What a week

Last Tuesday saw William and I drive to Cairns Airport to pick up Leah and Leone, who came to visit a couple of days earlier before the retreat started.We were both eagerly looking to catch a glimpse of them walking down the walkway.Gave them a good cuddle and then it was off home to the Tablelands,pointing out various interesting places that I thought they might like to know about.
Got home after picking up Steve from Justine's place, and settled in.We were planning on having an early night, but we got chatting and they set up a bit of an area to scrap in, so we sat out in my scrap room and worked away.I think they both got nearly two things created that night.Me well, I think I stamped images.Can't remember -was too excited.
Leone and I both had a meeting in the Kitchen at 3am, she with shoulder pain and myself with cramps in the tummy, So we both took pain killers...what a pair we were, hey Leone???

Wednesday we took off early to Mums with my friend Jacki up the road for a bit of scrap shopping.They all did pretty well, as I thought they would be like kids in a candy store, running from one thing to another...hehe.Then we went home, and dropped all the spoils off and went to a local cafe for lunch.Went for a bit of a walk around town to walk off the lunch.I wasn't really feeling that well that day.Got home and took some more pain killers and laid down on the floor and fell asleep for an hour.I could hear them both opening up and looking at all the things they had gotten.ooohing and ahhing..... We kept Leone awake till late again that night.....she became a night owl for a few days.

Thursday,I wasn't feeling too bad until we went to the Cheese and Chocolate place on the way to the Airport and had lunch.Stupidly, I had a hamburger, and nearly straight after, started to feel ill.We were driving towards Atherton and I said to the girls, I really don't think I am going to be able to drive to Cairns to pick up Kristy and Simonne.So they dropped me at Mums and after giving directions, they were off on " LEAH AND LEONE'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE"( Leones words). I will leave that story to them to tell.
About 15 minutes after they left I had to ring the Ambulance as Mum wasn't home and I was getting shaky and out of breath.Don't really remember too much after that until Kristy rang me.
Alan came and picked me up about 3:30pm and took me back to Mums and I waited for the girls to get back.After their Adventure, they came back to Mums and picked me up.It was great to see Kristy again and to finally meet Simonne in the flesh.Both gorgeous girls to spend time with.
So again we finally got home after a long and eventful day, settled the girls into their rooms and then they set up their scrappy areas.It was a rather late night that night...after midnight anyways.

Friday, Leanne , a local lady who was coming to the retreat arrived at about 9 am, so then we drove over to town and met up with Helen, and then drove to Mums for more scrappy shopping.Didn't get home till about 1pm.Then we got stuck into scrapping, chatting, laughing , getting to know one another.Yes there was Bingos, lucky numbers, lots of lollies and chocolate.Helen got lost driving back to my place from her motel....poor Helen will never live that one down.Friday night we went out for dinner at the motel where Helen was staying and it was very yummy and relaxing.Then we came home to scrap and later had dessert and wine.
My boys had already left for the beach with their dad, so I didn't have to worry about anything then really, which was a welcome relief.I think I have stressed too much over the past 2-3 months about wanting it all to go smoothly and for everyone to be happy.Another very late night, and then early rise, as the rest of the girls were turning up at 9am to begin our full day of scrapping fun.

Saturday was a blur, really.It went so fast, I couldn't believe it.There was lots of loud voices chatting and giggling, dancing, drinking eating, a rather large Birthday cake for Leah( but it was yummy), and a really late night with Leah, Kristy and I heading to bed about 2am.Saturday was so much fun, I think about mid afternoon, I finally relaxed.I just want to say thank you to all the girls for putting up with my moods, related to stress.I am sorry if I was short with anyone, it certainly wasn't intended.Just a matter of wanting everyone to have a great time.

Sunday,the girls were up and packing, working out what would fit and what scrappy stuff would have to be sent via post.My boys got home just in time to see the girls and say goodbye.They loved them all so much.They miss you guys already.So do I.
Got a group photo in the back yard when Justine and Mum got here to pick up Kristy and Simonne.I think there were Willam , Jeremey and Jessica taking the photos, so it will be interesting to see how they turn out.Then it was in the car and a quick stop at the choccy factory again.Said goodbye to Helen and headed to Maccas in Smithfield for lunch, before heading to the Airport.
It was sad to say goodbye and see them walking away .I know that we will see each other again, but I was a tad emotional.Kristy was a sweetheart and walked me out to my car, as she had a later flight...thanks Kristy, it made me feel calmer.But , I got into the car and realised I hadn't paid my car parking bill, so had to get out and walk back...grrr.

Anyways, drove home with the music blaring to keep me awake and found the tables and chairs all gone and floors all vacuumed.Alan had cleaned the house for me.It was so nice to come home to that I tell you.

So my final words are.....I can't wait till next time we all get together, and hopefully, there will be more of us, but this time we will have it where no one is doing anything.We all just get to relax and be together.Thanks for coming Leah , Leone, Kristy, Simonne,Helen, Jacki,Justine, Chantal, Helen, Mum and Leanne.It really was worth it and I loved being with you all....I hope you all had as good a time as me.Till next time we meet eh!!!!! xxoo