It all started in a castle!

We had a lovely week last week and it all started in a castle.  We went to the "live at the castle" event last Sunday which was 6 hours of entertainment held at Leeds Castle. We saw some up and coming bands first.  Then there was Stacey Solomon, Alexandra Burke, The Wanted, Aggro Santos, Eliza Doolittle, Twist and Pulse - it was brilliant and we were lucky enough to be right in front of the stage! Here are a few piccies...........

Daughter and me, waiting for the rain to stop and the music to start!

And now for some entertainment...........

It was the children's first concert and they loved it, although they had to put their fingers in their ears a few times as the music was so loud!
It was a very late night especially as the next day we were going away on holiday! - but more of that on my next post.

Makes and buys

So here I am again.  Hubby is feeling better now and we have got through the funeral!  Only the job situation to go - applications must be in by the end of this week and if he gets through to interview stage that will be at the end of next week - so fingers crossed!!!

Thank you all so much for your kind words - it means a lot to know that you are all thinking of us!

So an update on what I have been up to.............well firstly, I have been trying to make my living room feel more summery.  Before I had some brown flowery curtains up that didnt really go with anything, but I have now decided to have a beige and red theme in there.  I bought some Ikea plain, extra long tab curtains, and adapted them to fit onto a pole - you can just see them here

I also made the flowery cushion from some pillowcase/duvet fabric

 and bought this red lamp in the Dunelm mill sale

So now I feel like I am actually getting there, now that I am going with the red theme, instead of trying to fight against it (remember me telling you about my red chesterfield sofa in a previous blog?!)

 

 This is a new oilcloth - again from my fave.......Dunelm Mill

This weekend I was very good and when I woke up naturally at 6.30 in the morning - I actually got up and got myself to the bootsale.  So I was there when people were still unpacking their cars!!  So what bargains did I find??!!  Well...........

Firstly some picture frames (which I forgot to photograph) in various sizes and colours which were all 10p each - so I got 8 of those!

This cream metal lace effect picture frame for £1

 

A small venetian type mirror with engraved hearts (50p)- which is now hung with my wall of venetian mirrors in my living room

 A £1 silver embossed mirror - now hanging in my hallway - I really have a thing about mirrors!!

 

Some pretty bunting for £4 - which I know I could have made myself but for that price is it really worth the time and effort?!  Not sure where I am going to hang this yet - maybe in the hall as although I like the neutral colours there, I am getting a bit jittery about the lack of colour!! lol!

 A pretty pot with my fave - roses!  This is on my dresser in my kitchen but is awaiting a pretty plant. Oh nearly forgot to tell you that it was only 50p!

And this gorgeous item for £2.  Not sure what to use it for yet - especially as I discovered it has lots of small holes which I think may be woodworm?!  I have some stuff I am going to treat it with, but going to try it on the bottom first incase it colours it or covers the detail?!  Help anyone??  At the moment it is on my METAL table in the garden with pillar candles in.

So didnt I do well?!!

 

Things can only get better..............surely?!!!

Well, where do I start!?

Hubbys job is def going to be put at risk in a couple of weeks time and then if there are any new jobs at his grade that he can apply for, he will have to go thru the whole interview process!

This last couple of weeks he has been to the doctors 4 times, emergency dentist and A&E!!! He has been told he has fluid in his ear, an abcess under his crown and then, a couple of days ago, a throat infection too!  He is rattling around with tablets which have totally knocked him out!  So he has had to have time off sick from work for the first time in 4 years - and obviously this is not the best time for him to be off!

We were going to book a weeks holiday in Devon/Somerset.  But once we had finally chosen a cottage that looked suitable - I went to book it and our dates had just been booked by someone else.  Then that evening was when we ended up in A&E, so I think that was fate!  We are now waiting until his health is back to normal before booking anything...............he is getting there now!

Then just to top it all.  On his first day back at work (Thursday), we got a call from his half-brother to say that their dad had suddenly passed away!!!!!

So, as my title says...............surely things can only get better?????!

Back at last!!

Sorry I haven't been on here since beginning of May (other than to read all of your lovely blogs)!!  So this is going to be a bitty blog to update you. 

So what have I been up to??  Well, lots of working and studying before halfterm and then............................  Last weekend we went to Hertfordshire for the day to visit the inlaws, Monday - Eastbourne for the day, Tuesday - new carpet fitted in the morning and cinema in the afternoon (boys-Pirates of the Caribbean/girls-Wimpy Kid 2), Wednesday - London doing touristy things, Thursday-children went to their friends houses for the day, Friday-out for a meal with my parents for my mum's birthday, Yesterday-Canterbury, Today.........................resting!!!! Phew!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also last weekend I went to a boot sale, but only made a couple of purchases.........

A china mosaic photo frame - now in my dining area (another one to find a picture for!)
 

I bought this noticeboard for our family room, but think that it looks really good in the kitchen.  I also bought a large Laura Ashley cup with spots and flowers - to put a plant in, but forgot to photograph it.

So now for some updated hallway pictures..........

Our new carpet - so nice and soft! And our newly painted white walls (over the wallpaper)

Below - the new understairs cupboard all nice and painted

I had a stand with a desk top that sat on top of it, but it was too deep for the hall.  So I found some wood in the garage and got my dad to make a new narrow top for the stand and voila!!  Not sure if these are the bits & pieces that are going to stay on there.
Need some lavendar for my trough now, as well as some piccies for the walls and other bits. I got a mirror today though..............

I had seen this yesterday in TKMaxx, didn't get it and then regretted it!  Made sure I got there before it opened this morning so that I was first through the door and luckily they still had it!

I will show you some better pictures once it has all been put together properly!

Back to work/school tomorrow - oh well!

Last post

My last post has disappeared!!??!!  It was my bootsale buys and some lanterns from Homebase.  This morning I couldnt sign in and now I can, but the post has gone....................can anyone help??

A late bootsale blog

Last weekend I went bootying on my own..............bliss!  Didn't get very much but am pleased with what I did get............

I thought this £1 "tree of love" picture would be nice either in our new hallway or in with the wall of hearts above our bed

These sewing magazines all contain housey bits to make and were only 10p each

I also had to pop into Homebase to buy a new toilet seat of all things! But just had to get these.... and only 99p each minus 15% as I had a voucher.

The Ta....da..............moment!!

Now, do you remember the screen which I bought from ebay for £1.63??  It looked like this

Then I showed you some pictures where I had started the slow process of sticking on squares of wallpaper in a patchwork effect.  Now for the "ta da" moment...................are you ready.....................you are going to be astonished.........

Told you!! LOL!!
I just got fed up with never having the time or motivation to transform the screen.  With the arrival of Cocoa the rabbit, I thought with some panels being removed and replaced with netting and some expert DIY that only my dad could provide............we would end up with a lovely big cheap run for her!!  So good Ole Dad - here it is and Cocoa loves it!!
And what about daughters clothes - well we invested in a lovely pine wardrobe and matching chest of drawers - so everyones happy!