Good morning all my new blogging friends! Thank you for your comments. I was so excited getting them, and if I ever work out how to reply to them I will.
Well, I hope you all had a nice weekend. We had the girls' best friends over for a sleepover on Saturday which was lovely - they are sisters the same age and are in the same classes as my two, which works out to be very handy. They weren't too late going to sleep but I didn't get much sleep as I always listen out for them just in case they wake up and are a bit lost! The older girls were up before 7am too, and I got up with them, so I was feeling a bit jaded yesterday!
Some fresh air helped though, and we made the most of the weather by going to the Forest of Dean with Bodie for the afternoon. We took a picnic and then had a lovely walk. This stained glass window is part of the Sculpture Trail, and I love it. I think it really fits in well with the surroundings, but also stands out (if that makes any sense). We didn't do the whole trail as Bodie isn't up to it yet, only being a pup and he's not yet used to long walks. We got him as a sort of rescue dog and he hadn't had much in the way of walking or training. Both things we are working on!
It really felt Autumnal, with leaves blowing down all around us. I absolutely love Autumn - I love the trees changing colour, being able to light the fire, eating roasts and stews again, and more importantly being able to wear these (excuse the dog hair on my foot - they get everywhere!)...
My lovely, lovely sister Rachel gave me these after I nagged her for days about how much more me than her they were! I think she only gave in to shut me up (so nagging does work, Andy!) but I am very grateful.
So, onto today. I have packed the girls off to school (and we were the first in the playground - unheard of usually!) and I have been cleaning and tidying. A good friend called round unannounced recently and said as she came in, "Oooh, your house looks much more shabby than chic at the moment, doesn't it?!" Needless to say I was mortified (and it was true - it was a tip). I have cleared up substantially since then but I have decided that my plan is to tackle a room of the house each day and have a really good clean - skirting boards, the lot. Today was our bedroom. The theory is that our bedroom is a haven from the children - somewhere to relax and keep just for us. The amount of marbles under the bed, dolls clothes mixed in with the ironing and the pieces of jigsaw puzzle in my make up bag proves that theory isn't working. Anyway, order has been restored for now, and here's a pic to show you. It will also prove to Andy that it was tidy as by the time he gets home from work it will be covered in washing and toys again!
Looking at this photo it has occurred to me that pretty much everything in it is a gift from a friend. The tailor's dummy was a gift from my good friend Hannah that I covered in some fabric won on ebay and the chest of drawers from the lovely Clare. I am a lucky girl!
This one's just for you, Vicki, from Hollyhocks - thanks for your comment! This is Bodie's current fave sleeping position. He has no shame.
If anyone knows how to centre the photos on Typepad, please could you let me know? I have messed around for hours trying to get it right but to no avail.
Well, I have orders to finish and stock to make for the website, so I am off to the depths again!
Until next time...