Must tell you about my night out last night! DD went to a teen disco in Brighton (at the Event II for those who know it!) , and so we decided to have anight out in Brighton too. I was a bit worried about what we would do for 4 hours (7 -11) so looked at the cinema listings, nothing there we fancied, so DH decided to book a concert. Well, it was a Spanish jazz guitarist! Not my thing at all! I got a bit worried when the theatre started to fill up with some very intellectual looking people! I must admit he played fantastically well, but so fast, and so frantic!! It was like flamenco guitar at 100mph, with lots of guitar slapping in between. There was an Indian man playing the bongos who really didn't sound like he was in time with the 2 guitars!! Actually I really didn't enjoy it at all!! It finished just after 10, so we walked around a bit and found a little pub, (loads of lovley little pubs in Brighton), but it was a student pub, we felt like we were their parents!!DD and her friend really enjoyed the disco, there were hundreds of 14/15 year olds all queuing up outside in tiny short denim skirts and strappy tops, all looking exactly the same (DD and her friend too!) Luckliy they already had tickets, so they went straight in.But that's 2 post-midnight nights this week becasue of dd!! It feels like she's a baby again, lack of sleep and all that! She and her friend are still asleep (she has to have a friend to sleepover after a disco so they can talk about it), it's alright for some!Talking of housework girls, I bought a mew mop-head yesterday, and just tried to clean the kitchen floor with it, but it doesn't fit on the handle, so I had to get down on my hands and knees to do it (only becasue it is a new floor!)Looking forward to Easter weekend. I'm a bit annoyed with the kids becasue they are busy most of the weekend, so no family outing / dinner for us, but I have invited some friends round on Sunday evening, and Mum and Dad are coming for lunch on Monday. DS is going to a LAN party all day on Monday, which means 1. he won't be here for lunch, and 2 we have to get up early to take him and computer to the party!!

April 4th

It's been another lovely day. I persuaded Nicholas to come with me for a dog walk, so we didn't go until nearly 10! We walked along the Rife at Ferring, fab weather, lovely birds singing, not too many people, just a few horses out from the disabled riding school. Nicholas really enjoyed it. We came back for a cup of coffee and HCB. Then Nicholas disappeared to the computer and I worked in the garden. I've cleared most of the south facing border. It wasn't too bad once I got going, just a whole load of couch grass and bindweed that I will never get rid of (especially the way I dig it out!) Merlin loved being in the garden with me, chasing birds, squirrels, bees, chewing bits of stick that he nicked off me! He is absolutely whacked now - no need for an evening walk! I am whacked too, and feel a lovely glow on my face from the fresh air. I'll probably have a bath later with that lovely bath oil Anglea gave me for my birthday.

I received 2 parcels today, 1 with 2 bottles of primas for my prima swap, and 1 with bazzill scenic route cardstock, K and CO papers and a daisy punch. (must stop sending money!!) I really need to add up my spending, I can't find the printout I did of paypal, must look for it again. Yesterday I went to the craft shop in Worthing, and guess what? They have refurbished and restocked, and have some scrummy stash! I bought some papers, which I then realised I had ordered with my cardstock!! K and Co life's journey - really like them for my heritage album.

Lucy is skiing in Italy with the school, and texted today to say she has had 3 lessons and is going up a group! There's loads of snow, and she is tired. Glad she is having a great time. I'm getting alot of vicarious pleasure out of her going, no need to go myslef!

M has taken Nicholas off to see his mum. Nicholas hasn't been to see her for ages, and it's best we don't all go at once.

Doing really well with family history. I have been in touch with people on Fumagallis side, descendants of Algernon, and people on Vanstone side who might be able to identify the photo we thought was Edwin and Jane.

Off to do some Spanish, watch create and craft, and might do a bit of scrapping, well at least a bit of stroking stash!!

March 14th

It is Gillian's birthday today. I made some cards but not very happy with them. I am pants at stamping, I get loads of bits of ink in the wrong place! (Maybe someone who doesn't know wouldn't mind!!) I posted pics of them on UKs and got some nice comments, so maybe they are not that bad! I made one for Lene and one for Louise whose birthday pressie I bought. She received it today!

I feel a bit nervous about the mail art stuff that I am sending out. I don't think it is as good as other peoples. I have kind of put off doing some of the lessons because of that. Also, my deco book appears to have gone missing! I am really cross about that, because I have done an entry into everyone elses, and sent it on it's way. Even though I have missed a few lessons, I have particiapted quite well.

I really wanted to do sbing today, but felt I should do AIFHS instead. It seems to take me an age! I can't really get my head around what I am supposed to be doing, becasue I have to do so many things with one piece of paper! Now I have done a bit of Spanish, using the internet which was quite good. And I did a bit extra too. The extra bit was something I knew how to do, so a bit of a confidence builder. I am wondering whether I should try the GCSE next year to make me work harder. I am not really working hard at Spanish atm and I am not getting anywhere with it. Either I give up, or try the GCSE.

Now I am too tired to sb!! I might go downstairs and spend half an hour tidying, and I must make the p/copy sheet about myself. Then I can send it with all my next pieces. But I also need to sort out my photos on here. I think I'll spend a few mins on here, then go downstairs. I will try to get to bed early.

I have been involved a too many swaps lately. I now must not join any more. I am finding that not all that I receive is to my taste, and is a bit of a waste. It would be better to spend the money on something I like myslef!! (Must buy 7 gypsies, distressing inks, more BG paper, more prima flowers!) I'll keep the other bits and bobs for RAKs and such.

Does this all sound a bit down? That is how I am feeling, think it's because I am tired.

March 3rd

Still feeling unwell. I have spent 3 nights on the sofa now. Funnily enough, I do seem to sleep OK once I get off to sleep, 4 maybe 5 hours, but it is very uncomfortable. My neck, back, hips hurt! I took M for a wlk up to Highdown this morning and there was a bit of snow! Only about 2mm, but it was there. I didn't take my camera, because I didn't think there would be any snow, there is none here.

The kitchen floor people came yesterday, but had to screed the bit where the old boiler was, so they are coming back today, hopefully! Bob's boys came and tested the new cooker, so M can easily reconnect it.

I decided we should have a takeaway last night, I have cooked every night even though feeling dreadful, noone has offered to help, Lucy has even had friends round 3 nights! M wasn't too impressed. He thought we should cook, even though I hadn't organised anything, and the cooker is half way out over the kitchen floor! Trouble was Lucy wanted chinese not fish and chips!! So we had chinese, and she did at least cook some rice.

The burglar alarm people have jsut been to service the alarm system.. Embarrassingly, I couldn't remember the number!!

Watched Homes under the Hammer again this morning. It is quite interesting to see what people do with the houses they buy at auction, but the prog is so slow! It is an hour, and could easily be half an hour, becasue they keep going back and telling you stuff again! Evening telly is not so good either. Just celebrity singing duet, and ice dancing where the public have to vote for their favourite. My favourites like Who do you think you are and search and rescue have finished for now. We ought to hire some films, but I haven't felt like going out, and I still don't really.

March 1st

March is roaring in like a lion!! It is soo cold, and it tried to snow again today. LOts of people stuck all over the country in huge snowdrifts. I do wish we could have atiny bit of snow. I want to take photos and do a snow LO!! The weekend weather is not supposed to be any better.

March is also croaking in for me. I have been ill since last Friday, and am really really fed up now. Last night I just couldn't get to sleep, coughing, so I went downstairs at 1am, for a Lemsip and cough medicine. I must have gone to sleep shortly after, cos I woke up to find it getting light, and it was about 6am. I went back upstairs to bed, but didn't go off to sleep again. Feeling very fedup, very lethargic, and generally very poorly. Today is probably the worst day.

But the new cooker arrived today at 4pm, not this morning! I have organised the floor to come tomorrow, so hopefully M can disconnect the old cooker tonight and Bob can come and connect the new one tomorrow.

And I have loads of new stamps!! I did try ot have a go with them today, but couldn't get the enthusiasm, so must practice lots next week, when I WILL feel better, and make loads of ATCs. I posted a query on UKs becasue I don't know how to use the EZ mount. I just need a craft shop nearby that can help with demonstrations etc.

I have finished my Elisabeth Bradley Auricula cross stitch!!! I've probably had it about 10 years!! Just need to do all the balck background now, but at least that is a no brainer.

feb 06

Ohhh I don't seem to have the time to complete this very often. So here is a summary of Feb.

Dog walks, up to Highdown Mondays and Fridays, so as to save on milage in the car. Down the beach if the tide is out, but M has started running up the beach a bit now, so may have to limit to when tide is right out. I do enjoy walking on the beach in winter though. Round to the park about once a week. The people there are very nice, but M doesn't do much, except lick a greyhound to death, or run out of the gate!! Sometimes there is a nice girl with a young doberman, and the 2 dogs play really nicley. They are the same size and play in a similar way.

Half term was 13-17 Feb. I didn't do much with N and L. They came to Mum and dads one afternoon, and I took Lucy and her friends to Crawley shopping. I did quite enjoy it, but I don't have the staying power with shopping anymore. I did find a craft shop, and naughtily spent some money. I bought a Xyron, which is fab, some heritage rub-ons, inks, and a Hero Arts stamp that was reduced. I aslo bought new underwear, a brown cardigan from L Ashley, smal coffee pot, some labels, and other things I can't remember. It was nice to have lots of time to do arty stuff and not have the usual routine of driving here and there to pick them up!

Craft show at Brighton 10th Feb. I took about £100. And spent most of it!! I bought Anna Griffin papers for my heritage scrapbook, lots of stamps, some Stazon ink (which I haven't used yet!), stickers, BG kit, etc. It was good to see lots of things in the flesh, and 'stroke' it all. I wish there were more scrapbooking stalls though.


Scrapbooking. I've tried to concentrate on my 2005 scrapbook, and get most of the mail art projects done. I did all my Paris LOs because there was a competition on UKS an France, so I entered about 5! I did My Kinda Music circle journal, and received Why I love to Scrap, which is even more gorgeous than all the others. I arted up a couple of pages for people's deco books in the mail art group, sent a thank you card to Shimelle, and am making my very first ATCs.


My entry in CJ My Kinda Music

Thank you card for Shimelle. Painted background! Used my new square punch I got from Brighton craft show.



This is my entry in a deco book from Cindy in America. It is all about love at I did it on valentine's day.

An add to and return card I completed for Vicky


A page fro Kristina's deco book. I am really pleased with this.

4th Feb

Just a quick visit, I will try to write a bit more often. I would have liked to go for a nice coffee with M this morning, but ended up going into town with L for new trainers, new lampshade, and valance. All done and dusted, nice and quick. L went to volleyball at 1pm, N was at work all day. I did a bit of finances on excel, trying to complete my analysis of 2005, looking a bit scary!! Then M and I went out to look at new worktops, tiles and cookers for kitchen.

We went to the Six Bells at Lyminster for tea! It was really gorgeous. It was recommended by a man I meet dog walking, he has Barney the bassett hound.

Then we watched the Ice dancing show vote out, and it was big shock, cos John got voted out, who was expected to do really well.

Just going to bed to read The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets. Set in the 1950s, good read. Can't wait to see if they really do fall in love!

Oh and I made some cards today, John, Mark (PhD) and Lynda for birthdays next Tuesday.

31st January

Mum's birthday today. 71 years old!! I made her an altered lunch tin to organise her seeds. I loved making it with some lovely papers, Bo Bunny I think. They were really fresh blues and yellows, and I made the file folder inserts to match. We told her we will take them to Great Dixter in the summer, Christopher Lloyd's garden. We had a bit of a laugh, because dad has painted a picture of Great Dixter, and there in the garden magazine, was exactly the same picture! Only we couldn't remember whereabouts in Muma and Dad's house the painting hangs! On Sunday we found out it was to the left of the bureau. We were all correct that it was in the lounge! Andrew and Lynda paid for Mum and Dad to go to the Ice Show, and Michelle, Isobel, and Lucy went with them. They had a wonderful time! I've just tried ringing Mum but they are not in, must be out gallanvanting!

I went to work at my voluntary job, still loving it. I had supervision with Lucy, which is just looking at my objectives that we drew up in Novemember. Things are going well, all objectives have some work done on them.

Spaghetti with tuna and prawns for tea, it was yummy.

Very, very busy with AIFHS at the moment. It's renewal time and I'm trying to get the system worked out to suit me better. Plus trying to get everyone set up on the Yahoo group.

Lots and lots of scrapping projects this month. I've made 2 lunch tins, 1 paint can, 10 altered address cards, lots of mail art, 1 cj entry, but only 1 slo!!!

January 17th

Routines

Routines are very important to me, it's the way I get things done.

On Monday mornings I clean kitchen floor, (sometimes conservatory and porch as well), bathroom, downstairs toilet, and my basin. Then I vacuum and dust, sometimes the whole house, sometimes just the upstairs, sometimes just the downstairs, depending on what needs doing.

On Tuesday's I do voluntary work at the Family Centre. 10.30 - 12.30 and 2-4.

On Wednesday's I do Spanish class in the afternoon, 1-3. I used to do an exercise class in the morning, but have decided not to continue that for now. (I must put in a time to do Spanish homework, should be Tuesday evening)

On Thursday's I usually see MUm and dad for coffee or lunch, although I do have my hair done on Thursday mornings.

ON Friday's I see Sarah and Angela for coffee.

Christmas 2005

We had the most fab Christmas ever!

On Christmas Eve, Nicholas was working, but playing his clarinet with Dave, so we went to watch at 3.30pm. They were really good. We were dead impressed, and they had collected over £200 for Chestnut Tree Hospice over the week. For tea, we had a noodle thingy that I made, which was very nice, both children sitting down to the table with us. Everyone helped clear up, but then they both went upstairs, Nicholas on computer, Lucy on MSN. I watched TOTP2, mostly Christmas hits. I so love that programme, I used to watch TOTP avidly as a teenager, so it brings back memories. We sorted out presents and stockings quite early, and went to bed about 10.30pm.

On Christmas Day, we were supposed to get up at 7am, but my clock was set wrong, so we didn't get up until 8am. Mad rush to shower, dress, and then open presents.





















After that, we took Merlin for a quick walk round the park, back home to change out of doggy clothes, and we drove over to Andrew and Lynda's for Christmas breakfast (10am). It was really great! We had bacon, fried eggs, hash browns, sausages, toast, croissants, fruit juice and tea. We then went in the lounge and sat and opened presents. I had made mum and dad an album of their golden anniversary year, and couldn't wait for them to see it! WE also got Mum and Dad car seat covers, mum had a bead bag, and dad had car cleaning stuff.


















We came home about 1pm, and sat around drinking tea etc. until the turkey was cooked. We sat down for dinner at 3pm. Turkey, roast potatoes, boiled potatoes, carrots, sprouts, brocolli, sausages, bacon rolls. Mum and Lucy made prawn cocktail for starters, and we had homemade Christmas pudding which we poured brandy over and lit.

WE took Merlin for another walk round the block and Mum and Dad went home about 7pm. We sat and watched telly, had a turkey sandwich, and went to bed about 11pm.


Boxing Day. WEnt to watch Andrew and Izzy swim in the sea. Freezing !!!!




















Afterwards, we went to see Maurice's mum, not the kids, becasue they are both a bit coldy. She gave me some pearls, andfor us all, a huge box of fruit and biscuits etc. YUM! The rest of the day was quiet, we put all our presnets away.

Me Hairdryer, MP3 player, CD (Burt Bacharach), book (Sharon Osbourne), smellies (Sanctuary, body shop, boots), apron, Chanel no 5 talc

Maurice socks (loads!), dressing gown, razor, whiskey (from Harrods), chocks, digital calendar
Both garden vacuum cleaner

Nicholas Roku soundbridge, cycle helmet, pants, chocs, Narnia computer game, door hanger, CDs (2 x Soul Survivor), James Bond claendar

Lucy Sony walkman MP3 player, chocs, thongs, earrings, hunks calendar, CD (Now62), door hanger,

27th DEc
Nicholas is 17!! We gave him a suitcase and a cheque for some computer stuff. John, Mark and Angela came to lunch. I had already made casseroles and froze them, so I made a chicken one as well this morning. Just as well, cos they all went! Made my satsuma and banana tart for pudding. Nick's friend James came about 2 and he stayed the night.

28th
Nicholas had 4 friends round for a LAN party. Lucy went out with friends, so wew ent to Sainsbury's and went out for lunch to the Coach and Horses on A27. Pub could do with a makeover! went into Worthing, but didn't buy anything, but Maurice got one pair of his glasses. Gary came in the evening which was nice.

29th
Took Lucy to the ballet. Swan Lake. But I didn't feel very well during the performance, so we left a bit early. Got home about 10 to 6 as it was! Went to get Katrina and she stayed overnight becasue Claire and Andy were staying a night in a hotel. Watched TV

30th
Woke up not feeling too well, so Maurice took Merlin for a big long walk over Cissbury after dropping Nicholas at work. It was much warmer, but windy and rainy. I was glad to stay in bed! Felt better as the day went on, so we went to Waitrose to do a bit of shopping, dropping Lucy and Katrina in town to get their nails done. Claire and Andy came about 6pm, and we had a great meal (chicken in port, with oranges and figs) Tehy stayed until 10.30pm

31st
I went for walk round Cissbury with M this morning. It was lovley, sunny, but a bit windy. very muddy though. It felt good to go for a long walk, and even better coming back for coffee and Christmas cake! Lucy went out with friends, we had snadwiches for lunch, and I have been on the computer most of the day! Ordered some lunchtins , one for me, one for Sarh's birthday at the end of the month. Off to Nick and Claire's tonight. We've got turkey curry for tea tonight which Maurice made yesterday!

Christmas journal and Security men's do

Here are my entries in my Christmas Journal for days 14 and 15. I actually completed them both this morning, and I'm really pleased with them. I'm loving doing this journal, real quality time to think about Christmas nad the things I enjoy doing is MAGIC!!! The music one is my favourite entry so far, although todays (15th) is pretty good too. I love the BG Blitzen papers. I ordered the pack from Jillybean's scrapyard on Tuesday, and they arrived on Wednesday. How cool is that? This one is called Poinsettia and I love the colours, especially with the green cardstock.











Security Men's Do
WE were invited to the Security men's do at American Express. Last year it was an excellent night out. The food was fabulous, there were plenty of people there and we palyed roulette with pretend chips. We spoke to quite a few people, and had a really great evening.

This year, the food was very disappointing, it was like going into a canteen. We had beef or chicken casserole served out of those awful metal containers that you get in canteens, with only 2 bowls of salad!!! It was quite tasty, but it didn't seem right to go for seconds. (Actually it did me a favour, becasue it meant I didn't eat too much!!) WE played ahorse racing game, which was OK, but we didn't win, and the 2 blokes running it were a right pair. One was gormless Joe, who lolled back in his chair and kept scratching his balls, the one in charge was a very little fat bloke with very scruffy trainers, and a very Essex accent!

The speeches were dreadful! It's always difficult when you don't work there, but these men made it particularly boring!

Today I have a free diary, but loads to do at home. Bet I waste my day! I've started a list, been for a dog walk, and am catching up on here before I start on it. What shall I do first? Post the Christmas cards (involves long queue in PO for stamps), tidy dining room (where to start?), finish putting decorations up (have to tidy dining room first!). No I shall do yesterday and today's Christmas journal entries!!! (At least I won't have tidied all my scrapping stuff away first, and I should stay in this morning in case any parcels come. (WE have ordered a few things from the internet this Christmas.)

Lucy's birthday

This is Lucy with Lucy G and Bec at Pizza Express on the night of her birthday.
Lucy is 14 today. 14 years since we had that gorgeous little girl. She was not a very easy baby, but I was so thrilled to have a daughter. One of each now, a son and a daughter.

Lucy had a digital camera for her burthday, a Canon coolpix that M bought in Gatwick airport on the way out to Phoenix last week. She also had loads of smellies!, ski gloves and hat, Black-Eyed Peas CD, purple throw for her new double bed, sweets. I can't think of anything else.

I am still loving doing my Christmas journal. I must load up some pictures here. I love getting the prompt from Shimelle, thinking about what I am going to do, doing it, and then looking at what everyone else has done. The emails are much less now, about 20 - 30 each time. I can cope with that.

Nearly finished Mum and Dad's album, will probably take it to my crop tomorrow night and finish it then. Need to think up something to say to janet re her CM offer. I should not and must not appear to be interested in selling it! I really want to get away from CM, it's just that it's the only stash I see in real life at the moment!

Christmas journal 3rd December

I should keep a diary about my Christmas journal. I have done 3 pages. Introduction, which is written on a piece of red card and surrounded by small pieces of BG Blitzen. It made me think about why I want to do the journal. Mainly trying to capture the warm, cosy, magicla feeling of Christmas. Page 2 was a snowflake. I cut it out from light blue paper and stuck it on black card. It looks good. I added some sticker snowflakes, journalled in a spiral in the middle, which I love, and a bit of pink glitter, cos I haven't got any silver. My third page was on cards. Not so pleased with it. I amde a small version of the style of card I'm making this year, and cut up a card from Mum and Dad, cos they are the nicest we get, and a card from Ken and Lily that I particularly liked. But being a light blue background, it doesn't look warm and cosy! I have done lots of journaling though, which I like. Hopefully it will get me into a better way of journalling on my scrapbboking layouts.

Last month

It's nearly a month since I last wrote. I've been busy - joined a team on UKS and that has taken over everything! I love it. It's so nice to know you are chatting to real people out there.

We have been to Paris since I last wrote. Mum and dad, Us 4 and Andrew and Lynda, Michelle and Izzy. WE stayed overnight in a travelinn at Ashford, and then caught the 7.20am eurostar to Paris. It was fab. WE took a sightseeing bus to the Eiffel Tower, which took us past most of the main sights, and then we stayed at the Eiffel Tower for a few hours. Me, mum and Dad stayed at the bottom, Andrew, Nicholas, Michelle and Maurice went up to the second floor on foot. Lynda, Lucy and Izzy went right to the top! Traffic was awful getting back to Le Gare du Nord, and it was a bit of a rush at the last minute, but we caught our return train OK, and we were back home by 9.30pm. Everyone really enjoyed themselves.

The following weekend I went up to London to an AIFHS committee meeting. I stayed with Elaine on the Friday night. We went to Rod's house for the meeting and Daphne, Ruth and Colin joined us online. Rod's wife did us a gorgeous spread afterwards. Elaine and I took a taxi back to her flat. Maurice met me at Victoria on Sat am and we spent the day at the V&A museum and Harrods. Couldn't really find anything we wnated to see at the V&A, I bought M a bottle of whiskey from Harrods for Xmas.

Since then I have been scrapping a lot. I have been to a crop at Janet's house in Hove, and a CM crop at Lancing. Sort of combining the 2 styles now, beginning to find my own way a bit more. Not enjoying looking back at the first LOs!

I am membership secretary now for AIFHS. Just beginning to find my feet, and sort all the paperwork out. Nicholas may help by writing a database for me.

Seeing Angela for coffee tomorrow. HUrrah! Saw Jacqui and Claire for a drink last night. Love my friends.

Feel quite content at the moment.

decorating

Just a quick note because I've not been here much recently. We are decorating the computer room. started last Monday, and moved everything out. Computers are on the dining room table, and room looks a mess! Me and Nicholas have painted ceiling (white from lilac), walls (dark blue and light blue from similar, and stripy), woodwork (white from lilac). M and I glossed yesterday, and today we took out the corner unit, took up the old carpet and moved the lilac unit back in for painting. Lucy and Katrina did the first undercoat. It's going to look really good, but it makes such a mess! Maurice's mum and Robin came to tea on Friday, so we ate in the conservatory which was Ok, but not half as nice as the dining room.

Can't wait to get the dining room back so I can scrap and craft some more.

1st September

Well, it really is September now. Just turned over the Vancouver Island calander and there is a lovely picture of a forest in Autumn. Me and Nick wnat to go there right now!!

Holiday seems ages ago. I did feel relaxed when we got back, so it did me some good. Troulbe is, I've since put on about 3lbs, and have not been excersizing, so am feeling not too fit. I did walk up Highdown quickly this morning, because I saw somweonw I knew and wanted to catch up with him and dog, Barney, the basset hound. Trouble was, I was then out of breath and felt quite embarrassed! Dogs had a good play, and it was great to see my chums again. Talked about agility, obedience etc.

Went shopping to sainsbury's yuk, I hate it! Must get onto ordering from internet, but don't seem to find the time to be preorganised, and order a couple of days before I need it. I would like to order main shopping from the internet, and then shop up the road for bits in between. Lucy has invited Bec and family for a meal on Friday. I'm cooking Indian. They are vegetarian, so it's easy, a few different vegetable curries, and a pizza for the kids. They always stay everso late, so I'm gonna try to get in a sleep before they come so I can last longer.

I am going to Chichester with Mum and Dad this afternoon. We all want to go to Lakeland. They do a lot of scrapbooking stuff now. Also on SB, have emailed some crops nearby(ish), to see if I can join in. Just spent my 5 minute fix on UKS. Will now go and reprtint that file folder.

Lucy has gon

WEdnesday 31st August

The end of the summer holidays. Lucy goes back on Friday, but Nick has got another couple of weeks. The weather is glorious today. Really hot, perfect blue skies, light breeze. Gorgeous! I painted the inside of the front door this morning, so can't go out becasue of wet paint, and open doors. I had planned thatNicholas would be in all day, and I could nip out down the beach for an hour, but he has gone out with James. Lucy has gone into town with her friends who slept over last night. They want a lift back, but will only get it if Nicholas is back - you know, wet paint, open doors etc!

It's quite sad to think it's the endof the hols, and probably the last really hot weather of the year. But we must look forward, and I quite like the idea of cosy winter evenings. It's the last day of August too. Lucy said last week that August is like a Sunday. I know what she means, it's kind of lazy.

My items are selling on ebay, which is quite exciting. I keep checking them, far too much really. Unfortunately, they are all Lucy's so she will pocket the money. Maybe I'll deduct some becasue of the work I've put in.

Got agility later. Don't really want to go, it will be hot. I will go to the end of this 6 week period, I think we have 3 weeks left, but I may well give up after that. I don't like the fact that it's so late in the evening. I like my early bedtimes!

Rang sarah this morning, and had a good chat. Meeting for lunch next week. Where shall we go?

Scrapbooking. In the middle of a lo of weddings of MUm and dad and aunties and uncles. I'm using the paper that Andrew got me form USA. It looks OK, especially with the B&W photos. Of course, it took ages to scan them in and print them! Now I have an idea to use a file folder, and I printed a template from WORD, but it needs to be a little bit bigger. Off to do that now,and will probably have a look at UKS at the same time.

Bank holiday weekend

I competed in my first (and last), dog agility competition on Sunday. Merlin and I were absolutely useless! I have to say Merlin and I, becasue it's probably 80% owner, 20% dog. There is a lot of skill involved, and I haven't got it. And I get so out of breath running after him!!! There is an awful lot of waiting around - we were there for over 4 hours, and did 3 runs of about 2 mins each. I think Merlin was just raring to go each time, so he just went where he wanted, not over the jump he was supposed to. Maurice took some video, which is really funny, especially as he managed to get the best as comparison!

The weather has been lovely this weekend, and Maurice has nearly finished painting the front doors. They look so much better. But, as we spent so long at agility, he had to paint yesterday, (BH Mon) so we couldn't go out for the day. I took Lucy to buy school clothes, not a good thing to do on BH! Ended up going in a really trendy shop for black trousers, but not too expensive, but not terribly good quality - oh I do wish she would have M&S or Next trousers for school!

M, N and L went for a really long bike ride late yesterday afternoon. They were gone 2 hours! I sat and read my book, and did a bit of scrapbooking. We had salmon for tea, and I cut some courgettes from the garden, and roasted them with tomatoes from the garden and peppers. Really tasty.

Today, I am helping at the family centre pirate party!

27th August 2005

We did go out on Thursday. We met Maurice in Brighton, and ate at Donatello's. Lovely spaghetti marinara! M and I went for a walk with Merlin round the block, talking about GCSE results, are exams too easy? Who are these employers who say kids can't read or add up?

Yesterday, I wasted a lot of time. I hate it when I do that. I seem to not be able to get on with anything if I'm waiting for N or L. Took Nick to work (Small computer shop), and went for a walk with Merlin along the fields at Cissbury. Very nice. Took Lucy to Rachel's house, where she is sleeping over tonight. Bit worried about it, becasue she has only just met her, through MSN, via friends from old school. I'll soon see how she got on. Met Linda A and Chris LJ for lunch in Worthing. Really nice chat, Linda's son has just done A levels and is off to uni!! Can't believe it - seems like only yesterday we were going out with the NCT lot, kids aged about 3!!

Went to see mum and dad, got some more photos for my family album scrapbook. Must spend some time scanning them in and printing them. Regarding scrapbooking, still not sure what style I want to do! CM is easy and less creative in a way. Quicker too, but is it what I really want to do. I suppose I am a little influenced by UKS who think CM is old-fashioned, but then, noone needs to see my LOs except me!!!

Nick went to Doug's party in the evening, but came home early because he didn'r know anyone, and they were all getting drunk! I went to sainsbury's and bought us an Indian take away £7.99. Plenty of food there, and very tasty.

This morning I have made a list, and am working through it. Actually, writing this was not on my list, woops! Just cleaned the bathroom, and going to make the beds.

Me, August 2005