Bad Lystra

Where does time go? No really? Doesn't seem like yesterday that I posted on here but apparently I haven't posted since March!!! I must get better at this.
Some thing don't change I am still a bad daughter-in-law and owe Joan 2 letters, I do sit down everyday in the evening and say I am going to write and then something has to be done and by the time I have time to write I am dozing off on the sofa waiting for Phillip. The 4 to 6 hours sleep I get nightly just isn't enough..

Again life has been busy and interesting and lots has gone on. We have managed to gather a few new friends along the way.


Here is Cadbury showing his new friend Caramac how to enjoy nap time.




This is Smirnoff, this little guy was rescued by one of the neighbours who was scared of it and doesn't like cats. 3 weeks ago you couldn't get near him, now he thinks he owns us.

We re homed another ginger kitten and he is spoilt and enjoying life.

Did we need more family members? Not really but they needed someone to love them and a place to call home.

Craft and create is doing well and has a regular monthly customer, I didn't realise that we had been doing the mature folks home for so long. Tomorrow we are going to paint picture frames and decorate them. I love this time of year as all the back to school stuff is in the stores and I can buy glue at a great price so look out for photos on me stocking up.

Phillip and I have started selling Avon, I can't rave enough about Avon I love it..They always have some great deals, the have nice perfumes. Poppy loves the makeup and nail varnish. 1 campaign in and we did good and this one is looking OK.
you can check our on-line shop out here.




Time for me to go shower and start my day. Check back soon as I am hoping we have managed to blog again.

A new venture

Where does time go?

I have been terrible at writing my blog and haven't been near or by in over a month. Life has just been hectic and busy. Both Phillip and Poppy celebrated Birthdays, Poppy is 16 and Phillip is about the same age with 12 years body experience (making him 28). So for a couple more days the age gap is only 8 years between Phillip and I, makes me feel better for a short while.

We had a friend come visit from London and was great to see him, Phillip loved it said it was fantastic having another man in the house. If living with two women is bad imagine how Carlos must feel with 4 women in the house and 2 of them teenagers. Feb just flew with Sam visiting and Poppy and Phillip aging life just didn't stop. So bad that I now owe Joan 2 letters (will find the time this weekend to write).

March so far has been busy and fun, Phillips parents came into town and we had a lovely visit. I saw my first Braves game (this is my team by marriage) and we won against the Yankees. The weather was nice and it was a pleasant afternoon. We were treated out to dinner for our Birthdays (we were treated all weekend and was spoilt, thank you Joan and James.), Poppy tried ma hi ma hi (dolphin fish, not dolphin) and chips and got upset when Phillip mentioned dolphin. We also took in the Strawberry festival but was disappointing, I/we expected more strawberries. Was pleasant enough but I like the State fair more, we also did that in Feb. Once again I got to feed the Giraffes. Poppy got to go twice, once with her friends and then on valentines day with Phillip and I.

I have a billion things to do and so much more to say.. Craft and create had it's first paying Job and got booked again. Trans Atlantic cards had it's first shop sale. Phillip sold quite a few cards at work.

My aim is to blog at least twice a week although I would like to make an effort and blog daily. For now I have to go do some work.

Making plans

So today i had intended to do so much but as always no point me making plans as they never go accordingly. Phillip and I however did manage to go to Win Dixie today and have a nose at some of the deals they have going on. I know we spent $32 and saved $38, Phillip was over the moon with this and tried to call his sister Emily as he knew she would be happy for him.



Poppy is staying upstairs with her friend tonight and the 2 of them have been giggling all night, I kid you not these two kids are crazy. But it is so nice to see them laughing and joking together. Jessie hasn't been feeling herself and I have spent most of tonight upstairs keeping her company. I pray to God that she gets well soon as no one deserves to be in that much pain. I feel very lucky to know the people I do here, they are such a mixed group and each bring a different quality to my life.



Tonight I was privy to a conversation between two Mums or Moms discussing their 16 year old daughters and birth control. Now I am confident that when Poppy is ready to have that kind of a relationship with a guy she will come to me. What worries me is putting your daughter on the pill doesn't actually solve much other than pregnancy. Now if Poppy were to come home pregnant I can deal with that, would I be happy? Not overly as a child changes your life in such a big way, you no longer have a life of your own and I want her travel the world, see new things and live before she has children. But STD's scare the hell out of me, you can't give HIV back or put it up for adoption. HIV is the scariest but there are so many other diseases that can be caught. Would I put Poppy on the pill? Probably but only after I had drummed it into her that a) Sex should be between two people in love and a committed relationship. Preferably someone you intend to spend the rest of your life with. b) Condoms should always be used.

Being a teenager now scares me, I am after all no saint I had Poppy at 20, but honestly believe she was a gift from God to make my dads last few years happy ones. My Mum says she was meant to be, that Poppy was sent to our family for a reason. She held us together when life was at it's hardest, when we had nothing to smile about Poppy could make you happy. I don't know what is the right answer, I know in an ideal world our children would be waiting till marriage to make these choices but that's not the world we live in.



Poppy and I summer 95

Jessie Turned 40

Wishing Jessie a very Happy 40th Birthday. I have to say she doesn't look a day over 39 and 365 days. She looks Amazing! Tonight I cooked her Macaroni and cheese from scratch as well as Yorkshire puddings, she had asked me for both for her Birthday dinner and being so wonderful (her words) I made them for her. I made her card and am happy with the way it came out but will work harder on the next one (Poppy's 16th).

Saturday is Jessie's big 4 0 Party and she is excited and looking forward to it.

I am mildly concerned about my mother 2 days ago she told me she would call me back as soon as she had finished her game of golf on the Wii.. But still not a word, am concerned someone may have buried her in the 9th hole. I will call her in the morning and check she is alive and well. Don't hold your breath on Mum calling back when she says she will.

So tomorrow I must take some more photos of cards I have made. Time to go and work on my blanket and chill in front of the TV. If I get a chance I will take a photo of my first ever crochet piece.

Pirate Weekend

So yesterday was Gasperilla here in Florida and as we got rained out last year we didn't make it. But yesterday was a glorious day, the sun shone and was just a perfect day to be doing something outdoors. Poppy was really excited about it and even passed up the opportunity to spend the weekend with Mum in Orlando. We were out by 11 and standing in downtown by 11.25, I got to ride my first bus since being in Florida, the drivers are just as bad as back home only they are nicer. We also met lots of Phillips co workers and spent time chatting with them. They seem like a nice bunch of guys. I came home with my first colour of the season and Jessie was worried I had burnt my face, this morning I have a nice tanned face no red lol.

Up until about 4 pm the day was great, nice people, great weather, fun things to see and do, fantastic atmosphere and brilliant costumes from the down right slutty to the over the top elegant. I have promised Poppy next year she can dress up and be a pirate, she had so much fun until the parade. She was dancing along to the music and really getting into it all. Sadly about 30 min into the parade it all went south for the day.. A group of very drunk girls squashed the small kid in front of us into the concrete rails and then punched the dad when he complained to them and eventually he had to push back. The girl behavior was terrible and had it not been for my reaction and pulling Poppy out the way she would have been caught in the middle of what turned out to be a horrible fight. Phillip tried to help but drunk girls has such a wonderful attitude. This put an end to bead collecting for us and sent us packing. Was such a shame because Poppy was having fun, I found people to be very rude and got extremely angry when people pushed in front of us after we had stood for our spot for over an hour. Ignorant idiots. Poppy's ankle got trodden on and she limped for a bit (till about 6 pm tonight)but other than that we got away pretty lightly. I have a few bruises on my ankles and hurt like hell this morning but am over it pretty quickly.

The kids next door had a party last night and at 1 o'clock I had to ask them to move it away from around the outside of our apartment. Phillip was not happy!

Today I should have gone to Orlando to see a cousin of mine I haven't seen for about 15 years but because of one thing and another we didn't make it.

Enough winging from me time to hit the hay and sleep

Another Day Another $3

Phillip took a recycled flower to work that a guy had asked me to make for him and was happy to pay the $3 for it, so takes the total to $18 this week. So feeling quite good about the card making and stuff this week. The flower I made for his work friend was made from a redbull lite can. I should have photographed it as it came out really well. He is hoping to do a flea market end of next month.

So right now other than writing in my blog, I am playing my personal challenge on Pogo for this week and I picked a pogo bowl badge. Not one based on skill but on luck of gold pins and it's driving me quite loopy.

Of course I should be putting away the laundry I did tonight or clearing the bed, I took my life into my own hands today and ventured to Phillips side of the bed, for future reference a GPS is needed before going in and a will be left in place. All this as I am hunting for something he can't find, didn't find what I was looking for but found several other things we were missing. Tomorrow I venture into the unknown.. My crafting area needs a major work over :-).

The bad news for Phillip is I picked up another one of my Christmas gifts tonight and started reading it. I love Patricia Cornwall and know that tonight I may not get any sleep because as always her book will grip me. I have read the 3 books I got for Christmas from my In-Laws and enjoyed them all.

Time for Cards

This morning I was determined that no matter what that I would produce at least 2 cards before I got involved with anything else. As of right now I have made 2.5 cards, I am half way into another one and am playing with lots of ideas. Phillip looked at me like was quite mad when he saw me first putting the card I made for his bosses wife this morning. I used 4 backing papers, a laced glittered card stock I made myself, as well as stickers, ribbons, fibers, brads, recycled Dr pepper can hearts and a daisy that Phillip made. I have to say I really like it and I would buy the card myself. Maybe not every ones cup of tea but I am pleased with it.

I have to talk to my sister-in-law Emily and ask her about placing photos in blogs and how to improve the page. After all who better than a seasoned blogger to go to for help. I love reading her blog and keeping up with the kids. They are far too cute.

Just noticed the time so sadly time for me to go forth and pack Phillips lunch for work. Shepard's pie and chicken pasta he gets to take today. I have to come up with something for tomorrows lunch as we are out of leftovers for work.

Well yay for me I finished the 3rd card I was maing and will photograph it tomorrow. Phillip sold 3 cards tonight at work and is most happy.

Trying to blog more often

So today as have most of my days have been hectic, I don't seem to stop and at this time of night I am ready to curl up and go to sleep. I have about another 90 min till Phillip gets home then we will spend 30 min talking so he can unwind and then yay sleep for me.

This weekend is the big pirate thing here in Tampa "Gasparilla" and because the weather was so bad last year and we didn't go, Phillip is quite adamant that we are going this year. They have asked him to work on Saturday for 3 hours and while he is working I will get to walk around. Hmm 3 hours in crowds? We shall see! But all in all should be great fun.

I have been trying to come up with an idea of what to do for Poppy next month. She is going to bed 16, doesn't seem like yesterday she was a baby and now she is a young woman all grown up. I keep trying to put her hair in bunches with ribbons and frilly socks but she just won't have it. Honestly is it me or are teenagers no fun?

Charlotte spoke about our next event and we are now all set I believe for a valentines card making date. Only this time I will show the kids how to make a card. Yay for getting things done. Phillip started on spreadsheet for costing for things we buy for making cards and will hopefully do one for the craft club.

Before bed I will be going to browse one of my fave stores on shophandmade
http://www.shophandmade.com/Store?StoreID=6-176-3172626401 I just love her bits, I have 2 pairs of earrings from her and they are so well made and inexpensive.

Ideas

It seems that as always I have a million ideas running around my head and no idea how to put them into action. Maybe thats not true more like I don't like stepping outside my comfort zone and am not overly good with new people.

So some time ago I mentioned to my friend Charlotte that I think running crafting sessions for children and adults would be a great idea and possibly the start of a good bussiness venture. I left it at that (I really do think it would work). At the end of last year Charlotte who's background is 'Event Planning' http://www.itsawrapevents.com/ said to me, we need to take that idea and run with it. So last Saturday after 4 weeks of planning we held our first craft session for the children on our apartment complex. We put a lot of work and effort into preparing for the event and everything came out of our own pockets. But I have to say was a fantastic success, we had 12+ children come, ages ranging from 5 to 17 years old and all had fun. We had awsome feedback from the parents and a few have already been in touch wanting to know we are holding the next one. It's all so very exciting.



My husband whom I have to say is a wonderful man, took time on his day off to come down and help out. As you can see he is having lots of fun at the craft tables helping the kids. He has also decided to take advantage of my hobby and clear out some of the products I have made with a craft shop on line.
http://www.shophandmade.com/Store/Tacs