For the first time in almost 3 years of blogging Im stumped for a title.
Bah - they are overrated anyway.
Had a lovely day teaching at Dawns Studio today with a bunch of really great girls. I was working with acetate and glossy accents, eyelets and flocking which made for two very techniqueful layouts and a whole load of gossip. What I love about getting together with a bunch of scrappers is not only sharing some jokes but memories as well. The stories veer off course and we get round to some random topic that flows and flows and ends up being a conversation about driving tests and ex husbands etc. I was tickled with laughter, I can't wait to go back again at the end of Sept. Dare I even mention that I had a very excellent assistant in my class who goes by the name of Dawn - the very one!!. Lovely girl, would definitely have her again to sweetly assist. She is just getting over her operation and was back into the swing of the shop which was bustling with visitors all over the country trying to catch a glimpse of her. She is so accommodating to her visitors (as she is trying to work, organising stock and re-arranging supplies). Ive never met anyone so down to earth and so unlike the weird crap you hear on a regular basis elsewhere.
Got home tonight thinking mark had made a Lasagne only to be treated to tea out! We went to Frankie and Benny's and hoped to have a great time but the food was disgusting. We could have spent the money on a basic food shop and Im kicking myself that we even went out now. Ive really gone off food these last few weeks, nothing seems to be of any satisfaction and I can see myself taking a bite out of the holly bush in the garden at this rate. Food is also overrated. Obv I can't give it up because that's like holding your breath and trying to kill yourself and I don't know anyone who held their breath until they died. And the same goes for food. You just cannot not eat. And without food in the house you would scavenge any which way you could which begs the questions: Do Dachshunds taste of sausages?
Feel like Im cheating myself by not posting a picture but there you go. Perhaps reading it will send some of you insomniacs to sleep. I know Im nodding off on my keyboard as it is.
Night xx
.
31 Aug 2008
30 Aug 2008
De-stinking
It feels like forever since we ALL took the poochster for a walk.
I have been in all day (in my jammies, of course) putting finer touches to work for the next issue of Creativity Life. The first issue was incredibly successful and here's to a second successful edition. Ive had a lot of work to do for it but its always so nice to work with endless amounts of BG and DB. I even used the new Christmas papermania lines which have really grabbed my attention because they are so lovely. Clare Curd, so I hear, is bringing out her own signature line which is enthralling - she will bring out some much awaited cardmaking supplies, Im sure.
Anyway, I'd been getting myself in a rut lately and Mark suggested we take the warm evening as a sign to breathe............ **sigh**. We took a trot over to our local park and little Ed's just loved it. He really does love us all being with him, he holds his head high as if to say "Check me out, with my cool family".
Belle even managed to free herself from her pushchair and take a daring run with him. I LOVE how Ellie starts to run, she tips her head forward as if to start momentum and then runs (ie walks fast!!) for her life. 
She was jiggered after 5 minutes, poor love but she did have fun with her buddy. We met up with George the German Shepherd who is exactly the same age as Eddy. 
We constantly bump into them and its amazing how much conversation you can have with other dog walkers. Its always so polite and charming, I find. Of course, on the way round there is always time for a little observation with nature. Lots of wasps and honey bee's around consideringt he amount of rain we have had and how bloody colds its been.
She was jiggered after 5 minutes, poor love but she did have fun with her buddy. We met up with George the German Shepherd who is exactly the same age as Eddy. We constantly bump into them and its amazing how much conversation you can have with other dog walkers. Its always so polite and charming, I find. Of course, on the way round there is always time for a little observation with nature. Lots of wasps and honey bee's around consideringt he amount of rain we have had and how bloody colds its been.We got back in time to cook tea and settle down to the X-Factor which had started earlier than previous (grrrrrrrr - but we love the audition stages). The last person to feature on there, oh my word.....FREAK out. But I guess if you are so passionate about something and believe in it (regardless of whether you are right or wrong) you cannot rip that passion from them. It reminds me of a quote, from Dr Suess that reads: Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.
On that philosophical note, I shall retire to my pit and prepare for a lubbly day teaching at Dawns Studio.
29 Aug 2008
I was outside this morning
.....with the dog, in my jammies and I looked around it and I felt majorly deflated.
Belle was pootling on the laptop indoors(surfing on National Geographic of all places; thoroughly content).
Our garden is such a dump this year and Im ashamed to admit I haven't planted a damn thing.
Mainly because our extension was meant to be built this summer but due to "rack 'em up cowboys......yeeeeeeeehaaaaaaa" there has been a delay in getting everything in order.
As the extension was supposed to happen, I thought that there was no point tending to it.
I even hate cleaning the house to within an inch of its bleaching life because this extension was on my mind - and there ain't no point of cleaning a house when half of it's going to be demolished.
So I paced the garden with the dog and looked at the "pretty much shit state" it was in and I tried with all my might to appreciate it already.
I slowly began to admire the established hardy's by photographing them and avoiding all the wreckage that spoils my space - uneven paving, weedy lawn, broken shed etc.
And then I decided, through the lens of my camera, that I loved my little hidden corners of age old plants despite the fact the lawn turns into a swimming pool every time it rains (we have really poor drainage as we are on reclaimed marshland).
I love the heather even though its framed by a rickety fence (that will be replaced when the proposed extension happens)
and I completely adore the ivy that twists and stretched in and around the trellis of our dividing fence with next door.
When the extension eventually happens, Im turning our green space in a place of tranquility 
with a pergola decked with wisteria and honeysuckle. Im desperate for a country style garden with delphiniums, foxglove, sweetpeas and snapdragons. I want a whole row of Verbena's (my absolute favourite garden flower) and I can't possibly live without Hosta's, Dhalia's, Stocks and Aquilegia's.
I have a very green fingered friend (the Maz Meister) who Im hoping will help me map out the perfect space so that I won't want to walk around it in my jammies but in a flowing summer frock and a glass of pimm's instead.
All we hope for after that is a bit of bleeding sunshine.
Belle was pootling on the laptop indoors(surfing on National Geographic of all places; thoroughly content).
Our garden is such a dump this year and Im ashamed to admit I haven't planted a damn thing.
Mainly because our extension was meant to be built this summer but due to "rack 'em up cowboys......yeeeeeeeehaaaaaaa" there has been a delay in getting everything in order.
As the extension was supposed to happen, I thought that there was no point tending to it.
I even hate cleaning the house to within an inch of its bleaching life because this extension was on my mind - and there ain't no point of cleaning a house when half of it's going to be demolished.
So I paced the garden with the dog and looked at the "pretty much shit state" it was in and I tried with all my might to appreciate it already.
I slowly began to admire the established hardy's by photographing them and avoiding all the wreckage that spoils my space - uneven paving, weedy lawn, broken shed etc.
And then I decided, through the lens of my camera, that I loved my little hidden corners of age old plants despite the fact the lawn turns into a swimming pool every time it rains (we have really poor drainage as we are on reclaimed marshland).
I love the heather even though its framed by a rickety fence (that will be replaced when the proposed extension happens)
and I completely adore the ivy that twists and stretched in and around the trellis of our dividing fence with next door. When the extension eventually happens, Im turning our green space in a place of tranquility with a pergola decked with wisteria and honeysuckle. Im desperate for a country style garden with delphiniums, foxglove, sweetpeas and snapdragons. I want a whole row of Verbena's (my absolute favourite garden flower) and I can't possibly live without Hosta's, Dhalia's, Stocks and Aquilegia's. I have a very green fingered friend (the Maz Meister) who Im hoping will help me map out the perfect space so that I won't want to walk around it in my jammies but in a flowing summer frock and a glass of pimm's instead.All we hope for after that is a bit of bleeding sunshine.
28 Aug 2008
Kit and Caboodle
It was revelation at SC last night and although I am sick to death of saying it - this kit was just scrummylish. There was this one time (not at band cmp) where I didn't really like the kit but I used it and got to like it. I think that's the guarantee at Studio Calico - you will just love it no matter what.
Here is my work and I hope you likes them. The kit is available to buy now and you know what - I managed to make this kit without buying the add ons (ok, scarlet chucked in a few spare bits but the kit is worth its weight in gold!).
And my absolute fave.....thanks to this darling picture of my momma when she was about 9 years old.
Here is my work and I hope you likes them. The kit is available to buy now and you know what - I managed to make this kit without buying the add ons (ok, scarlet chucked in a few spare bits but the kit is worth its weight in gold!).
And my absolute fave.....thanks to this darling picture of my momma when she was about 9 years old.And today?
Today. Today. Today.
I just sat hunched up and not budging.
No inspiration and the mojo had done a runner.
The dog got more love than my herma did whilst belle lay curled up in a ball on the sofa in her jammies all day.
I dont think I have time to do this "nothingness".
I really do have a lot to do.
I gets the feeling that the crap weather is making me feel blech.
By 2.30pm I got out of my stinking jammies, freshend up and forced myself to get out of the house.
No good, I was back within half an hour feeling absolutely no spark to breathe let alone create.
Somedays we are fabulous and others we are couch potatoes, catching flies and stinking like a bog pit.
27 Aug 2008
Party, Pinata, Promotion
Oh we did have a lovely time at my nieces 4th birthday on Monday.
Belle and I whizzed over to Lincoln to celebrate Charlottes 4th Birthday and also to help my sister cater for 22 kiddlies. I got there on Sunday evening to find that my last-minute-dot-com of a sister hadn't even baked a cake. There were also little cakes to bake plus party bags to fill. So Belle and I rolled up our sleeves and got into preparation mode. Of course my sister and I had to aid the effort with some seriously delicious Chablis which, by the time we had supped a bottle between us, Charlotte had woken up and we brought her down stairs as a pre-birthday treat at around 10pm! The kids watched a DVD as Bex and I further set our tiddly heads towards putting the finer touches on the party requisites. How we managed to make the perfect tray bake in our state was beyond comprehension but no sooner had we taken the cake out of the oven did Charlotte come into the kitchen and politely spwavved all over my sisters back. That was cue for bath and bed and up early to get the balloons pumped up.
Oh I did wake up with the most shocking hangover (obv). We do not drink that much in our house so when I do get the chance do I blow it or what? A couple of Ibuprofens and some water saw to the end of that nasty headache and sandwiches was the order of the day. By 2.30pm little tiddlers arrived in fancy dress and Charlottes party started off with a ton of fun. Charlotte wore her bridesmaid dress from my Bro's wedding last years and the outfit was completed by a pair of wings and tiara. She looked utterly edible, for about 5 minutes, before her feet turned black and sticky mitts had grubbed up her dress. Belle did not want to dress up and pootled about doing her own thing as I hovvered in and out of the house avoiding all the wasps. I spent a lot of time with my sisters freind from years ago, Jo. God, she is funny. I love funny, witty people who just tell it like it is. I love those kind of people who are ironic, sarcastic and don't take themselves too serious. I like people that if there is really a problem about them or anyone else, they don't have to bitch and gripe. They can handle it, have a little moan about it but then just laugh about it. Jo is all of the above. But funnier. And with this little girl as her poppet princess too - she makes for one bundle of laughs.
The Pinata took a serious battering from all the kids and later it proved that some of the little minxes had serious anger issues (judging by the way they were belting the poor cardboardy pinata). It took my BIL to finally batter the crap out of it to prize open its sugary belly which spewed a ton of chockies all over the garden. The kids thought it was fantastic but I will be watching out for the ninja that is my BIL in future!
The Pinata took a serious battering from all the kids and later it proved that some of the little minxes had serious anger issues (judging by the way they were belting the poor cardboardy pinata). It took my BIL to finally batter the crap out of it to prize open its sugary belly which spewed a ton of chockies all over the garden. The kids thought it was fantastic but I will be watching out for the ninja that is my BIL in future!5pm came and the party dispersed leaving me time to snuggle up with my sister and book a holiday to Cyprus in October. We have decided last minute to go to my Cousins wedding on a very cheap deal (and when I say this, I mean spending almost 13 hours on the PC over a length of time to find the bestest and the most valued deal - it paid off though!). We are only going for the week without hubs and kids to just veg out, eat meze, scorch our bulbous bods and have some fun. Mark is such a love to let me go! (Thanks dude) but you know, my printers trays still need hanging love!
We came back yest morning having to curtail my visit due to a tight deadline but that's OK, Im home now and life is good :) Before I left, I got to see my sister in her uniform (which is rare) 
and due to her promotion to Squadron Leader in the RAF I am one very proud sister. She has worked her way up through the lower ranks to take a commission some years ago and now she is flying pretty high.
and due to her promotion to Squadron Leader in the RAF I am one very proud sister. She has worked her way up through the lower ranks to take a commission some years ago and now she is flying pretty high.Im going to sign off now and find inspiration to make 13,000 layouts in 3 seconds. Maybe that will be a slight exaggeration but its not far off.
Oooh - I almost forgots. Its revelation at 5am (UK time) of the spanking new Sept kit which is (without a shadow of a little scrawny doubt) the most uberlishus kit in the entire world. Here is the official sticker which makes it look pretty damn tempting.
Tooodle ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo xx
26 Aug 2008
Creative Space *edited with some groovacious punchy news*
I gots a tidy creative space at the mo but sadly its about to be trashed because I have a job on the go and it requires every spare bit of floor and work area to be speckled with paper and card.
Mark converted our adjoining garage for me almost two years ago and this thin, long room houses my craft supplies which I have been collecting and using since 2002. I am generally a very neat freak and won't leave my room until its tidy but sometimes, on a big job, that just goes by the wayside. The last few weeks this room has been a dump and I mean - A DUMP (short for Don't Use My Pig-sty).
Next summer the garage has to come down as its not suitable to be "lived" in really as its single walled. But I dont mind because Ill eventually get a window where that back wall is and two velux Windows in a sloping roof at the top allowing lots of light!
All the cupboards are full but are tidy and contain boxes of bits and bobs. The long tall cupboard houses all my albums and layouts waiting to be housed in a 8.5x11 album (need to find some of those at good value - if you can recommend?). Just realised you can't see the long tall cupboard but its on the left of the first picture but not in the picture. Im stood in the doorway on the first shot.
My fave space in the room - my wibbons!
My clever use of space is a printers drawer which houses all my cats eyes and papermania mini inks.
My third fave space is another printers drawer which houses my small stamps and mini punches. Im waiting for Mark to fix them to the back wall. Note the words "wait" and "mark" - they mean such a BIIIIIIIIIIIIG thing!
And if you wonder why my boxes are labelled, its because it just makes life easier! 
Mark converted our adjoining garage for me almost two years ago and this thin, long room houses my craft supplies which I have been collecting and using since 2002. I am generally a very neat freak and won't leave my room until its tidy but sometimes, on a big job, that just goes by the wayside. The last few weeks this room has been a dump and I mean - A DUMP (short for Don't Use My Pig-sty).
Next summer the garage has to come down as its not suitable to be "lived" in really as its single walled. But I dont mind because Ill eventually get a window where that back wall is and two velux Windows in a sloping roof at the top allowing lots of light!
All the cupboards are full but are tidy and contain boxes of bits and bobs. The long tall cupboard houses all my albums and layouts waiting to be housed in a 8.5x11 album (need to find some of those at good value - if you can recommend?). Just realised you can't see the long tall cupboard but its on the left of the first picture but not in the picture. Im stood in the doorway on the first shot.
My fave space in the room - my wibbons!My clever use of space is a printers drawer which houses all my cats eyes and papermania mini inks.My third fave space is another printers drawer which houses my small stamps and mini punches. Im waiting for Mark to fix them to the back wall. Note the words "wait" and "mark" - they mean such a BIIIIIIIIIIIIG thing! And if you wonder why my boxes are labelled, its because it just makes life easier! And lastly - the amount of times people ask me where I get my world favvo punch from
is beyond answering in a dignified and controlled manner... usually because they are out of stock. Well fear not amigos - there are gazillions in stock just here
24 Aug 2008
Stew-deeeeeeeeeeeee-ooooooo Calico Sneaks
My favvo time of month is almost among us.
The full DT reveal happens upon the 28th but for now, you can whet yer appetite for kit goodness right here and right now.
Never thought Id love this combo as much as I do. Feel like a very lucky girl working with these girls and even luckier Im staying for another year... am tickled silly :)
The full DT reveal happens upon the 28th but for now, you can whet yer appetite for kit goodness right here and right now.
This layout sneak below uses a very special photo of my Momma aged 9. My mum has hardly any pictures of her when she was young and that breaks my heart. This is one of my favvest layouts in a long time simply because the photo is so precious. Looking at those eyes, I can see myself so vividly in the picture.
Never thought Id love this combo as much as I do. Feel like a very lucky girl working with these girls and even luckier Im staying for another year... am tickled silly :)This little elfin
.....blossomed big style in the cosmo of gay Paree.
Something about her shone and I don't know what caused it but I think I rather like it.
I'm going to write more about our lovely trip sometime soon but I have not got the time or energy to write epics like the post previous right now.
Sometimes a picture should say it all. Here are some for you :)
Waiting for our bags on arrival. Yep, you guessed - last off. During the wait I let her sit on the carousel edge. Normally when I see other peoples kids do this, I think "Tut tut tut" but that night I didn't give a damn - she loved it as she was passing the time while Monsieur Baggage man buffed his nails instead of dealing with our luggage.
Something about her shone and I don't know what caused it but I think I rather like it.
I'm going to write more about our lovely trip sometime soon but I have not got the time or energy to write epics like the post previous right now.
Sometimes a picture should say it all. Here are some for you :)
Waiting for our bags on arrival. Yep, you guessed - last off. During the wait I let her sit on the carousel edge. Normally when I see other peoples kids do this, I think "Tut tut tut" but that night I didn't give a damn - she loved it as she was passing the time while Monsieur Baggage man buffed his nails instead of dealing with our luggage.
Unconventionally (as ever) slurping coffee from a spoon - so much fun for her. I was once dissed (by some nice pea ;)) for allowing my child to drink coffee - because, you know.... it obviously a class A drug and it will kill her. My daughter cannot function without it. Once in the morning and once in the evening perks that kid right up.
Voila - the view from our 12 inches wide terrace. Not exactly panoramic but still - a terrace!
And whilst the above picture display her curls drying - this is the end result and why so many people wanted to touch her beautiful hair.
As we wait for a cold drink in a very expensive cafe (are there any cheap ones in Paree?!!!) she looks at some fancy fretwork in Cafe Madeleine. As you know its very difficult to get a picture of her with her eyes wide open - this is a luxurious treat for mark and I. She looks such a dolly here.
And of course she takes her turn as the photographer and captures me quaffing Chardonnay which incidentally cost the same as a glass of Eau - I am NOT kidding.
Oh look - a rare picture of us together ;)
Of course, the obligatory Eiffel Tower shot... see, we really did go to Paree!
the tower does NOTHING for me. Cross sections, however - DO!
My girl set with a backdrop of the Louvre and the Seine at Pont Neuf.
Belle and I in a rare together shot - taken at arms length and chopping off most of our heads!
Belle on the boat - the happiest kid in Paree that day.
Mooring rings speckled all the walls of the Seine. This little monkey wanted to play!
One of the many sets of stairs we endured - poor belle, she was knackered at the end of the day. Infact we went to bed at 6pm on the first night for supposedly an hour. 3 hours later we woke up......we were beat!
Part deux of the pics will follow.
Need sleep.
Ciao xx
21 Aug 2008
The Gayest of Pareeeeeeeeeeeee *edited with pic**
Before I even get round to describing our little cultural trip in the gayest of Paree I firstly have to wax lyrical about the flight company who ferried us to and fro. I thought that by booking cheap-as-you-like Jet2 would be unsightly, rickety and the feeling of being treated like cattle. Generally with christmas cracker prize airlines (ie Ryan air and Easy jet) you get treated like cack.
Not with Jet 2 you don't. Ooooooooh nooooooooooo!
OMG, Ellie was treated like royalty and myself as her lady in waiting. They couldn't do enough for us and really, I asked for no assistance whatsoever. Although when I booked our tickets online I ticked a box explaining that I had a disabled passenger. The reason why I did this (as opposed to previous bookings) was that I was travelling on my own with Belle. Mark generally does all the carrying and lifting of bags so that I can see to Ellie and make sure she doesn't get ushered out of her comfort zone. People tend to tut and moan when she takes 3 days to embark or disembark a plane. She is slow but she is not, like, completely incapacitated. So ticking the disabled box meant that I only wanted to wheel her to the boarding gate and leave the buggy with the loading staff to have it chucked on last minute in the hold.
But no.
When we had checked in the girl picked up her phone and dialled for wheelchair assistance and ensured we had front row seats (well actch it was row 2 because in row 1 you have to pay an extra 20 squids for leg room and believe me, Ellie and I are bereft of leg length so we dont need it!). I said that belle could manage with her buggy but she insisted. She said we would have to wait 15 minutes and so we waited.
And waited.
And they never turned up and besides the waft of Burger Kings rich heart attack inducing aromas were tantalising Belles tummy. So we head off to buy her a boyger (Belle calls them this in her fake new yoyk accent and it does make me laugh). She tucked in like a good un and then we had to clear security. We entered the line trying to look less terrorist-ish as possible. I swear to god, since the advent of major screening at airports you suddenly feel guilty of carrying anything remotely wet or bombish even though you would never dream of carrying such items for fear of being frogmarched to the nearest female for an internal inspection. That ain't ever going to happen, she would take a week just to remove the 28 layers of clothing I put on just to avoid excess baggage charges.
Do you ever notice how guilty you feel when you are in the presence of the law even though you are going about your daily biz, being guilt free as normal and then a bobby comes along and you suddenly freeze and think "Where did I put my imaginery stash of crack coacine and hope that you left it at home?". And you have probaly never even set eyes on the stuff. Its crazy how they make you feel criminal.
So anyway, I unloaded my bags onto the trays and belle had to take her coat off and I had to take my jacket off and then I had to take my shoes off and belle the same. It was about 300 degrees and with the panic of getting through on time was about finishing me off. Ellie walked through the metal detector and then me.
PING!
I had set it off.
And Ive never ever set it off and Ive flown kajillions of times and been through countless security checks in my short 37 years of life. And instantly I thought "OMG, what if somebody had slipped something in my sleep and its in my body and now they have to give me a stomach operation to get it out?". Y ou then delve further into your own scrutiny and wonder if you had had a nipple piercing years ago and forgotten about it (the sight of those things went after I had ellie, how would I even know?) and that the gold was now wearing away and the metal had become more attractive and that you had to "get them out" to all the staff so they could laugh at you.
Beads of sweat were dripping off my forehead and I knew I was going to be stung for a crime I did not commit and that there would be no alibi on my behalf cos all I do is craft in a room and nobody ever see's me so therefore I have no witnesses. It turned out it was just a bracelet that I was wearing had hidden metal content and with that I almost collapsed. You could see the eyebrows furrow on all of the security staff who clearly knew I was up to no good and were mentally cataloguing my face for future reference. Bugger.
We put all of our clothes back on and head out into the dangerous world of the perfumery. Belle and I love to pong any aircraft out on all of our trips abroad. It's what free squirts are about. I divide each fore arm into four, the back of my hands into two and above my elbows into three giving a veritable 18 different pongs to mist my very aurora. Given the fact Belle does the same, we have 36 varying top notes providing a sensual aromatic experience for us and a nauseous journey to France for others.
We were in stink heaven.
Our pride went into debating whos scent we loved the most and Im torn between Hillary Duff and Gucci by Gucci (hmm, original names there) and Belle loves the new Ghost in the peachy/Orangey looking bottle. Have to say that Anna Sui smells like Jif whereas Britney Spears Curiosity smells like it really did kill the cat.
We joined the boarding line to hearing over the tannoy "Could Mrs Wiseman please come to the boarding desk?". "Crap, they are going to dock me and belle to the wing as we stink too much" I thought and then to find out that we needed to be escorted on the plane by ground crew (you could see the ground crew fella flinching at the over kill of perfume but to be fair he did stank of Aviation fuel and we know that smells 50 times worse). Oooooh, we did feel tres swish and posh and Ellie's little face lit up at the thought of being given a wee stab of royalty.
We had no idea that we would be treated so kindly which reminds me, Im not sure if I told my blog this but when we went to Las Vegas in April, Belles ticket was very kindly paid by sponsorship through her fund raising. We flew Delta Airlines which in my opinion is not your average passenger carrier. The tickets were not cheap and we thought that we were fortunate to get the chance to go when we did under the circumstance surrounding the whole affair. So 2 days before the flight I rang Delta in the US and wondered if they would consider upgrading Belles seat because she was incredibly anxious about the impending pokery of Doctors out there. We know airlines do upgrades and Belle would have been no trouble as she can toilet herself and like I say, she isn't totally incapacitated - she would have slept the whole way there because - as she says - that's what chair beds are for!.
The guy at the other end was so positive and said he would ring the main HQ of Delta Airlines and I was on hold for like, 6 or 7 minutes. then he came back to be and said "Ma'am, you may not like the answer but I have just been told that Delta Airlines dont DO upgrades on the disabled". Gasp! Well, I didnt know whether to laugh or bust my rage in an array of vocal expletives. Ok, we were not expecting a yes but a simple no would have been better. You just don't go around saying things as direct as that. I was verbally punished by that and really a simple no would have been very kind and absolute. On this occasion I feel I am allowed to say "Hmmm, bastards". Hope none of their kids are physically challenged, can you imagine what type of parents they would make?
So anyway we got on the plane and settle in and then take off and we just laugh and giggle and bet a tenner on who would see the Eiffel Tower first. That would be me then, asI was sat at the window seat and Belles head is the same height as the bottom of the window. And rightfully I do win and I take it out of her spending money. Ok, I dont but I could have. We land in Paris with a crack and a thump as it felt we had literally landed on the back to wheels. You know how it goes, you gently glide with the back wheels skirting the runway and experience a gentle descent of the nose wheel. Good grief no, Belle and I looked at each other with the whites of our eyes shocking the cabin but fortunately we were well. We cleared customs even though ze french customs man could smell us before he saw us and was scanning me with his laser eyes at my guilty looking face. We collected our bags, met with our pre-booked rip off taxi to whip us to our hotel. It was 1030 at night by the time we arrived and the staff at our hotel (Hotel Prelude) were very kind and spoke excellent english even thoughIi was speaking broken french ... I was really trying, you know!). We happened to be on the top floor and the lifts were up a flight if stairs to start with.
Fabulous, I thought.
One suitcase, One pushchair, one hand bag, one hand luggage and one tired child.
Still, we managed even though I was sweating like a pig which only infuriated all 18 scents on my arms and made my eyes bleed. We did laugh about it though. We got to our room which was tres compact and bijou but you know, we were only sleeping there and it was exceptionally clean. We were quite chuffed we had a terrace that was 12 inches from the edge of the building but still - a terrace in Gay Paree! We freshened up and went back down to find a shop or cafe to get a little drinkee. I asked the staff where we might something and he said "How much of ze money you have with you?".
"Bloody hell, youre a bit preumptious - do I look poor or something?" I thought.
I told him I didnt have much just incase he tried to frisk me and even then I wouldnt have minded because he was tres delish. He said there was not much open but that I ought to be careful as there are people who take money from you and zey are called ze chavs.
So chav has hit international status then?
I made sure I was to look out for guys dressed in burberry scraves with Argos jewellery on every knuckle and literally took 30 steps to the nearest shop.
Hmm, the choice was not amazing.
We plummed for the most massivest pack of pringles and some fruit juices and head 30 steps back to our fairly priced yet decent hotel. We scoffed our picnic watching something in french (obv) and then I decided to take a shower. Bloody hell, it was tiny, I just about got my hips in and in no way would I have been able to bend down to get my shampoo because I would have been permanently wedged. There was no shelf to put my toiletries on so I had to balance the bottles on my shoulder and literally wriggle my arms to reach for the bottles. It was fun, if Im being honest. I mean, who wants a bathroom the size of a hotels foyer anywway (or even one you can play baseball in a la Nickleback). The hairdryer was funny. It was attached to the wall and you had to hold the bakerlite looking/smelling nozzle without burning them to a crisp in the process. But I have to say, the water in Gay Pareeeeeee is lovely on your hair. It made it swishy and feather light. I cant tell youwhat it did to Ellies hair other than making it look magnificent.
Before bed I measured out 12 pringles and slid them in my mouth without breaking the skin of the corners of my lips, crunched 3 times, swallowed them with some apple juice and felt sure Id be 10 stones heavier in the morning. A perfect ending to an adventurous day.
We woke the next morning and I had broken my back on the rickety bed. A gentle rub from belle mended it instantly and we dressed for Brekko. Belle was delighted they served Cocopops and citron yoghurt. I shoved a croissant in sideways and made room for 2 pan au chocolats (Im not kidding, there were portuguese, german and swiss tourists and they piled their plates higher with 5 or 6 of the little sugary bleeders). Do european kids not realise how lucky they are having the ability to scofff as much choc as they want for breakfast? When I was a lass, we had cornflakes or cornflakes and even then it was sometimes warm milk (vom!). If we were lucky we could have toast and even then it was done under t'grill and if mum had time we sometimes had it toasted on both sides. We generally had it toasted on one side and then we lathered it in marg that tasted worse than Stork cooking marg. Not my parents fault entirely I may add, this was the late 70's early 80's where money and choice and even time was like - non existent. I would have KILLED to have eaten continental breakkies. Those lovely fruit compotes, yogs, croissants, crackers. Deeelish.
Belle had a coffee and yakked furiously- man, it was strong and the chances of finding instant coffee in the gayest of Pareeeeee was virtually non existent. the poor kid opted for water and with that we trekked out for a full day of the sights. Luckily for me and my brilliant research we were not far from the nearest Metro nor bus route. Our hotel was literally at the foot of Sacre Couer (sigh!) but I wanted to save that until our last day. So we caught an "open bus" which meant getting on and off when we wanted plus the use of the Ferry boats when and where we wanted. They were fabulous in value and Belle was so excited about the boat ride. We sat on the top deck and enjoyed the sunshine. We got talking to some Ozzies who had never been to Paris before (and me, like the expert cos Ive been here only ONCE before - gave them some help about what to see). They were fantatsic fun and were on the last leg of a world tour. They loved belles hair which was the talking point of the whole day! We got off to change busses which we missed because the dumbo driver wouldn't have ze patience for Belle to alight the stairs. I had to "OY!" a few times and wonder if ze French have any patience whatstoever. Between buses and stops, belle and I would talk about the scenery - we really did enjoy the minutes rather than the hours. By lunch time belle was practically desperate to try a french Mcdonalds which as you know - they all taste ze same. She ordered her usual Boyger combo and insisted that their chicken nuggets were crunchier. After lunch we head off to catch a ferry boat. I can't tell you how excited my girl was. It was the best little facial expression that she has ever pulled. The delight was her face alone, for me. We were told to get off at Pont Neuf and get off, we did. We trekked across the treachery that is a french high street and went down 500 bajillion steps to the boat dock. Now, The Seine is speckled with ferry boats of all sizes and status and each stop is littered with 16,000,000 steps to go up and down. Not good for a child with muscle issues. But she tried and she managed and I loved her for it. Ze french clearly do not give ze shit about that although if elevators are such a bind, perhaps they should offer abseiling to get down these difficulties.
So we go down Pont Neuf steps and we approach the boat only to be told that we need the next bridge down. Only when we went down to the next one we realise she meant up. Poor Belle was knackered (This is a child who can only do one session of PE and then when she does, she falls asleep). She managed to keep her little eyes open between pushchair rides because there was so much to see! We ventured on up to the next bridge which happened to be at Notre Damn and this is where Belle came alive. She was soooooooo excited about it. She talked to me about Gargoyles and how eeery the building looked. She was so happy! The boat came alongside and we hopped on. Apparently there is no "ze stoarge" for pushchairs which was a nightmare as the boat was packed. We managed to stow it under some benches and head off to the rear of the boat so that belle could enjoy the breeze. She was just so happy about this part of the trip. Many people on the boat stared at her but equally many of them came to ruffle her hair and stroke her cheek. She blushed so many times and knew that kindness was being thrown at her. It made such a nice change, I can tell you. I think people think that because she is in a chair that she must me mentally ill or about to pass on a disturbingly hideous disease should she look at any of them. I really do wish I could convince people that she is such a sweet and charming girl who is physically ill and that you can talk to her and that she may pass on that charm to them too. But as you well know, people think what they like based on appearance or assumption. You have to really KNOW someone before you can judge them and you also know what else I am trying to say - I hope :)
So anyway, our boat ride did a circuit of the Seine which ended up at the Eiffel tower. You couldn't see Ellie for dust going up those stairs and when she got to the top she lit the whole world up with her enormous smile.
If only you could bottle that - IF ONLY!
She walked around underneath the tower like she owned it, she looked up and across and talked and loved it. We watched street entertainers, we watched people and we sat there taking it all in.
Me and my girl in the gayest of Paree.
Happy and enjoying ourselves.
**will write more and share pictures when I have taken a break from this monster of a blog entry. The letters A, T and E are practically worn from my keyboard as it is!**
Not with Jet 2 you don't. Ooooooooh nooooooooooo!
OMG, Ellie was treated like royalty and myself as her lady in waiting. They couldn't do enough for us and really, I asked for no assistance whatsoever. Although when I booked our tickets online I ticked a box explaining that I had a disabled passenger. The reason why I did this (as opposed to previous bookings) was that I was travelling on my own with Belle. Mark generally does all the carrying and lifting of bags so that I can see to Ellie and make sure she doesn't get ushered out of her comfort zone. People tend to tut and moan when she takes 3 days to embark or disembark a plane. She is slow but she is not, like, completely incapacitated. So ticking the disabled box meant that I only wanted to wheel her to the boarding gate and leave the buggy with the loading staff to have it chucked on last minute in the hold.
But no.
When we had checked in the girl picked up her phone and dialled for wheelchair assistance and ensured we had front row seats (well actch it was row 2 because in row 1 you have to pay an extra 20 squids for leg room and believe me, Ellie and I are bereft of leg length so we dont need it!). I said that belle could manage with her buggy but she insisted. She said we would have to wait 15 minutes and so we waited.
And waited.
And they never turned up and besides the waft of Burger Kings rich heart attack inducing aromas were tantalising Belles tummy. So we head off to buy her a boyger (Belle calls them this in her fake new yoyk accent and it does make me laugh). She tucked in like a good un and then we had to clear security. We entered the line trying to look less terrorist-ish as possible. I swear to god, since the advent of major screening at airports you suddenly feel guilty of carrying anything remotely wet or bombish even though you would never dream of carrying such items for fear of being frogmarched to the nearest female for an internal inspection. That ain't ever going to happen, she would take a week just to remove the 28 layers of clothing I put on just to avoid excess baggage charges.
Do you ever notice how guilty you feel when you are in the presence of the law even though you are going about your daily biz, being guilt free as normal and then a bobby comes along and you suddenly freeze and think "Where did I put my imaginery stash of crack coacine and hope that you left it at home?". And you have probaly never even set eyes on the stuff. Its crazy how they make you feel criminal.
So anyway, I unloaded my bags onto the trays and belle had to take her coat off and I had to take my jacket off and then I had to take my shoes off and belle the same. It was about 300 degrees and with the panic of getting through on time was about finishing me off. Ellie walked through the metal detector and then me.
PING!
I had set it off.
And Ive never ever set it off and Ive flown kajillions of times and been through countless security checks in my short 37 years of life. And instantly I thought "OMG, what if somebody had slipped something in my sleep and its in my body and now they have to give me a stomach operation to get it out?". Y ou then delve further into your own scrutiny and wonder if you had had a nipple piercing years ago and forgotten about it (the sight of those things went after I had ellie, how would I even know?) and that the gold was now wearing away and the metal had become more attractive and that you had to "get them out" to all the staff so they could laugh at you.
Beads of sweat were dripping off my forehead and I knew I was going to be stung for a crime I did not commit and that there would be no alibi on my behalf cos all I do is craft in a room and nobody ever see's me so therefore I have no witnesses. It turned out it was just a bracelet that I was wearing had hidden metal content and with that I almost collapsed. You could see the eyebrows furrow on all of the security staff who clearly knew I was up to no good and were mentally cataloguing my face for future reference. Bugger.
We put all of our clothes back on and head out into the dangerous world of the perfumery. Belle and I love to pong any aircraft out on all of our trips abroad. It's what free squirts are about. I divide each fore arm into four, the back of my hands into two and above my elbows into three giving a veritable 18 different pongs to mist my very aurora. Given the fact Belle does the same, we have 36 varying top notes providing a sensual aromatic experience for us and a nauseous journey to France for others.
We were in stink heaven.
Our pride went into debating whos scent we loved the most and Im torn between Hillary Duff and Gucci by Gucci (hmm, original names there) and Belle loves the new Ghost in the peachy/Orangey looking bottle. Have to say that Anna Sui smells like Jif whereas Britney Spears Curiosity smells like it really did kill the cat.
We joined the boarding line to hearing over the tannoy "Could Mrs Wiseman please come to the boarding desk?". "Crap, they are going to dock me and belle to the wing as we stink too much" I thought and then to find out that we needed to be escorted on the plane by ground crew (you could see the ground crew fella flinching at the over kill of perfume but to be fair he did stank of Aviation fuel and we know that smells 50 times worse). Oooooh, we did feel tres swish and posh and Ellie's little face lit up at the thought of being given a wee stab of royalty.
We had no idea that we would be treated so kindly which reminds me, Im not sure if I told my blog this but when we went to Las Vegas in April, Belles ticket was very kindly paid by sponsorship through her fund raising. We flew Delta Airlines which in my opinion is not your average passenger carrier. The tickets were not cheap and we thought that we were fortunate to get the chance to go when we did under the circumstance surrounding the whole affair. So 2 days before the flight I rang Delta in the US and wondered if they would consider upgrading Belles seat because she was incredibly anxious about the impending pokery of Doctors out there. We know airlines do upgrades and Belle would have been no trouble as she can toilet herself and like I say, she isn't totally incapacitated - she would have slept the whole way there because - as she says - that's what chair beds are for!.
The guy at the other end was so positive and said he would ring the main HQ of Delta Airlines and I was on hold for like, 6 or 7 minutes. then he came back to be and said "Ma'am, you may not like the answer but I have just been told that Delta Airlines dont DO upgrades on the disabled". Gasp! Well, I didnt know whether to laugh or bust my rage in an array of vocal expletives. Ok, we were not expecting a yes but a simple no would have been better. You just don't go around saying things as direct as that. I was verbally punished by that and really a simple no would have been very kind and absolute. On this occasion I feel I am allowed to say "Hmmm, bastards". Hope none of their kids are physically challenged, can you imagine what type of parents they would make?
So anyway we got on the plane and settle in and then take off and we just laugh and giggle and bet a tenner on who would see the Eiffel Tower first. That would be me then, asI was sat at the window seat and Belles head is the same height as the bottom of the window. And rightfully I do win and I take it out of her spending money. Ok, I dont but I could have. We land in Paris with a crack and a thump as it felt we had literally landed on the back to wheels. You know how it goes, you gently glide with the back wheels skirting the runway and experience a gentle descent of the nose wheel. Good grief no, Belle and I looked at each other with the whites of our eyes shocking the cabin but fortunately we were well. We cleared customs even though ze french customs man could smell us before he saw us and was scanning me with his laser eyes at my guilty looking face. We collected our bags, met with our pre-booked rip off taxi to whip us to our hotel. It was 1030 at night by the time we arrived and the staff at our hotel (Hotel Prelude) were very kind and spoke excellent english even thoughIi was speaking broken french ... I was really trying, you know!). We happened to be on the top floor and the lifts were up a flight if stairs to start with.
Fabulous, I thought.
One suitcase, One pushchair, one hand bag, one hand luggage and one tired child.
Still, we managed even though I was sweating like a pig which only infuriated all 18 scents on my arms and made my eyes bleed. We did laugh about it though. We got to our room which was tres compact and bijou but you know, we were only sleeping there and it was exceptionally clean. We were quite chuffed we had a terrace that was 12 inches from the edge of the building but still - a terrace in Gay Paree! We freshened up and went back down to find a shop or cafe to get a little drinkee. I asked the staff where we might something and he said "How much of ze money you have with you?".
"Bloody hell, youre a bit preumptious - do I look poor or something?" I thought.
I told him I didnt have much just incase he tried to frisk me and even then I wouldnt have minded because he was tres delish. He said there was not much open but that I ought to be careful as there are people who take money from you and zey are called ze chavs.
So chav has hit international status then?
I made sure I was to look out for guys dressed in burberry scraves with Argos jewellery on every knuckle and literally took 30 steps to the nearest shop.
Hmm, the choice was not amazing.
We plummed for the most massivest pack of pringles and some fruit juices and head 30 steps back to our fairly priced yet decent hotel. We scoffed our picnic watching something in french (obv) and then I decided to take a shower. Bloody hell, it was tiny, I just about got my hips in and in no way would I have been able to bend down to get my shampoo because I would have been permanently wedged. There was no shelf to put my toiletries on so I had to balance the bottles on my shoulder and literally wriggle my arms to reach for the bottles. It was fun, if Im being honest. I mean, who wants a bathroom the size of a hotels foyer anywway (or even one you can play baseball in a la Nickleback). The hairdryer was funny. It was attached to the wall and you had to hold the bakerlite looking/smelling nozzle without burning them to a crisp in the process. But I have to say, the water in Gay Pareeeeeee is lovely on your hair. It made it swishy and feather light. I cant tell youwhat it did to Ellies hair other than making it look magnificent.
Before bed I measured out 12 pringles and slid them in my mouth without breaking the skin of the corners of my lips, crunched 3 times, swallowed them with some apple juice and felt sure Id be 10 stones heavier in the morning. A perfect ending to an adventurous day.
We woke the next morning and I had broken my back on the rickety bed. A gentle rub from belle mended it instantly and we dressed for Brekko. Belle was delighted they served Cocopops and citron yoghurt. I shoved a croissant in sideways and made room for 2 pan au chocolats (Im not kidding, there were portuguese, german and swiss tourists and they piled their plates higher with 5 or 6 of the little sugary bleeders). Do european kids not realise how lucky they are having the ability to scofff as much choc as they want for breakfast? When I was a lass, we had cornflakes or cornflakes and even then it was sometimes warm milk (vom!). If we were lucky we could have toast and even then it was done under t'grill and if mum had time we sometimes had it toasted on both sides. We generally had it toasted on one side and then we lathered it in marg that tasted worse than Stork cooking marg. Not my parents fault entirely I may add, this was the late 70's early 80's where money and choice and even time was like - non existent. I would have KILLED to have eaten continental breakkies. Those lovely fruit compotes, yogs, croissants, crackers. Deeelish.
Belle had a coffee and yakked furiously- man, it was strong and the chances of finding instant coffee in the gayest of Pareeeeee was virtually non existent. the poor kid opted for water and with that we trekked out for a full day of the sights. Luckily for me and my brilliant research we were not far from the nearest Metro nor bus route. Our hotel was literally at the foot of Sacre Couer (sigh!) but I wanted to save that until our last day. So we caught an "open bus" which meant getting on and off when we wanted plus the use of the Ferry boats when and where we wanted. They were fabulous in value and Belle was so excited about the boat ride. We sat on the top deck and enjoyed the sunshine. We got talking to some Ozzies who had never been to Paris before (and me, like the expert cos Ive been here only ONCE before - gave them some help about what to see). They were fantatsic fun and were on the last leg of a world tour. They loved belles hair which was the talking point of the whole day! We got off to change busses which we missed because the dumbo driver wouldn't have ze patience for Belle to alight the stairs. I had to "OY!" a few times and wonder if ze French have any patience whatstoever. Between buses and stops, belle and I would talk about the scenery - we really did enjoy the minutes rather than the hours. By lunch time belle was practically desperate to try a french Mcdonalds which as you know - they all taste ze same. She ordered her usual Boyger combo and insisted that their chicken nuggets were crunchier. After lunch we head off to catch a ferry boat. I can't tell you how excited my girl was. It was the best little facial expression that she has ever pulled. The delight was her face alone, for me. We were told to get off at Pont Neuf and get off, we did. We trekked across the treachery that is a french high street and went down 500 bajillion steps to the boat dock. Now, The Seine is speckled with ferry boats of all sizes and status and each stop is littered with 16,000,000 steps to go up and down. Not good for a child with muscle issues. But she tried and she managed and I loved her for it. Ze french clearly do not give ze shit about that although if elevators are such a bind, perhaps they should offer abseiling to get down these difficulties.
So we go down Pont Neuf steps and we approach the boat only to be told that we need the next bridge down. Only when we went down to the next one we realise she meant up. Poor Belle was knackered (This is a child who can only do one session of PE and then when she does, she falls asleep). She managed to keep her little eyes open between pushchair rides because there was so much to see! We ventured on up to the next bridge which happened to be at Notre Damn and this is where Belle came alive. She was soooooooo excited about it. She talked to me about Gargoyles and how eeery the building looked. She was so happy! The boat came alongside and we hopped on. Apparently there is no "ze stoarge" for pushchairs which was a nightmare as the boat was packed. We managed to stow it under some benches and head off to the rear of the boat so that belle could enjoy the breeze. She was just so happy about this part of the trip. Many people on the boat stared at her but equally many of them came to ruffle her hair and stroke her cheek. She blushed so many times and knew that kindness was being thrown at her. It made such a nice change, I can tell you. I think people think that because she is in a chair that she must me mentally ill or about to pass on a disturbingly hideous disease should she look at any of them. I really do wish I could convince people that she is such a sweet and charming girl who is physically ill and that you can talk to her and that she may pass on that charm to them too. But as you well know, people think what they like based on appearance or assumption. You have to really KNOW someone before you can judge them and you also know what else I am trying to say - I hope :)
So anyway, our boat ride did a circuit of the Seine which ended up at the Eiffel tower. You couldn't see Ellie for dust going up those stairs and when she got to the top she lit the whole world up with her enormous smile.
If only you could bottle that - IF ONLY!
She walked around underneath the tower like she owned it, she looked up and across and talked and loved it. We watched street entertainers, we watched people and we sat there taking it all in.
Me and my girl in the gayest of Paree.
Happy and enjoying ourselves.
**will write more and share pictures when I have taken a break from this monster of a blog entry. The letters A, T and E are practically worn from my keyboard as it is!**
20 Aug 2008
We have a winner
... whilst Belle and I wait for our Taxi to take us to Charles de Gaul I got her to scroll down all the comments and pick a winner. Not by name and not by picture but by giving her a static shock from the monitor and telling me when to stop **insert evil, wicked laughter here**
Here is the winner:
Marie said...
Hope you have fun in Paris. I'm sure Belle will love it. Bon Voyage!! xMX
18/08/08 12:57
Mail me at the email address on the left here and we shall pack your lubbly page kit to you.
Im going to bore you all rigid on our return of our most fabulous two days in the gayest of Paree(providing we don't have any mid air collisions or mortar attacks... and Im not tempting fete cos fete is fete regardless of temptation although I will be mightily pissed off if we do because Ive got pressies for the dog and Mark!).
Aside from struggling with a pushchair up and down 16 gazillion steps (Paris is not a place for children in buggies nor disabled dudes in wheelchairs) we have had a bloody brilliant time. Belle's face in most of my pictures are of pure joy - she literally came alive! Of course, with pleasure you also get pain and that was in the form of staring. We had two types of stares in Gay Paree. One of pure ignorance (you know, the boring fact the Belle is in a pushchair - methinks that the French simply do not have disabled children... or you might think that) and we also had stares from hundreds Eastern Europeans who fell in love with Belle's beautiful hair and skin. People wanted to touch her and love her and have photos with her. Street artists and market stall holders would stop and say how beautiful she was, strangers would come and ruffle her curls and smile so honestly ... she loved that attention instead of the looks of disdain or pity. I handled it pretty well considering I normally flip out at rude stares!
Im going to freshen up before we fly back to Leeds and Bradford where the delightful Dyan will pick us up and drop us off back at hers before we set sail for rainy Ashton. The dog will go berserk, we know that and we simply cannot wait.
Au revoir mon petite jambon sandwiches.
Here is the winner:
Marie said...
Hope you have fun in Paris. I'm sure Belle will love it. Bon Voyage!! xMX
18/08/08 12:57
Mail me at the email address on the left here and we shall pack your lubbly page kit to you.
Im going to bore you all rigid on our return of our most fabulous two days in the gayest of Paree(providing we don't have any mid air collisions or mortar attacks... and Im not tempting fete cos fete is fete regardless of temptation although I will be mightily pissed off if we do because Ive got pressies for the dog and Mark!).
Aside from struggling with a pushchair up and down 16 gazillion steps (Paris is not a place for children in buggies nor disabled dudes in wheelchairs) we have had a bloody brilliant time. Belle's face in most of my pictures are of pure joy - she literally came alive! Of course, with pleasure you also get pain and that was in the form of staring. We had two types of stares in Gay Paree. One of pure ignorance (you know, the boring fact the Belle is in a pushchair - methinks that the French simply do not have disabled children... or you might think that) and we also had stares from hundreds Eastern Europeans who fell in love with Belle's beautiful hair and skin. People wanted to touch her and love her and have photos with her. Street artists and market stall holders would stop and say how beautiful she was, strangers would come and ruffle her curls and smile so honestly ... she loved that attention instead of the looks of disdain or pity. I handled it pretty well considering I normally flip out at rude stares!
Im going to freshen up before we fly back to Leeds and Bradford where the delightful Dyan will pick us up and drop us off back at hers before we set sail for rainy Ashton. The dog will go berserk, we know that and we simply cannot wait.
Au revoir mon petite jambon sandwiches.
17 Aug 2008
In addition to RAK-ar-roo yesterday
If you leave your name in the comments box of this post, when I get back from gay Paree on Weds - I shall draw a name and with the winner you shall receive one exponentially amazing page kit plus extras from me.
Ive been purging stuff I haven't even used and can assure you that you will love it.
Or maybe you won't... you know, you can't please everyone.
I should know.
Happens all the time.
Especially at meal times, you know, when it comes to choosing the right sandwich for lunch or meat for tea - even the dog turns his nose up at times.
I have, however, pleased Belle by booking this trip for her and I (no Mark, no men...just girls!)
Or have I pleased her?
Only tonight she said she didn't want to go because she would miss Eddsvilles.
That type of news might have come in handy before we parted with some hard earned dosh.
After explaining that she could eat all the crepe suzettes she wanted (and me all the creme brulee's I wanted too) she was readily convinced that the dog could wait. thats just a little sad but not as sad as the feeling of when MB keave us tomorrow - we will be desperately lonely without her. Life is but a mere pickle in a jar at times but then a certain little Sacre Couer might just remedy that.
Au revoir my little pommes frittes xx
Ive been purging stuff I haven't even used and can assure you that you will love it.
Or maybe you won't... you know, you can't please everyone.
I should know.
Happens all the time.
Especially at meal times, you know, when it comes to choosing the right sandwich for lunch or meat for tea - even the dog turns his nose up at times.
I have, however, pleased Belle by booking this trip for her and I (no Mark, no men...just girls!)
Or have I pleased her?
Only tonight she said she didn't want to go because she would miss Eddsvilles.
That type of news might have come in handy before we parted with some hard earned dosh.
After explaining that she could eat all the crepe suzettes she wanted (and me all the creme brulee's I wanted too) she was readily convinced that the dog could wait. thats just a little sad but not as sad as the feeling of when MB keave us tomorrow - we will be desperately lonely without her. Life is but a mere pickle in a jar at times but then a certain little Sacre Couer might just remedy that.
Au revoir my little pommes frittes xx
16 Aug 2008
RAK - ar - roo
You know, if you go to the Studio Calico blog and leave a comment, there is a super duper chance that you could win some major goodness.
Studio Calico and I have a love affair of beautiful products which are cleverly put together in a kit that works out to be £19 a month (DIRT!).
I made a comment on the forum explaining that next months kit "ICON" (which I received last week) is just the best. And Im pretty sick and tired of saying it because I never figure that the next months kit will be even better-er. It always is although, if I am brutal there was one kit I dodnt particularly love on its arrival. I only decided after I had cried over it and worked hard at it - that in the end I lubbed it.
I opened the box and within seconds I had assembled something rather swish for my albums - that's inspiration for you and its all delivered xx
Studio Calico and I have a love affair of beautiful products which are cleverly put together in a kit that works out to be £19 a month (DIRT!).
I made a comment on the forum explaining that next months kit "ICON" (which I received last week) is just the best. And Im pretty sick and tired of saying it because I never figure that the next months kit will be even better-er. It always is although, if I am brutal there was one kit I dodnt particularly love on its arrival. I only decided after I had cried over it and worked hard at it - that in the end I lubbed it.
I opened the box and within seconds I had assembled something rather swish for my albums - that's inspiration for you and its all delivered xx
Olympics 2008
Our Athletes put the Great in Britain. We stand United within our Kingdom.
Cheesy as it sounds, I love waving the Union Jack at events like this.
We don't have many athletes as some countries so although our fabulous UK ranks 10th (so far) in the table, if you rack the medals per capita, we are still not doing spectacularly well but wave the flag, we MUST! Im not competitive in relation to "being absolute winners" with the olympics , we could never do that. That is seriously set in stone. Chuffed to bit that the Coxless 4 got gold this morning, it did provoke a tear or two that spurted uncontrollably from each duct.
Some interesting math for you, though ... makes you wonder..........
The UK has a population of 60,000,000 - we have 13 medals so far... well done dudes.
The US slightly doubles that populations at 301,000,000 - they are 1st on the table and have a superb Mr Phelps providing some serious entertainment and a staggering 50 medals to date.
(which makes me wonder as Great Britain alone is the size of Kansas and Missouri put together - making GB able to fit the us at least 40 times! Man we are over-run with people in this country but clearly not athletes!!!)
Australia has a population of 4.5 million making them rank one of the highest per medal per capita so far considering they are also 3rd in the table....... admirably the most successful in the whole competition when you take into account population....... OZ rules!
China has a population of 1,321,851,888 and is ranked 2nd. That's a lot of potential athletes with that amount of citizens, dudes, but also makes them one of lowest medals per capita, as is the US and India. Although to be fair, its still a relatively poor country in most areas..... this leaves me awestruck.
Amazingly Armenia is ranked the highest with medals per capita and thats only after 5 bronzes....... GO ARMENIA!
So when it comes to the likes of your Eurovision song contest where its Europe V UK (ie - they all hate us... lol), you cant stiff an athlete for greatness. A winner is a winner and thats what makes the Olympics so true and fair. Unless of curse they is banned after drug testing. **sigh**
Off to town to buy Madonna a card who is 50 today. Happy Birthday Madgie xx
Ooooh and we just won another bronze and GOLD!!!!! in the cycling and as I rounded this off (which totals our medals at 15 and 9th in the table!!!)
Cheesy as it sounds, I love waving the Union Jack at events like this.
We don't have many athletes as some countries so although our fabulous UK ranks 10th (so far) in the table, if you rack the medals per capita, we are still not doing spectacularly well but wave the flag, we MUST! Im not competitive in relation to "being absolute winners" with the olympics , we could never do that. That is seriously set in stone. Chuffed to bit that the Coxless 4 got gold this morning, it did provoke a tear or two that spurted uncontrollably from each duct.
Some interesting math for you, though ... makes you wonder..........
The UK has a population of 60,000,000 - we have 13 medals so far... well done dudes.
The US slightly doubles that populations at 301,000,000 - they are 1st on the table and have a superb Mr Phelps providing some serious entertainment and a staggering 50 medals to date.
(which makes me wonder as Great Britain alone is the size of Kansas and Missouri put together - making GB able to fit the us at least 40 times! Man we are over-run with people in this country but clearly not athletes!!!)
Australia has a population of 4.5 million making them rank one of the highest per medal per capita so far considering they are also 3rd in the table....... admirably the most successful in the whole competition when you take into account population....... OZ rules!
China has a population of 1,321,851,888 and is ranked 2nd. That's a lot of potential athletes with that amount of citizens, dudes, but also makes them one of lowest medals per capita, as is the US and India. Although to be fair, its still a relatively poor country in most areas..... this leaves me awestruck.
Amazingly Armenia is ranked the highest with medals per capita and thats only after 5 bronzes....... GO ARMENIA!
So when it comes to the likes of your Eurovision song contest where its Europe V UK (ie - they all hate us... lol), you cant stiff an athlete for greatness. A winner is a winner and thats what makes the Olympics so true and fair. Unless of curse they is banned after drug testing. **sigh**
Off to town to buy Madonna a card who is 50 today. Happy Birthday Madgie xx
Ooooh and we just won another bronze and GOLD!!!!! in the cycling and as I rounded this off (which totals our medals at 15 and 9th in the table!!!)
15 Aug 2008
Eddy and Lucy...
sitting in a tree
K-I-S-S-I-N-G
Only not only just kissing.
You know what I mean?
The pooch had a play date with lil Loooose and it got too embarrassing to watch (even when they did eventually go behind the couch, you just knew what they were up to).
I hauled the kids and said pooch over to Dawns and JJ's today to take a get well card and a little sumptin' to cheer her up. She has just has her tonsils removed along with some larynx surgery and is not well at all. I hardly recognised her and felt pretty bad :( But the girls, being girls, aimed their sights on JJ and have not shut up up about him all night. I think me as a mother and Dawn as the invalid might as well as been breathing the same air today. My Belle and MB are loved up with him! Ive never known my littley to be so smitten (next to chocolate anyway!).
MB also got to play with Arnie 
who is one of her favvo breeds. Armie would no sooner look at you and eat you. Especially Eddy who is a mere morsel in fact, smaller than Arnies lunch!
who is one of her favvo breeds. Armie would no sooner look at you and eat you. Especially Eddy who is a mere morsel in fact, smaller than Arnies lunch!I received a box of lovely new products today from DO for the second issue of Creativity Life and it contained a little taster of BG's Eva range. I was secretly hoping to get some of the Ambrosia range (colour fashion tips at the beginning of this year was Orange and Grey... and oh, its fabulous. I love looking at fashion prediction sites because the colours are usually in sync with scrapbooking as well as interiors and clothing. Anyone stocking this yet? I need!). Eva is just gorge but to be honest, most of their ranges have been fab... but not Baby Boy and certainly not Lilly-Kate - oh, and Fusion. Blech
I also got one of these babies which are new to Papermania (RRP £2.99..... cool, huh?) 
and its already been painted as I watched BB tonight!
and its already been painted as I watched BB tonight!14 Aug 2008
Back to Digi
The thing I love about digi is that you can do it sat down, in one place and not make a mess.
Am showing MB how to make a digi layout today.... mmmm, fun???!!!
**Edited**
Want the bargain of a lifetime?
Ive just had mine delivered and I was DESPERATE for them.
12x12 albums for a fiver... if you buy three albums you get them with postage for £20.
Go here
You can also do it whilst on the phone for a long time whilst putting the world to rights.
You can move layers, delete them or add as much as you want - FOR FREE! All these elements are from freebies found scattered around the net. Photos are from yesterdays little shoot and incorporates Kate Hadfields timeless letters.
Am showing MB how to make a digi layout today.... mmmm, fun???!!!
**Edited**
Want the bargain of a lifetime?
Ive just had mine delivered and I was DESPERATE for them.
12x12 albums for a fiver... if you buy three albums you get them with postage for £20.
Go here
13 Aug 2008
Trailer Trash Jewels
I love junk jewels.
I even bought this scarf (omg, i do have a terrible scarf fetish, you know) for £1.
They make my drab outfits look a little chintzier but I don't care too much for gilded, diamond encrusted tiara's much anyway. Although going shopping this afternoon soaked in glimmermist added to the pretence.
We decided to go somewhere different today.
Cuz Wigan sucks.
Ive not only just decided that.
It just does.
Ask any Wiganer and they will tell you.
Its a poo plop town that has ridiculous parking on multi storey levels and quite frankly, Im sick of barfing by the time I come to park after all the turns and twists around tight corners.
Worse than roller coasters in fact.
So we went to St Helens.
Hardly even better for shops but easier on the parking.
Contemplated going to Liverpool for about 4 seconds and then realised that I hadn't brought that much cash out with me and Id only spend spend spend.
Liverpool is ACE for shopping.
I bought some fabulous frames and a new bedding set for Belle's room amongst other knick knacks.
But our best buy was junk jewels.
These are my most fabbest buy at £1 a pop (sportingly modelled by MB)
I even bought this scarf (omg, i do have a terrible scarf fetish, you know) for £1. The shop was having a summer sale and sells trinkety jewels that may only last a season but then that is generally the way fashion goes anyway.
Belle is not a jewel fan but likes to touch them and run her fingers through beads. She was happy with a packet of Thorntons Fudge Cubes (OMG, deeeeeeelish).
That child really does know how to live!
MB bought some little gems too and spent a princely sum of £4.
I, like she, LOVE making money stretch.
We got home and the girls were in such high spirits that I got the camera out. Belle is especially accommodating these days and here are few pics of our little play.
Im off to go and settle with Juno and two excited ladies - snuggled on the couch with crap to guzzle down our throats (namely pretzels for me.. low fat, which is clearly a necessity as my backside is as wide as the M6 (all lanes, both directions = HUGE) and a trillion "e" number fuelled garbage for them).
JOY!
Im covered
...........from head to toe in Glimmer Mist.
I have never used it before and thought it looked harmless.
NOPE.
I was indeed the most wrongest person ever this morning and used it to my hearts content in the back garden.
Whilst the projects shimmer and shine (as does my grass, eeeeks), I am the beacon of light to all incoming jets at Manchester airport.
I glimmer so much that if I move I fear the kids and the dog will be blinded.
That's not including almost 40 tubs of Cosmic Shimmer I have yet to experiment with plus some majorly blingo packs of gems kindly sent to me by a new shop opening very, very soon.
I'm on a creative whirl although I'm not technically a stamper/altered artist.
One is fighting to feel those vibes but first one needs to know how to remove GM from my hands, face, skirt and knees without touching any work surfaces or doors on the way.
Classy!
Tune in later to find out how I will resolve this issue ......
I have never used it before and thought it looked harmless.
NOPE.
I was indeed the most wrongest person ever this morning and used it to my hearts content in the back garden.
Whilst the projects shimmer and shine (as does my grass, eeeeks), I am the beacon of light to all incoming jets at Manchester airport.
I glimmer so much that if I move I fear the kids and the dog will be blinded.
That's not including almost 40 tubs of Cosmic Shimmer I have yet to experiment with plus some majorly blingo packs of gems kindly sent to me by a new shop opening very, very soon.
I'm on a creative whirl although I'm not technically a stamper/altered artist.
One is fighting to feel those vibes but first one needs to know how to remove GM from my hands, face, skirt and knees without touching any work surfaces or doors on the way.
Classy!
Tune in later to find out how I will resolve this issue ......
12 Aug 2008
Back to makery
Work, for me, is like waiting for a bus.
Nowt for ages then 35 come at once.
Ive been twiddling my thumbs for a few days which has been immense considering the school hols and spending girl time with Belle and MB.
In order to keep up the pace, I have made a card for my spares box (using the love me/hate me Magnolia stamps... which... I LOVE!)
and a layout Ive been dying to make using the ribbon alone.
and a layout Ive been dying to make using the ribbon alone.Jo bought me a scrumpsh box of O'briens chockies a few weeks back and I knew the ribbon would be put to good use (as did the chocs!). I even knew the papers that would match as I devoured the lemon creams and smothered the dark chocolate truffles.
Ive also been going through some bits I have made and not shared and I found this lovely little thing I made for one of our shelves. It was made from 4 heidi swapp large playing cards and it spells HOME. I strategically placed a pic of Ellie under "E" and Mark on the letter "M" which left the letter "O" for me which could be construed in any which way you see fit. Mark says Orgasmic (mwahahahahaha) but I just say Ordinary.
I altered a little tin (actually it was one of those Ki Alphabet Soup tins) using leftovers from Studio Calico's kit from June.
Today the weather has been delightfully cacka.
We now how the re-emergence of our pool at the bottom of the garden, the house feels damp and Eddy will not go out for toileting purposes because not only does he get his feet wet but his belly too. This has been a source of delight for us and its got to the stage where we have to escort him under the careful housing of an umbrella. I swear to the lord almighty that this dog is considerably spoiled rotten. Ive seen owners boot their dogs out in the rain or indeed left them outside and I vowed to love my pooch like a little pal but its a little bit precious to have to escort him outside on a wet day. Charming in fact.
The girls have been bored rigid and welcomed a trip out with me to the doctors this afternoon just to change the pace. Finally the doctors gives me water tablets for my swollen ankle (injury related it seems but would like to send me for en ECG. I am clearly going to die, I know it). I went to get that cholesterol reading too and its only 4! Mark has his at 9 (dangerous it seems) but then he gets that from his parents because we are not the type of people to chuck chip fat down our necks nor eat 75 eggs for breakfast to warrant this. Grrrrrr.
She says, as she eats a bourbon cream dipped in tetley tea.
Think slim, be thin... tomorrow perhaps.
For the compassion of the Armed Forces
I am ex forces - I served 9 years.
My bro and sis are still serving (between them its nigh on 39 years).
My husband served 22 years in the British Army (he served in 1st Gulf war)
My cousin is still serving (he served in 1st gulf war too)
Mum and Dad are ex forces which totals up to almost 100 years.
Plus my grandfathers are ex-forces too.
I have a little plea to anyone who cares to help sign a petition to help keep the Royal Military Hospital at Haslar open. There is only ONE MAJOR forces hospital open in the whole of the UK. That means if any of our servicemen in Afghanistan or Iraq return to the UK with an injury, they have to go into a NHS Hospital. Somewhere alien to their needs and no camaraderie. And this is the message I got from my mum today. She was once treated in this hospital when she was a WREN.
PLEASE PLEASE HELP xx
RMH Haslar is set to close, but is still operational and could be made into a great home for our injured service personnel.
Some background:
'2 Para' alone have on their current tour sent back over 50 casualties to the UK, and even that many cannot be accommodated at Selly Oak Hospital. So when all of the casualties from other battle groups are added to this figure, how is ONE ward in ONE NHS hospital going to cope?
It cannot.
And as a result the individual troops are sent home to recover relying on NHS visiting services which themselves are over committed.
We need a dedicated military hospital if servicemen and servicewomen, who have been committed to hostilities and injured, are to get the medical care they rightly deserve.
A lot more than 5000 names are needed for this petition to survive, and quite cynically, Downing Street has put a time limit of one month - during the summer holidays - for this to be achieved. Please support it - please copy the link below to confirm your signature on the petition.
Please forward this email to as many people as you can.
Thanks.
Go to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Wounded/ - it takes 1 minute to fill the form
The petition was created by Denzil Connick and reads: 'We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Create a dedicated Military & Veterans Hospital within the UK.'
If you sign it, could you let me know in the comments box here please? That way I can come and thank you on behalf of my ex-comrades and friends and thousands of other soldiers who will be relieved that you did.
**note: the signatures have flown up to almost 94,000 but please sign anyway :)**
My bro and sis are still serving (between them its nigh on 39 years).
My husband served 22 years in the British Army (he served in 1st Gulf war)
My cousin is still serving (he served in 1st gulf war too)
Mum and Dad are ex forces which totals up to almost 100 years.
Plus my grandfathers are ex-forces too.
I have a little plea to anyone who cares to help sign a petition to help keep the Royal Military Hospital at Haslar open. There is only ONE MAJOR forces hospital open in the whole of the UK. That means if any of our servicemen in Afghanistan or Iraq return to the UK with an injury, they have to go into a NHS Hospital. Somewhere alien to their needs and no camaraderie. And this is the message I got from my mum today. She was once treated in this hospital when she was a WREN.
PLEASE PLEASE HELP xx
RMH Haslar is set to close, but is still operational and could be made into a great home for our injured service personnel.
Some background:
'2 Para' alone have on their current tour sent back over 50 casualties to the UK, and even that many cannot be accommodated at Selly Oak Hospital. So when all of the casualties from other battle groups are added to this figure, how is ONE ward in ONE NHS hospital going to cope?
It cannot.
And as a result the individual troops are sent home to recover relying on NHS visiting services which themselves are over committed.
We need a dedicated military hospital if servicemen and servicewomen, who have been committed to hostilities and injured, are to get the medical care they rightly deserve.
A lot more than 5000 names are needed for this petition to survive, and quite cynically, Downing Street has put a time limit of one month - during the summer holidays - for this to be achieved. Please support it - please copy the link below to confirm your signature on the petition.
Please forward this email to as many people as you can.
Thanks.
Go to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Wounded/ - it takes 1 minute to fill the form
The petition was created by Denzil Connick and reads: 'We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Create a dedicated Military & Veterans Hospital within the UK.'
If you sign it, could you let me know in the comments box here please? That way I can come and thank you on behalf of my ex-comrades and friends and thousands of other soldiers who will be relieved that you did.
**note: the signatures have flown up to almost 94,000 but please sign anyway :)**
11 Aug 2008
Putting on the Glitz!
We all went out last night.
Well, all the girls did anyway!.
We didn't want boy juice in the mix - BECAUSE boys smell.
We finally got round to go to the cinema to watch Mamma Mia.
I told the girls to dress up and I helped with hair and a tad of make up.
And as a pre-cinema treat I took their photos so they could make a mini book this week.
And of course, MB felt I was missing out on the action so here is her shot of moi.
Well, all the girls did anyway!.
We didn't want boy juice in the mix - BECAUSE boys smell.
We finally got round to go to the cinema to watch Mamma Mia.
I told the girls to dress up and I helped with hair and a tad of make up.
And as a pre-cinema treat I took their photos so they could make a mini book this week.
Belle was so good to let me take pictures of her and yes, the light was fading and a slow shutter speed ensued which meant blurry action shots but honestly... I LOVE THESE PICS!
And of course, MB felt I was missing out on the action so here is her shot of moi. Then the best was yet to come.
The film.
OMG.
Its brilliantly funny, charming, groovy, happy and sad.
Marybeth and I wanted to get up and dance but we all opted to boogie in our seats and sing really loud.
We decided the best bit was when al the girls went down to the jetty whilst singing Mamma Mia.
The second best bit was when julie walters negotiated the rowing boat and fell in the sea and the third best bit was the prelude to the boys stag night.
We sang all the way home and had the best night EVER.
GO AND SEE IT!
And take your disco shoes with you!
10 Aug 2008
We scream for ice cream
It's the crappiest August on record for weather; we even wore coats yesterday. But that didn't stop us going to our local ice cream parlour for a treat (and a giggle).
Belle revelled in Toffee Fudge ice cream with fudge sauce and a fudge stick in a tub - as always.
MB settled for White chocolate ice cream on a double cone with strawberry sauce 
and I homed in on a thigh busting, belly enlarging, cholesterol doubling, heart attack inducing lemon meringue ice cream with choc sauce and a fudge stick on a sugar cone. 
Sometimes I wonder why I just don't bypass my mouth and rub all my food on my thighs and backside. But hey ho and skippy-de-dooooooo.... life is for living.
MB is always making my belle laugh. Its quite a rarity to hear her roar with the giggles and its such a funny thing to witness.
And here is the clown of the show; the effervescent MB who is the most funniest kid we know.
I will scrap these photos, for sure, despite them being probably the worst quality pictures I own - but thats cell phone cameras for you!!!
Belle revelled in Toffee Fudge ice cream with fudge sauce and a fudge stick in a tub - as always.
MB settled for White chocolate ice cream on a double cone with strawberry sauce and I homed in on a thigh busting, belly enlarging, cholesterol doubling, heart attack inducing lemon meringue ice cream with choc sauce and a fudge stick on a sugar cone. Sometimes I wonder why I just don't bypass my mouth and rub all my food on my thighs and backside. But hey ho and skippy-de-dooooooo.... life is for living.MB is always making my belle laugh. Its quite a rarity to hear her roar with the giggles and its such a funny thing to witness.
And here is the clown of the show; the effervescent MB who is the most funniest kid we know.
I will scrap these photos, for sure, despite them being probably the worst quality pictures I own - but thats cell phone cameras for you!!!
9 Aug 2008
A grand day out
We **heart** Chester Zoo.
A love this Cheetah. 
These ants here were fascinating to watch as they bit into leaves and carried them to their nest. They are serious little workers. I could have stayed there all day.
This is funny! From afar (and without my zoom lens) Terrie thought this was a creature in a field. She said "Whats that?" and actually it was a clump of thistles. Very dangerous if you ask me, they can sting!
Don't you just love peacock blue?
We bobbed along yest with Terrie, Scott, my Belle and our MB.
Due to money off vouchers and the fact Belle is disabled it cost a total of £24.95 - saving us a total of £40. This meant our grand day out was going to be a cost effective one (ie lots of spare dosh for ices and drinks!). We met up with Dawny and little Kyla and set sail around the vastness that is this impressive zoo.
We pretty much let the kids go and see what they wanted and by the end of the day, I swear to callouses and verrucas... my feet were in agony. What finished me off was the Tropical house where I thought I was going to pass out. I was saved by the fact that the Cappuchins were just outside to greet us and for me that rounded the day off magnificently. 
Just a number of shots of our day..... a seal basking in the heat (and it was scorching for part of the afternoon).
This picture was taken through perspex so it looks a tad weird but he was really close to us. The kids loved being so near to him. He is only licking his lips after taking a bite out of Belles arm. Dont worry, she didn't cry.
The crew - MB, Terrie, Dawny and lil Kyla.
Belles chauffeur for the day was Scott (Terries hub). He was such a gent to push her around and tell terrible jokes all day long. The kids ADORED him. And we all adored them as a collective. I couldnt have asked for nicer people to spend the day with. Do not ask why Belle has the picnic blanket wrapped around her - it was belting hot at this stage.
Aaaaaaaw these fellas were so adorable to fuss over.
I have never been this close to a giraffe before... I love them.
A Rhino for MB's keepsake. MB is from Leeds and their rugby team's called the Leeds Rhinos. She and her family are absolutely mad about them. Funny looking things, wouldn't you say? ;) Marybeth didn't care for the smell of them though, when we went into their feeding enclosure.
Just a number of shots of our day..... a seal basking in the heat (and it was scorching for part of the afternoon).This picture was taken through perspex so it looks a tad weird but he was really close to us. The kids loved being so near to him. He is only licking his lips after taking a bite out of Belles arm. Dont worry, she didn't cry.The crew - MB, Terrie, Dawny and lil Kyla.Belles chauffeur for the day was Scott (Terries hub). He was such a gent to push her around and tell terrible jokes all day long. The kids ADORED him. And we all adored them as a collective. I couldnt have asked for nicer people to spend the day with. Do not ask why Belle has the picnic blanket wrapped around her - it was belting hot at this stage.Aaaaaaaw these fellas were so adorable to fuss over.I have never been this close to a giraffe before... I love them.A Rhino for MB's keepsake. MB is from Leeds and their rugby team's called the Leeds Rhinos. She and her family are absolutely mad about them. Funny looking things, wouldn't you say? ;) Marybeth didn't care for the smell of them though, when we went into their feeding enclosure.A love this Cheetah. These ants here were fascinating to watch as they bit into leaves and carried them to their nest. They are serious little workers. I could have stayed there all day.This is funny! From afar (and without my zoom lens) Terrie thought this was a creature in a field. She said "Whats that?" and actually it was a clump of thistles. Very dangerous if you ask me, they can sting!Don't you just love peacock blue?These fellas bring a smile to my face. Funny, curious and playful. Now, I could watch these forever. 
The park inside the zoo is impressive and clean. The flora and fauna are immaculate with allsorts of plants to puzzle over. These were my favourite of the day set against the grass backdrop, they took my breath away.
These too were so pretty to look at.
And then the lilac trees - oh the lilac trees speckled with these beautiful butterflies. the look like Red Admirals but I have never seen a RA with purple on his tips. Belle was impressed with this photo and excitedly mentioned that "you can really see his proboscis going into the flower". WOW!
Here is she, taking a walk in the shade to take the numb bum feeling away!
MB was pure entertainment for the day - Terrie and Dawny loved her.
Sitting pretty in the gardens. MB is such a pretty girl.
If you plan to go to Chester Zoo look out for special offer tickets in Sainsbury's and if you are the carer of a disabled child or adult - the carer gets in for free.
The park inside the zoo is impressive and clean. The flora and fauna are immaculate with allsorts of plants to puzzle over. These were my favourite of the day set against the grass backdrop, they took my breath away.These too were so pretty to look at.And then the lilac trees - oh the lilac trees speckled with these beautiful butterflies. the look like Red Admirals but I have never seen a RA with purple on his tips. Belle was impressed with this photo and excitedly mentioned that "you can really see his proboscis going into the flower". WOW!Here is she, taking a walk in the shade to take the numb bum feeling away!MB was pure entertainment for the day - Terrie and Dawny loved her.Sitting pretty in the gardens. MB is such a pretty girl.If you plan to go to Chester Zoo look out for special offer tickets in Sainsbury's and if you are the carer of a disabled child or adult - the carer gets in for free.Need sleep and then back to crafting tomorrow. Ive not made a sausage all week.
7 Aug 2008
Fashion, turn to the left
Belle, has never given a damn about fashion or for the clothes she wears.
NEVER.
EVER.
Swear to god and cross my heart.
Ive seen to it that she is modestly dressed and in clothes that don't date (simply because she doesn't grow as quick as you or I did as a kiddly).
But bring MB on the scene and you have a kid who is dressing to the max - her words.
I don't particularly like her bare arms to show (only because jaws drop about 10 feet) but I have to admit defeat and say she looks kinda groovacious here. Belle chose this top herself yest when we did a lil shopping.
Her sparkly pumps are the best thing because, as my family will bear testament - Ellie hates footwear. She can only wear lace ups or boots - never pretty shoes and certainly not fashionable numbers.
MB also dressed for the shoot this afternoon before we paid a visit to our local town. Its lovely to see MB grow into this really funny and kind person - just like her sister Emily (my cousin and and goddaughter). But Ive never been able to give MB the attention that I did with Emily because I had Ellie just 4 weeks before MB was born (obv they are the same age!) and then Belle spent most of her babyhood in Hospital which made it difficult to see each other often. So having MB over to get reacquainted and spend time with has been a real hoot. Our trip to town consisted of buying picnic stuff for tomorrow plus thrift shop bargains of this cake stand for me (99p!!!). Perfect for my favourite scrapping tools but will obv dust down when we do serve cakes with my illusions of grandeur.
MB bought a box set of Friends for 99p too! Belle was just happy with a chocolate mouse from our most fave choc shop in the world. We ate our bakery lunch on a bench watching the traffic go by (hmmm, the fumes added to the flavour of my pasty) and at one point I saw this woman staring at Ellie from the passenger seat of her car. Belle was in a pushchair, bare arms showing of course, and this woman's face was a real pig of disdain. I really couldn't shout at her (I wouldn't anyway) so in Ellies defence I just stuck my tongue out and even then it had flaky pastry on it. I was furious. I seriously thought we had gone past all that. But secretly it was a bit funny as well.
MB bought a box set of Friends for 99p too! Belle was just happy with a chocolate mouse from our most fave choc shop in the world. We ate our bakery lunch on a bench watching the traffic go by (hmmm, the fumes added to the flavour of my pasty) and at one point I saw this woman staring at Ellie from the passenger seat of her car. Belle was in a pushchair, bare arms showing of course, and this woman's face was a real pig of disdain. I really couldn't shout at her (I wouldn't anyway) so in Ellies defence I just stuck my tongue out and even then it had flaky pastry on it. I was furious. I seriously thought we had gone past all that. But secretly it was a bit funny as well.Like I say, we went clothes shopping yesterday to grab some clobber for belle and myself's trip to gay Paree in two weeks. I wanted to buy some bits and bobs for Marybeth too and between them, they rocked the shops. 
I only came away with two trashy dress necklaces and a scarf out of the whole charade and they get the whole kit and kaboodle! They were so pleased with themselves and it was such a pleasure watching Ellie pick and choose completely rad pieces of clothing. Im just besides myself with this transformation in her.
I only came away with two trashy dress necklaces and a scarf out of the whole charade and they get the whole kit and kaboodle! They were so pleased with themselves and it was such a pleasure watching Ellie pick and choose completely rad pieces of clothing. Im just besides myself with this transformation in her.Slipping in a little big girl having 40 winks on our sofa!!!!! Late nights watching Freaky Friday didnt help!
Lastly there is some terribly sad news.
My wok, my sweet dear wok that we have had for 13 years came to its crappy end tonight. We use our wok roughly 5 times a week as we make everything in there. 
Stir fry's, soups (cos its bigger than a pan!), casseroles, for lightly frying whatever needs lightly frying.... oh that wok has seen some major cooking action but now? God, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
Stir fry's, soups (cos its bigger than a pan!), casseroles, for lightly frying whatever needs lightly frying.... oh that wok has seen some major cooking action but now? God, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.Its gone and I felt a tinge of nostalgia as I tossed it in the bin tonight.
I distinctly remember it cost £12.99 so its was worth the £1 a year investment!
RIP little wokky for you have served us well.
6 Aug 2008
Good for the soul
Ive had a right niggly niggle in my head/chest/heart for a couple of months now.
You know the feeling, it kind of feels like you are being choked and you are gasping for air.
You need to do something but you don't know what it is that will help clear out the cobwebs.
You stand there for weeks scratching your head and pulling the most ugliest of faces because you just want to sort it out. Its most bizarre really but its true.
I can't deny I feel totally and utterly like crappy crappersville from the planet crapston.
Now the blog camera pans to tonight and cue a DVD night again at our house.
Its 11.30 and the kids are wide awake.
Said kids have been scanning the DVD shelf all evening whilst planning cinema nights over the next few weeks.
We wrote down what we are going to watch and on the list we have weepies such as Beaches and Steel Magnolias to comedies like the Wedding Singer and Uncle Buck and then musicals from Sound of Music to Calamity Jane and Grease. The feel good movies are listed as The Holiday, Love Actually and While You Were Sleeping.
You could say we have a fairly vast library of classic movies but you can scrub Marks precious "The Great Escape" (Jeez, that movie maybe based on a true story but it goes on and on and on and on. Too much dirt filled trousers for my liking although, to be fair, Steve Mcqueen was a bit of a yum in his day and his sweaty look whilst slinging that ball in the slammer makes my knees knock a little).
The blog camera now pans back to the event of "the girls can't sleep". Well, it is the school holidays and it maybe very late at night but sod it - we are watching a DVD come hell or high water.
And we plump for The Holiday because its just brilliantly endearing, charming, heart warming and consists of a good measure of Jude Law and Jude Laws hairy chest - not forgetting Jude Law in glasses.
Jack Black follows at the rear in hot pursuit and he deffo has something about him too. If you watch him closely and follow his eyes, I have to exclaim that his overly cheeky persona wins my little heart.
The blog camera then pans onto Kirsty who is not only majorly enjoying the film but is also feeling a wave of happy feelings thinking that life can be that good and joyous. Hollywood sure knows how to put a great feel good movie together albeit a little over flourished with "yeah, yeah's" but as soon as the credits rolled I felt inclined to come in my room, finish off a few bits, sort out some mail with a slightly euphoric skip in my step. I'm not professing its cured my little woe however it does cast aside the mysterious aching feeling we all get now and again.
What movie gives you that feel good factor?
Answers on a sheet of bazzil bling to the usual address.........................
You know the feeling, it kind of feels like you are being choked and you are gasping for air.
You need to do something but you don't know what it is that will help clear out the cobwebs.
You stand there for weeks scratching your head and pulling the most ugliest of faces because you just want to sort it out. Its most bizarre really but its true.
I can't deny I feel totally and utterly like crappy crappersville from the planet crapston.
Now the blog camera pans to tonight and cue a DVD night again at our house.
Its 11.30 and the kids are wide awake.
Said kids have been scanning the DVD shelf all evening whilst planning cinema nights over the next few weeks.
We wrote down what we are going to watch and on the list we have weepies such as Beaches and Steel Magnolias to comedies like the Wedding Singer and Uncle Buck and then musicals from Sound of Music to Calamity Jane and Grease. The feel good movies are listed as The Holiday, Love Actually and While You Were Sleeping.
You could say we have a fairly vast library of classic movies but you can scrub Marks precious "The Great Escape" (Jeez, that movie maybe based on a true story but it goes on and on and on and on. Too much dirt filled trousers for my liking although, to be fair, Steve Mcqueen was a bit of a yum in his day and his sweaty look whilst slinging that ball in the slammer makes my knees knock a little).
The blog camera now pans back to the event of "the girls can't sleep". Well, it is the school holidays and it maybe very late at night but sod it - we are watching a DVD come hell or high water.
And we plump for The Holiday because its just brilliantly endearing, charming, heart warming and consists of a good measure of Jude Law and Jude Laws hairy chest - not forgetting Jude Law in glasses.
Jack Black follows at the rear in hot pursuit and he deffo has something about him too. If you watch him closely and follow his eyes, I have to exclaim that his overly cheeky persona wins my little heart.
The blog camera then pans onto Kirsty who is not only majorly enjoying the film but is also feeling a wave of happy feelings thinking that life can be that good and joyous. Hollywood sure knows how to put a great feel good movie together albeit a little over flourished with "yeah, yeah's" but as soon as the credits rolled I felt inclined to come in my room, finish off a few bits, sort out some mail with a slightly euphoric skip in my step. I'm not professing its cured my little woe however it does cast aside the mysterious aching feeling we all get now and again.
What movie gives you that feel good factor?
Answers on a sheet of bazzil bling to the usual address.........................
4 Aug 2008
Doin nuttin'
**would love to have posted pictures but blogger is being a little sod tonight :(**
I have worked solidly for 3 days and waking up to doing nothing is pure heaven.
Of course I have 2 little minxes to look after but even they got up the same time as me (ssssssh, 9.30am!!). I have my cousin Marybeth over who is the same age as Belle so you can imagine what fun they are both going to get up to. We have a few things planned to enjoy the holidays but our favourite event shall be going to see Mamma Mia. I know we are probably the last people on earth to see it but we can't wait. In fact we have just watched a film on dvd together snuggled up in our bed and poor Marybeth ended up crying through the film. Im not surprised, i shed a bucket load of saline drops myself because you can't help yourself when you watch Bridge to Terabithia.
Today saw us have a morning in our jimmy jams just chilling out as they pawed over Hannah Montana and That's so Raven. I'm not kidding, Belle NEVER watches stuff like this (even though she ought to) so you can imagine how I'm thinking she is trying to be like Marybeth. Belle even wanted her hair like Marybeth today and to wear her bestest clothes. Its a little bit weepy to think that she ought to have been behaving like this years ago and I knew that by having MB over, Belle would try her hardest to be like your average 12 year old. Ive not suppressed Belle's growing up and Ive never discouraged her from doing anything within or slightly beyond her capabilities but Belle is Belle. I must admit that last week I had a heart to heart with my mum to discuss the issues we are faced with, with Belle and how hard society is around her. But my philosophy is that Belle is happy, she doesn't give me attitude (yet!) and whilst ever belle is within these four walls - we know where she is and what she is doing.
Ive never been frightened of her growing up but I am cautious and protective of how other people perceive her. I make sure her clothes pad her out (she is awfully thin), fashion her hair into groovacious top knots (you can imagine those tumbling curls) and I am super wary of how people respond to her when she is in her push chair. However, we have noticed her wanting to choose her own clothes and hair accessories on a morning and the words she is using with her language. Tonight made me scream with laughter when she was laying on me and she just came out with "Unfortunately Mum, I have to move because my back is majorly killing me". Seriously, this kid would use very little words to offer maximum impact and normally just say "I need to move". Loving this change in my girl.
Before we went supermarket shopping (yuk) we needed to shift Eddy from upstairs. He will NOT come down the stairs (plus its dangerous for him as stairs cause bad backs in dachshunds). I needed to bring my empty weekend bag back down with me so I plopped him in it and showed the girls in the garden my new accessory. Oh they did laugh and Eddy never fussed once! I can't say it will be an everyday Paris Hilton style occurrence but it was fun for 2 minutes.
Its been such a good day and we love having Marybeth around. She tells us that she often gets called just "MB" at school and even Mars Bar. The banter between us all has been so much fun that I sincerely hope it doesn't run out by week two.
Now they are in bed I can reply to emails (which do bank up when Im away - 482 to be precise and even then they are invitations to encourage me to extend my penis. Nice touch, I feel. But I did respond to a Bhagrani Garahanda in Nigeria who asked if I could send him my bank details in order that he would give me £2 million from a locked inheritance. Im currently looking at a weekend pad in Belgravia with the money and a jaunt to Monaco with my windfall - no?). Ive also sifted through some piccies from the weekend where I was demoing at Dawns rather busy shop in Oswadtwistle. I was demoing Doodlebug glitterpots and the new stick-with-it double sided sticky stickers plus other yummables from the Doodlebug range. I was covered from head to toe in various shades of Doodlebug glitter - no wonder customers made a beeline for my table - its was blingotastic! I have never seen a shop so busy in all of my life with a queue the length of the Pennines forming in a spirally fashion between stands and displays.
I was desperately happy to see one of my mums friends turn up to say hello plus a lot of women creeping up to me and randomly blurting out "I read your blog". Now, its such a lovely thing that they do (because quite a few do and really, I have no idea who they are and I am one of those numbers on other peoples blog who also lurk too......so shut up Kirsty) but when they creep up like that, you kind of expect them to wield Freddie Kruger style knifey fingers and toss their heads back whilst screaming "mwahahahahahahahahahha!". But anyway, it was a great chance to meet those who admit they "lurk" and chat about the scrapping world/kids/dogs/bites/price of fuel. One lady came up to me and said "Im your stalker" and to be honest she didn't look freaky or weird or have a glint of psycho in her eyes. She looked dinky and friendly and adorable. I scanned my eyes over her (namely her fingers because you know, Freddie Kruger comes in all guises) and decided she was normal like everyone else and she introduced herself as Terrie and I knew who she was from the name alone. Terrie kindly leaves a lovely message on almost every blog post I write of late and I jumped up out of my seat to give her a hug. I guess she thought I was the freak after that! I also met Dawn who has also left a few messages on my blog of late plus Terries husband and had I not of been demoing and glittering the world, I would have loved to have spent more time with them. And we so shall in future - for sure!
Paula Pascual was there in her wonderful Spanish aurora - she is majorly dinky and adorable, Clare Curd came along on the second day too - we did have a laugh or too. I can't describe how much I love working with her. We spent the night at Dawn and JJ's in one of their guest rooms and we were talking in bed. We were laughing about nothing really but then Clare stopped talking and went into a trance like state. And she said "I hate to tell you this but there is a dwarf on top of the wardrobe". And I looked over and before you knew it, I was being resuscitated by paramedics as I had clearly just died from laughing. Over on the wardrobe - really - was a dwarf. Stiff as a board only sporting a white beard. I guess it was a crimbo decoration and it was waist high Santa statue. Maybe not funny to you and I guess it was a classic "you had to be there" moment.
Jan and Lindsay Mason from Personal Impressions was making lots of yummo things with Ranger and stampin' stuff, Leonie was up at the mills making ATC's and playing with kits (never got to see her - cry. cry) Dawn demo'd stamps and the melt pot (I cant believe I haven't bought one yet) and my new BFF Sarah demo'd Pine Cone press papers and Prima acrylic books. She sold out of all her glossy accents and man - she went through a LOT! The reason why Sarah is my new BFF is because she is kind and gentle and funny and sweet. They are my favourite things in a person. And I can practically finish off what she is going to say and vice versa. I love it when friendships form and click like that. I kind of want to pick her up and put her in my pocket for safe keeping.
And finally winally do go and check out this lovely article over at Bubbly Funk. I made a few projects using her most fabulous range of chipboard (She really does - and I mean this - REALLY DOES have the best chipboard shapes in the world).
I have worked solidly for 3 days and waking up to doing nothing is pure heaven.
Of course I have 2 little minxes to look after but even they got up the same time as me (ssssssh, 9.30am!!). I have my cousin Marybeth over who is the same age as Belle so you can imagine what fun they are both going to get up to. We have a few things planned to enjoy the holidays but our favourite event shall be going to see Mamma Mia. I know we are probably the last people on earth to see it but we can't wait. In fact we have just watched a film on dvd together snuggled up in our bed and poor Marybeth ended up crying through the film. Im not surprised, i shed a bucket load of saline drops myself because you can't help yourself when you watch Bridge to Terabithia.
Today saw us have a morning in our jimmy jams just chilling out as they pawed over Hannah Montana and That's so Raven. I'm not kidding, Belle NEVER watches stuff like this (even though she ought to) so you can imagine how I'm thinking she is trying to be like Marybeth. Belle even wanted her hair like Marybeth today and to wear her bestest clothes. Its a little bit weepy to think that she ought to have been behaving like this years ago and I knew that by having MB over, Belle would try her hardest to be like your average 12 year old. Ive not suppressed Belle's growing up and Ive never discouraged her from doing anything within or slightly beyond her capabilities but Belle is Belle. I must admit that last week I had a heart to heart with my mum to discuss the issues we are faced with, with Belle and how hard society is around her. But my philosophy is that Belle is happy, she doesn't give me attitude (yet!) and whilst ever belle is within these four walls - we know where she is and what she is doing.
Ive never been frightened of her growing up but I am cautious and protective of how other people perceive her. I make sure her clothes pad her out (she is awfully thin), fashion her hair into groovacious top knots (you can imagine those tumbling curls) and I am super wary of how people respond to her when she is in her push chair. However, we have noticed her wanting to choose her own clothes and hair accessories on a morning and the words she is using with her language. Tonight made me scream with laughter when she was laying on me and she just came out with "Unfortunately Mum, I have to move because my back is majorly killing me". Seriously, this kid would use very little words to offer maximum impact and normally just say "I need to move". Loving this change in my girl.
Before we went supermarket shopping (yuk) we needed to shift Eddy from upstairs. He will NOT come down the stairs (plus its dangerous for him as stairs cause bad backs in dachshunds). I needed to bring my empty weekend bag back down with me so I plopped him in it and showed the girls in the garden my new accessory. Oh they did laugh and Eddy never fussed once! I can't say it will be an everyday Paris Hilton style occurrence but it was fun for 2 minutes.
Its been such a good day and we love having Marybeth around. She tells us that she often gets called just "MB" at school and even Mars Bar. The banter between us all has been so much fun that I sincerely hope it doesn't run out by week two.
Now they are in bed I can reply to emails (which do bank up when Im away - 482 to be precise and even then they are invitations to encourage me to extend my penis. Nice touch, I feel. But I did respond to a Bhagrani Garahanda in Nigeria who asked if I could send him my bank details in order that he would give me £2 million from a locked inheritance. Im currently looking at a weekend pad in Belgravia with the money and a jaunt to Monaco with my windfall - no?). Ive also sifted through some piccies from the weekend where I was demoing at Dawns rather busy shop in Oswadtwistle. I was demoing Doodlebug glitterpots and the new stick-with-it double sided sticky stickers plus other yummables from the Doodlebug range. I was covered from head to toe in various shades of Doodlebug glitter - no wonder customers made a beeline for my table - its was blingotastic! I have never seen a shop so busy in all of my life with a queue the length of the Pennines forming in a spirally fashion between stands and displays.
I was desperately happy to see one of my mums friends turn up to say hello plus a lot of women creeping up to me and randomly blurting out "I read your blog". Now, its such a lovely thing that they do (because quite a few do and really, I have no idea who they are and I am one of those numbers on other peoples blog who also lurk too......so shut up Kirsty) but when they creep up like that, you kind of expect them to wield Freddie Kruger style knifey fingers and toss their heads back whilst screaming "mwahahahahahahahahahha!". But anyway, it was a great chance to meet those who admit they "lurk" and chat about the scrapping world/kids/dogs/bites/price of fuel. One lady came up to me and said "Im your stalker" and to be honest she didn't look freaky or weird or have a glint of psycho in her eyes. She looked dinky and friendly and adorable. I scanned my eyes over her (namely her fingers because you know, Freddie Kruger comes in all guises) and decided she was normal like everyone else and she introduced herself as Terrie and I knew who she was from the name alone. Terrie kindly leaves a lovely message on almost every blog post I write of late and I jumped up out of my seat to give her a hug. I guess she thought I was the freak after that! I also met Dawn who has also left a few messages on my blog of late plus Terries husband and had I not of been demoing and glittering the world, I would have loved to have spent more time with them. And we so shall in future - for sure!
Paula Pascual was there in her wonderful Spanish aurora - she is majorly dinky and adorable, Clare Curd came along on the second day too - we did have a laugh or too. I can't describe how much I love working with her. We spent the night at Dawn and JJ's in one of their guest rooms and we were talking in bed. We were laughing about nothing really but then Clare stopped talking and went into a trance like state. And she said "I hate to tell you this but there is a dwarf on top of the wardrobe". And I looked over and before you knew it, I was being resuscitated by paramedics as I had clearly just died from laughing. Over on the wardrobe - really - was a dwarf. Stiff as a board only sporting a white beard. I guess it was a crimbo decoration and it was waist high Santa statue. Maybe not funny to you and I guess it was a classic "you had to be there" moment.
Jan and Lindsay Mason from Personal Impressions was making lots of yummo things with Ranger and stampin' stuff, Leonie was up at the mills making ATC's and playing with kits (never got to see her - cry. cry) Dawn demo'd stamps and the melt pot (I cant believe I haven't bought one yet) and my new BFF Sarah demo'd Pine Cone press papers and Prima acrylic books. She sold out of all her glossy accents and man - she went through a LOT! The reason why Sarah is my new BFF is because she is kind and gentle and funny and sweet. They are my favourite things in a person. And I can practically finish off what she is going to say and vice versa. I love it when friendships form and click like that. I kind of want to pick her up and put her in my pocket for safe keeping.
And finally winally do go and check out this lovely article over at Bubbly Funk. I made a few projects using her most fabulous range of chipboard (She really does - and I mean this - REALLY DOES have the best chipboard shapes in the world).
3 Aug 2008
For stinging eyes
I cant tell you how much my eyes are stinging.
I was very much needing something to calm them down tonight.
What better way than to type in 4 words you want a photo to represent into Flickr - words that mean something to you or has touched you or is relevant or needed.
Kind of Ali or Em F style.
So you tap into thousands of the images that bring emotion to you or perhaps compliment how you are feeling.
1. Suspension Bridge, 2. Watering the Wall of Indifference, 3. Machweo, 4. the highway is my home
Picture 1 represents my violin. Want to start those lessons again and quick. Need something to take my mind off stuff. I will master it eventually.
Picture 2 reflects hurt and suffering. Sometimes we can all relate to the woman in this picture.
Picture 3 is my dream vision. Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya......wherever an African sunset falls behind an acacia tree.... I want to be there. Now.
Picture 4 - an open road. Need to take a visit somewhere open and free. Feel a trip coming on with the girls this week.
All will be as normal tomorrow.
You just have to sleep on it :)
I was very much needing something to calm them down tonight.
What better way than to type in 4 words you want a photo to represent into Flickr - words that mean something to you or has touched you or is relevant or needed.
Kind of Ali or Em F style.
So you tap into thousands of the images that bring emotion to you or perhaps compliment how you are feeling.
1. Suspension Bridge, 2. Watering the Wall of Indifference, 3. Machweo, 4. the highway is my homePicture 1 represents my violin. Want to start those lessons again and quick. Need something to take my mind off stuff. I will master it eventually.
Picture 2 reflects hurt and suffering. Sometimes we can all relate to the woman in this picture.
Picture 3 is my dream vision. Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya......wherever an African sunset falls behind an acacia tree.... I want to be there. Now.
Picture 4 - an open road. Need to take a visit somewhere open and free. Feel a trip coming on with the girls this week.
All will be as normal tomorrow.
You just have to sleep on it :)
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