Monday, 26-10-26 - Happy Birthday.

Morning, everyone!

Forty eight years ago I was cradling my first-born, a little girl we called Elisabeth Joy Fiona, in the London Hospital.  It was love at first sight and today I am so glad to be meeting her in town for a birthday coffee and a good nosey around the Jo Malone department in John Lewis!  She is the most amazing, funniest, caring, kind and understanding person and I am so, so proud of her.

Last week, Beth went into London for an evening do, as she and her team had been nominated for an award - and they only went and won it.  How brilliant is that!

This is what they were presented with.

(not the best photo in the world but you get the idea.)

Well done, Beth and team!

It was filmed and there's some video on their Facebook Page.  Can you guess which bit is Beth and her team?  xx
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1109557731480629

(hoping the link works)

Sunday, 25-10-26

Morning, everyone.  After a very bleak and wild couple of days, the sun is shining round here.  It's a really welcome sight indeed although I'm not complaining about the heavy rain yesterday.  Goodness knows, we need it and lots more.  I really hope you and yours are well and damage free this morning.  

It's a very quiet weekend here.  I have precious few plans apart from making bread.  I can make Beth's but Bubbles isn't cooperating so Lindsey's might have to wait.  That is sourdough for you.
I might pop to Morrisons for a few things but they're not absolutely necessary so maybe I won't.

So this is very short and sweet.

See you tomorrow.  Take care and stay safe.  xx

Saturday, 24-10-26

Good morning, everyone.  Sorry about yesterday - I had to rush out to Slimming World after starting it but not finishing and just forgot I hadn't posted.  I'm fine, the house is fine, it was quite windy yesterday afternoon but it's been a lot worse and it was beautiful over lunch time.  If it hadn't been for the morning and afternoon rain, it would have been a great drying day!

You could see the storm arriving.  It was very wet first thing, then it all dried up and the sun shone.  But it got darker, the wind started and you could almost smell it coming!  And then, with a whoosh and a deluge, there it was.

Back to the morning and when I arrived at the hall to help set up, Heidi and Kim were standing dejectedly under Heidi's boot with everything half in and half out.  Problems with the lock!  It was raining but not too badly and we had to wait ages for the caretaker to come and sort it out.

We were beginning to wonder about asking the library over the way if we could set up a weigh and go there but all was well in the end.  We did a speedy set up with just the essentials and, fortunately, people didn't arrive too early.

After that bit of excitement, I came home and did the usual homey sort of stuff (totally forgetting that I hadn't finished my blog - ooops), the heating came on so it can't have been all that warm, and then the wind got up so any plans I had for going out anywhere hit the bottom of the bin.

Today?  I don't know what's going to happen.  Another storm is on the way, if not already here, but it's going further north so I think we're probably very lucky round here.

I've just nearly fallen for an online ad.  It opened up in Facebook from Laithwaite's, the wine company and it was their small wine bottles advent calendar.  Oooh, thought I, good idea and clicked into the basket before I came to my senses and realised if I wanted something like that I could buy mini bottles and make it myself.  And, really, I don't anyway!!
How easy it is to fall for these tempting and attractive looking Festive adverts!!  I would have been so cross with myself later on . . .

Time to get the day started, I think.  I have bits and bobs to do, just small things, and I might go for a walk if it is dry.    I'll see how I feel.  
Stay safe and dry, everyone.  All the best.  xx

Thursday, 22-10-26

Morning!  I'm a bit late this morning.  No reason except that I should have had personal training early but Lindsey is unwell and cancelled.  I had got it in my head that I would do this after I got home from PT so, because there was no PT . . .
It makes sense to me anyway!

What did I do yesterday?  I can't really remember which means not very much. doesn't it.  I had a successful meeting in school and that is it until after half term now.  I did some washing, some ironing, bits and bobs like that.

Today, Chris and I are out to the Hare for lunch and there might be an online chat this evening but apart from that it's more of the same.  It's sunny outside but it's chilly; I ought to do a bit of gardening but I'll see how I feel later.

And that is it.  I have a bit of good news but it can wait a few days.  

Hope it's not too windy your way and that this oncoming storm doesn't bother you too much.   xx

Wednesday, 21-10-26

Morning, everyone.  After a not terribly good night, I gave up, got out of bed, wrapped up and came down to get the day started.

First of all, thank you for your lovely comments on Monday's post when you shared missing loved ones.  It can hit us all hard at times - my love to you all.  xx

Yesterday turned out to be much more lively (and wet) than expected.

Chris and I drove down to Groove, partly because of ouchy knees and partly because the skies looked very threatening.  It was good - it always is.

When we pulled in to the cul de sac, there was a big old van waiting with two chaps inside - yes, despite being scheduled to do my plumbing work from 1:30 onward, there they were, having finished the previous job much more quickly than expected.
My first thought was probably unprintable but then I realised that, despite having been tempted to leave clearing the corner cupboard until after Groove, I did the sensible thing.  Thank goodness I did!

Anyway, they got going, up came another large van/small lorry with two other men and some machinery.
The issue was that I had a leak between the house and the water meter.  They could have simply repaired it but I decided that it would be more sensible to have the relevant bits of pipework replaced, seeing as the house was built in the late 1970s and things have moved on since then.  
(The leak was just soaking away, by the way, not flooding or anything)

A few hours and lots of ins and outs and banking and drilling later, all finished.  They put the shelves back, wiped everything down, made good what they had taken/dug up outside and, apart from some fresh sand between the slabs, you'd never have known that there had been work done.
And no more leak!

They were all gone by the time they were due to arrive.

And then the heavens opened so thank goodness they were able to come early!

I finished off Beth and Alex's washing/drying and got it over to him later on.  Beth is away in London - some sort of award thing last night and a conference today.
And came home with more washing because their machine truly is on the blink again!  I'll get that done today.

The evening thing was our Director of Education and others telling us governors about changes and what the LEA is doing, planning, projecting, etc.  All very worthy and 'meaningful', I an sure, and I hate to say it but isn't education dreadful for jargon!  Always has been.  As they talked, I felt this sense of deja vu/lethargy creep over me and my main thoughts were 'poor heads/schools' as yet one more project or review or initiative was explained.  Don't they have enough to do already?

I will look at various bits again when they send the link and the slides but oh, dear!

And then I slept badly again!  lol

Thankfully, today is easy.  I'm into school first thing for a meeting with the SENDco and after that it's home, James, to potter and get bits and bobs done.  I might pop out somewhere and I might not, I'll see how I feel and, weather permitting, there's a bit more gardening to do.

And that's my day!  See you tomorrow, everyone.  xx

Tuesday, 20-10-26

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Tuesday.

Yesterday was quite lazy - I mean gentle!!  I just pottered really, agreed a meeting for tomorrow, didn't take Beth's washing back when it was all done because she was busy working and didn't empty the cupboard to the side of the sink.  I did get some ironing done though.

I hadn't slept well over Sunday night so I had a lovely long snooze early afternoon which kept me going.

I've emptied the cupboard now.  It's one of those corner cupboards that you hide things in that you rarely use but don't want to chuck.  It actually didn't take all that long and there's a few things I now feel I can hand on so that's good.
I'm having some plumbing work done and they need to access the actual stopcock rather than the more convenient stop switches which is why the cupboard needs emptying.  The shelves also come out but I am leaving that for them to do because they will then have to put them back again.  lol

So this morning it is Groove, then over to Beth with her washing, then the plumbing work this afternoon (must remember to fill my jugs with water and go to the loo before they turn off the water) and this evening there's an on line 'Director's conference for Governors' .  No, I have not the foggiest but I guess I will know more afterwards - I hope so, anyway!

I'll be glad when today is over - having work done is always a bit stressful, isn't it?

Have a great day, stay warm and safe and be good!!!  xx

Monday, 19-10-26

Morning, all.  Welcome to another new week.  Another chilly start but it does feel milder than the weekend mornings.

Yesterday was a very, very sad day . . .

I'll try to remember to take and post a photo later.  It is too dark at the moment.

Here you go!

The tomato bed is no more - well, the bed is but the plants are now in the bin.  The tomatoes weren't ripening any more and there were a few signs of end of season deterioration - sort of blightish but slow moving - so I had the lot out, sorted out the usable fruit, shoved the remainder in the bin (not the compost, just in case), cleared the bed completely of weeds and dropped tomatoes, and all the canes, wire ties, etc, are safely away until next year.

I will feed the soil today with chicken manure pellets and soul from the compost, and clear any weeds as they come up.  In a few weeks I will maybe cover the soil but maybe not, I'll see how it goes.
Is there anything I could grow now to produce over winter?  Do any of you know?

Anyway - I look at the bed and feel sad.  It's been such a great year for tomatoes.  

Beth came over to me rather than me going to hers.  Annoyingly, her washing machine is playing silly sausages so she brought a pile over here.  She took the fist lot home, the second lot dried overnight and the last pile is just finishing.  I'll take it over later today. 
It was a good opportunity to have a nice chat.  It's her birthday next Monday and originally we were going to have lunch out but the next day we are eating out with Julia and Linda so we decided to have a coffee in John Lewis and then do some window shopping instead of lunch.  That'll be fun.

Today I don't exactly feel sad but can't quite think of the word.  Today was my lovely Mum's birthday. 
Usually, today I would be making the Christmas cake which Mum always did on her birthday but this year there's no Christmas cake.  I will be away, Beth and Alex will just be two and we agreed that it wouldn't be a great use of money.  If they fancy something, they can buy a little slab cake or make a tea loaf or something like that.
Not to worry, there's always next year.

Have a lovely day, everyone.  Stay warm.  xx

Sunday, 18-10-26

Morning, everyone.
Hasn't it turned chilly.  My heating is clicking on intermittently and the hoodies are in regular use.  I even wore socks to bed (very cosy) last night.  I gather some places have had frost so I am counting my blessings!

There's nothing particularly exciting in my life right now.  The days roll past with all the usual things and I am trying to ignore as much as possible all the bad thoughts and deeds swirling around the world right now.  When I say 'ignore' I don't mean not accepting that they are happening, that  wouldn't be right at all.  I guess I mean not letting them chain me down in a pit of fear.  Easier said than done at times.

Today, being Sunday is bread day.  Lindsey's sourdough is resting before it gets kneaded and then I will pop Beth's yeasted bread in without washing the pot so not a scrap of sourdough gets wasted.  :-)

I've goofed a bit and, after my Oddbox delivery, I have more fruit than I know what to do with.  I've stewed some plums already.  Pears stew quite nicely too, don't they?  And I am sure Beth will gladly take some off my hands too.

Right, well, the sourdough has rested so I'd better go and carry on.  Have a lovely Sunday and stay warm.  xx

Saturday, 17-10-26

Morning, all.  Welcome to the weekend!

I never told you what I got when I went shopping on Thursday, did I?
Not much but I did get some gifts.  Some Christmas coffee, two boxes of advent tea bags (for me and for Beth), a candle in a nice Christmas pot, some artificial poinsettia sprigs to go in a vase (MUCH cheaper than a plant which I would kill before Christmas anyway!!), some nice, warm, fluffy socks for inside and bed when it gets colder, one jar of sun dried tomatoes and two of roasted red peppers.  Those last two were from Home Bargains and were about half the price I would have to pay elsewhere.

I also got one smallish plate with holly round and another thing for my Spode Christmas Tree china.  Did I need it - no, of course not but I do love it.  Mind you, I won't be using much of it this year, being away over Christmas!

And some stuff from Food Warehouse.  :-)

Yesterday was an easy day and I just took things slowly.  Feeling more cheerful today and thank you for your very kind messages.  I think at least part of it is because it's coming up to the times of Mum and Dad's birthdays and  . . . well, you know.

We nearly all go through it at some time or other, don't we?

Today is another gentle day.  Nothing in the diary, plenty to keep me engaged at home.  It will be pleasant.
Hoping you have a lovely weekend.  Take care, stay safe and well and see you tomorrow.  xx

Friday, 16-10-26

Morning.  Just a quick one as I'm not feeling 100% today - more 'mental' than physical although one does impact the other, doesn't it.
Anyway, I have some self-help plans for today so should be feeling much happier tomorrow.

See you then and have a great Friday, whatever the weather does to us!  :-)  xx

Thursday, 15-10-26

 Good morning, everyone.  How are you?

Yesterday was definitely a Good Day.  The meetings went really well, things got decided, dates have finally been set . . . I just feel things are much further on now.
The date I need to do some training for has been put to after half term so I feel less pressured to get it all done.
And next week doesn't look so frantic now.  A relief.

I'm all up, washed and dressed because we're back to early morning personal training at seven.  It means I have to be a little more organised Wednesday evening and Thursday early morning but I can do that usually. 

So - PT first.  Chris is away so no coffee and chat.  Then I would like to drive into town to get a few bits and bobs - Beth's birthday is coming up and there's more Festive stuff in now so - pressies, etc.

And housework - always housework!!

Nothing very special today, just normal stuff.

Have a good day, stay safe and well.  xx

Wednesday

Hi!  Wednesday lands and there's no early thing in the diary.  I don't have to be out until just before eleven which feels great!

My diary is going bonkers though.  For people why are retires, it is proving almost impossible to find a meeting date that we can all attend.  There's things pencilled in, crossed out, pencilled in elsewhere, crossed out . . .  aaarrrggghhh.

I'm sure it will all sort out but I'm so glad I'm not the one having to organise it.

Having said that, the meeting I went to yesterday was great.  Really good fun and very positive.  

Today there's two.  One at eleven, meeting LEA people because there's an 'inclusion review' - nothing scary, just a 'where are you with this' kind of thing.  Should be very interesting.

Then a less formal meeting straight afterwards, quite different and I'm looking forward to that.

Housework?  What housework?  lol!!  xx

Edit:  p.s.  The new Jacquie Lawson Advent Calendar is out!!  Yes, I have . . .

Tuesday, 13-10-26

Tuesday greetings, everyone.  

One of the things about sitting at my laptop and socially mediating (is that even a term?) at this time is noticing how much later light is dawning from day to day.  It'll be brighter for a while in under two weeks, when the clock goes back but, right now, seven am feels like it should be proper light and it really isn't.
Mind you, maybe the longer nights is one reason why I am sleeping better at the moment.  Do you find that the darker evenings and mornings are more conducive to better sleep?

Yesterday happened!  Circuits was a lot busier than last week.  Last week there were four of us - this week, double that number so it was lovely and chatty!

Did I get the housework done.  Er . . . well, a bit.  And I changed the bedding, got it washed and dried in the dryer (such extravagance) so it just needed folding nicely.  

I received some paperwork from school and went through it before today's meeting - it wasn't much and didn't take long.
I didn't get on with the training but I'm half way through and have time.
I fired off several semi-related messages.

And I got on with a bit of crochet - still practising!

And I sorted out my kitchen before bedtime.  Yay.

Best of all, I got a message from Kay saying things had calmed down and she would be returning to her job in December, should I still want her.  You can guess what I said to that!!

Today starts with Groove.  I'll be going on my own as Chris and Steve are away for a midweek break.  Then I have a meeting in school which should be good.  Then I'm back home so maybe, just maybe, a bit of housework will get done.  Fingers crossed.

Oh, and I need to look up a few things for another meeting tomorrow.  Being a governor isn't always like this, it is just at the moment things are a bit busy.  And I really don't mind the training stuff - it keeps my brain active.

Better stop rambling and say goodbye.  Stay safe and warm, everyone.  xx

Monday, 12-10-26

Morning!  It doesn't feel quite so chilly this morning, which is nice, and light is dawning.  I've made my lunchtime soup (carrot, tomato and lentil) which smells pretty good and now I'm thinking about bath and getting dressed - after this.

Yesterday was just as expected.  Both lots of bread came out beautifully and I got Beth's over to her soon after midday, staying for a little chat before coming home.
And that was about it!

Today starts with circuits and I can take Lindsey her bread and some tomatoes and then, being Monday, it is housework day.  Nothing very exciting but it will look nice when it's done.

And that's it.  My 'exciting' life.  🙂

How about you?  xx

Sunday, 11-10-26

Good morning, everyone.  I'm up early while it is still dark after a lovely night's sleep.  I did um and ah about a lie in but decided I didn't really want one!  I'm not really a lie and read person; I prefer being up and doing first thing and reading later on in my comfy recliner.

So I've sorted out the kitchen because I left it messy last night (bad me) and I noted with satisfaction that Bubbles has bubbled really well overnight.  I'll just give her another hour or so and then start Lindsey's sourdough.  Last week I made cheese and chorizo bread for her and she said it was fantastic as I think I mentioned.  This week it is the usual mixed flour loaves because she's nearly out of that.

Then I can make Beth's yeasted bread in the same bowl (I use Thermione for the kneading) because is amazing the difference just a bit of sourdough makes to a yeasted dough - it rises like a hot air balloon!

Back to yesterday and I'm still practising!  I'm not sure about this project.  It's 'cluttered' and sewing on the leaves was trickier and messier than I expected.
 The fir cones are very fiddly, I don't like the poinsettia so will have a think about how I can adapt it and the berries are not even and regular so more practise is needed all round.
If course, as a practise run, I am using the very cheap acrylic I already have which doesn't have a great twist and so comes out a bit fuzzy and undefined.  That's not helping.

I might try the bow today - that looks to be a little simpler.

Wish me luck.

I managed to get more of the Gov Hub training done.  I'm going carefully as I do need to remember the essentials this time.  Slow, steady and taking notes of essential points.

So, today I will do more of the training, I have bread to make, meals to plan and prep and a bow to try!  And tomatoes - so many tomatoes!!  
(no complaints - they can keep coming as far as I am concerned)

And the daily social media stuff on Facebook!

Better get going then.  Facebook first, I think, then tomatoes and then I can start the sourdough!

Have a lovely day and, to my Canadian readers, Happy Thanksgiving Holiday to you for tomorrow - have a wonderful celebration.  xx

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