The Wades

PUPPPPIES

2011-07-06T09:32:00.002+01:00

7pm Monday, kitty popped out the first of five healthy puppies. She has had 1 boy and 4 girls.

They are gorgeous tiny velvet babies. Kitty is doing a wonderful job with them. I am so pleased.

They have all been to the vet for their first check up, and kitty has had an x-ray and is all puppy free and healing.
Expect lots more photos.

from busy to busier.

2011-06-30T10:19:00.004+01:00

Never seem to stop for a moment!!!!!!!!!
Updates. On everything, i can remember while sat drinking my coffee.

House first. The decorating is going so slow, our money hit rock bottom for a while, as no doubt it is many people right now. Our garden has turned into a complete tip while we work on both the inside, and the removal of a huge huge conifer. It's down, and the bulk of it gone, but we still have alot of smaller branches to burn. Little Spuds bedroom is 100% done now tho, as is the kitchen (though i would like new cooker and fridge) and the bathroom and toilet, and for the most part the girls room ( i want to add some more furniture) The lounge is proving to be slow though, we are doing lots of built in storage, and it's taking forever.

Craft. As usual i have 101 crafts on the go. I have recently finished a poncho from the 'art of crochet' magazine. It's far far too warm to be wearing though, so went straight into my wardrobe, but i will get a photo soon.
Have also started to make some snoods. I'm a a vintage girl (if you hadn't noticed lol) and after going to a vintage/craft fair i am inspired to have a stall in December when they have another. So i am trying to stock pile a few crafts.

Me and hubby. It's our anniversary Sunday. I'm so thankful to be with a man i adore more than anything. I wouldn't cope without him.

We are going to see The Overtones in October. My want, not so much his lol. But he is all too happy to indulge me, and has already bought his trilby hat so he will not look out of place when i am all dressed up :)

The Kids. Vivienne is starting school in September. She goes to an introduction morning tomorrow. The uniform is going to cost me a fortune!! We will see how it goes. If it doesn't go well, then she can leave. We have picked a school with lots of media, art, drama and music activities, and it's safety record is top of the score board. But it's very much a wait and see. We are both very excited for this chapter, and she does indeed now feel ready. Of course we are quite nervous too.
The other three are still at home, and WILL be till high school age when we will have the same choice. I see it so very important for children to be playing at this young age.

Animals. This has to be one of the busiest areas right now. For Christmas Ryan wanted bugs. He is very interested in bugs, and lucky for him father Christmas bought him a praying mantis. All the children enjoyed watching his life cycle. Then for his birthday we got some snails. Which i took a great interest in and added quickly to the collection.

The smallest of the collection (the third snail picture) had some babies, they seem good, strong and healthy now, so if anyone would like a pair, i will only ask for p&p. They are only about 3cm shell length so do not take up much space or food, and they are quite a resilient breed.

Then Leyonce got some caterpillars, which were amazing to watch, the speed at which they grew was scary.
To finish off the bug collection i got a tarantula. I used to have quite a collection of tarantulas when i was younger, so am not new to the hobby. I got a salmon pink spiderling, which is a large, quick growing bird eater.

That would have been it...if...

this guy had not appeared on our back door step late one night. He's been named John Doe. I put out notes in local shops and passed on the word, but no one claimed him. He is gorgeous, and my absolute baby. Once we had him a while we went and got him a big cage. He is so so tame that he needs to be indoors, he loves to play and cuddle. We planned to let him stay with us, and get his manhood removed (to remove his smell) but unfortunately i have discovered that i am very allergic to him. I am quite heart broken. His cage cost over a £100, so i am hoping to sell that for £75 as it is only weeks old. And John can stay put ( i will just have to cope and look terrible) till i find him an ideal home. I have had people offer to take him, but they want him in a outside hutch to be a working ferret, but John is most defiantly a pet, he loves running round the house, playing with toys and curling up on the sofa for a nap. I am so sad he has to go, he has become my baby bear and i love him to bits.

Last but not least (instead most exciting) My beautiful yorkshire terrier Kitty is expecting PUPPIES. They should arrive in just over a week. It's hard to believe she is two years old already. She has a big busy belly which i love to watch and feel. We are already for her, and just hoping for a good healthy whelp.

Sims 3

2011-05-29T11:53:00.002+01:00

For those that like Sims 3, my legacy so far has been transferred from my facebook notes if you want to have a read. http://theowenslegacy.blogspot.com/

People watching.

2011-05-23T12:51:00.001+01:00

Sat at the swimming pool, waiting for teyla, listening to teenage boys chatting, wishing I was home doing stuff. Why do I always feel motivated at the wrong time. And please please let my kids know more than these when they are teenagers. My god!!!

Test

2011-02-22T19:02:00.001Z

Just doing a test. Blogging from my mobile.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

2010-12-01T09:16:00.009Z

FOR TODAY - December 1st, 2010

Outside my window ...
Snow snow snow and more snow. Everybody wants to play in it, till they're out in it, then they want to come in and drink hot chocolate.

I am thinking ...
My feeties are cold. No matter how many sock or slippers and how warm the heating, my feet are cold. I also have the song 'i want to be a millionaire' going round my head, cause i so do.

I am thankful for ...
A warm happy home. A hard working husband, who is off to work tonight, and no chance of a school walk first thing in the morning.

From the learning rooms ...
It's early, they are still upstairs about to crawl down for some breakfast. But it's Wednesday, so prolly crafty stuff, and prolly Xmas crafty stuff.

From the kitchen ...
oooo yummy lasagna, can't wait.

I am wearing ...
Benefit lip gloss, and lots and lots of dry skin. My body can't cope with dairy, and i have stupidly been pumping it full, and now i am paying for it. Stripy red pj's and a pillar box red cardy. I like red. Too early for clothes, again.

I am creating ...
Crocheting a cardigan for one of my dolls (sable, you have not met her yet) My sisters Xmas gift, and my mum and dads Xmas gift. (sorry it's December, and very much secrets time.) Vivienne's birthday doll came out great, and i shall do a post on her this week.

I am going ...
Slightly mad.

I am reading ...
My history book still. I have not had much time for reading, what with all this crafting needing to be done.

I am hoping ...
For an easy flow Christmas. Oh and for Lacey to gain more people skills. She is a guard dog by breeding, and that is coming into conflict with her life right now. Everybody is worthy of a bark. Nothing more than a bark of course, she is not a spitefall dog, she is just alittle confused by what is expected of her. She is very young, and i know will get over this with love, and treats.

I am hearing ...
The kiddies, they have just come down stairs, and the washing machine, just finishing it's first load.

Around the house ...
The beginnings of Xmas are starting to show up. We have covered The dining room window with snow flakes, and the kids have began drawing picture after picture of father Christmas, and decorated trees.

One of my favorite things ...
Patons smoothie DK yarn. I used it with some of Vivienne's doll, and it is lovely to work with and looks so nice. Oh and my benefit lip gloss. My mum bought me a whole pack last year for xmas, and tho i have ran out of my favourite colour, all the rest are going strong. It's keeping my lips lovely and soft

A few plans for the rest of the week ...
Keeping warm.
Other than that Christmas prep is on top of the list. Lots of xmas crafting for me, and still some gifts to buy.

doll anyone?

2010-11-14T13:37:00.002Z

I am thinking of getting back into my Waldorf doll making next year. I have grown a great deal in doll making skills from when i first started making them, and people are becoming much more knowledgeable about them since then.
But I need help, who would be interested in owning one, and what sort of price would you pay/could you pay? Also, for those that know about these dolls what types (age range, size etc) would you be interested in?

The Simple Woman's Daybook

2010-11-13T09:59:00.004Z

I got this from my friend Elle, i have seen her post it a few times, but to be honest i can't remember where she got it from.

FOR TODAY - NOVEMBER 13, 2010

Outside my window ...
A very messy garden ( we are in the process of cleaning up alot of overgrowth, and pulling down a tree, it has to get worse before it can get better ) on a very very dull dark day. No rain yet, only a bit of november chill, but dark enough to make everyone feel tired.

I am thinking ...
ARRRHGGGG with intermittent moments to ahhhhh. I'm in a happy place, but i seem to have no time. An extra few hours in a day would go down a treat right now.

I am thankful for ...
The ability to have my own life and all it's oddities with out being made to form into somebody else's design. To be a mum, to be able to be a wife and a home maker, to have my flowers and dolls and my personality with no restrictions other than my own.
And of course the health, happiness and smiles of my gorgeous husband and beautiful children.

From the learning rooms ...
not alot today, Vivienne is away for the weekend, so i only have the little people, so i might let them get away with just some colouring or something. On our walls we have an Africa project we are doing and some art projects.

From the kitchen ...
It's a mess!!! lol. I have quite honestly got out of the swing of things in there . But we have been eating lots of wonderful Japanese food recently, and i have perfected my Onigiri making.

I am wearing ...
My pj's still actually. Just about to finish my tea and get motivated.

I am creating ...
Lots, as usual. But the most important thing is a new doll for Vivienne's 11 birthday. She has asked for a new one. I am lucky she is still wanting dolls. I doubt it will be the same next year. I am excited by this one, and hope she turns out as cute as i am imagining.

I am going ...
No where today. It's yucky outside.

I am reading ...
A few books. I am finishing up one of my world of warcraft trillogies. I love the stories that go with the game, but i keep getting into other non fiction which is preventing me from finishing. I am reading ( and watching ) the manga 'fruits basket' I am loving it, the whole family is loving it. I am also reading 'yesterdays britain'. A fab book with the most beautiful photos. I am a vintage girl, and love to completely loose myself in British history, and i just can't put this book down.

I am hoping ...
For a windfall. I really want to get this house done now. Little bit of money for xmas would be nice too.

I am hearing ...
The kids munching on dry Cheerios. There was a small amount left in the box after breakfast, and they suggested they finish them off!! I occasionally hear a doggy munch on one too.

Around the house ...
........ Is a complete mess from all this decorating. It would be alright if it was just a easy touch up, or one room decorating, but this is full on back to bare walls and floors decorating. At least i have some hope it will soon be over and everything will have a home.

One of my favorite things ...
Right now is Sims 3. I'm back on a binge. Can't get enough of it.

A few plans for the rest of the week ...
( hey we are already on saturday not much left ) This week is really quiet actually. I hope to fill every evening with making Vivienne's doll, lets hope i can leave Sims 3 alone! But next week my hubby has another week off work. So who knows what we will be up to.

Photo for the week :)

2010-10-31T22:05:00.001Z

Happy Halloween Everyone.

We had so much fun :)

Dolly update no.2

2010-10-30T11:46:00.004+01:00

Today we meet little Lottie. Lottie is a Hajoo Berry which i have customised. She is jointed by an elastic that runs right through her body.I love this gal, so you will get quite a few photos. When she first arrived, she was quite a scary looking thing.

Even with her eyes in, she still freaked everybody out.

I started work on her 'face up' the day she arrived. Wanting it quite soft, i used chalk free pastels and water colour pencils and sealed with mr.super clear matt.

I had a blond wig for her, and even though i do love her in this wig, i will probably get her a new one, one that fits alitte more snug, most likely will be a Monique gold wig, as i like them lots.

She lost a set of eyelashes somehow a while back, so i gave her softer finer lashes. I must get round to making her some more clothes.

Dolly update no.1

2010-10-29T11:46:00.003+01:00

If you are not a fan of dollies at all, i suggest you take no notice of my next few posts (except if you appreciate small clothes, then you might catch a couple)

My dolly collection is slowly growing. My dolly shelf was looking alittle messy here, and to be honest it's not much better. But today i will be talking about Ahava. You might remember her from back at Valentines. She is a Blythe fakie. I don't like Blythe too much if i am honest, but as a doll collector i felt a need to have one (bit like having a baby, you have no idea why, and you think better of it, but you just need one) So unable to spend out the big money that Blythe go for I bought a fakie from ebay.
First thing i did was pull her to bits *grin*

Then i sanded and carved her a new face. The lower picture is her next to my Vivienne's uncarved Blythe fakie.

I airbrushed her face, changed her eye chips, all to brown (i don't really get the want to change their eye colour, only their direction of view.) One of her forward facing sets has holographic stickers behind ( for when she gets a twinkle in her eye!) The others all have a gold shiny rim.
And then i put her on a pure neemo body. I love this body lots. The body parts slot on and off, which i actually like. For such a heavy head tho, the knees can be alittle weak when trying to stand alone. I was going to change her wig to some black curly mohair, but it didn't happen.

On making Ahava, i have discovered that i am still not a fan of Blythe type dolls, and her head currently sits on my shelf, i stole her body. First for Vivienne's fakie Blythe, and now to be donated to a manga doll for my collection. I feel real bad for not enjoying this doll much, she is quite sweet, but does not have the appeal of my other dolls. Perhaps I shall give her (well her head) a home with a friend, that way she might get loved.

not a craft update.

2010-10-27T23:32:00.002+01:00

On my catch up, i really must mention a couple of things that have happened.

One is that my ikkle baby turned three. She grew into a child over night. I am so sad to see her growing so quick, but it has to happen. She is just..one of the kids now, not baby Teyla. She fits in with all they do, dummies are gone, nappies are gone, cots gone, beakers are gone.... *sob*

The other is that i have gained another daughter. This is Lacey. Isn't she beautiful. She is a full breed Doberman.
When i was little my Nan and Grandad had a happy shopper corner shop, and one time someone came in with a knife for the till contents. It shook my Nan up, so someone suggest they got a guard dog for in the shop. They choose a Doberman. Sheba. It was when Sheba entered our family that we all found the most amazing dog there is. Sheba is gone now, but she is held on a high pedestal in everybodies memories in my family, even the extended family. Growing up with such an amazing dog of course made me as an adult want a Doberman, i was sure i could find one like Sheba. I looked on and off through the years, then this girl popped up, last in litter. Since having this girl i now KNOW the wonder we saw in Sheba was indeed the Doberman breed.
These dogs get such a bad name, put into the same group in most peoples mind as dog breed for fighting. This is not so though. Don't get me wrong this can be a very very frightening dog. You see, many years ago a Mr Doberman in Germany was trying to hold down a job in a bad neighbour hood as a debt collector. Fearing for himself he decided he needed a dog, but the breeds he had to choose from where not enough, and so his breeding system began. He needed a dog that looked scary, and noble, something you wouldn't pick a fight with in the first place. He needed something that looked athletic. He wanted something he could train well. He wanted something protective. He wanted something territorial. He also wanted a dog that would love him so completely and so dearly that it would throw it's self between him a danger if needed. And so came the Doberman.
This breed loves so completely and so dearly.

There is just a minor problem with her. Doberman are notorious for being the most amazing dog. Know as the person in a dogs body (you have to have known a dobbie to understand this) But they are also notoriously the most difficult puppies ever (you have to have owned one to understand this) Even the most enthusiastic Doberman owners say "f**king Doberman, never another" to their puppies. They are like mischievous toddlers in a dogs body.

She was an adorable little puppy though, for the short amount of time it lasted.
When i remember my Nan and Sheba, i remember them having the most amazing relationship. I remember my Nan talking to Sheba like a child. I thought is was beautiful. With each month with Lacey, i understand that relationship more and more. Lacey is becoming less and less like one of my baby dogs, and more like a daughter. It's very odd, and very amazing.

2010-10-24T12:13:00.002+01:00

Well we kind of got the decorating done. At least, i mean, we almost completed one room! We was stalled quite honestly by money. (digressing) When we tell people we home educate they go off on one about how we must be made of money, and how they HAVE to both go to work to afford to live. I disagree with both of these 'claims'. They need to both work to afford holidays and cars and stuff that they 'think' their children need, as we are far from made of money, we are infact skint, and give up a great deal to ensure our kids get all they 'need'. (back on track) So we want/need new carpets in every room. (except kitchen and bathroom cause they are done) We want to be decorating for the long term not just making do. We have been making do for far too many years now (another story) and it's time to settle. So we swaped round rooms with the girls. They had our room, and we had theirs. It's not that their's is small, it's just for 3 growing girls the larger room would be better. So we pulled apart the room we was in, trying to find homes for all our stuff, and throwing out our bed which was an ikea one, and quite honestly had seen better days. We painted the girls room pink of course! Then went shopping for a good carpet and underlay. Home £300 more skint and a (pink) carpet being laid. It's beautiful, and so very very worth it. BUT, i just don't know if i can bring myself to pay out another £300 for our bedroom carpet 2 months away from xmas. So we shifted the girls into the big pink room, and painted our room. Plonked a mattress on the floor (it has a very oriental feel lol) and are 'making do' again. Till either after xmas, or i can bring myself to spend £300 on the flooring for our room, specially made harder as i really wanted to carpet Ryan's room before xmas too. Of course now we have a beautiful room, i would like to get the girls some furniture that matches and fits perfectly. But that HAS to wait.
At least the girls have a beautiful room, and we have an almost beautiful room. Will try to get some photos once i recharge camera, but i can not guarantee it will still be tidy by then!!

Enough of my rambling.

2010-10-03T13:26:00.002+01:00

I feel bad. Seriously i do.
It's not that i don't want anything to do with the wades blog, and the blog community. Far from.
I have tried to figure out what it is that stops me from writing here, and have come to the conclusion that it is the perfectionist part of my personality that gets in the way. As i also tend to be quite a procrastinator this also gets in the way.
You see many times I have done something that i have wanted to blog. Mainly with my craft. But i have wanted that one last finishing touch completed before i show the blog world and write about it. The only problem being that the one last finishing touch or the best photos are procrastinated to the point that i have began something new before i get them done. Thereby giving myself something new that i also want to blog about, which requires 'finishing touches'.
I wish to catch up, but this may also take time, as hubby has a couple of weeks off now, and we want to decorate a couple of bedrooms, and maybe the lounge too.

Ley

2010-03-05T19:50:00.003Z

Such an inspiration to childhood, my little dreamer, my little fairy tale girl.

Happy 5th birthday Leyonce Rose

On to the next milestone.

2010-02-20T10:33:00.003Z

I do hope you all had your loved ones around you for valentines. I made these piggies for my hubby for Valentines. They are Monokuro boo, a japanese character by San-x. They look good kissing each other, and as a bonus they are great to throw!

Love my mummy and daddy loads so i filled them a parcel bag of heart, and made up a bag of bon bons and chocolate hearts. They was pleased when it arrived through the post.

Lastly, I have finished up a doll dress. This is Ahava, she is a Blythe fakie, all the ugly looks none of the cost. I shall give her her own post once i have customized her, which i am looking forward to, i want to try quite a bit of work on this doll.

Craft wise I am now working on a doll for strawberry puff. She will be five the end of the month. We treat her as older than she is, she acts like it, sometimes i have to check myself that she is only four, but not for long, and as Spud just reached six, she is pleased to be gaining another year.

Beady is starting to potty train. I was going to wait for the summer so i could do it with the back door open, and not have to worry about accidents so much, but i am so ready to say goodbye to nappies now. We will not be having anymore children, and though a small part deep in my heart weeps about this, the rest of my being is embracing it, and pleased to be saying good bye to the baby stages and watching my children grow. I am quite pleased to know it won't get anymore hectic than this too.

Right now i best go do some quick housework before we practice abit of shape drawing and look at letters. I am not one to rush little people, i am not at all keen on the English idea of forcing the 3 R's down children's throats at such a young age. So Spud and Strawberry Puff are still getting it easy. Best kick that 10 year old of mine off of 'hello Kitty Online' and get her doing some work though.

2010-02-15T00:14:00.001Z

Happy Valentines day

Have to post

2010-02-12T11:54:00.008Z

Time, time, who has the time????

I have to post, I need to post! I have many things i want to post about, many things i am working on, but none finished and ready for posting. Dolls clothes, new dolls, birthday presents, valentines gifts, poppets, swaps and crochet, I have so much on the go. So i shall leave my crafting posts till... well i can :)

Today my sweet little puppy went for her first haircut. I am a silly doggy mummy, and was very nervous leaving her. But she was great, and i think enjoyed herself lol. AND she looks beautiful.

She did most defiantly look beautiful before. But as it is my job to keep her clean, i was well aware that the long coat had to come off. It was changing from baby hair to adult hair, which give whats called 'the fuffys'. Basically it was matting at the change point. Also now when she was a drink of water she no longer drips it all over my kitchen, which is good.

Now on to another love of mine. Gaming. A few peeps reading this know about my love of gaming, and rpg's. Well I HAVE to mention 'Mabinogi'. Man, i have been waiting to play this for at least 3 years. It has been unavalible in europe for ages, but at last they have the licence, and i can play :)

We are enjoying it alot :) As far as an RPG goes, it's got what you need plus extra, and i love the look of it :)

2010-01-28T20:12:00.002Z

My stunning little boy turned six. Isn't he a little Bobby Dazzler. Going to be a heart breaker when he grows older. I wish i had more time in my day to hug this little boy, he is growing up so quick.

Happy 6th Birthday Ryan Rodney

teeny tiny

2010-01-14T12:34:00.003Z

Since Xmas has been over, i have been able to have a play with my new dolly. Kaela needed some new clothes. A friend of mine got a pullip just after me, and was able to indulge in clothes creation through out December and i was quite jealous.
I like the stock clothes Kaela came with, but she's a stylish chic gal and she needs more.
So first i began with a small figure hugging jumper. I used 2 ply yarn and a 2.50mm hook. This was a very quick little item. I made it up as i went along but will try to get a pattern written.

Then i worked on a pattern for some leggings. I think i am almost done with it. I wanted something quite tight, using the fabric stretch to fit and stay up. Pullips have quite clinched in waists so it's easier to stitch both sides of the trousers to get a nice shaped fit. She wasn't in the best of moods though, as she is not too keen on shiny stretch velour in white.

Taking a break from stitching, i decided to make her one of her own bunnies. Everybody else has one!! I made this with the 2 ply and a 1.25mmm hook. Next to a normal one it doesn't look mega small, but those crochet stitches in it sure are. Made my hands ache some.

Then i made her a floppy hat. I have made a few of these in normal scale. It worked well for her. Again i used the 2 ply with a 2.50mm hook.
I like the 2 ply yarn, cause it is small and yet still 'wooly' so looks great as clothes. Crochet thread though small can sometimes look very cord like.

Then to finish up my craft for the week. I took a break and finished another floppety bunny. She is in my folksy shop. Cocoa bunny.

The kids have been getting back into the swing of working. Seems we spend so much time with Egyptians these days. Must be going through that stage. Me and Viv have been talking some about the idea of her going to high school when the time comes. We think we will try it. We have a school that specializes in art in our catchment, and it's having a huge rebuild that should be completed by the time she needs to go. She likes the sound of that. Of course, there will be no pressure to like it.

Busy busy busy stop, well kinda.

2009-12-29T10:35:00.004Z

I was sooo busy over December with xmas gifts. I wanted to post, but all i was really doing was crafting, and i couldn't post any pictures incase they were seen.
So here is a post to show off some of my xmas gifts now i can.

A floppety bunny for my oldest friend, Natalie. She was made out of rowan kid classic. I brushed up the ears and tail to make them fluffy. I might try making another and brushing the whole thing.

A Poppet again for Natalie. I glittered the eyes, and her hair is made out of 100% Egyptian cotton. I love this hair, and have quite abit of the cotton left, so will prolly use it more.

A couple of crochet bags. I love these they are like a tardis inside.

These gal poppets were made for my twin neices Lucy and Sophie. I had fun matching the colours. I did bigger eyes than normal, and i like this size, so will be doing more this big.

And lastly a very large floppety bunny for my mum-in-law.
I have so much planned to craft this year, so i'm not really stopping. But at least it should be alittle more relaxed than December.

The kids have throughly enjoyed Christmas. They got far too much, Viv even got a mobile phone!! I didn't go so huge on the Xmas dinner this year, and mum did alot of it. But it was still good.

Snow was a nice bonus too :)

Be well

2009-11-27T13:27:00.003Z

Anybody would think I had just had a birthday with how great things are going. On Tuesday my mum and dad took me and Vivienne off for a surprise in London. They took us to her majesties theater to see Phantom of the opera. I have wanted to see this since i was 9, and now that Vivienne has taken a liking to it, we got to go. Brought quite a tear to my eye watching it, i welled up a few times. It was as wonderful as i always thought it would be, and i have been on cloud nine since. I can't wait to go again.

And then today....

Something arrived in the post for me...

I have wanted a pullip for quite some time now. I'm not really a blythe girl. I mean i have a unexplainable want for one, but i find them kinda creepy. But pullips, dalls, ball jointed dolls, i love. Her name is Kaela, and she is beautiful. She is quite tall, not small by any means. I am looking forward to crafting her some clothes (except the rolled hems, cause rolled hems on dolls clothes make my head explode)

I used to have a film extra key to OZ from the disney film 'Return to OZ' when i was a little girl. (knew someone who worked for disney at the time) And though myself and the girls love the film, it's one of those things you always claim you will get framed with a picture of the film, but really you never do, you leave it packed up safe where no one can see it. So i sold it to a film collector, which paid for my little doll, plus a bit extra for Xmas.

Xmas....

XMAS.......

Man i hate that word. I have done nothing!!!! Shame on me!! It just don't feel like it's time yet. Hopefully i will have something sorted by then!

Vivienne Holly

2009-11-23T17:56:00.004Z

My little teeny tiny baby went and turned 10 yesterday.

Even she was alittle thrown back by all those candles.

She hadn't asked for anything except a doll based on Amelia Jane in the Enid Blyton books. So of course she got that. Other than that it was alot of animal crossing and mysims stuff.
She was not looking forward to the birthday, i don't know if it's a home school child thing, but none of my kids want to grow up, they are all very aware that being a child is a good deal.
I love babies and toddlers, but i am finding i am also very much enjoying her age right now. It's alittle lazy (specially with work!!) but we are such good friends right now. I don't want my baby to grow up, but at the same time, i am looking forward to her future.

I did mean to blog much sooner, but we all took turns to get swine flu here! Knocked me back alittle because it effected my asthma. I have not had a problem with asthma for at least five years, haven't had a working inhaler in the house for years. So i had to get the doctors (who we wasn't allowed near) to get one out to me and through my letter box !! But all is good now, and i am not taking my inhaler as much.

Can not believe it's so so close to Christmas seems like only five minutes it was Christmas. I feel totally skint this year, so am not going to be over doing it. I should have quite a few crafts to show off.

My friend Natalie who moved to Australia at the beginning of the year is already back. She was loving it over there and all ready to settle down, but her husband was unhappy. So it wasn't going to work. So home they are and i got to spend Sunday with her, and we have lots of plans to make sure we spend time together. In the last few years we have slacked spending time together, but having her half way across the world has made me realize how much i miss her.

2009-11-04T15:54:00.000Z

Just a quick plug
http://thewadescraftfair.blogspot.com/

2009-10-23T09:29:00.002+01:00

I am a very happy mummy right now. To many people this might not mean much, but to me it does.
We have an average (small) size 1940's semi detached 3 bed. In that we try to fit 2 adults, 4 children, one ikkle dog and all our stuff. We have alot of stuff. In fact we are packed solid with stuff. One day I dream of having a craft room, or a craft shop like The Vintage Magpie has managed to find. ( i thought i had one in mind, more on that another day). But alas, we have no room, even if we took away all our stuff, there would still be no room for me to craft in. I have to make do.
BUT...
At the beginning of the week my wonderful hubby drove us all to Ikea, the kids played, we shopped.

We brought home a new table, which fits very snug in the corner of our multi purpose (even more so now) dinning room. Our little dinning room is also, a school room, a play room, a computer room, and now also a craft room. It is stacked and packed full. But it works for us.
So now i have my craft room, kinda. And i am VERY pleased. MY sewing machine is on top, my overlocker underneath.
No more will i have to clear the sofa for people to sit down, no more will i have to tidy the dinning table so people can eat, no more will i have to keep putting away my craft just to get it out again an hour later. This is my little area always waiting for me to pick up my work.

So my stuff has been moved from around the house, to my 'craft room', and is getting finished.

This little girl is off to germany for the birthday of a friends little girl. Very sweet doll, so close to keeping her all to myself!
Once i finished her, i found out some toddler dolls from around the house. The two on the left are the first two i made, and the two on the right are the last two i have made. Practice does make perfect. (yes my second one is 'still' a WIP !!!)

This is a little sneaky peaky of whats going on in my 'craft room' now.

We had another break from ~not~ school work while hubby was home from work. But sadly he had to go back. So ~not~ school work is up and running now. Ryan is getting to grips with his work now it would seem. He is picking up phonics and quite possibly everything is now clicking into place with writing. I have been very proud with how much he has been trying.

Crumbs time is just slipping away.... Doesn't help that I am super duper lazy either...

2009-10-15T10:58:00.003+01:00

I am glad i am not one of these young new hip stupid mums. (apologies to young new hip stupid mums, i mean it in the nicest possible way!)

One of those stupid mums with a dummy around their finger, a bottle of cold creaming milk in one hand, a bag full of calpol and teething gel, a new fandangle has it's own engine and computer chip buggy, and the under 3 month old baby.... who chooses to take them to the zoo for the day with all her like (empty) minded friends!
What the fcuk do they think they baby is gonna see?????
Surely their morning conversation with the partner will go like this. Stupid mum- " i am taking little baby molly maisy moo to the zoo today " partner- "why?"

We on the other hand, with our children ( while most other children are at school and not in our way!!!) We saw lots.
We have not been too lucky with Ryans time off work. (yes he is still off work.) Days of rain, and Teyla and Leyonce are on their second cough and cold!!! Our children are barely ever ill. But come 3 weeks off work, and they're all full of it.

Means crafty time for me though :)

So i made a poppet. I have been a member of craftster for ageeees. I love the site, and it grows and grows with each day. Well there is a fantastic pattern available from a lady there. I got it about two years ago, and have had it in my to do list since. I had all the stuff, so took a day out to make one. It's commonly called a poppet on the craftster community. This one is a nekomimi (cat girl)
Her arms and legs are joined, and she has a fully stylable wool wig.

I made her a basic dress, but have more outfits planned. I also have more poppets planned, lots more.

2009-10-05T20:44:00.004+01:00

Teyla loved her birthday. I can not believe my baby is two already. It's super scary. Chocolate is her favourite thing in the whole world. So chocolate cake it was. She had been asking for her own birthday cake for weeks.

I made her a doll which a tinkle bell in the hood. I made the head while she was in the room (she helped stuff it) then sat her on my lap while i gave it a face. It's nice to have them watch you do this part when they are young. They really understand how precious their new little friend is when they see it come to life. Once the face was on though, i packed it away to finish while she was in bed, so she had the surprize.

I think the thing she enjoyed most about the day was that we let her have a bubble bath with her puppy doggy.

Sweet little kitty loves bubble baths, they make her smile!!!

Which is just as well, as being a yorkshire terrier her hair constantly grows. So takes quite abit of care.

She is such a teeny tiny thing, and fitting into our family like we have always had her. She is not at all keen with being on her own at the moment though, as most of the time someone is about. But we will have to work on that. She had just learned how to get down the stairs, and for her size this is a major achievement. She doesn't even cry when she does it now.
We have taught her a few 'tricks' Sit, lay, speak, quiet and roll over.

I am spending so much time crafting at the moment. Ryan is not at work. He wanted to make sure he got all his holiday time this year with work, so has booked lots off. It's lovely, except last week we was all ill with coughs and colds and we hoping to go out on some trips. But it has ment lots of family cuddle time, and lots of crafts.
I have decided to start a new blanket, but i have sooooo many other crafts going this will be a very slow motion one. Made up of the flower motive pictured.
I have done lots of bunnies, and still have so many i want to do before I put a batch together for sale. Some yummy wool for them.

(craft teasers!)

I also finished a doll i started years ago (literally) The pattern is from Wee Wonderfulls. I love love love the stuff she makes. But man this doll almost got the better of me. I will not be making another (sorry Wee Wonderfulls) I was enjoying making her right up untill stitching on the base. Then i hated her, and named her Gertrude. Luckly i found a friend that though she was sweet, so she found herself in a postage bag with a stamp today.

Oh and, Rahs if you read this, keep an eye on your post box.

getting the crafty feeling

2009-09-07T09:05:00.004+01:00

OK so i have tuns of housework to be doing, but i have the crafty feeling. I have had lots of things I could be crafting, but just recently i lost the ommph to do it. But right now things are good, and I feel like embracing that with some craft.

I have 101 different coloured flopperty bunnies planned. So shall have a few for sale soon. All autumn colours.
And lots of dolls.
Starting with one for Teylas birthday on Saturday. I can't believe my baby will be two so soon. It's flown by. I have started her doll, ready to give it the facial features, so i shall let her sit with me while i do it. It's nice for them to see the doll coming to life. After the features are on though, I shall do the rest while she is in bed, so the magic of her new little friend coming together is a surprise for her day. She is very excited and can not wait to have her very own birthday cake with candles. I can not believe how clever she is, and very very well ahead. It's scary...perhaps she will be my brain surgeon *lol*

I also have an elephant pattern in mind. Along the same lines of my floppety bunny. I am looking forward to creating that.

Back to schoollllll.. or really not, cause we don't do school, and we don't really stop for holidays, we just go with the flow like usual. We tend to work along with hubbies work, four days on two days off. Strawberry puff (who would have started school now) is picking up basics of reading. She is piecing together a couple of sounds, and also getting good at forming her letters on paper. She has a want to learn. Little spud though (who would have started last year) is still not ready. He is showing steps towards reading, but forming letters and shapes on paper is not happening yet, and the poor thing looks like he's left handed too. But it will come, I'm not worried.
Viv is coming along well. We stick with Singapore maths and science, they work well for us. The maths is great for teaching a good foundation to everything it touches, we like this. We do love our history, using the history of he world alot. There is quite abit of map work with our history, but we are still about to start some geography. Remembering alot of my school days, and having quite a few school going youngsters about, I am becoming aware that we learn a great deal more at home. We branch out more, we teach more and more indepth. Things the children at school are not even touching on, us homeschooled families are doing and enjoying. We are still very undecided about high school.

Puppy loving is going well. Tiny little baby she is. Toilet training is going well, she takes herself outside during the day on her own, as long as there is nothing real scary outside like wind. At night we have to go out with her though. She is scared of the garden in the dark. We have installed her a light *lol*

Stand still

2009-08-15T20:41:00.003+01:00

Things have come to a bit of a lazy stand still round here recently, that i am trying to drag us out of. Since we went camping in Devon. We had lots of fun, the kids loved the tent (and lucky for us before we produced a zoo of children Ryan and I bought the largest tent ever!)
The weather was AMAZING it was like being abroad.

Then once we got back from camping, we had a new kitchen put in. But really i should say we had a kitchen put in full stop. Those that know our kitchen know we really didn't have one. The person that lived here before us was an old lady, and she obviously didn't cook. So that put us all back a lot, specially as the kitchen contents where moved to the lounge! The new kitchen is beautiful, and as soon as i figure out what is wrong with my camera i will get pictures up.

So we are slowly getting back into normality. Getting the kids back into gear doing some 'work', and getting me in gear preparing their work! (and ironing lol)

We did bring this little lady back with us from Devon to join the family. She is a yorkshire terrier. Just is just over 3 months now and the sweetest little puppy. The kids adore her. Her common name is 'kitty', but her posh name is kitty nerissa which has part of her kennel club name in it. So expect to see her in most the photos from now on. :)

Sims Legacy Challenge

2009-07-23T08:45:00.004+01:00

I have sooo much to write. But no time. So forgive me for holding off my words till another day.

Today i write about Sims 3. Well actually no i don't, i direct you to my sims 3 else where. I have been doing a Sims 3 legacy challenge, and blogging it on my facebook. I think i have enabled it to be view by anyone. Lets see.

Sims 3 Legacy Challenge
Sims 3 Legacy Challenge week 1
Sims 3 Legacy challenge week 2
Sims 3 Legacy Challenge week 3
Notes on my Sims 3 Legacy 1
Sims 3 Legacy Challenge week 4
Sims 3 Legacy Challenge week 5

2009-06-22T17:11:00.003+01:00

Last night as i climbed into bed i thought 'wow, things are going so well. Everything is perfect'

*sigh*

Ryan's work Van was broken into last night (within about 5 minutes while he popped into a garage and got a sandwich!!) They took his Keys (both our house and our car) and his Sat Nav (which is an idiot prof map to our house, of which they have the keys!!)

AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

So now we have had to have the locks changed for the front door and the back. And we can't get into our car! Our insurance company have taken it off to sort it out luckily.

As you can imagine Ryan was not a happy bunny! Specially as he never takes his keys out of his pocket, but last night for some reason they where irritating his leg! Like fate was waiting to slap us on the face!

Lets just hope everything is peaceful to go camping Sunday!

2009-06-12T09:43:00.003+01:00

Ok i have five minutes. Well actually i don't, but nevermind.

I am irritated with lots of things within the school/nursery/ parent category. So what i am going to do, is some links, some quotes and my own slightly ranting, slight angry, slightly biased views. It's not for any particular reason, except my annoyance, specially with whats going on with government and homeschoolers right now.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2004/aug/15/media.politics
IT annoys me, that parents saw under cover films of nurseries, then still choose to send their children to one. I quote from the last paragraph in the article.
"When it comes to giving your most treasured possession to someone, you have to have total faith in the place. "
Is that not just the most stupid thing a mother could say? If it is your most treasured 'possession' how could you possibly send it to a nursery all hours under the sun, where it possible will be abused in all manor of ways. You know we are real skint, i am happy to admit it, and heck alot of my homeschool friends are, but we sure CAN manage to be at home will our children, so claiming you have to go to work just isn't valid.Your 'most treasured possession' didn't ask to be brought into your life. It's not meant to adapt to you. (childcare makes me more angry than anything, can you tell??)
"Earlier this summer, there was furious argument over research suggesting that children under two may be more likely to develop aggressive and antisocial behaviour if they are cared for in nurseries. This further fuelled parents' worries." (from mid page)
Well we all know this one, does it really have to bring furious response. Viv was in school a year, and i saw it. Every parent with school children out there, will tell you of the 'things' they pick up in school, and how sweet little Jimmy now argues with them and says terrible things. And still perfectly sane parents send their kids to these places so they can do non needed work!!

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/nightmare-at-the-nursery-abuse-images-lsquowere-taken-at-play-clubrsquo-14333349.html
Then we have this. I think all I need to say is OH MY FUCKING GOD (and yes it does warrant the F word. Actually it warrants it more than once, but i will save your ears (or eyes as the case may be))

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1559757/Four-in-10-primary-school-leavers-fail-three-Rs.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1559291/Fifth-of-primary-school-pupils-fail-at-3Rs.html (the comments by readers at the end of this one is quite good "It pays to be fick." classic)
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23407445-details/Four+in+ten+students+fail+to+master+three+Rs/article.do
OK this is a issue that I come back to again and again. I do not think there are words to describe how irritated I am about this. I could mumble on for ages. When Viv had her year at school (5-6, i start this blog just as she does her last days at school) She had what I thought where reading difficulties. Which I now know to mean, she couldn't learn with the way schools teach, and from statistics it would seem she is far from the only kid. I spoke to the school while she was there (with her little biff, chip and kipper reading crap) I asked what it is exactly they are doing about her reading, and why they are not teaching her phonics so she can learn to read and decode words. I was told by the teacher, thay they have them remember high use words like the, and, if chip, biff (yeah cause chip and biff are good names and well needed to be memorized by my kids!) then they tell them the alphabet, and look at books with pictures plus words, and hopefully with time they will pick it up. I lie not. I pretty much stood there with my mouth open, unable to reply. I was gob smacked.
Some picked out Quotes ;
"Nick Gibb, the Conservative shadow schools minister, called for a new drive to make sure seven-year-olds learned times tables by heart and all pupils read using the traditional phonics method." True true, except, it's not being done, oh and you know some 7 years olds are not ready for this yet.
"Phonics - seen as a "back to basics" method of reading, in which children learn the sounds of letters and how to blend them to form words - will be introduced in all schools." will be introduced??? UUUUrrrmmm ... will be introduced? So why is how to read, needing to be introduced into schools? Surely a place where children go to learn to read, is already teaching how to read? OR am i stupid for thinking this.
"However, teachers attacked the "target-driven culture" behind the exams." Yes teachers, cause our 11 year olds should be reading like 7 year olds!!! Yes thats right teachers I blaim you too!!!!!!!!!! You go into the profession, don't bum around like idiots with our children, get a clue, not be a sheep.
"A fifth of children set to start secondary school in September are unable to read, write or add up properly." I need do nothing but put that in bold.
"Over the coming year we will be focusing our efforts on reading and maths in primary schools and personalised learning in secondary schools so no-one falls behind." so where exactly was the effort going before??
"Almost one in ten boys still start secondary school with the reading age of an average seven-year-old." not very effective then is it.
And then there is the testing. Government has been talking resent years, of the targets being too high, and lowing them. So instead of teaching the kids effectively, they are going to make it more acceptable to be stupid? But don't even get me started on the tests. The kids hate it, and it does nothing!! I looked at the 11+ the other day, my husband and I did some mock test, and I want to know when knowledge needed, turned into quiz book stuff!! I'll go further, there was lots of questions about decoding, stuff i thought was meant for those quiz books you buy from news agents! Perhaps this is what they have been focusing in schools?
I watched quite intentively channel 4's programs on this last year, with my husband. We especially enjoyed 'last change kids'. If you can get to see this, do watch.

And now we have all this new government crap thrown at us. Sarah makes some great points. Clean up your own mess before you start accusing us of having mess! But i have to say not only should they do their own jobs in sorting out schools, they should also sort out their own jobs already in home school. They say they have no idea about homeschoolers and how they want to vet us. Well if they were doing their job, they would indeed already have this information. I have been homeschooling for 9 years now, i now have 2 children of school age at home, and one who starts in sept, and I have NEVER been contacted. Surely if my children had already been seen yearly, like they are meant to, it would be known whats happening with them, and then no need to start writing huge lengthy reports on how they should be doing this and don't know what we are up to.

Ok i've been here longer than 5 minutes!!

2009-06-11T21:59:00.001+01:00

Is in a slightly angry at government, schools, nursery's and parents place tonight. Might be able to ramble about it tomorrow. But i fear it will be rambles from my frustrations.

I am so pleased i home school

2009-05-06T10:18:00.002+01:00

Dontcha just hate it when you go out and buy a nice new digital top notch scales, and discover you are half a stone heavy than you thought!!!!!

2009-02-03T10:49:00.002Z

Sunday I went to see Natalie.. Little Natalie as we used to call her (i was big Natalie)
Natalie is my dearest friend, i have known her since she was a baby and we grew up together spending all our summer holidays as kids with each other. Well in two weeks time she has decided to do something i never thought she would, and tho i am terribly upset i am also so very very proud of her. She is moving to Australia. I may not see her for many years, australia is indeed the other side of the world. And saying good buy on sunday was very hard. But i do so hope she has great times and all goes to plan in Oz.

i'mmmm backkkk

2009-01-11T21:34:00.002Z

I know i know you haven't seen me for ages... And i didn't even post a picture of the tree.. I'm sowwy. I have been taking it easy, perhaps alittle too easy tis true. I had a bit of surgery right before xmas, nothing too important, and nothing i feel like talking about here. But i am all good now, and just today started getting back to my yoga. Talking of yoga, i stayed 9 1/2 stone the whole way through christmas, and thats with no exercise and my hugeee christmas dinner i stupidiy still cooked!! This year i aim to work even harder at getting my figure back to what i call normal.
This saturday my 'what i am loving' really was not stuff that I would really pass on as great reviews to help you out. So i shall just let you know -
We got a new car.... yaaaayy we can all fit in our car together again!!! so many problems from the accident OVER a year ago. But things are getting sorted. Things are actually really looking on the up for us for a change. (i mean apart from the wonder of producing beautiful children like the last few years) Totally loving it.

I got my christmas pressy lenses. This are sooo totally beautiful. I also got a sapphire blue pair which i shall share at a later date. These are called mels (which means honey) they came all the way from brazil this time. All the lens i have colour my already dark brown eyes, but these babies do something i have never found before, they actually lighten my dark eyes. You don't have to be close up to see them. All my other lenses have been neglected since i got these. Oh yeah, and check out i had all that long long hair chopped away!!! Loveing lenses loving hair!!

And i shall leave you with that and go soak in a nice deep bath.
Night peeps.

i'm lovin' it

2008-12-13T22:57:00.012Z

First things first

Alexandra Burke

So pleased this girl won, she is such a Diva. She should be big!! Lets just hope she can write her own stuff too. ( to the non british, this is from saturday night tv!! )

Ok, i have so many fads, and so many interests, i go through so much stuff, and in the process find quite a few goodies. So saturday is going to be set aside for what i'm loving. And this week it's Bourjois 1 seconde nail polish. The brush is fantastic you can paint the nails in one stroke even with your wrong hand doing the painting. And it dries in 1 minute. I have shade 18 which is pretty much clear with the best holographic colour in a nail polish i have found. Great worn alone or over others.

Here i have it over Bourjois so Lague beige glamour 05. Like all polishes tho, for us scrubbing home ladies you do need to put on a top coat now and then to make it last..but it's so quick to apply you might as well just put on another coat .

Oh and, trees up, i'll get some pics soon xx

'bless you my child for you are now holey'

2008-12-06T12:29:00.006Z

I have been meaning to post for ages, but for the past week i have been filled with flu, and that on top of trying to care for children has not given me the best motivation.
So i will 'try' to go through all the little things that have been happening that i wish to blog. (not in any particular order)

Vivienne had a good birthday, she got LOTS of lush..LOTS. Including the humago!!! She also got some Wii games and a few other bits and pieces.

The next installment of contacts arrived. I am totally addicted, the way i see it is i HAVE to wear them, so i might as well make it a nice experience being blind as a bat. I am due another 3 pairs, hopefully arriving this month. The pairs i got this time were -
G&G BT02 green. These are exactly the same as my last but green. They are weird, i wouldn't say realistic (actually none of these 3 are lol) They kinda give a emerald glowing smoky black colour in real life, very strange, and very nice. Just as comfortable as my browns. (lol excuse the wash out look, i had flu and no make up!! )

Geo Ash Wing. These are beautiful, but in the right setting. They are great photographic lens, as long as it's not a close up photo (so i might have to get Ryan to take some from further away than my arm!!) Or for night light (as in parrrty, cause i go to so many!!!)

And last but not least Geo Nudy Blue. Totally beautiful, totally freaky, i love them, so had to Cam whore these babies!!! These give a weird pretty 'halo' effect as you move your eyes about. It's where the whites of your eyes shine through the coloured part..very sparkley

Last pic to show off the funky halo effect..

I have some Violets, and some super duper best of the best natural green and blue ordered. Of course i shall share pics when they arrive. The super duper natural ones, which i am sooo very excited about are an xmas gift, so you might have to wait for their pics, Ryan says i can not wear them till xmas lol.

As most of you might have noticed, there is a new addition to my face!! I got my monroe pierced. Yanno it didn't hurt at all. Which is weird, you expect a big ass needle through the face followed by metal should hurt, you panic you brace yourself...then you feel stupid cause their is nothing!!
It's two weeks old now and still in the healing process. The piercer put a smaller bar in a week ago (they pierce it with a much longer one to cope with the swelling) and that didn't even hurt. I am dead pleased with it, and love it to bits.

As far as non school work goes, the kids have been pretty lucky with an ill mummy, lots of pj days and television... Back to work me thinks.

2008-11-23T10:56:00.000Z

Happy 9th Birthday Vivienne Holly

2008-10-30T19:55:00.003Z

Things are plodding along nicely here on the homeschool front. We started off today with some pajama work! (the sun was actually shining at his point) Vivienne did some Singapore maths, some sentence and noun work and a bit of Singapore science.

Teyla did her first drawing. She enjoys doing whatever the older ones are doing so she loved this, she didn't even chew the pencils.

Ryan and Ley have done so many 'M' and '3' work sheets and colouring pages. We have them blue tacked all over the house, and it's starting to look like some weird wall paper. But they love doing them so I have to have lots ready for them.

Once work was done The rain started to fall (actually Hail!) so Vivienne relaxed with Hello Kitty on line. She has been accepted for the closed beta and she is really enjoying it. She loves rpg's and this one she has no problems with, nice and easy. It's a bit more indepth than club penguin too, which though she loves she can get bored with.

Teyla sits and eats all our meals with us now. As i said she loves to be doing whatever the elder ones are doing so she loves dinner times. Makes lots of mess for me sadly.

We finished off with her 'arms in the air' game, which she can say clearly and makes us all do over and over after each dinner. No escaping a bath after sweet and sour chicken with noodles!!

Me and Vivienne did a bit of reading once the rest were in bed. We are enjoying 'The story of the world' books and work.

Now they are all in bed i'm going to settle down with some stitching, i have a little girl whos going to be 9 next month!!!!!!!!!!!!

My little 'pick me up', secret and annoyance

2008-10-18T23:31:00.007+01:00

Our trip to adventure island went down well. Spud loves rollercoasters so much, he wanted to go on every one and wouldn't stop talking about him. Outtake was encouraged onto some with a bribed trip to lush afterwards for a bath bomb.

Today i am going to discuss something i don't tell just any old person. It's one of my little secrets, and a little boost for me. It's also quite an annoyance. My contact lenses!! I got my first glasses at about 8 and had to wear them full time by age 11, these days i am as blind as a bat! I got my first contact lenses at about 14/15. They were gas permeable (commonly known as hard lenses) They were hell beyond hell, so after 6 months of that bad idea i changed over to soft contacts. I got my first lot of colours at 18. I had freshlook in green, sapphire and violet. I have really dark features (with pail skin, proper little snow white) and unless you was in my face with a camera flash they didn't quite cut it. So though i loved them, and i wanted contacts with an extra something (as i HAVE to wear them) i didn't buy them again, hoping that something stronger would come along. But being European, supposedly having lovely light eyes, living in Europe, those lenses i pined for never showed. I was about to give up and get my usual plain colourless lens order when browsing through blogs i happened upon an advert for manga eyes. They looked great, so i did further googleing. I discovered they were called Circle lenses and i would have to get them from Korea (mine are made in Korea and sent over for me by a lovely girl in Malaysia). Ok so whats so great about them. Well being made in Korea they are made for a different people. Firstly, Korea, China, Singapore and all those places brought us manga and anime, which amongst other things have big eyed cartoons.

So circle lenses have a large dark circle round the edge making the eye area appear larger and to make them really stand out. The colour also extends out further making the iris bigger. Secondly most people of Asian descent have dark dark eyes, thus the colour pigment has to be greater.
So i opted for my first 2 pairs and they arrived in the post a while ago. I bet you are dieing to know what colours i went for...... brown and black! Yes you heard right. Brown and black. I went for brown as i wanted to try something to really complement my eyes with out looking like contacts, and black to be freaky (LOL) But i do already have my next 3 lenses picked out and ready for pre-order which are colours (my eyes are so bad, if i want something different i have to pre order to get my stupid prescription)
So onto pictures....

The freaky black

The oh so beautiful brown ( i can't even tell you how much i love love love these)
And some super duper close up. (excuse the eyebrows, rest assured they have now been plucked!!)

One black one brown

And lastly one brown and one natural eye to show the enlargening effect and definition. Lovely.
(click all pics to make bigger..if you want of course!)

cobwebs here

2008-10-03T19:49:00.006+01:00

I was looking forward to autumn, don't get me wrong i loved summer in our new home, but i was looking forward to wrapping up toasty under a nice crochet blanket, hugging tight, soft evening light and hot chocolate. (the latter for the children as i am caffeine and dairy free these days)
Every year i forget how i feel as the nights draw in and the sunshine goes. I forget to ready myself for this sudden inability i get to function right now and find myself bogged under wanting to curl up in my little bubble and not face the world. So I'm feeling alittle foggy right now, but do not want to go down the antidepressant route this winter, so friends you will have to bare with me while i kick myself up the arse.
Kicking myself up the arse starts bright and early tomorrow as we walk through the town with the boys brigade then follow on with a day at the amusement park playing on the roller coasters. Hopefully there will be a nice big dose of sunshine out for me.

I had a most annoying visit to my Dr a couple of weeks back (which i think kick started my seasonal depression this year) She made me so very very angry and i shall be requesting another Dr to see to my children from now on. Spud needed his 4 1/2 year check up which was all going lovely, till she asked me what school i was sending him to. Que lots of funny looks, patronizing smirks and "is that really allowed" questions. She let it lay while she finished the check up, only to sit down at the end.. stare at me for a few moments before asking questions like "do you realllly think thats the best thing for your children?" and "don't you think your children will be disadvantaged?" to say i was alittle annoyed by her manor and treatment is putting it lightly, i was fuming.
But we just brush those uneducated idiots aside and enjoy our life right home non schoolers?
At least we have a great home education group in Southend, and a trip to their Friday group (with lots of scrummy healthy food) reaffirmed why i put up with idiots like my Dr and live this lifestyle.

On a plus note I'm down to 91/2 stone. I don't really think i look that much smaller yet. I feel it, and my clothes are looser, but i think i have further to go.

(picture from World of Warcraft game... yes i am a warcraft nerd!!)

Teyla Hazel

2008-09-15T00:26:00.002+01:00

Happy 1st Birthday Teyla Hazel

2008-08-08T10:33:00.000+01:00

You Are An INFJ

The Protector

You live your life with integrity, originality, vision, and creativity.

Independent and stubborn, you rarely stray from your vision - no matter what it is.

You are an excellent listener, with almost infinite patience.

You have complex, deep feelings, and you take great care to express them.

In love, you truly see relationships as an opportunity to connect and grow.

You enjoy relationships as long as they are improving and changing. You can't stand stagnation.

At work, you stay motivated and happy... as long as you are working toward a dream you support.

You would make a great photographer, alternative medicine guru, or teacher.

How you see yourself: Hardworking, ethical, and helpful

When other people don't get you, they see you as: Manipulative, weak, and unstable

What's Your Personality Type?

goodbye nasties, hello....headache!?!!

2008-07-23T19:36:00.005+01:00

On Saturday my oldest friend, Natalie, went and got married! We grew up together, her being a couple of years younger. It is making me realise how time has passed to she her grown up and married. She sets off to live in Australia at Christmas too.

Strawberrypuff discovered she loooooves parties, and has asked to go to one everyday since. She danced from the moment we arrived till we left.

Spud took his time to get out on the dance floor. He has he's dads shyness.

It was lovely to get my babies all dressed up and looking nice.

All my face stuffing got me all the way upto 10 st 7lb !! But it's back down to 10 st. The 7lb has dropped off in 3 days!! All talk of shaping up got me looking at what i was eating and made me more and more unhappy with what i was passing as food! I always used to eat healthy, i love my greens, salad and fruit... so why was i making do with a KitKat? So a better way of living began monday, and i am bringing the family along too. I am too lazy to go it alone so am following the recipes and way of life from my Gillian Mckeith books.

Today was risotto rice on a bed of raw baby spinach and kale

I have given up milk many many times, i am well aware of the mucus the nasty horrid stuff produces and the rubbish it does to my body, but i love drinking it so much i thought i would miss it most. But it's barely had a thought in my mind compared to Caffeine !! My body is feeling the effects of caffeine and i didn't think i took in much (till i looked into it more due to the withdrawal) I have the mother of migraines, i feel like plucking my eyes out with a spoon. This is all from a couple of cups of tea or coffee a day. I edge you all to join me and be caffeine free, and feel the effects it obviously has on us!! I know that a little sip will get rid of the withdrawal, but i totally do not have a want to do that, the thought makes me feel sicker than i already do, i guess knowing just how bad it is is putting me off.

So despite the way i feel i shall not be giving up just yet... did i say i lost 7lb in 3 days??

My Little Ballet Stars

2008-07-15T21:21:00.007+01:00

The girls did a show for the mummies and daddies at ballet today. They both done great, no waving from Outtake, and no shyness from Strawberrypuff. They was dancing to old Macdonald here, about to break into moos. It looks like Viv and her 'mini me'!!

Outtake has been trying super duper hard, and wants to do her first exam in Ballet after the summer holiday, and begin modern, jazz and tap. Her posture and balance is fantastic these days (even the Wiifit says so!! lol)

Strawberrypuff can tend to be shy and over whelmed by lots of people, so i was very surprised when she carried on as if no one was there and showed her true personality infront of all. She enjoyed every moment as much as Outtake, and wanted to be part of everything. Most of her pictures came out fuzzy! During her piece, they were to be waking butterflies, slowly stretching their wings, but today she was adamant that her wings where ready to go, and she adored it when the audience laughed.

Spud sat with me and watched, i have asked if he wants to dance too ( there is another boy and this teacher taught Lee mead ) but he is sure he does not!!

On the body shaping front, i spent the whole weekend stuffing my cake hole (why do we always eat when we meet up with family) and put on 4 lb ! But hay ho i'll be shaping up next week.

loosing weight

2008-07-05T18:27:00.008+01:00

Ok so i put on alot of weight with the last pregnancy. I didn't look too bad while pregnant, but i have noticed it since. Sooo, i trying to shape up. I think perhaps everybody i know is doing the same thing, so we can all lean on each other!!

I have taken a couple of photos of my size today so i can document the weight loss! As my hubby told me this t-shirt and joggy bottoms 'do nothing for me', but we get the drift. I have taken belly out pictures too..but i will only show them if i get toned up lol ( i have one of straight after i had Teyla to scare people out of having 4 children with )

I have not really started 'dieting' yet, but I have made my portions smaller and i'm exercising and toning. My sister and I have started belly dancing classes. We do 3 hours a week. 1 hour of cabaret and 2 of tribal, and we are enjoying it so very much, we are slowly getting outfits and DVDs. Even after a few classes we can both see the way it is changing our shape and curves.

Other than that i do ALOT of DVDs. I am sure i like collecting exercise vids lol.

I will give the info for a few favourite ones i use...

Barbara Currie's Yoga total body plan - LOVE this, like LOVE LOVE LOVE. This had my belly totally flat within a few weeks of giving birth to Ryan. I am now doing a 15 minute plan in the morning, and if i can not be bothered to do anything longer in evening another 15 minutes then.
This is not all spirit and meditation and fall to sleep yoga *blushes* this is body toning yoga, it's short and sweet. You can work all the way through this DVD or just do 15 minutes for the parts of the body you are bothered with.

Fatchancebellydance tribal basics Vol 1 - This is my tribal belly dance. IT is whats called 'drills' which quite basically meaning drilling the moves till you are fab at them. When you start it's a killer! Great exercise and i get to practice my dance.

Carmen Electra's aerobic striptease disc 2 - I have the whole set of these through to disc 5, they are fun, but not worth the money of buying separate (i bought for a deal in the set) EXCEPT disc 2 is an exercise routine not a strip one..and it is fabulous. Really good exercise. You can do lots, covering all areas of the body (and reallly work yourself) or you can do a good 30 minutes.

Lindsey Jackson's Pilates in pregnancy - i know it says pregnancy, but the early pregnancy stuff is great for after, and my gosh is quite a killer on the body if you ask me (specially if you really 'work' it) My only problem with this is it seems reallly long, like you are doing it forever, so i only do this one if i really like working for ages.

So thats it of exercise reviews for now...but i have so many, i think i will review more soon. It's helpful to have reviews of exercise DVDs. So many of us have to, or want to exercise at home, it's good to know what others think before we buy.

For record -
Arm 13 inch
Breast 39-40 inch
waist 35 inch
Hips 39 inch
Leg 21 inch

10 stone (not too bothered about this, it's the shape i want to define)

So more news on how it goes hopefully soon!

slow busy

2008-06-28T13:45:00.006+01:00

Today my head bangs just slightly threatening to become a full blown migraine, so i plan to do nothing except sew up some trousers. I would have liked to go out today, my belly dancing troupe are dancing at a folk festival. But hubby is on a work day, so i do not have the transport.

The week has been alittle mad, we had the electrics all redone, which required all the floor boards up. Luckily it was the most beautiful hottest weather ever so the kids spent the whole time in the garden keeping out of the way. The house is just starting to get back to normal after the 'reshuffle'. At least now we can think serious about the decorating and me getting my own way!!

'Non' school is going well. We don't really stop for a summer holiday here, we work so relaxed that we take it through all times, all day , whenever the mood to work takes us. I have started doing little things with the other two now. They are good with colours, shapes and numbers. I plane to begin bringing a letter into each week now, going through the phonic, but (even though Spud would be due to start school september) i have no interest what so ever in bringing on of reading. I learnt with Outtake this will only come when they are ready. Strawberry puff is already showing interest in her phonics, and tells me the sound words begin with alot which amazes me.

Last week (has it really been that long since last posted??) We took the kids to the Zoo. Being able to take the kids out when other children are at school has to be one of the best things. Towards the end of the day it felt like we were all alone in the Zoo. Was as ideal trip as we have been recapping over animal classifications in science. Feeding the Giraffes was probably the most enjoyed part.

Poor baby Beady got left at mums. We are STILL having trouble getting the money from Direct line for our 8 seater car that was written off in a accident last November!! We do have a solicitor working on our case over damages though, which might help us out. We are having to cope with a normal sized car at the moment. Which is great to get Ryan to work, but it means we don't actually all fit, so can't go out as a family. It's hell.

Isn't this the most beautiful baby ever, even with food all over her!!

The Mooncup Post

2008-06-08T13:45:00.003+01:00

If there was one thing i could share with every women, it would be the mooncup.
I would buy each and every women one. Free them all...
I think governments should hand one out to each women. I would not live without mine...

Few of you have noticed my link on the side for mooncups. I erge you all to get one, to try one. If you give it a chance, you would not go back to old ways again. Forget the £19.99 they cost, these little things are worth their weight in gold.

Time

2008-05-29T10:36:00.004+01:00

Time is moving too quick. Someone slow it down....

*gasp*

She crawls..

She scoffs...

She sits....

She stands.....

Someone let my baby know she is only 8 months old. She is not listening to me!!

We have gone from very busy to very lazy here. The beautiful weather had us in the garden from morning to night, but now the weather has gone downhill. Weather affects us lot so much. Two nights ago we had the biggest of biggest storms (did you get it too ?), the bed was full of shaking little scared kiddies.
My crafts have been on hold, we have been filling our time with board games, hugs and nonschool work.

Next week we shall get over this lazy hump and get back to manic house :)

Are you inspired? I am

2008-04-29T11:04:00.003+01:00

The "Arte y Pico" award was created/made to be given out to bloggers who inspire others with their creative energy and their works, whether it be writing, artwork or more. When one receives this award it is considered a "special honor". Once you receive this award, you are to pass it on to at least 5 others. For more info on this wonderful award, where it originated, please visit Arte y pico at their blog. ( words from Auntiebunny)

There is so much inspiration in every corner of the internet, i have read of and made friends with so many that inspire me so... but i managed to draw out 5 blogs that get my creative juices flowing.

We have Julie over at Little cotton Rabbits

Nicola with The Vintage Magpie

Ana Paula Rimoli and her amigurumi goodies.

Sarah with her Homeschool creations.

And the organised Cherry

so..... Whos the winner?

2008-04-27T19:21:00.011+01:00

I am

Of an "Arte y Pico" award from AuntieBunny

But of the shawl... the winner is..... Nicki.
A cup was my hat, and my son the name caller. From the hat/cup he pulled Nicki.
Hope you like it Nicki

busy busy busy, and a giveaway.

2008-04-20T16:22:00.010+01:00

I noticed (abit late) that my last post was my 100th post. There seems to be a bit of a trend of a crafted giveaway going on to celebrate mile stones , so i'll join... more on that later.

Have been very busy here. Trying out new things, crafting, playing etc. The kids are slowly one by one coming down with the flu now though, and last night it grabbed me :(
Luckily Beady seems to be fine though, and is keeping us all busy threatening to take her first moves

This little gal arrived in the post though, and is making me feel better. I love Kewpie dolls (i am so not a blyth person) and was pleased to find this one from the 60's . Her name is Daisy, and i plan of making her some new clothes in the future.

Meet Florence, (i am afraid this is not the giveaway my mum already has her) She is from a vintage pattern doll, and i had such fun making her you might just catch some joining my Floppety Bunnies for sale in the future. She had pantyloons, peticoat, dress and apron. In the future i vote on more ribbon and lace.

Other than that my friend Caroline and I decided to have an over msn craft along !! She choose a shawl for us this time. She beat me to the finish, but i protest it was because i was making a doll at the same time!! This pink one was hers

And this green one is mine...

Which brings me nicely onto my giveaway. I made two green shawls., so that one could be for some lucky blog reader.

Leave me a message (with a contactable e-mail) and in a weeks time (sunday 27th April) I shall pop the names in a hat and pick a winner :)

WIP

2008-04-02T22:57:00.005+01:00

WIP's.... W . I . P's
I am not alone in this crafty world, we even have a abbreviation for what effects me.
W.I.P's ......... Work in progress.
I have many works in progress, scattered all around my life. But today we are going to discuss only the yarn ones. I have a few of these, and i think it's time i got this guilty secret off my chest.
"one or two" i hear you all cry " we all have one or two unfinished things"

Yeah i got one or two

A skirt for Outtake

A tiny tiny teddy for *my husband * lol

three or four? yeah i got those

a few floppety bunniesanother baby star blanket

Five or six? hmmm few more

a teddya secret ;)

Seven or eight????? alittle higher

Blanket for the cotCardigan for Strawberry Puff

Oh and one more, i've decided to learn to knit. I did the basic 'drop stitch' when i was younger (yanno when you start with 30 stitches and your mum has to come and increase 5 every ten minutes to keep you on track) well now i want to knit real stuff, so i give you my last W.I.P...

a scarf for Spud.

Hmm i was hoping that would make me feel better!!! I guess there is only one thing for it, bring this under the new years resolution category of 'don't leave things till later'. I gotta actually get this stuff finished. So it's numbered, you know what i gotta do....... updates hopefully regularly.

And to start, looky here, i finished a skirt and hat for strawberry puff. :)

Progress and escape

2008-03-30T23:15:00.003+01:00

I think my baby has been trying to tell me something. Yanno my darling little newborn baby. I came in lounge to find her escaping..... both her baby mat and her baby grow (check out toe). Needless to say i have had to give in and put her in older clothes, and give her more floor to roll about!!!

The past few days i have mostly been making hats... perhaps because of a day or two of this...

But thank fully the snow has gone, and my plants seem to have survived, so on to the house. Progress in the kitchen...or out of the kitchen maybe..!

This is my dad in the brick shed outside my kitchen door today, converting it into a room for my washing machine and drier. Fab huh.

And lastly
Happy Birthday Yummy Hubby

Floppety Bunnies

2008-03-16T19:12:00.003Z

Introducing Floppety Bunnies ~

Lots of playing in the garden and lots of unpacking/sorting going on here. But not half as much crafting and learning as i wish.
I have been working on my floppety bunnies though. I have so many ideas for these. This one has already been adopted by Beady (and has already been chewed!!!)

Hope everyones well.

and breath......

2008-03-06T11:03:00.010Z

We're in , we're in ,we're in,,,,, we're half unpacked!!!

Things are starting to calm down slowly.But not enough to stay still long! My new house was built just as the war finished, and the same family have lived in it since (the lady that was still here, moved into an old peoples home) It really hasn't been touched much in that time, which is great...except we neeeeeed to put in a new kitchen. We have the original door and door handles and some of the most wonderful wall paper!!

The garden is very mature, and full of my favourite plants, including hundreds of fuchsias a family favourite. I will be filling my garden blog full of it through the year as everything sprouts and blooms. The children has been totally loving the garden, as you can see from the picture strawberry Puff has even been flying!!!! Outtake can't wait to do her work in the garden when it warms up.
Everyone keeps saying, this house has to have been made for me, with it's floral wallpapers, and fuchsia garden, but when we found a vintage dressmaking Adjustaform in our loft i had to agree. Still in box with instructions, i can't wait to get it set up and in use.

I can now show what i made StrawberryPuff for her birthday. I did have a tea set planned too, but didn't have time to complete it. This little girl is called Margarette (Margie for short) and she is actually quite big, at least double the size of my usual dolls.

The other gift was a pony purse. This is well loved my everyone.

I am now working on a new pattern for a bunny. This was my quick sketch last night...so watch this space :) If it works up as well as my daydreaming fantasy mind sees it, i might start offering them for sale.

Outtake wrote me a story for mothers day. What was lovely was that she completed it all on her own. We managed to get a bit of 'work' (if you can call HE that) done today, and Outtake wrote in her journal about the move.
So all in all things are quite peachy here, except my beautiful Leibshen seems to have taken a walk alittle too far from home. I am going quite mad without him. Luckly we have moved just round the corner to our old place, so our old neighbours are keeping a look out.

Leyonce Rose

2008-02-29T22:30:00.004Z

Happy 3rd Birthday Leyonce Rose

appology, answered, together,

2008-02-16T14:48:00.005Z

collaborate, adventure and extraordinary....

Words in my deepest despair I thought would never be read, words which are now not even pondered on. I am glad we didn't show Outtake our worries, and done this naturally. Her reading is so confident, and she always has her head in a book, she enjoys the stories and the learning so much. Don't get me wrong she needed guidance with her phonics, she is more skilled in sights than sounds. A year at school really did mess up the speed she learnt though, it removed any confidence she had in herself, and confused her on which way to go. We concentrated on phonics in a visual form as well as sounds, without this she was purely guessing at words even if she could read them cause of her lack of skills in decoding sounds. We loosely worked with a reading program which was invaluable for Outtake and her learning style. She is loving her new skill and taking in every bit of information around her, and enjoying reading over my shoulder!!

Hearts are all packed in boxes here, but i still got a beautiful present from my hubby for Valentines. Now i want one in all colours!!!
We are moving, just round the corner!! (sorry to all those that hoped i was moving near them lol) But more space, less money so all pluses. It needs a lot of work, which we are actually looking forward too. I can't wait to get my garden blog back up and running, see what grows up in my new garden. We get the keys on Monday, moving out of rent can be super quick, so should all be sorted in a couple of weeks. Fingers crossed it all goes well.

New new new

2008-02-09T20:03:00.000Z

Isn't it beautiful?
This is my new crochet hook, and it works like a dream. My stitches glide wonderfully. My new hook helped me finish off the baby. She is a gift for a friend.

This baby is real!! Sleep would be nice right now. We have been sorting out, boxing and free-cycling like mad people. Why? Cause we are moving, well hopefully if all goes to plan. More news on that during the week.
With so much to do packing I won't be able to do as much craft as i would like, probably only presents for StrawberryPuffs birthday at the end of the month, and to that note, heres a little sneaky peek of a finished toy.

Little Twinkly Stars...

2008-01-29T15:08:00.000Z

There are so many little stars falling into the arms of mummies this year. So a star for a star is on it's way..... Congratualtions to Annette and family

One of my little stars turned 4 last week, so we had a house full of balloons. He's favourite present was a Power Ranger outfit, he loves so to dress up. I made him a superboy cape for the days he does not dress up aswell.

So much crafting has been and is going on here. Me and Outtake went searching our second hand stores for a duvet or curtains, she wanted a new bookbag. She found a big flower double duvet that she fell in love with. Fell in love with so much that i had to make her a duvet cover for her bed and a book bag out of it.

Now my Mum and sister want one. I am making them hunt out there own duvets for fabric tho! While out thrifting we also found this cup and sauser for my kitchen. The 'tea for one' set is new too. But not second hand, my hubby found this in a shop the other day and bought it home for lucky me :)

StrawberryPuff felt alittle left out, so some spare fabric gave her a little twirly skirt and peasant top to dance about in.

Even Hubby joined in with the crafting, and made the kids each a bean bag frog. I think he watches me enjoying my crafts, and every now and then thinks hmmm, perhaps i could enjoy that. So far he has tried cross stitch, crochet and toy making. (needless to say he has not kept up with any!)

Our Singapore Maths and science arrived for the year. So far we are very impressed. Outtake works well with textbook style learning + fun, games and projects. We finished the first of our pocket history projects.

And we have done some sentence work. We need to work on handwriting alot this year. If she feel like it, she can do some really neat work, but tends not to try hard enough.

My little piggy of a baby, who has gained the name 'beady' due to her little beady eyes watching everyone so intently, woke this morning with two little budding teeth. Try as i might to drag hard on the arms of my clock, this baby is growing up.

Guess I'll have to work on a baby that won't grow up......

Birthday Time

2008-01-23T11:58:00.000Z

Happy 4th Birthday Ryan Rodney

Tales of the house proud procrastinator

2008-01-07T11:28:00.000Z

The last christmasy corner of my home.... gone..donated to the sweety box. Good bye christmas 2007.

Mama Baboushka visited all the way from russia yesterday, and dropped off little pocket dollies in their shoes.. Almost every picture was blury that i tried to take, and the room was filled with giggles when they found them..

My craft corner is a mess, so many crafts on the go, and a calender for children to piece together.
Apart from the little pocket dolls I should have lots of crafts to show you the next few months, i have so much planned (poor housework!!!)

New years was lovely, the little people went off to bed, and me daddy and Outtake stayed up to see the new year in. We played board games and watched the fireworks on tv, all with a glass on wine, which made Outtake pretend she was drunk! As for new years resolutions, it all boiled donw to one thing, the same thing as every year... STOP LEAVING EVERYTHING TO 'IN A MINUTE'
Something quite amazing happened that night though...me and Ryan found something quite momentous and had to take a picture so as never to forget...... Behold - the 8 year old foot!!!!! Scary.

All done till next year...

2007-12-29T13:06:00.001Z

Hope you all had a great day...
Everybody tried their best to make it a great day. I screwed up alittle, not many details but i tried to do something special for Mum and landed up letting her down. Hubby keeps saying 'she understands, your mum is great' but thats not the point.
Grandad woke the kiddies up bright and early (for them) They all did well this year. They must have been very good children this year.

Sega got some of her own, non hand me down, rattles which she was pleased about..

StrawberryPuff got lots of princess stuff, so now she can be princess like veve...

I made my dad his very own boobs for christmas, in the shape of a neck cushion

And a blanket for mum. I will not be making such a large, detailed project to a deadline again. Don't get me wrong i enjoyed every part of making it, but i think there is more blood, sweat and tears in it than wool because of the deadline.

I am desperate to get the tree down now though (i always drag it down quickly) I want to open my room back up.

Elfs

2007-12-22T09:59:00.000Z

Thank you Annette , this is so much fun....

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1666109523

no mistletoe or wine, but it's christmas!!!

2007-12-17T16:24:00.001Z

The tree is up and decorated now, the kids are mega excited!!!
We did some crafts that I can actually show before it's Christmas. I got some fabric and made some bunting for the lounge.

And the kids made Christmas wrapping paper winged birds for their ceilings. Spud and StrawberryPuff are at the age when they like to be included into the crafts.

This was my charity shop find, 6 vintage baubles for 99p. I have been able to have a good look around the charity shops recently, as i have had to get the buss into town quite a bit, what with the 'missing car'!!!

Sega has been giggling lots these past few days. Every little thing she does reminds me how quick she is growing.

More updates later peachy people.

Mutter mutter mutter

2007-12-10T20:48:00.001Z

This could land up being a cheesy nice Christmas post, a mumbling moaning post, a long post, a short post or all of the above. I have not given a thought to what to write, i have many emotions and much i could say.

Outtakes 8th birthday was lovely. She had wanted a Nintendo DS for months, and the reason for holding back was her reading level. But she has become very confident in her reading, so she was so pleased to unwrap a PINK ds. She had MySims and Animal Crossing. And she has the thing on every spare bit of her day!! It's weird now she is older, and instead of lots of small bits and pieces she had few but meaningful presents. We all enjoyed LOTS of cake as she had 3!!!!!!!

StrawberryPuff and Spud are so very very excited about christmas. Everytime we put something christmasy out (like the outside twinkle lights) StrawberryPuff runs to her advent calender to see if the windows have all opened!! Spud claims he is getting cars and a scarf (the snowman!!) for Christmas. It's very lovely in our house with two little people discovering Christmas.
And big news, strawberrPuff has quit the dummy. It was only at night anyway, but it had to go.

Sega (the latest nickname for Teyla) Is growing so very very quickly. Smiling and babbling away. :( i have no newborn and my baby is growing up right infront of my eyes. . It's so very beautiful to watch though, even if it is too quick for my liking. She is currently talking and laughing at her daddy. As per usual with my babies (big headed smug moment coming, brace yourself) she sleeps right through the night 7pm till 7am.

I have had my husband home for weeks now, which should really be fabulous, and i am enjoying it, just... it's cause he had a car accident!!! He is well , he scrapped away with a sprained wrist and wiplash. He was travelling on a duel carriageway near us at 70mph and the person in the lane next to him decided he was to share his lane!!! Ryan swerved to miss him but hit the barrier at that speed, and was spun a few times. Our beautiful 8 person Toyota estima lucida has been written off. So we are totally car less over Christmas (mutter mutter mumble mumble) We are so very very lucky we had that car though, cause if we still had the little Nissan we had 7 months ago Ryan would not be here to tell the tale, the front would have folded into the rest of the car. But with the Toyota the inside was still perfect. I'm so thankfull to that car, and we will be replacing it....... at least we hope to. The other driver admitted responsibility there and then, but our insurance company ( DIRECT F**KING LINE ) are being arses about it. We bought and insured our car 7 months ago at £5,000 and they are trying to tell us it's only worth £850 !!!!!!! The 8 seats alone are worth more that £850 . IT was an x limited japaneze car with only 71000 miles on the clock. We are thinking we may have to seek the advice of a lawyer, or we will never get to transport a family of 6 and pushchairs!!!

I have been doing sooo much crafting, but i can't show you. lol. It's Christmas gifts, so i must keep them hidden. I'll show you all after Christmas..

I hope your Enjoying the Season :)

Vivienne Holly

2007-12-09T13:49:00.001Z

Happy 8th Birthday Vivienne Holly

Something Different - Lirael

2007-11-02T18:05:00.002Z

It was late by the time the master warlock called me. I have been training under him for sometime, and it was time to learn to summon a Felhunter. I was slightly nervous and excited about the tasks he would have set for me. I met him in the slaughter lamb in stormwind, and he discussed the summoning to me. He sent me to find Strahad in Rachet, a master in controlling Felhunters. I decided to set out bright, fresh and early the next morn.

The sun was shining making the views flying over Dun morogh breath taking. The discovery of life can touch me almost as much as death sometimes.
Despite the sun dustwallow marsh had a wonderfully dark encroaching feel. I re enchanted the bindings on Beliuk my voidwalker and travelled into the unknown..

The unknown showed it's self stalking me as i walked the paths. But a spell or two and i sent them to the grave.

When i reached Rachet, Shrahad told me of a book that would aid my learning, that had unfortunatly been parted in two and delivered into the hands of vile creatures.
I rested in Rachet for a while before setting off again as the sun set.

By the time i reached wetlands and stranglethorn vale, the dark had settled enough to hide my moves, so i could retrieve the parts of the book.

The shadows concealed my moves and my spells while the void obeyed my commands.

Was so late when i had completed the tasks set that travelling home was quiet, with not even a late night partyer waiting for the night tram.

I checked on the stabled horses before setting to study the book and learn the skills. I knew strahad would require me to fight my Felhunter in the morning to show I am worthy to controll such a minion.

My Study was good for the next day I ensured Strahad of my skills by Summoning the demon and then sending it back to the hell from where it came

My spell was learnt. The ability to summon the demon Felhunter was mine.

When i returned home someone was letting off fireworks in town. It made me smile for my day was fullfilled, and i could relax some with the festivities.

Click pictures for bigger clearer views

Join the fantasy for free - http://wow.vtwout.net/index.php?module=content&id=1

The Waaaadddes

2007-10-11T21:35:00.001+01:00

Happiness is.......

.... Your first Brownies activity badge. Friend to animals.
They are working on their Seasons badge together now, and me and Outtake are working on a few ourselves, so watch this space, er sash for more happiness.

Dare I admit I am not a fan of Simpsons *gasp* I think it could be cause i was a teenager the first time they came out, with the album and the eat my shorts stuff, and we saw them as naff!! Biker grove was much better!! BUT I am loving this Simpsonize me.....
....Look, we have the whole family!

Spud and Strawberrypuffs drawing is coming on well. I love they way they both have totally different styles. Spud has even started giving his faces goaty beards!
This is Spuds....

And this is Strawberrypuffs...

For some reason all her faces have to have feet, i think it's to do with Mr. Men. Will have to get them working on bodies next.

natural light?

2007-10-09T14:50:00.001+01:00

She has been named Alice, cause Outtake says she has an Alice skirt like Alice in wonderland as she falls through the hole. I have tried to get good picture of her, but to no avail. Now don't get me wrong i love the colder days, snuggled under blankets as you finish them (!) cuddled to your babies, but i do yearn for alittle natural light. I would like to be able to see at mid day without all the lights on. So her hair looks slightly like a dark blob, but i assure you it's little buns like starwars Leah. As soon as i have a day with light, i will get a pic to prove it!!

Outtake has a sore throat at the moment, so has been spending her time relaxing with PJ days, as she wants to be fit and well for going back to Brownies on Thursday. She should be getting the 'friend to animals' badge and making bird feeders.
Bubs (still no solid nick name yet) has been alittle snuffly too this week. I'll go get her weighed up on Friday. She was born 7lb 7oz and was well above that before two weeks were up.

Before disappearing off with Outtake Alice helped me decide on my next Christmas gift. I am going to begin the gift that will take the longest, i think that wise. From the book 200 crochet blocks. I love this book, the colour combinations are beautiful. Lets hope i do the gift justice.

getting creative

2007-10-05T14:57:00.000+01:00

Things are still very much in a state of relaxation here :)

Breast feeding lasted just over two weeks!!! All was going well, and Teyla was well over her birth weight. BUT I started to suspect I had thrush, cracks that where almost gone got worse and so on. Then on Firday i woke feeling like the whole side of one of my breasts was bruised! Spent the next 3 days shivering, sweating and sleeping in bed with mastitis. Now if Teyla was my first I would have grinned and bared it, but she is my forth, meaning I have 3 other little people running around needing mummy. So took the decision to end the breast feeding now. She got over 2 weeks of gold top mummy milk, but now it's time to get my family and house back to normal. Sorry Teyla! She is doing well, and still sleeping like a baby.

I don't know if I got to show you this, Strawberrypuffs bunny. Spud has a teddy i crocheted a while ago. It looks alot more loved now!!! These little creatures do look even better once loved tho.

Well this week it was time Outtake got one. And a mulberry monkey was chosen. Sadly you can't see how beautiful his colour is in the picture, it's a dark wine colour :)

Have been spending lots of time drinking large amounts of tea and crocheting like mad ( OMG christmas is JUST around the corner, i will never be ready ) Busy finishing this little lady. But every time i look round one of the little people have ran off with her. At least let me give her some legs kiddies!!

and relaaaax

2007-09-20T19:13:00.001+01:00

Enjoying some unadulterated (except sore nipples) R & R

Beautiful

2007-09-15T08:47:00.000+01:00

Might get time to night to write up a proper post, tell a few details. Everything going peachy here. Ryan and Mum has been totally fabulous, my best friends. I love them so much.

Teyla Hazel

2007-09-12T05:20:00.000+01:00

Not long out (bout 2 hours ago) !!! Will post more info once i get some sleep. And a pic of me looking alittle like i just gave birth!!!

Still here!!!!

2007-09-10T12:00:00.000+01:00

Dontcha love PJ's !?!!
I have now gone a week longer than ever before. I had the others a 34 weeks (Viv) 37 weeks and 3 days (Ley) and 37 weeks and 4 days (RJ). I AM NOW 38 WEEKS AND 5 DAYS! But I actually don't mind (!!!!! yes you heard right) Things have got comfortable. My hips seem to be affected by some amazing fairy dust magic, I'm sleeping better, heartburn is not 24 hours and as you can see from pic the bump has even become more compact!!! I am REALLY enjoying this pregnancy!!!! Of course Ryan wants me to drop as he wants 2 weeks off work lol. But this is good and dandy for me, helped by the fact this will be our last, so the longer the better, i won't be experiancing this miracle again.
I am nesting like mad, till midnight most nights, bleaching floors, ironing pants and polishing air. My house thinks it has new residents. Things are peachy in my world :)

The children -

Foot seems to be growing well. Is in a great place for birth, still fidgetting alot and enjoying the music i subject the poor thing too!!

Strawberry puff OMG this one is growing up toooooooo fast. She is only 2 1/2 but that is the hardest fact to believe in my world right now. Potty training with her is done now, night and day, she took it on like it was just another part of her play full day. Nothing phases her.

Spud ok so this little tressure still only joins in potty training some days, still sticks stuff in holes and still ignores you when he is not interrested (!LOL!) But between you and me (don't let him know this) He is learning so much. Chats away with really intellegent conversations, knows his colours and shapes. Everyday he surprizes me by telling me something i didn't even know he knew!!.

Outtake This one has had a smile practically tattoed to her face for a couple of weeks now!! You see she is a fan of...... ground force. Yes you heard right, the gardening program. (Alan Titchmarsh is her hero!!!) And my mum and dad whisked her off on a secret surprize day. To meet charlie dimock!!!! She ran and hugged her like a long lost relative lol. She got aultographs and photos. Learning has been alittle slow at the moment. A mix of summer holidays and this big bump. But i have lots of booklets and sheets printed out and made up for when we get back on track. But for now we are enjoying a little relax and play time.

Other bits and bobs
(just for sarah) We found a false widow spider in our play room!!! These have been coming over from places like the canary islands on fruit for hundreds of years, but are just starting to survive our winters and settling in as a native! They offer a bit of a bite to enjoy. Bout as painful as a wasp sting and can make you swell up abit apparently. We jarred it up to watch and how lucky it's laid us a batch of eggs ( I used to be a tarantula keeper before having the children so this is not so freaky as it sounds for me ) Will probably just let it go soon (along way from my house lol) but the kids enjoy watching it.

ouch

2007-08-16T15:19:00.000+01:00

I want to write a nice long post telling you all how we are honest i do. But my SPD (hip problem) is too bad to sit at the puter longer than 2 minutes. LOTS of pain!!!!!!! So i shall just leave you with this :)

See you all when baby arrives :)

zzzzzzzzzzzzz

2007-06-04T19:18:00.000+01:00

Only a day out!!!

What to talk about first? hmm . How bout a trip to the park today. With the new bike came the need to ride with out stabilisers. So today was day one, and actually it went better that expected

She was getting along quite well before we stopped for lunch. Don't know how much Dad liked all the running!!

The babies enjoyed watching dad run around tho!!

We are quite lucky at this park, we have one of these

Two of these

and.... *sighs* one of these have just hatched.

Ok lets move on to the children :)

No. 4 - 20 umm 25 weeks almost. All seems healthy with baby, my hips are giving me trouble, but so far i am copeing fine. This one seems quite moody (!) and does not like anything touching my belly..and protests strongly!

No. 2 and 3 - are being potty trained. Ley is having the hardest time, because she is doing the best so far. She tries so hard to please and do well that she gets quite upset everytime she thinks she is going to wee! Ryan is not having a hard time cause quite franckly he has not bothered to join in our potty training!! But as a mum i can say i know he is ready!! Nappies are gone, he will just have to adapt!

No. 1 - Reading is going really well. We are following a 'program' to help children that like her have difficulty decoding the sounds even though they are hearing them. So far it seems to have really helped. If anybody has this problem, they will understand what i am talking about. Where they pretty much read the word, but still have no idea what they have said, cause they can't hear the word in the sounds. When we reach the end, if it continues to help as much as it is now, i shall post links. Maths as usual is good, but we are going to begin singapore maths, more as a back up and record in conjunction with what i call 'household' maths and montessorri matterials. Projects and play all going well :) Brownies loved.

So many other little bits done and completed including the beautiful wedding of my cousin

And lastly before i go to do housework while they sleep, i leave you with a picture that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy lol. The childrens 3 cloth dolls enjoying the sunshine after a bath :)

For Sarah

2007-06-01T23:47:00.000+01:00

Just when I say I will be more active with my blog, I get dragged down by tiredness. My evening tends to be filled up with snoozes on the sofa. But I declare, it's not my fault!!

Whos fault is it then i hear you cry..well..

Meet baby number 4 .......

Will do a big post sunday..honest

Off the hook

2007-04-28T11:28:00.000+01:00

Things here have been going peachy :)
The kids are all well, viviennes reading is going really well, and we got a new car :) A Toyota lucida or nicknamed 'the bus' We are fit it nicely, with room to spare for more little people ;)

My ripple blanket has been put on hold for a few days (though i have joined a ripple along blog http://neisripplealong.blogspot.com/ ) while i created this little person for a birthday...

She is from a pattern at www.anapaulaoli.etsy.com
Gonna get myself out in the garden now..see if i can rescue it lol

Numa Numa of course!

2007-04-19T12:24:00.000+01:00

Happy 2nd Birthday Leyonce

2007-03-06T14:36:00.000Z

Guess who turned two?????

Happy Birthday Leyonce Rose

Two candles in her favourite cake - ginger cake! She got her first dolls house. push chair and a bean bag. But was far more excited and interrested in the fact that it was her birthday!

We had kisses all round!

Have been trying to finish off crafts at the moment with not alot of success. Have a bed throw for one of the girls. Want to make them a matching pair for their beds. Will hopefully get round to making a matching blue one for Ryan

A tatty teddy cross stitch for my mummy.

And a rag doll from wee wonderfuls . One of the make alongs. Seems to be coming along very nice and very quick. If only i didn't have so many hobbies!!

Vivienne and i enjoyed the eclipse the other night. She has a good understanding worldly things and the life around her. It seems her reading may have clicked too, but i'll get back to you on that one!!!

RIP Baby Tommy

2007-02-19T18:00:00.000Z

RIP Baby Tommy

Somewhere over the rainbow

Way up high

There's a land that I heard of

Once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow

Skies are blue

And the dreams that you dare to dream

Really do come true
Some day I'll wish upon a star

And wake up where the clouds are far behind me

Where troubles melt like lemondrops

Away above the chimney tops

That's where you'll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow

Bluebirds fly

Birds fly over the rainbow

Why then, oh why can't I?

Some day I'll wish upon a star

And wake up where the clouds are far behind me

Where troubles melt like lemondrops

Away above the chimney tops

That's where you'll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow

Bluebirds fly

Birds fly over the rainbow

Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly

Beyond the rainbow

Why, oh why can't I?

Lazy Sunday

2007-01-28T21:13:00.000Z

Supperman decided he wanted mummy to make him a teddy, so this was his creation :) The girls have now decided they want one, so viv is getting a version of a monkey and Ley a bunny rabbit. He was very chuffed, and keeps holding it up saying "mummy made it, mummy clever".
Have gone back to being much more waldorfy here at the moment, and enjoying it and enjoying the relaxing ways it brings. We are learning the B for recorder at the moment. We are going to start knitting next month and vivienne is quite excited. Her reading is still in her own time, but i am confident and relaxed that she is comeing alone nicely.

Going to give this blog abit of a tidy up, has a few dead links and out of date stuff, gonna get back to my book reviews too.

Hope you are all well :)

Happy 3rd Birthday Ryan Rodney

2007-01-25T13:48:00.000Z

Happy 3rd birthday Ryan Rodney

Was a nice day, Ryan, who has now decided that he is to be called superman, and refers to himself as such was sooo pleased that it was his birthday.

Nice natural wooden no battery gifts this year and it's gone fantastic, he has been so pleased with it.

Will prolly post an entry this eve :)

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY VIVIENNE HOLLY

2006-11-24T20:57:00.000Z

Wow another birthday. Time seems to be going so quick. 7 already.

The past few weeks i have really been noticeing that she is growing up, in so many small details. Even her face is changeing. The biggest thing was we have taught her to play battle ships, and she is really good at it. Understands the co-ords real well. Maths so far really is her strong spot.

Ryans new camara smile LOL

Who's that in the mirror?

2006-11-12T19:12:00.000Z

*slowly begins to wake, looking about for familar faces*

Ok, i think i have rested enough now!
This year has been Crap with a capital C. Everything sent to test and try us. The sadest moment being the death of a family member. Ryans brother in law, well more like a brother. Suddenly from a heart attack ages 31. Yes 31. That alone is a sad story to hear. But Steve was an amazing person, a joy to know. And we are so vey pleased and proud and privedged to have had him in the family, and to have known him. He will always be loved.

To be honest i have almost spent this whole year with my brain turned off to the world lol.
Spent most my free time playing role play games - AWRPG - WoW - Renaissance kingdoms the list goes on. Such a wonderful escapism.

But it's time to wake my brain back up, time to be a teacher and a housewife, and get my household back into jear. Specially with only, what, 7 weeks (?) to that dreaded christmas!!

I hope you have all been well

smoke?

2006-10-12T12:16:00.000+01:00

To those that smoke....
If you are smoking right now. Look at that cigeratte...and imagion your funeral, with your friends, your family, your loved ones, your children. No not far off in the future, not at 70, 60, 50 but next week...
look at that ciggerette and out loud ask that cigerette 'are you worth it?'
Now do the right thing and put out that cigerette before it puts you out.....

2006-10-06T18:16:00.000+01:00

R.I.P Steve Cotton

2006-09-04T11:20:00.000+01:00

R.I.P Steve Irwin - Crocodile hunter

2006-08-23T19:09:00.000+01:00

I am almost ready to come back to blogging....

SOWWWWWWWY

2006-03-26T14:27:00.000+01:00

I am so sorry i have not posted in ages...can i be forgiven?... Please?
It's not from being too busy that i have not posted , more not being busy! I think i took too much on, and went into total melt down...I am hopeing to get back on track with all my back log this week..sorry if i have been a pain to anybody.

Have been doing all the usuals with homeschooling..can't wait for the warmer weather so we can spend more time outside. Vivienne has joined girls brigade with her friend Jade, which she loves..and today she went to get her first badges for beavers, so she was very proud of herself...She has made me some lovely flowers for mothers day. She has also lost another tooth and the new ones are growing through.

Ley has been her normal happy self!! This is her practicing her singing in the kitchen..I can not believe she is over one now.

This picture of Ryan, has been put on for Dottyspot, cause of my believe that him and Nin would get on well, see he can fall asleep anywere too, this is the window seal!

And lastly a picture of my gorgeous hubby, just because i love him so much, and haven't put a pic of him on for ages.

Will try to keep up with posting people......

2006-02-28T09:09:00.000Z

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY LEYONCE ROSE

I will update soon..honest..

2006-02-16T22:09:00.000Z

Firstly i must post a photo of one of the blooms on the miniture rose bush hubby got me for valentines. It's beautiful. And to top up his wonderfulness he dug over the garden for me (tho if you read the garden blog, and his blog, linked on right, you will know i locked him out!!!)

The past week we have been doing valentines bits and bobs, and some work on koalas, and other austrailian animals (to go with merry's books) We have also been doing lots of art work to go with the other reading materials. They are going down well.

Our seddlings are growing well (click to see larger!) The first is snap dragons, and the second marigolds.

Before bed tonight we finished off with making some good old healthy shortbread.

SIMS

2006-02-12T21:47:00.000Z

Vivienne has been asking and asking for ages to play sims, and she requested first thing this morning to try it, so we put the very first sims (with out add on packs, tho proudly i own them all tee hee hee) on her computer. As (though we are not religious) we have decided sunday is a day of rest (along with monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday and saturday) we let her spend as much time playing it as she wanted.....though we didn't realise that would be the WHOLE day! She has been a total addict!! She has had a renewed interest in reading today to play it properly. Once playing for a while she moved on to give the sim a swimming pool to be proud of!! (note on bottom right the neglect of sim!)

And Viviennes quote for the day, before bed, "people must be playing us"!!!

And lastly, i have a few game cube demo and cheat disks that were free from magazines. I know there are a few people out there that are like us dedicated game cube followers lol. If any body wants them, i can pop them in the post..just be first to contact me!!!

child led

2006-02-10T11:38:00.000Z

We seem to have a week doing lots of work, and then a week off. I call the week off the autonomous week, where i let Vivienne decide when and if and what. This week is the week off, so apart from a reading lesson here and there ( for her 50p weekly pocket money!! ) not much has been done. Talking of her pocket money...her chart is looking decidedly bare this week (bed making etc) i might actually have to hold back her 50p! I think she is feeling a little rich from her tooth fairy visit!!!

On a plus lilly is learning to read....

New Blogs

2006-02-08T16:49:00.000Z

Hubby has started his very own blog www.shadows2k.blogspot.com. (very funny)
And i have started one for my garden www.thewadesgardenblog.blogspot.com (as my garden will be done this year and nice,,, i miss having a garden)

Vivienne lost her tooth!!!

2006-02-07T22:37:00.000Z

Vivienne lost her first tooth tonight before bed, after our tuesday night film (honey i shrunk the kids!!) She was very pleased, and i think alittle over whelmed..all her friends have already lost at least one. When daddy and i remarked how tiny it was, she replied "of course it's a baby tooth!!" she always makes sense!!

illustration friday

2006-02-05T23:10:00.000Z

Illustration friday!

edited : Ryan came up with this too....

2006-02-03T09:44:00.000Z

We have been doing lots of spring time type stuff here. Planting quite a few things. We have planted snap dragons in Vivs pot in her room, marigolds in the pot in the kitchen, and our potato grass head ( pics further down page ) is growing nicely.

We have been making lots and lots of lanterns to celebrate the chinese lantern festival, and brought it together yesterday by puttin them all up, and lighting candles for candlemas / imbolic on our so far very bare season table.

Thank you very much for all you kind words after my rant the other day. I understand the situation,, i just don't seem to have people around who research anything..they all believe in pushing the children, and filling them full of info, when they should be playing. So to all those against our decision or our relaxed way of learning..........

And one last thing..both my homebirth stories are now on www.homebirth.org.uk so go have a read if your bored!!