ABC update

Ok here are some ABC pages - I'm not sure where Sue and Em are up to but I seem to doing these every night! Not sure if it's because we are nearly finished or I know what pages I am going to do for the remaining ones! My main excitement is that I am actually filling an entire book, how sad is that - I have been scrapping for 7 years now and do not have a full scrapbook! Well until now anyways!

So here are my pages - not in order but blogger is playing up and they've been deleted 4 times when I put them in order, so it's as they come I'm afraid!


This is a photo my friend John took for his photography coursework (I could never say that it was one of mine!) I love the flow of the water, and to know this is just down the road from me is amazing! There's some journalling behind the photo about how we moved up, and I don't understand Yorkshire people and they don't understand me but we seem to be able to live alongside each other!

This is one of my fav photos as I think it is the only one with the 7 of us in. It is Gail and Rob's wedding day. The quote says 'Families are like fudge, mostly sweet with a few nuts'. This is not an indication that Rob is a nut - more (and I know he can appreciate this) that there are some in this photo who could come under that label ;o)

Not sure about this one! My mum makes quilts as a hobby and we have the most amazing quilts on all the beds, plus wall hangings, plus table runners etc etc. So I took lots of photos of all the quilts and I found this offcut that mum wouldn't use cos she wasn't 100% happy with it! So at first I used it as the background, but it got lost under the photos - so I decided to use just the square..........may have to think about this one!

This is the most expensive 12x12 paper I have ever used, but worth it for this subject ;o)

This is about my PGCE course and my classmates. I 'borrowed' stationery off some of them and used them here. There are two sheets under the main front page, which describes my time on the cours.

Really don't like this one! I had one planned since the start about my maternal side of the family who are Matthews. I know exactly how it is going to look and what I am going to say ......... but have realised I have one cousin who no-one has any photos of - how bad is that?! So I grumpily did this one lol! But I will do the Matthews one, at some point.

N is drying and T is designed in my head but can't find the bloody photo I wanted to use!!

Coooooeeeeeeeeee!

Well hello! I have been through the black hole of working out how to get my students through their exams, finish all my coursework for my PGCE, finish all my observations and gradings, working out how the hell working in education works (cos it is soooooooo confusing compared to the 'real world'), weekends at the caravan, training the dog, and crafting....................and here I am!

Have enjoyed the last few months but they have been the hardest yet! But worth it - but that's a whole new post ;o)

Anyways, this has been happening recently!

This is Ollie and his best bud, when we took them BOTH to the caravan for the weekend. Asleep at 10.45pm and awake at 5.45am - me and Tony were knackered! But they seemed to have fun.

This is my Thursday night class - all working mature students, who I LOVED teaching. I am gutted they have all finished as I looked forward to teaching them..........I asked them to stay another year but they said no!

And this is my PGCE class - we're all teaching now woo hoo! I have made some great friends on this course x

PS - really want to talk about Grey's but Sue hasn't watched it yet so I can't!

I'm back!

and it's not been 4 months!

Have had a great bank holiday weekend. Saturday we went to see Monsters v's Aliens, which apparently was very good...........I say apparently cos I slept through about 85% of it! Then we went to the park with Ol's best friend for the afternoon.

Sunday was a day visit to the caravan - it's mum and dad's turn this weekend. Which is fab cos it means we get to go for the BH at the end of the month. Today was less exciting! Morrisons for dinner, then shopping................woo hoo!

Anyway here are a couple of pages for my ABC.

J is for Joy - wanted to experiment and do a page with no photo. Never done it before and not sure I will again! Seems all wrong iykwim!

K is for Knight in Shining Armour. The photo is from legoland and under the vellum is a hymn that we sang in the St George's parade that Ol went on for Beavers - as soon as we started singing it I knew what my K page was going to be. Odd where the inspiration comes from eh?!!

L is Legoland! Our annual trip which has three different years of photos on!

This is a canvas that I made for my friend. Her dad was the inspiration behind Calender Girls and whilst we all love the story (especially living in Skipton, as you tend to stand next to them at Tesco's etc!) it is sometimes easy to forget that he died and she misses him. So this week saw the opening night of the stage show, which she loved. So I thought I would do her a little momento - with sunflowers and pearls ;o) Hope she likes it!

And here are some photos of our holiday.

Shhh - Monty's hunting wabbits!

Crazy golf - every holiday should have one!

These pictures are hysterical! There is a monkey at a local wildlife reserve and as soon as he sees a camera, he strikes a pose! The funniest game is to keep walking away and then pull out the camera - he does it everytime! We were in fits of laughter - so so funny!

This is one of the views from our caravan - heaven on earth!

Knock, knock who's there?

ME!!!!

Hello there! I've been awol for a bit now! We sacked AOL cos they were rubbish, then went to BT and quite frankly I lost the will to live! But we seem to be back online for a bit so I thought I would say hi!

I won't bore you with the last 4 months but it has been fast, fun and furious! We'll just start blogging going forward iykwim! New job is going great. Very happy with the decision and no looking back. We have been spending quite a bit of time at the caravan which is ace. We all love it there soooooooooo much. We went for easter for the two weeks, so have tons of photos. Am going to make Ollie a scrapbook, as I think he deserves a little book cos he always says how nice it would be to get one, bless him!

I have been crafting this week, probably first time in months and I have loved it. Have done my K and L pages, so will post those soon.

Just a little you tube vid to show you - we were involved in a charity concert night last week and this was our 'turn'. Bet you can't see me (hint - all my lecturer colleagues are above 5'6" lol).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pir_felTBbU

well that went quick!!!

So, since I have last blogged, my baby has turned into a 7 year old! This was at his friends party - the joint one with Jamie, think he liked it ;o)

And we have had xmas and new year!!!

We had a great time, spent with family - as it should be. With it being Ollie's bday the week before, I do brace myself for what he is going to get and where we are going to put it all!!! I think this year is a record!

Of course alot of his pressies seem to have a duel purpose, his dad also seems to be playing with them alot too! Like the scalectrix and some ball bearing roller coaster thing - just translate that into very large(taking up all the room on the table) and noisy!!!

And I met a certain little angel! Her name is Avalon, Ava for short (which also spells out her initials - very clever!) So what is worse, the fact that I was excited because I always have 'v's left in my alphabets (which Sue did also comment on so she is just as bad) and now I can use them all up OR that when I saw her I knew my first page was sorted as her babygrow matched my Blonde moments paper!!!! *blush* or does that just mean that's it, I am a scrapbooker and nothing else?!!

And I am very proud of myself cos I have finished my 25 days. Of course Sue was much cleverer than wot I was and posted photos as she went along! So prepare yourself for tomorrow's post as there may be a few pages to go at ;o)

So, I hope you all had a great xmas and new year and here's to 2009!!!!

Now that was a good day!

You know when some days are just so good?!!

This morning I went into work for an hour, mainly for secret santa ;o) I got a pink fluffy water bottle and socks - I mean how well does that person know me?! Then I left to go to Harrogate, and will not be back until after chrimbo!

I went to Harrogate for the Lance Anderson Art from the Heart class - was fabby! I just love going on any afth class, it doesn't really matter which one! But this one was great cos Lance was taking the class and we were using Rusty Pickle paper, which I love.......The book was a school memories one, and yes I was the only one who was making it for myself! Plus I got to see Dyan again and Kirsty - who I generally see once every 3 years!! We didn't get to giggle as much as usual, he really does work us hard!!!

Sorry Kirsty for having a grubby lens *blush* she does not like them grubby!

And then I went to college, for David our tutors last lesson and we finished early and went to the pub! Don't get much better than that!!

Ollie went bowling the other night with his footie friends

It's his 7th birthday tomorrow. Why does 7th sound so much older?!! It's almost 10!!

Life changing week!

And that might sound OTT but I promise that is what it feels like!

Monday - went to work, Ollie went to his Beavers xmas party.

Tuesday - had an interview for the teaching job I have always wanted and why I am studying for the PGCE. Have not had an external interview for 15 years so was very scary! I had to do a 10 minute presentation and then was interviewed for another hour. Then went to college.

Wednesday - they said they would let me know today, so when it got to 7pm I figured I hadn't got it and had decided I didn't really want it anyway, and I would be better off not getting it and I wouldn't be any good anyways............ring ring, well done you got the job!!! So I asked for the night to think about it - despite my husband, sister and parents screaming cos I got it!!

Thursday - went into work, and realised how much I wanted the teaching job so I rang up college and accepted. Then that night went out for our team night out - which felt awkward (however the 4th pint managed to help ;o))

Friday - I handed in my notice. Now Em is getting cross with me at this stage cos I have got my dream job and why am I sad? Because I have only ever worked for this company since leaving uni, and I have been there for 15 years! So I did it - and saw genuine shock from my colleagues! I was ok until I had to tell my team. We are such a good and positive team now and tbh the only reason why I would stay is because of them.........so that was a tough meeting! I kept it together and then went and sobbed in my car for half an hour! But then I felt much better!

Saturday - I felt in real shock that my week had actually taken this route! But dh took me to Hobbycraft and Pizza Hut so I felt much better!

Sunday - mum and dad took us out for lunch today to say well done - which is weird cos I have been focusing on the bad stuff of leaving my job and NOT on the positive side of getting my dream job!!! So now I am a happy bunny and looking forward, not backwards!

Atm moment the boy is watching Jumanji, which is fab cos I have wanted him to watch it for ages! He is loving it - which I thought he would. Then tonight he is bowling with his football club!

Of course - I haven't taken hardly any photos this week! So I may have to be a bit more creative!

Looking forward to next week, I have an Art from the Heart course, Secret Santa at work, Ol's 7th birthday and finish work for chrimbo! I don't know how my 25 days of december is going to cope with much more! (and I am almost keeping up - just a few more to do!)

Crafting? Me? Never!!

Well belief or not, I have been crafting!

Here are my first pages for my 25 days book.

I've written a blurb of what is happening at the moment ie where we are working, what class Ollie is in, my course at college........it's inside the envelope, so not on constant display.

Shhhh don't tell anyone but the xmas trees are peel offs!!! Looks ok though cos they are on white vellum, so somehow I think I get away with it lol!

This is on acetate - I just can't photo it!

Couple more photos, this is me and Max my godson at his big brother's party (Bex is so good to have his party early so I can do the 7th page on this, nothing to do with the baby being due on his birthday!)

And this is the ultimate relaxed and chilled puppy - fast asleep and snoring!! Oh to be a dog!

Bored now....................

How much flippin snow now?!!! My night out to the Comedy Club in Leeds has been cancelled, so we got some roast dinner stuff from M&S to cheer me up...........although I think the profiteroles may do a better job ;o)

Work has been manic, they actually think I can control the weather!

Boy and man have had a day off together - both driven each other nuts I think!!!

Still haven't managed to get my photos printed but I am keeping up with the pages, and crafting - which is destressing me again. So here are today's offerings..............can you see a link here ;o)

(do you think he quite likes the snow?!!)

Bbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

OMG how cold is it here?! As you know I am responsible for looking after disasters, one of which is snow or severe weather.....................so you know when it is time to move on when you look out of the window and your first thought is not about work or the staff, but oooooooooooooooooooooh I am gonna have some great piccies for my 25 days lol!

Well here is a little idea of how cold it is!

Page two is done - woo hoo, am keeping up lol!

There may be a theme to the next few days of blogging ;o)

1st December

Woo hoo - so far so good lol! I have remembered to take a photo for today and I have even made the page. Of course I can't print out the photo as my printer has decided to stop - but I will go into Max Spielman's tomorrow and the next day and the next and the..........;o)

So today Ollie wanted to go to Focus and buy some decs just for his tree. I promised him last year (apparently!) that he could chose his own tree and the decorations all by himself. We have a little space on the landing, so I thought why not! No-one but us will see it and he will have some fun. So we went to Focus and he chose his stuff..................and I swear to 'you know who' I did not guide him, bribe him or anything. The following tree is all his and he even decorated it! And yes I know what you are thinking and yes he probably is! But hey, I am SOOOOO proud!

Ironic?

Over the last few months I have been soooooooo busy I have not had a chance to do anything! All this time I have had a blog and not really said an awful lot, now I have so much to tell you I don't have time to do it!

So a short recap of what has been happening!

I am still teaching my little teenage darlings, except now I think I have broken through the pain barrier and I (and so it seems them) are now quite enjoying it! I had my graded lesson a few weeks ago, this is when a member of the college turns up and you have no idea when and they

assesses how you teach etc. You are graded 1 - 4, 1 being outstanding (which no-one ever gets), 2 being very good (normal grade for everyone), 3 is average and 4 is poor - you get either of these two and your teaching hours suddenly get reduced lol! Well I have been questionning myself and really struggling with college, so when I got a grade 1 I nearly fainted! I think it helped having two guest speakers from the Fire Service, who were GORGEOUS! Really disliking work atm but I do have an interview for a full time teaching job soon, so fingers crossed!!

Someone has come to live with us...........he is cute, and he is kissy and he is the most annoying pet I have EVER had! I never realised how hard having a puppy is, especially when he is so puppyish!

This is the first day:

And this is today, 4 weeks later:

And I promise, he does not have diamontes on his collar! They are reflective bones and I couldn't get them not to reflect!

I have to say though, I am loving the walks! We go for lots of walks in the day and I am seeing so many things I never knew were there cos I usually drive passed them! Plus I have seen lots of sunrises and sunsets, which I have to say I have never done really before...... I just hope he calms down soon, he is doing my bloody head in!

Erm what else? Ooooooooh I had a birthday, with gorgeous pressies as ever from Sue and Em! Plus I got one of Sue's fabby xmas organisers, although this year she has got a challenge to get me organised! (although we have nearly finished all the pressies, much to Em's disgust!). Stunning card as always from Kathy x

For one of my pressies, I got a Art from the Heart voucher (yeay). So I have booked myself onto the Lance Anderson from Rusty Pickle class - quite excited actually! It is a first school book, and I may just be the saddest person to actually be making it for me rather than my child!!! Well, we will see - I may allow guilt to take over and do it for Ollie instead!

Lastly, cos you must be bored by now! Sue and I are doing the 25 days of xmas together. I really wanted to do this as I need to get me doing some crafting again, as I am feeling stressed and I need to chillax as my child says! Plus due to having to give up the 365 (which I am still niggled about lol!) I wanted to at least do some crafty record of the year!

So here is my book. I did not make it too christmassy on purpose as I have soooooooooooo many non-christmas things happening in December (like Ollie's and Tim's birthday's (7 years old OMFG!), birth of Bex's little girl, and teaching stuff - although I did use christmassy colours so it didn't look too out of place! Not up to Sue's standard, but hopefully it will look better when it is full of stuff!

(oh and prizes go to the person who knows where I put my book rings!!!)

(oh and apologies for the messy desk!)

So, nice to see you again, and I'll see you again tomorrow!