So why blog?

That is the rhetorical question that NZ Jane asked on hers yesterday and it got me thinking.
I've come up with a few reasons why I blog

• It's better than keeping a diary
• I like to write stuff. I like to see the way that I write in a blog cos it entertains me.
• I like to find out the trivia of other people's lives and am willing to put at elast some of mine on show.
• Although I don't talk about my faith too much it's a place where I hope that I can share that Christians are (fairly) normal people
• I can archive photos and craft stuff on here in case my hard drive dies. (Mine did last year. Do YOU back up regularly?)
• I love getting feedback from people about what I write (though not many do, hint, hint)

Back to the hols, lets see if blogger will play

Wet picnic with Murray monumint sticking out of my head

Wet people at the top.

One of the fun things we did was go to a farm to make ice cream. Actually we can do this at home wit our ice cream maker but haven't done much. Note to self. Make ice cream.

It was good fun and the kids enjoyed wearing their hats...

They made some 'delicious' ice-cream. Lots of honey, raisins and meringue. Fillings hurt just to think about it!

There was also lots of fun wooden things to play on. I love this picture of Phil

Kids are now back to school (hurray!) Not that I'm glad to see the back of them, it's that there is a better sense of routine now. we had a family meeting last night (we try and have one every Tuesday during term time) and we were very impressed about their grown up answers and solutions to problems. we didn't quite crack world peace but had good suggestions for non crisp items in lunch boxes....

They're coming to take me away ha,ha, hee, hee

Went to use the car Wednesday. S'funny, the door is unlocked and I NEVER leave it unlocked. Weirder still the spare key is in the ignition. Car battery dead as a dodo. Had a good try at blaming Phil for all this then realised I must have opened the boot on Tuesday, got the shopping out and left the key in the ignition. At least I shut the driver's door. Muppet.
And finally here are my feet!

I've almost got the hang of this work thing again. It will be eaier when we are all back in our usual routine. Except Phil who is now on Sabbatical for three months. I may have already had mine but that doesn't stop me feeling green!

I'm sure you are dying to know more about the holiday...
we actually did more out and about things than we do when we are on a campsite in France.
The kids discovered that going on walks can actually be fun.
We did two walks in Mabie forest and on both days it was hot which meant that the sun dappled through the trees beautifully.


We got to watch tv together too - which we don't always do. The kids love Dragon's den (why?) and one great programme was about kids starting school. Carys has now perfected her Reception face.
Can't wait to scrap it!

One of my friends mentioned that we were going to Scotland in "rainy season". So in a very grown up way, every time the sun shone I went "rainy season. Hah!" to myself.
OK sometimes I even said it out loud.
Cos, there was rain sometimes but it was lovely and sunny most days for at least part of the day. And we usually like a bit of rain as it gives us the excuse to stay in and do nothing for a while...

One mixed day was when we went to see the deer. They were doing a deer trail at 2pm. I decided that we could have a lazy morning, eat lunch in the caravan and then drive there and hang around for a while. All went well until I looked at the map again and I realised that I had vastly underestimated the distance. Shoved the picnic in the car and set off. Every mile was an agony as I was sure we were going to miss it after driving for at least 1 and a half hours.
(We have discovered that there is a motorway speed limit, a national speed limit and a Scottish country road speed limit. Even if the road is not particularly bendy and the scenery a bit blah you are not allowed to drive over 45 miles an hour)
The countryside was so beautiful, the weather gorgeous but I couldn't take it in as I urged the car to eat up the miles faster with the power of my mind (it doesn't work)

Dear readers, we squealed into the car park at 1:59.


So we ended up having our picnic lunch about 3:15 near a monument up a hill. It was to remember someone called Murray. So we decided to call it the Murray Monumint. Obviously. And had to climb up to see it. THEN it was raining.

I'll show the photies later when blogger lets me

Hi ho, hi ho

its back to work I go...
and it's about time I updated.
Got back from hols Monday - 7 and a half hours of driving straight around from Dumfries.
(hurray for mp3's that you can play in our car stereo. 6 series of 'old harry's game', half of 'revolting people' and the whole of 'Thud' by Terry Pratchett (unedited about 24 hours of genius) over the holiday. )

Tuesday was washing and unpacking and washing
oh and Hywel's 14th birthday which meant his friends coming round for tea (my baby - 14!)

Wednesday was card craft heaven - last day of hols meant making some cards. I took my zipemate on holiday and made up some cows, cars and chickens. (and handbags but that would have spoiled the alliteration) so I've been busy sticking them on. I had to send some today and got them through the perspex of death at the post office with nay bother (fortnight in Scotland and I can talk the lingo see. Och ay). So I know that brads, ribbon thread things and thin sticky pads are still ok. Phew!

Thursday - looking at the paper mountain that was my desk and the full diary for September and sighing. But no more excuses for not updating either
I haven't edited all the photos yet you will be relieved to hear.
On the down side that means that you will have to be looking at them for the next few weeks.

(Side note: as a family when I was in my teens we were invited round to a house to look at some photos of a holiday. My parents thought the invite implied food. Oh no. Just 3 hours - and I do not exaggerate I'm afraid - of slides and some very rumbly tums).

Southerness is on the edge of Scotland. You can see the Lake district on a clear day. Actually you can see it on a foggy or rainy day too but not as well.
Strictly speaking this is the view from Drumburn just up the coast but I think that is England. It kept moving and confusing me. Or maybe i was moving. still confused though
This is Southerness beach, just down from the campsite. Lovely rocks, romantic lighthouse and squelchy, muddy sand which is what the fambly liked best
I was able to take lots of aforementioned photos - mostly thinking "that will make a good scrap page" and lots of arty shots too.

but I did join in honest...

and I was going to show you but blogger is playing up s you'll just have to take my word for it for now. :)

3 return plus thousands extra, 2 depart

Aaaargh.
I sent the kids away finally nit free. With some great new 'bugger off and never come back but oooh so good for hair' spray.
But all it needs is one little teensy tiny stubborn egg that I have missed to become an army.
I hate them.
So tis back to being monkey mother for a while. Maybe by the end of the holidays... but then once back in school someone else will have them.
It is a huge problem that probably will only be sorted out if all school children had shaved heads.
I'm convinced that they like the smell or taste of certain people rather than others - as mosquitoes do. Some children never get them. Mine can't get rid of them.

I'll pause for a moment for you to scratch your head.

I had a horrid day yesterday. A hall user at one of my churches rang up and haranged me. Although he has a right to be miffed about what happened what he said was totally over the top, down right rude and unjustifiable.
However.
I can say that today.
Yesterday I just thought he was right.

I still struggle with self esteem issues and it takes very little to squish me. I am so much better than I was last year when the black dog was with me all the time. But I've still got a way to go. And another horrible confrontational meeting today. But it's face to face which I can cope with better.
Then there is the small matter of a sermon and packing for the holiday...
Phil has just taken Spot and Mrs M for their hols. They are going to the chicken equivalent of a cattery (what would you call it?)

I have done two more cards that were needed for sending today and carys made one for my dad too.
Phil's brother Martin is 40 next week. Not possible as we are older than he is...
Paper is SAkit for July. UTEE'd star plus brads from carolyn's














This one uses SA kit for August. May arts ribbon. Carolyn's bargain brads again (which means I can use loads!) UTEE'd numbers and hearts. I have some divine turquoise utee and also experimented with putting extra fine glitter in a bag with some clear crystals. I obviously haven't got the mix right yet but it gives a distressed look.
And finally the card Carys made. I give a few hints and suggestions but she works it out. Tag and Dog are QK, letters are Girls are wierd. Paper is We R Memory Keepers. Oh I love double sided paper.


















Well family - (2 adults, 3 children, some nits) are off to cold and rainy scotland tomorrow. sermon now done, (again blogger hasn't let me put up any photos until 3 in the afternoon. began blogging at 10) just the packing eh?
See you in a fortnight dear readers!

Yeah, yeah, yeah the kids come back

back from their magical journey...

yup, I'm gonna be singing magical trevor all day today.
And I've discovered trev has a new song! (can't tell you what it sound slike cos my speakers aren't plugged in so if its rude I apologise)

Anyway kids have been away since July 25th so i'm missing them a lot and can't wait to see them today. Except I had already arranged stuff for today before i knew it was pick up day and so I'll have to wait til they get home about 5:(
Phil will rendevous at Oxford and swap kids for our dog.

I'm starting to get holiday-itis. it is not as bad as usual becase I'm not worrying about missing the ferry. what happens is that I get so worked up about going on holiday I exist on very little sleep for a few days before and so spend the first few days being completely horrid to everyone and the next few days apologising. Then we have a few days relax before I start to worry about the journey home.
So i was awake at 5 and got up at 6 today. ended up making a scrap page.
Its all about how we read all the time and lists some favourite authors. I was going to hand write titles on the stripey paper to be like spines but hey, life's too short. Did hand cut the 'bookworms' and add the stripes though!
I didn't photograph all the book piles either...


Last night I was still supposed to be sorting washing and ironing but had to make an engagement card as a commission instead. I'm always pleased to get commissions and thehn I feel sick and then I get cross because what I want to do I can't. With this one I was told that they like holidays, cars, golf and are going on a cruise. Now if I had a boat shape I could have done something about sailing off into the sunset, but I don't. The last engagement card I did was nice - but it was for Jill's sister so it couldn't be the same.
In the end I did this...
The hearts are a qk die - I was pleased that it (just about) cut mountboard so that I could utee them. I also tried making my own gold utee by putting some extra fine gold glitter in a bag with some clear utee. Kind of worked!

I may get one more blog in before hols - especially if holiday-itis persists. Otherwise I'll see you on the other side!

Road trip

(well train trip to be precise!) was enormous fun. I actually got oodles of work done there and back as well which was really good. There is no computer on a train - or tv - and I'm very good at rewarding myself with just a little bit of a fun read. So I got through 3 books I needed to read and fleshed out plans for a prayer weekend at church (though there is lots more to do on that)

I was welcomed to Swansea by a Joe's icecream. My mum doesn't really like Joe's ice-cream.
Those who have ever eaten Joe's icecream will now have to pause for a moment to think of the horror and sadness of that statement.
How. Can. You. Not. Like. Joe's.
It is the best vanilla icecream in the whole world ever. And I don't really like vanilla.

So when we are in Swansea visiting the olds, we go to Verdi's (which happily is the best flavoured ice-cream in the whole world ever). But on Friday I was in Joe heaven with a little pot of vanilla covered in choccy sprinkles. Mm, mm, mm, mm, mm.

Then it was a bit of veggin at Sue's (I think they liked the canvas) followed by getting ready to go out. I made the mistake of trying out Sue's expensive ghd straighteners and now I want some. Hmmm I'm not supposed to be so materialistic. I try to fight it, I do. But they make your hair so soft and straight and smoooooooooth.

Party was fun. We danced, even if no-one else did! Alison and Rob have a great pictire of the four friends in their forties and when i get a copy I shall add it in



here

I'm sure we all look lovely. (may have to change that comment when the pic is here!)

Saturday morning bought Phil some welsh cakes and searched for a funny card for Sue to give to Hywel. Now cos I make cards I don't usually spend that much time looking at cards (apart form to get ideas). The "funny" ones were just so rude I was embarrassed and it takes a lot to shcok me (yup as well as materialism I struggle with a very dirty mind which is quite tough as a Minister when you hear double entendres in all sorts of things and are supposed to keep a straight face)

Then home again. Sunday we had a baptism - Ashley is the most beautiful little baby. It was a really wonderful service. Yes i know that sounds like braggin seeing as I put it together - but it was one where you could really, really feel God's hand in it. What looked slight on paper was really sacramental.

Sunday we went for our traditional 'kids are away so lets have a pub lunch on a Sunday' meal. I wanted to go to the tapas bar in Upminster (its that kind of place I'm afraid - all haridressers, nail bars and tapas) but it has got hideously expensive so we went to the pub round the corner instead and had a great time).

Monday Sue Hyde came round and we chatted, die cut, went out for lunch, visited Anita, die cut and stroked papers.


The rest of the time I should have been washing and ironing - or even making a card I have been commissioned to do - but did this instead
This one uses the bebop paper that came with the scrapbook, white embossing powder and my new qk ribbon buckle die
This one uses MM cosmopolitan paper, some babycakes flowers by AQueen and co from Carolyn's (yummy) and doodlebug buttons. Bottom left is my attempt at being elsie Flannigan but I don't look quite so cute... (but then I am old enough to be her mother. Just)

And this one is using the new SA kit, my new teeny tiny photo corner die given to me by the lovely Sue Hyde, a bit of doodling, Doodlebug buttons (yes buttons are the new ribbons in my house) and...
you may have heard of Heidi Swapp ghost letters, well these are Lythan Nevard phantom alphas
(hmm doesn't sound so catchy. Must change surname. Or just get a life).
OK so they are just Girls are Wierd cut out of acetate but hey - I was pleased with the idea:)

ALMOST as pleased as I was with blogger for finally allowing me to load my piccies after a day trying!!!!!!!!

You've got to fight

for the right

to PAAAAAAAAAAAARTY!!!

well i'm a bit excited about going to my friend Sam's 40th birthday party in Swansea tomorrow. It's not going to be quite the do I imagined as my other friends are taking their kids. But as long as there are drinks and a disco I'm happy!
I've got lots of work to do on the train there and back so it should be fun.

I've been quiet all week trying to finish up their pressies. Finally done but now its dark so the pics don't do them justice really. Gosh that sounds a bit full of myself! well I could point out the millions of mistakes - its a learning curve this craft stuff and each time I do something I know how to improve the next time. Anyway what I mean is the colours are much nicer than the photos show.
The art journal is A4 size and full of nice empty sheets of watercolour paper. I'm sure Sam will get oodles of fripperies so I thought I would give her something to express herself with. She is already into art and photography - ooh maybe she'd like scrapping.
found these wonderful quotes that you probably can't read
Here are a few faves

I found I could say things with colour and shapes that I
couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for.
Georgia O'Keeffe

An artist cannot fail;
it is a success to be one.
Charles Horton Cooley

I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say 'he feels deeply, he feels tenderly.'

Vincent van Gogh

I wasn't really careful enough with adhering the quotes - learning curve stuff. Hence the artfully applied prima flowers!

The papers are the beautiful basic grey urban couture. Haven't really worked out how to use them for card making but on a larger scale they are awesome!

Then I also made my first painted canvas. Slopped on some acrylic paint, a photo of my dear god-daughter, several million qk and ellison flowers, some chipboard and rub ons et voila

will catch you up Saturday.

Party on dudes

(can't stop Bill andTedding now)

There ain't nobody here but us chickens

OK so its me, two chickens and a dog but that is it for the night. Phil has taken Matt and his friend Braden to Swansea today. It turned out to be
1: expensive
2: impossible to get through London on public transport today (and I am really not exaggerating)
3: a chance to see his babies overnight. Aaahhh.

Bill and Ted have managed to leave a book, some clothes and a phone recharger behind. Doh.
Why do I call them Bill and Ted?
Can there be any other name when they look like this.
No I think not.
They are planning to have a 'most excellent' adventure round Europe...








I have scrapped another 3 whole pages!
Here they are
This one is about how Emrys is a bit contrary!
Using Christina Cole papers
and some painted chipboard accents from the SA kit









This is using elements from the SEI bebop kit that I won at Birmingham. It's very hard to use the papers as I love them so much! The 10 is sizzix lollipop utee'd with some of the kingfisher utee you can get at Joanna Sheen. Actually I think it is just utee mixed with extra fine glitter so I might give it a try...

And finally the first ever photo I took with my (cough sorry our) new digital camera. Apart from the cream cardstock that I printed on its all from the July SA kit and is inspired by Elise challenge number 1.






I'm off for something to eat now and then I might begin the two arty challenges I have set myself before i go to Swansea on Friday - as they are presents.
Or I might just veg in front of the tv and eat ice cream...
It's a hard life.

in laws leave 3, invisible friend arrives 1

and I am a slave to shoe fashion

3 members of the Canada family left yesterday and guess will be home soon. Matt went with them to the airport to collect his friend (ooh did we forget to tell you he was coming a day earlier?). Braden has been here almost 24 hours and I haven't met him yet! I did hear him fall out of bed though... Oh to be 19 and free in a foreign country (your spag bol is still in the oven from last night lads. Guess it was a liquid tea)
Ooh quick update - just met Braden. Big white teeth. Clean.

Phil and I went to London to listen to some bands. Oooh hark at us. I've lived on the outskirts of London for 7 years now and managed a year in Kilburn before that and this is a first!
"My friend Gary P is playing in the Hope and Anchor in Islington, wanna go?"
Not really but couldn't think of a reason why not so we went.

So what do you wear? I've got a nice new skirt from Primark which is turquoise blue with red embroidery. Oh I can show it because I took a picture with a mad plan of turning it into background paper
Yes sort of wrinkled, unironed looking background paper...
Anyhoo decided to wear my patent shiny red loafers. Looked so good.
Tube was hot.
Feet swelled up.
Hope and Anchor seemed miles from Tube Station.
Now have nice red cuts and blisters over feet to match the red on the skirt.
Phil doesn't understand why I can't just wear comfy shoes.
Neither do I to be honest.

we saw two bands in the end.
The first was called kovak. Really enjoyed them. The stage was about as teeny as a stage can be. The lead guy was so tall i thought he was going to hit the roof. Best part of the sound was the keyboard and electronics stuff (pre synth type stuff).
Then came Gary's band. Who apart from the drummer were all blond. Which is unusual for blokes in their 20's and 30's. They were good but slightly put off by the lead guy forgetting his capo. Howl Griff they are called. Griff is Welsh so Phil said I had to like them. Yes I did. But I preferred Kovak. Howl Griff has a good thumping rhythym sound and gary has a good line in ironic facial expressions. Part of their act was marred by the tall guy standing in front of me, snuggling up with his equally tall boyfriend so that their arms blocked what little view there had been before. Gigs should be like photographs, small ones at the front, tall ones at the back or if you must be at the front hands by your sides.

I had this wild dream that we would be home by 10 and I could do some crafty stuff. I had forgotten that
a: bands do not come on at the time they say they will
b: public transport sucks late at night
c: Upminster is right at the end of the District Line
so we got in at 11:40...

Kids gone 3, in laws arrive 4

But just overnight before 3 of them fly back to Canada to be replaced by one 18 year old friend who is going travelling with Matthew. They are starting off in Swansea but the tickets are now so expensive that Phil is going to drive them Sunday afternoon and stay the night at my parents in order to see our babies. Isn't that sweet!

Here is my third scrap page. I'm getting into this now and 8x8 is a nice size. i got this paper in my SA kit and wondered what the heck to do. But then I saw this pic and thought aha! The monogram letters are from the kit, the "ittle onkeys" is an Elsie free font and the photo corners are an Elsie font from 2peas which cost about £1 and has oodles of corners for the lazy like me!

My babies have gone

far, far away.
They have left us for three weeks being transferred from my parents to Phil's mum half way through. It happens every summer as it is hard for us to work and care for them - without them spending all day watching tv and playing on the computer! It may be the last year it happens, at least for Hywel as he is nearly 14 now. But I think all of those involved would miss it in many ways. I think it's important for children to have time alone with their grandparents. Its a very special time and a special bond.
But I don't have to like them being away.

So of course I made the most of their time here by having a huge row with Carys this morning. She is getting more and more like me.... Apparently all her shorts were "too loose". I tried telling her that she has been wearing them for 2 years now but her mind was made up. What was sweet was seeing her brothers try to cheer her up into a good mood. Aw.

I was also put out becasue we spend a LOT of money on CD books (mostly ones the have read) and then can never find a full set of them. Just put them back when you have finished with them - it's not difficult
there, rant over, you can relax now.

Talking about a lot of money, we went to Frankie and Benny's to eat last night. Four adults and three children. Only the three chidlren felt they could eat adult portions. Which they did. Gulp. I don't think we'll be eating out quite so much now....

Oh and I've done another scrapbook page. I was looking through Carys' schoolwork and was inpsired to use some of her handwriting practice as background paper and her hand they she had drawn round and decorated in art. Then I wrote out some notes she has made for her new teacher. No photo but I don't think it needs it.

I'm melting, I'm melting

said in my best wicked witch of the whichever voice...
Actually this evening i've been to the cinema and it had AIR CONDITIONING. Wonderful.
went to see Stormbreaker - the film based on the first Alex Rider novel by Anthony Horowitz. it was really good fun. The cinema had us and one other family in until the film had just started when a gaggle of girls sat in the row behind us. (as there was nowhere else you could sit obviously) and for the first half of the film swooned every time the boy playing Alex Rider came on. He is quite a handsome young man. And I am definately old enough to be his mother...

Lisa's blog had a challenge and I'm never one to pass up a challenge so
If you could choose your own name what would it be and why?
How fiendish is that?
Hhhhmmmm. Now as a person with a strange name I have often thought about having a different one. When I was younger I wanted to be called 'Melanie' apparently. I think i would still like a Welsh name. I love the name Angharad and would have chosen it as a girls name but it does not go with Nevard. I used to love Llinos too but you have to be able to say the 'll' sound which involves sticking the tip of your tongue just behind your top teethand then blowing air down the side of your mouth so the saliva bubbles.
Go on give it a try.
"ll"
now "Llandaff".
Good.
And if you are really getting the hang of it you can try Llanelli and Llangollen.

This is all a bit like mime on the radio really

Anyhoo I also like "Siriol" (sunshine) again vetoed for any daughter of ours as it sounds like 'cereal' to Phil and the harder sounding version of Carys - Cariad - which is kind of like darling, or beloved, but doesn't go with the surname.

I like names with 3 syllables (although we are a strictly 2 syllable first name family) so maybe I'll just go for Tallullah becuase I always wanted to be the one in Bugsy Malone - sort of mysterious and popular with the boys.

Did any mothers actually call their children names that they wanted when they were little?

Other excitements today - made my first ever scrapbook page. Phil was shouting at a fox in the garden at 5:45 (coudln't get to the chickens but we have a laser beam with a noise that is supposed to put them off. DIDn't). Anyway for some strange reason I couldn't get back to sleep so decided to take the bull by the horns and make a page.
And I've got ideas for a few more...


And Phil went out and bought me a new office chair. Been on my too do list for too long. What a sweetie...

Woman of mystery no more

So what was I up to on these weeks of busy work?
4 days of general Assembly (URC WHAT are you doing with these new ideas. Trying not to be too Frazerish and shouting "we're doooooooomed" but that's kind of how I feel...)
3 Days with work stuff morning, afternoon and evening
Speaking at the Havering Strategic Partnership conference on the value of the Compact for Havering
3 days of Church Weekend fun, fun events and youth group.

its an interesting job at times, as I was thinking as I led everyone in 'oops upside your head' at the family party at Church on Sunday night...

Its not often that I have to work so hard for so long - it was good to do but I'm glad it has stopped! we are now heading into the summer lull when I am supposed to catch up with all the stuff I haven't had time for this year!

But I'd rather be doing another blog challenge...
Gone on a blind date -NO
Skipped school - Used to leave early when in the sixth form with no lessons.
Seen someone die -No, but I have seen dead people. Not in a "I can see dead people" way but either just after death or in a coffin. Its a perk of the job. Never quite get used to it though.
Snuck out of your parent's house -No - I was too scared of being caught.
Been in love- Yes
Been dumped - Yes - I was more the dumpee than dumper.
Been laid off/fired - Nope
Quit your job Yes - but always cos i was moving on
Been in a fist fight?- Have you seen me? I am a shrimp of the highest order.
Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back - But of course. many times. I was that ugly teenage girl.
Been arrested -No
Been to Canada -Yes
Been to Mexico -Not yet!
Been on the opposite side of the world - No
Been to Paris - Yes
Cried yourself to sleep -Yes
Played cops and robbers -Yes but I preferred docotrs and nurses...
Recently coloured with crayons - no but with paint and felt pens yes
Sang karaoke -Yes
Paid for a meal with only coins - Yes
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't -Yes
Made prank phone calls -No
Caught a snowflake on your tongue -Yes
Danced like nobody was watching - Yes
Been kissed under the mistletoe -Yes
Watched the sun rise with someone you care about -Yes. well kind of. Once at Uni a group o us stayed up all night to watch the sun rise over the Ashton memorial. it was misty....
Blown bubbles - yes
Crashed a party -Yes
Gone roller-skating-Yes but pants at it
Ice-skating -Yes, slightly less pants at it
Crashed a car -Yes
Swam in the ocean -Yes
Felt like dying -Yes - when I gave blood that one time... oh that was felt like I was dying. Answers still yes though.
Made a bonfire on the beach - No
Drank so much you threw up - Oh yes, far too often. I have such a low alcohol tolerance... My story of biggest shame concerns one such a night.
Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose -No
Knitted ? -Yes
Skinny dipped ? -Not since it stopped being cute and just got plain scary.

I'm back in the land of the living (almost)

will catch you up with my weeks of work (not really used to doing it) later but for now will wean my way back in with Kelly's "four" quiz.

A ) Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. opening post at woolworth's accounts offices in Rochdale
2. being the lowest of the low in Employment Services, Oxford
3. teaching English as a foreign language on a one ot one basis
4. Minister

and that's it. I've only ever had four jobs...

B ) Four movies you would watch over and over:
1. Blues Brothers
2. Sond of Music
3 Rocky Horror
4 Gregory's Girl

C ) Four places you have lived:
1. Port Talbot
2. Clapham
3. Hartlepool
4. Lancaster

D ) Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. CSI (Vegas)
2. Neighbours while I eat my lunch
3. Lost
4. Holby City

E ) Places I have been on holiday:
1. Canada
2. Majorca
3. Prague
4. France

F ) Four websites you visit daily:
1. Carolyn's
2. Self addressed
3. Two Peas
4. Jigzone


G ) Four of my favourite foods:
1. Pasta and sauce
2. Gravy and mint sauce
3. Noodles and peppers
4. Vegetarian thali

H ) Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Bed
2. Bath (as in the bath not the place. Although that's not bad either)
3. At my crafting table
4. Outside our tent, somewhere in France, eating crossants, pain au chocolat and fresh baguettes

OK - Next!

Normal service will be resumed shortly

Puff pant. Puff pant.
Just running to keep up with myself.
I've been away at the Church General Assembly in Exeter Friday to Monday then I'm working almost non stop until next Monday so can't spare the time to ramble.
I promise that you will have some exciting words to read (not) next week.

Tra la la!

We will get to those songs in a while...
I really enjoyed the Imperial War Museum to my surprise. We didn't do it all as Phil and I had to be back to pick up Carys from school plus I had seen enough guns... and was hampered by having left my normal glasses in the car - and lots of exhibits are dark... but it was still good - especially the children during WW2 exhibition.
All the stuff about evacuees just made me cry. I know how unbearable it is not to see the kids for 3 weeks in the summer - and we tlak on the phone most days. It wasn't like that then. There was a haunting photo of 3 women seeing their children leave. They are behind metal trellis shutters and all look bereft but completely dry eyed...
I took some pics of the posters dotted around that make me laugh.
And the Mickey Mouse gas mask that my mother talks about - which looks nothing like Mickey Mouse to me...

I also loved the art that was taking place - making these poppies to go round the base of a V2 bomb.

Yesterday was Carys' sports day so I went to the second half (it goes on ALL DAY). She wasn't competing in the races but i did manage to get a good action shot of her friend Ellie during the obstacle race. There is a sports function on the camera but i haven't learnt how to use it yet...

So the songs...
this is soooo hard becasue the list could be very, very long. So just a few off the top of my head. quite a few are to do with feelings of unrequited love as a teenager (spotty, tiny, flat chested (late developer, never give up hope girls!), nerdy).

Never let her slip away - Andrew Gold
I'm not in love - 10CC
Dancing Queen - Abba - which I want at my cremation as the curtains close!
Hard for me to say I'm sorry - Air Supply
Blockbuster - Sweet (my first crush. On all of them but particularly Brian the blond one. I was 6)
Nights in white satin - Moody Blues
Nothing compares 2 U - Sinead o Conner
1999 - Prince
I only have eyes for you - Art Garfunkel
Smells like teen spirit - Nirvana
Freak - Radio head ( I think)
Ever fallen in love - Buzzcocks
My baby just cares for me - Nina Simone
the whole Blues Brothers soundtrack
Echo Beach - Martha and the Muffins
Up all night - talking heads
I'm a beleiver - the Monkees
Never had a dream come true - S Club 7 !!!!! When Carys' was younger we used to sing this to each other and when she went away for aformentioned 3 weeks so PHil and I could work I would play it and sob!

Oooh I've gone all gooey now. There are stories with many of these songs and if I were a scrapbooker they would make some great pages!!

Sleepover success

Well I was rather dreading the sleepover/arrival of tired out relatives from Canada mix on Friday but it went beautifully. The girls were good as gold and Hywel enjoyed being the MC. Carys' friend Rachel had stitches on her face and was not allowed to do any trampolining, so instead they devised some safe games on the trampoline which involved one person gently bouncing and everyone else meditating. then there was 'bounce murder', like wink murder only including bouncing....
They also decorated gingerbread men, played on the dance mats and Jungle Bongos, watched a movie and had face masks and their feet done, ending up with a new Little Miss story in bed. (Carys and Emrys still find these highly amusing. So do I. Our favourite is Little Miss Star. She gets on a plane and the air hostess says "Where are you going" And she says "I am going....to be famous" Sooooo funny:) )
Carys and I had our birthday cake which looked suspiciously like a hand made card on the top! (Although it does mean you can tell I wore my new shirt two days in a row. It is in the washing pile now honest)


Anyway the girls were ikkle angels. It all went quiet at 12:30 (although they insist they were up half the night) and didn't stir too early in the morning
I would say "look how they messed up the sitting room" but to be honest it doesn't look that different to normal...

And here are the Canadians. I'll pop Phil next to his sister so you can see how alike they are...
Then there is Derek the Dad the only one with an English accent now...
Ian (19) and Matthew (18)

Saturday was spent vegging/taking dog for walk/Church BBQ (they have a chef as part of Phil's church. He did BBQ bananas with fudge sauce. MMMMMMmmmmm)/watching the footie (sob for the English!) and then the Bowens and Phil went to meet his brother Martin and sister in law Louise in London as they are down for a Science Fiction Convention (Louise met Hurley from Lost. Cool!). Yesterday was spent at Church/ in the little pool in the garden (kind of a grown ups paddling pool) /vegging.
We are about to go to the Imperial War Museum which I haven't visited since I was about 10....

And note to Kathy - I am compiling that list of songs in my head!