Not Much Going On!!

Well sorry I have not been about lately but I haven't really had much going on that I can speak about on here - there is lots going on though... hopefully I will be in a position to tell you all in a couple of months or so :) he he he !!

I completed a couple of LO at Walsham Crop a couple of weekends ago.




My kitchen has come to a bit of a holt at the moment because we have decided to have oil central heating put in and it won't be done till August so it seemed pointless painting the walls and laying flooring only to have the workman in to ruin it all !!

There really isn't much else that I can say about whats going on in my life at the moment...which is a little frustrating because I would love to share my news !!

Never mind I will be able to soon :)

Fabulous Saturday Feeling

Well what can I say. Saturday was one of THE best crops I have been to...(not that any others are bad), but this one was exceptional. We had a very special guest Shimelle come over to our crop to teach a special class - 'The Reason Why We Scrapbook' and it was fantastic. We had lots of new faces at the crop...people I hadn't seen for a while and people I have only ever 'seen' online. Lots and lots of yummy food...including the most delicious cupcakes made by Shimelle herself. I actually managed to get there early (which is unlike me nowadays) and I stayed till quite late (something I never do). And I managed to almost complete the whole project...just needed to add a couple of photo's which I hadn't printed off.

Here are just a few pictures that I took and had taken of me at the crop.



It was a fantastic day and I would gladly do it all again. I would like to thank Janice and Lorraine for making Saturday happen. Queenie for giving us lots of yummy food and of course Shimelle for your time.

Latest Pictures of The Boys

Jenny came over last night and met the boys...I used that opportunity to take some up to date pictures - enjoy !!

Motivation...

have you got any??
I had a bit of a rubbish time over the last few days which has left me completely de-motivated to do anything. I have loads I need to do...but I am really struggling to actually get off my backside and do them. Its not that I'm lazy...its just my mind is so full of stuff that is making me feel stressed out that I just can't seem to concentrate on anything long enough to actually finish what I started. I really need to try and pull it together today...I have lots of jobs around this house that really need doing. So I think its on with the music and one job at a time.
To Do list - Clean tiles of excess grout - done
Paint walls
Put all kitchen bits and pieces back in kitchen - done



These are the latest picture of the kitchen. All that needs doing is the painting and flooring.

Hoover and dust living room - half, stairs, - done landing - done and bedroom
Clean bathroom - done
Clean out Rats - done
Take up rest of floor tiles in kitchen
Break up old kitchen units in garden and put in trailer ready for dump
Clear up garden of doggy poo's (ewwwwww) - done
Weed garden
Cook Supper - done

Well that lot should keep me busy I guess. Better get cracking

Looking Goooooooood !!!

YEAAAHH the kitchen is starting to take shape and lookin' good....I am LOVING it !!! All thats left to do now is grouting, painting and flooring. It will be sooo nice to be able to invite people round without feeling embarassed. I can't wait to have people over for coffee and chats....just need to get the rest of the house and garden tidied up :)

Before (very messy hehe)
Two days ago (the blue on the doors is just a protective cover..I have taken some of them off now...left ones on where I am going to be painting walls)..will take some more updated piccies soon!!

The Dogs and Rats all went to the vets this week just for check ups and thankfully all is well. The Rats are getting big now...Katy came over the other day and we took pictures...she has fallen in love with them and wants to be their Aunty Katy...haha

Katy with her new 'nephews'

I Think its Finally Going to Happen!!

It finally looks like I am going to get my new kitchen this weekend hhhoooooorrrrrrrrraaaaayyyyyy!!! I have only been waiting 6 years so pretty good going I guess. My hubby and our best man are starting working first thing Friday morning and are hoping to complete it by Monday night !! I have started tonight by sorting out and boxing up stuff that I know I won't be needing over the next week...good chance for a bloomin' good clear out I guess. I have to admit I am not looking forward to the disruption to the rest of the house but I know it will all be worth it in the end.

Getting Inspired

Well I am ALMOST over this bloomin' cold....it does seem to be trying to linger on a little bit longer though!!! As you can imagine I haven't really been up to much at all ass I have felt so ill and now I just feel so tired..this cold has knock me sideways.

I have however managed to become inspired (thanks to Kate8679 from UKS) tonight and done some scrapbooking :)

I have one more to load up on computer and one to finish, which I hope to do tomorrow.

I have some exciting news..well its exciting for me. After nearly 6 years of waiting I am finally going to get my new kitchen fitted next weekend hopefully ...woo hooo!! I can't wait.

Feeling Like Death warmed Up !!

I think I may have the equivalent of man flu !!! HA HA HA. I can't remember the last time I got a cold this bad and yes I feel terrible. Today all I have managed to do is hang a bit of washing out and hoover the living room...both of which nearly killed me !! My nose won't stop running and is sooo sore for all the nose blowing. Anyway that's my whinge out the way !!

The boys are settling in really well...Stan is getting noticeably bigger...Jack is still noisy. They had their first bath yesterday...don't think they were that impressed ..HA HA HA!!

I took part in the Cyber Crop on UKS at the weekend...I was quite pleased with what I achieved...its such a manic weekend and can be quite hard to keep up with. Here are the LO's that I managed to do....I love the classes and designs but interpretations I am not too sure about...Having now seen the gallery of classes that others have done I now know that you did not HAVE to stick with colour schemes and EXACT design LO to gain points...O well will know next time!!

Anyway... I have been on the computer for no more than 10 minutes and I feel knackered...I hope I feel better tomorrow. I am back off to my sofa pit !!!

The Boys have arrived!!

They are here....I have finally got my boys....They are called Jack and Stan...or if you want to be posh Hellstorm Stanley Harris and Hellstorm Jack Harris..after all they are pedigree !!

Stan is the bigger one of the two but certainly more timid...although he still handles very well...Jack is the bravest and most relaxed one of the pair. So relaxed that on the car journey home he laid on his back feet in the air sound asleep....and then as soon as we got home and I put them in their new cage with a little scrambled egg he got stuck straight in...whereas Stan was a little more nervous and didn't eat much at all. Hopefully that will all change over the next few days or so.

I am hoping, all being well that I can enter them into their first show in May !!

This is Jack !!

And this is Stan

Danni and I took several photo's of the guys as they were charging about today but they were so quick 90 percent of them turned out blurred. Better luck next time !!

Catch Up

Had an enjoyable weekend. Can't say much about what happened on Saturday at the moment but lets just say it was very interesting and hopefully will result in a life changing experience. For those close to me you will know what I am talking about...and for those who aren't I'm sorry..all will be revealed hopefully later on this year.

Saturday was also Jordan's birthday..unfortunately we didn't get to see him as he was with his mother but he came over Sunday with Danni. We had a relaxing day..Jordan had his present, a portable DVD player from Harry and I and then he wanted to go to Ipswich to spend some of his birthday money. Danni bought him a couple of reading books of his choice, we had lunch out and then back for supper and birthday cake.

I am still waiting to hear if I can get the two rats that I have briefly spoke to the breeder about. It real torture having the cage all set up and having no bubs in there ..hehehehe. Looking forward to Saturday when I go down to the Rat Show in Dartford.

It's Here !!

My cage has arrived yeeaahhhhhh...now all I need is some ratties to go in it.

I am soooo looking forward to finally getting my ratties :)

To be honest having looked around at various cages and seeing that this particular model was reasonably expensive (I didn't pay a fortune for it as I bought it second hand off ebay) I was expecting a bit of the dogs gonads but I have to say I am a little disappointed with the design. Its a little flimsy - I think that's the only word I can find to describe it..the metals bend easily and I have to say having struggled to put it together (with the help of my dad - it was a bit like the krypton factor) I am not looking forward to actually pulling it to bits to clean the thing !!!

Some of the bits and pieces you can see I have actually made..much to the disgust of Harry as I always told him I didn't sew...the point is more that I can't sew..well I can but its awful but I sure the ratties wont critise my stitchwork!!

Research

Hi..sorry I have not posted for a few days...to be honest I haven't really had anything to say. I have been researching LOADS on rat keeping and I am quite excited at getting some now. I have been making hammocks and toys ready for when their cage arrives. Having researched loads and joined a rat forum I have decided against buying them from a pet shop....I know this will mean waiting a bit longer but the pro's of waiting out weigh the cons. Firstly it is very common for PS rats to have respiratory illness as well as other health issues, they also tend to come from rat farms..these kittens are not normally handled that much and so tend to be timid and a little harder to tame..also by buying from a pet shop it encourages this 'farming' trade. SOooo I have decided to get my rats from a breeder - if not I will go for rescue rats from a reputable rescue centre.

I have emailed a local breeder and am awaiting a response. Luckily she breeds English blues and Russian silvers - both these breeds have taken my fancy, although I like all rats :)...I am hopefully going to go to a rat show at Dartford on the 21st..this will give me a chance to meet like minded people as well as their rats, also a chance to speak with breeders and find out what showing is all about as from what I have read about it I quite fancy the idea of showing :)...We will see. I am just so looking forward to getting some boys !!!

The last few days Harry has not been feeling himself...he says he can't tell me what it is...yesterday he felt so fed up he didn't want to do anything and I can quite understand where he is coming from...I have felt a bit like that for the past few days..I have had no get up and go..the only thing I have really been interested in is researching. I am feeling really lazy now.

Harry is now picking his children up as it is their weekend to stay and I haven't done anything round the house!!..Never mind eh?? I guess i will lose my computer now for a day or so.. time for some scrapbooking then :)...O and I must really start to learn how to use my camera...I have been given an exercise to do by the chappy who will be taking us on the Big Cat Shoot in June !!

Race for Life

Well I've gone and done it...I've entered myself in the Cancer Research UK Race For Life around Nowton Park in June. Lets hope its a nice sunny day and my back is better by then !! I am sure it will be. If you want to sponsor me (and I really hope you do...even if its just 50 pence) please go to http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/KatrinaHarris and leave your online donations. Its for a great charity. Lots of people are affected by cancer as you well know. Its not just the patients themselves but invariably the ones left behind to pick up the pieces. I will be running in memory of my Brother- in - law Gordon. I never knew him that well but I am running (or possible walking hehehe) more for my husbands family..those who have had to cope with and after his death. My step daughter Danni will be joining me - I believe she is hoping to run in memory of her Grandfather (on her mothers side) and also my friend Katy will be staggering (oopppssss I mean running) with us too. Supporting us as always...keeping the seats warm will hopefully be Harry and Jordan :)

Back Pain

Goodness knows how Harry lives with constant back pain the way he does...I am only into day two of this and already it is getting me down. I thought when I first woke up this morning that by some miracle it had gone but when I came to make the bed I lent forward and SCREAMED!! Stupid thing is I can twist left and right, I can even stretch upwards (sort of) but as soon as I lean forward the pain is horrendous..and its surprising just how many tasks you do that requires you to lean forward. I am going to try and potter around the house today and get some jobs done as best I can. I have had to resort to shopping online at the big T...I hear you say 'well that's no great hardship' , however as much as I hate shopping, I also hate someone else picking out my fresh fruit and veg.

Of course if things get too bad with my back I can always resort back to my scrapping table...now that would be a shame...NOT !!!!

I HATE cars and cars HATE me !!

Well I have had a pooey and a nice day at the same time. It was nice coz I went to see Katy and we popped into town and had a quick look around. It was pooey because this morning whilst taking some washing out of the washing machine I tweaked a muscle in my back and then sneezed really hard straight after and it has been killing me all day...I have had to take pain killers all day just to get by...then when Katy and I got to town I went to move the car as I hadn't parked it quite in the white box and the bloomin thing would not start... the starter motor AGAIN playing up. Then when we decided to go back to the car after walking round town...(we went back to see if it would start) I couldn't find my car keys so we retraced our steps asking in all the shops..Katy looked in my bags...I looked in my bags..I was getting wound up as I am normally so clued up on locking the car and ensuring my keys are safe..we thought we would still go back to the car in case I had left them in there... as we were walking bag I felt complelled to glance in the plastic bag that we both checked and there they were...grrrrrr...we got back to the car and of course it started first time..I swear that car does it to wind me up!!!

I have just had an impulse buy on Ebay (not sure what Harry will say...actually I don't think he will mind)...I have bought a rat cage !!..Can't wait to get my rats now...the more I think about them the more I really want two !!

Family and Friends

Yesterday Harry and I had a lovely relaxing chilled out day together. We had a nice lay in...something we don't get very often, got up bathed and we went for a meal at the Duke of Malborough with Harry's two brothers and sis - in - laws, two sisters and mother. It was quite a pleasant lunch..although I still prefer the carvery at the Bunbury Arms. When we left there around 3 ish we decided to take a ride around. Harry wanted to look at a couple of old cars that are stood up for sale in the Bury area and I really didn't want to come back to this house too soon because it was such a lovely day and the sun was shining and this house is so dark and depressing...its built at the wrong angle..we hardly ever get much natural light in the living room. So we drove around H was checking out the cars and me? - well I was enjoying the scenery. When we got back home H wanted us both to sit down and watch the new James Bond DVD that I bought him. I told him on one condition that we watched it upstairs in the bedroom so when I couldn't stand watching it any longer I could get on with some scrapping hehehe...I actually ended up scrapping right through the film...I really don't like JB, too far fetched for my liking.
I managed to almost finish the exploding box that I started at the crop.
I wrote an email this morning to SI magazine..got a reply and apparently there measurements were wrong. Anyway although what I have managed to salvage is not completely true to and exploding box it works for me. I will get pictures up on here of my latest works just as soon as I get round to scanning them all!!

Right well I am going round to see Katy and her new cockatiel this afternoon so I guess I should get myself sorted out!!

Not a Happy Bunny

Good Evening...well there was about 12 at the crop today..was a very very quiet day. I found it hard at first to be inspired to do anything so I sat and read my Scrapbook Inspiration magazine. When I did eventually start I managed to complete one LO, although I am not sure that I like it!! I then thought I would have a go at one of the projects in the SI magazine...an exploding box. Well I followed the instructions just as it said and once I started cutting it began to dawn on me that something was amiss, so I checked all my measurements, reading the instructions slowly and thoroughly...then I rechecked...then Jean sitting next to me checked and then a couple of others came over and checked and yep you guessed it the magazine's measurements were wrong. I was really quite p***ed off as I had used some really good papers on the project which have been rendered useless now. I WILL be emailing SI to complain!!
I did however manage to work out my own measurement and make an exploding box which I now need to find pictures for. I think when it is finished it will look quite funky.

I came home reasonable early for a crop day and I think because he thought it would get him out of the washing up Harry decided that we should go to the pub for a meal. I had a lovely prawn balti- quite a mild curry but it has made me feel really bloated. Bloomin' IBS is a real drag, I can never win ...if I don't eat I bloat if I do eat I bloat..it really does get me sometimes.

Crop Day

Mornin All

Well here it is crop day and as usual I am not ready and I have no idea what I am going to do today. I have to admit I am not looking forward to it as much as normal.. but still will be nice getting to know others in the group. I must remember sandwiches !! (Well actually I am thinking of a pot noonle..not the healthiest nicest thing on this planet but convinient. I don't think I have much in the cupboards to make my own pack lunch with...will go and have a look !!

Right better get on and sort out my stash!

Playing with Titles

I decided to quickly play around with another..more simplistic idea for my header.

So here is my old one in case I decide to go back to it. I am quite liking my new one.. I wish I knew how to get rid of the fixed header part of this template though !!

Weekend Wonder

Well the weekend is now upon us and I am wondering what delights it has in store. Its our weekend of not having the children over so hopefully a little quality time together will be a welcoming thing.

Tomorrow I am off to my scrapbooking club..it's going to be a quiet month this month as alot of people are away doing other stuff. In fact I think I may be the only one there from our table !! Still it may give me the opportunity to actually talk a little more to the others in the group and get to know them a little better. I must remember to take sandwiches!!

(I have just been speaking with Katie and she has just rescued a cockatiel and it is beautiful..she showed me on cam..I must try and get round there on Monday to see her !!)

And on Sunday we are off for a family meal with Harry's mother and brothers and sisters.

Not sure if I mentioned this but I am thinking of getting one maybe two pet rats. They will be ready in about 4 weeks and will be about 4 and half weeks old.. so also on Sunday I am planning to dig out a tank that I have in my top shed and see if I can find a place to keep them. I am thinking that I may put them up in the bedroom for two reasons.. the main being if we have to leave the dogs in whilst we pop out for whatever reason the dogs cannot get into the bedroom so it or they will be safe from them.. also I spend alot of time up there scrapping so I will be able to chat with them and maybe have them out whilst scrapping (not to everyone's taste I know but its all personnel preference in life..that's what makes life interesting) The only downside to being in the bedroom is if they are awake during the night nibbling and such like.

I also plan to look at my laptop sometime over the weekend and find out how I can get my broadband working on there so that I can go wireless and have internet upstairs..that way I might get more scrapping done rather than being downstairs waiting for replies to threads on UK Scrappers. Anyone who is a member and uses UKS will know exactly what I mean hehe.

Anyway its time for me to go and have a quick bath !!

Title / Header

Well I have had a go at trying to make my own header..after trial and error using psp I managed to come up with a little something..the only thing is I can't work out how I can get rid of the blogger title/ header !! Hmmmmm.....I will keep trying and who knows I may be able to come up with a better title picture:)

Pasta for Tea

Well hello again...sorry I didn't make it yesterday but Jenny came over and we talked the evening away :). Nothing much happened yesterday that I can speak of anyway.

Harry is working tonight..he should be home shortly for a bite to eat. As soon as he is gone I will be having a bath and I am going to try and sit and work out how I can 'jazz' up this blog. Did I mention that computers and I don't mix well so it should make for a not so much of an interesting evening...and of course if all else fails I might disappear upstairs and get on with some scrapping.. Didn't realise its the end of the month this weekend and I have Wyverstone Crop on Saturday so I need to work out what I am going to do.

Right my pasta is cooked. SYL xx

The Beginnings

Well here goes...I am not really sure where I will go with this blog..or where it might take me. I've never been one for diary writing...I'm not really into gossip as such, I listen to it but don't tend to pass it on!! My life to me is not that exciting, so all in all I'm not holding out much hope for this latest project. I think the hardest thing, other than what to write will be remembering to write as I am sure alot of bloggers do. Time moves so quickly nowdays...you get up, dress, out to work, home, tea, bath and bed, you squeeze in a hobby here and there..you visit friends and family not as often as you should and time just carries on regardless; never still always moving.

Just to give you a brief run down of where my life is at right now. I married Harry just before christmas 2006. It really was the best day of my life so far. The day was perfect. We would like to start a family but it means having fertility treatment. We are going to Bourne Clinic in Cambridgeshire in April to discuss our options. Lets hope that works. Harry has two children from a previous relationship. They come to stay every three weekends in four. I get on fantastically with both children and enjoy their company..there has been ups and downs over the last 6 years with regards to their mother but hey ho...(bite your tongue Kate at least till their 18). I am currently working as a lorry driver - unusual job for a woman I know but I enjoy it most of the time. In my spare time I enjoy looking after my dogs. I had an Green Iguana that passed away on the 2nd January 2007. He has left quite a large hole in our lives...he was very very special...loved by everyone who knew him. I had had him almost ten years..he came to me in a bit of a poorly state...he was about 3 - 4 years old and was being fed all the wrong things and was not a well Iggy. It took a while to get him into health and for years he was wonderful but then last Jan (2006) he came down with a mystery illness. Over the course of 2006 he had to have 2 major ops and 3 minor to remove a lump from his head. Whatever it was that he had took its toll in the end and we had to make the awful decision to have him put to sleep. RIP my boy Ooly...always missed never forgotton!

Also in my spare time I scrapbook... (this you will see more of as the blog goes on as it is a fairly large part of my 'spare time' life) and I read. I have just finished reading a book called 'The Girls' by Lori Lansens. Its about conjoined craniopagus twins. Although it is a fictional novel it is written very much in a style in which you could actually believe it to be true..I think maybe this is one of the reasons it held my interest. I am not very good at book reviews, so all I can say is that I enjoyed the read and would recommend this book.

Well at the point I am not really sure what else I should tell you. I guess over time and as long as I keep this blog up you will begin to get to know me a little. So for now I will say goodnight. I am going to go and make my chocolate horlicks (as recommened to me by my doctor to try and help me sleep better - not sure if its really working but it tastes good). Speak with you again soon.

Love Kate xx