So, that little angel

from the 5th (yes Miss Penelope, you know who you are) sweetly passed her cold on to me - wasn't that nice of her?! Bless. I can see why she was so grumpy with it.
Today I lost my voice, no funny comments thank you!

Above is the past 4 days in photo.
6th - it snowed again, it was amazing, like a winter wonderland out there!
7th - The sun came out and the snow was melting quite quickly.
8th - My throat was on fire and I could barely eat :o(
9th - today! I didn't know what to photograph, am worried I'm going to crash soon so I figured I'd take a pic of my orchids - the bane of my life! The bigger one has just started sprouting again. Last time that happened (on the short one) the buds got huge but died and dropped off before they even showed signs of opening. If it happens with this one there's a very good chance I will cry. A lot. Sigh.

I received a couple of embossing folders this morning for my cuttlebug so yay! When I get some energy back I'm so going to be making stuff!
Maybe I'll show you here, if they're any good...!
xxx

Penny hugs

Finally got my hugs with this cutie pie yesterday. She was a bit grumpy as she has a cold but as long as she was upright she seemed happier (probably also helped that she'd just been fed when I took these pics so she was quite sleepy too...)

Had nothing but rain yesterday, not fun, but a bit safer for driving in!

It's currently snowing quite a bit, I was supposed to be going out later but the way it looks out there right now I don't wanna go anywhere!!! brrrrrrrr

Just when you think it's all over

We had a bit more snow last night, yay!
It happened at some point between 8.30pm(when dad got home) and 10pm (when mum opened the curtains to look out and squealed - 'It's snowed!')

I didn't imagine it would be around this morning (it isn't) as the flakes were pretty big and looked wet, IYKWIM. It was already falling off dads car, in clumps, when we discovered it so we figured it would all be melted by morning so not too sad that it has.
Feel sorry for Pip though, it was so late by the time we discovered it that we couldn't let him out in it - he was trying to ram his flap open bless him, he loves the snow! Wish we had it a bit more regular-like...

I think

We were lucky with the weather today. As we were driving down in started snowing, when we got to the park it stopped - I took photos.
I got back to the car it started sleeting.
We got home, it had stopped.
We got in the house it started hailing.
Then sleeting.
Then snowing.
Then sunshine.
Then snow.
Then hail.
Now sleet.

Weather like this and we didn't get wet! Cold, yes. Frozen, absolutely. Wet, nope! Woo!
Oh, and btw, we didn't go out to go to the park, we had to do something else and the park was next door. We aren't mad going out in this weather just for a couple of pictures. Wish I still lived backing onto the park though - imagine the photos yesterday morning before everyone walked in it and started building snowmen and what not. See that snowman in the picture? It was *huge*. I should have sent mum out to stand next to it for comparison. What is it about pictures that don't seem to show scale well.
I'm tempted to save up for a wide angle lens (I *Think* that's what I want). The view was just beautiful at the park but I couldn't get enough in IYKWIM.
It would be nice to get one before we go on holiday.
I keep taking scenery shots on my little fuji point and shoot as it gets more of the scene in. It annoys me chopping and changing all the time. I think some research is needed.

Huh, now we've got big, heavy snow fall.
Very strange.

SNOW!!

Amazingly, Pip loved it! We were all preparing overselves for a grumpy cat (he hates rain, of course) but snow seems to be a winner. He was bouncing up and down the road and twirling round - so funny! He always attacks the spikey plant in the garden but today was more fun with the snow on - he did a running pounce and ended up flinging the snow up and all over himself - cute cute cute!
Shame we don't get it very often, he could have fun every year!
I was think yesterday (when they were promising snow all over the country), while we often have snow fall in the winter, it dosn't settle very often. In fact I can only remember 4 times it has. Maybe 5.
I shouldn't complain really, we're lucky we don't get the thick/black ice that often comes with it.

Hope everyone is all safe and warm :o)
xxx

I don't know

whether I've just gotten all nostalgic for the youth that was cruely ripped from underneath me (melodramatic? moi?!) or whether I'm just a sucker for a good ol' easily digested teen read, but lately I've taken to buying up books from my teens.
These arrived this morning.
Don't you love it when you have a bunch of parcels your waiting for and they don't all arrive on the same day? Maybe it's just me. T-Shirt yesterday, books today...wonder what will come monday? My shampoo? Then there's the gorgeous ring I bought from Etsy which will take longer as it's in the States (oh how I hope I measured my finger properly!!!)

Then there's the cuttlebug...

Huh? What?! Oh yeah, I may have ordered a cuttlebug today.

eek!

This may end up being something I regret (I hope it isn't) but I just adore the effect of the embossing folders, some of the alphabets look like they could get repeated use AND (importantly) it dosn't look like it would take a great deal of effort.
I'll report back later on that last theory.

You may not appreciate this

but I love my new T-Shirt (it may help if you've read/seen Twilight)

I'm not obsessed. I just liked the shirt.

I also got the next CJ from Crafty Magpies - it looks fab! This one is all about cake recipes. The only one I know is for a Victoria Sponge. You should see the others in there - so gorgeous! I need to hunt down some on la web...

Also, with each CJ I'm getting I'm wishing I owned a die cutting machine...this isn't good for my money saving plan!

This week has not been good.
Family wise - my aunt is back in hospital and my great uncle is getting worse.

This morning I burst a blood vessel in my eye. I'm not sure how.

I'll try this again when my brain wakes up...

Good post day

No new CDs today but 2 books I ordered a few weeks back (I was wondering where they'd gotten to...) a Pilates DVD ( I shall get a bikini body...one day...) and some gorgeous journalling papers from one of my wonderful Magpie teamies, Shirley <3

I saw them on one of her layouts and just had to know where it came from - they're by Prima apparently. How did I miss them? These things don't usually slip past me...
Anyway, I asked and she sent me some - totally unexpected but totally appreciated and I'm totally happy!
They kinda remind me of those cute little notepads they used to sell when I was younger and had no need for them. Now, of course, I can't find any anywhere...it's like they know...

In other news this cold feels like it's starting to vanish (woo). Well, I can breathe through my nose again anyway. Always a good thing.
I've got 3 films from lovefilm to watch too. They gave me an extra credit for being such a valued customer. How does that happen? I pay every month so they like me? How are you not a valued customer? It's not like you can steal from them...

If in doubt

photograph the cat.
Here he is trying to sneek his way up the inside of my curtains not realising that just because he can't see us we actually know he's there...daft as a brush that cat...and now my curtains have tiny little pin holes in them. sigh. Check out that grin in the second pic - crafty crafty crafty...

So much for last monday being my refreshing new starting point (or whatever the heck I said). It apparently only works when you don't catch a cold and fade out of existence for a while. I kept up with the photos (as shown above, taken on 13th) BUT, seeing as I had no energy (still) they (still) suck. So there you are. Once again I will not bore you.

This past week has gone by in a nice blur, in the midst of it all these CDs keep turning up...apparently when I'm dopey with cold I order music. I could have sworn I dreamt it but seeing as I now have them in my possesion I guess not.
So you know -
Lady GaGa's album is fantastic. If you like Just Dance check out the sneeks that are around (on YouTube for ex.) fall in love then buy it for yourself.

The Twilight Soundtrack is gorgeous. I havn't seen the film (due to one reason or another) and as a result am not sure about a couple of them - something tells me they'll hold more meaning when I can relate them to the plot - but the rest are just beautiful. I've had Decode - Paramore, Leave Out All The Rest - Linkin Park, Flightless Bird, American Mouth - Iron & Wine, Never Think - Rob Pattinson and Bella's Lullaby pretty much on re-play since I got it this afternoon.
I didn't actually think much of Robs effort when I first heard it (sample before buying album) but having had a glance at the lyrics and hearing it in full it actually is quite beautiful.

I also downloaded a couple of songs from Enchanted - So Close - Jon McLaughlin and That's How you Know - Amy Adams. Disney at its best, I defy anyone not to fall in love with/to Jon's song.

So there you are.
If I ever manage to look a little less like the creature from the deep I may tackle some self portraits. Kristina Contes recently updated her SP file and has totally got me inspired.
As always.
I want her scarfs.
And her sunnies.
We already have the same glasses
...
Not on purpose...

This is all.
For now...
xxx

Hello raindrops

Watcha knowin'?

So now it's not cold enough for it to become snow, the heavens decide we need a bit of rain. I guess they could have decided we needed a bit of sleet so it isn't all that bad.

If I don't do something remotely crafty today - even if it's only plotting what to do this week, there's a good chance I may implode. I need to make something.
I NEED TO.

Just have to work out what...

Oh, and in case you were wondering, I have been keeping up with the photos, but my energy hasn't been keeping up with me. They aren't very good so I won't bore you with them.
Monday's are always good for refreshing your starting point.

...or something to that effect...

Baby love

Introducing Miss Penelope Rose Hill :o)

Baby no name was named last night, just in time for me to put a name to her little mini book - handy.
Sooooo beautiful! I've seen 3 sets of little sisters now and the first 2 were polar opposites of their elder siblings but Penny is soo much like Serena, just darker hair and darker blue eyes (apparently, she didn't open them long enough for me to get a good look!)
Serena is so cute, she kept trying to kiss her and nearly flipped her out of her car seat...innocent intentions but potentially scary outcome - if only for waking her up. Her ma n pa assured me she's found her voice already, thankfully she didn't demonstrate it for me. Thank you sweetie! Didn't get any cuddles this time as she was sleeping, so I guess I'll just have to see her again a.s.a.p!

Take a look through my eyes

Well, my glasses anyway. I was a good girl and took my camera out with us today. While I was waiting for mum I was looking at the sky thinking 'it's such a deeper colour with my sunglasses on, I wish I could get a lens cover this colour'
Then it hit me - try taking a photo with my glasses infront of the lens - genius! Okay, so no doubt I'm not the only one to think of this, but it's pretty smart for me.
And this is how it turned out. Kinda cool for a spur of the moment first attempt. And it also led me to discover I appear to have a scratch on my glasses lens...hmm...

In other news - I'm done in!
After wondering around the shop for a little while slowly losing my eyesight and leg power, I bought a photo album and sat in the car. We went to another place to get baby no name a present and I had to go in the wheelchair (boo) and somehow managd to pick myself up a new pendant for my necklace, some bangles and a headband. Oh, and a gorgeous new frame. Just need to find a piccy to go in it...

xxx

I'm not exactly sure

What happened to our water barrel but it kinda appeared to have exploded, with streams of ice all down the sides and a bunch of icicles hanging at the bottom - they havn't melted away all day and now it's too cold to. Ahh, it's soooo cold! Funny thing is we don't seem to be suffering like the rest of the country with snow. Ice and frost sure, but no snow. Even though it's cold enough to settle it just seems we don't get any. It's very odd.

Still not feeling great so didn't really do anything today. Have plans for tomorrow and Friday though - tomorrow shopping for a photo album and a prezzie for baby no name and Friday - I meet her! Woo! I'm so excited, she's so pretty and I just love it when they're tiny and snuggly and don't just wriggle off your lap...ahh, why do they have to grow so fast?!
Take care and keep warm!
xxx

Well brrrr

So the cold snap has firmly taken it's icy hold on the UK - well super.
Actually, I don't really mind the cold. Not a big fan of the ice though, personally I can avoid it, but there some right nutters about.
What is it about this country, slight touch to the more extreme temps and the whole place comes to a standstill! sigh.

The picture is sort of supposed to be ironic - clear blue skies and sunshine and apparently we didn#t go over zero degrees today. Well, our thermometer read 2.3 but it currently says -3.6 and the airport website is all "well, actually we register -6 so nerrr" So I'm more inclined to agree with the zero and the -6. You would have thought the airport has slightly more advanced technology than we do. Plus it's not like it's forever away. In fact it's, like, right ---> there - see it?

In other news, baby no name is still, to the best of my knowledge, baby no name. Though I had a dream last night that they had named her Hannah.
This dream was also set in the summer, we'd moved to the country, I could drive and I was dating Robert Pattinson.
I wouldn't put too much stock on her being named Hannah.

Can't wait till they decide.
Can't wait till I can visit!
Ahh other peoples babies - the best kind of cuteness. Cuddles then hand them back - woop!
xx

One year on

Check it out! After I took the pics of Pip to document our first anniversary I was thinking 'I'm sure I've taken pictures of him on the window sill before' and I did!
I used them in a post in Jan last year - bearing in mind this cat is not a big cat, look how much he's grown! I wouldn't believe it if I didn't have this evidence as he's still quite small. I wish we'd known him as a kitteny kitten and not a 3-4 month old one - I bet he was a gorgeous little ball of fluff!

ANyhoo, in other news, 1st baby of the year was born this morning! (well, first baby I know - in the general sense, as it's the 5th, I'm sure quite a few have been born...)
Not sure of her name, or even what she looks like yet, but I have been informed by hubby that both mum and bubs are doing well - yay! Can't wait for cuddles!
xx

Really getting into

this editing lark. I did take a picture today. I didn't think it came out well, so I was hesitant to use it, but why exactly? Ahh, it was taken at 2 this aft. and it came out very wrong - it looked so dark and stormy but it was just a lot of cloud with the sun trying to break through. So I edited the heck outta it and this is the result - I like it! As I said the original wasn't up to much,m but it won't let me add it, how sad.

In other news, I feel like death so I think I'm going to have an early night.
Sweet dreams all!
xxx

This is *not* my photo for today

So I signed up for a photo editing class with this lady here and wowee! I'm in love! In case you can't tell, they go -
1 - edited wish acid wash technique
2 - original
3 - edited with acid wash and vignette
4 - original
I know they could be done a bit better (that vignette on the library one is awful!) but I took, like, 20 seconds to do it as I was so excited to just see if it worked!
Ahh I'm a happy camper today!
Hmm...maybe one of those *could* be my photo for the day...hmm...

Clearly

I did not take this picture. Though it does, however, pretty much some up the day. I kinda guessed Doc 11 would be my pic of the day when they said they'd be announcing it yesterday BUT I didn't imagine him. They closed the betting on...oh...what was his name again - argh my memory - Patterson James? Joseph? Hmm...yeah, so anyway, sooo many people thought it would be him they'd given up waiting and just assumed. Wrong! Don't have the faintest idea who this guy is but I would have been a bit curious (well, I could say that now with hindsight!) his name didn't really get bought up until a few days ago and he's pretty much an unknown, seems strange to add him to a mix that included blinkin Catherine Zeta Jones!!
SO, what do you think? Will he make a good Doctor? Only time will tell I guess, but I do hope people give him a chance.
Do you remember the uproar when Billie Piper was announced as the new companion?
How about David Tennant taking over from Christopher Eccleston - I seem to remember the words 'weasel like' being used - would you have predicted all this upset when HE left 4/5 years later?!
Give the guy a chance! Yeah he's young, but Stephen Moffat seems to think he'll do the job well and it sounds like he got it just by walking in and reading a couple of lines - sounds like he must have a certain special something to win them over so quickly. Can't wait to see his first episode, I hope he won't mind my tears for DT though...sorry!

xx

Day 2...

So we were driving back from Hobbycraft and there was a steamroller by the side of the road. Of course my camera (which I vow to take with me everywhere) took for*ever* to load and I neeeearly missed it. But I just managed to catch the front roller and one of the blokeys - I hope he dosn't mind!

Hobbycraft was a nice expensive trip again. Though I thought it would be - I was planning on buying an album for the photo a day project, if they had a 8 1/2 x 11 D-ring (which they did). An MM scalloped chipboard album, it looks really nice. It holds trading card holder pages nicely (yeah yeah, I had some spare from my Buffy cards, no-ones allowed to judge!) Just need to see if it will hold the pages I bought from 7 day shop - they look really good! They hold either four 5x7s back to back or eight 4x6s back to back. Hope they do fit, I think it'll look really good when completed (even if I do say so myself hehe)
I'll try to post a pic on here when I've got the first page done, if it turns out nice. If not, no-one shall see!

xx

Happy New Year!

Hope all is well :)

For some reason I've decided to try and take a photo a day for the year again. No prompts, no plans, just a photo a day. I think I got a bit overwhelmed last year. Annoyed with myself if I didn't manage a day, annoyed that I was never going out so my pics weren't all that interesting. This year, no expectations. Just a picture a day. Shouldn't be too bad - we'll see how it's going at the end of the month!

Above picture was just going to be a case of 'Argh it's 9 o'clock and I still havn't taken anything!' BUT it actually ended up with a story - about 2 minutes later Pip climbed up my tree, knocked it over (it's only a light 3ft one, he's yet to knock over the 7ft-er!) grabbed my reindeer by the antlers and dragged him down the hallway...sigh! At least I managed a pic of him in all his glory at the top of my tree :o)

Another year over

Time to look forward.
But first a look back.

*This year has had some highs but the lows seem to stand out so much more.
Losing Nanny Wyn, at the grand age of 96, it's still sad to think she won't be there any more.
*Auntie Jane in and out of hospital with her Scleroderma. Nan and Granddad talking like doctors should be finding a cure when it's more a case of managing it. Everytime she goes in I worry she won't come out. And not just because they seem to always have at least one ward shut for quarrentine. I never know if people are telling me the truth about how bad she is. I know Jane tries to cover it up herself, but people do seem to have this habit of treating me like a little girl. I know it's just to protect my feelings, and maybe it really isn't as bad as I think it could be, but I'm scared to push the issue incase it is. I wish they could find a way to help her manage her heart rate and her breathing, it would save so many problems.
*As if all this wasn't enough for my Nan, her brother was diagnosed with Asbestosis (cancer of the lung)a few months back. Ever the pessimist I'm not sure if he'll last through 09, but we live in hope. He went downhill sooo quickly, I just hope the radiotherapy and chemo can push him back up that hill just as fast.

On top of that, Nan had a hip replacement (it's really not been a good year for her, or granddad) Dads neck went for a few months (thank the gods it wasn't as bad as it has been in the past) and I seem to have had a major relapse M.E. wise. Eurgh. I am sooooo glad to be putting this year behind me...why is it that the thought of tomorrow, technically just another day, is filling me with such hope and positivity? Strange.

So, the good stuff that will (hopefully!) be happening -
* 2 babies! They will be happening, no hopeful about it, the hopeful part there is maybe there will be more??? Ha! One due pretty soon, in fact, if she's early like her big sis, any day! The other will be a new cousin for me and she's due around April time - can't wait! Though I wonder if I'll ever get the chance to welcome another baby boy into the world before I'm 30?! Since I was 19 there have been 12 babies, only 2 have been boys and they were aaaages ago! Very odd...
*A wedding! My cousin Simon is marrying his girlfriend Becky (which is odd as my cousin is also called Becky so when I went up to see my Nan the other week she kept nearly calling me Becky too!) I'm assuming we're invited. Hope so, location looks delish and any excuse for a new outfit - though mum can shop on her own! I'm not going through that again!

Nothing else major happening. Holiday in...some month or other...I should probably find that out...
Oh, next week we'll have had Pip a whole year! I think I blogged it - I'll have to do a matching anniversary post.

You know it's strange. Even with all this junk that's been happening I feel a strange sort of hope and positivity about tomorrow and all its following days. Why is this? A renewed energy. (well, not literal, more mental - no comments!) I'm actually looking forward instead of living in fear of what's to come. Which is odd as I've been dreading this year for a while now. My 25th year on this mortal coil. Not only that but my 10th year with M.E. Oh how I prayed (and I'm not a religous girl) that I wouldn't still be stuck with this after a whole bloody decade but here I am. 9 1/2 and going for the round One Oh.
Damn.
Still, like I said, feeling bizarrly positive. Can't let things get me down. Keeping moving forwards. So on so forth.
So for you, my non existent blog reader, I would like to wish you a New Year full of Hope, Positivity, Happiness, Joy and Laughter.
Happy New Year
xxx

Crafty Magpies did a Secret Santa...OoOoh...

Okay, I apologise now if these have come out all upside down and inside out - it's all codes this end and I can't quite see what order they uploaded in...could be good!

Can I just say, a week late, but Merry Christmas fellow Magpies! I think I can say, in all honesty and without being at all biased, that we have the best team around - everyone's so nice and friendly and always there if you need a cyber shoulder to lean on or ear to moan into. I love being a part of this team and hope I can join in a bit more this year (i.e. not be so bloomin ill all the time!)
Love you guys!!!!! xxxxxxxxx
Who says I've been on the bubbly for New Years?! Now onto my NYE post...

So jump up on my sleigh

and we're all on our way to another bloomin Christmas!

Woo!
December is here and already I'm excited. I hope I don't peak too early and end up hating all things festive by the big day...
Managed to hold off on the movies until today though. Pretty good I thought seeing as I've bought both Hogfather and Father Christmas/The Snowman and had them sitting in my room, just waiting, for the past couple of weeks. Still, just finshed watching Father Christmas, just a few more to go...what's you fave Christmas film? It dosn't need to have the actualy holiday in to make it a tradition (though thinking about it, mine all do...)

* Yogi's First Christmas (watched so much as a child I know the words and I'm surprised I didn't wear the tape out! If only I could get hold of it on DVD!)
* Raymond Briggs Father Christmas (well, yeah, did you read my title?!)
* The Holiday (I don't know what it is about this film but I love it!)
* The Nightmare Before Christmas (on the Eve of course)
* Serendipity (not technically a Christmas film I know, but it does start and end in the season!)
* Newbie for this year - Hogfather
* and of course, not forgetting the staple - Muppet Christmas Carol!

Good times :o) and I'm sure I've forgotten something...

My goodness it's cold today! I think I'm going to toddle off and make a hot water bottle or something.
Happy December 1st to you xxx

Meet Santa Claws

Here he is! At least I think so...I haven't uploaded a picture in a while and all I'm getting is letters..hmm, still, it said done so...

Isn't he just the most cutest thing ever?!

I am soooooo making cards this year! :o)
Not the ones you send of for though - £1.50 each atm and that's on offer! No no, I'll just get a bunch of pics at 10p each and 'scrap' a card, so to speak. Not like I don't have any christmas supplies or anything.

Speaking of good ol' Chrimbo - take a lookie loo here Ali Edwards is doing her December Daily again! Mmm, what is it about her blog at this time of year that makes me feel so festive? I adore her ideas, wish I'd done one last year. I think I'll def. do one this year - I can't get my photos printed off everyday but I can do it so the notes are down and the photo's been taken then put it all together in Jan yeah? Yes, of course I can - there are no wrongs in crafting! I'm rambling again aren't I...

Ok, off to check out some more inspiration here and there.
Hope you're well, who ever you may be :o)
Samm xx

Tis the season

apparently...everywhere I go it's Christmas! It's annoying as I'm getting an overwhelming urge to put up decorations - it's not even November people!

Tried getting a pic of Pip in the 'Santa Claws' hat I got him - strangely it worked! You wouldn't think so. Everyone warned me, said I was mad - he'll have you hand off! they cried. Well, he didn't. He did try to eat the pom pom on the top, I'll give you that, but once I got it out of his mouth and popped the elastic over his head he just sighed and went back to sleep. I'm now starting to wonder if I can get away with putting it on him on the big day or whether it's a 'I'm tired so I'll put up with it for now' kind of a dealy. hmm...I guess we'll find out come boxing day and I'm covered in plasters...

**kinda depressing bit coming up**
You know that saying about how it never rains but it pours? Well, it seems to be coming down in bucket loads right now.
We buried my Great Nanny Wyn in Sept. It was sad, but she was 96 so it wasn't horrific. Seems weird to think she won't be there any more though.
Just found out my Aunt's gone back into hospital. She has Scleroderma. I'd never even heard of it before she had it, and not a lot of other people had too. I hate hearing more about it. I won't type it here as it depresses me (it isn't curable) but everytime she goes into hospital I worry 'was it the last time'? They say people who have it don't live into old age - though as it isn't common I hope she'll be defying the odds.
Also found out yesterday that my Great Uncle may have lung cancer. It's not for definite (he's having tests today, find out tomorrow) but they wouldn't just throw that word around without reason would they?
Urgh.
I really don't know what to do. Mum's so stressed by it all. (her mum's just come out of hosp. after having a hip op too)
I want to help her but what can I do? Dosn't help that I appear to have picked up a bug from somewhere. Now she's worried about that on top of everything else.

**depression over**well...sort of...**

I'll try and get a photo of Pip on here - he's still so cute, even at a whole year old! People kept trying to say he'll ugly up as he gets older but he's just as scrummy as the day we bought him home (year in Jan, where has the time gone!?)
I'll also try and get some crafty pics on here. I'd really like to get back into this blogging thing. It's quite theraputic.