and the WINNER is...

The WINNER of the Hodge Podge Shop digi image is 'Bonibleaux Designs'. Well done.
Please email me at moonstone1405@hotmail.com with your choice of free digi image from the Hodge Podge Shop and I will email you your image as soon as I can.

Congratulations
Hugs, Fae xxx

Picture of Ali, July 2009

Here's the lastest picture of my lovely Ali, our newest adopted member of our family. She's so nutty but the hot weather we've had lately leaves her tired and lethargic. She is such fun though and loves going on the school run with the children in the morning. She loves when we come home and goes absolutely mental running round the house chasing her tail. I'm so glad that we got her - she has fitted into our family just perfectly.

Welcome Ali...

Well, I'd like to introduce you to the newest member of the family. You will remember that earlier this year we lost our lovely Abi-Normal. She left such a gaping hole in my parents lives that they decided to go to our local rescue centre (http://www.nawt.org.uk/) on the hunt for a new dog that they could give a loving home to.

Ali is a twelve-year-old Staffy who has been at the centre for the past year. Sadly, no-one wanted to give her a home as they thought 12 would be a bit risky. However, my parents being the people they are, decided it would be worth the risk of losing another pet so soon if it meant that they could ensure that Ali had the best things in life for however long she was around. She has only been at home for two weeks and she has already settled in really well. She loves the children and adores my mum, she follows her everywhere, and dad has already started to lose the pounds he put on with not walking a dog since Abi went. She loves her walks over the park and she loves going on the school run with lewis and my mum in the morning and when he gets out of the car, she jumps straight into the front seat like a little old lady. Don't get me wrong though, for a little old lady she is still very sprightly. She jumps straight into my arms when I tap my chest and loves to just sit there and cuddle up when she needs a nap.

Update News about Steve

Well I took Steve to the hospital today, he wasn't happy about it and isn't looking forward to his operation at all. He isn't going to theatre until Thursday so I don't really have that much news for you. While I was there with him he had blood tests and MRSA tests, he was just going down for his chest x-ray and ECG when I left.

We won't know how much of the lung will need to be removed until they have opened him up and had a closer look at what might be causing his problem so I will be able to let you know a bit more Friday or Saturday.

In the meantime, I want to thank you all for your texts, emails and messages wishing him a speedy recovery and I will pass them all on to him when I see him tomorrow with the children.

Hello...

Hi Girls and fellow crafters, I just wanted to add a small message to let you all know that I am crafting again!!! Yippee!!! One small problem is that since the move I haven't been able to find my camera which is still packed away somewhere in the garage. Will have to find it sooner rather than later as I am sure that the damp and cold that is out there won't be doing it much good!

Anyway, I just wanted to say that if any of the usual gang wanted to set a challenge, I'm up for it! I'm not always able to get online as we can no longer use the internet at work, so I try to get on at my dad's house where possible, but you know my mobile number, just send me a text if you haven't heard from me to say I'm in.

Hopefully, as soon as camera is located I'll be able to get some pics on here for you, I have been making some fab cards recently, looks like my mojo is back for the time being... Watch this space!

New Home Update

Hi guys and girls
Just thought I would let you all know that I have moved into my new place, all settled in and straight (at last!). Still a few bags and boxes to unpack (mainly craft stuff as I have nowhere to store it at the moment) but will get to that eventually no doubt.

First week in the new place is over and we're all set for Christmas. That was one of the first things I purchased, a Christmas tree! We bought a lovely shiny black one and put black roses on it and twinklies etc, it looks fab!

Lianne and Lewis have settled in although Lewis is missing his daddy terribly so I try to make sure that they get to see each other as often as possible so that neither of them feel like they are missing out. I have been missing Steve, but I am sure that it is a natural feeling, after spending so long together, and that things will get better with time.

I just wanted to add a thank you for all of your lovely emails and cards wishing us all well and to thank you all for your kindness and support, it certainly is true what they say, you find out who your real friends are in times like this.

Love to you all and I hope to post another message soon, but if not, Merry Christmas everyone and a very happy, healthy New Year.

Home Hunting

Hi guys, just wanted to share some news with you all.
I think I may have found somewhere to live, don't ask me where as I don't want to put the mockers on it, but if all goes well I could be moving in as soon as the end of THIS month (and THEN I can start crafting again YIPPPPPEEEEE!!!)

Watch this space and keep your fingers crossed for me xxx

Hi Guys...

Just a quick note to say HI GIRLIES, no cards to show you at the moment as I have no computer at home, but I just wanted you all to know that I am still thinking of you all and miss you all very much, not to mention the fact that I miss crafting so much.

Sarn has recently set me a challenge to make a monochrome decoupaged card, so I will be making this and posting it very soon to see what you all think.

Take care of you... miss you all loads.
Lots of love x

I'm also sad because...

I'm unplugging my computer at the weekend.

In order to sell my house, I need my kitchen to look like a kitchen and not a franchise of HobbyCraft, therefore the computer and all my crafting stuff will have to go into storage for the foreseeable future. I will still try, where possible to leave new card pictures and messages for you all at the weekend, when I am able to pop round and see my parents. I'm sure my lovely daddy won't mind me taking over his office for the few hours I get to see him.

Also, belated birthday wishes to my lovely mum. She was SIXTY on Monday and we all went out for a lovely meal on Friday evening. Family and friends gathered, and danced, and were merry (mum especially). It really was a lovely evening, thanks mum! Hope you had a lovely time at the meal and also on your actual birthday, despite watching the children for me when I returned to work. Thanks for everything.

Hugs and Thanks

Just wanted to say thank you to all the people who commented on my previous 'WANTED' message and to those who emailed me for my address and also to those who know me and posted vouchers through my letterbox. The vouchers will be put to good use and we'll definitely get to visit another one of the places besides Thorpe Park through your kind generosity. They will all be put to good use and will not be wasted. Another week of the summer holidays left and we plan to make the most of every day remaining.

Thanks again everyone xxx

I'm back!!!

Hi Guys and girls. As you can see I am back in the techno-world...thank goodness! I can't tell you how much I missed my computer and my craft stuff.

Thanks for the email Julie, I'll get cracking on my challenge and can't wait to see how the others have got on. Watch this space!

I'm all set...

Right girlies, I'm all packed and ready for my hols tomorrow. Kids are going to bed early so that I can have five minutes peace before I turn in for the night. I'm going to bed early as I have a really early start in the morning and a long drive ahead of me.

Can't wait. See you all in a week's time. I'll be back on Saturday next week so I'll be eager to find out what's new and what's been added to your blogs.

Keep safe and happy xxx

Lianne's Leavers' Disco

See how grown up she looks...

Her Leavers' Disco was just for Year 6 students and she had a great time. They all did. I remember most of them from when they were in Infant school so it was quite nice to see how they had all grown up and matured into gorgeous boys and girls. I wish them all well.

It's Official...

Well, it's official. Lianne has now left Junior School. My beautiful 10 year old daughter (soon to be 11 on Saturday) has finally left Junior School and is growing up quicker than I care to mention. I'm not sure I was ready for this, as I was very tearful saying goodbye to all her friends and teachers on Friday, a bit more than she was I think. She shed lots of tears and when I went to meet her from school to collect her things, they were all in floods.

Myself and Lewis waited by the gate with her and her friends and two lovely big white limousines collected them all and took them on their hour long journey around various places they wanted to visit and then dropped them off at the park where me and Lewis met up with them a few hours later. They were all still crying as we all said our goodbyes and promises to keep in touch. Brought back a lot of memories for me when I left school, although I remember leaving Secondary School more than I remember leaving Junior School. Still, times change and I hope she makes a whole lot of new friends in September, and remembers the ones she has left behind.

Sorry I haven't been around for a while, I have been so busy making wedding invitations and sorting Lianne out these past few weeks, I don't know where all the time has gone...

Keep in touch, Fae xxx

Induction Day...

Last night was Year 6 parents evening at Lianne's new secondary school. We listened to the Headmistress go through her talk and then we purchased Lianne's new school uniform. When we got home she couldn't wait to try it on and although we had purchased the EXTRA SMALL size it still seemed to drown her... ha ha ha!!

Anyway, last night was a preparation for today, as today was Secondary School Induction Day for Lianne and most other Year 6 students in Hertfordshire. I don't know who was more nervous, me or Lianne, when I dropped her off in the School's main hall this morning. She said she was part nervous, part excited and I think I felt a little of that too. She kissed me goodbye and ran into the Hall to meet her other school mates who are moving on with her. As I left, a couple of Year 6's were crying and I felt a bit upset for them. But Lianne seemed happy enough when I left her and as I continued my journey onto work I couldn't help but feel a little sad too...my baby is growing up!

At the end of her school day, I waited anxiously in the Hall with the other Year 6 parents and the Hall doors opened and out they came, all smiling and laughing...and suddenly there she was! BEAMING! Her day had been brilliant. She had made some new friends and couldn't wait for September to get here!

A Sigh of Relief...

Just thought I'd let you all know, Lianne was offered a place at a School today that I am really chuffed about! Thank you all for your support, kind wishes and emails, it's been lovely to know that you are all thinking about me and that you have been praying, keeping fingers crossed (and everything from the sounds of it) as well as sending positive thoughts and best wishes etc.

Thank you all, it's so nice to know that I have such great friends, some of whom barely know me, but thanks all the same. I can open a bottle of wine or two now, and sit back and wait for my lovely daughter to come home so that I can share some good news with her too, she's been waiting for it a long time and I'm so glad that I can finally share some with her.

Thanks again,
Fae xx

Appeal News...

Sorry I haven't been around for a couple of days guys and girls... I had to get Lianne's things packed as she went off to the Isle of Wight on a school trip yesterday and won't be home until Friday, I hope she's having the time of her life and has left all her troubles here behind her.

She did brilliantly on her Race for Life on Sunday morning, she completed the 5k and was a little worn out at the end of it all, but she was very privileged to have taken part and has a medal to prove she completed the challenge. I will take a photograph of her when she returns from her school trip as there was far too little time to do it Sunday evening, as I was preparing for her trip.

Other news is... I got a telephone call from the Headmaster at the school where I work yesterday evening and... unfortunately, my appeal was unsuccessful. I cried for about an hour but I think I am over the worst of it. Although I desperately need a cuddle from Lianne as I am missing her so badly, didn't think I would as she has been away from home before, by going away to America with my mum and nan for a couple of years running, but this time it feels different. I just miss her so much.

I haven't given up on the school front, I am keeping her name on all of the continued interest lists and hope to receive some good news soon. Keeping my chin up and my thoughts positive (it's the only way I can cope!)

Thanks for all of your support.
Fae xxx

Appeal Day

Well tomorrow is Appeal Day. For those of you who don't already have children of Secondary education age (10 years), here's some advice. If you don't get one of your choices of Secondary School... APPEAL...APPEAL...APPEAL!!!!

This has been the hardest few months of my life so far. First I had to deal with a very disappointed 10 year old daughter who didn't get any of her three choices and now I have to Appeal the decision. I have already done one school but tomorrow morning at 9.15am I have the most important Appeal interview, the school Lianne most wants to attend. I think in the last few weeks, I must have lost about a stone with worry and tomorrow is finally dawning on me. I hope, more than anything else, I do the best I can and get her into the school, but if she doesn't get in, I want to be able to look her in the eyes and swear to her that I have done everything I could. I'm even wearing a dress and going to bed early!!!! Don't laugh!

If nothing else, think of me tomorrow from about 9.15am until about 9.30am and send me all your good thoughts. I'm a really strong believer in the power of positive thinking so send me all your thoughts and good wishes....PLEASE!

Blog Prize

Hi Julie, just checking to make sure that you DID actually receive your blog prize in the post, I've sent you an email but not yet had a reply. Hope you got it but let me know if you didn't and I can chase it up this end...

Many thanks
Fae xx

Saturday Blog Challenge (not one of mine)

Hi guys, sorry I have been an absentee blogger for a wee while, i've just been tied up with Lianne's many after school activities to do anything else and have generally fallen asleep by 9pm so haven't had a chance to do any crafting. Anyway, I was looking on Stamping Caz's blog earlier and happened to notice that she had a link to www.pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com and they are having a Saturday PENNY BLACK challenge this weekend. Anyone and everyone is invited to participate, so have a look and rise to the challenge, I think I'm going to have to!!! Most of all, have fun xxx