A.I.M 2012 Advent Calender

The 2012 A.I.M Advent Calender is now live.. Advent Calendar Day 1 2012

Another Sneeky Peek...

Lots as happened in our Household in the last couple of months. We've had quite a few visitors, including some of our oldest friends, that we haven't seen, since we moved here. Its been fantastic to catch up with everyone.

I've also been busy decorating indoors and I'm still trying to sort out my Cabin.  The Cabin is coming along nicely, but already think I may need an extension!  There are still quite a few mini buildings to go in there. I still have some big furniture to paint, including finishing painting, my old Dining room chairs and put the bookcase back together, so I can get my hundreds of Miniature Books and Magazines reorganised.  Although thinking about it, I might ask Father Christmas nicely for a new one. Also need another table in the centre, and some other form of shelving, means a trip to Ikea, but I'm not complaining.

I took these pictures a few days ago, just to give you some idea, how its all coming together. This arrangement, could quite easily change again, once I move more out there...
The little Garden, that I made down the side of the Cabin, has been a complete success. I've really enjoyed watching that all come together and its still blooming its little heart out.

Passing In Parade...

On the 19th October, we went to watch Harry at his Passing In Parade. As you can imagine, we are very proud of him. Totally amazing, the transformation that the Army achieved with these young men, in just six weeks. He had a weeks leave, after the Parade and is now back at College. We won't see him again until Christmas. Here are five short video clips of the Parade, watch them from the top down... Can you see him????? I have lots of other news and photo's to share, so will be back soon...

A.I.M Magazine 5th Birthday Issue 44

AIM Mag Issue 44

Debbie Dunbar ~ Equine Artist

I have some very talented friends.
My friend Debbie Dunbar, is a very well known Equine Artist.
A few weeks ago, Debbie happened to be looking through, some of my photographs and asked if she could use one to do a painting from.
I gave Debbie permission, to use any photographs that she wanted.
This morning look what appeared in my news feed, on Facebook.
I knew straight away, who that was looking back at me, handsome Colossus..
If you pop over to Debbie's blog, she takes you through the story of this painting.
I think its brilliant...

AIM Issue 43 Sept 2012

AIM Issue 43 Sept 2012

Garden Project Part 3

I thought you might like to see, how my little Cabin Garden Project is coming along.
All the plants have filled out beautifully and I even have two Sunflowers, romping away in there as well. Must be all the Rain we've had and all the home made compost. Well rotted Pony Poo. I was thrilled to see a big bud on the Hardy Poppy and then it opened to reveal, a beautiful pure White Poppy, with purple markings. It actually looks like, someone has used a paintbrush and a water colour, on the inside.  I noticed yesterday, that there is also a bud forming on the other Poppy, that one is supposed to be a pale pink. I'll take some pictures of it, when it appears.
If you click on the pictures, they should pop up bigger.

I do have some plants on the bed in pots, just to fill in the gaps, to try and stop the Cats, doing what Cat's do. It seems to be working, so far.
The Penstemon's, have also started to bloom and the dark pink blooms are opening to reveal a white inner centre, they look lovely peeking through the fence.
I'm also trying to get the little side garden by the House, under control and there is also the flower bed opposite the Cabin, that is calling my name. So much to do, so little time. I've also been given another Dolls House !!!!!...But more about that in another post.
We are having lots of visitors this year as well, my best friend of 45 years, who has been my friend, since we were three years old (I'm 48) and is also Ben's Godmother, has already been up for a few days. Mick's Parents have also been to stay and in August, we have another 2 lots of friends coming separately and also coming in September. So a busy couple of months for us, but can't wait to catch up with all them all and all the news.

For Queen & Country

Yesterday, the 27th July 2012, was a day to remember in our House.

Our Youngest Son Harry, age 16, took his Oath Of Allegiance.

Harry, has been accepted at the Army Foundation College (AFC) in Harrogate, starting in September. He has worked extremely hard to get through the selection process, showing a real determination to pass all the tests. He has chosen to join The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment. We are all extremely proud of him and wish him every success, in his chosen career. He had fantastic support from his ACIO Staff Sergeant Steve Ford, he really encouraged Harry, as did the whole team at the Barracks in Carmarthen and managed to put a very worried Mum's mind at rest. For that I thank them.

Harry was given his contract yesterday and his Army number, which he has already memorised..

Harry and nine others, Juniors & Senior entrants, took their Oath's at the Court House in Carmarthen. The inside of the building is beautiful, but unfortunately we didn't have time to look around. I and one of the other Mum's joked, that we both had our tissues at the ready, but thankfully we didn't need them. 

The Commanding Officer, was great and made everyone feel quite relaxed, about the whole process and Harry really enjoyed it. Both myself and Mick were so proud, to watch him.The Army had also requested a professional photographer to be there, so I'm waiting to see what those pictures are like.

Harry, went out with his friends last night, to an all night Beach Party/Camp out and strolled in the door around 9am, this morning. Seems like he had a great time.
He then sat down and watched the opening Ceremony of The London 2012 Olympics, which we recorded for him last night. What a spectacular show, they put on. So very quintessentially British.  Brilliantly done.
I totally loved James Bond & the Queen, how fantastic was that?. How wonderful, that the Queen agreed to do it. Just shows, she has got a great sense of humour. Then the lighting of the Cauldron, so beautifully done, all the Petals coming together, to create one Flame. Spectacular..
Good Luck To All The Olympians...

Yesterday, was definitely, a very proud day to be British...

Decorating... Part 2

View From Harry's Room

 

 

 

Painting the Ceiling & Coving

Hints Of Grey

Light & Dark

Decorating Finished

New Duvet Cover

Nearly Finished

 Since my last blog post, I've been redecorating Harry's Room. I was a bit dubious, when I put the darker Grey on the walls, but I have to say, I'm really pleased with the results. I'll be hanging his new curtains today, but am awaiting delivery of his new Headboard for the bed. I've also got to get him a new desk, as the one he had, was falling to pieces. Harry also wants one of those Vinyl Stickers on the wall, which I haven't ordered yet. But to be honest, I like the room the way it is..........Next job on the agenda, my Bedroom, but I'm having a rest for a couple of weeks, as we have visitors coming to stay from Sunday.

New Wardrobe

Awaiting New Desk

The View

Decorating.....

Bye Bye Dragon

Everything Being Moved

All This Lot Had to Be Moved

New Colour On The Walls

Last Bit of Painting

Putting the Room Back Together

The Study End

Lovely Views

Final Layout

What a depressing Summer, we are all enduring this year. The Rain just keeps on falling and falling. I feel sorry for all the people that are getting flooded. Certain parts of Wales are on Amber Alert for more flooding this weekend. Hopefully, forewarned is forearmed.
Because of the weather, I've not been able to work outside, so decided that I start decorating indoors instead. I was going to do the decorating in the Winter!!!!. The first room to get a complete make over was Ben's Room. I've completely reconfigured, the sleeping end of his room. It looks so much better now and we've even been able to fit in another wardrobe, it seems to have opened up the room and he'll now have more space to move around in there. Ben choose the colour and I did the rest. I just need to get him a new Chest of Drawers and a Bedside Cabinet as the ones in there, are just about holding together. A trip to Ikea, is in order. I was lucky with the headboard, that was originally off my old bed and had been stored in the Barn. After a through good clean, it came up lovely and saved me having to buy one.
Harry's Room, is now under going a make over...