My Life's Ingredients

Just finished eating Raclette and now have retreated to the living room watching TV (Reece Witherspoon on BBC2 - "Just Like Heaven"). May have crisps/doritos and dips later, as well as our dessert (well, that's earlier than the crisps). Then off to find a nice big blankie we can hang over the living room doors to prevent any light going out ... don't really fancy having any drunk revellers around. :) As for fireworks - today was fully overcast, so I doubt that I will be able to take any photos of the BIG fireworks, but may get some if our neighbours are putting some up for the kids. :) This year is the first in about 5 years (?) that we WON'T have rain on Hogmanay, so the people who are now in the City will have a nice night. ;) Below is a photo of a previous Hogmanay Firework - not from me, I have to add! HAPPY HOGMANAY (or NEW YEAR)!!!

Well... after gym I went food shopping, and actually decided to have a look for sales bargains at The Gyle. So tried to work my way from the back forward to Morrisons, but while spending around 45 mins in M&S there was NO WAY I was able to get anything... they had sales racks dotted all over the place, and those were just mix and match with blouses/tops/trousers/skirts all on ONE rail!! Not to mention the chaos of sizes!! No need to say I came out without a purchase. Had a looksie at the smaller shops (Next, Monsoon etc.) but couldn't find anything I really liked with a price I liked (was actually hoping for work trousers), so that was that. Then popped into The Body Shop, WHSmiths & WHSmiths Books and Zavvie - nothing. The only non-food item I purchased today was at Morrisons and it was one of those draft pillow thingies with cats & dogs (thought it was very fitting ;) ). Really glad that I am more and more picky with the stuff I am buying!! :D Came back home to a b...

DH is at work and AP and I will be going to the gym (waaah! Again??) for about 30 mins at noon. Then I have to go to Morrisons to get some more bread and ham and then I think we're settled. May post a couple of back dated blog entries, or maybe even do some scrapping!! *gasp* Think about my New Year's Resolutions etc. But I am sure I will post again here before the end of the day/year. :) Plan is to have our Raclette and then just disappear upstairs to watch telly or so. Or maybe downstairs with no lights on, so AP doesn't feel left out. Have to speak to DH about this.

Yup, that's me another year older now...felt much older over the year with all the stuff going on, but now it's official. ;) It's a weird day - I think since I became a twen I could easily do without it. It's horrible to have your birthday that close to Christmas and just the day before New Year's Eve. It's not really anything special. Today started weird already - DH has smuggled in my present during the night - a nice body pillow - which is great! :) Like it, but takes a bit space in the bed ... so I think we maybe should go for a kingsize soon, just to fit the kingsize duvet we already have. Interrupted sleep again due to meds taking at 6:30am and then I had to get up at 8am again to get to the docs - I have a wrist ganglion since Christmas Eve and just wanted to make sure it's really just a ganglion and nothing with my carpals. Spoke to doc about tiredness etc, and was given an appointment for blood tests with the nurse - just 40 mins later. So I got h...

And I decided to take off the Christmas playlist here ... it's only 2 days until Hogmanay, and I've got to go to work tomorrow... Due to the Saturday bus services I decided to ask for a lift from my colleague who's giving me lifts to work before... totally forgetting that he's usually in the office at 7am, which means he'll be picking me up around 6:30am the latest... aaaaah!!! So I'm about to switch off the lights. ;) I've not been feeling 100% since Boxing day, first I thought that I finally get the cold DH has been battling with, but nothing really, apart from a tiny sore throat and a sniffle, but both only in the mornings and disappearing by lunchtime. The only thing that's a bit off is that my whole body hurts. So I can only assume that my cold has "imploded", i.e. is stuck inside and still won't come out. If I'm feeling well enough I am going back to the gym tomorrow ... just to get back into routine. As for the current playlist...

Duck needs another 10 mins to get a crispy skin, sprouts are doing nicely, so do the red cabbage, gravy and the dumplings (at least I hope so! ;) ). Christmas E-mails are sent out to both the German speaking and the English speaking contingents, we had already a call from my nephew at around 4:30pm thanking for his present (DH made him a Lego Batman in Bat Plane - collectors item as only 1 existing ;) ). Think DH managed to wrap my presents (bit of cheating - I bought stash). As for the tree - it's trimmed. Still crooked but it's growing on me. At least we won't have the problem of it falling towards the room (it's standing in a corner). ;) Ok... oven is pinging, Duck is ready and I have to ask DH when he can come down for food. WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Just in case you're not doing it already ... TRACK SANTA Keeps everyone amused during Christmas Eve ... kids as well as adults (well, the adults in this household at least!! :) That's the one from his departure - believe he's now in China?? :)

Geesh... this year is really not our year with Christmas... Duck is at least defrosted, but we got a crooked tree... and our tree stand doesn't like it... and the tree was too long in the water while outside, so the trunk is soft and the clamps don't work it properly. Ah well... suppose... even a crooked tree is nice. ;) Looks a bit diagonal, but we can't do anything about it - if we'd change the stance then it would topple over. At moments like this I wonder why I still insist on the 6ft real tree ... and the duck/goose for food. Maybe I should just introduce Frankfurters and Potato salad for Christmas Eve, given that we have turkey at the inlaws anyway???? . . . . . NAWH! I stick to my guns with the tree and the bird! ;) And I am not that stressed ... tree still needs trimming, and the cooking needs to be started soon as well, but hey! It's all on course ... I think. Currently doing my 2nd batch of cookies ("Vanillekipferl" - Vanilla crescents), and ...

Ok... cookie dough is out of the fridge - next batch due to be done soon. Presents were all wrapped yesterday (PHEW). Living room is getting tidier, nearly done there I think. DH is out picking up a parcel (Birthday Swap from Anja) and does some last minute shopping for presents for me. Think we may have agreed last year that we won't buy as much for each other ... but somehow I must have forgotten. I just LOVE buying pressies for DH and see him opening them and the genuine joy on his face. ;) So... I ended up with a lot of smaller pressies (but think it all adds up to the budget). :o Now off to do more tidying and then cookie baking. PS: Guess who forgot to take the duck out of the freezer yesterday eve ... OOOPS!! She's now taking a bath since 8am for about 8 hours... ;)

Yep... that's me! Up and about since 5:45am ... and that on a WORK DAY! Usually I'm tired as it is when it comes to 6:30am, but today I woke up with a headache around 4:30am (fortunately it's gone) and then only could sleep for another hour. Means I had enough time to re-heat our Brussel Sprouts soup for lunches (just in case Heather can't meet up for lunch) and have my porridge for breakfast I skipped yesterday (well.. I had some raisin bread instead). Backing up of the old lappy went ok, still have a couple more files to go but think everything more or less should be safe. Fortunately, I've been backing up my photos regularly now. :) Will leave for work earlier than usual today - the perks of a temp - you don't really have to stick to the core times as long as you do your hours (helps that I am not covering the mentor line). Plans for today? I am toying with the idea to go to the Gyle after work, as we still need something small for the outlaws *grin* and I j...

...and I am totally tired and sitting in the bed, watching "Fully Loaded" and backing up my old laptop (hoping it won't pack in during the process). Problem is the getting up and to work while it's dark outside and coming back when it's dark again. Also trying to have a nose around at the small HMV at St. James's Centre - BAD IDEA!! It's really just a small shop, but when I saw the queue for the till going half-way along the shop wall I decided not to bother even BROWSING! At least got the vital items for DHs present, although I think I won't have the time to finish it in time for Chrimbo. He knows that though, so "Hogmanay pressie" here we come. ;) What else? Got nearly everything done, but won't stress about it. Looking forward to leaving work early tomorrow, going home, preparing a dough for cookies and wrap the last presents. We've got everything in the house for the Christmas Eve Meal, Christmas Day is at the inlaws, and Boxing...

Living room looks better - I've done 1/2 of the ironing pile and the board is now put away. The Advent wreath is out, paperwork put away for DH to go through and put upstairs. More decos up as well... just need to figure out where to put the wooden Advent calendar... think I may actually leave it this year? Mmmmh... we'll see. Still a few more things to do - the tree is still outside and will stay there until Christmas Eve - and I hope it's soaking up a lot of water so won't lose needles. The lights in the kitchen need to be put up still, but DH has already put up the Santa & Sleigh Window Light thingy in the spare bedroom. Tired now, and think I'll be off to bed in a bit - tomorrow/Tuesday is work, and I checked with a colleague ... no dress down until Christmas Eve... :( GRRRR!!! Well.. glad I did the ironing then!! Photos of the before and after of the living room will follow in a bit. :)

I just don't have the time to start fresh this year. It's the 4th Advent, I don't have my advent wreath out and therefore no candles lit. There's hardly any Christmas deco up, I've not opened ANY of my Advent calendars (Big sorry to the girls from Dani's forum - I hope to open a couple today and tomorrow and catch up... :o ) - apart from trying to do the 1/2 of my tea advent calendar and failing miserably. Somehow I got very overrun with Christmas this year... and I don't like it a bit!!! :( Can I get some extension please?? I've got to go to work tomorrow and Tuesday - fortunately our Christmas Dinner is Christmas EVE and not during lunch. Still not sure if I manage to get things done in time. My plans are to reduce the ironing pile (which I've done already quite a bit), put some washes on (done) and get some more Christmas Decos up in the living room. The rest of the ironing will just go into the spare bedroom until we find the time again. ;) Pre...

Wanted to sleep until 9am today, but DH had to get into work early (covering for all those colleagues who went to the Work Christmas Night out... let's just hope he really can leave at 4pm then!!). So I tried to go back to sleep after he left but doesn't work. :( Still feeling tired mind, so maybe I'll take a nap at noon. ;) Better get myself sorted now to get stuff done... Not much more to do really, but not that many days left before Christmas Eve either - considering I'm working Monday/Tuesday. Will come back later to blog - have to get a cuppa now otherwise I will be all tired all the day.

DH's feeling a little better but was all gunked up (sinusitis) so didn't go to work. I went, however, early in the morning as usual, but with the light outside barely getting lighter during the day it was weird to leave the office at 3:30pm and outside being nearly dark again. :o Not feeling 100%, my tummy felt like I didn't have anything to eat at all, but that feeling was higher up - so a mix of niggling hunger and heartburn? Can't even describe it properly. Add to that a blocked nose and somehow the feeling a cold is "stuck" inside your body but hasn't found a way out yet and you know how I feel. :( So ... needless to say I didn't go to the gym today. Hope I'll feel better tomorrow - don't think I'd stay at home - not feeling bad enough for that - but really need stuff done (2nd class posting is on Thursday, and I wanted to make some more cards as well ... plus have to write the English Newsletter... :0 ). Bought a mag last week at Sa...

Now that's a scary thought!! Still have to do the UK part of cards - mostly shop bought though) and a couple of hand made cards. Hoping to get the living room decorated today - lots of ironing to be done over the days, but should be ok. Stollen is done though - WAHEY!! Made the dought yesterday and put it in the oven this morning with the new Stollen baking tin. Looks good, and only needs the icing sugar on top. :) DH is ill with a nasty cold (and I think it's a bit more than just a man flu this time) and I am not feeling 100% either. Like a cold stuck in my body but not coming out yet. Oh ... typing on my new notebook we got yesterday btw. My old notebook has been having lots of hicups over the last couple of weeks, and as I had sent it off to repair last year November because of problems with the hard drive (and lost several days of photos - specially the ones from BritBowl XXI and my trip to London) DH and I decided I needed a new one (considering I was trying to get the ph...

It's helping me soooo much with the Christmas card production!! :D Mostly using the embossing folders (this year sticking to the snow flurry one and the Baubles ) and some of the small embossing ones ( Christmas and Winter Jelly ) .... LUVVERLY!! :D Have even managed to get some more done at the crop (nearly enough for all the crop ladies) - we had our Christmas Crop with lots of good food and Secret Santas. I had a blast ... shame I couldn't take photos (resuming my role as Santa again) but hope to get some from Yvonne and Heather. :) Sooo... below are some of the cards I made at the crop ... probably will post a slide show later this week once I've done all of them. The stamps are the "snowbunnybella" (one of the Bella Stamps I bought at the Stempelmeer (Germany) in December), the "Wreathabella" (thanks Sharon !! LOVE her!!) and the main stamp of the latest Project Kit from Dimension Fourth (big baubles). All put together on card stock with som...

Done bits from today's to do list but still haven't been able to send off the US cards & packets... they will be New Year's pressies then... :o Managed 2 cards so far (still more to do) and have wrapped the Secret Santa pressies for both work and the crop. Also wrapped my BIL's pressie from my mum. So lots of wrapping. And I've hung up my tea advent calendar. :) Only put 13 packets on this time - never will catch up with teas from Dec 1 to Dec 10!! ;) Bought enough tea sample packets to make up enough days with the ones I had left from last year. Then at 2.20pm I dashed out to Stampers' Grove to say "Good bye" to Rebekah and Kim (although I'll probably see them before the shop closes for good - still have to swap e-mail addies!) and to pick up Xmas pressies for myself bought on behalf of DH and grannie. :) And the funny thing - I have been searching the house like stupid the week before we went to Germany for the pressie for my dad & Ju...

Woke up with migraine this morning and had to phone in sick - could be just the delayed flight, or maybe just a random one, or maybe it's just the whirlwind of time rushing past for the last month... who knows. Anyway... feeling a little better now, neck is still sore (cramped muscles due to pain), but I managed to tidy up the kitchen a little at least. To do list for the rest of the week: Write German Newsletter Write English Newsletter Make Xmas cards (only family & close friends) Write Xmas cards Send Xmas cards (I'll do more e-cards this year though) Put up Xmas Deco Do Some ironing (maybe DH will do that if he finds the time) Thursday nurse's appointment Friday Clinic appointment Go to gym 3 times Prepare for Saturday]s Xmas Crop Buy Gluehwein for Xmas Crop Wrap Secret Santas Go to Saturday Crop Go to Wolves Training Sunday Mgt Meeting Sunday after training Catch up JYC entries (well... as long as I do a bit of catch up it's fine. :) ) Phew... I am sure I'l...

Yup... our house is still not decorated at all, and I am running out of time to do anything before we're off. So ... I decided not to stress myself! That's a PROMISE! Originally I wanted to make cards & the annual newsletter and send the German cards out while I am in Hessen, but I haven't been able to do a single card yet. Checked the last recommended posting dates and Germany is the 12th, with US the 10th. The only card I really HAVE to make and send tomorrow/Thursday is the one to one of my friends in Australia (last posting date is the 5th). Just doesn't work somehow, with me trying to get my gym work done (highest priority right now). So the bag for Germany is packed (more or less- a couple of Xmas pressies still have to go in there), and all German Xmas pressies accounted for (apart from that blimming Calendar I started at Stampers Grove... just can't find it!!). I'm so busy right now I haven't even started on Shimelle's Journal your Christma...

Didn't really happen at our house today. I didn't have any of the Christmas Decos down from the loft - just not tuned in yet to Christmas, because of the late holiday in Florida I think. Anyway, got up very early, had breakfast and then we drove to Jack Kane for 9.15am for the Junior Wolves training. It was -4 degrees when we left the house!!! Stayed cool throughout the day, I believe the warmest it got was 2 degrees for a bit. :o After Junior training we had the adult training ... we had 30 (!!!) rookies down with about 26 of our veterans. Was quite a good sight to see so many kitting up for the Wolves - let's see how many will stay on. :) I've been over to Dobbies during training, hoping to get some of the Christmas coloured Brads from Dovecraft and the Big Bite for the crop, but they didn't have either. Still ended up buying some bird suet stuff & feeder and a new Poinsettia for me (in a nice red bowl with greenery). Dinner was nice Haggis Neeps & Tattie...

Thanks to Latharia and Heather for your comments. Heather, I'll try the master list at some point! :) Weather outside is fine, but probably absolutely freezing. I haven't stepped outside yet. Sportsters was quite good, although the games were lopsided opponents for game 1 & 2, didn't manage to stay up for game 3 (would have kicked off 1.30am our time I believe). Whittled down my to do list for today ... We've got Sharon and Graeme coming up tonight and a table is booked for 6:30/6:45pm which will probably cut it fine, but it should be ok. :) Khublai Khan seems to become an annual feature whenever Sharon is coming up to visit her family & friends in Scotland this time of year. TO DO Quick tidy of guest room clean bathroom hoover ironing Quick tidy of living room wrap Sharon's present gym Pick up Doug from work Pick up Sharon & Graeme Khublai Khan Kept it short to make sure I get it all done. :) If I have time to do other stuff then it's on to Wolves...

Happy Thanksgiving to my American Friends! Hope you are not having too much trouble with your respective turkeys. As for me ... I've got a long to-do list again, and had to shuffle a few items already to tomorrow as I want to be at Sportsters around 6pm for the NFL Thanksgiving Games!! And why is it your to do list always changes over the day and you do other stuff but not the stuff on your list??? TO DO Take photo of SB stash bought in US Divide Nikolauswichteln and Secret Santa presents Phone my mum Sportsters Thanksgiving Games Pay Tollcross for Crops PM Lou re church usage Check Euro account Gym Wolves Subs e-mail type Management meeting minutes Send Management meeting minutes Wolves Contract 2009 Start Christmas Thread on UKS Book table @ Khublai Khan for tomorrow TA DA 2 dark washes done & hung up put on dishwasher Divide Secret Santa & Nikolauswichtel Take photo of US stash Start Christmas Thread on UKS Phoned Khublai Khan (table booking) and hope I get it Sent impo...

Usually I get a headache the day after the Zoladex injection. It's probably a reaction to the hormones and I kinda expect it to be honest. However, it suddenly started around 6pm today. Wonder if it's the combination with the Flu Jab??? Any ideas? Finished the CJ entry though and will send it off tomorrow morning, as the post office was closed earlier than I thought today. The topic was "My other hobby". So sorry again for the looong delay, Annette - life just totally got in the way! Prepared the birthday swap for Michaela on the German Forum as well, that's going out tomorrow as well. Planning on doing some scrapping tomorrow after housework and gym (as I haven't been today)... we'll see. Definitely have to clean the scrap area first!!

Well... something like that! :) We have our Tryouts on Sunday for the 2009 season - and we actually got a video done for it. Well... kinda. :) And we are on the Evening News Website with it. So, if anyone is interested in trying out football - come along on Sunday to Meadowbank Stadium, registration is at 11am with the tryouts starting at 12pm. Indoor trainers and T'shirt/Shorts is all you need to bring with you. :)

What a day already!! :) Alarm went off at 7:30am and I changed it to 8:30am - woke up by myself at 9am - the time when I was supposed to be at the doctors for the Zolly injection!!! So I phoned the practice and said I'd be there in 10mins (sooo lucky our doctors are 5 mins walk away!). Fortunately, the nurse did have space and I got the Zolly as soon as I came into the waiting area. When I asked for the flu jab appointment she just did the shot there and then, so I got that out of the way. Still needed another appointment with her so booked the appointment there and then. When I got out of the practice it was slightly snowing... more sleet than snow, but still... :o Apparently it's going to be worse on Sunday! Went back home, had a very quick breakfast then drove out to Straiton to meet up with Lisa for Costco shopping. :) They had quite nice scrapbooking kits, but I didn't buy it - have to get my stash sorted as it is right now. Wasn't too sure about the Maple Syrup...

Got my first nice lie-in (ish) today after the whole jet lag situation. Still not 100%, but doing better. Think it will take a couple more days. NEVER had that long a problem when coming back from the US, it's really weird. I wonder if I actually got a cold coming along that plays a bit havoc as well. TO DO list for today: CJ entry Send off CJ Take photos of scrapbooking goods bought in US Sort Secret Santa and Nikolauswichtel Make appointments with Docs E-mail Wolves Tryouts Form to interested people E-mail Wolves players re Sunday tryouts Swimming Shopping clean Bathroom PM Louise regarding crop bookings at Church TA DA so far Sent Wolves Tryouts Form to 52 interested people Fixed laptop which gave me a fright when not starting up properly again Read Google Reader Now I am off to do some shopping ... will try to go swimming at 5pm.

Not sure if it is because I slept a couple more hours today because of the headache ... or because DH was talking to me for about 45 mins after 1.50am - he then fell asleep and I am more awake than before he started talking. Or maybe I am still suffering from jet lag. Doubt the latter, as I have insomnia from time to time ... just because. :( Scrap area is not tidy enough to do a layout, so I hope I'll be tired enough soon to go back to bed. Don't want to start tidying as I would wake up both DH and probably AP (our lodger) as well... MMMMH... :( Think I'll do more backup of the photos on my PC then.... Oh ... and of course Chris Cooley is not providing the 13 missing points. Got only 4 points (for >40 yards) and we're in the 4th Quarter... :( :( :(

Funny ruling for the fumble recovery and TD from the Steelers D. So no points added, am down 12 points. Means I could do with 2 TDs from Chris Cooley ... or 130 yards Receiving, which he's unlikely to get (6 points per TD, 1 point per 10 Receiving yards). There goes the dream of beating Colin this week... :( But think as the only female in our "league" I am not doing too bad.... ... OMG! DARTS on STV .... DEFINITELY time for beddy boos now!!!

Have been whittling down my subscriptions ... had 155 on it, now only 105. Several are from people who don't blog regularly (Sharon!! Lisa!!! ;) ) and a couple of Flickr photo groups as well, so don't do the sharp intake of breath please. :) Will probably go through them again soon, as I am spending far too much time reading blogs instead of updating my own or - shock horror - actually DO something crafty around here... :) Just saw my Fantasy Football team on NFL.com go up into winning position - currently 103 for my opponent (Colin, one of our Wolves Players) with no further players left to 99 points on my side... and I still have Chris Cooley going, one of the higher ranking TEs this year, although he wasn't too good in the last couple of games. In order to win I only need a TD really... and no negative yardage. :) Might have to think about a new kicker though, as Dan Carpenter doesn't get much work apart from XPs, which just give me 1point each. :o Including some ...

We're back in the country since Friday 9am-ish - weather was a bit of a shock, specially as we left Florida at a high 83s Fahrenheit (that's 28 Celsius for you and me!) and quite high humidity to crisp but sunny Edinburgh. In total I think our plane was delayed in Orlando 2 hours - but only because Newark airport was having trouble with weather. 3 out of 4 bags arrived ok (including the bag with our Halloween candy and Doug's FroJo which we were worried most about), but the bag with MY STASH didn't make the connection and only arrived yesterday morning AFTER I went to the crop, so unfortunately couldn't share with my girlies there. ;) Due to us having quite full days in Orlando I've not been blogging, so if you're using Google Reader, Bloglines or something like that don't be alarmed - the old posts from me are back dated, your reader is still working ok. :) Might also update the blog with postings from September. :o

It's quite some news!!! WOW! 297 - that's 27 over the required 270 right now - and there are still more states to deliver their results!! I'm looking forward to the change, we'll see what difference it makes to the rest of the world. And we've been at one of his rallys! We've seen him LIVE (well... ok... on the megatron! ;) ). And from what I've seen during his campaign he came across as a very charismatic person - a very motivational speaker on TV and live. SO glad about the result!! Now we can get back to our normal holiday!! :D

Weather is grey - not nice, considering we wanted to go to Aquatica in the morning/early afternoon. Our friend Mel has mixed up her flight dates as well, she's going back to UK today instead of tomorrow, so that was another change as we wanted to meet up at Aquatica again. So - our plan for today is having a lazy morning (well.. it's 11:30am!), go shopping and then come back for a gym session and then watch Jon Stewart & Stephen Colbert covering the election - maybe I can update my blog a bit during that time and maybe even start some stitching!! :) Something that is bugging me a bit ... the QVC Channel in our hotel doesn't work. BIL confirmed that DH asked him to pay extra money for that to happen. LOL!!! Ah well... will have to check online for crafty programs! :D

But the to do list is still long. :o Went to the gym this morning at 9:30am (instead of yesterday evening). DH and I went to the inlaws yesterday for dinner and afterwards to the cinema to see "Eagle Eye" - VERY good movie, interesting plot - can only recommend it. Anyway, today I've done mostly stuff around the house, and put stuff together for the holiday. Lots of stuff still to do tomorrow/Monday, but am on track. :) Tomorrow is also the NFL game at Wembley, so if you want to watch it with like-minded people in Edinburgh, come to SPORTSTERS, where the Wolves contingent will be. :) Tomorrow morning I'll will do some crafty stuff... looking forward to it. :) ....and no, I haven't taken lots of photos ... :o

It's the 25th again tomorrow. So have to make sure I take my photies. :) Need to read up on September's plans (yep, I am 1 month behind the normal schedule ... and I haven't done any layout yet either... :( ), but I think it was "reflections".

It's cold and it's chucking down with rain. :( And that since yesterday afternoon. Not forgetting the gusty wind to boot. I'm glad I don't have to get outside much today - just went to the Doc's for the monthly Zolly this morning and will have to take the car to the Cinema and the inlaws in the evening. However, our house seems to be always colder than it's outside... so I think I will switch on the heating in a bit. LISA - you mentioned something about that, can you please e-mail me the name of that device so I can forward it to Doug? Else ... for a week now I got the craving from time to time for "Knaeckebro t mit Kaese" (cheese - either sliced or spready one - on crispbread). Don't know why, I didn't even eat it that much as a child... hohumm... But it's NICE!! :) Currently trying to get Wolves stuff done before Tuesday - and the list seems to be never ending. Also have to make some Halloween cards and a "Get Well" card fo...

I managed to do my 2 belated birthday cards at the crop on Saturday and also did 1/2 a layout for my Christmas journal. Else I've been putting most of my stamps from Ally Pally onto E-Z Mount. Yep, that's it. Boring, eh? Somehow my mojo is a bit on hold right now when it comes to scrapping (card making still works more or less) and I don't expect it to return in the next week either. As we say in German "Es flutscht einfach nicht!" Well, at least I got the 2 birthday swaps out (sorry Tamara and Anja for the VERY late birthdays!!). Hoping to get the CJ entry done and the CJ off to Anke as well. Else it's going to be mostly Wolves stuff I have to do (taking pics of our merchandise, sending photos to Mark for the new website, chasing players for replies regarding Christmas Night out, go through the "statement" from the league...). Doesn't help that I agreed to work for an extra day this week... Let's hope my mojo returns by mid-Novem...

It's been quite a mess down there ... throughout the season and up to our awards night and the League end of season meeting. Tons of posters/flyers/tickets/business cards, paperwork, the odd small football gear (odd knee/thigh pads, balls, towels for the balls, black electrical tape for the lids). Just got dumped there and nobody at Wolves HQ was in the mood to clear it away. ;) Fortunately DH has invited friends over for dinner tomorrow, so I did a jumpstart on the cleaning, just have to do the hoovering and put the ironing away (which I've whittled down to 1 big basket to be done over the week... phew!). I also put some new purchases for the garden in the shed and am now hoping that the weather holds so I can mow the lawn on Saturday or Sunday ... doubt I will have time to do it tomorrow. Can't believe it's just 1.5 weeks to go until we're off to Florida.... :o !!! Still have to get other things sorted and then of course packed!! AAAAH!!! Have to get the lab ...

Well... not yet that is. Haven't done cards yet but are planning to do that later today. But yes, the Magnolia Stamps are growing on me. Don't know what it is. And I didn't start with the rest of the "new craze" way back when, but there are more and more of the stamps I really really like. Was quite weird to buy something that Sharon doesn't like at all ("They look like Moomins without a mouth!") as we usually have a very similar taste (unless it comes to very arty stuff). But hey - I like them. :D And then I got back into the Penny Black stamps ... you know, those cats/mice/hedgehogs ... and now the pony as well! :D We saw the Christmas clear stamps at Ally Pally, but the price was a bit steep for me, so I see if I can get them at some point. And I LOVE those. :) Latest purchase? Came across quite a lot of cards with "Whiff of Joy" stamps, but so far there were only 2 of the stamps I really liked. And now I bought them (WOY are Austria b...

The usual. If I start with housework and other stuff, I am NOT doing crafts in the evening. :( Have been to the gym, longer than usual as we had the Kidzone on and they have been mostly "hogging" the Cross trainers... but not that long. It's those 40somethings who are hogging the machines for up to 60 mins IN ONE GO!!! :( Grrrr!! It's sooo annoying! :( Anyway, got home, made dinner, had to send a quick e-mail to the league and now I am just burnt out. Just want to sit in DH's brown chair (it's kinda growing on me - I can sit on it with my legs up as well etc. Quite relaxing. Still don't like the colour mind!), read or play PC or PS2 games. DH's "Batman Lego" arrived today. He said I could play it, and I am sorely tempted. But I think I'll go for either my "1-hour free" games from Big Fish or maybe "Star Wars Lego". But deffo no craft from me today. Will set aside lots of time on Sunday though - tomorrow is the end-...

It's on my to do list! And I really HAVE to do it. Will do some ironing during Gilmore Girls re-run, deal with one load of washing and have already put on the dishwasher. Have to go to the docs to hand in a prescription from ERI and also have to do my 1 hour at the gym (combine that with taking the plastic bottles to the recycling). And cook dinner. BUT THAT'S THAT! The rest of the day is then free for me to do the birthday cards and the CJ entry I wanted to do yesterday - went to the cinema to see "88 Minutes" so didn't have the evening time for it. Hopefully will be able to post some results (and the cards from Sunday's Cuttlebug class!) later as well.

It's cold in the house - colder than outside. Think we will be switching on the heating soon, but for the time being it's cardies/jumpers and warm socks. Think I'll have to get my warm slippers out of the wardrobe again. :) Nice fluffy ones. :D And TEA TIME!! Was told off by Stewart yesterday at the gym for my black tea consumption. Fortunately most of my autumn/winter teas (yep, I DO rotate them.. LOL) are Rooibos teas, so shouldn't be a problem at all. More worried about his request for me to drink 4-5 litres of WATER! Geesh! May as well move into the loo for a couple of days then until my body is getting used to that. LOL. First washing load done (just to be hung up after this post), 2nd in the washing machine. Got to tackle the ironing pile a bit more and then hoover the stairs I think. And then it's time off to do some crafty things - have to make 2 birthday cards (belated ones .. OOPS) for 2 German girls at Dani's Forum , now that their goodies for the b...

Well... still had to get up early to find the 2 Walking booklets from the Scotsman for my MIL and the cutting plates for my Cuttlebug, which always seem to disappear! :o Then went to Stamper's Grove for a nice Cuttlebug Christmas class. NICE cards and lots of inspirations. Will post pics later today or tomorrow. ;) Then for a "quick" stop (the usual - want to stay for 20 mins and ended up staying for an hour!) at the Inlaws, shopping at Tesco and getting back home with LOTS of time for me to pick my NFL Fantasy team for today (DH was not so lucky, Sky did freeze the picking before the agreed time, so he's not happy and has sent a complaint to them - with SkySports he can actually win stuff - I am just playing against some Wolves players and their friends and it's more fun than anything else really). Now catching up with internet and having NFL on in the background. :) Not totally a Sunday without football of course.

Just didn't have the time to do any editing. Shot in RAW, so deffo need some editing, if only converting to JPEGs. Not sure if I can manage tomorrow (lots of stuff to do) but should find the time during my 4.5 hours down to London on the train on Friday. :) Will give the lowdown of the weekend then as well.

And yes, the Blitz #11 is SPARTAN from The New Gladiators!!! :D Comment from DH - "He's not as tall as he seems on TV!" LOL(and DH should know - he's been the TLO (Team Liaison Officer) for the London Blitz!!).

I've got lots to do today ... :) Including trying my hand on the new muffin recipe for the recipe swap, doing some Wolves stuff and going to the hairdressers. And maybe - if I am feeling ok and up for it - I'll even go to the gym tonight. Been yesterday evening, because I had the tummy trouble on Tuesday, so might go tomorrow early morning instead. That would mean to get up veeeery early - it's BBXXII!! :) We'll see how my day and my to-do list goes ... off to take a photo of my "old" haircut now, let's see what the hair dressers do with it. New photo will follow afterwards. :D

Have you been to Bev's Blog today? She's giving away yummie blog candy! Don't you just love nice people like her??? :D

My FIL's birthday card (now that he got it). :) It's from the "Making Cards - Cards for men" special issue and I quite like it. :) Took me about 45 mins to do the whole thing though. Not sure why I am always taking so long to do stuff, even CARDS!!! :o Oh, and I have booked 2 classes at Stamper's Grove again (haven't taken part in classes for 2 years now!) - one being the "Cuttlebug Christmas" and the other is the "Bind it all Calendar". REALLY looking forward to do them! :)

I actually managed to make the 3 birthday cards I planned to do. And I made 2 with one of my first 2 Magnolia stamps (Tilda in autumn wind). Usually I thought I wouldn't like them, because of the angel wings, but they grow on me!! :) So here they are - also managed to do them all (apart from the baby cards which are a couple of months old but I think I never showed them on here) using a sketch from "A Spoon Full of Sugar" - just left out the sentiment. Wanted to emboss the dragon but couldn't find my heating gun!!! :o So hopefully I am able to find it the next 2 days... :o Rubber stamp: unknown, ink: ColorBox pigment brush pad Silver, Bronze & Antique Pewter, background & ribbon: DCWV Far East pad. Rubber stamp : Magnolia Creations " HO07 Tilda i blåsväder / Windy Tilda " , ink : Versa Color Black, ribbon: unknown, flowers: Rebecca's Scrapbook Stash (Boomin Blossoms Kit), brads: HOTP Personal Shopper kit, background papers: DCWV ...

as it seems. At least not for myself. I usually get some stuff done in the kitchen (like washing up, emptying and filling the dishwasher, put on a wash, hang up washing, cook dinner and prepare much work lunches). But do I get done anything crafty? Do I EVER!! :( So I am planning to take up my dinner and make the 3 birthday cards I have been trying to do for AGES! 2 belated birthdays and one still to come. Also plan on preparing my recipe cards for the Christmas Cupcake/Muffin Recipe Swap on UKS . Let's hope I'll get at least the birthday cards done, eh? Probably spend too much time on the PC/laptop ... and I believe with the craft area still being a mess (YES, I KNOW!!!! :o) ) it doesn't really get me in a crafty mood. Won't be able to clear out the room before October though, with Britbowl and my annual trip down to London looming... :o AND we've got our Awards Night for the Junior and Senior Wolves the first weekend in October ... and I have to think of someth...

...and I should be packing my bag really. And print photos. And prep other stuff, like...oh, don't know... JOURNALLING?? Been to an early scan today, everything going fine, still on Zolly for a couple more months. They found fluid in the womb which has been there for quite some time, but they can't do anything about it unless they're going for a laparoscopy (AGAIN .. would be ... err... number 4-5 for me??) and as it's not doing anything bad to my body they are not going down that route. Dropped off DH at work with TONS of biccies from Burton's I got yesterday and then went for a quick shop (lunches for me are sorted for next week) and decided against getting card stock at the shop on Slateford road, and also against popping into Stampers Grove to pick up my ordered Cuttlebug embossing folders. Means I have to go tomorrow during the crop after all, but at least I don't have the hassle about where to park the car and pay for it as well. Got my new "ScrapArt...

of that 60 mins 3x per week regime Stewart signed us up for. ;) It's actually getting better/easier, and as long as I am remembering my knee and am careful if it feels like it starts hurting, then I should be fine. Let's face it - it's mostly BORING. Even with my MP3 player. Usually nothing interesting on TV either, so I think from tomorrow I'll bring one of my Sports Therapy books with me so I can do something useful and catch up again. Had the cryo cuff on yesterday for around 30 mins and that was all. Knee was fine this morning. Work was ok, lots of urgents that I get left, right and centre, and one case that's getting on my nerves as the other teams involved think I/my team can solve the problem, but we can't - we just don't have the info needed, and I told the other team that about 5 times over the last week. Let's hope the problem gets solved tomorrow, as getting e-mailed about it & replying/trying to find out who can help has cost me 1 ho...

I usually don't use my cryo cuffs on myself. They are there for the Wolves mostly. My shoulders and my knee has never been injured or hurt that much to warrant to put on the cuff myself. However... I DO have anatomically dodgy knees. My patellae (knee caps) are misshapen, one side longer than the other, and the apex is off centre as well. So long walks and jogging can cause problems (if I don't get the shin splints first, which can be due to avoiding knee pains). As a teen I had problems with my knee locking or hurting when I slipped (ice or muddy surface, usually down hill). As a result I got the scans which confirmed the above. Was diagnosed with "Chondromalacia Patellae" at the age of 12 I believe. Never had any problems with dislocation/subluxation of the patellae though (TOUCH WOOD!). Anyway, enough of the medical blurb - think the patella on my left leg must have shifted funnily yesterday when we did our 60 mins Cardio (bike & cross trainer), so now I am ly...

Seems I am getting regular with blogging on Fridays! :) Thoughts of today? Done some housework (been up and down to the loft for a bit, been to the Plastic & Clothes bank and arranged to get my last Zolly prescription sorted - the docs only gave me 2 last time in error - so picked up the 3rd today), have been doing the washing up and emptying/filling the dishwasher. Then I searched again for my Christmas Planner. .. printed most prompts and cleaning info off in 2005 but couldn't find it all week when I was searching for it. Printed a couple more prompts off and found birthday presents for FIL. Oh, and found some nice crafty Christmas planners (via links from above), printed off the instructions and will have a go at that at some point. Now I just have to make 3 birthday cards. Will do that tomorrow some time. Now DH and I will be off to do our 2nd session of the Killer - 60 - mins - Cardio in a bit... am still sore from Wednesday, but it's not too bad. Will get better with ...

Ok... it's not that I haven't been back to the gym in a while ... I just started to get regular again, and did 20 mins cardio-ish (walking as per Chip as running on the Treadmill is no good for me because of my knees) and then usually 40 mins resistant weights. Today DH had his induction again (last one was about ... errr... several years ago), and the instructor was Stewart, the only one left from the "old crew". Sooo.... a look in the PC showed we haven't been the most regular gym users over the last year (oops!) so they worry about us leaving. ;) And what does he do? He's putting us through 60 (!!!!!!) mins of cardio!!! Just to make up for the times we haven't been down. ;) ok, it was only 57 mins for me, but it's really killed me. :D Have to do the same again Friday, Monday and Wednesday. Then Wednesday it's weights induction. EVIL!!! I always knew it!! But hey, Stewart said he lost 1.5 st in 8 weeks doing this program 5 days/week plus strict ...

Finally recovered enough from the shock of the prizes and managed to book my train tickets to London for my annual "Sharon visit" and Ally Pally. :) It's blimming £63 - that's nearly £40 more than last year! Think I have to book once I know the dates for autumn Ally Pally 2009 so I get the lowest fare of £14 each way!!! Anyway, it's not a full week, as I have my (so far) last Zoladex injection on the Friday, but will leave at noon the same day and return on the Wednesday (so I don't lose out on working my 2 days and getting "holiday hours" for Florida!). Should be enough time with Sharon & her BF. But then ... there's never enough time to spend with them really, specially since they moved to "the big smoke". Looking forward to the trip though, may be even able to catch up with some old work colleagues from 1998's WORLDxCHANGE!! :) Have to speak to Trev about that. Just have to stick to very tight budget for Ally Pally ... beca...

We got our tickets for both parades. Also have one of our friends from the BAFL going to Orlando about the same time, and we're going to meet up for the MNSSH. That's FUN! Probably more fun than just us 2 alone. :) Might even be able to get together with Mel for some scrapbook shopping (will do it anyway, but Mel's scrapping as well). Won't be able to do any pumpkin carving this year... :o Ah well... will see what nice autumn/halloweeny stuff I can find in Orlando for 2009! :D Instead we'll be over for the ELECTION! Have been over in the past for important dates really, like we were over when GWB decided to invade Iraq in 2003. And we went over just shortly after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans... and were in Orlando when the Hurricanes Wilma (2005) and Floyd (1999) hit. DH suggested we should be a measurement for the Hurricane watch ... they seem to come along when we want to go on holiday. :D Right ... off to mow the lawn now ... will have to check for cat poo...