Love this quote

We will open the book.
Its pages are blank.
We are going to put words on them ourselves.
The book is called 'Opportunity'and its first chapter is 'New Year's Day'


Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Officially the last day of 2010

Well this is it! The final 24 hours of 2010. My wish is for my family to be healthy and happy. A very tall order but if I don't have hope that it will happen then what's the point to anything? I want my sister well again and for her to find peace in her life. My mum and dad to stay as healthy and active as possible. My hubby to get a bit fitter and lose weight (along with me!) My daughter Lucia to find the man of her dreams and be happy because I can think of no-one who deserves it more than her. It breaks my heart in pieces every time she gets hurt by yet another so called man who cannot see the beautiful person that she is both inside and out. My daughter Antonella to be healthier and be rid of the terrible migraines that blight her life. I hope she stays happy and contented in her relationship with Laura. My son Mario to decide what he really wants out of life and to go for it both personally and professionally. I pray that my health doesn't deteriorate more and that I can find the energy to do something fulfilling with my life other than fritter away the years I have left. God bless all my family and friends and may 2011 be a new start for us all!

Miserable day!

I'd rather have the icy weather we had recently than the horrible dark, damp day that today has been. More forecast for tomorrow too. I don't know why I love cold frosty days so much but I do! I shouldn't really because they bring back childhood memories of ice on the inside of my bedroom window and being able to see my breath! Wow! It's hard to think it was ever like that but the only heating we had was a coal fire in the living room. No central heating for us in those days. I do remember getting into a freezing cold bed every night. When I was older I had a hot water bottle that I used to put in 10 minutes before going to bed, then when I was actually in bed I moved it around to warm the parts the bottle hadn't warmed. Oh the good old days!
I have been doing lessons on my DS today. Aniello bought me the game Art Academy for Christmas and it's excellent! So far I have learn't how to draw an apple, tree, sunset, lime and pear. Also how to shade and use colour and different size brushes.Why didn't I take more notice of art when I was at school? I would love to be able to sit and paint a beautiful picture of nature. Maybe one day but my poor brain doesn't retain information as it once did. They say youth is wasted on the young and it is so true! I'm enjoying learning anyway and you never know, I could be one of those artist's that only became famous after they passed away :/
Well tomorrow is the last day of 2010 and I for one am sad to see the end of it. Not because it's been a particularly good year for me but because it means time is marching on relentlessly. It's frightening how much more quickly each year passes than the last (or so it seems to me)! When you're a child all you want to be is an adult but when you finally do become one....with all the problems and worries it entails....you soon wish to be a child again. The older you get the more desperate the wish becomes!
Anyway enough of my ramblings for today. I have two Gorjuss cross stitch kits that Lucia and Mario bought me for Christmas so I think I'll make a start on one tonight. That's art for you! :)


A Few pic's

My cross stitch kits

My drawing of a pear

My painting of a lime

My painting of an apple tree

My painting of a sunset

My drawing of an apple

HA!

My tree

Love this :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxhcvtzIre8&feature=sub

A few pics taken over the Christmas period 2010

Cleveleys

Cleveleys sunset

My snowy garden

4 generations beginning with my mum

My lovely family

Santa messages

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/yiTURoiVvYtGBT2aNcOjtQ     Lina's message
http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/Obb5Gugl96MncU2m-BNiaA    Layan's message
http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/c-op39NRiHF_nYeAemJN7A   Ermelinda's message
http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/6DtqnAybdB2GrW9g5SlJPQ              Carole's message

Christmas Brunch

We're off out to a Christmas Brunch today at Jo & Allan's (Laura's ma & pa). Really looking forward to it but don't know what to expect. I wish the weather was more Christmassy though, a bit of snow would have been nice. I'll post some pic's later.

Snow!

We got some snow this morning so we feel part of the rest of the country now. Could have done with a bit more though and we've got rain forecast for tonight! A few pic's I took earlier.

We're having new windows put in today of all days! It's bloomin' freezing in this house brrrrrrrr!
Here's Aniello standing guard over the proceeding's HA!

No snow :(

Well..........last night's forecast was a 90% chance of us getting snow in Blackpool. Did it materialise? Did it hecky thumpers like! We must surely be the only place in the whole of the UK not to have had even a slight covering by now. I love the snow but I suppose it's for the best. We had to take mum's cat Max to the vet's today because he's not well. Mum was so upset last night because she thought she'd have to have him put to sleep. Turns out he has a problem with an over active gut. The vet gave him an injection of steroids and Max is to have steroid tablets now for the rest of his life. Thank Goodness he wasn't put down. I hope he just dies in his sleep so that she never has to make that decision. 
I'm going to make a desktop background with the new kit I bought the other day. Will post it here when it's finished :)

Doctor's this morning

Been to the Dr's about the pains in my tum. He wants me to have another gastroscopy. I said "No way am I having another one of those!" I had one last year and it was horrendous. I'll carry on with the pain until it becomes unbearable thank you very much. He doubled my dosage of Omeprazole tabs to see if that helps any. Hope so. My belly's starting to have the look of corned beef from burning it with my hot water bottle. Reminds me of my nan's legs from sitting too near the fire lol. 
Aniello's busy decorating downstairs so we can put the decorations up next week woo! 
I've thought of a good plot (well I think it's good!) for a children's book. I'm going to attempt now to put it into words. Might take a while ;)
Took a nice photo of Stanley Park's frozen lake yesterday so thought I'd share it here.
Also an icy heart was spotted in the lake ;)

New Blog Layouts

Well Dandan and the girls are on their way back to the USA. Very sad time especially for my sister. It's heart wrenching having to part from her eldest daughter and Grandchildren. Praying for the day when they'll never have to go through this again!
Was hoping we may get some snow but it's not looking likely :(
I'm trying to get back into making backgrounds and blog layouts again. It's been a long time. Here are a couple I've made today. Snag if you like them.

McD's Sealife and Bye Bye :(

Took the girlies to McDonald's for lunch and then to the Sealife Centre. Aniello & I had never been before so it was an experience. Lina & Layan had a nice time and enjoyed themselves. We had a lovely afternoon with those precious girls and I'm going to miss them so much. It gets harder each time to say goodbye to them not knowing when we'll see them again. Goodness knows how awful it is for my sister if it's this bad for me :( Just can't wait for the day when they're over here for good and no more partings!

God Bless and Safe journey to them all! xXx

Mum and sis made a lovely tea for us all. I think there were13 of us altogether. It was like a Thanksgiving seeing as it was Thanksgiving Day here. 

There's a lot of snow falling in the North and East of the UK but none here. Doesn't look like we're going to get any either. Mum will be pleased anyway, she hates the ice. Well she is 76 and she's nervous of falling and breaking her hip. 

Here are a few pic's of today.

Town with the girlies

Went to town yesterday with mum, Dandan, Seela, Lina & Layan. Bought Lina an outfit and had a mosy around the shops. Had tea at West Coast and saw Tracey who use to work for us in the cafe. She hasn't changed. Still as daft as ever love her. 
It's very cold here in Blackpool today but no snow sad to say. I don't think we'll get any to be honest. 
It's Dandan's last day today before heading back to NC tomorrow. Horrible saying goodbye. Mum's making dinner for us all so seeing as it's Thanksgiving Day today we'll be celebrating with our American friends. 
I've just made a new blog layout for the first time in a year. I think it's ok. Love the scrap kit from Luna Design's. Just what I needed for a Winter layout.
Trying to think of where to take Lina & Layan because I promised to take them out today. Hard to think of somewhere that doesn't cost the earth just before Christmas!

Cold today brrrrrrr!

It was a frosty start to the day today. Getting colder now brrrr.
Ermelinda had her teeth out yesterday and all went well. She was so brave bless her.
Picked my nephew up from Manchester airport today. He's been over to Saudi and the first thing he did when he set foot outside the airport was take a deep breath in through his nose and said " Oh I can smell the grass" lol. Better than all that dusty sand in Saudi I bet!
Stayed at my sister's for a couple of hours making the most of my niece being over from America. Love that girl and her two girlies so much and I dread them going back :(
Took some pics of Lina & Layan in their new hats and gloves. Gorgeous x

Layan x

Lina x

My three Great Nieces

I was in town on Saturday with Ermelinda and walking back to the car spotted my other two great nieces Lina & Layan. Here's a pic of the adorable trio :)

Great week-end for Blackpool

This has been one of the best week-ends for Blackpool publicity wise for years. Children in Need, Strictly come dancing and Prince William visiting. WOW! 
I went to see the CIN show on North Pier and the atmosphere was fantastic. Some great acts on too. I got to see Josie & John, JJ, Sam & Brian so I was happy. I had some lovely flashbacks of shows I went to in that lovely theatre as a young girl. Mum used to take my sister and I to all the best shows in Blackpool.
The only wish is that I could get a ticket for the SCD show when it comes to the Tower Ballroom. I've tried three times now and never managed to get one! Won't stop me trying again next year though. 
William was here for his friend's stag do and went to watch the Blackpool/Wolves match. Blackpool won 2/1 YES!!! He then spent a couple of hours in the Pleasure Beach before reportedly watching the Funny Girls show. HA! 
Anyway, it's not a good day today. I have to take my precious little God-daughter to hospital at 2pm to have 6 teeth extracted. Poor baby. She has to have an anaesthetic which is why I'm so worried. Hate the thought of it but she's suffering with toothache and being so young it's the best way to take them out. I hope her mum & dad make sure she looks after the next set better than her baby one's!
Weatherwise it's nice & sunny but cold today. I can do cold but not rain so am happy with that :)

Genealogy

I've spent the whole day researching my sister-in-law's maternal line and I have enjoyed it so much. I traced my tree 4 years ago and haven't done much detective work since. I'd forgotten how engrossing and enjoyable it is. It's also very tiring but so far I've got back to 1798 with lots of info that my SIL didn't know. She's so excited. Might stop now though because I'm going bog eyed :/

Funny Video from Jibjab

Josie and John James Ice skating. Love it! x

Lovely :)

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xezxzl_jjj-falling-slowly_creation

Theatre tonight :)

I'm off out tonight to see Lark Rise to Candleford at out beautiful Grand theatre. Front row too! Can't wait.

My gorgeous God daughter and Great Niece Ermelinda

She's going to break some hearts one day. My little precious xxx

Josie & John James :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVaZcNAiUoA&feature=sub

Love this

This was written by a black gentleman in Texas and is so funny. What a great sense of humour And creativity!!!
When U Black, U Black

When I was born, I was BLACK,

When I grew up, I was BLACK,

When I went in the sun, I stayed BLACK,

When I got cold, I was BLACK,

When I was scared, I was BLACK,

When I was sick, I was BLACK,

And when I die, I'll still be BLACK. NOW, You 'white' folks....

When you're born, you're PINK,

When you grow-up, you're WHITE,

When you go in the sun, you get RED,

When you're cold, you turn BLUE,

When you're scared, you're YELLOW,

When you get sick, you're GREEN

When you bruise, you turn PURPLE,

And when you die, you look GRAY.

So who y'all be callin'

COLORED Folks

Home again :(

It's Bank holiday Monday and the traffic going to The Lakes was horrendous. Thank Goodness we were coming the other way or hubby would have had steam coming out of his ears! Home now and back to reality. If only we could win a bit of money on the lottery to buy a holiday home up there. I'd stay the whole Summer. I bought some Baklava which is a delicious Arabic/Turkish sweet. YUM!
Going to sort the washing out now woopie doo :(

In my favourite place again!

We are in the Lakes again! Two week-ends in a row. Went to Crookland country Fest today and bought some card making goodies. I love it here it's so peaceful but some people would rather I stayed at home! Pretty sad really but I will do what makes me happy. I wrote a poem. It's not brilliant but I quite like it.
Here it is.

The wind howled like a dying wolf
As rain lashed agains't the window pane.
Thunder roared and lightening flashed
As round and round went the weather vane.

Hail struck the ground with a mighty thud
Turning the lane into a stream of mud.
Then as suddenly as the sun had gone
The clouds disappeared
And brightly it shone.

25 SIGNS THAT YOU ARE ONLINE TOO MUCH...

1. Tech Support calls "YOU" for help.
2. Someone at work tells you a joke and you say "LOL" out loud.
3. You find yourself trying to cock your head 90 degrees when you smile.
4. You have to get a 2nd phone line just so you can order pizza.
5. You bring a bag lunch and a cooler to the computer.
6. Your kids are eating cereal morning, noon, and night.
7. When looking at signs, you wonder why they are always "yelling" at you.
8. When at work, your boss constantly reminds you that the word "i" should be capitalized.
9. You end sentences with 3 (or more) periods while writing letters by hand.
10. You don't even notice anymore when someone has a typo.
11. You stop speaking in full sentences.
12. You no longer type with proper capitalization, punctuation, or complete sentences.
13. You stop typing whole words and use things like ppl, dunno and lemme.
14. You watch TV with the closed captioning turned on.
15. You double click your TV remote.
16. Your spouse now complains of you moving your fingers in your sleep instead of talking.
17. You dream in "text".
18. You have an identity crisis if someone is using a screen name close to your own.
19. You change your screen names so much that you have to look at your own profile to see who you are.
20. You type messages to people while you are on the phone with them at the same time.
21. You type faster than you think.
22. Three words: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
23 . When someone asks, "What did you say?" you reply, "Scroll up!"
24. Your buddy list has over 100 people on it.
25. You have a vanity car tag with your screen name on it.

Signature tags

I just made a couple of new sig tags.
They were made following this fabulous tut here

New blog layout & Header

I made these to match the desktop bg that I made yesterday. Snag if you like them.

Happy April Fool's Day!

Hubby and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary yesterday. What an achievement! Everyone said we wouldn't last but we proved all the doubter's wrong ;) Had a lovely day and got some beautiful cards & presents. I love being with my family more than anything in life.
I found time today to make this new Gorjuss desktop background. Hope you like it.

Oh dear!

I've been so busy playing poker on Facebook that I've neglected my poor blog. I have been doing things since my last update, honest! Besides playing poker I've been having my little God-daughter sleep over on a Friday. Wow! Much as I adore every hair on her gorjuss head, it's very tiring keeping a little person entertained all evening lol. How the hecky thump did I raise 3 children? All of them born close together too! Anyway I found time in my busy schedule of playing games to make a couple of new DT backgrounds. Hope you like them and I promise to be a bit more active in here (if I can drag myself away from winning my millions! ;) I'm off out to see my sister's new house so have a wonderful Wednesday anyone who pops in :)

It snowed again!

We had a couple of hours of snow again yesterday. It was just beginning to stick when it stopped and within an hour it was all gone :( I love snow!
My best friend is coming home tomorrow after 3 months in Oz visiting her children. Have a safe flight my little mate!
Here's a funny joke :)
A guy is driving around the country and he sees a sign in front of a broken down shanty-style house: "Talking Dog For Sale."

He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells him the dog is in the back yard. The guy goes into the back yard and sees a nice looking Labrador retriever sitting there. "You talk?" he asks."

Yep," the Lab replies.

After the guy recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says "So, what's your story? "The Lab looks up and says, "Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so I told the secret service. In no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders; because no one figured a dog would be eaves- dropping. I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running."

"But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger so I decided to settle down .I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security, wandering near suspicious characters and listening in." I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals.I got married, had a litter of puppies, and now I'm just retired." ...

The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog. "£10," the guy says "£10? This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?"



"Because he's a liar. He never did any of that stuff.


LOL

Funny :)

Dracula decides to carry some sort of a competition to see which is the finest bat to stand on his side. The rules were simple. The bat who drinks the most blood would be the winner. He selects his three top bats to compete.
So the first bat goes and comes back after 10 minutes. Her mouth was full of blood. Dracula says: "Congratulations, how did you do that?" The bat said: "Do you see that tower? Behind it there is a house. I went in and sucked the blood of all the family."
"Very good," says Dracula....
The second bat goes and comes back after 5 minutes all her face covered in blood. Dracula astonished says, "How did you do that?" The bat replies, "Do you see that tower? Behind it there is a school. I went in and drunk the blood of all the children."
"Impressive," Dracula replies.
Now the third bat goes and comes back after three minutes literally covered in blood from top to toe.
Dracula is stunned. "How on earth did you do that????" he asked.
And the bat replies. "Do you see that tower?"
Dracula replies, "Yes."


And the bat says, "Well, I didn't."

A nice evening

We had a nice time at Lauren's first birthday party last night. She's a little cutiepie. Took a few pic's that you can view here if you wish. Not many this time lol.


I just read this joke on my local radio station's Facebook and thought it was very good. so I copied it.
Girl Potato and Boy Potato had eyes for each other, and finally they got married, and had a little sweet potato, which they called maris piper
Of course, they wanted the best for maris
When it was time, they told her about the facts of life
They warned her about going out and getting half-baked, so she wouldn't get accidentally mashed, and get a bad name for herself like 'Hot Potato,' and would end-up with a bunch of Tater Tots.
She said don’t worry I won’t become a Couch Potato
When she went off to Europe, Mr. and Mrs. Potato told her to watch out for the hard-boiled guys from Ireland. And the greasy guys from France called the French Fries.
Mr. and Mrs. Potato sent maris piper to Blackpool P.U. (that's Potato University) so that when she graduated she'd really be in the Chips.
But in spite of all they did for her, one-day maris came home and announced she was going to marry john motson
john motson are you joking
They told maris she couldn't possibly marry john motson because he's just...are you ready for this?




A COMMONTATER...


LOL. That's so funny! Love it.
Right I'm off to make a new Desktop Background with Suzanne's Gorjuss new Valentine girls woop!
They're very cute and a bit different to her usual girls. Be back later :)

Happy Birthday Lauren :)

It's hubby's Great niece Lauren's first birthday today. Happy Birthday Lauren! We're going to her party later.
I just made this desktop background with my sister and niece in mind because they LOVE fairies as much as I do! If you like it snag away :)
Have a lovely day!

Spring blog layout :)

Just watched the National TV Awards and I'm so glad good old Corrie won!
I adore Stephen Fry and it was so nice to see him pick up The National Treasure Award. What a lovely man and that voice!
Since the weather was miserable today, I thought I'd make a Spring blog layout to make myself feel a bit more cheerful. Guess what? It worked lol. You only have to see the colours Orange and Yellow to put you in a better mood. Plus that cheeky bear should put a smile on your face. Hope you like it and snag away!

New Blog Layout :)

I love the colours of this one! Snag if you like it :)

My very first sig tag tutorial :)

Well I have finally got around to writing my first tutorial for a sig tag. Hope someone tries it and if you do I would love to see your results. You can send them to me at aboccaccio@aol.com Please let me know also if I have made any mistakes or if you don't understand something.


Colour My World

Materials needed :- I used PSP 9
Tube of choice. I used Colour pk5 Artwork ©Suzanne Woolcott here
Scrapkit of choice. I used Mon Petit Jardin, a lovely freebie kit which you can find here
Fabulous heart frame by Lorna here
Font of choice.


Open a new image 500 x 500 transparent.
Open Lorna's frame, copy & paste as new image, resize by 85% selections ~ select all ~ float ~ defloat. Open paper of choice ~ Copy & paste into selection ( I used paper 6) Selections ~ none.
Take selection tool, rectangle and draw a square on top of the frame (to fill behind frame)
New raster layer ~ flood fill with #e1f0f9 or colour of choice. Selections ~ none ~ move layer below frame.
Go to effects ~ illumination effects ~ sunburst default settings.
Open element 1 ~ copy & Paste as new layer ~ resize by 11% move to bottom of frame so that no frame is showing beneath bottom edge.
Highlight frame layer in palette. Selections ~ select all~ selections float ~ defloat ~invert.
Highlight element 1 layer in palette ~ with eraser tool erase around the bottom and lower sides to match with the frame edges. Selections ~ none ~ effects ~ drop shadow v0 h0 o50 b3 black.
Open element 2 ~ copy & paste as new layer ~ resize by 13% ~ position to the left and down a little using my tag as a guide. Drop down one layer in palette ~ Drop shadow as before.
Open element 10 ~ copy & paste as new layer ~ Resize by 9% ~ Position to the right and down a little using my tag as a guide drop shadow ~ make sure this layer is the top layer in palette.
Open element 5 ~ copy & paste as new layer ~ resize by 5% ~ bring to bottom right ~ drop shadow
duplicate ~ image ~ Mirror ~ duplicate and move to middle as per my tag.
Merge these three layers and with eraser tool erase any stems hanging over bottom edge ~ use zoom tool for a clearer view.
Open element 27 ~ copy & paste as new layer ~ resize by 6% ~ position on top of roof ~ drop shadow.
Open element 24 ~ copy & paste as new layer ~ resize by 6% ~ position to top left of frame ~ drop shadow.
Open element 20 ~ copy and paste as new layer ~ resize by 10% ~ move down to bottom right ~ duplicate ~ image mirror, image flip ~ merge the two layers and bring to bottom of palette ~ drop shadow.
Open tube of choice ~ resize if needed and position on tag ~ drop shadow.
Write text of choice using font of choice I used Kristen ITC size 30 stroke 2 using different colours from the tag for each word.
Write your name using the same font and two colours from your tube. Drop shadow wording and name using eye candy 4000, gradient glow ~ basic ~ 3,25,100 ~ colour ~ thin, white.
add copyright and save as a png


And that's it! :)

76 today! :)

It's my lovely little mum's 76th birthday today so Happy Birthday mum!
I gave her money because it's so hard to buy for someone who has most things. She can get something she really wants now :) It's freezing here with ice on the pavements which makes it perilous to go out. Just heard from my son that a fireman slipped and banged his head. Tragically he died so it goes to show how dangerous it is out there. I'm so worried for all the old folk that have no families to rely on for their shopping etc. Mum's lucky she has a big family to look after her.
This is me and my mum taken on Tuesday when it snowed.

It's a cold, cold Winter!

It's freezing cold here and has been for a few weeks now. No sign of a let up and we've had snow 3 times in Blackpool, which is practcally unheard of here because of the salt in the air from the sea. We're supposed to get more snow on Sunday so we'll see. I actually love it but I know how much of a hazzard it is for the elderly, my mum included. I've never seen her so frightened of going out! We're all looking after her by shopping for her etc.
We went to a funeral today. My sister's boyfriend's mum died just after Christmas. She was in her 80's so a good age but it's always sad when anyone passes away. A funeral really brings it home to you that it'll be your turn one day. It also made me want to plan my own to make sure they get the hymns right!
I'm just watching Celebrity Big Brother and it always amazes me to what length's people will go to, to stay in the limelight. I always think there's something sadly lacking in people who crave fame! Give me people I love and who love me and I'm totally content with my lot :)
I've decided this is the year that I get on with writing my Family History. I've done so much research ~ got back to 1668 on one branch of the tree ~ so I need to put all my info in order now or no-one will ever be able to make sense of it lol.
Tried speaking to my little friend Linda in Oz tonight but couldn't get connected on Skype :(
Will try again tomorrow.
Night all xx