Kim Archer | Mindful Living

Building children's character

So what sort of kid would think it's ok to drive by our house. At 7.27pm. With his mates. In  his mates green P plated car. Park across our driveway. BEHIND KEN'S CAR!! Switch off the car lights. Run down INTO our property. Down the driveway. Right down. Almost to our front door. Slam a sledgehamer or crow bar several times through Brandt's back windscreen and then run back to the car and roar off down the street. Honking the horn loudly. And veering all over the road and deliberately aiming at our neighbours teenage son who was out the front several houses down and who signalled for them to slow down after witnessing what had happened.

All the while as we were ALL inside our house. Here's the damage.

We're all still in disbelieving shock round here today.

Our lovely neighbour across the road witnessed the entire thing as she was out collecting her bins from the road and ran across to tell us. But without a number plate the police said they couldn't do anything about it although we did file a report even though we have two witnesses.

I had my sisters kids here as well and we had literally walked into the house 10mins earlier after spending a very nice few hours having a little family party for a few birthdays at my parents house. As you would imagine we had two little girls who were VERY frightened and distressed by what happened.

So. What sort of kid thinks it's ok to do that???

Ironically, I had bought a book only the day before. From Borders. I was there for something else but this book jumped out at me. And I bought it. It's called PARENTING FOR CHARACTER - equipping your child for life by Andrew Mullins (the Headmaster of Redfield College in Sydney).

I've only read a bit of it so far. But the back says, "Character is very much the sum total of our good habits - habits such as compassion, honesty, generosity and loyalty. Parenting for Character is a practical manual to help parents develop in their children qualities necessary for a happy and fulfilling adult life. These include sound judgement, responsibility, self-control, integrity, perseverance, courage and resilience."

EVERYTHING these kids weren't.

So, if anyone from our area sees a light coloured or white sporty looking Magna with a rear spoiler and two green P plates on either side of the back number plate let them know that I have this great book that I'd love to give them to give to their mums to read.

Back to speedy internet connection..

Yippeeee.

Our internet high speed is back. As of this morning.

I thought it was tomorrow. So was beside myself to find everything loading so beautifully and quickly this morning. Yay.

So a couple of things this morning..

I have been working (big time!!) behind the scenes to introduce video content over at the @Home site. And we are *almost* ready to start sharing some of the videos we have filmed. Our @Home with Tarisota workshop girls will be the first to see the results and act as our guinea pigs to see how it all goes!

Last week Janelle and I got together for a day of filming and filmed a few segments of show and tell for the @Home with Tarisota class just to see how it would all go... AND Janelle is also sharing the how-to for her beautiful bonus project - THE RIBBON BAG. Sneak peek below...

So one more little bit of tweaking on the site and  *fingers crossed* it's all systems go.

Here we are during filming ..(MANY, MANY outtakes/bloopers during the day.) We filmed at Janelle's gorgeous new home which was a lovely backdrop!!!!

I've extended the @Home with Tarisota registrations for anyone who missed out and would still like to come along and be part of the class.

YOU CAN BOOK IN HERE.

Also, the lovely Julia Matthews has left For Keeps and joined the team at Derwent Howard and has been working hard to breathe some much needed life into one of their publications..Creative Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine. Packed with step by step cards and papercrafting projects as well as scrapbooking, the new issue has Julia's trademark clean stamp all over it.

Knowing what an excellent job she did with For Keeps, I look forward to seeing where she takes this magazine and I am thrilled to be a part of it too with a few regular articles from me which will start appearing a little later this year. 

   

Julia is also looking for submissions and she also announced a Design Team call which you can read about here at Aussie Pub Calls. And while the closing date has come and gone I think she may still be accepting applications. You can email here: [email protected] for more information:)

And look out for the magazine. I was suitably impressed with my copy and as expected from Julia, all projects were beautifully styled and photographed!! PLUS step by steps for everything. Look out for it with the free stickers on the front.

family roundup!!

Let me start by saying I AM ON DIALUP SPEED AND I AM OVER IT! We reached our download  limit earlier this week. It doesn't renew again until Thursday. And I'm counting the days.

The slower speed is driving me mad. Just ask Janelle. She's OVER me whinging and whining I am sure. Everything is sooooo slow. And I have soooo much I have to do. And it all takes soooo long. Long enough to get up make a cuppa and come back and the page is still loading!!

Anyway, here's a family catchup. **another warning..long post below..**

Firstly netball season is over for 2008.

Can you hear me quietly cheering?

We can sleep in on a Saturday. Yay!! Last Saturday was Capri's last game. Not long into the season it became painfully obvious that the girls had been put into the wrong grade. Week after week they are beaten by 30+ points. The Association wouldn't drop them a grade. So the girls turned up week after week and continued to be beaten by massive margins.

The girls never complained. Never gave up. Never came off cranky and frustrated or made comments about never winning. Or why try because we get beaten anyway. They were excellent sports. All of them.

They lost their last game 33-3 and the coach from the other side made a special point of coming over and shaking each of our girls' hands. We had played this team several times through the season and this coach said what lovely girls they all were and that they always tried their hardest and she said they should be congratulated for coming along week after week and being such good sports. Which was a nice finish to the season.

Soooo, onto footy.

Jamison played in the grand final today. And thankfully not against Valentine. Here's Jamison lining up a kick.

And off he goes.

It was freeeeeezing cold. Bitterly cold. And so windy. And overcast. And threatening to rain! Here's a shot of Capri all rugged up.

Yes, thats a peaked cap underneath a hood (as you do!!) Plus a scarf. Plus a jumper. Her parka. And mum's fluffy, hooded jacket. It's a wonder she could walk with all the layers on.

ANYWAY!! They WON!!! Very exciting. Check out the muddy knees!

And the victory chant.

Well done boys!

So, this post has taken me, oh, only about 54 hours to upload because of the, yes, you guessed it SLOW SPEED of my connection. And I have another little update which I will do in a separate post...after I reboot this computer as it's decided to add to the slow connection by not playing fair and freezing up on me!!! grrr.

@Home with Tarisota update

Not long to go.

The @Home with Tarisota workshop kicks off tomorrow..

Three reasons to join in..

1. Loads of Support Team samples.

2. An additional sample from Mel Goodsell our guest designer from Tarisota.

3. A ribbon/fabric pack giveaway from Tamar at Tarisota

PLUS a bonus project from Janelle..a gorgeous ribbon and fabric bag.

See you in class...

With great sadness....

[edited to add: thanks girls for taking the time to leave a comment for Julie. I've let her know to come on over and check out the post and your lovely comments.]

......we say goodbye this month to the lovely Miss Julie Love who is leaving our @Home Support Team.

I'm very sad about Julie leaving, not just us here @Home but also scrapbooking as well. Julie has decided to "hang up her scrapping tools and not scrapbook anymore" and has officially left her Support Team position with us @Home.

I wanted to say a huge THANKYOU to Julie for her contribution and beautiful work she has shared with us over the past year or so @Home but also thank her for the contribution she has made to the scrapbooking industry since she first started scrapping many years ago.

So many people online and from those who read the scrapbooking magazines got to know Julie and her family through her blog and her published creations and design team work so I know I won't be the only one feeling sad that Julie is not scrapbooking anymore. I feel a particular sadness as Julie and I met when we were first awarded the Scrapbooking Memories Masters title in 2004 and we forged a firm friendship which has continued on for a number of years. Julie has been part of my scrapping journey and has also shared lots of good times over the years.

Please join me in saying goodbye to Julie and from all of us here we wish you all the very best in everything you will do. We will miss you.

Tarisota Update

It's less than a week until our @Home with Tarisota class officially kicks off!! Still some places left. Registration closes midnight Tuesday 19 August. BOOK IN HERE.

You've seen Helen, Janelle and Mel Goodsell's sneak peeks of their albums..now it's time to share a sneak peek of my album...here's my cover...and lots of goodies sandwiched there together, peeping out from each page...

Again, you don't have to have purchased the Tarisota kit to participate in the class. Only one of the Support Girls had use of a kit. The others used all sorts of things to create their albums.

TARISOTA GALLERY

After being in Wingham for the day and with the deadline looming for the Tarisota gallery as the guest designer, I worked pretty much non stop for most of Sunday to get everything done in time for Tamar to start uploading the Tarisota gallery on Monday night!!!

And I must say that I really enjoyed myself.

I enjoyed that I could just create whatever I wanted. With no restrictions. No having to photograph each step. And everything I needed was right there in that big old Tarisota box of goodies!!!

Here's a close up of my gallery projects..

First up is this layout of Capri.

Mum recently came across a conversation she had written down that she had had with Capri back in 2004 when Capri was in kindergarten. It was about her imaginary friend Necklacer!!  I had forgotten about Necklacer and it was fun to dig out an older photo of Capri and record the conversation in a layout!

[You may be able to read the journaling if you click the image??]

This is my favourite layout. Pretty simple. But I love this shot of Jamison. You can't see his face or his mouth but you can tell by the twinkle in those eyes..that he's smiling!!

[don't look Mardi!!]

And a mini book. Again, I dug out some older photos and created a mini book about our Blue Mountains holiday. We weren't even there long, I think we stayed for about 3 days but this was one of our most memorable family holidays!!

The cover is made from the Prima sheers (plastic) flower lacy 12x12in sheet. It was very durable and fun to work with.

Wow..that was a massive photo upload..I haven't shared such a bulk lot of work publicly like this forever!!

One the home front: Capri is much better but was still home again today. Jamison was as well. Sore throat. Nasty cough. But seems ok. Both back to school tomorrow. Brandt is nearing the end of his trial HSC. One exam to go.

And thats about all for now.

A much needed catch up..

Lots to share...

Let's start with the weekend and I might spread all the show and tell over a few posts...

Scrapsidaisy in Wingham was fabulous. Mum and I left early Saturday morning (but not as early as one of the girls who got up at 4am to travel up for the class from Sydney! Thanks Mel) and arrived around 9.30am to a lovely warm welcome from the Scrapsidaisy girls.

It was a beautiful day weather wise and felt very nostalgic to be back in town. First stop was a quick hello with Barb & Tony, very long time family friends. And their house was in walking distance from the main street and the store. Mum and Barb spent the day together and I headed off for my class.

I have been battling horrendous hayfever for days now and Saturday I felt pretty bad!! I had forgotten how awful hayfever symptoms can be as I haven't had a bad dose for a few years!!! My brain has been foggy for several days and my eyes itchy, watering and painful and the girls had to put up with my sneezing through both workshops!!

Here's our happy class members...

After the class I was presented with a gorgeous bunch of flowers and lovely thankyou card!!! I had a lovely day and all of the girls were so friendly, welcoming and wonderful. Thank you to Leisa for organising the day and inviting me to be part of it. And thankyou to a wonderful bunch of girls who really made me feel welcome, who embraced the projects and worked so well throughout the classes!!

I then got to catch up with Barb again and her girls Janet and Paulette who I have known all my life. Here's a quick snap of the three of us..

and then mum and I headed home..worn out after an enjoyable day!!

While we were away Ken juggled the kids sport.

Jamison played a final for footy where a win meant they went straight to the grand final. A loss meant they got another chance next week. They played Valentine. I got a text message to say they were 8 all at half time.

And then another text message to say they were 12 all, 10 minutes left, injured player on Jamison's team. Ambulance called. Have to replay Sunday!

Ambulance!!!!! Injured player!!!!!

The boy from Jamison's team was tackled and hurt his back. They didn't want to move him. And he was in the middle of the field. So the game was called off. The paramedics were still with him when Ken and the kids left.

How awful. I know Jamison loves footy and loves playing but I get nervous watching him play. I cringe as they all tackle each other! They have a lot higher to fall now they are taller and older!

So we headed back to the field early Sunday morning. By this stage my hayfever was ridiculous and Capri was also sick with the flu..

Valentine spectators were in fine form. They were such an aggressive group of parents and one particular man spent the entire game yelling. At everyone. His team. Our team. The ref. Other parents. He was apalling. Unfortunately he was standing right near us. And he went on and on the entire game.

At full time they were tied again. Damn. More play time. 10mins each way. Some of the opposition kids are so big. And tackle so hard. And I just wanted the game finished. We got a try in the first few minutes of extra time. And we got another try. And Jamison (thankfully) converted it. So they were ahead.

Yelling man was SO bad, loud and painful and Capri so sick by this stage that mum ended up taking her home so missed the last part of the game.

In the last few minutes of the game one of our players was kneed in the face during a tackle. And he went down like a ton of bricks. And then lay there.

'Ten out of ten for your performance mate. He's just delaying the game.' One of the sideline Valentine supporters yelled. Then someone else yelled, 'don't worry about him(the injured boy!!!), just keep playing..'

The kid on the ground has ended up with concussion, the ambulance was called again. He was dizzy. Disorientated. Shaky and had to be helped from the field. And he didn't come to school yesterday but came today with a neck brace on.

I could go on and on about what else was said from the supporters of the Valentine Club but it would take too long. I was really apalled at how they behaved. What was said. What was yelled out and it was wonderful that our kids won the game.

They go straight to the grand final.

Unfortunately Valentine get another shot this weekend and I have visions of a rematch  on grand final day between the two clubs. But IF that happens, I will be standing WAAAAY over the other side as far away from them all!

More stuff tomorrow.

My Tarisota projects. Workshop updates and another sneak peek (whcih is overdue) of my Tarisota album project! Stay tuned..

Friday update...

Friday already..the weeks flown. (and now a little story I needed to get down ... the saga of the year 4 pen licence...)

Very exciting news..Capri finally and I mean FINALLY got her pen licence at school yesterday. This is something she has desperately wanted since she started Year 4. And I have NEVER seen such a load of carry on from a school for one to get the right to use a pen!

Both the boys hit year 4 and they got a pen.

I don't remember it being a big deal. And they both admitted they don't remember it being a big deal either.

Capri's class...well it's been the most drawn out, ridiculous process I have ever seen which has dragged on month after month. This kid has had to jump through hoops before she earned the right to use a pen in her work. She has been SO desperate and it's really affected her and her confidence. She has spent hours practising her writing at home, saying prayers of a night, hoping, wishing, crying, worrying and just wanting that pen licence. She was heartbroken as one by one her friends around her were given the illustrious PEN LICENCE award...and she was still using a pencil.

I don't know what else she needed to do to prove herself. Ok, she's NOT the neatest kid in the class. And I am fine with that. But honestly, I just don't think her writing is that bad. She's a bright kid. In the top classes for her english and maths. And doing very well. Her mid year report was excellent. And she told me that to do all her work she has to write fast. And to write fast means she doesn't pay attention to her neatness. And so the cycle goes.

And the teacher admitted that she had awarded licences to a few people first up who then slipped up and she then couldn't take them back again SO unfortunately I think that this affected the rest of them as she seemed determined to not make that mistake again.

So thankfully and with a HUGE sigh of relief from me, she came home yesterday with her certificate which is now sitting proudly on the fridge. And she got to use her pen in her homework book this week. And couldn't find a ruler to rule her margin last night.

So she used the ruler off my Fiskars trimmer.

And of course it has the knobbly bits on either end once you remove it from the base. Which resulted in a crooked margin. Which resulted in Capri bursting into tears and saying that her english teacher would have a cow when he saw it. Which resulted in her declaring that this was her FIRST MARGIN in pen and she made a mess. Which resulted in me writing a note to the teacher. *sigh*

"Capri has accidently ruled a crooked margin in her homework book and is worried that she will get into trouble which I hope won't be the case..." 

And the crisis was averted.

Congrats Capri. I am SO glad that you finally got your licence.

@Home with Tarisota Update

Wow.

All Tarisota Inspiration kits are now SOLD OUT in record time!! What a response. Tamar and I are thrilled that you guys have embraced this idea for an @Home workshop and a Tarisota kit:)

Even though the kits are sold out, you can still book into the workshop. I am leaving registrations open until 19 August. AND you don't need the kit to create the project. Helen has created a gorgeous sample to share without using the kit.

Here's a sneak peek. You should see her gorgeous wedding photos in this mini book.

PLUS we have a delicious sample from this crafty mumma who has joined us as a guest designer. Here's a sneak peek...

and a gorgeously bright and funky sample from Janelle...

and tomorrow I will share another sneak peek from my album...

So why don't you join us!! You can BOOK IN HERE.

Scrapping for CF

Congrats to Kellie and Matt on the launch of their brand new website - Scrapping for CF.

This is a cause close to our hearts here in the Archer family. Remember Brandt's friend Nick? He has Cystic Fibrosis and over the years I have watched him battle with the condition and endure long stints in hospital. But despite all that he's a great kid who embraces life to the full and is a very active teenager enjoying boxing, going to the gym and playing rep footy.

The @Home site is very proud to be one of the sponsors and right now, Kellie is offering five online workshops from the very talented team of teachers including Rozzie, Janine, Jen, Marion and Chris for $10 per class. AND if you are quick..and I mean "book in the next hour very quick" and book the package of all five workshops you will go into the draw to win some great prizes.

Check it all out here: SCRAPPING FOR CF