happy scrapping

Peeks of my latest Scrapbook Sisters projects:

liking the look of these.....

Throughout the evening I have painted and used a clear gloss on these letters, and they are looking pretty cool -

Will be using these on a layout later (hopefully)

Investiture

Tonight Oliver was invested into the Beavers. (!) It sounds like there should be a punchline to that..... anyway, he seems pretty chuffed & being home-taught and all, it is good for him (I hope) to have this type of 'teamy' thing going on.



Also, I am really happy with how well his reading is coming along. He has protested and resisted reading all along, and, since I was an avid and fluent reader from a very early age, I have been almost fanatical about the importance of reading. I am sure I have cocked up in this respect - I should know him well enough by now to KNOW he is the type of kid who will do stuff when he is ready. (potty training, walking, bike riding, swimming etc etc...) I have enrolled him in 'Booktrack' at the local library which has kindled his interest in books, and this is fantastic. What is also so very interesting about reading is that it seems to have suddenly 'clicked' with him that there are some words out there which he can 'read' without having to 'read' - and that, I think is the essence of becoming fluent in anything - instant, unconscious recognition, and it delights him (and me).


On the scrapping front, I have done couple of layouts for the Scrapbook Sisters, which I will post in due course, and I am pleased with them. I intend to enter the Best Of British Scrapbooking competition this year, and want to do some new layouts for that. One of my layouts is due to be published in next month's issue of Scrapbook Inspirations, so I am looking forward to that.

the Judo Championships

Yesterday was Oliver's first Judo Championships. I had no clue as to what it was all about, having never attended anything like that before - athletics and badminton were my games - and when we arrived it was bloody huge! It was for all the Devon Judo Centres and there were 5 'mats' (battle grounds in reality!) laid out for 'fights', there was elevated seating for spectators, the judges were black belt blah blah Dans in full 'battle dress' - I felt intimidated!! Oliver, in common with most of the other little ones in his group, bless, had no idea what was going on - they had to basically 'fight' each other, using judo holds/throws that they've learnt (not much) so far. There was a total lack of agression/will to win with the little ones - they just sort of 'fell' over and allowed the other person to hold them down! It was quite funny to watch, but I think he enjoyed himself - hard to tell at this age - but it was one of those things that they just kind of have to DO to 'GET' if you know what I mean.....?? I am just very concerned that he a) truly enjoys Judo and b) doesn't do it because he thinks there is no way of NOT doing it.

A little bit of scrapping

I managed to do a little bit of scrapping whilst away. I don't normally take anything with me, but squished a couple of small projects and all my 'necessary' stash into a vanity bag, newly purchased for the purpose, and spent a few nights scrap-happy. It is a SBS project, here's a little look:

Going On A Sentimental Journey

sung by Doris Day.....

Just before we went away I went to the funeral of my Uncle John, my Dad's eldest brother. I hadn't really decided to go up until the night before, as although he was a very nice man and always stopped for a kind word and chat when we bumped into each other, we weren't close and never really had been, but I went in the end to be 'part' and for my Dad's sake to be there as his 'brood' as it were. I'm very glad I did - it was a strange experience, as I found it all very unexpectedly upsetting, and felt very 'cleansed' because of the sadness and affection expressed all round.

My Uncle had been a member of the Rowing Club for years and years, and the old boys were there in their rowing jackets, and had fond words to say about him. His widow, my Aunty Mary, was very dignified and gracious and thanked me so nicely for coming that I felt instantly ashamed I'd even considered not going. Their sons, my younger cousins, were affectionate to everyone despite their obvious grief, and I found myself wishing that we'd spent more time together as a family, as they are very, very nice people.

My Uncle Eric from Bristol (Dad's older brother) came with his family, and it was great to see him, I have always been very fond of him despite the distance over the years. They were all lovely too. Their daughter was 40 a month before me and I feel quite sad that they all lived in Bristol forever, as she and I could have been close - family life could have been so much bigger.

Also found myself wistful that tradition like this kind of funeral may go by the sidelines in years to come - I am not sure where I stand on religion these days, (Mark is an athiest) and as Oliver doesn't go to school or Church, he knows no hymns whatsoever, has no clue about most of the bible stories we grew up with, and the format of death is quite (thankfully) unknown to him. The values and standards and form shown at this funeral felt like a dying (no pun intended)tradition and that felt very sad too.

So, farewell Uncle John, you certainly have left your mark, and you will be much missed. Enjoy your Sentimental Journey.

back from hols & being 40

The Isle Of Wight was a bit weird all round really! Not as I remember it 8 years ago - I was obviously in a 'different place' back then - I didn't find it as charming as before, but then I am prone to looking at the world through rose-tinted specs.... Some bits were very lovely, but there were many more places billed as 'a fantastic island attraction' which cost a bomb and occupied only about 2 hours max! Still, got away with paying for Oliver at most places due to his smallness and under 5 appearance, and my utter deception. No, I don't feel guilty - I'm sure I am being perpetually ripped off right left & centre in this country entertainment-wise.

And, turning 40 felt very, very weird. I have always looked at myself a certain way, kind of had my own 'impression' of myself, but it never included being old enough to have to realise I am inescapably an adult. I know that doesn't make sense. It just feels too odd to get my head around...