Yahoo, my Baby is back.

Ben is home, yahoo, what more can I say, other than I am one happy mummy.

He is home safe and sound, a bit early but I'm not complaining. We have had great fun since he came home rather late on Sunday night. Monday was a PJ day, and we caught up on all our gossip. Today we ran around the house like headless chickens doing our chores (not in the slightest bit fun, but necessary) then we went and got his uniform for going back to school all sorted and then it was home for more fun and silly games.

Now we have the rest of the holidays all to ourselves, we are trying to decide if we should have some long breaks away together or just day trips out. But seeing as we are free to please ourselves, we will take things as they come.

I forgot to share with you the other day, the most adorable dogs that Ben and me had the pleasure of spoiling and playing with whilst on holiday. I would like to introduce Curry and Moet, so names as these are Gina's two favourite things.

this is Curry, he is such a character, it takes him a while to get to know somebody, but once he does, your his friend for life, he gives little smiles with his teeth, however, he rarely gives cuddles or kisses, but when he does, are they worth it.

And this little cutie pie is Moet, he is now about 2 years old, but he won't believe you if you told him, he is so playful, Ben took a real liking to Moet and Moet took a real liking to Ben, they where always playing together and unlike Curry, Moet will give you loves and kisses till he has worn you away.

The two of them together play so brilliantly. Ben and me took them for a walk almost every day, and on the way back, these two monsters would decide that it was play time and start messing around and jumping up at each other, heres a pic of the monsters in action.

That's Bens legs they are wrapped around.

Anyway, thats it from me for now, I'll leave you with your joke of day.

So there's this man with a parrot. And his parrot swears like a sailor, I mean he's a pistol. He can swear for five minutes straight without repeating himself.The trouble is that the guy who owns the parrot is a quiet, conservative type, and this bird's foul mouth is driving him crazy.One day, it gets to be too much, so the guy grabs the bird by the throat, shakes him really hard, and yells, "QUIT IT!" But this just makes the bird mad and he swears more than ever.Then the guy gets mad and says, "That's it. I'll get you." and locks the bird in a kitchen cabinet.This really aggravates the bird and he claws and scratches, and when the guy finally lets him out, the bird cuts loose with a stream of invective that would make a veteran sailor blush.At that point, the guy is so mad that he throws the bird into the freezer.For the first few seconds, there is a terrible din. The bird kicks and claws and thrashes. Then it suddenly goes very quiet.At first the guy just waits, but then he starts to think that the bird may be hurt. After a couple of minutes of silence, he's so worried that he opens up the freezer door.The bird calmly climbs onto the man's outstretched arm and says, "Awfully sorry about the trouble I gave you. I'll do my best to improve my vocabulary from now on."The man is astounded. He can't understand the transformation that has come over the parrot.Then the parrot says, "By the way, what did the chicken do?"

Bring my baby back

Ben has been at his Dads for nearly a week, and I seriously feel like I've had all my limbs removed without him here, I am missing him so much. Some of you probably don't know this, but me and Gerry split up in March this year, his doing I might add, and since then I've had to share my bundle of joy with him. Its been ok when he stayed over for 1 night at the weekend or went to visit after school, but seriously this is just to much, he is suppose to be there for 2 weeks and I don't think I can handle it. Fair enough, I know I go away a bit, and leave him with his dad, but thats different, I've always know he is home safe and sound, but not been part of his life just now is unbearable.

I'm pottering around the house, not knowing what to do with myself, I had him all to myself for two weeks whilst we where on holiday, and it was heaven on earth, he would not leave my side at all. Would not go in the pool unless I went in with him, would not go in the sea unless I went with him, would not do anything unless I was with him. We spent so much time talking and laughing and playing, and I'm missing it.

I don't begrudge Gerry having him, as I know he must have missed Ben whilst we where away, but its just not fair, a family gets ripped to pieces all because of one stupid persons actions and everyone ends up missing out. They have been having days out, which I have been invited along to, but have not felt able to share space with Gerry and did not want to ruin the days, so have declined.

anyway, I'm waffling now, so I'll shut up, you get the message, I miss my baby.

So what else have I been up to, I have done some of the projects for Lianne over at Little Silver Hat, with next months ribbon kit, wow, what a corker it is, I loved it, had so many ideas for it, but unfortunately the papers I felt would go with the ribbons, I had run out of, and my favourite little shop for getting things from is on holiday, Angela hurry back, I need a fix of stash.

So I had to come up with something else to do with the kits, and I made this, its only a sneek peek, I'll show you more once Lianne has posted it on her gallery page.

Can you guess what it is yet, hee hee. I can tell you it took hours to do and it's now winging its way to Lianne as a gift for her adorable little girl along with another little something I made with the kit.

I've also managed to dig out my other memory card and have some pics to share with you from our holiday, I would like to introduce you to the most amazing people I met whilst I was there.

I have not had time to edit these photos yet, all I've done is add a soft glow to them, so please forgive the contrast, etc. When I get a bit more time I will fix them, honest, well actually once I've taken the class on Miss Wiseman's photo workshop site on how to fix photos (go and check out her blog for a link on how to join in her workshop), or click her name and it will take you directly there.

Firstly we have the most amazing boy in the world, my Adorable Son - Ben

Next we have my hosts, one of my bestest friends in whole wide world and my soul mate and sister (she is not really my sister, but thats what we call each other) Gina, how stunning is this lady, and her heart is as big as her smile

And Tom, Gina's partner and one of the most Generous men I have ever come across, his hospitally and friendship is something I would hate to be without, I love Tom to pieces and he knows this, I want him to adopt me just so I can have his friendship and guidance on tap.

Now you probably are wondering what the hell is going on, but Tom had been doing some work on the house and was trying to throw a bucket of paint/water over the wall, and it all landed back right on top of him, but see what I mean about how generous he is, somebody called him and whilst standing there dripping wet, he gave his time quite freely.

This brilliant couple are Mike and Lita, they are some of the funniest people I have come across and we just clicked immediately, we seem to have the same sense of humour and that so helps.

I just adore Mike, he is constantly laughing as his picture shows, and Lita, wow what an amazing woman, Kudos to you Lita, I love and adore you.

Next we have the oh so handsome Aiden, I have know this boy since he was a little nipper, and he has not changed one bit, he was handsome then and he has only grown into it with such maturity that I am overwhelmed that I know him. He is such a kind and considerate person, he is so attentive and its amazing to watch.

Now this stunner is Stacy, this is Aiden's Girlfriend and what a girl she is, she is so smart, I was almost embrassed to be sitting in the same company as such as Genius, honestly I was, she had me in stitches whilst I was trying to take her picture, she usually wears glasses, but I asked her to remove them, and could I get her to smile, it was like pulling teeth, but once she did, wow, what an amazing smile and what a beautiful face.

Here are the happy couple together, again, getting these pics was hard work, but oh so worth it. As you can see they are perfect together, and long may their union last.

So thats it for me for now, as you can see, I did practice my photography skills whilst away, I must admit that 9 out of 10 times, I was stumped, it always seemed to bright and I got flare on my pics, and then the other times it was to dark, but I think I did alright with these ones.

Tomorrow I'm off to Stamp Addicts to teach some classes down there this weekend, I'm so excited and nervous at the same time, have no idea why, think its cause I'm there as Miss Lippy Chick and not me, if you know what I mean. I've taught Lippy Chick classes before, but I've always know in advance who is in the class and I've usually know a few of the peeps in the class, but this time, I have no idea what to expect, no idea how many are in each class, I'm teaching 3 classes in total, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, so please keep your fingers crossed for me, I think I'm gonna need it.

Here is your joke of the day, now I need to confess that I am rapidly running out of Jokes, so if you have any out there, please send them to me urgently, hee hee, I will give full credit to whoever sends them to me.

A mother mouse and a baby mouse were walking along, when all of a sudden, a cat attacked them. The mother mouse goes, "BARK!" and the cat runs away."See?" says the mother mouse to her baby. "Now do you see why it's important to learn a foreign language?"

I ROCK

or so at least Maggie says I do, she tagged me for a Rocking Girl thingy ma jig, so I have to tag some people I think.

I tag

Kirsty

Cal

Suzanne

Liza T

Not sure if you girls have been tagged before, but tough, your tagged again, ha ha.

I'll be back later with more stuff.

I'm all shiny

Yep I am, today, whilst working on a project, I decided to get out my alcholol inks. I wanted to use my lovely shiny copper metallic finish, and did as I was suppose to, I shook the bottle till the little metal ball inside moved around freely, then I opened the bottle and tried to squeeze some out, well none was forthcoming, so I tipped the bottle incase the ball was causing a blockage and tried again, yet still none was forthcoming, so I gave a little bit of a harder squeeze and...........

SPLAT.......... the whole bloody lot went everywhere, all over my kettle, my cricut, my worktops, my walls, my floor, my project and above all else, all over me.

I used up a fair old amount of the blending solution to clean everywhere off, but is got stuck in all the crevises of my watch, so now my lovely expensive Armani watch, looks cheap and tacky with cooper all over it, it looks like the silver is rubbing off to reveal a cheaper underside, ahhhhhhhhhh. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

I can't share what I've been working on, as they are for classes I'm teaching this weekend over at Stamp Addicts. But I can share with you, I'M SO BLOODY EXCITED. I can't wait, I leave on Friday, stay at Sarah's overnight, after having explored her shop in its full glory, then teach 3 - 2 hour workshops back to back, and then come home, I'm teaching the Flip, Flop and Flap books to 20 ladies in each class and each class is so different from the next. The only thing each class shares is that I have crammed loads of photo's onto each of the projects. I just adore minibooks, well I guess you already know that about me, ha ha.

Oh just for you, I'll let you all have a quick sneak at what I'm doing, its not much of a sneak, but will give you all an idea of the colours they are working with.

Now I've actually used photo's that the talented Miss Wiseman took, whilst she was up here on a recent visit, so you don't have to worry about your pics going with the papers, one book I've dedicated to Me, one to Ben and one to the both of us together. I've also decorated the covers using different methods as well, and now don't think I can part with these books, fingers crossed Sarah over at Stamp Addicts does not want to keep them. I might just have to make one of each up during the class and let her have them and she can add her own photo's later if she does want them.

I've got lots to do this week, have design team projects to do and a CJ for a new group I'm in, I know I always say never again, but I'm a sucker for all things CJ, I just love to share with my friends, and share inspiration and ideas with them.

Ben is enjoying his summer holidays, today he went to the secret bunker with his Dad, and came home telling me in the event of a nuclear attack the first thing I was to do, was to dive headfirst into a ditch, making sure my hands and face where protected, after much questioning from me, 'Are you sure its in the event of a nuclear attack and not something from the war days' and much 'Yes Mum, I'm sure' I then asked him where he learnt this, his reply 'it was on a government information film' . Well OMG, can you believe it, what are they wanting us to do, make it easy for them to bury us, that will be no help at all. He then then told me all about the bunker, apparently each government dept. has their own section, including social security, ha ha what a bloody laugh, who they gonna find jobs for, at least they won't have a problem with unemployment stats.

Not sure what he is upto tomorrow, he is spending some time with his dad at the moment, but I do know they have lots of days out planned, I might even manage to get on one if I can catch up with my work load, but then again, probably best if I don't, leave the boys to there own devices, plus I have had ben to myself for a whole fortnight, and it was heaven.

ok, I'm off to attack my watch with a cotton ball stick to see if that will remove my copper finish, take care of yourselves.

Joke of the day.

Dating Rejection form letter

Dear _______________,

I regret to inform you that you have been eliminated from further contention as Mr. Right. As you are probably aware, the competition was exceedingly tough and dozens of well-qualified candidates such as yourself also failed to make the final cut.

I will, however, keep your name on file should an opening come available.

So that you may find better success in your future romantic endeavors, please allow me to offer the following reason(s) you were disqualified from the competition:

(Check those that apply)

1. ___Your last name is objectionable. I can't imagine taking it, hyphenating it, or subjecting my children to it.

2. ___Your constant emailing, shows me you have TOO much time on your hands!

3. ___You're too short. Any son that we produced would inevitably be beaten up repeatedly at break.

4. ___You're too tall. I'm developing a chronic neck condition from trying to kiss you.

5. ___I find your inability to fix my car extraordinarily unappealing.

6. ___The fact that your apartment has been condemned reveals an inherent slovenliness that I fear is unbreakable.

7. ___The phrase "My Mother" has popped up far too often in conversation.

8. ___You still live with your parents.

9. ___Although I do enjoy the X-Files, I find your wardrobe of Star Trek uniforms a little disconcerting.

10. ___I am out of your league; set your sights lower next time.

Sincerely, _________________________________

Ha ha, I'm gonna keep this one and use it in the future, what a great way to break up with somebody.

Mwah to you all. xxx

Here are some pics.

I've been so mad busy since we got home, have been working in the garden, honestly I don't know how the weeds have managed to grow so much, well actually thats a lie, I do, it might have something to do with my aversion to doing any gardening, unless shamed into by the size of my weeds. And they have been successful yet again, some of them where taller than me, and required a JCB, pneumatic drill and a team of 10 body builders to remove them. I have gone through 14 bags of bark chip and have another 12 remaining, along with a border that measures approx 50+ feet still to tackle and my team of bodybuilders have ran away screaming in agony over the midgy bites.

I myself resemble quasimodo with the swellings on my face from the little blighters.

Ben has been home all week and under strict instructions to help, so you all know what thats resulted in, Yep you guessed it, he has not been seen for dust, now he has a friend over for the weekend for a sleep over, and it does not seem fair to drag him away from his fun. So guess what, I've stopped gardening as well, ha ha, it will be still be there when his friend leaves and guess what, he has to help me then, cause I've purchased a long piece of rope and I'm gonna tie him to a long leash from the tree to make sure he can't escape. If I'm gonna get bitten to death, then so is he. Mwahahahahhahahahahah.

Not had much time to do anything else, other than the mountain of washing that we managed to bring home, god knows how, considering Gina was doing our washing whilst we where away. I've managed 7 loads, but can't get it dry for this weather. Where the hell is the sun??????

Anyway here are some pics of our holiday, I've only managed to do one memory card so far, but will try to do the other one over the weekend and share some more with you.

Mike & Lita, I'll post some pics of you both on here if you don't mind???, let me know if thats ok

for those of you that know Ben, you will all know what he is like with his hair, its long and unruly, well guess what, he had it all cut off on holiday........... I know I hardly believe it myself. But wow what a difference, he looks so much older and oh so flipping handsome. Whilst we where away, Gina and Tom had a BBQ for Aiden, Stacy, Mike and Lita and obviously us, and both Gina and Tom had there hair cut right off by Aiden (booze induced, hee hee). Well Ben was so taken with it, he decided a few days later to get his all off as well, and here is the evidence.

We had quite a few days out whilst we where away, and on one of the days we went to the Monkey Park, wow, we where able to walk through an enclosure with the monkeys inside with us, we could feed them, touch them and if they so desired, have them climb all over us. I asked Ben to take a pic of me with one of the little fellas and this is what I got, hee hee, yep that is me half out of the picture, but aint that monkey lovely and all in focus. Whilst we where there, we passed some chimps in a large area, and decided to have our lunch nearby, well these chimps where so cheeky, they kept sticking there fingers through the fence and waving us over. So we decided to share our lunch with the (don't panic, we only gave them fruit) anyway, after we had shared, this one particular chimp who had taken a shine to us, decided to share back, by presenting me with a piece of straw. I was blown away, never knew they where that intellegent. I have kept it and it now sits proudly on my window sill, waiting on a layout to scrap it, but here is the chimp who shared doing his begging act.

A few days before we where due to leave, Ben and me took Gina and Tom to a wonderful new Indian that had just opened in Los Chris, and afterwards we went to this lovely swanky hotel for cocktails, I managed to grab this pic of Gina, Tom and Ben together

What are they all like, 3 skin heads together, the glare off there foreheads is unbelievable, hee hee.

And to finish you right off, here is a pic of me and Ben playing in the sea at the Cove, a beautiful place that is so off the beaten track, its peaceful and a tiny slice of heaven.

Now, let me see, how is it I usually finish my blog off, so long since I've done this............ ummmmmmmmmmmmhhhhhhhhhh, ahhhhh thats it, A Joke of the Day, well here you go, enjoy.

Due to inherit a fortune when his sickly, widower father died, Charles decided he needed a woman to enjoy it with. Going to a singles’ bar, he spotted a woman whose beauty took his breath away.“I’m jus an ordinary man,” he said, walking up to her, “but in just a week or two, my father will die and I’ll inherit 20 million dollars.”The woman went home with Charles, and the next day she became his stepmother.

Ha ha, bet you never expected that.

Take care of yourselves. kissy wissys to you all. xx

waaaaaaahoooooooo we are back

Back from our holidays in Tenerife, we are brown and relaxed but tired out as travelled all through the night. I took hundreds of photo's but need to upload them to the pc first and then I'll bore you all with them and what we got upto.

Now I'm off to catch up with all the blogs I've missed and all my pals, but before I go, please go and check out Kirsty's blog, she did a photo shoot of me in the house, and I love what she did, pics are here.