Year in Review | Kirstys cards 'n' scrapping

Hey everyone!!

What a year 2011 was huh? There was lots of ups and downs in the Brown household that’s for sure. The Floods, of course, which affected so many people and even took the lives of many loved ones. So very heartbreaking, the stories I heard from neighbouring town Grantham and most are still struggling to move forward and rebuild their lives. It’s like driving through a Ghost town still, and every time I do drive through all the memories come back and makes me want to cry. Some people have moved away and will never return. Some are still living with friends and family. The rest are rebuilding on their new block of land thanks to the land swap project.

Not many people know, until now that is, but not long after the floods hit we started having a lot of trouble with a neighbour. So much so that our lives were threatened by burning our house down at night while we all slept. This man was a loose cannon and very well-known with the local authorities. It got so bad David and I took turns at staying up for the night to keep an eye out. It was nothing for this man to walk onto our property and do what he wanted. I became housebound every day and started having panic attacks. Scared witless that this person would come good on all his threats including killing our pets and stealing property. I had lots of help from David and other family members to keep things going, though. I also went to the doctor for my panic attacks and was prescribed some medication to help deal with them. We dealt with man from January til end of March. During this time he was arrested several times, but of course, was out the next day. wreaking more havoc. Finally in March after another arrest he was kept in jail for a few months. I could finally let the kids play in the backyard without me standing guard. He has since gone down south, hopefully never to be seen again. You know all this started when David politely asked him not to burn polystyrene boxes and plastic meat trays in his incinerator. The wind that time of year always comes through our house from the East. We put up with it three times before David said something. I was sick every time he lit them. The next day I would have migraines. So very unpleasant I assure you!

Well by reading this you would think 2011 is something the Brown family would rather forget! LOL! But I must assure you that there were some very good times, and they always outweigh the bad!

I was able to present onstage at the Stampin Up! convention. OMG!! that was extremely fun and nerve-wracking at the same time LOL! I caught up with lots of friends and I made lots of new friends plus I must mention the wonderful lot of ladies that helped me get there. I will never forget you. A BIG thankyou to my very good friend Michelle Cox (whom I have known since high school) for organising it all. It was wonderful. This is why I LOVE STAMPIN’ UP! It has connected me with some of the most amazing, generous and talented people I will ever know.

My best friend Sandy finally married her man Kevin. It was just beautiful and our daughter Akayla was her flower girl. It was such a lovely day and Akayla loved playing the little princess of the event.

We also had another addition to the family……no I didn’t have another one, even though some say I will LOL! My sister Tamara Has made me an Aunty for the first time with the birth of Tre. Born 12/12/11 weighing 7lb 11oz and 52cm long. I was there with her during the birth and it something I will never forget. It was so emotional and so very exciting. Here’s a little pic

So much hair! LOL! I have to watch my hubby though……when we go to see him (Tamara and bub are down for a couple of weeks and are staying at Mum and Dads) David has this look on his face that screams “KLUCKY” LOL! and everyone thinks I want one!! HA!

But enough of all that. The reason for this post I wanted to share with you my favourite cards/projects for the year. I will try to pick one a month, but you never know there could be two!!

JANUARY