2009

I am going to stitch an ornament for Caleb every Christmas. Here's what i stitched this year. A Prairie Schooler freebie that i first seen on Hazel's blog. I messed up the finishing a bit by not leaving myself enough fabric so it's a bit messy but i like it nevertheless.

I answered these questions last year and it was fun to read them back today so im doing it again....

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? Had a baby!

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year? I didnt make any last year. This year i am going to make some. Watch this space.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? I had Caleb, my niece Elaine was born in August, my friend Emily had Violet in June, Laura had Rebekah in June, Lesley had Benjamin in October

4. Did anyone close to you die? No

5. What countries did you visit? Does England count? Thats as far as we ventured!

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? Sleep, more me time, my fitness back!

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory? Without doubt the 18th January...Caleb's arrival day!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Enduring an awful labour to have my baby and surviving the first year of motherhood!

9. What was your biggest failure? Not coping well with the lack of sleep that comes with a new baby

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? A few minor illnesses nothing major

11. What was the best thing you bought? My new netbook maybe

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration? My DH's...patient, kind, a great father and amazing in those first few months when Caleb was born

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed? My boss at work

14. Where did most of your money go? Baby stuff

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Seeing Take That in concert at Hampden

16. What song/album will always remind you of 2009? Take That's "The Circus."

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:happier or sadder? Happier

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Sleeping, definitely sleeping

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Worrying

20. How did you spend Christmas? Christmas morning opening pressies just the 3 of us. Down to my mums at 11am to open more pressies and have a great lunch with my sister and her husband there too.

21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with? DH, during the days when he's at work

22. Did you fall in love in 2009? Oh yes!

23. How many one night stands in this last year? None

24. What was your favourite TV programme(s)? Felicity, Ugly Betty, 90210, Eastenders

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Hate might be too strong but my boss' behaviour has shocked and appalled me.

26. What was the best book(s) you read? I read a lot but there isnt one that immediately stands out

27. What was your greatest musical discovery? Take That, ny rediscovery LOL

28. What did you want and get? My very own laptop

29. What did you want and not get? An ipod

30. What were your favourite films of this year? I dont watch a lot of films actually so cant immediately think of any particular favourites

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I was 28 on my birthday and Caleb was only 6 weeks old so that time is all a blur to me!

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? More sleep

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? Lazy, comfy, PJs LOL

34. What kept you sane? DH, wonderful new friends, old friends, mums and tots groups

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? David Beckham, as always

36. What political issue stirred you the most? I havent been particularly stirred by much, general election in 2010 though that should be interesting!

37. Who did you miss? My bezzas (best friends) who are scattered over the UK now

38. Who was the best new person (people) you met? Caleb, my gorgeous son, Becky one of my new mummy friends

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009 Just how precious life is and how important it is to have faith in God.

I learnt a lot about myself this year...the things i can/cant handle, my strengths, my weaknesses.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?

"Show me the way to go home, im tired and i wanna go to bed...."

Happy Christmas!

Just want to wish everyone that reads my blogs a very Happy Christmas from our home to yours! Looks like we're going to have a white one, which is rare, it's cold and snowy!

Christmas Exchange no.2

Isn't this gorgeous? Clare doesnt have a blog but we got emailing when she responded to my Christmas exchange request. It is so petite with totally perfect stitching and finishing, a billion times better than mine thats for sure. I love it!

As well as this little beauty she sent all these goodies too! Look at the hat and mitts she knitted for Caleb. Beautiful!

I annoyingly didnt take a picture of what i stitched for Clare, but it was basically the same as the one as i sent Kathy (see previous post) except it was JBW's Peace, Love, Joy.

Been another busy week in our household. Was away with work overnight which was awful. The usual office Christmas party shenanigans going on...tears, fights, bitchiness, backstabbing, totally drunk idiots saying too much they shouldnt etc etc Was awful, just keeping low and getting on with my job, 2 days a week, surely i can survive that?!

Looking forward to Christmas now. Its fun with Caleb! He was 11months old yesterday.

Christmas Exchange no.1

My 2 nights away were bliss! I arrived thursday afternoon, spent ages in the gym, went swimming, sat in the jacuzzi, had a meal and a glass of wine in the bar then went to my room and watched tv and had a peaceful night! Full English Breakfast Friday morning before heading to the wedding. The wedding was lovely as was another night in the hotel, with another fry up Saturday morning followed by the gym and then home. I would recommend all mums have a get-away overnight! It was great!

I have taken part in 3 Christmas exchanges this year. Ive enjoyed stitching Christmas ornaments for my blogging friends. Here is the first which went to Kathy

Its a JBW designs piece. The ribbon says Merry Christmas and i added a little charm thing in the left corner. I sent Kathy other gifts which you can see on her blog.

Here is what Kathy sent me (blogger just wont let me turn this photo round). The mitts are so cute! She also included chocolates but they are long gone!

I love Christmas exchanges! Thanks Kathy!

10 months

Another week has flown by. My weeks are busy. I go to various mums and tots groups on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, i work on a Wednesday and meet up with friends and their babies to swim most Fridays. I can't believe how quickly this year has gone. Caleb was 10months old on Wednesday. Here is my cheeky boy who's now nearly walking. He is a lot of fun!

Im back at work now one day a week. I hate where i work now. I work for a charity with only 5 people and its awful. There are a lot of lies, backstabbing, corruptness... it's shocking. I work for a boss who rarely shows up. I do the same job (and better in my opinion) as a guy with no experience but who is paid £10,000 more it. Its a corrupt place, full of injustices which could turn you into a bitter person if you didnt rise above it. Thankfully funding is nearing an end and changes are afoot, which will mean reapplying for jobs, but im glad. It's a scandal that the place can run as it is.

This week im off to a wedding down south. Im going on my own as Caleb wasn't invited and DH has work. 2 child-free nights in a beautiful hotel, with a gym, swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna! Bliss! Will be very strange being on my own and i'll miss my boys but i am really looking forward to it as well! I got a beautiful Karen Millen dress off ebay to wear to the wedding.

Ive finished and mailed 2 Christmas ornaments this weekend so i will be able to show pictures of them soon. Have a good week!

Not stitching

A few months ago i received this framed Caleb piece from my friend. Its basically letters and circles cut out of fabric and hand-sewn on to a larger piece of fabric. I have no desire to stitch at the moment and so ive decided to try something similar for my niece. I cut out the fabrics last night.

Im not going to frame it, i think i'll make it into a pillow. I'll wait and see how it looks once its all sewn on.

Ive stitched 3 Christmas ornies recently, for Clare, Kathy and Jill. Now i just need to do the finishing.

Stitching is good for your health

So according to a magazine im reading, clinical studies have shown that sewing can help to reduce the three key markers of stress - blood pressure, heart rate and perspiration. It's official then, stitching is good for your health!

With that in mind, i wish i had more time for it! Life is busy at the moment and the weeks fly by. As of last week, im back at work every Wednesday. Im also on a fitness kick at the moment too, back into running and going to a body combat class at least once a week. It feels good! These dark winter days can make you sluggish otherwise.