COLLS GARDEN

COLL IS STILL ALIVE !!!

2008-08-13T15:32:00.004+10:00

Hiya Everyone,

This is Shannon here, posting because im tired of telling mum to do a post to let everyone know that YES she is still around, LOL.

So now she will be reading this and thinking you cheeky girl (ahh is that my phone ringing now....).

I even added a pretty new border for her in an effort to co-erse her back into BLOGLAND !

SO C'MON GIRLS leave her a message tellin' her to get her butt into gear ok!

Sorry mummsy but it had to be done.....HA HA HA (just remember all those prezzies i just gave you..)

Luv Shann xxxx

More Pressies

2008-06-07T08:59:00.010+10:00

I was lucky enough to win the Mother's Day Giveaway held by Bek of beks shabby dreams, which arrived a couple of days ago, but I just haven't had a chance to post the pics until now.
What a sweetie she is, look at how prettily the parcels are wrapped, lots of lovely pink organza ribbon too.

Inside, one of Bek's own creations, a lovely pink rose air-freshener cuppie, with the most divine rose fragrance. More of Bek's goodies, her own sweet sugar cubes & hearts, just covered in pretty glass glitter, all inside a pretty organza bag. Plus a pretty pink sachet of Evening Tea & Sugar, Cath Kidston Bath Melts & the prettiest shopping list/pad to put on my fridge (it has magnets on the back) with the most gorgeous pink rose on each page. Oh, and there was also a little pressie for Shann. How sweet is that?

Thanks so much Bek, I love it.
You are so very sweet.

Hugs, Coll :-}

WOOHOO, I got a swop parcel!!!

2008-05-28T22:45:00.006+10:00

This morning I came home from work to find a parcel from the States on my kitchen bench. For all you who don't know, I work 21 hour shifts, so I was away all night. If a parcel arrives my DH leaves it out for me, often with a cryptic note, like "what have you bought now"?

Anyhoo, I checked this parcel, it's from the States.

Now, I know I haven't bought anything from you gals recently, so this is very mysterious. Turning over the parcel, what do I see. It's from Joan of Joan's Journey's, my Parasol & Paper Swap partner.

She did email to say she had posted my parcel, getting in early because of new bubbies & stuff (helloo, Sydney Ann).

So, here in all their glory are my gorgeous swap items. Joan, they are sooo lovely, how did you know I would love all these pretties.

Isn't it so exciting, look at all that pretty rosey paper & a card, addressed to me.

Such a pretty card & envelope, with roses, & the prettiest (pink of course) little scrapping book, with a PINK PARASOL, & a pretty pink fridge magnet. Joan thinks the lady looks a bit like a parasol. I think so too.

Parcel number 2 held these goodies, gorgeous little French style booklet/journal. I shall keep this in my bag, I am always scribbling down stuff. A lovely mini photo album (yep, we still do have photos), just beautiful, & darling little napkins. I love the chocolate brown & pink combination, gorgeous. Can you read what it says? "So many chocolates, so little time". A girl after my own heart, is Joan.

Is this not the most gorgeous pile of goodies. Thank you so much Joan. Everything is just beautiful, I love it (big smiles).

I know you were early, but now, like the White Rabbit said, I feel late. (Hmmm, now where did I put that paper I was putting in with the Parasol... heck, where is the Parasol?)

Just kidding Joan.

Hugs, Coll :-}

Prayers to our friends in the States

2008-05-25T22:55:00.002+10:00

Hi Everyone,

We just wanted to send our prayers, blessings & love to all our friends in the States who have been affected by the terrible storms over the last couple of days. We have been watching the news on TV & were overcome by the devastation & heartbreak, in particular we saw film of Oklahoma, which distressed us greatly. We can't begin to imagine how you all must be feeling at this terrible time. Our hearts go out to all the people, particularly our blogging friends, who are affected by these terrible storms. May the Lord watch over you all.

Love & Blessings

Coll & John

Mother's Day, a little late

2008-05-21T20:56:00.010+10:00

I know it's a bit late, but, better late than never, as they say in the classics. (Who is "they" anyway? or is that are they)? Oh, who cares.

Anyhoo, we all had a wonderful Mother's Day at my house. Unfortunately, my two eldest granddaughters couldn't come as they were both working at their part-time jobs. Alexandra, 17, is still in high school (her last year) & Rebecca (19) is at University studying Nursing. They are gorgeous, hard-working girls & I did miss them.

But, my lovely 15 yr old granddaughter Jessica (she prefers Jess) was with us & the twin terrors, Mr Sam & Miss Kaitlyn. My darling eldest daughter Tracey, Kaitlyn's Mum was here, my sweet SIL Todd was back from working in Darwin, and of course, Shannon & Shane.

We all had a great time, the weather was TERRIBLE, cold & wet, but who cares. Although, we were going to the lake to feed the ducks & the geese. Oh well, maybe sometime soon.

We ate a lot, drank some Champagne (just us Mums of course) & had a bit of a giggle. AND, I got some lovely pressies.

Shannon made me a gorgeous box for my bits-n-pieces, covered in beautiful papers, flowers, vintage buttons & the cutest lil birdie (can you see him). She also painted me a lovely sign to hang on my wall & I got CHOCOLATES TOO(yummm). Mr Sam made me a gorgeous tissue box cover (he knows Nanny can't ever be without tissues), with maybe a LITTLE help from Mum. Dont'cha love it?

Tracey & Todd & the girls gave me heaps of the MOST GORGEOUS teatowels for my new kitchen, all colour matched, pink-n-pretty, with cuppies & sodas & stripes & things. I don't think I want any of them to get dirty, they're just too pretty.

Not only that, they also gave me MICHAEL BUBLE'S latest CD. We are going to see him in exactly 10 days!! Am I excited? You betcha!!

12 rows from the front!! WOOHOO!! (oops, excuse me).

And, of course, Shannon & Tracey, when they get together, are just as bad as the littlies, always up to something.

Wonder what these two were up to while the grown ups weren't watching?

And, I know Shannon wants me to put this on my blog, even if she didn't say so (I hate all my photos). She looks gorgeous, anyway. (Do you think maybe the sepia hides my wrinkles?)

Hope you all had as wonderful a Mother's Day as I did.

Hugs, Coll :-}

How many makes a collection? And how many collections can you have before you get certified?

2008-05-10T12:34:00.014+10:00

Before I start, yep, I know I've been absent for awhile. Did you miss me? Just had a little break because of a couple of health issues bothering me & also doing extra shifts at work due to staff shortages, so not too well & verrrry tired make me a mite touchy (lol) & I hibernate a little

Anyhoo, got to doing a bit of moving "stuff" around this week, now that the house is mostly back to normal & I realised that I have more "collections" than I thought.

First, there's my gravy/sauce boats. This is 3 of my favourites, but I'm fairly sure that at last count there was 26. But, in my defence, I have been collecting them for about 20 years. I'm a bit choosy now though, they really have to be worth it.

Then there's the cherubs. It wasn't until I started unpacking again after the reno that I realised how many I have. If you count the ones in pics & on boxes, I think it's about 18. That's not many, is it? I'll bet there's lots of you with more than that.

Gorgeous trios, well, I don't think they should be classified as a collection, you can never have too many. Who knows who might pop in for tea & scones. Oh, & teapots of course. Gotta have teapots to go with them.

Sadly, I have just discovered that I'm acquiring a couple more collections (giggle). Pretty little Prayer Ladies (ok, I admit it, I'm addicted), gorgeous footed egg vases (there's a couple more of both in transit) & divine rose display plates for my walls. And the sweetest teapot next to my prayer ladies that I just bought from the lovely Alicia at Time Worn Style. Isn't it gorgeous.

I'd better stop there, if I keep looking around I might find out that I really AM ADDICTED TO COLLECTING. I wonder if there's a name for the complaint? Do I need a doctor? A phsychiatrist? Or maybe just more room for more collections (hee hee).

Have a wonderful weekend. Happy Mother's Day to all the Mums.

Hugs, Coll :-}

PS: Please excuse the big spaces, the more I tried to fix it, the messier blogger made it. Aaarrgghh!!

From Disaster, to Dynamic!

2008-04-19T09:45:00.012+10:00

FROM THIS................................................................................................................TO THIS!! TA DA!!

So, after almost ten days of having non-stop tradesmen in the house, things are almost back to normal.

I love, love, love my new kitchen, timber flooring & my gorgeous new carpet. Everything goes beautifully together.

But what a nightmare. Girls, if you are thinking of renovating, I reckon you should just buy a new house (lol). Even though we had no choice in the matter, I would definately leave home next time & just leave 'em to it!

We've built a couple of times, but actually living in it & having most of your possessions piled up in one room all the time (almost 2-1/2 months) is not recommended.

Now anyone who has been through it knows that nothing ever goes right, eh.

The tradies didn't turn up on time, which is in the rules, I know.

The kitchen removal people banged on the wall so hard, that things on the bathroom wall (behind the kitchen) started jumping off into the bath. Luckily nothing broke.

The new cooktop, when unpacked, had a huge ding in it. New one delivered next day, after much yelling from me down the phone. Not like me at all really (hee hee).

The kitchen cabinet manufacturers forgot 2 doors (oops, we forgot to count them).

The flooring man arrived with the wrong colour timber - red oak! Can you imagine that with Raspberry coloured benchtops. ERK!!! So, more yelling down the phone (I'm getting good at this by now) & another express delivery, from the boss this time. I must be getting REALLY good at it. So, Pale Oak arrives & it's right.

At least the carpet was the right colour (lol).

Anyhoo, I'm pretty sure it's over, all the rubbish has been taken away & I've unpacked lots of my pretties, but still a way to go. Maybe I've got too much stuff? Nah, no way (giggle).

My shelving above the fridge, not finished decorating it yet, still needs more stuff (lol) & lovely timber flooring.

My dining area, don't ya just loooove the carpet.

No more concrete, oh happy day. My poor old arthritic knees are very thankful.

So, I hope you all like it. I know Raspberry coloured benchtops aren't for everyone, but they look gorgeous with all the white. And did you notice the Raspberry Roses on the cabinet handles, what more could a girl want.

Happy Weekend Everyone.

Hugs, Coll :-}

WHAT IS EBAY UP TO NOW

2008-04-10T23:20:00.002+10:00

OK, for all you girls who list on ebay & don't already know, ebay australia is evidently going to introduce in the next few months a pay by PayPal ONLY system, which means they get more of our money. I have only just heard about it, but I'm disgusted, if this is true.
Coll :-}

Tomorrow is NEW KITCHEN day!! Ta Da!!

2008-04-08T23:38:00.006+10:00

This is going to be a really short post.

Shannon very kindly informed me yesterday that "You need to do another pot Mum". Yeah, right!"

Various comments came to mind, but like a dutiful Mum I just said "yes darling, I know".
The last week has been (hang on, I'm searching for the right word here) - will FRANTIC do? Getting everything organised, including tradesmen, to co-ordinate. They don't call 'em tradesMEN for nothing, girls. Now, if they were tradeswomen, another story. But, I digress.

After NINE WEEKS of living in a disaster area, my old kitchen is being ripped out (OMG, that sounds awful) tomorrow, & the new one put in. I WILL FINALLY HAVE A DISHWASHER! Surely, that alone was worth the stress? You think?

Two days later the kitchen & family area floors will be done (I hope) & next Wednesday the new carpet will be laid (did I spell that right?)

Anyhoo, if I survive the workmen & the mess, I will post some pics tomorrow. Basically, I'm planning on locking myself & my Maddie dog in the computer room, (with a lamp I'm working on), & not coming out until they've gone. Wish me luck.

Hugs, Coll :-}

PS: Just wanted to add these photos (it's the next day, work already in progress). Poor old kitchen, RIP.

Gorgeous Men (one for Tracie & LeAnn)

2008-04-01T12:10:00.007+11:00

Got to thinking about Alan Rickman this morning (as you do), well I do anyway & so do some other lovely ladies I could mention (Tracie, LeAnn, could it be you I mean - giggle).

Which led me to thinking about another gorgeous man, another actor & the French version of Alan. Oo La La! Or more to the point, WOW!! Alain Delon is his name, I think I was in love with him when I was quite young & impressionable.

He's a bit older now, of course (I think he's even a bit older than me), but oh boy, what a hunk!

Don't you agree ladies. Anyone remember him?

And speaking of gorgeous men, I almost forgot this photo. Mind you I had to sneak up on him, he was very intent on doing the washing up for me & was not in the frame of mind for messing around with cameras. No prizes for guessing who.

Hugs, Coll :-}

Thank You LeAnn & Tracie

2008-03-29T10:13:00.003+11:00

Isn't it amazing how, just when you are feeling a bit "blah", something happens to brighten you right up.

I was feeling just that way this morning, then I visited my blog & look what I found!

LeAnn from Pink Icing on the Cake and Tracie from My Petite Maison both gave me this award.

Thank you so much ladies. You are quite right LeAnn, there is nothing quite like your Mother's love, is there. Except maybe your husband, daughter, son, grandchild, your own little furball, etc...........

I am supposed to pass this on, but I would never be able to pick which of you wonderful ladies should receive this, so all of you should take this award, please do, because ALL OF YOU make my day!!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

So, the sun's shining, the birds are singing & I'm off to the garden.

Hugs, Coll :-}

New fabric & wasp stings - OUCHIE!!

2008-03-26T15:52:00.003+11:00

I decided to do some gardening this afternoon, it was such a gorgeous day. Bright sunshine & a lovely breeze, so not too hot. And thankfully the rain has stayed away. We have a rotten cotoneaster is the far corner of our front garden, which is way too big to dig out, so slowly but surely we have been cutting it back to manageable size. Two weeks ago my DH got stung, not once, but twice, by wasps, (yep, he went back for more), but he couldn't find their nest.

Well, today I found it. Or should I say, it found me. Rotten little blighters. Anyhoo, I fixed 'em. Burnt 'em out, hee hee. Teach them to sting me. Through gardening gloves too. Shows how safe they are. Just as well it wasn't a Funnel Web Spider.

Also got this gorgeous fabric in the mail today, called Toile de Versailles. Now, I'm not usually keen on this kind of thing, although I do like some Toile fabrics, but this is gorgeous, so much nicer than the pics. The white is lovely & crisp & the pattern looks like it has been drawn on.

So, I'm thinking outside the square (shabby chic square that is). I have a gorgeous lamp base, crystal base & 3 round diamond cut crystal inserts & I'm thinking very French. Going to get started on the shade tonight, but have to find some gorgeous fringe or something (also thought maybe pearls) to go on the bottom of the shade. Don't know what colurs though, any suggestions gals?

Hugs, Coll :-}

My house is still a mess, but at least the roses are blooming!

2008-03-11T17:58:00.005+11:00

Sorry I've haven't posted for awhile, but every spare minute at home I seem to be trying to put the garden back together, post flood, or I've been on the darned phone to the insurance company, the kitchen man (useless person), the insurance company, the carpet people, the insurance company, etc., etc., etc..

We still haven't had anything done, the insurance company has sacked the kitchen person they nominated, so now we are picking our own, still waiting on one more quote.

The carpet is ready to go, but we can't get that done until the new kitchen is put in, so we are still living on cruddy, cold concrete. Ugh!!!! Shannon & Sam helped me pick out the carpet last week, although I think Sam was more interested in the forklift in the warehouse (hee hee). He's such a boy! It's green! Sounds hideous? It's not really, it is the softest green you can imagine, just beautiful. I'm quite surprised, I'm not usually a green person. But it goes beautifully with pink!

Anyhoo, today after I came home from work, I was soooo depressed looking at my messy house, no pretties around, well not many, so I took a walk in the garden. The roses are enjoying the gorgeous weather, we are finally getting some Summer & it's Autumn.
I put some in my little ginger jar, which has pretty birds on it & my little bluebird thought he'd come for a visit. And don't you just love the gorgeous pink rhinestone brooch I bought last week off ebay, I've got a special project in mind for it, thanks to Nancy from Fete et Fleur.

I bought this gorgeous sparkly pink silk scarf at a local market last week. I have no idea what I'm going to do with it yet, but I'll think of something. It was too pretty to resist & only $2.

There, I feel much more cheerful now. Amazing what some "pinkness" will do for you, isn't it.

Lots of Hugs, Coll :-}

Shann's friend is very ill

2008-03-01T22:09:00.002+11:00

Hi Everyone.

This is just a short post. A very dear friend of Shann's, from her school days, is very sick, with a life-threatening illness. Shann only found out tonight & she is very upset, as you can imagine.

A cheer-up message from you gals would sure help. Also some very special prayers for her friend Sharon, who is going to have some tough times ahead.

Hugs & thank you, Coll :-}

My Memory Pillow, Sweet & Sad Memories.

2008-02-27T15:09:00.011+11:00

I was making my bed this morning, putting all the "good" pillows & cushions back on it as I do every day, including my little Memory Pillow.

This little pillow, with it's lovely old & not so old brooches, holds lots of sweet & sad memories for me.

The beautiful Cameo belonged to my Mum, she wore it, pinned to a scarf, at her throat, often in the winter. I think my Dad gave it to her.

The sparkly green rhinestone one, I bought for her for Mother's Day many, many years ago (about 45 I think), with hard-saved pocket money. I was just a kid, still at school.

The old ring, which is garnets & diamond chips set in silver, was also Mum's. A bit big & gaudy, but she loved it! My parents had eleven children, I was the last, & lots of my olders siblings were brought up through the Depression years & they never had much, so Mum's small amount of jewellery was very precious to her.

My Mum passed away many years ago, when I was only 33, so you know why they are precious to me too.

I don't think, no matter how old we get, that we ever stop missing our Mum. (Excuse me, I'm crying, back soon).

The gorgeous Star of David, set with Rhinestones, belonged to my Nan, she passed away when I was only 8, but I still remember her, she was rather lovely & always wore her long hair in what they called a Chignon.

The bow & locket my dear hubby bought for our first Wedding Anniversary. I really don't wear brooches, but it is lovely & it has it's special place on this pillow.

The big fancy-coloured one at the top I bought at Vinnie's, just because, and the little duck I've had for I don't know how long, when I collected ducks years ago. He is very sweet, isn't he.

So, every day when I put this little Memory Pillow back on my bed, I am always reminded of the people I love, for always.

Hugs, Coll :-}

The mess continues, Easter goodies & vintage mug swap

2008-02-26T14:03:00.010+11:00

Well, the mess from our little flood is still with us, after almost three weeks. We've been measured for new carpet, I think I've picked out something I like (not sure, can't I have pink), we've picked out timber for the floors in the kitchen & family area, which we've been told is going to cost twice as much as the carpet!! Heaven only knows why.

The guy came today to finalise measurements for the kitchen & bring colour samples for the cupboards. I don't like any of them!! I want dusty rose pink benchtops!! He thought I was quite mad. How can they make sooo many colours & they're all yucky? Also, when I told him we had decided to put in a dishwasher & replace the oven & cooktop as well, it seemed to be a really big deal. Good grief! They have to change all their measurements (boo hoo). As someone close to me says (who you all know), "put on your big girl panties & get over it". Work round it guys, it's my kitchen & I'm the one working & living in the mess.

Oh well, at least the insurance company has been helpful, even if the tradespeople aren't.

I've been talking to a very sweet young lady at NRMA Insurance, I gave her the "poor old lady with arthritic knees" story & she was putty in my hands. She must have a nice Grandma - hee hee.

Anyhoo, enough whingeing!! Some sweet, happy stuff!!

I bought some gorgeous Easter bits & pieces on the weekend while I was out shopping with my clients (I WAS working, really I was). A bag of crystal glass eggs, proper egg-size glittery eggs with chooks on & pink ribbons to hang them by & shrink wrap thingys for real eggs. Apparently you put them on an egg, lower it into boiling water for 3 seconds & it wraps itself around the egg. I'll let you know if it works. Aren't they all just so pretty. I think I should start Easter decorating now , it might make this messy house look a bit prettier. Just gotta remember where I stashed the rest of my Easter goodies (lol).

Also, on Saturday, my parcel arrived from Rachel, my swap partner from Purple Flower's Fairy's (Debbie) Vintage Mug Swap. Such a boxfull of the prettiest things, I don't know where to begin.

The sweetest vintage mug, filled with vintage laces, buttons, pearls, vintage wooden pegs, old rhinestone jewellery, hankies, a lovely embroidered crinoline lady heart, just to mention a few. A lovely old key, shabbied & with a pretty pink bow added, some smaller keys AND the most gorgeous little plate, wrapped in a vintage hanky.

But I think my favourite is the little blue bird, & after looking at Amy's (Bunny Rose Cottage) blog, I know exactly where he is going. Thank you soooo much Rachel, it is all just beautiful, I can't thank you enough. You somehow got everything exactly right, all the things I love. I hope you will love yours too.

Before I go, here's a couple of things on my ebay this week. Finally got to list that gorgeous French lady you liked Stephanie.

Isn't that gown just the most divine thing. She's on artist's canvas, ready to hang & is quite a good size.

A cute little Chocolat metal sign for your kitchen.

Another gorgeous sign, metal also. I am just lovin' the shabby vintage French thingy at the moment, I think my house might be getting a bit of a makeover when the mess is finished with.

Hugs to you all, Coll :-}

My Lamps are Back!!

2008-02-15T16:50:00.007+11:00

I made a conscious decision this year (nope, not a New Year's resolution, I always break them), to get back to doing what I love to do, and that's refurbishing vintage lamps.

I kinda got a bit sidetracked for awhile, I guess because it get's sooo hard to sell on ebay sometimes, when there are so many other creative people out there.

It gets very disheartening when you know that your lamps are gorgeous and made with lots of love, not to mention hours. But, as another lovely lamp maker on ebay said to me, you gotta hang in there.

Don't get me wrong, I still love junkin' & looking out for pretty treasures for ebay ( & me), like vintage china, linens & stuff, but my lamps are what got me started on ebay & what I really enjoy doing.

I've also decided to do some more of the "crafty" things I used to do, seems like years ago. All sorts of stuff, photo albums, journals, frames & things & I don't think I've forgotten how. Bit like riding a bike, isn't it. You soon remember once you're up. So, hopefully, there will be a few more of my creations (time permitting) turning up. Having a job really does interfer with creating, doesn't it (lol).

Anyhoo, here is the pair of lamps I finally got listed this week. One has been finished for awhile & I just kept putting off doing the other one.

Rachel Ashwell roses, what more could a girl want. (Thanks for the great pics Shann)

Aren't those blue roses just dreamy.

This divine sugar bowl, which I'm sure just has to be Bavarian, has been listed too. I almost kept this one.

Gorgeous Shabby French Chic sign, on tin. I kinda like the Paris thing, don't you.

Two beautiful Victorian bone dishes. All that lovely gilding & just enough wear to make them sooo prettily shabby. Could be used for all sorts of things, trinkets, soaps, candy etc..

So, as you can see, I will still have lots of other pretties. In fact, I did some junkin' today on the way home from work, bought some lovely vintage linens. I'll show you next time.

Hugs, Coll :-}

PS: my boy's back home, I'm sure he's grown an inch or two (hee hee).

I miss them already!

2008-02-14T19:03:00.004+11:00

Shannon, Shane & Sam have gone away for a few days, as you probably all know. A friend of mine has a gorgeous caravan (I'm told it's just like a small holiday apartment) on our beautiful South Coast, so they've gone there for a little R & R.

Can you believe I miss them already, and they only went this morning - lol. It's not as though I see them every day, but..... I sure miss my little man.

They certainly need the break, they haven't had any time out since Shane was so ill and this is just what they need. And today the Gods smiled on us & the sun finally came out, so hopefully the weather will be nice for them too.

I was feeeling a little depressed about this (how did you guess), so I took the opportunity to get into the garden again. Our front garden has dried out enough to be able to work in it, but the back is still waterlogged, bit like a bog really, that's gonna have to wait. Hopefully we might get some more sunshine (pleeese, pleeese, pleeese).

I picked some of the few remaining roses that weren't ruined in the storms & brought them inside, so that brightened me up.

Isn't this the most glorious pink. It's a very old English rose called Olde Fragrance & it has that olde worlde musky perfume that, for me, is what makes a rose. Never can understand people who have roses with no perfume, it's just wrong.

I've put them on a little table between the dining room & the kitchen, so every time I walk through I can smell their beautiful perfume.

Now, if pink roses don't make me feel chirpier, nothing will.

Hugs, Coll :-}

PS: I wonder if Shann is having computer withdrawal yet - hee hee.

YOU SIMPLY CANNOT BELIEVE HOW BAD WET, MUDDY CARPET SMELLS!!!

2008-02-12T12:33:00.000+11:00

First, I have to say thanks to all the lovely gals who commented on my last post. It's soooo nice to know that all you gals sympathise & not only that, that lots of you have been through the same thing. Not that I would wish it on anyone, you know, but at least we're not alone - lol.

Really, you gotta laugh, or you cry. Although, Shann tells me I did lock myself in my bedroom at one stage (hee hee).

And yes, boy does it STINK!!!! The morning after it was starting to smell, & by the next morning it was absolutely RANK!!!!

Thank God the men came & ripped it up that afternoon.

My house now, however, looks like we just moved in. All my pretties are packed away, lots of them in my computer/workroom, so that I just have a little pathway to the computer - lol.

Now we just have concrete (yuk, yuk & yuk) & it's been quite cool here, so I have taken to wearing my winter slippers & IT'S THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER!!

And this is my house now. I don't think I can stand it without all my pretty things around, I'm having withdrawals already! In fact, it's so bad, I had to go shopping with Shann after work today to buy some stuff to cheer me up (hee hee).

Poor little Maddie is exhausted from all the activity.

I kept my gorgeous Cherub & Roses lamp out, I need something pink & pretty to keep me smiling. Shann wanted to take him home with her "just to look after him" but I'm not that stooopid!

Mind you, it will be quite exciting when it's all done. New carpet & a new kitchen, who knows where it might lead. Of course, the curtains in the family area will just have to go & the wall colour, well, that won't go with anything. Hey Shann, better get those paintbrushes out again!!!

Hugs, Coll :-}

(aarrgghh!! Blogger will not leave my pics where I want them. Grrr).

Now I know I wanted new carpet, but this is a bit extreme

2008-02-07T19:20:00.000+11:00

I think I may have mentioned once or twice that I HATE my carpet. It's brown. Need I say more. No-one in their right mind has brown carpet, do they? Ok, it was here when we bought the house 2.1/2 years ago & my DH has been promising that I could get new, maybe this year......

Well guess what. I'M GETTING NEW CARPET!!!!

Oh, BTW, did I mention that it's been raining a lot here lately. Now, I hear you saying, what the heck has that got to do with getting new carpet.

Well, on Wednesday Shannon, Sam & I went to pick up an ebay purchase of Shann's (which we didn't anyhoo cos the silly woman wasn't home & Shann was furious but Shann got the day wrong anyway, but that's another story}.

So, there we were, up in Katoomba & you can see right back to Sydney almost. The sky is getting really, really dark, kinda purple so I said we better get back because that looks nasty.

Nasty wasn't the word. We got back to my house, through bumper to bumper traffic & flooded roads, to discover that my house was flooded.

So, to cut a very long story short (I could go on gals, about Shann & I taking turns out in the pouring rain, breaking up concrete with a sledge hammer to help some of the water run away), Shann, Sam & I spent the next Lord only knows how many hours mopping up & trying to stop more water getting in the house.

Sam, God love him, helped his Nanny mop up wet carpet with towels & was a shining light in a very dismal night. Don't know what I would have done if they hadn't been there.

Shane (my SIL) drove up & brought Shann & Sam's stuff so they could stay the night.

My poor DH was away in Queensland visiting his elderly Mum & my step-daughter & her family, so I had to ring him & tell him to come home. No way was I doing all this on my own. He drove all day Thursday (12 hrs) to get back here.

BUT, NOW THE GOOD PART (yep, even in all that there is a good bit). NOT ONLY AM I GETTING NEW CARPET, ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE MAN, I AM ALSO GETTING A NEW KITCHEN. (Big smiles here).

I kinda like my old kitchen, I love the colour that Shann painted it when we moved in, cos the cupboards were revolting, it's gorgeous French Blue. But, being an old kitchen, it's very porous evidently & the water damage is already starting to show.

So, Shannon, Sam & I spent all day Thursday packing all my pretties & storing them all in the computer room, which is the only room that didn't get the water. John & I have to finish off packing & moving most of the furniture so that the carpet can be pulled up.

Shannon, of course, always has her trusty camera ready (lol), so she took some happy snaps of the mess. The first one is us driving through part of the flooded road on the way back home.

Second is part of my kitchen & hallway after we mopped up the worst of it.

Don't you love the little river that was running through my laundry. And that's AFTER the worst was over. Sam, of course, is busy supervising Nanny & taking a little sustenance. Being the overseer is hard work :-}

The feet in the puddle are mine, after it had subsided a bit.

Packing up has progressed & I'll post some more photos later & tell you how BAD WET, DIRTY CARPET SMELLS!!!

Hugs, Coll :-}

Taking husbands to garage sales is not a good idea

2008-02-03T22:55:00.000+11:00

As you can tell from the above heading, I took my DH garage sale-ing with me on Saturday. Bad idea, very bad idea. I'm normally pretty good with what I spend (really, I am - lol), but having hubbie peering over my shoulder every time I picked something up was very off-putting. He kept muttering "how much is it?" and "haven't we got enough junk?" Will these men never understand, you can never have enough "junk" as they call it.

Anyhoo, I was a good girl, there wasn't a lot about anyway, the weather was lousy & I think some of the sales got cancelled, although I did get some goodies for ebay.

But the really good thing was, we ended up in Leura, which for all you who don't know, is a gorgeous village a little higher up in our beautiful Blue Mountains. So I got to have Devonshire Tea in one of my favourite Antique stores, Beautiful Bygones.

They have a little restaurant/cafe right in the middle of the store, which is a beautiful old turn-of-last-century home. Nothing in there I can afford though. And yes, guess who forgot to take her camera, again!

Oh well, I promise to next time. But I can tell you that the scones, jam & cream were delicious.

So, this is what I bought.

This is actually a table which has been padded, covered & used as a seat. I quite like it the way it is. My pic is at an odd angle though, I wanted to show the fabric. Very French Chic, I think. This is off to ebay.

I just love this , she looks soooo elegant, doesn't she. It's on canvas. Very tempted to keep her, but she's going to ebay too.

Got this lovely old shabby frame too, I think I will keep this one, maybe another coat of paint & then rub it back a bit.

These are some of my things on ebay at the moment.

Gorgeous vintage cake plate just covered in the prettiest pink roses, daisies & tulips.

This was a daggy old silverplate dish which was past it's prime, so it's had several coats of Satin White & now it looks lovely & fresh. It's decorated with gum nuts, leaves & ferns. Very Aussie. Guess who made the cuppies?

Don't you just love this pretty pink & rosey tray. I have a thing about pretty trays, I just loooove 'em.

So, now I had better go do some blog hopping & see what all you other gals are up to.

Have a great day.

Hugs, Coll :-}

Some sunshine, AT LAST, gorgeous Daisies & my newly painted bedroom

2008-01-24T10:08:00.000+11:00

Thank goodness the sun finally shone, at least in bits & pieces, for awhile yesterday & today looks a bit brighter too.
We've had so much rain my plants have developed webbed feet. For a couple of days our back garden was about 6" underwater. Being in the Blue Mountains, there is a rock shelf underground a couple of houses away from us, so all the excess water makes it's way to our place. We do have drainage in place, but we've had so much rain the ground & the drainage can't cope anymore. Hopefully, we will have some fine days, maybe a bit of sun & wind to dry it out a bit. Some of the plants have loved it, others have, unfortunately, not been so happy. The daisies, however, are looking wonderful. Divine white Shasta Daisies & dainty little blue Easter Daisies, looking so gorgeous in my blue & white kitchen.

Anyhoo, on a brighter note, my bedroom has been having a makeover, Shannon painted it last week (thanks sweetie, it looks wonderful), the most gorgeous shade of (what else) pink. I have been adding some gorgeous bits & pieces I've had stashed away waiting for the paint job. The elderly lady who owned this house used to SMOKE IN BED (ugh!!), so you can imagine what colour the walls were. Even when we cleaned them, it didn't make much difference to the colour. Good old nicotine. Imagine what it does to our insides. (Sorry to all you smokers out there, I used to be one too).

So, this is what my bedroom looks like now. Divine pink. The portrait of the Boy & Rabbit I've had for years, Shannon bought it for me for one of my birthdays about fifteen years ago. I just adore it. The simply gorgeous Victorian plaques behind my bed I bought on ebay from a lovely lady in the States, Char at fatcat25cats. My gorgeous quilt set has been stashed away for about 3 months, just waiting. I love blue, as you all know, & I thought it would be nicer, otherwise too much pink happening.
The yucky light on the wall behind the bed is going, I just bought a divine fitting from my dear
friend Debbie's (purpleflowerfairy) shoppe, which is white milkglass & porcelain roses. Can't wait to get it. And.... Shannon & I went shopping (odd that) on Tuesday & found THE most divine pale pink tulle with little sparklies all over it, just like diamonds, which i am going to buy HEAPS of & drape it (somehow) above the light & across the wall, sort of like a canopy, but not. Does that make sense? Hmmmm.
Sooo, will post some more pics when it is finally finished, but i love it already!
BTW, i know Shann told you all about our little shopping trip, buying lots of Easter Decos, so will also post some pics of them when they are up. They are all beautiful, we could have spent a fortune (well, we did spend a little bit-lol).
Have a great day everyone.
Hugs, Coll :-}

MY COMPUTER DIED!!

2008-01-19T18:31:00.000+11:00

Just in case anyone was wondering where I'd got to, after I was determined to blog more often, well, my computer turned up its toes, so this is the first chance I've had to get back blogging.

Thanks to my darling SIL, Shane, who is a bit of a computer nut, I'm back in business.

You don't realise how much you depend on the darn things until you don't have it. even my DH said "How are you going to do the banking?" Hee hee, silly man, has he never heard of actually GOING to the bank if you simply have to. Or phone banking, which we did before computer days.

Anyhoo, Shane got it all organised for me, took me to the computer shop to buy it, then spent hours putting it all together & getting my email up & running again. What a sweetie he is for his MIL. Worst thing is, I've lost all my old emails & email addresses, so if any of you gals out there I email would like to send me you email address again, I'd be a happy chickie.

So, now I've been able to get some stuff on my ebay again, so thought you might like to have a peep at some of it & some I have yet to get listed.

This is a lovely Candelabra I've had for quite awhile, it was looking a bit sad, so I gave it a few coats of lovely fresh white paint, added the gorgeous deep pink bobeche & voila! Aren't they pretty. The lovely Saji teapot & it's creamer, which you can't see, have been listed too.

Haven't listed this lamp yet, probably next week, I'm still working on it's twin. I'd like to sell them as a pair, hopefully. Aren't the blue roses on the milkglass base gorgeous.

I refurbished this lamp ages ago, listed it twice, but no-one loved it like I do. Thought I might give it one more try. What's wrong with green anyhoo, I ask you. My DH will probably kill me for listing it, he loves it & was very happy I didn't sell it.

This is a lovely little Crown Ducal bowl, for sugar I should think, but it is just sooo pretty whatever you use it for. The leaf bowl is hand painted, pretty old & the loveliest shades of pinky-lilacs & lots of gold gilding. Very pretty.

This year I am determined to get more of my lamps on ebay, so lots of work to do, because I have quite a collection of old shades & simply gorgeous bases. Might show you them all one day soon. My DH says I could open a lamp shop (its not really that bad - lol).

Gotta run, time to cook dinner.

Glad to be back, enjoy your weekend everyone.

Hugs, Coll :-}

HAPPY NEW YEAR & HAPPY BIRTHDAYS.

2008-01-07T08:37:00.000+11:00

A VERY HAPPY, HAPPY, NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE.

I Hope you all had a wonderful Chistmas & New Year with your loved ones. I know that most of you will have read Shannon's posts, so you know we all had a wonderful time over Christmas & New Year, plus we've had a couple of birthdays as well.

Shane, my dear SIL, had his birthday on 2 January.You will know that Shane is a cancer survivor & we are so lucky to have him with us. Our darling granddaughter Jessica (she prefers just to be Jess), who turned 15 on New Year's Day. Seems like only yestereday I had to race to the hospital just after midnight on New Year's Eve to collect the two eldest girls, as there had been no time to drop them off at our house. This, mind you, after a couple of champagnes, so no driving. Have you ever tried to get a cab on New Year's Eve? Anyhoo, all went well & now she is 15. Trouble is, this chick is getting older too (lol).

This is Jess on Christmas Day, looking surprised. We did have a get-together for her at Shannon's house on her Birthday, but guess who forgot her camera. She is growing up to be a beauty like the rest of my girls.Thought I would add this pic too, just because I love it. My DH & our eldest granddaughter, Rebecca on Christmas Day. She will be 19 in a few months & is at University studying Nursing.

Well, it's nice to be back. Looking forward to another year of blogging with all my sweet friends in blogland.

Hugs, Coll :-}

CHRISTMAS EVE

2007-12-24T11:15:00.000+11:00

BOY, DID THIS DAY TURN UP FAST.

I HOPE THAT YOU ALL HAVE YOUR SHOPPING DONE, PRESENTS WRAPPED & UNDER THE TREE & THAT YOU ARE ALL WAITING EXCITEDLY FOR SANTA TO COME.

THIS PIC IS A LITTLE NATIVITY COLLAGE MY ELDEST GRANDDAUGHTER, REBECCA, MADE FOR ME WHEN SHE WAS ABOUT NINE (SHE'S NOW 18). I PUT IT OUT EVERY YEAR.

IT IS VERY PRECIOUS & I THOUGHT IT WAS APT FOR CHRISTMAS EVE. THIS IS WHAT CHRISTMAS IS REALLY ABOUT.

HAVE A VERY HAPPY & BLESSED CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.

COLL :-}

Lunch with Special Friends & My Christmas Decos

2007-12-21T08:38:00.000+11:00

Last Thursday I had a lovely long lunch with some very special friends, Sue from Junkit Junction, Jullie from Jullie's World & my dear daughter, Shannon from Paint Mine Pink. I know you all don't need any introduction to these lovely ladies. Julles & Sue live not too far from me in the beautiful Blue Mountains, so we took the opportunity of us all having a free day to get together for a pre-Christmas lunch. I, of course, forgot my camera, so no pics, but Shannon has already posted some on her blog.

Of course, the conversation did include the fact that I have not posted for quite awhile (feeling very guilty now), so here I am again.

I have tried to get some decent pics of our Christmas Decos & lights. I'm not the best at taking night shots, but they didn't turn out too badly. Trying to get the lights in between them flickering is a bit tricky.

This is our pretty wreath (made it myself) on our front screen door.

My little Christmas tree, plus sparkly reindeer underneath.

This is our tree at night. We have a curtain of pink star lights in the window, looks amazing.

More reindeer, candle holders & a pretty sparkly sequin tree (I pinched the little pink star from Shannon, hee hee). Last year the reindeer were gold, so I painted them & added silver glitter to their antlers.

My gorgeous big papier mache reindeer (think maybe I have a thing about reindeer-lol). They used to be gold too, but have had a paint job. I think they look very pretty with their big pink bows.

This is not a very good shot of our outside lights, they look much prettier than this.Part of our (brand new) icicle lights on the guttering aren't working either, thanks to a hungry cockatoo, who decided they looked good enough to eat, so he did. Rotten bird!

Obviously this is not our decos, but some of the Agapanthus Lilies in our garden & they are very much a part of Christmas in Australia. For all you gals in the cold climates, they flower madly here this time of year & they are often referred to as Star of Bethlehem. We have hundreds in our garden & they just look amazing. Because I am a blue gal at heart, I just adore them. We have lots of white ones too.

And last, but by no means least, Christmas wouldn't be the same without the old guy with the beard around (& no Shannon, I don't mean John, hee hee). He is a lovely vintage looking Santa made of tin. Isn't he gorgeous. And my latest little sparkly silver tree, cost me all of $3 at a market stall last week. You can never have too many Christmas trees.

And I'm sorry, but I don't think blogger will let you enlarge the pics when I centre them. I had a terrible time with it today & I was lucky to get anything where I wanted it to be. aaargh!!

I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS WITH YOUR NEAREST & DEAREST. MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL.

Hugs, Coll :-}

Things that go "BLAAAAAA" in the night & Why do men panic in an emergency?

2007-11-12T08:19:00.000+11:00

Well, I'm not sure if that is how you'd spell it, but it sure made one hell of a noise. Saturday night, busy counting zzzzz's, 3.25am, when all of a sudden "BLAAAAAAAAA".
I leapt out of bed like I'd been shot, my DH, of course, was still snoring. I knew straigt away it was his car, the little Excel. It has a horn all it's own!
Rushed out the front of the house to make sure it was his car, then raced back inside to wake him (still snoring!!). How in Heaven's name can men sleep through things like that? Just as well the house wasn't on fire! You have no idea how loud a constantly blaring car horn is at 3.25 in the morning.
Okay, so he stumbles out, turns every light in the house on, (I'm soooo wide awake by this time anyway it doesn't matter), almost falls over one of the dogs, who is obviously wondering what the....?
Then he proceeds to yell at me because he can't find the shifter to disconnect the battery. No hope of finding the right wire at this particular time. Talk about running around like a chook with it's head cut off!!
I, by this time, am laughing my head off. What else could I do. This did not go down well with my DH, but it was funny! Maybe you had to be there, but I'm not sure all the neighbours it woke up thought it was funny.
Anyway, finally he gets the thing disconnected, throws the shifter back in the garage cupboard & marches back to bed, muttering nasty things about car horns & people who have a weird sense of humour. Surely he didn't mean me!
The next morning he & our nextdoor neighbour spent a whole hour peering into the motor, trying to find the right wire to disconnect. I did volunteer the information that maybe they could disconnect it from inside, where it is connected on the steering wheel, but that was pooh-hooed. Stupid woman, what do I know? (lol).
Anyway, you guessed it. No wire found in the motor, not one they could get to anyway, so eventually it did get disconnected, from the steering wheel, but not until my DH had driven to the local shops and back, with the horn going "Bleep" every now & then. hee hee hee.
So today it's off to the car hospital to get fixed, a man can't live without a horn to Beep at us stupid women drivers, eh.

Anyhooo, on a brighter note, because we had lots of sunshine yesterday after a week or more of rain, rain & rain (which we desperately need), I took some pics of our little coffee nook on our back patio. Recognise the table, Sue? I've planted blue & white Potato Vines (sound ugh, but they are really pretty) on the sunny side of the lattice, and they are growing like crazy, so soon we will have gorgeous bunches of flowers hanging down all over. It's becoming my favourite place to collapse after working in the garden. And yes, the little yellow bird is real, that's my canary, William, and he whistles beautifully. Bit of competition for the cockatoos in the noise department, but much nicer to listen to.

Hope you all have a lovely week.

Hugs, Coll :-}

PS: Anyone for tea & a cupcake?

Vinnie's Sale & some great buys

2007-10-27T16:32:00.000+10:00

Shannon & I went to the Vinnie's sale this morning. Tracey, my eldest daughter, came along later & conned Mum into buying her some stuff too - lol. Vinnies only have this sale once every 6 months, so we get all excited the week before, wondering what bargains we'll find. Well, we weren't disappointed. Shannon got some great things she will work her magic on, with some paint & her beautiful roses & also bought herself some pretties for her house. As we know, you can never have too many pretties.
I also bought some pretty bits for myself, but mostly things to put on ebay.
Two pair of beautiful old silver candelabra, a couple of really pretty tins for my kitchen, the most gorgeous heavily embossed silver dresser set, mirror, comb & brush, just exquisite. The sweetest little tea set with pink roses & blue edging, two so pretty cups & saucers with pink roses (anyone would think I had a thing for pink roses), a pair of bunny s & p shakers (Amy, you'd love'em) & two vintage talc tins with pretty country scenes, for my bathroom. Also a white Marcella Q. Size Doona cover, white Damask large tablecloth with a rose pattern & a round crocheted white cloth. The linen has some stains, but a good soak in the old Sard's Eucalyptus and they will be better than new.

But the best of all was this fabulous, beautiful, divine vintage piano stool, covered in gorgeous pink velvet, which only cost me $15. There is some wear to the velvet (from years of bums, I guess - lol), but who cares. I may re-cover it, don't quite know yet. I'll wait & find out what my DH thinks first, he's gonna love it. What do you think?

Actually, Shannon is not quite talking to me yet, because I found it before she did - hee hee. (Just kiddin, sweetie).
Ok, now that I have spent all that money, I'd better get some photos done for ebay & get some of it back.

Hugs, Coll :-}

RAIN!!!!!! AND A PRAYER FOR ALL THOSE IN THE US AFFECTED BY THE FIRES.

2007-10-24T22:02:00.000+10:00

I am just about to go to bed, but i have to tell you, "IT'S RAINING"!!!!
We've had "Mountain Mist" all day, but this afternoon it got a little heavier, and now it is rain. Just heavy enough at the moment to make a difference, good soaking rain, I can hear my garden jumping for joy!!
I hope & pray that the farmers who need it the most are getting some of this delightful dampness.
I also have to add our prayers for all our blogger friends in California affected by the terrible fires. I have watched them on the TV and I'm horrified to learn that most of the fires were started on purpose. What in the world is wrong with people? How can anyone do this to their fellow man.
I hope & pray that everyone in harms way is delivered safely.
Hugs, Coll :-}

Better late than Never, as they say

2007-10-19T09:22:00.000+10:00

Well, I have just been going through some comments on my older blogs & I have discovered that, while I was MIA, I was very remiss (love that word) & missed out that I was tagged for a couple of things. Alison of Creative Art & Craft, tagged me for the "Name Game". So sorry Alison that I missed it, but just for you, I'll do it now. I don't actually have a middle name, after eleven kids (lol) I think my Mum & Dad gave up trying to think of one, so I'm just plain Colleen. I really wanted to be Linda (Lord knows why), so we'll use that.

L: late, I quite often am, although I hate to be, but there's always so much to do before I actually get out of the house.

I: independant, sometimes too much, I'd rather do things myself than let someone help me. Makes John mad.

N: nosey (well, there's no harm in a little healthy curiosity, is there?)

D: doting (yes, that is a word & I couldn't think of anything else). I dote on my kids & grandkids, the big people can fend for themselves.

A: angry. oh boy, I can get VERY angry (Irish temper, thanks Dad), you don't want to be around me when I am.

There you go Alison, all done.

Hugs, Coll :-}

A walk in the garden

2007-10-19T08:39:00.000+10:00

It has been a pretty quite few days, apart from visiting Shannon & Sam and helping with the Halloween decos. The old knees have made me take it easy, so I've been pottering around, doing some tidying up (Spring fever - lol) & pulling out the odd weed in the garden. From a standing position, it ain't easy gals.
Anyway, grab a cuppa & come for a walk with me.
Considering we've had NO RAIN forever, the garden is coping reasonably well, although some things just refuse to come out of hibernation. My Easter Daisies, which are normally pushing their way up by now, are just sitting there.
However, lots of things are well established, so they are still doing their thing, with a little help from the times we are allowed to water by hand.
My Wisteria was glorious, until those pesky Crimson Rosella's got hold of it. C'mon guys, let me enjoy it for a little while, pleeeese. Does anyone know a way (harmless, of course) to keep them off the flowers?
And don't you just love the border of Forget-Me-Nots. We had a few in the garden when we bought this house and,

of course, me being basically a "blue" girl, I spread the seeds everywhere. Now they do it all on their own. Divine.
Hope you all enjoyed the little walk.
Hugs, Coll :-}
PS. eeek!! I have tried everything to move the pics, it is just not happening today. Sometimes this blog thing has a mind of it's own. :-}

Been MIA, but I'm back

2007-10-15T09:07:00.000+10:00

Okey, a short explanation as to why I've been MIA for the past month or so. I have osteo-arthritis in both my knees, which has now become severe, to the point where I have to have surgery (eventually). AND I HATE HOSPITALS WITH A PASSION. I've never had anything much wrong with me, so this past month or so has been a bit difficult, coping with the pain (not well), the drugs (hee hee) the doc has me on, which send me to la la land & make me sooo tired I don't want to do anthing at all. Then I can't sleep properly because of the pain - vicious circle eh. Then, to top it all off, John (my DH) had to have surgery on HIS left knee due to a fall at work (nope, he wasn't drunk, even though he works in the liquor industry-lol). He is improving & is back at work now.

So, all in all, it's been a crummy month, but hopefully things will improve. Now have to join the you beaut top-of-the-list (and price) Health Fund and wait 12 months for surgery, or cough up $24,000. Yep folks, that's what it costs to get 2 new half-knees. On the bright side, I have 12 months to convince myself that this is what I have to do.

In the meantime, on good days I'm good and on bad days I'll just hibernate-lol. If I go missing again, you'll know why.

So, enough of that.

At the end of last week I received a HUGE parcel from Lori of Pink Faded Roses, my "Cotton and Candy Swap" had arrived!!! Yay!! You have no idea how excited I was. Presents, just the drug I needed. This huge box arrived, decorated with the most gorgeous pink roses. Yep, I'm keeping them, Lori.

Inside were all the most amazing things, all wrapped soooo beautifully, my pics don't do them justice. It was getting kinda late in the day and the light was bad, so the pics are not what they should be. Johnthought I was nuts taking all the pics, but it was just like Christmas!! Lori, to say you outdid yourself is an understatement. This was sooo worth waiting for, I love every bit of it.

A gorgeous little gift bag with the sweetest card inside. I just loooove these teapots, don't you.

And just look at how beautifully all my pressies are wrapped. Sweetest little tags on everything too. (That's my DH lurking in the background, he kinda likes candy. Fat chance).

This is sooo very gorgeous and obviously made by hand by Lori. Gorgeous old buttons, decoupaged dresses & the sweetest lil cherub you ever did see. And inside the box, another surprise, wrapped in the most gorgeous gold cherub paper, this lovely plate is now hanging on one of my pretty shabby shelves. Thank you Lori, I will treasure this always. How clever you are.

A gorgeous tablecloth, the most divine pinks. It's on my dining table already. Also a replica vintage Whitman's chocolates tin, a sweet cupcake box full of the yummy things for making cupcakes, like little flowers for decos, colourings, cupcake papers, plus a pretty hand crocheted jug cover, a Hershey Kisses pot holder & some candy bars (yum), a sweet basket with licorice allsorts and the prettiest Milkglass Candy Dish you ever did see. I just love Milkglass, how did clever Lori know that? And last, but by no means least, a box of Chocolate Turtles from the South Bend Chocolate Company. To-die-4!

I think the pics are a bit all over the place, I hope they are all there and you can see just how gogeous everything is. Thank you soooo much Lori, I love it.

Hugs, Coll :-}

We had a happy Father's Day

2007-09-04T12:53:00.000+10:00

We all went to my eldest daughter's, Tracey, for a Father's Day Barbecue on Sunday. We had a great day, the Dads got some nice presents and we all ate far too much. Mind you, Shannon's Dessert, a very large plate piled high with REAL CUPCAKES, was a bit hard to resist. Yep, she even makes great real ones.
So I thought I would share some pics of the day with you all.

Sam & my sweet 4 yr old granddaughter, Kaitlyn. Digging for buried treasure, maybe?

Sam, just digging, cos he can.

A very relaxed Tracey, after lunch.

Scuba Sam. Think the goggles might be just a tad too big?

Alexandra, my 16 yr old granddaughter, doesn't look pleased about having her pic taken.

Tracey's partner, Todd. Big, sweet, gentle man. Not half as scarey as he looks - lol.

You will notice that there is no group photo. Trying to get this lot to all get together in the one spot is like trying to climb Mt Everest, almost impossible. Also, there is no photo of me. I figure Shannon has posted enough ghastly pics of me to keep everyone happy.

Hugs, Coll :-}

PS; I did have a pic of Shannon & Shane, but she made me remove it and like an obedient Mum, I did :-}

Father's Day, Sweet Memories & some tears

2007-08-31T10:22:00.000+10:00

We have Father's Day this coming Sunday and I got to thinking while I was doing the dishes this morning.

John & I both have lost our Dads (& my Mum too). My Dad, Frederick (Fred) passed away almost 17 years ago, aged 89. He was in his mid forties when I was born, I was the last of eleven children. He was born in 1901. As you can imagine, he had a very tough life, coming from a not very well off family. His Mother was in a Mental Institution from the time he was 2 yrs old, Dad didn't even know she was alive until she passed away when he was 15. What can possess people to keep things like that a secret from children. He & his brother Gordon were mostly raised by his Maiden Aunt, Ida who, by all accounts, was an unloving woman & a strict disciplinarian. His father, it seems, couldn't cope with raising the 2 boys. He did have a couple of sisters, who he completely lost touch with.

He married my Mum, Minnie, when he was 18 & she was 17 and they raised all those children, through the Depression years when there was no work and Dad did all sorts of jobs, even chocolate making, to feed everyone. After the 2nd World War, he learnt a trade, Blacksmithing, which then became Welding and when he retired from the work force, he was one of the best in the business. He also had a wonderful singing voice, won many talent quests and I often think, if times had been different, what he could have been.

He was at times a hard father, but I always knew he loved us. I helped him through some tough times after Mum died 27 yrs ago, they had been married almost 60 yrs. He lost 2 children (& I lost a brother & a sister) during those 10 years. He carried me though some tough times after my divorce and thankfully, was around to see John & I marry 5 yrs later. This pic is of both our Dads at our wedding reception/party in my neighbours back yard, my Dad is on the left.

John's Dad, Edwin (Ed) passed away nearly 4 yrs ago, aged 86. He was a country boy from Victoria, he also lost his Mum early on and the family was scattered about. He came from a large family and fortunately, they managed to all keep in touch with each other over the years.
He was a train driver for most of his life and a heavy smoker for a lot of it and this resulted in him developing Emphysema, which eventually put a strain on his heart.
He & my Mum-in-Law lived in Queensland, and fortunately John had gone to visit them, because his Dad had been ill. His Dad had a massive heart atack that weekend & passed away in John's arms.
They were both wonderful, hard working men and loving husbands & fathers, grandfathers & great-grandfathers & we miss them very much.

RIP - Safe in God's arms. Happy Father's Day Dads, we love you.

Coll.

Sunny days, flowers, and butterflies

2007-08-30T22:44:00.000+10:00

Today was absolutely the most gorgeous sunny day, not that I saw much of it. I was catching up on housework and taking pics for ebay, so mid afternoon I took my shadow, Maddie, around the garden for a walk with a cup of coffee (just me, not the dog, she's giving up caffeine). I took my camera with me, that's getting to be a bit of a habit now, never used to be. Finally sat myself down on our very shabby old garden seat in the back corner of the garden. We have some gorgeous African Daisies & an Abelia hiding a little compost heap up there. It's very sunny right up until the sun dips really low.

This is my mini camellia I planted last year, "Fairy Wand". Just falling over with flowers.

This is some gorgeous Iris, which haven't flowered the two years we've been here, but decided to this year. I think they like the drought. There's some lovely forget-me-nots sprinkled in there too. There's millions of them coming up in the garden, they seed like crazy.

A pair of butterflies, just the regular old Copper Browns, fluttered in amongst the daisies. Those daisies must be really sweet, because they kept coming back. Not only that, I lost count of the times one of them flew around me, across me and even alighted on the seat next to me several times, long enough for me to take a couple of pics. I've heard that it's really good luck if a butterfly flies in your Aura, so I must be the luckiest gal in town right now!

I still can't believe he/she stayed put long enough, I'm sure it knew I had a camera - lol. Anyhow, it is now an internationally travelled butterfly, in it's too short life, courtesy of blogger.

Hugs, Coll :-}

Memories, Memories

2007-08-29T21:22:00.000+10:00

Last week I bought a gorgeous old framed floral print on ebay, by a favourite painter of mine, Albert Williams. I have a beautiful HUGE print of his roses in my Lounge Room, and when I saw this one on ebay I had to have it. Only small, but gorgeous. So I bought it.

Ok, so today I decided to take the frame apart, clean everything up and paint the frame, which was black. Behind the print was all this old newspaper, from January 1964. John & I had a great old giggle about some of the articles, brought back lots of memories. So I thought I would share them with you. This is the colour the newspaper was, I didn't want to change it.

Oh, my goodness, how would the poor nurses feel if they had to wear that headgear these days.

And don't you just love the old ads. They were for some airconditioning system, but who would know. Love the headband.

I'm going to put it all back when I reframe the print. Who knows who will find it one day.

Hugs, Coll :-}

Finally, Sunshine, Yippee!!!

2007-08-26T17:30:00.000+10:00

Today we finally got some sunshine. This weather is insane, it rains like crazy until all my plants grow webbed feet, but it still doesn't rain where they need it most, in the country. Our farmers are still doing it very tough and that, of course, is pushing prices up on everything. But as usual, it isn't the poor ole farmer who gets the loot, it's the big chains of Supermarkets who keep getting richer and the farmers still struggle on the land. Our fresh food etc keeps going up in price and you wouldn't mind if the money went where it should. Same the world over, I suppose. Still, it stinks!

Anyhow, back to the sunshine. I worked last night and was really glad to get home today so I could get out into the garden in the sun. Had a wonderful time, pulled weeds, planted some more lavender and some primula (pink & white, of course) and gave lots of things a good feed, as well as the snails. I know, I know, they are God's creatures too, but could God ask them to please not eat my primula.

So when I finally stopped and sat in my favourite old cane chair in the sun to have a cuppa (and a chat on the phone with Shannon), I couldn't believe how beautiful the late afternoon sun looked coming through the boughs of my gorgeous flowering cherry, which is set to burst into beautiful blossom in a few weeks. I took some pics and I am amazed at how the camera picked up the light as the sun sank lower, especially in the last pic. Just like a rainbow. Moments like that, you just know there is a God.

Hugs, Coll :-}

My pretty kitchen window

2007-08-25T09:44:00.000+10:00

Did some re-arranging in my kitchen yesterday. I have this huge window, which looks out onto my garden, with a nice window sill, which is just perfect for putting stuff on. Pink stuff, of course. My kitchen is all blue, it's old and shabby and I just adore the French Blue. Painted by my darling Shannon when we moved in here 2 years ago. It was the most repulsive timber stained yuk you can imagine.

Anyway, I have hated the curtains since we've been here, pretty lace, but cream and just a bit either side. Very nothing.

So, through the week I had to get some other curtains out of lay-by (will post them when they are up), so I shouted myself some new ones for the kitchen.

What a difference. Gives it a whole fresh new look, I get more light in, as it's on the shady side of the house, and I can see all of my garden, even if it does look a bit dreary at the moment, rain, no sun forever, and just about at the end of winter.

Not only that, now I have lots of stuff on the window sill too.

Could probably get more on there maybe - lol. I "need" some more pretty salt & pepper shakers. I now have 3 sets around the kitchen, is that a collection starting?

Ok, gotta go, working this weekend. Taking my guys from work out for a drive in the country for afternoon tea today and I get to pick up some pretty purchases from ebay at the same time. Pretty good eh.

Hugs, Coll :-}

Garage Sale-ing & To-die-for Mountain Homes

2007-08-18T13:40:00.000+10:00

Iwoke up early this morning and it was so nice and sunny, I decided I may as well get up, have a cuppa with DH before he went to work and then toddle off up into the Mountains and go Garage Sale-ing. Lots of beautiful old homes up higher, gorgeous gardens. Even in winter they still look wonderful, a bit like England really. So I did a bit of driving around and sighing enviously as well - lol. You've gotta love the pink house. The other is called Maple Lodge. Sorry the pics aren't great, they're out of a local real estate book. I, of course, forgot my camera this morning. As you do.

So I got to the garage sales finally. I have no idea why we call them that, very odd. I think in the States they're Yard Sales, aren't they? Anyway. I got some great bargains. Lovely old & very heavy flower shaped mirror with a bevelled edge $10, (she wanted $20), which I will probably shabby up and keep, just gorgeous gilt mirror $10, Depression Glass Dresser Set $10 (bit much but I couldn't resist it), Woods Ivory Ware Sweet Set $5, Tole Lamp $5 (wanted $10), this will also get a paint job and probably the shade recovered, and the sweetest little porcelain roses, which I am definately keeping. So I was very happy with my finds this morning.

After having such a good time at the garage sales, I had to go to K-Mart to buy a new keyboard for my computer, since mine decided that the b & n wouldn't work, very awkward, because I couldn't sign in to anything.

Ok, so I get home, put my treasures away and get set to install the new keyboard. So now, of course, the rotten thing decides to work agan. You get that, eh.

Well, at least I will have one here should the thing decide to go off the rails again.

Now I'm off to make a cuppa, the weather has turned lousy again, so I think I'll sit down and do some more envious sighing over that real estate book. Maybe we could buy the pink house, it's only $895,000. (C'mon Shann, we could ALL live in it, it's got 5 bedrooms-lol).

Hugs Coll :-}

My Gorgeous Girls (& a guy)

2007-08-17T17:54:00.000+10:00

Okay, I have missed a few days, but I've just done three 24hr shifts at work with only one day off in between, so there hasn't been much time for anything. But just see what my darling daughter (Shannon} made for me yesterday. A Tussie Mussie. I think this is the first one she's made. Isn't it gorgeous. Haven't quite found just the place for it, you know when you walk around the house with something in your hand going "hmmm, maybe here", until you find just the right spot. I have some lovely silk Sweet Peas that will look wonderful in it.

And speaking of darling daughters, I thought I'd show you my other talented daughter, Tracey. She doesn't blog and hardly ever ebays, but her creative talents know no bounds, as you can tell from this pic. She has created four of the most gorgeous girls on this earth (proud Nanny talking). From left to right, Jessica (14), Rebecca (18) & Alexandra (16) & Kaitlyn (4). With them is her wonderful, long-suffering partner of seven years, Todd, Dad of Kaitlyn. What a guy! All those women in the house, and a female dog as well.

This is what the eldest three used to look like. Disregard "Nanny" in the background. Oh My, how time flies. They are, along with their little sister Kaitlyn and my Sam, the lights of my life.

What did we ever do without grandkids. And I haven't even started on John's lovely daughter's little ones. More pics to follow.

Hugs Coll :-}

(The pics wouldn't move, no matter how I tried. Help Lori!!)

Thank you

2007-08-17T17:45:00.000+10:00

Thank you so much to everyone who sent well wishes to my Maddie. This is her & our Rotweiler, Emma, having a chat. She is back to normal again after a week on antibiotics. She will go back to the vet next week, but we have decided no surgery, she is too old, has a heart murmur & arthritis & I would be terrified of what might happen. She will be able to go on long term antibiotics, so I think this is the way we'll go.
Once again, thank you so much. And yes, we are soppy about our pets, they're family, right.
Hugs, Coll :-}

Maddie's doing fine

2007-08-09T22:44:00.000+10:00

Thank you so much to the gals who said a prayer for my Maddie dog. Love you all.

We did the rush to the Vet today and thank the Lord my little Maddie is ok. Isn't it ridiculous how we are about our pets, but I have always had a dog in my life and I guess I have always been soppy about them. They are part of the family, after all.

She evidently has got really bad teeth like most older dogs, we knew that, because she is getting on in years, but some of the back ones are so bad that they have caused a bad infection to spread to her sinus passages and she is in a lot of pain, but she is now on antibiotics & pain killers. They want to do surgery, but there is a big risk because she is old and also has a heart murmur, so I don't know. More prayers.

However, she had enough energy in her to terrorise Shannon's poor cats when we called in on the way home. Shannon is as bad as I am about her pets and insisted that we stop by before going home. Maddie walked in and cats went in all directions! And she looks like such an angel -NOT!

Hugs, Coll :-}

I'M FEELING SAD TONIGHT

2007-08-08T22:44:00.000+10:00

This is not a good night, I think my litlte bubbie dog (my Maddie) may be not well (she's 14). She has been moping around all afternoon, she ate her dinner (very slowly) but she is disinclined to drink and that is a real worry. If she is not better in the morning we will be straight to the Vet. Seems like she wants to drink but can't. I just know she's not good. Can we say prayers for dogs. Sorry gals, I'm a bit teary.
Coll.

Most of the mess is still there

2007-08-07T18:06:00.000+10:00

Well, I'm afraid to say that the computer/work room mess isn't much improved, but I did move it around a lot - lol. Suddenly it all seemed a bit much, and as we were having visitors come for a roast lunch the following day, I thought I REALLY should concentrate on the rest of the house, so I got stuck into the Lounge Room and boy, did that take a while. At one stage I thought I would never find my way out again.

Although I did read somewhere once that people who go from room-to-room and have stuff everywhere while they are spring cleaning, are actually more organised and get more done than people who do one room at a time. It's true, I swear. Anyway, that's how I work, and it did come together eventually, but lots of things are now residing in a new spot. That way, when I buy something new, I can just tell John (if he finds it) that I've had it for ages, I just moved it and he hadn't noticed it before. Sneaky eh.

Anyhow, our best friends came for lunch, we ate (and drank) too much, but had a great time. John even washed up after they had gone home. Well, I did cook, didn't I. One day that new dishwasher in the box in the laundry will actually get into the kitchen.

Thank you sooo much to sweet Dionne @ Cherub Kisses for awarding me the "Nice Matters" award. There are so many lovely ladies in blogland, I really appreciate it. You are so sweet. There are some other lovely gals who deserve this award too, so I nominate Sue @ Junkit Junction, Wanda @ Brushstrokes from the Heart, Lori @ Pink Faded Roses and my dear friend Debbie @ Purple Flower Fairy, even though she doesn't blog just now, I hope she will come back soon.
Take a bow ladies and accept your award and also give it to some other lovely ladies who deserve it.

Hugs, Coll :-}

Oh Dear

2007-08-04T10:36:00.000+10:00

Ok, I have to admit I can be a bit messy at times, especially when I'm working in my computer room, but this is really getting out of hand. I know I've been busy lately, but really!! Somewhere under all that "stuff" is a sofa (I must have been going through a purple phase). Would much rather it was pink, or covered in roses - he he.

Things seem to have been arriving in this room and not getting out again, so today I am making a concerted effort to CLEAN UP THE MESS!

I only did about 4-5 weeks ago. What happens. I have spend half the morning looking for my feather duster, I'll bet it's in there somewhere.

I think I have to do something about this room, put up some shelves or something. All my old lamp shades, which I WILL do one day, have found a home in our nice clean, dry shed in the garden, but some things just can't go out there, like porcelain lamp bases.

Yep, I'm thinking shelves, I have a nice blank wall behind that sofa, so maybe I better tell John I have a job (or three) for him.

Then maybe I can actually get to sit on my sofa (need to put some pretty throws on it though) and work on my lamps.

Now I just need a nice long coffe table or something. Hmmm, wonder what's on ebay.

Have a great day/evening, wherever you are.

Hugs Coll :-}

Camellias & Chandeliers

2007-08-01T16:19:00.000+10:00

Firstly, I have to tell you all, I made a conscious decision today to BLOG MORE OFTEN. I have been very remiss lately (according to Shannon). Lots of reasons, moving houses at work, too tired after 24hr shifts, trouble with my knees (but that's another story I won't bore you with) etc., etc., etc.

Anyway, I shall forthwith endeavour to keep up with the rest of you gals.

Yesterday Shannon, Sam & I went for a bit of a drive into the burbs to pick up a couple of Chandeliers I bought on ebay. I paid $122 for them, which I think was a bargain price. They are quite old, "Marie Therese" style I think they were called originally, all the go again now, but I've always loved them.

These two are beauties, but absolutely FILTHY, so I have got a big job ahead to clean them up.

Think maybe they might need rewiring from the top, looks a bit dodgy, but there is NOT ONE CRYSTAL MISSING, just a couple of lose ones, which this resourceful gal can fix in no time.

Can't wait to get them back to their former glory.

So, after the big trip back to Shannon's and then back home, I was enjoying a well-earned coffee outside in the sun. My gorgeous Camellias, which are in pots near my front door, are looking sooo beautiful at the moment, especially with the afternoon sun shining on them, so I decided you might all like to see them. Pink ones, of course. We do have lots of them in the garden, but these two are my favourites. They thrive on not much, just the odd watering, and reward us every year with the most beautiful flowers and lots of them.

So, now I have to keep up the good work, so I promise to keep on blogging. Really, Shann.

Hugs, Coll :-}

I'm back - and I finished my lamps

2007-07-20T15:20:00.000+10:00

Ok, I know I haven't really been away, but I have been a bit slack at blogging lately. Shannon gave me a bit of a talking-to the other night, told me it's about time I did another blog.

I don't know where the time has been going.

Anyhow, I thought you all might like to see my new lamps. I posted my cherub one quite awhile ago, when my dear neighbour, who rewires them for me, put him back together wrong. Well, that got fixed, and after much hard work, he is now in Shannon's girlfriend's shop, hopefully to find a new home (the cherub, not my neighbour-lol).

It was very hard to part with him, because he is rather gorgeous and we have become quite fond of each other (lol). What do you think? I just love the Sugarplum Sorbet fabric, I think it is my favourite.

This other shade was just sheer hard work! Hours and hours and then, when it was almost done, I didn't like it and undid half of it and did it again. It's a really difficult shape to work with, but the results are worth the effort. I love it, and the antique base, which I bought for only $20 dollars, is just divine. It is a solid block of Alabaster on the bottom and boy, is it heavy. Don't think I'll be posting that one any where. It's the most beautiful vintage-look fabric, I bought from urbangarden on ebay in the States, she really has the loveliest fabrics and great prices.

I'm going to start work this weekend on shades for my lovely bases with the blue roses. So I think I'm going to have a busy couple of days. But might take time out tomorrow to go out for lunch with Shannon, Shane & Sam. There's a great little restaurant up in the Mountains that we like, The Wayzgoose (don't ask me why the name-lol). And maybe some of the antique shops too. Can't miss that.

Have a great weekend everyone, Hugs, Coll :-}

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

2007-07-04T23:08:00.000+10:00

THIS IS TO ALL OUR VERY SWEET FRIENDS IN BLOGLAND IN THE STATES.

SHANNON & I, & OUR FAMILIES, HOPE THAT YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL 4TH OF JULY.

LOVE FROM US ALL.

COLL :-}

Why are men useless when we are sick?

2007-07-01T00:34:00.000+10:00

I have come to the conclusion that men are unable to cope without us. Why it should have taken me so long to reach that conclusion I have no idea, one would have thought, at my age, I would have figured it out by now.

The day after our birthday, I woke up at 6.30am to the sounds of a chainsaw!! Evidently, because we have had so much rain and strong winds, one of the gum trees next door had let go and fallen across the road. Luckily, it missed houses, cars etc. Anyway, grumbling VERY LOUDLY, I marched to the kitchen in the dark and cold to make coffee, the MOTH (man of the house) still snoring loudly. Does nothing wake them? Waiting for the kettle to boil, I thought my throat felt sore. Sure enough, I had raging flu and have been in bed ever since, except for the occasional foray into the kitchen for sustenance, because of course, as I was ill, I didn't NEED anything, and, of course, to check emails, blogs etc, which we do even if we are dying.

The MOTH has been utterly useless. The following morning, waking from my deathbed, I found the house deserted. He had snuck off to work without even checking to see if I would like a cup of coffee, tablets, water to take said tablets, a gun to put me out of my misery etc....... Thank heavens I have had my Maddie dog to look after me-lol. (Seen here snoring on my bed, she's only allowed on it when I'm not well).

Today, since I have been up, I have spent all my time putting the house back in order. I guess there was a good reason why I married him, but at times like this, you wonder...........

Boy, do some mothers have a lot to answer for. Hopefully, all the mothers of today will bring their sons up to MANAGE!!

Thanks heavens he can cook a great breakfast and barbecue.

Cheers Coll :-}

Cherubs, Roses & Birthdays

2007-06-26T16:37:00.000+10:00

Well, as you all probably know if you've been reading Shannon's blog, it's my birthday today. Also John's (weird eh), but he's MUCH older than me (lol). I really hate birthdays now, so I just have present days. Much more fun and you don't get any older (I wish).

So far, it hasn't been the best. We were going to go out for dinner tonight, but now John has to work late, so it looks like I have to cook. Oh well, a nice roast and a glass (or three) of champagne and some strawberries should fix that one up. Also, the air conditioner man has been, now we are nice and warm again. Should hope so, after a bill for $450. OUCH!!

However, on a much happier note, my so-sweet neighbour, Jason, has come over and rewired all the lamps I have had sitting here waiting, so now I can get to work and make shades for them. Can't wait to get some gorgeous pink Ashwell roses on the blue ones. Wow!! Will post another pic when they're done. These will probably go on ebay, or maybe into Shannon's girlfriend's new shop. The pink is mine, he's not going anwhere. He's the one my dear daughter covets - lol. He's finally lit!

So that has definitely brightened up a very dull, dreary, cold & wet birthday.
Cheers, Coll :-}

Boy, it's cold

2007-06-21T18:00:00.000+10:00

I've been a bit slack in the blog department, but I've been very busy making lampshades and it's also cold in my computer room - the air conditioning doesn't seem to want to work in here at the moment. Yesterday I did some ebay stuff with MITTENS on - lol. At least it kept my fingers warm, my "mouse" hand was freezing.

We had snow further up the Mountains two days ago, and this morning the wind was like ice, just cut straight through you, so I'm afraid I haven't been out of the house much for the last two days, so my days off work have been busy inside, no gardening I'm afraid.

But there are still some pretty things happening in the garden, even with this cold. I'm not a fan of Orange as a colour, but there is a patch of Red Hot Pokers in my garden which really do brighten up a cold day, and besides, the birds love them.

The parrots are still visiting too, in fact, I think some more have moved into the neighbourhood. Yesterday I counted 12 Crimson Rosellas just out from the back Patio, eating grass seeds, but as soon as I tried to creep out to take a pic, they took fright and flew off. Maybe next time.

Hugs, Coll :-}

My pretty winter garden

2007-06-11T17:02:00.000+10:00

It's been such a pretty, sunny winter's day here, (but cold), so I wandered out into the garden with my cuppa and my camera (and my Maddie dog, of course). Such pretty things I found, what a joy a garden is, especially at this time of year, when we need something to brighten up the days. Hope you enjoy sharing them with me.

Tiny winter Iris peep out from under the Agapanthus leaves and my Diosma in full bloom.

Glorious colours of the Japanese Maple and some dainty African Daisies.

I'm having trouble moving my pics around

2007-06-10T14:16:00.000+10:00

Now I know the wedding pics are all over the place, but I just haven't quite got the knack of moving them where I want them. Help Shannon!!! Just when I think I've got it right and I know what I'm doing, I stuff it up and everything disappears. But I will prevail, as some bright spark once said.
Coll :-}

Is Wedding Week over yet?

2007-06-10T13:42:00.000+10:00

Ok, I don't know if I missed out on the timing, but I decided (after much thought) to share a few of my Wedding pics with you all. I just hope you can make them out ok, as they are pics of pics and my camera sometimes isn't the best. It's a collage of our Wedding photos that my darling Shannon made for us a few Christmases ago. We were into Cherubs then too, obviously.

Our wedding was nearly 19 years ago (second for both of us). We married in the garden of my next-door neighbour and it absolutely poured just beforehand. So much so that my eldest daughter Tracey (she's the one in the black & orange & was 3 months pregnant with our darling granddaughter Rebecca) and her partner got flooded in and had to take a huge detour to get to the wedding. Everyone was telling me it was time to get started, but I refused to get married til my girl arrived. However, they did make it and the sun shone on us anyway. Although we did get very dripped on from all the trees - lol.

In the top right pic, the young lady on the right with the big hair is my darling daughter (she will just love this pic), who was one of my bridesmaids, along with the shorter one, who is my dear step-daughter Jodie, who is now a mother of two herself. Mind you, I think I had big hair too. Ugh!

The top pic on the left is John & me with my dear old Dad, who passed away almost 17 years ago, aged 89. At least he stuck around to see me get married to my John. Sadly, my darling Mum had been gone for some time. (Damn, and now I'm crying as I type this).

We all had a great day, had a wonderful party afterwards in my neighbours house (they had lots of room) drank lots of French champagne donated by John's boss and now here we are, living happily ever after.

Hugz, Coll :-}

Well, didn't it rain children, rained all the time.

2007-06-10T00:05:00.000+10:00

Well, like I said, it rained, and rained, and rained. The drought is broken, at least in my part of the world. I came home from work today, after a 24hr shift, and the place is awash. We have a small river running past the front of our house, given that we live in the Blue Mountains and it's all downhill.

There has been so much rain, sadly 7 people have lost their lives in NSW due to flash floods, and much damage has been done. Different picture from a state that has been ravaged by drought in the last few years, although I think some parts of our state are still not getting any rain. Go figure. Such a vast land Australia, and so much of it so different to where we are. My heart goes out to the people who are not receiving the much needed water. I watch it run away and wish that it could go to those who need it most.

My heart also goes to Amy (foursistersinacottage), her family and friends. Our prayers go with you all. Please send your prayers to her.

Coll :-}

Well, this is my new lamp

2007-06-02T16:12:00.000+10:00

Ooops, my computer locked up in the middle of everything, so I lost the bit about my new lamp. Anyway, this is it. It came all the way from Canada and took nearly 3 months to get here!!! The seller was supposed to send it airmail, but she sent it surface. I had just about given up hope of it ever arriving. I did intend to re-sell it on ebay, as I got it for a really good price, but now I don't know. I guess I could find room for it somewhere.......

Hugz, coll :-}

PS: that mercenary daughter of mine probably wants me to leave this to her in my will too - lol.

My Gorgeous "whatever-it-is" & new lamp

2007-06-02T13:29:00.000+10:00

Last week I had to go pick up an ebay purchase (an old lamp, of course) and while I was at this lady's house she commented that she still had some things left that hadn't sold on ebay. She's moving into a smaller home and has been selling off lots of "stuff". She asked me if I would like to take a look and of course, being a bargain hunter, as we all are, I naturally said yes.

I found this absolutely divine "whatever". It's meant to be scales, of course, but purely for decoration, so I don't really know what to call it, except GORGEOUS!!

I couldn't believe my luck and couldn't understand why no-one bought it. I know it's not of any particular use, but most of my things aren't, they're just to look at and admire. I know we all have LOTS of stuff like that.

Anyway, this lady just wanted to get rid of it and said I could have it for $20. Almost passed out. I grabbed it and ran-lol. It is now residing in the centre of my dining room table and looks most impressive. Wouldn't the centre make a wonderful lamp base-lol. John has threatened me not to touch it, he says we have enough lamps. Still........

Hugz, Coll :-}

Sam's Doing Fine

2007-05-24T22:40:00.000+10:00

Well, the operation on our little man's foot was a huge success according to the surgeon. Thank the Lord it's all over with. He is doing well, so are his Mum & Dad. Shannon has been with him all day and I've spoken to her several times. She is very proud of her little man, who she says was very brave. Evidently he was asking questions about all the equipment right up until the time he went to sleep. That's our Sam.

We have all known that this was going to happen, but are very glad that it is finally done and the healing process can begin. It might be a rough few weeks, evidently he is NOT HAPPY about all that plaster.

When I spoke to her earlier this evening, she told me he had eaten a cheese sandwich, watched a bit of TV and was nodding off to sleep. The resilience of children amazes me. Shannon will be sleeping beside him on a cot bed, so she can be there if he needs her. Evidently there was a couple of other little mites in the same ward who were in a bit of pain and very fretful, so I don't know how much sleep her and Sam will get. Here's hoping the other littlies and their parents manage to get some sleep too.

I'm going to see them first thing tomorrow, so please send along your good wishes and I will let Shannon, Shane & Sam know that you are thinking of them.

Thank you all for caring so much.

Hugz, Coll :-}

My darling Sam's Op

2007-05-23T20:34:00.000+10:00

Well, as you all obviously know, our darling Sam is going in to have his operation in the morning. We will all be saying prayers and thinking good thoughts and I know everyone out there is too. Shannon has made me promise to keep my blog updated (I will darling, I swear) so that everyone knows how Sam is doing (and his Mum & Dad too of course). Sometimes I think it's harder on the parents than it is on the kids. Shannon's sister had her tonsils out when she was only five and I was a real mess, so I know exactly what they are going through.

Sam is in the best possible hands, his surgeon is the best in the business and Westmead Children's Hospital is known world-wide.

I just spoke to Shannon on the phone and she is understandably on edge, but she is strong and has her darling husband Shane to hold onto, so keep the good thoughts coming and I will let you all know tomorrow how he came through the operation.

Hugz, Coll :-}

Finally, my list of "weird" things I do

2007-05-12T19:14:00.000+10:00

Okay, I've been chastised by my very own daughter (just remember Shann, tomorrow is Mother's Day, be nice to the old girl). I know I got tagged days ago (ok, a week ago), but I've been really busy. Anyway, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it - lol. Really, it's taken me that long to think of seven weird things - lol. I'm sure my girls could think of many more in less than a minute.

Well, here goes.

1. Shannon was right, I'm always wiping the sink down. Not just the sink, just about everything. Can't stand drips of water, bread crumbs (mostly John's), bird seed (from my canary) or anything around the kitchen benches or whatever. John says I'm gonna get buried with a wettex in my hand-lol.

2. It takes me twice as long at home to do the things I do in half the time at work. Does that make sense? Maybe because I'm not getting paid for it-lol.

3. I'm with the rest of you girls, can't stand anyone messing up my cushions. Don't crush'em, and especially DON'T SIT ON THEM.

4. Like my dear friend Debbie (purple flower fairy) I'm addicted to lamps. Apart from making them, if I'm not listing on ebay, I'm usually looking at lamps on ebay. If I had the money, oh boy.

5. I can't stand it when people leave things lying around after they've used them - if you use it, PUT IT AWAY!! Drives me nuts.

6. I talk to my little dog, Maddie, like she was one of my kids. We have great conversations. That probably wouldn't be too bad, but she's deaf as a post. Maybe she can lip read.

7. I actually think I'm becoming addicted to buying fabric. I think gee, that would make a great lamp or whatever. I've discovered that I've got fabric I'll probably never use, but it's gorgeous anyway.

So there you go, I'm done. And I'm not going to tag anyone, because you've all been done too many times already. Just how many weird things can we have wrong with us. Hmmm.

Cheers, Coll :-}

I've been tagged

2007-05-05T19:20:00.000+10:00

Well, evidently Julles and my dear (hmmmm) daughter Shannon have both tagged me !! Good grief!! I'm thinkin' I only have to do it once though, eh. I couldn't possibly think of fourteen things that are weird about myself - lol.
Seriously, it's really hard. Shannon could probably think of lots, but I don't think I'm THAT weird. Maybe I am. I'm gonna go have a bath and ponder on this. Might have to light some candles and take a glass of wine in too, just to get the old brain cells working, you understand. I can do this because I have the house to myself, John is at work and will be home late. Just me and the dawg. Ha, now there's one thing I just thought of. Tell you later. Bye.

Hugz, Coll :-}

PS: Forget to tell you I had another junkin' day yesterday, and all while I was workin'. One of my guys was at work and I took my other guy, who loves old stuff despite him being intellectually disabled. He fiddled with old record players, telephones and stuff and we had a ball and I got some really great stuff for ebay. Will post pics next time. :-}

MY NEW BANNER

2007-05-02T23:17:00.000+10:00

I am so, so happy with my lovely new banner!! My darling daughter, Shannon, got together with the wonderful Jullie and this is what I got. WOW!! It's just gorgeous, I love it to bits. It's even got a pic of my lovely coffee pot, or should I say John 's coffee pot. He bought it years ago and I thought he was nuts - lol. Just shows, he was into shabby chic before I was.
So thank you, thank you, thank you, Shannon and Julles, for my lovely banner. Such a lovely surprise.
By the way, my Cherub lamp is fixed. I bought a 6-pack of JD & Coke for Jason, said here's my thank you, but you did it wrong. After much laughter (and denials on his part), my gorgeous Cherub is back together, right way up.
Great day all round, I think.

Hugz, Coll :-}

A DILEMMA

2007-05-01T12:09:00.000+10:00

This is my gorgeous cherub lamp base I bought from the States a while ago, been waiting for the chance to fix him up.

My young neighbour, Jason, who is a real handyman and can DO STUFF, offered to fixup/rewire any of the lamps I buy. What a sweetie. The lamp shops want $20 plus parts. Yikes!! Anyway, last night he rewired my cherub for me, but he put the bottom piece of crystal on UPSIDE DOWN. eeeek!! How do I tell him he did it wrong??? He'll have to pull the whole thing to bits again. Oh dear!! It has to be done, because I can't paint the little brass ring that is between the crystal and the marble piece, it's now too hard to get at.

Thinkin' maybe I'll buy him a few beers first as a thank-you (lol). What do you think?

Coll :-}

New Lamp

2007-05-01T11:24:00.000+10:00

I finally managed to finish off this gorgeous lamp, which has been patiently waiting for weeks now. Just couldn't decide what to put around the bottom edge, but finally decided on the pretty AB crystals, which throw off such pretty colours, so I'm very happy with the way it turned out.

The Ribbons & Roses fabric is from the Mary Rose collection, all of them are soooo pretty, all crisp white and pink roses, what more could a girl ask for.

I have it sitting on my bedside table at the moment, looks like it belongs there. Oh well, maybe the next one I make. Hmmm.

Speaking of pretty fabrics, received my parcel from shabbyhomeshoppe yesterday. Sooo beautiful are all the Ashwell fabrics I bought from the lovely Tammy, who is the sweetest thing, she put extra Bella Rose Blush in for me as a gift. What a darling, she knew it was one of my favourites.

Just looked outside my window at this beautiful day, I can see white daisies, blue plumbago and musk pink salvia waving in the breeze. I think I hear the garden calling - lol.

Have a great day.

Hugz, Coll :-}

Junkin' Day

2007-05-01T10:58:00.000+10:00

Well, it seems like forever since I've had time to get to my blog. Sooo busy at work and in the garden, also trying to get lamps finished, for ebay and orders.

Met Shannon after work on Saturday and went "junkin". We both got some terrific things. Shannon got her boudoir chair, she's wanted one for ages. It's all pretty pink velvet and will be really gorgeous when it's cleaned up.

I got heaps of old china and linen, some gorgeous tablecloths with cross stitched roses, also some pretty doilies, also with roses, of course. Got some pretty trios, bowls and other stuff.

The best things of all though were these absolutely gorgeous teasets. Not sure if they are meant to be for coffee, or Chinese tea, but who cares! I can't decide which one is the prettiest, the pink roses or the crinoline lady. They are both lovely, all pieces in great shape and only one cup missing out of all of the pieces. I would love to keep both of them, but I have to be strong, I'm running out of room. Hmmm, maybe I COULD find space :-} The pretty bowl with the violets is soooo me, according to Shannon, it's definately a keeper.

Don"t you just love Autumn days.

2007-04-21T15:35:00.000+10:00

Isn't this a glorious time of year. I have had a few extra days off work, just to fiddle around with some ebay stuff and work in the garden. Doing lots of stuff for ebay, working on a couple of lamp orders, and tidying up outside.

I also had a little expedition through the local antique shops and found some gorgeous little items to list on ebay (I think I'm becoming an ebay addict-lol). That's them in the pic. I'll paint the tatty silver stuff. Keeping the two little cups for myself. Sooo pretty and shabby.

Also found the time to clean out my work/computer room, so I could actually WORK in it. To say it was getting a bit cluttered is putting it mildly. I did have one mishap while doing this though, knocked over a very large box FULL of packing peas. Do you know how long it takes to pick all those little bits up (lol). John came home from work last night and said "Oh, we still have a sofa in there, I though you'd sold it on ebay". Very funny. Just because it was covered with lamp shades and stuff (lol).

Mostly I've been outside, the weather has been absolutely glorious here in the Mountains and I can't stand to be inside on days like this. What a shame I have to go back to work on Monday.
I have done some work on the computer though, listed some stuff on ebay and also ordered heaps of fabrics from my favourite seller in the States, shabbyhomeshoppe. The lovely Tammy is closing her shop this weekend to look after her terminally ill father. So sad, we shall miss her. Please say a prayer for her family, she's such a lovely lady.

I bought heaps of beautiful fabrics from her, can't wait to get my hands on them and start creating some more gorgeous lamps.

John and I have decided that when my clients at work move house, as they will be doing in the very near future, I am going to cut down my work hours a little, so I will have more time to work on the things I love to do. Yippee!!

Also more time to spend with my grandkids. They are all growing up so fast, the eldest, Rebecca, started University in February (I was a child bride - lol - I'm not really THAT old).

Hugz, Coll :-}

Where does the time go?

2007-04-16T10:21:00.000+10:00

I can't believe where the time goes. I was just talking to Shannon, telling her I must get to my blog again, it's been days. I don't know what I did with the time, apart from working a 28hr shift, coming home and catching up on my housework, washing, gardening, cooking and somewhere in between all that, working on some things to list on ebay. Ooops, maybe that's where all that time went.

I guess we all know about that, time just slips by unnoticed. I did actually stop and smell the roses though. That's the best thing about having a garden, it's where I go to escape. I can wander around, with my Maddie beside me of course (I don't dare go into the garden without her-lol) and just forget about everything.

Snip off a few deadheads, pull a couple of weeds, admire the new growth on some things or lament the fact that one of my precious plants is not looking so happy.

This is the best time of the year to be in the garden, I think. The beautiful warm days (not too hot) make you want to stay out there forever. I've got lots of bulbs ready to plant, the tulips go back in next Month. Think I'll have to get Sam back here again to help me with those, we did such a good job of it last year. I can't quite believe that was a year ago.

See what I mean about time slipping by.

Having said that, it's time for me to go to work.

DON'T FORGET TO STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES.

Coll :-}

New Lamps

2007-04-12T16:52:00.000+10:00

Well, I have decided, after much tearing out of hair and throwing things about (lol), that I will NEVER attempt to cover a fluted lampshade again. What a nightmare. It was bad enough trying to work the circumference of a circle (yes, it's been a long time since I went to school - lol) and then having to cut the fabric EXACTLY, but then the damn stuff wouldn't stick. I bought the lamps from the US and I have no idea what the shades are made of, something weird obviously, but three different glues later I think (fingers crossed - lol) it works. Time will tell. I'll probably get up in the morning and they will have fallen to bits. AAAARGH !!!!! Pic is shade half finished, just holding together, so don't judge it too harshly.

I just love the itsy bitsy roses on the fabric, which I bought from the lovely Tammy at ShabbyHomeShoppe on ebay. Have to buy more fabrics from her real soon, as she is closing her shop until next year. DISASTER!! Sooo hard to get all the Rachel Ashwell fabrics elsewhere.

Apart from that, it's been a busy day, painting some old picture frames to put some pretty fabrics in, a bit of gardening in between and a bit of sitting in the sun with the dogs (lol). Gotta have some relaxation.

I hope you all had a lovely Easter and didn't eat toooo much choccy. My Easter Bunny (hmmm, he looks more like Santa, beard and all - lol) brought me breakfast in bed. I'm still wondering what he's done wrong - lol.

The other pic is part of our loungeroom. I just love our new loose covers and yes, I am just as anal as Shannon about the cushions. I make John move them all up before he sits down, because he sits ON them. Grrr.

Hugz Coll :-}

ps: I haven't quite figured out how to get the pics where I want them to be yet. Must talk to Shann about that one. :-}

Easter

2007-04-07T23:35:00.000+10:00

HOPPY EASTER EVERYONE.

Hope the Easter Bunny was kind to you.
:-}

More of my house

2007-04-07T11:45:00.000+10:00

I took some more pics of my house, because my friend in Michigan, Debbie (purpleflowerfairy), wanted to see some more of my "stuff". This is my lovely old tray mobile, which I've had for years, and some of my pretties. I've had some of these trios since I was very young (a couple of centuries ago - lol), so shabby chic has always been "In" (lol). We've only been in this house not quite 2 years, so we still have lots to do. We've mostly worked on the outside, had the roof redone (it was brown), painted all the gutters etc (brown again) and replaced the garage door (MORE brown). We've also nearly killed ourselves in the garden, as the house was owned by an old lady (bit like me really) and so the garden was a jungle. Getting better though.
We have to start working on the inside this year, although Shannon did paint the kitchen cupboards (she loves painting, doesn't she-lol) when we moved in. It is still the old original kitchen, but it was in good nick and I like old kitchens, so she painted all the doors French Blue (I'm a blue girl at heart) and it's GORGEOUS. I'll get a pic done of it soon.
I painted all the sixties tiles (puke green) white and added some rosey decals and now I love it. We even painted the bench tops white. They were kinda dirty cream.
The worst thing we still have is the carpet. You'll never guess, BROWN (aargh!!). It's the bane of my life, I live with the carpet sweeper in my hand. It shows EVERY spot. It's gotta go, and soon.
The only things that look good in brown I think are chocolate and dirt (the dirt because I'm a gardener - lol).
Well, I had better leave off, I promised myself to list stuff on ebay today, so I had better get started. More pics soon, Debbie, I promise.

my busy week and my "bubbie dog" Maddie

2007-04-07T11:17:00.000+10:00

This has been such a busy week, but I have actually got the whole day to myself, so I figured I would spoil myself. I am still sitting here in my dressing gown (lol) with my third cup of coffee (usually only have two) and trying to work out what the hell the weather is doing. Just did a load of washing and now I don't know whether to put it on the line or not. First it's sunny, then dark, cloudy and cold. Decisions, decisions (lol).

I've been really busy at work this week and when I was home I spent the whole of Tuesday in the garden, which has been getting quite wild after all the rain. The damn weeds grow faster than the plants. At least I had my "bubbie" to help me. She kept disappearing into the wilderness, at one stage all I could see of her was the top of her tail as she stalked all those pesky lizards (lol). Poor little lizards. I don't think she ever quite catches any though. Hope not. Poor little pet, she was quite exhausted afterwards, as you can see. She is nearly 14 years old (and deaf as a post), but you'd never know it. I think that makes her, according to the chart at the vets, about 74.

On Wednesday Shannon & Sam visited for lunch. We were going to go to the park and feed the ducks, but the weather turned lousy, again, so we bummed around at home. Sam helped me pot up some plants (well, he watched-lol) and spent the rest of his time playing with John's electric path edger (not plugged in, of course). He is fascinated with anything mechanical. Budding genius, I think.

Then it was back to work overnight Thursday, ran around like a mad thing organising and shopping for a birthday party for this weekend for one of the guys, visited my other lovely daughter Tracey after work yesterday, as it was her birthday on Thursday, then sat in the damned traffic for and hour and a half because there was an accident on the Great Western Hwy. I never understand why people rush off for the Easter holidays. Too much traffic, crazy drivers and the weather is usually lousy anyway (which it is now). I'd rather stay home and play and eat chocolate. (Hmmm, that must be a family trait).

My gorgeous new boudoir lamps

2007-03-31T15:34:00.000+10:00

I am sooo tired today, haven't been home from work very long and had a really lousy night, not much sleep. Even after working there for 6 years, I still find it hard to sleep. Much rather be home in my own bed. And I have to go back tomorrow. I HATE working weekends. Oh well, needs must.

I decided (this on the way home up the Mountains) that I REALLY HATE SLOW DRIVERS WHO DRIVE IN THE FAST LANE. AAARGH!! Just get out of my way, I want to get home. Okay, got that off my chest.

These are my beautiful boudoir lamps I bought on ebay. They look sooo lovely at night. Sorry about the camera flash in the mirror. They are the most gorgeous pink around the top of the glass, which doesn't quite show up in the pic, so I have put the single one on so you can see how pretty-n-pink it is. John wants to know why they are on the sideboard if they are boudoir lamps. Men!!! They just don't get it.

The yummy cake on the sideboard is a pressie from Shann. It came home with me today. Bet John thinks it's real. He doesn't need cake anyway - lol.

Gotta go get ready for a birthday party next door. I must be getting old, would much rather watch tv in my dressing gown tonight - lol.

WHAT A SUNSET

2007-03-30T08:46:00.000+10:00

Yesterday I was sitting in the loungeroom working on a lamp and I happened to glance out the window. I think it was about 5.45pm, getting dark and I thought we were going to have a huge storm, because the sky had been as black as.
Suddenly the sun broke through and I couldn't believe the picture it painted. Absolutely amazing. I ran (really-lol) to grab the camera and tried to get some decent pics, but my photography skills with the new camera are not what they could be (lol), but I think the couple I managed to get were great. I just hope I manage to get the pic on here (lol) without Shannon's help. Mother Nature is truly wonderful sometimes, eh.

WE DID IT !!

2007-03-29T11:34:00.000+10:00

Well, it worked. How about that. Thanks Shann, I would never have done it without you. We even managed to post a pic of one of my lamps, but I've gotta do something with my pics, they're too hard to find the way mine are set up.
Have to get Shann's computer-clever husband, Shane, up here to fix them up for me.
Yesterday I received a gorgeous pair of boudoir lamps, brass bases and etched pink glass shades, which look absolutely beautiful on my antique sideboard. John though I was going to re-sell them!! NO WAY. These are all mine. He thinks that's funny, me buying lamps for myself.
It's a dreary day here in the mountains, but at least it's not raining again. I was going to do some pics and list some stuff on ebay, but not a good day for it. I will probably park myself in front of the TV later with an old movie and finish off a light shade I'm making for a friend from work.
One of my clients from work, who loves old movies, lent me a couple of his, old Bette Davis stuff, so I figure today is a good day for them. First though, I have to go refrigerate my tulip bulbs from last year. Can't believe where the year has gone, it's almost 12 months since my darling 3-1/2 yr old grandson Sam helped me plant them. Truly, he did. It was a freezing day, we got all rugged up and he stood in the middle of the garden, filthy dirty (we both were - lol) passing me bulbs and telling me "this one now nanny" and wanting to know what colour they would be. That's probably why they looked so gorgeous when they flowered.
Ok, mustn't waste my day off, stuff to do.

My First Blog !!

2007-03-29T10:27:00.000+10:00

Whoo Hoo. We did it !! This is my first ever blog and I have absolutely no idea what I am doing. My lovely daughter Shannon is talking me through this otherwise I wouldn't be doing it at all - LOL.

I have some lovely friends on ebay and I'm always looking at their blogs, so I figured it was time to get mine going.

I'm going to try and add some pics (not of me - lol) and hopefully it will work.

If not, my computer will probably self destruct, but here goes. Fingers crossed everyone.