Only 3 sleeps...........

Here we are into another week and it's flying in at a rate of knots. The weekend flew in at a rate of knots and then here we are two days into the working week which means only 3 sleeps until Ross comes home for the weekend again - thank goodness.

When it was suggested that Ross be allowed to attend residential school some 60 miles from home we were all horrified and shell-shocked to say the least. It had never ever entered into our way of thinking. Bad enough that we allowed him to attend a "special school" but to have him away from home - that was never going to happen.

Probably the main reason that we agreed in the end was to allow DD a more normal life, especially as she was sue to start high school that year. Obviously we were meant to live more normal lives as adults as well but how many adults count their lives by in sleeps - sleeps until Ross comes home - home for home many sleeps - how many sleeps until he's home again.

For me it's probably been a bit easier because I've found activities to pass my evenings and every other weekend, but DD still struggles and so goes off down to visit Ross at the end of the first week to break up the long absence for both of them. We never ever wanted to use respite for Ross and indeed hardly ever had him away from us for even a night for the first 9 years of his life. I think the jury is probably still out on whether that was the right way to do.

Me, I think that as a parent, of course it's what you do, you don't have children to farm them out to unsuspecting relatives and others at any given opportunity. I'm not saying it's right, I'm just saying that's how I felt. So to go from having with us constantly through the good, bad and b***y awful times, to having him away from us for 11 days out of 14 was and still is a massive change.

Anyway, work and DD keep us both busy in the empty days and we've gradually become used to the house being just a little too big and quiet for a lot of the time.

Anyway, on a quieter weekend I settled myself down to making some cards for my SIL who's performing in Carousel this week. Now I'm no cardmaker, as I've said before, but felt I should make a bit of an effort so see below for some of the results. I mean "Good Luck" and "Carousel" - what was I meant to do really - answers on a postcard please!!!!LOL

Must go now and prepare some supper for OH who will be home soon - dutiful wife or what. The pack my bag for tomorrow as I've got swimming after work with my brave ally Sue - more about that particular saga later!! Also must lat the fab ladies on the Docrafts scrapbooking forum know that I've actually dared to make cards and didn't top myself in the process.

Night night all.

Take care.

TTFN

The Best Laid Plans................

I was so full of great intentions of being a diligent and regular little blogger and here I am, fallen by the wayside already!

Ross arrived home on Thursday which was lovely, but is also very time consuming. Between doing housework, helping DD with revision for her exams, keeping a watchful eye on Ross and generally just living, the time sure disappears at a rate of knots.

All my plans for a little crafting and me time went right out of the window.

Thank goodness for the lovely weather yesterday and most of today. The glorious sunshine certainly makes life seem so much brighter.

One thing I have to do is tidy out my little shed at the bottom of the garden which goes by the grand alias of "My Craft Room". It's only been in use for a couple of months now but I just love it. No-one interferes, I can leave things lying half-finished without any moans of "Are you going to tidy this junk away?" and similar comments.

Anyway I thought I'd post a few pics to give you the general idea of my little corner of tranquility.

Today being Easter Sunday I decided to do an Easter roast dinner with a leg of lamb and all the trimmings and invited my mum and dad. Lunch was scheduled for 2 o'clock which meant, by my reckoning, all would be finished and washed up by about 3.30 leaving me some time to relax and do something nice. Huh......... No sooner had we sat down than my brother and nephew arrived looking for OH's help with the new family vehicle. OH was a mechanic in a former life so such calls for help are still relatively common. Anyway, needless to say, 5 o'clock came and went before I got a chance to sit down. Why am I not surprised?

DD (Alexandra) was however delighted to receive a joint present from Brother and wife, grandparents and OH and I of a Nomination bracelet with the first couple of charm links. My niece received the same while my nephew and Ross, neither of whom eat chocolate (are they really our children LOL!!!) received clothes.

Anyway, I digress (I'm really good at that). Final challenge of the day came in a phone conversation with my sister-in-law who asked me to make Good Luck cards for cast members and others who will take to the boards next week in a production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel. Watch this space!! I think I need to be struck by an almighty bolt of inspiration as I'm the first to confess that I'm no card maker.

TTFN