Hi Christine
I’m just doing the rug stood up as it’s near the window. My old lady eye’s need the daylight at it’s optimum.
Fingers crossed I should finish it tonight.
Just looking at Debbie’s diamond art kit. Very nice.
These are pictures of my two but I’ve not opened them yet
Speak soon
Much love xx
Im so sorry for the loss of your mum. I lost my mum in 2020 to covid. I understand how u feeling. Those are beautiful shrines for your mum. She would be happy with you. Xxxx
Hi Debbie,
Just laughing about your dad wanting boys. Why are boys so special? Bet your sis loved being called Bill! When my sis had her first boy dad was thrilled, thinking he would teach him all about cars and boy stuff. But it wasn’t to be. The boy has never liked getting dirty ! and loves his clothes more than any girl I’ve ever known. People are always so surprised when they realise I’m not what they think I am by my appearance. Would have been a lot easier for me in life if I had been a boy.
Your crafty church things are wonderful! Love the love bugs! and pansies for Mothers Day are very fitting with their little smiling faces for the children to plant. They’ll love decorating their pots. Wish I was joining them. Your church is certainly more fun than I remember mine being. I had a lovely memory of being little doing weaving at school. They’ll certainly be very proud of their gifts. It’s lovely that you really think about what they are doing, rather than something that will just do. I’m not surprised you’re so popular with the kids attending.
If you have a table or board you can set up (and cover when you need to use it) you could start your new puzzle and keep adding a bit every day. I only put the xmas puzzle away because it was so hard to continue it but I’ll be getting it out as a challenge to myself next xmas. I love puzzles. They keep the brain going and each bit achieved is a win. You’ll have no time to just sit with all your craftiness (love the kitten). Going to treat myself to a diamond art kit too. Think I’ll get a garden scene, a thriving summer full of colour for mam. Love that you had to prove your age! I laughed when the young lad said I had to for my stanley knife (for cutting the carpets in the loft). Couldn’t prove it in the end as I had sent my drivers licence off for renewal I think and had discovered the creep had stolen my passport so I didn’t have any photo ID with my age on it. He let me off as long as I didn’t tell anyone!
I’m quite chuffed with Hilda 2. She’s really settled in and follows Elsie everywhere. I just hope there hasn’t been one left behind. My sister always leaves everything to the last minute and it would have been really dark when she did it. But there’s nothing I can do. It’s funny when I walk into the sitting room and Hilda starts bombing about with excitement. Can’t imagine there being much stimulation in the old pond for her. I’m just biding my time waiting for my niece to contact me when she gets back. I remember the intensity of love at that age. Wouldn’t want it again! Just want a nice quiet life. So I’ll keep the swimming going if I can. Usually do a half hour on non stop swimming. Enough to wear me out. Tend to put off quite a bit when it’s cold though. I find if I book it in advance then I force myself to go. Hate not achieving anything listed in the diary.
I just just saying about he arctic blast arriving with snow in Feb so make the most of the sunshine we have now. Going to be treacherous if it does arrive. I’ll get a big shop delivered beforehand incase transport / deliveries becomes a problem.
It must be wonderful to put a whole month behind you this year in your retirement countdown. Do you have something big planned, like a holiday, to celebrate? Or a weekend away? I wish I’d been able to do more stuff with mam. My agoraphobia has always stopped me. I loved getting the train up to stay with my sis in Newcastle, and partying over Liverpool for the weekend. Didn’t know I was living my best life until I couldn’t. Make the most of everything you do with your lovely family x
I was delighted with my card for mam’s birthday. It was an Amazon pop up. They have a variety of themes. Great if you want something a little different. Mam always sent me a traditional Easter card so that will be my next shrine update. Can’t quite believe it’s all coming around again. It took me ages to post to mams tribute site because I just couldn’t face it and was so upset when I did. I miss her so much. Crying for her again.
Have my iron tests referral in March, same week as my car MOT, so quite annoying. But it will be good to sort it out and see why it is so high. That’s probably why I have chronic fatigue. GP’s haven’t a clue what causes it. I was on iron tablets for years after chemo treatment because I was anaemic. Sure that has something to do with it.
I’ve been doing bits of sewing between sleeping (so exhausted at the mo) and hope to finish my new series by the end of month ready for backing. Hand stitching through layers of plastics and bubble wrap is tough but very effective. So time consuming but I couldn’t imagine not doing it. Pleased I’ve reconnected with my work again after having no motivation after mam. Feel a bit more like my old self again. I was totally lost after mam. I can imagine the fun and games with the awful neighbours watching me photographing my work against the side of the house. I use natural light and the bricks provide a size guide.
Just heard the creeps van arriving back. He was banging on pipes this morning because I wasn’t getting out of bed. He gave up when he got no reaction. The noise carries inside but I can’t imagine it would be heard outside. No reason for it at all. Wish he would vanish in a puff of smoke!Going to close the curtains so he can’t see where I am in the house!
Good to be back!
Lots of love xxx
Hi Kat,
Thank you and I’m so very sorry you have lost your mam too. I could never have imagined such pain and that sense of feeling lost and alone. Creating the shrine for her is an ongoing celebration of her life and love. I update every occasion on the calendar - birthday, Mothers Day, Easter, Xmas etc. And I know some people would argue that she isn’t here to see it but doing it for her provides some comfort and I hope that she can see or feel just how loved she is, and not being here doesn’t change that. It’s comforting sitting with the candles and fairy lights on watching tv in the evening.
Even a small space can create an ‘altar’, a photograph with a candle on a chair. Displaying precious things creates a vision of the person. I love my memory tags, detailing her loves, language, hobbies etc.
It’s lovely to see you here and I do hope that posting and reading posts helps you. I’ve built such wonderful friendships and couldn’t imagine not posting. Welcome x
Lots of love xxx
Hi Tina,
Such lovely colours. I’ll have a look on Amazon to start searching for garden based kits. Would be lovely sitting in the garden with Porsch, with all the sparkle in the sunshine.
Porsch wants her tea so will pop back later x
Hi Christine
No dancing from me I’m afraid. Actually most West End shows you are not allowed to as they have had so much bad behaviour since reopening after covid. Weekend audiences are the worst once they get some alcohol down them !
Sending love and best wishes
Neil x
Hi Neil,
Sure it will be fun even without the dancing!
Just finished another batch of sewing. Takes ages but does make the time go quickly which is great for me getting to evening.
Just made a hot choc for Silent Witness at 9 and then turn over to 4 plus 1 for the new jungle based SAS. Always fun watching celebrities getting broken down! So a good batch of tv for me.
Since the creep got back he’s been in and out all night. Not even the cold stops him. Heard a comment being made about me being an artist. Who is he talking to and why the interest in me?! He’s so intrusive and annoying.
Just heard SAS is normal peeps so this should be amusing.
Lots of love xxx
Hi Neil,
Hope today and this week is treating you well x
I hadn’t heard of that film until I heard her on radio 2 one morning going on about it and how she had to speak German in it etc. doesn’t sound my cup of tea but believe it to be well received by the critics so look forward to hearing what you think of it and I wouldn’t fancy sitting for 3 hours either for Babylon lol x I don’t have the same attention span I used to have so find watching new films sometimes hard going x
Has your friend has their test results back yet? If so i hope it’s good news x
I’m on holiday next week and have a couple of catch up with friends pencilled in but just looking forward to not being up at 5.45am lol x
Good news I believe on the football front x with my great uncle being a football coach in the ‘70s you would think I would have a bit more interest but can’t get my head round football 
x
Apart from your outing on Thursday do have much planned for the tomorrow or the weekend? My friend wanted to meet on Sat but I’m up at the Loch so we’re having a brunch thing instead…feel proper fancy x
Anyway I’m going to go get my tea so will wish a good night and chat soon. Much love 
x
Hi Christine:)
Nice to see you feel up to posting as always miss you and pleased to hear you managed to save a fish x
At this moment in time it’s quite mild at about 10C but as off on hols next week I bet it’ll start snowing x
Up at the Loch on Sat and it’s less than 50 days of going by past years the ospreys should be heading back so exciting times.
Have Eilidh out on Friday for another driving lesson but she’s away seeing Lewis Capaldi or some such drivel but she likes him…she has her mothers taste in music….vanilla garbage imo x
How are you feeling just now? If your niece hasn’t been in touch yet don’t write a relationship off yet between you both as she’s had a big upheaval too and I reckon when she is a bit more independent from your sister she’ll be back in touch x
How’s Porscha doing? Cal does nothing but eat, sleep and 
just now and I came home from work to find him in with Apollo again (my big rabbit)…cat is just not right in the head lol x
Have you been managing to watch any good tv lately? I’m still going through Criminal Minds but can’t stop watching but don’t want to watch as then it’ll end lol x
It’s the RSPB big bird watch this weekend if you fancy it x all you do is log on line what birds you having coming in to your garden x meant to ask are the foxes in the old rabbit hutch?
Hope the Creep is behaving himself and you can get some peace x
Will chat again soon as I need my tea lol 
x
Hi Suzanne
My friend had his results back today and unfortunately there is a small amount of cancer there but the good news is it is contained and should be treatable. Still not the news he was wanting to hear though.
Just had a bit of tea with some lovely Viennetta for afters as a treat.
Glad you have some time off coming up.
Speak again soon
Sending love and best wishes
Neil x
Hi Suzanne,
It’s such a relief being able to post again, and just being able to stay awake all day is a bonus. Can’t imagine getting up like you do for work. Been sleeping through my 7.30 alarm.
Had a very short swim after my therapy (20 mins) as they close for swimming lessons. Just had a reply to my texts from my niece and she’s looking forward to going swimming when she gets back. It’s all very hit and miss as to whether she replies at all. Wonder if it’s her or the boyfriend. Just have to see what happens, or if she even comes back at all.
Wonder what the babies would look like if Cal and Apollo got together? It’s so cute! Porsch is being very demanding at the mo. Every time I pick my sewing up (between sleeps) she’s wanting food or to sit at the kitchen door, or just to get attention generally. So annoying! And if I don’t jump she always starts throwing up so I have to get up. Not because she’s sick. She forces it on demand! Always has done. Bit of a psycho! She’s got a new ‘bed’ now on the cushions on the sofa in the sitting room next to the radiator. Miss her being next to my bed, though she still agitates for me to get out of bed every day.
Watched a very good film on Prime or Netflix called ‘Spells’. Very dark. Enjoying reruns of Scott and Bailey on ITV3 at the mo and started watching the new SAS jungle for ordinary peeps. I wouldn’t even attempt it but great to watch.
I’ll certainly do the RSPB. It’s booked in my diary so I don’t forget. Haven’t seen the foxes again but can smell them (they really pong!) so they must be in the garden somewhere. Popping food out every night for them (cat food).
Enjoy your time off. Do you like mooching about the charity shops for bits and bobs for the house? That’s what I’m looking forward to doing when my niece gets back.
So lovely seeing you again. I know how hard you work. Hope all is ok there and you aren’t covering everyone else’s jobs and not getting extra for it.
Hope your niece does well with her driving. I loved my first car and was always bombing about in it. I wired massive hifi speakers into the back seat so the whole car was pounding with heavy hardcore, techno, hip hop, drum and bass. Oh to be young! I still blast Kiss tunes on my way to therapy. Miss going out.
Lots of love xxx
Hi Neil,
That is awful news but good that it’s treatable. I’m still amazed that 1 in 2 of us will get cancer. But then people are living way into their late 80’s and 90’s. Will you go with him for his treatments if he asks? I had my first chemo and radiotherapy at UCL and then the second lot at home because of my anxiety. They were wonderful. Hope he doesn’t have to wait long with all the NHS strikes. So many people are going private and I don’t blame them. Mam had private health care through work but then gave it up when she retired. Don’t think it’s much per month if he wanted to go down that route.
Viennetta always reminds me of being little, when it was new and special. Did you ever do the chocolate rice crispie pud with the mint or butterscotch dream topping (?) whisked mousse thing? Or was that just a northern / mam creation? Came along with pop tarts (yum) and Crispie pancakes (beef and cheese). I love junk food but am so strict with myself. My veg soup is very boring so I add oxtail soup or cheese and broccoli to give it a bit of oomph! Treated myself to a microwave burger and crisps for tea.
You donl;t have long for your thing on Thursday. Exciting! Wish I had exciting things to do. My niece texted and will be coming home beginning of Feb so hope the snow stays away for a bit so we can have a mooch about the charity shops and go swimming.
Lots of love xxx
Hi everyone
Sorry I have been MIA. The company rebranded at the beginning of this week. Been a lot of work in the run up to it and then the launch. But has gone well so far and I love the new brand icon logo and colours - blue fading into a bright magenta.
Had some down days, long lonely weekends. Luckily a friend from no where rang me one Sunday and said lets go to Dunelm, Mum’s favourite place. Got there and it had had a wonderful makeover, she’d be thrilled!
Apart from that the crochet addiction is increasing! I will post some pictures of latest creations soon when I am more organised.
Granddad keeping well, the cats are well, trundling on and hope you are all too!
love, Beki x
Hi Beki,
Lovely to hear from you. Being busy helps to get you through the week. Your new colours sound fab. I have spurts of energy but really tired again. All I could do today was sleep and watch a couple of films. Just exhausted. But I’m working my way through a batch of new textiles. Just have to work when I can.
I know those long weekends very well, especially when the creep is lurking. Just try to plan ahead. Looking forward to seeing your crochet. I was very impressed with Debbie’s churchy things for the children. Had a look on Amazon for the crystal kits and discovered you can have your own image created as a piece of artwork. Thought it would be nice for Mothers Day. Been looking through pics of mam on hols, bbq’s, with the grand children, the old garden etc but haven’t come across one to use. Might do the robin as I think of her everyday when I am greeted at the kitchen window. Another thought is a stained glass window panel for Easter.
Glad to hear everyone is is fine. Porsch is up to her usual attention seeking mischief whenever I pick up a needle.
It’s bird watching weekend coming up. Will you be recoding your garden activity online? I still keep an eye out for foxes but haven’t spotted them yet. They left me a little poo outside the kitchen door this morning to thank me for their tray of catfood. Lovely!
Raining here and quite miserable. Just waiting for tv to start.
Lots of love. xxx
Hi Neil,
Sorry to hear the news of your friend however if it’s contained and treatable then hopefully will be a small blip and he’ll be able to beat it 
x
Is tomorrow your day out or have I got the wrong day? I think it’s tomorrow so will wish you a great day out.
I thought I would have an easy day before my hols but my old boss asked me to help him out with an investigation so I stupidly agreed before I found out where it was and turns out it’s in a store 55 miles away but can’t say no now lol x
I used to love vienetta especially the mint one…my slices were always overly generous x
Anyway have a great day out and look forward to hearing all about it.
Take care and much love x
Hi Christine,
I’m glad your niece has at least answered you and acknowledged that she wants to go swimming again and I admire you going swimming in this weather lol x
Had to come home from a late shift and turns out the water supply to the village is switched off again over night which is a royal pain and it’s the second week running it’s happened so have had to fill up the kettle just incase it’s not back on before 6am as I need to wash for work or go smelly lol x
If Cal and Apollo has babies all I could be assured of is they would be ginger and have a bad attitude x
Porscha certainly seems to have you wrapped around her finger doesn’t she lol x i sometimes wonder what the neighbour must think if she hears me yelling at Cal….I think she must think I’m John Noakes cause all I seem to shout is ‘Cal get down!!’ x
Hopefully with being off on Sunday I’ll get to the car boot sale and I do like to walk in to some charity shops but I really can be quite snobby as some of them I wouldn’t say foot in but often like to see what vinyl records I can find as I stupidly sold a lot of mine when I didn’t have a record player but now I do again I was trying to re-buy a lot of them and the prices for some are just mental!! I was going to rebuy one just cause I need it to complete my collection and was astounded to find out that it’s like £300…I’m not paying that for a record I’m not even that keen on x
What crafts have you been up to lately? Getting into the garden much?
Anyway I’m going to pop off to bed as up again at like 5.30am so will love you and leave you for tonight
Take care and sleep well x
Hi Suzanne,
What is the record that costs £300? Like you I got rid of such a lot of stuff to cash converters and so wish I hadn’t. There was a fab stall on Camden market where they’d play tunes all day long and that’s how I built up my collection. Proper old school rave tunes for like a fiver. Miss having a mooch and munching on noodles. So many great charity shops too for bargain hoodies, jeans and coats. Found lots of old tapes as well, tunes peeps had created that were proper sound. I bought a mustard yellow vinyl case for a couple of quid and covered it in blue denim as a present for my boyfriend because he was into his mixing decs and had all the equipment. All hand stitched. He loved it. Wonder if the little record shop is still there. There was a good one off of Oxford Street too.
Slept much of today and got nothing done at all. Will try to go swimming tomorrow to see if it will give me a boost.
That’s a real faff with the water. It reminds me of when we hired a barge for a holiday and my sisters boyfriend made a big fuss about having to get a flannel wash at the sink so we had to get off. I was banging on the windows to agitate him! Couldn’t help myself!! Hated my bedroom compartment. The whole thing, including the walls and ceiling, was carpeted dark brown (like poo) while my sister got the back end with doors to the outside bit. It was a fun holiday though. Love mucking about on the water.
I don’t know how you don’t freeze getting up at the time you do, especially up there. Your car must be thick with ice.
Porsch is snoring in her new nest of blankets next to me on the floor. She really is spoilt. I have her wrapped up in a shawl at bedtime and she loves it.
Are the car booties on already? It’s usually around March here, depending on the weather. Haven’t been since before covid though. Always had a collection of clothes to make use of for my work, as well as finding fab things to wear. Will have to replenish my ‘stock’ (as I like to call it) if I get projects finished waiting for me in the loft. Just don’t have much enthusiasm. Really should push myself harder to get things done.
You’ll be sleeping now with your early start. I’m off to watch Mr Ballan on you tube (true stories of people getting up to all sorts of mischief and it ending badly most of the time).
Just a thought, you could use one of your beautiful tree pics as a diamond craft project. You are a fab photographer!
Lots of love xxx
Hi Christine:)
It’s called Lifeblood by the Manics and it’s like the worst album I think they have ever done hence why I didn’t buy the vinyl when it came out but I wish I had now as my collection is now incomplete lol x
Did you get a wee swim today? x
I am now on holiday for a week so thinking of getting a take away tonight as a wee treat x
What else have you been up to today? The car boot sales up here don’t really stop apart from over the festive period and the big one we go to is open all year round x
Had a long day today as had to drive over 155 miles round trip to note take for a disciplinary and the guy didn’t even turn up …just hope he’s ok but guess will never know x
Do you have any plans to swim again this week? any blogs nearly finished? x
I’ll let you know how the driving lesson goes tomorrow lol x
Hi Christine
Nice to catch up with everyone and read what’s been going on. I’m glad your Niece has been texting. Us oldies aren’t on the radar of kids and teenagers today so I wouldn’t be getting too upset by thinking she’s avoiding you.
Had a bit of a few rubbish days. My hands and fingers had swollen to such an extent that I had to have my wedding ring cut off. I’d already managed to take off a stainless steel one but both of them were links to my Husband and now I have no rings on. Can’t work out whether it’s doing the rug as there were nearly 5000 strands of wool I twisted through the mesh or whether cold has triggered something. I was looking up Raynaud’s and Rheumatoid Arthritis and all sorts but I’m no doctor and know nothing so until I see someone it remains a mystery. The rug however is finished and it is lovely but I don’t think I’d like to do another. I’m so pleased you are thinking of a diamond art kit. Have you done them before? I think Amazon do bookmarks as well for those who don’t like big pictures. I was watching some TikTok videos of people doing them. Fascinating.
I have read what you said about some bad weather approaching and I’m horrified. I know the worst is yet to come with the weather but it’s been so brutal recently hadn’t it.
Sounds like your pet’s have got wrapped round their little fingers! Zoe has wiped the floor with me this week. I’ve managed to get out of her mouth all kinds from Tweezers to scissors and pens etc. Usually it’s happened when Ive nipped to another room. She’d got so reactive recently I’m struggling to say that least. Cats are more manageable I think!
Must go it’s late but I’ll chat tomorrow all being well.
Much love xx
Hi Suzanne,
Did you get a takeaway to start your hols? You’re probs in the land of nod now given the time you get up. Got up late again today. That’s a week of not even stirring with the alarm. Hope I get my energy back again soon. Will try for a swim tomorrow as couldn’t be arsed again today. But I did get a new series of textiles sorted. Chose the fabrics for the ‘surrounds’ to compliment the main panel so that was a big job done. Will hopefully cut and pin tomorrow in prep for stitching. It’s a series of slang names given to female bits with the essence of femininity expressed in the beautiful fabrics / prints used. I did another series of derogatory names given to women because of their sexuality. It’s an ongoing niche for my Womanhood Collection.
Hope you got the petrol money for that massive work journey. Sounds like the bloke has done a runner!
Saw a bit of Autumn Watch while I was flicking channels and saw some badgers fiddling about cleaning out t heir nests. Thought of you. Still haven’t seen my foxes but still popping lots of food out for them. Heard them tonight so they are around. Probs waiting for me.
Good luck with the driving lessons. How many has she had now? You are a good aunty. She’ll love you for it. When will she be doing her test? You’ll be able to call on her to take you places when she passes.
Been a very quiet week. Haven’t heard the creep banging to wake me up any more. He’s going to work or has already gone when I’m waking up so that’s good. I’d have such a stress free life if he wasn’t here.
Seem to be getting to sleep later and later. Stuck in a rut at the mo. Off to watch something nasty on you tube. I never get nightmares so can watch anything.
Lots of love xxx
