Hi Misprint,
I always love to see other gardens, shaped over time to become beautiful rooms to explore and become immersed in. Thank you for posting your pic. It is certainly neat! My garden is built on London clay so you can imagine the mud bath at the mo with all the rain. And in the summer it bakes with deep cracks. I miss being out there over the winter and watch from my kitchen door as I do dishes on a morning. I try to capture pics of my birds and squirrel as they devour the seed and fat balls.
I find even the smallest tasks rewarding. You could use this time to plan your borders and tubs for seasonal displays, make lists of jobs for Spring, have a look on the internet for inspiration, treat yourself to a Homes and Gardens magazine and dream of beautiful lifestyles with perfected topiary. You could watch Gardeners WorId again to get your creative juices flowing. I always admire gardeners who let their gardens evolve naturally, encouraging weeds for a thriving community of wildlife. My next project is to get water plants for the ponds and encourage more frogs and toads.
Taking pics lets me see my garden in a different way, providing a catalogue to record the changes over time and seasons. Sitting on your patio (between showers!) could fill you with a sense of calm, even if it is to just have a cry. I wish I had your hedge to keep my nosy neighbours out. Iām thinking of filling areas with spiky palms and bamboos. Lots of my roses didnāt take in the intense heat of the summer last year so I have to rethink the space. You could take on a big project, reshape the garden, add something to create impact , though I do think your garden is beautiful as it is. Revamping my garden into rooms, removing my lawn and extending the borders, adding new plants helped lift me out of the overwhelming sense of sadness and emptiness. I thought of mam while I was working but as soon as I stopped and sat down I was crying for her again. I feel very lost when I donāt have something to get my teeth into. I do think it would be easier to just let it all go but I canāt sit and do nothing all of the time. I started with having a cuppa outside on the patio and just looking at the garden, then ventured out to wandering around. That encouraged me to see what needed tidying up. And from there I took down my shed, added arches and structures for climbers, created an orchard area for fruits. I still have lots of unfinished jobs and had to accept defeat when the snow arrived but will get back out there when the weather allows. It is a living, breathing, evolving creation. I nurture it and in return I have hungry birds and beautiful butterflies to admire, a returning community of honey bees and I have yet to meet my family of hedgehogs which I hope are in the old rabbit hutch stuffed with straw. Iām hoping my stumpery and fence stuffed with old branches and twigs will be home to little insects over the winter.
I know it all feels pointless. That is how I feel about everything I do. But I try to put that part of myself to one side and get on with the task. Small steps create a sense of achievement and when you look back over your week you can see what you have achieved if you do a little each day. Your garden must take some work to keep it shaped like that. You could concentrate on one section, tidy some pots, sweep up etc. Everything you counts.
I was just saying to Loobyloo getting your thoughts out of yourself, making a plan or list, really does help to shape things that you could then try. And thinking things over counts too. Be kind to yourself. I find that especially hard. But a gentle approach can be just what you need. Looking forward to your thoughts x
Lots of love xxx
Hi all,
Up very early after just a couple of hours sleep so I can be ready for 8 incase the man turns up to inspect the leak on the chimney/ roof. Always very anxious having to do these things myself. Peeps are always lovely but mam would always come over for everything incase I had a panic attack. I just took it for granted that she would do it because sheās my mam. I hope she new how much I appreciated her. Iām always so gobby but not about expressing the stuff that really matters. Everything is a reminder of how much she did for me because she loved me. I wish things were normal so Iād be going over to the old house, doing jobs in the garden, tidying the linen cupboard, giving her a haircut, stopping for a cuppa and catching up on what everyone was doing.
Just wanted to pop in here and say hi to all. Debbie, youāre already half way through the week. You must be shattered getting back to work. But I do think that routine helps with shaping our week. Suzanne, how is the tattoo healing? Do peeps still use vaseline and plastic wrap to stop the skin from drying out and spoiling the colour as it heals? So long since I got mine. Itās odd that time slips away when we arenāt looking. Have you planned your next one? Could have a favourite expression that your mam used. Tina, have you started your craft yarn picture yet? Would love to see a pic. My sewing is proving to be much more difficult stitching into layers of bubblewrap, paper and plastics. Takes forever to do so Iāve set myself one a day and work it into my routine. Itās my replacement project for the garden and I have a summer series of smaller pieces to start after I finish this project. Neil, youāve gone a bit quiet. Have you finished putting the xmas decs away? Iāll do mine on 12th night (Thursday). I have my box ready from the loft and thereās not much to do. Not like ānormalā. Had to Google it because mam always told me when to get it all done by. Becks, is the lovely Grandad still there? Heāll not be wanting to leave after being pampered with all the lovely food. It will be hard getting back to working at home. Going out and being around a team of people motivates us into action (whether we want to or not) and itās very difficult getting that oomph to motivate ourselves. But itāll come and youāll settle into what you need to get done. You could visit Matilda and have a cuppa, work it into your day. Have lunch there for a change of scene. I forgot to ask if the cats like to go there with you? And nic, thank you so much for my man in the moon. Tell Georgia and Evie heāll be well looked after and Iāll take a pic when he finds a place he likes in the bedroom. Reminds me of mam when sheād take the children into the garden to look at the stars and tell them about the man in the moon. Theyād be mesmerised! Wonder if thatās what they were thinking about on the journey home from the old house as they drifted off to sleep. I miss visiting mam at the old house, going to the car bootie on a Sunday morning, spreading all the treasures out on the lawn before we started on the barbie. Mam would sometimes see something she likes, a head scarf or Iād have spotted an old platter for the kitchen wall. She loved her old china.
Apologies if Iāve forgotton anyone. Must rush now to get dressed. Wonder how long Iāll last before I fall asleep this afternoon. Hope to get a cheeky swim in before I do. Itās really not pleasant trying to get into my cossie if itās not dried from the previous day. Forgot my towel once in the summer and had to dry myself on my canvas bag! Have never forgot my towel again.
Will try texting my niece again and see what sheās up to.
Lots of love xxx
Hi all,
Have had a very busy morn waiting for the roof man to arrive. Need to have the chimney repointed so will have to come back when itās dry weather (when will that be?!) Discovered another leak (other side of chimney) so just have to keep stuffing paper in the loft until itās done. The lovely bloke has been here before and was so happy and smiling when he arrived. I had to explain why I wasnāt my usual chatty self - that mam had left in Nov and wasnāt having a good day today. He was quite taken aback and his response was āThatās life!ā Donāt think many peeps chat about how they are feeling with random workmen! But I felt so sad and very close to tears. When I was watching him on the roof I noticed my car window was not there! I had arrived back in the dark and rain last night and wound it down to park. Canāt believe I didnāt wind it back up. Itās electric so donāt know why it let me leave without any beeping going on like when I leave the lights on. Tina, I thought of you always saying how youāre forgetting things and have brain fog. I canāt believe my car wasnāt nicked and my disabled badges. Peeps obviously know I have the cameras and would go to the police with evidence. But itās so unlike me to be so ānot with itā.
I made a start on clearing the decs and thought I might as well finish it and pop the little xmas tree in the garden while itās not raining instead of waiting until tomorrow when it might be tossing it down. Removed some ivy too that was starting to drop but have left the garlands. Would like to replace all of them with fake ivy but need to research for more bushy than I already have (see dolls house). Thought Iād be sad to see my little tree go but Iāve created a teddy bears scene to see in the New Year with a nod to childhood, continuing the theme from under the xmas tree. So here it is. Hope it makes you smile!
Mother and child are reunited in the garden.
The little one enjoys a warm embrace
and mam continues to chat with the cherub.
The mannequin has been redressed
and the bedroom continues the theme of childhood
with a teddy bears sleigh ride.
Pandy is thrilled to be with her pals again. They were all so excited about Santa and now sit snugly in the furs as they dash about on adventures in winter skies.
The dolls house is a magical corner
with dream catches, rainbows, the man in the moon and glittering stars.
It will be just as comfy as it was as Porsch and I settle down for sleep.
I know we might get snow again and Springtime is a long way off (hope my bulbs are ok under the fleece under the xmas tree) but every time I walk in my kitchen Iām greeted with daydreams of sunny days in the garden with Porscha.
Always makes me smile.
I made a bit of a break through with my textiles this morn, planning the details of each series of works. Feels like Iām getting back to the ārelationshipā I have with my work. It was missing before. Simply stitching layers of panels didnāt connect me to the artist part of me. But I feel it coming back again. The emptiness is still there but itās like having a thin skin forming on top of the depths of sadness and despair that this is my new reality. I canāt keep kidding myself that itās not real. All I can do is try and keep trying every day to do something worthwhile.
Hope you are all in a āgoodā place. Itās always such a flat space to be in after all the festive activities are over and normal life resumes anyway. Just wish I could go back to that world again, moping about a bit because xmas is over for another year. We will never have those freedoms we took for granted, feeling safe and loved, our worlds secure because we had no knowledge of what was to come. Iāll stop now because I donāt want to start crying again. Hope to pop out for a swim in a mo and will pop back in later to see you all. Until thenā¦
Lots of love xxx
Hi Christine
Great pics as always and thank you for posting them.
I took my decorations down on 28th with just the tree left to take down on 30th.
Had my first bad day for a while yesterday. I wanted to sort through some of Mums clothes . I took a pair of trousers out the wardrobe and burst into tears so shut the door and obviously not ready to do it yet. I still have three of Dads shirts that I have kept for 7 years.
No right or wrong time to do it but really thought I was ready.
Cant see any shows this week due to the train strikes so hoping to do a double show day next Thursday.
Thinking of us all as we try to move forwards into another difficult year.
Sending love and best wishes
Neil x
Hi all
Back to work for me today.
Granddad went home on Monday. We had a good Christmas all things considered.
Iāve started clearing the christmas bits away and tidying as I go. Downstairs is looking really nice. One thing Mum hated was not being to be able to do so much having been always very houseproud and letting that slip. I found a to do list she made and it included lots of decorating and āgetting the house back to how it used to beā. I was always messy, now I am quite enjoying decorating and organising bits and it makes me feel close to her and I can sense her happiness about it, probably how you feel in the garden @christine51
I do sometimes go into Matilda just for a cuppa. The cats arenāt allowed outside and even if were wouldnāt be allowed in Matilda because of all the cut glass. Even hoovering and brushing everywhere my butt always seems to find a tiny slither of glass when I am in there!!
Hope everyone has a good day
Beki x
Hi everyone
I am back at work today too, itās been awful. They changed over my photocopiers to the new company. Iāve not been given any basic training, they are completely different to my old ones they donāt do the same functions are much slower and I have just been left to figure it out. I was a little bit stressed at work and near to tears this morning, almost on the verge of going home.
Iām absolutely shattered, my son took me into town after work, I needed big sack of bird feed, suet, fat balls and meal worms to heavy for me to carry. He stayed for a cuppa when got back home. Itās been all go, fed the birds, put the bins out, done an home delivery Iceland order, phoned my sister and cooked dinner. I just need to finish my craft ready for messy church this Friday, then Iām done for the day.
I havenāt taken my tree and cards down yet, Iāll do it Saturday, Iām not superstitious.
Sorry youāve had a bad day yesterday Neil, sorting through clothes is not an easy thing to do, they hold so many memories. I came across a pair of Dougās socks in our suitcase from our last holiday the other day. Just popped them in my drawer to keep.
Christine I have the same garden sign about wetting your plants itās hanging in my shed window.
Your lucky it never rained heavy overnight when you left your car window open, and as you said your blue badge is still there.
I love the mummy and baby Christmas trees 
Letās hope tomorrow is a better day for us all.
Love Debbie xx
Hi Neil,
Iām not surprised at all that you canāt tackle your mams clothes. They are part of her. They are how she expressed herself. Thereās never a right time and if you never feel able to do it then donāt do it. They can stay in the wardrobe. You could look at them and admire the colours and styles that your mam chose. But that would be incredibly upsetting to me. I wear mams velvet trousers and jumpers / cardies for bed when itās chilly and have found comfort in it. But it was very upsetting at first. I canāt look in the drawer in my bed filled with other things. I wasnāt allowed to do anything with mams clothes and the next day when I went over there my sisters had chosen what they wanted and everything was in bags for the charity shops. Mam loved her clothes. I was devastated that I was left with whatever they didnāt want. A lot of the things I remember mam wearing were gone. And taking her things to the shop was so upsetting, like I was giving away a big part of her. It was very surreal. I used to love shopping for bargains but now I feel intensely sad at all the lives and memories attached to those things. At least you can open the wardrobe and see your mam there, recall memories of her in her favourite everyday cardy. I wish I could do that. Dad wanted every trace of her gone apart from photos. Mam loved her clothes and I shared that love. The way it was handled was very wrong. She would have been so upset to see it.
Getting the xmas decs down is the start of a new year. Not exactly raring to go. But Iāve made a good start on being busy. Didnāt get any sewing done today as I fell asleep when I got in from swimming. Managed to stay for my usual 30 mins this time. All we can do is keep trying. The fragility will always be there. Thereās nowhere for it to go. It canāt dissolve because the sadness and emptiness will always be there. I canāt imagine feeling whole again. I nearly started crying again in swimming. Iām just so sad. Itās like a weight Iām carrying around with me. I canāt bear to look at anyone incase they start chatting and I canāt contain my emotion.
Iām pleased I donāt have to rely on the trains for anything (havenāt been on a train or the underground for about 20 years). Having some shows booked will be something to look forward to. Keep you going. Do you have your appointments coming up soon? I heard something about a Ā£900 payment starting in the Spring with this cost of living crisis. Think it will be split but will be a massive relief to a lot of folk. When I was getting some bits I was intrigued watching the dad get his small children to add up as they shopped. Great opportunity to encourage the kids with their maths. And they were spot on. I was very impressed.
I think hoping for a better year isnāt realistic for me. If I can just keep going as I have been, acknowledging small wins along the way it will get me through until next xmas. Mam would be 81 on 19th Jan. It was a running joke that sheād outlive us all as a lot of the women in the family lived well into their 90ās (just not mam and her mam so my outlook is for another 25 years or so). Still have her lanterns waiting in my wardrobe. Texted my niece about meeting up to do them and the fish and a swim but her boyfriend is staying with her so she has no free time.
Pleased you enjoyed the pics. I always love seeing what everyone is up to. And it adds another thing to my day. Iām hoping to get up early in the morn to catch my squirrel. Going to entice him with some monkey nuts so I can get a pic. He reminds me of the toy textile I made at school in the infants. Would love a squirrel tail ! Fingers crossed he doesnāt scarper with everything. Heās so fast.
I am so tired. Must have only had about 4 hours sleep last night knowing I had to get up early for the roofing bloke. So much work to be done on the repointing on the chimney. Lucky the leak didnāt get onto my carpets.
Will pop back tomorrow with a pic of my squirrel. So cute to watch.
Lots of love xxx
Hi Beki,
Getting back to work from home isnāt as bad as doing the back to work commute into London on the underground. I still relish not doing that and recognise the extra time I have in each day. But the balance to that is working in isolation. Are you settling down to it and able to concentrate? Youāll get there.
I think getting the decs down and having a good tidy up makes for a good working practice. When Iām not in the zone Iāll be distracted by every job I can think of. Itās quite amazing how an untidy room can impact on work. Peeps who donāt work from home think itās a doddle. Could also be my ocd. But I do feel like Iāve stepped into a new year and can concentrate on being productive. Your mam will be pleased that you are creating a lovely space in which to be, making her proud because you enjoying being āhouse proudā (for want of a better phrase). It takes energy to be driven and to make a big effort. Youāll have to balance it out so you have some left for your work. Thatās what I have to do. You will feel comforted because you know your mam would be happy with you there, seeing everything you are doing.
Your poor bum ! Didnāt realise thereād be slithers of glass everwhere. I imagined it would be a very neat process, cutting chunks of glass and collecting all the offcuts in a little bowl for later. Itās funny how we imagine things when we have no experience of them. Your little ornaments have been tidied away with the other trinkets, and all my cards, and will come out again next year. I might do a different āthemeā each year for mam. But my new tradition is a big and small tree like this year. Itās still quite surreal that xmas is over again. Will be taking each day as it comes and try to achieve my goals set the day before. I love seeing ticks in my diary and it really annoys me when I have to transfer a task into the next day. Do you have another work trip planned to Barcelona? Hope youāve got your castle marked down on your calendar. Such a great idea. Mam would have loved that. I wish Iād been able to join her on all the hols they had. I was always invited but couldnāt go because of my anxiety. I keep thinking āif only Iād tried harderā. Itās a relentless fight I have with myself. If I could have gone on holiday I would have. There was no other reason.
I was just telling Neil how knackered I am so will go and pop in tomorrow. Hopefully with a pic of my squirrel. It will be fun watching him opening the monkey nuts. Canāt imagine heās ever had them before. Hope he likes them. He was enjoying the sliced apple I put out today.
Keep working hard! Youāll be starting another crochet project soon I imagine.
Lot of love xxx
Hi Debbie,
I can only imagine your frustration with the new photocopiers. To not give any training is just ridiculous. Could you Google the model number to get info on how to do for simple tasks and work from there. Print it out so you have it handy. Itās quite baffling when you donāt have the info but when you do it is straight forward. Like computers. I had to teach myself (of that age group where they werenāt even invented when I was at school). Once you know the exact thing to do itās easy. Like a puzzle. Not surprised you were in tears. I would be too, or screaming and slapping it about a bit!
Your son is a good boy taking you for the bird stuff. I was always the one lugging the bags of compost into and out of the boot for my parents at the old house. I popped some bits of apple out with fresh seed and fat balls and my little squirrel loved it. I got some monkey nuts, peanuts and meal worms after my swim so hoping to get some pics in the morning and will post if he doesnāt scarper.
You are a busy bee! I find the more tasks I have the more motivated I am in getting them done. This week will be the most busy I should think and will even itself out next. And donāt worry about doing the tree at the weekend. Itās only because mam did it by twelth night that I made that my goal. But once I started I just thought Iād get it done. And there wasnāt a huge amount to do.
You did make me smile when you found Dougās socks in your suitcase. I think they were there for you to find as a little keepsake. Socks can be such a personal thing for men. It still makes me laugh when I see young lads wearing white socks with black sports sliders, like they havenāt grown into colour yet. Itās because the white sock was like a uniform for lads up north.
I love the mammy/baby trees too. I especially liked the āyoungā green against the āmatureā green. Will do it again next year. Still have all the ivy to do over the mirrors and doorways. Might leave it until itās so crisp that it falls down itself.
Cannot believe I was so absent minded about my car window. Today I locked myself in the car and couldnāt get out. Didnāt know what was going on and then realised Iād put the button down with my arm because I had my chunky winter coat on. And I forgot my swimming bag and had to go back to the car. So annoying. Think itās exhaustion.
I got a leave in conditioner spray for my hair to try to stop it falling out when I brush it. Iāll be bald by next xmas and will be sporting a blond wig! Iāve lost more than half of it and it has no weight now. Wonder if itās stress, the menopause, or just because itās so long.
Chin up Debbie. Tomorrow is a new day. The photocopier will be waiting for you in your dreams tonight! Hope not!! If you get the info (name, make, model number etc) I can google the info and send you the link.
Lots of love xxx
Hi all,
Just a quick pop in before I start on my sewing. Tried getting a pic of my squirrel this morn but he seems to have been and gone while I was in the bath. Fat balls have been taken away so I know heās been. I didnāt crush them up like I was doing because they turn to mush. It seems the magpies like the monkey nuts. Small enough to be carried away to their nest up in the big tree a couple of gardens over. Tried getting pics of the babies nesting but no luck. My my couple of robins. Never seen them together like that. Always thought I had just the one.
Will post my pics from yesterday for mam on her tribute site. Feeling ok, like I can manage the day. Not cried yet but keep getting flashes of mam, like Iām watching a playback of us together in normal life. I wish Iād been in less of a rush to get things done and talked to her more. So many things I would do differently if I could try again. Getting upset now. Doesnāt take much. Always there, ready to get me.
Hoping to get through quite a bit of sewing today. If creep goes out Iāll sit at the back window overlooking the garden where I can see the birds. Itās funny watching the baby starlings. They fight like siblings do, even though thereās so much food out there. They werenāt even frightened of the big pigeons sitting waiting patiently until theyād finished.
Will pop back later with pics if I get any.
Tina, hope youāre ok x
Lots of love xxx
Hi guys,
Hereās my little squirrel. Caught him by chance when I went to the kitchen to hang the washing up.
Not sure if he got any of the monkey nuts. Magpies seem to like them and all the treats.
Starlings love the fat balls
Hereās my little robin hanging out in the garden
and pigeons
So pleased I finally got some pics, having waited for ages and given up.
Still havenāt started my sewing soo thatās what Iāll do now. Check back in later x
Lots of love xxx
Hi Christine
Hope you get the roof situation sorted quickly. Itās always a bit of a faff waiting to get repairs done as you never know when they may turn up. On the plus side you neednāt worry about the cost of getting it done which is a nightmare all of itās own these days.
Sound like you are getting in my state with leaving the car window open but itās actually quite a common thing to do I think so I wouldnāt go fretting about it just yet!
I loved your photos, itās like going to one of those childhood museums. Itās so lovely to have meaningful things instead of mass produced stuff that is disposable. Your home has such an authentic ambience to it.
Iāve been doing some of the latch kit rug. I find the tool a little bit fiddly so have been using a pair of nail tweezers. Probably sounds crazy but Iām not the worldās most dexterous left-handed person!
Love your plans for the garden. I understand what you mean though, you can be pottering around oblivious then an association or memory will flash in your mind from nowhere and for a while itās just utterly debilitating.
Next door neighbour has gone out so Iām just gonna tidy up the lawn and then go to shops. The neighbour isnāt interested what Iām doing but if I donāt have to go out I usually take on the appearance of a homeless nomad and am not fit to be seen by anyone! Plus I wanna be out when he gets back with Zoe. Heās just had a massive go at me and I donāt want to be here when he returns.
Just thinking of something you said Christine about little things making big differences and the effect of a neat living space. I can agree with that. Anything more monumental gets overwhelming. But if I did manage to achieve it my mind would need filling with something else or Iād just go mad I think.
I hope the door has remained open with your Sister and that you can get back on track. The only reason that I put up with emotional bullying is to not create more bad feeling. Whoād have thought families could get in such a state.
Iāll pop back later and take a picture of my rug. Thereās not enough to show but Iāll take a snap.
In the meantime, take care and much love.
xx
Hi Christine
Just seen these as I finished my message to you. Iām quite envious of your little animal family! Does Porcha not get ideas about chasing something!
They are lovely and uplifting xx
Hi Neil.
Did you get to the do a double show? Apologies if youāve said and Iāve not seen
Sorry youāve had some bad days. I can understand your feelings about possessions. I havenāt done anything with my Husbandās and itās fair few years now. Mum was a collector (hoarder, really) and kept everything and write loads. Thereās quite a lot of emotional aspects to deal with and we are only human, we have a limit
Thereās no rush. I often feel sad for those that have had to leave their home when there is a loss and donāt have the luxury of time to come to terms with this devastating part of bereavement.
Hope you are feeling a little better.
Much love
xx
Hi Christine,
I already have a user manual I printed off, all 500 pages of it. Unfortunately it doesnāt answer all my questions. Where it does I canāt use the feature as I donāt have the permissions to change things. Everything is control centrally from the trust headquarters.
My line manager came to see me today, as one of the teachers told her I was getting upset yesterday. She going to speak to IT manager, but I donāt think things will change. Thatās the way of businesses now.
I love your squirrel photos, Iāve just seen the robin in my garden, along with sparrows, starlings and jackdaws. I havenāt seen the squirrel for a few days.
Catch you later
Debbie x
Hi Tina
Feeling better in myself the last couple of days. I guess we all get these bad days that rear their head every so often. Thought I was ready to sort Mums clothes but obviously not so will try again but not just yet. Not that much to sort out really . Mum used to say as she got older ā no point in buying lots of new clothes at my ageā and now I can see her point. I only buy stuff if I have to now really
Next week is my double show day ( Thursday) as there are no train strikes then. I have Othello at the National Theatre already booked and the afternoon one I will probably pick on the day if l can.
Good to see it a bit lighter for longer now in the afternoons.
Sending love and best wishes
Neil x
Lovely pics as always Christine
I adore squirrels and always get plenty of pigeons and magpies round asking for food. Very intelligent birds x
Hi Neil,
Glad to read you feel a wee bit better today and get your feelings as I still have quite a few bits of mumās clothing like favourite t-shirts, shoes etc that Iāll deal with eventually but āthey eat nae meatā as mum would say (think she made half those sayings up tbh 
) x no need to push yourself to anything x
Is this you attempting to see Othello again? These train strikes have been playing havoc with peopleā¦.Iām not gonna bore you will my opinion of it all but donāt think itās fair to literally play with peopleās lives as many canāt even get to workā¦.anyway I hope everything goes smoothly for you next Thursday x do you have any possibilities of what your second show may be? x
Iām meant to be back up the Loch this Saturday for first time since Xmas but apparently the ice is terrible up there so may not be neededā¦will wait and see x
Anyway I hope you are keeping well and warm and take care 
x
Hi @christine51 ā¦.donāt know why itās replied to @Debbie57 but hey ho lol x
Your chimney business must just be a pain in the butt as you can certainly do without all that x
My tattoo is healing now so is itchy a hell but nowadays they advise just using cocoa butter cream on them. They still wrap them in cling film after theyāve been done for a few hours but I tend not to re-wrap them unless itās one that can be damaged or that like on my arm etc. They change their mind so often as to what to use that I tend to just use what I have handy lol x
Your photos are lovely as always x did you get a reply from your niece? x
You didnāt happen to see Jeremy Vine a couple of days ago did you? Cause they were saying some newspapers was saying to each your Xmas trees after you were done with them? Turns out they were saying use the needles in cooking or making like a tea with themā¦I had visions of people trying to eat the trunk x
Couldnāt find the wee furry git anywhere until I saw this x
Anyway away for some tea so will chat later 
x
Hi Suzanne
Mum used to say the same-āishā, ā¦ āItās not eating owtā, so yeah I guess itās a variation of a theme but it is a genuine phrase lol.
xx