High School Musical layout

Thought I would just share the layout I've made of our trip to High School Musical (see post below).

The journaling is hidden behind the main photo and reads as follows:

On Saturday, 23 August 2008 Emily and I went to see High School Musical. Our journey from East Grinstead to Hammersmith was not one I had done before and I’d looked up on the internet for our route. We went from East Grinstead to Clapham Junction, Clapham Junction to Barnes and then caught the Route 33 bus to Hammersmith. Fortunately, we didn’t have any problems, thanks to the people who offered us help when asked. Once in Hammersmith we had lunch at McDonalds and then walked round the shops till it was time to go to the Hammersmith Apollo Our first attempt was an hour early – thanks to me reading my watch wrong ;oD. Second attempt we could go in and find our seats. We were in the second row in the Circle and had a great view. The show was brilliant! Very energetic, colourful, loud and just feel good fun! I was able to follow the story and sing along to the songs in my head – thanks to the number of times I’ve seen the movie at home. We came out with big smiles on our faces and I’m sure it’s a day we will remember for a long time to come.

xx

Friday and Saturday

Can't believe it's Sunday already, the days are going so quickly. Only a week and a half before Emily goes back to school!

On Friday Mum had to go to the Doctor's for a fasting blood test. Her appointment was for 10.20am and she knew that by the time she finished she'd be ready for something to eat. We agreed to meet up at Caffe Nero. Mum and I got there first and then Claire and Emily walked into town to join us. I was using my old camera (Canon PowerShot A80) which is a lot lighter than my current one (Canon EOS 400D). I wanted to take a lighter camera to London on Saturday but haven't used it for such a long time, I needed to play a little. A few photos from FridayMum and Emily

Emily

Claire and me

On Saturday, Emily and I were up bright and early to get ready for our trip up to London. I've never been to Hammersmith before, so I'd done my research on the internet to work out a route we should take. We left home at 10.15am leaving ourselves plenty of time in case we got lost along the way ;oD.

The first leg of our journey was from East Grinstead to Clapham Junction. There we had to change trains - we asked one of the guards for help because the internet had said we were going to have to get a bus for part of the journey. He told us a different train to take so we wouldn't have to worry about that section. Huge relief! Emily took this photo of us on the train from Clapham Junction to Barnes.

Self portrait no 1

From Barnes we had to find the Route 33 bus which would take us to Hammersmith. Again, we asked some more very helpful people and they pointed us in the right direction. The bus was jam packed and we ended up standing 3/4 of the way but, we were nearly there and we were enjoying our little adventure. The bus dropped us at Hammersmith Bus Depot right across from the Broadway shopping centre where we could go and get some lunch.

Just off the bus

Not knowing our way around, we settled for eating at McDonalds. It was good to know we had made it and could now relax. After lunch, we wandered around the shops before making our way to our destination. What, you ask, were we going to do???? We were off to see High School Musical!! Emily and Henry loved the movie when we were in Chicago a couple of years ago.When I saw that the show was coming here, I thought it would be one Emily would like to see. I bought the tickets ages ago and we'd been looking forward to going for a few months ... now it was time!

Tickets Hammersmith Apollo

When these photos were taken, I couldn't believe how quiet it was around the theatre. I expected it to be much busier for a matinee. Well ........ it would have been if I'd read my watch correctly!! We were an hour earlier than we needed to be! So, back into town we went to kill another hour before going back again.

Our seats were in the second row upstairs in the Circle. Fantastic. While we sat waiting for the show to start, we took Self Portrait no. 2 ;oD (not terribly flattering {lol!!} but we had to show we really were doing all this!)The musical finally started and, I have to admit, I was very impressed. There were a few lapses into British accents instead of American, but overall it was great! Very energetic, colourful, loud and just feel good fun! I might add, at this point, that I know the movie very well after the number of times it's been played in our household. I could follow it all - and sing the songs in my head - as the show went on.

We had a great time!

Our trip home was uneventful. Each time we got to the bus stop/station, the bus/train was due to arrive/leave and we just made it. We got home around 7pm. It was a long day but one we'll remember for a long time.

xx

Today!!!

Today isn't even half way through yet and it's been weird!!! I woke at 6.15am and came downstairs to sort out the washing for ironing. Decided to have a cup of Rooibos tea and thought I'd read for a little while. Ended up reading till I finished the book! So, still sitting around in my pj's at 9.20am when the phone rings. It was the dog parlour reminding me that the dogs were due in at 8.45am!! I had totally forgotten - even though I'd told the girls yesterday that I had to take them today. Jumped into some clothes and off we went. Got home and decided to have my shower before I did anything else. Poured shampoo into my hand and then proceeded to wash my face ... with the shampoo!!! I couldn't believe it! I'd wondered why my face was lathering up so well (hehe!!). Things calmed down a bit after that though a phone call from Hugh did mean that my hair was virtually dry by the time I'd finished - not good! - so I had to blowdry it quickly before it went totally flat. Once make up was done and the washing was on I went to finish off a layout I'd started. It's the pre-class assignment for Cathy Zielske's class which I'm going to be taking (starts beginning of October). Looking forward to that one, I love her work - her layouts are simple but stunning. My type of scrapbooking. Seeing as I don't have any other photos to share, I'll show you the layout I've done.

I just realised about 20 minutes ago that I hadn't had breakfast yet. However, seeing as it was 11.30am, I had an apple and will wait for lunch.

Really hoping this afternoon is better than this morning.

xx

PS> Stayed the same at Weight Watchers last night, I know why and it's going to happen every 4 weeks so I'll have to live with it. Hoping for a good loss next week.

PPS> Playing with the background for my blog. What do you think, this one for a change or did you find the old one easier to read?

Let's get rid of the garage photos!!!

We've finally done something where I've taken some photos so I can post and move the garage photos from the top of the blog :o)

This morning I was quite proud of myself - I learnt two new things ;o). First of all, Photoshop Elements keeps telling me I should back up my photos and I keep telling it to remind me next time because I didn't know how to do it. Today I decided it was time for me to learn!! I've always just asked Jon to do a back up for me and not bothered with what's involved. However, with my new computer (well 3 months old!) it basically does it all for me. All I had to do was put in the DVDs (yes, it took 4 DVDs to get all my photos backed up!), verify that they'd been done properly and then insert the next one for it to continue. Fantastic!!! However, I then realised I needed to put what was on them on the DVD and I couldn't find a permanent pen. So .... I learnt how to print labels on my printer. I have a Canon Pixma IP4500 (which I think is great!) which has a special tray to put the DVDs on and then prints directly on to them. I was so bad I didn't even know for sure where the tray was supposed to go. However, with a bit of research on the net, I found out all I needed to know and managed to print them out. I love it when I learn something new that makes my life easier!! :oD

To prove the above, here's a photo

For lunch, the girls and I met up with my "Thursday coffee morning" friends. We try to go out for a lunch with the children once during the holidays and we like to go to Prezzos. The food is delicious and today was no exception - though I had wondered if I would feel like I was missing out because I was watching my points, but I didn't. I had Spaghetti Napoletana and it was lovely. I had my camera with me and took a few photos. They haven't turned out brilliantly because I had to use the flash inside.

Lesley, Carol and Carol Sarah, Cathy and Karen

Pam Emma and Claire

Emily and me

I didn't get a photo of the boys table but Elliott, Michael, Stuart and Andrew were all there as well.

A quick trip round the shops after lunch and then home to drop Claire off before heading to the park to meet Carol, Elliott, Emma, Emma's boyfriend Anthony, Jake and Leah (Carol had been to pick Jake and Leah up from Alison's). Not long after we got to the park, Emily's friend Rebecca arrived and I think she was quite pleased to have a girl her own age there. More photos.

Emily, Rebecca and ElliottJake Rebecca and Emily Leah was about ready to go home by now

After Carol left with Leah, Emma and Anthony; Jake, Emily and Elliott had their own little game of cricket until we at around 6pm. A busier, more fun filled day than we've had recently. I hope the long post will make up for the lack of posts the past few days ;o) and if you're still reading, well done, thanks for persevering!!

xx