my champion kid!

Jules and Jack have been playing chess almost every night for the last few months. Jules said right from the first game that he would never 'let' Jack win, and of course he lost spectacularly in the beginning. But he improved quickly and soon was taking Jules' queen almost every game. Well, finally it happened! last night, Jack won for the first time, fair and square! I don't think there was one 7 yo in the whole country with a bigger chest! (or a prouder Dad, for that matter!)

happy birthday to me!

I've had a lovely day! I woke up to kisses and birthday wishes from my husband and kids, then more wishes on-line from AD and Facebook, phone calls from friends and my mum, flowers from the DT at AD, presents in the post from friends I've made on-line-- gee I love the Internet!!
My wonderful husband gave me this GORGEOUS Edwardian brooch which was made 100 years ago.


So being 44 doesn't look too bad so far....

my grandson.....

This is Levi. Doesn't he have the most gorgeous eyes?

the sun is coming.....

cat naps rule

Our kitty dreams of being SuperCat -- up, up and away!

while you were at kindy today....

Dear Katie,

while you were at kindy today, I waved my Magic Wand and turned this:



into this:


Now I wonder how long it will stay that way??

whinging rights

For those who havent yet heard the yelps of pain, the latest news is that I have pulled or strained or broken the muscles in my chest wall -- from coughing so much and so hard!
I gotta tell you, if childbirth is a 10, this pain would rank a 7 or 8. OMGOSH it has been awful, not game to breathe in or out, couldn't sit, stand or lie-down without help, have to sit down to put on clothes -- I told Jules I am practising for my old age.
The solution is to rest and swallow painkillers, no argument from me.

September ATCs at ART

The September ATC theme at ART was "Famous Women" and we had to keep to a vintage style. I really wanted to use the Eiffel Tower and the yellow/purple/brown background, so I decided to try it for this swap and picked Coco Chanel as my Famous Woman. Not at all sure how this will stand up against everyone elses' work but I'm very happy with it.

still coughing....

... and I've finally given in and made a Drs appt for this afternoon. Bet he says 'rest'.
Anyway to take my mind off the constant coughing I worked on these inchies today. They're for the Scrap the Girls vintage swap.


I haven't done much else the last few days, been reading Apollo 13 by Jim Lovell, fascinating read (oh, and I SOOO understand all the techie stuff about flying a rocket NOT) and watching Grand Designs DVDs. How CUTE is Kevin McCloud????