Updating

No photo today, just a general news update.

It seems as though we go through phases when we may as well move into one or other of the NHS's facilities, and this week has definitely been one of those! Adam has had two hospital appointments to test for suspected sleep apnoea plus an emergency dentist visit as he has developed an abscess. I've visited the doctors five times in two weeks for various tests. The results of which are:

Blood pressure - relatively stable, but needs regular monitoring
Cholesterol - down from last test 4 years ago but still needs to drop .6 of a unit
Potassium - up, but not sure why
Blood sugar - now 'borderline' diabetic, have to be checked again in 6 months
Kidney function - fine, that's what I went to the GP for in the first place!
Weight - up, but I didn't need the doc to tell me that lol.

My weight has increased as direct result of having three out of the six of us with different dietary needs. One Coeliac and two lactose intolerant, one of which is also a vegetarian who doesn't eat vegetables! Just a simple meal of spaghetti bolognese requires a pan of mince, a pan of quorn, one standard spaghetti pan and another with gluten free spaghetti. Plus, if we want cheese on top, that's another two types! It's no wonder that once it comes to feeding myself, I grab the easiest and usually most unhealthy, food.

Elizabeth has also been to the out-of-hours doctor as she has tonsillitis yet again. Doctors refuse to take her tonsils out unless she has it 6-8 times a year. She gets it about twice a year, and ends up missing school, which brings down her attendance levels and results in a warning letter from the Authority! How they expect her to go to school feeling totally lousy and drugged up to the eyeballs, I don't know.

Been scrapping again!

I had a sudden urge to be creative this afternoon, and amazingly managed to complete two layouts in four hours. Might not seem quick, but believe me, it is! I usually spend several hours just looking at a blank piece of cardstock wondering where to start but today, I jumped right in. Let's hope it lasts! I have joined a new team on UK Scrappers and this has helped to give me motivation as I can participate in the weekly challenges again. Here's one of the layouts I finished today:

Photoshop Elements Rocks!!

I've tried using Paint shop Pro in the past and have found it so frustratingly difficult that I'd come to the conclusion that me and graphics programs were definitely NOT a match made in heaven. However, my hubby picked up a {very} cheap copy of Photoshop Elements 5 recently and tonight I've been having a play! And to my infinite surprise I've actually found I can make it work!! So here's my very first completely digi layout:



Ok, it's not fantastic, and it only uses elements from a free download, but hey, it's a start!!

Remember

 

Another photo from 2010's album. I went to the National Memorial Arboretum with my good friend Ellie in the spring and found it intensely moving. The central memorial lists all the names of those servicemen who have fallen in action since the end of the second world war. When you see the names of all those poor soldiers killed during the Iraqi and Afghanistani wars it makes it real somehow and the huge blank walls awaiting future casulties really makes you think.

I'm back!!!!!

When I first set up this blog, I never realized just how appropriate the name I chose would be! Although it should be an inconsistent blogger as well lol.

Just going to post a random picture from this year to start me off.




Adam and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary in June by spending a day in Bath, a city I've always wanted to visit owing to my obsession with the Regency era!

As Promised....

Well I've kept my promise and photographed the layout I completed at the crop on Saturday. I used my craft robo to cut the pieces for the snowman; the second time I've used my machine in two weeks which is good for me, poor Robbie Robo had been feeling rather unloved! I used a digital template again for the placement of photos and had it printed at Asda, but cut it up at the crop as it was too white. I'm really pleased with the overall effect and hope to do more paper piecing projects soon.

Manic Weekend

Boy, was it manic!

Friday Adam and I treated ourselves to a concert at Birmingham Symphony hall for a performance of Handel's Messiah which has to be one of the most inspiring and beautiful pieces of music ever written. As it was a classical concert, no-one was allowed to leave mid performance and true to form, I needed the loo about 20 mins in! I whispered my panic to Ad and got prodded in the back by a woman telling me to be quiet! How embarrassing!! The concert itself was fabulous, did my best not to sing along!

Saturday Was my monthly crop where a fab time was had as usual. I was one of Dawn's (see photo) minions helping to serve a full Christmas dinner which was yummy but I'm not looking forward to getting weighed tomorrow! I even managed to complete a layout but it's too dark to photo it properly tonight. Will do so tomorrow, I promise!

Sunday We were back at Symphony hall! This time as our youngest was taking part in a huge Christmas concert put on by children from schools in our area. I must say when they all sing together, it's quite moving, they sound wonderful. There was also the youth theatre, orchestra, electric violin, jazz, ballet and modern dance groups taking part.