Life according to Pauline

Teach A boy To fish....

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:50:00 +0000

David and Spencer went fishing with David's brother Danny on the weekend and they caught about 15 King George Whiting between them. Spen caught about 5 and got very sun burnt and sun stroke as well. He was not himself for a couple of days but we made him rest and drink lots of water and now he is fine. They had a good time, but Spen will put sunscreen on next time someone tells him to put it on!!!

Party!

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:27:00 +0000

Our niece Jessica turned 3 the other day and for her party we went and made teddy bears!! We all had a great time and made some gorgeous teddy bears!!!

You pick an unstuffed bear and take it to the stuffing machine....

Then a lovely shop assistant gets you to put your foot on a peddle that activates the machine to stuff the bear...

From left to right you have Skye, Ella Rose(seated),Samantha, Jessica and Regine(seated at front)

And then you get to do the fun bit, dress the bear!!! They have an endless choice of clothes, shoes, wigs, bags, sunglasses etc.... From left to right my teddy Rose, Samantha and Teddy (have to get Samantha to think of better name for princess bear). They are so soft and so gorgeous!!!! A great time was had by all, adults and children!!! We came back and had dinner with family and friends. Jessica loved her cake....It was a lovely day. Oh and by the way I have sorted things out with the mother-in-law, we are all talking again and getting along fine. Much more peaceful and calm for everyone.

Just thought I would share a photo of me and my lovely husband David. It was taken by David's Aunty Pauline(GREAT NAME), on our wedding anniversary, and it is probably the first photo of myself, full-length, that I really like!!

Doesn't look as good shrunk, but any way, apart from the hair being a bit out of control, I like it. My tummy isn't bulging out like it used to and I look good, even if i do say so myself! I have now lost 22kg's and still going. Feeling happier and healthier and more confident in myself. A few people have commented on how good I'm looking, which boosts my ego and encourages me even more.

Party!

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:27:00 +0000

One Year Already!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:43:00 +0000

The 19th October was our first wedding anniversary, where did that year go!!!! It hasn't been the easiest year for us but we made it! My darling husband organised a night away for us. We were hoping to go to the cottage we went to for our honeymoon but it is no longer available for use, nearly cried when I found out. Any way David planned a get away, his dad and his partner Maree looked after the kids and this is where we ended up...

The Loft

It is near a town called Healesville, about 30 minutes drive from home. This cottage is so sweet.

It was made up of three levels. Level one was the main living area....

Second level was the spa bath, with gorgeous stained glass window....And the top level had the amazing four poster bed...The views were amazing over looking a lovely lake and mountains in the background...

It was simply a lovely place. Cute little bunnies running around everywhere, of course they run away as soon as you get the camera out! The peace and quiet was heavenly!!! Longer than one night would have been nice, but considering it's the first night since our honeymoon we have had alone as a couple it was heaven for us!

Busy Busy Busy

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:11:00 +0000

Been a busy few weeks. Spen was on holiday and David took 2 weeks off work so we were all home. Of course most days it rained! But we managed a few good days, spent them painting the house, still not finished but it's looking really good. We took the kids to the Melbourne zoo for one day, took the train in and had a great time. Sadly most of the big cats were asleep but we still had fun. Only one thing ruined it for me...to many people! But being school holidays we had to expect that. Here are a few pics....

Giraffe

Toys for the kids. Spen wanted elephant and Sam wanted the tiger

Elephant

My Fav the Butterfly house

David, Samantha, Spencer & friend

Monkey mum and dad with baby

Baby Hippo

Spen & Samantha

Lions

Bears

We had a great time, but it was a long day, we left at about 9.30am didn't get back until about 7.30pm

Cushion I made for Samantha's bed. Would love a blanket made in this for her room but at nearly$7 a ball and knowing that this cushion took 4 balls can you imagine how many balls and what cost a blanket would be!!!

Here is a stool my son Spencer made at school for David. He has done a great job with it, we love it. So proud of him...

Samantha's New Do

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 06:26:00 +0000

Samantha had her first real haircut at the hairdressers yesterday. I want to grow her hair long but she won't keep clips or hairbands in and the front just gets in her eyes. So I made the tough decision to get it cut and hopefully when it grows back she will leave clips in, because it is lovely and wavy when it is long. Any way here is little Missy and her new do...

Still alive

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:22:00 +0000

Yes I'm still here, just haven't been in the mood to blog. Been busy knitting, knitting and more knitting, Here are a few few things I have made....

I made a bag for my step-mother-in law Maree for her birthday, love this bag want to make one for myself.

Made this skull pattern beanie for Spencer, he loves it,he's very much into skulls at the moment, which is good because all the clothing in the stores for his age have skulls on them! It is the first time I have knitted in two colours so I'm very happy with the end result...

I have made this hat and neck warmer for my mother for Christmas. I love the subtle lacy pattern on them, might make one for myself as well....

I have knitted a couple of other things but can't show them as someone who is to receive them for Christmas will see them.

We also got Spencer a new bed, he did have very ugly blue wooden bunks that were given to us. He hid dirty washing and rubbish under the bottom bunk all the time and his room just looked cramped and messy. Now the room looks twice the size and he is actually keeping it tidy!

Bag Lady

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 04:37:00 +0000

Yes it is true, I have turned into a bag lady!!! I have knitted two bags in the last week. One for Samantha....

With beads and cables and very girly, she loves it! And one for me...

Mine, a chunky black cabled one, that I even lined!!!

I have to say I am very proud of both of them.

Yes I know....

Hello my name is Pauline, I am an addict, a knitting addict!!!! If I'm not knitting, I'm thinking about what to knit next, what yarn to get get, what colour yarn to get, do I have the right size needles??????? But I am enjoying knitting after so many years of not touching knitting needles.

Knitting, Cables and Beads!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:33:00 +0000

I have just finished knitting Samantha the cutest dress, I couldn't wait to post pics, so here it is....

I got the top of the dress from a pattern on ravelry.com and just made the skirt up as I went. Lots of stitches on a circular needle, round and round I went, adding a few stitches every now and then. I love it! So proud of it.

I am now knitting something else, but I don't want to say what it is 'til I'm finished it, but I will disclose it has cables (which I haven't done in years!), and beads knitted into it (which I have never done!). Stay tuned.

Spencer

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 22:57:00 +0000

A few quick things to mention. Spencer won an award at school, Student Of The Month! We were so proud of him. David, Samantha, Grandad Ray, Nanny Ree and I went down to the school for the award ceremony. Spencer didn't know he was getting it, so was a bit worried when we all turned up, he thought he was in trouble!

My lovely son also made me this gorgeous box, which now holds all my necklaces that were just thrown in a drawer....

He did a great job with it, I love it!

I made Samantha the cutest little top!!! I have one question for you all, how do you stop the bottom of the knitting rolling up? I love this top but the rolling up, especially on the ruffle ruins the look for me....

I have also made a few hats and scarves, nothing to exciting. Though I did make Ray and Maree's new dog, Mini, a little coat to help keep her warm...

So I have been busy making things as you can see. I've been a bit depressed the last month or so, not really getting on with David's family, hate family get together! Missing my family so very much!

On the weight lose journey, I have gone from 126kg to 111kg, gone from size 26 jeans to size 20 jeans, never had a pair of 20 jeans, did a little dance when they went on!!!! Still have a long way to go my Dr wants me at at least 80kg.

Where Do I Start!!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:13:00 +0000

Hi all, sorry it has been a while but so much has been happening here! Ok where do I start? Ok first my dad....

I got a phone call a couple of weeks ago from my mum, and I knew right away something was wrong. She told me dad had been taken to hospital the night before, he had been vomiting blood and collapsed in bed. I can't tell you how that made me feel!!!! She said they were doing tests and she would let me know as soon as they knew anything. Of course I have all these cancer thoughts and "oh god what if he dies" He still hasn't met my husband or our daughter!!!! And I haven't seen him in nearly 4 years!!! I was a mess the whole day, until David and his dad, Ray said to me don't panic until you know for sure what is going on. I think the waiting was the hardest thing. Finally got a message from dad himself on the Wednesday (he went into hospital Sunday morning), he was home and had two peptic ulcers. Needless to say I cried with relief! Dad and I have had a few ups and downs in our relationship, but I love him so very much and the thought of him not being there is hard to think about, but I think this has made us all realise he is nearly 80 and his health is not to good, we should all make the most of him while he is here. I love you dad xxx

I better introduce you all to the newest member of the Spinks clan....

Summer Rose Spinks

David's brother, Andrew and his partner Ashley had their baby, FINALLY, 8 days past due date on 30 MAy 2009 at 12.02am, Grandad Ray's birthday. They thought they were having a boy, just a feeling they had, but turns out they were wrong, another girl!!! Out og 10 grand kids there are now 3 boys and 8 girls!!!!

And lastly, I finally finished Samantha's blanket, my first major crochet project.....

I am so very proud of it and it looks great in her room. What to make next, mmmmmm??????

3rd Miracle

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Mon, 04 May 2009 23:13:00 +0000

Yes that's right a 3rd miracle has occurred!!!! I have finally taught myself to crochet!!!!! After years of my sister, Diane, (who is an amazing crocheter and knitter) telling me "to give it a try" and "it's not as hard as it looks", I brought a little book on how to crochet, a hook and some wool and well..... I CAN CROCHET!!!!!

This is my first square....

Then I got hooked (ha ha) and have decided to make Samantha a blanket for her bed...

Then I decided to give a hat a try and this is the finished product...

I then gave making a flower a go, so added that to the hat as well....

I am really enjoying it and can't believe I wasted so many good crochet years saying "it's to hard" and giving up. Well Diane I should have listened to you after all shouldn't I. Note to self....Listen to your big sister!!!!

Two Miracles!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:23:00 +0000

The first miracle....

I KNITTED!!!!! I bought some yarn and a pattern and started knitting. I haven't knitted in years!!! Well here is the finished product...

It's not perfect but for someone who has not knitted in a few years I am happy with the end result. I have added another toggle to the front since taking this photo.

I also made up this little hand bag I bought as a kit from my fav craft store Spotlight...

I love the colours and it as just so whimsical, I love it! Gave myself a huge blister on my finger from doing all the stitches but it was worth it!

The second miracle....

We finally got our deck covered!!!! We have been saving for it for a while because every one said it would cost about $1000, but we managed to do it for under $500!!!! David and his dad Ray did all the work with a little hand from Spencer and they have done a great job I must say....

It is so great being able to stand out there when it is raining and it just looks really good. Thank you my darling husband David and the greatest father in law a girl could want, Ray, with the help of Spencer you all did a great job.

I have lost 12kilos on my diet, mainly from my hips and stomach. A long way to go but feeling much more confident and sexy I must say.

I know we don't look all that happy in this photo, but it was about the 10th photo Ray had taken of us and we just wanted to go out to dinner! The first dinner we have had alone as husband and wife sine the honeymoon 6 months ago!! We don't really get a lot of time alone together, so when Ray and Maree offered to look after the kids we jumped at the chance!!!

Samantha Turns 3!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0000

I can't believe our wee girl is 3!!! Where did the time go???? Here are a few photos from her party that we had last weekend...

The Birthday Girl in her party dress....

She loved dancing around in it....

"Happy Birthday To You..." Samantha loved everyone singing to her...

Blowing out the candles...

The birthday cake I made...

Flower biscuits I made, I love these, they look gorgeous....

Butterflies I made and hung over the table, everyone loved these...

Gift bags I put together for the girls, Samantha, Skye, Jessica and Matilda. Each included a necklace, feather pen, balloon and lollies...

The girls playing in the tent we got Samantha...

The duvet cover we got Sam and Spencer gave her the giant Upsy Daisy doll..

Playing with the tea set sent from Nana, grandad and Aunty Diane in NZ...

Fairy doll I saw and just HAD to get my little girl...

Raro

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:37:00 +0000

My sister Diane had to have one of her beloved cats, Raro, put to sleep yesterday. I bawled my eyes out when I heard! Diane and I were living with our brother Graham when we got Raro and she is very special to us. She was a lovely cat and will be greatly missed.

Rest in Peace our beautiful Miss Ra xxx

Raro is the tabby, Scotty is the little minx tormenting her which he did from the moment we got him! Scotty will be lost with out you Ra. Our thoughts and love are with you Diane xxx

A Beautiful Day

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 20:26:00 +0000

Well here I am 37 and doing my 101st post on my blog! I had a great day for my birthday (13th March), my husband took the day off work and spoiled me!! He took me to a book warehouse that I have been wanting to go to for ages where they have nothing over $5! I bought 5 novels. Then he took me to Spotlight (craft heaven) where I bought some scrap booking things and a duvet cover for our new bed. Speaking of our bed... HERE SHE IS....

I am sure my sister will be very surprised as it is not the usual style I go for! I like romantic beds, but this caught both me and David, and it matches the drawers we already had. It was delivered on Saturday and we had it up within minutes! Then I decided to make the brown cushion covers to put on it as well. I love the end result the whole bed ensemble looks great!

I got cards from all of my family and text messages from them and a phone call from my wonderful sister, Diane. Hearing her voice made my day!

David's Dad and step-mum Maree gave me some lovely candles that I put in our bedroom...

The rest of David's made no effort at all, no cards not even a phone call or text. But David, Ray, Maree and my kids along with the phone call from my sister helped me have a great day!

Oh The Calmness!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 02:19:00 +0000

Well ladies and gentlemen, the fire threat is over.... THANK GOD!!!! We had rain last weekend and even though a few fires are still going they are controlled and not a threat to anybody! It is so nice to have everything back to normal, Spen back at school,no packed bags sitting around waiting to be whisked away if we evacuated, no water bombing helicopters flying around, no stress every time the smoke gets thicker!!! Thank you to all CFA fire fighters, fire fighters from around the world, SES workers and all who helped keep us all safe during this trying and tiring month.

Diet is going well, people have started to notice the weight falling off me now, not sure how much I have lost but clothes are loser and had to put stitches in jeans to hold them up! I don't like weighing myself so I go by how loose my clothes get. I'm happy with the result and as a reward I dyed my hair! I was contemplating cutting it all off... going from this..........

To this....
But David said he loved my long hair (even though he complains about finding it laying around every where), so I decided to dye it instead, from the natural red to dark brown...

Not the best photo sorry, I am still not sure if I like it or not, David and Spencer love it!!! David's dad Ray said I looked expensive, but he didn't say I looked bad, so that's good coming from him!

Going to be a big week, my 37th (OH MY GOD) birthday on Friday, not planning anything special, Spen won't be here, his dad is coming over from NZ and having him for a few days, David might do something I don't know. He has bought me (us) a new bed for my birthday, gets delivered on Thursday, can't wait!!! What a darling he is. Diane, I think you will be surprised at the bed I picked!!! Stay tuned!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:01:00 +0000

Well the threat of fire has eased but is still there depending on what the weather brings. Luckily we have had mild weather for the last week which has helped the fire fighters contain most of the fires but still a couple have the option to flare up if the wind picks up, so our bags are still packed ready to get out if we have to.

The death toll is now at 200, but still expected to rise as they still have about 80 people unaccounted for!

Where we are in the Yarra Valley there is a command centre for the CFA just down the road from our town where the water bombing helicopters are stationed, two big orange ones and a New Zealand helicopter arrived to help the other day...

Samantha thinks they are great, they fly over all the time and we went down and actually saw them take off the other day, she was petrified but excited at the same time.

We have fire fighters from all over Australia, New Zealand and the USA here fighting these massive fires at the moment, god bless them all!!!

Australians have raised about 100million dollars for the bushfire victims which I think is totally amazing!!! Thank you to all those who have given money, clothes, food or the time and services to these people, you are all angels xxx

Why????

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 21:26:00 +0000

I am fighting back tears as I write this post. Our state is in turmoil. Fire rages across much of it leaving a trail of destruction that is unbelievable!!!

So far 108 people are dead, 750 houses have been burnt to the ground and 31 fires still burn, 10 still out of control!!!! They are expecting the death toll to reach nearly 200, if not more. Complete towns have been wiped from the map!!!! And what really hurts is that many of these fires were deliberately lit!!!! How the hell some one could do that, cause this much pain for so many people and then live with themselves is beyond my comprehension!!!!

I should add these photos are not taken any where near us. We are safe for now but are told by the CFA (local fire fighters) to be prepared to leave at a moments notice, so we have photos, documents and clothes packed just in case.
I was going to put some photos of Davids car covered in ash and our packed bags on here, but they seem meaningless and silly now after everything else and what other people are going through!!!
Please keep those who have lost loved ones and all they own in your prayers and hearts.

Hottest Day On Record

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 08:17:00 +0000

Well we thought last week was bad...today Victoria had it's hottest ever day on record....46.4 degrees Celsius!!!!!! It has been sweltering!!! What makes it even worse is that there are dozens of bushfire's roaring around the state. We have had gusting northerly winds which is just fuelling the fires and as we are in the middle of a major drought things are tinder dry!!!! We don't have any bush fires close to us, well not close enough to worry about...YET!!! But today we have had scorched leaves and ash falling on us and smoke in the air, which makes you worry a bit I have to admit. I took some photos to show you....

Normally at around 6pm, when I took these photos there is blue sky and it is very light, but today this is what was outside and it was dark!Then we noticed this plume, which we are not sure if it was smoke or cloud, but it looked amazing, and kept growing like a volcano eruption!!!!And this is what our white outside furniture looked like...Covered in ash!!!!

The good news, yes there is some, is that for the following week the temperature shouldn't get above 30!!!! THANK GOODNESS!!!!I will keep you up to date with developments.

Heat Wave From Hell!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:32:00 +0000

Hi all, yes I am still alive... JUST!!! Last week was the week from hell!!! We had a massive heat wave here! Normally in summer we get the odd 40+Degree Celsius day which is tolerable, but last week we had 4 days of over 40 in a row!!!!!!! It was horrible. We don't have an air conditioner in our house...SILLY US!!!!! Fans just blow the air around more, so we had windows and curtains shut all day trying, with no success, to keep the heat out. By the time David got home from work at around 3pm we were all ready to cool down in a big way!!!! We would head down to the river and stay there for hours!!!! It didn't really cool down at night time which makes it even more hard to handle. A couple of times I just cried and said I wanted to back to New Zealand, you get nothing even close to that heat over there. But we managed to get through it and are now looking at air conditioners!!! They say it was a 1 in 100 year event, having that many in row, but we want to be prepared next time!!!! Our poor garden was looking lush and green two weeks ago, this is what it looks like now...

Everything is wilted and burnt!!! As we are on tight water restrictions we haven't watered anything and they are truly begging for water! Hopefully we will get rain soon!!!!

Any way, my wight loss effort is working, I lost just under 3kg in my first week and I'm exercising more and more every day. I haven't been tempted by all the chocolate in the fridge that my family keep bringing home!!!! Eating lots of good fruit and veg and actually enjoying it!!!

Let The Battle Begin!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:30:00 +0000

Well I have finally decided to get serious with my battle with the bulge!!!! I am sick and tired of being this big, no I'm not going to reveal how big I am, I am disgusted at how big I have gotten and can't bring myself to let any one else know!!! Not even my husband David knows my weight! Lets just say I would like to, no, I WILL LOOSE, about 4 or 5 dress sizes!!! I have really good reason's to loose the weight...

*My health. I have been having back pain, my knee packs up on occasion, worried about stroke & heart attack!

*My children. I want to see then grow up and have kids of their own. I want to be able to play with them with out getting tired after about ten minutes!!!! I want to be able to run around with them and have fun!

*My husband. I want to be more attractive and sexier for my husband, who by the way is skinny and as fit as you can be! He loves me as I am, but is being very supportive as he is worried about my health as well.

*Clothes!!!! I love clothes!!!! But when you are my size you have a limited selection of nice clothes, VERY LIMITED!!!! I want to wear stunning dresses and look good in jeans. Some of the clothes I see make me cry because they are so cute and I am WAY TO BIG for them!

*My self esteem. My self esteem is so low and I have no confidence in my self. Hate going out in public because I think people are talking about "the fat lady", ME!!!

*Not to mention my wedding photos!!! I hate the tummy bulge you can see in the photos!!!! I tried this dress on so many times before the day, and I never once saw the bulge, I thought I looked great in it!!! It wasn't until I saw the photos and nearly died of embarrassment!!! I wish I worn a different dress, or some suck me in underwear!!!!

I started taking meal replacement shakes for breakfast and lunch yesterday, even got myself a smaller dinner plate so that I have a smaller meal at dinner time. Got lots of fruit and vegetables that I am allowed to snack on. Even did exercise!!!!! I am truly serious this time and I WILL BE A SIZE 16 BY CHRISTMAS!!!!! I really wanted to put 14 or 12 but I know I am always going to have big thighs and a butt, it's just my body shape, but a 16 for me would be fantastic! But as long as I'm healthy and feel more positive about myself that is the main thing!
Wish me luck my friends!

Ashley's 21st

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 23:37:00 +0000

My sister-in-law Ashley turns 21 today, she decided she didin't want a big party so I invited her, her partner Andrew and daughter Skye around for dinner tonight, told her she wasn't allowed to cook or do dishes on her birthday. I wanted to make a special cake for her and as she loves chocolate cake that is what I made, but I spent the last week making chocolate roses to decorate it..

Having two nearly 40 degree days I couldn't make any on those days as the chocolate mixture just got to soft, but I got a few made. A very fiddly job but not to bad. Samantha and Spencer hung around like flies wanting the chololate! They are made from a mixture made up of chocolate and glucose syrup. Here is the end result...Hopefully she likes it!

Here's Another One

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 03:16:00 +0000

Yeah Yeah I know, you are all sick of these...

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Greatest Find Ever!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Pauline) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:41:00 +0000

I have been looking for a birthday invitation for Samantha's birthday, yes I know it is in April and I have plenty of time, but I can't help it, I'm organised!!! I hadn't been able to find one until I decided to look on Ebay the other day and found a lady, Alanna, who does digital scrapbooking invitations and I ordered one and this is the end result....

It made me cry when I saw the end result. Alanna did an amazing job and I can't wait to give them out, in about 3 months time!!!