Saturday, 10-10-26

Morning - it's a lovely sunny morning but it does feel quite chilly.  Not heating on chilly, just another layer chilly!

I now have a much happier nose!
I know Specsavers always say that if there's a problem just pop in so I did.  They were busy and I had to wait my turn so just under half an hour later I walked out all sorted, instant relief, no charge and 'would I like the blu tac back?', lol.  No, I didn't and we both laughed, me and the lady sorting it for me.

I did a bit of wandering around in town but when it came to it, I didn't eat out.  I did look in the M&S cafe but there was a queue and it was slow moving so I didn't.  Instead, I treated myself to an M&S pizza, garlic bread and a bit of alcohol - a bit naughty as I had gained on the SW scales but you have to have a treat now and again, don't you?

The rest of the day passed in a blur of snoozing, reading, crochet, snooze . .  it has been a busy old week and I think it was just the reaction because I slept well all night too.

This weekend the diary is blank - lovely!  Of course, I have things to do including a bit of extra governor training relating to something that's coming up before half term.  I don't HAVE to do it but I OUGHT to, if you see what I mean.  It will help.

Are you doing anything nice this weekend.  Going away, out, something special?  Whatever you do, have a great time and stay safe and well.  xx

Friday, 09-20-26

Hi, everyone.   I'm sitting here, fluffy slippers on, snuggle hood over my pjs and it's nice and comfy.  To be fair, the heating hasn't clicked on (it's controlled all year round by a thermostat) so it can't be as cold as it was yesterday morning when it came on and stayed on pretty much all morning.
Autumn is definitely here now, late but inevitable!

I'm still getting loads of tomatoes though.  Yesterday, I gave Chris a bag of them and then Vat took a bagful home too and today I have more to deal with.  Poor freezer!!
I had a bit of a sort out of my shelf stable stuff and I have enough cans of tomatoes to last for decades (slight exaggeration) so it's lucky I really love tomatoes, isn't it?

I can't remember if I said, I don't think I did, but I got my quarterly gas statement a few days ago and then an email saying I'm paying too much monthly and they are reducing it from next month.  That's OK although I had decided not to bring it up with them because we are starting the heavier usage season but it's swings and roundabouts really and I guess what with the amount they already have and what I will be paying monthly, I don't need to worry unduly about it.  A comfort if or when it gets really cold.  

The jury seems to be out on whether we will get a cold or a warm winter this time around, according to the Meteorological Office, despite all the alarming headlines about stocking up, etc.

While on the subject, the little gas stove arrived but I haven't looked at it or tried it out yet.  If we have sunny weather, I might give it a go in the garden with some sausages, etc, and just see how it goes!  :-)

Yesterday was lovely and far more relaxing than Wednesday.  

Chris turned up at half nine as usual and we had our usual mix of coffee, laughs and setting our world to rights.

While she was here, Seth arrived to finish off the last little bit of the new window that got overlooked on Wednesday.  It really is just a little bit of sealing, as you can see, but I don't have any and would likely make a real mess of it anyway.  Best left to the pros.
Now it is all done and dusted and I am waiting for the invoice to land so I can pay.  It's nice to know the view will be unimpeded by condensation between the panes. from now on.

Chris left, Val came and it was just lovely.  We have both had holidays since the last time we met so we shared the fun and then went to The Hare for lunch.  I brought half of my salad home to finish off for dinner!

Annoyingly, I have to go into town today; the little silicon nose pads have fallen off my glasses - both of them, not just one - and I have no idea how.  I do know when because my nose is very sore!!
At the moment, there's some blu-tac cushioning the worst of it but I know they will be able to stick some new ones on for me so no worries.

So I will go to Slimming World, leave early and get the bus into town to get them sorted.  I might be a bit naughty and have a bit of breakfast in town too.  There's several little coffee places I have wanted to try for a while now.

That's it for today.  Nothing else in  the diary so I can chill and maybe get on with some crochet later on.

Happy Friday, everyone.  Have a lovely day.  xx

Thursday, 08-10-26

 Morning, all.  Brrr - it's a pretty chilly start to the day here.  I've just been out for my early morning personal training and a coat was appreciated!

Yesterday was busy but everything went well, thankfully.  I've not slept well because of stuff buzzing around in my head but that just means I'll sleep better this evening, doesn't it?

Today is going to be good.  I've just had PT, Chris is coming over for coffee and chat and then Val is over and we're going out for lunch.
No meetings, no windows, no anything formal.  Phew.

And later on, I can get on with my crochet.  That will be relaxing.  

Have a great day, stay warm and stay well, everyone.  xx

Wednesday, 07-10-26

Morning, everyone.  Better late than never - as the saying goes.

Thanks for the queries about yesterday.  The coffee morning went really well and I'm so glad I went.

It's weird how you can have weeks with blank pages in the diary and then meeting after meeting land for the following week.
This is one of those weeks.

Yesterday I got a message 'can the boys come and replace your window tomorrow' (it's been on the cards for ages) so that's this morning taken up.  They're doing it as I type.
I have another governor meeting in school this afternoon - quite an important one too so I need to remember to take my brain (and my notes) with me.
And then, this evening, there's 'Governors' Update' training online.  There's been a whole load of changes recently so it's going to be both valuable and heavy!  These are termly and always very good indeed.
I also have to do some reading up for something else connected with my governor responsibility but not today; I have time for that.

And, finally, it seems the school is having an 'Inclusion Review' thingy next week, from the LEA.  It's not an OFSTED thing, no judgements, it's just to see where the school is and support any changes that might need to be made in the light of recent changes.
As I am the SEND/Inclusion link governor, I will be going along to talk to them.  Not just me, there's three of us, and it should be good but . . . 

Busy, busy, busy!!
I have managed to do some housework, though, and there's some washing drying on the rack so that's good.

Better go and see how it's going and see if the milk is good so I can offer them a coffee.
Stay safe and well, everyone.  xx

Tuesday, 06-10-26

Good morning.  Just a quick one today as I'm a bit pushed for time and need to be in school before nine for a SEND coffee morning (I'm the SEND link governor).

Thanks you to everyone who commented yesterday.  I'm on a bit off an adventure with this wreath, aren't I.  It was different with that little advent blanket last year when I just used what I had and made the best of it.  This year I'm doing a bit more prep - and starting the whole process earlier!

I can see it's all going to get a bit boring so I'll shut up about it for a while and maybe do a once a week update.
Or something like that.  😉

Right, well, I need to move on so I'll wish you all a great Tuesday.  See you tomorrow.  xx

Monday, 05-10-26

Good morning, everyone.  Welcome to Monday.  Did you have an enjoyable weekend?

I spent much of yesterday on this . . .

I may not have bought any yarn on Saturday but I did get a polystyrene ring and crochet covered it yesterday.   Just a long strip of double crochet (UK terms), wrapped round and round quite tightly and stitched.

I think I will fasten it to the ring with some non-rust pins, just to keep it firmly in place and not twisting at all.

It would have been easier to use ribbon but then it would be more difficult to sew the leaves, etc, into place.

Lovely holly leaf from Attic 24 but my cheap acrylic yarn doesn't have enough definition; it's just too fuzzy round the edges.  Fine for practising but not for something that will take me hours and hours of crocheting.
I wonder if I can find an acrylic mix with more twist and definition.  Must have a nosey around the internet!

Today, after circuits, is a home day.  There's tidying, cleaning, washing . . . all the usual stuff.  I'm hoping to get quite a lot done today.

How about you?  xx

Sunday, 04-10-26

Morning, all.  Welcome to what started as a very misty autumnal early morning before the sun started breaking through.

I had fun looking around a few shops yesterday.  I did a bit of non-food stocking up in Sainsburys; earlier in the year I stocked up on various cleaning materials, that sort of thing, and they were getting a bit low.  I looked around the clothes but, dear me, so much drabness!  Even Christmas stiff wasn't what I want for Christmas.  I want red, green, gold, sparkle, not washed out pink!!  On the other hand - Christmas chocolates, biscuits, etc - really?  In this house, they would be gone before the end of October!!

It was fun looking though.

I was kind of hoping I might get a petrol voucher with my receipt.  You do sometimes.  Not this time though, so I filled up without one.  Now, I know it's nearly two months since I last filled up and things are unstable, I get that, but it was shocking how much fuel has increased since last time.
It is what it is though; there's not a lot we can do about it!!

Then I popped into Hobbycraft.  Didn't buy any yarn though.  Hobbycraft's range of yarn has definitely gone downhill.  Such a shame.
If you have read yesterday's comments, you will see that the lovely pattern I bought might be an AI generated pattern (I know the photo was AI generated/enhanced) as there are reports that it doesn't really work.  Now, I have loads of DK acrylic yarn lying around so I'm going to use a smaller hook and the DK and just have a go at the various elements, just to see.  I might learn something, I might have to adapt, but I do like a challenge.
I'll report back in time.

It's been a busy morning.
The washing is in, the chicken I roasted yesterday has been stripped and the carcass is in the slow cooker, I have some leek and pepper softening slowly on the hob for a bean stew and Bubbles is in the oven with the light on because it's been cold overnight and she's a bit sluggish - and I need to make Lindsey's bread.
And I've just spent ages looking for this week's meal planning sheet, only to find it screwed up and in the bin.  Not torn up, thankfully!  I wonder who did that, now.  <cough >

Happy Sunday to you all.  Have a great day.  xx