The Big Trip

Monday 29 June 2009

Thunder Clouds and Silver Linings

Good evening dear reader

I think it's fair to say that I've been a bit distracted of late what with one thing and another. I was on a friend's blog recently and saw this imaginative way of summing things up without going into detail and I know Sue will forgive me - imitation being the purest form of flattery and all that! It really all got a bit intense for a few days but it's passed now and I'm dealing with it now the best way I know how - just get on with it and don't even think about moaning. My thanks though to Eileen for providing the knowing and listening ear.
Anyway. On a less challenging note, last week saw Graduation taking place at work. A few of our casual staff were graduating this summer and so I thought I'd make the effort to do some card which turned into word books. There I was burning the midnight oil, following helpful input from my friend Tania!

I have to confess that I scraplifted the idea from the Cricut Crafts forum and yet again counted my blessings where having my Cricut are concerned! You'll have guessed the the University colour is green which I put up along with the black of the graduation robes.




The "congrats" emblem was a fab find on the "George and Basic Shapes" cartridge (I think!) and the photos don;t really do it justice.




However, my favourite touch was these beautiful little silver effect lion rampant brads with a little bling stone atop - I absolutely adore them and am pretty sure they are by Delish. The tartan ribbon was a piece I had bought "just in case" at some point in the dim and distant past and only goes to prove that gut purchases can be wise ones!!!




The sun shone on Wednesday and Thursday and the Graduates all looked respectively handsome and beautiful and associated family and friends looked suitably proud. I think it's easy to forget that it's really the culmination of everything the University is about when we're all so busy running a really busy and large department like Sports Development. Anyway, it was a lovely end to what had been a fairly horrendous 7 days, which included a good bout of concussion and more tears than I care to think about.

Also, to top matters off, I went for a scan to see if a source could be found for some recurring pain I've been suffering and half an hour alter the radiographer lassie told me there was something on my right ovary which was probably causing all the bother. I have to wait until Monday next to get the final result - joy!!!

In search of a silver lining to a busy Monday I ventured out into the garden and was delighted to see that colour has arrived:


In the past I have been a real fuchsia fanatic but let it fall by the wayside when family matters were more pressing. My dad however, bless him, seemed determined to reawaken my interest and presented me with these two beauties about a month ago. Thanks Dad!!!!



On the bright side, schools here have broken up for the summer so no more roaring at daughter to get out her pit five mornings out of seven LOL!! Sadly, it's also a reminder that there's no such things as ordinary long summer holidays for my darling boy! It's more than he could cope with, and so we all make do with our treasured second weekends and occasional long weekends. Treasure these long breaks ladies when you start wishing your children back to school by the third week of the holidays. It's yet another one of those things that you don't miss until it's gone.
Here I am being a right little misery - my apologies. Still as my good friends on Docrafts would say - better in than out - eh ladies?
Right, onwards and upwards and off out to retrieve my washing in this lovely evening sunshine - long may it last. Only five weeks and then I'm off work for three glorious weeks - yippee!!!
Take care dear reader.
Gillx

Friday 12 June 2009

Look what I got - pardon the grammer!!!!


I was totally and utterly gobsmacked when I went on to Anne Caldwell's blog yesterday for my daily dose of creativity, and found that she had given me this award. Thank you so much Ann.
The conditions of the award are: I must thank the person who gave me the award. List their blog and link to it. I must list 10 honest things about myself. I must put a copy of The Honest Scrap Logo on my blog. I must select at least seven other worthy bloggers & list their links. I must notify the bloggers of the award. That'll be my challenge for the weekend.
Now, 10 honest things about me - well here goes:
I hate ironing
I wish I could give up smoking
I don’t think I’m a creative paper crafter
I would give my last anything to someone who needed it more than me – but would have to give it long thought when it comes to my K&Co Blue Awning papers!!!
I don’t recognise stress in myself
I was a Scottish Under 18 archery champion
When my numbers come up, it’s a house by the sea for me
I’m terrible with money
My favourite colour is blue
I wanted to be a nurse when I was young but it wasn’t to be.
My 7 worthy bloggers are:
While I'm on I just want to let Sue, Maria and Gina know that I'm thinking about them as they face their respective troubled times. We all face problems in life and it's how we deal with them and cope with them that determines what kind of people we really are. They are three lovely ladies who are toughing it out with grace and I send them my love and encouragement.
Anyway, onwards and upwards and catch up soon.
Gillx