Helen Plus Three

This weekend..Mother's Day, an occasion to mark with special thoughts and memories. Technically it's everyday, we don't take a break do we?. My mother is one of a kind. I am who I am because of her (dad too of course, but mothers have a different influence on one as a woman). But this day is special because I am a mother too. Being a mother isn't easy while on the outside it may appear so. While the physical exertions are one aspect, the other is an emotional affliction, the usual that is displayed and still there is much that is seldom expressed but swallowed and assimilated. The kind that makes our hair turn grey, the feelings that raise our heartbeat, the thoughts that raise fear. Not everyone understands in the same way, not everyone has the same experiences but everyone understands a mother's love. Happy Mother's Day   

This was spur of the moment inspired for my niece. I had not stocked up on religious stamps apart from Christmas ones and well, occasions are ad hoc and so we don't always want to buy something that would hardly be used.  I got my Alx to draw a chalice, cos I figured her free hand drawing would top mine any day. Ran an embossing pen along the borders and lines and used Hero Arts Gold embossing powder to raise the glitz with some glitter glue on the corners. And well I bought a couple of embellishments which popped in front of my face at the strangest place and time - the Bookshop. The cross and the praying hands are actually hand sewn pieces that are meant to be ironed on to clothes. These were very appropriate for what I needed to add on. I had created the card originally without these two embellishments and I felt that the essence of the occasion ('holy-ness') was missing and so that is how it all came together. The big embossing die (background) is from Sizzix  (...

This year the rest of the family went missing on New Year's eve. So it was just me and the kids. We took in the swing at the circus, which was no real big deal I'm sorry to say. There were games which unfortunately folded by about 11pm which was about the time we made our way down. After all it was supposed to be a countdown party. Well the best past of it was the fireworks, which we caught up close, a rare treat indeed. Well we had our own little treats, caught some TV before the witching hour, and ushered in the new year with the rest of Serangoon Gardens for the moment and then returned home.  The food haunts that were open definitely enjoyed roaring business for the night and early morning. Kudos to all those volunteers young and old who had to put in help with grassroots commitee and organisers. The kids had ice-cream, drinks and snacks(that was a treat at that hour) and that was our 2011 celebration. Lots of people brought their dogs out and lots of the residents tur...

moody blues  amid green trees coloured lights  and glitter for  a wet not white  Christmas.... Street decorations, festive lights, giant Christmas trees are out and the festive mood is slowly encroaching on me. I've been trying to put it off but not for long. Advent is here. Not been able to do much with the kids for lack of leave, that's depressed me more I think.  My company starts off leave with a miserable 10 days a year. Well I remind myself, give and take. 5 days of leave translates to 2% a year of not working. So the long-timers here essentially work 2% to 4% less every year compared to those 'new' like me. If you are in a job that constantly practises ROI,  how should one interpret that.. It's the mood, how does one get into it, when you're still slaving away at work, without much leave days. It's depressing. Whether you like it or not, pull up your socks, time to make out that shopping list, gift list, dig out the tree and ornaments...

and aunts too.. Celebration on 10 Sep..  September is full of birthdays.. here's 3 of them right there..(pardon the pix,, it was off a camera phone.), This was made for Marie's special day... ..called a slider card.