Summer Laziness

Hi, It's been a while but I'm still around, busy enjoying our summer break. Five and a half weeks off work- the advantage of working in a school- I know that should have given me more time to blog but in my world it gives me more time to do so many other things I haven't had time for it!

So, what's been happening?

Two weeks visiting family- we do this every summer- it's hard not seeing them for months on end so we try and make the most of invading their houses and spending time with them all...

Then a week and a half of high stress waiting to find out if Tom had got the grades to get into University- he did!- and also to see a Skin specialist to find out if I had skin cancer- I don't- the specialist said it was a skin coloured viral wart in an unusual place probably because it was where my sunglasses rest on my nose!!!! Anyway that was a relief and she froze the thing off so it looks better too. Still my lot are all taking using suncream more seriously now so hopefully they will never get skin cancer...

As part of looking after myself more I also started doing more exercise. I like doing DVD's at home as it's so much more convenient and cheaper than going to a gym. My asthma is playing up so doing aerobics is too much, so I've started doing pilates. Although it's really hard I actually enjoy it, it's good to feel strong and actually feel your muscles... it makes me feel good.

For the last week I have been able to relax more, Kieran got his GCSE's today, he was so laid back we had to beg and nag him to even get his results- they were really good even though he didn't exactly over do the revision for them!

I'm also making a new quilt topper- I saw two gorgeous polka dot fabrics in a shop last week and just decided to make it with just these, so that pattern is a simple checkerboard design, its working out quite well- pictures to follow soon...

I've been doing a lot of crochet- amigurumi and hats so far- again pictures to follow. I also just decided to do a crochet along with Inner Hooker on Facebook- ( see also http://oxfordfam.blogspot.com/2011/08/crochet-along.html ). I love making granny blankets but think it will be even better to do it to meet targets- so often I start something and then after a little while it gets put away while I do something else...

.....that's just the way I am I suppose....

So until next time
Gillian

Tom's birthday weekend

Happy Birthday Thomas

When we have birthdays in our family we choose the nearest weekend and call that a birthday weekend so that the birthday person gets to choose a place to go and a place to eat out. So yesterday was a really busy day for the whole family. First Tom wanted to go shopping in Truro, then we went to St Austell to go bowling. We had a fun game which was more even than usual as Tom and John had to play without the sidebars (me and Sean need them or we don't score at all, and Kieran set the game up so he got them too!). We then split up, with John, Sean and me going geocaching while Tom and Kieran played pool, before we all met up again for a fantastic three course meal at Frankie and Benny's to celebrate Tom's 18th birthday. We ended up full and very relaxed...



Today we finally got to do a birthday cake with candles and champagne for Tom- three days late!  It was however Tom's fifth birthday cake - how he managed that I'm not sure... 








Until next time
Gillian

Busy, busy, busy!

I  have a confession. I haven't finished the crochet amigurumi I set myself to do by today. I have the body done and just need to make the two arms to finish. I will post in as soon as its done. I've simply run out of time this week, I've been really, really busy... 


The delay is because I have had to finish my portfolio for a course I've been taking. I've been doing an Elklan course on Speech and Language Support in the Classroom for 5-11 year olds. It's a great course, really useful, but has been a lot of work. I spent hours yesterday trying to complete all my outstanding work, at the cost of crafting and blogging. The course finishes tomorrow so I should be back to usual later this week.

John, Sean and Me at Cardinham Woods

Kieran, Sean and Me

Today is Mother's Day in the UK. I always get to choose how I want to spend the day. I chose to have a quiet day with my family, spending time with those who matter the most to me, walking in Cardinham Woods and at home. It's been everything I wanted today to be.


Until next time
Gillian

Too busy!

Today has been madly busy- non stop things that had to be done. I haven't had a chance to be creative so I've promised myself time tomorrow night. 


I don't mind having busy days but I do feel the need to redress the balance too. I've learnt that if I don't get "Me time" then I quickly get run down and fed up. I've seen advice to put in time for yourself in your daily diary but can't bring myself to go that far, so I'll keep on trying to fit it in around the rest of life's daily demands...

Me and John at St Michaels Mount 2010

Todays photo is from last year. It's not a classic, but I'm usually the other side of the camera lens so it is a bit rare.










Bye for now
Gillian