tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656073134629701662024-03-13T15:26:10.727+00:00Clydeside StitchingCherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.comBlogger358125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-28875455749718321792014-12-29T20:42:00.000+00:002014-12-29T20:43:19.506+00:00Here againI did exactly what i used to hate other bloggers doing! Disppeared! I really cannot believe i havent posted a blog post in over a year. That pretty much sums up my year, it flew by!! I took up a new position for a national charity and with my new job came less time to write a blog, keep up with blogs and as for stitching? Well, theres has been very little of that over the last year! I cannot even remember where i kept my blog feeds. Im sure i switched to Bloglovin when Reader went but now i cant find anything there. Ive restarted again on Feedly but now im trying to remember and track down the hundreds of blogs i used to follow! Its a lot easier to read blogs now i have a decent phone with decent apps!<br />
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I always used to worry when bloggers disppeared that something bad had happened, or they'd got sick etc etc It wasnt the case here. Ive generally just been super busy. I work, i ferry the boys about to all their different clubs, i run, i lead a running group, im chair of the parent council, i take exercise classes, we go to church. Life is busy busy busy!<br />
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2014 has been a great year! Im just trying to think back to all the things that have happened this year. I had some big personal achievements; i walked the West Highland Way (96miles) in June, i ran my first ever half marathon in October and i climbed Goatfell in Arran for the first time too. My eldest boy started school!!! He has lost 4 baby teeth! My youngest boy turned 3! We had a great 2 week holiday to Florida back in March. My husband started a new job.<br />
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I always stitch the boys an ornament for Christmas and at least i still managed to do that this year! Minecraft and Minions<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSMCNV58utKVIbw8P-1JMtMqRPzO42Y6YYLI0n_YYqjBcsosorCBOauQzm89scZzTkT7MyAEg_IzEFIPMknJ47LInpHsgtrK0cQE7F42Gm6MgF922PQoTrmBX0TQrvZ_fF9ooBK8Vbkgr/s640/IMG_20141220_205233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSMCNV58utKVIbw8P-1JMtMqRPzO42Y6YYLI0n_YYqjBcsosorCBOauQzm89scZzTkT7MyAEg_IzEFIPMknJ47LInpHsgtrK0cQE7F42Gm6MgF922PQoTrmBX0TQrvZ_fF9ooBK8Vbkgr/s640/IMG_20141220_205233.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsnF6VZCXek7chQhshF7hFb26cthS61U2LqkluXzcJ6EeGY1fkoYvBsngIyXYzasTX8Um9GX_LxWB1AzuOGjZmAPpB1RFvjW5YDGkp4JK7gOxtkUrUFbEFtatAHxWogKbssuGnMSw-A6h/s640/IMG_20141220_205248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsnF6VZCXek7chQhshF7hFb26cthS61U2LqkluXzcJ6EeGY1fkoYvBsngIyXYzasTX8Um9GX_LxWB1AzuOGjZmAPpB1RFvjW5YDGkp4JK7gOxtkUrUFbEFtatAHxWogKbssuGnMSw-A6h/s640/IMG_20141220_205248.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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If anyone out there still reads my blog let me know so that i can be sure to put you into my new Feedly. Cheers x</div>
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This is how i'll remember December 2013. The little one now has horrendous chickenpox. 2weeks 3days after his brother got them. Grrrreeat. </div>
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Have a Happy Christmas! Ours will be a spotty one.</div>
<br />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-12487560717566468902013-12-10T14:33:00.000+00:002013-12-10T14:34:07.272+00:00December Blogging Advent Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DeBloAdMo - Something my friend</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://blog.scottandlori.co.uk/">Lori</a></i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> came up with a few years ago. Basically i have a wooden advent calendar and in every day i have a little slip of paper with the Christmas activity im going to do with the kids that day, which im then supposed to blog about. Ive been very good at the activity, ive been no good at the blogging. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a run through of our DeBloAdMo activities to date:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 1</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We ran the 1K Jingle Bell fun run my work organises every year. <span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; line-height: 18px;">The competitive half of the family (mummy and Caleb) made it round the whole 1K and Caleb was so pleased to get his medal! The non-competitive half (daddy and Aaron) failed to make it past the swing park (not even half way)....im not sure if this was daddy or Aarons decision though...mmm</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/995548_10153618538455647_345097862_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/995548_10153618538455647_345097862_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We went to the Christmas carnival at the garden centre. The boys loved the rides, mummy loved the warm freshly made cinnamon and sugar donuts</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngBNuI5skgljCYEfAYpyJ6D09-vm5AQuI1K-Klfvc8OBnFYIBgVJ2pyWEYM_KbivY0zhxlvMvV5STnOl2HjpM2Hp9ZKGj9EZJlG-0h5bLrgEBJ0LxeOZbPO8VhUp_00ls4MFhgfpEVq9Z/s1600/DSCF2322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngBNuI5skgljCYEfAYpyJ6D09-vm5AQuI1K-Klfvc8OBnFYIBgVJ2pyWEYM_KbivY0zhxlvMvV5STnOl2HjpM2Hp9ZKGj9EZJlG-0h5bLrgEBJ0LxeOZbPO8VhUp_00ls4MFhgfpEVq9Z/s320/DSCF2322.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did their messages from Santa on the portable north pole tv website. They loved them! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr8-lhXiO6b2NUUyEPiNckbvD9ZErhXlQKRHJOdIG32j9QpXW7KAa24_gb1JlR8GAcvu9gL02Been6gyI_OisYXQaGPy61jzRw9Nkvrp9z9agdqd-q83TJs6jxSoBF6bKDfBkOAxUdWLt/s1600/DSCF2327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqr8-lhXiO6b2NUUyEPiNckbvD9ZErhXlQKRHJOdIG32j9QpXW7KAa24_gb1JlR8GAcvu9gL02Been6gyI_OisYXQaGPy61jzRw9Nkvrp9z9agdqd-q83TJs6jxSoBF6bKDfBkOAxUdWLt/s320/DSCF2327.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 4</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We made paperchains! Caleb made his all by himself this year, he's growing up!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRptw1jmxxAuQucdGBAUXFrYrPnRWpVH-IIRHCv6zx-oBEtmZmjCaUU-H4lzm7kQvtuj2l6cTYhckIpun0TUcffJ0yJAkkI5ySC9jJvzG3IX_CYvZlMRML5uM2VOaTU-wwtj10ym3IGLw2/s1600/DSCF2334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRptw1jmxxAuQucdGBAUXFrYrPnRWpVH-IIRHCv6zx-oBEtmZmjCaUU-H4lzm7kQvtuj2l6cTYhckIpun0TUcffJ0yJAkkI5ySC9jJvzG3IX_CYvZlMRML5uM2VOaTU-wwtj10ym3IGLw2/s320/DSCF2334.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We made salt dough ornaments, which Aaron enjoyed but Caleb had no energy for having come down with chickenpox on day 3!!!! (I proceeded to burn them in the oven but hey ho, he enjoyed cutting out the dough)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6ltP5vWo1W558kH6B_buoP2m4LYv3esmV43lztNk7qLYeroSx0AqRiiiXmR2I9jCR6P_xqODqzgy796jjZLznC7HbNjoxOg2sdsNv5yp9k1YzNTkENkQi-74UOg1eKiQDORAUFoB3pP7/s1600/DSCF2339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6ltP5vWo1W558kH6B_buoP2m4LYv3esmV43lztNk7qLYeroSx0AqRiiiXmR2I9jCR6P_xqODqzgy796jjZLznC7HbNjoxOg2sdsNv5yp9k1YzNTkENkQi-74UOg1eKiQDORAUFoB3pP7/s320/DSCF2339.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 6</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The boys got Usborne Christmas sticker books</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 7</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got the decorations up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 8</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We made paper snowflakes for the windows</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00eGcDCaY2pdI740fs8_G9EecW3HsrwM1eeFtUnck1kbxKvMNo0rx_7lbFd_C-bxSElUj9Z-52fJtvt8WYQGFcv6563Sdw3wuGG5dc1jeAuzY8xONwn9gktSu_H5JwZWAcql-2ViyeQjN/s1600/DSCF2351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00eGcDCaY2pdI740fs8_G9EecW3HsrwM1eeFtUnck1kbxKvMNo0rx_7lbFd_C-bxSElUj9Z-52fJtvt8WYQGFcv6563Sdw3wuGG5dc1jeAuzY8xONwn9gktSu_H5JwZWAcql-2ViyeQjN/s320/DSCF2351.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 9</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a Christmas treasure hunt for chocolate coins, in the garden.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5l80e71QcaT__0y-5h5xXn9eoy0yjQVyKnCtxw7w86kcg15_gmJafEd0erQ1pWK1Na4U0eqJoOaJWFv3gg2x6eiJF21D1c9VfT0nWITpSWxsxudobpXTcf49PLoThBd_tNzynZLAk6Ywb/s1600/DSCF2348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5l80e71QcaT__0y-5h5xXn9eoy0yjQVyKnCtxw7w86kcg15_gmJafEd0erQ1pWK1Na4U0eqJoOaJWFv3gg2x6eiJF21D1c9VfT0nWITpSWxsxudobpXTcf49PLoThBd_tNzynZLAk6Ywb/s320/DSCF2348.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made the Elf Yourself family video<i> <a href="http://host-d.oddcast.com/php/application_UI/doorId=1177/clientId=299/?mId=52313711.2">see it here</a></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plans were scuppered a bit by Caleb coming down with chickenpox on day 3! It meant we couldn't go to the Christmas light switch on at the school on day 6 and we couldn't go to Laineys 30th Birthday lunch on day 8 (well i did, the rest stayed at home), so i had to sub in some activities on those days.</span>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-90687658960901324232013-10-12T08:49:00.000+00:002013-10-12T08:49:52.697+00:002 today! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My beautiful boy is 2 today! He is such a character; very loving, affectionate, a mummy's boy, content and happy with a fiery independent streak at times. He adores his big brother who is the first person he wants to see when he wakes up in the morning. He loves his food, loves milk, adores animals (our bunnies and his childminder's dogs in particular) and is obsessed with JCB tractors. Tractors galore for birthday presents! He brings us great joy and happiness and whilst we are exhausted by our 2 boys, we cannot imagine life without them! Happy 2nd Birthday Aaron! To quote your big brother, "love you so much!"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-MbxYd7h0T68owsS4Nzyen1Q4sRJ7Z_mGcHEEmUrLNHqoCHEiGGVfjedkPWjKzie86DvYvqvgeHAifqA99XMwyJz2SSRgTXeqS_2OJr99f4nzPtiaK2MezdyMfhl-V1Q04JLbXFbRARY/s1600/DSCF2185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-MbxYd7h0T68owsS4Nzyen1Q4sRJ7Z_mGcHEEmUrLNHqoCHEiGGVfjedkPWjKzie86DvYvqvgeHAifqA99XMwyJz2SSRgTXeqS_2OJr99f4nzPtiaK2MezdyMfhl-V1Q04JLbXFbRARY/s320/DSCF2185.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
My what a change in 2 short years!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5IfmCGc6-9pE0I9q02p7GhGuKWkNlOzxw5ZCtI4LbN0eH7CZtpI6_nGatoLuoemIAjO6xUkfvsWJdnJt9C_LNSQXe5aFmCVIfS6w_Z_vrTF2SsfFs1ky9PjJFQAJvZZaYjHTsdwjKZqN/s1600/Aaron's+Thankyou+card2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu5IfmCGc6-9pE0I9q02p7GhGuKWkNlOzxw5ZCtI4LbN0eH7CZtpI6_nGatoLuoemIAjO6xUkfvsWJdnJt9C_LNSQXe5aFmCVIfS6w_Z_vrTF2SsfFs1ky9PjJFQAJvZZaYjHTsdwjKZqN/s320/Aaron's+Thankyou+card2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-3802950980589572242013-09-27T21:15:00.001+00:002013-09-27T21:15:10.733+00:00Pumpkins for Cathey<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cBuLvafMCbeFaKEI_1yiYpr_3wx-Yhax20fiXpBSIkxuaNC2NdbN1d7La4_GI5h5BGfhWQe6D1sIytVevGEf28vD0JNlbZL9Z-xf2omC2y5y6AbtcomudenNZ-PRb3XgoDWJtFjXcoKb/s1600/IMG_0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cBuLvafMCbeFaKEI_1yiYpr_3wx-Yhax20fiXpBSIkxuaNC2NdbN1d7La4_GI5h5BGfhWQe6D1sIytVevGEf28vD0JNlbZL9Z-xf2omC2y5y6AbtcomudenNZ-PRb3XgoDWJtFjXcoKb/s320/IMG_0135.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkins carved in 2008 by DH and I. In a time before kids....</td></tr>
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Showing support for a fellow stitching blogger, <a href="http://pumpkinpatchandco.blogspot.co.uk/">Cathey</a>, today (<i><a href="http://www.itsdaffycat.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/pumpkins-for-cathey.html">see here </a>)</i>. Happy Blogiversary (or however you choose to spell it) to Cathey today!Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-59541886558589179852013-09-25T09:48:00.000+00:002013-09-25T09:51:37.144+00:00Im back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Im here, blogging, at long last. I think this is the longest break ive ever had from blogging, its not really been intentional, there are just always other things that need done and blogging is the first thing to go. My return to work probably coincided with my blogging hiatus. I work 25 hours a week as a project coordinator for a charity and that, along with 2 kids, a husband, 2 rabbits and all the household 'stuff' pretty much fills all my time. I just logged into my Bloglovin' account though and i see many of the blogs i follow have also been on a bit of a break too. Funny how that happens!<br />
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Lets see if i can remember some things that have happened since i last blogged back in June.<br />
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-We had the hottest July i can remember and i spent a fabulous week at our church camp in the glorious sunshine. Arriving at camp in shorts and vest tops at 8am and still in the same leaving at 10pm at night is unheard of for me. This is Scotland! It was really great.<br />
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-On the 11th August our family increased by 2. We got bunnies! Here are Hippy and Hoppy :)<br />
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- Matthew and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary.<br />
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- We went away to Centre Parcs in the lake district and had a lovely time. I even had time to read some of a book *gasp*<br />
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- I got glasses for reading and using the computer, which has made me feel like im getting old.<br />
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- The jogging group I started in the village where i live celebrated its first anniversary!<br />
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- I finished some stitching! Caleb's nursery class has 3 teachers and i thought id stitch for them all. These actually took me a lot longer than i anticipated but they were finished in time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lizzie Kate design</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSwvIMl8PiEul9ClVGJwxKsDRR1YRmwelVBvK90pQT2pawfCRVH82s0NVx6ZBsfxvK51s_f8vLzx8G_UX2orcomnHP0RjE_gD4Hr4LzJQKsLhFbf0tp-BwhSqyqWBt77s8M4EZk8Whgxz/s1600/DSCF2139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSwvIMl8PiEul9ClVGJwxKsDRR1YRmwelVBvK90pQT2pawfCRVH82s0NVx6ZBsfxvK51s_f8vLzx8G_UX2orcomnHP0RjE_gD4Hr4LzJQKsLhFbf0tp-BwhSqyqWBt77s8M4EZk8Whgxz/s320/DSCF2139.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back</td></tr>
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<br />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-70065320793993484722013-06-21T14:15:00.000+00:002013-06-21T14:15:36.378+00:00In parliament<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have no good reason as to why ive been away from blog land for over 2 months! Im trying to think back and recall anything particularly blog-worthy but there's nothing, life has just been really busy!<br />
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In May we spent a week on the beautiful isle of Arran. We can see across to Arran from where we live and its only a 30min car ride then an hours boat crossing but we've never been, despite having wanted to for years. It didnt disappoint! Beautiful scenery, idyllic beaches, tranquil little villages. We loved it and will definitely go back. We will climb Goatfell one day when the boys are old enough to walk that far!<br />
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This month i went back to work having been off now on 'maternity leave' for 2 years. This week (my 2nd week in the job) i got to down to London and amongst other meetings, attend a reception in the House of Commons!!! I've stood outside the Houses of Parliament loads of times and had the usual tourist photos under Big Ben etc but i have never been inside on 'official business.' I was pretty awestruck!<br />
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<br />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-73262110756470573052013-04-02T19:06:00.000+00:002013-04-02T19:09:30.766+00:00Easter 2013We had a really lovely Easter weekend. On Good Friday hubby was off work (yay) so we went down to the marina and had a nice stroll around the forest followed by a play on the beach. I did a scavenger hunt type game for Caleb, basically he had a list of 'things' he had to find whilst we were out. He managed to get everything! Saturday we spent pottering around at home. Sunday we were at church, celebrating the reason for Easter and then had the family round for a yummy steak pie dinner. On Monday i was out in the frosty garden in my dressing gown at 7.30am hiding Easter eggs for the boys. In the afternoon my parents and i took the boys to Lamont farm to see the Owl display. Caleb got to hold the tiniest owl, it was so cute!<br />
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It was a good week for running. I managed a 5k on wednesday, 5k on thursday, 9k on Friday and 12K on Saturday. Wish hubby was off more often!Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-85827125461928854582013-03-29T07:40:00.001+00:002013-03-29T07:40:11.314+00:00March Wipocalypse<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwDLw-H0yfW8OWGiMfUrhGqbpCjjNpIj53OFNVeU9_biAaMd9GC1pJlJYz-woVRFobYbtWoh771ZnwbUPg9SQuSxeXboy0rfay4hMyWRYXgHBRBYMCbcyXGe_2ByzSqQMo7jgz_lBR_W8/s1600/DSCF1982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwDLw-H0yfW8OWGiMfUrhGqbpCjjNpIj53OFNVeU9_biAaMd9GC1pJlJYz-woVRFobYbtWoh771ZnwbUPg9SQuSxeXboy0rfay4hMyWRYXgHBRBYMCbcyXGe_2ByzSqQMo7jgz_lBR_W8/s320/DSCF1982.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anniversary sampler for our 10th anniversary in September. I'm stitching it in purple to match the living room, the picture doesn't do the colour justice.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've got to stitch 3 of these as Caleb has 3 nursery teachers. </td></tr>
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Time to update my progress for the March Wipocalypse. The rotation is out the window for now and im focussed mainly on these 2 projects at the moment because they have deadlines; our anniversary in September and the end of term in June. <div>
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My friend has started an online book group (on facebook) if anyone is interested? This months book will be Silence by Shusako Endo. If you're interested let me know and i can send you an invite!<br /><br /></div>
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Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-64788503264116730032013-03-23T19:45:00.000+00:002013-03-23T19:45:06.175+00:00Snow much fun!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's the end of March, it's supposed to be spring time and we have more snow than we've had all winter and we are loving it! When there's nowhere you need to be, snow is great! We have had a lot of fun the last few days!</div>
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<br /><br />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-31009318621919697742013-03-23T19:40:00.002+00:002013-03-23T19:40:05.480+00:00Bloglovin<div>
I was gutted to hear google reader was going but have imported everything easy peasey onto Bloglovin and highly recommend it!</div>
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<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/4983365/?claim=h8ayf5s58y8">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-49618152513659839752013-03-13T20:09:00.000+00:002013-03-13T20:09:10.871+00:00Finishes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Turns out this rotation is working out pretty well for getting things finished! It forces me to work on things i don't want to work on! Now this finish is for you<a href="http://starry-eyed-stitcher.blogspot.co.uk/"> Irene</a>. When i finished the stitching on this ornament but was moaning about the actual finishing Irene wrote to me: "<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Come on Cheryl, just bite the bullet and finish them! Think how 'hip hip hooray' ing you can be then. They are lovely, but not really 'finished' yet are they?? Do I sound like your mother? I sound like my mother! Irene xxx"</span> Irene, i hope you don't mind me posting your comment here, it did make me laugh a lot and look, it inspired me too lol</div>
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Caleb's Christmas (2012) ornament....</div>
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Now to finish Aaron's!<br />
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Ive finished the stitching on this Lizzie Kate piece too. Caleb has 3 nursery teachers so seeing as how long the Christmas ornaments took, im making an early start to ensure i can get 3 of these done for June.<br />
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All is well here at casa Thomas. I had a lovely weekend away there with a whole bunch of women from the church. It was fun and relaxing and a great way to spend Mother's Day...kid free lol ;-)Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-1664263208326388142013-03-07T20:17:00.000+00:002013-03-07T20:17:47.902+00:00Drowning in domestic drudgery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lost. Stitching blogger. Last seen trying to make a dent in this insurmountable pile of ironing. </div>
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Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-32209356042160829412013-03-02T20:05:00.000+00:002013-03-02T20:05:18.098+00:00Best.Birthday.EverThere goes February without a single blog post. My days/weeks have been flying by recently.<br />
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February was a good month and most notably i got to go away for a whole weekend with my best friends to a wee village in the Cotswolds. We try to do this every year and i love that things never change between the 9 of us. </div>
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Yesterday was my 32nd birthday. I can truely say that this was one of my most favourite birthdays ever. Here's how my day went:</div>
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- Cup of tea in bed</div>
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- Husband made pancakes for breakfast (without being asked!!)</div>
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- A 5K run in beautiful sunshine along the coast</div>
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- A long shower to get ready for my afternoon at a gorgeous country club (by myself, myself-yes!)</div>
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- 2 course lunch at said country club</div>
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- Chill out with my book and magazine on some plush sofas to let my lunch go down</div>
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- Nice relaxing swim in the pool</div>
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- Jacuzzi</div>
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- Steam Room</div>
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- Express Facial</div>
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- Back, shoulder and neck massage</div>
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- Pot of tea next to log fire</div>
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- Home just in time to put boys to bed</div>
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- Cocktails and DVD with hubby</div>
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I loved it. I loved the ME time. Im never on my own. I never get to just be. It was bliss just to be on my own, not have to talk to anyone and totally relax. I love my hubby for this gift! It was the best birthday and exactly what i needed.</div>
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Today has been a lovely day too. I went out for an 11 mile bike ride this morning then the 4 of us spent the rest of the day pottering around in the garden, my parents popped in for a wee visit too. Then tonight we had a Chinese takeway for dinner and once im off this computer, i plan on ignoring the massive pile of ironing that's waiting for me and opening a bottle of red. A great way to kick start being 32!</div>
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Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-87335950039847917922013-01-27T20:45:00.000+00:002013-01-27T20:45:06.146+00:00January WIPocalypse<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: justify;">The theme for this WIPocalypse post is to introduce yourself, your projects, and any goals you have for the year.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: justify;">I shared my stitching goals and the pieces ive selected for this challenge in this post <i><a href="http://bezzachezza.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/wipocalypse-2013.html">here</a>, </i>so i wont repeat them again. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: justify;">Ive been doing pretty well stitching to the rotation of projects ive set myself for January.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px; text-align: justify;"> I stitch one piece for 4 days and then move on to the next. Now, by 'days' i really mean the odd hour later in the evening that i might get the chance to sit down and do some stitching. Any time spent on a piece counts as a 'day.'</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px;">My progress for January: </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px;">the boys ornament stitching is complete, </span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px;">ive started my anniversary piece (LHN's always and forever)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.1875px;">and ive worked on Cirques des Cercles</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Vir5iHc8WYesk0KO-xlzVyDwuHENw6PuIlhQy4hNiMpmpxDeE3aFfuwzD6_Yyot7_SBaF0LUCga05oY_acs01Wniq9GOyYMYlEHuMUmi2pNgLBUrY0dRazburfWtMZ3kQzCr9hNXjwRK/s1600/Inverclyde-20130127-00885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Vir5iHc8WYesk0KO-xlzVyDwuHENw6PuIlhQy4hNiMpmpxDeE3aFfuwzD6_Yyot7_SBaF0LUCga05oY_acs01Wniq9GOyYMYlEHuMUmi2pNgLBUrY0dRazburfWtMZ3kQzCr9hNXjwRK/s400/Inverclyde-20130127-00885.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-align: justify;">Now to introduce myself! Im a 31 year old mum of 2 boys (a 4 year old and a 15 month old). I took voluntary redundancy during my maternity leave from my job as a development officer for charities. Im currently self-employed and lead jogging groups in my local area and work one day a week for a charity. My hobbies: i love to run and am training for my first half-marathon this year, i do kettlebells, i stitch. My 2 boys keep me very, very busy and generally exhaust me lol </span>Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-85455763520269182942013-01-25T10:07:00.004+00:002013-01-25T10:08:26.925+00:00Finished the Christmas stitching<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hip hip hooray! The Christmas stitching is done. Now for the part i hate, finishing them into ornaments booo.</div>
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This has been a crazy busy week. Hoping for a more peaceful (?!) weekend!Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-44608222716302092022013-01-18T20:21:00.001+00:002013-01-18T20:30:50.323+00:004 todayMy 'baby' turned 4 today! I know i'm stating the obvious but isn't it amazing just how much change happens in the first 4 years of life? Look at these pictures! <br />
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Happy 4th Birthday Caleb! My wild, crazy, stubborn, brave, independent, gorgeous boy.<br />
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We've had a lovely day celebrating Caleb's birthday. DH took the day off work and we went up to Glasgow to Toys R Us as Caleb had a voucher to spend, then lunch at Macdonalds and then onto the Riverside Transport Museum. Caleb had his favourite cheesey pasta for dinner and then his aunt and uncle popped in with presents followed by his Gran and Grandpa. Now for the big birthday party with his friends on Sunday! We've hired a sports centre...thankfully!<br />
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Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-42405577091338416122013-01-13T11:26:00.000+00:002013-01-13T11:26:24.935+00:00WIPocalypse 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, this <a href="http://measi.net/measiblog/2013-wipocalypse/">WIPocalypse </a>thing. A list of the pieces i want to make progress on (or finish) this year. Here are my plans. </div>
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New starts. From left to right....the beach hut one (for my bathroom, totally not a priority), the "teaching is a work of heart" one (must be finished by June), LHN Always and Forever (to be stitched in purple for my living room in honour of our 10th wedding anniversary in September)</div>
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Older pieces ive chosen to work on.<br />
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1. Aarons birth sampler. I'd really like to finish this one this year.<br />
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2. Good ole Cirque des Cercles. I don't even want to look back on my blog to see when i started this piece. I still love it, even though it was stitched in those colours to match my yellow living room in the house we now dont live in anymore lol<br />
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3. LHN's coffee menu. I started this as a SAL with Jamie back when i first started blogging in 2007 (??) Then Jamie went MIA and i never heard from her again and this got abandoned. There's not too much left to do so i thought i'd dig this one out again and see if i can finish it in 2013. I don't even drink coffee! My husband is the coffee drinker.<br />
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So, we'll see how i go! Still want these Christmas ornaments finished before i start any of these though!<br />
<br />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-77285984140336265832013-01-09T12:52:00.000+00:002013-01-09T12:52:44.523+00:00Christmas stitching (yes, still)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I thought starting at the beginning of November would be more than enough time to make the boys their Christmas ornaments. WRONG. I have only just finished the stitching on Caleb's. Yes, yes i know the writing isn't centred but i always just wing it with these, i figure it adds to the handmade charm ;-) So here's the front and the back. Maybe i can get it made into an ornament in time for his birthday next week. </div>
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DH thought i was mean calling him 'wild' but he <strike>is</strike> can be and exhibited some especially 'wild' behaviour through December so it's a memory lol</div>
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The front of Aaron's is complete, I just need to do the back now.<br />
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Ive signed up for this <a href="http://measi.net/measiblog/2013-wipocalypse/2013-wipocalypse-basic-info-sign-up-page/">WIPocalypse</a> thing which is just for fun really. I have sooooo many pieces lying unfinished so im going to pick some that i want to finish or at least make some progress on this year and make a list.<br />
<br />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-37053752568817659202013-01-05T08:10:00.003+00:002013-01-05T08:10:40.390+00:00My new years resolutionsGosh, i did <i>really</i> badly at my advent blogging. Days just ran away with me towards the middle of December and we ended up being really busy on top of all the usual colds/sore throats that come with this time of year.<br />
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HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope 2013 is a good one for you. I have made new years resolutions. Someone told me that you're not supposed to share your resolutions with people??? What the heck, it doesn't bother me and i want them recorded to keep myself motivated. They're mostly super boring and housewifey anyway but its things that would make life that little bit easier if i can stick to them!</div>
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1. Keep on top of the ironing! I am going to attempt to do some everyday</div>
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2. Run. As much as i can. I have a treadmill now so i have no excuses regarding the bad weather or the dark nights. (I originally wanted to aim to run 5K every day, but that's going to be unrealistic)</div>
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3. We are going to throw away/give to charity/give to someone 1 item every day from our garage. Our garage is stuffed full of junk, by the end of the year we should be 365 items down! </div>
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4. Meal plan and shop accordingly. We've had some frightful credit card bills over the past few months and the depressing thing about them....its all to supermarkets. I am now self-employed and working only one day a week, money will be tight this year and we <i>have to</i> cut back. I <i>have to</i> be more organised with meals.</div>
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5. Keep the house tidier. Should i consider my chore rota again? The thought does not appeal to me. However, we need to be tidier. My boys are wildly messy. They scatter their stuff in every room of the house, its so annoying. I am trying to keep the living room relatively toy-free. Matthew and i arent exactly tidy either so we need to get sorted!</div>
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Have you made any resolutions? Id be interested to hear/read your posts! It feels good to have goals, right? Even if they are about ironing, tidying and de-cluttering.......</div>
Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-60505357690030665152012-12-16T11:16:00.002+00:002012-12-16T11:16:55.914+00:00Advent day 13-16Day 13 - In the morning we had a nice time at home and when Aaron napped, Caleb and i made some Christmas cakes (which were basically just fairy cakes but we'll call them Christmas cakes for the purpose of advent blogging).<br />
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In the afternoon, Caleb's nursery class were shepherds in the whole school show. They sang a really cute song and all looked adorable. I was proud of my boy. He's on the left nearest the camera with the brown tshirt (back to me though).</div>
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Day 14 - We made our good old salt dough ornaments to hang on the tree! Flour, salt and water, easy peasey.<br />
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Day 15 - We went to the toy store 'Hamleys' in Glasgow to have brunch with Santa! We went with friends from the nursery and it was lovely. The kids all had something to eat, Santa arrived and read them a story, they coloured in some activity sheets and decorated cookies. The elves were there to help, Caleb's favourite being 'crazy' elf. They all then got to go up and speak to Santa individually and got a wonderful goody bag of Hamleys toys. Despite all this Christmas loveliness, Caleb's favourite part of the day was the train ride up to Glasgow. I could have saved myself some money and just rode the train all day with him ;-)<br />
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Day 16 - today, we will paint the salt dough ornaments.Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-16243796548980572842012-12-12T14:02:00.001+00:002012-12-12T14:02:15.458+00:00Advent 8-12This advent blogging is going well then ha ha ha<br />
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Day 8 - Caleb didnt make it to his friend's party as he wasnt feeling well. Aaron was super cranky. Saturday was a crappy day.We got the main tree up anyway and started decorating.<br />
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Day 9 - we continued decorating! Not a great picture but theres a small tree in the top left window and my hubby did a great job on the living room lights in the front right. Plus my blue and white snowflakes outside.<br />
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Day 10 - yet more decorating! I have a stitching tree this year! yay! That tree is in my kitchen and has my small collection of christmas stitching on it. I need to get a picture.<br />
Also on day 10, Caleb had his wee friend round to make up for missing her party on day 8. He loves Isla. He told me. lol.<br />
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Day 11 - Fail. I forgot what the activity was and simply ran out of time to even look it up. After the nursery run i had to go and open up the church hall for toddlers, then rush back to pick up Caleb again. We had an hour to grab lunch at home and get sorted before heading back out for Caleb's Kinder Gym (gymnastics class). By the time we got home, after running around Largs looking for Aaron's lost shoe (which showed up eventually in the car) and dropping in at my sisters to wish her a happy birthday, it was after 4pm and my food shopping delivery arrived and i had dinner to prepare, then the kids to bath and get ready for bed. So no, i had no time to make paper snowflakes. We will, another day.<br />
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Day 12 - Do something for charity. Every year i plan to do one of those fill-a-shoe-box appeal things. Operation Christmas or whatever its called. However, every year, by the time i look it up, ive missed the deadlines which all tend to be in November. This morning however, Caleb and i had a good wee chat about Kenya. I cant even remember how the opportunity came up but it just happened and i got out my newsletter from <i><a href="http://www.footstepsinternational.org/">Footsteps International</a></i> (the wonderful charity some good friends of mine run) and we looked at the pictures and talked about how hard other kids have it and how Christmas is not all about 'getting toys.' Footsteps works in Kenya with street kids. Caleb was particularly drawn to a picture of a wee boy with scraps of material for shoes. Whats happened to his shoes mummy? Anyway, my little almost-4 year old agreed to donate the contents of his piggy bank (£14) to Footsteps International. Good on him. It wasn't really what i'd intended for this day, id originally planned to have them pick out some stuff we could take to a charity shop but the little chat was impromptu and felt right.<br />
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So thats my update. I work on a Wednesday and i am blissfully enjoying peace and quiet and computer time without little hands grabbing at me or trying to bash the keypad.<br />
<br />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-67095820783131314312012-12-08T10:51:00.002+00:002012-12-08T10:51:58.000+00:00First week of advent activities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well i knew i'd be bad at this advent blogging but was expecting to be this bad! I have managed not to blog at all in December yet, haha. We have been doing our advent activities though!</div>
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Day 1 - we put up the advent calendar. Easy one! I did not, however, get the wooden one out the garage. We are decorating this weekend so it will appear then, one week late ;)</div>
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Day 2 - The Jingle Bell fun run. I took Aaron to take part in his first race haha We ran 1K. Or more precisely mummy ran 1K whilst pushing a pram dressed as Santa and it was not easy!</div>
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Day 3 - If you've not heard of the Portable North Pole console, google it and do one for any kids you know! Its amazing. Caleb and Aaron love their personalised message from Santa videos.</div>
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Day 4 - We did our 'Elf yourself' video, which Caleb loves and watches over and over. It does make me laugh.</div>
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Day 5 - I was at work and the boys spent the day with their Canadian grandparents before they returned home to Canada. Caleb adores his Grandma and Grandpa. It was nice to get a bit of a break by having some live in babysitters for a week!</div>
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Day 6 - Letter to Santa written and posted. Royalmail have an 'address' to send letters to Santa to and he even writes back!</div>
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Dear Santa,</div>
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My name is Caleb and i am 3 years old, nearly 4. I have a brother called Aaron and he is 1 year old. We live at.......... For Christmas, if im a good boy, i would like a didicar for playing outside, a new dvd and a new toy please. Thank-you Santa. </div>
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Love Caleb</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRvZjIunwmyw7-7J1KqNxiqljCe6ELyI5w6qcYy_Sw8OcHFsvrUi4SqOdN9QJ6OHahv7UWHzOiDBrLkLMS72pcGgZ7ghcNBznojIrQ-avNdhGL6yJ0pbxjFvI5mgIixfQ0B8sUAYo1GkU/s1600/Inverclyde-20121206-00470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRvZjIunwmyw7-7J1KqNxiqljCe6ELyI5w6qcYy_Sw8OcHFsvrUi4SqOdN9QJ6OHahv7UWHzOiDBrLkLMS72pcGgZ7ghcNBznojIrQ-avNdhGL6yJ0pbxjFvI5mgIixfQ0B8sUAYo1GkU/s320/Inverclyde-20121206-00470.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Day 6 - It was the nursery/p1 Christmas show 'Snowman at Sunset' and it was adorable.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01L-JWAa5TjsAJo_8oYK4wCt7TpOzoQg-KtZIk3yxbPFQZNTtDEnRwH6Y6_bjh42XyO7mznFUUB0hNLKj4U2NGVPcdAHoOqprXNcHRcn_vsVIAqFsQPaiu2z1_86926RhxBM8iyBpEu-X/s1600/Inverclyde-20121207-00489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01L-JWAa5TjsAJo_8oYK4wCt7TpOzoQg-KtZIk3yxbPFQZNTtDEnRwH6Y6_bjh42XyO7mznFUUB0hNLKj4U2NGVPcdAHoOqprXNcHRcn_vsVIAqFsQPaiu2z1_86926RhxBM8iyBpEu-X/s320/Inverclyde-20121207-00489.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We went to the Christmas carnival at the garden centre afterwards as a treat for such a good performance :-)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheY3TGMlTdRTNmUrmPTY-_Ewg7r6N2mI8CK4JowDspaD3MWb6Lr90r_f1VlPMQh_bKqk9uzsNoW89nT0su2GmaQRtb57uXZAfKKprJdPEusHbNdGETW6hE7U41qxRpCDUXfEZEkQq3EFTq/s1600/IMG-20121207-00494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheY3TGMlTdRTNmUrmPTY-_Ewg7r6N2mI8CK4JowDspaD3MWb6Lr90r_f1VlPMQh_bKqk9uzsNoW89nT0su2GmaQRtb57uXZAfKKprJdPEusHbNdGETW6hE7U41qxRpCDUXfEZEkQq3EFTq/s320/IMG-20121207-00494.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had my first Christmas night out last night with my mummy friends from the nursery. It was a great night and it felt good to get all glammed up for once!<br />
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We'll be taking it easy today before i take Caleb to his friends party this afternoon. Fancy dress costume to sort out for that (boo), halloween's enough fancy dress stress for me to contend with lolCherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-6497594324326855122012-11-30T21:23:00.002+00:002012-11-30T21:30:49.745+00:00DeBloAdMo 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">Here we are again! December Blog Advent Month</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">. A concept designed by my friend </span></span><i style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://blog.scottandlori.co.uk/">Lori</a> </i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">a few years ago. In fact i searched back through my blog to find Lori's original idea. Here it is:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"> "</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Post every day in the month of December until Christmas one special idea you can do as a family, a couple or a group of friends. Of if you're really clever, post a wee thought each day about Christmas or something." </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">Im doing it, for the third year. Feel free to join in! Let me know so i can follow your posts though! I can already say that im pretty sure i wont get to blog everyday but i will do my activity. I had great intentions of making our list less commercialised this year, get back to the true meaning of Christmas and all that jazz, but December has crept up on me again and im just not organised and im empty of ideas....i did throw in a few (day 12/day 19/day 23) </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 1 - hang up chocolate advent calendar and find the wooden advent calendar from the boxes in the garage!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 2 - Go to the Jingle Bell Fun Run (mummy's work) and walk 1K in Christmas clothes!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 3 - Message from Santa video</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 4 - Elf ourselves</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 5 - Have a special day with Grandpa and Grandma before they go back to Canada</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 6 - Write and post a letter to Santa </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 7 - Christmas nativity concert at nursery</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 8 - Go to Isla's birthday party</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 9 - Get the Christmas trees up and start decorating</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 10 - Continue decorating!</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 11 - Make paper snowflakes for bedroom windows</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 12 - Do something for charity</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 13 - Christmas whole school show</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 14 - Make salt dough ornaments</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 15 - Go up to Hamleys in Glasgow with friends for a special Santa brunch</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 16 - Paint salt dough ornaments</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 17 - Go to Kinder Gym Christmas party</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 18 - Make paperchains</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 19 - </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Read the nativity story</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 20 - Nursery Christmas party and Funworld Christmas party at night with friends!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 21 - Have a Christmas picnic</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 22 - Do an activity from our Usborne Christmas book</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 23 - Sing Christmas carols and learn about baby Jesus</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Day 24 - Have family round for Christmas Eve dinner, remember to put out milk and cookies for Santa and a carrot for Rudolph</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Tonight we went down to the school in our village to see the lights get switched on, hear the choir sing carols and see Santa...... and its not even December yet!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUjUzQJktCNU8YQaHD8QxocWqI1rMSSL0Z-OFnQfdAk1PKiSYwUBn39BbkHT_Gg9zzlfLrYuluPU_3M0LBjLS9e7fZt8Y5tJu6MXCsnc1CuhhcK5TtEkC_43lvFnYrqE_29Ddo0utwnLX/s1600/image_1354310512230324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUjUzQJktCNU8YQaHD8QxocWqI1rMSSL0Z-OFnQfdAk1PKiSYwUBn39BbkHT_Gg9zzlfLrYuluPU_3M0LBjLS9e7fZt8Y5tJu6MXCsnc1CuhhcK5TtEkC_43lvFnYrqE_29Ddo0utwnLX/s400/image_1354310512230324.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Why do i look more excited than Caleb??</span><br />
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<br />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-465607313462970166.post-31538026270928984892012-11-25T09:16:00.000+00:002012-11-25T09:16:43.177+00:00Ornament for son number1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Im quite proud that i've been organised enough to start early on my Christmas stitching! Ive finished Caleb's ornament this week. Of course i now have to stitch the back (i always like to stitch a message) and then make it into an ornament, so there's still a bit of work left to do but hey, the front is complete anyway! I stitch an ornament every year for the boys. Here's <a href="http://bezzachezza.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/2009.html">2009</a>, <a href="http://bezzachezza.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/christmas-stitching_20.html">2010</a>, <a href="http://bezzachezza.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/over-for-another-year.html">2011</a></div>
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Its a Prairie Schooler design.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoNu3mMHj0AB0CxDf1nRS1G7b1rOe48MHvydbIcYxtVbwu-ynS1KAskPVCLx1cFMZ_np4vE2dDQNUdu2k_IZBhSMlhIr4Hx6Ec7VNLBgelmhRkhc784ncswXJcSQPxi5RRN1fwc6aJFu8/s1600/DSCF1714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoNu3mMHj0AB0CxDf1nRS1G7b1rOe48MHvydbIcYxtVbwu-ynS1KAskPVCLx1cFMZ_np4vE2dDQNUdu2k_IZBhSMlhIr4Hx6Ec7VNLBgelmhRkhc784ncswXJcSQPxi5RRN1fwc6aJFu8/s400/DSCF1714.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />Cherylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06186461048704811799noreply@blogger.com3