Do you know The Secret?

I suffered from terrible depression from as early as I can remember until I was in my early 20s. Then one day I woke up and thought 'I deserve better.' I refused to let it get the better of me, and from then on, I became a positive person. I could always see the positive aspects in any situation. And things went my way - it was as if I always fell on my feet.

Then I started getting stressed with college, the wedding etc, and lost that feeling. I remembered reading on Kirsty's blog about The Secret, and when I spotted the book on a lunch break trip to WHSmiths, I had to get it.

Started reading it, and ok some of it is a bit 'American' but a lot of it makes sense. I'm back to my usual happy positive self, and focusing on the good stuff.

If you haven't read it, Google it and see what you think - some of the film is on You Tube too. Even if it doesn't work - thinking positively makes such a difference to your life.

My first Studio Calico kit arrived a few days ago, and the latest Red Velvet Art one today - can't wait to play, but have just finished a Land Law essay, and have a Criminal Law assignment(client advising) to prepare for Thursday, so being good and getting that done first. Treated myself to a long reach stapler yesterday too - its massive!

John's driving test tomorrow at 9.37am, so any positive thoughts our way would be greatly appreciated!

Product Road Test

Got this lovely adhesive runner in the post from Design Objectives (aka Docrafts), with a list of questions to answer. It usually retails for £4.99. Never adverse to a freebie, especially a scrap related one!

This the LO I made using the EZ runner. Also used BasicGrey Sultry papers and fibres (thanks Katy!), 7gypsies card, American Crafts Thickers, chipboard and Maya Road stamp. Very impressed that the adhesive held the chipboard.

1. How often do you use adhesive? Several times a week

2. What is the main type of adhesive you use? Double Sided Tape

3. What do you look for in an adhesive? Ease of use, value for money

4. How easy is the product to remove from its packaging? Very easy

5. Does the product appeal to you? Yes - I like the shape and colour

6. How easy is the product to use? Fairly easy, although it would be better for me if the case was slightly smaller as I have small hands

7. How well does the product perform? Very well - I particularly like the way that it can go round corners and curves

8. Do you like the product? Yes, very much so

9. Do you consider it good value for money? I think it would be better value if it had more adhesive, was refillable or was slightly cheaper

10. Would you consider buying this product in the future? Yes
11. What would make you more likely to buy this product in the future? If it was slightly cheaper

12. What would make you less likely to buy this product in the future? If it was more expensive, or had less adhesive in it

Really enjoyed doing the road test - if anyone needs anything else testing, drop me a line!

VAST rock!!

We went to the Bar Academy in Birmingham last night to see our favourite band EVER. They were soooo good. Am now deaf, ears ringing and throat like its been sandpapered, but it was so worth it.

Best song of the night was either Touched or Last One Alive. We got laminated passes which Jon Crosby (he IS VAST) signed. Not sure any of my photos came out. The girl next to me had a Canon DSLR (looked just like mine) and telephoto lens, and got some awesome shots - wished I'd taken mine!

So tired now though. Went on the train and got home at 12.30am. Asleep by 1.30 and up to take John to work at 6.15 - not good!

My GPS thing arrived yesterday. Haven't had chance to play with it yet though.

Realised last night that we're getting married NEXT MONTH!!

First Geocache!

This morning we had to take John to work for 8am (which was actually 7 as the clocks had gone forward), and it was a beautiful day, sun shining, everything all clean from the night (and previous day's) rain, so Team DM Pirates went Geo caching. Have been hearing about this from KW and Jane for ages, and it sounded like so much fun - especially when the weather is nice.

So Ruth, Alex and I took a trip into town, and after a good bit of searching from the clues on the official site, we found our first cache! It was just a logbook to sign, but the feeling of achievement was amazing. Especially as we don't have a GPS yet - it should arrive mid next week. We did try another, but this was a bit harder, and I think we do really need a GPS for that one, so will try again once its arrived (and take John with us - he's not as self-conscious about rooting around!).

Only 62 days left til the wedding now. I think we're pretty much on target. Have organised for the reading of the banns in our parish, had first dress fitting (OMG it looks soooo good! Couldn't believe the difference having the right size made. And 4 1/2" heels might have helped!). Got Alex's suit (he looks so cute!), and John's shirt and wedding present ;) Just need to get his and Ruth's wedding shoes, and for Rosie's dress to arrive, and the only other thing really is the food. We bought the wedding rings a few weeks back - mine is an 18ct white gold super heavy weight 3mm one which goes perfectly with my engagement ring, and John's is a 5mm Platinum one - cost as much as both my rings put together which I think is nice.

Have a Land Law essay I've been putting off all holiday, and have to prepare for a Criminal Law oral - advising a client on their liability for murder, so really should be getting ready for that, but have trouble getting motivated unless a deadline is looming. I thrive on stress and deadlines!

Wahoo!!

Finally my dress has arrived. Got the first fitting a week on Friday - just hope I fit into it.

Gave blood for the first time last Wednesday - it made me feel awful and did strange things to my heart but its something I've always wanted to do.

Friday was the 29th February - the one day in every 4 years that women are 'allowed' to propose to men. John had been saying how nice it must be to be proposed to. I was saying that I didn't need to as we were already engaged. Then I spent the whole day making preparations. Made an 'engagement cake' wrote 'will you marry me' on it with icing, bought him a watch, and candles, and roses (for the rose petals). Popped out for an hour for my facial and to have my eyebrows waxed (ouch). We picked him up from work, and then sent him upstairs while we lit the candles, and scattered the rose petals. I think he was pleasantly surprised - he said yes anyway!

College is still going well - I've had 2 merits (60% and 68%), and 6 distinctions (70%, 70%, 75%, 75%, 76% and 77%) so far. That's an average distinction so I'm happy. Lecturers are happy except that I'm not stretching myself enough. Got the details of some companies that might take me for work experience in the summer for Aidan today. He seemed to think that the highest profile company which only take the best students might well take me, but as they don't do criminal law, I'm not sure they'll be right for me. He did say there's a new female partnership that do criminal law, and that he knows one of them and thinks she'd like me, so is going to try and find me the details. If work experience goes well, a job can come of it, so I really need to make the most of this opportunity.

Lots of news - and 99 days left to go!!!!

So this is how I'm having my make up for the wedding - my eyes look huge and I have the cheekbones of a Russian aristocrat! (Or at least that's what my beautician makes it look like;-). Only 99 days to go til the wedding - can't believe its going so quickly. That's like no time at all and I still have so much to do. My dress hasn't even arrived yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a super cute photo I took of John and Ruth looking like twins! Without planning it they had worn matching clothes, and sat in the exact same way watching TV - so glad I caught this.

Ruth was 9 on Valentine's Day - can't believe I'm the mother of a 9 year old - how did that happen?! She had a great day. Loved her presents especially all her Hannah Montana things and her New Look t-shirt. She was so excited about getting to 9 and being able to buy proper New Look teenage clothes, even though she's only just going up to age 8 bottoms, she can get away with age 9 tops.

This is Ruth reading the dedications in her new HM CD and getting upset that Miley Cyrus' Dad died a few years back. She's such a sensitive soul.

We have to buy each of them a present when its the other one's birthday, and this year Alex got a Power Ranger outfit. Love the depth of field in this photo with the gun in focus and his face slightly blurred. Speaking of Alex, he's been very poorly - had 2 weeks of very high temp, and lost loads of weight cos no appetite. GP said it was a 'non-specific virus' but it progressed to an ear infection so its been a tough few weeks for all of us. The anti-biotics are working now, and he's a lot better, but has been doing 1/2 days at school the 2nd half of this week as not up to full days.

College has been going well. Enjoying the new topics - even Land Law! Only thing I struggle with now is Tort Law. Just can't get into it. But I got my 1st Tort assignment back yesterday, and had my 2nd highest mark for it - 76% so I guess its all relative. My average is now 71%. Just waiting for my Constitutional Law assignment back, but hopefully that won't bring me below an overall Distinction. I harbor a slightly unrealistic dream of getting into Cambridge, so really want to do as well as I can. My aim is to get 80% in an assignment - not sure if that will ever happen though.

And finally, a photo of my new shoes. I cannot tell you how much I love them. I have wanted some similar ones I saw for about 8 months, but they were no longer available when I went back to buy them. But then I spotted these on the website - same make, almost identical but with a higher heel - even better! I want to wear them all the time, but they're too special, so keeping them for a special occasion - maybe my honeymoon.

College

Firsty, as promised, here is a picture of my hair from the trial on Friday - can't get the make up photo to upload as blogger is being a pain, but at least you get the idea.

College was ok. We had 2 Criminal Law lessons, which was good, as I'd been looking forward to it all year. Got the results of my Contract Law exam that I'd been so worried about, and got 70% which was a relief! Really didn't expect a distinction. My average is staying at 70% until I get the results of my other 2 assignments, which haven't been marked yet!

If you have a few spare minutes, please look at Kirsty's blog. She's trying to raise the money to take little Belle to the US to see a specialist. Details can be found here. The YouTube that Belle made for the campaign is here - please take a look and see if there's anything you can do to help this wonderful family.