Not a good buddy to have?

that's the theme this week over at Crafting Buddies.. of course, I wouldn't trade my little buddy for the world!

She's our brand new kitten just 13 weeks old this week.. boy, is she lively!! I didn't know kittens climbed curtains!!

I would prefer if she didn't use my legs as a ladder to climb up and sit behind me on the computer chair, chase my childrens toes or try and grab pens whilst I'm trying to colour!! 

Smudge has filled a little gap in our lives that we didn't even know was there until she filled it.. we ALL love her to bits!

My poor Atc's... thank goodness they were already in their little protective sleeves before being sat upon!

approvals officer Smudge on duty!

~♥♥♥~

L O N G day today!

Today is lasting forever!! When will it ever get to 3pm!!!

First day of school for my little man and bestest friend..

Goodness knows how you were dressed and ready on time this morning after so many late nights! Bed soon tonight!

A lot to carry this morning... you looked lost when I left you!

awe my lovely you looked scared!

The sun is shining today! I hope you get to play out and run around and find Katie from Nursery!!

-xxx-

The Simple Woman's Daybook

 FOR TODAY Friday, 26th August 2011

Outside my window... black clouds and rain


I am thinking... will my family be okay tomorrow while I leave them for 12 hours!

From the kitchen... wafts of chicken roasting

I am wearing... blue jeans and a t-shirt


I am creating... absolutely nothing :-( unless you count the mountain in my waste paper basket!

I am going... to Kate Crane's art journaling class at Art From The Heart tomorrow! It's been booked since July.. can't believe it's actually tomorrow!

I am reading... Harry Potter.. The Goblet of Fire to DS1.. still! (almost finished!)

I am hoping... everyone is still friends when I return home

I am hearing...  The Penguins of Madagascar on tv.. they all hilarious! My 4 yr old is sat transfixed!

Around the house... newspaper all over the floor while our new furbaby litter trains

One of my favorite things... just sitting and watching our new little furball.. and seeing the smiles on everyones faces.. it's only her 3rd day with us and already she has brought so much joy to our household

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Harrogate! I'M GOING TO HARROGATE!!


Here are some pictures I am sharing...

Sorry it's a bit blurred.. it's impossible to get a steady photo of pussball while she's awake! She just loves Tom's bead frame!

.......... and my other little munchkin that refused to sleep in his bed last night!

    awe!!!! why do they have to grow up!!

I am linking my post to August's The Simple Woman's Daybook 

Fancy playing along? These pages are always great to look back on!

Thank you for calling.. Have a super weekend.

 Gez  

-x-

One year ago today..

our darling Mr Glenn went to the stars.. one year on and my little world has been tipped upside down again.. remembering Mr Glenn today with fond memories of long happy days that I thought would last forever.... can't believe it's all over..

Always in our hearts...

The Creation
When God had made the earth and sky the flowers and the trees, He then made all the animals the fish, the birds and bees. And when at last He'd finished not one was quite the same. He said, "I'll walk this world of mine   and give each one a name." And so He traveled far and wide and everywhere He went, a little creature followed Him until it's strength was spent. When all were named upon the earth and in the sky and sea, the little creature said, "Dear Lord, there's not one left for me." Kindly the Father said to him, "I've left you to the end. I've turned my own name back to front and called you dog, My friend."

-x-

I'm praying Mr Glenn was waiting at Rainbow Bridge with my Mum looking out for my Dad. 

I miss them all so much my heart is broken..

The Simple Woman's Daybook

 FOR TODAY Thursday, 19th August 2011

Outside my window... pitch black with stars.. it's 1am.. I can't sleep!


I am thinking... why did I have to loose my Dad so soon after my Mum.. :-(

From the kitchen... CLOSED

I am wearing... scruffies


I am creating... can't tell.. it's TOP SECRET!

I am going... to loose it soon.. DS1 is pressing ALL my buttons and he knows it :-(

I am reading... Harry Potter.. The Goblet of Fire to DS1.. still! (almost finished!)


I am hoping... I daren't hope for anything right now.. 

I am hearing...  snoring!

Around the house... Sympathy cards and beautiful flowers.. I feel very touched.

One of my favorite things... at the moment.. the colours of wool I am using to make a crochet blanket that I can just pick up and work on for 5 mins.. (will add pic in the morning!)

A few plans for the rest of the week:  trying not to think about them..


Here are some pictures I am sharing... 

I alway believe there are many lessons to be learnt by stopping and taking the time to spend some quality time with Mother nature.. she has lots of lessons to teach us.. just look at these little ladybirds..

  LOOK where they live!

These photographs really speak to me and let me know there is hope in the world.. even if I don't feel any right now..

~♥♥♥~

 

I am linking my post to August's The Simple Woman's Daybook 

Fancy playing along? These pages are always great to look back on!

Thank you for calling..

 Gez  

-x-

The Simple Woman's Daybook

 FOR TODAY Tuesday, 9th August 2011

Outside my window... blue skies, white fluffy clouds & a faint sun


I am thinking... why do I still look at the clock every evening expecting my Dad's usual call to let me know he is okay?

From the kitchen... lots of washing up awaiting my attention!!

I am wearing... outside clothes.. I haven't had chance to change


I am creating... a surprise for an online event coming soon!!

I am going... back to the dreaded hospital to collect a certificate of death tomorrow and then to the Register Office....

I am reading... Harry Potter.. The Goblet of Fire to DS1.. still! (almost finished!)


I am hoping... I won't have changed too much when life settles down again..

I am hearing... the sounds of Super Mario Galaxy!

Around the house... Sympathy cards everywhere..

One of my favorite things... at the moment.. the colours of wool I am using to make a crochet blanket that I can just pick up and work on for 5 mins.. that helps me to forget everything that I've got to get organised...

A few plans for the rest of the week:  can't bare to think about it.. altho I do have an hair appointment.. I'm thinking of going short??


Here are some pictures I am sharing...

MY WONDERFUL BRAVE DAD

Christmas Day in hospital.. 2009

~♥♥♥~

 

I am not linking my post to August's The Simple Woman's Daybook 

but please click on link to pop over..

 Gez  

-x-

21st July 2011

 21st July 2011

Outside my window... darkness, it's 4.30am 

I am thinking... how I don't want the phone to ring today ever..

I am thankful for... my Dad being made more comfortable

From the kitchen... it's CLOSED...

I am wearing...   PJ's and slippers 

I am creating... a mess and getting no where fast! Apart from filling the waste paper basket!

I am going... to have to tell my 4yr old his gramps has gone to the stars sometime soon :(

I am reading... Harry Potter.. The Goblet of Fire to DS1.. still! 

I am hoping... my Dad isn't frightened and that he knows I love him.. and Mr T has a good last day at Nursery..

I am hearing... nothing but the computer whirring..

Around the house... signs of happy children! .. paintings and drawings and Lego!

One of my favorite things... snugs from my 3 angels

A few plans for the rest of the week: catch up on some sleep.. empty my Dad's fridge a.s.a.p, find his address book and ring everyone in there.. not going to be easy..


Here is a picture I am sharing...

my angel pie  

I'm not linking my post to July's Simple Woman's Daybook but here is the link to July's book if you wish to pop over.. Simple Woman's Daybook

♥ Gez.xx

Wish I was here!

It's the end of a very, very busy week here.. I just wanted to say Thanks, for everyone's lovely comments regarding my SIL.. it is a very worrying time for my family.. thank you for being there..Xxx

I've a photograph I just had to share with you all.. 

My daughter returned home safely from Italy last Friday.. it was a very tense time waiting for news of her flight landing safely! 

This week we have been snatching bits of time here and there to look at her 800+ photographs!

We've only got as far as day 3 so far!!!

oooh... would you just look at those little Italian tomatoes!! 

I could just pick one to eat ;-)

 click & click again.. to enlarge!

Look at that beautiful blue sky too!!! .. Mt Vesuvius is there in the background across Naples Bay.. 

What I would give to be on that beach right now!!

Thank you for calling and for your wonderful cyber friendship. I promise to call soon. I am so looking forward to sharing an art journal page with you that I made today.. I've found my groove again!!!

Wishing you all a beautiful weekend. Love and hugs, Gez.xx

Day 8

 Rome and Home!

OOOOOOOOOH!!!! I'm going to have to sit on my hands TODAY!!!!!!!!

DD due home very late tonight!!!!

Thank You to everyone that's joined me this week and left comments.Xx

Day 7

The Island of Vulcano. If you’ve read Roman mythology you’ll be familiar with Thermessa or Vulcano. It was the abode of Vulcan, the Roman God of Fire, and also the entrance to Hades. It is a volcanic island and Thucydides, Siculus and Aristotle have recorded eruptions.

 It's where the word volcano comes from.. I have been informed.

Spectacular!

Mud bath and quading biking cross country if they have chance this afternoon!

Day 6

Already? Really, hope it's not going to fast for my DD.

♥Etna Summit Day♥

Not sure DD's team will make it up there today..
 

Mt. Etna was looking pretty active yesterday
 

...de-gasing

KEEPING MY FINGERS & TOES.. EVERYTHING ELSE

CROSS FOR YOU MY DARLING XXX

~♥♥♥~

Day 5

No rest for some people! My daughter spent last night on an over-night ferry to the Mediterranean Island of Sciliy.

She set off from Naples Harbour at 20:00 hrs. The ferry was expected to arrive at Palermo Harbour at 06:00.

Just hoping she managed some sleep!

Palermo's harbour is one of the most ancient in the Mediterranean.

No time to stop! DD has a 4 hour coach transfer to Zafferana Flanks today at Mt Etna.

I'm not green, I'm not green, I'm not green!!!!!!

Day 4

Transfer day today.. as DD waves good-bye to Sorrento she heads further south to Positano and a tour along the Almalfi Coast.

After settling in it's time for a coastal walk along the limestone cliffs and a visit to the Emerald Grotto.

The Grotto dello Smeraldo is a spectacular sea cavern located in the Conca dei Marini and is known as the 'Emerald Grotto', getting its name from the rich green colour of its pretty sandy floor. Reached by either boat or bus, the Grotto dello Smeraldo is one sight not to miss and inside you will discover some huge stalagmites and stalactites. 

Another highlight of my daughter's trip!

(I still can't get over the fee for parking a coach for the day! £900)

Day 3

Day 3 already?! Today my daughter is visiting Herculaneum an ancient Roman town destroyed by volcanic pyroclastic flows AD 79.

It is most famous for having been lost, along with Pompeii, Stabiae and Oplontis, in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius beginning on August 24, AD 79, which buried them in superheated pyroclastic material that has solidified into volcanic tuff.

Pyroclastic flow..doesn't mean a thing to me but I know my daughter will be happy to see some IRL!

Today also sees my daughter visiting Solfatara a shallow volcanic crater at Pozzuoli near Naples (part of the Campi Flegrei volcanic area. Solfatara is a dormant volcano, which still emits jets of steam with sulphurous fumes.

Looks spectacular!

Day 2

To say I'm a little worried about my daughter today is an understatement. I know she will feel very emotional today visiting Pompeii and her first volcano of the trip.. Vesuvius.. 

I am so looking forward to hearing what she makes of her visits today and know today is a very special day in her life for her.. she has been so looking forward to today in many ways!

Yikes, the volcano can still errupt at any time..

My Daughter is very much in touch with the spiritual side of things and I know today will be humbling for her in my ways on many levels... 

My thoughts and prayers are with her today..xxx

Day 1

Thursday 23rd June: Arr College 2:30am

Liverpool to Naples

Flight departure: 06:10am, Temperature: 55f (12c) Visibility: 6 miles... rain!

Duration of flight: 3h 00m

Arrival: Status Details: scheduled arrival time 10:10 Actual: 09:53, Local Time: 10:54

Naples

Temperature: 78f (25c), Wind 1mph.... SUN!

Yeah! DD landed safely 29 minutes ago!!!

Coach transfer to Sorrento (2 hours)

 Afternoon to explore Sorrento

then evening meeting to discuss Day 2 intinerary to Vesuvius and Pompeii

Have fun my Darling! ♥♥♥

Sorted!

Today is the day..... at 2.30am my daughter sets off to Liverpool Airport for her flight to Naples, Italy.


Finally!!!! The final checklist is ALL crossed off!!! With 1 1/2 hours to spare!!! Just need to keep awake now!!!!

SORTED!!

What a week that followed the fire!

Should I share my good news or my bad news with you first?? Lets, get the bad stuff out of the way!

It was only in the early hours of last Friday morning that we had to deal with a fire outside our window and now tonight.. just look at THIS!

Just as we have been coming to terms with the flashbacks we breathed a sigh of relief a week on.. and now we are having to deal with more upheaval.. this work was scheduled for the 20th June in a letter we received one day ago! Why dig up now on the 10th June? on a Friday?? It did take them a whole nosiy day to produce about 6 holes this size on the street.. this is 'ours'

not quite sure how they managed to dig 'around' the smoke damaged spot of last Friday's fireball! but they managed it!!

 our matching 'hole' across the road :( and a teeny weeny one to keep it company!

I pray the emergency services don't need to come past in a hurry in the next few weeks.. look at the size of the gap!

I hope they don't work weekends!!

I did have some 'nice' stuff that happened this week. Yeah! (my Birthday! she whispers... I said I didn't want anymore!!) but.............. that got spoilt by the glass repairers on the morning of my birthday giving us an hours notice that they were comming to repair the broken windows from the fire.. we were told it would be Friday.. did the glass repairers have a crystal ball and know they wouldn't have been able to get near our windows today????

No matter what has happened this week I can't tell you how grateful I am for the kind wishes we have received since the terrifying fire. I appreciate everyones messages and emails. Thank you so much.

I was speechless when I opened this gorgeous card all the way from the Netherlands..

 Thank You so much Nellie.. your card made me smile and your sweet message too..xx

~♥~

I have been so lucky to have had lots of lovely post arriving this week. 

A very special Thank You for all the beautiful hand-made birthday cards that came through the door. It was such a great pleasure to receive them.

Thank You! XXX

These are some of my beautiful cards that I received.. 

 What can I say! A Wonderful surprise indeed this week to receive

an original piece of artwork from Jo Capper-Sandon

(you can see Jo's original pic on her blog :)

another surprise and super amazing card from Pat 

 (details on Pat's blog)

I adore and will treasure ALL my birthday cards.. Thank You ♥♥♥

Over on the Bubbly Funk forum we like to share photographs of the cards we have received from the lovely talented ladies in the Birthday club.. here are some of mine :-)

Please forgive the watermark I have added after Googling for an image the other day and spotted one of my tags on the first page.. couldn't believe it! not sure how it got there!

Net ~ (Caique-momma)

Tracy ~ crafty me!

Karen ~ Karen's Carry Ons

Kaz ~ Slightly Wonky Crafts

 Wow! I was only admiring this card the other day!!

 Nicky

Chrissie

 

Ali

Sue ~ Sue's Snippets

Hazel ~ My Crafty Outlook

Kathy ~ Kathy's Waffle

Thank You Bubblies.. I LOVE and adore all your beautiful hand-made cards.XXX

~♥~

I am so excited to share with you some of the beautiful gifts I received.. can't believe I forgot to include the Dylusions sprays.. they have been already whisked away and added to my ink box!! Special Thanks to Ben for finding something I have been searching for everywhere! AFTH came up trumps!

I also received a fabulous gift voucher to spend at The Craft Barn and some gorgeous images and die-cuts to play with.. THANK YOU.XXXXX

~♥♥♥~

Even though my birthday, day didn't go to plan I had a fantastic day last Monday spent in the company of one very special lady friend She ♥♥♥ I was very lucky indeed to meet up with the fabulously talented Sheila and spend the whole day at Oswaldtwistle Mills (Sheila is a warm, bubbly person who glows with happiness which can't help but rub off onto you! It did me a world of good to spend some quality time with She and also my daughter and youngest son. A fabulous time was had by all!

(I have just been over to Sheila's blog to collect a link for here.. and I am smiling all over remembering our wonderful day.. I was quite surprised to see how awful I look on photos!!!... not sure I want to share the link with you now!!! rofl!!!)

Sheila presented me with some of her gorgeous artwork..how lucky am I?!! 

a fabulous guardian angel canvas!

I shall treasure it always :-D

a card to open when we met :)

Sheila also made me a beautiful birthday card

and presented me with my grungy chunky book..

 The book was bound and the covers hand-made by Sheila..how beautiful they look :-)

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE ALL THE PAGES in my book and promise to share them with you soon..along with the pages I made too :-)

My book is truly an AMAZING work of art and I adore it madly.. THANK YOU everyone in the swap.XXXXX

~♥♥♥~

I've one more thing to share with you tonight..now this morning.. 

 My dear, dear friend Carolyn over at Love Stitching Red ♥

sent me the most beautiful card and gift along with some wool my children bought me for my birthday from Carolyn's Etsy shop.. take a look if you get the chance.. Carolyn has some wonderful goodies planned for her shop :-) 

OOOOOOH I LOVE this wool.... save me some if you can!!!!

Promise I'm going to shut up now.. I am sooo tired!

I started this post 2 hours ago can you believe it!! I know I probably shouldn't have left a space between the word copy right.. at the time I was trying to spread it out across the pic.. now I've uploaded the pics I thought how silly am I? at 1.42am please forgive me..

I have so many personal emails and Thank You's I want to send and promise to write to everyone over the weekend.. Thank you for taking the time to read through my mega post! One thing blogging my week has helped me to realise is that the 'good things' have wayyyy out weighed the bad things this week.

Thank You Everyone from the bottom of my heart for making the BEST bits of this week WONDERFUL.XXXX

Nearly forgot to show you these.... gorgeous flowers that arrived through the post! Have I been spoilt or what!

:o)

Special Thank You for everyone's birthday wishes over on my crafty blog.xxx