Monday 31 August 2015

It's gin o'clock

A friend dropped a bag of damsons off this morning, I need to go and buy a bottle or 2 of gin so I can make damson gin, woohoo.

Sunday 30 August 2015

Alone at last

The DGC's and their dog have been collected by DD, the silence here is deafening.
The little ones decided that 5:15 would be a good time to get up, so I feel a nana nap is called for soon.
I have cooked a batch of leek and potato soup also a spicy beef casserole with vegetable rice. 
Tomorrow I am cooking a slimming world chicken recipe, I hope it's tasty. 

Friday 28 August 2015

Will someone please turn the bloody lights off

The local council, in their wisdom, have changed all the local street lights. The light are so bright it's like living in Stalag 13 with the search lights beaming out.
As we live on a corner we have street lights front and back and although we have blackout blinds in 2 of our bedrooms a lot of light shows round the edges. We don't have blackout blinds in the 3rd bedroom or the bathroom and both these rooms have a glass panel over the door.
I have a roll of black out fabric, so I will spend some time today trying to improve the situation.

Thursday 27 August 2015

Smoking

It's 10:30 at night, I'm watching tv with half an eye and also browsing online. I can smell cigarette smoke, it's strong and very clear.
Only no one in the house smokes, not me or my L&M, he gave up smoking 4 or 5 years ago.
It's not the first time I've smelt it, but I'm not sure why.

Brick wall

Today has been a day from hell.

I have the headache from hell.

If anyone has a spare brick wall I'd like to borrow it so I can bang my head against it.

We went to visit MIL, it should have taken us about 45 minutes to get there, it actually took 2 hours as there were road works on the A4, the return journey was almost as bad as there was an accident on the M4 and took 1 hour 45 minutes!

We met with MIL's Macmillan nurse, FIL is really struggling so I made sure he has my phone number in case I can help him with anything, even if it's just a shoulder to cry on.

When I got home I made a quick meal for my L&M, I had leftovers from yesterday and a bowl of fruit.
I had planned to go straight back out to feed my colleagues cats.

Unfortunately before I could set off, I received not one, but two phone calls from different people, both having a melt down and both needed someone to listen so they could offload some of their stress. I think both of them felt better for having chatted, I can do nothing about their respective problems and they don't expect me do anything other than being a sympathetic ear.

I finally managed to visit the cats and I spent a relaxing 30 minutes stroking 2 lovely rag doll cats.
This is a rag doll, not one of the ones I'm feeding, I found the pic on google.


I'm now going to put my feet up and watch some rubbishy TV.

Cats, dogs & grandchildren

Thank you for all your kind comments regarding my panic attack, it's wearing off gradually, I do just try to ignore them, using the mantra 'It's only a panic attack I'm not going to die!' Obviously my body doesn't feel that stress hives is enough hence the ramping up to panic mode.
My mother died of lung cancer at the age I am now, my father died of liver cancer in 2001, he was in his eighties. So you'd think these things would get easier, but they don't.

I don't think I've ever really recovered from the cruelty inflicted by my ex surrounding the death of my father and his funeral. Having to fight to attend my dad's funeral, being sat at the back & ignored whilst my ex sat at the front with my stepmother and the rest of the family. This was all difficult but only for me. It was him telling my stepmother that I wasn't interested in visiting my Dad in hospital, where as I was unaware he was ill, was what really hurt as it was an attack on my Dad, who didn't deserve to die thinking I no longer loved him.

Anyway, on a brighter note, I'm feeding a colleague's ragdoll cats this week from Tuesday to Saturday.
I'm looking after DD2's dog from Friday to Monday.
DGD Norah is visiting from Saturday evening until Monday. DGD & the dog can keep each other company as the dog usually sleeps on DGD's bed at home.

Wednesday 26 August 2015

Feeling sick

Massive panic attack today, no rhyme or reason, hey ho deep breaths and I'll weather the storm.

Tuesday 25 August 2015

Sqished tits and deaf aid repair

We went to the hospital today, we had to be up at six and on the early bus to get there in time.
I went to have a mammogram, my boobs are big & floppy so I never find it painful.
My L&M went to get replacement ends for his hearing aids, he collected batteries for mine and his hearing aids whilst he was there.
When we finished we went to the nearest 'spoons for their traditional breakfast egg, bacon, hash browns, sausage, beans, toast and a cuppa, when we got our meals we swapped a few things around, I gave him my sausage & stole his tomato, I ate my toast dry and gave him my butter.
We then caught the bus home, I put the kettle on for another cuppa and by the time I'd made the tea it was lashing down with rain, we got home just in time.

Nearly finished

So I'm nearly done, sorting out my room, bottom shelf is furnishing fabric & curtain lining.
Next shelf fleece, felt & cotton jersey, rocket boxes dress making patterns & part made child's dress.

Bottom shelf, sewing machine awaiting repair.
Next shelf dried lavender, hops and chamomile.
Next shelf quilting and embroidery notions.
Top shelf chunky yarn.

Bottom shelf, candle and soap making.
Next shelf, asst knitting needles and card making supplies.
Next shelf, cottons and poly cottons.
Top shelf, black fabric.

Bottom shelf spinning.
Next shelf shirt strips and fleece.
Next shelf crochet squares.
Next shelf finished blankets and 2 boxes of assorted haberdashery.

I have 2 boxes of yarn left to sort.

But, joy of joys, I can now see my sewing machine.
I've just stopped for a cuppa, I'll go back and finish it soon.

Monday 24 August 2015

Up's and Down's

MIL has rallied somewhat, BIL2 and BIL4 are still arguing about the will!

Sunday 23 August 2015

A dry pussy and a dead bush

A few months ago my next door neighbours lost a fence panel, weeks later they got their son in law to replace it. He's a bit hamfisted and broke two fence post whilst replacing the panel.
He also managed to kill one of my lovely shrubs and my weeping pussy willow, today hubby finally round to digging them out and disposing of them.

Not looking good

MIL is unable to get out of bed, she is in a lot of pain.
She doesn't want the Dr to call, her Macmillan nurse is visiting tomorrow.

Saturday 22 August 2015

It's a Grand Prix weekend

That means beer & burgers for hubby and uninterrupted crochet for me or I may spend some time designing some business cards.
I've prepped 4 portions of minced beef SW style to be used for cottage pie or spag bol, they are in the freezer, along with 3lbs of carrots that hubby picked and I prepped.
I've used nearly all the potatoes that hubby dug a few weeks ago so he will dig some more soon.

Friday 21 August 2015

Thursday and Friday

On Thursday we hired a boat and took the DGC on the river, they all had a turn at steering the boat, we were out for 4 hours and had a picnic. 
The kids had a fantastic time, no pics I'm afraid as some of the DGC are fostered and I'm not allowed to post pics online. I did take lots of pics though to share with family and friends.
I was exhausted by the time we'd got home and then driven the children home and still had to clear up as we had friends over for drinks.

Today I'm cooking for the freezer, I shall make a batch of free soup (Slimming World free) not money free, though it is made mainly from our garden produce so is very cheap to make. I shall also make some cottage pies for the freezer.

Tess, I've lost weight going to Slimming World, but here is what I eat every day.

For breakfast I have poached egg or porridge or muesli.
For lunch I have a salad or HM soup.
My evening meal is a small portion of whatever I've cooked but is as fat free as possible served with a huge portion of veg.
I have a banana, apple & some nuts most days.
I rarely drink & gave up chocolate a few months ago.

Wednesday 19 August 2015

Busy day

I went  to get petrol at 7am.

Came home, cooked breakfast, then dropped some 

stuff of at a friends house. 

Went from there to attend a training course, then on 

to the garden centre to spend a gift voucher hubby 

has had since Christmas.

Next we collected  2 DGC & brought them back to

our house for some cooking and gardening. 

Then I dropped hubby at the station to meet up with 

his brothers.

I got home in time to accept a delivery, unpacked the

delivery, went to slimming world, lost 4lbs. 

As I was leaving hubby phoned, he needed collecting 

from the station.

The meeting with his brothers didn't go well but we 

haven't had chance to discuss it as we have the DGC 

staying.

The DGC are now in bed, I'm cooking food for

 tomorrow's picnic. The problems with the brothers 

will have to wait until tomorrow or Friday to be 

discussed

Monday 17 August 2015

A lovely day

My beloved is on holiday for a couple of weeks so today we went shopping.
We travelled by bus, using our bus passes.
Hubby needs a brightly coloured shirt, we couldn't find what he wanted. 
We did manage to spend 75p on a kettle saver. 
We wandered around town in the sunshine. 
We stopped and had a drink in a riverside pub.
All in all a lovely day.
Wednesday will bring problems, so I'll take today and savour our enjoyment of it.

Sunday 16 August 2015

In a spin

There is a lot going on.

Today I've cooked some crustless mini quiches in a muffin tin. I added some of our HG chili, bloody hell, I removed all the seeds and they still blow my head off I've roasted some cauliflower and made a large fruit salad and cooked a tray of chicken wings for hubby.

The whole idea with Slimming World is that you don't have to cook separate meals if you are following their diet, they hadn't reckoned with someone as fussy as my beloved L&M! The only SW meal he will eat is a roast dinner.

The funeral arrangements are still being argued over, there is a family meeting being called one day next week.

I'm burying my head in the sand and concentrating on my crochet and my new venture. 

I've signed up to do Neal's Yard party plan, I have my own website and 2 parties booked, I'm really looking forward to it.

Wednesday 12 August 2015

Heard it all before

I was later arriving at my slimming world meeting, I started to apologise & someone chimed in with 'No point giving excuses, we've heard them all before'. They thought I was making excuses for not having lost any weight.
I bet you haven't heard this one I retorted.
'Sorry I'm late, I was making a tightrope & safety net for a unicorn'
Everybody laughed, I went on to explain that I had my very imaginative 7 year old granddaughter staying over.

Monday 10 August 2015

Where is the time going?

Work yesterday, so nothing done on the sewing room, but it is getting there.

I'm cat feeding this week and next for a colleague and today I'm taking 2 of the DGC for a Pony Day at a local stables, they are there until 1 and lunch is included, £42 a head, but social services insist that all LAC get the opportunity to try every sport/hobby/activity going.

Work again on Thursday, so I really need to get a good day done on Wednesday in the sewing room, hopefully I can then finish it Friday.

I lost one day last week when a friend of hubby's turned up complete with dog and suitcase having fallen out with his wife!

Sunday 9 August 2015

Pink Baps

I hate having white stripes on my shoulders, I know it's not an important thing but it irritates me.

I have one small area in my garden where, as long as there is washing on the line, I can sit and not be seen by any of the neighbours.

I took advantage of this area and yesterday's sun and sat outside topless, I now have pale pink baps.

I need to remember that as I have aged I now catch the sun easier than I used to, I'm not sore or itchy and after a couple of hours the pink has faded and I have no white stripes on my shoulders.

Saturday 8 August 2015

Update

I'm getting there with my sewing/craft room, but I really don't need any more yarn!






I have given away all the 3 and 4ply to a friend who makes tiny toys. 
I've also put aside a box of yarn that I don't find easy to work with for a friend who knits for charity.
I still need to sort what remains into colours etc!

Thursday 6 August 2015

Send out a search party

My Sewing/Craft room. I may be some time, if I'm not back in a week send in the dogs!





An old fashioned mechanic

Ouch
I had a problem with my car, I couldn't get the boot open!
The catch had failed, I phoned a Nissan dealer & explained the problem and after much teeth sucking and head shaking I was quoted 20hundredsquillion quid to get it repaired as it was almost certainly an electrical fault and the entire electrical system would probably need replacing.
I phoned my son, he said 'Take it to George'
So I did, my son does George's MOT's.
I dropped it off about 10ish and came home on the bus.
Just after 1 o'clock George phoned me to say the car was ready so I caught a bus back to collect the car.
George charged me £20 as there had been a small break in a wire, he also replaced a brake light that wasn't working.
Thank heavens for mechanics like George.

Tuesday 4 August 2015

Sex, sex & even more sex!

Well there must be a lot of it about, at the start of the holidays I needed to make 2 baby blankets, that number has now increased to 4!

Because one of the blankets needed imminently I sat & watched TV last night whilst crocheting busily.

I watched an episode of '24 hours in police custody', not something I've watched before but the program followed the cases of 2 men who had been downloading child porn, I felt so sorry for their families as their lives were turned upside down.

I then watched 'A very British Brothel' ,I found this interesting as the brothel owner was very down to earth, and I found the jacuzzi full of coleslaw quite funny.

I personally believe that prostitution should be legalised and licensed. It would go a long way towards getting rid of the crack whores and the people who are trafficked for prostitution. I know it wouldn't solve all the problems as there will always be people who are looking for something illegal.

Monday 3 August 2015

Only one in ten

We went to a family BBQ this afternoon for one of my L&M's nephews. I was very well behaved and only about one in ten of the remarks that I wanted to make crossed my lips!

BIL has yet another girlfriend, ye gods & little fishes, where does he find them! The last one claimed to be a professional gambler and crystal therapist (or should that be pissed? Yes, frequently!)

The family don't like this one, they say she is a heavy drinker and she encourages BIL to drink. Personally I've never noticed him needing any encouragement!

This one is a beautician, all I can say is that she's no bloody advert for her treatments, one guest thought the girlfriend was older than me whereas she's 15 years younger than me.

Can somebody lend me some BGK

Otherwise known as Big Girls Knickers?
It's a phrase used by Elaine at MFin3, a phrase I often borrow but now  think I'm going to need extra knickers.
My beloved isn't coping too well with his mother's illness, I knew he wouldn't but I'm happy to support him wherever possible. Mil has arranged her funeral, chosen the poems and the music. She has discussed it with her husband and given all four of her sons a typed copy of the arrangements. 
BIL is also not coping, unfortunately he is divorced and has no one to lean on, I will do what I can, he is currently avoiding visiting his mum as he is scared what he will see, next time we go I will offer to take him with us.
StepFIL is also not coping, he is also worried about another BIL who he believes will force him out of the marital home after MIL's death, despite MIL's will requesting that StepFil be allowed to remain.
I can see I may have to get involved with this too, so lots of pairs of BGK will be needed!

Saturday 1 August 2015

More bloody Doctor problems

Oh bugger, I've just seen a post on FB that someone I used to work with is starting work at my surgery. I cannot stand the woman, but apart from that, she is an incorrigible gossip and totally indiscreet.
I feel another surgery move is on the cards!

New neighbours.

A couple of days ago I met the couple who have purchased one of the flats here. The flat is over two floors, has two bedrooms, two bathrooms...