What's in the bag???

ooohhhh look at me posting twice in a week!!!!! Today has been my day off & what a lovely day it's been. Even though they forcasted heavy rain all day it didn't happen. It was very chilly but I feel spring is just around the corner especially as it was still light at 5pm with....wait for this......sunshine.....oh my goodness, remember that???

March is knocking at the door & bringing me a gift of 2 weeks off......yippee!!!....it's been 5 months since my last holiday. It doesn't sound long but I rarely get 2 days together & we all know that 1 day is just not enough. So roll on March the 8th & keep your fingers crossed for more sun!!

When I started blogging I joined Show & Tell Sunday with some ladies from the US. Sometimes it happened sometimes it didn't but I really enjoyed finding out what the topic would be & sharing. It's been over a year since the last one so I thought let's do our own......

Who wants to join in?

Post a link on your blog & let me know. I thought we would do it on the first Sunday of the month.....Sunday March 7th......& the first topic will be your favourite spot in your house.
Is it your armchair? Your craft room? Kitchen? Or bed?

This week Kelly did a post about her handbag & I thought I'd join in.......

What do they say about the bigger the bag the more c@#~you carry??

I took these photo's on Friday because I thought this was really funny.
So first up......

My CK cool bag for my pack lunch, CK shoe bag for my crochet (I was planning to go to Otto Retro to the Knit & Natter evening but I didn't leave work until 6.30 & it finished at 7pm)......my camera & purse.

Now the little things......

Spotty shopping bag, diary, Make, Do and Mend flyer's, business card holder, bus pass, umbrella. lip balm, gloves, yet another purse, phone, 2 sets of keys (home & work), a hole punch I brought in my lunch break and finally my extra strong pain killers...........I wonder why I need those???!!!!

On Saturday the lovely Sal & Mr Snippet popped in to see me at work....always nice to see them....check out Sal's latest post, you can (almost!) see where I work.....don't forget to wave!!!

It's the 2nd meeting of Make, Do and Mend on Tuesday so I must go & pack my bags....well I say pack to be honest my trolley is still full in the kitchen from the last meeting...well it was only 3 weeks ago....not bad eh???

Don't forget to join in Show & Tell Sunday......look forward to seeing your favourite spot next Sunday.

Have a good week

Slow down.........

Hello everyone.....I'm back!
The title of this post is aimed at all you lovely ladies........ I can't keep up!!!!
I read all your blog whilst eating my breakfast but I just can't keep up with all your posts! I think I'm nearly there but when I check back there's loads more.......so sorry everyone.....I'm trying my best! I do read them all even if I don't leave a comment.....sometimes it's hard to think of something to say at 6.30 in the morning! Thanks for sticking by me & still leaving me comments :)

So what have I been up to in the last 10 days....... well last week was 1/2 term, that means a busy time at work because the managers is always on holiday & he lets other people take time too......so last week we had 6 member of staff off & just me in charge!!!
We also had a very surprise visit from the new owners! They were suppose to come down this week to see the store manager but changed with less then 24 hours notice......so they got little ol me!! Hope I did ok because this was one of the biggest visits our store has ever had. Like all new owners they were looking to save money.........we had a 4 hour meeting & I think they were happy although they didn't give much away!

I was so tried last week that I was going to bed at 9pm........working 10 hour days really does take it out of you......imagine being nice & smiling for 10 hours??? Heavens above it's hard work!!!
Then on Monday I was struck down with this horrible tummy bug that seems to be doing the rounds..... I soldiered on & continued to work but thank goodness it's my day off today. Not very relaxing as I've been cleaning all morning :(

So a while ago my good friend Mel asked us for some vintage Cath. I managed to find time today to go to the dreaded cupboard to find my old catalogues.....why dreaded??
When you open the doors they fall off, the shelves are broken & everything falls out.....please tell me you've all got one of these?

Here we go.........

The oldest one is 2003....... I thought I had some older ones but maybe they're hiding in the loft.....I'll show you one day but don't hold your breath!!!

I do have a lot of Cath Kidston, I've been a shopper since about 1995 when I joined Habitat & started to earn enough to 'treat' myself!
You can see more of my collect here.........I've been trying to think of the first thing I brought but I can't remember. It would take forever to photograph everything I own so I'm going to do it when I find things.................here's a little taster........

This could almost be me eating my toast in the mornings........maybe a bit too stylish for me......& far to white!!!!!

My lovely slippers......RIP :(

I wanted these for so long but they were sooooooo expensive for a pair of slippers........ on a trip to London I popped in after visiting the pub (whoops!) & found them for £25..................still a lot of money but I can say they were the best slippers ever but sadly they've now fallen apart. I still have them because they're so comfortable.......if not a little smelly!!!!

Loved these postcards........

I still have them in the wrapper....... I will get around to framing them one day!!!!

The boats have always been a favourite of mine......

As you've seen before.......

So that's all my Cath for today but I'll show you more another day. I must confess I don't like the fact it's become so commercial, everyone likes it now & even my day could spot the bags in Tesco's......goodness me....what is the world coming to!!!

Finally I'll show you my gloves......

You like????

I was planning on making these to sell but they take forever to make so I'd have to sell them for hundreds of pounds if I was to get minimum wage!!!!!

Hope to pop back soon.

Happy Valentines day

Hello.........once again I've been away too long :(
Hope you all had a good day & your loved ones treated you well. I had to work today so no romance for me............today is my anniversary at work, it's been 15 years!
My if I think the weeks go quick that nothing compare to how fast these last 15 years have gone. I can't believe I started as part time after losing my managers job, I wasn't planning on staying very long.....haha! I had my long service award in gift vouchers which was lovely........I won't say how much but I can now afford a new armchair! Now I just need to decide which one!

Once again I forgot to take photo's of my new gloves....next time I promise.

So what happened on Tuesday........

Well with just over an hour to go before it started I walked in to the room to find this......

I'd forgotten how bad the room looked.......so after a mad dash I changed it to this.....

It was starting to look more cosy & I had a few comments saying how pretty it looked. So now we just need the people.......

ahh there you are.

And the other side........ I had 16 people turn up....yey..... I was very happy!!

My good friend Helen proving it's not all about knitting!!!! She makes lovely wedding figures.

So that was it, we had a great night, it was really nice to meet new people but hard for me to be the hostess with the mostess!
Looking forward to the 2nd March for the next one.....here's hoping for even more people next time! oh & we decided to go it alone......remember I asked your advise? Well you all said don't join force with Make it and Mend it & I agree.
Now I just have to make that phone call to say ta- ra.......
........ can I relax now? :)

Have a good week.

Big day nearly here..........

Hello everyone, wow I can't believe it's over a week since I last popped in to say hello.
I've had a busy week stocktaking at work.....although this only goes on for one day it's really tiring......I can remember a time when I used to go to the pub after we finished now I'm just ready for my bed!!!
Lots going on at home as well & to be honest I've just felt really lazy!

Today I had to force myself to get moving as some of the housework hadn't been done for over a week so I really needed to get out of the arm chair...... I've been trying to finish my hand warmers, I finally finished last night so I could share them with you today but I forgot to take a photo......oh well there's always next time :(

So as you all know tomorrow is my first meeting..............

I know, I know........I've been going on about it for weeks but I'm excited & also a little nervous.

What about it no one turns up???
What about if loads of people turn up???

You see I'm quite shy & don't really like talking to new people, I have to at work but that's different because they're paying me to do it!
But in real life I'm a bit timid!!

At the moment about 25 people are due to come....(OMG!!!) .....but I know some people will pull out at the last minute.

So this afternoon I've been packing all my things to take......

ahhhh biscuits....better not forget those!!
Tablecloths because the tables are covered in paint & I want it to look pretty.
I've also had to pack needles, wool, books & magazines....wow there's a lot to take.

While I was packing up I thought I'd make so badges to take......what do you think??

So then I thought if I'm selling the Cloth Magazine then why couldn't I sell some things of mine, well at the end of the day I've spent hours doing this so if I can make a few quid then why not!

So I'm taking a few craft bags, some pretty covered note books, corsages & some Cath badges.
(oh & some more biscuits!!)

Talking about Cloth Magazine have you checked out their web site yet? Click here
I can't tell you how happy that made me!!!

So I'm all packed & ready to go.....thankfully I'm getting the 7.15am bus to work tomorrow so no one will laugh at my very bright trolley. It's the first time I've used it as OH will NOT let me take it shopping!!!

So that's it.....wish me luck!!!!

Make, Do and Mend, goodies & sad day.

Thanks for stopping by, sorry it's been a while.
First up here's an update on the new group....

Things have quieten down a little I'm pleased to say but I received a phone call yesterday from Make it and Mend it...............have you heard of them?
I said in my last post they were very keen on the idea & yesterday they offered me a chance to become one of their pilot projects.
On listening to their plans I know don't know what to do........ as you can imagine they get more out of it then me. They would like to offer a starter kit, you would normally buy but we can have it free for the first year. It would include an agenda that we would need to stick to & would cover everything from crafts to cookery.

So what should I do??
I don't want them hijacking my idea.......after all I've worked so hard on this but if I don't get involved they may just take the idea anyway, I was stupidly open with them :(
What would they do for us apart from supply materials?
I have to call them after the first meet to keep them informed.
So what should I do?
Go for it alone or team up with them?

The new web site is up & running, I've had a few new members since I mentioned it last time. We need more people to join & start this little community.
It's not just for people who can attend the meetings......it's for everyone, so come on over ladies & share your tips & ideas..... the link is on the side bar top left.

Anyway back to the point of this post........ 2 weeks ago I visited London & brought some goodies.....


A lovely new bag, I've looked at this one so many times full price..... I'm glad I waited because it was nearly 1/2 price. I love the apple mug, I thought it was going to disappear so I had to buy it for my ever growing mug collection!
The bowl is for OH....he's been waiting to use this for weeks but he had to wait until the photo shoot!
Also some union jack tissues & a little cat tin.

Today is a sad day for our family, 10 years ago I lost my nephew. It seems weird that 10 years have gone by so quickly. He was born in 1995 & they had to bring him back to life a few times, then a few months later we discovered he had a disease called Hunters syndrome.
Sometimes people say it's easier if you know....wrong..... it hung over our family for years just waiting for him to get worse. It was terrible when he went but he was so ill we all knew it was for the best. I'm a carrier for this disease as is my mum & 3 of my sisters, you really have to decide if you want children enough to risk spreading it......I don't & that's one of the reasons why I won't have children, thankfully I'm not that keen anyway!
Sorry to end on a downer but it's important to me so I wanted to share it with you.

Blimey what a busy week!

Hello, I'm going to start by saying sorry for being a bad blogger....... I've been up to my eyes this week, I keep checking the blogs but the missed posts list just gets longer & longer & I'm starting to feel really bad for not commenting.

Thanks so much for all your comments about my bad back......it's started to ease now but I'm still on the pills. I'm going to ween myself off them this weekend...... I don't want to take really strong painkillers so ever.

So what have I been up to this week???

Well on Monday I received an email from the art centre to say I needed to send all the marketing info over by the end of that day......oooohhh no.... I was still feeling rough & it was the last thing I wanted to do but needs must...... I could end up losing money on this little venture if I'm not careful so I had to do it.

While I was at it I thought I'd email a few people....... the response I got was fantastic!
The group will be in Let's Knit and a starter pack is on it's way, Cloth Magazine are going to do a feature on us & we're in the event listings......we will also be selling their great magazine.

I've also been asked to write a feature for Make it and Mend it..... they're having a meeting about possibly making us a pilot project.....yippee!!!

It's all going really well........but the down side is I'm coming home from work then spending about 4 hours replying to emails etc. It will be worth it....or so I keep saying!

On Wednesday me & OH set this up............

makedoandmend.info

I'm really pleased that 4 people have signed up already, it also has links to Facebook, Twitter and the new blog.......see I have been busy!

Today I received my first email from a lady who saw one of my posters.....that was quick they only went up yesterday!

I'm off on Sunday so I hope to be back with photo's off my new goodies from last weekend, in the mean time I'll try & be a better blogger :)

Surprise trip......

Hello, hope you're all enjoying your weekend....although it has gone very fast.

I had a very pleasant surprise about a week ago, I was trying to book some time off before my holiday in March & was told I could have 4 days off this weekend. When I got home I had an email from my favourite band The Men They Couldn't Hang saying the were playing a one off gig in London on Friday!!!

After looking at each & every way we decided not to go because Zoe hasn't been very well & also the money....we just couldn't really afford it.
On Thursday I received a text from OH to say he had gone ahead........ everything was booked...including our favourite hotel in Tottenham Court Road!!

It meant leaving really early on Friday morning, when I got to the station the ticket had gone up by £14 since I checked the day before :(
After buying the very expensive ticket I was told my train was running 40 mins late so I could have waited the 1 1/2 hours until the cheaper train.
He told me to get the train that was leaving in 3 mins.......after a mad dash I made it only to find out it was the slow one that took 3 hours to get there. Not a great start!

Once in London there's only one thing to do.......shopping!!! After dumping my bag with OH at the hotel I set off to Marylebone High Street.
First stop..............

I didn't buy anything but it's nice to wander around looking at pretty things..... I find this a funny place..... the staff are not helpful at all! There was 2 ladies behind the counter chatting, they didn't say hello or anything........ in the last few years I've decide I will not spend in shops that don't deserve my custom. Sorry VV Rouleaux but you really need to sort this out....... it may be the posh part of London but at the end of the day you're a shop!!

So rant over .....next stop..........

I found the service better here so I did spend a few pennies!!! I wanted the Robin mug that I saw on the web site that was in the sale but unfortunately it's different in the shops.

And then finally of course I went here...................

The guy in the window was dressing it with all the new things!!! I love the new small green spot hand bag! He was very friendly & we had a chat about the colours for the Spring collection.... I can tell you ladies it's not red...... it's going to be very muted blues, greens & beige......mmmmmm that will save me a fortune as I not keen on blues & greens.....bet I find something I like though!
The pictures not great because outside the shop was full of Japanese tourist taking photo's!

I'll be back to show you my goodies later.

So in the evening we went to The 100 Club in Oxford street, I really like this venue....... it's a bit odd being in a busy street & I wonder how many people know it's there!

The band was fantastic as always..... you can read about here, here & here...... yes as you can see I do like this band! I think everyone was a bit worse for wear by the end of the evening including the band!!!!

We came home yesterday & that's when things started to go wrong :(

I could feel a pain in my chest & I knew this was the start of my really bad back pain...... I've been in hospital twice for this, the last time in July 08.
When it came again in October I stayed calm & took pills ......I used to have about 18 months break between each attack but not this time.

I was lucky that I got home just in time...... I collapsed on the kitchen floor & was rolling around in serious pain..... I've never had it that bad before. OH was trying to make me go to A&E but it's just not worth it....... they can't find anything wrong with me. I was firing very strong painkillers down but nothing would make it go away. It comes in waves, normally 2 attacks but this time it was 3...... the last 2 being very bad....... It knocked me for six......OH had to carry me to bed where I slept for about 10 hours.

Today I've been sleeping..... it really annoying because I had loads to do trying to sort out the knitting group but I'm so worn out.
The pain is still there & I'm taking my 'crazy' pills, tomorrow I'm going to the doctors to try & get some answers...... this is not good enough.... can you imagine what would have happened if it came on on the train???

I'm trying to work out if there's a pattern, the last time it happened I had been away & also been drinking but the first 2 times I hadn't. I just hope it goes away for a long time this time.

Today the weather has been beautiful.......Nanny has enjoyed the sun.......

I just had to share this funny photo........ he was yawning but I think it looks like he's laughing! Now if you knew Nanny you would know that wouldn't happen....... he's a miserable git!!!

Have you seen this....... I know everyone is donating money to the earthquake but please spare a thought to the animals.....that's where my money has gone.

I'll be back soon to share my goodies.