Happy Brand Spankin New Year

Hello Everyone

I hope you are well, and enjoyed the first week of this new year. It's flown by hasn't it?

Today I'm going to show you the Happy New Year card and gift I am sending to my friend. She came to see us just before Christmas, and we hadn't seen much of each other last year - it was so lovely to see her. Well I'm not much of a coffee drinker so, when I told my friend we only have Lidl coffee and I don't know what it's like, she decided to bring her own Cappucino LOL! She even brought one for Richard, and made them while she was here - cripes, that makes me sound like a useless hostess! After she'd left I found her little tub of Chocolate Topping Sprinkles, so I decided I'd send them back to her, but in a little keyring so she shouldn't leave them behind again! I have to say this is not my idea at all - I saw these keyrings on Tabbycrafts blog - then I found a pattern on the internet and my clever sister made a few up for me. I just cannot crochet, and my sister has crocheted some gorgeous things - I am envious! These keyrings are perfect for holding lipsalve or USB sticks.



Now onto my card - just a simple card. The image is a stamp from a set which was free with Crafts Beautiful, and the papers were also a freebie with the magazine sometime last year. I paper pieced the bird. The sentiment was also a freebie, from TLC Creations. Paulette creates some beautiful word art and graphics, many of which are offered free - you really should pop over to her blog.

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Craft Your Days Away - New Beginnings
CES Challenges - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - New Something
Card Crafters Circle - Make It Colourful

Now for an update on Eleri - she is still suffering with tummy pains, and sometimes says she feels sick. I took her to the doctor again today. The doctor today gave her a pretty thorough examination, during which she started to have a giggling fit (a bit embarassing when I have requested an urgent appointment because I was worried about her - she certainly wasn't acting ill in the doctor's room today!). The doctor then said that children of Eleri's age do sometimes present with symptoms like irritable bowel, and the cause is never discovered. He did not feel that it was worth doing tests such as blood tests or stool sample because he really feels that they would not show anything. He also said that she might have these symptoms for 2-3 months. :( The doctor wants us to go back again if she is no better in about a month, but to go back sooner if she does become more ill (eg if she starts being sick). He said that it is OK to give Calpol if she is in pain, or to use a hot water bottle or something - I am trying not to give Calpol every night, and we have been using a little cuddly hottie (a wheat bag which can be warmed in the microwave, and which fits into a special cuddly bunny) - that does give her some comfort. If she becomes constipated again, I am to contact the doctor for something to ease that. I have accepted what the doctor has said because, apart from the pain and the slightly weird toileting things, Eleri does seem well most of the time and she is eating and sleeping normally.

Woohoo! I have been swimming this evening - I have decided that I really need to start doing some regular exercise, which I haven't been doing for about 18 months (and it really shows with the weight I have put on and the size of my tummy). I nearly didn't go because my legs are in a very hairy state at the moment (not a pleasant sight LOL!) but I decided if I didn't go tonight I would never get around to it. Anyway I did enjoy it - swam 16 lengths - I had planned on 10, so that was good. Only problem was I wanted to eat when I came home - that chocolate and orange muffin has been shouting to me :) - but I have resisted, and ate a clementine instead.

Sorry I've waffled - hope I haven't bored you to tears. I'll go now.

Love, Andrea xx