Well that was the longest pause ever!!

Happy New Year to you all, I hope you all enjoyed the Festivities?

Well what's happened over the last 6 months, to much to mention really, but I will say we had a wonderful holiday in Croatia which was fantastic and a break that was so needed as a family, I highly recommend it, absolutely stunning place.  I do have to give a shout out to Sue who did recommend we go to Hitchin Lavendar field back in the summer, Sue it was beautiful  a very tranquil place, I definately will be going back this summer.

I said in my last post that my bedroom was being decorated and my scrapbooking stash was scattered between Charlotte's bedroom and her play house in the garden. Well the room has since been finished and it looks great. The decision was made that I didn't really need all my stash back in our bedroom, so we had to re-think how I could store it all.  We ended up ordering a small shed, which didn't get delivered until mid November, which meant lots of organising and finding new homes for everything.  As a crafter I find it incredibly difficult as I haven't got a dedicated area I can craft in and tire of constantly packing away before really getting started, which I know many of us crafters face.  I have cleared out my old bureau and use that to sit and craft, which seems to work well, but I still need to pack away, c'est la vie. So whilst that was getting sorted I didn't really scrap much, but one lady in particular who really inspires me is Shimelle Laine.  I spent many an evening watching her videos of 4x6" photo love.  I was fascinated to see how she was going to put 8,9,10,11 and even 12 photos on a layout. I made and took part in most of them and really loved the look, it made me flick through my own albums and to think about how I scrapbook. Most of the layouts didn't actually tell a story or had no journalling or on some not even a date!!.  I sat and thought from someone looking at my albums who didn't know the story, it just looked like pretty page. What's the point!!  So it's been quite a journey for me and have also learnt to embrace my handwriting and now try to write on my layouts. I'm not a natural when it comes to 'proper' English and grammar and always feel awkward when someone reads the text, but I've figured what does it matter if I haven't put something in or spelt something wrong, it's not the end of the world right? No big deal. Pressure off!!!

We had a wonderful Christmas. Christmas Day was quiet as my Brother and his wife went to her family. My Brother really is the life and soul of the party and is naturally a funny guy, who I admire so much.  Boxing Day was spent together, we had a bit of a theme this year which was Lego (we love the stuff in our family).  My Brother and I decided it would be good fun to buy a lego kit for every member of the family so we could all sit and build it together, it was good fun and everyone took part shaking there bags and people not being able to find there parts (that was mostly Dad).  I had huge shock when I opened an unexpected present from my Brother he had only gone and bought me a violin!!! I had briefly had a conversation with him a couple of months back about how I would love to own one.  I played it (very badly) for 2 years when I was younger and gave it up as I didn't really like the teacher and the musty little room crammed full of kids, no wonder the door had to be open we wouldn't of fitted in otherwise!!.

The other huge surprise was from Les, it was my last present, as I opened it thinking I thought this is strange why has he wrapped my passport up, (warning bells going off at this point) inside was an itinerary for a trip to New York in the February half term.  Naturally I was a little emotional.  So I can't wait. We are trying to organise to see a show one evening, we just have to make a descision what.  If anyone recommends anywhere that is worth seeing, other than the usual land marks leave me a message I'd be interested to know. It's just Les and I that are going, Charlotte is staying with Nanny and Grandad who will have a wonderful time with lots of trips planned. 

This year is going to be interesting.  Les turns 65 in September and he plans on retiring or go part time at work.  It will enable me to get my career back on track, but after having so long off to take care of Charlotte it's a little scary and very daunting.  However we are planning a trip to Singapore in October which is were our relationship really began over 10 years ago now.  We are also calling in at Dubai first then onto Singapore, then to Malaysia, back down to Singapore and then home, it's going to be tiring but again I love travelling and can't wait.  What an experience for Charlotte, lets just hope we get time off school as it doesn't allow any time off for any purpose!!  My attitude is that you can't learn everything behind a desk, memories and experiences are what stay with you forever.

Talking of school we are back on Monday after having 3 lovely weeks off.  We have had loads of time to just chill and to catch up on stuff that needed doing, including my JYC which I was so behind on this year.  I was determined to complete it this year and am overjoyed that I have achieved it.  I've also been making these, from Charlotte's old summer socks!! I'm not very good at sewing but have thoroughly enjoyed doing this and they cost very little as I had most of the stuff.  I'm in the process of making my best friend one who loves rabbits.

I will leave you with some of my pages of my JYC.

Before I go I just want to say a huge 'hello' to the Bromsgrove Crop Ladies who have wondered where I have been, I am still here honest and I have missed you all. I will see you soon.

I promise I won't leave it so long next time.
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