Almost April Chatter - W/C 31st March 08

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

Morning!

Weekly chatter threads are back at craft.co.uk lets hope this week is slightly smoother running!

I have high hopes for a fantasmagorical week ahead!!

Lets get it on and Rock this joint, HOoyaaaa:D

[madcow]

Morning all for the 1st time in ages i have managed to get a good night's sleep,but me think's i need more.
The weather here is beautiful so off out today,Sophie has just gone to school and now it's time to get the eldest up,which is always a laugh.
Hope you all enjoy your day whatever it is your doing xx

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

I'm so glad you had a good nights sleep Helen, here's to many more! I actually slept incredibly well last night, maybe there's something in the air!! I have a guy coming with all the ingredients for one of my very special wedding albums, I'm so excited to be putting it all together!

I think the wedding photography side of my business is really starting to pick up again after a long cold winter! I have a consultation tonight and it's my first in ages but I'm fairly confident that this week will see brides really getting into action about booking for next year.

I also of course have my huge portrait event "Portraits in the Park" coming up and that is probably the most exciting thing I've ever done. It's going in the school newsletter this week so I'm guessing I'll be getting loads of people booking up before the end of the week!! :)

[celfyddydau]

I didn't get a good nights sleep! When I wasn't coughing the dog was pacing about. And because of putting the clocks forward when it was time to get up it was an hour early!

My boss has phoned in sick as she has a cold! I want to go home and be sick too!

[Bagpuss]

Oh dear Celfy is your boss ever there! :(

Had a lie in today as DH took DD to school which was lovely - this throat is taking so long to get better but going in the right direction thank goodness.

Mandy so pleased that things are hopefully going well for you again - there are a couple of photographers at DDs school and they take it in turns to do the children's school photos every year - maybe this is something else you could look at with the head?

[Bagpuss]

Just to let you know that at 6.05pm today a friend of mine is talking about scrapbooking to Simon Mayo on Radio 2! Her name is Carolyn!

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

OOh, thats exciting! I'm out meeting with new clients this evening, my 2009 bookings have begun!

[Bagpuss]

Now that is exciting too - even better cause you get money for them Mandy!

[Bagpuss]

Forgot to say this is cause of the article in The Times today http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article3648953.ece

[LeonieM]

Evening all! What a joy to arrive home in daylight! Mind you, I've just heard the heating switch itself on, so I must go and re-set the clock!

I've been singing "Only 4-and-a-half days to work now, 4-and-a-half days to work" (to the tune of the American song '24 bottles of beer on the wall' since lunchtime! Sad, or what! lol

[loopylou]

Evening one & all.

Had a busy afternoon today doing my VAT return which i hate doing i love running my business & selling but i hate doing the book work, every time i do it i always say i'm going to keep it up to date- any tips on how to do this?.

Do you know my neck is sore from looking down.

O well wats new with everyone else? Everyone back to work?

My children dont go back to school until wed although theyve only been off since day b4 Good Friday.

Leonie your lucky going on hols I would be singing too!!

[Bagpuss]

My DD does not finish school until Friday! I have the first week off with her so hoping the weather is better, DH is working from home the second week.

[celfyddydau]

Loopylou I was reading one of those "daft things to brighten your day" lists and they suggested doing tax returns in Roman Numerals!

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

Tax Returns :eek: I'm sending mine to my book-keeper!!

I have a really busy week this week with photoshoots and consultations, in fact I have a really busy season coming up, no time off for me for a while, or atleast not until next week when I've planned 4 days off with the children as has Paul so hopefully we'll get out to some fun places!

[loopylou]

ha ha very good!!

UR lucky sending yours to the book keeper i wish i'd had a book keeper 2day
Had to ring accountants office to speak to the girl that works in the office there to see if everything seemed ok b4 i posted it!! Shes great & best of all her advice is free as i give her a few candles but let me tell you its well worth it!!

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

mmmmm, candles for tax returns, does that work both ways, if I send you my tax return will you send me candles? ;) :D

[Bagpuss]

Not a nice time of year for financies is it! Sounds as if you have things sorted there Louise - in fact a very good tip!

[loopylou]

I'm a cheeky sort you know! When you get to know me :p

My motto in life is if you dont ask you dont get! & people can say no!!


Louise

[loopylou]

o by the way send me your tax return & i'll send you candles- but at a price- dont know what i'll do with the tax return though!!:D:D

[Lynne]

Evening :) Just popping by to say hello..nice to see everything getting back to normal.

Eugghh..don't talk about tax returns! I do the same...always say I'm going to keep organised but somehow always end up in organised chaos. There HAS to be an easier way (other than getting a book keeper to do it lol!)..!

[mandijane55]

morning...just a quick flit in before I head off to work....stock takes and audits today....yeuck

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

Morning :)

It's sunny, and I think Spring might actually be here! That has got to be worth cheering about!!

Have a great day everyone :)

[LeonieM]

Funny - we were thinking the opposite! Yesterday it was really mild albeit windy. The day here started off really grey, overcast and drizzly. However, in the last 20 minutes or so the skies have cleared and I can see blue sky! Still very windy, though ...

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

It's a tad windy here too but really pleasant outside. Yesterday I managed to go and pick the kids up in short sleeves for the first time since around October so I was really truly chuffed. This morning I briefly popped to the cashpoint machine with just my jumper on and it was lovely.

I'm hoping it stays that way for our holidays, of course you needn't be worrying about the british weather next week Leonie :D

[LeonieM]

I win the prize!

I spotted the BBC's April Fool item this morning.

Apparently they've discovered a breed of penguins that have evolved to FLY!!!

Yeah, right!!! ;)

I have to say, 10 years ago, they would never have had the CGI technology to do this.

Of course, the most famous one was the bumper spaghetti harvest. I'm obviously not old enough to have seen it when it was first broadcast, but they've shown the clip several times over the years.

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

There's a great one on Youtube, you go and click on any of their featured videos and well I'll not tell you what happens but it's referred to as a Rickroll ;)

[Bagpuss]

What did you win then Leonie?

As for Spring DH is coming home as it sounds as if birds keep getting the extrator pipe from our cooker hood! Hear lots of movement in there and the cats are going crazy! They also seem to be getting out again but this is the second day it has happened and so worried one will get trapped at this rate :(

[tink84]

I Passed

He told me i had failed and then said i'll go through it with you. He then said ha april fool, you passed.

Ohh i am so pleased

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

Awwww Sarah, thats such brilliant news!! You see I told you that you would, I've been sending positive vibes your way all day!! Does that mean that I can recruit you now ;)

[Bagpuss]

I Passed

He told me i had failed and then said i'll go through it with you. He then said ha april fool, you passed.

Ohh i am so pleased

OMG that was cruel!!! Even so WELL done you - keep thinking positive and as Mandi says you never know what might happen next ;)

[LeonieM]

What did you win then Leonie?

As for Spring DH is coming home as it sounds as if birds keep getting the extrator pipe from our cooker hood! Hear lots of movement in there and the cats are going crazy! They also seem to be getting out again but this is the second day it has happened and so worried one will get trapped at this rate :(

No real prize, Helen - just a 'you win' voice-over as it were.

I think we've got birds nesting in our wall; you can hear all sorts of rustling sounds when you're in the kitchen. I can't do anything about it, though, because we can't block it up with birds in there, and the only access is via a ladder anyway. Someone I mentioned it to a year or so ago said I shouldn't worry about it - birds don't really do any harm. Now, if it were mice/rats or wasps then that would be another matter.

[LeonieM]

I forgot all about the Red Arrow fly-past which was at precisely 1pm today. I started my lunch late, and then forgot all about it; I had intended to be outside in the street when they went over. We heard them go, but we don't have a window facing the river in our office so we couldn't actually see them.

Oh well - bearing in mind that I used to live in Brighton and saw Red Arrow displays at least once a year ... plus, of course, we live only about 6 miles from Biggin Hill and when all the planes congregated to do the fly past over London for the Queen Mum's 100th birthday, we watched all manner of old planes going over on their way to London!

[madcow]

Afternoon alll,beautiful but blustery day here,well we have just done yet a tip run,isn't it amazing how much stuff you accumalate over the years that you never really need,and seeing how we are more than likely going to have to downsize it all has to go,will have to sort out this e-bay mialrky as we have quiet abit of stuff to sell aswell.
well done Sarah on passing.

[Bagpuss]

Leonie where I used to live we got the planes flying over for the Biggin Hill airshow too - will never forget the year that Concorde did a low fly fast - it was soo low it was almost as if you could touch her!

Why were the Red Arrows doing a fly past today anyway?

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

couple of photos of one of the new kittens on my blog if anyone wants to see :)

My Blogarooo (http://www.defyinggavity.blogspot.com)

[tink84]

Awwww Sarah, thats such brilliant news!! You see I told you that you would, I've been sending positive vibes your way all day!! Does that mean that I can recruit you now ;)

Lol, yes it certianly does

My dad is trying to sort a car but i will definatly have one by June

Thanks for the congratulations

[loopylou]

Well done Sarah!!!

Here in n.ireland its very very windy although the suns trying to peek through:rolleyes: At least i'm getting some washing dried!! That only means more to iron............

Louise

[Bagpuss]

Oh well it was either going to be in the washing pile or the ironing one!! LOL - just changed locations that's all!

[Bagpuss]

BTW have you all seen Elphie's weekly photography thread?

Great pics on there and you can add your own too - have a look here (http://craft.co.uk/showthread.php?p=1071#post1071)

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

OOh yes do please add your own, thats what its for, any photos you take during the week pop them in there. I've just been taking more actually but as per the rules I'll wait till tommorrow before sharing!!

[LeonieM]

Leonie where I used to live we got the planes flying over for the Biggin Hill airshow too - will never forget the year that Concorde did a low fly fast - it was soo low it was almost as if you could touch her!

Why were the Red Arrows doing a fly past today anyway?

It was the RAF 90th anniversary today, apparently. Apparently 21 planes flew in formation in a straight line across London following the Thames.

[celfyddydau]

Well done Tink!

[craftyfox]

:) well done tink :) what a clever gal you are - just a pity we are so far apart as i have a wee car for sale low miles easy to insure and goes well but i'm sure you'll get sorted soon :D

[loopylou]

yEA I KNOW THE CAR YOUR TALKING ABOUT CRAFTYFOX ITS A GOOD ONE!!

Louise:)

[mandijane55]

Well done tink!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just off to work......catch up later

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

Morning World :D

It's Wednesday or the day I like to call Weddingsday! Since starting my business I have noticed a trend that I book and get more enquiries on Wednesdays than any other day of the week, why? Well i reckon people are bored at work by wednesday so decide to look forward to stuff!!

I have a photoshoot this afternoon with a cute little guy who's mums wedding I'm doing at the beginning of June, really looking forward to it!!

[Lynne]

Morning all :)...

I'm still trying to catch up..

I know what you mean about Wednesdays..they're always manic for some reason! Hope you have a good shoot this afternoon.

Well done Tink..brilliant news :)

Off to see what I've missed..I'll be back later

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

Lynne, it's nice to know that it's not just me then, I always wondered if it was just photography or whether it applied to other businesses too!!

[celfyddydau]

Morning all

I'm having to type one handed today as I've done something to my left elbow and it's incredibly painful to use that arm. Feels like tendon so I'm going to have it looked at later. I've a meeting at 2pm so I'll go after that.

Hope everyone is enjoying the middle of the week

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

celfy, you need a holiday! Make sure you get your arm checked out, sounds like tendonitis!

[Deekay]

Well done Tink:)

[Bagpuss]

Back from work early - thought I was OK but doing stuff felt dreadful :(

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

Off to bed with you then Helen, feet firmly up and do nothing until you feel 100% :D

[Lynne]

Hope you're feeling better soon Helen :)

[celfyddydau]

hope you feel better soon Helen. Sounds like we all need that holiday.

[loopylou]

Hope you'll feel better Helen my son is off skool today with tonsilititis had to get antibiotics yesterday- so were just sitting here by the fire taking it easy!! As its miserable outside- drizzly rain.

Celfy hope you get your elbow sorted.

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

Just back from my photoshoot and I've downloaded the photographs into Lightroom, I've never had a session with so many perfect photographs, the little boy was just the most gorgeous smiliest pleasant little one, the light was perfect, it felt like spring! I'm off to process them now and Oh my I have to lose atleast half in the final cut to make a manageable number and I don't know how I'm going to do it!! LOL Some days I definetly have the best job in the world!! :D

[Bagpuss]

Sounds as if you have had a great day Mandy!

[LeonieM]

Sorry to hear you're still feeling poorly, Helen. It strikes me that this bout of tonsilitis is hanging around somewhat! I used to work on it being a 4-day stint, the first two days being really bad.

But the doc used to say that you shouldn't go back to work if you've got any white bits left on your tonsils, as that means you're still infectious.


And Tink - sorry for not saying it yesterday, but congratulations to you! The world is now your oyster (or it will be when you get some wheels!)

[Bagpuss]

Have to say Leonie that as one of my colleagues is off next week to the Algarve she could not get rid of me fast enough - would not be so bad but guess who came to work with it in the first place - yeap HER!

[tink84]

Helen, i hope your feeling better soon

My new set of wheels are whizzing there way to me now. I love my Dad. I am seriously thinking of going as a named driver on his policy. Will be a lot cheaper

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

OOh Sarah, thats so exciting, the world will be your oyster now!!

I've just blogged the most amazing session! My Blog (http://craft.co.uk/%5Burl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/7856247@N06/2383438388/%5D%5Bimg%5Dhttp://static.flickr.com/2159/2383438388_7dd8571d1b_d.jpg%5B/img%5D%5B/url%5D)

oh and if you wanted to see how awesome they really are you can see them Bigger by clicking on them and going through to Flickr. It looks like all my hard work to improve is paying off big style and I am so deleriously happy :)

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

Morning :D

I'm feeling good today :) I seriously love life at the moment, can't beleive just how fabulous things are going!!

Did I tell you all that I have my very first Boudoir shoot tommorrow, now thats a reason to get excited!! :)

[Bagpuss]

Love the pics Mandy especially the kitten which I had missed! Think she has to be called Cupcake or even Muffin as she is just sooo sweet!

[madcow]

Morning all,hope you are feeling better Helen,it's beautiful here in Somerset.I am at the day center today having some quality me time,no having to think about what's going on at home.
Tink what kind af car are you getting,wish i had the nerve to learn to drive but the thought of it scares me rigid.
Nice piccies Mandy,sounds like you are going to have a great time at your shoot tomorrow.

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

OOh tommorrow is going to be lots of fun, I'm out for a whole afternoon, it's a bride (not mine though) who's getting married soon and wants a treat for herself and hopefully to give her h2b the night before the wedding ;)

Helen, cupcake is a great name for a kitten and would go nicely with Pumpkin, sadly I'm banned from choosing names, Paul says it's his turn, oh and I think that one was a boy, they're mostly boys actually!

[Bagpuss]

Let us know what he comes up with - tell him you did not name him anyway - I did LOL!

[LeonieM]

Awww, little cutie - and again, lovely colouring!

Is it just me - or does he appear to have a lovely scratch over his nose?

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

I don't know if he does have a scratch on his nose Leonie, I'll have to check later!!

I've had an eventful afternoon, my beloved printer broke but because I had got it from the business centre at PC world I had a policy where I could take it back and get a replacement, except that they didn't have any printers which were the same spec as mine, sooooooo in the end I got my money back (not bad for a year of use) and upgraded to an A3 HP photosmart Pro! Yay me, it was supposed to be £299 but was on special and with my business discount and what I had from the other one it was only £160 so I'm quite delighted and hopefully I should save loads on my lab bill!

[LeonieM]

Yep! That's the way to do it! lol

[Bagpuss]

Lucky you Mandy! Realise it is a business tool (as opposed to something nice to have at home) but nice to know that they do honour these warranties and hopefully as you say will help you with your work.

[loopylou]

Evening all!
Mandy was just looking at your photos there on your blog they're great!!

To day i decided to take a day off so i met afew friends for coffee it was good catching up.

So back to do a bit tomorrow:)

louise

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

Thanks Louise, photography is my life!! LOL!!

[loopylou]

O i had gathered that!! & the best thing is your work is beautiful- you must be sooo proud o i & all the best for 2moro im sure your excited?:)

[mandijane55]

Morning.....just finishing my coffee before I head off to work....I'm so glad it's friday and I get a chance to catch up with what everyone has been up to at the weekend.....hope everyone is well :-)

[tink84]

Ohh i went for a drive in my new car last night

Me and Matt tried a new resturante that has been taken over, The Crab Shack. I loved the interior, very seaside and rustic, and the food was fabulous

Off for an interview today so fingers crossed my luck has changed

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

Good luck for your interview Sarah! The Crab Shack? I love seafood, where is that?

I am so excited for my first boudoir shoot today, hopefully it's going to be the first of many as there aren't too many boudoir photographers up here in the north.

Have a great day everyone :)

[LeonieM]

Morning all - last working day today. As of 5.10pm tonight I AM ON HOLIDAY!!!

Can't wait! :D:D:D

[loopylou]

Hi every1

I had to go back to bed this morning as my throat is sooooo sore & i ache all over!!- just thot i'd let you know:(

Good luck with your job interview!!tink

& leonie have a great time on hols-where is it your heading off to?:cool:

[LeonieM]

We're off to Florida, Loops. Can't wait - Michaels and Wal-Mart craft depts here I come!!!

Hope you feel better soon, by the way. Sounds a bit like flu ... :(

Our family are under strict instructions NOT to catch anything or injure themselves before we go! lol :rolleyes:

[LeonieM]

Ohh i went for a drive in my new car last night

Me and Matt tried a new resturante that has been taken over, The Crab Shack. I loved the interior, very seaside and rustic, and the food was fabulous

Off for an interview today so fingers crossed my luck has changed

You've got your new car already?? Blimey - that was quick! Hope you enjoy driving it - and try not to prang it too soon! lol

Good luck in the interview, too.

[LeonieM]

Oh, and Mandijane - will you PLEASE tell your giraffe that he's NOT wearing his seatbelt properly, and is in serious danger of going through the windscreen if someone has to make an emergency stop!

ROFL

[mandijane55]

Thats raff on the plane Leonie!

[mandijane55]

He even got to sit in the cockpit (http://mandismadmusings.blogspot.com/2008/02/raffs-adventures.html)on our last trip too......

[Bagpuss]

Louise sorry you aren't well - hope you feel better soon,

Hope you have a great day Mandy and Leonie bet you cannot wait! Back later...

[LeonieM]

Thats raff on the plane Leonie!

Oh, on the plaaaaaaaannnnneee!!!!! That'll explain it! lol

Did he get air sick, or was he okay?

How bonkers are we? :rolleyes::rolleyes::D

[LeonieM]

Less than half an hour until I'm freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! :D:D:D

I did wonder about asking if I could go home early, as I've now finished everything.

Thing is, there isn't a fast train home until 5.20pm anyway, so there's no point going before 5pm.

And knowing my luck, it'll be cancelled! :rolleyes:

[Bagpuss]

SSSHHH you will tempt fate Leonie!!!

Did you not know that Raff has had a book written about him?

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

Hello all :)

I'm back from the most fab boudoir shoot, I will be sharing a couple of pics later when I have them processed.

Had a funny conversation with Paul when I got home which went:-

"hi darling did you have a good afternoon"

"Yes it was fine, first I tied the lady to a tree...." LOL, I have such a great job!!

[mandijane55]

Mandy, sounds like a fun afternoon!.....LOL

[loopylou]

Evening everyone ,

feeling a wee bit better although not 100%

Off now to music lesson as my daughter aged 9 is learning to play the bagpipes.

[Bagpuss]

Hello all :)

"hi darling did you have a good afternoon"

"Yes it was fine, first I tied the lady to a tree...." LOL, I have such a great job!!


Well there are not that many people that can say they did that today LOL!

[Bagpuss]

Louise - that is some accomplishment!!!! It is not an instrument you think of a nine year old taking up! Glad you feel a bit better tho.

[LeonieM]

Aww, so sweet - OH called me downstairs to the study about 10 minutes ago.

Someone round here has a kitten. It's about 6 months old now, I'd say, judging by its size.

Anyway, it was pacing up and down outside our back door trying to get let in! I peered through the window at it, and it was meowing and meowing and getting really quite insistent. I moved the door handle a smidge, and the little cat got itself ready to dart inside if we gave it the chance.

I said through the door at it, "Go home, sweetheart - you don't live here." *meow, meow*

Luckily it gave up and went away a few minutes later. I think it lives near the other end of our block of 6 houses.

[LorraineJ]

Aww, so sweet - OH called me downstairs to the study about 10 minutes ago.

Someone round here has a kitten. It's about 6 months old now, I'd say, judging by its size.

Anyway, it was pacing up and down outside our back door trying to get let in! I peered through the window at it, and it was meowing and meowing and getting really quite insistent. I moved the door handle a smidge, and the little cat got itself ready to dart inside if we gave it the chance.

I said through the door at it, "Go home, sweetheart - you don't live here." *meow, meow*

Luckily it gave up and went away a few minutes later. I think it lives near the other end of our block of 6 houses.

You will have to make sure that it can't sneak in when you are loading up to go on holiday, as it would be mega sad if it tried getting out, ripped up your house, had nothing to eat or drink. The kitten could probably smell a cat friendly house though, even if yours are no longer with us.

[LeonieM]

Nah - it's alright - the cat flap has been locked closed ever since the last time we had to keep missy in as we were taking her to the vet the following morning and, as it turned out, the one-way trip.

[jakjak]

Good luck for your interview Sarah! The Crab Shack? I love seafood, where is that?

I am so excited for my first boudoir shoot today, hopefully it's going to be the first of many as there aren't too many boudoir photographers up here in the north.

Have a great day everyone :)

I know I am going to sound really thick but what is a boudoir shoot?

[LeonieM]

Yeah, I was thinking that!

We had a half hour of panic - the heating wouldn't come on. Or put it another way, the downstairs radiator was warmig up, but none of the upstairs ones were, and I couldn't hear the pump! That was all we needed - 3 days before we go on holiday!

Anyway, OH jacked the thermostat up to 15 (yes, it's a bit weird in our house, it's usually set at 12 which is more than enough). The good news is that half an hour later, the radiators are on up here. I could go and turn the thermostat down again, but as it's going to be cold overnight and it'll be goine off in about 1½ hours anyway let's get the place warmed up a bit.

Just shows how mild it's been here today - we never turn our heating off; if it's cold enough to trigger, it comes on.

[Bagpuss]

Leonie that kitty sounds soo sweet but just make certain that when you are loading up to go it does not sneak in as Lorraine said!

Hope it does have a home - if not maybe a cat has found you!

[LeonieM]

No, it's definitely got a home! It's been knocking around for a while, I thnk. I also think I saw a collar indentation round its neck. I also very much doubt it'll sneak in the front while I'm (yes ME) packing the car. However, I will take that on board and keep an eye out.

[samsq]

Evening all.

Sorry I've been AWOL, and when I did come to chat the site was down:( and I've had to re-register. Must have been a nightmare problem to resolve.

Anyway, how are you all doing?

[LeonieM]

Hiya Sam. I can honestly say that I've missed you being around!

[samsq]

Thanks Leonie. So how is life treating you?

[LeonieM]

Same old same old - you know how it is.

Bit of excitement coming up, though - we're off to Orlando on Tuesday! :D I've been waiting a whole year for this to come round - and it'll be over before we know it!

And thanks to the cost of living spiralling ever-upwards, I doubt we'll ever be able to afford to go away again. :(

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

Hi Guys,

Just finished editing the boudoir, really needs another name but I can't think of one right now, I'm too tired, Boudoir for anyone wondering (and since asked) is lady in various states of undress, it's great for women everywhere (think "how to look good naked) and it's also great from hubbies too ;)

My shoot turned out awesomely, probably my best work ever, it's just a shame that I can't share very much due to it being a little sensitive IYKWIM!!

[samsq]

Leonie - Have a fantastic time in Orlando. Remember to make the most of the $ v £!

[mandijane55]

oooh Mandy that's something I definately am not brave enough to have done ever but I imagine you've taken some great photos........
Leonie, hope you have a lovely holiday.......
Samsq great to have you back on board....it has been a bit of a nightmare but thankfully we're out of the other side now and back to a vibrant forum....so get some of those shop posts up telling us of the fab offers in your shop.....

[LeonieM]

Morning all. I can't believe I woke up at 8am today! And that's with not getting to bed before 2am because I fell asleep in front of the telly (again!).

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

Morning all :)

I didn't get to bed will 2.30am, I was so buzzing with excitement. Oh did I tell you my school included a flyer for my portraits in the park event with their newsletter so I'm expecting to have all the slots booked very soon.

Every woman should have some fantastic photographs of themselves MJ ;)

Photoshoot this afternoon so I'm just hoping that the showers blow over. Tommorrows photoshoot had to be rearranged as the weather wasn't looking too hopeful.

Have a great day everyone :)

[LeonieM]

That is great news, Mandy.

[samsq]

Morning all.

Great news about booked slots Mandy.

A while back, I offered a prize for one of the comps. I seem to think it may have been for Feb or March. The offer is still there is you want to take it up.

[Craftspirations]

I thought there was something wrong with my pc when I tried to log on here yesterday. What a huge pain in the but it must have been to re jig everything! Anyway I'm off to see whats going on.

[Lynne]

Hiya :) just popping by to see how everyone's doing?

Mandy, sounds like you're being kept really busy...not just Wednesdays then? LOL!

Leonie..have an amazing holiday - we went last April (only seems like yesterday) and the weather was fantastic...and it wasn't too busy either..perfect! I'll be thinking of you as we huddle in front of the fire with snow falling lol!

[LeonieM]

Thanks, Lynne. I've been told it'll be very busy this next couple of weeks, so we shall see! It does surprise me that a lot of places have just had their 2 weeks Easter Holidy. Down in Kent they've only just broken up - I would have thought that would make it quieter, but as the plane is full both going and coming back, it would appear not!

Just done the last bit of shopping - and just this second remembered I forgot to buy a new tube of toothpaste. I'll send OH to Waitrose in the morning or something.

By the time we got out today the lady in the cafe had already closed up, so I'm going to have to make a special trip down there Monday morning to see how many of my cards she's sold - and to collect the money she's got for me so far. Well, if I don't go now, it'll be another 2 weeks before I can get there again.

Oh yeah - and the first thing I need to do when we get back in get on line and buy myself a new keyboard! The connector on this one has gone, and if I try and type at normal speed it misses letters out!

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

Evening all!

Great news, my boudoir lady absolutely loved her photographs and is spreading the word!

This afternoons family photoshoot went really well and I'll be blogging that one tommorrow. OOh and I won £27.50 on the grand national today, my horse snowy morning came 3rd :) Pauls came 13th!! teehee!!

[loopylou]

Hello everyone

Thats great Mandy your so busy!! You must be soo chuffed!! It always give you a boost when your busy well i know i m like that! It makes all the hard work worthwhile dosent it?:D

[craftyfox]

Hi peeps - have been laying a little low today was at a black tie ball last night and had a little tooooo much vino washed down with a lot of G&T's so only now starting to feel like normal again :o but was all in a good cause to raise money for a local special needs school and we managed to scrape up £12,000 !!!!!!! and work was very good and bought a table for us ( i sit on the charity committee) as we had done a lot of work at the school in the past - and leonie have a great time on holiday and take plenty of extra cash for the excess baggage on the way back with all the craft supplies you will be able to get :eek:;)

[LeonieM]

Morning all.

Erm ... woke up to bright white everywhere - looks over 1" deep. So much for "It's not going to stay."!!

Apparently several flights have already been cancelled at Heathrow; no mention of Gatwick.

Well, it's got 36 hours to go away - or there'll be trouble! :(

Half of Orpington has disappeared in a shroud of snow - you can usually see for miles up here at the top of the hll!

[LeonieM]

Hi peeps - have been laying a little low today was at a black tie ball last night and had a little tooooo much vino washed down with a lot of G&T's so only now starting to feel like normal again :o but was all in a good cause to raise money for a local special needs school and we managed to scrape up £12,000 !!!!!!! and work was very good and bought a table for us ( i sit on the charity committee) as we had done a lot of work at the school in the past - and leonie have a great time on holiday and take plenty of extra cash for the excess baggage on the way back with all the craft supplies you will be able to get :eek:;)

Well done - that's a lovely lot of money for 'ordinary people' to raise in one night.

And I won't need any excess baggage - we're going out short!

[tink84]

I have been very lucky with the car. My uncle was selling an escourt for £400 and is prepared to take monthly installments:)

Mandy the Crab Shack is in South Sheilds near Gypsy Green. It used to be the Sand dancer, brewers fayre. The food was delicious.

Love the sound of the photoshot mandy. I was looking at the FYIO and i am seriously considering getting one done as a Christmas present for Matt:p

Leonie enjoy your holiday

[LeonieM]

That's good news, Tink.

It's still snowing, and is over 2" deep now. However, I can see further into the distance than before.

[mandijane55]

woke up to a blanket of snow this morning.....surreal that we were out enjoying the spring sunshine yesterday......
the snow won't be around for long though.....the sun is already eating away at it.....

[LeonieM]

I know, it's bizarre, isn't it. For us, Friday was really mild and was the best day.

The wind is really picking up here - the snow is coming down at 45° and the snow is beginning to be shaken off the tree branches.

It also looks like it's trying to turn to sleet. Well, that suits me fine - I want it all gone before tomorrow evening!

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

Morning all,

It's snowing here too!! there's no lying snow though thankfully!!

my laptop is way beyond the point of broken this morning and i have no idea why as it was fine when I shut it down last night! i'm n the ark-esque PC and will be off to PC world as soon as Paul comes home from collecting a lawnmower.

[madcow]

Afternoon all WE ACTUALLY HAD SNOW yeah,was quiet heavy aswell but didnt last long thanks to the sun.
Got some major 'H' word to do this afternoon,really don't want to but alas i have to,might get OH to help me lol.
Hope you all have a nice day xx

[Bagpuss]

A while back, I offered a prize for one of the comps. I seem to think it may have been for Feb or March. The offer is still there is you want to take it up.

Thanks for this Sam - the April Challenge has been extended due to our problems so hopefully we will be back on track and can do another in May - if anyone has any ideas they want to put forward for one that would be great!

Evening all!

Great news, my boudoir lady absolutely loved her photographs and is spreading the word!

This afternoons family photoshoot went really well and I'll be blogging that one tommorrow. OOh and I won £27.50 on the grand national today, my horse snowy morning came 3rd :) Pauls came 13th!! teehee!!

Well done on your win and great that she loved the photos! Don't think I would be brave enough until I was slimmer anyway!!!

Afternoon all WE ACTUALLY HAD SNOW yeah,was quiet heavy aswell but didnt last long thanks to the sun.
Got some major 'H' word to do this afternoon,really don't want to but alas i

Nope no snow this far south in Kent just a few flakes that Leonie must have blown down this way! Hopefully it will all be over by Tuesday so your flights will be fine! Must be odd packing clothes for warmer weather when it is sooo cold!

Sorry I was not around yesterday - work, lunch out, shopping and then by the time we got back my sis called so we had a catch up, some telly and then did not seem worth firing the PC up!

Have had firemen here today doing a free fire check - offered to fit smoke detectors free of charge but we did not need them - they were amazed by my craft area - thought my Robo was a laminator!

Got a lovely lunch in the oven now - DH got some lovely turkey reduced from work so we are going to have that and then apple pie and custard for pud - back MUCH later! Have a good day all!

[LeonieM]

It's still snowing - hasn't stopped all day.

Thankfully, thugh, it's very light now and the roads are now clear. So, we're getting there.

Shame more of the same is forecast for tomorrow. :(

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

Well, i have finally killed my laptop ;( the hard-drive isn't happy so it's currently being completely restored at PCworld! It's going to cause so many problems as i have to download every single piece of software again, luckily all my files are backed up so I won't lose any data but i'm still not delighted about the whole thing. I am lucky though because they only charged me half of what they normally do due to me being such a great customer, the business centre guy James is my total hero, i deal with the same guy all the time and I am swearing my allegiance forever to PC world!! LOL

it's snowing here quite heavily and staying1!

oh and yesterdays clients were delighted with their photos as well, can't blog because they're on my other machine but I will later on today or tommorrow.

[craftyfox]

ah Mandy there's nothing worse than a sick laptop hope PC world make it better soon and i had a wee peep at the blog loved the boudoir shoot :p

[loopylou]

Hi everyone,

Great crafty fox raising that amount of money!!I:D:D'M SURE YOU ENJOYED THE EVENING!! Hope your heads not toooooooo sore:(
Yea Mandy your photos looked great.

O not long after a big lunch- roastbeef with all the trimmings -lovelymmm...especially whebn its made for you- my hubby made it sooo nice...:D

Im off tonight to an event in Belfast celebration of hope its called & Franklyn Graham- Billy Grahams son is talking at it so should be intresting to hear what he's got to say!!

No snow here in n.ireland but very coooooold!!

[mandijane55]

Been playing with a 'bling' kit today.....some piccies on my blog (http://www.mandismadmusings.blogspot.com)

[Mandy Charlton Photography]

Enjoy your evening out Louise.

It's been snowing here all afternoon and i can't quite get my head around the fact that it's Spring. Paul is not happy because it means his gardening is looking bleak for tommorrow. he is busy tinkering with a lawnmower as I type ;)

i'm hoping i'll get my laptop back this afternoon before PC World closes as i have loads of work again this week.

[Bagpuss]

Snow is coming down heavier here now - starting to stick a bit too. Keeping one of the cats happy as the flakes are large so he is having fun watching but from the window sill of course!!

[LeonieM]

I'll always remember the first time Tigger met snow. He was desperate to go out, so we let him go. He was literally bouncing all over the lawn, leaving long footsteps where he was spinging in and out of the snow. He came back crying at the back door after half an hour, because his feet/legs were cold!

[Bagpuss]

I know what you mean - when we had Ebs and Bards we took Bards out and he just kept putting his paws down then lifting them up again to shake the snow off! He did have the last laugh tho cause he found our neighbours balcony and would not come off it cause it was snow free!! We had to ring her doorbell and ask for our cat back - luckily she was a cat lover too so just laughed at him as he was only a kitten at the time.

[LorraineJ]

When Smudge and Gipsy first saw snow, Smudge was nervous about investigating. Not so his sister, she went bounding straight out and disappeared right up to the top of her tail! I rescued her and she went back in, as at that time I didn't let them out unsupervised as they were only three months old.

[Bagpuss]

It is turning white here now! If it keeps on like this as the temperature drops we will have a good covering by tomorrow - not good as I have to go back to the the doctors on the other side of town!

[LeonieM]

I am horrified. We have just been informed that today's VS015 flight (scheduled to leave at 12:45pm) doesn't take off until 7:45pm. If this weather keeps up, I can see our flight on Tuesday being delayed several hours, too.

Gatwick is not designed for long delays. There aren't enough seats for everyone, and what there are are not comfortable. There also aren't enough decent places to eat.

[LorraineJ]

I am horrified. We have just been informed that today's VS015 flight (scheduled to leave at 12:45pm) doesn't take off until 7:45pm. If this weather keeps up, I can see our flight on Tuesday being delayed several hours, too.

Gatwick is not designed for long delays. There aren't enough seats for everyone, and what there are are not comfortable. There also aren't enough decent places to eat.

Any chance of the check in time being put back, so you aren't at the airport as early if the flight is going to be delayed? Bit of a mouldy start to your holiday, but lets hope its all worth it. A flight delay is a step up from flight cancelled IMHO.

[LeonieM]

The trouble is, a weather delay is one of those imponderables, and I'm sure that if they suddenly called the flight and you weren't there they would unload your bags and go without you!

If I knew for certain that there would be a 7 hour delay, say, and I had it in 'black and white' from the airline/airport, then I would cancel the guesthouse and just go straight there mid-afternoon or something.

We're just crossing our fingers and praying that there'll be no further snow.

One thing did occur to me -there are more flights scheduled at the weekends, so perhaps the delays were longer today because there were more planes backed up. I mean, the earlier flight wasn't as much as 7 hours delayed.

Local weather has just been on. Ice over night, but no snow for us tomorow. Will be warming up a bit, too. Keep your fingers crossed for us, folks!

[LorraineJ]

The trouble is, a weather delay is one of those imponderables, and I'm sure that if they suddenly called the flight and you weren't there they would unload your bags and go without you!

If I knew for certain that there would be a 7 hour delay, say, and I had it in 'black and white' from the airline/airport, then I would cancel the guesthouse and just go straight there mid-afternoon or something.

We're just crossing our fingers and praying that there'll be no further snow.

One thing did occur to me -there are more flights scheduled at the weekends, so perhaps the delays were longer today because there were more planes backed up. I mean, the earlier flight wasn't as much as 7 hours delayed.

Local weather has just been on. Ice over night, but no snow for us tomorow. Will be warming up a bit, too. Keep your fingers crossed for us, folks!

Keeping our fingers crossed for you, twenty four hours can make a heck of a lot of difference with the weather.

[mandijane55]

Hubby's flights have all been delayed today....he should be getting off shift at 11pm but has rung to say he's in till 4am at the earliest...he might have to stay till the day shift are in full swing at 6am......luckily he's on a day off tomorrow...:-)

[Bagpuss]

Poor thing Mandi - hope he gets some rest tomorrow then.

Leonie I think the weather is now meant to improve so hopefully you will be OK.

[LeonieM]

MJ, I keep forgetting your hubby works on planes. Is he actually a pilot?

Helen, I've seen the weather forecast. Even though it will be getting better, we still have snow showers forecast for tomorrow and Tuesday, and ice over night. I'm not happy, but what can I do?!