Meet Simba

So you all listen to me waffle on about this boy, but hopefully here he is for all to see (and hear!). Only two very short clips, will try and get some better ones. Did this on my digi camera last night- just random filming.
Anyway here he is- hope this works!
1st one- this is a piss take sneeze (2nd sneeze is real)...love how he reaches to cover his mouth/nose!


and 2nd one- not sure what the waffle is at the very start, but the rest is him talking to the cat and initiating a game of peepo!

*mwah*

Thank you for all your comments, love and stuff.
It means a lot to me.
I am ok, it's just a blip (I hope)
Basically Mart and I have had a big heart to heart with a LOT of tears. We decided that maybe we should split up, problem was I don't think either of us really want that. We both want different things in our long term life plans, but I don't think he is totally convinced in his own head that he knows what he wants. Since this heart to heart he has been on the phone every single day, over and over and can't leave me alone, this is not a man who wants things to end- I am more certain of that than I ever have been.
Which just makes things all, well, so up in the air!
So neither of us are sure where things go from here really.
I don't know.
I love him SO much, and can't see us being apart. Acht time will tell I spose.
Had Caitlin and Willow round today- can't believe Willow is nearly 9 months. She is such a treasure- and Cait- well she is a rule unto herself! Totally lush, totally affectionate, and I totally ADORE her!
They are both to be officially made my God-daughters in August. Complete with bouncy castle that takes adults and kids *snigger* should be a great day!
Fab pic of Willow-


and one of Cait and Willow- love this pic so much- not sure why tho lol! Check out Willow's spikey hair lol!

I know. I know.

I haven't updated in ages! Life is really hectic and somewhat difficult just now, so not really feeling like blogging and depressing everyone else too!
Had a huge falling out at the stables last week, big time, but all is sorted now...suffice to say that nobody will talk to Jasmine in the way that the stable owner did, ever again! grrrr
Pic is of a random layout from the weekend, one of the challenges set by the fabulous Mel and Jill at ATDML Lots of really great challenges. Was a bit sad I couldn't go to Bonanza, couldn't afford it full stop. Orlando asked me to work, but travelling times and costs would have been a nightmare. So I settled in for a weekend of challenges instead and bloody enjoyed it! (and managed to win two of the challenges-yay!)
Anyway hope everyone is well-am still reading all of your blogs to keep up, but not posting a whole lot! Will update again very soon-honest!

and now fo something a little different...

'effin 'ell!
I did it.
I succumbed.
At last.
Yes I did the effer dare!
I have been meaning to do a layout about my fave smells since like forever. So when I saw the latest dare, it pushed me to get it done.
And boy am I glad I did.
For someone who normally does clean and simple (ish) layouts, I let my arty, random side out in atc's altering and sometimes painting. Today I let loose and did it all on a layout. Bless the effers for making me do it-even if none of them are aware of it!
So- I painted a somewhat contemporary/abstracty version of tulips on acetate...and kinda shoved things around and plonked bits of paper on til I was happy.
And I am.
Really pleased I did this!

Now- I realise my scent of choice is rather random-but it honestly is the best smell in the world-to me.
I love snuggling up with simba when I have showered him (normally followed by a blast with a hairdrier just cos he loves it) and burying my nose in his feathers. It really is a yummy smell!
So-thank you effer girls!

We are having a mini celebration of national scrapbook day at the lounge I know it is for the USA, but heck-we wanted to join in too!
So, on two days notice we have organised a mini cyber crop.
I have done two classes, and hope the girls will have a go- they are both really easy clases, but I hope it gets them thinking a bit!

Gonna submit this post now-before my laptop cuts out and I lose it all again!
Oh and huge congrats on a very worthy winner, noodle-our grand winner of the scrap yourself challenge (see kirstys blog for the layout)
ttfn ~x~

Tag you're it!

Been tagged by shell and anna cheers dolls! ok so here goes...

Five things in your fridge?
1. milk
2. cheese
3. simba's fruit bowl
4. pesto
5. drinking yogurt

Five things in your car?
Not my own car but:
1. kt tunstall tunes
2. disney sweeties
3. umbrella
4. sunglasses
5. socks!

Five things in your bag? (my bag is like a tardis-lol)
1. lip gloss-most important
2. purse
3. keys
4. ibuprofen
5. scrapbook inspirations magazine

Five things in your Wardrobe? (too much in fact it is a triple wardrobe and is at bursting point!)
1. my new brown and cream wrap dress
2. shoes...lots of
3. pashmina
4. my 'funeral' suit
5. my favest gypsy skirt

Five things you would watch on sky plus?
1. friends re-runs
2. old eppys of eastenders
3. music channels (love vh1 80s days!)
4. qvc craft days
5. a damn good film!

On my DVR or video player
1. lost
2. the green mile
3. friends
4. scary movie 3
5. harry potter

Five people I'm tagging: (if they haven't already been tagged)
Shirleen
Kirsty
Beffy
Tracey-monkey
jaffs

How much?!

Eyes tested..specs ordered! I fell in love with the above beauties ages ago...


so bought these as well! Simila design only in a browny reddish colour!
£200 later! (FCUK £125 per pair plus coatings, but they gave me £99 off if I bought a 2nd pair)
Bless my Nan- she bought them for me, I didn't want her too but she hid a stash of money in my bag and threaten to hit me round the head with a saucepan if I gave it back!
I've had the same specs for about 6+years and my eye test confirmed that my astigmatism has changed so I would have had to had new glasses anyway...these are falling to pieces-with the help of Simba. I know this is a boring subject but a huge thumbs up to dolland and aitchinson. They have been FAB today. They asked if I get headaches, which yes I have been...however when the optician looked inside my eyes she looked a bit alarmed and asked if I have had nausea and vomiting. Again yes (part of my original symptoms which is why they took so much blood!)...she has instructed me that if it continues she wants me to be refferred to a neurologist! Which again gives me the worry that it is infact a brain tumour like we orignally thought...but the optician will ring if she finds any abnormalities with the extra tests they did. They gave me lots of extra tests while I was there, just to check everything over cos of these headaches...and one nice chap took me into a dark room and asked me to dress up like a pirate and play space invaders with him! Oooher! Service with a smile eh?! (it was actually a cool machine to test my peripherererereral field of vision...or summat!)
Soooo get me new specs next week...cant wait and I am sure you are all thoroughly bored now!

Got the latest scrapbook inspirations mag today, Best of British is announced in this issue and it was great to see me and Anna in this issue. Thanks to Jane Dean for the tip off lol!
The layouts look great but I have to agree with every word Anna uttered on her blog yesterday about it all...still, we should be incredibly proud with what we have achieved :)

freeeeestylin...

I sooooo need to get hold of this book but keep missing out! It is selling like hotcakes here in the UK and I think I am gonna go buy it in the US! I just cannot wait any longer!

Just a quick post, will do a more thorough update when I get the pics back from Sunday, they used Victorias pics in a couple of newspapers and she was on the front page no less!

Anyway back to freestylin...if you haven't seen it already go wrap your creativeness around the freestyling blog

I have been in need of a creatively artistic outlet for a while now...my layouts are so clean and simple-which is great and that is how I love it...but then I have to go a bit wild and usually channel it into atcs/altered stuff. To the point that today and yesterday I have been painting! Proper painting on canvas pads! Very contemporary and 'loose' but so needed. I think it is good for me that I can 'hear' my inner artstic voice! Anyhoodle...go check out the blog!

Good news, bad news

So, doctors yesterday and last test results are back...
Hormone levels are going back down which means that it looks far less likely that it is the brain tumour (non cancerous usually) that we feared...however my liver enzymes are still really high so they want to retest that again in about 8 weeks, as that could be what is causing all my symptoms. Now I will point out, when people say liver you normally think 'alcohol'...I can assure you I am not a big drinker, in fact I haven't had a single alcoholic drink for ages (I think the last was february!). So not all bad! I have decided against treatment just now. I really don't want to pump my body full of drugs to try and treat the symptoms, at least until we know exactly what we are dealing with. Doctor was very supportive of this, and left the decision to me. I love doctors that let you choose your own path with things like this!

Did a bit of scrapping at the weekend for the uks cybercrop, made a few atcs too. Fave layout from the weekend is this one (poopsie pic sorry- it is all straight irl) which was a challenge by Tara Whitney love love loved doing this one...



I can now confirm I will be going to a fab event in September at cotswold keepsakes and cannot wait! An afternoon of classes with our very own Kirkyloolaa and none other than the equally gorgeous Emily Falconbridge Do you know I have never ever been to a crop/class/retreat...so I mega excited about this!

Mum had a fab afternoon sunday...she was the star attraction at a service held at the beautiful Gloucester Cathedral. Will update more on that when I have the pics...but it was all rather swish! And the newspaper wants to interview her too! ooohlala!

Busy bees...

Look at her go! This was taken with a lot of zoom too! Jasmine has also learnt recently how to ride her bike without stabilisers...so we took her out on the cycle path, and man oh man can she ride well! Never one to do things by halves lol! So proud of her...she is having a bit of a rough time at the mo...it is just a phase, but infuriating and saddening at the same time. I am naming this the 'obsessively worry' phase! So I bought her a worry angel in a cute box (J loves trinkety things) so that may help...or it will sit on her shelf in her bedroom! We had a lovely day Saturday, just me and J, nothing exciting. We spent the morning playing on the playstation, sorting beads out, then shopping. But it was sooo nice! I did however get collared into promising her that if/when I get married she can be my bridesmaid- this was all born out of a love for the bridesmaid dresses in debenhams!



What a cutie! And this time I don't mean J! This is a gosling, not very old at all...and he was BEAUTIFUL! Totally cuddly snuggly lushness! And now I want one!
Saw the lambing, some only just born, and it was wonderful...this was at our local farm park. Lots and lots of baby critters...lambs goats ducks chickens (Del Rodney and Albert!) lovely day had by all until J threw a wobbler so we abandoned the idea and went home!


Off out to the stables in about 10 mins...in the rain yuk!
Hope you are all well -x-

She never fails to amaze me...

...and I truly mean that!
I said it wouldn't be long until she took her first jump, but I didn't think it would be this quick!
Yes, Jasmine did her first (and second) jump this week! She has only been cantering for a few weeks, but she bloody did it! AND she stayed on. She nearly came a cropper after the second jump, but she held on round Lettie's neck and rectified the situation pronto! That's my girl...and she is still only FIVE years old! That is what is so shocking I think!

Had a busy week this week, decided to redo my studio (that's what I call it when I am feeling posh!) added some new cheapo units from argos, and I can feel the mojo flowing through already! Bliss...here is to a better organised creative experience!

Will do a better update tomorrowish...just thought I would let you know I AM alive still, and wish you all a very happy easter :)

Out of the mouths of babes...

Bad bad blogger- I am sorry it's just been one of those weeks!

First off a huge thank you to the girls at scrap pad. Fab fab fab cyber crop this weekend!
Will post some of my creations below.

So, the reason for my title today?
Jasmine. My sweet lil angel!
Meant to blog about this before now, but hey ho better late than never!
She gave me a little handmade envelope, containing this treasure:





How lush is that! For those not au fait with 5 year old's spelling it translates as:

I love you because you are
beautiful
kind
helpful
pretty
cuddly
nice
Love Jasmine

OMG I welled up, she flung her arms around me, kissed me and said, 'I made this for you because you are all of those things'
Lump in the throat or what?!
I am so blessed to have this little darling in my life.
You can always count on her to make you feel better no matter how lousy things are!

So, other happenings this week...erm normal stuff...Jas is on half term so we have been at the stables (in the glorious sunshine) her riding is just amazing now, I am so proud of her...she can canter really well now. Bear in mind she has only done cantering in three lessons! It won't be long until she is jumping!

Docs this week too for results from blood tests, doc can't figure out what is going on, one of my hormone levels was high, and one of my liver enzyme levels is through the roof. So she has put me on some meds to try and prevent the headaches. To be honest I haven't even got the prescription, and don't think I will. It knocks you out to the point you physically cannot get out of bed. No way. Not an option. She did say I could regulate the dose myself but I really don't want to take that risk.
So she has re-ordered the blood tests, so another four bottles of blood sucked out my arm! Had angel nurse though, and never even felt the needle go in, even though I watched the whole thing! Thank Christ she is permanent at my surgery now!

Other news- some of you know we were taking an official body to court (daren't say too much on a public blog lol) on behalf of my Grandad. He started it all before he died. Anyway, they admited liability from the start, and made an offer. The bloody solicitor accepted the offer. We hadn't decided, and certainly hadn't given the solicitor instructions to accept!
Nan just wants it over and done with, so we are leaving it be.
And do you know what my Nan is gonna buy with her piddly amount (considering the circumstances it really is piddly)? A pair of slippers! Bless her. I love my Nan!

Cyber crop creations:
Didn't get as much done as I would like, but there is time to do more!
A couple of my faves-these were classes by Anna.



Love love love this layout- not often I am this happy with a layout, but combine my bootiful, fave lil man, with my favest lishest urban couture paper (thanks again Ali!), and my fave style of scrapping, and, well YUM!




This was a coaster class by Anna, but as I didn't have a coaster (shocking behaviour) I made a mini wall hanging. Of course as I was so happy with my layout, I made this to match. It is now hanging in my scrap room from a shelf unit. (pic shows it on my new easel lol)

Hope everyone is well...hugs to Beth who is feeling a bit like I do today! Chin up chicker!
ttfn -x-

Houdini...or Houdinky if you will...

So, let me set the scene. Mum was here, and I was upstairs. She comes up and says I need to get back downstairs. So, I follow her down...and there is Simba happily playing on his cage. Note how the front and back door to his cage are both shut AND LOCKED! Around each side of his cage are thick pieces of perspex that are slotted in on the outside, the cage is designed like that to stop bits of food and stuff being flicked over the floor. Simba has managed to remove one of these, from the inside of his cage...and the next picture shows the tiny hole he managed to squeeze himself through! I was gobsmacked to say the least. And he did it all without being heard, until he appeared hanging off the door frame going 'ooooooooooh' to Mum! ROFL!
Clever little schnoodle he is!

tis a social whirl!

Well the last week has been anyway!
Been to the stables, dinner with friends, watched teenage-end-of-the-world-forever-blubbing, and hobnobbed at the nec since my last update!
This is clevercut's stall at the nec, so happy that things are going so well for them :) Had pressies too ;)
Had a great day catching up with people, shopping galore, and of course gossiping!

Paul made a fabby board with all the samples on that I did, I almost blushed in public!
So, this week I need to catch up on everything I didn't get done last week...and of course I have the dreaded docs in the morning-hopefully she should have my test results back...I have been really calm through all of this, but am cacking it now! It isn't helping my creativity either...I have been sat at this desk for about 5 hours trying to make atcs, and it just isn't happening!
I have also been doing my own take on Rhonna Farrers {21 day challenge, see here http://rhonnafarrer.typepad.com/ for details. I am finding it great so far. I am trying to do a 'pretty quote album' filled with all of these fabulous quotes that Rhonna has put together...I figure they will either inspire me or give me a good kick up the behind when I need it! It is fairly therapeutic too :) Thanks Rhonna!
So here are my efforts so far, I have hidden bits when I felt I needed to add personal stuff :)
Day one- used this as a kind of intro page
















Day two- glitterama!



Day three- this is actually pink swirlies, but the pics are so naff it looks white (in my defence I was taking them just before I had to rinse the dye out of my hair!)

Right gotta run-it is 8.20 I am bidding on ebay in some nasty war with someone else, I need to have a bath and be all sorted by 9pm when I need to be back to listen to a live gig KT Tunstall did in a pub which is on the radio!
TTFN -x-

Laydees wot lunch...

Well, what a fantabulous day! Did lunch with these beautiful ladies today- Boo, Angela and Katrina. We went to wetherspoons for some fabulous food (and puds!) managed to waffle four hours away, and then did a bit of shopping too! The day flew past way too quickly, and I hated saying goodbye :( But, we will do it again soon laydees! Had an absolute blast-laughter, great company, shopping and good food-brillo pads!
Lubs ya laydees! (and Boo I am so stealing your soup dragon next time I see ya!)

My love affair with a certain BoB!













OK so we are now officially allowed to talk about it! I was very priveledged to be named as one of the winners of Best of British scrapbooking and cardmaking :) To say I was chuffed to little mintballs doesn't even begin to explain my excitement. I entered the advanced scrapping category, and am still somewhat stunned that I was picked as a winner. Mart made me promise that I would enter, so I did! Congratulations to all of the other winners too, especially to Anna, Jaq, Anam and Karen. Good on ya gals! What was quite amusing, is that I marked it on the calender (see pic above) in my excitement...and now I'm getting comments about whether I am having an affair with somebody called Bob! Even my niece asked me!

I seem to be losing my battle with scrapbooking this week, I think it is just the frame of mind that I am in. So to combat this I have been doing very fast and simple layouts. And dya know what? I feel sooo much better for it! It really is art for art's sake, but it is working. Who said you have to spend hours on one layout? Well they were wrong with a capital wuh!


This picture has already been scrapped. So there are no 'heritage' reasons for it to be done again. It really is art for art's sake...as was the work jasmine was doing when I took the pic. I think that sometimes it's great to make something 'just because'.
I did have fun doing this layout...and chose the colours mainly because I wanted to use the gingham brad in the middle of the flower! I made that myself! Well not the actual brad, but I covered it with gingham fabric and I love it!

Next week sees the NEC opening its doors to mad crafters again, and I shall be among them! Really looking forward to it this year, Ali and Paul will be there with clevercuts for the first time-so excited for them! I am soooo buying urban couture. I have resisted for so long for financial reasons, so I swear if nobody has it at the nec, heads will roll!

See ya the morrow!

Ok-so todays mission is a little bit of market research for Kirsty! (see her blog for details on the eyelash disaster lol)
This is what I use, photos don't show it up too well but I promise this stuff works.
The product:



The eyelashes before mascara (I know they are fairly long already I promise there is nothing on them)



And the other eye, with mascara on: bear in mind this photo is zoomed out a bit compared to the other pic-



Dontcha just love the camera lens (and my hands) reflection in my eyes!!
Might update again later...but for now-take care blogettes...I am off to scrap!

I bruise easily...

...so be gentle when you handle me!
To be fair the nurse in question was fab and very gentle. The last blood test I had killed so this was a relief today! So, off I go to the doctors, expecting one vial of blood to be taken...that's ok I thought...I'll get the three taken I need for breast cancer research at the same time(will enlighten you on that in a mo). How wrong was I?! SIX BOTTLES OF BLOOD! That is what she sucked out of my arm! Six flippin bottles! All through the biggest needle I have ever seen! It was fine though, and I am not even aching from it. I normally bruise terribly, but not too bad...so far!
Anyway-my main point- take yourself off to this site if you haven't already http://www.breakthroughgenerations.org.uk/ and SIGN UP! You don't have to do the blood tests if you don't want to, but of course it is far more beneficial to them if you can :) This is the biggest study of its kind, using everyday, normal (I use that term loosely!) women over 18. All you have to do is fill in the questionairre, and send the blood off if you can which you have done at your gp's surgery. All the envelopes you need are included, all prepaid, kit to take to your gp's surgery for blood tests, everything. They will contact you every few years to record any changes, and that is it. This brings us ever closer to finding that all important cure for one of the biggest killers of beautiful women everywhere. Big snogs to all of you that take the time to do this :)

The new me perhaps?

And all for a bargainous price! It is amazing how a few little things can make you feel heaps better in yourself! Now in true mastercard style:

Contact lenses: £30

New haircut: £7

Super lengthening mascara: £8

Teeth whitening: £15

The yummiest lipgloss in the world: £4

A bit of sunshine in a bottle: £6

Feeling like a 'normal' woman....you know the way this bit goes! ;)

Docs was ok yesterday, ruled one possibility out, and off for more tests tomorrow. Sure it will be fine :)

Just a quick one ;)

Manic day again today, mobile phone lariats arrived along with some gorgeous beads :) Ooooh I was in my element! Took Jess to the vets for her booster jabs, and she was a perfect angel as usual...and again got a perfect bill of health :)
Simba wouldn't come out of his cage tonight, most bizarre...until I realised that it was because he could see the pet carrier in the hall...moved it out of his sight and he came straight out...funny boy must have thought he was off to the vets too!
Have my doctors appointment tomorrow (for those of you who know the situation), still not worried but a little bit anxious now...will not worry until I know what I am dealing with as there is no point wasting my little bit of energy on worrying!
Hairdresser was ill yesterday, so after my doc appt she is coming round to chop my locks, then I need to be brave and get my head shots sorted out for the show in olympia 2! I hate being the 'wrong' side of the camera!
Hope you are all well and happy...really pleased to see how Kirstys challenge has swept t'internet!
TTFN ~x~

honest guv...it IS creative genius!

If only I could genuinely make that claim! I spent a frantic morning yesterday trying to pack parcels to go off to the post office, since it is a trip I can only make once a week as they closed all the local post offices down. This is the resulting mess! Well partly...it is other stuff too that was littered about the house and thrown back in here. So that is my main task for this afternoon...I neeeed space! Wondering where my hairdresser is too...think she has forgotten our appointment, and my hair is in desperate need of about 10 inches lopping off!

I know I didn't post my little announcement, but not entirely sure how much I am allowed to say yet. Suffice to say I had some VERY exciting news on Friday, and you may call me BoB! *snigger*
Many congrats to the others that had the same fabulous news too.
Also I should hopefully have a step by step project in crafts beautiful magazine in Junes (on sale May) issue. Nowt too huge, I think it is going into a little book that comes with the mag.
It's all go at the moment!
Hope you are all well
TTFN ~x~