Another week gone

Can't believe how quickly this month is going - hardly seems a minute since I was on here, but a whole week has flown by -with another party for Adam, lots of sorting out for our trip to Paris - so excited to be seeing Dave again - and looking forward to showing the kids one of the cities of my student life.

Visited Joyce in hospital yesterday - hadn't been there since my op 2 years ago, but at least she was in a nice ward and it wasn't too hot - she should be out for the weekend hopefully.

Finalising my trip to Romania as well, sending off more donations, buying hard hat and boots, dust masks, goggles and gloves.

Metaphorically waving goodbye to Jackie today as well, missing her party due to our trip, but dead jealous of her round the world tour plans - wish I'd done it while I had the chance. Bon Voyage Jackie!

Back to packing, and cleaning the oven - just discovered magic oven cleaner - thanks Karen!! - such a beautiful day out there, should be enjoying the sun but never mind, Paris beckons :)

Fabulous Fourteen

My lovely firstborn was 14 yesterday - it's hard to appreciate how fast the years have gone and how wonderful he has grown up. Of course I am his mother and you'd expect that, but really, if fourteen years ago I could have had a crystal ball I would not have changed much at all - perhaps his smelly feet and the state of his bedroom, but that's about it. He really is the nicest teenager I could imagine.

We had an invasion of his mates, various shapes and sizes, and mainly much bigger than him but he's done ok - they are basically a really great bunch of witty good natured boys who have a laugh together.

I still don't have a crystal ball, but I'm hoping that the next few years will be more of the same - if they are I shall consider myself the most fortunate mother on earth.

PS. The other two aren't that bad either, but yesterday wasn't their birthday!!

Romania and a SLYMI Challenge

Very excited as my t-shirt, flight details and info for Romania arrived - it all seems much more real and I'm starting to get my stuff together for the trip - very slowly, but I'm getting there. Next job is hard hat, boots and another Hep B jab scheduled for Wednesday - eek!

Also managed to actually do some scrapbooking this weekend - a whole LO based on the UKS Scrap Like You Mean It challenges by Shimelle. Dug out an old photo of Adam and a friend which I've wanted to scrap for ages but not got round to doing so quite pleased with the result - another box ticked - only a few thousand to go and that's if I never take another photo - which let's face it would be pretty unlikely. Still, it keeps me off the streets!

Another Police Raid

After the cannabis factory across the road, the police have now raided another house, peopled by Lithuanian. A dawn raid and now they're taking away computers and things from the house - we thought they were a bit dodgy, with their back of a lorry petrol deliveries but now it's official.

They've been ok with us, not exactly friendly, like the previous Lithuanians, but if they are to move on, I shan't miss their stupid car alarm, or their Eurotrash music. Other than that, peace reigns as usual in suburbia!

Godda Cold

Not feeling too good today, but making the most of some peace and quiet as Adam has gone to a barbeque at his best mate's house, Ellie has gone shopping with Rosie -the first time we've let her loose in Croydon on her own - makes me nervous, but she has to grow up sometime - and much as I'd like to wrap them in cotton wool forever, they need to learn the ways of the world bit by bit.

Just endured Liverpool making a pigs ear of beating Newcastle - why is Babel soooo lazy?

Enjoying the aftermath of NSD though, doing a bit more scrapping - my sixth form photo this time and using up some stash. Very honoured to have some feedback on yesterday's LO from Tina Azmus - a real scrapbooking legend - made my day.

Just read the words to Abide with Me - by Henry Francis Lyte - so moving:

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens, Lord with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, Lord, abide with me.

National Scrapbooking Day

Well, I have done one LO, but it's been hard what with all the kids activities and a beautiful sunny Saturday tempting me onto Epsom Common for a lovely spring walk.

I am hoping however that my pitiful effort and a few other bits and pieces might change the losing habit of a lifetime and I might win something in the Studio Calico NSD draw/competition. I could really do with some new free stash - seeing as my job situation is looking so dodgy just now.

So back to scrapping - now I have all my nostalgic bits from the past (see previous post), I have started scrapping them - it will be slow, but I do have some ideas - starting with music that brings back memories of France - so watch this space.

Oh and congratulations Karla and Martin - my fabulous CA cousins - are expecting their first baby - sooooo excited for you.