Busy, busy, busy!!

What a busy few days, I hardly know where to begin!!

I’ll start with Friday, I think. I went off to Nicola’s for the day for more sewing practice – it seems that you can’t have too much practice!! I had prepared a couple of bits as I hinted at in my last post and I think I’m safe to reveal them now!

The pink one I made all by myself – it’s not quite the same as the purple one but I didn’t do too bad considering it was from memory and by almost deconstructing the one I made with her help a couple of months ago!

These have now been given as pressies to the friend that I call Julie and her lovely daughter, my goddaughter.

And then, after a quick trip to Quilters Haven (if it’s possible to have a quick trip, that is!) where we met up with a friend that Nicola had made through blogging (she can be found right here) and her friend (who can be found right here) and I bought just a little more fabric and a book – oh and we had a cup of tea – we returned to Nicola’s and I made this bag, which will probably go to my FDIL as she seemed quite attracted to it!

So after a long day sewing on Friday, I woke up on Saturday morning knowing that it would be another busy day. It was Julie’s birthday and a joint party was being held for her and her daughter in the evening. But I had nothing to wear , sure I’ve got dresses and shoes but absolutely nothing that I could wear on Saturday night. So, while I’m in the hairdressers, having had the magic worked on my head and during the next most important part the manicure, the idea was put in my head that I needed to buy a maxi dress and then I could wear flat shoes!

So suitably attired we all set off down to Colchester for a night out – the boys and FDIL came along as well! And what a party – great mix of music, the guests were of all ages and I have to say that I haven’t seen Julie looking so happy for ages!

Sadly no photos are suitable to publish exist of me from the evening but here are the birthday girls in full ‘row’ to ‘Ooops upside your head’ and no I didn’t join in as I would never have got up again!!

After a very late night for us we had a lazy morning yesterday, Son2 came for Sunday lunch and we settled into the garden for the afternoon – and then FDIL phoned and asked if we’d eaten. They had bought a turkey and when she went to put it in the oven it had gone off! Fortunately I had a lot of meat left over  so was able to feed them when Son1 finished work – they bought their own vegetables!!

And today, after a quick trip to Sainsbury’s I decided to have a lazy day, apart from making a cushion after Son2 asked yesterday if there were any cushions for the garden. I’ve been very lazy with this and just sewn some strips from a jelly roll together – my excuse is that I wanted to keep it simple!!

So that’s my weekend – just as well we only have to work three says this week – I’m exhausted!!

E is for ...

...ELLEN!!! Last week when I pontificated at the end of my D post, I found a message on my Facebook page which read 'refering to your random ramblings page - well, I'm not gonna lie and say I'm not insulted that you can't think of anything for the letter E ;) xx

The message was from my gorgeous goddaughter, Ellen. I half had it in mind for this post to be about her but wasn't really sure how she would feel about it. Then I figured with all the social networking that's out there now, she probably wouldn't mind – especially after her comment above!

So Ellen, where shall I begin? I first met her nearly 17 years ago when she was just a few hours old. A tiny bundle of new born joy and, of course in my eyes absolutely gorgeous. I wasn't biased then because I didn't know she would be my goddaughter at that time. She was the new born daughter of the friend that I call Julie and at that time we lived opposite one another.

Within a few weeks Julie asked me to be Ellen's godmother – I was so pleased and happy to say yes. Over the coming months and years Ellen and I became close forming that bond that meant that I would be cooler than her Mum and get away with saying things to her and persuading her to do things that her Mum wanted her to do. I remember when all of the children had chickenpox within few weeks of each other, Ellen was still tiny but had probably the worst spots of all of the children – she has a 'special' mark on her face to remind us all.

Fast forward a few years to this world of e-living and social networking, when I find myself having conversations with both Ellen and Julie but rarely together. Both are my Facebook friends but are not Facebook friends with each other. I use my godmotherly diplomacy to its full advantage and Ellen is smart enough to realise that – she can tell the hand of her mother working through another!

Ellen is a very talented young lady, she sings and acts, is a great cook (according to her mother – I'm still waiting to try her cooking) and I am very proud to be her godmother. I look forward to watching as she goes through that next phases of her life into adulthood. Oh dear – I'm starting to feel a little emotional as I write this, best pull myself together before I spoil the keyboard!

I have some lovely pictures of Ellen as a cute blonde haired little girl but typically can't find one to scan in to embarrass her with – instead I've stolen a more recent photo from Facebook – hope she doesn't mind!

Love you loads Ellen – keep on being you and you'll go far mwah mwah!!