One month down

I realised I hadn't included any pics of my 2007 journal. So here are a couple. Just to prove that at the end of January I have kept up with my resolutions!

1) Keep a journal ....ongoing!

2) Keep in better touch with old friends...went to reunion and have email address list, only need to fix outgoing emails!

3) Be better organised...well that depends what day it is

4) Photo-a-day...only started thsi mid -month, haven't quite done it, but will not be giving up!

5) House Improvements! Well the new boiler and radiators will be fitted over the weekend and the new kitchen is arriving at the end of March! Yay!

Well, I think there is only one of them I have been failing on! I hope I can keep it up in February.

Take my picture

How ill does this child look to you? This si the girl who did not have a proper night's sleep and made herself sick with coughing.
After a sleepy, lazy morning and a visitor this afternoon, she soon came round. So she has been dressing up and asking for her photgraph to be taken.
So here it is... and she is now watching me upload this!

Crossover

Darling Girl spent most of last night coughing and was still bad this morning, so thinking of her poor battered lungs, I decided to keep her off school. Most of the morning she spent under a duvet on the sofa with Disney for company and then a visit to the new Doctors' surgery. She charmed Dr W, and made me feel like an over-protective mum. Fortunately no lung infection, just viral. So I had been doing all the right things: calpol, liquids, extra inhaler doses and keeping warm.

Isn't it amazing how no one teaches you these things, you just know!

Darling Girl is still on the "open door" list for the local hospital. Basically, if we are at all worried by her breathing or coughing we can bypass A&E and go straight to the children's ward. We have tried so hard not to abuse this priviledge and only used it twice; and we were right to do so both times since she developed pneumonia.

But I still amaze myself that there is an instinct there that lets me almost "feel" how ill she is.

So here she is playing this afternoon. I sneaked away to fetch the camera. We had lovely games of "Doctor Who" with Barbie princesses standing in for either Madame de Pomapdour (the Doctor gets to ride the horse) or as Donna, the Runaway Bride.

Reunion

Well, can you go back? I did last night. The long awaited 8.15 Youth Group Reunion.

Walking into the Church Hall alongside Hub and Darling Girl was strange. The room hadn’t changed, and there it was filled with so many of the people I was used to seeing in there but (as someone else said) much heavier, greyer and with lines!

I was so amazed to not actually get through the door before being surrounded by old friends. I just got swept up in it all. Fortunately Hub was OK. Although he was never part of the group, they all know him. Darling Girl was fine as well, two of her favourite friends were there and she just plunged straight in playing!

I suppose technically it wasn’t much of a reunion. Some of our dearest and closest friends were there. People I stop and chat to, if I meet them were there. Friends who I had only last seen at Christmas were there. Neighbours were there. But then again, there were the people I hadn’t seen for years.

And the photos! Nigel (former leader and organiser) had filled the walls with pictures from our past! And he had created a slideshow from them as well – so looking forward to getting the CD of those pics! Plus the albums people had brought. The conversations just flowed. Do you remember…? Was that the time when...? What about…? Who was that…?

The children and our partners were ordered to admire our past. But I didn’t realise how many photos I featured in, or how big my hair was!

I admit now to having a few moments. Looking around the room, talking to the people who had meant so much to me, seeing the pictures, it all made me realise that I still feel 17. The short girl with huge glasses and the big hair and denim jacket is still here. She never went away. She just got tired and older. Beneath it all I still feel the same.

I made sure I wrote email addresses and took plenty of photos (well I am a scrapper). I made my resolution to keep in better touch with old friends and I am determined to keep to it and I am thankful to Nigel for organising yesterday so I could do just that!

I am also grateful that it was such a friendly reunion too. Liam wrote (and said) he had been worried about the one-upmanship, but it wasn’t there. Perhaps it’s because we do still have a loose connection; meeting occasionally; or knowing what someone is doing through the grapevine. Maybeit was fine, because we were meeting so many people who we actually chose to be with in our teens. Not a class reunion when you meet up with everyone and the old rivalries are still there. But these were the people I had wanted to be with in those horrible years between 15 and 18, who had been good friends. We did a lot of growing up together and it was great to see what we are like now as grown ups.

She makes me laugh everyday...

I feel like I haven't scrapped 12x12 for ages. So I did this today (who needs to do paperwork?).

This was inspired by a comment by Darling Girl's teacher: "She makes me laugh everyday" ; and she does the same for me!

Little Minx

After a weekend when I discovered that a four year old has a better social life than me, I was looking forward to today. I had planned to meet Pol for our regular coffee/choc/books chat in Borders, especially since we hadn't met without the children since before Christmas.

So this morning I awoke my Darling Girl from her peaceful slumbers and carried on with my morning routine. She was happy enough, we even had time for silly dancing around the kitchen! Then she pushed her long hair back over her ear...there was a thick red lipstick type line which extended from her hairline, about a centimetre from her ear, down past her ear and then curled under her jaw. "What is that?!"
Off to the bathroom for a closer inspection. I have no idea what it could be, until a little voice admits to playing with her Disney "makeup." When? She has not been out of my sight since she got up. "In the night!" is the little whisper.

I was reasonably calm. We have to wash it off. Soap and water don't shift it. Olay daily facial cloth - its still there. Shampoo (both kinds) and its still bright red. Shower gel. Bubble bath. Toothpaste. All the same result. The line is still there!

I am no longer feeling calm. She cannot go to school looking like Adam Ant's little sister, the line is so noticable now her hair is in its school (nit busting) pony tail. We give her little face a rest. And I phone Hub and my parents for advice or potions! So we go through the list again and this time add savlon and washing up liquid. It is fading. Another rest.
Phone Pol...no starbucks today. So she offers to come here complete with Liz Earle cleanser. While we are waiting for her to arrive. I launch another attack on the red line!

Its finally fading. So Darling Girl finally gets ready for school. One last once over with cleanser and she is in school an hour late, chastened and with a suspicious big pink line down the side of her face!

And Pol and I enjoy a morning of looking for an open craft shop and an italian coffee and choc.

This afternoon my mum phoned: "She's a little minx!"
Yeah, and I can just imagine mum's face if had done the same thing!

But I am a bad scrapper. No photos of the line! Basically at 8.30am I have other things on my mind and poor Darling Girl was horrified by the consequences that I think she would not have had her picture taken.
But, if she does it again.....

Whoosh

Well the wind is still howling round here, obviously not as bad as Thursday. At work we lost a tree...a massive 77foot tall (it did get measured!) poplar, far older than the school. It toppled over Thursday afternoon, with roots poking up at least 10 feet in the air. Sadly no one witnessed its demise, but my class were the first to spot it when we got back from our PE lesson.

I took this picture and a few more on Thursday when the staff went out for a look. Got some others with the children on which show the scale, but, obviously, can't post them. But it was a landmark on the horizon and provided welcome shade in the summer.

Thursday was rather horrendous. No electricity (for a time) and no water...and no Hub! When all the bridges in the area were shut he was stranded and the 7 hours to drive 25 miles now has to be a new personal record!

Water was only restoresd yesterday...thank goodness for caring neighbours bearing bottles of water and being close enough to parenst to go and wash there!

I am so pleased we moved here!
Even without the fence panels and the ridge tiles...!

Brainwashing!

Aha! Finally back, blogger would not let me in.

I am keeping up with my photo-a-day. Here is today's snap.
Brainwashed? I don't think so. She got her little mitts on it before I did! She has been looking through it for pictures of David Tennant and her beloved K9 and I had to wait for her to finish.

Link!

It's late! I have had a day alternating between working and creating (and that included a new recipe at tea time).
But I have been to look at this:
http://scrapbook-widower.blogspot.com/

And no...it isn't Hub, but it does sound oh so familiar!

Flying and Creating and Answering Questions

I was very proud of myself today! I spent the morning making my house look tidier. So I could scrap in the afternoon. I made a start (finally) on my 2007 journal after completing the cover yesterday evening, but no pics yet.

So whilst I am in the journal mood thought I would have a go at this from Shimelle.
http://www.shimelle.com/

I really like the sound of Shimelle's classes, but when I tried to do one for myself I had such probelms (as I always do!) with Yahoo that I had to give up. This one is free and on her blog and set as a weekend project. So I will give it a go, and if I have problems accessing it I'm sure someone on UKS will help me while it is a free class.

Plus, taking part will be a good start on my create year!

Now doesn't she look as if butter wouldn't melt...this is the after school photo and is today's pic, just before she gets changed out of uniform.

My Darling Girl has caused me some anxiety this evening. Firstly about her day at school and who will not play with her. Her main friend is a boy who (apparently) has been told by his mum not to play with girls! So whenI had calmed down we chatted about having lots of friends to choose from.

Then talk moved onto Auntie M coming to school today and how Darling Girl went off to be in her group but no one would play with her! A chat to Auntie M tonight has solved that worry! Darling Girl made it all up!

And finally, as she was getting ready for bed, the killer question: what is the difference between boys and girls? Hub and I agreed years ago that we would answer the questions truthfully when she asked them, but still not prepared. I think I stumbled out an answer that also involved boys and girls having different toilets and boys can stand up. "Oh yes," she agreed, "because that part of a boy is longer!"

Little things

UKS Blog Prompt: Grab your camera - take a walk around your home.. and snap some of the little things that make you happy...Even if its just one thing....

Well this fitted in really well with a couple of other things I wanted to do today: play with my new camera and join in a new challenge. The new challenge is to take a photo everyday! Could prove tricky but I'll give it a whirl. Not promising to put them all here though...I may remember to takethem, but not necessarily upload them everyday.

So what around my home makes me happy.....?
Well I actually took more than three photos but blogger wasn't playing. Save them for another blog.

A cup of tea! I like my new shiny kettle and I am only awake after that first cuppa, and all the others throughout the day. I look forward to a cup after Darling Girl has gone to bed or after I have done enough work to have a break! My sunflower pot did match my old kitchen, but not in this house. The other thing that cheers me up here is that now I have booked my new kitchen those horrible tiles and work surface will soon be gone!

My TARDIS collection...and my photos! It is just there to make me smile! The rest of the book case is not very tidy.My books! This is the bookcase we got in December because it is by the door it does get stuff dumped on it. But I like it because it looked a whole lot worse without it...and it is full of books! I also like the fact it is by the front door and straightaway you know this is a home for book worms. These are not just mine, but some of Hub's books and at the bottom is where Darling Girl keeps her library books. I have a few more untidy book shelves and a load of boxes from the move and I am looking forward to planning where they should all go. But I'll get the kitchen done first...

Complete!

Yay! Our emergency bathroom makeover is complete!
I finished tiling the floor after blogging last night. I am so proud of it!Even my dad made a positive comment about it this morning. Hub put up the new cabinet and shelving this evening.
I was going to post a pic...but have decided against it! It's a bathroom! If you really want to come and see it, come and visit us.

Other breaking news, Darling Girl has moved up to the next book basket. "Are you really proud of me?" she asked.
You betcha!

Grump Points

Darling Girl came home today and told us all about Grump Points. Apparently since coming back her class earn Smiley Points when the teacher is happy and Grump Points when they make her feel cross. I love it!
By the way Darling Girl earned her first 2 merit points today...and don't Hub and I just know it?!

I think I have earned a particularly large amount of Grump Points today. A lot of them at work. My cough is back, almost as bad as in December. The anti-biotics never truly cleared it up and this afternoon on my way to the staff meeting I coughed so hard...well I was sick and dizzy so I got sent home!
I got another Grump Point for my last Blog entry - I set it out so much better than it was published.

And then my politics have earned me several more. Ruth Kelly...bah! And then some threads on UKS which have been written by or added to by idiots or at the very least Daily Mail readers!
I need to be more like Tree and appear to be calm, or like Pol who keeps out of it! But I can't. It's red rag to a socialist time!!

But then I read Liam's blog and what he posted on a differnt blog...and its so nice to know there is soemone else out there earning Grump Points for a reason!

CREATE

Where to start?
OK, today's title.... CREATE.

Tree has been telling me about Ali Edward's blog, so here is the link:

http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/But it was connected to us both completing a journal for 2007. The idea is to have a "word of the year" and to use that word in life and in art (ok, maybe art is too big a word...scrapping and blogging and journalling and altering).So my word is create....I have good reasons for this:

1) I like to create...I feel rested and relaxed when I have made something. Not to mention that little glow of achievement!

2) We are creating our home here. More on that later!

3) Well maybe Baby 2 will be around this year...

The house! Well we have made some big decisions regarding kitchens and extensions and building work. Basically we cannot afford everything we would like so we have sat down and had a re-think. It has actually helped visiting our neighbours and seeing what they have done with similar spaces. So priorities have changed...

We must

complete the bathroom

get a new boiler

have a new redesigned more practical kitchen

decorate the dining room

We must consider

a porch

creating a utilty room (and maybe a downstairs toilet) in the garage space.

We need to wait for:

dining extension onto the kitchen (conservatory, perhaps?)

new front door

hall carpet

And I am pleased to report that the first one on that list, the bathroom, is almost complete and that we are booking our kitchen on Saturday morning!

I am working hard on my create year!

Back to the grindstone...

Well my poor Hub has been doing it for 2 days and today was my turn...getting up early to go back to work. Ugh!
As usual hardly slept last night as I was full of things I had to remember to do today and then listening to the wind howling past the house and imagining all th eslates that could have blown off in the night.
Darling Girl was happy! No school for her but a chance to have breakfast at her Nana's. She was thrilled, she has been counting the days waiting for this. So she got to ride in the car in her pyjamas and her coat whilst I lugged about a huge bag of toys and clothes.
Everyone at work looked equally shell shocked at being back so early, the other local schools are back next week. The children are just as tired...only 26 get ups to go ...

So what is FlyLady?

Well this link will start you off http://www.flylady.net/

But aside from the fact she is a wealthy american with a neat line in acronyms, it is a website which encourages you to be organised, especially if you suffer from CHAOS* which I obviously do!
I have followed the system before and it attempts to help you split down your jobs into small more manageable sizes and stick to time limits. You must put your shoes on every morning - to ensure you get up and get going. Also you have to clean your kitchen sink every night (I think that's just there to give you a sense of achievemnet before you sleep.

O think the best 2 ideas we got from Fly Lady firstly was to keep a weekly planner to keep track of meals and laundry and clean which room when! Secondly to meal plan. It really helped us when we are shopping - it stops second trips Asda and it really helped us keep to a food budget. And it will halp us whilst we are still ovenless!

So, my shoes are on; my bathroom is clean (although it has no floor covering, that's tomorrow) and my new paintwork pristine; my dishwasher is already filled; and my laundry is all folded!

As for CHAOS it is Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome! But that is only the family room - the living room and kitchen are just fine!

Happy New 2007

A few resolutions to keep me going, and if I put then here I need to stick to them!

1) Be more organised at home (might have to bring back FlyLady!)
2) Keep a 2007 journal
3) Keep in touch with friends. Every Chrsitmas its: "we muct keep in touch!" But this year I mean it!
4) This time next year have a lovely new kitchen!