A challenge card..

It's been absolutely ages since I participated in a blog challenge. I've been busy making the few cards I need  before all my crafting stuff is packed away ready for the renovations.....so I decided to enter the card I've made for middle grandson's birthday, which is next month. This is for Daring Cadmakers which asks for a hole on your card. There are 4 holes....the eyelets.  The pic isn't good quality.....I blame the lack of light.
The image is from Mo Manning. I've coloured using watercolour pencils and water brush...not brilliant colouring but I'm pleased with the result....improving I think. No match to the amazing creations on other blogs of course.

Still got the snow...

..but it is starting to thaw...slowly. The pavements are even more treacherous....solid packed ice.
Well the woman from the house modernization contracters came to see me at last, and the work starts a week next Monday...and I'm staying in. If I opted to move out while the work was done, it meant waiting for possibly another 9 to 12 months. I just want to get it over and done with. I won't be able to use the washing machine or cooker for approximately 9 weeks. They are providing me with a small table top oven and 2 rings. With the microwave it shouldn't be too bad.  There is a respite centre a short bus ride away with facilities to do washing...but I think my son and DIL will help with that...I did it for them when there house was modernised. We will have to use the living room as a kitchen for the duration.....lived in bed-sit land for a few years when my first 2 were little so I think I will be able to manage. I can always escape to eldests for a few hours if it gets a bit too much. Just got to get a load of stuff packed to go into storage while the work is being done. We're having a de-clutter at the same time. The boys emptied the loft today.....amazing the stuff we hang onto. Anyway... there is already a big pile of junk outside waiting to be collected  and we haven't even started on the bedrooms yet.  Unfortunately I will have to pack away most of my craft stuff...sob.. sob..but it will be for the best as there will be dust and muck everywhere. I'm keeping my cross stitch and parchment tools to hand though ( they take up very little room) so I may get a chance to practise and improve on both of these.

I've had enough.....

..of this snow and ice thank you very much. I've been out to the local shop a couple of times, but the ice on the pavements is so treacherous that I daren't risk it too often. And the heating bill is astronomical! Couldn't go to do my fortnightly shop on Thursday so eldest son and  DIL fetched me some. Now I'm very grateful and annoyed at the same time. I have 2 sons at home...20 and 25....have they offered to do some shopping? No they have not! OK the elder of the two is working..but the youngest's excuse?....he hasn't got the right footwear. Can you believe that! I suggested he wore his working boots.....but he can't go out in those....they're just not the thing to be seen in. Typical fashion victim. Since taking down the Christmas decorations I've started packing. Why?  Well....my house is due to be modernised.....totally gutted.  I did opt to stay in but after a phone call 2 weeks before Christmas saying that the work is due to start on 25th January, I'm having second thoughts. I don't want to be living on a building site in this weather. When I told the person this she said that she would try and get to see me the next day....or failing that would keep the appointment made by letter the next week (Which I may say I never received). She did say that if I opted to move out the work would be delayed. Well she didn't turn up for either so at the moment I don't know what is happening. I have so many questions that need answering before I can decide. There are a lot of thigs to be taken into consideration...and she didn't leave me any contact details..arggggh!!!!

Another year....

.......gone, and not a very good start to this new year. Christmas went by in a bit of a blur for me. I decided to spend Christmas day at home with the boys and boxing day at eldest sons. Well I might as well have gone to sons on Christmas day for all the company the youngest two provided. They got up late, ate their dinner, then spent the rest of the day upstairs with the TV and XBox. I did get to watch some programmes without any interference over the festive period though. Didn't get to sons on boxing day..just didn't feel well enough...and son phoned to say to come over on the Sunday. Didn't make that either..spent most of the day in bed. Finaly managed new year's eve and stayed the night. It was lovely just to have someone to talk to!! Spent a big part of today in bed again. Daylight is short enough without me missing most of it. Hopefully my sleeping pattern will start to improve now that the days are starting to get a little big longer. I need to get back into creativity mode as well..got two ATC swaps and two birthdays cards to make this month as well as thank you cards.