Silver Sewer - My Journey To A Frugal Life

Friday

2012-01-27T06:44:00.000-08:00

Each day brings a small improvement. Last night was a bad one, I was still reading at 2am, when I fell asleep I had my left knee bent, when I woke it took me several minutes and some excruciating pain to straighten out my leg so I could get up and go to the loo.

We had a heavy flurry of snow last night, but this morning it was gone and there had been a very heavy frost. I managed to walk as far as the library and back this morning,took me half an hour to walk back, it was very cold, but nice to be out, you could smell the clean air if you know what I mean.

We did the Friday clean between us, me wielding the duster and OH moving the furniture and hooverng the carpet and rug. He also washed the kitchen floor under supervision.

Its a bright day, sun is shining, very little wind....but cccoooollldddd...

Fish, mashed potato and celariac, carrots, cabbage and parsley sauce for supper, think we will have a chocolate sponge for a change for dessert.

Just thinking about stuffing the bean bags with the beads and maybe sewing them up ready to post off. We will have to do them in the kitchen, the beads get everyhere, I found some on the sitting room carpet last night, they are so light they just float about.

Thursday

2012-01-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

A brighter day but OH tells me it was very cold out.

Pain a little easier today, I upped my medication last night which emabled me to get some sleep. The headache has gone, the rest of the aches and pains are bearable, at least I can walk easier today. I am begining to rattle with all the pills.

Shopping is done, came home with £6 change from £70 which is on course, I have £15 a week for fruit and veg and anything we do run out of, hopefully I shall have some dosh for the sealed pot at the end of February. Fuel put in the car to see us through February too. OH huffing and puffing at the heavy bags......think we may have to drop down to weekly shopping in March. We are going to clean out the kitchen cupboards sometime next week and do an audit of whats in there so I can see what we do and do not need to stock up. One thing I do not need is flour for bread......I have tons of the stuff.

The filling has come for the bean bags so we will try and get them filled and finished this weekend, so I can send them off. OH will take them to the post office. He took a parcel this afternoon as well when he went for his walk.

Macoroni cheese and salad for supper, the mac cheese is made and the salad on the plates. OH will do something banana for dessert. I have a stool which I can sit on to do things at the work top, just have to get OH to fetch and carry stuff.

Nice, warm and comfy on the settee finished another book, at the rate I am going I will have no books left, will have to try and stagger to the library.

Wednesday

2012-01-25T06:38:00.000-08:00

No quilting for me today, my fibromyalgia has really reaered its head. I woke just after 6am thought I was having a stroke, could not move, then I realised what was going on. Eventually managed to get out of bed and stagger to the bathroom for medication. By 10am I was just about human, so have done nowt today except sit; headache has returned..... The muscle pain has now settled to a gentle roar instead of a full blown lion roar, I can only manage to type with one finger, need to go into the kitchen and supervise OH doing the haggis neeps and tatties for supper.

I am going to have to have a couple of days sofa bound. OH is going to have to do the shopping tomorrow unless he can borrow a wheel chair, walking is agony.

Don't get excited!!

2012-01-24T09:15:00.001-08:00

The Dr called this afternoon, the results she has were not for the biopsy but for the colonoscopy which we already knew, big build up, big let down!! We are no further forward...........

Tuesday.

2012-01-24T05:27:00.000-08:00

A dull day, very grey, the forecast was for sleet and snow. OH was out this morning for a walk and to go to the bank, he said its bitter out.

OH called at the Drs to put in a prescription, he asked how long it takes for a biopsy report to come back, the receptionist looked at the computer and the result is in, so we wait for a call from the Drs. after she finished surgery.

Freezer audit to do and menu plan for next month, I have done quite well this month with meals out of the freezer, just chicken I had to get.

Thursday will be shopping day I think, I need fruit and veg as well.

Planning on spending the afternoon quilting, I have 2 cushion covers to finish and I want to cut out the bean bags so we just have to fill them when the beads come. Something else I can get off this week.

OH drew my HK this morning, I have put the money away for the main shop and then £15 a week for fruit etc we might need.

I want to do a bit of a change round with furniture in the two bedrooms, I may need to make another round cloth if I can find the fabric and something that does not stretch to do the circle with.....a job maybe for later when I have finished the cushion covers.

Monday

2012-01-23T10:59:00.000-08:00

Today has been a bit of a no no day.

I did the Monday clean this morning, after lunch OH insisted on going off for his appointment 3 hours early, via Mussleburgh where we called at Poundland to get his shallots, Poundstretcher for red onions and a magic mat for the kitchen doorway. We set off round the outside of Edinburgh for the hospital. We did manage a 10 minutes stop at Remnant Kings where I picked up another 2 metres of bag fabric, we were early at the hospital....had to wait to get into the car park then could not find the blooming clinic....we made it with a few minutes to spare.

Consultation with the registrar who looked after OH when he had C Diff. No results from the biopsy, registrar could not understand why it had taken over a year for his colonoscopy when it clearly said in his notes he should have one 6 - 8 weeks after discharge from hospital. No idea what the pain is......so a waste of time. He will see what the biopsy results show and write to us then. If there is anything that needs a recall OH will get one. It was a pain in the traffic to get there and an even bigger pain to get home, it took us well over an hour to get back.

We were going to have chicken tonight but I changed my mind, good job I did, by the time we got home my blood sugar was very low and I had a pounding headache, I had to have a round of bread and butter a bit quick, I do not look good sploged on the floor.

Supper, egg,chips and beans. dessert was the last of the fruit in jelly with a blob of ice cream.......my head is still jiggling away so I am off to get some paracetamol...............might even put my head down for an hour and see if I can sleep it off.....bye.....

Sunday

2012-01-22T04:12:00.000-08:00

Golly the wind is fierce this morning, We have just been out for a walk, we have blue sky asnd sun, but the wind chill is something else.

We walked by the side of the river past St Mary's Church along the path which takes us down to the swimming pool and then back along Mill Wynd, across the back of the Rugby ground where the little ones were practicing , thought the metal gate and down the side of the houses, in the back gate to the complex and inside. It was good to get back in the warm.....

Todays task to quilt and complete one shabby chic cushion and gate the other one ready to do tomorrow. Then I can start on the bags for the beads, I have ordered them, should get them by wednesday so hopefully the parcel can be on its way by next weekend.

We have an appointment with the consultant re OH's gut, the hospital is right on the other side of Edinburgh, I hope we can find space in the car park when we get there, parking is abysmal.

Looking back at last years journal its 12 months since we started looking for somewhere closer to civilization. OH tells me it is 12 months tomorrow since we first looked at this apartment.....time flies by.....apart from some friction when we first moved in it has been fine and people have accepted us as they have got to know us. Our neighbour who seemed very reticent for some time has done a complete turn around......so life goes on and we are looking forward to creating a little seating arrea in the corner down stairs so we can spend some time outside this year. DD1 & SIL bought us a small table and folding chairs when they came up at the end of last year.

I am hoping that DS 2 comes up at some point we could do with a bit of help to move some things around out there.

Supper tonight is roast chicken with all the trimmings and the oranges in lime jelly.

That which was lost is found!!

2012-01-21T10:40:00.000-08:00

For weeks I have looking for my brass stilleto, I use it to hold fabric as it goes under the needle on the machine and stop the fabric going off to the left as sometimes happens.

I have turned the place upside down to no avail. I came to the conclusion that I had left it in the tool box in Big Bertha when she went in for the needle threader to be sorted, but no it was not in there either,

I have just turned out the bag I keep my sewing bits and pieces in and there in all the detritus at the bottom was????? my stiletto......Hooray!! It is now in the tool drawer to the new machine just where I need it to be...

Saturday and its Raining

2012-01-21T06:13:00.000-08:00

It has been raining on and off all morning, the wind is quite strong, OH said it kept him awake until 2am, me I slept like a baby, did not hear a thing!!

OH went out for his walk, said it was very cold in the wind, he was not out for long and has decided not to go out to the Rugby match this afternoon.

The morning got away from me somehow, I made a lime and orange jelly for supper and that was about it. I have finished hand sewing down the binding on the table mats so they are ready to go on their merry way.

Just about to go and cut out the fabric for two shabby chic cushion covers... I need to order some more insul bright, I have just about run out, I can make enough for 2 or 3 pot holders by joining some bits together but that will be about it then.

Just did a bit of reckoning on the electricity we seem to be using around £30 a week, where I just do not know, the night time units have gone up with a real whosh......I need to get a handle on it cannot afford for it to run like that for too long.

Supper tonight gsmmon and salad with jacket spud and the lime and orange jelly for dessert.

Friday

2012-01-20T08:17:00.000-08:00

Another very cold day a heavy frost again last night. OH was out this morning, he said it was bitter, I am staying in the warm.

I quilted 4 table mats last night have put the binding on them today, so they will be ready to go off after the weekend. Need to get on with some more things for the sale. I have run out of insul bright, so will have to think of something else to do until I get some more.

Friday clean done, OH pushed the dyson round for me. I have cleaned Big Bertha and her cover so she is sparkling, I have to sort out the extra feet for her, the discs that go with the upgrades and the hoops etc. I also need to find 4 bobbins and a set of needles to go in the attachments drawer.

HM fish and chips tonight, I have some vienetta in the freezer think its time it was used up, we will have that for dessert.

Monday we have an appointment at the hospital for OH to see the consultant re his guts.....its the hospital he was in when he had C Diff so right over the other side of Edinburgh. That will take up most of the afternoon.

Nothing planned for the weekend.

Thursday

2012-01-19T04:47:00.000-08:00

It started off fine and sunny this morning but the wind is getting up and it has clouded over.

Some clearing up this morning, a lot of mess hanging around including some stuff I got at the quilting group yesterday. I also made the broccoli and cauliflower gratin ready to reheat tonight, we are having it with jacket spuds and roast tomato's.

I was looking this morning for the 12 lavender bags I made, cannot find them, I want to fill them and tie them up......I guess they will eventually turn up, possibly after the sale, but they can be carried forward to the next one.

OH went out for his walk, called at the post office to post a small parcel for me and to pay some money into the bank. He said its colder out than it looks......bbbbrrrrrr.

We are off this afternoon to get Big Bertha.

BB is back: Journey from hell to collect her, rain, sleet, hail,wind and snow the spray from the lorries on the bypass was horrendous, I was so glad to get home into the warm. The builders have been and reset the slates and ridge tiles on the roof, they were just finishing when we got back, they will be coming back to fix them properly once the weather clears a bit.

Wednesday

2012-01-18T03:07:00.000-08:00

A bright morning and very mild 9C, different to yesterday when it was still quite cold.

Made the sauce for tonights pasta and also cut out the table mats correctly this time.....will get on with them when I get back from quilting this afternoon.

OH slept in a bit this morning, I woke him just before 9am. He is off out for a short walk.

Big bertha is ready to come home, I have had an enquiry about her from someone, waiting to hear back, we are going to fetch her tomorrow afternoon, I will clean her and make sure everything is working properly.

Nothing much to report today, life has settled down again for us thank heavens, another week like last week and I think I would have ended up in the funny farm!!

Tuesday

2012-01-17T09:46:00.000-08:00

Visit to the Drs this morning re my ears, not good, I have been referred to the ENT clinic at our local hospital.

We both had a good nights sleep I fell asleep reading again.

Its been a much milder day today, up to 6C. OH went for a walk this morning whilst I ironed the laundry from yesterday whilst he was out. We decided to go down to the garden and take the veg bucket for the composter and then carry on to Dunbar to get some backing fabric and then to Asda to put the Christmas cards in their recycle unit, they are turned into gift cards and tags for next Christmas.

When we got back I put the binding on the last two table centre mats, I will take them tomorrow to sew the binding down.

Phone call late this afternoon, my 11000, Big Bertha is ready to come home so I will go in and pick her up later in the week. Then she will get a clean and go on sale. I need to sort all the bits out for her and collect them together, there are a couple of feet I am keeping to use on the new machine, I had to buy another foot holder which I can fit on the new machine to use them. I need to clear the memmory as well, I will put the designs on a memory stick and also back then up on the external hard drive.

Supper tonight casserole pork, cabbage, carrots, mash and the last of the crumble for dessert.

Monday Morning

2012-01-16T07:14:00.000-08:00

It was -6C when we got up this morning. I slept well, OH said he had a job to get off.

Monday clean done, two beds changed and sheets etc washed, in the dryer ready for tonight.

We walked to the library, OH is back to normal, thankfully everything seems to be working ok but 6 days is a long time. Its another 10 days before we get to see the specialist. I have an appointment tomorrow re my hearing test, I am expecting to be referred, I could only very faintly hear even the top notes in my left ear.

I am working on another set of angels, I think I ought to do several sets do I have them 'in stock' but I have quite a few other things I want to get done, they keep getting pushed back.

Its been a fine, bright but very cold day, the frost is holding on some of the roofs in the complex and you can 'smell' the cold when you are out.

OH has asked for frittata and salad for supper, so I guess I had better go and do some prep towards it. We have the apple and rhubarb crumble for dessert. OH had his banana for his lunch.

Frosty Sunday

2012-01-15T06:47:00.000-08:00

Its a nice day blue sky and some sun but boy is it cold....we have been out for a walk, the frost is still hanging, according to our thermometer its just 1oC bbbbrrrrrr.......

Much better night sleep, it was almost 9.30 before I surfaced. OH is a lot better he is not having a rest this afternoon, so he should sleep tonight.

Thank you to those of you who responded to my question re the bags, I think I am going to price them at £9.50 and see how they go. I have quilted the three mats, going to sew the binding on shortly, I can take them to quilting on Wednesday to sew the binding down. I have another order for a set of angels.Tomorrow I plan to start a pair of cushion covers whilst waiting for the chicken fabric to come for the table mats. That will clear my orders for now and I can concentrate on the goods for the sale.

Supper tonight, some of the beef I sliced off the joint at Christmas, brussels, cauliflower, roast spuds I have made an apple and rhubarb crumble to try and get oh 'moving' again. He had a bar of chocolate last night but that does not seem to have helped.

Saturday

2012-01-14T06:38:00.000-08:00

Its the weekend again, the time seems to be whizzing by.....

Neither of us slept well last night, I was awake reading till after 1am and OH said he did not get off to sleep until late. As we were in seperate rooms, neither disturbed the other. It looks as if the change is going to be permanant, so I need to look to sell our double bed and get a new single bed.

Its a very dull dank day, its hardly got light at all and the temperature has hardly risen above freezing all day. I decided as I had not done any sewing since Tuesday I needed to sort out my act and get something done. I have made 3 strings of yellow gingham and plain yellow bunting. Next will be the table centre mats for hot dishes.

Duuring the turn round yesterday I found the shabby chic cushion fabric, so I will also do those, then they are ready to go off when they are required. I can also do the set of table mats.

OH has been fine today, he had porridge and bacon sarnies for breakfast soup and oatcakes for his lunch and we have scotch pies, mash, carrots and brussels for supper. I used up the last of the panettone to make a bread and butter pudding which we will have for dessert.

Friday

2012-01-13T04:29:00.000-08:00

......

Brrrrrrrrrr it a very cold, but crisp morning. I have just taken OH out for a short walk, he wanted to go out on his own....no way.

We both slept ok last night, I did not wake until almost 9am, so late getting breakfast.

I think the move to the guest room will come off, I am sleeping so much better in there, I am going to move the bookcase etc this afternoon after I have been to post off a parcel. There is a table I think will become redundant which I can take to bits and put in a box in the attic. I think I will put the double bed on a card in Tesco, might get a good bit towards buying a decent single bed and headboard. The bed is too good to put on freecycle its less than 2 years old and has hardly been used.

Now a question to those who read and comment on my blog.....I have posted pictures of my bags, how much would you be prepared to pay for one. They are made from heavy weight fabric, lined, and have an external pocket. approx 16 wide x 20 long. comments welcome.

Time to go and see about some lunch

Tonights sunset.....

Thursday

2012-01-12T08:19:00.000-08:00

Another good night, for me, not for OH apparently....he has eaten better today, porridge and toast this morning, soup, cheese scone and yogurt, he is having sausage and mash for his supper.

He got up this morning but went back to bed after lunch, he is up again now. I have had to have a severe talking to him......he does tend to wing it a bit and I have had enough, its time he was starting to pick himself up.

I had a very senior moment this afternoon, I was cutting out some table mats in directional fabric and cut them wrong aarrggghhhhh.......

I am seriously considering staying in in the guest room to sleep, I am getting much better quality of sleep away from OH fidgiting. We are also looking at swapping the double bed thats in there for a single so I can put my sewing machine in there. We can still put up visitors, we have a bed in the settee in the sitting room, so one would sleep in there and the other in the spare room, giving any guests our room.

Its been abright day, not so cold out, I went to Aldi this morning for fresh fruit and veg, spent very little, so thats great.

Wednesday Morning

2012-01-11T03:59:00.000-08:00

After yesterdays trails and tribulations thankfully OH had a good night, I retired to bed around 8.30pm so I could keep an eye on him, spent some time on my laptop and also read for a while. I had taken a flask of hot water to make tea. OH roused at one point and asked for tea and a biscuit, drank half the tea, ate half the biscuit and went off to sleep again.

I put the light off just before midnight, OH went to the loo at 2am and went straight back to sleep. I made myself a drink and read for an hour. OH was still asleep when I got up just before 9am.

He had toast and jam for his breakfast, he needed to take medication he had missed yesterday. He tried to get up around 10.30 but gave up and went back to bed, he is still asleep now at almost 12 noon. I will wake him shortly and give him some soup for his lunch. I have an appointment at 2.30 so he will stay in bed until I get back, then I'll put him in the shower and change the sheets on the bed, he can go back to bed then if he wants. I need to sort out something for his supper. I am hoping that by late afternoon the sedation will have worn off it will be over 24 hours from his procedure.

I was thankful of sleep, I was not sure I was going to get much, but I was very tired. Not doing much today the sewing can wait until tomorrow.

The weather seems to be a bit milder, the heating is on very low in the sitting room and its quite comfortable.

Its the first meeting of the quilt group today needless to say I will not be there......

2012-01-10T12:14:00.000-08:00

I rang the hospital at 6pm as I had not heard from them. OH was getting dressed. When I got there he was sitting on the bed with a nurse at his side. As usual his BP had gone all over the place and he was dizzy. I got him dressed and we waited over an hour for him to get discharged. I have not had time to look at his discharge papers but they have taken a bisopsy of 'something' just what I do not know but there is no sign of the C Diff.

I got him to the car when he started heaving.......wonderful.......managed to get him into the house ,up stairs and into the bedroom before he started again.......complainng he is light headed.....not surprising really.....right now he appears to be asleep. I have decided its the lesser of the two eveils for me to stay in our room tonight, at least I am on hand although I doubt very much I will sleep!!

So I am on the bed with a cup of tea and a flask of hot water, tea bags etc, I have two books still to read, if I finish them I will be playing word games on the lap top......

Tuesday

2012-01-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

OH had a bad night ;last night so he stayed in bed until 1pm, then had a shower, I dropped him off at the hospital at 2.15pm. no word yet, they say no news is good news....

This is what I have been doing to pass the time whilst I wait for news. 2 bags completed now. One more to go, then I will switch to soemthing different.

I was at the Drs this morning re my ear, I have to have an audiogram tomorrow and then see the Dr again next week, he thinks I may have a problem in my inner ear.

Its a very cold day, no wind but its bitter. The forecast said it was going to be mild.....I wonder what happened.

Not sure whats for supper tonight, may do eggs on toast for OH....will see how he feels when he gets home.

Monday

2012-01-09T08:32:00.000-08:00

Today has been a bit of a no day.

OH was up at 6am to start his jollop for tomorrow, he had 2 pieces of toast before he started to take the mixture. He spent a couple of hours trotting to the loo. Lunch for us both was a stock cube in hot water, a couple of cups of tea during the afternoon, plus water for OH.

I did not wake until just before 9am although I had been awake for a couple of hours during the night.

I decided to start on stuff for the carft fair, this took me all day.

The embroidery on the pocket takes quite a while to do, so one bag for the sale.

It was a bright day, the sun was out, no idea how cold it was, I have not been out.

OH has just taken his second lot of jollop so will be trotting to the loo again for a while. Nothing to take tomorrow, except clear liquid which he has to stop an hour before he goes to the hospital at 2.30pm. I have another bag cut out to do tomorrow.

I am having fish and salad for my supper and a dish of the lime jelly thats left. I will eat it in the kitchen whilst OH stays and watches the TV in the sitting room. I might even put a bit of ice cream on my jelly. So far I have been matching OH, but I do need some food tonight. I should weigh myself and see how much weight I have lost in the last two days.

Murky Sunday

2012-01-08T06:16:00.000-08:00

We slept in different rooms last night and I had a decent night. OH said he slept ok too.....a few nights apart should see us ok again.

Today is the first count down day to OH's procedure....this morning he had eggs on toast. We went out for a walk and he went to bed with a dizzy when we got back, just up at 1.45pm he is now having a bovril stock cube in hot water and white bread toast, its like eating plastic uuukkkkk we have chicken breast poached in white wine for supper, I will make a sauce with cornflour and he has asked for spaghetti with it which is fine. A lime jelly in the fridge setting. Tomorrow he starts the jallop, I am not going down that route with him, he can do it on his own!! no point cleaning the bathroom then......

Our walk took us down by the river, over the bridge and up through Church Sreet, High Street and back home. The river is till quite high a lot of water coming down from somewhere.

Its very murky outside, the sun was out briefly but its gone now and at just after 2pm we have a light on in the sitting room.

No sewing today, I am all sewed out.....more tomorrow, I must get my mind on the craft fairs and get some stuff made.

Saturday

2012-01-07T08:56:00.000-08:00

Gosh its rather bracing outside. Its been a fine day, no rain a bit of sun but no heat in it.

I took my friend to the sewing machine shop for her to book her machine in, she also brought a cabinet for her machine....£800......I thought mine was enough.

I picked up the light and a couple of other things I wanted £27 for a decent set of pinking shears gulp!!

Back home we had lunch and OH decided to go for a walk via the rugby. I had a pattern for a doily I wanted to try out so the machine has been chugging away good style whilst I cut out pennants for a 2 metre length of bunting. Its all pinned might get a chance to sew it tomorrow.

This is todays effort on the machine, I have been wanting to sew this piece of lace for a long time. I can understand now why so many doileys are stitched in bits and then sewn together. This piece of lace had over 80,000 stitches and took over 3 hours to sew out and almost a reel of thread. Its going to be expensive!!

If you click on the picture you can see more of the details.

OH is on a preparation diet tomorrow, white everything, no porridge, just eggs on toast for breakfast. I have to go round to Aldi and get chicken in the morning, he cannot have any veg just white rice, so I'll do chicken with white rice, he can have jelly for dessert and he has ro start taking the jallop on Monday morning to clear his system, I am not looking forward to it....I know what happened the last time he has an examination like this and it was not pleasant!!

We had another bad night last night reading and drinking tea at 2am, I think I went to sleep sometime after 4am!! I think I am moving into the guest room for a few nights.

Gammon, jacket potato, tomato and celery salad for salad. Not sure whats for dessert though. I'll think of something.

Friday

2012-01-06T08:34:00.000-08:00

Another very cold day. We had a decent nights sleep and were up early, we wanted to go down to the garden and see what damage ahd been done.

Thankfully although there were a lor of trees down as we drive in the garden itself has escaped any real damage, all that we could find was half a pane of glass out of our greenhouse, the polytunnel has survived with no damage.

We caught up with John and had a chat, then carried on down to Asda for long life single cream and then round to the petrol station for diesel. The car is 3/4 full.

Back home OH went to the post office for me to post a set of the angels whilst I cleaned the kitchen and living room, I moved the machine table to clean the carpet underneath, I found a bobbin I lost the other day.

After lunch I sat and did an embroidery for a card for SIL for his birthday. He is a golf nut, so this should suit him down to earth....

Now thats finished I can start on the stuff for the craft sale at the end of march. Think I am going to start with the bunting, something that does not need much thinking about.

We had chips earlier in the week so fish with mash and I have done a cauliflower and calebrese gratin, there is one banana left so I guess It will be banana something for dessert.

OH has 2 days before he has to start his count down to his colonoscopy, heaven knows what he is going to have to survive on for 2 days.

Thursday

2012-01-05T08:48:00.000-08:00

Another bad night, OH said he was hot, so we were reading and drinking tea at 1,30am. We did not wake until 9.40am.

After breakfast we collected the 14 books we had and walked to the library, boy was it busy.....we came home via Aldi, I needed eggs for supper.

The wind had dropped to a breeze but golly was it cold, I was glad to get indoors. We knocked at G's door and wished him a happy new year and thanked him for the Selkirk Bannock.

I have spent this afternoon packing up 2 sets of angels and sewing together pieces of water soluble film I sew the lace out on. I use wst which dissolves when it touches water, the film also dissolves so the bits I could not cobble together into bigger bits have been put into water to make gloop which can be painted onto fabric to make it stiff enough to embroider on, it washes out.

OH wants a badge making for his bowls sweater, so I think that will be next, should be quite a quick project.

Supper tonight mushroom frittata with salad, I guess we will be having something Banana for dessert.

Wednesday

2012-01-04T08:11:00.000-08:00

Thankfully the wind has died down and there does not appear to have been any more damage. OH was out this morning to post off a set of angels, he said it was bitterly cold, shortly after he got home it started to rain.

We both had a better night last night slept from just after 12 midnight till 8.55am this morning. I still feel tired today.

More angels on the machine. I have 2 more sets ordered which are on the machine now.

Nothing else done really except prepare supper, turkey friccasse with muchrooms and mixed veg rice. Bananas for dessert now we have finished the bread and butter pudding.

Hold onto your hat Tuesday

2012-01-03T06:56:00.000-08:00

The wind is horrendous. I hardly slept last night with the wind and the rain. A lot of damage in the complex this morning, we have lost 2 tiles off the roof, one embeded itself in the border at the back. A neighbour has had 4 rows of tiles blown off and another has lost a strip of harliing from the front of her apartment.

OH went down to check our car was ok, the windscreen cover was flapping so he has taken it off, no danger of frost whilst its blowing as it is. Wind speeds up to 90 mph, all the bridges across the Forth and Tay are closed.

I have finished the set of angels I was working on, they are drying ready to be sent off to their new home. I am pleased I have sorted the roblem with the machine it was driving me potty.

I have two cards to do and also a badge for OH. Then its on with stuff for the craft fair. I have a number of lavender bags to fill and finish, the wardrobe smells lovely.

Supper tonight is toad in the hole, cabbage and carrots with onion gravy. We will finished off the bread and butter pudding I made yesterday for dessert.

Monday

2012-01-02T08:39:00.000-08:00

A very cold morning, bright, but there had been quite a frost. No Monday clean to do, I did it Saturday so today I decided to re-sew the angels I have been having a problem with, all sewn perfectly, just 2 more to do tomorrow, then I can prep them.

OH went out for a walk, he was away quite a while, I was getting a bit concerned when he turned up, he had walked for about 2 miles.

I read the elctric meter today, for some reason we have used less this last week despite me drying two loads of washing on Saturday....no idea what but something is using the power.

The complex is quiet, the shops are closed today and tomorrow so life should be back to normal on Wednesday. We are doing ok with library books I still have 2 to read and OH one so we will last out until the library reopens on Thursday.

Egg, chips and beans for supper, I have used up the last of the Selkirk Bannock in a bread and butter pudding for dessert, so OH had his banana at lunch time.

2012-01-01T03:13:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to everyone who reads my blog. May all your hopes come true and all your troubles be little ones.

We went to bed early and OH was asleep before midnight. I heard the fireworks going off, but soon settled down to sleep. It was just after 8.30 when I woke.

We spent a quiet morning. After lunch we decided to go for a walk, it was bright and sunny but bbbbrrrrr cold. we walked down by the river, past plodrate mill and back in the back entrance of the complex. On the way out we waved to M G & T who were enjoying their Sunday lunch....

After a cup of tea I decided to have a go with the machine to see what happened when I did normal embroidery, apart from a few thread breaks both designs sewed perfectly, so I now know that the thread and also the designs are at fault. When I get the new thread I will have another go at the angels, but I have a feeling unless I can get them re-digitized they are going to be a no no.Sad because I have an order for 6.

Supper tonight roasted [pork chops with roast spuds, carrots, cauliflower, calebrese, stuffing and red wine gravy. Banana something for dessert. I did offer to make a bread and butter pudding with the last of the Selkirk Bannock, but OH asked for it tomorrow, so tomorrow it will be.

Its a very clear night, I am expecting frost......OH has been ok so far today. This often happens, he has two attacks one after the other and then can go for anything up to a month before he gets another. I must admit the one on Friday night was quite frightening for both of us. It brought back the hellish days I had with him in 2008 when he was having 4 a day. I have no desire to repeat those days thank you.

Saturday

2011-12-31T07:33:00.000-08:00

Not a good day one way or another, OH had a very bad dizzy attack last night, at one point he passed out. I managed to get him to bed where he stayed, although he was ok by 10pm. He had another one this morning....I ak just hoping they are not building up as they did 2 years ago when he was having up to 4 a day.

I am also haveing a problem with my machine, I am going to take it back, the tension is off and its keeps jamming, not a happy bunny. To add to my mood its a very grey day outside, there have been several showers of rain and at 3.30pm we have the lights on its so dark.

The 4 angles I have managed to do, the 5th one went the way of all flesh, into the bin after the thread nest ripped out part of it.

I have changed our bed, done two loads of washing and also dried them in the dryer, not something I usually do but I wanted it out of the way before New Years Day. Loaf of bread on.

Spag bol for supper tonight with banana something to follow.....

We do not sit up until midnight, we go to bed at the usual time and read until midnight, then wish each other a happy new year, put out the lights and go to sleep. I need what ever sleep I can get.

Friday

2011-12-30T09:29:00.000-08:00

Just up by 9am this morning..Friday clean done, just the bathroom to do in the morning, no enough washing to do a load so it can wait until Monday.

Very cold this morning, there had been a heavy frost. It was very grey and eventually this afternoon it rained.

I started to sew out another angel using some new thread, I soon ran into problems the thread kept breaking and trying to wind a bobbin was hell, eventually I did managed to finish the angel, there is a mistake in it, I will be sewing another one tomorrow using cotton again.

Can you see the mistake.......this is the 4th attempt....

I think it was Vintage Maison asked about the island in the header picture, its Craigleith just off the coast of North Berwick. Its uninhabited its a bird sanctuary.

Fish,chips and peas for supper tonight. Something with banana for dessert.

Thursday

2011-12-29T09:16:00.000-08:00

Today was shopping day, we went to Aldi first and then cut through the back and went to Tesco, I spent £44.24 which is not bad, I could have spent less if OH had not brought a set of car mats and me 2 bottles of wine in Aldi.

Tesco was a nightmare, people were running about like headless chickens, grabbing what ever they could, the shelves were very badly stocked and I was informed that Tesco have discontinued their own long life single cream...how long before it comes back re packaged and costing twice as much!! I cannot wait for Sainsbury to open their shop at the top of the town. The trollies were going out the door loaded to the top and more, how much of that is going to end up in the bucket?

OH went out for his walk this afternoon. I decided I would play with the sewing machine.......

Two free standing lace angels. I had problems with both of them in that half way through the film they are sewn onto broke and the thread knotted up, but I changed the needle plate and the second attempt was fine apart from thread breakage but thats nothing new. Tomorrow I am going to try altering and combining a design on the computer and getting the machine to sew it, could be interesting!! Ear plugs may be needed if you are within a 25 mile radius of where we live......I spoke to my dealer this morning and he said he had a lady in the shop yesterday who would have bought the machine had I not bought it, tough Missis....its mine.

It has been perishingly cold, the wind has dropped but we have had several heavy showers. There is a warning out for snow in Scotland tonight...bbbrrr.

Sausage mash and onion gravy with carrots and calebrese for supper. There are a couple of slices of last weeks carrot cake left we will have them with some custard for dessert.

I only have 2 more days to play with the machine then I need to get cracking on stuff for the sale at the end of March, do not want to be sitting up half the night the week before. Bags first I think.....I have 3 pot holders that need the binding sewing down and the fabric for some more chicken place mats and coasters. Then its on to the bunting......

Wednesday

2011-12-28T07:49:00.000-08:00

I did manage to get out of bed before 9am just!!!

Its a very wild blustery day, the wind is so strong it almost blew me over when I was out this morning and I am no light weight. I had a quick look in the charity shops, bought next years Christmas cards 89p for 30 from the Oxfam shop.....pleased with that little buy.

Freezer audit done, its going to be a cheap month foodwise, plenty of meat and fish in the freezer so just a few staples, fruit and veg needed. Tomorrow is the day......

I did bacon sarnies for lunch, gosh they were delicious.......we have herb frittata and salad for tea. I am going to do some cous cous, I have 8 packets in the cupboard!!

This afternoon I sat down with the computer linked up to the sewing machine and having watched the video that came with it I have transferred some designs from the computer straight to the machine and put them in folders so I know exactly what I have in the memory and do not have to go searching around to find what I want. Also embroidered another lavender bag. I need to fill some now. I am going to sew out a free standing lace angel tomorrow using the rayon thread I have, its another one, like the snow flakes, that can be either hung on the tree or suspended on a fine thread. I must say I am starting to warm to this beast of a machine.....the thread stand I had for the 11000 does fit it, I have put it on this afternoon so I can use up to 5 threads, just have to run them through to the needle. Unlike the 11000 it has a free arm which makes it so much easier to sew on shirts or jumpers, OH wants me to put his name on his bowls sweater, no problem with this machine......

I had a comment on my blog yesterday from a friend I had not heard from for sometime, it was great to catch up with him and hear how he was getting on with his new business.

I wish the wind would drop, it seems to be getting stronger, at least it will not keep us awake tonight, its blowing at the front, we sleep at the back. We had very heavy rain earlier and its almost dark and only 3.30pm...

Tuesday

2011-12-27T09:09:00.000-08:00

We were late in bed again last night watching Poirot, then we read for a while before putting the light out, it was well after 9am before I surfaced this morning.

OH went out for a walk, I spent more time on the new machine finding out what is and isn't there and generally mucking about.

Soup and a sandwich for lunch, tonights supper, gammon ham, mashed potato, carrots and brussels with mustard sauce. We still have trifle to finish.

I am beginning to get cabin fever, I am going to have to go out tomorrow even if its just round the block. I do not think I have been out the door since Saturday when we went to the library.

We will not be back in our routine until this time next week, in Scotland the New Year is more important that Christmas, they get an extra days holiday to get over the massive hangovers after celebrating Hogmanay. We are long past that thank heavens.......I do still clean the house and get the washing up to date on New Years Eve, a throw back to my MIL.

I need to phone and book a lesson on the new machine, I get 6 hours tuition, I just need to find a cheap way of getting into Edinburgh. I am skint now I have my machine. OH wants to go to the Map library so we will probably take the car to Sherrifhall and go in on the bus and then arrange to meet later to come home.

Boxing Day

2011-12-26T06:49:00.000-08:00

Good Afternoon everyone.

Yesterday was a quiet one for us. We had porridge and crossiant with raspberry jam for breakfast. Just soup at lunch time and our main meal in the late afternoon. The roast beef was delicious, cooked just how we like it. I have enough for tonights supper and I have put enoough away for a couple more roast dinners. The raspberry trifle was delicious too.

I did find enough time to have a play on the machine.......

A snow flake decoration which looks sensational with the light behind it, sewn in ordinary cotton, it took quite a while to stitch out despite working on full speed ( 1000 stitches a minute)

The second is a different pattern for the lavender bags

I was late waking this morning. OH brought me my breakfast in bed, then I wanted to get to grips with adding files from a USB stick to the machine.

OH went off to the bowls club for the games afternoon whilst I played a bit more with the machine.

Supper tonight will be cold cuts, beef and gammon, with salad and a jacket potato, trifle for dessert......

I hope everyone who reads my blog had a lovely day and that Santa brought you everything you wanted.......

Christmas Day

2011-12-25T02:24:00.000-08:00

Happy Christmas to every one who reads my blog, I hope Santa was as generous to you as he was to me.

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T06:55:00.000-08:00

The night before Christmas........not a good night last night, OH got up to the loo and I could not get back to sleep, was reading and drinking tea at 5am.....

Visit to the library to change our books so we have plenty to read, the library is closed until 5th January.

Several of the residents are off to stay with family for Christmas Day, two of our neighbours are away until Tuesday, so it will be a quiet set of apartments.

A grey day, mild but there is a cutting wind, its quite bracing out, nice to get back into a warm house. OH went for a walk after we had been to the library.

The bottom bit of the trifle is done, just the custard and cream to go. Ham cooked and a pan of bacon pasta sauce ready for tonights tomato pasta and garlic bread. I have the beef for tomorrow in a poly bag with red wine and some spices.

After lunch we have to break down the box for the sewing machine and put it in the loft out of harms way. I hope to spend a while this afternoon playing with the machine. It is not unlike my other machine, but there are some new features which I am looking forward to using, Its strange having the presser foot lift itself when you stop sewing and the threads cut automatically. I am going to fit the embroidery unit and try out a couple of the new designs as well.

I have been thinking of going a bit up market and making some silk cushions with an embroidered front, fastened at the back with buttons like the shabby chic cushions so they are reversible. Hhhmmmm......

The wind is getting stronger and it started to rain uugghhhh.....

Friday

2011-12-23T11:14:00.000-08:00

The past 24 hours have been hectic.....yesterday I had a call from my machine dealer asking me if I wanted my Janome 12000 for Christmas. Once I had picked myself up off the floor he explained. A gentleman had bought a 12000 for his wife, when it arrived it was not the machine she wanted...oooppps, she took the machine out of the box and put it straight back. I was offered the machine at a very competative price. After using fingers, toes and the abacus I managed to scrape the money together. The machine arrived back at the dealers this morning, so they unpacked and checked it.

This what came home with me this afternoon....

The old machine was called Big Bertha, this one is Bonnie Bertha, she is a big machine and the embroidery unit is very heavy. I have not attached it yet, but of course I have had to give it a try just straight stitching, its very quiet and responsive....I can see I am not going to get much done over the weekend, OH might just get his Christmas lunch on time!!!

Its been a grey day and quite cold, the car tinkled that the temp outside was 4oC....brrrrrr cold.

Fish and chips tonight for supper, we finished off the raspberry cheesecake for dessert, OH had to have banana with his of course.

I now have the machine manual for bed time reading......

Thursday

2011-12-22T02:54:00.000-08:00

This is the morning after the night before.......no we have not got a hangover.....

Alarm set for 8am this morning, I wanted to get into Aldi before the hordes decended.....so after breakfast we nipped off, back home now, all shopping packed away, if I have forgotten anything....we still have 2 days to go.

Its quite a grey morning, a bit of a breeze which makes it feel colder than it really is.

Last nights soiree went very well, our neighbours had a good time and the eats and drinks went down well. We have enough drinkie snacks for another one, I guess they will get eaten over the next few weeks. Lots of chat and stories told. They were not late going so after washing up and clearing away we were not too late into bed.

Two of our neighbours are brothers T & G they live in seperate apartments in the complex, we met the elder of the two as we were coming back from Aldi, he again thanked us for last night and confided that he had lived in the complex for 13 years and apart from visiting his brothers flat he had never been asked in anywhere else. That made me quite sad in a way. We do not want to live in each others pockets and be in and out all the time, but it is nice to share time. T is 92 and G 86, they have a wealth of stories about life in their youth, its interesting to listen to them.

I am going to take it easy today, I was tired last night, just had a glass of rose......OH stuck to ginger beer.

Our visitors stuck to the old Scottish tradition of never going visiting with taking a small gift....we have enough chocolate to see us through Christmas and also a Selkirk Bannock, which is a round sppiced bun loaf you spread with butter. I also use it to make a delicious bread and butter pudding with the addition of mixed peel....yummy.

Supper tonight, grilled gammon steak with mash, veg and parsley sauce, We have a raspberry cheese cake that needs eating, so no banana for me today, OH will have his at lunchtime.

Wednesday

2011-12-21T04:07:00.000-08:00

Had to set the alarm this morning, I did not want to sleep in.

Swished the bathroom and cleaned the worktops in the kitchen, made a ring of shortbread....load of washing done. Just have the sitting room to tidy and put out the glasses and thats us ready for our visitation tonight.

Its another grey day, thank heavens its the solstice and the days will start to get longer from here on in, spring is coming....ok I know winter has not been yet, but spring is coming......I really dislike the grey days, do not mind the nights as long as I am warm and cosy inside with the curtains drawn

OH was out for a walk and to go to the bank. He has had a letter this morning re his colonoscopy.....at last!! He is going to the local hospital 10th Jan as an out patient, no doubt the sachet of gunge he has to take the day before will arrive shortly......I am really looking forward to that!! Still at last we are getting somewhere. Not that he is complaining, just taking the tablets.

Tomorrow is Aldi day to get fruit and veg for the rest of the month, should manage to last out, I have some tinned fruit in the store and carrots, peas etc in the freezer if we run out. The raspberry trifle will last us at least 3 days for dessert.

The wreath is on the front door and the few decs I put up are up, do thats us as good as ready as we are ever going to be.

Tuesday

2011-12-20T10:48:00.000-08:00

Another late start, I will be so glad when it starts to get lighter in the mornings.

Last night we recieved a card from a neighbour and I had no cards left. I had a mad scrape through my card drawer and found an embroidered design of 2 candles, went to look for the double sided tape to make up the card, could I find it???? No!! This morning OH went out and had to pay through the nose for a reel from the local shop. £3+ for something I can get for 90p post free on E Bay.....

After lunch I made a dozen mince pies for tomorrows little soiree, I am not providing a lot to eat; just a few nibbles, pringles etc and the mince pies.

We have just finished our supper, toad in the hole with carrots, cauliflower and peas. OH has elected to have carrot cake and ice cream for dessert.....goodness me.... no banana.

Monday Morning

2011-12-19T04:26:00.000-08:00

After a bad night on Saturday I slept in this morning. OH woke me at just after 9am.

Its a dull morning, very grey looking but quite a bit warmer than it has been of late.

Brekkie over, Monday clean done, including swivelling the windows to clean the outside, We are having the neighbours in on Wednesday night for a drink, so the bathroom will get a quick swish then.

OH off out to put in for a script, take some stuff to the charity shop and go to the PO.

When he gets back I need to go up into the attic and put up some stone pots and look for the Christmas quilt, It is not where I thought it was, the only other place it can be is the attic, strange I should have put it up there though.

I think I must have shrunk, I tried a skirt on Saturday and it came down to my ankles, it was never that long before.....its in the bag to go to the charity shop. If I had an overlocker I would take 6" off the bottom and alter the underskirt, but as I am unlikely to wear it again it can go.

I am feeling more and more that I do not want to go to functions. I find that after eating a heavy meal I cannot sleep and frankly just sitting and drinking afterwards is a complete waste of money. Neither of us drink spirits, wine or a soft drink for us.

Supper tonight is a concoction called farmers pie, its like a shepherds pie but made with cooked chicken in a white sauce and topped with mashed potato, grated parmesan cheese and paprika pepper sprinkled on the top. I will heat it through later. Cabbace and carrots to go with it. I dare say dessert will be banana something.

Sunday

2011-12-18T04:56:00.000-08:00

I was very late getting up this morning well after 10am before feet touched te floor.

We went to the bowls club dinner yesterday. It was good, plenty on the plate, but late starting and very slow serving. As we finished the meal ir was very obvious that everyone was settling in for a massive booze up, so OH and I discreatly gathered our coats and departed. Neither of us are great drinkers, OH has to be careful because of the medication he takes, and I am not fond of 'hard liquor' I prefer wine, I have woken up with the mother and father of a headache, not self inflicted as the only drink we had was orange juice and lemonade (St. Clements)

We were just in time to watch Strictly......

OH has retired to bed with a dizzy, the first for a while, he does seem to be going longer between each attack just recently.

When I can stir myself its roast chicken, etc for supper tonight. I might have a cuppa soup in a mo and put on the breadmaker, we ate the last pof the bHM bread Friday.

I am feeling rather tired, never sleep well after a very large meal and last night was no exception.....it was getting on for 4am before I dropped off. will put my head down for a snooze once I hace go the supper ready to cook.

Its very cold but bright temperature was -1c a short while ago....bbbbrrrr

Saturday

2011-12-17T05:40:00.000-08:00

Its a bright but very cold day. We were slightly later getting up.

OH went off for a walk to to collect a script, he rang a few moments later to say there was a craft fair at the Corn Exchange, so instead of sorting the guest room I went out to meet him. We had a wander round, nothing like the type of thing I do so a fair to consider.

I bought a cashmere and silk pashmina in a very pretty shade of pale peach, it will look very nice with my outfit for tonight and keep any draughts away.

Just a cup of soup for lunch, we are off out around 3.30pm, might manage half and hour in the guest room clearing up.

Friday

2011-12-16T03:26:00.000-08:00

A very dull and dark morning, it did not get properly light until well after 9am this morning. Better nights sleep I took pain killers before I went to bed, was so tired I knew I would sleep.

Friday clean done, sitting room neat and tidy, guest room...like a tip, must get in there this afternoon and try and clear everything up.

OH pkanning on a walk this afternoon, sooner him than me, its cold out there.

No sewing done, machines both packed away, I have my cloth setter on E bay 3 watchers, just hope it sells this time.....I was hoping to find the cones for the thread holder, no luck so far, I want to list that as well, it will not fit the new machine.

Fish and chips with leas for supper tonight, OH has banana's wants baked banana and toffee sauce......

Thursday

2011-12-15T07:07:00.000-08:00

A bad night last night, ended up getting up for tea and pain killers at 1am.

When we got up there had been a frost, but it was still quite dark and gloomy.

We went down to Macmerry to take the old printer to the dump and then carried on to Aldi for some fresh fruit. I also bought a rolled pork belly joint which I cut in half and have frozen, it will do us for several meals.

After lunch OH went for a short walk, he said it was colder than this morning. He is giving his talk about the early postal services tonight at the history society, so I can watch the final part of Master Chef - The Professionals...... I think Ash will win.......he has been consistant all the way through.

I have cooked a pot of minced beef for supper with mashed potato's, carrots, Cauli and calebrese. No banana's tonight chocolate pudding......

Wednesday - Big Bertha has had her chips......

2011-12-14T03:21:00.000-08:00

Well after behaving okish yesterday this morning BB is not co-operating at all, she jams up everytime I switch her on and refuses to work at all, so she is going to be repaired and then I am selling her....cannot sell her without sorting the problem.....so I have to do it. Not a happy lady this morning. I have had her for over 5 years with no problems at all now she decides to pull one on me when I need to do work for a sale in March....I will juat have to use the small machine which really labours when sewing thick stuff.

The wind has dropped a bit, I suspect its still very cold out there though.Off to the quilt group later for the last meeting of the season.

The guest bedroom is even more of a mess now, I have found the Christmas wall hanging I had lost so its hanging in the hall till the creases drop out and I can get it hung up somewhere. It saved me having to go into the loft to look for it.

Back from Quilting group, it was bitter out by the time I got home I was frozen, glad to get in the warm and have a cup of tea and a piece of toasted tea bread with some lucious butter.

Supper tonight tomato pasta and garlic bread, I expect OH will be wanting banana something.

The sitting room looks strangely tidy with the machine packed away, I will do any sewing I need to do using the small machine.

I had an exciting parcel this morning, I think its from SFT......a little something wrapped in Christmas paper. We do not have a tree so it will go on the present pile on the floor until Christmas day.

Tuesday

2011-12-13T07:41:00.000-08:00

What a frustrating day!! After a frustrating evening.

This lady came home with me yesterday, Last night I switched her on and went to use the automatic needle threader.....it would not work, kept telling me to do something and switch back on which I did, still no joy....so I used a magnifying glass to thread the needle and did some sewing.

This morning I switched her on and the needle threader still would not work, so I phoned my dealer. Whilst standing talking to him I touched the button and bingo it worked, switched the machine off, did not work. I have no idea if the machine is sulking or not because someone interfeered with her insides but believe me she had better get over it quick, or she is in trouble.

We went down to the garden, it was bitter, did not stay long, picked up a cabbage and some nions left John his card and came away.....we went to Asda and got long life single cream. Tesco used to do their own, I have not been able to get it for at least 3 months. Asda had Elmlea at the same price, so 6 cartons of single cream and one of double into my basket.

OH went to the library this afternoon and to post a parcel for me, I decided to sew the scissor holders......Bertha still playing up, severe talking to did not make much difference she worked when she thought she would, so needle threaded by hand, then I managed to break a needle and bend my free motion quilting foot and damn me if I did not break another needle.......then I discovered the binding I was sewing on a pot holder was inside out......thats it....I have finished sewing...the sulky little madam can cool her heels till tomorrow and we will see if she behaves, if not she will be packed away and go off to the Dr shop after Christmas, then I am seriously thinking of selling her........If she cannot behave she is off...cannot do with sulky ladies in this house.

These are the scissor holders she deigned to sew and the scissor sets I got yesterday, I am going to have to sort out some green fabric for the green handled ones, the others are ok.

OH is out at a meeting tonight, so a couple of hous of peace....and I can watch Masterchef - The professionals.

It is bitterly cold and very windy....we have a snow warning....uuuuggghhh..

Monday

2011-12-12T09:14:00.000-08:00

BIG BERTHA IS HOME!!!

We left just before 9am for OH's trip to the hospital re his cough....we saw the consultant himself who went over everything very throughly, apparently OH has post viral cough syndrome, its quite common and should clear up by itself, although it may take time....well he has had it for at least 4 years to my knowledge......however it is not as bad as it has been...so he has been discharged.

We then went on to Dunelm for scissors and pillow cases. Ikea was next on the list a restroom visit and a cup of tea and we hit the market hall. I got the boxes I was looking for, a set of round cork mats, sellotape and a dispenser....then we sat in the car and had a cuppa soup and a couple of slices of bread before venturing forth to collect Bertha.

We arrived home just after 3pm and Bertha was installed back in her cabinet and left to warm up, I did just switch her on the check the lights...ta daaaa nice clear light under the needle now.....brilliant. She will be back in harness shortly.

Since we got home I have delivered Christmas cards and invites to a little soiree next week, got to show willing......

Now I need to get my brain into gear and sort out some supper, bacon fritatta, might put some mushroom in as well, with salad. I bought a vienetta the other week, so might allow OH to have some of that for dessert as he had his banana at lunchtime. I also need to sort out the shopping and put stuff away......

Last night I had an enquiry about a couple of shabby chic cushions, I looked at the main fabric and realised there was only enough for one....hasty search aarrggghhh the only shop that had it listed was out of stock. Quick email to a friend in the US to see if she could find it...this morning an email with a link to a shop in the UK and yes they had it and it was in stock, phew......why I could not find it I have no idea, but B came up trumps for me....thank you my friend

2011-12-11T06:46:00.000-08:00

We managed out of bed just after 8.30 this morning. OH slept ok but afraid my mind was working overtime, I had toothache where I have no teeth a sure sign I have a sinus infection brewing, A trip to the Drs me thinks. Tablets and tea at 1.30am.

Its a bright but very cold day, we have just come in from an hours walk round looking at decorations in the various houses we pass, then onto Mill Wynd where there are roofers up on the roof of the Maitland House Hotel, they must have had some damage in the storm.

Quite a few of the shops in the town were open, but not many people around, we were glad to get back into the warm. A cup of Earl Grey and a mince pie went down very well.

I have had to search through my fabric to find enough to make 5 more scissor holders, there are 5 packed up waiting to go to the USA, posting in the morning.

DS2 sent me a message to say that he had taken DGD to see her new sister. He said she was very good, never even turned a hair when the baby puked on her......she was heard to remark 'well thats what babies do isn't it'. Wait till she sees what comes out the other end!!!

Roast pork chops, roast spuds, cauli, calebrese and carrots with sage and onion stuffing for supper. The last of an apple strudel for dessert, and a glass of well chilled chardonay I think.

Our neighbour is back from her trip to the smoke, have not seen her but the hall light was on late last night and again this morning.

Saturday

2011-12-10T03:39:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning (very late) to snow and the news that we have another grand daughter (Erin) she was born c section at 1,45am as she was getting distressed. Mother had high BP so they had decided to induce her yesterday.

To be honest I am not sure how I feel about it, we are not likely to see her as DS2 split from K in the summer, its a long story so I will not bore you with it. Just say I am sad that DS2 is now supporting 4 children none of whom live with him. In his defence I have to say that he is a very loving Dad and no doubt will be the same with this one. His problem is he works hard to support them and the ladies that have been in his life seem to think he is a money pit but do not appreciate he has to work the hours he does to provide for them.

OH has been out to Boots to pick up his medication, he says the only part of the pavement that is bad is outside one of the pubs, everywhere else it has been cleared. Just now we have blue sky, how long for is anyones guess.

I Need to spend an hour or so in the kitchen, have taken out some turkey breast to do fricasse for supper with some mushrooms and rice, OH wants cake too, might also use up the 2 year old mince meat with some mince pies.

Cotton Lady

2011-12-09T02:15:00.001-08:00

This is a message for Cotton Lady. If you send me a comment with your email address I will get back to you re the scissor holders, obviously I will not publish your comment.

Another decent nights sleep. Thankfully the wind and rain had died down by the time we went to bed.

A better day today, OH was out at the post office and for a walk, he said it was quite nice no wind and bright sunshine. One or two of the apartments have lost pantiles, but our roof appears to be ok.

LL was here this afternoon to bring a couple of bits of wood to lift the freezer in the hall up so the door does not drag on the carpet. Quickly solved with a couple of pieces of wood one under each side, has lifted it up enough for the door to open and close without dragging on the carpet.

Fish, mash, peas and parsley sauce for supper. Banana split for dessert.

Thursday

2011-12-08T04:29:00.000-08:00

A better nights sleep last night. I did not hear OH get up, only realised he was up when my breakfast appeared on a tray.

Its a horrible day, we already have very strong wind and there have been several severe rain storms, at one point it was blowing and raining so hard the water was streaming down our sitting room windows.

We did have a quick trip to Aldi for a few bits, glad we were back before the rain arrived.

Nothing much planned for the day, I might manage an hour in the guest room clearing up the fabric, I want to leave the bed clear so I can sleep in there if I need to. It will take at least a week of decent nights sleep for me to recover.

Next week is a busy week with the bowls Christmas meal at the end of it. I am informed by OH that the ladies get a box of chocolates. The gentlemen either gin whisky or vodka, as OH does not drink, he will get chocolates too, so that us sorted for choccy for a few days.

I had a parcel yesterday from DD2 which also had chocolate in, she sent OH a book token and I will get mine later this week, I asked for an e voucher from Amazon so I can buy a book I want......

The last 3 cards written ready to post one to the US the other two the UK, thats that finished again for another year. At one time we used to send a minimum of 100 cards a year, we put a stop to it several years ago. I do send one or two ecards to quilty friends to arrive on Christmas Day itsself.

I would like to thank those of you who have been kind enough to buy some of the things I have made. I have a very special goal for the cash I am raising which I will tell you about nearer the time, your custom is very much appeciated. Thank you.

Up date....just had a message to say my machine is ready for me to collect. I cannot believe how much I have missed it. The wind is howling round. I have had to close the vents on the top of the windows at the front, the velvet curtains were doing a dance of their own. We can see the lights in the High Street doing the fandango. No power cuts so far, fingers crossed, I know a lot of the Islands have had power cuts thus afternoon. Apparently there is a ferry from Holland unable to Dock in Hull because of the wind.......

Wednesday

2011-12-07T10:16:00.000-08:00

I am getting a little fed up with OH not settling to sleep before 3am...I had hardly dropped off when the alarm went off. OH had an appointment for a blood test, I stayed in bed, woke just after 9.15 to find him back and getting my breakfast. I am suffering quite badly from lack of sleep its beginning to make me ill.......I eventually got up just after 10am but have spent most of the day on the settee reading.

I did have a short walk to boots to collect some meds, OH went to the bank and post office.

OH has a bowls meeting tonight so I might have a snooze on the settee while he is out.

Supper tonight grilled gammon, Jacket potato and salad. OH had his banana as usual.

I have not done any fabric sorting at all today. If OH continues with his erratic sleeping pattern I am going to clear the bed in the guest room and I will sleep in there tomorrow night. I need to get some quality sleep.

AAAAAGGGGHHHHHH

2011-12-06T11:40:00.001-08:00

Trying to add new background,no matter what I do I cannot get the blooming thing to copy.......its driving me nuts......follow the instructions exactly copy, paste nowt happens aaagggghhhhhh!!

I have done this hundreds of times with no problems, but I cannot get any to load not just the shabby ones. I need to check and try and see whats going on.

Tuesday morning

2011-12-06T04:09:00.000-08:00

OH complained he could not get off to sleep again last night, funny he was snoring whilst I was still awake!! Late start again, after 9am when we finally managed to leave our warm cosy bed. My goodness it had been a cold, a very hard frost indeed, only just lifting in some places at almost lunch time. OH says we could get some snow later....uuuuggghhhh...

We should have gone to the garden this morning, no point when I cannot dig, too frosty, so a home day. OH went out to the bank which was open this morning, not sure what the problem was yesterday but everything functioning this morning.

I cooked the mince and made the dough bslls for tonights supper, carrots and cabbage prepared too. Then did the ironing....What a good girl..... towels and bath mats in the washer.......loaf sliced, table set for lunch and a pan of soup heating through. One more lot in the fridge for tomorrow and a container in the freezer.......

I have had an idea what to do with all the squares I found yesterday, combined with the ones I cut earlier this year. I think there may be a couple of lap quilts appearing at some stage. Back to the fabric sorting this afternoon.....I have started a project box, in it I have the pieces of fabric and wadding cut for more pot holders so I can just pick the pieces out and sew. I need to cut some binding strips or find something suitable in the strip bag. A strip stright across the fabric is enough to bind a pot holder and the loop.

OH says its bitterly cold out, the little tractor was out spreading salt on the pavements. The sun is out but its not making much difference heatwise.

I Have Been Given an Award

2011-12-05T13:45:00.000-08:00

SFT has given me an award which is so kind of her....she is an inspiration saving to pay off the mortgage on the beautiful typical country cottage she and Mr SFT live in, saving for travelling, a dedicated teacher to her young pupils.

Liebster" is a German word meaning dear, sweet, kind, nice, good, beloved, lovely, kindly, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. What a gift to be awarded with such kindness!
Alright, on to the details. The Liebster is a way to show a little Blog Love to bloggers who currently have less than 200 followers.

The rules:

1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
5. And most of all - have fun!

I have now to choose 5 blogs to nominate for this award.

1) Tarragon And Thyme - A blog full of useful advice in all things housewifely, as well as working full time.

2) Growing In The Fens - The daily doings of a family living in the fens.

3)Simple Pieces Of Daily Living - A blog by a wonderful, compassionate lady who makes patchwork quilts for charity and who rasies money to help couple adopting downs syndrome babies with their adoption fees.

4)A Journey Through Life - A new blogger I know from the internet, struggling to get a vegetable garden going and start to grow fresh fruit and vegetables for her family.

5) The Wind and The Wellies - The life of a family living on Orkney and struggling with the wind and weather.

Please collect your award, you all deserve it.

Monday

2011-12-05T07:41:00.000-08:00

OH did not sleep well last night we were sitting reading and drinking tea at 2am, so a late start this morning.

Monday clean done, bed changed, washing in the dryer for tonight. I wanted to scrub the grouting in the bathroom as it was beginning to show some limescale, so a small pot of neat bleach, an old toothbrush and away we go. Nice clean grout again.

Had a cheque this morning for two sets of scissor holders so packed them up and OH went out this afternoon and posted them. Went to the bank to deposit the cheques, bank closed. Apparently there is a problem with the cash machine and whilst they are working on it the bank has to close, a bit weird, but there you are....so he will have to go back tomorrow.

After lunch I started to clear out my fabric boxes I have found hundreds of squares and strips of fabric from various projects. I am going to dump them all in one box and dib into it when I am making a project, mind you I doubt I will ever use it all up. There is about 8 yards of yellow I cut to border a quilt, not enough to cut anything out of, so it might get used up as binding strips on something. I also found some stiffish cream which I have cut into squares to use on pot holders/heat savers. I managed to get one box cleared and put away but the mess on the bed is worse than ever.
I have given up for today.

It was very frosty when we got up and it has stayed cold all day, OH says there is no wind so its not too bad walking. he has put the frost cover on the car windscreen.....talikng about going down to the garden tomorrow, I do not think so especially if we have the frost again tonight.

Simple supper egg and chips with banana something for dessert......and an early night me thinks, I am shattered.

Sunday

2011-12-04T04:55:00.000-08:00

Its a bright morning, but one that looks cold if you know what I mean.

We were in bed early last night, nothing of note on TV so bed and a book to read went down fine.

I was late waking this morning, OH was up and about and I got my brekkie in bed which was very welcome, its a couple of weeks sonce I got a lie in.

A light lunch of soup and crakers, we plan to go for a walk and post the cards I have written, I no longer send out reams of cards just those to family and very special friends, the postage is horendous never mind the cost of cards. I sat and wrote them this morning. We have 4 to deliver to our neighbours in the complex, but they can wait till later, I will put them on the mantle piece so I do not forget where I have put them.

I want to finish the 5 scissor holder sets when we get back, then I am going to spend next week sorting out my fabric etc and looking for the cop holders to the thread stand for my machine. No news about it coming home yet. Then I can decide what I am going to make next. I want to do some shopping bags, but cannot start them until I get the big machine back to do the embroidery for the pockets, I can at least get them cut out and also cut the linings.

I have taken out some of the roast shoulder of pork I sliced and froze a couple of weeks ago, I will re-heat it in the top of the steamer whilst I cook the veg. So roast shoulder of pork, stuffing, cauli, calebrese, roast spuds and carrots, OH want banana something for dessert, he has been eating his banana after his lunch the last couple of days whilst we ate the raspberries in jelly.

Finished......6 more sets of scissor holders, 3 will have the scissors in the others will be empty.

Saturday

2011-12-03T08:40:00.000-08:00

I was up early this morning to take our neighbour to the station to catch her train for a visit to London.

BBBBBrrrrrrr it was cold, back home I had a coffee and then went across the road to the shop to change some buttons I got yesterday, for some reason I got sone with lemon stripes in to put on a brownish cushion.

I have been looking for ages for some drawers to store my machine embroidery threads in, the shop across the road had just what I wanted, they came from Poundstretcher, so a trip down to Kinnard Park, we walked all round the store before we found them, so two came home with me and my threads are now where I can see them. brilliant.

Soup and bacon sarnies for lunch, OH then went out to watch the local rugby team play, I cut out 5 more scissor containers, have got them half done, turned them through, sewing closed the bottom seam, need to top stitch round, cannot see too well to sew them tonight so they will have to wait until tomorrow.

Sausage, mash beans and onion gravy for supper there is some of the raspberries in jelly left for dessert.

Tomorrow the forecast is for snow!!

Friday

2011-12-02T11:06:00.000-08:00

We had a very heavy frost overnight at 10am the roof opposite still had frost on it.

Friday clean done, after a quick cup of tea we went to the library. The senior librarian is retiring and there was a table set up with coffee and eats, we did not need to have lunch, we had it at the library!!

After a drink OH went out for a walk whilst I cut out and sewed another scissor holder, two of them have sold, they do not take very long to make the cutting out takes more time. I completed one and have another half done. I brought my small machine into the sitting room onto the top of the cabinet my 11000 usually sits in. Saves me trotting from place to place to find various bits I need.

I have an early call tomorrow I am taking our neighbour to catch the train to London, she is going to the big smoke for a week visiting. Will have to set the alarm to make sure I am up and ready to go.

It has been bitterly cold all day, OH was in need of a hot cup of tea and a thaw out when he got back from his walk.

Supper tonight was fish, mash, cauli and calebrese gratin. Dessert raspberries in jelly with ice cream and for OH a blob of cream.

I had a senior moment earlier. I was looking for the pattern for the shabby chic cushion covers, could not find it anywhere, I knew I had seen it last week, evetually I found it hanging on the far side of the shelf unit in the guest room, think I had better do several copies and put them in a couple of folders so I do not loose it again. Its one of my favourite patterns.

Thursday

2011-12-01T08:31:00.000-08:00

This morning was Aldi morning, OH was going to a meeting re the articles that were unearthed when they did a survey at the site of the Abbey. I took the car to Aldi, 3/4 hour and £67 lighter I was home, it took me 3 journey's to carry the shopping in. I have everything we need for Christmas supper, and to see us through to the end of December. I will need to do a top up shop for fresh fruit and veg just before Christmas day.

We had the left over haggis from last night for breakfast with grilled bacon, tomato and fried bread. I cooked the pasta for tonights supper whilst the stove was on.

I was so shattered I have decided that from the begining of January I am going to shop every second week, I just cannot cope with carrying the weight etc.

OH came in just as I was putting the last of the shopping away.... I put the chicken carcass in the pressure cooker and made stock, stripped the flesh, added some lentils, chicken and lentil soup, a big jug full, should keep us going for a couple of days.

After lunch I sat and made another scissor holder.

Mushroom and tomato pasta, garlic bread, banana something for dessert for supper tonight.....

Wednesday

2011-11-30T07:19:00.000-08:00

Off to Tesco early this morning, I had £27 of vouchers, I ended up paying just 31p so £27 going into my sealed pot along with some change I found in the inside pocket of my handbag. Aldi tomorrow to get the rest of the shopping in, apart for a few extras and fresh fruit and veg that will be me until the end of December.

I parceled up a wall hanging this morning and sent it on its way, after lunch I did the ironing, thought I better do it as its bed change day on Monday, would need the sheets and pillowcases.

This afternoon I had the urge to sew, I am missing my big machine, but I made this......

It holds large, medium and small pairs of scissors....I need a trip to Dunelm to get a couple of sets. If they sell OK I will make some more.

I also got notice today of a fabric sale, I bought 2 more sets of the red Christmas stockins and also 2 sets with snow men on..... I could do with a trip to Scarborough, the fabric in that shop was so reasonable.....will have to see what he has on the internet site, looking for stuff for spring and easter. I am looking through my stash for fabric to make bunting with, its very popular just now.....

Its a fine day but very raw, a slight wind, nothing like yesterday thank heavens. Glad I am in the warm.

Haggis neeps and tatties for supper, no idea about a dessert....

Tuesday - garden day

2011-11-29T09:51:00.000-08:00

Down to the garden this morning, the wind was blowing a hoolie every which way.....OH tied up the rapsberries I spent the morning digging another 4 spit wide piece of the large veg bed, hoeing the onions and garlic, digging leeks and cutting 2 small cabbages. I also brought back some onions from the store.

Poured with rain when we got back the water was running like a river down the sitting room windows.....

After lunch my friend picked me up and I serviced her machine and showed her how to fit and use the walking foot for, we spent a lot of time talking as well.....

Back home OH told me the plumber had rung to say he was coming to look at the shower screen to see if it can be fixed, so the plumber cometh after 1pm tomorrow.

Why is it as my sewing machine is away I want to use it????? I have lots of ideas swilling around for the next 4 fairs we are doing...and I cannot do anything about it. I have the pattern for a scissor holder, I can do on the little brother machine I use for workshops. I will have to release it from the cupboard and maybe make one or two and see how I get on. I need to have a scout round and try and find a set of 3 pairs of scissors that are not too expensive. Pictures to follow later.

Cold chicken and salad with lemon and coriander cous cous for supper, I might get my toffee banana tonight, last night OH wanted bananas and ice cream............

Its turned very

Leftovers and its Monday

2011-11-28T03:03:00.000-08:00

We were so shattered last night we were in bed and asleep by 10pm.

OH went off to put some stuff into the charity shop, pay in the cash from yesterday and collect a script from the chemist.

Whilst he was gone I put on a loaf, then tackled the bathroom, had just finished when he came back. I had an appointment at the dentist at lunch time, just a check up (phew) nothing needed doing.

OH had his fist dizzy spell for some time this afternoon so spent an hour or so in bed.

I have booked 4 fairs for next year March, May September and November, so I am going to be a busy bee.....need to rake up some ideas for the various sales....

Supper tonight is beef and bean stew, carrots ,mash and calebrese. The usual banana something for dessert, actually I fancy baked banana with toffee sauce....hhhhmmmmmm......

Several people have asked me to publish pictures of the things I have left over from yesterdays sale, so here goes. If you want a close up picture of the article please email me and I will send you one.

Picture 1.

2 Table Runners £8.00

Red and blue Table centre £5.00

Yellow and green pot holder £2.50

Picture 2

Red Santa cushion cover £5.00

Country Diary pot holder £2.50

Picture 3

Red stocking £8.00

4 reversable table mats £10.00

4 Lavender bags £2.00 each.

Picture 4

2 beach bags £4.00 each

1 shopping bag £4.00

Picture 5

Vesertile. adjustable stand for either an embroidery frame or quilting hoop, the hoop clamps at the top, feet long enough to slip under a chair and the frame is flexable so you can sit in a chair and adjust the frame to sew.. the feet come off and the whole thing folds down for easy storage.

Not sure what the postage would be but I can try and estimate it if required. I am looking for offers around £15.00.

So thats it ladies.......if the things sell I will remove them from the list. Payment either by cheque or straight into my bank account, details given when ordering.

Sunday - a day of ups and downs

2011-11-27T08:53:00.000-08:00

7.30am the alarm went off and we were out and on the way by 8.30. Found out table in the roomand set up our stall.

The fair opened at 10am and by lunchtime we had sold zilch!!! Everyone was complaining, we took £5 just as I got our lunch out.

Very strange over lunchtime it went mad, one lady spent over £30, mind you she did buy MIL's tartan tea service, which was a great relief, that tea set has been to the US and back and followed us through 6 moves!! By the time we packed up we had sold very little from the bric a brac side but the quilting side was looking a bit sparse. Not much left 3 shopping bags, a couple of pot holders, 1 stocking and 1 wall hanging, 4 lavender bags 5 place mats and a cushion cover.......

We made a reasonable profit over the cost of the stall so I am happy, we have booked another sale for March, need to look for easter and summer things, cup cake pincushions etc.......different table mats and pot holders.

I am shattered, glad I have not got to get the supper ready, we are having cold chicken and salad with a jecket spud, baked banana with ice cream for dessert. A large glass of white wine will be in my hand in a mo!!!

Saturday

2011-11-26T09:19:00.000-08:00

Up and at em this morning was away to the sewing machine shop just after 9. 30am it took me almost an hour to get there.

Machine booked in to get the lamp replaced, a chat and a look round the shop, some scrummy knitting wool, but kept my purse in my pocket for all of two minutes, I bought 4 reels of Marathon embroidery thread 2 plain and two variagated, also cleaned him out of tape for making bunting.....

The journey home was a lot quicker but high winds meant I had to keep a firm hold on the steering wheel. After lunch OH went out for a walk and then we put the bric a brac in the car, I have kept the Christmas stuff in the apartment, its all in a big bag which I will lift up in the morning. The picnic stuff is out, I just have to make the rolls and put the stuff in the bag whilst OH washes up the breakfast things.

Chicken is in and cooking, potato's, casrrots, cauli and calebrese, orange and aprioct stuffing all waiting to be cooked. banana and ice cream for dessert.

Its been a very windy cold day, but we are nice and warm here.

Early night tonight ready for the sale tomorrow......fingers crossed we sell something........

Busy Friday

2011-11-25T07:54:00.000-08:00

It was so dark this morning we had to have the lights on....its not much better now, rained on and off for most of the day and the wind chill is making it bitter outside.

Friday clean done, the machine is packed ready to go tomorrow, the table is shut up once again and we moved it this morning to hoover all the bits off the carpet, moved everything in the sitting room to hoover underneath. Windows cleaned and furniture dusted.

The kitchen had a deep clean, it has not been done for 2 weeks, so the floor came in for special attention.

Phone call to say that LL was coming to look at the shower screen, so after lunch I nipped to Aldi for a few things to last us till I go shopping next week.

After LL had gone OH and I set to, priced up and packed all the stuff for the sale, so its ready to just carry out to the car, we will pack most of the stuff when I get back tomorrow night.

I am shattered now, just had a cuppa and a piece of ginger cake, supper tonight is fish, mash potato, peas and parsely sauce. Apple strudel for dessert.

This is going to be a busy weekend one way or another.

Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T01:57:00.000-08:00

A happy thanksgicing to all my readers from the US. I hope you all have a wonderful day.

Its a dreich morning and wet too, I have to go to the bank and get change for Sunday, I am pricing everything in pounds or 50p's so we do not have a lot of odd coinage.

Need to nip to Alsi sometime for a haggis its St Andrews night on Wednesday, haggis, neeps and tatties are de rigour, so we will be having bacon and tomato the next morning for breakfast to use up the left over haggis.

I found a piece of cheats catherdral window last night, its just big enough for a pot holder, the machine it still up, so a quick job for this afternoon, piece some heat resistant batting and find some fabric to back and bind it. Then tidy up and put away all the fabric etc till next year.

Must remember not to drink coke late at night.....I had been sewing the binding down on the stockings using the powerful lamp I have, which made me quite warm, I drank a glass of coke over ice to cool down a bit, ended up being awake until after 3.30am....a bit like a wet dishrag this morning.

Sausage something, maybe with mash and onion gravy for supper, no idea re dessert as yet, need to put on my thinking cap.

Expecting a visit from the LL either today or tomorrow, the bottom of the shower screen over the bath has come adrift, it could also do with a new sealing strip along the bottom.

The last christmas stockings and one wall hanging........

OH has recieved a letter from the hospital, not for the colonoscopy but for an appointment with the consultant, when January 24th 2012....emergency appointment????? I do not think so.......our GP is furious.

Quilting afternoon

2011-11-23T08:34:00.000-08:00

Its been a cold and windy day, the sun was out but the wind soon took away any warmth.

Quilting group this afternoon, not a lot of sewing done, more chatting than sewing so I will have to spend tomorrow stitching the binding down on two stockings. The group is not meeting for the next two weeks, next week the complex is closed due to a strike and the week after is the lunch which I am not attending. So the last meeting for this year will be Dec 14th.

OH has a bowls meeting tonight so he needs his supper early, bacon & tomato pasta with salad and the rest of the peaches from last night. I made the sauce this morning so I only have the pasta to cook.

We have decided not to go to the garden this week, so next Tuesday will be our next visit. I will continue to dig over the main bed whilst OH does something else.

Posted off one of the tree wallhangings this afternoon, hope it arrives by the weekend.

Time to go and do something about supper......

Tuesday

2011-11-22T11:05:00.000-08:00

We should have gone to the garden this morning, but it was raining, so we will have to go another day.

I have spent all day sewing. Finished everythingI am going to make for the stall, just have two stockings to sew down the binding on.

OH went for a walk this afternoon, said it was very cold, glad I was inside in the warm.

Simple supper tonight, egg and chips. Oh complained he had not had tinned peaches for ages, so tinned peaches it was with ice cream.

Once I have sorted out the mess in the sitting room I can put the machine away for a while, it has to go and get the new light put in....I can get back to the quilt I started before I decided to do some Christmas stuff for the stall.

Not much going on, heard from DS last night, it would appear that GD is going to be transferred to a different school, if they will accept her. I should hear later what has happened.

Quilt group tomorrow afternoon, bag packed ready.......

Monday

2011-11-21T08:43:00.000-08:00

Up at a reasonable time this morning, the Monday clean done and then we walked to the library to return our books......

It was very dark first thing but then brightened up a bit, I have just drawn the curtains and put the radiator on in the sitting room.

OH went to the history library this afternoon whilst I fought with another stocking, the binding is on, I need to sew it down, will take it with me on Wednesday afternoon, trying to finish everything up I have just discovered the binding on the last wall hanging hyas come adrift so I have had to undo it, afraid it will have to wait until tomorrow now, I have had enough for today.

I put yesterdays pork joint on the slicer, have enough for 5 more meals in the freezer so the joint did 7 meals, we are having some cold with salad tonight and the rest of the chocolate pudding. I will have a look later in the week and see if they have another one, very good value for money.

Had a message from DD2 laast night his ex wife is having problems with their eldest daughter at school. She was very spoilt as a little girl by her other Nana, when she died GD could not cope and soon afterwards DD2 and his ex splitr up......there was an incident at school apparently, it looks as though GD may be expelled. I will know more tonight,

My friend who is having chemo is not so well, she is having a bit of a tough time with it this time around, it is a lot stronger dosage and she is pretty wiped out. She had been hoping to work through it, but there is no way, she has to have another lot in a week......

No news re OH's appointment for his colonoscopy, think a letter may be called for to the Health Minister.

Yum Yum delicious supper

2011-11-20T10:27:00.000-08:00

We have just finished our supper. The shoulder of pork cooked beautifully, the crackling was nice and crisp and the meat succulent......I cooked a chocolate pudding with chocolate fudge sauce which finished supper off just right. We opened a bottle of wine DD1 brought us last week..... I will be spending the rest of the evening relaxing on the settee...............zzzzzzzzzz

Sunday

2011-11-20T06:39:00.000-08:00

Another late morning 9,30 before I started the breakfast.

Up in the attic putting some stuff up and getting down the stuff for the sale next week. We found some stuff from the allotment that we can use in the veg garden. I also needed to get the box down for my machine it has to go in and get one of the led lights replaced, its too heavy for me to take it in, so it gets collected and delivered back once its mended.

I spent part of the morning doing another stocking, have it ready to bind together....just need to cut the binding, trying to decide what to use....and sew it on, one more to do and than thats it.....no more.

The new stockings will be more expensive than the others I made, they cost more per sock to make.

Pork shoulder for supper tonight, It needs to go in shortly to cook slowly. Stuffing balls, roasties, carrots cauliflower and peas, not sure whats for dessert OH is out of bananas.

We have just got back from quite a long walk, its quite a nice day sunny but cold, needed hat and gloves, we stood and watched a rugby match for a few minutes, but it was too cold to stand for long.

Saturday

2011-11-19T07:32:00.000-08:00

I had a lie in this morning, OH brought me brekkie in bed which was lovley.

He went down to wash the car, I sttarted to tackle the last things for the sale and things I am making for a special friend.....one or two hitches, but now have several things waiting ro have the binding hand stitched down.

I noticed one of the lights on my machine was flickering so rang my dealer, have arranged for it to go in sometime next week. He was telling me about the new machine that is out.......he is naughty he knows I would dearly love to buy one.....but.......

After lunch OH went out for a walk, I sorted the supper, shepherds pie, cauli, carrots and calebrese, I will make some extra gravy to go with it. My grand son will not eat mashed potato, but will eat smash. I had some left over from thier last visit, so added butter, cream and parmesan cheese to it and used it to top the pie.....lazy I know but I needed to use it up.

Its been a bright but cold day, clouding over now and beginning to darken a bit, we have just had a cup of Earl Grey tea and a slice of chocolate fudge cake, that will keep the worms away until supper time.

Watched part of CIN last night, was disappointed with Subo, the song did not suit her voice at all, wonder who chose it......Had enough by 10pm so called it a night and went to bed. OH told me this morning they had raised over £27million, there is money out there despite all the moaning and groaning.

Manic Friday

2011-11-18T11:35:00.000-08:00

The dish I bought yesterday.........

First I need to say welcome to my 90th follower, I am thinking of doing a give away for my 100th follower.....more to come later................

Today has been a heck of a day, we were away from home at 9am to go to
Dunelm and then on to the hospital to get OH's foot supports and then to PC World for a new printer, we came away with a Lexmark. Bacon sanries for lunch and then I decided to sort out the printer, turned it on and it told me the magenta cartridge was empty and there was a paper jam.....What in a new computer how???? I struggled for over an hour and could not get the blessed thing to work....coat on we went back to PC World and to my surprise, when I said I wanted my money back, I got it!! We went over to Comet, we have a printer and its set up. I am not sure if the wi fi is set up correctly but I can sort that later. I am so shattered I could hardly eat my supper. Its a good job I made the sauce for the pasta before we went out again, otherwise I doubt we would have had anything to eat.

No sewing done today, I need to cut the borders for the wall hanging and sew down the hangers on the pot holders, have two more things I want to do, a present for a special friend.

Its children in need, but I will be going to bed at 10pm, thats if I can stay awake that long. We have just watched Matt Baker rise in on his rickshaw having raised over one million two hundred thousand pounds.....well done to him......

Thursday

2011-11-17T08:26:00.000-08:00

Not quite so late waking this morning. I seem to
be sleeping a bit better. I am wondering of its due to the samll bag of lavender I have in my pillow case????

This morning OH and I walked over to Aldi, I bought a piece of pork shoulder, I will cook it on Sunday and then slice whats left against future meals. I picked up their Christmas leaflet....some nice things on their way including my favourite stilton from Long Clawson.

I have spent ages trying to sort out a printer, think I have cracked it, we will be getting it tomorrow when we are out.

I have spent the afternoon quilting a wall hanging and two more pot holders, have a small piece which I have cut into two for coasters.

Fish and chips for tea tonight, OH has a History Society meeting....so I will have a couple of hours to myself.

When we were out this morning we called in the charity shop right at the bottom of the town, we do not go in there very often. I found a very pretty spanish pottery tray, it jumped into my bag!!

Wednesday

2011-11-16T10:44:00.000-08:00

Today Has not been a good day!! We woke up very late, it was after 9.30am before we started our breakfast, so not much done this morning. I went to the quilting group this afternoon, a lot of members there so it was quite noisy everyone chatting.

Two of our memebers are in hosptal, one had a fall following a firework frightening her dog who pulled her over, she was due to come home with a care package in place but she is suffering from a clot on her lung, so will not be home for a while. The other also had a fall and has broken her hip, to date she has not had her op. Both are no longer in the first flush of youth, so its very worrying.

When I got home OH confessed he had got paper stuck in the printer, I managed to free it but the printer has had it, it will not feed the paper properly and it is crinkling up and jamming.......so it looks like a new printer, but which one, its a maze.....where to get it from is a nightmare. It will have to wait until Friday when we have to go to the hospital to get OH's insoles for his shoes.

I have started another small wall hanging for the stall, I have to buttonhole stitch the bits down, quilt and bind it. Have also got fabric out to make a couple more pot holders and a couple more stockings. Tomorrow will be a sewing day.

Supper tonight was grilled gammon, mashed potato, calebrese, carrots and parsley sauce.

Tuesday - garden day

2011-11-15T09:07:00.000-08:00

We were down at the garden this morning OH cutting back the raspberries, he found several ripe ones and some of the branches had flowers forming.

I hoed the strawberries, onions and garlic, its sprouting too, a bit early, but I guess the mild weather had fooled it into thinking its spring.

OH was back at the Drs today, it seems the Drs are on his case and a follow up procedure should have taken place when he was discharged last year, it was not done and they are now trying to get his case reviewed.....if I find out there has been some problems which could have been treated had the colonoscopy been carried out, there is going to be real trouble......not a happy bunny at all...members of parliment health secretary etc going through my head just now. I know that OH asked about the follow up when we were still living in East Linton and was told an appointment would come through. However I cannot understand why it has taken our GP this long to sort out that he has not had the procedure done. Its in his notes and I have a copy of the discharge letter.

He has just retired to bed with a dizzy the first for over a month.Hey ho...

Supper, when he gets up will be sausage and mash, cauliflower and calebrese, I expect it will be banana something for dessert.

Murky Monday

2011-11-14T08:07:00.000-08:00

Very late start for us this morning after 9am before we got out of bed, what a horrid day greeted us and it has not improved!!

Quick clean round done this morning, at lunch time I phoned ING re a deposit cheque I had sent 10 days ago. They had not recieved it. Thankfully it has not gone through the account; I was at the bank to put a stop on the cheque pretty quick.

The day has not got any better weatherwose, very grey, murky and chilly. OH did a round this morning to see who had the best rate to exchange the euros which we did, a good job done.

After I got back from the bank I sorted out the stuff for the fair, I just have a couple more thnigs to make and I will have enough. I am not expecting to sell a vast amount, but it would be nice if we could sell some. What does not get sold will be used as presents......

Very easy supper tonight, egg and chips and banana something concocted by OH. He has an appointment at the dentist in an hour or so. I have to go Monday 28th for them to look at my choppers.....more expense.

Neither of us has done a lot this afternoon, sat and read, tomorrow morning we are going down to the garden if its fine, need to do some work on the fruit cage. OH has an appointment at the Drs tomorrow afternoon, I am going with him!! Watch this space.

Sunday

2011-11-13T08:12:00.000-08:00

We were up early this morning to get DD1 and SIL off on their trip back to Leicester.

It was lovely to see them, a shame they could not be here longer, but we are grateful for the time we had. I have just had a message to say they arrived home safe.

After lunch we decided to go for a walk, were out for around half an hour,walked down past Adli and up to the Nungate bridge, along the river and through the Church yard to see the poppy tributes left on the war memorial at this mornings service; came back, had a cup of tea and went to sleep on the settee......

Supper tonight will be the chicken and some ham thats left from Friday and last nights supper with some salad and cous cous, dessert will be the last 2 slices of cheesecake.

Having decided that we are not going to go to France next year, I need to change some euro's I found €50 in my travel purse from the last time we were there. I have some change as well, will put that into the oxfam shop. I am not sure of the best place to get a decent rate, will have to have a look round.

I am as usual crackered, cooking for more than two is always hard, but at least most of it was eaten. I just need to make a couple of side salads and soak some cous cous.

We will not be late out of bed tonight, and I guess we will both sleep well.

Saturday

2011-11-12T08:20:00.000-08:00

Its been a nice day today, cold and clear with some sun.

DD1 and SIL arrived just after 4.30pm last night. SIL was shattered having done a shift at work before they drove up. He was in bed and asleep by 8.30pm.

After breakfast this morning they went off in the car, no idea where they were going possibly into Edinburgh, I suggested they took the car to the park and ride at Asda on the outskirts and then go in on the bus.

OH and I went down to the garden to pick up some onions and empty the kitchen waste into the compost bine.

Back at home we had soup and bacon roills for lunch. OH walked round to the rugby so I had a snooze on the settee.

Supper tonight roast chicken, roast potato's and parsnip, carrots cauliflower and calebrese, stuffing. I have an apple strudel for dessert.

Not sure what time they are leaving tomorrow but guess it will be just after breakfast. Its been good to see them both and they brough our last years Christmas present, a table and chairs for the garden, we are going to create a little seating area in the lee of the wall in the summer, so we can sit out when the weather is good.

Friday 11.11.11.

2011-11-11T01:23:00.000-08:00

Lest we forget.....those who made the ultimate sacrifice that we who come behind may be free.............

Up early and ready to go......DD1 and SIL will be here tonight, he is hoping to be away from work just after 11am, so after a shower they will be on the road. should arrive between 5 - 6pm tonight.

I managed to clean the kitchen work tops etc yesterday after I finished cooking. I want to make a cheese cake, and slice the gammon I cooked yesterday.Then I can turn the table round and wash the floor.

I made OH clear up all his junk last night, so the sitting room is next on the list, not a lot to do but as usual the carpet needs hoovered. Will also throw the duster at the bedside tables and hoover the carpet in the guest room. I want to put oranges on top of the cheese cake, discovered I have no orange quick jel, so OH will go for a walk via Tesco so I can finish it off this afternoon.

That will be me for the weekend......I am not sure what DD1 wants to do if anything whilst they are here, I guess there might be a jaunt to the sea if its anything like. Its very grey and windy this morning, the tree opposite is dancing energetically, very few leaves left, I suspect those that are still on will be on the floor before long.

Back is so so.....painkillers are being taken regularly, if it has not cleared by MOnday I will be seeing the Dr man. OH not complaining about his gut.......

Thursday

2011-11-10T08:45:00.000-08:00

It was another grey morning when I looked out of the window. Breakfast over I set off for Aldi....I slipped slightly from my budget, I bought a new pair of slippers for myself a pair of socks for OH and also 5 pairs for myself.

When I was out on Tuesday I called in at the Oxfam shop to see if they hand anything in which appealed, I have a liking for crystal, they had a small vase, it has a very tiny chip in the edge, but after standing for a few minutes I put it down. Yesterday I decided to go back in, if it was still there it was mine.......it was there, but also what jumped into may hand were the f china mugs also in the picture.

I have asked DD2 to make me a wall unit for the kitchen to fit between the two windows, the mugs will look very nice hanging on hooks from the bottom.

I had to have 2 goes at the shopping in Aldi, I had some wine and cider in my basket, had to put it back as it was not 10am......gggrrrr so loaded the car and then went back and got the wine etc.

A friend had phoned whilst I was out, I rang her back and arranged to go up and see her to collect something she had for me. I told OH to expect me when he saw me, which was around 12.30. Once I had a coffee in my hand we settled down for a good gossip.

OH was out to the library after lunch, so I set too and cooked a gammon joint, put pork belly in the pressure cooker and made a chocolate fudge cake...... I am shattered.

Had a conversation with DD1 on Face book, they are hoping to be here between 5 - 6pm tomorrow night, she wanted to know if she would need a jumper....its not too bad but I told her to bring one anyway.

Just waiting for a white loaf in the breadmaker to finish, DSIL does not like wholemeal bread, so white it is.

Grilled gammon, baked potato, tomato and celery salad for supper, OH has bananas so it will be banana something for dessert.

What a Grey Day

2011-11-09T02:37:00.000-08:00

Another dull dreich morning and its quite raw out. I was out and about early to get my cholesterol check done. Glad to get back in the warm.

Heard from DS2 last night he is pressing on with decorating his new house, he is on holiday until Sunday, managed to buy a fridge freezer reduced from £399 to £250 and he has ordered a washer and also a cooker. Nothing from DD1, I have sent dorections how to get here and they have the phone number if they get lost.

My back is improved a bit, no sewing yesterday, everything is packed away. I started kntting another pair of socks last night. Quilting this afternoon, I have the small wall hanging in my bag to sew the binding down as well as the sock.

I took some belly pork out of the freezer need to sort that out, we are having fish, mash and peas tonight with parsley sauce. No idea about a dessert, may be rice pudding.

Tuesday

2011-11-08T06:33:00.000-08:00

We were going to the garden this morning, when we woke it was raining, so thats off, OH phoned J and asked him to water the lettuce we planted last week, will not get there this week now.

Walked round and made an appointment with the dentist for checkups, I also booked to have my hair cut this afternoon, getting a bit like a shaggy dog at the back.

We carried on and walked to Tesco for the few bits of shopping I wanted. I picked up 3 for 2 bread flour.

I am still on the painkillers, my back is not so bad but I have put all the fabric etc away, the machine is back in its table. I have cast on to knit another pair of socks. Going through the christmas stuff. I think I have enough, need to do another stocking and possibly another wall hanging, I have sold one already.

Have a couple of things I need to do a present for a friend, once thats done the machine will go away until after Christmas.

OH helped me put the duvet cover back on the guest room duvet so apart from hoovering the carpet the room is ready.

Our bed linen is washed it will have to go in the dryer tonight so I can iron it and get it put away.

Bacon and tomato pasta for supper with garlic bread there is enough of the toffee pudding left for dessert.

Our neighbour came in last night she was having trouble with her printer, I went in and spent ages trying to sort it out. Had to admit defeat in the end. It was a document she was trying to print, I blew it up so we could read it, copied it down onto a note pad, when I left she was typing it up to cross reference back to the Baptismal record we had been looking at. That old copper plate wrtiting is not easy to read.

OH is watching the bowls again, its very dark and dank, think the light will be going on soon.

Monday

2011-11-07T07:38:00.000-08:00

Another fine autumn day after a very cold night, the roofs opposite looked as if it had snowed.

I was distressed to learn that two drivers and a workmate from a firm my friend owns were involved in the M5 crash, I had seen the distinct logo on one of the vans. Two drivers were killed and the other chap is in hospital. I know their families will be cared for, the company they worked for is owned by a very generous,philanthropic family. Everyone in the company are very distressed.

Monday clean done, changed our bed, have the bed clothes in the washer for tonight. I did not put the towels out today, we need to do a bit more work on the ground spike and I was afraid the weight of the towels might cause the whirly tip and pull the screw out.

I think I spent too long at the machine yesterday, I have developed a problem with my back, its very sore at the moment. I have managed to do 5 lavender sachets, decided to give it a rest for a couple of days.

Supper tonight is egg and chips. I have a chocolate pudding from AF for dessert. Trying so hard not to go to Aldi or Tesco until Thursday, what I buy then should last us to the end of the month.

OH is watching bowls on TV, I will be reading whilst I am hors de combat.

Sunny Sunday but bbbbrrrrr its cold

2011-11-06T04:18:00.000-08:00

Another sunny morning, we went out for a walk, there was a nip in the air, we had a frost overnight, no wind so warm in the sun.

I had a lie in this morning, I will not get one next Sunday.....supper is beef and bean stew with mash, carrots and cabbage from the garden. I have half a plum strudel for dessert.

This is the small wall hanging I was working on, I wanted to use a machine stitch that looks like a hand quilting stitch on it, but after 3 attempt gave up, unpicked it and scribbled over it, put on the binding and sewed it down yesterday.

Made the bow tie block into a pot holder and also made a different type of pot holder, way too labour intensive....will stick to square ones.

More sewing this afternoon, I want to do another couple of stockings, just going to quilt fabric for the back, its quicker than flip and sew, time is marching on and I need to get a few more things done.

OH ok so far today......

Bonfire Night will never be the same for some Families

2011-11-05T10:20:00.000-07:00

It was awful this morning to hear on the news about the dreadful crash on the M5. We have travelled that road many times on our way to Devon and Cornwall and know it well. I am sure that the weather played its part but one cannot help but wonder how much speed also played a part. A few weeks ago we travelled to York down the A1M, the risks that some drivers took were hair raising, so dangerous. The police have said they are sure that the death toll will rise when they manage to access all the vehicles involved. There are familes for whom 5th November 2011 will only bring sad memories. I have a candle burning for those who have lost their lives in this dreadful tragedy.

Its been another nice day, sunny but chilly, I had the guest room laundry out on the line, it did not dry completely, but a few minutes in the dryer soon finished it off.

OH went out to watch the Rugby on the park, I decided to tackle the wall hanging I was having trouble with yesterday, its quilted and has the binding on, I have just started to sew it down.

Cooked tomorrows beef stew this afternoon whilst preparing tonight liver and sausage, we have a cabbage from the garden, carrots and mash with it. OH requested strawberry delight, so thats in the fridge too.

We have had the oil filled radiator on in the sitting room, it seems to be ok, just on low, I suddenly realised the kitchen was cold when I went in at lunchtime.

My lovely Emma Bridgewater tin I won on SFT's blog arrived today, so pretty and there were two tea bags in it....I have to decide where to put it.

This time next week DD1 and DSIL will be here.....need to do a bit of preparation during the week, baking etc.

Time to go and put the supper on, enjoy your evening, hope the fireworks are not too loud, I hate loud bangs.

Friday

2011-11-04T09:46:00.000-07:00

The weather has broken today, it was fine but grey this morning, the rain came this afternoon and it poured, its 4.30pm and almost dark.

The Friday clean has been done including the windows inside and out, I gave the sliders a squirt with WD40, they were a bit stiff. I have stripped the guest bed and re made it ready for next weekends visitors. I will change our bed on Monday.

Had a bad afternoon trying to quilt the background on a small wall hanging, gave up in disgust after the third attempt. I will have another go tomorrow.

OH has had a couple of goes with the gut pain today, its a pain in the butt, he is going back to the Drs next week and I am going with him....my patience has worn very thin!!The only good bit is that he has not had a dizzy for quite a while, strange........

Supper tonight is fish, cauliflower and broccoli gratin and mashed potato, doubtless OH will have banana something for dessert.

No plans for the weekend except to keep on with the stuff for the sale at the end of the month.

Thursday

2011-11-03T10:10:00.000-07:00

Another really nice day, I put a load of laundry on and have got it dry outside again.

OH went out for a walk this morning, he said it was really nice in the sun.

Our LL has been and brought us 3 heaters, one is to replace the heater that is not working in the sitting room I was in the middle of appliqueing a christmas tree onto a piece of background fabric, it can wait till tomorrow to be finished now. I want to do two as small wall hangings.

This is yesterday effor finished 4 pot holders and a pin cushion, I have two more pot holders to sew the binding down this evening. The bow tie block I have made into a pot holder.

Its been another really lovely day, not that I have been out, spent most of the day sewing, have baked a loaf of bread and am about to cook toad in the hole with carrots and calebrese for supper.....OH wants baked bananas with toffee sauce for dessert.

OH seems a little better today, has certainly not complained about his guts which makes a change.

I did not sleep too well again last night, was just thinking about getting in the guest room bed when I must have fallen asleep, so we were late getting up.

2011-11-02T14:38:00.000-07:00

Someone sent me a link last night to a new tutorial on one of the quilt programmes I watch, I just could not resist trying it out......

This was the result.... I just put my hand in the Christmas box and pulled out a couple of bits of fabric...this block will be made into a pot holder. I need to experiment a bit more to see if I can enlarge the block to make a table centre and possibly a table runner.

Wednesday

2011-11-02T10:13:00.000-07:00

Another bright day, I had washing in on E7 and hung it out on the whirly in the garden got it dried, its airing on the airer in the sitting room.

I managed to do 2 more pot holders and a block this morning. OH had another appointment at the drs, his red and white cell count is a bit off, but then it was last time he had a blood test.....I am really getting very fed up, he was doubled up with pain at lunchtime and then again later this afternoon.

Quilting this afternoon a good turn out and I finished 2 of the pot holders, I will do the other two tonight. I will change over to mats.

I got some ham our of the freezer, so we are having ham salad with jacket potato. Banana something for dessert.

The weather is very mild, we have our heating turned off, it does cool down when the light starts to go, but considering we are in November its amazing, I keep wondering when the snow will come!!!

My new iron arrived this afternoon, I have tried it and its very good, heats up much quicker than the old one and shoots steam.....

Tuesday - garden day

2011-11-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

OH had an appointment to get his feet done, so we were late at the garden this morning. A bright and breezy day, I was annoyed that the washer door had not been properly closed and my washing was not done, it would have dried in the breeze.

I took two pictures looking out to sea whilst waiting for OH, it was such a lovely morning.

Once at the garden OH set out to prune the rasps to our surprise we found ripe fruit, so enough for supper the the inevitable banana for dessert.

I stripped the courgette and lifted it, quite a few very samll fruits, they will be fine steamed whole. Hoed the leeks and strawberries, I took flowers off most of the plants and planted a couple of runners that had rooted. Watered and fed the turnips, planted some winter gem lettuce in the poly tunnel and covered them with fleece.

fter lunch OH went to the history libray, they are closing at the end of November and re-opening in the new building sometime in March, he needed some copying to complete his talk for the History Society.

No sewing done this afternoon, will have to spend tomorrow morning sewing to make up.

The trees on the estate are just wonderful especially the copper beech, I took these photos at lunch time.

Monday

2011-10-31T09:53:00.000-07:00

Managed to get the monday clean done. Sent OH to the Drs AGAIN!! he has more tablets and has to send a poo sample in, he saw our own GP, he seems to be going along the same lines I had thought, we will see. Got cross with OH again at lunchtime, he did not take his pain medication this morning ggggrrrrrrr I am going to have to stand over him whilst he takes it. I did the ironing before lunch, so thats all up tp date just in time for the next lot, a load in the washer for tonight.

Had a frustrating afternoon started on some pot holders, I have no sticky spray baste so had to use pins, not a good idea so the second two I have made oversize, will cut them down before I put the binding on, true to form I forgot to put the hanging loops on gggrrrrr....then my iron went phuttttt.

OH is just off to the chemist, they did not have the medication the Dr prescribed so he is off to collect his script now. Curtians drawn, everywhere cosy.

I was lucky enough to win the draw on SFT's blog, looking forward to getting my tin....It rare for me to win anything.

Egg, chips and beans tonight, there is enough sticky toffee pudding left for tonight, OH had his banana at lunchtime today.

2011-10-30T10:07:00.000-07:00

Rainbow Child asked for pictures of pot holders. The first picture is a set I made for a friend consisting of tea cosy, place mats, pot holders and serviettes. the second is an oversized pot holder which I made for the sale we had at our quilt show, it was bought by a member of our group, she uses it to stand a cast iron casserole on when serving at the table.

Sunday

2011-10-30T06:11:00.000-07:00

Not a bad night last night and I appreciated the extra hour as well, just after 8am when we woke.

A bight morning, stiffish breeze but not too cold, we went for a walk along the river, through St Mary's Church Yard, across the park and home. We stopped on the park to watch youngsters training for Rugby, they start early here and I was surprised to see some young girls there too.....I made a sponge cake it turned out ok, a bit less like a biscuit than last weeks first effort which is in the freezer to be used in trifle at Christmas.

Lunch was AF's cuppa soup, a cheese sarnie and an apple for me yogurt for OH. He is still complaining about his gut so I have told him he HAS to see the Dr tomorrow, I am cheesed off.....I know he cannot help being ill, but its just one thing after another and its depressing me. I got cross with him last night, he does not take the medication as he should, he just takes it when he has pain, the whole idea is that he takes it regularly so he builds up a level of medication, I have started giving him his meds then I know he is taking them as he should. Its like having a child in the house at times!!

Supper tonight, roast pork, roasties, carrots, cauli and calebrese, either banana or sticky toffee pudding for dessert.

I am doing nothing today so that hopefully I will be full of beans tomorrow and can start sewing again. I am going to start on some pot holders, if I can get 2 or 3 done I can take them to quilters on Wednesday and sew down the binding.

The tiredness is coming from my fibromyalgia, its one of the first symptoms which tells me I am pushing it, but there are times when I really do not have a choice.

Saturday

2011-10-29T05:49:00.000-07:00

Bad night last night thanks to OH and his gut, we were still reading sometime after 1am so it was well after 9am. before we woke this morning.

I went to the library and got new books out and then to tesco to get some flour after finding I had no SR flour yesterday. Tesco had an offer on 3 for 2 so I bought 2 SR and 1 plain, I also managed to get a red pepper. OH went to Aldi to get me some eggs and carrots, we arrived back at the same time.

I am having a rest weekend before starting a marathon sew for the next four weeks to get stuff ready for ther stall the last sunday in November.

Bacon and tomato sauce made for supper, bacon and tom pasta with garlic bread. OH has bananas, so I guess it will be banana something for dessert.

It had been raining when we got up but it turned into quite a nice day, it would have been quite warm apart from the wind which was quite strong.

DGD is pleased with her gift for her birthday, she is wearing the earrings tonight.

A very dear friend made the necklace and earrings for me, I am so grateful to her, she is a very talented lady, thank you 'C' you know who you are.
DGD is in to purple and pink the colours are ideal, so pretty.

Friday

2011-10-28T04:56:00.000-07:00

Another lie in this morning. OH got up and brought my brekkie before he took the car in for service....we are waiting for it to be delivered back to us all done.

OH is off to the library again this afternoon to do a bit more research, unless the car turns up I will have to stay in, so it may be the library tomorrow for me.

Not quite as tired as I was yesterday, I woke a couple of times in the night, spent the morning finishing a book to go back to the library....did manage to swipe the kitchen whilst OH did the stairs and landing, it was our turn, we do it once a fortnight so another 4 weeks before we have to do it again.

Its a bright day with blue sky, but OH said it was quite cool when he was out this morning, There was some condensation on the bedroom window first thing.

When I was at Ikea I bought a zipped bad to keep the summer?winter duvets in when they are not on the bed, I also managed to get the summer sitting room curtians in as well and it stands up, so more room in the top cupboard over our wardrobe. Wish I had bought two now.....typical.

Grilled gammon steak, jacket spud and coleslaw for supper....we have a banana needs eating for dessert.

I need to get my brain into gear for MOnday and start sewing again, ready for the bricabrac sale, we are only 4 weeks away from the day......