Care Package - Afghanistan

My brother is currently in Afghanistan working in a civilian capacity. Since I am not working at the moment, and I have an abundance of time on my hands I decided to put together a care package to remind him of home comforts. Not only did it keep me busy for quite some time, I know it will make his day.



Back row l to r: Homemade Cranberry and Pistachio Biscotti, Cake Mix Chewy Chocolate Smartie Cookies, Homemade Spicy Cashew Nuts

Middle: Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Front row l to r: Homemade Fudge, Bombay Mix, Marshmallows for Hot Chocolate Mix

All packaging and labeling was designed and made by me using Photoshop CS3 and a selection of cardstock and Christmas themed scrapbook paper.

Brown paper bag, tea tin and small tins at the front are courtesy of Papertrey.
The tall tin at the back is a recycled shortbread container.
The two medium sized tins are recycled Golden Syrup and Black Treacle tins.

Birthday Girl - BLEH

Ugh! Today I turn 30 whole years old. Another birthday spent on my own with no prospect of things changing before I turn 31. I know I should be more positive, but I firmly believe I was Eeyore in a former life, so pessimism comes so naturally.

On the Move

This will be my last post for a while. My internet is being disconnected tomorrow in preparation for the move on Saturday. Yup, it's goodbye Wales, hello England. I can't wait to get my stuff packed into the van and stick two fingers up at my psycho neighbour.

I am going to miss my cousin and her kids, but I know where they are and I can still visit, but it won't be for at least six months. I need to put this place well and truly behind me.

My boxes are packed and I am just tying up the last few loose ends. Roll on Saturday, it can't come soon enough!

Goodbye & Sweet Dreams

My dear, sweet Aunty Joyce passed away this morning. The news came in the early hours that her long battle was over. We knew it was coming, but no matter how much you prepare yourself, it still shocks, hurts and numbs you. Rest in Peace Aunty Joyce, I will miss you greatly.

Aunty Joyce

Yesterday I drove to Plymouth with my parents and brother to visit my Aunt in the hospital. Despite all of the radiotherapy and stem cell treatment, the Leukemia is winning. She faded in and out of consciousness, but was lucid just long enough to recognise me and my mum and give us a smile. She is the only family my dad has left, so I know how ever long she has left is going to be especially hard for him. I wish we didn't live three hours away, because all we have left now is time and there simply isn't enough of it.

A Whole Year

Well, I have been in Newport for a year now, and to say it has been a good year would be an outright lie. The first few months were great. I loved my new home, although it was on the small and pokey side, it was perfect for me, and I made it mine. Just before Christmas however, the problems began. The neighbour above me obviously has some mental issues, but because I asked her to keep the noise down, once, she made me a target and enlisted the help of her family and friends to harass me in any way possible.

The last year has been a never ending culmination of having to report threats of violence to the police, her friends and her family abusing me outside my home, in the street, even yelling at my flat, attacks on my car, multiple false police reports made by her, calling solicitors/citizens advice/the council for help, taxi's and pizza deliveries being sent to my address...the list goes on.

At one stage she even convinced her friends that I had threatened her with a knife in my flat and encouraged them to call the police. Three armed police officers knocked on my door. What they were expecting, I don't know, but thankfully I had been in bed and it quickly became obvious to them that her friends had made a false report. Since she has never stepped foot in my flat, I have no idea how I was supposed to have threated her with anything.

The last straw was when my car was vadalised. One of her friends attempted to puncture the petrol tank on my car. It was 1.30am and I was in bed and woke with a leg cramp, looked out the window and caught him in the act. He saw me and legged it. I turned my lights off and called the police. The numpty must have thought I had gone back to bed and all was forgotten, because he came back and had another go at my car. He got the shock of his life when the police officer and pulled up with his police dog and and wanted to know what the hell he was playing at. I went out and tore into him, and the police officer let me. He was sorry, not for what he had done, but for getting caught. It was nothing short of a miracle that he hadn't actually done any serious damage, but he was given an £80 fine anyway.

So after the year from hell, I have decided to move back to Dorset. The reason I moved to Wales in the first place was to distance myself from everything that has happened in the last few years and regain my independance, but I guess the grass isn't always greener on the other side. However, I am sure there were kinder ways of teaching me that lesson than this awful experience.

I have given my landlord notice that I will be leaving, now I just have to break the news to my boss. Oh well, another chapter over and done with, and best forgotten.

Track Day

My brother bought a motorbike last year and it didn't take long for it to take over his life. He had been thinking about getting one for a while and after he returned from his stitnt in Iraq as a civi he bought a Honda CBR, took his test and he hasn't looked back. From time to time he goes on track days and they take photos of you as you go round as souvinirs. I thought I'd share as he does look pretty cool.