Dawn's Days

Not a lot to report...

2007-10-16T20:20:00.001+01:00

Time moves on...school is good, kids are good-apart from Will's chicken pox (!), lots of excitement coming up in next few weeks, but for now the weeks are just whizzing past in a blur of daily nothings!!!
Will had his fifth birthday-never have a huge bouncy castle in a small hall with 30 4 and 5 year olds!!!!

Yet another new car...but hopefully Rob will be happy now we have the super fast little mini and the big old trusty diesel bus that I have been nagging him for:)
Dawnx

A Little list...

2007-09-12T21:15:00.000+01:00

So many days have passed since my last post, it will be much easier to write this as a list...and I do love a list:)
1.Last week of the summer hols sped past as it always does...yet more dental work, the second part of the root canal treatment was much, much more painful than the first, but at least the nasty part is over...just have to let the filling settle then the crown can be fitted...yeah!!!!
2. First days of school...Will first on Monday

He was so much better than his first day last year-even had a smile for me
Phoebe was really really nervous and was not in the best of moods for her first day on Tuesday...this was the best photo she could manage.She was much happier when she came home after finding her seat next to Melissa

3. School is fabulous this year,a class full of real little characters-after all the problems and aggression in the class last year it is such a relief to teach children who want to play rather than fight and hurt each other.MInd you, there is only half a class in each day...might change my mind by the end of next week.
Dawnx

Why...

2007-08-22T09:53:00.000+01:00

do holidays always seen to speed up as you reach the end of them? The last week has gone so quickly and I am finding it hard to think of what we have actually done these past seven days!!!
I am persevering with my series of dental appointments-last week was my first root canal teatment-Nisa removed the nerve ready for the filling ready for the new cap-and I must admit it was not the worst experience that I thought it would be-it felt like a raging toothache for 10 minutes but then it was fine. Knocked me flying for the next few days though-when the anaesthetic wore off, the pain went up into my eye, so I did what I always do in times of pain-I went to sleep :)
Monthly crop in New Inn-much calmer after last month's crazy packed out day-we could actually move around the hall to talk to people this month-we used Scenic Route papers again and added lots of hidden journaling .

This one was Jo's class-I love how she has used the patterns in the paper to create those fabulous flowers!

Uniforms and shoes, bags and lunch boxes have all been bought-even new knickers and socks are ready for September- and double cost this year as William starts school on Monday 3rd September-I just cannot believe 5 years could pass so quickly. I have had to shake myself and finish the layouts from September last year!!!
Dawnx

Love you , Robbie!!!

2007-08-14T15:15:00.000+01:00

12th August 1995-so that makes it 12 years-well done Robbie, you've made another year-love you with all my heart,
Dawnx

I love belt sanders!!!!!

2007-08-07T20:46:00.000+01:00

How brill are those tools-it made all the difference borrowing Dad's belt sander-it whizzed through the old varnish and etched names, a quick rub down, some rubbed in wax and hey presto...Not sure it would pass too many close up inspections-but it still has loads of character-and the knobs from Equinox in Tenby -are absolutely gorgeous. Just need to make the labels to go in the holders and ...job done:)
Dawnx

Summer project!!

2007-08-06T22:27:00.000+01:00

This is my project for the long hot summer days- I hope to transform this old science cupboard from school into useful scrapping drawers!!!! It is covered with nasty red sticky back plastic and has delightful bleach stains along the bottom -but in its defence-it has the sturdiest dovetail joints on each drawer-has been in the school for years and survived hundreds of infants!!! Well, we'll see!!!
Dawnx

Happy Birthday to me!!!

2007-08-04T22:16:00.000+01:00

I had the loveliest 39th Birthday last Wednesday-it was definitely the year of the Radley bag-with two gorgeous body bags to add to my collection:)I also had new crocs Mary Janes from Jo and the Daleys, money from mum and dad to pay for the new Basic Grey collections,lots and lots of chocolates and a ticket to Never Forget-the new musical based on Take That songs, from Linda We went there last night and what a fabulous night that was too-cheesier than a bag of Wotsits, but a show full of energy and so funny that we laughed out loud lots of times. Jo made lunch for us on the day of my birthday. The kids had a fab time in the pool and all the grown ups ate lots of delicious food and cake.
In the evening we went to a Greek restaurant in Chepstow for Mezze and cocktails-that was another late night-followed by a heavy head on Thursday!!!
So thats it for this year..one year to fit in all the adventures to cover before the big 40!!!!
Dawnx

I did it!

2007-07-30T12:01:00.000+01:00

Oooh, get me...I've worked out how to add a list of blogs...very pleased with myself!!!LOL!!!
Dawnx

Wet.,Wet ,Wet!!!

2007-07-30T11:00:00.000+01:00

We are home from a wet and very windy west Wales...and I have again come to the conclusion that I am not a caravaner!!!! Very little sleep and howling winds do not make a very happy mummy-Phoebe could not sleep through the noise of the rain on the caravan roof (and there was lots of it every night),so she thought it was a good idea to wake me every few hours to tell me it was still raining.
Actually it was only really wet one day of the week, so we managed to get out and about every day-even if we had to start the day in the afternoon,after allowing the storm to pass over us.We visited Folly Farm, St.Davids,Saundersfoot, Tenby,Tenby Harbour,Broad Haven,the Blue Lagoon-the little mini did us really well as we didn't need to carry lots of beach bits around with us!!!! The beaches are truly beautiful and ,with a bit of sunshine,there really is no nicer place for a holiday, but it is so unpredictable in this country!! Phoebe was not at all worried by the rain during day light hours and went in the sea every day-William was not so hardy and much preferred to climb the rocks or build sand boats!!! Got loads of photos to scrap through the rest of the Summer holiday-just need to order some more photo paper and ink and I'll be well away!!
Dawnx

Thanks, Sarah!!!

2007-07-30T10:49:00.000+01:00

...for the tag-took me hours to get it on my blog-and then Rob had to help me:) Will try to link to the originator of the "Rockin Girl Blogger" tag, but this could take a while too!!!
http://www.robertaferguson.com/2007/06/18/why-not-start-something/
-this is the link to Roberta's blog-I hope-just need to know how to name it-this is going to be one of my holiday to do projects-to learn how to add more bits to my blog,complicated things like links and other blog addresses!!!!!
Need to tag some others-but think that is just too hard on my brain at the moment

Week gone quick!!!!

2007-07-14T22:04:00.000+01:00

Phew, glad to see the back of that week-all gone quiet (touch wood) in school, concert over,and Parent's consultations finished:)The week just whizzed by though, so that is one benefit!!
Phoebe had her Sports Day on Monday and despite her moans, I think she quite enjoyed it-especially since her house won the overall cup:)But, horror of horror,I forgot my camera and so have no photos at all!!!! William was a little star as Doctor Evans calling on Miss Polly with her sick dolly-he even did all the actions for the rhyme with a huge grin on his face:)
July gallery is up on ATDML-super gorgeous Crate papers-the tags and bands that come with the paper are so useful-I love them:)
Be back tomorrow!!
Dawnx

2007-07-08T22:02:00.000+01:00

Lots and lots happening at the moment-school is ending with a bang-we are having our annual run in with the LEA big wigs-and I don't think we have heard the end of this particular episode-I keep joking about getting sacked, but I am hoping it won't be a cruel joke that comes true!!! As a staff we have dared to question the service provided by certain LEA departments and this has not gone down well...but we really feel strongly about some of the new policies and we are becoming quite militant in our old age.If it ends with all our children getting what they are entitled to, then it will all be worth it (but I still have to pay my mortgage!!!)
Fete day on Saturday-Will turned into the cutest tiger ever-his Nursery report was so good-he has settled really well now-I think he will be ready for Reception in September.
Phoebe's report was excellent too-lots of waffle about things they have covered this year, but the personal comments made me so proud...she has really bloomed this year and become so much more confident.I love this photo of her-goofing around,with her bobble earings and cocky eyes, but still looking cute!!!!
Dawnx

Job Done!!

2007-07-01T18:37:00.000+01:00

Reports completed and sat on Head's desk, ready for Monday morning...time for flip flops and sun hats...I am in holiday mode already!!! Still got another three weeks left, but this is the fun time of the year...teddy bear picnic on Tuesday, concerts and prize giving!!! We are doing an under fives concert again, but we forgot that there would be 13 three year olds in this concert that had not started when we did the Christmas concert...so we have a total of 71 under fives in one concert...all good fun though-especially when we all sing different words to the songs:) William is going to be the doctor who calls to Emily's Miss Polly -they are so cute during their parts-I cannot wait to see him in his costume!!
be back later
Dawnx

Found!!!

2007-06-24T13:13:00.000+01:00

It is amazing how quickly a mojo can return when you are faced with 32 blank end of year reports that need to be filled in:)To be fair, I have completed TWO!!! so I don't feel too bad....haha..at this rate the children might get their Reception reports when they take their A levels. But am I worried?..nah...I have scrapped and really really had loads of fun!! I am trawling through my huge pile of photos that are already been printed and making myself ignore the new photos on my computer...and I am using some of the beautiful papers that have been sitting in my box for weeks...recklessly cutting them and using the matching letter stickers...wowee!!!
The new Elsie range is totally fabulous...you can make a really busy page that looks like you have taken hours in minutes...she has done all the hard work for you.
And I really love these Fancy Pants papers and chipboard flowers...yum!!

All quiet...

2007-06-17T19:27:00.000+01:00

Nice and quiet in the Evans house this last week-just how I like it-well, not all the time, but I have enjoyed the normality of this week compared to the mad rush of last week! Nanna is back to feeling well again and that makes my life is whole lot smoother as I know Will is cared for every afternoon. We have been so so lucky having my mum as our childminder these past 9 years-I know that I would not have been able to hold down a full time job if it wasn't for this and for this I am so grateful:)
School is winding down and becoming frantic at the same time...SEN/classroom support was worked out last week and once again there was absolutely no provision for Reception-this is becoming a bad joke in our school!!! When I taught Year 1/2, most of the classroom support was down in the early years, with just a skeleton support further up. Now I am in Reception, it has reversed and the support is placed in Year1/2!!! I think it is a case of flog a willing horse, but I have made my opinions quite clear this week (and with a little bit of sulking), I have managed to persuade the powers that be to agree to one morning a week support!!!! As Rob pointed out it wasn't much to celebrate, but I was thrilled!!!! And with Jo (otherwise known as the best NNEB in the whole wide world!!!) taking on three extra mornings in the Nursery, next year can only be much better for all of us:)
June's gallery is up at "A Trip Down Memory Lane".This month we used the elegant black and white Luxe papers-adding various different colour cardstock totally changed these papers. And the rub ons are the best I have ever used-they went on really easily:) The little quote book combines two of the projects that we taught at the New Inn crop over the last few months. We made the little maze book in April and this time it worked so well with the Luxe paper. Last month we made a Cosmo Cricket quote book using the journalling cards in that range, so I used some of the spare quote sheets to complete this little book.
Off to put the kids in the bath and then battle the bedtime hour(!!!)-I cannot wait for the dark nights to draw in!!!!!
Dawnx

Going, going...

2007-06-09T04:45:00.000+01:00

Gone...managed to fit in a long overdue trip to the hairdressers last night and went for a much shorter cut than usual...ready for the warm days ahead in June and July!!! I will probably regret it when I try to straighten it myself next week and I end up looking like a big frizz bomb, but for now it feels so light and shiny!!!
Busy busy in school as the end of this year draws closer at a scary speed-we even had the meeting for new Reception parents this week-looks like it is going to be a good year as around 22 out of a possible 27 parents turned up-this is a huge number compared to our usual 15 or so. It is going to be a real boy heavy class, but with no where near the challenges that I have faced with my class this year-in fact, this has probably been the hardest year for me so far, but also probably one of the most satisfying and enjoyable years too:)
No time at all for scrapping, but I have finished the 12 squares I have been working on as part of a friendship quilt project. The idea behind this is that 12 people each choose an up lifting quote or word and then creates 12- 4" x4" squares representing the quote.Everyone then receives one of everybody else's squares that can be pieced together to create a wall hanging or little book. I was a little daunted by the size when I cut the card-I love the space of a 12 x 12 -but then really enjoyed working on this scale.
Back off to bed for a few hours-even though the dawn is breaking:)
Dawnx

Lucky me!!!!

2007-06-01T22:10:00.000+01:00

Here are my beautiful flowers, Maria-I know you will be so impressed with my arranging!!!And Phoebe and I have just devoured the chocolate discs...yummy...but you really shouldn't have...but they are gorgeous:)Thank you very very much!!!
Another busy day here...now the garden has been planted up for the summer-I admit it is nothing to do with me, but my fabulous daddy, who spends hours in his THREE greenhouses, growing trays and trays of flowers which are very gratefully received in the Evans garden. Now the challenge is for us to keep them alive through the next few months! William started off a willing helper until he got distracted by looking for bugs and beasties.
And after a good few hours of planting, dad then had to build Will's new bunk beds which arrived this afternoon in three tiny boxes-there must have been 500 pieces of tubing to put together-3 hours later, I thought the children were going to burst with excitement when they could finally climb the ladder!!! William has been upstairs all evening-waiting for bed time!!!!
Dawnx

Shhh...

2007-05-30T22:30:00.000+01:00

Scared to say anything...but I am feeling so much better after only a few days holiday...we have had a few lie-ins and real lazy, hang around the house days-and I have loved every minute. It has rained buckets...but again this suits me...I much prefer wet and windy weather to any hot, sweaty bright days...odd for a Leo!!!
I have been busy though, in fact Rob is convinced that an alien has taken over my body...I look the same, but I have cleaned and tidied everything in sight!!!My pine dresser is now polished and decluttered-the bric a brac stall has gone.Now, my gorgeous Bridgewater is shown to all its glory...without having to battle the pile of bills, old films, bobbles, foreign coins, birthday cards, etc that have built up over time.In fact, there is room for more china now...hint, hint,Robbie!!! And the spare room is now a bedroom, not a chuck it in and quickly close the door room!!!And I have made 50 Christmas cards
Rob is packed and ready for the off in the morning on his annual pilgrimage to the Isle of Man for the TT races...I say packed but this just means clean pants and an extra t-shirt!!! And this means loads and loads of scrapping time over the weekend:)
Dawnx

And now....Owwww!!!

2007-05-28T00:03:00.000+01:00

I don't know what happens to me at this time of year:( Now I have the most excruciating pain in my neck -around the back-it is so painful-my head feels like it is too heavy for my neck to support it!!! I missed Al's crop yesterday-my monthly escape-as I literally slept 20 out of 24 hours-I could have cried every time I turned over...but at least my tummy has settled back down following last week!!! Hopefully that is my dose of lurgies for the next few months ...I don't even have the energy to scrap or even think about it.So I have returned to my first love and bought some new books for the holiday week-I have started with Gordon Ramsay's autobiography...already i know it is going to be one of those un-put-downables that come along every now and again.The last book like this for me was "Memoirs of a Geisha"-in the days before I discovered scrapping!!! I read it through in almost one sitting and immediately started it again.
That's it for this time-neck cannot take any more!!!
Happy half term!!!
Dawnx

Bleurghhh....

2007-05-23T15:33:00.000+01:00

One of the hazards of teaching Reception children is the inevitability that I will pick up all the nasty lurgies that they carry around on their unwashed hands and coughed in my face germs!!! And this week I have picked up a real good one. On Monday as I opened the door at 9 o clock, I was greeted by at least 8 parents telling me that their children had had a sickness and diarrhea bug over the weekend...I lasted until 2:45 p.m and then I started and I can honestly say that I have lost the last 36 hours of my life down the toilet(Too much information!!!) At one point I was writhing in such a delirious state that i don't think I knew my name. Not such a good way to lose weight, but my PJ's are decidedly looser!!!
And we had had such a great weekend-it was our 1st Birthday crop on Saturday-we started last year with 16 scrappers and now we are bursting at the seams-there were 34 of us there-if we had any more tables we would be even bigger:)I took along my camera, but only managed to snap some photos of the girls playing reverse bingo...last one standing wins the prize!! The funniest thing about these photos is the dedication-even when they are standing up, the scrappers are still cutting out!!There is a real mix of people at the crop-mostly our own family and friends,and friends of friends-but also some people that we would never have met if it were not for this wonderful hobby. We have lots of ideas and plans for the next year-but we really do need to decide upon a name!!1
Dawnx

So sad.

2007-05-13T20:39:00.000+01:00

The search for little Maddy is still on going, but it has been 10 long days now since that poppet disappeared. Whatever your opinion is about the responsibilities of her parents, there is still a missing 4 year old who should have been safe in her own bed.I have hugged my own 4 year old so tight these last few days as I try to imagine how you would ever cope with the nightmare that those poor people are going through-I hope with all my heart that there is a breakthrough soon and that Maddy is found safe and well...
Work is pretty challenging at the moment-it is that time of year for Performance management observations and interviews-my turn on Tuesday-roll on 11 o'clock when it will all be over for another year!
This month's gallery is up at ATDML-gorgeous 7 gypsies again this month-Mel has totally converted me to these papers-I love the muted colours and patterns, which really are much better in real life:) The colours on "Perfect" are absolutely awful on the scan-they coordinate IRL, honestly they do!!!!
Dawnx

Hello Thumper!!

2007-04-27T22:30:00.000+01:00

Here is the latest addition to the Evans household!! Phoebe has been saving for weeks for a rabbit and had managed to reach £40 by the beginning of this week.Then, she brought home a letter from school to say that she had been elected a "Best Buddy" by her classmates-which involves being part of an anti-bullying team!!! She has had her "training" and is now ready to play her part!! I am so proud of my little girl...she is so shy and quiet that this is a big step for her. Her job involves looking out for classmates at playtime and being the person that all the children know they can go and talk to about anything that is worrying them!A very responsible role for an 8 year old!!! So, I talked Robbie into putting some money towards her savings so we could get a hutch etc and reward her achievement this week:)
Only one problem...the pet shop had run out of rabbits and all we could get was a fab new empty hutch!! They had a new delivery tonight, so we went and chose this beautiful rabbit that Maddie and Phoebe decided would be called Thumper.William preferred Dotty , but the girls out voted him!!!
Dawn

Busy, as ever!!!

2007-04-22T21:19:00.000+01:00

Whew, where did that weekend go? Our crop on Saturday was packed out-we had pulled extra trestles out from under the staging (thanks to Jo braving the spiders!!), there were crop trollies everywhere, but there was still such a friendly atmosphere in the hall. It is our birthday crop next month and we are busy planning party bags and games!!
William has had a new bike helmet this weekend and so Rob tried him again on the tag-a- long on the back of his bike. We bought it last year and Will was just that much too little and wobbly for it...but this year he is off...I'll try to attach a photo later of his great big beaming smile.
Phoebe had a sleepover at Maddie's house last night.She has come home trying to convince me to have another baby as she has decided that she does not want a brother any more and would like to have a sister instead. I hope that I have persuaded her that Mads could be an honorary sister.She was in her element when Carl and Emma called round this afternoon with little six week old Charlie...Phoebe nursed him on the sofa for an hour!
Had a fabulous delivery from ATDML this week-the new Crate Papers-tried to choose just one or two of the new releases as we are supposed to be saving(!!!!), but could not-so spent all of my stash budget this month on them-and I am so glad I did!They are out of this world-although they do have that strange Crate Paper smell!!! Just need to find some energy and time to actually use them-until that wondrous moment I think I shall just take them out of their packets and drool!!
Off to decide whether or not to order the Birkenstocks I have sitting in my shopping cart at QVC-cannot decide whether to go for the toe posts with the gorgeous pattern that will probably rub, or the one straps that are not so pretty, but will be more comfy, but more flappy (IYKWIM!!)
Dawnx

Back to it!!!

2007-04-15T19:17:00.000+01:00

Should be planning for next week really, but cannot shake off the holiday mood!!!It has been a beautiful weekend-really warm but not too hot that I am moaning-I could really live in this temperature all year round:)
Not done too much scrapping, but have had the sewing machine out to make tents for school-I have a plan to attach them to the new wooden posts and the wooden fence that goes around my outdoor play area-not sure if it will work-but it looks good in my head!!!Just need to persuade Terry the caretaker to drill lots of holes for me now-hope he is in a good mood tomorrow.
Had the in-laws up for lunch today-a perfect excuse to get the chocolate fountain out of its box again-discovered mini doughnuts in Galaxy today-who needs strawberries and bananas???
This months gallery over at ATDML was using the new A2Zpapers-they are totally stunning, but very heavily patterned and very scary!!! Everyone used them in such different ways-the gallery is really spectacular this month.I found this giant peg down at Hobbycraft-it makes a perfect photo holder!!!
Rob is off on a car hunt again-he has had the Audi for 6 months now and is bored already...he has an urge for a Mini-so we will be going from a huge boat of a car to the smallest car in the world!!!!
Must think about planning something now, but at least I am ahead of the ironing for a few days!!!
Dawnx

Glorious days!!

2007-04-11T21:29:00.000+01:00

What fantastic weather for a holiday-we have managed to fit in almost everything that we has planned to do this break. Rob took the kids to see Mr Bean yesterday-all on his own-I am so proud of him!!!At the same time, I took Mum to Ikea...what an experience-I had the devil's own time trying to convince her that she did not need to buy everything in the shop! I did get another shelf for my scrapping room and then spent a fab few hours last night sorting through the clutter that has built up in the last few months...just wish I had some time to scrap in it now!
We set off to the Roman Museum in Caerleon this morning to make a start on Phoebe's latest school project. It is a really difficult concept for eight year olds to understand, so hopefully visiting the barrack rooms and amphitheatre will make it a little easier-although I must admit, Phoebe was only really interested in the gift shop!!!
Dawnx

No more chocolate...please!!!

2007-04-08T22:41:00.000+01:00

The world's biggest chocoholic is giving in...my mouth is still too sore to even enjoy one of the many, many eggs we have in this house:( I have lived on a diet of cake since last Tuesday; anything harder to eat makes my jaw and ear throb;I have convinced myself that not all the tooth has come out, but Rob has had one of his back teeth removed and he is sure that this is a normal feeling!!Hope it starts to feel better soon...probably just as the Easter holiday ends, knowing my luck!!!
Had a funny old first week off..finally had my hair cut and coloured after waiting since February for an appointment...I think I go the only part time hair salon in Wales...Jackie only opens every other Saturday, closes every Monday and does one late night every fortnight...and when you work full time this makes it pretty much impossible to fit in a three hour colour unless you book 6 months in advance!!! So now I am short, straight and golden for a few days at least. Rob was off on Friday and we braved a walk at Roath Park,along with everybody else!! It was the busiest I have ever seen it...poor old Phoebe had no chance to ride her bike without stopping every few yards to let the crowds pass. William moaned all the way around...he is just like me...walking holds absolutely no appeal to us at all..by the time we got back to car, he had had 3 paddys, refused to walk any further 4 times,slipped and fallen backwards in a stream and asked to go home at least 10 times!!!Happy days!!
It was mum's birthday today and Rob cooked a fabulous lunch with frisbee Yorkshire puddings(!!) and then we filled the chocolate fountain with bars of galaxy for an Easter treat. The challenge of the day was to fully coat a piece of madeira cake with chocolate and then try to swallow it...without needing a glass of water!!!
Photos today from our walk in the park and mum and dad in the garden...yes, William is dressed in his very favourite dressing up outfit...a blue Cinderella dress and matching make up...I am hoping that he gets this all out of his system before he reaches 5!!!!
Dawnx

Ouch

2007-04-03T22:30:00.000+01:00

Whoops there goes another one... a tooth that is!!! After debating the decision of extraction or root canal treatment for the last few weeks, I bravely went to the dentist today, having decided upon a go at tolerating a root filling!!! But the dentist was much more concerned about one of my back teeth that was slowly crumbling away. So, we decided to leave the temporary filling in place and tackle that back tooth before it started to give me any jip!!! BUT..I may have weak crumbly teeth, but those roots are firmly in there!! Nisha ended up drilling and cutting my gum to get the tooth out-and the dental nurse had to hold my head to stop me moving away. I had cramp in my hands from gripping the chair and then the blood would not stop. 30 minutes later, I was just about able to walk to the car!!! No wonder I hate going to the dentist!!!
Rob has been down to the BUPA hospital in Cardiff this afternoon for some minor out patient surgery-he had a blood vessel trying to escape from his shoulder!!!That was cut away, along with a cyst on his back...lots of big plasters and painkillers needed when the anesthetic wore off this evening:(
Had a great start to the holiday...a whole scrapping day yesterday...although I only made 3 layouts, I had time to get the sewing machine out, so stitched everything in sight!! Love the new Cosmo Cricket papers-think I might try Dutch Girl tomorrow!!!!

Lost weekend

2007-03-27T20:06:00.000+01:00

Not the best weekend of my life...in fact, it ranks right up there with the worst...the ones you just want to draw a curtain around and forget...so that is what I will do...even though I am the world's worst at moving on!!!But as they say, what does not break us makes us stronger...so now I am ready to carry anything!!!
It was our monthly crop on Saturday, but it passed in a blur...poor Jo had double shift to do! We were bursting at the seams with another three new ladies-that means we are a regular 30 with a possible 40 each month. We had three layouts this month as there was so much paper in the packs, lots to do, but everybody seemed to get through the day without too many accidents!
Haven't done any scrapping this week-it is that time of the term when I really need a holiday-and this is a hard school week with parent consultations and Easter parades:)And I am on junk modelling-my absolute pet hate!!!I have to fight every urge to add bits to make the pile of boxes really look like the robot it is supposed to be!!!Phoebe has that awful temperature thing again-this is the fourth time since last September-Grandad had the same bug over the weekend and hopefully it will go as quickly as it started-she is so lethargic and tearful, I feel so sorry for her:(
I'll add the layout from last weekend-using the gorgeous new Scenic Route papers and arrows. It is William last summer-he totally refused to stay still for any nice family portrait...but this is the real William-as John next door calls him..."Batteries included"
Off to make a boys Easter bonnet for Will-wish me luck!!!
Dawnx

My girl...

2007-03-18T16:48:00.000Z

My girl and the precious pressies!!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

2007-03-18T16:32:00.000Z

After a shaky start...it was so windy through the night that both kids ended up in our bed, and four bodies just don't fit in our bed, so mum moved out into Phoebe's bed!!!!...., I have had a really lovely Mother's day. Phoebe made me my breakfast in bed-a huge bowl of Sugar Puffs (to be eaten with a tiny tea spoon!) and then I had my lovely gifts. Phoebe's school had a fund raising bring and buy stall last week so she took in her saved pocket money and came home with an abundance of pressies.The teachers wrap up the gifts that the children choose and add gift tags so they were a real surprise:)I had a mug filled with chocolates, a book(!), a hair brush (not used, thank goodness!)and a bottle of Touch (bought by Rob!!!!). William had made a teapot card in Nursery and was so proud of this!!
We set off early this morning to visit our mums, armed with roses, slippers and moisturizer!!!!Rob is now cooking up a storm in the kitchen-he makes the best roast beef dinner in the world (if he is not distracted by the computer in between!!!!)
I have ironed and prepared for the week ahead...Gabbie is on work experience in our school next week and is staying here for the week...Pheebs and Will are so excited to have their cousin staying for five nights.It is almost as exciting as Christmas, I swear!!!
Think I need to finish the perfect day with a little scrap!!!!
Dawnx

The Big One!!

2007-03-17T12:15:00.000Z

We love Comic Relief days in our house...Phoebe has clear memories of the last two days, so was full of excitement for the big one this year!!!!She has spent the last week planning which of my tops to wear and finally settled on a delightful floaty purple number!! Trying to get three of us ready with big red hair was a huge task at eight o'clock on a Friday morning, but we got there!!! Phoebe watched some of the live show when she came home from Kate's birthday party and I hope it really made her appreciate how hard life is for so many people in this world. I am always so moved by the films they show through the night, but after two hours of intermittent crying, I have to turn over! School was great fun, every child had made a great effort, we had red nose cakes at break time and a parade in the hall!!!
Dawnx

One year ago today...

2007-03-14T14:46:00.000Z

we had such a shocking day in school.The parents on the yard were crying in small groups and then the news came to us that the chair woman of our PTA had died in the night. Her husband had taken her to hospital early in the evening and she was gone by 11 o clock! Unbeknown to every one (and I mean everyone...not even her best friends knew)she had been fighting breast cancer that had spread very quickly to her brain. The day before had been a school disco and she had failed to turn up for it...leaving the other parents to moan as she had all the equipment, prizes, snacks, etc. All they knew was that she had a headache!! She was a lady who loved to be in control...loved to tell us our jobs(How many times did she chase me up and down the corridor, asking ridiculous questions!)...loved to know everything that was going on...but most of all she loved her two boys to bits. Her whole existence was to make her boys happy and safe. Alex is in Phoebe's class and he is truly one of the nicest little boys I have ever met...kind, caring, gentle, sensitive, clever...everything you would ever want your child to be. Ben is in Nursery with Will and is turning out to be every bit as gorgeous as his big brother.The boys are such a tribute to their mum and dad, their grandparents and families...It is on a day like this that we should all hug each other tighter than ever before!!!
Debbie...we will never forget you xx
Dawnx

And more...

2007-03-11T20:13:00.000Z

Two more from this month's gallery...

Spring has sprung!!!

2007-03-11T19:44:00.000Z

Had an urge today...to tidy the garden and sort out the pots!!!! And Jo was on hand to capture this unheard of event with her camera phone!!! I love it when the garden is all nice and tidy, but I hate taking the risk of meeting bugs and worms. Rob insists they won't hurt me, but I am unwilling to take that risk!!!! We have a teeny tiny garden, that suits us just fine, but the lawn is always water logged due to crap drainage. And covered with leaves from the trees over our fence...so it never looks tidy at any time of the year!!! It was nice to feel the sunshine though:)
Rob set off for Birmingham yesterday to meet up with the lads that he plays on line games with...to spend the afternoon in an internet cafe playing the same old war games!!!! How odd is this???? But as he(and lots of other non-scrapping friends) pointed out-not really that much different to me going off cropping for a day or a weekend!
The mayor is visiting school tomorrow..not a longed for visit, as the current lady mayor threatened members of staff several years ago when we were opposed to the opening of another nursery in our area. We knew that this would seriously affect our numbers and would cost us jobs (which it did!!), but were warned by this councillor (as the mayor was then)that if we did not stop our protests, then we would be shut totally!!!Unfortunately, these comments were made in the school corridor, off the record, so are not minuted!!But we are a group of women with very good memories...and when the Mayor's office phoned to book her visit, our head said "No, thank you" But after her going through solicitors, Directors and council leaders, we have been told we have to let her visit!!! How thick is her skin?????
Gallery is up over at A Trip Down Memory Lane...New Basic Grey...yum, yum, yum!!!!
Dawnx

Always on a Sunday...

2007-03-04T18:57:00.000Z

I have got two very, very tired children here...Phoebe had a sleepover at Georgia's last night-and we always pay for it when she returns from a night out!!!Trying to persuade her to read has been a challenge...she is not keen on school reading books...she'll read Fairy books, Horrid Henry books and Tiara club books until they are coming out of her ears, but trying to encourage her with scheme books is another battle...and one that I always leave until the last minute!!! William had a sleepover down Nanna's last night too...Nathaniel was staying, so they probably spent hours on the X-box, although he was asleep when I rang granddad at 10 to remind him about the Lunar eclipse.Never mind, they are bathed and fed, ready for an early night(in about five minutes!!!)
I had lots of fun last week, taking part in Kelly's Mojo challenge ...such a simple but fabulous idea-Kelly chooses a layout each week, which she and her team then lift and post every Friday at 11 o'clock. I LOVE scraplifting-someone else has done all the hard work of the page design-leaving me to do my favourite part of scrapping-choosing the papers and titles. It has taken me a few years to realise that these are my favourite parts of scrapping...I could spend hours going through my stash and quite often do!!!! As long as the original is always credited to the designer, this is probably the best way to shake yourself out a rut and try lots of new things...go on give it a go:)The original design of this layout was created by Liane!I have added the link to the left hand side of this page, after trying 10 times to add it to the text, I give up!!!!
Dawnx

Last one

2007-03-01T22:54:00.000Z

Will and his bestest friend, Emily!!!

More photos

2007-03-01T22:51:00.000Z

For some reason, Blogger is layering all my photos on top of each other...so I'll try again!

Happy St. David's Day!!!

2007-03-01T22:29:00.000Z

How different was it to last year...that was our unexpected Snow day when we woke to blizzards. Today was a stunning Spring day,blue skies and warm air, everything was looking beautiful...especially the children in my house and my classroom!!! Every child in my class turned up in some kind of costume...totally unheard of and never achieved before!!! The two hour Eisteddfodd (!!!!) passed by quite quickly-for some unknown reason, we have a tradition of undertaking a formal competitive event in our school-with competitions in singing, recitation, poetry, story writing, painting and on and on...all watched by an audience of anxious parents...and when you think we are an english speaking Infant School, you can imagine what a performance it all turns into. We have practised every day this week, spending hours in the hall...thank goodness for the bribery power of a box of Welsh cakes, I say!!!
It was Will's first experience of the day and he coped really well. He hid behind Emily when it was Nursery's turn to sing, but sat over on the other side of the hall from me and even managed a little smile when they left half way through the morning.Phoebe was not impressed that the new Head of her school wanted all the children to dress up for a parade around the village...she was very reluctant to wear her hat so I had to soften the blow by letting her wear her new sparkly top underneath the shawl!!!! A very glamorous Jemima Nicholas if I say so myself!!!
Here are some photos of my two gorgeous Welsh children!!!
Dawnx

My turn!!

2007-02-25T18:48:00.000Z

To have a bout of the lurgy!!! I feel so peely-wally-not really ill, but out of sorts!I have been sleeping for Wales and then finding it hard to wake up...i just knew this would happen-after the children and Rob's trips to the doctor-it was only a matter of time. It seems to be settling in my throat today so at least I will have something to tell the doc-if I can get an appointment next week!!
Not even wanted to scrap at all-managed to shop a little though-got some gorgeous new Cosmo Cricket on its way from Mel and Jill.
Rob had a few days off at the end of half term, but Phoebe wanted to go the pictures with Maddie and with me being so lethargic, we just spent our time together potching around the house.Never mind-only 5 weeks until Easter!!! Training Day tomorrow at New Inn-not looking forward to it as it is the annual cluster Training Day-when all schools in the area train together-a day of total irrelevance to our setting!!Six hours of "Effective Questioning Techniques" which will be totally dominated by the comp teachers and their issues-if the past few years are any thing to go by.
This is a real moany post so its best I stop now and see if my mood improves through the week!!
Dawnx

I love my Robbie

2007-02-22T23:02:00.000Z

After having a really frustrating week with this computer...it was taking 48 minutes(I counted!!)to start up and then cutting out for no good reason...my geeky husband has changed my over worked and crammed full hard drive for a fabby new one...it is huge and boy oh boy does it make a difference!!! I know I always moan at Rob when he spends hours and hours fiddling, but I really appreciate him today!!!!
Had a shopping day out in Bristol today with Jo, Mads and Phoebe...Phoebe was in a really difficult mood...although she is only 8, she is desperate to be 15...so there the battles began. We eventually managed to reach a compromise and found jeans, a top and a dress/top that we were both happy with...although I did give in to the flip flops in the last shoe shop-she had worn me down by this point.It was really warm in the Mall and by the time we got home, my head was pounding and I had to lie down for a little while. Poor old Will had to make do with a prize of a colouring book and some new felt pens-but he was thrilled with these-he is always so grateful for any little thing:)
Half term is passing so quickly-it has rained every day, so lots of scrapping time!!! Been playing with the new Basic Grey and just cannot stop! Phoebe just seems to match every photo in my pack-the colours are fresh and beautiful-and the patterns are so appealing...especially the birds (just for Jo!) Been trying to work my way through the masses of chipboard that I am saving-for what I don't know!! It is hard to use it-but I am determined to use up some of the clutter in my room. Just a little peek at the layouts as they are for the March gallery at A Trip Down Memory Lane!
Dawnx

Way hey!!!!

2007-02-18T18:51:00.000Z

Don't you just love the video below-from San Diego-The Wrong Trousers-it really should not work-but it does!!!!!Rob and I have been "oh..oh..oh.ohh"ing at each other all week!!!
Finally, it is the Sunday before Half term-and I am so proud to have completed my first half term without a sick day since last Easter!!!! Hopefully, I have broken the pattern-and it will be onwards and upwards for the rest of this year:) William and Phoebe are finally over their infections, but Rob is still suffering with his throat-he has now had 4 lots of antibiotics since Christmas-I have passed the sick note onto him!!!
Anywhoo, last week was uphill all the way as the last week always is. The Early years Advisory team came on Friday for a lookie at our outdoor play setting-not much to see or photograph as there was torrential rain and we could not even put the equipment out under the canopies!! So, that just means that there will be a return visit in March.
Valentine's day came and went-with the usual slushy card from Rob-he does not say the the words-but he does love to write reams in cards for me-wonderful, until my mum decides to read the cards on the mantel!!And he topped up my saving fund and put the rest towards my new camera-so I am now the proud owner of a Canon EOS 400D-it is so fabulous...I love it!!!Just need to work out how to use it:)
More exciting news...the new Basic Grey papers arrived from Mel and Jill at A Trip Down Memory Lane...I say it every time, but this time the collections are out of this world!! I think Phoebe (as it would be) and Perhaps are my favourites, followed by Scarlet's Letter and then Stella Ruby. Not that I don't love the last two, but I think they will be the ones that grow on me!!
Yesterday was Crop Day in New Inn-very full this month,lots of new ladies and no spare papers in case of mistakes!!!I lost track of how many times we said...there are no mistakes in scrapbooking!!!And then tried to piece together strips of paper!!! It is a fantastic day-lots of wondeful home made cakes (not by me!)and good company-just how a day should be!!
The gallery went up on A Trip Down Memory Lane last week-this was the month for Karen Foster papers and the matching stickers-now these were a challenge for me-I don't think I have ever used stickers-I tend to cut elements from the patterned papers and use those as embellishments. So, to have prepared pieces was a bit of a luxury...

2007-02-11T17:26:00.000Z

Deep snow

2007-02-11T13:40:00.000Z

Tried to add the picture to the earlier post, but could not work it out...will this one work?

And more snow!!!

2007-02-11T13:25:00.000Z

Well, that caught us all out!!William and Phoebe left at 7:30 on Friday to spend the day at Nanna's and it was lightly snowing. By 8 o'clock, it was very heavy and the decision had been made to keep all schools closed for this day as well! Leaving me in Pontypool on my own, the children in Newport and Robbie out in Caldicot with hardly any snow at all!!The snow kept falling all day, but Rob did not believe how deep it was getting until I sent him a photo of the street. It then took him 4 hours to make the usual 30 minute journey home, having to abandon his car at nan's and bring the children home in Dad's car.The snow has been rained away now, leaving me feeling like I have had a little holiday...wonderful:)Reckon I can easily cope with next week...only 3 1/2 days to teach until half term!!PPA and a maths course taking care of the other 1 1/2 days.
Spent my time wisely...and rediscovered my Basic Grey Blitzen and Dasher papers...add a little bit of black card, a bit of chipboard...what a wonderful way to spend a snow day!!!

Snow Day

2007-02-08T16:30:00.000Z

The snow started here about 1:30 last night, but when I eventually went back to bed at 3:30 it had all but stopped, leaving just a little covering on the road. BUT, when I woke back up at 6:30-there it was in all its glory-only about 4", but enough to close every school in Torfaen for the day!! Exciting for the children of the county and even more for the teachers!!! It took a lot of persuading for Phoebe and Will to go out and play-they are just about over their chest infections, but not really up to much at the moment. Rob persuaded them to walk up to the canal with him, then me and Will built a snowman and that was enough for them!! They did go back out in the garden just before lunch and had a nicer time-by now the thaw had started and I think they knew this would be their last chance to play in it!!!
Aw, well,it was nice whilst it lasted!!!!
Dawnx

Poorly Girl!!

2007-02-05T19:48:00.000Z

There is a definite theme running through this blog-a diary of sick kids! Phoebe has already gone to bed. That is totally unheard of for my girl...Phoebe can stay up much later than I ever can...and still get up the next day...grumpy and scowling, but never the less,up and ready for school by nine. This bug has knocked her flying-she has spent the weekend snoozing on the sofa and disappeared to bed at 6:30 this evening. If it was not a bug that everyone seems to have at the moment,I think I would be starting to worry about her..,and she is off her food too!!!
The circle journals are packed up ready for posting tomorrow-there is a little peak into "Signature Style" on this page, but I forgot to scan in my "Gypsy" entry before packing the parcel...duh!!I decided last night that my page needed 'something', so I dug out the pot of Stickles and got a little carried away...glitter everywhere!
Dawnx

Nurse Dawnie...

2007-02-04T17:40:00.000Z

I never had any inclination when I was a little girl to be a nurse; two of my best friends became nurses and I could never understand the appeal of their chosen occupation. After almost four weeks of nursing one or other of my gorgeous family, I know that it is a blessing that I never started on that career path!!!! I am shattered from coughing children, in between changing sick beds...add that to a husband who is snoring like a hog every night due to his enlarged tonsils...I am looking forward to going to school in the morning for a rest!!! And when I am tired, I am not the most tolerant person!! Thank goodness for scrapping! I have had lots of projects to keep me busy this week...DT work for Mel and Jill-the gallery goes live on the 8th of every month ...and two of the most stunning Circle Journals I have ever seen arrived at my house this week. The pages are simply stunning-I keep getting them out and just looking at the work on each page...I am seriously out of my depth, but love the inspiration that each journal has brought so far!!!"Signature Style" is the title of the journal I have just completed a page for...and it really made me think. I don't think I have any particular style, I love to try lots of different styles, but I must admit that there are certain papers and colours that I really enjoy using, so I decided to focus upon those...and as I started I realised that this has become my style...for good or bad... I had such a good time making these pages that it has really made me want to scrap all day and all night...a feeling that I was beginning to miss!!!Today's layout is probably the last page that I really really enjoyed making...from last August...it has all the elements that I have descibed on the journal page today...so I must say a big thank you to Hannah (Noodle),I think you have helped me find the missing mojo!!!!!!
Dawnx

Domestic Goddess!!!

2007-01-28T16:49:00.000Z

Busy day..polished, cooked lunch, cleaned bathrooms,made pasties, ironed...and it is still only 5 o'clock. Sundays are my marmite days..some I love, some I hate. I really love the first Sunday of a half term holiday -I love the fact that i can leave everything until the next day, but usually end up regretting it! And I hate those Sundays when it is suddenly six o' clock and I still have loads to sort out before Monday morning!! I jump on the weekly treadmill at seven o clock Monday morning and jump off at 5:30 on Friday, so whatever is not organised before I go to bed on Sunday has to wait for the next weekend!
Last week was really stressful as William was so poorly he had to stay home, in fact he was so rough on Monday morning that Rob rang in work and booked a day off as he did not want to leave him...he has recovered really well, and now Phoebe is full of the bug!!! Rob is back on the antibiotics and has blood tests booked. I had to go to the dentist and now have to make the decision of whether to have the tooth removed or try some root canal treatment. Nana Bett had a knee operation and is still in hospital...is anyone fit and well at this time of year, I wonder???
Dawnx

Poorly Boy

2007-01-21T18:46:00.000Z

We have had a long ,long night and a long ,long day with William fighting this bug that is doing the rounds. I guessed something was not quite right on Friday in Nursery -he had lots of tears and did not even want to play with Emily!!! He wanted to go to bed at seven o'clock on Saturday and then spent the night crying and being sick,his temperature is sky high and he is just lying on the sofa now-it is just the most helpless feeling in the world when your baby is poorly.
Had a lovely day yesterday at our monthly crop-we have the best group of friends and family to spend a whole day with...and there is always the best selection of homemade cakes ever. Today's layouts are the pages that Jo and I "taught"-used in a very loose way as the girls are so good that they just head off on their own-lots of glitter and shine this month, so Portia was thrilled!!! We used the Doodlebug winter papers which are not my usual choice at all, but we are really aware of trying to appeal to all tastes. Next month is Basic Grey Blush-much more exciting!!!!
Dawnx

Fighting the urge

2007-01-17T21:01:00.000Z

To order some troll beads!!!! Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a box full of gorgeous jewellery that I never ever wear...the only piece that I ever keep on is my wedding ring. But I do love to wear bracelets and I love the idea that you can build up an original personal bracelet, plus the beads are just so pretty...Think I'll just send the link to Rob and live in hope!!!!!
Feeling really sad watching Celebrity Big Brother-Jade is just so horrible-There are too many people in this world who think that it is a good thing to say nasty, hurtful things to each other by convincing themselves they are being "honest", but it is just plain ignorance and spite...if you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all!
Finally used the stunning My Mind's Eye papers that have been in my box for ages and the chipboard swirls that I have been keeping for ever!!
Dawnx

Nice

2007-01-14T21:55:00.000Z

No other word comes to mind-we have had a "nice" weekend-calm, quiet, but really nice!!!! I have dug out the box of prepared pages that I made up for Scrap Camp last year and rediscovered loads of gorgeous papers that have been tucked away for months.I cannot wait to see all the new releases from CHA, but am determined to work my way through the piles of papers that are sitting here-might even throw all caution to the wind and actually use some of my chipboard shapes!!!! This set of photos have been printed out for ages and I was desperate to fit them all on one page-just about managed it-I really prefer to scrap one large photo, but this series of photos just perfectly sums up that day for me. Will was totally unwilling to stay still long enough for any decent photos. It was my Birthday treat-a day at a castle-which was chosen by Phoebe!! I only wanted one photo with both my babies BUT...not a chance with my boy!!!
Dawnx

Phew

2007-01-13T14:25:00.000Z

Reached Saturday ...the last two days have been long, wet and windy!!!! Phoebe has woken up with a sore throat and a hacking cough, my ears are blocked again, but Will is still bouncing around us!!! Rob headed off to the NEC early this morning with Mike, Tom and Bamps for the Car Show-so we feel no guilt in keeping our Pyjamas on all day and lounging in front of the television.I think I might get away with a quick sweep through downstairs and just throw all the toys behind the door. Can you tell a houseproud wife I'm not???? I really wish that I could get excited about polishing and hoovering, but I absolutely detest it. Rob and I are both untidy clutterbugs and the kids have definitely inherited these traits x 10!!!And we only ever have visitors when the house is upside down...I can spend days cleaning, no one comes and then by the time it has all returned to its original chaos, the doorbell will ring!!! On the other hand, I adore ironing-there is no better feeling (well maybe one or two) than reaching the bottom of the basket.
Today's layouts are the inside and outside views of the third ATDML January layout. This is almost exactly the same design that I used to start my 2005 album- a look back over the year, but at the beginning of the album.Except this year I gritted my teeth and hand wrote the events-I hate my own writing with a vengeance and even though I totally agree that it will all mean so much more in the future, I cannot help but feel that I have ruined the page by not using the computer to print it out!!!
Dawnx

Shattered Already

2007-01-10T21:17:00.000Z

...that is my body and my resolution!!! Absolutely knackered tonight-after only two full days of work...my eyes are so tired they are burning. And the running machine is still unused!!!Will returned to Nursery really well, as soon as he saw Emily he was off and happy...thank goodness that is one less worry.It is really hard being in the class next door and seeing his tear stained face every morning, but touch wood, he has settled back so well
Today's layouts are this month's Design Team pages for A Trip Down Memory Lane. Mel and Jill send out the most fabulous monthly kits for us to work on...this month it was Basic Grey Blush papers, tags and mini monograms...I could have kept going forever with these beautiful papers!!!

Rainy Days and Mondays

2007-01-08T20:19:00.000Z

First day back to work in 2007...training day at the Junior School and Early Years Review meeting in the afternoon...nice and easy-I can do this. Good job too after our horrendous night-Phoebe was still wide awake at midnight, refusing to even try and sleep, Will woke at 5:30 and wanted to have a chat...I have one night owl and one early lark-with me stuck in the middle trying to survive on four hours sleep!!!! So, that is going to be another change this year...bedtime at nine with no wandering and Will sleeping on past daybreak!
Today's layout is a memory of the Christmas lists made by Phoebe and Will-I have kept an annual list since I started scrapping in 2003. This year we squeezed in a trip to Clearwell Caves on the Friday before Christmas. Jo went last year and said it was magical-and I really must agree. The caves were beautiful-lots and lots of real fir trees bedecked with white lights. Will was so brave and even sat on Santa's lap!!!
Dawnx

New me!!!

2007-01-07T13:18:00.000Z

Finally, persuaded Rob to bring the very expensive, never used running machine in from the garage-it is now ready and waiting in my scrap conservatory-it will either make me very slim or very guilty!!!! In all honesty, this will hopefully be the best solution for us at the moment-we just don't have time to get out to gyms or classes, the runner was too "out of sight" in the garage and we love our food too much to dit without adding in regular exercise. I have been re reading my Paul McKenna book which makes the most sense of any diet book I have ever read (and I have read lots!!!!) Wish me luck!!!!
Finished the layout I started on Boxing Day of Will's 4th Birthday-I had reached the point of just stick it down and put it in the album!!!!It is the story of how Will reacted to the attention when we sang happy Birthday-Phoebe always did exactly the same-their innate shyness just prevents them from enjoying the moment!! I think I struggled with it because...shock, horror, ....I did not have enough patterned paper to do what was in my head!!!Just have to put in a scenic route order!!!!
Have a great Sunday-I am off to iron!!!!
Dawnx

Busy, busy, busy...

2007-01-06T11:47:00.000Z

doing nothing in particular and everything in general!!! Just trying to tie up loose ends before school on Monday...been banking, sale shopping, food shopping and its only 11:48 a.m. All the inside decorations are down now-just outside for Robbie to sort out later in the rain!
Finished the kits for our next scrap club and prepared for February-we like to try and be one month ahead of ourselves with the layouts to give the girls time to find photos to match-not that they remember the layouts from one month to the next!!! Also finished my DT layouts for Mel and Jill...perhaps I will get chance to scrap some Christmas photos later this weekend-although I still need to take Will for new shoes or boots before Tuesday. Here are some more Christmas photos-now I have worked out how to attach them-ain't no stopping me now!!!!!

Last day of holidays!

2007-01-05T16:00:00.000Z

I love the last day of any holiday...not that I don't want to lounge around the house in my P.J's all day anymore, or watch ABC 1 all day...but I always get excited about the start of a term. This Spring term is usually a slog after the thrills of Christmas, but it is nice to settle down with the class...not as hectic as September and not as frantic as Summer term. Will is distinctly unenthusiastic about going back to Nursery...I can foresee more screaming early morning car journeys ahead for me!!!! I am going to try and attach some Christmas and New Year photos later-not the best quality photos-my cameras are playing up!!!! Serious saving for a new one starts today!!!
The photo has ended up on the top of this post-it was taken at Jo's new Year party-how much fun can a bunch of girls have with stick on hairy bits???? Lots and lots!!!!!
Dawnx

Perseverance

2007-01-03T14:17:00.000Z

I am not going to be beat...yet!!!!!
Somehow the posts appeared...this is going to be the most exciting blog ever at this rate...all about the trials of blogging!!!
Quiet day here so far-Phoebe has gone up to Maddie's house for a sleep over, Rob is in work-just me and the boy and scrapping then!!!!! Rob has had to visit the doctor for anti-biotics-he can feel his throat tightenining-we are paranoid when this happens following his horrendous multiple doses of Quinsy a few years ago, but he is too chicken to have his tonsils removed so this is what he has to put up with!!!
Dawnx

and found

2007-01-02T14:57:00.001Z

How on earth does this work???

Lost

2007-01-02T14:43:00.000Z

Where is the post from this morning? God, this is just too hard for me to work out!!!!!

R.e.s.o.l.u.t.i.o.n. time

2007-01-02T14:19:00.000Z

I am loathe to use that "R" word as I know that I am only setting myself up for failure, but this time I really want to keep a daily record of our mundane life...must make scrapbooking at a later date so much easier.
It's the second of January 2007..Rob has gone back to work after more than a week at home with us and we have the luxury of the rest of the week at home!!! It was hard finishing the term so late but ,oh, so worth it now...
We had a great Christmas...Nintendo DS Lites for the kids...a flight ticket to the Isle of Mann TT races for Rob...and a circle cutting system for me!!!Nan and Grandad came up for lunch and we went down to Nanna Gill's and Bampy's house for tea!
We even went out for New Year's Eve and stayed until 2007...wey hey...William did fall asleep at 11:45 and missed all the poppers and fireworks...but he was fab...no whining or crying...he coped really well! He is one of those children who really needs to go to bed when he is tired or he makes everyones life hell. Phoebe, on the other hand ,would party all night...
Dawnx

Where has the time gone?

2006-05-04T17:02:00.000+01:00

After losing all patience (the tiny bit I have) with trying to change my profile and add photos, I lost interest(attention span of a goldfish springs to mind) in this blogging lark.
But i am going to make myself perservere as i love the idea of keeping a record of the mundane as one day they may well be the big events!!!
Where to start, Summer term began with the news that Jen our Deputy has won the lottery-and not just £10, but a mighty £2.4 million-and she came back to work on the Wednesday:) Not really sure where it leaves us as a staff-she is adamant that she is not fininshing immediately-but with almost all of the others planning on a retirement in 2 years, it looks as if there will only be me and Sarah left!!!! But the best news is that she has bought Jo and myself tickets to see Madonna in July-and refuses to tell us the cost-I have had to learn to accept them gracefully-now this I can do!!!Maggie looks unlikely to be offered early retirement this summer as Marion is adamant she wants a musician-so is refusing to go into staff room if she is in there and is generally in a foul mood with us all. Ho hum-this mood usually sets in towards the end of term-can we go another 10 weeks without an almighty blow out?
As a group we were awarded a bursary of £3, 500 to resaerch and plan for the foundation phase, so , saddo that I am, I was very excited by this
The cyber crop on UKS was fabulous-Rob looked after the house and kids and me all day saturday and I completed 9 layouts!!!! Exhausted on Sunday and have not really done much more since then. We have plunged in and booked a hall for an all day crop on saturday 27th may, so hopefully the goodies we have ordered will arrrive before then.

2006-04-18T22:36:00.000+01:00

And hurrah, it worked-and really quickly too!!!!!!I ahve no idea what I did differently this time-this is what puts me off things like this. I really have no idea what I am doing so I usually just decide not to even try!

2006-04-18T22:32:00.000+01:00

And again-and this time I will time it

Righto...

2006-04-18T15:06:00.000+01:00

let's try to upload those pesky photos from the crop on saturday!!!!No, cannot do it-i am following the instructions, but it is taking forever-give up!!!!

2006-04-16T23:19:00.000+01:00

had to stop the last post as when I created the link (clever sod that I am ), I could not end the link and type a new word-it just kept adding my words the link (not so clever really!!!!). I am pleased with the DT layout, as I did not try anything too different-just my usual clutterbug style- I am slowly coming to the conclusion that this is me-in all areas of my life-work, home, family, hobby, scrapping-I just have to try and fit as much in as I can possibly fit, otherwise, i am left feeling like something is missing!!!!

Chocs Away

2006-04-16T22:59:00.000+01:00

I canot believe that just a few chocolate eggs could spread so far and wide through a house!!!!! By 8 o'clock this morning, William had opened all of his eggs (grand total of two!!!), but had actually eaten none! I have spent this evening sweeping up little pieces of chocolate from all corners of the house-now, I am not at all house proud, but it does get very messy when you have melted cholate footprints everywhere:)
Moan over-everyone tells me that I will really miss these days when they are past, but how I long for a clutter free room-just one will do-Even the en-suite (or should i say cupboard with a loo in it) has toys on the floor!!!!
We have had a really lovely Easter Sunday-an early start, with a disappointed Phoebe, who for some strange reason had built up the expectation that there was going to be a pile of toys from the Easter bunny(methinks, she has muddled up the holidays!!!) and then a few hours tidying the garden for Rob and lots of lovely scrapping for me!!
I finished the layouts from yesterday's crop in Newport-I really loved the class taught by Debbie Smith and the page is almost identical to the class page. I have tried to add the page here but blogger is taking forever to load the image so I'll try again later.
The second was Fiona's class which has turned out nothing like the class!!!!!-I just kept adding more and more, but got there in the end.
I also spent a good few hours working on a DT layout for Mel at www.atripdownmemorylane.co.uk

Old Friends

2006-04-13T11:04:00.000+01:00

I had a really fab night yesterday-Gillian is down from Glasgow for a few days, so we met up with Julie in the local hot spot-The Malpas Harvester!!! The best thing with these girls is that we only see each other every 6 weeks or less, but there is never any awkwardness-it is like we are still in the sixth form and meeting up to go out every Friday and Saturday night:) Gillian is desperate to move closer to home, but Eric won't even consider it-we worked out a strategy to convince him last night, so I now have to keep sending Gill reminders of "Be Calm!"

2006-04-12T16:50:00.000+01:00

Oh my goodness!!!!!

2006-04-12T07:58:00.000+01:00

OMG....it worked!!!!!! I have logged out and back in and worked out how to post again:)
I am a Techno whizz-seriously, I am so thrilled that I have done this all by myself-next goal is to update the profile and add a daily photo-One thing at a time though!!!!!!!

Hello, hello

2006-04-11T19:10:00.000+01:00

Wonder if I,ve done this right? Just a bit above and beyond my technical powers, methinks