Tuesday 31 December 2013

New Year's Eve 2013

Tonight has not turned out quite like I planned.  Plan A was to stay home with a bottle of champagne and toast the new year together.  Then Plan B was to go to my parents for a buffet and a few drinks to toast the new year.  Plan C is for hubby to go to bed, Anni to whine as much as possible whilst I watch rubbish on the tv and try and keep the sound low enough not to wake hubby and high enough that the dratted fireworks don't upset Anni.  Still she seems to enjoy listening to Michael Buble so it can't all be bad!!!!

I just hope I don't have to go to Plan D in the next 50 minutes.  I don't have one :-)

So Christmas has not gone exactly as I had anticipated.  Hubby's MS has kicked off rather badly and we are trying to ensure that he is well enough to go back to work on Monday.  I don't want to think about him not being well enough.  I keep telling myself that he has another 5 days to recover.  I do get stressed over his MS from time to time.  It's just so unpredictable.  Still I shouldn't grumble, there are worse things going on in the world and I am pretty lucky to have my hubby and mutt features to wake up to.

I wonder what 2014 will bring?

Happy New Year, I hope all your wishes and dreams come true.

PS Plan D.  Hubby is out of bed and watching Gary Barlow with me - woohoo.

Monday 30 December 2013

Taking Photos

I've said before that I struggle to take photos as I simply forget to take the camera out to take photos.  Why is it then that even when I remember to take photos, it is so hard to take decent ones of people.  The ones below are the best attempts, you should see the ones I deleted..............  My Mum is certain that she always looks awful on photos.  I have realised this is because she is usually talking so her mouth is in an unusual position...............

Christmas 2013.


I love my new scarf from my Sis-in-Law (well ex, but we still usually call each other SiL).  D in his Dennis the Menace jumper!


Sorry Mum but G is actually smiling so had to post this one.



Anni was really good this Christmas.  She loves food, but was happily watching from a distance this year.


 Dad being a giant!

I also got some great presents this year.  I haven't taken many photos yet but some of my favourites are;


Handmade from my friend G.  Anni was not impressed to have another dog in the house!  I love handmade gifts.


My new CK mug from hubby.  You always need a little CK in your life, especially when it's spotty.


The message which accompanied my perfume from hubby.  It's a good job I am not suspicious or there may have been trouble.  This perfume has been problematic.  Hubby bought me a bottle last year apparently, but it was accidentally thrown away with the packaging before I received it!!!!  Then this year,I got someone else's bottle.  Thankfully it was the right fragrance so there you go.  I do wonder what message I should have received though.

Things making me HAPPY last week

Oh flipping 'eck, not again.  Ok, so I am blaming the madness of Christmas and illness.  My hubby has MS and took a downturn on Boxing Day.  We are hoping that he is coming out of the other side, but between running round after him and after Anni and having little sleep I am a little lost on what day it is.

Anyway, things making me happy last week :-)

1)


2)



3)



4)


5) Apparently the photo of Dad didn't make it..... so I've created an approximation!!!!!





Tuesday 24 December 2013

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from me and mine to you and yours.  Hope you have a good one.

I will pretend to be a tree if you give me that biscuit........

Monday 23 December 2013

Things making me HAPPY last week

Oh, drat and blast.  I've done it again.  Not only have I done it again but I didn't even realise I had done it again until I went to check out the blogs I like .... D'oh.  Well that's the Christmas brain for you.

Talking of Christmas, I THINK we are ready.  I say we, Anni doesn't like shopping and Hubby only has to buy for me but still we're ready.  Well we're not as hubby hasn't finished wrapping..... erm, running out of time - much????

So are you ready for Christmas?

Making me happy last week.

1) Ooh, I like my new toy C.  Thank you so much.  I could play with this for ever - except I keep getting a little excited and chew D's hand instead of the rope - oops.





2) My first big project.  I knitted a lap blanket for the hubby when he is in his wheelie.  I had great fun knitting random stripes.  Not sure it is long enough but he seems happy so that's all that matters.






3) Knitting a scarf for hubby.  It won't be finished for Christmas but he will appreciate it.  I am always surprised that the wool turns into a distinct pattern.






4) Watching White Christmas - have you seen it.




5)  Going out for a Christmas meal with N and my parents and hubby joining us.  Fab day.

Merry Christmas to one and all. xxx



Saturday 21 December 2013

It's beginning to feel a little like Christmas

and the world suddenly feels Christmassy......





A gift to the hubby from New York last year.  I so should have bought myself one too.  SIGH.  At least I get to borrow his sometimes...........  I'd love to go back to New York in winter and stock up on more goodies but until I win the lottery I can use this and have happy memories of time with my Mum.


Friday 20 December 2013

Advent Boxes 15 - 20

Day 15 - Box M





Day 15 - Box S


Day 16- Box M

Another Lindt bear - all gone :-)



Day 16 - Box S


Day 17 - Box M


Carfting goodies.

Day 17 - Box S


Tree Decs - these need glitter!

Day 18 - Box M




Day 18 - Box S



S- will let you know if it works :-)

Day 19 - Box M



Day 19 - Box S



Day 20 - Box M



The worlds latest Clip?

Day 20 - Box S



Wednesday 18 December 2013

What should I read/watch ?

For a long time now I have been thinking that I have missed out in my film education and have missed seeing loads of classic films.  In 2014 I have decided that I am going to try and watch a film from the good old days every month.  But what?

My first film will be "Breakfast at Tiffanys".  Dave bought me this DVD years ago and I have not even unwrapped the cellophane.  This is my first golden oldie in 2014.

Now, I need your help.  What other classics would you recommend?  If I haven't seen them I will add them to my list.  Please send a suggestion.

In the same vein, I am trying to try new Authors.  I have been recommend "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern which I will order from the library in the new year.  Who do you enjoy reading?  I am only really against reading Sci-Fi.  I have tried and failed to enjoy this style of book.  My hubby agreed a book swap a number of years ago and gave me "Fearsum Injun" by Iain Banks and I gave him "Snow Falling on Cedars".  All I can say is I actually read his book and he gave in after 1 page. Now, I don't blame him as even though I read "SFOC" - I was so BORED and only chose it for him as I knew I'd hate his choice (and I did).   We haven't trusted each other with recommendations since!!!!

Monday 16 December 2013

Advent Boxes 9 - 14

Ok, ready for more clues about who I am?

Day 9 - Box M



A little chipboard album.  Will be decorating this next year (or maybe during Christmas).

Day 9 - Box S


A jar of beads - I was with S when she was choosing these but forgot they might be for me - thanks S.

Day 10- Box M


A gorgeous tree dec.  Still trying to make up my mind if I need to decorate it or like it as it is.

Day 10- Box S


A fab bracelet.

Day 11- Box M



This was so needed - I did share M.

Day 11 - Box S



A glittery tree decoration - lush.


Day 12 - Box M

 Can I help unwrap please?


A handmade candle decoration.


Day 12 - Box S


More fab stickers

Day 13 - Box M


Don't mind if I do!

Day 13 - Box S


Choccie, I love you choccie.

Day 14 - Box M



I felt the packaging and thought oh, no another mug.  But this one is perfect.


Day 14 - Box S


A fab way to give ribbons - I must remember this for next year.

Sunday 15 December 2013

Making me HAPPY this week

Woohoo, despite my hangover (must be something I ate) I have remembered to post today!  It was the girls night in last night and I managed to stay up til nearly 2am this morning.  For me, that is an achievement!!!!!

1) Night in with the girls.  I went to school with V,N and D and we try and meet up and have a drink or 3, takeaway and bit of a goss.  Last night was no exception.  I think I have to pour my own Vodka in future mind.  Thanks girls it was a fab Christmas Do. (photos form earlier this year).





2) Finishing my handmade Christmas decoration.  I made some for friends and never got round to finishing one for us.  I was very happy to get it made and hung on the fireplace on Wednesday.




3) Walking with these lot (especially when one likes to stick out her tongue!)






4) Knitting.  I have decided I love knitting.  FACT.  One day I may even be able to knit more than just a sqaure!!!



5) Making Christmas lunch for C and G.  I did enjoy it.  Loved making crackers, and boxes of cupcakes and catching up.  What I didn't enjoy was not turning off the hob the night before and ruining lunch before it even started and then having to start again from scratch.  Thank heavens I used one of my 2 decent pans and it all came off - with A LOT of elbow grease.


Friday 13 December 2013

Minor Operation

A minor operation was needed earlier this week.  Babbit had an accident - it was nobody's fault.  The stuffing just fell out.  No one was chewing it at the time.  No one looked crest fallen when Babbit was rushed for emergency surgery.  No one went into her crate to wait for the surgery to finish, no one looked guilty out her crate.  Someone was happy to get Babbit back........



Emergency surgery

It wasn't me, how long will it take.

Woohoo