Well I've had a month off. I was getting bored with blogging every day and my photo a day was getting boring!!! So I've decided I still want to blog but perhaps not every day and I will post the photo's that are interesting (to me anyway) and sometimes lots of them.

I've had the most relaxing weekend, I think I've fallen asleep every afternoon. We went to see the lambs at Forty Hall yesterday and today we did a walk.......................a proper walk. We haven't done that for ages. We found a pub walks book and chose one that wasn't too long at Tewin, with a very nice pub for lunch at the end. It was beautiful, so many flowers and shoots coming through and even some bluebells in a sheltered spot. We said we'll go back in a couple of weeks when they are all through.

OH my gosh I can't believe I've missed 2 days. I've been soooooo busy. I had Jake on Tuesday and come to think of it I'm sure I blogged that day!!! I think the puter was rebelling and it didnt save. In the evening we had a County team meeting which, of course, was thrilling...............not!!!My PAD was a photo of Jake for Tuesday.



Yesterday was the day we went to the House of Commons. We had a fantastic time and were treated royally by Joan Ryan and Andy Love and the guest speaker Hazel Blears. We were given a good tour of the Houses of Parliament, there were so many of us we had to be divided into small groups. My PAD is a photo from the evening.



Today was a usual day at work. Tonight is our district Cub leaders meeting and I'm sure we'll go to the pub after..........................as always.

Took my car to have her windscreen replaced today. It had a foot long crack in it! All nice and new now. I spent the afternoon typing and printing out Cub stuff and bringing the records up to date for 23rd Enfield..........................I think we're winning!!! Spent the evening at Cubs bringing their badges up to date so giving me more work to do!!!!

Oh Darn...............missed yesterday! Such a busy day. Straight from work to Scrapmates crop, then straight off to babysit Jake while Steve and Den went out on the town with their friend James for his birthday. Jake was full of beans and ratty all at the same time so getting him ready and to bed was hard work. Then...................I fell asleep!!!

My PAD (for yesterday) is, of course, Jake.

Today started bright and sunny. I considered going for a walk but decided I needed some retail therapy even more so we went to the Galleria, which was just as well because the heavy showers and blustery winds forecast came true with hailstones to boot!!! I got a gorgeous touch feely cream fleece plus an olive hoody and tee shirt from regatta and a pair of my fave jeans in the M&S outlet and, of course, a visit to the paper Mill was productive!!!

Got out of work at a decent time this afteroon and met Denise at Matalan. She needed some trousers to wear to go back to work next week. I bought some pyjamas for myself.

Girls night out tonight.

Jake came to visit me at work today as Denise had an hygienist appointment. No- one could believe how big he was! We went to Da Lillo for lunch and they were all over him. Christian was there which was great as he doesn't often do lunchtimes. I must get Jake a set of Duplo as he loved the set at work.

Met Andy, Chloe and Cara in the pub to organise a bit more for district camp and, of course, a lot of chat.

I was drawn into Tim Holtz' blog earlier and had to revisit his 12 tags of Christmas so, as I completel forgot to take a photo of Jake at the dentist, my PAD is a shot of T H's blog and some of the tags.

So tired. Have been sending out emails to confirm coach for House of commons, am ready for bed now. Need to do PAD.........................yet another shoe!

Oh what a day!!! I was meeting Robs friend Diane for lunch in Victoria so drove up to Oakwood, parked quite a walk from the station. Got to Oakwood, bought ticket and got on train which was waiting..................and waiting........................and waiting.....................and then we were told to get off the train as there was a signal failure!!! So I ran over the road and got a bus back to Enfield and caught the next train, I only ended up being half an hour late which was pretty good going!

Had lunch in Pizza Express and went to Oxford Street to do a bit of shopping then back home as I was meeting Chrisse for a Thai meal. I now feel soooooooo stuffed.

My PAD would have been a photo of the Thai restaurant.....................if my batteries hadn't run out!!! As it is it's another of my "Just the Right Shoe" collection

Well yesterday was the first day i've missed blogging completely and missed my PAD also.

It was a busy day yesterday. The Big Splash (aka the Scout swimming gala) was held in the afternoon and I was one of the judges. It lasted for 3 hours!!! There were only 6 events but 3 heats in each event and as they are all novelty races they take a while to set up. We were all dead tired at the end of this so we went for a meal at Wetherspoons. I could have taken any number of photos of this event but couldn't publish any on here.

This morning we went for a lovely walk in Trent Park. It was a beautiful morning, bright and sunny. The sunken garden hasn't got any colour yet but there are buds and shoots everywhere so over the next few weeks I'll post pics on here, it's a pretty spot.

District Cub chess competition this evening which I run. not sure how well this is going to go so will report back later.

Here are 3 of the shots I took on our walk today.....................to make up for no PAD yesterday!!! The first opening daffodils I found, catkins which always evoke thoughts of spring and the last snowdrops.

I spent the day at the Baby show with Denise and Jake. We bought a lightweight buggy, a highchair and a jigsaw playmat (well two actually) It was quite a good show and Jake didn't seem to mind going around too much. Spent the evening with them and Steve and had a pizza dinner.

My PAD is Jake and his Daddy!

Thank God it's Friday!!!! I've definitely had enough of work this week.

We went out tonight intending to go to La Tasca in Watford (yet another 2 for 1 voucher)but after driving around trying to find somewhere to park for about 20 mins we ended up driving to the Carvery in Aldenham instead.

Off to the Baby Show at Excel with Denise and Jake tomorrow.

My PAD is just a shot of the inside of the carvery.

Way too late to sit and say much. Usual day at work................nothing to report.

Joined friends for a curry night at Wetherspoons. We had a great laugh, mediochre (but cheap) curry and a good gossip.

My PAD is a photo of Andy being really silly......................no change there then!!!!

My connection just toatally rebelled last night so I gave up and left blogging til this morning, not that there's a whole lot to blog. Yesterday was a very normal Wednesday. Breakfast with Tracy, nails with Alex and work! I met Mary's gorgeous baby.............who is another Jake. I was very good and totally resisted cake (lemon drizzle cake and Annes fairy cakes), I really must lose a few pounds before Center Parks.



My PAD is a photo of Azure Blue, Alex's beauty salon where I have my nails done.

Gym again this morning. Went to M&S looking fro a swimsuit that wasn't made for a granny (yes I know I am one!!!) They have bikinis and tankinis or swimsuits I wouldnt be seen dead in!!! They used to do some really nice swimsuits. Spent the afternoon starting to Jake-proof the living room.....................I'd forgotten all the things you have to think of.

We took the cubs for swimming gala practise. We've got a few good ones hopefully.



Missed my PAD today so am using another photo of the crocuses I took the other day. They really make me feel spring is on it's way.

One of those days!!! I sent out the cub leader minutes this morning with a few other things (best time to do anything with my crap connection) and went off to the gym. By the time I got back there was a ream of emails with comments queries etc, all of which required replies. So instead of doing what I had planned, which was start to make the house Jake proof as I'm going to have him one day a week when Denise goes back to work next month, I spent the afternoon batting emails back and forth. As I said one of those days.

We made pancakes with the Cubs this evening which they seemed to find great fun, then went for a drink to recover.

My PAD is a not very good photo of some very advanced daffs almost blooming in the pub car park

Having a lovely lazy day. Went to the gym this morning and had a jacuzzi and a shower, then on to Starbucks for a latte and fruit bread. Have spent the afternoon digiscrapping for the My Sketch World cybercrop. Have finished another two layouts and hopefully will do another tonight. a dull day weatherwise so I dont feel too guilty.

I had a letter from the House of Commons yesterday which I thought was going to be promtional rubbish which we get from time to time, but it turned out to be an invite from Joan Ryan to a reception at the House of Commons followed by a tour round the Houses of Parliament. All the Scout/Cub leaders in Enfield received one. I'm using my HOHOHO LO as my PAD.

It has been the most beautiful day................almost springlike. I had a nice morning. Had a look in Next and found a few things I like, there are lots of (very) bright colours which I don't really go for and lots of blue and yellow which I like but doesn't always suit me. We then went to PJ camping and next door to the garden centre for a cup of tea and a piece of very nice bread pudding.

I managed a digi layout for one of the cybercrop challenges on My Sketch World which I was fairly pleased with. The challenge was to follow a sketch and use red, white and blue (a touch of other colours was allowed)

My PAD is a photo of the crocus's on the green in Enfield. Don't you love those colours!!!

Finished work fairly early, came home and promply fell asleep...............what a waste of an afternoon!!! Off out to Carluccio's this evening with a voucher for a free bottle of wine!!!

Fab meal and the wine was good. Finished off my meal with my two favourite things. Now I rarely do desserts, I'm not a sweetie person, I'd rather have a starter...........but............in Carluccio's I always have the Vin Santo with Cantucci biscuits (which I have used for my PAD). And instead of my usual espresso I had a Bicerin which is a small jug of espresso, one of their super thick chocolate and one of cream and you mix them together to your own taste.................heaven.

I have been sooooooo bored today!!! I never thought I'd say it...............but..................come back Richard, it's too quiet at work without you!!!!

There is a cybercrop starting on My Sketch World and it sounds like fun! I'm babysitting Jake at the weekend but I can digiscrap and join in.

My PAD is of my new Scrapitude kit. They come in the yummiest colours......................I want to collect a rainbow!!!!

Another work day. Very quiet again as Richard is away but i caught up on a lot of work. Stu came to see the hygienist so we went out to Cafe Rouge after work.

I've just found out that Reebok isn't on this year so we need to think where we're all going to meet this year.

Saw my first crocus's of the year on my way to work but was to late to take a snap. May try tomorrow.

My PAD is Vavavoom..........................another of my Just the Right Shoe collection.

Very very very boring day at work!!! The only vaguely memorable thing I did was to join the My Sketch World forum and meet all the lovely people there.

My PAD is another of my little nick nacks.

I had to work today. Elaines hubby has had an eye operation and has to lay face dow for a few days so he needs looking after! Richard is away so it was very quiet with just Malcolm and Anne our hygienist. Had a yummy pasta for lunch at Da Lillo over the road.

Have started to arrange another Rebel night. I won't go into the Rebel nights, suffice it to say we have a mutual 'enemy' to defeat! We have occasional nights out............always for a curry, usually curry night at Wetherspoons as we have some low paid youngsters with us and they can afford to eat there.

My PAD is a photo of my Dental Health display (yeah.................I had a blank day!!!!)

Didn't get a whole lot of sleep as, after getting home at 1.15am I then woke up before 7am. I had a lovely day regardless. It was time for the second Welwyn Garden City crop. The kit was gorgeous and we loved the classes. I made one layout I was really pleased with and one which is well on the way. Really nice company, food and plenty of encouragement!!! Oh.........................and I won a prize in the raffle.......................a much coveted set of Build a Swirl stamps from Prima.................thanks Sue!!!

My photo a day is a group photo from the crop.

Well I managed to get up early(ish) to make DH's card and was fairly pleased with it. I went to the Range and had a little stash shop followed by coffee and late breakfast in Costa.

Am babysitting Jake at the moment so Steve and Den could go out for Valentines day. Jake has learned to roll and turn so you need eyes in the back of your head for now.

My photo a day is, again, my cutie Jake. He was in such a serious mood today. I couldn't catch a smile at all.

Had a productive day at work although I was playing catch up. Went to Andria's for a cut and blow dry and then to my chiropractor for my 3 monthly pull around. She does wonders for my back.

I've just made a valentine card for a friend which I am quite pleased with, I haven't made a card for ages. But still have to make my own for my DH. I'll have to get up early in the morning.

We're going to a lovely little tapas restaurant this evening which we go to for special nights out and I'm babysitting tomorrow so we can't go out then.

My PAD is of our tapas.

It's been a strange day. I started off on the wrong foot and thought it was going to be one of those days but it ended up being a really hilarious day at work. Had a district cub leaders meeting which I had to chair which had its moments and finished at the pub afterwards with our group of friends and put the world to rights lol.

They had a lovely fire burning in the pub so that is my PAD

Less than interesting day! Usual Wednesday. Work was very quiet, but we did finish a bit early.

I collect perfume bottles so my photo a day is my favourite one.

Went to the gym but didn't do an awful lot. Took my car to have the flat tyre replaced and found I needed 2 new tyres. I feel a lot safer now.

Spent the afternoon with denise and Jake. He was in a lovely mood. I bought them a baby bath which they didnt have. He hates the big bath so we spent some time getting him used to the little one. He didn't like it but was better than he had been.

My PAD has to be another of Jake. He really doesnt like the flash though so always looks a little surprised.

Went to the gym this morning and actually worked out, goodness knows I need it!!!!

It has rained and rained and rained today! The cubs were climbing the walls this evening, they'd obviously had wet play all day so all our plans went out of the window and we ran them ragged all evening.

Haven't got a clue what to do for my PAD, I'll have to think of something. Eventually decided to snap one of my little ornaments. All of these have been bought for me by special people.

I've done so little today. I intended to Cybercrop and do some housework but had such a headache! I went out this morning and had a jacuzzi and a late breakfast but came home and slept the afternoon away. such a waste of time!!!

My PAD is a book Ann has lent me. "Twilight". Everyone is raving about it so I'm going to give it a go.

Had to work this morning. On the way there I noticed I had a 6 inch crack in my windscreen............I'm not having much luck with my car at the moment am I?

Spent the afternoon at the Scrapmates crop and almost finished another layout but was so busy I completely forgot to take a photo!!!

My PAD is the layout I have now finished. The photos on the lo are Stuart's Auntie Helene when she was about 20.

Got home nice and early from work. The journey in was something else though!!! It took me an hour and a half to get there. The snowflakes were like golf balls, I've never seen them so big.

Scrapmates are meeting tonight at Judes to Cybercrop. It is UK Scrappers Whodunnit cybercrop weekend. Hopefully I'll get a couple of layouts done over the weekend.

Didn't get to Judes, had a flat tyre. Not a happy bunny!!! Still did 2 LO's one of which I have used as my PAD.

Snow has pretty much gone now but they're threatening more tomorrow. Just hoping I can get home from work!!!! Off out to the Harvester tonight.

My PAD is a shot of the outside of the Harvester playing with the night mode on my little Pentax.

It took me ten minutes to clear my car of snow this morning! Had to do it sometime and had to get to work. It was a long afternoon, it so dragged and I was glad to get home.

My PAD is a photo of my workplace. This is my reception.

Just had to go out with the camera again this morning, way more fun than going to the gym. The snow was already thawing but the sun was shining and the sky was blue so it was perfect. The children were still off school and enjoying the snow while it lasted.

My PAD is of the river by Gentlemans Row in Enfield.

Well what can one say about today.....................it snowed. We had the first decent snow for years ......18 to be precise. My son was 4 when he last sledged in this country, he's 22 now. I went for a lovely walk in the park and by the river and got some fab photo's. The kids were having a fab time, it was wonderful to see them.

We had no cubs turn up for the meeting which didn't surprise us and we ended up in the pub where I met the subject of my PAD. I'd fully intended to use one of my pretty photo's until I met this little fella.

Well today is our 30th wedding anniversary!!!! 30 years, it's hard to believe!!!

Spent the morning at Stamperama with Sonia and John. Picked up a few nice stamps and some good ideas.

Stu and I went to Old Orleans for a meal and when we left we came out to SNOW!!!

My PAD is the pearl and citrine necklace Stuart gave me as it is our pearl anniversary. In reality I chose and bought it on his behalf lol. That way I get what I want!!!

Phew! long day Just time for a breather and off to a quiz night. Spent the morning helping at a Cub road safety badge day and the afternoon with Denise and Jake.....................he's 6 months today, time just flies.

Just back from quiz evening. Had good fun. Jake behaved beautifully and although we didnt come first we did pretty well and the evening made some much needed funds for the 23rd.

PAD had to be of my Jake at 6 months

Late again. Story of my life this week! Just got back from girls night out. We went to ASK and had some fab pastas (with a half price voucher of course!!!) and a good gossip. Must get to bed soon as another long day tomorrow.

My PAD is my other new orchid, you might have noticed that I love orchids!!!

Another busy day at work, went by really fast though. We had our work "Christmas" dinner tonight. I booked a table at Meze Meze and they all loved it. Got something right for once!!!

My PAD is a snap of two of my workmates Effat and Kathy (hooray Effat found all her tests were clear today)

Firstly...............HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDY

Started the day with a swim....................I'm getting worried, thats three days in a row! Breakfast with a couple of friends and my manicure with Alex. Quietish day at work and late night. Effat gets her results from the hospital so good luck Effat, hope the results are good. Oh and well done Sadie for passing your exam!

My PAD is the front cover of my CJ.

Started the day with a gym session...............again!!! And surprise surprise............. a visit to Starbucks. Spent the afternoon making my Sketch Challenge CJ and creating my page.

We took some of the Cubs swimming this evening to practice for the swimming gala.

My photo a day is a shot of my CJ page. I'll post the CJ itself later in the week. My theme is Favourite Holiday Destinations.

Busy day for a Monday. Went to the gym and actually did some gym work for the first time since before Christmas. Had to do all the shopping for Cubs and spent the afternoon preparing and part cooking food and activities for the evening.

We ran a Chinese evening as it was Chinese New Year............Gung Hay Fat Choy!!! It was a good evening. We cooked the Cubs sweet and sour chicken and egg fried rice and they cooked prawn crackers and then they ate it with chopsticks. A fun evening which we rounded off with a well deserved trip to the pub!!!

I meant to take a photo of the chinese as my PAD but completely forgot so had to take it in the pub instead!

A very lazy Sunday! I intended to do a lot...............but didn't. I had a jacuzzi and went to Starbucks for a coffee and a gossip, had a doze and had a chat with Andy. Why do I always end up saying yes when I want to say no!!!!! Intended to do my CJ but didn't even touch it which means a rush tomorrow. On the whole an uneventful day.

My photo a day is of one of my new orchids.

Oh what a day!!! Spent the day at Hendon Air Museum with about 60 Cub Scouts. Planes don't float my boat anyway, but now I dont have a pack I felt totally superfluous!!! We did have a good laugh in the pub afterwards though!

Guess what my photo a day is...............................you guessed it.............it's an aeroplane!!!!

Played catch up all day at work after our heavy day yesterday.

Had a lovely evening with Denise, Steve and baby Jake. I can't believe he's 6 months old next Saturday!!!

My photo a day is of one of my Troll bead bracelet (although most of the glass beads are Dollies). This is my turquoise one.

An absolutely manic day at work, no sooner did I pick the phone up than the other line would start ringing. I never did catch up!!!!

Girls night out tonight as they're busy tomorrow so we decided to go Turkish with our next 2 for 1 voucher. I know............food again!!! And it was a gutbuster!

My photo a day is of my dinner, Kleftico! I found a food setting on my little handbag camera which I didn't know was there!!!