Updated blog template..

It still needs a bit of work, I am not too happy with the links colours but as yet I haven't found a colour that suits.. I am working on it.

As you can see this is what I have been up to while I was without my wireless connection. I stupidly broke my USB dongle thingy for the laptop and had to wait a couple of days before I could get myself up and running properly.

Can't say I did much stitching though, although I did sort out what I was going to be doing for the next exchange so that's something :-)

Hope you like the new template.. Any comments on how it can be improved would be appreciated :-)

Ugh, where's my bed..

For the first year since I can remember I have actually got a sickness bug during the time between Christmas and New Year. Woke up in the early hours of this morning choking and then unfortunately I then threw up everywhere, and I mean everywhere. Heck it must have been bad even D woke up and got me a drink..lol

Still feeling rather fragile and I intend on taking it easy, I have managed to keep some dried toast down but the yoghurt I just ate is definately showing signs of not wanting to stay put.. :-(

Today is definately going to be a slow and quiet day.

Just to wish everyone..

**A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year**

May 2007 bring you everything you wish for, I am certainly hoping it will be a better year for us at Chez Bears, well it cant get any worse can it..lol

I will be back after the holiday season..

Pics of flowers from Mum's funeral - pic intensive.

Finally I have got round to loading up the pictures of the flowers that were at Mums funeral. All in all she did really well for flowers :-)

I have had them out in the garden, laying on the patio, now for about 3 weeks and they have finally decided to die off. I think the frost has got them..lol I did managed to salvage a lot to put in vases around the living room over the past three weeks which has been nice. The last lot are on the windowsill for Christmas, so in some respect Mum will be with me over the Christmas period.

These are the flowers that I had made up for Mum and they went on top of the coffin...

How true this is..

how you feel about yourself now (The Magician) You feel a sense of purpose and the willpower to get things done. Self-empowerment is the key word here. Any new enterprises in love or career show great potential. You feel that you have the ability to think on your feet and, faced with opposition, the appearance of The Magician is an excellent omen of success. Time to believe in your self and go for it! what you most want at this moment (Justice) The cards suggest Natty, that what you most want at this time is for a fair and right outcome whether it concerns relationships or business affairs. You feel that you are in the right and that any decision or agreement to be made should be in your favour. your fears (The Moon) Lies and insecurity are likely to be prominent in your life at the moment, you are afraid of being deceived and feel that you are being misled. Trust your instincts and let them guide you away from those who may seem charming but are only out for their own gains. Your turbulent emotions are muddying the waters - step back and try to find clarity of mind, although this may seem difficult. The Moon does help to illuminate the way and don’t worry, it will turn out alright in the end. what is going for you (The Fool) This is an exciting time with much potential for fun and good times. Your confidence should be high, it's a great time for new possibilities. If you are considering leaving your job, home or relationship, in time you will. An unexpected desire will be fulfilled, even before you express it! what is going against you (The Lovers) Are you suffering in silence in an unhappy relationship or feeling very lonely? Do you have the courage to make the decision you really know you should make? You have a great sense of duty but are you happy? A difficult decision has to be made - have courage and you will achieve emotional happiness. outcome (Judgement) A time for taking stock, an end to an era or phase of your life and brand new opportunities appearing. An opportunity will present itself that must not be ignored and it could have far reaching implications, changing your life for the better. You will enjoy success and enjoyment for past efforts, events will pick up a pace and the outcome will be quicker than expected

Free Tarot Readings

Funeral over and done with now..life can get back to normal I hope..

Well mum is at peace now, and hopefully I can start living again. I have been in limbo for the past two weeks and am still feeling a bit like its not real but I am going to try and throw myself into the christmas period.

We are off to get the tree later this morning, once I have managed to drag myself into the shower, at either our local farm up the road or the local garden centre, bit miffed though as I think they have shut the craft section down so can't browse in there. But I can ooh and aaah over their christmas section, and hopefully buy our regular supply of fruit pies at Lime Tree pantry there

Went to Bluewater yesterday as I have just discovered Virgin Vie and I have fallen in love with their new perfume Fantasia..mmmm. DH said he would treat me to cheer me up after the last couple of weeks, and boy was I spoilt but I have to wait till Christmas to get the pressies..

It still feels weird as I only have one special card to buy this year now and thats for D. None for my nan or my mum..:( Might get a card to place where her ashes will be scattered in the churchyard up the road. Have to go to pick up mums’ ashes this afternoon, wow I can’t believe they are ready so soon, then have an appointment with the solicitor to sort out this darn will..ugh!!

And D is going to Gravesend on his own while I am in Gillingham, gods knows what he will end up buying..lol Hope everyone is doing okay..hopefully I can be around a bit more from next week onwards..

Thank you to everyone for your lovely comments over the past couple of week on mums' passing, they have been a tremendous comfort for me, and I have appreciated every single one of them..

Her passing was peaceful..

At 1.11am on the 23rd November 2006 my mother gave up her will to live. She was in no pain, she was not aware of what was happening and was heavily sedated, but it was a peaceful passing. I was at her side throughout, and was with her to the end. She saw me into this world 38 years ago, and 38 years later I saw her out of this world.

Rest In Peace Mum, I will always love you.

update on mum

Hospital just phoned, mum has deteriated overnight. Her kidneys have failed and she is now on dialysis as well as the other equipment keeping her alive.

The hopital say she has basically given up, she is not responding to any treatment at all. They have said it is now basically a waiting game.

My aunt is coming down from Newcastle tomorrow to be with me and we will see what happens.

Family crisis.

I have spent all of this evening at my local hospital in the ICU department. Unfortunately my mother was rushed into A&E today and was then immediately transferred to ICU. I didn't know until my Aunt T rang me with the news at 5pm today. Once I had found out where mum was, and D had come home from work we immediately went to the hospital where I found my mum in a very bad way. D left me there and came home to sort himself and the dogs out. I have only just got back in, it is now 1.45am and I am absolutely shattered.

Unfortunately she is unable to breathe on her own and is on a ventilator. The diagnosis sadly is pneumonia (sp!) and emphysema. This is due to the heavy smoking that she has done over the many years and refuses to give up. Sadly it looks like it is going to be the killer of her.

The prognosis is not very good, she has very badly damaged lungs and one is completely knackered and complete irrepairable. The Dr who is looking after her says she is in the best place, but unfortunately because of the damage and she seems to have given up the will to live that only time will tell. He said it could be days or weeks before she makes a recovery, if she recovers at all. The next 48 hours are critical, she may or maynot make it through this time. So I am having to steal myself for the inevitable.

Unfortunately my time will now be taken up with hospital visits as I am not leaving her there on her own. So that when I have got up and sorted everything out at home I will be spending my time in the ICU with mum.

Until time tells what is going to happen I am taking some time out and will not be around as much as I have been.

Please bear with me during this heartbreaking time for me and my mum. And any positive thoughts would be appreciated.

Posting and Royal Mail..

OOOOh this is different, Royal Mail have an online prepay stamp service. You can set up an account and add how much you want to credit your account with, then when you want to send something either abroad on in the UK you just type in the weight and where it is going to etc, then the details of who to and it works out the exact amount and then prints off a label, or whatever you are using with the amount and a barcode on. Well all I can say is it is going to make my life a lot easier as I can do this and get D to post all my letters in London now instead of me going to the post office in the village and crossing my fingers that whatever I am posting doesn’t go astray.

Three cheers for Royal Mail is all I am saying now..

Pay It Forward -

Ok I was avoiding this like the plague, not because I was being boring but because I was being all good and not getting into any more stitching that was not for me, well obviously exchanges dont count..lol But I have given in, as I knew I would...lol

The first five people to respond to this post (via the comments section) will get some form of “art” made by me. An original hand crafted item, utilizing one of my favorite mediums - stitching, stamping, beading, knitting etc.. I hope to tailor this to you and your likes, so after you comment, please email me your snail mail address (scruffybear004 at gmail dot com) along with your blog address (if you have one) and some information about your likes and dislikes across the board (not just stitching) as well as anything else that might help spark my creativity. Think of it as something to look forward to getting in the mail, although I refuse to put a deadline on this, so it may be a total surprise when it arrives. ;)

There is a catch, of course, the way this works is that if you sign up, you have to blog this as well and continue sharing.

I promise that I won’t take forever with this, but if you sign up, please don’t expect anything before 2007, out of respect for my Christmas stitching and other current obligations. Thanks and have fun!

The lion sleeps tonight..

I am hoping that tonight I can get a decent nights sleep, and that the pain doesnt keep me awake. I have dosed myself up with painkillers, my sleeping tablet and put plenty of cream on the offending article. So lets see if I actually make it through the whole night, or at least until D gets up for work tomorrow.

I also have plenty of painkillers to keep me going for at least another 4 days, as well as enough cream too.

I am supposed to be going to the Dr's on Wednesday for my annual smear test, but believe me with this pain at the moment, the last thing I really want is a bloody hard cold speculum thingy causing me more pain than necessary. So I think I am going to have to cancel the appointment. I might make a new appointment to see my Dr regarding the "grape" and see if he can help me, that's if the pain hasn't eased.

My mood ~~

Well that pain in my rear has a name now - piles!!! I am so not happy and in a lot of pain at the moment. I can't sleep, I can't sit comfortably, and I am dosed it with so many painkillers its unbelievable..grr!!

So it looks like a trip to the chemist tomorrow and then the Dr's first thing next week..ugh!!!

Oh Joy..

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The internet bloweth up..

Why is it that everytime it rains I lose my internet connection? I give up.. I have called Telewest out to sort this out and they replaced the cable from the junction box to my house so it isn't that. They tested my connection indoors and everything is fine here too.. So where is the problem? Why is it that when there is water on the ground the stupid thing disappears on me and I have to keep rebooting so many times I lose ..

Oh well looks like I will be calling Twest out again to see if we can sort this problem out yet again..

Why am I up..

Can someone please tell me why I have been up since 5am this morning? Now those that know me will know I DON'T do mornings.. Me and mornings do not agree, we have this silent agreement - I don't get up too early..lol

So why the heck have I been plodding around the house since D got up at 5am.? And what's even worse is that he went to work at 6.30am and I am still up. Admittedly I have been fallen asleep on the sofa, I can feel my head nodding..

The house is totally silent of animals, they are all snoring their little heads off in their respective beds. The cats are dotted around upstairs somewhere, and the two dogs are asleep on their duvets on the chairs. All I was hearing was the occasional whimper from one of the animals while they were sleeping, and the drone of the washing machine. Oh and mustn't forget the birds outside..I think they were enjoying being able to feed in the garden without being stared at by my horror cat Ollie..lol

Oh well one consolation of being up early is that the house looks nice and tidy, the washing up has been done, the meat is out for tonights dinner and the days washing has been done.

And I have also finished my ornament for the ornament exchange that I am in. So that can be posted off on Monday when D is at work. It will be early I know but I would rather it went early at this time of the year.

That's it for my exchanges this year, the next one doesn't have to go out till January :) Woohoo I am actually up to date, although I did have to send a replacement one out for the Spring/Autumn exchange as my original one seems to have got lost somewhere. Its probably stuck in customs or stuck in the preChristmas mail, well that's what Royal Mail said when I rang them up yesterday to see what could have possibly have happened to this package. This next package better not get lost, although I did get D to send it from his bank's post office and not send it from the village as I normally do.

Not a lot going on, so basically there isn't really anything to put on here. Wow don't I lead an exciting life..lol You know there must be some things that I can blog about, I cannot really not do anything with my life can I? Am I really that dull..  Oh wait, nope - I baked two lemon cakes this evening while cooking dinner. Exciting eh!!

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Ollie the great big hunter..

It seems that Ollie my 5yr old boy cat is turning out to be a bit of a hunter. After already managing to catch a bird the other day, although I don't know how he did it, he came running in this morning with a wee sparrow in his mouth. Oh what fun that was, he decided to run upstairs and sit on the middle landing step with it in his mouth. After a bit of time growling at D, he did manage to give it up, only for this bird to fly under the carpet piece we have on this step.. D did eventually get it after throwing a dirty teatowel over it, and gently picking it up. The poor little bird was still alive thankfully, but wasn't squawking, and Ollie didn't really seem that interested in it now it was moving around. D let went outside, and off it flew quite happily into the forsythia bush in the garden. So that was a happy ending thankfully :-)

Thank gods Ollie doesn't wander out of the garden or I dread to think what he would come home with..lol

testing

A post is just a post..

Afraid I have nothing of any interest to post at all. Today has been rather boring, nothing exciting has happened at Chez Bear's.

I am halfway through one of my exchanges, that doesn't need to be sent off until January, so I have had to put that to one side and finish the other exchange that I started early this morning to be sent off the first two days of December. I am hoping to send this through within the next fortnight so that it doesnt get caught up in the dreaded Christmas mail rush..

Jet and Bear are as happy as pigs in clover now they are together. Jet has settled down so much in the past 6 weeks, he is a totally different dog now. He even walks along happily on a dog harness instead of his halti that he used to wear.

I also took him round to a friends house the other day so we could socialise him with her husband, seeing as they are going to be looking after Jet anytime we go away for a day or so, or go on holiday. And Jet was fantastic, he took to R no troubles, although we did have a hiccup on the way out as I was going home, but we think that was just because he was on his lead. I took his lead off and he was fine again.. So I reakon a few more socialising sessions like this and he will be bouncing all over R.

Amy now eats downstairs with the other two cats, although halfway through you do have to move her food bowl up on the stairs half way up as she gets a bit panicky when the dogs have finished their food and start wandering around. But we are getting there with her now, the main thing is that she doesn't eat her food away from everyone now. And she also sleeps on D's lap at night now when he is watching the t.v, and often stretches out on the top of the armchair behind D's head.

So I think all in all Jet and Amy have settled into Chez Bear's house very well and without any troubles at all.

An eager beaver

I am obviously feeling a bit too eager over my exchange pieces that I have to do at the moment. I am happily doing two and thinking that they will both be finished by the end of this month. Well I checked to see when they have to be mailed off and one doesn't have to go till middle of December, but think that one can go out as soon as its finished so it doesn't get stuck in the Christmas post. But the other one doesnt have to go out till the first week in January..oops I am definately too eager..lol

Maybe I think I should do some of my own stitching for once..

An old cart horse..

Yep that's what I am now..lol

Went to the Dr's today to sort out why my pill isnt working properly. I wish I hadn't..lol

I have a new prescription for a new pill, but I also got the lovely news that at the grand old age of 38yrs I am going through an early menopause .. Ack!!  And there was me thinking that me feeling hot and cold, with no inbetween, was my medication..oh well!!

I told D on the phone when I got back, and instead of saying something soothing he came out with "ooh that will save the heating bills".. men!!! But I do know he was being soothing in his own way, although I did call him a few names..lol

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First robin of the winter..

Have seen our resident robin, well at least I think it's our resident one they all look alike. Anyway he has shown himself for the first time this winter, and boy is his breast a bright red colour this year. Where do they go in the summer though that you don't see them..hmmm

It officially feels like winter is here now that the robin is in the garden..

What happened to my good intentions today..

I was going to be a good girl and get all the housework done today, especially as upstairs really needs a major hoovering..hmm I think I have lost my "get up and go". Looks like it will be a mad stash and dash before D get's home from work.


Karen - a courgette is commonly known as a zucchini ..

Have been baking today..

Decided today that as it was a nice and crisp day I would do some winter baking, so I have made the following:

As our Asda was selling off pumpkins at 20p each this weekend we decided to buy a couple and here is the outcome:



Here's the receipe:

2 courgettes, trimmed and cut into chunks
1 red and and 1 yellow pepper, seeded and sliced
2 large tomatoes, sliced
1 red onion, peeled and sliced
2 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
4 tbsp olive oil
850ml/1 1/2 pints of vegetable stock
1 pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled, seeded and chopped
fresh basil leaves to garnish (optional)
toasted crusty bread to serve (optional)

Preheat the oven to 200C/Fan 180C/Gas Mark 6. Place the courgettes, peppers, onion and tomatoes in a large roasting tin: scatter over the garlic. Drizzle with oil; toss together to coat. Roast for 25 mins until tender when tested with a sharp knife.
Pour the stock into a pan; bring to the boil. Add the pumpkin; cook for 15 mins until tender. Drain, reserving the stock. Place the pumpkin in a food processor or blender. Reserve a few slices of pepper and onion for garshing; add remaining vegetables to the processor or blender.

Blend the vegetables until smooth. Stir into the stock. Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper. Reheat gently. Pour into bowls; garnish with the reserved vegetables and basil. Serve with toasted crusty bread.

This can be frozen for up to 3 months.

My version came out a bit thicker than I wanted, but that was because I was using a new gadget I had just treated myself to - a stick hand blender. So it was trial and error really.. But it tasted gorgeous..

The other thing I had been baking was this: Lemon and raisin bars



85g self raising flour
85g porridge oats
50g soft brown sugar
85g butter
For the topping:
25g butter, melted
3 eggs
175g soft brown sugar
140g raisins
85g dessicated coconut
the grated rind and juice of a large lemon
50g icing sugar

Turn the oven to fan 160C/conventional 180C/gas 4. Put the flour, oats and sugar in a bowl and rub in the butter with your fingertips. Tip into the base of a 26x18cm tin and press until smooth. Bake for 10 minutes or until pale golden.

Beat the melted butter, eggs and sugar with the raisins, coconut, half the lemon rnd and 2 tbsp of juice. Pour over the baked base and return to the oven for 20 minutes more until the top is set and pale golden. Mark into 12 bars while still warm, then leave to cool before cutting through.

Tip the icing sugar into a small bowl and mix with the remaining lemon rind Stir in up to 3 tsps of lemon juice to make smooth icing then drizzle in diagonal lines over the top of each bar.

These will keep in a tin for up to a week. They are best NOT frozen as it will spoil their texture.

You can also try out different combinations of fruit as well, substituting cranberries instead of raisins, or apricots instead of the raisins, or half raisins and cranberries, or dried blueberries or really any dried fruit combination.

I hate computers..

Aaah, my computer has been driving me nuts for the last evening and all today. My stupid Norton decided to have a major hissy fit and refuse to work - although it probably didn't help that it had expired, and when I went to put the new Norton on it refused to work..aah!!

Finally after 48hrs of constant fiddling with the darn thing I finally got it to work.

Now I have to sort out D's computer as his Norton has expired and I couldn't get his new Norton to work. Now I know what to do to get it to work I can put his on tomorrow.

So me and computers today are having a minor disagreement..lol

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Weather watch..

I give up with british weather. One minute its cold enough to freeze the wotsits off a monkey and then a few days later its warm enough to dry your washing outside. You know why can't it just stay one steady temperature..

Yep I'm moaning as I have just put my heating on. I'm pleased that I have managed to get to 2nd November without breaking down and putting the radiators on, but now it looks like it will be going off again by the end of the weekend.. If me or D hasn't gone down with a cold or flu by the end of the winter it will be a blooming miracle..lol

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Something to pass the time..

48 Things You Could Care Less About, and a little insight into me..

1. FIRST NAME? Natalie
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Nope, but it was the one specification that my father made my mother name me his chosen name for me if I was a girl..
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? This morning
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? It depends on how tired I am when I am writing, but otherwise yes I do.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Haslet
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yeppers..
7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Only this blog
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Not blooming likely..
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Honey Nut Shredded Wheat
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I used to be, but not since my breakdown. I am working on it though..
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Clottled cream vanilla
14. SHOE SIZE? 6
15. RED OR PINK? Definately pink
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My moods
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My best mate N
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? I hope I will read this on the blogs I visit..
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Denim jeans, cream shirt and pink fluffy slippers
20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Fried egg sandwich and a yoghurt
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The theme tune to Murder She Wrote on the t.v.
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? A pinky purple
23. FAVORITE SMELL? My dog Bear's feet (dont ask!!)
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? The newsagents this morning when they phoned about my cross stitch magazine..
25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Eyes
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from? Most definately..
27. FAVORITE DRINK? Malibu and coke
28. FAVORITE SPORT? Ewww' no sports for me..
29. EYE COLOR? Very dark brown
30. HAT SIZE? Haven't a clue
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Nope, can't wear them so have to stick to glasses.
32. FAVORITE FOOD? Bacon and onion suet pudding
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings
35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter
36. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs
37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Steamed treacle sponge pudding
38. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Hopefully people who's blogs I read
39. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Have no idea..
40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? A Dr Who book that I picked up at the library
41. WHAT���S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Its my sofa..
42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Most Haunted Live and Secret Policeman's Ball
43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Lambs, birds first thing in the morning, my cats purrs - too many to mention.
44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Neither
45. THE FURTHEST YOU���VE BEEN FROM HOME? Utah
46. WHAT���S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? I think I am a good listener..
47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? England
48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I stole this from Annette

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Hap[y Halloween

(image shamelessly stolen from MamakBear's blog)

Just a short post to wish everyone a Happy Halloween. We haven't done much for Halloween this year so it's been rather a quiet one. I did do a ritual in honour of my departed loved ones which has left me a bit drained for some reason. I suspect it might have something to do with me feeling slightly lethargic all day...

I am going to sit and watch the last piece of Most Haunted Live tonight, although I don't know what has been happening as I have missed the previous two nights. But I can enjoy tonights viewing just the same and hope I don't get the spookies while watching. I have just noticed that this programme is being broadcast to the States tonight as well..wow how cool is that..

Pains..

I don't believe it, the stupid pain in my derrier has returned with a vengenance. I can't even say I have done anything abnormal to bring it on. Thank gods I had stocked up on painkillers and ibuprofen the other week.. Looks like its back to sitting lopsided on the sofa again

Cats are sent to test us..

Wow talk about a hair-raising weekend..lol. The weekend started off really different and it concerned young Amy.. I was having my lazy saturday morning layin when I got this frantic call from D downstairs for me to come downstairs. Wondering what on earth it was I pottered downstairs and was confronted with two dogs jumping about in the garden trying to climb the back fence, and Ollie sitting on the compost heap staring at the top of the fence. Well guess what?? Amy had made a bid for freedom.. Somehow she managed to sneak past D while he was giving the pets their breakfast for ham and jumped straight over the back garden fence. And guess who went into panic mode..yep me!! Amy hadn't even got a collar on so even if someone found her they wouldn't know what to do, not that anyone would be able to get near her as she would go into "squeak squeak" mode (as we affectionately call it!)

So after a quick throw on of clothes and a mad dash out of the back gate I then wandered up and down our back alley calling Amy and rattling a kibbles box. Boy did I feel a twit, especially when several people gave me some funny stares...hmm they obviously weren't cat people.

And then the little horror decided to make herself known - yep she had gone all of 10 feet into the garden next to us. Trouble is she was getting herself into such a panic that everytime I went near her she would run away squeaking at me.. Then the little moo ran off in the opposite direction and disappeared from view again..

D found her hiding in the front garden of the house that she had originally ran to, so with the help of Jet and D I managed to get her to run back into the garden of that house and thankfully she then decided that she had been out long enough and had given her mommy and daddy enough scares, so she then hopped over the fences and back into our own garden over the same fence and back over the compost heap. So after I went hurtling back round the block to get to our back garden I gingerly opened up so that Amy didn't spook herself and run again. I flew through the back door and held it open so the little madam could saunter back indoors. At this point she got told off from Ollie and Smudge who were rebelling at having to stay indoors while she was captured..lol

Anyway once Amy had settled back down upstairs on her duvet, I put a little kitten collar on her just in case she decided to do a houdini act again. Now that was NOT a good decision on my part..the poor thing then went absolutely barmy. She kept running around as though the bell on the collar was chasing her, then flew to the top of the wardrobe where she sat growling at me. Oh joy!! After about 10 mins of cajoling and bribery, I grabbed her and ripped the collar off (it was easier that way as she was scratching me to kingdom come!!) and she then sat on the top of the wardrobe sulking.  After about 2 hours of sitting up there and growling at anyone that came within 2 yards of her she decided she was going to be the little madam that she is lovingly known as..and settled down on her duvet in the bedroom and become her normal self.

But Ollie did have to have the last swipe, he bopped her on the rump as she ran from the spare room back into our bedroom.. He had been lying in wait till she came down from the wardrobe..

I am now keeping fingers crossed that this week doesn't have any trials and tribulations..lol

I give in - its cold!!

I have persevered for ages now and have been ever so good and haven't put the central heating on or succumb to wearing winter clothes. BUT I am afraid I am going to have to change clothes today. I stupidly thought as the sun was shining that it would be reasonably warm and I could get away with a heavier summer skirt and a longish sleeved tshirt - how wrong I was. I am sitting on the sofa getting colder and colder..even have goosebumps on my legs. So off I go to put a warm pair of jeans and a tshirt and thinnish jumper on. Oh and mustn't forget socks as my feet are now freezing.. I may even have to give in and put one radiator on downstairs in the living room - I am still thinking about this..lol

To comment or not to comment, that is the question..

Just a quick post to apologise to those blogs I read - I am sorry I haven't commented on them. Its not that I don't want to comment or couldn't be bothered, no it's because I never really know what to put. Then when I do go to put something I always get distracted elsewhere.

I hereby promise to make a concerted effort from tomorrow (26.10) that I will try and comment on as many blogs as I read during the coming weeks.

Exchange photos..

Now I know my exchanges have been received at their new homes I can now post the pictures..

This is the piece I stitched for Kiwijo for the Crazy Cat Lady exchange on Robins Nest board. I thoroughly enjoyed this piece and I loved the colours :)

Click to enlarge

For the halloween exchange on the SBBEB board I stitched a scissor pocket for Joanie. This was the first time I had stitched a scissor pocket, and I was so pleased I had finally got my sewing machine back from J.

click to enlarge

Holiday photos - picture intensive

Finally I am getting around to loading up my holiday photo's from the glorious Cotswolds where we went back in September. It is a lovely area of the country as the photos show, although they do not do the area justice.

To see all the photos of the holiday the link is here

The view outside the cottage front door

The village road with Scruffy being his nosy self..

The back garden of the cottage

Oxford University

Canal boat on the River Avon at Stratford-upon-Avon

Cottage at "Little Slaughter"

I have been a bad blogger..

Ack, I have been a bad blogger the past few weeks. For some reason I haven't felt like putting anything down but hopefully that has all changed, especially as I have lots of pics to show from my holiday and exchanges. I've also got a couple new ones of Jet and Amy to put up as well as a couple of tales of their antics lately. So my next post will be the holiday pictures with a few bits written up about them, then I'll update with photos of exchanges I have received and sent and then life at Chez Bears.

Sad day for my town..

Have just heard from a friend of mine that the paper mill here is going to shut down for good in April. There are going to be a lot of people out of jobs here.. It will probably turn this place into even more of a ghost town.

I wonder what will happen to the place as its attached to the main railway and has a lot of history connected to it. I expect Asda will probably put a bid in for it, they have been dying to get into the main town and this is the perfect opportunity for them.

I feel sorry for my next door neighbour who has just come home from having 5 weeks in a london hospital after having a brain tumour removed. At the moment he is on sick leave from the mill, but it looks like he won't have a job to go back to when he returns eventually.

Sad day for my little town, especially as the paper mill dominates our town a heck of a lot.

Aaah carpets and a dog called Jet..

Not sure what has been going on, but my carpet looks like it has been invaded by the dirt patrol. There are all these dirty paw prints coming from the french doors to a certain dogs bed.. Then in trots a very guilty dog licking his lips as though he has eaten something that doesnt agree with him outside, gods knows what. I just hope he isnt ill.. Think I am going to have to investigate what he has eaten or dug up in the garden.. Oh joys..

Meanwhile the rest of the household are just fast asleep and snoring their little heads off in their respective places.. Aaah what bliss to be an animal in the house of Chez Bears..

Just checked outside and the garden has got lots of nice little paw sized holes in it. It looks like he has been snuffling the lawn and has got grass stuck in his teeth by the size and shape of the holes..

I want what she is having...just a quickie

I want what she's having...

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I have a delightful new friend,

I am most in awe of her.

When we first met I was impressed,

By her bizarre behavior.

That day I had a date with friends,

we met to have some lunch.

Mae had come along with them,

all in all... a pleasant bunch.

When the menus were presented,

we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups,

except for mae who circumvented,

and said, ice cream. please: 2 scoops.

I was not sure my ears heard right,

and the others were aghast.

along with heated apple pie,

mae added, completely unabashed.

We tried to act quite nonchalant,

as if people did this all the time,

but when our orders were brought out,

I did not enjoy mine.

I could not take my eyes off Mae,

as her pie a-la-mode went down,

the other ladies showed dismay,

they ate their lunches silently, and frowned.

Well, the next time i went out to eat,

I called and invited Mae.

My lunch contained of white tuna meat,

and she ordered a parfait.

I smiled when her dish I viewed,

and she asked if she amused me.

I answered, Yes you do,

but you also confuse me..

How come you order rich deserts,

when I feel i must be sensible?

She laughed and said, with wanton mirth,

I am tasting all that's possible.

I try to eat the food i need,

and do the things i should,

but life's so short, my friend, indeed,

I hate missing out on something good..

This year I realized how old i was,

she grinned, I've not been this old before,

so, before i die, I've got to try,

those things for years i had ignored..

I've not smelled all the flowers yet,

there's too many books i have not read,

there's more fudge sundaes to wolf down,

and kites to be flown overhead..

there are many malls i have not shopped,

I've not laughed at all the jokes,

I've missed a lot of Broadway hits,

and potato chips and cokes..

i want to wade again in the water,

and feel ocean spray on my face,

sit in a country church once more,

and thank god for it's grace..

i want peanut butter every day,

spread on my morning toast.

i want un-limited long-distance calls,

to the folks i love the most..

I've not cried at all the movies yet,

nor walked in the morning rain.

i need to feel the wind in my hair,

i want to fall in love again..

So, if i choose to have desert,

instead of having dinner,

then i should die before nightfall,

I'd say i died a winner...

because i missed out on nothing,

i filled my heart's desire.

i had that final chocolate mousse.

before my life expired.

with that, i called the waitress over,

I've changed my mind, it seems.

i said, i want what she is having,

only add some more whipped-cream...

©unknown author

Back from hols...

I'm back from a lovely relaxing holiday in The Cotswolds, but now the hard work starts..lol. I have a mountain of washing to catch up on, and am now praying that the weather stays reasonable today so that I can get it dry. Although I am not holding my breath as metcheck are forecasting rain..ugh!!

Today is also the day I get Jet and Amy from J, so I am just dithering around today and just getting as much as I can done before they arrive..

Will post more about the holiday, with photos, later on in the week :)

On hiatus for a couple of weeks..

Chez Bear's will be quiet for the next two weeks, yep quieter than normal..lol We are all having a holiday - Bear, myself and D are traveling to the Cotswolds for a few days and the cats are getting a cat sitter while we are away..

I shall hopefully take lots of photos to share with you all when I get back..

Be good....

Afternoon everyone :-)

Hope everyone is doing okay sadly I cannot say the same about myself. For some reason I am refusing to "divorce my duvet", we've had such a "close relationship" for years its rather like a comfy pair of slippers..lol

Trouble is on the surface everyone thinks I am doing okay, D thinks I am plodding along happily doing what I am doing and looking forward to the holiday next week, the neighbours think I am "superwoman" keeping the house clean and tidy and befriending a neigbour in need. And my friends think I am being really great sailing through the end of the therapy and putting the depression behind me.

Sadly I think this isnt the case.. It's an effort to get myself out of bed and dressed at the moment. I have taken to hibernating and only going out with D, to the neighbour over the road and basically only places where I can see my car after I have parked it. I know this is stupid and isn't me, but I am getting complacent with my own company again..

My therapy is due to finish for good next month and I am terrified about this. I am basically being left to my own devices..

I'm back on the pill and it seems to be playing havoc with my hormones. My skin is looking awful, the weight I had shifted is creeping back on with this damn pill..(ok its not a lot for some but to me its a heck of a step backwards - back to 12 1/2 stone instead of 12 stone..:-( )

I told D about the debt that I had run up and he was great about it, BUT he won't pay it off, he has said its my fault and I have to learn by my own consequences. What he has said he will do is that I am showing that I am paying it each month, he will help me out with my spending money for the month as he knows it will leave me short. So I have spoken to the Debt people and have got them to agree to £5.00 a month without it going to court. They emailed me back and said they were happy for that..so that is a weight lifted off me.

I've been dipping in and out of my groups and not really putting anything into them at the moment. I put the odd post up all happy and cheery and then I disappear for a while. I am going through the isolated stage again, even though I have befriended a neighbour opposite, but she is depressed and basically it is an effort to stay in control of my own feelings when I see her. So because of this I cannot see her that often.

I was interested in reading about someone's befriending system with MIND and her meetings with them - I have looked up MIND here and our nearest one is Maidstone and its a bit of a trek to go to, but apart from that I don't know what else to do. I was even thinking of offering to be a "friend" to this person as I can see so much of myself in her but then I thought nope she won't want me around etc..besides she already has her own friends..etc etc..

As you can see I am feeling totally deflated and believe me my duvet is really looking inviting..lol

The house needs tidying up, the carpets need major hoovering and I really can't face it - daft I know especially as I know it wont take me long. I had all these plans that the house would be clean and tidy for the lady that comes and looks after the cats while we are away, and that it would be lovely and clean when we got back.

I am dreading the 24th of this month, as this is the day my ex is coming with my dog Jet and Amy my cat, and this has stirred up a lot of feelings. I know it will be painful but it has to be done basically if I want the dog and cat. I am also having doubts how D will be with Jet - I want him to love it as his own, like he does Bear but he says he cant..that is tearing me up.

If I could wish everything away then I would willingly, or hibernate forever and a day..

Thankyou for letting me ramble on and if you have got this far I think you deserve pats on the back.. :-)

Just a wee post ...plus photos

Haven't been around much and a couple of people have been worrying about me - sorry to be quiet, I just haven't really felt motivated to do anything stitching wise or even anything else come to think of it so the computer really hasn't been switched on that much. I didn't realise I had left it so long between the last blog...oops.. I'm a couple of days behind with sending out my exchange but I have got my rear into gear and it will be sent out first thing tomorrow :) I just feel that I have let my exchange partner down .. I really cannot seem to stick to flipping deadlines for some reason or other.

Anyway a few photos to brighten up my blog...

The first two are of the wasps nest that had taken residence in my redcurrant bush a few weeks ago. It has gone now thankfully..



These are just a few random ones that I have taken recently...enjoy

Piccie of the two mushrooms growing at the bottom of the garden. Click to enlarge :)

Some tomatoes from the garden :)

Ollie in his bush in the garden, the same one that the wasp nest decided to make a home in..

Here are some photo's of the house exchange that I was in on the SBEB board.

This is the piece I stitched for Paula, I finished it as a flat fold, and I was really pleased as it was the first time I had ever done this finish..

The design is from The Brown House Studio

This is the lovely exchange piece I received from Karoline on the SBEB board. It was funny really as we had used the same design fabric to back the flat folds..



Thank you once again for worrying about me.. Barbara I have popped an email over to you..

In rememberance of Barney...

Barney in her favourite seat - on her Dad's lap


Barney, for some reason only known to her, was very interested in sitting on the table and meowing at our height.. I think she thought she could get a better meow and we would take notice of her if she was at this level..

Barney in the dog bed..she was quite attached to the green throw that you can just see.