It's been a while

The time is flying by and it's getting to the stage where I don't know where to start with an update. Even Cloud looks a bit concerned ;o)

You'll be glad to know she's been to the dog parlour since then and looks nice and clean again. We had a busy weekend this past weekend. On Saturday, Emily and I went out to Gatwick Airport to meet Pat (Shannon's Mum). She had flown in from Vancouver and had a wait at Gatwick before carrying on down to Newquay in Cornwall. We met for lunch and a catch up. Unfortunately I didn't get any photos because I'm more wary of taking photos in airports.

On Sunday Shannon (Jon's nephew Ryan's wife) arrived from Vancouver with her friend and business partner, Jillian. Shannon and Jillian have a photography business together, Lucy Lime Studios.

Jillian hadn't been to the UK before and they wanted to up to London on Monday so came to stay with us for a couple of nights. It was lovely to have them here and see Shannon again. Shannon and Ryan lived in East Grinstead for a while before going back to Canada and we used to meet up fairly regularly for coffee and chats.

Shannon

Jillian's Dad is from Scotland and he had told her that if she got the chance she was to get a Flake 99 from the ice cream van. They had been here for about an hour when an ice cream van came round playing it's tune (and we've not been having them round regularly yet because it hasn't been warm enough) and she was able to get a Flake 99. (For those who don't know, a Flake 99 is an ice cream cone with soft serve ice cream and a chocolate flake in it) The reason she had to have one is that the ice cream vans over here have soft serve ice cream in them and, I believe, this isn't the case in Canada. I think Jillian was pleased to be able to tick one thing off her list of things to do, or get, so quickly.

Jillianchatting to my Dad

You may be wondering why everyone is arriving back in the UK at the same time. The answer is quite special - Shannon's younger sister, Theresa, had twins a couple of weeks ago - a boy, Joel and a girl, Summer. Pat is here for three weeks to help out and Shannon and Jillian couldn't miss the chance to come over and take newborn photos! Congrats again Theresa, Chris and big brother Dylan - looking foward to seeing Shannon and Jillian's photos of your family.

I've still been playing with my camera and different lenses so I thought I'd fill up the rest of this post with a few more photos ;o) Claire Jon Bumble bee in the azalea

I'll leave it at that for tonight and try and post again soon. Can't believe we're nearly at the weekend again - yippee!!

xx

PS Started using WiiFit again (after 93 days, it tells me!) and intend to start going for walks from next week. Hoping this will help me get round the 5 km track for Race for Life. Glad we still have over a month to go ;o)

Race for Life 2009

Emily after completing Race for Life 2008

Claire, Emily and I have just signed up to take part in Race for Life 2009 in aid of Cancer Research. This takes place in Ardingly on 28 June and is a 5km walk/jog/run -in my case I think it will definitely be walk ;o). We know a few people who have had cancer, some have survived and others haven't. It is such a worthwhile cause and we are hoping to raise about £100 pounds. If anyone who reads this blog would like to sponser us we have set up a sponsorship page on the Race for Life website which can be found here. To anyone who does sponsor us, we thank you in advance.

Now it's time to think about doing a little bit of training before the event. I've no doubt I will keep you posted on how we're getting on along the way.

xx

Missing

I know I've been missing for a while - sorry. I have been busy this week and it doesn't look like it's going to slow down much until after the weekend. Will try and do a proper post soon (and take some photos!!) xx

A card

Another good day. After seeing Emily off to school, I got stuck in on the second basket of ironing. Probably got about half way through before it was time to take Claire to work and meet up with my friends for coffee at Caffe Nero. Always good to meet up with the coffee ladies and because we don't always get to see each other between coffee mornings, always lots to catch up on. Home by lunch time, another lovely day so made lunch for Hugh and myself and then I sat outside to eat. I love our back garden, if the weather is good it's beautiful sitting out there. Didn't linger too long though because I wanted to get the ironing finished. Ironing complete and it was time to start on a birthday card for a friend's birthday tomorrow. I didn't know what I was going to do so just played around with scraps and punches and I'm happy with the final result. I'd just finished the card when Mum and Dad arrived. Dad had some plants for our garden so we left him to it while Mum and I sat outside chatting. Once Dad had finished we had coffee before they left again. Very pleasant way to spend the afternoon. I'm now going to do some reading and have a cup of rooibos (redbush tea) before bed. xx

Update: Wasn't sure about the happy birthday stamp on the card so I typed up a new Happy Birthday and matted it with the brown. ~Which one do you prefer?