HAPPY NEW YEAR

So much to say and share but it will have to wait until my wrist/hand is a TAD better TYPING is difficult and tedious so I'll just wish you all a very

HAPPY NEW YEAR

ps back to hospital Friday and that surgeon had better have a magic wand up his shirt sleeve or I'll explode.

For every up there's a down

After the best birthday ever I got sick two days later and I mean sick, ended up having the Dr come out to me. The upshot was I had a nasty virus/flu that then proceed to flare the RA and in doing so my wrist less wrist swelled up so bad a nerve got trapped and I've ended up having surgery to release it. But of course me being me it doesn't seem to have worked and I'm still in agony. Apparently the numbness I have in 3 fingers and whole hand could take several months to return to normal.

So of course I missed Dad's 70t birthday bash, bramford crop and the girls had decorated my chair up for my birthday and a host of other things. I have not been a happy bunny.

Yesterday was Ben's 3rd birthday and we had a great time at his party, Eric was in charge of taking photo's as I can't use my hand and whilst he took some great movies not one single photo worth scrapping. Here's hoping Dad got something LOL.

I have finished making some presents 3 of which were done single handed plus teeth lol, and for the first time ever I won't be able to make mince pies and other goodies.

The tree is finally up and the outside lights look beautiful, the food shopping is done courtesey of Mr T and he has managed to fix Vikki's car and get mine through the mot yay !!!! not that I have a hope in hell of actually driving at the mo.

Still presents to wrap but that has been transferred to Eric's list because it's just to darn painful for me to try. So despite all the unforseen setbacks we're almost ready for Christmas.



So I wish you all a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS and a healthy 2009
lots of love Sue Mr T and our six pack.

What a surprise

So Eric got me good and proper with the most wonderful birthday party surprise. Having not taken me out to lunch and then serving me the meanest tinest portion of food for tea he then announced he had booked a table for us to go out that evening.

When I walked into the restaurant all my family and Dawn burst into song singing Happy Birthday to me, I was so shocked having not even suspected a thing and ended up having the most fantastic evening.

More prezzie's with a beautiful Willow tree Mother and daughter figurine from Vikki and from Marc a willow tree Love figurineand Eric had organised a cake for me. At the end of the perfect day Eric then surprised again with yet another gift. A beautiful locket to replace the one I broke when Rulu died and he had even put a tuft of her fur in it for me....

I went to bed a very tired happy bunny.

Still need to take photo's of all my lovely gifts but Alfie Bear is poorly today having been sick twice so I'm keeping him company, off to the vets for him later.

But I have a few photo's from last night.

A birthday kiss from my favourite little man.



Me with Marc and Vikki



With Mum and Dad



And with Eric and the kids...

I am having the best birthday ever!

Today I am fifty years old and far from being upset I am truly grateful for being alive, kicking, mobile and in a very very happy chapter in my life! even the blasted shingles pain has taken a back seat today.

I have had a steady stream of visitors all day, all bearing the most wonderful presents. From Eric I got my expression, Mum made me a beautiful little album with some stamps I wanted real bad and some embossed dies for the cuttlebug (hoping that arrives for Christmas) plus the Mumma Mia DVD. Many years ago I booked tickets for Eric's birthday to see the west end show but was so ill we couldn't go and Mum and Dad went instead so now at least we get to watch the DVD.

My cousin Sandra has made a truly gorgeous patchwork bag to take my packed lunch to crop in. Dawn came round early despite her poor old Dad being in hospital with a broken hip and spoilt me rotten with flowers and so many presents all booby trapped with "50" confetti, one of which is a white gold "S" charm. Aunty Peb has made me the most equistite miniature bear, the work on it has to be seen to be believed. I shall take photo's tomorrow. Another friend has knitted me a gorgeous shawl and I have so many boxes of maltesers it's just heaven.

A parcel arrived mid morning from my brother and family from America Champagne and chocolate, their daughter my niece also has her birthday today and before they went to live in America we celebrated with cake together, so I kind of miss that, Katie is having Ice cream cake yum yum. Happy Birthday Katie.

I received cards from so many people, god those crop girls are sneaky but I love them for taking the time to make me such beautiful cards.

But the best present by far has been Alfie Bear's news. He went to see the eye specialist today and she examined his blind eye and said

"IT'S A MIRACLE" HIS EYE IS NOW REACTING TO LIGHT !!!!!

SO FAR FROM LOSING THE EYE HE HAS GAINED A SMALL AMOUNT OF SIGHT. SO MORE TEARS FROM ME.

Tonight Marc and Vikki and dear Little Ben are coming round which will bring the perfect end having my kids with me on my Birthday.

I shall take lots of photo's and post them soon.

Thank you to everyone who has made my day so special.

How cute

Is this little man with his Christmas trees LOL.



Been a manic weekend, spent Saturday with Dawn Christmas shopping then Dawn treated me to an early birthday lunch followed by a quick trip to get bushy eyebrows under control.

Sunday saw a steady stream of visitors all bearing prezzie's that Eric won't let me open until tomorrow. Gangley cast her spell and everyone fell in love with her and wanted to take her home. Ranger finally got to let rip on Saturday after Eric has cleared the garden up and he just ran and ran it was so wonderful to watch. Last night was apparently a busy night with all dogs needing to go out at various times as we wormed them all, I managed to sleep through a lot of it LOL.

So today I have wrapped up all the parcels that need to be posted and shall be going to the PO first thing, another tick off my list.

Gangley's new pink coat has arrived, watch this space *evil snigger*

Tomorrow morning AlfieBear has to go to Bury St Edmunds to see the eye specialist to make syre no inflammation has returned to his blind eye since we stopped the steroid eye drops. Ranger is also going to the vets tomorrow afternoon to complete his vaccinations and fingers crossed Mr T wwill take me out to lunch.

My poor car is up on blocks as Eric tries to find some time to start welding the big hole where the jack went through and poor old Vikki is still without her car. I think Mr T's list is longer than mine for a change, dare I mention Christmas decorations probably not LOL.

Tomorrow I am 50!

I actually scrapped

Dawn came yesterday and I actually managed to do some stuff LOL, dogs were fairly good and I had a much needed day scrapping. Nothing to show as one thing I finished is a Christmas prezzie and the LO I started never got finished LOL but hey I chilled out.

The six pack are settling well, although Ranger is getting ready to explode. It always happens with greyhounds after they have settled into a home they suddenly discover life is fun and the energy starts to build and build, I'm just hoping he waits until the weekend and then Eric can take him in the garden and let Ranger rip LOL...I love to see them discover how to play but please not until I have some back up!

Miss Whiplash is sitting back and watching us all taking it all in and planning world domination. The boys are quite terrified of her but she is more respectful to Sandy and Lucky.

The face of an angel WRONG the face of a dog planning her next move!



Eric walks Sandy, Lucky, Jim, Alfie and Ranger then comes back and takes Gangley and Ranger out. The other hounds get to run off lead up the meadow and so get rid of their energy but of course there is no way Ranger can go off lead and also it's good for him to walk with Gangley as we try to reinforce she is part of the pack and not a scooby snack but oh boy does this little lady want to walk with the whole pack. Every time she lines up in hope LOL.



We have decide as much as we hate the name Gangley it is her name and is the only continuity she has had for months so Gangley she stays xxx

Not enough hours in the day!

So day three of the six pack begins and I'm knackered LOL being on high alert all the time is taking it's toll and nothing in the world of scrapping has been achieved at all so far. My lists grow longer and all I seem to do is wash muddy towels, prepare dog meals and supervise dogs learning to play in their new pack BUT it feels so good!!! the six pack are beginning to understand where they are with each other and no major problems to report other than OMG Gangley is such a DIVA. She has definitely taken a liking for Eric and views me with complete disdain since I bought her a new jumper to keep her warm!



humans 15 Gangley love

She is a complete mercenary and tricked Eric into getting onto his lap so he thought for a cuddle but oh no she was just after getting onto his desk for the crisp packet.



15 all !

Ranger has been a total sweetheart and is beginning to be less interested in her and Alfie Bear is just so confused one minute she invites him to play and the next tells him off LOL...

Finally a photo of Vikki and Ben from Sunday evening when we went into Stowmarket to watch the Christmas tree lights being switch on, he was such a good little chap.

And so five become six !

Yesterday Eric made the long journey up to Stoke (8 hour round trip) and came home with Gangley.

Gangley has been staying with Lisa (founder of greyhoundgap) for the last few weeks after her owner committed suicide and the wife felt unable to cope with 3 whippets (sisters) and so she was moved around for a while before finally landing in gaps care.

I have been missing having a little dog since losing Rocky and then Rulu and Lisa felt Gangley wold be perfect for Alfie Bear who is need of a dog who will play. Jim will rough and tumble outside with Alfie but mainly the greyhounds like to spend their days snoozing away LOL.

So anyway here we are with Miss Whiplash safely ensconced and letting us all know what she does and doesn't expect from us. This dog may be tiny 9.5kgs but is the biggest DIVA you can imagine LOL.

Ranger is very keen on her and we can't decide if he fancies her or if he sees her as a scooby snack having licked her twice. so I'm on red alert at all times watching them all like a hawk as the new pack tries to merge with the existing pack and all find out their place and role within.

Two new dogs in under two weeks is madness even by our standards and chuck in Ranger still being keen on chasing little things makes like a bit challenging at the moment but hey ho fingers crossed Ranger behaves and can stay on until a good home is found for him and Gangley settles in and doesn't prove to be a paw to far.

The six pack



Yes she seriously did sleep under the duvet all night



Alfie Bear getting a cuddle just before she pinched all his new toys I bought him Saturday and put them in Rangers crate along with herself




and finally lining up for sweeties, please not Sandy woo is not there she prefers room service SERIOUSLY



So Eric walked in the door with Gangley at 3.55pm and I walked out at 4pm LOL to go with Vikki and Ben to see the Christmas lights switched on in Stowmarket. I'll have to do the photo's for that tomorrow as blog is now refusing to upload any more photo's and I need to eat !!!

Four become five

Ranger is staying on as a foster dog LOL....

But only if he's OK with Gangly when she arrives tommorow, Ranger still has a very strong need to chase little things and Gangly is little, so fingers crossed.

So today life is good !!!!

Life sucks !!

Why ?

Because I know I have to let Ranger go Sunday and I simply don't want to!!!

He's made such huge progress in one week and if I wasn't already committed to having Gangly then I would keep him as a foster dog without a second thought. I simply don't have to room for 5 large dogs plus little Gangly and it's breaking my heart. I don't want to think of him in kennels no matter how good they are and so I sit here with tears streaming down my face knowing I have to honour my commitment to Gangly who to be fair has been waiting for her own home for a while but not wanting to part with this beautiful boy.

If he was going to a foster home I would be totally fine with it but he isn't and I'm not !!!

Scrapped with Dawn yesterday as per usual, started with a disaster I was just about to start editing some photo's and print them off when the electric men knocked on the door to inform they were cutting the electric off despite saying the previous day after cutting me off then that they wouldn't need to Thursday. Boy was I short with them. So I had to quickly grab some papers and use this photo which was already printed out and run with that. No robo no expression just plain old scissors.

Anyway I quite enjoyed going back to basics as it turned out and had a good day!



The journaling reads.

I said to Ben "that's a nice hat"

and he said to me

"yes Nanny and it doesn't squash my spikey hair"

and he's not three until 21st December LOL...

Feeling better

Hooray at long last I feel a tad better and have decided that maybe I don't need to cut my arm off or poke my eye out, keeping everything crossed that I've turned the corner with this blasted shingles at long last.

Today I even managed a short trip out to get a long overdue haircut and tomorrow Eric is going to adjust the grey for me so when I go to a school friends 50th birthday party at the weekend I may look okay LOL...

Ranger is doing extremely well no accidents indoors for two days and now he has a full tummy his food issues are noy as bad. I still wouldn't actually leave food out that he could reach which is pretty much anywhere LOL but can at least eat my lunch without having to crate him or loose it. He has had his first vaccinations, been wormed and frontlined, he weighs 33kgs and should weigh at least 38-40 kgs as he's such a big lad.

Ranger has discovered he loves to be cuddled and has even started to wag his tail, I know this sounds like such a little thing but when he arrived he couldn't even make eye contact let alone wag his tail and today when I came back and let him out of the crate he play bowed at me and then put his front paws on my shoulders and licked my face. I felt like he was saying she left me but came back, I was sad and happy at the same time.

So what happens now, the plan is he goes to Stoke on Sunday but with a shortage of foster homes and a huge influx of dogs it will be to a kennel that greyhoundgap use and not a foster home. My heart aches for him, having tasted life in a home being put back into kennels to wait his turn even though I know the kennels are excellent feels oh so wrong.

Anyway I have a few more photo's of the gorgeous boy.

Snuggling up to me, don't you just wish there was some warning that the camera was coming out, so you could at least brush your hair LOL



And Alfie snuggling up with Ranger on the bed, I had a tiny sliver of bed but have cropped myself out of the shot, you don't really want to be seeing me spots do you.



And another of the boys snuggling up, please note you can see some spots on the one LOL..

SNOW

We have snow, started last night and has snowed quite heavy this morning.

Alfie Bear is loving it, unlike the greyhounds who are not impressed!



He's been out playing with his ball and tearing round the garden having so much fun.



Today Eric was supposed to take the greyhound to Stoke and come back with Gangly but Gangly has caught a nasty bug and can't come so the greyhound (now called Ranger ) is still here.



He's not really poorly but is recovering from having his bits off and is very thin and under weight. He's had a few accidents in the house but my feeling is he has lived in a house before probably as an only dog and has very bad issues over food. There's been one nasty incident but luckily Eric was prepared and rugby tackled him to the floor to stop Sandy being attacked, he was told off and put in the crate and seems to have got the message now! I've decided to feed him 4 times a day a) so he's not so hungry and b) so he realises food is coming regularly and he doesn't need to be so food possessive. He's had a bath and will go to the vets to get wormed and started his vaccinations tomorrow. With a bit of hard work someone will end up with a fab dog.

Ranger was born March 2003 and last raced June 2006 so he's been somewhere since he was retired and look at this he can sit, most greyhounds can't do this.



And he squeezed himself into Alfie Bear's bed much to little bears disgust!



Ranger likes to sit with me and keeps out manoeuvring Alfie, so Alfie being the smart fella he is has decided it's best if he just lays on top of me LOL.



Singles is till agony, spots have started to scab over nicely but the pain shows no signs of going and is awful. Wrists out new knee's in doesn't come close to this it is quite simply agony!

And finally the class kit from Otley. Wasn't sure about it at first but actually I love it. Vanessa is very good at using pattern papers in different ways. The photo I have mirrored for artistic purposes LOL but was taken my Eric on his mobile whilst driving (slowly) onto a private estate. Pretty impressive!

Lots of news

Okay first up I have shingles yay for me!!!! hurts like hell. Had felt rotten all last week and when a rash appeared with pain like OMG pain like I've never known Mother finally persuaded me to go to the Dr's and of course Mother was right!!! anyway I have anti viral pills which are supposed to stop it becoming full blown and you can't catch shingles from shingles but you can catch chicken pox from shingles but only when the spots erupt and even then it's not very contagious but I'm staying away from everyone even though I've not erupted LOL.

Second we have a poorly greyhound coming tomorrow who will stay with us until Sunday when Eric will then take him up to Lisa (founder of greyhound gap) and then bring back my new dog. A little whippet girl called Gangly. Seriously that has to be the worst name I've ever heard a dog being called. I'll tell you her story next week, needless to say it's sad!

Lastly I've just found out I won the Scrummy Stash Cafe challenge last week with So eggcited, hooray for me, well it brought a smile to my face in what has been a miserable few days...

Have spent all day making a Christmas present but can't share it with you sorry LOL...

But I can share this layout I've done of Ben proudly showing off his new spikey hair cut.




Hope to feel well enough to scrap with Dawn tomorrow.

Scrummy Stash Cafe challenge

This weeks challenge was set by Rachael here and is gorgeous, I really love Rachael's style and had to do it despite feeling a bit off all week.

I've used a photo of the 4 hounds lining up for their morning treat from Eric, he always cooks two eggs for breakfast one for himself and one he shares out with the hounds and I was lucky enough one morning to get this photo of them all lined and and waiting. I'ved used Basic Grey paper Archaic which went perfect with the photo.

Scrummy stash cafe challenge

Decided to do the challenge again this week as I liked the look of the sketch. Eric kindly adjusted the photo to take out the background that was clashing something wicked for me. Ben loves getting his hands on Eric's tools and helping fix things so had to scrap this for his album LOL..





This layout is the class kit from Bramford crop designed by Ang, such a gorgeous layout she did as well. I've stuck to it quite closely just added an artilicious flower brad instead of some lace and made the title on the robo and triple embossed it with UTT using my new non stick mat. Boy did that make life easier!!! I love this photo of Vikki and Ben, scrapped one similar a few weeks ago but this photo is slightly different and it' going in Ben's album so that's OK LOL.



Off with Dawn tomorrow to do a bit of Christmas shopping in Stow, have a good weekend all.

Bramford crop

Went to Bramford crop on Saturday which is run by Janina (Hot potato), had a lovely relaxing day as always and Ang produced the most beautiful class kit for us.

I did this one layout (terrible photo) using a sketch by Vanesaa from her blog site , using paper from Kay and Co "Hannah".



Must must must do the Christmas cards before I do anymore scrapping LOL...but I really want to do Ang's class kit from Saturday....

Scrummy Stash Cafe challenge

This is the first time I've taken part in one of the challenges on the Scrummy Stash cafe blog but have been lurking on there for months and love what they do.

The challenge this week is "to use those scraps"

So use those scraps I did, all pp is left over from a few previous layouts and is from Kay and co Hannah. I've also used stickers from papermania and basic grey buttons. The stitched swirls are supposed to represent the flames in the fire LOL.

Photo is of Jim trying out his new bed I had just made. No mean feat for someone who is useless with the sewing machine LOL..

Alfie Bear update

So Alfie Bear went back to see the eye specialist this week and good news no sign of any inflammation since we started reducing the eye drops. Now for the big step NO EYE drops for 6 weeks and then back again so paws crossed. Poor little chap will never have any sight in that eye but it would be good if he didn't have to lose anything else.



This photo shows his blind eye....

Actually poor little chap be blowed he's been a complete pain in the bum this week. His latest trick is to go foraging in the kitchen bin, so Sunday he pulled out the chicken carcass that I had just cooked for them, now I never put it in the kitchen bin so why oh why did I this time!!! just hope there are no serious repercussions. Yesterday he was playing with Jim indoors and actually peed up the lounge door I couldn't believe it, he's never done that before, I was so cross with him I chucked him outside!!! after about 15 minutes (well it was very cold and I can't stay cross with him for long) I called him, NO Alfie so I called and called still no Alfie by which time i was getting worried so put on some shoes and started searching for him, eventually I found him in the front garden up the corner tucked away in the brambles with a clematis vine wrapped round his neck and he was well and truly stuck and throttling himself in an attempt to get free.

This dog should come with a health warning was he bothered, not in the least once I had freed him he ran off playing with Jim...

ho hum Alfie Bear 1 Me 0 LOL

Thursday is scrap day

Dawn and I are back into the swing of scrapping on Thursday's. I got off to a very slow start as I had nothing prepared, unlike someone else but finally managed to do this. Not sure if it's finished as I want to add more but have a feeling it is best left as it is LOL. Thursday is the best day of the week, we have such a lovely relaxing day!!!



Photo is of two of our greys Lucky and Sandy taken at Easter when we had the snow. Eric took the photo on his mobile so not the best quality but I thought it was such a good photo I would use it anyway.

Not feeling so great again today but have loads of chores to do, funny I felt better yesterday when it was scrapping day LOL..

Woe is me!

I've had a bit of a cold for a few days nothing earth shattering but enough to flare up my joints and make me HURT!!! so I cancelled my plans for today, ignored my "To do" list and had a play instead LOL.

Have just finished this layout for the UKS weekly challenge



Use the sketch
Use 10of something
Use outdoor photo's
Use autumnal colours

Now I always struggle using sketches and anything with more than one photo I find quite hard so I'm quite pleased with how this turned out. The photo isn't great and it's much IRL. I used up lots of scraps of pp to make the background papers and meant to use 10 but d'oh forgot! so ended up using 10 gems on the flowers...

Papermaze Crop

Had a lovely relaxing day at the crop on Saturday, such a friendly bunch of girls that go and lots of chatting and eating cake takes places and a little bit of scrapping.

Wendy who runs the Papermaze blog for Vanessa and does a lot of the DT stuff as well had put together the most gorgeous DLO for the class kit. I didn't do it at crop as I had one prepared but am really looking forward to it. I adore Wendy's style of work and always love everything she does.

I did manage one layout LOL.



The is the Rocky dog, my first ever dog of my own, ahh I see you notice he's not a greyhound LOL he was a Tibetan spaniel and totally eccentric but I loved him and he was Rulu's daddy. He's been gone for two years now and I still miss my little man. The photo has been my screen saver on the PC for a couple of years and everyday I look at it and smile remembering how he loved to scamper around the picnic site at Claydon. So it finally pentrated my brain that I should scrap it. LOL.

My DLO that I entered for the Papermaze competition "Ben's perfect day" was picked as the winner, can you believe that, I was well and truly chuffed.

Scrap and Chill

Every Thursday Dawn and me try to get together and scrap!!!! it's the best day of the week as we get to do what we love and chill out. Now normally I prepare something so I kind of know what I want to do etc but I just haven't had any free time this week and so had barely printed off the photo's when Dawn arrived. I'm not good at scrapping on the fly but knew I wanted to do the UKS weekly challenge. As it happens it's turned out OK LOL.



I love the concentration on Ben's face in the first photo and how pleased is he with the finished cakes LOL course his hair got very sticky when he stuck his head right in the bowl to lick it out.


Went to physio yesterday and now have 95 degree bend and have been discharged woohoo !! of course I still have to continue with the exercises yuck but at least no more going to physio...

Off to Otley crop Saturday.

Design Collective CJ

Back in October last year I joined a CJ circle set up by Heather on the then Design Collective. I decided on a theme of "Passions", be it serious or funny and the fist posting took place on October 31st 2007. Each month I then completed an entry into one of the circle members CJ and posted on until eventually my own CJ came back to me at the end of July. It was an experience I really enjoyed despite being so apprehensive in the beginning, as I was just about to have my replacement wrist joint removed and wasn't sure how quickly I would be back crafting but I managed to do each entry and post on time. The last one was just days before I headed off to hospital again this time for my new knee LOL.

So finally having been on my "to do" lists for weeks and weeks I have taken the time to photograph the entries.

Front cover



My own entry was all about the horror greyhounds suffer in the name of entertainment but also included a CD with photo's of all my hounds past and present.




Nina's entry on her job and American Native Indians.



Jennie's entry on Words, language and her love of dancing.




Diane's entry on Life.



Gwyneth's entry on Culture & Heritage.



Carol's entry on her sons Ice Hockey team.




Heather's entry on Flowers.



Sharon's entry on her love of Chocolate.



Jane's entry on her passion for cooking.




The photo's really don't do the CJ justice, as so many pages have little tags and flaps to pull out and look at. It is so beautiful and I will treasure it always.

So to all my fellow DC circle journal members I thank you all!!!

Alfie Bear gets a bath!

Well with the glorious weather we've been having we decided to make the most of it and clean Alfie up. We always wash the dogs outside as a) we don't have a bath and trust me they wouldn't fit into the shower and b) they have a better footing on the grass. So we use watering cans with warm water. Alfie wasn't to sure about it all but Ben thought it was good fun!







Apart from cleaning Alfie Bear up I finally went to Stowwmarket town with Vikki and Ben. Ben held my hand all the way round and even helped me up the steps, very sweet but made me feel about 100 years old LOL and of course we then came home and had our now tradditional weekend picnic in the garden. I'm hoping Ben will go off this when it turns wet and cold!

Sunday Dawn and I set off to Hintlesham to the scrapbooking fair. I had made a list and pretty much stuck to it buying supplies for Christmas cards, some bazzil stitchz templates and card stock. Did bag a bargain with the Bazzill stitchzin book!

And today I have finally taken the photo's of my DC CJ and will get them sorted and post this week. Didn't take long hey !!!