S is for Snail Mail

You're probably going to think that this is really sad (and hey, that's fine!) but I love getting snail mail!
Obviously not the evil bills or annoying junk mail, but the lovely letters, cards and postcards from friends and family (and possibly others that I can't think of at the moment - oh wait, ones containing cheques would also be fine by me, heehee!)
The reason that I've started thinking about this is that I've just recently had my 31st birthday, and much as I loved getting all my facebook messages and texts, it was even nicer to have some birthday cards to actually open!
I think that this goes back to my childhood and my own love of writing; sending postcards from EVERY holiday I went on (even the mini ones!) or thank you letters and cards for whatever occasion!
I then loved getting post in return - postcards finding out where friends and family had been on holiday, special cards for birthdays, exams etc and the occasional letter!
What might be even weirder was the fact that me and some of my friends would write long letters to each other when we got home from school! You know the cliche of the teenager attached to the phone with her best friend talking for hours, even though they have spent the whole day together - well our version was writing letters to each other! They weren't your standard letter either, oh no! We had to use different colours in the letter and use funky stationary, to make it 'look' right too! (Ok, that does seem a little sad, heehee!)
I have a keepsake box which contains a stash of these letters! It also has a few special cards and letters I received when I was away at Uni. Every so often I get them out and spend and afternoon wandering down memory lane : )
The stash is ever growing too, as I keep all the thank yous I get from friends (for pressies we've given their kiddies) and special cards from my own kiddies and hubby - my first mother's day cards and anniversary cards are top ranking now!
I am hoping Little Man might pick up a little of this. His Godmummy (my best friend) is currently living in Australia and she has been sending him little postcards of places she's visited, plus some sharing Australian wildlife etc, so we have been choosing postcards and sending replies together! I've started him his own keepsake box and these postcards are now the start of his very own snail mail stash : ) (Oooh, that reminds me, I need to buy some more postcards as our supply is almost gone!)
Right, I'm off to dig out my stash, so I can have another wander, as it's been a while! (plus it's always good for a laugh!!)
Well, here's hoping that I'm not the only snail mail loving weirdo out there ; )

This is my life, I can handle it

So, last time I blogged I pledged a load of great things, unfortunately, I have not managed to put a lot of them into action - ok, none of them have happened!The reason for this is as ever, (with me!) I have been bombarded with illness after illness! Currently I am almost over an ear infection with an evil chesty cough and head cold thrown in for good measure!
I have no understanding as to why it always seems to be and my little man (he has the evil cough too - off to doc tomorrow) that seem to get everything thrown at us all of the time? Or we manage to get over one illness, only to be whacked down with the next one!
I read a quote posted on a friends facebook page that said 'you were given this life because you were strong enough to live it' (unknown author) it really got me thinking!
I have also started my reading quest and have just finished 'Pilgrims Progress' by John Bunyan. It was extremely challenging, but I found it really spiritually uplifting.
Put these together, and I have come to accept that this is the life I am supposed to live, because I am the only one who can handle it!
So now, my constant ill health seems like one of the many small challenges I am going to face and deal with in this wonderful weird life that is mine, because I will overcome each and every one that is placed in my way.
I feel so much stronger and happier today. I have found my faith and am grateful for the life I live.
I now just want to make more of an effort to keep my pledges and become the best mum / wife / daughter / friend I can.

Thoughts for 2011 and hopes for 2012

So, as Christmas has passed and time is marching towards 2012, it got me thinking about things that have happened over the year, and what I'm hoping for next year.

Overall, 2011 has been quite a hard year for me and my hubby.

The start of the year was pretty pants. I was still trying to do supply teaching, whilst coping with severe depression. Luckily I came to my senses around Easter time and finally made the huge step and left teaching.

My depression spiralled out of control. I had my meds upped from 20 to 30 and was having psychology. However, from when I was assessed in February, to when I actually got seen in June / July, I had already managed to get myself on the path to 'normal me' again - so yay me for that! Psychology has now given me the tools I need to spot signs that things might be getting bad again and I have a plan to follow, if needed.

During the bad 5 months, we were also living back with my parents and trying to sort out and clear out our old house ready for selling - this took until Easter!! I think my depression was so bad and having a hubby that works nights, made it all take so much longer than we had hoped.

I was unemployed for 3 months - which was really scary, as I went straight from Uni straight into a job.  I doubted myself, I thought I was good for nothing and that I would be unemployed for ever!!

However, August - November were brilliant!
I got a job working as a waitress and I love it! The people I work with are so nice and it's a real team-effort in everything.
My brother-in-law had a baby and got married.
We have had 2 lovely holidays as a family - one week in Okehampton and one in the New Forest.
My little man is benefiting so much from living back with my parents - and I think they love having him -  except when he decides that he wants to see them very early in the morning!! Heehee (his routine is now; get into bed with me and drink his cup of milk. Then he either goes back to sleep in his bed, or goes and wakes up Grannie, depending on his mood and the time of day, heehee!)
I launched my own tiny business called 'Happy Crafting' to benefit me and charity. I haven't made loads yet, but I know I will soon ;)

Unfortunately the year ends in tragedy with the loss of my little Pip. I have now nearly completed miscarrying and hope that it won't last that much longer. I will always see the 19th Dec as the day I lost Pip, even thought I didn't actually have the proper miscarriage until x-mas eve (we didn't know at the time, until the docs explained whilst I was in hospital) In my mind, I had already lost Pip and was therefore so much more prepared for the inevitable, when I found out that it hadn't actually occurred yet. She (I had already started to dream about her) will always have a place in my heart.

So, with much joy and sadness this year, I have started to look forward to 2012 and here's what I have decided to try and achieve:

I really want to get into shape and loose another dress size. I have lots of exercise DvDs and my Wii fit plus, so the plan is to get my butt in gear and work hard!!!

I want to have a huge clear and tidy out. I want to clear out all the rubbish and crap that seems to have taken root in our living room and bedroom - and maybe help my mum in her living room and the spare bedroom.
Then I plan to sort through my clothes and DvDs and little man's clothes and toys ready for storing, selling or to go to charity.

I am going to try my best to make enough bags and cards to actually have a stall at a craft fair and make some money :)

I would like at some point (maybe around Feb / March time) start trying to get pregnant again.
I know I'm not at all ready now, nor will I be in January. I said my goodbye, but I want some breathing space before trying again. I'm also really nervous that I will miscarry again, but I have to have a little faith and hope for the best - what is meant to be, will be.

So, it will be interesting to look back in a few months time and see how I'm doing ;)

oh dear, I need help!!

I am completely clueless when it comes to make up! The most I use is cover up and a bit of lippy, v occasionally some eye shadow and foundation (on special occasions!)

So, a few weeks ago I had a Virgin V party and my friend C did a brilliant make over for me and everyone (well mum and mum-in-law) said it looked really good!

So tonight, as everyone is out and little man is asleep, I decided to have a go at re-creating the look with the gorgeous new products that finally arrived yesterday!!

So, things started ok with the foundation that I already have from Virgin V (one step face base) but I tried applying with a large brush instead of the sponge thing it comes with and I think it worked better.

Then I had a go with the Ready to Wear eyeshadow collection - which for me was great as it shows a diagram of where to put each of the 4 colours! I even applied it with the new applicator and blending brushes I got. Not bad, but think I could do better as the colours don't seem quite the same on each eye!!

Satin Shine lip gloss was perfect! (have already managed to get the hang of lippie and gloss, probably because it's v simple - heehee!)

The big problem arrived with the mascara! I have Dream Lashes which has a primer and then the actual mascara - the end result is a big load of clumps sticking out unevenly from my eyelids - oh dear!!

If anyone know any tips for helping me get better results, I would be eternally grateful!!

So end results = not bad, but room for a lot of improvements, heehee!