Some Gorgeous Autumn Colour!

Well, as anyone who still reads this blog will know, I didn't do so well with keeping up with the photo a day project...!! Anyhow, in an attempt to re-kindle my photography mojo, I took this photo this other day, of a dahlia in my garden.... isn't the colour just luscious, and so cheerful after such a grey, grotty day !!

I've been doing some blog-hopping and found this amazing blog candy http://crafterskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/09/amazing-blog-candy.html ... fab, isn't it?!! :-)

Best laid plans....

Well, I know I said I'd be blogging more often again, but a little bit of an MS relapse put paid to that!! Note to self... never tell the devil your mind!! lol!! Anyhow, I'm starting to feel better now, which will hopefully continue (fingers crossed!). The past few days, yet again, crafting has saved my sanity whilst I've been at home "confined to barracks" and I've made a start on making Christmas cards.

Only problem is, online shopping has led me to all sorts of retail therapy!! lol!! I've bought some gorgeous Squiggle stamps and having visited several other sites of yummy crafty goodness, the postie will be bringing me a few other parcels over the next few days. (Shhhh!!!)

Right off to finish off the online food shopping... was going to try going to the supermarket in the morning, but have decided not to push my luck on the energy front, and will let the delivery guy take the strain! ;-) Bye for now. x

We Did It!!!

Not only am I finally blogging again, (after HOW LONG????!!) but,I also took part in the Adidas Women's 5k Challenge in Hyde Park today. My cousin Karen volunteered herself to do it with me, and admits that a just few days before, she wondered what on earth she'd let herself in for!! lol!

My huge thanks to her, and to friends and family for their lovely support and, much appreciated, sponsorship!

The boys also got the chance of a medal, by taking part in the Kid's challenge, so Mark had to get a photo!

I suspect that I will ache like crazy tomorrow (even more than I do now! lol) but it was oh so worth it!

My fellas are back at school tomorrow, so it'll be a slow n' lazy start to the day for me, before my night shift

Hellooooo! Yes, I know it's been an absolute age since I've blogged, but I'm lucky enough to have a few days off work and I want to get back to my scrapping life again..... It's been a loooong time!! I've got a store of photos on my camera for my photo a day project... there will be a gap i'm afraid, but i'm going to endeavour to carry on.

I'm so looking forward to going to a crop with my Lurvlie friends on Saturday. I'm sure it will be a wonderful day!

A couple more snowy pics...

The "alien" plant... with a snowy centre!! lol!!

.... and it would seem that "Spud duck" has had a "spud duckling"

.. and they ventured out into the cold!!

Hope you're keeping warm, and cosy! Thanks for reading. x D x

DAY THIRTY-THREE...

... and still it's snowing! Today's piccie was made by hubby putting his face into the snow..... brave.. or mad.. you decide!!! (He did say it was... errr.. refreshing!! lol!!)

I'll post some more snowy pictures in a mo. I'm not feeling so great today... so it's just as well I'm hibernating. The boys' school is closed.... and we're wondering whether Harrison's school trip to the Tower of London on Wednesday will go ahead... shame if it doesn't as he wants to see if the Queen's crown is "as good as his!!" lol!!

DAY THIRTY-TWO...

.... and here's my little man after being awarded Player of the Match today!

Since he got home earlier today, we've had snow flurries, on and off, and it's started to settle this evening. I was considering going shopping for clothes for the boys tomorrow, but if it's still like this, I'm gonna carry on hibernating!! lol!.... Going out in the cold... or staying in, and playing with paper?????? Not such a tough decision!!!

Once again, thanks for reading... keep warm! luv D xx

DAY THIRTY-ONE...

... and this is ME!! (Crikey... would you look at all that grey hair!!) Well apart from a couple of days, I've managed to take a photo every day... and I'm really enjoying it.

Off for some retail therapy with some Lurvlie friends today... fab!

DAY THIRTY...

... and as the Grand Finale of the boy's school's Centenary celebrations, they held a fireworks display at a local secondary school.... The display was great, but it wasn't so great getting hit over the head by a child with a glowing light sabre!!! The force was NOT with me, and I was NOT happy!! (Made worse by the child's parents not even apologising, or making the child apologise!!)

DAY TWENTY-NINE...

... and the picture of the day was taken, by my hubby, of Harrison at school! The school are celebrating their Centenary... and each year are learning about a decade of the school's history. Harrison's class learnt about the 1950's and the Queen's Coronation... They each designed and made their own crowns, and then each child had their own Coronation! They learnt lots about what happened during the ceremony... and what the items that were given to the Queen during the ceremony meant. They all had a thoroughly enjoyable time! Doesn't my little fella look regal!! lol!!

DAY TWENTY-EIGHT...


... and yet another feline photo!! Maddie was snuggled up to the radiator, and I couldn't resist taking a piccie of her... I love the way she's peeping at me!! (Probably thinking..."there she is with her bloomin' camera again!!)

I'm off to work shortly, but have managed to squeeze some card making, and also some scrapping into my day again, for the Scrap Like You Mean It challenge... this week I had to follow a sketch.. not something that I feel I'm particularly good at... but it's good to have that comfort zone feel a little threatened!! lol!!

Here's the SLYMI Week 4 Challenge sketch:

... and here's the LO that I made, by following it...

I "flipped" the sketch onto it's side... so I could use the photos I had in mind. I rather enjoyed this, but now I've got to get myself ready for work. It's an overtime shift... so it's not all bad!

Thanks for looking, and I'll see you soon. BFN. D xx

DAY TWENTY-SEVEN...

... and what a little poser this little lady is!! I think she saw the desperation in my eyes, to get my picture of the day!! lol!!

I worked today, and I'm working the next couple of nights, but I'm looking forward to the weekend. On Friday evening we're going to a firework display to celebrate the boys' school's 100th year! Then on Saturday, I will be enjoying a touch of retail therapy with some of my lurvlie friends.... whilst Mark, and the boys go to watch Ebbsfleet footie team play.

DAY TWENTY-SIX...

I worked last night, so didn't really feel like venturing too far today (how lazy am I??!!) ... but I really wanted to get outside in the garden, to take some photos. I have to say it's looking a bit sad and neglected.... roll on Spring!!

I love the seed heads of the Fatsia Japonica, especially against the blue of our fence. I'm glad to have got my picture for the day... I was rather upset with myself for not taking any over the weekend. I've been looking at mobile phones which have a decent camera.... so I've always got the means to get a photo with me.... any excuse for a new gadget!! lol!!

DAY TWENTY-FOUR & DAY TWENTY-FIVE...

Inspiration has left me over the past few days I'm afraid, but I hope to return tomorrow with energy, and enthusiasm.... and a photo!!

DAY TWENTY-THREE...

... and I'm glad we've got this today!! It's become very chilly this evening!!

After my sleep this morning (after my night shift) I went to the library this afternoon, to collect the new Catherine Alliot book!! Being the first to read a library book is quite a treat!! lol!! I must finish "The Memory Garden" by Rachel Hore first. Yesterday I finished reading "The Dream House" also by Rachel Hore, and I can highly recommend it... a really lovely story. For all my hopes of getting creative today, I'm afraid the inspiration and energy fairies have left me!! It's been nice to relax after working a few nights though. Whilst relaxing, I've also been doing a bit of detective work, as I'm trying to remember, and record, the books that I loved as a child.... it's brought back some wonderful memories! I read an awful lot as a child, and my Mum was forever taking me to the library or a bookshop to keep me occupied!! lol!!

DAY TWENTY-TWO...

... and my photo of the day is of this fab piece of artwork, by Ethan!! He hasn't finished it yet, but I just thought it was great! Such super pirates!!

Just a quick post for today, as I'm off to work tonight. The week 4 SLYMI challenge on UKS has been set today, to use a sketch, so I'm hoping to get that done tomorrow... and leave myself a little more time to time before the deadline!! lol! Once again, thanks for reading! D x

DAY TWENTY-ONE..

... and a "2 for 1 deal" lol!! This was my entry for week 3 of the SLYMI challenge.. and also my photo of the day!

I love this picture of the boys... we'd just left Earls Court Exhibition Centre, having seen the fabulous Dr Who Exhibition. I called the boys, and they just turned, put their arms round each other, smiled... and snap.. picture taken!! (Don't you just love those moments!)

There are times when they argue... and drive me barmy, but there's no denying their closeness, and love for each other. :-)

DAY TWENTY...

.... and would you look at those expressions of concentration!! lol!! My boys loved having a visit from their "baby cousin" ... and he loved spending time with them too!

An Historic day today... we've just watched the inauguration of the 44th President, Barack Obama.... and his incredibly inspiring and moving speech. Seeing the American public being interviewed, on the tv, they seem so optimistic about a better future... one can only hope that they're right.

DAY NINETEEN... This is my photo for the day, and also my first photo for my "Snapshot of my Life 2009" project. The theme for this week for this project is "routine"... which kind of makes me giggle... because I'm not exactly the most organised of people.. and I don't really "do" routine!!! lol!!



The picture to the right is my attempt at the Scrap like you mean it challenge, which is running on UK Scrappers. This was for week 2, using stars, and shows Ethan when he played Mr Slugworth/Mr Wilkins in "Charlie's Chocolate Miracle" in his yr 5 production at school. He was wonderful... especially when he sang a solo! Such a proud Mummy moment!

DAY EIGHTEEN... Well I'm pleased to say that I feel a lot better today. I've had another quiet day at home, so I'm ready for my day at work tomorrow.

Once again, having not felt like braving the elements to take photos outside, I've taken another indoor shot ... I had to have a bit of a think about my subject today. So...I started taking photos of everyday things from strange angles! lol!! (I'm not exactly technically minded, when it comes to photography - you may have noticed!! ) I rather like the effect of the movement underneath the clock-face, within the glass domed case, so this is my piccie of the day!

I'm not sure if we're heading for a power-cut tonight, but the lights keep flickering. I do hope not, 'cos I need my wireless headphones to keep me sane, whilst hubby "watches" the footie - by osmosis through his eyelids of course!! lol!! Mind you he's been doing his footie manager "thing" with his team this morning, and he's come home, done all the washing and ironing... and cooked a lovely roast dinner. So he deserves some zzzzzz's!!

DAY SEVENTEEN... My "Secret Santa" at work gave me this mug, and a packet of biscuits for Christmas! Oh how well they know me!!! lol!!

I've had a relaxing day at home with my fellas today... and hopefully I'm on the mend. The bone-aching pain seems to have eased a great deal, and my eye's feeling a lot better too. Tomorrow should be another restful day, and with any luck I'll be back to work on Monday. Fingers crossed I just had some sort of "bug" and I'm not heading for a relapse!

I've been doing a lot of "blog-hopping" lately, and have got lots of ideas and inspiration for card-making and scrap book pages.... now I just need to find the time to put this all into practice!! lol!! I am still enjoying the photo a day challenge... and hope, over the next few weeks, to start lots more projects... watch this space to see how I get on, making a dent in my stash mountain!!! lol!!

DAY SIXTEEN... and the photo of the day shows my little "tool kit" that comes out 3 times a week for my Rebif injection. At times it makes me feel like hell, to be polite, but it seems to be reducing the number of relapses that I have, and, in turn, should slow the possible progression of my condition.

I did worry about putting a picture of this on my blog for this project, but it IS part of my life.... only a small part though.... and I continue to strive to make it as small a part as possible.

DAY FIFTEEN... I'm really not feeling so well, so just took the opportunity to grab a photo of Mabel curling up on my lap. There I was in my pj's and dressing gown... and luckily my camera was within reach!!

I've got to get my photo for today yet.... I'm determined to keep up.... but I think they'll be a few more indoor shots for a few days.

My balance is a bit "off" at the moment, and last night I stood up, and did a rather spectacular pirouette fall onto the settee, so I've had my orders from my lovely hubby to do very little today! Whether I am heading for a relapse, or not... I'm going to be good, and rest - I promise!

(I also promise to "keep my chin up... and not let it get me down!! )

Hopefully I'll be back later today, with today's photo... thanks for reading. D x

DAY FOURTEEN... Woke up today with very achy legs, so decided to have a lovely bubbly bath... and ooh, it was lovely!! :-) Plus it gave me an idea for my photo of the day... phew!! lol!! I must get out and about for some more interesting pictures.... here's to the better weather!!

Speaking of the weather, It was sooo foggy this morning, and I'm hoping that it's not the same again for my shift tonight. I thoroughly enjoyed scrapping yesterday evening, and it was good to play with paper, and relax. Over the next few days, I'll get busy with the technology (ha ha) and get some piccies of my recent pages and cards that I've made on here too.

Now, I'm off to eat, then I'll be getting ready for my shift tonight. Once again, thanks for reading.. hopefully I'll see you tomorrow. D x

DAY THIRTEEN...

... and it's felt like it should have been Friday the 13th today... it's just been one of "those" days!! Anyway, hubby whipped up some lovely "Italian" pasta salad, to go with pizza and wedges this evening... and I'm now having a nice cold beer... so the world is looking a brighter place!! lol!!

I'm "faffing" with cardstock and patterned paper now... yet again attempting to get that scrapping mojo revived... wish me luck!!

Thanks for reading! Loadsa luv Denny xx

DAY 12... and it's choose a caption time!!!

"98,99, 100... coming, ready or not!!"

"You can't see me, can you?"

" I'm sorry, I'll stay in the naughty corner!"

It may well have a lot to do with being right next to the radiator, but Mabel took herself off into the corner, like she'd been told off!! lol!!

I had planned to scrap this afternoon, but the "after-night-shift-itis" has hit, and I'm in the mood to chillax... tomorrow is another day!! (I'm an A-grade procrastinator!!)

DAY ELEVEN... and slightly lacking inspiration today.... my excuse is that I worked nights last night, and I'm working again tonight!

My Mum bought me some lovely Tulips the other day, and one of them has decided it hasn't got the strength to keep it's head up anymore!! So, I tried to take, what I think is called a "Bokeh" shot, whereby the background is all blurred... I think it worked quite well... Although I know I'm only using the auto settings on my DSLR so far, I would like to experiment a little. Hopefully I'll be a lot braver by the end of the year!! lol!!

Thanks for reading! x

DAY TEN... Mark was about to peel some potatoes for lunch, when he found "Spud Duck!" I couldn't resist getting a picture for today. :-)

I'm working tonight, so all "no fog vibes" would be very much appreciated. It's been nice hearing the fog horns of ships over the past few days and not being at work, I have to say!

DAY NINE... This morning we went to watch Harrison's school assembly about New Year's Resolutions! It was fantastic, and our boy was great (yes... I know I'm biased, but he was!!)

After it was finished I just had to take a photo of the wonderful old clock in the school hall. The school celebrates it's centenary this year... and I do wonder how old this lovely clock is! Plus I'm intrigued how it came to be in the school as it appears that it came from "The London and Dover Railway Company"

I'm really enjoying the Photo a day Challenge... and I love the way it's making me think about photography. I have still to get my "groove" back for scrapping, but I'm hoping it won't be too long before I'm enjoying that again. I have been making lots of cards lately, so at least I've still been playing with paper.... what can I say, I have to... It keeps me sane!! lol!!

To whoever's reading, thanks for looking! xx

DAY EIGHT... Here's Merlin in his usual, content pose!! lol!! I missed out on a great photo of him, earlier in the day, when he was in the garden - and actually awake!! The sun was actually shining earlier, but since mid-afternoon we've had freezing fog! I am SOOOO glad I'm not at work... I do hate the fog!!

I've enjoyed my day off today, but I'm feeling very tired. I'll be up early tomorrow (well early for me on a day off!) as it's Harrison's class assembly. He told me - and I quote - "we're doing all about New Year's Revolutions Mum!!" Bless him!!

DAY SEVEN... I'll be honest, this was very much a last minute idea! I'd taken Hubby's camera to work with me, but didn't manage to take a decent picture all day. Then, whilst having a nice, comforting hot chocolate in my fave Clangers mug, I thought why not give it a go, after all it's a record of one of those "every day things" in my life. :-)

It was a verrrry long day at work today, but it's been a lovely evening. Very dear friends of ours,who live in Canada, phoned, and they're coming to the UK in March!! I'm soooo looking forward to seeing them!

I've got two days off to look forward to now. I'm planning catching up with my card-making and finally getting started on the "Scrap Like You Mean It! challenge that's running on UK Scrappers. Oh, and taking lots more photos, of course!

DAY SIX... So, this afternoon, with my "photo a day" subject in mind, I ventured out into our garden with the intention of taking photos of the icy conditions and maybe of the odd seed head or two.... and there I find in one of the hanging baskets... this little beauty!! With the sun shining, despite the cold, it made me think that Spring is not too far away!

It's been a good day today. I had my check-up with my fab MS nurse, Debbie, which went well. I know I'm pushing my luck, but it's been quite a while since my last relapse... and life feels good as a result. When I left the hospital I went for a little retail therapy, with Christmas money and vouchers in hand, and spent a few hours at Bluewater. Came home to eat a lovely meal, cooked by my hubby, with my fellas, and have been chillaxin on the sofa since then. Now, looking at the time, I should be off to bed! 12hr days tomorrow, then a few days off!! Yay!!

DAY FIVE... Here's a piccie of Harrison's "penny pot" that his Dad made for him. One of hubby's hobby's is wood-turning/carpentry. Phew!! I'm up-to-date!!

Right, I'd better get ready for work... or I'm gonna be late!!

DAY FOUR... and here's yesterday view in daylight... well if you can call the grim "greyness" of this day actually daylight!! lol!! I still haven't taken a photo for today... I'd better think quickly, as I'm off to work tonight!

Happy New Year!!

Well, yes, I know... it's been a while again. The last couple of months of 2008 were a little "challenging" to say the least. I won't dwell on it, but suffice to say, surviving someone driving into the side of my car, (pushing it into a brick wall) and them driving off, leaving me, thankfully, only bruised and battered, and my car written-off took a little "coming back from!!"

Anyway.... on to better days and better things. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year. I've decided to give a UK Scrappers Challenge a go.... to take a photo a day - for a year!! Whether I manage to keep up, remains to be seen, but I intend to have some fun with it... and it's great that it's encouraging me to play with my lovely camera lots more.


So, Here's DAY ONE...This is of our lovely Mabel, who this year (which the boys are very excited by) will become a teenager this year!! lol

DAY TWO...These are just one pair of lovely warm fluffy PINK socks that my hubby bought me for Christmas... LOVE 'EM!!

DAY THREE... This was the view out of the ops room window at about 5.40 (ish) on the morning of the 3rd Jan.... I braved the cold to "hang out of the window" and took this on the night landscape setting.

So there's the story so far.... I'm pleased that I've blogged them, but I won't be too pleased when my alarm goes off this morning!!! I should be off to bed, as I'm working a 12hr shift today!! Oh lovely!!