5 on a Friday: some blog goals.

Today's 5 on a Friday are aims for my blog. Blogging is a hobby for me, something when I have chance to do it I really enjoy. I love the interaction you can have with other bloggers and through blogging I have met some wonderful people, many of which I consider friends although we have never met. I like the anonymity of it, I'm not really one who talks much about my feelings, so having my blog gives me a place to talk about stuff I would normally keep to myself, does that sound strange? Only a select few know about my blog and that's the way I like it. It's a separate thing from my day to day life, I kind of like having a secret persona.

Looking back at my year so far...

Can you believe we're zooming through June, half the year already gone by! I swear time just seems to be going faster and faster. So how are your years going for you?

Mines been kind of

Spruce up your blog no 2: adding a blog header.

In my first post of my 'Spruce up your blog'series I told you about how I updated my blog template, which I totally love! Today I'm going to talk about how I added my own touch to the design by adding a different blog header.

Turbulent times, a portent of doom?

Hello again!

How you all doing?

Well its been a turbulent time in the Rigby household hence my absence from blogging. But I'm back and here to tell you all about it...

Two and a half weeks ago my Dad had a little bit of a disaster, tripping  over, hitting his hip on the stone hearth of our fire place and breaking his hip. This resulted in him having a very unexpected hip replacement from which he is now thankfully recovering, Looking at the silver lining of things, it was his bad hip that had been play up, causing backache due to arthritis so lets hope once he is fully recovered that pain will have gone.

So between hospital visits and my newest course being in full flow now and work is just crazy busy, I've not had time to be posting here or doing anything bloggy, like visiting some of my favorite blogs.

It's my 3rd Bloggaversary!!!!!

Wow today is 3 years since the start of The Tales of Me!

Boxy make-up bag and slim pencil case

I've been at it again, I didn't think I had enough of them so made myself a couple more zipper pouches! Actually I keep making the same thing to practice and try and perfect the skills that I am learning.

The Crafty Side of Me: Mini wallet and pencil case.

I'm desperate to do some more sewing and have a couple of projects planned with some gorgeous material that's been sitting in my stash box for ages. I'm trying to be patient and wait till the end of the month when I can invest in some grid rulers which will make my life so much easier as cutting out fabric neatly is not something I'm particularly good at. my lovely hubby got me a rotary cutter and large cutting board for Christmas which I really wanted so once I purchase my rulers I'll be raring to go, it will be a lot quicker cutting out patterns.

I have done a little bit of sewing so I thought I'd share some of the things I have managed to make recently.

A New Year

Is everyone getting into the swing of a new year?

I am and I'm hitting it head on with determination and gusto! (A bit like Spike)

make animated gifs like this at MakeAGif

Yoo hoo! Anyone there? I'm back!

Hey, remember me? Kate here. Wow, I haven't checked out my blog for ages. It's been well and truly neglected!

Sheesh! My last post was back in October and that was just a quickie.

 So what have I been up to? Well between life, stress, exams and study, it's all been crazy busy!  I just haven't had the time or inclination to get on my computer and write my posts. Well I finally got the good new that I passed both my OSCE's which was a huge relief!

Problem fix for adding blogger images to sidebar

Recently I wanted to change my images I use for my labels in my sidebar, a task that previously wasn't a problem but now frustratingly is.  Grrr! So annoying!  After uploading your image to the gadget, before you can save it you are required to add a title which is not a good look.

Slightly longer than a mid-year catch up

We're nearly at the end of August and things have been very quiet on the Tales of Me pretty much since I took part in the A to Z challenge back in April, that was a whole lot of fun but also a shed load of work.  Since then things have been pretty manic with one thing and another in the Rigby household so blogging and socialising with my blog buddies and on FB/Twitter has been to the minimum. But I'm going to try for a better work, life and blogging balance and maybe fit it all in...

My essay is written just waiting for feedback from my mentor and then need to do an changes, it will all be handed in on the 29th.  My results for the OSCE came in and unfortunately I failed that.  That came as no surprise as I already blogged about that and how badly it went.  I know where I went wrong and what I need to do so I will be getting as much practice as in possible.  The main problem I had in the exam was a ran out of time so I will be buying myself a watch to keep an eye on the time, we get 30 minutes to see each pretend "patient". I know 30 mins sounds a lot but in exam terms its not.

I had planned to do a a mid-year update when I was going to look back at the goals I set in January but I've kind of missed the mid-year mark but hey better late then never! So all the way back in January I made some Goals! and did a post about what I wanted to achieve this year. So lets see how I'm doing with all that...




I'm on my way to achieving my work goals, as I've mentioned I am doing my physical examination course and although it's not quite going to plan as I failed my exam but I will have achieved this by September!  In February I will hopefully be on my Nurse prescribing course which will be another one of my goals achieved.  Positive thinking! I actually started a 2nd course last month which is all adding to progressing in my career.  An ongoing goal for me is my organisation in life full stop. At work it has been better but I haven't been as organised with my course so definitely room for improvement there!



Ok one of my things as it is ever year is to get fitter and get down the gym!  Well I've managed to loose abour 5kg/10lbs ish. Which is great.  I had been going down the gym regularly, I even made it 4 times in one week! Unfortunately that has gone a little to pot this last 6 weeks due to time with my course and then I have time I have no car as Hubby's has broken down and he has to use mine.  That will hopefully be resolved in the next week or so and I can get back to the gym.

Another goal was to get to grips with my sewing machine, which I've done a little bit of but still got a way to go yet.



One of my money goals was not to make any stupid cock ups when it comes to money.  I suppose we have managed not to do anything stupid but as always money is sometimes good and sometimes bad.  There's been a major change with Hubby at work which is kind of good but has been tough too.  Intrigued? I shall tell you more another day...



I wanted to develop my blog further this year which hasn't gone so well as I just haven't had the time to spend on it.  On the other hand after the A to Z I have a few more followers which is great!



Well I haven't had as much as I'd of like this year.  I'm happy and life's not been all bad but we haven't got to do any canoeing or camping.  We have had a wonderful holiday in Italy and done some fun stuff, so don't get me wrong I'm not complaining but due to boring responsibilities we have been a little restricted.  I shall endeavour to keep at this goal!

So that's my mid-year ish update.  Later this week I'll be posting a new sewing tutorial , acute little mobile phone pouch.

Arrrggh!

Hey my friends,

Wow  I'm tired.  Today was examination day!

It was my OSCE, for those who don't know what that its. I had to do 2 of 4 random 'stations'. Mine was cardiovascular and abdominal. You go in and there is the examiner and a patient/actor. You have half an hour to take a history, do a physical examination and decide on diagnosis.  Well sounds ok maybe but it is mega nerve racking! It is amazing how quick half an hour goes.

Do I think I passed?

Unfortunately not, I took to long in my history taking and nearly run out of time on both so the last part of my examinations were rushed and for one of them actually missed bits.  The first examiner said I did well and my problem was I ran out of time. The 2nd on didn't say anything. Although I did some things well I don't think I've done enough to pass.

So I should get my results in 2 weeks, I can resit if I don't pass one or the other or either.  Just have to wait and see.  But for now now I just have to get my but in gear and focus on my essay which I thankfully got an extension on but I plan to get it all done by next week so I can get it checked by tutor etc. Just want to get it out of the way.

I'm looking forward to getting back to blogging more regularly got a few posts lined up.  and desperately wants to do a bit of sewing!

Well that's it for tonight, just a little update now time to switch my brain off and catch up on some of my programmes, hmmm I think a bit of 90210 *Hubs is now rolling eys and calling me a saddo*

Ok I'll be back soon so hang in there, oh and when all my work is done I want to celebrate with a give away, so keep your peepers peeled!

p.s I hope there is not more spelling mistakes I am very tired, think I have corrected them all now.

Guest post, stationery love.

Hey Peeps, it's been pretty quiet here on The Tales of Me. I mentioned a little while ago I was doing a new University course, Clinical reasoning and physical examination, which is intense and lots of work but great as it was on my list of things I wanted to achieve this year! It does mean that for the best part of June and possibly July I can't do much blogging.  Next week I won't even be here, off to Lake Garda for my Best Mates wedding! Oh yeah!

Today though I did a guest post for the lovely Sharon Goodwin of Jera's Jamboree.  Her blog is a place for all things literary!  On her blog you will find book reviews, guest posts and interviews.  She also has some great regular features one of which is Stationery love which is what I did my guest post on. So hop over to Shaz's blog and check it out!

So for anyone who enjoys my blog please be patient, I will do my best to get some posts done but I have to be good and prioritise.  I have got some good ideas sitting on the back burner so keep your eyes peeled.

Here's the link to Jera's Jamboree Stationery love:
http://jerasjamboree.com/2013/06/05/jeras-jamboree-stationery-love-with-kate-diggerhound/

I hope everyone's enjoying the sunshine, I know I am.

Weekend catch up.

Can you believe we're over half way through May! This year is just whooshing on by.  I suppose since we're getting near to half way through the year I'll have to be reviewing my new year post and the goals I hoped to achieve this year.  Today lets just have a little catch up.

The last week and a half has been pretty busy, which generally seems to be how my life is at the moment.  Last Thursday week my Mum went in for her 2nd knee replacement.  Bless her, its a horrendous operation but she has done really well and was discharged home after 6 days which is much better then last time when she was in for 8 days.  She would of come out on day 5 but they kept her an extra day to make sure her kidney function was improving because one of the tablets she had been taken had affected them.  She is getting there though.

Last Sunday I had a lovely day at the Fluff-a-torium in Dorking and made a lovely bag that I am seriously chuffed with but I'll tell you all about that tomorrow in my 'Crafty side of me' post.

It's time for some Friday delights!

Blogging from A to Z, Z is for zoomania...

Few!!!!! *lets out a humongous sigh as wipes brow*

So we've made it to the last day of the blogging from A to Z April challenge.  As fun as it has been I'm kind of glad it's all over as it's quite a task writing posts for everyday with all the other boring responsibilities of life, working full time, housework (this may have slipped a little in the past month) and Maid of Honor duties of organizing Hen nights. 

A little catch up

I've missed just having a chat on my blog what what with the busy schedule of the A to Z challenge.  I am enjoying it and I've met some lovely bloggers but it's not easy.  So what's been happening in my world? I'm having a busy April with weddings, birthdays and even a craft exhibition.

*Warning, pic heavy post*

Last weekend I was lucky enough to have a long weekend off, which meant after Easter I only had a 2 day working week!  On the Thursday, I braved my first craft/sewing exhibition on my lonesome   As I say it was my first but very possibly my last.

Creative Stitches and Hobbycraft Show

Blogging from a to Z. L is for love, loss, libraries and lacrosse...

 

L is love, loss, libraries and lacrosse. Now that's an odd selection isn't it?  So what have I got to say about love? Well firstly I being overly generous using the word love, you see I'm talking about my first boyfriend. I was 15 and there was a group of us who use to hang around together.  We'll call said boyfriend Bob for the purpose of this post.  Bob was a sweet lad but I don't think I actually liked him in a boyfriend sense but I kind of wanted a boyfriend as you do so said yes when he asked me out.  It was more a case of a bunch of friends that use to hang out and a few of us had paired up as boyfriends and girlfriends.

Blogging from A to Z, K is for Kate yep that's me!

We're on letter K today.  Through my A to Z posts I hope you are getting to know me a little bit better although it's the slightly mad side of my childhood I'm telling you about so I hope you don't think I'm to strange...  So K is for Kate, yep that's me.  So a few random facts about me.

Blogging from A to Z Challenge, J is for Junior school

J is for Junior school.  Now this is really testing the old noggin, recalling memories from Junior school and I can't remember that much from it but there are a couple of silly little things.  I remember my friend Lisa and I catching a newt (we use to love doing things like that) and we were allowed to put it in the large box/tank that we had in the classroom and it proceeded to eat the frog spawn that one of the other kids had put in there.  He was mighty upset.