Long time not blogged

Hi, sorry I haven't been on here for a while. Been very very busy. On my birthday Paul took me to Wells Next The Sea, where we had lunch then we went off to Hunstanton, which was really lovely. I love the north Norfolk coast. We had a game of crazy golf, and I actually beat him - a very rare thing indeed. It was a genuine win - he didn't lose just because of it being my birthday. We had such a giggle. It was altogether a really lovely day.

After that, we were very busy with our work because we had a weeks holiday planned for the end of July, so had a lot of work to do so we could afford the time for the break away.

We are now back from that holiday which was really lovely. We stayed in a place called Thurnham Hall, near Lancaster. When we arrived and went up the driveway to the Hall, we both said WOW. It was beautiful. Our studio apartment was on the first floor of the Hall and was in the oldest part of the building, dating back to the 12th century. As you can see from the pictures, it was pretty amazing - definitely had the wow factor.
They had a programme of activities all week with a daily quiz just for fun, but then on Friday there was a quiz which had to be submitted for a prize, which Paul & I won - a bottle of wine!! They laid on walks, trips in to Lancaster and much more. One Wednesday evening in the chapel (on right of picture) they had a talk all about the history of the Hall and he took us on a short tour. We really had a lovely holiday and would like to go back there some time in the near future. We couldn't go on the walks they did because you needed walking boots, and we didn't think to take ours with us, but if we go back we will definitely take them and join in.

I promise I won't leave it so long before I post again, and hope you like the photos.

Sheila

During the week we explored all over the place, having one day in Morecambe, another in Blackpool, we went up to the Lake District another day, and on Friday we popped across to Yorkshire. It was a lovely week and at the end of the week there was a quiz, and we won 1st prize of a bottle of wine. Yeahhhhh!!!!!!!

Since we came back, we have been just as busy as before we went, so this is the first chance I've had to come on and really concentrate on doing a new post. Hope you like the photos.

Another good thing that has happened: I joined an online diet at the beginning of July, and I've finally started to lose some of this blubber I've been carrying around with me for too long. I've alread shed 6lb, and on track to be able to wear some of my lovely clothes I've not been able to get into for a long time. I'm feeling much better in myself already, and can already wear some of my size 12's. I'm very pleased this one is working and I'm also making some new friends on the site's forums and circles of friends.

Hi again, I've not been on since the Norfolk show because I've had such a busy busy week. On Friday I took a friend shopping followed by sorting our deliveries out, then delivering to all our customers. Saturday we went to Skegness - a 6 hour round trip, then on Sunday we went to our friends in Cambridge for a BBQ for Liz's birthday which was on Wednesday. A fun time was had by us all and we were so lucky with the weather. On Monday I had my WI in the morning, came home & did some housework then went to another WI in the evening. Today I picked a couple of friends up to take them to bead group and they gave me some beautiful flowers for my birthday which is tomorrow. They are gorgeous - as you can see from the photo. Thanks girls, I really appreciate it. See you both Friday. Tomorrow, as it's my birthday Paul is taking me out for the day to the coast. Really looking forward to it. I will put some more news and photos on in a couple of days. Just want to get this week out of the way!

See you

Sheila xx

Here are some of the photos I took at the Norfolk Show yesterday. It was a lovely day and the weather behaved itself. There was so much to see and do and we must have walked miles which - in the heat was very tiring. But despite that I thoroughly enjoyed myself. There were a lot of animals - here are just a few, a flower show and lots of craft marquees, which I especially enjoyed.

The owl on the left was huge and as you can see has the most beautiful striking orange eyes. I'm pleased with this photo as she kept moving - but I caught her right in the end.

We got the bus at arount 9.20 am and the return bus at 4.20 pm so it was quite a long day. We watched some horse carriage trials (hope I've got that right), and 2 military bands in the main arena and some gun dogs put through their paces around an assault course, which was a lot of fun.

I will add some more photos over the next couple of days, so keep watching this space.

Hi - Firstly let me apologise for my spelling mistakes on my last post. I must have been having a senior moment he he! This time I will promise to use the spell-check.

This photo is of a page I did recently of my Grandmother on my mum's side. She died when my mum was only 8 years old leaving Granddad with 5 daughters. I love this picture of her and I think the paper goes so well with it all. We had a very social weekend this week. On Saturday Paul's sister Yvonne and her hubby Doug came round for a meal, then on Sunday we went to our friends Angie & Roy for tea and had a lovely evening. Silly me - I left my handbag round there and didn't have my mobile on me so we got all the way home to find a message from Angie on the answerphone. Roy very kindly brought it round tonight when he finished work - thanks Roy! Got a very busy few weeks coming up and loads of photo oportunities so look out for the results on her in the weeks to come!

Over the last few days I've been listening to a cd in my car to try to motivate me and get my life back on track and be positive. This cd really surprised me what I heard today and I already feel different. I've decided NOT to play any more silly games of Facebook as they keep me up till 2 - 3am because I can't switch off. I have followed my Tesco Diet meal plan to the letter and feel really pleased with myself. Maybe this butterfly is going to emerge - slimmer and more focused.

The above picture is of a page I did a couple of weeks ago. It is of my mum who sadly died in 1980 at the tender age of 51. These photo's were taken on mum & dad's Honeymoon in Clacton, Essex in 1951. I'm creating an album of my life and family. I love this page - it had to be done in pink cos that was mums favourite colour.

I will put some more pictures on in a few days, have a good weekend.

Sheila xx

Last night I enrolled on Tesco Diets as I'm really struggling with my weight. I refuse to buy any new clothes in the larger size - I want to fit the clothes I have got, so I joined them to see how I get on. I've been like a womas posessed with my camera, taking lots more phoos of my garden. I'm really pleased with them -

hope you like them too.

The top photo is of my beautiful Peace Rose and the middle one is a lovely Dahlia growing in one of my pots and the third picture is of one of my many hanging baskets - all of which were planted by me.

Hi, me again, just been taking photos in the garden of some of my lovely flowers and thought I'd share them with you all. Hope you like them!

At the weekend Paul & I were supposed to have done a fete but the weather was sooo bad. We wrestled to put our gazebo up to protect us in case it rained, but the wind was so strong it kept nearly blowing across the field, then we had such heavy rain it was coming in the sides and front and would have ruined all the stuff we were selling, so we packed up and came home again. What a wash-out!! Never again! Could have done with it being more like today. Never mind - put that one down to experience.

Tomorrow Paul and I are having a stall at Sprowston Parish Council fete. Hope the weather keeps nice for us as it is outdoors. Hoping to sell some of the stock I've still got from when I had my craft shop many moons ago. We had an information evening at the hospital on Thursday night and learned a lot, so feel more positive now about the whole situation. I took a load of photos a couple of evenings ago, and silly me didn't have a card in the camera so didn't get any pics. I'm going out again this afternoon and will post the photos over the weekend. Watch this space

Good news in a way - Paul & I spent 1 1/2 hours at hospital yesterday with the Transplant co-ordinator. Very nice lady explained lots of things to us. Too much to take on board at once but don't need to panic yet - rate of deterioration could be about 12-15 months before he needs to go on transplant list - so breathing space available. Time to sort house out in readiness. Sorry for no photo's this time will post some over the weekend.

I love these two pic's of Pickles - she is so cute and funny, you can't help but love her to bits (well we can't). It's a real treat to get some photo's of her keeping still.

Sorry I've not posted anything for several days - had a lot going on. Paul (my husband) is on the verge of needing a kidney transplant and it's been a lot to try and get our heads around. It's quite stressful knowing what he's got to go through. The next stage comes next thursday when we're seeing the transplant co-ordinator. I'm hoping once he is on the list, I can be tested to see if I would be a suitable match for him. On a lighter note, here are some more pictures. The one of us together was taken in April on holiday in Turkey. The others are of Honey and Pickles - I actually managed to get some decent pictures of her. Paul says she takes after me inasmuch as I hate having my photo taken. Every time she hears the camera turn on she runs away lol.

Today we went out for some retail therapy and I got myself a new toy in the shape of a breadmaker. I've recently been told I need to avoid Gluten. Very hard when you love bread and all things made using flour. I am getting there but find I can't give up bread. My new breadmaker is brilliant because it has a gluten-free programme, so I can make my own gluten-free bread - yipppeeeee!!!!!!!!!

Really busy day today - did some hand washing first thing, then I've been helping Paul hang wallpaper on our stairs and did 35 mins keep fit on my Wii Fit. This afternoon I've got to try and do some movie editing from our Turkey holiday. I thought I'd lett you see our two adoreable girls - Honey (ginger) and Pickles (Torty).

These are some other shots I took today, aren't they lovely - one of my favourite subjects to photograph.

Had a really good day today. This morning I went out and put some of our Kleeneze catalogues out to our customers to help Paul, and for the first time I took my camera with me. I love taking pictures of flowers and I've included the best of the bunch (excuse the pun) for you to see. Isn't nature a wonderful thing. I love this time of year - I always think of it that the world is waking up again after the winter and it is so incredibly colourful. I'll catch up with you all again real soon.

Just got back from a brilliant evening out with Paul. Been to our local theatre to see "An evening with Tommy Cooper" It was really funny, and it was a real treat for us to have a night out together - quite rare these days. Very enjoyable couple of hours.

Hi again, this week has been quite constructive as far as doing essential jobs. We've found 12 new customers in what was a poor area for our kleeneze business, I've been doing a lot of sorting out so I can do my car-boot's and craft sales etc., and tomorrow I am seeing some friends who have blogs and they will be able to help me with the layout of mine, so it won't be quite so messy and disjointed (I hope). Watch this space - it can only get better haha!!!!!!

Hi, just thought I'd post pictures of the things I made on Saturday. Had a fun time today at bead group where I finished yet another necklace. I'm making a set for my friend to give as a present. Made necklace today, just got to do bracelet and earrings to match. Hope to do them this week.

This is the scrapbook page I created yesterday. It is for an album all about my life so far. This page is growing up from a few months old to 4 years old. I'm really pleased with the page.

Hello again, here are the photo's of what I made yesterday at the crop. The scrapbook page is for an album I am doing about my life, this page is of me growing up from a few months old up to 4 years old. The jewellery was very quick and easy, made with glass pendants and 3 on leather thongs and one on silver plated chain.

Welcome to my new blog

Hi, this is my first attempt at a blog. I've looked at several and some of my friends have them so I decided to create my own. This photo of me was taken in Florida in January by Paul, I'm with my favourite bear, which is why I've got a silly grin on my face, haha!
Yesterday I went to one of the many craft groups I belong to and made 4 necklaces, and did a scrapbook page, I will take some photo's of them tomorrow and post them, so watch this space. Today we've had a home day - Paul has been doing some decorating and I've been doing some work on the computer ready for W.I. tomorrow morning. I am President of my WI, as well as being the youngest member.