Keeping busy

I've also been trying out a new hobby today. I have a fondness for beaded bracelets and figure I could probably make them cheaper myself (yes, I am turning into my father).

So, here's what I've made so far...



and this...

Memories

As Aunty Sonia said it was nine years since Momma died yesterday and I must admit I did spend some time thinking of all three of my Grandparents and remembering all the things we used to do. These are a few that spring to mind immediately.

I used to make my Grandad put me in the cupboard in their dining table and then knock on the door for him to let me out. One Christmas he had to rescue me when the camp bed I was sleeping on folded up with me inside! And he alway used to wave us off with a special wave whenever you said goodbye to him, oh and always had Murrymints.

My Grandma and I spent some time sharing a room and I used to love it when she told me stories about how naughty my dad was as a child. Good until he was two apparently! She also bought me my Orville which I slept with for years as a child and took everywhere. I still have him and he sits by my bed! I also remember when she and Momma went on holiday together and she put a bit of half eaten toast on another woman's plate because she didn't want it to go to waste (Momma's face must have been a picture).

We went to Florida one summer with Momma and she was cold at night and we were sharing a bed and she insisted we have a sheet and a duvet type thing on and the heating! She also stuck up for me when I said I wanted to learn to play the drums when my mum was trying to get her to say it was a bad idea!

I could go on, but I'd be here forever! I just hope that I've made all three of them proud.

Home Alone

Even though I am on earlies and dog tired it took me forever to get to sleep last night. This is for several reasons, not least because I had worked myself up into a paranoid frenzy about being burgled whilst I was home alone and so stayed up to watch a programme about Holloway prison. Very interesting as it happens. Some of those women whilst may committed heinous crimes have never known a life other than that. There was one who was quite clearly doing bad things whilst banged up because she didn't have anything or anyone on the outside and staying in prison would mean a better life for her. What a waste of a life.

I digress. I finally got to sleep only to be woken by a loud crash. This made me start out of bed and then think oh my god we are actually being burgled! (See earlier point about me working myself up). I stayed really still to see if we were and then when I heard nothing else I just presumed the cat had done something.

I went back to sleep then the horse racing started up and down the stairs. I got up to see what on earth Poppy was playing at and she followed me into the bathroom. The look on her face read, "oh look she's up! let's play" and she started purring and circling my legs. I was less than impressed at this and told her to be quiet. Went back to bed and then after what felt like minutes the alarm went off and I had to get up. She better behave tonight or else!

Oh and the loud crash was the ironing board falling into the bookcase....Madam Paws at work.

Summer

So, the clocks have gone forward and like an idiot I decided that I would be on earlies just in time for that happening. I feel robbed of an hours vital sleep!

Not a lot is happening here, His Lordship is going to Scotland for a training course and I'm not at all looking forward to staying here alone. I realise this is ridiculous but the slightest sound gets me all nervous and then I don't sleep. This is not the state I wish to be in when having to get up at 4:30am.

The boiler broke and then fixed itself this weekend but not before I had to have a victorian style bath with hot water from the kettle! The reason for this was because we went to a fancy dress party on Saturday. I went as Minnie Mouse and he went as Doc Emmet Brown from Back to the Future. Pictures to follow!

I'm currently waiting for a book to be delivered that I ordered from Amazon. It's by Emma Kennedy and is called The Tent, The Bucket and Me. It's about her holidays when she was younger and featured on Radio 4's Book of the Week. Very funny and I can't wait to read it!

What happened next...

The lady from nextdoor came around and said it was probably her damp proofing that caused the hole in the wall, and in a big cheery voice said, "looks like you've got a free damp course." No apology though. Although it seems there is some justice in the world as the damage was caused last spring and last summer Poppy pulled up all her baby carrots and has been to the toilet in several of her pot plants.

Anyway, under the stairs has now been repaired, all the gloss work is done (even the doors) and we are now waiting for our new carpet to come. The man is coming on Monday some time in the afternoon. Once that is done, I might start about thinking about the living room. We're going to get it plastered and then paint it I think, just because the walls are very lumpy and bumpy. We're also getting people in to do the work as I really cannot face doing ourselves.

Here we go again...

So, today we planned on fixing the stairs and emptied the cupboard underneath in preparation. We weren't expecting what we found....



It seems that the next door neighbours could be responsible. She came around sometime last year to tell us she was getting a damp course put in and I think that it's got to be disturbance from that. I suppose we should have seen it earlier, but I don't think it's the point. Anyway, His Lordship went round to ask if they'd had work done and the man who lives there claims they haven't. He also said he would ask his partner when she comes home if they had! I know they have, because she came round to say she has, and this has been winding me up.

His Lordship has bought some stuff to repair it with, and today I became my Dad (mum will understand) until I had to tell myself not to be! I am annoyed but I don't think I need to make it into the end of the world.

In which the weekend begins

My mother is correct, she is in Mablethorpe, that is it's one saving grace (that and Pa is also there). My original point stands though.

I've been watching Heston Blumenthal's programme on channel 4 and I'm rather glad not to have to eat any of the things he has been cooking. I didn't much enjoy watching live frogs have their heads cut off. Blergh. I do think he is a genius, but I also thinks you can take something too far.

Yesterday I cooked curry from a Jamie Oliver recipe, the house still stinks of curry! I've got the windows and doors open to try and get rid of the stench. It certainly wasn't worth it. I just think there is no recipe for curry that makes it taste like you can get from a takeaway or restaurant. I made his chocolate brownies a few days ago, they were more of a success.

For me today marks the start of a few days off with which we are supposed to be sorting out the living room. I suspect apathy may take hold at some point this evening when we both decide we might just put it off for a few days and then Monday arrives without us doing anything at all. I should really be getting on with the gloss work in the hallway, but I figure i've been at work today and could do with a rest!