Every Good Thing.

10 Things

Ten random things I am loving right now.

1.       Long nights with new friends

2.       Mum’s egg mayonnaise

3.       Winter sunshine

4.       Brandy and lemonade

5.       Pink and orange

6.       Steamed fresh vegetables

7.       Well worn-in jeans

8.       Clinique Elixir perfume

9.       Real wood fires

10.   Rose wine

 

What’s yours?

With a song.

Happy, happy, HAPPY!!!

That's me. More n more I find myself driving, hoovering, washing up, whatever, and singing joyously along to whatever music is playing, or even just the tune playing in my head.

Don't you just love that carefree happy feeling?

That's not to say I'm not dealing with the shit too, of course I am, but once done it's done, and I am learning to let it go and get back to happy pdq. It's tru, life's jus too damm short. We all got no money. (It's the middle of January for chrisakes.) We all hate the weather, the cold, the dark evenings. But hey! Just turn your fav tunes up and boogie along. It really works!

So what's new? Well my Studio Calico kit got delivered. Carefully popped behind a plant pot (with a rather large plant in it) by the postie. Unfortunately it was a couple of days before I found it there after the big rainstorm here on Saturday night. I opened the box with dread: paper and water, no, no.

Guess what, apart from being a bit limp, and the box getting rather soggy, the whole thing was fine! No water marks on the scrummy paper. Nothing!

Really loving these kits and this month's has to be one of the best. Just need to get my arse into scrapping gear now, before I drown in unused supplies.

fo⋅cus

Okay here it is.

 

a central point, as of attraction, interest, attention, or activity

the state or quality of having or producing clear visual definition

to concentrate: to focus one's thoughts.

“What we should do is not 'future' ourselves so much. We should 'now' ourselves more. 'Now thyself' is more important than 'Know thyself.' Reason is what tells us to ignore the present and live in the future. So all we do is make plans. We think that somewhere there are going to be greener pastures. It's crazy. Heaven is nothing but a grand, monumental instance of the future. Listen, now is good. Now is wonderful.”

Mel Brooks

My one and only resolution.

This year I will be focused on the now.

Remember to be present in the moment. Stay focused on my family, my work, my friends, my finances. Be available to those that need me. Not distant, distracted or self-absorbed. More clarity and less headless-chicken syndrome. More small, quiet but determined actions and less head-in-the clouds dreaming. Remember to be happy, now.

The year I will be focused on the long term goal.

Remember to let go of the past and not dwell on what went wrong. Focus on moving into the future, correcting the problems, settling up and moving on.

“The journey
you wish to take
can only begin
from where you are
right now
this very minute.”

Ron Atchison

So that’s me in 2009. Here. Centered. And in focus.

Sandra x

 

 

 

Random-ness

 

Sitting down today, the ghost of Christmas past all around, and what do I want to write/record/update here?

A whole bunch of random stuff flying around in my head, so forgive if I jump about and try to keep up!

Firstly, anyone else struggling with the changes at Typepad? I’ve all but given up trying to compose in the editor now, and have resorted to using Word and copying/pasting over. What a pain. Why does everything have to change in the name of improvement?

Having said that, there’s been a whole bunch of technological improvements at chez moi. The girl and I have been Mac’d over the holiday. After months of pleading, drooling in the Apple shop and long yearning looks, I did manage to get the cash together for Father Christmas to drop this off for her.

 

Of course the most important part is that I get my computer back now! Yes? – Well mostly. Apparently there are more technological issues to be faced now. Mainly to do with MSN and My Space from what I can understand. Oh and of course the Sims can only be played on my machine... Ah well.

Then yesterday as the last few remnants of Christmas Past hung around I nipped out and came back with a Mummy present.

Now I know this may be hard to believe but I have never owned one of these before.

 

 

I have bought a few, in various shapes and forms, but always as pressies for the kids. So finally dragging myself into 2009 I’ve spent a (very) small fortune on iTunes and we have music in da house! DJ Sandra unleashed! We already had a docking playing thing but now it’s adorned with my mini pink goodness.  Oh how I love you my liddle pink thingmy. And it shows me the album covers, makes up playlists for me and even plays videos! So dam cute.

 

So what’s next?

 

Oh yeah – scrapping. As promised I finished this.

   

Last lo of the year to record my ‘Brave’ 2008.

I have almost decided on my new year’s one little word. Just need to get some quotes and reasons together in some sorta coherent form so I can share.

More on this later.

Meanwhile, today’s the 15th anniversary of my third baby daughter’s arrival in the world. I get to tell the birth story all over again, wrap the presents and we all eat cake, just as soon as she drags herself from bed. Probably sometime this afternoon I should think!? Happy birthday Darling Girl xxx

Okay this is the end of my blathering. You made it! Thanks for stopping by and all good wishes for a Happy 2009.

 

No Angel

 Well it had to happen eventually.

The girl has caught The cold.

But heaven knows why I was persuaded to abandon my, somewhat self indulgent, planned trip to Borders, to go to Lakeside proper, shopping. (“No I really do feel better, Mum?”)

Not just me, but most of the population of the south east. Well that’s what it felt like anyway.

And after struggling in the traffic; no parking spaces, no available loo; what did we buy?

Tissues

Vic inhaler

Hair dye

Lemsip

Nope no smart new outfits, no shoes, no pretties at all in fact.

I hate sales. I am hopeless at finding bargains and all the shops look like jumble sales to me. I just can’t be bothered to ‘rummage’.

Give me a nice sofa and a coffee in a peaceful, quiet and well stocked bookshop any day.

Ah well...

Daughter miraculously improved, dropped off at friends and home again.

Finally some quiet time for me and my paper and glue.

Firstly though, this page to share from a few weeks ago.

 

 

 

Nothing Sweet - Ain't that the truth?

 

 

At the end of the day.

As the year draws to a close I am lucky to have time away from work and family commitments to review and contemplate the past 12 months.

This morning I re-found my journal and looked over last January’s entry. (The first and last of the year.)

My writing was about my one little word, and of all my resolutions and good intentions, this was the only one that has stayed with me the whole year through.

 

Most of my entry was taken up with recording on paper Doña Bumgarner’s post which inspired me so much.

                “ The word that feels just right for me now is ‘brave’. I want to carry bravery with me, I want to be brave. There are many kinds of bravery. One kind is being a protector of those who are less strong. One kind is facing down fear and risk, even of death. One kind is just showing up, not knowing what will be needed. That’s the kind of bravery I want to embrace this year. I want to be fully present in my life, walking my own true path. I expect I will find moments of fear, pain and uncertainty, but also peace, happiness and great growth.”

2008 has rushed past me, but what a year! I have

Reclaimed my life

Closed down my shop

Found a new home

Left behind a him that was hurting me

Moved house in a day

Regained some of my old confidence

Found a great job

And left it

Been alone

Often confused and frightened

Healed some more

Been blessed by the ever-present love of my Mother

Showed up

Met some wonderful new friends

Found another great job

Bought a car of my own

Gained a better perspective

Had some fun with a lovely gentle-man

Knitted a pair of socks

Begun to pay off some debts

Shared the love of my family

Renewed some old friendships

Spent two weeks in the Mediterranean sunshine

Learnt a little more about me

Discovered some new family members

Carried bravery with me

 

 

My journal reads, “BRAVE – A reminder to keep putting one foot in front of the other; to move forward carrying my bravery with me.”

 

All in all I have had a good year with lots of positive changes.

I don’t know what 2009 will bring for me, but for the first time in many years I am looking forward to the journey ahead.

 

Bbrrrrrrrrrrr...........

How cold is it here...really flippin cold, that's how cold.

I wish I could say I don't do autumn n winter, but I'm stuck with it for now, and having to get on with it. That said it's still only October but we're already scraping ice off the windscreen in the mornings and layering on tights, boots, gloves and coats here in the south-east. The trees are almost completely bare already and some nearby places have even had snow! 

The two weeks George and I spent sweltering in Cyprus seems so long ago. Was it really only a couple of months? Anyway, until we see the warm sun again here's one to make you smile.

 

The two of us looking doubly attractive in our snorkeling masks. Doncha fink!? 

Monday again.

 Wow! Where did that week go? 

(Actually some of the days, last week, seemed interminably long, but don't want to get into that right now.)

Busy yesterday, and despite the fact that I seem completely unable to take a decent focused photo at the mo, still thought I'd share this with you.

 

I loved putting this little album together. It's a Tinkering Ink Peek-a-Boo one whith some acrylic and some chipboard pages. Used some old K&Co papers, flowers and embellies from the Oct Studio Calico kit.

                 

Speaking of which, tonight is reveal night for November's kit, so make sure you get over there and grab some scrappin goodness.

Paint n Facebook

  I think I'm getting a bit stuck on mini books at the mo. I just love the whole get it finished in a few evenings thing. This is one I made to remind the youngest daughter that she's not cr*p at everything. (10th in cross country on Friday - that's got to be good eh?)

 

A little Maya road tag album,some old Daisy D papers in bright zingy colours, chipboard and lots of paint on this one. I think the paint is my favorite at the mo.

I love mixing the colours and grubbying everything up.

The down side is it follows me everywhere. Don't think I still own a pair of jeans now without some sort of glue/glitter/paint permanently attached!! LOL! 

And hey, I know I've joined the party a little late, but isn't face book great! Been making some connections over there with old friends and newly discovered family. And it's always great to hear from this character...

Love to you and yours, little bro X.

Happy's back....

Okay so time to look at this blog thing again.

Yep still here......

Quite calm now. Breathing in. And out. And generally taking stock.

Funny how things turn out isn't it? In my darkest moments all creativity flies out the window and I can see nothing more than the darkness around.

Tonight my table looks like this

 

HEY - Happy's back!