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.

For Barney - 1 Year On...

The friend


He sat there in the corner,
Bespectacled, old and sad:
Beside him in a basket was
The only friend he had.
His cheeks were stained with teardrops,
His heart weighed down with fear,
In silent prayer his lips moved
He knew the end was near.
"Mr Jones" a voice called quietly,
He was gently ushered through:
As he went my thoughts were with him,
Been down that sad road too.
What seemed hours were but minutes,
Yet the minutes they dragged on:
As he approached I dared to wonder,
But the basket - it had gone.
Words were useless at that moment,
Then he raised his weary head,
To this day I remember clearly
And recall each word he said.
"she is not dead, just sleeping
In a world that's safe and free,
I take comfort from the knowledge
She'll be waiting there for me.
She and I we share a friendship,
And a trust no one could bend:
We confided in each other
As one does an only friend.
From now on I may be lonely
But I'll never be alone,
For in spirit she'll be with me
Until the day she calls me home."
That was many years ago now
But those words I still recall
Every time a dear friend leaves me,
For they truly say it all

Author::: Janet Chambers.

Barney - 1 year on I still miss you my darling cat...

Sad news..

Sadly I am writing this post with a heavy heart as I haven't felt up to telling anyone 'till now... The expected addition to the family that we were due to get in February/March of next year sadly is not going to happen.

Just over a week ago the spotting I was getting unfortunately turned into a lot more than that even with resting as told by the dr..

Anyway the upshot of this is, after a lengthy discussion with D and a few heated words, I am now awaiting a date to go into hospital where I will be sterilised

everyone for bearing with me while I was going through this even though no-one knew what had happened, but I was rather up and down in my posting and keeping this blog uptodate..

And to the reader from Barnsley, feel free to ring up the local hospitals and my dr's which I know you won't hesitate to do when you read this, especially as you have been known to do this in the past, but unfortunately you won't get any information from them about this from them.

Happy news ...

Sorry I haven't blogged for a while but to tell you the truth I haven't had anything to blog about that is interesting..lol I know sad isn't it..lol

But now on to the good news:

I am aquiring two new additions to Chez Bear's -

When I was travelling to and fro to J's the both of us aquired a little cat called Amy and a lovely border collie cross called Jet, to keep him company while I wasn't there, but unfortunately when we split up they stayed with J. We did have another cat called Sandy, but he was a bit of a free spirit and took off on his travels and never came home the month that J and I split up. But Amy and Jet stayed with J because he was attached to them so much and them to him. Well now he is moving on and in fact moving out the country he has sked me if I want them both. So obviously I agreed without hesitation, okay I did have to ask D and obviously he wasn't at all happy. Especially because of where the animals have come from..so in some respect I can't really blame him but he can't take it out on the animals. Anyway he agreed quite happily to Amy, but I did have to work on him to let Jet live with us. Thankfully he agreed, but not without some tears on my part. So now Chez Bear's will now become Chez Zoo come October..

Jet

Amy