Ooops - again !

Gosh its been a while since I last blogged.

Photographs are of the acrylic album i've just made mainly using Bo Bunny and Tinkering Ink papers, grungeboard, flourish stamps, bling, blooms and other things !


Sooooooooo...... what does your name mean - Carole means ....??


You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life.

You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you.

At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.



You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.

You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.

Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.



You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.

You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.

At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Anyway, have a lovely day xx

Tagged and DT work

Just before Christmas, I was sent a fabby DT kit from Angela and Angel Crafts. It contained the most beautiful Rouge de Garance papers .. and believe me, I really didn't want to cut into them.

Anyway, I got Christmas out of the way, and the following work is what I managed to achieve with the kit - a Birthday card and card holder, another card and a layout of my gorgeous Sophiekins ... isn't she just adorable ?!!

Anyway, i've been tagged by Willow (you must check out her blog to see not only her fantastic work, but also her incredible tattoos )!!!

Rules

Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, we all want to know them. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog1:

1. I love the colour pink and red
2. I'm a mad Liverpool supporter
3. I love WWE wrestling, in particular the Undertaker
4. I'm a union rep
5. I had a famous uncle, but he's passed away now.
6. I always wanted to be an actress
7. I used to be quite adept at playing the piano and guitar

I will tag :- (will come back to it tomorrow)

Merry Christmas

.......... and a Happy New Year to everyone xxxxxxxxx

Christmas is Creeping up on us ........

Here's a selection of 'envelope' cards that I've been making from the Figgy Pudding kit that Jo at Scrappydo's sent for me to play with !

The ribbons I used were from Lianne @ Little Silver Hat ... Talking of LSH (little silver hat) - wait until you see their December kit .. .if you have a spare minute have a look at this months kit - it is without doubt one of the lushest blingiest christmas kits ever !

I also made the XMAS wall hanging and altered a Kaizer wood tag book using the Figgy Pudding. The Basic Grey chipboard and stickers are fabulous to use, and save so much time in covering, sanding and inking.

Growing Up

My boy hit 12 on Thursday. I know I keep saying this, but where is the time going ? I'm missing some of his years ... did I blink and someone stole a couple of years from me ?? Well if they did, I want them back.

Christmas

I am nowhere near ready. No sirree, not even close to getting ready. I have Aaron's main present, my mums more or less sorted, and thats it. I'm going to cop out this year, and send money/vouchers to the kids I normally buy for. I'll make them a nice card for it to go in though ... dya think that will easy my conscience ??!!!!! LOL !

RIP Diane xx

Your battle is over and I hope you are now at peace.

My heart is breaking and I'm missing you already. You're my hero. xx

Diane:- 1963-2007

Education must change

When oh when will the government give those working in education the powers back to discipline pupils ??

To me anyway, discipline begins at home. I expect good manners and thoughtfulness from my son (and husband). Manners are manners and as the old saying goes 'manners cost nothing'.

Who is the idiot in government who allowed pupils to laugh in the face of teaching staff, refuse to do any work whatsoever, and then when disciplined - take it to a higher level so that the teacher is then in trouble for disciplining the child ??? Is it the Heads fault ? Is there that much pressure on Heads from the government, that they have taken 'inclusion' to this extreme ??

Its madness. Sheer and utter madness.

Having had reason to discipline three disruptive pupils this week - yesterday I was 'officially spoken to' by my Head of Department. In two of the incidents, pupils were removed from the class for being disruptive, and in the third incident a Prefect refused to do any work .... and I am being 'officially' spoken to ?????? Why ? For disciplining pupils !!!!!!!!

FFS what is this world coming to ?

When are the government going to realise what is going on in the teaching profession and give teaching staff the right back to punish these disruptive kids ?? What is going to happen when they go out into the big world out there and start working ??? What will happen when these kids start fighting and abusing their work colleagues ? Who will be to blame then ....


Oh yes - the schools !

I rest my case. Sermon over. Anyone got any jobs going ??

Weekend Away

Last weekend, I went away with a group of like-minded crafters and friends, to the Lake District in a beautiful Manor House.

I haven't laughed so much in a very long time.

The talent on show was utterly amazing, friendships were forged, fingertips sliced and sides were split.

For a look at some fabby pics from the weekend, take a looksie here !!

Catch y'all soon !

The things kids say ....

I arrived at Lianne's the other day to be greeted by Sophiekins chatting away to 'Baby Pingi'. Baby Pingi goes everywhere with her, and I mean everywhere ! I was laughing to Lianne about the way she just natters away telling Baby Pingi everything ... and we were discussing how funny it is the way kids all of a sudden just get this huge vocabulary of words out of nowhere.

Lianne was saying that the evening before, her and Sophiekins were discussing her play zoo and about the times they've visited the zoo. Sophie was saying that she loved the elephants (she loves everything at the moment) and that she also loves the giraffe's ... Lianne asked her was there anything else she loved at the zoo and she said yes, she really loves the chicken sneeze. Lianne said to her "chicken sneeze "? and Sophie started laughing and said "Yes, the chicken sneeze make me laugh".

After thinking about it for a while ....... Lianne realised that chicken sneeze was ...............



the chimpanzees !!!!!
I must say, I haven't laughed so heartily in such a long time !!! Heh heh heh ... chicken sneeze .... Jeez, i'm laughing again !!!

Kids eh ?

Ooops - bad bad Blogger !!

Seems I haven't blogged for a while !!!!

So much has gone on the last few weeks that I'm only just catching up on myself ..

I've had man flu ... yes it WAS man flu honestly ! Not that i've changed sex, or ever wish to god almighty what a thought ... eeek imagine have a 'man bit' nooooo yeuch, gross yicky !!! Anyway, I digress ... I had man flu for weeks and weeks and weeks - well 3 all in. What a bummer, I was good for nothing, missed out on heaps and more importantly missed out on the UKS 5th Biffday Party cybercrop. Thankfully tho its being run over 3 weekends, and I have now caught up with most of the classes and challenges - well those I knew I could get done quickly within the timeframe.

The two pictures above, are the Mystery Kit challenge and the Pre-crop challenge. The mystery kit is literally what it is. A pizza box full of stash and you have to make what you can with it - I made the wall hanging (sorry for the crap photo, but i'm struggling to get a good one of it) .........

The party shoes are my pre-crop challenge entry.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOTE FOR ME THEN PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DO SO .... I WON'T STOP YOU I PROMISE .. JUST GO TO UKS GALLERY AND SEARCH either for my name or for my team Jiggly Jellies and find me there !!! Thank you xxxxxxxx

Anyway ........... I am now driving myself mad by the amount of times I use the word anyway ... it is just sooooooooooooo annoying, I must stop it ....

Good news on the health front - my blood pressure has come down massively - well the top line has, the bottom one needs a bit more work - but at least i'm heading in the right direction.

Can't wait for the North West Breast Cancer booby crop tomorrow !!!! I am soooo excited. Cherry and Bevvie are, as we speak, driving up here now and of course chaos will reign upon their arrival. Stewart calls them the 'gruesome twosome' and Aaron is in a permanent state of shock the whole time they are here. They enliven and enrich my life so very much and I am so very lucky to have them as friends.

Well, thats about it for now ... could I ask that you all keep your 'things' crossed for Saturday as we have another viewer at the 'old' house and it would answer all my prayers if this buyer buys !!

REMEMBER: If at first you don't succeed, redefine success. :)

Love to you all xxxxxxxx (well whoever is reading this apart from me) !!

My baby's gone ..... to High School !!

Well today was Aaron's first day at High School. He was up early, excited and apprehensive. He was straight in the shower, dressed and ready for the off by near enough 7am !!!! He even ate his coco pops in his blazer - PML !!

I must confess to having sobbed my ickle heart out this morning ... and worried about him all day. Thankfully tho, he is home and hasn't been bullied, didn't get lost, met up with friends and ate a hearty lunch.

He has however, come home as a young man. His whole attitude seems to have changed in one day .... he took his uniform off as soon as he got home, prepared his school bag for tomorrow and has demanded his tea !!

I'm sure i've blinked and missed some of his important formative years ... where has the time gone ??? I love this boy so much that at times my heart could break. I have so many dreams and wishes for him - the main one being that he grows up confident and independent - yet how does he become these things if I don't cut off the apron strings or at least loosen them ?

Its hard being a parent - but I wouldn't have it any other way ...

Love to all you parents out there xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Most Excellent News Update

The wonderful DC who has been working on our case has just phoned. They have arrested and charged our burglar. He is going to court this week.

It turns out that it was his first burglary offence. He left home after disagreements with his partner and ended up in a Salvation home. While there he got in with two 'burglars with a record' ... whilst wandering around the streets during the day - they spotted our empty house ... and decided to come back one night and rob the copper.

When they actually got in and realised there were all the boxes here - they thought it was all their birthday's and christmases rolled into one - and took OUR belongings instead. :(

As the Police only have evidence for the one burglar, they can only bring in the other two, question them and caution them because there is no conclusive evidence that they were here except from the word of the burglar.

They're going to seek compensation, however as the man arrested hasn't got two ha'pennies to rub together ... I won't hold my breath on getting it.

Our lovely DC did say though that he is absolutely full of remorse and will probably never burgle again .... thank god .... and the other two who committed the offence weren't even from this area, and were only here because there wasn't a Salvation Army place for them anywhere else. They've now been moved completely out of the area - but will definitely be questioned and cautioned.

Halleluya !!!!!!!!!! :lol: I want to jump from the rooftops !!!

I really can't say enough about the service and kindness we have had from the Rochdale Police force... everyone involved in our case - from the two constables who arrived here on the morning of the break-in up, the lady from Forensics and the DCs .... have all been so kind and professional.

I'm buzzing - absolutely blurdy buzzing ! I KNOW they won't be back ... and I can be happy and safe in my beautiful home !!! YAY !!!!!!!!!

Once again ... thank you to everyone for all your kindness, concern and thoughtfulness shown to Stewart, Aaron and myself - we can't ever thank you enough. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I promise, I won't mention any of this again .... i'm sure you're all bored stupid now ... in fact, I might even start my jokes again !!!!

"The Shrine"

Some photographs of Aaron's bedroom. Unfortunately, its pretty bleak outside, so the photographs haven't come out as bright as they should have.

The posters aren't all up yet ... and his 'touch' Anfield plaque still needs to be put up - but we're seriously considering having it put up on the staircase so that when we all walk down the stairs we can 'touch' it !!! :)

I've done some work - yay !!!!

The layouts were made using the DT kit from Little Silver Hat ... I'm not a purple lover normally, but honestly ... I can't get enough of this kit - i've even been looking for more purple papers - which is just not me ! Lianne really does have a fab colour sense - she can combine colours that I wouldn't even dream of putting together. The quality of the ribbons is always exceptional - and Lianne offers a paper matching service - i mean how cool is that !!!!

The cards were made for Sarahscards. She very kindly asked me to 'guest' for her using her brand new released Card Kits. You have just got to check these out .... talk about great value for money - but not only that ... the kits are exciting and refreshing. The quality is typical for Sarah .. but believe me when I say - i've not used this type of quality blank card for a very long time. Included in the kit is heaps of 6x12 bazzill, 6x12 patterned paper (American Crafts - Play), 3-d foam, ribbons, buttons, flowers ... i can't remember what else - but i know that after making 15 cards, I still have stash left. I've tried not to 'add' anything to the cards from my own stash - but just show what is in the kit.

It really has been great crafting again ... I feel as if my life is now 'back to normal' and everything else is in the past.

Bella's

The lovely Kezza from UKS very kindly sent me a heap of stamped Bella's for me to try out - wow, they're fabby !!! I have spent nearly 4 hours just sitting and painting ... and I feel well chilled out .... watch out for my Bella cards !! Thanks again Kerrie xxx

New School for my Boy

Well Aaron starts High School in in 3 days ... he is getting really excited. His uniform is ready .. all his shirts and trousers are pressed, we've bought new sox and boxers ... his blazaer and tie are waiting for him ...... and we've had to buy over £150 worth of shoes, trainers and footie boots because he's grown a size - again !!!!!!!!!!!

How does it happen ???? Why do feet grow without any warning .... when did shops stop selling half sizes ? I am going to bind his feet Chinese style so that he can't grow anymore.

At the beginning of this year, I swear he was a size 3 ..... he's now a size 5 - two sizes in one year ???? Is that normal ... has my boy got 'alien' feet .... I'm stressing over feet now ... his feet look enormous !!

However, on the bright side .. he takes the same size as me now - so I can borrow his 'hip and trendy' trainers and look as if I'm 'with it' !!!

Dya think at my age i'd get away with it ??? Mwah ha ha ha ha !

Catch y'all soon ........... hugs 'n' snogs xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Good News !

The Police have been in touch and they have a suspect !

They're taking 'him' in for questioning today. Fingers crossed its our guy !

Settling In ..... and Stuff !

Aaron is home now from Scotland thank goodness. I truly hate him going away ... gawd knows what I'm going to be like if/when he ever goes to University !! I will be totally inconsolable !

We collected him from my mums on Monday, and brought him home. He was totally gobsmacked by his new Liverpool bedroom (aka "the shrine") and it really did help take his mind off the robbery. We'd invited two of his friends to stay that night, and all in all .. and despite the fact they were all still laughing and chatting at 1.30 in the morning .... I think he did really well his first night. HOWEVER .............

Tuesday dawned ... and so did the mail ..... and so did the packages.

The wonderful people of UKS had sent cards and gifts for Aaron and myself. There was a fabulous 'popper' book for both Aaron and I. There was playstation games, books and DVDs. All the while Aaron was opening these gifts, he just kept saying "why would strangers send me these things when they don't know me" .... he was totally overwhelmed by people's kindness and generosity.

The sentiments held within the cards and messages I have received have really helped keep me strong. I'm not a pessimist by nature, but even I was struggling to find the goodness in a break-in ... yet, my many friends have given me a reason for believing in good again - and for that, I can't thank everyone enough.

There are heaps of people I need to thank ... but I have promised them that I won't do it publically, so ... to all of those wonderful people who know who they are .... thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Barstewards !

On Sunday we had moved loads of boxes up to the new house in order that we could get a free spare room to put 'not important' stuff in ... so we emptied Aaron's room of boxes ... and my craft boxes that had been packed ... and took them to the new house.

We then spent the rest of the day putting up curtain poles, curtains and running backwards and forwards for more loops and curtain hooks ... by tea time we were physically knackered .. locked up and went back to 'hillcrest'.

Arrived at 'new' house on Monday morning to discover that we had been broken into We were met by utter chaos. We couldn't even get into the house because they'd jammed up commodes against the inside door (the elderly couple who lived in the house previously had a wide and varied collection of commodes) .... Honestly, you couldn't write this stuff ....

We managed to get the door open and were met by total carnage All my craft boxes were tipped up all over the ground floor of the house. Boxes of beads had been deliberately emptied and strewn everywhere (each box of beads was approx £100 worth) and I had 9 boxes ... rubber stamps everywhere .... papers trodden over ... absolute carnage ... I went upstairs, and all Aaron's room had been trashed .. everything pulled out their cuboards (that had already been sorted out) ... they'd stolen his books, videos, DVDs, playstation games, PS2 games .... hockey stick(which as worth £100 on its own) ... and worse than anything .. they'd stolen his brand new cricket bag .. containing all his cricket gear. His wicket keep gloves alone are worth £35.

The Police arrived within 20 mins and were absolutely fantastic ... the forensics came at lunch time and again, they were brilliant. Our new neighbours were in a total state of shock because nothing like this has ever happened. (sods law it had to happen to us).

Anyway, the Insurance doesn't start on the new house until Saturday (our proper moving in date) and the Insurance at 'hillcrest' won't cover it either despite numerous phone calls from me checking every nook and cranny in the contract. The alarm was cut so that never went off. A neighbour opposite heard banging and smashing and looked out but couldn't see anything - the huge bushes in the garden hid her view ... so we're stuffed ... absolutely stuffed.

Thankfully none of the large stuff had been brought to the house .. but neverthless, with Aarons stuff and my stash, we've lost thousands and of course Stewart and I are absolutely devastated.

I'm not bothered about my stuff, I had too much stash anyway - but why steal from a kid, the bastards knew it was a kid they were robbing from ... a lot of what has been stolen are things that Aaron had saved up for himself - and why trash the place ?? Whats with that ... surely stealing from someone is enough heartache without trashing someone's home ? It beggars belief.

Having had a couple of days to calm down - i'm now just thankful that no-one got hurt. All Aaron's belongings can be replaced over time .. and lets be honest, kids these days get and have so much stuff anyway.

We've now got the home contents insurance sorted and today the alarm fitters are arriving to install a complete new system that no-one will be able to hack.

I'd also like to say thanks to the very many people on UKS, Canny and SCS who have pm'd me, emailed me and telephoned me to let me know that they are thinking of my family and I. Knowing that people are thinking and praying for us has touched us deeply. Thank you.

Hugs 'n' snogs to you all xxxxxxx

I am moving !!!

Unfortunately our 'old' house hasn't sold yet *insert sad smiley* ... as our buyers have gone AWOL. We haven't heard from them in nearly 6 weeks despite having paid for a full survey and all the searches. *insert another sad smiley*

However ... we were offered our 'new house' two weeks ago and we've been in there decorating it ready for the great move next week. To say i've been stressed is an understatement !!! We were supposed to be moving this weekend, but our new carpets can't get fitted until a week today and we therefore can't move in any of the big furniture until this is done.

We've had to empty Aaron's bedroom for now (thankfully everything in his room can be taken down) and he is now sleeping on a fold out camp bed - which he thinks is an adventure !!! The loft is emptied, and despite sorting through it all and chucking, tipping and free-cycling heaps and heaps ... the remainder still takes up every spare space upstairs !

Aaron is going up to Scotland with my mum this weekend, so it at least means we can fold up his camp bed and move 'non-essentials' in there so that we can start taking apart wardrobes etc in anticipation of the move ....

Anyway, its a nightmare and I never wanna move again .... So without further delay .... some photos of our new house. Please ignore the garden because it is completely overgrown ... once we've sold the 'old' house, we're going to have it completely landscaped and made 'pretty' !

I've been tagged again .. but internationally tagged, if you don't mind !!!!

So to those people I am about to tag ... you need to read what you have to do here ...

So .......... i'm going to tag ...........................

I've been around the world ... so hopefully, you have linked to my tag and have followed me here. If you have ... thank you very much. Please collect your tag and pass on your PIF/RAK or Happy Mail as instructed.

Hey ....... imagine everyone in the world receiving Happy Mail ... how cool is that ?!!!!!!

Yippeee Yooooooooooooooo ! I've been tagged !!

YAY !!!!!!!!! I've seen them on EVERYBODY'S (and I mean everybody's Blog)...... but I've never been tagged with one .... up until my mate Roz tagged me wiv it .....

It may not seem much to the average-normal-streetwise person ... but I was feeling a little neglected ....... nay ........... if I'm honest .......... and I'm gonna be right honest here ................ I was feeling paranoid !!!!!

Anyway, less of my nutty ramblings ........... I've got one now .......... so if you haven't got one

Na na na na na !!!!!!!!!!!!! Only kidding !!!!!!!! So, have YOU got one ?? If not, please post here and I promise that I will come and tag you - you have my word. I couldn't live with myself knowing that you are going through the same feelings that I WAS going through until I got my pink Rocking Girl Blogger badge.

Roz - you're the bestest bloggy mate EVA !!!!!!!!!! Love, hugs 'n' snogs to all my bloggy friends - you gals (and guys if you're reading) are the best !!!!

Rock on !

School Holidays - yippeee yooooooo !!!!!!!!!

Well, its the start of the school holidays ... and I've managed to get a couple of layouts done using the fabulous sarahscards monthly kit. I've also used up some 'bits and pieces' to try and get the mountain of stash down - yeah yeah !!!
Holidays
We were hoping that if the house sold quickly (our buyers have a family problem and we've not heard from them for 3 weeks - so i'm flapping) then we would hop on a flight to Canada ... and go and see as many of my Canadian scrapping pals as possible. Anyway, we've put the house back on the market (just in case it has definitely fallen through) and I'm doing a 'drop in' club at school instead.
I know I know .. glutton for punishment ... but it will help the new Year 11's to catch up with coursework and/or get some one on one help if they need it. I'm running the club on a Tuesday and Wednesday morning 9am-12 ... so fingers crossed that someone turns up to it !!!
Scotland
Aaron will be going up to Scotland with my mum at some point. I had tried to put her off driving and hinted at her to get the train instead .. .but she's insistent that she's driving. Driving in a car with my mother is like driving with Lewis Hamilton around a GP track ... the last time I was in a car with her she was doing 90mph ... and then she tells me off when I go over 30mph in a 40mph zone - I can't win .... Anyway, I hate him going with my mum for their yearly 'jolly' to Scotland. The house is too quiet ... and I miss his company dreadfully. I suppose I just hate letting go of him - but he's mine and I lubs him .... will see what happens anyway ... yer never know, the trip 'might' get cancelled.
Cricket
Aaron's cricket team won their first tournament on Sunday. It was an all-day affair, and there were 8 teams altogether in the tournament. He was absolutely buzzing as he managed to 'stump' out (????) two players, and his first 'four' .... not sure what it all means, but he's well chuffed about it all !!!! YAY !!!!!!!!!!
Sorting Out
I have too many clothes .... I don't just mean I have too many ... I mean, i now have nowhere else to put them. Why have I got about 100 t-shirts ?? When will I wear them ? Why do I hoard the ones I don't wear ..... Why have I got about 40 jackets, when at least half of them are too small, and even if I do 'slim' into them ... will I wear them ? No. So its all going. Over these holidays, I am determined to 'downsize' my clothes. I might just keep one or two for 'old times sake' .... but honestly, the rest are going to the charity shop ... I promise !!

I hope everyone going on their jolly holly's have a fab, safe time. xx

School Reports & SAT Results

*blows nose*

I've just got Aarons Year 6 school report and SATs results.

I am just so very proud of him that I want to shout it out from the roof tops !!!

English - Level 5
Maths - Level 5
Science - Level 4A (with a note that he was 1 mark off a Level 5)

He's such a quiet, shy boy who lives in the shadow of his gobby mother. He enjoys life to the full and crams in as many sports as possible - yet still manages to do all his homework and extension work - AND often does more research without complaining.

The comments that his teacher and Head have put in his report have reduced me to tears and I am a jibbering wreck.

I am such a proud mum tonight, and i'm filled with that much love that I think I am going to explode !!!

Layout (above)

The Nooby Boobie (my team on UKS) challenge for July. We had to scrap an achievement using more than one photograph, more than three patterned papers AND had to have a song title as the title.