Project Life

I've been determined to get back into digital scrapping this year and also try project life. With just the right class over on Jessica Sprague's site I really had no excuse!

the first page was quite easy as it was just an introduction

My first week was a quiet one and this is reflected in my photos

There is a lot to learn but I'm pleased I've got to grips with making the date embellishments. I am trying to keep it simple so I will not find it too hard to keep up.

my December

a day out at the zoo

a good laugh watching Whose Line is it Anyway? at the Royal Albert Hall

a few simple cards made

knitting slowly on some socks

and carefully choosing a new project.

There has been family time, good food and plenty of games played but not many photos taken. This year I must get my camera out more,

a special visit

we met up with my eldest son and little granddaughter to visit mum on Sunday, we all live so far away we can't do it as often as we'd like. I was so pleased she knew straight away who he was and she did enjoy seeing everyone.

We had to take a snap of the three girls!

Now all four of my children have visited, I do wonder if that may be the last time. Mum is very frail and not eating at all, still her generation are very tough and she may surprise me.

Love you mum x

Christmas memories

I've been thinking a lot about Christmas past this year and feel so sad I don't have any photos from my childhood Christmas, how lucky we are now to be able to snap away trying to get the perfect shot. Every decoration, meal and gift is there for us all to see and all those not so good snaps can be deleted instantly. Summer holidays were the only time we bought a film, we couldn't afford it any other time, so here we are posing in the cold, I still remember that anorak!

Dad has been gone for over 30 years but these photos bring back the memories. I can still remember my bike propped up against the bedroom wall on Christmas morning, the Talkative Jane doll I'd been longing for and the phones set up so I could ring my sister up at 3am, she was not pleased!
Christmas and birthdays were the only time we received presents so the excitement was immense, I feel a bit sorry for today's children who have so much, do they feel as excited as we did?

Mum's memory is fading fast but I can remember her telling me she and her brothers and sister always had a new torch on top of their stocking so they could see what Father Christmas had brought them. It is so important to get these memories down somewhere before it's too late. Next year I've challenged myself to start scrapbooking again and get those stories told.

as summer draws to a close

Well I've blinked and summer is nearly over. All the things I'd planned to do never got done. I was so determined to take part in the summertime photography challenge but yet again life got in the way.

Poor mum had to go back into hospital with an infection and while in there fell over and broke her wrist. It's become increasingly apparent that she can't cope any more on her own and so the last few weeks have been centred on finding her a good care home. We want her happy, safe and well looked after, not as easy as it sounds. She is still in hospital until we find the right place.

She did enjoy a visit from her youngest grandson although he was convinced she thought he was the doctor!

our family were all here for the folk week which was lovely, I was kept very entertained

There was a lot of craft

lots of visits to the sea

and plenty of dancing and listening to music

we then had a much needed break away looking after our granddaughter

and a visit to one of my favourite places

Slimbridge is such a lovely place to unwind at, especially when you can meet up with family.

So that is summer over for another year although I have heard the hot weather is coming back for a few more days.

September is about to start, one of my favourite months. I have so much planned lets hope some of it gets done.

Mum at 95

Poor mum didn't have the birthday we had hoped for as she broke her hip a few days before. We did try to make it special though and the medical team on the ward joined in.

They all came to sing happy birthday to her

and we enjoyed some birthday cake.

Unfortunately since then she slipped getting out of bed in the hospital and broke her wrist. It's going to take time but hopefully she will get mobile  and will be able to enjoy life again.

Better late than never

I've enjoyed so much taking part in the summertime photography hunt over the last few years and had every intention of completing it last year. Let's just say my zest for life deserted me and I am still trying to get it back.

Here are some of the shots I found

10. Something yellow

22. A dial

18. A fan

8. Rust or something derelict

21. A plaque

20. something found under ground

17. Circles or crosses in architecture

13. A dome

23. Something powered by wind

5. A seasonal relaxing space

19. Feet of man or beast

11. A toy found out in the summer

16. A baby (human or animal)

24 Seasonal food

15. Something crafted from wood

1. Something fuzzy. The blurred gun in the background was one used during the siege of Kut, a battle my grandfather took part in.

On reflection I didn't do too bad, I nearly managed all the photos.

Another year and another challenge, do pop over to Mary-Lou's blog and join in the fun this year.