I've been tagged...

Thanks Sue (NOT)...

Getting to know me

1. If you blog anonymously, are you happy doing it that way; if you are not anonymous do you wish you had started out anonymously so you could be anonymous now?

No I don't blog anonymously, but I do watch what I blog and what photos I put on (of others) as I respect other people...

2. Describe one incident that shows your inner stubborn side.

Not sure about the 'inner' in this question, but most recently I got stubborn when the social worker told the school Steven was going to a day centre that I had not even viewed, so TOLD the school he was NOT going there and then TOLD the social worker that too and he didn't.

3. What do you see when you really look at yourself in the face in the mirror?

At this precise moment, I see someone that is old, wrinkled and with bags under her eyes.

4. What is your favorite summer cold drink?

A whole lemon sliced, put in a jug of water and kept in the fridge, very refreshing...

5. When you take time for yourself, what do you do?

Fall asleep...

6. Is there something you still want to accomplish in your life? What is it?

Cannot think of anything I personally want to achieve, but would love to see both my children happy in their adult life, whatever that may be.

7. When you attended school, were you the class clown, the class overachiever, the class shy person, or always ditching school? Describe who you were if not one of these.

My reports always said 'if Maria concentrated on her own work instead of helping other, she would finsih her own work on time' I was just average, nothing special.

8. If you close your eyes and want to visualize a very poignant moment in your life, what do you see?

Standing between my mum and sister and holding my dads hand when he died, not that in a million years had I thought he was going to die. We were only laughing an hour earlier about Newcastle going down. I think that is what makes it special, it was as if he just fell asleep,

9. Is it easy for you to share your true self in your blog or are you more comfortable writing posts about other people or events?

It's mostly about me and my family, but it's not the whole 'me' I only disclose that to special people.

10. If you had the choice to sit and read or talk on the phone, which would you do and why?

It would have to be talk on the phone, as I can hold the phone with my shoulder and cook tea or do round around the garden on Steven toes, in other words can do two things at once, lol....

OK Sue, done. I now pass it onto to Carole and Gill

Cards...

Have managed a couple of quick cards, the first one was for Sam who asked for one for a work colleague who was leaving to have a baby. I thought I had a baby one made, but forgot to check, then Wednesday afternoon I got a text saying saying 'can I'll pick the card up after work mum', yikes.
So I had to quickly knock one up, luckily I remembered one that I saw on do-crafts years ago, and thank goodness Sam was happy with it.



The one below is for a friend who as you can guess is called Sue and is 50 on Bank Holiday Monday, lol...



Again a very quick make, well I only had a whole year to think about it, lol... but as usual I forgot and had to get it to her today as it's BH weekend.

Change of plan...

As you know Steven has left school and I've been looking into day care for him and who to provide it. Well thought I had it sorted but have been let down by a few people and felt I wasn't having any time with Steven myself, so a change of plan was needed.

So with a bit of juggling and lots of phone calls Clive and I decided on a couple of changes to Thursday and on Sunday's

On the Thursday we will now be having someone to take Steven out for just 3 and half hours in the morning. (Verity is still working with Steven at the moment but she is off to Uni next month, so we're in the process of finding someone else)

and on the Sunday Steven will be going to the Out if Town centre for 4 hours in the afternoon...

So now on Thursday's Steven will be home in time for lunch so he and I can not only have some 'US' time, either by going out for lunch or just chilling. But sometimes we can now meet up his sister for lunch and see his nana, as we used to do that in the school holidays but of course he won't have school holidays any more. I can also book some of his appointment for the afternoon, so it won't ruin his whole days at the centres...

On the Sunday we thought that time would give Clive and I 'US' time either to chill, talk or do chores round ours or Sam's house that needs the two of us to do, also will give 'US' time with Sam...

Not sure how it will go, I will watch Steven closely to see how he copes with going out for 4 whole days and 2 half days, and if I don't think he's enjoying it, it will all change again, lol..

We are also looking into the day care centres taking him horse riding, maybe to a soft play centre, doing some ICT and going to the gym, all just once a month, again not sure how Steven will like the things, but he has done them all in the past with his school.

This week we had the adult community nurse round to see Steven about her behaviour, but like the speech therapist, I think it will be a long on going process, lol... Oh well at least they are now on board, (as has taken a while to get them)....
I also had the social worker round here again today as I took it upon myself to phone her as no payment had gone into Stevens account and we had invoices coming in. It seems she had forgotten to send me a form to sign, but was wondering if we could foot the bill and they would reimburse their amount later. I said no, (as if we had spare cash just lying around and if I did, how long would it take me to get my money back), lol... Anyway she popped round here this afternoon, so it should be faxed through to the right department tomorrow, so fingers crossed for next week.

Don't give up the day job...

Steven has been busy again, but this time at the Out of Town centre he attends 3 times a week, he bought these home for me yesterday, (I have taken the photo of their best side)...



OK, Cheryl said we were not suppose to see the oasis but Steven was not really into flower arranging, it seems for every 2/3 that Dave put in, Steven did one and if you were lucky it still had a head on, lol (this is their not so good side, lol)...



Looks like he's going to have to get a lot more practice in before we let him loose on Sam's wedding flowers, lol...

He also bought this home Thursday which I thought was sweet of Verity to help him make...

Thank you....

Thank you all for the good wishes for our 25th Wedding Anniversary, also to Gina, Carole and Susan for the lovely cards....



We went away for 48 hours (just the 2 of us) and to be honest it was bliss, it was so nice to just plod around doing what we wanted as our own speed. Like after swimming and the spa we decided to chill out watching TV, but both fell asleep, lol.. Something we can never do when we have Steven, as after swimming we would have had to go out for a walk straight away as he does not like stay in, so it was lovely to just relax...



I scheduled my Anniversary card to go on the 17th at 3pm, as that was the time we got married and 25 years on, Clive and I were enjoying warm home made scones, clotted cream, strawberries and a pot of tea in a little tea shop called The Baytree in Wickham, it was lovely...



In the evening we stayed in the hotel to eat and at the end of the meal they presented us with a small black forest gateaux with a candle and wrote Happy Anniversary in chocolate on the plate, which I thought was very sweet of them.





Basically for 48 hours, we ate, drank (2 bottles of Champagne), swam, went to the spa, for walks, chilled and slept, it was bliss...



and when we got home we found that Sam had put up banners, balloons and thrown silver confetti all round the house (you wait Sam I'll get my own back with the confetti, lol)...

25th Wedding Anniversary

Thought I would show you the card I did for hubby for our 25th Wedding Anniversary....



The writing is a sizzix sizzlit decorative strip santa's workshop done in mirror card, the hearts and roses on the side and the teddy, wine bottle, glasses and candle are from the forever friends coloured stickers range by do-crafts, with the odd silver star from my stash. The glitter 25th was bought from a Internet shop called flutterby's which has since ceased trading, shame as I had bought a few scrapbook templates from them.
I 3d the teddy and the wine glasses.

May and June ATC and my ear....

Well have managed a little bit of crafting in my arty attic (as Carole calls it), I've made both my May and June ATC.

I know a little late but as they say 'better late than never' lol...

This ATC was for the May 'Masculine' theme which was actually set by me and I was to send to Gill... When I saw this decoupage I thought of Gill and the grounds of the university she work at. The way she describes it made me think of a lovely relaxing place, hence the wording, I hope she likes it.



The June theme which was set by Donna and it was 'if you were a animal what would you be' and I was to send to Sue-bubbles. She had to smile when she received it, as she would never describe me as a tortoise, as I'm always rushing around.
That is why I would like to be one, as you can sleep all winter, eat all summer and just move around as and when you want too... (as that is what my tortoises do, lol)...



Well I had my ear syringed this afternoon and I'm happy to say it's a lot better, not quite 100% but the nurse said it might pop or if not I might have an infection (fingers crossed it's not the latter).

I had a few people telling me it's not a nice thing to have done and one person saying she loves it.

The verdict, I would like to say I liked it, it was just the same feeling as swimming under water, which I love doing, so was lucky no problems with that. and it's so nice being able to hear again. Now it's just waiting for the dull throbbing and slight burning to sort itself out. I'm hoping after a good nights sleep it will feel better in the morning as we've our first home football game tomorrow.

.....and guess what, we've had a change in the weather, it's raining, it's not rained here for weeks, I've still got lovely straw coloured grass to show for it, but it started this afternoon, lol.


PS thanks for Birthday wishes for Sam, she's had a lovely day so far and hopefully is enjoying her Mexican theme birthday party as I type, (just pleased I'm not her neighbours, lol)...

feliz cumpleaños

which means Happy Birthday...

It's my daughter 23rd Birthday tomorrow and she's having a Mexican theme party (God help her neighbours), so thought I would do her a Mexican type card, but my mind went blank. OK, OK I can hear you all saying what's new...

Then Sue bubbles came up with the Idea of a large sombrero with lots of glitter, so with that in mind I made the card below, I hope Sam likes it...


The writing says una hija especial en su cumpleaños
which means To a Special Daughter on her Birthday

*********

I've been having a few problems with my hearing at the moment, it seems silly to moan as not painful, just a discomfort. It's been going on for the last couple of years, but lately it's got worse. It feels like a bubble in my left ear, like when you've been on a plane, but it does not pop. I've previously visited the Doctor who said I didn't have an infection (which was good news) and have tried sprays and ear drops from the chemist, but to no avail.

As not painful I've not been in touch with the Doctor about it since last year, but last night I didn't hear Steven get up twice (good job hubby did) so that sort of made my mind up and this afternoon I phoned the Doctor to ask their advice. They suggested me having it syringed and as I'm still using the ear drops, they've booked me in for tomorrow afternoon, (it seems you have to put oil in your ear for three days before having them syringed, to soften the wax)....

So I'm now I'm off to google ear syringing, to see what I have in store...

I DID IT.........

Not only did I have a bath this evening, (those that know me, know I never find the time to relax in a bath, it's always a quick daily shower)...

But I actually crafted in my craft room, yes, you read that right....

As while relaxing in the bath I thought of 2 of my ATC (am 4 behind) so after Steven went to bed, I went up and made them both and started my daughters birthday card as well, OK that one might change, as early days...

See what happens when I relax, my brain starts to work, lol... so Gill you will have your 'masuline' ATC waiting for you after your camping trip and Sue-bubbles you will have your 'if you were an animal what would you be' next week too... Sorry I cannot show you them till Gill and Sue have received them.

Bev and Susiej yours hopefully will follow soon, but if not, I might just need another bath to get some idea's, lol...

No joy....

...in getting into my craft room today...

The new social worker was a little late and stayed for over an hour and half, she seems nice but not really sure, I did learn a lot about her and her family.... yet she had NO PAPERWORK on Steven, so time will tell...

But I did learn something today, did you know that people don't go swimming in the summer, I found that out while trying to find some bathers. The assistants in the shops gave me such funny looks when I asked where their swim section was, they all said, 'sorry but they have been in the sale the last few weeks and have none left'.... After scouring the whole shopping centre I did manage to get a couple, one from Sainsbury's and one from Debenhams (oh and a couple of new bra's from La Senza)

....and the reason I needed some bathers or tankinis (which is what I bought), well last night Clive booked a couple of nights away to the Meon Valley Country Club to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary. It's a good job I didn't leave getting a tankinis till nearer the time, seeing how much trouble I had trying to get some today, lol...

It's not far from here, but as Steven will be going from his day centre's to Russets to sleep I didn't want to be that far away, in case of any problems. I know they're won't be, but at least I should be able to relax knowing we can get home if we need to. A few people have recommended it as a posh hotel, (OK maybe not for me then, lol)...

I'm actually really looking forward to it, the thought of being waited on, going for walks, having the odd swim and spa... (and not being too far away from home).

Here's hoping....

Didn't have a great start to the day, it started with the Out of Town centre forgetting to pick Steven up, so we were ready for 8.30 and after a phone call he was picked up at 9.45. It seems they thought he should be there tomorrow and not today, but all was fine and even though Steven was very agitated waiting for the bus, he left happy (and came home happy)...

My daughter then popped in as work had sent her home, as she had flu like systems and needed some 'mum' reassurance. So after having a little chat she was on her way home, couldn't give her a lift as had the car filled up with the old attic carpet, broken boxes from the shed etc. but as she only lives 5 minute walk away, she would be fine... (OK I did drive down her road, just to make sure she was all right, even thought she might not live here any more I still worry), lol...

I then shot to the tip to empty the car, came home and started the housework with the view I would do chores till 3pm, then go up into my 'crafty paradise' and do some crafting for an hour before Steven was due home.

BUT after running the hoover through, 7 phone calls of a mixture of me making or receiving and a visit from Enableability it was 3.50, so no time in my bit of paradise. But on the UPSIDE, I now have the new social worker visiting tomorrow, a speech therapist appointment booked for next Wednesday and Verity from Enableability taking Steven out for a few hours over to the Island of Wight tomorrow... so not all bad...


and you just never know I just might get up to my craft paradise tomorrow, well, here's hoping...

Spanner in the works....

Steven had a good day at the Out of Town centre today, he helped water the allotments, as well as cleaned out and fed the animals and this evening has gone out to play crazy golf and walk along the seafront with a couple of friends and their sessional workers...

Well after driving Steven there (and a friend and his mum) I went to Asda did some shopping, came home and put it away. Then sorted out under the stairs (that used to be the craft storage area), I gave it a lovely spring clean, it looks very empty now, lol. Steven came home on their mini bus with 3 fellow service users....

On a downside while having a spot of lunch today I checked my emails to find one from the Enableability centre to say that Nicola that was going to be taking Steven out on Thursday's has handed her notice in. Which has put a spanner into the works of Stevens week, so we need to try and arrange something else for him now. But as I said yesterday nothing is set in stone, wonder if it was something I said, lol...