Happy New Year ... and Interesting Reading !!

Happy New Year to all my friends old and new.

2006 has been a funny old year for me. It started off so well .. and then I had the mini-strokes at Easter and life changed. I've always been 'flippant' ab0ut life. I have always expected to grow old very disgracefully, but the mini-strokes sort of brought me up to a halt. I have changed my life gradually, although I often 'slip' at times .... but I have decided that 2007 is the year that I will do something about my lifestyle.

I have lost three very dear friends this year. Lynne, Joanne Ward and over Christmas an old friend from school Andrew Duncan passed away. Joanne could do nothing to change her untimely passing. Nothing she could have done would have saved her. Lynne and Andy had they have known, could have taken steps to ensure a longer life - which sort of puts things into perspective for me.

On a lighter note I have had so many highs this year.

At school, I have made massive headways to win over 'challenging' students and in some cases, to make real friendships with them.

I have been accepted for three design teams - what a boost that has given me !

And lastly, through the wonderful art of scrapbooking I have made many lifelong friendships. You are all so very special and dear to me. You enhance my life and without you all I wouldn't be the person I am - so thank you xx

Write a list!

Just saw this on Debbie Ducks blog who found it on Chrissie's blog.

Those in red I have done, and if I tell you about them then I'd have to kill you !!!

1. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
2. Swam with wild dolphins
3. Climbed a mountain
4. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
5. Been inside the Great Pyramid
6. Held a tarantula
7. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
8. Said “I love you’ and meant it
9. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game (and survived the crush afterwards)
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest (pregnant nun)
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert” (three times)
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children (or…raising children)
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking (I'm always doing it)
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds (cumulatively, if you count pregnancy! lol!)
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi (BLEUGH)
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes ... yum!
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care (dad)
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life

Lubberly Night Out .... desertion ... :( ...... and YAY .... and Joke !

A gang of us went out last night to celebrate both Lianne's Birthday and Joanne's love of sour cream. Apparently, on a trip to Holland to see Anita, Jo fell in love with sour cream (according to Dutch rumours ... she ate a bucket full) .... so we dedicated a trip to Chilli Jacks in Warrington to Joanne and it shows how meant to be it was ... that it fell on Lianne's Birthday !!

It was a truly lovely night. Good friends and excellent food and I know Joanne would have loved it as well.

I say we count our blessings for all the wonderful friends we have made through scrapping - you're a rare and special breed !!! xxxxxxxxxx

Desertion !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lianne has deserted me.

Gone.

:(

Its awful :(

I went to call round to her house at lunchtime and then remembered that she'd 'gone dowen sowf' :(

*insert woe is me smiley*

I truly feel as if my left arm has been cut off. I feel bereft :(

*insert another woe is me smiley*

Isn't it funny how you don't need to live in one anothers pockets, but still miss someone so much ?? I don't know how she wangled her way into my heart, but she did and she has ... and I miss not being able to 'pop' round or pick up the phone.

I feel bereft :(

*hopes someone takes pity on me*

YAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have broken up from school - i can lie in ..... as such ... Aaron is still at school for two days but at least I don't have to rush about with my head between my tails as I do most mornings !!!

YAY !!!!!!

Joke

A man walks into a doctor's office. He has a cucumber up his nose, a carrot in his left ear and a banana in his right ear. "What's the matter with me?" he asks the doctor. The doctor replies, "You're not eating properly."

Manchester Crop ... Celebrity Stalking and more !!!

Well, we had a truly fabulous day at the Manchester Crop yesterday. I managed to get the last of the ordered Star Books done - the picture of it is above !!!

Sam had left little gifts, christmas crackers and candy cane for everyone at their desks and I was so touched that she'd gone to so much effort, it was lovely. I received so many beautiful handmade cards that I could have cried at the effort people went to - thank you all, they mean so much to me xx

Anyway ... lets get to the gossip and the celebrity stalker ... JulieM (UKS) .......

Well, Anita (Mundt) attended our crop (It was actually Anita's first UK crop) ... I mean how cool is that ?!!!! BUT .. and here it comes ... our little celebrity stalker friend JulieM totally monopolised Anitas time. She sat elbow to elbow with poor Anita the WHOLE day ... she kept going and making ANITA cups of tea, bringing her plates of grub from the buffet, laughing at her jokes ...looking dreamily into Anita's eyes ... get the picture ???

Did WE ... her friends get so much as a cup of tea - NO

Did WE .... other crafters get to speak to Anita ... well yes, but with Julie in tow

Did WE .... even get to sit near Anita - NO ... because JulieM was too bloody scared to shift her backside in case someone sat by Anita !!! She sat there glued to her flipping chair the whole day !

Now those who attend the Manchester crop know that this is not Julie - she's always fussing about, always making cups of tea ... always encouraging us to do our work etc., etc., ..... but not on this occasion .. oh no ! The celebrity stalker that IS JulieM sat on her posterior and didn't budge ... NOT ONCE !!!

......... and there is worse to come ............ her long standing friend, the lovely, wonderful cook that is JOOLS ... was dumped/ditched/fired off/ignored .... Julie sat that far away from Jools you'd have thought Jools had the lurgy ! My heart goes out to Jools who has supported and befriended 'she who cannot be named' for over 14 years !!!!

*insert sobbing smiley for Jools*

Due to the upset that this all caused ... I felt it my duty ... no ... my right to have to say something to 'she who cannot be named' .... I mean ... poor Jools ...... So of course, once something was said .... that was it .....

We laughed and laughed and laughed .. I haven't laughed so much in such a very long time !!!! I'm not sure if Anita caught on at first that we were all winding Julie up ... but quickly she realised what was going on and just 'went with the flow' !!! PML - I really don't think Anita will ever forget her first UK crop - not ever !!

I suppose you needed to be there - but OMG we are NOT gonna let JulieM live it down - EVER !!

EDITED: Forgot to mention that 'she who cannot be named' has demanded aka wants us all to curtsey to her ... me ? curtsy ? Oooooooooooh I just don't fink sooooo ....

Thanks to everyone who was there - it really was a fabulous fabulous day xx

Chrimble Tree

Its done !!!! YAY !!!! It doesn't look as bushy or full as in real life - but it is lovely honest !!!

Updates ... flying .... news ... goss ...

Haha I just luuuuuuuurv this new beta blog - soooooo much faster !

Anyway, updates .... Secret Santa Dave is a hit ... literally .. He came to see me first thing Monday morning to ask when his next stage performance will be !!! He gave me a huuuuuge kiss on the cheek, lifted me up (which isn't easy believe me) and swung me round .... bless ! I couldn't believe it, but the girls were queuing up to speak to him and they were all giving me dirty looks ... ME ... dirty looks !!! I wonder if I should give up teaching and just become Davids manager ???

Book of Me

As promised after reading Anita's beautiful eulogy to Joanne on UK, I've started my BOM - yay !!! First page describes me to a 't' ... but hey, I can live with that ... I'll pop it on here somewhere ... as I never know exactly WHERE the photos are gonna pop up !!!

Does anyone else find it difficult scrapping themselves or putting thoughts about yourself down on paper ??? I don't like admitting I have faults (and I only have a couple - honest) !!

Flylady

Ok, so after all my protestations about the woman, I decided (after reading her somewhat hefty website) that I did MOST of the routines that she does - so I've gone for it .... must say, the house is looking decidedly tidy and I feel great for making it decidedly tidy ... although it must be said I really enjoyed making it very untidy ... IYKWIM !

General House news

Aaron is off poorly from school today, hence my catch-up on my blog and upgrade to BETA blog ... anyway, his face looks like the elephant man you know the boggy eyes and swollen face - bless ! Surprise surprise tho, he's feeling much better (happened at exactly 9.01am) and after a visit from the postman with Xmas cards for him with heaps of dosh inside .... dya think i'd get away with slipping out a few of the fivers and making them disappear in scrap shops ???

I still need to put the tree up and decorate, but as this means the start of the

'squabble season' its not really enticing me to start .... last year I checked and double checked all the lights .... put them on the tree, switched them on .... rearranged them (because they have to be just so) .... sent hubby for more lights ... put them on ... switched on .... rearranged them .... switched on (yet again) .... and phut ! Two sets blew ... just like that !!! So I de-stripped (if there is such a word) the tree of all its lights ... sent hubby out for more lights .... beautifully arranged the lights again ... and yay they worked ...... for 2 days ... and then another 2 sets blew !!! I blurdy hate lights - but I just can't imagine a tree without them ........ so .... let the squabbles begin ........... tonight ... or tomorrow ... but then I am going to my mums for Xmas so dya think i'd get away without a tree this year ????

Nahhhhhh didn't think I could ... what a bummer !

*stomps off to find lights* >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

<<<<<<<<<<<<< *stomps back with a joke*

Excuse Notes ....

These are actual excuse notes teachers have received, spelling mistakes included.

My son is under a doctor's care and should not take P.E. today. Please execute him.

Please excuse Lisa for being absent. She was sick and I had her shot.

Dear School: Please ekscuse John being absent on Jan. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and also 33.Please excuse Gloria from Jim today. She is administrating.

Please excuse Roland from P.E. for a few days. Yesterday he fell out of a tree and misplaced his hip.

John has been absent because he had two teeth taken out of his face.

Carlos was absent yesterday because he was playing football. He was hurt in the growing part.

Megan could not come to school today because she has been bothered by very close veins.

Chris will not be in school cus he has an acre in his side.

Please excuse Ray Friday from school. He has very loose vowels.

Please excuse Tommy for being absent yesterday. He had diarrhea and his boots leak.

Irving was absent yesterday because he missed his bust.

Please excuse Jimmy for being. It was his father's fault.

I kept Billie home because she had to go Christmas shopping because I don't know what size she wear.

Please excuse Jennifer for missing school yesterday. We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it Monday, we thought it was Sunday.

Sally won't be in school a week from Friday. We have to attend her funeral.

My daughter was absent yesterday because she was tired. She spent a weekend with the Marines.

Please excuse Jason for being absent yesterday. He had a cold and could not breed well.

Please excuse Mary for being absent yesterday. She was in bed with gramps.

Please excuse Burma, she has been sick and under the doctor.

Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho !!!!

I've moved !!!!!

......... to the new Beta Blogger ..... i'm hoping now that I can leave posts on other people's Blogs ... Debbie and Roz ... I haven't been ignoring your blogs, I just haven't been able to post :(

Will go and see if I can now >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Xmas Factor Results (and gossip) ....................

Ok ... to start with ... I nearly had a duck egg ... sorry deb !

My secret santa surprise (David - Year 11) got stage fright !!! OMG, he's the gobbiest teenager that has ever walked this planet ... full of bravado ... and gives me so much hassle its unbelievable ... Anyway, his bottle went at rehearsal tonight and was on his way through the door and going home !! I practically had to sit him to get him to stay and I bribed him with every bribe known to man ... anyway, after I paid him a million compliments and told him that I was gonna make him a star .. he stayed.

So with that traumatic event over on we went for the 'real, live' event ....

We three judges took our places behind the screen and the X-Factor music started .... the next two hours just flew by ..... we judges had our fights .. we were booooooed one minute and then cheered the next ... We introduced our acts and then waved em off !!!

Poor Chris when he got up was shaking from top to toe ... the mic shook, his legs shook and his feet wouldn't stay still ... my heart was pounding for him - anyway thankfully he came across with the goods and was a star !

Bev then came on ..... with my secret santa .... OMG ... David only went and stole the flipping show !!!!!!!! At the end people were standing up cheering him ! He wasn't part of the act, just an 'extra' ... and he stole the show ... the kids from school were chanting his name and the wolf whistles nearly brought the house down !!! I could have cried for him !!! BUT ......... then I couldn't get him OFF the stage - he flipping loved it !!!! With my famous 'dirty looks' going into over-drive, I eventually 'eye' hounded him off !

Next came Hayley my Year 7 and her first solo performance EVER - wow, she was breathtaking. She remembered every line, remembered every 'move' ... and absolutely stole the show ..... hence she won !!!!!!! YAY !!!!!!!!!

My act won the show !!!!!!!!!!!! Hayley has won a trip to a recording studio where she will cut her own disc, a makeover and a photo shoot ... and she will be taken everywhere by limousine !

The three teacher acts all went down a storm - and Steve our Deputy Head couldn't stop laughing when the snow machine went into over drive and completely covered him in snow !!!! It was sooooooo funny - I literally peed my pants laughing !!!

All in all the show was fantastic - everyone commented how professional it was - AND most importantly we raised over £500 for the local hospice !!

Now thats what I call a successful night !!!

Thanks for everyone's good wishes it meant a lot to me xxxxxxxxxxxx

Xmas Factor ... and more !!!

Xmas Factor

Remember my soloist who didn't know the song he was supposed to be singing tomorrow night ..... well he phoned me up tonight, and he knows it .... flipping heck, I am soooooooooooooo relieved !!

Its going to be such a long day tomorrow. Apart from all the covers I am doing in school, we've also got a rehearsal at 2.30 which will probably finish about 4.30 and the show starts at 6.30, so I may as well stay in school finish off a few things and get ready there .... I am sure I am gonna fall asleep sitting on the stage !!!!

Wish me good luck for tomorrow folks - and lets pray that one of MY acts wins the fabby prize thats up for offer - will post about it after tomorrow, just in case one of the kids from school 'happens' to wander into my blog !!!!

Joke of the day - couldn't resist !!!

This Year's First Christmas Joke

Three men died on Christmas Eve and were met by Saint Peter at the pearly gates. "In honor of this holy season" Saint Peter said, "You must each possess
something that symbolizes Christmas to get into heaven."

The first man fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a lighter. He flicked it on. "It represents a candle", he said.

"You may pass through the pearly gates" Saint Peter said.

The second man reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He shook
them and said, "They're bells."

Saint Peter said "You may pass through the pearly gates".

The third man started searching desperately through his pockets and finally pulled out a pair of women's panties.

St. Peter looked at the man with a raised eyebrow and asked,"And just what do those symbolize?

The man replied," "These are Carols."

Carole's - get it ???? ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

And So The Holiday Season Begins....

Sarahscards Retreat !!

Wow, I almost .... please note I said almost ... forgot to post about it !!!

Well, what a day !

Lianne and I arrived to be greeted by the most adorable church hall. It was all beautifully laid out with the first kit all ready at each place, a goody bag on each chair, a mug for drinks and a bottle of water for as and when we needed a drink. The place just looked amazing !

On to the first class, which was a stunning canvas book being taught by JulieM. I couldn't believe it, but she had even die-cut all the tiny little pieces ready for us and the major pieces of card had been cut down ready for scoring/cutting etc., The class lasted two hours and the end result was a truly stunning book. I'd never made one before, but having experienced Julie's expert tuition, I know I'll be making many more of them - well I know I will because I've already received an order for one !!!

We then broke for lunch ... OMG ... the food was delicious - homemade potato and leek soup with huge chunks of crusty bread ... followed by chilli, baked spud and heaps of salad. After this, I couldn't move and I could not have eaten another thing if my life depended on it ... BUT ... for dessert there was the most amazing selection of homemade cakes with tea and coffee - gorgeous !!

The second class was an exploding box which was taught by Kirsty. She used the most fabulous bright Crate papers and matching bazzill cardstock for the class. The instructions were fabulous and we were soon whizzing through the project. Again, the outcome was a stunning exploding box ... which I've already had requests to make for people in school.

The third and last class was a star book which was taught by JaniD. Again, the kit was ready and Jan had cut out most of the pieces for us to save us assembling time. Again, under fantastic tuition we managed to complete the most delightful Christmas star book ever !!! and .... yet again, i've already received two requests from teachers in school for them !!!

I'll be crafting every night until Chritmas now !!!

Anyway, following Jan's class there was time for some shopping !!! I managed to pick up Lianne's Biffday present (18th Dec - she'll go mad for me telling ya but who cares) .... and some other bits and pieces.

I truly went home a happy bunny that night - I'd met so many people that I'd been dying to meet - Roz especially because she's on a couple of design teams with me ... and the bonus was in meeting Heather as well. I couldn't believe it, but Pauline (Keltikween) was brought up in the same road as my Aunt and Uncle in Scotland - what a bloody small world eh ?!!!

Anyway, to those lucky enough to be going to Sarah's next retreat - you will have a ball !!! Oh, and a word of advice .... don't eat for at least 3 days before you go !!!

Thanks to Sarah and her team for a fabulous, well-organised retreat - it was cool !!!!!

Goodbyes and Hellos ..... and more !

Goodbyes

Yesterday I said goodbye to Joanne. I think i'd worked myself up into a state all last week because I hadn't felt that I'd said goodbye and paid my respects.

Well, what a funeral ! We laughed, we cried, we laughed again ... it was exactly as Jo would have wanted, and it WAS what she wanted - as she had planned it all herself - except for the slide show which Anita had organised .... honestly, I'll never forget Jo's swimming cap, I'm still chucklin' now !!!

So now I've said my goodbye and I feel the burden of that has been lifted. So long my lovely friend ... until we meet again xxx

Hellos

Now ......... onto the hello's !

Since Jo passed away, I have realised just how many true friends I have made through crafting. So many people have entered my life ... all from different walks of life, and from different parts of the world ... isn't it just absolutely bloody amazing ??

The amount of friends I have made via UKS has been astounding. It really is like a family on there. Ok, there can be friction at times and I'm not saying its all rosy and glowy (if there is such a word - if not, i've made a new word, and I own the copyright) ... BUT ... when someone is in the shit, or is upset or something tragic to them has happened - then the whole UKS community unites ... and THAT is what makes UKS such a special place.

More

Well, I pre-empted the heating situation a tad ... the day after I posted that it was up and running etc., the sodding thing broke down ... anyway, today the heating engineer came back, and we're up and running and cosy and warm again !!

Xmas Factor

Had a rehearsal this afternoon with two of my three contenders. WOW WOW WOW !!! My lovely year 7 Hayley is singing Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and she sounds fantastic !! I just had to get her to move around a little bit, because our stage at school is gigantic, and she would have looked a bit daft just standing there pounding out this fab song .... she was a bit uncomfortable at first with it all, but once I sung it and 'moved' a bit to show her what I wanted - she was fine !!!

Then Beverley - who is singing Santa Baby ... well WOW WOW WOW x 100. The girl is gifted and has talent ... and blurdy hell ... can the girl move !!! Wait until she sees the blow up Santa i've ordered for her performance ... I'm sure she's gonna end up pole dancing around him !!!!

We have a full dress rehearsal tomorrow night, so I'll let you all know how it goes !

JOKE - sorry i've not posted one for ages

A man walked into a pub with an Ostrich and a Pussy Cat.

He walked up the the bar and said "Beer for me, beer for the ostrich, whisky for the cat".

They found a table, sat down and drank their drinks.

Next it was the ostrichs round. He walked up to the bar and said "Beer for me, beer for the man, whisky for the cat".

He took the drinks back to the table and they drank them.

When it was the Cat's turn to buy, he told them to "Fuck off!"

So the man went back to the bar and said "Beer for me, beer for the ostrich and whisky for the cat".

The Barman was curious about this and said "I notice that you and the ostrich have both bought a round but the cat hasn't. Why is this?". The man replied, "I helped a little old lady across the road, and she turned out to be my Fairy Godmother. She granted me one wish"."What did you wish for?" said the Barman.

"I wished for a long legged bird with a tight pussy!"