Just don't know what to do with myself......

Well it's 8:18am and a rarity for me to actually get onto the PC at this time of day. Mr Bogert and the small person have just left in the car to pick up Mr Bogert's Mum and her friend from the airport. In London. Yeah, that's going to take a while. I feel a little bit lost actually. I'm never in the house on my own (except maybe for half and hour or so whilst they pop to the shop or something), it's quiet and feels a little weird.


A friend is picking me up at 10am to go to the children's centre open day, so I have a little time to kill. I'm thinking something really exciting like washing my hair!

I did (finally) get Mr Bogert's trousers turned up, but I did nothing to get on with the mini scarecrows (which will have to be done later today) we watched "Public Enemies" and ate chocolate instead :)

Now that crafty list (which is around here somewhere.... I know, I know, but I put it somewhere safe) goes something like this:

• prep the mini peg scarecrows craft for toddler group tomorrow (there are more craft preps to be done, but this is the most immediate)
• make my nan and grandad's scarecrow for the competition for the open garden weekend
• make our scarecrow for the same thing
• make my sister's 21st birthday party invitations (for Oct)
• finish a scrapbook that's been on going for a while
• make Alex's birthday party invitations (for Nov)
• make birth notices so all I have to do is fill in the details (for Oct)
• finish alex's bed spread and curtains (yes, I know, from way back when)
• take or sort out some existing photographs for my part of the camera club exhibition and get the prints done (for the open gardens which is in less than 2 weeks time)
• I have a plan for some birthday and xmas gifts aswell, which obviously I can't say much about on here but that would be about 8 birthday presents
• and 15ish christmas presents
• Alex's costume for her party which has now changed from magical themed to superheroes
• restock my Folksy shop (which is looking very sad and neglected)
• perhaps actually make something for this poor little Squigglepop who does not have a single thing that is not hand me down at this point

So, no worries there then. Just a few things. How many I will actually acheive remains to be seen (by everyone in bloggy land as I publish my progress) but fingers crossed, I'll get the most important things done.

And finally in news about the Wishes clan, Mr Bogert and I are off to the theatre tonight. Yay! We're going to see Witness for the Prosecution (Agatha Christie). We saw the play they put on last year and it was fantastic. Really enjoyed it, so I'm looking forward to tonight. Even Mr Bogert enjoys it. It's funny, he can't sit and watch something like that on TV, but on stage? Not a problem. I'll let you know if we liked it as much as last years (which was Spider's Web).

The importance of making lists

I'm in full on housewife mode :)

I have big plans for cleaning tomorrow after I return from the children's centre open day (Sad isn't it?) and today inbetween chilling out, I've been tidying, cleaning the kitchen (what feels like about 10 times, but is probably only 3) and I was all prepared to cook a lovely sunday dinner with roasties, but Mr Bogert decided to treat us to a pub lunch down the road. Well, I'm not going to put up a fight am I? I did make his lunch for tomorrow though, so I still get wifey points. :)

I've also made 2 more squares for Mrs Woo (but only photgraphed one of them) and made lists. The making of lists is a very important job in itself you know. I have a HUGE list of crafty things to get done between now and December (but more likely need to get done before October) So I'd best start ploughing through them! I may share my crafty list next post (but will have to keep it mildy censored because some are birthday and Christmas gifts.) I have other far more boring lists too, but who wants to talk about the housework list or the shopping list? No, me neither. Lets stick to the fun stuff.

Mr Bogert had a wedding to photograph yesterday, so I've also spent a big chunk of the day looking over his shoulder being nosey and generally getting in his way. (He hasn't grumped at me too much though :D). Some lovely pics on their way to being ready for another newlywed couple.

I also made this milkshake for us all which is from Tonya Staab's blog. (Very yummy. Just wish I had some new ice lolly moulds to make the lollipops). She always has lovely things going on especially to do with her children. Pop on over and take a look!

I'm now going to (finally) finish turning up that pair of trousers for Mr Bogert, then I'm thinking scarecrows...........

Foggy pea soup

There is a fog in my brain as thick as pea soup. It makes it very hard to find where I've stored away little bits (or even big bits for that matter) of information, expecially important things. There's lots of whosits and whatsits and thing-a-me-bobs flying around and everyone's just smiling nicely at me pretending they understand what on earth I'm on about.

All of a sudden little things are triggering memories like "you haven't replied to the holiday park with confirmation for August" and "Your black sewing thread is sitting on the arm of the chair because you were going to turn up Mr Bogert's trousers. On Sunday." I've just had another of those moments where the small person asked me what we were making at toddler group next week and I said something to go with our flowers for the flower festival. Then it suddenly hit me (hard) that I hadn't even replied to the organiser that we were taking part. This is going back weeks now. I feel absolutely terrible :(

I telephoned and apologised, but she's a very nice lady anyway, so it wasn't a hard conversation to have :)

I just keep doing that all the time though. It's a horrible feeling to sit here and think "What else have I forgotten?" and more importantly "How urgent was it?"

Anyway, no amount of forcing myself to think is going to make me remember things I don't even realise I've forgotten (yet). As promised, here is our new addition to the Wishes household. Buttons the blue bunny. He has been made by either Pat or Sally of Miss Tilly's who sell lovely things at the Craft Centre in Lynton, Devon. Sadly, as far as I'm aware, there is no website for either the craft centre or Miss Tilly's, but if anyone knows different or comes across the name again, please let me know!

Couple of quick piccies of the squares for Mrs Woo's project. I haven't posted them yet, but I don't think Mrs Woo would mind a quick sneak preview. One's just treble and double crochet used alternately in rows, the second is double crochet and bobbles. (I love crochet bobbles!). If you like knitting, crochet (and I think even quilting was mentioned) pop on over and read Mrs Woo's post about her project and see if you'd like to join in :)

Now, a request for help and suggestions. I have an entire summer holiday with the small person. I'll be on maternity leave from just before her last week at pre-school, and the new Little Wish isn't due until a month after she starts school, so I'm trying to think of lots of lovely crafty things we can do together over the break to occupy her and make the most of our time together. So far I'm thinking:

• some cooking projects (maybe even putting some picnic things together and going out to eat it.)
  
• making jewelry (because I know she loves that anyway)


• decorating our own t-shirts with fabric pens/crayons (thought maybe she could decorate a vest for the baby too)


• plenty of collages (maybe go on a walk and collect bits to use)


• I promised her I'd show her how to tie dye after she saw a dress she liked on holiday (that was far too big for her)

But I'd really love any extra ideas. If you've got any specific projects, recipes or other ideas you think might be ideal for a 4 year old girl, pass them my way! Thanks!

Look at me go!

Woo hoo! I must have had a holiday because that energy is back! I have actually had a holiday. We spent a lovely (hot and sunny) week in Woolacombe just the 3 1/2 of us :)

We stayed on a holiday site in an apartment. The site had loads to do (indoor bowling, amusements, and indoor pool and 4 outdoor pools, kids clubs, caberet, climbing wall, pottery painting cafe etc etc) but because the weather was so nice we went out and abuot loads.

We spent a day looking around Woolacombe and on the beach.

The Monday we visited Coombe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park. We've been there before, but it just gets better every time! It was the most expensive admission we paid all trip, but it was also the one that was most worth it! We fed Wallabies, sat in the Meerkat enclosure with them running around us, watched the sealion show (but had we have known they now do swims with them, we would have booked it for Mr Bogert), and we fed raisins to the ringed tailed lemurs who were so gentle! Fantastic day.

We spent a morning on site so that the small person could go to the kids club at least once, then we took her to the pottery painting cafe and she painted a pink dragon. The afternoon we spent at Lynton and Lynmouth. I got my crafty fix by visiting the local craft place that is in the old Methodist Church in Lynton. Mr Bogert bought me a bunny! Yay! He's called Buttons, but I haven't taken a picture of him yet, so I'll show you next time. The small person also got a bunny who is called Parsnip.

We took a ride down on the Victorian pump lift and had yummy fish and chips on the sea front. We looked around the shops of Lynton and had local ice cream. So Yummy! (Yummy again? Everything was yummy :D)

Wednesday we visited Watermouth Castle (but forgot to charge the camera). We took my sister here once BSP (Before Small Person) and thought we'd see what Alex made of it. We managed to fill another whole day there and I beat Mr Bogert at Mini Golf, which is always worth a mention. Alexandra's favourite ride was The Snail Trail. She Made Mr Bogert go round twice!

Thursday we took a trip up to Mortehoe but were really disapointed to see that the place we've always been for cream teas in the past wasn't doing them anymore. We had a quick drink and stopped into a lovely little shop (I forgotten the name) and I got new egg cups. Now that may not sound exciting, but they're Giselle Graham, and they have little dots on :D Well they cheered me up, anyway. We spent another chunk of the day at the beach again.

Friday (our last day *sob*) we went to Exmoor Zoo. Never been before, but I really quite enjoyed it. (I didn't enjoy the huge school trip that was visiting, but it could have been worse). We got to hold 2 snakes, a King somthing or other, and a milk snake. We also stroked a goose, a really big duck, a guinea pig called Jeff, a giant bunny (well it looked giant sitting on the small person's lap), a polecat and a skunk. Phew! We had just enough time after finishing there to run over to Mortehoe again for the weekly craft fair. It's only small, but they had some lovely things. They sell the items so cheaply for the amount of time and work that must go into them. The small person bought herself a knitted Jelly baby (who is sleeping in bed with her at this very moment) and I bought a microwave heat pack for my nan for her birthday next month. I could have bought plenty more :)

The day we were coming home, we woke up to rain. We were so lucky!

So, I haven't been back to work yet. That's tomorrow. Also, half term, so a break from Toddler Group too. I feel rested and energised and I like it.

As well as the housework today and getting things ready for tomorrow, I've had a go at wet felting which I've wanted to try for ages, and I liked it (and didn't even mess it up!) so I'll be trying that again with a few more things I think. I've also made 2 squares for the lovely Mrs Woo for her project (I just hope they're not too late!) and I've made soup for tomorrows lunch AND some homemade lemonade with some left over lemons! Yay me. Look at me go!

I will produce photographic evidence to support my claims of productivity, but in the mean time, hope you enjoy the piccies from our lovely trip away!

There is a limit to the energy

I've really been enjoying this stage of the pregnancy with tons of energy flowing around. It really did seem neverending. Washing, washing up, stripping and making beds, play time with the small person, cooking meals, bathroom cleaning, sweeping up, wiping down cupboards and doors, reoganising the airing cupboard, you name it I could do it ten times over all in the one day. I have however descovered there is a limit to this deep well of energy. It's called Toddler Group.

We had camera club last night, so we set everything out last night. We were short on volunteers and for some reason, the further we get on in the school year, the more some parents decide to leave the kids completely to their own devices. It means I end up spending a huge amount of time picking up lost toys and returning them to their rightful place, saving children from things that aren't play toys, fixing toys which have been pulled apart, returning balls to the ball pit, and generally getting more and more worn out. Hormones flying and all that, I've also been getting really quite cross. I watched one mum pick her 1 yr old up, put him in the ball pit at one end of the room (alone), then walk back to her chair at the other end of the room to carry on chatting. Deep calming breaths..... deep calming breaths......

Ok. Rant over. Just let it all wash over you.

So, today we made felt collage monsters. Quite good sticky fun. This is Alexandra's wonderful creation creatively called " Monster". Having the apron thing on the brain, I am finding myself with a sudden urge to create a monster apron. It's probably just as well that I'm too tired to get the sewing machine out :D
Camera club last night, we took our first outdoor session. We went a tried to recreate some of the old photographs that we have been collecting. I quite enjoyed it (despite having watch the small person because of lacking a babysitter, but she did occupy herself by finding leaves and feathers and taking pictures on Daddy's camera) but it's interesting to see just what sort of problems we're going to come up against. For instance, someone has quite unconsiderately planted a tree right in the line of a shot we need, since the original photograph was taken! Also, the old plate cameras used for some of the pictures had a much longer lens so the overall effect is quite different. It should be an interesting project. Of course it didn't hurt that we got hot drinks and biscuits once we returned to the hall!

May Fair 2010

Our village May Fair was held last weekend at the village hall. The weather held out, loads of people turned up and everyone had tons of fun. The only crafting I've really done since feeling so ill has been Alexandra's costume for the fancy dress competition. She wanted to be Dorothy.

She wore a plain white short sleeved t-shirt with a dress I made with fabric from the market. (this was super quick to make. Only about 2 hours) My Mum and Nan found the cutest little basket the perfect size for her at a car boot sale along with a pair of pink sparkly shoes. I know, Pink, not exactly the ruby slippers we needed, but a red permanant marker pen later they were very ruby red. The sparkle showed through the pen. I even managed to find the exact blue colour socks in primark. Toto was selected from many stuffies living in her bedroom.

She didn't win, but she looked great and had fun. She did however win the under 5's girls race. We can honestly say we didn't think she would. She's never been much of a runner, but on the day she was speedy gonzales! The only problem was the rope at the finish line confused her and she didn't want to run through it, so she raised her arms up in the air, stopped dead in her tracks and looked to me and her dad for expkanation or instruction :D

We had a tombola for camera club and we were sold out only 40 minutes into the event. We bought cake, entered competitions, ate from the BBQ and just enjoyed the sun. Mr Bogert did the Dad's race again and this time he didn't fall down a mole hole. He came in a ver respectable 3rd. I must draw your attention to the expressions on the faces in this photo. You see the Dad's race is not just a bit of fun, it's serious business!

Now that the May Fair is over for another year, we've got to turn our attention to the Open Gardens in June. As we so often do, we'vegot involved and we're running a photography exhibition in the village hall. The Village then and now. We've been tracking down old photos for a while then during camera club we're going to recreate the same pictures but as the area is today. We're also putting on a mini display for each club member. Minimum of 5 photos per person of any type or theme. So far I have 1 that I'm pleased to include. Best get a move on taking some more :)

And now to crafting. I have quite a few unfinished projects, but many of them were winter orientated so I'm finding it hard to muster the enthusiasm for them in the nicer weather. I have had aprons on the brain though. I know that once I'm on maternity leave I'll be able to do more. The further I get on in the pregnancy the harder work is getting. The work I'm asked to do has been cut right back, but I'm still finding by the end of the day I'm struggling with back and hip pain :( It will, however, all be worth it :)

I'm now just over 18 weeks which means nearly half way. I've been feeling more energetic so that's been a nice change! I must admit though, I have neither made, planned or bought anything for baby squiggle. Seriously, not even a bib or a muslin square. I don't feel any urgency to prepare, It's almost as if it's not actually gonna get here. I'm sure at week 38 I'll be in a mad flustered panic!

Dear Miss.......

Dear Miss, I'm sorry Vicky has been absent from blogging but she has been most unwell. She is slowly recovering and hopes to return to blogging, but may suffer relapses, due to there being a Squiddle pop in her belly.

Squiddile pop has been named by big sister Alexandra. (Think we may have to let the grown ups pick an actual name after the arrival to avoid many years of bullying and sibling hatred ;D)

So, yes, I've been ill as we are expecting little wish number 2 due 6th October. I really didn't want to leave you so long, but as I haven't ventured far from either sofa, bed or bathroom I had to give in to the overwhelming desire to sleep. Alot. In all honesty, there's nothing to show anyway. You can tell a girl's sick when she can't even muster a bit of enthusiasm to craft!

I may not be on here as frequently as pre bump, but I'll certainly be back more often than the last month.