My eldest

I've had a really lovely day today. Scott, my eledest and who's almost 18, came over for the day. He lives with his dad now but since moving out, he's grown up (mentally) so much. He's got himself a job working for an Insurance Broker and although he's only been there a month, things are already looking up for him with a possible promotion already. I'm very proud of him for working hard to get this and although things between us have been pretty awful for quite awhile, I can safely say our mother/son relationship is back on the straight and narrow. I enjoyed his company today which we spent down by the sea having a few drinks and this evening we've been out for a Chinese - his first restaurant meal rather than take-away. The food was fabulous and we all had a good laugh. Life is so much more relaxed when we're not shouting and growling at each other - fingers crossed it stays that way.


Last week I ordered the new Becky Fleck Page Maps book from The Book Depository. It arrived yesterday and although I'm not really one for sticking to a sketch, the ideas are a good starting point for me. Anyway the book is really good with some lovely pages for inspiration and design. I also like the recipe cards that can be popped out at the back. They're a good size to have sitting on your desk. Overall I really like this book and at a tenner with free postage, it's a bargain! :)

I'm back

Life has been so busy lately that I really haven't had time to blog. Two weeks ago I went on the Scrapajack/Homegrown Retreat at Stratford Upon Avon with Sandie and Anita and we had such a blast! I'll fill you in with all the details in another post along with some piccies but it was the best Retreat ever!

Last weekend we went to Disneyland Paris. It was an adventure to say the least and I won't EVER be going to France again. I nearly came home after a couple of hours of being there, however Disneyland was great and Jake had a wondeful time. We also had passes for Disney Studios and Sea Life but we didn't get there - Disneyland was enough to cope with for the 2 1/2 days. Even Paul enjoyed himself and he didn't complain once about his foot! The best part of our hols had to be the Buzz Lightyear ride. I managed to persuade Paul to go on and he loved it just as much as Jake! So much so we went on it twice. We bought one of those photos they take as you're going through the ride and the look on Paul's and Jake's face is excellent. I giggle everytime I look at the photo now. This photo was taken on our first day there - it really is a magical place.

So now it's back to work and catching up on life in general. I wasn't feeling to clever today so Jake and I have stayed home and I'm completing all my unfinished pages. I've just finished this one that I started over a month ago. Disgraceful eh?!?!

Scrapajack Retreat

I'm off to Stratford-Upon-Avon tomorrow for the Scrapajack Retreat with Sandie and Anita! We're going to have such fun. I've just finished packing and I can't believe the amount of stash I'm taking. I hope it all goes in the car! Wine and nibbles are already in the boot so all we've got to do is load up and we're off. I'm so looking forward to this, it's been a long time coming as we booked it a year ago.

I'll report back on Sunday and hopefully they'll be some piccies too.

Have a great weekend and fingers crossed this hot weather stays. I hope so as I've packed my summer clothes. :)

Sunday or Monday??

This Bank Holiday has really thrown me. I keep thinking it's Sunday today!

And hasn't the weather been weird? For the last two days we've had stuff planned and every time we step out the door.... it pours with rain! Yesterday we were going for a walk along the beach and we then had to sit in the car for half an hour for the rain to stop. It didn't so we walked in the rain anyway.

Today we'd planned to take Charley on his first trip on the boat. Again it poured as we got in the car, trudged down to the boat with everything and it eventually cleared up just in time for the 12.30pm bridge. It was really lovely in the harbour - the sea was calm and although the sun wasn't shining the breeze was warm. We anchored up round the back of the islands and Dave & Marian and Nige rafted up with us. Dave fired up the barbie and we had a cracking lunch of lemon chicken, spicy chicken, burgers, sausages and onions with pasta salad and lots of other bits. Oh and of course a yummy glass of wine. It was nice not to have to do the cooking for once and I took some brill photos. I captured this one of Paul and I on auto timer. This is a very rare photo of Paul and I together - and what I love the best is we both look naturally happy. Paul was actually squeezing my muffin top at the time - Cheeky blighter!

Poser

We went to the beach today. Took some lovely photos. This one of Charley I really like. He's fitting in with the family nicely when it comes to having his photo taken. ;)

Scenic Route mini

I've just been over to Layle Koncar's blog 6 Degrees and she's posted there will be a Scenic Route mini every 4-8 weeks - yaaaay! Scenic Route is my fave so I'm keeping everything crossed it makes it over here.

This is the new one 'Liberty', not that I'd want to create 4th July Lo's but they'd make great Jakey ones ...

Ouch!

At the Scrapping Frenzy crop the other night, our little magpie Katherine showed us some very cute little alphabet stamps she bought from The Range. A bargain at 99p each set so off I went yesterday to get me some. I bought four different ones and when I got home I wanted to have a little play. The thing is the rubber on each stamp is still connected so out came the craft knife to nick each one. Well stupid me pressed a bit hard and managed to slice the craft knife down the side of my thumb. OOOuuuch!!!! It did bleed a fair bit and I felt very sick. Even though it's my left thumb it's surprising how much it gets in the way. I've put two plasters on it but Jake has a phobia of them. I wonder if there's a name for a plaster phobia???

Anyway, the stamps work wondefully and you'd better get there quick if you want some - there weren't that many left!!

Have a great Bank Holiday weekend!

Jo :)

Hey Jude

Isn't he cute!!