Thursday, January 24, 2008

All cried out

Well today did not start well. I have a guy that works in my team who is ace. We get on so well, we have the same sense of humour, we are very sarcastic and most people don't realise we are taking the mickey. We work really well together and he is on my list of favourite people. Well we were in a meeting this morning and he got a phone call from one of his best mates. His mate went to his dr cos he had a bad cough, ended up having to have his lung drained and for some reason it wouldn't heal. Well the phone call today was to tell him that he had a rare form on lung cancer and he has a couple of months left.

Now my team mate is 24, the most laid back person I have ever met, happy go lucky and I literally watched him fall to pieces. We sat in the meeting room and he just lost it. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done and seen in my life!

So I sent him home, with instructions to talk to people and not keep everything in (cos I know ALL about that).

Then my phone rang and it was the vets. I took the bunnies in this morning for their 'op' and yep of course..................Joe died under the aneathestic. Joe is the brown bonkers one on red bull and I literally sobbed like a baby! I am soooo gutted! Ollie didn't know they were going in so I rang DH to see what we should do. He couldn't actually understand me the first time I rang him cos I was crying too hard *blush* Well we decided to see if the neighbour had any more (cos he did say if anything happened..........).

So we now have a Joe the second. He is a complete exact replica of bonkers bunny so we'll see. I know it is wrong to lie etc but after losing Casper, we really did not think he could take losing Joe. So keep your fingers crossed that JII will pass the test!

So I am all cried out today!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

And they save me again!

tbh the last few days have been really rough, I have been getting really down especially about one thing in particular. You know what it's like when you start thinking about something and to you it seems really small and insignificant, but over a while it really starts to do your head in! Well when a fabby wabby mate then asks you about it cos she has noticed it, it is like a huge weight being lifted off your shoulders! It is not just me and someone else has noticed! It's still grating on me but now I can moan and bitch about it and feel much better lol!

So Monday was really bad at work - lots of stress and pressure (and stooopid people who expect me to stop the flooding!). Tuesday was a bit of a clean up (literally lol) and incident reports etc. Then school last night which got me all stressed cos it was about intergrating numeracy into lessons - and I 'ate maffs!

So when I woke up this morning and realised I was going to my first Art from the Heart class of 2008 my little heart lifted a little bit. Dropped Ollie off at school and picked up a parcel from Em. To say she has spoilt me is an understatement! She has sent me loads of BG stuff and I love it all! In fact she couldn't have chosen better! So BG pressy next to me I set off to Harrogate in the car with loud tacky music and sweeties!

OMFG I have had such an excellent day! The course was making a book with the BIA and decorate a tin to put it in. I can't actually begin to explain how friggin brilliant the course was! I have made (with a little help ;o)) a book from scratch, with a covered front and back, with fabby pages with tags, envelopes etc etc. Even the tin is sexy!! Dyan shared so many wonderful ideas that I just would never even think to do and should me how to use all those fabb things I have bought from AFTH and never had the guts to use! I have come out armed with confidence to just have a go and see what happens! I also have a really good pressie for Gail's bday next month! Imagine sitting in a class being shown how to make really tricky things in an easy way, surrounded by Blonde Moments, Tim Holtz, 7 Gypsies, Elsie, MAMBI etc etc - bliss!

I will show you - but I need to finish off a couple of things ;o)

Oh and I must apologise to Sue as I may have shown off a bit in a text lol!

(Oh and can I just point out today I have being SEWING! Me? Unbelieveable!)

And then I get home to a parcel from Carol. She has sent me a beautiful tin with a gorgeous message in and some ace primas. She is soo talented, I love getting parcels from Carol!

So there we go, if you spoke to me last night you'dve got an angry sad stressed individual. Now you have a relaxed happy crafty person - so thank god for my wonderful friends and the talent that is Dyan!

Monday, January 21, 2008

Just a bit wet!


What a flippin day! We have been preparing for bad weather but nowhere near as bad as this! The funny thing is, because I am in charge of the disaster management everyone thinks I can stop the emergencies - like I can stop the flooding! What makes me mad is Ollie's school was closed at 11.00 and I managed to leave work at 6.15! Oh to just leave work when I need to.............

Well I have a couple of the 365's to catch up on..................but I am so exhausted I'll catch up tomorrow zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Stay dry x

Saturday, January 19, 2008

10 things about you

Here is my take on the 10 things about you challenge on JB.


These pictures were taken at my sister's last year when DH bought a new camera and they did a photo shoot, I have always liked them but never really thought about scrapping them. errrr hello?!! So when I counted them and there were 10 - I knew I had to use them for this challenge.


It is quite simple but I didn't want to detract from the photos...........I may have another play at some point.





Friday, January 18, 2008

All better now

Am all better now, have stopped halucinating and shaking and the nose has stopped running - so am much happier. My funniest thing this week was Sue and Em being concerned that I was poorly until I told them I was missing college this week - and then suddenly they were very worried lol! Was a bad one, proper flu. So the jab didn't work then?!

Anyway, back to 365's.

LO Prompt 2

Go back to day 12, read the prompt and look back at your notes from that day. Either use the photo from your day 12 or take a new one or two if you wish, and scrap this photo telling the story behind it.

Here's my LO, quick and simple and full of flu - so not perfect in any way lol!




15th Jan

"Make rest and refreshment a necessity, not a luxury."
Dan Zadra

Here is my relaxing item - not your usual thing but I was going looking around my house and the one thing I put on in the evening is my fabby lava lamp which I got for xmas. I sit and watch it for hours and it sooooooooooo relaxes me - love it.


16th Jan


You, whose day it is, get out your rainbow colors and make it beautiful."
Traditional Nootka song
Show me colour in your life today

I have lots of colours in my life, especially my boy. But my fav place in the house is full of colours (being painted pink and lime helps!). Here is a section of my craft room, the completely rainbow bit ;o)


I also wanted to show you a new version of my eye, very colourful lol!


Very colourful indeed ;o)

Well today is Dad's bday. Another one we weren't expecting, so is a good day. Have been out for a nice meal, greek. So of course I had my usual garlic mushrooms and steak lol!

Here's his card, from Sue's challenge on JB




And one more piccie:


Need I say more? :O)

Well the weekend beckons........have a good one everyone x

Monday, January 14, 2008

My little things, plus .....

12th Jan
Savor life's tiny delights---a crackling fire, a glorious sunset, a hug from a child, a walk with a friend, a cup of soup, a kiss behind the ear.
John Anthony

Well here is my little delight,

I thought about this quite a bit cos I have so many delights in my life. But for me, my dh and baby and family are so much more than a delight! Then I got a text from my friend and I decided on my phone being my small delight.

I love getting texts from my friends, and I get at least one every day. To me this means that there is someone out there thinking about me and wondering how I am. Over the last 12 months I have had quite a bit going on, and my friends have been there all the way. They remember when I have dr's appointments etc and always seem to know when to send the 'how did it go' text. I watch a tv programme (one in particular) and me and Em chat all the way through it (I say chat, I actually mean bitch and destroy them all the way through!).

I sit in really boring meetings and talk to Sue and cos I am senior management in charge of emergencies, then this is completely fine to do lol!

I have met a number of people through the internet and they have become some of the most important people in my life, I am more honest and open with them than I ever am with the people who I see every day. They know me better than most people who have known me for years and they check in with me by using that little piece of technology that is my phone - so yeah, it's more than just something to order the chinese on ;o)

13th Jan

"When in doubt, take a bath."
Mae West

Sorry Anna but you have NO chance of getting a piccie of me in the bath lol! It is bad enough doing the self portraits when I am dressed!!

But the bath is a special place for me. Before Ollie was born I used to have lots of long bubble baths, tons of bubbles, surrounded by candles and my fav music on in the background, and most importantly the door LOCKED!! It was my wind down time and I loved it!

Then I got pregnant and really hated them, I hated being so hot!

And then the baby came. One big thing that has always upset me was when I had Ollie I was very poorly and was unconcious for 4 days after he was born. I missed alot of his 'firsts', his first bath being one of them. I really wish I'dve been there! But when we got home I have to say the bath time was one of the most stressful things we did! We bought an inflatable bath and DH and I both did the bath time. There was lots of warm bubbles and soft towels, and two adults taking hours to bathe this tiny thing! He was soooo slippery! Was very stressful! And then of course he got older and bathtime become his and daddy's playtime!

Ironically about 5 weeks ago I fancied a bath on a Sunday night. So I light the candles, and filled it with bubbles and got in. MAN I have missed those baths! So now every Sunday becomes my bath night. Now I don't have a lock on the door and I have a 6 year old coming in every 10 mins to ask me where x is and why does he have to do y?! I don't have the music on anymore, but I guess Ollie is the music!

13th Jan

"Attempt the impossible in order to improve your work.”
Bette Davis
I want you to really think about this quote today . What did you attempt today that improved your day?

Today has been a very weird day for me - today I phoned in sick to work! Now usually I battle every illness and drag myself in. I detest being ill and hate wimps who call in sick.....so for me to do it, was a big thing. I have a cold and feel terrible. So I figured I would take a couple of days to get better rather than do what I usually do and force myself in and take weeks to get better! I also finished a friend's bday pressie. Have been stressing over this, what do you make the winner of BOB Altered winner - jewellery etc - noooooooooo, you give yourself that extra little challenge lol! But all done, so big achievement today.

Going to do my 2 o/s lo's tonight and tomorrow (bleary eyes permitting ;o)) and feel so motivated and excited! I can't believe how 'into' the 365 I have got! Tis fab!

Lastly - I found some nutty family photos that I wanted to share.


And while we are talking about Bette Davis have a look at this!

And then my sister!


Friday, January 11, 2008

More stuff

8th Jan
“The best color in the whole world, is the one that looks good, on you!”
Coco Chanel
Fraid I don't have one for this - will have to owe you ;o)
9th Jan
Take time every day to do something ridiculous.
Philipa Walker
Lets see the silly side to you!
Can't quite believe I am doing this!! Imagine a 6 year old giggling behind me while doing it and a DH trying desperately to understand why lol!
I don't really have a silly side, I should do really but I never have! I love people being silly around me but I think it comes down to confidence sometimes. I would rather be the quiet one in the back than in the loud one in the front - I leave that to my beautiful friends ;o)

10th Jan

The eyes are the window of the soul
English Proverb
You cannot hide your true feelings through your eyes, they speak a thousand words. Take note!
I'm going to be a bit cheeky with this one cos they are not new photos. But as soon as I knew the prompt then I knew the two piccies to use. All the time people are saying that Ollie has 'got my eyes' and I would have to agree. I love looking into his big brown eyes, so full of innocence (so not entirely like mine lol!). All my life my eyes have done me well, and can sometimes be used as a bit of a weapon - so my eyes are goooood!

Me at 5

Ollie at 5

11th Jan

Families are like fudge…mostly sweet, with a few nuts.
Anonymous
Lets add a few more to the self portrait experience!

Well what can I say about my family - we certainly have our fair share of nuts!

Uncle Robert is a true geordy - in every sense. This is the first time we have had a geordy in our clan but he certainly brightens it up! He is loud - both in clothes and voice! And he makes my sister very happy - so nuts is good.

My Uncle Ernie is the best uncle in the world! He is dad's brother and we have always had a great bond. He is a cockney g'vnor and tends to embarress us wherever we go! The best story with Ernie is when dad woke up from his coma. He said he knew he was in trouble if either a priest came in or Ernie drove up to see him..............so of course when we told him this he drove up (he was coming up anyway to see dad awake!) and walked into Intensive care dressed as a priest!! Was very funny and dad thought it was hysterical! Sister didn't and neither did the nurses - but we did ;o)

I don't have any recent photos of him (or me and him together) so that will change the next time he is up.

And then there is daddy - when he is with Ollie he becomes completely bonkers! For a moment, he even forgets he is an accountant!

And don't even get me started on the Matthew's side of the family! Mum's side of the family are all from Birmingham. Auntie Brenda, Uncle Barry, Alison and Sally etc etc.............we only ever really meet at funerals or weddings (lots of weddings on this side of my family - and divorces!) Will dig out some old photos to show you.

Here are a couple of non 365 photos (cannot believe how many photos I am taking now the camera is in my bag!).

This is my big man on his way to Beavers (damn that Lesely Neilson for ruining the innocence of Beavers!)



And finally (phew you say!) is a couple of piccies from the school run this afternoon. Not a bad view from the playground eh?


And I am quite pleased with this last one. This is one of the fields we drive past. Currently flooded and the sun was setting - so a piccie was taken! I am getting into this whole photography stuff!
























Monday, January 07, 2008

365 Challenge

Well I am going to have a go at the 365 challenge, of taking one photo every day..........here's a catch up from the 1st Jan.

1st Jan


Prompt 1
"A day without laughter is a day wasted" - Charles Chaplain
Lets start the year with laughter
Journaling Prompt 1
I want you to write a list of Goals for 2008, nothing to unachievable, just a list of maybe 10 things you would like to do

1. Take at least one photo every day.
2. Do not take myself too seriously.
3. Do one LO every week.
4. Enjoy my college course and do the work on time.
5. Do not leave CJ's till the last minute.
6. Try and be a bit tidier.
7. Make the most of my friends.
8. Appreciate my family.
9. Try and be nice to DH (try ;o))
10. Tell Ollie I love him everyday.

2nd Jan


Prompt 2
"I´m gonna make a change,
For once in my life
It´s gonna feel real good
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right
I'm starting with the man in the mirror"
Micheal Jackson
Grab your notebook at some point today and journal your feelings, or with just one word that sums up the day for you!

My one word? BUSY!!!

Not ready to journal feelings yet so Busy will have to do for now lol!

3rd Jan

I didn't get a chance to take one today, but I can do the jornalling - in fact I could probably do pages and pages lol! My main worry (apart from my weight) is the ezcema on my face - hence why you won't see many photos of me! I feel like some days I am like a bright red beacon beaming a shiny red light lol!

"Life is too short and too amazing to spend time worring about imperfection "
Ali Edwards
Grab your camera and click, dont worry about the imperfections! Use todays quote for both your photo and journalling prompt.

4th Jan

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are"
Mary Jean Irion
Record a normal, daily routine, take note!

Well I completely admit that because I hate photos of me, poor Ollie doesn't have alot of me and him photos so that will change (thanks to these challenges ;o)).

My normal routine evolves around my treasure, and whilst on paper they are chores they never really feel like chores iykwim! Daily routine can be school, swimming lessons, playing at friends, going to grandma's, Beavers etc etc etc.
My routine today:
Over slept cos I stayed up too late watching tv,
Rush around like a loon getting me and Ollie ready,
Help Dh find his watch, wallet, car keys, mobile etc etc etc
Do the dreaded school run, we have to drive about 4 miles to get to school but the school was the best one for him.
Go back to town to try and find a packing space (NEVER CAN!).
Get to work, manage a team and be an expert in my field (whilst being very bored!).
Leave at 3.00 to get back to school to pick baby up,
Arrive home at 3.30 ish and do some jobs around the house while Ol watches some tele.
Start tea.
Sort out the animals.
Play with Ollie.
Daddy gets home.
Have tea.
Watch a bit more tv.
Bathtime
Daddy and Ollie have an hour playtime / tv time / supper time
Mummy gets to play for an hour in craft room (bliss!)
My turn to do stories, wee, clean teeth etc
Spend next 20 mins getting Ollie asleep.
Maybe go back and craft or go downstairs and watch tv.
Stay up way too late watching crap tele!
And start again............

5th Jan

"I am beautiful no matter what they say"
Christine Aguilera
Lets get up close and personal.
How do you feel about the person you are, insde and out?
Inside I am an ok person, I love lots and like to give to people. The bigger problems don't phase me too much and I can handle 'situations'. I sometimes say things too honestly and yes that means sometimes I can be a bitch - but I do try to stop that from happening! I try to be happy, fair and true.
Outside is a whole different story! I have no confidence, or will power or strength - but that will change (I hope xx)
6th Jan
Photo to come!
Hold out your hands to feel the luxury of the sunbeams.
Helen Keller
Our hands tell us alot about the person we are, our occupations, age and life.
What do your hands say about you. Take note
My hands are the things that shock me most about me growing old! I look at my hands and they have changed soooooo much (in fact sometimes I think they look so much like my mums!) They look like a mid 30's persons hands and that's not me, no sirey! On my hands I have a engagement ring, a wedding ring and an eternity ring - and that says alot about me. I am loved and I have a beautiful family at home who are there for me.....................ohhhhh deep for a hands prompt!!!
7th Jan
I'll have to owe this one as my printer is poorly due to some vellum being stuck in there - wooops!

Sunday, January 06, 2008

Meet the Bunnies!

Well here are the new additions to our zoo! They still don't live in the same hutch yet as they tend to try to kill each other! But they are due to go in and get 'done' soon so hopefully that will help! Their breed is called a 'Silver' and the flecks you can see are bits of silver in their coats, beautiful.

I never thought I would love have bunnies soooo much, they are certainly a welcome addition to our family!

This is Joe (and child lol!). With Joe, imagine a bonkers hysterical maniac, drinking red bull!!



And this is Freddie, a very quiet laid back bunny, until the above said bonkers bunny gets in his face!



So my objective is to take a photo of them without red eyes lol!



Shape Shifter

Here is my entry for Bex's shape shifter challenge. Scanner currently has a piece of vellum stuck in the printer bit - so we have to have photos I'm afraid!

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Review of 2007

Here is my 2007 review for the JB challenge. I've been a bit cheeky and done mine on a canvas. you can't really see it very clearly, I have written in between the piccies and done some doodling!

The 'and' handbag has the personnal and sad stuff that should be included but I didn't want it on show iykwim!


Tuesday, January 01, 2008

2008

Happy New Year everyone xxx