No I won't shut up !

A little News

2012-01-11T17:01:00.001Z

Okay just to let you know - especially if you love Sweet Pea Stamps as much as I do -I have very recently taken over the running of the Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge blog .
I would like to apologize if there are any hiccups ,like me not adding a link for your cards! Rectified now. Please pop over and leave a link to your Sweet pea card as you could win some of those stamps.

Right back to card making.

soojay xx

Neglected Again!

2012-01-08T19:28:00.001Z

ohh dear, I am not so good at keeping updated.

Christmas is long gone :)

We went "sale" shopping but there wasn't much we wanted.

Derek bought me a kindle and this skin and a clip on light for reading in bed.

I do like the look of this one though-mine doesn't have the keyboard.

I bought this for soup and pate making. My hand whisk was wedding present almost 29 years ago-so I don't feel guilty.

ohh I popped into Jarrolds and bought a couple of x-cut nesting dies :)

It's my birthday in a couple of weeks and I would love an ipad,I also found some yummy perfume in House of Frasure -what I NEED though is a new dishwasher-I'll let you know.

Love Soojay xxx

A Happy Christmas

2011-12-29T15:26:00.001Z

Sorry for Naff Photos. There was too much going on to concentrate on focusing properly.

We Had a Lovely Lay in - as the kids didn't get up till gone 10am - there are times I love having teens.

We cut back quite a bit on presents this year as unfortunately our wages are not rising with the cost of living. Anyway, they seem really happy with what they got.

Natalie was worried she wouldn't have much when I warned them but she was over the moon.

As was Derek :D...

...and Dan.

Love Soojay xx

Miss You Mum

2011-12-22T13:05:00.002Z

A Christmas Wedding

2011-12-20T21:34:00.000Z

Sorry Photo Heavy ! Not Great photo's - I really wasn't paying too much attention.

Little Sis Andrea, Got Married To Graham yesterday - I have just realized that as well as not having a photo of Graham, nor do I have one of them together!! In my defense we were sitting round the corner from them and did not attend the actual ceremony. Anyway Raymond and James sitting by the fire.

Beautiful Eva. I don't seem to have a photo of Rebecca as I was standing behind her when i took these- FAIL! She looked stunning too.

Eva and Annette

Dan - looking all grown up in proper trousers and real shoes ( not trackies and trainers!)

Meg, Eva and Annette.

Beautiful Andrea - her dress was stunning. She is standing next to Dan and Derek!!

Derek popped in on the way home from work.

I Promise to do better next time xx

Love Soojay xxx

End of Term

2011-12-16T20:36:00.000Z

Yayyy- I am really ready for it now!- Not Christmas- not yet anyway. Don't even know where the tree or decs are at the moment.
I have finally caught everyone's cold - I was SO careful not to catch a cold before I went to visit Steph last week. Mind you she has an awful cold, which is a million times harder for her to deal with than for me.
I went down to stay last Friday and was a tiny bit worried that i might get lost on the tube. One taxi two trains and the underground....fine ..i got lost walking the 10 min walk from the station to the flat!!! What a drip.
Managed to finish work today with everything done :) The pupils were lovely and I was very touched by how many cards and gifts we got.
I am going to taker it easy for a few days and try to shake off this cold before Christmas.
Till next time.

Love Soojay xxx

Cranberry and Orange Muffins

2011-12-04T18:10:00.001Z

So I found a generic recipe on the internet and changed it about a tiny bit. I have used fresh Orange and Cranberries ( it would be mad not to this time of year)

Ingreadients:

250g plain flour

180g caster sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

125g fresh cranberries chopped in half

100ml fresh orange juice

grated rind of one orange

30ml vegetable oil.

Directions:

1. combine all dry ingredients

2. stir in cranberries

3. beat egg, orange juice, oil and rind.

4. add to dry ingredients all at once

5. stir just to moisten.

6. Spoon into muffin cups (fill 3/4 full)

7.Sprinkle top lightly with sugar.

cook for 15-20 mins at 200 C

The smell from the kitchen is heavenly!!

Love Soojay xx

ooppps!

2011-12-04T12:48:00.001Z

Where HAS the time gone to!? We are now into "Silly" season and I seem to have very little time to get stuff done - I ought to try going faster!
Two more weeks at school before we before we break up, one trip , three meals out and one Ofsted inspection.
Cutting back big time of Prezzies, my Children are not children anymore and have most of the things they need already. So hopefully we won't break the bank this year- we still need a dish washer though :)
My Sister Steph is waiting to go home after a week in hospital for an op to help her breath. I am going to stay for a few days at the end of next week and Our Sis Annette is off to see her before that.
Little sis has moved house, I have yet to pop round to see them :( and is tying the knot later this month - So busy time.
Thankfully (in THIS house) we are all well at the moment ( I expect that flu jab helped!)
That's about it for this quick update - frantically making up Christmas cards over on my other blog.

Love Soojay xxx

Quick Update

2011-11-26T10:07:00.001Z

Watched this last week- we bought it mostly because Meg wanted to see it so desperately. It was ok but I wouldn't have gone to the cinema to see it. Not THAT impressed.

Still need to get to cinema to see this :) I don't want to go with the crowds but Meg wants to go this weekend- she has not read the book so is slightly more desperate to see it :)

Off shopping at some point this weekend to spend some of those Tesco vouchers- was unbelievably stupid and accidentally changed them into IN STORE vouchers to print off and spend in store and NOT online...not on purpose...i normally spend them online GRRRRRRR.

All is ok till you get to the £100 of FURNITURE vouchers ...Where the heck can you spend those instore!! ??

Any idea? Neither have Tesco! I spent two hours on the phone to various help centers and stores trying to find a store within 100 miles of me - so far no help. Tesco can do nothing about my stupid mistake. One guy had a great idea..go into a store and order from Tesco Direct and pay with the vouchers in the store - nope can't do that . Anyone know of a Tesco that sells furniture ( i wanted two bedside tables and an office Chair originally) in East Anglia??

Right i have been up a while and my fabulously lazy teens are still in bed - time to enjoy a little peace!

Love Soojay xxx

Where's the Pause Button??

2011-11-24T19:22:00.001Z

Life is moving to fast!! Work is manic, my boss/partner was ill for a few days so I was alone. I have just caught up (almost) with last week and have this weeks work to do tomorrow ha ha - Not going to happen!
I seem to have hundreds of bills coming though the door, car tax and this week two lots of travel for next term - for Dan and Meg @ £150 each, I was hoping to get through AFTER Christmas! On a positive note and also probably because we were too busy to do anything about it, we have managed to amass £210 worth of Tesco vouchers which I have doubled up on line so at least the bills are cancelled out ( If you understand my logic!)
My darling Sister Steph is not doing so well - She has throat cancer.
I am hoping to be able to go see her soon after she has a op on Monday to help her breathing.
I can't put into words how I am feeling at the moment - jeez life is unfair - she deserves so much better!

Love Soojay xx

Monday Madness

2011-11-14T19:44:00.001Z

Some days you just need a laugh. This arrived to day and was waiting for me when I got home from a mad day at work. So far it has done the job. I won't say too much, although if you follow "her" on twitter, you may have read a bit of it already. My fav bit so far: Monday 10th January, We told Stephen junior that he's adopted this evening. He isn't, but there was nothing on TV.

I get my daft sense of humor from my dad and spending my days with teens.

Love Soojay xxx

A Trip Down Memory Lane Retreat

2011-10-31T21:36:00.002Z

I am not great at remembering to take photos - probably because the time just flies by and I forget.

My room - Fab- I do have to say that it was not as great as last year - the rooms on the third floor are definitely a bit better but, I am not going to complain as the view was lovely and I even had two double beds to choose from.

We left ( Annette , Sarah and I ) on Friday afternoon , traveled for about an hour to arrive at Stoke By Nayland Hotel. We had a lovely relaxing meal in the bar before we checked in and unpacked our "stuff".

Saturday nights tea. Yummy food , lots of wine and staying up till late creating :)

I Love these ladies, I haven't laughed so much since the last time we were together.

Very posh prawn cocktail, followed by sausage and mash and cheese cake.

The view from the room- hard to believe its almost November!!

One of the classes - Jane Hewitts Christmas mini book ( a work of art!)

AND to top it all...the shop :) :) - heaven.

VERY sad to leave at tea time on Sunday and really upset with the service at home- I had to get my own breakfast and then go to work this morning !!!!

Love Soojay xxx

Dan and ADHD

2011-10-28T08:25:00.002Z

I was talking to someone about ADHD recently and about how Dan is so much Calmer nowadays- even with out any ADHD meds. We stopped them when he was diagnosed with nocturnal Epilepsy. The doc was very keen on him taking medication for that so we slowly stopped the clonodine ( he didn't take ritalin as he also has Tourettes and Ritalin can sometimes make tics worse) So now he just takes the minimum dose of Tregratol to stop him "fitting" in the night.

Anyway the tics are quite small at the moment and don't seem to give him too much trouble- they get worse when he is worried or excited about anything. I have spent his whole life keeping everything as clam as possible for him. We HAVE had tough times- school exclusions, holes punched in doors ( quite a few doors actually). Lots of friendship problems although the little kids stopped taking the mick when he got taller ;)

I took some photos of him on his 18th Birthday . He hates having his photo taken but think that more of and age thing- I don't know many boys who like to sit to have their photo taken at his age. I took half a dozen but he was getting very bored- I guess the play station ( even now at 18 , he is not allowed to play violent games, just sporty ones) or maybe Facebook ( i am a friend and know his password)

He had gone before I realized Ha Ha Ha - there are occassional times i forget the ADHD - but he reminds me :) Love him!

Love Soojay xxx

The Hair

2011-10-27T16:29:00.004Z

Not as purple as I had thought it would be but Meg is Very Happy with it .

The light is not so good now and the little madam would not pose but continued to play on the X Box.

It does shine "purple" in certain light. I hope the roots dont grow though too quickly as it is a job I Hate doing!

I am off on a nice long weekend retreat tomorrow. The ATDML retreat at Stoke By Nayland - one of my fav hotels. This will be my fourth time there and fifth time staying - almost a home from home :D

I have 5 classes booked and as I haven't done a scrapbook page for AGES, I am really looking forward to it. I am also really looking forward to having my food cooked for me (Amazing food too) and having a bath without an interruption.

Back to the real world on Monday - half term over.

Love Soojay xxx

Dying Megs Hair

2011-10-27T12:18:00.000Z

Cyber Purple!!!

she has is Dk Red usually but wanted to be more dramatic. This will work! We needed two boxes as she has SO much hair!. Will be back later with the finished result.

Love Soojay xxx

What A FAB week!!

2011-10-23T13:11:00.002Z

My Darling Sister, Annette, and I went to the big city on Wednesday afternoon to see Darren Hayes

This is us arriving at Liverpool street station.

Yes we were very Happy :)

Unfortunately I was too happy to be taking photos!! We did quite a bit of walking about and jumping on and off the tube. We also have a fabulous Japanese Meal ( my first) .

The Show was Brilliant!! Darren was amazing . His new Album is out Tomorrow and mine is pre ordered :)

On Tuesday night ( sorry I am not posting in any order!) I took hubby along to the school music evening - he had never been before. I warned him that he would be "blown away" by the talent and I was right :) Here is a link to just one of the performers Matt Palmer . Just Brilliant! Check it out.

Now on half term holiday for a week - yayyyyy .

On Friday I am off for a nice long weekend at ATDML Retreat (again with Annette and LOADS of Fab ladies) . I promise to remember to take more photos :)

I have spent the weekend catching up with card making for design teams - no guilt as I have the whole week to clean and tidy and do the boring stuff.

Love Soojay xxx

Quick Update

2011-10-16T14:04:00.003Z

Already on Chapter four of this one - The latest book by Nicholas Sparks. I love all his books but am trying to take my time reading it . I do have another book in the wings ( It will soon be half term)

This one is the first of three books , so , if I like it, It should keep me going for sometime. Will let you know.

Off To London on Wednesday to see Darren Hayes...I am SO excited ...It's been four or five years since I last saw him live. Going with My Sister Annette...Can't believe its only three days !!!!

Not seen any really good DVD's recently but TV is getting better , especially now Merlin and Waterloo Road are back.

Derek, Dan and Meg are at my sister Steph's today...hopefully giving her a big hug from me. She is doing ok at the moment, the big news is that she has managed to put on half a stone recently.

Back to the laundry then......

Love Soojay xxx

Blog Candy!

2011-10-16T07:26:00.000Z

Bev Has three lots of FAB candy over on her Site HERE Go Check it out

Love Soojay xxx

Happy 18th Danny

2011-10-09T16:54:00.002Z

Getting this boy to have his photo taken is as rare as hens teeth! And smiling too-Wow!

We have had a quiet day at home, he bought himself a new smart phone with birthday money - I am so glad as it means i can actually contact him now! We bought him a fab Lenovo touch screen PC and while it cost quite a bit, I don't mind. I suppose because I know he won't be taking driving lessons like a lot of boys his age. Quite apart from the ADHD, he also has epilepsy.

Anyway the boy asked for burger and chips for tea- sometimes i do love his simple tastes _ nice and easy :).

I had better get to it.

Love Soojay xxx

Welll????????

2011-10-08T15:45:00.004Z

Did you guess that it was a felted bowl?

I really enjoyed my very first attempt at any form of felting yesterday in Sudbury.

Katie Walker has been doing this for sometime and is a wonderful and entertaining teacher. She was VERY patient and generous with me and gave me loads of inspiration.

Green is my favorite colour, so i chose that as the main with wisps of blue , lime green and white.

I am sure I have not finished yet though as I am itching to embellish with some seed beads and a tiny bit of stitching.

Katie wastes nothing, so i kept the bit i cut out at the top to use later. I want to have a little go at some needle felting and this is ideal to practice on.

I have lots of ideas buzzing around in my head now - just wish I had a few more hours in the day!!

I shall pop the photos of "the beginning of the process at Katie's workshop once I have pinched them from the school's network- ohh did I tell you it was a school trip?

Love Soojay xxx

Can you tell what it is yet???

2011-10-08T09:39:00.000Z

My very first attempt at something new - taught by a very talented lady.

I can tell you that the next stage involves a sharp pair of scissors, a bicycle pump and a tumble dryer.

Watch this space ;)

Love Soojay xxx

Autumn at school

2011-09-25T20:29:00.002Z

One of my jobs at the school is to run the Eco Council. There are representatives from every form group and we hold meetings each term. We have quite a few projects on the go at the moment, which we are really excited about.

We do also have a very small blog on the school network. I am trying to get some of the pupils to post and get involved in it a bit more - so that I don't have to.
This morning i popped into school to organize a small surprise for my boss as it is her Birthday.

I couldn't resist taking loads of photographs of the plants and trees in the grounds as it was such a beautiful sunny day and everywhere was so colourful

There were so many different berries all ready for the birds to come eat. These are some of the photos I shall put up on our Blog but they were so pretty, I thought I'd share here too.

While I was in the grounds taking my photos, I bumped into another member of staff , working really hard all alone digging our new pond - there's dedication for you!!

Love Soojay xxx

Saturday

2011-09-20T06:32:00.004Z

SO Proud- Go Look

Hearts

2011-09-19T18:10:00.000Z

A few people have said they like my FB Avatars

I don't like to use my photo and these hearts usually make me smile.

I just searched for them on Google- there are some amazing photographers/graphic artists out there

Help yourself -I did :D

Love Soojay xxx

Sunday Update

2011-09-18T16:14:00.002Z

Listening to : Will young - I LOVE "Jealousy" can't stop singing it.

Also Listening to : pre release of "Blackout the Sun" WOW! I am also in love with "Blood stained heart"

And getting excited about going to see him (Darren Hayes-Just in-case you didn't know) on October 19th

Watching new series of Waterloo Road. Not sure about that new Head!!

Finally got to see this film last night. Derek wasn't keen to start with , it being set in 30's- We both loved it.

Just over halfway though reading this book - already shed loads of tears!! I LOVE this author, hope she writes some more soon. Lots of mystery with a twist.

VERY Proud of my Sister Annette who ran 10K Hyde-park charity walk yesterday and raised £970 for mouth Cancer. You can still donate HERE if you would like to help her reach her target of £1000.

Well, thats my week. Back to normal at school, already been to one college parents evening (For Meg), playing catch up with the washing again. Signing letters for trips out, making what feels like hundreds of packed lunches a week !

Love Soojay xxx

Today's the Day

2011-09-17T11:35:00.002Z

That my Fabby sister is running/walking for Mouth Cancer. I am So proud of her as she has almost reached her Target of £1000 - just £90 to go :)
Anyone wanting to donate can HERE

She's doing it for our Sister Steph and I wish her good luck and no blisters :)

Love Soojay xxx

Cavell

2011-09-08T06:56:00.001Z

Would have been 24 today .

And back to "Manic" Mode again.

2011-09-05T18:38:00.003Z

First day back at work - no kids in till Wednesday though.
Meg starts college tomorrow and scared and grumpy. I have been getting everything ready for her (lazy girl!). I am worried that she will look after her self and take regular blood tests.
Natalie is off to Butlins on Friday with a group of friends and can talk of nothing else. So lots of organizing going on at the moment.
Two nice things to look forward to ( for me :)) are : A seaside crop on Saturday with friends. Not been to a crop for AGES!
And tickets booked to see the GORGEOUS Darren Hayes in London on 19th October ...sigh- They arrived on Friday :)
PLEASE READ THIS BIT.
I do need to tell you about two of my sisters: Steph ( second in line - with me being the eldest) has been suffering for sometime now with Throat Cancer.SO NOT FAIR!! She had a big op last year and Chemo but they couldn't find the primary cause. Unfortunately earlier this year they did and she had another bout of Chemo which didn't help. Now she is waiting to start a trial at the end of this month. I won't go into all details, mostly as I don't really understand it all and it is personal to her. Now I want to tell you about my other sister Annette or No.3 as we sometimes call her.
She is taking part in a fundraising walk in Hyde park on 17th September for mouth cancer- It IS a walk but being Annette, she likes to do things her own way and will be running for quite a bit of the 10K !! She set herself a modest target of £500 which of course she has achieved so, she has raised the bar to £750 and with two weeks(ish) left, I am sure she will get there. Here is the all important linky thing to her "Just Giving page "so you can donate if you can : ANNETTE'S PAGE .
If you did, may I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I Love all my sisters dearly , they are my best friends, caring , would do anything to help and I am so proud of them all.

Love Soojay xxxx

Look!!!

2011-08-27T16:12:00.000Z

Darren Hayes

I Love this one!

Love soojay xxx

Megan

2011-08-25T15:42:00.000Z

This picture of Meg was taken on the last day of school. Took a little while to get her to smile. To say that she found school difficult at times is an understatement. At five years old we found out that she was diabetic .We already knew that she had speech problems and learning difficulties. She was seen by the school Ed Psych. who said that she has an IQ of 48. She spent primary school in the area support class with a great TA. High school was also differentiated for her. She had a statement of educational needs, a school care plan and 20 hours of support (shared though) a week in a small class.
Today we went to get her results. She sat exams but only one was GCSE - Art . She was disappointed that she got an F, she thought it meant fail. Not only is it NOT a fail, it is not the lowest grade. She has done it all by herself, she didn't get any support at all in her Art class. She had a sweet art teacher but she found it hard to understand all of what was expected of her. I don't think she realizes how proud I am of her .
She already has a place at College - doing a life skills course. The tutors there taught her sister Natalie a few years ago. I know that she is scared but I have no doubt that she will love it .
Anyway just wanted to share

Love Soojay xx

Lazy Day

2011-08-24T07:10:00.001Z

Yesterday was dark and wet - not a nice day at all - I am one of those people that NEED sunlight to be energized to do "stuff" and there was none. So, as I was on holiday and have been reasonably busy most of the time, I took the day off from the world and read Afterwards. I LOVED it and highly recommend it. You do need a day to yourself as it's un put downable!
Rosamund Lupton has only written two book so far and this is her second - I HAVE to read the first one now- appropriately called "sister" - Lets hope I can get it and read it before I go back to school.

Love Soojay xxx

Weekend Stuff

2011-08-21T15:31:00.000Z

Yesterday Nets and Rosie popped in. Not seen them for a few weeks.

Rosie brought her Hamma Beads to play with but I think nets enjoyed them more!

Dan stayed at his friends for the night and the rest of us stayed up and watched the Inbetweeners season 3 on DVD.

Today Derek made bacon, egg and pancakes for breakfast ...yummmm.

I read a book - started Friday night and finished it this morning - Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin. I have ordered the sequel from Amazon .

love Soojay xxx

Happy Birthday Mum .

2011-08-18T08:53:00.002Z

Aldeburgh Festival

2011-08-17T16:57:00.001Z

Warning - picture heavy!

I went to watch Natalie take part in the Festival on Monday.

She had been away at Sizewell for the weekend at a place called Wardens , which is a trust for disabled people. Nats goes most years. Thankfully it was a lovely sunny warm day.

The beach although stony at Aldeburgh , looked quite nice.

There was a competition for the best dressed house - I liked this one.

The start of the parade. There were THOUSANDS of people lining the streets and loads of floats, dressed cars and people taking part. The theme was "films". I saw a few hundred Dorothy's and Alice's.

I did like the Avetar girls.

Natalie decorated her t shirt and the people at Wardens all made hats and banners.

Loved the car. Check out the kids sitting on top of the bus shelter :)

Very sensibly carrying a bottle of water with her as it got very hot.

There were dancers too.

She had a lovely day. We didn't stay until the very end but there was a bar b q and fireworks on the beach later. Two fun fairs and stalls all along the beach.

Love Soojay xxx

Tonight's Dessert

2011-08-12T18:50:00.000Z

We had cottage pie for tea - nice but not worthy of a photograph.

I made a plain old ordinary swiss roll for desert. Just flour,eggs and sugar- nothing fancy-whip up a little cream and add some juicy strawberries and this is what you get.

Gone in 10 mins!!

Love Soojay xx

Ahhhhhhhhhh Teenagers!!

2011-08-11T16:53:00.001Z

Mine have been well and truly lectured, not sure HOW much good it has done though. They had got into a very bad habit of staying up really late (mostly watching rubbish films on late night TV and facebook, they don't go out after 10pm and there is no where for them to go anyway). This led to them sleeping till very VERY late the next day. In one way, this is quite nice because its quiet here.....BUT Meg is diabetic and Dan on meds for nocturnal epilepsy and getting up at 4pm is not good ! Its messing up Meg's injections and I am worried that Dan might start "fitting" again.
So, last night they were only allowed to watch TV downstairs with us and EVERYthing had to be switched off when I went to bed at 11.30. They still slept in till lunch (they are teens after all!) And it meant we had a few hours peace in the morning - Derek and I went to a nearby garden centre for breakfast and to buy a cane to support Derek's Sunflower( I have no idea where it came from) .
Well this afternoon I have ranted most of the afternoon about them bickering- I WAS going to get them helping me in the garden but its been raining.
They are, at this moment, laying about in the living room watching Harry Potter AND WWE at the same time- I can hear them negotiating when to turn over. Horrible!! Anyway, after warning them the TV's, Laptops and any trips out will be taken away, they seem to have settled a bit.
Its almost tea time but , for once, I am not cooking , Derek is :D ...I am off to meet a friend for tea and a chat .

Love Soojay xxx

The boys are back

2011-08-07T19:02:00.001Z

And peace is shattered!

I have been baking (to try and fill them up)

The FABULOUS Debbie made these cupcakes for us at Debden a few weeks ago

My Frosting tastes ok but it no where as pretty as hers.

Inside is a surprise Oreo.

They went down very well - I had to hide a few away for tomorrow!

Love Soojay xx

Decorating

2011-08-04T15:46:00.001Z

Megs Room- This is the smallest room in the house. We have tried all sorts of ways to furnish it. We bought her a high bed with a desk underneath it- It was a bit too high for me to change (being so short) but, worse than that, it wasn't easy to check on her in the night in case of hypo's - she has diabetes.
We bought a pretty metal framed bed- she jumped on it and bent the struts. Anyway over the years it has been dark pink and lemon yellow. It was well overdue to be decorated but she still wanted pink. There was photos of the "before" but she deleted them from my camera ( probably too ashamed of the writing on the wall and the torn paper). the radiator and skirting boards used to be purple - so needed a couple of coats.

There is very little furniture in the room (to try and de clutter it) I also need to hang the photo frame and noticeboard. Curtains and bedding and storage boxes from next. Wallpaper, from B and Q.
Carpet from a lovely cheap online store that delivered the next day free of postage :)

Hopefully she will keep it tidy --------I doubt it though!

Love Soojay xxx

Harry potter 3D - WOW!

2011-07-29T10:24:00.000Z

I Did not want to see it in 3D, I remember those glasses we got in comics when I was MUCH younger, I could never get on with them. You know the cardboard ones with one green and one red lens?

Being short sighted and wearing glasses anyway, I just couldn't see with them properly. I also could never see those "Magic " pictures that people raged about in the early 90's.

Anyway , when we arrived at the cinema yesterday we managed to catch a slightly earlier showing than we had arranged ( cost a fortune, but I don't go that often so didn't think that much , except I am glad I don't get many chances as I can't afford it!). When we went though to hand in the tickets we were given flipping great big specs to wear. Wow. Wow. I loved it and now need a 3D TV!! The big specs are also quite good for hiding the odd tear too ;)

Love Soojay xxx

An Upate

2011-07-28T10:00:00.000Z

As its been so long! End of term is always manic at school. As well as behaviour/pastoral care , i also co ordinate all the Eco projects in the school and look after ( badly) the Eco blog. here is one of our year 10 (11 soon!) pupils filling up the new pond in the wildlife garden. We also have a bigger pond project under way in another part of the school. This little pond will also have a waterfall when it is finished.

I took a few photos for the school blog of some of the flowers and plants in the garden.

There were lots of people leaving this year for various reasons. Unfortunately there were also redundancies.

One of my favourite teachers left this year and we took her out for a "goodbye" meal at the local pub.

I went to two proms ( and danced the night away at both !) The photo above is of some of the year 13 students. Their prom was at the FAB Caister hall Hotel in Norwich.

It was our Sports day and MOST of it was sunny ( chucked it down in the afternoon). i managed to get out to see the beginning( I missed it last year). We had cheerleaders ( my niece is the one on the far left with black plimsolls ) and an opening ceremony with mascots, flags and dancers....not like sports day used to be!! It looked SO much more fun and there was something for EVERYONE to do.

The year 11 prom seemed like Ages ago now!

Quite a few of the pupils are coming back for sixth form next year which is nice.

In other news, day four of my holiday, I have definitely caught up on sleep :D . Managed to catch up with most of the laundry, hired a skip for sorting out the VERY overgrown ( mostly stinging nettles) garden.

Have got everything (except new carpet- still need to do that) for redecorating Megs room next week.

Am slowly getting though all paperwork for College (Meg and Dan ) trips away (Nats) and normal boring stuff. I have been making loads of cards ( see other Blog)

Ohh off to see Harry Potter with a friend from work this afternoon and running a small craft class tomorrow afternoon for another friend and her children.

Derek and Dan are off to Wales for a few days on Sunday , So I shall get stuck into decorating (and enjoy a little quite;))

Love Soojay xx

A wonderful weekend

2011-07-11T08:49:00.011Z

At Debden House this weekend. It went FAR too fast! This is the sight that greeted us when we arrived in the craft room. Even the water bottles were decorated beautifully. That big jar at the back is filled with gorgeous home made lemonade. There were adorable goody boxes and cupcakes to die for with an Oreo in the bottom of each one.

yummmmmmmmmm i can still taste them.

I am not going to talk about this beautiful cake.

Then on another beautifully decorated table were the sweets! This photograph doesn't do it any justice at all.
We had a rather large TV in the scrapping room so some stopped to watch rather noisey motor racing..they hid the remote so we couldn't mute it!

My work station...I did do SOME :)

Ann opening her Birthday Card

The fab Ginge

Sunday lunch..Nearly time to go home ..sob!

We had roast beef and then bread pud.

I can't believe I had to get my own brekki this morning AND wash up afterwards!

Better go unpack :(

Love Soojay xx

Missing in Action

2011-07-08T12:04:00.001Z

Off To Debden House for the weekend with a group of wonderful friends to craft (possibly) and chat and have loads of fun.

Its been a manic week ( yet again) I have been to Yr 11 and Yr 13 Proms and we have also had our sports day - most of it out of the rain..when i get a min, i will upload some photos.

Bye for now

Love Soojay xxx

If Anyone reads this...........

2011-07-05T20:49:00.003Z

.........................my friend's son is almost at the end of a John O'Groates to Lands End bike trip with three friends. They are raising money for Macmillan Cancer Care. Most of us know someone who has needed their support at sometime or other. My own dear Sis has three at the moment. It's a great cause.

If you have a few spare £'s their giving page is HERE

And you can read about their journey HERE Its almost over, as I type they are resting in Weston- Super- Mare.

Love Soojay xx

2011-07-02T12:11:00.000Z

for Dad

2011-07-01T20:22:00.000Z

for Cav

Meg's Prom

2011-07-01T15:53:00.010Z

Wednesday was Prom night for Meg and her school friends. I am worn out from all the prep. It didn't help that I had to work till 3.30 and Meg needed to be at her friends house at 5.

I had to watch a you tube vid to see how to lace up the back of the dress.

THey had no idea that we had hired horses and a carriage to take them .

I LOVE this photo of Meg chatting to the girl . Their horses were used on lots of films including the new Pirates of the Caribbean film and she had met Johnny Depp. Meg was SO impressed!

She looked beautiful, even though she took off her lilac false nails and didn't get her hair up as we originally wanted to.

Driving behind i manage to get this shot( Derek was driving not me!)

Arrival at the Prom grounds.
Just before we left, a photo with Daniel.

She arrived home at midnight.

Love Soojay xx

Week End Catch up

2011-06-19T19:54:00.004Z

Finally got to watch fight Club. Wasn't interested when it first came out as I thought it would just be violent ..and it is ..but ..a really good film and I dont mind watching Brad Pitt :D.

This is the weather this weekend! Most of the washing has had to be tumble dried :(.

I went out with some friends to watch performances by the Dove players and friends..very nice.

As usual the weekend has whizzed by too fast... I did manage to take part in some of the ATDML cyber crop challenges ( you need to read my other blog for that info).

Derek enjoyed his father's day :)

See you later!

Love Soojay xxx

Quick update

2011-06-11T17:40:00.007Z

I have been listening to UB40..I do love them ..Not so much now Ali has left though.

I have been crying to Waterloo road this week ..really sad..I won't spoil it in case you are going to watch later.

Also cried to Glee this week. I LOVE Sue but instead of making me laugh as she usually does..she made me cry!

Just started reading this book..literally last night ..on about page 5 so its too early to comment.

Just finished reading this on my iPhone. Its one of three so I will download the others as i quite liked it. I wish i had a kindle though as the iPhone is a little small.

Took Meg for her interview at college this week ..went well and she is going for the day in a couple of weeks to see a bit more and spend the day with the class. Got to sort out her transport now.

Cooking sausage, mash and sweet red onion for tea tonight but still need to do the weekly menu.

Have been making cards most of the day today ( see other blog)..Am now on two card DT's :D ..good excuse to buy more stash ;)..Good job Derek doesn't read this!

Love Soojay xxx

Red Again

2011-06-04T13:45:00.005Z

She has been nagging me to do the roots. "And make it redder please this time!" The only place to do this was outside as the dye is drippy . It looked like Sweeny Todd had been in the garden by the time we finished. Thankfully it all washed away without too much bleach on the patio.

She was happy with the result ( thankfully) ..Not too keen to sit and be photographed as she was getting ready to go to Norwich with her mates.

My fingernails are only slightly red today (yes I did wear gloves).

Love Soojay xxx

And Tonight We have Baked Spuds

2011-06-02T18:36:00.003Z

With Prawns, salad and garlic bread. No salad or prawns for Dan though- he has tuna (no mayo) .

No dessert tonight, they can grab a yoghurt if they are still hungry after that !

How is it possible to be so tired when I have done so little!? I have not touched the ironing and have loads to do but just can't be bothered.

Dan stayed with a mate last night , so it was lovely and quiet here for most of the day - when he got home , he made up for it by winding up his sisters big time....sigh

Most medical appointments have been sorted , just got to arrange a new epileptic appoint for Dan and Nats as, although I made the appointment, they didn't and when we turned up, they didn't have one for us...Wouldn't have minded so much if they had said sorry!

Meg finally has an interview at college next week :) Unfortunately we are now without a Prom venue as the place they were holding it has closed down and the kids have lost over £800..The prom committee are looking else where and there are a few weeks to go , so cross your fingers.

Love Soojay xxx

Tonight's tea

2011-06-01T19:56:00.006Z

uploaded the wrong way! ohh well desert is always better . Thanks to Paula for the fab strawberry recipe - everyone loved it and you can get it HERE.

The Lemon Chicken was found here ..I wont use dark soya sauce next time though. I like my sauce to look more lemony.

Love Soojay xxx

Half term

2011-06-01T15:09:00.002Z

How is it possible to be so tired when I am on holiday!? This week is whizzing by and I still have so much to do. Of course I have spent far too much time on here!

I have still got ironing to do ( pffft!) and LOADS of paper work. Done most of the doc/med appointments :) Managed to make q few cards :D And order too many stamps!

Ohh and the dish washer has died ( not done too badly as I bought it 6 years ago from a fiend for £50). I do need to get another as the dishes are never ending when there are 5 adults in the house.

Right better get to those forms

Love Soojay xxx

End of school

2011-05-14T11:57:00.003Z

For our year 11's. Yes they will all be back on Monday for the start of GCSE's. They looked great in fancy dress and were really well behaved on the whole. I only saw them to sign shirts not to tell anyone off :) The photo was taken with the sun right in my face! so not so great as I couldn't see what I was doing.

Meg's last day too :( She had to go in uniform and change later for a bowling trip. But, that's it for her till college in September. I will have to leave a list of all my housework to keep her busy :D

Love Soojay xx

A Tiring week

2011-05-08T07:53:00.002Z

I don't get stressed that often (thank heavens with MY family!) . But it has been a very stressy week and I am worn out this morning!

Meg had her ART exam on Thursday and Friday - I am not happy with the help she has not received from the school ( she has an educational statement ) . She should have 20 hours 1-1 support a week in school but I know she doesn't get it and never has. As an ex teaching assistant I am well aware of the lack of resources in school . She has shared a TA with a small group of other pupils so I haven't made a fuss. She has never has any support in art ( they don't send any one at all as it is not classed as academic but I think she needs help to understand what is required of her ). I am annoyed that I wasn't told about the extra sessions put on at lunchtime ( although again , she would not have got any help). I am also annoyed that my back up plan for her , if she finished her final piece too quickly, was ignored by her art teacher and she was given something else to do. I am also annoyed that she did not wear an apron and came home covered in acrylic paint ( she still has a week of school left and I have had to scrub it off her uniform as best as I could by hand and put it though the machine twice).

I have an Eco report to write for the school ( my school) governors meeting this month and no time to do it at school , so that's today then.

I spent yesterday feeling sick as I was trying to get Natalie seen by a doctor all day . She has a nasty infection and needed antibiotic quickly as I only found out about it yesterday. After numerous phone calls and discussions we were finally given an appointment at 10.15 last night ( thankfully locally as Derek is away this weekend and I didn't want to drag everyone out). Nats has weird "fits" if she is ill but thankfully was ok yesterday and the doctor said we had caught it quickly enough.

I went to bed with a splitting headache to be woken at 3.30 by Natalie and Daniel arguing!!

Hopefully today will be a better day - fingers crossed. Sorry for the moan :D

Love Soojay xx

This Weeks Menu

2011-05-02T19:51:00.002Z

Monday- Gammon steaks with pineapple salsa and chips( thank you "eat in" mag) - no pineapple for Dan and no salsa for Meg and Nat.

Tuesday - Pasta and home made cheese and crispy bacon sauce + Key lime pie.

Wednesday - I am out (Chinese) Derek will get the same for them .

Thursday - Chicken salad + home made strawberry trifle.

Friday - Derek away so just us. Fish Pie and veg.

Saturday - Chicken Wraps.

Not sure about what to cook on Sunday Yet. Not Sure what time his Lordship arrives back home.

Love Soojay xx

GCSE Art Exam.

2011-05-02T15:43:00.004Z

I will be SO glad when this week is over! Meg has her Art exam on Thursday and Friday of this week. I feel like I am nagging too much. She doesn't want to practice and she needs to. Drawing is not her best skill so we have chosen simple bottle/pot shapes to draw. The painting will be easier. Part of me says back off as she will not be using this at college ( she is going to be doing a life skills course) Meg had moderate learning difficulties and type 1 diabetes. Her weakest areas are numeracy and literacy. Her older brother and sister also have similar problems. Meg will be the first of our children to sit a GCSE. All I want is for her to pass. Her predicted grade is D/E which is fine. Am I asking too much ? Should I back off? I just think it would do her self esteem the power of good to get it.

Her friend is also sitting it so it would really hurt if she failed and her friend didn't.

Anyway, I have bought water colour pencils, paints, acrylic paint, oil paints canvases, water colour paper , sketch pads. She has access to all my craft supplies and tools ( not many people can say that! ) I bought everything so we can do a complete run though of the exam. I suppose its because I am her mum that she is resistant. All she wants to do is watch the blinklin Disney channel! Or chat on Facebook!

I managed to get her to paint the background yesterday ( based on Mark Rothko paintings )

We even mixed up a gold glitter paint for the first coat and painted a recipe in her sketch book.

Now I just need her to paint the image, we have photographed an arrangement and turned it into a poster art image with filters. This way she only needs to use four colours and they are in blocks of colour. Apart from do it for her, I can't think of how else to help her. I have to say that I am NOT impressed with the school - originally the exam was on the 20th May , so they have brought it forward two weeks. But, also, they have not supported her as much as I would have liked. There were extra classes at lunch time but I guess no TA would give up lunches to help her ( not that she has a TA in art - She SHOULD have 20 hrs a week) Working in a school myself and as a former TA , I understand that resources have to be stretched sometimes. I wasn't told about the extra classes though , I found out from another parent.

Like I said, I will be glad when this week is over. In the big scheme of things, it's not that important ...but ...just in case...cross your fingers for her please.

Love Soojay xxx

Preparing for Prom

2011-04-25T17:31:00.002Z

The hair Style..But with red hair.

The dress ordered, paid ,just waiting delivery.

We still need shoes and Meg wants fairly flat ones as she is tall. I also need to get a petticote ( watching one on Ebay) .

Hard to believe that she has 10 days of school left + exam days before she leaves.

Love Soojay xx

Natalie's Birthday

2011-04-24T19:42:00.008Z

Natalie was 26 yrs today..Where DID the time go?! We had a small BBQ in the back garden to celebrate as it was such a lovely day. We bought her a new suitcase and a camera for her Butlins Holiday later in the year. Thankfully I also bought her a hard case to put her camera in a she has already dropped it!!

As usual I left it to the last moment to decide to do something. A couple of hours before, thought I'd make a banner. I used my new spellbinder dies and a Tim Holtz alterations die ( for the rosettes ).

Daniel never seems to wear much in this weather around the house, just shorts. I have cropped this photo to save your poor eyes!

Derek took hundreds of photos of himself, so I thought I'd better include one of him trying to be cool. He also took loads of me but not one is flattering!

Lovely sunny day with the sun about to set.

HAPPY EASTER !!

Love Soojay xx

Oppps

2011-04-20T15:08:00.003Z

These fell into my basket and a snip at £13.30 ! Nip over to Craft Obsessions Where there is an Easter sale and NO P&P at the mo . They have Sizzix,Tim Holtz , SDpellbinders and Basic Grey all on special.

I was only looking at these particular dies the other day ..thinking that I needed them but I'd wait as they were over £15........Kismet! ;) ( sorry I think I bought that last set).

What a glorious day it has been here ..so warm and sunny. I spent yesterday outside painting stamped images for my cards and caught the sun. Today I popped to the garden centre to get a few seedlings for my pots..just gotta go out there later and pot them all up .......I LOVE Spring !

Love Soojay xx

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

2011-04-17T17:35:00.003Z

While blog hopping i found This post and thought I would do the same.

Here Goes...

Yesterday

I got up early to enjoy the peace and quiet.

I spoke to my sister for a while on Skype ( it was great to see her)

I cleaned out the fridge and tidied the kitchen

I Created a layout for the first time in weeks.

I accidently ordered A Tim Holtz sizzix die.

I watched Harry potter again this time with Derek.

Today

I found the patio ( under a pile of weeds) and washed down the garden furniture.

I got stung by a stinging nettle as I pulled it out of the patio.

I bribed Dan to let me photograph him.

I washed the kitchen window and the one in the back door..i can SEE!

I made three cards

I cooked Gammon and chips for tea.

Tomorrow

I will take Meg to look round Bury College.

I will hire a skip for all the rubbish in back garden.

I will send back the tiny converse that I got for Derek :)

I will NOT be cooking tea :)

I will have to order some ink for my printer.

I will be taking Natalie to the cinema with her girls group to see HOP.

How about You ?

Love soojay xx

New shoes!!

2011-04-14T14:20:00.008Z

I have recently been raving about the tReds shoe store. I LOVE shoes and cheaper shoes are even better. One word of warning..DO be careful when ordering the correct size! Derek loves converse and has a couple of pairs already. He saw some recently in a high street store but I said No.. I'll look on tReds to see if I can get them cheaper..............RESULT..size 13 ( he has enormous feet!) £22 , so I ordered ( a pair of sketchers also fell into the basket in my "normal" size.) Derek has been waiting for the delivery ever since. And today they arrived...

........No Matter what angle you look at them from, they don't look any bigger!! OOOPs..I ordered a CHILDS size 13.

Even the box is too small. He is currently sulking.

These little beauties are mine. They fit perfectly, are comfortable and £10 cheaper than high street stores at £14.99.

My feet are far too cold to actually wear them today though.

I have been blog hopping and spending too much time sat here reading posts, blogs and browsing on-line stores. I would like to share a lovely blog with you by Hannah go check it out you won't be disappointed.

Love soojay xxx

Hols are whizzing by!

2011-04-13T18:00:00.005Z

Some of the stash I bought yesterday at Papermaze . I am addicted to Spelbinder dies.

I have already got the plain banner dies and just needed theses to go with them. I suppose I ought to USE them now?!

I knew they would and I was right....the holiday is going too fast! I have SO much to do and am running out of time. I don't seem to have done very much for ME ..ahh well.

Meg is off shopping tomorrow and is desperate for more money to spend, even though she has her birthday money.....she actually hoovered ..i nearly fainted ..till she asked

me to pay her!! LOL

Love Soojay xx

A Trip Out

2011-04-12T16:10:00.005Z

To see Ness at papermaze. I took Natalie as she and I rarely go out together and although I have already got her birthday presents, a girl can never have too much stash.

As usual I nearly missed the turn off LOL. It was a lovely sunny day so quite a nice drive.

Yesterday I trimmed and coloured Meg's hair. She had been crazing for sometime. As her hair is so long and thick, I have to use two bottles of dye.

I am hoping to tidy the garden up a bit tomorrow if there is still a bit of sun about.

I am LOVING the Easter hols as so far, its been sunny ( if not as warm as I'd like it).

We are having Chinese for tea tonight as a special treat ( we don't usually have it DURING the week)........so NO cooking ........result!

Ohh you want to know what I bought at papermaze ????

I'll post later ;)

Love Soojay xx

My Baby Girl is 16 today!

2011-04-04T18:27:00.007Z

As you can see, the sun shone for her this morning. She had asked for a new laptop as her is quite old,slow and has 4 keys missing. I was happy coz it was either a laptop OR a party. I did put a whole load of soft wear on it that has made her very happy. She also had a cordless pink mouse and bag.

Thankfully I had installed it all before I wrapped it so all she had to do was switch on. She was up nice and early this morning :D I doubt I shall see her for three weeks now!!

I even got a very small smile ...BEFORE school!!

Her cake tonight. There was only Megs, Derek and I as the two older ones had gone out..still we got the biggest slices ;)

I have a cake sale at school tomorrow in aid of the climate run. I look after all the "Eco" stuff at school and some of our pupils are running on Thursday. I was a bit worried that I would also have to run ..but thankfully, I just have to bake cakes tonight. I had better get on with it then.

In the words of some of my fav year 11's......Laerrrs!

Love Soojay xx

Mothers Day

2011-04-03T11:27:00.003Z

Always bitter sweet as mum is no longer here. Daniel did the whole arrangement above at college this week, including the decoupage on the pot.

Meg asked me to print out a digi stamp - I thought it was to make a card for her friend ( most of her friends are also 16 this month). Instead she gave me the card above, with inked edges as well!

From Nat I had a beautiful card with a badge that says "loved to bits" and a teddy.

Derek bought me two bottles of perfume- secret wish (Anna Sui ) and Naughty Alice (Vivianne Westwood) and some flowers.

Really spoiled!

Love Soojay xx

An Ordinary Day

2011-03-26T18:57:00.004Z

That's so funny as I doubt that many of my days are ordinary. That's okay though, I don't mind. Our house is manic at the best of times even though my children are hardly "children" any more. Meg, the baby, is 16 in 10 days ahhhhh !

They all have learning difficulties and OCD. Two have tourettes, one "tic" disorder, one has ADHD, one is diabetic, two have had seizures,two have ASD, one has dyspraxia. I THINK that's it, I can't always remember. They ARE all Happy, Loved, loveable, noisy, "normal crazy" Teenagers ( Nat is 26 but might as well be a teen ;))

So like most siblings they dislike each other most of the time, unless I am cross with them all and then they all gang up on me.

So a normal day...well, I certainly need to be up early. Derek works nights so is only home on a Sunday morning. ( at least that's one less fighting for the bath room!) The morning has been planned down to the last detail. They get up at different times so that they all get my attention, time to use the bathroom, and get meds and dressed. One leaves at 7.15, then another at 8.10 , that leaves me 10 mins to get me sorted and get to work ( thankfully a minute away in the car). Nat's taxi arrives later for her placement.

I usually get to work ( not really sure what my job title is ..behavioural assistant? Pastoral care ? pupil support??) Anyway , I get there early ,i need a good car parking space so I can get out quickly (if I am needed or for when I go pick up Nat).

Parents always call before I get to log on to my PC :) Pupils pop in to ask questions, borrow uniform and remove make-up and hand in phones or iPads...iPADS!!! I know!!

Then the day begins at work..most of the things I do are confidential , my boss is one of the child protection officers. I LOVE my job. It is so busy though that I am lucky if I get chance to go to the loo before I go home. At least the day goes quickly.

When Nat and I get home , the others are waiting to tell me news, give me letters. I DO print out a weekly menu so that everyone knows what we are having for tea (very important when you have OCD) , It also means that I don't need to think about it and we buy just what we need.

The best bit of the day is when they have all gone to bed and I have another 20 mins to myself .

Just an ordinary Day

Love Soojay xx

Good Things

2011-03-24T19:11:00.007Z

Prompt three was a list of fav things. I have done that recently - Still loving Ben and Jerry's fairly nuts ice cream. Listening to Bruno Mars. So I thought I would talk about of some of my fav things from today.

Above is Derek on his new toy :) The poor old x-box is getting dusty. At least he has realised that there's so much more you can do than just play games on it ;). The table trolley, I assembled yesterday and told him that he could also use it as a zimmer frame ;)

Aren't these flowers beautiful? They arrived at work for me today from a parent.

We went to look around a special school that one of my children attended with the possibility of a shared placement for her child. Its SUCH a very difficult thing to do , try to deicide where your child with extra needs should be educated, especially when there are no local special schools. Only someone who has been in that situation can understand. I was very touched to receive these.

They definitely brightened my day.

These pretties arrived from HERE today, along with some others ;) I Love Jeans shop , If you want any, you have to be quick as they are selling so fast. I noticed that there are less on there today and I only ordered a day or so ago.

Other Lovely things from today include:

Hot coffee - brought to me by my boss after lunch ..sigh

Nat hoovering today - without being told.

Dan coming straight to me when he got in from college for a big bear hug :)

Meg actually doing art coursework (without me having to pay her - ok I lied about that one!)

A New book to read- given to me at work (so I didn't even buy it!)

Derek going shopping and remembering everything, he tried to buy me my fav ice cream but couldn't so got the next best thing -Hag an daz praline and cream...yummm.

Love soojay xx

catch up.

2011-03-23T19:22:00.004Z

I WAS going to post yesterday but was halfway though a long post and gave up as I was interrupted too many times!

I was trying to explain what makes me happy and why. Going into all the details of how past life experiences have changed me almost beyond recognition. As I work in a high school, I am often reminded of how I used to be. Its hard not to laugh sometimes ( don't worry I wouldn't) when they tell me of the things that bother them. They used to bother me too - you know, how I look, who likes me,. what possessions I have.

At my youngest daughters age (almost 16), I too wanted it all. I was shy, uptight, good ,bossy, naive, materialistic and thought I knew it all. I wanted a handsome rich husband, big house and two children. I was going to be a beauty therapist ( I was for a while). My family would all sit around the dining table a chat politely over meal. No one shouted and certainly no one swore! Ha Ha.

Now my idea of heaven is a warm sunny day, a few moments of peace and quiet and if the children were to be nice to each other ( no ...that's asking too much!) If I go a day without swearing would be a minor miracle too ;)

The Blogging for scrap bookers prompt asked us to think about an event or special day to talk about. I suppose the event that sticks out for me was a few years ago when Derek and I went to a family wedding in Somerset. Derek's niece married the manager of a famous singer songwriter so it was a big affair and something I won't ever experience again. WE stayed here (which was fabulous) for two days and nights. We had the whole place to ourselves ( the wedding party that is) The food was to die for . The wedding perfect and even the singer attended and performed.

It was a lovely escape but the planning took quite some time as all three of the children had to be farmed out or go to respite care. I do remember how beautiful it all was and our suit was amazing..there was enough room for ten people in the shower ( no we didn't try it!!) and there was a tv in the bathroom on the wall.

Back later with prompt three

Love Soojay xxx

A New Class

2011-03-21T20:40:00.002Z

To tell you the truth , i forgot that i had signed up to this. It was a little while ago before my other PC broke. It was a nice surprise to get Shimelle's email today :)

Anyway i have had a very quick read and taken a photo of my work space ( well one of them). I have a very messy desk behind me where i have left everything out from the weekend..if you pop over to my other blog, you will see that all i actually did was a card..but i played with new stamping ideas, inks and die cuts.

I am still in love with my PC . As you can see above, in honour of Spring ( here at last!!), i have adorable bunnies as my wallpaper for now. I am sure i will get bored soon but it will take a few weeks.

I spend far too long sitting here, blogging yes but mostly reading forums, social net work sites, hopping all over the internet not to mention shopping!

I do intend over the next few weeks to cut down on this a bit..my baking has taken a back seat , so i ought to do a little more of that. and a bit more scrapping instead of just thinking about it.

Ohh and a lot less shopping..i can't really afford it and ought to be saving up.

I need to get back to scrapping at least weekly , i can't remember that last time i did a layout!

Hopefully back tomorrow.

Love soojay xx

Sooooooooo Tired

2011-03-19T16:12:00.004Z

Its been very busy at work and I have managed to catch a head cold. Most of the coughing and sneezing has stopped and I am just left with a pounding headache now.

On a better note...the sun is shining :) (at long last) hard to believe that it won't be long till we are out in the garden and wearing less layers.

Derek's laptop arrived last week and he loves it (probably more than his x-box!) I spent the evening the other night , downloading, installing, deleting all the software that he would need. I only need to network my printer and all is done.

Meg has decided that instead of a party , she now also wants a new laptop for her birthday!! ( only about 3 weeks away!) and she has started to save up for sims 3 ( the game that wouldn't work on her old one as the graphics card was not up to it).

Nat has asked for new luggage (she is going away to Butlins later) and a digital camera...i'd better get saving!!!

Have a great weekend.

Love Soojay xxx

My Shoes Arrived!

2011-03-12T10:34:00.003Z

Yayy..They are lovely, very comfortable and make me an inch taller LOL! Very fast delivery too. I can highly recommend this store tREDs . The shoes I ordered were £80 in most stores but here were £30, there's savings on most brands so go look. Thanks to the lovely Tracie for the heads up on this .

Glad its the weekend as I was starting to wilt at work. After managing to not catch anything all winter ( and you have to remember that all the sick pupils have to come see me first before they go to med room - its amazing how many get sick just before a language or maths lesson! ;) ). I thought i was doing really well. I just have a sore throat and sniffles but I am also shattered. I intend to do very little this weekend except potter. Unfortunately there's loads of things I could have done including attending an all day crop with some of my fav people . Instead I'll keep my bugs to myself and hopefully be raring to go on Monday morning ( well up and dressed and facing the right direction anyway :) )

If anyone watched Ideal world this morning, they were selling my PC (below) - it sold out. I bought mine from Amazon UK for the same price ( just not with the four easy payment options but it did have free delivery ) I have to say I love it.

Right enough waffle from me -off to stuff as much washing as I can into the washing machine ( no not really its new and I am frightened of breaking it!) But with 5 of us , I shall spend quite a bit of the day filling it up!

Love Soojay xx

Those Shoes were out of stock :(

2011-03-09T19:57:00.004Z

..............but These are coming :)

Yayyyyyyyy

Love Soojay xx

In Love

2011-03-08T20:30:00.003Z

With these :) I like that I could be taller and still wear flats :)

Will let you know if i give in and order them.

Love Soojay xx

Hi I Am Back

2011-03-05T17:42:00.003Z

With this little beauty!! cept it has a wireless mouse and keyboard and is also a touch screen ...i am in love! :)

Its amazing how much time is spent using the PC, how much I depend on it. Three Email accounts ( four now!) Music, games, just typing stuff up and that's not even including shopping or scrapping :)

Derek has been hovering over this and wanting to use it, so we have given in and ordered him a laptop of his very own - so much more grown up than the x- box!!

Right, i shall turn off Bruno Mars ( my new Fav CD) and go cook tea.

Love Soojay xx

Another quick update

2011-02-24T11:47:00.003Z

I am So missing my PC..It doesn't help that it is half term so don't even have my work pc. My poor BIL is working so hard to try and backup my data to then see if he can fix it. I am thinking that i need a new one :(

I have looked at some beautiful ones but they seem to be all beauty and no substance. I have seen a nice one but can't afford it ATM so need to save up.

Meg wants her laptop back so i have to finish now.

Love soojay xxx

Still Computerless

2011-02-17T20:40:00.002Z

If that is word! I feel like I am missing an arm. Not sure how my pc is faring at the moment, cross your fingers that it can be saved.

Last day before half term tomorrow... i am so ready.

Hubby's Birthday tomorrow... So wishing him a happy day :) Not that he will read this.

Love Soojay xx

I have pinched dorts laptop

2011-02-10T19:32:00.002Z

To update today. My pc seems to have died :( It is not easy typing on this thing as Meg has managed to lose four keys on this thing!!! We have no A, D or W they do still work but you need to press in just the right place..boy it does my head in! The A is the worst offender.

I am not getting my emails , so cannot continue with the photography challenge t the mo..i will catch up if i can later.

Not sure when i will be back to update again ..hopefully soon

Love Soojay xxx

Catch up again.

2011-02-06T10:21:00.005Z

First I am sorry these are rubbish photos( must try harder!!) This is NO5. What you "love to hate" about them. This is Derek's X-box..not only does it eat away hours at a time of his life, his language is foul while he is playing AND you can see how he leaves it !! Most weekend mornings i wake to find leads trailing over the living room floor.

NO. 4 - Is also about Derek. ( sorry another rubbish photo taken quickly before work). Derek has at least 100 Rugby shirts..they are everywhere!! He even has a couple that are still in packaging, as they are "limited editions!!" He is truly a fruit bat about these and is ALWAYS on the look out for a new one. In fact he has one on pre order coming later this month and at an average of £50-60 or £20-30 (in the sales) , it's NOT a cheap hobby!

Had a rubbish day yesterday as I had planned a quiet day crafting and pottering about after a manic week at work. No...................................Megan managed to snap her spare specs on Friday night :( She broke the others a couple of weeks ago, sitting on them. I phoned the local opticians for a new frame. They wouldn't as she was overdue with eye sight test and they were too busy to fit her in and wouldn't even give her the same frames and book an appointment to suit them. In the meantime, Megan ( still a child as she is under 16) can't see!! So, we had to go to Norwich where they could fit her in, do the sight test and get a pair made up straight away. Megan was in a foul mood the whole day. ONLY wanted the exact frames, asked about contacts , so we had to listen to the complete sales talk, then changed her mind :) In the end ( and only £80 worse off) we had two pairs of specs ( one still need picking up later in week- i will NOT be going!!)

I had thought we would make the most of the day by looking around the shops......no grumpy drawers didn't want to. Derek managed to have some fun and had his feet nibbled by fish (wish he had photographed it!) and get some new converse boots.

After getting shopping in Tesco on the way home i was ready to shoot myself !!

Here's to a peaceful ,productive Sunday :)

Love Soojay xxx

Day 3

2011-02-03T16:32:00.005Z

Then and Now .. Then was when Megan was 5 years old just after she was diagnosed with diabetes. What a cutie!

Now...almost 16 ..much harder to get a smile from her. Red Hair and like me, needing specs all the time now.

Back tomorrow

Love Soojay xxx

Day Two

2011-02-02T18:50:00.004Z

Today the photo challenge was to take a picture of "How they Look" LOL!! Megan in the morning before school. As far as she is concerned, this is the most important bit of her "uniform".

She often keeps her poor taxi driver waiting !!.

I have persuaded her to get dressed first and leave this bit till last!

Back tomorrow.

Love Soojay xxx

Day One

2011-02-01T16:56:00.002Z

The Joy Of Love Classes. To day :to photograph a loved one doing what they normally do. This is Dan up and ready for his taxi to college just before 8am this morning. I followed the instructions and placed him in front of the light source.

I am also on day two of the 29 gifts challenge. (see post Below)

Love Soojay xx

BLOGAVERSARY!

2011-01-30T15:14:00.002Z

Well I never...I hadn't realized until Tina congratulated me. I started blogging exactly 5 years ago - it does seem longer though :)

Anyway..while i was looking at Tina's blog, i found this :29 day Giving Challenge I LOVE this and its such a good thing ( and easy ) to do..Well I signed up for it.

Love Soojay xxx

Sunday Again!!

2011-01-30T12:40:00.006Z

This looks GREAT: HERE I have signed up as I want to take better photographs and better still its free!!

Had a lovely visit from Nets and Rosie yesterday . I did take a few photos but most are blurry..its difficult to catch Rosie when she is still Ha Ha .

I do Wish the weekends would slow down a bit. This one has been filled with washing. Our washing machine died last year and a very dear friend gave me her old one to use. It was great but was only a 5kg load and 1000 spin. Our new shiny machine arrived yesterday and (thanks to Dan doing his ANNUAL sort out!!!..........boys) the washing basket is buried under a tonne of socks ( wondered where they had got to!) it is on the fourth load :).

Once again not much scrapping /crafting going on :( ..I do feel more motivated when the sun is shining. I hope to amend this soon. I have lots of ideas but just no "get up and go" to actually do them.

Love Soojay xxx

Pudding

2011-01-23T19:17:00.003Z

We made this at the pampered Chef party the other night. A caramel sauce with sliced apples, spread some left over Christmas mincemeat and cinnamon over the top and then a short crust pastry lid..cook until brown and then turn over ..We had it cool with Cream :)

Love Soojay xxx

Cooking,catch up and My birthday

2011-01-23T13:05:00.009Z

Been ( and still am baking today ) Sausage rolls for packing up this week. I used some puff pastry, although I do prefer shortcrust more as its less greasy. We also have a sausage Plait in the oven for tomorrows tea.

Made a big batch of raspberry and white choc muffins, as 12 seems to disappear too fast!

I went to a "pampered Chef" party the other night and picked up some lovely recipes to try at home. I LOVED their products although most were a little out of my price range and i don't have room for storage in my postage stamp sized kitchen. I DID buy a mini muffin tin - will let you know how i get on with it when it arrives.

Last of my first aid refresher course this Wednesday :)

Not had very much time to do any crafting/scrap booking recently. I have made a couple of cards (they will appear on my other blog later today).

Dreaded birthday :) bad enough last year to reach 50 ...now i get to tick the box OVER 50 !! Ohh joy . I was working and it was a very busy day but, my fab little sis came round so that Hubby could take me out to tea :)

He went overboard with gifts:
He actually brought these to work - I was in the middle of an Eco meeting in the home ec room. He managed to find a couple of teachers to pop in as well and they all sang to me (including all the pupils- they took great joy in watching me turn bright red)

I asked for Bruno Mars CD - and he got it - I can highly recommend it :)

He also got me some of the above from Lush along with a coconut hair soap bar ..It smells heavenly ( if y0u like coconut;) )

I also got a tub of the nutty Ben and jerry's ice cream ( i have already eaten some of it )

He ALSO got me this for work :) :) ...so i was definitely spoiled !! As you already know, i spoiled myself a couple of weeks ago with the clothes and boots above.

I had loads of cards and gifts from friends and family too .........maybe its not s bad being so old :)

Off to cook a roast now xxx

Love Soojay xx

Update on "stuff"

2011-01-13T19:28:00.009Z

Watching: new season (finally) of Primeval. Loving it so far. Also : New Grey's ( when I remember) and Silent Witness.

Eating: Ben and Jerry's Fairly Nuts- Discovered this at cinema a few weeks ago and its even better that the praline and cream haagen daz...well as good as :)

Reading: Michael McIntyre - ok readable :)

Listening to : Prince - Thanks Derek a fab Christmas prez, I had forgotten how much i liked to listen to him...Prince that is not Derek!

Going Out: Saw this at the end of the Christmas hols- Can't wait to get it on DVD - Jake is GORG! Film is ok

Doing a first aid refresher course at work - not meant to be as much fun as it was although we were all blinkin freezing as the there was no heating on after hours!!

Starting to panic about Meg leaving school soon . She has no idea what so ever what or where she wants to go next. I will have to get her to look at all the local (local HA!) colleges at the life skills courses.

Right better go do the dishes

Back soon

Love Soojay xxx

Been Shopping

2011-01-09T16:45:00.006Z

As You can see..It was online shopping and NOT actual shopping in town. Apart from the fact that i never get chance to go into Ipswich or Norwich ..I never find what i want, which was cheap stuff that looks reasonably smart for work. :)From Kays: the top above and two skirts like the one below. Both cheap and comfy :D
These were NOT in the sale but when Derek got back from the shoe repair place, saying that my lovely "Fly" boots were beyond repair, i ordered these from Next , they are only half the price of my others and VERY comfortable. The scarf was just too pretty!

Thats me done shopping for a while now.

Love Soojay xxx

Look what came today

2011-01-04T19:37:00.002Z

I needed a much smaller camera to take out with me and I saw this one in Comet for at least £50 more in the sale :D I got it from Amazon for around £110 - it is already back to £140 today.

Need to take some photos now.

Back to work tomorrow.

Love Soojay xx

Busy Busy

2011-01-03T20:25:00.007Z

So far today i have: printed off this weeks menu and shopping list. Also a list of weekly jobs for my dear children ( i live in hope!)

Assembled one of Derek's Christmas presents - a bird table - it needs weather proofing before i put it outside - probably tomorrow.

Made some more mini calenders ( you need to check out my other blog -paper,ink and glue to see)

Washing, hovering cooking etc ( roast for tea tonight )

Then I cut and colored Meg's hair. This time I used two boxes of dye. Her hair is so thick !! Its handy having an ex hairdresser for a mum sometimes. Result! she didn't cry this time- seems quite happy with it. It IS what she asked for :)

On the phone- as always!! Its either that or MY iPhone or the laptop on Face Book.

Dan is back at college tomorrow- it will so strange for him to go to bed early (before midnight!)

The rest of us are back on Wednesday. Megan's last bit of school ...eeeeekkk! MUST get her organised for college in September !!!

I am looking forward to going back to work. Its hard to believe its been a year - sometimes if seems like so much longer.

I don't do resolutions so you won't see a long list of impossible tasks for me to achieve :D

I WILL try, as always to be more organised, get more done etc etc.

Also, in these uncertain times, try to make myself indispensable at work and attend as many training courses as possible.

I will most certainly try to have more time for me, do more things I like and have FUN ( now if there was just an extra day in the week!!)

Love Soojay xx

2011

2011-01-01T14:52:00.002Z

Christmas Stash and Food

2010-12-27T22:40:00.006Z

Our Jamie Oliver Turkey and Leek pie with chestnut puff pastry. Very nice..although Dan wouldn't eat it as it has veg in it!

Just finished reading this book which was Brill!! Have the Micheal McIntyre Book to read next.

I had four CD's..i asked for one - Plan B but also got , The black eyed peas, Take that and a triple pack of Prince's greats hits.

I have enough chocolate to bath in ..don't expect to see me slim anytime soon! Or Ever!!

Still no crafting done yet ..my craft table is still being used for food :( ...not that i feel much like cooking at the mo. Just omelet for tea tonight .

Love Soojay xx

My Favorite bit of Christmas..........Boxing day!

2010-12-26T12:58:00.005Z

These photos were taken yesterday..of course! Meg was very excited :)

A heat pack teddy :)

Derek has wanted a bird table for a little while now and as the school's "Eco warrior" I thought we ought to have one.

He wore this all day! LOL.

As I said before, i am not the biggest fan of Christmas. I miss my mum and dad and family..we used to have everyone round when the children were little. There is too much "stuff" to do and buy. Yesterday was great, everyone was happy with what they got ..there were no iPod's or real big presents but thats what birthdays are for :)

The meal was lovely and for once I actually enjoyed it - its not always so good when you do all the cooking. We always eat late now as no one is that hungry at lunchtime.

Today we are having left over turkey for tea made the Jamie Oliver way Dan won't like it as it involves veg so he can have something else.

Hope you all survived Christmas and don't have to rush back to work too soon - Derek is back tonight .

Love Soojay xx

Starting to feel like Christmas.

2010-12-22T20:30:00.005Z

The tree had to be Squeezed into the corner i am afraid. Our living room is a little on the small side. Its okay though and i bought some chocs to pop on it today...if i put them on too soon, they disappear long before Christmas day.

Finally got round to making Cinnamon Buns. I made 14 all together but there are none left! Even Dan ate two and hates nuts! They definitely tasted better than they looked.

A rare photo of Natalie NOT pulling a funny face. We took her to her placement Christmas dinner today and after we dropped her off, managed to get some shopping done. She had a great time and was laden down with raffle prizes she won when we picked her up.

My own personal Santa. He is a nutter who loves to go shopping on Christmas Eve!! Rather him than me! Mind you he does tend to get MY pressies then..so i shall send him with a long list...keep your fingers crossed that he comes back with "Plan B's" CD :)

Love Soojay xxx

12 Years

2010-12-21T13:43:00.002Z

Miss You Mum x

First batch

2010-12-15T20:01:00.003Z

of mince pies. Served warm with .......

This :)

Love Soojay xxx

Christmas Meals

2010-12-12T16:26:00.002Z

Two down :)

I can recommend the Beacons field Arms in Occold ( Thursday night with the non teaching staff ). where I bumped into little sis, also out for a meal :)

And, Fayre View in Diss where i went with my carer friend this after noon. I really don't feel like ironing school clothes and cooking tea now .. a little nap would be preferable.

Two more to go to next week , Tues Lunchtime with my boss and Thursday Evening with the SEN staff. Also School Carol service on Monday night..I have been listening to the choir practice at lunchtimes and they sound brill!

We all break up at various times on Friday ..Even Derek has all of Christmas week off :)

I am still manically making Christmas cards ..i never make enough but have bought a load this year too.

Righty oh..best go cook, iron ,clean and nag ( but not necessarily in that order ;))

Love Soojay xxx

Clothes Show

2010-12-09T16:45:00.003Z

Sorry for lack of photos! The show was great and i din't want to miss it by trying to get a good shot! The theme was film genre's and ended with the dirty dancing sequence.

I ought to have taken photos inside the halls of all the great stuff on sale but to be honest i was too busy shopping :) ..Maybe next time.

Off out to my first Christmas meal with staff tonight. Only got an hour and a bit to get ready, so i'd better get a move on!!

Love Soojay xx

Still at Work

2010-12-02T16:42:00.005Z

Not now of course! But so far we have remained open. The Children would rather we closed for a snow day but have managed to make snowmen and snow balls at break and lunch.

These were taken at 8.30 this morning when I arrived. Looks pretty doesn't it? I have to say it has been quite warm in school - certainly where I work.

Dan couldn't get into college this morning and Meg's school closed slightly earlier than normal. Derek on the other hand was VERY late home from work as Ipswich was a mess ( traffic wise) this morning.

I had a nice Email saying that my order of Eclipse has been dispatched...come Mr Postman :)

Hope everyone is warm and cozy at home.

We shall see what tomorrow brings.

Love Soojay xx

That M and M advert

2010-11-28T18:49:00.004Z

The one with the minced beef pies. Derek was saying they looked really nice..."Could you make something like that?" Well...yes. I made a big family one and this is all thats left to photograph!

For dessert Bill Granger's Chocolate cake ( but half the ingredients as its enormous otherwise)

Also added a tea spoon of coffee powder to the cake and frosting - after watching 'The Barefoot Contessa' this morning. She says that the addition of coffee to a chocolate cake makes the chocolate taste so much better.......didn't think you COULD improve on Choc , but i'll give it a go :)

Looks Yummy eh? The kids haven't seen it yet. It won't look like this for long!

Left of pastry turned into packed lunch snacks of sliced baby tomatoes and cheese. Not THAT attractive ( I was cooking tea at the time) but yummy and i get bored with sandwiches.

Right keep warm. back Soon

Love Soojay xx

Little Rant!

2010-11-22T22:10:00.003Z

It really Is a little rant ..but ...needed atm.

Rubbish day at work, really busy , no time to eat lunch let alone go to the loo..felt like i got nothing done.

After tea i decide to chill out and get ahead of the game for once..a bit of scrapping and card making. End up spending ages looking for stuff i can't find :( My craft room is in SUCH a mess!! Need to be tidied at the weekend.

In the midst of this Nats comes back from the girls group she attends on a Monday night and says that Pat needs me ASAP ( i am in my jammies ) ..I find a coat ( its Daniels ) pop it on and go to the front door. Her daughter has had a fit and she needs me to follow her her in my car and help her get Maxine into the house. Derek is playing on the xBox and ignoring all this! So i get in my car , drive round to Pats help Pat get daughter into house and into bed. Maxine is fine now and sleeping. I drive home and Derek is STILL on Xbox. Nats tells me that Gladys the fabulous woman from MENCAP who used to organize all the trips in the summer has died of cancer :( :(

So feeling a bit fed up.

At least they have all gone to bed to leave me in peace for a bit ..mind you its almost my bedtime now....Where did the day go to?!

Here's to a better day tomorrow.

Love Soojay xx