Whoooosh - where has November gone?

Yep, yet another month almost bites the dust! Has been hectic but good! Had a brilliant weekend away - way back to the 80s style!!! It was fab! However being 20 nearly 30 years older now - time takes its toll! Everyone started out on Friday really buzzing and up for the dancing, drinking, extended hours challenge. Yeah no, problem! In walked the Zombies on Saturday morning, chilled all day, had a two hour power nap on Saturday evening before dressing up (80s style, wigs an' all)to face the repeat challenge of Friday.

Well, did we make it? Yes, we did but definitely at a much slower pace with lots of rests in between the dances!!! Ah still it was great!!

Going Back To My Roots!!!

Just back from a couple of days in Scotland! What a wonderful place it is! Cameron and I had a great time with my mum and dad and it was super to spend some time on the beach (South Beach to be specific). We absorbed the never changing Ayrshire coastline and I swear it is the same as it was 50 years ago! I have the photos to prove it!

I appreciate being static can have a detrimental effect on that environment and all who live there but as a regular visitor now as opposed to a permanent resident I think it is fantastic. I love it and Cameron agrees! We reminisced about all the picnics and days out spent on this particular coastline over the past 50 years and spanning three generations!! Brilliant!

Soul mates!

My dad always tells me that you can have lots of friends but to have real soul mates is a privilege. Our friends, Gaye and Paul are just that - true soul mates. They are always there for you, everything they have, they share, they endeavour to make your (in the plural sense) life easier and happier. Paul has been a great shoulder for me to lean on for years now and am appreciative of that! Gaye - what a girl - my buddy - we have shared many a great moment - I truly love you! I consider Gaye, Paul and Ellis my family, so I guess you are stuck with me (us).

You both (should) know the feelings I have for you and am truly proud and fortunate to be part of your lives. I just wanted to write this down! Looking forward to many years together!

Autumn Days!!

What do they say in the films? Something like "don't you just love New York (or New England for that matter) in the Fall?" Yeah I'm sure it is lovely but actually "Don't you love Britain in the Autumn?" I love September and October. Lots of red skies, crisp, fresh mornings, the smell, the vibrant colours. I just love those months. I love when Tom Hanks says to Meg Ryan "I love September, the start of the new school year - it makes me feel like sending you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils! Don't you just love New York in the Fall?" (You've Got Mail). Yes Tom, I agree, there is something special about September, I can't quite figure it out but yes I just love September and October!

Welcome to the Hotel California!!

My little girl is now in California undertaking her second year of computing science at Santa Cruz University. I know she will have a wonderful year (life changing I expect) and know that she will make the most of this fabulous opportunity.

Stephanie - have a great time - looking forward to the pictures asap!!

Totally addicted!

To crafting. Yep, I finally admit that I am hooked! I have been well and truly stung and I can't seem to get enough of it at the moment. It is now two years since I joined a scrapbooking club run by the very talented Mandy Webb. I have learnt so much from these classes and even better made some new friends who share this passion.

This Summer I have been reading and teaching myself other little techniques and even made some cards - I am quite proud of my ribbon embroidery (even if it was only nine stitches)and am still working hard on watercolour techniques. The best thing is though I get to play with paper, card, glue, watercolour pencils, pens, inks, stamps, ribbons, threads - the list is endless and then produce something at the end of it! It's fab, it's fun and totally addictive!

Scrapbooking is a great way to store your favourite photographs in a very visual, tactile way. Adding your thoughts and feelings in the written form, to me, brings the photographs to life, so every time you turn a page in your album up pops a visual and verbal recall of that particular moment in time. Fandabbydosey!! I like to think I can remember everything but my memory is certainly not as sharp as it was 10 years ago and in 20 years time when I am looking back through the albums I will have little prompts to sharpen my memory!!

Mandy always encourages us to use our leftover paper scraps by turning them into a card or even another scrapbook page and I am now trying to do this and have surprised myself by making some cards - not brilliant but hey you know what they say about practise making perfect.

The point is I love crafting, the end result is neither here nor there - it's the actual process along with the satisfaction and enjoyment that counts.

Deputy Head Boy!

Cameron, as Mr Mangan said, you are what Roding Valley High School is all about. You ARE THE role model for the school and every teacher's dream. You are enthusiastic, funny, caring, considerate, hardworking and dedicated. I know you have ideas on how to contribute more to the school and spread your enthusiasm through involvement and commitment - go for it!

I'm really proud of you Cameron.