Goodbye 2007

A pretty picture of Pilch to see out the year - one of the highlights of the year was getting my DSLR camera - and to date I've taken nearly 400 photos with it. Not bad since I've had it less than 2 weeks!

This has been a good year for me. Starting college went better than I could have possibly imagined. Getting engaged and starting planning our wedding was a definite highlight of the year. A lot of the people I care about had a terrible time though - relationships breaking down, and some really terrible things I can't even begin to talk about. My wish for 2008 is that everyone has a year to remember for only good reasons.

I've signed up to Got Paint? - Emily Falconbridge's class on BPS. Can't wait. I'm totally in awe of her amazing work - hope some of her talent wears off on me.

Had my first lot of photos for the new camera arrive today - the colours are amazing! You really don't get the full affect on the computer screen. Hope my mojo hurries back as their are some beautiful ones I'm desperate to scrap. Might even have to resort to looking for sketches on challenge blogs which I normally avoid. I always feel like it's not 100% my own work, but it seems to work for other people, so may give it a try. any suggestions as to blogs to try would be gratefully received.

Happy New Year!

A good Christmas

Except that I was ill for the second Christmas running. Must start those Vitamins! Ruth and Alex were really good, and loved all their presents - favourites were Alex's bike (photo is his face when he realised what was under the blanket Father Christmas had used to wrap it), his personal DVD player (which didn't work so yesterday we had to brave the sales and take it back and buy a new - twice the price! replacement), their (very cheap) MP3 players which they listen to constantly, and Ruth's Hannah Montana stuff and Momiji doll - she is obsessed with Japan.

I was lucky enough to get the Crumpler camera bag I'd asked Santa for, and the Olivia and Friends stamps - so I now have all 3 sets.

John enjoyed Christmas as well even though he was ill too.

On Boxing Day we took Alex for his first ride on his new bike. It is a little big for him yet but he did really well, and obviously loves having a big boys bike. Both kids said it was the 'Best Christmas EVER!', so was all worth while. Tommorrow we are taking them to Cribbs Causeway so they can spend their Christmas money. Ruth's desperate to get a Hello Kitty from the Build a Bear Workshop, (more Japanese influence).

Was very bad and seduced by the sales in the UKS sponsers shops - only spent about £15 including postage, but its money I don't have til I'm back at college when I get my next installment of Student finance.

Heroes Fiend...

...according to the 'Addicted to Heroes' application on Facebook! I'm spending far too much time on the trivia quiz - and I've just discovered the graphic novels on the NBC website.

I did do a bit of creating last night though - started my mini chipboard books of our wedding. The first one is 'the proposal'.

HerSpace MySpace

Look what I've got!

My lovely shiny new camera! It's a Canon EOS 400D and I love it!!!! We went to Cribbs Causeway again yesterday and I bought it with my birthday and Christmas money from John Lewis. After staff discount and the cashback offer it will have cost £330. Not bad. I haven't been brave enough to try it on anything other than full auto, but am going to start reading the manual (with a box of chocolates to help me!) in a minute. I took lots of photos of Christmas tree decorations - they're not great, but it's a start.

I also managed to track down the Sizzix Bigz die I've been after for months in Hobbycraft, and today I ordered a Cuttlebug and some Revolution Dies - Tattoo Art - they're so Alex. Have no money left now though!

An update on my beautiful ring - the one John bought me originally which was the size the shop said I was was too loose - it was almost falling off, so heartbreaking as it was, we had to exchange it. H Samuel only keep 1 of each ring in stock so the chance of them having my ring in the right size was fairly remote, but we popped in to the one in Cribbs Causeway as we thought it was worth a try - they had it in a size smaller which was what I needed. We were stunned. And weirdly although it's an identical ring, the diamond looks far sparklier and John's mum and I both think it looks bigger (but may be because the band is smaller).

Here are some photos we took (had to wrestle MY camera from John to get a look in!)

My photos -






By John -

It's my birthday!!!!!

I had a feeling that this would happen!

Had the best day yesterday - we all went to the cinema and saw the Golden Compass. LOVE that film. We all did actually. I am a massive fan of the books, but I loved the film in its own right.

Then we went to the candlelight carol service at the church we're getting married in. It was the first time we'd been inside, and I'm so pleased - its lovely! John's Mum and brother came too, so it was lovely. Alex was really good for him, especially as he'd been sitting still all afternoon in the cinema.

On the way home we bought takeaway pizza (not healthy but I love it!), and when we got home John went upstairs for a while. I was sitting there with the pizza going cold watching snooker when he reappeared carrying a tiny (9") real Christmas tree. He knelt down in front of me and said "Will you marry me?" On the top of the Christmas tree where the star would go was this ring (well not this actual one, we couldn't get a good photo so I borrowed it from the website of the shop it came from. Once I've got my DSLR on Wednesday I'll recreate the Christmas Tree with ring). Of course I said yes! We have been planning our wedding for months after all!

And then Ronnie won the snooker 10 frames to 2 so I was very happy. We (John and I, not Ronnie and I!) shared a bottle of Taittinger champagne but I was so excited I couldn't eat more than one slice of pizza!

This morning Ruth, Alex, John and Pilchard came down singing 'Happy Birthday to you', and carrying my 3 presents - my gorgeous Emily Falconbridge camera strap, a memory card for my camera, and these stamps I just LOVE!

So its been a great few days for me - hope anyone who reads this has a great day and a lovely Christmas.

It's getting better....

...everything that is.

It's only 3 days til my birthday, and although I'm going to be 27 (!!!) I'm as excited as any nearly 7 year old. Have a feeling this'll be a fantastic one - will update on that if what I think may happen does. And I will finally be getting my DSLR next week - hooray!!

Secondly Alex is staring to make a small improvement in his behaviour, and Ruth has managed 2 nights without her ear infection waking her in agony.

And the final bit of good news - I got another 2 Distinctions at college. Was a total shock, as I don't think I'm as good at those areas as the 2 I got my results for last month. I got 75% for Constitutional Law, and 77% for Legal Sources and Skills. So my average is now 72.5% which is an overall Distinction.

Looking forward to Christmas (putting up the tree on Monday - a life long tradition which started when my Dad bought a set of fairy lights the day I was born, and they were the first thing I focussed my eyes on), and saw this on Katy's blog, so had to give it a go -

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper. I'm not much good at wrapping, but love it.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial - love real ones, but not practical with small kids and a cat.
3. When do you put up the tree? Always on my birthday - the 17th
4. When do you take the tree down? 12th Night unless the kids/cat combo forces us to take it down sooner.
5. Do you like eggnog? Never tired it - I do love Bailey's though.
6. Favourite gift received as a child? A computer compatible tape deck. That was so cool at the time - took half an hour to load a game though!
7. Do you have a nativity scene? No
8. Hardest person to buy for? John - men are sooo hard to buy for
9. Easiest person to buy for? Alex - the hard part is knowing when to stop!
10. Worst Christmas gift ever received? 'Smellies' that smell like ****
11. Mail or email Christmas card? Mail
12. Favourite Christmas Movie? The Snowman. But I always cry when he melts.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Noember
14. Have you ever recycled/regifted a Christmas present? Not that I can remember
15. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas? Lebkuchen - reminds me of Christmases with my Grandparents
17. Favourite Christmas song? Love all the Slade/Wizzard/Wham etc etc classics.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home
19. Can you name Santa's reindeer? Tried this with Ruth the other day - think we managed about 5.
20. Do you have an Angel on top of the tree or a star? Got a new one this year - its a sort of starry snowflake thing.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Day
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Overwrought kids!
23. Best thing about Christmas? The atmosphere and build up to it.

Being Brave

Today I'm being brave and going back to the GP to see if we can be referred to a Behavioural Psychologist. Having struggled for about 6 years, I think I've finally realised that Alex's behaviour isn't something I can tackle by myself.

I'm also hoping that the GP can write to the HA and get us moved up the transfer list, as we are desperately in need of a bigger house.

I'm scared at the moment - can't think about it without crying, so talking to the Dr. won't be easy. But it's something that needs to be done, and the sooner the better. One thing I've noticed from reading on the net is that a lot of problems in children are caused by the parents and their reaction to the behaviour. That makes me feel sooo much better.

I do feel better today than last week. I can see what could be a light at the end of the tunnel - but it could be a hallucination.

Hard Week

This has been one hard week. Alex has been poorly with a chest infection, and the anti-boitics he was given to make him better made him the most hyper-active I've ever seen. Really bad. Totally out of control. Today we went back to the GP and he's been taken off the medicine in the hope his body will make itself better. Hopefully the behaviour will calm down now. In a strange way though its been a good thing, as we now have some idea why his behaviour has been getting worse recently. Hopefully by cutting out hose additives, and other ones advised by health officials, we should have a chance of improvement.

Fingers crossed.

Haven' managed to do any scrapping yet this month - and hardly did any in November either. Want to, just don't have time or energy. Would love to start a Christmas journal - would be great way to use my new Bind-it-all which has barely been out of the box yet!

Wedding news!

We had a stroke of luck on Saturday when walking through the park - there by the bridge over the lake was a stunning Burgundy classic car. I hurried on over to ask for a business card, and amazingly they had one free on the 31st May, so we've booked it - its the one at the front of the photo - a 1939 Buick.
And this is where we'll be spending our honeymoon - we can only manage 2 nights so we'll have to make the most of it. Can't wait! Will be wearing my gorgeous new Hobbs purple silk dress that I got in John Lewis, as you have to dress for dinner.

Just need some shiny super high black heels to go with it! I love spending money!

Instant love!

Love this stamp! Managed to get it pre-release from Red Velvet Art. Never manage to kit the kits in time, but at least I managed this little beauty. It was waiting for me when I got back from my college tutorial today.

The tutorial went well. I was a little disappointed that I only got 68% for my essay (2 marks off a distinction, but still a merit), but the lecturer seems pleased with my progress, and said she expects me to get distinctions in future essays.

Went to Bristol on Tuesday and John got a beautiful Charlie Allen suit, and I've got the most fantastic purple silk evening dress for the honeymoon - so excited! We tried to book the honeymoon this afternoon, but just missed the reservations lady so will try again tomorrow. Did quite a lot of the Christmas shopping too.

That Was Hard!

I enjoyed the reading I did for the English Legal System essay on the judiciary - maybe that was why I found it so hard to keep to the word limit (went over by more than 100% but the lecturer said its not as important for this first on). Managed to give it in on Thursday, and fingers crossed I've done a fairly good job - I tried sooo hard! In contrast, the Contract Law assessment was an oral - we had to pretend to be a solicitor and advise a client (one of our other teachers) while our Contract teacher took notes. And I was TERRIFIED! Shook like a leaf - honestly, I've never felt so scared. Was convinced that I'd really let myself down - don't find Contract easy at the best of times, but when my brain just won't engage its nigh on impossible. But I got my result on Thursday - and somehow I managed to scrape a Distinction!!! And I do mean scrape - the minimum for a distinction is 70% which was what I got!

Haven't managed much scrapping though - well any actually! Have had some photos from Photobox arrive today though - only ordered them yesterday!

The wedding is booked for the 31st May 2008 - not long now! We're trying to decide what time to have the service. Its a very hard decision. We're thinking of late morning, then having a light lunch buffet for the reception. Just need to think if it'll leave us time to get ready. Well for me to get ready - don't think it'll take John very long, but I have hair and make up at the hairdressers which'll take about 1 1/2 hours, getting dressed etc, etc. And it'll take a while to get to the church.

We're going to Cribbs Causeway next week (study week!) to do the Christmas Shopping, and get John's wedding suit from John Lewis. Hopefully it'll be a really nice day - will be a nice change for us to spend some time just the two of us!

Managed to actually upload a LO for a change! Did this weeks challenge for UKS, and an acetate book for the cybercrop, so quite pleased with myself.

Feeling crappy today - throat like sandpaper - so hard to swallow, and aching like I've run a marathon. Think its because I've been working so hard for the past 6 weeks, and now I'm on half-term, my defences are down, I've got ill! So much work to do though, will have to fight it.

F1 final race of the season today - not a bad result - at least Alonso didn't win - we don't like him.

Kirsty W phoned again last night to discuss my wedding plans - always feel a bit overwhelmed when I talk to her - must get over that before the actual wedding!

I've been tagged!

I was tagged today by Sandie. Thanks mate! These are the rules.....
1. Post these rules
2. Share 7 random or weird facts about yourself
3. Tag and list 7 people at the end of your post
4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

So here we go....

1. My favourite TV program is Neighbours - yes sad I know, but I LOVE it!
2. I can't go anywhere without taking everything but the kitchen sink - If I don't have it I might need it though!
3. I work best under pressure. I need a looming deadline and a list of a million things to do to get motivated.
4. I love being up before the sun, but fall asleep before 9pm on the sofa every night
5. I secretly dream of being a singer, but the only person who thinks I have a good voice is me!
6. I am a tad obsessive - once I set my mind on something I just can't ret til I have it/have done it.
7. I'm turning into a Bridezilla!!!!!

so the people I have tagged are

Ruth

And everyone else I know with a blog ahs already been tagged! I need more friends.

So bad at this blogging thing!

Really intended to blog almost daily, but life has yet again got in the way.

Life is busy, but good. Wedding plans coming along well - dress ordered, florist, photographer and church booked. College is great, exhausting, but loving it! At the moment we are studying several different aspects of Law, and I'm enjoying them all.

And miracle of miracles I actually did my first LO in about a month yesterday! Felt good to be creating again. Am really going to try and do more.

And so exciting - got an email from Elsie (a scrapping idol on mine) - she had seen Ruth's design and thinks its so cute! Ruth (and me) are so chuffed she took the time to email. Really made our week last week!

The busiest week EVER

Ok I know how I keep saying that, but this really was.

College started Tuesday, and with it the kiddies first day at Breakfast Club. Fortunately they enjoyed it (although Alex was cross about not getting a long go on the Playstation apparently!). College was great. Really enjoyed feeling my brain coming back to life - felt a bit like when a butterfly hatches from its cocoon and its wings unfurl. I like the feeling of being intelligent - thought I'd lost it.

Loving Law - its one of those subjects that I just feel I can DO if you know what I mean. Some of the aspects aren't as enjoyable as others yet, but sure it'll come in time.

And yesterday went wedding dress trying on again. Different shop this time. The lady was great - looks at you and knows what kind of dresses will work with your figure and isn't afraid to tell you if you try one and it doesn't work. I tried 2 dresses the I love. One is £200 cheaper and more me though - and its one I'd found on the designers site and loved straight away, so think thats it. Just have to find a time for my mum and dad (and hopefully my friend) to come and see it, and think we'll be putting down a deposit. Oooh how exciting!

Only 2 days to go!

In 2 days time I will be sitting in my first lesson. I'm getting really nervous - real butterfly moments. Part of the nerves are because the money isn't in my account yet - sure I'll realax a bit more once it's there. My books (4 of them) arrived, and my MASSIVE tote bag I'm going to use for laptop and books etc, so at least I'm a bit prepared.

School going back was good. Kids looked gorgeous in there new uniform - the colour really suits them. On the first day the whole school gathered in the juniors playground to see the release of 400 (1 for each member of the school) helium balloons in the new school colour.

The kids seem to be getting on well with their new teachers - Alex has the best teacher Ruth ever had, so fingers crossed he'll do well with her, and Ruth is the only one in her class who doesn't have to read to her parents, she is so pleased she can just read to herself - which she loves doing anyway. As far as I can tell she can choose whatever she wants to read too - hopefully no more of those awful Ginn books she hated and wouldn't read.

Lots to do today - shopping, weekly challenge LO, roast dinner and all the ironing - fun!

Schools back tomorrow!!!!!

All together now - HOORAY! Only joking, I'll miss the little pumpkins. Not the bickering which they kept up constantly for 7 weeks though. 'We're not fighting' they'd tell me a zillion times a day as I'd ask them to PLEASE stop. Oh well. Ironed all the school uniform last night - only took 1 1/4 hours. Ha. Wouldn't mind never looking at an iron again. Don't think it helps that our iron is rubbish.

Won't have much time to get used to time on my own - John's on holiday til Monday, and I'm starting college on Tuesday. Stupid bus company has changed bus times, so looks like I may have to drive in on Tuesdays, but never mind.

Wedding Fair was good - managed to sort out florist and tiara maker (who can also decorate the cake) who both come out to you to sort out the details. Tried on a couple of tiaras and felt like such a princess!

And the BEST news - we can get married where we want with the vicar we want, as long as we get permission and banns read by our parish vicar - and the vicar we want to marry us is going to put in a good word for us with him if needed. So happy I can't say.

Enrolment at college was on Monday, and no, I hadn't realised what the queues would be like. It seemed like the wholeof Worcestershire was trying to enrol at the same time. So lots of people + rapidly running out parking ticket = very stressed me! Its done now though, and we've ordered my books (£92 ish for 4!!), and bag, and I've even got a couple of bits of stationary from good ol Tesco. Once my student finance money clears, have soooo much I need to buy, just don't know where I'll find the time.

Another busy busy week

And its flown by! The kids are back at school on Thursday - don't know where the holiday has gone! And only just over a week til college starts!

So this week - had a bit of a shock when the phone rang on Thursday evening, and it was THE Kirsty Wiseman. If you know me, you'll know that she's one of my absolute favourite scrappers and photographers, and she phoned to say she'll do our wedding photography!!! Soooooo excited. Need to make sure we can book the right date though - must do that ASAP. Just need OH to hurry up with his side of things!

Malvern Papercrafters was good - quiet, but that was nice as we could chat with people. We did a gorgeous little squeeze book, the first one I made is a birthday present for my Mum on Monday - must finish it and make her card.

Tonight we have a family do to go to - OHs cousin died recently, and it would have been his birthday today, so his family are celebrating his memory. Will be sad, but the kids haven't met their great Aunt and Uncle before, so hopefully it'll be the start of something good.

Tomorrow I'm going to a wedding fair with my sister - love those things! Her fiance couldn't make it, and as OH is on holiday, I get to go - yay!

And the LO is this weeks challenge on UKS. Love these swan pics. There is a single black swan that visits the river at Worcester, and its a rare and beautiful sight. Bare in mind that all my recent photos (like for the past 9 months) have been taken with the 3 MP camera on my mobile phone - in a few weeks I'll have an SLR, and can't wait to see what they'll be like then. Hopefully better!

I'm being drawn to the Canon EOS 400D (thanks Katy for the help and advice), but going to go and try out a few first before I come to a decision.

Oh, and my Student Finance Payment Schedule arrived in the end - was beginning to panic, as I need it for registration on Monday or I don't get my money. Such a relief I almost cried!

School Uniform Shopping!!!

Yep, it was finally the day to go and try and track down seemingly non-existent school uniform, on what I hadn't realised was the busiest school uniform shopping day of the year! Not fun.

It took 4 hours, but we managed it all pretty much in the end. And thank the Lord the price of the clothes is coming down each year - cos £36 each for shoes?! How can that be right. The trouble is, you see, that as well as being petite little things, who have waists a few sizes smaller than their age clothes size, they have high arches on their feet, so need more support than a lot of shoes give - which means they need Startrite shoes, which means EXPENSIVE. Worth it to protect their little ankles though.

Oh, and GREAT news - OH passed his theory test with 35/35 in the questions part.

Super talented daughter alert!

How clever is my baby! She designed these clothes al herself, inspired by Love Elsie, Roxy range. She wants to be a fashion designer, and then retire to Hawaii, and if you know Ruth, you'll know that if she puts her mind to something, there's not much that could stop her - so look out London, Paris New York and Milan - Ruth's Rock-Sy - rocking a girls world is coming!

Urgh

Feeling a bit rubbish today. So tired, and its hot and that the of the month, so feeling tetchy as well. Going to try and do some creating today - that should cheer me up.

Although I slept through last night, had horrible dreams, and feel more tired than when I went to bed.

Its been a bit of a busy week - Alex's birthday, and on Wednesday we went to Merry Hill shopping, and to see Transformers. John started at 7am again yesterday which is always a struggle.

At least the sun is shining - if it was miserable I'd be straight back to bed (not that that's possible with the kids at home!).

Hoping to get my student finance letter today, and still waiting for the solicitor to send John's cheque. Might have to phone them and hurry them up.....

My Baby Is 6!

Alex's birthday today - he's having a great day. He loved his presents, and opened them in record time.

We went to the Theatre and met PC Plum from Balamory - he was so nice, and said Happy Birthday to Alex, and he and Ruth had their photo taken with him. Was impressed with how natural he was with all the kids.

This is my latest creation - finished last night, and inspired by a Prodigy song title. Actually I made Alex's birthday card after this - I did a paper piecing of Makka Pakka from In The Night Garden, which took forever, but he loved it, and he had asked for a Makka Pakka card.

Got birthday cake and Dalek cookies to make this afternoon, so better go and get started....

These Shoes Rock!!

How cool are these shoes?! We got them in the Next sale at the beginning of the holidays when we were waiting for Morrison's to open (delayed due to the floods) so I could buy Harry Potter (so obsessed with those books), and Ruth has worn them all holiday - no matter what outfit she wore them with she made them work. She has such style - I should probably get tips from her!

Loved making this LO. Was pretty quick - under an hour I think. So pleased I managed to stamp onto the photo without it smudging - thank the Lord for Staz-On!!

I have filled all my scrapbook albums, so have worked out I need 4 more - a 12x12 (don't use that format as often any more, but for the occasional LO its necessary), 11x8.5 (my current favourite - I find it so much easier), 6x12 (just got into that, and its so much fun, and so quick and easy), and I've seen a 'Guess How Much I Love You' album that I want to do the baby photos in. Good job I'll have so much more money in a month isn't it!

Better go - Alex wants an exploding box for his birthday, and I haven't made his card yet - or this weeks Art Journal (I'm doing the Emily Falconbridge challenges, but only started last week, so on #2 - what is powerful to you - know what I want to do, just have to do it!).

Nearly forgot - the tooth fell out while he was brushing his teeth on Friday night. Thought he'd swallowed it, and he wrote a letter to the tooth fairy to say sorry, but I managed to find it inside his t-shirt! Took photos of the gap, so will scrap those at some point.

Uuurrrggghh I HATE this weather

I find it SO hard to do anything when its all dark and rainy like today - apart from fall asleep that is!

But I have managed to finish this weeks challenge on UKS. Not really a heritage scrapper, but using primary colours made this a pleasurable experience. The photo is of my granddad taken in about 1930, and on the back was written 'John 'the pickle' '. We don't know who wrote it or why, but its such a lovely photo, and the title and photo are inextricable linked to me, so that's why I used it as the LO title.

Got my timetable for September today. Relieved that it came, as was worrying about when I was supposed to enrol etc, so going to try and not think about it now, and enjoy the rest of the holiday.

Only 3 days til Alex's birthday - he'll be 6!!! How fast has that gone. He wants me to make him an exploding box with photos of him in, like the one I made Granny for her birthday, so better go and get that started.

Oooh how exciting - never been tagged before.

Thanks Katy for that.

And I'm tagging Paula, cos I love reading her blog, and she's so nice!

1st post....

.... of my new blog!

These next few months will be such a dramatic change for all of us. Starting college full time (I'm doing a Law HND - scary!), Ruth and Alex going to Breakfast and After School lub, planning our wedding - I can see that in the future I'll want to look back and see exactly what happened in the mad rush that was the 07/08 school year.

This was one of the 3 (yes 3!) LOs I did at the crop on Saturday. Baring in mind that I've never even managed to do a complete LO at a crop before, this was quite a feat. I'm loving scrapping so much at the moment. Can't wait til September when I have more money to buy all the stash I'm lusting after!

Oh and I think I may have found 'the' dress. Can't stop thinking about it! But can't post a picture, just incase 'someone' sees it.

I'm going to try and be very good, and blog regularly. Having a laptop for college will hopefully make that easier.

Its my little sisters birthday today - she says 22 sounds so old. Just wait til you're nearly 27!