Asbestos or not asbestos..that is the question.

Well after my little water leakage disaster in our living room the other day what I thought was going to be a simple insurance claim and a small section of the ceiling would be repaired has now turned into a major claim!!

Had a very nice man come round the other day and do an asbestos test because the insurance company were worried that we could have it due to the age of house (43yrs old). Well I had convinced myself that it would be okay and that we would only need a portion of the ceiling repaired. Mainly because I was not looking forward to having to clear out all my furniture etc from a 24ft lounge and store it somewhere.

Well guess what? I have to remove all my stuff and stick it in a storage unit outside the house - we have asbestos in all our ceilings now. So the whole lot has to be removed and a new ceiling has to be done. Well obviously not a whole ceiling as the joists will still be there, but the main bit of the ceiling. Oh joy!!! Still it will give me an excuse to clean the nets/curtains..lol And I can then clean the carpet with the carpet cleaner seeing as the furniture won't be in the living room.

Was just talking to my neigbour friend and we were laughing about the workmen coming in suited up with hasmat suits so they don't get any asbestos on them. Actually the more I think about it the more ludicrous it sounds, although if they did this could you imagine what my neighbours would say.. Cripes they would all be horrified and probably think all sorts of weird and wonderful things. It will be bad enough having the van outside with Asbestos removal written all over it..lol Queue major panic from the householders in the road, well those that aren't aware they have it in the artexed ceilings..

So anyway I am leaving all the instructions to Dave to tell the assessor guy because I wouldn't be able to do this. Knowing me I would agree to anything..lol

Wonder if I will have to remove the shelving units on the walls ? Hmmm!!!

Am returning again like the prodigal daughter...lol

Hiya, yep it's me. I really can't believe I haven't been on here since 2009 - how time flies when you are having fun NOT!!!!

I'm still stitching, I had lost my stitching mojo for a while but it finally came back.

Here's what I have been working on, on and off.. This isn't the most uptodate picture but it is one I have on the computer. Will post an uptodate one tomorrow.

Wow I do have a lot to update you all about..but I'm afraid that is going to have to be at a later date now I have decided that I am going to get back into my blog again.

What an evening....

Gods it has been the evening of all evenings. It all started at 6pm when I went to let the dogs out and realised that my eldest cat, Ollie, had been outside since I let him out at 3pm. Not so bad you would say, but this is a cat that only goes outside for 10 mins maximum a day. Poor lamb was not a happy chappy when he stomped indoors. I had to placitate him with a nice bowl of kitty biscuits. Although I imagine he has got my card marked tonight..I don't think he will be coming for his evening cuddle.

Later I went to put some stuff away in the cupboard and as I opened the door out fell an unopened glass bottle of extra virgin olive oil. Ack this went everywhere, all over the kitchen floor/the shopping in the cloth bag on the floor and my feet!! Oh what joy!! The floor got a complete and thorough mop over - it is looking really clean and sparkly and the added bonus is that it has had a feed of olive oil. Wouldn't be so bad if it was a cheap bottle but it wasn't..

Then to complete the disaster I found out that I had a sliver of the glass bottle in my foot, oh great!! So that was a bit of a messy job getting this out, but after a thorough wash my feet have now been totally moisturised with Olive Oil.

To top it all D came home early from work. I had totally forgotten he was at an client appointment in the afternoon so he would be on the early coach. Thankfully it was a Monday and it is stir fry day :-)

Oh and guess what? Asda boxed pizzas have shrunk!! The last pizza I had from them was the size of my dinner plate, well it actually went to the edge. This one is a good inch smaller all round.. Not far at all..

Think I will have an early night with my new book, "How to Clean Your Home FAST", tonight.

I'm back..

Hello campers, yep I have returned..lol. I hadn't forgotten about the blog I just kept forgetting to write in it..lol. So as part of my new regime I am going to be a good blogger and try and keep this blog as uptodate as much as possible. Yeah I know my life can be rather boring, but hey it's my life and I like it..

Wednesday's witterings..

Ugh it's 6.15am and I'm wide awake for some reason. It also seems two cats are wide awake too!! D goes off to work in the icy weather - the two dogs go back to sleep and the cats start chasing each other around the house, it sounds like a herd of elephants so I dread to think what it sounds like to the neighbours.

Well at long last the decorating, in the lounge, is finished - bless D, it has only taken him since March of last year!! Now I've got to deep clean the carpet and empty one of the dressers, and then put stuff back to where it belongs that I packed up before we started decorating. Although I might just send everything that is in the boxes down to the charity shop in town.

Also the kitchen is almost finished now. P put all the units in for us, although we did have a dilemma when the new F/F arrived - it wouldn't fit in the alcove allowed!! So P had to cut the worktop down a bit, after it was fitted, to accomodate the fridge freezer but it was definately worth it. For some reason the kitchen now looks bigger, how I don't know as there are more units than the old kitchen. All that's left is to paint the walls, make the curtain blinds and curtains and then strip the floor and relay the new one.

Thankfully the really cold weather spell has gone, it's finally normal temperatures. My poor little house couldn't keep up with the temperature even though we had the heating on 24 hours. I wish I had got a fancy fire fitted during the redecoration of the living room but you can't have everything can you? Still hopefully we won't get weather like that for awhile.

Ooooh something strange happened after Christmas - a couple of the children I was in my childrens home with, back in 1984, got in touch with me. I hadn't heard from them for 25 years - weird!!! But it was good as I found out one of them only lives 5 miles away from me - now how weird is that?

I met up with T the other friday and it was fantastic - those 25 years just disappeared and we chatted for England over lunch at her place. It was a shame to have to say goodbye. But the good news is that we are going to make it a regular thing to meet up, well there's no excuse really is there as she only lives up the road from me.

Also I've been talking to L as well, from the childrens home, so we hope to meet up as well.

How weird is this, last year it was my old friends from my old school that got in touch, this year it's my old childrens home - what will it be next year???

Oh well better get dressed so I can get to Asda early - need to pick up the ingredients for dinner tonight - Balsamic glazed lamb chops with asparagus and mash, mmmm!!!

Has it really been that long...

Yikes I just checked the last time I updated this blog and realised it was September..eeeps!!! What the heck happened to the time?, it seems to have flown by.

Well not a lot has happened really, we've been on holiday to Dorset in a lovely cottage, in a lovely little village called Burton Bradstock. Amycat has turned 9yrs and Jetty (dog) is fast approaching his 5th birthday (20th December). My health has been up and down like a yoyo, had a bad bout of flu about 6 weeks ago which left me with a terrible cough that I just couldn't shift, and still can't. I've now got a horrible cold/bug/lurgy thing that is dragging me down..ugh!!!

The living room has finally been decorated after D started it back in March of this year, and I have my new kitchen that I have waited 16 years for. Although that didn't come with it's problems - various leaks in the sink area, kitchen units not turning up on time and then when they did arrive we got two lots (kind of like a buy one get one free!). They had lost our original order, it had got lost in transit somewhere so they sent a replacement kitchen and lo and behold when that was delivered the original kitchen was delivered as well..oh joy!!!

I am now looking forward to next year being a little bit uneventful..

Nothing worth writing about so here you go:

a meme, that I borrowed off of Belinda. Hope you don't mind hon..

What is in the back of your car?  A couple of plastic reusable bags, a road atlas, a jacket and a pair of shoes.
Name one person that made you smile today? My two cats while they were playing chase with each other this morning.
What where you doing at 8am this morning? I was still asleep :-(
What were you doing 45 minutes ago? Reading emails and watching t.v. with DH.
What is your favorite candy bar? Green and Black's White Chocolate.
Have you ever been to a strip club? No
What is the last thing you said aloud? No Jet!
What is the best ice cream flavor? Vanilla.
What was the last thing you had to drink? A cup of tea.
What are you wearing right now?Skirt, t-shirt and a cardigan.
What was the last thing you ate?Roast turkey, cabbage, carrots and peas.
Have you bought any new clothing items this week? Nope.
When was the last time you ran? I can't remember :-(
The last sporting event you watched? The 2009 Olympics on t.v.
What is your favorite flavor of popcorn? Toffee
Who is the last person you sent a comment/message on my space? I don't do myspace I'm afraid.
Ever go camping?I have only been once when I was a teenager - never again. I prefer my home comforts!!
Do you take vitamins daily? Yes
Do you go to church every Sunday? Nope.
Do you have a tan? Nope.
Do you like Chinese food over pizza? I like both, obviously not together though.
Do you drink your soda with a straw? Only when I make an ice-cream cola float, then you have to drink it with a straw!!
What did your last text message say?"Thinking of you" from me and Peanut!
Are you some-one's best friend?Yes, I would like to think she thinks of me as her best friend.
What are you doing tomorrow? Posting a couple of parcels, putting some more fuel in the car, baking a cake and some ironing.
Look to your left, what do you see?My dog Bear fast asleep on the sofa next to me and DH in the armchair.
What color is your watch? Pink strap with a silver oblong face.
What do you think of when you think of Australia? Kangaroos, Neighbours and Home and Away - I know Sad!!
Do you use chap stick? Yep
What is your birthstone? Amethyst.
What is your favorite number? 11
Do you have a dog? I have two, Jet who is a border collie cross and Bear who is a foxhound cross.
Last person you talked to on the phone? My best friend N.
Have you met anyone famous? Noel Edmonds when I was younger. He was opening a BP garage near where I live.
Any plans today? Today is almost over so I don't have any plans for the rest of the day.
How many states have you lived in? No states, but I have lived in three counties.
Ever go to college? Yep.
Do you dye your hair? Yes, I have gold and copper highlights put in every three months or so.
Biggest annoyance in your life right now? Trying to sort out my mother's will - she has been dead nearly 2 years now.
Last song listened to? Doctors Orders by Jane McDonald.
Can you say the alphabet backwards? Nope.
Do you have a maid service clean your house? Gods I wish..
Are you jealous of anyone? Nope, not that I know of.
Is anyone jealous of you? Couldn't say, although a couple of people have said they know of someone who is jealous of my life..not sure how true this is though.
Do you love anyone? Yes
Do any of your friends have children? Yes
Do you eat healthy? I try to.
What do you usually do during the day? It depends on the day and what it brings, it could be anything from housework to cooking to going into town, or even visiting friends.
Do you hate anyone that you know right now? Nope, hate is a strong emotion to deal with, and very negative. I feel sorry for a couple of people though.
Do you use the word 'hello' daily? Yes.
What color is your car? Green, and DH's is Silver.
Have you ever been to Six Flags? Don't even know what Six Flags is.
Do you like cats? Yes, especially as I have two of my own.
How did you get your worst scar? I came off my bike when I was 16 and cycling down a hill in Strood, near the station. I braked too hard and went rolling over the handlebars. I have a nasty scar on my knee where the gravel went in and they couldn't get it out. As the other knee has the same thing too.

A - Z of Homemaking..

I borrowed this little meme from Somerset Seasons blog.

A ~Aprons--y/n.  If y, what does your fav. look like? Oh definately yes, I am a sucker for a preety apron! My favourite is a 100% cotton one which is white with small pink rosebuds on.

B ~ Baking--Favorite thing to bake? Lemon drizzle cake, chewy oaty cookies - basically anything that is good old traditional food.

C ~ Clothes line? Yep, I just bought a new one a couple of months ago funnily enough, a pink whirly line, and an indoor airer, which I have literally just bought as my other one was too small. The new one takes about 4 loads of washing...

D ~ Donuts--Have you ever made them? Nope although I have often thought about making them.

E ~ Everyday--One homemaking thing you do everyday? I am forever feeding cats or dogs, well it seems like that..lol. And trying out new recipes for D to try when he gets home from work.

F ~ Freezer--Do you have a separate deep freeze? I have a chest freezer which is full, and an upright freezer which is also full!! I am also planning on getting a fridge/freezer when my kitchen is done soon - woah that means I will have 3 freezers..eeps!!

G ~ Garbage Disposer? I compost the veggie peelings, flowers etc, recycle anything that can be recycled - the rest gets put out for the bin men once a fortnight.

H ~ Handbook--What is your favourite homemaking resource? I don't have ak favourite book I tend to use several that I constantly refer to - Kim and Aggie's Cleaning Bible, Home Comforts are just two of them. Plus I use the internet too.

I ~ Ironing--Love it or Hate it? Or hate it but love the results? Well I don't hate it but I don't do it as often as I should do, but I absolutely love seeing everything all freshly ironed when it does get done :-)

J ~ Junk Drawer--y/n? Where is it? Ooops now my guilty secret is out - I have one in every room!!

K ~ Kitchen--color and decorating scheme. At the moment it is a delapitated white kitchen with falling apart units, but as of next month it will be brand new. I am going for a white shaker design, chrome sink, black worktops and pink and white accessories :-)

L ~ Love--what is your favorite part of homemaking? The whole keeping house, cooking etc..

M ~ Mop--y/n? No, kitchen floor is too small.ds

N ~ Nylons, machine or hand wash? I prefer to machine wash my clothes where possible.

O ~ Oven--do you use the window or open the oven to check? The oven is a double oven which has windows both doors.

P ~ Pizza--What do you put on yours? BBQ chicken, pineapple, ham and roasted onions.

Q ~ Quiet--What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment? Sit at the dining table with a cup of tea watching all the birds feeding in my garden.

R ~ Recipe Card Box--y/n? What does it look like? Nope, I have several recipe books instead which I constantly refer to.

S ~Style of house--What style is your house? 1970's semi detached house in a small close where everyone knows each other.

T ~ Tablecloths or Placemats? Depends what mood I am as to whether I use a tablecloth, but I definately use placements.

U ~ Under the kitchen sink--organized or toxic wasteland? Kind of organised but could be improved on, but definately non-toxic. i have got rid of all the chemical cleaners and use all natural homemade ingredients - bicarbonate of soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, borax and washing soda crystals.

V ~ Vacuum--How many times per week? Every other day - upstairs one day then downstairs the other day. Have to do it like this as we have two dogs and two cats.

W ~ Wash--How many loads of laundry do you do per week? Normally one a day, sometimes two - and there's only two of us!!

X's--Do you keep a daily list of things to do that you cross off? I have to otherwise I forget what needs doing. Even my DH emails me a list of things that I have mentioned to him that need doing, when he gets to work in the mornings.!!

Y ~ Yard--y/n? Who does what? We have a garden as it's the UK, but it's a joint thing although DH mows the lawn and trims the bushes/trees/shrubs. I plan what plants we are going to put in where, I am also in charge of the vegetable area. But the garden is being redesigned over the winter and I am in charge of this most definately..lol

ZZZ's--what is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed? Wash up the cups from our pre-bedtime drink, pick up odds and ends around the living room, put the dogs toys away in their box and just generally a quick plump up of cushions.

It's time to say goodbye to my 20yr old cat..

Yesterday I had to make a heartbreaking decision, and one I was hoping I wouldn't have to make. Sadly my darling 20yr old cat Smudge is telling me that it is time for her to pass over to Rainbow Bridge. She hasn't been ill or anything, which is what is making it really hard.

I noticed yesterday that she wasn't eating as quickly as she normally does, and was looking a bit thinner but nothing unusual. Anyway she was creating for me to let her out the front door in the morning, so I let her out and she trotted off to lay in her favourite spot - under my small willow bush. This was at 10am, and by 2pm I hadn't heard anything from her - normally she creates for me to let her in. I went out to investigate and found her lying on the grass looking rather the worse for wear. She was drooling, her eye was weeping big time and she had literally lost what weight she did have. You could see her pelvis bone and shoulder bones. I carried her in and bathed her as best as I could, bless her she never even grumbled at me. That was when I knew something was wrong big time.

I managed to get her to eat a wee bit of food, but not a lot as she couldn't open her mouth on one side too well. She then asked me to let her outside in the back garden, so off she went into her favourite spot out there - the herb garden - to lay down. She loves it there and she is also close to her sister Barney, who died 3 years past and is buried there. I am so thankful it was a nice day yesterday otherwise she wouldn't have been able to go outside. Anyway I went to get her in after an hour as she was just laying there. Got her to eat something, once more and then layed her down in the living room.

After a heart wrenching phone call with DH, who was at work, I had to make the decision to let my darling cat go. So a phone call was made to the vet and an appointment was made for today at midday.

We've had a peaceful night with her, but on closer inspection this morning it appears that she has had a stroke and is paralysed down one side of her face. She cannot close one eye, it is wide open and fully dilated, and can not take food down as she is having difficulty opening her mouth to take food in. The stroke hasn't affected her walking though as she still bunny hops up the stairs, but unfortunately she hasn't been to the toilet for two days now - well she did have a little wee yesterday.

The weird thing is that my normally grumpy, cantankorous cat is happy for me to lay her in my arms and rock her.

It's also weird that the other cats in the house have left her alone the past 24 hours, even the dogs have been keeping away from her. It's funny too that none of the other animals are playing - normally the younger dog likes to play with his toy all the time he is awake but he hasn't even been doing that.

While I am typing this my younger cat is curled up with me, as though she is trying to offer me some comfort. And the old girl is wandering around aimlessly..

I know I am doing the right thing, especially when I saw my DH this morning before he headed off to work. I have only seen him cry once over an animal, and that was when his beloved dog died 5 years ago. But he was sobbing his heart out while getting ready for work..

Trouble is it doesn't make it any easier as I have had Smudge since she was 8 weeks old and she is now 20 years old. But I know I am doing the right thing and now she can be with her sister Barney, my other cat Fred, my dog Patch and my mum. So today I am making the hardest choice and having her put to sleep rather than see if there is anything we can do regarding the stroke. I want her to go with some dignity rather than prolong her life. Doesn't make it any easier as I am a physical wreck at the moment and have been for over 24 hours now.. :(

An early start this morning - got up at 6am when Jet bounced on me while I was sleeping. Oh the joys of having dogs :-)

Had a productive weekend although I didn't do anything on Saturday except finish my needleroll piece. That is now ready to be posted to my partner for the exchange.

D spent the day at Kemsley Light Railway. I should have used the day productively but well I didn't :-) I caught up on sleep..

Ack just had to move the living room chair. Amycat is playing with her playmouse and somehow batted it under the chair. Ooops now she is annoying Ollie by jumping on the chair where he is sleeping, patting him and jumping off. She'll get battered by him if she isn't careful, then Jet will want to join in. Oh fun and games lol!!

Sunday was spent pottering in the morning and then D and I watched the closing ceremony of the Olympics. I will admit I got quite emotional, especially when they handed the flag over to our Mayor of London - Boris Johnson. I also sniffed when the flame went out. Gods I'm getting sofe in my old age!!

After watching the party in London, on the t.v. I persuaded D to book tickets to go and see We Will Rock You in London for next month. Got a good deal on the tickets too, so that pleased him. He has been wanting to see this since it came to London 7 years ago. I just haven't been able to face London - well I thought I would bite the bullet so to speak. This will be my first trip to a show since 10 years ago - oooh scary!! I haven't been on a train for over 15 years - ooh that should be fun!. Still it will be worth it to see the concert, and D will be happy. That's the main thing :-)

Then in the evening D and I sat and watched "The Simpsons Movie" on one of the movie channels. We laughed all the way through.

Monday was a Bank Holiday here in UK and it was a typical Bank Holiday - iffy weather!!

N spent the day with us as it was her wedding anniversary and I didn't want her to spend it on her own. She would have only sat at home brooding on why her marriage ended with no warning last year. So she came to us instead.

I must admit I spent a manic couple of hours in the morning tidying and cleaning the house before I picked her up at midday. I was shattered before the day had even started :-)

Picked N up at midday, went to Asda for the potatoes I somehow forgot to get with the shopping Friday evening. Dropped D's prescription off and then come home to two bouncy dogs and a nice clean and tidy house. Although it didn't last as D clumped in grass from where he had been cutting grass outside, and the dogs took all their toys out of their box, and bedding, and just proceeded to make a mess everywhere. Why do I bother :-)

After a late lunch of homemade fish pie, we settled down to watch our Olympic athletes arrive home on the t.v. It was emotional watching, especially when they all posed for a photo wearing their medals. Team GB had got 47 medals - it was the most we had got in a fair while. Now we until 2012 to get our athletes to top form to beat this when we host the next Olympics.

Drove N home at about 6.30pm, stayed for a chat and a cuppa and got home just before 9pm.

D and I both had a reasonably early night as we were shattered, plus he had to get up for work at 4.45am in the morning - ugh!!

Have to make some of my cherry cookies today as D will be taking them into work tomorrow. So think I shall make some wholemeal rolls too, as the breadmaker is still out and the oven will be in use.

Must remember to defrost some stewing steak for tomorrow. I fancy making a steak and ale pie for tea tomorrow. Might also make a coconut cake seeing as the oven will be on today. Oooh I have sultanas in stock, might add some of them too :-)

Have a couple of loads of washing to do, plus some ironing that needs doing today.

Just watched Mrs Dove have her morning bath :-) She looked like she was having fun.

Oh all the birds have scattered - I think next doors cats have been let for the day. That'll please Olliecat. He has taken a dislike to all 3 of them for some reason. He'll be sitting indoors behind the babygate making his presence known. Smudge doesn't mind them and Amycat just stays away from the door. She likes to watch them from the back bedroom windowsill.

Blugh day..

Horrible miserable wet day and I think my mood matched it. Amd I glad i did the housework yesterday. Definately not in the mood for it today.

Some more sad news on the news - a horrific plane crash in Madrid with 150 passengers killed. Some were children, others holiday makers. It's apparently on the same scale as the Lokherbie Air disaster many years ago. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones in this crash.

The rest of the day passed with nothing eventful happening.

Life is so strange..

Had a late start to the morning, which was nice.

Sat and watched The Matthew Wright Show while eating a late breakfast. Checked emails, wraote a brief begging email to D at work.

Then found oud the sad news that Adrian from Baldy's Blog had passed away. This was sad as I didn't realise he was so close, although readers of his blog knew it was going to happen, just not so soon. Although I have never had the priveledge of meeting Adrian I felt like I knew him from reading his blog. He had campaigned relentlessly for a bone marrow campaign. Sadly he wasn't able to benefit from this. This is so much more hard hitting for me as I have a very close friend who suffers from a rare blood cancer and everything Adrian writes/wrote about in his blog, my friend has been through all this. Obviously I hope my friend doesn't go the way Adrian did as I have already lost one friend to cancer - can I cope with another friend dieing?

After a few quiet momements I decided to make some home made bread. I dragged the bread machine out of storage, cleaned it and put the mix into cook. Mmmmm had a lovely smell of baking bread around the house.

While the bread was cooking I did the housework and popped out for a bit of shopping at Asda.

Checked email, had lunch then did some stitching.

Early evening A popped round for a coffee and a chat. She caught me with my head in the Dyson. One of the cats toy mice had got sucked up the dyson while hoovering, so I had to get that out from underneath. Thankfully it didn't take too much effort. Said toy is now back in the middle of the living room.

If it's not the dogs trying to kill/maim me with their toys in odd places it's the cats - lol I had forgotten what it was like having youngish cats - mayhem when they aren't asleep.

Did a nice toad in the hole for dinner, had a lovely chat about getting older with N. Then settled down to watch t.v. with D. No late night cooking tonight.

A pottering we will go..

Woke up at 5.30am coughing, and try as hard as I could I just couldn't get to sleep. Then the dogs figured out that I was awake so I had to get up in the end. I think D is beginning to wonder if he is ever going to eat his breakfast in peace again.. Probably doesn't help that I didn't really stop pottering about when I was up. Cat tray needed emptying, washing put on, D's breakfast things to wash up, two cats wanted feeding - Amycat didn't bother to get up though!!

Waved goodbye to D as he headed off to work and I then sorted out my repeat prescription to take to the Doctors. I then decided to drive to the surgery to pop it into the post box outside the surgery. Not many people around at that time of the morning!!

It was a pleasant drive, even though it is only 5 mins away.

Stopped and watched the old sow in the farm along the route. I don't normally see her when I am going there for eggs, she's normally fast asleep in her shelter. The geese, goats and chickens were all feeding, so I guess the farmer hadn't long fed them.

I then sat and watched the rabbits playing in one of the fields. Then as I was driving back noticed the grouse were out in the hay fields. Wow never realised there was so much wildlife activity, in all the fields, at this time of the morning.

Then as the crematorioum was open I poppedto say hi to Mum and dead head her rose bush. Saw a few other people in there too - perhaps they pop in on the way to work.

Then it was time to drive home to get a cup of tea, and breakfast of cereal of warm milk.

After breakfast I tackled the mound of ironing that I had sorted out yesterday.

Think I will do a bit of baking later - I am going to have a go at Jenny's boiled fruit cake, plus some cherry oat cookies.

Didn't do the cooking unfortunately, I ended up doing some more on my needleroll exchange piece while watching a weepy film on t.v. Still it was a nice enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

In the evening after dinner and while D was walking the dogs I decided to make those cherry oat cookies. So there I was at 9.30pm baking, and I took the last batch out of the oven at 10.30pm. Still they come out lovely and we had a couple with our bedtime drink.

A Day in my Life posted a day late..

We are celebrating again this month with dear Jenny. If you would like to participate, here is where the details are posted on her blog. Here is my post for yesterday :-)

Another early start - Bear woke up at 5am just as D was getting in the shower, so I had to get up and let him out. Then Jet woke up so of course he had to go out as well. I've decided I might as well get up with D in the week, that way the dogs are happy and don't come and wake me up. If I start getting tired I can always catnap on the sofa during the afternoon.



So anyway as I was up I put a load of washing on, watered my veggies. I didn't go out and water the veggies at the front as I only had a short nightie on.

Ollie managed to sneak past me as I went to water out back. The little horror - but thankfully he came back in after 15minutes. It was too early for him, not much wildlife for him to stalk!!



I did pick my first two courgettes (zucchinis) from my courgette plant. They are only small but kind of cute. I think I'll use them in a courgette cake.

Managed to dry the load of washing inbetween the showers but unfortunately the bedding washing I had to drape indoors. Ironed the rest of the washing in basked and added another 5 shirts to D's work clothes. He must have enough shirts for every day for a month when they are all ironed!!

Oh we had a mini emergency here today - Amycat got out over the baby gate at the back door again!! She must have sneaked out while I was putting the washing out. I didn't notice until I went to feed some kibble the cats and only Smudge and Ollie turned up. Didn't really think anymore of it, checked upstairs but couldn't find see Amy but that's nothing new as she likes to sleep in strange places.

Anyway about 2ish as I was just locking up the back door I heard Amycat out in the garden. She was just scrambling the fence between me and neighbours. What a shock I got as I wasn't expecting to see her out there. She wouldn't come in though just went and hid under the currant bush and mewing for me to get her. Just that everytime I went near her she mewed and buried deeper underneath the bush. In the end I left her, come indoors and sat at the table. I think she realised I wasn't playing so she came running in mewing. She then went upstairs where she got plenty of fussing from me and a bashing from her brother Olliecat!!

The rest of the afternoon was spent pottering around the house picking up and generally tidying up.

Decided to take advantage of the library being open late on Thursdays and popped in to change my books. Had a lovely chat with one of the assistants in there, think they are getting to know me now as I am a regular, plus I am forever reserving stuff on the net and then going into collect piles of books at once.

As I was driving home caught up with D walking along the road, after he had got off the coach. I really didn't realise it was that late..oops!! We both arrived home at the same time!

I then cooked a lovely meal of lamb steaks in balsamic vinegar with a herb crust, courtesy of Aldi. With new potatoes and
green beans. Mmmm it was scrummy if I say so myself :-)

I think it's Thursday.

Had a disturbed night in the early hours of this morning. About midnightish the heavens opened and then we had the most horrific storm. I've not heard one like that for a good while. The lightening was so bright it was dazzling, and the actual thunderstorm was rather loud. It was actually two thunderstorms merging into each other. Why can't I have a camera handy at times like this, oh yeah I forgot I don't make it a habit to take the camera to bed with me..

I had a very frightened Amycat, who everytime it thundered would shoot off the bed and hide in the hallway. When it had stopped she came back until another clap of thunder. Jet barked at the thunder and Bear just grumbled at it. Only Smudge and Olliecat didn't seem bothered!! Eventually after two hours it was just raining and I could finally settle down to sleep. Only to be woken up again at 5am with a pounding headacheA. So I decided to get up and potter around the house, see D off to work and do some washing up - exciting eh?

Looking out at the garden a few things needed tidying up. The tomatoes are growing nicely and the peppers are a lovely size. I've even got a couple of cucumbers starting to grow.

The rhubarb is taking over again even though I picked a good 10oz to freeze the other day. I think it likes the pot I planted it in.

Need to weed the front garden and cut back my Salix and Angels Trumpet plant as it is getting harder to walk past them, down the front path, again.

A semi lazy day today after spending a good 2 hours decluttering the main bedroom yesterday. What with a major decluttering of the living room on Monday, and I mean a major decluttering, I'm shattered. The only trouble is I can't find my slippers!!


When A gets back of her holidays next and pops over for a cuppa she won't recognise the place.

Tomorrow is decluttering the kitchen - shouldn't be too bad as the main cupboards were done recently. Panning around I couldn't believe how many people had trampolines in their gardens. I even found someone who had a swimming pool. D wanted to check out our holiday destination - oooh looks nice and villagy. Even looks like there is a farm opposite our cottage.

Life and all that!!

Nice leisurely lie in followed by a leisurely day. Wanted to put the washing out but after listening to a weather forecast I had decided not to. But boy do I wish I had in the end as it actually turned out a gorgeous day in the end. The washing ended up being hung up around the house. That's the last time I listen to a weather forecast, I think I shall just stick my head out the window in the end!!

D did a bit more of the living room wall and I packaged up some of my nic-nacs in a box ready to move the dresser in the morning.

The living room is looking a bit minimalistic - still less dusting for me!!

The dogs were fast asleep most of the day but boy did we know it when they woke up. They were litle horrors, plus it had cooled down which makes it worse for us. Two dogs running around chasing each other is definately something you want to stay out of the way of!!

Spent the evening watching an "Evening of Dad's Army 40 Years Old" on BBC2.

An early start yet again !!

Up early this morning. The boys jumped all over the bed at 5.30am waking me up. So there was nothing for it but to get up. Even Olliecat was up and about. He sat and watched the wildlife with me.

We had a good weekend this past weekend. On Saturday we drove over to Sutton Valence to pick up D's new car. He is really pleased with it - you could almost see him grinning when he drove it. And me being me had to fiddle with all the buttons - well a girl has to know what the car does..lol

I really wanted to get myself a new car while we were picking up D's one. I really am going to have to chase up Mum's money now and get it all sorted.

Then on Sunday we went to D's parents as D's brother C was there and our niece T had come down with him. Blimey she's a livewire, she has so much energy for a 9yr old. It's exhausting watching her

We all went out for a meal at a restaurant that we had been to before. The food was nice but the service left a lot to be desired. Trouble is I think the owners had tried to change the running of this restaurant but it wasn't quite working. But it was a nice meal and we all had a laugh.

Spent the afternoon back at D's parents and got totally exhausted watching T playing in the garden with D and C. T didn't even stop talking when we all sat down for tea. It was lovely to see T but boy I don't think I could have her full time .

The animals didn't seem to notice that we had gone for the day. I was a bit worried as we are dog sitting my friend S's dog Beth. But my worries were unfounded - all the dogs and cats slept all the time we were out. Although it was bedlam when we did get indoors - Bear and Jet bouncing around and Beth jumping around the dogs. She's a lovely dog and considerably smaller than my two. The cats aren't bothered at all by Beth being here, in fact Olliecat is being even more of a little sod. He loves nothing more than sitting on the living room window sill and staring at poor Beth. It's almost as if he's saying "it's my house and I have let you stay here". Daft cat!!

Tattybird was here again this morning. He was making sure the starlings didn't fly to the ground. He's getting very territorial over the garden now.

Thankfully the heatwave is supposed to break today according to the weather experts. I don't mind the heat it's the humidity that is too much to bear. Also the pets aren't happy either in the heat and the birds are really complaining too.

The plants are flourishing but that's probably because I am wathering them eveyr day in the evening and morning as well. They could do with a good dose of rain though.

Dead headed my roses and various other plants this morning, checked the baby pumpkins are growing okay. Hopefully they won't get munched on.

Picked a nice bunch of rhubarb from the plant outside, which I will make into a pie to freeze.

Popped to Asda for a couple of things but didn't stay long, it is too hot outside and definately too hot for driving. My little car doesn't have the luxury of air conditioning like D's car.

Caught up with the second half of the BBC Proms Dr Who special. The first half we were listening to while driving to D's parents, and didn't hear the 2nd half. I did my ironing to it while blasting the surround sound out. Thoroughly enjoyed it and it certainly made the time ironing pass quicker.

A quiet day..22 July 2008

Had a very quiet Monday - I think the weekend/Friday was catching up with me.

Weather was glorious but I didn't take advantage of it. Afraid I spent the whole day either sleeping or watching Big Brother on t.v.

So today was a better day. An early start and the bed stripped, bedding washed and hung out on the line. Then a nice cup of tea while watching the wildlife and planning my day ahead.

Mr and Mrs Dove came and had a bath in the bird bath and Tattybird popped in the garden during the morning.

Sunday 20th July

The reunion on Friday evening went really well. I had spent the afternoon with N chatting and watching t.v. Before we knew it, it was time to get ready for the reunion.

We left at 7pm to go and pick up and old school friend who was going to the reunion as well. We got to the pub at 7.45pm and met up with several other old school friends. It was great to catch up with everyone. Finally the stragglers arrived and we had a full compliment of 18 from the "Class of 84". After a couple more drinks we all moved down to the S's 40th birthday celebrations at Palm Cottage down the road from the pub. A lot of dancing, drinking and general chatting was done by all.

It was so weird seeing everyone after 24 years. Obviously we had all aged - but one of the group still looked exactly the same. You could definately tell who it was I, where some of the others you had to think about who they were. The really weird thing was that the girls that had bullied me at school were so friendly, although I think they had been drinking a fair bit. Actually I got on better with them than the girls I was friends with at school. Strange how time changes things. N got chatting to her ex K nearly all evening - or let's just say he was very attentive to her. Shame my ex R never showed up, he must have bottled it!!

Then all too soon we got booted out of the club and all staggered down to the local nightclub. That was an experience for me - my first time in a nightclub. Don't think it will be my last either if a couple of the girls have their way later on in the year. Who would have thought it - 40 and clubbing!!

I left the club at 1.30am so N and I walked back to Palm Cottage to pick my car up. Drove back to N's for a cuppa and a late night chat. Finally got home at 3am. Then to bed only to annoy D by being so bouncy. I wanted to keep talking, I must have eventually fallen asleep though!!

Saturday I felt like I had been up all week and I hadn't been drinking either, but my head was pounding. Thankfully D went out early to take his car to be serviced in Maidstone. I must have fallen asleep as next thing I knew D was back home with a courtesy car. Thankfully I was feeling more human by then :-)

At about 1ish we went to pick uphis car and price up a new Citreon C1. Funnily enough I preferred the C2 Cachet. So we took one out for a test drive. I loved it - it was a gorgeous car to drive. So guess what - 3 hours after going to pick up D's old car he had signed, sealed and bought a brand new Citreon C2 Cachet in silver. He wasn't intending on doing this just I kind of talked him into :-) We will be collecting it in a weeks time all being well.

And when mums comes through I am going to treat myself to a new Citreon C1. I fell in love with this one, but I will go for a 1.4 instead as I am used to a 1.4 and I don't want to drop engine size.

So all in all Saturday was a hectic day.

Sunday was more sedate thankfully. We only popped out to buy the paint and bird food/seed from our new Wilkinsons in Sittingbourne.

Came home, filled the feeders up and watched the bird population re-appear in our garden.

Also my mouse family are back - Mr and Mrs Mouse were spotted on the peanuts in the evening. I have no idea where they have been but they are back.

And we have a new resident - a blackbird. I think he is a semi-grown one but looks so tatty. We have called him "Tattybird" and he has been around a bit.

I have 4 pumpkins growing which I am pleased about. I am worried abou the courgette plants - the leaves are turning yellow. Will have to keep an eye on them. Everything else is doing really well amongst the veggies :-)

Made a start on Shepherds Bush "Baby Bug Ball" while watching t.v. tonight. Got confused with the colours though, as they are so close together. Will have to sort them again tomorrow in the daylight, either that or phone B to see if she can help me sort them out.

D came home with his new Blackberry which he got from work, so I aquired his old one. Now I have to sort out a new sim card for it as he has to take the original card. Also I have to sort out a wireless network so I shall be exploring Virgin Media's package for phone.

Tuesday 15th July 2008

5.50am - another early start this morning. Yep the dogs woke me up again, so I had to get up to let them out in the garden. Then poor Jet wouldn't come in so I had to go out and get him in. He was fine until he got to the back door then he heard the smoke alarm charging up. Well that was funny, if anyone could've seen me - I had to get behind Jet and physically push him on his rump. Okay if he was a smaller dog but not a 3stone collie!!! He eventually got indoors and then proceeded to play with his ball as though there was nothing wrong - daft mutt!!

It was the Kent County Show at the weekend so we along and took N with us as well. We got their nice and early and somehow we managed to bypass the traffic going up the A249 by going off the Bredhurst turn off. We parked in a back carpark and we actually got near the entrance which was a bonus. The weather was fantastic - not too hot and not too cold. And the crowds were minimal. I think most people thought they would go on Sunday when it was supposed to be hotter. We ended up spending a good 5 and a half hours there before we left. I treated myself to a gorgeous handmade mouse doorstop. I also got some more of my aprons that I like - I think D has given up with me and aprons. At this rate I'll soon have one for each day of the week and some extra days. I was then drawn to a beautiful crystal stone called "Goldstone" which I treated myself to.

Yesterday was mum's 61st birthday so I took some lillies up to the crematorium and put them on her plot. I also tidied up her rose bush and cut a couple of budding rose blooms to put in a wee vase home here.



I can't believe this is the 2nd birthday that Mum isn't here. It really doesn't seem possible that she has been gone nearly 2 years this coming November.

I did notice, while I was at the crematorium, that I am the only one that visits mum and takes flowers. I thought this last year when it was her one year anniversary but dismissed it. But yesterday just made me realise if I didn't go up there she would have no visitors. So much for all her friends and relatives - they can't even be bothered. And they do know where she is as I sent out letters telling her friends and family. Oh well just goes to show we may have had a bad past together, yet I don't forget her up there at the crematorium. I find I can be close to her when I am there - if she only knew!! For all my faults, according to her when she was alive, I'm the one that is there for her. None of the rest of the family and her friends seem to care. I think it's a case of "out of sight, out of mind" for them. As they say "There's nowt as queer as folk" and this is so true!.

Mr and Mrs Dove have been down for their morning bath, and Mrs Thrush has been snail bashing by the front door outside.

Still no sign of my mouse family thought :-( Lots of baby sparrows though - I love to see them in the garden waiting for their parents to finish feeding so they can feed next.

Beer in ale for dinner tonight, with plum pie afterwards. The beef went in the slow cooker not long after D left at 6.30am. And I shall use the plums that have been ripening off in the fruit bowl Plenty of sugar, a cinammon stick and lovely squishy plums all stewed together. Then homemade pastry to make the pie with.

I also want to make some cherry flapjacks, to make use of the oven while the pie is cooking.

The afternoon will be spent packaging up some parcels that need to be posted and then settling down with my stitching.