* 2011 Intentions *

So what does the year ahead hold for me?

2010 was a year full of changes...

I closed my little craft shop last February to concentrate on building an on line craft business, then started a part time job (bills were mounting that had to be paid), then I left the part time job (just 6 months later!!). My hours had increased so much that there was little time left for anything else and it was really getting me down!!

So this year my intentions are:

* Put more time and effort into my craft business and launch a new on line shop

* Make more time for the 3 of us to spend time together

* Renovate our house, starting with the spare bedroom, lounge and finish the kitchen.

*Declutter and organise!!

* Start a local Scrapbook Crop or Craft Club ~ something I have wanted to do for a long time.

* More home baking and cooking healthy meals from scratch.

* Scrapbook lots and lots more!

* Spend money more wisely...this is crucial to avoid me having to look for another job, something I really don't want to have to do.

This last one is a biggy!!

This is what is in my purse right now!! ....Not a lot!!

I'm not great with money, if it's in my purse I spend it. It's the little things, a new magazine, lunch out, new scrapbooking stash, a cute new bracelet, newspapers, car parking and I love coffee shops just a little too much!!

So, I'm going to keep track of every penny I spend to try to help me cut back and spend less!

So, today:

50p Newspaper

£1.85 Costa Coffee

£1.51 Post Office (Posting an EBay Parcel)

I know of several bloggers and friends who want to lose some post Christmas weight and say that going to Weight watchers (or similar) meetings and blogging their weigh ins really helps them, for me, this is the same ... if I have to account for my spending it should help....it's going to be tough...wish me luck!! :)

How are your New Year Resolutions or Intentions going so far? Good I hope!

2010 ...A look Back!!

The 5th day of 2011 already! ... how did that happen? Lol!

In between taking down the Christmas tree, buying new school shoes, finding homes for all the new toys and gifts and catching up on housework after our visitors had left, I took some time out to look back over last year. 2010 was an okay kinda year, not the best ever, but nothing awful happened and we had some fun times.

I thought it would be fun to blog the highlights...

* Lots of fun days out :- Honeybrook Farm, The Horse Centre where Hannah loved her first pony ride, a couple of walks in New Forest, beaches, Salisbury, Gunwharf Quays, Lulworth Castle for the amazing Jousting tournaments.

The Horse Centre

Salisbury Cathedral

* 2 Amazing Holidays:- A long weekend in London in June was a time to spend quality time together, just the 3 of us. The "Young One" loved her first visit to the Capital and we all enjoyed seeing the sights! The finale of this trip was seeing Leona Lewis at the O2. The tickets were a Christmas 2009 gift from us and was her first major music concert.

As part of my birthday celebrations in the October we booked a week in Portinatx, Ibiza and had an awsome time!! Some great memories!

*Saw Ronan Keating live

* Started a new Part Time Job

* Took the "Young One" and her best friend, to Monkey World for her birthday treat

* The "Young One" has now lost 5 of her baby teeth

* I went to The Big Stamp and Scrapbooking Show at Ally Pally, London! I'm already looking forward to this year's show!

* The "young One" danced on stage at the the with her Dance School in a Show.

* Left my Part time job to focus on my on line craft business.

* Snow in December, coldest December for many years!

I've also been thinking about the year ahead and what I want to acheive so will blog that tomorrow!

* Goodbye 2010 *

So here we are on the last day of December, just a couple of hours before we welcome in 2011!! I didn't manage a Christmas post as things got so crazily busy, so I will do a quick review here. Thankfully we all recovered from the coughs, colds and ear infections that got us all in the run up to Christmas and finally we were all ready for the Big Day. Loads of food (far too much!) bought, pressies bought and wrapped, tree and decorations up!

The Tree!

This year Christmas Day was at "Our House" with relatives coming to stay. We had an anxious wait on the 23rd to see if their flight would arrive okay, with airports closing and flights cancelled due to the ice and snow, but they got here safely, 2 hours later than scheduled but at least they were here!!!

We also had my Dad over for Christmas Day and Boxing Day and my brother and his partner and two children popped over Christmas Day evening for supper and the kids pressies! Quite a houseful but lots of fun!!

Unwrapping Santa presents!

We had a lovely few days and then it was all over and on Monday it was "Sales shopping". I got a few good bargains, new boots and a bag and a couple of tops and a few bits for the "Young One".

The last few days have been all about relaxing, enjoying our new gifts, playing board games and generally chilling out. Lovely!

I would just like to wish all bloggers a very HAPPY NEW YEAR and I hope 2011 brings you all that you wish for!

I will be back soon with a 2010 review and also my Christmas Journal.

A Winter's Walk

Do you ever have a day at the weekend with nothing very much planned? I love nothing more than waiting "to see what the weather is like" ...and see "what we feel like doing" rather than having a definate plan in our heads for the day.

Sunday was one of those days. The sun was shining ~ it was very, very cold but there was a gorgeous clear blue sky and we all agreed it was a perfect day for a walk on along a beach. We are extremely lucky to live near the coast and have several beaches within easy reach. On Sunday we chose Highcliffe beach, about 30 mins drive away. ~ It was beautiful! ~

H (and hubby!) had a fabulous time climbing over the rocks and I took loads of photos!!

Happy days!

Rock climbing!!

Worn out from our walk we headed up to Highcliffe Castle and the tearooms for coffees, hot chocolates and cakes! Yum!

A Perfect way to spend a Sunday!

I hope you had a fantastic Sunday too!

In Crafty news ~ My Christmas Journal is keeping me busy but I'm waiting for my photobox order so I can add photographs. I've also been having a good sort through of my stash and trying to reorganise my storage so I can find stuff easily!

Right, off now to do do more JYC!

JYC ~ 1st December

This year I am keeping my Christmas Journal simple as I think that is the only way I have a chance of making an entry for each day as the closer we get to Christmas Day the more crazy and busy things get in this house!

My page for 1st December documents how I intend to do my best to take lots of photos (lots and lots!!) and capture the memories of this magical time of year. I love the festive season but sometimes I am so busy preparing for family to come and stay and organisng Christmas Day that I tend to lose myself in the craziness of it all. This year I am going to try to slow down and take time to enjoy the special moments!

Snow.....!!!

We woke up yesterday to a very white view from the window, in fact it was the most snow I have ever seen down here on the south coast. Being so close to the sea we very rarely see snow and when we do it's usually just a little dusting!!

The view from my front door at 8am!

The "Young One's" school was open yesterday, although they have had to close today so we are enjoying a "Snow Day" at home. I decided it was best to leave the car behind (as you can see it was covered in the white stuff!) and set off on the 15 minute walk to school.

Once back home and warmed up I headed out into our garden to capture a few snowy shots! Perfect scrapping material!

I think most of the UK has snow now....did you get some photos? If so, I'd love you to leave me a message so I can pop by your blog and see too!

Keep warm and if you have to go out take care!

x

PS: will be back later with my JYC post!

It's that time of year again!!

You know how sometimes you dither over whether to do something or not well, a few days ago I finally made up my mind that I will make a Christmas Journal again this year. Last year I managed up to about the 11th, I think it was and 2008 saw me get to the 9th so this year I'm determined to finish.

It's not too late to join in just pop over to Shimelle's blog for all the info.

I've did my page for 1st Dec today, but the light was bad here today so will wait till tomorrow to get a photo.

I'm going to be working a few days behind as I will have to wait to get photos printed down at Asdas or via photobox!!

Are you doing JYC??