Flippin eck, who has pinched most of November ??

I can't believe that we are already on the 19th, only 5 weeks till Christmas. I have started today, to buy a few presents, my cards are made, and I have made a start on writing them.
It used to be an enjoyable afternoon, sat with some Christmassy music on, maybe a drink (or two) depending on how long it took, writing letters to put in with the cards, but it now feels like a chore. Is that just me I wonder ??

Last Friday (13th) I managed to have an accident in my car, luckily I was OK, but the car isn't too good, goes in for repair next Monday for about a week. The weather was terrible, wet, windy, with bad visibility. Oh well, never mind.

Well what else is new in the Blake Household.......ummmm nothing very much, the usual work, and busy lives.

Where does the time go ? ............ I can't believe it is now November, so much has happened these past few weeks. So here goes with all my news.

Firstly we had a fabulous break in South West Wales, staying in a Lodge in St Clears just outside of Carmarthen. We visited lots of local castles (and there are loads believe me), even more beaches, took hundreds of photos, which are still on the cameras, I really must get around to downloading them and put some on here.

The clocks have changed, so darker evenings, and lighter mornings, but with all this grey, damp and miserable weather, it doesn't appear to have changed that much does it.

Last weekend I celebrated my birthday, had a fabulous day, Gary had bought me a Radley Handbag,Flowers, Jelly Beans, and a bracelet, and with money that MIL had given me, I bought a Radley purse too, and was lucky enough to receive loads of cards from my family and friends, despite the postal strikes. So a huge Thank You goes out to everyone who made my day special.

I also visited a craft shop at Kelly Bray, which was not the easiest place to find, but well worth a visit and they run quite a few different workshops including scrapbooking, which they were doing on the weekend. Its a monthly crop and the next one is at the end of the month.

My friend Anne, paid me a surprise visit too - because I had said previously that I didn't expect any 'surprises' on my birthday. It was dark, and someone rang my doorbell, I checked the window and could see it was only one person, was a little concerned about opening the door, as I was alone, but went to the door and could see a small light, when I opened the door there was Anne complete with a cupcake and lighted candle, singing Happy Birthday and then saying 'Surprise', such a lovely gesture - Thank you Anne, we had a lovely evening.

My birthday is tinged with sadness, as my beloved Dad died on my 11th birthday, although that was many years ago now, I still miss him.

These are photos from the weekend down in St Agnes, the first one, is of me with the canvass we made first thing in the morning,

This is our group from Exeter Scrapaholics, Fran, Julia, Jean and Me, eating our cup cakes made by Vanillaboo in St Agnes, absolutely gorgeous cakes.

and this last one is one of me at St Agnes just above the beach on the Saturday afternoon.

In all of the pics I am in a lot of pain from my back, and don't look overly happy, it was a really good weekend though, and I would go again, when they have another one.

When I download the photos from my camera I will have more to show, but these are from Julias camera.

Hi Bloggers from a damp and grey morning down here in Devon, after the beautiful sunshine of yesterday, today is really awful. Lets hope it improves for the weekend.

I am off down to St Agnes tommorow to meet up with Fran, Jean and Julia to stay overnight before our exciting day of scrapbooking at Scrap Angels retreat on Sunday. Looking forward to that. Boy do we have to take a lot of stuff with us !! I am taking my camera and hope to take some great photos to scrap at a later date.

Back home, and then we will be packing up again for next weekend's adventure to SW Wales, lets hope the sun shines in Wales.

Its been a horrible few weeks - months at work, what with one thing and another, (some of you know this already), have had numerous sleepless nights, but finally after a meeting, things are beginning to look a little bit better, apart from savings I have to make in the office, had to lay off Chris yesterday, not a nice thing to do, as he has been a great asset to us. Hopefully as things start to improve, we might be able to bring him back again.

Hi Peeps in Blogland

We have just booked a week away in South West Wales in the middle of October, so keep your fingers crossed that the weather is fairly good, the chalet we are staying in, has its own sauna and a spa bath, is close to the coast, and some other places of interest so with lots of relaxation, it should be a good week for both of us.

This coming weekend, Gary is away playing golf in Dorset, and its also the big craft show at Westpoint in Exeter, so I guess I might be going there !! I have a friend who is probably coming over for a drink or two as well. I have got plenty of wine in, some chocolate in the fridge, and the housework / washing is done, so I feel a good weekend coming on.

Its a beautiful sunny evening here, after a nice day, I think its supposed to last through the weekend as well.

and these two are the Los I did on Saturday at Exeter Scrapaholics - lovely kit to use.

New Teak Banana bench which we bought ourselves for our Anniversary, looks really gorgeous in the garden, just need some nice weather and to be home at the same time to be able to sit on it.

Card made using one of Jills / Lindas special stamps (sorry can't remember the name of it), but they were fun to use.

Ducks water skiing down the dam, it was so funny to watch.

Well Hello peeps in blogland, havent been here for a little while, lots going on in the Blake household and at work (won't get into that one - suffice to say its bad !!).

Gary has been in two competitions and has won two shields, which are now safely enscounced in the Dining Room. He has also brought home three different lots of M&S vouchers which now total £85, obviously I have claimed them :-)

I have been to several craft groups recently, and have also bought a new point and shoot camera, from which I have downloaded some photos today (*see below). Some craft and others on a trip out to Lopwell Dam during the week.

We have come to the conclusion that we don't chill out and relax enough (like we all used to do, hence the trip out.), it was a beautiful day, and very relaxing, with a picnic sat by the river.

Our Monkeys are looking for new names, can anyone suggest something nice and suitable
The green one is mine, and the pink one is Debbies.