new-kid-on-the-blog

HSBC fun day

2009-07-16T11:06:00.003+01:00

Hayley always invites me and the kids to the fun day every year. Its so good for the kids to roam around use the fun fair and just have lots of fun... while i am playing football, tug o war, and various other activities.

How long!!!

2009-06-26T14:22:00.003+01:00

I have been away from my blog for much too long now... belated new year resolution, keep up with blog. Well where shall i start. I had a lovely meal catching up with some lovely friends. This was well over due! Chinese... silver lotus in billericay. Top nosh, i shall be going back definately.

Leigh-on-sea, Easter hols

2009-04-16T14:49:00.004+01:00

We decided to go to leigh cockle sheds mid week in the first week of the hols. It started to rain as soon as we got in the car, but i decided to go still anyway. As we drove out of Laindon into basildon then on to leigh it stopped raining. Typical, when we drove back it was raining in Laindon still! Anyway we had fun.

snow snow snow

2009-02-02T21:07:00.002Z

well i just realised how long since i have updated. what better time than with snow pics.

Tattoo Convention London

2008-10-10T17:15:00.003+01:00

I went to the Tattoo Convention in Canary Wharf on the 26th sept. Well what an experience that was. All i can say is take a look at these pic's. Pete my tattoo artist from czech Republic came with me.

OH MY GOD!!!!!!.................... I HAVE INTERNET

2008-09-15T16:29:00.002+01:00

You will not believe the trouble i have had tring to get a connection with the internet. Shocking really when it comes down to, 2 of the biggest companies in the UK. B STUPID T and ARSE AOL. Well the story is too long but 3 months and well here i am back and millions of pics to upload.

home made mini chocolate eclair

2008-06-21T10:35:00.004+01:00

Yes! i did make these myself, and they tasted better than any bakers shop. First attempt and yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmy choc sauce on top. George made the beef goulash tasted better than it looks.

I have been tagged

2008-06-20T18:35:00.002+01:00

Toni has tagged me, its been while since that has happened. well here goes.

Ten Years ago: I was 10 years younger, 10 years less wise, 10 years less wrinkles.

Five things in today's "to do" list:
1) get up.
2) get dressed.
3) get washed.
4) get coffee.
5) get ready for bed again.

Snacks I enjoy: whiskers cat biscuits, kitchen towel, bread crumbs.

Things I would do if I was a millionaire: give all of the money to the first person who knocked on my door.

Places I have lived: In my dreams, under the board walk, in my car.

i am now going to tag, nicola, shannon, and any one who wants the tag.

Wohooo parrrrty

2008-06-15T19:49:00.003+01:00

Saturday 14th June party time for shan 13th birthday, as you can see fun was had by all, go shan shan.

Another LO

2008-06-12T14:43:00.001+01:00

Another double page layout to share.

Happy 13th Birthday Shannon

2008-06-12T14:31:00.003+01:00

10th June 2008, Happy birthday my teenager, oh my god... now the trouble starts. I would say that shannon has been a teenager ince the age of 9, so, no change there really.
Shannon Mark and i spent the day shoppig in lakeside, shannon shopped til she dropped and when i got home my feet fell off, because we had spent 6 hours walking around the shops.
We shall be celebrating with 12 school friends on Sat, including BBQ and grass skirts, i shall be updating after the weekend.

Sunflowers are growing

2008-06-12T14:16:00.003+01:00

I am showing how much the sun flowers have grown since the last phot 3 weeks ago, pretty impressive i think. I have decided to find a book on gardening and actually teach myself the correct fertilisers and compost to use on growing fruit veg and plants so.... watch this space.

Marsh Farm

2008-06-03T20:36:00.002+01:00

Mark had a school trip to marsh farm and i was invited to join in the fun. Initially the thought was tiring, but i decided that a little quality time in the farm was good for Mark. So off we head. Miserable weather, lots of puddles stinky animals, what more could we want.

Pleasurewood hills

2008-06-02T18:38:00.006+01:00

On Saturday we went into Pleasurewood hills adventure park. 1 free adult ticket, and £13 each for george kristy and shaannon, Natlie £11, and mark is a little one so he went free. Any way it was ok and everyone had fun, i dont do heights, No i dont, but i had too because everybody else did. I turned a lovely shade of green. After a good day a nice picnic we had a great day.

May half term in Hopton

2008-05-30T14:25:00.004+01:00

Its half term and Hopton holiday village is busy. I swear the entertainment is getting more and more terrible every time i come here. Some days its not too bad but the fun stars are awful at singing and dancing the costumes are knaff. People pay lots of money to stay at this park. Sort it out! Still i must not complain i dont pay and the beach is gorgeous.

Extreme swimming

2008-05-30T14:16:00.002+01:00

How do you like my latest bargain from 99p stores. There is nothing worse that having to try to keep the paddling pool in good condition and clean to put awawy for next year. If you follow this tip then your problem is solved, buy same size pool for 99p, and hey presto.

Canvey Island

2008-05-29T15:49:00.005+01:00

I took the kids to Canvey on Tuesday, the weather was ok so we escaped for the afternoon. First we walked along the rocks as the tide was out and collected a few sea shells on the way. After we stopped in the park beside the sea wall, the kids played for while while i rested my weary ole legs (38 this year y'know). On our walk back to the car we decided to star jump and do acrobatics it was quite funny until Shannon dropped mark on his head, he screamed as he bounced off the floor. I thought he had broke his neck as he landed a bit crooked. But when he sat up he was smiling so i guessed he was alright.

Growing sunflowers

2008-05-26T17:36:00.003+01:00

I decided to plant sunflower seeds a couple of weeks ago, when i park my car outside my home i wanted to be able to see them growing over the top of the wall. So i bought a pack of seeds for 99p and sowed them in a small strip of soil next to the wall. This is the growth after 2 weeks i shall be monitoring them and posting pics on my blog as they grow.

lovely day in park

2008-05-25T12:34:00.006+01:00

Nic and i took Ty and Mrk to King George park in Brentwood a couple of weeks ago, i have only just sorted out the pics because they were all taken in raw on my camera. I had to convert the files but converted them to Photoshop files instead of jpeg. so i then had to go and reconvert them again. I shall now be able to post some, yipppeee. Sometimes i really know how to make life difficult for myself.

19th may 2008

2008-05-19T17:05:00.003+01:00

It has been a while since i have posted on my blog a layout, so here is a nice double that got inspired by me painting my new scrap room ORANGE, so i am going to look up colour charts and see if this is a particular colour for creativity.

Orlando

2008-04-18T23:14:00.002+01:00

Shannon has gone on holiday to orlando with her dad, she will be away for 2 long weeks her aunt Laura will be getting married there. Natalie is so up set that she has to sleep in the bedroom alone, so for 2 weeks mark will be sleeping in the bunk above her bed We miss her already its only been one day. Her aunt bought her 40 dollars and put it in a clay father christmas money box, so the day before they left Shannon asked me where the money box was, i told her i had thrown it away just before we moved. I did not know there was money in it she didnt tell me and when i say im gonna clear out, thats excatly what i do. I did replace the money though. see you soon Shan all suntanned and lovely.

New home

2008-03-24T20:31:00.003Z

On the 3rd of March 2008 i moved into a council house. The rent is unbelievably half the cost of my private rentale house, so i can afford to go back to work now. Its strange how affordable housng encourages you want to work rather than make you worry for working and to be afraid of not affording to live because your rent will take 90% of your wages. any way i am happy now and george says that if i ever plan to move home again he will leave me. The reason being that it took me a week alone moving boxes by myself in the evenings and the day that the kids were at school. George moved with me the big items at the weekend. and with just the 2 of us it took 2 1/2 whole days (ALONE) no family or offer from friends. We were recovering for the entire week after. Strangely though i have moved 11 odd times in 13 years, but this time was the longest hardest slog ever. Never again. never ever i really mean it, just wished i had the camera handy to take snaps.

CROP... no more

2008-01-14T20:17:00.000Z

I am very sorry to say that i will not be running the crop this year. due to expenses and lack of ladies. I do wish all you regular croppers who stuck by, a good new year and i hope that you find somewhere else to go. Its a real shame. I look forward to catching up one day with you all again. So good luck and keep in touch.
Sharon x

28/11/2007

2007-11-28T19:59:00.000Z

crop is on! sorry its late.

Crop is on this thursday 8/11/2007

2007-11-05T21:04:00.000Z

Just a quick post the crop will be on again this thursday at same time etc, so we catch up and keep our thurs in sync with every one. Hopefully a christening layout this week. will try to post before thurs.

Saffi (my new addition the family)

2007-10-20T11:07:00.000+01:00

I only bought her one week ago, she is lovely. I have been waiting for sometime now for the right one to come along. Beautiful purple / blue, good steering and great body work. Poor crystal was never the same since she got stolen and rammed up a curb and had her window smashed. I will never ever forget to use a steering lock ever. I part exchanged crystal and got a great deal through a good friend of mine. It was quite funny driving through Great yarmouth on sunday when the biggest mother spider slowley crept out from the steering wheel. I nearly pooped pants and crashed the car all at the same time. How not funny. I have never squeeled like a pig before. could have been more funny for the others who had to remove it out the window.

Oh No! more kittens on the way

2007-10-20T10:59:00.000+01:00

Poor pebbles she has been at it again, i noticed that she was getting a fat pumpkin. Not long now i think. The last litter consisited of 7, and somebody told me that they have more with each litter. I will be updating as and when they pop.

Layouts up!

2007-10-10T23:45:00.000+01:00

Here we go, celebrate what you wish, its a pretty open layout and you can see a little empty space i may put in some journaling but as you know me well, i may not! see you thurs.

Crop time

2007-10-09T21:05:00.000+01:00

The crop will be on as usual this week even though a few peolpele have told me they are not coming, the page will be CELEBRATION, not yet done but in progress. So you can decide what you want to celebrate, bright and cheerful colour paper on black card background , must get cracking.

Fresh bread

2007-09-25T23:04:00.000+01:00

I have never tasted bread so good as shannon's first attempt at home baked fresh bread. Lashings of butter and jam, and the next day we had my special recipe from prague grandma, for beef goulash. Wow i am telling you this tasted sooooooo goood. oh my, its making me hungry again. Oh and by the way, 99p stores sell these loaf tins, fabbarooni. The bread cost in total 1.98 for 2 tins, (to be used forever) flour from asda 21p per bag makes 4 loafs, yeast in 7gm sachets 68p. i cant actually do sums very well but i know that is cheap. Bring on the olden days i would so have survived on rashions.

heritage crop page

2007-09-25T21:54:00.000+01:00

Finished, just quickly post layout, unfortunatly one photo as i dont have more but i am sure you clever ladies can adapt your layouts to fit more than 1 picture. Plus pockets sewn on for you tuck in birth certificates and such like. See you all thurs.

crop page- pets

2007-09-12T09:47:00.000+01:00

just quickly, crop page, cats or dogs, may have a little extra stamping by thursday eve.

forgot this one

2007-08-24T17:24:00.000+01:00

Mark and his few bits of whispy hair, he looks like his mum. poor thing.

New Layouts

2007-08-24T17:15:00.000+01:00

I love it Nicola calls and says "i've just finished another layout", because it gets me inspired to scrap. Probably that competetive streak in me gets going. So here i have Bradley bear from one visit to Hopton, and random photo pulled out of the cupboard because it was getting left lying around waiting to get torn or screwed up.

crop layouts - last crop

2007-08-24T16:18:00.000+01:00

just posting, i know this is very delayed, i am really going to try to make myself on time or even early for every thing from now on. I hope!

Car update

2007-08-22T13:54:00.000+01:00

I paid £100 for 2 suspension arms £20 quid for wishbone and new window, plus £10 tracking. Only to drive the car home almost in tears. I dont think that all the work i was told had been done has actually been done. The car did drive better but even the tyre man said there was still something not right. I found out from the mechanic supposedly done the work that he only fixed one wheel arm and not 2. I was so pissed off, i cried for 48 hours i am so stressed with cars etc, and shits who steal them. I am not a person who seeks revenge but on this occasssion i hope god is looking down on all car theifs in the world and creates a really nice hell for them at some point in their life, or that one day they spend their money on a car and the same thing happens to them. Back on thursday for the naff mechanic to actually do the job that he charged me for in the first place.

No car again!

2007-08-17T13:26:00.000+01:00

In May this year i bought myself a cheap little run-around called Crystal. She is a light blue 4 door, K reg ford fiesta. I was so happy to have an economic car that basically got me from A to B. Now she wont get from A to anywhere. Tuesday 7th July 2007, or Wednesday 8th july at 1.15am, I was woken by the police. I actually felt physically sick because anytime i have police knock on my door it is usually very grim news, when i heard the words. "I am sorry but we have some bad news" my stomach turned. We have just caught a man driving your car. Thank god it was just my car and not another member of my family dead. Well i had to make a statement and await a letter in the post to say that i could collect my car from the compound. When i contacted the compound i was told it was going to cost me £105.00 to retrieve my car. I could not believe it. My car gets stolen taken by the police for forensic evidence then I, ME, must pay or i do not get the car back. Every day it is held in the compound incures a £12 per day charge. The ignition barrel was damaged, the back passenger window was smashed and the front wheel looks like it should be on a cartoon car, it is so bent. I swear if any of my children ever take something from another person i will string them up myself. It would be so silly for me to claim on my car insurance as i have 13 years without ever claiming, plus my car was valued by my insurers for only £280.00 even though i paid £350.00. So, as you can imagine i am not a happy bunny at the moment.

Czech republic - Prague

2007-07-04T23:09:00.000+01:00

I have recently been on a trip to prague, in the czech republic. The flight was good it only took us 1 3/4 hours to get there. When we arrived the heat was wonderful 90 degrees. We travelled from the air port to the centre of prague thenwe would catch the tram and this would take us direct to our hotel. Only that would be if they hadnt dug up half the tram line on our journey. So george and i had to walk! It wouldnt have been so bad if my luggage had wheels. Poor george had to carry my suitcase on the 3 mile journey across the city to our hotel. It was quite funny at one point because george was getting frustrated at not knowing which alternative bus or tram route to take as well as carrying my stupid case. Plus you know what women are like with packing every thing and the kitchen sink. During one of our many pitstops i offered to carry my own luggage, which annoyed george because he is big and strong and i am not. So we played tug of war with this case in the middle of the street, to my delight it made me laugh and i told him at least we are going to have fun on this trip. with did see the funny side of it. Only thing is we still had to return to the airport at the end of our week. :).
Our holiday was full of sight seeing and soaking up the relaxed atmosphere. I noticed how beautiful the women were in prague and how slim. When we passed a macdonalds there it was empty i was completely shocked and it was saturday night. There was one man in there though... the tramp asleep on a bench seat, how funny was that, i guess this is why most people are really slim they dont eat crap the food was so healthy and the beer is made from natural spring water and not chemical. I love prague it was my kind of country. I definately will be returning.

George and John

2007-06-04T13:43:00.000+01:00

What a handsome pair, george and his brother dressed up for a james bond theme night for the owners party at Hopton. Well worth a wolf whistle.

Hopton holiday

2007-04-10T15:34:00.000+01:00

Another great holiday in Hopton, not only because i get to see gigi for a whole week, but because it is a great fun fab place to go, with great entertainment, a fantastic beach and lots to do.

No car!

2007-04-08T12:17:00.000+01:00

I cant believe it, this is one of very few occassions when i am unable to drive my car and get around. I know this sounds really stupid but i feel as though i have had my legs choppped off. I have driven since i was 17 years old and i am 37 this year, for 20 whole years, driving. I wont go into the details as to why but i cried for ages at the prospect of not getting shannon to school and mark to the mother and toddler group, and visit to nic's on monday and friday, and asda shopping, or just getting out to the park. I never realised how much i was so dependent on my car. One thing i have noticed is that i am living at a much more slow pace, and my house work is getting done, no matter how boring it is, and how stir crazy i am getting. I walked to the post office on sat morning with 2 huge parcels to send. Have you ever tried to carry 2 large parcels and push a child in a buggy at the same time. Tricky i can tell you. Still worse things happen at sea, and i do actually still have my legs, so i think i will count my blessings and just stop moaning (only for 5 minutes) because i like moaning. I am going to get on best i can without my car.

Another Layout

2007-03-23T00:30:00.000Z

This is getting reaaly good, i randomly pic out a photo and scrap it. Try it, i find its works and i just keep on making lots and lots of layouts.

Mothers day post

2007-03-18T20:46:00.000Z

Happy mothers day everyone... well only if you are a mother of course. I woke to boiled eggs and toast a hand made card, lots of happy children. I had a really nice relaxing day. Thank you kiddies.
Another layout. just using up the paper stash.

2 more LO's

2007-03-11T21:55:00.000Z

Watch me now! another 2 laouts created this weekend, i just love it when i become inspired and get the urge to create some layouts. Totally different styles one very basic and the other, lots of paint and stamping and sticking lovely and messy.

New layout to post

2007-02-27T22:47:00.000Z

while i am on a roll i will try to complete many Layouts. My blog needed updating anyway.

Funeral (goodbye at last)

2007-02-09T16:23:00.000Z

I know this is probably a little bit morbid and sad, but we have finally been able to lay simon to rest. It was actually nice to be able to say goodbye and let him go to heaven. We have waited a really long 5 months. Kristy, simos 11 year old daughter read out a poem she had written to say goodbye to her daddy. It was hard for her stand up in front of everyone and read, so shannon stood with her and held her hand. Good bye simon and god rest your soul. xxx

hopton with the kids.

2007-02-04T21:02:00.000Z

I have been to hopton last weekend to stay with G. I took the 2 smallest kiddies with me and Shannon stayed with her dad. I will insist that she will come with me in the half term holiday. The weather was like some warm spring day and both Mark and Natalie took off their coats. check out my pics.

My first training tattoo

2007-01-13T21:20:00.000Z

The other evening i attempted my first tattoo. My victim was a collegue of my sister. What a good girl she was too. She never made any fuss and just let me get on with it. Although WHsmith sold out of carbon paper i had to make do with tracing paper and a pencil. Then once the image was on the skin i had to redraw with a pen. Well the end result was better than expected. All i need now is to continue with loaned skin and one day i am going to be a great tattoo artist.

calender

2006-12-29T11:59:00.000Z

I made this calender for a friend for another friends birthday. THe ladie had her 60th birthday. She loved it and said it was the best present she ever had.

Natalie first Nativity Play

2006-12-20T09:27:00.000Z

Natalie had her first Natavity play at school last week. Mark and i went along to watch. The small children looked so cute. I tried to snap some shots as best i could. Each parent is trying to do the same and it is quite funny how annoyed you can get when another mum or dad tries to pinch your good viewing space.

Hopton for the weekend

2006-12-14T17:41:00.000Z

Last weekend i went to visit my boyfriend in Hopton, Norfolk. I had a great time. We walked on the beach and he took me into Great Yarmouth. I had the most tasty portion of chips made from real fresh potatoes that were chopped in the machine then fried fresh, topped with cheese, perfect on a cold december day. I spent the whole weekend being waited on and had every meal specially cooked by george, he must love me lots. Then i had to go home on the sunday evening :( Still i will see him again next friday, not long now.

Play school

2006-12-14T17:27:00.000Z

I finally finished this layout,from start to finish it only took 30 minutes to create, but 2 weeks to finish all i had to do was dymo and paint the title. The layouts usually sit there for 2 and watch me walk past 20 millions times waiting for me to finish them. this is natalie on her last day at play school with her key worker auntie Alison. ahh yes, i just remebered that was the reason i did not finish it, i could not remeber her name.

Halloween envelope book

2006-12-05T22:31:00.000Z

i just thought i would show the little halloween envelope book i made. I used photos from last year and this year and combined them, it is a good way of using pics if you only have a few.

2nd birthday, for Marky

2006-11-08T21:48:00.000Z

It is Marks birthday on thursday, and he is going to be 2 years old. I am taking him to toys 'r' us in the morning so he can choose some fab prezzies. Mark has a milk and dairy allergy so i had to bake my own birthday cake without allergic products. I think i have done well considering there is not a lot that does not contain milk, soya, lactose etc.

My sisters and I

2006-11-05T12:18:00.000Z

I have just found some pics i had been searching for, you know you have them but can you find them when you want them. My big sis came down for a visit at the end of September and nephew John and new boyfriend. It is good to see Lesley and John as they live in Nottingham and visits are usually far and few between.

Pierced ears

2006-11-05T12:13:00.000Z

On saturday i went into town to buy Mark a new winter coat, whilst walking round Natalie asked me if she could have her ears pierced. I asked her if she was sure and said that it may hurt a little but she was adamant. "Can we go to see daddy and get them done" she asked. Ok then daddy and i can do them together. Well i was surprised at how calm she was and no fuss at all. Bang! both ears peirced, they look cute and she has not made any noise of complaint since.

"S" for holland

2006-10-30T18:47:00.000Z

My s is done not too sure but just went with the flow.

Halloween party

2006-10-29T22:22:00.000Z

We have just had a great weekend, gigi came to visit this weekend and we had our own little halloween party for the kiddies. Outfits were worn exception for me because i could not find anything to fit me. but have a look at some pics.

Gigi

2006-10-19T23:24:00.000+01:00

I met such a lovely guy on holiday, he is spanish, no i did not go to spain, i went to great yarmouth, and brought back a spanish hunk. I am so loved up it is getting boring to those who constantly see me on my mobile texting him every second of the day. I cant help it you know what it is like in the throws of a new relashionship, well any way i have a couple of little lovely pics to share with you, he is gorgeous hunky sexy romantic, kind , caring ahhhhhhhhhh he is so perfect. ok ok i know, your all just jealous because you have not any romance any more and your other halves just fart and scratch and watch football all the time. lol.

Hopton Holiday park

2006-10-19T23:00:00.000+01:00

What a great holiday, Its the first time that i have been away with family on holiday before, and we have decided to go again every year, until we are too old to walk. I saved the £9.50 sun holiday vouchers and got my sis and i a little break. The kids were excited as they were to have a week away from school. I booked the holiday on the friday and we were away on the following monday. The drive was good but how i could get lost with a Tom Tom, please dont ask. We booked in and went off to our caravan, swimming, playing, arcades, entertainment and food what more could we want. The evening entertainment was fab, especially when i met Gigi, a spanish man who worked on the holiday camp, gorgeous! what more can i say, and he thought the same about me. So it became exciting just to see george in the evenings, we struck a bond and he gave me his phone no. The kids had good time my sis and i got drunk most nights, then we had to come home. sometimes you just want to stay a little longer, but role on next year we will go again.

were off to Hopton holiday park (Nolfork)

2006-10-01T08:14:00.000+01:00

I managed to grab a last minute budget holiday through the sun £9.50 holidays. We are going on Monday and come back Friday. I am sure we shall have lots of fun as the weather is still quite warm. The children are so excited as they have not been away for a couple of years. I am taking my little sis and her 3 children so it is gonna be manic. I shall post the pics when we come back so watch this space. Im gonna miss u all, bon voyage. :)

Cannon EOS 350D

2006-09-20T11:05:00.000+01:00

Its mine... all mine, not that i know how to take proper photos. Its so big and lots of it, i love it, love it, love it. My new Cannon digital SLR, i am going to have to take myself off to a college and get myself on a photography course. Although i did study photography many moons ago at art college it was the old school learning how to develope with chemicals and such. Well we shall see if the difference will be noticed when i start using it. I am still awaiting for the memory card to arrive in the post, come on postman hurry up.

Cara challenge

2006-09-17T00:51:00.000+01:00

I know i am a late starter but you watch me catch up. I have not quite painted or drawn on the pics but they have been altered from the original. The oval photos were cut with a coluzzle when i very first started scrapping about 3 years ago. I went mad with the cutter and then found that i could not use them, because they were too... oval. I challenged myself to use them, and i am glad i did it worked quite well.

challenge me

2006-09-08T23:08:00.000+01:00

Nic challenged us both to create a page from the same page map, and the results were really good, you can see nics page on her blog
compare and see how 1 layout can create 2 totally different looks. Nic always get me on to a new page, what would i do without her.

My 36th birthday (yes, i know i only look 21)

2006-09-08T22:55:00.000+01:00

Happy birthday to me, I am now counting the years backwards i do not want to go to 40 or 50 etc. At least not yet i am too young. I had a fab day with lovely gifts and a meal in Frankie and Bennies with all my lovely close people who i love so dearly.

Alicia's 4th birthday party

2006-09-08T21:37:00.000+01:00

The kids had a great time at Alicias birthday party, it was held at "the kids place" at Canvey Island. I am sure that the birthday girl really enjoyed herself.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Jude and Andy

2006-09-08T21:25:00.000+01:00

i had 3 extra kiddies for the night when my little sis and her boyfriend went 1; to a wedding in the evening, 2; to a funeral on the next day. They looked so sparkly in their new togs, they were done up to the nines. This was a great photo opportunity, dont they look good together.

In loving memory

2006-09-02T21:35:00.000+01:00

Those of you who are close to me will know that i have just recently lost my younger brother. He was horribly killed by 4 youths at the age of 32. The youths had been harassing him for quite some time, intimidating him and beating him up when he was drunk. Simon was not a fighter, he was a survivor. Every time i saw Simon he had been bashed up, he did have a serious alchol problem but that should not be a reason for him to fall prey to these mindless yobs. These sick individuals obviously have nothing important in their lives, but i can bet they had parents and had not been brought up through the care system, unlike Simon.
Dont get me wrong i am not making excuses for Simon, but he was taken into care at the age of 4 and was put into a care home. He had a lot in life to deal with, he was taken from his mum at a young age, he lost his father to cancer after meeting him 6 months before, then to top it off our older brother Jason committed suicide, which devestated simon. Alchol and drugs become a comfort to those who feel that they have absolutly nothing and no-one, and feel so worthless to themselves, they feel useless and worthless to every one and every thing that passes through their life. Simon was a caring father, a great laugh, and a lovely brother, the most precious things to him in his life was his family. When he had not had a drink he was a totally different person. Simon has left behind 2 gorgeous children Kristy and Ewan they are sitting on the right of the photo.

Dear Simon, i shall miss you too much for words, i am sure that you knew how much i loved you and would have done anything i possibly could to make things right for you, I can see your in heaven with your brother and dad, and your at peace at last. god bless.xxx

hoorah! i've been tagged

2006-08-15T10:58:00.000+01:00

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be? - Australia, i have never been there but i used to have dreams as child of living there.
2. What's your favourite article of clothing? - combats
3. Favourite physical feature of the opposite sex? - definately the hands, big strong hands, ohhhhh yesssssssss
4. What's the last CD that you bought? - R&B summer sounds
5. Where's your favourite place to be? - at the beach, or any where near water
6. Where is your least favourite place to be? - shopping in asda with 3 children, i now use on-line shopping, yeah, im clever.
7. What's your favourite place to be massaged? - neck and shoulders
8. Strong in mind or strong in body? - both, i need to be fit physicallyin order to be mentally fit.
9. What time do you wake up in the morning? - when the kids come in and jump on my head.
10. What is your favourite kitchen appliance? - got to be the kettle, because i make so many cups of tea, i forget them, then they go cold, so i make another. (oh how busy i am)
11. What makes you really angry? - inconsiderate drivers.
12. If you could play any instrument, what would it be? - the piano, what an amzing sound.
13. Favourite colour? - green.
14. Which do you prefer...sports car or SUV? - sport car.
15. Do you believe in an afterlife? - oh definately.
16. Favourite children's book? - Flat sam.
17. What is your favourite season? - summer, when its not flippin raining.
18. What is your least favourite household chore? - cleaning the bathroom and toilets, eughh.
19. If you could have one super power, what would it be? - well i already have a few, (snigger), it would be to fly.
20. If you have a tattoo, what is it? - sorry have none... yet
21. Can you juggle? - yes i can, the kids, the housework, the bills, scrapbooking, shopping, the list is endless.
22. The one person from your past that you wish you could go back and talk? - My dad.
23. What's your favourite day? - Saturday.
24. What's in the trunk of your car? - a buggy, some rubbish, and a blanket.
25. Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger? - hamburger.

I am now going to tag,Donna,Shannon

I love a challenge

2006-08-10T11:49:00.000+01:00

Another super quick LO, Nic gave me a challenge on wednesday night, at our Terries crop, i sat there with creative block (or too much gassing) and set me a challenge that she had got from http://www.ahafermann.typepad.com/ blog. Well im always up for a challenge. It worked, i grabed all of nics scraps and thought circles, shame nic thought the same, great minds alike. So i decide to get a bit arty, just previously i was reading that lovely book by Elsie Flannagan. So this is the end result.

"Mum, i look freaky dont I"?

2006-08-07T22:21:00.000+01:00

ahhhhhhhhhh, Natalie you are so cute, we were going to the car and you said, "mum i need some tissue, i need to take my makeup off. I replied "oh ok, you look fine darling. I have a wet wipe you can have. But mum i look freaky dont I. Well Shannon and i just laughed, it was the expression on her face that did it. Natalie you look gorgeous with or without your purple make up. xxx

The biggest paddling pool in world

2006-07-31T11:05:00.000+01:00

Mark got this pool for his birthday last november, i usually fill it with play balls for him, but during this hot weather we need ed a pool the shops had sold out so we had to use this one. Thomas and Natalie had hours of fun in this tiny pool as you can see they are happy and soaked. I thought they looked quite funny in there.

Super quick LO

2006-07-31T10:30:00.000+01:00

Wow, watch me now! I fell asleep on the settee last night while watching tribes on bbc, then woke at 10pm got myself a cold drink and had this sudden urge of scrapbook inspiration. I should have gone to bed, but then decided to act upon this or it may be some time before the next urge comes along. I was actually finished by 12pm which is really super human quick for me to create a LO all i had to do was stick every thing down, so i decided to leave it til the morning. I woke up at 9am had a fantastic sleep. I almost thought i had created in my sleep but it was still there. I am still feeling creative so i may go create another watch this space...

My little sister Jude

2006-07-27T11:35:00.000+01:00

This is Jude my little sis, when we were younger we used to look so alike some thought we were twins, which is good for me as i am 18 months older. But as the years have gone on we have both changed quite a bit and look nothing alike until we smile, we have the same smily teeth. She is such a great friend as well as a fab sister. I promised myself i would dedicate a layout to her, my fortnighty disco partner. rock on Jude.

erghhhh ive been pooped on

2006-07-27T10:52:00.000+01:00

how is being pooped on by a bird supposed to be lucky, come on, please! i was sat having a lovely saturday chill with the children at Hayleys house with nic and their children, when all of a sudden plop, on my foot i have the photos to as evidence (i hope i dont get bird flu).

Haircut 100

2006-07-27T00:50:00.000+01:00

It was haircut time for all of the children Shannon had about 3" cut off and Natalie about 1", little Mark just had his little curls cut off which made him look like a really big boy.

Natalies 4th Birthday

2006-07-27T00:25:00.000+01:00

Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Natalie, happy birthday to you. You made it to four you little rascal goodness knows how you are sometimes very trying and quite demanding but you are too sweet and get away with murder, my little princess bossy boots having a lovely time. We went to Frankie and Bennies for your birthday tea and your daddy came with us, although you kept begging me to take you to the movies to see chicken little,17-7-2006

Update your blog for goodness sake

2006-07-27T00:16:00.000+01:00

I have finally updated my blog as i have been saying i am going to do it for almost a month, well here is another LO created just to kick start the creative urges, i dont feel the love with it too much but the photos on the LO were taken in the photo booths on the service stations on the M1 while travelling to Notts to visit some family.

15 minutes of fame

2006-07-27T00:10:00.000+01:00

I am so pleased with myself, you would not believe how long it has taken me to finally have a LO published in a scrapbook magazine. The first attempt ended with the magazine deciding to fold (booo), I was then asked if i could create a LO for the men pages set to be in another magazine and to take part in the my time article, which once i had completed the relevant LO and bits and bobs only to find this magazine also folded, as you can guess i was starting to get a complex is it something to do with me! Then in the last issue of scrapbook inspirations, and the last issue of the scrapbook magazine i finally had my LO published (hurraah for me i am famous).

The race of life

2006-06-17T19:03:00.000+01:00

On Sunday the 11th of June i entered a 5K run for cancer research race of life for women. My friends entered last year and i missed the booking time so had to run this year, ther was the option of walking, jogging or running, seeing as i started training in January i decided i should be fit enough to run. The max i run when i train is 1 mile sometimes i attempt the 2 mile but struggled. On the morning of the race i turned up on my own (ahh billy no mates) and watched the Essex fm road show until the race started. Ther were 5000 odd ladies turned up for the race and i must have come in the first 60 runners (not bad huh). The feeling you get when you cross that finish line is amazing, i ran in 32 minutes not bad time for 3 miles. It must have been the hottest day of the year i was soaking sweaty and nearly passed out in the plastic toilet cubicle.
It was a bit emotional when a lady with her husband broke down in tears when the minutes silence to those who had died, were suffering and had recovered from cancer was held, that was it, i started blubbering too. I set my target sponser to £50 and i was pleased to make it, such a worthwhile cause. I went straight onto my artbase crop which was held on the same day (i am a nerd who could not miss a day to scrapbook) when i got there my rear end was saturated from the heat and i walked in looking hot sweaty and cream crackered, Margaret was so kind as to take some snap shots of me in the garden and this is the layout that i completed from my snaps. I would run it again to know that any little i can do is worthwhile. I am not loving the layout too much it was one of those LO created when the creativity was low. x

Happy 11th birthday Shannon

2006-06-17T18:46:00.000+01:00

It was Shannon's 11th birthday on the 10th of June. Having asked Shannon what she would like to do on her birthday, she said that to have a party would be good. Well i decide that to use the church hall where we have our scrapbook crop class would be perfect, Nic arranged for me to meet the treasurer to book the night i asked for the sat because i thought this was the day Shannons birthday fell on, only to be informed that there was a quiz night at that time, so i said the friday would be good then. When the meeting was arranged we found out the hall was booked for a quiz night but it was on the sat not the friday, but Shannons birthday was actually on the friday, so having got my days and dates mixed up we booked the hall on the friday 6 til 9, not hard really. So a few days down the line we made invites and sent them to school the friday before half term so that there was ample time for kids to make arragments to come, on the thurs crop sessions nic asked the treasurer if we could pay some money for the hall we booked on the sat night only to be told that the quiz night was sat and we had booked the friday which was of course the next day, after some fretting and stressing and (acusing the treasurer of getting his days mixed up ) it turned out that i had sent invites out to the kids for sat instead of fri and had to rearrange the invites and resend them on the friday morning of the party and hope that they could all come then instead of the Saturday. Oh my god it was not that hard really to arrange a kids party, luckily the DJ was available for the friday as i booked him for the sat as well, Duh i blame it on having kids they say you lose some brain cells when you give birth. All in all 15 kids turned up all the food got eaten and thanks to Hayley, Jude, Nic and few others the went down a treat. x

My scrap canvas

2006-06-13T13:19:00.000+01:00

I paid £1 yes only a pound for this canvas, its only because i am so tight with money, even the children know what i am like, they are so used to having jumble clothes and second hand toilet paper and tea bags that have been hung on the line and reused. I thoroughly enjoyed making this canvas it was different and cured creative block trying to creat a new layout.

chicken pox

2006-06-12T14:48:00.000+01:00

Poor marky has caught the dreaded lurgy, i dont mind him having the chicken pox but in this weather he is grumpy itchy and just really miserable. It doesnt help that he is cutting another tooth at the same time, ahhh bless him. Poor baby Ty has it too little spotty baby x

Murder Mystery (or not) that is the question!

2006-05-26T18:10:00.000+01:00

Murder Mystery night hosted by Hayley, trust Hayley to have a great night planned. I have never been to a murder mystery night before, it was fun, we had to dress up in the selected characters designated outfits. So you can imagine a belgian detective, and english inspector, mrs marbels (losta), and a few others. Well to walk from the car to my friends house was quite embarassing, as i looked more like an american oil tycoon than a belgian detective. I have a few pics not many nicola's are much better. check out her blog http://nicolaclarkes.blogspot.com . We had a great meal (3 courses) and lots of fun.

My friends sister

2006-05-24T23:29:00.000+01:00

I have a friend, (yes it is true) only one i hear you say. No! i now have 2 in fact not just any friend it is my friends sister who is now officially my friend. Well i have known Hayley for 15 years or so and she is a really good friend more than that she is a bestest best friend every one should have a friend like her i really recommend it. 15 years of pure friendship through thick and thin an absolute gem of a girl (or woman now that she has reached 30). I have known her sister for as long but not in the same way that i know Hayley. I met my new friend through Hayley and scrapbooking, we are alike in many ways and have similar interests, she is a great source of inspiration to me in many ways not just scrapbooking and a great listener who is none judgemental, a fair minded indivdual polite and kind (she also makes a great cuppa no sugar needed). When my new friend and I got closer and started to share our time more my old friend called me a BIG FAT GO OFF i dont think she meant it in a bad way i just think she didnt want to lose me, i will always be your best friend Hayley i just need acknowledgement that i can be offically your sisters friend and not a friend of her sisters if you get what i mean. x
I dedicate this layout to Nicola my new friend and not my friends sister.

Happy 30th Kerry

2006-05-08T18:35:00.000+01:00

What a great night we had on Friday, it is Kerry's 30th birthday next week and we arranged a surprise night out to the casino in Southend, what we did find out was that Kerry is a big fan of Elvis and guess what! there was an Elvis impersonater there Kerry you were rocking all night long, go girl. I have never her as happy as that night, where did you keep wandering off too, the dance floor thats whenre. I can honestly say that we did well choose the right venue and had a fab time. (x big kisses to Hayley she is the star organiser). I think we are done with 30 birthdays now for the year, shame really because we have been out more this year than any other and had some hum dinger nights out.

Casino Kerry 30th

2006-05-08T16:44:00.000+01:00

Bargain of the year

2006-05-04T15:54:00.000+01:00

Oh my what a bargain hunter i am, i have this really great friend you may know of her, she is becoming a bit of a celeb in the scrapbook circles with all the wonderful art she produces. Well it all started with the walkers crisps buy 1 multi pack and get another free! Now I am very like nic in this sense where a bargain is especially essential and even more so if it is for freee. I am a self confessed crisps addict I find it very hard to go through a day with out some, I recently bought some pickled onion beastie bites in asda and they totally did it for me they are lovely, nic tried some and thought they were equally delicious, so she did ask me on my next trip if I would be so kind as to grab her a few bags or 10. I must admit I forgot when I went into asda, but when I next saw nic she had been to her local sweetie shop (naughty girl) and bought untold sweeets not for carter but for herself. Dip dabs, chews, fizzy things and some space raiders (pickled onion ones at that), well to cut a long probably boring story short I went into 99p stores today after getting some artist canvas (which were out of stock by the way) I came across a mega supa bag of PICKLED ONION SPACE RAIDERS for 99p 15 lovely bags of onion space invaders I did think of nic and got them for her bargain or what but guess what it was the last pack oh no what do I do, do I give them to her or do I open them and start eating them, because I hadn't had any lunch at the time I was really tempted, but no I really had to try hard to restrain myself and kept them for a wonderful friend who needs them more than I. i nearly opened the pack about 5 times. So nic when you read this I shall see you in the morning at some point and I shall give you them you truly are worth it.

rainy bank holiday monday

2006-05-01T15:17:00.000+01:00

Rain rain go away, i went for my usual run in the morning but typicaly this bank holiday monday was rainy one but i still ran, in fact i ran and ran and ran not usual for me i am surprised actually as i had little sleep last night. child no 2 and child no 3 were both restless and up on more than one ocassion each. i am thinking of having them surgically stitched to their beds forever. (only joking of course). As i am typing this the sun is quite warm and bright so the day has brightened up but we cant go out because asda are delivering my shopping between 3pm and 6pm, and i must be here or we wont have any food for tea tonight.

new kid on the blog

2006-04-28T18:39:00.000+01:00

Hi there I am new to the blog so bear with me if this is really naff, I am sure I will get the hang of it all, I do not know how to up load or even find my way around these blogs but I am going to have fun (I hope and not despair) with learning. So off I go to build my blog and have fun, tally ho. And off I go.