Mountain Passes, Caves and We made it to the Show!

We are still on our holiday in the Lakes ... it has been a soggy and windy week so far, but we haven't been put off.  We have enjoyed the time visiting areas both new and old. Tuesday saw us high up near the Langdale Pikes, perched overlooking the Hardknott Pass.  The gale force winds were difficult to stand up in (I tried) so was grateful to the sheer weight of the car keeping us grounded.  At least it was mostly dry at that point.  We went to  White Scar Caves yesterday...  Going through a half mile or so of the accessible area, part of which was over an underground stream, through a passage where I had to bend double on more than one occasion.  Thank goodness for the hard hat is all I can say.. I hit my head quite a few times! 

The stalactite and 'mite formations were 'picturesque' (a budgie, a witch's hat and face and a cat to name just a few).  There were some incredible straw stalactites also.. fluorescing a luminous ultra violet. These form literally like a straw, with a hollow centre.  When they get blocked, they can form a carrot shape which looks very strange if it blocks half way down.  The history and geology of the caves was interesting to say the least.  Our guide, a young woman who had been there two years, was extrememly knowledgeable with a great sense of humour.

Well, we have finally made it to the Westmoreland Show (this is our second visit to the area in the same week as the show - last year MIL was rushed to hospital so we came later) despite the on/off state of the persistently wet weather! I think had we not got advanced tickets though we probably wouldn't have gone as it was a little on the damp side. However, we were more dry than wet, which was good. We went early, as we thought about the consequences of lots of visitors and muddy fields... which turned out to be more than just a concern (later we watched tractors pulling huge horse boxes through the axle deep mud and one stupid and obviously inexperienced driver, careen down the hill and skid at the gate onto the road!)

We spent a huge amount of time looking at the animals, particularly rare breeds, and were interested in the fact that we could be in the same enclosure whilst the judges were 'doing their thing'! LOL. I was fascinated by the size of the animals too, from tiny (less than knee high) to almost hip height, white, dark, blotchy, tweedy and so on, in colour. And the horns on the rams... positively satanic looking on the Jacobs! We spent time in the Alpacca tent, watching the judging and listening to the amusing commentry by one of the organisers, some of it against himself and the 'creed' according to the 'Alpacca' way of life.. eg they only give birth during daylight hours of 6am and 8pm... they do not give birth in bad weather... their gestation is between 10.5 and 12.5 months and so on. Then of course there were all the colours... eg fawn... light, medium or dark and so on. It actually was very interesting but quite amusing too. They make good 'guard dogs' apperently for sheep! No lambs are ever taken if there are Alpaccas with them!!!

We visited the WI tent, some super displays of food, crafts (struck up a great conversation with a lady who was spinning with a contempory 'wheel' from New Zealand, using only local or rare breeds wool.)  If I could have afforded the £10 for the 50g-100g balls; depending on the breed, my friends would all have got one for their knitting!) and 'afternoon tea'... photos to follow when I can download them at home. The internet here keeps dropping out in the middle of things! The Schools and Learning tent was foggy inside.... (yes, I do mean that as there was a definite mistiness in the air - it was so much warmer inside than out, but also quite damp feeling). It was also full of inspiration for me and I photographed as many displays as I could, very aware that I had left my spare battery at the flat! One or two GCSE art books were incredible... how it has all changed since I did my GCE O level. From there we walked up and down the aisles and eventually found the produce tent... all locally produced food and lots to try. If only we were local or at least able to freeze some and bring it home without defrosting!!!

We found lunch at a stand which was doing locally produced meats (pork, beef burgers, bacon etc. We had a stuffed pork (plus stuffing and apple) roll each and oh how much tastier it was than that from a supermarket. I tried not to think of the poor little piglet we were par-taking of, as I munched on the tasty fare. We could have had crepes or doughnuts, strawberries and cream, meringues dipped in chocolate and so on, for desert but.... I still look like a roly poly.. think a few pounds have crept back despite me packing salads when we go out!

DH predicted the weather would clear in the afternoon and indeed it did. The sun came out and we spent an hour or so longer mooching amongst the machinery and vendors, finishing by the show ring where the heavy horses (ridden) were about to be judged. The show jumping was later than advertised as the ground was just too wet to begin as stated. We watched the carriage driving for a few minutes, then the hunter class (unregistered) for a few more. People were beginning to swarm in at this point so we decided we had had enough and left, before the 'car park' got too churned up.  It was a super show and it was sad that the weather had stopped people from going - I suspect many vendors will have lost out substantially!

The forecast is wet for the early hours tomorrow, but hopefully we will get to Coniston so that DH can sail. We will not go if it is too windy as the boats available are better with more crew! I for one do not wish to be dumped in the lake! DH is much quicker in his movements and need to stay dry than I!!!! LOL We have bought dry bags for the camera!!!! I'm taking my good one with lenses! Heaven help me.

Tomorrow night is the Kendal Torchlight parade.  Fingers x. 

In this week I have relaxed.  I have read two books - watched an episode of the Swedish programme The Killing (missed almost all the episodes!),  learned to play Suduko ( a genuine surprise to me as I am not mathmatical and cut fabric for a quilt. This has been 'my time' and I have enjoyed it.

Oh yes, for any who are interested... DD landed back in the country yesterday... she drove her grandparents up to Newcastle today..  I am still awaiting her call to say she is home having done the 500+ mile round trip in one day! Kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Daughter's, holidays and what else will the weather chuck at us?

It is once more our annual holiday... so what is it about our 'sacred' time away, that seems to inspire our daughter to have an emergency that only we can help her with?  She is thousands of miles away from home in New York.  She has an infected leg requiring $900 worth of hospital treatment and $93 of anti-biotic.  Yes, she has insurance, but of course has had to pay out up front!   Could we help her as she didn't know if she had enough in her account to cover it?  This, at 6.00am in the morning, was somewhat of a shock, especially as DH flew out of bed at such a speed (to answer his phone), I thought he was going to be ill (I don't normally sleep heavily, but I had gone to bed very late)! We are hundreds of miles away from our home... needless to say without any of our financial 'requirements' to use internet or otherwise banking, thus to try and put money into her account (and it being a Sunday)... nigh impossible.  Why is it that banks do not have a contact number to phone for genuine emergencies?  The Indian call centre does not understand that we do not need to carry our passports within our own country - the UK call centre for DD's bank could not help as they would not accept debit card payment. GRRRRRRR!!!!!!

A few years back, we were in Oban and a similar thing happened... DD phoned at 2.00 am to say her car had been stolen and what should she do as she was miles from home, it was freezing cold (it was late October) and they would not let her back into the club she had been at to ask for help from her so called friends. We arranged for someone to pick her up and take her to our house at that point, but.... where is the common sense that we hope we have imbued into our children?

Having said that, we are having a slightly damp, but very pleasant holiday.  (The weather is being influenced, I think, by the after-effects of Hurricane Irene travelling across the Atlantic, so is rather up and down this week).  However, it is beautiful in the Lakes and so green.  We love it here and there is so much to see and do, however many times we come.  My diet has gone to pot, but I am trying to reel in my greed!  The food up here is so much tastier than at home!  At least it seems that way, but there are so many places to eat honest home grown or produced food here, that it is difficult to make the 'sensible choice'.  I had baked potato with crayfish and courgette and white onion soup (sounds gross but actually was tastier than I expected.  DH's gammon steak (at an inch thick and very succulent), with double fried chips, two eggs and salad was just amazing.  His pub-produced real ale was just delicious (I don't ever have a beer, but it was just smooth and had so many overtones that had I been a beer drinker, it would have been the one I chose). 

After coffee and NO desert, we left to continue our perambulations and eventually ended up at Ullswater and the Brackenrigg Inn (a frequent and favourite stop), for more coffee (and a desperately needed loo stop... LOL).  Two pots of coffee later, a half hour drive back and a visit to Morrisons for milk (and another loo stop) we have got back to discover DD has been invited, along with her team mates (she is in NY for an International sports event) to dinner with a fire crew who were involved with 9:11 and the Twin Towers.  This has obviously made her forget her woes.  Thank goodness something positive has come out of her trip... the first part of the games was cancelled due to Hurricane Irene and they lost at the semi finals to a team they had already beaten! Not sure how that happened but....!  Fingers x for her last few days out there... and for a relaxed end to both our holidays!

Films, cakes, quilts, friends and family.

Well it has been a very busy few months since I last wrote.    DH and I actually managed to get to the cinema last night to see Cowboys and Aliens.  Entertaining hokum but none the less, they are 2 genre I enjoy - Westerns and Sci Fi!  It is a wee while since I last saw a good western, this just had the added twist of aliens in it.  Sadly, it is not long since I saw the end of a really shabby B movie, on TV along a similar vein and it was awful.   Very similar story line (aliens extracting something from the ground, but no super anti-hero! 

I have been splitting my time as carer for my In-laws and also trying to see something of my father...  My house literally looks like the 'Wreck of the Hesperus' and I had such plans to clean and tidy a room a week whilst I was on recess.  No such luck!  I had planned to have my first full day at home, since breaking up, today.. Sunday ... 4 weeks in to the holiday.  No chance... went to put the icing on some cakes instead (see below)!  However, on my return, DH and I went for an idyllic walk with the dog across some local water meadows in the sunshine.  It was very warm and relaxing... just to go and walk, talk and enjoy the countryside... It took about 10 minutes to walk to and was only slightly spoiled by the drone of a hovering helicopter and the circling light aeroplanes, possibly pilots of the future learning their trade... it was that often!  It was such a lovely afternoon.

DD flies to NY on Thursday... the football kit for which does not arrive until Tuesday!!!!! It should have been with her two months ago!!!!  I will be going to her house to wait for it to arrive as both she and her landlady will be at work.  The downside... I have to be there for 8.00 am. The up-side, she will be home for lunch and hopefully will remember to bring something with her for us as we wont be able to go out to purchase anything.  I suspect I shall be asked to find something somewhere once she arrives.
We have decided to stay a few extra days in Brazil after going to a friend's wedding there, later in the year.  Weekend flights were just too expensive to return then anyway and there was not a flight available on the Monday, so that we thought it would be nice to explore the town and locality.  I would have liked to stay in Sao Paulo, but it is just adding to the cost and we are still trying to recoup a little of what we did not earn when DH was off work and I was looking after MIL.   This will be happening again when she has her hip done.  Thank goodness for Supply work.  Anyway, it will be the height of summer out there when we go and I have little idea what to wear for a more up-market wedding.  Luckily I am shedding some of the excess weight I have (1 STONE (14LB'S) SO FAR!!!) been carrying for far too long and hope to have got to a sensible level for my age and height.... this means another 2 stone at least but preferably 3.  I hope I can do it as it means I will be able to wear some of the really nice clothes I have been desperately hanging on to for 'a while'! 

As I say, we have been ultra busy with DH's family... his father came out of the care home on Wednesday and as predicted, it took less than three days for MIL to be back where she started... she is finding it even harder to cope since. I do not know what to do for them for the best.  The poor man is adamant he will never go back to the home, she is equally adamant he won't, but that she might if she is stressed much more!  What to do? Dementia is a tough one.

I have also been busy covering a wedding cake needed for the end of this week. It is three tiers, but the cakes will sit on top of each other rather than on pillars or separate stands. I have no decorating to do as the couple want fresh flowers and green ribbon around the base of each cake.  (The colours I purchased were either to minty or too limey.  Finally found one called khaki but it really is just a leaf green and will blend in well with the fresh flowers.  It is just not the green they had in the picture they showed me/wanted, which is probably an organza ribbon anyway and so much more translucent.) Just as well they don't want me to make the flowers as I have not made any for over a year now and am feeling a little rusty!

I also just completed a baby quilt for my friend whose baby is due in September, who, I am glad to say loved it and phoned me, in floods of tears to say just how much she loved it... the colours being those she had chosen for the baby's room (I did not know this).  So what to do about this.. I have too many quilts UNFINISHED as it is! I still need to start the one promised for an acquaintance! But then of course there is the huge pile of ironing!!!  Now which would you prefer to do first, dear reader? 

* Well it is now Monday and I have spent the day ironing, washing and ironing the dry.  At least I only have one basket of it left ( I had three, plus the freshly washed - all now hanging to air!) but that is piled high... well higher than I would like it to be. Once that is done, I shall be guilt free and be able to tackle some more housework then the quilts... or shall I just take it to DD's tomorrow?  Now there's an idea!

Until next time...

Time and Thankfully it's the holidays.

Wednesday Evening
After a fantastic four week stint at a school in Surrey, I can say I am ready for my break.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the work, the children and being with the staff... (who have thoughtfully, invited me to their end of term/year get together).  It has been great fun as we have worked on a topic base for these last few weeks and although their is a wide variety in outcome, I think they did quite well to build models and produced ICT and written contributions.  I have now brought it all home to mark and will give it to staff tomorrow to give back.  Nothing like pushing time as I have to take MIL to the hospital again for another check-up before she actually goes in for hip op in September, and then get ready to go to the staff-do!  DH is going to his company's evening at the local bowling alley where he works and so there was an issue with our one and only car but hey... these things have a way of resolving themselves..... I'm having it!  I wasn't but he's decided to stay at work and go on from there then catch the train home. YAY!

Thursday
I have at last completed the baby quilts... given one and one to go.  Hopefully I will see my friend next week to do this.  I have great plans to quilt till I drop over the holiday, but these things have a habit of not materialsing...   We have been invited to a wedding in November, so am considering using one of my UFO's for a wedding present.  The trouble is, it is probably too flowery for the gentleman in question, but perfect for his bride to be (who is dainty, petite and feminine). I will have to see what DH says (who promoted the idea of a quilt as a present.  At least he can appreciate what I do now... he has never really liked/enjoyed any of my other 'hobbies'.

I spent last night wakeful and in pain, due to a migraine.  I was over-tired, had eaten a rich and heavy curry (I have been on a diet for the last month and already lost 9.5lb's, which I am totally chuffed about as it has taken 18 months to get my head around doing it) so am really tired as a result and unusually, my tablets have not really cleared it - I am down to my last four and NOT for the love of money can I find anywhere that has them...guess they're not being made anymore. 

I am picking MIL about 11.30 so we have plenty of time to get to the hospital which means I have to leave no later than 11.15... maybe I can get an hour's sleep if I go now... so until later... adieu dear reader!

Photos of quilts to follow!

Yet again, I wonder where time has gone!

I am appalled at how swiftly time has gone by since I last posted. It is now early July -the 6th actually!!!!!!!!!!! 

I have been running around like the proverbial headless chicken... Both work and family commitments are taking up a lot of time and yet I still feel I am not doing justice to either, particularly with family.  My dad is poorly again, yet I know he isn't seeing the doctor - his excuse being he can't get an appointment.  I just hope he isn't heading for another bout of pneumonia!

Work is, gratifyingly, coming my way with a frequency which keeps me very busy.  I have had many good days lately which has left me feeling almost like going back full time.  Luckily, I do remember the reasons why I stopped full time!

Something I have not mentioned before is that as a result of stresses from work, I developed a small case of psoriasis, on my elbows of all places!  It is not pretty to look at, is basically very itchy and can be quite red, but that is all it's done.  Over the last month, suddenly I have it several very sore patches on  my left hand/wrist... with  small patches on  my right hand third finger and wrist.  I have no idea why 'it' has done this either as surely I feel less stressed than before.  I am enjoying my job, hubby is about to get a contract (we hope) and apart from the fact I am still an untidy creature, life is good. As my American friend might say...'Go figure!' Any ideas on  best treatments gratefully received; (I am using a steroid cream and various moisturisers to help keep it in check but the fingers are the worst).  NO advertising though, thanks!

I have been working hard on two baby quilts for my  friends who are expecting very soon.  One knows what sheis having but wont say and the other doesn't want to know.  I have kept to light pa  stel colours for both so there should be no problems about gender issues.  All I have to do is complete them. I was inspired to copy the design of a quilt I had seen hanging in the window of my local fabric store, Needle and Thread, (almost all my fabric came and indeed comes from there).  I just love going in to browse through the very neatly aranged fat quarters... to look at the quilts my friend has made to showcase the classes on offer and yes the very large arrangement of bolts so effectively displayed.  It is all so............. 'strokeable'!  Now all I need to do is not get distracted and complete my UFO's.  That is Un-Finished Objects - of which I have a few.  My friends laugh and say I am now, officially, a quilter as a result!

I am tardy in publishing this as I had the last part to complete.  So from then until now several weeks have passed.... apologies dear reader!
Until next time...
Bye for now.

Where does the time go?

Last week (Half Term) was busy!  I can't deny that.  Here it is now June and well, I'm ready for a proper holiday.  Lunch with Dad on Friday was not easy.. he is very introspective now and not very 'polite' either.  Still, lunch was an amicable affair despite him finding the filling for his baked potato rather tasteless and then we walked around the garden centre briefly.  'Which is the way out?' he said.  I took the hint and followed him out. He stayed long enough to have a cup of tea and then went on his way home.  Sadly, for me, it is hard to see him becoming so 'muddled' and unfocused.  He doesn't know what to do with himself these days and 'finds things' to do, whether it is bringing me Sainsbury's schools vouchers at some odd time, or taking MIL to the doctor.

DD has come for a visit (it involved lunch and an iced coffee at our local cafe) in the middle of her working day.  She has been obsessing over the iced coffee they serve for a couple of weeks now so, I took her as a treat. I was able to do this as I have had no work for 2 whole days... a record!  I am happy to have the time but not to lose out on the payment. I have partly used the time to visit my friends yesterday for our regular Tuesday quilt and lunch sessions (or should that just read our food and gossip session???LOL).  I did get quite a lot done so am really pleased to say that today I have put the binding on my first ever baby quilt!  I have enough fabric to make two more, although I shall be a lot more careful with how I allot the limited fabrics I have .  In some of the colours I only had a small amount of fabric and so,  still being a novice quilter (in my opinion) I did not work out the ratios very well. This quilt is a square as a result!  A very pretty one even though I say so myself.

Tomorrow, I will be back at work in a regular slot.  Hopefully, it will be a split day with Yrs 3 and 5. I have one week totally year 5 and then the next is 3 and 5.  One is an enjoyable day the other is not so much.  Never mind, it is all part of the great  experience life has to offer us.  Who knows what Friday will bring!

Half Term - and it is rapidly disapearing!



First you have to cut the fabric into
strips and join them together.


It is half term.  What does that imply?  Leisure time, so you would think.  I have been busy playing catch up with friends.  Woe be-tide the family members who get in the way of that happy task!  It began with a mediochre Saturday (DD came over wanting this and that, but mainly a McDonald's burger; a very bad tempered Sunday  burying a fox cub, and other things not worth mentioning.  In other words.. not much has been achieved!  Did do a little bit of gardening... my poppies are just stunning.
 
 

There are white ones and pink ones, orange
and deep crimson, dusky plum ones and frilly
ones.  Just amazing how many I have to look at.

June 1st however, has arrived all too rapidly.  It heralds a month with a rash of events such as Father's Day and family birthdays including FIL and DD.  My grandfather's birthday would have fallen between the two, (he would have been 84, I think, had he survived cancer). Time is literally flashing by.  The list of things to achieve is quite daunting, expensive and only some things will be achievable this month. 
It has been very summery over the last few months and today was no exception.  This morning was gorgeous, walking the dog as usual.  The bird song alone was quite amazing, if only the roar of the traffic was less than it had been. At 7.30 around here it can be very busy on the  roads.  (The only difference to previous days is that yesterday and today, I dropped DH at work instead of the station and was back in about half an hour.)  It is going to be a busy day tomorrow as we have a family funeral to go to in Peterborough... long trek and lots of arrangements for the dog and the cats welfare.

I visited a friend whom I made through work.  She is an amazing lady, about 5 months pregnant ( I am trying to get a baby quilt done for her - see photos) and had fun with another friend cutting strips and piecing fabrics so they looked good together.  She has a lovely personality and we get on like a house on fire.  She is 'crafty' as I am and together we were oohing and aahing at the things we've made.  We had lunch in a local town and really enjoyed the meal in Prezzo.. my first visit to one. Later we went back to her home and she showed me around.  I met her MIL who was exstatic to just learn she had been awarded three Olympic tickets (for the same event) so they would all be going!



Just divine!




Then you slice them the other
way so they stitch together to
make squares - the pattern
 running diagonally.


Of course, once I realised where she lived and the fact (as I drove past it) that she lived less than half a mile from my second favourite fabric shop... well of course I could not resist a visit.  Yes I spent a few pounds... four fat quarters later!!!! BUT it was the BOM (Block of the month) which really grabbed me.  Yep, signed up for it and paid the extra fee willingly... it is that good!  Now how to tell DH that the big fat monthly credit card bill is for yet another craft oriented venture! Hmm!  The shop owner obviously knew how to hook me in, but it was my choice after all.  The quilt is beautiful, I was even allowed to photograph it which was kind.  I am going to enjoy the challenge, as it is a full sized bed quilt, so one I SHALL actually have to get quilted rather than try it myself.  I would not want to ruin it.

So, my day was busy and full. DH and I took the dog for her customary evening walk and later, I dozed off on the sofa... something which is becoming rather more of a habit than I would like.  I knew we would be out early as we had an empty fuel tank and as it was a long way to go without, we would be visiting a petrol pump next day!

Today, 2nd June, was a shock to the system.  We had reset the alarm so it didn't go off at 5.30, but  I still awoke with a start as it sounded at 7.00.  DH had gone already with the dog.. which allowed me a gentle half hour of hairwash and shower.  Brekkie followed, by which time we were ready, picking up fuel, then my inlaws and we were off.  An early lunch at a Table Table restaurant along the A1M with soooo much time to spare it was daft.  However, we arrived stress free which was the main point of leaving early.  The funeral went well; later we caught up with a few relatives at the Fitzwilliam Arms (fantastic place) and then we drove home.  DD's housemate had picked up the dog so we went to collect her and finally, a quiet phone call with an old friend and now my blog update. 

Tomorrow is lunch with my father and hopefully the weekend will be restful!  At least it might be after we have been to a friend's leaving do.  He and his family are off to regions further away due to work! 

Hope you all have a great weekend too!



Busy, Busy, Busy!

This was going to be a short post, today, but inevitably.....!

Wednesday saw me with a migraine, so nothing happened other than I had to turn work down... just couldn't function!  I was still asleep when the phone rang so I had no chance to make it to a school which was effectively 3/4 hour drive away in peak time, especially when I wasn't even up, let alone dressed ready for departure.  Never mind, so I lost out on work; once I was up and running so to speak, I did at least have a chance to catch up on some viewing whilst I ironed... over 5 hours worth so it did do me some good!  At least it cleared some space on the box!

I worked Thursday with a nursery class.  I was so surprised at how much I enjoyed it and got some very positive feedback, which was really good as feedback either isn't given or doesn't happen very often. The next day I had years 1 and 2 which was just as nice and was given some really lovely feedback by the class TA in YR2.  I was very pleased to end the week on such a high note.  Compliments are hard won! 

Well, Saturday was quite mad as we were taking the in-laws to a plant sale on behalf of their local Alzheimer's group, which FIL attends.  By the time we had walked the dog and had brekkie pt 2, then got underway, the weather had warmed considerably and I was suffering the effects of a recurrance of my hot flushes.  MIL wanted us to call in at Garden Centres for this, that and the other before we had even left the house.  Oh joy!  We said we would do it afterwards which didn't go down too well... but we still deferred it until after we were out of our glad rags! By the time DH had taken her to the G.Centres,  it was time for lunch so fish and chips were served.  It was a huge meal.  I actually did not get to finish mine.. it was too much!  BUT - they were freshly cooked and piping hot by the time DH got them back to us and very yummy!  Wish we could hve shared a portion of chips.  The foxes did well out of it though as did the dog.. she rarely gets a treat like that!

(MIL also told us she had a phone call to say her hip op would probably be the first week of June!!! Yikes that is less than two weeks away now.  When she said she was under investigation for angina, the receptionist told her it might have to be put back then as they would not operate if she had it.  When do they want to put it back to... August or September!  We have our holiday booked for the first two weeks of Sept!  This happened last year when MIL ended up in hospital with Diverticulitis!  I'm now thoroughly convinced we are jinxed!)

We declined to stay for tea as we had many chores still to do, then drove home, where by, DD had another little favour to ask.  Could I pick her up after she got back from watching  a footie match in Coventry and take her to a party which, for a change was being held locally?  This we did, then of course the inevitable text arrived, LATE, to ask for a lift home as the taxi was £40 etc, etc, etc.  I went, as mum's do and ... yes, you guessed .. a car load of people later... were duly delivered to her house to be ferried elsewhere.  Where they went afterwards was not my concern... just that DD was going to be the driver, AGAIN.  She is severely put upon by her friends and doesn't have the gumption to object once in a while.  She paid for it as one of them was very unwell in her car! I got home and went straight to bed.. it was after midnight!

8.30 saw the first of many texts and calls of the day.  Could I please help her as she was volunteering to cover at work, despite it being her annual leave  week and thus, not supposed to be able to be asked to work? Hmm!  She needed her uniform and could I take it to work for her where she would meet me.  We took the dog and went for a windy, but nice walk in the countryside, after dropping it off (it was dumped on the floor the day she went to Morocco- so I'd washed it, as mums do).  We had a warm cuppa at the local cafe and then headed home to do the neglected chores.  Stacks of ironing later.... I had another call and it was that the housemates dog might need to be let out as the two of them were possibly going to have to do a night session for work.  Still no staff!  I exploded - mildly!  How many favours can one be expected to do in a weekend?  It wasn't just that, but it meant I had to go to their flat, find the key, in the dark, then let myself in for a large dog, who doesn't really know me, then take various bits to where DD was... and oh yes, please could I find a garage and buy some sandwiches for her.. then them both???  I declined to buy the sandwiches and made some as we had had a big chicken for dinner and so they were easy.  It was on my way home that I discovered DH had not filled the car up with fuel.. and I had no money on me.  Luckily when MIL gives me money for taking her out and about I put it in a pot, which just happened to be in the car that day!  It was only a tenner, but it got me out of trouble... but of course on a Sunday night, not many garages are open late and just why does the local Tesco superstore NOT have fuel????

I crashed into bed, exhausted!  This morning was back to 'routinesville' so... I was up and out with the dog having dropped DH at the station, once more.  I got back home, hair/shower and laundry sorted, waited for the call that didn't come, so went across to see if a friend would be available for lunch, which she wasn't.  I got back in just as the phone rang for me to work this afternoon. Grr! Until next time.. I have a house to clean - quickly!

Prevarication Rules - OK!

Bake at 350

  

Wow! The above blog link is one I very recently became aquainted with. All I can say is 'Yum!' Now all I need is to understand what weight a cup measure would contain and what all purpose flour is equivalent to here in the UK! Google here I come! LOL. Seriously, I will be more than happy to try these recipes out - they just look soooooo delicious. I know this seems a little over the top, reaction wise.. but it is not often I actually look at other floks blogs... I am just too easily distracted from what Ishould be doing. For example, I had every intention of continuing the clearance work in the awfully untidy conservatory we have. I began on Saturday and was still clearing odds and bods yesterday. It hardly looks any different despite the fact I was out there until 10.00 ish and actually didn't sit down to have a drink until 10.30pm. (DH by this time was already upstairs getting into bed... yes, he did offer help, but knows it will be refused. One day I will surprise him and say 'yes'!) Anyway, the laptop came out and I began to try and think about posting, but got distracted looking at email and had had a notification from another blog I'd been accepted for private viewing and well.... that is how I discovered the Bake 350! I've just realised too that whilst typing these last couple of sentences, I have been holding my breath! No wonder I have a headache!



This area is at the end of our 100 foot garden and is
laughingly called our nursery bed. It now has
several acers and a pear tree, along with a few
pansies, thyme and several self seeded plants
of unknown name.



Actually, with all the work being done in our garden, front and back, it was a wonder I was able to get into the conservatory at all. I started before lunch, then DH asked me to say what I wanted done with some self seeded plants he had dug up, which led me on to asking him to mix up some compost for bulbs etc... and so spent several happy hours digging and planting and prevaricating. BY the time I got back to what I should have been doing which was planting an achillea, DH was annoyed and grumpy.. and so the afternoon went on. I finally got back into the conservatory, which by the way, is NOT a thing anyone would want to sit and enjoy the afternoon sunshine in, due to the nature of its build and lack of comfort. It is an old Wickes design, poorly put up (very cold in Winter and boiling in Summer - lots of air gaps!!! Poor foundations allow heave during wet/dry weather thus the door does not always lock easily, exterior protection is also falling off) so is in need of a LOT of attention. With the last two winters really stressing the very fabric of it, it is failing and so is my patience. Money has always been an issue so it is just a question of doing maintenance when we can.  That and hiding what I don't want the world and my neighbours to see behind a giant dustsheet placed like a curtain over the glass.  



Towards the end of the garden is more work in progress. 
A stone wall is waiting to be built, for example plus a
patio which has foundations but no slabs as yet!  Sigh!



So, where does this leave me? Prevaricating again as I am blogging instead of clearing. I have soooo much paperwork out there to chuck... yes chuck! Have I looked at/used it recently? NO! So why hang on? In case I could use it, that's why!  The nature of my work is that generally, I go in, do the work left for me and then leave. There are times though when one is asked to plan ahead (especially if working a week or so...) and then I get to use my own sheets etc.. Still, I have a lot, an awful lot which I really could throw. It is the squirrel in me. Goodness knows where it comes from. 

DH says, and I quote... 'We don't have a storage problem, we have a collection problem'!  How true that is.  I have hobbies.. over the years they have mounted to become the issue they are as I get into a series of books - so have to have them all whether I have time to read them, or not; have to work for or try out the latest cross stitch kits or patterns and as for scrapbooking, well what I haven't got could be listed on one hand!  Orchids were next... I just love the beautiful and graceful sweep of the flower stems.  My grandfather gave DH and myself one for our silver wedding anniversary.  It had two stems of baby pink flowers.  It is beautiful, even now .  Just wonderful.  several years on.   Since then I have purchased a couple of dwarf varieties in lemon and white.  But it is the larger ones that I  find transfixing.  They come in as many colours and patterns as I could care to own.  With some fragrant and smelling of nutmeg which fills the room with scent on warm daysThey line the windowsills in the hall, bathroom and kitchen, where they seem happiest.  I am looking at them thinking what am I doing?  Do I need them? No! So why have aI spent so much?  Not sure!  Hmm!!!  I have had the urge to put them on the recycle website.  We will see. 

 

Star Log Cabin blocks... now
which way to have the patterns
 running?  Oh decisions!!!



Anyway, then along came quilting.  I have a four drawer Ikea chest of drawers full of fabric (and the really useful boxes I store each project in.  I have approx four boxes per drawer.  So .. maybe now you can appreciate DH's side of the 'clear it up argument!'  I do and I'm the one that caused it in the first place as I let everything accummulate.  Now here is a case in point.  Why am I sitting here instead of getting on and clearing?  Because..... just because!

  

Time to upload some works in progress, quilt tops and garden  photos,  The orchids will have to come later or look back to my first posts.

Well at least it is Tuesday tomorrow and so, the Tuesday Girls  http://teaontuesdays.blogspot.com/ will gather for our regular session of Tea, muffins, lunch and perhaps a little quilting or such.

See you soon dear reader!





Erm... Blogger, where is my post? Ah... there it is!

Wow, after a hugely frustrating session and a real worry that my memory wasn't what it should be, I have read that posts since Wednesday were deleted, so all my angst and frustrations at getting one done on Thursday were pointless - for nothing-nada!!!!!

I have completely re-written the post and, I swear to you good reader, that it wasn't there two hours ago.  I have just now gone into edit my post and discovered the original.  An hour wasted!  Not at all.  It just re-affirms what I thought about putting things off.  I should have double checked.. but I put it off!  I deleted the new post!

So much for good intentions, but it is the weekend and I shall try to relax a little whilst encouraging DH to get on with some of the chores... Does that sound as mean as it does?  It isn't meant to.  I have dog to walk, housework a plenty to get on with... a few painkillers to take (for arthritis based neck, knee and back issues after a hefty afternoon playing rounders with Year 5 children) and then I might settle down to tidying up the incredibly mess in the utility area formerly known as DD's bedroom!  NO, that should read 'I will settle to tidy it up'! Shouldn't it??????

Can't wait for Tuesday and a quilt day with the girls! http://teaontuesdays.blogspot.com/

Time to go so,'BYE' for now!

A Long Week

Well, it has been more than a few days since the last post. DD has flown to Morocco, DH is currently donating blood and me... I have walked the dog, been to work, taken my in-laws shopping and driven home. All this since 5.30 am. I would love to say that I am ok with it all but actually, all I want to do is curl up and sleep for a week, either that or veg out on recorded tv programmes which have now rendered our Virgin Box down from the 50 hours it had left, to 22. This is usually when it starts to go wrong. Fingers x we manage to view at least some of our massive download.

Photos - taken, to be taken and those wanted to be taken, but likely never will

I have had three really nice days.. two work ones and one craft/appointment oriented. Yesterday was a hospital day for MIL then for me, a quilt day (See http://teaontuesdays.blogspot.com/).  I eventually got quite a lot done, but had meant to go and purchase a 1/2metre of co-ordinating fabric for backing.  Thus I came to a full stop but it didn't matter as I ended up at DD's late in the evening.  I taught Reception on Monday, and today I was doing a wide variety of cover for monitoring, so went from Nursery to Yr 4.  It was super fun and I didn't have time to get frustrated or bored or 'angry'.  (Yr 5 tomorrow so these comments may be moot by then!) 

Sadly, we heard this evening, that DH's cousin had passed away, only moments after he had gone into a hospice, today.  His prostate cancer had spread to his spine and his wife was told on Friday it was weeks rather than months.  He was a lovely man and will be missed, particularly by MIL.  They grew up together as he was her eldest sister's son and they were very close in age. 

It is when you look at those things you mean to get around to that you realise how fragile our lives actually are.  I have got to the point where I think I don't care about something, then flare up because actually I do and that it is usually my fault it didn't get done in the first place ie. pick up the camera and take it with you when you think about it.  With my mum gone, dad's health is not the best (he also has prostate cancer) and neither MIL or FIL are fully healthy, then I look to myself and see a veritable hippo in the mirror, I really begin to think about things. Diet today, not tomorrow.   I'm sure you get the picture!

Now I do not mean to get maudlin.  The title for today is something I have pondered often.  My blog title is meant as it is.  I used to really live for my Scrapbooking and went to several crops a month, both at local church or other Halls, our local craft stores and a friend's house.  We had great fun and it was all very social, but these things end, either because of work commitments or because they naturally fizzle out. I have many photos which have been gloriously 'scrapped'; dozens more printed and awaiting that moment when they will be 'scrapped'; thousands waiting to be printed and chosen, but worst of all, are the ones I haven't yet taken and which will most likely supercede anything I already have shot.  These are the 'get around to' photos.  There are several clumps of yellow flag iris on the common which I want to photograph.  But will I? 

DH 's cousin was another one of the ones I wanted to do so MIL had a picture.  His son emailed us several years ago to tell me how to access his web site so we could copy some photos for her.   The only proviso was to delete said photos after copying.  I found them, but never copied them, so did not delete them.  Of course after a good long while, they went!  Now it is too late!  Maybe the title should read Don't put off what you can do today... but...... 

A good example of the above has literally just occurred.  DD phoned in tears. She is off to Morrocco tomorrow for a week.  This morning's little issue was would I mind 'popping' into M&S on my way home from work, to pick up some currency.  I forgot to take my passport and was going to MIL's first, anyway. I had asked DD to phone them to check if they had what she needed, then text me a simple 'yes' or 'no'!  Nothing!  So, I did and whilst waiting for the assistant to check her list, I remembered that actually it is what is known as a closed currency, only available in the country.  I checked with a friend who had been there last year and was correct.  Tonight (11.00 pm on the dot) the phone rang with DD in tears.  'What now?' I thought! I'd already spent much of the evening going through some of her boxes to find missing bikini bottoms.. (how do you lose not one but a whole set?)  I only found one, but the junk I tossed meant I could remove one more packing case.  YAY!

Well, she had lost her passport and what could/should she do?  Her room is upside down and she will not be sleeping in her bed by the sound of it.  I made various suggestions of where to look and got the usual, 'I've already told you.... ' response!  Suddenly, her house mate (she must have the patience of a saint) muttered something and the trauma was over.. it was in her jacket pocket - of course where else should it be?  It's usually on the floor of her car!  How long ago/ many times did I 'suggest' she put it somewhere easy to find??? I've lost count of them. What will she learn from this?  Nothing, I suspect (despite the fact that she almost lost her holiday).  Someone always gets her out of the mire!  Usually me!

So, what have I learned from these events?  That my new resolution is now going to be firmly on the side of ...'Do things now, when I think of them... I may not get that second chance.'  I will try!

Now where is that list????

What a Day!

Well, what a day we have had.  Talk about productive!  It all began with a single, but very loud clap of thunder, which must have woken up a very large area of the locality.  It was somewhere around about 6.00am. I  had had an ongoing headache through the night (nothing unusual there) and several sets of paracetamol based product later, it was still there.  I despair when I have this type of 'Head' as usually the only thing to do is shroud my hed in darkness and sleep it off.  No such luck! The thunder even woke sleeping cutie who proceeded to have an asthma attack and thus our day began. 

I was due at our local craft shop to do make a quilt top. I had been looking forward to this all week but dreading it also.  You see, I couldn't make up my mind which fabric to use.  I had bought a jelly roll to use, but talking it over with my friend, she thought I would not use the whole JR if I was only going to make one 'star' so it would be a waste.  Dilema, dilema, dilema!  What to do, what to use?  I ended up going through my scrap box, my topic box (one with patterns and fabric together in ready for that fanciful day when I have 'NOTHING TO DO!'  You know when the house is ultra tidy and sorted out so it looks like it is from a fashion mag!  And piggies might fly!  Could I make up my mind? Could I heck!  So,in desperation I began to toss fabric bundles onto the ironing board... the only clear enough space to put anything onto currently.  This is the way it stayed for several days.  DH even saw what was out and refrained from commenting (until our very early breakfast this morning that is...)!  Ah well!

I took several bundles and a few packs of fabric and my jelly roll to the class.  We were making a star by piecing together strips of fabric then cutting them diagonally and then joining the ensuing linked diamond shaped strips together.  I asked for opinions on whether to use the JR (jelly roll - for those who are uninitiated in quilting terms a JR is a roll of about 40, 2.5 inch wide x 22 inch lengths of  different co-ordinating fabrics produced by a particular company -  there are other copycat  types around too.) or to use the  fat quarters and other cut lengths I had on me.  In the end we chose a red floral; a red spot on cream and white spot on red, with two light green leafy prints.  Oh so very pretty once I had done it and the class was just so enjoyable as there were ladies of all abilities. Everyone had chosen such different fabrics - one lady had pastels, , one Batic prints, one had sunflowers, one had beiges and then my friends had Moda prints, one as a JR and the other quarter metres or FQ's - fat quarters!  Such lovely colours and such surprising results.  It made me want to change my mind and make a bigger quilt.  If I had used my JR, it would have made a quilt 72 x 72 inches.  Yikes!

I was really pleased with my progress, especially as my friends, both of whom are experienced quilters were having trouble lining up their diamonds and we all sewed at least one strip on the wrong way round.  It gave me - hope! LOL! I am at the point where I will be able to stitch all the triangles to complete the top, to the diamonds and then stitch them all together to make a square.  This will eventually become a belated 40th birthday present for my very good friend in Brazil... if I can bear to part with it once I have finished it.  I forgot my camera so took two photos on my phone before it told me the card was full!  There is an 8Mb memory card in it... Grr!   I took a few on Amanda's camera and she will email them to everyone so we have a record.  Until then you will just have to, good readers, to see what we achieved in the 6 hours we were there!!  Of course we had tea/coffee and yes, muffins.  Janet had made choc chip and her boss had made walnut, apple and cinnamon.  Yummy to say the least!  With lunch supplied by our local cafe for those that desired it (yes, that was me and several others!) , we were replete. 

DH came to fetch me (although I did have to phone him several times, as he was collecting his broken glasses from town).  He'd been to his mums and worked on several important things there, raspberry canes needed pruning and tieing up,  as did several climbing roses... amongst other little jobs.  He was fed for his troubles though!  On arrival back home, the two of us, having popped over to the Co-op for milk and coming away £16 poorer, put our purchases away!  We then spent several hours in our garden working... me potting up plants, a quick dash to the local GC (garden centre) for sweetpea canes, and DH to dig up some more of the front garden in readiness for building works - sunken patio going in ... watch this space for news on that happening!  It has been a hole in the ground for two years sooooo!!!!!!!! I'm not holding my breath until it happens!  DH eventually went in for a bath and I carried on until I couldn't find any more space or bare soil to fill up.  Only 8 more geraniums to find homes for.  I have even planted some of our neighbour's front garden up, and feel very virtuous as a result! I was going to leave them in their pots and then remove them back into my front garden, but as we have probably got to dig most of the plants up out of it.. then maybe that was the best solution.  A late tea ensued.. I wasn't really hungry and DH wanted his bath!  I am glad though that I have done what I have done and feel quite relaxed as a result. 

It is now quite late and so, as we have to go to the tip first thing, with all the waste from the garden, I will go to bed.  MIL wants us to take her out tomorrow!!! Again!  Our reward will be lunch in a pub.  Trouble is I am not getting any slimmer! Sigh!  Goodnight!

Tuesdays!

After the Wedding Street Party and a really busy weekend/Bank Holiday, actually working in the garden for two of them, we both returned to the real world, refreshed.  The bank holiday had been a little fresher than the Easter break, but still warm enough to have to water all the newly planted garden plants and some older ones showing severe signs of wilting - mostly those in the front garden where the soil is poor.  I was quite pleased not to get a phone call to go to work as I am very lucky to belong to a small, but amazing group of friends who meet every Tuesday (for most of the year)!  I was invited to join as a scrapbooker whilst the 'girls' quilted.  Next thing you know, I am too and have developed extreme avarice in building up my stash of fabrics.  Oh my!  If DH even cared to look in the chest of drawers in the room formerly known as DD's  bedroom, he would be shocked!  Actually I think he would just raise his eyebrows and tell me I have yet again added to the collection problem (we don't have a storage problem, just a collection one!!!)  One of these days though, I will get back to scrapbooking... I have far too many photos which need be displayed appropriately!

Anyway, as usual I digress.  Tuesdays, when I was working in my job share, were sacrosanct!  NOTHING interfered with them and we all met regardless, on a regular rota of each other's houses, from about 10.30 am till about 3.00pm.  We always begin with conversation, a cup of tea and cake (it is usually a muffin - home cooked) then head to the sewing area, if it is different (ie. they have a kitchen table to sit at whilst drinking and eating etc...depends whose house we happen to be at).  Wonderful and so relaxing.  Sadly one of our members has moved an hour's drive away, so we don't see her as often, but we all still stay in touch - visiting her every five weeks or so.  I also have to work more, which is ok but I do miss the girls company ( DH was out of work for 10 months and so we are trying hard to get our bank balance back to the comfortable state it used to be in.  Anyway, we survived and that is what is important.) 

Yesterday was a beautiful day.  It began rather chilly and my hands felt like blocks of ice half way round the common with the dog at 7.00 am.  I arrived at Janet's for 10.30am and Amanda arrived a few minutes later.  I carted my machine and quilting bits into the house and set them ready to use.  We spent the morning gossiping about the Royal Wedding, the fashion disasters and successes, the lack of a honeymoon, and how sadly, that most of the photos of the Queen, made her look really sour; the demise of Bin Laden and possible world wide repercussions to that event; and the course we are all attending at our local craft store,  this weekend (and fabrics chosen to do it with)!  Did we get any sewing done?  No!  Not a stitch!  Grump!  Still, we did get to look at each other's achievements.  Janet had been to Ikea for furniture and since her son had moved out, she now has a sorted and tidy sewing room!  Lesson to be learned here by me!  DD , moved out months ago (for the umpteenth time) and I still can't swing a cat in her old room!  She has thus been able to complete several samples for the craft store and I am so pea green!  Incentive to get sorting.. I should think so!  More to the point, I need to as I now have several UFO's (un-finished objects or quilts to you and me!).

Anyway, Chris joined us for lunch, but left early along with Amanda, who had an appointment.  I left a little later as Janet had asked me about FIL and the problems associated with his Alzheimer's.  He has sadly deteriorated quite a lot over the last 16 months and with MIL probably going in soon to have her hip op, well, it is going to be hard work for us as we will move in again, maybe for another month!  Last year she had a small section of one lung removed, due to cancer.  This was exactly when she should have had her hip done, but... she may have to delay it again as she had an angina attack Easter Saturday night; this being a new health issue.  I suspect she will have to see the Anaesthesiologist again before she can go in.  We will just have to see.  She has a hospital appointment to set up an investigation next week.  However, hopefully, Tuesdays will continue for me until they can't!  Watch this space! LOL

I got home in time to sit in the sunshine for an hour, with the dog at my feet, a cup of tea, A Magnum ice-cream (my favourite) and the third book in a series about a quilting store and it's supporters.  What a wonderful hour that was! Reality soon reared its ugly head with hoovering, meal to cook and ironing to do.  Still it was a more relaxed me that went in to do them. 

Until next time take care!

Photos to follow! Soon!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lazy Days

Today was breezy, beautiful and warm.  The sky was a lovely blue with mostly no clouds.  I was supposed to be going to have an eye test, but the cheeky people phoned (just as Catherine was walking down the aisle towards her Prince - had they nothing better to do?)  to cancel it. Never mind!  Paula had asked me if I would like to go to a local RHS garden for a craft fair.  It was really lovely to see all the amazing things that the artists had created.  Some of the things were really wonderful , some expensive tat!  Lots of beautiful glass ware was evident and a couple of textile artists with both interesting and very clever art work.  I fell in love with a couple of pieces in blues and aquas and a dash of gold... until I saw the prices.. even the unframed pieces were £95.00.  A little rich for my pocket.




Glass sculptures, some of which were stunning!

 We walked around the three tents, stopping to ooh and aah at various pieces.  I did buy a couple of hand made and embroidered earings for presents, and chatted with the store holder.  Turned out she was a teacher for adult education.  We talked about how long it took her to create one of the wonderful handbags she had... at least a day and that was for one, without added decoration.  She had some lovely items... made me feel very inadequate.. but only in an arty way!

We walked into the gardens, where we saw the azaleas in bloom alongside the bluebells and the fragrance was splendid in the warmth of the day; stopped for tea and cake (a pattern forms in my posts I'm sure you can spot what links most of them good reader) and then took ourselves back to the car park, having spent a very leisurely 2 hours there.  What a grand way to unwind from the previous day's efforts.



I was dropped off and saw DH had just arrived from taking his mum to the bank and a local nursery for plants.  HIs dad, who suffers from Alzhiemers, was in a fettle as he felt that he'd been locked in (he was staying home to look after the dog, but had difficulties in remembering which way to turn the back door key to go and let her out.) 15 trays of plants had taken up the room in the car and so he'd been asked to look after Sammi, whom he adores.  He finds it hard to let MIL out of his sight and so we think it is this that upset him, but he is still having many more difficulties than a year ago.  Oh it's so very sad.  It won't be long before he can't be left at all.

DD came and took us out for a super lunch at our village cafe.  We had a very pleasant hour with her too.  I do not know how he does it but the proprietor always remembers his customers names.  He says it is by association although I expect it would just be too much unless you are a regular visitor.  I am - for a much needed latte after work and sometimes a florentine too. 

 

We then had a visit from our brick layer who also does patios.  " Yay! At last!" I sent a huge prayer of thanks to the Being above who had found me someone to 'do!'  Alex made a few suggestions for both our front and back gardens which then sent us on a merry trip to a local stone yard. 

Oh the yummy materials... The yard has changed a lot since we last trod its grounds.  There are patios and paths laid out so that people with no imagination  (that's me) can go and see what the stone in all its various incarnations of colour and effect can give.  It was lovely and I'd soon drooled over some wonderful effects.  Alex is going to be a very busy man all too soon.... I HOPE!  DH and I shall be working all God's hours to pay for it but,  it will be worth it.  The patio is going to be very expensive but at least it will finally get done.  (We bought the Cotswold stone for the dry wall, 2 years ago!!!)  Oh and whilst he's at it, why not give us a quote for the drive and a couple of retaining walls in the front garden and a low wall to edge our front garden?  Gary, our gardener, will not be too happy, having just tidied up the front for us, he'll now have to dig the plants up sooner, rather than later!  Oh Joy! 

Night folks and oh yes, Happy New Month!  Is it really May?  http://teaontuesdays.blogspot.com/

A Royal Wedding Day Street Party

Well, didn't it all go brilliantly for the Royal couple?  It was such a nice day.. Ok the weather didn't exactly hit the highs of previous weeks, but it was dry and and warmish for the best part of the day.  I watched the ceremony then dashed out to help the guys  who were up ladders putting out bunting etc... they did a sterling job and so the road was ready for the party in short order!  Tables, chairs and paper everything were ready to go at the drop of a hat.  We had only to say the word. 




The table ware was given by local shops which was really very kind... my friend had recieved a welter of plates, cups, flags, tablecloths etc all free!  Thank you, to the very kind shop keepers.

People began to emerge from their homes and soon the air was redolent with the mouthwatering aromas of barbequed food. I used two, that for some reason were not up to the cooking... kept flaring up which of course meant that the food cooked too quickly and burnt.. one was gas and it didn't matter what I did.  So, eventually, I just 'chucked' a load of burnt offerings out for the fox to enjoy.  Sad really! 

I did enjoy the contact with the neighbours especially those we were only on nodding terms with.  Even DD came, having phoned up to ask if she and two friends could come.  She was soon down with the younger and older residents who decided to hold impromptu games of cricket and finally her favourite... footie! 

We were the only party in the area who had music, thanks to our good neighbours who made a super selction which appealed to both young and old alike.  Photographers abounded... un-official and reporters for a local paper.  Needless to say DD and friends were of the photogenic persuasion and were soon snapped.

Sadly, the party began to wind up and before too long, there was not even a popped balloon to show it had occured.  Everyone swept,carried, took down or binned! The clear up was efficient and although a few items have ended up in our house, I'm sure it won't be long before they are claimed.

I have just spent a good hour editing this TWICE.  What is it with the touch pads on lap tops... they are just so sensitive!  I give up.  We had a great time and everyone enjoyed themselves.

A Long and Busy Day

An early start and a drive to the common after dropping DH off at the station, began a rather hectic rush to get ready for work as the phone rang as soon as I got in.  I was called to one of my 'regular schools near the airport.  I enjoy going there and had a super day doing D&T.  We were making moving monsters homes! ' My' TA is a lady I have worked with before  and we get on well.. we should as we share our christian name and a sound alike surname. LOL  So, the class had an hour's drama session before lunch and so as not to be twiddling my fingers, I went to see the lovely reception class I had taken for a couple of weeks before Christmas.  The smiles that lit up quite a few children's faces was just what I needed... a real pick me up.  That they actually remembered me was lovely... it has been over a term since they saw me last, after all.  We made crowns to celebrate with, for the Royal Wedding Lunch tomorrow, which is being held in the school.  It will be lovely as everyone has been invited to eat with the children!  Fish and Chips no less.

DH and I went to see the Shaolin Warriors this evening after a lovely meal bought for us by DD... first one ever.  (She had fallen down our stairs prior to going out and had hurt her other wrist, the non-broken one!!! It was quite a tumble and she did cry.. something she is not usually apt to do being quite a toughie at heart. Holding utensils was quite a feat.. I ended up cutting her meat up, which she was quite embarrassed over but needed help with.) Anyway, if you get a chance to see this troupe, do!  It was not only entertaining, but well presented.  The training must be incredible.. there were a couple of youngsters in the troupe.. very capable and impressive.  Their actions, timing and 'story' telling were excellent. 

I will try to get to a local quilt group tomorrow evening but I want to be in a good state for our street's Royal Wedding party on Friday.  I'm currently headachy which is not a good sign... the volume in the theatre was extreme, shall we say?  Plus I have a runny nose... again not a good sign!  So fingers x... wont Blog for a few days until I have something to report.

Enjoy yourselves!

Early to rise.....

Early for me, is before 7.00 am.  Today, after the Easter weekend, I knew I was going to have to be up to take DH to the station to pick up tickets for the week ahead.  What did he do?  He walked!  I should be grateful to him as it was a kind thing to do... but you know how, when something is at the back of your mind, you just do not relax.  I slept fitfully, heard him open the curtains (which he cannot do quietly to save his life!!!) and then just before 6.00 am, my eyes flew open and I leapt out of bed, got washed, dressed and yelled, " Ready!" in record time, only to find no one there.  I eventually found my mobile and restrained myself as I told him how upset I was to find him gone.  To top it all, I then felt a stress headache come on so to stop it from becoming a full migraine, I took tablets, which make me feel lousy anyway.  Grr!  Still, the dog needed walking and so I was on the Common in time to see the sun glimmering behind the trees and the clouds.  It certainly was a lot cooler than the last few days! 

Feeling somewhat more at peace with myself by the time I got home, I then decided to have breakfast, do some much needed washing and then the phone rang.  No work but had a long chat with Ruth about my availability and anything else that came up including what she might be doing over the summer for a holiday.  Walking in Italy seems to be the thing!  The Lake District possibly for us!  Happy thoughts!  Depends when MIL is to go in for her hip replacement I suppose, bearing in mind what happened yesterday.  We will cross that bridge when we come to it.

The builders are back next door to finish off the steps and I have just remembered I promised them a cuppa... so off I will trot!   More later! 

One Sunny Easter Sunday...

We had hoped to take my in-laws out yesterday for a drive then lunch, but as it happened MIL was really not well and I ended up taking her to the hospital for a checkup.. Good job I did as they think she is experiencing some symptoms of Angina. Luckily it was not a heart attack.. She had been up all night, but would not call us (we had already been for a family meal that evening but she thought we both looked tired) or for an ambulance as FIL has Alzheimer's and she would not leave him or call anyone to look after him as it was so late. I had only left her at 9.00 so was not best pleased.  We have had this out with her before last year, too many times to count really... she has had fibrilations???  (of the heart) several times last year, but is on tablets for it now and had severe diverticulitis in August. Each time we were fortunate enough to have popped over in time to discover these things before they became too critical.


DD is coming over after work this evening, for a barbeque. She enjoys her work in a nearby prison, but recently broke her wrist, so she is on light duties. She plays ladies soccer and was landed on by a rather heavy person whilst her arm was underneath her. She broke the same arm as a 5 year old whilst she was at gymnastics.. so she has a weakness. She is really worried as she will be going to NY to play in the interforces Games (firemen, police etc) which are held biannually - this will be in August. Fingers x she will be well healed by then and fit. Anyway, I couldn't believe how busy ourt local stores were as I was out by 9.45.  Heaving comes to mind.. and all I needed was coleslaw and some beef burgers as DD doesn't like 'real' meat! Sigh!  Still, I managed to spend a hefty amount of money on what I didn't need but liked the look of.  I really need a lock and key around my purse!  It would help my weight too and that is no laughing matter as 3-4 stone need shedding - SOON!

I have been reading lots of books recently, many I have had 'stored' on the shelf until I have had time to get to them. This weather, plus the hospital visits I have recently had (my father had pneumonia a few weeks ago so no work for me, but lots of time to sit making sure dad was breathing - eating- gently exercising- making his doctor/hospital visits for blood tests and x-rays) have allowed my pile to gradually be whittled down. I have read the first two of the Cobbled Court Quilt books by Marie Bostwick, courtesy of one of my friends and just couldn't put them down. The third is on order! Also Debbie Macomber's Blossom Street and Cedar Cove series have given me much pleasure. I enjoy many different genre and author; from Kathy Reichs to Isaac Asimov. If the book grabs my interest on the first few pages.. I know I am set for a great read.

Heat and Plants don't mix!

It was hot last night.  I kept waking up.  So at just after 7.00 I gave up the pretence of trying to sleep got up to take Sammi for a walk.  It was quite amusing to see DH so wrapped up in the quilt, with his head buried under the pillow to 'hide from the light'.  Anyway, it was deliciously fresh out but not so much that I needed a jacket.  On the way to the common, I noticed a sign saying 20% off all plants this weekend at a local nursery, so thought that after the walk I would go to investigate.  Sammi had a wonderful meet and greet with a few new friends but did her usual disappearing act just before the end of the walk.  HOw does she know we are almost ready to leave?  I vary the way I walk every day and even the common land I walk on every few days, so it isn't as if she can tell by the route I take.  Ten (sometimes even twenty) minutes later she returns wagging her tail and at full pelt. Grr! Checked out the nursery but it wasn't going to be open until much later and I need bedding plants not shrubs, which was what was on offer basically.  Sigh!

Planted up lots of the pansies and weeded out some more of the interminable grass from the front garden.  Our road is holding a street party so I want it to look 'reasonable'.  Not in this lifetime it seems!  Having laboriously cleared bags of rubble from our sunken front garden last week, next door is having new set of front door steps built and the builder began today.  Where did hubby want the excess rubble to go... yep, in our front garden.  I give up!  The pieces are so large I will not be able to move them unaided and so there they will remain.. exactly where I moved the last lot from.  Still the planting looks pretty with the orange and purple of the pansies.  They are called Volcano Mix.  Really lovely and slightly fragrant too. Our gardener will 'kill' me though... he wanted me to only plant in the pots as he wants to move everything come the autumn!  I don't plant properly!! Nothing is where it looks right so... move it he must!  And I will let him too as I can't do it.  Arthritis, sciatica and bruised ribs (from a fall I had a few weeks ago) just don't let me bend the way I used to!  Half an hour and that is it for me... I can't stand upright for the rest of the week! Sigh!

The builders refused all form of drinks having their own, and worked from just about 8.30 through to 2.30.  I could not blame them for finishing then - (it was just so hot) as I had had to dive into the shower after my brief time out planting.  I had vowed to put the hose on later but decided the new brickwork would not appreciate a dousing.  So a few sad drops of water from the watering can were ministered.  A few sad and droopy plants greeted me on my return from MIL (been round for dinner) so lesson learned.  Plants and heat don't mix!  Plant early or late, but water them in well straight away!!!

Still no chance of a quilting session until I get some clearance done in the room.  Taking the In-laws out tomorrow, but goodness knows where.  They can't walk (MIL is about to go for a hip-replacement so it will be a drive and lunch somewhere.  The AA Pub Guide is at the ready! It's a good one too as was the last one, but 7 years out of date! Guess we will just point the car in our usual fashion and see where it takes us.