It's takes 3...

Not TWO, as I've been led to believe! As my new friend TopMan told me, plumbers always go round in 3's and here they are pondering over the drain today. They prodded it from their end, they prodded it from mine and nothing. TM said he was sending me 3 fit young men... mmm.. exactly! The bald patches are a bit of a give-away! Not quite the coke ad, more a flat tango moment! And it gets better...I have drainsRus coming round to do more prodding on Friday morning! And, I do believe TM may just be getting his own back for the number of phone calls I've made to keep tabs on what's going on. DrainsRus will be here at 7:20am! That's almost the middle of the night.... hey ho... aren't I the lucky girl!

It must be Ground Hog Day... !

What did I say about beware of drains...?! Life is full of surprises hey?! I'm waiting for the guys to come and excavate the drains here. How spooky is that?! Love the place, adore the location and view, just hoping that 'the powers that be' will sort out the plumbing, get my carpets cleaned, get all the snagging done.. then I can get on with just enjoying living here. In the past 14 days I've moved house and travelled over 10,000 miles to Vegas and back. I've met some old friends, made some new ones, met some interesting characters and been on the '8 hour time difference' roller coaster! I'm so glad to be home and I can't wait to add lots of my photos x

Vegas by night

It's over 30 degrees and with a view like this, no wonder I enjoy Vegas! The days might be long and whatever anyone says, working with an 8 hour time difference is hard. But the rewards are pretty special in such a bustling place.

Top 3 Must-haves from Memory Trends

I love this company, HamblyScreenPrint. Their transparencies are stunning and they have such yummy patterns, I can't wait to get hold of this stuff to create some mini books and clear cards.

This 'Clip-On' rotating storage unit has to be the most amazing and useful product of the show. Prefect for holding all those sticker sheets, rub-ons and transparencies, it's a definate on my must-have list!

Making Memories had more than their fair share of storage products this show. This fantastic cupboard looks like it would hold all those trinketty things that fit into jars. It's got shelves for paint pots and a fabulous ribbon rod to hold all those irritatingly unravelling ribbon spools! I've no doubt it won't be coming to the UK so I'll just have to look elsewhere for something similar.. boo hoo!

Creative soulmates...

This tray of colourful glass mosaics awakened my magpie tendencies!

The most colourful job in Vegas!

Here's the guy laying the mosaic patterns in the foyer of the Wynn Hotel, Las Vegas. In such a noisy, fast-moving city I was moved to find this guy on his hands and knees with his colourful tray of beautiful mosaics. He was calmly cutting each piece and positioning it to create what is a massive floral pattern weaving around this tropical garden. I asked if he minded if I took his photograph and he just looked up and smiled. It's rare to find someone so quiet in such a mad place!

FMB & LB

Favourites Moments Babe! Not what you're thinking... 2 days in my new apartment and it's off to Gatwick and flying off to the US.

This is one of my favourite moments and photographs of the entire trip. This is a very sunny day at the Wynn, me & Nix just having a fruit cocktail, non-alcoholic too as it was daytime! The location is stunning, we were just sitting on the deck admiring the most amazing waterfall after our CHA meeting and were amused by the guys wading through the water with their hose (woo hoo!) to water the plants. I'd love to go back there when I wasn't working!

When it comes to lunch then it's hard to beat the Lobster Bisque with Eric! Homemade on the premises, it was fantastic! Gave us an appetite for shopping too! x

Steer clear of drains!

A happy heart can be at home anywhere! It's true that 'Home is where the heart is'. Moving from my beautiful barn (well, not mine exactly!) to my new apartment was always going to be an adventure. Some people say they know a place is right for them as soon as they walk through the door. I knew my apartment was right for me when I read the particulars! The secret is to have a happy heart and that comes from within. Being happy is easy when you surround yourself with people who radiate happiness. Steer clear of the drains, that's my motto! x

No more sleeps...

Today is BIG MOVE DAY! I reckon it has to be the BEST move I've ever made. Greg hired the van and with the help of Jake, Rich and a couple of their mates (plus David of course!) I'm on my way to my new apartment.

Looks kinda empty doesn't it. Even more than usual... x
I don't know... whilst some of us were working, others, namely likkle bruv, were putting their feet up drinking tea!

These shoes are made for... ?

Walking, talking and crafting... ! Me & Ging are 'doing our thing', I'm making funky new home tags and she's onto here second project, making a calendar with stuff she got in the US. Went to Nailsworth for lunch, my fav place at the moment, Hobbs Bakery... then back to the apartment. Dropped off more clothes and shoooooooooooooooes! I thought I'd got rid of most of my clothes. It's only when I have to carry them upstairs on their hangers that I realise that I still have quite a few! I have two rails set up, one in each bedroom and they look fab. I'm so excited, only 3 sleeps to go! I'm packing at the same time as crafting, it's great that us girls are so good at multi-tasking... x

Wine & chocolates evening...

I said goodbye to the fridge and the IKEA unit tonight. I've had that unit since Lansdowne Avenue, it used to be in my office. But hey, it's time for it to go and I know it's gone to a good home. Marie's lovely sister Lisa and her husband came for my fridge and bought 2 bottles of wine and some chocolates as a thank you. And the guy I offered the unit to has also bought chocolates! How special do I feel?! Especially as Ging has arrived with 2 bottles of wine too... I feel a wild, drunken moment coming on... !

So excited...

Picked the lovely Tash up tonight and we went to the apartment. She was so excited and it was lovely for us both to share such a special place. We went and had a great meal in one of my favourite Indian restaurants in Nailsworth. The guy even said we must have something special in common, perhaps mother and daughter, because he could see how well we got on. That's quite funny considering Tash is the daughter of my very ex-boyfriend. We do share a lot of similar thoughts and interests and I had a fab time. Guess what... we're going to do it all over again very soon... x

A Funny feeling...

I went round to David & Lindas tonight whilst the agent showed people around the barn. That has felt very strange... David had also been sifting through my rubbish and found a 'clay face' that Liz had made which I'd already thrown out! Needless to say, it's back on the hall table and likely to be coming with me!

How true is this...

Imagine trying to wear the shoes that fitted you so well when you were six years old. When you were nine, you played with nine-year-olds. You would not find their company quite so compelling today. We move on. We grow out of the things that once were perfect for us. In one lifetime, we become several different people. The eclipse in your sign has now set a metamorphosis in motion. Your life may not be about to alter forever overnight, but you are definitely ending one phase and commencing a wonderful new one. Well, so Johnathan Cainer says anyway....!

Wicked wednesday...

Why does one week fly past quicker than another, when each second measures the same length? That's a question I'll never find the answer to no matter how much time I devote to it. Here I am Sunday morning at the apartment. Nothing more on my mind than how lovely it will be to sit here and stare out of the window when I've moved in. At the moment then every day is packed with decision making, my 'to do' list doesn't get any shorter but I'm making progress. Brian, the very nice man from the Red Cross Shop, came and picked up half the contents of my garage today, woo hoo! There is still a lot to be done, but I have the time. I know I have, inbetween juggling, working and sleeping! x

Recycle smiles...

I've found the best way to get rid of 'stuff' and that's to offer it to other people who want it. Makes so much sense really. All these things were worth something to me once, but now they are just things. If I can put a smile on someone's face by giving them something I no longer need then I'm happy, and they are certainly very happy. A guy came last week with his little boy to pick up a few things, and for some reason I remembered him. He took a recorder, which he said his wife wanted because she's a music teacher and the small snooker table for his son. I mailed him to ask if he wanted another recorder that I had found at the back of the garage, plus the triangle and snooker balls to go with 'his' table. He came again today with his little boy and took all the things I'd put on my list and he was delighted. He asked me if I painted minis, which amused me. It's all in a name... I'm miniartgirl on the recycling website x

The end is in sight...

Well the back of the garage is... and what a great sight that is! Only those who have been lucky enough to squeeze into my garage will know what I'm taking about. Today I have finally managed to open every box, crawl behind every piece of furniture and sweep every cobweb out of the way to reveal what was hidden underneath. It's incredible what possessions you accumulate in a chapter, or two. I couldn't even say it was a lifetime because it isn't. Why do I need all this stuff? The answer is that I don't. I need what I use every day and those other possessions that are too precious to let go of. I have a pile of boxes for the Red Cross man when he comes, a pile for me to take to the apartment. A few things I'm still unsure about and a pile for the skip! It's a great weight off my mind that at least I feel I'm getting somewhere. I'm not there yet, but I'm getting closer... x

Mad as frogs...

This recycling lark means you get to meet all kinds of fruitcakes, some nutty ones, some flaky ones and others who are as colourful as a bag of hundreds and thousands! Bags of wool for the girl who knits blankets for vets and who could talk for England! The young couple who were only too delighted to swop their single mattress for a double one. Can't imagine why?! The sight of them trying to squeeze it into the back of their ford fiesta was a sight to be seen. The young couple (he certainly was a dish!) who came to fetch my old tv. If I ever decide to upgrade my current tv then I have his number, woo hoo! The family, I'm sure there were a dozen kids in the back of their very spacious people carrier. They managed to fit a cupbard in the back too though and reverse into my rocks. Ouch, I did warn them! The couple from Nailsworth who carefully packed my 3 IKEA wardrobes into the back of their landrover. Apparently just as they got down the lane and were unpacking the back because the stuff was rattling around too much, the heaven's opened. He emailed to say the wardrobes were drying in his garage!

I wonder... if I remove all that weight from my corner of the world, and distribute it elsewhere, does it have an effect on the planet?

St Audries Wedding...

What a beautiful location for a wedding. Gena and Henry's special day went off without a hitch and Gena looked amazing! The ushers were as amusing as ever, not that they'd remember after so many vodkas!

KC & Sweetpea!

Greg's here! Here are the sweetpeas that I picked out of Kevin's garden yesterday! I brought them all the way from Devon, they've spent one night at the City Inn in Bristol, a day in the office and now they are sitting here in my kitchen.

My old boss Kevin (mentor and most inspiring guy I've ever met) picked lettuce, gave me the scissors to cut rocket and he made the most delicious mushroom risotto for lunch! He'd baked bread, how countryfied is that?! His place is truely amazing, a bit like he is...

Is it really Xmas already?

Well one lucky person in Cheltenham thought so last night! From one mad recycler to another... I exchanged a few lovely emails with a girl who wanted my 5 foot high fibre optic xmas tree. She tried in vain to arrange to pick it up because she so wanted it, so in the end I took her address and said I'd drop it off for her. She was so friendly and lovely and I knew she'd love it! She did say that if I was in Chelts sometime then she'd meet me and take it home on her shopper bike! It's clear that she really has no idea how big a 5 ft tree really is. So last night I drove over to her house on the way to the Bell. I knocked and she peered through the glass at the top of the door to ask who it was. She had a smile from ear to ear when she heard it was me. I knew dear Davina would approve! I dropped off the box and received a lovely email to say she'd fixed it all up and she was absolutely over the moon with it. She also added that her boyfriend thinks she's mad! Funny that... x

feeling like a loon...

I have rushed around today and can't believe what I've managed to fit in! Besides work, then I've managed to get over to Lechampton and deliver some more goodies to the Red Cross Shop. I got a call from them too about picking stuff up, so hopefully I can sort that out next week. I went to Gloucester and Hobbycraft to pick up stuff to finish my paper wreath, and it's worked out a treat, and I've had 3 people come to collect more 'stuff' from my garage! Not finished yet because I'm off to the Bell tonight to see how Dom's got on with her speed dating event! I can't wait! x

feeling proud...

Okay I admit it! I listen to radio 2 and they've all gone on holiday! Today it was Davina McCall's turn and although women on the radio just don't do it for me, I liked her 'what are you feeling today' feature... hence this photo... a bit out of date because it happened a couple of months ago but that doesn't stop me feeling so very 'proud' of my daughter Liz...

Fluffy Pink Slippers...

And I don't mean the bedtime ones! Went to Dom's last night for our cocktail night and I made a Fluffy Pink Slipper cocktail! I have to say that mine was the best! Just blend 1 part cherry brandy and 1 part sugar syrup with 2 parts crushed ice and 2 parts coconut milk. Shake and voila, serve with a cherry and it's yummy. Bucks Fizz was my second favourite, with the tequila ones being my least. I think it's a disgusing taste, just like medicine! After 8 cocktails, we all managed to remain reasonably sober, which was a surprise and I was able to doze at Doms then drive back this morning. Fantastic!

Liz came down today, it was lovely to see her. Her new hair is a bit shocking, just like she can be. We had a late Sunday lunch at the Langton and came back to sort out her things for moving. All done and she's packed up her car yet again, and now I need to chill..................................... x

Happy Days...

I feel quite drained tonight, but it's onwards and upwards. I'm off to Doms this evening for our cocktails night, fish pie and banoffie, and I'm staying over so I can have a drink. It's been a strange day really. I've spent it in the garage and it's as if the contents of all my previous lives have flashed before me with a mixture of relief and sadness. It is 28 years today that I got married, so it's not surprising that I was amused and a little touched to come across two slides of the BIG day! Not the only BIG thing I found either. Look at these shocking shoes, I used to wear! Horrors, aren't they!! I also found my very first shoes that dad gave me, plus a very funny box of my baby shoes that dad had put into those quirky airtight bags to preserve them. Not throwing them out, though I have no idea what to do with them.

I've done past life number one, being married. Found some cards, a bottle of wine and a tie from life number 2 and hey ho, where has the time gone?! Here's to life number 556!

All signed up!

I have signed the contract this afternoon. Elizabeth, my solicitor, was lovely. I'd not met her before and 'she and me' just got on a treat. I'm almost at the end of another chapter... and what a journey! It's definately a time for things to come to an end and a time for new beginnings x

videos an du vin

Spent the day creating videos for the new websites. Not as scary as it sounds, actually quite entertaining and fun really. Then went out with Dom this evening to the hotel du vin in Chelts. Dressed up, which made a change and had a lovely meal, though the thingummy cheesecake whatamacallit dessert was very disappointing! But the place is so impressive, you can't fail to have a good time and want to go back for more. I love HDV! x Have to sign contacts tomorrow... woo hoo... !!

Romance, races and recycling...

Gosh, where did that week go?! I've been to a wedding, had new hair, been to the races, Morans and the week has flown by. I'm still recycling like mad and the wardrobes, wicker chairs, mini tv, rug, bird cage, boxes of books and my canvases have all gone!

Wanabee Indian Princess...

Wasn't it great to be a kid?! You could pretend you were an indian princess and take a ride on a magnificent elephant! Those were the days... a trip to Dudley Zoo, Clark's sandels, the biggest lickable red lollipops you ever saw and the three ' great explorers'... me, big sis and lickle bruv!

"Hey mum, I don't know who those other kids are... but it's a good job they were there or we'd have fallen off!"

Mini Removals...

Hey, you'd be surprised what you can fit inside a little mini! Me & min went off this morning on another mini adventure, first to drop off a desk and 3-drawer unit to lisa in chelts.. and went to my new apartment to measure up. Came back to continue the great tidy up in the garage, got rid of my desk, chair and trestle table and made a card for Steve's birthday, which is today! And, that was Sunday!

Quote for the day... love is life, and if you miss love, you miss life... Leo Buscalgia

Welcome August...

I've been busy sorting and redistributing my possessions every spare minute this week. I have a new rule, not to leave the house without taking something with me that's not coming back! A significant statement for 2007! I've managed to recycle more bags of clothes & shoes than I'd like to admit to, plus bedlinen, curtains, bits and bobs and bags of those darned plastic bottles. Rob came to collect a lot of Liz's stuff today and Rich's bed and tomorrow the desk and 3-drawer chest will go, if I can fit it in my mini! Highlight of the week, meals at the All bar One, The Green Dragon, The Bell at Eckington, Montpellier Wine Bar and Hobbs! I love that place x didn't know they served spirits though... ;-)