March 2023

Well - at least I've managed a post by the next month!!  

We hit the deck running once school started back - short staffed, still no Asst. Principal, brand new Principal and have basically spent the last 6 weeks or so just trying to keep ahead - at least by a couple of millimeters, anyway! Another of our teachers who had been here almost 2 years, threw her hands in the air and walked out about a week ago!  The 3 new teachers who started in the last couple of weeks are starting to have a 'deer in headlights' look about them plus one of our teachers who was here end of last term is driving me crazy!!  How can anyone teach for almost 30 years (according to him, anyway) and not have any sort of commonsense or be able to think things through?  He apparently needs strict routines or he can't cope - I suggested last week Tennant Creek High School wasn't for him!!  Politely, of course - trying to make it look like I really cared!! 

Guides kicked off at the start of February - big influx of new girls and I still have at least 6 on the waiting list!  It's good, I think?   

We have a Guide Camp planned for the end of April - however, I realised the other day that I haven't put the paperwork in yet and that should have been done at least 6 weeks beforehand. I guess I'm going to have change dates? 

I finished the Terry Pratchett book 'Last Continent'.  I think it would have to be the best he wrote!  The visual picture of Drop Bears landing on the pointy wizard hats is pure GOLD!  And as for his version of how evolution happens, let alone how sex was invented ... let's just say, you HAVE to read it! 

Currently, I am reading an e-book series by Katherine Genet - the 'Wilde Grove' series.   I had bought the first one quite a while ago and hadn't read it.  I started it a few days ago, and was immediately sucked in - and have now bought the rest of the series.  She is an amazing writer.  

Very little craft has been happening - there just hasn't been the time!  I have managed coffee with the craft ladies and lunch at the Memo to celebrate Debra's birthday, but no actual playing with paper and so on.  I set the ladies a 'Pinterest Challenge' which I didn't even complete, even though most of the group did.  Not what I would call a good look at all - although the ladies were understanding about it. 😕

So what plans do I have?  We have 2 weeks left of school after this week, and then a 1 week break covering Easter as well.  This could mean more time at the pool in the early mornings, not having to be at work by 7.30 should mean I can take the pooch for a run, paperwork catch up, prep for the Tennant Creek Show - then maybe I can get to some craft stuff?  

Let's see how this all goes... 

Plans for the Mid-Semester Break

Well, end of term is on the horizon and although I know the holidays are going to be busy - my plan is for lots of reading and lots of crafting to be happening.  

I have lots of Pinterest ideas logged for trying out ... paper craft, cooking and so on.  There are lots of willing helpers, I gather, at Leading Edge to trial anything I cook - very brave and trusting men!!

I have a number of fresh e-books on the Galaxy so, in theory, I am sorted.  Of course, we all know it won't go this way but it never hurts to have a plan, I think!

Today is the mid-semester breakup for Girl Guides - and the girls said it could be Leader's Choice as to the theme!!  International War games, here we come!!

I'll keep you updated as to how it all pans out.

Ohh dear

Well - more than a year since I posted on here - and it's not that I haven't been playing with paper - or reading for that matter.

What can I say?  Time is never my friend these days ... and oh alright, yes I am lazy as well.  

Bear with me folks, while I get this back on track.

More Book reviews

Well, I'm back.  It has been a while since I posted on here.  I have had great intentions of posting more often - however, while the intentions were good, the carrying out was pretty awful.

I had lots of plans for posting some of the latest cards I had made over the last couple of months.  I think, though, that I need to improve my photography skills some more before I try that, as most of the photos were just a little too blurry to upload well.  So certainly a goal to look at for next year, I think.

So, I believe some book reviews are in order and with Christmas looming, what better than some of the Christmas classics?  Who could go past that perennial favourite (well, mine anyway!) 'The Night Before Christmas' by Clement Moore.

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house'.....  this poem written by a clergyman in about 1820 something has pretty much defined the magic of Christmas for most of us.  I don't think there are many homes where it is not read on Christmas eve before the little ones head off to bed - I know I did when my angels were little and when the grandkids are around for that night, it comes out again.  (Along with making Magic reindeer food to be scattered on the lawn before bed so that the reindeer don't miss your place when making their rounds)

How about 'Twelve days of Christmas'?  Turtle Doves, golden rings and lords and ladies - what a wonderfully seasonal way to count in the festivities. There is supposedly another layer of meaning to this song however.  It was written as a way of teaching about Jesus to young people during a time when Catholics couldn't practice their faith openly. The two turtledoves stood for the Old and New testaments, the 3 French hens represented faith, hope and love, the four calling birds were the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and so on.  It doesn't change the fact that this book is one of the top classic stories of Christmas.

And then there are others: 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas', along with Charles Dickens 'Christmas Carol'.  All of them way too good to be forgotten - so definitely time to share the magic all over again with a whole new generation.

As I will have all my kids and grandkids here this year to share Christmas with us, and to celebrate Wayne's 60th birthday on Boxing day, I doubt I will be posting again till next year so this is a good time to wish you all a wonderful Christmas with lots of family and friends around and time to enjoy them all.  Remember, in life, the little things always turn out to be the BIG things - so turn off the technology and really BE there.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Year - to paraphrase Clement Moore.

New Venture

Well, a new venture starting here. 

After a few squeaks from friends when I said I was going to shut down my Library blog - and they were concerned that they wouldn't be keeping up with new book reviews - I thought it might be an idea to have a personal blog about some of my passions, most involving paper in some way or another ........... and so 'Books, Cards and all things Paper' was born.

The idea is that I can post reviews on books, both new ones as well as old favourites along with some of my cards as I make them, or as I learn new techniques - and whatever else comes along. 
There should be no limitations, as this one is for me rather than for the school, so I shouldn't have to worry about trying to get people involved to justify what I am doing.
I really only have to please myself - and maybe the few friends who will be interested.

I think I am going to enjoy this!