Christmas Lights

Wow, how hard is it to successfully photograph Christmas lights? Thank goodness for digital cameras - I spent about an hour last night taking photos on all different settings - these are the best of the bunch! LOL. Doesn't truly indicate how great the lights look, but gives you the idea. We've had lots of fun putting these up this year - first time we have really made an effort with them - actually spent money on them this year, not just using hand-me-downs from my parents. I think all the accessories cost just as much as the lights - timers, leads, solar spotlights etc. This had better all be packed away PROPERLY and SAFELY after New Year or I am gonna be very p'd off!! LOL.
We don't have any decorations inside the house - just the tree, cos we have put all our energies into the outside - and cos we are on a corner, gave us lots of area to "Light Up".

Anyway, we are really really happy with our end result.

Front of house from across the road - lots of trees in front, so is a bit obscured, but you get the idea.

Side of house.

Front of house from corner of street, looking across the driveway.

In the front yard, looking at carport.

Part of front of house, taken in front yard.

Carport Roof.

And the Blow-Ups during the daytime - when it's not TOO WINDY to have them up, anyway.
So, these are our lights! What do you think? Gotta see them in real life to really get the effect, so this is the best I could manage.
And to top it off, we found out last night, we won a prize for "Best Decorated House"! Not sure what the prize is yet, but considering we didn't even know there was a competition, gotta be happy with that!!LOL!

Our Pool

Thought I would post a few pics of how hard Peter has worked to get our pool up and running!

In total he shovelled 6 Tandem Trailer loads of sand - by hand - into the trailer, out of the trailer and levelled BY HAND! And now he has gone and got a 7th load, "Cos it's nice dirt"...................ROFL!! I think he enjoyed the physicality of it. He dug all the holes for the supporting wall by hand - bloody mad I say!! And I did help (Well, a little bit anyway)!

These pics give you an idea of what our backyard is like too. Lots of open space in this area - probably won't be used very much. Just need to get some shade sails to go over the pool - it is very protected from the wind so that is good.

We still need to organise a fence immediately around the built-up area - in the meantime the backyard is fenced and seperate from the rest of the yard. Pool is 15' and 3' deep. Plenty big enough for us. Found a really helpful business in Adelaide for advice regarding the chemicals for the pool and the spa - if you want his details, let me know.

And for those wondering, we filled the pool with rain water - we have 5 tanks on this block, not all connected to the house. And since we filled the pool, it has rained enough to refill the tanks anyway, so that was good timing (For us anyways............)! I contacted SA Water just to check the legalities and as the tanks aren't connected to the house, we are free to use it. Now that the pool is full, we can top it up from the mains without permission. So, very happy with this. Was warm enough yesterday for us all to go in it, altho Halle wasn't too impressed with the cool water - kept saying "Ba..ba...........ba.........." and pointing to the spa! LOL!

So, if you pass by this way, drop in for a swim.............or a spa if you prefer! We feel very spoilt and luxurious with our new toys and our fab house - we just love it here..................very relaxing and has a great feel to the place. All things happen for a reason, and all the stress about the other place being on the market, was all worth it!

Anyways, thanks for dropping by, say G'Day - I like to read your comments and it's good to know who's stopping by for a looksee.

Am going to do some scrapping tonight, so will actually have something crafty to show soon!

A Laugh!

Hehe, just had this emailed to me.................thought I would share it!


W e all know those cute little computer symbols called 'emoticons,'

where:

:) means a smile and

:( is a frown.

Sometimes these are represented by

:-)

:-(

Well, how about some 'ARSE-ICONS?'

Here goes:

(_!_) a regular arse

(__!__) a fat arse

(!) a tight arse

(_*_) a sore arse

{_!_} a swishy arse

(_o_) an arse that's been around
(_x_) kiss my arse

(_X_) leave my arse alone

(_zzz_) a tired arse

(_E=mc 2_) a smart arse

(_$_) Money coming out of his arse
(_?_) Dumb arse

Bad Blogger!!!

OMG, I have been a very BAD BLOGGER!! So sorry everybody, and thanks to all who have been dropping by and leaving me messages - we are all fine, just still getting organised from the move and being distracted by things like Christmas............LOL!

We are all moved but still tidying up the pieces - getting the yard sorted and still putting bits and pieces away - my desk still looks like a bomb site cos everything is just getting dumped on here at the moment. Very happy with this house - loads of room and the yard is fabulous - lots of entertaining areas and plenty of room for the girls to play - and for the dog. Haven't taken any photos yet cos I am waiting until everything is tidy!! Mmmm, might have to take the photos in stages! LOL! I will get it done, but as I said - we are a bit distracted atm.

Mostly been distracted by this..............LOL!

This is our Christmas Present to each other - thought about it and thought about it and then it was $200 off normal price, so then decided, bugga it, we are gonna get one!!! So this is to Peter and I from Peter and I!!LOL Money well spent, would definately recommend it to anyone thinking about a spa. Cheap and portable. I ordered it from an online store on Sunday 16th November, was here by the Thursday, we were using it Friday afternoon. Pretty good for living out in the sticks and I couldn't get the chemicals locally either. We have used it everyday so far - and just loving it! Mind you, it's not very relaxing having 2 girls in it with you all the time - Halle is a bit over it now, but Tyla is still really liking it.

And this is sitting in the box waiting for us to get the yard ready to put it up...........A wet Christmas for us this year.

And this is Peter, working his butt off to get the yard ready for it. Hopefully will be up this weekend.We have also been putting up lots of Christmas lights. Will get a photo soon, when my new Tripod (hooray) arrives.

And here are the results from my Christmas Photo 2008 shoot yesterday. My our girls are so different!! LOL As you would expect. Ever since Tyla has been very little, she would pose for the Camera - and still does, she is very photogenic. But, not Halle - oh no - as soon as the camera is pointed her way, she has gotta try to touch it or tries to take off. Very funny - she is so cute! And still very photogenic. So, got a couple of good ones and quite a few funny ones too. Here they are......................

And some more........................just cos I can!

I haven't done any scrapping at all since we moved - just not organised yet and too busy too. So not looking good for Mum's birthday album. Am not stressing about it - it's not gonna be done in time, so will make it for Mother's Day next year instead. I'm still waiting on photo's from just about everyone anyway.

So, once again, thanks everyone for dropping by - I will have some house pics soon. Love to all.