Raise a glass to the troops..

Evening all.. At 7.30pm UK time it will be midnight in Afghanistan.. Please all take a minute to raise a glass and toast our troops who are spending the New Year away from their loved ones.. And pray for their safe return in the near future. Not only British troops but to all the troops out there.

Pray also for the families who have been left behind by those who are never to return home again.. No-one should have to pay with their life just to do a job.. May God bless them all.

I raise my glass to troops the whole world over be them fallen or still fighting. Thank you to you all.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx


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Well it's time..

That it is folks.. Time for the last minute scrub of the house, clearing it all away and putting everything in it's place before we bring in the New Year.

Old traditions die hard.. A clean house for a good year ahead.. A dirty house leads to a bad year ahead.. Opening doors to let out the old and welcome in the new... Not quite so much first footing with a lump of coal these days right enough.. Lol.

When I was young, I remember that every year my mum used to be like a mad woman doing all her decorating between christmas and new year.. Ceilings, skirting boards, walls.. They all got done and by the time Hogmanay came around she was trying to get the white spots of paint off the front piece of hair that her scarf didn't cover.. She looked like a right wee Mrs Mop so she did.. Lol.

Well.. Here's hoping it's a better year ahead for all.. Remember those we have loved and lost and look forward to the new who will enter our lives over the coming year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx


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Wedding folder

Well I've just sat and wrote out 19 pages of to do lists for Brianna's folder, ranging from dresses and rings to the honeymoon.. Don't think they'll be able to afford to socialise for the next 2 years with all that to pay for... Amazing how quickly the costs mount up. Even if they only had immediate family there would be around 50 people there.. Imagine that.. Cheapest wedding meal I've seen anywhere is £35 a head.. That means the meal alone will be almost 2K!! Flowers for the University chapel, reception table, bouquets, button holes, mothers, grans etc.. That will be another small fortune no doubt..

It's only been 5 years since we got married.. It was a small wedding with about 18 people in total.. All in it cost about 4K.. Now I remember why even that cost so much.. And we didn't even have wedding cars as we were married and had our meal at the Sherbrooke Castle Hotel so we drove there early in the day, got ready in the room and then went downstairs for the ceremony.

Shame I don't own a luxury hotel where I could do wedding packages.. I'd be rolling in it then.. Lol.

Well, time to put my feet up and relax for a wee while before going to bed.. Catch you all later.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx


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Wedding basics

Well I need to start a wedding folder for Brianna so decided to start by working out all the sub divisions that she needs to sort.. That way I can dividers into the folder for each thing making it much easier to work with.. Can you believe that I've already got 19 sections!!! Funny how you forget just how much planning has to go into a wedding... Lol... Not sure if I've got enough dividers upstairs so may have to buy some tomorrow as I'd like to get it ready for her over the next few days...

I'm sure you'll be seeing more updates as it progresses.

Lorraine xxx

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The Ring

My step daughter Brianna's engagement ring

Today's news

My step daughter just got engaged tonight...

Congrats to Brianna Robertson and Gordon Kirkland.

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Another xmas delight

Morning all.. I know it's WOYWW today and I will join in later, but first up I thought I would share one of my fabulous christmas presents with you.. A delightful box of Whittards coffee from around the world. I'm a bit of a coffee freak to this is just perfect for me and it's all thanks to my wonderful step daughter Brianna and her boyfriend. This is one pressie that will be savoured over time.

Well.. Must go now as I'm off to a funeral in an hour and need to get myself sorted.

Back with you all again later.

Lorraine xxx

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New discs

Well I was a bit of a dance diva in my youthful days so was well chuffed to get this one today.. A taste of the 80's alright.. 3 discs full of tracks ranging from Frankie, Erasure, Thompson Twins, Eurythmics, Prefab Sprout, Scritti Politti etc.

These are gonna be played a lot around here and for some reason I have a feeling the housework will be getting done at a much faster pace with these tunes blaring in the background... Lol.

Well.. Time to go watch some Strongman now.. And have a flick through a mag too perhaps.

Toodles for now
Lorraine xxx

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Cutest pressie

Now we all get a mixture of pressie's don't we.. The practical, the fancy, the funny.. And this year I received the cutest gift ever. Every year friend gets me a gift from her wee boy and girl and this years gift was awesome. Her wee boy only turned 4 in August and can't say my name properly yet.. He calls me Auntie Mulwain.. It's so cute and adorable when he says it and I must admit I get an extra glow in my heart when I hear it. So this year for Christmas, they gave me a Thornton's chocolate reindeer with my name on it 'Auntie Mulwain'... Now how cute and adorable is that.. Oh and Uncle Rob got a chocolate santa too but mine was by far the best...

Thank you Marc & Laura

Big hugs
Lorraine xxx

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The rush is over

Well good evening everyone and I hope you have all had a fantastic day, spent either with friends or loved ones.

As for me.. Dinner was a major success.. (Both men fell asleep afterwards.. Lol).. All the dishes are now cleaned and put away, dining room and kitchen all cleaned too. Now sat with feet up watching Avatar.. Early to bed for me tonight I think.

As for tomorrow.. Well need to get up and start all over again ready for another set of guests...

Mega hugs to one and all.

Lorraine xxx

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Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year

Have a good one ;)

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

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Almost time..

Yes that's right folks.. We are slowly ticking our way out of Christmas Eve and into Christmas Day.. Early night for all I hope so Santa has plenty time to deliver all those lovely pressies.

Our turkey is cooked.. Our ham is too.. As is our sweet potato pie :). All that's left to do tomorrow is my roast potato and veg.. Oh and a chocolate chip pumpkin loaf to make.

I raise a glass to all my friends and thank you for your friendship. Here's hoping you are all surrounded by friends and family tomorrow and have a truly wonderful day.

Tomorrow I will be burning a candle in honour of all heroes who unfortunately will not be joining their families around the table this year. I hope that you will too.

Merry Christmas one and all
Lorraine xxx

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Merry Christmas Eve...

Well a very good morning to one and all... And with the exception of tomorrow, this is one of the best mornings of the year.. Oh yes, generally this is the day when we go at 200 mph.. Ensuring every bit of housework is done, presents look perfect under the tree, cards are all aligned, table set, glasses polished.. Need I really continue or are you racing ahead of me already.. Lol.

As for me.. Starting with the turkey being prepped and put in the oven whilst I do some work.. Later the baking will go in.. Then after that it's the time of the ham... Potato and veg will all be done fresh tomorrow.

And dare I say.. I'm gonna brave the supermarket today to see if I can get a few final bits 'n' bobs..

Well I'd love to sit here and chat, but need to rush hubby up and shove him out to the door so that cooking can commence.

Merry Christmas Eve to all.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxxxx


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Goody basket

Well here is the craft basket for my neighbours 10 year old daughter.. Mini frames, ribbons, glitters, flowers, sequins, padded shapes etc.. In addition to this, there are 4 paper packs, a set of See-D's inks and 50 cards & envelopes.. Hopefully that will keep her going for a wee while...

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

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Not long now...

Well it won't be long now will it before the big day is here and then by Monday we'll be questioning what all the fuss was about.. All the planning, shopping and everything all else.. Gone in the blink of an eye...

Well like most of you I've got a ton of things to do today and you may well guess.. I awoke this morning feeling like crap... Splitting sore head, stuff nose etc.. Joy oh joy.. I'm hoping that it's just a reaction to the heating being on and I had the bedroom window closed last night as it was sooooo cold.. Normally I have it open to compensate for the heating drying the air. So, had some pain killers, humidifier is now on I've had some lunch... Fingers crossed I feel better as the day goes on.

Mum is collecting the turkey and dropping it off to me.. Ham is defrosting as I bought it last week.. Housework to do, cards & presents to deliver, a special craft box present to package up for my neighbours daughter and pies to bake.. Think I'll wait till tomorrow to strip the beds!

Well, off now to go jump in the shower and see if that helps me feel any better.

Hope you're all staying safe and warm wherever you are.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx



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Sweetie jars

Here's my final few pressies.. Plastic jars filled with sweetie then covered in tissue and cellophane finished with a gem of course. Now to clear up all the wrapping mess so I can sit back with a nice big bowl of homemade lentil soup. Ooohhhh it's starting to feel a lot like christmas... Lol.

Toodles
Lorraine xxx

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Pressie's done

Finally pressies are done apart from some sweetie gift for kids that stay next to me.. Ribbon bows, ribbon roses, hand made tags etc.. Finished with some gems of course.. Lol... Think next year I may even try to find time to make my own wrapping paper.

Hope everyone's almost ready for Santa and that there's not too much stress involved.

Off to write christmas cards for the neighbours now so catch you all later.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxxx

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Pressie time

Woohoo.. Finally managing to get some time to actually wrap the pressies now.. Here's my first one which is for a wee old neighbour we have.. She's such a lovely person so like to give her a wee minding at christmas just to say 'thank you' for being my neighbour.

Right off to get back to wrapping as still got a lot to go and at this rate I'll still be here on christmas eve.. Lol.

Toodles for now.. Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

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3 in a row

Finally that's the last of my christmas tags complete.. Thank goodness for that :).

Now all I need to do is wrap the pressies, attach the tags and put them under the tree. Then that will be another job scored off the to do christmas list.. Slowly but surely I'm getting there.. Lol.

Hope you're all a lot better organised than I am.. Then again.. That's typical of me.

So, eyes are getting weary now.. Forgot to wear my glasses.. Silly me.. So off to bed I go.

Toodles for now.

Lorraine xxxx

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Let It Snow

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Christmas Cheer

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Cool Yule

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Yummy

Hubby brought me some sweeties home from work today.. How sweet :)


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I've been quiet today

Oh yes I've been so very quiet today.. And it's not because my mouth's been taped shut.. Lol.

Been doing all the Monday housework chores, and a few extra too.. Taking a break now by babysitting for my friend then it's back home for dinner before making some more tags for my pressies..

Stew and tattie for tea... Yummy I can't wait.

Catch up with you all soon.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxxx

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It's back!!!

OMG... Mr Snow has decided that it's been too long since his last visit so decided to call upon us again.. We have been so fortunate over the last few days and missed out but it obviously wasn't to last :(

This is the current view out my window just now.. Poor Rob has gone to the gym too.

Stay safe everyone.. Think I'll be having a wee day in the house.. Lol.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

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Finally

Yes, I gave in today and actually put up the christmas tree.. Pretty good for me.. A whole week ahead of christmas day.. It's a lot better than the 3 days that it normally is... Lol.

So tree is decorated, a few cards to finish writing then have to brace the cold to deliver them all..
Hope you've all had a wonderful day and stayed safe and warm if you're surrounded by snow.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxxxx

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OMG...

The gritter has just gone by again!!! Shocking as we live in a wee estate with only one road in and out. Thank you so much Mr Gritter.. He's officially my favourite person now :)

Xxxxx


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Woohoo!!!

A lovely big gritter lorry has just driven past the window... Sure hope it's just because of the ice that's currently lying on the road and not in prep for more incoming snow... I am sorry for all of you out there who are still waiting on one arriving.. So thought I'd post a picture just to remind you what they look like... Lol

Xxxxx


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Time to relax

Well folks I'm glad to say that my christmas shopping is now almost complete.. Still have a few stocking fillers to get but will hopefully managed to get them tomorrow. After trailing the shops for 5 hours today I'd had enough and called it quits.

Did meet up with mum though so we had breakfast together before starting on the shopping expedition.. Well I needed to ensure I had enough energy to carry the bags.. Lol.

Also got my christmas bought for me too.. A lovely new down filled coat to keep me warm in these sub zero temps..

So, time to get all the animals fed, then feed myself before moving onto some wrapping.

Hope you've all had a fab day and if you've got snow, make sure you stay safe and warm.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

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Shopping!!!

This is an out of office auto notification... Normal services will resume once I've finished my christmas shopping... And may I add I'm doing a lot better today than I did 2 days ago...

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx
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Mr Postie arrived..

Well I'm nothing much less than ecstatic this morning as Mr Postie has finally arrived with my goodies.. Well he didn't quite deliver it to me.. It was delivered to the wrong address but thankfully they passed it to another neighbour who then passed it to me.. Poor package must be exhausted with it's journey now... Lol..

Now all I need to do is find the time to play with it.. Still got pressies to buy, cards to make and my pre xmas cleaning to finish... Sure I wouldn't complain if I have to play with them on christmas day... Lol..

Right, off now to get some chores done as I really need to finish some cards today so I can get them in the post.

Catch up with you all later.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

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Distress Inks only £2.99

Well I just found out last night that there is a massive sale on with tons of bargains to be found... and I mean tons.... including Tim Holtz distress inks for only £2.99.... can you believe it.....

Now I've been and got myself some goodies and also collected a few for a friends daughter for her christmas pressie... I'm making up a huge bag of goodies for her as she loves crafting... and her daddy very kindly asked me to help put it together for her as he hasn't got a clue what to get her.

So... where is this massive sale I hear you ask.... Graphicus.... go quick as I don't imagine the stash of goodies will last long at these prices...

Happy crafting (and shopping)

Lorraine xxx

Extravaganza update..

Sorry should have said.. further dates and venues to follow in the future...

CRAFT EXTRAVAGANZA EVENT 2011

The event will be held on May 27th and 28th 2011 in Perth... Cost for all 8 workshops, including lunches and coffee etc will be £155 per person.

B&B from £41.50.

There will be an Extravaganza dinner on the Friday night, the price for which has still to be finalised.

Demonstrators:

Jo Channon, TV face of Creative Expressions

Kay Rutter, Hougie Board inventor

Christine Bell, TV's Princess Pinflair

Sarah Lawrence, TV face of Crafty Notions

Lynda Chapman, TV personality and legendary crafter

Jeanette Sendler, internationally renowned felt maker and costumier

Elena Costella, Knitting/craft journalist and designer...

Then... Me.... Lorraine Robertson....

Ad's have now been finalised for the event and will be appearing in craft magazines in January... so, anyone reading this is getting a little advance opportunity to book their place early...

Please feel free to contact me for further details or to book your place... it's gonna be a real fun filled weekend.....

Love 'n' hugs

Lorraine xxx

Bbbbbrrrrrrr

Oh I'm feeling chilly today... Do you think it's to do with all the snowflakes around me.. Lol.

Well I sat last night and die cut all the flakes and right now I'm sitting inking them all... I've got all these piles around me.. Images in one pile, 3 different piles of snowflakes.. Etc...

Hopefully I might be able to start constructing them tomorrow and get the crucial one's out in the post before the nasty weather returns.

Right, off back to my snowflakes whilst hoping you're all snug and warm indoors like I am.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

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Questions..

Well I'm sat here die cutting snowflakes whilst catching up on tonight's soaps.. Now here's the questions..

What the dickens happened to Ben Mitchell..

As for Corrie.. What planet is Sally Webster on... Poor Rita lying in a hospital bed after closely escaping death and all Sally can do is share her troubles.. Get a grip woman..

Right, now I've got that off my chest I'm going back to my snowflakes :)

Xxx

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Pre xmas prep...

Well... Another long lie for me this morning :). Thinking maybe I'm getting a little too used to this now.. That's 3 days in a row now.. Lol.

It's obviously doing something to help the energy levels right enough as today has been spent making a good start on my pre xmas cleaning... A chore that I normally detest but for some reason I'm rather enjoying it today.. Let's hope I keep the memento going for another few days so I can get the full house done.

Mr postie brought some more lovely cards this morning and the gritter has been round too... So it's a good day all round so far... Still got another bit of work I want to do today, then I'll be on to some xmas card making... Can't wait so I can get them all delivered and post too.

Right, best get on or I'll never get to the cards... Lol... So I'll love you and leave you for now but will try to pop back later again.

Happy crafting all
Lorraine xxx

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Well it's been a nice relaxing weekend.. With the thaw well under way until last night when we had a really hard frost fell and it's never really lifted today... And it's fell tonight again.. Boy is it cold... Bbbbrrrrrrr. Just to let you see how cold it is I took a picture of my shed so you could see all the lovely sparkles on it.. And my finger prints too.. Lol.

Going to try and get some xmas shopping done tomorrow.. Well I did buy the wrapping paper today so would be nice to have some gifts to wrap... :). Rest of the day will hopefully be spent making xmas cards.

Will do my best to resume service as normal this week again as I've been a bit of a bad blogger the last few weeks... Sorry about that.

Hope you've all had a fab weekend and are starting to feel in the festive mood, after all... Christmas is just around the corner now.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

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To the left of my house

Well ain't this so much of a better look than it was just a few days ago.. At least now we can see some road and even some grass and plants... Yippee... Long may the thaw continue over the weekend and hopefully we'll get rid of all the snow before the next lot of sub zero conditions return.

Stay warm & cosy everyone.

Lorraine xxx

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To the right of my house

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Mr Postie arrived

Woohoo... He made it through the snow today and I slept through him chapping on the door... Lol.. Fortunately he left it with a neighbour for me :)... Nice Mr Postie.

Glad some more of my stash has arrived... That's 2 orders down and 1 to go.. Fingers crossed that will arrive tomorrow.

Well what's on the agenda today??? Need to scrub the bathroom then strip and reseal my amtico floor. After that it will be another bit of snow and ice clearing on the roads. Fortunately we've got into a very quick thaw here so it should make the digging much easier and hopefully the road will be a lot clearer by the end of the day.

Hope you all have a wonderful day and if you're stuck amidst the snow... Stay safe and warm indoors.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

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Glad it's night

Well we managed to recover the car today... Woohoo... So whilst in Hamilton I decided to pick up bunny food so went to the bank for cash... Banks closed... Cashlines.. No cash available!!! Hhmmm... Off to M&S I toddled... Treated myself to a pair of velour trackies all so I could get cashback... Lmao... Got the food and back to the car. Next up fuel.. Into the garage I went and managed to get my maximum allowance of £20.. Round Motherwell town centre which is nothing more than a skating rink and home. Just got in, took of my coat and boots only to see one of my neighbours trying to recover his abandoned vehicle. Coat and boots back on, spade in hand and off I went again.. Fortunately another neighbour was out helping too so 1st car cleared.. Now to tidy the road and flatten it a bit... Hhhmmm one more abandoned car.. A wee mini... Well neighbour and I decided to dig that out too, then we chapped the girls door, gave her a push and into her driveway she went... Yippee road cleared... Into my neighbours house now for a wee cup of coffee and chat :)... Then round to get hubby coming home from work. Had tea and now I'm into warm dry clothes and finally getting the heat into me... Well most of me apart from my tootsies.. They still feel like blocks of ice.

Hope you've all had a good day and stayed safe & warm where needed... I need to go finish off a special card now, so will catch you all later.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

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Wish me luck.. Going to attempt to get Rob to work today... And hopefully retrieve the other car. I may be some time... Lol xxx
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The view to the right of my house
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The view to the left of my house
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A right wee work force hard at work here.. Even the kids are helping...

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Scene this morning...

Well even if we could get the car out the drive... We still couldn't go anywhere as our entire road is blocked this morning with abandoned cars.

This is the scene at the front of my house and it is the exact same in the cul-de-sac behind.

Police are advising motorists not to drive anywhere in the central belt... Guess I'll be walking to the shop just to keep stock levels up (asda in motherwell had no bread left last night) and may try clearing the driveway and part of the road.

Hope you are all safe and well indoors keeping warm.

Love 'n' hugs
Lorraine xxx

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This guys wheels just keep spinning.. He can't get anywhere.
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Current view out my window.. 2 cars which have now got stranded in the snow and have been abandoned... Only the blue one at the back is actually in a parking spot! Got another one at the side of my house just now, stuck in snow and just about reading to blow his engine if he doesn't stop revving as hard as he is...
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A wee part of my back garden
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Airbles Road, Motherwell

Hard to believe this is just after 5pm and should be filled with rush hour traffic!
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Leven street, Motherwell

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Think this is at strathclyde park
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Airbles Rd, Motherwell

No moving traffic in sight
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Snowy days

Some pics of a snow covered Motherwell just after 5pm today when it should be bumper to bumper with rush hour traffic..
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What a sight..

Hubby finishing the last leg of his journey home... Stay safe everyone till all this treacherous weather clears... Xxx

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Snow road to drive on!!!

Current view outside my house... No idea what is road and what is pavement or garden!
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Snow again!!!

Would you believe my wee car was all clear less than 2 hours ago and look at it now... Is this snow never going to stop!!!
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Busy...

Morning all... Hope you have all had a wonderful weekend and are ready for the week ahead.

My Monday morning has started with a production line for some christmas cards... The first of about 4 batches... Lol.

Time to get the head down now and get some serious colouring down, so I'll say goodbye to one and all and catch up with you all later.. Hopefully my new Timmy goodies will arrive today :)

Toodles for now
Lorraine xxx

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