Call out the District Nurse!

That's me! We seem to have an endless stream of illness in the family over the last few weeks and this week is no exception. This was my agenda today...

Take Ethan to school as Rachael has been ill since the weekend.

Do a bit of shopping for Beverly who is also off work ill, visit and administer cold drinks, and TLC.
Check on Jet and Sasha as they also have been off colour. I had them at my house on Tues. and Wed. ( We won't talk about the carpet!)

Visit my Dad who was up last night with tummy trouble.

Collect Ethan , play, feed and deliver him home, bath and bed.

Check on Rachael.

Check on Dad.

Call to check on Bev.

So with my back and a tummy bug, Michaels bug and Bonnie seems a little off her food today, hopefully that will be our lot for a while. Ethan would like to know why the Big Bug (gers) keep getting us?

Our family also seem to attract odd happenings. A car appeared on our front lawn on Tuesday lunchtime. It had rolled from the lay-by opposite and luckily missed my car and also Lindsays. Unfortunately it also missed the fench that needs replacing, it would have been handy to claim on their insurance. Mind you not quite as exciting as a cow on the run from the police or a jogging tortoise but thereby hang other tales!

Still, we managed a pleasant weekend away. Michael and Richard were like two little boys playing with the tractor and they also slipped in a game of golf.

off we go!

Well, at last I am feeling more myself. My back is just about recovered, just need to be a bit careful. I also picked up the nasty bug and spent a few days not knowing which way to turn IYSWIM! Michael managed to catch it too but, of course he had it far worse !



I certainly do feel grateful for my usual good health. Being stuck indoors day after day is NOT fun and I was glad to get out with the dogs for a walk. Today I managed to cut the grass and tidy up a bit but I do feel tired now so having a rest this afternoon.



There is alot to fit in next week before we go off to Cornwall for the Easter weekend. Michael will be mending a tractor with his friend but I'm just going to have fun and do some exploring. We will be based at a B & B called Cadson Manor nr Callington. Have a look at the web site. It looks lovely and we are not paying!

IMPROVING

Well, my back is improving. I can almost stand upright now and it is uncomfortable and stiff rather than painful. I'm not able to walk far without it becoming very achey but it's defineately on the mend. One strange thing that happened was that my left hand became very swollen. On Thursday night I was woken because my hand and finger were so sore. Whilst my wedding ring has been fairly tight of late I could stil move it around but on Friday morning Michael had to cut it off as is was so tight. I have never taken my ring off since the day it was put on and I found it quite upsetting, just a sentimental thing I suppose. I have been to the jewelers and they have quoted a price to enlarge it and I shall have my engagement ring done at the same time. They advised me to wait a week or so to let my finger recover.

Poor Ethan has picked up a tummy bug and is off school at the moment. Hope he won't be kind enough to pass it around.

Olney crop on Sunday, so looking forward to that and I know what I am going to do.

Rumbles and grumbles.

I did feel the earthquake on Wednesday morning although at the time I didn't register what it was. It certainly made the bed shake and I remember wondering what it was but as it was only a few seconds I just went back to sleep !

So, that's the rumble and the grumble?

I went to get my socks out of the drawer on Tuesday morning and my back went PING!!! Oh, it did hurt. I think the muscles went into spasm and all I can do is wait for them to relax again. It feels a little easier this morming ( I couldn't have sat a the computer yesterday to type). The annoying thing is that I feel fine in myself and want to do lots of things but then I try to move and Ouch. Still it makes me appriciate how lucky I am normally being able to move freely . I am missing my exercise classes and it seem so stupid that after all the exercise I have done in the last couple of months a small bend to the drawer causes a problem.

Yesterday I resorted to watching some daytime TV. Good Morning was OK in parts and I enjoyed Alan Titchmarsh in the afternoon but I just can't understand how a fit and healthy person could bear to sit around watching TV all day when there are so many other things they could do.

I have Jet and Sasha here today and Bonnie is not too thrilled. She has been very brave and has joined us downstairs but is very pointedly staying in a different room.

I have finished the hanging for our bedroom. Here it is and I am quite pleased with it. Some of the squares are 3D but that doesn't show up very well in the photo'.

I have Lindsays dogs with me today. She started her new job yesterday and can't get home at lunchtime now so has arranged various outings for them. We are hoping the sun comes out this afternoon as we will be taking them to Salcey forest for a good walk.

Last week we booked a weeks holiday in Cornwall. Dad, Dave and Liz will be with us. Dave and Liz have not been to Cornwall before and as Michael and I love it there, we are really looking forward to showing them our favourite places. Dad hasn't been for about 12 years. He will be taking his electric scooter with him so will be able to get around quite well.

These two LOs were done at the Sunday Olney crop.The first one was taken just after Ethan had his last haircut. He was very pleased with the way the barber had spiked his hair. It does make him look a lot older though. The other one is Michael and I when we were 20 years old ( 2 1/2 years apart I might add). How we have changed. Michael still does that grin though!!

Rachael, Gary and Ethan are on the move again, they are gradually creeping nearer to us! I hope it all goes smoothly this time as the last move was a nightmare. Claire , if you read this Rachael says she will be sending you a new address book!

Why get stressed?

On the home page of UKS this week is a poll asking if you get stressed about scrapbooking. I am amazed that well over half the people that have responded say that they do. For goodness sake, scrapbooking is supposed to be a pleasure, a relaxation, a hobby. I can see that someone on a design team might get a bit stressed if they have deadlines to meet, likewise those that do it as a profession. Otherwise, what is there to get stressed about? Maybe I am missing something!

I have been busy knitting more cakes this week for Beverlys friend and the ladies at craft club enjoyed having a go too. On Monday I am going to a sewing day and have been gathering fabric to make a small hanging for our bedroom. Will post a piccie when it's finished.

It was Michaels birthday yesterday but we have transferred it to today as he had a do on at work last night. We will be having a yummy buffet tonight with the girls, Gary and Ethan.

MK scrappers meet at Olney tomorrow so must get myself organized for that. I am determined to get something substantial done. Our retreat is booked for October. Rachael & I went to visit the venue on Tuesday, it looks fab and very good value for money.

Must get on with the preperations for this evening.

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.