AND SO tonight is the last day of the Year - 31st December, 2008.

IF anyone reads this. Happy New Year everyone for tomorrow.

HOPE 2009 is good to us all - we need some good luck, so I'm including myself in the 'US ALL' too - hope that's not too selfish.

JYC 30/12/08

nearing NYE - Well, it is new years eve as I finish this little LO and upload it - but too tired after 3 days at work to do 31st Decembers yet, having said that,. my Christmas journal hasn't actually been very riveting, so I'm in no hurry.

This page once again is very blurred, but I couldn't be bothered (nearly said arsed) to re take the pic and upload again.

Nearly 2009, crikey where did 2008 go, but I'm glad to see the back of it, so long as 2009 is better, I really really hope it is.

JYC 29th December, 2008.

28th December, 2008 JYC ickle LO.

AND so 30th December already

still haven't done 28th (Sunday) 29th (Monday) - today 30th (Tuesday). Haven't really felt like scrapping, and having no mojo either for LO's - pretty down in the dumps, ME THINKS.

Ah well, lets see how it goes. All the 'politics' in the office are sorting themselves out, felt a bit like piggy in the middle (IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE, gotta get back to SW properly). AND hopefully now it's all settling down, I can learn the job and get on with things, quite unbelievable though how much I have learned in such a short space of time.

scrummy gold leaf - behind for 28th & 29th.

work was quite taxing - quite boring but lots to do - and the hours didn't go by very quickly. Don't know what I shall do IF it's not a busy job ! Had a flu jab too - feel pretty tired, spose it could be that.

It could also be that the woman I work with treats me as IF she hates me, I am having a dreadful time with her - already.

Here's my scrummy gold leaf background for 28th - love gold leafing - couldn't be bothered tho to use glue and for quickness used DST - but it'll be OK for my JYC.

work on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

don't know IF I shall get time to scrap??????? Hope I do, then NEXT week will be the start of my proper 4 days a week - eeeekkkkk - hope I cope.

and so December is drawing to a close - Sunday 28th December, 2008

We went to our janets.....................to see her new house, although she has now lived there for 5 months ! It isn't a small house, as she said it was, but obviously it is smaller than the one she lived in previously. It's a nice house - and obviously not a cheap house and the area is lovely too. We had a lovely afternoon. I think I am now going to try and keep in touch a bit more. I said it would have been nice to have had an afternoon with the family over Christmas - and it never happens these days. I hardly see our Johnnie either - so maybe 2009 we can turn things around a bit and get a bit closer to everyone. We'll see how things go.

Saturday 27th December, 2008

Korin comes in at 12.15 am telling me she wants a New Years Eve party - here !! It's very tempting, cos we are bored outta our minds .................... however, it would mainly be her mates from college and I don't know if I can trust them not to get too drunk, spew everywhere and generally misbehave. Korin forgets that I remember what we were like (thats me and my mates). AND I will be working Monday, Tuesday, ~Wednesday - so Thursday will be clean up and I don't fancy all the mess. I'd like to have a get together and invite Marian and Dom (but they probably won't come) - Stella and Dennis - but they'll be having their own. George and Paul (always have their own do too) which we have been invited to but never go to, cos of the drive home - you can't drink. It's a bit of a dilema, but I am NOT having a party here for college people - that is final. uploaded my little Lo on Sunday night - very mindful of the fact that my little lo's are getting more and more basic :) but most of the time now, I can't be bothered to do it - everyone elses LO's on their blogs etc are so wonderful. I suppose I STILL haven't got my scrapping mojo back and I am very concerned that all of a sudden I shall realise that I haven't been at my scrapping dest for a couple of days, then 3 days then maybe a week - would I ever pack up scrapping???? 12 months ago I wouldn't have entertained the idea, but now - I'm beginning to wonder.

BOXING DAY - no fights here ! tee hee

talking to marian and she had the usual problems with her DD - thankfully our Christmas has been very relaxed and pretty happy, despite having no where to go and no one to see - which is rather sad really. We used to invite people over but as they've gotten older no one wants to go out the house cos they can't drink etc, easier to stay home have a few drinks and eat whatever you want and vegetate in front of the TV.

& YEP the background on my JYC for today is the wrappers from Roses chocolates. We sat and ate LOADS and LOADS last night - and today I feel sick and wish I hadn't.

Here is my Christmas Day - journal entry

OK predictable - no pictures, just my little pages 6x6 very simple, easy to keep up to date. Will try and incorporate some pages which maybe a bit more elaborate. Maybe.

a couple of pics from Christmas day

Merry Christmas Everyone !

Didn't get up until 8.35 am - and kids got up at 8.45 to open their presents - although they were only a few as they've had the money. Seemed really strange them not being excited about Christmas. We were going to go to the Swim in the Park - but it was too late - so took a leisurely breakfast (as turkey still frozen inside !!) and then went to crem and cemetary to wish lost parents a Happy Christmas, always cracks me up and it's been years and years, this year I feel so sad about them not being with us. Maybe it's because we've had such a bad year, maybe because we're older and we start to think about our own mortality - I don't know. Just feel it's not really like Christmas AT ALL. Rang my brother, but sister rang me and left message on answer phone. I'd love to have had a real family get together. I think next year I'd like to try and organise one.

Turkey just about thawed now 1.30 pm - so shall get him cooked and then have our dinner about 5 instead of lunch time.

Happy Christmas EVERYONE.

Christmas Eve. Got JYC up to date.

23rd December, 2008 - Already & Christmas Eve tomorrow.

I must remember to take my turkey out the freezer tomorrow morning early. Well it'll have to be early as I have an early start every day 8o(

My first proper day in my job. AND it wasn't so bad. Lets face it at the end of the day it's been very difficult for me to return to work after 15 years being at home pottering doing my reflexology and related therapies - my teaching, pleasing myself and enjoying myself for all that time. No pressure really. Now I have this 4 day regime and I think it's going to be hard to get into it - and keep to it - I just hope that I can AND have a boss after 15 years of being my own boss. Everything changes, and I'm all for change in a good way, this is a good way as it's helping us financially to cope during this economic climate.

No scrapping again today, so two days behind. I hope to catch up tomorrow night as we usually have a takeaway on a Christmas Eve so no cooking and Key is off and doing housework and last last last minute shopping. Also dropping me at work so I don't have the 20 minute walk to and from the car park in the middle of Sutton. I must admit, I don't mind the drive, but already thinking of TRYING to park nearer to work AFTER ONE DAY !

All I can do is try my best.

22/12/08

crickey, just lost all my typed up journalling for today. Was saying that I didn't do my JYC for the first time today. Will catch up over Christmas. Key's working on Saturday so may have a scrapping day. Started at NHS today - induction at Heartlands. Absolutely shatterd tonight. Good Hope tomorrow and got to be bright eyed and bushy tailed - some hope at 52 years old. I feel wrecked.

Speak tomorrow night.

Goodnight self.

GOLD

don't you just love it - I love all things gold - it's shiney and sleek and expensive looking. It cheers you up when you look at it - in Colour Therapy it's very Spiritual - along with Purple and White (for purity) - JUST a gorgeous colour. Love it, love it, love it.

So What did you do today: JYC 21/12/08

Another easy peesey lemon squeezy ickle LO - an old Christmas card journalling says that I am having an easy day today as I start my job tomorrow. AND the tag basically says the same - although starting my job means that I have had to have Christmas all wrapped up (excuse the pun) by today so that I can work 22nd, 23rd, 24th and know that I am ready for Christmas Day already.

how beautiful is this ! Given from one of the tilers who has had business through Clays this year. His wife is a florest and sent us this. I was so overwhelmed, it is so beautiful and my table will now be complete cos I wasn't going to buy one this year at £25 or the £8 wreaths x 3 for mom and dad, mom, and nan & grandad birch. IF I had ordered this through our local florest I reckon it would have cost AT LEASE £50 maybe more. I must ring her and say thankyou for making my Christmas.

my ickle LO for 20.12.09

20th December, 2008.

Only 2 days more of freedom. Sadness envelopes me! Nah not really, I'm kinda looking forward to the job. NOT looking forward to the parking, hospitals are so notorious for parking problems and this one in particular - it is difficult to put it mildly. All I can do is park where I think I can park - pay £3 a day parking - and hope the 20 minutes walk morning and night doesn't kill me along with the 40 minute drive each way and an 8 hour day. I think IMUST be mad.

Anyway, this is my background for my ickle JYC LO today, I was so chuffed with the glimmer mists making it all shiny and shimmery. HOWEVER - I don't know if the picture captures the real glory of this background. Probably not !

Journalling Your Christmas for 19th December, 2008 - only 5 days to go

As this Christmas card arrived from 'Step' Grandma I knew it was going to be todays Journal page. No letters to santa this year, my kids are adults. Christmas is a time for kids. The saddest thing of all about Christmas is when you suddenly realise there is no more pretending. Remembering the year of Mr Blobby. Korin was crazy for Mr Blobby. You couldn't get these soft toys anywhere and I kept telling Korin that Santa might not be able to get a Mr B because they were very rare. I manged to get her one. She opened it at one side of the lounge and hugged him and screamed 'IT's Mr Blobby' - and ran to the other side of the house and fell flat on top of him. OK, maybe you had to be there. Merry Christmas anyone who might read this.

There is always someone worse off than you !

How many times have we heard that? Our poor financial advisor has just sent us an email wishing us a merry Christmas but asking that if we know anyone who needs financial advise or mortgage advice to recommend him as he hasn't been paid for 6 months. OK my DH was 22 months without an income but THANKFULLY he now has a well paid job. Just hope that better things are on their way for a lot of people in this country, there is always someone worse off than you! Health and wealth to everyone for 2009.

Beautiful (when sang by Celine Dion)

O HOLY NIGHT

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world
In sin and error pining
'Till He appeared and the soul felt His worth
The thrill of hope,
The weary world rejoices
For yonder brings a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
Oh, hear the angel's voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night, Oh night divine
Oh Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
OhLong lay the world
In sin and error pining
'Til He appeared and the soul felt His worth
The thrill of hope,
The weary world rejoices
For yonder brings a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O, hear the angel's voices
O night divineO night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night, O night divine.

18th December, 2008

29 years ago today Jean died.................and that has just flashed by. I will always remember her, cos I think we could have been friends as MIL and DIL - it just wasn't to be. Happy Christmas Jean, wherever you are.

Todays JYC 'I think the traditional Christmas Lunch' springs to mind - but, I'm afraid that the last couple of years I have done things 'quickly' - frozen roasters, frozen parsnips, frozen peas, frozen carrots, frozen turkey etc etc - it tastes as nice, I don't care what people say, I cannot tell the difference. WELL YES I CAN - I had a fresh bird about 5 years ago and DIDN'T touch it, it was too turkey tasting (tee hee). Ready made Christmas Pudding (ONLY Key eats it anyway) ready made mince pies (for me and Keir) - cos mine turned out pants, hopeless at pastry AND Korin has a chocolate sponge pudding (ready made, of course, from Morrisons). This year TIME will be particularly important cos I am working Christmas Eve (don't know what time to) and I want as much time, sitting relaxing and scrapping as I possibly CAN. SO THERE - DO NOT JUDGE ME. "would you dare". ha ha.

JYC 17/12/08

strange how a prompt can evoke wonderful and sad/emotional memories. The journalling on this says it all - but connected to this ring, bought from H Samuel as we got outside we bumped into Robert and Gwen who used to live above us for many years when we first moved into Roberts Court (our 2nd home) - (Gwen was a good 10 - 12 years older than him) , we stood chatting for a long time and Gwen admired my Christmas Present (my ring). Just 12 months later as we were walking through Sutton we saw Robert with a different woman (I must admit I kinda nudged DH as much to say, wonder if Gwen knew). Roberts stopped and introduced us to his NEW lady and with sadness in his eyes told us Gwen had died from cancer in about the April. It was REALLY sad as they were really in love with one another. I OFTEN think of Gwen when I put this ring on.

16th December, 2008

as before, the journalling says it all. used tissue paper with lots of PVA - and then irredescent blue glitter - a white alpha coloured with black permanent pen and stickles - black diamond. Usual just a bit of journalling and Voila. Can't say I particularly like this page but it was a bit of a rushy one.

Christmas Presents

I've already had & opened: Large tin Roses, Bottle of wine, Thorntons chocolates, French and Saunders DVD, Bottle of Dark Rum (yummy yummy - my favourite tipple). AND now a pair of boots off DH which I need now cos I have no boots and starting new job next week, reckon I shall have to do a bit of walking - hope these boots are made for walking and are very COMFORTABLE!

10 days to Chrimbo Day - how exciting (NOT) 15.12.08

I started my page last night - as I know I am going to be busy today, it's 8.30 am and just finished it off. As I said before this is my time of year. Used the shiny background - metalised plastic, then cuttlebugged the metal sheet with the snowflake embossing folder. Using BIT of journalling and stuck the letters down onto double sided tape to save hving to stick them individually - consequently had to use acetate over the top - but adds to it's shininess (is that a word) and then finally used gem brads to hold the acetate in place.

I am becoming a thrifty scrapper - don't know if the page will stand the test of time - but the background was a bag from a bag of fruit and nut - the letters were painted with tippex. the cuttlebugged metal sheet is the top of a takeaway carton!

14th December, 2008

all very basic stuff but keeping up to date - as I said I got the prompts the wrong way round, but it doesn't matter at all. Only one week til I start my job - now that it's almost here it's gone quickly, yet I've had to wait probably 9 weeks to start.....................Hope I enjoy it.

Whats the recipe for today Jim ! - 13.12.08

got the prompts the wrong way round - but never mind, only me knows !

New Album

I have thought long and hard about this journal, as last years was very difficult to bind and that wasn't as thick as this one will be ! - So I stuck 2 x 6x6 top loading albums together and stuck my front cover on the front - it didn't look right and in just 12 days it just wasn't big enough. So I thought I would make another one - this one is about 2" thick at the binding - yet I don't think it's going to be big enough as we still have about 24 days left to scrap - I don't feel I can make another one either !

JYC for 12th December, 2008 - my kids ah bless.

sorry the journalling is blurred, my terrible picture taking I'm afraid. That is if anyone is reading this. tee hee.

11.12.08 - JYC

JYC Day 10 - 10th December, 2008

keeping it simple - loved the vibrancy of this Christmas card from a customer so felt I wanted to use it for todays prompt - as I don't put Christmas cards up at Christmas is doens't matter using them up in other ways - I have also used Christmas cards for mini books etc in the past.

How quickly the days are rushing by in the run up to Christmas - but I am pleased that all my presents have been bought, christmas cards sent, and all i now have to concentrate on is getting my Christmas food shopping, although half of that is already done - as I start my new job on 22nd it's good that I am so far advanced this year - I think I might be working on 29th,30th & 31sts December too. Sad really, I don't think I have worked those days in 20 years.

9th December 2008

the journalling says it all really!

THIS is SO my TIME of THE year ! glizt and glitter ! JYC 8.12.08

The 'magical' was off a Christmas card from a good friend/customer today - it's so sparkly and shiny - as she gave it to me, I JUST knew it would be on my Seasonal Sightings today. This is so my time of the year, glitz and glitter - scrummy ruby reds, and emerald greens and Gold and Silver YUM YUM YUMMY ! just scrumptious. Being a colour therapist too - I just love to fill my world with lots of colour - although I wear mainly black that is REALLY only to hide my lumps and bumps - IF I could I would be a bit like Joseph and his Technicoloured Dream Coat - or something like that ! Bring it on.

AND here is day 7 - 7th December, 2008.

list of lists that I have to make over the Christmas period. Then I make lists of the stuff that remains on some lists - and try and combine them. It drives me nuts, but I don't know what I would do without my lists - there are lists everywhere in this blooming house - my purse is full of them.

Saturday 6th December, 2008. It all seems to be going by too quickly !

Well, its the village Christmas Fair at 2 pm - I really don't know whether to go? I like to support the village activities and try and join in with the community stuff - BUT Summer Fayre, Christmas Fair and all the other stuff they arrange always seems rather 'pants' AND I usually spend about £20 on bits and pieces AND I would rather spend my £20 on scrapping PLUS I also need a colour and black ink cartridge today which will come to around £22 too - better get those first and think about the Village Christmas Fair AFTER I've dropped DD at work. JYC - havn't got much of a clue what to do. I'm not including many photo's this year, just the odd one here and there, doing mainly journalling and then it's only a small amount of journalling too! Gotta go walk the dog.

just another basic little 6x6 layout, but I love that colour - done with encaustic art waxes.

HEY - it's 5th December for JYC - ALREADY

particularly like the alcohol inks on the aluminium tape - it's becomming an obsession. tee hee. Day 5 already, how quickly it goes by.

JYC 4th December. 'Perfect Christmas'

My perfect Christmas would be to have mom and dad here - I miss them som much. Dad died when I was 21 and Mom died when I was 28 - I really really really envy people who are my age now 50's and have parents, how wonderful it would be to be able to treat them, have them over for Christmas lunch, wait on them, have a laugh and a joke with them. My other perfect Christmas wish would be for Keir to be well - happy - integrated into life in general - I'd give up all my future Christmases for this to be the case.

just realised what a dreadful pic of this little LO it is ! looks like I have a black eye - I haven't. ah well, in real life the LO looks OK.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas !

Had a bottle of wine off customer yesterday (it's been drank) and a box of chocolates off another customer tonight - we all polished it off as soon as I got in (glutton's, that's what we are) - AH well it is Christmas you know.

how's this pic for summoning up a Christmassey atmosphere eh.

3rd December JYC

Janet and Keiths Christmas card. Everyone knows me now for giving to charity instead of sending cards. I know it's nice to remember people but can't we remember people all year rather than just a Christmas cards. I still receive Christmas cards from people whom I used to work with - people who we were friends with many years ago, yet non of them pick up the phone to see if we are EVEN still alive! I do find the idea of everyone sending hundreds of Christmas cards willy-nilly at this time of year just a terrible terrible waste of money, money that could be going to better causes. I shall send £20 to Breast Friends (in Vivs name this year) Happy Christmas Viv, wherever you are mate.

2nd December already!

And here's my page for today - I am glad I'm only doing a small album, but having said that you can't get a lot on a 6x6 page so it may prove too small as the days go on. We'll see eh.

AND we are OFF - this could be the start of something big.

Not really - this journal for Christmas is going to be 6x6 and not too many embellishments as I don't want it extremely fat like last years - so very plain and simple - I like my first page.

Got all my Encaustic Art stuff out

yep at nearly 2 am, but enjoyed doing these simple cards - great for backgrounds and I think they'll die cut easily too - well that's my intention anyway.

Jane Nesterenko has a lot to answer for!

12 months ago Jane Nesterenko (think thats how you spell her name) was demo'ing treasure boxes on Create and Craft TV - the large stamp (in the pic) is about 8"x4" and she made it look very easy to stamp - it isn't difficult just a very large stamp - and unless you are going to make a lot of boxes - bit of a large outlay, I think the stamp was about £14. Jane's creations are beautiful. I made this box (coloured with twinkling H2o's) for a necklace I have bought DD for christmas.

Came out OK.

Really down in the dumps today - Saturday 29th November, 2008.

I think the impact of what happened to Keir keeps coming back to haunt me every few minutes, I have to try and forget that it was such a close call. He's really down about it all too. Hopefully, it won't be a hasstle getting his bike repaired. We are going through insurance as his excess is £700 and we reckon it's going to be 'double that' ouch. Poor Keir, nothing ever seems to work out good for him. BUT we are just happy that he was OK in the accident.

Still no inspiration to do any scrapping. Just messing about with the 365 (which I now wish was over) - I MIGHT just do December as my Christmas Journal rather than following 365 prompts. I must admit that I haven't enjoyed doing the 365 the last month or so - it's become a chore. So doing Journal My Christmas for December will be the same really, a LO per day - albeit it'll be only 6x6 instead of 12x12.

THATS if I keep up scrapping. I am just NOT into it - in a big way at the moment. Maybe I've scrapped every day for too long. Maybe I sholdn't have done the 365 as it seems to have numbed me doing LO's this year???

I don't know. Maybe it's just the bad year we have had and I'm just tired. This flu has really knocked me for a six too.

Loving the alcohol inks and my aluminium duck tape - Keir said 'how many of those are you going to do'?

Right, get back to my alcohol inks then.

I am so tired.

12 midnight you rang Keir to tell me that you were lying in a 5' ditch in the pitch black you had come off your bike.

My heart hit my boots - but thank God you are OK - your bike isn't (again) probably another £500 repair but that is immaterial, what is important is that you are OK apart from being broken hearted and so upset.

It has taken me all day to clean the mud from your boots and gloves and wash your jeans and new jacket ( your Christmas present - all but ruined ) . I felt so sorry for you all alone on that dark country road - I don't think I've ever seen anyone so covered in mud as you were.

The hospital confirmed you were OK - apart from your pride. The police were good too. And the recovery chap today - not charging us for the 'winching' of your bike out of the ditch.

I hope you give up motorcycling.....................but I don't think you will. You had a lucky escape with your life last night. We love you. I hope God keeps you safe.

I seem to be blogging daily - 'whats wrong with me'

Had a few wins on ebay - got a couple of rubber stamps.

Got some more alcohol inks.

Got some aluminium duck tape - like how that came out made a little book for Korin - and a decoration for the front of my address book.

DH had his first appraisal - it went well - in fact it went really well, and IF all goes as they say it is going, it's only good news - can't dare to think too positively tho after such a bad bad year (financially) - fingers crossed....................he deserves it tho as he's a very hard worker gives his job 100%.

Scrap your day today

take photo's !! OF WHAT? my SYD is becoming so boring - I didn't do last months until last night and only then so I didn't have two SYD's to do, IYKWIM.

Anyway, I will continue it on for a year - but really finding it so boring.

Still have Journal to do of a 'book of my home/area' which was set with teamies Ready Steady Scrap - but I've left that group now - will still finish my book - I hope - EVENTUALLY.

I have an eclectic mix book of ME - lots of different size papers and tags and covered CD's etc - to finish.

I am still doing 365 Challenge, but will be glad when that finishes too - as I haven't enjoyed the last month or so of prompts - some are very samey too - Think it was a great idea tho.

NOW, of course, also doing Journal My Christmas - I must be bloody mad as I did it last year and remember thinking - Gosh when does this stop.

Come January I should have EVERYTHING finished - well I hope so anyway, then what do I do. Get back to scrapping LO's???? Or pack up scrapping??? depends on how busy my job is, whether I'm continuing with reflexology etc etc.

Don't you think life is strange

............. as I walked the dog today, I thought 'it would be very nice now to sell the house and downsize and have a lot more money in our pockets'. I got home and there was a message on my mobile answermachine - from the estate agent, still had a woman with him who hasn't yet put her house on the market but wants a house as big as ours - but dreads the thought of putting her house on the market and wondered if we'd consider part exchange ! - Her house price is exactly what we are looking for........................could this be coincidence? Strange eh.

I will miss my house if and when we sell, and everything has to be right - I'm not giving up my house for something that I'm not going to be happy with, we aren't desperate to sell.

Key got home, no way would he go live where this woman wants to part exchange so he rang estate agents and said NO straight away - no viewing tomorrow, but at least I haven't got to clean, clean, clean.