Fire and Ice

As I’ve said before, I am not one of those scrappers that buys a lot of stash a lot of the time. I used to, though but thankfully this was when I started scrapping ‘properly’ and the variety of materials and tools available isn’t what it is now. So even though I shopped a lot, I still don’t have a huge stash. Through the years, more and more things have become available and I am so bewildered with choice that I shop less and less. The last couple of years I have literally just bought essentials (adhesives, page protectors, that kind of stuff) and had one or two big shops a year. I am trying very hard to use what I have and I think I am winning - and have even had big clearouts where I let go of those things that I just know I will never use, that perhaps came from kits or from some impromptu shopping spree years ago. Last weekend I was putting together kits to take to my Tuesday crop and I must admit I found it a little harder than usual: I am running a little low on stuff. ...

When I booked our holiday to Croatia I knew only a few things about this country: it used to be part of Yugoslavia they have a good football team they also have good tennis players Dr Kovac from ER is Croatian After spending a week in and around Dubrovnik I have now learned a lot more about the country but have also grown to appreciate it’s beauty and the kindness of the people – not to mention the fabulous food and sparkling clear seas. We stayed in Babin Kuk peninsula, in the Club Valamar hotel which was all inclusive (well, it includes all meals) and has a lot of activities on offer. It proved to be an ideal base for us, travelling with a little boy, as it was very easy to get to Dubrovnik on the bus but it was also a nice place to come back and relax in or use the facilities. It was also exciting to wake up in the mornings and find that yet another huge cruise ship was just outside the window! Dubrovnik itself is beautiful. I hadn’t quite ap...

It's very hard to come home, especially when it's been so sunny in Croatia and we've come back to the most awful weather here in the UK. Croatia was beautiful and we had a great time. I will write more in future posts but I'll leave you with this photo for now, to cheer me up on such a dreary, cold, rainy, grey day. Isn't it beautiful?

...or rather, on vacation. I'm heading off for (hopefully) sunny Dubrovnik, for a week of rest, relaxation, family fun and sightseeing. I've never been to Croatia before so I'm really looking forward to it. I will of course be taking photos. Too many photos! So there will be plenty to scrap when I get back and I will add another weird stamp onto my passport. Ah, the advantages of not having an EU passport - I always get a stamp. It makes my passport look used and makes me feel like an actual world traveler. Never mind that most of my travel is to the USA or Western Europe but hey a stamp is a stamp, right? See you when I get back!

I read something quite surprising in last weekend’s papers: something like 80% of the population wishes they lived in the country. That seems an awful lot – doesn’t it? I am firmly in that remaining 20% that does not want to live anywhere near the country. I’m a big city girl and that is absolutely fine by me, fantastic in fact. The bigger the city, the happier I am. Except for Mexico City , I don’t think there is a city out there that I wouldn’t like to live in, especially in England . While the issue of Milton Keynes ’s “cityhood” is always up for debate, I consider it a city. A small one, but a city nevertheless. Here in England the boundaries between a city and the country seem rather fluid and can sometimes seem to get confused, but back where I’m from the city is where everyone seems to live and the country is anywhere without a Vips (local restaurant and also a local joke, so apologies if you didn’t get it). Perhaps this is because of the rather unique situation Mont...

I’ve now been living in the UK for over 11 years so although I’m not by any definition English, I do claim to have more than a passing acquaintance with the culture. There are an awful lot of things that baffle me, surprise me or just annoy me about this country but there are also an awful lot of things that I really, really like. I’m feeling generous and happy so here is a list of things I like about England and the UK, in no particular order. The charming regional accents. Sure, sometimes I barely understand what some people are saying (particularly if they are from ‘up North’ or Scottish) but doesn’t it sound lovely? I still can’t tell them apart either – someone could sound Irish to me but they’re actually from Liverpool or whatever – but I do still like listening to all those accents. Indian food. Oh yes, I have grown to love this cuisine, which to me is probably more British than a Sunday roast. It is available pretty much everywhere, in lots...

I've just had my latest exam results from my Networked Living OU course - and can I just pat myself on the back? I had a 91% in the Computer Marked Assignment (CMA) and an 89% on my Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA). Bearing in mind I'm working on the course at the same time as I do everything else I do, this is a great achievement. These results are for Block 2 which got a bit technical in parts ( electromagnetic spectrum , anyone?) so I'm doubly pleased as my math has never been my strong point. I guess my brain is still working after all!