It's My Life

Moving on

2007-03-03T12:15:00.000-08:00

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

feeling down

2007-03-01T07:01:00.000-08:00

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.

progress

2007-02-13T15:35:00.000-08:00

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!

snow

2007-02-09T14:13:00.000-08:00

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.

sigh

2007-02-08T15:11:00.000-08:00

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.

normal ward

2007-02-08T02:47:00.000-08:00

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!

recovering

2007-02-06T14:58:00.000-08:00

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.

realisation

2007-02-02T14:55:00.000-08:00

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

overwhelmed

2007-02-02T03:17:00.000-08:00

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.

sad

2007-01-29T01:55:00.000-08:00

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.

not more trouble :(

2007-01-26T01:21:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to me...

2007-01-22T01:21:00.000-08:00

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 :)

just a bit of fun

2007-01-20T14:38:00.001-08:00

Your Girl Parts Are Named:

The Vice of Love

Girl Parts Name Generator

go on try it!

Points mean Prizes at our Forum

2007-01-18T02:38:00.001-08:00

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! ...

I love purple

2007-01-17T02:31:00.000-08:00

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!

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.

What Color Purple Are You?

Look at this

2007-01-13T01:59:00.000-08:00

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

Cyber Crop is coming......

2007-01-11T01:51:00.000-08:00

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

For Pam

2007-01-09T15:09:00.000-08:00

Here you go, better than biccies! :)

New Forum

2007-01-04T09:03:00.000-08:00

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!

ooh goodies

2007-01-04T03:45:00.000-08:00

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!!

Heres to a better year

2007-01-02T03:54:00.000-08:00

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.

Happy NewYear

2006-12-31T13:30:00.000-08:00

I would like to wish everyone who reads this (anyone?!!) a very Happy New Year.
We have had a lovely day today,we met some friends in Meadowhall then went to our favourite restaurant.We are now trying to stay awake!! It's awfully windy outside.

I bought TSBM today and noticed that I am a runner up in the scrapbooker of the year competition.I was surprised at the choice ofthe 9 runners up, some I thought would definately be there are not and vice versa,I guess thats the problem with online voting,it's not necessarily the best entries that make it further but the ones with lots of friends to vote!

I have been trying to jazz this blog up a bit and have done something wrong with the banner, it is repeating itself, if anyone can tell me what to do to fix it I would be eternally grateful!

Eid Mubarak

2006-12-30T04:28:00.000-08:00

Well it's Eid tomorrow,New Years Eve too, so a double whammy!!

I will be cooking some goodies today,not sure what yet!

We went to my best friends last night, she had a party and the kids took Sing Star which proved to be a great hit.We didn't get home until the early hours but we did have a nice time.

Went Eid shopping yesterday, managed to get some nice things for the kiddies in the sales.Anyway,off to cook some yummyfood...

I've been scrapping!

2006-12-27T04:02:00.000-08:00

Did a quick layout on my lap while watching telly last night.
I took the piccies on Christmas Day.

Snowmen Cupcakes

2006-12-26T07:32:00.000-08:00

Layla and I made these on Christmas Day

Christmas Goodies

2006-12-26T04:13:00.000-08:00

I received some beautiful gifts from my scrapping friends, I have just found out that my stocking swap on the Pad was Beth, thank you so much Beth everything was lovely, I receieved this beautiful angel tealight holder, sweeties, ribbon, blossoms and someicing sugar cupcake toppers.

Then Laura sent me a fabby Cupcake Survival Kit,all packaged in a video case, what a great idea and Laura you know me well!!

From my advent swap on the Pad I received loads and loads of fabulous gifts and I still don't know who you are,so if you arereading this reveal yourself please! For my Christmas Day pressie I received this lush cupcake tin full of cupcake goodies, I love it and so does Layla!!

I also had a lovely advent swap on UKS, thank you Dizzy and a cute mini album from jake,thanks hun. So I have been spolied by my friends,thank you everyone.xxxx

can't think of a title

2006-12-21T02:07:00.000-08:00

Why does blogger insist you think of a title every post?

Well fun and games on UKS last night, thanks to a stupid MD of a publishing house, typical bloke, thinks he knows better then us mere women, well, he might think twice in future about being such a gob shite.

I got my Mukka Express today, it's so cute!!! So now I have had the ready made egg nog (all gone, it was delicious), all my bottles of syrup have arrived (huge big bottles!) and now I have my coffee maker, but I still can't combine everything and make my perfect drink, why? Cos I forgot the coffee LOL !! I need some espresso coffee!!!!

It's cold today, all icy outside, my colds getting better but now Ali is in the throws of it, think we have used 6 boxes of tissues in 3 days.

Layla had a friend sleep over last night, they finally stopped giggling at about 1 o clock I think,now they are playing Sing Star, can you hear them?!!

It's a Miracle

2006-12-20T02:41:00.000-08:00

I found out last night that the humble pot of Vaseline is amazing!!
After 3 solid days of constant nose blowing my hooter was looking a lot like Rudolph's, it was also so sore that I was nearly crying. Now, when the kiddies have a cold I always tell them to rub a bit of Vaseline in but I have never followed this advice myself,until last night. I thought why not,well it was amazing, 5 minutes after applying the miracle emoliant my nose was soft and I could touch it without screaming in pain!!It was amazing, such a revelation!! So if you ever have a cold, smother your nose in Vaseline!

My tin of eggnog turned up today,this is gonna be the most expensive eggnog latte ever!!!

wake up and smell the coffee

2006-12-19T10:10:00.000-08:00

After falling in love with the taste of Starbucks Eggnog Latte I spent today searching for an alternative to make at home. I have already ordered a can of eggnog from an American food store on ebay,not sure really what it is but hopefully it is the right thing!

I then stumbled across some flavoured coffee syrups on ebay today and thought as I have to pay a courier charge I may aswell buy 6 instead of1, so I have Eggnog, Gingerbread, Almond, Coconut, Caramel and Chai flavours on the way.

Then I needed something to make the lattes in, I didn't want a faffy electric machine that would be a pain to clean ensuring I would only use it once so I found a funky Italian maker, which works on the hob and also makes espresso and cappuccino aswell as lattes.

Hope I get my parcels soon!!

sniff

2006-12-19T00:32:00.000-08:00

well this cold is still here,gone through boxes of tissues.
Nas has taken Rosa to Nottingham Uni for her course, it has been so lovely to have family here but I always feel so down when they leave.
Off to plan the Christmas Day menu now

Cold

2006-12-18T02:25:00.000-08:00

Have a nasty cold and feeling sorry for myself!
Kiddies have gone to school and Rosa is still in bed! I promised her fish and chips later,so we will go to town and to Rothwells fish n chip shop,the best fish n chips ever!!
Am designing a layout for a new venture somewhere and its looking good, even if I say so myself, had to take a photo of Layla for it and she looks mean and moody!!
Looking forward to the kids finishing school on Wednesday,will be nice to spend some time together,got all sad lat night thinking of how they are growing up too fast, don't know how I'll cope when they hopefully go to uni in a few years,think I'll be an awful mum who doesn't want to let go! Maybe I'll have another baby then and start all over again!

Sad

2006-12-17T02:26:00.000-08:00

Well we have had my big sister and her 2 children visiting us from Spain for a couple of days and Nas has just taken them back to the airport. I stayed at home because I am such a cry baby when they leave! Even though they have only been here 2 days the houe feels empty and I miss them. We had a great time while they were here, played Sing Star for hours last night! We still have my neice Rosa staying for 2 days as she has to go somewhere for a course before she goes to Spain for Christmas.

I think we have bought a house! Fingers crossed as the man we are buying from is a little strange!It's a lovely house in a lovely area but we need to change everything in the house,but at least that way we will get it how we want it.

No bravery

2006-12-01T14:55:00.000-08:00

A very thought provoking video here

http://informationclearinghouse.info/article11799.htm

We are going to look at a house for the second time tomorrow, I love it,it's huge and has a gorgeous garden.

Went to see my old shop today, it is now a hairdressers, it looks lovely.

We have 2 new Dream Team members today, Karen and Pam. They are both fantastic scrappers and can't wait to see what they come up with for us.

houses

2006-11-24T03:10:00.000-08:00

Well we are looking at houses today,bit nervous and I hope everything goes through ok. I rang my sister in Spain last night and we were both looking at estate agents websites at the same time and oohing and ahhing over one particular house, we are going to view it tomorrow,fingers crossed please!

The kids have had yesterday off school as it was progress day where we go in and see how they have done, we were really pleased with both of them,they are both doing really well and working hard and are a pleasure to teach apparently. Well don't know what happens when they walk through the door at home then!! I was really strange to walk round the school again as its the same school I used to go to- very strange, even some of the teachers are still there and there remember me, don't know why because I was ever so quiet :)

Well,more sorting out to be done of the "shop" in the back room today.

A bit of good news at last

2006-11-22T04:53:00.000-08:00

Well I haven't blogged personally for a long time as I haven't had anything nice to blog about! We just seem to be going from one bit of bad news to another lately, and I don't want to write about things like that.

Hopefully, if I think more positively good things will happen, well thats the theory anyway!

The news wasn't too good yesterday though, a member of the Lebanese government was assasinated in Beirut which isn't good for the stability of the government or the country. It's not nice having half of your family there and hearing more bad news. I just hope things settle down, we were thinking of going for Christmas but Nas doesn't think its a good idea to travel there right now.

Anyway,my good news. I went to town today and was looking at the mags in Smiths, I picked up The Scrapbook Magazine and put it down again, walked away and then something made me go back.I read on the cover that they had announced the finalists of the Scrapbooker of The Year competition which I had entered again. I was one of the top ten last year. Well, I opened the mag and saw one of my entries there!!! I managed to not scream in the middle of a packed shopping centre!! They have printed 20 finalists entries and the readers have to vote for their favourite. You can vote online here: http://www.practicalpublishing.co.uk/scrapbook/article_162.shtml
So I will be nervously awaiting the results!! They will be printed in next months edition.

Theres a scan of my entry in the mag at the top there.

Well, what a day!

2006-11-06T15:30:00.000-08:00

I have had today. I have had a lot to think about these past couple of days but came to a decision tonight. I have left a lot of good friends on a site which used to feel like home and while I am feeling sad about it I will move on. A very good friend of mine left too but not sure if anyone has noticed yet, for totally unrelated reasons but I am glad today is over. Onwards and upwards as they say!

New Forum

2006-10-11T01:33:00.000-07:00

Been getting things ready for the reopening of the website,hope it won't be too long now.
There will be lots of great new products on there as well as lots of price reductions and loads of new Paperbag Book Kits and other kits too.

We now have a forum which will link to the shop, we have lots of great new ideas for the forum too, we will be having Weekly Classes which are a bit like a mini cyber crop. The teacher of the class will be online available for any questions and you will create a layout. The first one has been designed by one of our Dream Team members Maria Horton and it is gorgeous.

There will also be competitions where you can win prizes,we have the first one going now so check it out.

This is where you can find our forum:

http://carolinezcraftz.s10.forumsplace.com/

I wish...

2006-10-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

I wasn't so naive, I really do

I've been scrapping

2006-09-11T00:34:00.000-07:00

Yep,made time to scrap,I had to or I think I would have given it all up for good!!
Took me ages to start though,think I had forgotten how to do it!

We are looking for flights to Beirut and thinking of going during the Christmas holidays. We would catch 3 celebrations then - Christmas, Eid and New Years.I have never been there for Eid before so that will be fantastic,we should feel a festive atmosphere which we never quite get here! I am interested to see what the weather will be like in December,we have only ever been in the height of summer. There is no way it can be colder than here but it will be strange to wear a coat in Lebanon,we are just so used to being mega hot when we are there.I wonder if we will need a heater for the flat?

There are some good people out there you know,I have been thinking about this a lot andthe support I got (or didn't) during the war. I got more support/thoughts from my online friends than I did from my own family. I don't know if thats because they didn't know how to react or because they really didn't care,I don't know. But,it doesn't take long to say "hope you are OK" etc and these messages I got from the Padders and from UKS kept me going when all I wanted to do was hide away.I had some surprising messages and one lovely lady said her son wanted to send us a package of goodies for a child who needed it in Lebanon. We received this parcel and it was lovely,fullof sweets, small games, a toothbrush and toothpaste,soap,pencils etc. It was very thoughtful and we will make sure that it goes to a child who needs it when we get to Lebanon.

It send me thinking though,I would love to collect shoe boxes full of things which a child would appreciate from UK children and take them over there and distribute them to needy children. I just have no idea how to go about it. If anyone has any knowledgs of this I would love you to tell me.

Big school for Layla!

2006-09-05T00:57:00.000-07:00

It's Layla's first day at Secondary School and doesn't she look smart?
She is going to the same school I went to which is a bit wierd as someof the teachers are still there.I also know her form tutor which Layla is gutted about! We were both at college together when I did a TEFL course.

Ali is starting in Year 9 tomorrow. They will be at the same school again which is reassuring, just hope it is better than the last excuse for a school Ali went to!

Got a parcel today, I bought some American food from ebay to try.Layla and I have a slight obsession with cupcakes at the moment!! I wanted to try a cake mix which the Americans bang on about so got a Betty Crocker French Vanilla mix with pudding in the mix (makes it moist dontcha know!) and a WHITE cake mix,it is actually white not yellow.Then I got a tub of cream cheese frosting and a box of Kraft Mac Cheese.Now I have never tried the mac cheese but I have hear people talk about it lots,hope its not mingin!!

Couldn't believe the news yesterday that Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray barb. Very sad.

My Lumpy Bumpy Layla

2006-09-02T03:19:00.000-07:00

After a nice break away it makes sense in his bloody awful life I seem to lead now that we have another problem,doesn't it. It seems to be any time I enjoy myself some other shit has to come along to cancel the good out.

Me and Layla were visiting an old couple across the road 2 nights ago when I looked at Layla and noticed a large lump on her neck, where an adams apple would be, it doesn't hurt her and she just thought it was normal!

I took her to the doctors yesterday who said it is her thyroid gland,it could be due to puberty or some other abnormality,told me not to worry as it is 99.9% curable. Then sent us to the hospital for a blood test. Now we are waitingto hear and guess how worried I am :(

I am trying so hard not to google "thyroid in children" as I will only freak out more, but if anyone knows anything about it please let me know.

London

2006-08-30T06:01:00.000-07:00

Well,we are back and we had a fabby time.
We went on the London Eye, which was great, it was a clear day so we had great views. That's the only touristy thing we did though, the rest of the time was spent on Edgware Rd,which is like Little Lebanon - full of Lebanese shops and restaurants. We spent a fortune on food, but hey, we felt a bit closer to Lebanon,so what the heck!!
We spent each evening in a little cafe where the kids could surf the www and we could have a pot of mint tea and a shisha (water pipe), the first evening we did this I finally felt myself physically relax after so many weeks of tension.
We brought some food back with us and have some good piccies too.

Well Done Rosa

2006-08-24T11:32:00.000-07:00

I need to brag today.My sisters daughter Rosa who lives in Spain has done so well in her GCSE's. She got 2 A's and 7 A* 's How amazingly clever is she!!
She also took 2 GCSE's last year and got A* 's , whats even more amazing is that she is only 15, my sister Elaine is the headmistress at the school and she was able to go up a year. She is going to a school in England in September to take her A levels, I think she has set her sights on medicine, I think the world is her oyster, well done sweetheart.

a little break

2006-08-23T04:48:00.000-07:00

We are going to London on Sunday and staying in a hotel for 2 nights. We need a bit of a break. We should still be on holiday for another 2 weeks,but hey,a weekend is better than nothing.

I think we will be tourists for a day and show the kids all the landmarks,then we will probably spend a day in Edgware Road, which has all the Arabic shops and restaurants.

It will be a good opportunity to take the new car on a longer journey too,it should certainly be more comfortable and we will have loads of space. We will use sat nav,I have hysterics when Nasser ignores what the woman says and she has to keep repeating it!! I wish I could programme it to say "well piss off then,if you'renot going to listen to me find your own way"!!!

stressful sunday

2006-08-20T16:49:00.000-07:00

What a stress ridden day today was. Some family stuff I can't get into here then my will to live dissapeared while trying to get my point of view across to those oh so tolerant 2Peas posters!

Thank goodness the majority of people here can see what I'm trying to say, I don't want everyone to agree with me just be able to see my point of view without calling me a terrorist!

I posted a link to the website by the Stop the War Coalition(I think theres a link on this blog a few posts back) .Now because this website shows the truth they dismissed it straight away as propaganda. It was actually someone on UKScrappers who posted a link to the site, I had never seen it before and it is from that link that we knew about the demonstration Nasser went on in London. The difference in attitudes from the Peas who saw the site and the UKScrappers was phenomenal.

If anyone ever sees/hears me going to visit 2Peas again hit me on the head with something heavy will you, man- do they get you frustrated.

yummy food

2006-08-20T02:40:00.000-07:00

We decided to go for a drive in the new car yesterday and tookmy best friend Sam,we ended up in Leeds at an Indian restanrant called Akbars,it was seriously yummy.Then we went to a Tunisian cafe called Sahara for a big pot of mint tea and a water pipe and to chill!!

Today, I really must get things done. Don't think we'll get to Spain, still so much to do in the shop.I also have a "feeling"not to go to Spain, don't know why but these feelings are not usually wrong!!

Keep waking up at night and all the problems and to do lists run through my head and keep me awake for a couple of hours. Thin I'll get one of those memory foam mattress toppers and see if that helps me sleep a bit better.

someone slap me

2006-08-18T07:44:00.000-07:00

Feeling a bit desperate,why when everything is over am I feeling worse than ever? Got quite a bit done in the shop but there is still more to do,I am so fed up of it though. However much I do there still seems to be a huge mountain of crap to sort.

I hope that when its done and I'm organised at home I will feel better,but right now I could just bin everything and not have a business at all.

There are starting to rebuild in Lebanon, and are finding more bodies as they move the rubble. Nasser wants to go as soon as he can, Israel are still controlling the sea and air space though so don't know how he thinks he's going to get there.

Getting back to "normal"

2006-08-16T02:04:00.000-07:00

that's what everyone is trying to do now. The spirit of the Lebanese people is amazing , they are already moving the rubble, and finding more bodies,including babies. Hezbollah have told the people that they will pay to rebuild the houses which have been demolished and the rebuilding will start straight away.

I feel such a wuss, everything that these people have been through and they are just getting on with things now, I'm here and can't even get my arse in gear to empty the shop.

All our family members have returned to their homes now and Nasser is looking for a ticket to go to Lebanon himself. He needs to see his family and maybe see of there is anything he can do to help there.

I'm trying to make things seem OK for the kids, they have been through a lot too. Layla made some cupcakes yesterday, she did everything by herself and they were gorgeous. We then went (with some friends) to Sheffield to look in a big Asian clothes store,I ordered a suit to be made,which will be ready in 4 weeks. We then went to Kebabish to eat,one of the girls who came with us is thinking of saying yes to an arranged marriage so she tried a wedding dress on,she looked beautiful, it had loads of hand sewn bead work and was very heavy,it even had a train.It was good value at £575 I thought.

We bought a new car on Sunday, a Mitsubishi Space Wagon,it is a 7 seater and very nice. The kids love it, and if they argue then they can sit on different aisles!!

A victory for Lebanon

2006-08-15T02:45:00.000-07:00

Well,it seems that the ceasefire is holding for now, Thank God. My sister in law and family and mum in law went back to Nabatieh yesterday and my brother in law and his family are travelling back today. We saw some footage from Nabatieh n TV yesterday and the devastation is horrendous. Now that people are returning I imagine that the true extent of the damage and death toll will come out as they dig in the ruined buildings.

It is a day that many Lebanese never thought they would see though - a victory against Israel. Israel had always invaded Lebanon over the years and so was a constant threat, but now that Hezbollah have resisted them and shown that they will not take another invasion,for once Israels mighty fire power backed by the US and Britain did not win.

I don't understand how governments can bang on about Hezbollah being backed by Syria and Iran,even if there are so what? Isn't the US and the UK backing Israel? What is the difference? During the war I actually heard a politician saying that you should not count the lives of the Lebanese civillians lost the same as the Israelis lives lost, I wouldn't have believed someone could have said that until I heard it myself.

Ceasefire?

2006-08-14T02:17:00.000-07:00

I hope so,I really do

The Rag Doll

2006-08-11T04:27:00.000-07:00

I found this on a Lebanese blog, I defy anyone to read it and not cry

Dear all,

I am a little rag doll who has lost her owner. Yesterday she played with me, combed my hair, and showed me off to all her friends. There were quite a few of them, all huddled together in the basement. For a moment I was lost as a little boy grabbed me by the arms and tossed me high into the air, but then my owner rescued me and cradled me in her arms once again.Today, I am discarded, just another toy buried underneath a pile of stones, which used to be our playroom.My owner, that beautiful girl is laying near by, eyes closed, clothes torn, her fragile body coated in white dust. Has she become an angel? She seems to be at peace, I wonder when she'll wake up and keep me safe in her arms. I am a bit scared... I heard rockets overhead, but i'm used to them by now. My owner used to count them, but she is silent now, so I guess she doesn't know how to count that much. People are running around me. I guess the game of hide and seek is over. Quick! Wake up! Let's hide in the toilet!Quick! I see a man wearing a red cross coming towards you, lifting you gently... Why don't you take me along? Aren't I your favorite doll? You promised! You promised!I'm worried now. Your nap usually lasts 1 hour, and since there has been constant bombing you haven't been getting much sleep, but you were never quiet for so long. Why aren't you singing? Why aren't you soaking up the sun, teasing your brother, hiding his slippers?Then I see your mother, the woman who washes me when I get dirty after being dragged around the house all day, but she doesn't pick me up as usual. She is crying and calling your name, over and over. Answer her! Why are you so silent? Where are the others? Why is there so much noise? Who are all these people? Wait! Pick me up! Tell me what is going on!Don't take her away!We haven't finished playing... We haven't... She promised to comb my hair before we left Qana. She promised...

If you want to read more this is the link

Where's Blair?

2006-08-11T02:58:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't you think that given that we supposedley had a huge terror alert yesterday in Britain that the Prime Minister would be about to do the job hes paid to do? or maybe just to offer a few calming words blah blah blah? But no,he knew about it but he went on holiday - bet he didn't fly Easy Jet.

The cynic in me wonders how true the terror alert was, it very conveniently took the focus off the war in Lebanon, I never saw one report on it yet the killing continues.

1000 +

2006-08-09T02:04:00.000-07:00

Nothing to add really,still the same.
My nephew Jamil has done a really lovely thing, he works in Beirut and rents a small flat,he has given his flat to a displaced family and he is staying in a hotel.

Thank you all for your messages of support and concern, means alot tome.

war weary

2006-08-07T03:29:00.000-07:00

This is what they must mean about being war weary. When we ring our family in Lebanon up now they just seem so tired and down,I am worried about my mum in law, she has always been a strong woman ( widowed with 6 children when her youngest was 3 months,parents to look after and all that living in just one room-makes you strong!) but now she sounds beaten, like she can't take much more,she is so sad for all the children who have been killed.

I'm in a weird state too but just keep feeling guilty about it as I am safe, I have food and water and freedom to go where I want to. But I'm not enoying those things, we eat because we have to at the moment, don't think we even taste the food, and although we can go anyway we please we don't feel like going anywhere. Part of me wishes that I was there, I miss everyone so much,I wouldn't want my children there, I don't know if I really want to be there but it's so hard not being there,if you see what I mean.

I don't know whats wrong with me, I can't seem to do anything I need to.I have had no income for amonth now as the shop is closed as I should be moving all the stock home and the website is closed whilst I do this.But, I can't get myself to do it,I can't concentrate on anything.I need a good kick up the bum !

Nasser enjoyed the demo, they walked for 5 hours around London. He said it was so moving when everyone threw childrens shoes at Downing Street to symbolise the children who have been killed. After the demo they went to Edgware Road for some Lebanese food and George Galloway walked in. I told Nasser he should have asked him if he wanted a saucer of milk.

demo

2006-08-04T15:14:00.000-07:00

Nasser is going to the demo in London tomorrow, all being well. I was going too but fell down the stairs yesterday and have a bruised bum and side and my shoulder hurts, so I won't be able to go,but I'll be there in spirit.

Just been watching the news and can't believe that people are still calling Hizbollah fighters terrorists, what are the Israeli leaders and fighters then,if not terrorists?

Hizbollah are NOT targetting civillians but military targets, UNLIKE Israel,the death toll figures speak for themselves, surely? For the last couple of days the Israelis have been targetting roads which were being used to receive aid and food deliveries,they have killed 20 Syrian fruit pickers and even attacked trucks with fruit/veg from the Bekaa Valley. They are not just happy with killing so many innocent civillians they now want to starve the rest of the population too.

But it's OK,we can relax now because Tony Blair has postponed his holiday! Join the club Tony, we have had to do that too.

900 dead and still rising

2006-08-03T03:18:00.000-07:00

The world doesn't think Lebanese lives are worth much do they?
Most of those dead are women and children,and still Bush and Blair give Israel the green light to carry on.
Makes me ashamed to be British

cupcakes

2006-08-02T04:42:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the cupcakes I made to keep my mind occupied yesterday,these ones are mini ones with pink vanilla frosting,sugar flowers and edible purple glitter ;

This is the cupcake stand I ordered from an online shop,it would look better with bigger cupcakes,next time I'll try making muffin size ones.

They made it!

2006-08-02T04:28:00.000-07:00

Thank God,our family made it to Beirut safely. I was on pins yesterday knowing that they were travelling,I had to try and look "normal" though as it was Ali's birthday and he had friends around, I spent the day in a kind of daze making about 60 cupcakes for something to do - they all got eaten though so they can't have been that bad!

Hala, Mohammad and kids are staying with Hanna, Hala's sister in Beirut and Leila, Hussain and kids and my mum in law are staying with another relative in Beirut. We spoke to them today and Hala sounded so happy to be out of the south, she is like me and very nervey,I am so glad they are not still there. At least they will be able to sleep at night,they had not slept for 20 days. I am also so glad that they travelled yesterday as today a lot of the roads they used have not been destroyed since then.

I didn't really realise what a state I have be in myself,today now that I know they are out of the immediate danger I have sort of (I can't explain this very well!!)but before I think I was running on adrenalin and now I feel like I've hit a red light and have melted!!!! I just need a good kick up the bum now to get the shop moved home so I can reopen the website and stop paying rent on the shop.Things just stopped since the war started, I simply could not focus on anything else.

safe travelling thoughts needed

2006-08-01T01:32:00.000-07:00

Our family are travelling to Beirut today, it has just got too dangerous for them to stay in the south.
While I am glad that they are leaving I will be very nervous all day long until I know they are safe.
The journey to Beirut from our house would usually take an hour but as most of the roads and bridges have been destroyed it will probably take about 5 hours, maybe more. I hope they have enough petrol and I also hope they stay safe and that theyare not attacked by Israel as they travel as it has been done before.
Please send good vibes for them.

Meanwhile, it is Ali's 13th borthday today, he has some friends coming later on for a bbq, but it looks like rain here!

Please sign this petition to stop the war.

Please watch this video

We are going to London on Saturday for a demonstration. Off to get our flags ready. Thank you all for your continued support,messages. I can't always reply but they do mean a lot- thank you xx

Massacre

2006-07-30T01:30:00.000-07:00

I am just so sad and angry and depressed - all rolled into one.
Israel have said many times that they are using pinpoint precision attacks in Lebanon,so that means that they know exactly what they are attacking right? So they mean to target civillians and children? Today they massacred over 50 children and women, lots of the children were disabled. Evil bastards.

Day 15

2006-07-27T04:59:00.000-07:00

Not a lot to add now- days just seem to be rolling into one,I have just spoken to my sister in law Leila and her children. They say that there are a lot of bombs today and they are getting closer. They are sleeping in the lowest part of the house, a tool shed. It's such a good job that they grow a lot of food in their gardens, also when something is in season,they harvest it and dry it so they always have plenty of food in their larders.

Day 14

2006-07-26T03:23:00.000-07:00

Today when we rang my brother in law told us that his family (in our block of apartments) and my sister in law (in a separate house just up the road) are the only ones who are remaining in that part of the town. Everyone else has fled to different parts of the country.That scares me so much.

I understand their resolve to stay put though. They have both worked so hard for their homes and who should dictate that they become refugees in their own country?
Also,when people fleeing their homes are targetted and fired at who can really blame them?
He said that if it becomes that bad and they have no option to move then they will,but for the time being they are staying put.

Tired

2006-07-24T15:36:00.000-07:00

As we are managing to speak to someone from the family daily we are noticing as each day passes how tired they are sounding. It's day 13 of the war now and they haven't had more than a few hours sleep at a time either day or night since it started. They are also starting to feel so hemmed in, they can't leave the house apart from early in themorning when they sometimes manage to find a local shop open.

I think it is also harder to endure this time as they have had a good few years of relative peace, and the country was coming on really well and getting back to the cosmopolitan country it once was. You see,the last time when Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982 the country was already engaged in civil war, so it was just a bit more shit to endure. A lot of young people didn't really know any difference but now they have had peace and this continual bombing of anywhere and anyone is soul destroying as well as life destroying.

Thank you

2006-07-23T02:34:00.000-07:00

to everyone who has emailed me ,or left comments here or pm'd me on UKS or the Pad, it means a lot even if I don't reply please know that I have read it.

I watched some Arabic news last night,they show much more than they do here.They were showing you the bodies of the killed civillians and it was heart breaking.These people they are killing are not men you know,themajority are women and most of all children. The cameras then went around Nabatieh and showed the damage there, it was so hard to believe that the places I walked around and shopped at just last year were now just piles of rubble.

I want tomake a little point about the post I made yesterday about what I read on 2Peas. I do not hate Americans you know-some of my best friends are American!! (if only I could say they were gay and black too,then we could be finished with all the stereotypes in one go!!).What got to me was that the posts I read on 2Peas were,I don't know how to explain it! I read one about how this poster had read some information on the casualties of this war (can't remember the figures at that time but you know that there are far more Lebanese civillians being killed to Israelies), well this woman was posting just to say basically that she didn't believe it and where could she find "real" figures!!!! It beggars belief really,doesn't it? She can see the figures but because it doesn't look good they can't be real and she wants to change them!

Then if a fellow US poster on 2Peas dares to disagree with the popular consensus they are told to leave the country!! I have read posts that say if a US citizen has made it to Lebanon then they can find their own way back too!! I don't know,it doesn't fill me with much hope for the future if people think this way now.

Today is the day we should have been travelling to Lebanon.

Stick to scrapbooking

2006-07-22T06:39:00.000-07:00

During this conflict I am trying so hard to keepmy political view off this blog as it would only end up a big mess,I know it would.
However, I couldn't resist posting a link to a thread on a US scrapbooking site known as 2Peas
Pease tell me that not all americans are so blinkered?please?
Do a quick search on the NSBR message board for Lebanon, fun reading!
Oh and if anyone is reading this and can make me a "I support Lebanon" blinkie I'd love one.

Got thinking

2006-07-22T02:20:00.000-07:00

yesterday about last years trip to Lebanon. Because of the shop (one of the reasons I'm closing it- took me away from my family too much) I couldn't go for the full 5 weeks. So Nasser and the kids went and I followed then 2 weeks later.
I missed them so much and it was lovely when we were reunited,we then went on to have a lovely holiday.But what if, what has happenned this year happenned last year when I was still here? That's what I started thinking about last night when I couldn't sleep!

Nasser spoke to his mum this morning,they are so tired, Nabatieh has been bombed a few times.

Did you know that there have been 350 Lebanese civillians killed so far? One third of them are children. Are these the terrorists which Israel say they are targetting?

The above photo shows a row of coffins, 80 people killed in the war in Tyre- Tyre was a lovely seaside resort,we have visited it many times in the past for a paddle in the sea and an ice cream in the roadside cafes. It has now been reduced to rubble. The dead people would under normal circumstances be taken to their homes and buried in cemetries close to them but as these are not normal circumstances and Lebanon is hotter than it is here at the moment they are having to bury them in a mass grave.

Just rung

2006-07-21T05:47:00.000-07:00

Lebanon and spoken to my mum in law and sister in law, it's the first time I have rung by myself as my Arabic isn't that good! We managed though,I just needed to hear their voices. Couldn't stop crying though,felt a right twit! My mum in law told me off!!
They have food and water, thank God.They do go into the garden (we have a gorgeous garden there) sometimes,but have to run back in when a plane comes over dropping bombs.
A lot of the places we enjoyed visiting last year such as a childrens fair ground, a ladies swimming pool and various restaurants have been flattened,gone -just like that.
Hala sounded so tired,completely exhausted.
I am feeling so guilty that I can nip into town if I want to or have a choice of anything to eat.
How much longer must this go on?

The worlds gone mad

2006-07-21T04:27:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to say something along these lines for a few days but have stopped myself and tried to ignore it but hey,if I can't say how I feel on my own blog, where can I.
I do not want to upset anyone and it isn't aimed at anyone in particular either.
You may be aware that as a family we are going through a lot of worry and anguish at the moment,I myself,am finding it very hard to cope with everyday life as I feel very isolated as the problems we are facing are quite unique to us. So I had hoped to visit my various online haunts as a bit of light relief but it seems that wherever I go it is a war zone! I don't know if its the heat but there seems to be threads having a go at people wherever I visit. I am aware that life goes on and my problems are exactly that - my problems but I feel like saying FFS it's only paper, it's not life or death.

There but for the grace of God

2006-07-20T05:53:00.000-07:00

It has just hit me today how close we actually were to being thick in the middle of all the fighting.
I have just seen a press release on Sky News advising all British Nationals stuck in Southern Lebanon to stay put, to not leave the house as it is not safe. But to be ready to travel at short notice.
That would havebeen us if the war had happenned 10 days later than it did.
We would have been in Nabatieh,in the South, right where they are killing civillians right now.
I have no idea how they will get to people,as they will be in all different parts and houses.
It hit me yesterday that I might be depressed, just realised that I probably have the symptoms, I can't be bothered to do anything, don't want to eat, am just doing what I have to to get by. But that's nothing to what our family are going through, nothing at all. I don't have a right to be depressed.

getting closer

2006-07-19T03:45:00.000-07:00

We have just spoken to our family in Nabatieh and the Israelis have bombed another house very close to us, I know the area the building is in,they have killed amother and her 3 young children. That's what they are doing now, targetting families and just killing them.

My mother in law had had to leave her house and she is staying in our building now. But our family has nowhere to go,that's it,they just have to wait and see who is next.

no electricity

2006-07-19T01:49:00.000-07:00

now in our home town which just makes everything harder for everyone.
People are confined to their houses now, they don't go out. Jamil is still stuck in Beirut.
Hope they don't run out of food as Israel have been targetting the food distribution places and milk factories etc.

As for us here,we are still existing,still watching the news, still worrying

it just gets worse everyday

2006-07-17T02:56:00.000-07:00

I've just spoken to my sister in law Hala on the phone. That made me feel better as we managed to have a bit of a giggle as well as tears. They can't leave the house so she is missing her daily walks around the mountains as part of her fitness routine but she said that at least the diet is working as she can't eat and sleep!

She had to bring her washing in and rewash it as it was black from the bomb smoke. A bomb landed at a nearby village, far too close for comfort.

As for us here watching it play out on TV we just feel useless, can't eat much and certainly concentrate on anything.

Ali went to France in the early hours of this morning with school, hope he has a lovely time.

Numb

2006-07-15T00:38:00.000-07:00

That's how we are feeling right now. Probably not the best thing to do but we spent most of yesterday constantly watching the news as the war was played out in front of us.
The first 2 times I visited Lebanon about 10 years ago now,Israel was still occupying the south and you could hear bombs and gunfire and it turned me into a nervous wreck, but that was nothing to what we would be able to hear now if we could get there.
People can not move from the towns and villages as about 35 bridges have been destroyed for that very purpose. My lovely nephew Jamil who was working in Beirut at the time war broke out is now stuck there and can't travel back to his family in Nabatieh (Nabatieh is where our flat is,you will probably hear it mentioned on the news quite a bit as we are not that far from the border). I can just picture his Mum,my Sister in law- Hala going mad,she won't be able to settle at all until Jamil is back with her. I am really going to miss Halathis year,we always have such a laugh together.
We booked our tickets to Lebanon in January and have been getting things ready and looking forward to it since then and then overnight we suddenly can't go,you feel so frustrated that that decision has been taken away from you. Nasser is still determned to go though and if the airport does reopen then I'm sure he will book a ticket and go.
We can't get through on the telephone today so maybe the telephone wires have been hit,I know we have no electricity to our flat now,as the supply has been attacked.
We have been through this before though and the Lebanese people are very resilient and we will rebuild and we will get there.

no holiday for us this year

2006-07-14T01:45:00.000-07:00

We have cancelled the tickets to Lebanon,it's not safe to be there and the airport still isn't open

not again

2006-07-13T01:56:00.000-07:00

Fighting in Lebanon again, the airport has been bombed, our town has been bombed, we are due to fly out there in 10 days and I'm scared

Excited

2006-06-29T01:05:00.000-07:00

Well we took Ali for a metting at his new school yesterday and he loved it, thank goodness for that! It was the school I used to go to and one of the teachers there remembered me. The head of year seemed really nice, a lot more caring than the place he's at now. He is starting Monday and it is activites week,so a week of Art, then the following week it's his trip to France with the old school - so he's got a cushy few weeks!!
We bought sweatshirts and ties for Ali andLayla because she is starting there in September too. They have been practising tying the ties all evening as they have never had one before,I actually remembered how to tie one and I haven't done that since I was 18!!
We went to Frankie & Benny's for tea, it was yummy yum yum!

I want some sun

2006-06-28T00:06:00.000-07:00

Fed up with the weather here, the south seems to have had loads of sun but we haven't had a glimpse for well over 10 days, no rain but just dull days. It's not fair!!
I know I'll probably be moaning that its too hot in a months time when we are in Lebanon! But I can always go and sit in my bedroom then with my lovely AC!

Not a lot been happenning here, we're taking Ali to see his new school today then he can start the day after if he likes, we have just heard that Layla has aplace there too in September,so that's good.

I have started a blog for the shop which you can see here please go and visit and leave comments

fat bloater

2006-06-21T14:21:00.000-07:00

Don't know whats wrong with me today, I can't seem to stop eating!! Feel so hungry, wonder why? Wonder if it's got something to do with the moon!
Been in a strange mood all day though, couldn't concentrate on anything and had a felling of impending doom, hope nothing bad is going to happen. The last time I felt like this there was a nasty incident (7/7)
So I'm now watching Big Brothers Big Mouth and hoping a bit of trashy TV will snap me out of this mood.

GET GRACE OUT!!

2006-06-16T15:41:00.000-07:00

Yep gripped by BB fever again!
Went to Sam's house and had our usualtake away and BB eviction night session, what a cow that Grace was to throw a glass of water over Susie- great telly though!!
I'm now back home,watching BB live and surfing on my lap top.
Got lots of kits to finish at the shop tomorrow, I'm going to out together another 12x12 kit with bonus paper bag kits as June's kit has soldout so quickly and people are still asking for one,so if I make a bonus kit up and double the number for July I should be OK.
Got some more Tim Holtz ink pads and inks today,so need to find time to play,I never get past a certain part of his DVD as he always sends me to sleep with his dulcet tones!!

busy again

2006-06-15T01:26:00.000-07:00

Don't know where the time goes,but it is flying just lately.
It doesn't seem that long since our last visit to Lebanon and now we are getting ready to go again! We need to go and do all the shampoo,shower gel,sun cream etc shopping this week, we always take plenty as it is better quality stuff from here than what you can buy there and its expensive there too.
I need to buy a few pressies, as we usually go every year now we have decided not to buy pressies for everyone as they filled up our cases last year, there are a lot of kids to buy for!! So we are just taking specific things which people ask for this time. I need to get a bikini and underwear for my sister in law-Hala as things like that can be expensive. I then need to think of an English meal to cook for them,each year I make something different and the troops pile into our flat for dinner,I don't mind at all but it is getting harder to think of something.

Have been sorting out our house here lately, just need to empty the back room and start the mammoth task of moving the shop here, it will have to be done before we go away because I refuse to pay 5 weeks rent when I won't be there.
The website has been very busy lately,I have been utilising the Articles section and adding various instructions for paperbag books which has proven to be useful for customers.I made a cute little mini book yesterday from one sheet of Snippetz so I need to photograph that and add it to the site.
The funky peeloffs have been very popular,I have to put another order in for them today, they are peeloffs but not as you know em!

Cheat mark II

2006-05-22T14:41:00.000-07:00

Remember the cheat I told you about? Well it turns out that the second entry she submitted wasn't her work either!
I doubt that her name is real too now,she entered as Carole Moxon but I can't find a trace of her.
So what do I think? Do I think that someone entered with copied work and a fake name to try and get free stash out of me or has someone done it to try and cause trouble for me?
Stunned, totally stunned!

BBQ

2006-05-11T14:44:00.000-07:00

Came home from the shop a bit early today and found Nasser marinating some meat, he decided to have a barbecue. So he gets the gas one we bought at the end of last summer and had never used (it's the kiss of death for nice weather whenever we buy something garden related!!). But it needs assembling, so that took another hour, then we needed a gas bottle so he pinched mine from the shop heater (hope I won't need it again!!), then it won't fit, so by now it's 8 o clock and everyones hungry so I use the blumin cooker and guess what?
.
.
.
.
.
I burnt it!!!!! LOL!!

Oh well, tomorrow is another day and we still have meat marinating!!

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..

2006-05-09T01:30:00.000-07:00

After cleaning the cooker yesterday, I decided to use it!!
Being so busy all the time we resort to take aways far too often than we used to and I am now fed up of them!
So,yesterday I decided to try a new way to cook rice - the Iranian way and it was yummy. You have to par boil the rice (basmati) first, then in a separate pan melt some butter and oil and add sliced potato to the bottom in a layer, then add the drained rice on top, put a clean tea towel on the pan then the lid, turn down low and leave it for about 20 minutes. The result is perfectly cooked rice with a crispy crust of potatoes, everyone loved it and I think I'll be making it again. We had chicken and mushrooms in a sauce to go with it and me and Layla made a pudding. We were looking through some cook books and drooling over the recipes for Lebanese milk puddings, Nasser usually makes these, but me and Layla decided to make one,it was so easy to make and it was gorgeous. Layla wanted to eat all 10 dishes and pretend that we never made it!!

Good luck Layla

2006-05-08T00:42:00.000-07:00

Layla starts her SATS this week, if anyone is reading this please send her "do well" vibes!! I personally think they are a bit of a stupid idea, especially as they put young kids through so much stress and worry when the only thing they should be worrying about at age 11 is where their next choccy bar is coming from! But,Layla is a tad competitive and just doing well will not placate her she is aiming to get the highest marks in the school! I suppose that sort of attitude will do her well in the future - we may see her on The Apprentice one day!!
I do wish children were allowed or encouraged to be children for longer, society and everything they are exposed to tells them to grow up fast,I remember when I was Laylas age I was still playing with dolls, her Barbies have been in the loft for the past 5 years. She also has a huge collection of baby dolls she hasn't played with for years and it's not fair cos I love dressing them!! We have dolls that you can feed, that snore,that cry, that grow, that roll over, that crawl and I can't play with them! I think it's time I had another little girl!
While we are on the subject of growing up fast my little Layla started her periods last Monday, although I had an inkling they were on the way it still devastated me to think that at just 11 she has this huge responsibility every month for the next 40 odd years!
She wasn't fazed by it at all,thought it was a great opportunity to demand chocolate cos apparently that's what I do!!
I spoilt her a bit, took her to town for some supplies, a book all about it and I bought her a silver locket to sort of mark the day-bit daft but she might remember it as a pleasant experience when she gets older.

Happy National Scrapbooking Day

2006-05-06T15:36:00.000-07:00

I think I'm starting with a cold,hate colds, hate having a snotty nose!!
The weather has been gorgeous for the past 2 days, I actually shaved my legs for the first time in months - nearly broke the razor!!
The kits I put together for National Scrapbooking Day are going very well and I love to see what people have made with them too. You will be able to see all the entries in my gallery,so check them out.
Off to bed now to nurse my cold!!

Cheat

2006-05-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

Well, the call for my Dream Team finished and I finally decided on Jakey Walker, Debbie Nicholas, Maria Horton and Laura Godfrey,all fabby scrappers who I am honoured to have on our team, the standard was very high and with over 11 pages of entries it was a very difficult decision. After I had announced the Team I received an email from someone saying that she had seen one of the entries on sale on E-bay under a different name. Sure enough, the photo was exactly the same as one entered, looks like the person had just right clicked it from Ebay and entered it in my comp-cheeky mare! I didn't like to think someone could do that so I emailed her and asked her outright if it was her work but I have not had a reply at all. Meanwhile I thought it only best to contact the person who did do the work,Delaney Gates - she is a fantastic scrapper and quite well known so it was very stupid to copy her work!!! Anyway, after lots of emails back and forth I am so pleased to say that Delaney Gates is now a permanent International Dream Team member of mine!!! So what a wonderful thing to happen after such a nasty start.

Heres some of her work:

Welcome to my Dream Team

2006-05-02T15:10:00.000-07:00

Well, I had to decide but it was soooo hard. They were so mant great entries to my call for a Dream Team, but please welcome:

...Jakey Walker
Deborah Nicholas
Laura Godfrey and
Maria Horton

I will be asking some others if they will be a Guest Dream Team member some months, so all is not lost if you did submit.

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to enter and can't wait to see what my Dream Team comes up with.

Thank you to Steph, wo not only helps me for nothing but also brought me some beautiful flowers today to cheer me up after a horrible weekend.

2006-04-29T16:22:00.000-07:00

Here is my entry for Kirsty's challenge. I enjoyed this so much,it developed from a 6x6 layout to a paperbag book, and I even made a bag to put it in!

Can't fake it

2006-03-19T01:21:00.000-08:00

I'm finding it hard to blog at the moment, I like to be happy and light hearted here and don't speak about real life problems as they don't really belong on the www!

But am finding it hard to be jolly jolly for many reasons,hopeto be back to normal soon, I'll try and upload my efforts for Kirsty's fab challenge soon.

Happy Birthday Layla

2006-03-13T00:49:00.000-08:00

My daughter, my youngest, my little baby is 11 today!! Where does the time go? It doesn't seem 2 minutes since she was born, the next morning Nasser brought Ali with him to hospital to take us home, and when Ali saw his sister for the first time and was asked "shall we take her home?" he shook his head and said "no"!!! Thankfully, he soon changed his mind, they still fight like cat and dog though!

She had a couple of friends round yesterday and they played Sing Star and watched DVD's in her new bedroom. We bought her a clarinet as she is enjoying playing it and when she leaves Primary school this year she will lose the one she currently plays.

The new alphabet cutting service I have added to the website is going very well,think I'll be getting RSI soon!

I'm still here!

2006-03-09T01:05:00.000-08:00

Phew, I haven't blogged for AGES!! I just haven't had the time, which is a good thing because it means the business is doing well. I also haven't known what to blog about! I am so boring, all my life consists of is getting up, sorting kiddieswinks out, going to shop, packing orders up, going to PO, going home, sorting kiddiewinks out, going to bed and then again!!

Ooh I did scrap yesterday!! I have been wanting to do a doodle layout, so I did!! I used my new big Letterz cut from Junkitz and really enjoyed doodling with my black Sakura Glaze pen, the ink flowed really smoothly and you can get them from Carolinez Craftz!

Brrrrr

2006-02-28T14:10:00.000-08:00

Is it me or is it really cold? I haven't been able to get warm all night, I can cope with cold and snow cos I get to use winter papers then but just cold? Don't like that!!

Had a day full of scanning in new stuff on Sunday and days full of packing ever since. I received my new dies today, all I can say is YUM! I have a little accordian folder and inserts, a heart with wings and a fabby big alphabet very much like the undressed monograms! More scanning!

Layla's room is just about finished now,I'll have to take a photo, it's really groovy and she spends most of her time in there,should have done it years ago! We went to Ikea yesterday to look for finishing touches for her room and found some nice bits. It was actually nice to go to Ikea with out the kids, it must have been the only time we have been to Ikea and are still speaking afterwards!!

I've been RAK'd

2006-02-25T00:41:00.000-08:00

Got a lovely surprise in the post today, a Hero Arts stamp set I have had my eye on, it contains sweet little buttons, eyelet and photo corner stamps. I am pretty sure that Ginge sent me it as it was hers that set me on the path to needing this little beauty!! So loadsa THANK YOUS and HUGS babe.

The boxes of new stuff are starting to arrive,got 2 yesterday but there are still MANY more to come!! I need to start scanning!!

Still got aching feet!!

2006-02-22T00:45:00.000-08:00

Well I slept well last night, must be because I was in my own bed.My feet are still achey though!! Have lots of emails and orders to catch up with today.
Some sad news though,Lemon's husband passed away suddenly yesterday, I think she must be shocked,bless her. I spent the day with her on Saturday and she was so happy. Hugs and prayers being sent your way Lemon,xxx

Empty pockets and aching feet

2006-02-21T12:49:00.000-08:00

Phew, back home from a manic 3 days at Stitches! Where do I start?! I had a ball and can't wait for the next one, enjoyed the socialising far better than all the stash buying, but you'll be pleased to know I managed to do both!!
Mum drove me up on the Sunday and it took an hour to move the last 3 miles!! There were so many cars entering the nec, there were so many shows on all at once. Mum came in for about an hour then braved the drive back home. First we met Lily the Lovely one and Lyn and Mandy and Kirsty, who are all lovely and mad!! Lots of catching up and gossiping then we actually got to look at the stands!
Placed a few orders and collected some catalogues, kept worrying about getting to my hotel as I had to get a train but it turned out to be dead easy, just a 10min train to New St then the hotel was round the corner. But,bloody hell it was a bit mingin!!!! There wasn't even a duvet on the bed it was a sheet and a hairy blanket then a throw type thing! The TV remote didn't work, and I couldn't get a signal on my mobile the first night but did the second, don't know why!! Couldn't even charge my phone because they were so tight as all the sockets were not normal ones but round pins.I've never come across that in a hotel before!! But after all those gripes it didn't cost the earth, it was somewhere to sleep and the fun days with fabby friends more than made up for it!! I've already told Lily and Lyn that we're booking REALLY early next year!!
The second day I met MGC and Lemon,placed a few more orders :) and collected a few more catalogues, the last day (today I think, it's all a blur!!) was spent with Lily and Lyn again. Did some fabby makes and takes with Stacey from Junkitz and Tim, all of them are really lovely and it was so good to talk to them again.
Boy am I glad that I was there till the end, me and Lily and Lyn were at the Provo Craft stand just at the right time as we got to buy LOADS of goodies at HALF the dollar wholesale price!!! Carrying all that stuff home was worth the extra 6 inches to each arm now!!
To sum up I spent, spent, spent and chatted, chatted, chatted and it was brilliant to meet old friends and new.
Now I need to sleep!!!!

Yum Yum Basic Grey!

2006-02-17T00:03:00.000-08:00

The new BG papers arrived yesterday and what can I say? YUM!! I even treated myself to a collection pack of all 5 new ranges!! Although mum liked the Urban Couture and I don't really,so she can have that pack. Not that keen on Hang10 either, I absolutely love ColorMe Silly and Oh, Baby Girl! The colours in those 2 ranges are just yummy, I want to eat them :)

For the shop,I made the new papers into Paperbag Book Kits like I always have done with BG and they have nearly all gone already, as have the AMM totes,thought I might be stuck with those for a while but it doesn't look like it.

Have so much to do again, I did want to nip to town today and get my hair cut but don't think I'll manage it now,have about 20 orders to pack and a class to teach this afternoon. I'll have to go tomorrow,and I need to get uniforms washed and ironed ready forMonday cos I won't be here. Ooh so much to do and so little time to do it in.

Have 3 orders on the way from the states now, all confirmed this morning! Some yummy stuff from Maya Road, bits and bobs from another place and some new dies including a whole alphabet which I'm hoping is very similiar to the BG monogram ones - have lots of plans for this one!!

Happy Birthday Grandma

2006-02-16T13:05:00.000-08:00

My dear Grandma would have been 96 today, Happy Birthday Grandma!!
She passed away 4 years ago andI swear I miss her more now than when it happenned.

Visitors from the Isle of Wight

2006-02-14T01:01:00.000-08:00

The kids are on half term this week, and their cousins from the Isle of Wight are visiting for a few days, so Ali and Layla played with them all day yesterday.

Our Thai meal was delicious, it was buffet night but because we were vegetarians they brought us 2 dishes cooked just for us,which I thought was a lovely touch.

So much to do again today,I think my AMM pink totes are arriving today, I already have a waiting list of customers to ring when they arrrive!! It was Claire who sold them at the show,when they all saw her tote filled up they wanted one!

I had a nightmare last night!! Dreamt that I went to Stitches and spent 3 days looking round this small room with not a lot of stands there only to find when I got home I had missed the larger room full of scrummy stands!!! Not sure where that dream came from!! It sure did frighten me though!!

Lushy

2006-02-13T11:17:00.000-08:00

Feeling a bit brighter today,could have something to do with the Lush massage bar we road tested today!! :)
We are about to go out for aThai meal tonight, just me and Nas, the kiddies are out, yummy I can't wait!
Got a little bit straighter in the back room today,it will soon be my "shop",yeah, no more overheads!
Looking forward to my weekend away,but if Nas is reading it won't be fun AT ALL,just lots and lots of work finding new goodies!!

Feeling a bit low

2006-02-10T00:55:00.000-08:00

It must be the weather!!
I'm just feeling ever so low lately, hopefully I'll feel better soon,hate feeling like this.Just want to hide away from the world!

I'm going to start moving things soon,have decided to move the shop into the dining room until the loft has ben converted,that way I won't have all the overheads of the shop and will be able to(hopefully) afford for the conversion.

What a HUGE job that is going to be!! Watch out for some bargains in the shop!!