Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Thanks pixie - though I always knew it!

Found this on Paula's blog... Lol!


Jakey --
[adjective]:

Visually addictive

'How" will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com


Well, obviously - to know me is to love me.......! :-)

But it gets better - I put my full name in....


jacqueline --
[adjective]:

Sexually stunning

'How" will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

PMSL!!


Oh...And obviously.... very modest too! :-)
I was very sorry to hear that a fellow scrapper and former colleague lost her beloved sister yesterday after a heartbreaking battle with cancer. Having lost a very dear sister myself to the same disease, I can remember only too well the pain and bewilderment she will be going through today. I have no words of comfort to offer, but all my thoughts and love are with the family at this painful and private time. I hope for strength and peace for them all in the difficult days ahead.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Freecycling it

Been a busy bee today - Freecycling.

If you've never heard of it, get involved soon... it's a fantastic way of getting rid of things you can't bear to throw away; doing your bit for the environment by keeping good stuff out of landfills; and helping someone else out at the same time.

I understand it was originally set up in Oregon, USA, but quickly spread to the rest of America, and from there to Europe, Australia, Canada - and is still going. I bet there's a local group in your area - check it out :-)

You join up for free, post your preferrences - daily digest, individual emails or read on the site, and see what's on offer. You'd be very surprised at the things people want to give away. But that is just the thing - you must give the stuff away - you cannot charge and no one should attempt to charge you either.

So, back in the summer I nabbed myself a Butlers sink for the garden, and a sewing machine for work. I've also given loads away, including 4 Adult education City and Guilds course books today, a set of 14 how my body works videos, a complete part works art course, all my old Midwifery text books, a boys coat, a pair of boots and a mirror!

And the clearout continues!

MIA

Apologies for ignoring my blog the last few days - but what a busy time the run up to Christmas is!

I have so much to do at work, what with fine tuning all the arrangements for the Christmas program of activities, fundraising to pay for it all, and trying to keep everyone busy and occupied at the same time, that I haven't a minute to spare. My table top sale did well the other day. I hadn't had time to make any craft items, which I did do last year, but we had a lots of stuff donated and we managed to scrape enough in to pay for at least one entertainer, so that's one less thing to worry about now. Plus I usually get some raffle gifts and monies donated by families, and it all helps stretch the budget.

I've organised so many things this year, the poor old dears won't have time to think about being lonely or sad throughout the season... well, I hope not anyway. Christmas is a wonderful time, of course. But also a time when we think of families all together round the tree... and for lots of my peeps, well unfortunatley, that just doesn't happen. So, I throw everything I have into it, and try and keep them involved and make sure we have something to look forward to everyday. What else can you do?

On the home front, I have my dd, son in law, and grandson arriving on Sunday night for 10 days, so busy times ahead for me all round.

I hope you are all enjoying the run up to Christmas, are not too stressed, and are managing to find a little time to yourselves {personally i've given up on the last one this year! ;-) }.

Until next time then - Chrizzy hugs and miztletoe kizzes!
jk xx

Saturday, November 25, 2006


My poor boy is getting old... he creaks around now, squeezing himself into any warm spot he can, yet he'll still flash a paw (claw!) out and have you as you go by if he feels he can be bothered... Just so you know he's still got it, see? He hasn't lost the devlish glint his gorgeous green eyes - and though he's always in trouble for being underfoot - he can still hear any movement of his food dish from 50 feet... even while in the deepest slumber!

My dear old boy looking as handsome as ever at nearly 16 :-)
Thanks to Laura G for the class.

Friday, November 24, 2006

Christmas songs... which one's your favourite?

I love all things Christmas.... Don't you?

I love the songs... rustly wrapping paper...Christmas carols, the smells.... cinnamon and pine...the lights, mince pies, the twinkly stuff, the anticipation.... and the presents!

This year the guys are coming over early. They can't make Christmas itself, coz it's just not practical. They have jobs, family out there too... pets, committments... and a home - of their own.

But we're sort of going to be doing a bit of Christmas stuff while they're here, so I hope you'll excuse me getting myself in the mood by changing my blog music to something more seasonal...? Oh, Go on....... I know you lot! Any excuse to get in the spirit of it all :-)

I'm SO happy now, coz after a year of rotten luck, we've somehow managed to find the money to buy everyone the presents they want - and still have a bit to indulge ourselves :-) The house is still a tip - but with a bit of tinsel, and a few lights, I guess it'll do... it'll pass muster for a couple of weeks, anyway.

So, tell me - it's not too early... is it?

Have fun picking your own Christmas song and getting in the mood!

Hugs!
jk xx

Lol... am I THAT transparent! :-)


Your Christmas Song Is



Santa Claus Is Coming to Town



He's making a list

And checking it twice

Gonna find out who's naughty and nice

Santa Claus is coming to town



For you, Christmas is all about checking your stocking... And opening your presents like a wild animal!

Who.... Moi??? :-)

the waiting game...

Yay! At last my little order from AMLT has arrived....!!

It's my own fault it's taken so long because when I sent the order I forgot to ask Jill to upgrade my postage to a flat rate mailer - I won't make that mistake again. It's been weeks, and there's only a few bits there anyway, a couple of sets of stamps, and some other pretty odds and ends, but still!

I have had a few other exciting parcels arrive this week, but not stuff I can have right now. Mostly Christmas presents that family have told me to order and they'll pay for :-) So, not many surprises for me on the day, but at least this way I get exactly what I want :-)

I'm going to be stuck here in the house all day today coz I'm waiting on a delivery (by courier) of something that's going to make someone else around here very very happy - I hope!
Not sure the neighbours will be so pleased come 5.30 am Dec 25th... but I imagine they've become used to it over the years. From keyboards, to Karaoke machines to electric guitars they are now well used to our "sweet music" drifting through their wall...

That's how my dear elderly neighbour puts it....
"...Yes Vin, we hear your sweet music sometimes..."

Personally, I'd hardly call Black Sabbath at 400 decibels 'sweet music', but there's no accounting for taste, eh? Thank heaven's we have such lovely (deaf) neighbours!

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Scissor Sisters Layouts

2 quick layouts I did today for my Scissor Sisters gallery.

I just love these pic's of Ruben - he's such a scamp and so cheeky. I wanted a fun page to show him off.


And then a very simple page about little girls... well, our newest litle girl actually - the lovely Matilda - just one day old!

2 layouts in a day! Unbelievable ..... ! Never been known... :-)

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

OUCH!

Well, as a family we've had more than our share of unpleasant experiences in the last week or two.... Now Isabelle's hurt herself bad, and as rotten luck usually comes in three's let's hope this is the final thing.

On Sunday, Iz and Sollo were playing a game with a magic wand... a sort of tug of war game... you get the scenario.... big brother, little sister - one wand. Anyway, Iz is pulling one way, Sollo the other - and eventually the thing comes apart... and izzy goes down with a big bump in the hallway. On her btm. OUCH!

She cried, Sollo said sorry, she had a little fuss on Dad's knee, and that was that. Til later on when the pain really kicked in - and anyone who has ever sat down hard on their tail will know this - it jolly well hurts... like billy-o.

The poor little girl is in very bad pain. Donna consulted the nurse practitioner at our surgery as Iz won't eat, can't sit, can't sleep, and generally is in real distress. She spoke with the health visitor who advised visiting casualty. They were in A&E for 5 hours yesterday, where two consultants finally decided she was playing up as there's a new baby in the house! My dd was NOT impressed with that diagnoses, I can tell you.

As Iz still hasn't slept, eaten, is on 2 kinds of painkiller, is having problems with her bowels and cries constantly,even through the night, Donna took her back to the GP today. He, fortunately, was far more thorough and sympathetic, and said she must have two weeks off school, lots of fluids, and searched for a stronger painkiller for her that he could prescribe in syrup form.

This is just NOT our Izzy. The girly loves her food, loves school, is always on the go, and is a real livewire, and she's has just been knocked for six by this pain she doesn't understand, and really doesn't want anymore of.

On a happier note, a new barbie video from her grandad this morning raised a small smile - the first since that awful bump.

Really hope this heals quickly, and she's back to prancing and leaping and singing very very soon. :-(

Amended to Add: Jon has just now taken her back to the hospital for an X ray as he can't bear to hear her crying anymore... this is so terrible, we're all worried sick now. Please everyone, send some healing vibes this way for my poor little Grandaughter. This is not right. Something must be wrong here....

Congratulations to my buddies!

Heard tonight that two of my friends, Caroline and Laura, have both made the final 20 of The Scrapbook Magazine's Scrapbooker of the Year competition!! Yay! Go them !
Go them even having time to enter!! Lol!! :-) That's a feat in itself eh? Never mind making the final few!

Gorgeous layouts, and very deserving finalists. I'm chuffed to bits for them and feeling pretty damned proud of them both tonight.

You can cast your votes
here for your own personal favourites - I understand all 20 are featured in the mag this month.

Good luck girls and well done to everyone who made it this far. Congrats all!

Just to remind you all....

Christmas IS coming!

Yay!..... hehehehe!!

{have you been good....? there's still time, you know ;-) }

Monday, November 20, 2006

Clearly ok!

My class page on Carolinez forum went down ok. I always worry when people ask me to do classes for them for cyber crops or whatever that folks won't like them, or want to do them.

I wasn't at the front of the queue when they handed out confidence unfortunatley, and nothing in my life has happened to alter that since.

But I still try. If I'm asked to have a go at something, I usually oblige. And Ill give it a good shot too. 'No point half doing a job' was something I often heard as a kid. 'If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well' was another... these things sort of stay with you, don't they? Lol!

So.... I had a go, worked with the kit and put it up for consumption. I'm happy to say lots of girlies took the class and there are some smashing examples of other people's version on show now :-)

Here's the original - my Jazza - clearly beautiful.


Very wonky scan - Whooops! Sorry!

OMG! Talk about scary....!

Talking to Jazz earlier and she tells me of their most recent piece of excitement:

A 747 ( pretty big huh?) almost crashed into their house yesterday...

Let me just say, it shouldn't have been anywhere near their house at that point, but having been given clearance for landing, the SpanAir plane was so close to touching the tarmac that it's wheels were down and everything - when the crew suddenly realised a Binter (a small plane that island hops round the Canaries) was on the runway right in front of them.... and Whooooosh! They had to try and get up and get the hell out of the way!

So the plane is now screeching it's way upward heading towards the town, over beaches and roads, and suddely it's right above a sprawling residential area on the edge of the strip!

My son in law was outside and he yelled for Jazz to come quick - by the time she got there the bloody great beast was right over her house with the wheels still locked down, barely skimming her trees and roof! It would already have passed over Hayley's place a second or two before...

All I can say is thank heaven's there are no high rise buildings in PDC - There are one or two on the island, but fortunately out of harm's way.

She said they just absolutely cacked it. The noise, the wind, the huge shadow it cast, everything was shaking and rattling...the planes engine screaming... and all the people crying out and panicking... holidaymakers, Spanish, English - everyone screaming it's gonna crash!

Thank God it didn't, but the pilot must have been terrified- and I can't imagine the fear inside the plane. My son in law said the biggest investigation is now going on. He's a station manager there, and said there was NO WAY the binter should have been there at all. Air Traffic Control gave no instructions for that so obviously something went very badly wrong. Scary eh?

He's a plane nut that lad, and after recovering from the shock he said he wished he'd thought to grab his camera...

My girlie said she just wished for some new pants!

It's getting longer all the time!

Phew - how long does it take YOU to get round the blogs?
Could you all stop being so interesting please?
:-)

Hmm?
jk x

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Why do I.....

... visit forums....?

They just make me want things I never knew I needed. Today I learned about the Cricut. I didn't need to know about this thing coz I could never afford one in a million years, and even if I could - how would I find the money to buy the cartridges to put in it?

If it's not machinery, it's papers, stamps or other paraphernalia that's out of my reach, and knowing about them only makes me feel disgruntled if I'm already down and feeling a bit sorry for myself.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not being jealous - I know most people work very hard to pay for their purchases... I just mean if I didn't know about them, I wouldn't want them, would I? Ignorance is bliss and all that.

Becoming Real

Yesterday we started getting Real round here....

Vin's 14 now, and while he's not turned into a streetwise tearway out boozing and creating havoc, he is slowly becoming more the teenager/young adult than the kid he still was this time last year.

Yesterday we started putting things away. Things he doesn't need anymore. Stuff that he's too old for and has decided he doesn't want in his room anymore.

Until recently, most of his stuff has just stayed in there, in boxes, undisturbed and harming no one by being in the corner. Action figures, games, old toys, stuff like that. But yesterday we thought we'd get his Dad to put it all up in the loft coz he's really never going to want any of it again; but we do have other small boys in the family who one day might.

We were fine til we got to the bedtime boys, who actually, weren't even IN his room. They were in MY room, coz Vin doesn't want them in there when his mates come to stay, and they've been in there for weeks... just sitting on the side, you know... since last time.

Anyway. I suppose I started it. I had a black bag... and I started to pick up the boys to put them in.... and I couldn't.... I held those animals and hugged them. Kissed them all, arranged them so everyone was hugging someone else - as if that would make them feel less abandoned, and I even managed to get the two nut brown hares into the bag, along with Fuzz and Mutzi... but when it came to bubbear and Jose-hola... well, I just couldn't do it.

I held bubbsie's old threadbare body and looked at his squashed lopsided face and I couldn't do it. The lump in my throat just got too big and I was bawling... crying for the memory of all those nights he'd made Vin feel safe, and loved him and been his best bear. I cried into Jose-hola's skinny knitted body, and held him tight, remembering that before Vin loved him, he'd always slept on JenJen's bed in spain, and she'd loved him too. A sad old knitted Golly, falling to pieces, but someone so loved, and once so needed.

How could I fling them in a bag and put them away in a cold dark place...?

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real." "Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit. "Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt." "Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?" "It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
-- by Margery Williams, from The Velveteen Rabbit

Well, then I set Vin off... and Carlos. We looked at each other, and I slowly took them all out of the bag.

Not yet.

We don't need to get that Real yet....

The bedtime boys can live in my room for now.
Just in case the skin horse has got it wrong and they do mind being hurt....

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Class page on Carolinez

My class page is now up on Carolinez forum. Everyone welcome :-)


Here's a li'l peek!
Easily adaptable using any kind of papers - the transparent circle could highlight any part of the photo you want to place emphasis on.

C'mon over and have a play if you fancy it. It's chance to get your stickles out of the dusty box you put em in a couple of years ago..... As for me ME.......? Well, I'm mad on em again.


Jakey - the stickles queen mark II rises again! Lol!

Friday, November 17, 2006

You think it's never going to happen to you....

So, our fantastic shopping trip and reunion was pretty much ruined today, by some skanky little bastard who tried to Rob my girls on the way home. Sorry to swear, but I can think of a LOT worse things to call this guy than that right now... I really can.

We'd had a lovely day. The kids have assembly on a Friday and as Hayley has no children of her own, she really loves to go along whenever she's in England to see them in school and take photo's and stuff which she then shares with Jazz in Lanza. She'd taken her brand new tiny camcorder and digi cam with her, and as a mass shopping trip was planned lots of spending money and cards etc too. Donna also had cash on her to buy Christmas presents and obviously, their phones, bags and whatever they needed for the day.

We did our shopping and had a nice lunch. Never stopped laughing all day, even though the heaven's opened on us and the sky turned black, we just trundled along with all our parcels and bags and headed for the car park. We reached Donna's people carrier first, and were joking about only just getting back before our tickets ran out. I hugged the girls goodbye, and me and Vin hurried off to look for our car, parked further away. It is a bit dark and gloomy in there and normally I'm wary, but today I was in a big rush. The bags were killing me, I really wanted to get out of the shocking weather, and get home before it got dark. The country lanes between Hemel and our hometown are a nightmare in the daytime - in the dark and with all sorts of flooding... Well, they'd be hellish, I knew.

I was aware of someone to my right, but paid him no mind. We quickly found the car and threw our stuff in and pealed out of there pdq.

Next thing, the kids are on the phone. Some guy - and Vin immediately knew it was the fella in the hoodie we'd seen - had opened up the door while they were struggling to get the pram inside, and tried to take their bags. Donna had run round but was too scared to challenge him. The poor kid's got a three week old baby with her, and two tiny kids at home! She said she thought he was going to stab her... He just stood there watching her and wouldn't move. She daren't talk to him and she daren't move away. Hayley was still trying to get the baby into the car and wasn't even aware of what was going on. Don said it felt like slow motion and she was certain he'd taken stuff and either thrown it under the next car or stashed it over the wall. But still she daren't confront him.

Eventually, some people came along and finally he sauntered off. The girls quickly scrabbled through their stuff and realised they'd just had a very very lucky escape. Caught him in the nick of time... but the next poor young Mum may not be so lucky.

What the hell is it with these assholes anyway? Never heard of WORK?

I am so angry. And their Dad is livid! I am also feeling quite quite sick with all the what if's running through my head.... You read about this stuff, you know? Some idiot with a knife - a split second of desperation - and a family broken forever.

Ladies - Please, PLEASE take care. We all throw our bags in the front seat... then run round the side and try and sort the kids/ buggy/ shopping out... we're busy, in a hurry, distracted.

Ideal targets.


But try and be aware. And if they look like they're gonna take it anyway - just let them.
It's only stuff. It can be replaced. You can't.

Off to shop!

Meeting up with my girlies today - SO excited :-)

I haven't seen Lally since July, when we had a fab two weeks together in Lanza, and spent everyday shopping, swimming, eating, lazing, chatting... whatever.

Donna, me and Lally are meeting today and we're going to shop til we drop, have lunch out and just enjoy the day. Then tomorrow she's off up to London with her cousin to see the Magic Numbers in concert, Sunday her ans Dan fly to Malta for an all Inc holiday, and then when they get back they'll visit Dan's family and maybe squeeze a quick visit back home before hopping on a plane back to Lanza to take over the care of their own, and Jazz's animals, so they can fly out!

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Scissor Sisters DT Call

I can't believe I've worked for the wonderful Scissor Sisters for almost a whole year!
Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
These gals - real sisters and busy business partners, Becky and Denise - somehow manage to combine motherhood, design work, and running their paper and sticker business really well, and are honestly the most generous and supportive people I have ever worked for in the scrapbooking industry. October Memory Trends saw the release of lots of scrummy new products - all just in time for the new DT to play with, because the 2007 DT call is out! They are looking for 10 fun and talented peeps to be the DT for 2007....and the best thing is - they welcome international applications!

....If you're interested in trying out, details can be found here

Lovely products, lovely people. Good luck!

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Weird Al Yankovic

Ok.... I know i'm slow on the uptake, but today my teenage son introduced me to the hysterical delights of Weird Al Yankovic on YouTube... and I've never laughed so much in my life!

Please don't be offended at his antics - it appears he takes the mickey out of, and parodies everyone in equal measure :-)

My curent favourites are white and nerdy, headline news, and smells like nirvana.

if you fancy a laugh today, go have a look. The guy's clearly a maniac.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJehVbe7Cxs

Help!

Crikey - why is it whenever you think you have a bit of time on your hands things suddenly crop up and you have to get your skates on again and get cracking!

I thought i'd caught up a bit ... ha ha.... silly me :-)

The date for Carolines Cyber Crop is getting ever closer (Sat 9th & Sun 10th Dec) and I have classes and challenges to do for that which I haven't even started yet, never mind all my usual comittments. We've got some amazing stuff lined up for you though, with classes and fun from our hugely talented Design Team. I know you all love Maria's and Laura's work especially, and Caroline and I have put some fabby things together too so it should be a blast. Come along and play with us! Not sure if there are any kits left now as they were going like hot cakes, but you can always use your own stash if they're sold out. Why not drop by and see what Caroline has left? Be fun to see you there, so go pencil it in your scrapping diary today :-)

I've also got the pleasure of working with some very very delish products my Editor sent me this week from a fantabulously funky company who recently announced their new DT - No, not me! - I didn't even have time to enter, but they do some pretty scrumptious stuff and I kid you not when I say I was hopping about with excitement when I opened the box and saw the stash inside ;-)

Then I've got to clear the decks in here, as we have family coming to stay and need the room, so who knows when I'll have time to do that - maybe i should go and GET ON now!! Lol!

RockYou FXText -
Have a great day all!
Happy Scrappin!
jk xx

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

First Christmas card!

We got our first Christmas card today..... from Snapfish of all places! lol!

Now, I'm not saying I'm a great customer or anything, but I do order a fair few photos from them, and got a lovely delivery today, complete with loads of piccies of Matilda, lots of Ruben, some of Sollo and Izzy in their halloween outfits, and a couple of other general stuff. I had 2 8x10's (one was a freebie) and the rest mainly 7x5, as that's what I usually scrap with.

Haven't had it yet but we usually get a card - and a calendar! ;-) - from the Indian restaurant too.... you can see where our money goes, eh? And when my middle DD stil lived at home we'd get one from the local taxi firm!!!! Lally would get a cab to the end of the garden those days!

As for me - I haven't even started to think about cards yet, let alone buying them, writing them or posting them. And please don't anyone expect handmade from me. For some reason people are always surprised to learn that I've never made a card in my life! I wouldn't know where to start :-)
I always think I might like to have a go... but that's as far as it goes. I think I did try to make Dolly one last year... but i'm pretty certain the card that actually landed on her mat came from Oxfam - not my own fair hands!

myscrapbooks.co.uk

Wooo-hooo! Check this out :-)

myscrapbooks.co.uk

Gonna be great! DO come and see us and chat to the CS team there :)

Lots of extras - free printables and fonts to download, a forum, stuff to buy, back issues, articles etc.


C'mon - you know you want to! ;-)

La Calima

Speaking to Jazz last night, she told me La Calima is back. Anyone who knows Lanzarote will be familiar with the North Trade Winds and this peculiar weather phenomenon.

From Wikipedia:

Every year sandstorms strike Lanzarote; these arrive from the Sahara desert. During such storms the temperature can rise to over 40°C and visibility can drop to only 100 m. The wind which brings these storms is called the Calima to the islanders.

In 2005, the calima carried voracious red desert locusts on the wind - and she's really hoping it doesn't bring the blighters back this time!

The size of these critters is approx 60 - 85 mm long, so you can imagine how ghastly it would be to have them showering down all over the place from the air.... Uggghh!

But Minnie is a fierce adversary! Last time they came, she managed to kill 3 of them that got in the house all by herself...!! Aw bless. She's only little, you know!

Quote of the day:

Who gossips with you, will gossip of you
Spanish Proverb
That's why it's best to gossip with no-one
:-)

Monday, November 13, 2006

Autumn re-visited

This is the cover LO they eventually ran with last month at Creative Scrapbooking. I can't honestly say it's my fave layout ever, mainly coz I'm not mad on using stock photos, being a 'real life' scrapper, but it's ok I guess... Just nothing personal in there for me.
Anyway, the new issue of the magazine will be in the shops very soon and I have an article in there which I quite enjoyed doing once I put my mind to it.


I'm looking forward to starting my commissions for the new year - especially as I have a bit more time now to actually get the work done. I think my days of being stretched in forty different directions at once has passed.... but who knows?
;-) We never really know what's round the corner, or where our paths may lead us, eh?

falling leaves

We are the unlucky keepers of two giant sycamores. Our house backs onto a park, and there is a line of trees - here long before the houses - that run across the top of everyone's back garden. Of course, not everyone got 2 sycamores.... ah no, but we did. Oh Joy.

We are not allowed to take them down. The local authority advised us very sternly of that. "£20,000 per tree, so don't even think of it". We gave up thinking of it long ago, but I still hate the trees. They are huge and ugly and I'd happily have taken them down and planted something nicer when they were small enough to deal with. Now they tower there's no chance.

In spring and summer they shade my garden, drip sticky stuff over everything and give refuge to the squirrels who plague me by stealing my fruit and bulbs, and nibbling down tender young plants. In autumn and winter they shower the garden in large grubby leaves and the horrible spinners that spring up everywhere - even in tubs and baskets given a six second foothold.

Now they've started dropping leaves again.

We've got one of those leaf vac thingies but using that is a bit like peeing in the wind.... though it is amusing watching Carl trying to get on top of the problem as it were :-) watched by the no doubt grinning squirrels and the mocking, swaying trees.

I do like Autumn. I do.
Just not in MY garden.

Next year?

Are any of you thinking about scrapping resolutions for next year... or not even scrapping resolutions, just life resolutions? I remember making some last year and I SO meant to follow them. But of course, I did not :(

However, i think this year may be different, coz i've already started thinking and acting on my new ideals... so you never know. It could work out?

My resolutions are few. And simple. They wouldn't be the thing for most people I'm sure, but I reckon there are several times in your life when you are just ripe for change - it's no good making plans if it's not one of those times coz it'll never work.... And similarly, even if you don't plan for it - if fate decides stuff's gonna happen... well, it's gonna happen, ready or not.

In another life I read runes, tarot cards and dice. I still have my tools but have never taken them out for years. Every time my daughters come home they ask me to read for them but I never do. I may just hook them out this week. I feel the winds of change around me. I feel myself being drawn back into esoteric life. I am so liking having time to think about other things... and meddle and play like I used to.
Any horoscope readers out there - am I in the middle of a big transition right now? Certainly feels like it from where I'm sitting!

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Aw... how lovely!

A friend of mine, a retired reverand who conducts monthly sermons for me at my workplace, sent me this poem.

He knows all about my scrapbooking and passion for colours and nature and arty farty stuff, and when he came across this poem while looking for words for a lesson, he said he instantly thought of me.

He felt I would enjoy this and said something about it just reminded him of me and my outlook.

He's right - I do love it, it is very very me.... And I love him too, for being such a sweetheart.

Paint My Life
Now take the sunshine from the sky
And the breezes passing by
And don’t ask for reasons why
Just paint my life

Now take the autumn’s misty chill
And a lonely windy hill
Take a river running still
And paint my life

Take the sound of horse’s hooves
Take the snow from cottage roofs
Try, really try - let your mind touch clouds on high
Just so long as you paint my life

Now take the words that make you wise
Take the tears and take the sighs
Take the love that never dies
And paint your life

Now take the beauty of a kiss
Take the moments that you miss
Take the magic of all this
And paint your life.

By Carolyn James

I'm painting Vern, I'm painting :-)

Grinning like...

This is me today - been like this since last night actually...


Ever since the fair Gretel fixed me up!
It's great to be back guys... let's see if I can play nicely now without breaking anything - fingers crossed!

Saturday, November 11, 2006

(Wo)men at work

I will be back - bigger and better than ever :-)

must have faith.... must have faith.... must have faith....

Friday, November 10, 2006

WORK IN PROGRESS....!

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Brrrr!!!

Boy, it's cold! Anyone feel it too?

I'm sitting here in my pj's, warm fluffy slipper sox on my feet and a steaming mug of hot chocolate in my hand. Winter has certainly kicked in round here the last couple of days.

Our central heating's rumbling away, and it's cosy and snug in here - but outside it's bitter, and I'm SO glad I don't have to go anywhere tomorrow... No work for me as I always have Fridays off, but I'm going to be working from home for a couple of days on the Newsletter, and that suits me just fine. Might not even go in on Monday if it hasn't warmed up any by then :-)

Matilda has been poorly, just a rotten cold, but neither her nor Donna has had much sleep in the last few days, and poor Don Don looked exhausted when I popped in tonight. Talk about things going wrong - first the baby not well, then their power went off completely, and now the fridge freezer's packed up. She's off to register the litttle one tomorrow while a man's comes in to sort out the electrics. Chicken soup time I think.

Hayleys coming home from Lanza for a visit and us girls are planning to hit the shops big time - and be the ladies who lunch. Then, when she goes home, Jazz and Erk and the boy arrive, so busy times ahead for me with the family. Vin's so excited. He loves having the guys here, having big family meals round the table, playing cards and games, scoffing nibbles, and just hanging out with them talking, and us being all together.

Not sure how much scrapping's going to get done in the next few weeks, but right now i'm more interested in making the memories than recording them.

Family comes first eh?

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Quote of the day

How did it get so late so soon?
It's night before it's afternoon.
December is here before it's June.
My goodness how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon?
Theodor Seuss Geisel

Time. It's a funny thing... and i've been thinking about it a lot lately.
How I spend my time for example - would I be so careless with it if I had to earn it, like I do my wages? I mean, like anyone, I might fritter a little of my wages away, the odd bit of stash here and there, a bottle of wine on the way home if i've had a crap day, a pretty trinket I spy in the market - and obviously don't need - and probably won't ever use/wear/think about again.... but on a daily basis?
Do I blow huge chunks of my wages on something - everyday...?
Something I really don't need?
Wages I'll never get back...
That are wasted... and often on things that don't even make me happy?
That make me drained, and sap my energy,
and leave me scratching my head in bewilderment...
usually wondering where the pay has gone
and what i've done with it
and did I ENJOY it passing through my hands...?
*
So - back to time.
Having lost precious people in the past,
having seen time disappear for them - quietly, and with dignity, but gone, nonetheless,
I have started to think about how important my time is - how quickly it is gone and whether I am really using MY time the way I want to be.
It's a bit like an addiction - when you are in it's grip, you can't see the harm it's doing, what you are losing to it, or any way out.
Often, you want to walk away, but old habits die hard, and it's all too easy to use this thing, this compulsion, as a crutch to stop you doing other things,
things you are always going to do later... tomorrow... another day.
When you have time perhaps....?
But once you step away, and reflect, and steer a new course, you can see very clearly that you have lost a great deal, and for me...? Well, I see.
I see that I have lost a lot of time, and i'll never get it back.
'Course, it wasn't all wasted! Sometimes it's just the right thing to blow a bit of cash, be frivolous... spend a little of your hard earned dough on inconsequential but amusing things.... be a spendthrift for a while.
And you can have fun doing it - no doubt about that
You can even watch others doing it - knowing that for them - it's the right thing to do.
No need to judge them in any way - let them do whatever makes them happy :-)
But if the day ever comes when you know for sure it just ain't making YOU happy anymore... then that's the minute to step away.
Take your time - that which you have left - and walk.
I've left behind a couple of things this week.
I've decided I need more of my own time.
I'm easily led - i don't need any excuse to fritter... time or money.
But it's a lot easier to earn money than it is time.. so which is the more precious?
For all the friends I've left having made my decision,
Hope to see you all when I've built up my (time) bank balance again
hugs
jakey x x x x

Monday, November 06, 2006

So....

watcha all waiting for....???

mwahahaha!!! :-D

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Ruben's 2 !!

Our gorgeous boy is 2!

Finally got the photo's sorted from his birthday. Jazz and Erk have had one of Erk's old schoolfriend's over from the mainland to visit with his wife and baby son, so they've been entertaining and not had a lot of time to send me much up to now.
Anyway - lots of piccies came yesterday!

I can't believe what a big boy he is... I sat here last night crying - just all a bit too much to take in really. I do love to see photos of him/them...but they always get me. I just wish we saw them more. Wish we could be all together out there... Who knows, maybe one day?



Wow! Drums - just like Daddy! And a new Truck!


Dad holds up the Dora the Explorer cake when Lala and uncle Dan came round


His birthday treat - A day out at Rancho Texas!
And a quick sit on his car mat to watch his new telly combi in his room before bed

Birthdays are SO exciting! Lol!

Saturday, November 04, 2006

You too?

Ok - hands up... who else does this?

I 'm an absolute terror for not washing my brushes, foam applicator pads.... or stamps.

I always mean to, but i just get so carried away with what i'm doing that before I know it, everything's dry and crusty and only fit for the bin. I must spend a fortune buying more every couple of weeks. Thank God they're not dear - I ususally only buy cheapo Wilkos/The Works jobbies... but even so, it all adds up. Stamps are not so bad - you can still get paint/ink off even after it's dried, even brushes can occasionally be saved, but those foam things - nah! You let that dry and you've had it.... when I try to get it off i always end up pulling chunks out of the foam - why can't I just trot to the bathroom and wash it off at the time? I suppose it's because I get on a roll.. ususally by the time the paint pots come out on a project, i'm well stuck in - heaven knows i need no distractions - by the time I've gone and washed them off, partially dried them, placed them across the towel I use (if i do remember to wash them) the moment's passed and I've lost momentum.

Please tell me i'm not alone here - am I the only sloppy scrapper on the planet?

Just my sort of Jar :-)

I opened up a box from Caroline the other day containing some stash she wanted me to work with for a class page , and along with my goodies she'd popped in this cute jar - it's one of her new ideas - always full of ideas, that girl!
Anyway, this gorgeous jar is just stuffed full of all sorts of pretty bits and bobs.... ribbons, organza, buttons, die cuts, prima's, corners, fibres... oh, and did I mention ribbons? lol...! all different widths and styles... absolutely scrummy!



These are available for sale now, and as they're colour co-ordinated, they're really useful when you're putting a page together. My jar is so Autumny , I feel compelled to get out and get snapping some leafy, woodsy, pics right now just so I can use it!

I think it'd make a smashing little present for a scrapping buddy too - but NO - you're not having MINE! :-)

Spesh International dare (only called it that coz I can't remember what week it is! Yikes!)

This is my dare/ challenege/layout this week.

Probably easier for me than some of the girls simply because most of the spec was right up my street....


Start with a sheet of bazzil - really not sure why THIS was necessary - as we then had to cover it up... but ok, I just do as I'm told, don't I...

Then, lots of pp's - very me.
Lot's of embellies - very me.
Title on the photo,
Splash on the Paint - very me.

Childhood dreams/memories - well actually, not very me - if about me.

Not sure most of my childhood needs re-visiting, but perfectly happy to create something about the kids and their dreams... and in the event, it was Vin.

OK, I know...very me.

So, there you have it. Another week in paradise, eh?

Friday, November 03, 2006

My dare is done!

'Speshal' links up tonight across the globe - with the Efferdares in the USA, the Aussie girls down under and The New Zealand challengers too... the first time this has ever happened!

We're all doing the same challenge tonight - Yikes!
Just hope I'm up to it, eh?

Here's a sneek peak for ya :-)

Drop by if you've time to check it all out - and please join in and post us a link to your own version of the dare.

Will post links later!

busy days

right, I have a very busy day ahead of me - first job, finish and pack work for CS. Then make a start on my Spesh Dare for tonight - gotta be good, because of the international thing... mind you, I do try every week!

Got to get to the shops sometime before 3 because Vin has a mate coming for a sleepover so have to stock up on treats, pop, and kid food etc.

Pick up Vin and buddy after school - Layla comes home on a Friday too, and she's too heavy for him to carry far.

Have everything done by 6.30, so I can spend the evening with Carlos, because his little mate will have abandoned him in favour of friend :-)

BTW - did anyone watch the prog about Hogarth last night? Loved it! A Harlots Progress. Always liked Hogarth since studying the Industrial Revolution in College - Gin Alley - home sweet home.... lol!

Thursday, November 02, 2006

This day in History

1960
In Britain, Penguin publishers are cleared of obscenity for printing the D.H.Lawrence novel
'Lady Chatterley's Lover'.

Erm.... yes... I did say 1960! :-)

Lol!!!!

Quote of the day:

Stumbled across this one today.... Lol!
I have never made but one prayer to God,
a very short one:
'O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous.'
And God granted it.
Voltaire
Hee Hee!

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

More halloween piccies!

Sollo and Isabelle in their cute outfits before they went to a Party at school.They were tearing around all over the place - especially Sollo who was very excited - but I managed to snap a couple of shots off so I could send them to Jazz and Lally in Lanza.
Jazz didn't take Ruben out this year as it's been pouring down, so no pictures of him dressed up. And Vin's too 'cool' to dress up now, so this is it! I think they look fabby though, and I have a couple of very cheeky ones of Sollo waggling his red devil tail at me!

Oh no....

I thiink it's gonna be one of those days... we're out of coffee - and I've only had one cup, I just dropped marmalade down my pj's, the postie's been and didn't bring anything nice for me - like my Back to Black album from Amazon, or my stamps from AMLT....


:-( It's freezing cold, and I have to work.

I'd much rather just stay here in my scrap room and get on with a heap of stuff i have to do.... ho hum... why does life always have to get in the way of fun?
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