The Geriatric Gardener

Yeah ....... me! I took advantage of the bright, chilly weather today to give the back garden a last tidy up before Christmas. I did the front garden a couple of weeks ago in between all the rain we had and Jim power washed all the paving. Raking leaves and pulling out border plants that had been left in far too long was back breaking work. Tonight I'm feeling the pain in the backs of my legs and my lower back. I'm obviously now officially geriatric or at least that's how I feel tonight LOL. When I was working away a little robin appeared and hopped around the garden hoping for a juicy worm or two. This was the first one I have seen in the garden for quite a while. Earlier this year I found one dead at the back door and I think it was killed by the flock of magpies that nest in the trees behind our house. They drive me mad with their constant chattering.

I didn't make any headway with my reindeer food as I was too busy in the garden so I need to try to get that finished this week. I'm hoping to get together with my BF Val this week to finish off our Christmas gifts. We both still have so much to do so we had better get a move on.

I hope you like the snowflakes - I thought it was time to start putting up the Christmas decorations.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

Chocolate Search

I spent Friday afternoon searching all of the Poundland stores for the Green & Black organic chocolate without success and by the time I got home I was too exhausted to create anything else. This meant that I had to get up early on Saturday morning and get my thinking cap on. Val always says that I work better under pressure and lo and behold I managed to come up with something else in time. The good news is that my friend Lesley managed to get me some more choccie on Saturday afternoon so I will have it for the next class (as long as she can resist eating it LOL). Thanks Lesley - I thought I was going to have to scrap that project.

Yesterday Jim took Laura, Jenny & Sophie to our church Christmas Fair and once again they had a fab time. Last night we had a relaxing evening vegging out in front of the tv and I fell asleep - sorry. I also made some Snowman Poop (see photo).

Today I tried to do some crafting but had a few visitors and couldn't quite get into the swing of things. I did however mix and bag up some Reindeer Food but I haven't got around to making the toppers for the bags yet. It is amazing how much glitter you need to mix in with the oats to make it nice and twinkly.

Fee x

Whoopee

Today I finished off a pile of little cartons that I started at the weekend. Each one has a packet of sweets inside - aren't they cute?

My PTI order also arrived today which was really quite quick cos I only ordered it on the 15th and it can sometimes take 3-4 weeks to get here and make it through customs. I really do need to start using my PTI stamps more they are sooo fabulous I just love them so watch this space.

Tomorrow I need to come up with another design for Saturday's Scor-pal class bacause I can't get enough of the Green & Black Organic Chocolate I need for the project. They say every cloud has a silver lining and I may have to eat all the ones I've got if I can't get any more - what a pity LOL.

Laura brought her friend Sophie home for dinner tonight and afterwards we picked up Jenny (Sophie's twin) and went along to the school Christmas Fair. The girls enjoyed themselves and happily spent their pocket money at the different stalls. Laura bought a lovely little Portmerion pottery dish with my birth month flowers on it - I think it is supposed to be for my Christmas and it is gorgeous. They rounded off the evening with marshmallows dipped in the chocolate fountain - YUMMY!

Till later.

Fee x

Snowman Soup

I'm still making gifts for the Christmas Fair and I managed to make half a dozen of these babies today. I hope you like them.

I'm taking Laura and her friends Sophie & Jenny to the Christmas Fair at a local Primary School tomorrow night to see if I can get any more inspiration before the weekend.

Earlier in the week I had some bad news from my friend whose wife had been diagnosed with bowel cancer. He called today to let me know that things are not looking good as the cancer has spread to the liver and lungs which means that it is too advanced to operate. She starts chemotherapy tomorrow and I can't even begin to imagine how they must be feeling as they face this horrible disease. They are both in my thoughts and prayers tonight.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

A Pile of Poop?

Snowman poop that is! I've been busy today making some more bags of Snowman Poop for the Church Christmas Fair. I also bought some more notepads to make some more magnetic notepad holders and I hope that I can get a few made tomorrow cos I'm running out of time. Morrisons have boxes of candy canes on offer at 79p per box and I picked up a couple of those too.

My poor friend Val has been in bed today with a nasty flu bug. Get well soon Val, we need to do lots of crafting this weekend.

I'd better get to bed now or I won't manage to make anything tomorrow LOL.

Till then.

Fee x

Year 1 Parent Interviews

Jim and I went to our very first Parent Interviews at Laura's new school tonight. The good news is that she is clever (well we knew that anyway), the bad news is that she is still easily distracted and sometimes doesn't focus as hard as she should. All in all the feedback was positive and her German teacher (Frau Schwiete) almost had us in tears with her praise and telling us what a lovely, helpful girl she is.

Laura has gone to the Gang Show with the Guides tonight. She probably won't be home until 11pm so let's hope she gets up for school tomorrow. My fingers are already crossed LOL.

I made another little magnetic notebook set today using my favourite My Mind's Eye paper and the new(ish) Take Note set from PTI. I love this set and I'm working on some more for the Church Christmas Fair. I hope you like this handy little book.

Later taters.

Fee x

Megapost

I thought I'd better bring you up-to-date with what's been happening since I last managed to blog.

Wednesday 18th

Last night was the big night at my mum's Guild - the 90th Birthday Party. Thankfully everything went well but she didn't get home until 11.30pm which is late for her. I have posted a pic of the invitation I made some time ago and forgot to post.

Thursday 19th

My first Parent Council Meeting and it lasted two and a half hours. Almost long enough to make me regret joining LOL. Anyway the next one isn't until January so that is quite a while away.

I received a call from a friend of mine today and he said that his wife had been taken into hospital quite suddenly and he was very worried about her. They are waiting for some scans and tests to be carried out so fingers crossed that everything will be okay.

Friday 20th

I attended my very first High School Reunion tonight and had a great time. It was fabulous to catch up with old friends. As I still live in the area I do bump in to some of them in the supermarket etc. but there were others I haven't seen since school (which wasn't yesterday as you know). Check out the shoes that I wore LOL. I was scared I would plummet to my death off them - it is a long time since I wore shoes this high due to my broken ankle a few years ago. An old friend of mine drove us there and back so a big thank you to Jackie you are a star. I also won the first prize in the raffle which was a Four Ball Tournament at Glencorse Golf Club in Penicuik. I couldn't wait to get home to give Jim the prize although several of the guys offered me money for the prize there and then but no chance I was taking it h0me.

Saturday 21st

Had a card class today and everyone seemed pleased with the cards we made. We did a couple of Christmas ones and an Anniversary card. Val and I didn't really get much time to ourselves but tomorrow is another day and we are hoping to be more productive.

I didn't feel particularly well after I got home and went straight to bed after dinner. This is not like me but I really did feel that bed was the best place to be.

Today

What a miserable day, I don't think it stopped raining for a minute and the wind was wild. I spent a nice afternoon with friends Izzy, Sandra and Val. Sandra spoiled us by bringing her usual packet of white chocolate biscuits from Marks & Spencer - YUMMY! We were all busy crafting with Sandra making cards, Val doing an Advent Calendar and Izzy and I made some more little gifts for Christmas Fairs. I'll post a pic tomorrow when the light is better. My friend Lesley also popped in with some more PTI goodies for me and I can't wait to try them out. Thanks Lesley for bringing them over and also for the mega size bag of marshmallows. I made up twenty two bags for my Snowman Poop this afternoon and there is still loads left.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

Stocking Stuffers

Yesterday I made a pile of little bags filled with mini candy canes as stocking stuffers for our Church Christmas Fair this coming Saturday. I used up some scrap pieces of Doodlebug Christmas paper and adhered them to the top of each bag to make it a bit more festive looking. I had already stamped the polythene bags in Blazing Red Staz On with a candy cane stamp that I had lying around. The stamp was from a set that I bought in Lakeland a long time ago and I thought I would never use it LOL. I punched out some 2" red scalloped circles and some 1 1/4" plain circles to sit in the centre of the scalloped circle. I then punched out a little Christmas tree and popped it in the centre. I bought the mini candy canes in Poundland cos you can get a box of 40 for £1 (incredible). No fuss and very quick to do.

I also had a go at designing a new Scor-pal project using fantastic organic chocolate bars from Green & Black YUMMY! Okay confession time - I ate a bar but you must understand it was purely for Quality Control purposes. Yeah right.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

Fun with Friends

Yesterday I met some of the girls I used to work with when I was the HR Manager at the Microsoft Contact Centre in Glasgow. We had lunch at Di Maggios in Royal Exchange Square in Glasglow and it was fab. Four hours later we were still chatting and laughing but all too soon it was time to go home to attend to our families I haven't seen many of them for years and it was so good to sit and reminisce about all the fun we had and all the daft things we got up to. I think that is probably the sign of true friendship when you can pick up where you left off so easily.

Today I finished off another little notebook set using one of my favourite My Mind's Eye cardstock. I'll post a photo tomorrow as the light is very poor in the evening.

My niece Lynne popped in today to show us her new dog Tara - she is a real sweetie. She got her from a Rescue Centre in the Borders on Friday and she is very friendly. The lady who had her could no longer cope with a dog when her husband was taken into hospital so poor Tara had to be re-homed.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

PTI Sneak Peeks

Nothing much to report today I'm afraid. I really must get a job cos I was a lot better organised when I was working LOL. The day seems to disappear before I know it.

I had a look at the new PTI sneak peeks and already have my eye on a couple of them and hoping that Santa will bring them to me. I stayed up for the last release but suffered for it later so I don't think I'll manage it this time.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow as I'm having lunch some of the girls who worked with me at Microsoft. It will be great to catch up on all the news and gossip as I haven't seen them for a long time. I'll give you a full update tomorrow.

Fee x

Whoops I Fell Asleep Last Night

Jim arrived home from work at 12.3oam to find me snoring (softly) on the sofa with all the lights in the house on (courtesy of Laura) . I had put her into bed to watch tv at 9.30pm then promptly fell asleep. I'm already yawning tonight so thought I'd better blog before the same thing happens again.

Yesterday Val and I attempted some crafting but didn't make much headway other than consuming a whole apple pie between us (naughty but YUM). I made a couple of notepads using some of my new PTI stamps. I've posted the - Holiday Planner one which is made using Doodlebug papers. I love the alternative Christmas colours which make a change from the traditional red and green.

Laura decided that she wanted to do something at school for Children in Need which is on the 20th November. We spent tonight making and wrapping up a sweetie hamper for a raffle and wrapping up a Pudsey Bear with Sweets for a Guess the Bear's Birthday. I also gave her a couple of large tins of sweets that I bought recently in ASDA. She is doing me a favour taking them to school as it will save me eating them LOL.

Till Tomorrow.

Fee x

I managed to be a bit more organised today and did a hundred and one little jobs that took me all day. I did some ironing, took Laura to School, posted off some parcels, collected Laura's shoes from the Cobblers, went to the Bank, picked up my prescription, loaded the dishwasher, made the beds ....................... and so it went on boring, boring, boring but it had to be done I am waaaay behind on my housework.

Here is another page from the album I'm making for Jim - I hope he doesn't decide one day to read my chattering on here or it won't be a surprise. This is one of the first photographs of Laura taken at the hospital. I can hardly believe how dark her hair was when she was born LOL. I always smile when I see that pink teddy bear. Jim brought it to the hopsital for her, despite being warned within an inch of his life not to buy her anything else as he has already filled her room with cuddly toys of every description LOL.

I hoping to see my BF Val tomorrow to do some crafting - fingers crossed everyone.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

Not a Very Productive Day

It's been one of those days when I feel I've achieved absolutely nothing in the house LOL. If I didn't laugh about it I would probably cry. Still tomorrow is another day and I better get cracking with some housework first thing.

I went to Glasgow this afternoon and decided to visit Hobbycraft at The Fort. I was sooo disappointed I couldn't find anything to spend my money on. I ended up with a pack of large eyelets, a pair of Bind It All Covers and some Christmas Food Bags - hardly worth the effort of going. I cannot believe I was in a craft store and didn't find anything I could not live without - that must be a first LOL.

I'm having some notions to start baking again, I find it very therapeutic and I've been looking through some recipes tonight so you never know what might happen watch this space.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

What Did I Do Today???

One layout! Yes - that is all I managed to do today which is absolutely shocking I know. In my defence I spent a few hours cutting out some shapes for a lady who wanted them to decorate a tree for a charity project. By the end of it I was fed up die cutting people, angels wings, circles and musical notes and my mojo was nowhere to be found LOL.

I've used papers and embellishments from the new 'Be Loved' Collection from My Minds Eye. It is so pretty and feminine and suited the photographs of Lauren and Laura doing the washing the way they it used to be done in the past at - The Steamie. When I look at the old glass scrubbing board and mangle I thank goodness for todays labour saving devices.

I phoned Jenny's mum today to find out how she was after last night's accident. Thankfully she seems to be okay but has the beginnings of two lovely black eyes and her nose is still swollen.

Tonight we went to Tony Romas at Braehead for dinner - it was a nice change from cooking so no complaints here.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

Fireworks

Jim and I took Laura and her friends Jenny & Sophie to see the Fireworks at Helensburgh Pier. We were having a great time and the girls went on quite a few rides. Jenny and Laura loved the Waltzer and went on it 3 times in succession. Sophie was not too keen after the first ride and she stood with Jim and I watching the fireworks. Oh how I wish we had gone home straight after the fireworks but Jenny & Laura decided to go on the Waltzer one more time and I thought I would join them (reliving my mispent youth LOL). It was fast, fun and we were screaming at the top of our voices. When the ride stopped we pushed back the bar and started to get off when unexpectedly a little girl and her mum tried to get on and pushed the bar back on top of us and it caught Jenny right across the bridge of her nose OUCH and it began to swell then bleed! We took her to the British Red Cross van to get her checked out and they gave us a cold pack and suggested that she gets checked out at A & E. That was the end of our night out and we took poor Jenny back to her Mum and Dad. We hope that she is okay and that her nose isn't cracked or broken but she may have a black eye or two in the morning. Apart from all the drama we did have a good time.

Despite good intentions I didn't get much crafting done today as my mojo seemed to have deserted me completely. However tomorrow is another day and I have a couple of things I would like to do so fingers crossed that my mojo returns.

Fee x

Fee x

Girls Night Out

Laura and I went to see my friend Karen's daughter Abbie (4) in her very first dancing display. As usual the dancers were all fabulous and Abbie and the others in her class were hilarious. One little girl wouln't stand in line with the rest and wandered about the stage touching all the microphones instead of dancing LOL. The rest of them were all trying their best to tap dance, jump and clap at the right time but they were all over the place. Give them a few years and I'm sure they will master it.

Tomorrow I'm looking forward to scrapping with some friends. I've got some of the new My Minds Eye Be Loved paper range and I'm desperate to use it so fingers crossed that I can do something with it.

I've been naughty and asked my friend Lesley to order a couple of stamp sets from PTI this month. She has arranged for a friend of hers who is going to the USA to bring them back so that should save the customs and international shipping costs so thank you in advance Lesley for organising this - I can't wait till they get here.

Here is another page from my 8" x 8" album. I hope you like it. The photo was taken at the top of Mount Teide in Tenerife and it was freeeeezing cold and windy. Jim was holding onto Laura in case she blew away LOL. The SMILE stamp was kindly lent to me by my BF Val. She bought a few Heidi Swapp stamps at the SECC last month and I wish I had bought this one too. Hopefully she will continue to let me borrow it sometimes.

Fee x

Good News

Jim took on the role of Chairman of the Healthy Working Lives Committee at work about a year ago and he has been beavering away trying to achieve the Gold Award Standard. Well today he received news that the award has been granted. He is so chuffed and I am sooooo pleased for him - it is quite an achievement and a lot of hard work went into it.

We also managed to do a little bit of Christmas shopping today (well I thought I should do it when he suggested it).

On the crafting front here is another page from the 8" x 8" album I'm doing as part of Jim's Christmas pressie. This photo was taken at Easter this year when we went to Anstruther for the weekend. We stayed at The Craws Nest Hotel and had a fab time just moseying around the East Neuk of Fife. I hope you like the page.

Later taters.

Fee x

Craft Time - YIPPEE

I met my BF Val this afternoon for a little crafting time. As usual we didn't get as much done as we wanted but that is probably due to the gabbing and munching that we do LOL. I did manage to finish the card above and a few other bits and pieces. I used Dream Street papers and the present stamp is from Unity Stamps. I also used a small flower stamp from one of my PTI sets and stamped it over the pink paper just for the fun of it. As usual I twinkled up the image with glamour dust for a bit of sparkle and then used a deep rose Swarovski crystal for the centre of the flower.

Val was kind enough to let me use one of her new Heidi Swapp stamps on a layout I was working on but I'll wait until tomorrow to photograph it cos the light is pretty poor now.

I've just finished cracking the whip and helping Laura to clean her room - well it was the only way it was going to happen and she has been promising to do it for a week. It's all spick and span now but I'm not sure how long it will stay like that LOL.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

Posing

I took this picture of Laura and her friend Sophie posing. I had to take about half a dozen photos before they were happy with the result. I was in the middle of making breakfast on Sunday morning when they decided they wanted some photos to put onto their BEBO pages - it's a wonder the breakfast wasn't cremated LOL.

Laura has been a bit under the weather with a bit of a cold and I had trouble getting her out of bed to go to school this morning. However, I did manage it eventually but had to run her to school or she would have been late.

I've been busy around the house today and haven't done any crafting for a couple of days but hope to meet up with my BF Val tomorrow to make a start on some Christmas gifts so watch this space.

Till tomorrow.

Fee x

I Survived ..............

the sleepover. Jim and I gave in and went to bed at 1am and the girls were in bed but still chattering away. I think they finally fell asleep around 2am which was better than last time. When they got up this morning they helped me make breakfast and we all enjoyed scrambled eggs and fried potato scones YUMMY!

In the afternoon we sat down to make some cards and ended up completely covered in glitter. So much so I had to wipe the tablecovers several times and clean the skirting boards when we were finished LOL.

I just watched the X-Factor and still can't believe those 2 boys are still in the show. It's not even funny any more they are just rubbish. I was sorry to see Rachel go tonight as she has fought so hard to stay in and had been in the sing off stage several times which I'm sure is extremely nerve racking.

Here is my latest scrapbook layout - I hope you like it. The photos are 5 years old and were taken in our back garden at Laura's 7th Birthday party. Yeah I know they were well overdue to be scrapped LOL.

Will catch you tomorrow.

Fee x