Pulling myself together ......

Pulling myself together, not that I want to but life goes on...

So what have I been up to hmmm lots as usual lol.........

This Saturday I spent the day with Lis, Rachael, Kat, Elizabeth, Linda and Karen at David Linakers' Photography Studio doing a photography course, it was a great day out and although I didn't really learn too much it was definitely worth it as it was a great laugh, with great company.  The 3 mile walk had me retiring to bed the whole of the next day and the picnic by the lake in October!!! was a surprise but well worth it.

An impromptu photo shoot at a Coffee morning I organized for work, not keen on these things but this one was OK after spending 20 Min's on my own approx 13 wives turned up so a success I think lol

This was the Scrapstars retreat and I almost didn't go, I only booked it four days before, talk about last minute lol, myself, Angela, Maria and Elizabeth went up to Leeds on the Friday till Sunday to take eight classes and stay in a gorgeous hotel.  

(These were a few of the projects I finished, yes I know two of them don't have photos but they will, the frames are box frames from The Range)

Apart from the scrapbook side a weekend away with friends is always good.  I was particularly interested in this retreat because of the classes and of course the teachers.  

Kirsty Wiseman I knew already, she is an amazing person, always full of life and smiling and soo talented, I thoroughly enjoyed both of her classes even though we upset her over the doilies. 

 Emma Trout another amazing lady who I have met on several occasions now and is not only talented but gorgeous, her classes are a true inspiration.  

Lida De Witte who comes up with the most amazing projects I have ever seen, we would travel miles to take one of her classes as they are always out of this world and she is so friendly and patient.  

Rachael Elliott was the only teacher that I had not taken any classes with previously but both Maria and I had been following her blog and layouts for a few years now back from when she first started posting on UKS, her layouts are gorgeous, just stunning and in meeting her IRL she is one of the most unassuming people I have ever met, very quiet but utterly lovely and just so talented.

 It was a lovely retreat and very well organized, the classes were great, the hotel lovely, the food and drink plentiful Caroline made sure that everyone was OK and had everything they needed and a shop (Bellaboo) to top it all off, the perfect weekend.

OMG September came and Year 9, I cannot believe how fast the time is moving, my baby is a teenager and now in year 9, it is scary.

The British Wildlife Sanctuary, we travelled down during the Summer holidays and spent an amazing day here, lots of talks on the animals and of course the main reason for going was the foxes.  Kai loves foxes and they had five adults and three cubs, we got to see them up close and spent about half an hour just sat watching them, there was a red squirrel walk and we sat in there and one of the squirrels ran over Kai's hand and up his leg, he loved this, the weather was fabulous and it was a great day out.  It was lovely to spend the day with Kai he is growing up so fast, but is always great company and I cherish the times that we spend together.

The Wedding, Brett and Claire, at Middleton Lodge

Absolutely fabulous day, Middleton Lodge was like something out of Pride and Prejudice absolutely amazing, our room was fabulous and the weekend one that will stay with us for a long time.  Tye was best man and I did the photography, the bride looked stunning and the bridesmaids gorgeous and the groom, best man and usher didn't look too bad either.  Brett and Gaby have been members of our family since we all met and after everything that Brett has gone through it is lovely for him to find someone like Claire she really is amazing.

Another all day crop, 12 hours of scrap booking or photograph manipulation for me lol, but always a good day with great people, and this time with cupcakes....

We went to visit Kai's Grandmother, Tye's step mother, she is a very hmmm thinking of the words here.....  and failing to come up with any,   forceful comes to mind.  I usually let things go over my head but this time I wasn't feeling well so we did have a few heated discussions, it was a beautiful day and we took the dog out for a walk and I took some lovely photos of the area, they have just moved into a house in a different village, I used to live in this area and of course our eldest son Declan  is buried in the church cemetery in Sturminster so it is nice to go back.

We had some trees removed from the back of the house, it is lovely living somewhere surrounded by woods, but it means that you always have to have the kitchen light on, even though several trees were taken down, we still have to have the light on but it has opened up the garden quite a lot and it was fascinating to watch.

Tye has had a busy few weeks, lots of Golf for the Regiment and he got to fly a glider, one to cross off our 'bucket list' some of the things we have on there I would rather he did on his own, especially the ones where you have to take your feet off the ground, heights are not really my thing.

Whilst I was at my parents house I managed to catch up with Helen, best friend no sister more like and her life has changed so much in the last year, she now has a family, little Joel who is gorgeous, I am so pleased for her, she deserves some happiness and Joel has made her very happy.  Some photos I took of us and a gorgeous one of Joel and Kai who is Joel's Godfather.