Pages

When you make a conscious choice to be happy, no one can take it away from you because no one gave it to you: you gave it to yourself.

A quote from April Green's - Bloom For Yourself Journal

Wednesday 4 November 2015

WOYWW 335 & an update

Good morning desk dashers and other readers. I do hope you are well today. So as always on a Wednesday I'm here to share my desk as per the rules of our leader Julia, over at The Stamping Ground

My desk this morning looks like this - 

 The right side hasn't changed all those pens are still there so I'm showing the window side today.
A WIP book folding present for Christmas, a new colouring book and the parts of a santa wobbler card! I'm not actually sending Christmas cards this year as I want to make a donation to my fundraising in lieu of those cards, but I am giving close friends and family cards. I bought the wobblers years ago and haven't used them so this year I'm going to! 

If you only came to see the desk you may wish to stop now the rest is to do with Keagan and our trip to Newmarket!

I wasn't at the crop at the weekend as I was travelling up to Newmarket with my parents and Keagan. Keagan is attending The British Racing school (have a peek at the website it's an amazing place!) to start his racing career. It's been his dream since a little lad. 

We had a lovely weekend exploring the town and finding all the top racing yards. Beautiful scenary. 

 The bottom side of the high street -  there's a fabulous clock tower. We stayed just along from here.
 The famous gallops. We could see the horses warming up at the bottom of these from our hotel windows while eating our breakfast! The entire town is basically run by horses. Cars have to stop at the horse crossings. And it can take a long time especially in the morning to travel just a short distance.

On Monday Keagan moved in (he's up there till beginning of Feb inc over Christmas!). He was so happy and relaxed that it made leaving much easier than I thought! We also saw his friend Rhian who started up there last week. It was lovely to see her and give her a hug. It was funny as she came out of the common room and Keagan just put his arms out and gave her a big hug in front of everyone!

Keagan's room is great, he's sharing with a lad who is 18 which suits Keagan. He was worried he'd end up with someone who'd just turned 16 and was immature. Keagan is a mature 17 year old as anyone who knows me knows. Nice to know that was his only worry!

They've got their own en-suite shower room and each of them has their own desk and area within the large L shaped room. It's bigger than I thought it would be.

We left him to unpack and get ready for work as they were throwing them straight into it. I left with a smile on my face. Happy to see my boy so relaxed and happy to be there. As we left we saw many of the students sat with their parents in reception not talking to anyone. They gave us startled looks as if to say 'You are leaving already!' 

I've since had a few texts saying everything was good, he was enjoying it and already riding yesterday morining. Bless him. Texting without me doing so first. Lol. 

Take care Zo xx

25 comments:

Annie said...

Hi Zoe. I'm so thrilled for you that your boy has left and gone to where his heart is. It's such a big step for you both [esp you] so it really does make life so much easier when they settle in happliy.....long may it last.
Have a great week.
Hugs,
Annie x # 24

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

Hi Zoe! The cover of that book immediately caught my eye. I love those designs. I don't do much colouring myself, but I like looking at these books for inspiration. Happy WOYWW! zsuzsa @ InkyDinkyDoodle #31

Lunch Lady Jan said...

I'm soooo thrilled that everything has gone so well for Keagan. It's brilliant that's he's achieved his dream...I hope that he continues to settle in and do brilliantly there. I haven't been sad since Rhys went to Winchester, because it's so obviously the right place for him. I do miss him, obviously, but it's good to see him doing well.
Love that new colouring books, the patterns look quite steampunky :-)
Hugs, LLJ 18 xxx

buterfliecrafter said...

how wonderful of you to donate to charity instead of spending it on cards. butterfliecrafter#12

glitterandglue said...

That's really great, Zoe - a happy lad, starting out just where he longs to be. What a blessing for you as his mum to know he is already settling. Trust you manage well without him around - took me ages to actually go into my daughter's bedroom when she left home!!!
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #2

Sofie V said...

I love you new coloring book!

Greetings, Sofie #11
http://sofies-succulent-beads.blogspot.be/

Elizabeth said...

Well, Zo, I did come for the desk but how could I not read the good news about Keagan. I'm so glad he is settling in well ... it can be stressful fitting in somewhere new as I remember from my young days in the army. And how nice to stay in a hotel with a view. Ayr Racecourse is only a couple of minutes away from our house so we sometimes take a stroll down to watch the horses being put through their paces - it's a beautiful sight :) Almost forgot your desk ... you look busy there. I quite like your idea of not sending cards and donating instead. Might just consider doing the same next year. Have a great week. Elizabeth x #42

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Zoe, so good to read how happily Keagan has settled in, even if it did mean missing the crop. It sounds as if he'll have the time of his life, doing what he loves. Have a great week, hugs, Shaz xx

Lisca said...

Zoe, I'm absolutely thrilled for you that Keagan is so happy going to Newmarket. What a fantastic opportunity! At this point I am not interested in your desk. Lets have some more news and some more photos. I'd love to know how he gets on. (And how you cope with an empty nest....).
Have a good week,
Lisca

Neet said...

What a wonderful opportunity for your son - I wish him well. Sounds as if he will have a great time anyway. Hope you get used to hm not being around, not easy but doable.
Great idea to do donations - think I will be doing similar as I haven't time to make lots of cards this year (or any year lol).
Hugs, Neet 8 (thanks for visiting me earlier, only just come on here as I have been crafting all day) xx

Helen said...

So pleased the weekend for you was good - smashing to hear Keagan is settling in to his first part of a brave and exciting new beginning. We missed you on Saturday, hope to see you next time. Helen 5

Bridget Larsen said...

ooh how exciting for him, hope he does make it to Melbourne cup....just tell him to read and listen to all the videos of Michelle Payne and how she got to where she is now to be the first woman to win the Melbourne Cup in its history.

Marit said...

It's so much easier to let go of your man-child when you see they are right where they ought to be... I had a similar experience with my son when he moved out of the house (but he was older by then, 19) I smiled at your last sentence: texting without mum texting first. That does not happen often with me... he's way to busy, ha! The colouring book looks awesome! I have two colouring books but keep on drooling over all the other ones I come across... enjoy! Hug from Holland (no coffee anymore, shifted to milk at lunch...) Marit #21

Diana Taylor said...

Lovely colouring book, it looks very intricate. That's a good idea putting Christmas card money to charity instead of sending cards - I always find it a bit depressing sending to people I only ever hear from once a year - I'm sure a lot wouldn't notice if I didn't send to them, and I'd halve the amount of work I have to do as well!! Thanks for the earlier visit, and I hope you have a great week,
Diana #26

Karon said...

Fabulous and good luck to Keagan!

Sue said...

Hope Keagan enjoys his time at the Racing School.

Love the bits and bobs on your desk. I am into the Zen colouring.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Happy WOYWW
Sue #17

Twiglet said...

What a brilliant positive post Zoe - I hope it is everything he is wishing for and he enjoys every minute - well done Keagan - how exciting. x Jo

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Zoe, thanks for the visit to mine. Pleased to hear Keagan has settled in, will be watching his progress with interest. Angela x

sandra de said...

Sounds like lots of changes for you and Keagan and what an exciting new life. Enjoy the colouring book.
sandra de @19

Anne said...

Hi Zoe tried to send aa comment last night. Laptop froze and I lost it. Glad that your son was relaxed about being left there. It helps so much. Left my son up in Leeds - at Uni 22 years ago - I felt sad but also good that he was happy to be there ready tofulfil his dream! Think we both did a good job with our boys. Good luck yo your son. Anne x #27l

Kristiina said...

I think I've seen that colouring book somewhere... I always drool over those at the bookshop, but since I have so much crafting going on as it is, I haven't given myself permission to fall for them :)
My 14-year old daughter wanted to go to boarding school, and she's loved it. But no talk of getting texted without doing so myself first!
Happy belated woyww, thanks for stopping by :)
Kristiina

Angie said...

Lovely book love the designs. Thanks for stopping by!
Angie #45

Julia Dunnit said...

Sorry I'm late, utterly thrilled by news of K's start and your happiness in leaving him settled. Wish him nothing but continuing success and happiness on this path. Or should I say Gallop!! Meanwhile love the colouring patterns, there's a lot of restful thinking to do there! Struggled to read the italic curly font on your blog today, but it may be iPad 'translating' it wrong...it does from time to time, load with one font and finish loading only to turn into another!!

Laura said...

Hi! Sorry I'm a bit late returning your visit from last week! The colouring book looks gorgeous and the folding book project looks intriguing as well. Hope you're having a good week. Happy WOYWW! ~ Laura #57

Laura said...

Hi -- happy WOYWW belatedly! Blogger appeared to "eat" my comment, so I will try one more time. The colouring book looks really gorgeous -- and since you love to colour, it should be right up your alley! Best wishes for a good week and thank you for your visit. ~ Laura #57