Early Autumn ........

Well, I'm still aspiring to update my blog a bit more regularly. I'm being ever so organised and have now put an entry into my diary to remind me each weekend to write an update. 

We had a nice couple of weeks holiday, with good weather and lots of nice walks. We may try to get away for another week or so but as I'm a bit if a fair weather camper we may just stay at home if it turns colder or wet. 

My niece, Jennifer, has returned from her six months in Sri Lanka running an animal sanctuary. I'm incredibly proud of her and think that she's probably the most amazing and inspirational person I know. And, she's also brought home a beautiful wee dog called Penny. I haven't met Penny yet but once she's settled into her new home I'll go over to meet her. 

This week the weather has been pretty nice most days. Today has been a beautiful early autumn day.  Mike's been busy working on replacing the external lights so that we can see when we have Mickey and Lucy in the garden for their late night outing. I've been busy painting the window frame in the front living-room. It'll need at least two coats of paint and I'd hoped to be able to give it a second coat this evening, but it's still pretty tacky, so I guess it'll be tomorrow before I can do the second coat. Then I've got new curtains to shorten and I'm hoping that there will be enough fabric left over to do a couple of cushion covers. Then in a week or so we'll be getting new blinds on the window. After that all I have to do is clean the carpet and paint the walls so that the room will be nice for Christmastime. Then I'll start on the hall and the old front door.  With a bit of luck I might even be able to get a new carpet for the hall floor! Fingers crossed!!!

I'll also have to get some new bag charms made as I have a sale for the middle of October to prepare for. The last one at this organisation was very successful, so I'm hoping this one will go well. I've managed to source some very pretty beads from America. I've almost decided on the ones I want to buy.  I may not have therm in time for the October sale, but they should arrive in good time for the December one.  

Speaking of December and Christmas. Irving Berlin's White Christmas is on at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh from 29 November till 4 January and my friend Siobhan and I are hoping to get tickets. A few years ago I went with my friend Rita to see White Christmas at the Edinburgh Playhouse.  For those of you who have been watching Dallas on a TV (the new series and the old series) Ken Kercheval, aka Cliff Barnes, was General Waverly in the show at The Playhouse and was very good.  Talking of Christmas, I'm being ever so organised and have most of our 'big' gifts in and have an idea of what I'm going to get for some of the others. 

This coming week I'm hoping that we can get back into the regular habit of going to the pool. We haven't been since before we went off on holiday, so it will be good to get back to going for a swim a few times each week. 

Those of you who know me will know that I like the Jack Reacher novels by Lee Child. Now Jack Reacher is a big guy, 6' 5" and built like a tank. You don't mess with him. Anyway, one of the novels, First Shot, has been made into a movie starring Tom Cruise. Now Tom Cruise ain't 6' 5" and he talks with a soft squeaky voice. Jack Reacher he ain't. Anyway, I told everyone that I would NEVER EVER watch the movie. Well, I did. I watched it cos everyone said if I could put aside the fact that Lil Squirt Tom Cruise was Jack Reacher, then I'll enjoy it cos it's a fantastic movie. So I watched it. Well, when I say "I watched it" I mean I watched some of it. I did try to watch all of it, but sadly it was so disappointing that I really couldn't watch it. 

Now, I do like the film The Help, and the book. I think Miss Skeeter is just awesome. Minny and Aibileen are fantastic characters as well. And Miss Hilly??? Well, she deserves a punch on the nose! 

Well, I think that's about enough chatter for now. More to come next weekend! 

"I don't know if we each have a destiny, or if we're all just floating around accidental-like on a breeze"
          Forrest Gump

“love the life you live, live the life you love.”
          Bob Marley 

Well, as Forest Gump says ... "that's all I have to say about that" 

What I've been up to lately!

Another little update! 

Well Mike and I are just back from a nice relaxing holiday. We had very good weather and caught up with a couple of Mike's uncles and cousins. We had a lovely time and each of the sites we used were rather nice and all of them had fabulous dog walk areas, always a bonus! 

Unfortunately, (or fortunately as it turned out) we had to return home a day early because of a kitchen sink problem (which will be sorted tomorrow). I say fortunately because Saturday was a beautiful day and we had a lovely relaxing drive home and Sunday was cold, wet, wild, windy and miserable. But I did get all the washing done! Ironing??? Nah ... that'll never happen! 

So all is more or less back to normal now. 

The nights are fair drawing in now and this week the weather has turned very chilly so I reckon that autumn is here. This morning I had my morning coffee in the summerhouse. It was a bit chilly, so sadly I reckon that I won't be summerhousin' now until springtime, unless it turns a bit milder. So, I need to have a think about where to sit and relax with my coffee in the mornings. I guess I  could always sit in the front room and spy in the neighbours when they leave for work ......

I've been pretty busy lately. I've been planning my 'craft pay it forward gifts' and will be starting work on them soon. I've also been working on some new jewellery and beaded items and I'm also keen to start expanding my product range. So, watch this space! 

I've been slowly working through the stuff we've got stored in the loft. I have one corner sorted so far and have lots of storage boxes ready to be filled. My plan is that my fabric and wool and other crafting stuff can be stored there and once the space or organised I'll know exactly where everything is. At least , that's the plan. 

It's always good to have a plan. It doesn't have to be a good or a great plan, just a plan. 

Will update more in a day or so.  

Watch this space ......  

Update on my Journey Through Life ... My Purple Years

Well, it's been quite a while since I last updated my blog, but hopefully, as I'm on a winning streak for writing just now, I'll update a bit more regularly from now on. 

A lot has been going on lately. We've had 70th birthday BBQ, 70th birthday special lunch out, several visits to my sister, Fiona, who's just moved house. Off to see Brucie boy (Springsteen, not Forsyth), had a few days away in the van (hoping to get away again sometime over the next couple of months), had many lunches out, retail therapy trips, lots of time in my summerhouse. Also, The Goldie Girls, once again, raised funds for Cancer Research UK by taking part in the Race for Life in Falkirk. Unfortunately we were a much smaller Goldie Girls  group this year. Valerie, Monica and myself accompanied by Waffle and Zorro. Lucy stayed home but may join me next year. 

There have been lots of babysitting duties (always enjoyable) and lots of watching kids tv (always enjoyable!!!). 

Mickey seems to be over his tummy troubles, so that's good. Lucy's wee skin problem flared up again. We think it's made worse by the stress of anniversaries (spooky spirits abound in our house) when she seems particularly sensitive to unseen things. However, this latest flare up is responding very well to the treatment that the vet (Lucy <3 Richard) has given her although vet thinks that she'll probably need ongoing monthly / quarterly maintenance doses. 

Moon~Over~Water Facebook page has been started, and most mornings I select a card for the day and then post it on the page, with the basic meaning for the card. I then write it up in my little 'Card for the Day' strawberry notebook. Once all the Zen cards have been selected, then I'll start selecting from another pack of tarot cards. 

The Circle is still running, although there's been a bit of a slowdown due to holidays etc. If anyone is interested in coming along, just let me know. New members are always welcome. 

Exciting news is that I have tickets to see Tony Stockwell at the end of August, and we have pretty good seats! EXCITED!!!

I've also been doing a wee meditation course, which I've been thoroughly enjoying. I do like my mornings in the summerhouse. A chance to relax and meditate, then select my card for the day, chillout with Mickey and Lucy and then have a leisurely breakfast. 

Treasures by Isobel is still working away in the background there. Still have the Facebook page, but not updated in a while. However, I have ideas for new products so it will be updated in the foreseeable future. I have a couple of craft fairs in the pipeline so will post photos of them on the FB page. I've started work in my website for Treasures, but it's been a bit beyond me so it's very been very slow going. 

So, I've had lots of time in the summerhouse, working on various ideas and hopefully getting a new perspective and a new focus / direction in my journey through my Purple Years. 

Shootin' the Breeze will be updated more regularly ... happy reading all! 

Bye for now ........

Just a quick update

Just a quick update.  

Have had very productive afternoon sorting out my Facebook pages. 

Treasures by Isobel had some admin work done, and I've got plans for new products and suchlike. All very exciting and interesting. Should certainly keep me occupied and out of mischief for a wee while to come. 

Tonight we have our first meeting of the West Lothian Crafters Network, and hopefully that will go well, and become a useful resource for all the 'members'.


Moon Over Water Facebook page has been set up.  I need to have a think about getting some nice photos on there, no doubt something will appear at the right time.  Card readings this Saturday at a local primary school for school funds. And, at the beginning of September, card readings for the local Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre Open Day, again all monies raised go to the charity.

Our little Development Circle continues to go well, although the last one was cancelled at the very last minute.  At the end of August this year, I'll be going to see Tony Stockwell at the Howden Park Centre.  We have fab tickets, middle of the second front row, so hopefully it'll be a good night. You never know, maybe I'll even get a reading. Now that would be FAB!

So, it's been busy, busy, busy.
On to normal day-to-day things now, such as the weather. Now the weather has been pretty well rubbish this spring, although Saturday was rather nice and we sat out in the summerhouse. Sunday wasn't quite so nice, however, we spent the day in the summerhouse (well, I did anyway), doing a little jewellery designing and we now have the basic idea for the Hope on the Horizon beaded bracelet. Over the next day or so I shall work on the project and should have the finished product later this week. 

Tomorrow evening Lucy has her training class which she's been thoroughly enjoying. Mind you, last week when she got home she was totally shattered. So much excitement for such a wee doggie.

This week looks like being a fairly busy week, mainly doing things to do with Treasures by Isobel and Moon Over Water.  I've started working on my website, and am hoping that this week I can spend a bit of time on getting that sorted out.  That said, I'm just hoping that all this techie stuff isn't beyond my capabilities. 

I'm also currently fundraising just now.  The Goldie Girls are doing the Race for Life at Falkirk on the 9th of June and my sister Fiona and I are doing a Treadmill Challenge to raise funds for Animal SOS Sri Lanka. If you'd like to sponsor us, you'll find the link on our Facebook pages (or just send me a PM and I'll give you details).

Anyway, I guess I'd better get dinner on soon seeing as I'm off out this evening .... thanks for reading!