CU Freebie- and some pics

Only 4 weeks to go now, and feeling great, hoping the op has worked, it feels like it, but only time will tell. I have a new respect for people on crutches and in wheelchairs, even a normal day to day event becomes a task.

Jackson had his stitches out, but unfortunately had another growth removed from his neck, the size of a pea, we don't know yet if it is also the cancer, but they cut right down into his muscle and surrounding tissue to remove it all, although they said it was just under the skin, and not attached to anything. He is home and eating well.

Just a few more pics from our crazy day out with Kim and family!

Mark and the GirlsSuitcases anyone?Ali Posing

We flew to Cape Town this last weekend for Mark's folk's 50th Wedding Anniversary. I must say I got top class service at the airports, and we were even upgraded to business class at no extra charge. I designed the invitation, using only Kim's kits, she has so many gorgeous ones with gold in that were perfect.
It was great seeing all the family again, I even saw one of my nieces that I have not seen for about 14 years, she and her family immigrated to America.

Cherye, my daughter(on far left)Nikita(niece)in the middle and Carmen, my niece from the USA on the left.
The Golden CoupleLet's get this party started!(Wesley my oldest)Mark's sister Carina (left) and cousin MandyCarina's daughters Nicole (left) and MicaleAn attempt at a family portrait!Cherye and NikitaSharon my sister in law tackling her seafood platterMark's brother Malcom, Sharon and NikitaMark and I with a disapproving Cherye in the background haha
Ok, the party started, unfortunately I could not dance but had fun watching everyone else!
On Sunday morning we had a family breakfast and Mark's dad gave a lovely speech that had us all in tears! And surprised Audrey with a gift!
Ok, enough photos, time for "business" LOL!
Design by Tina has a beautiful new Autumn kit and wordart in her store at ESS
Colours of the WindWordartMy LO(my DD)- got GSO at DST for this one- YAY!Look out for the gorgoeus freebie on Tina's blog
And the fabulous $1 sale in her store- look at these gorgeous kits for only $1
Dreaming of ParisFootprints in the Sand
KimB Designs has a Style Grab bag going up on Monday, you do not want to miss this one!! Trust me they are awesome!!! 7 Styles for only $5!!
And I used one of the styles in this freebie:) CU ok, except the samples are for personal use only!
Download here

Mark is away for 2 weeks, on a conference here, then off to Leeds and Ireland! While the cats away.... hee hee

5 weeks to go- and a freebie!

Woo Hoo, only 5 weeks to go until I can walk like a human again- I hope! It has not been too bad, I had some comic relief on Saturday, when I met my "internet" buddies, Renee and KimB at Kyalami at a race day. It felt as if I had always known them!The day flew by and before we knew it we well into the night haha- and it has taken me a few days to recover!
A few photos- I have many more that my other friends took, just waiting for them to be downloaded and sent!

I love these photos of Janene, her first taste of suitcases hahahahaNo Spillage!!!

Thanks guys, you took my mind off my sorry state for a few hours,although it did take me a few days to recover !!

Some sad news though, my poor doggy Jackson does have cancer- Spindle Cell Sarcoma, grade 3. We are all so devastated- he is only a year old. It is a soft tissue cancer, slow growing, and he will still have some time. I am doing some research on diets and vitamins etc. This was taken a few days ago- with my DD Cherye

I had lots of time to play(can't really do much else!). KimB Designs is on a style roll and created some gorgeous fun styles.

Soft Heart Transparent - BRIGHTSSoft Heart Transparent – PASTELS

Foil Styles

Corrugated pastel Paper Styles

She also has a Papermaker Grab Bag out with fabulous overlays- only $5 for 6 overlay packs!
Here is a freebie created with some of the paper overlays and styles, I have also used styles that are still to be put into the store so keep a look out!

Download here

Going to attempt shopping later today, it is Mark's folks 50th Wedding Anniversary this weekend, and I have to find something to wear.

Week 1

I thought I would journal my weeks since my op to pass the time. Thanks for all the positive and kind thoughts.

Well, I made one week of no weight on my leg, it has really been tough. I am an active person, I go to gym every day, drive every day, and do all the everyday day family duties. Now I have a pair of horrible hospital blue crutches permanently attached to my arms, which leaves me with no hands to do anything, I can't even carry a cup of coffee! I had the op at 5.50 pm on Thursday evening, after sitting in hospital from 9am. I was starving and getting more and more nervous. The worst part of the day was going into theater wide awake and seeing the bed with stirrups and some sort of saddle pole in the middle!! OMG, STIRRUPS!!! Anyway I remember nothing else after that and woke up about 3 hours later in agony, honesty the worst pain I have ever had in my life- but soon was given something in my drip and an injection and when I woke up the next morning I felt a lot better. The physiotherapist came in to give me crutch lessons and some leg exercises to do at home for the next 4 weeks. The doc came in and stressed how serious it is not to put any weight at all on my leg, as this is my one and only chance to save my hip. I went home on Friday and spent the weekend in bed feeling very sorry for myself let me tell you.

But on Monday I spoke myself out of it and decided to make the most of my 8 weeks down time. I went to a function with my hubby on Tuesday night, a beautiful restaurant called Kream. I could not believe my worst fears came true when I saw this huge flight of stairs to our table, no ways could I get up those on crutches. I think that was my most embarrassing moment when 2 waiters insisted on carrying me up sitting in a chair!! And the toilets were all downstairs so I could not even have a glass of wine all night as there was no ways I was going to be carried up or down those stairs again! I got down them on my own on the way home!

The rest of the week was taken up with worrying about our beautiful big Cane Corso Jackson. he had a small lump on his ribs when we got him at 6 weeks, and this thing has grown with him over the last year, and about a month ago it was obviously starting to worry him as he scratched it all the time. So my son took him into our vet who said it had to be removed immediately so the next day poor Jackson had to endure 4 hours of surgery. It is some kind of bone tumour on his rib cage, and even a bit on the inside of his ribs. because it is slow growing they are hoping it is not cancer, we will only know in a few days. Jackson is home, and non the worse for wear, still terrorizing the cats and jumping on the beds, I am so relieved he made it through his surgery and is fine.

I have also had great fun doing KimB's September colour challenge , I was given Gaye's adorable new doodles- Jinxy, and she had to make an appearance, and Kim has been playing with styles and they are fantastic, not in her store yet, but my freebie will give you an idea!

Gaye's cute little Jinxy's

Morning Jinxy- only $1.50!
Mischevious Jinxy - only $1.50
Using some of Kim's new styles
Kim has a sample of her new style on her blog- a freebie!!

I had a chance to play with Kim's new kit- Nautaical Nights- only $6 for all 6 packs!My LO- the ultimate Drunken Pirate!
And here is my take on Kim's Colour Challenge
Oh dear just realized I forgot to put my logo on my preview, I am really"out of it" hahahaha, but my TOU is on the folder- so sorry about that!
Download here

See you next week!