had my very first hair colour today - eeekk! No one else could notice them but I could - grey hairs that is - but they are all gone now. Family haven't commented so I'm obviously the only one that could see them :(

Also managed to do some scrap shopping. Picked up some lovely GinX papers discounted which I'll use for the SAM CC this weekend. Have some very cute pics of Tara getting her digital camera for her birthday which I'm going to use.

Have to do an oriental (black, red, gold) mini LO for a paper bag album swap I'm in. Don't use red much but found some lovely creative imaginations 'japanese' paper and a little cute fan to use (jolee).

I'm also working on my final board book swap entry for the Craft Attic. I've been doing "sewing" in all the board books and I think it's almost cured me of my interest in sewing on LO's for awhile.

For some reason our broadband connection has died this afternoon so I'm on dial up tonight which seems to be as fast as our broadband has been lately. Better get on to our provider and find out what's happening!

First day of hols

Girls to school (Danah on camp for three days), scrapping and coffee and shopping with Mum - what a great start to my holidays. Searching for shoes to take to Canada - no luck today but am not giving up yet.

Mum & Dad were over for dinner tonight and Dad's all excited about my trip to Vancouver. They are planning to go there in 2007 so that's were some of the excitment is coming from. He's also trying to get in touch with a cousin of his who lives in or near LA to keep me company on my 10 hour stop over there on the way home.

I've had my very first comment on my blog today - thanks Lisa :) I've become quite engrossed in other scrappers blogs particularly looking at who's blogs they read and the links they list.

Wasn't going to take my laptop to Vancouver with me but am thinking more and more that I won't be able to live without it for 2 weeks!!!!

On Holidays

As well as having fun creating this blog - today has been a big day for two reasons. Firstly, I'm now on holidays.....three weeks off work - time with the girls - time to scrap. Peter has to work except over Easter but we'll still have fun pottering around home. The girls have a few scrap challenges to participate in - to keep them busy.

The really BIG news is my flights to Vancouver are finally BOOKED. Haven't wanted to think too much about it but now I've got funding approval, ministerial approval, and flights booked I feel like it will actually happen.

My first overseas trip....wow!!! A bit scary but very exciting. More on the trip later in the week.

Zip Zero Zilch Busters!

Well this is my LO for the SAM CC last weekend - my first serious attempt at doodling - which seems to be very popular ATM. Love the smile of my gorgeous youngest DD who was so pleased to not have any busters at all on our Sunday riding session. Love her smile :)

Well here we go...

Like I don't already spend too much time on the computer - here I go finding yet another computer based addiction!!! Along with scrapbook online forums, MSN, eBay and email - now I'm blogging!!!

Not sure I'll have anything of interest to say but I guess it'll be a record of my life at this time - if I make the time to regularly post!