Wonderful Wednesday

Good morning and what a fresh morning it is out there.  I already have a line full of washing and another load in the washer.  I do hope it doesnt rain.

So I took my first lot of 6 tiny tablets on Monday and boy, how poorly was I.  Although the little blighters are really little, I struggled to swallow them, they seem to stick in my throat so the last few were taken with milk, followed by a bag of crisps.  I was fine until around tea time and then I went downhill very fast.  Yesterday was an off day and Paul stayed with me in the afternoon.  Headache, nausea, mood swings and very tearful, I guess I have to wipe Tuesdays off for a while. Paul cooked me bangers and mash with onion gravy to make me feel better, bless him.

I got up today with a headache, which I have taken a pain killer for and usual pains in hands/fingers.  I can still get out of bed unaided and I can still potter so, all is well. It could be a lot worse so I shall soldier on.  I know a lot of people who take this medication are extremely ill so I shall feel lucky if these are the only symptoms I get....until next Monday when I do it all over again.

Last night, for some fresh air, Paul and I marked out the front for our new lawn, which is due to be laid next Monday.  It is rather exciting.

Another couple of cards that I made with pretty papers.  No sentiments as yet as I dont know what they shall be used for.  I will put the sentiments on when I need them.

If all goes to plan, I shall be in the craft room this afternoon if you fancy calling in.  I am sure I can make a cuppa and if you fancy a bit of a craft, bring your things with you. 

Today is the last day you can order the Thoughtful Branches Bundle.

If you would like this set please, do get in touch before 3pm as that is when I shall be sending in a little order and, if you have any bonus days vouchers to redeem let me have the codes to deduct £4.50 off your order.

Off for a little potter, thanks for having a read and have a wonderful Wednesday x

Happy Bank Holiday Monday

Good morning, and what a lovely day it is out there, even if it has rained.  No plans today so we shall just take it as it comes.

Aches and pains.....well I am walking unaided in the morning which is good.  My fingers take about an hour or so to get working and I cant take a tablet after breakfast to ease the pain today.  As I am starting the new medication, I cant have my pain relief.  I have been told to drink lots of water to help with any headaches I may get so it is a glass an hour.

On Saturday Paul took me to the Sinfin Nature Reserve for a cuppa and a bacon buttie.  Really, it is the best way to start the weekend.  We then did a few chores at home and had Rob, Nat and the girls round.  We are all planning a holiday together next year.....very exciting.

Yesterday it was a potter day, catching up with chores and then I met a new friend, Anna, who spent a couple of hours with me.  She cant wait to meet everyone else.

I am on Street Life, an internet site where you can help your neighbours and they can help you.  I have found it to be really good.  Last week we were after a 1 tonne builders bag, to put the stones in and store and after a day or two, I got 2 offers of bags.  So I got some tomatoes from the greenhouse as a thank you for the bag.  I have now asked for a cribbage score board.....Paul and I are loving playing cribbage but the digital scoreboard is not very good.  Fingers crossed that I can get one.

Pippa went home but she had a great time with us.

All the stones have just about gone from the front and this time next week, chappies will come to start digging up the crazy paving.

We thought we had discovered a man hole cover buried underneath the stones but fortunately, it is just a great big slab of concrete and patio slab.

 

Here are a couple of tags that I had a play with yesterday afternoon.  The red and white edged ribbon is available in the new winter brochure which starts later this week.

 

 If you would like a copy of the new book please, do let me know.

Right, off to potter best I can, thanks for having a read and have a wonderful Bank Holiday Monday x

Friday Feeling

Good morning  All the windows and doors are open and it feels fresh and summery.

I have been sorting out all my Stampin' Up! 12x12 papers and if you want to grab a bargain or two, please pop round.  I have them laid on on the craft tables, ready to sell.  This is just about all the crafting related projects I have been able to do this week.

We went to the hospital on Wednesday and I had an injection whilst I was there to help ease some of the current painful symptoms I have.  I am also starting the new medication on Monday and the prognosis is, that if I can tolerate this new medication, within 8 weeks I should be able to get back to some kind of normality.  This has cheered me up no end. I will have to have blood tests every 2 weeks and I will have to be closely monitored for a while but just to think that I wont wake up with these pains and be able to do things that I took for granted will be wonderful, so, fingers crossed.

The joiner came and put up a new door on Monday, he cleaned up all his mess, was extremely polite and respectful and he is happy for me to give out his phone number for any carpentry/joiner work that you may need doing in the derby area.  It is Neil Lowe and you can reach him on 07967018192. I really cant recommend this chappie enough and we will be having him back to do some more work for us.

The shower man came too and he changed the lever on the shower, for exactly the same one??? Lets see what they say about it.  Paul's arm is a lot better now, thank goodness.

I have managed to do lots of pottering, tidied up the greenhouse and other little bits over the week but it has all made me extremely tired, oops.    Last night Paul and I reminded ourselves how to play crib....it is addictive.

I saw a pack of wonderful 12 x 12 papers whilst I was sorting mine out and I couldnt believe that I haven't made any cards with them yet,  as they are smashing.  So I sat for a while and made one or two,

This is the first, it does have a lot of glitter but you cant really tell.  I hope to finish off a few more as and when I can.

Well, its time to feed the dog, we are on dog sitting duties for another couple of days and then we hand her back.  Thanks for having a read and if you fancy a bacon buttie and cuppa tomorrow, Paul is taking me down to the Sinfin Nature reserve around 10am.  Have a lovely day, Tracey x

Mondays Post

Good morning, mr weather man says 18 degrees, showers around 9am and then just a cloudy day.  I guess I can get the whites washed then.

I cheated, last night I was so achy and so tired, I took a tablet before bed and wow.  I slept from 10pm right through till 7.30am, I turned in my sleep, I moved pillows and I could put the sheet and quilt on/off as I needed.  These are things I haven't been able to do for weeks.  This meant that I woke up with niggles this morning rather than pain.  I have had my usual tablet after breakfast but I do feel so much more human today, whoop whoop.

The joiner is coming this morning to sort out the bathroom door, that will make it posh and finished when painted. 

We have myra, the shower people coming this afternoon.

Paul got this injury a week or so ago and he wrote to them to see if they have had similar incidents and if they have modified the shower levers to make them with a rounded edge rather than a sharp one.  They want to come and take the levers away but I wonder what they will replace them with?

Phase 1 of the front garden has started. 

We are removing the slate from the front as we would like to use this around the side of the house, outside Pauls Studio, once he has finished it.  We looked at purchasing some new slate but at £180 a bag (I think it was for a tonne) we decided against it.  Well instead of the gardening chappies taking it all away, we have a week to bag it all up and put it to one side for a few months.

The borders are tidy although they do need a bit of a hoe again.

No cards today although I am in craft room sorted out lots of bits and bobs.  I may be able to make one or two later today, when fingers are in full working order.  Thanks for having a read and have a great Monday x

Light House

Sunday and looking forward to another lovely day.  Up early but then we had a woofing alarm clock.  She woofed as the folks came out of the pub and walked down the street, she woofed at Paul's snore, she woofed as the crows flew over making a noise and she woofed as the birds sang....oh well.  Yes Pippa arrived and she is with us for the week so, if you plan on visiting this week, can I ask you to come to the front door.  The side gate has mesh against it (pippa gate we call it), the back gate is locked so the front door will let me put Pippa safe before opening it up.

Normal aches and pains today and tablets taken so just waiting for them to kick in.  We even have a line full of washing out already.

I received a wonderful present for the garden from Christiana.  The postman came yesterday with a parcel for her, I rang and told her something had arrived and she had ordered it, from amazon, to be delivered here, to cheer me up.

It lights up at night and goes round, its great.  It cheered me up so thank you very much.
UPDATED - I tried to add a video but it didnt work.

We are painting the fence panels to get them ready for Winter, these are the new ones that we have had put up outside Pauls garage and the craft room.  I think the panels around the garden may last another Winter and then we will have new ones next year although once the garden is done, we may end up with replacing them this year.

Have you seen all the wonderful creations made using the thoughtful branches set from Stampin' Up!  there are lots of them on Pintrest and only 10 days left to get your set, before the date ends or the sets go out of stock.  If you would like to see some examples and have a cuppa at the same time, please get in touch.

I have made the decision to sell off a lot of crafting items including papers, stamps and other bits and pieces.  If you would like to grab a bargain or two, please pop in over the next week, to see what there is.

Off to see what Pippa is barking at now, thanks for having a read and have a lovely day.

Saturday Bags

Good morning on this Saturday.  I guess it is more rain showers today but that is okay with me.  We (Paul) cut the grass Thursday night, just in time for the showers on Friday so now it is looking quite good and, it was done in time for the dustbin men to take away the cuttings.

Yesterday was another good day pain wise.  I woke up with the usual left knee, feet and hands in pain but after tablet, all pain gone within the hour.  The tiredness/fatigue is a bit of a struggle but, I just keep going bit by bit and if I have a doze, so be it *giggle*.

Today I didnt get up till nearly 10am oh my.  That really is a lie in so its a bit of a slow start.

We have pippa arriving today for the week.  Her folks are going away so I said we would look after her.  I am also hoping to send out emails today, hands permitting, to try and catch up with everyone.

On Wednesday we made a few bags, ready for Christmas  TAH DAH

 It was a lovely way to spend a couple of hours and make a start getting ready for the big man's visit, which wont be too long now. I am hoping to pop a set of cards in them and give them out as stocking fillers at Christmas for the family and then put some little bits and pieces in others for all the stamperettes and pen club group.  I am getting organised.

We have these growing on one of the plants but we dont know what they are
 
 
Do you know what it is?

Well thanks for having a read, I hope you have a wonderful Saturday, what ever you may be up to.  Tracey x

Planter card

Good morning.  Another warm Thursday but showers have been forecast for today, which is okay as it will mean that we dont have to water the gardens tonight.

Surprise surprise, this morning I was able to get out of bed and walk down the hall, unaided.  That is the first time since returning from Cyprus that I haven't needed help to get out of bed and walk for a few minutes.  Amazing.  It felt so good.  I did however get up with very swollen hands, that painful left knee and achy feet.  Today I have pains in both shoulders but that is no surprise as at goodness knows what time this morning I had to pull myself up very quickly off the pillow.  Something was crawling all over my face, at first I thought it was a dream but it wasn't!  If you heard me scream *giggle* you would think I was being murdered.  I feel so sorry for Paul who put the light on and helped me get off the bed before discovering a money spider.  I dont care how big it was it was still a spider.

Some time ago I saw a card on Pinterest and I just had to make it,  it took some time working it all out but I got there in the end.

It is supposed to look like a planter with flowers in it.  I enjoyed making it and got lots of help with the punching out of the flowers, thank you ladies.  I haven't added the butterfly or sentiment yet as I may want to make it a bit more personal for someone special.

I am off to get blood tests today.  I have to wait for Paul to finish work to take me as I am still not driving.  Just when I get my legs working my hands decide to play up.  The dizziness comes and goes but I am just getting on with whatever I can in the house during the course of the day when I am not dizzy.  I am not getting very far but that doesn't matter. Today I shall try and put a few papers away as we are getting piles.  I have a tendancy to put things in piles and then when I want something, I have to search through the piles, not so good. 

Thanks for popping in today, I hope you have a wonderful Thursday whatever you are up to and, if you fancy a cuppa and natter, give me a call and pop over.  It will be lovely to see you x

Cards for the chaps

Good morning on this sunny day. Forecast is for 24 degrees, sunny with clouds so that will do me. 

Today we have a problem with that left knee and feet, still.  a few fingers are very puffy but I can cope with that.  The biggest problem that I have now is the dizziness.  Yesterday was a right off, I sat in the sitting room chair all day with a blanket.  Everytime I moved the room span round, I was feeling sick all day and had the worst of headaches.  Today the dizziness comes and goes so I am up and about and trying to do a few bits, not dwelling on this.

Katerina has had one of her exam results overturned?  It seems that her fail mark was just a fail and so she has appealed and asked for it to be re-examined.  So an independent has been and remarked her exam and she has scrapped through with a pass WHOOP WHOOP.  That means that she has passed 9 out of the 10 exams and just has to resit the one in October.  She will spend the who of September reading for it. 

When Pam took me out a couple of weeks ago I managed to pick up a bargain of a stamp set, one I had been after for a while and I have sat and made these cards.

Lots of chappie birthdays coming up so these will do a treat.  When I am up to it, I shall make more for my selling boxes.

Have you thought about signing up to Stampin' Up!  If you would like some more information about this please, do get in touch and I would love to have you as part of my team.

Off for a little potter and a cuppa.  Thanks for having a read and wishing you a wonderful Wednesday x

A busy card

Good morning and a little later than normal for me.  Paul let me have a lie in, which means that I must really be getting used to the bed.  Up today with usual painful feet and hands that dont work straight away but that left knee is still so sore and left shoulder.  So I had breakfast and popped a pill and fingers crossed (I wish I could), the pain should die back within an hour.

So yesterday was a full family day.  Paul took me out to dunhelm in the morning, we went and got a lighter togged quilt.  The one we had felt very heavy so we thought we would try a light one to see if it was warm enough and yep, it is perfect.  I also saw THE quilt cover and curtains set for the bedroom, after 2 years I have found it.  Now I just have to go and buy it, exciting.

We came home and finished off lunch and in walked sis and bro in law so we stretched our meal for 2 into a meal for 4, as you do and did a pudding too.  Then Rob, Nat and the grand girls came round so it was a full house until late afternoon but, Paul and I did manage to get a lot of the front garden done. 

It was uncle Daves birthday yesterday

I do hope he liked his card.  There are stamps from Guy Greeting, From Land to Sea and Wetlands on here.  Marina Mist, Soft Sky, Crumb Cake, Early Esspresso as well as Real Red and Night of Navy card.  Loved making it.

Today I am home all day, unless someone pops in and whisks me away to Dunelm or the Range.  I shall do a little pottering and cleaning, as best I can.  I hope to spend an hour in the craft room, sorting out even more to sell, yikes.  All depends if fingers and toes allow me in there.

Thanks for having a read, I do hope you manage to stay cool enough and have a wonderful Monday. Tracey x

Sunday....all day

Good morning and its an ouch from me today.  I have had a problem with my left knee each day since Friday, as well as fingers and feet.  Yesterday it was so bad I took extra strong tablets and to be honest, the pain eased so much so, Paul took me into Derby to buy a new pair of slippers (with more support).  So I had a painfree afternoon and evening, whopp whopp.

Today we (Paul works and I sit and chat with him) are going to move the little stones from the front of the garden as the gardeners will start there is a couple of weeks, so excited.  We also have a bit more gardening to do so I hope the weather stays nice.  Do you know what these are?

We have them growing and I  dont know what they are.
It was my friend Sandra's birthday Friday and here is the card I made.

Christmas Card and Chatter evening was lovely.  Thank you ladies for keeping me company, it really lifted my spirits.  I do look forward to an evening with like minded friends.  Quite a few regular faces werent there but definately missed, hope to see you soon.

The new mini catalogue is out and, if you would like a copy, please let me know.  You are most welcome to pop in for a cuppa, a chat, see what is on the sale dressers as well as pick up your catalogue.

Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a wonderful Sunday, whatever you may be up to.  Tracey x

Sitting Here and thinking of you

Morning, it is supposed to be a damp start to the day here in Derby and then it is going to brighten up, the weather lady said this morning.   We shall see.

A bit of help needed this morning to get myself up and about but I am up and about.  Left hand is a little easier today but Paul swapped the magnetic bracelet over from my right hand to my left.  Right hand painful and of course, both feet are not the best.  Left knee a bit tricky but no excruciating pain so we can cope.  I shall be glad when the other bracelet arrives.

Lots and lots of cards made using the new Sitting Here stamp set on the internet at the moment.  

Here is a dog and a cat one that I made some time ago.  It is a big thanks to the ladies for punching out out the petite flowers and leaves to make these cards.

I have been notified that the new Autumn / Winter brochure is due to be delivered today so next time you visit, please ask for one. 

Off for a potter, thanks for having a read and, if you would like anything ordering this weekend, there is a cheeky little order going in on Sunday.  Oh its Christmas Card and chatter club tomorrow night too.  Do let me know if you hope to be there.  Have a lovely day x

Wild about Flowers Wednesday

Good morning.  The weather forecast yesterday was wrong as we had rain.  Today it is supposed to be 18 degrees with passing rain showers in the afternoon so any work outside needs to be done this morning.  I think I just have the moss to sweep up.

Todays ailments are a very poorly left hand still, left knee and both feet still so, a little better than yesterday.  Yesterday was lovely with lots of visitors, thank you ladies it was great to see you all.  Oh my pedometer stopped at 777 steps yesterday and I didn't notice.  I have it on again today so we shall see what happens, especially as I have to go to the post office for a stroll this morning.

The  new bed arrived and goodness, it is so high.  I need a little step to get up on to it.  Not a brilliant night's sleep as it isnt springy.  A lot firmer than what I am used to but I will get on with it.  I dont have to pull myself out of bed anymore, it is just a little slide off the bed and then pray my feet hold me up *giggles*.  I shall be making sure that Paul is by my side for the next few days to help me off, just in case, bless him.  I dont know what I would do without him.

I hope to get in the craft room later this afternoon so if anyone wants a bit of a craft, you are most welcome around 3ish for a couple of hours.  You will probably end up making your own cuppa but I am sure you dont mind that.

Here are a couple of cards that we made at a Stampin' Up! party some time ago.  The lovely lacy ribbon is from SU and the main colour is crumb cake with very vanilla.  The stamps are wild about flowers with a bit of pink for the flower heads.

I have the boiler man popping in after lunch today at the boiler needs its service.  I cant believe that we have had the new boiler for 18 months already, time certainly does fly.

If anyone is off to the range this week and has a spare seat in the car, can you remember me please.  I need a few bits and as I am still not driving, it is a bit tricky to get there.

Off to see if I can get the house sorted and walk a few steps, I swear someone had a party in each room whilst I was sleeping.  How does it get so untidy?  Thanks for having a read and have a wonderful Wednesday Tracey x

 

Terrific Tuesday

Good morning. 18 degrees is the forecast for Derby today, whoop whoop.  I may have to water some plants in the afternoon if it does get a little hot.

Today as well as right shoulder, which is a lot easier, left arm is a niggle,  both feet are still sore and now we have a painful right knee and a very swollen left hand sigh.....lets see what we can do today.

It was a friends birthday over the weekend and here is the card that was made for her.

Lots of sparkle on it, I am not sure if you can see it?

They say that everyone should aim to walk at least 10,000 yes ten thousand steps a day.  Well I thought that I did lots and was well within the 10,000 but how wrong am I.  I have been wearing my pedometer for a couple of days and I am really going to have to work hard at reaching that figure.  Saturday I managed 2894 steps, Sunday was slightly better at 3584 steps and Monday just 100 extra at 3684.  Lets hope I can get a few more in today.

We have a new bed arriving this afternoon, whoop whoop.  Getting rid of the old one is still a bit of a problem though.  We can give the base to a charity, who are collecting it on Saturday but the mattress has to go to the tip.  It wont fit in my car and so I shall have to ring round to find a man with a van.

Friday is Christmas Card and Chatter Club for all those ladies that like to attend.  I believe a few new faces are hoping to be there too.

Enough typing for one day, I have to look after those fingers.  Thank you for nipping in for a read and wishing you a wonderful Tuesday, whatever you are up to.  Tracey x

Magical Monday

Good morning and its a bit cloudy today.  Still going to be a warm 16 degrees so that is fine.  Not such a fine one for me.  My right shoulder, my left arm and both feet are playing up today.  As we havent had a lot of sleep I may find myself dozing in front of the TV a little later today, never mind.

We had another smashing day yesterday, lots of visitors and lots of catching up done.  The gate and the bench got a coat of protective oil to last the Winter and the plants got pruned, moved and watered, again.  We just have to continue plodding away at the front and hopefully, but the end of this week, it will be done...did I say that last week?

Saturday was a bit of a surprise as in between all my lovely visitors, Pam asked if I fancied a trip out to a craft shop with her and Lesley.  Oh it was bliss.  It was wonderful to get out the house, look at some different crafty goodies, grab a few bargains and then we went for a cuppa afterwards.  It did me the world of good to change the four walls.   If anyone else plans to go anywhere and there is room in the car for one more, please give me a call and if I am able, I would love to go.

All SU orders have arrived with the exception of the fantastic bundles, they are due on Wednesday or Thursday I am told.  The pens are all sorted and email have been sent.  Some pretty packaging that I did

It took a long time to do these, in between lots of rests, only 5 as someone was impatient *giggle*.

Today it is just an easy day but, if you are in the area and fancy a cuppa (you may end up making it), you are most welcome to pop in.  Not sure where I am, get in touch and I will give you my address.

Thanks for having a read and I hope you have a magical Monday, whatever you are up to.  Tracey x

Sunny Sunday Breakfast

Good afternoon.  A late post today on the blog as we have had a busy morning.  We were up twice last night, once for an alarm that was going off for ages, dont know where it was coming from but it kept stopping and starting.  Then I woke up very early with some pain and got up again.  So Paul treated me first thing to breakfast outside in the sunshine, I froze *giggling*.  Everytime I tried to put sugar on my cereal the wind blew it away, I was covered in the stuff, but we laughed.

 Then it was a quick trip out to see my sister and I drove whoop whoop.  It wasnt easy but I could turn the ignition key and my legs worked fine, so we were safe.  Came home and finished off lunch and then we have had lots of visitors all afternoon, its has been lovely.

Yesterday Kirsty and Alison came for a visit and then they had a crafting session, this is what they made.


Arent they adorable.  They have been made using the curvy keepsake die and if you haven't got one of these yet why?  Well worth every penny.

It is feet up tonight as I don't want to overdo things.  Thanks for having a read and have a wonderful Sunday evening x

Thoughtful Branches

Good morning, the sun is out, the sky is blue and it is quite warm.  The forecast for Derby is 16 degrees and sunny so that will be a lovely end to the week.

We were both up at 3am as I was in agony with my right hand and right shoulder.  I used the hoe in the garden last night for about 10 minutes and we wonder if that was the cause?  today my fingers are rather swollen, my right and left shoulder hurt so I wont be doing too much and I thought I was at the end of the flare up!!  Never mind, I still have to cope with the day.

I managed to finish one Christmas card with the new Thoughtful Branches set and this is what I created

Crumb cake card and envelope, white ink and white embossing powder.  It may not be straight but I do like it.  I shall try and do another one or two along the same theme today and share them with you tomorrow.  If you would like to purchase this stamp set, or dies or both as a bundle, I would love to get them for you.  You can either do this direct through the on line shop that I have and use the hostess code for August (for anything below £150) These will then be delivered direct to your door.  Or you can get in touch with me and I will get them delivered to me, in Alvaston for 50p p+p and you can collect.

I have started to give tomatoes away as we have quite a few that will go ripen all at the same time.  The smell of them is wonderful so if you are visiting, please ask if I have any tomatoes ready so that you can take a couple home with you.

Thank you for having a read today and, if you dont have a Stampin Up Demonstrator, please get in touch as I would love to get you your SU products.  Enjoy the day x