scrimpingmommy

Happy Thursday Ladies

Well what awesome weather we are having! I was thinking of hosting a pool party at my house today if anyone fancies calling round. Don't forget your bikini and factor 20! What is happening with our weather its absolute garbage. Cant say I shall be sorry to be sailing away to sunnier climates before too long.

Yesterday I asked my friend, who is away at the same time as me, If she was packed yet. I was greeted with quite a, shall we say, an un polite response ha ha ha ha. I am never prepared for going away every years the same. Always right up to the last minute literally as the taxi is pulling up outside i'm still stuffing things in the cases and bags and frantically trying to remember if I have everything. I did once arrive in the airport in Rome and had forgotten our transfer and hotel details ... I had no idea which hotel we were in or where it was. Lucky for us a lovely Italian taxi driver was stood there with our names on a card waiting and he knew where we were going. Last year hubby didn't get Euros for the stop off's ... "don't worry we can get them on the ship" he said flippantly .... The cash machine on board declined his card, and then because the ships are classed as American territory his card provider promptly cancelled his card as it was showing as being used in America .. Nightmare !!! ha ha ha ha could only happen to the Charlesworth's. Luckily he could simply ring his business bank manager and they sorted it all out within the hour... phew !

Last year we sailed from Southampton and as we were heading down the motorway there was a pile up and thus we were delayed ... when the sat nav started to indicate we wouldn't arrive at the cruise terminal until AFTER the ship was due to sail I just simply blubbed. But again Hubby to the rescue he said we would make it and if we didn't he would pay to fly us to the next stop. As it happened we arrived well before sailing so panic over. Every year something happens ...but its always worth it as the holidays are always amazing and the places we get to see are outstanding.

Hubby works literally 24/7 he has quite a large firm and so time off is virtually impossible so he treats us every year to a wonderful cruise. We have been all over always on Royal Caribbean ships. I have to say their customer service could learn some people a thing or two. Its impeccable nothing is too much trouble and I have never yet come across a grumpy waiter or unhelpful staff of any kind. And then there is the food ...well needless to say I shall be rather larger on my return than my departure.

Crafting well ....whats that ? I seem to have been so busy I simply haven't had time past playing with my stampin up demonstration items .... The new catalogue with the christmas items is out and ohhh my its awesome .... I did make more thank you cards for my expanding customer base ...

You may see a bit of a theme here ...well I figured if it aint broke don't fix it. So it's similar to the last set I made except I used pool party ink, and backed the stamped images with Subtles range DSP rather than plain card. I just love the crisp fresh look the subtle range colours give against a white background. And I really do like the minimal look on cards. I shall have to come up with a different design for next month though don't think I can swing this one again.

I had a wonderful morning of yesterday at my crazy friends house. Fern is a friend I met through Alexia's old school from when I was chair of the PTA. Fern is amazing at getting free things from businesses she even got donation from a BANK,  almost unheard of if you have ever been involved in fundraising you will know this is no mean feat. I adore Fern she is a complete loon her kids are loons her husband is a loon and so are the two dogs, four cats, 15 chickens and four ducks. Her new idea for a pet is an al packa which I probably have spelt wrong. She will get one as well I have no doubt in my mind ! She really does make me smile and we came home with a HUUUUUGe bowl of fresh duck eggs .. can't beat it.

Well today I shall be dotting the I's and crossing the T's of my little shop sending out subscription boxes and writing long, and likely repetitive, lists for Gemma who will run things while Im away. She will likely ignore everything I say and just do her own thing ha ha ha. She knows the products well and I have purposely kept the stock level on the store low knowing I would be away to make it easier for her. On my return there are around thirty new items sat waiting to go on but I won't confuse her with that. I don't know what I shall do when she graduates and gets a proper job I shall be lost. Alexia has been making tags bless her she has learnt the cutting lengths and uses my stampin up punch to create them then does all the stamping and embellishing she's fab. She will also help with kits or counting out things huge help. and all she ever asks for in return is a Dixons ice cream. I shall be sad when school holidays are over she's a pure joy .... I shall attempt to blog again before I leave I have LOOOOADS of time ...famous last words there ...

I did try loose a few lbs for my holiday this year as some of my clothes were feeling a little tight ... I reckon I lost about half a stone which is not bad in just a few weeks. I did have to give up my passion  BREAD. I love bread just even on its own with just butter on doesn't have to be fancy but yeah ....straight to the hips. So I am now comfy in my size 10's instead of looking like I was packed in there which isn't a good look ha ha ha ha ... I shall be in joggers when I get home as nothing will fit and I shall be rolled down the gang plank like a barrel from all the food and cocktails wahooooo ... can you tell I'm excited !!! I can't almost taste those pina coladas ... oh well tea for now and back to work ..cryyyyy ha ha ha ha ha.

take care lovelies and bye for now xxxx A