HELL ON EARTH
Yesterday we went to a party with Alex in one of those hideous play places, you know the wacky warehouse type deal. We have been before, and it's actually quite a good one, but my God the site that greeted us when we arrived was like hell on earth. I have never seen so many kids in one place IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. Alan almost ran for the door! There wasn't a seat in the house, the noise was deafening, and of course the place was for the most part run by shiftless "am I bovvered" teenagers. The kids had a great time though which is all that matters.
We had to leave early to take Alan to the airport he is off to the far East on business for 10 days (yey 10 days of childcare on my own!) he has had a nightmare though. The plane still on the runway at Heathrow caused massive delays, instead of catching his onward connection to Singapore he has had to stay overnight in a grotty hotel without any luggage. He was booked business class but has had to settle for economy, which is rubbish when he has to go straight to a meeting when he gets there, with no sleep and an eight hour time difference.
I stayed in and watched TV and blog surfed last night. I visited Dawn's hysterical blog http://mom2my6pack.blogspot.com/ she is so funny, one of her readers posted a comment which she had seen on a bumper sticker which I laughed out loud about and I may post on my fridge it read "having kids is like being pecked to death by chickens"...............I guess we can all relate to that.
I got some scrummy stamps in the post yesterday, some of the brand new hero arts stamps from Sir Stampalot, so I will be having a play with them pretty soon.
Off to Rosemary Merry's shop for some craft retail therapy today. Hope I find something nice to spend my pennies on.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Selling Houses
Well the day had to come, we have had 3 estate agents round today to weigh up our house and tell us how much they think we should go on the market for. I have had serious jitters about the whole move thing today, hopefully this will pass..............I've got lots of things whirling round my head at the moment, and it must be bad because I have lost my appetite! So we hope to put the house on the market next week.
Actually I hope the appetite loss continues for another week, some school Mum, who is probably gorgeous and skinny has arranged her kid's party in the swimming pool and we are all invited to get in. I am not good at matching kids to Mum's even now, so not sure who she is, but she is getting ducked for making me bare all in the Winter! So I will be slapping on the holiday skin and hoping for major weight loss for a week tomorrow.
Well the day had to come, we have had 3 estate agents round today to weigh up our house and tell us how much they think we should go on the market for. I have had serious jitters about the whole move thing today, hopefully this will pass..............I've got lots of things whirling round my head at the moment, and it must be bad because I have lost my appetite! So we hope to put the house on the market next week.
Actually I hope the appetite loss continues for another week, some school Mum, who is probably gorgeous and skinny has arranged her kid's party in the swimming pool and we are all invited to get in. I am not good at matching kids to Mum's even now, so not sure who she is, but she is getting ducked for making me bare all in the Winter! So I will be slapping on the holiday skin and hoping for major weight loss for a week tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Thank You Cards
OK so I didn't make my own Christmas cards this year, I had a major attack of CBA, this is an acronym of "can't be a***d. So I felt I should make all my Thank you cards this year and I am not even gonna share them here because they are so simple a chimp could have made them. The hard bit was getting Alex to write in them, I am soooo cruel, his little hand was aching but I cracked the whip to make him do it.
I am just watching the new Jamie Oliver "don't eat that" show. I love Jamie and his one man crusade to make us all wake up to good nutrition. I am no saint but heck we live in a world, where Coke has suddenly had "extras" added to make it seem like a health drink and cereal companies make Chocolate cereals for kids to eat for breakfast............................sheesh!
I'll be back when I climb off my soap box............
OK so I didn't make my own Christmas cards this year, I had a major attack of CBA, this is an acronym of "can't be a***d. So I felt I should make all my Thank you cards this year and I am not even gonna share them here because they are so simple a chimp could have made them. The hard bit was getting Alex to write in them, I am soooo cruel, his little hand was aching but I cracked the whip to make him do it.
I am just watching the new Jamie Oliver "don't eat that" show. I love Jamie and his one man crusade to make us all wake up to good nutrition. I am no saint but heck we live in a world, where Coke has suddenly had "extras" added to make it seem like a health drink and cereal companies make Chocolate cereals for kids to eat for breakfast............................sheesh!
I'll be back when I climb off my soap box............
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Post 201
Just noticed that I posted my 200th post yesterday so this is my 201st post - will the excitement ever end?
OK so if you haven't lapsed into a boredom induced coma read on......
Yesterday my Uncle came to visit me, my Mum was his big sister, if you have read some earlier posts you will know that I have found a cousin I didn't know I had. She is doing lots of research on my Grandmothers side. Anyway my Uncle came round yesterday since he is meeting the cousin tomorrow for a catch up and to show some photos. We had a right old laugh with old stories about him and my Mum as teenagers in Liverpool in the late 50's/early 60's.
Later in the day we uncovered some sadness in both of our pasts which I won't divulge here, but it is sad to know that my Mum will never know about these things.
Mum kept a diary for most of her adult life, nothing salacious or "deep and meaningful" really, just everyday stuff but what a record of her life from about the age of 19. She seemed to be out dancing 2 or 3 times a week in Liverpool and writes about all the boys that asked her to dance or take her home.
Gosh how romantic, now it's meet you on the Internet, text you for a date and break up by instant messaging, how very dull!
It's absolutely fascinating reading them though, the first one I found was from 1960, the year she met my Dad. She met him at a New Years Eve party that year and I found the diary entry for that and the first few days of 1961 when they were "courting". She was supposed to go dancing on New Years Eve but had split up with her boyfriend on Christmas Eve, so she was invited to go to a party at a friends house and she met my Dad. On the 30th she writes that she is not sure whether to go dancing or to the party, arrgggh!!! I am glad she went to that party.
Dad always said he knew as soon as he laid eyes on her at that party that he would marry her and he proposed on January 15th 1961, just 2 weeks later! She told him where to get off, but eventually said yes later in 1961. She writes in her diary that he asked her to marry him and then a couple more entries after that, then NOTHING for the rest of 1961, I can't believe it. I was like noooooooooooooooooooo!!!!
Normal service resumes in 1962 though , most of the entries start with seems to start with whether she has had a letter from my Dad since he was in the army. It's just great to read, and most of the friends she mentions are still around and I know some of them.
Just noticed that I posted my 200th post yesterday so this is my 201st post - will the excitement ever end?
OK so if you haven't lapsed into a boredom induced coma read on......
Yesterday my Uncle came to visit me, my Mum was his big sister, if you have read some earlier posts you will know that I have found a cousin I didn't know I had. She is doing lots of research on my Grandmothers side. Anyway my Uncle came round yesterday since he is meeting the cousin tomorrow for a catch up and to show some photos. We had a right old laugh with old stories about him and my Mum as teenagers in Liverpool in the late 50's/early 60's.
Later in the day we uncovered some sadness in both of our pasts which I won't divulge here, but it is sad to know that my Mum will never know about these things.
Mum kept a diary for most of her adult life, nothing salacious or "deep and meaningful" really, just everyday stuff but what a record of her life from about the age of 19. She seemed to be out dancing 2 or 3 times a week in Liverpool and writes about all the boys that asked her to dance or take her home.
Gosh how romantic, now it's meet you on the Internet, text you for a date and break up by instant messaging, how very dull!
It's absolutely fascinating reading them though, the first one I found was from 1960, the year she met my Dad. She met him at a New Years Eve party that year and I found the diary entry for that and the first few days of 1961 when they were "courting". She was supposed to go dancing on New Years Eve but had split up with her boyfriend on Christmas Eve, so she was invited to go to a party at a friends house and she met my Dad. On the 30th she writes that she is not sure whether to go dancing or to the party, arrgggh!!! I am glad she went to that party.
Dad always said he knew as soon as he laid eyes on her at that party that he would marry her and he proposed on January 15th 1961, just 2 weeks later! She told him where to get off, but eventually said yes later in 1961. She writes in her diary that he asked her to marry him and then a couple more entries after that, then NOTHING for the rest of 1961, I can't believe it. I was like noooooooooooooooooooo!!!!
Normal service resumes in 1962 though , most of the entries start with seems to start with whether she has had a letter from my Dad since he was in the army. It's just great to read, and most of the friends she mentions are still around and I know some of them.
Monday, January 14, 2008
My Room
My Pen Tubs....
A pink cake stand for my paints and can you tell I like stickles? Bring on the bling.
My 12x12 card Bazzillicious!
My desk and Cricut Expression
My ribbons in IKEA jars, it's against the law to store in anything else!
I just lurve my room, and since I gave it a right good old tidy yesterday and I also think it is highly unlikely to look this good again anytime soon, I thought I would post some piccies.
The left side of my room.
The right side of my room.
My rolling carts, and a pink colander (don't ask me why..)
My Pen Tubs....
A pink cake stand for my paints and can you tell I like stickles? Bring on the bling.
My 12x12 card Bazzillicious!
My desk and Cricut Expression
My ribbons in IKEA jars, it's against the law to store in anything else!
My mags (some of )
Cricut Carts and doo-dads
My uber larvelly and new MM "spinny thing" AKA a carousel
Storage for scraps, check out the colour indicators on the front.
A dark view of the room (sorry....)
My Stampin' Up! stash corner.
Punches, I need a crane to lift this basket, don't try this at home folks.
Expedit rocks!
Scruffy 12 x 12 patterned paper storage.....must do better.
All furniture from IKEA!
Cricut Carts and doo-dads
My uber larvelly and new MM "spinny thing" AKA a carousel
Storage for scraps, check out the colour indicators on the front.
A dark view of the room (sorry....)
My Stampin' Up! stash corner.
Punches, I need a crane to lift this basket, don't try this at home folks.
Expedit rocks!
Scruffy 12 x 12 patterned paper storage.....must do better.
All furniture from IKEA!Sunday, January 13, 2008
My Craft Room
I spent nigh on 5 hours sorting through about 200 packs of photos (I kid you not) yesterday, I had some tears and some laughs. Mum and Dad had this realllllly irritating habit of being impatient to develop their pics so they would finish the roll, and I mean practically every roll with 5 or 6 pictures of their garden. Well I think there were hundreds of the same sodding view to be honest, when I get through those pearly gates, they are getting a rocket!!!!
All this decluttering and sorting is to get the house ready to put it on the market. Alan has been forcibly imprisoned in his HIDEOUS mess he called an office and I have been issuing evil threats all weekend to get him to get it sorted. I cannot even begin to explain the scale of the rubbish he has had to wade through. I threatened to torch the lot if he didn't get moving (having moved my valuables first of course!) Anyway after months and months of endless nagging and tantrums by me, he has finally cleared it. It looks fab!
Spurred on by his de-junking I have been doing the same in my craft room, it is SPOTLESS, and I am going to take pics tomorrow and put them on here for you all to see. That said I have a pressing deadline to make too , so I had better take pics quick otherwise it will all be buried under paper and stuff very quickly. Right I am off to watch the last episode of Sense and Sensibility, can't wait, I am such a romantic sap!
I spent nigh on 5 hours sorting through about 200 packs of photos (I kid you not) yesterday, I had some tears and some laughs. Mum and Dad had this realllllly irritating habit of being impatient to develop their pics so they would finish the roll, and I mean practically every roll with 5 or 6 pictures of their garden. Well I think there were hundreds of the same sodding view to be honest, when I get through those pearly gates, they are getting a rocket!!!!
All this decluttering and sorting is to get the house ready to put it on the market. Alan has been forcibly imprisoned in his HIDEOUS mess he called an office and I have been issuing evil threats all weekend to get him to get it sorted. I cannot even begin to explain the scale of the rubbish he has had to wade through. I threatened to torch the lot if he didn't get moving (having moved my valuables first of course!) Anyway after months and months of endless nagging and tantrums by me, he has finally cleared it. It looks fab!
Spurred on by his de-junking I have been doing the same in my craft room, it is SPOTLESS, and I am going to take pics tomorrow and put them on here for you all to see. That said I have a pressing deadline to make too , so I had better take pics quick otherwise it will all be buried under paper and stuff very quickly. Right I am off to watch the last episode of Sense and Sensibility, can't wait, I am such a romantic sap!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Who Do You Think You Are?
I love that programme - god I talk about telly a lot don't I? I do have a life honest! Anyway I have always had a passion for history (perhaps I am really boring) and family history is especially fascinating so I do love watching that programme.
Several months ago I picked up a letter sent to my Mum and Dad to their house. It was from a lady who was bridesmaid at their wedding, she has been researching the family tree for about 3 years with her daughters - she has been focussing on my grandmothers side of the family. Well she rang the other night and it seems that we always thought she was the daughter of my Grandmothers brother. Well it seems that her father was my grandmother's SON not brother!!!! So I now have another cousin, and my Mum never knew she had a half brother instead of an Uncle. Family secrets, very sad really, my Grandmother had to keep that a secret for most of her adult life and I find that so very sad. He died relativley young too, so she would have been very upset.
Hey ho, on a more mundane note I am off to spend a mind numbing hour or so having my acrylic nails soaked off at a salon up the road, pretty relieved about it, I haven't been able to pick my nose for weeks ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I am SO gross. As for removing the back from double sided tape for my cardmaking, I have been swearing like a sailor, no change there then.
I will be coming home to sort out another 45 million photos that my parents took over the years, blimey she would never have had the time to scrapbook that lot! I am sure there will be a few tears in the process.I did some yesterday and I spent time laughing at teenage pics of me ,gawd now I know why I didn't have any boyfriends , I was stick thin with a DREADFUL haircut, luckily I blossomed heheheheheheheheh (just kidding) more like exploded!!!
Oh and on my post yesterday about my project for SC&P, ahem the article is over 4 pages not 6 - talk about bigging myself up jeez!
I love that programme - god I talk about telly a lot don't I? I do have a life honest! Anyway I have always had a passion for history (perhaps I am really boring) and family history is especially fascinating so I do love watching that programme.
Several months ago I picked up a letter sent to my Mum and Dad to their house. It was from a lady who was bridesmaid at their wedding, she has been researching the family tree for about 3 years with her daughters - she has been focussing on my grandmothers side of the family. Well she rang the other night and it seems that we always thought she was the daughter of my Grandmothers brother. Well it seems that her father was my grandmother's SON not brother!!!! So I now have another cousin, and my Mum never knew she had a half brother instead of an Uncle. Family secrets, very sad really, my Grandmother had to keep that a secret for most of her adult life and I find that so very sad. He died relativley young too, so she would have been very upset.
Hey ho, on a more mundane note I am off to spend a mind numbing hour or so having my acrylic nails soaked off at a salon up the road, pretty relieved about it, I haven't been able to pick my nose for weeks ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I am SO gross. As for removing the back from double sided tape for my cardmaking, I have been swearing like a sailor, no change there then.
I will be coming home to sort out another 45 million photos that my parents took over the years, blimey she would never have had the time to scrapbook that lot! I am sure there will be a few tears in the process.I did some yesterday and I spent time laughing at teenage pics of me ,gawd now I know why I didn't have any boyfriends , I was stick thin with a DREADFUL haircut, luckily I blossomed heheheheheheheheh (just kidding) more like exploded!!!
Oh and on my post yesterday about my project for SC&P, ahem the article is over 4 pages not 6 - talk about bigging myself up jeez!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Cover Gal!!!
Yipeeee, I am on the cover of Crafts Beautiful this month, well, actually, not me, but a card I made using larvelly Banana Frog stamps. The mags don't tell you when you are going to be on the front cover as sometimes things change so they don't want to disappoint. Sarah Crosland the editor of CB was kind enough to publish my very first project 3 years ago, so I owe my uber fabbo celeb designer lifestyle to her (hee heee heeeeeee) No seriously it's great to be in CB again.
Yipeeee, I am on the cover of Crafts Beautiful this month, well, actually, not me, but a card I made using larvelly Banana Frog stamps. The mags don't tell you when you are going to be on the front cover as sometimes things change so they don't want to disappoint. Sarah Crosland the editor of CB was kind enough to publish my very first project 3 years ago, so I owe my uber fabbo celeb designer lifestyle to her (hee heee heeeeeee) No seriously it's great to be in CB again.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Jane Austen
OHHHH I am just loving the new Sense and Sensibility on BBCTV. I am mad for period dramas and films, I love, love, love em! The BBC just do great ones don't they? Poor Marianne, that dratted Willoughby is a bit of a dish but a rotten bounder!
My fave has to be Pride and Prejudice, esp the one with Colin Firth. I was that wrapped up in Austen that I dug out the Keira Knightly version of P&P to watch last night, and it was great.
I just love the whole "love" thing that Janey does. All the girls fall in love/lust etc and then wait around in the house playing Wii ha ha not really. They wait around sewing, reading and trimming hats with ribbon until Mr Gorge rocks up on his trusty steed. They usually spot him with about 200yards warning, then run round hiding the reading, sewing and ribbons behind cushions. This is usually mingled with them ripping off their day aprons, patting their hair and pinching their cheeks - alas no Clinique counter in the days of JA, but they still managed to pull eh??
Total bliss, and I must admit to rather fancying David Morrissey as Colonel Brandon! Just love it!
OHHHH I am just loving the new Sense and Sensibility on BBCTV. I am mad for period dramas and films, I love, love, love em! The BBC just do great ones don't they? Poor Marianne, that dratted Willoughby is a bit of a dish but a rotten bounder!
My fave has to be Pride and Prejudice, esp the one with Colin Firth. I was that wrapped up in Austen that I dug out the Keira Knightly version of P&P to watch last night, and it was great.
I just love the whole "love" thing that Janey does. All the girls fall in love/lust etc and then wait around in the house playing Wii ha ha not really. They wait around sewing, reading and trimming hats with ribbon until Mr Gorge rocks up on his trusty steed. They usually spot him with about 200yards warning, then run round hiding the reading, sewing and ribbons behind cushions. This is usually mingled with them ripping off their day aprons, patting their hair and pinching their cheeks - alas no Clinique counter in the days of JA, but they still managed to pull eh??
Total bliss, and I must admit to rather fancying David Morrissey as Colonel Brandon! Just love it!
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Back Home
Well, Alex and I are back home. Been visiting Alan in Edinburgh since last Wednesday since he went back to work on Thursday (heee heeee heeee) I go back on Tuesday (boo-hoo), lil fella goes back to school tomorrow.
We had a lovely time up in Edinburgh if we could only find a damn house to buy we'd all be up there. All the Scottish papers were full of great news for us on the house hunting front, i.e there is a shortage of good family homes, prices in England are falling but on the up in Edinburgh arrrrgghh!
Despite all my best intentions, I went to the sales on Thursday, I have developed an addiction to George Street in Edinburgh especially within the "White Stuff" shop. Despite proclaiming (within earshot of Alan) that " I simply do not need anything and so shall not be doing any sale shopping" I did very well, and marched out of "WS" with some gorge stuff (naughty!)
I have managed to finish a project for Quick and Crafty, got one to do for Crafts Beautiful to do in the next week or so. My first project for CB in about 3 years, should be appearing in the next issue so that will be fab.
Right, off to get school uniform sorted!
Well, Alex and I are back home. Been visiting Alan in Edinburgh since last Wednesday since he went back to work on Thursday (heee heeee heeee) I go back on Tuesday (boo-hoo), lil fella goes back to school tomorrow.
We had a lovely time up in Edinburgh if we could only find a damn house to buy we'd all be up there. All the Scottish papers were full of great news for us on the house hunting front, i.e there is a shortage of good family homes, prices in England are falling but on the up in Edinburgh arrrrgghh!
Despite all my best intentions, I went to the sales on Thursday, I have developed an addiction to George Street in Edinburgh especially within the "White Stuff" shop. Despite proclaiming (within earshot of Alan) that " I simply do not need anything and so shall not be doing any sale shopping" I did very well, and marched out of "WS" with some gorge stuff (naughty!)
I have managed to finish a project for Quick and Crafty, got one to do for Crafts Beautiful to do in the next week or so. My first project for CB in about 3 years, should be appearing in the next issue so that will be fab.
Right, off to get school uniform sorted!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Goodbye to all that
Well after a truly devasting year, 2007 is one I would like to forget, since April this year, life has been well, how can I put it ? Bloody awful! Losing both parents and having hubby working away all week, has just been bad bad bad.
All I can say is that roll on 2008! We'll be moving to Edinburgh, very soon I hope and there will be a new school for Alex, working from home for me, and lots of new friends and faces to meet. I will be getting cracking with my Stampin' Up! business and continuing to submit projects to the mags.
For those of you who have left messages of support or simply drop by to read my blog, I would like to send a huge thank you and lots of love. It means a great deal to me and I sincerely hope you all have a very, very happy 2008 !!
Sam xxxxx
Well after a truly devasting year, 2007 is one I would like to forget, since April this year, life has been well, how can I put it ? Bloody awful! Losing both parents and having hubby working away all week, has just been bad bad bad.
All I can say is that roll on 2008! We'll be moving to Edinburgh, very soon I hope and there will be a new school for Alex, working from home for me, and lots of new friends and faces to meet. I will be getting cracking with my Stampin' Up! business and continuing to submit projects to the mags.
For those of you who have left messages of support or simply drop by to read my blog, I would like to send a huge thank you and lots of love. It means a great deal to me and I sincerely hope you all have a very, very happy 2008 !!
Sam xxxxx
Sunday, December 30, 2007
I Lick My Cheese...............
Actually I don't because I really HATE cheese, I actually tell everyone that I am allergic to it, for fear that they may cook it for me. I am almost scared of cheese I hate it that much. Anyway "I Lick My Cheese" is the title of a book my hubby got me for Christmas and it is hysterically funny. It's a compilation of notes that flatmates leave for each other and each note has a brief narrative, commenting on or explaining the background of the note. It's one of those books which really mean something if you have shared a flat or house with others.
When I first met my hubby he had a lodger, a perfectly lovely Irish girl. One day I was round at his house and just before we left to go out for the evening he said "oh hang on I just need to write a note" he had a chalkboard in the kitchen and he wrote "BIG tidy up required tomorrow"................. I looked at him , he said "too much?" I snorted , then nodded and he meekly rubbed it out. Now this is the man I have to tidy up after. He didn't share at house at Uni but I bet he would have been a total "note Nazi".
The book got me thinking about the weird and nutty people you get to share living accomodation/bathrooms and kitchens with when you are in Uni halls of residence. There was one girl (who shall remain nameless) who I will never forget. She is now either a genius ( I must google her) or a drug addict.
Once she flooded the corridor when she decided to do her weeks washing in her hand basin in her room. She also dyed some clothes black in the kitchen sink turning most other things in the kitchen, my wooden spoon included, black! Hey ho, those were the days................I am off to google!
Actually I don't because I really HATE cheese, I actually tell everyone that I am allergic to it, for fear that they may cook it for me. I am almost scared of cheese I hate it that much. Anyway "I Lick My Cheese" is the title of a book my hubby got me for Christmas and it is hysterically funny. It's a compilation of notes that flatmates leave for each other and each note has a brief narrative, commenting on or explaining the background of the note. It's one of those books which really mean something if you have shared a flat or house with others.
When I first met my hubby he had a lodger, a perfectly lovely Irish girl. One day I was round at his house and just before we left to go out for the evening he said "oh hang on I just need to write a note" he had a chalkboard in the kitchen and he wrote "BIG tidy up required tomorrow"................. I looked at him , he said "too much?" I snorted , then nodded and he meekly rubbed it out. Now this is the man I have to tidy up after. He didn't share at house at Uni but I bet he would have been a total "note Nazi".
The book got me thinking about the weird and nutty people you get to share living accomodation/bathrooms and kitchens with when you are in Uni halls of residence. There was one girl (who shall remain nameless) who I will never forget. She is now either a genius ( I must google her) or a drug addict.
Once she flooded the corridor when she decided to do her weeks washing in her hand basin in her room. She also dyed some clothes black in the kitchen sink turning most other things in the kitchen, my wooden spoon included, black! Hey ho, those were the days................I am off to google!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Love Actually.....
Gosh I haven't posted in aages, so Happy Christmas
So what have I been up to? Panic Panic Panic, shout shout shout, bought too many presents and waaaaaay too much food. Lost half a stone, somehow in the run up to Christmas, I, complete piggo, lose interest in food, running round like a blue arsed fly ( I love that phrase), and seem to feel like throwing up most of the time, so I don't eat. What gives? I have no idea....! Anyway now I look like Kate Moss, ha flippin' ha I wish!
So just Alan, Alex and I plus Alan's Dad for Christmas day this year, you all konw why ..........................Alex got lots of pressies, and I got Jo Malone (not the person herself ha ha) and Harvey Nicks vouchers and Sing Star for the Playstation, and just for the record I CAN SING OK! and the damn thing keeps rating me BAD and AWFUL and I am so going to sue Sony- wish me luck.
Also Alan got me the most hysterical book for Christmas, called "I lick my Cheese", it's all about the notes flat mates leave it other, and I nearly wet my (smaller) pants reading it today.
Anyway I am now watching the most perfect film, "Love Actually"......................Colin Firth?? YUMMO times 1 million, so I have to go.
Gosh I haven't posted in aages, so Happy Christmas
So what have I been up to? Panic Panic Panic, shout shout shout, bought too many presents and waaaaaay too much food. Lost half a stone, somehow in the run up to Christmas, I, complete piggo, lose interest in food, running round like a blue arsed fly ( I love that phrase), and seem to feel like throwing up most of the time, so I don't eat. What gives? I have no idea....! Anyway now I look like Kate Moss, ha flippin' ha I wish!
So just Alan, Alex and I plus Alan's Dad for Christmas day this year, you all konw why ..........................Alex got lots of pressies, and I got Jo Malone (not the person herself ha ha) and Harvey Nicks vouchers and Sing Star for the Playstation, and just for the record I CAN SING OK! and the damn thing keeps rating me BAD and AWFUL and I am so going to sue Sony- wish me luck.
Also Alan got me the most hysterical book for Christmas, called "I lick my Cheese", it's all about the notes flat mates leave it other, and I nearly wet my (smaller) pants reading it today.
Anyway I am now watching the most perfect film, "Love Actually"......................Colin Firth?? YUMMO times 1 million, so I have to go.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Cor Blimey
I am up to my eyes in Christmas preparations. This year I have left it waaaayy too late to make my cards, I am ashamed of myself but stuff it, I am not gonna beat myself up about it I don't have time. I managed to order our turkey and goose in the nick of time and so all I have to look forward to is my annual Christmas morning nervous breakdown over which bird goes in which oven - hey ho.
Made good progress today, did most of my shopping at the Trafford Centre today. I have had a good and rather pickled weekend, 2 Christmas "dos" and a rather daft spending spree on a big new telly , a PS 3 and Sky TV. This is nothing short of a miracle since Alan does NOT approve of lots of TV, so I think my Alan has been abducted and replaced with an alien. I am damned if I can work out the bloody playstation. I pride myself on my own geekiness with all things techno, but I stared at the instructions like an 80 year old trying to programme a video yesterday and then gave up. At one point I ejected a game without going through the "correct" procedure, Alan was REALLY mad at me, and he hates "games" - he deffo has been adbucted by aliens....
3 more days of work to go then I am off till the 8th Jan - yay and double yay!
I am up to my eyes in Christmas preparations. This year I have left it waaaayy too late to make my cards, I am ashamed of myself but stuff it, I am not gonna beat myself up about it I don't have time. I managed to order our turkey and goose in the nick of time and so all I have to look forward to is my annual Christmas morning nervous breakdown over which bird goes in which oven - hey ho.
Made good progress today, did most of my shopping at the Trafford Centre today. I have had a good and rather pickled weekend, 2 Christmas "dos" and a rather daft spending spree on a big new telly , a PS 3 and Sky TV. This is nothing short of a miracle since Alan does NOT approve of lots of TV, so I think my Alan has been abducted and replaced with an alien. I am damned if I can work out the bloody playstation. I pride myself on my own geekiness with all things techno, but I stared at the instructions like an 80 year old trying to programme a video yesterday and then gave up. At one point I ejected a game without going through the "correct" procedure, Alan was REALLY mad at me, and he hates "games" - he deffo has been adbucted by aliens....
3 more days of work to go then I am off till the 8th Jan - yay and double yay!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Christmas Cards
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH last night I went to see Take That in Manchester. What a FABBO night, I still can't believe how good those boys are now. I thought they were OK first time round, but didn't go and see them. Last year I went to see them twice and they are back again and now they are just so damn good, their latest stuff is so brilliant, I had a great time and sang my heart out!
Back to crafting - I thought it was time to spread a little cheer, here are some cards I made for Quick and Crafty Mag last month - hope you like...
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH last night I went to see Take That in Manchester. What a FABBO night, I still can't believe how good those boys are now. I thought they were OK first time round, but didn't go and see them. Last year I went to see them twice and they are back again and now they are just so damn good, their latest stuff is so brilliant, I had a great time and sang my heart out!
Back to crafting - I thought it was time to spread a little cheer, here are some cards I made for Quick and Crafty Mag last month - hope you like...
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Bleeeuuurggghh!
Well I now have a full blown cold/chest thing, feeling very sorry for myself, and quite honestly I have been a complete cow all weekend. Given the events of this year, I am very much not looking forward to Christmas and I am feeling quite bitter and twisted about the whole thing. Alan and Alex have borne the brunt of my self pity/evil temper, so I am feeling rather ashamed of myself.................
Anyway, I am about to watch Cranford, God knows who will kick the bucket this week, but I have tissues at the ready. Hopefully I will feel slightly less rubbish after a good nights sleep.
Well I now have a full blown cold/chest thing, feeling very sorry for myself, and quite honestly I have been a complete cow all weekend. Given the events of this year, I am very much not looking forward to Christmas and I am feeling quite bitter and twisted about the whole thing. Alan and Alex have borne the brunt of my self pity/evil temper, so I am feeling rather ashamed of myself.................
Anyway, I am about to watch Cranford, God knows who will kick the bucket this week, but I have tissues at the ready. Hopefully I will feel slightly less rubbish after a good nights sleep.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Weird Night.......
Well I made it out last night and it was a weird night. We went to a social club and the place was full of women, there were 2 men in the whole room and they must have been 70 if they were a day!!
We arrived at 7:30 and the food was served at 9:00, and there was no disco prior to that, mind you judging by the age of the old dears in there they would't have like it LOL! We were all moaning about how rubbish it was and then a young chap (hark at me "young chap") came on singing some cover versions with a backing tape and a guitar. I ended up getting up and singing "Valerie" with him. Yes I am a frustrated performer! I really enjoyed it, all the gals were whooping and cheering, we all started to have a great time and 20 mins later we had to go cos our cab arrived !
Anyway I am glad I went, still full of a cold and cough but hey it's the weekend!
Well I made it out last night and it was a weird night. We went to a social club and the place was full of women, there were 2 men in the whole room and they must have been 70 if they were a day!!
We arrived at 7:30 and the food was served at 9:00, and there was no disco prior to that, mind you judging by the age of the old dears in there they would't have like it LOL! We were all moaning about how rubbish it was and then a young chap (hark at me "young chap") came on singing some cover versions with a backing tape and a guitar. I ended up getting up and singing "Valerie" with him. Yes I am a frustrated performer! I really enjoyed it, all the gals were whooping and cheering, we all started to have a great time and 20 mins later we had to go cos our cab arrived !
Anyway I am glad I went, still full of a cold and cough but hey it's the weekend!
Friday, December 07, 2007
Not Well
I am feeling rotten, Alex had a raging temperature/cold/virus thing earlier this week and was up for 2 hours for 3 nights zzzzzzzzzzzzz............Alan came home late on Tuesday night en route to Paris with a hacking cough/cold, and now (thanks Guys!) I have some lurgy. It's my school Mum's night out tonight and I am going by hook or by crook because I have a new dress and killer red satin high heeled shoes. The shoes will be cleverly accessorised with my red nose !
On a more positive note, I have completed my first Stampin Up project for a mag, and I have placed my first order for more stamping goodies. Don't forget if you want to order a catalogue or other stuff I am very much open for business.
I have also done some cards for Sarahscards new cardmaking kit with some scrummy Paper Salon papers and her gorgeous Aunty Sarah's Bloomers, check the kit out here.
Added to that I have almost finished another project for Quick and Crafty mag, so I have been quite a busy bee this week.
Well I am writing this from my sickbed, Alan is home getting Alex ready for school so I am having a lie in (bliss!).
I am feeling rotten, Alex had a raging temperature/cold/virus thing earlier this week and was up for 2 hours for 3 nights zzzzzzzzzzzzz............Alan came home late on Tuesday night en route to Paris with a hacking cough/cold, and now (thanks Guys!) I have some lurgy. It's my school Mum's night out tonight and I am going by hook or by crook because I have a new dress and killer red satin high heeled shoes. The shoes will be cleverly accessorised with my red nose !
On a more positive note, I have completed my first Stampin Up project for a mag, and I have placed my first order for more stamping goodies. Don't forget if you want to order a catalogue or other stuff I am very much open for business.
I have also done some cards for Sarahscards new cardmaking kit with some scrummy Paper Salon papers and her gorgeous Aunty Sarah's Bloomers, check the kit out here.
Added to that I have almost finished another project for Quick and Crafty mag, so I have been quite a busy bee this week.
Well I am writing this from my sickbed, Alan is home getting Alex ready for school so I am having a lie in (bliss!).
Sunday, December 02, 2007
TV Perfection
Oh isn't Cranford just TV perfection, I love it. It is supposed to be set in Knutsford, which is just up the road from me.
I wish they'd all stop dying though, last week that poor little boy died of "the croup" and Eileen Atkins character dropped like a fly. Then this week, just as Judi Dench's character was about to get "jiggy" with Michael Gambon, he up and gets pneumonia and dies, as if Dame Judy hadn't been through the mill last week. I have been in floods of tears the last two weeks, but my goodness it's just brilliant. Top Gear and Cranford on one night, who needs to go out eh?
Oh isn't Cranford just TV perfection, I love it. It is supposed to be set in Knutsford, which is just up the road from me.
I wish they'd all stop dying though, last week that poor little boy died of "the croup" and Eileen Atkins character dropped like a fly. Then this week, just as Judi Dench's character was about to get "jiggy" with Michael Gambon, he up and gets pneumonia and dies, as if Dame Judy hadn't been through the mill last week. I have been in floods of tears the last two weeks, but my goodness it's just brilliant. Top Gear and Cranford on one night, who needs to go out eh?
Trafford Centre.......................
OH gosh what a dimwit I was yesterday. I went to the Trafford Centre and it was PACKED! Apparently it was the busiest Saturday of the year. Alan and Alex came along to meet me to see a film and he had to park on Costco's car park as there was no room anywhere.
I got 2 dresses for my Xmas do's, 2 Xmas pressies and got my eyebrows "threaded". This is where they pluck your eyebrows with cotton thread. Heaven knows how they do it, and it HURT - a LOT! But now I look human again.
So we took Alex to see Ratatouille and he hated it and we left before the end. Don't you love those family days out when you organise something for your kids and they ruin it?? Ha Ha Ha!
OH gosh what a dimwit I was yesterday. I went to the Trafford Centre and it was PACKED! Apparently it was the busiest Saturday of the year. Alan and Alex came along to meet me to see a film and he had to park on Costco's car park as there was no room anywhere.
I got 2 dresses for my Xmas do's, 2 Xmas pressies and got my eyebrows "threaded". This is where they pluck your eyebrows with cotton thread. Heaven knows how they do it, and it HURT - a LOT! But now I look human again.
So we took Alex to see Ratatouille and he hated it and we left before the end. Don't you love those family days out when you organise something for your kids and they ruin it?? Ha Ha Ha!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
SALE TIME
I am a long time user of Craftwork Cards products, the yummo stuff they sell really got me started on card making, and of course the fab Julie Hickey works for them and creates luvverly stuff. Anyway they have a mega sale starting tomorrow, read on.....
Sale starts 4pm Friday 30th November with over 500 items in the SALE area, loads of them 75% off!
There is also FREE P&P from Friday 30th November, 4pm through to Monday 3rd December at 4pm
find them at www.craftworkcards.co.uk
I am a long time user of Craftwork Cards products, the yummo stuff they sell really got me started on card making, and of course the fab Julie Hickey works for them and creates luvverly stuff. Anyway they have a mega sale starting tomorrow, read on.....
Sale starts 4pm Friday 30th November with over 500 items in the SALE area, loads of them 75% off!
There is also FREE P&P from Friday 30th November, 4pm through to Monday 3rd December at 4pm
find them at www.craftworkcards.co.uk
Busy Week
Lordy, I have had a busy day. Work has gone bonkeroonie, it's all exciting stuff but it has this nasty habit of interfering with my crafting - the nerve!
AND if anyone else tells me they have bought all their Christmas presents, wrapped 'em and written all their Christmas cards, I'll strangle them with tinsel! They've probably already got their sprouts on too.
I am heading off to the temple of retail therapy - The Trafford Centre on Monday to buy a frock for a Christmas "do" and I have decided I want fab smoky eyeshadow like the Spice Girls in their latest video. Every time I have tried "smokey" I have ended up looking like "I've been in a scrap" so we'll see. I'll have a mooch along to the MAC counter in Selfridges, that can be a right laugh cos they have boys who look like girls on that counter sometimes (yikes!!!).
I'll see if I can buy some pressies too. I am faced with the annual conundrum of getting presents for my "I want suprises but all the ones you get me are going back to the shops cos I hate them" husband. He is my major cause of Christmas stress I can tell you.
I met a lovely lady today called Tara. She lives really nearby and makes cards, really lovely cards they are too. She has a bloggy too here go check it out.
Right I am teeing myself up for I'm a Celeb, I wonder who will win tomorrow , OH MAAAAN! I hope it ain't Janice but since I missed it last night she may have been kicked out already!
Lordy, I have had a busy day. Work has gone bonkeroonie, it's all exciting stuff but it has this nasty habit of interfering with my crafting - the nerve!
AND if anyone else tells me they have bought all their Christmas presents, wrapped 'em and written all their Christmas cards, I'll strangle them with tinsel! They've probably already got their sprouts on too.
I am heading off to the temple of retail therapy - The Trafford Centre on Monday to buy a frock for a Christmas "do" and I have decided I want fab smoky eyeshadow like the Spice Girls in their latest video. Every time I have tried "smokey" I have ended up looking like "I've been in a scrap" so we'll see. I'll have a mooch along to the MAC counter in Selfridges, that can be a right laugh cos they have boys who look like girls on that counter sometimes (yikes!!!).
I'll see if I can buy some pressies too. I am faced with the annual conundrum of getting presents for my "I want suprises but all the ones you get me are going back to the shops cos I hate them" husband. He is my major cause of Christmas stress I can tell you.
I met a lovely lady today called Tara. She lives really nearby and makes cards, really lovely cards they are too. She has a bloggy too here go check it out.
Right I am teeing myself up for I'm a Celeb, I wonder who will win tomorrow , OH MAAAAN! I hope it ain't Janice but since I missed it last night she may have been kicked out already!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Ohhhh my head hurts......
Yesterday I had a very productive day using all of my new SU goodies for a mag project. Nearly done and in record time!
Last night I went to a "candle party", gosh I remember the days when my Friday nights were spent at the Hacienda club in Manchester, now I am just an old saddo! The candles were great and when the candle lady left I showed everyone my SU catalogue and told them all about it. They were very enthusiastic yey!
I drank lots of wine and now I feel soooooooo yucky, Alan has taken Alex out for a few hours so I am watching an old movie and surfing the web, perfect!
Yesterday I had a very productive day using all of my new SU goodies for a mag project. Nearly done and in record time!
Last night I went to a "candle party", gosh I remember the days when my Friday nights were spent at the Hacienda club in Manchester, now I am just an old saddo! The candles were great and when the candle lady left I showed everyone my SU catalogue and told them all about it. They were very enthusiastic yey!
I drank lots of wine and now I feel soooooooo yucky, Alan has taken Alex out for a few hours so I am watching an old movie and surfing the web, perfect!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Stash City!!
Gosh I have been the "queen of parcels" this week. First I got a big box from Stampin' Up! containing my demo kit, then a pizza box from Artbase and another from my gorge friend Sarah Davies from Sarahscards! This girl has twin babies and is still running her shop!!!
Also I got 2 mags from the States, I am expecting some more mags from my cousin and a yummo treat from Ebay - where the heck I am gonna put that lot?
Gosh I have been the "queen of parcels" this week. First I got a big box from Stampin' Up! containing my demo kit, then a pizza box from Artbase and another from my gorge friend Sarah Davies from Sarahscards! This girl has twin babies and is still running her shop!!!
Also I got 2 mags from the States, I am expecting some more mags from my cousin and a yummo treat from Ebay - where the heck I am gonna put that lot?
Thursday, November 22, 2007
High Chair
Awwww I sold Alex's high chair today, well being 5 he doesn't have much need for one now hee hee! I must admit to feeling a bit emotional about it when I thought about all that pureed gunk I lovingly made for him when he was tiny.
As for the rest of the day I am boring everyone stupid with Stampin' Up and I sold my first catalogue to a girl at work.
I am all up and running and it doesn't matter if you don't have a demo in your area, I can send catalogues to you and you can order from me no probs! Don't all rush at once eh???
Awwww I sold Alex's high chair today, well being 5 he doesn't have much need for one now hee hee! I must admit to feeling a bit emotional about it when I thought about all that pureed gunk I lovingly made for him when he was tiny.
As for the rest of the day I am boring everyone stupid with Stampin' Up and I sold my first catalogue to a girl at work.
I am all up and running and it doesn't matter if you don't have a demo in your area, I can send catalogues to you and you can order from me no probs! Don't all rush at once eh???
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
What I am Thinking?
OK it's like TV heroin and I am hooked, I knew if I watched it I would be hooked -arrrrrggggghhh. I am a bit of a snob TV wise and I do not hold with this Reality TV malarky , quite frankly it's a waste of life just watching it (don't even get me started with Big Brother)
I am Celeb.........you know what I am saying! Can you believe that Mark has been voted out?? I reckon the voters have thought "ohhh he is going to get it when he gets out, so let's not vote to keep him in and watch the fireworks" Boy did I squirm when he was being interviewed, he was looking as sick as a parrot. Not a good situation bit of a tricky one all round isn't it?
I don't tend to watch much TV but it's been a bit of a coach potato night for me today. I LOVE "How to look good naked", I want Kwok as my best friend right NOW!! He is such a sweetie he rocks! I look rubbish naked I am signing up right now for that programme!
OK it's like TV heroin and I am hooked, I knew if I watched it I would be hooked -arrrrrggggghhh. I am a bit of a snob TV wise and I do not hold with this Reality TV malarky , quite frankly it's a waste of life just watching it (don't even get me started with Big Brother)
I am Celeb.........you know what I am saying! Can you believe that Mark has been voted out?? I reckon the voters have thought "ohhh he is going to get it when he gets out, so let's not vote to keep him in and watch the fireworks" Boy did I squirm when he was being interviewed, he was looking as sick as a parrot. Not a good situation bit of a tricky one all round isn't it?
I don't tend to watch much TV but it's been a bit of a coach potato night for me today. I LOVE "How to look good naked", I want Kwok as my best friend right NOW!! He is such a sweetie he rocks! I look rubbish naked I am signing up right now for that programme!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Nice Weekend
Well Alan got home nice and early on Friday night which was great. We had a bottle of Champagne (hic!) I have bored the pants off him with my Stampin' Up! news.
We had friends round for dinner last night which was lovely, and today we took Alex to a party. After that we had a very lazy afternoon watching the new Harry Potter DVD - isn't J.K Rowling just a genius, she is like the modern day Enid Blyton, a total phenomenon! Enid isn't popular anymore but I just loved "The Famous Five" and all the St Claire's and Mallory Towers books. I so wished I could got to boarding school, play lacrosse and have midnight feasts from my "tuck box". Ha ha talk about ideas above my station.
Got my hair cut in Knutsford yesterday in the most amazing Aveda salon with chairs that give you a massage when you get your hair washed!!! The reason I mention this is that I am watching Cranford on BBC which was based on Knutsford, that is where Elizabeth Gaskell lived! If you ever visit Cheshire , pop along to Knutsford, it is soooo lovely.
Well Alan got home nice and early on Friday night which was great. We had a bottle of Champagne (hic!) I have bored the pants off him with my Stampin' Up! news.
We had friends round for dinner last night which was lovely, and today we took Alex to a party. After that we had a very lazy afternoon watching the new Harry Potter DVD - isn't J.K Rowling just a genius, she is like the modern day Enid Blyton, a total phenomenon! Enid isn't popular anymore but I just loved "The Famous Five" and all the St Claire's and Mallory Towers books. I so wished I could got to boarding school, play lacrosse and have midnight feasts from my "tuck box". Ha ha talk about ideas above my station.
Got my hair cut in Knutsford yesterday in the most amazing Aveda salon with chairs that give you a massage when you get your hair washed!!! The reason I mention this is that I am watching Cranford on BBC which was based on Knutsford, that is where Elizabeth Gaskell lived! If you ever visit Cheshire , pop along to Knutsford, it is soooo lovely.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Stampin' Up! Day
Well today was the day - the new UK Stampin' Up! catalogue is on the web - weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! V Excited. Been tidying my craft room again tonight and ripping up the hall stairs and landing carpet in readiness for our new carpet on Monday. We have lived with a HIDEOUS red patterned carpet for 6 years but to sell the house we need to "go neutral" great! We'll get to enjoy it for like 2-3 months and then have to move.
Right I am pooped with all the excitement of today, I am off for a glass of wine.
Well today was the day - the new UK Stampin' Up! catalogue is on the web - weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! V Excited. Been tidying my craft room again tonight and ripping up the hall stairs and landing carpet in readiness for our new carpet on Monday. We have lived with a HIDEOUS red patterned carpet for 6 years but to sell the house we need to "go neutral" great! We'll get to enjoy it for like 2-3 months and then have to move.
Right I am pooped with all the excitement of today, I am off for a glass of wine.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Stash Stress
OMG I wanted to show someone at work pics of my craft room today and so I showed him (yes a him) my blog (he's a computer geek just like me gawd love him) I have pics on here from Feb this year when my room was completed. I was so shocked to see how much more stuff I have acquired, it's awful. Of course I have all my Mum's craft stuff as well plus boxes of photos, it's a nightmare. I do have a friend who is just about to start crafting so she is getting a goodie box from me. I must NOT buy any more stash arrrgggghh!!!!
Well Stampin' Up! launches in the UK tomorrow I'll be checking the online catalogue tomorrow first thing - 1 more sleep to go!!!
OMG I wanted to show someone at work pics of my craft room today and so I showed him (yes a him) my blog (he's a computer geek just like me gawd love him) I have pics on here from Feb this year when my room was completed. I was so shocked to see how much more stuff I have acquired, it's awful. Of course I have all my Mum's craft stuff as well plus boxes of photos, it's a nightmare. I do have a friend who is just about to start crafting so she is getting a goodie box from me. I must NOT buy any more stash arrrgggghh!!!!
Well Stampin' Up! launches in the UK tomorrow I'll be checking the online catalogue tomorrow first thing - 1 more sleep to go!!!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Stampin' Up!
I have a new blog which will be devoted to all my Stampin' Up! activities check it out Stampin' Up! With Sam. Not much on here just yet but there will be soon I hope.
Stampin' Up ! launches this Thursday (2 more sleeps to go) and I have signed up to be a demonstrator , so soon I will be able to sell yummy stuff to anyone who is interested. Can't wait!!!
I have a new blog which will be devoted to all my Stampin' Up! activities check it out Stampin' Up! With Sam. Not much on here just yet but there will be soon I hope.
Stampin' Up ! launches this Thursday (2 more sleeps to go) and I have signed up to be a demonstrator , so soon I will be able to sell yummy stuff to anyone who is interested. Can't wait!!!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Waste of a day
OK our house is in serious need of a "de-clutter", the cellar is ram-jam full of books and other paraphernalia. We also have what we call "the baby mountain" which is a HUGE pile of Alex's stuff from 5 years ago.
I also have boxes of stuff from Mum and Dad's house and since we are going to put our house on the market very soon we sooooo need to de-clutter. Lots has gone to the charity shop but a neighbour mentioned that there was a "table top" sale today near where I live.
She had booked a table so I thought I would do the same to get rid of some of the junk. Well my neighbour is a total HOOT, I only met her on Monday, she lives down the road, she is a textile and design lecturer and she ROCKS, trust me to find someone arty to "play with" just as we are about to move (doh!)
ANy-hoo, I spent a couple of hours yesterday dragging stuff out of the cellar and boxing it up, god help my back tomorrow. I then dragged it all to the British Legion in Hartford eagerly awaiting lots of pounds and pennies for my packed table.
YEAH RIGHT, wise up Sam, most of my "stash" was books and I don't want to be a snob but most of the people that shuffled by my stall didn't look like they were culture vultures (if you know what I mean). The upshot was I took £10 and the flipping table was £6 . I had to drag all the stuff back to my car then haul it all back into the house arrrrrrrrrrrrghhh! I am off to the charity shop on Monday I can tell you.
Hubby is just back from a week long trip to China with work. Nice to have him (and his washing) home.
OK our house is in serious need of a "de-clutter", the cellar is ram-jam full of books and other paraphernalia. We also have what we call "the baby mountain" which is a HUGE pile of Alex's stuff from 5 years ago.
I also have boxes of stuff from Mum and Dad's house and since we are going to put our house on the market very soon we sooooo need to de-clutter. Lots has gone to the charity shop but a neighbour mentioned that there was a "table top" sale today near where I live.
She had booked a table so I thought I would do the same to get rid of some of the junk. Well my neighbour is a total HOOT, I only met her on Monday, she lives down the road, she is a textile and design lecturer and she ROCKS, trust me to find someone arty to "play with" just as we are about to move (doh!)
ANy-hoo, I spent a couple of hours yesterday dragging stuff out of the cellar and boxing it up, god help my back tomorrow. I then dragged it all to the British Legion in Hartford eagerly awaiting lots of pounds and pennies for my packed table.
YEAH RIGHT, wise up Sam, most of my "stash" was books and I don't want to be a snob but most of the people that shuffled by my stall didn't look like they were culture vultures (if you know what I mean). The upshot was I took £10 and the flipping table was £6 . I had to drag all the stuff back to my car then haul it all back into the house arrrrrrrrrrrrghhh! I am off to the charity shop on Monday I can tell you.
Hubby is just back from a week long trip to China with work. Nice to have him (and his washing) home.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Back Home
Well Alex and I went up to Edinburgh for the weekend to be with Alan, what a great time we had. Poor Alan had to get up at the crack of dawn to go to Shanghai today. Alex stood at the gate at 8am wearing his little PJ's and waving, I think Alan was a bit choked up. He didn't want to go, but he was in business class, you know, I am very jealous!
This morning, Alex and I went to the most amazing "tourist attraction" in Edinburgh called Mary Kings Close. This is a place I heard about several years ago, the "story" was that there were lots of houses full of people with the plague, these houses were all "bricked up" and the people were left to die. Horrible eh?
Well the real story is that the "closes" or streets, were full of 8 storey tenement houses from the middle ages. New buildings were built in the 19th century and earlier on the same site, basically they "chopped" off the top storeys of these buildings, and so what remained became the foundations of the new buildings.
It was fab, Alex was a bit scared, of all the darks rooms we went into, but overall he loved it, check it out at http://www.realmarykingsclose.com/. It has to be seen to be believed.
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH And!!!!! I got home tonight and found the latest issue of Quick and Crafty and my Xmas cards have made the front cover, I am very chuffed - thanks Lynn xx
Well Alex and I went up to Edinburgh for the weekend to be with Alan, what a great time we had. Poor Alan had to get up at the crack of dawn to go to Shanghai today. Alex stood at the gate at 8am wearing his little PJ's and waving, I think Alan was a bit choked up. He didn't want to go, but he was in business class, you know, I am very jealous!
This morning, Alex and I went to the most amazing "tourist attraction" in Edinburgh called Mary Kings Close. This is a place I heard about several years ago, the "story" was that there were lots of houses full of people with the plague, these houses were all "bricked up" and the people were left to die. Horrible eh?
Well the real story is that the "closes" or streets, were full of 8 storey tenement houses from the middle ages. New buildings were built in the 19th century and earlier on the same site, basically they "chopped" off the top storeys of these buildings, and so what remained became the foundations of the new buildings.
It was fab, Alex was a bit scared, of all the darks rooms we went into, but overall he loved it, check it out at http://www.realmarykingsclose.com/. It has to be seen to be believed.
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH And!!!!! I got home tonight and found the latest issue of Quick and Crafty and my Xmas cards have made the front cover, I am very chuffed - thanks Lynn xx
Friday, November 02, 2007
I Made a Card!
Ohh blimey - I actually made a card!!! Here it is!
I cut the card out- the scalloped bit using my wishblade. The card base is made from "Kraft" card from Stampin' Up! Alan's cousin lives in the States and has a Stampin' Up! demo near hear, last year she was kind enough to buy me some yummy stuff and ship it over to me. I love the colour of this card and I am hoping to use it in some of my future mag projects. The chipboard letters are naked (ooohhhhhh!!!!) and embellished with green gems. Of course the patterned paper is Basic Grey all grunged up with a distress ink pad.
I am back up in Edinburgh with Alan and Alex, another 4 hour drive which I do NOT like. I am finally sitting in front of the TV with a glass of wine on the sofa which is FAB. Our lounge is being decorated which means I haven't been able to do this for the last week. I've been sitting at the table in the kitchen watching TV, not very comfy.
It's all finished as of today so I'll be moving furniture back in when I get home yey!!!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
I LOVE JEREMY CLARKSON
OK OK I know - 2 posts in one evening is not "normal" but I have watched a little bit of TV tonight, The TV awards. Jeremy Clarkson won a special award tonight and I just LOVE him. He is clever, VERY funny and I never miss Top Gear. I love his non-pc way and the way he speaks. His column in the Sunday Times never fails to make Alan and I laugh our socks off !
He was so good, and of course I also love the Hamster (with his new gorgeous haircut - yum!) and James May!!!
Although Jezzer is known for his TV work with cars, I also really loved the documentary he did on the Victoria Cross.
He went through nearly an hour telling the story of the bravery shown by a guy in the second world war, it was one of those stories which ol' Jezza is so good at telling. He was saying "and then he did this" and "despite all that he still carried on", and "then, this happened" and "unbelievably faced with such adversity having lost most of his men he still carried on", and "in the face of all this he still managed to..." so you were hanging on every word he said.
And the upshot, the "punchline", the whole story about the most amazingly brave man...........................was his own father in - law. A man so modest that Jeremy did not know of his bravery , a man he knew as an executive in the oil industry was in fact a war hero, who never spoke of his medal. Great story eh??
OK OK I know - 2 posts in one evening is not "normal" but I have watched a little bit of TV tonight, The TV awards. Jeremy Clarkson won a special award tonight and I just LOVE him. He is clever, VERY funny and I never miss Top Gear. I love his non-pc way and the way he speaks. His column in the Sunday Times never fails to make Alan and I laugh our socks off !
He was so good, and of course I also love the Hamster (with his new gorgeous haircut - yum!) and James May!!!
Although Jezzer is known for his TV work with cars, I also really loved the documentary he did on the Victoria Cross.
He went through nearly an hour telling the story of the bravery shown by a guy in the second world war, it was one of those stories which ol' Jezza is so good at telling. He was saying "and then he did this" and "despite all that he still carried on", and "then, this happened" and "unbelievably faced with such adversity having lost most of his men he still carried on", and "in the face of all this he still managed to..." so you were hanging on every word he said.
And the upshot, the "punchline", the whole story about the most amazingly brave man...........................was his own father in - law. A man so modest that Jeremy did not know of his bravery , a man he knew as an executive in the oil industry was in fact a war hero, who never spoke of his medal. Great story eh??
Stampin' Up!
Well I have decided to take the plunge and become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. This fabbo company are coming to Europe including good old Blighty on the 15th November and I am a huge fan of their stuff. Although I won't have time just yet to actually do demos and partys I will be able to supply stamps and accessories to anyone who wants to buy. I will post pics of what I manage to create so you can see the sort of products they produce. Check out the online catalogue at www.stampinup.com LUSH. There are lots of papercrafting gals just gagging for SU to launch here!
I am based in Cheshire at the moment - relocating to Edinburgh sometime in the next 3-4 months so I will be able to take orders for both places at the moment since I spend every other weekend in Edinburgh - yey!!!
Anyway enough of that - suffice to say I will still be using other products in my mag projects, which reminds me , I must add more pics of my more recent stuff to my Flicker account. I have just had some cards published in another mag "Complete Cardmaking" with the fabbo "Build a Bloom" set from Banana Frog. This set seems to have been a real fave with a lot of designers.
I popped over to see Sarah of Sarah's Cards on Monday,ohhhhhhhhhhhh she has just had a BIG delivery of the most GORGE stuff, I can't divulge what it all was since some of them are for here fabbo kits - she now does cardmaking kits as well as scrapbook kits. All I can say is keep your eye on her site for the new goodies to be uploaded. This kid has twins and is still doing the business!! She and Rebecca had made the most fabulous acetate mini book kit for the UK Scrappers cyber crop.
Right I am off - our road is teeming with trick or treaters
Well I have decided to take the plunge and become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. This fabbo company are coming to Europe including good old Blighty on the 15th November and I am a huge fan of their stuff. Although I won't have time just yet to actually do demos and partys I will be able to supply stamps and accessories to anyone who wants to buy. I will post pics of what I manage to create so you can see the sort of products they produce. Check out the online catalogue at www.stampinup.com LUSH. There are lots of papercrafting gals just gagging for SU to launch here!
I am based in Cheshire at the moment - relocating to Edinburgh sometime in the next 3-4 months so I will be able to take orders for both places at the moment since I spend every other weekend in Edinburgh - yey!!!
Anyway enough of that - suffice to say I will still be using other products in my mag projects, which reminds me , I must add more pics of my more recent stuff to my Flicker account. I have just had some cards published in another mag "Complete Cardmaking" with the fabbo "Build a Bloom" set from Banana Frog. This set seems to have been a real fave with a lot of designers.
I popped over to see Sarah of Sarah's Cards on Monday,ohhhhhhhhhhhh she has just had a BIG delivery of the most GORGE stuff, I can't divulge what it all was since some of them are for here fabbo kits - she now does cardmaking kits as well as scrapbook kits. All I can say is keep your eye on her site for the new goodies to be uploaded. This kid has twins and is still doing the business!! She and Rebecca had made the most fabulous acetate mini book kit for the UK Scrappers cyber crop.
Right I am off - our road is teeming with trick or treaters
Saturday, October 27, 2007
SECC ............grrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Well I was fortunate to be North of the border this weekend, as I could go to the Hobby Crafts show at the SECC.
Craftwork Cards, Art from the Heart and Hobby Horse Crafts were all there, which was great and that was where I said hi and got big hugs from Julie Hickey but to be honest the rest of the show was very disappointing. The booths were tiny and it was very crowded. The organisers must have made a lot of money but I was not impressed! The crafters North of the Border are not well served with this show at all. I don't want to go to a show to see stands selling gold chains or nail varnish - come on ICHF make it easier for the "real" born and bred craft shops to have a real go at selling their wares in Scotland. OK so the NEC is more central and it is expensive to exhibit but it would be nice to see more shops at the SECC next year, there was a lot of cut price tat there this year and as member of the public I do begrudge paying £6.50 for that!
OK this post may not make me popular but I am mad!!!!
Well I was fortunate to be North of the border this weekend, as I could go to the Hobby Crafts show at the SECC.
Craftwork Cards, Art from the Heart and Hobby Horse Crafts were all there, which was great and that was where I said hi and got big hugs from Julie Hickey but to be honest the rest of the show was very disappointing. The booths were tiny and it was very crowded. The organisers must have made a lot of money but I was not impressed! The crafters North of the Border are not well served with this show at all. I don't want to go to a show to see stands selling gold chains or nail varnish - come on ICHF make it easier for the "real" born and bred craft shops to have a real go at selling their wares in Scotland. OK so the NEC is more central and it is expensive to exhibit but it would be nice to see more shops at the SECC next year, there was a lot of cut price tat there this year and as member of the public I do begrudge paying £6.50 for that!
OK this post may not make me popular but I am mad!!!!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Brrrrrrr................
Well we are back (thank god you all say, no more pics of flippin South Africa!!)
We got home and the house was like a freezer, hubbie (Scottish - ahem!) likes to turn down the heating whilst we are away and this time the boiler had conked out. It was FREEEEEZIN'
I was so glad to get home after the overnight flight. I am such a pain when I fly, I am pretty high maintenance most of the time anyway (poor Alan) but I am a complete nightmare on a plane. First off on a 12 hour overnight flight I see no reason why I shouldn't be in first class, I actually feel extremely hard done by when I am not. OK so we can't afford it, it's ridiculoulsy expensive but I seethe with resentment at those who can. Silly but true. I couldn't sleep and as Alex was sleeping on me I couldn't move either. Eventually when I thought I couldn't hold on any longer for the loo I managed to wriggle out over a sleeping Alex and Alan. At one point I was stuck astride Alan facing the back of the plane, nearly dislocated my ankle getting out of that position!!
I consoled myself with 2 movies, "Knocked up" and "Vanity Fair" talk about from one extreme to another! "knocked up" is hilarious (lot's of use of the "f" word though).
So we got home, unpacked then packed again and driven up to Edinburgh for the rest of the half term hols. I have been thinking about all my new craft stuff that I got at Harrogate and so I have packed up my new Cricut and my 2 new carts that arrived when I was away "Zooballoo" and "mini monograms" so I am going to play with those later. I may be posting some pics of my efforts with some luck.I am also off to the SECC on Saturday for the HobbyCraft fair, looking forward to seeing some familiar faces there!
Well we are back (thank god you all say, no more pics of flippin South Africa!!)
We got home and the house was like a freezer, hubbie (Scottish - ahem!) likes to turn down the heating whilst we are away and this time the boiler had conked out. It was FREEEEEZIN'
I was so glad to get home after the overnight flight. I am such a pain when I fly, I am pretty high maintenance most of the time anyway (poor Alan) but I am a complete nightmare on a plane. First off on a 12 hour overnight flight I see no reason why I shouldn't be in first class, I actually feel extremely hard done by when I am not. OK so we can't afford it, it's ridiculoulsy expensive but I seethe with resentment at those who can. Silly but true. I couldn't sleep and as Alex was sleeping on me I couldn't move either. Eventually when I thought I couldn't hold on any longer for the loo I managed to wriggle out over a sleeping Alex and Alan. At one point I was stuck astride Alan facing the back of the plane, nearly dislocated my ankle getting out of that position!!
I consoled myself with 2 movies, "Knocked up" and "Vanity Fair" talk about from one extreme to another! "knocked up" is hilarious (lot's of use of the "f" word though).
So we got home, unpacked then packed again and driven up to Edinburgh for the rest of the half term hols. I have been thinking about all my new craft stuff that I got at Harrogate and so I have packed up my new Cricut and my 2 new carts that arrived when I was away "Zooballoo" and "mini monograms" so I am going to play with those later. I may be posting some pics of my efforts with some luck.I am also off to the SECC on Saturday for the HobbyCraft fair, looking forward to seeing some familiar faces there!
Monday, October 22, 2007
Last Day in Cape Town
Well today is our last full day in Cape Town, we leave at teatime tomorrow, we've had a wonderful time, the weather has been great.
Yesterday we went over to the V&A Waterfront for retail therapy and lunch. After that we stopped off at Clifton beach, well there are 4 beaches in Clifton, and they are all what you could call "the perfect beach". They are ringed by the most GORGEOUS beach houses, check out the ones behind Alan and Alex in the photo. How the other half live eh? Alan noticed that most of them had 20 year old blondes on their balconies (grrrr!) and wondered if they were included in the house price "ha flippin ha!".
Here's a pic of Alex writing his name in the sand.
Later on we went for dinner and Alex has been kept amused by a colouring book for most of the holiday (he likes to colour everything black and we keep remembering the sketch in the The Fast Show where Charlie Higson is an artist and says "black black everything is black!" and then tips his easel over). Anyway he has also been very taken with some teeny motorbikes which I bought a pack of for £1.50 . They come as something looking like a square credit card, you pop out the (microscopic) pieces and assemble them. Best £1.50 I have ever spent and I will be stocking up again on my return to Blighty. Check out the concentration!
Well today is our last full day in Cape Town, we leave at teatime tomorrow, we've had a wonderful time, the weather has been great.
Yesterday we went over to the V&A Waterfront for retail therapy and lunch. After that we stopped off at Clifton beach, well there are 4 beaches in Clifton, and they are all what you could call "the perfect beach". They are ringed by the most GORGEOUS beach houses, check out the ones behind Alan and Alex in the photo. How the other half live eh? Alan noticed that most of them had 20 year old blondes on their balconies (grrrr!) and wondered if they were included in the house price "ha flippin ha!".
Here's a pic of Alex writing his name in the sand.
Later on we went for dinner and Alex has been kept amused by a colouring book for most of the holiday (he likes to colour everything black and we keep remembering the sketch in the The Fast Show where Charlie Higson is an artist and says "black black everything is black!" and then tips his easel over). Anyway he has also been very taken with some teeny motorbikes which I bought a pack of for £1.50 . They come as something looking like a square credit card, you pop out the (microscopic) pieces and assemble them. Best £1.50 I have ever spent and I will be stocking up again on my return to Blighty. Check out the concentration!
Today I am off for a facial and some "me time" at the 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa (hark at me!) Apparently it was voted one of the worlds top 100 hotels so I hope it's good. Mind you having read a review on trip advisor one person said it smelled of "burger king" , however they were from Switzerland and probably have higher standards than a gal from Warrington.
I am hoping they don't "exfoliate" my tan off my face. The big joke at work is that I never have a tan - I'll be smothering my fizzog with "fake tan" if they do hee hee!
I am looking forward to getting home and doing some crafting, I saw copies of Crafts Beautiful and Simply Cards and Papercraft in the mall yesterday. I am awaiting delivery of 2 cricut cartridges and something EXTRA exciting from the US. I have also been given use of a Xyron Wishblade and will be creating some projects using that, it's great fun.
As soon as we land we'll be packing up and heading up to Edinburgh to spend the last few days of half term and look again at houses. Not looking forward to the flight home, it's an overnighter and I just can't sleep on planes at all. Well it's a small price to pay for such a wonderful holiday.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Penguin City
Well here is a pic of Alan, getting close to a penguin in Boulder Bay, it's a lovely place, a beautiful little swimming cove with penguins dotted here and there, I was paddling and one penguin shot past me underwater like a little bullet, it was brilliant.
They are such pleasant little chaps and just sit about quite tame , under the rocks, bless em!
We've been out for some lovely meals, here are the three of us, full of good wine and food (apart from Alex of course)
South Africa is currently gripped by Rugby World Cup Fever, as I type this, we are a couple of hours before kick off, there have been people driving up and down the sea front at Camps Bay all afternoon, posing, waving flags and beeping horns. There is a LOT of money here, lots of BMW's Mercs and other covertibles full of gorgeous young things!
Well here is a pic of Alan, getting close to a penguin in Boulder Bay, it's a lovely place, a beautiful little swimming cove with penguins dotted here and there, I was paddling and one penguin shot past me underwater like a little bullet, it was brilliant.
They are such pleasant little chaps and just sit about quite tame , under the rocks, bless em!
We've been out for some lovely meals, here are the three of us, full of good wine and food (apart from Alex of course)
South Africa is currently gripped by Rugby World Cup Fever, as I type this, we are a couple of hours before kick off, there have been people driving up and down the sea front at Camps Bay all afternoon, posing, waving flags and beeping horns. There is a LOT of money here, lots of BMW's Mercs and other covertibles full of gorgeous young things!Anyway we are having a Brai ( i think that's how you spell it) tonight, which is SA for Bar-be-que.
OH OH almost forgot, we were whale watching from our balcony this morning - what a sight!
So I am off to prepare for the rugby - may the best team win!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Lions and Tigers and Bears............Oh My!
On Monday, we decided to take a tour of the Winelands with a guy in a private tour bus, we asked him if he would take us through one of the townships. We were expecting a 90 mile an hour trip through but it wasn't like that at all. We'd seen the townships on the way in from the airport and were shocked, there are huge areas of run down housing and, well, what I can only describe as shacks. You would think that these are just lawless awful places to be, but although there is poverty things aren't quite what you might think. I have no photos, I felt it would not be the right thing to do, I am also not politician so I am not going to make a comment, but it was worth seeing and we did it in a very respectful way.
OK well, not quite but here is a list of animals we have seen this week
Whales
Cheetahs
Penguins
More whales
And these things.................??
Lord only knows what these dudes are, but one of 'em was eating - yep EATING a straw, so they get my vote for being the most whacked out animals I have seen this week. I am thinking they are definitely related to guinea pigs or rats.
So apologies about there being no Whale pics, but believe me, my camera is not good enough to take pics of whales and I had a pair of binoculars welded to my face for quite a long time, in fact an almost headache inducing amount of time. There are no words to describe how flipping cool it is to see a REAL LIVE WHALE – we were in Hermanus today, which is just the Whale watching capital of the world. The weather was gorgeous, the place was gorgeous and we went to the most wonderful seafood restaurant right on the rocks. Basically we had wine, food and whales errrrrr perfection methinks.
We have been up to all sorts this week, we've been to the V&A Waterfront, check out the view...the clouds were tipping over the edge of Table Mountain like a witches cauldron,
After that we went to the Aquarium and saw the most fab stuff including this chap, I love Rockhoppers
On Monday, we decided to take a tour of the Winelands with a guy in a private tour bus, we asked him if he would take us through one of the townships. We were expecting a 90 mile an hour trip through but it wasn't like that at all. We'd seen the townships on the way in from the airport and were shocked, there are huge areas of run down housing and, well, what I can only describe as shacks. You would think that these are just lawless awful places to be, but although there is poverty things aren't quite what you might think. I have no photos, I felt it would not be the right thing to do, I am also not politician so I am not going to make a comment, but it was worth seeing and we did it in a very respectful way.We went on to the Winelands from there and tasted lots of wine, we didn't spit any out (hic). We visited Stellenbosch for 4 Wine tastings, here we all are
Check out the skirt, a la Sienna Miller about 2 years ago with her trend setting gypsy skirt and vest combo – OK so I look more like I ate Sienna Miller here!!!
Cheetahs do not like BIG skirts,we visited the Cheetah outreach centre and saw the most beautiful animals, but one hissed at me when I crouched down near to it on the other side of the fence. I was quickly told by the keeper to stand up! Here though is one of the baby Cheetahs.... very cute and just lying chilled out right up against the fence.
Phew – a mammoth post, thanks for sticking around.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Taking it easy
Well we are still having a wonderful time here in Camps Bay, I thought I would share a few picures taken from the balcony of our apartment. We have been taking it easy so far with some lovely meals and just enjoying the sunshine
Last night we went to a lovely seafood restaurant which does Tepanyaki and Sushi, we decided to go for the tepanyaki option which came with Miso soup, Alex loved the soup -that kid amazes me, I for one think Miso tastes a bit yukky but he did very well and we had some giant prawns which he loved too!
I am totally blown away by what we have seen so far here, we are planning a couple of trips out in the coming days including a trip to the Winelands and Boulder Bay where there are loads of penguins. Apparently there were dolphins in the bay visible from our apartment yesterday morning, but we were pretty tired after our travelling and weren't up early enough to see them. Fingers crossed they come along again soon.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Heaven
Words cannot describe the beauty of where we are right now. We arrived in Cape town just before 8am this morning, picked up our hire car and drove to Camps bay. We had to wait until 2pm to get into our apartment, so went for a drive about 5 mins away and we saw the most amazing sight 2 whales in the sea, probably about 200 yards off shore. Apparently it's quite unusual to see them here and we were so excited! We just saw lots of people with camera and binoculars and stopped to gawp with them.
We then arrived at our apartment and it is soooooooooo gorgeous, just above the beach with the most amazing wrap round balcony we love it - pics to arrive very soon. The sea is just awesome with HUGE mountains behind, and the weather is HOT HOT HOT - yey!!!!
Words cannot describe the beauty of where we are right now. We arrived in Cape town just before 8am this morning, picked up our hire car and drove to Camps bay. We had to wait until 2pm to get into our apartment, so went for a drive about 5 mins away and we saw the most amazing sight 2 whales in the sea, probably about 200 yards off shore. Apparently it's quite unusual to see them here and we were so excited! We just saw lots of people with camera and binoculars and stopped to gawp with them.
We then arrived at our apartment and it is soooooooooo gorgeous, just above the beach with the most amazing wrap round balcony we love it - pics to arrive very soon. The sea is just awesome with HUGE mountains behind, and the weather is HOT HOT HOT - yey!!!!
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
We're on our Way
Yep we are en- route to Cape Town, yey!!!
The fact that my hubby does a lot of travelling is a BIG drag most of the time - however, when it comes to holiday time we do get the chance to go into the BA Exec lounge. Yey and double yey, I am sitting drinking a loverly Chardonnay (hic!) and smurfing the t'interweb.
We've now got a 10 hour night flight ahead of us (not tooo keen on that idea but it should be fab when we get there.
I am a TOTAL gadget head but it isn't till you get into an airport and you see everyone on mobile phones, laptops and Blackberrys that I realise how gripped we all are with technology.
OH MY GOODNESS, I wish I could share this with you via a photo, but a completely whacky elderley lady just walked by in a crocheted jump suit - yes A CROCHETED JUMP SUIT, in orange , brown and cream....................... how cool/mad is that, I am totally impressed. Even Alan's eyes popped out ha ha!!
Well I'll soon be packed into a seat like a battery hen, sharing a loo with 300 other people so wish me luck and good weather at the other end!!! And hey OH MY LORD JUMPSUIT WOMAN JUST WALKED PAST AGAIN
Aaaaaand relax, if Heidi Swapp can travel from the US to Bejing with 5 kids then Alan and I can manage it with one ( I hope)
I'll keep you posted on our trip!
Yep we are en- route to Cape Town, yey!!!
The fact that my hubby does a lot of travelling is a BIG drag most of the time - however, when it comes to holiday time we do get the chance to go into the BA Exec lounge. Yey and double yey, I am sitting drinking a loverly Chardonnay (hic!) and smurfing the t'interweb.
We've now got a 10 hour night flight ahead of us (not tooo keen on that idea but it should be fab when we get there.
I am a TOTAL gadget head but it isn't till you get into an airport and you see everyone on mobile phones, laptops and Blackberrys that I realise how gripped we all are with technology.
OH MY GOODNESS, I wish I could share this with you via a photo, but a completely whacky elderley lady just walked by in a crocheted jump suit - yes A CROCHETED JUMP SUIT, in orange , brown and cream....................... how cool/mad is that, I am totally impressed. Even Alan's eyes popped out ha ha!!
Well I'll soon be packed into a seat like a battery hen, sharing a loo with 300 other people so wish me luck and good weather at the other end!!! And hey OH MY LORD JUMPSUIT WOMAN JUST WALKED PAST AGAIN
Aaaaaand relax, if Heidi Swapp can travel from the US to Bejing with 5 kids then Alan and I can manage it with one ( I hope)
I'll keep you posted on our trip!
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Great Idea - Not!
Trust me, like an idiot I decided to apply "St Tropez Tan" today so that I don't blind everyone in Cape Town with my pale legs. I was kinda hoping to lose a stone in weight and look tanned before I get there, but it's not easy to achieve such results in a week!
Anyway last time I applied St Tropez, I looked like I had been "tangoed", it looked like Stevie Wonder had put in on and I spent a week trying to scrub the damn stuff off, I was red raw for days. So after this disaster, I chucked the stuff in the back of the cupboard vowing not to touch in again.
As Julia Roberts says to the shop assistants in "Pretty Woman"- "BIG mistake, HUGE....." yep I should have chucked it out, but the dumb optimist in me decided to give it another go.
Well it has been lurking in that cupboard for a couple of years (oops!) and I think it might have "gone off" , I followed the instructions to the letter, but my legs are GREY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Arrggggghhh!
Will I ever learn................erm Nope!!!
Trust me, like an idiot I decided to apply "St Tropez Tan" today so that I don't blind everyone in Cape Town with my pale legs. I was kinda hoping to lose a stone in weight and look tanned before I get there, but it's not easy to achieve such results in a week!
Anyway last time I applied St Tropez, I looked like I had been "tangoed", it looked like Stevie Wonder had put in on and I spent a week trying to scrub the damn stuff off, I was red raw for days. So after this disaster, I chucked the stuff in the back of the cupboard vowing not to touch in again.
As Julia Roberts says to the shop assistants in "Pretty Woman"- "BIG mistake, HUGE....." yep I should have chucked it out, but the dumb optimist in me decided to give it another go.
Well it has been lurking in that cupboard for a couple of years (oops!) and I think it might have "gone off" , I followed the instructions to the letter, but my legs are GREY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Arrggggghhh!
Will I ever learn................erm Nope!!!
Friday, October 05, 2007
I'm Back
OK well I am still totally "cheesed off" about the house thing, but hey ho, that's life, gotta just get on with it and keep looking.
I have had a couple of bits of good news this week, first off I was idly flicking through my latest copy of Quick and Crafty and I am one of the designers listed as a contender for best general designer in Q&C. Aceville hold annual awards for designer, products and shops. OK I know I am not going to win as anyone voting can add a person of their choice but I am still chuffed about it. The lovely Paula Pascual is also nominated in the same category.
The other bit of news I can't really share, but I am being sent something very exciting to play with and I am very happy.
Still loving my Cricut made a card with it the other night but forgot to take a piccie - DOH!!
I am doing some creating today once the little fella is packed off to school and I have dropped the ironing off (la-di-flippin'-da) Wish me some inspiration xx
OK well I am still totally "cheesed off" about the house thing, but hey ho, that's life, gotta just get on with it and keep looking.
I have had a couple of bits of good news this week, first off I was idly flicking through my latest copy of Quick and Crafty and I am one of the designers listed as a contender for best general designer in Q&C. Aceville hold annual awards for designer, products and shops. OK I know I am not going to win as anyone voting can add a person of their choice but I am still chuffed about it. The lovely Paula Pascual is also nominated in the same category.
The other bit of news I can't really share, but I am being sent something very exciting to play with and I am very happy.
Still loving my Cricut made a card with it the other night but forgot to take a piccie - DOH!!
I am doing some creating today once the little fella is packed off to school and I have dropped the ironing off (la-di-flippin'-da) Wish me some inspiration xx
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Monday, October 01, 2007
The Suspense is Killing Me
I think I might take a knock out pill which will make me sleep till Wednesday morning. Alex would have to walk to school and back and sort out his own food etc, but it would save me the stress of tomorrow. Tomorrow is where we find out if we have "won" the wretched house. OK so the house isn't wretched at all, but if I don't convince myself that it is a dump then I'll be heartbroken when we don't get it ("when" - do you notice even more self preservation?). Every time the phone rings tomorrow I am sure I will have a heart attack arrrrrgghhhh!!!!!
PLEASE let's hope it goes in our favour.
Hey ho, as Doris Day once sang "que sera sera" - there'll be others..............
Anyway if you could just keep everything crossed for me that would be super fab and groovy - ta very much xxxx
I think I might take a knock out pill which will make me sleep till Wednesday morning. Alex would have to walk to school and back and sort out his own food etc, but it would save me the stress of tomorrow. Tomorrow is where we find out if we have "won" the wretched house. OK so the house isn't wretched at all, but if I don't convince myself that it is a dump then I'll be heartbroken when we don't get it ("when" - do you notice even more self preservation?). Every time the phone rings tomorrow I am sure I will have a heart attack arrrrrgghhhh!!!!!
PLEASE let's hope it goes in our favour.
Hey ho, as Doris Day once sang "que sera sera" - there'll be others..............
Anyway if you could just keep everything crossed for me that would be super fab and groovy - ta very much xxxx
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Send Me Your Karma
ohhhh exciting times ahead, or very likely, potential heartache............
Let me explain, we have found THE house, THE one, THE most gorgeous house in Edinburgh and I am trying my best not to get hysterical.Why? , well because the house buying system in Scotland seems to have been invented by a sadistic lunatic on crack cocaine. Imagine the scenario, you find a house you really, no like REALLY love and you say "oh Mr House Seller, we are loving your house and would really like to buy it, how much do we owe you" Mr House Seller replies "oh well, we have come up with a totally random number of pounds we think it is worth, but we thought it would be good fun to play a game called "offers over", this is where you have to guess how much will be the highest bid for our house and if you offer us the largest amount you have won the contest!!!!!!!!" Isn't that fun???? ERRRR Nope, it means (possibly) BIG upset and dismay and right now our little family could do with some serious luck (queue the WOE is me speech). Any how, we are entering this game of madness this week and in the next 5 days or so will know if we are going to get to live in a place which ticks all of our boxes or.............Not. Please wish us the biggest amount of luck...........................................
Anyway, enough drama. We have had a wonderful weekend. We had lunch in the most eclectic pub in Edinburgh called the Canny Mans, it's the strangest place I have ever seen, with memorabilia, all over the place and the most incredible range of champagne on sale (yey! -not that I had any!!) AND the longest sandwich menu possibly on the planet. We followed this up with a trip to the National Museum of Scotland and it was great, however we only saw a fraction of it. It's free (you gotta love those Scots!) so we'll be back very soon.
We tracked down a wee (get me with the Scottish lingo) Scotland strip for Alex and he also took a fancy to a Fancy Dress shop (no pun intended) where Alan bought some "bubba teeth". These things are HILARIOUS. They just look awful, think Austin Powers teeth but worse. Alan has perfect teeth and he put these in his mouth and I just about wet my pants laughing at him. When we got back to the flat, I secretly put them in so I could suprise him, but I sat there sniggering and gave the game away. They should be prescribed to all people who are feeling "blue" I defy anyone not to laugh like a drain!
Well a 4 hour drive and I am back home. I love coming home to see what mail I have, sad but true, I am addicted to mail, I have been waiting for some mags to arrive from Papercrafts mag in the USA and they did but someone has opened the package and nicked one them (the most expensive one I might add) I am LIVID, OK it's only a mag, but I love mags and it's still stealing. So if any of you know where I can get the latest edition of "Card Creations " in the UK, give me a shout.
Phew long post!!
ohhhh exciting times ahead, or very likely, potential heartache............
Let me explain, we have found THE house, THE one, THE most gorgeous house in Edinburgh and I am trying my best not to get hysterical.Why? , well because the house buying system in Scotland seems to have been invented by a sadistic lunatic on crack cocaine. Imagine the scenario, you find a house you really, no like REALLY love and you say "oh Mr House Seller, we are loving your house and would really like to buy it, how much do we owe you" Mr House Seller replies "oh well, we have come up with a totally random number of pounds we think it is worth, but we thought it would be good fun to play a game called "offers over", this is where you have to guess how much will be the highest bid for our house and if you offer us the largest amount you have won the contest!!!!!!!!" Isn't that fun???? ERRRR Nope, it means (possibly) BIG upset and dismay and right now our little family could do with some serious luck (queue the WOE is me speech). Any how, we are entering this game of madness this week and in the next 5 days or so will know if we are going to get to live in a place which ticks all of our boxes or.............Not. Please wish us the biggest amount of luck...........................................
Anyway, enough drama. We have had a wonderful weekend. We had lunch in the most eclectic pub in Edinburgh called the Canny Mans, it's the strangest place I have ever seen, with memorabilia, all over the place and the most incredible range of champagne on sale (yey! -not that I had any!!) AND the longest sandwich menu possibly on the planet. We followed this up with a trip to the National Museum of Scotland and it was great, however we only saw a fraction of it. It's free (you gotta love those Scots!) so we'll be back very soon.
We tracked down a wee (get me with the Scottish lingo) Scotland strip for Alex and he also took a fancy to a Fancy Dress shop (no pun intended) where Alan bought some "bubba teeth". These things are HILARIOUS. They just look awful, think Austin Powers teeth but worse. Alan has perfect teeth and he put these in his mouth and I just about wet my pants laughing at him. When we got back to the flat, I secretly put them in so I could suprise him, but I sat there sniggering and gave the game away. They should be prescribed to all people who are feeling "blue" I defy anyone not to laugh like a drain!
Well a 4 hour drive and I am back home. I love coming home to see what mail I have, sad but true, I am addicted to mail, I have been waiting for some mags to arrive from Papercrafts mag in the USA and they did but someone has opened the package and nicked one them (the most expensive one I might add) I am LIVID, OK it's only a mag, but I love mags and it's still stealing. So if any of you know where I can get the latest edition of "Card Creations " in the UK, give me a shout.
Phew long post!!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Love Bug
I am in lurve - BIG LURVE with my Cricut Expression, it is just so flipping cool. I admit to knowing SFA about the way it worked before I bought it but my ebay auctions have helped me fund it .
Rachel from Hobby Horse Crafts did a demo at the Great Northern Papercrafts Extravaganza at Harrogate first thing on Sunday morning - Sarah and I watched with bated breath and Rachel said there was only one left and her Mum was bringing it up from Derbyshire from the shop. Her demo was so good I haven't even needed to open the manual to make it work.
Sarah was like "tell her you want it" since there was an eager lady behind us. So I did and was soooo glad. It is so clever. Alex loves it too!! I have even been telling people (non crafting ones) at work about it and even they like the sound of it!
Talking of ebay, I went to the PO to send about 15 parcels at 4.45 today, and had the slooooooooooooowest man at the teeny tiny post office in Chelford. Bless him - he told me at the end that Weds is when all the post offices upload their figures etc so it makes the system very slow - then I felt bad. I held up the queue behind me and felt the need to apologise profusely. The poor lady behind me had a teeny parcel to post but she was so sweet and didn't mind at all!
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH - almost forgot, I went out to lunch today in Alderley Edge ( think Man Utd footballers, ladies who lunch etc) and when we were on our way back to the car park a rather nice Bentley Turbo drove in - so we all knew it could be a footballer and who steps out but Ronaldo and bobs into Somerfield - and gosh was he gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!
I am in lurve - BIG LURVE with my Cricut Expression, it is just so flipping cool. I admit to knowing SFA about the way it worked before I bought it but my ebay auctions have helped me fund it .
Rachel from Hobby Horse Crafts did a demo at the Great Northern Papercrafts Extravaganza at Harrogate first thing on Sunday morning - Sarah and I watched with bated breath and Rachel said there was only one left and her Mum was bringing it up from Derbyshire from the shop. Her demo was so good I haven't even needed to open the manual to make it work.
Sarah was like "tell her you want it" since there was an eager lady behind us. So I did and was soooo glad. It is so clever. Alex loves it too!! I have even been telling people (non crafting ones) at work about it and even they like the sound of it!
Talking of ebay, I went to the PO to send about 15 parcels at 4.45 today, and had the slooooooooooooowest man at the teeny tiny post office in Chelford. Bless him - he told me at the end that Weds is when all the post offices upload their figures etc so it makes the system very slow - then I felt bad. I held up the queue behind me and felt the need to apologise profusely. The poor lady behind me had a teeny parcel to post but she was so sweet and didn't mind at all!
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH - almost forgot, I went out to lunch today in Alderley Edge ( think Man Utd footballers, ladies who lunch etc) and when we were on our way back to the car park a rather nice Bentley Turbo drove in - so we all knew it could be a footballer and who steps out but Ronaldo and bobs into Somerfield - and gosh was he gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Harrogate
Ohhhh Sazzles and I had a fab time at Harrogate today, it was so nice to see her and her baby twins, they are sooooo cute.
We arrived at Harrogate bright and early and I headed straight to Hobby Horse Crafts to see their Cricut demo.............oh dear a Cricut Expression just fell into my shopping basket, I am so naughty, but I really loved it, so I got it.
The best bit of the day was catching up with Sarah and also seeing all the lovely gals who have been so nice to me over the last few months. I got big hugs from Julie Hickey, Diane Grimshaw and of course Beverly Fletcher, it was so nice to see them all, such nice ladies. Bev's stand looked fab, lots of yummy stuff. Craftwork Cards had lots of scrummy stuff as always and the Practical Publishing team were alse there in force (that crew are mad and I love 'em!!!)
I was a little bit sad from time to time as Mum and I always used to go to this show so I missed her lots. But it was also a lovely day out, I can just imagine her saying "you can't buy that Cricut, you'll never use it!!" But I will Mum , I promise xxx
Ohhhh Sazzles and I had a fab time at Harrogate today, it was so nice to see her and her baby twins, they are sooooo cute.
We arrived at Harrogate bright and early and I headed straight to Hobby Horse Crafts to see their Cricut demo.............oh dear a Cricut Expression just fell into my shopping basket, I am so naughty, but I really loved it, so I got it.
The best bit of the day was catching up with Sarah and also seeing all the lovely gals who have been so nice to me over the last few months. I got big hugs from Julie Hickey, Diane Grimshaw and of course Beverly Fletcher, it was so nice to see them all, such nice ladies. Bev's stand looked fab, lots of yummy stuff. Craftwork Cards had lots of scrummy stuff as always and the Practical Publishing team were alse there in force (that crew are mad and I love 'em!!!)
I was a little bit sad from time to time as Mum and I always used to go to this show so I missed her lots. But it was also a lovely day out, I can just imagine her saying "you can't buy that Cricut, you'll never use it!!" But I will Mum , I promise xxx
Friday, September 21, 2007
Shopping
OK retail therapy is helping me through my sadness at the moment, bolstered by my ebay sales thank goodness!
Went to John Lewis today................I LOVE JL, but I live in Cheshire, and quite frankly in some areas (not where I live) there are people who have waaay too much money and not much sense. Ladies who lunch, who need a slap if you ask me are in plentiful supply. The car park was full of v expensive cars and most of them seem to park in those "pick up or drop off zones" It makes me so mad, these are people who are so full of themselves and so darned rich they don't care where they park their ridiculously expensive cars........................it makes my blood boil. An American friend of mine used to use the phrase "please hurry I'm very rich" which used to crack me up ,but it really applies to some of these self important gits!!!
AAAAAAANY way, I had a nice day despite my Victor Meldrew tendencies.
The best part of the day was coming home to find the latest edition of Simply Cards and Papercraft waiting for me, and my cards are featured on the front cover too! It was the last project I did before Mum died and I am so pleased to see it in print. I don't do a lot for this mag, but Diane the editor has been very nice to me............so big wave to Diane!!
I am off to Harrogate on Sunday with my pal Sazzzles (of Sarah's cards) and I haven't seen her for months so I am really looking forward to seeing her, having big chats and spending dosh on stash..................and of course seeing the gorgeous twins.
I'll let you know what I buy!
OK retail therapy is helping me through my sadness at the moment, bolstered by my ebay sales thank goodness!
Went to John Lewis today................I LOVE JL, but I live in Cheshire, and quite frankly in some areas (not where I live) there are people who have waaay too much money and not much sense. Ladies who lunch, who need a slap if you ask me are in plentiful supply. The car park was full of v expensive cars and most of them seem to park in those "pick up or drop off zones" It makes me so mad, these are people who are so full of themselves and so darned rich they don't care where they park their ridiculously expensive cars........................it makes my blood boil. An American friend of mine used to use the phrase "please hurry I'm very rich" which used to crack me up ,but it really applies to some of these self important gits!!!
AAAAAAANY way, I had a nice day despite my Victor Meldrew tendencies.
The best part of the day was coming home to find the latest edition of Simply Cards and Papercraft waiting for me, and my cards are featured on the front cover too! It was the last project I did before Mum died and I am so pleased to see it in print. I don't do a lot for this mag, but Diane the editor has been very nice to me............so big wave to Diane!!
I am off to Harrogate on Sunday with my pal Sazzzles (of Sarah's cards) and I haven't seen her for months so I am really looking forward to seeing her, having big chats and spending dosh on stash..................and of course seeing the gorgeous twins.
I'll let you know what I buy!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Ebay Geek
OK so I have about 40 items for sale on ebay at the moment (check me out, my ID is Samantha725 ........ohhhh Sunday name)
I LOVE ebay and have sold bits and bobs over the last year or two, but in light of our move in the next few months I am seriously in a de-clutter mood. I log onto ebay every 2 seconds to check out who is bidding on my stuff I am like a big kid. I have so much more to sell, I am quite obsessed with it, plus I can't bear the thought of a car boot sale with people touching stuff and offering me 5p for treasured crafting bits!!!!!
It's a bit of a pain doing the photos, weighing stuff for postage and writing it all up on ebay but I still like it.
Anyway I must go check on my stuff ......
OK so I have about 40 items for sale on ebay at the moment (check me out, my ID is Samantha725 ........ohhhh Sunday name)
I LOVE ebay and have sold bits and bobs over the last year or two, but in light of our move in the next few months I am seriously in a de-clutter mood. I log onto ebay every 2 seconds to check out who is bidding on my stuff I am like a big kid. I have so much more to sell, I am quite obsessed with it, plus I can't bear the thought of a car boot sale with people touching stuff and offering me 5p for treasured crafting bits!!!!!
It's a bit of a pain doing the photos, weighing stuff for postage and writing it all up on ebay but I still like it.
Anyway I must go check on my stuff ......
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
First Day Back at Work
Well I went back to work today after 6 weeks off!! Yikes! It's been a mighty long time. But my chums at work are just fabbo and nice and groovy and have let me ease my way back into the team. There are lots of exciting things going on at work and it's great to be back.
I had an envelope on my desk sent via internal mail, now I NEVER get fab mail at work. This mail came from the US of A from a fellow IT Trainer from Delaware, I once mentioned I was into papercrafting. Anyway inside the envelope was the Aug/Sep issue of Scrapbooks ETC magazine - how cool is that? She'd sent it via internal mail for lil' ol' me - I was sooooo chuffed.
I have emabarked on a pseudo stint back at Weightwatchers, I have eaten so much healthy food in the last 2 days that I think I am developing an anti social ahem! "wind" problem if you get my drift- ewwwww!
I'll keep you posted on my progress!
I am currently watching "ghost hunting with the Dingles" on TV.............I can't believe the depths to which I have stooped. I don't watch Emmerdale but the tall lanky one (please tell me his character name) doesn't look as dopey as he does on TV - in fact he reminds me of an ex. Now I know I am losing it.
OH OH have you seen the new Cadburys Dairy Milk advert with the gorilla on the drums? Hysterical, I love it!
Well I went back to work today after 6 weeks off!! Yikes! It's been a mighty long time. But my chums at work are just fabbo and nice and groovy and have let me ease my way back into the team. There are lots of exciting things going on at work and it's great to be back.
I had an envelope on my desk sent via internal mail, now I NEVER get fab mail at work. This mail came from the US of A from a fellow IT Trainer from Delaware, I once mentioned I was into papercrafting. Anyway inside the envelope was the Aug/Sep issue of Scrapbooks ETC magazine - how cool is that? She'd sent it via internal mail for lil' ol' me - I was sooooo chuffed.
I have emabarked on a pseudo stint back at Weightwatchers, I have eaten so much healthy food in the last 2 days that I think I am developing an anti social ahem! "wind" problem if you get my drift- ewwwww!
I'll keep you posted on my progress!
I am currently watching "ghost hunting with the Dingles" on TV.............I can't believe the depths to which I have stooped. I don't watch Emmerdale but the tall lanky one (please tell me his character name) doesn't look as dopey as he does on TV - in fact he reminds me of an ex. Now I know I am losing it.
OH OH have you seen the new Cadburys Dairy Milk advert with the gorilla on the drums? Hysterical, I love it!
Monday, September 17, 2007
GRRRRRRR Injustice
Well what a great day - not! I went to Manchester this morning to deal with my Mum's affairs, was feeling a bit choked up about it all really, and especially since today would have been my Dad's birthday. Co-incidences run in this family, the day Mum was due to have an appointment for Dad's affairs turned out to be the day of her funeral, it's unbelievable!
Anyway, I parked just around the corner from where I was supposed to be going and since I hate breaking rules and I am naturally cautious, I paid for almost 2 hours on a parking bay for an appointment that was to take less than half an hour.
I get back to the car and I had a bloody parking ticket. Turns out I got one cos the ticket was face down instead of up, the damn thing must have flipped over when I slammed the car door. THE AIR WAS BLUE!! Can't believe it!!!! I get fined £30 for the privilege of parking for half an hour and the ticket flipping over I am so mad.
I am even more mad because a while back Alan (in a hurry) left his debit card in an off-licence, found out the next morning that it was missing and £50 had been obtained on his card. It was the guy who worked there! Caught red-handed on CCTV, he was sacked and then spent a couple of weeks walking past the shop taunting the manager.
Well Alan gave evidence, he was arrested (not Alan, the robbing toerag in the shop!) and guess what?? The filthy theiving toerag gets......................yep you guessed it, a caution. OH well that's got him shaking in his boots, he won't be stealing off anyone else sometime soon will he???
I give up........................!
Sorry for spitting such venom but I will probably be £30 worse off for a simple mistake today, just what I need. I have written a letter to the parking ticket people and quite frankly if they make me pay I am going to chain myself to the railings ..........not sure where yet (hee ! hee!)
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnd RELAX.............
Well what a great day - not! I went to Manchester this morning to deal with my Mum's affairs, was feeling a bit choked up about it all really, and especially since today would have been my Dad's birthday. Co-incidences run in this family, the day Mum was due to have an appointment for Dad's affairs turned out to be the day of her funeral, it's unbelievable!
Anyway, I parked just around the corner from where I was supposed to be going and since I hate breaking rules and I am naturally cautious, I paid for almost 2 hours on a parking bay for an appointment that was to take less than half an hour.
I get back to the car and I had a bloody parking ticket. Turns out I got one cos the ticket was face down instead of up, the damn thing must have flipped over when I slammed the car door. THE AIR WAS BLUE!! Can't believe it!!!! I get fined £30 for the privilege of parking for half an hour and the ticket flipping over I am so mad.
I am even more mad because a while back Alan (in a hurry) left his debit card in an off-licence, found out the next morning that it was missing and £50 had been obtained on his card. It was the guy who worked there! Caught red-handed on CCTV, he was sacked and then spent a couple of weeks walking past the shop taunting the manager.
Well Alan gave evidence, he was arrested (not Alan, the robbing toerag in the shop!) and guess what?? The filthy theiving toerag gets......................yep you guessed it, a caution. OH well that's got him shaking in his boots, he won't be stealing off anyone else sometime soon will he???
I give up........................!
Sorry for spitting such venom but I will probably be £30 worse off for a simple mistake today, just what I need. I have written a letter to the parking ticket people and quite frankly if they make me pay I am going to chain myself to the railings ..........not sure where yet (hee ! hee!)
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnd RELAX.............
Saturday, September 15, 2007
All Partied Out............
I used a Blonde Moments stamp and a cuttlebug embossing folder, I just love the Cuttlebug stuff.
Well I had Alex's Birthday tea last night - it was lovely but my God the house was trashed afterwards and I was pooped out too.
This is the scene before the carnage............
I am not showing the "after" but suffice to say my lovely fellow Mummies helped me tidy up. Here is birthday boy!
I was totally shot by the end of it all and fell asleep at 8:30!
Oh here is the card I made for hubby.......it won't win any prizes but I have to prove that I do something every once in a while...
I used a Blonde Moments stamp and a cuttlebug embossing folder, I just love the Cuttlebug stuff.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Movies and Cheese
Well I am very chuffed with myself, I have managed to do a project for Quick and Crafty mag (almost) on time.........I am soooo chuffed with it, it's all about Christmas and I think I found my groove again.
I have watched a couple of movies in the last couple of days, last night I watched "Frankie and Johnny" with Michelle Pfeiffer and Al Pacino. Now Al is cool and he was very cute, andthis film was made before he developed his mad bouffant hairsprayed hair-do. You know he reminds me a bit of Paul McCartney (weird huh?) but he looked good, although his character was a teeny bit OTT with the love thing. Nevertheless it was a great film. Tonight I watched "Night at The Museum" with Alex, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this film, great cast. If you haven't seen it, get it for your kids.
So that's enough of the Barry Norman................
Had a "Mum moment" today. Was looking in the fridge and found a pack of cheese my Mum had brought to the house. She used to bring food over to our house when she visited . So I have this tall fridge with shelves I don't use much................and I found this old bit of cheese and it reminded me of her visits ...........and I stood there crying my eyes out.......................and I hate bloody cheese.
Well I am very chuffed with myself, I have managed to do a project for Quick and Crafty mag (almost) on time.........I am soooo chuffed with it, it's all about Christmas and I think I found my groove again.
I have watched a couple of movies in the last couple of days, last night I watched "Frankie and Johnny" with Michelle Pfeiffer and Al Pacino. Now Al is cool and he was very cute, andthis film was made before he developed his mad bouffant hairsprayed hair-do. You know he reminds me a bit of Paul McCartney (weird huh?) but he looked good, although his character was a teeny bit OTT with the love thing. Nevertheless it was a great film. Tonight I watched "Night at The Museum" with Alex, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this film, great cast. If you haven't seen it, get it for your kids.
So that's enough of the Barry Norman................
Had a "Mum moment" today. Was looking in the fridge and found a pack of cheese my Mum had brought to the house. She used to bring food over to our house when she visited . So I have this tall fridge with shelves I don't use much................and I found this old bit of cheese and it reminded me of her visits ...........and I stood there crying my eyes out.......................and I hate bloody cheese.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Knackered.............
Gosh I am really pooped, I have made a card for hubby, it's our 9th Wedding Anniversary tomorrow. With the luck I have is it any wonder I got married on the 11th Sep??
Not showing the card since he might read this drivel (although he swears he doesn't). I am not knackered from card making, just everything has caught up with me. So this morning I dumped my ironing at an ironing place, and called a cleaning company to blitz our house for 3 hours on Friday morning (now I really hope hubby ain't reading this ha ha ha!). I am having a little tea party for Alex on Friday after school , as he didn't have a birthday party. I have ordered some fabbo Pirate themed stuff from t'interweb today for him. I am having a mad idea of dressing up like a pirate to make him laugh!
I am having major cravings to buy a Cricut or Cricut Expression, no idea why , I just LOVE gadgets. I am selling a Craft Robo or offering as a swap for a Cricut if anyone is interested????
Gosh I am really pooped, I have made a card for hubby, it's our 9th Wedding Anniversary tomorrow. With the luck I have is it any wonder I got married on the 11th Sep??
Not showing the card since he might read this drivel (although he swears he doesn't). I am not knackered from card making, just everything has caught up with me. So this morning I dumped my ironing at an ironing place, and called a cleaning company to blitz our house for 3 hours on Friday morning (now I really hope hubby ain't reading this ha ha ha!). I am having a little tea party for Alex on Friday after school , as he didn't have a birthday party. I have ordered some fabbo Pirate themed stuff from t'interweb today for him. I am having a mad idea of dressing up like a pirate to make him laugh!
I am having major cravings to buy a Cricut or Cricut Expression, no idea why , I just LOVE gadgets. I am selling a Craft Robo or offering as a swap for a Cricut if anyone is interested????
Thursday, September 06, 2007
I ain't no Dawn Meehan
Dawn Meehan, you may have heard of , she was the lady who had the Pokemon cards on ebay that one of her six kids sneaked into her shopping trolley. Her blog is hysterical read it here
Anyway I have only one child but he sometimes cracks me up - this morning we left for school at stupid o'clock because the road near us is closed, we were outside the school gates in the car at like 8:25am and school starts at 8:50am !!! So I found a few mags in the car to kill some time, and whilst I was reading about Jade Goody and her £1000 champagne party nights whilst trying to get over "cheating Jack", Alex starts coughing his head off. He croaked that he wanted water and I gave him some , he turned a funny colour , his eyes were watering and I said "are you OK sweetie" to which he replied "no mummy I think I swallowed some sick juice" ewwwwwwwwwww. I have a new car and I got him out PRONTO, he was OK, no puke thank god.......
Dawn Meehan, you may have heard of , she was the lady who had the Pokemon cards on ebay that one of her six kids sneaked into her shopping trolley. Her blog is hysterical read it here
Anyway I have only one child but he sometimes cracks me up - this morning we left for school at stupid o'clock because the road near us is closed, we were outside the school gates in the car at like 8:25am and school starts at 8:50am !!! So I found a few mags in the car to kill some time, and whilst I was reading about Jade Goody and her £1000 champagne party nights whilst trying to get over "cheating Jack", Alex starts coughing his head off. He croaked that he wanted water and I gave him some , he turned a funny colour , his eyes were watering and I said "are you OK sweetie" to which he replied "no mummy I think I swallowed some sick juice" ewwwwwwwwwww. I have a new car and I got him out PRONTO, he was OK, no puke thank god.......
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
The Average Contents of a Loft
hmmmm lots of stuff still to be cleared out of Mum and Dad's loft, the clearing continues and now I am dealing with estate agents (joy!)
Also, two rants
1. on the first day back at school some pencil pushing ee-jet decides to close a road on the school run. We were HALF an hour late and escorted to the classroom by the headmistress (eeek) I had to write "I must get my arse in gear faster each morning" 50 times on the blackboard. Not really, she was lovely, I almost hugged her!
2. Why is it that people are so damn incompetent. Despite asking the morons at the local Spar to "CANCEL THE PAPERS AND MAGAZINES as my Mum has died" ", they still continue to send them. A family friend has seen them right. Also a woman we went to see about my Mum's accounts at the building society, sent a letter offering her a new account which I opened this morning. I rang the branch and said verrry slowly " PLEASE .........................TAKE .........................HER .......................OFF............ YOUR ..............................MAILING.............................. LIST" How difficult is it to do a job this easy???
OH and .........
3. Apple have just announced a complete revamp of the iPod...........Cheers Mr Jobs, now my coolio iPod is out of date..........
Annnnnd Relax..........rant over, sorry bout that xx
- 30 odd Beano, Dandy, My Guy Annuals
- LOTS of dust
- Cut glass bowls (loads of the damn things)
- Almost all the Christmas cards sent to my Grandparents.....(huh?)
- Great grandmothers death certificate
- Books about Hollywood stars in the 1950's (very cool)
- Love letters sent to me (a whole 2 of 'em)
- Photos taken by me of Charles and Diana when I was 19 and I met em (very spesh)
hmmmm lots of stuff still to be cleared out of Mum and Dad's loft, the clearing continues and now I am dealing with estate agents (joy!)
Also, two rants
1. on the first day back at school some pencil pushing ee-jet decides to close a road on the school run. We were HALF an hour late and escorted to the classroom by the headmistress (eeek) I had to write "I must get my arse in gear faster each morning" 50 times on the blackboard. Not really, she was lovely, I almost hugged her!
2. Why is it that people are so damn incompetent. Despite asking the morons at the local Spar to "CANCEL THE PAPERS AND MAGAZINES as my Mum has died" ", they still continue to send them. A family friend has seen them right. Also a woman we went to see about my Mum's accounts at the building society, sent a letter offering her a new account which I opened this morning. I rang the branch and said verrry slowly " PLEASE .........................TAKE .........................HER .......................OFF............ YOUR ..............................MAILING.............................. LIST" How difficult is it to do a job this easy???
OH and .........
3. Apple have just announced a complete revamp of the iPod...........Cheers Mr Jobs, now my coolio iPod is out of date..........
Annnnnd Relax..........rant over, sorry bout that xx
Monday, September 03, 2007
House Hunting
Oh woe is me, this house hunting is hard going. Yesterday we went to see 2 houses, one was a definite no-no, run down and loads of work required. Having spent 6 years doing up our current house there is NO WAY I am going down that road. The second one was what they call a "double upper" flat, in a lovely district of Edinburgh. OH MY GOD I loved it, so much so I had tears in my eyes walking round , it was just full on antiques and gorgeous things and soooooooooo classy. Downside is, although it had it's own garden you have to go down 2 flights of stairs to get to it, and it is facing the wrong way to catch those "I need a beer after work" evening sun rays..........so it's a no go for us.
I am so excited about moving up here, it totally seems the right thing to do and I just love it so much.
I foresee weeks of nail biting and tension for us to get the right place...........hey ho.
Oh woe is me, this house hunting is hard going. Yesterday we went to see 2 houses, one was a definite no-no, run down and loads of work required. Having spent 6 years doing up our current house there is NO WAY I am going down that road. The second one was what they call a "double upper" flat, in a lovely district of Edinburgh. OH MY GOD I loved it, so much so I had tears in my eyes walking round , it was just full on antiques and gorgeous things and soooooooooo classy. Downside is, although it had it's own garden you have to go down 2 flights of stairs to get to it, and it is facing the wrong way to catch those "I need a beer after work" evening sun rays..........so it's a no go for us.
I am so excited about moving up here, it totally seems the right thing to do and I just love it so much.
I foresee weeks of nail biting and tension for us to get the right place...........hey ho.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
On the Beach
Yesterday we took a drive over to Fife to St Andrews. Alan spent most of his hols as a child in St Andrews and we have visited it often.
The weather was glorious and we had a picnic on the beach. Mind you by the time we got there I was starving and had low blood sugar grumpiness. It was warm but windy and every 5 mins I was getting a face full of sand which was flying all over the food. We retreated into the sand dunes where I took this pic
I soon cheered up though , we went shopping, a place with a Fat Face and a White Stuff can't be all bad eh? Especially since they both had sales on.
We topped off our day with a trip to the Fish and Chip shop at Pittenween, and ate them by the harbour.
When we got home the old grief kicked in I had the urge to call my Mum to tell her all about our day, of course I couldn't. Then it dawned on me, the horrible, horrible realisation that there is no-one is at home wondering what we are up to, whether we got home safe and how we are. I can't tell you what an awful empty feeling that is.
Hey ho, it'll happen from time to time I just have to accept it.
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