Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas to everyone ..........

Baby in a cage

Really love this recent photo of Ella. She has got so active recently and certainly knows her own mind. If the gate is left open , she is there so quickly and the other day had a real tantrum when she couldn't be in the kitchen with her dad. She is going to be a right handful as she grows up!
This photo is so typical of her. She spends a large proportion of her time standing and always has some toy or another in her hand. Today she discovered all the switches etc on the sky box and tv.

As you might guess from all this I absolutely adore her and love spending time with her.

For the fallen

For The Fallen
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)

More

Both £3.99 each at the Book People. And don't forget free delivery before midnight Friday - code SLEIGHDELS

Kirstie Allsopp - Craft

The Book People are selling Kirstie Allsopp Craft for £6.99 and free delivery until midnight Friday if you use the following code SLEIGHDELS

CRB madness

Would you believe it?- even though have a recent CRB, I can't volunteer in a school until I have another one done but I could do supply/permanent teaching work with my current CRB - doesn't make sense.

I only stopped full time teaching in the summer and after picking up my grandsons from school yesterday, realised how much I missed being in a school. I spoke to the head who said he'd love to have me in the school. So today I found my CRB certificate and phoned through only to be told by admin that another CRB check needs to be done. The school was severely critised by Ofsted for not having many parent/carer volunteers but I'm not surprised. I know children's safety is important but are we taking things too far?

Oysterband - a disappointment

Just back from Bury St Edmunds and for the first time ever I wish we'd saved our money and stayed at home. It was billed as Oysterband with June Tabor but feel it should have been the other way round. June dominated the majority of the set and at times even John's mike was muted so that he could hardly be heard. There were only 4 'Oysterband' tracks if you include 'Turn out the lights' that June also sang on. I'm afraid I am never going to particularly like June Tabor - I can't even hear all the words she sings so when she talks about the importance of words in songs , it all rather misses the point!

I would really love to go to a 'real' Oysterband gig at this venue though. The acoustics in the apex really suited John's voice and the sound the band make.

So what set are they going to do at the Big Session? - if its this one I believe there will be a lot of very disappointed people.

On the bright side I'm looking forward to Oxjam tomorrow with the Bounty Hounds and Hedgepig

A slippery time

Not a good mixture - a stone tile floor and a litre bottle of olive oil. I've done my best to clear it all up but am still left with a very slippery floor. Any suggestions??

A busy weekend.....

Busy weekend for us with the collecting of a tea trolley, grandson's birthday treat and the model railway exhibition at Peterborough.....so tasks today but that includes shopping and a search in the charity shops for some bowls for the 70s inspired dinner party I am giving on Saturday. It seems like years since I have done a dinner party that wasn't family so I am a little anxious that it all goes okay.

Eating out this weekend has caused a blip on the diet front so have just had mushroom omelette for breakfast as I must get back on track. Now its a shower and to bag up clothes etc to take to charity shop whilst I'm there.

Saving £2500......

Our conservatory has been leaking in several places for a while now and eventually we got a quote for a repair - a few quid short of £2500. So off to B&Q went my super husband, where he bought some proper bitumen flashing tape. Several hours later and a completely sealed roof even if it was about 8pm last night when he finished. Thanks Harry - love you loads

Faversham Hop festival

This weekend we went with Pretty Grim morris to Faversham for the hop festival.
Leaving Ipswich about 3pm we braved the massive queues on the M25 and the Queen Elizabeth bridge and finally arrived on the school field of the school in Faversham where we were all camping. We were second to arrive and it didn't take that long to put up the awning and get ourselves settled. It was getting dark by the time others arrived and tents were erected in the poor light. We cooked a stir fry but others went to the fish and chips - Sean's portion looked like it could have fed a family for a week - okay a little exaggeration but not much.

Next morning it was off to the town centre for the festival. On the way Harry bought a new top hat as modelled above. I must admit I did steal it off him for quite a lot of the time.
On the first dance spot Pretty Grim were dancing with the Gong Scourers - see below:

The weather was really hot and the streets were packed. It got so packed at one point that the dancers had to keep the crowds back so that other dancers had space to dance



That evening we had our camp barbeque - there was so much food!!. Afterwards we kept the fire going until about 2am in the morning when the last of us retired to bed. Here I must mention Colin the crocodile that was burning on the fire - it's okay he wasn't a real crocodile but a log that resembled one.

The next day the weather wasn't so kind and when the dancers disappeared down the town I chose to stay at the caravan and get things sorted. Also there was a lot of clearing up of beer and cider bottles!!!!!

We fianally left Faversham about 5pm - another hop festival over for another year...

Samuel's now seven

Seven years ago a little boy was born. Today he is a lively energetic seven year old who loves to paint and do 'sticking'.

This is Samuel and his older brother, at my house enjoying being creative.


For his birthday he asked his nannie [me] to create an art and craft box for him. I had great fun putting it together and yesterday he was delighted with the contents. Older brother, Charlie was also so impressed he has asked for a similar box for his birthday in October.


Happy Birthday Samuel

First Official day of retirement

Today I feel great - it's the first official day of my retirement. I have so many plans and ideas for what I want to do- think I am going to be busier than ever!

I know I have been very lax lately with this blog so that is the first thing that will change.

So here is the first post of the new era in my life. And a new life it will be......... a recent diagnosis of diabetes will certainly see to that. The diagnosis has certainly knock me for six but I am determined to make the best of it. So far I have lost over a stone but have many more to go. My exercise for the moment will be getting this house and garden sorted and decluttered.

So here's to my new life......

Warwick Folk Festival

This weekend was spent at the Warwick Folk Festival. It was a brilliant weekend spent in good company, with fantastic music and tasty food and drink. Harry and I arrived on the Thursday evening and set up camp making sure we saved space for our friend Claudine, who was arriving Friday. However she also bought another friend with her and fortunately we had saved enough space for a further tent.
On the Friday evening my favourite band of all played - Show of Hands:
They were brilliant as usual and we all had a great evening.
Throughout the weekend we listened to and discovered new and old singers and bands but also we did some shopping. Most festivals have stalls selling a variety of items but Warwick always seems to have, not only quite a large number of stalls, but also they have an excellent choice of items. I managed to get Ella a wicker chair, just like her mum had when she was young. The guy who sold it to me renovates old chairs and wicker items. On another stall I found a scarf that I can use to make cushion covers for the chair. I also bought 2 scarves for me, a super large basket , hair clip, tin whistle, necklace and a music case.
Unfortunately yesterday we had to pack up and come home.....but not for long we still have more festivals to attend this year...

My two beautiful girls

Diagnosed type 2 diabetes

The blood tests I had last week, have confirmed type 2 diabetes which needs medication to treat. This I hope is my wake up call. My diet needs to change and I must exercise. I have just reserved 2 books from the library on diabetes and I am determined to make the necessary changes in my lifestyle. Next I am going to measure up my livingroom window as I want to get some sort of net curtain so that I an exercise in there without giving the neighbours a comedy show to watch. Also need to send my sick notes into work - yes I have been given the next 2 weeks off and so won't ever be returning to school.

I spoilt myself today

This morning I had to go to the hospital for a blood test, so knowing it would be really busy I got there for 8am. My face dropped as I entered the waiting room as it was half full already. So I took my ticket and sat down.....slowly the room began to empty and still it wasn't my turn. Eventually I was called and nervously I entered the cubicle and sat down. I explained that my veins are very awkward and this certainly proved to be the case. It took 2 attempts to drain me of blood. Finally I was able to leave and I noted that in the time I'd been in there the waiting room had filled again.

Knowing that Mollie Makes issue 3 was due out today I went to Sainsburys on the off chance that they might have it. To my delight they did and it soon found its way into my trolley as did all the following:




I know......I was very naughty , wasn't I? I told myself it was my reward for having had my blood test done. Now I just need to find the time to read them all.

What do you do to treat yourself?

Card for BIL

The card I have made for my BIL for his birthday next week.

I'd like to enter this card in the Cards for Men challenge 13 - stars

Ella's new sundress

This is Ella wearing the sundress I made her. It was the trial version [ made in cheap fabric]. Next one will need to be a little bigger as this one has no room for growth and could not be worn with a t-shirt under. Doesn't she look like her dad?

My latest card

Not a brilliant photo but I was rushing as I need it posted for my step-father's birthday on Tues

Decluttering

My house has become an absolute mess - there are things everywhere so I have started to declutter. The trouble is that it is such a slow process and I'm not sure what to do with it all.
Lots of my books especially teaching related are going onto Amazon - but even that is playing up to day. Somehow I think the whole process is likely to take the whole summer if I continue at this rate of progress.....HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!

MSE challenge

This is my entry for the current MSE challenge which is to use: a square card, 2 dp, 1 plain paper, ribbon or lace, 1 image and 1 flower.

My latest card

I made this for my sister in law who is 50 this week. I am having problems photographing my cards. Not quite sure what I am doing wrong....

Only 5 weeks now until I retire. It seems to be taking all my energy just to keep going at the moment but come 22nd July my life will begin again. I can't wait!

A new face in Eastenders

Yes, its David Essex. He may be 63 and grey, but for me he still has the magic in his eyes that he had 35/40 years ago, when his face peered down at me from my bedroom walls. Suddenly I can't miss an episode of Eastenders

Good Luck card

My latest card - the colours in the top picture are more true than the bottom pic. I'd like to enter it in the MSE challenge [as long as I am not too late]

More cards......

I have been busy over the weekend making more cards . Generally I am quite pleased with them but do think I need to work out the best way of photographing them.

Another card and a bracelet

I'm getting the crafty bug again.... I know I should be marking but this is so much more fun. I have been out and bought more bits and now I have been looking on line at the Craft Robo. It looks brilliant but is it? Does anyone have one?
The bracelet is for my sister's birthday - she isn't into crafts and making things so I hope she likes it anyway.

Thanks Karen

Karen from Karen's Crafty Corner and Clelmarsh Chunterings very kindly sent me some card making bits and pieces a couple of weeks ago. However because of marking coursework etc I haven't had time to play. But last night realising it was my sister's birthday next week, I decided to have a go. I am really pleased with the result - so thanks Karen. You are so kind.

So excited.....

Harry has justed phoned to tell me he has managed to order my summerhouse. It's the model shown above but will come treated but not painted. Not sure yet when we'll get it but I hope it arrives in time for us to put it together during half term. Then I can start shabby chiccing it - can't wait!