... and a Happy New Year!

OK, I know, it's late!  February next week.  Had a lot going on and no 'ooomph' to write blog posts.

December and Greta's playday.  As expected, not a lot of crafting got done although a good trial of 2 stamping tools took place - MISTI and the WRMK Precision Press.  I'd bought both.  A whole day of stamping this and that by me and some of the others and I decided I preferred the WRMK Precision Press.  Came home and sold the MISTI +extras.  Long story short (and a case of good karma in my direction as it turned out) and I ended up getting over £70 for it, nett.  Very happy bunny as I'd had to put up with some really nasty moron (as it turned out) through the transaction so I guess it became compo as well.

Christmas came and went and then it was back to normal with hospital appointments etc for the OH.  He had a 'blip' which could have been a kidney infection but wasn't.  Oncologist appointment meant we had a convo we'd rather not have had.  Told we may be optimistic in having our booked holiday in September.  Also told to keep a close relationship with the hospice.   Day after - everything back to normal!  Now we're not sure what's likely to happen. The OH is to have a CT scan before he sees oncologist again and the nurse specialist he saw this week had been asked to assess him for pain and overall well-being.  Fortunately he's doing well again so hoping things will continue as they are at the mo. She will be reporting back positively.  Seems chemo may not be an option at all so we may have exhausted all available treatment if what he's on now is stopped.  We're hoping to have a different, more positive, convo with the oncologist next month.  We know that 'that' convo will probably happen at some point though.  We're not ready for it yet!

Youngest found a flat and moved out.  So much better for him.  More space and it means the youngsters also have more space to stay over with him.  So pleased to see him happy in his new home.   It's a work in progress, getting things together, but slowly, slowly.  It's a long time since any of us have had to start from scratch.  We've managed to loan him some bits to tide him over.

I broke my laptop *sad*  I now have a perfectly OK laptop that I can't use because ..... I cleaned the screen!  OK, I didn't clean the screen properly.  I squirted cleaner directly onto it instead of onto a cloth.  Didn't catch the runs quick enough and the liquid got into the connections.  After a while screen started going odd and turning white.  Logging of and signing in again brought it back for a while but it kept doing it until it opened up on the white screen *oops!*  Techy hubby of a friend took it to look at and told me he thought the screen driver had blown - kaput!  Fortunately hard drive was fine and all info still on it so that's been put in a case as an external and the OH has given me a new/old laptop he had (barely used).  Driving me up the wall though 'cos I can't get it to 'wake up' from sleep with the keyboard or mouse.  Tried everything I've found on Google to put that right (seems a fairly common problem with W10) but nothing's worked so far.  I may just treat myself to a brand new, all singing and dancing, one ..... we'll see

I've finished the photo book for our October holiday *YAY!*  As normal I left it pretty much to the last minute.  Bought a credit in November, with 3 months to complete it in.  A month left and I'd not started.  Panic - I know it can take me 4 or 5 weeks to put a book together.  Cheat!   I used an older book I'd done for the layouts/guidance.  A few tweaks here and there as I added the photos - job done - but not before I'd deleted all the photos in the album by mistake and had to upload them all again and restart!  Wish I could embed the online copy like I used to be able to but seems Blogger still won't allow it.  Link instead .......

http://www.photobox.co.uk/creation/5049693767

Had the first (for me) card workshop of the year this week.  Good to be back.  I've not photographed the cards yet ... new format to workshops with Clair.  2 tutors, 2 cards.  Excellent!

... and that's pretty much the rest of December - and most of January - in a nutshell!  Just got to sort out photos *grin*

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I'm thinking ...

... I can call the photo book done but need to make a final check of it before I order.  There's been a few edits done as there were a couple of pages I wasn't happy with.  There's one I'm still not 100% satisfied with but I can't seem to get it looking just right so giving up on trying now.  Discount voucher has been bought so order can be placed as soon as I've done the final edit.

Lost track of where I am with the blog now.  Been side-tracked too long.  We're currently dog sitting.  Eldest is on holiday and we've got her for a week.  Half way through and I'm knackered!  I'd better have lost a few lbs by the time she goes home.  Haven't done this much walking in donkeys!  She's a youngster so still a puppy, pretty much, and is very lively.  A beautiful temperament, even if she won't win too much in the beauty stakes - *ROFL!*

I have photos to check and edit and I've bought a new camera.  The Panasonic I have developed a fault, same as the previous one did, so this time I've changed brand and actually bought a lower spec.  Not sure if I'm going to like it or whether I'll be investing in something a bit higher spec.  I like a compact camera but one with a bit of manual function .... sometimes.  This one doesn't have any manual function that I can see although I've not yet downloaded the manual to see how it works.  I wanted to see what the photos were like on auto before I bothered.  They're OK - not bad but not excellent either.  I have time before the cruise next year to decide what to do.

A couple of weeks ago, in Clair's workshop, we made a cute card with hedgehogs as the focal point.  Wasn't sure of it when I saw the photo (what's new) but really like it in real life - lol!  I have managed to get a photo of that .....

The hedgehogs are a stamp set by MFT called ... Happy Hedgehogs.  I coloured them with 'new to me' Nuvo Dual Tip pens (alcohol ink pens) that I found in a sale and bought a full range of colours.  Good enough and a small enough set to carry and use at workshop.  We're doing a couple of Christmas cards this week *grin*

Tomorrow I'm sorting and ordering the photo book.  Hopefully then I can sort out my more recent photos of what I've been up to and blog ....

Don't hold yer breath  *LOL*

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Really been ...

... side-tracked these past couple of weeks or so.  Photo book of Florida has really been taking me away from everything else, apart from the normal things like laundry, shopping, housework etc, although even that has suffered to a certain extent.  The OH and I have made a bit of time for 'tourist at home' type things and a trip to the cinema.  Ben Hur last time.  Never been to the cinema so much.  Think, in the 30+ years we've been married we've been 4 times until recently .... a war film (one of the Telly Savalas ones - first date), Ghost Busters a couple of weeks later when we got engaged and a few years later ... Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves.  He thinks we've been more since then.  If we have I don't remember and why would I remember them 3 and nothing newer???  We've seen several films lately and all thanks to those blooming meerkats - LOL!

Anyway, I think I've finished the photo book.  Not sure entirely as there's some I'm not completely happy however, there's a deal on a voucher for a heavily discounted print.  I'll buy the voucher then I'll have a month from date of purchase to complete and order the book.  I'll buy it on the last day of the offer and then I'll spend time going through it a few times to tidy it up and try to become happy with the pages I'm not too pleased with.  A few days break may help.

I was awake at 2:30 this morning.  Got up at 4:30 because I got fed up of laying there with brain refusing to shut down.  By the time the OH had got up I'd sorted out all my recipes and rehomed them.  Completed my Microsoft daily challenges and completed the photo book which I'd left with a few pages and a couple of days of the holiday to do.  To that end, here is what it is at the moment.  It may change a bit but most of it will stay as is .....

http://www.photobox.co.uk/creation/4398163425

It's been a while since I've done one.  Not even sure how to get it on the blog other than a straight forward link.  May have to go look at previous ones - ROFL!

UPDATE: 22/09/16 - it seems all my other photo books have disappeared from the blog.  Have a job to put links on now and update the relevant posts.  Thanks Google 'cos can't see any other reason they'd have disappeared other than Blogger no longer accepting how they were put on *sad*

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Nothing of ...

... much interest has happened this week.  I've made a start on decluttering and reorganising the kitchen but it's not going to be done overnight.  I've ordered some new fittings for cupboards to make them more 'user friendly' - lol!  May be a few days before they're all together but in the meantime I'll continue to work on the areas that aren't being 'upgraded'.

OH should have had his 4 weekly Zoledronic Acid infusion on Friday but it never happened.  Transport never arrived so it's been rearranged for Wednesday.  Just hope those few days delay aren't to much of a problem as it's supposed to be given every 3 to 4 weeks and he's on a 4 weekly cycle.

It has been very hot!  Apparently it's the hottest September, so far, ever - well, since records began.  Thursday my car thermometer didn't get below 30c and, at one point, it reached 34c when I was moving!  We've had a better couple of weeks than we had in August - with the exception of the day I went to London.  Weather is really laughing at me and I'm not yet over it *sad*

Weight loss (have I mentioned I've lost a fair bit of weight since April???) - I seem to have reached a plateau.  So close to being in the normal range of BMI that body seems to have decided it just doesn't want to be 'normal' - ROFL!  It needs a kick to get going again but I'm at a loss as to what to do about it.  I'm not on a diet, just being more careful with what and how much I eat.  I don't think reducing the amount down any more is really on, or the answer, but what to do?  I'm not putting on so I guess that's something.  Maintaining is better than increasing.  Perhaps it'll start to decrease again soon.

I did have the fortnightly craft workshop run by Clair and we made a lovely card.  All Stampin' Up (I think) but we made our own embellishment using some WOW Melt It powder.  Certainly novel but don't think I can be bothered when a nice button would do the same job - lol!  May add some trails to the butterflies having looked at it again :)

The previous  workshops have also produced some great cards.  The following one was great fun - and messy :)  We made our own background on thick watercolour card.  Splodged (technical term) 2 or 3 inkpads onto a smooth service and misted with water until it started pooling then laid the card into it and swished it around a bit.  Then dried it and dabbed it back in again.  Repeated until happy with result.  Image stamped and embossed with white embossing powder.  A sheet of acetate cut to cover and matted onto the base card on dimensionals.  Insert was done to tone in with the remnants of the ink.  Love it!

This one - a great man's card.  Su's Lovely as a Tree stamp set and woodgrain embossing folder - all distressed and matted and layered.  Easy but very effective. First time I've done the reflection technique as well.  Impressed - lol!

It's been mentioned, in passing recently, that Jackie and I went to Sorrento, Italy in April 2013.  We did the usual touristy stuff and visited Herculaneum and Pompeii, did the Amalfi Drive and popped over to Capri, don't you know - lol!  Between us we took a lot of photos.  Not long after we got back I started the now obligatory photobook but it ground to a halt after a very short space of time.  I created a lot of photobooks last year and my mojo went on holiday and work on the Italian book ground to a halt until a few weeks ago when the mojo came back.  Photo book was finished and has been printed.  It was lovely reliving that holiday, especially as we've not had one this year (other than our group crafty week away).
http://www.photobox.co.uk/creation/2751011028

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A couple more ...

... from the Christmas workshop. A bit later than anticipated as I've asked a question and waiting a reply which doesn't appear to be forthcoming.  Nothing to do with the cards but relevant to this post.  Will post anyway ....
I loved the diversity of the designs Clair came up with.  I so wish I had the imagination.

An 8 x 8 inch (20 x 20 cm) card.
Imagination embossing folder
No idea whose die or stamp
Spellbinders Shapeabilities - 2013 Snowflake Pendant
Gems

An A6 card
Woodware Clear Stamp - Snowflakes & Sparkles
No idea re the Let it Snow stamp or the plaque die
White embossing powder
White ribbon
Candi made with a punch and matching card scraps.

I've started the photo book of mine and Jackie's holiday to Italy earlier this year.  Should have started it sooner but I'd already done 3, or is that 4, photo books this year and I kind of ran out of steam.  It takes a while to put the holiday ones together (it takes a while to put any together if I'm honest) as I research the places we visit so I can put a little info in the book and I also like to tell little 'stories'.  I keep a diary (I know, I'm sad) on a daily basis while we're away to remind me of what we got up to when the memory of the laughs we have start to fade - lol!  Have to say I love doing the books but I do have to be in a 'creative' mood to do them as I don't just dump photos in and hope for the best.  I can take a whole evening just doing 4 to 6 pages, or less.  Layout is everything and the choice of photos is hard when there's so many to choose from.  I prepare the books and then wait for a deal to come along.  I never, ever pay full price for a book and I never buy in advance and put myself under pressure to 'perform'.  Did it once, never again.  Gave me a month and I went to the wire.  Hated it.  Much prefer taking my time and there's always an offer round the corner *big grin*

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Think we've ...

... decided on the wallpaper for both hall and lounge.  Also think we know what flooring we're going to be having.   Didn't like the ones we saw on-line in real life.  Actually nothing much like the images but there was a good selection and it wasn't difficult to find something.  Well, not entirely true as it was difficult in as much as there ended up being too much choice!  Price plays a part though and, although the expensive stuff was nice it was outside of our budget with everything we've had done of late and with what is still to come.  There were some quality ones on offer though, which made them more affordable.  Providing they're still on offer when we're ready to buy then it'll be easy to select :)

Having a rest day today, although I upped the minutes on the cross trainer this morning.  Have I mentioned the cross trainer since it was delivered?  Mixed fortunes on that.  I'm using it daily but I'm finding that I can't always use it for as long as I'd like, particularly in the morning.  Nothing to do with lack of breath, although that doesn't help, but more to do with muscle pain kicking in.  I always start with the 'walking' bit.  Do a couple of minutes with that (have increased the resistance since I started), then I do a medium speed cycle for another couple of minutes and finish with a speed cycle for a minute.  Sometimes I don't get the 2 minutes walking bit completed in the morning and the odd morning I've only managed 3 minutes in total.  Not good when I started on 4 and have been trying to increase the time, weekly.  The past week I've managed 6 minutes in the evening, doing 2, 2  and 2 but it's not the evening I've been having a problem with.  This morning I decided to try a different tack.   I started, as ever, with the walking bit but I slowed it right down and it worked!  The muscle pain stayed away but my heart rate and breathing went up, as they should do.  I managed to do 3 minutes walking and followed that with 2 medium speed cycling and then 2 fast - 7 minutes in total and the longest I've managed since I started.  Think it's the way to go, for now anyway.

OK, nothing of note today as having a lazy day so more catch up.  This isn't being done in any particular order.   P'raps it should be but it's how and what I feel like recording ...

February 2013 and I got a strange message via Ancestry.co.uk.  Did I know what happened to the Peter Pantzer on my tree?  No Peter Pantzer on my tree but there is a Paul so I replied saying so.  Turned out that it was Paul the person was enquiring about.  I know exactly what's happened to him as it's my OH - lol!  Anyway, reply made and ... we've found Paul's Aussie relatives!  They're a huge family and he always thought, although he knew of some back in the 50s, that he was the last one of any of his family.  He was told he was the last of his maternal and paternal family.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Paul's Dad was born in Tasmania and he had several siblings.  It was his only sister that Paul knew about and she died, childless, some time ago.  Anyway, the siblings had children and it's those children and their children that we now have contact with.  Lost count of how many there are out there and they're all still in Tasmania.  On top of that there are cousins coming forward from his maternal side and we've recently met a couple of them that live around 30 miles away.  Today an email has been received from another there's been no contact with until now.

In January 2013 I entered a competition to win a photo shoot with a 12x10 print and a birthday party for a certain number of children.  The winner was going to be picked about a week before the youngest granddaughters birthdays and I thought it would be good if I won.  I didn't but the photographer gave a lot of 2nd prizes of the photo shoot with print and I had one of those.  Not wanting to waste it I offered it to youngest son to have the littlies done and so it came about.  The shoot took place early March.  A couple of hours of fun and the youngsters really threw themselves into it.  Well, as with most of these things, we couldn't just stop at one print so we paid for extra.  It wasn't cheap but, because we chose the photographers top option he threw in 6 prints and gave us 2 discs instead of the one.  Once collected and bought home I had to have all the photos in print so the call of the photo book was strong .........

Yep, it was supposed to be the littlies but it was good to have the family - youngest son and daughter-in-law.  Not so good I got roped in :(

There's going to be another photo shoot next weekend - watch this space - LOL!

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Boring couple of days ...

... and a headache!  I blame that on the OH.  Yesterday he mentioned that I'd been really good with headaches of late and I had been - until last night and one started.  I went to bed with it and I got up with it.  It's been ..... can't remember how long, since I last had one.  If he'd kept quiet perhaps I'd not have this one now.  It's not bad but annoying, none-the-less :(

Yesterday we took a trip to Farnborough, about 1½ hours away from home.  OH had some new wheels for his wheelchair, ordered from Germany and they needed fitting.  They're super duper, bells and whistles all singing and dancing and I'm hoping they'll get him out from under my feet a couple of days a week.  I'm hoping they get him back to his shooting which hasn't happened for 4 years or so now. Not since the problem started with his thumb back in 2009 and has been ongoing with his left arm, in one way or another, since.  These wheels each have a motor in the hub that assists with mobility - it aids him pushing himself by taking some of the strain and is, supposedly, particularly helpful over rough ground.   They have their own axle and that is what had to be fitted and he had to have instruction on how to use them.  

I should have stayed at home or taken my Kindle!  It was boring, snoring. We were just round the corner from the Art of Craft craft shop so I took a stroll there when I went to get us some lunch.  Got there and then couldn't be bothered to go in, just looked in the cheap bins outside and didn't see anything that took my fancy in them.

The one thing of note from the trip?  I recognised one of the guys sitting at a computer when we arrived but didn't know why.  Just a very familiar face to me.  While we were there a young guy came in and he was measured for a wheelchair ... a tennis wheelchair and 'ding' a light bulb went off.  The guy I recognised was a Paralympian and not just any old Paralympian.  It was our top medal winning wheelchair tennis player, Peter Norfolk, OBE - and the guy who was our flag bearer, leading the British team, at the opening ceremony of the Paralympics London 2012.  He's retired since the games but the business we visited is his.

Anyway, there I was in the company of 3 Paralympians ... my OH (Atlanta 1996), Peter (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012) and Nathan Milgate (Beijing 2008, London 2012)  long time friend of OH's and who we've known since he was a lad needing his parents to ferry him around.  He was the one who was dealing with OH and his wheels.  Anyway, axle fitted, wheels tested and day (manual) wheels adapted to new axle and home we went.

In my 'brief' catch up post last October I mentioned eldest grandson had got married in September.  He's not long celebrated his first wedding anniversary.  It was a reason for another photo book. Completed this one a few months ago now and I did 2 versions.  One was a copy for both sons - grandson's Dad and bridesmaid's Dad.  Neither wanted photos of the other families involved (ex daughter-in-law's or bride's side) so I did one without them but I've also done one with them using the some of the professional photos and snagged ones from Facebook.  They said they were going to give me copies of discs others gave them but they weren't forthcoming so I did the best I could with what I found and this is the result ....

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Mission accomplished ...

... well, one of them - no 2, I guess.  I've been working on one project for months now, the other just a few days.  The one I've been working on for months?  My 2012 year book.  I've only ever done one year book before but many photo books.  A lot to record from last year, hence it taking so long but the order went in for printing today so I can call it done!  Mind you, got the online version and noticed an error on page 5.  Fortunately they'd not started printing it so I rang them and pulled it.  They stopped the process and sent me a credit so I could correct the error and reorder.  All done now and the process continues.  They updated the online version and sent me the link so here it is *grin*

The other project finished today?  A Christmas present.  A photo book for eldest granddaughter who left High School this year and had her prom on 4th July.  There were professional photos taken of her and (I believe I may have mentioned before) she wanted a photo book of the pics.  Also said before .... student, no money so Nana Pam & Grandpa had a Christmas present solved.  Just as well I like doing photo books *LOL*  I'll post the online version of that at a later date but I'm really pleased with the end result.  Different to what I usually do but was thinking it needed to be for a 16/17 year old.  I just hope she likes it.

Rest of the day?  Not a lot and don't feel like doing much now so will make this short and save 'stories' for another time ... including the rest of the bathroom saga up to now *grrrr!*

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I've sort of ...

... promised!  I've sort of promised that I'm going to pick up blogging again.  I sort of promised Clair of Valentines that I would - sort of.  I've followed her blog for a long time now but only just started going to her workshop on a Thursday morning, with my mate Cally.  Only done 2 so far but it's good and we'll be continuing.  Anyway, not sure whether to try 'catch up' or ignore what's happened over the whole of ... how many months?  Will have to have a think on that one.  I guess I could combine current stuff with a catch up.  Hmmmm - what to do.  The one thing I do know is that it will continue to be my 'diary' so it's still going to be a mix and not entirely craft related.  In fact, there's likely to be little craft in it at all as I'm not really making anything at the moment unless I go somewhere specifically to make 'stuff'!  I guess there could be a peppering of what I have done over the past .... how many months?

For now I'll do a sort of catch up.  Crafter's House Party (check out the label in the side panel).   Started back in 2008 and this year saw it's 5th anniversary.  It's been going from strength to strength, even if there have been fewer attendees of late and next year it's being extended for the 2nd time.  It's gone from 3 nights the first year to 4 subsequently.  Next year it's going to be a full week for those that can.  For those that can't it's still 4 nights.

Over the years there's been a fair few photos taken by myself and others.  It wasn't until the past 3 years that I've had access to other's photos, well, not easily anyway.  3 years ago I opened a Photobox account where we could all upload our photos so that any of the attendees could post their offerings for others to access.  Obviously, only those they were happy to let anyone have were uploaded but I snagged a fair few as I had an idea *scary*.  Over a few years now I've been posting links to photo books I've produced,  Today is no exception 'cos I'm posting a link to a book it's taken over a year to put together because I was waiting for the 5th year to be completed .... and, trying to reduce photos down a number small enough to get into a 120 page book, spanning 5 years, is no easy matter - *LOL*

Here it is, in all it's glory - (click on title for larger view) 
5 Years of Crafter's House Parties ....

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No excuse ...

... just not blogged, mind you have been busy-ish.  Been on another holibobs since last posted.  Mexico!

What a wonderful place it is too.  The history that oozes from the place is amazing!  Had a few problems with mobility in Mexico City - or rather, breathing, which made it difficult to move around.  I knew it was at altitude and knew I might find it more difficult than at sea level but it was harder than expected.  Came home and then discovered that I hadn't fully recovered from that virus I had early February (last post) for which I'd had the 2 courses of antibiotics and steroids.  I ended up on a 3rd course and having a chest x-ray.  Fortunately that didn't show anything different to what was already known but the fact I was still carrying a bit of the bug while away certainly wouldn't have helped me in Mexico City.  Not only was it at altitude, there was a fair amount of pollution as well.  Not obvious until you were at top of hotel and saw the fug at low level - or until you drove back into the city from outside and saw it from a distance.  Having said all that - I wouldn't have missed it for the world.  Would I go back?  Like yesterday I would!  Loved the place and would now like to see more of the country and/or revisit the sites we saw before but in my own time and at my own pace.  Beautiful country and beautiful people in the main - including the different nationalities we met on the tour - American, other Brits, Argentinians, Spanish and so on.

Cancun?  Nice and the hotel was luxurious but it could have been anywhere in the world that had sun, sea and sand.  Nothing to suggest it was even Mexico, especially as the main accent heard was American.

Mérida?  Our middle stay of the holiday.  Lovely city and easy to get around.  Central to travel out from as well.  Excellent!

Photos - all checked, edited and book is in process of being printed .....

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Better late ...

... than never?  4+ months after we're back and I've got the photo book done covering our Cypriot holiday.  OK, I know the wedding album was done before Christmas but it's taken a while to edit the actual holiday photos, select from the many, many I took and then to squeeze those I wanted into the maximum number of pages.  Some of the ones I'd have liked in didn't make it in .... just ran out of space :0(  Anyways, it's now ordered and hopefully will be on it's way soon.  Just in time for me and Jackie to be taking off on our Mexican adventure.  There's still stories to tell but they'll have to wait.  

I've been quite poorly the past few weeks.  I got a bog standard, boring old cold but boy, the after effects have been bad.  Ended up having 2 courses of antibiotics and a short course of steroids.  Now it seems I'm suffering withdrawal symptoms from those steroids.  Hoping the next few days will see the end of them.  I've never had such weird feelings as I'm having now.  I had a few sleepless nights when I first started taking them but that's OK now but certainly not liking the withdrawal.  Still, first time I've ever taken steroids so had no idea how I'd react, while taking them or after.  Think I now know that I can't just stop taking them, even on a short course.  Lesson learnt and filed :0)

Catch up big time is due - but then there's a good 4 month's worth to go through ... Cypriot holiday, meets, Christmas ...

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It's been a while ...

... coming but here's some pics from the holiday in Cyprus back in September/October.  The reason for the holiday in the first place.  Our eldest son's wedding.  The rest of the photos are still being worked on :0)

I produced this book using a selection of photos taken by me and the professional photographer.  I wanted it to tell the story of the day and I have to say I used quite a few of the professional photographs that the photographer didn't like enough to put in their preview album.  A disc of all the professional photos taken that day was purchased so we got all taken, including the ones the photographer himself didn't like.  I'm so glad, as there were some photographs I preferred to those he'd selected.  Just shows how subjective any art form is and, without that disc there would have been pics we'd never have seen.  I also searched Google for the words of the Cypriot marriage vows and I reproduced them within the book.

I've been unwell for the past week and finding it really hard to do anything.  I feel OK in myself now but the old lungs are not really performing for me so, although the mind is willing the body, unfortunately, isn't.   I've  missed an evening out and also 'missed' my 61st birthday on Monday as I wasn't at all well that day so spent most of it wrapped up in a blanket and sleeping!  The 2 little grand-daughter's had their 6th and 10th birthdays last week and we've had another 'first'.  Dad would have been 90 on Sunday, the same day as Emma's 10th birthday.  Such a shame he missed it by just 6 weeks ....

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Still not blogging ...

... and it's not good.  Been busy - and stressed - though and, when not busy or stressed, felt so drained I've had no energy to blog.  I know it doesn't take much energy to blog but that's how I've felt.  I've still been sorting photos from Cyprus though and I've also had to think about a Christmas pressie for my long time American penpal.  I usually only send her a calendar from our area but she loves them, especially as I get calendars showing the area as it is now and in times gone past.  She's an historian so anything historical is of interest to her.  Strangely, she's an American and an American historian, with no PC!  

Anyways, last year I had probs finding the next calendar in the series as the newsagent I bought them from had changed ownership.  This year I decided to do something different.  I was going to compile a calendar using my own photos of me and my family and happenings from each month of the year.  I then found something even better (well, I think it is) .... a Birthday Calendar!  It's never-ending.  Just the months and numbers but no days added so she can display it for as long as she wishes to, year after year after year.  There was a choice of how many photos (1,2 or 4) to put on each month (and the cover) so apart from the cover I chose the largest number of photos on each month.  Those for November and December are taken from last year. 

There is also an option to add people's birthdays but, as I don't know any of her family's birthdays I could only add hers and mine.  I'm now thinking of making one for myself .... would be soooooooooo useful!

Bonus is, the company have sent me an online version I can share, in book form so ..... here's what I've done in all it's glory.  Just picture it spiral bound at the top with a hangy thingy!  I hope she likes it.

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Another busy ...

... day and one leaving me feeling very tired.  Only shopping (oh, how I dislike shopping) but at least we have enough food to see us through until we leave and for a couple of days when home.  An online shop will be first job when back :0)  Tried to get Paul a white, self striped shirt for the wedding.  He's done his usual of leaving it all to the last minute.  Got him a boring plain white shirt last week which fits him but a self-striped one I'd also bought didn't and shop didn't have next size.  Trip to M&S called for but ..... unless he wanted to pay an arm and a leg for something that will probably not see the light of day again it was a total no-no.  They'd got shirts we were interested in on-line but they weren't in store!  No time now to order one and get it here so it's the plain, boring old white shirt for him.  He's had the trousers a couple of months or more.  No suit, it's not called for. Beach-ish wedding, casual and smart.  Why he didn't sort out the shirt at the same time I've no idea and no amount of reminders has jockeyed him along.  He's bought new wheels for his wheelchair and a new cushion cover (which can't be seen once bum is in situ!) but a shirt to complete his 'outfit'?  Nah!  Men, eh?

Currency is now in our sticky mitts so at least we can pay for those little 'extras' that might come along .. like a few trips out for me, if not for him oh, and a few visits to the Spa methinks.  He says he's going to be using the gym.  Hmmmm!

Have to admit, I've had '40 winks' since we've been home - *LOL* Now, that's a sign of getting old :0(

Last weekend I thought I'd got the chance of a BOGOF on a photobook so put together a small 'wedding' album of Matt and Anie's wedding in Canterbury and and the ceremony Bali.  Came together quite quickly for a change but I guess it was more the fact there weren't so many photos I wanted to use.  I just wanted a small book to supplement the large one of the whole trip.  Anyways, book complete I go through the order process thinking I'll order one for me and one for Jackie as a surprise and what happens?  The BOGOF was on L books (A4-ish) and I'd made a medium sized one.  Didn't want any bigger so I left it, thinking that another offer would come along fitting the size I wanted.  Well, today an offer arrived.  Didn't give a BOGOF unfortunately but did give £10 off so I've ordered it.  I use Albelli for the small books (must try them for a larger one at some point) and you can't 'share' your book unless you've ordered, not like you can share Photobox ones, ordered or not.  They've just sent me the link to the book so I can share .... 

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I've not hibernated ...

... or emigrated *wink*  I've just been doing 'other' things.  Partly I've not felt like blogging (well, sometimes you just don't!) but mainly I've been working on a photo book of the Bali holiday.  

How difficult was that?  I wanted to make it a positive book after all the upset that happened and, I think well, I hope, I've succeeded.  It's now finished and printed and it arrived on my doorstep yesterday.  I'm pleased with it.  I think I achieved what I wanted.  I was a little disappointed with some of the photos that looked really good on screen but more than happy with some that looked pretty poor on screen.  I used some pretty 'suspect' photos but they turned out really well.  Wish I'd taken a chance on more of the 'suspect' ones now.  Overall though, I'm happy with the way it turned out.

As well as working on this I've also booked our (that's Jackie and mine) next jaunt and this time we're doing it all on our own and going to Mexico!  We're doing a tour of the historical places of interest (Chichen Itza and the like) and ending with 4 nights in a luxury Spa hotel in CanCun before heading home.  Will be busy methinks, well, the tour part anyway, but looking forward to a bit of the culture and seeing some of Mexico other than the beach *lol*  

Dad's started physio - shame the exercises don't get done when nobody is putting him through his paces. Can't seem to make him understand that he needs to do them if he wants any chance of being able to walk better and fall less.  Think he wants a miracle cure as he complains about them 'not being easy'.  No Dad, but nobody said they would be!  Mum said he had a lazy streak - seems she was right but he's just wasting everyone's time if he's not prepared to put some effort in on his own accord.

There's been a meet in Guildford,  arranged by Greta - and it was brilliant!  We used the shoebox principle again and this time, although not all projects were finished on the day, those I bought home untouched have been finished.  Now, that's a first *grin*  I have photographs but I need to go through them.  I have photographs taken of different things over the period I've not posted but need to go through them all.

Last weekend I spent with Jackie as her car 'died' and she needed to buy another.  It's not something she'd ever done on her own before so I went along to help and guide her.  Told her she would be doing all necessaries but I'd be on hand more as a confidence boost than anything.  Trip was successful and she's waiting delivery of the car of her choice - a Citroen C3 - following it's service, valet and everything else they do pre-delivery on a used car sale.  She didn't get quite all of her criteria for her money but then she was never going to but, she's happy with what she has bought and that's the main thing - and it's a lovely car :0)

The travel documents for our trip to Cyprus have arrived so in 19 days time OH and I will be flying off to sunnier climes and will be witnessing our eldest re-marry.  Hopefully there will be more photos of a wedding to share - and a bit of Cyprus for good measure.  I've not been before and I'm hoping to see some of the island.

Hey, a very brief run-down of the past few weeks (sure I've missed something) and photos will follow, when I get the time and/or can be bothered to sort them out *LOL*

Thanks for dropping by .....

Felt weary ...

... today.  No idea why and, although I'd planned on doing things I haven't!  Paul has somehow picked up a bug of some sort.  No sign of it before I went out last night but when I got home he was hacking away and complaining of a bad throat.  This morning he could barely talk and it's fair knocked him out all day.  Now I'm feeling a bit 'spacey' and I'm so hoping that I'm not going down with whatever it is.  Mind you, if I've got to have it I'd rather now and get it over with before the end of the month.

I have a Facebook account and one of my 'likes' is the company I had my year book printed by.  They posted this morning about how to share a photo book on-line. Well, having already done it with the year book I thought I'd tell them that I had another book that was printed before they gave the sharing option and asked if it was possible to be able to share that as well or if it was only available for books printed/purchased since they introduced the option.  They replied straight away and said that if I sent them the order reference they would sort it out for me.  Well, good customer service or what? Within ½ an hour I had an email telling me that I could now share that book. The only fault I have with it - well, a couple really - the on-line version has the photos slightly distorted (tall and skinny) to what they actually are in the book and the photos I have on the lappy. This is also the case with the on-line version of my Year Book. Anyways, thought ... nothing ventured, so I mentioned this to them.  They agree that they are distorted compared to my file in their records so they are passing that over to the techie side to look into.  I can't be the only person that has the same problem.  The other problem was the on screen size not being very large, even full screen.  I asked if that could be enlarged slightly but apparently their software won't allow that but they gave a suggestion to help solve that problem to a degree.  Before you open to full screen, right click and 'zoom in'.  Once zoomed in you can pan around to see more detail and it will be even larger if you then select Full Screen.  I've tried it and it does work but the larger the picture the more pixellated it is however .... it is a solution, if not a perfect one - *lol!*  Not sure if to make this one again in Photobox just to share on-line but in the meantime ......

Back in June 2010 several of us that met via the old imag-e-nation forum, have become friends and meet when we can, took a trip . . . . . to Spain - for a week.  A couple actually live in Spain so they hired a villa in their locality which would accommodate 11 of us and 'Oceans 11' came together.  Sadly, 3 couldn't make it for one reason or another so we became 'Oceans 8'.  5 of us flew from Gatwick and 1 from Newcastle.  Unfortunately the weekend we flew the French air traffic controllers decided on industrial action which had a bad delaying effect on the flights. 2 hours after our flight should have left we were called to board.  All on board, doors shut, plane pulled off stand and then the Captain spoke.  We were delayed but he wanted the plane loaded and ready to go so that if a slot came free he could tell them he was ready.  3 hours later we took off.  Total of a 5 hour delay and 3 of those sitting on the tarmac waiting for a slot to become free.  We were delayed so long we got free refreshments except, by the time we got ours (in middle of plane) we were having to stow ready for landing at Murcia airport - *lol*  Poor Lynn and Nita, who were meeting us at the airport to take us to villa, had prepared a meal and had been keeping updated on progress via t'internet. We ate our meal around 10:30pm and waited for Susan who was due to be some while later than us in any case, due to the original time of her flight. She was also late arriving but her delay had not been quite as long as ours (and not spent on the tarmac *lol*) so she wasn't too far behind us. We all arrived safely, eventually. Later than planned but safe we were and the week that followed was full of fun, a lot of laughter, a bit of crafting and loadsa good memories. Plenty of photos taken and the photobook I couldn't share ... until today ... is my record of that week *grin*

OCEAN'S 8 ~ SPAIN ~ 2010

Just as a point of interest - the first page arial shot showing the coast, is showing Brighton's Palace Pier, Marina and my home 'village' just outside of Brighton.  The black aeriel coming from the plane's wing is pointing exactly at my village ....

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Funny day ...

... yesterday.  A day where I was still having trouble getting my head round the news of Barbara's passing but having, amongst that, good-ish news from Paul's Oncologist.  

It's really surreal to think that we'll no longer see Barbara, especially as she was healthy, bright, cheerful and looking forward to her holiday in Canada when we last saw her on 22nd February but, as they say, life goes on and it seems that life is going on for Paul *grin*.  The Oncologist discharged him from her care yesterday.  The last MRI showed there was a big reduction in the growth within the lymph node and, because the PSA levels are now so low, it's proof that the hormone therapy is working. The latest MRI confirmed that the cancer had spread into the lymph node so there's no point in radiotherapy as that would only target the prostate however, as the hormone therapy is working he is to stay on that 'indefinitely' and his PSA levels will be checked 6 monthly.  If they start to rise then he will be referred back to the Oncologist otherwise it's just the 3 monthly hormone implants.  Prognosis?  A full life span.  Now it's onto the Urologist next week to find out more about this mass on the kidney.  Paul reckons that if it's completely confined to the kidney, rather than have the worry of it, he's gonna ask to have it out - dependant on what it is, obviously!  His left kidney is perfectly healthy  *grin*

Didn't get to do any more in the kitchen yesterday but spent some time making a condolence card to send to John (or JLD as we more commonly call him).  Light had gone by the time I'd finished so haven't photographed it yet.  Will do so later today and post as soon as convenient.

There was something else good happened yesterday *grin*  My photo Year Book arrived and this time I'm really happy with it.  Got to say that some of the photos have printed a bit dark compared to the way they look on screen but not as dark as with Snapfish.  This is the second book I've had from this particular company and the first one printed a little dark as well so guess I need to allow for that, going forward.  The one good thing about having seen it in print A4 size, I decided to have it printed 8" x 6" instead and much prefer the size the largest photos have come out.  I can add more photos to a page if I do an A4 in future as I don't particularly want  large photos. Anyway, overall I'm more than happy.  I've decided I'm going to save the completed pages, and the individual photographs used, to disc (possibly a few extra as well) and keep that with the book.

Here it is, although on my viewing of this online version some of the perspective in them is a bit odd (squished and tall and skinny in places) but the book and photos are perfectly OK.  Anyway, this gives a taste of what the book is like.  Now I've plans for more ..... :0)

I've now put this book together in Photobox and it's better viewing - *lol*  You can see the book full screen, which is bigger than Albelli's 'full screen' so more detail is available.  You just need to give it time to load.  Ignore the 'selling' bit - I've no control over that.  Click "HERE" to be taken to it or click on the pic below :0)

Thanks for dropping by .....

Spring is in ...

... the air!  Well, it is today.  It's beautiful!  Sun is shining, wind has dropped and since Jack thawed it's become quite mild.  I've visited Dad this morning but didn't have camera with me otherwise I'd have stopped and gone for a walk on the seafront.  Instead I'm going to go this afternoon :0)  Can't miss the opportunity at this time of year and I need to try to get some weight off as it's going on again and I certainly don't want to get any bigger than I am right now!

A few months ago I received an offer from a photobook site I joined - www.photobox.co.uk  I hadn't used them, only to store photos, so they sent me a time limited voucher for a large photo book with 70% off.  Couldn't resist and, wanting to document the African trip I took the offer up.  Despite problems with the internet over the time I was given and thanks to youngest son allowing me to camp in his place for a few evenings, I managed to get it done.  I now have a beautiful, 100 page 'coffee table' book of our adventures.  No room for wording as I wanted to get as many of the 1000s of photos in as possible. Hopefully, in years to come, the photos will remind me of the stories that go with them .... and there were some *LOL*

(Give book time to load fully and click on Full Screen to get the best effect)

Since then I've used another site (another offer given for a free book) to document the Spanish week and now plan to do a year book for last year and start one for this.  I'm planning on making the year books more 'scrapbook' style so reckon I need to get going on learning how to make digital scrapbook pages *grin*  Unfortunately the site I used for the Spanish photobook didn't, at that time, allow for sharing although since then they've made it possible to do so but not retrospectively.

Thanks for dropping by .....