My Life's Ingredients

…. Now, that was hard to put down. I thought I LOVE crafts. LOVE scrapbooking, card making, quilting, knitting, crochet … and yet in the last year or so I seem to constantly procrastinate instead of actually DO the crafts. Looking for “excuses” for not doing them it seems … housework a good example. My declaration on FB and the blog for today was that it’s CRAFT day. Well… with getting a wash on, cleaning the kitchen floor, hanging up the wash, put on the dishwasher, tidy the living room, go to the Post Office, go to the Library, go to the gym (which had been already scored off the list as not possible due to not enough sleep – interrupted by Hobbits early morning), go for a meal with friends and then watch the Socks. So … what crafty things have I done so far today? I spent 20 mins in the craft room/study/box (in the truest sense of the word) room searching for some embellishments for my latest Chinese Whisper layout. And couldn’t find any (so resorting to stamps this time). I’ve...

… and I’m actually doing our OWN washing instead of the team kit! :) That’s a bit of a novelty really, and I like it. Have been doing 3 washes but weather looks as if it’s going to rain anytime soon, so the washing is hanging up in the living room. At least I managed to mow the lawn – somehow the grass grew up to 1 foot plus during the last 2 weeks … next time I’ll just take a scythe to the grass if it’s that long, probably easier that way!! :o If the weather is still holding then I’ll tackle the thistles in the front garden and re-plant my dwarf roses. Was actually planning to do some crafting, but the good weather (read “non-rain”) means I HAVE to do something in the garden – who knows when I’ll get next the time/weather to do it. Oh … and my small plants in the garden seem to do their business this year!! Just think I have to transfer the pepper, cucumber and courgette plants into a proper veggie patch (which is half done). In other news – Wolves are now 6-2, and...

Yesterday DH and I had a long lie in, then went to see "Law Abiding Citizen" (GOOD!) and while at the cinema we missed the next snow "storm" in Edinburgh. :o When we got out it was all over and some of the white stuff (LOL) was turning into slush. We then went to the Gyle to pick up our tree ( Caring Christmas Trees - Bethany's) - a 6ft tree and this year I think it's not a "Tiny Tim" adoption like last year (looked a bit crooked). ;)  But it may turn out a bit funny, too - we did a quick decision as it was getting dark. I'll post a photo on the 24th pre-deco so you can see. After that we went food shopping ... in the madness that is ALREADY going on ... usually that only happens the last 2 days or so prior to Christmas Day! I quickly dashed to WHSmith for mags (no crafty ones caught my eye though) and then got some "Swirls" at Millie's Cookies (DH LOVES them and they didn't have them for a while ... until this year wh...

I've got a new phone ... and unfortunately used it's options a bit already - which means I have to pay around £5.50 more when the March invoice arrives ... new contract only kicks in next month. :( Ah well... should think I should manage that. I've also moved my paperwork in a more stable box (was in a cardboard box from IKEA for the last 1/2 year and that was pushed and pulled so much that it fell apart ... really have to go through that box soon to file and shred ... have already put stuff in the recycling paper bag while I was moving it over). Did that because I was searching for the bank statements for the Junior team. :o Then I decided to go through my women's mags (I somehow have an urge to buy "Essentials" or/and (ooops!) "Prima" from time to time.... used to be fairly regular but have cut down a bit now) - have pulled out some recipes/sowing stuff/gardening stuff and have now handed the rest off to my GP and dentist. At that point I found o...

Well... more or less... it's changing quite fast, so I assume we've got strong winds outside (it definitely was stormy yesterday, both my dwarf rhodies are fallen over - really consider taking them out of the pots and plant them into the ground. :( Currently taking a break from doing some housework ... done the washing up, put on/empty the dishwasher and currently got the 2nd Wolves wash going. Also have done some ironing. The weather is still too cold to hang the washing outside I think, but it's still nice to see the sun out. Went to training yesterday and had a weird day, weather-wise. We woke up to about 1 inch of snow on the car plus slush on the street, but sun was shining and everything was ok. On our way to JKC the sky got really grey and suddenly we were in a small blizzard!! Got to JKC and the sun was shining and hardly any snow on the ground. During Junior training we had our 2nd small blizzard ... and during adult training the 3rd. :o DH was really worried ho...

Yup, while I thought I am going to do some 30 mins stints around the house today I changed my mind when seeing the ironing pile growing again to a mountain. So there you go, nice ironing in front of the TV, 2 washes done and hung up. Will probably hoover the stairs as well. Yesterday was the 25th January ... and while we DID have a burns supper (without the poems, music, whisky and cranachan that is), I totally forgot to take pictures. So I thought I take photos today, but again missed it. So I may give it a miss until tomorrow? ;) Who knows. Weather outside is nice and sunny, but looks awfully cold. Hope the weather stays like that (i.e. no rain ... can accept snow but no rain!!) as I am planning to have a look at our garden Thursday/Friday. Ah well... off to find more shirt hangers ... got tons of those trouser/skirt clippy ones but no proper ones downstairs. :o

Woke up with very swollen glands...sore throat again... hope the cuppa tea is doing its work. Yep, I am wishing for a duvet day, but I've got far too much to do again for the rest of the week. Bad enough I'm still in PJs right now ... but about to get up and follow my to do list for today. Clean ensuite Put away ironed clothes make inroads in tidying master bedroom Take photo for 365 challenge E-mail junior contacts to our Junior HC E-mail Registration numbers of now Youth players to Forth Fusion GM E-mail DH with dimensions for Wolves Stamps Gym for 45 mins make Dinner And then I have the tiny hope of being able to do some crafty stuff.... :D We'll see...

...and the boxes in the Master Bedroom waiting for the Dolphins Wildcard game to be over (that would be around 9ish) so DH and I can move them up to the loft... You know Michael McIntyre's routine about the loft??? ;) That's more or less DH ... as well as the "Man Drawer". LOL. I've decided to leave the master bedroom and ensuite for later the week ... most likely on Wednesday ... maybe do some inroads Monday and/or Tuesday evening after work. Instead I may have a go at something crafty ... maybe a CJ entry or so while half watching "Cheaper by the Dozen II". :D In the worst case clearing some space in the study (which needs a full clean & purge as well as the master bedroom!!). Today's photo is this A pic of the last 2 boxes to go upstairs to the loft. :D

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...

Not sure how long it will stay, but I believe we now have officially 1.5 weeks summer! ;) It's sunny, it's warm - the last 2 home games were without rain ... FAB! Hopefully getting the wash done (at least the Wolves stuff) but really could do with a fan up in the study ... having 2 PCs and a fridge/freezer plus a small TV running doesn't help ... and the fact that it's up on the 3rd floor ... phew!! DH is going to speak to the guys from Velux - every year the heat stores on the 3rd floor because the sky light cannot be opened (well... it can ... if they had included some chain or similar when they actually installed it!). And we need to replace the one in the spare bedroom as it has a crack in it (and we really don't have a clue where this is coming from!). So we'll see what's happening there. ETA - Just went out to hang up the next load of jerseys ... and it's looking very hazy out there ... wouldn't surprise me if it would start raining any min...

Right, gone missing a little... LOL. Lots of things on my mind, and the annual frenzy of getting Player Applications done and dusted is just peaking ... We've got a pre-season game on the 15th and have to have our rookies all registered by then. The "Vets" from last year are fortunately registered until end of March. Have been clearing DH's computer corner a little just now ... should have started in my corner, but somehow it's easier to clean for others first, isn't it? :D Will try to make a little in-road today in my corner though. And finally... here's the Mother's day card for my MIL ... I've been switching off my big PC every time before I went onto the laptop, so never had the chance to do anything. It's actually the "Pansy & Daisy Wreath" (SFL 34034) from Rubberstamp Tapestry and it's the first time I actually used it like they show it on the Craft shows. :D Quite fun actually, just need more ink pads. *LOL* Update on ...

Well... I've done the following: 2 Dark Washes 1 Hour ironing Putting DVDs away Now I am going to make dinner and my lunches for tomorrow and Wednesday (which I forgot to add to the list) and then see how I get on with the 30 mins upstairs and the stepper. :) There will be NO scrapping tonight ... just not in the mood for it, but I might have a look at the BH Sketch Books I got so I can get an idea for layouts this week? And the Circle Journal as well?

It's 28 January ... can you imagine? Where has the month gone? I am sure New Year's Eve was only last week??? LOL. Still not feeling 100%, got cramps and a little headache to boot. Hope the cyst is behaving though, really don't fancy a trip to the hospital again. :( Lots of things to do today ... and because of how I am feeling I just don't get in gear. So I am making it easy for me today. :) 1) 2 Dark Washes 2) 1 hour ironing 3) 15 mins stepper (as I am not up for Gym today) 4) Put away DVDs (DHs Christmas Presents and the ones we've pulled out for the festive season, as the tree is standing in front of the book case where they are usually stored) 5) 30 mins bedroom tidy 6) change bedlinen 7) Washing up

totally exhausted - DH found a flour moth again (really wonder which shops have contaminated packs of whatever???) so I've been spending 4 hours wrapping stuff in cling film, hoovering the pantry, washing the shelves in the pantry and going through stuff and chucking "contaminated" food (and out of date things that escaped my last inspection) out. Then I went to Tesco, got some glass jars for the cabinet to put bulgur wheat, millet, couscous and aborio (risotto) rice in. Then I spent 3 hours taking the Christmas stuff down (didn't have time yesterday) and then I did the cooking for dinner tomorrow (won't be home until around 9pm) and our work lunches. I AM KNACKERED!!!! Doesn't help that I have currently a blinking cold that doesn't come out 100%!! :( Really wanted to take today "off" to do crafts but ... priorities first. Will DEFFO do scrapping and that Circle Journal entry for Christina on Thursday. My legs are killing me ... off to have a lie...