Bad Week or so but good ending ...............

I was rushed into hospital last week with a severe health problem and was all on my own in a side room. It was lovely to have the privacy and peace ........... I still have a lot of tests etc ahead although it looks like another permanent problem to add to my list. But I'm still smiling! 
When I was allowed home I found I had won a competition with My Craft Studio Club which gave me a lovely end to the week. I am allowed to choose my prize to a certain value but the choice is so great I'm struggling to make up my mind lol But I will!
My 2 eldest grandchildren stayed for 4 days over this week-end and although it was very tiring it was also lovely to have them take my mind off my worries. We went to our local park which I hadn't seen in many years and it was such a wonderful few hours of fun and laughter. The 'swings' have been replaced by a 'health' theme park all to encourage children to exercise. There is still a younger childs area as well as the small steam train (which unfortunately broke down that day) There was also a giant slide and trampoline - not free but I thought good value. The children loved it and that's what mattered.

Train rides

We took the children on a mini steam train ride last Thursday and it was great fun. We went to Rudyard lake and can highly recommend for a lovely day out. The children were having so much fun spotting animals and birds, having a lovely picnic and enjoying the ride. It's not a long ride, just enough for them not to be bored.
Next time we are going to Churnet Valley.

Birthdays

Today is my brothers birthday, my sisters birthday, my brother-in-laws birthday and DHs cousins birthday!
At least it gets 4 out of the way very quickly

flowers from my garden

My Little Cook playing Drums with Pots

My Little Helpers

How to lose Weight .........

Have grandchildren around regularly lol. I have lost at least 3 inches from my hips and waist since the older ones came back from Greece and Joe was born. A good by-product of the joys of having them around.
Georgia is almost 9 and really loves to craft - with or without me - she shuts herself off and 'plays' for hours. She is so sensible that I never worry about her using my stash. She always cleans stamps and puts them away (something I don't always do) and she never touches anything banned.
The first time she used my Cuttlebug she cried because of the little crack noise when it went through - she thought she had broken it. 
James isn't trustworthy at all but I will let him play a little when I am around. His attention span is minute - much like his dad was at that age.


Going out again tomorrow to see them all - family get together - so no crafting - again!!!!!!!!!!

Joe - born 14 April

Don't you just love peace, quiet and crafting

 It's been great this week as my husband has been out almost every day and quite a few nights :) so I've had loads of time to do just what I want, although I was poorly for a day or so but never mind, the rest of the time was well spent.

I have just received my new A4 LED or is it LCD light box and it is fantastic. Now I can work on black parchment without using carbon paper. I have so much work to upload to my blog etc.

Also spent a bit of time baking again. Really getting back into it now and made quite a nice carrot cake, pizza and fresh bread.

Also been knitting, sewing and painting.

My latest 'art' work :) is altering my chrome edged notice board with alcohol inks and maybe adding a few flowers - not quite sure yet. I'm using the colours of my bedroom because that's where it hangs. I need a daily reminder when I get up!

Setback

Had a really bad day yesterday. My old ticker was racing along like a bullet train and it felt like someone was sitting on my chest. Def not nice and so I didn't get to make any cake or much else for that matter
:(

Cooking!

After more than 20 years I finally found the courage and confidence to cook a meal again and it was lovely. A real traditional Moussaka. I impressed myself as well as my son who is a very fair chef!

Next is a coffee and walnut cake

New Year - Rubbish!

What a start! First the snow .......... love the stuff but being stuck indoors for almost a month was a bit much.
The 'children' (son and daughter) each doing their own thing in separate continents - the former in New York and the latter in South Africa. They each had a great time which was good. We had the grandchildren and that was good too.
Then my pond fish started dying one by one leaving me with just the one lonely little fish in a big pond.
Then the dash to hospital as I seem to have developed AF and gall stones ......... wonderful .. not. I can almost start my own pharmacy now :)
As for crafting ...... not a lot. Didn't get ANY craft stuff for Christmas and had to beg for some for my birthday. However, the heart thing did bring a sort of gift as darling hubby bought me some Tim Holtz stuff and other as well as promising me Sir Tims new book!
I made a couple of cards but that was all.

I'm amazed at the length of time between posts! I've been to Crete again looking after the children and enjoying the sun.
The local craft shop has closed except for 1 day a week for parchment classes. Not quite the same though. One day a month doesn't inspire me to do more so I've decided to get back to embroidery, patchwork, cross stitch, knitting, baking and gardening.
A LOT to keep me going that's for sure.
I've been working on an advent calender, Christmas stockings and a cross stitch sampler.
The garden needs the winter work now but as I have had flu I'm way behind.
Will upload wip soon

Me doing my Shirley Valentine thing on the coast of Crete Agios Georgios - in the middle of nowhere this little rickety chair by the sea and a taverna across the road. All that's missing is the glass of wine

Had my usual parchment class today and made a lovely 'snowmen' card. Going to a make and take for jewellery next week with DD. Logged into UKS properly for the first time in months and I'm joining in with the CyberCrop. I'm having fun making ATCs first. I'm not buying any kits as I need the money for my holiday album. Managed to get 70 free photos ( using 2 accounts :) ) We've been back 28 days and I'm just beginning to get myself together so hopefully will have some layouts to share. DH had his birthday yesterday and DD has her first anniversary on Sunday so I've been busy with cards etc thsi week and I've spent a few hours in my craft room this evening.
While I was in there I thought of changing rooms?! It's not a small room but it isn't very bright and the other spare room is a lot bigger and brighter. Should I change or not??? Hmmm It's soooo tempting lol

part 2

I took my new camera to Crete ( another huge mistake - the 'holiday' I mean ) and managed to take almost 500 piccies lol ........... so I have some great ideas for layouts etc - just need the stash to get going.
We did go for 7 1/2 weeks and the weather was fabulous. DH looks so healthy and he's a lot fitter as he went swimming every morning on his own and afternoon with Georgia. We couldn't cope with James as he was at that age - he just kept running off and if you know me you know I can't run!!!!! We were supposed to go for three weeks real holiday - no baby sitting, housework etc but from day one it just went wrong. My DIL had some 'young' friends there all the time and I felt like ( and was treated like ) an outsider always in the way. The girl who looked after the children last year was there and she was talking to me about Georgia, calling her all sorts of names. How I didn't slap her I don't know - I just walked away.
Cockroaches UGH!!!!! After the first 2 weeks they were in the apartment every day. I was down on my hands and knees scrubbing and spent the best part of 3 weeks indoors so my tan faded before I got home lol
There were good moments though. DH and I got closer than we have been in years. I even went swimming one morning with him!!!!!! Amazing, as I haven't swum since I was at school

I can't believe it has been almost a year since I blogged!! It has been an emotional and really awful year. Last Christmas DS and family came to stay for about 10 weeks. It was so lovely to get the chance to know my grandson and have Georgia back but things didn't go well and they went home early. They had originally intended to be here for 3 months. Gareth went first with the children and his wife followed a couple of weeks later as she had a job.

Christmas day was miserable. My darling son (with sarcasm) spent the day saying how much he hated Christmas. How can a young father hate Christmas??????

Haven't been here for quite a while! The wedding was a great success and now I have all the 'after' jobs to do *sigh* Clean the wedding dress, make the photo album, wash the tea light holders, jars, vases etc and put them away. One bonus of course is that I get to keep the jars for my craft room lol
It was lovely to see my son and his family even though it was just for 3 days. BUT we are going out for almost 2 months next year! I've already booked it. I can't believe I was so brave to do that. lol Normally it takes weeks for me to decide but the air fares were so good I didn't want to wait. We're going on the new British Airways scheduled flights so fingers crossed.
Not managed a lot of scrapping but I've made a few cards.
I've joined in the Advent swap on UKS this year. I just hope I get it right. It will be so nice to buy, wrap and send and then of course to receive :D I must admit that the build up to Christmas will be more exciting because of it. Sad aren't I?
Well, not much of a blog today. Might pop back later