congratulations....

to Beverly. Today she won the 'Wedding Planner of 2008' award.

Proud Mum moment!

Got to keep going..

Two weeks into my diet and exercise routine and I'm doing OK. I just hope I can keep the determination going. Actually the exercise bit is fine, Pilates on Monday, Aquarobics on Wednesday and Body Vibe (a mixture of low impact aerobics, dance and toning) and walking the dog each day. I have lost 6 lbs. in two weeks and my goal is the Egyptian holiday in July. I really won't cope with the heat unless I loose some serious weight.



We went to a barn dance on Friday evening, what a giggle! It's quite amazing how uncoordiated some people are and the mayhem it can cause on the dance floor. I love this type of 'do' far more than a disco.



I made this cot size quilt at the weekend for the Linus charity. This charity collects donated quilts and takes them to hospitals and homes to be distributed to children and teenagers who have suffered traumas or are very ill. The quilts are theirs for life or for parents to keep should the worst happen. ( Sorry about the awful, wobbly photo').

I was reading a thread on UKS about emotional LOs and how to journal and even if we should 'scrap' them. My answer is Yes why not. Many people hide the most personal writing and that's fair enough but why hide words that tell your nearest and dearest how much you love them. Why be embarrassed by your feelings. In the light of a very sad and tragic accident that Lindsay witnessed yesterday we should always let that love show because we never know what life might throw at us.

Any one on a diet?

If so you just might like these cakes! Totally calorie free but don't they look sweet. I knitted the cupcakes and the doughnuts are made from felt. Thanks to Lynsey for the link.

I have embarked on a fitness and weight loss campaign,there, now I've told you it might help me stick to it. On Monday I took part in my first pilates class, Wednesday was Aquarobics and today I have been to a BodyVibe class. I have to say that using the gym is not exactly fun although I shall try to have some sessions in there. I really did enjoy these classes and hope to do them most weeks.

Wednesday was a beautiful sunny day and after the aquarobics I ventured to the outside pool. submerged in the warm water up to my shoulders with the blue skys above and just the sound of a few swimmers splashing in the pool I could have been in any exotic location apart from the fact that my nose got cold! Braving the cold air in my wet swimsuit I returned indoors to enjoy 5 minutes on a hot bed. BLISS.

All three girls are off to the Isle of Wight to see Squirral and of course enjoy a girlie weekend. I shall be at home and looking after Lindsays' dogs untill Ed picks them up Saturday evening. Ethan will be here for the afternoon so I'm sure we will have a fun time and Ethan will love having his Grandad to play with.

We have been booking a few breaks this week. Our holiday to Egypt has been booked for a while now and Beverly and I are off to Italy again in August.This time to the 'heel' part of Italy which is a little more undiscovered. Michael and I will be spending Easter in Cornwall with friends. Michael will be helping to repair a tractor and maybe fit in some golf and I'm sure there will be plenty to keep me interested . The early May bank holiday will take us to Gloucestershire with the 'P posse'. We have to arrange a week or so to go away with Dad and we really must decide on a weekend to take Ethan away in the caravan with us.

Rachael and I are in the throws of arranging a scrapbookers weekend and tonight I am out with my Thursday sewing group for our Christmas meal (slightly delayed).

So lots to look forward to and hopefully less of me to enjoy it!!

Almost done.

At last, our bedroom is finished. Well, other than .

a picture on the wall and a couple of side lights.

I am so pleased with it and it looks twice the size it was. Here are a few photo's although they may be a little dark.

The new bed is so comfy. There is a cushion of Memory foam on top of the matress.It really does mould itself to your shape.

We had a very busy weekend moving beds, laying carpets hanging curtains. The other front bedroom is almost done too. It needs a headboard and then I will take some piccies. I'm really happy with all the bedrooms now. The bathroom looks good, so, next year we will have a review of downstairs. The kitchen is fine . The downstairs cloakroom needs a bit of attention and eventually the lounge will need a new suite. Dining room done. I think will have to make a mini book to show all the rooms as they are done.

NEW YEAR RESOLUTION...be more organised. Maybe I will then actually get more done instead of thinking about it! I'll stat by trying to plan what to do at the MK crop on Sunday. Watch this space.

Bits and bobs.....

So, Christmas is over barr the decorations coming down and how did it go?

As usual I enjoyed the preparations, gift buying, wrapping decorating and joining with the girls on Christmas eve to prepare the food and decorate the table for the day. Of course the best part was when Father Christmas turned up at Rachaels, just for a quick visit to say Happy Christmas. I kid you not!

I even had a little giggle when I was at the checkout in Tescos (Thursday before Christmas.) Along the conveyor belt in order came a bottle of wine, paracetamol and Zirtek (anti-allergy pills). The chap on the till looked up with a grin and said " Mmm , In Laws coming to stay?" I had to chuckle as indeed they were. Sorry , Sylvia and Ken if you should ever read this but I did think it was a clever quip.

The day itself was fairly quiet, although there were 11 of us. Delicious dinner and lots of lovely pressies. Poor Rachael was not feeling so good and had to have a lay down for an hour or so but otherwise battled on.

Boxing day was quite too. Rachael, Gary and Ethan came up for lunch but Rachael was still feeling ill so they went off early. Lindsay and Ed had gone down to visits his parents near Bath.

Bev and I had a pleasant walk with Bonnie and in the evening enjoyed watching 'Ballet shoes' which was one of my favourite stories when I was a little girl.

Thursday and Friday we finished decorating the bedroom, ordered a new bed and bought new bed linen and curtains for one of the other bedrooms .Today I have ordered new linens for our room from Next. Just carpet, lighting and a picture or two to sort out now.

Saturday was a busy day. 13 for lunch (16 if you include the dogs!) More pressies . Quizzes and banter. Ethan and Kaila loved playing together and they were so good, a credit to their parents.

Ethan slept the night and UncleEd (that's how he says it) was conned into reading rather alot of bedtime stories.

So just New Year to come now. I'm not sure if we are going out and I shan't be bothered if we don't.

Anyway, Happy New Year to anyone who might be reading, I belive there are one or two who visit.

So, the bedroom is now prepared for our new wardrobes which are to be delivered next week and installed on the 17/18th. I shall be very pleased to get all our clothes back in one place instead of spread around the other bedrooms.

Today was the Dickens Fair in Olney. Sadly it was very wet but there still seemed to be alot of people around. I hate using an umbrella but I also hate getting my hair wet. I did get this photo' of Lindsay and I think she looks pretty good with hers.

Here are the pics. of the canvases I made earlier in the week, the red one is going off as a Christmas card to Michaels parents.

Tomorrow Beverly and I are off to the Cotswolds, it is her birthday on Tuesday and she has two days off work.We shall have a wander around the villages and the gift shops, a nice lunch and hopefully take a few nice photos', I hope they will be wintery ones not soggy ones!

Ouch!

Yesterday afternoon I mopped the floor in the dining room . Ten minutes later , forgetting the floor was damp I slipped over and ended up under the table! I now ache down one side particularly my shoulder and hip. Good job I'm well padded.

I managed one LO at the crop on Sunday, here it is and yes , I am that old. Also a picture of two little snowmen, who I have named Iggy and Oggy just because I wanted to.

I have a whole day at home today,other than taking the dog out for a walk. I am hoping to get a lot done. Some cooking to put in the freezer for Christmas. Some wrapping of presents and lists of things still to do. Tomorrow is Swap a craft day so I have to finish two sample canvases ( pic. next time). I also have some fabric crackers to finish and put little gifts in for a couple of friends at my Thursday evening sewing group.

So, I'd better get cracking.

Cards.

Have enjoyed getting these cards ready for the ladies at our craft club to make on Wednesday.Sorry the photo's are a bit wonky! They are not originals by me, the snowman comes from a lovely book of christmas ideas and the gingerbread one was in a supplement with Papercraft Inspirations.

I have made another set of coasters and have been making fabric yo-yos for hair and beard of a Santa, photo' when finished.

Ethan had a sleep-over here last night and was thrilled this morning to help Grandad take down some of the wardrobe doors in our bedroom in preparation for the new ones. We have a lot of work to do before the 16th Dec. The old built in wardrobe has to be covered up, the carpet removed, all clothes relocated and paper taken off the walls and repapering and painting to do.

Our friend who has been having treatment for cancer is not doing too well. He has just started another course of chemo. Sadly it will only be holding back the problem not curing it.

Sometimes it seems that all news you hear is bad news. Lots of little things have been happening lately and after a while it begins to get one down a bit. I am well aware there are people with far worse problems that us but in the end your problems are your problems . I did however read another blog and here is a small extract that took my eye.

' Your heart can break when you loose a loved one or a good friend, a special pet or when a child suffers. But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken or bruised is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.'

Got to keep busy.

Today will not be a good one for Rachael and Lindsay. No matter what age your children are you just want to make everything better for them. Most often you can't. You just have to be there and feel it all with them. I am very proud of the mature decision they have made for Squirral and it seems he is going to a very loving home .



Any way I have been keeping myself busy this morning. I have tidied and hoovered, walked the dog, cleaned the loos!The christmas cake is in the oven and puddings are steaming on the top. I will be seeing Rachael and Lindsay this afternoon.



Michael had another 2 small bits of skin cancer removed yesterday. I actually managed to persuade him to come home afterwards. He normally goes straight back to work, in nearly 20 years with the same company he has had only a handful of days off sick.



I did have a good 5 days at Knuston Hall and here are some of things I made.The matching set of tree skirt, mantel runner and table runner are for Lindsay and Ed. The set of coasters are a small gift for a friend. I have to make some more crackers to put gifts in and the two little trees joined together will have ribbon attached to hang cards on. I have some more things to finish and lots more ideas, just hope I have enough time!

Nice things.

Another week gone, but what beautiful weather. Beverly and I took Bonnie for a walk along the river this afternoon and enjoyed a short rest on a bench whilst Bonnie had a paddle! We are so lucky to have such lovely places so close to home.



Last night we watched the fireworks down on the Charity field, brilliant display well worth the £3 each that it cost. Afterwards we had a delicious meal at Rachael and Garys'. Celery soup( made by me), Chilli and jacket potatoes(made by Rachael) and Bread and Butter pudding or jam steamed sponge made by Rose.) Ooooh those calories!!!



I have enjoyed making these little felt snow people this weekend. They have a little backpacks that small gifts can be put in.

On Wednesday I am off to Knuston Hall for 5 days of christmas crafts and I have plenty of projects lined up. I have been sewing more than scrapping for the last couple of weeks but after Christmas there will be plenty of time to catch up with that and hopefully some new photos'.