Doing the Decades

Today is my birthday. Well, actually it is more of an anniversary. As I have reflected on the past 10 years as a Creative Memories Consultant, it has dawned on me how most chapters of my life have unfolded from major changes born mostly from simply walking down the path of life rather than chasing dreams. Life changing decisions haven't always felt all that big when being made. Obviously, a marriage proposal is easy to recognise as a 'biggie', but when I joined with a new-to-Australia direct sales scrapbooking company, it was an unmarked surprise!

Aussie Aussie Aussie
It was on a shivering cold July evening 24 years ago, while watching a gloriously intense orange and pink sunset behind the Brindabella Mountains from the top of Mt Ainslie that Warren proposed. Last year we sat near that same spot on our 22nd wedding anniversay and watched spectacular fireworks. Our son, down at the lake foreshores, captured this magnificent photo of the finale.


I knew when I first saw Canberra that it was to be my home. It just called to me. In much the same way that I knew I was with my life partner soon after meeting him. There were no fireworks like seen from Mt Ainslie last year, but rather a deep, quiet calmness which defied logic. Perhaps the joy was sobered by the fact that to marry meant moving to Australia - to the other side of the world!

Obviously, that decision impacted me beyond the usual marriage adjustments as I also had to find my place in a new and different culture separated from the familiar people, places and things of my past.

Thanks for the Memories
There is no doubt that a desire to stay connected to that past played a huge role in the attaction of Creative Memories. Ten years ago I joined up with that same sense of quiet confidence that it was exactly where I was to be. However, I never imagined all the places I would go or the people I would meet as a result of that simple decision to augment my quietly happy life of church work and raising children.



These two pages can't begin to contain all that CM brought into our lives. I am so grateful for everyone, from family to friends, from customers to fellow consultants, from company staff to the CM founders for making it possible for me to garner so many beautiful memories and experiences by being part of this amazing industry and its mission. I have written a bit more about these 10 years in my newsletter posted at www.mycmsite.com.au/lorismith , but suffice it to say that there are not enough words or photos to tell the story of my CM journey adequately.

Through each acheivement and each challenge since my arrival in Australia, and in the running of my business, I have always appreciated those who have wholeheartedly supported me.

Going Up Around the Bend ... Ooooh!
And now I find myself ready for another change. It seems that there is a bend in the road up ahead. I spotted it a while back, but have been travelling rather slowly, and even a bit reluctantly forward, this past year. Now, though, I am very excited about what is around the corner - even though I cannot see it!

I have signed up for two courses in anticipation. Just for fun. I am taking a Botanical Illustration class and cannot wait to give it a go and find out if there is a bit of Edith Holden (The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady) in me just waiting to come out!


Additionally, I am taking a course in Adobe Illustrator. A couple of years ago I took an InDesign class which helped me realise that my 'semi-retired' graphic design skills were still valid even though I had to learn how to apply them in a new way. A way that scrapbooking had only allowed me to maintain.

Where this will lead, I do not know. It will be gratifying if it only leads to greater enjoyment of my leisure hours now that I have been confirmed in my position at the university (which has been curving the road itself for a while).

Perhaps I will eventually post some layouts featuring my own designs! Who knows? It is all so very exciting. As Creedence Clearwater Revival sang, it is time to "Bring a song and a smile for the banjo, better get while the gettin's good!" A new chapter is unfolding ... watch this space.

Kits used in above layouts:
Fireworks: 'God Bless America' by Janet Carr for Little Feet Digital Designs at For the Luv of Art

Making Memories 2000-2010: modified 'Christian Inspirations' template from Creative Memories

America - An Australian Experience

Today is the Fourth of July and every year our family has the same discussion. Do we want to do something? And if so, what? Obviously, in Australia this is not an observed holiday - and it is the middle of winter! And yet, it seems wrong for us to ignore it. Sometimes we have invited friends over for hot dogs and apple pie. Sometimes we just go into the backyard with some sparklers. We'd have a baseball game but it would usually turn into a form of cricket!

When I first came to Australia, I 'lost' the fourth of July. I flew out of Houston on the 3rd and arrived in Sydney 22 hours later (in real time) on the 5th. With an additional 15 hour time difference there truly was no 4th of July for me that year. I took it as a 'sign' that perhaps my future would be in this country.

Friends learned the following year that an American group was planning to set off some fireworks on the 4th down at the lake, so we made tracks to enjoy that small spectacle surrounded by eucalypts and Aussie accents!



But the best Fourth of July here in Australia so far was at the American Embassy in 2002, shown in the layout above. I had become involved in an ex-patriot group of Associates to the CLO at the embassy a few years before. US Ambassador Tom Schieffer was in residence at the time and was reknown for his hospitality and love of a great party.

It was the first July 4th since 911 and concerns for security certainly tightened up access, but children were allowed to bring one guest with them (as a small goodwill gesture to the community). From the moment we cleared security their eyes widened and the laughter was shared by all. Schieffer was an owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team and he had turned the grounds into a fun baseball theme park of sorts! There were pitching machines and batting machines and bases to run (clocking running speed). And several national league players wandering around in uniform signing autographs. The kids (and some kids at heart) literally had a ball.

And there were hotdogs and Cracker Jacks, beer and soft drinks, and apple pie and brownies, and bowls filled with American candy. A massive tent was set up for the official party. Red, white & blue balloons filled the ceiling area, and baseball pennants of all the major league teams decorated the walls.

The Whiffenpoofs accapella group from Harvard sang some hilarious pieces for us and then the crowded room of patriots and guests sang national songs like God Bless America and Oh Beautiful (my favourite), and of course the national anthem. It was an incredibly emotional experience. The kids all grabbed a few balloons to add to their party bags and we headed outside for fireworks before heading home with big grins. Isnt' that what the Fourth is all about? Like in the movie Pollyanna? Remember when she was part of the flag? It was the closest I have ever come to it.

Today, though, we are back to a quiet family observance. We are thinking about seeing ToyStory 3 and there will be a lunch/dinner of ... you guessed it ... Hot Dogs and Apple Pie! Mmmm... Sounds like a good day to me.

The kit I used for the layout above is a NEW release from Janet Carr's Little Feet Digital Design called - God Bless America - and is availbe from For the Luv of Art.