It must be about 6 years ago when I received a book from a book club about this hobby called scrapbooking, I thought it looked interesting and we had recently bought a computer and had access to the internet for the first time so I did a search for scrapbooking and found lots of US sites but not many UK ones. I did find a yahoo group and joined that and junped into scrapbooking head first. That site became the UKScrappers we now know today,I started a market stall selling painted glass and a bit of card making stuff, which grew into a bigger stall, then a shop and a website,and now a website and a forum. Along the way I joined different forums, made friends, chatted you name it. But I found that the very reason I joined these sites "scrapbooking" got lost somehow. Being busy chatting and running a business I haven't actually had a lot of time to actually indulge in the hobby that started all this.
I am also fed up of the rumours and back biting involved, I suppose anywhere where you have a large gathering of women falling outs will occur and I have been guilty of joining in too, I've had my fair share of disagreements with people. But you know what, probably 99% of these people I have never actually met. That made me think, no matter how amazing the internet is for allowing us to "meet" people and "make friends" it is all a series of typed conversations,where emotions and tone of voice cannot always be understood and paranoia can set in so easily.
Then I get to thinking of the recent "real life" events I have had to cope with lately, the war in Lebanon and my Uncle being very ill brought it home to me that this is not a dress rehearsal this is it, we only have one shot at life. So I have decided to rethink a few things and if I have upset anyone in the past for any reason, whether intentionally or intentionally I am sorry. I have decided to not get too involved with anyone again,then I won't get upset if something goes wrong. It's hard enough to cope with "real" upsets in life without setting myself up for more.
So, I have deleted all my contacts in msn, deleted all my emails and pm's and have decided to start afresh so to speak, if anyone feels that I have upset them in the past or feels that I "don't like them" that is genuinely not the case. Starting from today I have nothing against anyone, have no "sides" to take and will look for the good in everyone,the bad is no business of mine.
This will be the last post here, as I kind of feel that I am starting a new "chapter" in my life I have started a new blog,if anyone wants to look feel free and heres to kicking the "scrapping" out of scrapbooking, I am getting back to the joys of this hobby I started years ago.Oh, and I did a layout today :)
MY NEW BLOG
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Thursday, March 01, 2007
feeling down
Well Uncle Phillip is now at home, turns out that he has a crushed vertebrae which the hospital failed to pick up on as when he said he had back pain they just said it will be the bruising from the fall and didn't even x ray him. They insisted on an x ray when he got to the rehab centre and thats when they found out.He will have to wear a back brace for 4 months and is in a lot of pain. He also got MRSA from the hospital and has special soap to use for that.
So all in all he is a bit fed up but we know that it could have been a lot worse and just have to concentrate on getting him better now.
I've had a busy few days, things should start moving on the house front soon all being well.
Am feeling a bit sad and paranoid at the moment,hope its nothing.
So all in all he is a bit fed up but we know that it could have been a lot worse and just have to concentrate on getting him better now.
I've had a busy few days, things should start moving on the house front soon all being well.
Am feeling a bit sad and paranoid at the moment,hope its nothing.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
progress
Uncle Phillip is making great progress, thank God.
Yesterdays visit and todays were really fabulous!
He is making much more sense now and is a lot less confused.
He does say the odd strange thing still but not as much as before.
He desperately wants to go home though,keeps saying he is so bored, but at least he realises he is in hospital now.
He can manage to get up from bed and into the chair next to the bed,which is much more than we expected at this stage. I think his natural stubborness has proved to be helpful!
He can read, tell the time and write.
I must say though that I am not impressed with the hospital, we have been told hardly anything and it is only through us trying to see if he could read and write that we know that he can. There are not enough staff and there has been an outbreak of a bug on the ward.
I have never agreed with private health care before but after seeing the state the hospitals are in now I would be very tempted to consider it in future.
The care on ICU was fabulous but just seems like this ward is a huge jump and not as caring really. Not entirely the hospitals fault, there must be a severe lack of funding, I have voted Labour all my life but don't think I will again, could never bring myself to vote Conservative though so maybe the Monster Raging Looney or whatever it is called will get my vote next!
Yesterdays visit and todays were really fabulous!
He is making much more sense now and is a lot less confused.
He does say the odd strange thing still but not as much as before.
He desperately wants to go home though,keeps saying he is so bored, but at least he realises he is in hospital now.
He can manage to get up from bed and into the chair next to the bed,which is much more than we expected at this stage. I think his natural stubborness has proved to be helpful!
He can read, tell the time and write.
I must say though that I am not impressed with the hospital, we have been told hardly anything and it is only through us trying to see if he could read and write that we know that he can. There are not enough staff and there has been an outbreak of a bug on the ward.
I have never agreed with private health care before but after seeing the state the hospitals are in now I would be very tempted to consider it in future.
The care on ICU was fabulous but just seems like this ward is a huge jump and not as caring really. Not entirely the hospitals fault, there must be a severe lack of funding, I have voted Labour all my life but don't think I will again, could never bring myself to vote Conservative though so maybe the Monster Raging Looney or whatever it is called will get my vote next!
Friday, February 09, 2007
snow
Well we have snow today,not sur if it will last till the morning though, hope so as I need those photos!
There is a bug on the hospital ward Uncle Phillip is on,hope he doesn't catch it, he really doesn't need something else to fight.
Must say that the level of care on this ward is very different to that on the ICU.
I had to ask a nurse tonight if they would make him more comfortable as he had slipped down the bed and wasn't propped up on any pillows at all and I was met with a sigh and that they had done it numerous times already. I suppose you could say it is Uncle Phillips fault as he thinks he can get out of bed and go home so as he tries to move he slips but its not as if he knows logically he can't get up.
Once we get him talking about something he is OK,I asked him about his last holiday in Las Vegas and he told us all about it but once his attention has gone he starts saying that he's going home. It's very very hard to se him like this.
I keep thinking of things we can take in for him to focus on,I think I'll get some holiday brochures of Las Vegas and see if they help and I've promised to bring him some Chocolate Orange as he likes that, I took him some biscuits tonight and he said they were junk LOL!
He does make us chuckle sometimes,he seems to have lost his tact as he says things like that nurse over there is a fat cow and look at that old codger over there.
We just want him back how he was.
There is a bug on the hospital ward Uncle Phillip is on,hope he doesn't catch it, he really doesn't need something else to fight.
Must say that the level of care on this ward is very different to that on the ICU.
I had to ask a nurse tonight if they would make him more comfortable as he had slipped down the bed and wasn't propped up on any pillows at all and I was met with a sigh and that they had done it numerous times already. I suppose you could say it is Uncle Phillips fault as he thinks he can get out of bed and go home so as he tries to move he slips but its not as if he knows logically he can't get up.
Once we get him talking about something he is OK,I asked him about his last holiday in Las Vegas and he told us all about it but once his attention has gone he starts saying that he's going home. It's very very hard to se him like this.
I keep thinking of things we can take in for him to focus on,I think I'll get some holiday brochures of Las Vegas and see if they help and I've promised to bring him some Chocolate Orange as he likes that, I took him some biscuits tonight and he said they were junk LOL!
He does make us chuckle sometimes,he seems to have lost his tact as he says things like that nurse over there is a fat cow and look at that old codger over there.
We just want him back how he was.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
sigh
Bit down tonight after visiting.
Uncle Phillip looks normal but is confused,he can remember things from years ago but doesn't know where he is,he thinks he can get up and go to the pub.He wondered where we were going when we left when visiting finished.
He did read a get well card though and he could look at the clock and tell the time.
He is breathing unaided but his tracheotomy is capped incase they need it again so he still has to wear the big gloves,he asked my son Ali to take them off so Ali,bless him had to try to get them off but pretend he wasn't strong enough.
It's heart breaking to see him like this and I pray that he will return to how he was before in time because we just can't even think about him staying like he is now.
Uncle Phillip looks normal but is confused,he can remember things from years ago but doesn't know where he is,he thinks he can get up and go to the pub.He wondered where we were going when we left when visiting finished.
He did read a get well card though and he could look at the clock and tell the time.
He is breathing unaided but his tracheotomy is capped incase they need it again so he still has to wear the big gloves,he asked my son Ali to take them off so Ali,bless him had to try to get them off but pretend he wasn't strong enough.
It's heart breaking to see him like this and I pray that he will return to how he was before in time because we just can't even think about him staying like he is now.
normal ward
Yesterday they moved Uncle Phillip out of ICU to a normal ward, that is amazing progress really.
I was shocked yesterday when it was said he will have to learn to walk again though, I hadn't thought about that side of things,I guess it's going to be a long recovery.
The visiting times are different in this ward so I will go and see him tonight.
We have snow here this morning,not lots thoughand it looks like it is going to vanish soon, hope we get some more,I need piccies of the kids in the snow!
I was shocked yesterday when it was said he will have to learn to walk again though, I hadn't thought about that side of things,I guess it's going to be a long recovery.
The visiting times are different in this ward so I will go and see him tonight.
We have snow here this morning,not lots thoughand it looks like it is going to vanish soon, hope we get some more,I need piccies of the kids in the snow!
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
recovering
I was so happy tonight at visiting, Uncle Phillip has been moved from the highest dependency bit of ICU and when I walked in he was sat up in bed with his glasses on watching TV!!!
He has a valve in his tracheotomy so he can now speak to us and he sounds just the same. He recognises us but he is confused, he thought he was at work and then in the garden at one point.
I pray that it is just a case of time and that he won't remain confused, he would hate that.
He has a valve in his tracheotomy so he can now speak to us and he sounds just the same. He recognises us but he is confused, he thought he was at work and then in the garden at one point.
I pray that it is just a case of time and that he won't remain confused, he would hate that.
Friday, February 02, 2007
realisation
After visiting Uncle Phillip tonight it hit me that he could remain as he is,we all hope and pray that he recovers to how he was before but the worst case is that this is as good as it gets.
He had big gloves on tonight because he pulled a tube out, we knew he would because since he came out of sedation he has been reaching for the tubes! He really doesn't like the gloves. My cousin and auntie spoke to the consultant today and he mentioned "diffuse" brain injury and I told my cousin not to go and look it up on the internet,of course, what do I do when I get home!
I found the Headway website and found this:
The Stages of the Family's Emotional Reaction
1. Shock, panic, denial, "Please God, let him live."
2. Relief, elation, denial, "He's going to be fine."
3. Hope, "He's still making progress, but it's slow."
4. Realisation, "He's not going to get back to his old self." Anger, depression, mourning.
5. Acceptance, recognition, "Our lives are now very different."
I just pray that we never have to get to number 4
He had big gloves on tonight because he pulled a tube out, we knew he would because since he came out of sedation he has been reaching for the tubes! He really doesn't like the gloves. My cousin and auntie spoke to the consultant today and he mentioned "diffuse" brain injury and I told my cousin not to go and look it up on the internet,of course, what do I do when I get home!
I found the Headway website and found this:
The Stages of the Family's Emotional Reaction
1. Shock, panic, denial, "Please God, let him live."
2. Relief, elation, denial, "He's going to be fine."
3. Hope, "He's still making progress, but it's slow."
4. Realisation, "He's not going to get back to his old self." Anger, depression, mourning.
5. Acceptance, recognition, "Our lives are now very different."
I just pray that we never have to get to number 4
overwhelmed
You know when you have so much to do that it all gets on to of you and you feel like dissapearing? That's how I feel right now.
I need to do stuff for the houses and thats all happenning all at the same time and it is doing my head in.
I wish I was a hedgehog and could hibernate for the winter.
Uncle Phillip is improving every day I think, he is not sedated anymore and we are told that it will take time for him to come round. I didn't cope very well when I visited him last night, he was more responsive, was moving his limbs and looking at us when we spoke to him. So that is good, but I think it ws upsetting to see him that way because he is so active,I can't explain really. We all just hope that there is no damage from the bleed on his brain caused by the fall and that he just needs time to recover.
It's just a bit mentally exhausting and everything else seems so trivial so isn't getting my full attention like it should.
If you have placed an order please bear with me if it is a little late, I'm doing my best.
I need to do stuff for the houses and thats all happenning all at the same time and it is doing my head in.
I wish I was a hedgehog and could hibernate for the winter.
Uncle Phillip is improving every day I think, he is not sedated anymore and we are told that it will take time for him to come round. I didn't cope very well when I visited him last night, he was more responsive, was moving his limbs and looking at us when we spoke to him. So that is good, but I think it ws upsetting to see him that way because he is so active,I can't explain really. We all just hope that there is no damage from the bleed on his brain caused by the fall and that he just needs time to recover.
It's just a bit mentally exhausting and everything else seems so trivial so isn't getting my full attention like it should.
If you have placed an order please bear with me if it is a little late, I'm doing my best.
Monday, January 29, 2007
sad
I has hoped that 2007 was goin to be a better year for us but it appears not. There is trouble in Lebanon again.
Yeaterday we got the news that my Uncle is ill in hospital.He is in the highest dependency bit of ICU and we are all very worried. Please think healing thoughts.
Yeaterday we got the news that my Uncle is ill in hospital.He is in the highest dependency bit of ICU and we are all very worried. Please think healing thoughts.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
Happy Birthday to me...
It was my birthday yesterday, woke up and had a cuppa in bed made by the kiddies and opened my pressies, Ali bought me some smellies and Jakey sent me some fabby MoBe alphabet stamps and a mini album.
Then later Mum came round and gave me some money and a cupcake cookie jar,it will look great in my new kitchen :)
I then went to a craft show at the Dome with Mum and Layla,Layla bought me a pack of crystal brads from The Card Fairy and she bought herself a blank book and stickers and papers, she is going to decorate the book and fill it with recipes.
I bought some bits from the show, the best buys were the storage boxes I bought which will hopefully help me to get organised. It wasn't a very good show,I'm glad that I wasn't there with my stall :)
Then off I went to my best friends house for a shower, she bought me the gorgeous Whittards gift set, choccies and some Burberry Weekend perfume, then we all went to Estikutum for dinner.
It was a lovely day :)
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Points mean Prizes at our Forum
We have a new Challenge Forumon the forum now, it's a greatreason to scrapmore and have the chance to win a prize.
Each week there will be a new challenge posted and at the end of 4 weeks the forum member with the most points will win a prize from Carolinez Craftz.
See here for all details
Now go scrap! ...
Each week there will be a new challenge posted and at the end of 4 weeks the forum member with the most points will win a prize from Carolinez Craftz.
See here for all details
Now go scrap! ...
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
I love purple
My favourite colour has to be purple closely followed by pink.
My obsssion for purple started when i was 14 and saw Purple Rain on my black and white portable TV.
That started my obsession for Prince, who I lurvvve with a passion,although when I was pregnant with Ali I sold all my memorabilia so we could by a pram, would have been worth thousands now, oh well,needs must!
My obsssion for purple started when i was 14 and saw Purple Rain on my black and white portable TV.
That started my obsession for Prince, who I lurvvve with a passion,although when I was pregnant with Ali I sold all my memorabilia so we could by a pram, would have been worth thousands now, oh well,needs must!
You Are Grape |
 You are bold and a true individual. You are very different and very okay with that. People know you as a straight shooter. You're very honest, even when the truth hurts. You are also very grounded and practical. No one is going to sneak anything by you. People enjoy your fresh approach to life. And it's this honesty that makes you a very innovative person. |
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Look at this
I love my Dream Team, they are so talented. They manage to come up with exciting and original designs for our classes every week.
Look at todays class by Maria Horton,I love it,she has managed to fit so many photos into the project.
If you would like to have ago at the class then instructions are on our forum
The classes are a great way to make sure you do some scrapping on a regular basis. You can even buy the kits so that you already have everything there ready to follow the class. The kits are available here
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Cyber Crop is coming......
Wow, what strange weather we have here today, torrential rain and wind, perfect weather for staying indoors:)
Over on the forum we are busy preparing for our second cyber crop - Spring Has Sprung, there will be loads of fantastic classes for you,and a kit will be available to buy soon which includes all the kits for the whole weekend.
There is alo a Pre Crop Challenge,there will be a kit for this too, and a fabulous prie for the winner.
Make sure you check out the forum for all the details and latest news here
Over on the forum we are busy preparing for our second cyber crop - Spring Has Sprung, there will be loads of fantastic classes for you,and a kit will be available to buy soon which includes all the kits for the whole weekend.
There is alo a Pre Crop Challenge,there will be a kit for this too, and a fabulous prie for the winner.
Make sure you check out the forum for all the details and latest news here
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Thursday, January 04, 2007
New Forum
I have got to add all the forums yet but you can register now:
http://www.carolinezcraftz.co.uk/forums/index.php
and it's the right colour!
http://www.carolinezcraftz.co.uk/forums/index.php
and it's the right colour!
ooh goodies
My friendly postman brought me a box of goodies today. It was my prize from the Scrapbooker of the Year competition. Some really nice things too,I'll take a pic later and upload it so you can drool with me :)
If you are a visitor to our forum you may have noticed that there have been some problems logging in, it has been driving me mad, so... we are having a brand new spanking forum built by the wonderful Simon who also runs UKScrappers. So all should be good again soon, there will be a link to the new forum on here, the shop blog and the shop website. If you haven't joined our friendly community,why not?! We have Weekly Classes, where you have the option of purchasing a kit,then one of our uber talented Dream team members designs a layout from the kit for you to follow. The classes are uploaded every Saturday morning and all the past classes will remian on the forum so you can dip in and put when you need a bit of inspiration. We also have Cyber Crops, our first one was held in December and all the classes are still there if you want to have a look. Not sure when our next one will be but there will be one.
Things are moving slowly with the house purchase, tme of the year I suppose!! I'm just trying to forget about all the work we need to do before we move,as we will be renting our current house out and need to do some work first. Then everything needs doing in the new house -eekk!!
If you are a visitor to our forum you may have noticed that there have been some problems logging in, it has been driving me mad, so... we are having a brand new spanking forum built by the wonderful Simon who also runs UKScrappers. So all should be good again soon, there will be a link to the new forum on here, the shop blog and the shop website. If you haven't joined our friendly community,why not?! We have Weekly Classes, where you have the option of purchasing a kit,then one of our uber talented Dream team members designs a layout from the kit for you to follow. The classes are uploaded every Saturday morning and all the past classes will remian on the forum so you can dip in and put when you need a bit of inspiration. We also have Cyber Crops, our first one was held in December and all the classes are still there if you want to have a look. Not sure when our next one will be but there will be one.
Things are moving slowly with the house purchase, tme of the year I suppose!! I'm just trying to forget about all the work we need to do before we move,as we will be renting our current house out and need to do some work first. Then everything needs doing in the new house -eekk!!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Heres to a better year
Thinking back to 2006,it has been a rough year for us.
Particularly the summer, it was a horrendous summer when we woke up in July to the news that Israel had bombed Beirut International Airport. We were due to fly out there 9 days later but it soon became apparent that we were not going to be able to go. There began the worst 33 days of my life. Each morning I woke up wondering if that day would be the day we received the news that our family had not made it, it was so bad to live like that, just thinking back now, I don't know how we got through it.Every day was a muddle really,just existing while we were glued to the news channels,watching places we knew and loved being bombed to the ground. We had to try and appear normal for the kids sake, Ali had a school trip to France and his birthday during this time, it was so hard though,so very hard. I think we are still feeling the repercussions now. I know it has changed my outlook on life,nothing seems so important now.
Thank God, all our friends and family are OK,they survived and our house survived,but so many people didn't. I don't know if we will go this year, we are buying a bigger house and will have to see how our finances go,but if we can't afford it,then I will suggest that Nasser goes at least, he needs to see things for himself over there.
I am thankful for my family more than ever now, and I hope 2007 will be a much better year for everyone.
Particularly the summer, it was a horrendous summer when we woke up in July to the news that Israel had bombed Beirut International Airport. We were due to fly out there 9 days later but it soon became apparent that we were not going to be able to go. There began the worst 33 days of my life. Each morning I woke up wondering if that day would be the day we received the news that our family had not made it, it was so bad to live like that, just thinking back now, I don't know how we got through it.Every day was a muddle really,just existing while we were glued to the news channels,watching places we knew and loved being bombed to the ground. We had to try and appear normal for the kids sake, Ali had a school trip to France and his birthday during this time, it was so hard though,so very hard. I think we are still feeling the repercussions now. I know it has changed my outlook on life,nothing seems so important now.
Thank God, all our friends and family are OK,they survived and our house survived,but so many people didn't. I don't know if we will go this year, we are buying a bigger house and will have to see how our finances go,but if we can't afford it,then I will suggest that Nasser goes at least, he needs to see things for himself over there.
I am thankful for my family more than ever now, and I hope 2007 will be a much better year for everyone.
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