We had a family meal for Dad last Friday to celebrate his 84th birthday. He does so well. Still working two days a week and always ready to help out where he can. Here he is blowing out his candles.

We spent last weekend working in the garden The weather was perfect for the job. We cleared all the weeds and dead stuff, trimmed bushes, put slabs down to enlarge the patio and also smartened up the bed by the house wall by laying slabs and cobbles. I have a new water feature and have installed a compost bin in a secluded corner. There is still work to be done but none of it quite such hard work. Two benches have to be repainted and I am going to buy a small round table and two chairs for the back patio where we like to sit with a coffee when the weather is good. We are also wondering if we should invest in a chiminea so that we can make more of the summer evenings that may be a little chilly. I will take some photo's when I get a few mins.

We've been out and about during the school holidays. Walking the dogs, visiting garden centres and onThursday we spent a lovely day with Liz, Nicola and Kaila. Ethan and Kaila play very well together even though there is a 21/2 year age gap. It was lovely for Dad to see both his Great grand children together.

We have friends coming for dinner tonight. I feel very organised as I prepared the main courses yesterday and am just about to lay the table and have a quick hoover round. Our friends are bringing the starters and the puds.

Those of you who read Rachaels blog will know about the house and her comments about manners.. Neighbours who moved in just over a year ago rarely manage to aknowledge us or any of the other neigbours.. Each week on Sunday morning they place their rubbish bags (ready for Monday collection) outside our house on the edge of our lawn. This has annoyed me for months so last week I moved it back into their driveway behind the wall. Hopefully they will get the message or am I being petty?

Strange...

There are strange comments on my last two entries. No idea what they mean and I'm not going to click on them. Anyone any idea?

Have now deleted the comments to be on the safe side. Thet were from very odd names and seemed to have a link in them. They were both from different names but said something like " look here please".

Good weather....

has got me in the mood for working in the garden. The sunshine has been lovely and I have decided the garden needs a really good sort out. I'm not rushing , just a few hours here and there. One corner has been cleared of all the straggly plants and the bed will be removed to enable the patio to be enlarged. I have lots of plans but will have to get it done bit by bit. At the weekend I am hoping to get Michael to the garden centre to look at water features. The old one has fallen apart and I have my eye on a slate pile.

We had a lovely day with our friends last Friday, the weather was very kind and we all enjoyed a walk in the woods especially Ethan who of course ended up covered in mud.

Here are a couple of photo's of the angels and the small runner/quilt I made last week. I am definately getting better at finishing projects.

At the Olney crop on Sunday I managed a LO and a '7 gypsies' portfolio of Michael and Ethan washing the car. I really enjoy these crops, they are not over organised, everyone does their own thing but if you need help someone will alway be willing to help. We have a great bunch of ladies and there is plenty of chatter and a fair bit of laughter !

Michael was suprised to see this little bird had flown into our bedroom. I saw something similar in a shop in Cornwall, priced around £6. I made this one for about 50p! I was suprised that Michael even noticed it was there.

Most of the family have recovered from their illnesses but Lindsay has the 'bug' now. My back has been causing a few problems, pains around the top of my leg and pelvis. Doc. says I need to see someone to pull me about (Physio, ? ) so I will see how it is after the weekend. Good excuse to buy some new knickers !!

I have been busy sewing this week. On Monday I had a day out and started a small hanging which I will post when it's finished. I am also in the middle of making some sweet little angels again piccie when finished.

Just look at these dogs all snuggled up. Jet and Sasha love to share or is it a two headed dog ? Yes, I know Bonnie shouldn't really be on the bed but she snuck up there and you know they say 'Let sleeping dogs lie', she looks so comfy. Considering how high the bed is and the fact she is nearly 11 years old, she does really well to jump up.

Rachael, Ethan and I are off out for the day. We are visiting our friends Claire and Sheena and Sheenas little ones, Alex and Olivia. Ethan and Alex are just a year apart in age and they get on so well even though we only get to see them 2 or 3 times a year. Ethan is so excited and I know we shall have a lovely day.

Call out the District Nurse!

That's me! We seem to have an endless stream of illness in the family over the last few weeks and this week is no exception. This was my agenda today...

Take Ethan to school as Rachael has been ill since the weekend.

Do a bit of shopping for Beverly who is also off work ill, visit and administer cold drinks, and TLC.
Check on Jet and Sasha as they also have been off colour. I had them at my house on Tues. and Wed. ( We won't talk about the carpet!)

Visit my Dad who was up last night with tummy trouble.

Collect Ethan , play, feed and deliver him home, bath and bed.

Check on Rachael.

Check on Dad.

Call to check on Bev.

So with my back and a tummy bug, Michaels bug and Bonnie seems a little off her food today, hopefully that will be our lot for a while. Ethan would like to know why the Big Bug (gers) keep getting us?

Our family also seem to attract odd happenings. A car appeared on our front lawn on Tuesday lunchtime. It had rolled from the lay-by opposite and luckily missed my car and also Lindsays. Unfortunately it also missed the fench that needs replacing, it would have been handy to claim on their insurance. Mind you not quite as exciting as a cow on the run from the police or a jogging tortoise but thereby hang other tales!

Still, we managed a pleasant weekend away. Michael and Richard were like two little boys playing with the tractor and they also slipped in a game of golf.

off we go!

Well, at last I am feeling more myself. My back is just about recovered, just need to be a bit careful. I also picked up the nasty bug and spent a few days not knowing which way to turn IYSWIM! Michael managed to catch it too but, of course he had it far worse !



I certainly do feel grateful for my usual good health. Being stuck indoors day after day is NOT fun and I was glad to get out with the dogs for a walk. Today I managed to cut the grass and tidy up a bit but I do feel tired now so having a rest this afternoon.



There is alot to fit in next week before we go off to Cornwall for the Easter weekend. Michael will be mending a tractor with his friend but I'm just going to have fun and do some exploring. We will be based at a B & B called Cadson Manor nr Callington. Have a look at the web site. It looks lovely and we are not paying!

IMPROVING

Well, my back is improving. I can almost stand upright now and it is uncomfortable and stiff rather than painful. I'm not able to walk far without it becoming very achey but it's defineately on the mend. One strange thing that happened was that my left hand became very swollen. On Thursday night I was woken because my hand and finger were so sore. Whilst my wedding ring has been fairly tight of late I could stil move it around but on Friday morning Michael had to cut it off as is was so tight. I have never taken my ring off since the day it was put on and I found it quite upsetting, just a sentimental thing I suppose. I have been to the jewelers and they have quoted a price to enlarge it and I shall have my engagement ring done at the same time. They advised me to wait a week or so to let my finger recover.

Poor Ethan has picked up a tummy bug and is off school at the moment. Hope he won't be kind enough to pass it around.

Olney crop on Sunday, so looking forward to that and I know what I am going to do.

Rumbles and grumbles.

I did feel the earthquake on Wednesday morning although at the time I didn't register what it was. It certainly made the bed shake and I remember wondering what it was but as it was only a few seconds I just went back to sleep !

So, that's the rumble and the grumble?

I went to get my socks out of the drawer on Tuesday morning and my back went PING!!! Oh, it did hurt. I think the muscles went into spasm and all I can do is wait for them to relax again. It feels a little easier this morming ( I couldn't have sat a the computer yesterday to type). The annoying thing is that I feel fine in myself and want to do lots of things but then I try to move and Ouch. Still it makes me appriciate how lucky I am normally being able to move freely . I am missing my exercise classes and it seem so stupid that after all the exercise I have done in the last couple of months a small bend to the drawer causes a problem.

Yesterday I resorted to watching some daytime TV. Good Morning was OK in parts and I enjoyed Alan Titchmarsh in the afternoon but I just can't understand how a fit and healthy person could bear to sit around watching TV all day when there are so many other things they could do.

I have Jet and Sasha here today and Bonnie is not too thrilled. She has been very brave and has joined us downstairs but is very pointedly staying in a different room.

I have finished the hanging for our bedroom. Here it is and I am quite pleased with it. Some of the squares are 3D but that doesn't show up very well in the photo'.

I have Lindsays dogs with me today. She started her new job yesterday and can't get home at lunchtime now so has arranged various outings for them. We are hoping the sun comes out this afternoon as we will be taking them to Salcey forest for a good walk.

Last week we booked a weeks holiday in Cornwall. Dad, Dave and Liz will be with us. Dave and Liz have not been to Cornwall before and as Michael and I love it there, we are really looking forward to showing them our favourite places. Dad hasn't been for about 12 years. He will be taking his electric scooter with him so will be able to get around quite well.

These two LOs were done at the Sunday Olney crop.The first one was taken just after Ethan had his last haircut. He was very pleased with the way the barber had spiked his hair. It does make him look a lot older though. The other one is Michael and I when we were 20 years old ( 2 1/2 years apart I might add). How we have changed. Michael still does that grin though!!

Rachael, Gary and Ethan are on the move again, they are gradually creeping nearer to us! I hope it all goes smoothly this time as the last move was a nightmare. Claire , if you read this Rachael says she will be sending you a new address book!

Why get stressed?

On the home page of UKS this week is a poll asking if you get stressed about scrapbooking. I am amazed that well over half the people that have responded say that they do. For goodness sake, scrapbooking is supposed to be a pleasure, a relaxation, a hobby. I can see that someone on a design team might get a bit stressed if they have deadlines to meet, likewise those that do it as a profession. Otherwise, what is there to get stressed about? Maybe I am missing something!

I have been busy knitting more cakes this week for Beverlys friend and the ladies at craft club enjoyed having a go too. On Monday I am going to a sewing day and have been gathering fabric to make a small hanging for our bedroom. Will post a piccie when it's finished.

It was Michaels birthday yesterday but we have transferred it to today as he had a do on at work last night. We will be having a yummy buffet tonight with the girls, Gary and Ethan.

MK scrappers meet at Olney tomorrow so must get myself organized for that. I am determined to get something substantial done. Our retreat is booked for October. Rachael & I went to visit the venue on Tuesday, it looks fab and very good value for money.

Must get on with the preperations for this evening.