July 4th

So just in case you've been hiding your heads under the sand or just aren't very savvy on global info, today is the 4th July which for all our American friends means much jollity and merriment. For us Brits, it's abit sad as we lost rather a large chunk of Empire however at the end of the day it was rather along time ago and more practical for the US to look after itself. We still have a special relationship and it's a beautiful country to visit and American people are really friendly and kind.............well all the ones I've met anyway. My fave American is Shimelle of course......happy 4th Shim. So let's get the party started with some g8 pics of events which are going to happen today or happened on this day in history.
So the Declaration of Independence was signed and is now in the State Capitol Building in Washington. I went their several years ago and saw it it is amazing so see something so old and important to people laid out for all so see.


Tonight in New York, Macy's have a July 4th firework display which is so amazing you can see it for miles, here is a picture.

Anyway, today our 4th July celebration was the dedication of this young lady Tula McQuire.


She is one of the youngest members of our church and therefore very important. In many modern churches, christening and baby baptisms are no longer practised. This is so in our church. Instead baby's parents bring their child to be dedicated to God until they are old enough to make the decision to be baptised in water for themselves, either as adults or teenagers. I was christened traditionally but when I came back to the church after many years away, I was baptised through full emersion in water and it has changed my life again. Anyway back to today. The service was lovely and unlike previous dedications I have been to their was a proper planned ceremony and the only thing which is different is there are no godparents and no font or water. It was a lovely day with a shared lunch and cake to follow, truly something to celebrate.
In other news, I have been playing around with some pictures after Dina Wakely suggested a cool site which Warhol's ur pictures. It's called Big Huge Labs and this is the link

Cool isn't it? Makes me look 100% better!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow, as well as Shimelle's new class (see you there), I will be going to class myself again, this time Child Protection. This is something I have had to deal with in alot of different ways and is a review of my current knowledge. I will have other training in specific things later such Domestic abuse and Child protection and also Drug use and mental health in CP. So I will be brain full again. If you want something g8 to look at go over to Sian's for her 4th July post, it's cute.
See you in class tomorrow..................

First week back.................

All going g8 so far although last night I felt like a vegetable. I'm sure that'll improve given time. Things were slightly dampened however once I managed to get through to the Signing off team. Because I have been off work for 7 months I should be entitled to my housing benefit still but oh no, because I worked for those 4 days months ago I'm no longer eligible so I get NOTHING until I get paid on 22nd July. Now how's that meant to help me stay in work?! Of course I was terribly upset as it means I'll have to borrow some money from somewhere.............or else find the local red light district (joking just in case ur seriously thinking I'd consider it). Things have definately been tinged with a slight gloom now.
On more upbeat notes, I have been tidying up and tomorrow will do something I haven't done for ages..........ironing. I hate it. Just the worst thing which could have been invented. Other than that I spoke to a friend who is off to Sheffield Pride today and sat in the gardens with my book. We were watching lots of helicopters coming over and wondered if they're all heading to Glastonbury. I will be watching Scissor Sisters, Muse and the Pets and also the last ep of this series of Dr WHO. More news tomorrow and maybe some pictures too.

So far.................

I have found out all the 2 million or so codes for the doors into the health centre................... and

• met my manager Sheila who is really lovely, calls a spade a spade and is very approachable,
• logged myself onto my computer and got some emails..............oooh
• learnt how to make the coffee............hahaha
• taken a few photos!!!!!
• played with some toddlers today at group with our nursery nurses,
• spoken to a social worker
• met some of the gps
• been on a couple of visits with Jill the other health visitor at the moment
• driven over 160 miles since Monday am!!!!!!!!
• been for lunch with the health visitors from the other practice at Horse World.............awwww cute horses.
• had 2 days of induction and another study day tomorrow.............boring
• had to try and book child protection training, Solihull training, domestic abuse training, adult/child resuscitation training and aload of others,
• sung nursery ryhmes at group...................

and that's just in the past 4 days or so. The week has flown by so far but so far all ok and loving it although extremely tired.
Here are a few pics from the birthday girl's party.................

.....................me in my posh frock,
Dietmar, Lil Sis, mum, dad and me....................
pretty bunting, more on that another time!..................

mum with a massive bottle of champagne from her Cousin Carol in France, this is hysterical cos she looks half-cut but hardly drinks!!!!

I love this picture, my lil sister was organising us to take pictures with the timer. Basically u set up the timer on ur camera, place it on the ground, stand in a circle with ur arms around each other and when ur ready set the timer. Pretty cool photo if I say so myself.

Just a quickly.................

Party went superbly, g8 weather, company and food,.................x 2 induction days down and will be doing a scrap ur week in a new job at the weekend, going to meet my manager tomorrow for first time and settle into the new office etc.
Sorry it's so short and sweet but feeling tired and overheated!

Party prep 2......

This morning I managed to get up at 7.30am in preparation for Monday new start and got on with the days list. Also received my contract for Bristol and other important paperwork ie payrool details. Ooooh pay what a lovely word that is.
First was to do the wahing up and tidying to make room for the cupcake extravanganza planned this am. Secondly I had to take some helium balloons to be filled by the lovely Jake at Abundiflora. Next I came home for quick cup of coffee and then the cupcake fairies came to assist. They are Kate and Josh who come down here every weekend with their dad. They are really great fun and we had a wonderful time mixing, measuring, beating and spooning out mixture into 60 cupcake cases!!!! I used some Vintage ones I had bought at the Bath and West Show. Then Graham their dad came down with coffee which was nice and we sat and checked out the bunting I have been sent, more about that after tomorrow's party.
By that time we were all ready for a short interval so they went off to sort themselves out and I made a book which has all the cards in sent by people in acceptance/non-acceptance of their invite. I have kept to the same theme of the photo of my mum and the butterflies and pearls. I think it looks really pretty. I have decided that once the party is over etc, and I have been paid, I will make an album of all the photos for my mum.
Then Kate and Josh came back and we made a huge bowl of butter icing in baby piunk to decorate the cupcakes. Funally all we needed to do was put on the edible orchids and sprinkle with glitter..........................phew I'm exhausted. Graham brought us down a bottle of beer each and Kate took some arty shots of the finished cakes.

Here's Kate expertly piping the icing.................
Next me also piping the icing...............

The next shots are Kate's arty shots of the finished cupcakes...................
So now I am gonna watch Dr Who and then I've been invited to watch Seven with Kate and Graham as Josh has gone to a sleepover, and it's my DVD they're borrowing!!!!

The news we've all been waiting for.

At last the news we've all been waiting for has arrived, I start my brand new job on Monday. Yippee!!!!!
I will be working at the William Budd Health Centre in Knowle as a health visitor. I will be working full-time so need to practise getting up early!!! ;-) The first 2 days are Staff Induction at Southmead Hospital and then I go to Knowle after that for my first day in the office. It will be really strange working again after so long waiting, but I am so excited I am Snoopy dancing again in a very silly way.
I just want to thank all my bloggy friends who have listened, sent supportive comments and emails for all that support. It has meant a great deal to me to get that from people I have only met in cyberspace. If I could organise it, I'd have a big party where we all met up and had a lovely meal and drink of vino to celebrate our new found friendships.
Anyway, I'm off to catch the last few rays of sunshine I can before I start work. Back soon

It's getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes...........

Personally I dont recommend this as my body is not in the full prime it used to be in. Is that a muffled laugh I hear? Ok it never has been prime muscle but I would not put you all through the terror of seeing me in my bikini...............althoug we did have a discussion about crocheted bikini's at the weekend as my friend had got one in her crochet book and ther was a story told about crocheted thongs and waterslides. I'll leave the rest to the imagination.
Firstly congrats on Saturdays bloghop, I would say ti was resounding success. So many amazing minibooks and Los, well done everyone and thanx again Mel for organising..........gratutitous applause. Secondly I had a Fab time scrapbooking this weekend at Scrapamia in Southampton. Saw Shimelle and did a minibook class. She is working on a top secret new project for us online class lovers which will be revealed in the not too distant future. Keep ur eyes and ears open. She was in fine form and I had my piccie taken with so u can see proof I saw her. The weekend was fun but tiring mainly cos it was so hot and we had no windows to open. But the event was well organised and I tried lots of new ideas. I will do some posting over the next few days to show u what I did.
Thirdly the next step in my job application is completed as I had to go to Occupational Health today for my check-up. The doctor was happy for me to start ASAP so just the CRB and the references etc to get back now. Things are looking up.
So I will see u all later this week for Scrapamia reveals. Thanx for all the lovely comments about my book and part 2 will be coming.....................;-)

...............and it was all yellow...............

Today I pootled off towards Bristol to visit one of the potential places I could be based as a Health visitor. It's in a place called Knowle and is south of the actual city. From my perspective it is much easier to travel to as I wouldn't have to negotiate the city centre traffic. The HVs are based in a purpose bulit health centre with a walk-in centre next door and the team has at present 1 HV, 1 community children's nurse and 3 nursery nurses. The health visitor Margaret showed me around and gave a g8 insight into the area and the way in which the team works. She is obviously an extremely experienced health visitor and I felt really comfortable speaking with her. I asked loads of questions and felt that I could fit in comfortably there. I also chatted with Anne the community chidlren's nurse who has only worked in the area since January herself. She was extremely positive about her experiences and I strongly feel this is the place I supposed to be. I will praying hard that this is so.
On my way home I saw fields of these


...............oil seed rape. It is amazing how they have suddenly gone from green to yellow gold. The views coming home were just like a patchwork of yellow and green mixed in the odd sheep and cows! I have been trying to find some decent bluebell woods and have been given a tipoff so hopefully some bluewell woods to scrapboook soon.
This evening was Brownies and we crafted like mad. There was glimmery pearlescent paint, glitter paper and fabric, beads, wool, feathers and all to make talking sticks, a Native American way of giving individuals within a powwow a voice. We are doing a badge whcih is addressing disabilities and had a lady with her guide dog last time. There was an awful lot of painting and mess by the end but hey, that's what we all do for out art isn't it?!
This arrived today.............

I've coveted this punch for ages and have trawled through the Internet to find it at the cheapest possible price. Using a bracket punch will help me enhance my minibooks which I havent shared much of but I like making so watch this space.
I also got this via Amazon. Now I never buy books at full price and often find that the most reasonable prices prices are via other groups within Amazon's site. Sometimes I but the used or new books from another seller and I have excellent buys from both. The Book Depository is excellent and very quick delivery and is always competitively priced. I have wanted a basic but very well explained sewing book for a while. My mum taught me hand sew when I was a child and as a seamstress she also taught me dressmaking so I'm not too bad, but a book is also excellent revision and support and since I have had my sewing machine, I've wanted to make some better things for myself and my home. I'm not the best stitcher by any stretch of the imagination but I've made myself dresses etc in the past. So I got this little gem................

It's got really clear pictures and instructions and some g8 projects to try.
Finally the monatana clematis has finally flowered on my wall and pretty baby girl today was enjoying rolling in the dust..................I can feel a fight with the brush coming on..............wish me luck.

There once was an ugly duckling...........or in this case a cute few!

Went into Wells today to get some bits now I've been paid my benefits.............that will soon be a thing of the past............yippee. I am writing a list of things I'd like to do when I receive my first pay cheque. The list includes:

• buy my parents and sister a nice meal,
• buy some new clothes and especially bras!!!!
• start a savings account I can keep up with.
• have a housewarming party..................or in this case flat warming.
• visit the friends I haven't been able to for months
• save for a holiday
• save for Christmas.

This list will probably be overtaken with more mundane things but I feel it is important to have some goals I can look forward to.
I went to the Moat around the Bishop's Palace as I haven't seen the ducklings for a week, imagine my emotions when I discovered that only 3 of the original ducklings are still alive.........



It seems that something has carried them off. However the little cute yellow one is still there despite our feats he would be picked off really easily. Let's hope the 3 surviving ducklings will manage to keep away from whatever picked off the others.

This guy made me laugh.....................king of the castle duck!!!!!
The other thing which I had to do was post off my books for read it swap it. If you've never heard of it, it is a website where you lists books u'd like to swap and u make a list of books u'd to get. I have swapped 4 this week so I had to send them off. I am getting Juliet Naked by Nick Hornby, and 3 others I've been after for a while for P & P. I am hoping someone will swap Wolfhall with me at some stage but at the moment I am reading a g8 booko by Wally Lamb. It's about identical twin boys in America. One of whom has schizophrenia. At the beginning of the book he does something incredibly shocking and the book unfurls from there narrated by his brother and moves across different times in their lives and the effects his illness has had on him and other characters. It is very good and sad in places.
Also posted the invites for mum's birthday, no foot stamping was necessary Lizzie!!!!! I also took one over to one of her firneds in Wookey. She has the most beautiful home and garden and we sat drinking coffee and eating bickies with her dog Milly. We also watched a bluetit brining bits and pieces to her birdbox...............whether they have babies or are prepapring for them we couldn't tell.

Happy Saturday everyone and hope u've all had a g8 week.......................like ME!!!!!!! I am still doing the Snoopy dance....................

and bouncing around like Tigger with an inane smile on my face. After 6 months of being out of work it is an amazing feeling to be about to restart work even if it might take 2 more months to get going cos of the CRB checks!!! It seem incredible that CRB checks take so long and I will have had 3 done in the space of a few weeks. One each for the jobs and 1 for the Marie Curie volunteer work I'm hoping to do. Anyway the new job I am doing is Health visiting again. I will be working in Bristol either in Knowle which is South Bristol or near Clifton which is central. I dont mind where I work really as I dont know the area that well so have no misconceptions but would just like a g8 team of people to work with. I'll keep you posted as to the details. Thanx for ur support both up to now and ongoingly. I've felt so lucky to have such wonderful friends.
I have got my new bow but cant put up my picture cos I find it. Dont know what I've done with it but I thought I looked quite cool and I'm in g8 company cos Shimelle has got one too. Talking about Shimelle, she's pipped me to the post with her fab picture of the ducklings, here's mine. I was dead excited as there's 1 baby duckling which is yellow. They were out last weekend on the moat around the Bishop's Palace. My friends had come to visit so we walked down and fed the ducks. Here they are, so cute.............................


...................and here's cute yellow duckling..................awe isnt he awesome...........

So I have to welcome 2 new people to the blog, Sarah is my newest follower and has a fab new website and shop which went live today, and also Hamster over at Mel's. After the loss of Smoky the new hamster has now arrived so welcome to him/her.

So today I've been working on my mum's birthday invites, that is if it still goes ahead as she seems to be imploding at the thought of turning 70. She does it every time she has a BIG birthday event and then really enjoys it, anyway I like the design and work so far so will share once they're finished. OK I'm off to watch The Doctor defeat the vampires. Adios til later.

Guess what I did today!

Got the job I've been praying for................pray for CRB and good references. Back to Health visiting in Bristol city. :))

Something new!

Noticed anything new about my blog? Go on take another look......................yep I have a snazzy new BIG letter at the beginning of my post all care of Adori graphics ace tutorial. I't dead clever and super easy and only takes a few minutes to do. There is loads of stuff to see and a tutorial every Tuesday to snazz up ur blog. Check it out!
So life here in the shires is moving on slowly. I'm still awaiting the paperwork for my CRB, Criminal Records Bureau check, which will be the thing which takes the time to complete. Here in the UK, ALL health care, educational social services and umpteen other jobs needs all records to be checked before employment. It is taking 2 months at the moment so no job until about June by the looks of it, although in my past experience they have always come back quicker.
So last week was pretty amazing interview wise. I was stoked to get a job at last and I have also got some other interviews for permanent jobs as a health visitor over the next few weeks as the job I have is still only as and when work.
So I got my bow this week from Rachel but I look so awful I haven't dared take a picture. I was taking pictures for Ali Edward's A week in the life but I lok terrible. All blotchy and fat, dare I say it. So I am going to see if I can do some nicer pics to post.,
This weekend was our monthly crop and I did the class which was a minibook. It is made from 2 pieces of chipboard and 5 envelopes and is really easy as long as u know where the folds go and how it all sticks together. Karen led the class but it is a design by someone else she couldnt remember who so if is was u let us know so u can credited.
This is what the finished book looks like:
front cover...........

inside pages made from envelopes.........................


I also did another challenge LO and spent my £7.00 winners voucher from last time but blogger is having a hissy fit and wont let me upload the pics. Anyway I'll njust have to do another post wont I?

After almost 5 months........................

......................success, I got the job........................whoop de doo, lalala!!!

Car trouble

....................hi everyone my name is Izzy, I am ten years old and am my mummy's car. I have been pretty poorly since the beginning of this year when I broke down on the way to Bristol. Mum had to call the emergency rescue services to bring me home and then take me to Dr John. I had loads of tests on my engine and I was found to have a head gasket problem..............painful! After major surgery I was given a clean bill of health however mummy felt unsure about me and was extremely worried because I kept spiking a temperature. She knew as all mummy's do that there was something wrong with her baby so she took me to Dr John for a thorough checkup. He couldn't find anything wrong but I was still not right so she took me back to Dr J on Monday. He exam ined me again and told mummy I needed a new radiator. By now mummy was very worried about me as I might need to go to ''car heaven''. She spoke to grandad Gary who talked to his friend Dr Pete and he thought Dr John was talking aload of old rubbish so we took me to see Dr Pete for a second opinion. Dr Pete was lovely and found out that I had a crack in my thermostat housing and that was why my engine boiled over and I got a temperature. He gave me a new housing and then he did my MOT and made me as good as new. I purr now when I go out with mummy and she is so happy I am not getting hot cos they don't do Calpol for me in Tescos. I am very glad I hae such a lovely mummy and grandad who take of me so well.
Mummy is still working hard applying for jobs she says and next week we have got to go on an interview so I will make sure I look after on the journey. She has applied for 10 jobs this week already, I think she deserves a break and she deserves the best job ever. She hasnt done any scrapbooking for a while cos she's been worried about things so much and got quite depressed a few weeks ago. She kept crying and I couldnt do anything to help her. Me, Holly and Willow the cats felt terrible. Holly and Willow made sure they gave lots of purrs and licks though and now she feels abit better. She is also really glad to have such nice friends from this blog cos they make her smile.
Anyway, I have to go and get cleaned as a special treat in the carwash, ;-)
Love Izzy and

And I miss you.................

.................well I thought a few of you might have missed me, I hope so!!!!!! Here is a piccie of my mum on Mother's day, she had a lovely time.

So this week, I have to be honest I've been feeling pretty sorry for myself. After having been to work, it was a culture shock to go back to doing nothing. I felt really down and sorry for myself. The worst thing about being unemployed is the stupid benefits system. Because I worked over 16 hours the other week I have to sign off benefits which, despite the fact that I get none of that money until April sometime, means I dont get paid my Jobseekers Allowance or Housing Benefits. This means that this week I've had no money to live on apart from a tenner I had in my purse left over! I then had to go through the process of signing back on again which is just ludicrous and heart wrenching. I found it really difficult going back into the Jobcentre to do that and felt as if no-one there really cared how disheartening it is. Anyway, luckily yesterday I heard from the agancy that the college needed me again for another 4 days starting next Monday. So that is really lovely. Of course I will have to sign off again, so my money will be messed up again but anyway, I'm trying to see the good side of this. On the job front, I had a letter from NHS Direct saying I hadnt got the job I went for the other week, but I still have an interview tomorrow so again trying to stay positive. There isn't much around on the NHS site at the moment and I'm getting worried about what will happen but as I said, trying to stay positive.

To cheer myself up I did abit of cooking from this book which I had at Xmas.............


It has alot of yummy and calorific recipes. I cooked the banana cupcakes and the oat and raisin cookies. Just in case u've got this book, before you get going make sure you have muffin cases rather than out cupcake cases because tha's the size of an American cupcake!!!!!! Here is the results.......................
If you look at the bottom layer of cakes you can see they look abit larger, that's because I filled the cupcake cases as you normally would but the cakes overflowed as they rose! Messy but nice I have to say. The second batch was more cakelike. The cookies are gorgeous..............


I did the 2 LOs as a doublepage spread about my god-daughter Adrianne. She prefers to be called Dan these days but when she was a baby she was happy with her chrtistian name. She was born at 28 weeks gestation and I was one of the nurses who cared for her until she went home. Her mum and dad asked me to be her godmother and I was so pleased, it has been an honour to be a part of their family. I am known as Jo Hospital for obvious reasons. I love the picture of her as a little baby and with her dogs. I adore Westies, they had 2 called Tilly and Molly........

This is the leftside LO and I used the different coloured paper scraps for Shimelle's class cut out in scallop circles and used to frame the photo. The flowers are handmade with spare brads.

This is the righthand page which I did with scalloped squares and used ricrac to make a Os and Xs design.
The 2 pictures in the mid row are from her 2nd birthday, the bottom mid-pic is me and her at the Xmas premature baby reunion party, not sure about the far one with the Panda but I reckon she looks at least 4/5 there.