making plans and killing boredom

Having not been at work for several days (it's only been 5 and it seems like forever!) I've had nothing to do but watch t.v, listen to music, catch up on e-mails and oh yeah..blog! However I have been planning our fandabidosie trip to that wonderful city of the Angels, LA!! I'm looking and tempted to book flights already but I suppose it is a little early- but whose to say what can happen next year. The prices are so cheap, I found the greatest website for all your travelling needs, just hope that they are reliable..I have nightmares that our plane will be cancelled or the company goes bust. The sooner my big fat paycheck comes through the better...still waiting, day after day the postman brings no envelope with a Mercure stamp on it.

Dad is even thinking about coming with us if Dan ain't home. Mum was a little worried about leaving him behind for two weeks with no'body to talk to except the guinea pig. He's not all that interested in LA, but we've talked and talked to him that it's not all about Hollywood and stars. There are some beautiful places to it too. I'm planning on staying just over 2 weeks- that will give us time to see the places we want to see, spend time with Lois and the gang and even have a couple of day breaks away from LA, head down to San Diego or Palm Springs (that come highly recommended by Lois)

The Way Out West tent have invited us to a meeting but they only meet 5 times a year, so if we really want to go then it would have to be when they are scheduled. Here's hoping that it all works out....

It's Christmaaaaas!

It really has flown this year and a lot has happened, especially recently so I guess it does us good as a family just to lay around, do absolutely nothing (well almost nothing- Mum and I did all the shopping and deliveries of presents this year due to Dad's manflu). We've eaten, drank, chilled, slept and eaten more! Well isn't that what Christmas is for?

even our little Percy enjoys a bite..

Babycakes and cookies

I tried my hand at making some baby buns and cookies- we were all even brave enough to try some

decking the home

Mum decided to use our plastic aka. rubbish tree this year, there's something about fake trees I simply don't like..nothing is as good as the real thing. Just the smell of a real tree is homely and Christmassy. But we had to save money and to be perfectly honest..we didn't do a bad job!

Stepping..nah..leaping into Christmas!

Oh the madness of Mad Friday...

Holidays a coming.....

Drinks were flowing... we were dancing.....
we were laughing and joking.......must it end?

quiet time

It's nice to be able not to think of work for a at least a few days- I decided to 'put on hold' several commissions till the new year, so I won't be twiddling my thumbs wondering what picture to do next. Can't believe how busy I've been! Sometimes you have to say 'What credit crunch?'
You get the odd person who says 'oh yes beautiful but I wouldn't pay that much' they forget that a general pic takes a week sometimes more! Then you work out someones average pay in a week, I'm practically giving them away!!

Christmas will be pretty quiet this year with no brother here, he got his cards and presents from us but it's still not the same as having him here..we all still hoping he's driving up to see us all.

Birthday Girls

Emma turned 30 on December 8th and me on December on the 9th. So it was only realistic that we had a joint night out. Pretty good do apart from me sliding on my backside on the icy ground- ouch that hurt and still does!!

Jace

How much he's changed!....

Wine filled evenings

I never thought I could drink so much wine, not being a real fan of the stuff (I'm soooo picky) My girlfriend Emma came round to my house for a good old chat having had a panic attack that very evening...that's along story so to cut it short..

My folks left for London on the Sunday morning, me being taxi dropped them off at the bus station then went straight to work. Dan left shortly before we did. During the course of the day, being so busy I hadn't realised I forgot to swap the house keys over on my new car chain! BIG BIG BIG PANIC!!! I called my Dad who then called Dan, then I called Dan, text Dad text Dan etc...it went on and on for at least an hour- I was in no mood then to carry on working, then Dan decides he might not want to come home and help me out, he had the only set of keys and he was 2 hours away!! Massive panic attack, can't breathe, crying, headache, heart racing etc... but I offered to give him money for the petrol, almost fell out with him and was so annoyed but he drove 2 hours whilst I waited patiently at my Grandparents- anyway he let me in then left. He even took his keys off his chain, that really was closing the book. So I was in need of cheering up big time!

Emma came and we chatted, drank, bitched and smoked (well she did the smoking I didn't) she really took my mind off things, then she I went to hers next day, and she came to mine today so I've had a social weekend with my good gal..she's such good company and a real swell laugh. Will see her again this weekend of her 30th and my 23rd, bought us both Birthday sashes- a nice treat for us both! Woohooo!!!!

Beautiful Babes

Having not seen my girlfriend for quite a while (a crime as we used to see each other every day!) and her babies I got her to send some photies of her pretty boys Kye and Jace.

Beautiful boys

Captain Kye

nap time.....

Happy Birthday Mum!

Mum turns oh-no 5-0 on Monday. Dad is taking her to London for a couple of days, on the train to Kings Cross, checking into their hotel, a meal in a swanky restaurant (not the Ritz unfortunately) and then they catch a show....alright for some! Yeah while they swander off leave their baby at home to fend for herself!! Just kidding, they've been so great to us they deserve it and more..some day if my art pays off I'll give them everything they've ever wanted.

Can't believe we managed to get a car sorted too before they go- off to pick it up tomorrow morning. Little old but it will do for the time being, there's not enough money in the kitty to pay a fair sum for a run around. Only me and Mum will have insurance on it, no'one else needs it. Our tiny red Ford fiesta, lets hope I don't break down when I go to pick it up!

Work is so busy, these past 2 weeks have really picked up, no way am I complaining! It's just what I need and more..with this credit crunch next year boy it's gonna be tough, save all the money I can this year...so I can blow it on our holiday to LA, great planning Lucy!!!

Now he's gone

Well my brother Dan left home this morning, yes there were tears..he's gone for a 'so called' better life in Derby with his girlfriend, we were slightly dissapointed apart from Dad however if it means it working out for him down there then non of us would stop him- we don't think he's thought this through completely and rushed into things- but what can you do, what's done is done. I'm left without a car and my independence, instead I'm having to rely on parents and grandparents for lifts to work, parties and anywhere else I might just wanna see..but here we go again I'm getting frustrated and annoyed! Not good for me, not good for me.....big big big sigh

Achoooo

Excuse me while I blow my nose- I've managed to catch a rather nasty cold..if I sneeze one more time my head will cave in! Serves me right after all these wild nights out these past few weeks, Mum said 'enjoy it while you can' and she's probably right, but Saturday night was pretty rubbish..not the night and seeing my best mate Rachel but the fact that the music was dreadful- which is unusual for a busy Saturday night. We didn't really drink so much either with not feeling 100 %. I came home around 2.30 am only top find my old man still up drinking whiskey and lemon and looking a little worse for wear! I had to laugh at him as he'd drunk nearly a full bottle of whiskey!! At 3am he was asking me whether I'd brought him anymore lemon home as he'd run out! He threw his empty bottle down when I told him all the stores were closed..he's such a clown!

It was good to catch up with my girl, we spent a good few hours chatting away about something and nothing, we have such a laugh!

Me and my girl.

I can see clearly

After a while of suffering with eye strain, I finally got the specs I so desparately need! Now bring on those commissions!...

Viva la Noctum

All these nights out can't be good for me- but what the hey! You only live once, I'm having such a great time with my special friend Sam. We caught up a while back having not seen each other in ages, we used to work together at the tavern until she quit in the most hilarious fashion! She's such a scream- she's always there when I need to let my hair down- so thanks Sam for being such a bosom buddy and my partner in crime !!

Life's one big party!

Well it is for me!....

random

Well I've certainly done well on this blog thingy, here's a few of random pics I love...

On the run

I went for an eye test on Wednesday and they confirmed my eye strain, good thing I went. Can only do a couple hours at best now at work. They should be there next Wednesday so will pick them up before off to the mill, the sooner the better..I spent ages in the shop trying on different styles. I'm such a fussy missy!

Already looking at flights back to the sunny state too, really hope I can afford to go and Mum too, everyday I think about jetting outta this country. But gonna have a job with all these nights out and parties!!! Won't be no ordinary holiday though as there's so much to do out there! Planning to see Palm Springs and San Diego but we shall see....

Forever Today

It's been a good while since I last wrote on here and I suppose nothing too important has happened so I'll be brief...

I managed to scoop a deal with the Dunkenhalgh hotel, which is great news as it will go straight on my portfolio, can't wait till that cheque rolls through my front door and I'll be made! There are so many opportunities cropping up it's unreal.

I've turned into a real party maniac these past few weeks, yes I've actually been out drinking and dancing the night away! I don't think I've been out this many times in my life, all my friends and I were just so busy we never could manage to organise anything properly..such a good fun... how life is meant to be!

A winner!!

Well the exhibition was a real success for the 4th year running! I managed to scoop 2nd place in the open section with my favourite piece to date 'Tears of Youth'. First place was given to a fabulous painting entitled 'Homeward Bound'..just two people in a rowing boat as the sun sets- was generally magnifico! Would have bought it too if I had the cash!

I had a nice suprise too, my pic will now exhibited at the Rainall Centre in Barnoldswick as an example of what the Pendle Open had to offer. There was some serious talent!

I don't stop though..have another major exhibit coming up next month at the world famous Haworth Art Gallery, only 2 pictures to be entered so makes no change from the Pendle Open but all the same this one has to be more scary- these people are pro's, probably been in the business longer than I, maybe they could tip me!

Those eyes

Well it's been another eventful day at the mill shop- some of the things you see, I guess you could call it inspiration for my work..not bloody likely. Started a new commission for Sandra, a cocker spaniel..very very detailed so hope she's willing to pay a fair whack for it!

Managed to finish a portrait of me and Dan for Mum's 50th in December, did one a couple of years back for their 25th anniversary, thought it was time for one of the offspring!

Some news regarding the huge commission from the hotel, telephoned Helen today and she said when quoting the price to her boss, he didn't fall off his chair! a sign I gathered..had heard nothing for almost a week, but I suppose no news really was good news.

I must head out for an eye test before the end of the year- this much drawing all day 5 days a week can't be good..can actually feel them straining sometimes, even when I have a long break- doesnt work. Still waiting for that mad rush at Christmas, the vouchers arn't doing brilliantly, but it's still early days yet. This credit crunch has affected everything, much more serious than the government are making it out to be, a couple of people I know lost their jobs because of budget cuts! Money truly does make the world go round.....

Another day...

Too much tension, money worries etc...not good for me. Day off today, you'd think I was able to relax but nooo, have a real job at that!

Went shopping with Mum for Ruth's birthday pressie tomorrow, the big oh-no 60 ! Sixty going on 6, she'll never change.. was supposed to get a phonecall today, so have been on edge probably the cause of this headache

Enough complaining..it's been one of those weeks. Dan has his interview tomorrow in Derby, thought about taking a job down there and moving in with Hayley and her boy.

Out this weekend with the girls so there's a real chance to let my hair down, and again next Saturday for Ricks 21st- crikey 2 nights out in one week, that's gotta be a record!

So here ends another little day in my busy little life....

My crazy life..

Well it's now 11.10am just off to work. Hoping for a busy day like yesterday, pity I didn't make any sales although I had one collection. This business is so unpredictable, sales hope to peak around Christmas- I'm ready for that mad rush- got some good advice of a co-worker the other day telling me to give myself a cut off date for all commissions, she even gave me the idea of gift vouchers so I'll still have business in the new year.
Only 2 months away now!! So much has occurred this year..can't believe how much I've done with my work!
Botany Bay stall was removed last Tuesday, completely awful there- too much competition, yeah just what I needed for a budding artist...oh well fingers crossed this stall works better- must admit I sold a lot more than BB sold for me!!!

Gotta dash now!.....

Well this is new.....

Well look at Lucy..she finally created a blog. Never knew what to do with these things, I don't know technology moves so fast it's hard to keep up- by the time I finish writing this they'll be something new and more exciting to download!