Hmm...

So 3-5 days for this cable I suddenly need, huh? Of course It hasn't arrived today so I can't do anything about anything until Monday even if it comes tomorrow. Big Fat Grr.

This also means I've been paying silly amounts of money for the past week for wireless internet that isn't in use. They better refund or I'll scream. Or cry. Either way. Grr.

Are any Crafty Magpies reading this? I'm going to try and mail Karen again as I havn't had a reply and it may have been lost...I'll go through the shop this time, seems more like it will get through...wish me luck!

xx

Remember that post I did?

All about $!!£*%"! Virgin? Weeellll....seems I would like to re-visit it. Well, I wouldn't like to at all but it appears I must. You see my super wonderful wireless internet has given up. My computer no longer recognises it. Or it no longer recognises my computer. Either way - POOP!

The most annoying thing is that when I switched it over our main e-mail addy stopped working on our PC and only worked on the laptop. Fine, fair enough, except now laptop won't get internet and I'm screwed getting any important e-mails AND I can't get into UKS as a result. More poop. See, I had to reset my password when I got my lappie as for some reason I deleted the e-mail that told me what it was. And I didn't write it down. And I can't reset it because they'd send it to an address I can't get into. Grr...

Apparently I have to reconfigure the router by hard wiring it (or something to this effect.) Only problem is I can't take instructions very well. I don't mean this in a rebellious 'No one tells me what to do biatch' kind of a way, just I literally can't take them in. Yet another unknown symptom of the glory that is M.E. Have my mum or dad in the room telling me what to do, can't follow it, and when we get this cable I'm supposed to be able to understand some Indian bloke over the phone!? Absolutely NO offence to Indians, but I have a hard time following any accent, esp. over the phone. Poor little scottish woman trying to register my debit card...I think I made her repeat everything at least twice. Actually, I make my nan repeat everything too and she left scotland 60+ years ago...grr...I need a fool proof website that tells you anything and everything to do with the internet without any gobbledygook techy talk. Think this exsists? No, me neither...sigh

So, all in all this week is annoying me. If any of my fellow Crafty Magpies read this - HI! I wanna come chat but can't...I tried sending Karen an e-mail but it was from my yahoo addy so don't know if she got it (or it spammed) or even if anythings happened and she can't get to her e-mails!? Oh I hope everyone's ok and I'll be able to come back soon!
Samm xxx

Mosaic of me!

So this was fun! I got the idea off Emily Falconbridge who in turn got the idea off this blog who in turn got it off...yeah, you can click from hers, I may be here a while!

It's actually a cool idea. Just type the answer to the question into Flickr and take the image you like the most off the first page of results. For scrappers you could come up with different questions, one's where the answers are likely to change quite often, and do one a month for a year just to see how you change...or keep the same the same questions and answers and just see how the photos change every month...hmm...anyhoo, here's mine.

The questions:

1. What is your first name? Samm

2. What is your favorite food? Italian

3. What high school did you attend? Oakmead

4. What is your favorite color? Purple

5. Who is your celebrity crush? David Tennant (well...the Doctor really...though that scot accent is delish!)

6. Favorite drink? Smoothies

7. Dream vacation? 7 Wonders of the World - need the Tardis, Doctor!

8. Favorite dessert? Pavlova

9. What do you want to be when you grow up? Fulfilled

10.What do you love most in life? Family and Friends

11. One word to describe you. Hopeful

12. Your Flickr name. Orians belt

Links to all the yummies above :o)

1. For SAMM By: Jenny Holzer , 2. Empty spaces, 3. Come in, 4. End Of The Day, 5. Doctor who filming, 6. Making a smoothie, 7. Giza, 8. Pavlova, 9. Fulfilled, 10. We are choosing hope over fear., 11. dancing in the sky, 12. St Thomas Church Again

I really need to get a wriggle on with my crafting. It's getting a bit daft. Seriously. Why can't I just get going with this? It's really winding me up because I've got all this inspiration going through my head but I just can't seem to want to put it onto paper. Grr. I suppose there are worse things. Still, grr.

A dream day...

So, I havn't been doing a very good job at keeping up with the classes in Shimelle's My Freedom class. It's not for lack of trying, more of lack of photographs...still, I should be getting some soon so I can do my Travel and Time layouts. Speaking of which my Cocoa Daisy kit arrived this morning which is travelled themed and has some time elements to it aswell so maybe the delay was meant to be!
Anyhoo, todays blog prompt is to list inspiring places to visit online and mine is off to the right somewhere if you really wanna take a gander :D

Today we're talking about dream days and it got me thinking. It's funny, I've thought out one day with friends and one day with Mum and Dad and with my friends I've really gone to town, totally off the wall never in a million years would we pull all of it off (though parts of it maybe, but more over a weekend than a day!) but with ma n pa it's a bit more mundane and realistic...how strange! I would still love to do it though.

Here's the one with friends -

Where would you go? London
First we’d magically wake up there - who wants to waste a dream day travelling?! We’d start the day with a yummy breakfast - anything you’d like. Then we’d go shopping. Clothes, shoes, jewellery…money no object of course! Then afternoon tea at Kensington palace and off to see a musical - matinee of course - need the evening free…after the musical go back to our hotel to change into something sparkly and off to have a lovely dinner then onto - Backstreet Boys! (My dream day of course, and in my dream day we’re all fans! ;) ) Although, it’ll have to involve a time machine for that last one because I want all 5! Then back to the hotel for champagne, nibbles and gossip into the early hours.

And here's the day with ma n pa -

Where would you go? Honestly I think I’d stay at home! Well, in Bournemouth/Poole at least…
I think we’d start off the day early. Grab breakfast out then do some shopping. Quite a bit of shopping - it’s my day yeah? So they can't wonder off and have me spending half an hour looking for them…then…we’ll go down the river. Walk along, see some lovely birds to photograph. Kingfishers, herons, swans…we’ll have a picnic lunch. We’ll buy the food earlier from M&S or somewhere. Then we’ll come home. Sit in the garden and have some cool drinks - as the weather is perfect and sunny and we’ll need relaxing and cooling off. In the evening we’ll go out to dinner. Mum can wear an outfit she bought earlier. We’ll go somewhere nice and dad will have something other than gammon and egg and he will love it.

That last bit about dad and the gammon is reference to the fact that it is all he will order if we go out! When we were on holiday last year we went to this place that did gorgeous steaks. In fact they were so nice we went twice! But all dad got was the gammon. It's because he knows he can trust it, he told me he'd love to try new things but the fear of wasting money and not liking it just puts him of every time. Gammon or fish and chips. Every time. Sigh.

Err, yeah, anyhoo, those are my dream days. Whether I'll get the chance to try and put either into practise remains a mystery, esp. at the moment. I don't know what's going on with me right now but I feel awful. It's my legs. They just arn't working properly and I don't know what to do. I collapsed a few weeks ago and have been close a few times to doing it again. I'm so scared I'm having a relapse and this won't pass. Not when I'm finally starting to do something pro-active in my life - I've just signed for A Level art that starts in Sept. What if this dosn't go away? What if I've gone back a step and now I'll have to start again hoping that in a year or two maybe I'll be back to the strength I was 6 weeks ago? Oh I hate this! It's the not knowing that does it. If someone could just say 'well, you'll be out of the game for a month or 2 (or 3...) but you'll bet back to where you were after that' then fine but not knowing if it will be that quick or not is driving me mad! Should I stay in and rest up? It's not working so far...should I carry on like normal - well, that's not actually possible with my legs like this. What can I do?! Argh!
It'll be 9 years in Sept. Nearly a decade. 9 years of my life just wasted away. Okay, I think I'm starting to depress myself even more now...I'll stop - sorry!

Oh, and on top of that I keep forgetting it's my birthday in less than a fortnight. My mates are wondering what I'm going to do and I have no idea! Although I keep seeing adverts for the Dark Knight opening on 24th, maybe we could see that?...hmm...

Hope you're having a simpler time where you are!
Samm x

expletive expletive virgin media

So I bought a laptop.
Mum called Virgin for a wireless router.
We got it this morning.
It was a bit of an effort but I got it all going.
"Please call 150 to register your modem before you can start surfing the net. This will take just a few minutes"
Ok...
Mum has to go out in 15min but it should be pretty quick.
"oh you don't want this number, call 151 and select option 3"
Well that dosn't work at all.
Try 150 again.
"I'll put you through to our broadband people"
Super!
...long detailed step by step of what to do...
Seems we were wrong for doing it in the exact order the instructions told us to.
First you need to take the cable out of the router and stick it in the laptop.
Reboot then go to the web page where it will go through and register your modem, then replug the router, reboot everything then insert the wireless registration disc to run you through set up.
(Yeah...I have done that, how'd you think I got the blimmin number in the first place?)
"Just call us the minute you have a problem."
Ok.
Hang up.
Unplug router.
Stick cable in modem.
Reboot.
Open internet.
We do not recognise this computer, who is your provider?
Virgin
"Please call 150 to register your modem before you can start surfing the net. This will take just a few minutes"




AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH



I'm currently debating whether or not to hunt down the bloke who we 'ordered' the router from and told us it was really easy to install.


Actually, no, I don't think I will.
He was right - the wires and things were easy.
It was the moment they told us to phone them where it all went hideously wrong.

Half the problem is they won't recognise me as a human being. I can't talk to anyone. We had to fight tooth and nail just to get them to talk to mum. Apparently dad is the only one with a brain in this house but that's another rant entirely.
Thing is, I'm the one who sets it all up because mum says she dosn't know what to do, then when it all goes wrong (which it does. everytime.) she phones up and asks how to fix it. She comes and tells me and I'm all 'well I did that!' and she has to phone them back again. Cue more muzak and accents she can't understand.

Please tell me they havn't won any awards for their customer service...Well, maybe they have but if so I really don't want to have to deal with any companies that havn't because goodness knows what will happen then.

Anyhoo, mums now gone out and I think I'm going to put in a request for dealing with all this tomorrow. Start with a clear brain
And a plan of attack.
Literally.

sigh

x

are you with us?

are you with us?
Originally uploaded by shimelle

So are you?
I'm quite looking forward to this. One day a month (25th) just take random pics of your day then add them to a ready prepared album...well, at least it *should* be ready prepared by now, but as I don't print pics out at home I figure I have the length of time they would take to be delivered to get sorted. Right?
Now to sort out what to take photos of...
One suggestion was your bedside clock but I don't have one. Can't stand them. Well, clocks in general are super, but it's the noise they make! If they're electric they hum and if they're not they tick tock...I'm the kind of girl that needs complete silence when she sleeps (unless it's in the day, then I *need* the tv on...go figure) I even tried to convince my parents once to buy a quieter fridge. They weren't having it oddly enough...

Don't be a Pri-hey-madonna

Ok, tell me I'm not the only one addicted to this song...bloody Justin/Timberland. (we're ignoring the Madge part, tho as long as I'm not watching her prancing around half naked she's not too off putting...)

Anyhoo - Serena is now a whole year old! I still can't believe it. Above is a shot of the canvas I made her, I liked it. Too much actually. I was hoping her ma n pa wouldn't and I could re-claim it...ah well...

Have you checked out UKS lately? The Oscars Cyber Crop is starting tomorrow, not too late to register! You don't even have to sign up to take part in the classes. I'm taking part in the Mystery Kit challenge this time. I nearly did once before but dithered too long and all the kits had gone. This year however I was on the ball and got one! Still havn't uploaded it though, which I really should do as the deadline's tomorrow...eek...I struggled with our teams colours a bit though. I'm a Comedy King and as a result our kit was Black and White, no colour at all. Maybe if it had a splash of, I don't know, anything really it wouldn't have been quite so intimidating...even silver would have been good, but there you go. I quite like what I've done - though I'm not expecting to win, not even close, I never win anything! But I still live by the 'if you don't even enter how will you ever know!?' mantra. Its a good mantra. I think.

Rental people have finally started sending me Bones season 2 - woo! Of course I'm upto episode 8 which is where Sky1/Virgin cut me off last year...grr...so I'm very excited about the next disc.

What are the odds they decide to stop sending me Bones and pick a random film instead?...maybe I should delete everything else...hmm...

Attempt 2...

Ok, I've tried this already, good chance I wasn't paying enough attention and deleted everything myself...don't happen again!!!
I scrapped! (you may have noticed...)
1st - random Pip layout, just cos he's the yummiest scrummiest really...;)
2nd - Answer to one of the Dares, but can't remember which one...it was supposed to be a funny layout about how I can't seem to chuck anything out but ended up with some deep journalling about letting go of the past, maybe these are the things that are holding me back?...
3rd - Answer to UKS weekly challenge (yet another yummy scrummy Pip one...)
4th - Answer to fellow Magpie challenge (we have one once a month among our team on UKS...I'm in July...eek! Every one has been so clever and well thought out so far, I think I better start researching already!)

Speaking of our team - Go Crafty Magpies woo! yeah! - ahem...I've made myself a mini mission this month to collect a shed load of points...well...maybe not a shed load...100 would be pretty good for me actually...!!! I did quite well in Dec. but that was because I made 4 minis for Christmas presents. So yeah, 3 layouts and a challenge so far. And I have a mini in mind (about the Pipster of course...!) then of course there's the CC at the end of the month...I hope you can claim points for that too! Should be a fun month!
Ooh...and Serenas 1st birthday in 2 weeks - a whole year?!?! how the time whizzes....anyway, I might be able to take enough pics to make a mini for that too...only if it's worth it though. I'm not just going to do random nosense to claim stuff. I make it sound like I'm desperate for points, I'm not! Honest! I just feel bad for my team when I don't add much to the total at the end of the month so this month I'm so there! lol
Hope your having a nice time wherever you may be...
Samm x

Tip #1

Last night, while I was fishing, I saw a shooting star. Of course I made a wish on it and this morning when I woke up The Star had sent me a Moon.

...


And here's my tip -
If you *ever* say anything similar to anyone do not forget to start the sentence with 'So, I was playing the DS...'

It took a while for m+d to pluck up the courage to ask if I was feeling alright...

Bless.

Lookie how big Pip's getting. (when he's calm) He's the yummiest scrummiest cat I've even seen :)

You can't stop the beat

Such a naughty blogger not posting for so long.
I'm not sure why.

You may have noticed I've given up on taking a photo a day. I managed it for January. February was alright at first but the last couple of weeks I had flu and found myself thinking 'when I feel better what can I take pictures of to represent the days I'm missing?' and, well, that's not really the point of the exercise is it? So I'm not doing it anymore. I was just getting so annoyed when it got to the end of the day and I realised I forgot - I'm sure it wasn't started with the plan of making people stress and get ill! At least I hope not...

Now back onto slightly more/less interesting things...

I'm not one for celeb gossip but i do like me a bit of movie trivia. I was looking up Johnny Depps height yesterday (because there are some things you really need to know) and I found out he was originally supposed to be in Mr and Mrs Smith but had to pull out. I'm guessing I'm the last to know, but I wonder what kind of world we would live in today without Brad and Angelina filling our magazines? Would they still be together anyway?...hmm...

Yes this was the height of things I had to worry about yesterday.

Yes I hate myself sometimes too.

Have you seen Hairspray? #...I'm gonna shake and shimmy it with all of my might...#

Yes I got it on rental yesterday.

Yes I'm going to buy it. And the soundtrack.

Yes I've now put the original on my rental want list.

I've listed some bits on e-bay. Here's hoping I've not realised that pair of boots I bought 4 years ago and only worn once are actually secretly designer and will sell for hundreds, if not thousands.

No, I'm not getting my hopes up too much.

Hope you had a lovely weekend.
Samm x

Ok, so last night

I fancied some marmite on bread (we had some really yummy bread) I go into the kitchen and it's gone.

Me: We havn't got any sliced bread left
Dad: Is there any in the freezer?
M: Not tiger bread
D: There's tiger bread in the freezer?
M: No, mum bought sliced tiger bread
D: Who sliced...?...start that again
M: We had a sliced tiger loaf and there isn't any left, I thought there was
D: We did? *
M: Mmm
D: Do you want me to cut you some bread?...
M: No ta.


*this is the part that made me smile.

He would have been the one that ate it...

I wonder if today shall involve some crafting...oh I hope so...

Change of pace

Ok, so I've decided to start a Flickr account for my pictures because it's probably just easier that way lol
I'll save this blog for my crafty ramblings and attempts :)
Above pages are 2 of my recent faves. Top one to commerorate our hol to Pagham last Sept and bottom is my first Pip layout :) He really is you know. I've looked up a lot of tabby simese cats and have yet to find one with even remotely similar colours - he's so cute!
So IF I get of my arse and actually upload to Flickr I shall add a linky-poo here somewhere...promise :)
Take care
Samm x

My how you've grown

It'll be 2 weeks on Sat since we bought him home and I can't believe how much he's grown up. He's pretty much 'cat like' (iykwim). Actually he's poorly with Cat Flu atm, bless. Hasn't slowed him down though, playing and food wise, so although we're keeping an eye out we aren't too worried - phew!

I'm so tired today. I haven't felt this bad in ages but I don't want to tell mum or anyone because she's not well and is worried about Pip and her sister and her mum and her dad and...sigh...thing is, I act like I'm fine so I don't worry her and it exhausts me even more.
It's times like this I want to swear.
A lot.
But I'm not one to offend.
So I won't.
Well, I did actually.
Sorry.
Luckily there's a delete button on this thing.

Bleurgh.

I think I'm going to start an art journal. I keep seeing them, they look theraputic. It's an idea...

Funny weather day

Started off nice. Then it tipped down. Then a lovely rainbow.

Of course it would have been a better shot if I could have just knocked down the other houses but I'm not sure the owners would have appreciated it.

I managed to last the whole art lesson too. Yay me.

Something fishy going on round here

So it would appear Pip has discovered the delights of watching the fish tank.

He hasn't figured out how to get on top or indeed that that's how you get to the things inside.

Yet.

Have I mentioned how smart he is?...

Sigh.

shopping sweetie?

So today was either a good shopping day or a bad one. It all depends on your perspective really. See, I spent money. !!
First up was The Range - always an occasion for an eek! from the purses direction. This time it was justified. I bought a tote. Eek. It was reduced by £10 though. Okay, it was £40 but still.
I'm hoping it will fit into my grand 'sort my room out now' scheme. Well, it's not that grand. Mostly it involves sorting some craft stuff out, moving a cupboard from my room to the loft and moving in a tall bookcase. But it all works in my head and if it turns out like that then it will be pretty grand after all.

Then - Matalan. Mum wanted to check out the sale. She bought a £2 scarf and a pack of tea towels. I bought 2 scarves (as pictured above...yum...) and a new bag cos my popper's going on the other. (how does she manage it? *she* wants to go into a shop and I'm the one that spends more money...hmm...) Though all I spent was £9 for the 3 so that wasn't so bad.

Depending on your perspective...

Time to be brave

"When in doubt, take a bath."

Mae West

Well, I didn't have the energy for that BUT my hair needed a wash and, well, thought I'd take the plunge with a pic (or 2) of moi. My hair is rather wet in second btw...it's not usually that stragly. Aren't you so happy to see me?! But, whatever you do, DON'T click through and make them bigger. Trust me. It ain't pretty.

On a different note - how thrilled was I to discover that Kristina Contes is still blogging, just elsewhere? And all these new links to yummy creative goodness...mmm....I'm sitting here so tired yet so inspired I could scream. (link to her page is on the side somewhere...)

Oo, and TV goodness week too - yesterday, Primeval. today, Kingdom. Wed, Torchwood...*sigh* finally a bunch of TV shows I want to watch and not only are they shown at diff times - THEY ARE ON DIFFERENT DAYS PEOPLE!!! I still remember the days Buffy and Charmed competed. And Charmed and Roswell....and something else and something else I'm sure...of course we have the Emmerdale vs. Eastenders clash to now look forward to but I'm tempted to stick with Easties as they've had that slot for a while and you know ITV are just doing this to be pains in the arses. Sods. Why can't they split it like they do wih Corrie? Noooo, lets have an hour and try and poop all over the beeb. hmph.

So how obsessed with TV do I sound now?

Tra-la-laa

I can't think of anything else to write so I'm off to prepare for Stephen Fry and chums...aka Kingdom. It's good stuff. I recommend. duh.

Samm x

Good post day

I like them. I had one of them yesterday (with the boots) so I thought I'd combine them with my Black Apple print that arrived today - don't they make a cute couple? And isn't the stamp on the package adorable? See, that's why you have your own stamps made...
You may even catch a glimpse of my Purple Onion stamps behind. Yes, that's right, I've been creating again. Havn't quite finished yet though so no uploads - not that I've even uploaded what I did the other day yet...I'm so slack
I was going through my CDs earlier, trying to sort out some space for my newbies, and I realised I bought 16 CDs last year. Now, what are you thinking here? Are you shocked as I bought so little or are you shocked I bought so many? Well, personally I'm in both categories. I thought I bought more than that, HOWEVER I am surprised at how many I bought 'just released'. I don't normally do that (waiting until they're a fiver usually). But I liked it. And I think I shall carry on doing that. Wonder how many I will buy this year?

For anyone who might be the slightest bit interested, here's what I bought (in no particular order) -
(and please bear in mind my random taste in music...)

1. Backstreet Boys - Unbreakable (oh my how I still love them so...)
2. Rihanna - Good Girl Gone Bad - My surprise of the year, I really like this, *really* didn't think I would
3. Evenescence - Open Door - Good stuff
4. The Fratellis - Costello Music - Pretty much on repeat for the first few months of ownership. My how I love this one.
5. Justin Timberlake - Future Sex/Love sounds - some reeeally good stuff on here. (plus some that make his ego sound ridiculous, thank goodness for the skip...)
6. Pink - I'm not dead - Love this!
7. Nightwish - Dark Passion Play - Wow. All I have to say.
8. Muppet Christmas Carol soundtrack (did I mention my random taste in music?)
9. Starlight Express soundtrack (needed this after seeing the show last year, which I totally recommend btw.)
10. Timberland - Shock Value - Skip to the Hives and all that follow. (though a few before rock too)
11. Will Smith - Lost and Found - #Now switch...#
12. Christina Aguilera - Back to Basics - Disc 2 - intro, welcome, candyman = triple treat on repeat
13. Gwen Stefani - Sweet Escape - how I love 4 in the morning...
14. My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade - #All together now! Teenagers scare the living sh*t outta me...#
15. Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory - I've been meaning to buy this for so long it's not even funny. Fabulous.
16. Scissor Sisters - Ta Dah! - Paul McCartney! I don't feel like Dancin'! Land of a Thousand Words! Ooh, every song's a gem...

So there you go. You all wanted to know all that didn't you?! My top 5? umm...in no partic. order - Backstreet, Scissor Sisters, Fratellis, Nightwish and Timberland. But they all rock really...

In fact I think the only thing that would have made this lot better would be a new Bif Naked, but I guess you can't have everything...!
So far on the list for 2008 is Britney, Kylie, Mika, Avril, Fergie and Nelly Furtado. Ooh, and possibly Nickleback. Love Chad Kroegers voice...their new songs is so good - have you seen the vid? I'm sure Eliza Dushku is in there but I keep blinking and missing...must look it up...

Anyhoo, hope y'all are having a fabbo weekend :)
Samm x

I can see a rainbow

In fact make that 2 rainbows - if you look hard enough :)
Today was a good day.
Got some new boots in the post. Should have taken a pic of them I suppose but the rainbow was too pretty to pass up :)

curry night

Ok, this may not look like the most appetising meal in the world - my photography seems even more shocking of late - but trust me when I say mmmmmmmmmm
The first meal I've cooked since New Year, yay! And only one claws in the back attack - he's getting better! lol

Cat like tendencies

Day 9

Prompt 9

Take time every day to do something ridiculous.

Philipa Walker

Well, dad will insist on giving him his finger to lick after he butters the toast...

Above that is the birds nest in the tree next door. I've been wanting to photograph it for aaages but of course I only ever remember when it's raining. Which is quite often atm in my defence!

I quite like the order of the pictures on here actually! Worryingly I think it may be a sign of things to come...He keeps staring out the windows with certain wistfulness and he does seem to have an affection for anything that's small and moves...
Don't worry, we got the collar with a bell on today! Not that he'll be going out for a little while but anyhoo...always best to be prepared!

He dosn't seem to miss Jack much though which is good. Ooh...did I write about this yesterday?...hang on...no!

Ok - we had to take Jack back to the cat re-homing place. He just wasn't settling in and him and Pip didn't seem to *really* love each other so we phoned up the lady and she said that maybe it would be best to bring him back. He was eating and stuff but he wasn't very 'kitteny' IYKWIM? He just sat there or slept really and the woman said it didn't sound like him at all so M+D took him back. It was sad at first but apparently the moment they let him out of the basket he leapt up on the chair and was all bright eyed so clearly he was just homesick. (he'd been there since Nov. and it looks like maybe he's settled there) I think what he needs is a home with just him and someone who can devote a lot of time to settling him. Sadly we just weren't what he needed. Plus with Mr. Has-to-be-the-center-of-attention as his basket mate he wasn't having much luck! He just wasn't happy with us...sigh...well, keep telling myself - he's happier now!

Hmm...well, that ended up a longer post than expected!
Hope you had a lovely day :)

Samm x

“The best color in the whole world, is the one that looks good, on you!”

Coco Chanel

I like all these colours and couldn't decide which pic to post so there you go :)
Hope you had a lovely day :)
Samm x

one week over...

Look back and smile on perils past.

Sir Walter Scott

Week one is over, how do you feel ? Capture with a photo

That quote made me smile when I looked at my hand...lol, definitley 'perils' going on this week. Particularly with a kitten that seems to think he's a mountain lion.

They have names now btw. Pip and Jack - cos' he's black...get it?...badaboom-tish

Bless him, Jack's not very well. Snotty nose and stuff, but he's eating well and has put on weight so hopefully just some sniffles and upset at the move. He'd been there since November so I expect it's quite a shift to his little kitteny world. He's rather fond of snuggling up under the radiator. Pip wants strokes and to play all the time, he's also discovered the delights of jumping on the kitchen counters *sigh* ah well, the delights of kittens I guess!

Oo, I also made some scrapbook pages! 1st of the year, and it's Jan 7th! I beat last year me! hurrah! lol

I'll upload them tomorrow, I'm hungry and cold and need to rescue mum from the pests...ahem...I mean adorable little fluffies...toodles!

Samm x

Honestly...

I was planning on taking a self portrait today BUT I feel awful so I figured these 2 might make nicer viewing :)
We let them out of the kitchen today - sooo exhuasting! Little black one was alright but probably only because he's poorly :( But my goodness the little white one, who looks like butter wouldn't melt, is a right devil! lol turns out he has a good nose for cheese...and it would seem he can actually jump rather well...I would have taken a pic of my hands instead for today but they are currently rather sore from scratches so you have cuty fluffies today. I swear I shall try not to cop out tomorrow and try a shoot something different! :D
Hope you all had a lovely day :)
Samm x

Pussy cat, pussy cat...

Guess what we picked up today?...lol
Aren't they cute? No prizes for guessing who Mr photogenic is though...!
They're funny little things. One has an upset tummy atm, I hope it's just the upset of the move and not something worse otherwise t'other might catch it too :(
As for names, well, we were (me and mum that is) thinking Calico (Jack) and Cosmic (Creepers) but for some reason dad can't seem to get that Calico is the cream one so there may be an alteration coming along!
I shall be back later with my Day 5... :)

A not so normal day...

Day 4

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are"

Mary Jean Irion

Thing is today wasn't quite so normal. I was setting out to be, then we got a phone call from the woman who was coming round to check our sutibility to adopt 2 kittens.
She said we could! Yay!
Turns out she had some at home, we may have some tomorrow! It's all happening rather fast but it's quite exciting - just wonder what they'll be like? I've never known kittens, we had 2 cats when I was growing up but they were about 10 years older than me - both were very soppy, particularly Boo. I hope this pair are too, lol, I don't know if I could cope at home alone with 2 kittens swinging off the curtains...!
Also she assumed I was about 15...what a wonderful woman hehe!
So, anyway, normal routine was upset as when dad got home we went out to get some catty essentials (litter box, food, scratch post etc...) But with my life being as it is I think I'd rather photograph a break in the 'normal' routine anyways - there will be many a 'normal' routine over the months to come I'm sure! lol

So....if we're going to check out Kittens tomorrow there will probably be yet another day without scrapping...I swear one day I will get the pages from last years album done!!!

Anyhoo, hope you all had a lovely 'normal' (or an even better 'not so normal'!) day :)

Samm x

Funnily enough...

this photo was taken before I'd read todays 365 prompt...

Prompt 3

"Life is too short and too amazing to spend time worring about imperfection "

Ali Edwards

I feel it kinda works with my 'word' too. I didn't have time to run off and find my better lens and it was both too cold, and a fear of frightening him away that stopped me from going outside, BUT I didn't want to miss the first Robin of the year (for me anyways...) so here you go :)

I'm starting to get an idea in my head of how I'm going to 'create' with these monthly photos but as we're only 3 days in I don't really want to commit myself *just* yet - it looks quite cool in my head though! lol, guess I'd just better wait and see at the end of Jan if it will work out!

Loving all the pics I've been checking out here and there, I keep forgetting to comment though...bad, bad blogger. I will have to sit down tomorrow and take the time to say Hi to some fellow 365-ers :)

Hope you had a lovely Thursday :)
Samm x

This ol' house...

See, there's this really cool/creepy (particularly after that epsiode of Doctor Who - don't blink!!!!!!!) abandoned old house on the road to Haskins/Hobbycraft and I've always wanted to photograph it but it's one of those roads you just can't stop on - you know? So today I figured, try and take a picture anyway! They seem to be devolping all along there so I reckon it'll be gone well before the year is out. Never mind if it's not the best picture in the world, at least I'll have a photo of this house that's fascinated me since childhood.
And this sums up my 'word' for the year. I say word like 'word' as I don't actually have just the one. This year I want to "LIVE FOR THE MOMENT" I'm fed up of putting things off and then having them pile up and up....then something new comes along but I can't do that I *have* to do this first, then it feels more like a chore than something that could be quite enjoyable. So, no more putting things off what I can do today!
Tell me - is there a word for this?! Or shall I stick to the 4?
Thank you for the comms yesterday btw - it always makes me smile when someone leave a comment :) I will be off leaving my own now!
Hope everyone had a nice Wednesday :)
Samm x

Welcome to 2008

Ok, so day 1 of the 365 day challenge and so far so good!
I managed to take this photo by sheer accident last night. I was watching the fireworks out of the window when I thought - why arn't I taking photos of these?! So I grabbed my camera (the batteries went flying across the room) so I'm scrabbling around for them, I finally get back to the window and, of course, they've stopped...just when I'm about to call it a night I hear a 'pffft' "a rocket?!" I think...yes! hurrah! So there you go - you *really* wanted to know all of that didn't you?!

Anyway - onto my missions for '08

1) Eat healthier. It's not really that hard to do. Less snacking on crisps and biscuits would help.

2) Complete the layouts you still have waiting from your '07' album - some dating back to last Feb!!!!

3) Create your 'Grateful' journal and stick to it...

4) Which leads onto this one - be more positive. I'm so fed up of wallowing in depression now. Over 8 years of it - enough is enough!

5) Don't get so stressed. So that layout isn't exactly as imagined - who will know?! So the painting didn't work - paint another! I'll admit this 'rule' will probably be the hardest overall - we're talking dismantling 23 years of a big part of my personality, but I think it's something that *needs* to be done for the sake of my health if anything. (I'm talking *reeeeeally* stressed here, not just a mini strop kind of thing...)

6) Think through your purchases. Do you honestly need that mini album? Yes it's reduced but....another set of stamps?! Can't you use what you have already?....More paper?! Really?!?!...I mean, how will I ever afford anything I actually would like if I keep getting distracted by yummy crafty bits?...

7) Another 'get off your arse and do it' one - the minis! You know what ones I'm talking about. Seeds. Holiday. Nature. Birds. Christmas Journal....oh the list goes on. Just think how happier you'll be when they're done. Less photos stacked up, less stash getting in the way...win win baby!

8) Get out more. Even if it's a walk round the block. Sooo much time spent cooped up, it's quite depressing. I'd like more walks along the river. Need to learn to drive one day so I can actually get there...!

9) Try and help mum out more (as long as it won't wipe me out completely). Dusting...hoovering...washing up...cooking...not all in the same day of course - I'm not looking for a relapse here - just enough to take some of the pressure off her.

10) Complete this 365 challenge. I am honesly te worst person in the world for sticking to things. If I'm geniuinely going to be letting someone down I'm ok, but if it's just a 'oh just do it when you can' sort of thing then I'm awful! I end up in the mindset of 'well, I can't quite manage it today, so I'll do both tomorrow' or, 'I'm not having too good a week, I'll catch up next week'...next thing you know I'm 3 months behind and it's 'well, I'm 3 months behind now - I'll never catch up. Maybe try again next year...' Take that 52 card thingy with Emily Falconbridge last year - I must have done...I don't know...6? 7 maybe? and I was so determined too.

I will be strong!
I will not procrastinante!
I will not be distracted by something sparkly!

...

Oh wish me luck...

So...

2008 is almost upon us. It's been a bit of an up and down year really...

* 5 New baby girls (all just yummy!)
* Lost Granddad (though he had 6 months longer than predicted)
* Baby cousin miraculosly recovered from menegitis without even a scar on her (Thank You)
* Aunt in and out of hospital, now on oxygen pretty much constantly
* Granddad's got to have surgery on his nose to remove cancer...
* We'll be getting some kittens (hopefully!) in new year...

*sigh* I don't know. I guess I should be focusing on the yummy bits of that list but I just can't help be drawn to the not so nice...

Hmm...

I'll end on something funny - my resolutions (funny 'cos you just know I won't stick to them!)

#1 - NO MORE CRAFT STUFF ONLINE UNTIL MY BIRTHDAY!!!! Which is July so a fair little while to go there...notice I said online...Do Crafts have bought out some yummy new stick on pearls which I've been eyeing up so need to make an allowance!
#2 - FINISH YOUR 07 ALBUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this one probably should have gone first, it is pretty important I get this done. I give myself till the end of January for that one.
#3 - PAINT! I've bought the stuff. Made some sketches. At least 5 ideas in my head. GET THEM ON CANVAS ALREADY!!!

I also have some ideas for new projects but I shall share them with you (whoever 'YOU' are?!) at a later date as I'm off out to spend money I shouldn't be! ciao!
Samm x

so so tired...

which is why this is mostly a visual post...
Days 2 and 3 of my Christmas Journal. Yes it's only 6 days in and I'm already behind but I don't care so ner. lol
I will get it done - I just seem to do better doing a chunk in one go. It would prob be easier if I had all my stuff out all the time but I don't so to get it all out to create just the one page seems like a major waste of my precious energy. So there you go.
My brains even tired...I can't type...I won't go into how many typos I've had today - I'm getting the right letters but they keep coming out in the wrong order! Doh!
I guess that's it until I craft some more...or wake-up...
oh I watched Hot Fuzz this morn. V.good - I insist you all watch it too. :)
Samm x

My my, I do declare...

Said in best southern belle accent...
I declare
my intention to Journal my Christmas. Writing something down every day. Creating a little bit whenever possible. Getting my stories documented for myself and maybe for others to read too.

I hope
by taking a little time each day to reflect, to write, to create, I will keep my Christmas alive and well, despite the commercial pressure that exists outside my door. Family, friends and hot beverages will help.

I may
meet others taking this same journey. I may share my work from time to time. I may remember just why I loved Christmas in the first place, and that may be a very magical moment indeed.

This is the manifesto copied directly from Shimelle - I just picked out my fave bits to add to my journal. I think I'm going to enjoy doing this - I had fun putting this page together (can you tell I hand cut the scalloped journalling bit?! lol!) And of course, this being the season and all, bling all over baby! I even put some stickles on the letters but it's kinda hard to see that. Anyhoo I'm off to open my advent calendar (Kinder Egg this year :) ) as I keep forgetting it's now December and I'm actually allowed to eat it instead of just drooling in anticipation lol

Maybe see you 2morrow if you're lucky ;)
Samm x

So suddenly

it's December. Can I put my tree up now? Of course I'm going to have to actually buy it first...

Shimelles Christmas Journal started today so hopefully I will be updating this with regular posts of my pages. If I'm reeeally good I may actually get the first page done on the first day! Wowee! lol

Huh - a flock of seagulls just whizzed past...my goodness it's windy today...

Anyway - Do you have any idea how hard it is trying to resist all the yummy craft stuff?! I would like some Hambly and a AC 12x12 D-ring but I must resist!!! Actually I'm still not sure about the album but still loving the Hambly...

Well, that was a totally useless post wasn't it...*sigh*!

Hope you're enjoying your weekend so far :)
Samm x

Sleepy

Above you will see the fron tof my Christmas Journal for Shimelle's class. Very much looking forward to it! I had fun making this - I hope I have as much fun filling it!
Yesterday was a tiring day - all my own fault of course - but it was also fun so I don't care! lol
I went round my mates who has a Wii...do I need to bother with the rest of the story?! I've never tried one before - never saw the point - totally get it now of course! fun fun completely exhausting fun!
I also tried her DS Brain Training - want one them too...
I've only just got my PS2!! Havn't got any games for it (cept for my PS1s) let alone played it and I'm already considering my next purchases...*sigh*
SO I figure this is a good way to combine my missions - namely my eternally failing stash diet.
If I wanna buy stuff, I need money yeah?
If I don't spend money, I can save it and then buy something big and wonderful yeah?
So here we go!

I'm not on a stash diet at all btw.

Oh no.

I'm not falling for that one again.

Everytime I try something comes out, I *really* want it, buy it thinking that's the last ting I'll buy for a while, something else comes out - 'well, I did just buy that the other day so technically I've already broken the diet...' and so on...I think it's the outright banning thing that tempts me even more. Plus most days of little energy - spend it on the comp, which has t'interweb....one false click and £20 pfft into thin air. What is it about cyber money that makes it feel so less like spending?!
So - new game - I can buy what I want! Hurrah! Just got to stick within budget.
AND REMEMBER - Spend £20 today on something you don't even need and your £20 further away from buying something you would actually like!

Wonder how badly I'll fail this time?! Of course this dosn't even kick in till New Year - Christmas always blows my budget outta the water!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend :)
Samm x

Whoopeeee!!!!

You may have noticed - from the fact that I'm posting - I still the internet! I am limited with it though. Well, I say limited....I have it wknds and evenings, not much of a hardship really! Plus it gives me the daytime for crafting (through the noise of hammering and drilling...I sense a couple of headaches next week *sigh*)

I signed up to Shimelles 'Journal your Christmas' class today. I loved the look of everyone elses last year and I do love me a bit of festivity (and sparkle!) I made the album today but havn't taken a pic yet - my battery charger's been hidden away somewhere unreachable so I need to hunt down a pack of reg. ones...should be fun!

Ooh, and I finally took the plunge today and joined an up-and-coming team on UKS, arn't I the brave one? lol

Hope you're having a nice weekend!
Samm x

starting to panic...

So this is one of the cards I put together with the Magnolia Stamped images I did the other day. You like? :)
As for the panicking...well, there's a chance I may not have the internet for - wait for it - A WHOLE MONTH!!!!! starting some point this week. And here comes the hyperventilating...

Hmm...it shouldn't be that bad I guess. I tried it once before - mum reckoned I couldn't go a month without - but I guess that was easier because, you know, it was there! Hmm...Could be very interesting...

On the other hand it would give me a hell of a lot of free time. I spend waaaay to much time on the comp. Would give me the chance to get some of my crafty projects done that I've been planning at the back of my mind for the past few months.
One of them I'm having a bit of trouble with. See, I've spent the past few months printing out pictures I've taken of the seeds I've been growing (and very nice they are too) all in the plan of putting together a mini book about my first attempt. And, well, you see I think there are now about 100 pics!!!!!! If I'd waited I could have had them done 2/4 to a page but I just didn't realise at the time how many diff flowers there'd be (mixed pack of wild flower seeds) so now I have a slight dilemma. How do I do this? Buy a big wodge of card and have a not-so-mini book? Or try and find a reg photo album and sort of turn it into a scrap book (but not, if you know what I mean...) I may have to ponder this a while. Maybe I'll wait and see how much albums vs card stock is when I next go up the Range.

And yeah, I know, if this is all I have to worry about what the hell am I moaning for - but it isn't. This is just easier because it's solvable. Once I've switched my brain on.

Anyhoo, I'm off, need to go sort some x-mas supplies out for a diff mini I 've got planned...

Toodles :)

Sheep!

Ok, how cute are these Magnolia stamps?! I got them last month but have been a bit intimidated by them - mainly not wanting to mess up the pretty-ness. But today I figured 'well, what was the point in buying them if I'm not going to use the blimmin' things?!' So here we are. I blame UKS for convincing me. Well, actually I blame Anso...but in a good way because they are rather yummy! Now to 'lift' one of her cards with them on so I can do these justice...

Oh, and my whole 'do 30 layouts and minis before buying anything else'...or whatever it was...thing? Well, It's going dreadfully. I've used up my 'except Elsies Zoe and Noel' rule and now I actually have to do stuff before I can buy anything else!!! Lol. Although looking at all the stuff I have I could probably last until next year before actually *needing* to buy anything. Well, maybe cardstock. I havn't got a lot of that.

In fact, if I take into account the rate at which I craft (the term 'snails pace' springs to mind) I could probably even make it 2 years.

But that's just silly.

And I just bought even more photos.

Sigh.

A New November Resolution

What?...It's a thing...

I WILL BE MORE CRAFTY I WILL BE MORE CRAFTY I WILL BE MORE CRAFTY...and so on...

So, I was thinking yesterday, 'I wonder what my list of things I would like to do is looking like?' (yes, even my thoughts are that incoherant...) so I grabbed all my little scraps of 'idea' papers and put them all together...30-odd layout and nearly 10 mini ideas... hmm...me thinks I need to get crafting a bit more, I mean, what better way to use up the yummy stuff right? So, here I go.
30 layouts and 5 minis before I can even consider buying anything else...'cept maybe Love Elsie Zoe and Noel...I have had a hankering for them for quite a while...but then that's it! Should be fun. I also have a couple of Chrimbo pressies to make too so it should help put a dent in my supplies - a much needed dent might I add. I really shouldn't even be considering anything else at all. I don't need it. I've always just been such a sucker for stationary, paper, stickers...it was kind of inevitable this 'collection' (notice I didn't say hobby as a good little scrapper should) would appear.
Besides there are soo many other things I'd like to buy myself.
Like a PS2
(yeah, I know, only 7 years behind...it's the norm in this house really. We only got our PS1 because the son of my dads mate sold his to get a PS2...about 5 years behind with the Gamecube...4 with GBA...I'm sure we've still got our original GB lurking around here somewhere. We don't exactly go with the times in this place!)
Oh, and I've just spotted the complete Calvin and Hobbes collection on Amazon for £50. All hardback and chronilogical. How much do I want this?! Again, it was released 2 years ago - I can't even keep up with book releases! But oh my goodness. I was reading the one with the raccoon earlier. Burst into tears. Why do I keep doing that?! Must remember to avoid that story!!!
So, yeah, where was I? Oh yeah - MUST CRAFT!!!!! With any luck I may even post pictures on here!
Hope everyone has a lovely and safe firewoks night :)
Samm x

Searching for the logic

Maybe this is just a 'me' thing...
Say you have, I dunno, 100 somethings and you think to yourself 'hmm. I really should have stopped at 70, I don't need all of these, I think I'll have a clear out.'
So you have a clear out and get rid of 10 whatevers. Not as many as you should, but as many as you could bare to part with.
Then you feel so happy with yourself you decide to buy 15 MORE thingy-bobs as a 'well-done to you' kind of a treat.

Anyone help me with the logic?!

Crazy Little Thing Called Life

It does enjoy getting in the way of things dosn't it?
Case #1 - I signed up to do Shimelles 'Learn Something New Every Day' class starting Sept 1st. Have I done anything? No. Why? I went on holiday, I forgot to learn things. Mum went into Hospital, I forgot everything else full stop. Will now be learing something new everyday of October instead.
Case #2 - I signed up to do CJs photo Master Class. Have I done anything? No. Why? reasons mentioned above.
Case #3 - Last Scrapper Standing. Actually, this I managed to do. (see above pic) Nearly didn't though. It should have all started while I was away but there was a problem with the site so it started last Wed instead (hurrah!) However I didn't realise, with Mum in hosp, I forgot to check the site until 3 days before deadline. 3 days to design and create a layout with 8 clear elements?! Didn't think I'd do it to be honest. In fact I had pretty much given up, then got up Wed morn and created this layout. Might not be my best work but I still like it.
(btw, mum went into hosp because she had a sudden severe asthma attack. she's a lot better now tg!)

Oh, and there's a million things I want to buy and a limited budget to buy them on. I've just signed up for another 6 months sub for Cocoa Daisy, cos, you know, yum! But this does eat into budget a smidge.
Still want to get some BPAL...Perilous Parlour, Bonfire night and a couple of the Pumpkin Patches sound lovely. I'm hoping the Winter scents are similar to last years - I didn't want to buy any of them as they all sounded like they wouldn't work on me, I was very relieved!
Then there's the new Hambly, Queen and Co. Felt ribbons...Do Crafts have come out with some nice stuff recently too, I spy a trip up The Range in my future.
Oh, and I'm in my handbag buying frame of mind. Autumn/Winter always seems to hit me in the accesories department. Handbags, then shoes, make-up, coats...anything that says cozy or sparkly...*sigh* I'm so predictable.

Ooh, before I forget, assuming someone's reading this, can I ask - do you/did you have any conkers this year? I went a-conker hunting on Wed (my art class is held in a park. Well, in a building, in a park...) There was nothing! Now, either the squirrel family that lives there have gone hyper with the hoarding, some sily twits decided to collect all the conkers before they were 'ripe', some even sillier health and safety twits took 'em OR it's not a good year for conkers. Or acorns. Or Sycamore helicopters come to think of it...any help?
Cheers!
Samm x

Oh the pain,

the pain of it all!
Went to a mini Festival yesterday, now I'm in pain. A LOT of pain. Every muscle in my legs, arms, back and even some in ears and jaw, hurt! All I did was sit down dammit! Fun though...

So you spend £107.24 you want something good for your money yeah? I bought a wheelchair today. I hate it. Well, the chair itself is fine, just the whole *thing* surounding it. You know - *disabled* sigh. I really should get over myself. And hey - I'm registered so I got the VAT taken off, isn't that great?! Yes Mr shop assistant, absolutely super, now stop ignoring me (while I'm trying to pay you) and talking to my parents, I'm getting this because of my legs not my brain. Prat.

Anyhoo - I am now £400 in debt to myself. I'm wondering if this counts. Half the problem is online spending. Well, I guess more than half...thing is, show me a book down from £20 to £7 and I'm thinking, ooh, that is a bit much still (it wasn't, in hindsight) but get me on amazon - I just ordered 2 books for £30 without batting an eyelid! I really need to do something. I made myself a little savings book but so far there's only outgoings marked in it. Typical. And now, of course, BPAL have revealed thier Halloween update. Fudge. I was thinking only the other day that I needed to make an order and then they go and chuck this at me. Maybe I'll just write this year off money wise. Start again in Jan. Clean slate. I dunno. I need to come up with a game plan. That involves Love Film and Cocoa Daisy still with enough money for extra crap I seem to keep buying...hmm...

Ah well...I'll give it some thought...

Toodles!
Samm x

Oh - and I've got sunburn on my parting - ALWAYS WEAR A HAT IN THE SUN!!!!!! It's for your own good. And now I know.

Well I suck...

at this whole blogger thing really don't I?!
Ahh...not like anyone reads the blimmin thing anyway...
Ok, so what's happened since last post? Umm...most of the country was flooded out...not good (why was that the first thing I thought of with all the yummy that's happened?!)
I met Daisy and Tiernee! Hurrah! 2 major yummies right there :)
Turned 23...had a lovely day with Serena cuddles and Sophie smiles :) (we'll ignore the getting beaten up by Chloe part ;) )
Yesterday saw 'the gang' again. More Serena cuddles and Sophie smiles (and getting beaten up by Chlo!) I did attempt a Sophie cuddle but she was being a Little Miss Grumblebum and only Mum would do - one day!!
Now summer does seem to be here might actually attempt to go out tomorrow (without worrying about being caught in a sudden downpour). Of course I realise by actually typing out these words I have officially jinxed it for the whole of Bournemouth but what the hey....
Hope everyone's having a groovy weekend (who am I talking to?! first sign of madness.....)
Samm x

whoop!

Ok, what did I say last post? No worries about photos it'll take 1-4 weeks for Kristinas kit to arrive? Hmm...so it arrived yesterday! 5 days! Well, 4 if you ignore Sunday. Dude! I've had parcel from the next county, infact, THIS county arrive slower. Oh and can I just say - yum! I love this kit, soooo glad I ordered it!

So positive for the 4th? My Kit arrived! Huzzah!

Today? Well, my lovely mate Nat and her yummy daughter Serena are coming over for some scrapping (so to speak...) Well, me and Nat, I'd imagien Serena will be more sleeping, but yay all the same!

Oh and me peed off because I'd ordered photos last Sat not knowing the kit was coming? Well, turns out I didn't order half the ones I wanted to *no wonder it came under a fiver she mumbles to herself* sigh...

Oh (again) and I just found out it's spelt Tiernee...I think I was kinda off...ah well, Leilah said they liked the name because Tia was a cute way to shorten it (or would it be spelt Tier? hmm...) either way I agree. So there. Can't wait to meet her!

Anyhoo, need to prepare the 'craft area' (i.e. dining table) so toodles!

Samm x

Happiness Is...

Ok, I'm determined to be all positive in this post. However - I have something kinda negative-ish to say, so I'll start with that. Wanting to end on a high note and all that...

Where the bloody hell is the sun!?!?!? This is July right? I seem to remember packing our house up last year during a bit of a heat wave, we've had the blimming heating on this week! Oh for crying out loud. I hope it cheers up a bit soon, I do like a bit a sunny sunshine.

Alright, now for the positive. With all the awful things going on, in this country alone, lately (flooding, people dying because of it, car bombs, Dianas memorial - which in itself wan't awful of course!) I've decided that everyday leading upto my birthday I will try and think of one positive thing. Starting July 1st, so I have a little catch up to do...

Sunday 1st - My seeds have there first flower!!! Last month I planted 3 packs of meadow flowers out front. I actually spread them out quite nicley but when I raked them I must have smooshed them up cos they're now a bit clumpy. Ah well, it'll be pretty when they come out but for now, just the one tall flower lording it over all the slow-joes down below ;) I think I'm going to make a mini of their progress...

Monday 2nd - (possibly the best one...) My cousin Leilah had her baby! She went in sunday aft. but bubs didn't make her appearence until 1am - goodness. 7lb 9oz and (another!) little girl. Aww...she's called - now bare with me as I'm not completly sure how she's spelling it so I'll be all phonetic-al about it - Tianey (Tee-a-nee) is that right?! Oh I dunno, I'll find out at first op. I wonder if she's like her mum, born with a full head of black hair? Can't wait to meet her!

Tuesday 3rd - umm...oh, that's today right!? Ok, Kristina Contes' kit is winging its way to me as we speak! Huzzah! Receievd the PDF instructions this morn, how groovy does it look?! Can't wait to get my grubby little mitts on it, though no doubt it'll look awful in comparison to everyones...ARRGGHH NO! No negativeness....mine will be fab! Just gotta find some piccys. I just ordered some on Sat aswell - poop. Oh well, I did actually forget a couple...any excuse for even more photos! I expect it'll be anywhere between 1-4 weeks before the kits hit the UK anyway (if my previous international parcel experience is anything to go by!) Ooh, can't wait!

I'm sure there was something else I was going to say...can't for the life of me think what it is...ah well, see u tomorrow for a bit more positive. Feel free to think of some positive things yourself my little 1/18th of a reader :)
Samm x

So here it comes...

The fabulous wave of depression that always seems to hit me around this time. Month to my birthday and I get depressed for I am yet another year older and still in the exact same place I was when I was 15. Fantastic.

WARNING - self pitying rant ahead

I know, there are people in the world have it so much worse off than I do but it's hard to be happy about where your life is when your going to school friends weddings, meeting thier new born babies and getting postcards from them from all around the world. What exactly have I done in the past 7 years? umm...good question. It didn't help the other day when I met the parents of a boy I went to primary/secondary school with. Telling me about his (and is mates who I also went to school with) life. Lived abroad, working in london, engaged, married, babies....so what have you been upto? Err...well I left school at 15 cos I got ill and umm...yeah, that's about it really. No qualifications? College? Nope. Nothing. Awww. Then of course the 'gotta think of something positive to say now' bit. They really don't.

AAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hate thinking like this. And of course you try to talk to people about it, you know, you just want to rant and be all wallow-y for a little while but they (and by they I mostly mean my mum) feel the overwhelming need to be positive and try to cheer you up. I don't want positivity I want realism! I just keep wanting to cry the whole time. I can't even leave the house at the moment because my legs have decided they don't want to work properly this week. Well, fortnight now I guess. Damn. I havn't even got the energy to do something productive/crafty at home. All I can do at the moment is sit on my fat arse in front of the computer or telly. And eat. All the time, I'm just so damn hungry. No wonder I put a stone on in under a year. Ok, fine, it's put me up to a healthy weight but what if I carry on this way? another aarrgghh for the pot. I tried talking to my friend about it but she's always been so confident and positive I don't think she really gets it. Sleeping's another thing. For someone who's always so tired and in bed a lot I don't actually get a whole lot of sleeping done. Too much dreaming. Incredibly vivid, technicolour, surround sound dreams. Dreams I had at 18 that I can still remember every detail of. 7 years and not one proper nights sleep? I imagine that can't do good things to your health (well, other than what's already wrong with it).
I'm kind of glad of the rain at the moment. People keep saying 'you'll probably cheer up when the sunshine comes out' but why? All that will do is make me think, well what a lovely day and here I am stuck in doors not able to enjoy it. At least if it's raining I can say - well, it's not like I'd be going out in this anyway...

Oh dammit. This really is a self pitying rant. I didn't mean to go on so much. Sorry if I've offended by going on about my not-so-bad-really life.
And thankyou for the comment about my photo, I quite liked that one too :)
Samm x

2nd attempt

Oh the stress and drama of it all. Well, ok, maybe not quite so much drama...well maybe a little...hmm...anyhoo, yeah, lack of updates. I forgot. Sorry! I did try a couple of weeks ago but Blogger wouldn't let me, then I had my computer fixed due to other niggles and was without the internet for a whole week!!! A whole friggin week!!!! I was getting withdrawal symptoms. Still, all back to normal now - fingers crossed!

I won't go into the drama part - all a bit depressing and no-one wants to hear depressing things, however if anyone reading this would like to send a healing vibe or 2 in my families direction they will be very greatly received :)

Slightly more cheery - babies!!! 3 of them!!! None of which are mine - which is probably a much better way to be, have lots of snuggles and hand them back hehehe ;)
Ist up Serena Grace Hill - 13th April. My mates Nat & Kevs first baby, and she's just yummy - looks just like her mummy :)
2nd up Daisy Cole - 15th May. My cousin Jamie & his wife Debbie, havn't met her/seen a pic yet, but I've been assured she's gorgeous which dosn't surprise me :)
3rd up Sophie Sheen - 18th May. My mate Gem & her hubby Nigels 2nd little girl, can't wait to meet her and see if she looks anything like her big sister!
So, 3 little girls and one more to come. What are the odds this one will be a girl too?! I mean - 4 babies and not one boy?...hmm...this will be my cousins Leilahs first and if they look anything like her I can tell you now - this baby will be stunning. Have I mentioned how much I hate how gorgeous my cousins are? No? Well I do. They are. Damn them all. Particularly as they are also lovely yummy people too so I can't actually bring myself self to hate them for it. Damn.
This post isn't very crafty is it? I'll try that tomorrow. Sooo much inspiration lately I think I need to share. PLUS I have actually been making things - shock I know!
Anyhoo, toodles for now!
Samm x